The Covenanted Church flourished under the care of the General Assembly
like a well-watered garden. The small band of ministers and elders, who
had organized the Assembly, were richly blest in their labors. They had
assembled at the risk of their lives to give the supremacy of Jesus
Christ its loudest utterance, and the unity of the Church its grandest
expression; and the signal favor of God was their reward. The first ten
years of the General Assembly were the halcyon days of the Presbyterian
Church of Scotland. Under the showers of the Holy Spirit, pious people
sprang up "as among the grass, as willows by the water-courses." The
power of the Papacy was broken and its horrors checked.

The clear sky, however, soon gathered blackness. The first cloud was, in
size, and in cunning, too, as a man's hand. The national government had
condemned Popery as a religion, and had confiscated the vast wealth
which the priesthood had amassed and had long enjoyed. This immense
property, including rich revenues, large buildings, broad fields, and
annual harvests, was held for distribution. How shall it be distributed?
That was the burning question of the day, and it started a conflagration
in the Church, that kindled many a fire at the stake. The Civil court
decided that one-sixth should be given to the Church. The Church
accepted the allowance. It was a sweet morsel in her mouth; but bitter,
oh, how bitter in her bowels!

Regent Morton held the reins of government at that time. That cunning
ruler in bestowing this gift expected large returns. If the Church get
gold at his hand, she must make concessions on his demand. From that day
the Covenanted Church was in trouble. She was compelled to keep up a
constant warfare for her heaven-given independence, a bitter fight at
the cost of much blood for the right of self-government under her Lord.