Chapter II: Book II: DECEMBER 1660 to 12th JULY 1661

Lord High Commissioner arrives in Edinburgh—Parliament—Its 21
composition—Act of indemnity withheld—Lord Chancellor
restored to the Presidentship—Oath of
allegiance—Retrogression in reformation-work—Divine right
of Kings asserted—Solemn League and Covenant
repealed—Engagement approved,
&c.—Declaration—Resolutioners begin to perceive their
error—Middleton amuses the ministers of Edinburgh—Manner
of concocting the Act rescissory and of getting it
passed—Middleton’s interview with D. Dickson and part of
the Edinburgh presbytery—Distress of the
ministers—Dispersion of the synods—Concluding acts—Trial
of Argyle—his behaviour before and at the place of
execution—Trial of James Guthrie—his behaviour and
execution—Captain Govan —Prosecutions of Mr Traill of
Edinburgh—Mr Moncrief of Scone—Intrepid reply of his
wife—Mr Robert Macwaird of Glasgow—his striking picture of
the effects of the Restoration—his
accusation—defence—banishment—Swinton of Swinton—Sir John
Chiesly and Mr P. Gillespie’s escape—Parliament
rises—Samuel Rutherford