of the remaining part of his life necessarily involves some account of these. Without, however, entering into a detail of public events, which may be found in the general histories of the period, although often very inadequately and partially represented, it shall be the object of this memoir to select those incidents in which Mr Henderson was more particularly concerned, and which tend to throw light upon his cha

racter.

As we are now to view him in a very different scene from the tranquil and retiring one in which he formerly acted, it may be agreeable to hear his own. beautiful and serious reflections upon the ordinations of divine sovereignty in this matter, made when he was in London, in the midst of those great undertakings to which Providence had gradually conducted him. "When," says he, "from my sense of myself, and of my own thoughts and ways, I begin to remember how men, who love to live obscurely, and in the shadow, are brought forth to light, to the view and talking of the world; how men that love quietness are made to stir, and to have a hand in public business; how men that love soliloquies and contemplations are brought upon debates and controversies; and generally, how men are brought to act the things which they never determined, nor so much as dreamed of before ;—the words of the prophet Jeremiah come to my remembrance, O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.' Let no man think himself master of his own actions or ways: "When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldst; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, another shall gird thee, and carry

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thee whither thou wouldst not.' These reflections show that in the active part which he took in the troubles, he was neither goaded by resentment for the restraints to which he had been subjected, nor stimulated by that ambition which leads men to seek for fame in the embroilments of public affairs,—a remark which the whole of his subsequent life serves to justify.

The number of the petitioners against the innovations increased so rapidly, that in a short time the body of the nation was embarked in the cause, and they found it necessary to divide themselves into four companies, consisting of the noblemen, the gentlemen of the shires, the burgesses, and the ministers, and to commit the prosecution of their petitions to a certain number of deputies, or commissioners, appointed by each of these; which was done with the approbation of the Privy Council. After having been amused for some time with promises, their meetings were suddenly prohibited by a proclamation from his Majesty, under pain of rebellion. Alarmed by this procedure, and convinced that they could not confide in the court, they saw the necessity of adopting some other method for strengthening their union. That to which they were directed was, both in a divine and human point of view, the most proper. They recollected, that formerly, in a time of great danger, the nation of Scotland had entered into a solemn covenant, by which they bound themselves to continue in the true Protestant religion, and to defend and support one another in that cause against their common enemies. The several Tables being assembled, the noblemen having called Messrs Henderson and Dickson to their assistance, agreed to renew this covenant, and

approved of a draught for this purpose. This being sent to the other Tables, was unanimously adopted. It was substantially the same with the National Covenant, which had been sworn by all ranks, and ratified by every authority in the kingdom during the preceding reign, but was adapted to the corruptions which had been introduced since that period, and to the circumstances in which the Covenanters were placed, in which respect it differed from what was called the King's Covenant, afterwards enjoined. On the 1st of March 1638, the covenant was sworn with uplifted hands, and subscribed in the Greyfriars' Church, by thousands, consisting of the nobility, gentry, burgesses, ministers of the Gospel, and commons, assembled from all parts of Scotland; and copies of it being circulated throughout the kingdom, it was every where sworn and subscribed with the greatest alacrity. "This memorable deed, of which it would be improper to forget the authors, was prepared by Alexander Henderson, the leader of the clergy, and Archibald Johnston, afterwards of Warriston, an advocate, in whom the suppliants chiefly confided, and revised by Balmerino, Loudon, and Rothes."

About this time the city of Edinburgh fixed their eyes upon Mr Henderson for one of their ministers. Among other articles of information sent up to the Scottish bishops then at London, by their friends in Scotland, was the following:-"That the Council of Edinburgh have made choice of Mr Alexander Henderson to be helper to Mr Andrew Ramsay, and intend to admit him without advice or consent of the bishops." It is probable that his own aversion to be translated, which he afterwards discovered to be. very strong, and the desire of the petitioners not to

throw any unnecessary obstacle in the way of the settlement, were the causes which hindered the motion from being carried into effect at this time.

In the month of July, Mr Henderson, together with Mr Dickson, was sent by the Tables to the north, to persuade the inhabitants to take the covenant, particularly those of Aberdeen, who, by the influence of their doctors of divinity, and the Marquis of Huntly, had hitherto declined to join with their brethren in other parts of the nation. Upon their arrival at Aberdeen, the doctors presented to them fourteen captious demands respecting the covenant, which they had drawn up with much care and art. Different papers passed between the doctors and the deputed ministers on this subject, which were published. Those of the latter were written by Mr Henderson. The deputies being otherwise engaged, and seeing no prospect of removing the prejudices of men who had adopted principles which led them to comply with whatever the Court should enjoin, desisted from the controversy, and left it to be carried on by individuals through the press. Being refused access to the pulpits of Aberdeen, they preached to great crowds of people in the open air. Many were disposed to mock; but the only outrage which took place, was committed by a student, named Logie, a profligate youth, who threw stones at the Commissioners while Mr Henderson was preaching; and who, shortly after, was found guilty of the murder of a boy, and executed. After preaching in various places, and procuring the subscriptions of several hundreds in Aberdeen, besides those in different parts of the country, they returned to their constituents.

The next public appearance which Mr Henderson

was called to make, was in the celebrated Assembly which met at Glasgow. The petitioners continuing firm and united, the Court found it necessary to grant their demands, by calling a General Assembly and Parliament, to consider the grievances of which the nation complained. The first thing that engaged the attention of the Assembly, which sat down on the 21st November 1638, was the choice of a Moderator. Considering the critical state of affairs, the period which had elapsed since a General Assembly had been held in Scotland, the important discussions expected, and the multitude assembled to witness them, the filling of this station in a proper manner was of great consequence. It required a person of authority, resolution, and prudence,-one who could act in a difficult situation in which he had not formerly been placed. Mr Henderson had given evidence of his possessing these qualifications in a high degree, and he was unanimously called to the chair Having solemnly constituted the Assembly, he addressed the members in a neat and appropriate speech. Throughout the whole of that Assembly he justified the good opinion which his brethren entertained of him. To his Majesty's Commissioner he behaved with the greatest respect, and, at the same time, with an independence and firmness which became the president of a free Assembly. His behaviour to the nobility and gentry, who were members, and to his brethren in the ministry, was equally decorous. His prudence and ability were put to the test on two occasions, the premature dissolution of the Assembly by the royal Commissioner, and the excommunication of the bishops. Of his conduct in these, it is proper to give some account.