If he should become King of Scotland without being fettered by any pledge on this subject, it might well be apprehended that he would hesitate about passing an Act which would be regarded with abhorrence by a large body of his subjects in the south of the island.

It was therefore most desirable that the question should be settled while the throne was still vacant.

In this opinion many politicians concurred, who had no dislike to rochets and mitres, but who wished that William might have a quiet and prosperous reign.

The Scottish people,--so these men reasoned,--hated episcopacy.

The English loved it.