Three hundred and fifty ministers were
driven with their families from their homes in the depth of winter; and
to supply their places new ministers were appointed, popularly known as
the King's Curates. Another Act required attendance at the parish church
on penalty of a fine graduated according to the rank of the absentee.
Finally, to crown all, the Solemn League and Covenant was publicly
burned at the market-cross of Edinburgh; and an aggravated copy of the
English Five-mile Act against Non-jurors, known as the Mile Act, was
passed, prohibiting all recusant clergymen from residing within twenty
miles of their old parishes, within six miles of Edinburgh or any
cathedral town, and within three miles of any royal burgh. The
punishment for transgressing this law was to be the same as that for
sedition.
Enough has now been said to show the nature of the bullying adopted by
the Government. Over the years which still lie between us and the entry
of Claverhouse on the stage I must pass more rapidly.
In 1663 Rothes succeeded Middleton as commissioner. The latter had been
rash enough to measure his strength with Lauderdale, and had been
signally worsted. To complete the legislative machinery a Conventicle
Act was passed this year, declaring all assemblies of more than five
persons, besides members of the family, unlawful and seditious.
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