Note 159 — THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT EDINBURGH, 1639.

Bishop Burnet, in allusion to this treaty, remarks on it, (p. 143,) that “some made another observation, though of less moment, yet not unpleasant, upon Mr Henderson—that it was strange to see a Churchman, who had acted so vigorously against Bishops for their meddling in civil affairs, made a Commissioner for this treaty, and sign a paper so purely civil.” In making this paltry observation, the courtly prelate seems to have overlooked what he had recorded not two pages before, that this was not a treaty “purely civil.” Its first and leading condition related to religion, and pledged the King to call a free General Assembly, in which all ecclesiastical matters were to be settled, and afterwards to be ratified in Parliament. This was, in fact, the foundation and essence of the treaty; and it was fitting that the chosen representatives of the Church should be parties to so important a treaty. This was very different, indeed, from being a “Lord of Privy Council,” or a “member of the High Commission.”