History of the Irish (Presbyterian) Church from the Irish Rebellion to the Death of Charles I. (3)

From Scotch and Irish Seeds in American Soil by Rev. J. G. Craighead

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CHAPTER VIII. … continued

Freed from the restraints hitherto imposed, and encouraged by the policy now predominant in England, the Presbyterian ministers, increased in numbers by the kind sympathy and aid afforded by the General Assembly of Scotland, were abundant in labors and successful in gathering congregations. Few disturbing influences were felt, apart from the turbulence of the Roman Catholic Irish, and the local conflicts growing out of the rebellion, which had been only half suppressed. Two Baptist preachers at Antrim, where a few Separatists still lived, attempted to spread their peculiar principles, but found such small encouragement that they soon abandoned their fruitless mission. Meanwhile, the subject of ecclesiastical reform had assumed such importance in England, and opposition to prelacy had become so general and decided, that Parliament passed an ordinance convening an assembly of divines at Westminster, with the hope of establishing uniformity of doctrine, worship and government throughout the entire empire. Though they did not accomplish all that was hoped, they did succeed in framing a confession of faith which served as a bond of union to Presbyterians throughout the three kingdoms.

This was followed by sending commissioners to Scotland to the convention of Estates and the General Assembly, for the purpose of securing a civil league between the two kingdoms. The Scots would not assent unless it was made also a religious covenant. The result of the negotiations was “THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT,” which was ordered to be taken in England and Scotland by all persons over the age of eighteen years, under pain of being punished as the enemies to religion and the peace of the kingdom.

As Ireland was included in its provisions, measures were promptly taken to transmit it thither, and to furnish the inhabitants an opportunity to subscribe it. This they did with becoming solemnity and deliberation, when presented for their approval by the ministers who were sent over for this purpose from Scotland. Its effects were the same in Ulster as in England and Scotland. It served to make known and to unite the friends of civil and religious liberty, and inspired them with fresh courage to resist their enemies. It increased the attachment felt for the cause of Presbyterianism, and aided in re-establishing the Church where it had been overthrown either by prelacy or the rebellion. But, what was of much greater moment, the Covenant was the means of so reviving true religion, and of promoting the zeal and efficiency of both ministers and people, that from this period the Reformation made rapid progress, and a marked improvement of society was everywhere discernible.

During succeeding years, and up to the time when the Rump Parliament proceeded to the trial and execution of Charles I. in 1649, the interests of religion continued on the whole to advance, notwithstanding the ever-recurring hindrances arising out of the unsettled state of Ireland. The ministers of the presbytery were very zealous in their efforts to repress immorality and vice, and to establish throughout the province the regular administration of religious ordinances so far as their influence extended. Their successive petitions, addressed to the General Assembly of Scotland for more pastors, attest the increasing number of the congregations and the prosperous condition of the Presbyterian Church. As these ministers arrived, after a period of trial, they were ordained and installed over congregations, and sessions in each church were regularly constituted. Such was the growth of Presbyterianism, even in these troublous times, that at the beginning of the year 1647 there were, besides several chaplains of Scottish regiments and the occasional supplies sent over from Scotland, nearly thirty ordained ministers permanently settled in Ulster.

The presbytery of Ulster, though surrounded by the anti-monarchical party, did not hesitate to express their detestation of the murder of Charles and the overthrow of lawful authority in England. Irish Presbyterians sympathized with their brethren in Scotland in their preference for a hereditary and limited monarchy, if the proper securities of civil and religious freedom could be obtained. But they were not disposed to resort to any violent measures in behalf of Charles II. The rapid and decisive victories of Cromwell soon led them to assent, under protest, to the government de facto; and as they saw more of the man, and understood better his motives and his measures, they were less inclined to place obstructions in the way of his government.

Cromwell’s course with respect to Ireland while lord-lieutenant, though open to censure in some particulars, was on the whole quite judicious.[2] The ignorant and vicious Romanists were made to tremble at the terror of his name. He was ever ready to listen to any proposal which promised to promote the spread of Protestant truth, and he was careful to secure to the clergy and the people full liberty of worship. And when once assured of their good and peaceable disposition, he was not rigorous in imposing any oath of allegiance. He seemed at least to respect the scruples of those who preferred the recognition of Charles II. as king, but were content to live quietly under his own government. He had prosecuted the war with such vigor and with such resources, from the very day of his landing in Ireland, that the royalists were speedily dispossessed of all their garrisons in Ulster, and the republicans became masters of the province, which they continued to hold till the Restoration.

In connection with Cromwell’s army there came over large numbers from England who were strong adherents of Independency. John Owen, their most noted divine, accompanied him as chaplain, and preached regularly in Dublin. Many of these Independents were more zealous than discreet, and relied mainly for the advancement of their interests upon the patronage of the government. Considering the condition of parties in England at this period, it was very natural that differences should arise between some of these new comers and the older clergy. The most of their number, however, were more devoted to the spread of gospel truth than to the triumph of party principles, and with all these the Irish Presbyterian ministers strongly sympathized and were ready to co-operate. To promote education and religion in Ireland a bill was passed by Parliament to increase the endowments of colleges and schools, to abolish the hierarchy and the use of the Common Prayer-book, and to “send over forthwith six able ministers to dispense the gospel in the city of Dublin.” To each of these ministers it voted a liberal salary of two hundred pounds per annum, to be paid out of the public revenue of Ireland. So anxious was Cromwell to secure an adequate supply of ministers that he wrote to New England, offering most liberal inducements to such as would come over to Ulster. How many, if any, were persuaded to come there is no method of ascertaining, but it is known that a number of Independent and Baptist preachers were admitted to officiate, to the exclusion of the Presbyterian clergy, in the few garrison-towns.

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NOTES

[2] “He meant to rule Ireland for Ireland’s good, and all testimony agrees that Ireland never prospered as she prospered in the three years of the Protectorate. Ireland’s interests were not sacrificed to England’s commercial jealousies. He recognized no difference between the two countries.”—Froude, vol. i., p. 137.