Scottish Protestantism had developed, organized itself, and set up its own autonomous government; and, only after it had asserted its freedom to act independently within its own sphere, asked the civil power to recognise its separate existence. Magisterial recognition, indicated by the mutual acceptance of a Creed, obviously limited that independence. Nevertheless, neither King nor Parliament could justly claim to have conferred on the National Church an authority which is inherent, whereas, in England, the jurisdiction of the Church is accepted as a gift from the Crown (Article xxxvii), while it is held to be of divine appointment at the same time.

J. K. Hewison, The Covenanters, Vol. 1, 71-72.