The Convention Parliament, which had been convened at the commencement of the Revolution, and by whom the crown had been conferred on William and Mary, had continued ever since: for the Presbyterians were afraid to hazard their establishment by a new election. As that Parliament had set up Presbytery, the party were anxious to continue it, lest a new one should favour Episcopacy. This circumstance affords a singular proof, that the country in general did not, as the act of 1690 declared, view Episcopacy as a grievance. A new Parliament was now, therefore, summoned; and an Act of Toleration was proposed, at which the Presbyterians became greatly alarmed. In an address to the Lord High Commissioner, the General Assembly say, "they are bold in the Lord, and in the name of the Church of God to attest his Grace, and the most honourable estates, that no such motion of any legal Toleration, to those of the prelatical principles might be entertained by the Parliament." To tolerate "those of that way" said these meek and humble ministers of the Gospel, "would be to establish iniquity by a law:" and so artfully did the Kirk manage matters, that the act for a Toleration was dropped for this
Presbyterians found it very difficult to supply the churches, a considerable number of Episcopal clergymen were permitted to retain their benefices without taking the Oaths. Keith, by Russell, p. 502. See also Boyer's Life of Queen Anne, 54. I have a copy of this Address, printed on a single page, the reverse being blank. It is one of the original copies, which were printed for circulation among the friends of the Clergy. On this copy is the following memorandum in, I believe, the handwriting of Brett. "This address was presented by Dr. Skeen and Dr. Scott, who were introduced by ye D. of Queensbury and ye Viscount of Tarbat, March 1703."
