Note 72 — The Life of Mr. John M'Clelland.

Although patronage be a yoke upon the neck of the church, which neither we nor our fathers were able to bear, contrary to Acts i. 13, &c. vi. 6. xiv. 23. 2. Cor. viii. 19. the practice of the primitive church, reason and the natural rights of mankind, yet in the beginning of our reformation from popery, it was somewhat more tolerable (not to say necessary) than now, when there were few ministers, the people but just emerging out of gross darkness, and our noblemen and gentlemen then being generally not only pious religious men, but also promoters of our reformation (the quite contrary of which is the case at present); and yet our wise reformers, while in an advancing state, made several acts both in church and state as barriers against this increasing evil, and never rested until by an Act of Parliament 1649, they got it utterly abolished. Soon after the restoration this act among others was declared null, and patronage in its full force restored, which continued till the revolution, when its form was changed, by taking that power from patrons and lodging it in the hands of such heritors and elders as were qualified by law. But as if this had not been enough, to denude the people of that right purchased to them by the blood of Christ, patronage was, in its extent, by act of parliament 1712, restored, and is now universally practiced with as bad circumstances as ever.——And yet it is to be feared after all, that there are many now-a-days, more irritated and chagrined at this evil, because it more sensibly crosses their own inclination, then because it is an usurpation upon the church of Christ, else they would give a more ample testimony against the other branches of those incroachments made upon Christ's crown and royal dignity. These who would see more of the evil consequences of patronage, and popular elections vindicated, may consult Rectius instruendum; Park upon patronage; the suffrages of the people; the full vindication of the people's right, &c. a plea for the church of Scotland against patronage; the candid inquiry; and an attempt to prove every species of patronage foreign to the nature of the church, &c.