118 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

chap. prejudices entertained against them. Even mosttxiv. of those, who retained their livings by compli-ces. ance, fell under the imputation of hypocrisy,either by their stowing a disgust to the new modelof ecclesiastical government, which they hadacknowledged; or on the other hand, by declar-ing, that their former adherence to presbyteryand the covenant had been the result of violenceand necessity. And as Middleton and the newministry indulged themselves in great riot anddisorder, to which the nation had been littleaccustomed , an opinion universally prevailed,that any form of religion, offered by such hands,must be profane and impious.

The people, notwithstanding their discontents,were resolved to give no handle against them,by the least symptom of mutiny or sedition : Butthis submissive disposition, instead of procuringa mitigation of the rigors , was made use of as** an argument for continuing the same measures,which by their vigor, it was pretended , hadproduced so prompt an obedience. The king,however, was disgusted with the violence ofIVliddleton " ; and he made Rothes commissionerin his place. This nobleman was already pre-sident of the council ; and soon after was madelord keeper and treasurer. Lauderdale still conti-nued secretary of state, and commonly resided atLondon.

Affairs remained in a peaceable state, till the

Burnet, p. 202.