He bestowed pensions and preferments on Henderson, Gillespy, and other popular preachers, and practised every art to soften, if not to gain, his greatest enemies.

The earl of Argyle was created a marquis, Lord Loudon an earl, Lesley was dignified with the title of earl of Leven.[***] His friends he was obliged for the present to neglect and overlook: some of them were disgusted; and his enemies were not reconciled, but ascribed all his caresses and favors to artifice and necessity.
* Burnet, Mem.
** Burnet, Mem.
*** Clarendon, vol.ii p.

309.
Argyle and Hamilton, being seized with an apprehension, real or pretended, that the earl of Crawfurd and others meant to assassinate them, left the parliament suddenly, and retired into the country; but upon invitation and assurances, returned in a few days.

This event, which had neither cause nor effect that was visible, nor purpose, nor consequence, was commonly denominated the incident.

But though the incident had no effect In Scotland; what was not expected, it was attended with consequences in England.