by law, did not involve any opinion respecting its Scriptural or primitive character, which no Episcopalian could possibly admit. Besides, as no form of Prayer was imposed by the Presbyterians, the Clergy could proceed in the management of public worship, nearly in the same manner as previous to the Revolution. Accordingly a considerable number of the Episcopal Clergy complied, and continued in their respective Parishes.
But though King William was anxious to comprehend, within the establishment, as many of the Clergy as possible, the Presbyterians were by no means pleased with their compliance: consequently all kinds of expedients were adopted, in order to get rid of such Clergymen as were known to favour Episcopacy. Nor was the King much in favour with the more rigid of the Presbyterian party, in consequence of his notions of a comprehension, and a toleration. The means resorted to for the purpose of removing the Clergy may now be specified.
It has been mentioned already, that the rabble commenced the work of persecution, as soon as the news of the arrival of the Prince of Orange reached Scotland. Some notices of the harsh treatment, which the Clergy received, may be submitted to the reader as evidences of the persecuting character of Presbytery: and it will be seen, that hostility to Episcopacy was so wrought into the very nature of the Presbyterians, that they could not tolerate a man, who considered Bishops as the only lawful governors of the Church of Christ.
In a contemporary publication the sufferers are divided into four classes, as follows:
"First those persecuted by the mobility before the 13th day of April 1689, and not noticed by the estates,
