[416] It was indeed a very distant day; and when it came neither minister nor elder attended; for even the boldest members shrank from a complete rupture with the civil power.

But, though there was not open war between the Church and the Government, they were estranged from each other, jealous of each other, and afraid of each other.

No progress had been made towards a reconciliation when the Estates met; and which side the Estates would take might well be doubted.
But the proceedings of this strange Parliament, in almost every one of its sessions, falsified all the predictions of politicians.

It had once been the most unmanageable of senates.

It was now the most obsequious.
Yet the old men had again met in the old hall.