.

.

were indeed the dreg and refuse of the northern parts.

Those of them who arose above contempt or scandal were men of such violent tempers that they were as much hated as the others were despised.' {86} It was little to be wondered at, from this account that the country-folk refused to go to the parish church, and chose rather to listen to outed ministers in the fields.

But this was not to be allowed, and their persecutors at last fell on the method of calling a roll of the parishioners' names every Sabbath, and marking a fine of twenty shillings Scots to the name of each absenter.