Accordingly, in October, 1656, a Mr.James Simson, minister of Airth, had been sent up by the Protesters, to be followed, more effectively, in January, by Mr.James Guthrie himself, Principal Gillespie of Glasgow, and three elders, of whom one was Warriston.

There had been a conference and debate between Sharp and these Protesters before Cromwell, three of his Council being present, and Owen, Lockyer, Manton, and Ashe attending as representative English divines; but his Highness had not yet made up his mind.

The rumour in Scotland was that Sharp was likely to succeed, and that he had driven Warriston and Gillespie very hard in the Conference, and contrived, in particular, to make Warriston, in self-defence, betray some awkward secrets.

One finds, however, that Principal Gillespie was invited to preach twice before the Parliament, and thanked for his sermons, and that he had influence enough to move in the Council a suit in the interests of the University of Glasgow.

Though Sharp, as Baillie advised him, was "supping with a long spoon," Cromwell had probably taken estimate of him.[1] [Footnote 1: Council Order Books of dates given, and of others (e.g.
Nov.