Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

according to our vocation and power all the days of
our lives, under the pains contained in the law, and
danger both of body and soul in the day of God's
fearful judgment." At length, in a packed assembly
which met in Glasgow in 1610, James succeeded in
carrying his measure -- prelacy was set up. The
bishops acted as perpetual moderators, and had
dioceses assigned them, within which they
performed the ordinary functions of bishops.
Alongside of them the Presbyterian courts
continued to meet: not indeed the General
Assembly -- this court was suspended -- but Kirk
sessions, presbyteries, and synods were held, and
transacted the business of the Church in something
like the old fashion. This was a state of matters
pleasing to neither party, and least of all to the
court, and accordingly the tribunal of High
Commission was set up to give more power to the
king's bishops; but it failed to procure for the men
in whose interests it existed more obedience from
the ministers, or more respect from the people; and
the sentiment of the country was still too strong to
permit it putting forth all those despotic and
unconstitutional powers with which it was armed.
250