From the PREFACE.In this work, without attempting to write a complete or detailed history, I have endeavoured to give such a sketch of the political development of Scotland from the Reformation to the Revolution as may suffice to explain and illustrate some of its more important factors -- the potency of the national spirit, the relations of Church and State, the growth of sentiments and opinions, the rise and conflict of parties, and the character and influence of leading men. I think that the question of Church government bulks too largely in most histories of this period. By two parties -- the ultra-Presbyterian and the ultra-Episcopal -- it was regarded as fundamental; but the mass of the clergy, at all events when no question of allegiance was at stake, were more disposed to throw in their lot unreservedly with the Scottish people than to contend for principles of organisation with the civil power; and the continuity of the national Church is thus to be looked for in a deeper current of thought and feeling than that which was affected by mere ecclesiastical disputes. I have tried to trace the origin and progress of this moderate tradition -- the tradition, whatever its faults, of patriotism, humanity, and culture -- as well as of those volcanic elements which so often shook the Church to its foundation, and which, in the colder atmosphere of a later day, were to crystallise into the various forms of modern dissent. I am indebted to Mr. D. P. Heatley, Lecturer in History, University of Edinburgh, for the helpful interest he has taken in the progress of the work.Edinburgh: October, 1902.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.