Page:History of John Brown of Priesthill.pdf/2

 HISTORY OF JOHN BROWN.

of Priesthill was only a boy when upwards of three hundred ministers were deposed, in one day, by Charles II.; because they, in conscience, could not submit that the Church should be lorded over by bishops. Often did he describe the distress that prevailed in the country on that occasion; and the anguish and weeping throughout the churches, on the Sabbath their ministers preached their farewell sermons. It was heart-rending to part with such men, so remarkable for grace, eminent for gifts, many of them learned, and all of them singularly dear to their people. "None of them wore scandalous, insufficient, or negligent, and the fruits of their ministry were everywhere conspicuous. You might have travelled many miles without hearing an oath. You scarce could lodge in a house where God was not worshipped. But, what a dreadful reverse was felt when Prelacy was introduced by arbitrary means. It was like King Saul's change—a bad spirit after a good."

"It is something remarkable, that every time that Prelacy was established in Scotland, it was accompanied with persecution of the Church, taking away the rights of the people, and degeneracy in the moral character of the nation. The discipline of the Presbyterians was too strict for the king and his councillors. The bishops were ambitious, and attained power and riches, by flattering the great, and passing over their sins. They justified the wicked for reward; and their curates were the