Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
INDULGE, v. Sc. hist. usage: to grant an indulgence to (Presbyterian ministers) to conduct worship under certain conditions involving recognition of Episcopal authority and the Royal supremacy in the Church, a policy of Charles II and James VII. Hence indulgence, n.Sc. 1721 R. Wodrow Sufferings I. 124:
All Ministers . . . who had not conformed to the Act of Council . . . should be indulged to come in and accept of Collation from the Bishop . . . otherwise the Bishop is to proceed against them, and fill their Kirks with other Ministers.Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality v.:
This indulgence, as it was called, made a great schism among the presbyterians, and those who accepted of it were severely censured by the more rigid sectaries. . . . My uncle . . . is of opinion, that we enjoy a reasonable freedom of conscience under the indulged clergyman.Sc. 1823 Galt R. Gilhaize III. xxviii.:
Every one discerning that the indulgence was framed to give head-rope to the papists.Sc. 1828 Scott Tales Grandfather (1869) lii.:
He attended only on the Indulged, that is licensed preachers.Sc. 1859 J. Taylor Hist. Scot. II. 739:
The Cameronians . . . sternly refused to avail themselves of an indulgence which was obtained by the sacrifice of the fundamental laws of the kingdom.Sc. 1940 A. M. Mackenzie Kingdom Scot. 243:
The “Indulged” formed a sort of state-recognised and state-endowed dissenting Church.
