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Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

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<strong>in</strong> this assembly. Wisdom, eloquence, patriotism,<br />

were not lack<strong>in</strong>g to that Parliament; it <strong>in</strong>cluded the<br />

great names of Hyde and Falkland, and Digby, and<br />

others; but all this could not prevent a rupture<br />

between the k<strong>in</strong>g and the people, which widened<br />

every day till at last the breach was irreparable.<br />

The k<strong>in</strong>g's two favorites, Strafford and Laud, were<br />

impeached and brought to the block. The Star<br />

Chamber and High Commission Court were<br />

abolished. Ship-money, and other illegal imposts,<br />

the growth of recent years of despotism, were<br />

swept away; and the spirit of reform seemed even<br />

to have reached the throne, and made a convert of<br />

the k<strong>in</strong>g. In his speech on the 25th of January,<br />

1641, the k<strong>in</strong>g said, "I will will<strong>in</strong>gly and cheerfully<br />

concur with you for the reformation of all abuses,<br />

both <strong>in</strong> Church and commonwealth, for my<br />

<strong>in</strong>tention is to reduce all th<strong>in</strong>gs to the best and<br />

purest times, as they were <strong>in</strong> the days of Queen<br />

Elizabeth." The olive-branch was held out to even<br />

the Presbyterians of <strong>Scotland</strong>. Charles paid a visit<br />

at this time to his ancient k<strong>in</strong>gdom, for the end, as<br />

he assured his Parliament of <strong>Scotland</strong>, "of quiet<strong>in</strong>g<br />

the distractions of his k<strong>in</strong>gdom;" for, said he, "I can<br />

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