CHARLES I.

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these, instigated by the clergy , were resolved,since they could not obtain the king’s consent,to summon, in his name, but by their own■authority, a convention of states ; and to bereavetheir sovereign of this article, the only one■which remained, of his prerogative. Under colorof providing for national peace, endangered bythe neighbourhood of Englilh armies, was a con,vention called 77 ; an assembly, which, thoughit meets with less solemnity, has the same authorityas a parliament, in raising money and levyingforces. Hamilton and his brother the earl ofLaneric, who had been sent into Scotland, inorder to oppose these measures, wanted eitherauthority or sincerity ; and passively yielded tothe torrent. The general assembly of the chtirchmet at the same time with the convention ; andexercising an authority almost absolute over thewhole civil power ,*>made every political con-sideration yield to their theological zeal and pre,judices.

The Englilh parliament was, at that time,fallen into great distress, by the progress of theroyal arms ; and they gladly sent to Edinburghcommissioners , with ample powers, to treat ofa nearer union and confederacy with the Scottilhnation. The persons employed were the earl ofRutland, Sir William Armyne, Sir Henry Vanethe younger , Thomas Hatcher , and HenryDarley , attended by Marshal and Nye, tWQ

V 23d of June,

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HAP.

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