Page:History of the Nonjurors.djvu/464

466 principles they so much disliked. A case occurred in the year 1709, which excited all their ancient hatred, and which may be regarded as one of the grossest instances of intolerance recorded in the annals of bigotry. Mr. Greenshields, whose father had been rabbled out of his Church at the Revolution, was ordained by one of the Scottish Prelates: and after serving a curacy in Ireland, he ventured to return to Scotland. Having opened a meeting house in Edinburgh, he commenced the use of the English Liturgy, which had not yet been adopted in the Episcopal congregations.

By the Act of Comprehension, the Episcopal Clergy were protected and exempt from the Church courts, provided they took the Oaths and the Assurance. Greenshields had complied according to law, and also prayed for her Majesty: consequently, the Presbyterian Church courts had no authority in such a case, since he was specially exempted from their jurisdiction.