If these be the principles of the High-Kirk, God preserve at least the southern parts from their tyranny." Greenshields was liberated by the decision of the House.
Greenshields's persecution was the fore-runner of that toleration, which at last became established in Scotland as in England. It led the friends of the Clergy to see that they were not safe under the Act of Comprehension. Though they were protected and exempted from the Church Courts, yet the Presbyteries were constantly claiming authority, and anxious to execute it. The case of Greenshields, therefore, brought the matter to an issue: for the English Parliament perceived, that the Clergy in Scotland were still at the mercy of the Presbyterians. Two measures were accordingly proposed in Parliament, the one an Act of Toleration: the other an Act for restoring Patronage to those who had formerly enjoyed it. Both measures were triumphantly carried through Parliament: though both were vehemently opposed by the Presbyterians. They could not tolerate the Liturgy. The Kirk therefore presented a petition against the measure, in which they deprecated the evils that would ensue. By the Toleration Act the Episcopal Clergy, who took the Oaths were permitted to use the English Liturgy without molestation. In the House of Commons the minority against the Bill only amounted to seventeen.[1] It was specially enacted that no pain or forfeiture should be incurred "by reason of any excommunication by the Church Judicatory in Scotland." Thus were the Presbyterians deprived of that tyrannical power, which, notwithstanding Acts of Parliament, they had fre-
- ↑ Somerville, 469, 470. Tindal, ii. 243.
