Note 262 — Chapter X
Reading edition
Somers Tracts, iv. 533. The names marked in the Parliamentary History as having taken the covenant, are 236.
The Earl of Lincoln alone, a man of great integrity and moderation, though only conspicuous in the Journals, refused to take the covenant, and was excluded in consequence from his seat in the house: but on his petition next year, though, as far as appears, without compliance, was restored, and the vote rescinded. Parl. Hist. 393. He regularly protested against all violent measures; and we still find his name in the minority on such occasions after the Restoration.
Baillie says, the desertion of about six peers at this time to the king, was of great use to the passing of the covenant in a legal way. Vol. i. p. 390.