The British Churches Under Cromwell [pp. 629-655]

642 The British Uhurches un~er ~r~rnwell. [OcToBER
Pojitical complications increased the difficulty. Scotland
and Geneva had furnished the Presbyterian modd; and the
Solemn League and Covenant with the former was much relied
on for support. In the first instance, and for two or* three
years, it was a tower of strength. But in 1648 the Scotch also
divided on the question of restoring the King, and the high
royalist party obt~ining the majority in their Parliament, sent
an army into England to compel the English Parliament into
their measures. Defeated by Cromwell, that invasion failed of
its object; but was not without effect, reviving in the English
breast the ancient dislike of Scotchmen, and alienating largely
the adherents of the League and Covenant.
In the meanwhile subordinate sects had grown up or increased.
Of these the strongest in learning and intellect, if not numbers,
were the Independents. Not yet constituting a separate body
or ecclesiastical connection, they were only variants or dissentients within the Presbyterian establishment. It was not
until after the death of Cromwell that they came out with a
confession of their own, which, after all, differed so little,
except in government, from that of Westminster, that it soon
fell into neglect. Other variations were created by the Baptists
and Erastians, and the founders of the Society of Friends
were beginning to attract public notice, and other differences
of opiniou were laying the foundations for sects which had yet
taken no shape. All these, together with a greater number of
repressed Episcopalians, were contained within the bosom of
the newly established Presbyterian church, but not recognized
as having any right to toleration. The greatest excitement of
feeling, over all three kingdoms, intensified the tenacity with
which conflicting opinions were adhered to and defended.
Religion, politics, and local and national prejudices and
interests heated and aggravated one another. English, Irish,
Scotch, Welsh passions were excited to the utmost by designing
leaders, and friends of the King arrayed in deadly animosity
against his enemies. Well for the two nations most intimatdy
connected that a real interest in religion, a practically working
religion, entered so deeply into the heart of all their purposes,
and swayed so much the conduct of their lives. Who shall be
found equal to allay the public ferment, and reduce the dis