tihtavy of t:he Cheolojical ^tminary PRINCETON . NEW JERSEY PRESENTED BY The Rev. John M. Krebs Class of 1832 BX 9071 .R68 18A2 c. 1 Row, John, 1568-1646. The history of the Kirk of Scotland ROW'S HISTORY OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 1558—1639. THE WODROW SOCIETY, INSTITCTF.D MAY, 1841, FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THE WORKS OF THE FATHERS AND EARLY WRITERS OF THE REFORMED CHCRCH OF SCOTLAND. THE HISTORY OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND, FROM THE YEAR 1558 TO AUGUST 1637. BY JOHN ROW, MINISTER OF CARNOCK : WITH A CONTINUATION TO JULY 1639, BY HIS SON. JOHN ROW, PRINCIPAL OF king's COLLEGE, ABERDEEN. EDINBURGH: PRINTED FOR THE WODROW SOCIETY. M.DCCC.XLII. EDINIIBKOH I'HINTINS COMPANY, SOUTH ST DAVID STREET. PREFATORY NOTICE. The Council of the "Wodrow Society, in considering the works most suitable for commencing the series of their publications, were desirous of furnishing the Members with a volume relating to the History of the Church immediately subsequent to the period of the Reformation. For this purpose, the Manuscripts of John Eow, minister of Cornock, so frequently referred to by subsequent writers, were brought under their notice. It was indeed known that an edition of Row's History was actually in the press for the Maitland Club, Glasgow, while another was announced as con- templated by the Spalding Club, Aberdeen ; but it Avas con- sidered that any such publications, restricted as either of these editions would necessarily be to a very limited number of mem- bers, or a local circulation, should present no adequate reason to de- ter the Council from authorising the work to be printed in a more accessible form. In coming to such a decision, the Council were not uninfluenced at the time by the circumstance that they could indulge only a very distant and somewhat uncertain prospect of being able to undertake the publication of the larger and much more important History of the Church, from Calderwood's Manu- scripts ; a work, which, from the subsequent increase of their VI TREFATORY NOTICE. Members, lias since been happily commenced, and Is already far advanced. Although I had no personal concern in recommending Row's History to the Council, and was rather desirous of taking charge of some other work in preference to It, I had the less hesita- tion in acceding to the request to superintend it through the press, after examining several of the Manuscripts, and ascertaining that the work admitted of being published in such a form as would nt least preclude it from being regarded as a mere reprint of any other edition. In this volume, therefore, the History appears for the first time, as revised and amplified by the Author himself during the latter period of his life. The text Is given from a MS., which is Avholly in the handwriting of his Son, John Row, minister of Aberdeen, and Avhich serves, I think, to.i'cmove cer- tain difficulties that have hitherto presented themselves in re- gard to the authorship of the several portions of the work, as will elsewhere be stated. But I was anxious to give this previous explanation lest any misapprehension should exist, as if the CouN- C'lL had a design to Interfere In an unwarrantable manner with the publication of another Socict}'. DAVID LAING. SiONKT LmRARV, EoiNnUROTT, jVorrni/tcr 1842. ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF MR JOHN ROW, MINISTER OF CARNOCK. The name of Row is peculiarly and honourably distinguished in the ecclesiastical history of this country, during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The founder of the family was John Row the Reformer ; and five of his sons, with several of their children, continued to emulate his example, in devoted adherence to the cause of Presbytery, and in zeal and fidelity as ministers of the Refonned Church of Scotland. It is not, however, necessary in this place to give any detailed account of the numerous progeny of the Rows,' but a very brief sketch of the Reformer's life may serve to introduce the notices respecting his son, tlie Historian. Dr John Row, the Reformer, was born at a place of that name in the neighbourhood of Stirling, about the year 1526.^ He was edu- cated at the grammar school of Stirling, and afterwards prosecuted his studies at St Andrews. In the Records of the University, we find the name Johannes Rove Loudon, as having matriculated in St Leonard's College in 1544. The designation afiixed to his name, denoted his being a native of the academical district of Lothian, which embraced nearly the whole southern part of Scotland. Having completed his philosophical course, and taken the degree of A.M., he devoted himself to the study of the C.inon ' Additions to the Coronis, pages 447 and 4.56. - See Memorials of the Family of Row, Edinb. 182S, 4to : ami Scc>tt's T/ives of the Protestiint Rcfornicrs in Scotland, Edinb. 1810, 8vo. Vm ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF JOIIX ROW, laAV, and practised for some time as an advocate in the Consistory Court at St Andrews. In consequence, it is said, of the distinction ■which he had attained in the knowledge and practice of the Canon hnv, he Avas in 1550 nominated agent of the Clergy in Scotland, for negotiating their affairs at the Court of Rome. Row according- ly proceeded to Italy, where he remained for seven or eight years. On the 20th of February 1556, he became Licentiate of Laws, and afterwards took the higher degree of Doctor of Laws in the Uni- versity of Padua. The favour of the Pope, and of some of the Cardinals, might have led to preferment, had not the state of his health rendered it advisable for him to return to his native country. As the progress already made by the Reformers in Scotland had ex- cited the attention of the Roman Pontiff, advantage Avas taken of Row's return. to invest him Avith an official character; and he landed at Eypmouth in September 1558, in the character of Pope's Nuncio, to investigate the causes and to devise means for preventing the further progress of such heretical innovations. But, as his son remarks, he proved a " corbie messenger" to his master ; for he never returned to Rome,^ and in reality he found himself unable to fulfil the latter part of his instructions. Hav- ing been persuaded by Lord James StcAvart, afterwards Earl of INIoray, to remain for a time in Scotland, and having soon after obtained a clearer knoAvledge of divine truth, he embraced the Protestant fiiith, and became an able and constant supporter of the great princi])les of the Reformation. The discovery by Colville of Cleish of the imposture of a ])rc- tended miracle at Loretto, Avas the innncdiate cause of Row's ' There must either be some error in these dates, or Row must have returned for a short period to Rome, as there exists a letter written by him, dated *' Rom.T, xi. Maii 1550." The correctness of this date appears from tlie letter itself, addressed to Donald Cainp'.icll, Abbot of Coupar, as it relates to Row's endeavours to have Campbell's elec'.inn to the Jiishopric of Brechin confirmed by the Pope. John Hep- burn, the previous 13ishop of that See, died in August 1558; but Campbell's appli- cation not being successful, he never assumed the title of Bishop, but still sat in Par- liament, August 15G0, among the Spiritual Lords, as i\bbot of Coupar. A copy of the letter referred to will be given in the Appendix. MINISTER OF CARXOCK. IX conversion. As the circnmstances connected with this detec- tion are sufficiently detailed in the present work, they need not be here repeated. It may only be added, that the chapel of the Vir- gin of Loretto, named Laureit, or Alareit, near Musselburgh, had risen into great celebrity from its having an image of the Virgin supposed to be possessed of miraculous powers, A chapel had been erected to receive the image, which was brought thither from Loretto by Thomas the hermit, who continued for many years to dispense pardons and indulgences ; and further, — that Ilermeit of Laureit, He put the common pepill in beleif, That blynd gat sicht, and cruikit gat their fcit. Iiut this chapel had become a place of frequent resort for other pur- poses as well as devotion ; as Sir David Lyndsay and other Scotish poets make mention, — I have sene pass ane marvellous multitude. Young men and women flingand on thair feit, Under the forme of feinzeit sanctitude, For till adore ane image in Laureit ; IMony came with thair marrowis for to meit, &c.' After Knox's arrival in Scotland, in April 1559, Dr Row attended his public ministry, and held frequent conversations with him; and being fully persuaded of the errors of Romanism, he Avas in- duced to join himself with the Protestant party, and to become a preacher, Avhen he dropped his academical title of Doctor, and was afterwards designed Mr John Row. Upon the establishment of the Reformation by the Scotish Parliament, he was admitted minister of Kennoway, and soon after married Margaret Bethune, daughter of the Laird of Balfour, in Fife. In April 15G0, he was one of the six ministers Avho, being selected by the Lords of ' Lyndsay 's Works, by Chalmers, vol. iii. pp. 20, 22, 384. See also xVle.xandtr Scott's Poems, p. 29. Ediab. 1821. X ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF JOUX ROW, the Congregation " to commit to writing, in a book, their judgmcnl .- touching the Reformation of religion," drew up the Confession of Faith and the First Book of Discipline. In July 1560, he Avas translated to Perth,' and was present at the first General AssemLly of the Church of Scotland, which met at Edinburgh on the 20th December 1560. For a period of twenty years he continued to take a very active share in all ecclesiastical proceedings, as "will appear from A-arious passages in the present work ; and in the "Lives of the Protestant Reformers in Scotland," by the Rev. James Scott, minister of Pei'th, there occurs a detailed account of Row's life, to- gether with notices of his family and descendants, gleaned from the parish registers. He died at Perth on the l()th October 1580. The following is the notice by Spottiswood, which is here quoted, on account of the reference made to it at page 474 of the present volume :- — ' "In October following, [1580,] Mr Jonx Roav, minister of Perth, departed this life, who for his piety and singular moderation deserveth here to be mentioned. In his younger years, having applied his mind to letters, and taking the degree of a Master in Arts, he became a pleader in the Consistory of St Andrewcs, (a judicatory then much frequented,) and grew to be so skilled in the Canon law, as he was chosen to negotiate the affairs of the Church in tlic Court of Rome. Julius the Third did then govern that See, of Avhom he was well accepted, and in possibility to have attained unto some preferment if he would have stayed there, for he gained the favour of all to whom he was known, and Avas in special grace Avith Guido Ascanius Sfortia, Cardinal of Sancta Flora, Avho made such ac- count of his skill and knowledge in the lawes, that he Avould have him pass Doctor in the University, Avhereof he Avas Chancellor. After some eight or nine years abode in those parts, coming home to visit his countrcy, and giving account of the affairs, AvhcrcAvith he had been trusted, he found the state of the Church quite over- ' His ptijiond as minister of Perth w:u; " -200 i'duiuIs, \\itli tlio kirJ< laml, ;»ik1 .nne chalfler of i|uliile aittis " — (Rpgistpr of Ministers, pp. '28, 88, F.ilinif. ]^:M'', 4lo.) MINISTER OF CARXOCK. Xi turned, and tlic corintrcy all in tumnlt, by the Reformation which was then in hand. Thereupon doubting what course then to take, find minding to return to Rome, he was disswaded by the Prior of St Andrewes, v/ho held him in good esteem, and afterwards induced by the perswasion of John Knox to betake himself to the ministery, which he then exercised a certain space at [Kennoway] in Fife, till by the Generall Assembly he was translated to the town of Perth ; there he continued unto his death, which happened in the year of our Lord 1580, and of his age the 54th ; a man whilest he lived Avell respected, and much lamented at his death by the people v>'Iiom ho served.'" The third surviving son of John Row the Reformer was Jonx Row the Historian, who became minister of Camock. He w^as born at Perth, probably towards the end of December 1568; and was baptized on the 6th of January 1568-9. The witnesses or god- fathers were John Anderson of Tullilum, and Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy, the progenitor of the noble family of Breadalbane. He received his first instructions under his father's roof, and made such proficiency in his studies, that when only seven years of age he had acquired a knowledge of the Hebrew language, and at dinner or supper he usually read a chapter of the Old Testament in the original. Of his own early history and education, he has left an interesting sketch w^hich appears to have been wi'itten during the last year of his life.^ After his father's death, John Row and his brother William enjoyed a friar's pension from the King's Hospital at Perth. He w^as first employed, he tells us, as tutor to his uncle's children, Bethune of Balfour; and in 1586 he accompanied them to Edinburgh, and enrolled himself as a student in the newly erected College. He relates, that, while at the grammar school of Perth, he had obtained, by way of distinction, the title o{ Magister, and on entering the class at the College one of his for- mer school companions exclaimed, Tu es Magister hactenus. The ' History of the Church, p. 31 1, edit. Lend. 165.5. * Soe j)f\p;ns 4G6— 470 of the prosont volume. XII ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF JOHN ROW, Regent or Professor to whom lie refers on this occasion, and under whom he took his jNIastcr's degree on the first of August 1590, was Henry Charteris, a man of great learning and modesty, Avho succeeded Rolloclc as Principal of the College in 1599. Charteris, after filling this office with great efficiency, for upwards of twenty years, was induced to resign it, and accepted a parochial charge as minister of Leith. After two years residence in the capacity of schoolmaster at Aberdour, Row obtained an appointment as minister of the parish of Carnock, in the Avestern division of Fife, and was ordained at the end of the year 1592. The chui'ch, he tells us, was in a very '• evill condition," being thatched or covered Avith heather ; and on one occasion, Avhen he happened to be confined to the house by sickness, an.d had no person to officiate in his stead, the roof of the church fell Ip, and Avould no doubt have proA'ed fatal to some of his hearers had there been service that day. This obliged the mini- ster of Scotlandwell, in the parish of Portmoak, who enjoyed the tithes of Carnock, to put a new roof on the church ; but the estates of Carnock i)assing into the hands of the family of Bruce, the church Avas again repaired, and the roof covered with slates, by Sir George Bruce in 1602.^ In the exterior of the Avails, there is stiU preserv- ed a stone having the initials G. B., and the date 1602. In January 1595 John Roav married Grissel, daughter of David Fergusson, minister of Dunfermline. lie says, " as shee was a verie comelie and beautifuU young Avoman, so shee proved a verie vertuous and godlie person, fitt to be such a minister's Avifc." They had a numei'ous family. ' In the old Statistical Account, (vol. xi. p. 487,) it is said, " The Church of Car- nock aiipcars, by an inscription still legible upon it, to have been built in ICO'J, by Sir George Hrucc of Carnock, who was one of the Lords of Session, and ancestor of the i)resent Karl of Elgin. It was last repaired about the year I77"2. The church bell bears date 1G38, and the pulpit 1074, with this motto, Sermonem vitw prabcutes, Philipp. ii. Hi." It is clear, however, from Row's account, (p. 471,) that the church was only repaired in 1602. and the position of the stone referred to seems to con- firm this. The present church is removed to some distance from the old structure, which is beautifully situated in the midst of this secluded district. MINISTER OF CARXOCK. XIU In this secluded and small parish of Carnock, Row continued to labour with great zeal and success. The stipend was so very in- considerable, that he was under the necessity of trusting to the kindness of some of his friends and relations for occasional assist- ance ; yet he opposed various overtures that were made for his being translated to some other living of greater extent and emolument. Had the earliest volume of the Kirk-Session books of Carnock been preserved, it doubtless would have furnished a number of minute and personal details that would have been interesting. As it is, the only notices that have been handed down to us, in regard to his history during the long period of forty years of his ministrations, have reference chiefly to his refusal to be translated from Carnock, to his usefulness as a parish minister, and to his unceasing oppo- sition to the Perth Articles, and the introduction of Episcopal church government. In the winter of 1619 he was summoned before the Court of High Commission, at St Andrews, for non-conformity and opposi- tion to Prelacy ; but being prevented by indisposition, from travel- ling at that season of the year, and being nevertheless resolved at all hazards to admit the charges brought against him, he sent his son, John Row, then schoolmaster at Kirkaldy, and his nephew, William Rig of Athernie, " to speak to the Bishop." He escaped with the censure of being confined to his own parish. He elsewhere mentions this incident more particularly, and says that his patron. Sir George Bruce, had written in his favour to Archbishop Spottis- wood, and to another friend, and sent his letters Avith one of his servants, Richard Christie, who accompanied Row's son and ne- phew to St Andrews ; but it appears that a hint thrown out by Christie prevailed more with the worldly-minded prelate than all the solicitations used in his behalf by his patron and other friends. For Richard Christie, we are told, " after sundry argu- ments, came on with one weightie argument," saying, " thir coals in your muu's are very evil, and my master (Sir George Bruce) hath very many good coals ; send up a vessel every year to Cul- ross, and I shall see her laden with good coals." This offer, it XIV ACCOl'NT OF THE LIFK OF JOllX HOW, seems, was not disregarded, " yet fur the fashion Kow was, by the High Commission, confyned to his own congregation," while two M'orthy ministers, at the same time, and for the same cause, were formally deposed. Calderwood notices, that, on the 6th of Febmary 1622, Mr John Row was charged by the Council to keep A^ithin the bounds of his parish.' He thus was fortunate in escap- ing the hardships to which many of his brethren were subjected ; and he still continued to exercise his ministerial duties. On successive occasions wdien dispensing the Sacrament, he usually obtained the assistance of some of the more eminent ministers who had been silenced or deprived of their livings, and his church w^as much resorted to by the higher class of non-conformists among the laity, who eagerly availed themselves of such seasons of communion. When he was far advanced in life, and while the aftau's of the Church seemed still in a very hopeless condition, Row, at the m'gent request of his friends, was prevailed upon to compile a memorial of " some things concerning the Government of this Kirk since the Reformation," and to record what " changes he himself had seen and observed in the same." In performing this task he availed himself of the papers written by his father-in-law, David Fergus- son, minister of Dunfermline, Avho had taken an active share in all ecclesiastical proceedings from the time of the Reformation till his death in 1598. From an examination of the various manuscript copies of Row's History, it is evident that the work, when first completed, probably about the year 1634, had found its way into circulation, and many copies of it were transcribed, and are still pre- served. During the latter period of his life, however, he continued to revise and enlarge his work, more especially by introducing a summary of proceedings of the General Assemblies held between 1560 and 1618. In so doing, he rendered a much more important service than it would now be deemed. The Acts or Proceedingrs of these Assemblies had not been printed, the Registers were in ' Hiblorv of the CInircli, p. "JOo. 3IIXISTER OF CARNOCK. XV private hands, and not easily accessible, and neither Calderwood nor Petrie had yet undertaken a similar task of v/riting a History of the Church. There still exists a MS. in Row's hand.^ bearino- the date 1G16, Avhich contains a series of extracts from the Assembly's Registers, corresponding in many points with those incorporated in his History. Four years after Row's death, a fair transcript of the revised and enlarged History Avas made by his second son, John Row, minister of Aberdeen. This MS. written in 1650, is by far the most accurate copy of the work that is known ; and it has been adopted as the basis of the present edition. A copy of it appears to have been made by his brother, William Row, minister of Ceres, as a still later transcript seems to indicate, from its containing a few addi- tional passages chiefly in the Coronis, which may be attributed to him. In the Maitland Club edition of this work, however, the whole of the Coronis, and all the various passages incorporated into the History itself, are ascribed to William Row, but evidently upon no sufficient authority. The Editor was not aware of the existence of John Row's MS. of 1650, in which the entire work is distinct- ly given in his Father's name, (the few casual interpolations by the younger John Row, while transcribing the MS., not being of such importance as to require special distinction;) while the Coronis itself bears internal evidence of being an integral part of the original work, and written by the author of the History. As might have been expected, Row hailed with great satisfac- tion the changes that took place in 1637 and 1638, in consequence of the unsuccessfid attempts to force the English Service Book upon the people of Scotland. As one of the survivors of the good old times of Presbyterian supremacy, he was occasionally called upon for advice and information. Of the General Assembly, Avhich met at Glasgow in November 1638, he was retm-ned a member, and was one of the four oldest of the ministers put in nomination with Alexander Henderson as Moderator, partly as a mark of re- spect, and partly, as then- age and infirmities rendered them in- ' Wodrow aiSS. vol. xx. 4to, no. 17. Xvi ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF JOHN EOW, eligible, that the choice might devolve upon Henderson, who was prc-einincntly qualified to preside on such a niemorablc occasion. At one of the first meetings, Ivow urged, after the election of John- stone of Warriston, as Clerk of Assembly, " that he should pre- serve, and bring forth the Church Kegisters to the Assemblie, at least so manic as should come into his hands ; seeing pitifull ex- perience had shewed, how manic of the licgistcrs, not being faithfully preserved, were lost through the iniquitie of the tymes." ' Eow was appointed one of a committee to report on the several Registers that were exhibited; and upon their report, which is contained in the printed Acts of Assembly, these volumes Avere re- ceived as authentic Registers. In other matters, both at this and subsequent Assemblies, How continued to take a deep interest. At the Assembly at Edinburgh, on the ITtli of August 1639, the King's Commissioner having given Avarrant that his INIajesty would ratify their proceedings in the approaching Parliament, the utmost satisfaction was expressed on hearing this declaration ; and it is recorded that " Old John Eow, being called upon, Avith teares, said, ■ — I blesse, I glorifie, I magnifie, the God of heaven and earth that has pittied this poore Church, and given us such matter of joy and consolation ; and the Lord make us thankfull first to our gracious and loving God, and next obedient subjects to his Majcstie's Com- missioner for his owne part."- Throuffh the kindness of the Reverend William Gilston, minister of Carnock, I have obtained the use of the oldest volume preserved of the Kirk-Session books of that parish, and it furnishes a variety of incidental notices of John Row during the last five years of his life. It commences 27th of February 1642, and till Avithin eight days of his death the minutes are AA'ritten in his o^A^l hand, of Avhich a page of fac-simile is here given. Had the previous vo- lume been preserved, it Avould no doubt lun e furnished many in- teresting notices of this excellent old man ; but it seems to have been lost so early as 1647. ' MS. Proceedings of the Assembly, iu the Eihlm-'s possession. * Peterkin's Records of the Kirk of Scotland, p. 251. ^ ^^^($J^ Lp.^-fi^(^'\\>^ A^i^v^^ Kt^'w.nd:.:)^,^^..^/^./: K r EXTRACTS FROM TJffi HRX SESSIONS' BOOX OP CAKNOIX . MINISTER OF CARXOCK. XVU EXTRACTS OF THE KIRK-SESSION BOOK OF CARNOCK. " The G of Marche 1642. — This day, according to the act of the Kingis Counsall, the contribution was gathered after the sermon at afternoon, and, blissit be God, we gat mor then 40 libs. " The 10 of Apryll 1642. — I had bein in Edinburgh three weikes attending his jNIajestie's Counsell and the meiting of the presbi- trye of Edinburgh, wha gat direction from the Counsell to trye suche personis as had cum from Irland, and had gottin great skaithe thair, throche the persecution and oppression of the Ireshes, and Papistes burning, slaying, and do all the ill thay culd to thoise that fled not from thair crueltie. And I haifing my eldest sone, Mr David Eow, quha had bein a minister in Irland fifteen yeiris, and had remanit thair twenty-five yeiris, cuming over to me, bringing withe him to the West cuntrye his wyf and five children, and had nothing to live upon ; culd do no lese then see quhat helj)e I culd get to them, bothe of the contribution gathered to thait effect, and from freindes, quha for my cause wald pitie him, and supplie thau* great necessitie. And now, cuming home to my charge and calling, I fand a pitifull discord and variance betuix some of our elderis ; and, thairfoir, haifing intimated the communion to be gifine with Godis grace the nixt Lordis day, and finding that my sone, Mr William Row, quha supplied my place in my absence, culd get no reconciliation made amang them, I complained to the Laird ; quha appointed them to cum down to him, that he might trye materis, that reconciliation might be the better maid. " 1 May 1 642. — Thair wes a soleme Fast ordenit to be keipit throchout this liaill Kingdom, quliilk being intimat the Sabbathe preceiding, wes keipt this day. Lord [grant] that it may produce happie and gud effectes. " This^ day, I told our Session that for nothing that I culd do I culd get no money out of the conze-house for the four pund weght XVm ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF JOHN ROW, of turnoris quliilk I gcf them in : tluiy had put me af till Witson- clay ; and thairfor I gef in the tikat quhau'with I suld half resaved it, and itt wes put in the box. *' Compt of the contribution gathered for Ii-land : — "The 8 of May 1642.— This day also my sone, Mr William, gef in the compt of the contribution Aves gatherit, and seing the Pres- bitrye ordanit a hundreth markis to be takin af the one half of the contrlbutiones of our presbitrye, and our part cam to four markis, the Session wes content that it suld be fourteen markis to Mr David ; and then I gat twelve shillings, quhilk I gef out to some persons that cam fra the West cuntrye to helpe thair present nccessitie, seing every minister of the presbitrye gef als mikill. " 15 of May 1042. — The quhilk day I shcAvthe Session that my sone, Mr David Row, had gottin the fourteen markis wes appointit for him, so thair yit restes fiftie markis in Mr William cs hand. "The 29 of May 1642.— The quhilk day I intimated publikhe after sermon that the Visitation of this Kirk be the Presbytrye Avald be this nixt Wedinsday, the first day of this nixt monethe Junij ; and thairfor desyrit aU the congregation, men and women, to convcln solemlie to the preaching that wes to be made the said day, about ten houris befor noon, and then after the sermon I de- syrit our eldcris to stey still, and any other of the parichoneris that had any thing to propon in the said visitation for the Avcill of tlic said congregation. " The 5 of Junij 1642. — The quhilk day I intimat again the Visita- tiouu of our Kirk to be the nixt ensewing AVedinsday, and desyrit the eldcris and liaill parichoneris to be present, seing the last intima- tion held not, be reason that many of the brethren of the presbitrye Avent to Edinburgh the day befor the visitation suld have bein, to attend quhat suld haif bein don at that great Counsell, that then Avcs holdin concerning the affaires of the Kirk, many enemies of MINISTER OF C^UINOCK. XIX tlio Kirk being then convenit in Edinburgh to see quhat ill thay cukl oret done. " The 8 of Junij 1642. — This day the Kirk of Camok wes visited, and, bllssit be God, thair wer not many thinges to be reprovit amang us. " And becaus thair wes ane ordinance that the clerk of our pres- bitrye suld get twenty sliillings at every visitation of ilk kirk, we gef our twenty shillings to him as the first kirk that wes visited after he wes admittit to be clerk of our presbitrye. "The 3 of Julij 1642.— The quhilk day I delyverit the four marlds of turnouris quhilk was gottin out of the coinze-housc, and thay wer put into the box. " 28 of Agust 1642. — The quhilk day, (after I had bein absent in St Andrews at the Generall Assemblie, and attending the com- mittey appoint to be thair for planting a minister in the said town, and finding a speciall freind diseasit and viseiting him, absent, I say, five weikes,) when I cam home causit the act concludit in the presbitrye of Santandrous to be read opinlie, and the elderis wer desyrit to see how the pointes of the said act myght be put in execution. " This day also I gat four markis to buy a Psalme book to our kirk, according to the ordour in other congregations, and I dely- verit to the Session the Psalme book appertening to my daughter M. Eow. " The 11 of September 1642. — The Fast was keipt withe us as I best myght, teaching befor noon, and causing reid afternoon some chapteris of Ester, and gifing some observationes thairon ; for I had non to helpe me. "The penult day of October 1642. — The quhilk day the holie communion was celebrat, and thair wes gatherit to the poor and XX ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF JOUN ROW, goclllc uses eleven libs, six shillings, quhairof gifine to Jhone Row, for careying the Avyne and furnising rusches to the kirk, ten shill- ings. Item, To James Dennestoun, reader and taker up of the psalme, three shillings. To Elspet SteAvart, quha broght the com- munion bread, two shillings. To Jhone Wyld, for attending the door, six shillings and eightpence. To Thomas Dine, the cripill diseasit man, four shillings. Item, For the printed Actes of the Generall Assemblies in the yeiris [1G]39, 1G40, 41, and 42, and for the printed returne from England to our Assemblie, eighteen shillings. Also, Jhone Wyld, our beddell, gat his yeiris fie, five markis, because he gat no payment fra Mertimes wes a yeir. " 13 of Nov. 1642. — I rcportit to our Session this day that the presbitrye had sett down a stent on every kirk, quhairby a burser might be intertened at the New Colledge of Santandrous be our presbitrye, namlie, ane Mr Jhone Livinstoun, sone to KobertLiving- stoun, sumtyme Laird of Baldoik, seing thair wes no ministeris sone within the presbitrye meitt for that place, and by this stent Carnok wes appointit to pay four libis., against the quhilk I objectit that thair wes no gud proportion keipit in that stent roll ; yit because I wes desyred to gif it for this yeir onlie till a better proportion might be sett down, I gef it instantlie. " At this tyme also we gef ten shillings for a quarter of lead to be a wodderweght to our bell to mak it ring the better, quhilk James Wilsone put upon the bell. "The 11 of December 1642.— The quhilk day I informit the Session that the Presbitrye had appointit me to go over to Edin- burgh, that I myglit sec how this parichon of Carnok myght be made competent, and how it myght be better provydit in a stipend. "The 29 of Januarie 1643. — The quhilk day the Session being convenit, I declared to them liow that I liad bcinc so lang absent, beeaus the Presbitrye had ordcnit me, seing I Avas to go to Edin- burgh to attend the committcy of the Parliament appointit to dis- MINISTER OF CAKNOCK. XXI joinc kirkis quhllk suld be disjoined, to see that the kirkis of Aberdour, Dalgaty, andBaithe, myghtbe disjoined, that every kirk myght get a minister of their awin. Quhairupon I attendit many dayes and dyetts, and in end, the Lordis of the comittey disjoined them, and a decreit wes gifine thereupon ; quhilk decreit wes extractit be Mr Alexander Colvill for the kirk of Baithe, quhilk he had laitlie biggit fra the cold ground, and the Laird of Fordell and Luchat, quha were bissey to get this turne done, extractit the decreit also for thair interest, quhilk they broght in to the Presbi- trye the 1st day of February, that it myght be insert in the Pres- bltrye book adfiituram rei memoriam. '' Also in this tyme that I Aves attending this committey of the Parliament, convenitthe Commissionaris of the Generall Assemblie, of quhilk number I was ane, and so I steyit with them while thay dissolved about the space of forty-three dayis : In the quhilk committey of the Generall Assemblie tliair wer many gud thingis done. "The 19 of February 1643. — The quhilk day the offering that wes gathered be Kichard Tempill[man,] quhen Helen Scotland Aves maried Avith Jhone BroAvn in our kirk of Carnok, viz. 22s. 8d. avcs put in the box. Also I taidd the elderis the cause of my absence on Sonday wes eight dayis, Aves because the Presbitrye appointit me to preache in Dalgatie kirk, quhair thair had bein no preaching many yeiris befor. I also taught on Wedinsday thairefter at the visitation of that kirk of Dalgatie, quhen, Avithe my Lord of Murray es consent, thair Avcr six personcs leitit to be sent to the King that he myght chuse ane of them for that khk. "The quhilk day also I intimat this day eight dayis, the 26tli of February, to be a soieme fast throche out all Scotland. " 9 July 1643. — My absence at the committey of the Commis- sionaries of the Generall Assemblie, quhilk mett in Edinburgh in the precciding monethe, mad that no Session held till this day, quhen I proponit to our elderis quhat they Avald do in helping my sone. xxu ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF JOHN ROW, Mr William Row, for liis attendance upon tliem in prcacliing the Gospell unto them tlilr two yeiris bygon, and in hairting (incourag- ing) of him to byd still langer Avith them now quhen he is nominat to be placed in other partes, and yit he himself is desirous to byd still if he may haif any menteuance amang them. To the quhilk non wald gif any answer ; thairfor, I desyred them to advyse and conferre amang themselfes, and to give me ane answer the nixt Lordis day. "July 16, 1643. — Thequhilk day, the proposition quhilk I proponit concerning my sone, Mr William Eow, quhat liberalitie the elderis wold bestow upon him for preaching the Gospell thir two yeiris bygon, considdering so desyrous as he was yit to contincAV in preach- ing the Gospell amang them. Every ane of the elderis particular- lie told quhat they wald gif : viz. Richard Templeman said he wald give [payit to Mr William] twenty markis, and that prcsentlic ; hot the rest thocht it best, till they myght alsoprovyd, that it myght cum in together. Robert Creiche suld give twenty markis ; Adame Bryce, [payit to ISIr William,] twenty markis ; William Lyndsay, [payit to me,] ten markis ; Patrick Lyndsay, ten markis, [payit] ; James Wilsone, ten markis. ■'} "The 23 of July 1643. — This day I resolvit to see what the rest of the parlchonerls wald bestow upon my sone, Mr William Row, because he had preached the Gospell to them thir tAvo yeiris bypast, and wcs myndit to contlnew yit withe them till God suld provyd him otherwayes. And being callit upon partlcularlle after the sermon befor noon, thay grantit to gif as followes, after that Androw Creiche had askit, If I w^es myndit yelrllc to seik quhat thay wald gif? To the quhilk I answcrlt, that I wes to seik no yeirlle thing, hot (juhat thay wald gif to him for tyme past. Androw Creiche said he wald gif ten markis befor Mertimes next, [payit] ; Isbcll Cunninghame, in the Blair, said shee wald gif twenty markis, [payit] ;Elisabethe Row, my daughter, granted to gif forty markis, &c. [payit.] MINISTER OF CARNOCK. Xxiil " The names of thoise that were cryed upon quha compeirit, Ijot granted not to glf any thing till they resolvit better ; and thoise that cam not, [&c.] " The 27 of Agust 1643.— All this monethe Ikeipt the Generall Assemblie in Edinburgh, and was to get three libs, for my ex- penses in that tyme ; quhilk I gat out of the box. " The 24 of September 1643. — I advertised our people that every minister in Scotland wes desyrit to send out a fencible man to go in to England to withstand the violence of the Papistes armeis that wer myndit to invad us, and tak away the libertie of the gos- pell from us ; and that this armie that the ministers suld send out suld be as it wer a guard to the Generall himself, quha resolvit to go withe them ; and, thairfor, it wes expedient to get the best experi- mentit men for that gud erand that culd be gottin ; quhairupon I resolvit to desyre James Dennestoim, our reider, quha had bein in England the yeu'is befor, to be the man that I wald send out, and thairfor desyrit the Sessiones lieve to that effect, promising that I suld get him als gud a place as my moying myght reach e to ; and that his place to be reider and schoolmaster heir suld be keipit to him, if it suld please God that he sidd returne to us, and embrace the sam. To the quhilk the Session consentit. " The 1 of October 1G43. — I intimat the communion to be gifine, God Avilling, the nixt Sabbathe day, tlie 8 of this instant. I warnit all quha suld resave toakines to cum in afternoon that thay myght get them. " I appointit the nixt Fryday to our elderis to convein, that we might see if any of our people were at variance, that they myght be reconceiled. I warnit all to convein on Settcrday nLxt to the sermon of preparation at the ordinar tyme. " I dischargit wemen to cover thair headis withe thair plaidis in tyme cuming in the kirk, telling them, that I suld reprove them opinlie, and a great pcnaltie suld be inflicted upon the disobeyaris ; XXIV ACCOUNT or Tur, un: ov .loiix now, (lulillk 1 \\;ilil not oxjnvsso till I saw IT lliis wMniiuii- wnltl iumU ihom obey, ijoiiis;' this o\ ill I'wovoJ Tonwo wos tlisrli;ir:;it in otlur oou- groji'sitiou!?. " 15 Ootobor UVm.— The iinhilk duv the iast wes et>U>hr;it. :inil !Mr "William ()liph!\nt helpit iwe. tor my soiie, Mr William Kdw, wet^ Avlthe our Lain! in Klrkoahly. " 20 of October ll>43. — The (juhilk day, (he Covenant aureit up- on by the (icnerall Assemblie of Soothiud that eau\ iVvun Ku>;huul, sworue to and vSubseriveJ be (he Parliameut oC iMinlaud and (own of London, and be all (rew protessor^ tif the rro(estaut religion, wes opinlie redd and maid plain to owv people: and (i>:iy Avar exhorted io prepare tluunesclfis to swear aud subseryve the said Coveuuut (he uixt liordis day, withe great humilitie. ami all god- lie solenunties (hairto requiseit. *' The 3 of November 1 (\■V^. — "NVc ministcns of the Presbitrye of Duufermlyu haiiing resolvit to interteny a burser at the New Col- ledge i>f St Audrous, we stent ed what every kirk within (he said Presbi(r\ e suld pay. that he mveht be intvateued. Aud Caruok \\as s(en(i( to pay 3 libs., and (hairfor Mv tlhoue lii\iugs(oun, jiresent burser, cam to \\\\ house (he day foirsaid, and reeeavi( (he said 3 libs. " The .*) of No\ ember 1(>13 The Covenant of thir three king- doms, Seotlaud, Euglaiul, aud Irlaml, wes solemlie sworne to and subseryvit be (lie pariohoueris of Carnok; aud all that eidd wreat subseryvit thair uauu^s iu the book (|uhairiu the printed Coveuaut was, aud the rest of the pariehoueris, (hat enld not subseryve them- selles. subseryvit be Jhoue Audersou, uotar-publik iu Duuferudyue, tuiehiug his pen with thair haudis, as the use is, at the eouuiuuiiou- table iu the kirk of Caruok, as (he book, qidiilk is in uiy possession, will (estifie. Quhilk action wes tlon verie solcudic, after I had taiight the historic of .Tosuac's Coveuaut : dosua, 'Jl cap. frathc \i verse (0 (he 20 ; and thcu afternoon, my soue, Mr William, taught MiyiHTEU OF CAKNOCK, XXT y'lftm the .DO cap. of Jcr., 4 ari'l •!; vcriiCi*. lliii* day, al»o, Jhone Aijc- cauiw J culd get no helpe, my »onc, Mr AN'ilJiarn, bei/jg long ah^ent from nie upon hi/» tryell in the Pre»bitrye of Coui>er, I taught iny- »elfr bothe befor and afternoon, upon the 2d Pisalrae, and, blUiiit be God, our people convenit weill. " The 24 of Merehe 1C44.— I told the clderii* tlmt the Provincial] A«»eniblie wa» drawing on, and thairfor dcHyrit to know if any elder wald keej>e the said A»«enjblie, quhilk wa» Ut be holdin in 8t An- drews the 2 day of Apryll ; but non wald consent to go, U^the bo cause the joumay wa« iarr, and it we» the haitt of tJiair eat-seid, and J niyaelf niyght not travell so farr off. "Tlie 14 of Apryle 1044. — Becauise our Laird westoremaine in Kirkahly, and keipe house thair some weikes, so that we culd not stay the communion upon his dyett, I intimat the communion to begifiiie the nixt Lordi« day, the 21 of Apryle; and thairfVjir after 1 haj)s advanced in Parliament, July, 1609. A letter of a banished brother upon tliat meeting, evills, remedies. Remedies praeoccuj)ied. Some hope. Brightman in Apo- calypse, viii. 8, page 271, ^c. 1610. Stirlin meeting deserted. Assem- 267 blies discharged. High Commis- sion. 1610, Glasgow Assemblie. High Commission renewed, 1620. The High Commission, tenor. Five 268 a quorum. What it pretends could not be intended. What was indeed intended. The evills of the High Commission. Discharged, Black, Gladstans. 1610. 70th Gonerall Assemblie, Glasgow, 273 June 8. Unexpected, suddaine way of procedour, acts, events. The historic of it. A day of fasting. Pri- vie Conference. Pluralitie of votes. Gold distributed. Articles con- cluded. Aberdeen Assemblie null. The King indyts Assemblies. Bi- shop moderator. Diocesan Synod in Aprile [and] October. Visitation of the Diocie. Absents 277 censured. Excommunication. j\.b- solution. The King head of the kirk. Deposes bishops. Presen- tation, 1 Tim. iv. 14. Ordination. Deijosition. Oath at admission. Con- fei'ence, 1571. Protested aganis, 1573. The form of the Oath. E.xercise weeklie. The Bishop mo- 279 derator. Bishops censurable. Depos- able. Bishop, forty years, and in the ministry ten. Acts concluded. Prim- rose. Protestation stopped.* Con- stant moderators. None to preach aganis tliir acts or prelacie. No- tanda ten. The fast. Thanksgiv- ing. Privie conference. The King. Dumbar. Aberdeen Assemblie. King, head of the Kirk. Presbyterie abolished. Declared null. Want oi" courage. Preach not. Two Golden Assemblies at Glasgow. Testes verilatis. Glasgow Assemblie con- demned by Simson and Balcanquall. Conveencd belbre the Councill. Galloway. Flatterer. Professors. Kemp. Proclamation. Bishops inaugurated first in Ingland, 283 1610, then in Scotland. Melvill prophesieth Dumbar's death. Ban- croft dieth in despare. The Earle of Dumbar his death. The Three Commissioners of Dunferm- line Presbyterie, ]Mr James Stuart, Mr Andro Foster, and Mr William Patton, skulmaker. The King's gold was Equus Sejanus [Trojanus.] What Prelacie did cost the King. October Svnods, 1610. Prefbvteric TABLE OF CONTENTS. Ixxv and Provinciall A^emblie, words 289 hated. Angus obedient to the Bishop, v Fyffe charged, where the Biishop had never been moderator. The Bishop usurps the moderation. Mr John Malcolm, mouth for the rest. The Bishop cursoth himself. Mr John Malcolm did not his part. Bishops preached before noone. A Sabbath- breaker. The cooke stobbed. The rest of the Bishops. Gladstans. Melvill. Poesies aganis Bishops. 1611. Melvill. His supplication to the 296 Councill in Latin. Englished, Ezra vii. 23. Professor in Sedan. 1621, Arabella. Edinburgh pulpits patent to Bishops. Causes of the grouth of conformitie. Proclamation, munion. 1614. Fash day Com 302 1615. Gladstans dead, Act xii. 23. His 303 epitaph. Spotiswood. Law. Grame. Banatjne, apostat. His speach to Grahame. Malcolm. Spotiswood a subtile foxe. Moray silenced. 1616. 71st Generall Assemblie, August, 305 Aberdeen, null. 1617. The King came to Scotland. The 306 Chappell Royall dressed. Service- Booke. Kneeling at communion. Supplication and protestation to the Parliament. Subscrived by Sim- son. Ewart [Hewat] corrected for his neglect, 1617, St ^Vndroes meeting. Five 311 Articles proponed. The High Com- mission. Ewart, Simson, Calderwood deposed, warded. The King re- turns. Ewart. Simson releeved. Calderwood banished. Didoclavius, i;,, Altar e Damascenum, Jer. xxxvi. 26. 1-617. 72d General] Assemblie, November 313 25. Spotiswood moderator. Five Articles. Carmichael. Kilconquher. Privie communion. Elements dis- tributed by the minister. Null. 1618. Simson dead, foretold when. His 315 revelation and vision. [Forbes of] CorsOj Bishop of Aberdeen. 1618. 73d Generall Assemblie, Perth, An- 315 gust 25. Five Articles concluded. A null Assemblie. Synod at Dort. Arminian heresie. The right con- stitution of the Generall Assemblie. 1619. Dickson. Bruce. Pash day kneel- .S20 ing. King sick. Bishops were ealme. Enormities. Persecution. Duncan, his admonition to the Bi- shop. Hog. Duncan banished. Died. Ministers of Edinburgh, Blyth, Foster. Bishop Law like Pilat. Foster restored. Blyth transported to Eccles. Edinburgh ministers. Ramsay. High Com- mission, August. Scott, Carmi- chael, Henderson, Act iv. 21. Octo- ber, St Androes meeting. Fast refused by bishops. Lindesay, Bi- shop of Brechin. Mr John Row, Luke xxii. 25, 26, confyned, libe- rated, his speach to Bishop Ban- natyne. Mr William Row, Eccl. ii. 18, 19. 1620. Glasgow Commission. Burgesses 327 of Edinburgh. (Proclamation for Five Articles.) Nota, the ministers. Privie meetings, Acts xii. 1 2 ; and i. 13, 14. 1 62 1 . Hamilton's Black Parliament. Pro- 328 clamation. Petition and protes- tation. Bruce, Maxwell, Boyd. Five Articles concluded with thun- der, &c. Bridge of Perth and Ber- wick, 2 Sam. xxi. 1 ; Psal. xciv. 20. Parliament, 1648, Ingagement. Bohemia warrs. I XXVI TABLE OF CONTENTS. 1 G22. Forbes at Edinburgh Pash, com- 331 munion. Galloway, (Mr Patrick.) Pareus in Romanos, refutctl, burnt. 1G23. Prince went to Spaine in Mai'ch. 332 His letter to the Pope. A fast, delayed. A terrible face of heavens, &c. Canterburrie's speech to the King aganis toleration, and the Prince his going to Spain. Prero- gative royall well described. Tolera- tion. Bishop of Lincoln, an anti- christ. King, his speech aganis Poperie. Prince returns from Spaine. Papists insolent. A Jesuit preaches, is smothered. Foot out of Snair. Guthrie, Bishop of Moray. - 1624. Edinburgh ministers, Forbes, Stru- 337 thers. Rig, Hamiltoun, Meen, Dick- son, warded, releeved. Bruce, p. 236. Acts. Communion on Yoole day prevented by pest. 1625. Hamiltoun dead. The King dead. 338 (A rarestorme. Charles I., King.) James VI. buried. Marie, Queen. Masse and pest, A fast. 4000 a week. Proclamation. Declaration. Convention of Estates. Taxation, 400,000 merks annuitie. Councill and SL'ssion. The King's revoca- tion. Edinburgh in four parioshcs. 16'26. Charles I. crouned. Session, Skene 341 President. Councill 47, quorum 17. Greevances, 17 commissioners. E.xchequer 15. Julie convention. Teinds. Commission 16. Erec- tions. Convention of bishops. Re- vocation. 1627. Pash Communion kneeling. Pro- 343 clamation. Teinds. Six sent to the King. Meeting of Bishops, &c. A General Assemblie sought. Commissioners charges. Heritable offices, regalities, ^c. Teinds. 1628. Teinds. Pash, no communion. A 345 meeting. Some aganis kneeling. The King's letter to the Bishop. Buckinghame, a prophesie, 1628, August, stobbed. Paris Massacre, 1572. 1629. Bi-uce confyned. Edinburgh mini- 347 sters. King of Bohemia's son drouned. Confused communion. Papists. A meeting in Edinburgh. Bishop Bannatyne. Mr Robert Melvill at Culros. Speaks to the Bishop from pulpit. Ma.xwell, Yoole, Foster. 1630. Charles II. borne. Convention 349 Taxation Greevances. Oatlies. Ministers. Five Articles. Sion's Plea. Lightoun. In Edinburgh, four Kirks, eight Ministers. 1631. The King's Psalmes. (Psalter, 352 1650.) Swaden. A contribution for P.ohemians. ISIaxwell proveing bishops to be jiii-is divini. Marie, the King's daughter. Yoole com- munion opposed. 1632. Blair. Livingstoun. Dumbar. Welsh. 355 Parliament House. A bairn killed by a fall. Yoole. Sydscrf modest. Gustavus death. 1633. Charles I. Crouned. Parliament. 356 Hog. Greevances. Voting in Par- liament. Act 1610, wrong ratified, 1612. Gencrall Assemblies. Five Articles at Perth. Bishops' oaths discharged. A coppie of the Oath. Notanda (6.) High Commission. Greevances given to Sir Johne Hay ; to the King at Dalkeith. (King) receaved at Edinburgh, 363 Crouned, June 18. Bishop of Brecliin ])reached. Parliament, June 20. Juno 23, Sabbath. Surplice. Service- TABLE OF CONTENTS. Ixxvii Booke. Guthrie in surplice. The banquet. No sermon at after- noone. Inhibition. Supplication. Novations in the church. Annual rents. Taxations. Proxies. Men incapable. Parliament ended. The King acteth the clerk's part. Lord Melvill. Articles concluded. Par- liament I'j'des. Ministers of three sorts. Edinburgh ministers. The King's progresse. A boat 367 is drouned. Fire and water. The King returns to Ingland. George Abbots. Canterburrie. William Laud, Bishop of Canterburrie, Apo. xiii. 17, 18, 666. Geill's partition-wall. Bishop of Edin- burgh Communion, first Sabbath of the moneth. 1634. Duke of York born. Partition-wall. 37 1 Mr William Forbes, Bishop of Ed- inburgh, urgeth conformitio, (Pash,) sick, dieth, buried. His leligion. Bishop Forbes's letter. Notanda. Who to be clamed for the sehisme. Presbyterie forgotten. Edinburgh Presbyterie consents. Hoome threat- ens the Bishop. Admonition, pro- phesie fulfilled. Foi'bes his suc- cessor. Lindesay, Bishop of Ed- inburgh. Sydserf, Bishop of Bre- chin. Balmerino his processe. Haig, 376 Supplication. Prerogative. By- ends. Votes are free. Preroga tive. Kirkmen's apparell. Five Articles of Perth. Innovation. Bishops' zeall for God. Coppied by John Dunmure, by Naughton. given to the Bishop, sent to the King. A commission conveened, June 7, 382 (Balmerino) put in the Castle of Edinburgh. Haig fled. Rothesse. Balmerino his dittay. His judges. Advocats. Justice court, December 3. Chancellor Hay dead. 1635. Bishop Spotiswood Chancellar. Bi- 385 shops and Apostles compared,''Act. vi. 2, 4. Elizabeth born. Balmerino, his as- 38G size. Earls 5, Lords 3, Barons 7. Mar dieth. Balmerino his speech to the judges. Convicted, to abide King's will. Ministers, justices of peace. Two Bishops dead, trans- ported, consecrated. Balmerino re- lee ved by Canterburrie his means. Abbacies. Earlstoun. Livingstoun, Meen. Anniversarie fasts. Bal- merino inlarged. IMinisters of Ed- inburgh. Greig. 1636. Book of Ordination, Book of Can- 391 ons. Ahxurda, 35. Anna born. Traquair, treasurer. Hated of bi- shops. Rutherford confyned in Aberdeen, for what cause? Ruther- ford's letters, prophesies. A sin- gular providence. A Re-examina- tion. Sabbath. Blair, Livingstone, M'Lellan. Service-Booke to be rejected ; — 1 . It is worse nor the En- glishe Booke : — 2. Breeds a great change ; — 3 The masse; — 4. Popish ceremonies, holie dayes; — 5. Er- rours, Rev. xxii. 19; — Rev. xxii. 18. Apocrypha not Holie Scripture, Rom. iii. 2 ; Act. vii. 42 ; — 6. A reading ministrie and stinted litur- gy ; — 7. Imposed upon all. Ruther- ford. Yoole communion. 1637. Dickson. Ireland Persecution. 407 Abridgment. Two Articles. The Service-Booke opposed. Bishop of Edinburgh's edict, Julie 16. Mr Patrick Henderson. Julie 23, Sabbath. The uproar in 408 St Geills Kirk. Service-Booke read. Julie 24, a letter to the King. Proclamation. Julie 25, Councill in the Abbay. Julie 30. Fairlie, Bishop of Ar- 410 gyle. The feast, the house takes fire. Ixxviii TABLE OF CONTENTS. THE CORONIS OF THE HISTORY. , . 411 1. The Cause of Scotland s Apostasie, 2. Witnesses to the Troth, 414 Knox. Row. Durie. Lawson. Craig. Arbuthnot. Dune. Pont. Hay. Hay. Milne. (Melville) Smetone. Spotis- woode. Fergusson. Rollock. David- son. Johnstoun. Black. M'Bir- nie. Ferholme. Bruce. Simson. A Protestation to the Parliament at 424 Perth, July 1. 1606. Home. Boyd. Carmichael. Moray. Calderwood. Row. Author. 3. Books aganis Bishops, Pbelacie, Conformitie, and Ceremonies. 441 ADDITIONS TO THE CORONIS, PROBABLY BY WILLIAM 447 ROW, Minister of Ceres, [JohnRovv. John Craig. John Davidson. John Ro^'.] A SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND, FROM Adgust 1637, by MR JOHN ROW, Minister of Aberdeen, - - 481 jg3Y The Trott of Tm-reff. Geight. A 516 Letters of horning. ' Henderson, 483 great meeting at Edinburgh King's l.etters oi u«i 5, ^^^.^^^ ^9 Anticovonantcrs re- ^^- turn from Ingland. King's procla- jg3g mation, April 25, Aberdeen re- M„,uis »f H-j>.™,w. con,. «. '^^^^,^:-:^, ^:^^ missioncr. (Strange hand.) ^^^^^ William Erskin killed. 74th Generall Assemblie. Novem- 502 Peace concluded. Dunce law. Ar- /4in uenerdii ^.^^^^ ^^ agreement, June 18, with "*"' the King's declaration. Some con- jg3g ditions, i^c. An Information aganis Aberdeen trenches. A ship with 511 mistakings &c. Assemblie. Ses- airms. Covenant subscrivit. Hunt- sion. Protestation. ley's band. Covenanters disband. TABLE OF CONTENTS. \xxix APPENDIX. No. 1 .—The Humble Supplication of the Provinciall Synod OF Aberdeen, holdex\ at Bamff, in April 1648, to the Right Hon. the Estates of Parliament, now sitting at Edinburgh, . . _ ,►,„ No. 2.— Instructions agreit upon by Mr Andrew Cant, Mr JoHNE Row, Mr John Menzi^s, to the Commission of the Generall Assemblie, which is to sitt doun at Perth March 12, 1651, - . - ' 531 No. 3.— Letter from Mr John Row, Principal of King's Col- lege, Aberdeen, to his Brother, May 27, 1652, - 533 No. 4.— Scruples against Conformity to Episcopacy, written PROBABLY BY WiLLIAM RoW, MINISTER OF CeRES, ABOUT THE YEAR 1663, - , . _ K„g Glossary of Obsolete Words, - . 547 Index of Names, - - - 551 THE HISTORIE OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND, FROM THE YEARE 1538 TO AUGUST IN ANNO 1637, WRITTEN BY MR JOHM ROW, LATE MINISTER AT CARNOK, IN THE PROVINCE OF FYFE, AND PRESBYTERIE OF DUNFERMLINE. ABERDENE, APRILIS 30, ANNO DOMINI 1650. THE HISTORIE OF THE ESTATE OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND, FROM 1558 TO 1637 IN AUGUST. THE OCCASION OF THE WRITTING OF THIS HISTORIE. Severall young men, Ministers latelie entered after a new form to that holie calling, conferring with an aged Minister^ who had bene in the ministrie fomlie yeares and above,^ who, in discom'se, did shew to them some tilings concerning the governement of this Kirk since the Reformation, and what changes he himself had seen and observed in the same ; whereof they hearing, confessed them- selves to be ignorant : And understanding by then- aged Brother, that he had bene instructed well and brought up in the exact know- ledge of the Estate of tliis Ku'k of Scotland ; (his father, Mr John Row,^ Minister at Perth, who deceassed 1580, and his father-in- law, David Fergusson, Minister at Dunfermline, who deceassed 1598, haveing both bene Ministers at and about the tyme of the said 1 "Mr Jo. Row." — Marg. note, MS. ^ This is the reading of the older copies, written during the lifetime of the Author. In the revised MS. of 1650, the follo-\\-ing words, by way of parenthesis, are added by his Son, " But in all 53 years, being an intrant 1593, and deceassing 1646 ;" and, in the later copy of the same MS., the date is thus changed, "But in all 54 years, being an intrant 1592, and deceasing 1646." ' The Author obviously could not have derived much information from his father, John Row the Reformer, as, at the time of his death, 16th October 1580, he was only in the 11th year of bis age. 4 OCCASION OF THE WRITTING OF THIS HISTORIE. Kefoniiation ; one of them haveing observed, and putt in writ, such things as fell out in this Kirk, fra that tyine to the day of liis death in the foresaid yeare 1598,^ who was an hearing and seeing witnes of most of things which were done in these tymes ;) they thought it wes a mater of conscience to their aged Brother, who also had observed sundrie things Avhilk fell out in his awin time, to keep closse and conceall the knowledge wliilk he had, and not to impart the same to others, his Brethren, who were verie desyrous to know the Estate of this their Mother Kirk better than they did ; and there- fore besought him very earnestUe to sett doune that his knowledge in writ : Wliilli he lies done, as the Lord is his witnes, in als great sinceritie, tiiieth, and sunplicitie, as he could, from the tyme of our Reformation to the tyme of King Charles his comeing to this coun- trey to be cromied in anno 1633, and going back againe to England ; with some few things that fell out thereafter, till August in anno 1637 : whilk doing of his, albeit in great weaknes, and with many wants, (for who can observe punctuallie and preciselie all cu-cmn- stances and other small things in so large an Historic !) he earnesthe beseeches the Lord it may tend to his glorie and the well of his Kirk, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. — Amen. ^ Mr David Fergusson was appointed to the ministry of Dunfermline, by the Com- mittee of Parliament, in July 1 560, and continued to take an active share in ecclesi- astical affairs till the time of his decease; but his MS. Diary or Observations on the Affairs of the Kirk, here referred to, are not known to be preserved. THE HISTORIE IT SELF. The Lord God, Avho works his Avorks mervelouslle, TVTOught this work of the Reformation of Rehgion in Scotland above men's ex- pectation^ considering the work and few instruments whom God used in the same, and the power, authoritie, and multitude of these that were against them ; even as it was now of late in anno 1637, 1638, &c., the King, Prelats, Mahgnants, and all their followers and adherents, opposeing tliis blessed work. Yet to speak some- thing of the outward means, whereby the trueth of God and true Rehgion came into this Kingdome, omitting the doctrine taught by- Luther in Gej-manie,^ whom God raised out of a cloister, in anno 1517, first to inveigh aganis the Pope's indidgences, selling to all men pardons of their sin for money ; and becaus the Kirk of Rome would not be admonished by such a poore man, but persecuted him for his good counsell, the Lord, by his Word and Spirit, taught him more and more grounds of true religion, whilk he sett out to the view of the world ; and the more that the Pope and his Clergie persecuted God's servant, the more bold was he : God also stirred up some of the Princes of Germanic, iUightened by that same Holy Spirit and Word of God, to know that same trueth, to take his part, and to maintaine him aganis the Pope's crueltie.^ As also, the Lord stirred up, in Luther's awin tyme, notable theologues who sett out excellent books clearing God's trueth from all Pa- pisticall errours, as Calvin, Melancton, QDcolampadius, etc., where- by the Pope's Kirk gott a great wound, and this part of Em'ope wes greatlie inlightened. ' " Martin Luther, Sleidan. Coram, lib. i. p. 1." — Marg. note, MS. ^ " Sleid. Comm. Mellif. Hist."_Marg. note, MS. 6 THE HISTORIE OF 1558. But as for the more particulare means whereby many in Scotland got some knowledge of God's tnieth, in the time of great darkness, there were some books sett out, such as Sir Da\dd Lindesay his poesie upon theFoure Monarchies,' wherein many other treatises are conteined, opening up the abuses among the Clergie at that tyme ; Wedderbmni's Psahnes, and Godlle Ballads, changeing many of the old Popish Songs unto godlie purposes ;^ a Complaint given in by the halt, blinde, and poore of England, aganis the prelats, preists, friers, and others such kirkmen, who prodigallie wasted all the tithes and kirk liveings upon their whoores and other unlawfull pleasiu'es, so that they could get no sustentation nor releef as God had or- dained. This was printed, and came into Scotland.^ There were also some theatricall playes, comedies, and other notable histories 1, Sir David Lyndesay of the Mount, Lyon King at Arms in the reign of James the Fifth, was one of the most popular of the old Scotish poets. He died about the year 1536. His poem, in four books, Of the Monarchies, was completed in 1552, or 1553, and was printed during the Author's life, imder this title, " Ane Dialog be- tuixt Experience and ane Courteour off the miserabyll Estait of the World." The first edition, although professing to be " Imprentit at the command and expensis off Doctor IVIachabeus in Copmanhoun," or Copenhagen, was in fact printed at St An- drews, probably in 1.554. The subsequent editions are very numerous. 2 James Melville, in giving an account of his education at the school of Montrose, about the year 1570, mentions a travelling chapman, or carrier, whom he styles "a post," who was accustomed to bring from Edinburgh, copies of Psalm Books, Ballads, and other printed novelties, among which he says, " He shewed me first Wedder- burno's Songs, wherof I learned diverse parcucir, (i. e. accurately, by heart,) with great diversitie of tunes." This undoubtedly alludes to the collection that passes under the name of" The Gude and Godly Ballates," although no edition of so early a date is known to exist. The earliest bears this title, " Ane Compendious Buik of Godly and Spiritual Sanges, collectit out of sundrye partes of the Scriptui-e, with sundryo other Ballates changeit out of prophainc languis in godly Sangis for avoyding of Sin and Harlotry, with augmentation of syndrye gude and godly Ballates, not contenit in the first edition. Exactlie corrcctit and newlie printed in Edinburgh, be Robert Smith, dwelling at the Nether Bow, lG00,"8vo. This volume was repi-inted in Dalycll's Scotish Poems of the 16th century, Edin. 1801, from Andro Hart's edition, 1621. a " Complaint of the halt, blinde, and poore. Chaucer's Poems, Fox's Mart. vol. ii." — Marg. note, MS. Knox, in his History of the Reformation, (edit. 1732, p. 109,) has preserved a paper of a similar nature, as an address from " The Blind, Crooked, Bedralis, Widowis, Orphelingis, and all utlicr Pure, ivc, to the Flockis of all Freiris within this Realme :" dated, " Fra the haill Cities, Tounis, and Villages of Scotland, the first dav of Januare 1558." 1558. THE KIRK OF SCOTL.V^D. 7 acted in publict ; for Sir David Lindesay his Satyre* was acted in the Amphitheater of St Johnestoun,^ before King James the v., and a great part of the nobilitie and gentrie, fra mom to even, whilk made the people sensible of the darknes wherein they lay, of the wickednes of their kirkmen, and did let them see how God's Kii-k should have bene otherwayes guyded nor it was ; aU whilk did much good for that tyme. As for a particular example, that book of Sir David Lyndesay's being printed,^ came privatlie to sundrie men's handis, wliilk when they had read and considdered, made them know the ignorance, wickednes, and profanenes that was among the clergie ; for a craftsman in St Johnestoun reading it diligentlie, taught his bairnes to know the mater therein contained, and they taught their condisciples in the schoole, whereby it came to passe, that a Frier teaching in that Kirk on a Sabbath day in the tyme of Lentron,* (as the use was then,) he in the end of his ser- mon began to relate some miracles, and to inveigh aganis the new Hugonot preachers, (as he called them, either fi:om St Hugo his lane in Paris, wher many Protestants duelt, or because in Tours, in France, the Protestants went out to their kirk in the fields at St Hugo his port,) who then were beginning to teach God's trueth in the fields, because they got not libertie to sjoeak in the kirk, and people went out to them, and delyted much to heare God's trueth spoken plainlie : But when the Frier was most vehement upon his mvection, aU the schollers of the grammar schoole, to the 1 Lyndesay's play is supposed by Chalmers to have been written in the year 1535, and to have been first acted at Cupar in Fife. We know that it was represented on the Play-field, near Linlithgow, at Epiphany [6th January] 1539-40; and also at Edin- burgh, several years later. Between the several acts, when the principal spectators retired for refreshment, coarse or indelicate interludes were performed to amuse the vulgar. It is indeed surprising that such representations should have been tolerated, when we consider the freedom used in exposing the vices of the times, more especially of the clergy. 2 The former name of the Town of Perth, ' No printed copy of Lyndesay's Play, (if this be the book referred to,) of an earlier date than 1603, has been discovered, when it appeared at Edinburgh, under the title of " Ano pleasant Satyre of the Three Estates, in commendation of Vertue and vituperation of Vice." * During the season of Lent. 8 THE IIISTORIE OF 1558. number of three hundred and above, gave out such an liissing and crying aganis the Frier, that he in great feare ran out of the pul- pit, and Avent away. Before the nixt Sabbath, when another Frier came to teach in that kirk, he, heareing tell what wes done to liis brother, complained to the Magistrat that he wes so used ; where- upon the Master of the schoole, Mr Andro Simson,' (father to um- quhill Mr Patrilc, Minister at Stirlin,) wes desyredto try diligentlie who Avere the autores of that hissing, that they might be severelie piuiished. The Master, being at that tyme a zealous Papist, used all diligent tryeU, and found that one of the schollers had that book penned by Sir David Lindesay, whilk Avas a dittay great eneugh then to have condemned liim ; but the youth being of a quick spirit, replyed to the IVIaster, when he was going to punish him, that it wes no hereticaU book, Avhilk he should lett liim see ; then, after he had read it, if he found it an hereticks book, he should be content to be punished at his pleasure. This made the Master desyrous to read the book, but he, by the reading and miderstanding thereof, was fiillie persuaded that all therein contained was true ; AvhUk made him declare to the Councell of the Tonne, and to the Frier who Avas to teach, that he could not get knoAvledge Avho made that hissing first in the kirk ; yit he Avas persuaded, if they Avould leave off their in\^ectives aganis thir ncAV preachers, the bairns Avould be quyet eneugh ; Avliilk Avarning made the Frier that preached to say, Avlien he Av^as concluding his sermon, " I Avill speak nothing aganis thir ncAV preachers, but I Avill speak aganis ourselves : If Ave had done ' Mr Andrew Symson, %vho was master of the grammar school of Perth, sonK;time before the Reformation, ajjpoars to have studied at St Andrews : his name occurs as having matriculated in St Salvator's College in 1557, and in St Leonard's College in 1539. Having embraced the Protestant Religion, he became Minister of Dunning and Cargili, in Perthshire ; from ^vhence he was translated to Dunbar, by an order of the General Assembly, 28th June 15G4. (Calderwood's History, MS.) He officiated there as schoolmaster as well as minister. How long he survived is uncertain ; but on the 18th September 1582, " Mr Alexander Home, minister, was j)resented to the parsonage of Dunbar, vacand be demission of Mr Andro Symson," (Register of Pre- sentations, IMS.) He was married to a sister of Patrick Adamson, afterwards Arch- bisliop of St Andrews ; and had four sons in the ministry, b(>sides Patrick Symson, Minister of Stirling. (M'Cric's Life of Melville, vol. ii. p. 424.) 1558. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 9 our duetle in our calling faithfollie, and made yow, God's people, to know God's trueth, as we should have done, thir new teachers had not done as they doe ; for what shall poore sillie sheep doe that are poyndit in a fold where there is no meat, but break the dyke and go to their meat where they may have it ? so we cannot finde fault with yow that are God's people to run and heare God's word taught yow, wherever ye may get it." AVliilk speeches made the people glade, and confirmed the Master of the schoole, (who after- ward Aves transported to Dmnbar, where he wes both minister and schoolmaster, and made that Rudiments, Quum Literarum Conside- ration^ whilk for that Avere called Dimibar Rudiments,) and aU these that had any knowledge of the trueth greatumlie ; so that by thir means and the lyke, by the blessing of God, knowledge daylie in- creassed, and the few godhe preachers that Avere in this kingdome Avere Avell loved, and taught God's word, sometymes in the fields, and sometymes in housses priA^atlie, and there also ministred the sacraments, be reassone of the great persecution that then Avas, Avhereby the Lord made liis gospell and trueth to be more and more knowen, untUl the tyme of the Reformation, Avhilk began in the yeare of God 1558. 1 Avill not insist to shcAv particulars that then occurred, because John Knox, whom God used as a principaU mean and instnmient in that Avork, hes written the Historie of these tymes at length, being a zealous, godlie preacher of God's trueth ; yea, I may say a verie extraordinarie prophet of God f Avhat CAer men, either igno- rant or disaffected, have spoken to the contrarie ; as by many in- stances I could relate, haveing [them] particidarlie declared to me by these who heard him say, Avhcn he AA^as in Rochell in France, ' The first words of the Latin Grammar by Symson, " Rudimenta Grammatices, in gratiam Juventutis Scoticse conscripta," which was originally published at Edinburgh in the year 1580 or 1587. As this Grammar continued for nearly a century and a half to form one of the elementary works used in schools, it was, of course, often re- printed. 2 " A prophet : witness Gerardus, Vorstii Antibellarmlnus, Junius, 8:c." — Marg. note, MS. 10 THE HISTOEIE OF 1558. " That within tuo or three years, he hoped to preach the Gospell pubUetlie in St Geils Kirk in Edinburgh." But the persons who heard him say it, being Papists for the tyme, and yit persuaded by a noble woman to heare liim preach privatlie, and see him baptise a baim, who wes caried many myles to him for that pm'pose, thought that never such a tiling could come to passe ; and therfore hated hun for so speaking : Tit, comeing home to Scotland, and tlu-ough stress of storme of weather, being lil<;lie to perish, they began to thmk upon his preaching, and allowed of everie poynt of it ; and vowed to God, if he would preserve theh lyves, that they should forsake their Papistrie, and foUow the calling of God : whUk they did, and saw and heard John Knox preach openlie in the Ku'k of Edinbm'gh, at the tyme whereof he spak to them. This, therefore, I will observe, by the way ; that when God puts extraordinarie works in men's hands, he communehe alsogiveth them extraordinarie gifts. And, therefore, I wold have all men to knoAv, that Mr George Wiseheart, who was a notable instnunent of God for the propagation of true rehgion within this Realme, and spak many excellent prophesies, had Johne Knox oft in his companie, before he wes martyred by the Cardinall Betone ; and, therefore, a litle before his death, anno 1546, he advysed John Knox to leave him, and go and doe God's work, the best he might : "For, (said he,) one of us may be sufficient to be a sacrifice at this tyme." Among many prophesies spoken by this worthie Martyr of God, I will relate one whilk appertains to this purpose in hand. After he had sustained a wonderfull conflict, and was forced to rise out of his bed in the night, being in InvergOAvric, tuo myles be-west Dundic, at that tyme gocth to a garden where he mourned and prayed vehement- lie ; and when, upon the morn, he wes urged by them who saw and heard him, to tell them what tliat night's labour meaned ? After long urgcing, and sundric persuasions used, to get some comfort from his mouth, he said, " I am assm'cd my travells are nearc an end ; and, therefor, pray to God for me, that I faint not in this battell that is neare at hand." And when they replyed, " Alace ! that is small comfort to us :" lie ansiicrcd, " God shall send vou 1558. THE KIRK OF SCOTLi\J^D. 11 comfort after me ; for this realme shall be illuminated by the light of the Gospell, als clearHe as ever was any nation since the dayes of the Apostles. The House of God shall be builded in it ; yea, it shall not lack, whatsomever the enemies imagine in the contrarie, the veric kepstone." (Meaning that it shall be brought to a full perfection.) '' Neither (said he) shall it be long ere tliis be done. There shall not many suffer after me, till that the glorie of God shall evidenthe appeare, and shall once triumph in despite of Satan. But, alace ! if the people shall be afterward unthanlvfull, then fearfiiU and terrible shall the plagues be that afterward shall follow !" The trueth of the former part of this prophesie, spoken so abso- lutelie, blessed be God ! Ave have seen in om' tyme, when the Gos- pell triimiphed so in tliis Ku'k, that no man, of what rank soever, durst profess liimself to be a Papist, or of a contrarie religion. But, alace ! if we Hve long, we are liklie to see the latter part of this prophesie, wliilk is conditional!, performed upon us, for our un- thankfulnes and wilfull defection from God's trueth. John Knox then being in the companie of this servant of God, and haveing the prosecution of that same great work of publisliing the Gospell in his hand, no doubt the Lord endued him with the same spirit of prophesie ; whereby he uttered many rare and not- able speeches, that afterward proved to be prophesies indeed ; where- by he stirred up the Noblemen and others, then called " The Con- gregation," to goe fordward in that begun work, so soone as he came out of Geneva throw France, first to England, where he saw the Masse abohshed, and the Pope's autoritie casten doun, in part ; and then to Scotland, where he perceaved men in great doubt what to doe. But he, by the powerfiill preaching of God's word, and assistance of His Spirit, haveing associated unto him some few others stirred them up, (in the mean tyme, the Queen Marie, the Regent and Dowager, in whose hands the autoritie wes, giveing many fau- promises to these of The Congregation, but never doing any thing according to the samyn,) assureing them, that if they Avould goe fordward in that work, with zealous and with upright hearts, the Lord woidd mervelouslie blesse it in their hands. 12 THE HISTORIE OF 1558. So the Refomiatlon passed fortlward daylie ; needles kirks, and idolatrous, proplian, sumptuous buildings, were demolished ; and 1 think it wes true that Mr Knox said, " Doun with those croAv nests, else the crowes will big in them againe !" And was there any wrong there ? I Avill not justifie all particulare things done at that tyme, in casting doune some kirks which had bene usefull for God's service, in taking away bells, and rugging doun such ornaments as might make the doers of that great commoditie worldlie [riche] ; for, can any think, that in such a great alteration in a kingdome, everie man did everie thing rightlie ? Yit, in the generall, I say, in the work of Reformation, the rooting out of idolatrie, and the planting of the sinceritie of the Gospell, wes chieflie looked imto ; insomuch that the faitlifull servants of God, who were the first preachers of His blessed woyd in this kingdome, had little mynd of themselves, or how they might be intertained ; but paused how this gi^eat work might be efFectuat to God's gloiie, and the salvation of His peo- ple's sbulles.^ For this I wish all men to know, that the Reforma- tion of Religion came in otherwise to Scotland than in other parts ; because the Queen, who then had the autoritie, being a mahcious enemie to God's tinieth, thought that sho should suppresse the Pro- testants in this kingdome, by the bringing in of Frenchmen to help the Papists, who were upon liir syde : yit the Lord disappoynted her. And sho dicing,^ the work of Reformation prospered ; and the Ministers tliat Avere, took not their pattern fi-om any Ku-k in the Avorld, no, not fra Geneva itself; but, laying God's word be- fore them, made Reformation according thereunto, both in doctrine first, and then in discipline, when and as they might get it over- taken. But, in other places, (as England,) the Reformation com- ing in by the autoritie of the Magistrat, nothing could be gotten done but according to the IVIagistrat's desyre ; wliilk hes bene the cause why other Kirks, i)rofessing the same trueth with us, yit had never the sinceritie of discipline amongst them, whilk is the thing 1 " Why Reformation more pure in Scotland nor England." — Marg. note, MS. '-* Mary of Guyse, widow of Jauics the Fifth, and Queen Regent of Scotland, died in the Castle of Edinburgh on the 10th June 1560. 1560. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 13 that verie few Magistrats or great personages (avHo would have absolute and unlimited autoritie and power to doe what they will, both in the State tjrannicallie, and in the Kirk Antichristianlyke) can away with. Idolatrie being now suppressed in many parts of this Kingdome, and the few preachers that then were, being bussilie imployed to sett fordward God's trueth ; after the death of the Queen Regent, a Parhament being liolden in Edinbm-gh by the Nobilitie of Scot- land, and such as the King and Queen of France appoynted Go- vernours here with them, in the y care 1560, good acts and lawes were made for the abolisliing of the Masse, and confirmation of the true Religion : And it was then inacted by autoritie, (the Ministers being supphcants for the samyne,) that priests, friers, monks, and other kh'kmen, that had their pensions and liveings allotted to them for then' service, shoidd retaine and brook the said pensions, if they woidd be professors of the trueth, and leave their papistrie and idolatrie, otherwayes aU sould be taken from them for then' obsti- nacie. ^Vhereupon it came to passe, that some of them became Readers, and some Preachers also. This year 1560 also, the first Natlonall Assemblie (whilk we have stiU [been] accustomed to call " The GeneraU Assembhe") of tliis Kii'k, conveined in Edinburgh, December 20 ; wherein there were not above twelve Ministers, viz. John Knox, Mr John Row, David Lindesay, William Harlaw, WiUiam Clirysteson, Christopher Goodman, Mr Da^-id Weemis, William Darroch, Mr Walter Balfour, John Broun, William Lamb, and Mr Robert Winram ; but sundrie Ruleing Elders, commissioners, to the nmn- ber of tlurty, to assist them in that good work ; whilk the Lord so blessed, that appoyntment was made of other forty-three, where- of some were to read the Word in the mother-tongue to the people, some also to preach and exliort as Pastors, whereof Johne Erskin of Dun wes one : Item, That there should be tuo GeneraU Assem- bhes holden everie yeare ; whiili was ordinarlie observed for a long tyme ; so that, at everie Assembhe, by the blessing of God, the 14 THE IIISTORIE OF 1560. niimber of Clirist's Ministers increassed, and the number of the godlie professors also grew exceedinglie. Item, It was inacted aganis Popish dischargeing (whilk God in his Word has not discharged) of secunds of kin, etc., to marie, whereby they drew in much money to themselves by the buying out of frequent dispensations ; for the Pope of Rome hes stiU his one hand in your conscience, and his other hand in yom' purse ! Item, That such make publict repentance as committs fornication betuix the promise and solemnization of manage ; whereby it ap- pears that the Kirk, in tliis late Refonnation at Glasgow, 1638, and subsequent Assemblies, hes laboured rather to revive acts bmied and brought in desuetude by Prelats nor to make new acts. Item, They earnesthe supplicat the Parliament for a full piu-ging of all Judicatories, and that they will inact strait laws aganis sayers and hearers of Masse. At the secund Generall Assemblie, holden at Edinbm'gh, Male 27, 1561, Articles were drawen up, to be presented to the King's Councill, aganis Papists, coimtenancers of any idolatrie, or super- stition, especiallie the Masse, and ancnt the provision of Ministers. At the thrid [Generall] Assemblie, holden at Edinburgh, Junie 29, 1562, it wes inacted, that imitie of Doctrine, for avoyding of crrours and heresies, should be retained, and that sin and vyce should be by Discipline and Kirk-censures punished in all, without any respect of persons. Item, That Ministers be exactlie tryed in doctrine, life, and con- versation. Item, That Elders be exactlie tryed how they live. Item, That at each Visitation a compt be taken what books a Minister hes, and how he profitts in his studie and reading. Item, That Elders who assist not, after admonition, be excomu- nicat. Item, That magistrats guiltie of tliis sin, be not exempted from the censm'e. 1560. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 15 Item^ To supplicat the Estats that Kirks be repau-ed, and that Ministers have housses and aikers, whilk they called Manses and Gliebs. Jfem, To supplicat that sins of all sorts, such as sweareing, blas- phemeing of God's name, filthie talking. Sabbath breaking, whoor- dome, drunkennes, etc., be punished civillie by mulcts and corpo- rall pains. But to retiuTi a litle to the yeare 1560. — The Reformation and True Religion thus going well fordward, the Lord from Heaven blessing it, the Nobilitie and Great Councill of Scotland thoght it necessarie and verie expedient, to charge the Ministers that then were, to sett doun in a Book their judgment concerning all ' the poynts of the Reformation of Religion alreadie begun, as they should ansAvere to God, that they might proceed in everie thing rightlie. To the whilk demand the Ministers gave in then* ansuer, in writ, as followes : — " To THE Great Councill of Scotland, now admitted to the Regiment, by the Providence of God, and by the com- mune consent of the Estats thereof, your Honours hum- ble Servants and Ministers of Cluist Jesus witliin the samyne, wisheth grace, mercie, and peace from God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the perpetuall incres of the Holy Spirit. " From yom- Honom's we receaved a charge, dated at Edinbm-gh the 29 of Apryle in the yeare 1560, requyreing and commanding us, in the name of the Etemall God, as we will ansuer in his pre- sence, to committ to writing, and in a Book delyver to yom' Ho- nours om- judgement, touching the Reformation of ReHgion, whilk heretofore in this Reahne, as in others, hath bene utterlie corrupted. Upon the recept whereof, so many of us as were in the Toune did conveen, and in unitie of myndes doe offer to your Honours these subsequents, for Commune Order and Uniformitie to be observed in this Reahne concerning Doctrine, Administration of Sacraments, 16 THE HISTOIUE OF 10(30. Election of Ministers, Provision for their sustcntation, Ecclesiasti- call Discipline, and Policie of the Kirk : Most humbly desyrcing your Honours, that as ye look for participation with Christ Jesus, ye neither admit any thing whilk God's plaine Avord doeth not ap- prove, neither yit that ye sail reject such ordinances as equitie, justice, and God's word, doeth specific : For we will not binde your Honom-s to our judgments farther then we are able to prove by God's plaine Scriptures ; so must we most humblie crave of yow, even as ye will ansuere in God's presence, before whom both ye and we must appeare to render account of aU our actions, that ye repudiat nothing for pleasure and affection of men, whilk ye are not able to improve' by God's "written and revealed word." When the Ministers did putt their hands to work, the Assem- bhe of the Kirk laid some Heads of the Policie of the Kirk upon everie man who wes thought meetest for the same ; and after they had given in their travells, to be considered by the Brethren, they were either approven in that Avhllk they had done, or els their in- laiks were suppUed and doubtes opened up to them, that they might sett doune the head appoynted to them more pei^fitelie ; whilk, by great pains, much reading, prayer and meditation, ear- nestlie incalling the name of God, in end was finished, and by the allowance and approbation of the whole General Assemblie ; after that some articles whilk were thought too long were abridged. The wholl Policie of the Kirk wes put in wi'it in a book, and presented to the Nobilitie and Great Councill of this realme in the end of the same ycarc 1560, as may be seen in this ansuer of the Secret Councill following : — " We who have subscryved thu' presents, haveing adA-ysed with the Ai'ticlcs herein specified, as is above mentioned, from the be- ginning of this Book, think the same good and conforme to God's Word in all poynts, conforme to the notes and additions thereto * A forensic term, originally impreivc, signifying to disprove. 1560. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 17 eiked ; and promises to sett the same fordward to the uttermost of our powers : Provydmg that the Bishops, Abbotts, Priors, and other Prelats and beneficed men wliich els have adjoyned themselves to us, bruik the revenues of their benefices dureing their lifetymes, they sustaining and upholding the ministrie and ministers, as herein is specified, for the preaching of the Word, and ministring the Sa- craments." This Act is subscry ved by twenty-six of the Nobilitie and Coun- cill of Scotland.^ It is to be considdered that the Ministers sett doun Tuo Books of the Policie of the Kirk. This First Book contained nyne severall heads, which were largehe insisted upon and plainlie opened up, that aU might understand and imbrace them. 1. The first head containeth Doctrine to be taught. 2. The second head containeth the Sacraments how to be admi- nistred righthe. 3. The tlirid, the abohshing of all Idolatrie. 4. The foiurth, [concerning] Ministers, and their election and admission ; and what may disable a man that he may not be admitted to that holy function ; and concerning Readers. 5. The fyfth, the provision of Ministers, and concerning the rents justlie appertaining to the Kirk ; where there are sundrie things spoken of Universities and Schooles, and how they may be provyded, and how learning and knowledge, especiallie of the Scriptures, should increase by them ; and something also spoken of Superin- tendents and their admission. 6. The sixth treateth particidarlie of the Patriraonie of the Kirk. 7. The seventh of Ecclesiasticall Disciphne ; where it is declared what persons should be subject to the disciphne of the Kirk, and the order for publict offenders. ' The First Book of Discipline, as above stated, was presented to the Scotish Par- liament in the year 1560, and the Act of Secret Council approving it was signed on the 1 7th January 1560-61. See the names of the subscribers in Knox, Calderwood, &c. B 18 THE HISTOKIE OF 15G0. 8. 9. The last two heads, concernhig the Policie of the Kh-k, in many particulars ; as concerning prophecying and intei'preting of the Scriptures, concerning manage, buriall, and reparation of Kirks, punishment of such as are profane and contemners of the Sa- craments. Then, after this, the Generall AssembKe appointed Ministers to »et downe the other Booke of Pohcie more succinctlie, Avhilk con- taineth thirteen chapters, as also many heads and conclusions of the Policie of the Kirk : 1. The first. Of the Kirk and Policie thereof in generall, and wherein it is different from the Civile Policie. 2. The second. Of the Persons and Office-bearers to whom this Administration is committed. 3. The thrid teaches, Hoav persons that beare ecclesiasticall frmctioUs are to be admitted to their offices. 4. The fourth is, Of the Office-bearers in particular, and fii'st of Pastors and Ministers. 5. The fyfth is, Of the Doctor's office, and of Schooles. 6. The sixth is, Of Elders and their office. 7. The seventh is. Of the Assemblies, and Discipline. 8. The eight. Of Deacons and their office. 9. The nynth, Of the Patrimonie of the Kirk, and distribution thereof. 10. The tenth. Of the office of a Christian Magistrate in the Kirk. 11. The eleventh is. Of the present Abuses remaining in the Kirk, whilk ought to be reformed. 12. The twclvth contameth speciall Heads of Eefonnation whilk the Kirk craves. 13. And the last chapter speakes of the Utihtie that shall flow from this present Reformation to all Estates. The Second Booke of Policie wes thought by the Avliole Generall Assemblic, in many meetings, to be very exactlic set downe with 1560. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 19 great learning and holiness ; and, therfore, everie Minister, when he wes admitted to his ku^k, subscry ved the samyne upon some Pres- byterie day, in presence of his brethren, who had all subscryved the samyne before liim, as ye will heare afterward ; which subscrip- tions may be a sore witness aganis some who did afterwards com- pell Ministers and intrants to subscryve to the verie contrair Con- clusions. I would have you here observing, befor I proceid farther, that there were great hinderances cast in, as uses to be in all good pur- poses, that thu' Books of Policie were not received, nor ap- pro ven by all men in many yeares following ;* for they that were Papists in their hearts, were enemies both to the Doctrine and Po- licie of the Kirk ; and they who openlie professed the true doc- trine, and yet possessed the kirk rents, were not onlie unheartie fi'einds, but, under colom', great liinderers of the allowance and approbation of the Books of Policie. Yet, throw continual! dealing, exhorta- tions, and admonitions to the Nobilitie and others of good rank and accompt, and through humble intreatie of the young King James the Sixth and his counseUers, in many GeneraU Assembhes, at length this Conclusion wes taken at Stirline, where the King was for the tyme, anno 1578 : — " Forasmuch as in the last Assembhe, commission Avas given to ccrtaine bretlu-en to present to the King's Hienes and Councill, the heads of the Policie of the Kirk, with a supplication to his Grace, The Assemblie desu'cd the report of the brethren's proceedings ; who exponed and shew, that, according to their commission, they did exhibit to the King's Majestic a coppie of the heads of the PoHcie, with the supplication to liis Grace, who gave a verie com- fortable and good ansuer, That not onhe would he concur with ' The Second Book of Discipline, containing " The Heads and Conclusions of the Policie of the Kirk," agreed upon by the General Assemblj-, in June 1578, was in- sertedinthe Registers of the Assembly in April 1581. Although not ratified by Par- liament, it was enjoined by the Assembly in August 1590, and again in July 1591, to be subscribed by all Ministers ; and it is still recognised as of public authority in the Church of Scotland. 20 THE HISTORIE OF 1560. the Kirk In all things that miglit advance the tme religion prescntlie professed in this kingdome, but also would be a protector for the Kirk : And thereafter, his Grace presented to his Councill the said supplication, who nominated persons to confer in the mater, and by his Majestie's procurement obtained of the Councill, that they might choise so many Ministers to confer, as wes at length agreed upon : wliich conference is readie to be showen." Notwithstanding of all thir paines and dihgence AvhiUc the Kirk took in perfyteing the Book of Policie, and the many promises made, that the said Books shoidd be ratified and approven by the lawes of the kingdome, in open Parliament, and by acts of Secret Councill, the samyne wes never gotten done ; but onlie, in the end, an act made in that Generall Assemblie holden at Edinburgh, 1590, That all Ministers, at their entrie to their ministrie, shoidd declare their consent and approbation to the said Book of Policie, by theu' subscriptions ; Avhilk was obeyed and done, as we have said, and as will be declared afterwards. This is also to be considered for the clearing of some things al- readie spoken of the Bishops and Superintendents, that this Kirk, being in the infancie and first growing thereof, behoved to choose out of their small number, some Avho were entered to the ministrie, (whiUv, indeed, in a short tymc grew mervcilouslie, and were ad- mitted by the Generall Assemblie,) whom the Generall Assemblie thought meetest to be Visitors of Kirks, Avhcrby ministers might be planted and admitted to their office, throughout all the king- dome, and instructed in their dueties, and censured in case of negligence or other faults, either in their persons or callings. Thir Visitors, some of them had bene Bishops before, but had now adjoyned themselves to the Reformed Kirk, and Avere become preachers of the Gosjiell. Others avci'C ordinare pastors, but, be- cause this office of visitation of the Kirk wes noAV enjoyned to them, they were named Superintendents ; yit so, as touching their call- ing, there was no difference in the admission of them and others to the ministrie, as is evident in our Book of Common Prayer sett 1560. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAJSD. 21 doune, and commonelie prasfixed to the Psalmes : Aiid albeit the name of a Bishop, Superintendent, and Pastor, be in effect all one thing, yit because in commune speech, the name of a Bishop wes ap- propriated to some who had these benefices, the General} Assem- bUe, even at the beginnmg, lyked not the same, as savoui'ing of some superioritic, whilk they thought should not be in the persone of any one man in God's Kirk, and among the Ministers thereof: And, therefor, when they named these men, it was with some addition, as in that Generall Assemblie hold en at Edinburgh 15 62, it is said " Mr Alexander Gordon, commonehe called Bishop of Galloway, makeing petition to be Superintendent of Galloway, wes refuised, because," etc. ; whereby it is evident that, by his Episcopacie, he had no place in the ministrie whill [untU] he receaved admission from the Generall Assemblie. And, at the same tyme, there was a generaU Act concluded. That all Ministers, they also that calls themselves Bishops, shovdd be entered into the ministrie according to the ordour sett dowaie in the Book of Discipline anent the admission of INIini- sters, or else they should have no place in that holy calling. Also many other Acts were made aganis the corruptions in Bishops ly ves, because sundrie of them were continuallie committing haynous and great offences, and therefore were censiu'ed and deposed by the Generall Assemblies, whilk made some of them refuise to come to the Generall Assemblie, v.hill they were compelled, through the feare of excommunication. The Generall Assemblie also, in their settmg of tacks and leases, inhibited them to use then- ordinare style of Reverend Father in God, as not appertaming to the Mini- ster of Jesus Chryst, neither is it to be found in the Scriptures. And, because it were tedious to insist and relate in how many GeneraU Assemblies the Ku-k was troubled in taking ordour Avith these who were called Bishops, and had these benefices given to them by such moyen as they had in coiul to obtaine them ; when, in the mean tyme, they avIio were called Supei'intendents, at everie Generall Assemblie gave ane account how they had discharged their duetie smce the Assemblie preceeding ; and, after due tryall and enquyrie, they were approvcn, and continued in then- places, or censm-ed, 22 THE HISTORIE OF 1560. according as their cariage called for : Ye shall find two or three Acts sett doime in end aganis Bishops, that they should amend their cor- ruptions, and stay the trouble they made to the Assemblies, at that AssembHe holden at Edinburgh 1573. Tliis Assembhe hes con- cluded, that the jurisdiction of Bishops, in their ecclesiasticaU func- tion, shall not exceed the jurisdiction of Superintendents, wliilk heretofore they have had, and presenthe have ; and that they shall be wilHnghe subject to the discipline appoynted by the Generall Assembhe as members thereof, as the Superintendents heretofore have bene everie way : And that no Bishop give collation to any benefice within the bounds of Superintendents without then" con- sent and testimoniall subscry ved with their hand. Then, afterward this Act was concluded : " Forasmuch as there is great corruption in the estate of Bishops as they are presenthe in this realme, wher- unto the Kirk woidd provyde some remedie in tyme comeing, so f arre as they may, to the effect that further coriiiption may be brydled. Therefore the Assembhe hath concluded, that [no] more Bishops should be elected or made heirafter befor the nixt GeneraU AssembHe of the Kirk ; dischargeing all Ministers and Chapters to proceed any way in the election of the saids Bishops in the mean tyme, under the paine of pcrjictuaU deprivation from their offices." And this Act wes extended in another Assembhe to aU tymes to come ; and all Bishops alreadie elected were requyrcd to submitt themselves to the GeneraU Assembhe concerning the reformation of the corrup- tions of that estate : Whilk submission the Bishop of Dumblahie Avillinglic offered to the Assemblie. This being cleare, then, that fi-om the infancie of this Ku'k till the tyme that a full reformation wes made both in doctrine and disci- pline, (when Prcsbytci"ics and Provinciall Assemblies were fullie constitute,) the Superintendents had a verie nccessarie charge and calling for the planting of Kirks, visiting of them, and seeing them keep good order, and were verie liiithfidl, diligent, and lioly men, painfull also in their awin scverall stations and ministries. On the other part, the Bishops were verie troublesome and offensive to the Kirk of God, (at least many of them :) and sieing many things must 1561. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 2o be tolerated for a tymc in the infancie of a Kirk, wliilli may not be authorized when the Kirk comes to a greater perfection, many things in Ecclesia constituenda, whilk are not to be tolerated in constituta, I ^vill speak no more of tliis purpose at tliis tyme. But to proceed in om' Historic. In the yeare of God 1561, the yoimg King of France, Francis the Second, Queen Marie's hus- band, being dead. Queen Marie cometh from France to Scotland ;' and she being a Papist, yit finding reformation of religion begun, and Acts of Parliament made in favom's thereof, she promiseth to ratifie all, pro vy ding she can have libertie to injoy liir awin religion privatlie within her awin palace, for sho brought a bishop and priests with hir. But that mater being reasoned by the Ministers, it wcs concluded, That such libertie coidd not be granted, cxcejot they woidd willinglie bring the plague of God upon hir and all those who consented therto and to the wholl countrey ; as, in latter dayes, 1625, the pestilence followed the Masse to London, and de- stroyed verie many thousands. Yit, notwithstanding, sevemll of the nobilitie, wiUing to pleasm-e the Queen, reasoned for her. That for some short tyme she might have hir masse said to hir pri\atlie, not doubting bvit she woidd be shortly brought to heare the preach- ing of God's word, and that wold draw her away from her idolatrie and superstition wherin she had bein broght up. Thus the Mini- sters, to keep themselves cleare in their sermons and meetings, were ever inveighing aganis her masse, yit could not get the mater remeided at that tyme : But afterward, when she caused murthcr her husband the King Henrie Stewart, to whom she bare King James VI., anno 1566, June 19, that she might get the Erie of Bothwell to be her husband, (whilk mariage wes made by the Bishop of Orkney, and he deposed therefore by the Khk,) the nobility of Scotland trying the mater, rose up against him and her, so that he fled to Denmarke, where, after ten yeares unprisonment, he died mad, and she wes forced to flee into England ; and ther, being intertained ' Francis the Second died at Orleans on the 5th of December 15G0; and Queen Mary left Franco on the 2d, and landed at Leith on the 23d, of August 15G1. 24 THE HISTORIC o^ 1562. in a princelie maner by Queen Elizabeth severall yeares ; at length she was accused and convict of treason agamst Queen Elizabeth, and for that wes beheaded onno 1586. For, so soone as she wes broght to bed, and her sonne borne, the nobHitie who were Pro- testants, assisted Avith the rest called the Congregation, tooke the baime, and keeped him in safetie, and crouned him King, being but a yeare old ; the Queen, in the mean tyme, intertaining civile and in- testine warrcs against the Congregation, because she gatt not her will in aU things. The Queen then remaining in England, the nobilitie who stood for the young King, the Erie of Murray then being Regent, and they assisting him, stood also for the tiiie reli- gion : others, againe, that were upon the Queen's faction, albeit some of them were professors of the true and Reformed rehgion, yet they having the principall castles and forts of the kingdome in their hands, intertained civile warres against the nobihtie and other pro- fessors that stood for the King, and his authoritie and j^rescrvation ; whereby great hurt came both to the Ku*k and Comonwealth of this kingdome ; for, in this tyme, the Ministers of Edinbm'gh, and many good professors, were forced to leave Edinburgh, and dwell in other places. Mr Knox remained for a space in St AndrcAVCs ; and, after long troubles, there being acts of pacification made betuixt the Lords holding for the King, and these that held for the Queen, the Kirk in this mean tyme preassing to keep their Assemblies, but got litlc good done. Yet take here some Acts as followcth : — At the fourth Assemblie, holden at Edinbm-gh, December 25, 1562, wherein (as in the former) Mr Kno:?^ Moderated. Delations given in upon all the Superintendents and INIinistcrs, and they all cxactlic tryed. luactcd. That whoso hes bene popish before, and lies not as yet satisfied the Kirk, be inhibited to preach : That election and nomination of Ministers be by the people : Transport ;i- tion declared lawfiiU where there is reason for it : Provinciall As- semblies to be holden by the Superintendents in Aprile and October, consisting of Ministers and Elders : The communion to be cele- brated within burghs four tynics in tlie ycarc, in landwart twise ; 15G3. THE KIEK OF SCOTLAND, 25 ill the celebration of it and marriage, unifonnitie to be keeped by aU. At the fyfth Gcnerall Assemblie, holden at Perth, Junli 25, 1563, Mr John-Willock, Superintendent for the West, chosen Moderator. All Superintendents and Ministers were exactlie tryed, and accord- inglie allowed or censured. Paid Methven deposed and exconimu- nicat siunmarlie for adidterie : David Fergusson, minister at Dunfermline, haveing at length conferred with him, declared how penitent he thought him for his filthie sin. Inacted, fornication com- mitted under promise of mariage made secrethe, to be punished as any other fornication. Item, A partie conceaveing himself wronged by a session, may appeall to the Provinciall and Superin- tendent, (Presbyteries were not as yit erected ;) if he conceave him- self wronged by them, he may appeaU to the Generall Assemblie. He must, within ten dayes after he hes appeaUed, give in his reasons of his appeaUing to the Moderator, but fra the Generall Assembhe no ap- pellation to be made ; where, if it be judged male appellatum, the faulter to be censured. Item, That instrueters of youth be well tryed, and poore schoLxirs intertained. Item, That nothing relating to religion or reformation be printed tiU first approven by the Su- perintendent, and such as he shall associate unto himself; and if they question any thing, not tiU the Generall Assemblie disput the mater. At the sixth Generall Assemblie, holden at Edinburgh, December 25, 1563, John Willock chosen Moderator. A committie was ap- poynted, (wherof Mr George Buchanan was one,) to revise the Book of Discipline. Item inacted. That Ministers be residentiars with their flocks. Item, That Elders and Diacons assist in visiting the sick and poore. At the seventh Generall Assembhe, holden at Edinburgh, Junii 25, 1564, John Willock continued Moderator. A number chosen to repare to the Secret CounciU, to requyre in Christ's name, and request, that as, ere the Queen who was a Papist ai-ryved, religion 20 THE HISTOKIE OF 15G4. was established, so now lawcs abolisliing the Masse or any tolleia- tiou of it may be renewed ; [that] ministers (who then lived exceed- ing meanlie) may be provydcd of livelihood ; transgressors aganis Christ's ordinances, and open contemners, (and particnlarlic in Abcr- dcene,) may be pmiished condignlie. A faire ansner (in Avords) was retm-ned by the Queen, and the Assemblie repromitts to be loveing, loyall, and obedient subjects to liir Majestie in Christ. A great committie was appoynted to considdcr and reason anent the whoU jurisdiction of the Kirk. Inacted^ That a jMmister may not leave his flock and transport himself. At the eight Generall Assemblie, holdcn at Edinburgh, December 25, 15G4, John Erslcln of Dun, Superintendent of jVngus and Meams, chosen Moderator. Articles were presented to the Secreit Councill, who was desyred to get an ansuer fra the Queenes INIajes- tie, 1°, AVhat remedie for open avowed Masses ; 2'^, Anent ]Mini- sters sustentation ; 3°, Superintendents to be placed Avhere there is none, particularHe in the south and north, and more speciallie in Aberdeine, one ; 4<', AVhat punishment upon those who have con- tcmptuouslie steeked Ku'k doores upon the preachers of Chi-ist's Gospell, as in Paislay, Aberdein, etc. ; 5°, Anent manses and gleebs, and reparation of ku*ks. Paull INlethvcn, adidterer, is thought ill of, that, professing repent- ance, he desires and suits his process to be dilated out of the re- gister, seing King David did register his sin ; and as for his suit of re-admission to the ministrie, it is judged untymous, till he further evidence deep repentance, and be much suited by some congregation : And the Assemblie declares, they doc much oftend and greives, that he being exconununicated, did \mdertake a ministrie in Ingland before he wes reconcealed to the Kirk, relaxed and absolved ; offends also, that he calls some false witnesses, wheras, in effect, he hunself lies confessed all that they deponed. At the nvnt (icncrall Assemblie, holden at Edinburgh, Junij 25, 1505, John AVillock, Moderator. The nobihtic there present are 1565. THE KlllK OF SCOTLAND. 27 dcsyred to intreat the Queen, to take ordour with liaynous sins, as Sabbath-breaking, adulterie, fornication, etc. : That Ministers be pro- vyded with liveings : To regrait the giveing away of kirk lands fra the Kirk : That masse and idolatrie be aboUshed, and Reformed re- ligion and the Reformation be established by civiU lawes : That preachings be repaired unto by all upon the Lord's day : That none be instructers of youth, but such as after tryall be found able and well approven : That all hospitals and mortifications for the poore be restored to them : That all formerlie pertaining to freirs, preists, monks, altarages, etc., be employed for schools and the poore: Masse and all idolatrie to be abolished, even in the Queen's awin person : That poore labourers oppressed in their tythes be eased. Inacted, That manage without consent of parents is unlawfidl, when not so much as sought, or represented to the Kirk, and the transgressors to satisfie as shall be injoyned. Item, That none have pluralitie of benefices, where he cannot discharge both charges : That Ministers, deserters of their charges, ho. charged to re-enter with deep certification. .Jolme Knox appoyntcd to awaiteupon and ad- vertise of the Queen's ansuer to the supplication and articles therein contained, and advertise the Superintendents of the same, or any other thing necessare till the nixt Assemblie. At the tenth Generall Assemblie, holden at Edinburgh, Decem- ber 25, 15G5, John Erskin of Dun, Moderator. Because the Queen's ansuer to the articles were not found satisfactorie, Mr John Row wes ordained to draw up ansuers to each of hir ansuers upon each article. She rcfuised flatlie to quyt her masse ; promised to establish religion with advise of hir Parliament ; the Iscnefits of patronages Ijcing the patrimonie of hir croun, she will not, she may not quyt, but sliall assigne Ministers to some portion thereof. The Assem- blie replyed. They were heartilie sorie that idolatrie should be avowed after so much cleare light holden forth from God's word ; affirmed no religion to be saveing but the Refoniicd, as being onlie grounded upon God's trueth : Turks and Jewcs ha\e to pretend antiquitic, consent of people, autlioritie of counccUs, multitudes of 28 THE HISTOEIE OF 1565- followers, and such lyke cloaks ; we not onlle preach the trueth, but offers publict dispute to all adversaries : The Masse is a masse of im- pietie, idolatrie, and blasphemie ; confederacie with Clirist should be dearer to the Queen, nor any Prince in the Avorld : The retain- ing of Kirk Hveings in her awin hand is sacrilegious, for thereby the soules of God's people shalbe defrauded of the meanes of salvation : The teinds are the Kirk's patrimonie, whereby the ministrie and the poore ought to be intertained, Kirks repah-ed, youth educated ; and these done, let the Councill dispose of the rest : We thank the Queen's Majestic for her offer, but it is generall, and no execution can follow upon it till it be particidar ; so intreats the articles to be reformed. A supphcation to the Queen for Ministers that Avant stipends ; and for redresSe Avhen as Ministers are put violent hand into, oidie for reproving of vyce. Inacted, That, according to God's word, if any shall marie liis wife's brother daughter, or sister daughter, the manage be held in- cestuous and null : That revoltcrs to Poperie, after admonition, be excomunicat if they repent not : That no Minister marie any of another parish, without a testmioniall of the proclamation of their bands, and that no impediment is found ; the transgressor to be de- posed : If any clame a man going to be maried, the mariage not to proceed till the clame be discussed : No beneficed persone may be a non-residentare, under Avhatsomever pretext : No Minister may quy t his calling and take him to another, under pretexts of povcrtie ; he may lawfullie and ordourlie quyt ane unthankfidl people. Upon the notorietle of a great and haynous fact, as adulterie or murder, cither confessed or proven by Avitnesses, the transgressor to be seclud- ed fra the conumion, after whilk censure, if he carie impenitentlie, lightlic, or be negligent to seek reconciliation, or if he carie insolent- lie, wantonlic, or otherwise than beseems a penitent, to be excomu- nicat. Seing Popish })riests uses the Avords of institution and the element of Avatcr, if children so baptized abjure Poperie, they comcing to years of discretion, may be admitted to the Lord's Table ; for the whole Assemblic acknoAvledged themselves baptized, yet avcs it 1566. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 29 done in the Popish Kirk. That they who oppresse children be debarred fi-a the Sacrament. That those who lyes in fornication, after the promise deferring their mariage, make publict repentance ere they be maried. Martii 8, 1566. Rizio, commonelie called Signom* David, was stabbed. At the eleventh Assembhe, holden at Edinbm'gh, Jmiii25, 1566, John Ersldn of Dun, knight, continued Moderator. Supplication to the Lords of Secreit Councill, that no excommunicate persone have personam standi injudicio, especiaUie when the excommunication is notoure or objected. Transportation refiiised upon freevolous rea- sons, and the people unwilling to want their pastor. A woman haveing hir husband nyne or ten years out of the countrey, yet can- not marie another tiU she produce a testimoniaU of hir former hus- band's death. Whosoever seeks donation or confinuation of bene- fices fra the Pope's Kirk, ought not to be admitted to or retained in the ministrie. Paidl INIethven, adidterer, upon his serious supphcation and great expressions of sorrow, wes receaved thus : — Tuo severaU Sabbath dayes in Edinburgh, Dundie, and Jedburgh, both dayes in sack- cloth, standing before sennon at the chvirch doore barefooted and bareheaded, and, the last of the two, when he is absolved and re- ceaved, layes asyde that habite, and is imbraced in his awin liabite, yit not to be admitted to the Lord's Table, wliill he report to the nixt GeneraU Assembhe in December sufficient testimoniaUs of his repentance pubHct, and also of liis private Christian cariage. At the twelvth Assemblie, holden at Edinbm-gh, December 25, 1566, John Erskin of Dun continued INIoderator. The Assembhe accepts of the Queen's offer for sustentation of Ministers, with a protestation it be not prejudiciall to suit what more is justlie be- longing to the Kirk ; declared imanimouslie the teinds to belong to the Kirk for the intertaining of Ministers, poore, schoolls, and all 30 THE HISTORIE OP 1566. Other pious uses. 2o, That IMinisters might not be silent, see- ing the teinds waisted on other uses, in mean while Ministers pinched, poore starv^eing, schooUs decaying, kkks falling, bridges wanting, etc. 3°, After due admonition, these who refuise in this to doe duetie to be censm'ed. Mr Knox obtained leave to go to Ingland to visite liis childi'en, and doe his other efFaires, being recommended thither with amj)le testimonial!.^ Also, an earnest letter was wi-itten to the Bishops of Ingland^ that they would not suspend and depose fi'om the ministrie (as they had done) any of then' godlie learned Ministers, because they refused to use sm'plice, comet, cap, and tippet, and other trinketts of the whoore of Eome, whilk the Popish priests useth in the verie acting of then- idolatrie ; advyseing them not to doe to their breth- ren [that} AvliUk they would wish were not done to themseh'es, viz. to urge upon then* consciences (a most tender tiling) the practise of any thing wherein they had not clearnes, light, and libeitie, especiaUie any of the dregs of the Romish beast ; for what hath a Minister of the Gospell to doe to take in his hand or in liis forehead any such mark of that odious beast ? ]May he not justHe feare God's wrath if he shall doe it ? Feed the flock of Christ not with constraint : give no oifence either to Jew or Grecian, or the Ku"k of God : all things (even lawfidl) edifie not : Wherefore we hum- blie supplicat and request that our dear brethren be not troubled for triifles and Eomisli rags : AVe tmst ye will not despise om' request, albeit ayc have not much worldlie pompe. We are your Bretlu-en in Clmst. A commission of jurisdiction being given to the Bishop of St Androcs, an enemic to Christ, a su])plication is draAven up to the Secret Councill aganis it. That their Honours Avoidd take to heart that that perjured enemie of Christ, and murderer of his brethren, commonlie styled Archbishop of St Androes, Hamilton, a bastard, Avcs by a signatour past restored to all his former jurisdiction, and had gotten a judicatorie of conmiissariot, confirming of testaments, ' ^ These letters are containecl in Calderwood's MS., and have been inserted in the Booke of the Universall Kirk, vol. i. pp. 84, 85. 1567. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAJSTD. 31 donation of benefices, with all liis foraier rents and emoluments. Tliis is not onlie to cure the head of the woimded beast, (seing he wes once turned out,) but also to tm'ne the Ministers out of their liveing, and, if we should be silent, to make us guiltie of the blood of all the soules that so shoidd perish ; and by the Lord's strength Ave will not be subject to that usurped tyrannic, more nor to the Divill himself, for he may jvidge of heresie, and take ordour with it, and Avhat Papists call heresie none of your Lordships is igno- rant. The remedie is this : — The Queen is not well informed, for she may not doe contrare the well established lawes of the land : but so it is, that in a free Parhament (the best that ever was in this land) that odious beast Aves depryved of all jurisdiction, office, or autoritie ; Avhilk Parliament the Queen lies ratified at hu' arriA^all, and by diverse proclamations since that tyme lies confirmed our religion and reformation : wherefore crave boldlie and freeHe justice of the tyrant, (yet Avithout tumidt,) and ye shall see he dare no more be seen nor hoAvletts [owls] in the day hght, and this concerns your Honours als much as us, wherefore look to it, as ye Avill be ansuerable to God, etc. This bastard brother to Duke Hamiltoun first professed himself a Protestant ; returning from forrayne countreyes, Aves made Abbot of Paisley, and afterward Bishop of St Androes, m the roAvme of Cardinal! Beton, stickedMaie 28, 1546 ; apostatizing and professing Pojierie, withdi'CAv also the Duke fra the Reformed rehgion ; became an open eneniie, and A^yle licentious liA^er; 1571, he is taken pri- soner in the Castell of Dumbartan by the Earle of Lenox, grand- father to King James VI. ; wes hanged at Stirline for his accession to King Henrie the Earle his sone' his death, and the death of the Regent Earle of Moray, ^ kiUed at LinhthgoAv by one James Hamil- ' That is, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, son of Matthew, Earl of Lennox, •who -was elected Regent of Scotland, 12th July 1570, but was killed at Stii-ling, 3d September 1571. ^ John Hamilton was natural son of James the first Earl of Arran. As above stated, after the murder of Cardinal Betoun, he was promoted to the See of St Andrews. Keith, in mentioning the active part the Archbishop took on behalf of Queen Mai-y, says, "After this," (the battle of Langsyde, 13th May 1568,) « he was 32 THE HISTORIE OF 1567. ton of Bothuelliauche, whose life he had spared, being taken a pri- soner, bearing airms aganis the Regent. Persons falling in adidterie ought not afterward to have mariage granted to them, but ought to be put to death according to God's law, and to supplicat for this. He who, December 26, 1566, maried his father brother's wife after forewarning, let the incestuous be persued criminallie by the civill judge : delate them. Summonds direct aganis all bishops, abbots, priors, and other beneficed persons who serves not the cm'e, to ansuer at the nixt Generall Assemblie. At the thirteenth Assemblie, holden at Edinburgh, Junii 25, 1567, Mr George Buchanan, Principall of St Leonard's Colledge in St Androes, Moderator. Perceaveing the danger of religion and refor- mation, by- the bloodie decrees of Trent, and cruell attempts of Papists in France and Flanders, and aganis Scotland in particulare, plotts both Avithin and without the land ; and that Ministers have no provision, and the poore members of Christ are starving on streets, and lying as dung misregarded ; and seing a Mutuall Band is requisit in such cases ; it is appoynted that a Generall Assemblie conveen againe upon the 20 of Jidie nixt to come, and to it invites declared a traitor by the Eai'l of Moray, then become Regent ; whereupon, after lurking some time among his friends and relations, he fled for security to the strong castle of Dumbarton ; at the surprize of which fortress, he foil into his enemies' hands, and was hanged publicly on a gibbet, in the town of Stirling, the first day of April 1570." — {Catal. of Bishops.) This date is erroneous: it should be 1571. His execution must be attributed to the Regent Earl of Lennox ; for Keith, with an ap- parent want of canilour, has taken no notice of the fact that the Regent Earl of jMoray had been previously murdered, being shot from a window in Linlithgow, by the Archbishop's nephew, James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh, on the 23d January 15G9- 70. The castle of Dunbarton was not taken till the 2d April 1571, when Archbishop Hamilton, with "utheris of the Queen of Englandis rebellis," were made prisoners ; and he was executed as a common malefactor, on the 7th of that month, and, to add to the indignity, this distich was affixed on the gibbet : Cresce diu foelix arbor, semperque vireto Frondibus, ut nobis talia poma feras. Tlie Archbishop, on his trial, denied any knowledge or participation of Darnley's mur- der, but it is alleged he acknowledged being privy to that of the Regent Moray. — {Hist, of King James the Scxt, p. 71, — JRichard Bannatynes MemoriaJes, p. 104.) 1567. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 33 and reqiiyres by common letters all the Protestant noblemen and barrens witliin the kingdome ; yea, and all others also of what rank so ever, to assist with theu* counsell and concmTance in so necessare a Avork : for the prosecution of whilk good work, a commission was given to a certaine number of the Assemblie with fidl and ample power, etc. The letters were direct and subscryved by these comissioners, John Erskin of Dun, Masters John Spottiswood, John Duwglas, John Knox, John Row, John Craig. A man faUino; in fornication, and bindings himself to marie the woman if ever he shoidd haunt liii' company, falling againe with hir, yit shoidd not be compelled to marie hir, but be punished for his offence. Whoso[ever] wilfvdlie haunts the companie of excom- municat persones, one or more, after admonition, to be processed also with excommiication. A fast to be keeped in Edinbm'gh two Sabbaths before the ensueing Assemblie, At the fourteenth Assemblie, holden at Edinbm'gh, Juhi 20, 1567, INIr George Buchanan continued Moderator.' Some comrse wes taken as they coidd with Ministers provisions, who now wes assigned to the Thirds of benefices or teinds ; (for many of the Mi- nistrie were in great povertie, and not able to attend their charge,) many were absent, and sent letters of excuse, ARTICLES AGREED UPON. 1 . That, seing in ane lawfull Parliament, before the Queen's ar- rivall, the Masse, all Poperie, all monuments of idolatrie, all super- stition, all usurped jurisdiction, was abolished ; that these lawes stand in vigour aganis all persons whatsomever ; and the Nobilitie and Gentrle present bind themselves to defend the same Parhament, and to ratifie it in the nixt Parliament, according to their place and power, and at all other convenient tymes and occasions. 2. That the Act concerning the thirds of benefices now assigned ' According to CalderM-ood, Mr John Row, Minister of Perth, was elected Mode- rator. But Petrie refers to this as the continuation of the previous Assembly, and makes no mention of the election jf a new Moderator. C 34 THE HISTORIE OF 1567. to Ministers be speedilie put In execution, and efFectuallle, till a course be taken with the wholl patrimonie of the Ku-k. Item^ The small benefices extending to 300 merks. Item, The annuells, obits, and altarages within biu-ghs. 3. That the Noblhtle and Gentrle present shall labour In the nixt Parliament, that what concerns the Kh'k be first done In Parlia- ment, and that they be invested in their whoU patrimonie, and that these praesent obhshes to refiDrme themselves, to give good example to others, according to God's word : And ordalnes refiiisers to be excommunlcat ; and poore labourers of the ground to be eased of theu' teinds, and that tacks be not sett over their heads without their awin consent. 4. That none be instructers of youth, publlctlle or privatlle, but these that are admitted by the Superintendents and Visitors of Kirks, being found both sound and able. 5. That all crymes be shai^Dhe punished, and where there is neither a law nor a judge to execute It aganis such or such a \yce, that at the nixt Parhament that be helped. G. That seing the murder of the King is so odious a fact, and so disgracefuU to the nation, and that the reahne and toun cannot be free of God's wrath but by shedding the blood of the murderers, the present Nobllltie and Gentrle binds themselves to the uttermost to pursue that murder impartlallle aganis aU that shall be found gulltie and accessorie to it. 7. They bind themselves to defend and inaintainc the Prince, now borne. King James VI., crowned July 2G, 15G7, aganis aU Avho would also oppresse and murder him (doubtles) as they did his father. 8. That all kings, rulers, maglstrats, at their installing in their office, shall swearc to defend the true religion, and set fordward the work of reformation, as they are obllshed in God's word, Deut. xvii. ; 2 Chron. xxiii. 16 ; 1 Peg. ii. 3, 4. 9. That wise, godlie, and learned men have the charge of the education of the Prince, that comcing to majorltie he may be, by the blessing of God, a comfortable instrument of God, being vcr- tuouslie educated. 1567. THE^^KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 35 10. That they shall conveen themselves and all theu' forces, the host of God shall goe through the wholl land and root out the Masse and all coimtenancers of it, shall destroy all monuments of idolatrie, shall punish all odious crymes, shall revenge the King's murther, shall pull doune all unlawfidl jmnsdiction, shall put out all corrupt instructers of youth, and all that exercise any function in the Ku'k not being lawfldlie admitted to the Ministrie, and shall doe all incumbent to them for the estalilishing of the true re- ligion.— Subscrived by about 76 hands} A Convention of a number of brethren did hold in Edinburgh, December 18, 1567, to prepare maters for the Assemblie ensueing in that same moneth, without prejudice or praeHmitation of the Assemblie alwayes. Where it wes thought good that the names of all adulterers and incestuous persons were gathered together out of everie congregation, and by the Supermtendents and Generall Assemblie requyre the judge competent, in the name of Jesus Clu"ist, to purge the land of such horrible crymes according to God's word. At the fifteenth Assembhe, holden at Edinburgh, December 25, 1567, IVii- John Row, minister at Perth, Moderator. Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, named, who might at all tymes concur with the Secret Councill and my Lord Regent his Grace in all tlnngs concerning the Ku"k, and for decision of questions, etc. Adam,^ called Bishop of Orknay, haveing maried the Queen with the Earl of Bothuell, and, in so doeing, transgressed in marieiug a divorced adidterer, the Assemblie depryves him of aU fimction in the ministrie. Also, Mr John Craig wes challenged for proclam- ing their bands of mariage ; who answered, that he did in the mean tyme declare pubKctHe how scandalous that mariage would be, and ' The Subscribers' names are conlaiiied in the Booke of the Universall Kirk, vol. i. p. 110. - Adam Bothwell, Bishop of Orkney : He was also a Lord of Session, and became Commendator of the Abbey of Holyrood. 36 THE PIISTORIE OF 1568. that he should never be the man should marie them ; and wlthall, that he had the advise of grave brethren to doe what he did. At the sixteenth Assemblie, holden at Edinbm-gh, July 1, 1568, John WiUock, Moderator. Ordained that none have poAver to vote in the Generall AssembHe except Superintendents and Commis- sioners appoynted for visiting of Kirkes, and such Ministers as they choose to bring with them, who are well affected, and able to reasone and disput and judge of maters, also riding elders, commis- sioners of burghs, shyres, and universities. The Ministers to be chosen at the Provinciall Assembhe, the Commissioners fra bui'glis to be chosen by the Toime Councill and Session, Commissioners of Shyres to be chosen at the Previnciall Assemblie. That all Com- missioners' have a written subscryvcd commission; and lest the matter degenerat in a monopole, that from tyme to tyme they change Commissioners, and not still choose the same men. Inacted, That he who slayes any upon suddentie and inadver- tence be debarred from the Lord's Table untill he satisfie the Kirk. That a murtherer, adiJterer, or incestuous person, being to be receaved by the Kirk, keep that same ordour wes observed in the receaveing of Paidl INIethven, pag. [29,] with this addition, that if it be for murther, the penitent shall stand with the weapon in his hand (or the verie lyke) wherwith he killed his neighbour. That Papists who, after sufiicicnt instruction and achnonitions, remaine obstinate, be excommunicat. ARTICLES PRESENTED TO THE LORD REGENT HIS GRACE. 1. That the assignation to the thirds in some places will not come up to the lialf in others, not to the quarter of the ISIinister his stipend. 2. Shall Papists peaccabhe possess a tAva-part of the patrimonie of the Kirk Avithout any imposition, and shall Christ's Ministers, who labour in the word and doctrine, not have a third ? 3. That all the commonc charges, intcrtaining of schooles and poore, come off the Papists twa-part, that tlie third at least may be 1568. THE KIllK OF SCOTLAND, 37 frie to the Ministers of Christ, who should have the whoU, adding all other pious uses. 4. That there may be qualified persons presented to benefices presenthe vacand, pertaining to Cathedi'all and Metropolitan Kirks, Nuneriesj etc. 5. That the Colledge of Aberdein be reformed and purged of corrupt instructers. 6. That all odious crymes be suppressed by punishments. 7. That a Committee of the Councill meet with the Commission of the Kirk to treat of the jurisdiction of the Kirk, and to prepare it before the Parliament. 8. That Superintendents be placed where none are. 9. That a judicatorie be appoynted for augmenting and setling of Ministers stipends as need requyres. Ansuered by The Regent : — That such as is put to the horn for Ministers stipends, their escheits shalbe uplifted, and the Ministers paid out of the first and readiest. That these Kirks vacand shall be given to qualified persons, and any prebendaries vacand shalbe up- lifted by the collectors. Ordains a Commission to be made for re- forming of Aberdein Colledge. Let the Regent's Grace have a roll of the committers of the vyces, they shaU be proceeded aganis according to justice. The persons named shalbe warned to conveen August 8. Superintendents cannot be presenthe named. Let the Kirk give a Commission till the nixt General! Assembhe : and for augmenting of Ministers stipends, the Clerk-Register, Pittarro, and Mr Henrie Balnaves, wath some of the Kirk, or any two of them, to finde out what overture they think meitest. A Minister agreed with a Vicar to pay him a yearhe duetie for his viccarage if he woidd give it over to him, seing he served the cure ; another Minister accuses this Minister of simonie. The other protests that he be convicted in poena talionis if the Assembhe found it not so. QucBrltur, An contractus sit Simoniacus ? Et si sit, qua poena punicndus qui scandalum commisit ? Secimdo, Si accusator cadat causa, qua poena est iste puniendus qui lillud] scandalum suscitavit ? Ansuer, Publict repentance for his accusation. 38 THE HISTORIE OF 1568. The Bishop of Orknay, upon his repentance and submission, is re- stored againe to the ministrie of the word, and is ordained to make sermon in the Kirk of Halyroodhouse, and in the end of the sermon confesse his oifence in marieing the Queen with the Earle of BothueU. At the seventeenth AssembHe, conveened at Edinburgh, Decem- ber 25, 1568, John Willok continued Moderator. Received a pious letter from the Earle of Gleucaini, professing his zeaU for the work of refonnation, and that he had put the Ministers in that bounds in possession of the Bishoprick of Glasgou, viz. the tliirds now per- taining to them ; craved, some honest Ministers to be given unto him : for the whilk the AssembHe blessed God, and grants the noble- man's desh"e. This Assemblie being rare and thin, be reason of storm of weather, and a report (albeit false) of the pestilence to have bene in Edinburgh, ordaines the Assemblie to conveene at Edinburgh, Feb- ruary 25, nixt to come. At the eighteenth Assemblie, conveened at Edinbm'gh, Febniary 25, 1568[-69,] (for the yeare then begouth not till March 25, for so it is yit in England to tliis day, and the change wcs not whiU 1600, at whilk tyme James VI., by an Act of Coimcill, ordained the sup- putation of the beginning of the yeare to be from Januar 1,) INIr David Lindceay, Moderator. A supplication to the Supream INIa- gistrat. What ordour is to be taken with these who in Papistrie receaved benefices, noAv serves not the cure, and yit payes but a third ? Item, If a beneficed persone may set tacks to any whom he will ? Item, Tliat the llegcnt's Grace would reduce all benefices once granted in favom's of the Kh-k, now given to others, contrarc to laAV. A letter presented from the Didvc of Chattellierault his Grace to tlie GeneraU Assemblie, bearing, that the sense of the troubles of this countrcy drew him home from France, if it lay in his power to help a poore, distracted, oppressed people ; professing that his par- 1561). THE KIRK 0¥ SCOTLAND. 39 ticular wrongs sustained, lay not so neare liis heart as the pubHct : That he resolves God's word shalbe preached throw the kingdome, and the sacraments admmistred according to the institution. Nixt, That each subject may peaceablie enjoy his awin possession. Re- graits the- distance betuix the Queen and a part of hir subjects, wishes aU hostUitie to be forebom, yet desyres ordoiu* to be taken •with the slauchter of the Queen's husband. And because he un- derstood that the Earle of Moray wes to oppose hunself unto Imn, as wes reported, but he woidd not beleeve it, till experience spoke it out ; intreated that the forces now in armes might be employed upon oppressors and thieves to take ordour with them ; and if the Earle of Moray woidd pm'sue him, he doubted not but God and the nobihtie would take his part in liis righteous cause ; desyreing the Ministers to notifie his pm-pose to the people, and if any had any doubts anent him, that they would come and confer with liimself. (^Suhscrihitur^ Your Chi'istian Brother, Jajsies Hamiltoun. The Assemblie ansuered the bearer, That they would advise with my Lord Regent his Grace ere they returned any answere, and that they woidd, according to then' caUing and power, pacific the nobihtie. A fast is concluded to be observed eight dayes with great so- brietie and abstinence, and to begin presenthe where it may be, and in more distant places when they may. Ordamed, that Superintendents and Comissioners of provinces shall pro re nata appoynt fasts as God in his providence shall call for, [and] they in their godhe wisdome shall see requisit, so that it needs not be delayed to a GeneraU AssembHe. ARTICLES SENT TO MY LORD REGENT HIS GRACE. That remedie be found aganis the Earle of Hunthe his oppression and tyrannic, Avho hes deposed the Ku'k's Collectors, and placed others of his awin. That his Grace and the Councill consent to his excomunication, if he remaine obstinat. y 40 THE HliSTOKIE OF 1569. That hiis Grace consent to transport Mr Kobert Pont from Moray. That odious crymes be punished. That the Justice-Clerk does not his part in that. That (once at least) a distinction be made betiux thejimsdiction of the Kirk, and that wliilk is civill. That that question, "VYliither the adidterer shall be admitted to the benefit of manage, yea or not, may at last be decyded. At the nynteenth AssembHe, holden inEdinbm'gh, July 1, 1569, William Chrysteson, minister of Dundie, Moderator. Mr John Craig is judged to have done honestlie in that mater anent the proclameing of the bands betuix the Queen and the Earle of Both- uell. Persons guiltie of capital! crymes, summoned and not com- pearand, to be excommunicat. ARTICLES PRESENTED TO MY LORD REGENT. That a portion of the teinds be allotted to the poore. That the poore labourers may intromxCtt with then' awin teindis upon a reasonable composition. That these who have pluralitie of benefices be compelled to di- mitt all except one. That remedie be provyded aganis selling and changeing of be- nefices, setting of long tackes. All tackes sett since the assumjition of the thirds be disannulled, and ane inhibition for tyme to come. Item^ Anent the jurisdiction of the Ku-k, my Lord Regent or- dains the persons nominat by the Parliament to mcit, treat, and de- fyne according to God's word. The thirds of all benefices Avas as- signed to the Kirk, by the Parliament holden at Edinburgh in De- cember 1567. The Generall AssembUe [to] appoynt the proportion how much shall a Superintendent liave, how nuich a Commissioner, how mucli ane Exhorter, how nmch a Peader. A letter from The Pegent, bcareing his care of the Kirk, that yeare he wes exyled in Ingland, the Ministers got nothing, but the King beinjj crouned, and he admitted to tlic rec'encie, he established 15G9. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 41 religion by lawes, and had a care to provyde Ministers. The no- bilitie, be reasson of commone burdens, hindered Ministers provi- sions. At last the thirds were provyded to the Ku'k, upon promise that commone charges should come off them ; wherefore, see how ye will satisfie the Nobihtie in this. As for crymes, we are doeing oui* best, and, after your tryall, assure you such shall be put to death who deserve it. Dated at Aberdeine, Junij last, 1569. {Subscribitur) Yours assured friend, James Regent. And, for some particulars in the Regent's letter, the Asscmblic answers. That NicoU Sudderland is guiltie of incest, becavise he knew that the woman wes harlot to liis mother brother before. IteTT^ Anent chaplanries, agrees that they be disponed to coUedges and the poore, according to the Act of ParUament. Januar 21, 15 69 [-70,] the Regent wes shot at Linlithgow, out at a windo, by James Ilamiltoun of BothucDiauche.^ At the twentieth AssembHe, holden at Edinburgh, March 1, 1569 [-70.] (It wes appoynted to meet at Stirhne, Febniary 25, but Aves adjourned by reason of troubles faUing out throAV the slaughter of my Lord Regent's Grace :) Sermon being had, and prayer to God after sermon by AYiUiam Chrysteson, last Moderator, Mr John Craig is chosen Moderator. And it is inacted, That, In all tyme comeing, the Moderator of the preceeding AssembUe preach at the subsequent ; after preacliing, open up the Assemblie by jai'ayer, and then proceed to the chuseing of a Moderator. Adidterers and in- cestuous persons are ordained to make pubUct repentance bare- headed and barefooted in sackcloth, and the last day to be re- ceaved in their awiu ordinarie clothes. If the person have bene excommunicat, he shall stand in sackcloth at the kirk-doore bare- footed and bareheaded, and be secluded fra the pubKct prayers, and in tyme of preaching, sitt in a pubHct place and eminent, where ' This paragraph is transposed in the MS., as it precedes the notice of the A bly in July 1569, on the previous page. 42 THE HISTORIE OF 1570. lie may be knowen by the rest, and not to be absolved till lie re- port his Minister's testunoniall to the nixt Assemblic, of his good and Christian behaviour. If any Minister sett his gleib or manse, or any part of the fruits thereof, with diminution of the rentaU, that aU such tacks be declared null, and he depryved of his bene- fice for ever. Persons who will not forbeare the companie of cxcomunicat persons after due admonition, themselves to be excom- municated also. The children of excomunicat persons are to be receaved to baptisme from the hands of a faithfiill member, imder- taking for then- education in the Christian Keformed Kehgion. It is declared. If a single woman committ adidterie A^-itli a maried man, she shall be equallie punished, soluta cum conjugato, as well as solutus cum conjugattty or conjugatus cum conjugata. If a man repu- diat his wife and bau-nes, let the Minister labom- for reconciliation, when there is no just cause to repudiat, and let the oifended partie complaine to the judge ortlinare. If parties be contracted in manage, and their bands registrat, if camall copulation have followed after that, by their awin confession, the partie that refiuseth to marie {in tali casu) after admonition, to be excomimicat ; but si res sit In- tegra, and no carnall copidation has followed upon it, then the partie refuisand not to be compelled, yit to be punished for inconstancie and levitie. That Ministers use no civill offices. That Ministers be publictlie admitted in aU tyme comeing. At the twenty-first Assembhe, holden at Edinbm-gh, Jidy 5, 1570, Mr Robert Pont, Moderator. luactcd, That ISIinistcrs, at their admission, shall protest solcmnlie, never to leave their vocation, under the paine of infamie and perjurie. That all pastors begin to catechize the childi-en of their congregation, being nine years of ao-e. That such as lies made defection fra the lawfull autoritie of the King's Majestic, be admonished to return to his Majestic's obe- dience ; with certification, if they contcmptuouslie refuise, the spirituall sword shall be used aganis them. Brethren were nominat to deallc Avith my Lord Duke his Grace, the Earlcs of iVi-gyll, Eghntoun, and Cassillis, the Lord Boyd, etc., sundric barons and 1570. THE KIllK OF SCOTLA^sD. 43 gentlemen, and to report their ansuers to the nixt Assemblle. Cloakers of notour adiilterie, let the nile have place, consentientes et agentes pari poena puniantur. It is asked, A woman fathers a bairn on a man, and is readie to sweare he is father : He denyes, and swears he never knew the woman, Quajritur, Utri credendum? Respondetur, Neutri. Excommunication may be used aganis those who witliholds Ministers stipends, after all dihgence is used that lawfiiUie and possibHe could be done. A commission is given to eighteen Ministers and Elders, or any seven of them, to treat upon Articles given in, or to be given in, and to report to the nixt Gene- rail Assemblie. At the twenty-second AssembHe, holden in Edinbm*gh, March 5, 1570[-71,] Mr George Hay, Moderator. Ordained, that in all tyme comeing, all Superintendents and Commissioners for planting and visiting of Kirks, bring their Registers and Books of Visitation to the Assemblie, that their diligence may be knowen. ARTICLES PERTAINING TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE KIRK, TO BE PROPONED TO THE REGENT'S GRACE AND SECRET COUNCILL, AND PETITIONED TO BE APPOYNTED BY THEM. 1°. That the Ku-k have the judgement of tiiie or false rehgion, or doctrine, heresies, or such lyke, pertaining to the preaching of the word, and administration of the sacraments. 2°. The election, examination, and admission of them that are admitted to the ministrie, and other ecclesiasticall fimctions, who have charge of soules, and ecclesiasticall benefices, also the suspen- sion and deprivation of them therefra for lawfoll causes. 3**. All tilings that concerns the Discipline of the Kirk Avhilk stands in correction of manors, admonitions, rebookes, excommuni- cation, and receaving to repentance. 4*^. The judgment of maters ecclesiasticall betuix persons that are of the I\irk, and in speciall, those of the ministrie, as well con- cernmg benificiall causes as others. 5°. Juristliction to proceid by admonitions to the sentence of ex- 44 THE HISTORIE OF 1571. comunication, if neltl beis, aganis them that rob the patrimonie of the Kirk appertaining to the niinistrie, or otherwnse intrometts thercAvith unjustKe, whereby the ministrie is in danger to decay. 6°. And, because the conjunction of persons in mariage belongeth to the ministrie, the causses of adherence and divorcements ought also to appertaine to them, as naturalhe annexed thereto. Forsamekle as many homicides, adulterers, etc., in respect of fead, distance of place, storme, and other impediments, cannot re- pair to the Generall AssembHe as avcs appoynted, That in tyme comeing they repau- to the ProAdnciall Synod of the respective bounds Avhilk conveens twyse in the yeare, in Aprde and October, and there receave theu' injunctions, just as the Generall Asscmblie prescryved. That in tyme comeing, no hard questions be proponed to the Generall Assembhe, but that they be all proponit to the Provinciall Synod, where, if they receave satisfaction, it is well, if not, let the Superintendents bring them to the Generall Assemblie, there to be decyded. , That all manages be solemnized in face of the congrega- tion, and that no Minister marie persons of another congregation without testimoniall of their Minister, or a licence asked and ob- tained of him by tlie parties ; contra veencrs to make pubhct re- pentance. Inhibites Magistrats to hold their Courts in Ku'ks. Mitigation to be used in the receaving of 2)enitcnt excommunicats who Avere ncA'er formerlie of our AssembUc. These who stayes the proclamation of bands by infamous misreports, shall be punished as false informers and slanderers. Pactions betuix the patron haveand the greater part of the tcinds, and the beneficed Minister haveing the smaller part, tending to simonie, is unlaAvfuU. A certaine Minister refuiseth to marie a man seeking to marie his awin servant Avhom he had humbled, because he thought that judlciall laAV is not to be observed. The Minister is found to have done Avrong, and the Superintendent is ordained to satisfie the mans laAvfull desire. At the tAvontv-third Assemblie, holdcn at Stirlin, August f), 1571, 1572. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 45 Mr Gilbert Galrdin, Moderator. A letter from Mr Knox, pre- sented to the Assemblle, dated from St Androes, August 3, 1571, beareing, That calmnnies and aspersions wherewith he wes charged were all false ; charging them in Christ's name to be faithfUl, and carefull of the flock, and that they shall prove traitoiirs to the flock if they admitt imfaithfuU or unable men ; eschew that, as ye avoyde heU's fyre ; in the strength of God withstand the merciles devom^ers of the patrimonie of the Kirk, and then, if men will spoyle, let them doe it to their owne periU and damnation. Your batteU is hard, but go to it in the Lord's strength, communicat not with other men's sins, either by consent or silence, bot protest publictlie that yee are free of that robberie wliilk w^iU, ere long, bring God's ven- gance on the committers of it. Articles given in to the Assemblie by the Regent's Grace, and also Articles given by the Assemblie to the Regent's Grace, Par- liament, and Councill ; and the Comissioners of the Generall Assem- blie nominat, appoynted to meet at Stirlin, August 22, to reason and report. At the twenty-fourth Assembhe, met at Leith, January 12, 1571 [-72,] IVIr Gilbert Gairdin continued Moderator. No generall Act past. At the twenty-fifth Assemblie, holden at St Androes, March 6, 1571[-72,] Mr Robert Hamilton, minister of St Androes, Mode- rator, though Mr John Douglas, Archbishop of St Androes, Aves present at the Assemblie. If the vicarage exceed 40 lib., the vieare shall fiuTiish the communion elements : If not, the parson, or he who lies the great teinds, shall furnish them. Ordains the Superinten- dent of Fyfe to use his awin jurisdiction (as of befor) without any subjection to the Archbishop of St Androes, and requests liim to concur also with the Archbishop in his visitations, whilk he exerces be vertue of his Commission till the nixt Generall Assemblie. At the twenty-sixth Assemblie, holden at Perth, Augiist 6, 1572, 4G THE IIISTOKIE OF 1572. John Erskin of Dun, Moderator. Inacted, That Avhatever member of the Assembhe does speak unorderhe, and without leave asked and obtahied of the Moderator, he shalbe forthwith removed, and not get admittance to that Assemblie againe. Certaine names, such as Archbishop, Bishop, Ai-chdean, Dean, Chanceler, Chapter, etc., being found in sundrie writes, and thir names and designa- tions being thought offensive as savom'ing of the Romish liierarcliie, the Assembhe desyres thir names changed ; and protests, that in sometymes useing of tliir names, they be not thought to aggree to any poynt of Poperie. Protests also that Articles agreed upon be only for an interim, till a more perfyt ordour may be obtained at the hands of the King and the nobilitie. At the twenty-seventh Assemblie, holden at Edinbm-gh, JNIarch 6, 1572[-73,] Mr David Fergusson, Moderator. Mr John Eow censm-ed for marieing the Master of Craufoord and my Lord Drum- mond's daughter without proclamation of bands ; and what wes done in it w.es not in due tyme, viz. on Thursday at the evening pray- ers ; notwithstanding of his excuse that it wes at the command of the Session, whereof my Lord Ruthven was one. Inacted, That no collections for poore be in tyme of divine ser- vice, but at kirk doores. Beneficed persons, non-residents, to be deposed if, after admonition, they reside not with then* flockes. Johnc Knox,^ noAv deceassed, haveing been so notable an instni- ment of God, that his worthie travells may be remembred in his posteritic, the Assemblie recommends to the magistrat to give to his wife, Margaret Stuart, and her three daughters, his stipend for the ensueing yeare 1573, now approaching, after liis deceass, viz. 500 merks, tuo chalders Avhcat, six chalders beare, foiu- chalders oats. Ordains excommunication to be aganis Papists somcAvhat more summary, viz. Avithin eight dayes after the admonitions, if they doe not joyne themselves to the established religion, now, by the Lord's blessing, Reformed. ' Knox tlicd at Edinburgli, '24th November 1572. 1572. , THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 47 It being desyred by my Lord Regent liis Grace,^ tliat some learned Ministers might be also Senators of the CoUedge of Justice, it is ansuered, No Minister is able to discharge a duetie in both those callings. Who is sufficient for these things ? No man that goes a warfair entangleth himself, etc. ARTICLES AND OVERTURES PRESENTED BY THE PROVINCE OF LOTHIAN. 1°. That a coppie of the Acts of the GeneraU Assemblie be given to everie exercise. 2°. That maters falling out, new incidents and emergents betuix the ProvinciaU SjTiods and GeneraU Assembhes shall be marked everie exercise, and put in frame twenty dayes before the General! AssembHe. 3°. That matters referred to the GeneraU Assembhe be registrate faithfuUie by the Superintendent's clerk, and reported by the Su- perintendent. 4°. That, as of before, Noblemen and Barons, ruleing elders fre- quent the Assemblie to conciUat the more reverence and auto- ritie. 5°. That these who have not present money wherewith to buy books, the CoUector advance them the money, to be repayit by their stipends. The Assembhe approves aU thir Articles, and ratifies them as good and necessare. • If a man go out of the countrey, stay seven yeares, marie another wife, his wife also be maried to another man ; both are adulterers, except a lawfLiU sentence of divorcement have preceeded the second mariage. According to the Word of God and practise of the primitive Kirk, no person may exercise a caUing in the Kirk, and be also a CiviU Judge. These tuo must not be confoimded in the person of him who is a preacher of the word, and adnunistrator of the sacraments. • John, Earl of Mar, elected Regent, 6th September 1571, having died 29th Oc- tober 1372, he was succeeded in the Regency by James, Earl of Morton. 48 THE HISTORIE OF 1573. At the twenty-eighth Assemblie, hoklen at Edmburgh, August 6, 1573, Mr Alexander Arbuthnot, Moderator. Tlie Superintendents, Bishops, and Comissioners Books and Registers delyvered to be tryed. That the names of all excommunicats be reported at the GeneraU Assembhc, that none pretend ignorance, and censiu'es to be diligentlie used aganis resetters of, or haunters with them. Pa- rish Kirks incommodiouslie situated may be changed, provyding it be done Avith consent of all interessed ; and that it carie not along with it any prejudice to the kirk, gleeb, or manse. That gleebs and manses be mortified to the Kirk by the King's Majestic, this to be supplicated. Consulters with witches ordained to make pubhct re- pentance, and to be excommunicat if they dissobey. That imiior- mitie be keept in excommunication, 1°, Tlie Minister shall be, by letters from the Superintendent and Commissioners, commanded, after admonitions contemned, to excommunicate the delinquent, and the Ministers shall indorse these letters bearing the admonitions and excommunication, if no obedience given, and so report their dili- gence. That there be no partialitie in discipline and censures ; great men, nobles, and barons, offending in these things wdiilk de- (Serves sackcloth, shall take on that same habit whilk the poore take on, and no pecuniall sovaiie,etiamsi ad pios usus, shall liberat him from it. If a man diraitt his benefice simpliciter, let him dimitt it in tlie hands of the just patron. At the tAventy-ninth Assembhe, holden at Edinbm-gh, March G, 1573[-74,] Mr Andi-o Hay, Moderator. Inacted, That all commis- sioners take a speciall notice hoAv hospitall rents are used or abused, that my Lord Chancellour may receave the reports, and present them to my Lord Regent his Grace. A large letter wes drawen up and sent to the Regent, Councill, Nobilitie, Bishops, etc. The ])urpose wcs dcclareing the divyne right of Assemblies, and the nccessitic and utilitic of them. Li the begin- ning, the nobilitie and barons did countenance the Assemblie, and much aided the Ministers, now did dishaunt them ; wherefore, my Lord Regent, the Councill, Nobilitie, Bishops, and Barons, were re- 1573. THE KIIJK OF SCOTLAXD. 49 quired in Christ's name, and as they would testifie their love to the T\'orke of God, to assist in the AssembHes of the Kirk, they being members thereof. And, because the Regent had desyred, in Articles whilk he gave to the Ku'k, first to be charitabhe admonished before he be traduced, therefore, now they take this course, etc. Bishops ordained to be subject to the Discipline of the Kirk as the Superintendents still have bene, and the jurisdiction of Bishops not to exceed that of Superintendents, in any thing. No Superin- tendent or Bishop shall adniitt a Minister without the assistance of tluie Avell qualified ^Ministers T^'itllin that province ; whilk thrie shall subscry ve the Act of Admission with them in token of their consent. A Minister haveing more Kirks nor one, shall reside but at one of them, and be called the Minister of that Kkk ; yet doe what good he can to the rest whill the Lord of the harvest tlu^ist ftirth more laboiu'ers ; and then he shall have his option to take him unto any one of them he pleases, that the rest may be pro- vided with pastors of their a"\vin. August 3, 1.573. — The Laii'd of Grange, Kirkaldie, Aves executed for treason. At the thirtieth Assemblie, holden at Edinburgh, August 7, 1574, John Duncanson, Moderator. It being regraited, that sundrie Mi- nisters were collectors and chamberlanes to beneficed persons, bishops, and others, it is inacted. That whosoever does so in tyme comeing, the contraveeners shall be deposed. ARTICLES PROPONED TO THE REGEXT'S GRACE. 1. That Superintendents, and stipends to them, be in aU paii:s of the countrey destitute thereof, or where the bounds is so great as that the charge cannot be discharged, as St Androes, Glasgow. 2. That Ministers put out of brughes be brought back againe. 3. That conunission be granted to well affected noblemen and gentlemen in every province for punishing of odious crymes, as adulterie, incest, witchcraft. 50 THE HISTORIE OF 1574. 4. That vackand Kirks be planted, and stipends assigned to them. 5. That Doctors of Theologie be placed in coUedges, and sti- pends assigned to them. 6. That a generall ordour be taken with the poore ; and that teind sybbows/ leeks, kaill,- and onyons, be discharged. 7. That m each province there be a jndicatorie for divorces, for the ease of the poorer sort. 8. That qualified persons be provyded for vacant bishopricks. 9. That the Books of Assignation be delyvered to the Clerk of the Generall Assemblie. Inacted, That those who in their wifes tyme fell in adidterie, and now lies maried that whoore with whom they fell in adidterie, be separated till the judge competent decern whither that mariage be lawfull, yea, or not ; if they refuise to separate, let them be excom- municat. That the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper be celebrated only on the Lord's Day. That none buy, sell, or cowp any benefice, dii'ecthe or indirecthe ; the contraveeners to be punished with all severitie and rigoiu" as simonaicks. The Assemblie lies thought good that the Superintendent of Low- tliian, the Minister of Edinburgh (Mr James Lowson), and INIini- ster of Leetli (Mr David Lindesay), shall make intimation and ad- vertise the brethren that they may meet at any tyme when ever their presence shalbe required at a Parliament or Convention of Estates ; wliilk meeting shalbe reputed and accompted a Generall Assemblie. Absents fi*oin one Assemblie to be summoned to the nixt (there to be censm'ed), except their excuse of absence be judged relevant. At the thirty-first Assemblie, holden at Edinburgh, March 7, 1574[_75j] James Bishop of Glasgow, Moderator. Inacted, That seing most of the Commentaries upon Scriptures are wi'itten in Latin, none be admitted to that fimction of the liolie Ministrie but they who understand Latin, and can speake congruous Latin, ' Sybbows, the green tops of young onions. ^ Kaill, colewort. 1575. THE KIItK OF SCOTLAND. 51 exceptand these, who, for their other singuhire graces, sliall be judged fitt for the holy caUing by the GeneraU Assembhe. Discharges all clerk-playes, comedies, or tragedies, out of Canonick Scripture, and if any fee made out of Apocrypha, the same to be considered ere they come in publict ; and no clerk-play whatsom- ever to be acted on the Lord's day, but onlie upon week dayes. The contrfiveener to be censured, and, if he be a minister, to be deposed. Ministers who go on to marie persons contracted whenas law- ful! impediment is proponed, to be censured by the Superintendents and Commissioners of the respective bounds where they live. Mr Andro Graham being presented to the Bishoprick of Dun- blane, under the name of a preachom*, although it be notoure he had not bein one, wherefore ordains him to exercise on Wednesday in the Magdalene ChapeU before the Bishops, Superintendents, and Comissioners who can be present there ; but especiaUie before the Ministers of Edmburgh, on Rom. v. 1, etc. : Albeit the Kirk hes not as yet passed a finall sentence and conclusion, if all presented to such benefices should be preachours ; or if the person presented be quahfied, if alwayes the presentation is to be obeyed. All who hes renunced poperie, sworne and subscryvcd to the true religion reformed, if they refuise to participat the Hohe Supper of the Lord, to be counted as relapsers, and to be proceeded aganis with excommunication. But to returne to the Historic, broken oiF, page [24,] at the fourth Generall Assembhe. The Ministers of Edinburgh comeing back againe, the Assemblies keeped more frequentlie, and gave in supphcations and articles continuaUie to the young King, to liis Regent and CounciU, to get aU Papistrie suppressed ; all monu- ments of idolatrie abohshed ; and that none should get any Kirk benefice bestowed upon them but they who were found quali- fied and well gifted for the same ; and that such Ministers as were ah-eadie placed should have their manses and gleibs, Avhcre- by they might be resident with their flocks ; and yet at this 52 THE niSTORIE OF 1575. tyme the nobilitie, for their aAvin ends, were placeing Bishops in vacand benefices, albeit the sincerest of the ministers and good professors would faine have had them altogether removed out of the Kirk : That the Superintendents (who had no bene- fices but only their stipends) and the Assemblies, consisting of ministers and elders comissioners, might goverue the Kirk ; but that could not be gotten fuUie done, as our Kirk and other godlie zealous pastors in other parts would have wished. For it was about this tyme that IN'Ir Beza, minister of Geneva, wrote a letter to Mr Knox, then minister at Edinbm'gh, concerning the Bishops whom he thought to have bene altogether removed from our Ku'k ; whose words concerning them I have sett doune, because they are so pertinent to our piu'pose. Sed et istud, mi Cnoxe, te ccBterosque fratres velim meminisse, quod jam ocidis pene ipsis obversatur, simd Episcopi Papatum pepererunt, ita Pseudo-Ejnscopos, Papains reliquias, Epicureismum terris invecturos. Hanc pestem caveant, qui salvam ecclesiam cupiunt ; et quum illam in Scotia in tempore projiigaris, ne qucBso unquam admittas, quantumvis unitutis. retinendcB specie, qua veteres etiam optimos midtosfefellit^ blan- diatur. {Bezce Cnoxo, Epist. 79.) That is to say, "O my dear Knox, I woidd have you and the rest of your brethren remembering tliis whilk now Ave may evidentlie behold before our eyes; that, as Bishops brought foorth and made a Pope, so thir false Bishops, Avho are nothing but remainders and relicts of the Papacie, avlU bring in Epiciu-isme and Atheisme in the Avorld. Let all men, therefore, who wishes the welfare of Christ's Kirk, eschew such a great pest ; and, seing that ye have tymeouslie banished it out of Scotland, I pray you let it never have place againe, albeit it cai-ie Avith it a flat- tering appearance to hold in peace in the Kirk, wliilk also de- ceaved many of the best auncient fathers." Our Kirk then jircassed to see the ^Vi'ticles and Heads of the Poli- cie of the Kirk practised and obeyed, seing that all men seemed to be content thercAvith : for there Aves never any xict concluded in the Generall Assembhes of the Kirk in these dayes, tiU all men had their doubts resolved be them either by particular conferences, or 1575. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 53 by publicke reasoning and dispute, wliilk made God's work riglitlie to goe fordward ; so that all corruptions knowen to be in the mi- nistrie, and also vyces among the commone people, were daylie taken ordour with : for the Kirk was strictlie and well governed by Kirk- Sessions, in everie particulare congregation, where elders and deacons coidd be had qualified for then- offices. Then afterward by Presby- teries, in cheif touns 20 ministers, or some fewer or more, as the bounds about that toune coidd affoord, with ane elder accompanieing each minister, meeting together everie week on a certaine day ap- poynted ; at which tyme some portion of hohe Canonick Scripture wes opened up and exponed by one of the saids ministers, and an- other minister did delyver doctrins and uses upon the same text, and some tyme tuo, and some tyme tlu:ee, speaking by course, would add something, either doctrine, or observations, or uses, to that whilk had bein formerlie spoken, whilk wes called the Exercise of Prophesieing, or, in ecliptick expression, the Exercise of the Mi- nisters. After whilk exercise, all maters of discipline belonging to that praicinct or bounds were handled. Above Presbyteries were Provinciall Assemblies, holden t"\vise everie yeare, in Aprile and October, wherein aU the Ministers of the province conveened, with then- comissioners ruleing elders. And finaUie, the GeneraU or NationaU Assemblies mett tAvise in the yeare also, and oftner pro re nata; whereby it came to passe, that no idolatrie, heresie, error, superstition, publict sin, or profanitie, coidd escape censure and punishment according to the weight and desert thereof; for, if a minister, with his session and congregationaU con- sistorie, coidd not get ordour taken with any offender or scandalous liver in his parish, he wes delated to the Presbyterie ; and if the Presbyterie could not, the Pro\inciaU Synod took ordour with the same. And if that judicatorie wes not of sufficient autoritie, the GeneraU Assemblie ended the controversie ; for fi-a that judicatorie there Aves no appellation. And if one Assembhe coidd not settle the controversie, it wes still agitat in subsequent Assemblies, tiU it wes put to a poynt. But, to avoyd ambition, prelieminence, and tyrannic, the Moderators, both of Presbyteries and Provincial! As- 54 THE HISTORIE OF 1575. semblies, were chosen out of a leet made twise in the yeare, and such Hke, at everie Generall Assemblie a new Moderator was chosen ; and, Avhen he dunitted his place at the opening or entrie of the ensueing Assembhe, he taught a sermon, to stirre up his bretlu-en to their dueties in then* stations and calling, and relating to the tymes and present exigencies. But now the Generall AssembHe of this Kirk began more seri- ouslie to speak of the Governement of the Ku"k ; and therefore, in the yeare 1575, the question wes proponed in the Assemblie holden at Edinbm'gh, August 6, concerning Bishops, If their name Bishop, being appropriated to some few, and not to all the Ministers of the Gospell, and if their autoritie and jm'isdiction over and above their bretln-en, and places whilk they at that tyme had in the Kirk, was lawfidl and tolerable ? For ansuer to this question, it Avas thought expedient that sixe of the most learned, holy, grave, and prudent brethren, (three for the affirmative, tln-ee for the negative,) shoidd meet and reassone that question ^>/'o et contra, as theu" light judge- ment and memorie served them for the tyme ; and all the particu- lars concerning the said question being dispute and most exactlie considdered in nyne or ten Generall Assemblies, (everie Assemblie useing then to continue two weeks at least,) in end, with the consent of all, yea, even of the Bishops themselves, nemine contra- dicente, that office of a diocesan Lord Bishop was counted unprofit- able, and unlawfidl to be in God's Knk : And many Acts were made to tliis same pui-pose, whilk afterward was riven out of the Registers of the Generall Assembhes, (ye may easUic judge by whom,') yet, by God's good providence, a principall Act wes concluded, and also remains vmdestroyed in the books and registers of this Kirk, (whilk, by a rare providence, were preserved in the tyme of prelaticall apos- tasie, and being presented and exliibited to the most renowned AssembUe at Glasgow, anno 1G38, Avere found and proven to be famous and authentick by 19 impregnable Reasons,'^ from page 1 to page 7,) and the Act Avas published to all in the yeare 1580, in the ' The juithor here alludes to Adamson, Archbishop of St Andrews. ^ See the prlntcil Acts of Assembly for 1038. 1575. THE KIRK OF SCOTL.VND. 55 Assemblie holden at Dundie, Julie 12. Wherefor I will here insert the principal! Acts of all these Assemblies. At the thu'ty-second Assemblie, holden at Edinburgh, August 5, 1575, Mr Robert Pont, Moderator. After the try ell (as the cus- tom wes) of the lyves and conversations of Bishops, Superin- tendents, other ministers, and comissioners : John Durie, one of the ministers of Edinburgh, protested. That any tryell of the Bishops now past doe not prejudge the opinions and reassons whilk he and other brethren of liis mynde pm'poses to propone in opposi- tion to the name and office of a Bishop, as now it is used. The Assemblie wiU not permitt an advocate to come and plead for any man, but the person must ansuer for himself, or, if absent, some brother must ansuer for him. Inacted, that Ministers be clothed gravehe and soberUe, not in light apparrell in regard of colour, or costlie and sumptuous, and then* wives and children to be sub- ject to the same ordom*. For fear of ambition and other incon- veniences. That Comissioners from provinces be changed fi'om tyme to tyme, where able and well affected men can be had to j)ut in theu' rowms. AETICLES TO BE PRESENTED TO MY LORD REGENT HIS GRACE. 1. That vacant Ku-ks be planted with Ministers, and that live- ings be given to Superintendents and Comissioners who wants. 2. That all vyces be punished, and all that hinders the doctrine of the Gospell ; that mercats on the Sabbath day be aboHshed ; and that such as hinders Ministers in the exerciseing of their caUing be punished. Provision for the poore out of the teinds, whilk is their patri- monie ; that hospitalls be restored to theu^ right use, and their live- ings be reduced ; that almes be given out of abbacies, as of before. Provision to be made for schoolls, particularhe that Glasgow be helped. Assignations appoynted by the Prince and the Kirk, but now are altered, be repau'ed againe ; and that hereafter no alteration be made but by the advise of the Kirk. 56 THE iii.SToRiE OF 1575. That all dayes formerlie observed as holie dayes, (besydc the Sabbathj) as Yoolc dayes and Saints dayes, may be abolished, and a civill penaltle inacted aganis the contraveencrs. Aged and iniirme Ministers to have then- stipends dureing their lifetyme. That seing the Clerk hes great pains, and gives out the Ministers letters gratis, That he be well payed of his ordinare stipend. Anent the question proponed by certaine grave brethren, Whither the Bishops, as they are now in Scotland, hes then- fimc- tion of the word of God, yea or not ? or, if the Chapters appoynted for creating of Bishops ought to be tolerated in this reformed Ku-k ? The Assemblie ajjpoynts for the aflSrmative, Masters George Hay, John Row, David Lindesay ; and for the negative. Masters John Craig, James Lowson, and Andro MelviU, to meet, reasone, confer, treat, and dispute upon the said question, and to report the residt of their disputes, their judgements, and opinion, to the Assemblie. The bretlu-en appoynted to reason in this question did give In this ansuer, before the dissolveing of the Assemblie, That they think it not expedient as yit to give ansuer dirccthe to the maine ques- tion, but agries, that if any unquahfied Bishop be chosen, not have- ing these qualities and qualifications requyred in God's word, he be tryed by the GeneraU Assemblie de novo, and that beuag found un- qualified, he be deposed. The poynts Avhereupon they agreed concerning the office of a Bishop and Superintendent, 1°. That the name of a Bishop in scrip- ture is commone to aU them that hes a particulare flock, over the Avhilk he hes a peculiar charge, to preach the Avord, administer tlie sacraments, and, with concurring of his elders, to exercise discipline. 2°. Out of this number may be chosen (understand especiaUie in ecclesia constituenda) some Avho may have poAver to oversee and visite such a pnccinct bounds, besyde his aAvin flock, as the Gene- raU Assemblie shall appoynt ; and in these bounds to appoynt mini- sters, Avith consent of the ministers of tliat province, and of tlie flock to which they shall be appoynted ; also to appoynt elders and deacons in everie principall congregation, (Avherein yit there Is 1576. THE KirJv OF SCOTLA]S"D. 57 none,) Avith consent of the people thereof; and finallie, to suspend ministers for reasonable causses, with consent of the ministers of the province foresaid. It is declared, That the Kirk hath power to cognosce and de- cerne ujjon heresies, blasphemie, Avitchcraft, and violation of the Sabbath day, Avithout prejudice ahvayes of the civill punishment. There is no laAV to compell a man avIio lies lyen with a virgin, either to marie hir or to pay hir tocher-good. Bairns begotten in fornication before the mariage ; if the man marie that same woman instantlie, after the mariage are not to be esteemed bastards. At the thirty-third Assembhe, holden at Ethnburgh, Aprile 24, 1576, Mr John Roa^^, Moderator. Inacted, aganis plurahtie of offices incompatiljle in one man's persone. Anent the opinion of the brethren appoynted to confer anent the office of a Bishop, etc. The Assembhe approves the adA'ise ordaining such Bishops as have not yit receaved the charge and oAcrsight of a particulare flock, that to-morroAv they condescend upon the name of the particidare flock each one Avill accept to take the care of. The Universitie of >St Androes appoynted to be Aasited, and the Visitors named. Quceritur, If the patrimonie of the Ku-k, Avhere- upon the ministrie, poore, and schoolls, ought to be mantained, be ex Jure divino ? The ansuer to tliis question, and further disputa- tion about it, is referred to the first day of Male nixt. Ministers appoynted to meet and confer anent the Policie and jm-isdiction of the Kirk, and to report their overture to the nixt Generall Assembhe. At the thirty-fourth Assembhe, conveened at Edinburgh, October 24, 1576, ]Mr John Craig, Moderator. The Regent's Grace is desired to be present at the Assembhe, or els some comissioners in his name. Ansuered, He could not satisfie their desu-e, the advertisement Avas so sudden. Brethren Avere nominat to put that Avhilk concerned the Policie in good forme, and present it to the Asscmblic. 58 THE III8TORIE OF 1576. Ordains all ministers and readers within eight mj-^les, more or less, at the good discretion of the Visitor, to repau' to the place of the exercise of prophesieing wcekhe, especiallie the minister that shoidd first prophesie, and he that wes appointed to add ; wherein, if any of these tuo faill, for the first fault, they shaU confess their offence upon their knees before all the bretlu-en ; for the second, before the Provinciall Assemblie ; for the tliird, to be summonded before the Generall Assembhe, there to receave censure for his offence ; and it is declared, that the fourth fault deserves deprivation. It being complained. That Mr Patrick Adamson was presented by the Regent's Grace to the Bishoprick of St Androis, and not tryed by the Assemblie, Mr Patrick being present, ansuered, That his Grace had desisted fra that mater ; whilk ansuer wes ordained to be reported to his Grace. A register of buried and dead persons to be in everie parish. No tacks to be sett without the advise of the Kirk, by any beneficed persone whatsomever. Mr Thomas Hebron [Hepburn] taught, that never a soule went to heaven before the latter day. The Assembhe condemnes this proposition as erroneous, false, and, if pertinaciouslie maintained, hereticall ; ordaining, that none approve or mantaine such a corrupt opinion, under the paine of censure ; or- daining the said Mr Thomas to resort to godhe, learned brethren, for information and resolution, and not to enter in the ministrie without the advise of the Generall Assemblie. The Chapiter of St Andi'ois declared ]Mr Patrik Adamson to be presented to the Bishoprick there by the Regent's Grace, but that they had not given their consent, be reasone that he wes not tryed by the Generall Assembhe, according to the Act of the Kirk. Mr Patrick being rcquyred to submitt himself to the tryell of the As- semblie, ansuered proutUic, He could not doc that. Violators of the Sabbath by salt-jians, mylns, fishing, or any other labouring, are to be debarred from the benefitts of the Kirk, whill they make their repentance ; and if they continue in that horrible sin, to be excommunicat. One that conunitts adulterie and in- cest ought to be double punished. No minister or reader ought 1577. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 59 to tap aill, beei', or Avine, or keep an open tavern, indecorum est. None oiight to be buried in a kirk ; the contraveener to be sus- pended from all benefites of the Kirk, till they make their repentance. James,' Bishop of Glasgow, being asked, if he would obtemper and obey the Act of the Assemblie, and betake him to a particulare flock, ansuered. That he desired that mater to be laid asyde till the King's majoritie ; for, seing that estate of Bishops was now the third Estate in ParHament, if he should give way to alter it, he might be challenged of peijurie. T\Tien the Kirk and ParHament agreed to the alteration of that Estate, he should acquiesce, and, in the mean while, when he was in Air or Glasgow, he should take the chairge of a flock, as the bretlu-en in these bounds thought meit. The Assemblie continues the said Bishop in his oflfice of visitation till the nixt Generall Assemblie, and ordains him to betake him to a particular flock. At the thirty-fifth Assembhe, holden at Edinbiu-gh, October 1, 1577, Mr Alexander Arbuthnet, Principall of Aberdeine CoUedge, chosen Moderator ; who haveing been absent fra the last Assembhe, and so not acquaint with the referres, [matters referred,] did choose assessors to assist him, and concurre in aU maters to be proponed to the Assembhe. The heads of the Policie were read, and all were invited to pro- pone then- doubts or scruples in pubhct, or to come and reasone the maters in privat first, and then in open Assembhe ; and at last some brethren were sett apart to revise, digest, and putt all the Pohcie in good ordom-, that it might be brought to some good end. The Assembhe, finding that Mr Patrik Adamson had embraced the bishoprick of St Androis ; had usm-j^ed the oflfice of visitation, not authorised by their power and commission ; had deserted his ordinarie charge in the ministrie ; because the said Mr Patnk is ab- sent, gives conunission to some brethren to summond and caU the said Mr Patrik before them, to try and examine him in the prje- misses whereof he is accused ; try also the chapiter by whome he ' James Boyd of Trochrig. 60 THE IIISTORIE OF 1577. wes inaugural, and report againe to the nixt Assemblie ; and in the mean tyme to discharge him of all furder visitation of the said bounds, till he be admitted to the same by the Kirk. It is not to be forgotten that David Fergusson, one of this com- mittie, heareing, that in the tyme of the inauguration, a corbie wes sitting on the houses top, crying, Croup, Croup, Croup, he said, (in his accustomed merrie wise way,) this is malum omen, for inau- guration is ab avium garrltu, and the raven is omnimodo a black bird, and so ominous ; and whoso could read rightlie what the cor- bie spake, it would be found to be Corrupt, Corrupt, Corrupt. Certaine brethren being sent to the Eegent's Grace, to acquaint him with the Policie of the Kii'k, and some other articles ; he an- suered. He wes pleased with their paines, and shovdd return such ansuer as lay in his hand, or els he should conveen the CouncUl to that effect. The brethren had also in conmiission to suit libei'tie to Mr John Davidson to return to the coimtrey. Some of the heads of the Policie were yet doubted of, and dis- puted, as de Diaconatu ; de Jure Patronotus ; de Divort'ds, etc. : of thir, further disputation appoynted. Because the Policie avcs a mater of so great importance and concernement, and wes not yet perfyted. The Assemblie appoynts a generall Fast over the wholl Kino-dome and Kirk of Scotland ; and ordaines brethren to meet againe the twentieth of October instant, to examine all the Pohcie, and report their diligence to the nixt Assemblie. At the tliirty-sixth Assemblie, conveened at Edinburgh, October 25, 1577, Mr David Lindesay, INIoderator. The Assembly, takeing to consideration a great confosion in their meetings, by the cast- ing in of purposes not foreseen, and by the nndtitude of proponers thereof, thinks meet, that dureing this Assemblie, certaine brethren nominat, should meet and conferre with the Moderator upon all maters of importance, to be treated upon at this Assemblie, and so to prepare them for the Assemblie ; and also thinke fitt, tliat Acts made in the Assemblie be considered by these bretlu-en adjoyned to tlie Moderator, and thereafter, that they be retul in open Assemblie. 1578. THE liIRK OF SCOTLAND. 61 This wes called The Pri-sde Conference, aftd in dayes of defection, it came to aue horrible corruption, for the Privie Conference did all, and the Assemblie was a cipher. Mr Patrik Adamson, in my Lord Eegent's name, exhibited a letter sent fra the Queen of Ingland to his Grace, informeing of ane Assemblie to be holden at Magdeburgh, for establisliing of the Augustaiie Confession, Avith a letter Avritten from the Casimire to hir Majestic to that same purpose, desirand the Assemblie to con- sidder if they thought meit any of the learned Ministers of this kmgdome should also repair thither. The Assembhe refers the answer to October twenty-eighth instant. The Assemblie thinks it verie fitt, that some goe to Magdeburgh, and nominatts eight of the learndest of the Assemblie, desireing the Regent to name any two of these his Grace pleased. The Regent thought Masters Andro Melvill and George Hay meitest to goe ; but said, he would adA'ise with the CounciU. Mr Thomas Kinncir, minister at Craill, deposed fra his ministrie, many scandalous things being clearlie proven aganis him ; and it is ordained he be debarred fra the Holie Supper, till he make his repentance for his scandalous life. The Policie being aU read over, is allowed by the Assembhe ; oidy de Diaconatu is concluded by pluraUtie of voyces, yet "svithout pre- judice of further reasoning. Brethren are appoynted to revise it aU careftdlie, write it over in rmindo, present it to my Lord Regent's Grace, and conferr with liim about it, or any poynt of it ; and for that effect, at all tymes, to await on his dyet. The Lord Glamis, ChanceUour, was slaine at Stirlin, March 17, 1578. At the thu'ty-seventh Assembhe, conveened at Edinburgh, Aprile 24, 1578, Mr Androw Melvill, Moderator. Four Assessors appointed. Inacted, That, in all tyme comeing, Bishops, and aU ecclesiasticall office-bearers, be named only by their awin name, or be called Brethren, not Lords. 62 THE HISTORIE OF 1578. The brethren appoynted to attend the Regent's Grace reports they did so ; but that the alteration of the governement had lett that bussines, for now King James VI. had taken upon himselfe the governement, being about twelve years of age ; whereupon, for staying of corruption, they had given in a supplication to the Coun- cil!, with fom- articles. 1°. That the Act of Parliament be observed relating to those who bears publict charge in this kingdome. 2". That ordour may be put to the late murder at Stii'lin and Edui- bm-gh. S**. For the PoHcie of the Kirk. 4°. For a support to the appearand famine. The CoimciU promised to send some of their number to assist and vote in the Assemblie. A generall Fast is indicted to begin the first Sabbath of June nixt to cum, and to continue till the secmid Sabbath of Jmie inclu- sive, with the accustomed exercises aU the week over. In mean wliile, a supplication to the King's Majestic to discharge, by open proclamation, all Maic-playes and insolencies then usuall to be com- mitted. The brethren are desyred by the Councill to give them the names of such as are suspect of Poperie ; and if they refuise to subscryve the Confession of Faith, and to participat the holie communion, the Councill shaU take ordom' with them. Ministers are appoynted to confer with some of the Nobilitie anent the Heads of the Policie, and to satisfie them in their doubts : also, they Avcre suspected of their religion. All the brethi-en being requyred to propone any doubt against the Ecclesiasticall Policie, if any they had ; and no man proponed any at all, aU were silent. The Assembhe, perceaveing more and more corruptions in the office of a diocesan Lord Bishop, inacts. That no Bishop shall be elected or made before the nLxt Generall Assembhe ; and if any Chapiters or Ministers shall contraveen, to be pei-petuallie depryved, and this mater to be first proponed in the nixt Assemblie, to be yit further considered and taken ordour Avith. And such lyke, that no Commissioners of provinces shall give collation of any benefice to any other except to the Minister sei-veing the cure, and where the benefice lyes, the contraveeners to be de]iry vcd : and if they 1578. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 63 [be] lu'ged to it by the Prince's letters, let them shaw this Act for their warrand, till fm*der ordour be taken in it at the nixt As- semblie. The Book of Policie [being] now some way perfyted, it is ordoured that one coppie be presented to the King's Majestic, another to the Councill ; and the bretlu'cn nominat are ordained to attend on them at all t}anes for conference and resolveing of their doubts ; also to reason anent ceremonies ; also how far ministers of Christ's Gospell may meddle with civill efFairs ; and, particularlie, if they may have vote in Comicill, Session, or Parliament. Causes of a publict fast and humiliation were foimd many and pressing. 1°. Universall corruption in all estates. 2°. Coldnes, slacknes, deadnes, neutralitie in rehgion and reformation. 3°. Day- lie incres of all vyces and anormities, particularlie adulterie, incest, mm'der, (more speciallie at Edinburgh and Stirlin latelie,) sacriledge, sedition, division. 4°. The present famine, whilk, joyned with sedition and division, threatens no less nor utter mine. 5*^. The bloodie decrees of Trent. 6°. That God would bless the Ivins's Highnes government ; particularlie, that he with his ParHament may make and execute good lawes ; more speciallie, may establish by law the Policie of the Ku'k now concluded. At the thuty-eighth Assembhe, holden at Stirlin, June 11, 1578, Mr Johne Row, Moderator. Fyve assessors were chosen. The King's Majestic Aves invited to be present and assist the Assem- bhe. Inacted, That the Act of the proceeding Assembhe anent Bishops shall be extended to all tyme comeing, ay and whill [until] the estate of Bishops be root and branch taken away. And that all Bishops be presentHe charged to submit to the present reformation anent the corruptions of that office; the reftiisers to obtemper, after admonitions, to be excommunicat. ^Vhereupon the Bishop of Dumblane presentlie submitts. The Act anent collation of benefices to stand in fiill vigour till the nixt Assemblie. Whoever sets tacks or fewes of their bene- 64 THE IIISTORIE OF 1 ")78. fices, or any part or parcell thereof, or any Chapiter consenting thereto, if they be ministers, that they be depryved. The Brethren reported a verie favourable ansuer fra the IGng's Majestic that he consented to the Pohcie, and that he would not onhe concur with the Kirk, and establish the true religion pre- sentlie professed, but that he would be a procurator for the same. Whereupon the King presented the Kirk's Supplication to the Councill, and a conference was appoynted betuix the Councill and Ministers. The benefice of a non-resident shall vailc. It is de- syred that by speciaU Act of Parliament, horning and caption be decerned aganis excomunicats. Here the Register of the Kirk wants four leaves. Also ane Act aganis setters of tacks and fcAves is impei'fit. It was in favoiu- of the Kirk, schoolls, and poore, who wes dicing daylie thi'ow famine and want of sustenance. At the thirty-ninth Assemblie, conveened at Edinbm'gh, October 24, 1578, David Ferguson, Moderator. Seven assessors. Some of the Nobilitie being present, the Moderator directs liis speech to them; fii'st, of the care of the Assemblie to keep religion pure ; and nixt, to settle a Discipline and Policie, without whilk religion and doctrine Avill not be long keeped pure and inteer ; shewing, that the Councill and Ministers at the conference had agreed but to some Heads, not all, as yet ; dcsyreing the Nobilitie prcvsent to make profession prcscntlie of the allo^nng of the PoHcic of the Kirk for themselves and then' part ; as also, that they Avould labour at the King and CounciU's hands for to obtaine these fol- lowing : — 1°. That the Heads of Policie agreed upon may be established by law, and the rest not fullie agreed upon may also be put to a poynt by further conference. 2^. That the Act concerning the thirds be renewed. 3". That none vote in Parliament in name of the Kirk, but with commission from the Kirk. 4''. That presenta- tions of benefices be directed to the Commissioners of provinces where the benefices lyes. The Nobilitie present ansuered, they liad 1579. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 65 made, and did now make, profession of" the religion and reforma- tion present, promiseing to maintaine the same. Desyreing the Assemblie to suppHcat the King and his Councill for the particulars mentioned, jjromiseing to assist the Assemblie. Mr James Boyd, Bishop of Glasgow, requyred to submitt to the ordinance of the Kirk, ansuered in write, — 1°. The office of a Bishop is -allowed by the word of God, and he being elected by the King and Kirk to be Bishop of Glasgow, thought his calling law- fiill. 2". If he offend in the execution of his caUing, he is content to be judged by the Kirk, desyreing that it may be by the canon, 1 Tim. i. cap, 3. 3°. As to my rents for serveing the cure, I esteam them lawfiill. 4°, As to my vote in Councill or Parliament, my subjection compells me to obey when I am called to it, and it is verie necessare the Kirk have some present at the inacting of lawes, in the doing whereof, I protest before God I intend to doe nothing contrare to the puritie of the Scriptures and a well reformed countrey ; as also, I declare that a good part of my liveing is given me for that same verie cause. This ansuer wes judged by the AssembKe unsatisfactorie, and he was desyred to return at the afternoonc, better advysed to submitt to the Kirk. (Here also the Assemblie book wants two leaves. The maters being relating to Bishops, it is easie to espy who did mutilat the Register.) Articles were given in to the King and his Councill ; and in the Register they are unperfite, nothing left but some few lynes in the end of them, anent the punishing of vyces Vvdiilk abound in the land. That all persons depryved of. their fimctions be charged to dimit their benefices, otherwise to be excommunicat ; and if these to Avhom it belongs to excommunicat them doe it not, they to be depiyved dureing the will of the Generall Asssemblie ; and this Act to be presentlie execute aganis the Bishop of Dunkell, and Minister of Saulin by the Commissioners respective where they dwell. All Bishops are presentlie charged to submitt to the Assemblie in the reformation of all corruptions alreadie discovered in their 66 THE IIISTORIE OF 1579. office, and in any other corruption whilk afterward shall be found contrare to the Avord of God, viz : — 1°. That they be pastors of particulare flocks. 2°. That they usiu*];? no criminall jurisdiction. 3°. That they presume not to vote in ParHament, in name of the Kirk, without commission fra the Kirk. 4°. That for the uphold- ing of theu" ambition and ryotousness they do not uplift Kirk rents, Avhereupon the ministrie, schoolls, and poore, must be intertained, but that they content themselves vnth. a competencie as other ministers have. 5°. That they claim not the title of Lords. 6°. That they claim not temporall jurisdiction, Avhereby they may be distracted from their callings. 7°. That they tyrannize not over, but be subject to their particvdare elderships. 8°. That they usmp not the poAver due to Presbyteries. 9°. That they usurp no ftirther bounds of visitation nor the Generall Assembhe comraitts to them. Because Poperie increasses throw parents sending of then* child- ren to places Avhere Poperie is professed, that all such parents be requyred to recall their children from such places home againe. And siklyke, that the children being of perfite age be requyred to retm-n. Contraveeners to be excommunicat, a due and competent tyme ahvayes being granted to them. At the fourtieth Assemblie, holden at Edinburgh, Julie 7, 1579, Mr Thomas Smetoune, Moderator. Assessors appoynted. Mr John Duncanson, the King's Highncs minister, presented the King's letter to the Assemblie, bearaud the desyre of peace in the realme, and desyreand ministers in their doctrine, assemblies, and cariage to contribut to that end, and to forbeare any novation not yet established by laAV ; promiseing to confirme in the ensucing Parliament all articles of Policie agi-eed upon by the Councill, and that ftirther conference may be had upon the articles not yet agreed upon, professing his Avillingnes to sett fordward religion and refor- mation according to God's Avill and Avord, Avith all diligence and all meanes whill<: may be used. (Siihscrihiti/r) James R. 1579. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 67 Mr Ninian Dazell, minister and schoolmaster in Dumfriece, is deposed for his apostasie, ay and whill his repentance be as notoure as his apostasie is. (Here also a leaf is riven out of the Register.) Diligent inquisition to be made for Jesuits and seminarie priests, and being apprehended, that they be charged to give a confession of then- faith, and to revoke their errom's, and to subscryve to the reformed' rehgion established within this Kirk, or refuiseing, that they be excommunicat. A supplication to the King's INIajestie that the Universitie of St Aiidroes be visited and purged of many corruptions, and for that effect that they produce their foundation;^ and that the King's Majestic may be pleased to appoynt some godlie and Avise commis- sioners to joyne in this good work with the commissioners of the Ku'k. The Assemblie gives fidl power to then' commissioners to meet where the Parliament shall sitt, and there advise and draw up articles in name of the Kii'k to be given in to the Parlia- ment. Articles also were presented to the King. 1". That he would inhibit, mider such pains as his Highnes and his Councill thinks fitt, that none send their children to Popish touns in France or elscAvhere. 2°. He would cause the masters of the Universitie of St Andi'oes produce their fundation, that both they may be visited according to it, and erroiu's in the fundation may be amended. 3°. That ordour be taken with such Jesuites as are presenthe in the countrey. 4°. Seing the charge of his Highnes house is too great a charge for any one man, that his Majestic would be pleased to nominat any one of the best gifted in the kingdome to be ad- joyned colleague to ]Mr Johne Duncanson. 5". That seing some parts of the Policie are not as yit agreed upon, that his Majestic would appoynt some grave, wise, well-affected men, free of the corruptions desyred to be reformed in the Policie, to conferre with the ministers anent them. 6°. Because the Generall Assemblie understands that the Khig's Majestic, with advise of liis Councill, [1°.] Du'ccts letters to stay the execution of the Acts of the Kirk ; ' Foundations, or, as Petric explains it, tlieir primary Grants. 68 THE HISTORIE OF 1580. 2°. Summonds ministers to take iicav tiyell of the sentence of ex- communication, after it is ordom'lie pronimced, with a warrand of God's word and discipline of this Kirk ; 3°. Stayes the pro- nunceing of sundrie sentences of excommunication, duelie and or- dourlie proceeded : That his IMajestie in tyme comeing would doe none of these things, but that the acts and sentences of the Ku"k may have due execution without controhnent. That no Readers celebrat the Sacraments, or make manages, but such as the Provincial! Assemblie authorizes and thinks meet. That everie one serve where his benefice is, and that there be no plm'ahtie of benefices and offices. The Ministers of the exercise are judged a Presbyterie in the meanwhile, whill the PoHcie be estabUshed. Elders or Deacons discharged to read publicthe. No persone bearand envy to his neighboui* is to be admitted to the Communion, but the persone envyed testifieing their brotherlie love, may be and shoidd be admitted. Persons repairing to ^lay playes after admonition, especiallie Elders or Deacons, shalbe de- barred from the Sacrament till they satisfie, confesse their sin, professe sorrow for it, and promise amendment. Mariage may be solemnized any day of the week, a convenient number of witnesses being present. Mariage solemnized by a Popish priest in a clandestine way, without proclamation of bands, is declared null ; wherefore let them so maried be charged to scparat themselves, (as liveing in whoredome,) then let then' bands be proclamed ordourlie, and this done let them be maried. At the forty-first Assemblie, holden at Dundee, July 12, 1580, Mr James Lowson, Moderator. Some brethren thought that or- dour of assessors tyrannicaU, or tending to tyrannic, superioritie, and usuqiation, yit, by pluralitie of votes at that tyme, it wes caried to be continued as a good and profitable thing. So eleven assessors were nominated to assist tlie IVIoderator. The King by his letter uominats ^Ir John Craig to be his Mini- ster, for whillc clioise the Assemblie blessed the Lord, and praised the King for his zeallc. Also he directed, with a written commis- 1580. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 69 sion as from his Majestle to attend the Assemblie and assist them, the Prior of Pettinweem and the Laird of Lundie. Because the insatiable avarice of many men is such that nothing can stay or stop it, it is ordained, that whosoever dilapidats his benefice, or diminishes any part of it, or setts any tacks or fewes at his awin hand, he shall be excommunicated without furder pro- cesse summarlie. Readers who can doe nothing but read are de- clared no ordinare oflEice-bearers in the Kirk of God. A letter wes produced and read, sent to the Assemblie by the Erie of Lennox, blessing God for his voyage to this countrey, at tliis time, where the Lord had sliowen to him his saving trueth ; and although he had made a confession of his faith first at Edin- burgh, then after had subscryved The Confession of Faith at Stu- ling, that yit he wes readie to doe whatever fluther the Assem- blie would requyre of him relating to religion or reformation, pro- fessing his tender care of the Kirk, King, and countrey, or comon- wealth, etc. Inacted, That readers who hes read two yeares, and now cannot exhort, be deposed by the Commissioners of that province ; and that no reader bniik or injoy gleeb or manss where there is ane actuall Minister. The King haveing emitted a proclamation aganis Papists, the execution of it is serioushe recommended to all the Commissioners of the respective bounds. The Kirk being much damnified by the taking away of the thirds [of benefices], to sup- plicat the King to restore the Ku-k to that benefite wherwith once they were invested. A pastor should have no more congregations but one, nor ought he to be named the minister of more congre- gations nor one. Apostates who, out of the countrey, hes com- mitted idolatrie, since their subscryveing of The Confession of Faith, let them for their apostasie make their repentance, if they refdise, let them be excommimicat. Compeared Captaine Anstruther, and confessed his apostasie, in that, beand in France, he had presented his bodie at the Masse, albeit in his heart he detested and abhori-ed that idolatrie, and keeped his heart upright and true to the Reformed religion, acknow- 70 THE HI8T0RIE OF 1580. ledged his defection, professing sorrow for it, engageing himselfe to submitt to whatever correction the AssembHe would be pleased to injoyne, and, in token of liis sincere meaning, did hold up his hand. As to the cruell boutcherie and odious massacre of Paris, (whilk was anno 1572, August 24,) he declares, he keeped the King's gate of the Louvre in the tyme of that bloodie boutcherie, but past no further. Concerning collation given by Bishops, visitors, or beneficed persons, contrair to the Act of the Kirk, the Assemblie adds this, that it shall be nidi in itself, and of no force in all tyme comeing. Inacted, That both in burgh and land there be twj^se preaching on the Lord's Day, y\z. both befor and afternoone, that God's people may be the better instructed and catechised. Pastors to doe in this as they will ansuer to God and his Ku-k. It is inacted. That in everie Provincial! Assemblie there shall be certaine assessors adjoyned to the Commissioners of the province, who shall subscryve with them m all maters of Aveight and im- portance. Commissioners directed to the King's Majestic with articles, and to labour and insist for a good ansuer to them. 1". That ordom- be taken with them that putts violent hand on ministers, or hin- ders, troubles, or mterrupts them in the exercise of their callings. 2°. That deposed Ministers and others lose also then- benefices that quaUfied men may injoy them. 3°. That those be punished who goes in pilgrimage to superstitious kirks, chapclls, wells, etc., par- ticidarlie those who latche went to the Holie Koode of Peebles. 4". That no presentation of benefice be directed to any person but such as bcares commission fra the General! AssembUe, according to the Act of Parliament, and if any be otherwise receaved, that then* admission be declared nidi. b". That all benefices vacand, where ministers are planted, be given to the ministers serveing the ciu'c wliere they vake, they being able for it. 6°. That in respect of the zeall and good aftection of James Lord Arran both to Kirk and connnoncwcaltli, the King and CV)uucill woidd be pleased to 1580. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 71 take some substantial] coiu'se and solid way both for his bodily health and comfort of his conscience. 7°. That the Book of Po- licie may be established by ane Act of Councill whill a Parhament be had [held], at Avhilk also it may be confirmed. 8°. Because there is a stranger banished for rehgion, who is a printer called Vautroller,' and also there is great necessitie of such within this kingdome, yoiu' Majestic and yom' Councill Avoidd be pleased to Ucentiat him to print. Forsameikle as the office of a Bishop (as it's now used, and commonelie taken within this realnie) lies no sure warrand, auto- ritie, or good gromid out of the Scriptures of God, but is brought in by the follie and corruption of man's inventions, to the great overtlu'ow of the Kirk of God ; the whole AssembHe of this national] Ivirk, in one voyce, after Hbertie given to all men to rea- sone in the mater, not any one opposeing liimself in the defence of the said pretended office, finds and declares the samyne pretended office, used and termed as is above said, unlawfidl in itself, as have- ing neither fundament, ground, nor wan-and within the word of God : And ordains, that all such persons as bruiks, or shall bmik hereafter, the said office, shall be charged simpliciter to dimitt, quyte, and leave off the samyne, as ane office whereimto they are not called by God, and suchlyke to desist and cease from aU preaching, ministration of the Sacraments, and using any way the office of pastors, wliill they de novo receave admission from the General] Asseml)He, and that under the paine of excommimication to be used aganis them ; wherein if tliey be found disoljedient, or contra veen this Act in any point, the sentence of excommunication, after due admonition, to be used aganis them. And for the better execution of the said Act, it is ordamed, that 1 Thomas Vautrollier came to England early in the reign of. Queen Elizabeth, either from Paris or Rouen, and was admitted a brother of the Stationers Company, 2d October 1564, and continued to pi-iut books till 1588. — (See Herbert's Typo- graphical Antiquities, vol. ii. pp. 1065-1075.) He came for a short time to Scot- land, where he established a press in 1584, and various works bear his name as printer at Edinburgh in the years 1584 and 1585; after which he appears to have returned to London. — {lb. pp. 1502-1504.) 72 TUE IIISTOIIIE OF 1580. a Provinciall Assemblie shall be liolden in everie province where any such iismped bishops are, beginning the 18th day of August nixt to come, whereunto they shall be called and cited by the visitors of the said provinces to compeer before their Assemblies ; and more speciaUie, the Bishop of St Androes to compeer in St Androes, the Bishop of Aberdeine in Aberdeine, the Bishop of Glasgow in Glas- gow, the Bishop of Moray in Elgin, to give obedience to the said Act ; whUlv if they refiiise to doe, that the said Provinciall Assem- bhe shaU appoynt certaine brethren of their ministrie to give them publict admonitions out of the pulpitts, and warn them, in case they disobey, to compear befor the nixt Generall Assemblie, to be holden at Edinbm'gh the twentieth day of October nixt to come, to heare the sentence of excommunication pronunced aganis them for their disobedience. And to this Act the Bishop of Dunblane agreed, submitting himself to be ruled thereby. This prime and principall Act escaping the hands of sacrile- gious Prelats, who mutilated and did ryve out many leaves of the Registers, and did batter others together, shewes there is a God above, and a speciall Providence attending his Ku-k and the eftairs thereof. It is to be carefullie considered, that the King's Majestie's com- missioners were present at the makeing of this Act, and agreed theremito, and that all Bishops Avere removed out of the Kirk, and from their places shorthe after this ; only the King and his Coun- cill advysed with the Generall Assemblie, how votes should be sup- phed in Parliament for the Bishops, and how their offices should be discharged in their courts, seing they Avcre reckoned uoav the third Estate in Scotland : and after long advyscment, great disputation beinfT luad, the Kirk concluded, That there should be of the mini- strie, conunlst^iouers sent from the Generall Assemblie at all tynies needfull, both to Parliament, Councill, and Conventions of Estates, to assist the King and his three Estates of Lords, Barons, and Burgesses with advyse, and some also thought they might vote in Parliament : And as for the executing of the Bishops civill and cri- miuall jiaisdictions, the herctable baillics might supplie that part : 1580. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 73 Wlieremtli the King and Coimcill Avere content, desyreing alwayes that at everie Parliament, the Generall Asseniblie might meet some dayes before it, that they might ad^^^se what Acts were convenient to be conchided for the propagation of true ReHgion and Hberties of the Ku'k of God ; whilk wes granted, and much good done thereby, as severall Acts of sundrie Parhaments, noAV extant in print, evi- denthe declares. Not long after this, when the Kirk had gotten some quyetnes, and yit perceaving defection to be comeing fast on, thought it needfull and expedient, for preventing the samyne, to pen a more particidar Confession of Faith than wes sett downe at the first : It was com- monlie called The King's Confession, whilk, for the exactnes and worthines thereof, is much esteemed of in all other Christiaji Ku'ks professing sinceritie ; and is translated into many and diverse languages, whereby this Ku-k of Scotland and everie member there- of, by their great oath, renunced all the corruptions of other Kirks, and promises in God's presence to keep still the profession and practise of that true rehgion in doctrine and discipline, whilk then the I^ng and all his subjects, true members of this Reformed Kirk, did professe and daylie practise. And so ministers were charged by the King and his Councill to be carefidl to see that all their parisliioners might sweare and subscrive to the said Con- fession of Faith, the whillv the King and his Household had first subscryved, and to whilk they had solemnlie sworne. Whillc dili- gence of ministers did much good, for they laboured diverse yeares to gett the oaths and subscriptions of aU that would be righthe informed by them, to stand to the said Confession of Faith unto tlieu' fives end. This Confession following wes printed and openlie sett out to aiy being made juris puhlici at the command of the King and his Councill, when tlus Kirk of Scotland was rightfie refoniied, and all corruptions putt to the doore, and refigion and reformation glorious- lie flourishing, both in doctrine, worsliip, and discipline. ' At London, liy Robert Waldogravo, 15S1, small 8vo, and many other editions. 74 THE lilSTORIE OF 1581. Ane short and generall coxfessione of the true chris- tiane fayth and religioxe, according to godis vorde, AND ACTIS OF OUR PERLAMENTIS, subscryuecl by the Kingis Maiestie and his Houshold, with sindrie otheris, to the glorie of God, and good example of all men, att Edinbm'ghe, the 28 day of Januare 1580-[81,] and 14 yeare of his Maiesties reigne.' "We all, and ewerie one of ws wndervritten, protest, That after long and dew examination of owre owne Consciences in matteris of true and false religioun, are now throchly resohied in the trueth, by the Worde and Sprit of God : And therefore, we beleue with owre heartis, confesse with owre mouthes, subscrywe with owre handis, ^nd constantly affirme before God and the Avhole world, That this onely is the true Christiane Fayth and Religion, pleasing God, and bringing saluation to man, quhilk is now, by the mercy of God, reweled to the world by the preaching of the blessed Ewangell ; and is receaued, beleued, and defended by manie and sindrie notable Kyrkis and realmes, but chiefly by the Kyrk of Scotland, the Kingis Maiestie, and three Estatis of this Eealme, as Godis eternall trueth, and onely ground of om- Saluation ; as more particulerly is expressed in the Confession of owre Fayth, stablish- ed and pubhctly confirmed by sindrie Actis of Perlamentis, and now of a long tymc had bene oj)enly professed by the Kmgis Maiestie, and whole Ijody of tliis Realme both in brught and land : To the quhilk Confession and Forme of Religion we willingly aggree in owre conscience in all poyntis, as wnto Godis Avndoubted trueth and weritie, grounded onely -w^ion his wi-itten Worde : And therefore, we abhori-c and detest all contrarie religion and doctrine ; ' This has been very carefully collated and printed from the Original in the Advocates Library, indorsed — " Coucnant subscryved be King James, of worthie memorie, and bis Ilousbokl, 28 Ja'*' 1580. Sent frome Somor in France be JSIon- seur (^ihe name illeyiblc) to my Lord Scottistarvctt in August IG41." It will be observed, among other peculiarities, that the letters v, u, and w, are used indiscrimi- nately ; and subscryved is written subcryucd. In many places the writing has been so much injured as to be decyphered with considerable difficulty. 1581. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 75 but clieifly all kynd of Papistrie in generall and particular lieadis, ewen as they are noAV damned and confuted by the Worde of Gode and Kirk of Scotland : But in speciale, we detest and refuse the wsurped authoritie of that Romane Antichi'ist wpon the Scriptures of God, ^v}3on the Ku-k, the Ciwill Magistrate, and conscience of men ; all his tyrranous laues made wjDon indiiFereut thinges agaynst owre Christiane libertie ; his erroneous doctrine agaynst the suffici- encie of the written Worde, the perfection oftheLawe, the office of Christ, and his blessed EwangeU ; his cornipted doctrine concernyng original! synne, owre natm'all inabilitie and rebelHon to godlines, owre justificatioun by faytli onely, OAvre imperfect sanctification and obedience to the LaAv ; the natrue, number, and wse of the holic Sacramentis ; his fy we [five] bastard Sacramentis, with aU his ritis, ceremoneis, and false doctrine, aded to the ministration of the true Sacramentis without the Worde of God ; his crueU judgement agaynst infantis deperting without the Sacrament ; his absolute necessitie of baptisme ; liis blasphemous opinion of transubstantiation, or reall presence of Christis body in the Elements, and receawing of the same by the wicked, or bodeis of men ; his dispensationeis with solemnet othes, periuries, and degreis of mariage forbidden in the Worde ; liis cnieltie agaynst the innocent deuorced ; his diwHishe Mes ; his blasphemous preisthood ; his prophane sacrifice for the synnes of the dead and the quyck ; his canonization of men, calling wpon angehs or sainctis deperted ; worsliiping of imagreis, reliques, and croces; dedicating of kyrkis, altaris, day is; woues [vows] to crea- tures ; his purgatorie, prayeris for the dead, praying or speaking In a strange langwage ; with his processioneis and blasphemous letanie, and multitude of aduocatis or mediatoreis ; his manifold ordom-es ; aiuicular confession ; his despered and -vVncertayne repentance ; his generaU and doubtsome fayth ; satisfiictioneis of men for tlieyr synnes ; his justification by Avorkes ; liis oj^us operatum, Avorkes of supererogation, meritis, pardones, perigrinationeis, and stationeis ; his holy water, baptisyng of beUis, cungering of spritis, crocing, saning, anoynting, coniuring, haUoAving of Godis good creatm'es, Avith the superstitious opinion joyned thercAvith ; his worldHe 76 THE HISTOrJE OF 1581. monarchie, and wicked hierarclile ; his three solemne woues [voavs], with all his shawelingis of syndrie sortes ; his erroneous and bloodie decrctes made at Trent, with all the subscryweris and appro weris of that cruell and bloodie band, coniured agaynst the Kyrk of God : And fynaUy, we detest aU his wane [vain] allegories, ritis, signes, and traditioneis broght in the Kyrk, without or agaynst the Worde of God, and doctrine of this true reformed Kyrk ; to the quhilk we joyne owreselues willingly in doctrine, fayth, religion, discipline, and wse of the holie Sacramentis, as lyuely memberis of the same, in Christ OAvre Head : promising and suearing by the great name of the Lord owre God, That we shall continue in the obedience of the Doctrine and Discipline of this Kyrk, and shall defend the same ac- cording to OAvre wocation and pouer, all the dayes of owre lyues, wnder the paines conte}Tied in the Law, and danger both of body and saule in the day of Godis fearftiU iudgement. And seing that manie arastyrrcd wpby Satan, and that Romane Antichrist, to pro- mise, sw^are, subscryue, and for a tyme wse the holie Sacramentis in the Kyrk deceatfully, agaynst there owne conscience ; mynding here- by, fyrst wnder the externall clok of the religion, to corrupt and sub- uert secretly Godis true religion within the Ku-k ; and afterward, when tyme may serue, to become open ennemeis and pcrsecutoris of the same, wnder wane hope of the Papis dispensation, diuised agaynst the Vorde of God, to his greater confusion, and thcyr dowble con- demnation in the day of the Lord Jesus : We therefore, willing to tak away all suspition of hypoci'isie, and of syk dowble dealing with God and his Kirk, protest, and call the Searcher of all heartis for witnes, that OAvre myndis and heartis do ftillely aggree with this OA\Te Confession, promise, othe, and subscription ; so that aax are not moved for any Avorldly respect, bot are persAA^adcd onely in OAvre conscience, throught the knaAAdedge and loue of Godis true relif»-ion prcnted in oure heartis by the Holy Sprit, as we shall ansAAxr to hlui in the day Avhen the secretis of all heartis shalbe disclosed. And because Ave i)crccaue, that the quietnes and stabi- litie of OAvre Religion and Kirk doth depend vq)on the saAvctic and good bchauiour of the Kyngis Maiestie, as Avpon ane confortable 1581. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 77 instrument of Godis mercy gramited to this cowntrey, for the mainteining of his Kyrk, and ministration of Justice amongis ws ; We protest and promise solemnetly with oure heartis, vnder the same othe, hand-writ, and panes, that we shaU defend his persone and authoritie with owre geyr, bodyes and lyues, in the defence of Clmstis Euangell, libertie of owre countrey, ministration of justice, and punishment of iniquitie, agaynst all enemeis within this realme or without, as we desyre owre God to be a strong and mercyfuU defender to ws, in the day of owre death, and cmning of oure Lord Jesus Clu'ist : To whome, with the Father and the Holie Sprit, be aU honom' and glorie eternally. Amen. JAMES R. Lenox. Mortoune. Argyll. RWTHVEN. Robert Stewart. Seton. R. Dunfermling. P. Mr of Gray. Cathcart. James Halyburtoun. Mr Johne Crag. Jhon Duncanson. MiCHAELL ElPHESTSTOUN. p. YO^VNG. Robert Erskyne. Jajvies Elphinstoun. S. BoRTHiK vithe hand and hart. James Mr Ogiluy. Allane Mr Cathcartt. ViLLIAME SCHAW. James Steuart. Allexi^. Seyto^vn. J. Chishley. Welzame Crag. Jhone Mordo. James Coluill of Est Wemes. George Douglas. Alex . Durem. Walter Steuard, Pryore of Blantyre. Villiam Ruthen off BiUindane. Jhon Scryivigeour, zownger off Glaswall. William Morray. Dauid Murray. James Frasser. Richard Heriot. Maister Thomas Hajmilton. Walter Kyer. 78 THE HISTORIE OF 1581. THE king's MAJESTIE's CILUIGES TO ALL COMMISSIONERS AND MINISTERS WITHIN THIS REALME.^ Seeing that We and our Household have subscribed and given this publick Confessione of our Faith, to the good exemple of our subjects : We command and charge all Commissioners and IVIini- sters to crave the same Confessione of their parishoners, and to proceed against the refiisers according to our laws and order of the Kirk, deHvering their names and lawfuU process to the Ministers of Our House, with all hast and dlUigence, under the pain of fourtie pound to be taken from their stipends, that We, with advice of Our Counsel, may take order with sik proud contemners of God and om' Lawes. Subscribed with Our hand at Halyrudhouse, the second day of March 1580[-81,] the 14 year of our Eeigne. This wes the touch-stone to try and discern Papists from Pro- testants, and according to the laudable examples of Eeformers mentioned with praise in Scripture. This Confession, called also The Covenant, in dayes of espyed defection, was renewed, the Kirk acknowledgeing that to be the principall mean, by the bless- ing of God, for the preventing of, and reclameing from, apostasie and backslyding. Wherefore, at the Generall Asscmblie, holdcn at Edinburgh, March 24, 1595, the beginnings of defection belnu- then espyed, this Covenant Avas renewed : also, noAV of late, anno 1638, it was solemnlle renewed, with such neccssarie additions as these tymes called for ; an usui'jied Prelacie, Avith an overawing High Commission, being so fan- sett up, and corruption haveing so fan- prevailled, that Spottiswood, Archbishop of St Androes, styled Primat of Scotland, Avas also High Chancellour of Scotland, many Ceremonies antichristlan and popish Avcrc brought in, and, with- ' This addition, which is contained in Calderwood and the old printed copies, forms no part of the original parchment roll. The Confession was also signed by King James the Sixth and his Ilonsohold on more than one subsequent occasion. One of these, dated 25th February 1587-8, and preserved in the family of Max- well of Pollock, is mentioned in the Collection of Confessions, vol. ii. p. 100, Edin. 1722, 2 vols. 8vo. 1581. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 79 out orclour or warrand, obtruded on the Kirk of Christ ; a book of Ecclesiasticke Canons, framed by the Prelats, a book of Ordina- tion, a Service book, or book of Commone Prayer. and Liturgie, framed much more popish and antichristian nor was the Inglish Service book, whilk yit was verie Htle other nor the Masse in Inglish : But, above all, they had taken away the GeneraU Assem- bUe, (the great bulwark, under God, of this Kirk,) luiowing that the first thing to be done in ane Assemblie then, wes to take ordom- with Prelats as a crew of perjured men, who had betrayed their trust and the Kirk of God, and had transgressed aU then* Hmitts and caveats ; wherefore, after sixe null Assemblies, wicked and unlawful!, holden respective in annis 1606, 1608, 1610, 1616, 1617, 1618, for the space of twentie years, till 1638, there was no Assem- bhe of the Kirk of Scothxnd at all. The Ku'k then, and about this tyme, 1580, 1581, being well governed by Kirk-Sessions, Presbyteries, Provincial! and GeneraU Assembhes, there wes no publict vyce tolerated either in the Court or countrey, either among pastors or people ; strict lawes and rules were sett down for Ministers, how they should give themselves to continual! praying, reading of the word, studie, meditation, and learning ; and what tryeUs tliey should undergo before their admis- sion to the Ministrie ; tlie Kirk useing fasting and prayer that day wliereon a Minister was admitted, the wlioll number of the brethren of that Presbyterie (in the Low Countreyes it is called a Classe) and tlie wlioll congregation giveing their consent, all being present ; and, after sermon, imposition of hands was made by all the Mini- sters of the Presbyterie there conveened. Then wes lie ordained and commanded (aU otlier things being done wliilk was requp'cd of him) to attend and waite diligentlie on his caUing, and threatned Avith great punisliment if lie slioidd transgress, or be deficient in his duetie ; and lawes were made concerning a Minister liis be- haviour, either privatlie, being unmarried, or publicthe in his fanii- lie, he being married, witli his people or flock, and how lie should be grave and modest in his apparreU, and wliat bodilie exercises 80 THE niSTORIE OF 1580. and recreations be might moderatelic use, and wliat recreations and pastymcs he should abstainc from ; yea, it was then inacted, That if any man sliould use any workllic moycn, indu'ccthe or directlie, to gett a place in the Ministrie, he should be counted reus ambitus, and excluded fi-ora the Ministrie till he should show evi- dent tokens of repentance, holines, and sanctification, awaiting and continuallie exerciseing his gift whill God's Ku-k and some congre- gation eamestlie sought and invited him. Thir lawes and good constitutions did much promove and sett fordward true religion, the Kirk at that tpne being carefull that no miAvorthie personc should be admitted to the Ministrie, and that the best gifted men should be placed in royall burghs, principall touns, and chief congregations in the kingdom. At the forty-second Assemblie, conveened at Edinburgh, October 20, 1580, Mr Andrew Hay, Moderator. (The register wants foiu: Sessions of this Assemblie.) INIr Johne Row now being deceassed, the burgh of Perth eamestlie suits a Minister. A Minister may be transported from his awin flock by then' con- sent to an other charge, by the Generall Assemblie, for good rea- sons and necessare causses. It is declared, that, upon grave and good considerations, a minister may leave his charge in the pastorall office, and exercise the office of a doctor in a colledge or universitie at the command of the Generall Assemblie. It is found that many apostats Avere returned into this countrey ; ordains all Commis- sioners in provinces diligentlie to try them out, execute the Acts of the Kirk upon them, and let them be punished as adidterers ; j)ar- ticularlie that the Laird of Dun, in Angus, execute this act upon the Master of Gray, an apostat now returned to Scotland. It be- ing reported to the King that the Master of Gray his houss did shake and rock in the night as with an earthquake, and the King inteiTogating David Fergusson, What he thought it could mean that that houss alone should be found to shake and totter? He ansuered, Sir, Why should not the Divill rock his awlu bairnes ? The Kirk now being setled, and not now being Ecclesia 1581. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 81 constituenda, the Assemblie finds, that the visitation of kirks to stand in one man's persone tends to tryannie and corruption ; therefore ordains so many sett apart for the work to draw np a platfonne of Presbyteries against the nixt Assemblie, the visitors to have the oversight of provinces whill that tyme. The Assemblie appoynts twenty Commissioners nominat, whereof six a quorum, to attend the King's Majestie's ansuer to the articles alreadie given in, and to conferr, and treat, and reassone with his Majestic and Councill in aU those things, and any other, that con- cerns the good of the Kirk. Mr Andi'ow Melvill is transported from Glasgow, where he was PrincipaU of the CoUedge, to the Marian Colledge in St Androes, commonlie called the New Col- ledge, a colledge of divinitie, to be PrincipaU thereof; and ordains those to whom this is intrusted to visit that Universitie in relation to poperie, and purge it out, etc. Also, Mr Thomas Smetoune, minister at Paislay, is transported to Glasgow, to be PrincipaU of that coUedge in the roume of Mr Androw MehoU. It is declared, that a minister of the Gospell who does leave his calling, afterAvard desyreand to be but a ruleing elder, shoidd not be receaved, but ought to be censm'ed and punished as desertor gregis. At the forty-third Assemblie, conveened at Glasgow, AprUe 24, 1581, Mr Robert Pont, Moderator, the Laird of Caprintoune being the King's Commissioner. (The register there wants about three or four Sessions.) All were requyred, as they would an- suere to God, and in the name of Jesus Christ, (as they had been foimerhe,) to give up and delate the names of sucli ministers as did live scandalousUe. The Lau-d of Caprintoune presented the King's letter to the Assembhe containing his commission, and also cer- taine roUs containing the number of Presbyteries, to whom the planting of ku'ks should belong, and the number of congregations belonging to everie Presbyterie ; and the Assemblie did nominat a committee for reviseing of the draught, and to report their judge- ment thereanent. The condemning of the unlawfuU ofiice of a Bishop or Lord Prelate is reiterated by the Assemblie. ^Ir Alex- F »2 THE HISTOItlE OF 1581. under Arbuthnot i^ triinsported from the Principalitie of the Col- ledge ill Old Aberdeen (whilk he dimitts in fiivoiu's of NicoU Dal- gliesh) to the ministrie of Xew Aberdeen. Concerning tliese things that were proponed to the Assemblie in writ by the King's Majestie's Commissioner in his Majestie's name, and the King's ansuer to the Kirk's articles, with a commission consisting of gentlemen and ministers for advise for the uniting and divyding of congregations as the mater called for, the Kirk blessed God for the King's zeall, and gives tlu^ee articles to be craved of his Majestic and his Councill. 1". That a judicatorie be appoynted to cognosce of injuries done to ministers in the exercise of their calling, and to punish delinquents according to the qualitie of their crymes, and Mr John Skene to be procm'ator to the mini- sters so injured. 2°. That an Act of Parliament be made anent the deposition of ministers. S**. That vacand benefices be disponed onlie to the ministers where the benefices vaikes, if they be found able men.^accordino; to the meaninoj of them that conferred at Stir- lin. Caprintouue his instructions did beare, — 1°. To signifie to the Assemblie that much conference had bene anent their articles betuix some of his Councill and the Ministers ; and that the thu'ds of the benefices, as it wes a great e\all to the King and diminution of publict charges for twenty years bygone, so it will not prove a sm'e way to pro^yde for ministers. 2°. That a platform be drawen up for uniting of lesser, and divyding of greater congregations, for the better accommodation of people and pastors sustentation. 3°. Tliat a draught is in readines containing a commission to noble- men, gentlemen, and ministers, in the respective bounds, to coii- siddcr of all this mater, and to report how this poynt of Reforma- tion may be promoved. 4°. That it be declared what Presbyteries may cognosce upon ; what things shall be reserved to the Provin- cial! Synods ; and lastlie, Avhat causes shall be devolved on the GcneraU Assemblie, and what persones shall ordourlie repair thereto and voyce therein : -That all be in readines that it may be begun to be practised againc the first of November. 5°. To shew what articles are ansuered with a satisfactorie ansuer, Avhat not, and the 1581. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 83 reasone why it is so. That the Assemblie give theu' opinion and advise what portion of the rents, pertaining to the Kirks before the Kefomiation of rehgion, they think shall fall to us in caise aU benefices were vacand ; and, in the meanwhile, whill they be vakand, what we shall have yearlie for the support of our estate and publict effau's of the realme. How the taxe for the ministers part shall be payit in tyme comeing ; also, to offer an overture for the per- sons that shall occupie the place of the Spii'ituall Estate in Parha- ment in tyme comeing, after the deceass of these that are present possessors of the places, in respect of the great decay of the rents thereof; an overtm^e for the fomie of presentations; to whom, what try ell, what the fonne of admission and collation, &c. FOE EEECTION OF PRESBYTERIES, CONSIDDER. That in Scotland (forby the Province of Argyll and the Ysles, of wliilk bounds, as yit, no rentalls have been given up) there are 924 kirks : of thir many are small congregations, and but pendicles ; many kirks are demolished ; some congregations also of larger extent nor the parishioners may convenientlie conveen to their parish kirks : Therefore, it hes been thought meet to reduce these 924 kirks to 600 kirks, and that there be a minister at each one of these, then- stipends to be in four degrees ; 100 to be at 500 merks a peece ; 200 at 300 merks a peece ; 200 at 100 libs, a peece ; and 100 at 100 merks a peece ; or somewhat a htle more or less nor the overtured summes, according to the abilitie and extent of the rents in the place. Thir considerations to hold though all the benefices were vakand ; personages and viccarages to be united ; whereas now sundrie of them are payed to severall persons. Thir 600 kirks to be divyded in 50 Presbyteries or thereabout ; 12 kirks or thereabout to each Presbyterie. Three Presbyteries, or more or fewer, according as the covmtrey lyes, to make up a Pro- ■vdnciall Synode and a Diocie, and everie Provinciall Synod shall appoynt the place of the nixt Synod within that same Diocie. The Generall Assembhe shall consist of persons having commis- sion from, and directed thither by, the Provinciall Synods, (just so 84 THE HISTORIE OF 1581. in the Directorie for Church Governement, page 24, printed anno 1647.) The meanest benefices to be provyded to young men new come from the schoolls, and the other to men of greater judg- ment, learning, and experience, gradatim^ and the greatest bene- fices to the most worthie and able men, who must be intrusted with the greatest congregations ; and that notice be taken of this from three years to three years, for the eschewing of avarice and ambition : prebendaries founded upon tithes to accress to the mini- sters liveing, and the rest for schoolls. A PLATFORME OF THE PRESBYTERIES AND PROVINCIALLS. PROVINCIALL. PRESS YTERIE. 1. Orknay, CTingwell, '(Kirkwall, 1 2 2. Kaithnes, rWeik, (Dornoch, 3 4 /'Channonrie, . 5 3. Rosse, < Tayne, 6 V Dingwall, 7 rForres, 8 4. Murray, \ Elgin, 9 Vinvemes, . 10 rBamff, . 11 5. Bamf, < Dcare, . 12 vKildrimmle, . . 13 TAberdene, . 14 6. Aberdene, s Invenu'ie, 15 V.Kincardin-0'Neill, . 16 C Dundie, . 17 7. Angus, < Killimure, . 18 vKethinis, . 19 8. Meams, JBcrvie, (Fordomi, 20 . 21 1581. THE KIRK OF SCOTL^VND. 85 PRO VINCI ALL. PRESBYTERIE. rPerth, . 22 9. Dunkeld, vrie beheaded at Stii-lin. At Edinbnrgh, March 22, 1584 [-85,] was a Parliament, wherein presbyteriall governament wes condemned under the name of un- lawful! conventions ; and the latelie abjm*ed Bishops office wes sett up againe ; and Mr Robert Montgomrie, excommunicat for ac- cepting it, wes restored : when the Act wes intimat the ministers protested aganis it publictlie, for whilk they Avere banished, and so Edinbm-gh had no minister. At the, fiftieth Assemblie, holden at Edinburgh, Male 10, 1586, the King's Majestie's Commissioners, my Lord Privie Seall, and Mr Peter Young, did shew that the King liimself coidd not be present nor come up to the Assemblie, but desyred that, at after- noone, they would repair to the Chappell Royall in the Abbay, where he would speak his mynd to them ; and, in meantjnne, de- syred they woidd surceass and superseed the election of a Mode- rator Avhile that tyme ; to the whilk the brethren agreed, with a protestation that it shoidd not in tyme comeing prejudge the liber- tie of the Assemblie. The King, pcrsonnHic present in the Assemblie in the Chappell Royall, declares Avhy he called them hither ; and leets being made, Mr David Lindesay, by phu'alitie of voyces, is chosen Moderator. Twenty-four ministers chosen assessors, forby [l^esides] elders : The King's Majestic nominat sixc of his to attend the Assemblie, and any tuo or three of these to be his commissioners. Anent the uniformitie in discipline, it is thought meet it first be proponed in the Privie Conference, and then in the Assemblie. This Privie 1680. THE KIRK OF .SCOTLA>sD. 109 Conference, in tymes of apostasie, j^roved the bane of this Kirk, for the Privie Conference did all, the Assemblie was made a cifar. The Kii'k register wes in the King's custodie : commissioners were sent to solicit the re-delyverie thereof. His Highness answer was, that ilk day they shoidd be delyvered to the clerk of the As- sembHe, but at night they should be delyvered to my Lord Privie SeaU whill the end of the Assembhe, betuix and wliilk he promised his personall presence. Inacted, That Presbyteries be setled in all convenient places. In Zetland, 1 ; in Orkuay, 1 ; in Catnes, 2 ; in Kosse, 2 ; in Morray, 4 ; in Aberdeen, 5 ; in Meams, 1 ; in Angus, 3 ; in Dun- kell, 1 ; in Perth, 2 ; m Stirlin, 1 ; in Lothian, 5 ; in FyfF, 4 ; in Mers and Teviotdale, 3 ; in Annandale, 1 ; in Nithsdale, 2 ; in Galloway, 4 ; in Carrick, 1 ; in Aii', 1 ; in Cuningham, 1 ; in Ir- vin, 1 ; in Ranfrow, 1 ; in Dunbartan, 1 ; in the Nether and Over Ward of Clidsdale, 2 : Summa, 50. Of thir Presbyteries were ProvinciaU Assemblies appoynted, and the whoU frame putt in the Clerk Register liis hand, that they might have liis judgment of it. Also, the King is intreated, by the mediation of my Lord Secre- tare, one of his Majestie's commissioners, that the GeueraU Assem- blie may meet yearlie, and that his Majestic would appoynt the tyme. A bm-gh may not choise a minister Avithout consent of the whoU landwart pariosh belonging thereto. AU pastors, doctors, elders, may voyce in an Assembhe, have- ing a commission unto it ; also any who hes any mater to propound may be present, and may heare maters reasoned, but may not voyce. There are in the Scriptures four office-bearers, Pastors, Doctors, Elders, Diacons, but no Bishop, as they have bene taken in tyme of Poperie ; but everie pastor is a Bishop in scrip- ture language. At a conference at Haliroodliouss betuix commissioners ap- poynted by the Iving's Majestic and the Kh-k's commissioners, it is agreed. That the name and office of a Bishop is commone to all pastors ; this being read pubhctlie in Assembhe, is assented unto. 2". Tt is lav/full to the Generall Assemblie to admitt a pastor have- no THE HISTORIE Ol' 1586. ing a benefice presented by tbc King's Majestie to the samyne. 3". Visitation belongeth to pastors [in] the Presbyterie ; also the Generall Asseniblie may send a man to visit with these whom the Presbyterie shall adjoyne to him. 4*^. Wherever mention is of a Bishop in the Conference, they agree no other Bishop but such as Paull describes. 5°. A Bishop may visit a certaine bounds limited vmto him ; with such as the Provinciall Synod shall adjoyne to him, in presentation and collation he shall doe nothing without the Presbyterie. 6°. A Bishop, in his doctrine, life, and conversation, shall be censured by the Presbyterie and Provinciall Assemblie ; also by the Generall Assemblie, seing he lies his commission of them. 7°. If he admitt one, or doe any thing without the greatter part of the Presbyterie, the deed to be null, and he to be deposed. 8**. His power is ordinis causo, non jurisdictionis ; and where he may not overtake all his bounds, (of old called a diocie,) commis- sioners shall be presented by the King, and admitted by the As- semblie, to whom onlie they shall be countable, and the Bishops to have no power of ^dsitation, &c. within the bounds assigned to them. 9**. Whatever Bishops or commissioners doe it shall not prejudge the visitation of the Presbyteries. 10". Whatever may depryve a minister either in doctrine or life, that same may de- pry ve a Bishop. The King's Majestie's commissioners dissented and protested aganis the proceeding of the Assemblie in so far as they had sub- jected Bishops to Presbyteries and Provinciall Synods, it being (as they alledged) contrare to the conclusion of the Conference at Ilaliroodhouss, protests the voyce of the Assemblie to be null in that poynt. Commissioners were sent to the King to informe him of the Assemblic's grounds, but he replyed he would no wayes agree to it ; whereupon, the Assemblie concludes, that such com- missioners should be censured by the Generall Assemblie till fur- ther ordour to be taken. Where ever the King maks residence, his ministers shall adjoyne themselves to the Presbyterie of that place. A process of oxcommunicntion being led on aganis Mr Pntrik 1586. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. Ill Adamson, Bishop of St Androes, he appealled from them to the General! Assemblie, and, at the King's desyre, the Assemblie laboured to take a mids in the mater. 1°. If the Bishop will disclame all supremacie over his brethren, other pastors, or to be their judge, and confess a fault if ever he had so done. 2o. Con- fess his fault in usurping the moderation in the Synod of Fyffe, and his imperious cariage there, and contempt of his brethren. 3°. If he will promise to acclame no more nor God's word allowes and Paull's Bishop should have. 4°. If he will submitt his doc- trine and life to be censured by the Generall Assemblie, without reclamation or appellation, we shall (not condemning the process) hold the process as unled and the sentence as unpronounced, and shall repone the said Bishop, so far as may be by the word of God and Acts of the Kirk, to his office. ARTICLES TO BE CRAVED OF HIS MAJESTIE. 1. To take ordour with Jesuits in the north. 2. Ministers in the north to be better provyded in stipends. 3. Judges to be appoynted in all the parts of the kingdom for punishing of crymes, Sabbath-breaking, adulterie, &c. 4. That everie chief burgh have four tymes doctrine in the week, and, for that effect, tuo ministers. 5. That coUedge kirks be served and provyded. 6. That abbay Idrks may have manses and gliebs, and that all gliebs be with freedome of pasturage, fewell, foggage, faill, and divott, loaning, free ish and entrie.^ 7. Benefices given to such as serves not the cure to be declared null, and to be assigned to able qualified men serving the cure. The nuUitie of the fonner gift to be discussed als well by Avay of exception as action. 1 That is, to have freedom of pasturage, fuel, foggage, the stubble on the ground after the harvest ; fail, a square piece of turf, differing from divot or thin flat turf, the one used for forming walls, the other for thatching the roofs of houses ; loaning, might be a communication from one pasture ground to another ; and free ish and en- trie, is liberty of going out or in. 112 THE IIISTORIE OF 1586. 8. All other presentations of laiek patrons of* tliat nature to be so annulled also. 9. Collations granted by such as had no power to be declared null. 10. Ministers benefices, under Prelacies, to be free of payment of first fruits and fyft pennie ; and that, haveing the King's sub- scription, they get their signature free ; and the poore men to be re- imbm'sed who hes debursed, and their cautioners to be discharged. 11. The Kirk to be purged, that both worthies or Avicked mini- sters may be deposed ; also non-residents and many others ad- mitted by Bishops and careless commissioners ; also such as who are deposed but obeyes not the sentence : and that all this be done without feare or boasting. 12. Many poore ministers have decayed benefices, parsonages, and viccarages, without many emoluments payed in tyme of Po- perie, yit payes als much out of it as if the benefice were in inte- gritie, without any releef; whereas prelats and other greatter beneficed persons have releefF of their vassalls : That remedie be provyded for this evill. 13. That ministers be provyded out of the prelatts rents, whilk are vaiked since the Act 1581, without wliilk, out of the readiest of the fruits, the provision to be null. 14. The Bishops of Argyle and Isles to be subject to attend on the Assemblie, otherwise they are as in another dominion, whilk is prejudiciall both to the King and Kirk. 15. Wise men to try the estate of all prelacies and benefices how they are hurt or dilapidat, and to see how they may be helped againe. 16. That the Lords of Session discuss and declare whether tlie King or the Earle of Orknay is patron to the benefices of Orknay and Zetland, that ministers there may get their stipends, and not be suspended. 17. That the finall decision of causses concerning ministers de- privation fra benefices belong to the Generall Assembhe, and not to the Tvords of Session, bo wav of reduction. 15bG. THE KIHK OF SCOTL.VND. 113 Mr Andro Hvmtar/ minister, gave in a written protestation, pro- testing before God, his angells and saints, that he could not assent to the deed of the Assemblie in absolveing Mr Patrik Adamson fra the most just sentence of excommunication pronunced by the Synod of Fyffe aganis liim, for manifest crymes and open contu- macie, at St Androes, Aprile 12, 1586; becaus the said excom- municat persone had given no signe of repentance, yea, was not supplicating to be absolved ; because the process wes not examined nor publictly red : To this protestation adhered Mr Andro Melvill and Mr Thomas Buchanan. Mr Patrik Adamson did subscryve the conditions proponed by the Assemblie, for whilk cause the Generall Assemblie absolved him. The King agreed to the most part of the Articles : these he disassented from he marked Avith his awin hand. (1.) There shall be one Generall Assembhe everie yeare, and oftener pro re nata. (2.) ProvinciaU AssembHes are appoynted, for weightie maters to be intreated by mutuaU consent of bretlu-en within that province. 2. They may rectifie things done amisse in, or whilk cannot be done by, presbyteries. 3. They have power, for just causses, to depose any member witliin the province : (here the Kmg ex- cepted Bishops and Commissioners.) 4. They have the whoU power of all the elderships and presbyteries whereof they are col- lected. (3.) The power and use of Presbyteries is to see that the kirks witliin their bounds be keept m good ordom*. 2. To inquyre after naughtie and leud persons that they may be reclamed. 3. To see that the Word be imcorniptlie preached, the sacraments duelie administred, discipline impartiaUie exercised, and the Kirk's goods ' Hunter at the time was alleged to be a servant of Andro Melville's ; but this Calderwood (p. 203) controverts, and shews that he was for two years a student of divinity under ^lelville at St Andrews, and that four years' afterwards he became minister of Carnbie. He was settled there, 9th February 1586-7, and translated to Newburu in 1589, but was suspended from his ministry, ■25th April 1594. — (Re- cords of the Synod of Fife, pp. 203, 210.) H 1 1-1 THE HISTORIE OF 158G. faithfuUie distributed. 4. To see Acts of Generall and Provin- cial! Assemblies putt in execution. 5. They shoidd make consti- tutiones whilk concerns t-o 'tt^svov, decoiiim ; that decent ordour be keept in kirks, provyding they be not repugnant to Acts of supe- riour judicatories, and provyding those constitutions be notified to the Provinciall Synods ; yea, they may make constitutions, abolishing any thing whilk hurts good ordour. 6. They have power to excommunicat the obstinat : The King added, formall process being led, and dew intervalls of tyme allowed. 7. Faidts to be censured in Presbyteries : heresie, errom', papistrie, idolatrie, witchcraft, consulting with ^vitches and charmers, contempt of the word in not resorting to it, continuance in blasphemie aganis God and sweareing, blasphemie aganis his trueth, perjiuue, incest, adul- terie, fornication, drunkennes. Sabbath-breaking, &c. (4.) Congregations have power within themselves to handle maters ecclesiasticall, bringing the greatter and harder maters to the Pres- byterie ; and appealls may be made to the Presbyterie fra the Session. (5.) The King consented that some grave and wise brethren, dele- gat in everie province, shoidd try any slander in the lives and con- versations of the Bishops or Commissioners, but that the finall de- cision and sentence shoidd belong onlie to the Generall Assemblie : So brethren were presentlie nominat who should report to the nixt Assemblie. (6.) That Bishops or Commissioners shall be Moderators in the places where they have theii* residence ; but Mr Robert Wilkic is continued Moderator in St Androcs till the nixt Assemblie of the Province of FyfFe. The King's commissioners agree that the Kirk (as formerlie they had) shall have tuo dayes in the week in the Session for calling of their actions and suits of law ; and James Mowat shalbe their Solicitor. The Kii'ks in Scotland were found to be 954 : bounds of Presby- teries and Provincialls were sett doune with the ad%nse of the Clerk-Register. This comelie ordonr and happie estate of this Kirk rontinncd 158(3, THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 115 not long in integritie, for about this tyme Mr Patrik Adamson, minister at St Androes, a learned man and eloquent preacher, haveing long before this tyme obtained a gift of the Bishoprick of St Androes, from the Regent for the tyme, did hold the Ku-k in a great trouble, offering to prove the lawfiilnes of that office ; but that not succeeding with him, (for ^vhat ever he taught publictlie in the pulpit concerning that subject, not being warranted by God's word, Mr Andro MelviUe, then Doctor of Theologie m the New Colledge, publictlie in his lessons refuted him, and the Prcs- byterie also wes censureing him,) he Avas forced to keep hunself quyet whill he fand liis awin opportunitie : viz. the Kmg and the Court to favom- his pui-pose, yit durst he not at first openhe shew himself for feare of the censures of the Kirk ; yea, at that tyme also the name and office of Bishop wes odious and detestable al- most to aU men : It pleased the King to send for the foresaid Mr Patrik to Edinbrn-gh, that he might teach publictlie there that the people might heare him, supposeing that they would be well pleased with his doctrine ; but the ordinare minister of Edinburgh, Mr John Co^^er, being in the pulpit, the King commanded him to come doun out of the pulpitt, and lett (said he) the Bishop of St Androes come up and preach, who, when the King went to liis seat, was conveyed by the King's guard to the doore of the pul- pitt : The minister answered to the King, that he was prepared to preach that day as being liis ordinarie day, and if it were your Majestie's will I wovdd faine (said he) doe God's work presenthe : But the King replyed, I vriU not heare yow this day ; I command yow come doun and let Mr Patrik Adamson come up and preach, (belyke the King remembred he should not have called him Bishop of St Androes, seing the Acts of the Kirk were strict in the con- trare.) At this word the minister of Edinburgh obeyed, and went doun out of the pulpit, and then the Bishop of St Andi'oes went up ; and (after the Inglish forme) began to beck in a low com-tesie to the King, whereas the custome of this Ku-k was, first to salute God, to doe God's work, and then, after sennon and diAine wor- ship closed, to give reverence, and make ciu'tesie particularlie to 116 THE H18TOKIE OF 158G. the King ; but soonc after that the Bishop was entered mto the pulpit, all the people in the great kirk of Edinburgh gave a showt and lowd cry, so as nothing could be heard, (just as on the 23d of JuUe 1637, when at the preassing to read and act the Service Book in the same ku'k, the Avomen gave a showt, and stoolls were throwen at the Bishop and Dean his face,) and all ahnost ran out of the kirk, especiallie the women ; none ahnost remained but they who were Avith the King, and some of the uobilitie and gentrie in the Lords loft ;^ also, the Pro\est and CounciU of Edinburgh satt still in their loft. This cariage of the people made the King rise up and cry out, ^Vliat diviU aills the people that they may not tarie to heare a man preach ? He taught indeed that day, (the writter being an eye and eare witnes of all this,) but Avith great feare, and then was putt among the King's guard, that none should doe him harme, and, thus guarded, was taken doune to the Abbay. Not long after this, Avhen he Avas returned to St Androes, the Provinciall Assemblie of Fyfie meeting there, entered in process aganis him,' upon sundrie sure grounds Avhilk the Presbyterie of St Androes had laid doun aganis him ; also, noAV finding that he had taken . on him that office of a Bishop, declared unlaAvfull in this Kirk, and aganis the Acts of Generall Assemblie, they did excom- municat him ; albeit, at the King's earnest desire, his excommimi- cation Aves not openlie published and intimated in all pulpitts, but rather in a part retralted upon certaine conditions propounded to be performed by him, Avhilk conditions he never reaUie Avould performe. After Avard the notice of his excommunication comeing to men's ears, and he being in great debt, Avas oft registrat at the King's hornc ; then creditors came and took out all the insight and plenishing of his houss : He about this tyme also fell in a piti- ful! disease, called by physicians Bulimia, or BuUmos rather, {ex Bu particula intcnsiva, itt " tnmidis Binnaste racemis,^'' ct }J/xo;, fames : has biihus est magnum animal; ergo, Bulimus est magna fames, differing so from caninus appetitus, that this snatches up all Avith a ravenous a^jpetite, and presentlie Aomits it up againe,) for he Avas continual- ' The loft or portion of the ;i;;illcrv appropriated to the Lords of Session. 1586. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 117 lie insatiablie hungrle, yet be reasone now of his extream povertie, and liaveing lost all credit, so that in all St Androes he could not get a loaf of bread upon his trust, he coidd not have any thing almost to satisfie his intoUerable hunger ; (his Diotrephes like hungering and thirsting after preheminence and preferment, out of his ambitious humor, being thus punished Avith a judgment suitable to the sin ;) but that the man whom he hated most in former tymes (Mr Andro MelviU) was now his best friend, pitied his de- plorable condition, furnished him daylie meat and drink, and other necessars also. Then, in the yeare of the Christian era, or Epocha 1591, after he had been long under sicknes, and was now become verie weak, his conscience wakening upon him, the Provinciall Assembhe be- ing mett in St Androes m the moneth of Aprile, he sent some brethren to the Assemblie, desyreing earnesthe to be receeved in favour with them ; for by certaine Articles Avhilk he gave in, Avritten in Latin, he acknowledged that he had highlie offended God in sundrie things : whiUv Ai'ticles he subscryved with his awin hand, viz. " Quod ecclesife regendae rationem Monarchicam consti- tuerim et regnis terrenis similem, me peccasse agnosco : — Quod inde Episcopatmn et imperium uni, in co-episcopos qui Eequales jure erant et esse debebant intulerim, in eo etiam peccatum ag- nosco : — Quod vu'os ecclesiasticos Regis subjecerim mandato, etiam in rebus ecclesiasticis, peccasse me agnosco : — Quod Presbyterium delirium humanum putaverim, et ab omnibus ita haberi voluerim veniam peto." ^Vliilk articles, after the Assemblie had read and considered them, they sent some of their brethren to him, desyre- ing him to declare his mynde more frillie, and that in IngHsh, that all might know his true repentance for runing so far in evill courses as he had done ; that the Assemblie also might be the more moved to pitie him, and relaxe him fra that dreadfull sen- tence of excommunication under which he did lye ; which counseU he wUlinglie followed. And, therefore, because Mr Patrik Adam- son's Recantation, whilk he sett doune himself, was afterwards printed, and the knowledge thereof, through the Lord's blessing, 118 THE HISTUKIE OF 1586. may doe much good to those that well observe the Lord's dealling asanis his enemies for the weU of liis Ku-k. I will first sett domie the Printer's epistle, and then the Recantation itself, Avith such things as followed thereupon : The printer calls tliis following Re- cantation Pseudo-Episcopomastix. THE RECANTATION OF jVIAISTER PATRIK ADAJVISONE, sometime Archbishop of SAINT-AN- droioes in Scotlande, 1598.' Pseudoepiscoponiastix. THE PRINTER TO THE READER. After that the just copie of this Recantation, good Reader, came sundrie times to my handes in writt, I wes moved at last, for the great benefite of many, to put it in print, as a worthie monument of God's mercie towarde liis Church, in justifying the righteous cause thereof, and in coudamning the crooked comse of aU sortes of adversaries, and that so plainelie and mightihe, that it can not be denied bot to be done by the veric fingar of God himselfe, and not by the witte or poHcie of man. For howsoever some cvUl affected persones, adversaries to Christian DiscipHne, sm'mise this Recantation to have bene craftehe procured, or rather violentlie • The Recantation is here given from the original printed copy. It is iu small 8vo, twelve leaves, in roman letter, dated 1598, without the uame of either the printer or place ; but probably at London. Bishop Keith, iu his account of Arch- bishop Adamson, has this ronuirk : — "He died in the year 1591, having, as is said, in his last sickness, made a kind of recantation, whereby he condemned Episcopacy as unlawful ; but for this there is no direct voucher, and we know tvell how easy it is to palm things vpon dying persons." More than one gross attempt to fabricate such recantations was made, at least, by the Episcopal party in Scotland dm-ing the 1 7th century ; and it only displays Keith's sectarian spix'it to throw any doubt on the genuineness of a docinneiit so well attested as this confcsoioa of Adamson. He died 19tli February, 1591-2. 1586. TUE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. Ill) inforced by the policie of the contrarie partie, (as they speake,) yit the credite of the worshipfull and faithfull witnesses, yet aHve, that testifie the trueth hereof by their hande-writtes and subscrip- tions, according as the thing with the haiU circiunstances thereof wes done in their sight and hearing, as hereafter truely is set downe, plainlie proveth the work to be of God, and not of man. Which thing, as it ought to moove the godlie to an earnest thankes- gi^ang for so rare and great a benefite : so it should worthilie terri- fic the adversareis of all sortes, from further striving against the trueth of Cluristian Discipline, no lesse justified here by their owne mouth, as it were, then wes Da\'id's innocencie by the mouth of Saul, when he saide, Is this thy voyce, my sonne David? thou art more righteous then I : wliiche more cleared David, and condemned Saul, then if either David liimselfe or any of his friendes or fel- lowes, by worde or writt had taken upon them to make his Apologie. For this recanter wes no meane adversary to true Dis- cipline, or one of the common sorte, but a chiefs ringleader, and one that as in style mounted to the hiest Anticlmstian (if not heathenish, after the maner of Flamine and Arcliiflamine) dig- niteis in Scotlande ; so in will, diligence, and aU industrie, nego- tiating against trew reformation, none either did, or wes able to matche him : whose extorted and constrained confession by the hand of God, though voluntare in regard of men, as wrasted out of the mouth of one of the chiefest in name of all the rest, should wortliily move all of his coate and complices, to kicke no more against prickes, least otherwise continuing with Saul in per- secuting David, against their ovme consciences, they be brought (in God's righteous judgment) at last to some tragicaU and miser- able end in this life, and to eternaU torments in the world to come : which is spoken, not so much in regard of such grave and learned fathers, as not of ambition, but tlu'ough the injm-ie of the time, for holding out evill persons from those dignities, who would make havoke of the Church, and for staying the fririe of the storme of persecution of the brethren, which otherwise no doubt would ensewe, are contented (being called) for the quietnes of 1^0 THE JIISTOIUE OF 15t*lj. the Church, to accept for an interim and time, till God send fur- ther reformation, that unpiu'e and monstruously mangled Mini- strie of thinges that otherwise are meere asustata, as we say, and not competent in one person ; to witt, a contemptible mini- sterial! service, makeing men to be compted the ofscoimngs of the world, and a lordlie pompeous govemement Hke to that of the nations, plainlie forbidden by Christ in these words, Vos autem non sic, but ye shall not be so. To these men, I say, who wilbe readie uppon all occasions to farder reformation, the former threatnings apperteineth not so much as to the malitious perse- cutours of the true Ministrie, under the name of fathers of the Church, for maintenance of their ambition. [Followes Mr Patrik Adamson liis Recantation, as he sett it doun himself, and subscryvit the samyn, and sent it to the Provin- cial! Synod of Fyffe, then mett at St Androes in the moneth of Aprile 1591.1] 8 AprHis 1591. Brethren, understanding the proceedings of the AssembHe in my contraire, and beeing nowe withholden, by seiknes, from pre- senting my selfe before you, that I might give confession of that doctrine quhairin I howj) that God sal! call me, and that at liis pleasure I might depairt in ane unitie of Christian faitlie, I thought gud, by wreitt, to utter the samyne to your wisdomes : And lyke- wayes to crave yoiu* godhe wisdomes assistance, nott for the restitution of any warldlie pompe or preeminence, quhilk I little respect, but to remoove from me the slanderis quliilkes are raised in this coimtrie concerning the variance of doctrine, speciallie on my paut, quhairin I protest, befou- God, that I haif onlie a single respect to his glorie, and by his graice I sail abyde heirin unto my lyves end. First, I confes the trew doctrine of Christian religioun to be publiklie taAVght and rightUe annuncied Avithin this Realme, and deteistis all ])apistrie and superstition, like as (blissed be God) I ' This title is not contained in the old printed copy. 1586. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 121 half detested the samine In my heart, the spaice of thirty yeiris, sen it pleasit God to gi^'e me the knowledge of the treuth, quhair- in I half walkit uprightHe alsweill heire as in uther countreis, as the Lorde beu-es me record, untill theise last dayes, quhairin, partlie for ambition and vaine glorie, to be preferred before my brethren, and partlie for covetousnes, I haif possessed the pelf of the Kirk : I did undertake this office of Archbishoprilce, quhairwith justlie the syncerest professors of the worde haif fimde fault, and haif con- demned the samine, as impertinent to the office of a sincere pastor of Godis word. And albeit men wold colloure the samen, and the imperfections thairof by divers clokes, yit the samine can notli be conceded from the spirituall eyes of the faithfull : Neither zit can the men of God, quhen they ar putt to their conscience, dissemble the samine. Nixt, I confes, that I Avas in ane erronious opiuioun, that I be- hved the gouvernment of the Kirk to be like unto the kingdomes of the earth, plaine contrauy to the commaundement of om- Mais- ter Christ, and the monarchic quhau'by the Kirk is governed, not to be onely in the persoun of our Saviour Christ, (as it is,) bot in the ministeris, qidio are nothing bot vassales \Tider him, in an equahtie among themselfis. Tliirdhe, That I married the Earle of Huntle contrair to the command of the Ku-k, without the confession of his faith, and profession of the sincere doctrine of the word, I repent and craves God pardon. That I traveled both by reasoning and uther ways to subject the kirk-men unto the King's ordinance, in things that aperteine to ecclesiasticall matters, and things of conscience, I aske God mercie, quhairupon grait enormiteis haif fallen furth in this countrie. That I behved and so tawght, the Presbytireis to be a foolishe inventioune, and wold haif it so estemed of aU men, quhilk is ane ordinance of Christ, I crave God mercie. Forder, I submit myself to the mercie of God and judgement of the Assemblie, not measuring my offi^nces by my owne self, nor 122 Tin: historie ok 1.")S(;. infiriniteis of my owne ingyne, hot unto the gud judgement of the Kirk, to the quhilk alwayes I subject my selfe, and beseekis zoii to make intercessioune to God for me, and to the King, that I may haif sum moyene to live, and consume the rest of this my wretched tyme, for winning of quhois favors (whilk foolishlie I thoucht thereby to obteine) I committed all theis errours. As quhair I am burdened, to haif bene the settair fiirth of the buke called T'le King's Declaration, quhairin the whol ordor of the Kirk is condemned and traduced, I protest before God, that so I was commandit to wreitt the same by the Chancellaii* for the time, bot chieflie by N., (an uthergrait coiu'teour,) quho liimself penned, in the second Act of Parliament, concerning the powar and autho- ritie of Judicator, to be absolutelie in the Kinges powar ; and that it suld not be lawfull to any subject to reclame fra the samin, under the penaltie of the Act, whilk I suppose Avas treasoun. Item, quhair it is alleagit that I sidd haif condemned the doc- trine annunced and taught by the Ministrie of Edinbvirgh, and to have allowed onely concerning obedience to the Prmce, I confes and protestis before God that I never understud nor zit knew any thing bot sinceritie and uprightnes in the doctrine of the Ministeris of Edinburgh in that poynt, nor in any uther. Forder, I confes I was the authour of the Act dischargeing the Ministers stipends that did not subscribe those Actes of Parlia- ment, quhaii'with God hath justlic recompensed myself. As for any violent course, it is knaAven wel ynough quho Avas the author thau'of, and my pairt was trycd at tlic imprisonment of Master Nicol Dalglische, Master Patrik JNIalvill, jSIaster Thomas Jak, and uthers. Moreover, I graunt I Avas inoir bussie Avith sum Bishops of Englande, in preiudice of the discipline of our Kirk, partlie quhen I Avas thair, and partlie by our mutuall intelligence sensyn then became a gud Christian, mikle lesse a faithfull Pastor. Neither is than* any thing that moir cshameth me then my often disceauing and abusing of the Kiik heirtofoir, by confessionnes, 1586. THE KIRK OF .SCOTLAND. 12o subscriptionnes, protestationnes, &c., quhilk be far from me now and evir hereafter. Amen. Sic subscribitur, Zour Brother in the Lord, M. Patrik Adamsonne. [Thii- Articles being subscryved and sent in to the Assembhe, the Assembhe desyred to be resolved of other things ; to the quhilkshe answered after this maner : — '] As quliau' zom- Wisdomes desires to half mine own opinion concerning the bnke of the Declaratioun of the Kinges intention, the samen is at moir length declared in the confession, quhilk I haif exhibit ah'eadie, quhairin I haif condemned all the hole artikles thairin contained, likeas be theis presentes I condemne thame. As quliau' ze require quhat became of the bukes of the Assem- bhe, all quhilkis I had preserved hole, unto the returning of the Lords and Ministrie out of England ; and if I had noth preserued thame, my Lord of Arrane intendit to haif maid thame be cast iSto the fire ; and upon a certane day in Falkland, befoir they wer delivered to the King's Majestic, the Bischope of N., accumpanied with ]VIr Hemy HamUtoune, rent owt smu leafes, and destroyed sic things as maid agams om* estaite, and that not withowt my awne speciall allowance. As for the bukes quliilk I haif set fiuth, I haif sett ftu'th no thing except a commentarie upon the first chapter of Paule to Timothie, quhilk I did direct to the King's Majestic, and kept no examplar beside me ; and understandes that Mr Jolmue Geddie gat the samyn from the King, and lent it to Mr Robert Hepburne. Farther I wrote notliing, but onelie maid mention in my pre- face upon the Apocalypse, that I sidd write a buke caUed Psillus,^ quhilk (being prevented by disease) God would not suffer me to finishe, and the htle thing that wes done, I caused to destroy it. And likewayes, I haif set furth the buke of Job, with the Apo- calypse, and the Lamentationnes of Jeremie, all in verse, to be ' Not contained in the old printed copy. - " Psillus Psilli in Lybia populi." — Note in MS. 124 THE HISTORIE OF 158(). prented in Englande : As for my intention I am not disposed or in abilitie to writte any thing at this tyme, and if it pleased God I were restored to my health, I wald change my style, as Cajetanus did at the Coimcill of Trent. As for Sutclivius huke agains the forme and ordour of the Pres- bitreis, so farr am I from being partenar in that warke, that as I kuowe noth the man, nor hath never any intelligence of the warke befoii- it was done ; so, if it please God to give me dayes, I will writ in liis contrarie to the mantenance of the contrarie con- fessioun.^ Prayes the Brethren to be reconciled and to be at miitie and peax with me ; and in token of thair forgivenes, becaus health sufFeris me noth to goe oner to the College quhair ze ar presentlie assembled, (quhilk I wold gladlie doe to aske God and zou for- givenes,) that it wold please yow to repair hither that I may doe it heir. [Fnrther, it will please yow to interceed to the King's Majestic, that if it shall please the Lord a litle while to spare my wretched dayes, I may have some litle quyet moyen quhairon to live, for it is not as some men reports."^] Moreover, I condemnc by this my subscription quhatsoeuer is contaned in the Epistle Dedicatorie to the K. Majestic, befoir my buke on the Revelation, that is either slanderous or offensive to the Brethren : Also I promise to satisfie the brithren of Edinburgh, or any utlier kirk of this rcalme, according to a gud conscience, in quhatsoever they finde thamselfes justlie offended, and conti'arie to the word of God in any of my speeches, actions, or proceed- ings quliilk haif passed from me. And concerning the commentaric upon the First Epistle of Paule to Timothie, becaus ther are divers things thairin conteined oflen- ' In the MS. this paragraph runs thus: — "As where ye requyre concerning a book latelie sett furth in England called Sutclivius, agains the forme and ordour of the Pre.^bitreis, if I was partaker with it, or had knowledge who sett it forth? verilie I am ignorant but by the title of the book, and knowes not the man, nor hes aqy intelligence thereof; if it please God to give me dayes, I [will] writ in his contrarie to the mantenance of the contrarie confession." * This sentence is not contained in the printed copy. 158G. THE KIRK OP SCOTLAND. 125 sive, and that tendis to alio we of the estait of Bishops, utherways than God's Word can suffer, I condenme the samen. The pages befoii* written, dytted by me Maister Patrike Adajvi- SOjNTE, and written at my command, by my servitor Maister Samuel Cunninghame, and by liis hande drawin in the blankes, I sub- scribe with my awne hande, as acknawlegeit by me in sinceritie of conscience in the presence of God, befoir these Avitnesses direct to me from the Synodal Assemblie, becaus of my inhabilitie of bodie to repaire towards thame ; — James Monipenny, zonnegar of Pit- millie, Andro Wood of Stravithie, David Murray, portioner of Ardeit, Maister David Russell, Maister WiUiam Mm-ray, minister at Disart, Maister Robert Wilkie, David Fargusonne, with uthers diversse. Sic subscribitur, M« Patrik Adamsone. David Fargusoun, witnes. Maister Nicol Dalgleische. James Monipenny of Pitmillie, witnes. Andro Wood of Stravithie, witnes. Maister Robert Wilkie, witnes. David Murray Avitli my hande, witnes. Maister David Russell. Maister David Spenss. Maister Johnne Caldclewch. Maister William Mm-ray, minister of Dysart. 8. Aprik 1591. [The Assemblie seeing and considdering this his Recantation, and knowing what grcef that pamphlet, called The King's Decla- ration,^ was to the godlie, and how the enemies of the discipline of the Kirk rejoyced at it, as if it had been his Majestie's awin propper resolution and AviU, whereof the contrau- was well knowen; • The tract i-eferred to is entitled " A Declai-ation of the King's Maiestie's Inten- tioun and Meaning toward the lait Actis of Parliament [in May 1584.] Imprinted at Edinburgh, by Thomas Vautroullier, 1585. Cum Privilegio Regali." 4to, 12 leaves. 12(i THE HISTORIE OF 1586. concluds, that it was expedient that Mr Patrik Adamson should take that book, and, Avith his aAvin hand, -svi'it and subscribe in the margent thereof his awin judgment to everie head and article thereof, condemning the samyn, quliillv was worthie to be con- demned ; and therefore sent some Brethren to him, who gave him the said book, quhilk he receaved with promise to doe the samyne, Avith the help of the Brethren that shoidd peruse it vnth him, be- cause of his present infirmitie : — FolloAves Mr Patrik Adamson his awin answere and refutation of the book falslie called The King's Declaration.'] MAISTER PATRIltE ADAMSONE'S O^VEN ANSWERE AND REFUTATION OF THE BUKE FALSLIE CALLED THE KING'S DECLARATION. I haif interprised of mere remorse of conscience to wreitt against a buke called " The Declaration of The King's Majestie's Intention ;" albeit it containeth litle or nothing of the King's awin intention, bot my aAvin at the tjme of the writting theirof ; and the corrupt intentionnes of sic as for the tyme wer about the King, and abused his minoritie : of the quliilk buke and contents thairof, compyled by me at the command of sum chiefe courteours for the time, (as is befoir wrettin,) I sail shortlie declair my opinioun, as the infinnitie of sicknes and Aveaknes of memorie Avill ])ennitt. Firrft, In the hole hvke is no thing contained but assertionnes of lies, ascribmg to the King's Majestic that quliairof he was not cul- pable ; for albeit, as the tyme went, his Majestic coidd haif suffered theis things to haif bene published in his Realme, zit his Majestic Aves nevir of that nature to haif revealed [revylled] ony man's per- soun,or to upbraid any man Avith calumneis, quhairof thair is a number contained in that buke. Sccundlie, In the Declarntion of the second actc of ParUament, thair is mention made of IMaister Andro Melvill, and his preach- ino-cs most Avranofullie condemned in speciall, as factious and seditious; albeit his TMajostio both had a livcllo triall of that man's ' Tliis parafrraiih is not contained in tin- old lu-iiitcd (■oj)y. 1586. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 127 fidelitie and trewtli in aU his proceedings from tyme to tyme. TreAv it is, he is earnest and zealons, qnlio can abyde no corrup- tion, (quhilk most unad\nsedlie I attributed to a fyrie and salt humor,) quhilk his Majestic findes by experience to be trew, for he alloweth weil of him, and knawith thinges that wer alleaged upon him to have bene fals and contryved treacherie. Thair ar contained in that second act of Parliament divers utheris fals intentions for to defame the ministrie, and to bring the Kirk "of God in hatred and in vie with than- Prince and Nobi- litie, burdening and accusing the Ministers falselie of sedition, and other crimes quhairof they wer innocent. As lykwise it is -wTcttin in the samen Acts and Declaration thairof, that soverane and supreme powar partaineth to the King in maters ecclesiasticall, quhilk is wortliie to be condemned, and not to be contained amang Christian actes, quhair the powar of the word is to be extolled above aU the powar of princes, and them to be brought under subjection to the samen. The ferd Acte condemned the Presbiterie as ane judgement not allowed by the King's law, quhilk is a very slender argument ; for as concerning the authoritie of the Presbyterie, we haif the samen expressed in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, cap. xviii., quhair Christ commandes " to she we the Ku-k," C|uhillv authoritie, being commanded by Christ, and the Actes of Parhament forbidding it, we shuld rather " obey God than man." And zit the Presbyterie lackith nevu' the King's autoritie for the allowance thairof from the beginning, sane onlie at that houre of darknes, quhen he was abused tlu'ough eviU companie. As for any uther thing that is contained in this Act aganis any order or proceeding of the Pres- byterie, it is to be esteemed that no thing was done by the Presby- terie without ^dsedome, discretion, and judgement, and so hath receaved approbation againe by the Kirk, quhau'unto also I under- stand his Majestic hath given allowance, ratified and appro vid the same, quhilk shuld be a suflficient reason to repressc all mennes curiositie, that ather have or zit wold findc faidt with the samine. 128 THE IIISTORIE OF 1580. The last article containes the establishing of ane Bishop, quliilk hath no warrand of the word of God, but is grunded upon the policie of the invention of man, quhairupon the primacie of the Pope or Antichrist is risen, qaliilk is Avorthie to be disallowed and forbid- den ; becaus the nomber of the Eldership that hes jui'isdiction and oversight, aswell of visitation as admission, will doe the samyn far mair authenticklie, godlie, and with greater zeale, then a Bishop quhoise cair commonly is not upon God and his dewtie, bot upon the warld, quhauiipon his cliief attendance is. Consider how that office hes bene used these five hundreth zeiris begone, with quhat crueltie and tyrannic it hath bene exercised ; ze sail finde it to haif bene the chief cause that hath in everie cuntrie suppressed the word of God : quhilk salbe evident to all that read the historic of the Eai'k. As for my awen opinioun, it seemeth to be nearest the trueth, and fordest from all kinde of ambition, that the Britli- rcn in e({uall degree assemble thamselfes vnder their head Christ, and thair everie man discharge his office cau'fullie, as he is com- manded. And becaus weaknes of memorie and seiknes suffer me noth at length to discom'se these maters as I wold, I must request the ffood reader to assure himselfe that I haif written this without compulsion or persuasion of any man, Avith ane upright heart, and haif deliuered the same with a perfit sinceritie of minde, so far as infinriitie of fleshc and blood doth suffer, as God shal judge me at the latter day ; and that the same reader accompt of quhatsomevir thinges are omitted, that they are to be imputed to my imbecilitie of memorie and the present seiknes, and not to my good Avill, quhilk Avas, I protest, to liaif condemned everie point ; yea, evin to the fals narration of the bankit,^ and all the rest contained in that litle treatise called The King's Majestie's Intention, according as (I acknowledge) they deserue to be condemned by the censm-e and judgement of the Kirk, to the quhilk ahvays I submit my selfe in Avhatsumevir things 1 haif either in Avord or Avreitt at- ' According to the Declaration, a banquet was given to the Fi-ench Ambassador by the Pi-ovost and Magistrates of Edinburgh, at the King's command, and the Pres- bytery appointed a fast to take ]ilaco on the .. The l)reihrcu appoynled to deall 182 THE HISTOKIE OF 1597. with Huntlie, Erroll, aud xVngus, are ordained to give an account of their diUgence ; whilk they did by producing the articles whilk they had subscryved, withall adding that they were fullie satisfied. THE EAliLE OF HUNTLEY HIS ANSWERS TO THE ARTICLES. He abode at Aberdeen ; heard the word and conference ; agrees to the Confession of Faith ; is readie to sweare and subscryve it ; to participat the sacrament ; will abandone all the forbidden com- panie ; is greeved for the slaughter of the Earle of IMoray ; lies given the King a blank for assythnient of the pairtie ; will satisfie the Kirk in what maner soever they will ; Avill provyde all his kirksj and have a minister in his liouss ; and, in a word, gave a satisfactorie ansAver to all demanded. Sic suhscribitur, HuNTLiE. THE EARLE OF ERROLL HIS ANSWERS TO THE ARTICLES. He did also give Ml satisfactorie answers to all demanded, as did Huntley, acknowledging his excommunication, (just as did he,) begging absolution, promiseing to intertaine no rancor aganis any, especiaUie ministers, (as did he,) &c., omnia ut suj)ra, excepting that anent the Earle of Moray, c^c. Sic suhscribitur, Erroll. THE EARLE OF ANGUS HIS ANSWERS TO THE ARTICLES. He did also in all the demands {ut supra in Huntley and Erroll's respective) gave satisfactorie answeres. Sic suhscribitur, Angus. The Assemblie ratifies and approves what is done ; ordaining the commissioners to proceed in putting them to pcrforme their promises ; in professing to be members of this reformed Kirk of Scotland ; to detest all contrarie religion ; that they sweare and subscry\'c the Confession of Faith, &e. ; particularlie, that Huntley shall make his repentance for the slaughter of the Earle of ]Moray, Avith power to the conunissioners (all reqiiyredlKung done) to absolve the said Earls, and receave them again in to tlie bosome of the Kirk. 1597. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 183 Anent severall of the King's articles referred to this xVssembhe, that Assemblie at Perth is declared lawfull ; the Assemblie yeelded the more to that concerning the King's lawes, in regard he solemn- lie declared his intention alwayes to frame his lawes and whoU governement according to the word of God and work of reforma- tion. Anent the expressing of names, in the poynt of notorietie, it is added, If the cry me be so manifestlie knowen to the world, ut nulla tergiversatione celari possit. As for ministers meetings, their assemblies are confirmed by God's word, and ratified by the lawes of the land. And as for ministers to burghes, if the King or the people dissent from the xissembhe's nomination, they shall give a sufiicient reason e of the refuisaU, either to the haill Assemblie or commissioners. AJSrSAVEKS TO THE REST OF HIS MAJESTIE'S QUESTIONS. The Kirk desyres the King, either by himself or his connnis- sioners, to heare evcrie weightie thing concerning the estate agitat, and, being concluded, to put it in execution. The Assemblie ordains an uniforme way of admission of mini- sters, to be keeped in all tyme comeing, by imposition of hands. That all sessions be elected with advise of their awiu congrega- tions. That the superiour judicatorie sicht aU the processes of the iu- feriom-, and to sec that they be all formall. That in exercises at Presbyteries no particulare applications be used. That in maters of great importance, if the difference of the votes shall be by two or three, nothing be concluded therehi untill better resolution be had ; and that he who sustains the negative with his vote shall give rationem negandi. That Presbyteries meddle with nothing but what is meerUe ecclesiastickk Anent summar exconmuuiication the Assemblie answers nothing : in mean while, suspends all summar excommunications ; alwayes in great and notourc crymes, the Assemblie ordains a publict in- 1H4 THE IIISTOKIE OF 1597. timation of the same to be made, and the committer tliereof to be suspended a sacris, and prohibited a privaio convictu. The King's Majestic, being present at the Assemblie, had a large discom'sc concerning the planting of kirks, and other things whilk could not be done at this Assemblie ; wherefore, desyred a number of discreet and modest brethren to have commission to attend him, that they might advise with him in all things he should propound to them, and to propound greevances to his Majestic. The breth- ren were named, and seven a quorum, Promittendo de rata, &c. About this tyme the Commissioners of the Kirk were continual- lie attending the King, because they began to perceive that plotts were laid down for the alteration of religion, or the bringing in of libertie of conscience at the least. So that upon the l(5th day of De- cember, the King and the commissioners disagreed a long tyme, so that he threatned to remove them off the toune, and that he would be no more troubled with them ; yit in end they concluded all ma- ters with fuU contentment, as appeared, albeit the effects declared the contrare. For upon the morroAv airlie about sixe hours, there came letters charging a great number (about an hundred) of the most zealous professors in Edinburgh, to remove off the toune with- in sixe hours, under the pane of horaing : Who being charged, came and told the ministers, whereat they greatlie mervelled, considder- ing that the King and the commissioners of the Kirk had so peac- ablie concluded all things the night before ; yit for the present thought it meet, that Mr Walter Balcanquall, who wes to preach that day in the Great Kirk, should, after the sermon ended, declare that there wes some thing fallen out, by the expectation of the mi- nisterie tending to the hurt of religion, and, therefore, the brethren of the ministerie of that toune, who had in charge to warn the com- missioners of the Kirk to meet at all such necessarie occasions, should conveen themselves presentlie in the Litle Kirk, where he doubted not but noble men, barons, and other ministers well af- fected, would also meet to give their best advise and concurrence in such a good cause. As, Indeed, a great number nictt : and after 1597. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND, 185 long and grave deliberation, there were certaine commissioners, both barons and ministers, sent to the King, who then was come up to the session : The rest, both noblemen, gentlemen, and ministers, attend- ing what good ansuer should be returned to them. When they came back, their ansuere gave no contentment to the meeting ; and, there- fore, because they thought that some commissioners were sent who Avere not gracious to the King, other commissioners were sent ; but before they returned, when aU were awaiting the King's ansuere, some man came by the kirk-doore, and cryed with a loud voyce in to the kirk. The Papists are all in amies, and will cutt all your throats. Another cryed, immediatlie after that, Mr Wm. Watson is slaiue : and he being one of the commissioners sent to the Iving that secund tyme, upon thir speeches, all who were in the Litle Ku"k ran forth in great feare to see what should be the fray ; and within a short tyme the toune was running to their arms, in great disorder and confusion, some crying one thing, some another ; some God and the Kirk, some God and the King. But the ministers of Edinbm'gh did run among the people, and pacified them all that they coidd. The rascall multitude ran to the Tolbuith, and cryed up to the King, Put away those traitour Lords from yow, or cast them doun to us, and we shall make you quyt of them. The King and the Lords in great feare spake peaceabhe doun to the people, and commanded the Provest and BaUhes to be brought, avIio came in all hast, and removed the people, desu'eing the King to come doune, that they might convoy him in safetie to his awin palace ; whilk was done with great reverence. The lOng in the mean tyme promise- ing, that when the commissioners shoidd come doune to him at afternoone, he should give them contentment : But so soon as he came to the Abbay, after he had taken a drink, he rode forth- with to LinHthgow, where, ^vith advise of some of his councill, there was a proclamation made upon the morrow, being the last day of the week, commanding aU noblemen, barrens, gentlemen, ministers, and others, who v.ere not induellers in the toune of Edinbm-gh, to remove themselves off the toune within sixe houres, under the painc of treasone. 186 THE 11I8T01UE OF 1597. Upon the morrow, being the Lord's day, many people Hocked to the Kii'k to heare the sermons of the mmistcrs, and there were cap- tors appointed to observe what speeches ministers uttered. Lloon- day, the 20th of that instant December, another proclamation, more ample, was made, declaring what a traiterous and seditious tumult was made on Fryday preceeding, being the 17th day of that moneth ; and that the ministers of Edinburgh, especiaUie four of them, being the chief authors thereof, and such burgesses as were principall actors in that tumult, being condignly to be punished for their faults. The magistrats of Edinburgh -were commanded to ap- prehend their ministers and some burgesses, and putt them in sm-e ward, untiU his Majestie's will were further known. Whcreujjon the magistrats, after advisement, Avithdrew themselves, and remained quyetlie in other partes of the countrey, but some burgesses were warded. But shortly after this, the ministers of Edinburgh Avrotc their awin af)ologie to the commissioners of the Kirk ; whereupon the commissioners, allowing of their brethren's apologie, wrot an humble supplication to the King in favours of their brethren, (the foiu- ministers of Edinburgh now being removed from their places and charges,) letting his Majestic see the danger that both the Kirk of God, his awin person and estate Avas in, if he should so pursue the faithfull servants of God, they being innocent, and shoAV such favour to Papists, who indeed Avere traitours, as presentlie he ilid. Whereupon the succeeding yeare, the ministers being called home, the King s Majestic appoynting some of his councill to try them exactlie, Avhat Avas their part that 17th day of December pre- ceeding, they Avere absolved, and theii* part knoAvcn to be both o-odlie and honest. Yit there Aver some noblemen, barons, and burgesses of Edinburgli, fyned for putting on airms that day, and kything openlie as they did, who notwithstanding Averc all knowen to be good Christians, and zealous professores of God's trueth. Tlie Kirk of God noAV being in this pitifull case. Papists and tlieir liivourers ruleing the King, yea and sundrie of the connnissioncrs of the kirk, desireing to be in favour and credit with his Majestic, there is a Generall Assemblieappoynted to be holdcn atDundic, in 1597. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 187 the beginning of March following ; at the whilk assemblie, (after that the King had dealt earnestlie with the commissioners, at least so many of them as he could persuade, and had made them to deaU wath all other ministers, who woidd be persuaded by them, that the King's intention was good and religious, in offering to make the ministers the third estate in Parliament,) began the great change that came upon our kirk ; for there it was concluded, (by pluralitie of votes,) That Ministers should have vote in Parliament, as the bishops and abbots had in tyme of Poperie, and so be the tliii'd estate in the kingdome, and by this means the King laboured as- sm*e the ministers that they should be vindicat from povertie and contempt, wherein for the present they were ; and that he meaned no wayes to bring in Bishops againe in this kirk, but aU that he was doeing was meerlie for their benefite, and to hold out their enemies from doing of them Avrong, showing them what pains he had taken in the preceeding Parliament to get that granted by the estates, that ministers hereafter should be provyded to places, and be the third estate, and have vote in Parliament. So in this Assemblie, after the generaU act was concluded, (that Ministers should vote in Parliament as the third estate of the kingdome, in place of bishops, abbots, &c.,) the AssembHe proponed many things concerning them that should vote in Parhament ; as, 1°. How many ministers should vote in Parliament ; 2°. How they should be chosen ; 3°. How they should be called ; 4°. How long they should continue ; 5°. What rent they shoidd have ; and, lasthe, there were sundi'ie caveats sett doune, whereby they might be keept from coiTuption, and have no superioritie or jurisdiction over their brethren, but to be answerable for aU their doings to the AssembKes of the Kirk, and to their re- spective presbyteries, as any other brother of the ministerie should doe. But because answers to all these questions could not be agi'eed upon at this Assemblie, the commissioners of the Kirk were ordained to reassone and advise among themselves concerning answers to the Questions, and to report the samyn to the nixt GeneraU Assemblie ; Avhilk was appoynted to be holden at Aberdene, with the King's awin consent, in the moneth of Julie the yeare following, 15^9 : 188 THE HISTORIE OP 1598. yit it held not ; for the King had found it came within his pre- rogative royall, to doe with tyme and place as he pleased. At this, some of the commissioners of the Kirk, and others well affect- ed of the ministrie, were greatlie offended, that in so needfull a tyme, the Assemblies of the Kirk should not meet, but be delayed from yeare to yeare. At. the sixty-third Assemblie, holden at Dundie, Marche 7, 1597, [1597-8,] Mr Peter Blackburn, Moderator, the King present. The whoU process, excommunication, and absolution of the three Earles, Huntley, Angus, and Erroll, is ordained to be registrat in the Assemblie books : the Provinciall books are all to be examined by the Generall Assemblie. Because some Provincialls have not commissioners at the Gene- rall Assemblie, because the men chosen comes not, it is inacted, That he who comes not, being chosen, (haveing health,) shall losse the tenth part of a year's stipend ; and if he may not sustaine him- self, the rest of the brethren shall contribute for his charges, that lie may stay till the end of the AssembUc ; and he that refuises to contribut shall losse the tenth part of his stipend ; and the man chosen and sustained, who refuises to come, shall be suspended fra his ministrie ay and wliiU the Assemblie be satisfied. Because sundrie grievances were given in aganis commissioners appoyntcd to await on the King, a connnittie of tAventy-five was ajipoyntcd to receave all their proceedings in writ, and to examine all, and report to the Assemblie. GRIEVANCES TO BE PROPONED TO HIS MAJESTIE. 1°. To crave releef to ministers who lies not whereupon they may live. 2°. That the taxemen of the teinds be craved and charged im- mediatlie, that ministers be not troul)lcd at tlic law. ?>°. Cause jnake an Act of Parliament aganis buriall in kirks. 1°. To crave redress of adulterous n'lariages, where nocent per- sons divorced for adultoi'ic craA(\< (o be maricd lowthcr. 1598. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 189 5°. Murderers relaxit fi-a the horn, not satisfieing the partie, ( whilk is no token of repentance,) seeks to be relaxit fra excommu- nication, obviat that. 6°. Try if the trvell of witches by a confessed witch be lawful), yea or not. 7°. To regrait that laick patrons mock the Kirk, and yit an Act of Parliament is past in their favours, for it gives to them the whoU benefice if they present a qualified man, and the Kirk admitt him not ; now the Kirk cannot admitt him, because the patron before hand takes his oath, that he shall sett him back such tacks for so small a duetie. Now, because of this simoniacall paction, the Kirk cannot admitt him. THE king's MAJESTIE's AJSTSWEES. The 1st and 2d granted, that is, the greevance being given in to the councill, the King will hold hand to it, and promised to stay any execution aganis the ministrie present at the Assembhe, whill the 15th of Aprile nixt. 3°. Give in an overture to the nixt Parliament, that everie nobleman big a buriall place to himself. 4°. That an Act might be made, declareing the mariage null and the children bastards. 5°. The Ku-k may proceed still aganis the murderer till they see the partie satisfied, and cleare signs of repentance. 6". In the last Parliament, that mater of witchcraft is remitted to certaine coiuicellours, ministers, advocats, and physicians, to con- sult and report. 7°. An Act wovdd be made to redresse that abuse of laick pa- trons. Magistrats who setts witches free, being convict of witchcraft, to be severelie proceeded aganis with the highest censurs of the Kirk. The minister who maries persons not thrice lawfiillie proclaimed shalbe depryved, and the persons so maried, for so preposterouslie hasting to their mariage, to make pubhct repentance. 100 THE IIISTOKIE OF 1598. That no pictures nor images be caried about at burialls, under the paine of censure. That no beneficed person get transportation whill it be seen what tacks he hes or not, or if he hes meliorat or deteriorat his benefice any way to the prejudice of his successor. If a minister throw povertie be not able to plead his gleeb and manse, that the rest assist him by contributing till he evict it. An Act of Parliament desyred to be made, that tacksmen aug- ment the dueties of their teinds for sustentation of the ministrie, the King promises so to doe, and the ministrie is desyred to provyde good overtures for planting of his Kirk, and that everie one try the just valor of the teinds within his pariosh, to whom they are sett, and for wdiat duetie, and to whom the duetie is payit. Greevances given in aganis the commissioners, and their answers Avere both red ; yit, for continuance of peace and quyetnes in the Kirk, it is concluded that all those greevances be obliterat and buried. Forsameikle as the commissioners of the Kii-k, regairding the libertie of the Kirk of God, gave in to the late Parliament sundrie articles tending to that end, and, among the rest, craved that the Kirk, as the third estate, (according to former lawes, ordinances, and practise,) might have vote in Parliament. This their doing, proceeding of a godlie intention, they (how soever) does submitt to the present Assemblie, to be allowed or disallowed as they thought fitt. After mature deliberation, it is caried, be pku'alitic of votes, that the Kirk, as the third estate, should sute vote in Par- liament. The King's Majestic, to testifie his good intention to the Kirk, did siirnifie how he concui'red with the commissioners to suit vote in Parliament to the Ku-k, as the thml estate, whilk in some sort wes crranted, but severall circumstances to be determined bv this Assemblie, whilk he had assembled before the appoyntcd tymc for that verie cause ; wherefore, ere they came to the circumstances desyred to voyce, whither it were lawftill and expedient that the Kirk, as the third estate, sliould liave vote in Parliament, yen, or 1598. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 191 not ? The mater, after long debat and dispute, in utrumque partem^ in open Assemblie being referred to voyceing, it is caried affirma- tivlie that it wes lawfiill and expedient. As to the number of voters, that there should be fifty-one, answerable to the num- ber of bishops, abbots, and priors, in tyme of Poperie. Their election of a mixt nature, partlie to belong to the King, partlie to the Kirk. And because the brethren could not be fullie re- solved for the present concerning the office of him who should vote in Parliament, of the way of his choiseing, of his rent, of tlie continuance of his office, of his name and style, of the cautions and caveats requisit to keep him fi'a corruption ; therefore, the Assem- blie ordains all the Provinciall Synods to meet the first Tuesday of June nixtocome, and after reassoning and rype advisement upon the former particulars, that each Synod choise three of their wisest and discreetest of theu' number, Avho, with the doctors and masters of the universities, shall meet with his Majestic, as he shall appoynt tyme and place, (giveing a moneth's premonition,) and, in case of agreement and uniformitie, that they have power to conclude the haill question concerning vote in Parliament with all its cir- cumstances, otherwise, in case of discrepance, to refer it to the nixt Generall Assemblie. That Presbyteries meet once a week in full number, at least all within eight myles of the Presbyterie's seat. That everie minister studie the text of exercise. That a commone head be handled once in the moneth, both by discourse and disputation. That everie pastor have a weeklie instruction and examination of a part of his congregation. And all these to be observed, under paine of incurring the censures of the Kirk. Mr John Davidson protested that this Assemblie was not a free Assemblie, the Moderator asking. If any would adhere to his protes- tation ? none wes found that woidd adhere to it ; yit he desyred it to be insert in the Assemblie books. That everie Presbyterie send to the Generall Assemblie three brethren and no moe, and that they have a written commission, and that they send a ruleing elder, a man of good qualitie, and that li.'2 THE IIISTOKI!-: OF 1598. each burgh send one commissioner ; but Edinburgh shall liave the j)riviledge to send two. TrafFectcrs with Spaine to be proceeded aganis according to for- mer acts. The Presbyteries of Dundie and Arbi'oth are ordamed to sum- niond before them the Countess of Huntley, Suderland, and Catncs, to sweare and subscryve the Confession of Faith, under the paine of cxcommvmication. The nixt Generall Assemblie ordained to hold at Aberdeen the first Tuesday of Julie 1599 ; yit it held at Montrose, March 18, 1600. The King perceaveing that many of the ministrie were altogether aganis that conclusion made at Dundie, and finding a protestation made aganis it, it so inraged the King, that the giver in thereof behoved to remove off the toune, and go over the water to his awin place and particulare calling ; who not the less was soone after that removed fra liis ministrie in that part, and placed in another congregation. Also, at that Assemblie, there were many greevances given in aganis the commissioners by sundrie honest ministers who saw the Kirk falling to a decay, and fearfiill division entering in. The King's Majestie took great pains, and keept all the sessions of that As- semblie himself, and in end got all the greevances buried. Promise- ing to doe nothing in that mater of vote in Parliament by the ministers, but with great advisement and deliberation of the wisest and discreetest men of the ministrie ; inveighing in the meantyme vehemcntlie aganis such of the ministrie as either out of ijjnorancc, or els malicious evill Avill aganis his good intentions, woidd not let the samyn go fordward. And because the number of the ministers who altogether did withstand that ministers should have vote in Parliament, or be provydcd to such places, were almost als many as they that voted for it, (and, therefore, according to the Act at Dundie, Male 10, 1597, page 130[183,]'nothing should have been at that tyme concluded,) the King, by earnest dealling, condescended 1598. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 193 that there should be a great number of ministers conveened Avlth the commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, at Haliroodhouse, the 17 day of November anno 1599, who should reasone the ques- tions exactlie, in utramque partem, Whether it should be lawfull and expedient that Ministers should be provyded to prelacies, and be the Third Estate of the kingdome, to vote in Parliament, in Conven- tions, arid in the King's Councill, yea, or not. The day and place wes keeped by the ministers on both sydes, and great reasonings and many arguments were brought, espe- ciaUie by them who were aganis vote in Parliament. The snme of aU Avas taken up in this argument : — That whilk is aganis the expresse word of God is unlawfull; but that the ministers of Christ should be involved and intangied with the efFairs of this Hfe, name- he, with civill policie, judicatories, and efFairs of kingdoms, is aganis the expi'ess word of God ; Ergo, To be thus involved (as by the conclusion of the Assemblie they must be, haveing laid such an office on them) is unlawfull. The major proposition being unquestionable, the minor is taken out of the verie words of Paull, 2 Tim. ii. 4, " No man that Avarreth intangleth himself with the afFau's of this life," &c. This being the maine thing, was largelie insisted upon, and many sentences of Scripture and testimonies of Fathers brought in to confimie the same, whilk were tedious to recite all of them ; yit here take some of them. 1°. Ministers should not be abstracted from the preach- ing of the word and prayer ; no not by imploying them in eccle- siastical] affairs, (Acts vi. 2, 4.) This being true in the Apostles, men eminentlie and extraordinarlie gifted with all the gifts of the Holie Ghost, what may be said of others ? nor by imploying them in oeconomick and naturall morall dueties, as a man to goe and burie his father, (Luke ix. 59, &c.) ; Ergo, Much less in the efFairs of Parliament and state maters. Yea, further, seing ministers are separated and sett apart for the gospell as Paull speaks, Rom. i. 1, Therefore they are sett apart fra civill efFairs to the preaching of the gospell, Avhilk should be done in season and out of season, that is, at all tymes, and to what end, but that they may please their N 194 THE HISTOKIE OF 1599. Captaine and Lord Jesus Christ, and won in als many soulls to his kingdome as possiblie they can, yea, and save their awin soulls, that they, by their negligence, be not guiltie of the blood of the soulls of their people concredit to them, according to that most grave, most Avorthie, and weightie exhortation given by the Apostle Paull to his scholler and fellow-labourer, 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, whilk, no doubt, appertains to all the ministers of the gospell. 2°. An other argument, that ministers should beare supremacie or domination, or be called Lords, is aganis the word of God ; but this office given to them imports that ; Ergo, &c. The proposi- tion is from Clnrist's awin words. Mat. xx. 25, &c. ; Mark x. 42, &c. ; Lidie xxii. 25, &c. ; 1 Pet. v. 1, &c. 3°. Another argument, the confounding and jumbling of juris- dictions distinguished in the word of God, is contrare to the word of God, but the conclusion of the Assemblie in giveing vote in Parliament to ministers imports that ; Ergo, The proposition is evident, 2 Chron. xix. last verse. The assumption was proven by Christ's practise. He would not be a king nor a judge, nor a divyder, and he commanded to give to Casar that whilk is Caesar's, and to God that Avhilk was God's. Yit, what throw shortnes of tyme, what throw unwillingnes to heare so pungent arguments, they were not insisted upon ; but a grave and weightie speech and exhortation was given to the King's Majestic, telling him, that by small degrees the Pope of Rome was risen to that pride and preferment, that he inthroned and dethroned kings and emperours at his pleasure, beseeching liim to beware to sett up such an hierarchie in this Kirk, because it was contrare to God's Avord and the Covenant, and he or his posteritie might smart for it, &c. (How truelie this propheticall exhortation is now vere- fied in his son, King Charles the First, the Bishops haveing been the direct cause of his ruine, is cvidentlie cleare to all.) In the nixt meeting they began againe where they left ; and the ministers standing for the Reformed discipline of this Kirk, caused read that Act of Parliament whereby it ,was ordained that Ministers provyded by the King's Majestic to prelacies should be the third es- 1599. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND, 195 tate of the kingdome, and have vote in Parliament. Against the tenor of the wholl Act they used many arguments ; 1°. From testimonies of Scriptures ; 2°. From natural] and commone reason, taken from the sayings of great and wise philosophers, and from om' awin commone proverbs : — ' Many yrons in the fire, part must coole,' and, ' A man of many crafts never uses to thryve ;' joyning thereto the saying of good Queen Elizabeth, which commonelie she used when ever she was urged to make a good preacher a bishop : " Alace ! for pitie, (said she,) for we have marred a good preacher to-day." And the King himself, at that same time, considdering the trueth of the mater, and how in mirrines, yit in modestie, all things were spoken, besought the Brethren there present that they should not consent to take any of his ministers to make them prelats. Then also were given in, to corroborat their arguments, sundrie sayings of ancient Fathers, and of Neotoricks and canons of Coun- cills ; whereof thir are some: — Tertullian de Idolatria, cap. 18 : — Si jpotestatem nullam ne in suus exercuit Christus, &c. ; that is, If Christ exercised no authoritie or domination above his awin apostles, if he himself refused to be a king, being myndiull of his awin kingdome, then herein hes he given and laid down a platforme to all his dis- ciples to cast them down from all hight, both of dignitie and power ; for who should have used such formes rather than the Son of God; and yit who can shew me any tokens of liis autoritie, or any gold to shyne upon his head, whereby he hes refuised this worldhe glorie, and hes forbidden it to his ministers, so he hes casten by such things as he would not take upon himself, and hes damned them ; and such things as he damned in the pompe of the divill, he hes utterlie casten away. Damasus Condone ad NeoccBsarienses et Antiochice: — Episcopi qui scBcularibus intenti curis, greges chorepiscopis vel vicariis commen- dant, &c. ; that is, Such bishops as are burdened and bussied with the cares of this life, and gives over the cares of their flocks to in- ferior bishops, or curats, or vicars, appears tome to belike harlotts, who so soone as they have born their bairns, gives them out to nurses to be brought up, that they may get their fowll lust the sooner sa- 19(5 THK HISTORIK OF 1599. tisfied ajraine : So thir men yives their bairns and flocks to be nurish- ed by others, that they may fulfill their awin pleasm-es, and cast their care upon worldlie things, and doe that whilk then- apetite leads un- to, whereby many soulls are neglected, the sheep perisheth, and dis- eases groweth among them, schisms and heresies springs out. The Lord taught never such things to be done, neither did apostles in- stitute them, &c. And ford ward in a large discourse, and makes a comparison betwixt Jacob, who wes so good a sheepheard to his father-in-law Laban, who sustained the heat of the day and the cold of the night, that none of his sheep should be inlaiking, and thir negligent bishops, who cares not how many soulls pensh, Avhilk are God's sheep ; beseeching Christ Jesus, who gave his life for liis sheep, to teach pastors to doe their duetie. Primasius 2 Ep. ad Tim. cap. ii. 4: — Comparatione militum uti- tUTj ut ostendat nos a negotiis secidarihus multo magis liheros de- bere esse, &c., that is. The apostle useth the comparison taken from men of warre, that he might shew us that Ave ought much more to be freed from Avorldlie bussiness, that we may please Christ Jesus, seino- worldlie souldiours draws themselves from other adoes into the Avorld, that they may please their earthlie king and com- mander. Bemardus de Consider, lib. ii. cap. 4, ad Eiigenium Popam. — Apos- tulus interdicifnr dominatus, ergo, tu usurpare audes, &c. ; that is. All domination (and lordship) is forbidden to the apostles, how dai'es thou then usurp the same ? The Lord gave them an apostleship, but forbade them domination ; they are both taken from thee ; and if thou would have both, thou shall losse both. And after that he sayeth, no man shall ever let me see where any of the apostles sat as judges to other men, or to sett in marches, or to divyde men's lands. To conclude, I read that they stood to be judged, but to have sittcn doune and judged others I read not. As for the testimonies of Ncotericks, there Avere many brought in from Calvin, and Beza, &c. I Avill onlie relate one bi'ought out of Peter Martyr his sermons upon the Gospell according to Luke, Avhcre he sayeth, Disfmgid oportef, &c. ; that is, AYc must make a 1599. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 197 distinction betuix the civill and ecclesiastick functions, because any one of thir requyrs a wholl man ; yea, farther, scarceKe shall ye finde any man that can discharge any one of thu* flmctions rightlie, everie one of thu- caUings haveing such difficulties into them. As to the canons of Councills, thir are some few of the many that were given in : — 1°. The 80 Canon called Apostolicall, and so reputed verie ancient, sayeth, We determine that a bishop or presby- ter shall not involve himself in the publict aifau-s, but he shall at- tend and shew himself carefull in ecclesiasticall bussines ; either doe this heartlie, or ye shall be deposed fra yoiu: calling. No man can serve tuo masters. The fom-th Synod, holden at Carthage, Canon 20 : — Let not a bishop draw himself back to the cairs of his houshold effairs, but onlie give himself to reading and preaching of the word. The sixth Generall Councill holden at Constantinople : — Ecclesi- astick and politick eminencie are not competent to bishops ; there- fore, if any bishop, presbyter, or diacone, Avoidd have both princi- palities, that is, the Koman and priesthe dignitie, let him be de- posed ; for we should give to Cnesar the things that are Ctesars, and to God the things that are God's. The adverse partie standing for the Act of Parliament, and de- termination of the Assemblie following thereupon, granting ministers to be the third estate of the kingdome, and, therefore, thinking it meett that they should vote in Parliament, were desyred to bring forth such reasons as they had for the same. They insisted most upon tuo: 1°. Evangelium non dcstruit politiam ; atqiie hcec conclu- sio est pars politicB, that ministers shall ha^'e vote in Parhament ; ergo, Our profession of the evangell destroyes not that part of the poHcie of the kingdome ; but it may be easilie answered, that it is not the destruction of the pohcie to be simplie managed by politick men and seculare ; 2°. Ministri suntcives et libera capita IteipuhliccB ; Therefore, they should have theu- vote in making of their lawes to govern the commone wealth. To the whilk reasons it Aves ansuered, That if the commone wealth be not governed according to God's word, the gospell is aganis that government ; and as to the other 11)8 THE HISTOlilE OF 1600. argument, albeit ministers be free citizens in a kingdome, or some part thereof, they need not vote in Parliament, because there are barrons and bm'gesses that alreadie votes for the bounds where any minister duells. Therefore, the ministers standing for the refonned discipline, asked some argument out of scripture, but there wes none given ; onlie the other ministers did bring in great worldlie in- conveniences, if this Act sett doune should not goe fordward. And the King's Majestic declared, that his purpose in that mater wes chieflie to releeve the ministers of the povertie and contempt they were into ; and finding that there could be no agreement among them, brake up the meeting, and bade them blame themselves if they would not imbrace such a good offer ; referring all maters to the nixt Assemblie, which was appoynted by the King absolutelie, (as a part of his prerogative royall,) to be holden at Montrose the 18th day of March 1600, and notified onlie by sound of trumpet at the mercat-cros§e of Edinburgh, and other needfull places : — ^AVliilk many good christians wondered at, seing the like was never practised before ; and then the law was standing in force, never discharged, but rather confirmed by Act of Parliament, that the Generall As- semblies of the Kirk should be appoynted by the Kirk, and tyme and place nominat by the preceding Assemblie, with the King's Ma- jestie's consent, or, in his absence, with consent of his Majestie's commissioners, when and where the succeeding Assemblie should meet. So when the tvme of this Assemblie came, the great mater herein handled, was to give answers to those Questions proponed at Dundie concerning him that should vote in Parliament in name of the Kirk. At the sixty-fourth Assemblie, holden at Montrose, March 18, 1600, Mr Robert Wilkie, Moderator: The King present. Inactcd, that he who keeps not the presbytery weeklie, shall be suspended fra his ministrie, if he be a contemner of the ordour. The erection of the new kirk of Stranrawer is ratified and ap- ])roven. The Assemblie recommends as a good and godlle work, the bigg- 1600. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 199 ing of new kirks, and the erecting of new congregations, where the pariosh is so vast and large that the people cannot commodiouslie repair to then' Mrks aheadie builded. Because many are non-communicants under pretext of dead- lie fead and other frivolous excuses ; therefore, each minister is to take diligent heed that everie one of his people communicat once a yeare, (who are not debarred,) the recusants to be dilated to his Majestic, that the Act aganis non-communicants may be executed aganis them ; and if a pariosh want a minister, the presbyterie shall take ordour with the congregation, and the person charged to com- municat shaU have three moneths advysement, after which, the act to be execute aganis him. Because ministers were charged with letters of horning, before the Secret Councill, for executing the acts of the ku'k aganis malefactors ; the King promises no such letters should be dhected aganis a minister in aU tyme comeing, except the requyerer produce a testimoniall de negata justitla. ARTICLES AGANIS PAPISTS, &C., TO BE GIVEN IN TO THE NIXT CONVENTION. 1°. That all Jesuits, and excommunicat Papists, be apprehended and keept in ward ay and wliill they be converted or punished, ac- cording to the Acts of Parliament, or be banished the countrey. 2°. That their resetters and friends finde caution, under a pecu- niall mulct, according to their abilitie, never to resett them againe. 3°. That they be charged to satisfie the Kirk within three moneths, under the paine of horning, and if they faiU, that they be de- nounced, and after a year's rebeUion, that their rents be intromitted with by the King's theasurer, and not disponed to any donator. 4°. That Huntley be charged to exhibit (according to his band) John Gordon of Newtoune, Patnk Butter, and Mr Alex. Leslie, that they may be committed, &c. Forsamuch as diverse inconveniencies aryses dayhe by the uu- tymeous marieing of young and tender persons, before they come to the age meet for mariage, it is ordained, That no minister joyne in matrimonie any persons, except the man be fourteen 200 THE HISTORIE OF 1()00. years of age, and the woman twelve complelt at the least. This to be desired to be ratified in the Convention. The Generall Assemblie questions, If a blinde man may be a pastor of a congTcgation ? and so, for this tyme onlie, gives Mr John Boyll, blinde, libertie to preach. Because the mariage of persons convict of adulterie is a great allurement to the sin, thinking thereby to get divorcement, to crave an act of the Convention aganis it. The particulars concerning vote in Parhament not yit deter- mined, the commissioners beeing conveened at Falkland, gave their advise : — 1°. Concerning the choyseing of him who shall vote in Parlia- ment, the Kirk shall nominat sixe for everie place vaiking, and the King shall choise one of the sixe, or if there be relevant ex- ceptions aganis all the sixe ; the Kii'k shall name other sixe, out of which the King shall choise one, and no other but one of that number, and he that shall be thus chosen shall be admitted by the Synods.- 2°. The Generall Assemblie shall have the nomination of him who in name of the Kirk shall vote in Parliament ; Synods and Presbyteries shall direct their advise in writ thereanent to the Generall Assemblie, and the Synods have libertie to nominat a man alswell without as within the province ; yet, cceteris paribus, one within the province to be preferred. 3°. As to his rent, that the kirks being provyded, schoolls and colledges not prejudged, the King shall give him all the rest of that benefice whereunto he is preferred. 4°. His name or style shall be commissioner of the Kirk fra such a place ; if the Parliament be not content of that name, the Gene- rall Assemblie shall conclude that question. 5°. Concerning his continuance in his office ad vitam, or ad cul- pam, or if for a short tyme, the commissioners of Synods being di- vyded in opinions, it is referred to the AssembHe's flirther consi- deration. 6°. As to the Caveats to keep him fra corniption who should 1600. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 201 vote in Parliament ; 1°. That he presume not to propone in name of the Kii'k at Parliament, Councill, or Convention, without an ex- press warrand and direction fra the Kuk, and that it be such a thing as is for the weaU of the Kirk, under the paine of deposition ; and in any thing that may be prejudicial! to the Kirk, he shall not keep silence, under the same paine. 2°. He shall give an account of aU he lies done since the last Assembhe to the succeeding Assembhe, shall submitt hunself to their censure without appellation, seekand ratification of his doeings at the Assembhe, under the paine of ex- communication and infamie. 3°. He shall content himself with that part of his benefice whilk shall be allotted to him by his Ma- jestic, not wronging or prejudging others, or kirks planted, or to be planted ; and this clause to be insert in his provision. 4°. He shall not dilapidate any part of his benefice, nor make any disposi- tion, or sett any tacks, without the consent of the King and Gene- raU Assembhe, and for that efiect he shall inhibit himself, and be content that inhibitions be raised to stay him from dilapidation. 5°. He shall attend on liis particulare flock, and be subject to the censure of his Presbyterie and Provinciall Synod, alswell as any other minister that bears not any such commission. 6°. He shall usurpe no poynt of jvu'isdiction or autoritie in administration of discipline or ecclesiasticall governement further nor any other of the rest of his brethren, and that under the paine of deprivation ; and after he hes presumed to doe any thing in the ecclesiasticall governement, if any impediment be made by the Presbyterie, Pro- vinciall, or GeneraU Assembhe, whatsoever he does after that im- pediment to be null ipso facto, without any declarator. 7°. In Presbyteries, ProvinciaU, or Generall Assemblies, he shall be (as any other minister) subject to censm-e. 8°. At his admission he shall sweare and subscryve tliir Caveats, with the certifications and penalties contained in them, otherwise not to be admitted. 9°. If he be deposed by the Generall Assemblie, Provinciall Assembhe, or Presbyterie, ipso facto he shall lose his vote in Parhament, and his benefice shall vaik, 10°. That the Kirk make further caveats from tyme to tyme, as they shall see fitt and finde occasion. '202 THE HISTORIE OF 1600. All whilk circumstances the Assemblie allowes, and desyres that they all, especiallie the Caveats, be insert in the bodie of the Act of Parhament that is to be made for confirmation of the Kirk's vote in Parliament, as most necessare and substantial! parts of the same. Anent a supplication given in by the Presbyterie of Deare, makand mention, that Philorth had erected a colledge in Fraser- burgh, and had agreed with Mr Charles Ferme to be both mini- ster of the towne and master of the coUedge, whilk IMi* Charles refuises to accept, except he be commanded by the General! As- semblie ; wherefore, the Generall Assemblie (considdering the necessitie of the work, and the abilities of the man) ordains the said Mr Charles Ferholme' to undertake the said charges, and to await upon them. The question anent the tyme of the commissioner who is to vote in Parliament :.his remaining in his office is determined thus, — That annuatim he shall give an account to the Assembhe, and lay doAvn his office at their feet, to be continued or altered as the Assembhe and King's Majestic shaU judge most meet for the weal of the Kirk. The commissioner to vote in assembled Parliament is not to vote in the GeneraU Assemblie be vertue of that commission ; but according as he lies a call from, and a commission granted to him by, his awin presbyterie. It is found by the Assemblie that crime?! ambitus shall be a suffici- ent cause of deprivation of him who shall have vote in Parliament. It is ordained that none speak aganis this Act anent vote in Par- liament, and that each intimat it out of pulpit. Commissioners are appointed to attend the King, nine a quorum. ' Ferme, or Fairholmc, was educated at the College of Edinburgh, under Rol- lock, and took his degree of Master of Arts in the year 1587, being the first class that graduated. Two years later he was chosen a Regent in the College, and he held this office till 1599, when he was translated to be minister of the parish, and Principal of the new CoUoge erected at Philorth or Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. The MS. of his Latin Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans having been re- covered long after his decease, it was published at Edinburgh 1G51, small 8 vo., by Principal Adamson, (then aged 7-J,) who had been his conipaniun at college, and who prefixed to it a brief notice of the Author. 1600. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 203 Promittendo de rato, &c., they are to plant ministers in burghs, as now the south-west kirk in Edinburgh, vakand by the deceass of Mr Eobert Kollock \^ to present the greevances of this Assemblie to the nixt Convention ; to receave their answers ; to intertaine peace betwix his Majestie and the Kirk; to cognosce of any enor- mitie whereby the King is greeved ; to see to the commone effairs of the Kirk; to advise mth his Majestie anent the effectuating of a constant Piatt, &c. Mr Thomas Hope is admitted and sworn solicitor and advocat for the Kirk, in place of James Mowat, who dimitted the same office. Visitation of Presbyteries is appoynted, giveand them power to plant and transplant, suspend and depose, and doe all that the As- semblie might doe, and to report their dUigence; recommending especiallie Presbyteries far south and far north to be carefullie visited. The nixt Assemblie is appoynted to hold at St Androes, the last Tuesday of Julie 1601. Thus after the vote at Dundie concerning vote in Parliament, the generall and main question, whither ministers should have vote in Parliament, yea, or not, the King would never suffer to speak of it againe in open Assemblie, but the circumstances wes deter- mined at Monros. Thus the King obtained his grand purpose in getting the ministers to be the third estate in Parliament, to vote in the place of bishops, abbots, and priors, as in tyme of Poperie : it was a prettie devyse to put men in an unlawfull and corrupt office, and then sett downe a number of caveatts (lyke Samson's half-burnt coards) to binde him to honestie, and to hold him from corruption. Here also observe two, — Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare, et^ Divide et regna. — The King (as has been said) obtained a number of commissioners to attend him, whereof any nine to be a fiill number to determine any thing, but they behoved alwayes to be countable to, and censurable by, the nixt Generall Assemblie. • This emiuent divine died on the 8th of January 1598-9. He was the first Principal of the College of Edinburgh, and, at the same time, one of the eight ministers of tho city. 204 THE HISTORIE OF 1600. In this lueantyiuc, the King disijones three bishopricks to three of the commissioners : Rosse to Mr David Lindsay, minister at Leeth ; Catnes to Mr George Gladstanes, minister at St Andi'oes ; and Aberdeen to Mr Peter Blackburn, then minister at Aberdeen ; but they keept the mater so quyet, for feare of the censm'es of the Kirk, that they durst not profess any such purpose. Yit Mr Peter Blackburn, fearing that his mater should be discovered, came to Mr Patrick Simson, minister at Stu'hn, and made this narrative to him, — That the King (who at that tyme was in Stu-hn) had offered the bishoprick of Aberdeen to him, assureing him if he Avoidd not take it for his avdn benefite and the benefite of his brethren, to pro- vyde them better, he would dispone it to a courteour ; and said, that he had advised Avith Masters Robert Bruce and Andi'o Melvill, and others, who were flathe aganis the raiseing up of bishops in this Kirk, yit did they counsell him to take the benefice, and let the Generall Assemblie provyde kirks therewith, and also give him so much as they thought expedient, rather than put it into the hands of a courteour, avIio wold never quyt it againe. Mr Patrick Simson answered. My particulare judgment is too too weak to give you counsell in such a weightie bussines ; but to-morrow is our Presbyterie day, ye shall doe well to come in to the Presbyterie, and crave the advise of them all ; whilk he said he would doe. And comeing to-morrow, and relating this discourse to all the brethren, as is alreadie sett downe, after advisement and good deliberation, they pen an Act witli his awin consent, that he shall accept of the benefice under this condition, — That he shall come to the nixt Ge- nerall Assemblie, and lay the benefice down at theu' feet, and be content to take so much thereof as the Assembhe shoidd allow to his awin stipend after that all the kirks within the benefice were well provyded ; whilk Act he promised to stand to, and subscry ved the same willinglie, as the Presbyterie books may testifie. But the King heareing of this, knowing how obstructive it would prove to his purpose, sent for Bishop Blackbimi a;t the nixt Assemblie, and stayed any resolution of that kynd to be put in execution, (iowrie's conspiracie Avas August f), being Tuosdiiy. IGOl. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 205 At the sixty-fifth Assembhe, holden at Brimtiland, the 12 of Maie 1601, Mr Johne Hall, Moderator : The King present. A great defection being sensiblie entered in this Kirk from the puritie, zeaU, and practise of religion, the brethren first considdered the causes thereof, whilk are these : — 1°. The unreverent estimation of the gospell, sins of all estats, disgraceing the christian profession, makeing the Lord's name to be blasphemed among the profane world, without any remorse. 2°. The negligence of ministers in not discovering of apostats, and in not executing of lawes, and exerciseing discipHne aganis them that are discovered. 3°. Want of pastors, many kirks not planted, many displanted through the diminution of the thirds, where they have been pro- vyded. 4°. Places of chiefest importance not planted with sufficient pas- tors, chief burghs, the Ejng's houss, disaflfected noblemen's housses, and place of residence, Dumfries, &c. D°. Too sudden admission of yoimg men to the ministrie. 6°. Young men admitted become neghgent in reading of the Scriptiu'es and controversies of the tunes. 7°. Ministers not frameing their lives and conversations in gra- vitie, as patterns to the people ; but at communications at tables, and in relation to intemperancie, and being light and prodigall in their abuikements, and the garments of those of their families, frames themselves to the humores of men, and not to God's will. 8°. Division and distraction of mynds, wliilk is supposed to be among the ministrie. 9°. The distraction of his Majestie's mynd, whilk is supposed to be from some not of the worst of the ministrie. 10°. The advanceiug of men suspect in religion, and knowen to be evill afiected to the cause of God, unto offices, honores, and credit in Court, Councill, and Session, and other rowms of great concernement. 11°. The desolation of Edinburgh through want of pastors. 12°. The constant residence and intertainment of avowed papists 2()I6 THE HISTORIE OF 1601. in hir Mujestie's court and companie, sucli as the Ladie Huntley and Margaret Wood, sister to the laird of Bonytoune, &c. 13°. The education of their Majestie's children in the companie of professed, avoAved, and obstinate papists, such as the Ladie Livingstone, &c. 14°. The careles education of the children of noble men, heirs of great housses, the sending them out of the countrey, under the charge of pedagogues suspect in religion, or not well grounded therein, to be brought up in places where poperie is professed. 1 5°. The impunitie of skippers transporting hither Jesuits, priests, &c., under the name of passengers ; bringing hither their coffers and books ; and the impunitie of those that conveyes and scatters their books through the countrey. 1G°. Decay of schoolls, and so of education of youth, for want of maintenance, especiallie in landwart. 17°. Men challenged of poperie, dureing the verie time of their process, hes accesse to Court. 18°. The late reconccalled popish Lords, Huntley, Angus, ErroU, are not m*ged to performe the conditions agreed upon at the tyme of their recoucihation Avith the Kirk. REMEDIES OF THE FORMER EVILLS. 1°. A generall humiliation over the Avholl land, and fast for the sins of the land and contempt of the gospcll, to be keeped the two last Sabbaths of June, and all the Aveek inter veening, Avhere an auditor may be had, as in tOAvns. 2°. The planting of unplantcd kirks can be recommended to none but to his Majestic, who oulie can doe it cffectuallie ; and that the thirds be keeped inteer. 3°. That the kirks of noble men's residence (especially suspected, disaffected, or popish) be planted Avith honest and able ministers, particularie Huntley, Angus, Erroll, Hoome, and Herress ; and, in mean while, because their kirks cannot Be provydcd in an instant, nominats some cholsc brethren by tours to attend them, :ind the Presbyteries to supplie these brethren's places. 1601. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 207 4:0. His Majestle would be requested to account them, and let them be accounted, suspect of religion who dealls m favom's of profFest traffecting papists, and that none such have the honour to be in his house, of his Court, upon his Councill, or one of the Session. 5°.. That none be suffered to resort to Court who wants the Kirk's testimonial! of then* obedience. 6°. That the names of aU non-communicants through the whoU land be taken up in a roll, subscryvit by the minister respective of each pariosh where they are, and the moderator of the Presbyterie, and so sent to the King's ministers, that ordour may be taken with such enemies to rehgion. 7°. To try if the late reconceaUed Lords hes performed all the conditions and articles subscryvit by them at their receaveing, and, if not, to be urged to perfonne theu" promise ; and if they refuise, that the King's Majestic may be advertised by his ministers. 8°. That it be inacted by his Majestic and Councill, that noble- men send no pedagogues abroad with their sonns but such as have the Presbyterie's testimoniall of their positive and knowen affection to the cause of God, and who be pious in their life and conversa- tion ; that they remaine in places where the trueth is professed, at least where there is no restraint upon it by inquisition ; that they finde caution that they shall haimt no idolatrous worship (such as masse) dureing their remaining abroad; that such as have not moyen and abilitie to send pedagogues vdth their sonns, be ordained to send them onlie to such places where the trew reformed religion is professed ; and if then- sonns obey not their counsell, that they finde caution not to send intertainment or money to their sonns ; and if those youths come home papists, that they be disinherited and debarred from heritages, honom'S, places, or what ever other- wise they might have expected, and when their breiffs is served, that this shall be a relevant exception ; and if parents transgress in any of thu* things, that they shall incur such punishment as the King and Councill shall modifie ; and such as are presentlie out of the countrey be reclamed and recalled to such a day as the Councill shall designe, or the parents to be lyable ut supra. 208 THE HISTORIE OF IGOl. 9°. That all skippers land at open ports, and ere they sett any on land, that all passlngers be presented to the magistrats to be sighted and seen who they are, under the paine of escheting the ship, goods and geare, to his Majestie's use. 10°. The King promised to transport his awin daughter fra my Ladie Livingstone before Martinmas nixt. 11°. And because the not planting of kirks is a great cause of all the defection, the work of the constant Piatt Avould be furthered ; wherefore commissioners are presentlie named to conveen with some of his Majestie's Councill, and to lay downe grounds of, and overtures for, the furtherance thereof, and to report theu' diligence to the nixt Assemblie. In respect of Mr John Craig his death, and Mr John Duncan- son liis great age, ministers are nominat at his Majestie's desire for his and the X^ueen's houss, and for the Prince, — Masters Henrie Blyth, John Fairfull, Peter Ewart, Andi'O Lamb, and ISIasters James Nicolson, James Law, and Johne Spotiswood. It being moved by some, That there were some faults in the translation of the Bible, in the Paraphrase of the Psalms, and some Prayers not fitting to thir tymes, it is answered, That the Bible shall be parted among the brethren hes best skill of the originall tongues, and that they be carefiill to correct what they can, and report their diligence to the nixt Assemblie ; as for the Psahns, they are recommended to Mr Robert Pont ; as for the Prayers, they wiU let them all stand ; but any who will add any other prayers, let them offer them to the Assemblie, and being approven by the Assemblie, shall be also taken in. Ministers of Edinburgh, Masters James Balfoin-, Walter Bal- canquall, and William Watson, ordained to be transported, to be placed as the commissioners think fitt. The commissioners of Edinburgh protested that the Towne be free of the burden of these ministers fra the tyme of their transpor- tation, and that they may get them back againe when the King's Majestic and the Kirk shall judge it meet ; whilk protestation wes admitted, and instruments taken thereupon. 1G02. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAXD, 20'J It is appoynted, that the commissioners of the Generall Assem- blie their proceedings be all examined in the beginning of the suc- ceeding Assemblie, before any other mater be handled ; and their proceedings, after tryell and deliberation, to be alloAved or disallow- ed, as the AssembKe shall see cause and reasone. Commission given in ample forme to about thirty ministers,' whereof nine a quorum, promittendo de rato, &c. ; provyding tlie planting of the kirks of Edinburgh be with the advise of the Presbyterie of Edinbm-gh, according to former acts of the Ku'k. Visitation of all Presbyteries renewed, and the visitors to report then- diligence to the nixt Assemblie, The nixt Assemblie appoynted to be holden at St Androes, the last Tuesday of Julie 1 602 : But the prerogative royall (a small friend to the croune of Christ and libertie of his Kirk) changed both tyme and place ; for the Assemblie wes prorogat fra Julie to November, and translated fra St Androes to Edinburgh : Yea, when they were mett in Edinburgh, the King woidd needs have the As- sembKe sitting in his Palace of Halu^oodhouse, where there never satt an Assemblie of the Kirk before. At the sixty-sixth Assemblie, holden at Hallroodhouse, Novem- ber 10, 1602, Mr Patrilv Galloway, the King's awin minister, Moderator : the King personallie present. Ministers twenty-eight nominat to be on the Privie Conference. Mr George Gladstanes appoynted to stay three moneths with Huntley, for conference, &c., confesses he stayed but three dayes : in poynt of conference, communion, planting of Idrks, repairing to his pariosh kirk, returned no satisfactorie answer at all ; as for ex- ample, anent the last, he keeped not his pariosh kirk, because the rest of the pariosh were mean folks ; and liis predecessors used to have a chappeU of their awin, within their awin dAvelling-placo, whilk he wes raynded to repair for that effect. These appoynted to confer with Erroll, reported, they had gotten full satisfaction in poynt of religion ; 2°. Of his awin bene- ' See the list of names in CaUlerwood, p. 455 O 2\U TIIE IIISTOKIE OF 1G02. volence had planted all his kirks : 3°. Wes readie to commimirat at the first meet occasion. These appoynted to conf'err with the Earle of" Angus had done nothing ; ]Mr John Spotiswood, because he Aves commanded to at- tend the Duke of Lennox in his ambassage to France ; IVIr James Law said, he could doe notliing because he wes alone ; the brethren also reported much evill of the Earle's cariage and beha'S'iom', and of his intertaining of papists. The Piivie Conference is appoynted to advise what remeadie shall be used of this evill. The brethren appoynted to confer with the Lords Hoome and Hereis excused themselves, that they coidd doe nothing because of their absence out of the countrey. Because visitors of Presbyteries had not done diligence, it is or- dained, that all who receaves a commission of the Assemblie shall, in face of the Assemblie, give theu* oath dejideli administrationc, and return then- diligence in writ to the Assemblie to be examined, otherwise to be censured. That able men be appoynted for planting of kirks vaikand ; that meet men be appoynted ministers to the Noblemen latelie receaved ; and that the cautioners of such as are suspected in rehgion be straited, conforme to theu* band, according as they have broken. Brethren are appoynted for tlu'ee months to await on disaffected Noblemen, and the Presbyteiies to cause supplie those brethren's places ; and these brethren are to deall with these Noblemen according to these instructions. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BRETHREN APPOINTED TO ATTEND UPON THE NOBLEMEN. 1°. Labour at all tymes by preaching, reading, and expounding of the word and conference, to iustinict them in the grounds of true rehgion and godlines ; and c^jxH-iallie to cnnfinn them m the trueth of povnts controverted. 2°. Catechize their families once or twice each day till they at- taine some good reasonable measure of knowledge, and begin and close this exercise with prayer. 1G02. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 211 3". Purge their families of prophane and scandalous persons, but especiallie of such as are suspect in religion or bussie traffecters. 4°. That all their kirks be provyded with stipends, and planted with able ministers, and that they hold hand to discipline, that it be well executed in their bounds. 5°. That at their dAvelling-houses there be a good provision for honest and able pastors to be resident there. 6°. Extract the conditions they obliged themselves to performe, at their receaveing to the Covenant, and urge the performance of them all. 7°. Informe the King's Majestic fi'om tyme to tyme, how they have profited, and of what disposition their companie is. Visitors of presbyteries nominat, with an ample commission, or- daining them to doe diligence, as they wiU be ansAverable to God, and to report their diligence to the nixt Assemblie. Overtm-es of commissioners for the Piatt wes given in, and everie Synod got a coppie of them, to advise upon them, and to repoi't their judgment. GREEVANCE8 OF THE PEOVINCIALL SYNOD OF FYFPE. 1°. GeneraU Assemblies are not keeped according to the Acts of General! Assemblies and Parliaments, and necessities of the tyme ; but their dyetts and places are altered, without the knowledge of Presbyteries or Synods. 2°. Ministers, in prima instantia, are brought before the Councill for doctrine and discipline : A great encouragement to enemies, discouragement to friends. 3°. All applications in presbyteriall exercises are condemned, un- der pretext of an act ; let it therefore be revised and interpreted. 4°. The government of the chief maters of the Kirk continues in the hands of a few, under the name of a commission, to the preju- dice of the liber tie of Presbyteries and Synods. 5°. Doctors who beare calling in the Kirk are debarred fra our Assemblies by our discipline, at least as it is in use. 6°. No tryell hath ])een taken as yet anent the cautions sett ^1^ TUK HJSTUlilE OF 1»)()2. downe, for avoyding of corruption in the commissioners votters in Parliament. 7°. That the absence of the pastors of Edinbm-gh, the chief watch-towre of this Kirk, and the alteration of the ministers there- of, docs much prejudge the cause of God, and encom'ages ene- mies. 8°. That there is entered in a distx'action of opinions, far differ- ing fi'a that harmonic of hearts whilk lies been in this Ku-k before tyme in weightie causes : And there is too little deliberation and reasoning had, whereby conclusions passe, almost the one half of the Assemblie gainsaying. 9°. The land is defyled and the Kirk endamnaged by the French Ambassadour's masse. 10°. Excommunicat persons are suffered to converse with others public tlic and peacablie. 11°. The Noblemen latelie relaxed from excommunication, gives no tokeu of the profession of the trueth, but rather the contrare. 12°. That apprehended papists, their directions and letters, are concealled, and the danger thereby imminent to the Kirk is keept up, and not communicat to the watchmen, whereby they might make faithfull warning, and so prevent the perrill. 13°. The discipline of the Kirk aganis murther, incest, adulterie, is not used with that holie severitie that becomcth, notwithstand- ing of their remissions. 14°. The remedies sett downe at diverss tymes, aganis evills and apprehended dangers, are not prosecuted. Non-communicants arc to be forewarned three moneths before the dyet of the communion, and then if they refuise, their names to be given to the King by his ministers, that the Acts of Par- liament may be execut upon them. The King declared that he woidd discharge his Secretarie to subscryve any licence to any noble or gentlemen's sons to go out of the countrey, except they fand caution to ]icrformc the Act of the former Assemblie. 1602. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 213 THE FORME OF THE TRYELL OF PRESBYTERIES, WHILK MAY BE MADE USE OF AT VISITATION OF KIRKS. Edicts shalbe served in due tyme, that they may be duelie exe- cuted, reported, and indorsed, to the visitors at the first dyet of their meeting ; it should be done by some other nor the minister of the place, and the Presbyteries woidd be acquainted at least twenty dayes before the visitation. THE FORME OF THE EDICT. The Presbyterie of A. B., to our wel-beloved brother, Mr T. K., minister at C, christian salutation : For so much as we have ap- poynted a Visitation of the kirk of D., upon Tuesday the day of Maie, for trying of the estate of that kirk, herefore, we re- quyre yow that ye make due intimation of the said visitation to all the parioshiners conveened on the Lord's day preceding the day foresaid : and that ye charge them all, in the name of God, to be present the said day about the nynt houre in the forenoone, that by them, and especiallie by the session thereof, the estate of that kirk may be made knowen, things amisse may be redressed, and God may be honoured, and the well of the said kirk may be procured : The whilk to doe we committ to you, &c. Try first the estate of everie minister particularlie, thereafter the estate of the congregations and countrey ; and, lastlie, the estate of the Presbyterie in generaU. THE PARTICULAR TRYELL OF PASTORS. In his graces and abilities to discharge his calling ; in his furniture of books and necessarie helps ; with what fidelitie, prudence, and impartialitie he discharges himself in doctrine and discipline, and in his life and conversation ; and for this effect to inquyre, — 1°. Of the commissioners of his congregation, what testimonie he hes of his awin session and remanent of his flock, and in spe- ciall, if he be resident upon his manse and glceb ; if his life and 214 THE IIISTOKIE OF 1G02. governemeiit of his fainilie gives offence, or edifies the flock ; whither everie Sabbath he teaches' once or twise ; if he hes any week exercise ; if he administrats the communion, and how oft in the yeare, and if with due examinations preceding; if he have an estabhshed session, consisting of elders and deacons ; if he keeps a w^eeklie convention with his session for the exercise of discipline ; if he catechizes weeMie a part of his pariosh ; if he keeps an ordinare visitation of some families of his congregation weeklie ; if he visits the sick and distrest when occasion requyres ; if he be care full to remove all variances and discords out of the pariosh. 2°. Let him (if need be) be tryed by the opening up of some place of scripture prescryved to him, and by questions propounded to him. 3°. Let it be inquyred of him what helps he hes for the advance- ment of his studies ; if he have the text of scripture in the originall languages ; if he be seen in the tongues ; if he have Tremellius his translation of the Old Testament, and Beza's of the New, with the vulgar Inglish translation ; if he have the Common Places; if he have the Ecclesiasticall historic ; what Commentaries on the Scriptm-es, and what, in particulare, upon his ordinarie text ; if he have the Acts of the CounciU of Trent, and what writters of the Controversies of religion ; if he uses conference Avitli brethren for resolution in the doubts whilk occurs to him in his reading, and w'ith whom ; if he hes an ordinare course of reading the Holie Scriptures, Ecclesiasticall historic, and Controversies ; if he makes any memoriall of his travclls in Ma-it, Avhat is his ordinare text. 4°. If he be provyded in title of the parsonage or vicarage ; and if he have sett any tacks thereof, to whom, and on what condition ; in whose hands are the rents of his kirk, and what is his best over- ture that he can give for provision of a stipend thereat in case it be not alreadic suflicientlie jjrovyded. 0°. Sight the session book carefullic. , The Brother visited beand removed, let the wlioll Prcsbyterie be inquyred one by one, and declai-c, upon their conscience, what they know ancnt liin graces, fidclitic in doctrine and disciphne, and 1602. THE KIRK OF SCOTL.VND. 215 auent his life and conversation ; after the whilk tryell, let him be judged, and either allowed, or admonished, or otherwise censured, as the cause requyres. THE TRYELL OF THE CONGlREaATIONS. Try everie Minister particularlie if there be any Jesuits, papists, seminarie priests, traifecters aganis the estate of religion and re- formation, and quyetnes of the countrey within their congregation, or any resetters of such ; if there be any witches excommunicats, contraveeners of the discipline of the Kirk ; if there be any super- stitious dayes keept, as by setting out of fyres or otherAvise ; if there be any superstitious places of pilgrimages, wells, or chappells ; if there be any non-communicants ; if there be homicides or dead- lie feads ; if there be any adulterous or incestuous persons ; if the Sabbath be profaned by keeping of mercatts, or any sort of labom- ing, speciaUie in harvest and seed tyme. And as the Visitors finds in the premisses to take ordoure for reformation of the poynts fore- said, or any part thereof. THE TRYELL OF THE PRESBYTERIE. Let the Moderator be inquyred if they keep their ordinare con- ventions ; if they have their monethlie discourse upon a common controverted head, and disputations ; if they did visit the wholl ku-ks within their bounds since the last generall "s-isitation ; if they take weeklie and monethlie account of their brethren's diligence in the discharge of their duetie by catechizing and visiting of fami- lies ; also, if there be any of their number that be insolent, and Avill not acquiesce to the determination of his brethren ; if there be any discord, variance, or division among the brethren ; what unplanted or unprovyded kirks are Avithin theu' bounds, &c. Whilk forme of Visitation the Asseml)lie ratifies and approves, ordaining it to be universallie observed in aU tyme comeing in all visitations within this realme, and ordains the power and com- mission of the visitors to be directed conforme to the Acts of tlie Generall Assemblie. 21(i TJIE IILSTUKIE OF 1G02. .VNSAVERES TO THE GKEEVANCES OF THE SYNOD OF FYFFE. 1°. Finds that the Generall Assemblie should be appoynted and keeped according to the Act of Pai-liament, holden at Edinburgh, Junij 5, 1592, ratifieing and approveing the Generall Assemblies of this Kirk ; and that they meet at least once a year, and oftener, pro re nata ; and that the Generall Assemblie appoynt tyme and place of the nixt Assemblie, with the advise of the King, and, in his absence, of his commissioners ; and if neither the King nor any commissioner of his be present in the Assemblie, the Assemblie hes power to appoint time and place of the nixt Assemblie, as they have been in use thir tymcs bypast. 2°. If his Majestic will observe his awin declaration, made and inacted at Dundie, 1597, sess. 10, the desyre of the two articles is satisfied. 3°. Application of the generall uses contained in God's word cannot be forbidden, as this doctrine servos for refutation of such an errour, rebooking of such a vyce, comforting a persone in such a case, &c. ; but as for appHcations, particulare and personall, let it be advised by all presbyteries whither it shall be or not, and how farre, if it shalbe, and their advise, wath their reasons, returned to the nixt Assemblie ; and in mean time, no innovation to be used in relation to personall applications. 4°. Let no commissions (fra this forth) be given but according to the Acts of Generall Assemblies. 5°. Doctors may voyce in Assemblies, they having a lawfull com- mission for that effect, as is declared in the fiftieth Assemblie, holden at Edinburgh, Maic 10, 1580, page 75[1()9]. 6°. Let the Caveatts in all tyme comcing be punctually and pre- ceislie looked to and observed. 7°. Answered in the Assembho. 8°. Ordains nothing to be concluded in Assemblies, except it be reassoned and deliberated upon sufticicntlie. 9°. Acquiesces in his Majestie's declaration, as Mr Walter Hal- canquali will declare. 1602. TUE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 217 10°. Let their iiarues be given up, and ordour shall be taken with them preciselie. 11°. Concluded in the Assemblie. 12°. Acquiesces in his Majestie's declaration, who hes promised also to- acquaint the Presbyteries as occasion shall requyre. 13°. Let greatter diligence be used. 14°. Let all things be amended, on all hands, in all tymes conie- ing, according to the Acts of Assemblies. Tliir answers are allowed by the Assemblie, and ordained to be insert in the Kirk's Register. For the pubUct affau's and weall of the kirk of God ; for giveing advise to his Majestic ; for holding forth the enemies of the Kirk ; for planting kirks in burghs wanting pastors ; for cognosceing and judging of any greevance his Majestic hath against any minister ; commission and full power is given to about thirty nominat in the Assemblie, or any nine of them, promittendo de rato, &c. Inacted against all sort of profaneing the Lord's day by any sort of work ; recommending to the commissioners to sute of the Kmg's Majestic a pecuniall mulct to be exacted of contraveeners. Seing pensions are daylie given out of the Thirds wherewith ku'ks should be provyded, that his Majestic would retreat pensions given, and stay all further giveing of pensions in all tyme comeing. This his Majestic most willinglie granted and promised to doe. The Assembhe nominats a number out of whilk his Majestic should make clioise of such as he should present to benefices vakand, adjoyning them to the brethren commissioners of provinces conveened at Haliroodhouse, October 15, 1600 years. Mr Robert Bruce being banished, and the King haveing con- ceaved a wrath aganis him, because of his cariage in relation to Gowrie's Conspiracie, August 5, 1600, the Moderator requesting the King, in name of the wholl Assemblie, that he Vv'oidd toward the said Mr Robert relent in his wrath. The King answered, Mr Robert his cariage should effectuat what they would. JNIr Robert wrot a letter to the King, Avhcrein he promises to thank God for all the King's Majestie's dcly veries from his cradle ; and, [)ar- 218 THE IIISTORIE OF 1G02. ticularlle, from Gowrie's Conspiracie, August 5, and promises to stirre uj) the people to the same duetie, and to divert them so far as in him lyes from uncharitable constructions anent the King's actions in that particulare. The Assemblie ordains the 5 day of August to be keeped througl' this wholl kingdome yearlie, both in burgh and landwart, by ex- hortation to the people, and blessing God for the King's Majestie's dely verance fra the conspiracie of umquliill Johne Earle of Gowrie and his brother ; and that when the 5 day of August falls on a Aveek-day, intimation of it shalbe made the Sabbath immediatlie preceeding. His INIajestie in mean while promiseing to cause re- strain ryotous drunkennes and other wickednes on that day. The Assemblie ratifies the North pariosh of Leeth, erected by the Presbyterie of Edinbm-gh and Provinciall Synod of Lothian ; also the erection of the pariosh of the Ferrie of Scottiscraig, made by the Presbyterie of St Androes and Provinciall Synod of FyfFe. Alexander Earle of Linlithgow gave in a supplication, regraiting that his Ladie Dame Helcnor Hay had not obeyit what Aves injoyn- ed hir at the tyme of hir relaxation from excommunication, so that he saw nothing bvit that she deserved to be excommunicat againe ; and seing he resolved to abyde constantlic with the trueth, and to doe what he could for hir reclameing, he intreated that he might be pitied in spairing of hir, whom he could not forgoe or quyt, be- ing his married wife. The Assemblie resolves to superseed hir ex- communication till the nixt Assemblie, provyding the King's daugh- ter be taken out of hir companie ; papists haunt not that house ; that she be catechized in the true religion ; and that his Lordship cause deall with hir at all tymes careftillie for hir conversion. That the licence granted to beneficed ])ersons to sett tacks be restrained either to a liferent tack, or to a nineteen yeare tack allanerlie. Brethren being sett aj^art to considdgr of dangers appeareing to religion, and the remedies thereof, finds one of the greatest dangers IS fra maUtious miscontcnt rcstles Papists ; that pcrceaveing them- selves out of hojjc to i)rcvaill Avith the King, and that th(\v arc 1G02. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 219 trovibled in their estates, and turned out of honours, and that they now must live under the obedience of lawes otherwise nor they Avere wont, ceasses not with their associates, men of broken estates, to interpryze the alteration of governement. For remedie whereof, the King must be informed that thir un- godlie plotts are to be prevented by his care and foresight, and so frustrated. The ministers are to perswade the subjects of the King's true mind to religion, and reformation, and justice, seing he acknowledges his standing and falling to be conjoyned with the standing and falling of religion, and that they mai'k carcfullie men's cariage, especiallie those who, being in necessitie, mislykes the present governement, and inclynes into novation. And when they perceave any extraordinare bussines or stirring by their custome, to acquaint his Majestie's ministers therewith, labouring in mean tyme to bi'ing them to a quyet mynd ; and for tins effect, in all meetings, sessionall, presbyteriall, provinciall, diligent and privat inquisition be made relating to this point, and when any thing is found, that the King's ministers be advertised with all possible expedition : and that the King's ministers, and such as are about the King, iuforme the presbyteries of all that is needfull to be re- vealled for the weal of the cause of God. The nixt Assemblie is appoynted to be at Aberdeen, the last Tuesday of Julie 1604 years. At this Assemblie at Haliroodhousse, many meetings were ap- pointed, to reassone over againe severall things alreadie concluded, that they may be more exactlie tryed ; yit in end nothing was altered, upon the King's declaration that he aimed at nothing but God's glorie and the weal of this reformed Kirk, and to have the ministers thereof in better case ; for he professed he saw no safetie to religion, himself, his estate, and the countrey, but onlie by his sincere profession of the truetli taught in this kingdome, and sub- verting of all contrarie professions, and by right and impartiale execution of justice, whilk he promised, by God's grace, to doe better in tyme comeing nor he had formerlie done : For this the Assemblie a;ave thanks to God, 220 THK IIISTOPJK OF 1 {)();>, But before the nbct Assemblie, appoynted to be [at] Aberdeen, 1 G04, Queen Elizabeth, that good Queen of Ingland, died IVIarch 24, 1603 ; and our King was sent for to be King of Ingland, as being hir righteous air, and also she had so ordained in hir latter will, so that the Councill of Ingland proclamed our King openlie James the Sixt, King of Scotland, to be also James the First, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland. This I mention to let it be seen how easilie, by the blessing of God, our King, if he had pleased, might have brought the Prelaticall govemement of that Kirk of Ingland (whUk was so well and so fidlie, and with such irrefragable reasone, abolished and put out of this our Kirk of Scotland) to this our govemement, by Sessions, Presbyteries, and Assemblies, considdering that all the well-affected in Ingland both looked and longed for it ; as also Doctor Bancroft, then Bishop of London, who had written a book aganis oui- King, preassing to prove that he had no right to the Crown of Ingland, doubtles for his part would have been content to have altered the govemament Prelaticall to Presbyteriall (Avherein he knew the King wo s brouglit up and well instmcted) if the King would have pardoned him the treason, and spared his life ; as also the King knew that Mr John Davidson (who was an eager opposit to prelacie) had written an answere to that book, establishing the King's right and title to the Crowne of Ingland : and yit the King both spared his Ufe, and also stood for the maintenance of Prelaticall govemement, and all the rabble of Popish ceremonies and rites depending thereon, prcass- inrr continuallic to brin^: this Kivk of Scotland backward to them, (a prelude whereof wes vote in Parliament so eagerlie gone about by the King,) but never endeavouring to bring them in Ingland fordward to us, and to a further reformation, (whereunto he wes counselled by some of the good nobilitic of Ingland, because they heard the King confessc, that in all Scotland there durst not be one professed and avowed papist, by reasone that the discipline of tliat Kirk took such exact and precise ordour with them ;) as ye shall hearc, God willing, and know by the course and dealling used aganis the Kirk of Scotland, when now he was (by almost all 1(503. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 221 men's expectation) peaceublie sett down King of Ingland and Ire- land. Yit to the effectuating of that good purpose of reduceing Ingland to Presbyteriall governement, means were essayed, and the sincerest pastors and professors of the trueth of God in both kingdoms, opposit to PrelaticaU governement, made all the help they could. And therefore, so soon as some of the sincerest mini- sters in Ingland perceaved, at his very first comeing into Ingland, how his Majestie inclyned to the bishops, and countenanced them, and how he looked down upon and discountenanced their opposits, they brak their hearts, makeing an lieavie regrait that they were so far disappointed of their expectation ; yit haveing some hope that the King who was so well educated, and. understood so per- fitelie the great good that the established discipline of the Ku*k of Scotland had Avrought, there were sundrie treatises and books sett out aganis prelacie and prelates ; which inraged the King, affirme- ing that there was none who would owne or durst avow them (for they came out 'avow/jjoi, without the authors names,) and, therefore, he said he regarded them not ; whilk caused an aged gentleman, called Thomas WhitinhaU, Esquier, well versed in Scriptures and in ancient writters, to sett out a treatise in print,^ putting his name thereto, wherein he proved the unlawfulnes of that hierarchic of bishops in Ingland, who also had, for his opposition to them and maintenance of the trueth, suffered great troubles in the tyme of Queen Marie's reigne. This treatise he put in the King's awdn hand, but when the King understood w^hat the subject of the book was, he putt it in the Bishop of Canterburrie's hand, desyreing him to peruse it. But the gentleman, for his reward, w^as imprisoned, and detained in prison tiU he fell in great sicknes ; and then being both verie old and heavilie diseased, he was upon great moyen and solistation inlarged, but verie shortlie after he departed this life. But to our Historic againe : The fii'st and principall thing that the ' This treatise was probably carefully suppressed. I cannot, at least, find it mentioned in any catalogue or work treating of such subjects. In one MS. the name is Whvtehall, in another Wytenhall. 222 THE iiisToiiiE OF lOOo. King intlcavoured, was to make an Union betuix the two Kingdoms of Scotland and Ingland, ahvayes provyded it were without preju- dice to either of the two Kingdoms, in kirk or policie. For, at his Majestie's goeing up to Ingland, he openhe protested, in the great kirk of Edinburgh, that now he was leaving the Kirk of Scotland jieaceable, and the kingdonie ina quyet condition, and was not mynd- ed to make any alteration, either in kirk or policie. And thus in his going towards Berwick, some ministers came out of their housses to salute him by the way, praying for a blessing upon his Majes- tie's great preferment : He loiew the men, and thanked them, re- commending to them a care of the peace of the Kirk, assureing them that he was not mynded to make any alteration in the estate of this Kirk, and, therefore, willed them to notifie the sampie to their brethren. When the ffing was come to Ingland, and Queen EHzabeth was buried, he caused a proclamation to be made, that a Parliament should be holden in Scotland in Aprile 1604; hke as there was a Parliament indicted to Ingland at that same tyme, to treat of the Union of both the kingdoms. And because it had ever been the cus- tome, that the Generall Assembhe of this Kirk did meet either be- fore the Parliament, or at the tyme thereof, the Provincial! Assem- blies of the whole realme meeting before that, at their ordinar dyet, nominat their commissioners to await on that Parliament ; who comeing to Edinburgh, and meeting with the commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, two of the said commissioners being latelie come from court, they earnestlie sought that a Generall Assem- blie (according to the laudable and jirofitalile custome) might be holden, wherein the matters of the Kirk might now be looked in- to, when all other estates and incorporations of both kingdoms, at this nocessarie nick of tyme, v.'cre looking carefidlie into their pri- viiedgcs and liberties. The connnissioners newlic come from his Majestic, with the advise of some others of the commissioners, told the brethren of the ministrie, that his Majestic was petitioned by them, that there might be a Generall Assemblie at so nocessarie a tyme : but the King replycd, that it was not need full, seeing there 1G04. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 223 would nothing be done in this Parliament, but onlie commissioners chosen to treat of the Union ; but when the due tyme came, they should have a Generall Assemblie, if they behaved themselves peaceabHe. Whereupon the ministers being once resolved to give in a protestation to the Parliament ; yit did it not, hopeing for better afterwards ; onhe the commissioners sent from the Provmciall Sy- nods, gave in some articles to the commissioners of the Generall As- sembhe there conveened : admonishing, yea and chargeing them, as they should answer to Jesus Christ, the Head and Governor of his Kirk, to considder these articles, and to stand for the libertie of this our Kirk of Scotland in such a needfull time ; especiallie to see that no man voted in Parliament in name of our Kirk, but they Avho had commission and direction for that effect fra the Kirk, that is, from the Generall Assemblie, the representative of the Kirk ; or if that could not be had, from their Provinciall Assemblies, certifie- ing them who should doe in the contrare, they would be accounted enemies to the Gospell of Jesus Christ, and censured before their ordinar judge. This Parliament rydeing, (as the forme Avas,) the Earle of Mon- trose being viceroy, or his Majestie's grand commissioner, two mi- nisters, Mr David Lindesay, minister at Leith, and Mr Johne Spotiswood his son-in-law, minister at Glasgow, did ryde in Parlia- ment as commissioners fra the Kii-k, albeit they had no speciall commission given to them. Litle or nothing being done at this Parliament, it wes prorogat and adjourneyed to the moneth of Julie ensueing, and sat in Perth because of the pestilence that Avas in Edinburgh. At Perth the ParKament did not ryde, and there was but few of the ancient nobilitie present ; yit they who were present, desyred the Parliament, by the mouth of the Earle of Montrose, to make an act, that this intended Union should no wayes prejudge the li- berties of the Kirk of Scotland ; but that all their liberties should be ratified, both for the true doctrine and discipline thereof, as it was presentlie professed and exercised within the same ; whilk, by word, wes condescended into, and a minut thereof nutt in writ. 224 THE IIIi^TORIK OF IGO-J. This wes almost all that wes done at that Parliament for our Kirk ; and indeed, nothing more could be done, in respect of the great number of new made Earles and Lords, a great Avrack to the king- dome and ruine to men's estates, but a way how a King (by his creatures, as they speak) may have many votes in Parliament at his conunand. And the commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, who knew the King's raynd in all thir maters that concerned the Kirk, were also letts that no more could be gotten done at this tymc for the Kirk. Now the tyme was approaching when the Generall Assemblie should have mett at Aberdeen, whilk wes appoynted by the King's awin consent to be holden the last Tuesday of Julie, 1604; yit be- fore the day came, the King sent down sundrie articles in writ, both to the Councill and commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, (for now the countrcy began to be guyded by directions of articles from Court :) The article concerning this Kirk was, that the Assem- blie appoynted to be holden at Aberdene, in this present moneth of Julie, should not be keept, neither any other dyet appoynted, till the Union were concluded, and then his Majestic should declare his will (according to his prerogative royal) Avhen and where the Generall Assemblie should be conveened. This article being notified to sundrie Presbyteries, the Presbytc- rle of St Androes, reasoning the mater among themselves, does con- clude, that it wes both expedient and also necessare for the right discharge of their consciences, andduetieto God and his Kirk, that they should send their commissioners to keep the said Assemblie ; and, therefore, did nomiuat three of their brethren who went to Aberdeen, and finding veric few ministers there before them, took them and two notars witnesses in forme of an instniment, that they had dcmc their duetic ; by this docing, they convinced the con- siences of ministers dwelling ncare to Aberdeen, Avho had not such a regard as they had to keep the Kirk of God in hir ancient and godlie libcrtie, so well warranted by God's word, by the la wes of the nation, and by a constant uninterrupted ])ractise ever since the Reformation of Religion ; cspeciallle, consldderlng that the dyet and lOO-l-. THE KTllK OF i^C'OTLAXD. 22') place of that Assemblie was sett downe by the last Generall Assem- blic holden at HaKroodhouse, with the Kmg's awin consent, then, and there personallie present. The brethren of St Androes pres- byterie comeing back agalne from Aberdeen, declared on the nixt presbyterie day what they had done, and were commended and ap- proven by the presbyterie in that whilk they did. The brethren of the ministerie in the North, considdering in their severall presbyte- ries the care that other ministers had to retaine the Kirk in her li- berties, agreed to send theii* commissioners from their Provinciall Synod to be holden at Aberdeen in August nixt, to all the Provin- cial! Assemblies in the countrey, desii'eing them to send their com- missioners to the Synod of FyfFe, to be holden in St Androes in September following, there to advise in common what wes the Avay to get a Generall Assemblie keeped, and how to get the insolencie of Papists repressed, &c. Wliilk dyet wes solemnlie keeped in St An- droes, both by ministei's and rideing elders, commissioners fi'om di- verse provinces. There was the Lauxl of Lawrestoun,' being now made liis Majestie's commissioner in kirk affau'cs, reddie with letters fra the Councill to discharge that meeting, if so be they held it as a Generall Assemblie : But when they assured him of the con- trare, and declared to him the expediencie and necessitie of that meeting, it being also then* ordinarie tyme, he acquiesced. And Avhen they began to speak how a Generall Assembhe might be ob- tained with his Majestie's license and consent, and reassoned also the Avarrands that God's Kirk had for hu" meetings, albeit (as God forbid) they, had had a King contrarie mynded ; concluded, that it wes expedient that some new dyet wes to be sett downe for a Generall Assemblie, and the King to be petitioned to consent to the samyne, and all provinces to be Avarned thereto. Yit Lawrestomi intreated them not to doe so, seeing there was a better way to get their intent, and that wes, that that meeting should writ to all the Presbyteries and Synods, to send theu' commissioners to Perth the last Tuesday of October following, where the commissioners of the ' Sii- Alexander Sti'atoun of Lauiistoii, Knight. 2'2C) Tin: !iisTOT?TE OF inoi. Generall Assemblie slioiikl be present, and he himself also should be there ; and after conclusion taken, he promised faithfullie to deall with his IVIajestie, that a Generall Assemblie might be obtain- ed to their contentment. This meeting was solemnlie keeped at Perth, at the which many and great greevances were given in, espe- ciallie aganis the commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, because they took upon them the wholl governement of the Kirk ; were letts and stayes that a Generall Assemblie could not be obtained ; be- cause that in it they that voted in Parliament without a com- mission from the Kirk behooved to be censiu'ed. The commis- sioners of the Generall Assemblie inraged at this, (so many of them as fand themselves culpable,) answered veiie uncharitablie, and in great pryde and rage said, If ye look to gett a Generall Assemblie without us, essay it. This prelaticall, proud, tyrannicall speech, flowing from ryders and voters in Parliament and their abbettors, does evidence when my Lord Bishop exyled began to return fra his banishment out of this Kirk. The Brethren assembled, perceaving that no good wes lildie to be done, departed homewards with sad hearts, sundrie of them. Then Lawrestoun, his Majestie's com- missioner, preassing to pacifie the mater, besought the Brethren to concurre and advyse what petitions they Avould send up to the King, and he should present them, and promised to dcall faithful- lie to get them contented ; for he wes presentlie to enter to his journey, and he should shortlie bring back his Majestie's good an- swer to them : So thir four Articles were agreed upon, and sent up to Court at that tymc. 1°. Craveing a Generall Assemblie to be keeped, without his Majestie's oflencc, according to the Acts of Parliament, and con- stant custome of this Kirk ; 2°. That ordour might be taken with Papists, and contemners of Kirk-discipline ; 3°. That godlic and faithfuU brethren in England, vexed by the bishops, might finde fa- vour with his Majestic, and be reponed to their offices and liveings ; 4°. That brethren unprovyded, and who were impared at the last modification, might be helped at this year's Piatt : but no answere wnr- r(>turned from the King that yeare. 1()05. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 227 Therefore, in the moneth of March 1605, a godlie brother, Mr John Forbes,' by the advyse of the Provlnciall Synods in the north, and haveing the advise also of some of the Secret Councill, was sent in commission to the King's Majestic ; which commission was well accepted of, and ansAvers retmnied both to the Councill and Ministrie, declareing, that he was no wayes mynded to alter any established ordour in our Kirk ; but as he had been born and brought up therin, he would maintaine the liberties thereof; and, therefore, had declared his will to his Commissioner for keeping of a Generall Assemblie ; likeas, he had given direction to his Councill, to take strict ordom* with all Papists, or others that committs any enormities aganis the lawes, &c. At Mr John Forbes his back comeing, LaAvrestoun, and the commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, had written letters to all Presbyteries, that they should send their commissioners to keep a Generall Assemblie at Aberdeen, the 2d day of Julie following in that instant yeare 1605, and in some letters, (the better to con- veen the Assemblie !) the 5th day of July was Avritten ; whereby it came to pass, that diverse ministers keeped the second day, and many being letted by tempestuous weather, came not ; others, as the le(jer-du-maine letters dated it, keeped the fyft day, but fand that, ere they came, the AssembHe was dissolved on the secund day, and that upon this occasion, the Laird of Lawrestoun, the King's Majestie's commissioner, perceaveing a few number of ministers mett together, talked with them, and told them, that he had letters to charge them (be vertue of the King's prerogative royall) not to meet at that tyme. To the whilk Mr John Forbes, in name of the rest, answered. That it would not be well done so to doe, seeing the King's Majestic and Councill, and his Lordship, with advise of the com- mission of the Kirk, had appoynted that day and dy et for that Gene- rall Assemblie ; but seeing there were so few conveened, it should be best for the brethren to meet, and onlie prorogat the Assemblie to a new dyett. To the whilk overture Lawrestoun agreeing, they con- ' Minister of Alford, in Aberdeenshire. '22s riii: HISTOID IK of l(i()o. Acen, and ))y the votes of the brethren, and the King's Majestie's commissioner his vote, INIr John Forbes is chosen Moderator, and Mr John Sharp scribe. The prayer being ended, (there was no sermon, because Mr Patrik Galloway, Moderator of the last As- semblie, was absent,) they declare to the King's commissioner, that they would handle no affaires, but onlie prorogat the Assemblie with his advise to a new dyet ; whilk they thought meet should be in August following. But he considdering that this doeing Aves aganis the Councill's charge, sends for an officer of airms, and charges them to desist from keeping that assemblie under the paine of horn- ing ; they againe, so soon as they were charged, took instruments in the officer's hand, (who also wes a notare,) that they obeyed, but he would give them no instrument; whereupon they instantHe dissolved, and went to the common clerk's chalmer in Aberdeen, and there took instrumenfs of their obedience, so soon as ever they were charged. This being done, they sent away some brethren Avith all expetlition to infonn the Secret Councill of their obedience ; yit Lawrestoun had preveened them, and said, that he had charged them openlie at the mercat-cross of Aberdeen, the night before, not to conveen ; but he could produce no witnesses of that charge. The Councill, the nixt day, couA'eened more airhe nor they Avont to doe, and, before many of the Lords of the Councill came, they who Avere present concluded to putt all these ministers Avho were conveeued in Aber- deen to the home ; but after reassoning of the mater that Aves stay- ed. And the Councill hearing that Mr John Forbes and Mr John AVelsh were in Edinburgh, sent for them, and after some questions propounded and ansAVcred ingeniouslic and plainlie, the Councill ordained them to be detained in the castle of Edinburgh for that night, and upon the morroAv Avere earned to the castle of Blacknes, and thei'C Avarded till his INIajestie's Avill should be further knowen. After this, all the rest almost that keepcd that Assemblie of Aber- deen were summoned before the Councill, October 24, and were all convict of disobedience to his Majestie's charge, haveing declyned the Councill as their judges ; and, therefore, Averc ordained to enter their persons in sundrie castells and Avard-houses. Subscryvers of 1605. THE KIRK OF SCO'J'LAND. 229 the Declinature, October 24, 1G05, Avere Mr John Forbes, ISIr John Welschc, Mr John Munro, Mr Anclro Duncan, Mr Alex- ander Strachan, Mr James Greig, Mr AVilliam Forbes, Mr Kobert Youngstoun, Mr Nathanael Inglis, Mr Charles Fcrnie, Mr James Irving,. Mr John Sharp, Mr Robert Dm-ie, John Rosse. Some of thir were putt in Blacknes, some in the castell of Stirlin, some in the castell of Doun ; but the Councill spared some of the ministers who excused their doing, and said, that they Avere sorie for their docing. Who being sent home to their awin housses, one of them being at home, and considdering with himself that his brethren who were warded had stood better to the cause of Christ nor he, being troubled in his mynd, past of his awin accord to the Secret Councill againe,^ and professed, that he wes troubled in his mynde for his answerc that he had given their Lordships, and affirmed boldlie that none of them had done any thing for wliilk they could have been said justlie to liave offended either the King or their Lordships, in keeping of that meeting. Whilk answer made the Lords to send him to the castle of Stirlin to beare his brethren companie, who Avere there before him : Avhilk ordinance he Avilling- lie obeyed. November 5, being Tuesday, wes the revealling of the Gunpowder Plott ; hence Tuesday to be an ordinary Aveck preaching day at Court. At the same tyme, Sir George Hoome, noAV Farle of Dumbar, came in great favour Avith the King, and was so highlie preferred that he wes sent downe to Scotland, and imployed in affaires of high concernment both in kirk and countrey, and Aves honoured as a great prince and ruler in this kingdome. Therefore the Avarded Ministers, yea, and gentlemen of good credit and account, Avrote letters, and spak earnestlie to the Earle of Dumbar to interceed for favour at the King's hands to the said ministers, aa^io Avere so Avrongouslie troubled Avithout any just ' Aec'jrdiug to Caklei'wood, tlie person who is here alhuled to, as having appeared before the Privy Council, and professed his adherence to Iiis former suhscriplion, war, jMr Robert Youngson, minister of Clatt (Hist p. 498.) 230 THE HISTOllIE OF IHOH. cause : But neither writting nor speaking availled. But by the contrare, in the moneths of Julie and August 1606, there were proclamations made condemning the ministers that keeped that meeting at Aberdeen, as factious, seditious, and open contemners of the King's Majestie and his Secreit Councill ; declareing also, that if any minister or subject of this kingdome should, in privat or publict, speak in the defence of what they had done, they should be counted as guiltie as they, and severelie punished. In the end of August, the warded Ministers in Blacknes compear- ed before the Secret Councill, and certaine interrogators being- asked at them, to whilk they ansv*"ered, they were sent back to their ward againe. Their names are. Masters Johne Forbes, John Welsh, Andro Duncan, Robert Durie, Alexander Strachan, and John Sharp, all married except Mr John Sharp. In this tyme, Avherein frequent proclamations and summons were used aganis thir warded Ministers in Blacknes, there came out also simdrie apologies in the defence of what they had done, (notwithstanding proclamations and threatnings to the contrare,) and proveing, by many impregnable arguments, that they should rather be honoured and rewarded then imprisoned and punished. Seing it wes ex- l)edient, yea, and necessare, that this Kirk, Avho had injoyed the libertie of hir Assemblies with so great fruit and comfort for the space of forty-five years, shoiUd be loth to loss the possession of such a Jewell, especiallie seing there was no less intended (as wes manifest) than the utter taking away of that libertie of the Kirk to appoint her Generall Assemblies as they were wont to doe ; for the King pro- fessed he lyked them not, and if any Assemblies should be, they should onlie be at his appoyntment ; and, moreover, the Bishops and commissioners of the Generall Assemblie made all the moyen that they could that there should never be a fi'ee Generall Assemblie againe, lest they themselves should have been censured and pun- ished for their faults and foull offences. Thir things being most notoriouslie knowen, made the Councill sett out a proclamation, wherein tlioy declared the King's Majcs- tie's constant affection to the true religion prescntlie i)rofessed IGOG. THE laiiK of scutlaxd. 231 Avithiii thio reiilme, (for the imprisoning for no just cause of many of the most honest and zealous ministers in the kingdome, to the starveing of them and their families, must be salved and cm'ed by the plaster of a sweet proclamation.) And albeit his Majestic was to take ordour Avith some i'cw seditious puritannicall ministers, yit would he still (by way of discourse) continue in punishing Papists, and such as would not obey the present ordour of this Kirk. It is to be marked, that, after the King Avent to Ingland, the Papists fand the heavie dint of proclamations, verba : but the most zealous and ford^vard Protestants, under the name of Puri- tans, still fand the dint of oppressions and persecutions, verhera. Immediatlie upon the back of this proclamation followed tvvo great efforts, whither to root out Papists or (falselie so called) Puritans, he that runs may read : The one was, the King sent eight missive letters ' to eight ministers, backed thus : — To our trustie and Avelbeloved, &c., viz. IMasters Andro Melvill, William Scott, James Melvill, John Carmichael, AVilliani Watson, Adam Colt, James Balfour, and Robert Wallace, to come to him to Ingland, that he might conferre with them concerning the estate of the Kirk of Scotland, before the 15 day of the nixt moneth September ; and, at that tyme, the ministers Avarded in Blackncs Avcre charged also to compeare before his Majes tie's Councill in LinlithgoAV in the-moneth of October, there to give obedience to his jMajestie's lawes, or else to underly an assyze, and be punished for their rebellion. These two Avere a most hio-h incouraoeino- of Pa- pists, and a most great discouragement to all honest hearts. The ministers and servants of Jesus Christ being sent for, albeit by sun- dries they Avere dissuaded from going out of the countrey, and Avere desyrcd to Avrit their just excuses to the King ; yit, in end, they con- cluded they would go ford ward, and commend themselves and their Avay to God's protection and direction in all things : so some past by sea, and some of them by land, but all of them came to London in safetie before the appointed day ; Avhilk, Avhen the King under- ' The IcUlts were dated from Greeiiwieli, tlie -Jlst of Mav 160(). 232 THE IlISTOUIE Ol' 1606. stood at the day prefixed, (September 15,) he ::eiit for them, and welcomed them in an homelie and heartie maner, talking but gene- raUie and mirrilie of sundrie pm-poses, and appoynting nnto them particular dyetts, when he was to conferr with them, first speak- ing to them all joyntlie, they liaveing chosen Mr James Mehdll to be their mouth ; and perceaveing that he came no speed that way, at other dyetts he spak with them severaUie, and that some tyme when some of the nobiUtie of Ingland and Scothmd, and bishops of both kingdoms, were present, and some tymes when onlie bishops Avere present, and some also of the Scottish Councill was present ; but at all tymes their opinions and speeches agreed so, and the Lord so assisted them with Avisdome and boldnes, that the auditors admired to heare them speak, for they putt all others, by force of reassone, to silence, who preassed to contradict them ; ever insisting on that poynt, that the Kirk of God in Scot- land should possess liir auncient and well-warranted liberties to conveen in their Generall Assemblies and other ecclesiasticall meet- ings, or els God's trueth, and good mauers, or holie conversation, could not long remaine, but Papistrie and all sorts of vyces would abound; whilk was beginning evidentlie to be seen alreadie. The King (notwithstanding of his breeding, Covenant-sweareing, causing it to be sworn by all, many protestations and declarations) not contented with their discovu'se, and so not with them, caused them to be putt in sundrie places, some with deans, some with doctors of greatest note, to try if that could bring them to another opinion ; yit that course was shortlic stayed, onlie INlr Andro ]\lcl- vill was remitted to the Dean of Paul's;' but he so puzzellcd the Dean in reassoning, that the Dean was verie desyrous to be (payt of such a guest, for he had keept him in his house as his hostage for a space. Then it was devysed to have some of the most learned and powcrfull preachers, cither of B.B. (bishops) or l).l). (deans), to make publict sermons before tlioni, to cast and cry downe the doc- trine and ffovemement of the Kirk of Scotland : and our ministers ' Dr John Overall, Dean of St Paul's, and succcssivdv Ilishoii uf Lic-htieUl and Norwicii. 1606. THE KiiiK or scoTLA^'D. 233 were appoynted to sitt altogether on a furme directlie before the pul- pit, that they might the better lieare them, and be moved with their doctrine : But that course also availled nothing, for the ministers offered to make answer to all these heads of their sermons, but that w-as not permitted, for so the trueth had been made too too notoure. In end, after many supplications given in by them to the King's Majectie to suffer them to goe home to their charges and callings, no grant was obtained ; but Richard Bancroft, then Bishop of Canterburrie, Primat of Ingland, (thus sadlie punished for his treason, page 160,') sent for four of them that he might eonferr with them ; who, comeing to him, he caused all that were with him to remove out of the rowme, that he might talk with those ministers of Scotland ; and, after long conference, sometymes mirri- lie, sometymes gra\'elie, he concluded. That seing the King's Ma- jestic and all the Kirk of Ingland professed that same trueth and gospell which they and the avIioIc Kirk of Scotland did profess, (doubtles the bishop said Church, but Kirk is farr righter, being the verie radicall letters of Ku^iay.ri subi o/V./a,) except onhe in the mater of governement, and some few ceremonies, that they w^ould doe well to yeeld to his Majestic; and no doubt his Majestic woidd be beneficiall to them, and they should finde him also a verie special! friend to them all according to his pov>^er. They ansAvered, That they were debt-bound, in all humilitie, to pleasure his Majestic, and to doe any thing that they might doe Avitli a good conscience ; but did let the Bishop see, by many impregnable reasons, that the yeelding to these things in our Kirk (Avhilk the King and all his subjects of all ranks, pastors and people, had abjured so solemnlie, with their hands lifted up to the jNIost High God, the searcher of hearts, and revenger of perjurie, in that solemne Confession of Faith and Covenant subscryved publictlie by his Majestic and all his subjects) would prove nothing else but the verie banishing of the gospell, and the drawing down of God's curse and wrath on them all, King and subjects. Also, it is considerable that some men ' This is sa'd irouieally ; tlic i-ufoniice I'orfcspoiul^ witli j)ag(; 'i'JO of tlii< cilitioii. 231 THE HISTOltlE OF 160G. arc not content onlle to break covenant themselves, except they turn mcarnat tlivills, in being tempters by alkiirinents, (a cahnc warme winde,) or terrours, and threats, and persecutions, (a cold rough Avinde,) to cause others be involved in that same perjurie with themselves. The Bishop, perceaveing that he came no speed, and could not move them to be of his judgment by any means essayed, said mirrilie. Well, then, let us pairt in peace ; seing we are all Brethren in Christ together, I will drink to you all, and will doe what I may that you may have libertic to goe home to your call- ings ; and doeing so, dismissed them. The Ministers, daylie expecting libertic to be sent home to their places and callings, and when they were prepareing themselves to make homeward, the Earle of Salisburrie sent a servant of his to Master Andi'o Melvill, desyreing him to come to his lodging about twelve a clock. Now, it was the Sabbath day when the Councill of Inoland uses to sitt in the afternoon ordinarhe : Mr Andro Mel- vill and the rest were then at breakfast, and they all mervelled what the mater could mean ; but Mr Andro, after his mirrie maner, said, I warrand you he calls me to dinner, but I would have that tyme of day past before I goe; so he staying, another servant came for him, M'ith Avhom he went, and be that tymc the Earle had almost dyncd. Dinner being ended, and the Earle conferring with Mr Andro, did shew him that the King had gotten knowledge of some verses whilk Avere alledged to be written by him aganis the comelie ordour Avhilk was in their Kirk of lugland, whereat his ]\lajostie was offended ; and, therefore, desyred to kno^v■ if he wes the compiler of them, took a coppie of tliem out of his [)ockct that he might sec them. The verses were thir : — Cur stant clausi Anglis libri duo, regia in ara, Lumina cicca duo, pollubra sicca duo? Num scnsum cultumque Dei tenet Anglia rlaiisuiii, Lumine caica suo, sorde se[)ulta sua ? Komano et ritu dum rcgalem instruit aram, Purpuream pingit relHgiosa lupam. l(30(i. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 235 Inglished thus : — On Kiiiglie chappell altar stands, blind candlesticks, closed books. Dry silver basons, two of each, wherefor, sayes he who looks ? The minde and Avorship of the Lord doth Ingiand so keep closse ; Blind in hir sight, and buried in hir filthines and di'osse ? And while with Roman rites slio doth hir kinglie altar di'esse, Relligiously a purpur'd wlioore to trim sho doth professe. Wlien Mr Andro Melvill had seen the verses, he said, that upon the occasion of some who asked what he thought of the altar and ornaments that were in the King's Majestie's chappell royall, he had indeed made these verses with a verie heavie and sad heart, considdering that such superstitious things should be in his Majes- tie's chappell, who was so religiouslie brought up in the sincere and pure Kirk of Scotland, out of whilk all such superstition and Romish trash was banished, and in the which nothing was allowed but that whilk wes consonant to God's trueth and glorious gospell; but imagined not that any should be therewith justhe offended, seing in the lynes he onlie asks some questions. Then, said the Earle, truelie I mervell how they have come to the King's hands. However, Mr Andro Melvill wes presentlie charged there to ap- peare before the Councill of Ingiand, to answere to such things as should be asked at him. And when he compeared, (the King him- self not being present,) he was heavilie accused of sundrie things, Avhich did draw liim (as they affirmed) under the compasse of trea- son. For Dr Barlo,' Bishop of Rochester, preaching before the King, and in the audience of the Scottish ministers, after that he had indevoured to prove the lawfulnes of Prelacie, did shew what ' William Barlow, D.D,, was afterwards Bishop of Lincoln. In 1G04, when Dean of Chester, he published " The Summe and Substance of the Conferences at Hampton Court, 14th January 1604 -," and also " The First of the Foure Sermons proacliL'd before the King's Majestic at Hampton Court in September last. This concerning the Auticpiitie and Superioritie of Bishops, September 21, 1606. By the Reverend Father in Gol, WiUia-n Lord Bishop of Piochestcr." London, 1607, 4to. 230 THE IILSTOKIE OF 1600. good they (the Bishops) had done, did, and might doc, in the Church of God ; and, for instance, exemplified in hi/pothesi, what lie had spoken m thesi, by the present Archbishop of Canterburrie, Dr Bancroft, so digressing long into his praises ;' wherupon Mr Aiidro Melvill compylled the ensueing epigramme : — Praxiteles Co^e Veneris dum pingeret ora, Cratinas ad vultus pinxerat ora suas : Divimnii Barlo pastorem ut pingeret, Angli Prajsulis ad vultus })inxerat ora sui. Praxiteles Venerem pinxit Divamne lupamve ? Pastorem Barlo pinxerat anne lupum ? Inglished thus : — Praxiteles painter did professe to draw Dame Venus face, But all his cmiuing vented Avas Cratina his whoore to grace : liarlo he labours for to paint Christ's minister to life, But hoAV to extoll Bancroft's parts sm'lie was all his strife : 'Tis asked, did Praxiteles paint a goddesse or an whoore ? Did Barlo paint a pastor or a wolf that does devoure ? I'hir lynes were judged by the Councill of Inglaud Scandaluni Magnatam, whilk by the law of Ingland is a capitall cryme and treasone. But Mr Andro Melvill answered boldlie for himself, and laid some ])oints of treason indeed to some of their charges \^ alledg- mg also, that he should not have been judged by the Councill of Ingland, he being a Scottishman, especiallie seing the King's ISIa- ' The passage in ]3ai-low's sermon to which Row alkides, as rererrinj;- to Banorol't, seems to have been omitted in printing. But there is prefixed an address" To the Ministers of Scotland, my Fellow Dispensers of God's Misteries," which begins thus : " Brethren, (for as I esteerae, so wil I stile you, judge you of us as you please,) some of your sort, being at this Sermon when it \ras preached, were desirous that it might be printed," &c. - A passage in one of the MSS., marked as omitted in this place, will beaHerwards found under the year IGl 1, in mentioning Bancroit's death. 1600. THE KIRK OF .SCOTLAND. 237 jestie, his Mr and Lord, was not present ; but he shoukl be sent home to Scotland to be judged by the Councill there, seing he was a native born there ; also he spoke somewhat to the Scottish Lords, who wer counsellours there in Ino-land ; biddino; them take heed that tliey madq not a preparative of poore Andro Melvill, aganis themselves possiblie or friends, or posteritie and their native cun- trey : But whatever he spak wes taken in an evill part. In end he was removed, and Mr James Melvill called in, to Avhom the Bishop of Canterburrie spak in an insinuative way, and praising him for his gravitie, learning, modest behaviour, and Christian carriage, advise- ing him so to continue, and withall to admonish his brethren that they should behave themselves in like maner ; vfhilk Avas spoken to condemne his uncle, Mr Andro, for his free speaking, and was used as a mean to insnare Mr Andro, when he should be called before the councill againe, Avhilk Avas done shortlie after this : For Mr Alex- ander Hay, his Majestie's secretarie in Scotland, and imployed in all thir affaires concerning the Scottish ministers, Avas sent to Mr Andro Melvill, requyreing him to appeare before the Councill at such an houre, promiseing that he should be Avith him. But none of his brethren might goe Avith him, for they were all discharged to come Avithin the King's pallace : therefore, they sent a gentleman to at- tend Avhat should be the event of his going there, they all being verie sad, knoAving that he wes so bold and fi-ee of speech: But he himself AA^as cheerfull and glad, saying, I am Avell content that I Avill gett my mynd declared plainlie and openlie, and will be hon- oured to give a testimonie to my Lord's trueth before the great ones in the world. And so he had not been but a short space before the Councill, when the gentleman returned to the rest Aveeping, and told them that Mr Andro Avas caried by water to the Toure. Mr James Melvill, therefore, Avent in all hast, to see if he could see him, or speak Avith him, but there Avas no possibilitie of that at that time. Iramediatlie after this, Mr James Melvill got a charge to passe out of London, and remaine in the countrey of Northumberland, dureing his Majestie's Avill. All the rest Avere charged to be con- 238 THE IITSTOIiTE OF 1 (')()(). fyned in svindrie parts of Scotland, and some within tlieir awin con- gTegations. Mr Andro Melvill, by great moyen, as a no small favour, obtained leave that a servant should be incarcerated with him in the Toure ; and so the rest were prepareing themselves to go to their severall places, as they were ordained. Onhe Mr James Melvill and ISIr William Scott abode some dayes in London, to see if any releef could be had to Mr Andro Melvill, but all in vaine. So Avhen they were all prepareing for their jom'ney, there were some ministers, and good professors also, who had gathered a contribu- tion of a good sume of moneys whilk they brought to our mini- sters, and gladlie and= cheerfuUie offered it unto them, persuading them by many reasons to take it, and distribute the same among them. But they, by better reasons, refuised to take any benefite of that kynd from them, seing it could not be done without dishon- our of his Majestic, who had sent for them in a friendlie maner ; without the disgrace of their awin nation, who undoubtedlie would supplie any want they had, or losse they sustained, in that voyage ; and finallic, without great shame to themselves, seeing they were not in any present necessitie, and praised God that they had enough to defray all their charges ; but in a verie heartie maner thanked them, and thought it meet that their awin ministers, who were bv the bishops persecuted and cvill intreated for the gospell's sake, should be supplied by that contribution. So Mr James Melvill stayed in Ingland, remaining in Newcastle, and the rest Avcnt home in the moneth of Male, anno 1607. Now, in the tymc of their being in Ingland, there was an Assem- blic or meeting holden in LinlithgOAv, in the moneth of December IGOG. And this was the cause why an Assemblie was convocat at this tymc : the godliest, wisest, Icarncdest, and most zealous men of the ministrie in Scotland, were cither banished, Avarded, or detain- ed in Ingland, of purpose that they might not be a lett to the grand designe in hand ; for INIr Eobert Bruce, minister of Edin- buro-h, Avas now coufyncd in Inverness, the sixc ministers warded in Blacknes had been brought to T^inlilhgow, in the moneth of Octo- I »)()('». TI!E KIRK OF SCOTLAXD. 239 ber, and after long deliberation, the Earle of Dnmbar, with certaine Lords of the Conncill, refuiseingto give the Ministers any tyme to advyse with their presbyteries, that they might give his Majestie sa- tisfaction witli a good conscience, Avere put to an assyze, Mr Thomas Hope, and Mr Thomas Gray, advocats, procureing for them ; and the King's advocat, Mr Thomas Hamiltoun, accnseing them. An as- syze was called, and the ministers, by pluralitie of votes, (even as their Master and Lord Jesus Christ was, long before them,) was con- victed and putt in the King's Majestie's will ; and the judges coun- selled the ministers to submitt themselves to his INIajestie's will, and confesse their fault, for that wes all that wes sought and aimed at in all this long tract of bussiness. But the ministers, by Mr John Forbes their mouth, spak so pertinentlie and boldlie, and with so great a deall of reasone, that all who favoured their cause were ex- ceeding glad: particularlie they rehearsed to the Earle of Dumbar, and the Lords there present, the historic of the Gibeonites, and how the violating of that oath of God made to them brought the plague of God upon Saul and his offspring, for destroying of them about four hundred years after the makeing of the covenant with them ; adjureing the Earle of Dumbar, as he would be answerable to God thejudgeof all, to tell the King's Majestie, that the Ministers (con- demned for no fault) applyed this historic to him, forewarning him to bcAvar any more to break the oath of God, whilk Avas upon him : in whilk oath the Kirk of Scotland was not circumveened by rent bottle or mouldie bread;' neither dare any say they did not advise with the Lord's mouth in that covenant, made so deliberatlie, con- sultino; in everie thins; with the Lord's oracles ; this solemn cove- vant, the King, and all his subjects, at his command, had renewed Avith God Almightie, that they should adhere constantlie to tlie true Reformed Religion, and established discipline of this Kirk, all the dayes of their life, under the paine of endles condemnation in that great day of the Lord ; and let the King take to heart what befell the posteritie of King Saul, for his breake[ing] of not such an oath as the covenant of God with Scotland. ' See the book of Joshua, ch. ix. v. 13-15 ; 2 Samuel, ch xxi. v. 1, 6, 9. 240 TFTK lIlsrOPtlE OF 1 (')()(■). This proccsse aganis the -warded Ministers was not ended till about eleven honres at night. Their wives wer in tonne awaiting what should be the event of that great Convention ; and when it was told them, that their husbands were convicted of treason by some few more votes nor they that had assoyled them, and that they were putt by the judges in the King's will, they joyfullie, and Avith masculine mynds, thanked the Lord Jesus, who had given them that strength and coui'age to stand to their Master's cause, saying, they are even intreated as their Master was before them, judged and condemned under silence of night. And albeit some caused reports to goe, that the King's Majestic was better inform- ed of their doeings then of before, and, therefore, they woidd be putt to libertie ; yit a warrant was sent home to Sir John Arnot, his Majestie's thesaurer, to provyde a ship that they might be banished out of his Majestie's dominions : whilk was accordinglie done in No- vember 1606, for they were brought from Blacknes to Leeth, and there, the ship being readie, and many attending their embarking, they fell down upon their knees, on the shoare, and prayed tAvo se- verall tymes verie ferventlie, moveing all the multitude about to tears in abundance and lamentation ; and after they had sung the 23 Psalme joyfiillie, takeing their leave of their brethren and ac- quaintance, past to the ship, and rencountered Avith a stormie tem- pest, so that that night they sailed no further but over to the other syde of the Avater ; but then upon the morn, getting a fair Avinde, Avere safelie transported and landed in France. Thus thir gracious men being banished, others being yit in Ing- land detained, lest they should be here at such a nccessarie tymc to give a testimonie to God's trueth, others being in their several 1 wards and places of confynment in Scotland ; we see where the heavie dint of the proclamations from King and Councill, aganis Papists and vitious villains, does light (m. About tliis tyme, the King's Majestic Avrites letters to all the Presbyteries in Scotland, to send such particulare ministers as he had named in these letters to an Assemblie to be holden at Lin- lithgOAv ; also there Avere particulare letters Avritten to these nonii- 3 IGOI). THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND, 241 nat ministers, to come to that meeting, whither their Presbyterie did give them a commission or not. Sundrie of the nobilitie, the Earle of Dumbar being his Majestie's grand commissioner, and some of the barons, mett at Lmlithgow with the commissioners sent from Presbyteries upon the 10th of December 1606, where Mr James Law, then Bishop of Orknay, taught for Mr Patrik Galloway, who had been last moderator of that Generall Assemblie at Halirood- house 1602, he not being himself prepared to preach; and contrare to all ordour, Mr James Nicolsoun (intending to be a bishop, as appeared afterwards) was chosen moderator. — (Read sixe irrefi"a- gable Reassons why this pretended Assemblie is null, unlawfuU, and so of no force : [Acts of the] Generall Assemblie at Glasgow, 1638, December 4, Session 12, page 7 and 8.) The Moderator being chosen, and the man being wittie and calme, began at the taking of ordour with Papists, (that is the right Court-method,) and woidd have seemed verie earnest upon that mater, (the better to mask what followed,) declareing that the cause why Papists so increased in this land was, that mode- rators of Presbyteries were too too often altered, and thus processes aganis Papists and other vitious persons were deserted : And it were a good thing that there were wise, godlie, learned, and zealous men, appoynted moderators of Presbyteries, to be still con- tinued from Synod to Synod, who might be answerable for aU pro- cesses, and for their dihgence, both to the King's Majestic, and al- so to their ProvinciaU Synod : Yea, he had a warrand fra his Ma- jestic, that he womd bestow yearlie 100 hbs. upon e verie such mo- derator, over and above his ordinarie stipend. Aganis this over- tm'e some tilings were spoken, as feareing corruption and superiori- tie to come in to the Kirk by such doeing as that : for they espyed the constant moderator to be a step to a Diocesian Lord Prelat : But aU objections got some answere ; and so, by pluralitie of voyces the overture was concluded, and sundi'ie men presentlie nominat moderators to sundrie Presbyteries ; and then some little thing was spoken concerning the distraction that was among the mini- sters, how that might be helped : A strict ordour (in .shoAv) was 242 THE HISTOKIE OF 1606. taken, that they, who had vote in Parliament, should not in any case presume above their brethren. At this meeting, Mr Adam Bannatine,' an eager opposer of hierarchie, (though afterwards he plaid the apostat, being Bishop of Dumblane first, and nixt of Abre- dene,) was readie with others to protest publictlie aganis this meet- ing ; but he and they were taken off by the bishops and commis- sioners of the Generall Assemblie, assm^eing, that if any thing should be minted to be intei'pryzed, contrare to the liberties of the Kirk, (of whilk they were so tender,) they should hold in their tra- vell, for they would openlie protest aganis it, and they should be their witnesses. So the meeting dissolved Avitli joy, and singing of a psalrae, and great thanks to his Majestie that had such a mynd, to take a more strait ordour with Papists then had been done before ; for in those dayes, that was still the cloak under whilk was palliat aU the wicked plotts aganis the Kirk of God, whilk at first were not espyed, but, it may be, by a verie few, bom downe "s^-ith plm-alitie of votes. Some noblemen and gentlemen, well affected, thinking that all things were well done, desyred a coppie of the acts that were made : but that could not be obtained ; but a promise was made that they should be instantlie printed. The moderator of this meeting, Mr James Nicolson, shortlie after wes made Bishop of Dunkell, who falling in a sore disease, and, by the sense of his peijurie and apostasie, his conscience being aAvaken- ed, he cryes out, Fy on him, he had consented to the renting of his Mother's (meaning the Kirk) bowells : there is no argument for a Bishop but that same is for a Pope, and contra. And when some of his friends desyred to send for physicians to cure my Lord Bi- shop, he answered. No physician but King James could cure his wound, (O atheist ! coidd not Christ cure it better !) he had put a mitre on his head ; he behooved to take it off againe.^ Mr David Lindesay, whose wife was Bishop Nicolson's wife's sister, ' In other MSS., the name is HaUandin, or HaHandvno. Adam Bellendcn was mini- ster of Falkirk in 1608, was Bishop of Dumblane and Dean of the Chapel-Royal, Edinburgh, in 1615, and was translated to Aberdeen in 1635. 2 Nicholson died on the 16th or 1 7th of August 1607 — (Cald, p. 570.) 1C()6. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 243- then minister at Dundie, afterward also (for nothing will be a do- cument to those that are children of perdition) a perjured pr^elat, Bishop of Brichen, and then of Edinburgh, heareing thir words, did make them in verse : Solatur frustra conjunx, solantur amici ; Et medicum accersi sedulo quisque jubet : Sed dare solamen nemo, dare nemo salutem, Te pr^eter poterit Kex Jacobe milii. Quse corpus gravat atque animam, tantum exime mitrae Huic caput ; hujus onus me premit, et perimit. Inglished thus : His wife and friends comforts in vaine, bids bring a doctor hither ; None but King James can give me health, by taking off my mitre ; My bodie doun into the grave, my sovde to lowest hell It presseth doun, O take it off, or ells it will me kill. Immediatlie after this convention at Linlithgow was dissolved, commissioners were appojoited to see constant moderators setled in aU Presbyteries. Beginning at the Presbyterie of Edinburgh, and Mr John HaU nominat constant moderator there ; simdrie of the brethren, desyring some space of tyme to think upon the tenor of the act, whUk was so hastUie read over, tliat none could conceave the substance therein contained ; but no space was granted, no not till theh' meeting at afternoone ; albeit in Providence, the text of scriptm'e whereupon he preached Avho exercised that morning was, " Seest thou a man hastie in his maters, (as in the old translation,) or in his words, (as in the new : *T^*1 is both), there is more hope of a foole than of him." All that could be obtained was, that Mr John Hall should act himself to continue no longer moderator than the nixt GeneraU Assemblie, and then to dimit the place, if the Gene- rail Assemblie should not confirme that act, and nominat him mo- derator againe. Commissioners were appoynted by the King's 244 THE IIISTDKIE OF 1()07. Councill of* some noblemen, Avltli some of the minlstrie, to see this ordour established in all Presbyteries ; and letters of homing raised for that effect, to charge the brethren of each presbyterie to re- ceive such a Brother by name, to be their constant moderator with- in 24 hours after the charge, and to charge the Brother nominat to accept the place and office, under the same pane of homing, within 24 hours. Whereby it came to passe, that many ministers being charged with horning, and the persone also nominat being desyre- ous to accept, all presbyteries almost accepted of their moderators ; but with sundrie conditions and caveats, hopeing that either the Provinciall Assembhes, or the Generall Assemblie, should decyde that question. But when the tyme of the Provinciall AssembUes came, there were commissioners appoynted by the King's letters, to be present at the Provinciall Synods, to see such as were nomi- nat of the bishops and commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, sett doune to be constant moderators of these Assemblies ; as par- ticularlie, my Lord of Scoone, provest of Perth,' was the King's commissioner to that Provinciall Assemblie, whilk held in Perth at that tyme, to see Mr Alexander Lindesay, Bishop of Dunk ell, sett doun moderator of that AssembUe. But because the brethren of that meeting could not get a sight of that act, and some brethren also who had been at the convocation of LinlithgOAV, affirmed that there was never such a purpose once spoken of, far less wes it macted, that each Provinciall Synod should have a constant Moderator : whereupon all the brethren, vna voce, voted to keeptheu* fomier or- dour : leets made, Mr William Row, former Moderator, asks the votes, and Mr Harie Livingstone is chosen Moderator. But my Lord Scoone being discontented, would not suffer them to keep an assemblie within the Kirk, but first did throw over the table upon the ministers, even when they were praying to God for liis blessing, and then locked the kirk-doores ; so that they were forced to keep their assemblie in the kirk-yard. AVhereupon Mr William ' Sir David Murray of Gospetrie, Comptroller, was created Lord Scone in IG05, and Viscount of Stormont in 1621. He was Provest of Perth from 1601 to 1G08, and from 1612 to 1627, without interruption. 1607. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 2-15 Row, and Mr Harie Livingstone, being charged to appeare before the councill, to answere for their doeings, Mr William Row not dare- ing appeare, knowing his awin danger, was put to the home, and Mr Harie Livingstone was confyned to live within his aAvin con- gregation. Ministers thus putt to great straits and inconveniences for standing to the defence of the old discipline of our Kirk ; and the King appoynting that the modification of ministers stipends should be in the hands of Bishops, (a most readie mean to make them followed,) many poore, many corrupt, and ill-principled mini- sters begouth to acknowledge them and honour them, as now have- ing power in then- hands either to doe them good or evill. And, therefore. Bishops grew so proud, that they thought no presby terie shoidd dare to contradict them in any thing ; Avhilk made Mr James Law, minister at Kirklistone, afterward Bishop of Orknay, writ a letter to the Presby terie of Jedburgh, to meet at such a tyme as he du-ected them, that he might come and visit them, and see what they had done in such things as were injoyned them by the Gene- rall Assemblie. But the Presbyterie considering that, he now be- ing made a Bishop, would use more authoritie then became him, gave sundrie reassons why they disswaded him to come to that visitation at that tyme ; Avherewith the Bishop, not being contented, wrot back to them a verie imperious letter, boasting, that he should come aganis them cum jure et potestate utriusque gladii, speaking just with the voyce and words of Antichrist, concerning his power of both swords ; Boniface VIII., of whom it was written, Intravit ut vulpesj regnavit ut leo, ynortuus ut canis ; — that is, he entered into his Pope- dome by craft as a foxe, he did reigne by crueltie as a lyon, and he died like a dog. And as Bishop Law (contrare to both law and gospell) boasted, so he caussed summons sundi'ie of the brethren of that presbyterie, and also of the Presbyterie of Dunce, before the Secret CounciU, so that some of them were putt to the horn, and others Avere warded, as he (the Bishop) himself thought good. This year [1607] was the great frost. After this, because the Bishops and their adha^rents (now evi- dentlie covenant-breakers) began to be hated and spoken out 246 THE HISTORIE OF 1608. against, they professed they were verie desyrous to enter in a peaceable and amicable way of dealling with all brethr^en who were of a contrarie judgment unto them ; and, after great deliberation, it was thought verie expedient that there should be a free and peaceable consultation, and, if need were, a disputation, to see if any thing was done in our Kirk Avithout a good warrant!, that all these things might be amended, and love and amitie renrtaine among the ministers of Christ and professors of the gospell as it was before. Tliis was condescended unto by both parties, and,, with the King's Majestie's advise, a day was appointed, and the meeting to hold at Falkland, Junij 15, anno 1608 ; whereof som.«e of the wisest, and most sincere and most zealous men of the niinistrie getting knowledge, were offended that any of their judgm^ent should have putt the estabhshed ordour and governament of our Kirk, so well warranted by Scripture, allowed, ratified, and confinned by Acts of Parhament, and now in a sweet possession thereof for forty- eight years bygone, in any doubt, or subject tj'ie same of ncAv againe to cavUlation or dispute ; seing the Bishops' intention in this meeting could be to no other end but to make ttie countrey to be persuaded that what they sought was disputable at least, whither it might be granted or not. Alwayes the meeting keept at Falk- land the day appoynted : the bishops and commissioners with them mett together in the King's chappell within the Palace ; the mini- sters standing for the old discipline and governement of this Kirk, mett in the pariosh kirk in the tonne, and, being frequently ' cou- veened, thought it best, for escheAving of disordour, to choise a moderator, so Mr Patrik Sunson was by common consent chosen to moderat. And then entering to confer upon the lamentable condition of this Kirk, and what shoidd be done for reparation of the same, they fand a little taste of the sweetness that was wont to be found in their old Generall Assembhes, where the servants of Christ used to speak freelie and sincerelie in the maters of God. And, in end, they resolved upon four Aiiicles, Avhilk they sent to the Bishops and commissioners with them ; Avliilks, if they should ' Frequently conveened, assembled in considerable numbers. 1608. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 247 agree unto, agreement and hannonie among them would easilie follow : — 1°. That the cautions and caveats of the Generall AssembHe, holden at Montrose, anno 1600, in the King's awin presence, shoidd be insert in the bodie of the Acts of Parliament, made in favom's of ministers voters in Parliament ; and that they who lies transgressed may be censured accordinglie. 2°. That the disciphne and governement of this Kirk, establish- ed by lawes ecclesiastick and ci\dll, practised so long, and sworn unto so deepHe, and subscryved by all, should continue in vigom', and stand inviolable. 3°. That the AssembUes, generall and provinciall, should be re- stored to their wonted integritie, as being the most effectuall means, through the Lord's blessing, to beare downe the enemies of religion. 4°. That the banished, warded, and confyned ministers, Christ's faithfull servants, shoidd be restored to their awin places and liberties. The Bishops and Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie seem- ed heartilie to consent to thir Articles, yit needfull it is (say they) that the Generall Assembhe consent to them, that they may have the greatter authoritie, and the King may be the better contented. And whill the AssembHe come, we think (sayes the Bishops and commissioners Avitli them) that ye may agree to thu' Articles sett doun by us : — 1°. That the mean while there be no publict speaking or preach- ing on either syde aganis or with the present governement of this Kh*k, but that all sermons shall run aganis Papists theh doctrine and ungodlie practises. 2°. That the Generall Assemblie hold at the tyme appoynted, viz. the last Tuesday of Julie, and the King's Majestic to be in- treated to consent thereto. 3°. That at that Generall AssembHe onlie the pubHct affaires of the Kirk be handled ; and the particular controversies concerning the governement of the Kirk be handled first privatlie by commis- sioners deputed for that effect. ^48 THE IIISTOKIE OF 1H08. 4°. That earnest sollstation be made to the King for the relief" of all the ministers that are in any way put from their chai'ges. To thir Articles the ministers consented, for good causes, (as they thought,) for the tyme, even to be silent, (in that poynt,) and to have a pra'limited Assemblie, feareing, that if they had made any opposition, neither should a Generall Assemblie have been ob- tained, neither the persecuted ministers have gotten releefF: but dueties are ours, events the Lord's, and we cannot expect a good event when we desert our ductie, and so are wanting to ourselves, neither ought any man doe (the least) evill that (the greatest) good may come of it ; and ye see how Papists is still the cloak. At this same tyme, the Earle of Dumbar came doun from Court with a magnifique commission of lieutenandrie for all the North parts of Scotland, and a rumour wes made to go abroad, that if the King got not contentment from the Kirk, he woidd, by virtue of his prerogative royall, discharge aU presbyteries and assemblies. At the same time there came doun with the Earle of Dumbar some Inglish Deans, as the Dean of Winchester, (who not long- after was made Archbishop of Canterburrie,) and the Dean of Rippon, and some doctors.^ Theii* earand was to persuade all who Avould be persuaded by them, (to gaine proselyts,) that there was no difference betwix their Kirk in Ingland and oures, but onlie some few indifferent thino-s, and chiefiie concernine: the ao- vemement of the Kirk, they being governed by bishops, and Ave by presbyteries and assemblies, and some ceremonies they used whillc we Avantcd, all Avhilk AA'cro uhia08. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. ^ 253 (without his knowledge) wes penned, and tlien printed,' and put in the King's hand, who marked such things in it as he called errours, even all that wes aganis the hierarchie, whereby the libertie where- with Christ hath made tliis Kirk (in that respect) free was taken from them. The King wrot to the Conncill to call Mr John Moray before them, (doctrine should have been judged by an ecclesiastick judicatorie,) and if he acknowledged that sermon to be his, and would stand to the defence of those errours, to cause Avard him till further punishment were inflicted. He appeareing before the Conncill, acknowledged he had uttered such a sermon at such a tyme : kncAv nothing of the penning or printing of it ; affirmed, That the alledged errom's could not be gathered from his words, much less were they his words, it pleased his Majestic inforce these things upon his words wliilk by no good conseqiience could be gathered from them ; wdierefore, he appealled to his hearers', who Avere many and judicious men, noble men, gentlemen, and mini- sters, &c., if any such thing could be gathered from his words. The Conncill rested content with this answere, and wrot to the King what was done ; but the King not being content with the Councill's cariage in it, AATOt doune a warrand, and caused Mr John Moray first to be warded in the Castle of Edinburgh, after that banished and confyned in New Abbey, on the border besyde Dumfries ; where being in great strait throw want of fyre, both his children, that had been tenderlie educated, was taken away by death, and he himself was forced to adventure to come and live at Prestounpanns, where he might have food and fire, neither of whilk he could have at New Abbay. Whill he was at Prestoun- panns, destitute of a ministrie some years, he had a call from the toune and parioch of Dunfei*mline (with consent of the presby- terie) to be their minister, whilk was, after much dealKng, obtain- ' His sei'mon was printed at London, and was subjoined to a scarce tract, entitled " Information or a Protestation, and a Treatise from Scotland, &c., all suggesting- the usurpation of Papal Bishops," 1608, small 8vo. Calderwood has given some account of this sermon, with the articles charged against Murray, and his answers to the Privy Council. (Hist. pp. 375-578.) 254 THE HISTOKIK OF IGOB. ed ; but he stayed not long there, for Mr George Glaidstans, Bishop of St Androes, being dead, and Mr John SpotisAvood comemg in his place, at his verie entrie came and visited the kirk of Dunfermline, and laid the wholl burden of that ministrie upon Mr Andro Foster,' a graceles, giftless man ; yit, forby the burgh was a pariosh of about eight or nyne myles in length fra the south to the north, and four or five myls in breadth, he silenced Mr John Moray, untill it pleased God, in his providence, to visit Mr Andro Foster his colleague with a great sicknes ; who, after his convales- ing, took a great trouble in his mynde, evidenced by liis running out of the pidpit, when he was going to open his mouth, he still apprehended the magistrat wes comeing to take him out to execute hira ; for at the Assemblie of Glasgow, 1610, (whereof anone, God willing,) he confessed he had sold Christ for a very small sume, wherfewith the King, by the hands of the Earle of Dumbar, cor- rupted such in that Assemblie as wes content to sell themselves to sin ; and being verie poore, haveing a numerous familie, choosed rather to make hast nor beleve, for by the means of a false key now and then he took silver out of the kirk boxe ; wherefore no great wonder though he ran out of the pulpit, his ordinare text, in providence, that day being John xii. 6. So he quat his ministrie, and silenced himself, requesting Mr John Moray, for Christ's sake, to take the charge of that congregation upon him : Thus Mr John Moray againe injoyed his ministrie from 1616 to 1622, at which tyme, being summoned before the High Commis- sion for not confonnitie, he was removed from Dumfemiline, and confyned witliin the pariosh of FowUs, in Strathern, where he abode in Gorthie, belonging to his brother, Sir David Moray, a courteour, ever till the death of the said Sii* David in amio 1629 ; and then being put from Gorthie, he removed to Prestounpanns againe, where he departed this life m anno 1632, giveing many excellent exhortations to all who came to visit him in the tyme of his sicknes : In particular, intreating them never to consent to the present corruptions whilk had entered in this Kirk, aganis the whilk ' Andrew Forrester was minister of Dunfermline in 1598, and resigned in 1615. 1G08. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 255 corruptions he had made a verie godhe treatise/ by way of a dia- logue betuix Cosmophilus (a bishop, a lover of this world) and Theophilus, (a godlie minister or professor, a lover of God.) All the tyme of his sicknes, and at his death, he professed it was to him mater of much peace and joy, that the Lord dained him, and thought him worthie to have that honour as to suffer for the glorious cause of God, and to give a testimonie to his trueth be- fore a corrupt generation, and to be keeped free of corruptions introduced in this Kii'k by prelacie and prelats. The like testi- monie to God's trueth many precious servants of God gave, on their death-bed, in corrupt tymes, whilk I could relate ; but I for- beare. Now I come to Mr William Cowper, who, in the yeare of our Lord 1608, was reverenced, and had in estimation by many gracious Christians, for his soundness of doctrine, alwayes inveighing aganis the corrupt estate of bishops, appeareing to all men to hate verie much that lordlie dignitie in a kirk man, compareing them and their godless followers to snuffs of candles, whilk not onlie is destitute of light, but also casts out a filthie flewrish stink in men's noses. And when he knew that some bishops were upon a tyme going to ryde in Parhament, he said to his brethren. Let us go and see thir proud prelats ryde ; I never thought to have seen such fearfldl cor- ruption in our Kirk : But most of all, he uttered his miscontentment aganis that hierarchic in a letter written to Mr George Grame, a compresbjrter, minister at Scoone, (afterward Bishop of Dumblane,) who had before written to Mr Cowper a verie flattering letter, that he might obtaine some favour at his hands, and not to kyth his enemie as he did : Cowper his responsorie missive was this : — " Brother, " I have receaved your commendations from B., whilk were need- ' This little treatise was printed anonymously in 1620, as " A Dialogue betwixt Cosmophilus and Theophilus anent the urging of new Ceremonies upon the Kirke of Scotland, mdcxx." smallSvo, pp. 43. At the end is the date, " Januar. 1, 1621." It has been attributed to Calderwood, and was no doubt printed, like many of his tracts, in Holland, and, it might be, under his inspection. 2')G THE HISTOKIE OF 1608. less, if ye had keeped your wonted heart. As for me, I never hated you : your course wherein ye have entered I never loved ; though the fruit ye injoy be sweet, yit the end shall prove it never grew upon the tree of life. Doeing in a mater of conscience with doubting- turneth the light to darknes, whereupon followeth indiu-ation. Hence it followeth, that many in our Kirk without feeling are coursers aganis their bretkren, who have done more good in the Kirk, for the edification of others, than ever themselves did, haveing neither eyes to see, nor hearts to considder, how dangerous their estate is, who cannot rise but with the falling of many, who in Christ have entered the right way in the ministrie, closeing the fountains whilk God hes opened. One of your awin stamp told me, long ere the last ministers went to Ingland, that they Avere written for to reason, but the end proved prison ; and no appearance of returning to some of them. These are the first fruits of your preferment. Here ye stand, and, therefore, I cannot stand with you, except it be to witnes to God in my heart aganis you, that ye have gone wrong. Ye hope in this course to doe good ; but is it not hard for you to Avork miracles ? At least ye wiU hold off" evill ; but how shall ye draw in that yock with them Avho arc drawing on eviU daylie ? Ye AviU not goe beyond the caveats of the GeneraU Assemblie. But the answere given to the commissioners of the Kirk, by the ChanceUour, at the last Parliament, ' We enter not bishops according to an Act of the Assemblie, but according to that which they were an hundi'eth yeares since,' dctexit fraudem. I heard the answere given with thir ears of myne, and so did the chief of themselves, A. B. G. Ye skarr at them whom sometyme ye Avere blyth to see ; ye cannot abide the light Avliilk ye once loved ; ye count those preachings unpleasant wherein once ye was Avont to rejoyce : These may tell you ye have fallen aAvay and apos- tatized. Considder [Avith] youi'self where ye Avas, and where ye are now, and quantiduvi dlud sit propter quod nos reliquisti : Thus loveing yourself, but not your Avay, I end. {Sic iod service done to him. Ye speak of a question concern- ing the severitie of the Caveats concluded in relation to them who should vote in Parliament, but I wish the verie vote in Parliament itself were called in question againe ; for it is the verie fundation of this rebuilded Babilon. If ye say yit. Men and brethren, what shall we doe ? Would to God we had the spirit of compunction, first, to move us in an earnest maner to ask that question ; then something might be answered : As, First, to cry and complain to Christ, filling heaven and earth Avith bitter lamentations for the captivitie and desolation of Zion, and for hir sake not to keep silence untill the Lord had pitie on hir. Nixt, to publish to all Christians our just greevances, how our Kirk is so oppressed by autoritie of men, corrupted by money, circumveened by craft and policie, and holden in thraldom aganis God's word, and aganis the acts, lawes, and priviledges whilk the King, the Estates of Parlia- ment, and wholl bodie of this realme, hes granted and given to hir. Thirdlie, I would have those Balaams, Avith honour and riches made dumber nor asses, and blinder nor moles, who, for the wages of unrighteousnes, hes perverted the straight waves of God; those Judasses, sons of perdition, who for money hes betrayed Christ and his kingdome ; those profane Esaus, who hes sold their birth-right in Christ's inheritance for a meass of pottage ; [and, finally, these Shemaiahs, imprisoners and tormentors of their brethren,] after due admonition, to be painted out livelie in their cullours and proceed- ings. And, lastlie, alace, if that spirit of action,. zeall, and courage, whilk some tyme mightilie did reign in oui" Kirk, A^'er resuscitat and raised up againe, Avhilk might make a few from e verie Presby- terie and Province conveen together in the name of Jesus Christ, and censure sickerlie those corrupters of the Kirk. But Avhat talk 2()lo THE HISTORIE OF 1009. 1 of those materSj seing your last conference hes praeoccupied all such dealling, and cutted short the occasions and means thereof by approveing all the King's proceedings, with giveing thanks to God therefore, (a horrible profanation, and takeing of God's name in vame,) and promiseing peace, and brotherlie concord and content- ment. So all that noAV can be done are but wishes and words, venting like ncAv wine from the inward working of a passionat heart; res jam 7ion estintecjra; the cause is prejudged, a few now cannot doe it, and a competent number of many will (I feare) never be gotten. So we must commend tliis whoU cause to the great Avenger of the defaceing of his aAvin glorie, and demohsliing of the hedge of his vineyaird, and fair wall of his Jerusalem, and complaine continuallie, that now we cannot see any signs of any remedie, neither is there any prophet among us to tell us. How long, &c. Yit, deare brethren, sufferers for, and labourers in, the cause of Christ, let us not be altogether discouraged, but hearken to the voyce of our Christ and King, saying. Let not your hearts be troubled, &c., John xiv. 1, &c. And this is a faithfull saying, If we suffer with him, (for him,) we shall also reigne with him, 2 Tim. ii. 11, 12, 13 ver. And, finallie, let us be as Jeremiah, car- ried to Egypt aganis his will, and like Ezekiell, Daniell, and the rest, caried to Babilon aganis then* will. Let us ever have the examples of the godlie before our eyes, and preass to imitat their patience, pietie, wisdom, and courage, ever standing uprightlie and constant- lie for the glorie of God, and comfort of his captivated Kirk, untill the time it please him to stin'e up some Zerubbabcl, or Xehemiah, or Ezra, to bring againe the people, to re-edifie his temple, and sett up againe the decayed Avails of his Jerusalem : the hope Avhere' of is much encreassed, hightened, and strengthened amongst all the truelie learned and godlie in Europe, by a voyce sounding mighti- lie, as it Avere, fra the dead, aganis this sacrilegious and cursed Hierarchic, I mean Mr Brightman's Commentarie upon the Apo- calypse, whilk hes more clearelie and solidlie demonstrat the trueth of God aganis them then all that hellish pack of Jesuits and world- lie formalists can say any thing for them ; [of Avhom ye Avill see my 1609. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 267 Uncle's judgment, in his last letter to nie, which I have sent you with this bearer ;'] the reading thereof I recommend to you, and rests, desyreing a greatter intention of spirit in mutuall prayer. Now to proceed in our Historic. The Bishops perceaveing that conferences woidd not doe their turn, deserted that second meet- ing appoynted to have been at Stirlin, and caused a proclamation to come doune fra Court, dischargeing the General! Assembhe whilk should have been at St Androes, yea, and all ordinare keep- ing of Assemblies ; because there was such distraction and disagree- ment amongst the ministers, that the keeping of an Assemblie could work no other effect, but give advantage to Papists and other enemies of the gospell to insult over them. And fuUie to gaine their poynt, the tuo Archbishops, St Androes and Glasgow, with some others, in anno 1610, went up to Court, and there pur- chased at the King's hand (avIio could, who would, refuise them nothing) the High Commission, (whilk is most tyrannicallie used by the bishops of Ingiand,-) to be also sett up in Scotland, that they might be the more awfull and formidable to all, but speciallie to the ministers, who would not foUow their course. Further, they pur- chased missive letters from the Kino; to seven or ei«:ht score of the most ignorant and most disaffected, worst inclyned, of the ministrie, and most profane, together with his Majestie's missives to all Pres- byteries, commanding them to send such of their number as he had nominat in his letters, to keep and assemble at Glasgow such a day as was therein mentioned ; and in his particulare letters to everie minister that was nominat, he commanded those ministers to keep the said day and dyet appoynted, Avhither their Presbyterie ' The words printed within brackets in this letter are omitted in the MSS. of Row's History. 2 A Court of High Commission had been established in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and much oppression and severity having attended its judgments, it was regarded with general dislike by the laity. King James's letter, authorising the establishment of two such Courts in the province and diocese of St Andrews and of Glasgow, dated 15th of February 1610, will be found in Calderwood, pp. 616- 619. He also inserts the warrant for uniting these Courts, 21st December 1615, pp. 651-654. 2G8 THE IIISTOKIE OF 1010. did give them commission or not, assureing them both of thanks and reAvard for their duetifuU obedience and service. But that all men may see the hudge iniquitie of, and the many fearfuU inconveniences tliat might and did ensue upon that High Commission, (which was first granted at this tyme to Mr George Gladstans, Archbishop of St Androes, and after Gladstans's death, it was renewed againe to Mr John Spotiswood, then Archbishop of St Androes, in a more ample and more subtill forme, in anno 1020,) ye shall considder the tenor of it in the words following:' — [the king's avarrant for the reneaval of the high com- missiox court, 1020.] Our Soveraigne Lord ordains a Letter of Commission to be passed under his Highness Great Seall of the Kingdome of Scotland, bear- ing, That, forsamekle as it lies been complained by the Archbishops, Bishops, and other ministers of that his IMajestie's Kingdome, that advocations 'and suspensions are frequentlie granted by the Lords of Councill and Session, unto such as be in process before them and th.eir ecclesiasticall court, for offences committed; w^iereby offenders are imboldencd to continue in their wickedness, useing the said advocations and suspensions as means to delay their tryell and punishment : Therefore, that no such subterfuge be left unto impious and Avicked men, Avitt ye His Majestic, as being supream governour over all persons and causes, both civill and ecclesiasticall, within his Highness dominions, nlxt and immedlatlle under Christ, to have given, granted, and connnltted, likeas, by the tenor hereof, His Majestic gives, grants, and committs full poAver and commission to the right reverend Fathers in God, his trustle and Avel-beloved councellours, John Archbishop of St AndreAvs, Primat of Scotland, and James Ai'chbishop of GlasgOAv, to his Highness right trustle cousins and counsellours, Alexander Earle of Dumfermllne, Chan- celler, Johne Earle of jNIarre, Thesaurer, George Earle Marshall,^ ' This warrant has boen compared and corrected by the copy in Calderwood's History, pp. 733-735. 2 Instead of the list of names wiiich arc here inserted from Cahlerwood, Row sim- 1610. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND, 269 John Earle of Montrose, and Thomas Earle of Melros, his Majes- tie's Secretarie of Scotland ; to the right reverend Fathers in God, Alexander Bishop of Dunkel, Patrick Bishop of Aberdeen, Alex- ander Bishop of Murray, Andrew Bishop of Galloway, Patrick Bishop of Ross, David Bishop of Brechin, Adam Bishop of Duni- blane, John Bishop of Cathness, Andi-ew Bishop of Argyle, and George Bishop of Orkuay ; to his Highness trustie counsellers, William Lord Sanquhar, Arthiu^e Lord Forbes, James Lord Ochil- trie. Sir Richard Cockburne, Lord Privie-Seal, Sir George Hay, Clerk-Register, Sir William Leviugstoun of Kilsyth, knight ; and to his welbeloved Sir John Lermonth of Balcolmie, Dr Peter Bruce, dean of the Chapter of St Andrews, Mr James Hammil- toun, dean of the Chapter of Glasgow, Dr Alexander Gladstone, archdean of St Andrews, Dr Theodor Hay, archdean of Glasgow, Mr David Sharpe, chanter of Glasgow, Dr Henrie Philip, mini- ster at Aberbroth, Dr Robert Howie, Provost of the New Colledge of St Andrews, Dr James Blair, Professor of Divinitie in the said CoUedge, Dr William Forbes, minister at Aberdeen, Dr John Strang, minister at Errol, Dr Archibald Hammiltoun, minister at Paisley, Masters Patinck Galloway, Andrew Ramsey, and William Struthers, ministers at Edinburgh, Mr John Strauchan, parson at Kincardine, Mr John Guthrie, minister at Perth, Mr CoUne Campbel, minister at Dundie, Mr John Bell, minister at Aber- nethie, Walter A^Hiytfoord, parson of IMoffet, IVIr James Logan, parson of Ettilstoun, Mr Andrew Drummond, minister at Pan- bryde, Mr John Ogilvie, minister at Auchincoldrom, Mr John Mackorn, minister at Stratoun, Mr David Cuninghame, minister at , ]Mr John Weems, commissar of St Andrews, Mr Thomas Henrison, commissar of Edinburgh, and Mr James Ham- miltoun, commissar of Glasgow ; or any five of them, the Arch- bishop of St Andrews and Glasgow, or any one of them, being of the number of the five alwayes : And to summond and call before ply adds, after Earl Marshall, " and so reckons out some more earles and lords, all the eleven bishops, some officers of state, some barrens, all the doctors of Theo- lo^ie, sundrie ministers,, all of Diotrephes humor, and three commissars." 270 THE HISTORIE OF 1610. them, at the tymes and places they shall think most convenient, all persons dwelling Avithin the Kingdome of Scotland, and within the Provinces of St Andrewes and Glasgow, that are offenders in doctrine, life, or religion, or any of these holden to be scandalous ; and, speciallie the intercommuners and resetters of Jesuits, semi- narie priests, and masse priests, hearers of masse, priests and excom- municat papists, recusants or not-communicants, incestuous and adulterous persons, all obstinat contemners of the discipline of the Kirk, and persons excommunicat for the samine : To take tryell of the forenamed offences ; and as they shall finde any person guiltie or impenitent, to give direction to the minister of the parish where he duells to proceed with excommunication aganst him : and if the minister obey not the said command, to censure him by sus- pension, deprivation, and warding, as they think meet : And fur- ther, to fyne, imprison, and ward any such persons as they shall finde guiltie. of .the saids crymes, or that shall be contumacious, and refuise compearance when they shall be charged : With power like- wise to the saids commissioners to summond and call before them all ministers, preachers, doctors, or masters of schoolls, colledges, and universities, and all exhorting and lecturing readers, within the bounds foresaid, that shall be delated to them for preaching and speaking in publick aganst the present established Order of the Eark or Estate, or aganst any of the Conclusions of the bypast Ge- nerall Assemblies of the Kirk ; speciallie of the Acts of the Generall Assemblie holden at Perth in the moneth of August 1618 years, and all disobeyers of the said Acts ; likewise Avritters of pamphletts, in the contrare of any of the constitutions of the Kirk, and printers of the saids books and pamphletts, or of any other books without his oSIajes- tic's licence, or warrand of such as his Majestic lies authorized with the crantino- of licence in such cases. And Avho soever that after tryell shall be foimd guiltie of any of the premisses, to punish them by suspension, deprivation, fyning, Avnrding, and imprisoning, as they shall finde the qualitie of the oftencc to deserve : As also, with power to them to receave and discusse all appellations made to them from anv infcrioiu- ecclesiasticall judges, and to inhibit the 1610. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 271 said ecclesiasticall judges to proceed in any mater which they shall hold to be improper for them, or wherein they shall perceave the saids judges to have behaved themselves partiallie, advocating the saids maters to their awin judgment, and commanding the Captaine or lieutenant of his Majestie's guard, the Provest and baiUies of the burgh Avhere the saids Commissioners shall happin to sitt, Sheriffs and baillies of the regalities, to search, take, and apprehend aU such offenders, and to present them to the said Commissioners, upon a warrand subscryved by any five of them, (one of the said Arch- bishops being alwayes of the number,) and chargeing the captains or constables of his Majestie's wards and castells, jayllers and keepers of prison in burgh or land, to receave and detaine all per- sons directed to them, in such forme as by the said waiTand shall be prescryved, as they will answere to the contrare at their perill : Requireing also the Lords of his Majestie's Privie Councill, upon the sight of a certificat, subscryved by any fyve of the saids Commissioners, (one of the said Archbishops being allwayes one,) either of fyne imposed upon any partie, or upon their refuiseing to compeare before the said Commissioners, to direct a summar charge of horning upon ten dayes, for payment of the fyne that shall be imposed upon them ; and to direct other letters, for de- nunceing of persons that shall refuise to compeare before the said Commissioners, of whilk letters no suspension of relaxation shall be granted witliout a testimonie under the Archbishops' hands of the partie's obedience and satisfaction ; and with power to the said Commissioners to choise clerks, procurator-fiscaU, and other members of court, and to direct precepts in name of the said Archbishops and their associats, for citation of any partie before them in any of the causes above named : which precepts shall be sealled with a speciall seall, containing the airms of the said Arch- bishops ; and with power to summond witnesses in any of the said causses, under the paine of 40 libs, money of this reahne of Scotland ; and if the witnesses refuise to compeare, the said Lords of CouaciU shall direct charges for payment of the penalties they shall incurr ; upon certificat of the said Commissioners : of all such 272 THE HISTORIE OF 1610. fynes as shall be imposed, the one half to pertaine to his Majestle and his Higlmess thesaurer, and the other half to be bestowed upon such necessarie charges as the said Commissioners shall be forced to, and the superplus thereof to be bestowed at the sight of the said Commissioners ad pios usus. And generallie, all and sundrie other things whatsomever to doe, whilk they shall think to be con- venient for his Majestie's service, and according to the intent of the said commission. Attour, his Majestic, by the tenor hereof, dis- charges the Lords of his Highness Privie Councill and Session of all advocation from all Ecclesiasticall judicatories of any maters of the qualitie above written ; but that they reserve the try ell and judg- ment thereof to the said Commissioners, chargeing and command- ing all and sundrie his Highness subjects and leidges whom it effeers to readilie answere and obey the said Commissioners, or any five of them, (one of the said Archbishops being one,) their officers and ministers, in all and sundrie things concerning the premisses, under all highest paine and charge that after may fol- low. Given at Our Manor of Greenwich, the fifteen of Junij, and of our reignes of England, France, and Ireland, the seventeen, and of Scotland, the fifty-two. (Subscribed by the King's own hand.) Sic subscribitur, James R. Melrose. George Hay. Alex. Cancell. Marre. Now, albeit this commission, verbo tenus, appears to have been given out for takeing order with offences, wickednes, scandalls in doctrine, life, and religion, and especiallie to take ordor with pa- pists, excommunicats, and recusants, and other ungodlie livers ; yit it is notoure that was never intended ; for shall the most profane and scandalous offenders in all the Kingdome (the Bishops I mean) take ordour with profanitie ? (Sec the cleareing of this trueth, at Glasgow Golden Assemblle, 1638, page 14, 15, &c., Ses. 14, &.c.y) and that antichristiau tyrannicall Hierarchic wn? never an enemie IGIO. THE KIRK OF .SCOTLAND. 273 to papists. ]3ut the traeth was, as the effect and event proved and spoke aloud, that it was intended, and all the force of it was bend- ed onlie to the hurt, dounebeareing, and undoeing of the faithfidl ser- vants of Jesus Christ, opposers of their Hierarchic ; for by this High Commission, some of the sincerest ministers of this kingdome hes been confyned, (I speak from personall experience,) some put from their mlnistrie by deposition ; others of the subjects hes little re- garded it, as never being confirmed by any Parliament ; for it is a plaine way for the King's Majestic to exercise an absolute autori- tie upon any of his subjects, of whatsomever rank they be, when ever he pleases, seing he can by himself alone erect a new judi- catorie, to overtop all, both in kirk and commonwealth : for in speaking of appellations, even the Generall Assemblie, the supream ecclesiastick judicatorie in this Kirk, is not excepted; yea, they re- solved never to have another Assemblie ; so that from 1618 to 1638, for twenty years, there was no Generall Assemblie in Scotland. What are the evills of this Commission, see Dkloclavij Altare Da- mascenum^ printed 1623, p. 17 ad 29; but he speaks of the Com- mission granted first, 1610, wherein three was a quorum. The grave and weightie Reassons for whilk it Avas discharged at Glas- gow 1638, p. 13, holds forth also the iniquitie, injustice, wicked- ness, and tyrannic of that Court. And noAV, see what was the King's drift and designe, when, so many years agoe, he caused transport worthie Mr Black out of St Androes (for he was most antipr^elati- call) to Arbii'lett in x4.ngus, and Mr George Gladstanes (a verie court sycophant) from ArbMett to St Androes, where now he is Archbishop andPrimat of Scotland, anno 1610. Now, we come to speak of the seventieth GeneraU Assemblie liolden at Glasgow, Junij 8, 1610: Mr Johne Spotiswood, bishop there, usurped the moderation. This Assemblie was a rare one, for luiexpectedness, suddaintie, way of procedure, acts, and events : 1°. It Avas most unexpected in regard of that proclamation, pag. 195, ' The well-known work of Calderwood, published abroad, under the name of Edwardus Dldoclavius. 274 THE nisTOiME or IDIO. [264] discbargeing Assemblies. 2°. Most suddaine, for tbe Earle of Dumbar, with the ministers and presbyteries letters fra the King, came downe from Coiu't in the end of Maie, and the Assemblie held Junij 8. 3°. In regard of the Avay of procedm'e ; on the right hand, allurement, gold to be given to them that voyceth as the King would have them to voyce ; to peijure themselves, break cove- nant, sell Christ and his cause for 30d., and their birth-right for a meass of pottage ; on the left hand, terrour, threatnings, menass- ings, the wrath of a King, the roareing of a lyon, persecutions, de- position, banishment, &c. 4°. Acts setting up an abjured liierar- chie, rebuilding cursed Jericho, re-edifieing demoHshed Babel. 5°. The events (ye may well know) coiUd not be but dreadfull. The historic is this : In the end of Maie 1610, the Earle of Dumbar comeing down from court, brought with him from the King a com- mission, and many letters, one to each Presbyterie, and letters to many particular ministers who w^ere nominat by the bishops, and thought meetest to be at that Assemblie, desireing and willing pres- byteries to send those ministers named in the letters to that As- semblie, with an unlimited commission, and willing the particulare ministers to whom he wrot to repair to that Assemblie, wdiether their presbyterie gave them a commission or not. Thir letters be- ing dely vered in the end of Maie, the Assemblie was appoynted to meet at GlasgOAv upon the 8th day of Junij following. Sundrie noblemen and barrons were written for to keep that meeting, and some ministers also who were not named in his Ma- jestie's letters to the Presbyteries. Also, the Earle of Dumbar brought with him three Inglish doctors/ estimated great divines ; and he lacked not gold and n^mey eneugh to be distributed and given to such ministers as should vote to the King's contentment. Thus all being conveened, and ministers and others informed afore- ' These were Dr Christopher Hampton, Dr Phineas Hodson, and Dr George Me- riton, each of them chaplain to the King. Hodson, "the little chaplain," as Caldcr- wood styles him, preached before the Assembly at Glasgow on the 8th, the other two on the 10th of Jime. The sermons of Hampton and Meriton were printed at London, 1611, 4to. lOlO. THE KIRli OF SCOTLAND. 27.") hand, the first clay of the meeting was appoyntecl to be a day of fasting and hnmiliation, (as Avhen Naboth's vineyard and life is plotted to be taken, a fast nuist be proclaimed, Avherewitli to pal- liat the plott : 1 Reg. xxi. 9,) and, therefore, there were three ser- mons taught, one by the Bishop of the place, Mr John Spotiswood, who had (as said is) usurped the moderation, because they were conveened at his cathedrall : he preached at seven hours in the morning ; Mr James Law, Bishop of Orknay, at ten houres ; and one of the Inglish doctors at afternoone ; all aiming at this, that there was need of a more comelie and peaceable government in our Kirk then was presentlie : And, therefore, albeit religion came in- to this countrey after one maner of way, viz., aganis autoritie, yit must be intertained after another way, viz., with autoritie and re- gall power. The nixt day, the Assemblie fullie conveened, earls, lords, bar- rens, ministers, and commissioners : The King's Majestie's grand commissioner still assenting to Avhatever was thought meet by the Moderator. And, therefore, the first thing that was done, there Avas a privie Conference chosen, to shorten the Assemblie the better, Avhilk hes been the Avrack of almost all our AssembKes continuallie. This privie Conference was made up for the most part of Bishops, and their folloAvers, who, without contradiction, (except tAvo that op- poned to some things, whom the Moderg,tor woidd not name in open audience ; they Avere supposed to be Mr Johne Hall, and Mr William CoAvper,) concluded the Articles folio Aving ; and so the Moderator reading them openlie, in the audience of all the Assemblie, and makeing all the Articles as though they had been but one, (Avhilk Avasa verie Avicked trick,) sought the A'otes of the aa^ioU Assemblie ; beginning at his Majestie's Commissioner, and then going to the noblemen, barrens, and gentlemen, and last at the ministers, (Avhereas ministers should Aoyce first, noblemen and gentlemen haveing voyce there but as elders,) all their votes Avere either offir- mative, granting to all the Articles m cianulo, (and these A'otes caried the mater,) or negative, voteing aganis all the Articles ; and such Avere only five or six ministers, or some voted non liquet ; because 27G THE HISTOKIE OF 1610. they would pcratl venture liave voted to some of the Ai'ticles, but they had not will to be so gross as to voyce to them all. After the votes given, and Assemblie concluded, then the pelf (gold) was dis- tributed among these that voyced affirmatively; and some got more, and some less, according as the Bishops thought they deserv- ed their reward, or were able to hold fordward the cause and pur- pose intended ; whereby it came to passe, that some getting so little in comparison of others, were mal-contents, and went home, Avishing they had not come to that Assemblie. This being knowen in the countrey, they made a rumour passe, that the King's Majes- tic had onhe given moneyes to such ministers as had their dwellings far fra GlasgoAV, to defray their great charges ; but the contrare was Avell knoAvcn ; for both some neare GlasgOAv, Avho voted the King's way, got the Avages of Balaam, and some gracious ministers in the North, who voted negative, got no gold at all. THE ARTICLES CONCLUDED AT GLASGOAV ASSEMBLIE, 1610. Imprimis, That the pretended Assemblie holden at Aberdeen is null initself, in respect it had not his Majestie's allowance, and was discharged by his Highnes's Commissioner. And, because that the necessitie of the Kirk craves, that, for ordour takeing Avith the common enemie, the Papist, and other efFairs of the Kirk, there shall be yearlie Generall Assemblies, the indiction Avhereof the Generall Assemblie acknoAvledges to appertaine to his Ma- jestic, by the prerogative of his Royall Croune ; and, therefore, this Generall Assemblie most humblie requests his Majestic, that Generall Assemblies may be holden once in the yeare at the least, in respect of the necessities foresaids ; desyreing his ]\Iajestie to appoynt a certaine tyme at the Avhich the samyne may be holden preciselie in all tjnnes comeing. Item, It is thought expedient that the Bishops shall be Mo- derators in everie Diocesan Synod ; and the Synods shall hold twice in the yeare in the kirk of the diocie, viz., in Aprile and October; and where the diocie is large, that there be two or thrie Synods in convenient places for the ease of the ministers. 1610. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 277 Item, The Visitation of the Dioceses to be done by the Bishop himself, and if the bounds be greatter nor he can overtake, he is then to make speciall choise, and appoint some worthie man in his place to be visitor ; and what ever minister, without just cause and lawfull excuse made, shall be absent fra the visitation of the Diocesan Assemblie, he shall be suspended from his office and be- nefice, and if he amend not, he shall be depryved. Iteyn, That no sentence of excommunication or absolution be pro- nounced against or in favours of any person, without the knowledge and approbation of the Bishop of the Diocie, who must be answer- able to his Majestic for all formall and impartial! proceeding there- in, and the process being found formall, the sentence to be pro- nounced at the direction of the Bishop by the minister of the pariosh where the offender dwells, and where the process began. And in case the Bishop shall be found to have stayed the pronounce- ing of the sentence aganis any person who hes demerited the same, and aganis whom the process hes been lawfullie deduced, the same being tryed, and he convicted in a Generall Assemblie ; therefore, that advertisement shall be made to his Majestic, to the effect another may be placed in his roume. (Notandum, The Generall Assemblie may not depose him.) Item, That all presentations be directed hereafter to the Bishop, and upon a presentation given or otherwise sute made by any, to be admitted to the ministrie, the minister is to requyre of the brethren of the bounds where he is to serve, a testificat of his conversation past, abilitie, and qualification for the function ; and upon the return of their testification, the bishop is to take farder tryell, and find- ing him qualified, and being assisted by some of the ministrie of the bounds, (no mention at all of the Presbyterie where he is to serve,) he is to perfite the act of ordination. (Notandum, The Bishop is answerable to none for his doeing, and PauU, an eminent apostle, associated to himself in this act of laying on of hands the Pres- byterie ; but this is now the verie hour of darknes.) Item, In deposition of ministers, the Bishop, associating unto him- self (he hes the option and choise himself, be ye assured they shall 21i^ THE HI.STUKli: Of IGlU. be all prelaticall, men of his awin stamp) some of the ministrie of the bounds -where the delinquent is, they shall take tryell of his fact, and, upon just causses, depryve him. Item, That eyerie minister, at his admission, shall sweare obedi- ence to his INIajestie, and to his Ordinar, according to the forme sett downe in the conference at Leith, in anno 1571, whereof the tenor foUowes : (Nota, That conference at Leith, in anno 1571, was pro- tested aganis at Perth, in anno 1573, declareing particularlie that bishops should not meddle with seculare effixirs, and should haye nothing beyond the office of a superintendent. Vide post Altar e Damascenum tractatiim de Rec/iniine Ecclesice Scoticancs, pag. 5, et post ilium tractatum Vindicias Philadelphia &c., pag. 36, 37.') " The Forme of the Oath to be giyen by the Person proyyd- ed to any Benefice with cure, the time of his admission, by the Ordijiar. '^ I A. B., noAv nomiuat and admitted to the Kirk of C, ycrilie tcstilie and declare in my conscience, that the right excellent, right high and mightic Prince James the VI., by the grace of God King of Scotts, is the onlic lawfull supream goyernour of this Kealme, als Avell in tilings temporall, as in couseryation and pm'gation of reli- gion ; and that no forraigne prince, prelat, state, or potentate, hcs or ought to have any jurisdiction, power, supcrioritic, preheminen- cie, or authoritic, temporall, ecclesiasticall, or spirituall, within this Realme : .Vnd, therefore, I utterlie renounce and forsake all forraigne jurisdiction, powers, yupcriorities, and authorities ; and promise that, from this tyme forth, I shall and will beare faithfull and true allcageance to his Ilighnes, his heirs, and lawfull successors ; and to my power shall assist and defend all jurisdictions, priyilcdges, and preheminencics united and annexed to his Royall Croun. And far- ther, I acknowledge and confess to have and to hold the said C, and possessions of the samyn, under God onlie, of his Majestic and ' The troatisos hero mciitiunotl arc jiiiiitod at tlio oni\ of Caklorwoixl's Allaro Dama'^cciuim, 1023, 4 to. 1610. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND, 279 Ci'oun Royall of this realme ; and for the saicls possessions I doe homage presentlie unto his Highness in your presence, and to his Majestie's heirs and lawfidl successors shall be [faithfull and] true. So help me God." Item^ The exercise of doctrine is to be continued weeklie amongst the ministers at the tymes of their accustomed meeting, and to be moderated by the Bishop if he be present, or then by any other whom he will appoint at the tyme of the Diocesan Synod. Item, The Bishops shall be subject in all things concerning their life and conversation and benefice to the censure of the Generall Assemblie, and being found culpable, with his Majestie's advise and consent, (whilk they well knew would never be obtained,) to be de- pryved. Item, That no Bishop be elected but who is past the age of forty years compleat, and who lies been an actuall teaching minister foi" the space of ten years. All Avhich Articles, divers tymes read pubHctlie in face of the wholl Assemblie conveened, after voting the samyn, were ratified and concluded by the said AssembHe, and injoyned by the Mode- rator to be observed in all tyme comeing. Yit a godlie l^rother, Mr Peter Primrose, with the remanent brethren of the Presbyterie of Aire, who, being neare to Glasgow, came to see what would be done at that Assemblie, who perceave- ing the gross iniquitie of those acts, (whereby, in one instant, all the excellent forme of the discipline of this Kirk of Scotland was casten doun,) were fullie resolved to j^rotest aganis all that was done, and Ijegan in publict to doe the same ; yit were interrupted, and made to beleve that they should get satisfaction in the privie Confer- ence ; where, partly by minassing authoritie, and partlie by cun- ning policie, they Avere broken and laid by. Therefore, before their dissolution, instead of giveing any satis- faction to well affected brethren after conference, this Act was also concluded : — That seeing it is alreadie inacted, that the Bishop shall mode- 2yO THE lll:jT(jRIE OF I6IO rat at the exercise of tlie bretlireii, or one whom he shall name at the Synod ; and seing there Is no Synod to be till October nixt, that, in absence of the Bishop, the constant Moderator shall rcmaine in his uAvin place, in everie presbyterie, Avhill the nixt Synod come. Item, Because it is uncivill that iawes and constitutions, either civill or ecclesiastick, being once established and in force, by pub- lict and open consent, should be controlled or called in question by any person ; therefore, it is statut by uniforme consent of the -wholl Assemblie, that none of the ministers, either in pulpit in his preach- ing, or in his publict exercise, speak or reassone aganis the acts of this present Assemblie, nor disobey the same, under the paine of de- privation, being tryed and convicted thereof. And speciallie that the question of eqnalitie or ina^qualitie In the Kirk be not treated in the pulpit, under the same paine ; and that everie one of the present commissioners intimat this act, in the first meeting at the first exercise after their return home. Extrncted forth of the Register of the Books of the Generall Assemblie hy me jNIr Thomas Nicolson, commissar of Aber- deen, clrrh, keeper, and extra etor hereof. NOTANDA. \°. Fui-by wliat is said, observe the men given over (it seems) to a reprobat mynde, who knowing tliat they were deeplie plotting and openlie practiseing aganis the cause and covenant of God, to Avhilk thev were all sworne, yit durst they, in so blasphemous a maner, take the name of the great God in vaine, as to celebrat a fast, and beg in prayer the (lod of trueth to countenance tlieir publict per- jurie ; and haveing conchided, they durst al)use that sacred, great, and florious name, by thanksgiveing to ( i od lor good successe in betraying the kingdomc of Jesus Christ. 2**. Remark, those Assemblies, at that tyme of defection and apostasie, were but ciphers ; the privie Conference, cliosen all of disaffected men, for the most part ivasoiied and concluded all, in the Assemblie nothing but reading smd voyceing. IGIO. THE laRK OF SCOTLAND. 281 3°. The King, so judicious a prince, contrare the light of his niynd, and many publict testimonies to the trueth, given in open audience of Generall Assemblies, publict declarations, and other- Avise ; for by his solemne sweareing the Covenant, with his hand lifted up to the most high God, and causeing all the kingdome to doe the same, now being forty-four years of age, tempts by gold on the one hand, and menassings on the other, weak, wicked, and un- stable men to perjure themselves, forsake their covenant, and turn their back on Christ's kingdome. 4°. Eemark, the Earle of Dumbar is a chief stickler in all this ciu'sed bussines. 5°. They declare aganis Aberdeen Assemblie : How is it to be expected they will dcall earnestlie Avith the King for the re- duceing or releassing of those, (whom the King persecuted for avowing of that Assemblie,) as at Falkland they promised? G°. They make the King head of the Kirk, and it is a question if popafus polificus be not large worse nor papains ecclesiasticus. 7°. Presbyteriall governement is closs abolished : in effect it is but larva et nmhra that remains, and Prelacie is fullie sett up : Yit the Caveats inacted at Montros, anno I 600, pag. 145, [201], are not ab- rogated : Whereupon and other solid grounds, in number fyve, the Golden Assemblie at Glasgow, anno 1638, pag. 9, lies declared this pretended Assemblie 1610 to be null, and did proceed to depose the Bishops at Glasgow 1638, pag. 14, &q. 8°. Want of courage, zeall, and honcstie in those who loved the trueth, being boasted from or persuaded to quyt their publict pro- testation aganis this connipt Assemblie. 9°. Iniquitie is established by a laAv, Psal. xciv. 20, yit men dis- charged to speak aganis it, all are commanded to be metamor- phozed in dumb dogs that cannot bark. 10°. Notanduni, We have had two Golden Assemblies at Glas- gow, one 1610, golden, as poculum is called anrcum, where reall gold Jacobusses (as the Inglish tearme our double angells) were givin to such as wcr content to sell Christ ; the otlier, 1 638, gol- den, (as Jinmcrns in the almanack and calcndurc, l)y conqjotists,) 2S2 riii: iiisTOKiE or IGIO. is called aureus, i.e. jiret/'osissimus, because of its excellent use and benefite it produces. Thir doings at this corrupt Assemblie were heavilie regraited by good brethren of the ministrie, and godlie professors also, so that as sundrie of the nobilitie, bishops, and ministers, were returning home, and came to Stirlin, jNIr Patrik Simson publictlie, in a solemne and frequent congregation before them all, in his sermon laid out before them their peijurie and defection from the trueth of God, fairlie and clearlie manifesting the mater so to their con- sciences, that the Bishops were at a stand, and knew not what to doe, whither to accuse him, or to comport with that rub; yit, after advisement, they judged meetest at that tyme to forbeare. Suchlyke, when as severall of them came to Edinburgh, jNIr AValter Balcanquall, one of the ministers there, served them just as Mr Patrik Simson did ; who Avas for this conveened before the King's Council!, where coram he convicted Bishop Law of apos- tasie and perjurie in such a maner that he had nothing to answere ; yit they dismissed him Avith a simple admonition. JNIr Patrik Galloway also glanced verie neare the matter in his first sennon that he made after his return to Edinburgh, but ever withall (after his accustomed maner) flattering the King verie much. Others also, professors that spak pertlie and openlie aganis tlie Acts of that Assemblie, were also summoned before the Couucill, who appeareing, spak freelie their mynde, so that the Councill thought they behoved to punish them some Avay ; but the Bishop of Glasgow stayed them, saying. That such dealling so soone would doe no good, but stirre up more, and mak them over much adoe ; yit a merchand of Edinburgh, William Kemp, Avas imprisoned a while, and then Avas relceved Avith a sharp admonition. And in- stantly there Avas a terrible proclamation made, that none should speak or Avrit aganis the Proceedings and Acts of the late Assem- blie at GlasgOAV.' ' When Dr Hampton published his " Sermon preacliod in the Citie of Glasgow in Scotland, on the tenth day of Juno IGIO, at the holding of a Gcnerall Assembly there," Loud. U511,4to, in his dedication to the King, he alludes to the "calum- niations of a tragicall trifflcr," and says, " The brethren to whom he sends his IGIO. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 283 Immediatlie after this, the Bishops of Glasgow and Brechine took journey to Court to report what was done, and got great thanks fra the King. Galloway folloAved, who all three abode there till the moneth of November, at what tyme the Inghsh Par- liament sat doun in Westminster, and then by a speciall commis- sion from the King to the Bishop of London for that effect, the Archbishop of Glasgow and the other tuo were solemlie ordained, inaugurat, and consecrated,^ with anoynting of oyle and other cere- monies, just according to the IngHsh fashion and pontificall of the Papists ; who thereafter returning to vScotland in the moneth of December, did to the Archbishop of St Androes, in St Androes, as they were done withall at Lambeth, als neare as they could possiblie imitat ; and thereafter the tuo Archbishops consecrated the rest, and the new intrant Bishops as they were nominat by the King, and agreed unto by the rest, first quyetlie, as being ashamed of the foolish guyses in it, but afterward more and more solemnlie as their estate grew, and as they were favoured by their Prince. Now to speak some other things that followed as effects of this As- scmblie. When newes came to Ingland what Avas done at Glasgow, and Mr Andro Melvill then being in the Towre, was informed of all the particulars, [James Colvine,] a gentleman of his acquaintance Nan-ation are reverend in deed, but so respective of the Churches tranquilitie, that the idle sound of his trumpet will make no alarum," What Narration is here referred to is uncertain. ' John Spottiswood, Archbishop of Glasgow, Andrew Lamb, Bishop of Brechin, and Gavin Hamilton, Bishop of Galloway. According to Spottiswood's own account, (as well as other authorities,) the consecration took place on the 21st of October, in the chapel at London- House, by the Bishops of London, Ely, and Bath ; the Archbishops of York and Canterbury being specially excepted, to avoid any appearance of their acknowledging the usurpation which these prelates claimed of old, as belonging to their spiritual jurisdiction. He also states that a question was moved by Dr Andrews, Bishop of Ely, of the necessity that the Scotish Bishops should first be ordained Pres- byters, as having received no ordination from a Bishop. Bancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury, however, who was present, maintained " That thereof there was no ne- cessity, seeing where Bishops could not be had, the Ordination given by the Presby- ters must be esteemed lawful! ; otherwise, that it might he doubted if there were any hncfull vocation in most of the Reformed Churches. This applauded to by the other Bishops, Ely (it is added) acquiesced." — (Hist. p. .j14.) 281 THE HISTOKIE OF 1610. ciiiiie to take his leave of him, and asked what Avord he had to send to his friends in Scotland, for he Avas presentlie to go to his journey. He, haveing his mynd upon the deplorable estate of the Kirk of Scotland, took scarcelie any heed Avhat the gentleman had said to liim ; wherefore, the gentleman not willing to stay, said over againe, Sir, I would carie any word from you to your friends in Scotland if ye will imploy me. Mr Andro Melvill answered, " I have no word to send to them, but am heaviHe greeved that the glorious governement of the Kirk of Scotland should be so defaced, and a Popish tyrannicall governement sett up ; and thow, Man- derstoun, (so styleing the Earle of Dumbar, because he came out of that house,') lies thow no other thing to doe but to carie doun to Scotland such commissions, whereby God's Kirk is wracked there ? The Lord shall be avenged upon thee, and thow shall never go doune againe for all thy grandeur." A^Tiereupon, the gentleman comeing furtli from him, mett with other tuo of his acquaintance awaiting upon the Earle of Dumbar his comeing up to Court, and he said to them, that Mr Andro Melvill had foretold his mine shortlie to ensue, because of his accession to the defaceing of the Kirk of Scotland ; and, therefore, seing I know Mr Andro Melvill to be an holie and zealous man, and that sundrie other things whilk he hes spoken in his zeale hes come to passe, I wish you to delay no time, but get your turns exped with him so long as his court lasts. The other great instrument of the wrack of the Kirk of Scotland was Richard Bancroft, Archbishop of Canterburrie ; both tliir were stricken with the great and just judgments of God soone after this Assemblie ; for in that a eric moneth of November, at the inauguration of the Scottish bishops, Bancroft (who, in his funcrall sermon made by the Bishop of London, wes commended for casting doune Presbyteries and Assemblies in Scotland) Avas casten doun and overthrowen by terrible torments, and died a despei'at death.^ And the Earle of Dumbar was by death throAven ' lie was tho son of Alexander Hiimo of Mandcrstun, a branch of the family oC AA'edderburn. 2 Archbishoii Bancroft died al Lanibctli, tlic '2d of Novcnilnr 1(11(1. 1(510. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 285 douue from the verie top of his grandeur and dignitie, and Avhen he wes busselie compleating his great building in Berwick, intend- ing, with great solemnitie, to have keeped St George's day there, and to have celebrat with great porape the mariage of his onlie daughter Avith the Lord Waldoun ; but God suffered him not to compleat either of them, being prevented by death in Februarie following, in anno 1611.' [Having^ occasion thus to mention Mr Andro Melvill and Ban- croft, we insert heir a particular omitted pag. 171 , [236]. The King knowing Mr Melvill to be ane bold, plaine, and frie speaking man, and of ane hote and fyrie spirit, sparing no flesh, of purpose ab- sented himselfe from the Counsell w^ien he Aves to make ansuer befor them, therby giving Mr Andro Melvill a faire opportunitie to light leill upon Bishop Bancroft, then Bishop of Canterburrie, who, in the King's absence, used to preceid in the Counsell, Avho (as we have said before) had written ane booke in Queene Eliza- beth's tyme against King James [his] right to the Crown of Ing- land. When he was broght before the Counsell, Bishop Bancroft, the preses, comanded him to kneele, that he might ansuer to the Counsell and their demands upon his knees, according to the cus- tome of England, (for so these that Avere accused of high treason used to ansAver.) But Mr Andro Melvill refusing to kneele, the Bishop commanded some officers or serjeants-[macers] to put him to his knees ; Avhich Avhen they had done, the honest serA'ant of Jesus Christ being on his knees Avith his eyes elevate, and his hands lift up to heaven, prayed. To thee, O Lord, I make my moane, &c., ' Sir George Home, Earl of Dunliar, died the 29th of January 1611. According to Sir John Scott of Scotstarvet, he was poisoned " with some tablets of sugar, given him for expelling cold by Secretary Cecil." One of his daughters w-as married to Lord Walden who, according to the same authority, " disponed all his share of the Earl's great possessions, and pulled down the magnificent edifice at Berwick, transporting the whole marble and other hewn work thereof to London." The Earl's other daughter was married to Hume of Cowdenknows. Calderwood also says of the Earl of Dunbar, " Of all that he conquished in Scotland, there is not left to his posteritie so much as a foot-breadth of land." ^ This passage is not contained in the MS. of Row's History, written in 16.50 : see note to page 236. '^^^'> TIIK HISTOKIK OF 1()1(). and presentlie started to his feet againe. This doing uls oft as they compelled and forced him to kneele. The Bishop sieiug that he could not help himselfe, but that stiU he complained and prayed to God when he was forced to his knees, did permitt him to an- swer standing. Then sayes the Bishop unto him, Yee are heir this day accused befor the Counsell table of England of high treason against his Majestic, &c. The zealous and faithfull servant of Christ, interrupting him, answered, Poore Andro Melvill a traitour ! That wes never, &c. ; reiterating these words. But my Lords, directing his speach to the Counsell, and turning as it Avere from the Bishop, there is one Dr Bancroft (for so he wes called when he wrote his booke) in England who is a great traitour ; let him be searched for and punished as a notorious traitor : Bancroft is a traitour I thus prove,— ^ He that writes against the Kings's r'uAit to the Croun is a traitor : But Dr Bancroft hath written ao-ainst Kino- James's ri^lit to O O O the Croun : Ergo, Dr Bancroft is a traitor. And repeating his argument, as for the major, It Is undenyablc, sayes he ; and for the minor, sayes he, putting his hand in his pocket, he pulls out the booke. There, sayeth he, is Dr Bancroft's booke whilk he hes Avrltten ascalnst our Kinij's rii^ht to the Croini of England, whilk Mr John Davidson, our brother minister at Prestonpannes, hes ansuered ; then I am sure he is a traitor : let him be dealt with as a traitour, but poore Andro Melvill is not tlie traitour. The Bishop being amazed at this bold and zealous an- siicr and unexpected re-encounter, at first wes silent, and whill lie Is bethinking himselfe what to reply, one of our noblemen (for there wes then some of our old nobilitle present) sayes to the honest and zealous servant of Jesus, Mr Andro, Remember yourselfe where ye are, and to Avhom yee are speaking, &c. lie rcplyod, Yes, my Lord, I know verie Avell where I am, and Avhat I am s|)caklng ; but, my Lord, if yee Avere Avorthic your lugs, yee Avoid not sitt there, and lieare [and] sic ane innocent Scotishinan so abused as T am heir ICIO, THE KIUK OF SCOTLAND. '2^1 this day. Tlie nobleman, astonished at his freedonie and boldnes, gave way to him to speake for himselfe, and so he went on as pag. 171, [236]. Another effect not to be forgott whilk followed upon that cursed Assemblie, is concerning three brethren of one presbyterie sent to the Assemblie, (I love to speak what I know trueth, they were my compresbyters :) they were adjured, as they should answere to Christ Jesus, in the Bishop of St Androes his presence, not to consent to the alteration of the present governement of this Kirk ; who, notwithstanding, being eamestlie dealt with, with ponderous arguments, (gold is a weightie and worthie metall,) tuo of them voted to the setting up of prelacie, the third, ]Mr James Stuart, minister at Salin,' his vote was jw)i liquet. Returning home, the presbyterie inquyred what they had done at the Assemblie, the other tuo were silent ; Mr James said plainlie. There wes gold and money eneugh dealt amongst ministers, but I thank my God I got none of it. AVhereupon a friend said mirrilie to him, They say that ye got Devill be-lickit at this Assemblie, alludeing to his vote non liquet, thinking he had repeated it faithfiiUie, for he understood not the Latine words, being an unlettered man. This repeated by me at the Golden Assemblie of GlasgOAv, a7i}io 1638, as it wes a cleare- ing to that most famous and renouned Assemblie of the wickednes and treacherie used at Glasgow 1610, so the sport was amidst their cares and fears, some a little refi-eshment. As for the other tuo, I spoke alreadie of Mr Andro Foster [For- rester], minister at Dunfermline, page 186, 187 [254] ; he con- fessed he got fra the Earle of Dumbar fifty merks Scots money, a small sume to sell Christ his Ku'k and his cause for, neither did this nor the other fifty merks (whilk he confessed, with a false key, he had at sundrie tymes stoUen out of the boxe in smalls) enrich the man, for he wes a verie spectacle of God's wrath ere he died, long distracted and mad ; and comeing to himself somewhat, dimit- ted his ministrie there ; yit long after he being turned a beggar, the Bishop of St Androes intruded him upon a landwart congre- ' Stewart, admitted minister of Carnoflv in 1586, was translated to Saline in 1387. 2HS THE llISTOMIi: OF 1C)1(.). gation in Perthshire,' over the bellies of the people; aud so he died a most infamous wretch, drouned in tlebt. The third, Mr William Patton, minister at Aberdour, (haveing in all three congregations under his charge, viz. Aberdour, Dalgatie, and Beath,) he also got fifty merks for his vote fra the Earle of Dumbar after his return from Glasgow ; the elders of his Session and deacons did misse fifty merks or thereabout stollen out of the kirk box, which stood in the minister's house ; wherefore, he was desyred either to use diligence to try who had done it, or to re- found it himself; but he answered dispytfullie, that he would make them no compt of it ; whereupon they complained to liis ordinar, and fo]* that the Bishop came and made a visitation of his kirk, and caused the minister publictlie sweare that he neither tooke that money himself, neither knew he who took it ; yit after he had sworne, the Bishop commanded him to put fifty merks in the boxe, oonslddering that [Avhen] fifty merks Avere taken out, the boxe stood in his house, and he had used no diligence to try Avho stole it. So he put iii fifty merks with shame and great malcontentment. Thus the pryce which he got for Judas-like betraying of Christ was employed in providence upon an use not unlike a buriall for poore strangers, for it came to the poores use, not being any benefite at all to the Judas, whose skill and dexteritie was knowen to be fiir greater in making of skulls^ nor either in praying or preaching. This is concerning the connnissioners of one Presbvterie of Dun- fermline ; it was informed also, aud noturely knowen, that whoever got of that accursed thing, (the King's gold sent doun with Dumbar to tempt unstable soulls to betray Christ and his cause,) it became to them like E1j, and was appointed, in 1619, minister of Collace near Perth. - S/iulln here probably stands for a kind of coarse baskets used for carrying peats, &c., but the same word is used also for goblets or drinking vessels ; and s/mles for stalls where cattle are fed. 3 1610. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 289 other mean. However, the King was so earnest upon the erecting of Bishops, (contrare to his oath and many solemn declarations,) that he cared not what it cost him ; as the Pagans were profuse upon their idolatrie, and Israelits turning idolaters can take their verie earrings and braceletts, and cast from them if it be to make a golden calf of them ; so he, in buying in their benefices to them out of the hands of the noblemen that had them, in buying votes at Assemblies, in defraying of all their other charges, and promove- ing of all their adoes and bussines, as comeing to, and going from, and liveing at Court, prelat-like, that is, sumptuouslie and gorgeous- lie, in apparrell, hous, dyet, attendants, &c. did im[)loy (by the confession of such as were best acquainted with, and were actors in, these bussinesses') above the summe of thi*ee hundreth thowsand pounds Sterhn money, that is, sixe and thirtie hundreth thowsand pounds, or fiftie-four hundreth thowsand merks Scots money, an hudge thing indeed ; but sin lying heavie on the throne, crying aloud for wrath on him and his posteritie, is infinitlie sadder nor 300,000 libs. Sterlin. Now, it rests that we speak how the October Synods, 1610, were keept in relation to the statuts of this Generall Assemblie. The gi-eat metropoHtan Archbishop, Primat of Scotland, keept tuo Dio- cesan Synods, (for they would not use the good old words of Pres- byterie and Provincial! Assemblie, but the brethren of the exercise and the Diocesan Synod, relating to a prelat's diocie,) one in Angus, another in Fyffe. In Angus all the ministers mett, and gave obedience in all things to their ordinare : what stamp lies ever since that day been upon the most of the ministers in that province to this verie day is too too notoure. Many ministers of Fyffe and Perthshyre met at St Androes, according as they were charged by particulare letters, under paine of suspension, to ob- ' " A coimseller and special doer in that work told me, that one bishoprick cost the King a thousand pounds sterline, and more then he and I could spend all our dayes beside. The advancement of the whole woi-k, for the sjy&ce of eight years, may be estimated to many hundred thousands." These words occur in Calderwood, p. 613, apparently as an explanation of his own, but interpolated as part of James jMelville's letter (see, p. 264 of this volume.) T 290 THE UISTORIE OF IGIO. serve the Acts of the Assembly of Glasgow, and to conveen at St Androes on such a day. At the day appoynted many inctt ; the Bishop taught as if he had been moderator last ; but it is observable, that albeit he was minister of St Androes, and then Archbishop, yit the Province of FyfFc did never choise him moderator of then- Provinciall As- semblie, though he Avas often on the leetts ;^ whilk made him once in great anger to say, that he Avould be delected, that is, seing they Avould never choise him moderator, neither would he be any more mocked by being still on the leetts ; wherefore, the Assem- blie, not without reassone, fears that he would usurp the place of moderation, Avhilk he did, sitting doune as moderator without any leeting or voycing. The brethren had before hand mett and choised JVIr John Malcolme (minister at Perth, being the agedest of those that was knowen to love the cause of God) to speak in their name aganis any prelaticall usurpation that should that day ap- peare ; and if the Bishop would not suffer them, according to the good old foiHn of the Kirk of Scotland, to choise their moderator, his ordour was to rise and remove, and all the ministers obliged themselves to follow him. Mr John Malcolme promised so to doe. The Bishop being sett doun in the moderator's chair, began to pray, and some woidd have interrupted him, but he said, Let us begin at prayer, and then speak what ye think good. The prayer ended, the Bishop began to tell what w^arrand he had to take that place and authoritie upon him by the Acts concluded at the late Assemblie at Glasgow. Then after great contradiction, and many good reassons aganis him both from Scripture and Acts of our Generall Asseml)lics, in the piu'cst and sincercst times of om* Kirk, the Bishop at length uttered thir words, " God, let me never see God's face, nor be partaker of his kingdome, if I should take this office and place upon me if I were not persuaded that it were both lawfuU and expedient." To the whilk cursing of himself it was answered, That his pretended groundles perswasion should not de- stroy the good ordour that was established in our Kirk ; whereupon ' Put in tlie list for nomination as Moderator. 1(310. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 291 sundrie began to protest aganis his usurpation, desyreing Mr Johne Malcolme to rise and leave him, and promiseing (as wes fore- agreed) to follow him. But Mr John Malcolme (a man who had not a brow for that bargain) was dissuaded by his colleague, Mr William Cowper, who stood up and said, Brethren, it shall be best to stay, and try if he does any thing contrare to the ordour in former Assembhes, and then we shall all leave him. The Bishop also himself used many fair speaches to alluir the brethren to stay, and see what was done ; yit some began to protest aganis that Avhilk was alreadie his proud usurpation. The Bishop then,* in great anger, said, I care not what ye doe, if there but Avere sixe or seven brethren Avho will stay, I shall doe the turn that I shoidd doe, and be answerable to the King for my doeing ; he said not to the Generall Assemblie, nor spak he as James directs, saying God willing, or If the Lord Avill, &c. Thus Mr Johne Malcolme (according to his promise and order) not removeing, and the Bisho]? promiseing solemnlie to do nothing but as they should direct him, he choised a clerk, and said, I think the tryell of pres- byteries is the principall thing that is ado at this tyme : and so a verie perfunctorious and superficiall tryell of the presbyteries being made, the brethren dissolved with great miscontentment. Shortlie after this, vipon a certaine Sabbath, the Bishop haveing preached before noone, (that Aves also a part of the prelacie, and Diotrephean humoiu-, never to preach at afternoone, but still in the forenoone,) and it being his ordinarie custome, in the afternoone, to go to some pastyme, or to ly upon a bed and sleep ; he had this day lyen doune to sleep : The cooke (a crabbed sort of office- bearer) being offended that he could not get my lord's supper out of the lardner in tyme, made some noise, and uttei'ed some lowd words : The Bishop's sister's son cometh and chideth with the cooke for holding my lord from, or putting him off, his rest : The cooke againe in anger replyed, and spake some indiscreet words to ' In the MS. of Row's History, 1650, which we have followed, there are six leaves (pages 211 to 222) cut out in this place, and their place supplied by two leaves not paged, containing what follows in the text, to the middle of Melville's Latin Supplication, (p. 297.) In regard to the passages probably omitted, see note to page 294. 292 THE niSTORIE OF 1610. the Bishop's nejjhew, whereat he, being offended, drew a dagger and sticked the cooke. The man being killed, the cry ariseth, the Bishop his nephew, the murderer, is apprehended and committed to prison. The poore man's friends being satisfied with a peece of money, none being to pursue the murder, he was by moyen cleansed by a whyte assyze, (as they call it,) and lett go free. In October also all the rest of the Bishops keeped their diocesan courts, albeit with great contradiction and discontentment in some of them ; and no marveU I say so, that it wes but in some of them, seing that the most godlie, learned, zealous, and wisest of the ministrie, many of them were removed by death or banishment, or warding, or confyning, &c., so that they not being present to oj>- pose, they could neither act in their owin persons, nor stu' up others to their duetie, as they woidd have done, if they had been present, or had been pennitted, for it avcs certainlie knowen that Mr George Glaidstans did writ to the King, confessing, that if Mr Andro Mel- vill had been in the country and at libertie, (at this tyme he wes still in the Towre of London,) it had not been possible for him to have gotten that turn done which he did. Now, albeit all succeeded to the Bishops contentment, yit were they odious to aU who knew their perjurie and pride, their profanenes, and licentious living at this tyme ; in eo much that sundrie poesies, both in Latin and English, were sett out against them, as these following :' — ViNUM amat Andreas,' cum vino Glasgua^ amores, Ros ^ coctus, ludos Gallua,"* Brichreus ^ opes ; Aulam Orcag,'' ollam Moravus,^ parat Insula * fraudes, Dumblanusque ■' tricas, nomen Abredonius ;'° ' Caldorwood says the verses, " wherein were described shortly the conditions and manners of our new prelats," were cireulati'd in Edinburgh in January 1609. The sevcrall prelats named in these scurrilous lines were, (I.) George Gladstones, Arch- bishop of St Andrews ; (2.) John Spottiswood, Archbishop of Glasgow ; (;).) David Lindsay, Minister of Leith and Bishop of Ross ; (4. ) Gavin Hamilton, Bishop of Gallo- way ; (5.) Andrew Lamb, Bishop of Brechin ; ((!.) James Law, Bishop of Orkney ; (7.) Alexander Douglas, Bishop of Murray ; (8.) Andrew Knox, Bishop of the Isles ; (9.) George Graham, Bishop of Dumblanc ; (10.) Petei" Blackburn, Bishoj) of Aberdeen ; 1610. THE KIEK OF SCOTLAND. 293 Ai'va Caledonius ^^ frateriii ruminat agri, Rarus adis parochos o Catan^ee '^ tuos. Solus in Argadiis '^ pr^sul meritissimus oris, Vera Ministerii symbola soliis habet. Englished thus : — . St Androes loves a cup of wine, Wine Glasgow with an w^hoore ; Rosse companie, play Galloway/^ Brechin not to be poore. Orknay the Court, Moray the pott, The Ysles loves to deceive ; Dumblane to triffle, and Aberdene A glorious name to have. By chance Dunkel has lighted so That Jacob he would bee ; But, O, good Catnes, when comes thow Thy flock to teach or see ? For life and doctrine they may al Resigne it to Argill ; So faith has left the Lowland clean, Gone to the hills a while. TER'quater in toto fuit unus apostolus orbe, Nunc tot apostaticos Scotia sola foves ; Distat apostoKco novus hie chorus ; ille ministros Pervigiles, porcos hie habet, atque lupos ; Unus erat Satanje mystes ; pars cetera Christi, Unus at hie Christi ; caetera pars Satanse. (11.) Alnxaiidcr Lindsay, Bishop of Dunkeld ; (12.) Alexander Forbes, Bisliop of Caithness; and, (13.) Neil Campbell, Bishop of Argyle. '* It may be noticed that Row, at p. '2.)9, quotes the words Ludos Galltia, as appli- cable to Cowper, instead of his predecessor, Hamilton, Bishop of Galloway. 294 THE iiisnjHiE or IGll. Englished thus : — Thrise four tymes one apostle was In all the world so wyde ; Alse many false apostate priests Scotland thee now does guyde. But mark, great odds, the apostles were Good Avatchmen, preachers fyne ; Thir apostats are craftie toads, Dogs filthie, wolfes, and swyne. Of those one wes a divill, I grant, The rest were Christ's indeed ; Of thir one truelie preaches Chi'ist, The rest are divilish seed. A QUISQUIS FOK BISHOPS GOOD AND BAD. When Bishops preach, they preach in spyt, of vyces They have great part, with those that feare the Lord They- seldome sympathize, with men's devyces In maters of the Church they do acord ; The Romish rites they love, not "vvith their soule They can endure to heare a preaching Paul. Read this by interpunctions,^ it paints out wicked bishops ; read it by whoU lynes, it descrybes Paull's Bishops, good preachers. I could adde many more poesies, painting out thir Bishops knavries, ' (haveing them by me) ; but let thir suffice,- as a test of all the rest. After the Golden Assemblie at Glasgow, there were some ap- pearance that Mr A. Mclvill might have been releeved out of the Towre, if he would but in any v^lender way confesse he wes grceved ' That is, according to the punctuation. ' At page 291, it is noticed that a portion of the MS. 1650 has been cut out, and supplied in a more condensed form in this place. On examining other MSS., it seems probable that John Row intondtd to omit some of " the poesies" against the order of bishops, which he says he had beside him. Tiiat the present edition may not be con- sidered in any respect as furnishing a mutilated text, the additional verses are con- tained in the other MSS., here subjoined. Those verses are not peculiarly wor- 1611. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 295 that he had offended the King's Majestic or the Council of Eng- land ; and being requested by many who loved him so to do, he thy of preservation, but they are at least not so offensive to good taste as the personal abuse of Gladstones, which John Row thought proper to retain " as a taste of the rest." [THE TROJAN HORSE.] Bv Pallas airt the Grecians built ane Horse Als huge as hill, presenting him to Troy ; And crafty Sinon, taken as perforce, Persuaded them to breake the walls with joy. By their own hand, the Horse for to convoy, And set him up in their most sacred place ; But thereout ushing captains, did destroy With fyre and sword their city soone, alace I The Dardan prophete cryed, and bad them cease, Alluring them to worke their own releifFe ; But foolishe madness spoyled of that grace, Soe God for sin brought on their last mischeife. This Horse, this Sinon, and this Trojan sack, Methinks I see, whill we thir Bishops make. THE LEGEND OK LIMMERS LIVES. Heir is a breefe but a most true narration Of the Scots Bishops lives and conversation : First to the erection of old Abbacies They all consented, and of priories, Only to get their oune erectioue past ; Though now them to undoe they seek at last. Next, they are pune Fidei transgressores, Whereas they should be Fidei defensor es. Make rhetorick of ane oath, swear and forswear, Recks not God's mercies, nor his judgments fear. To eat, to drink, to card, to dice, to play In princes courts placeho night and day, They indeavour et vigilante cura, Daylie to seeke for castra, prata, rura. Thus they desire to be Episcopati, For nothing else but to be elevati ; And though God's law cryes ne quis pejeraret, Ne quis adulteriiim, furttimve petraret, Yet they, lyke hirelings, seeke but gregis lanam, And live prophanlie sectantes viam vanam ; Yea, they doe ride per multos mundi plagas, To get great pompe, and leave their oune sheep vagas. 1 know they'le say they have their substituts. But I say these are not Christ's constituts ; For they are not with libertie electit, But contrair wayes intrusively erected : Thus, though they sceme for to have true religion. Yet craftillie in them tliey hyde ambition. 29() THE HISTORIE OF 1611. wrote this ensueing Supplication in Latin (because he could ex- presse his mynd better in Latin nor English) as followeth : — MELVINUS AD SENATUM ANGLICANUM. Artaxerxes cognomento Memorosus, in veterem Judffiorum eccle- siam ab exilio redueem Persaiiun Monarcha beneficentissimus, legem de cultu divino, et religione moderanda, sanxit divinitus, ad hajc verba. Quicquid est de sententia Dei ccelestis perficitor diligenter, in domo Dei ccelestis, ut non sit fervens ira in regnum regem aut And as for those «ho their blest ministerie Discharges well, for not conformitie, — Before the High Commission they are called, Confined, depryved, imprisoned, and thralled : Thus, from a worse estate to worse they fall. And soe but change may looke for worst of all. [SONNET.] J"ear not, my friends, though Falshood for a whjle, And Pride aspyre against the Trueth to stand, Though blinde Ambition cry, yee wash, ye till, And Bishops blow and breck all cords as sand : Jehovah lives, and loves his awne command, Thus Dagon once did fall before our arke. If we to God could lift both heart and hand, Yet should it fall, for all their wylie wark ; They swell, they say, that now that state is starke ; And fleating flesh applauding to their pride, Sayes others missed, but they have hitt the marke, And coutch the Kirk, and now like Lords they ride. Beleave, stand fast, and God shall send a day, When Sion's breath shall blow this mist away. [AGAINST BISHOPS.] What shall we say now when we see The Preachers of humilitie, With pompe practise the Papall pride With potentats to sit and ryde, And strive for state in Parliament, Lyke lords in their abulziement. They blew against the Bishops lang. And doctrine in the people dang; That Ministers should not be Lords, But now their words and works discords. Their braverie breaks their onne Kirko acts. Such changes mal-contentmcnt makes. Ky on that faith that turns with tyme ! Turnc liomo, and I shall turne my rymc. 1611. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 297 filios ejus. Hanc ego legem, cum similibus sacrae Scriptura3 locis non negligentissime comparatam, multo antequam in Angliam hac vice cogitassem, sgepe mecum, et diu multumque pro muneris mihi divinitus mandati ratione meditatus, tertio abhinc anno Septembri mense versans in jede regia Hamptona, jussus sacris interesse, tarn spectator quam auditor, insolens, pro re nata, invocato Numine, carmen breve grammaticum, Regias Majestati recitatum, feci : Cu- jus exemplum me nescio, descriptum depravatum et mutilum, pos- tea mense Novembri, milii coram amplissimo Senatu criminis loco objectum, et anni sequentis adulto vere denuo exacerbatum fuit. In hac causa dicenda, sine fuco et fallaciis, more majorum et meis versiculis a criminis atrocitate cujus affinis non essent libere vindi- candis ; si quid mihi, tarn necessario tempore, minus decore, pro hujus gentis indole, et moribus regni non respondens humanitus ex- cidit, quod quenquam mortalium jure ofFenderit, medum senatum amplissimum ; ut ut ego, sive erroris, sive i*usticitatis poenam biennali carcere luo ; ita veniam supplex primum a Deo patre indulgentissi- mo, deinde a Britanniarum Rege clementissimo, denique ab amplis- simi senatus aequanimitate, etiam atque etiam peto. That is — MELVIN TO THE COUNCIL OF INGLAND. Artaxerxes, sm'named Memorosus, the Persian bountifidl Mon- arch, sett doune a law, as from heaven, to the old kirk of the Jewes, when they were returned from their captivitie, concerning the wor- ship of God and right form of their religion, in thir words : Let everie thing be done speedilie, in the house of the God of heaven, according to the commandement of the God of heaven, that hot Avrath come not upon the realme, the King and his children. When I had often and careftiUie thought upon this law, and compared the same with other like places of Scriptiu'e, long before I came now last to Inglaud, according to my calling, wherein God has placed me, three years since, in the moneth of September, being in Hamp- tone Court, and being bidden goe heare and see the service ; I made off hand, after invocation of God's name, according as occasion then ^i^S THE HISTOKIE OF 1611. offered, a short insolent grammaticall poesie, Avhllk Avas rehearsed to the King ; the coppie wliereof without my knowledge, being- written nmtilat, and wrong sett downe, was objected andcastenup to me, as a great cryme, by the most Honourable Council], in the moneth of November, and the accusation renewed against me the yeare following in the midst of the spring. If I, therefore, in speak- ing of such a purpose, without guyle or any deceaveablenes, after our Scottish foshion, to cleare myself and my verses from any hor- rible iniquitie, have slipt in any thing not agreeable to the nature and fashions of this kingdome, whereof I had not mynde (especi- allie in such a difficult tyme) to have written any thing indecently, whilk has offended any mortall man justlie, let be the most Honom-- able Councill, as I have suffered the punishment of my errour and rudenes, in two years imprisonment, so I most humblie crave par- don, first at the hands of my most mercifull Father, and nixt at the most clement King of Great Britain, and, finallie, at the hands of the most gracious upright dealling of this most Honorable Councill. But yit, notwithstanding of this petition and confession, no re- leasment was obtained, but he was keept still in prison, whill the Duke of Bouillon in France, in this yeare 1611, sent to Ingland, and by earnest sute, obtained of the King's Majestic leave to trans- port him to Sedan, where he had erected a colledge, that he might be a Professor therein ; whilk, after licence granted, was done with all diligence. But so soone as the Bishops of Ingland got know- ledge of his transportation, they were exceedinglie ofi'ended, but could not now help the mater. [Immediatlie^ after the King had granted Mr Andro Mclvill to the Duke of Bulloigne, he sent for Mr John SpottisAvood, then Archbishop of Glasgow, and told him that he had given Mr Andro MelviU to the Duke of Bulloigne to be transported to Sedan, add- ing this. My Lord, yee wiU be well quyte of him, he is the greatest, if not the only, stickler against your estate in all Scotland : if he were once over seas they will live pcaccablie, &c. But, my Lord, ' This pai'af;Taj>h is not oonfaincd in the MS. written in 1650. IGU. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 299 zee sail come to-morrow at eleven lioures before noone, when yee will finde me in the Long Gallerie, and put ane petition in my hand, supplicating that Mr Andro Melvill may be releived out of the Tower, and sent home to be Professor of Theology in the Univer- sitie of Glasgow, &c. Thus the politick Bishop, following the wise and politick King's advise, did, for upon the morrow, when the King, with a great number of English and Scottish noblemen, wes in the gallerie, at the appointed tyme the Bishop came, and putting a paper in the King's hand, satt upon his knees all the whyle the King was reading it. After the King had read the paper, looking to the noblemen, he said. My Lords, how good a man sitts there befor me upon his knees ; know ye what this is he lies put in my hands ? It is a humble and earnest supplication that Mr Andro Melvill, his greatest enemie, (who all his dayes lies opposed the settling of Episcopacie in Scotland,) maybe releived out of prison, and sent to the Universitie of Glasgow (where he is Archbishop) to be professor there. Then looking to the Bishop, sayes to him, My good Lord Glasgow, this shews you to be ane good Christian that can heartilie forgive wrongs and love your greatest enemie ; but, my Lord, it argues you to be no great politician, and, my Lord, I cannot grant this your humble and earnest supplication in Mr Andro Melvill's favours, for I have alreadie given him to the Duke of Bulloigne to be transported to his coUedge that he is erecting in Sedan ; but if that had not been, it might have been that yee should had a sey ' of him, but now it cannot be helped. — This the wise and politick King did in part to put respect upon the bishop before the Enghsh nobilitie whom the King had con- veened, then and there for the purpose ; for King James alwayes delighted to put respect and honour upon Scotsmen, especiallie before the English.] In this Colledge in Sedan, Mr Andro Melvill lived with great praise and commendation of all that feared God in these bounds, and who knew what literature and holie disposition was in him, con- 1 Set/, an essay, trial. 300 THE HISTORIE OF 1611. tiuuallic opposeing himself to all who taught any doctrine contrarie to the trueth of God, and Reformation of the Ku'k of Scotland, ever till his dicing day, whilk was in anno 1621, when the Lord re- moved him out of this valley of miserie, to his etemall happines and kingdome.' A little before his comeing out of the Toure, Arabella, a ladie of the blood-royall in Ingland, and nixt to the croune, had, for her pleasure, maried a nobleman, without the consent of [the] King and Councill. For this hir husband Avas imprisoned in the Toure, which Mr Andro Melvin, his fellow-prisoner, knowing, did in great quyet- nes and secrecie send to him this miri'ie and quick distichon : Tecum causa mihi communis carceris, Ara, Regia Sacra mihi, Eegia Bella tibi. Englished thus : — To both of us the Royall Altare is The commune cause of prisone : But here's the odds; the holie altare me, The good blames thee for treasone. ' In the later MSS. of Row's History, among tha interpolated passages is another paragraph in relation to Andrew INIelvill. I have not introduced it into the text, to avoid such an anachronism, as to make a work, bearing the date of 1 650, refer to a period of 40 years subsequent to 1622, the date of Melvill's death, and to a book that was printed for the first time in 1 655. The paragraph inserted is as follows : — " The more to be blamed is Spottis- wood in his Historic, whilk he calls The Historie of the Kirk of Scotland, (but may be more trulie called the Historie of lies and calumnies against the Kirk of Scotland,) saying of Mr Andro Melvill, That in Sedan he lived in contempt, and died in pover- tie ; whilk untrue and base ealumnie, (for they lived for the space of fourtie years af- ter his death heir, who did then live with him in Sedan,) who, after Spotis wood's His- torie came out, testified the contrair. But this as a certain trueth may be retorted upon the excommunicate Archbishop of St Andrewes, who, whyll he lived, wasa vylo person, contemned in the eyes of upright walkers in his tyrae, (Psal. xv. 2, 3, 4,) and when he died, being driven from his station, and pulled down from his state, (Isaiah xxii. 18, 19,) the King's Majestic was at the expense of his funeralls." Spottis- wood's History was first printed at London in 1655, folio. His words, in reference to Melvill, are as follows : — " He was sent to Sedan, where he lived in no great respect, and contracting the gout, lay almost bed-fast till his death." (p. 500.) 1611. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 301 For Mr Andro Melvin was incarcerat for Am sacra regia, on which he had made verses, p. 172, 173, [234, 235,] and the nobleman for Arabella regia whom he had married.^ Now, after Glasgowes Golden AssembHe, the autoritie and am- bition of the Bishops growing daylie greatter and greatter, albeit, for the most part, the people contemned them, and spak evill of them,, yea, and hated them, as enemies to the sincere preaching of the gospell : There came doune missives from the King to the councill and ministers of Edinburgh, commanding that the piilpitts of Edinburgh should be patent to all and any of the bishops, at all tymes, whensoever they pleased to teach ; whereupon Mr George Gladstanes, Archbishop of St Androes, taught on a Sabbath day, before noone, (that behoved to be) in the Litle Kirk of Edinburgh, the eastmost of the two, commonlie called then Mr Robert Bruce his kirk ; and after that day, he and other Bishops preached, as they thought meet, many of all the Bishops dwelling and making their residence in Edinburgh that winter, 1610, 1611, and all the summer following, wherein some Bishops should have been consecrat in St Androes ; but the weather was so stormie that the convention in- tended for that sacred bussines held not : But shortlie after, a number of Bishops, who had receaved consecration alreadie, mett at Leith, and there did consecrat then- brethren openhe ; but the forme of then- consecration was esteemed of all so vaine, ydle, and frivolous, that they were mocked for theu- doing : Nottheles, the Bishops being so preferred to high places, and keeping their Diocesan assemblies, (or Covu'ts rather,) twise in the yeare, and calling ministers before then- High Commission, and threatning to suspend or depose them ' Arabella Stuart, only child of Charles Duke of Lennox, younger brother of Henry Lord Darnley, and consequently cousin-german of King James the Sixth. This lady, no less remarkable for her acquirements than beauty, might trace all her mis- fortunes to her proximity to the throne of England ; and that not only under Queen Elizabeth, but even after James's accession. She married, secretly, the grandson of the Earl of Hertford, and died in the Tower of London, after several years' close con- finement, the 27th of September 1615, aged 38. 302 THE HISTOUIE OF 1G14. from their callings, and no means appearing, whereby a free Generall Assemblie might be had, and gotten conveened to censure them, and ministers Avho Avcrc of a contrarie opinion to them, either not willing, or rather not darring conveen to excommunicat them ; and the ministers of Edinburgh now admitted, their number being aug- mented, yea, doubled, they being admitted in a new and uncouth forme by a bishop, and not by the presbyterie, being admitted in the places of good and worthie men, now either dead or banished, being altogether conforme, following the Bishops courses ; for most part, the cause of God was deserted by many, and the course of conformitie with Ingland daylie grew more and more, yit from small beginnings, and by little and little : For, in the yeare 1614, the King sent doune a proclamation (for now a letter or proclama- tion fi*a Court ruled the Kirk) of this tenor : — Forsamekle as it is meet to try who are Papists, that they may be taken ordour with, commands that all the ministers in Scotland should examine and try their people, and make them readie [for] communion, the 24th day of Aprile ; commanding also all his subjects, of whatsoever qualitie or rank they were of, to communicat that day, that so they might be the better knowen, who would not communicat. Now this 24th of Aprile, being Pasch day, some more simple, short-sighted men ex- poned it to the best ; but others, more wise and foreseeing, feared that it Avas onlie brought in, that it might be made a perpetuall law in all tyme comeing, as the effect afterward proved. AVhere- upon severall ministers, in obedience to the King's proclamation, gave the communion on Pasch day, not knowing, at first, any in- convenient therein ; yit some also obeyed not, foreseeing the evill. (Nota, It is intended for Pasch day, that so we may be one little step nearer to Inglish and llomish rites, yit it is palliated by name- ing the day of a moneth, but no mention of Pasch day ; and nixt, whereas it is intended to draw honest ministers, who should refuise obedience to that Avhilk was Avithin the vast compasse of the unli- mited prerogatiA'e royall, into a snare, and to bring them under the censure of the High Commission ; yit it is wickedlie pretended to trap and take ordour with Papists.) 1615. THE KIllK OF SCOTLAND. 30o A71710 1G15, in the monetb of Male, Mr George Gladstanes, Arch- bishop of St Audroes, departed this life. He lived a filthie bellie- god ; he died of a filthie and loathsome disease, szuXir/JIS^uTog. In the tvme of his sicknes, he desyred not any to visit him, or to speak comfortablie to him, neither that they should pray publictlie for him ; but he left a supplication behinde him to the King, that he might be honorablie bm-ied, and that his wife and bairns might be helped, because of his gi-eat povertie and debt at his death, (Behold the curse of God on bishops' great rents and revenues !) All whilk was done, for albeit his filthie carion behoved to be buried instant- lie after his death, be reason of the most loathsome case it was in ; yit the solemnitie of the funeraUs Avas made in the moneth of Junii following. The day of the funeralls being a windie and stormie day, blew away the pall that was caried above his head, and marred all the honours that Avas caried about his coffin. THE EPITAPH OF MR GEORGE GLADSTANES, WHO TOOK UPON HIM FIRST TO BE A BISHOP IN THIS THEIR LAST RISEING, IGIO. Here lyes beneath thir laid-stanes. The carcase of George Glaid-stanes ; Wherever be his other half; Loe here, yee's have his Epitaph. Heaven's abject, for he was an eartlilie beast. Earth's burthen, for his bellie was his god, A Bacchus bishop for a fleslilie feast. And for religion, but a Romish rod ; Als false in heart, as fyrie in his face. Of civill conversation the shame. And lacked, what he lov'd be styUed, Grace, His life was stiU repugnant to that name : As by his death his life ye may determine, A lazie life draws on a lowsie death A fearfull thing ! sith vile Herodian vermine Did stop that proud presumptuous Prelat's breath. k 304 THE HISTORIE OF 1(U5. Yit worst of all ; in mlnde to be imprinted ; None loved his life, and few liis death lamented. That he w^as a vyld filthie bellie-god beast is notoure to all, who knew" his evening prayer after supper, Lord keep King James, who gares [cause] Gladstanes womb go farting-full to the bed of it. Let that perjured apostat's filthie memorie stink, rot, perish ! EPITAPHIUM. Restis Hamiltonum necat, ensis ut ante Betonum, Diraque Adamsonum sustulit ecce fames. Quid tibi Gladstoni quarto tua fata relinquunt ? Hffiredem cum te tres statuere trium. Dira fames, crux prisca ; novum nova fata decebunt, Flamma3 animam comedent, pinguia colla canes. Englished thus : — The bastard Bishop Hamiltoun was hang'd, And Cardinall Beatoun stob'd, Proud Adamson with famine much Of all comfort was rob'd : Gladstans thow'rt fourth, thy destinie What hes it left to thee ? For certainlie wee'l serve thee heire To all the former three : Famine and gallows are not eneugh ; Some new wrath waits for thee : By hellish flams thy soule, by doggs Fat neck devoured bee. Mr Johne Spotiswood, Archbishop of Glasgow, was made Arch- bishop of St Androes instead of Gladstanes, and Mr James Law, Bishop of Oi'knay, was made Archbishop of Glasgow, and Mr 10 la. THE KIRK OF SCOTL.VXD. 305 George Graham, Blisho}) of Dumblane, was made Bishop of Orknay, and Mr Adam Bannatyne, minister at Falkirk, was made Bishop of Dmiiblane ; albeit he had continuallie before that ap- peared to be an utter enemie to that corrupt estate of Diocesan Lord Bishops, and had spoken thir words to Mr George Graham, not many years before that, in a Provinciall assemblie, (Mr George Graham being delated to have taken on him to be a Lord Bishop, contr^re to his promise made to the Presbyterie of Perth,) " I see nothing in thee but thou art a mens worn man ; thou art the excre- ments of aU the ministrie ; and thou hes imbraced the excrements of all the bishopricks in Scotland : if the bretliren woidd follow my counsell, we should presentlie give thee over to the devill ; but be- cause they pitie thee, let this advertisement move thee, that thou mayest cast off that unlawfidl place and calling, whilk thou hes taken thee to." Mr John Spotiswood, now Archbishop of St Androes, did hold a High Commission,^ at the which Mr Johne Malcolm, minister at Perth, was called before them, for uttering some things in the Epistle Dedicatorie to the King's Majestic, before his Commentarie upon the Acts of the Apostles, Avhilk now was printed.^ But he answereing for himself, there was no farder done, but his answers were sent to the King. In the moneth of October following, 1615, SpotisAvood held his first Diocesan court or assemblie in his metropolitan citie St Androes, and caried so calme, and gave such contentment to the brethren then present, that he assured them (O subtile foxe !) he should be well content, that presbyteries should keep their awin forme, visit all the kirks within their awin bounds, and doe all that ever they did before ; onlie, if difficidt maters came in before them, let him be advertised, and he should help them therein all he could. But yit the first publict deed that he did was in the moneth of November he came to visit the Kirk of DunfermHne, and finding- Mr John Moray, minister there, not to be conforme, and who ' On the 8th of August 1615. ^ Commentarius m Apostolorum Acta, &c. Middleburg. 1615, 4to. U 300 THE HISTORIE OF 16U). would not acknowledge his comeing there at that tynie, as if he had any power to visit ; and finding also Mr Andro Foster, mini- ster there, to acknowledge my Lord Bishop in everie thing ; he laid the burthen of that wholl charge upon Mr Andro Foster, a worth- less man, (as we heard before, page 186, 187, [254],) and silenced Mr Johne Moray, a verie well gifted and gracious man. In the yeare following, 1616, the King caused make a proclama- tion, appoynting a Generall Assemblie to be holden at Aberdeen in the moneth of August : the pretended Bishop of St Androes usurp- ed the moderation, even in another Bishop's diocie. The Earle of Montrose, my Lord Carnagie, and the President, were his Majes- tie's commissioners to that Assemblie. The Assemblie continued fy ve dayes. The first day there was three sermons, and everie other day after that there was one ; but there was scarcelie so many hours wherein the publict Assemblie handled the publict effairs : but all maters were concluded in the privie Conference. They spake somewhat of takeing ordour with Papists ; that still must be pre- tended ; but long ere now that pretext is so worne, that it is be- come threed-bair. But behold what was intended : They spake of bringing in to this Kirk some forms used in the Kirk of Ingland, and to have publict prayers penned, (they will not so soone say the Service Booke,) to be used publictlie by all ministers, and sundrie other things were spoken of, but no certaine conclusion was made, by reasone that many ministers, who were not members of the pri- vie Conference, being wearied, having no imployment, departed oflP the tonne. But the Bishop drew up the acts as he best pleased himself. This is now the fourth null Assemblie. (The irrefragable and impregnable Reasons of the NuUitie of this unlawfull Assemblie are to be had in the Acts of the Assemblie of Glasgow, 1 638, page 0 and 10.) The yeare following, Anno 1617, the King himself came to Scot- land, after he had been 14 years in Ingland ; and he held a Parlia- ment here, wherein he thought to have gotten sundrie articles con- 1^17. TITE KIRK OF SCOTL.AJs'D. 307 eluded anent Ceremonies to ha's e been brought in into this Kirk. And, therefore, he caussed repair the Chappell Royall at HaHrood- house,' wherein was a glorious altar sett up, with two closed Bibles, two vmlighted candles, and tAvo basons without water sett thereon, brave organs putt, and quiristers appoynted to sing, and the Inglish serA'ice ordained to be said daylie : whereunto many, for noveltie, came to see and heare what such things could be ; but seeing nothing but profanitie, abuseing of the service of God, and taking his name in vaine, they came ne^er againe. Yit to begin that ce- remonie of kneeling at the altare when the sacrament is taken, the King caused some of the Nobilitie and some of the Bishops to take the communion, at the altar, kneeling after the Ingiish-Popish forme. The brethren of the ministrie, therefore, who came to Edinburgh to see what good they could doe at that Parliament, se- ing they got not a free Generall Assemblie, a good number of them (about 40) conveened with the ministers of Edinburgh,^ and being informed what was his Majestie's intention, in bringing in supersti- tious and nt)ysome ceremonies into this Kirk ; they concluded to pen a Supplication, in humble way, with a protestation in the end thereof, if tlieii" supplication haplie should be rejected : The tenor whereof followes : — " Most gracious and dread Soveraigne, most honorable Lords and remanent Commissioners of this present Parliament, We, the Mini- sters of Christ's evangell, being here conveened from all the parts of this kingdome, doe, in all submission and reverence, intreat your Majestic and honours patient and favorable heareing of this ' " In repairing the Royal Chappell of the Palace of Halyroodhouse, beside the place which was prepared for the organs, and the quiristers to sing, there were also carved the statues of the Twelve Apostles, and the Four Evangelists, curiously wrought in timber, to be guilded and set up. The people murmuring, the Bishops disswaded the King from setting them up." — (Calderwood's Hist. p. 673.) It is reported that James said, that persons who objected to the figures of the apostles and patriarchs, would suffer those of lions, dragons, and devils in churches ; and that these things were the books of the unlearned. ^ Calderwood gives the list of subscribers to this Supplication, and the proceedings against himself, Archibald Simson, and others, in relation to it ; and of which a short notice is given by Row ; .see page 312. 308 THE IIISTORIE OF 10 17. our reasonable and huniLle Supplication. And first, it will please your Highness and Honorable Estates prcsentlie conveened, be in- formed, that we are here a number of the ministrie, and that the Bishops have protested, since our comeing hither, to a great many of us, that nothing shonld be agreed nor consented unto by them in this present Parliament in maters concerning the whoU Kirk, the discipline or ordom*. thereof, without our speciall knowledge and advise : affirming also, that neither they, nor we, have power of con- sent in any novation or smallest change of the ordour established without the speciall advise and determination of the Generall As- semblie, representing the bodie of the Kirk mthin this kingdome, had thereunto. Whereupon we, resting in securitie, have receaved now a sudden report, to our great astonishment, of an Article to passe in conclusion, and receave the force of a law in this present Parliament : Decerning and declareing your Majestic, with the ad- vice of the archbishops, bishops, and such a competent number of the ministrie, as your Majestic out of yom- wisdom shall think expedient, shallj in all tyme comeing, have full power to advise and conclude in all maters decent for the externall policie of the Kirk, not repugnant to the Avord of God ; and that such conclusions shall have the strength of ecclesiastick laAves : wherein it will please your Majestic and Avholl Estates to heare our just grieflfs, and to considder our reasonable desire, and not to putt us, your Majestie's humble and loveing subjects, to that poore and simple part of jjro- testatiou, Avhilk, if remead be not provyded, we must be forced to use, for the freedome of our Kirk, and discharge of our consciences. "We then First plead refoi'mation and puritie of our Kirk in doctrine, administration of the sacraments, discipline, and all con- venient ordoure Avith thcbest Rcfonned kirks of Europe, that it may stand, as it lies been acknoAvledged, rather as a pattern to be folloAved of others, than that avc sliould seek our reformation from any that never attained to that perfection, Avhilk of the mercie of God this long tyme bygone avc liaAC injoyed under your Highness, and are able by reassone to maintaine the same. " Nixt, AVC plead the libertie of our Kirk, Avhilk by the laAvcs of 1617. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 309 yoiu' Majestie's kiugdome, and divers Acts of Parliament given furth in fevours of the same, is Established, with power of publict meetings and Generall Assemblies, and allowance to make such canons and constitutions as may serve for the comelie ordour and decencie of the same : all whilks by this conclusion to be taken must be utterlie overthrowen. " Thirdlie, we plead for the peace and tranquilhtie of our Kirk, that,- being nearest the divine and apostolick institution, hath lived without schisme and renting in itself; but by introduction of any noveltie, not ordomiie, nor as appertains, it may be miserablie rent, and our peace broken. " FourthHe, we have been at divers tymes sufficientlie secured from all suspicions of innovation, as by your Majestic, the last winter, sent doune to this countrey, to take away all feare of al- teration whilk might arise upon your Majestie's lovinglie intended journey ; Avhilk letter, by your Majestie's speciall will and direc- tion of the speciaUs of your Highnes's Councill, was intimat in our pulpitts : As also by that proclamation, given out September 26, Anno 1605, when rumors of an intended conformitie with the Kii'k of Ingland was spread abroad, when your Majestic sufficientlie avoyded all such suspicion, and the hearts of all honest men settled themselves in a confidence that no such thing should be attempted. "These, and many other Reasons, have moved us, in all reverence, by this our humble Supplication, to intreat your Highness and honor- able Estates not to suffer the forenamed Article, or any other prejudi- ciall to our liberties formerlie granted, to pass at this tyme, to the greeff and prejudice of this poore Kirk, whereby the universall joy of the many thowsands of this land who rejoyced at your Majestie's happie arryveing, shall be turned into mom-ning : Wherein, as we are earnest supplicants to God, to inclyne your Majestie's heart this Avay, as the most expedient for the honour of God and wealth of your subjects, so if we shall be fi'ustrat of this our reasonable desire, then doe we, in all humilitie, with that duetifidl acknow- ledgment of our loyaltie to your Majestic as becomes, protest for ourselves, and all our Brethren who shall adhere to our ])iotcsta- 'Mo THE HI.STOIUK OF 1617. tion, tliat, as Ave are free of the same, so must we be forced rather to incurrc the censure of your Majestie's laAv then to admitt or ob- temper any imposition that shall not flow from the Kirk, ordourly conveened, haveing power of the same." When tliis Su])plication Avas penned, redd, and considered, and liiialUe agreed unto, the brethren there present Avere desyred to subscryve the same, wliilk they Av^ere content to doe ; onlie, Mr Patrik GalloAvay devysed this overture, to nominat a clerk, who should subscryA'C it in all their names, and he for his Avarrand should haA^e all their names Avritten Avitli their aAA in hands upon a sheet of paper in mundo ; Avhilk Avas done, and Mr Archibald Sim- son, minister at Dalkeith, AA'as content to be clerk, and JVL.- Peter IIcAA'at,' one of the ministers of Edinburgh, being also a member of the parliament, promised to give in the Supplication upon the mor- row to the King and Parliament, for he had almost penned the Avholl Supplication himself: yit he failled in not giveing in the Supplication,- excnseing himself some Avay, (but they Avho Avill not speak and utter their voyce for Christ and liis cause Avhen they have a calling to it, it is just Avith God to take their voyce from them,^ that though they would they shall not be able to s[)eak ;) therefore, Mr Archibald Simson thought to have given it in, because he was in the Parliament-house, yit he was sought out and removed ; and, therefore, he dely vered the Supplication (whiUc he had coppied) to the Bishops, chargeing them, as they should ansAvere to God, and to Jesus the King of his Kirk, to give it in. ' Here and elsewhere in Row's MS. his name is written " Ewart." Hewat had a scat in Parliament not as one of the ministers of Edinburgh, but in virtue of his ap- pointment as Abbot of Crossregual, in Ayrshire. On the '28th June 1617, this Abbacy was annexed to the Bishoprick of Dumblanc, with Hcwat's concurrence, re- serving to him the emoluments, honours, iS:c., " during his life, conform to his pro- vision."— {Acta Pari. vol. iv. p. 553.) - According to Caldcrwood, the Supplication was adhered to by Hewat, althougii ho had hitherto been a supporter of the corruptions intruded upon the Church ; and says, it was alleged his voice would not serve for preaching, and "he was content to be removed from the ministry for some honest cause, and to live upon the Ab- bacic" of Crossregual, to which he had been appointed (Hist. p. 680.) 1617. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 311 All thii- things were told the King aforehand, and he thinking that some man would give in that protestation, past from that Act at that tyme, and tooke him to Acts concluded before, touching his . royaU prerogative, whereby he thought he might doe whatever he pleased in the Kirk. At this ParUament was a warrand for a platt to give everie minister at least 500 merks. The Parliament ended, the King, with advise of the Bishops, or- dained some ministers to be written for to come to St Androes, that he might advise with them concerning some things belonging to the well[fare] of the Eark. The day appoynted was Fryday the 10 of Julie 1617 ; yit the King, finding good pasty me in the park of Falkland, keeped not that day, but came upon the morrow, being Saturnsday, where the Bishops and sundrie ministers were awaiting on his Majestic, who fii'st heard notable disputations both concern- ing theologicaU and philosophicall theses; and then there were five Articles proponed : — 1°. Concerning Kneelling in the act of receaveing the elements of the communion. 2°. Privat Communion. 3°. Privat Baptisme. 4°. Fyve Holie anniversarie days to be keeped, viz. Yoole-day, or Christmas, Good-Fryday, or the Passion-day, Pasch-day, the Ascension-day, and Whitsunday, or Pentecost, in remembrance of the birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord, and of the comeing doun of the Holy Ghost on the Apostles in likeness of fyrie cloven tongues. 5°. Confirmation or bishoping of children. The ministers there present desyred that maters of such im- portance should be referred to a GeneraU Assemblie, (not ob- scurelie insinuating this meeting not to be a General! Assemblie,) Avhereunto the King consented. At this same tyme the Bishop of St Androes keeped an High Commission, the King being present thereat ; and three ministers Avere summoned to keep that day, Masters Peter Hcwat, Archibald SIni!?on, and David Calderwood, minister at Crailling, to whose 312 THE iiisTOKiE oi" 1617. charge they had other things to lay then to the rest of the sub- scryvers of the Supplication and protestation. But Mr Archibald Simson, who had past out of St Androes, because he was diseased, and the King came not at the prefixed day, wrote back his excuse in Latin to the Bishops, promising to come to any other dyet whcreunto he should be cited ; wliilk excuse the Bishops were so inisatisfied with, and his letter being putt in the King's hand, in great anger and hast they caused send for him to retiuni. So all the three compearing and ansAvering for themselves, both wiselie and zealouslie, especiallie Mr David Calderwood, who ansAvering pertinentlie, was mistaken, and his answer thrown to another sense, as though he had denyed obedience to the King simpliciter, whill< was not his answere ; they all three were deposed from their mini- strie : to the whilk they replyed. That they hoped his Majestic would not take upon him to depose them, whilk he confessed was not his part to doc ; and as for the Bishops, (said they,) no power is in their hands to depose us, seing we receaved not our ministrie I'rom them, but from our severall respective Presbyteries and law- full Assemblies. So the King caused putt them in ward, Mr Peter llewat in Dundie, Mr Archibald Simson in Aberdeen; and Mr David Calderwood Avas instantlie taken by the Lord Scoone and putt in the Tolbuith of St Androes. The King's Majestic, after he had finished all his gests in Scot- land, I'cturned to Ingland Avith great contentment, onlie miscontent that he had not gotten his Avill in the maters of the Kirk, blamc- ing Mr David Calderwood thereof more nor any other minister ; so that when he came home to his aAvin Bishops and churchmen in Ingland, he used commonlie to say to them, I hope you Avill not Uvse me so indiscrectlic as did one Mr David CaldcrAvood Avhen I Avas comeing out of Scotland. And before the King past into Ing- land, all the ministers of Edinburgh, and some others subscryvers of that protestation, declared their grcefF to the King Avhen they fand him offended at them, and so got a kissc of his hand before his do]i:n(uro. And by great dealling and moyon, the King sent 1(317. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 313 home Avoi'd to releeve the other tiio ministers, and sent tliem to attend their aAvin flocks ; but resolved to banish Mr David Calder- wood out of his dominions, Avhilk was done, first by transporting him from St Androes to the Tolbuith of Edinburgh, and releeving out of ward, upon caution of 500 merks, that he should prepare himself to passe out of his Majestie's dominions before Michaelmas : wliilk he did, and took voyage to Flanders,^ where he remained a long space, and under the name of Edwardus Didoclavius, (being, as it were, the anagram of David Calderwood,) he wrote that ex- cellent work, Altare Damascenum, &c., and under the name of ' Av(Jjnijj(ig, wrote and printed many excellent things, verie usefull for the Kirk of Christ : in mean while, Scottishmen were hounded out seeking even to apprehend him there, that they might bring him to Ingland and putt him in the King's will ; but they were disappoynted, and found him not. Soone after the King was come to London, sundrie of the nobi- litie and the Bishop of St Androes went up after him, and with deliberation, because the Articles proponed at St Androes were re- ferred to a Generall Assemblie, the King sent doun a proclama- tion, in which, by sound of trumpet, a GeneraU Assemblie of the Kirk was appoynted to be at St Androes, the 25 day of November following. The maner to hold it was this. In October preceed- ing all the Diocesan assemblies were to be keeped at one tyme, and there the Bishops to nominat commissioners such as they thought not to be opposit to their course, but no others. And a commandement came to the King's guard, and the Lord Scoone, their captaine, to be present at that Assemblie, that if any person should doe any thing amisse, they should be apprehended, and might be put in ward till his Majestie's will should be further known e. When the Assemblie mett, the Bishop of St Androes usm'ped the place of moderator, and after he had made an liarrang, he spak many things whereof he had no warrand, alledging, that the Kirk of Scotland v/as guyded by Bishops many years, and Avould ' He did not leave Scotland till the 27lh of August IG 19. —(Hist. p. 73-2.) 314 TjiE I1ISTOK1I-: uF 1617. have still continued so if a fyrie-spirited man (meaning Mr Andro Melvill) had not come into this countrey and inverted all ; also, he alledged, that sundrie ministers had taken the contribution whilk should have supplied Geneva, and had given it to the Earle of" BothweU to fortifie him aganis the King. His harrang being ended, and the commissioners called upon, he began to tell how these five Articles were proponed, and now the King desyred to have them concluded. And after some reasoning, many ministers being present who were not commissioners, but verie learned and wcU-disposcd men, it was desyred that some of them might be heard, and, particularlie, Mr John Carmichaell, minister at Kin- no where,' was desyred to speak somewhat, who, libertie being- granted, spake so wiselie, learnedly, and powerfvdlie, that all the Bishops and their followers were forced to keep silence. And then all ended in a privie Conference, and tuo Articles were condescend- ed mito by pluralitie of votes. 1°. Upon ccrtaine good respects and conditions to be sett douue, privie communion might some- tymes be given. 2°. That when the publict communion were to be given, there should be a short table made in everie kirk, that the minister mig-ht oive the bread and wine out of his awin hand to all and everie one of the communicants. Thir conclusions were sent up to the King, the Bishops regrait- ing that at that tyme they could get no more done : At this the King was miscontent that no more mischief was done ; whereupon reports came doun that the King would {hrevi manu) invert the wholl ordour of our Kirk. (See the nuUitie of this Assemblie at Glasgow, 1638, p. 10.) Alwayes, when the 25 of December came, being Yoole-day, all the Bishops were commanded l)y the King to teach in their awin cathedrall and principall kirks that day, and let the people know, by premonition, that they were to keep that day holie ; whilk they did. ' From Calderwood, (pp. 738-740,) it would apiJoar tliat the conference lure nu'ntioned took place at St Andrews in November IG19. Oarmicliael, in 1003, was translated froDi Newburn to Kilconqubar, (or Kinnoiiobar, according to tlie ordinary pronunciation,) in Fife, and died ministei- of tliat parisli in 1('>'2'2. — (Records of (ho Synod of Fife, pp. 208, 210.) 1618. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 315 In the beginlug of the nixt yeare, 1618, came doun a sharp let- ter fi'a the Kmg to his CounciU, commanding a prochimation to be made that the Ilolie dayes spoken of in that last Assemblie at St Androes shoidd be keeped by all ministers and professors under great pains, (this is prerogative-royall indeed !) ; and, therefore, Good-Fryday or the Passion-day following upon the third day of Aprile was keeped in many touns, as in Edinburgh and in Stirlin, good and worthie Mr Patrik Sirason being now departed this life, March 31, as he had before prophesied in these words, " In comes March, and ends the play." In one of his books Avas found written thir Avords, " Remember ! Remember ! Remember I and never forget the 10 day of August 1601 !" &c. Hoav he had gotten a rcA^elation of that AA'hilk fell out August 11, and had seen a vision of angells in his awin yaird, shall, God Avilling, be told i/i Coronide. Upon the 15 of Aprile 1618, the Bishop of St Androes keeped his Diocesan assemblie first in Edinburgh, and nixt in St Androes. In both assemblies he had many loftie speeches, and great tlireat- nings aganis those who Avould not obey the injunctions concerning the keeping of holie days, and giveing the elements of the com- nuuiion out of their aAvin hands ; affirming, that the King would have a Generall Assemblie shortlie, Avhich AvoiUd not be guyded by the humours of unrulie men, as they had been before, but by laAv- I'uU autoritie. In the moneth of Maie folloAving, Patrik Forbes, Laird of Corse, who had the estimation of a good preacher, and an eager opposcr of the autoritie and governement of Bishops, took on that unlaAv- full office upon himself, and Avas made Bishop of Aberdeen, but Avas consecrat in St Androes. In the begining of August folloAving, the King, by open procla- mation at the Mercat Crosse of Edinburgh, ap])oynted a Generall Assemblie to be holden at Perth the 25 day of that same moneth of August. This Assemblie Avas not made uj) of couunissloners sent from presbyteries, but of bishops, doctors, deans, and such ministers as Avere the Bishops' folloAvers ; then tlic King had his commissioners, and there were sundric iidMciiu'ii and gentlemen 316 THE nisTOKiE of 1618. who were written for by the King and Bishoi)S to keep the said Assembhe, and sundrie commissioners sent from presbyteries were not called upon, neither got they any vote tliere, the moderator knowing what they would say. The Bishop of St Andi'oes usurped the place of the moderator ; and when some modestlie spoke that leets should be made, and out of them a moderator chosen by votes, he answered, " This tonne wherein we are is a tonne of my diocie ; let us see who Avill take my place over my head." And so, whoever spoke a word to discontent him, he still aUedged that it was spoken aganis the King and his authoritie. The King's letter to the Assemblie, presented by Doctor Yoimg,' noAV Dean of Win- chester, a Scottish man by birth, being often redd, and everie sen- tence of it often inculcat in the ears of all there present, the five Articles (of which p. 232, [310]) were all voted unto in ciimulo, Avith advertisement to all the voters, Eemember upon the King, the King will have thir Articles concluded ; yea, if ye will not pleasui'e the King in this, we thirteen shall doe the turne by yow. Thus the affirmative' votes prevailled. But that day there Avas such a fear- fidl storme of Avinde and raine, that, at the conclusion of this As- semblie, all were feared that the Kirk should have bloAven doune upon them ; but seared consciences takes no notice of warnings from heaven. (The nuUitie of this pretended Assemblie, Avith the refutation of the five Articles learnedlie and avcU done, came out the nixt yeare, 1619, in print, from Didoclavius, but here 'Ai/wi-u/xor, Ten pregnant reasons, proving this pretended Assemblie to be null, read at Glasgow, 1638, p. 10, 11. A re-examination of these ' John Young, D.D., sixth son of Sir Peter Young, (joint-precoptor with George Buchanan of King James the Sixth,) was born 2oth of June 1585, and educated at Cambridge, in Sidney Sussex College, where he took his several degrees. After travelling through France and Germany, he was promoted by King James to the Deanery of Winchester. In July IGIG, he presided at St Andrews, when the Prin- cipals of the three Colleges, and other ministers, were created Doctors of Divinity; and he again visited his native country in I(!18, to assist in carrying tlu'ough tiie Perth Articles (Tho. Smith, F/Vff Illuf^trinm Virorum, Lond., 170", 4to.) His im- mediate elder brother, Patrick, (better known by his Latin name, Patricius Junius,) was one of the most learned men of his time, and was successively Librarian to Prince Henry, King James, and King t harks. He died 7th of September Ki.iJ. 1G18. TOE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 317 five Articles, at greater length, came to publict view in print, Ayino 1636, from that same author, as we conceave, for he is also 'Ai-wi/u/^o;,) But it pleased God in this same yeare 1618, that there wes a worthie and famous Synod of divynes out of severall kingdoms, as Low Countreys, Germanic, France, and Britane, conveened at Dort, in the which the heresies and corrupt doctrine of the Arminians were refuted ; whilk was a great comfort to all that loved the trueth of God. But because we have now had Sixe pretended null and wrong constitut Assemblies, I will here sett doun the right constitution of the Nationall Assemblie of the Kirk of Scotland. 1°. The Kirk of God hes hir libcrtie of Assemblies from Jesus Christ, the monarch of his Kirk, also from the lawes of the land, both ecclesiastick and civill ; wherefore, the want of libertie in assembling, and the prelatts usurpation over Assemblies, is the first and great evill, and it were to be wished that men had courage to lay the axe to this root of the tree ; that Avere indeed the way to cure the wound of this Kirk, for prelatts robbing the Kirk of hir liberties may bring in any errour or heresie they please ; yea, the Masse or the Alcoran by process of tyme, seing they cause intrants subscryve to all the trash introduced alreadie, or to be brought in by them. 2°. None ought to be admitted without a commission from a presbyterie ; and out of a presbyterie none but three at most. 3°. No ruleing elder, nobleman, or gentleman, out of the bounds of a presbyterie but one, and he also clad with a commission : when they had their commission from Provinciall Synods, it "wes before the erection of presbyteries ; but certainlie, seing the King's missive cannot make a barren a member of the Parliament, far less can it make any a member of Christ's court, the Generall Assem- blie ; yea, some hes come and hes voyced in our AssembHes not onlie without commission, but who in all equitie had forefeited their vote by practiseing aganis the established lawes of our Kirk before they Avere repealled. 318 TIIK HISTOIMK OF llilH, 4°. Everlc hurgh lies libertie of ane commissioner, and Edin- burgh may send tuo, but the act at Dundie imports they should have their commission also fi'om the Presbyterie, seing the words are, " And likewise," &c. ; but if doubts be of this glosse, none doubts but the commissioner of the burgh should be chosen by the Councill and Session, as the Acts of Assemblies ordaine. 5°. Moderators of presbyteries are not for that members of Generall Assemblies, except they have a commission from the pres- byterie ; for even at Linlithgow, 1G06, where constant moderators was concluded, this that the moderators should be still ipso facto members of the Assemblie, was not so much as once proponed or agitat in publict, let be concluded ; for I was eye-Avitness to all [thatj was done there ; Demetrius, their clerk at that tyme, was not sworne, neither was he the ordinar clerk : let him take heed he fylc not his fingers with that whilk it may be others will foist in as con- cluded, whilk was never proponed. That meeting was never ac- knowledged for an Assemblie, it is beastlie scrvilitie in us to sub- ject ourselves to conclusions of a null Assemblie. Now, though the constant moderators in presbyteries be nothing els in effect but the Bishops' deputts, and that they were obtruded by letters of horning upon presbyteries and provincialls ; what means the Gene- rall Assemblie to admit them as members without commission, seing that wes never concluded, no, not in that pretended and nidi As- semblie where the mischief was done ? Yea, there is wholsomc acts to the contrare, wherein perpetuitie of commissioners is con- demned, and wherein the choiseing of a moderator, because he is moderator, is condemned. 6°. Doctors and professors in Universities ought to have a com- mission from the Universitie ; but as for the new sort of Doctors, (whose Doctoratus is nothing else but a step to a Prelacie,) seing they are not resident members in Universities, they cannot vote in an Assemblie without a commission from the presbyterie, seing they are pastors. 7°. A Bishop, as bishop, hcs no voyce in Assemblie, (let be to usurp the moderation,) without a commission from a presbyterie ; for 1G18. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 319 at Montros, A/ino IGOO, It was expresslie inacted, tliat he who should vote in Parliament, should not for that vote in the Generall As- semblie without a commission from his presbyterie. There are clears acts abolishing bishops, ergo, their vote in Assemblies is taken from them : yea, even at Glasgow Assemblie itself, 1610, (the break-neck of our Kirk,) it was not expresslie given to them as bishops to be members of all Generall Assemblies. 8°. Seing the King's Majestic, when he Avas present, had but one voyce, there ought not to be many voyces for the King ; but onlie he who is first in the commission ; for it lies been found that three or four voyces more may carie bussines. 9°. After doctrine had by the last moderator, the Assemblie pro- ceeds to a free election of a new moderator, by choiseing a leet, and out of the leet one to moderat by pluralitie of votes. Many a tyme hes the Generall Assemblie sitten when the Bishop lies been present, but in the purer tymes of our Kirk, as the Bishop durst not usurp the place, so they never did choise him to moderat, no nor the Superintendent, because he Avas Superintendent, yea at Glas- gow, 1610, no such thing is concluded ; but he is admitted with caveats, and is ordained to be countable to, and censurable by, the Generall Assemblie ; if so, then he cannot overrule, overawe the Generall Assemblie, and usurp the moderation of that judica- torie which is to call him to an accompt. 10°. A clerk at his admission, after free election, ought to be sworne in presence of the Assemblie, and give his oath dejideli ad- ministratione : Also selected, judicious, faithfull, wise brethren, should, Avith the clerk, forme the acts, see them imbooked, and they ought to be all publictlie read before the dissolveing of the Assem- blie. The want of this hes done much mischief; yea, in tymes of danger, scliisme or difficultie, there should be tAvo clerks. 11°. It cannot be a laAvfull Assemblie Avhen there is not laAvfull and tymous intimation and premonition made to all the Presbyteries of Scotland, if one presbyterie was not waniit tymeouslie, all the rest conveening cannot justlie make any conclusion whilk may binde that presbyterie, or Avhilk maybe a standing laAv : As in the Chapter 320 TIIK inSTOUIE OF liili). meetings, if all the members of the Chapter be tymelie Avaniit, the decreet holds, though some be absent ; but if but one be neglected in the warning, the decreet of all the rest is null. At St Androes 1617, seven dyocies were absent, for want of tymous intimation ; therefore, all concluded there is null, albeit there were no other rea- son to nullifie that Assemblie. 12°. Tliir unordourlie Assemblies and wrong constitute, all honest men should discountenance and leave them, but with a publict pro- testation, and that is all the salve to the mater in corrupt tymes whilk we can have ; but to slip from the mater in silence will not satisfie the conscience, and we are wanting to our duetie. In the yeare following, 1619, in the moneth of March, the Bishop of St Androes keeped an High Commission, and called be- fore them Mr Richard Dickson, minister at tl^e West Kirk, called commonlie St Cuthbert's kirk, besyde Edinburgh, be-west the Castle ; who, after he had boldlie, both in his doctrine, and prac- tise in giveing of the communion, in the good old maner, according to the Scriptures and Covenant, (Avhilk his peijm'ed challengers had turned their back upon,) he Avas removed from his ministrie, and Avarded in the Castle of Dumbritan. About this tyme also, IMr Robert Bruce, who had come in to dAveU in Stirlin, they now have- ing no minister, almost everie day, either preaching in the morn- ing, or lectureing at even, because he was still upon the corruptions of the tymes, the King's CounciU (by instigation of the Bishops) charged him to leave Stirlin, and dwell in Kinnaird, his aAvin house ; which charge he obeyed. In the end of the same moneth of March, all the Lords of Coun- ciU and Session, Avith the Advocats, were commanded to take the communion on Pasch-day, kneeling, in the Great Kirk of Edin- burgh ; but there were sundrie that came not. And Sir William Nisbet, provost, and sundrie of the councill of Edinburgh, absented themselves that day, and came not to the kirk. Shortlie alter this, the King fell sick, and wes heavielie troubled both with goutt and gravell, so that his doctors thought he could hardlic put it off; 1619. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAJ^D. 321 but by the help of Mackcullo,' (a profane atheist, but skilled in medicine,) he gott releef. In the tyme of the King's sicknes, the Bishops, at their Diocesan assemblies in Aprile, were verie calme, and spak niodestlie to honest ministers, who refuised to conforme. Ye see their principle whereby they Avalk is the King, not the love of God, not his word, not their Covenant. Is the King sick ? they are damped : Is he in health ? they are sure to be in Avealth, and so swell in pride, and tyrannizeth over their brethren, contrare to the' oath of God. About tliis tyme also, it is a pitie to heare what enormities fell out in sundrie ku'ks, because some confomne ministers begouth to urge their people to kneell at the communion ; for in some parts all the people went out of the Kirk, and left the minister alone ; in other parts, the minister and people fell in disputing and reasoning- together, and the people not getting satisfaction, rose from the Table and went away, beseeching God to judge his awin cause be- tuix them and their minister, &c. At this tyme also, sundrie ministers, in severall parts of the countrey, preached vehementlie aganis thu- new concluded Articles. Whereupon arose a new per- secution, for many were summoned before the High Commission, whereof some were threatned, some removed from their ministrie ; among whom was Mr Andro Duncan, minister at Craill,^ who was, by the sentence of the Commission, confyned within the toune of Dundie ; for he had given in a decKnature, containing reasons why he could not acknowledge that judicatorie to be lawfull. But nothing that he said, with the greatest deall of reassone, prevailling with the Prelatts, he gave in this admonition to the Bishop of St Androes in writt, desyreing him to read it. Thir were his words : — " Seing I have done nothing in this bussines, whereof I have ' John Macolo or Macculloch. In the older MSS. of Row he is described, without being named, as " a man of small skill." « Duncan was admitted minister of Craill in September 1597, and had William Murray as his colleague. He was one of the six ministers against whom a sentence of banishment was pronounced by King James for adhering to the General Assem- bly at Aberdeen in 1605; but he was not formally deposed from his ministry till 1619. X 322 THE HISTORIE OF 1G19. been accused by yow, and decreeted against, but have been serving- Christ Jesus, my Master, in rebooking of vyce ; and thug in simpli- citie and uprightnes of heart I protest (seing ye have done me this ■wrong) for a remead at God, the righteous Judge, his hands, to whom vengeance belongcth, and Avho will repay ; and summonds yow before his dreadfull judgment-seat, there to be censured and punished for such an unrighteous dealling, at such tyme, and in such a manor, as his Majestic shall think expedient ; and in the mean tyme declynes this your judgment simplicitcr, now as of before, and appealls to the ordinare Assemblie of the Kirk, for the reassons before produced in writ. Pittie yourselves for the Lord's sake ; losse not your deare soulls; deare indeed to Christ, and should be deare to yourselves : losse them not, I beseech you, for Esau his pottage, lie- member Balaam, who was cast away by the deceat of the wages of unrighteousnes ; and forget not hoAV miserablie Judas lost himself for ever for a trifle of money, that never did him good. Fy on back and bellie that destroys the soule ; better be pyned to death by hunger, nor for a little peltrie of the earth to perish for ever, and never to be recovered, so long as the days of heaven shall last, and the years of eternitie shall indure. Should ye be burrioes' to your brethren, the sons and servants of the Lord Jesus ? This doeing is not the cariage of the sheepheards of the flock of Jesus Christ : if ye will not regard your soule for conscience sake, I beseech you look to your fame ; why Avill ye be miserable, both in this life, and the life to come ?" When the Bishop had read some few lynes in it, he did cast it from him ; and Mr Adam Bannatyne, another Bishop, took it up, and read it all, saying, " Ye have called us Esaus, Balaams, and Judasses." " No, (said Mr Andro,) read it over againe ; ye mistake it. I exhort yow to beware that ye be not lilce them." But after many speeches he got no favour ; neither Mr Thomas Hog, minister at Dysart, who Avas Avith him before the High Commission ; onlie Mr Thomas Hog, Avho Avas appoynted to be banished to Orknay, and there to be confyned, because it Avas reported to the Bishop that *■ Surrioes, executioners. 1619. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 323 he had Mends there, the report being found a misreport, he stayed at home in Dysart, depryved of his ministrie. But Mr Andro Duncan, after great persecutions and troubles at home, and long banishment out of the King's dominions in France, re- turned, King James being dead ; and the Lord took him to himself in Anno 1626. In the moneth of Maie foUoAving, 1619, the Ministers of Edin- burgh, conforme men, raged against honest brethren who were nearest to them, and refused to conforme to the unlawflill conclu- sions of the corrupt null Assemblies, such as Mr Henrie Blyth, minister in the Canongate, and Mr David Foster [Forrester], mini- ster in the north syde of Leith. The Bishop of St Androes being- gone to Court, purchased a warrand and command from the King to Mr James Law, Archbishop of Glasgow, to liold the High Com- mission, and depose these two ministers from then' callings, and to send Mr Henrie Blyth to be confyned in Invernes, and Mr David Foster in Aberdeene. When Mr James Law receaved this war- rand, being convinced that the men were faithfull and honest, he declared his miscontentment ; because also he had said, not lono- before, that he should never persecute any brother for these indif- ferent things, (for all the Romish trash obtruded upon this Kirk past under the notion of indifferent things, that so the prerogative royaU might the better injoyne them, and the raxeing consciences of conforme men might the easilier practise them,) yit albeit he de- layed a while, Pilat-like, wrestling within his breast, and Avashing his hands in water, when the King's second letter came, he held his commission, and execute the King's wiU. When these honest men were going throw Fyffe to the ferric of Dundie, towards their severall warding places, they got notice that the Bishop of St Androes was come home, wherefore they went to Darsie to him, to see if he could help the mater ; but he assured them no help could be now obtained, and their best was to give obedience. Thus, after they had stayed long in then* respective wards, Mr David Foster, by the means of Sir William Alexander of Menstrie, (his wife's cousin,) a courtiour, was restored to his awin charge at Leith : 324 THE HISTOlllK OF 1619. And Mr Henrie Blyth was transported to a ministrie in the Mers, not far from Berwick, called Eckells, (i.e., as I conjecture, Ecclesice, for it is two Kirks, a kirk and a cross kirk, or four equall yles ;) thus he is far removed from Edinburgh, and putt in a place, (as the Prelats thought,) scarse capable of puritanicall principles, hard upon the Border, It is remarkable that Mr Henrie Blyth had such an- tipathic aganis an ham, that no sooner did he heare a ham spoken of but he swarfed.' Yit the rage of the ministers of Edinburgh ceased not here, for they wrot to the King an heavie complaint upon their awin people of Edinburgh ; wliilk occasioned the King to writ doune a verie sharp and boasting^ letter to the Magistrats and Councill of Edinburgh ; whilk when they had red and considered, they sent for their ministers, and inquyred what wrong any man had done to them, whereby his Majestic was thus irritat aganis them. Mr An- dro Ramsay (though the oldest yit not the wittiest) said, " We care not^ to lett you see what we wrot up to the King." To the whilk the Councill replyed, " That will content us, and we shall try and punish any man that has given yow just cause of offence :" But the rest of the ministers were oifended at that whilk Mr Andro had said ; and after severall speeches ultra citroque, some of the King's Councill dealt betuix them, and pacified that macer. All the rest of that yeare, the King's Majestic was ui'ging the Bishops to take ordour with ministers that would not conforme ; albeit it was pubhctlie promised at the Assemblie at Perth, 1618, by the King's Commissioners and Bishops, in the King's name, et in verbo Principis, let these five Articles be inacted, pleasure the King that farre, never a man shall be troubled or molested for not obeying them. Therefore, the Bishop of St Androes held the High Com- mission in St Androes, in the moneth of August 1619, and called before them Mr AYilliam Scott, minister at Cowper-in-Fyfie, Mr John Carmichael, minister at KinnoAvlierc, and Mr ^Uexander Henderson, minister at Leuchars, accuseing them sharplie, as though ' Swarfed, swooned, fainted. - Boastiiuj, threatening. 3 Care not, have no objection. 1619. THE KIRK OF SCOTL^VND. 325 they had been the authors and setters out of that book called " Perth Assemblie,"^ proveing the Nullitie thereof; and that they had sought a contribution of nionyes, wherewith to print it. But they answered for themselves so wisehe, that the Bishop could get no advantage of them, but dismissed them with threatnings. Also in October, when the Bishop keeped his Diocesan courts in St Androes and Edinburgh, he used great threatniugs aganis honest ministers who refuised to conforme. After this there was a meet- ing of some ministers in St Androes, who were thought most op- posite to the obtruded conformitie, by the King's awin advise, that there they might be dealt ynth to conforme ; but Avhen they mett and spake with the Bishops, some desyred that there might be a solemne fast and humiliation intimat, whereby they might earnest- lie intreat the Lord that he would be pleased to pacific the trou- bles of this Kirk ; but that could not be granted. It is knowen, their Lordships loves feasting better nor fasting ; and, therefore, all things were delayed till Pasch-day in the nixt yeare, and then they woidd observe how that day was keeped. About this tyme, Mr David Lindesay, minister at Dundie, now Doctor Lindesay, was made Bishop of Brechin. In Winter, an High Commission sat in St Anch'oes, and Mr John Row, minister at Carnock, within the Presbyterie of Dunfermhne, was summoned to appeare before them. But he not being well in health, and not able to travell in winter, and resolveing to confesse all that was lybelled aganis him, viz., That he continuallie did preach aganis Prelacie as an antichristian office, aganis the five Articles inacted at Perth 1618, and aganis the rest of the acts of the sixe pretended null Assemblies, did send Mr John Row, his son, then schoolmas- ter in Kirkcaldie, to the High Commission, to present his excuse : also desyred William Rig of Athernie, his nephew, to go to St An- droes, and speak to the Bishop, for it was knowen that Bishop (a politick man) wcidd have done more for the request of one honest ' The author of tlie anonymous tract, « rcrlli Assembly, &c., m.dc.xix.," 4to, pp. 101, was David Calderwood, as we'll as " A Re-examination," &c.,iirinted in the year 1636, 4to, pp. 237, as noticed by Row at page 317. 326 THE HISTORIE OF 1619. man, such as William Rig was, nor for an hundred conforme men, who were his awin alreadie. But it may be that Athernie marred the suit, for neither his uncle nor he would ever style a bishop Lord, looking on that text, " Ye shall not be called gracious Lords or benefactors :" So his censure was confyning within his awin pariosh. But after some few years confyning, by the moyen of the Earle of Morton, his pupill, and Mr John Skene, clerk of the bills and suspensions, whose wife was Mr Johne How his neece, and to whom, as a verie liberall and obliging man, all the Bishops were much obliged, he wes liberat of his confyning, yit not hcen- tiat to preach any where except in his awin pulpit ; but he liteU re- garded that, never refusing to preache where he had ane call from neighbour ministers. The same Mr John Row did after this in Edinbui'gh meet with Mr Adam Bannatyne,' Laird of Kinnowhere,* and Lord Bishop of Dunblane, in a strait place where was no shifting, betuix the Great Kirk and the back of the Lucken- boothes. They had been verie familiare, as being condisciples at the colledge, and afterward ministers, both avowing one trueth of God. The Bishop holds forth his hand to Mr Johne Row, but he folding his airms, and putting his hands vmder his airme holls, re- plyes, " Mr Adam, I will shake no hands with you, tiU you confesse and mourn for your perjvirie and apostasie. We were four yeares antagonists at the Colledge ; it fears me now, we shall be antago- nists whill we live, seing ye have quat Christ and his cause : and because it is knowen ye have done it, especiallie to free your laiixl- ship of debt ; remember, I tell you, God's curse will be upon you, and your lairdship both." " Well, Mr John, (said the Bishop,) I perceave ye ai"e angrie : Fairwell." Mr WiUiam Row also, of whom we heard before, brother to the said Mr John, and minister in Forgundeny, within the Presbyterie of Perth, would never call a bishop) Lord ; for when his son, Mr William Row younger, was admitted his felloAv-hclper in the minis trie, Mr Alexander Lindesay, Bishop of Dunkel, professed tuo things. 1°. He came there not as a bishon, but as a member ' See note to page 260. 1620. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 327 of the presbyteric. 2°. Should not ask a word but what was in the Psahne book, (meaning the Liturgie prefixed to the Psahne book usualhe,) and so he did. The action closed, they go to din- ner, and the Bishop comes without invitation (else he had not come there) among the rest. When the master of the familie is going to marshall his guests, he sayes to my Lord Bishop, " Mr Alexan- der, ye know ye and I were condisciples at the colledge, and Mr John Malcolme wes our master; wherefore, I judge it all rcasone that your master be sett at table above yow." The Bishop ac- knowledged he wes exceeding I'ight, whatever he thought within ; and the trueth wes, that Bishop wes not verie proud, but being- much given to conques, it was said of him, [p. 293,] — Arva Caledonius fraterni ruminat agri. Yit did he not know whither he that should injoy it after him should be a foole or a wise man, &c. In the yeare 1620, the Archbishop of Glasgow got an High Com- mission to himself to take ordour with the ministers tliat would not conforme witliin his bounds. So he summoned many ministers before him, and (Hazacl like) deposed some, and threatned others with banishment if they should not conforme ; desyreing them to seek out and read books whilk would informe them of the lawful- ness of these indifferent ceremonies. There Avere also some honest burgesses of Edinburgh ordained, by the King's letter, to go to sundrie wards and confynes if they should not give contentment to the Bishop of St Androes ; which purpose was stayed by the intercession of the ministers of Edin- burgh ; also, sundrie of the burgesses nominat went and spak with the Bishop of St Androes, and that contented him, so that he in- terceeded at the hands of the Councill for them. This same yeare 1620, in the moneth of June, a proclamation was made, ordaining all the King's lieges of all ranks to obey the Articles concluded at Perth Assemblie, under the penalties follow- ing : — For Ministers, deposition fra the ministrie ; for Earls, 100 libs. ; for Lords, 100 merks ; Lairds and other landed men, 40 libs. ; 328 THE HLSTORIE OF l(j21. Craftismen and husbandmen, 10 libs., toties quoties they should not obey. Hence learn how verbum Principis is keept, whilk not a little wrongs the old Scottish proverb, " He will be a king of his word." {Nota, The ministers' penaltie is the far highest.) At sundrie tymes of this yeare, there were sundrie privie meet- ings of ministers and other good christians in Edinburgh, setting apart dayes for fasting, praying, and humiliation, crying to God for help in such a needfull tyme ; whilk exercises, joyned with handling of scripture, resolveing of questions, cleareing doubts, and tossing of cases of conscience, were verie comfortable, and proved verie edificative to those who were partakers of them, for they grew exceedinglie both in knowledge and grace. Thir meet- ings the Bishops and their folloAvers (enemies still to the power of godliness, and life of religion) hated to the death ; and sundrie ministers of Edinburgh inveighed aganis them, under the name of unlawfull conventicles, candle-light congregations, (because some- times they continued their exercises for a great part of the night,) persecuting -them with odious names of Puritans, Separatists, Brounists, &c. But I am sure the yeai's 1637, 1638, &c., in this late blessed work of reformation, whilk lies even given a new life, as it were, to us who were born doun under prelaticall persecution, are the verie return of those fervent prayers uttered and sent up to Heaven at those most profitable asdificative meetings, when the publict meetings were, for most part now, corrupted for not a few years. In the yeare 1621, the King laboured by all means to get the five Articles concluded in Perth Assemblic ratified by a Parliament, and, therefore, caused pi'oclame a Parliament to be holden in June. The Marques of llamiltoun was appointed his Majcstic's grand Commissioner and Viceroy to hold this Parliament ; but when he came to Scotland, the Parliament was delayed till the end of Julie, because that interim there behoved to be great dealling with per- sons of all ranks, to be sure before hand, that the Articles should be concluded. Many ministers being in Edinburgh, and knowing what dealling was used, and fearcing the event for the wrack of 1621. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 329 this Kirk, (a j^roclaniation also being made that all ministers should remove off the toune within twenty-four houres, under the paine of horning, except such as obtained a warrand fra their Ordinarie, or one of the Ai'chbishops, to remaine still in toune :) they con- veened themselves, and after incalling of the Lord's name, and good advisement, thought it expedient and necessare to give in an humble Petition to the Parliament, containing in the end thereof a protestation, in case they should be refuised, or their petition not answei'ed, whilk being large, and because it is alreadie printed,' we have here omitted ; but because there was no possibilitie to gett it given into the Parliament, there were sundrie coppies thereof pub- lictlie affixed upon the Parliament-house doore, upon the kirk doores, and upon the mercat-crosse, that ignorance might not be pretended. The King's Councill getting knowledge thereof, sum- moned some ministers before them, whom they suspected to be the doers of it, and of whom they were informed that in their preach- ings about that same tyme, they had inveighed against all who should alter the former good ordour of our Kirk, and they warded them. About the same tyme Mr Robert Bruce was first warded in the castle of Edinburgh, and then ordained to be confyned within the toun of Invernes, and Mr John Maxwell was made minister of Edinburgh in his kirk, and INIr Robert Boid of Trocli- ridge nominat to be Professor of Theologie in the colledge, and minister of Edinburgh f but the honest people of Edinburgh lyked him so well, that he was suffered onlie to remaine in Edinburgh fyvc moneths ; and at the King's commandement {sic volo, sic jubeo, sit pro ratione voluntas) was removed againe. Now, when the Parliament v> as ended on the fourth day of August, the five ' The proclamation, with the petition and reasons subnaitted to members of Parlia- ment, are contained in the anonymous work called " The Course of Conformitie. Printed in the yeare 1622,'' 4to. ^ This eminent divine having rendered himself obnoxious to King James for non- conformity, the Magistrates of Edinburgh were commanded peremptorily to deprive Boyd of these offices, to which he had been admitted in October 1 622, and to cause him remove from the town, " unlesse he conform totally." — Sec Caldervvood's His- tory, p. 799 ; Bann.ityne Miscellany, vol. i. p. 221. 330 THE HISTORIE OF 1621. Articles were concluded by pluralitie of votes, nyne votes being more for the affirmative nor was for the negative ; what by proxies, (whilk the King had obtained in the former Parliament, holden by himself m A7ino 1617,) what by causeing such commissioners as he knew would not grant to vote affirmative, severall of them to be absent, and not to vote at all, either in their awin person or by proxie : Thus the Parliament Avas little better constitute nor the Assemblie. Notandum, Just as the scepter was a laying to the cursed Act, the lowdest thunder-clap that ever Scotland heard wes just over the Parliament-house, Avhilk made them all to quake for feare, looking for nothing less nor that the house should be throwen doAvne with thunder-bolts. Haveing ended their black Parliament, they intended to have ridden Avith great pompe and joy, but the terrible fire-flaught^ and hudge inundation of raine (far beyond that whilk Avas, 1618, at Perth, at the first inacting of the five Articles, pag. 235 [317]) marred all thatpurpose of ryding: That verie day made the greatest alteration of pryces of victuall Avithin eight dayes that ever was heard of in so short a space in Scotland, (except the ill windie Bartle day''^ in Anno 159- ;) and for that yeare the harvest was evill and rainie, AA'hereby the cornes Avere destroy- ed, yea, inundations of waters took away to the sea wholl large haughs fiill of shorn corne, demolished also great and fair bridges, particularlie the bridge of Perth (Avhere the fy ve Articles Avere first concluded) and the bridge of BerAvick.^ And for three years, with- out intermission, as in David's dayes, the oath of God and Cove- nant noAv being publictlie broken, and mischief established by a law, there Avere vehement dearth and famine, so that many died in streets and on high Avay sydcs, for verie Avant of food cffiimished. And noAv againe, ^?/?i« 1648, at a second Ilamiltoun's black Parlia- ment, the Malignants, by pluralitie of votes, haveing established mis- chief also by a law, contrare to the Covenant and treaties betuix the ' Firc-flaught, lightning. 2 Bartle R dm/, probably for St Bartholomew's clay, the •24th of August. •'' For an account of the " unseasonable weather " in August lO'il, and the de- struction of the bridges at Perth and Berwick in October following, sec Calder- wood's History, p. 787- 1622. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 331 Kingdoms, in vadeinglngland without premonition, reftiiseing treatie when it wes offered, (when as the invader should offer the treattie,) we lye under a great dearth ever since that tyme, and this now is the third yeare. Nothing will be a document to wicked men. The Parliament of 1621 ended, noblemen, bishops, and others, thought themselves happiest who might be the first reporters of glade newes to the King that at the Parliament he had obtained his intent. After this Parliament, both the King wrot doune to his Councill and Lords of Session, advocatts, writters, and all members of the Colledge of Justice, to take the communion kneel- ling, and the Bishops also Avere earnest with the ministers to doe the same. But the warres in Bohemia going aganis the King's son-in-law and his daughter, the King and Bishops also relented somewhat of then' furie and vehemencic ; yit notwithstanding, the Bishops all this yeare were calling ministers before their High Com- mission, putting some from their places, and threatning others with the like punishment if they should not conforme themselves. In the yeare 1622, Mr William Forbes, minister at Aberdeen, was thought by the bishops a fitt man to be minister at Edinburgh ; the Session dissenting, the CounciU consenting, in the moneth of March he was admitted minister of Edinburgh ; and in Aprile fol- lowing the communion was given on Pasch-day in the Great Kirk and in the Colledge Kirk. All the actuall ministers were in those tuo kirks helping to give the elements to each one out of their awin hands ; also, all were desyred to kneell in the act of receave- ing the elements. Mr Patrik Galloway haveing kneelled and prayed, (I would say, haveing read the prayer of consecration, wherein there is not one word of Lord blesse the elements or action,) the cupps being standing full of wine upon the table, he preassing to rise off his knees, taking a grip of the table to help himself up, it not being surelie fixed, he drawes over the table, spills all the wine in the cupps upon the table-cloth ; so that they were forced, after they had sett up the overturned table, to get clean cloths, and fiU the cups againe with new wine. 332 THE HISTOKIE OF 1623. It is memorable that in this yeare, in the moneth of June, a Commentarie of Para3iis upon the Romans, printed 1G17, came into men's hands here : Upon the loth cap., he declares what obe- dience subjects ought to their magistrats, and how magistrats, kings useing the sword for the defence of the vicious, and punish- ing of the vertuous, overturning religion and the liberties of the subjects, may and ought to be resisted. A minister in Ingland, teaching according to that doctrine, being examined, and confess- ing that he had the o-rounds of his doctrine out of that commen- ce o tarie, the King caused the Universitie of Oxfoord refute that doc- trine, and did cause burne Para^us's book openlie : This made more men to seek after the book than otherwise they would, that they might see what was in it, and learned men finding Parasus's doc- trine to be solidlie founded upon the trueth of God, his works, after that, came in greater estimation nor ever before they had been. The honest man heareing that King James VI., Defender of the Faith, had caused ignominiouslie burn his book, through depth of displeasure, was hastened to his grave. Few remarkable things fell out in the yeare folloAving, 1623, ex- cept that maine one that the Prince of Wales, Charles, the King's eldest son, past to Spaine throw France quyetlie, to obtaine the King of Spainehis sister to be his wife : Avhilk was a voyage both hazardous for his awin person, as also for the estate of religion in all thir do- minions, as the many sad effects did declare : He took his journey in the beginning of March, and being in Sj^aine, wrot a letter to the Pope of Rome, giveing him the blasphemous style of Holiness in abstracto, told his resolution for defending that ftiith, and avowing he would never sute in mariage a Avoman wliose religion he dislyked. In Aprile following, at the Diocesan meeting of St Androes, all the Bishops almost meeting there, concluded that it wcs expedient, that a fast should be appoynted to praj^ to God for tlie preservation of the Prince, and that he may rcturne home in safetie ; but that the Lord Avould keep this Kirk and thir dominions under one King from I'operio, Avas not appointed a cause of tlie fast, honest men 1628. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 333 did not forgett it, but antichristian prelatts scarrs not much at Po- perie. It was a wonder to many what the Prelates meant, to appoint a fast in Aprile, and delay the celebrating of it till the last Sabbath of June, and the first Sabbath of Jidie, and in burrow-touns also to keep it in the week dayes betuix these tuo Sabbaths, haveing preaching everie day : but sure om* Bishops loves no fasting, and evill (we say) is good of trust ; it may be they thought that the Prince's safe return ere that dyet would spair them the labour of fasting. ■ Some expected that that marriage should have been ac- complished ; but it fell out otherwise. Upon Monday immediat- lie after that first Sabbath of Julie, at the break of day, there was such a fearfiill face of the heavens, joyned with extraordinare thun- der and fire-flaught till the sun arose, that the lyke hes not been seen in our dayes : but (alace !) few can make good use of God's wonderfuU works ; and secure sinners does not observe the opera- tion of his hands. In the tyme of the Prince his being in Spaine, the King have- ing proponed to his councill and nobilitie a toleration of Poperie for peace cause, and a further union among christians ; the Bishop of Canterburrie, George Abbott, had a worthie speach to the King : " May it please your Majesty, I have been too long silent, and I afraid, by my silence, I have neglected my duetie of the place which it hath pleased God to call me unto, and your Majestic to place me in. But now I humblie crave leave, that I may dis- charge my conscience towards God, and my duetie towards your Majestie ; and, therefore, I beseech you. Sir, to give me leave free- lie to delyver myself; and then let your Majestie doe with me Avhat ye please. Your Majestie has proponed a toleration of reli- gion : I beseech you. Sir, to take into consideration what yom- act is, and what the consequences may be. By your act you labour to sett up that most damnable and hereticall doctrine of the Komish church, the whoore of Babilon. How hatefull AviU it be to God, and how greivous to your good subjects, the professors of the gos- pell, that your Majestie, who hes so oft disputed, and so learnedlie written aganis that wicked heresie, should now show yom'self to be 334 THE IIISTORIE OF 1G23. a patron to these doctrines, which your pen hcs told the world, and your conscience lies told yourself, are superstitious, idolatrous, and detestable. Add hereto, what ye have done by sending the Prince to Spainc, without the consent and privitie of your Coun- cil!, and approbation of your people : And, Sii", although ye have a large interest in the Prince, as the son of your flesh, yet has the people a greater, as the son of that King, upon whom (nixt after your Majestic) their eye is affixed, and their Avelfare depends ; and so tenderlie is his going apprehended, that, beleeve it. Sir, how- ever his return may be saif, yet the drawers of him unto that oc- casion, so dangerous to himself, and so desperat to the kingdome, will not passe aw\ay unquestioned and unpunished. Besyde, the tolera- tion which you think to sett up by proclamation cannot be with- out a Parliament, unless yoiu* Majestic will let your subjects see that ye will take to yourself a libertie, to throw doune the lawes of the land at your pleasure : What dreadfull consequences these things may draw after them, I beseech your Majestic considder : and above all, that by this toleration, and the discontentment of the true profes- sors of the gospell, wherewith God has blessed us, and under which these many years this kingdome has flourished, your Majestic draw not on yourself in particulare, and on the kingdome in gene- rail, God's heavie Avrath and indignation. This, in discharge of my duetie towards God and your Majestic, and the place of my call- ing, I have taken humblic boldness to delyver my conscience, and now doe with me as ye please, Liberavi animam meamr After that the Spanish Ambassadour, Don Diego de Mendoza, Governor of Balearidcs, had proposed the conditions of the mar- riage betwix the Prince and the Spanish ladic, the most of the nobilitie being assembled in the councill-chamber, where my Lord Keeper, Bishop of Lincolne, desyred the Ai'chbishop of Cantcrbur- rie to yceld his obedience to his Majcstic's will, unto whom the Archbishop rcplycd. Whither urge ye that as Lord Keeper, or as Bishop of Lincolne ? If as Lord Keeper, ye doe your duetie to his Majestic ; if as Bishop of Lincolne, you are an antichrist. But this intended proclamation of the King s for toleration of religion, 1623. THE KIKK OI^ SCOTLAND. 335 or (as they call it) libertie of conscience, Avitli his sending of his son, and heir of the crowne, to match with the lionse of Spaine, was verie disonant to the King's speech in his first Parliament in Ingland, Monday, March 1603. " First, I could not tolerat or permit the incres and growing of their religion, (Poperie,) without first betraying myself and my awin conscience : Secondly, This wholl ysle, alswell that part I came from, (Scotland,) as the part I remaine in, (Ingland,) by be- traying their liberties, and reduceing them to the former slaveish yock, which both nations had casten off before I came among them : Thirdlie, The hbertie of the croune, in my posteintie, which I should leave againe under a new slaverie, haveing found it left free to me by my predecessors." In the moneth of October, the Prince returned safelie from Spaine by ship ; and great rejoyceing was in aU thir countreyes for his home-comeing, for in his absence in Spaine, the Papists were very insolent ; for our Papists in the north would not have their children baptized but by masse-priests ; and when complaint there- of was heavilie made to the Bishop of St Androes, he answered, That he would writ and complaine to the King that he may take ordom' with them. Also in Ingland, a Jesuite took upon him to preach aganis some points of true doctrine, uttered in London by an honest minister there ; many resorted to heare the Jesuit preach. But God visited the preacher and many of his auditors with a fearfuU judgment ; for the house fell doune upon them,^ and smothered many of them ; many not killed were terriblie crushed and hurt, yet a minister, who in his heart was a Jesuite, and had heard the preaching, being wonderfullie preserved, in the midst of so commone a calamitie, observeing the finger of God in it, Avas converted to the trueth, and wrot a booke, which he called Foote ' Among the tracts printed at the time, in reference to this accident, one is called '• The DolefuU Even-Song, or a True Narration of that fearcfuU and sudden Calamity which befell the Preacher, Mr Druryc, a Jesuite, and the greater part of his Auditory, by the dowenfall of a floor e of an Assembly in the Black- Friers, on Sunday the 26th of October last, in the afternoone." Lond. 1623, 4to. 336 THE iiisTouii: oi' 1G24. out of Snaire ;' inthe whilk lie revealled many cruell plotts devys- ed aganis true chi'istian reformed religion. In the moneth of November, Mr John Guthrie, who had been but two years minister of Edinburgh, after his transportation from Perth, was made Bishop of Moray, and instantlie removed from Edinburgh, Avent and made his residence there in Moray. In the year lG24,the ministers of Edinburgh vehementlie inveighed against the best of their people, because they heard that the people spak aganis urgeing of them to take the communion kneeling ; and laid also other heavie imputations upon them, as censui'ers of their mi- nisters, for poynts of doctrine uttered in their sermons, w^hereof they neither could nor would give any warrand ; for it was then a cus- tome in Edinburgh, that once in the yeare, about the tyme of communion, the ministers did remove, and the session did tell what they knew of their ministers' doctrine or life ; and Mr William For- bes being removed, some poynts smelling of Arminianisme,^ some of Poperie, being given in aganis him, saying. These poynts agree not with our Catechisme and Confession of Faith, we desire our minister explaine himself, and cleare us in these particulars, whilk he uttered in publict. But after he was called in, aU the explana- tion, cleareing, and contentment given to his people, was railling and upbraiding of them as going beyond their lyne. After that, the ministers of Edinburgh never used that forme any more. About that tyme also, a minister wrot a letter to Mr William Struthers, desyreing him to give him some satisfaction, if he had uttered such doctrine as he was informed of, specifieing eight ' ' " The Foot out of the Snare, or Detection of Practises and Impostures of Priests and Jesuits, by John Gee." Lond. 1624, 4to. This tract is said by Anthony a Wood to have been printed four times in that year, the copies being bought up by the Roman Catholics. 2 As stated at page 331, Forbes was brought from Aberdeen to Edinburgh ; but he returned again to Aberdeen. ; Having been promoted to the See of Edinburgh, upon its first erection in 1G33, he was consecrated in February 1G34, but died on the 1 1th of April following. His posthumous work, Considerationes Modestcr et Pacificcp, exhibits sentiments approaching to Popery and Arminianism. See Baillic's Letters, vol. iii. p. 390, and Dr Irving's Lives of Scotish Writers, vol. ii. p. 1. 1&24. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND, 337 poynts of uncouth and misapplyed doctrine, when he taught a part of the 1^5th Psalme, ver. 7, askmg this question, at everie parti- culare poynt, Sing you God's righteousness when you say this, or teaches that ? beseeching him to use him in a brotherlie manner, and send him a plaine answere. But yet he received none ; albeit being convinced in his awin conscience, he made some forme of ex- cuseing himself in his nixt sermon, and after that was some calmer in his speaches. Notwithstanding, all the ministers continued in their rage aganis the people, and complained upon them to the Bishop of St Androes ; their Ordinare also wrot up a letter of heavie com- plaint to the King, making mention of some particular persons, whom they thought to be their greatest enemies, namelie, Williara Rig, then one of the baillies of Edinburgh, Johne Hamiltoune, apothecarie, Johne Meen, merchant, Johne Dickson, a flesher, and some others. The King wrot doune to his Councill to caU them before them; and after examination and conviction, to pun- ish them severelie to the terror of others. The Councill called them, but they answered so wiselie, punctuallie, and modestlie, that the Councill admired them : their answers the Councill sent up to the King, nevertheless, the King commanded to cause ward them, and fyne them in their substance. The CounciU thought that a dangerous preparative, yet to satisfie the King they were aU warded respective, William Rig in Blacknes, Johne Meen in Elgin of Moray, Johne Hamiltoun in Aberdene, and Johne Dickson was incarcerat in the Tolbuith of Edinbrn-gh ; and remained there, till by great deaDing, pains, and moyen, they were releeved againe, the Bishop of St Androes being spoken unto, and made sensible how wrongouslie they were dealt with, for no fault at aU. At this tyme also, Mr Robert Brace got libertie, upon strict conditions, to come home to his awin house, Kinaird, to doe his necessarie affairs, and go back againe to his place of confynement when he shoidd be charged. In November this year, the Bishop of St Androes keeped his Diocesan assemblies, both in St Androes and Edinburgh, and made 388 THE HISTORIE OF 1625. sundrie acts, ordaining that no minister should give the commu- nion to any of another congregation, without their ministers testimo- nial! : The intention of this act was, that none should have a testi- raoniall from a conform minister to go and communicate elsewhere, except he did take the communion with his awin minister kneel- ing ; that all persons, of whatsoever rank they be, should present themselves to the examination before the communion ; that ex- pectants should be tryed what knowledge they had in the tongues before theii- admission, &c. In the end of November, the King wrot doun commanding the ministers of Edinburgh to give the communion to their people upon the 25 day of December, that is, upon Yoole-day, being Saturnsday, or the last day of the week, charging also the Lords of Councill and Session to take the communion in Edinburgh on that day ; but the pest breaking up in the toune, the Session, rose, and all the Lords left Edinburgh, and went to their awin housses. The King hearing of this, was exceedinglie enraged, for he did not think that iiideed it was a pest, by reasone that so few were alledged to die of that sickness, and because it continued so short tyme. In lieu of this misse, the ' King determined that all the muii- sters of Scotland should give the communion on Pasch-day follow- ing, in Armo 1625, and whosoever Avould refuse to give the com- munion that day, or to kneell in the act of communicating, or w ho- ever was not conforme in all things, he should be deposed from his ministrie, without respect of persons: This fearfull storme of per- secution aryseing lyke a black cloud, was dissipat, and the eviE pre- vented by the Lord's providence ; for, in the beginning of March, the Marquess of Hamiltoun died before Pasch ; shortlie after, the King taketh sickness, and is removed by death on the 27 day of March 1625, being the Lord's day. Upon the Tuesday after, being the 29 of March, there was a most fearfull tempest of wnnde, joyned with the highest ryseing and floAving of the sea that ever any man liveing did see ; whereupon, it came to passe that many ships were crushed and broken even in harbours, many persons 1G25. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 339 were droimed in their hoiisses, coall-heuchs also were drouned, salt-pans throwen doune, and more harrne done by sea and land than can be easily expressed. The King, James VI., being dead, his son, Charles I., was pro- claimed King of Great Britain, &c., that same day, at five houres at night. The report of the King's death comeing to Scotland, the sph'its of aU men were on a stm-re throw hope or feare, joy or grief, as they were affected ; some feared inconveniences, some hoped for gaine or preferment : wherefore many of all sorts and ranks of people, nobles, bishops, gentrie, Avent up to Court to make moyen about the King, everie one to doe the best he could for himself and his fi-iends. The late King, James VI., was buried in a most statelie, princelie, and magnifick manner, Male 7, 1625; and the manner of his funerall was put in print. ^ In the following moneth, June, the King of France his sister, Marie, came to Ingland, and was receaved as Queen of Great Bri- tane, &c. The King, hir husband, went to Dover to meet hir, whilk was done with great solemnetie ; and when advertisement thereof came to Edinburgh, there were many cannons shot from the castle, and many bonfires sett out. It is verie remarkable that the Queen's masse, the pest of the soule, and a most rageing pestilence, killing bodies, came to Lon- don together, (O that men had eyes in their heads to see, and hearts to considder, the Lord's wayes !) The King had sent a great navie to the sea, whilk Avas prepared in King James his tyme, where- upon advertisement came to Scotland that the King had appoynted a solemne fast to be keeped in all his dominions for to stay the plague of pestilence, and to prosper the airmie that was gone to the sea to take in Cales Males {olim Gades) neare the Straits ; whilk Avas keeped : the servants of Jesus Christ added other causes as they thought meet, and as the tymes called for. Yet there was no re- ' In Nichols's Progresses of King James (vol. iv. p. 1036) is inserted, " The true order," &c. of the King's interment, from a MS. in the British Museum, but no notice is taken of any printed account. 34() TllE IIISTORIE OF 1625. leuling of the pestilence in haste, for in the raonetli of August following there died above 4000 everie week in London, wherby it was almost desolat and dispeopled, for all the people that could fled out of it. Yet notwithstanding of all the Lord's mercies unto, and judgments upon the King and his people, he caused make a proclamation in the same moneth of August, at the Mercat Crosse of Edinburgh, with sound of trumpett, intimating to all his sub- jects of Scotland that he would execute the lawcs of the countrey aganis Papists and all recusants ; as also he Avoidd have all to con- forme to the present establyshed ordour of this Kirk in giveing obedience, and observeing the five Articles concluded in Perth Assemblie, and ratified in Parliament, and that the disobeyers shoidd be exemplarlie punished. Whilk proclamation of this straine, and at such a tyme, made many honest people to have harder tlioughts of the King than they had before. In the moneth of September, there was sett out in print a De- claration of the King's mynd concerning Papists and Not-Con- formers, and coppies thereof were affixed upon mercat crosses and kirk dooi's within burghs, after that proclamation had been made thereof publictlie : all these proceedings greeved good Christians, that the most precious and most gracious Christians in the land (who could not bui'ie the memorie of the Covenant and oath of God, as the perjured Prelatts and their followers had done) should be ranked in with Papists ; yea, as experience had proven, and did afterwards prove, our Queen now being an avoAved jesuited Papist, still Avorse used and more borne doune nor Papists were, albeit in all proclamations and declarations they got the first brunt of the boast. In the moneth of October, there was a Convention of Estates mett in Edinburgh. The Earle of Nithsdaill Avas comeing doune from Court with sundrie articles to be proponed to the Convention of Estates ; but they, feareing the inconvenience of them, granted to the King Avillinglie a taxation of 400,000 marks, together with the annuitie of the annuel rents that wes condescended unto be- fore. But when the Earle came and proponed the living's articles, 1626. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 341 they were judged not to be reasonable, and, therefore, were not yeelded unto. At this tyme also the King made a great alteration in Councill and Session, for he would have no counceller upon the Session except the Chancellour onlie and his awin Advocat. In the moneth of November, a solemne proclamation was made at the Mercat Crosse of Edinburgh, wherein the King revoketh all things done by his father, or his father's mother, in prejudice of th& Croune ; causeing this Revocation passe throw the sealls, whilk bred great feare of a great alteration to come, as indeed the effect proved. About this same tyme, the King sent for som.e of the Nobilitie and some Bishops to come to him, that he might ad- vise with them how his Revocation should be prosecute. In the moneth of December, the Toun of Edinburgh was divyded in four quarters, makeing a severaU congregation of each quarter, and assigning two ministers to each congregation, tliat so the Word, the Sacraments, and Marriage, might be administred to everie congregation by their awin minister. In the moneth of Februarie 1626, the King's Majestic, Charles I., was crouned in Ingland with great solemnitie. And now, he have- ing made a great alteration in the Session, or CoUedge of Justice, haveing putt out sundrie noble men, and putt in others in then- places, Su" James Skene (eldest son to Sir Johne Skene, my Lord Clerk-Register, who wrote Regiam Majestatem,^ De Verborum Signi- Jicatione, &c.) is chosen President of the Session, in the roume of the Earle of Melros, Hamiltoune. In the moneth of March, the King sent doune a catalogue of those that he would have Lords of his Privie Councill : some Earles, sundrie Bishops, Lords, Officers of Estate, forty-seven in all, seventeen to be a quorum ; provyding the Chancellour and Officers of Estate, his Advocat, with the Director of the Chancellarie, were of that number : Then there were seven- ' " Who wrote JRegiam Majestatem." It is scarcely necessary to remark, that Skene was the collector and editor of the Ancient Laws of Scotland, which he pub- lished under that title, in 1609. His treatise, De Verhorum Slgnificatione, was sub- joined to his edition of the Acts of Parliament from 1424 to 1597, Edinb. 1597, folio. 342 THE HISTOKIE OF 1626. teen commissioners nominat for redressing of all greevances, (wliilk was in stead of that Avliilk in Ingland they call the Court of Con- science,) or any ten of them, the Chancellour alwayes being one of the ten, or in his absence, the eldest coimcellour present. Then fifteen counnissioners were nominat for the King's Exchequer, or any six of them, the King's Thesaurer or his depute being alwayes one of the six. In all thir commissions sundrie Bishops were nominat to be of the number, that their credit and preferment might be the greatter. In the raoueth of Julie there was a great Convention of Estates appoynted by the King to be holden in Edinburgh : The result was this, that the King would have everie man to have his awin teind, and all the teinds to be holden of the King ; and there were four noble men, four bishops, four barons, four burgesses, to sitt ordinarlie upon this commission whill it should be brought up to some good conclusion : Whilk commission they accepted on them, and satt doune in August following, summonding before them all the possessor^ of teinds to declare Avhat teinds they had, and how they held them. About this tyme also, all the Lords of erections almost, who had the teinds of abbacies, went up to Court, and agreed with the King that they might have satisfaction for their teinds, and so they would dimitt them to the King. Whereupon, the ministers of Edinburgh, and other ministers in the countrey, be- ing informed that the King Avas to gett in aU the teinds, and was to provyde greater stipends to ministers than they had, many of the ministers befjan in their sermons to inveigh ao-anis noblemen and others who would not quyt their teinds, being the Kirk's patrimonie, and would not put them over into the King's hands, to be imployed for the maintenance of ministers, and the poorc, and schoolls, and other pious uses. In the end of this yeare, there was a convention of Bishops and other ministers (Avhom they were pleased to send for) in Edin- burgh : The result was, to send up to Court tuo Bishops, Kosse and Moray, and tuo ministers, ]\Ir Walter AVhitefoord and Mr William Struthers, to the King, to intreat his Majestic to have 1627. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 343 mynd of the provision of the kirks of Scotland, and to take ordour with insolent Papists, who regarded not the ordour of the Kirk. There went up also three noble men, Rothes, Linlithgow, and Lowdoun, about this same tyme, to make overtures to his Ma- jestic, whereby he might agree with his subjects in the mater of his revocation, but they came small speed. Yet there were twenty- five articles sent doune by the King to the commissionei's, to sec Avhat everie man who liad tcinds would doe, according to these articles. The Commissioners and almost the wholl countrey conveened in Edinbm'gh, by a proclamation made for that effect, in the begin- ning of March 1627. But no good was done, because the Bishop of St Androes Avould not take upon him to be moderator in that meeting, but delayed till the home comeing of the Chaucellour out of Ingland, whereat the ministers of Edinburgh and others mini- sters also Avere offended, seing they thought the King's purpose towards them was so good. About this tyme also conveened the barons, and sent up to Court Balcomie and Leyes, ^ to intreat the King's Majestic that they were not hurt in their teinds by the nobilitie, who were agreeing for themselves. This yeare, the 25 of March, was Pasch-day, the communion was given in the Great Kirk ; that day there were not above six or seven persons in all tlie toun that kneeled, also some of the ministers kneeled not. In the moneth of Aprile there was a proclamation sett out and printed, ordaining all Ministers, with the help of two or three of their parishioners of best skill, to try out the estate of everie Parish, according to the articles proponed ; and dyetts were appoynted to everie shyre to come in to such and such places according to the presbyteries of Scotland, and to put their try ell in writ,'^ and give it ' Sh- James Learmonth of Balcomie, and Sir James Lockhart of Lee. Tlie former of wliom was raised to the Bench 8th November 1627, and the latter 2d July 1646. '^ A number of these Reports were accordingly made, and 49 of them preserved in the General Registei'-Hoiisc, being the earliest attempts at a Statistical Account of the Parishes in Scotland, were printed for the Maitland Clnb, Edinb. 1837, 4to. 344 THE HISTOKIE OF 1627. in to such commissioners as were nominal, to conveen in the places where the presbyteries mett, that ministers and schoolls might be tlie better provyded, and the King also might get a yearlie writ off the teinds. In tlie moneths of Male and June following, the valuation of sundrie teinds and lands were given in by the ministers and parishioners foresaids to the commissioners appoynted; but yit not without disagreement betwix the noblemen and inferiour ba- rons and gentlemen; while in end, it was concluded by com- mune consent, that two of the nobilitie, and two barons, and two bishops, shoidd go up to Court, and that they should meet at such a toune upon the 13 day of Julie nixt, that none should pro- veen another, and refer all differences betwix them simpUciter to the King. At this tyme also, there was a meeting of some Bishops and ministers (that were written for) holden in Edinburgli, (thu' were all the GeneraU Assemblies in thir corrupt tymes and dayes of apostasie and defection from the Covenant, now buried, and pre- cious cause of God now deserted,) to confcrr anent the affairs of the Kirk : some feared that it should stand for a GeneraU Assem- blie ; but the Bishop of St Androes came not to it, but wrote his excuse, and desyred the Bishop of Rosse to moderat that meeting in his stead. The result was, to send up commissioners to the King to desire his Majestic to appoynt a free GeneraU Assemblie to be holden, whereof there was so great need. The commissioner nominal was the Bishop of Kosse and Mr Eobert Scott, minister at Glasgow. NoAv, the Lord knowes if the Bishops ever desyred a free GeneraU AssembUe, seing the first thing incumbent to be done there was to have deposed and excommunicat their Lordships for their perjuric and apostasie, betraying of tlie Kirk of Christ, and breaking all their Caveats. ' Also, there was a fast appoynted to be keeped two Sabbaths following, but the causses were not sett doune nor agreed upon : bellie-god bishops hes Httle will of that work by any, that they have little Avitt, if they devise not somewhat either to frustrat the fast or delay it. It was also con- descended that there should be twenty shillings Scottisli taken off 1628. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 345 everie hundreth incrke of everle minister's stipend to beare the charges of thir commissioners, to be payed at their returne. In the moneth of October, the King now haveing gotten many submitting their teinds to him, he declares that he will have also all heretable offices, all regalities, and all blench holden lands sub- mitted to him, and appoynted his Advocatts to see all mens rights and evidents concerning thir, that he might the better resolve what to doe. The ministers were all charged de novo to give in the valuation of the teinds and lands of their parishes more exactlie then at the first they were given in ; and because the Kmg came not great speed with all this dealling, he resolved that everie man should have his awin teinds upon a reasonable pryce, and, therefore, all were ordained to come in to the commissioners for that effect. So, in the beginning of the yeare 1G28, all men desyreing to have their awin teinds came in willinglie, and so the revocation Avent fast ford ward. When Pasch came this yeare [1628] in Aprile, the communion was not given in Edinburgh at all, be reason that there was a meeting agreed upon, wherein the wholl ministers, and two out of everie Session that were alreadie conforme, had agreed to meet with twelve or sixteen of such in Edinburgh as were not con- forme, to advise what way the distraction that was among them mioht be removed ; for the ministers that were last come to Edinburgh, Mr Alexander Tamson [Thomson] and Mr David Mit- chell, were earnest that the communion in Edinburgh should be given in the good old maner without kneeling : So great reasoning being on all hands, they aU appeare to be content that the com- munion shall be so given, but yit they think two things needfull to be done : — One, that some be sent to the Bishop of St Androes to see what is his judgment, seing the half of the tonne of Edin- burgh came not to the communion the last yeare ; yet he would not consent to their conclusion : The other was, a letter to be sent to the King by all the ministers, beseeching his Majestic to give them leave to celebrat the conununion without kneeling, whilk, say 341) THE IIISTOKIE OF 1G28. they, we must doe ; but yet if the King consent not, we shall give you all satisfaction, for neither shall avc urge any to kneell, neither shall we kneell ourselves. When this letter came to the King's hands, he was greatlie displeased, and would not daine the ministers of Edinburgh with an answer, but wrot a letter to the Bishop of St Androcs to this effect : — " Haveing receaved a letter from the ministers of Edinburgh, wherein they have desyred us to give Avay for exempting their parishioners from kneeling in taking the sacrament, contrare to an Act of Parliament, in that case we cannot but be exceedinglie offended that they durst presume to move us aganis that course that was so Avarrantablie done, and that without yoiu* knowledge, who are intrusted in a charge over them. Therefore, Our speciall pleasure is, that ye conveen those persons before you, and haveing tryed the trueth of this bussines and chief authors thereof, that ye inflict such condigne punishment as may, by this example, make others forbeare to doe the like hereafter, and continue your best indevours to settle that ordour Avhilk was formerlie established, whereby ye shall doe us most acceptable service. Whitehall, the 21 of Aprile 1628." Thus the communion was not given in Edinbm-gh that yeare, and in Ingland arose great appearance of alterations, be reasone that the Parliament there got not libertie to keep their Avonted forms, in trying of poynts of treasone, such as were laid to Buck- iughame's charge, who went to Spaine with the King, (then Prince of Wales,) and who wes thought accessarie to the death of King James VI.,^ the now King's father. The King also was much bussied in getting releef to the besieged Rochell, the chief Protest- ant toune in France : but Buckinghame, a Papist, (who had been minion to King James, and Avas minion to King Charles,) marred all ' He was publicly accused of this by Dr George Eglisbam, a physician, Mb.o pub- lished •' Prodromus Vindictao in Duccm Buckiughamiae, pro virulenta Caedo potcn- tissiini Magnac Britauuiao Regis Jacobi; necnon -Marchiouis Hauiiltouii, ac aliorum virorum in-incipum." Francnfurti, 162G, 4to. It was afterwards more tiian once published in Knglish under this title, " Tlie Fore-runner of Revenge." 1629. THE KiKK or Scotland. 347 that bussines : Rochell was taken, and its strong Avails and fortifi- cations demolished. In Maie, this yeare, came out a poesie Avith this inscription, GeorgIVs DVX BVCkliighaMIcB, prophesieing that George Villers, Duke of Buckingham, Avould make an ill-end that yeare ; for he was a patron of all Papists, and a great enemie to all that had any smak of religion. The verses hegouth. Thy numerous Name doth Avith this Yeare agree, "The 29, Heavens let thee never see ! for the numerall letters in his name, Avhilk are MDCXVWIII. make up 1628. And so it Avas as foretold, for in that same yeare, in August, Johne Felton sticked the Duke of Buckingham ; profess- ing, that onlie love to the publick put him out to that fact, that such a monster may be removed from the face of the earth. Like unto this is LVtetIa Mater, sVos DcVoraVIt natos: That is, the Massacre of Paris, that cruell butcherie was acted Aiino MDLVVVVII. or 1572. In the beginning of the yeare folio Aving, 1629, the King wrot doune a letter to the Councill, ordaining Mr Robert Bruce to be confyned in his aAvin house ofKinaird, and tAvo myles about it. It was thought that the ministers of Edinburgh Avere the procurers of this letter be reasone that Mr Robert Bruce preached in sundrie kirks neare to the tonne of Edinburgh, and desyred earnestlie to have taught in Edinburgh itself; for, said he, "I may avoAV that there is not noAV a laAvfidl minister of Edinburgh liveing except I, for they have aU entered in a corrupt Avay, contrare the good ordour of our Kirk ; and I AerUie think, that thir ministers that are in Edinburgh are greatter enemies to the gospell of Christ then the Bishops are." And so it Avas, for in verie deed they stm-ed up the Bishop to doe many things aganis honest ministers, Avhilk otherwise he Avould not have done. At the same tyme Avhen Mr Robert Bruce was confyned, Avord came that the King of Bohemia, Prince Palatine, his eldest son, Avas droAvned, comeing by sea from the sight of a great pryse, which the Hollander had taken from the Spainard. 348 THE UISTOKIE OF 1G29. In the moneth of Februarie this yeare, the mhiisters of Edin- burgh resolved to give their people the communion, because they had not gotten it the yeare proceeding ; but it "was given with such confusion as was pitifull to behold ; some of the ministers kneeling, some sitting, some standing, and such confusion among the people also : The minister giveing the elements out of his hands to each one, and the reader reading, or the people singing at that same tyme, &c. This yeare, in the moneth of Julie, there being many complaints of ministers given in aganis Papists, the bishops and some ministers meeting in Edinburgh, to take ordour with such Papists, Avhose names were given up to them, (for at this tyme the Marques of Huntley had been at Court, and the King had Avritten to the Bishop of St Androes to spare him a wdiile, till he should gett bet- ter resolution of his doubts.) The result of their meeting was this, to send up to Court Mr Johne Maxuell, one of the ministers of Edinburgh, to see what was the King's Avill towards thir Pa- pists ; and' at his returne, he brought with him thu' Instructions following, subscryved by the King, and Sir William Alexander, his Majestie's Secretarie for Scotland. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLERGIE OF SCOTLAND, TO 31 R MAXAVELL THEIR COMMISSIONER. 1°. That they use the Marques of Huntley, and the Earles of Angus, Nithsdaill, and Abercom, with discretion, indeavouring by fair means to reclame them to the professed religion, and not to process them till his Majestic be first acquaint therewith ; and if any of them give offence by their insolence and contempt, his Ma- jestic will not suffer the least wrong in that kynd. 2°. That the Archbishop of St Androes considder the deduction of the processe led aganis Patrick Dickson, scrvani; to the Earle of Angus, that it be forraaUie deduced. 3°. That noblemen's wyvcs that are popishlic affected be not ex- communicat, provyding their husbands be answereable, that they shall not reccavc Jesuits or Papists in their companie, nor give any 1629. THE KIUK OF SCOTLAND. 349 publlct scaiidall, but admitt conscience, as the church shall ap- poynt. At Whitehall, November Q, 1629. In that same moneth of November, there fell out a thing not to be omitted : Mr Adam Bannatyne, Bishop of Dunblane, returning to Edinburgh from the bviriall of a nobleman, whose funerall ser- mon he had made, lodged in Culross, where Mr Robert Melvill was a fellow-rhelper to the actuall minister,' but Mr Robert, without a free and lawfull entrie, w^ould not be admitted to that calling. The Bishop heareing that Mr Robert was to preach to-morrow morning, said, " I will go and heare him, for I heare much good of him, of his learning, zeall, painfullness." The minister of the place desyred Mr Robert not to make any particulare application to the bishops, as he had done to some others in tyme of sermon both there and other- where : A little before his going to pulpit, there is suggested to him by the Lord a pertinent application, (and thus he reassons with himself,) while I utter this, I need never to look for favour at this or any other bishop's hands ; but how dare I conceall God's un- doubted trueth ? and thus went to pulpit, begging direction from heaven, as the Lord saw it most for his glorie and the edification of his people. His text was. Acts viii. 32, "Now the place," &c. After severall good observations, he concluded his sermon with this, " We see the way whereby our Lord went to his glorie was by hu- militie and suffering, Phil. ii. 5, 6, &c. ; his humilitie and sufferings were for a short tyme, his glorie is eternall : so must Christ's mem- bers doe ; they must enter into glorie by humilitie and sufferings, and by the contrare, the way to endless shame is when men takes honoures to themselves, contrare to God's word: As ye, Sir, and the rest of your brethren, Avho lies taken lordships to yourselves in God's Kirk, ye enjoy honoures indeed for a short tyme, but your shame and paine shall be eternall, except ye repent. I speak it in love, and sayes it againe, though I should never speak more from this place, that you and the rest of you, who beare doune God's servants, and ' The minister of Culross was Robert Colvill, who died in 1630, and was snc- ceeded by John Duncan. — (Synod of Fife, p. 236.) '350 THE HISTOKIE OF KJoO. counts them fools, I'or siifFering for such things as they doe suffer for, that one day ye shall count them Avise, and yourselves fools, that for so short preferment and small profitts, hes brought your- selves to endless shame and torment in heU's fire, except in tyme ye and they repent, whilk we would be all glad to see, if it were the Lord's will." In the tyme of the delyvering those words to the Bishop, he lifted up his eyes to heaven as if he had been moved with them ; but after he came from seiTuon, he kythed exceeding angrie, seeing sundrie persons there who were opposit to bishops, and one whom the bishops had silenced ; and though he discharged him to preach againe, yit shortlie after, he was content to oversee and misken him ; albeit (said he) I know the rest of the Bishops will be discontent with me. And it was no great mervell that he did so : 1°. Because some tyme he was a great opposit to Bishops himself; and, 2°. The minister that uttered the doctrine, profess- ing also that all was in love, had no stipend, nor ordinarie pro- vision for his pains. In the moneth of December following, upon the 25th day, be- ing Yoole-day, Mr Johne Maxwell taught in the Little Kirk, use- ing not onlie bitter invectives, but curses also, aganis all such as would not keep such holie days : Yit Mr David Foster [Forres- ter], in Leith, that same day taught the contrare doctrine. It was sad to hear pulpit aganis pulpit ; but we should blesse the Lord, that still there were some to stand in the gap, and to speak for trueth and for the cause of God freelie. In the yeare 1630, little alteration was in our Kirk. jNIaie 29, the Queen was delyvered of a man-childe, and there Avas great joy thereat : This is his Majestic who now reignes, the Lord blesse his reigne, Charles II., wherefore, at the writting of this, in Anno 1650, he is twenty years old. In Julie, at a great Convention of Estates was concluded, a great taxation to be given to the King. There were also gree- vances given in to the convention by noblemen, barons, and bur- gesses, in relation to Kirk efFairs : — 1 °. That Bishojis should not 1630. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 351 take oathes of intrants, for by this means the patrons could gett none that were good and weU qualified young men for the ministrie ; yit the Bishops doeing had neither law nor reasone for it ; 2°. That honest ministers casten out of their places for non- conformitie might be restored to their places, and uuAvorthie men might be removed from places ; 3°. That seing the five Articles concluded in the last Pai'liament are called things indifferent, the practise of them may be left to the arbitriment of the subjects ; and no man pressed in those to practise contrare to his conscience. Other articles also were spoken off, in great modestie, and well backed with a great deal of reassone, so that the Bishops might perceave, there were many good subjects Avho lyked not their pro- ceedings. Yet after that, the Councill, and the King's Commis- sioners, the Earle of Monteeth and Sii" William Alexander, had conferred together, the Convention dissolved, and the greevances were deferred to another tyme. In the end of this yeare there Avas a book printed, intitled " Sion's Plea against Prelats :"' There were great search made in Ingland who should be the author of it ; in end, it is found he is a Scottish man by birth, Mr Alexander Lightoun, whom the Bishops had silenced, and noAV by profession he was a Doctor of Medicine. At first the Bishops gave him fair words and promises not to deall rigorousiie with him, if he would confesse the trueth ; but after that he had confessed, they imprisoned hun, dealt verie severelie with him in scourging him throw a part of the citie of London, in de- faceing his face, and in nailling his eare to a poast. Yit, after long- imprisonment, moyen was gotten to releeve him, when they thought he could not live throw sickness ; yit, by the blessing of God on the means used, being a man of skill, he recovered health, and keeped himself quyet. This persecution made many seek ' This anonymous work by Dr Leighton was printed in 1628. It is entitled, " An Appeal to Parliament ; or Sion's Plea against the Prelacie, &c. Printed the year and moneth wherein Itochell ivas lost," [October 1628.] The inhuman sentence of the Star-Chamber against him, as the author of this work, was pronounced the 4th of June 1630. See Irving's Lives of Scotish Writers, vol. ii. p. 117. 352 THE IIISTORIK OF 1 60 1 . after " Slon's Plea," whereby they were informed of many things they knoAv not before. As for the estate of our Kirk at home, Edinburgh hath now four severall kirks, and two ministers in everie kirk hes adjoyned to them all the housses within their ports ; for some within the West Port belonged to St Cuthbert's ku'k, some dwelhng within the East Port at that end of the Cowgate, belonged to Haliroodhouse, or the Abbay-kii-k. The names of Edinburgh ministers at this tyme are these : — For the South-west kirk, called commonlie the Grayfriers kirk, Mr Andro Ramsay, Mr James Fairlie ; for the Great kirk, called commonlie St Geill's kirk, Mr William Stru- thers, INIr Alexander Tamson [Thomson] ; for the Little kirk of St Geills, or the Easter kirk, Mr John Maxwell, Mr Da^'id ]\Iitchell ; for the North-east kirk, called commonlie the Colledge kirk, Mr Thomas Sydserf, Mr Harie Eollock ; forby' the Principall of the Colledge and Professor of Divinitle.^ In the y^are 1631, the King's Revocation was going fast ford- ward, and all men were agreeing Avith the titulars to have their awin teinds, and the King was resolved he would have his annuitie off them this same yeare. There was also a report that the King would have the Psalms of King David translated and paraphrased by King James his father, to be receaAcd and sung in aU the kirks of Scotland ; and some of the books wei'e delyvered to presbyteries, that ministers might advise concerning the goodness or badness of the translation, and report their judgments (not to the Generall Assemblie, for, oh ! that great bulwark of our Kirk was demolished, but) to the Diocesan assemblies ; yit that mater was laid asyde for a while. The Avork Avas commonlie thought to be rather Sir Wil- liam Alexander's of Menstrie than the King's f howbeit, it is most ' Forhy, besides. ' Mr John Adamson was Principal of the University, and Dr John Sharp, Profes- sor of Divinity, at this time. 2 Sir William Alexander was employed during- the life of King James to complete this version, which, however, was not printed till the year 1631. See the Bannatyne Miscellany, vol. i. pp. 225-230, and Baillie's Letters, vol. iii. p. 530. 1G31. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. O05 probable that both hes had an hand In it. In the first impres- sion, there was some expressions so poetical], and so far from the language of Canaan, that all who had any religion did dislyke them, as calling the Sun, the Lord of light, and the Moone, the pale Ladie of the night, &c} But surelie now, in anno 1650, we have, throAV the rich blessing of God upon the long travells of many faithful! and painfull brethren, expert in the Hebrew and poesie-, the most exact, neare, and smooth paraplu'ase of the Psalms (a part of the intended uniformitie) that ever the Christian world did afford.^ In this yeare, 1631, there was great talking of the King of SAvaden his ingoing to Germanic with an armie to help the princes there, and to vindicat them from the tyrannic of the Emperour : his many and rare victories were spoken of far and neare, and "were putt in print ; and no doubt the :,^verie report of them did much good here in tlilr countreyes, and held us in the greatter peace and quyetnes both in Kirk and commoncAvealth : the Em- perour wracked all that he could. At that tyme many ministers and professors, Avitli their wyA^es and children, were forced to flee out of Bohemia ; their housses being brunt, and they redacted to great necessitie, a supplication from them Avas given in to the King's Councill, to gather a contribution throw this kingdome for their support ; whilk Avas done, and by their testimonie of the re- cept of it sent back, they declared that it much refreshed them, beseeching us to send them farther support. But that Avas slowlie done, or rather not at all, because it Avas supposed and reported that the King of SAvaden had obtained releef, and procured safetie to them all. Upon the 22 and 31 dayes of Julie, Mr Johne Maxwell, in per- ' The poetical expressions here objected to were changed in the editions subse- quent to that printed at Oxford in 1631, sraall 8vo. ^ This refers to the metrical version of the Psalms approved of in the year 1650, and still in use by the Church of Scotland. See notices by the Editor, respect- ing the history of this Version in the Appendix to Baillie's Letters and Journals, vol. iii. pp. 526-531. Z 354 THE III8TORIE OF 1631. forraance of a promise made often and long before, had two ser- mons, wherein, upon these words, Eph. iv. 11, "And he gave some apostles," &c., he did undertake to prove that a Diocesan lord bishop or prelat, a pastor sett over pastors, not over a flock, Avas Juris Divini et Apostolici : his arguments by aU unprejudiced hearers were counted stark naught ; he abused many places of Scriptiure : as, " Lo, I am with you to the end of the world ;" -Erpo, a Diocesan lord prelat is Juris Divini, for no other succeeded to the Apostles but Bishops. It is much to be marked that in former sermons he had proved that there was no primacie among Apostles, for he sayes. He gave some apostles ; he sayes not that he gave Peter primat among apostles, and the rest under apostles ; wherefore, all the apostles were equall in jurisdiction and autoritie, whatever inequahtie there was in age or gifts, just so he had proven that there was no Evan- gelists above Evangelists. Now, let the text run on to pastors that there are not pastors above pastors, and it will conclude handsom- lie ; Erffo, a Diocesan lord prelat, a pastor sett over many pastors, is Juris Divini et Apostolici ! But at that tyme there was much more corrupt preaching in Edinburgh, for one upon these words, "Be not unequalHe yoked with infideUs," inferred, the King might marie a Papist ; another, on these words, " Sixe dayes shaU thou work," in- ferred, that if Yoole-day fell to be a week-day one of these sixe, yit they behoved not to Avork ; a third upon these words, " It shall not be so among you," inferred, with Bellannine, a warrand for Diocesan lord bishops ; forby much preaching for UniAcrsall grace, Christ dicing for all, the Saints not perseA'ereing, Clu-ist's locall descending to hell, and diverse others hetcrodoxe doctrines. But Mr Maxwell for his tAvo sermons got no thanks even from the pre- lats, AA^ho send for him and said to him, " Ye wrong us, for this is not our opinion, and it cannot be proven ; Ave only say that Episcopatus is Juris Positivi Ecclesiasticir But shortlie after, Avhen Bishop Laud grcAv great, they Avere all forced to adhere to Mr Maxwell his divinitie, that it Avas Juris Divini. On the third day of November the Queen Avas brought to bed of a daughter, called Marie. In December the 25 day, or Yoole- 1632. THE KIllK OF SCOTLAND. 355 day, l^eing that yeare on the Lord's day, some of the ministers of Edinburgh haveing examined their people before, thought it best to give them the communion that day ; but other of their colleagues and their ruleing elders were against them who were of that mind ; so they failled of that interprise, but they inveighed bitterlie against them, as if a good turn had been opposed, or as if they had done some notable ill turne. In the yeare 1632, in the moneth of March, the Bishops who had been at Court, and Mr John Maxwell, retm-ned. Their purposes were keeped closse, yit in the moneth of Male following there were some of the most zealous and godlie ministers in Ireland putt from their ministrie, as Masters Robert Blair, John Livingstoune, George Dumbar, Josiah Welch, and others, aganis whom the King was in- formed that they were liklie to bring in a new sect of religion in that kingdome ; (I doubt not to affirme they were all guiltie of the heresie of Aerius, viz. Idem est Presbyter qui Episcojms,^ the people of their congregations being so unlyke to prelaticall conformists, AvonderfuUie drawen to God, and so moved by God's Spirit to take sin to heart, to walk in such a blameles and holie way, that there were few or none in their congregations but they were professors of religion, and blameles for outwards : This made the Bishops afraid, that, if religion and reformation of life so Hourished among that people, they would be altogether disesteemed, and puritanisme (for so they nicknamed reformation) would abound in all the King's dominions. There was great moyen made for those honest worthie men whose labors the Lord had so stamped and sealled, to gett them reponed to their places ; and the Primat of Ireland, James Usher, (a Bishop not so fyrie and violent as many others of that crew,) would have shoAved them favour, but he could get no good done to them, partlie for the other Bishops more popish, more antichristian, and so more superstitious, craftie, and cruell ; partlie be reasone that the King's Majestie was so informed of them beforehand. In the moneth of August this yeare, the Tonne of Edinburgh be- 356 THE niSTOPJE OF 1G33. ing eaniestlie tlesyred by their ministers to provyJe another house for a Parhament House, and where actions of law may be implead- ed, than a part of the Kirk where God's word should be preached, and whilk should be an house of prayer, began and founded a fair and great house for the uses aforesaid. In October following, on a day of fasting and solemne humiliation, a bairn playing on the walls of that house, fell doun and was deadHe wounded, and was shortlie removed ; whilk was thought to be ominous that that house should be founded with blood, and on such a day. When the 25 of December came this yeare, it was Mr Thomas Sydserf his vice to have sermon that day in the Grayfrier kirk ; and many admired that he taught so modestlie that day, Avho used to be so vehement, violent, and virulent at other tymes ; whilk some imputed to one thing, some to another. A little after this word came of the King of Swaden's death. In the yeare 1 633, King Charles I. came to his native kingdome (for he was borne in Dumfermline in that Abbay) to Scotland to be crouned : He caused make a proclamation for a Parliament to be holden in June after the solemnitie of the Coronation.^ In the proclamation it was appoynted that all who had any greevances to give in shoidd delyver them to his Majestic' s Clerk-Eegister, Sir Johne Hay, by whom they might be given into the Lords of the Articles, to be considered before they were presented to the Parliament. Mr Thomas Hog,^ sometymes minister at Dysart, but now violentlie and unjustlie (as we heard) putt jfi'om his mini- strie, penned some Greevances and petitions to be given in as follows : — ' Charles the First was crowned at Holy rood on the 18th of June 1633. Seep. 362 ; and Sir James Balfour's account of the ceremonial^ (Hist. Works, vol. iv. p. 483.) ^ Hogg was admitted " as fellow-labourer in the ministrie " at Dysai-t, with Mr "William Nairne, in 161 G ; but for non-conformity to the Articles of Perth, he was deposed by the Provincial Synod of Fife, at tho meeting held at St Andrews in April 1620. He appears to have obtained no settled charge till 25th June 1640, when he •was admitted minister of Kennoway, where he died 21st June 1652 — (Records of the Synod of Fife, pp. 89, 94, 122, 229, 230.) 1633. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 357 Geeevances and Petitions concerning the disordered ESTATE OF THE KeFORMED KiRK WITHIN THIS REALME OF Scotland, presented upon the 24 day of Male, by me, Mi- Thomas Hog, Minister of the Evangell, in my awin name, and in the name of others of the Ministrie likewise greeved, to Sir John Hay, Clerk of Register, to be presented by him ta such as ought (according to the order appointed) to con- sidder them ; that thereafter they may be presented to his Ma- jestic and Estates, which are to be assembled at the next ensueing Parliament in June.' The ojiportunitie of this solemne meeting of your gracious Ma- jestic and the Honourable Estates, conveened in this High Court of Parliament, and the conscience of our duetie to God and the Re- formed Kirk within this realme of Scotland, where we serve in our ministrie, constrains us to present in all humilitie to your Highnes and Estates presentlie assembled, these our just Greev- ances and reasonable Petitions following : — 1°. Seing vote in Parliament was not given absolutelie to mini- sters, but with caveatts and limitations to such as Avere provyded to prelacies, and all these caveats agreed upon in his Highnes's presence, of happie memorie, by the Generall Assemblie, and the Act of Parliament 1597 expresses the provision in a remit ; and all the particulars of the maner of then* admission was ordained to be insert in the bodie of the Act of Parliament, to be made ratifieing that Act of Assemblie, yit they doe vote als absolutehe as if there had been no caveat or limitation, though most of them be depend- ing on the verie law of nature, and that upon paine of infamie, ' This copy of the Grievances is somewhat abriged, and differs from other copies. Instead, however, of pointing- out the variations, it may be sufficient to refer to Stevenson's Church History, vol. i. p. 91, new edit. p. 134, where the paper is insert- ed from a more entire copy, and corresponds pretty closely with an edition which was "printed in the year 1635," sm. 8vo, and also with Sir James Balfour's Annals, vol. ii. p. 107, and a IMS. in the Advocates' Library — (Wodrow MSS., Pol. vol. xliii. no. 130.) All these copies arc dated the •29th of May 1633. 358 THE iiisTOKiE OF 1633. pcijurle, deposition, excommunication, as that they shall not voyce in name of the Kirk Avithout a commission from them, that they shall be countable to, and censurable by, the Generall Assemblie, &c. : Seing thus the Kirk has sustained great hurt and prejudice in her liberties, We humblie supplicat the suspension of any execu- tion of those laAves wherein they have voted Avithout waiTand fi'om the Generall Assemblie till the Kirk be heard, and that in tynie comeing they be enjoyned to keep all their caveats. 2°. Seing all ratifications of Acts of the Kirk should passe in Parliament according to the Kirk's meaning and true tenor of the Kirk's Acts, without omission, addition, or alteration, else it cannot be construed to be a favovu* or benefite to the Kirk, but must turn to a great prejudice and hurt. Now, in the ratification of the Act of the Assemblie at Glasgow 1610, past in Parliament 1612, many things of importance are omitted, added, altered, whereby the Kirk is highlie prejudged in her liberties and discipline ; all that requyred the Bishops to be subject to censure and excommunication is omitted, other things are added, as distinction of bishops and archbishops, and sundrie things concerning their power ; yea, some words In the \eric oath are changed : — Our humble petition is, that the Kirk may be llberat from these additions, omissions, altera- tions, in the Act foresaid. 3°. That seino; this Kirk constantlle had her Generall Assem- blies at least once a yeare ever till 1603, and oftener, pro re nata, and this was established in Parliament 1592, Provinciall Assem- blies twise in the yeare, presbyteriall meetings weeklle, whereby the trueth was maintained in peace and puritie ; yea, at Glasgow, 1 610, all this was ratified. Now all this is overturned : We have no Generall Assemblies ; our Provinciall Assemblies and presby- teries are so confused that no good is done ; corrupt doctrine pub- lictlic vented in pulpitts and schooUs without any restraint or censure ; atheisme, poperie, and profanitic, growes excecdinglie ; ignorant and debosht ministers are tolerated ; the godlio, learned, and paiidull, are grccved and persecuted ; commissioners voters in Parliament Ive untrved and uncensurcd : — Our humble desire is. 1633. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 359 that the Act of ParUament 1592, holden at Edinburgh in Januarie, made in favour of the Kirk assembled, may be ratified and renued at this present ParUament. 4°. Seing the five Articles inacted at Perth have been formerlie rejected by our Kirk and reformation, since the beginning thereof, and we are bound by oath and subscription ; and in the Act of ParHament 1567 none was acknowledged members of this Kirk but such as did participat the sacraments as they were at that tyme administered, wliilk was without kneeling, and immediat dis- pensing of the elements to everie communicant by the minister : and- at that Parliament, it was statute and ordained, that, in all tymes comeing, all Kings of Scotland should give their oath at their coronation to maintain the religion then professed, and the forme of the ministration of sacraments which was then used ; neverthe- less, pastors and professors adhereing to their former profession, oath, and covenant, and warrantable practise, are nicknamed Puri- tans, threatned and persecuted not onlie without any good war- rand, but besydes the verie tenor of the Act at Perth 1618, which contains no strait injunction, but contrarie to the declared meaning of the voters and the proceeding of the Assemblie, where it was professed and promised that none should be pressed with obedience to that Act : — Ovu- humble petition is, that former Acts of Parlia- ment may be ratified and renued as seems good to your gracious Majestic and honourable Estates assembled in Parliament, that your Majestie's good subjects, pastors, and people, may be freed from fowll aspersions of nicknameing, and that all may be freed of dangers, fears, and snares, Avhich may occurre by occasion of that Act at Perth. 5°. Though it be ordained by the Generall Assemblies of this Kirk, Avhat are the oatlis shall be taken of intrants to the ministrie at their admission or ordination ; yit, without warrand either from Assemblie or Parliament, new oatlis are coyned, together Avitli subscription to certaine new devysed articles, whereby entrie to the ministrie is shutt upon the best and best qualified expectants, and others not so conscientious, and not so qualified, are obtruded upon •Jt3() THE IIISTORIE OF lGo3. the people, to their great greef and manifest hazard of tl)eir souUs : — Our humble petition is, that all such oaths and subscriptions at ministers entrie or transplantation be discharged. " A COPPIE OF THE BISHOP'S OATH. " I, A. B., newlie admitted to the kirk of C, by thir presents solemnlie sweares, and faithfullie promises, to observe and fulfill the articles and conditions following : They are to say, — 1°. That I shall be leill and true to my most gracious Soveraigne, the King's Majestic, and his Highnes's successors, and to my power shall maintain his Highnes's right and prerogative in causses Eccle- siasticall. 2°. That I shall be obedient to my Ordinare the Bishop of Z)., and to all other my superiors in the Kirk, speaJc of them reverent- lie, and in all my privat and publict prayers commend them and their estate to God's mercifuU protection, 3°. That I shall, in all places, by conference, and where ever I have occasion, by .publict preaching, maintaine the present govern- ment of the Kirk and jurisdiction Episcopall ; and shall be care- full, by reading, to informe myself of the true and laAvfull grounds thereof, to the end I may stand for the samyne against the adver- saries opposit to the same. 4*^. That I shall be diligent to my ])ower in the dueties of my calling, be resident Avith ni}^ flock, and not divert therefra, with- out the licence of my Ordinare the Bishop of D. 6°. That I shall studie to advance the estate of the Church in generall, and, particularlie, the estate of the Kirk of C, where- to I am noAV receaved, in all profits and conunodities that possiblie I can. 6". And lastlie, that I shall live a peaceable minister in the Church, subjecting myself to the orders that are in it, or shall be established, and shall, by all means that I can use, procure others to doe the samyne. Whilk things if I contravecn, (as God forbid,) I am content, upon tryall and cognition taken, to be dc- ])ryved of my ministric, and be rejtuled and holdon an infamous 1633. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 361 and perjured persone for ever. Subscryved with my hand, at C, the day of Im.Vj'^. years, before thir Avitnesses." (1°. Where observe, that the taker of this oath doeth snbscryve to Papains pollticus, and maks the King the head of the Kirk. 2°. He sweares to pray, speake, and preach for antichristian Pre- lacie, Avhilk he hes abjured in the Covenant, whilk binds the pos- teritie alswell as the takers of it at first. 3°. Learn a reasone why so many ministers in Scotland are loth to have or to read late papers and books emitted for cleareing the wickcdnes of the Pre- latts apostasie, and the antichristian nature of that office, and how readie they are and earnest to read any malignant pamphlet whilk may seem to make any thing aganis the truetli, viz. even the con- science of this wicked oath, whereas they make no conscience of the oath of the covenant. 4°. To the Bishop (an antichristian ordinance) is ascribed all due to the Presbytery, (Christ's ordinance.) 5°. He swears to all the trash that is entered, and all that the Devill, and the Pope of Rome, and Bishop Laud, shall suggest to our Bishops ; as shortlie, the Book of Canons, the Book of Ordination, and the Service Booke, were obtruded on this Kirk. But this generall will fathome and comprehend the Masse, the Alcoran, and Avhat not. 6°. He obliges himself to be an incarnate devill, (Mat. iv. 3) : for the tempter is one of the devill's names, and he obliges himself to tempt, and seduce, and pervert others, so far as ever he can, and all this under the paine of infamie and perjurie for ever, and subscry veing to his awin deposition if he contraveen : This by the Avay.) 6°. The sixt and last grecvance: — That notwithstanding that there be Constitutions of the Kii'k, and Lawes of the countrey for censureing of ministers before the ordinarie judicatories eccle- siasticaU ; yit, contrare to that ordour, ministers are silenced, sus- pended, deposed, and that for matters mearlie ecclesiasticall, before other judicatories, which are not established by the ordour and authoritie of the Kirk and countrey : — Our humble jictition is, That ministers deserveino- censure be no otherwaves censured than 362 THE illSTOKIE OF 1633. the ordour of the Kirk dotli prescryve ; and that ministers put from their places otlierwayes may be suffered to serve in their ministrie as of before. Thir Greevances, penned by Mr Thomas Hog, and allowed by sundrie faithfuU ministers of this realme, he gave them in first, in due tyme, to the foresaid Clerk of Register ; who had no will to receave them ; but clearlie uttered his miscontentment, and disaf- fection to the cause of God ; and, therefore, it being feared that he would sliglit the mater, Mr Thomas Hog brings a notare with him, and before witnesses gave in the Greevances to the Clerk- Reffister, takand an instrument and document in the notare's hand of his doeing. And perccaveing clearlie that the Clerk-Eegistcr was no wayes Avilling to further this good cause, he resolved to await upon the King's Majestic, in comeing to the countrey, and at his best opportunitie to present thir Articles unto himself, whillc he did when he came to Dalkeith, the loth day of June. But the King looked not upon them, but gave them to some that stood besyde him ; and then made his entrie to Edinburgh, on Saturnsday the loth day of June, anno 1633, where he fand great contentment in all things ; for Edinburgh had made great preparation for his jMajestie, with great coast and expenses, and certainlie he was verie royallie rec caved. Upon the morrow, being the Sabbath, June 1(>, he remained in his Palace of Haliroodhouse, and heard sermon there. On INloon- day, the 17tli of June, he came from his palace, and went up to the Castell, and stayed there all that day and night. Upon Tuesday, the 18th of June, he came from the Castell to the Ab- bey-Kirk of Haliroodhouse, whilk was magnifioklic prepared and adorned for the purpose ; and there he was solemnlie crouned with such rites, ceremonies, and forms, as made many good Christians admire that such things should be Tised in this Reformed Kirk : But, alace ! at this tyme the Kirk was sore deformed, so tliat the wonder was the lesse. At the King's coronation, Dr Lindesay, Bishop of Brechin, taught a sermon, wherein he had some good ex- 1633. THE KIKK OF SCOTLAND. 363 liortations to his Majestie, for the well of this Kirk and kingdome ; but uttered in so generall and ambiguous a way, that they might have been applyed diverse wayes. Upon Thursday, the 20th of June, the Parliament did ryde in great pompe : Lords of the Ar- ticles were chosen : but there was no mention of any greevances given in by Mr Thomas Hog, as said is ; this made many conceave a feare that God's Kirk would get little comfort at this Parliament. Therefore, some noblemen, well affected to religion, went to the King and spake to him in a wise and godlie maner, that he might be informed of the right estate of the Kirk and Kingdome within this countrey ; whilk he took (as seems) in good part. But after he had spoken with some Bishops, (for he had brought two out of Ingland with him,) he was discontent with himself that he had so listened to the noblemen who spoke to him. On the Sabbath, June 23, the King came to the Great Kirk of Edinburgh to heare sermon, and after he was sett doun in his awin })lace, the ordinare Reader being reading the word and singing psalms (as the ordinare custome Avas then) before sermon, Mr John Max- well, minister of Edinburgh, but now made Bishop of Posse, came doune from the King's loft, caused the Reader remove from his place, sett doune there two Inglish chaplains, clad Avith surpHces, and they Avith the help of other chaplains and Bishops there present, acted their Inglish service. That being ended, in came Mr John Guthrie, Bishop of Moray, clad also A\uth a surplice, Avent up so to pulpit and taught a sermon. At thir things many marvelled, to see and heare such things openlie avowed and done in this Kirk, without any Avar- rand or pretext, either of hiAv or reassone, or occasion offered to them to alter the settled ordour of this Reformed Kirk ; and (as Avas re- ported) the King himself gave the Bishop small thanks for his doe- ing. Sermon being ended, the King and all his nobles goes in to the banqueting-housse, prepared by the Toune of Edinburgh, that there they might feast him : The banquetting-housse Avas so neare to the Kirk, and so great noyse in it of men, musicall instruments, trumpetts, playing, singing, also shooting of canons, that no ser- mon AA'as had in the afternoon, either In the greatter or lesser Kirk of St Geill's. 364 THE iii.sTouiE of 1(333. In the week folloAving, the Lords of the x\rticles sat daylie, and the King came u}) daylie and sat with them. The Com- missioners from shyres, barrons, and Commissioners from bvn'ghs, were inhibited by the King to have any meeting or convention, contrare to the forme practised in all other Parliaments before : whereat they conceaveing a feare that matters should not go right, and heareino; that the Lords of the Articles had concluded amono; them sundrie things that were an evident hurt both to Kirk and countrey, they penned an humble Supplication, whilk was to be subscryved by many, both of the nobilitie, barrons, and burgesses, to be delyvered to the King before the last day of the Parliament ; yit the matter being known they were prevented, and the Supplica- tion was not given in at that tyme, but their number that were sup- plicators were well knowen in then* votes in open Parliament. Followes a coppie of the Supplication : — TO THE king's MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTIE, THE HUMBLE SUPPLI- CATION ,OF. THE LORDS AND COMMISSIONERS OF PARLIAMENT UNDER-SUBSCRYVEING. Forasmuch as your Majestie's Supplicants, being ignorant of most part of the conclusions taken by the Lords of the Articles, and not acquainted with the reasons of such of the saids conclusions as they have gotten notice of, feare to become obnoxious to your Majes- tie's dislyke, and possiblie also to the censure of their awin second conceptions, are constrained, without any sort of advysement, to cx- pressc of a sudden their opinions in the saids purposes : Seing like- wise, if yoiu- Majestic should remaine either still unacquainted with, or possessed with a prejudice of the reasons for whilk they cannot but disassent from some of the conclusions, whereof they have gotten notice, till there be showed to them more reasons for the samyne then as yit your Majestie's Petitioners hes heard, or doe conceave, your Majestic might be in danger to losse that love of your subjects which is founded in their confidence of your Majestie's approbation of such their actions and opinions as arc justiiiable in reason. The supplicants, therefore, humblie beseeches your Ma- jestic to vouchsafe to read and considdcr A\hat is hereto annexed, 1()33. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 365 for which they cannot consent to the Articles, whereof they liave gotten information, concerning some church bussines, annuel rents, and the extraordinar taxation ; and give ordour, that notice and coppies be given to the Petitioners of the remanent conclusions taken, before their votes be craved in Parliament ; that they may give the saniyne als consideratlie, as becomes the greatnes of the bussines, and the duetie of honest men assembled in Parliament by your Majestie's autoritie : So shall your Majestie's Petitioners be incouraged (as in duetie they are bound) to pray for your Majestie's long and happie reigne : 1°. The Petitioners are informed, that the articles concerning church bussines doe beare the ratification of diverse particulars, which have bred great division and many evills in this Kirk ; and also the imposition of other things, rejected at the Reformation, and never since receaved, whereby, undoubtedlie, the forsaid divi- sion and evills shall be increased. The Petitioners, therefore, think that the inacting of such things would seem injurious in it- self, as also it would diminish in the hearts of many good subjects that affection to your Majestic, Avhich is founded in their opinion of your goodnes and wisdome, not to ratifie such acts, nor to innovat any thing in the church, without the consent of churchmen lawfullie assembled. 2°. As for the act touching annuel rents, seingby the condition- ing of a fyft-part of all annuel rents to your Majestic, no ease is granted to any of your Majestie's subjects ; and so many evills are introduced, as are obvious to everie one, and we are readie at large to represent unto your Majestic. The Petitioners cannot consent to that article touching annuel rents, till their reasons be heard and satisfied. 3°. As for the extraordinare taxations of annuells, begun in anno 1621 ; forsamekle as the then commissioner at that Parliament pro- mised in the King's name, that after that tyme that it should never be craved ; and it was then granted for supplie of the Pala- tinate ; notwithstanding whereof, it lies ever been continued since ; and it is found by experience that it hath yeelded little benefite to 3(36 THE iiisToiiiE OF 1033. your Majestie. That it is such an inquisition in men's estates, as is not practised in any other nation in Christiandome, and makes our nation contemptible by the discoverie made thereby of the pover- tie thereof, and gives occasion to the distresse of innumerable per- sons of good respect, hurried up and doune by the occasion of commissions for concealled annuells ; for those reasons the Peti- tioners cannot see how they shall consent to the Article made for continuance of the said taxations. These Reasons the Supplicants humblie submitt to your Majes- tie's judgement, with protestation to forgoe the same, whensoever they shall see better reasons for consenting to the saids Articles than those they have here sett doune ; and are readie to expresse farther for then- opinions aganis the expediencie of them at this tyme. Wishing also, in all humilitie, your Majestie would be pleased to considder, Avhether it be expedient that such persons as hes no interest in the good or evill of this kingdome should have proxies for the making of the lawes of this nation ; and that such as by Acts of Parliament are incapable to be members of any court or judicatorie, within this kingdome, should be admitted to be members in this highest court of Parliament. By the expectation of many, and before this Supplication could be subscryved by so many as were willing to have done it, the Par- liament did ryde and end upon Fryday the 28th of June : And when the Articles came to be voted, the King perceavcing that there would be some contrare to them, taketh a pen, and with his awin hand (an uncouth practise) noted the votes, whereby (no doubt) many were afraid to Aote, as otherwise they intended to doe : Albeit, some (as by an holie 'Avr/Ts^/ffrac/;) were the more iu- couraged to vote according to their conscience. Some of the no- bilitie voted speciallie aganis the Articles concluded anent the Kii-k's bussines ; but Avould have consented to other articles anent annuel rents and taxations, &c. : Yit being all putt together, (a frequent Satanicall trick of Bishops,) they behoved either to vote aganis all, or then consent to all. My Lord Melvill, an aged nobleman, said, 103;]. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 3fi7 both wisclie and gravelie, " I disagrie from those articles concluded aganis the former ordour of this Kii'k, because your Majestie's father, (of good memorie,) after he had sworne himself, caused me and all the kingdome to sweare and subscryve to the Confession of Faith that was then sett doune, wherein all thir things that now are comeing in are rejected by our Kirk." Whilk speech made the King pause a while, but he could make no answere. So in end, what by the King's acting the part of the clerk to overaw the Par- liament, what by his sharp speeches to sundrie of the well affected nobilitie and gentrie, what by proxies, and other lyke means, by pluralitie of votes, all the articles concluded by the Lords of the Articles were concluded also in open Parliament ; but the nega- tive votes were thought by some to have equalled the affirmatives ; and a worthie gentleman^ stood up and quarrelled the Clerk-Regi- ster for not marking the votes rightlie : but the King (who also had marked them himself) commanded the gentleman to be silent ; or else, upon the perill of his life, make that good whilk he had spoken : whereupon the gentleman satt doune and was silent. Thus the Parliament ending to the King's contentment, the cannons shott in abundance from the Castell, and the Parliament did ryde doune to the Abbay againe. In all this tyme of the Parliament there were many ministers in the toune ; they were of three sorts : — Many doctors and deans, and others of their judgment, waiting on bishops : — Many were (few in comparison) crying to God for help at such a needfull tyme ; whilk, no doubt, wanted not the awin good effect, as appeared in many honest voters, at that same tyme, as a return of their pray- ers, and within four or five years after, a more full return in a blessed work of Reformation : — A thu'd sort there were of neutrall men, who, not knowing which way to inclyne, did adjoyne them- selves to neither of the other two sorts, but were idle spectators, awaiting to see which way maters would goe. In all this tyme, and wliill the King past out of the countrey, ' According to Bishop Burnet, and other authorities, it was John Earl of Rothes who called in question the state of the votes. 368 THE illSTORIE OF 1G33. the ministers of Edinlmrgh were great courteours with the King, and with the Bishop of London, who was ever with the King, counselling him in all things : and by their moyen they made other countrey ministers to get a kisse of the King's hand, alledging they were both wise men and good schollers, and able to doe his Majes- tic good service ; yit, shortlie after, they were ashamed of their speeches, because they were disappointed of their expectation, at least in the persone of some. In the beginning of Julie, the King's Majestic goes out of Edin- burgh to his Progresse throw the speciall touns of this kingdomc which he resolved to see, and where he had his palaces and parks. Out of Falkland, returning to Edinburgh, he came to Bruntiland, and passed over to Leith in a pinuagc of his aAvin ; the day being tempestuous, a boat was drouned in the King's sight, wherein were sundrie Inglishmen, the King's servants, with sundrie rich coifars : that night the King was sad and melancolious ; and returning homeward out of Edinburgh, he made mention, that at his entrie he had mett with fire ; for some housses in DallT). 437 of his life, that the wickedness and corruptions of Prelats were come, and comeing, to a greatter hight nor at first he looked for, they being retrinched -with such caveats, hemmed in with such cautions and conditions : but they did break all bands, and did cast fi'om them aU coards, for oaths and subscriptions are the strongest ; vit these to prelats are but as half-burnt threeds, can- not binde at all. After the last sermon that ever he made, a brother of the ministrie asked him, •" Sir, now ye grant ye are weak, and I feare ye abyde not long among us, what say ye now of the estate of our Kirk ?' He answered, holding up both his hands above his head, '• Alace ! I see all the middin (or dunghill; of the muck of the corruption of the Kii-k of Ingland comeing on upon us, and it will wrack us, if God send not help in time." Xow, by all this, let the unprejudiced reader judge whither or not ;Mr Patrik Simson (that worthie servant of Jesus Christ) was a favourer of or complyer with Bishops and their antichristian cere- monies. After him, I mention ^Ir Alexander Hoome, minister at Logic, beside Sterlin. He has left an Admonition behind him in writ to the Kuk of Scotland,* whereLu he aflfirms that the Bishops, who then were fast rvseing up, had left the sincere ministers who would gladhe have keeped stiU the good old government of the Kirk, if these corrupt ministers had not left them and it : eamestlie intreating the Bishops to leave and forsake that course whereupon thev were, or else their defection from their honest brethren, (with whom they had taken the Covenant.) and from the cause of God, would be registrat afterward to their eternal shame. ' Alexander Hume, minister of Logie, near Stirling, died on the 4ih December 1609. He is favourably known as the author of a volume of " Hymnes or Sacred Songs," printed at Edinburgh, 1599, 4to, containing some beautiful pieces of de- scriptive poetry. This rare volume was reprinted as a contribution to the Banna- tyne Club, in 1832, by John G. Kinnear, Esq., and there was subjoined to it '• .\ne Afold Admonitioun to the Mmisterie of Scotland," pp. 19, printed irom a MS. in Wodrow's Collection, bemg evidently the treatise by Hume of which Row has here made mention. 438 THE IIISTOKIE OF [CORONIS. After liim, I mention INIr Eobert Boyd, who was a verie learned and liolie man ; he Avas brought to Edinburgh to be Professor of Divinitie and minister there ; he kythed such great gifts, both in teaching of his lessons in the colledge, and in preaching in the kirk, that many flocked to him to heare his doctnnc where ever he taught, and praised God highlie for him. This made the rest of the ministers to hate him the more ; also, they were conforme, but so was not he. It is true he did not plainlie and openlie, in his sermons, in- veigh aganis the estate of Bishops ; yea, he went along with them in als many things as he could Avitli a safe conscience, as he con- ceaved, yit his brethren and colleagues never rested till they got him removed from Edinburgh,' seeing he and they were not of one judgement, and they could not get him conforme ; so he was re- moved to Paislay, a nest of papists, where, being abused many wayes by papists, fell in great diseases. And being transported to Edinburgh for cure, some ministers of Edinburgh came to visit him, to see if he would regrait his removeing out of Edinburgh, whilk, notwithstanding, they knew was wa'ought by their awin procurement. But he in Avisdome speaking nothing to that pur- pose, did regrait the ])itifull estate of this Kirk, and there plainlie condemned this hierarchic of Bishojis (these were his verie words) which was come into our Kirk, and condemned the ministers of Edinburgh for following of that course, beseeching them to be bet- ter instruments for the propagation of God's glorie then they were, and that they would withstand that corruption of Bishops by all law full means they could, heartilie forgiveing them for any thing was done to him ; for he professed his awne weakness and unmeet- ness for that holie calling he was called unto. This man, of a verie learned and well-gifted m?ni, was one of the most humble, modest, and meek men, that was in the ministrie in all this kingdome. After him 1 name Mr John Carraichacl, minister at Kinnowher, ' This most learned and excellent man died at Edinburgh on the 5th of January 1 0'27. It is somewhat singular that Dr Strang, his immediate successor as Principal of tho ituiversity of Glasgow, also died at Edinburgh, and, wo arc informed, was interred (probably in the Greyfriars Churchyard") next to Principal Boyd. CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 439 a man inferiour in learning to none in this kingdome, a learned divyne, a great philosopher, whilk he did often evidence to the ad- miration both of his brethren and strangers. He was a scholler of Mr Andro Melville's, but he often affirmed his scholler was more learned nor himself. He was a most powerfull, zealous, and elo- quent preacher of God's word, inveighing at all occasions aganis that disorder which had bin brought in into this Kirk by the alteration of the good old government ; and being brought to Edin- burgh for cure to his sick bodie, he died of that judgment. A litle before his death, a minister of Edinbm-gh had bin visiting him, came out from him thinking he should never speak againe, but presentlie give up the ghost, meeting with ane bm'gess of Edinburgh, whom he had perverted and drawen to conformitie, told him that he had been visiting Mr John Carmichael, and that now his speech was laid ; but a litle before speaking of the Cere- monies that were come in into this Kirk, and his judgment being asked concerning them, he compared them (said he) to pasments upon cloths, that suppose the cloths might want them, yit when they have them they are ornaments unto them. ImmediatKe after this, this burgess meeting with another, an honest man, who was not conforme, tells him what his minister had told him, that Mr John Carmichael had so spoken before his speech was laid. But that other answered, I mervall that any honest man should so speak of his brother in the ministrie ; and therefore requested his nighbour to go in to Mr John Carmichael himself, and he hoped that he should yit speak, suppose it be said that his speech is laid, and show his awin mynde ; Avhereunto he consented, and so they both went in to him together. He being verie weak, and not desyreous to speak, the honest man himself who was so informed by his minister, cryes to him, " Sir, will ye tell us your judgment of thir Ceremonies and ordours now come in into our Kirk ? they say that ye have compared them to pasments upon cloths ; the cloths may want them, but yit when they are putt on, they are an orna- ment unto them." For als weak as he was, he raised himself up in his bed, and said, " The Lord knows I never made such a compari- 440 THE niSTORIE OF [CORONIS. son : indeed, I have heard some ministers speak so ; but I assure you, this comeing in of Bishops and Ceremonies in our Kirk, if they be not hastihe removed againe, shall utterlie wrack and destroy it. The Lord help it, for Christ's sake." Now, ye see the honest mans mynde ; and it is more nor noture that the kingdome of an- tichrist, poperie, and prelacie, is much advanced by lies. As for Mr Johne Moray, we have sjioken much of him al- readie.^ It was his comfort on his death-bed that he never blecked nor disfigured the weU-favoured face of the Kirk of Scotland : That his keeping of himself clear from the corruptions brought into this Kirk (albeit in weakness) was a chief comfort to him now in his extreamitie ; and any that hes consented to these corruptions, if they were in my condition, exchangeing tyme with etemitie, then sure they would either repent of their wicked course, or els they should not finde such comfort in death as I doe this day : Blessed be the name of my gracious Lord, therefore, in Christ Jesus my onHe Saviour.^ I might relate many others, both liveing, and with the Lord, de- ceased ; . but I surceasse. Thir particular examples should move us aU who hes never as yit consented to thir corruptions, pray earnestlie to God that we may hold on as we have begun, that we be not drawen away with their errour, and so fall from our stedfastnes ; for I grant we may all speak as good Mr Patrik Simson spak to a gentill woman, who said unto him, " Sir, what shall we say when newes comes hereafter that Mr Patrik Simson is become a Bishop ?" He paused a little, and then answered, " Ladie, I am als weak and sinfull a man, and als much given to the world, as any othex*, and dare not say but that I may be als easilie drawen away to any evill course; but when that comes, say, that I confessed I had fallen fra Christ and from his trueth in that poynt." ' John Moray, or Mui'ray, minister of Loith ; see pages 252-255. * " See the other booke, p. 1G6 and p. 157." — (Marginal note in the MS. in a later hand.) See Additions to the Coronis. CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 441 3. BOOKS AGAI^IS BISHOPS, PRELACIE, CONFORMITIE, AND CEREMONIES. As to the Third, To let all men see that the servants of Christ lies not been careless in opposeing themselves, both by word and writ, to all the corruptions brought in to the Kirk of Scotland, by- Bishops and their followers, I will sett doune what Ti-eatises, Books, and Admonitions, hes been published, both in print and writ, against them, which hath come to my knowledge, not doubting but there hes been many more nor I have seen. The innumerable treatises written against Bishops in Ingland I omit ; as that great disputation, in severall vokims, betuix Mr Cartwright and Doctor Whitegift ; which Doctor, with all the help he could get in Ingland, could never reply to Cartwright's last answere, whilk wes printed abroad, but not suffered to be printed in Ingland. But as for Books and Treatises published by Scotts men, I recom- mend to all good christians who desyres to know the trueth of God in thir controversies, that book called " Altare Damascenum." It is also abridged in Inglish, called "The Altar of Damascus."' Nixt, that learned treatise written by a Scotts man, which he called " Paraclesis {i.e. a consolation) contra Danielis Tileni ParcBn- esin," i.e. aganis that exhortation given to our Kirk of Scotland, by Daniel Tilenus,^ a Silesian born ; who spak proudlie in that his ' " The Altar of Damascus, or the Patern of the English Hierarchie, and Church Policie obtruded upon the Church of Scotland. Anno 1621." Small 8vo, pp. 222. This anonymous work, however, was not an abridgment, but the first sketch of the larger work which Calderwood published, in Latin, under the name of Edwardus Didoclavius, in his well-known *' Altare Damascenum," 1623. 4to. * The work by Tilenus is entitled, " Parsenesis ad Scotos, Genevensis Disciplinae Zelotas : Autore Dan. Tileno Silesio. Andreapoli, excudit Eduardus Rabanus, Aca- demic Typographus, do. cl. c. xx." Small Bvo, pp. 79. There was also an edition printed at London in the same year. The refutation of this work, referred to above, was written by Sir James Semple : — " Scoti rov rv)(,ourog Paraclesis contra Danielis Tileni Silesii Parfenesin : Ad Scotos Genevensis Disciplinaj Zelotas, conscriptam, cujus pars prima est de Episcopali Ecclesije Regimine. Anno 1622. ' 4to, pp. 232. 442 THE UISTOIllE OF [COHONIS. admonition or exhortation, as if none conld answere it, reproveing our Kirk as haveing no learning ; but he, for all his learning, could never give any reply to the said treatise, highlie praised by many learned men both at home and abroad. Then I would all men acquainted with " The First and Second Books of Disciphne, or Policie of the Ku-k of Scotland,'" and the Acts of all the Generall Assemblies, confirming the same ; and all the rest of the Acts. Then peruse that little plaine treatise in Latin, called " De Regi- mine Ecclesice Scoticance Brevis Narration ^ Then that called " The Course of Conformitie," ^ wherein is de- clared how Conforaiitie to Prelacie and Prelats toyes began in this Kirk ; then how it proceeded and grew ; and how, in end, it was concluded in a Parliament and ratified ; and yit for all this ought to be refiiised. Then " The Nullitie of Perth Assemblie, 1618 :"^ the author proves that Assemblie null ; and then brings reassons aganis all the Fyve Articles in particulare. Then " The Pastor and the Prelat, or Eeformation and Prelati- caU Conformitie compared together."-' ' " The First and Second Books of Discipline," &c. printed, apparently in Hol- land, and probably by Calderwood, in the year 1621. 4to. * "De Regimine Ecclesise Scoticanse Brevis Relatio. Impressus Anno Dom. 1618." Small 8vo, pp. 29. To this tract, attributed to Calderwood, Archbishop Spotiswood published an answer, under the title of " Refutatio Libelli de Regimine Eeclesia- Scoticanse." Lond. 1620, small 8vo, pp. 92. And Calder wood subjoined to his Altare Damascenum, " Vindiciae contra Calumnias Johannis Spotswodi," &c. * " The Course of Conformitie, as it hath proceeded, is concluded, should be re- fused. Printed in the year 1622.' 4to. This tract is usually attributed to Cal- derwood. On the title-page of a copy in the Editor's possession is written in a contemporary hand " By M. W. S. ;" but according to Calderwood's History, p. 539, one portion of this tract was written by James Melville. * Calderwood's original treatise, " Perth Assembly," printed in the year 1619, 4to. Seepages 317, 324. 6 " The Pastor and the Prelate : or Reformation and Conformitie shortly com- pared," &c. Printed anno 1628, 4to, pp. 72. By David Calderwood, but it is anonymous like his other tracts (many of which are here mentioned by Row) which were printed during his residence in Holland. CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 443 Tlieu " The SjDeech of the Mother Kirk of Scotland to hh- Children," i.e. the particular Congregations therein.' Then " The Counsell of a faithfull Friend to a Brother, doubting what to doe, in thir difficult tymes." ^ Then " The Solution of Doctor Resolutus his Resolutions ;" ^ and the "Defence of about twenty Ai'guments used aganis kneeling in the act of receaveing the sacramental elements, impugned by Doctor Michelson,"^ (a subscryver, page 323, col. i. [430,]) or rather Nihilson. All whilk books are printed, and come forth to the view of all who earnestlie seeks after them. And considering Avhat difficultie it is to get such books printed, when they are discharged to be printed under paine of death, and what danger it is to any to be found haveing any such books, (as their wicked, cruell, and tyrannicall proclamations speaks aloud,) it is a gracious providence that they are extant. Where also, see what hight of apostasie we are come unto, that lies aganis the Covenant may be printed, but trueths for the Covenant dares not be printed, except the printer, haver, and reader, run the hazard of death, or some little less. It were good also, in thir tymes, that each had the Confession ' " The Speach of the Ku-k of Scotland to her Beloved Children. Imprinted in the yere 1620." Small 8vo, pp. 1 25. This was followed by a similar tract, " An Ex- hortation of the particular Kirks of Christ in Scotland to their Sister Kirk in Edin- burgh, Printed anno 1624." Small 8vo, pp. 23. - " An Epistle of a Christian Brother exhorting an other to kecpe himself undefiled from the present corruptions brought in to the ministration of the Lord's Supper." Printed anno 1624. Small 8vo, pp. 27- There is also " A Dispute upon Commu- nicating at our confused Communions. Printed anno 1624." Small Bvo, pp. 74. 3 By Caldcrwood. The title is, " A Solution of Doctor Resolutus his Resolutions for Kneeling. M.DC.XX." 4to pp. 35. It was in reply to " The Reasons of a Pastor's Resolution touching the reverend receiving of the Holy Communion," by David Lindsay, D.D., minister of Leith, who became Bishop of Brechin, and af- terwards of Edinburgh. ■• " A Defence of our Arguments against Kneeling in the act of receiving the Sacramentall Elements of Bread and Wine impugned by IVIr Michelsone. Im- printed anno M DC. XX." Small Bvo. pp. 75. Mitchelson's work is entitled " The Lawfulnes of Kneeling, in the act of receiving the Sacrament of the Lordes Supper. Written by M. lohn Michaelson, preacher of God's Word at Burnt-Yland- Printed by Edward Raban, Printer to the Universitie of Sainct- Andre wes, 1620," small 8vo. 444 THE HISTORIE OF [COEONIS. of our Faith, (or Covenant, ) commonlie called The King's Ma- jestie's Confession,' whilk he himself subscryved first, caused it to be sworn and subscryved unto- by his awin Houshold first, and then by all the subjects in this kingdome, also caused print it publictlie. After the Confession came out in print. Bishop Adamson's Eecantation,' offered to the Provincial! Assemblie of FyfFe, seek- ing earnestly relaxation from that dreadfull sentence of excommu- nication, whilk he confessed lay heavie upon his soule and con- science. Thir the Bishops and their adherents verie carefullie sought after, and burnt and destroyed all of them that they could get their hands upon, either by one mean or other. Then a poeme in print, called " The Black Bastill, or a Lamen- tation of the Kirk of Scotland,"^ compyled by Mr James Melvill, minister at Anstruther, now, anno 1611, confyned in Ingland. Then there are in writ "A God's dossen of Arguments and Reassons, why thir new (antichristian) sort of Bishops should not be sett up in Scotland, to be given in to the King's Majestic and honourable - E&tates of Parliament, to be holden at Edinburgh 1606." Item, There hes been many Supplications penned, wherein this Kirk hes, from tyme to tyme, testified their unwillingness that either Bishops or unnecessarie Ceremonies should come in amongst us. Item, There was a learned Discourse in Latin, shewing clearlie the great danger that is in Kneeling in the act of receaveing the elements at the Lord's Supper or Communion. Item, " An Admonition to the new sett up Bishop of Edinburgh," ' The Confession of Faith here mentioned is printed at page 74 of this volume, from the original subscribr-d by King James in 1580. ^ Archbishop Adamson's Recantation is inserted at full length in the present work, (pp. 118-129,) from the old printed copy, which, according to Row, it was endeavoured to suppress. ' Melville's poem is still preserved in MS. In 1634 it was published in an abridged form, as " The Black Bastel, or a Lamentation in name of the Kirk of Scot- land, composed by iM. James Melvil, when he Mas confined at Berwick, anno IGll. Abridged by N. :" And reprinted in the collection entitled " Various Pieces of Fugitive Scotish Poetry, principally of the Seventeenth Century." Edinb. 1825, 8vo. CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 445 whom he calls " Guilielmus Edinburgh," according as the Bishop did subscryve his awin name/ and to his Dean, whom he calls Thomas Dean of GeiUs. Itern^ " An Admonition to all the Conformists within this new Diocie," whilk he calls, " Geills Adorned :" and a Counsell to all the brethren of the ministrie within this new diocie, to keep themselves clean in thir evill dayes. Read also that treatise called " The Diocesan's Try ell," ^ printed anno 1621. There came out also tuo little books in print, anno 1635 ; in the one there are " Sixe particulars worthie to be knowen ;" in the other are " Certaine Arguments and Reasons, jMotives, and Induce- ments of speciall moment, proponed to the consideration of our most potent King and honourable Estates, tending to persuade them to abolish that unhappie and unlawfull governament of Bishops, and to sett up againe the governament whilk Christ has established by his word, to be in this Kirk." Also ye have a notable treatise, called '' A Re-examination of the Five Articles enacted at Perth anno 1618," ^ viz., concerning the Communicant's gesture in the act of receaveing, the observation of Festivall dayes, Episcopall confirmation, the administration of Bap- tisme and the Lord's Supper in privat places, sett out in print, anno 1636. An Abridgement also of this Re-examination, in relation to the two chief articles, viz., the Communicant's gesture in the act of receaveing, and aganis Festival! dayes, printed anno 1637.^ Also a most learned Disput aganis the Inglish-Popish Ceremo- nies, obtruded upon the Kirk of Scotland, printed anno 1637.'^ 1 See pages 372-374 The Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Giles, Edin- burgh, was Dr James Hannay, although here and elsewhere styled Dean Thomas. 2 " The Diocesan's Tryell," by Paul Baynes, an English divine of considerable eminence at Cambridge, was printed 1621, 4to. ' Calderwood's Re-examination, prmted 1636, 4to ; see pages 317, 325, 407. * " The Re-examination of Two of the Articles Abridged : to wit, of the Com- municant's Gesture in the Act of Pecciving, Eating, and Drinking, and the Observa- tion of Festivall Dayes," 1636, small 8vo. ^ A well known work, published anonymously, by George Gillespie, afterwards one of the ministers of Edinburgh. 44G IIISTOIUE OF THE KIRK, [cOKONIS. And, finallle, anno 1638, when it pleased onr gracious God that The Covenant, with a Bond, was reneAved, it was printed ; and for the excellence thereof, it was translated into other languages ; and so many other good things were printed and publictlie sold, that I need not severallie to name and expresse them : Glorie to God therefore, for ever, Amen ! The Lord, of his mercie, keep us in his awin hand unto the end, and in the end. Amen. Thus have I, the most unworthie of all Christ's servants, done what I can to make the Estate of this Kirk of Scotland knowen to all my Brethren, who desyrcs to know the same ; and lies spoken nothing (the Lord knowes) but the tnieth, and that impartiallie, without fead or favour to any, either dead or living : Beseeching others, who can doe much better, (of whom no doubt there are a great number yit liveing in this Kirk,) to putt to their helping hand in tyme, and strengthen weak ones, instruct the ignorant, and con- firme them that yit abyds sincere, and hes resolved, ^\\i\\ God's grace, never to forsake the good com-se wherein they are walking, while the Lord make them to finish it with joy, and take them to their eternall rest. Come, Lord Jesus ! Come, and tarie not, that thy poore Kirk in Scotland be not utterlie confounded and over- ruled by the antichrist and his supposts ! To this Lord Jesus, our Saviour, (who hes done, can, and will doe mervellous things for his awin Kirk, and the glorie of his renounced name ingagcd therein,) be all glorie and honour, might and majestic, dominion and soveraignitie, power and praise, for ever and for ever. Amen. Hh {Sic suhscribitur) Mr Jo. Row, Minister at Carnok. Coppied, Aberdeen, Octob. 2, 1G50.' ' Tliis lino in the MS. is placed before Sic subscrihitiir, Sn\ but is licrc transposoil to avoid an apparent anachronism. 3 ADDITIONS TO THE CORONIS. [from a MS. WRITTEN ABOUT 1670.] But having mentioned Mr John Row,' it sail not be amisse to digresse a little, in relating some things that were verie observable in his hfe, and at his death. He being educate in the gramer schoole of Stu'hng, (for he Aves borne in a landward roume called Row, betuixt Stirline and Dumblane,) was laureat in St Androes, having past his course there. After he had past his course of phi- losophic, and wes laui'eat in St Androes, he returned againe to it, where he studied the lawes ; and being pregnant therein, be- came ane pleader befor the Consistoriall court, (wlulk in these dayes was of great resort and renoune :) but he being of a publick and (as seemes) aspyring spirit, went to his travells abroad, not resting till he came to Rome. After abode there for some space, he became acquaint not only with the Bishops and Cardinals, but with the Pope himself, Paidus IV., in the yeare 1555 ; and in the yeare 155G, February 20, Insignitiis fuit gradu Licentiaturce in utroque Jure, coram Collegio Advocatorum Universitatis almcB Urhis. At whilk tyme he wes, by the Pope, made agent of the Kirk of Scotland at the Court of Rome ; and shortlie thereafter, he wes graduat in Padua, Doctor utriusque Juris ; and being of great learning, both in divinitie and the lawes, and also a great linguist, he became in great es- teeme with the Pope, whom he served in so much, that it wes thought if he had abode at Rome any longer sj)ace, he would have come to great preferment. But the only wise God ordered mat- ters concerning him otherwayes, having better employment and work for him in Scotland ; for the Lord cast him in a great seek- ' This addition to the account of John Row the Reformer refers to page 415 of the Coronis : see note 1 . 448 THE HiSToiat: of [additions to ncss at Rome, and his master the Pope being careMl of him, de- sired his physitians to consult about the recoverie of his health. The physitians taking notice of his seekness, advised the Pope to send him for some space of tyme home to his native aire, judging that most conducible for his recoverie. Whereunto the Pope the more willinglie condescended, because he heareing of the sturres in Scotland raised about the Reformation of Religion then, (for by this tyme the Congregation were in armes, for their self-defence against the Queene,) resolved to send him to Scotland as his Legat, to oppose these beginnings of Reformation that then were. And 80, upon May 20, 1558, Mr John Row came from Rome, armed with the Pope's power and authoritie, as his commissioner, to oppose the then begun and growing Reformation. And upon the 29th of September 1558 he landed at Haymouth.^ After his arryvall he did what he could to oppose the Reforma- tion, both by disputations with Mr Knox and others the Reform- ers, and otherwayes being armed with the Pope's power and au- thoritie. But he proved Corbie messenger (as it is in the proverb) to his master the Pope ; for he himselfe, ere it wes long, wes con- verted to the trueth ; and quyting his master the Pope and Pope- rie, became one of the Reformers ; whilk the Lord bi'ought about verie wonderfuUie. In these tymes there wes besyde Mussilburgh St Allarit's chap- pell ; ^ and in these tymes of ignorance and superstition, it wes be- ' The village of Eyemouth, on the coast of Berwick. * St Alaroit, or Loretto, in the parish of Inveresk. This chapel, consecrated to " Our Lady of Loretto," was then one of the most celebrated shrines of superstition in Scotland. Bishop Lesley relates that James the Fifth, in 1535, being driven back by tempestuous weather in his first voyage to France, previous to his marriage, made a pilgrimage on foot from Stirling to Loretto. At this time, there was attached to the chapel a cell where Thomas the hermit resided, to whom the poetical Epistle was addressed, which Knox has preserved in his History of the Reformation. This chapel was destroyed along with part of the town of Musselburgh, during the Earl of Hertford's expedition in May 1544; but it was speedily repaired, and still continued as a place, of resort until it was abolished at the Reformation. In 1590, part of the edifice was used as materials for building the present Tolbooth of MusseU burgh. — (Stat. Account.) 1 THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 449 lived that if women that were in hard labour did send ane offering to the Preist and Freirs there, they wold get easie delyverance : There Aves in Fyfe, Esquyre Meldrum, so he wes commonlie called, [Robert Colvill, Laird of Cleishe,' who there after wes killed at the seige of Leithe,^] a gentleman of good understanding and knowledge, sound in the Reformed Religion, and most zealous and stoute for the Reformation ; but his ladie (commonlie called the La- die Cleishe) wes a papist, [Cachune, of the familie of Luss ;] there- for shee, being in hard labour in chyld birth, posted away her servant (who wes also a papist) to St Allarites chapell, with ane offering of gold to the Ladie and Saintes of Allarite, with her sarke, (ac- cording to the custome,) that shee might get easie delyverie. Her husband, the Esquyre, [Laird of Cleishe,] so soone as he learned the matter, posted after the servant to hinder such a superstitious of- ' The words printed here, and in the following pages, within brackets, are either interlined or written on the margin of the MS. at a later time, probably by William Row. They serve to correct an error fallen into regarding the person who is men- tioned as having discovered the imposture of a pretended miracle. No date is as- signed, but it must have been about the year 1 559. William Meldrum of Cleish and Binns, in Kinross-shire, was familiarly known by the name of Squire Meldrum. His prowess in the wars between France and Eng- land, during the minority of James the Fifth, and his being disabled for life, in an ambuscade, in the year 1517, have been mentioned by various writers both in verse and prose ; but he owes much of his celebrity to the " History of Squire Meldrum," a poem by Sir David Lyndsay, which might readily pass for mere poetical fiction if many of the incidents recorded were not corroborated by other writers. About the year 1530, Meldrum sold his property of Cleish to Sir James Colville of Easter Weems, (Chalmers's edit, of Lyndsay, vol. i. p. 74 ;) and Sir James, in 1537, made a grant of the lands to his natural son, Robert Colville, probably on occasion of his marriage with Francissia Colquhoim, who was daughter and heir of Patrick Colquhoun and Elizabeth Colville, daughter of Sir James Colville of Ochiltrie. (Douglas's Peerage, by Wood, vol. i. p. 360.) Hence the mistake that has been made of referring the above incident to Meldrum of Cleish, in place of Colville. Meldrum appears to have survived till the year 1542, and to have had a pension from James the Fifth. ^ This Robert Colville, who, beyond doubt, was the person whom Row describes as having detected the pious fraud at Loretto, was Master of the Household to Lord James Stuart, afterwards Regent Earl of Murray, and was a zealous promoter of the Reformation. Knox styles him, " a man, stout, modest, and wise," when noticing his death at the siege of Leith, on the 7th of May 1560. His great-grand- son was raised to the Peerage in 1651 by the title of Lord Colville of Ochiltrie, 2 F 450 THE niSTORiE OF [additions to fering, but did not overtake him till he came to St Allarites chappell, where he found the whole adjacent countrey of Mers, Tweedale, East, Middle, and West Lothians, conveened to see ane miracle wrought at St Allarites chapell : for the Papists, perceiving the Re- formation to goe on quicklie, and fearing least their religion should be abandoned, the kirkmen, the Archbishops, Bishops, Preists, Freirs, &c., consulted and advysed, and after deliberation resolved, that the best wayes to mantaine and uphold their Religion, wes to worke some miracle to confirme the people, (as they thought,) that Poperie wes the true religion ; and, therefore, they caused pro- clame in Edinburgh, that on such a day there wes a great miracle to be Avrought at St Allarites chapell, for a man that wes borne blind, and had begged all his dayes, being a blind man, wes to be cured and to receive his sight : therefore, they willed all people to come and see the miracle wrought, &c. And so, upon the ap- pointed day, (upon the verie whilk day, at the tyme of the work- ing of the lying wonder, the Esquyre [Laird of Cleishe] came to the Chapell to hinder the superstitious offering intended by his Ladie and -the servant slice sent,) the kirkmen conveened at St Allarites chapell brought forth upon ane scaffold ane blind man, (as wes beleeved by all the people,) and after some ceremonies performed, the blind man was cured and recovered his sight. The man upon whom the miracle avcs wrought, coming doune from the scaffold, rejoyced much among the people, and blessed God, Christ, St Marie, St AUarite, and all the Saints, Preists, and Freirs that had cured him and given him his sight. And then the people be- gan to give him money. Esquyre Meldrum [Robert Colvill] seeing and hearing all his deceitfull worke, laboured to doe his best to find out the lurking deceit whereby the people were miserablie deceived : Wherefor he did cast himselfe to meet with the man, intending to goe to Edinburgh, who asked money of him as he had done fi-om others, to whom the Esquyre [Robert Colvill] sayes, (giving him money more largelie than others,) " You are a verie remarkable man on whom such a miracle hes been wrought, I will have you to goe THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 451 with me to be my servant/' &c. The man, glad of such ane offer, and receiving money largelie, wes wilHng to goe with him ; and so the Es- quyre caused him ryde behind his servant to the toune of Edinburgh. So soone as he came to his lodging-house, and to the chamber where he wes to lye, putting his servant to the doore, and closeing the chamber doore upon himselfe and the man, he looks to the man with a fierce countenance, and drawing his sword, and laying the naked sword upon the table, sayes to him : " Thou, villane and de- ceiver of the people of God, either tell me the trueth of these things that I am to aske of you now presentlie, or els I will take upon me, with my sword, presentlie, to cutt off thy head ; for I am ane magistrate appointed by God to doe justice ; and I am assured that all the preists and freirs, all the saints, nor the Pope himselfe, cannot work a miracle such as they pretend to doe, viz. to cure a blind man : Therefor thou and they are but deceivers of the people j and either tell me the veritie, or els with this sword (taking his naked sword in his hand) I will piresentlie (as ane magistrate in this case) put ye to death." The poore man, trembling and astonish- ed, sayes, " O deare Sir, spare my life, and I sail tell you all the trueth and veritie, and let their knaverie be knowen." " Well, (said the Esquyre,) then answer me thir questions, and doe not lie as you love your life : — 1. Wes thou a borne-blind man ?" Answer, "No, Sir." 2. Q. " How Cometh it then that yee have been thought to be a blind man, and that yee have all your dayes begged as a blind man, being led as if yee had been blind ?" Ans. " Sir, I sail tell you all the trueth. When I was a young lad I wes a herd, and keeped the Sisters of the Sheines's sheep, (in these dayes there wes a Nunrie in the Sheines ^ besyde Edinburgh,) and in my wantonness and pas- time I used often to flype up the lids of my eyes, and cast up the whyte of my eyes, so that any bodie wold have trowed that I was blind. I using often to play this pavie, the Nunnes, the Sisters of ' The Nunnery of Sciennes, in the vicinity of Edinburgh, was founded so late as 1517. Much curious information in regard to this Convent, dedicated to St Kathe- rine of Sienna, is contained in a volume edited by James IMaidment, Esq., and printed for the Members of the Abbotsford Club, under the title of " Liber Gonventus S. Katherine Senensis prope Edinburgum. Impressum Edinburgi, 1841," 4to. 452 THE HISTORIE OF [ADDITIONS TO the Sheines (so they were comoiilie called) did sometymes see me doe it and laugh at me. Then the Sisters send in word to Edin- burgh that their shepheard lad could play such a pavie. The ku'k- men in Edinburgh hearing of such a thing, came out to the Sheines, and desired to see that shepheard lad. I being brought, and play- ing this pavie befor them, walking up and doune with my eyehds up, and the whyte of my eye turned up as if I had been blind. The kirkmen that conveened there to see me, advised the Sisters, the Nunnes of the Sheines, to get another lad to keep then- sheep, and to keep me hid in one of their volts or cellars for some years, ay tiU they thought meet to bring me out, and to make use of me as they pleased : (this the knave kirkmen did in their wicked policie and foirsight, that the memorie of such a boy might perish, and that notwithstanding he might be to the foir to be brought out to deceive the people of God when they thought fitt.) And so. Sir, I wes keeped and fed in one of [the] volts (no bodie knowing that I was there but the kirkmen and the Nunnes of the Sheines) for the space of seven or eight years. Then, Sir, they conveened me againe, and brought me befor them, and caused me sweare a great oath that I sould faine my selfe to be a blind man, and they put one to lead me through the countrey that I might beg as a blind man in the day tyme ; but in the night, and also when I pleased, I put doune my eyelids and saw well enough, and I to this houre never revealed this to any ; yea, my leader knew not but I wes blind indeed." And then after his discourse he played his pavie befor the Esquyro, walking up and doune the chamber as if he had been blind. The Esquyre glad, (for he easilie beleeved that he liad told the trueth,) keeped him by him that night in his chamber ; and upon the morne sayes to him, " Now, see- ing you have glorified God in reveahng the knaverie of these vil- lanes and deceivers, the kirkmen and nunnes, yee must doe some- thino- more yit, to let all the people know how these knaves hes de- ceived them, and entysed you, for world's geer, (for they gave him money liberaUie,) to deceive the people of God." Ans. " Sir, since I have revealed the secret to you, and have taken me to you as my THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 453 master, I will doe any thing you will bid me doe." " Well, (said the Esquyre,) this yee must doe, and I sail stand by you wi'ch my sword in my hand, that no man nor woman wrong you. Goe with me to the Crosse, and in few words (whilk the Esquyre taught him) tell the people (after yee have cryed Oyesse thrise) how yee have been hyred and entysed to faine yovu' selfe to be a blind man, and that yee wes never blind, and that there wes no miracle indeed wrought upon you yesterday ; and therefor, desire the people to be no longer deceived by thir kirkmen, these knaves and blind guydes that misleads the people, but bid the people take them to the true religion, &c. And after yee have thus spoken, I and yee sail quicMie runne doune the close besouth the Crosse, where my ser- vant sail be waiting with my two horses in the Cowgate, and if I were once betwixt the shoulders of my horse, and yee upon the other, I sail defy all the kirkmen in Edinburgh to overhye me till I be in Fyfe, where the Lords of the Congregation are in amies for the defence of the true Keformcd Religion." The man undertak- ing to doe as he desired, they went to the Crosse together about eight a clock in the foirnoone. When after the man had cryed Oyesse tlu-ise, the people who the day befor had seen him at St Allarites chapell on the scaffold, &c. running to heare what he had to say, heard him utter the words the Esquyre had taught him. Then quicklie the Esquyre and he horsed, and were gone toward the Queenes-ferrie. The report of this running through the Toune came quicklie to the preists, freirs, and the rest of that deceiving- rabble, who raged, foamed, &c. : but what could they doe ? the man wes gone — they could not persew — they durst not goe further than the Queenes-ferrie. But to returne to Mr John Row. The Esquyre coming home Avith the man, the Lord in his good providence so ordered that Mr John Row came to Cleish to visite the Ladie, shee being a papist ; and after he had stayed there a night, the Esquyre kyndlie inter- taining him, they fell in conference about some points of religion. The Esquyre sayes to him, " Mr John Row, yc are a great scholer and lawyer ; vee have been bred at the court of Rome, where there 454 THE HISTORIE OF [ADDITIONS TO is both learning and policie enough. I am but a countrey gentle- man, unlearned, hes not had breeding abroad ; therefor, I will not enter the lists of a dispute with you ; I know I will be foyled, and whilk is worse, I will wrong my rehgion that way. But let me only conferre and cracke about some points of religion wherein'yee and we differ." " Well, (said Mr John Row,) I am glad and well content to doe so : we may doe other good that way ; I may teach you some thing yee know not, and it may be yee may teach me some thing I knew not befor." And so, after some conference, the Esquyre sayes, " Doe yee mantaine that the Pope, your master, and his clergie, can in thir dayes work any true and reaU miracle ?" Ans. " Yes : There is no doubt of that. It is certaine that the Pope or his clergie have wrought miracles for the confirmation of the trueth of our religion." "Well, (sayes the Esquyre,) Have yee heard of yon miracle wrought latelie at St Allarites chapeU ?" Ans. " O yes. What can ye say to it ? what can any man say against that a man borne blind is cured, and hes received his sight ?" Q. " But how know yee that he wes a borne-blind man ?" Ans. " Hes he not begged through Edinburgh, Dalkeith, Leith, Musselbm'gh, &c. all his dayes, being a blind man ?" The Esquyre replyes, "I am sorie,. Mr John, that honest men, such as I take you to be, is so piti- fuUie deceived by false knaves, deceivers of the soules of the peo- ple of God." And so that he might convince him of their knaverie and undeceive him, he told him that he had the verie man on whom the miracle wes thought to be wrought in his house ; and calling upon the man, brought him befor Mr John Eow, and caused him reveale the whole mater, and play his pavie befor him ; whilk when Mr John Row had heard and seen, he wes amased and non- plussed, and could say nothing to defend his master or the deceiv- ing kirkmen that had contry ved the busincs. " Now, (sayes the Esquyre,) Mr John Row, yee are a great clergie man, a great lin- guist and lawyer. But I charge you, as yee must answer to the great God at the last day, that yee doe not noAv hold out any light tliat God offers you, but that yee will so soonc as yee come to your studic close the doorc upon you, and take your Byble, and THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 455 earnestKe pray to God that yee may understand the Scriptiu'es and the trueth of God revealed in them, that in his Hght yee may see light. And then when yee have prayed, as the Lord by his Spirit, who is the Spuit of grace and supplications, will instruct and teach you, take your Byble, and read 2 Thess. ii., and if yee doe not there see your master the Pope to be the great antichrist who comes with lying wonders to deceive the people of God, (as now he and his deceiving and tricking clergie in Scotland lies done latelie at Musselburgh,) yee sail say, Esquyre Meldrum [Robert Colvill] hes no sldll." Mr John Row being amazed, and with all ingenuous, wold not, yea, durst not, shoote [shut] out light holden out to him ; therfor, considering the knaverie of the kirkmen in the late pre- tended false lying miracle, and with aU reading and considering 2 Thess. ii., it pleased the Lord to convert him from Poperie to the Reformed Religion, and so he became familiar with Mr Knox, Christopher Goodman, &c. the reformers ; and he being learned and knowing the errors of Poperie better than others, wes verie instrumentall in advancing the Reformation. And so after the Re- formation wes established by law, in the yeare 1560, he was admit- ted minister of Kennoway, where he married the Laird of Bal- four's daughter, [Margaret Bethune,] (the lands of Kennoway be- ing ane barronie of land pertaining to the Laird of Balfom\) Shortlie thereafter he wes by the GeneraU Assemblie transported to Perth, the second burgh of the kingdome, where he lived and died, beloved and regrated by aU good men. In those dayes the gramer schoole of Perth wes famous, many noble and gentle men sent their eldest sonnes to be educate there, and many of them were tabled with Mr Johne Row, to be helped by him in their education. As they spake nothing in the schoole and feilds but Latine, so nothing wes spoken in his house but French. The portion of scripture read befor and after meales, if it wes in the Old Testament, wes read in Hebrew, (for he wes the first man that brought the knowledge of the Hebrew tongue to Scotland, and taught some of his children to read it, when they Avere of foure or fyve years of age,) Greeke, 456 THE HISTORIE OF [ADDITIONS TO Latlne, French, and English ; if it wes in the New Testament, it wes read in these, [Greeke, Latine, French, and Englishe.] He wes, by the General! i\.sseinblie, made Superintendent of Galloway. He died but a young man, anno 1580, [in the 54th year of his age,] Oct. 1 6. There wes one passage remarkable in the tyme of his seek- ness, a little befor his death; the master of the gramer schoole, commonlie called Dominie Rind, came to visite him, to whom he sayes, " Sir, yee have many small baii'nes, and, alas ! yce have little or no geir to leave them ; what will become of them ? I feare they beg through the countrey. Sir, yee have not been care- full to gather geir to them, as well ye might, both at Rome, and since ye came to Scotland," &c. Mr John Roav turning him to the wall, lay silent a jDrettic space, pouring out his soule to God, &c. Thereafter turning himselfe sayes, " Domme, I have been thinking upon that yee have been saying to me ; I will not justifie myselfe, nor say that I have been carefull enough to gather geir to my bairnes. I thinke I might and ought to have done more that way then I have done ; but, Domine, I have layd over my bairnes upon God and the well ordered Covenant, and his all sufficient Providence, for we must lippen much to the old charter, Providebit Domhms, (Gen. xxii. 8, 14.) But, Donwie, let me, tyme about, speake to you ; yee have but one sonne, and yee have great riches to give him, and yee make a god of your geir; and yee thinke, who but your only sonne. My sonne, he Avill have enough ! &c. But, Dominc, it feares me yee have little credite and farre lesse comfort by him, yea it may be that when my bairnes (whom I have layed over upon God's gracious and all sufficient Provi- dence) may have competencie in the world, your sonne may have much mister, and be beholden to some of myne, for it is Cod's blessing that maketh rich," (Deut. viii. 18.) The event did speake the fulfilling of this prophesie of the dying servant of Jesus Christ ; for INlr John Row had sixe sonnes and two daughters ; fyve of his sixe sonnes Averc ministers, Mr James at Kilspindie, Mr William at Forgandownie,' Mr John at Carnock, ' Forgandeuny. THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 457 Mr Archibald at Stobo, and Mr Colin at St Kebocks.' Mr John Row, minister at Carnock, had foure sonnes ministers, and three daughters ; of whom came ane numerous offspring. Of Mr John Row's two daughters, the eldest [Katherine Row] wes maried to William Rig, a rich merchant in Edinburgh ; of whom came a numerous oiFspringand posteritie of many rich people. The other wes maried to Mr James Rind, minister of Longforgan, in the Carse of GoAvrie : [Mr James Rinde had three sonnes, the eldest, Mr Androu Rinde, minister at Tillicultro, and three daughter's.] Dominie Rind, his only rich heire, he wes minister of Dron, and wes a verie prophanc and dissolute man, given to drunkenness, and many evill vyces, so that he became verie poore ; and, in his owne tyme, for povertie wes forced to sell his bookes to Mr John Row, then schoolcmaster at Perth, sonne to Mr John Row, minister at Carnock, the grandchyld to him that uttered the prophesie. And after his death, his wife for povertie turned ane gangrell poore woman, seUing some small wares ; and often wes refreshed with meate and drinke in the house of one of Mr John Row, minister at Carnock, his sonnes," minister at Seiris in Fyfe. Severall rare things befell him [Mr John Craig]^ in his life, and therefore it shall not be amisse heir to digresse a little to relate some things verie remarkable in the life of that famous and worthie servant of Jesus Christ. Pie being a pregnant young man, went abroad to his travells through France and Italic, and being of the Protestant reformed religion, in Italic got the charge of the educa- tion of a noble and honoui*able man's children, he being of the Re- formed Religion. Nigh to that honourable person's house there was a little wood or parke unto whilk Mr John Craig used often to retu'c himselfe to meditate, pray, &c., and in this place (it being a secret pleasant place) he often used to teach his scholers. It fell out on a day, when he Aves in that place with his scholers, that ane ' St Quivox, Ayrshire. 2 That is, William Row, minister of Ceres- '' Sec page 415, foot note 3. 458 THE nibTouiE of [additions to poore wounded souldier that had received a shott in his bellie came by that place, carieing up with his two liands his intralls, and sieing Mr Craig with young students with their bookes, came to Mr Craig, and related to him his present sad and doolefull con- dition, how he latehe at a battell had received a deadlie like sliott in his bellie, &c. Mr Craig commiserating this poore womided souldier's case, gave him money, and spake christianly and kyndlie to him, &c. After Mr Craig had continued some space educating his scholers, especiallie in the knowledge of God and the grounds of the Reformed Religion, he was by the Inquisition found out and apprehended as ane Hugonite, (so were those of the Reformed Religion then called,) and put in a base prison, or rather pit, in Rome, into the whilk pitt the river of Tibris did everie tyde flow, so that the prisoners stood in water some tymes almost to their middle. After that the Pope had apprehended and imprisoned for some space of yeares a number of Protestants in that base pitt, at last they were arraigned and condemned to be burned quickc for the Reformed Religion on a certain day appointed for then- execution. But it pleased the Lord, in his good and gracious providence, so to order maters, that upon the verie night befor he shoidd have been brought foorth upon the morrow to be burnt quicke, the Pope is smitten by the hand of God, so that he dieth ;^ the Lord haveing de- creed to keep honest Mr Craig alive tor his service and Avorke. Now in Rome when a Pope dies, in the interim till another Pope be created, there is a jubilee, all prisoners, whatever their cryme hes been, are released, prison doores are cast open, &c. The first day (whilk wes the day appointed by the Pope for Mr Craig's exe- cution) after the Pope's death, all prison doores were opened and the prisoners set at libertie, except the prison of the Hugonites : it was forgotten, being in an obscure and base place of the citie, but ujion the second day the Lord opened their prison doore also, and all of them, and JNlr Craig among the rest, were set at Hbertie. INIr Craig haveing thus in God's gracious providence gotten libertie ' There wore four Popes between 1550 and 1560, one of whom, Pope Marcelliis II., died the JiOth of April 1555,. and his successor, Paul IV., the 18th of August 1559. THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 459 and life restored to him, knew not well what to doc, he being al- most naked, (having lyen long in that base pit,) and having no money, and not knowing weU how to beg. Yit he thought it safest for him to leave the citie and to goe to one of the subm-bs, to make the best shift he might for meate, and something to cover his naked bodie, and so the Lord directed him in to ane change house where meate and drink wes sold. While he is in that house, cold and hungrie, warming himselfe at the fyre, where meate was making ready ; as yet not having asked either meate, drinke, or cloathes, there came in ane officer, a commander in the Pope's armies, with his retinue at his backe, who called to the hostler to make readie his dinner, to prepare for him and his companie that he had with him, calling for wynes, &c. Mr Craige sieing and hearing all this, was afFrayed least this commander should have been sent to apprehend the Hugonites, &c. This commander, after he had walked up and doune a little, began to eye Mr Craig, and to looke narrowlie to him, whilk did the more ailright and terrific Mr Craig, suspecting that he was sent to search out the Hugonites. But after that he had for some space of tyme narrowlie eyed and looked to Mr Craig, he said to him, "I beleive I have seen you befor, and in a better condition then I sic you now." Mr Craig answered, " That may be, Sir." The commander replyes, " Doe not yee, Su", remember that so many yeares agoe you (as I believe, and if I be not mistaken) wes in such parke with young scholers and yom- bookes with you, and that a poore wounded souldier having re- ceived ane shott in his beUie came by, to whom yee gave money, largelie ?" " Yes, (sayes Mr Craig,) I remember verie well of all that." "■ Now, (sayes the commander,) this is a happie rancounter, and we are well mett, though I be sorie to sie you in this sad condition that I sie you into, for I wes that poore wounded souldier, and that money whilk yee gave me did I give to the chirurgian who cured my wound, so that. Sir, you saved my life ; and now the fortune of the warres having favom-ed me, I being now ane commander, I am well able to repay you your moneys with the interest thereof, and to help you in your sad and desolate condition that I see you into. 460 THE HISTORIE OF [ADDITIONS TO Tell me how is this I sie you so now, whom I saAv then in so good a condition when I wes In my sad and deadlie lyke danger," &c. Mr Craig, in his heart, blessing God for this second gracious pro- vidence, related to him so much of his personal! sad condition as in prudence the Lord directed him. This commander, after he had refreshed him with meate and drinke, gave him money largelie, with the whilk he did put a sute of cloaths upon him presentlie ; and then resolving to travell towards France, and so homewards to Scotland, he came on his journey paying for meate and drinke as he travelled, and accomodating himselfe the best way he might, &c. But at last his moneys began to grow scarce upon him. Two or three dayes befor his moneys were all spent, coming- through ane landward toune, there did follow him out of the toune ane prettie dog, fanning upon him as if he had been his master. Mr Craig did boast the dog from him, fearing that he should have been challenged for stealling so prettie a dog, but the dog wold not be boasted from him, bvit folloAved him a space out of the toune. Mr Craig did cast stones, or what came by his hand, at the dog to beate him backe againe, but by no meanes woidd the dog part with liim, still growing the more kynd the more he wes boasted and beaten. At last Mr Craig began to make of the dog, and wes content, seing he wold not goe backe, to take him to beare him companie in his travells ; and so the dog followed him for some dayes, and waited carefullie on him as his master. At last his moneys are all spent, and he had not so much as to buy his dog a loafe, as it is in the proverb. Honest Mr Craig wes put to a new straite, and he knew not well what to doe. He was ashamed to beg, and he had not will to stay there, being so verie desircous to come home. While he is tossing sad thoughts within himselfe, and being doubtful! what to doe, he comes to the syde of ane grein hiU, and it being a verie bote day, and he wearied with his journey, did sit downe to rest him there. Then lay a-groufe upon his face, begins to poure out his heart to God, blessing and praising him who had preserved his life Avhoi he wes condemned to be burnt quickc, and wlio hithcrtills had gracioushe and wonderfullic THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 461 provyded for him, supplying him with moneys, meatc, drinke, cloathing, &c. While the honest servant of Jesus Christ is thus praying and begging at God that he wold still provyde for him and direct his way homewards, his dog, his kynd fellow traveller, comes to him, and with his foote skreapes upon his shoulder. After he had skreaped once, againe, and the thrid tyme, Mr Craig lookes up and sies in the dog's mouth a full purse. The dog shakes the purse upon Mr Craig, offering it to him : he wes astonied, and feared to touch the purse, but the dog looking kyndlie in his face, and still shaking and offering the purse to him, Mr Craig tooke the purse out of the dog's mouth, and opening it, finds it ane purse full of gold, all of one kynd of gold. Mr Craig wondering and as- tonished, but blessing and praising God, takes it as sent of God to him for to be his viaticum, and blesses God for this 'thrid won- derfull and gracious providence, and being then well provyded, he travells on, and after some stay in France, he comes home to Scot- land, and brought with him to Edinburgh the dog, the purse, and some of the gold. This, though it may seeme fabulous to some, I know it to be als certaine as any humane thing can be, for the Wife of this Avorthie servant of Jesus Christ living in Edinburgh, (where he wes one of the Toune ministers, and verie honest, streight, and famous in his tyme,) surviving her husband for many yeares, untill the yeare 1630, did often relate this historic, with all the passages of it, to me and many others. Shee wes ane honest woman, ^rfe digna, well knowen in Edinburgh under the name of Dame Craig.^ This Mr John Davidson^ wes a verie zealous honest man, and indeed a verie prophet of God, for it is ordinar Avith God to give his servants whom he stirres up and employes in extraordinar em- • John Craig was minister of the King's Household, or of Holyroodhouse, in 1562. He died 12th of December IGOO : (see page 208.) From his Testament, it appears that his wife's name was Marion SmaUl.— (M'Crie's Life of Melville, vol. ii. p. 70.) 'i See page 420, foot note 1. 462 THE HISTORIE OF [ADDITIONS TO ployments with cxtraordlnar gifts and endewments, suoli as the gift of prophecie. Such prophets there were many in Scotland, about and shortlie after the tyme of the Reformation, viz. Messrs Wishart, Knox, Welsh, Row, Craig, Davidson, Fergusson, &c. They foir-prophccied many things, whereof some were fulfilled in their owne dayes, and all of them after their death. Mr John Davidson prophesied many things. I shall relate one prophesie of his. He being, as I have said, minister at Preston- pans, having celebrate the Holy Communion, on the Monday thereafter the Lady Fadinsyde came with one of her sonnes, Mr John Ker, to visite Mr Davidson, and to take their leave of him. Mr Jolmne Ker, the Ladle's sonne, wes then ane young gentleman latelie come from France, pransing in his French garb with his short skarlet cloake and his long caudie rapier, according to the mode of these tymes. After the Ladie Fadinsyde had for a space conferred with Mr Davidson, her sonne, the yong gentleman, stand- ing by discoursing with some of his comerads, shee did take her leave of Mr Davidson, likewayes Mr John, her sonne, did ; but after Mr Davidson had narrowlie looked upon the yong gentleman, he sayes to him, " What meanes this long caudie rapier, this short skarlet cloake, and all this gay graith of yours ? Away, away with these things. I know you. Sir, to be a good scholer, cast away these daft conceits, and I in God's name charge you to take you serious- lie to yom- booke and studies, and spend your tyme w^ell, for I will assure you, Sir, yee Avill be minister of this place after me." The yong gentleman being astonished to heare him speak so, said no- thing, but did laugh Avithin himselfe, wondering what the minister meant. After he came home with his mother, the Ladie, for some dayes he did laugh at Mr Davidson's words ; but thereafter think- ing seriouslie upon them as -words, gravelie uttered with authoritie in God's name, charging him, &c. he could not sleip nor take rest till he returned to Mr Davidson to enquire of him more seriouslie about his words he had uttered, and what wes his- ground and warrand for 80 speaking and charging, and how he knew that he wold be minister of Preston after him, &c. He coming to Mr Davidson, 3 THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OP SCOTLAND. 463 and speaking to liim. seriouslie of these things, the prophet of God (for so I may call him) assured him that he had good warrand and assureance that he wold be minister of Preston after him, and ther- for againe, with authoritie as the prophet of God, charged himselfe, as he wold answer, to take himselfe seriouslie to his studies, and to spend his tyme well ; which the young gentleman presentlie did. So after Mr Davidson's death he succeeded minister of Preston,^ where he lived ane honest painfull minister for many yeares, and left be- hind him honest men his sonries, whereof one Mr Robert Ker is ane honest minister, Mr Andro Ker was clerk to the Generall Assemblie. Another of his prophecies is memorable. Being at Dunfermline in the tyme of ane Synod immediatlie after the death of David Fergusson, minister at Dunfermline, giveing thanks after dinner, among other things uttered by him then, he thus expressed him- selfe : — " Lord ! thou hes now removed thy worthie and faithftdl servant who labom^ed heir among this people in the gospell, &c. ; but. Lord ! who shall succeid him in his ministrie, thou knowes ! Many are gaping for it, and using moyen at Court to gaine it, but it AviU be Jok uj)-a-land; it will die in thy hand, (pointing at Mr Andro Forrester, who at the tyme, with sundrie other mini- sters, wes sitting at the table Avith him, having dyned there,) therefor thebacke shall beare the sadle-band," &c. This.prophesie, though thus uttered in these ridiculous-like expressions, wanted not its fulfilling, for this Mr Andro Forrester, who did succeid David Fergusson, fell in grosse sins ; for the whilk he wes deposed, and his ministrie there did die in his hand ; and being deposed and diso-raced, his backe did beare the sadle-band. When the man of God uttered the words, they were laughen at by the hearers, but when observers of them found them so fulfilled, they acknowledged him a true prophet. • John Davidson, minister of Saltpreston, or Prestonpans, died in 1604. On the 5th of September that year, some commissioners appeared at the meeting of the Presbytery of Haddington, " lamenting the death of our father, Mr John Davidsone, their last pastor ;" and we find John Ker was minister of the parish at least in 1 606. —(M'Crie's Life of Melville, vol. ii. pp. 110, 509.) 464 THE HISTOniE OF [additions to A BREIFE DESCRIPTION OF THE WICKED PRACTISES OF OUR SCOT- TISH PRELATS, MAID AGAINST THEM QUHEN THEY WER IN THEIR GREATEST GRANDEUR, THE 4tH NOVEMBER 1634.' Our Prelats sticke In God's fabricke, A Popish tricke, And lies doe joyne ; Loves Babel's brick, Her dust they lick, Pope Catholick Decores on's wyne. Gold they doe crave, Lands they wold have. Their flocks deceave, Make good men lurke : Grace as a slave They close in cave ; Who can conceave What griefe they worke ! They worke with slight Both day and night, Subvert all right, "And justice wray : They lett the light, Yet work in sight With their haill might, None can gainsay. Lords of renoune. Yea, nixt the Croune, Are holden doune As they thinke meit : In burgh and toune, Ilk shaimles lowne, With his silk goune, Bravades the street. Blind is that eye Which doeth not sie Their treacherie ; Thogh they pretend Conformitie To God's decree. Yet they doe lie ; Looke to their end ! Masse songs they sing. Dead bells they ring, God's trueth they wring. Hell's way they goe : From thence doeth spring Each monstrous thing, Which State and Kinfj Will brinfv to Avoe. The trueth thereof we see now, anno 1644. ' These verses occur in the older MSS. of Row, after the short paragraph, the moneth of November," &c., page 390. 1 In THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 465 In the year 1636' severall faithfull servants of Jesus Christ be- ing deposed and excommunicate by the Bishops in Ireland, espe- ciallie Bishop Bramble,^ they were so hunted by the Bishops pur- seivants, and others their emissaries, that they were forced to leave that kingdome, reserving themselves for better tymes, and their Lord's worke elsewhere ; and so they came over to their native Kingdome and mother Kirk heir, viz. Messrs Robert Blair, John Livingston, James Hammilton, Samuell Row, and John Mack- lellan ; who, as they were alwayes anti-episcopall and opposers of the corrupt courses and apostacie of these tymes, so they were most instrumentall in the glorious worke of reformation that followed after these corrupt tymes, beginning anno 1637. It wiU be worth the whyle heir to digresse relating the historic of the Life andDeath of worthie and famous Mr Blair ; the First part of it being written by himselfe shortlie befor his death ; the rest, by way of Supplement, added by his nearest relations as foUowes : — The historie of the life of reverend and famous mr Ro- bert BLAIR, Christ's Minister at Bangor in Ireland, at Air, and St Andrewes in Scotland : The First part by himselfe, some yeares before his death, the rest, be way of Supplement, added by [his eldest sonne of his second mariage, with the help of his mother, his second wife] Mr William Row, mini- ster at Ceres, his sonne in-law.^ ' This passage is referred to in the marginal note at page 440. ^ Dr John Bramhall, Bishop of Londonderry. ^ The words printed within brackets are carefully erased, and the name of Wil- liam Row added on the margin, at a later time. In this place of the MS. there accordingly follows a copy of the Life of Robert Blair, extending to the beginning of chap. 8th, in fifty closely written pages, where it breaks off, and some blank pages left for continuing the transcript. It is to be hoped that the entire work will at length be published from the original MS. in the handwriting of William Row, which is preserved in the Signet Library. 2g 466 THE HISTORIE OF [ADDITIONS TO Mr Calderwood, " Didoclavius,"' hath Avritten leamedhe against Prelats and their Romish rites in his Altare Damascenum, Nullitie of Perth AssembHe, Re-examination of the Fyve Ar- ticles, &c. diverse. In the last place, it shall not be amisse to set doune a short narra- tive of the Life and Death of Mr Joeln Row, minister at Carnock, the author of this Historic. The First part of it ^vritten by Himselfe, verie shortlie before his death ; the rest, by way of Supplement, add- ed by his youngest sonne, Mr William Row, minister at Sires. He wes borne a twaine in Perth, where his father wes minister, and when he wes brought forth, his left syde, that lay nearest his dead brother, (for his brother was supposed to have been dead with him in his mother's beUie, many weeks befor they were brought forth,) wes beginning to be black and blea : all his dayes he had no great strength in his left syde, and in his old dayes he might not lye upon it, which, if he attempted, he was in hazard of falling a-sound. Immediatlie after his baptisme he wes put to landwart to be fostered, and to get a good aire, for the space of three years, in the which tyme his windin-sheit wes verie often put to his head everie yeare ; (for that wes the custome in those tymes.) After he wes broght to Perth, he wes so weake that he wes not able to walk till he wes of fyve or sixe years of age. In his younger yeares, his father being a great Hebrean, and the man that first broght the knowledge of Hebrew letters to Scotland, tooke paines upon him, learning him the Hebrew letters, so that he could read Hebrew of seven yeares old, and did ordinarlie read at dinner or supper the chapter in Hebrew, their ordinar being in the Old Tes- tament ; which moved the master of the gramer schoole to desire his father to learne him also to know the Hebrew letters : and Avhen he wes put to the gramer schoole he taught his master to read and expone Hebrew ; for the whilk cause his master still ' The anagram which Calderwood adopted in his Altare Damascenum : see p. 316. Most of his tracts, which are anonymous, will be foimd enumerated at the close of the Coronis ; seepages 441-445- THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 467 called him Magister Johannes Rote. His father died when he wes 12 yeares of age, learning his gramer. After his father's death, (he leaving behind him sixe sonnes, where- of he wes the third, and tuo daughters,) theu' mother being dead be- for, he wes left in a verie orphan lyke condition, verie destitute of humane help in appearance ; yet our mercifull and all-sufficient Lord, upon whose covenant and liberall promises his dying father had cast him, with assurance that the Lord his God, in whom he trusted, and whose promises he believed taking hold of his covenant, wold provyde for him, and not let him want any thing that is good, did provyde well for him, for his uncle, the young Laird of Balfour, did take him home to his house to teach his children the gramer ; and within a short space he wes made schoole master at Kennoway, where his father wes first minister, and where he maried the Laird of Balfour's daughter, M. Bethune, There he taught not only his uncle's children the gramer, but other gentlemen's children ; the minister of Kennoway, his father's successor, being schoolemaster befor he gott the place. He remained there teaching his uncle's children, untill he made some of them readie to goe to the Colledge with himselfe. His uncle went with him and entered him to the new erected Colledge in Edinburgh. He entered to the thrid classe that wes taken up in that Colledge, the erection whereof being 1583. Mr Kobert Rollok (of Avorthie memorie, who indeed wes one of the greatest ornaments of the Kirk of Scotland in his tyme, being both learned and pious) wes then Principall of that new erected Colledge, and one of the ordinarie ministers of the toune, having befor been regent in the Old Colledge at St Andrewes. His uncle being desirous to speake with Mr Rollock, and see that new erected Colledge, did, being accompanied with sundrie gentle- men, (being then one of the most ancient barrens in Fyfe,) goe to the Colledge to enter his nephew. When he wes entered to his classe, one of his condisciples in Perth cryed out, Tu es Magister hactenus. His Eegent coming in, finding his scholers making sport at his condisciple's complement, wes angrie with them, and asking his condisciple why he called him Magister Johannes. He replyed, 468 THE niSTORIE OF [ADDITIONS TO That his master at Perth ahvayes called him so, and that he coidd both read and expone Hebrew. The Regent himselfe being begin- ning to know Hebrew letters, past incontinentlie to his chamber and broght the Hebrew Psalter, desiring him to read and expone therein ; Avhilk he readilie and easilie did,'telling his Regent that his father taught him Avhen he wes seven or eight yeares old ; whereat his Regent wondered ; for at that tyme verie few had the know- ledge of the Hebrew language [until] Mr Andro Melvill came to St Andrewes, and wes Professor of Divinitie and the Hebrew tongue in the New Colledge then. He was tabled in the house of ane advo- cate called Mr John Russell, whose wife wes his aunt, (who had receaved three horse loads of law bookes, which were his father's, and some silver, promising, after he wes laureat, to teach him the lawes, that he might be ane lawyer.) But after he had been but one yeare in Mr John Russell's house the pest came to Edinbm-gh ; and he falling in a fever at the same verie tyme, wes left in a poore woman's house that dwelt under Mr John Russell, he and all his houshold removing out of thetoune for feare of the infection : so he wes left in a verie desolat condition, as one seik of the pestilence, to die in a poore sillie woman's house. But the Lord that had worke for him, and ordained him to be a minister of the New Testament, and to convert soules, &c., yea, the Lord on whom his dying father trusted, casting his burden on the Lord, and to whom he himselfe cryed for help in his trouble and distres ; the Lord, I say, his God, helped him, recovered him out of his fever, and provyded well for him ; for not knowing what to doe, the pest continuing in Edin- burgh, he wes directed of the Lord to goe over againc to his uncle, the Laird of Balfour. But he returning againc the second yeare to the Colledge, the infection being gone, Mr John Russell, notwith- standing of his promise, and of what he had received, refused to take him to his house and table, because he had gotten a greater offer with another than he got with him, neither durst his uncle, the Laird of Balfour, quarrell him, or put him to keepe his promise, because he wes his advocate, he having gi*eat actions befor the Ses- sion. He as:aine wes cast into a non-entrie, and knew not what THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 469 hand to turne him too, but being most desirous to prosecute his stu- dies at the Colledge, he sought to the God in whom his father trusted, and on whose kynd providence he wes casten. By him he wes directed to his brother-in-law, William Rig, who then wes maried to his sister, Catharine Row, who wes one of the most religious and wise matrons then in Edinbm-gh ; so his brother, William Rig, tooke him in to his house, and intertained him the other three yeares he wes at the Colledge, and so he past his course and wes laureat, 1590. After his laureation he wes againe in great perplexitie, doubt- ing what estate of life to take hun too, or what to doe for a ly ve- lyhood ; some of his friends advysed him to be prentise to his brother-in-law to be a merchant : some advysed him to be prentise to Gilbert Primerose, a notable chirurgean ; but he dislyking these employments, and resolving to prosecute his studies, his master, the Principall of the Colledge, Mr Rollock, tooke him to waite up- on himselfe and to studie with him. Mr Rollock Aves verie kynd to him, and made much of liim for his father's sake, he also having been regent to his tuo elder brethren in the Old Colledge of St Andrews. He used him rather as a friend nor as a servant, and wes most communicative with him. He used ordinarlie on the Sat- turday afternoone to walke out to the feUds, choosing him to carie a booke or two with him, that he might read and meditate in the feilds. His ordinarie custome wes to tell him what wes his text he wes to preach upon to-morrow, and what wes his reasons or doc- trines raised fi-om the text, saying, " Mr John, does that doctrine rise clearlie from my text ?" " Is this use suitable to the doctrine, and pertinent for our people ?" &c. All this, and the lyke passages, as it argued much humilitie and condescending selfe-denyall in the learn- ed, pious, and prudent man, famous Mr Rollock, so it slieu verie much kyndenes in him and care of his servant, using him rather as ane comerad and intimate friend then a servant. But he wes not ane yeare with him, after he had urged him to make ane private exercise in the Colledge, and thereafter urged him to come upon the publicke exercise in the Presbyterie, when the Lord called him to 470 THE HISTORIE OF [ADDITIONS TO a more publicke employment ; for my Lord Spynie liaviug maried my Ladie Angus, mother to William Douglas, apparent Earle of- Morton, being then seven yeares old, writes a letter to Mr Eollock, who had been his regent in St Andrews, desiring him to seeke out a qualified young man to be pedagoge to his sonne-in-law, the Earle of Morton. Mr Rollock knowing that he wes sib to my Lord Spynie, sayes to him, " This letter is from a friend of yours, take it and read it." After he had read it, Mr Rollock sayes, " I will lay this charge upon you, for I hope that yee will be carefull to at- tend thatbairne.'" He replyed, " That it wes verie unmeet for him to goe to the court for many reasons." Mr Eollock replyed, " Ye may get good even in a court beyond your expectation ; I hope ye will seeke God's direction [how] to carie your selfe well : goe and advyse with your freinds in Fyfe what yee sail doe." He past over to Aberdour; and though he found not my Lord Spy- nie there, yet his freinds used many persuasive arguments, urging him to take on that charge. So he entered to that charge, and taught the schoole of Aberdour about two yeares ; being all tliis tyme ad- mitted upon the publicke exercise of Dunfermline, and ordinarhe he preached on the Sabbath afternoone. But being wearied of that at- tendance, and of the court there, (for indeed that familie at Aber- doure, all that Earle of Morton's tyme, even from his iufancie, wes rather lyke a court then a nobleman's familie,) he wes most desii'eous to remove thence, but knew not of any other place or employment to goe to, till the Lord opened a doore to him, calling him yet to more publicke and usefull employment. Thus, Mr James Stewart being commanded by anc Act of a Generall Assemblie to take him to one of his tuo kirks, he choosed Salin and left Carnock, it having verie little stipend. My Lord Lindesay (to whom the little barronie of Carnock belonged then) came to the Presbyterie of Dunfermline, desireing that his Kirk of Carnock might be provydcd with a quali- fied minister. So he [John Row] wes chosen and ordained to be mi- ' William, seventh Earl of jMorton, was born in 1 582, he must, therefore, have been upwards of seven years of age at this time. His mother, the Countess of Angus and Morton, married for hor third husband Alexander, first I/ord Spvnio. THE COKONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND, 471 nister of Carnock in the end of the yeare 1592. Being admitted to the ministrie there, he wes sorie that the fabrick of the kirk wes in so evill a condition, being theiked with heather, haveing no seates, verie darke, wanting lights ; but complaining of these things to my Lord Lindesay, he laid the blame upon the minister of Scotland- well that had the tythes of the paroches ; but there fell out a re- markable passage of providence that occasioned the repairing of the kirk, and therein much love to him and his people might have been seen. In the end of the yeare 1593, it pleased the Lord to visitehim with a tertian fever 18 weekes ; all this tyme he abode at Aberdoure, having no mauss nor accommodation at Carnock. In the tyme of his vehement disease, it fell out that upon a Sab- bath day about 11 houres, when the people wold have been in the kirk if he had been able to preach, that the roofe of the kirk brake and fell doune, whilk doubtless wold have killed some, and hurt many, if the people had been in the kirk. This forced the minister of Scotland-well to put on a new roofe, but the walls were not re- paired nor the roofe skleated till three yeares after. George Bruce in Culros, buying the lands of Carnock from my Lord Linde- say, he repaired the kirk, skleated it, &c., anno 1602. (It wes roofed againe by his sonne George Bruce, anno 1641.) But being admitted, he wes commanded to be resident at his kirk, by vertue of ane Act of the General! Assembhe, whereas his predecessors, David Ferguson and Mr James Stewart, dwelt in Dunfermline ; wherefore he boarded himselfe in the honestest house he could get in the toune of Carnock : but all that he had for his stipend could not pay the lialfe of liis board, for then ministers had verie little stipends, especiallie in such a place as Carnock ; yea, they regarded not what they gott, mynding more the worke of the ministrie then their wages, the conversion of soules more then gaine to themselves, unlyke those hyrelings of the tyme, who feed themselves and not their flockes, who doe not strengthen the diseased, nor heale the seeke, nor bind up that which is broken, nor bring againe that which is driven away, nor seekes that which is lost, but with force and crueltie rules them. He being thus ill ac- 472 THE HISTORIE OF [ADDITIONS TO commodate, wes desired to build a little house to be hLs manss, to try how he could live in a quyet chamber ; but that framed not. So that he set himselfe to seek the God of his father, and his owne God, for direction what he sould doe that he might hve tollerablie, and be in a capacitie to doe God service in the work of the mini- strie there, for the good and etemall salvation of the soules of that people, over whom the Lord had set him ; for that wes the thing that he mainlie and almost only looked after and sought for, to be serviceable to God in that ministrie, to owe [woo ?] soules to Christ, &c. ; this Aves more his designe and maine end, then either sti- pend, gleeb, or house. After seeking of God, and being advysed thereto by his good fi-iends, he resolved to marie, and so upon January 4, 1595, he wes maried to Grissell Ferguson, youngest daughter to David Ferguson, minister of Dunfermline, where ordinarhe King James VI. did then reside. His Avife, Grissell Ferguson, as shee wes a verie comelie and beautifull young woman, so shee proved a verie virtuous and godlie person, fitt to be such a minister's wife. After his mariage, ane old Freir dying that possest the halfe of his gleeb, he gott the whole gleeb, and some more stipend then he had at first ; but still the stipend wes verie small, whilk moved George Bruce to be kynd to him. Also he had good fi-einds rich people, especiallie his sister, Catharine Roav, William Rig's wife, wes kynd to him ; and then his wife wes verie virtuous, labouring with her hands diligentlie ; and last, whilk is sweetest of all, he ob- served a speciall blessing of God upon all that he had. It is the blessing of God that maketh rich ; but because the stipend wes small, and he had some children, his freinds and wehvishers often desired him to transport to a better stipend, but still he (being most desirous to labour in the ministrie among that people in that verie small charge, there not being above 100 communicants) still refused to transport, living most contentedlie in that rharge, and God blessing his labours in some measure, not (jnly to his awno people, but to some others that resorted to his kirk from Torrie, Pitfcrren, Criunmic, &c, THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 473 But after lie had been minister at Carnock 24 yeares or there about, the Earle of jNIorton and the parochiners of Aber- doure, by his knowledge, used their moyen to get him trans- ported to the kirk of Aberdoure, agreeing with the minister, Mr William Paton, to come to Carnock, promising to make him als good a stipend at Carnock as at Aberdour. In end, the parochiners of Aberdoure obtained ane Act of the Provinciall As- sembKe of Fyfe for his transportation to Aberdour. So after so- listation and importunitie of the Erie of INIorton and parochiners, he granted to obey the act. But when he saw the act appointing him to be minister of Aberdoure, Dalgetie, and Beath, he could not be induced by all theu* persuasions and arguments to take on the bur- den of three kii-ks, alledging, that one small charge wes too weightie for him ; so that pm'pose failed. The nixt assault he gott wes (when Bishops were againe erected) from Mr Robert Colvill, his most intimat freind, who all their dayes keeped good correspond- ence, and intertained freindship verie lovinglie. He being minister at Cuh'oss, and having power with liis Bishop of Dumblaine, the Bishop being sib to him, offered him a purs full of gold, provyding he wold be wiUing to transport to Cuh'os, and wold not hinder the transportation as he had done that intended transportation to Aberdoure : Mr Robert Colvill declaring that he wes most de- sirous to transport to Carnock, alledging, that his burden in Culros wes iutollerable, moe then 2000 communicants, whereas in Car- nock there wes not many above one hundi'eth. And then he said, that he wes Propheta in sua patria^ but he altogether refused INIr Robert ColvUl's offer, saying. That he wes weaker then he, and therefor wold be loath to slay himselfe for world's gaine. After that unhappie Asscmbhe at Glasgow, where King James gott Bishops agame set up, (for so long as he wes only King of Scotland, he wes opposed by the Generall Assembhcs, though he intended and endeavoured the erection of Bishops : but after Queen EKzabeth's death, he succeeding to the Croun of England, he gatt his a\t11,) he corrupting the judicatures, and carieiug all thino-s bv strong hand, the tymc became verie dangerous for the 474 THE HISTORIE OF [ADDITIONS TO Estate of this Kirk ; for the King gave, shortlie after that As- semblie, that unhappie High Commission to the Bishops, and making some of them Lords of the Privie Counsel!, extraor- dinarie Lords of the Session, they had great power putt in then- hands ; whilk they exercised with crueltie, deposing sundrie honest ministers that refused to conforme. But after that corrupt and unhappie Generall Assemblie at Perth, 1618, where the Fyve Ar- ticles were concluded, moe wes deposed, for not conforming to the Acts of that most corrupt Assemblie. There wes none more anti- episcopall and a greatter non-conformist nor Mr John Row ; for he not only refused to conforme to the Fyve Articles and acknow- ledge Bishops, but refused to give to bishops their titles of honour, even upon the accompt of then- civile honors conferred upon them by the King. He made a voyage from Camock to Couper on pur- pose to challenge Mr William Scott, minister at Couper, for calling the Bishop of St Andrewes My Lord, useing this argument, " What is sinfuU for him to receive, is sinfuU for you to give him the title of it : but it is sinfuU for the Bishop to receive these civile honors and dignities; ergo,li is sinfull for yow [to give] him these titles, even up- on the accompt of these civile dignities." The wise, prudent, learned man answered, " Yee have one conscience and I another ; yee in your conscience is persuaded that it is unlawful! for you, even upon the accompt of civile honours, to give them titles of honour, as being- discharged in your opinion ; in such a case, [you are right] that doeth not give them these titles, and I sail not condemne you : But I and sundrie others thinke, that upon the accompt of their civile honors, conferred upon them by the King, we may give them their titles of honor, and yee sould not condemne us ; for everie one must follow their owne light." He judged that this wes a wise and prudentiall ansAver ; but still he thought that his argument wes not an- swered. After the Bishops had troubled him verie much, and some of them had freindlie dealt with him, (for he wes condisciple at the Colledge with Ballandin, Bishop of Dunblane ; yea Bishop Spottis- wood had respect to him for his father's sake, to whom he givcth a THE COEONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 475 large commendation in his Historic,^) at last they offered, if he wold give them these titles of honor whilk the King, the fomitaine of ci- vile honom-, had conferred upon them, they promised never to m"ge him to conforme to the Fyve Articles of Perth Assemblie. But he flatlie refused to give them these titles, because he thought they Avere not capable subjects of these civile honors, being discharged to take them by our Lord Jesus Christ ; and that all ministers of the gospell are discharged to have these places of civile honour and preferments as being incompatible with the spirituall ministrie, and verie great entanglements to them in their ministrie ; (see Luke xxii. 22, 24, 25, 26 ; Math. xx. 25, &c. ; 1 Pet. v. 3, where lordship and dominion is forbidden, even to his extraordinarie commissioners the apostles, much more to all ordinar ministers of the gospell ; also see 2 Tim. ii. v. 3, 4 :) certainlie these civile honors and employ- ments are verie great entanglements to Christ's ministers. After much forbearance, at last he wes summoned to compeer befor the High Commission, he being dilated for non-conformitie, and preach- ing against bishops and the corruptions of the tyme, by Mr John Walker, reader at Dunfermline, for he often preached at Dun- fermline at the desire of Mr John Murray, minister there, with whom also he had lived in verie great freindship and intimacie : He being sumoned to compeer at St AndrcAves befor their High Commission, resolved not to compeer, judging it better not to com- peer then compeer, and declyne their judicatorie. His patron, Sir George Bruce, he being Episcopall in his judgment, and a great courtier with King James, dealt earnestlie with him to compeer be- for the High Commission, promising to write in his favour to the Archbishop of St Andrewes, assureing him that he sould not be censui'ed ; but he reflising, telling him, that if he compeered he wold declyne that com't as ane unlawfiill judicatm-e, not appoynted by Christ. Sir George Bruce wrote to the Archbishop Spottiswood, and to Mr Peter Bruce his freind, and sent his letters with one Eichard Chrystie, one of his servants. Also his nephew, Wilham ' The passage from SpottiswoocVs History willbe given in the Preface. The words in this parenthesis are evidently added by William Row. 476 THE HISTORIE OF [ADDITIONS TO Kig of Atheniie, and his second sonne, Mr John Kow, went along to the Bishop with Richard Chrystie, but the Bishop little regarded William Rig or any other that spoke for him. Richard Chrystie, after sundrie arguments, came on with one weightie argument, saying, " Thir coales in your moores are verie evill, and my master hath verie many good coales ; send up a veshell everie yeare to Cul- ros, and I shal see her laden with good coales." This prevailed, yet for the fashion he wes by the High Comission confyned to his o-svne congregation ; whereas Mr John Murray, notwithstanding all his moyen, wes deposed from his ministrie at Dunfermline, and Mr John Scrymseor from his ministrie at Kinghorne at that same tyme, they both compeering befor the High Comission, trusting to their moyen they had, and freinds there dealt for them. He keeped his confynement two years, till he wes advysed to give in a Suppli- cation to the Secret Counsell for libertie to goe abroad about his nccessar affaires ; whilk wes granted by the Counsell, upon hopes that at last he wold accord with the Bishops. After this, the Ai'chbishop of St Andrewes intreated Sir George Bruce to persuade him to come and speake with him, assm'ing him that he sould be a freind to him, &c. But when Sir George Bruce dealt with him to doe so, he flatlie refused, aUedging that honest ministers that went to the Bishop roosed themselves little of it ; and that the bishops had given it out that they had consented to their corrupt courses, and given them satisfaction. His refusaU wes evill taken by his patron, yea, he never wes so well pleased with him thereafter, but keeped a gnidge at him to his death, whilk fell out shortlie after King James's death, 1625. But he little regarded to displease men, even his best worldlie freinds, if so be he might please God and keep a good conscience : yet, notwithstanding his refuseing to goe to the Bishop, and liis continuing most anti-episco- pall, (still preaching against the corruptions of the tymc, and stand- ing for the Covenant, sworne, and often received in King James his tyme, by the authoritie of Parliaments and the Secret Coun- sell, still praying for pardon of the horrible sin, the breach of our Nationall Covenant,) the Bishop receiving everie ycarc ane shipfidl THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 477 of coales, and not being so violent as Bishops after liim, tollei ate him ; so he continued in his ministrie. His communions were much fre- quented by all non-conformists that could not yeild obedience to Perth Articles, especiallie kneeling at the communion. At one of the dyets of the communion, viz., 1636, when Bishops were in their rise, he renewed the Nationall Covenant. Thus farre the Author himselfe wrote, concluding thus : — I need to speake little of any thing that hath fallen out since, it is so well knowen to those who can observe things better than I can ; but 1 must heaviUe regrate that I have been so long in this holy ministrie, and have done so little good : only I must say this, that God may be glorified in all his gifts that I have ever desired, according to my knowledge to be faithfull, and have used the means to get my poore people edified when ever God offered me any occasion, and that yet in my old dayes, (being now 78 yeares old,) I teach twyse everie Sabbath day almost, when I thinke I have any strength. Lord ! make me faithfull to the death, and for- give me my manifold sins, especiallie that I have not discharged my calling of the ministrie as I sould have done, but hes been ane unprofitable servant. And, O Lord ! for Christ's sake, make this great worke of Reformation that thou hes begun goe fordward, that all thy flocke may be gathered in, and Christ may come and put ane end to all the troubles and tossings of his owne people, and to this miserable world ! Come, come, come, Lord Jesus, and tarie not ! To thee be praise and glorie, for ever and ever. Amen. [addition by williajvi row.] My Father wes, pro modulo suo, right carefull and diligent all his dayes in all pastorall dueties, rather seeking the good and spirituall wellfare of his people than his owne worldlie good and advantage. He had a litle stipend, but lived most contentedlie, and wes never sett (as many are, though it be with the losse of the hearts and affections of their people) to have had his stipend augmented. One passage to this purpose is remarkable. A^Tien there wes a plott for augmentation of stipends, the Lords of the Plott summond 478 THE HISTORIE OF [ADDITIONS TO him and his patron, George Bruce, Laird of Carnock, to compeer befor them for the augmentation of the stipend of Carnock. The Laird thought his minister had caused summond, ut \_et] contra; but Avhcn they both mett at Edinburgh, they found that neither of them had caused summond others, but that the Lords of the Plot had taken notice of that Kirk as they did of all, and had summoned them both. The Laird desired him to goe to the judicature, and what ever wes done he sould be content with it. My Father de- sired him to goe, alledging that wes most proper, and what ever wes done he sould be heartilie content with it, for (sayeth he) I desire no more stipend. In end, my Father wes persuaded to goe. When he was called upon, they asked, " What wes his stipend ?" He answered, " Foure chalders victuall." The Lords answered, " We can doe little for your help, that paroch being so little, and the tythes thereof valued so low." He replyed, " I have lived long in that little paroch, and I lived contentedlie when I had lesse stipend than I have now, for the Lord did ever provyde well for me, so I desire no more stipend." But, said they, " Who hath the viccarage tythes of that paroch ?" He replyed, " Indeed I know not ; yea, I beleive they were never exacted." " Then, (said they,) doubtles se- ing that stipend is so little, they of right must belong to you, and yee have all this whyle wronged your selfe, who hath not uplifted them. Let us see your presentation." The presentation, when it wes seen, caried expresslie that he wes presented to the great and small viccarage tythes of the paroch. " Well, (said the Lords,) seing we can give you no more, we ordaine you heirafter to uplift the small tythes of that paroch." He replyed, " Seing I have not for- merlie lifted them, and lived so well without them, I will not now in my old dayes trouble my people or burthen them." " O, (say they,) yee will prejudge your successor and wrong the benefice." " Well, (sayes he,) seing it is so, let them be uplifted ; I sail give them to our schooleraaster all my dayes, for he hath verie litle stipend." The Lords said, " If all that come befor us were of your temper we wold soone have done." He continued all his dayes a great ad\ ersario to Bishops, and THE CORONIS.] THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 479 ane eager opposer of all their corrupt courses, and. when our glo- rious work of reformation began, anno 1637, he being old, and a great observer of passages of providence in his tyme, and record- ing them, wes verie usefoll and instrumental! at the ministers first meetings. In Edinburgh they made him moderator of their meet- ings, and he wes the first that preached in the toune after the be- ginning of our worke of reformation in the Greyfreir ku-k ; where there wes ane verie great confluence of all ranks of people to heare old Mr John Row, who for many yeares befor wes not permitted to preach" in Edinburgh. And when the famous Assemblie of Glasgow came, anno 1638, he being one of the commissioners from the presbyterie of Dunfermline, caried with him sundrie old papers, Acts of Generall Assembhes, &c. that did verie much prove to the autheuticknes of the old registers of the Kii'k, and of the uullitie of the corrupt Assembhes. This Assemblie and the Lord's worke thereafter revived him who wes longing and still praying and ex- pecting for what he saw and heard there. After he came home he preached upon Simeon's song. After Glasgow Assemblie, the first Synod in Fyfe conveened at CoAvper, where Mr William Scot, the minister of the place, wes chosen moderator. The second Synod conveened at St AndrcAves, where my Father wes chosen moderator. The third at Kirkaldie, where my Father preached upon these words, " Say to Archippus," &c. He celebrate the communion tA\^'se everie yeare, in May and October. He alwayes endeavoured to have the most honest and able men to take the burthen of the woi'ke off liim, (doing httle him- selfe, so meane ane esteeme he had of himselfe,) especiallie these that had been deposed by Bishops, (for the Bishops of these tymes, though they discharged these whom they deposed of the exercise of their calling in the paroches where they served, yet they never challenged their preaching in other parts where they Avere employ- ed,) so he ordinarlie had Avith him, at the celebration of the com- mimion, the famous Mr Robert Bruce, so long as he lived, Mr John Murray, Mr John Scrymseor, &c. Then the communions in Carnock were verie famous and much frequented, many nobles re- 480 THE IIISTORIE OF THE KIIIK. [ADDITIONS. sorting thither, and persons of all ranks that were Non-conformists. Many came from Edinburgh and the east parts of Fyfe. After that the honest ministers of Ireland were forced to come over to Scot- land, (they having attempted to goe to America with some gentle- men and others to make a plantation in some of these places, and to preach the gospell there; but after they had sailed beyond the bounds of Europe were driven back with contrair winds,) he wes most de- sirous to see them and speake with them, and to have them to celebrate the holy communion in his little kirk of Carnock ; and so he obtained that all of them almost came to Carnock and celebrate the communion with Messrs Robert Blair, James Hamilton, John Maclennan, John Livingston, Samuell Row. His custome wes at such solemne occasions, where there were many persons of quahtie, especiaUie Countesses, worthie gentlemen, &c., to lay the bm-den of the Lord's worke whoUie upon such able and honest men, he doing nothing save only exhorting to a table or two ; yea, thogh there wes some tymes but one of these worthies with him. But thogh he had so meane ane esteeme of himselfe, yet claruit suo tempore. After he had preached the gospell fifty-four yeares in that little paroch of Carnock, he preached his last sermon some few dayes befor his death, his text being om- Lord's last words, Luke xxiii. 46, " Father, into thy hands I recommend my spirit : and having so said, he gave up the ghost." He died Junij 20, 1646, and of his age 78. He lyes buried in his buriall place at the East end of the Kirk of Carnock, having this upon it :— ViXIT VERITATIS ET F(EDERI8 SCOTICANI YEHEMENS ASSERTOK, HiERARCHIAS PSEUDO'-EPISCOPALIS ET ROMANORUM RITUUM CORDICITUS OSOR, IN FREQUENTI SYMMISTARUM APOSTASIA CUBI INSTAR CONSTANTISSIMUS. DUXIT GrISSELIDEM FeRGUSONAM, CUM QUA ANNOS LII. CONJUNCTISSIME VIXIT. ' In the MS. erroneously written spondo. — This monument is still preserved at the east end of the old church of Carnock, now in ruins. A more literal copy of the inscription will be given in the Preface. A SUPPLEMENT HISTORIE OF THE KIEK OF SCOTLAND, FROM AUGUST IN ANNO 1637, AND THENCE FORWARD TO THIS PRESENT TIME: AN HANDFULL OF GOAT'S HAIRE, FOR THE FURTHERING OF THE BUILDING OF THE TABERNACLE ; A SHORT TABLE OF PRINCIPALL THINGS FOR THE PROMOVEING OF THE MOST EXCELLENT HISTORIE OF THIS LATE BLESSED WORK OF REFORMATION, IN THE HANDS OF SUCH AS ARE IMPLOYED THEREIN BY THE GENERALL ASSEMBLIE. WRITTEN BY MR JOHNE ROW, MINISTER AT ABERDEEN. ANNO DOMINI 1650. 2 H A SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. A?ino 1637. July 23. The reading of the Service-Book was violently inter- rupted in the Great Kirk of Edinburgh, being a Sabbath. July 24. A proclamation from the Councill, dischargeing any convocation of leiges, or any such disturbance, under paine of death. July 29. The Bishops ordain that neither old nor«iew Service be in publict, except sermon, tiU the King's Majestie's mynd beknowen in this late tumult. August 4. The King being highlie displeased, does, by his letter, command the Lords of Secret Councill to try the authors of this late seditious tumult. August 5. The Councill made an act, allowing an overtvu'e made by the Bishops, concerning a meeting betuix the Bishop of Edin- burgh and the Councill of the toune, relating to a convenient tyme for reading of the Service-Book. That same day, another act was made, ordaining the Service-Book to be read, August 13, because readers to officiat the Service could not be sooner had. August 9. The Magistrats of Edinburgh declared to the King's Majestie's Councill that they could neither get readers nor clerks to officiat the Service, so that it was liklie it would vake the nixt Lord's day. The same day, the Ministers of Edinburgh undertook 484 SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1637. to read and officiat the Service for a moneth, and, in meanwhile, to instruct others presented to that charge, provyding that the nearest kirks about Edinburgh should begin the Ser\'ice with them upon • that same day ; and that the Magistrats of Edinburgh should give assurance for their indemnitie. AVhereupon the Lords of Councill made an act, Avith advise of the Magistrats of Edinburgh, charge- ing them to keep the bishop and ministers skaithless of all persons whatsomever, not onlie in the tyme of officiating the service, but in goeing to it, returning from it, and aU other tymes whatsomever. August 24. A missive from his Majestic to the Councill, for trying the authors of the late uproare, Julie 23, and for the advancement of the Service-Book. All thir letters and proclamations were pro- cured by the importunitie of the Bishops. Then they raised letters of homing, chargeing everie minister to buy the book, and practise the service. Amongst the rest, Mr Alexander Henderson, minister at Leuchars, Mr George Hamiltoun, minister at Newbum, and Mr James Bruce, minister at Kingsbarns, within the Presbyterie of St Androes 'and Province of FyfFe, being charged Avith letters of horning, suspended the charge, and did supplicat the Councill that their greevances might be heard, and their exceptions whilk they had agains the Service-Book and Book of Canons might be con- siddered. Also IVIr David Dickson, minister at Irvin, and sundrie other ministers in the West, being also charged with letters of homing, suspended and supplicated, ut supra ; being accompanied with their parishioners, and a great confluence of people of all ranks. September 20. The Lords of Councill, perceaveing the matter to arise to a geatter hight then they expected, did mitigat the act, June 13, declareing that it extends onhe to the buying, not read- ing of the Service-Book. September 23. A committie is mett in the vacance in Edinburgh, to attend the promoveing of the Service-Book ; Avhereupon the sup- plicants, with verie many noblemen, barons, and burgesses, gave in a gencrall petition, under all their hands, to tlie forsaids Lords^ that they may be freed of the Service-Book, and of all novations, 1637. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 485 and may enjoy their religion established by laudable lawes. The Duke of Lennox undertook to present this Supplication to his Majestic. September 26. The Maglstrats of Edinburgh gave in a petition to the Secret Councill, desyreing not to be pressed with the Ser- vice-Book tiU the King were acquainted with their petition ; whilk also wes given to the Duke of Lennox. OctVaer 17. The Duke of Lennox did delyver the petitions to the King's Majestic ; and on the 17th of October the petitioners con- veened in great frequencie to heare the answere of then' petitions, whilk was contained In three proclamations : the First, to dissolve the meeting of the Councill that day, albeit it was fore-appoynted for answering the subjects petitions ; the Second, to remove the Coun- cill and Session from Edlnbui'gh to Linlithgow for one day, and thence to Dundee ; this the Bishops thought would cause the toune of Edinburgh doe whatever the King pleased, rather ere they wanted Councill and Session ; the Third, to discharge a booke, called The " Dispute agalns the Inglish-Poplsh Ceremonies," whilk came out Avowing, but was written by Mr George Gilesple, being then about 25 years of age. The petitioners disappoynted, resolves to renew their Supplica- tion ; and the wholl toune of Edinburgh arose In an uproare, and envyroned the Maglstrats and CouncUl, tiU they also promised to joyne with the rest of the petitioners agalns the Service-Book. October 18. A proclamation from the Councill aganis all such convocations and meetings, under the palne of rebellion, and to re- move from Edinburgh within 24 houres, under that same palne ; whereupon a secund Supplication was given In to the Councill aganis the Service-Book and Book of Canons, and Bishops, contryvers of both, not to sitt as then- judges till the mater be discussed, intreat- ing this Supplication to be transmitted to his Majestic. November 14. This SuppHcation given in to the Councill, the number of adhearers there to multipUed daylle ; whereupon,' Novem- ber 14, from Linlithgow, commission was sent to the Thesaurer and Councellours in Edinburgh to dcall with the noblemen, &q. 486 SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1637. petitioners, to dissolve their great convocations, and especiallie that appoynted November 15. After reasoning, they did dissolve the multitude ; and each rank choosed commissioners, to attend the answere of their supplications ; noblemen by themselves, the gentrie by themselves, the burrows by themselves, the ministers by them- selves, sitting in four severall roums at severaU tables in the Parlia- ment Housse : hence they were called The Tables. The enemies of the good cause, the cause of God, called all their meetings and supplications treason and rebellion : Wherefore the Councill sent the Supphcation to the Scottish Secretarie at Court, with a letter, desyreing the good subjects to be cleared of rebel- lion ; representing the cause of their convocations to be the pressing of the Service-Book, Book of Canons, and the High Commission. The commissioners for the good cause attended the answere of their Supphcation till December 7, 1637 ; and on that said day at Linhthgow was a proclamation made, wherein the Iving declares. That he beino; resolved to have given a satisfactorie answere to the petitions of liis good subjects, yit now finding his autoritie wound- ed and contemned, upon October 18, by tumultuous meetings, and abuseing of his Councellours, he delayes such answere as might otherwise have been expected; onlie declares he abhorrs poperie, and will defend the true religion, as it is presently professed within this kingdome. This proclamation was repeated at Edin- burgh, December 9. This same December 7, another proclamation was. That the Ses- sion should sit at Sterlin, the first Tuesday of February nixt, in anno 1638 ; and in the mean while, the Councill to sitt at Dalkeith. This was devysed by the Bishops to force the good Toune to quyt the good cause, for feare of their prejudice and losse, in wanting of these judicatories, Councill and Session, to sitt there. The Councill, finding that the commissioners had rcceaved no contentment by the proclamation, for the King needed not to clcarc himself of poperie, seing that was not called in question, but no answere was given to the Supphcation : Thereupon the Coun- cill desyred the commissioners — To divyde their supplications by 1637. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 487 shyres ; 2°. To restrict their supplications onlie to tlie Service- Book, and Book of Canons ; and to passe from the High Cora- mission and the pursuit of the Bishops. The Commissioners, asserters of the good cause, finding this a draught of the Bishops to divyde them, and that they might know who would be for the Service-Book, who not, and that the Bishops might be passed from ; perceaveing also a plot to prolong tyme, and wearie them with attendance, voyced No Alteration ; and gave it in to the Councill, with the Reasons thereof. Then were penned motives and directions for union in the good cause now in hand : seeing the Bishops seeks nothing out of a peace- able mynd ; but onlie out of craft, seeking to divyde, and for the ad- vantage of their hierarchic, abjured in this land. Also sixteen Rea- sons, to cleare the buiTows and others who had subscryved the Sujd- plication of the equitie and necessitie of their deed, were presented to the Councill, and spread throw the cuntrey ; also another paper with this title, " The Least that can be asked to settle this Kirk and Kingdome, in a sohd and durable Peace," viz.. Not the dischargeing for present the exercise of the Service-Book, Book of Canons, and High Commission ; but the dischargeing of them by Act of Parlia- ment ill all tyme comeing, and by Act of a lawfuU and free Generall Assembhe ; which is both God's way, and is the way which ever has been observed in this Kirk : — "Where were reasons aganis the High Commission, Articles of Perth Assembhe, 1618, and proveing that Bishops behoved to be censured, according to the Act at Glasgow, 1610 ; the necessitie of yearlie GeneraU Assemblies ; that the caveats at Monros, 1600, be observed, else they vote not in name of the Kirk ; that ministers, intrants, be free of prelaticall oaths, and be or- dained by Presbyteries, as was declared in Parliament 1592, Act 114. The Councill, seeing the matter draw deeper nor at first they apprehended, gave the supplicants no answere ; so that December 21, a third Supplication was given in (they were not far fromgive- ing in a protestation) to the Councill, desyreing an answere to their former Supplications, re-produced, and justice to be done on the ministers of Edinburgh who had called them ])ubli(tlic, in scr- SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1638. mons, conspirators and rebells aganis autorltie ; and the Bishops who had practised, and were urgeing others to practise the Ser\ ice- Book. Also, December 21, they gave in a declinator, showing that the prelats could not sit as their judges, they being the verie partie compleaned upon ; and therefore, in that cause, according to the lawes of this and all nations, behoved to be removed, seing no man can be both judge and partie. A7mo 1638. This Supplication was by the Councill directed to the King ; and, after long and patient attendance, an answere was returned by a proclamation at Sterlin, February 19, anno 1638, declareing the Service-Book to be free of all superstition, and to be the way to serve God ; that these convocations have been unwarrantable and illegall, yit pardoned by the King, provyding they tarie well in tyme comeing ; dischargeing them, in all tyme comeing, under the paine of treasone ; commanding them to remove fra Sterlin within sixe houres, under that same paine ; and that they come not where the Councill shall sit, without a warrant fra the CounciU, under the same paine, &c. Aganis this proclamation the supplicants protested presentlie, February 19, 1638, for remedie. That they might have accesse to his Majestic and Councill ; that Bishops be not their judges ; and what they had done ordourlie, peaceablie, or were so to doe, were not counted treason, or they indangered in lyves or estates there- fore. This protestation was renewed at Linlithgow, and the mer- cat-crosse of Edinburgh. At this protestation the Bishops being agast and affrighted, some fled to Ingland, some reteered them- selves and keepcd quyet, for they never once imagined that they durst have protested. The Commissioners finding their meetings discharged under paine of treasone, the Councill not admitting their declinatour, their supplications not answered, resolved to renew the Covenant, subscryved liy the King and wholl countrcy, an?i/s 1580 and 1581, and since that renewed : Where for an advertisement was sent 1638. THE EJRK OF SCOTLAND. 489 throw all the kingdome, that all who loved the cause of God would prepare to Edinburgh, for prosecuting the coiu'se of in- tended Reformation whilk now they had taken in hand : It was dated Edinbiu'gh, February 22, 1638. A great convocation was had in Edinburgh upon this advertise- ment ; it came also to Aberdeen ; but they sent no commissioner nor answere to Edinburgh, being misled by ministers and magi- strats for the tyme. And in the end of February, the Covenant was drawen up, by commune consent of all the commissioners, was I'ead in all the pulpitis of Edinburgh, and in a few dayes was sworne and subscryved almost by all, onlie Aberdeen excepted. With the Covenant they caused print the large Confession of Faith, to whilk it related, which was exhibited to the Estates of Parliament, December 25, 1568, and authorized there ; and this for further clearing of the Lawfulness of the Covenant. Also nine Quffirees concerning the Estate of the Kirk of Scotland. Also six Reasons, containing many particulars, Avhy the Service-Book should be refused. About this tyme, Dr Robert Baron, professor of Divinitie at Aberdeen, wrot a pamphlet, for estabHshing of the Service-Book, and showing why they of Aberdeen concurred not with the rest of the kingdome in supplicating, expressed in nine reasons ; a coppie whereof was quickHe sent to the King, and another to Bishop Laud of Canterburrie, and others ; so now, by this tyme, the author is hightened to be expectant of the nixt vacant Bishoprick. The Councill feareing a misunderstanding [bejtuix the King and his subjects, sends Orbestoun, Lord Justice-Clerk, to the King, with instructions at StirHn, March 3, desyreing the King to give a calme, moderat, and some way satisfactorie answere to the suppli- cants, and at least ere he doe any thing, that his Majestie's inform- ers, and some of the Councill, might be heard to reason the matter to the full before the King's Majestic. Because the first advertisement that came to Aberdeen, fi'om the Table of the Burrowes at Edinburgh, was not answered, be- cause not subscryved, another was sent, subscryved with diverse 490 SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1638. hands, of date March G, 1638 ; it was delyvered, March 16, by commissioners sent with it, Mr Alexander Wedderbum, clerk of Dundie, Mr Robert Barclday, provost of Irvin, Dun, Moi^phie Balmaine, and Lcyes, four lairds. The Council! was conveened ; tlie Covenant read publictly. The Councill excepts onlie aganis the Band of mutuall defence ; and returns an answere to the Table of Bu^owes at Edinburgh, containing a modest refusall to sub- scryve at Aberdeen, March 16, 1G38. But the commissioners re- fused to carie their answere, seing they did refuse to take the Covenant. March 24. At Stirlin, the Lords of Councill, after Orbestoun's return, and report of his answere, did ordain the Lords Thesaurer and Privie Seal to repair to court, to informe his JNIajestie anent reasons of their opinion, sent up in Orbestoun's instructions. The Doctors of Aberdeen were glad that their preaching and writting aganis the Covenant had so far prevailed with theii" people, as that they had in their Councill refused to subscryve the Covenant, wherefc^'e they proceeded and laboured to withdraw all the subjects from it ; for Dr John Forbes, Laird of Corse, profes- sor of Divinitie in the Old Toune CoUedge, wrot a pamphlet, ■\dierein he accused all the supplicants and subscry vers of the Cove- nant, as blinde guides, of heresie, schisme, sedition, temeritie, re- fractarines, peijurie, and rebellion ; but understanding how all the Covenanters Avere irritat against him for it, he disclameth the same, and causes print another, under the foniier title of Irenic7im, " A Peaceable Warning (Ei^rjvriwoluit cudei-e, cudit E^/i/) to the Subjects of Scotland," in some fairer varnis [varnish ?] I confesse ; but all to one pui'pose. Within a few dayes an Answere to it came to pub- lict view. April 9. The Bishop of Aberdeen, Bannatyne, informing the King of the loyaltie of Aberdeen, the King wrot a letter, " To our tmstie and welbeloved, the Provest, Baillies, and Councill of our citic of Aberdeen, and ministers thereof," superscryved, Charles Rex, — giveing them thanks for their affection to his service, promiseing them, if they continue so, good effects of his princclic favour ; dated 1G38. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 491 Aprile 9, 1638, Whitehall. This, with the Marques of Huntley's promises, (which he bravelie performed, Maie 14, 1646, when he sett Aberdeen on fire in four or five parts,) and their ministers assiduous preaching doun of the Covenant, made them resolve to be constant in the malignant anti-covenanting profession. Maie 10. As the King's Secret CounciU had directed the Thesaurer and Privie Seal to court, to inform the King, so the supplicants wi'ot to the Duke of Lennox, Marques of Hamiltoun, and Earle of Mor- toim, to represent their just greevances and supplications to the King; whereupon the King sends the Marques of Hamiltoun to Scotland, with instructions to settle the peace of the kingdome. A letter directed to the Councill at Dalkeith, ordaining a solemne meeting of the Councill to be at Dalkeith, June 6 ; at which the Marques of Hamiltoun, his Majestie's Commissioner, was to be present. Supphcants of all ranks resolved to keep that day solemn- ly. Dr Guild, one of the ministers of Aberdeen, feareing that the supplicants should offend the King his Majestic, drawes up what he calls " A Friendlie and FaithfuU Advise, to these of this late com- bination in Covenant, by Dr William Guild, sworn Chaplane to his Sacred Majestie, &c., that the event of this great Convention, June 6, 1638, may tend to God's glorie," &c. This peece the Doctor put in Huntley's hand, to be by him dispersed through the coun- trey. Afterwards, the Doctor turning a subscribent of the Covenant, the Marques caused print the peece, " as a note (as he said) of the man's levitie ;" but a cliange to the better is laudable. In that jieece, consisting of sixe sections, all along he is most tender of the King and his croune, royall dignitie, and sacred autoritie ; and mainlie dissuads from that "jesuiticall and damnable doctrine, (as he is pleased to tearme it,) of takeing arms, in open hostilitie, aganis their sacred Soveraigne." June 6. At Dalkeith, the Marques of Hamiltoun his commission was presented and red in the Councill. June 8. The supplicants obtained, that, for then- more commodious attendance, the Councill would be pleased to sitt at Ilalu'oodhous. The supplicants gave in a Supplication to his Majestie's Commis- 492 SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1638. sioner for a free Generall Assemblie and Parliaments, as the onlie means to reclresse what was complained upon. He ansAvered, He could grant neither the one nor the other till first they should re- scinde and render their subscryved Covenants to his Majestic, and so to put the Kingdome in a peaceable posture. Then were Rea- sons printed shoAving that they could not render their subscryved Covenants, for it shoidd prove perjurie ; also. Reasons for a Generall Assemblie were printed. They did evidence that the cuntrey, with- out rendering of the Covenant, was akeadie peaceable ; supplications are not disturbances of peace; many people were desyrous, in a peaceable ordourly way, that their greevances should be redressed. The Commissioner excepted aganis the clause of mutuall defence, as if they were to defend each other in their privat quarrells ; but they, June 24, answered in a Supplication to the Commissioner, declare- ing, that in that clause there is no combination aganis his Majestie's persone and autoritie, whilk they doe in all reverence acknow- ledge ; and in the preservation of religion, lawes, and liberties, Avill hazard th&ir lives and fortunes in the defence of his Majestie's persone and autoritie ; againe supplicating for a free Generall As- semblie and Parliament. June 26. This Supplication is sent to the King by his JNIajestie's Commissioner, Ilamiltoune, Avho declared, that all his instructions did run upon the hope of surrendring the Covenant, Avithout Avhilk he could doe nothing but return to London, and deall Avith his Ma- jestic for granting a free Generall Assemblie and Parliament; but first, June oO, he Avould proclame his Majestie's gracious declaration of the return of the Councill and Session to Edinburgh. July 4. Also, the Commissioner declared that he behoved to make another proclamation full of goodnes, promiseing onlie a Generall Assemblie and Parliament, and discharging all novations introduced. A protestation was draAven up to give thanks to his Majestic for what was granted, and to protest for a short and convenient tyme for the Assemblie and Parliament. This proclamation (though called full of goodaes) being })roclamed, Avas found so greevous as that the supplicants were forced to protest against it, for the suppli- 1638. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 493 cants peaceable and ordourlie carriage was called disorderlie mis- demeanours, fitter to be redressed by a powerfull nor a perswasive way, he, once for all promised not to presse the Service-Book but in a legaU way, and to regulat the High Commission, &c. The protestation (a large one) read by Mr Archibald Johnstoun, taken by one fi'om everie one of the Four Tables ; instruments taken in the hands of three notares, before many hundred witnesses, and a coppie of it, in all humihtie, offered to the herauld, thus evidence- ing their confidence of the equitie of their cause. Of this foresaid proclamation the Councill past an act of approbation, July 4, where- at the supplicants were yet more greeved. Wherefor, they pre- sented a Supplication to the Commissioner, containing the reasons of their just exceptions aganls the proclamation and the CounciU's Act. The which, when the Councill had considdered, then* Act not yit put upon record, was either torn or put aside, July 5 ; and a proclamation was made, declareing the inhibiting of the Service- Book and Book of Canons in all tyme comeing, and makeing voyd all Acts of Councill past in favom's thereof; also, dischargeing all exercise of the High Commission till it be regulated. The Com- missioner protested he could go no further, promiseing to represent their greevances to the King, and to return before the 5th, or at furthest the 12th, of August. It was rumoured by some that the Scots were to invade Ingland, wherefor a printed peece came out, containing " A Relation of the state of the Ku'k of Scotland since the reformation of religion to this present tyme," and cleareing that slanderous imputation. The peece, called " The Beast is wounded," came out to this same purpose. The commissioners at the Tables sorrie that the toune and sh}Te of Aberdeen and Bamff should oppose the cause of God, throw the persuasion of their Doctors, and overawing of the Marques of Hunteley, before their last suppHcation was presented to the Coun- cill, sent one in commission to Aberdeen, desyreing them to joyne with them ; but the Pro vest refused to conveen the Councill, and so the commissioner was dismissed without further answere. After, in February, (when they were about to subscryve the Covenant,) 494 SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1638. they sent to Aberdeen the commune advertisement, but it was lykAvise rejected, slighted, and no answere returned. After the BurroAvs sent commissioners to Aberdeen with a letter, beareing date March 6, 1638, whilk (as said is) was refuised. June 7. Arthur Erskin of Scotiscraig came to Aberdeen with a commission to deall with all he knew to be well-affected in the toun, and to desyre them to subscryve the Covenant : IVIr Andro Cant, minister at Pitsligo, was with him in the commission. Some four or five went to the Earle of Marshall's lodging, where the com- missioners were, and did subscryve quyetlie, among whom was Dr William Johnstoun, professor of the Mathematicks, and Mr William More, dean of Gild. The Doctors getting notice of what was done, sett themselves a work by vehement and frequent preaching aganis the Cove- nant, and the Magistrats, by autoritie and menassings to stop the current of subscryveing, remonstrating the losse of the King's favour, they would have said the hope of Bishopricks, in relation to which all the Doctors were expectants. The Tables heareing of this, resolved yit once more to essay to gaine Aberdeen, and sent the Earls of Montrose and Kinghorn, and the Lord Cowper, with Messrs Alexander Henderson, David Dickson, and Andro Cant, ministers, ordainmg them to repair to Aberdeen against Julie 20. This sett a new edge on the Doctors in their sermons to cry doun the Covenant. Julie 16. The Pro vest conveens the new and old Councill, and, by pluralitie of voyccs, it is inacted, that none within the tonne should subscryve the Covenant. Jidie 19. A terrible sermon aganis all the poynts of the Cove- nant, by Dr Rosse. Julie 20. The commissioners forenamed came to Aberdeen, the magistrats (according to their custome) came to salute them, and offer them the curtesie of the toune, whilk they refused, whill they should see whither or not they would imbrace the Covenant : The evills of theu' opposeing the cause of God was remonstrat to them by Montrose ; the Provest (in name of the rest) answered they 1 1638. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 495 were Protestants, not Papists ; they thought the King's Declara- tion satisfoctorie, and woukl not joyne in a course contrare his INIajestie's will ; so the magistrats left them. Thereafter they sent to see if their ministers would get leave to preach in their kirks ; they got the answere they expected, — their awin ministers were prepaired to preach in their awin pulpitts ; wherefor, they resolved to preach in the Earle of Marshall's closse or hall, accord- ing as the weather should rule, and at such houres as the Toun's people should also heare their awin ministers. The Doctors of Old and New Aberdeen had prepared Quasrees or Demands anent the Covenant, subscryved with, all their hands : These they sent to the three ministers, promiseing to joyne with them in the Covenant if they did receive a satisfactorie answere to them. The Demands, fourteen in number, were subscryved by Messrs Johne Forbes, Alexander Rosse, Robert Baron, Alexander Scrog- gie, William Leslie, William Guild, and James Sibbald, Doctors of Divinitie, and were printed. Answeres were given to each Demand ; also, the Doctors Reply es to each Answere ; also, Answeres to the Reply es ; also. Duply es to these Answeres : and all was printed. Julie 22. On the Sabbath, Mr David Dickson preached at seven houres in the morning, Mr Ancbo Cant at noone, or twelve houres in the day, and Mr Alexander Henderson at four afternoone, and all of them produced arguments for subscry veing of the Covenant and joyning in the work of Reformation. The Covenant was read, and all Avho was persuaded wes exhorted to come and put to their hands ; whereupon about twenty men came and subscryved publict- He, whereof some were men of note, as Patrik Leslie. After this they went and got subscriptions throw the province of Aberdeen, both from ministers in presbyteries and gentlemen. Returning Julie 28, they found that the Covenanters had persuaded twenty or thirty more to subscryve the Covenant. Julie 29. The ministers for their encouragement resolved to preach on the Sabbath, and did preach, Mr David Dickson in the morning, Alexander Henderson at noone, and Andro Cant at four o'clock. After this action none subscryved except the Earle of Mar- 496 SUPrLEMENT OF THE ITISTORIE OF 1638. shall's tuo brethren and tuo craftsmen. That night Mr WiUiani Guild gave the ministers, commissioners for the Covenant, reply es in wnt to their answeres ; yit on the morrow, Julie 30, (being now persuaded of the equitie of the cause of God,) he, with Mr "Wil- liam Robertson, minister at Suttie, in the suburbs of Aberdeen, did subscryve. That same day the commissioners removed towards Edinburgh, leaveing a Covenant with the Covenanters, that all might subscryve who pleased. It is remarkable that, whill the commis- sioners, Julie 22, were preaching in my Lord Marshall's closse, many came out of curiositie to see and heare, and many to mock, among whom wes a young man, called Johne Logic, student, son to Mr Andrew Logic, (^mali corvi malum ovum.^ who did cast clods In upon the commissioners when Mr Alexander Henderson was preaching. This John Logic, within a few dayes, interpryzing to take some pease growing besyde Aberdeen, being repulsed by the owner and his son, Nicol Torrie, he killed his son Nicol, 1644, was taken with Haddo and execut. The King's Commissioner, Hamiltoun, returning from London, did take exception at somewhat the Covenanters had affirmed (re- lating to his Lordship's receaveing of satisfaction in some poynts) in some of their answeres. Wherefore, he caused reprint the De- mands, Answeres, and Eeplyes, with a declai'ation of his owne pre- fixed to them, wherein he challenges the commissioners. Cove- nanters, of a lie ; wherefore those ministers caused print their An- sweres to the Doctor's Replyes, together with an Answere to the Marques of Hamiltoun's Declaration, showing that they had no wayes wronged him. The King, being by Hunteley and the Bishop of Aberdeen ad- vertised of all this procedour, wrot home to Scotland with his Commissioner letters (whilk he sent to Aberdeen accompanied -wnth a missive from himself) to the Provest, Baillies, and Councill of Aberdeen, and another apart to the Doctors, ministers, and pro- fessors of Divinitie there, giving heartie thanks in prceseyiti, and promiseing largelie defuturo. Then the Covenanters in Aberdeen were persecuted by the Anti- 1638. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 497 Covenanters malignants as enemies and traitonrs to God, the King, and toune of Aberdeen. This being reported at The Tables, and they being but a small handfuU among many adversaries, it Avas conceived they might begin to faint and be discom'aged ; there- fore, they wrot a large letter to them, to show them the estate of maters, the grounds of their proceedings, and particularlie cleared that whereat the King's Commissioner took exception. Its title and inscription was, " For Information to these who hes subscry vcd the Covenant in Aberdeen ;" svibscryvcd by Rothes, Montrose, Fleming, Tester, Balmerino, Lindesay, Cassills, Johnstoun, For- rester, Burghley, Loudoun, Cowper, Forbes, DalyeU. This letter refreshed the Covenanters in Aberdeen much. The Doctors, not content with what they had done, emitted Duply es to the Covenanters last Answeres ; but before they were emitted, the King's Commissioner was returned from Court the second tyme, and a free Parliament was proclaimed, and a free Generall Assem- blie indicted to hold at Glasgow, November 21, 1638. The Doc- tors now begouth to feare. The King's Commissioner, by letter, did incourage them, and gave them ordour to put out their Duplyes, and caused delyver 100 libs, sterlin to Dr Baron for his pains. The King's Commissioner, now returned againe from Court, brought with him a warrand to indict a Generall Assemblie ; but, August 17, he proponed eleven articles, whilk his Majestic would first have granted to him by The Tables ; as concerning ministers suspended or deposed since February last to be reponed, and so of moderators deposed, rents of bishops and ministers, &c. August 18, they answered, in great wisdome. The things that were ecclesiasticall were so far fi-om letting an Assemblie, that a free Generall Assemblie was the best mean for discussing the question, and redressing the wrong, where any was; that whilk was civiU being referred to its propper judge. And because in one of the Answeres was mention of elders, they cleared their office by a treatise to be divulged. And, by another, gave Eeasons aganis the prejudging and prelimitation of a free Generall Assem- blie, as being aganis God's word that Christ's ministers in a free 2 I 4913 SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF lG3b. Assemblie should bind themselves up not to speak of everie thing that concerns doctrine, discipKne, maners, in the persone of any whomsoever : it is aganis the lawes and practise of the Kingdome and Kirk, aganis our disciphne, aganis our late supplications and protestations, aganis the verie purpose and project of the work itself; and though we would yeeld it, (whilk we cannot,) yit the commissioners chosen to repair to the Assemblie will not be holden as obliged to stand to that whilk we have corruptlie granted unto, haveing no power over them. The Commissioner convinced, yit dared not to indict the Assem- blie, except the King had been first acquainted that all prelimita- tions was rejected, and the reasons- thereof, sought leave yit once againe to repair to Court, promiseing to return before the 20 of September with a full and finall answere ; whilk being granted, August 25, Articles concerning a Generall Assemblie were delyver- ed to him to present them to the King's Majestic. But feareing yit a delaying answere, seing God's word and the lawes of the land gives the Kirk leave to assemble and doe Christ's efFairs, instructions were sent to all presbyteries to choise commis- sioners to repair to Edinburgh against October 1, that, if the King should (as God forbid) refuise, they might hold Jan Assemblie. Wherefore, they sent nine Directions to each Presbyterie for their way of choosing commissioners ; for many new intrants were igno- rant of the right way, seing that for twenty yeares there had been no Assemblie : yea, for thirty-six years no lawfull Assemblie whUk inacted anything ; for Aberdeen Assemblie inacted nothing. Also, August 27, Privat Articles and Instructions were sent to be de- lyvered to the well-afFcctcd in each presbyterie ; (for severall were averse from the course in hand, viz. concerning election of commis- sioners,) to have in readines the Bishops faults in doctrine and life, with the proofs, to be readic to dispute in the poynts to be handled at the Assemblie, &c. About this tyme, one Mr Thomas Abernathie, a Jesuit, heareing of God's wonderfull work here in his native cuntrey, wakened in conscience, came home, and presenting himself to The Tables, in- 1638. THE KIRK OF scotla:nd. 499 treated, for Christ's sake, the favour of subscryveing the Covenant, very humblie confessing his fearfull apostasie ; and in token o£ his ingenuitie, he revealed all the Popeish plotts aganis Scotland, and the Popeish government in Scotland, and gave his advise for take- ing order mth them. He was admitted to the Covenant, and pub- lictlie, August 24, in the Great Kirk of Edinburgh, before a most frequent auditorie, made confession of his apostasie ; and Mr Andre Ramsay preached upon " Come out of Babel," a litle before, to make Avay for Abernathie's confession, and abjureing of Poperie. Both these peeces were printed. The Commissioner at Court proponed the whoU case of the Scot- tish bussines ; and sundrie called to councill advysed, by warre to force the Scotts to accept of conditions ; but a pithie pertinent speech of the Duke of Lennox diverted the King fi'om warre at this tyme. The Commissioner (as he promised) returned to Edinburgh, Sep- tember 20 ; and September 22, the Councill being conveened, he presented a proclamation, for subscryveing the Confession of Faith and Generall Band, subscryved formerlie by his Majestie's father, his houshold, and persons of all ranks ; indicting a Generall Assem- blie to be holden at Glasgow, November 21, nixt to come ; and a Parliament, Male 15, 1639. The Councill herewith fullie content, presentlie did subscryve the Confession and Band, (albeit the Sup- plicants intreated them not to subscryve, but to delay for a day, untill they should present unto them Reasons why they should not subscryve,) and made an act approveing this proclamation as satis- factorie to themselves and all the leidges, writting a letter of thanks to the King ; made an act for indicting of the Assemblie ; another for indicting the Parliament, September 24 ; a third act, ordaining all the subjects to subscryve the Confession and Band : This was called The King's Covenant. The Supplicants, perceaveing clearhe this to be a divisive, wicked motion, devysed by the Bishops, a subtiU plot devysed to divyde them, and to destroy their subscryved Covenant ; where- fore, and upon weightie reasons, they entered a protestation aganis this proclamation. Albeit the Councill, feareing a protestation. 500 SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1638. added this : — " And that of and according to the date and tenor of the said Confession of Faith, dated in March 1580, and of the Band, dated in anno 1589 ; and according as ReUgion was then professed :" — Yit this could not stay the Protestation, made by James Earle of Montrose, for the nobilitie ; Mr Alexander Gib- son, younger of Durie, for the barons ; George Porterfield, mer- chant-burgess of Glasgow, for and in name of the burrowes ; Mr Harie Rollock, minister of Edinburgh, in name of the mini- sters ; and Mr Archibald Johnstoun, reader hereof, in name of all who adhere to the Covenant latelie renewed within this kingdome ; and took instruments, &c. Aganis the predetermination and per- limitation of the Assemblie, they gave six Reasons ; aganis the sub- scryveing of the King's Covenant sixteen Reasons ; and protested aganis seven things in the King's proclamation. They who were sent thorow the whoU kingdome to requyre subscriptions to The King's Covenant, according to the act of Councill, went, used diligence, but with litle successe, for the Covenanters -took it to be but (as it was) a divisive motion ; and some surpryzed with it, upon better and second thoughts retreated their subscriptions, and adhered to The National! Covenant, caUed by many of the people {distinctionis causa) The Noblemen's Covenant ; for they stirred more about it nor the most of ministers did ; yea, the Noblemen did draw by force of reasone the great part of the ministers to it, whose apostasie in the dayes of prelaticall defection had been greatest ; yit, as in all national! tryells some succumbs, sundrie did adhere to their subscription of the King's Covenant. And now the distinction of Covenanters and Malignants, or Anti- covenanters, became frequent. The Marques of Hunteley obtained more subscriptions to the King's Covenant in the toune and shyre of Aberdeen and BamfF or any other, for they were still most averse from the Covenant ; Avherefore, any divisive or malignant motion was most acceptable to them. The noblemen and others imployed in requireing sub- scriptions were all to report their diligence against November 13. The tyme of election of magistrats now at Michaelmas drawing 1638. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 501 neare, the Marques of Huntley obtained a letter to the Magi- strats and Councill of Aberdeen from the King, thanking them for then- fidelitie to his service, requyreing them to be carefull in their election of magistrats, that none be chosen, or no course be taken derogatory thereto : yit sundrie Covenanters were chosen both to be magistrats and counsellours. The Provest removed, and would not countenance the election of magistrats. Some protested that no Covenanter should be chosen magistrat; some protested that the election should be free according to their priviledges, es- peciallie seing the King's letter carried no such distinction, and Covenanters were no enemies to the King, as was cleare by the Covenant. The Marques was highlie offended at their election, perceiving sundrie Covenanters to have been intrusted in places of magistracie and councill. October 5. The Marques caused read the King's Covenant at the mercat-crosse of Aberdeen, and the Master of Forbes and Lord Fraser caused read the Protestation. The Marques craved a guard of musqueteers, to guard the mercat-crosse, from the magistrats, but was refuised. Lieutenant-Colonell Johnstoun, with his trained band, was readie to come out of the Catch-peall aganis the Covenanters ; but some threats of the magistrats, and a great showre of raine, did hold them in from bursting violentlie forth. After reading, hinc inde, some of the magistrats and councill did subscryve the King's Covenant, some refuised, and the toune being conveened, refuised to subscryve till their ministers came and went before them in that. Some of the ministers had subscryved alreadie ; and after a double sending for, Dr Sibbald came, told he had subscryved alreadie, and would doe it over againe, with this condition and limitation, that he " acknowledged Episcopacie and the Articles of Perth, with whatsomever other of that kynde, not contrare to the Word of God, allowed by any reformed kirk else- where ; upon these conditions, and no otherwise, doe I (before God) subscryve ; neither doe I desire any to subscryve on any other tearms." And so the most part of the toune adhcreing to his protes- tation and declaration, did subscryve. 502 SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1638. October 24. A bill of complaint given in to the Presbyterie of Edinburgh by noblemen, barons, burgesses, ministers, and com- mons, not commissioners to the Assemblie, (indicted now to be holden at Glasgow, November 21,) upon the Ai'chbishop and Bishops of Scotland, all and everie one by name pretended Bishop at such a place, accuseing them of twenty-three severall gross poynts meriting deprivation ; as, transgressing all their caveats, inacted anno 1600 ; aganis the Books of Discipline ; severall laudable acts of Generall Assemblies ; the tractat of Commone Service prefixed to our Psalme-books ; aganis God's expresse Word ; and grosse flagitious faults in their lyves. The Presbyterie refers the forsaid complaint to the ensueing Assemblie, and ordains the complaint and reference to be read out of everie pulpit of the presbyterie, together with a publict citation to the dehnquents complained upon to be present at the said Assembhe, and there to answere to the said complaint ; to bring with them the books or scrolls of oaths or subscriptions of High Commission, or of Acts of Generall Assemblies, with cer- tification as effeii"s, &c. November 2], Wednesday, at Glasgow, the Assemblie did con- veen, and Mr John Bell, oldest minister there, did preach upon Eev. i. 12, &c. After sermon the Assemblie conveened ; and after prayer made by Mr John Bell, Mr Thomas Sandelauds, son to Mr James, last clerk, did supplie the place of a clerk. Leeted for the moderator. Masters John Bell, John Ker, John Kow, James Bonar, William Livingstoun, and Alexander Henderson ; and Mr Alexan- der Henderson chosen moderator. Leeted for the clerk, INIr Ar- chibald Johnstouue, Mr Thomas Sandelands, Adam Blair, and John Nicoll ; Mr TVi'chibald Johnstoune, advocat, chosen clerk. The old Assemblie Books, preserved by a rare providence, were received, and for nineteen weightie Reasons, acknowledged authcn- tick: Assemblie, 1638, Sess. 7, Nov. 28. The Bishops caused give in a Declinator, aUedging the Assemblie was both judge and pairtie. It contained many recriminations and fowl! aspersions ; and on the morrow was well answered : also a protestation aganis ruleing Elders was warranlablic answered : and 1638. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 503 SO that renouued Assemblie was constituted. The King's Com- missioner alledged the King's autoritie was wronged by a paper sent abroad before the AssembHe, with injunctions concerning the choiseing of commissioners. It w^as answered, " The paper read was not a trew coppie, but falsified by some enemie :" a true coppie, sub- scryved by sixteen noblemen, Avas produced. And then was much disputing concerning the King's supremacie over the Kirk. The Commissioner excepted much aganis this, that it was refuised him, which had been practised in former Assemblies, that assessors with him should have voyce in the Assemblie. It was answered. That was granted to the King in corrupt tymes ; they would refuise Ca3sar nothing but what was God's. Finallie, The King's Com- missioner produced a paper, containing the King's pleasure, viz.. That the Assemblie should subscryve the Confession of Faith al- lowed by the Councill, discharging the Book of Canons, Service- Book, and High Commission, and the practise of the Articles of Perth ; promiseing the limiting of Bishops ; and to take all this to his royaU consideration at the nixt Parliament. Thanks was given by the Moderator for what was graciouslie granted. The King was verie respectfully spoken of, as the Commissioner his Grace con- fessed ; but professed he would be gone, except they Avould yeeld to the King's pleasure. It was answered, '' They were readie to an- swere any just exception aganis the Assemblie ; and if in that case he would leave the Assemblie, then the cause of his deserting them was not in the Assemblie ;" which was protested. Then, after long reasoning and protesting, Idnc inde, the King's Commissioner arose, dischargeing the Assemblie verballie. He was desyred to stay, and hear a protestation aganis his deserting of the Assemblie read ; but his Grace refuised. Some were sent out to attend and protest at the mercat-crosse, if haplie he should cause there read a publict discharging of the Assemblie. After the Commissioner's removeall, my Lord Erskin, Avith many tears, confessed he had too too long dallied with God and his awin conscience, (these were his verie words,) and craved, as a rich favour, to be admitted to subscryve the Covenant. This occasioned 504 SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1638. many in tlie Assemblie shed tears for joy. A minister of Holland, Mr John Forbes, son to Mr John at Delf, banished for the cause of God, craved the lyke favour ; and another preacher of Holland also. After some grave, pithie, pertinent speeches had by the mo- derator, other reverend ministers, noblemen, barons, burgesses, they all, with uplifted hands, promised to stay and abyde by the cause of God, till the Lord should putt a period to the troubles. It was thought best to vote it, and all were affirmative, except Dr Strang, Principall, Patrik Bell, provest of Glasgow, Sir John Carnegie of Eathie, Mr Thomas Thores, Mr John Watson, Mr Joseph Broddie, and Mr John Annand. Dr Strang and Patrick Bell on the morrow adhered to the Assemblie's protestation ; the rest removed. But before the Commissioner his Grace removed, the Mode- rator had to him a learned, holie, and wise speech, affirming they would refuise nothing to C^sar which was Cassar's, showing sLxe things due to Kings in ecclesiasticall maters. Jerusalem modestly refuised Alexander the Great to sett up his image in their Tem- ple, so inconsistent wuth their law, but would doe whatever was in their power ; offering tuo things more honourable for him: 1°. They would begin their epocha or aara from his comeing to Jeru- salem ; 2°. That all the first born among the JcAves should be called Alexander : So, the Assemblie onlie desyred to give to Christ the Son of God the first place, by whom kings doe reigne ; and nixt to pietie toward God, they acknowledge honour to kings to follow in the verie ordor of the Ten Commands. After the reraoveall of the King's Commissioner, it was unani- mously concluded, That notwithstanding the Bishops declinatour and Marques rcmovcall, yit the Assemblie was both judge to the Bishops, and also to all maters ecclesiasticall. Thurisday, November 29, the Marques removed from Glasgow to Hamiltoun; but gave ordour that the proclamation of the King's pleasure, dischargeing of the Assemblie, commanding them to de- part from Glasgow to their charges within twenty-four hoiu's, imder paine of treasone, should not be read at the mcrcat-cross till 1638. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 505 after he was gone : And when it was done, a protestation was read in the contrare, even that whilk, November 28, begouth to be read in the Assemblie House before the Commissioner's re- moveing ; but that he reftiised to stay to heare it. After the protestation at the mercat-crosse, the Assemblie con- veened about eleven hours ; and my Lord Argyle, after a speech had, did adhere to the Assemblie ; also the Earles and Lords WigtoUn, Hadingtoune, Almond, Napeer, all councillors, gave assur- ance to joyne with the Assemblie. December 4. On Moonday thereafter, Marre, Galloway, King- horn, Annandaill, Blackball, noblemen, Earls and Lords, adhered to the Assemblie ; for the councellours had been divyded concern- ing the proclamation ; the Marques and some with him would have it, " As the Religion is presentlie professed in this kingdome ;" other councellours refuised that, and adhered to the profession as it was 1580, 1581, according as they had passed their act when they did subscryve. A committie was sett apart for reconcealling the tuo Covenants. And the King's Commissioner, feareing least it should be found that the King's Covenant had rejected all that the Old Covenant had re- moved, seing the King's Covenant tyed all subscryvers thereof to the doctrine and discipline professed in anno 1581, when as there were no Bishops nor Perth Articles ; wherefore he caused draw up a declaration and manifesto, affirming, that by their subscrip- tions they intended not to abjure Episcopacie, nor such things. This was answered in February 1639; and both were printed. The King heareing that, notwithstanding of his proclamation, they had not onlie protested aganis it, but also the Assemblie had continued sitting and inacting sundrie tilings, he sends another proclamation to Scotland, dischargeing all his subjects to give obedience to the acts of that pretended Assemblie. This was pro- clamed at the mercat-crosse of Edinburgh, December 18 ; and the same day, a protestation was read in opposition to it, in name of the Generall Assemblie and all the subscryvers of the Covenant ; and both Avere printed. 506 • SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1638. Considdering that the paine of treasone might terrifie those Co- venanters in the North who lived invironed with enemies, they thought it expedient to writ to them a letter of incouragement, to- gether with information of the estate of effairs, and the gromid of protesting, to prevent misrepresentation of the case. Notwithstanding of all threatnings past, and more which might be feared to come, the Assemblie, with great boldnes, zeall, and re- solution, satt still, whill in the Lord's good favour and rich mercie they concluded all, and dissolved, December 20, 1638. The Acts of this Assemblie, declareing the sixe last Assemblies corrupt and null ; the excommunication and deposition of the Bishops, with the rest of the laudable acts inacted therein, were printed, so many as concerned the whoU Kingdome and Kirk, to- gether with a table of the unprinted acts. Sundrie committees were appoynted to redress abuses ; one for Visitation of the Old Toune Colledge of Aberdeen, and to take order with the disaffected ministers of that province. Mr John Lundie returning from the Assemblie, was conveened before the Rector and Members of the Universitie, and bitterlie rebooked for not leaveing the Assemblie when the King's Com- missioner deserted it ; and doubtless he had been depryved of any office or benefice there, were not that they were in feare of the event of bussines. They made an act, that whensoever that Committie should come along, the Colledge gate should be keeped closse, and they should have no entrance there ; and that none of the members of the Universitie should be present, or acknowledge the same, under the paine of deprivation. When Dr Guild came home, Avho had been commissioner fra the Presby terie, he should have intimat the acts of the xVssemblie and excommunication of the Bishops ; but did it not, partlie through feare of the people, who hated him for his subscryveing the Cove- nant, and partly taken off by the Marques of Huntley; w^ho, upon the 22d and 24th of December, caused read at the mercat-crosse of Aberdeen the King's tuo proclamations aganis the Assemblie ; i'esolveing with all his might to keep the tounc and shyre of 1639. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 507 Abercleeu for the King's service, (as he was pleased to call the opposeing of the work of God : — ) And for that effect, January 11, aiino 1639, conveened his friends and followers at Kintor, and did ingage them all to be in readines whenever he should requyre them. Also the toun of Aberdeen appoynted a watch, a councill of warre, made catbands of yron to hold oiF horses, brought the canons that was in the Castell-hill within the toune, &c. • Anno 1639. January 31. The Master of Forbes, Lord Fraser, with their friends and followers Coveuauters, mett at TurrefF, about 600 men. To them they did show the comone injunctions directed hither from The Tables, concerning correspondence; that each shyre have a commissioner with The Tables, and a conveener within the shyre ; and each presbyterie and each parish have a con- veener, &c. ; and appoyntment is made to meet at TurrefF againe, February 14, for to give in their dihgence. The Marques getting notice of this, with advise of the Laird of Bamff, appoynts a meet- ing of his friends to be at TurrefF, February 14. The Covenanters sends for assistance to Angus and Moray ; whereupon Montrose, Kinghorn, Earls, Grant and Innes, lairds, came, accompanied with a considerable number of gentlemen well appoynted ; and they pre- vented the Marques ; who, understanding their strength to be above his, sent commissioners in to TurrefF for a peaceable entring to TurrefF, and for accommodation. They answered, " all the accom- modation that village could afford was too too strait for the gentle- men noAV present in it." Whereupon the Marques, in a secund commission, desyred libertie peaceablie to ryde by TurrefF not mo- lested ; whilk was granted ; and after some talk about the com- mone efFairs, they appoynt the nixt meeting to be at the new Kirk of Deare, March 1. Aberdeen, feareing least the Covenanters should surpryse the toune in their return, did incontinently put in their catbands, and keeped a great watch, even a wholl quarter of the toune 508 SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1G39. nightly ; but the Covenanters wes resolved not to come neare Aberdeen at this tyme. The Marques returned, February 16, (for he duelt now in Aberdeen, in Pitfoddell's lodgings,) and was hear- tilie welcomed from his gallant and noble expedition. After the dissolution of the Assemblie, the Bishops and their adherents who were about the King in Ingland, did persuade the King that the Covenanters in Scotland were to shake off the yoke of autoritie. This suggestion the King took to heart, (in this poynt kings are most jealous,) and resolved by foi'ce of airms to take order with the Scottish Rebellion, (so he called it ;) and Januaiy 26, wrot a letter to all the shyres in Ingland, showing to them the Scottish Rebellion, and how it is like they are to invade Ingland ; requyres the levie concluded by the Councill to attend his standart at York, Aprile 1 ; desyreing they will count this letter equivalent to any warrand or precept under the Great Seall, expecting within fourteen dayes after it comes to their hands, to have a return of what he may expect from them. January 29. The King caused a proclamation be published, that all persons belonging to the Northern shyres and pairts of Ingland, now resideing in or about London, or in any Southern part of Ingland, doe forthwith, and at farthest betuix and the first day of March, repair to their housses and places of residence in the North, with their families and retinue, provyding them- selves well of arms according to their qualitie, there to attend the King's service and defence of the kingdome, under all highest paine, &c. The Covenanters in Scotland being informed of these things, and knowing that the Bishops, their adversaries, were now as bears robbed of their whelps, they did draw up " An Information for all good Christians within the Kingdome of Ingland :" showing, that they never had such a thought as to invade Ingland, a nighbour and brotherlie nation, with them under one king, and Avith whom they had lived in great peace and sweet fellowship, so as no nations who had been at variance formcrlie could say the lyke ; showing them their procedure in all the mater of the Covenant, whilk Avas 1639. THE KIRK OP SCOTLAND. 509 subscryved first by the King and his Household, 1580, and then by persons of all ranks, 1581 : So that by their oath to God they were bound to expose novations and corruptions more nor other na- tions ; so that all that has been done was mearlie that we might have our religion pure, according to our great solemne Nationall oath ; whilk the Bishops haveing broken fowllie, forby their per- sonall miscarriage unparalelled, are taken ordour with in a free General! Assemblie indicted by the King's Majestic : And that they mynd no wayes to cast off the yoke of autoritie of their dread Soveraigne, who is of so auncient a descent and lyne, as none in the world can equall it : And all this that our brethren may be armed aganis calumnies, slanders, and misrepresentations, of the begun work of Reformation raised by Papists and Prelats ; wishing that it may be heeded that if Papists got the charge of an armie, as Ave hear they are intrusted with chief places therein, let the Protestants in Ingland look to themselves, and regard us their brethren : Lord avert the dangers, and grant us peace and puritie, which is the height of our desires ; for procureing whereof we shall imploy no other weapons (except we be enforced) but fasting and prayer to God Almightie, and humble supplications to our gra- cious Soveraigne. Edinburgh, February 4, 1639. A coppie of this coraeing to the King's hand, he caused publish in all the pulpits of Ingland, February 27, a proclamation and de- claration, showing that some in Scotland mynded nothing less nor rebellion, notwithstanding all his bountie and lenitie tOAvards them : And, therefore, that they be all in readines to concur in arms AA^th him to suppresse that rebellion, and appearand invasion of Ingland, and that they beleve not Avhat the Scotts sayes in their false Information. Whereupon the Covenanters in Scotland did draw up a Kemonstrance, to be dispersed both in Scotland and Ing- land, to free themselves of these horrid imputations they Avere charged with : it was printed, March 22 ; — shoAving the falshood of all the Prelats and Papists calumnies, avowing they will only de- fend their religion, liberties, and lives ; and Avhen the SAVord shall be in the one hand, their Supplication to the King's Majestic shall be 510. SUPPLEMENT or THE HISTORIE OF 1(339. in the other ; and when a settled peace is concluded, and religion and liberties secured, they should let then* swords fall out of their hands, &c. Mr Winrame, sent to the King from the General! Assemblie with their Supplication, being detained in Ingland, great pre- paration being made to invade Scotland, both by sea and land ; sundrie disaffected men, ill divyns, at home, preaching there was no weapons of the Kirk but preces et lachrymoe, and that to the commands of autoritie ye must give either active or passive obedience ; no takeing up of arms must be, even to defend your self aganis unjust invasion. Wherefore this question was agitat : Quceritur, If the estats and bodie of a kingdome, for the main- tenance of lawes, liberties, and truelie Reformed Rehgion, being- invaded by autoritie, abused by sycophants, and false calumniating Doegs (or doggs,) may take arms for defence of the kingdome, and worship of God ? Respondetur, They may. Arguments were brought fi'om the law of nature, divine and humane autoritie, prac- tice of Reformed Ku'ks, and confession of christian princes, and force of reason. Moreover, another treatise was published, wherein was contain- ed, 1°. Enemies prosecut their plotts by lies, craft, and crueltie ; 2°. Recommend unitie to the people of God ; 3°. Take notice of God's hand wonderfuUie carieing on this glorious work ; 4°. That warrs, or rumours of warrs, disturb not the people ; and that they be not drawen off their duetie by terours or alluirments, persuasions, declarations, remonstrances, manifestoes, &c. ; 5°. That our great defection be remembred, the usurpation of Prelats, the want of Generall Assemblies, and how the Lord lies begun a reformation in these, and that the Lord's people would pray that he would uphold his OAvne work ; 6°. That ministers and profes- sors acquaint themselves with the acts of the Assemblie, especi- ally these that relates to Episcopacie ; and to read publictlic (where need is) the Information to Ingland, and the Supplication to the King, that it may be seen how falslie we arc calumniated ; 7°. To informe the people of the question concerning necessare defence, 1(539. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 511 that all may see how it standeth betuix us and the King, and to state the question right ; and to show how it is lawfull in our just and necessare defence to take airms, for twelve Reasons sett doune in this tractate ; wherein also they answere objections. March 21. The mater now comeing to a great hight, the King making aU warre-lyke preparations, the Noblemen, accompanied with musketeers, Avith a pittard brake up the utter gate of the Castle of Edinburgh ; they that were within rendered incontinentlie, being but few, and haveing litle provision, as having been long blocked up. The Castle being taken, the Lords of the Session, scandalous throw refiiiseing the Covenant, are requyred now at last to declare themselves friends by subscryving, or to be holden as other intestine foes. President Spotiswood fled m the night, all the rest shifted themselves out of the way, except four who sub- scryved, and Balcomie took it to be advysed till the morn. March 22. Colonell Matthewson, by Traquair the Thesaurer's advise, fortifieing Dalkeith, the noblemen sent a partie who took it in ; who found there good store of amunition, powder, and ball, &c. ; also the croun, scepter, and sword of honour, in the Thesaurer's studie, unexpectedlie ; which, with all due reverence and respect, the Noblemen themselves carried up the casey of Edin- burgh, and put them in the strongest house of the Castle, (where they used to ly within an yron gate,) and they offered to the Thesaurer the key of the coffer wherein they did ly. Thus, all being done that could be for secureing the kingdome from forraine invasion, by word and writ, an armie is levied of 4000 men, under the conduct of Marshall, Montrose, and Generall Leslie, for pacifieing the troubles in Aberdeen and the North, and for holding of the committie. About the last of March, the Lords of the Session wrot to the King a letter with the Justice-Clerk, together with some instruc- tions. In the letter they labour to dissuade the King from warre aganis his native kingdome and good subjects. The King would heare nothing, was resolved for warre ; whereupon our friends in Ino-land o-ave advertisement by letters, together with incourage- 512 SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1G39. mentSj showing also who were chief commanders in the King's armie. The Marques of Huntley wrot to the King, that if he had power and autoritie from the King, he was able to hold all the North in order, and for the King's service ; whereupon the King- sent to him a lieutenantrie, to have charge from Tay to the Week of Cathnes. The Covenanters in Aberdeenshyre mett at Auchreddie, March 1, as was appoynted ; exacted an account of diligence, and ordained the rest to be in readines aganis the 14th of March. The Marques wrot to the King for some airms to be sent hither ; whilk the King by letter promised. And then the Anti-covenanters resolved to fortifie the toun of Aberdeen, by casting of a trinch about it. This work, begun March 4, and each man's portion assigned to him, was perfyted with great alacritie and diUgence before the end of March. March 11. A ship, with arms from the King, came to the road of Aberdeen, wherewith the Marques and Anti-covenanters were overjoyed ; and upon advertisement by letters, some six or seven hundreth naked men came into Aberdeen, March 13, and were sent back, furnished with arms, to attend further ordour. In consideration of apparent sturrs from the North, a meeting of the nobilitie and gentrie, Covenanters, is appoynted to be at Perth, March 14 ; whereof Huntley advertised, conveened his adherents at Inverurie, March 25. March 15. The magistrats, councUl, and communltie, of Aber- deen, ordained and resolved that their toun should be fortified and provyded with arms. March 20. The Southland armie of Covenanters, led by General Leslie, Marshall, Montrose, Kinghom, approaching to Aberdeen, Dr William Johnstoune and George Morison were sent in commission to them from the toune of Aberdeen, dcsireing them, that scing they were comeing to hold a committic there, and to publish the Acts of the late Generall Assemblie, holden at Glasgow, 1G38, that they would come but 100 men ; and they promised that 1639. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 513 a place shoidd be prepared for their committie, and that thek* pul- pitts should be patent to their ministers. Upon the same 20 of March, Straloch and Dr Gordon were sent commissioners from Huntley to the Covenanters ; who, with the Toun's commissioners, getting but a delaying answere, the Toune Councill, feareing violence and plunder, sent back their a win commissioners with thir instructions : — 1°. To desire that no hos- tilitie be done to magistrats, ministers, or any inhabitants in the toune, either in bodie or goods, and that they leave the toune in peace ; 2°. That if any particular person in the burgh give offence, or miscarie towards the Covenanters, or any of them, or their cause, it be repared in private, and that it be not imputed to, or rub or reflect on, the Toune in commone. 3°. That the Toune be not urged or compelled to harbour more souldiers nor con- venientlie they can lodge and ease. Upon these tearms they granted and condescended to give them peaceable entrie, and to lodge and accommodat them to their power. March 28. Answere wes returned to the Toune, from the Covenanters, that they would use no violence nor spoile; but that they were come to hold a committie to intimat the acts of the late Generall Assemblie, as in other parts of the kingdome had alreadie been done ; and that they would harm no man, but in so far as they should be necessitat for their a^vin defence, and the defence of their cause. This answere was delyvered in writ, and upon these tearms the Toune is content to receive them ; and the same day the Tonne's captains quyted their charges. On Saturnsday, March 30, Montrose, Marshall, Kmghorn, Gene- rall Leslie, Cow[)er, Elcho, Forbes, Fraser, with then' companies, about 6000 men, entered the Toun, and marched throw it to the Links ; where, at their councill of warre, they gave order to fill up the ditches on Monday nixt, Aprile 1, under paine of plundering : whilk order accordinglie Avas obeyed. The same day, March 30, Montrose, Marshall, and Generall Les- lie, and the greatter part of the armie, marched from the Links of Aberdeen towards Inverurie, (where the Marques with his forces 2k 514 SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1639. was, but now reteerecl,) leaveing behind them the Earle of King- horn with 1800 men, to ly in the tonne tiU their return. Aprilis 2. Command is given out that the Magistrats of Aber- deen delyver all their canons, with the powder and ball, that their catbands be taken off, and that the sojorcs be quartered for some few dayes : aU which was obeyed. Aprilis 3. The Toune being conveened in the Colledge Kirk, the Provest intimateth to them, that they were urged to subscryve the Covenant, -with the determination of Glasgow Assemblic, under the paine of disarming them, and confiscation of all their goods. After reading of the Covenant, the Toun took it to be advysed. Aprilis 9. The Provest intimated to the Toun, being conveened, that they behoved to pay 100,000 merks, and the Covenanters to be free ; and that they behoved to fortifie the blockhous for the use of the countrey. The Toun dissented from the paying of the fore- named sume of money ; but in all tymes comeing were content to pay proportionable charges with the rest of the kingdome ; which, if it should be refuised, they demanded a moneth's space to remove man, wife, and bairn, and then let them dispose of the toune and blockhous at their pleasure. Aprilis 10. Wednesday, the Toun of Aberdeen subscryved the Covenant, after Mr James Row had preached on Acts v. cap. 38, 39, verses. Aprilis 15. John Hay, Mr Robert Ferchar, Mr Thomas Gray, and George Morison, were appoynted commissioners by Montrose, &c., to go south to The Tables ; to the which the Toun consented. The said day, WiUiam Erskin, in name of the Covenanters within Aberdeen, protested, " That they should be free of any taxation imposed on the toun, or any charges to be imposed for any cause preceeding the date hereof, relating to the Covenant and work of Reformation, in respect they were not the occasion of the trouble and opposition made :" Whereupon the Nobilitie ordained them to be free. On the 4th of Aprile, (these former things being transacted in the Toune,) after some trysting, and intermediat parleying be- 1639. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 515 tuix Montrose and Huntely, the Marques came to Inverurie, and condescended with the Lords and others, Covenanters, and sub- scry ved a band, acknowledging the Confession of Faith, 1580 and 1581, disclaming all novations introduced since, in doctrine, discipline, or government, into this Kirk ; acknowledging the deter- mination of the Assemblie of Glasgow, and obliging himself to de- fend the Reformed Religion under all highest pains contained in the law of God. Thereafter the Marques, with his sons Lord Gordon and Lord Aboyne, came to Aberdeen with the Lords Covenanters ; and at their departure from Aberdeen, was taken South with them, and incarcerated in the Castle of Edinburgh, onlie his second son. Lord of Aboyne, was permitted to stay behinde upon his parroU, for the provyding of moneyes, and some necessars for his father and bro- ther, promiseing to follow them to Edinbm'gh with all convenient diligence ; which promise and parroU meeting with his fi'iends he brak ; for, on the 19th of Aprile, he began to stirre ; keeped a meet- ing with the Laird of BamfF for the raiseing of new troubles. The Covenanters within the shire, heareing of Aboyne's gather- ing, appoynted a meeting at Monimusk, Aprile 22 ; to the which meeting, and for preventing of Aboyne and BamfF his gathering, and for assisting the Covenanters, the Toune of Aberdeen were requ}^- ed to furnish eighty men, which they refused to doe ; for the which Marshall, Seafort, Forbes, Fraser, with all their forces con- veened at Kintor, and the bounds about, to come in to Aberdeen on Thurisday thereafter, Aprile 25, where they did quarter their men ; but on Saturnsday, Aprile 27, they disbanded then* men, be- cause Seafort had slipt away quyetlie that morning, under a pre- text that he was going to meet some forces of his owne comeing Southward to assist the Covenanters, which was an untrueth. Maie 10. Upon their disbanding, Aboyne and BamfF, now Mas- ters of the fields, and becomeing more insolent, Maie 10, BamfF did besiege the house of Towie, within the pariosh of Turreff ; and on the 14th day of Maie, the Covenanters becing conveened in TurrefF, BamfF with Colonell Johnstoun and their complices, have 516 SUPPLEMENT OF THE IHSTORIE OF 1639. ing with them some field-pieces, brought from Strathbogie, did roiiit and chase the Covenanters, with more disgrace and shame nor losse of men : This was called " the Trott of TurrefF." On the 15th of Maie, BamfF entered Aberdeen, and quartered his men there. Maie 16. The Toime being conveened, the Provest declared, That BamfF, Haddo, Gight, Foveran, &c., who came to the toune yesternight, would have free quarters, as the Covenanters ai'mie had; and that onlie upon the old Covenanters, (the new sub- scry vents were still Malignants, even in their estimation who knew them best,) because, as they alledged, but falseHe, they had been free before : This the Toune reftiised to doe, but resolved to beare equall burthen with the old Covenanters, provyding that all protesta- tion made by them were null, both for tymes bygone and to come : and as concerning supplie of men requyred by BamflP and liis ad- herents, the Malignants, Anti-Covenanters, the Toune refuised that, lykas they had done before just so to the Covenanters. Maie 17. TheEarle of Marshall haveing order from The Tables, conveened some forces out of the Mearns in Stanehyve. The 20th of Maie, BamfF went out of Aberdeen, and by the bridge of Dee, went up to Dores to meet vdth Donald Fercharson, and on the morrow returned with some horse to the toune. Maie 23. Marshall came to Aberdeen with his forces, and BamfF, with his associats, fled out of it. Maie 25. Montrose came to Aberdeen with 2500 men, to assist my Lord Marshall aganis the Anti-Covenanters : Of Atholl men, about 600, and with Marshall was about 1000 men : and with all diligence Montrose went aganis the house of Gight. Maie 27. The Toune of Aberdeen wes ordained by the noblemen to advance 1000 merks for defraying the souldiours charges ; whilk wes granted and obeyed accordingUe. Maie 28. The Toune wes ordained to give in their arms ; this also was obeyed, and the arms were dely vered to Graham of Mor- phie : and their canons were ordained to be shipped for Dundie and Monros ; which was done. 1639. ■ THE KIRK or SCOTLAND. 517 Aprile 12. But to return to the maine bussines : the troubles now betuix the King and his subjects of Scotland swelling to a great hight, so that nothing wes expected from the King but forceing by arms ; a frequent meeting wes at Edinburgh on the 12th of Aprile, who directed 300 of ColoneU Monro's regiment to Dumfries, toward the South border ; also severall noblemen in the South and West shyres, with the gentrie there, were ordained to put out a considerable force of horses to the Border, to withstand foes and incourage friends. Aprile 21. The Earle of Essex, Generall of the King's forces, being now come to Berwick with a great armie of horse and foot, it wes thought fitt by The Tables, that a letter should be du*ected to his Excellence, showing that we intended no harme to Ingland, and that he, as a generous nobleman, would not invade Scotland, tiU he were fuUie informed of the trueth of all the bussines ; and for that effect, Mr William Cuningham of Brunthill was sent with the missive, and with instructions tending to the purpose foresaid. Who retm-ning, reported that he had delyvered the letter to his Excellence, Lord Essex; who answered. That so soone as the King's Majestic was acquainted with the mater, the answer should be delyvered to the Earle of Hoome. Thus, now the bussines being come to a great hight, a great and generall meeting is indicted to be holden at Edinburgh, Male 8. And in mean whill, Generall Leslie is chosen by The Tables Generall of all the Scottish forces, horse and foot ; yit leaveing the fuU de- termination of it to that great meeting. Then were instructions sent abroad to all the shyres and burrowes, for mens cariage, especialHe in laying asyd now privat jarrs and quarrells, how to come out provyded, and hoAv to carie if strangers invade the land, here or there or elswhere, &c., what shyres should joync together to assist the part invaded. Maie 1. A letter came from the nobilitie, dated at Edinburgh, Male 1, reporting, that upon Aprile 30, there were alrcadic dis- covered in the Frith twenty-nine of the King's ships; and the King himself in proppcr person being at the Border with a great 518 SUPPLEMENT OF THE IIISTOlllE OF 1639. land armie, they expected assaulting both by sea and by land ; wherefor, the foiu-th man wes charged to march to Edinburgh with all hast. Duke Hamiltounc was Generall of the Kind's forces by sea. June 2, being Wliitsunday, three of the King's ships came to the road of Aberdeen; and that same day Mr Thomas Mercer was poasted away to Montrose at the house of Giglit, where he wes observed to doe nothing but dallie, whereas he might easilic have taken it in ; his relation to, and cariage with, the ladie made a lurking evill begin to appeare. On Moonday, June 3, Montrose cajiie in to Aberdeen. On Wednesday, June 5, the Covenanters armie marched south in such disorder that scarce did there abyde Avith Montrose at his march so many as to guard the cullers; for in verie deed they dis- banded and fled. June 6, Thursday, the Aberdeens men and others, who had fled in to Ingland at Montrose and Generall Leslie his first marcliing north, being in the ships, came a shoare ; such as my Lord Aboyne, Dmm, Feddrat, Earle of Glencarn, TvdHbardin, &c. The Aber- deens men came to the Mercat-crosse and proclamed the King's proclamation, of date at York, Aprile 25, 1639, wherein, deduceing the bussines, he shoAves the rebellion of the Scotts, menassing such as would not joyne with him with losse of all their estats, &c., de- clareing his adhercing to the Protestant religion, &c. June 7 and 8. My Lord Aboyne's armie conveens in Aberdeen about 1000 men ; and, on Satterday at night, a partie Avent out to CoAvie and took the Provest, Mr Alexander Jaflray, Craigmyld Burnet, and Robert Keith of CoAvie. The Provest and Craigmyld Averc brought in to Aberdeen ; but Kobert Keith, as an arch-cncmie to the King's cause, Avas caried to the ships, to be sent to Berwick to the King himself; Avhich accordinglic Avas done. As for Mr Alexander JafFray, upon the tenth of June, Robert Johnstoune of Crimmond, late Provest, inrpiyrcd, at the Toune con- Acened, If any man had anything to say aganis their ProAOst, re- lating to his disloyaltie aganis the King and his cause. All the 1639. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND, 511) people did assoilzie him, declareing, that they all did adhere to the King's proclamation foresaid, and that they will chearfullie folloAv my Lord Aboyne, the King's Majestie's Lieutenajit in the north, in the defence of the King's cause. That same day, Aboyn's armie went out to the cuntrey, and the inhabitants of Aberdeen did subscryve a band, (presented by Aboyne and those enemies,) wherein they did abrenunce the Cove- nant : the like was done at Eantor by sundrie men the tuo days following. June 11. Tuesday, they took in Hall-forrest, Marshall's house. June 12. They assaulted Muchalls, my Lord Frazer's house, but prevailed not ; and, June 13, they returned to Aberdeen. June 14. Friday, the toune of Aberdeen wes charged, that all fensible persons appeare in theu" arms, and march south aganis the Covenanters with my Lord of Aboyn his armie ; whereupon 200 men of Aberdeen armed marched south with that armie, now con- sisting of about 3000 men. June 15, Saturnsday. They marching towards Stanehyve, where the Covenanters Lords were with about five or six hundreth men, who had (in a good providence) with them tuo great cartowes and some lesser field-peeces. Aboyn's armie standing on Cowie Hill and Moore, after some two or three shot of the great cartowes, the Highlanders seeing so many men killed at so great a distance, (by Muske's mother, as they spake,) did all incontinently flie in dis- order and disband. Aboyn inraged, did send Highlanders to An- gus and Mearns to plunder. June 18. The Covenanters armie now increased, marched ford- ward from Stanehyve to the Bridge of Dee, where Aboyn did stop their passage, haveing with him the horsemen and the trained band of Aberdeen. The Covenanters cartowes were playmg on them from eleven hours in the forenoone till ten at night ; yit, they being sheltered by the commodiousnes of the place, no man was killed except one Jolmc Forbes, burgess of Aberdeen, with a mus- Icct ball. June 19. There was no shootino: till about one aftcrnoonc, and 520 SUPPLEMENT OF THE HISTORIE OF 1639. after some skirmishing, Montrose caused lift his baggage, and was purposed to march south, thus deserting the work, pretending he saw no appearance of taking in the bridge ; but at the bun-iall of Johne Forbes within the toune of Aberdeen, simdrie souldiours being withdrawen from the skirmishing on the bridge, also the Covenanters horse marching up the water for a diversion, the ene- mie's horse also marched up the water on the other syde, and took with them some musqueteers off the bridge, so that now verie few were left on the bridge. In this nick of opportunitie, Johne jNIid- dletoun (afterward GeneraU-Major) did assault the bridge ; and in mean while, Colonell Johnstoun on the bridge being hm't on the shoulder by a cannon, shot with a peece of a stone from off the port head, and after that by another shott his leg being broken : When the few tounsmen saw their commander thus lying crawlling on the ground, theu' com'age now being quelled, they all fled, and so the Covenanters gained the bridge without opposition. In the skirmishing among the enemies, onlie Pitmeddin and tuo touns- men were killed. Among the Covenanters onlie Bahnayn's brother, at whose solemne buriall, in Aberdeen, on the morrow, when as the souldiours (as their custome is) were shooting, William Erskin, burgess of Aberdeen, Pittodrie's brother, (a fordward man, and sturring for the Covenant,) was killed with a shott : when many were deserting the bridge, as affirming it could not be taken in, he had no small hand both in keeping them at the work, and stining them up, and incourageing them to assault the bridge. June 20. On the morrow, Montrose marched south, haveing first exacted 7000 merks to save the Toune from plunder. The same 20 day, (being Thurisday,) letters of peace came from the King's Majestic to the Toune of Aberdeen, of date, at Birks from the King's camp, June 18, 1639, thanking them for theii' constancic in his service, whereof he would not be unmyndfull ; showing that he had made peace with his subjects who had offended him, therefor requyrcing them to abstainc from all acts of hosti- litic, and to settle their toune in a peaceable way. In the same straine the King sent letters to my Lord Aboync and Colonell 1639. THE KIRK OF SCOTL^XJSTD, 521 Gun. That same day letters tending to that same purpose came to Marshall and Montrose from the nobilitie at the King's camp, showing of the peace at Dunce Law, {i.e. lower hill,) where the Covenanters had a considerable armie of about 20,000 men, about some six myles from the King's camp, conveened chearftillie to withstand the prelaticall faction and malignant, countenanced by the King in his owne persone. The place of the Scottish leaguer did occasion the Inghsh comoedians to jest and geer, that Bishops were discharged in Scotland neither by Canon Law nor CiviU Law, but by Dunce Law. The Articles of the Agreement were these : — That a free lawfullie conveened General! Assemblie shall sitt at Edinburgh, August 6 ; and a free Parliament, for ratification of the Acts of that Assem- blie, shall sitt at Edinbiu-gh, August 20 ; — All the King's castles, housses, fortifications, honors, to be rendered; — Armies on both sydes presentlie to be disbanded, but the subjects to begin first, and then the King will recall his fleet, disband his armie, restore sliips, goods, and persons ; — But he cannot ratifie and approve the acts of the pretended Assemblie at Glasgow, in regard of many incroach- ings upon monarchicall government both before and since, and many disorders of late, yit will he confirm whatever his Commissioner promised in his name ; — And that in all tyme comeing aU maters ecclesiasticall shall be setled by the Generall Assemblie, which shall meet once a yeare, and maters civill by the Parliament ; — ^At the Assemblie, August 6, he intends to be personaUie present ; — At the Parliament will passe an act of oblivion ; — That all detained from his subjects their liberties, houses, lands, goods, means, be re- stored to them ; — That all their pretended Tables and conventicles be disolved and discharged, that whatsomever calamities shall en- sue by om' necessitated suppressing of the insolences of such as shall still continue in their disobedient courses, we take the world witnes is not occasioned by us, but by their awin procurement. In the King's Camp, June 18, 1639. This is the summe not onlie of the Articles of Pacification, but also of the King's Declaration in the King's camp, June 18, 1639. 522 SUPPLEMENT OF THE IIISTORIE OF 1G30. Then wes drawcii up a paper, intituled, " Some Conditions of his Majestie's Treatic with liis Subjects in Scotland before the Inglish NobUitie, are sett doune here for remembrance :" — 1°. That though his Majestie's declaration, of date June 18, 1639, doth containe some hard expressions of the subjects of Scot- land, his Majestic declared he had no such opinion of them ; yit requyred the paper to stand as it was for his credit, and a poynt of honour with forraigne nations, and not to stand with their King for words and expressions, so being they obtained the mater. 2°. Whatever he had said of the Assemblie at Glasgow, he did not desire or requyre the subjects to passe from it. 3°. That seing his Majestic had indicted a free AssembHe, it could not be free if all questions anent the Assemblie were not re- ferred to the Assemblie itself, as anent Kuleing Elders, the King's Assessors, &c. 4°. As for the Castle they restored it to his Majestic freelie ; yit what was incumbent for the safetie of the kingdome and the great charges they had been at in fortifieing and defending it, referrs all that to the ^Parliament, where they were to petition the King's Majestie. 5°. As for restoreing of persons, housses, goods, &c. the great summes contracted behoved first to be repayed in an equall way by all. 6". His Majestie haveing in severall proclamations and declara- tions showen his judgment against Ruleing Elders, and this being contrarc to the freedome of the Assemblie, his Majestie dclettcd that clause ; as also, he deletted tuo other clauses, one concerning oaths exacted of intrant ministers, another importing the continue- ing of Episcopacie, for (said lie) the Bishops shall be censurable by the Gcnerall AsscmbUe. This wes found inconsistent with the Confession of Faith and constitution of this Kirk. 7°. His Majestie, June 25, Saturnsday, being pressed to satisfic his subjects in their mainc desire, viz. the quyting of Bishops, he answered, That wes not in their desyrcs to liim. They replied. It was, in so fiir as they dcsyred his Majestic to ratific the Acts of lG3y. THE KIllK OF SCOTL.VND. 523 the Assemblie. He said, It was so, but added, that he would ad- vise till Moonday, June 27. On Moonday it was againe pressed, affirming no solid peace could be without it, and it being granted, no prince in the world would receave more heartie and duetiMl obedience then he should of them. The King answered, He would not prelimit nor forestall his voyce : He had appoynted a fi'ee GeneraU Assemblie which might deter- mine in all maters ecclesiasticall, the constitutions whereof he should ratifie in the ensueing Parliament. After that the Commissioners who treatted with his Majestic had reported their diligence to the Generall, Nobilitie, Gentrie, Ministrie, and Armie at Dunce, there wes drawen up " An Informa- tion aganis all mistakings of our accepting of the King's Declara- tion ;" for the King's justice and goodnes might have been conceall- ed, the subjects might have been misconstructed to have done or admitted any thing contrare to the Covenant, particularlie in that Glasgow Assemblie was called in it a Pretended Assemblie ; where- fore they declared that their acceptation of the King's Majestie's Declaration should not import that they any wayes accepted of any thing contrare to their oath and Covenant, disavowed the Ge- nerall Assemblie at Glasgow, or disapproved or condemned their former proceedings as disorders and disobedient courses. They thanked his Majestic heartilie for what he had granted, but ordain- ed this Information to be made publictlie knowen where ever the King's Declaration should be published, whilk both would be for the honour of the King, satisfaction of the subjects, and promo ve- ing of the blessed Pacification ; praying the Lord to promove the blessed work of reformation, and to blesse the approaching Assem- blie and Parliament, that religion and righteousnes may be estab- lished in this land. At the publishing the King's Declaration in the camp conformc to this ordinance, the Earle of Cassills intimated this Information ; and at Edinburgh, June 24, the Lord Lindesay at the Mcrcat- crosse of Edinburgh ; so in cverie burgh Avliere ever the King's Declaration wes pubhshed, four noblemen or gentlemen, in name 524 SUPrLEMENT OF THE IIISTORIE OF IG39. of all the Covenanters, was ordained to give heartie thanks to his Majestie for his favour bestowed ; but withall declare that our ac- ceptance of his Majestie's Declaration shall no wayes be prejudiciall to the late Generall Assemblie at Glasgow, from which the King's Majestie hes not desyred us to passe, and whereunto we doe con- stantlie adliere according to our oath[; and thereupon offer to the herauld a coppie of the foresaid Information. BY THE KING. A Proclamation, publishing an Act of State, and his Majestie's command, concerning a scandalous paper dispersed latelie among many of his subjects, entituled, "Some Conditions of his Majestie's Treattie with his Subjects of Scotland, are sett doune here for re- membrance." This paper spread among the subjects astrueth, and affirmed to have been consented to as trueth by the IngHsh Lords Marshall, Lords Chamberlane, the Earle of Salisburrie, Holland, Barkshyre, all declared they judged that paper scandalous and false, and expresse contrare to the treattie of Pacification with the King's Majestie ; that they had spread no coppies of it, yea, they refused to accept of it or read it, when in the Chamberlan's tent it was offered to them by some Scottish Lords. The Lord Chamber- lane declared, that being gomg to hors, and pressed by the Lord Lowdon, he took a paper, but after suspecting it, closed it up, not reading a word in it, till he offered it to his Majestie at Whitehall. Some Scottish Lords were present also at the Councill table, and all unanimouslie petitioned his Majestie it might be brunt by the hangman's hand ; and inacted, that whoever had any coppie of it, or any part of it, and did not delyver it within ten dayes to the nixt justice of peace, by him to be sent to the King's Sccretarie, should be punished according to the law of the laud aganis those who have such scandalous papers ; but if it be tymehe delivered, the offence to be pardoned. Given at Westminster, August 11, 1639, and in the fifteenth yeare of his reigne. Proclamation for indiction of the Assemblie, given at Halii'ood- house, Julie 1, 1639. The Assemblie to be holdcn at Edinburgh, 1639. THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. .525 August 12, warning all Archbishops, Bishops, Commissioners of kirks, and others haveing voyce and place in the Assemblie, to repair to Edinburgh day foresaid to attend the Assemblie, and therein to doe as effeirs, &g. Another Proclamation, Julie 1, 1639, ordaining the Session and Colledge of Justice to sitt dounc, Julie 12, to administer justice to the subjects ; and, Julie 10, the Laird of Hakertoun younger was admitted a Lord of the Session. Aganis those tuo Proclamations there was a Protestation drawen up : — Seing Bishops were warned to be present as members of the Assemblie, who by the Assemblie of Glasgow were declared to be no office-bearers in this Kirk, and were most justlie ex- communicat; therefore, least we should seame in the least de- gree either to approve of Bishops, or admitt any thing preju- diciall to our Covenant and Oath, or Assemblie at Glasgow, we Protest that we adhere to all the acts of that fuU and free Assem- blie of Glasgow, to our Covenant, and Oath ; and that the Bishops be holden as accursed, excommunicated as heathen and publi- cans. That all incendiaries, and misinformers of the subjects anent his Majestic, or of his Majestic aganis the subjects, be pun- ished by the Parhament as accords of law ; and that the main- tainers of the excommunicat Prelatts be proceeded aganis with excommunication : And seing the sitting doune of the Session ought to be upon forty dayes intimation, and that the subjects are necessarlie employed now otherwise about their eflPairs long ne- glected, and cannot attend the Session, Protests that all acts, sen- tences, decreets, mterlocutors, to be pronunced, be in themselves nuU, voyd, and ineffectuall, protesting for remead of law aganis the samyne. The Earle of DaUiousie in name of the nobilitie ; Sir William Rosse in name of the barons ; the Provost of Stirlin in name of the burrowes; and Mr Andro Ramsay in name of the ministers, took instruments in the hands of notars present, at the Mercat-crosse of Edinburgh, Julie 1. APPENDIX TO ROWS HISTORY. APPENDIX TO ROW'S HISTORY. No. I. THE HUMBLE SUPPLICATION OF THE PROVINCIALL SYNOD OF ABERDENE, HOLDEN AT BAMF, IN APRILE 1648, TO THE RIGHT HON. THE ESTATES OF PARLIAMENT, NOW SITTING AT EDINBURGH. [From the original in the Editor's possession.] Whilst we, the servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in Him jour Lordshipps servants, doe behold the tossings and afflictions of this poore Kingdome ; as our desire is to look up unto Him who is Almightie, and alsufficient for help and remeadie ; so we cast our eyes upon your Lord- shipps conveened in this High Court of Parliament, as upon state-phy- sicians in a time of so much distemper: We doubt not but your Lord- shipps are very sensible and apprehensive (upon late prooff and sad ex- perience) of the greevous and inexpressible calamities, which ordinarly doe accompanie the sword : whereupon we conceave that your Honours will be far from ingageing the Nations in an unnecessarie warre. We shall be very loath to encroach upon any thing propper and peculiare to your Lordshipps, or excentrick to ourselves ; yet we presume to repre- sent our humble Desyres, in a mater of so hie and of so near concern- ment and importance. That if, after due deliberation, your Lordshipps shall finde a necessitie of undertaking a AVarre, it may be so managed, so gone about, that in the stateing of the Question, and prosecuting the Ingagement, the wholl bussines, aU the ends of the Covenant, may be looked on complexive, and fixed upon as a chaine,. whereof one link be- inff taken off or broken, the wholl is dissolved and undone : And as Sec- ^ 2l <'>3() APPENDIX. [no. I. taries on the one hand, so the Prelaticall and Malignant partie (who are lifting np their heads) on the otlier hand, mav be declared and pro- clamed enemies. Our hope is also, that jour Honours, in all jour pur- poses and undertakings, will still prefer that which ought to have, and in all the late undertakings of this Nation, hes had the preheminence and chieff place, to witt, the advancement of Religion, and work of Refor- mation, established happilie in this Kirk and Kingdome, and so far ad- vanced in our nighbour Nation. And Religion, for which we have bene at so great expense, being fullie secured. That, in the secund rowme, all the obligations and tjes, which the League and Covenant putts upon this Kirk and Nation, maj be remembred and pursued according to our former declarations and protestations. And it is our humble De- sire, That in what maj concern the good of Religion, and advanceing all the ends of the Covenants, jour Lordshipps will be pleased to take along with jow the counsells and desires of our reverend and worthie breth- ren, the Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie ; whose faithfulnes and stedfastnes in the work of the Lord doth not a litle refresh our spirits : That a sweet harmonie being betuix jour Lordshipps and them, the great bussines maj be so caried on, that Christ's kingdome maj be advanced, disaffected persons maj be frustrat, the godlie com- forted, feeble Jiands strengthened, enemies of all sorts keeped at under, and we of the ministrie furnished with good argument, to stirre up and encourage our flocks, to be subservient to all jour Lordshipps lawfull, just, and necessarie demands ; and cordiallie to beg God's blessing to all jour Lordshipps pious and laudable undertakings. Your Lordshipps humble servant in Christ Jesus, Mk jo. row. Moderator of the Provincial! Synod of Aberdene, in their name, and at their speciall command, nemine contradiccnte. ith May 1648. — Redd in audience of Parliament, presented hy Mr Johne Forbes. XO. II.] APPENDIX. 531 No. II. INSTRUCTIONS AGREIT UPON BY MR ANDREW CANT, MR JOHNE ROW, MR JOHNE MEINZIES, TO THE COM- MISSION OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLIE WHICH IS TO SITT DOUN AT PERTH, MARCHE 12, 1651. [From Wodr. MSS. vol. xxxi. 4to, no. 7.] 1. We doe all look upone the Sectarian partie as ane encmie to the Work of God, and ane unjust invador of this Kingdome, against whom acting is a necessar deutie. 2. Seing the reverend Bretherine sent to Aberdene bj the Commis- sione hes gevin this sence of the exceptionis conteanit in the Commis- sionis Answeris to the Parliaments Querie, That bj personis notoriouslie flagitious are to be understood all knowne to be wicked or scandelous, thogh under no churche processe or censure, and muche moir these who are under proces or censuris. And by obstinat oppressoris of the work of God ar to be understood, these who doe not onlie not profess repentence for thair oppositione to the work of God, bot also all these who tho they doe profess repentence, zett give not suche convincing evidences of the realitie of thair repentence as ane Eccle- siastick court might require, according to the Actis of the General! Assembiie ; that, therefore, we may the moir cordiallie goe along with publict proceidingis, we humblie desyre for further satisfactione, the Commissione wold be pleased to declair whither this wer [thair] realie intendit meaning, and the rather becaus the wordis thamesclves and the reasonis broght by the commissione seemed to employ ane great latitude. 3. We craive leave to declair that it stumbles ws tliat in the Com- missionis answer to the Parliaments Querie there is no word of malig- nancie, nor malignantis, or the malignant designe, quhich in aU publict paperis hitherto was justlie mentionat, yea eviu since Dumbar. 4. We lykwayes stumbled that paines was not takin to have had a 532 APPENDIX. [no. II. roll of pcrsouis quliich audit to be debarred, and that bj name they arc not debarred. 5. It stumbles us, that anc oppine doore is maid for the receiving at this verie nick of tyme, these whom the Publict Resolutionis excepted, although befoir this they war never suiteris to be received. 6. We think strange also that men are putt upone committeis of shyres of quhom some refuis to subscryve the League and Covenant : some refuis both the Covenant, and the League and Covenant ; zet, we can heir no effectuall testimonie borne against these or the lyk courses. 7. Forsomuche as the reverend Bretherin that come to Aberdene did judge it a dewtie that effectuall representatione be maid to the Estait of any thing done by tharae, contrair to the Publict Resolutiones of the Commissione of the Kirk to the Staites Querie, according as it is explained, we, therefor, requeist the Commissione, as they wold not be accessorie to the sin of the State, that they effectuallie represent to tlie Stait, quhatsoever is done contrair to the Publict Resolutionis according as it is explaned. 8. Whairas we yeildit to the Bretherin that come along hither, that tlie sin of magistrats imploying thais men who suld not 1>e imployed, oucht not to hindei* honest men from acting, it is to be understood with this provisione, that the purging work be gone about diligentlie for removing from the Armie, especiaUie from places of trust, all knowne to be wicked and scandelous or disaffected to the Worke of Re- formations; ; all who hes not gevin evidence of thair repentance accord- ing to the Word of God and Actis of our Assemblie, for thair malignan- cie ; all men of blood on whom the sword of justice sail have strucken, evin albeit, in the judgement of charitie they could be judged penitent, which, if it be not done, we doe conceive the associatione sinfuU on the peopill's pairt as well as on the magistrate's pairt. 9. We are daylic [heiring] and seing moir and moir to mak us averse from these bad associationis, the offence of the godlie, the conscience un- satisfied, and all the wicked men in the land lifting up thair heid, and the wicked walking on everie side, while the vylest men are exalted. We trust that the Commissione of the Kirk will indevoir to thair out- most, that they be not maid sad whom God will not have maid sad, and they be not glad whom God wold not have maid glad, and that we may be all reunited for keeping the unitie of the Spirit in the bond of peace. NO. III.] APPENDIX. No. in. 533 LETTER FROM MR JOHN ROW, PRINCIPAL OF KING'S COLLEGE, ABERDEEN, TO HIS BROTHER, MAY 27, 1652. [From a MS. in the Editor's possession. Although in a hand resem- bling Row's, the letter is evidently not the original. It has no addi-ess, but from the Postscript we may infer that it was written to one of his brothers ; by whom this copy may have been transci:ibed for Sir Ar- chibald Johnstone of Warristoun, who has indorsed it, " Mr Jh. Row his letter."] Aberdene, Maie 27, 1652. My Deare Brother,— I did writt to yow formerlie anent quhat I now writt, though not so fuUie, bot it seims it hath never come to your hands, else should I have gotten ane answer sure ere now ; or it may be also that your letters have been intercepted vel inter ciderunt. I am call- ing to my mind a word, though spok to me a gud while agoe, that as for Cotton's Congregational Way, and Hooker his Discipline, (books which I hade never seine yit,) yee wer not able to answer them, thai spoke so convincingly : This, or to this purpose. We have startled that questione heir anent the qualifications required in a member of a Visible Congregatione, and have hade conferences with the learnedest ministers heir, for some eight or nine weiks, stiU appointing the nixt dyet, and finding themselves putt out both by scripture andreasone, as I conceive, they deserted the meeting, where the pryme papers were to be present- ed in readines : a former papere of theirs (for we exchanged) did prove our point fuUie ; which, quhen it was reade, thai durst adventure upon no moe papers, for their fii'st citatioue was out of the Directorie for Church Government, aflirming they should be visible saints ; and we said. Here is aU which we crave, habemus conjitentes reos. I cannot think bot you are affected with our sinfuU mixtures ; 1 Cor. v. 9, 11, f,^ ,v'>am,u.}yvvcdas, is not weU rendi'ed as translated, for it is not to be again sinfnUy mixt ; and that upon a three-fold account : 1. AU of them must have thair children baptized, and (a hiank in 534 APPENDIX. [no. III. the MS.,) I must take a solemne promise before God, that the igno- rant and profane shall bring up his child in the knowledge of the Christiane faith, pietie, and holie educatione : Quhat a solemne taking of the name of the Lord in vaine is this! 2. Quhat one amongst a hundreth in Scotland is fitt, according to the patterne, to be sett att the Lord's Table ? We would not, twenty yeirs agoe, countenance a mixt communion quhere was kneeling and sitting, tuo sundrie ges- tures ; shall those be countenanced, quhere visible members of the devill are sett up for members of Christ's bodie ? 3. The multitude are encouraged to continow in ignorance, securitie, pryd, profauitie, forma- litie, malignancie. Why ? thai are members as well as others, and there is not a separating of the precious from the vile. If purging would lielp this, Oh ' if it were sweit, if we could sett activelie about it ; bot quhen the major parte of the Generall Assemblie, Synods, and Pres- betries, are corrupt, and congregations in such a frame, that if, in a great congregatione, yee have ten or twenty free of ignorance and scan- dall, either privative or positive, it is much ; in some congregations (heire att least by the ministers confession) not one : How then shall we purge ? by what rule ? who shall doe it? the major parte being corrupt, and voices most doe it ; and quhat congregations are these, quhere there is not a possibilitie of all Christ's ordinances as he hath ordained them ? We think a member of a congregatione of Christ ought to be a visible saint : Mr Baxter, a presbyteriane, hath a good word, " He is a member of the visible kirk, who seims to be a member of the invisible :" and so (sure) neither ignorant nor scandalous. This trueth (I conceive) is held forth in manay hundreth places of Scripture, just now produceable, quhen I shall be requyred, bot I shall pick out to yow some few, that say all and everie one ought to be such ; because I sie some shifts, quhen it is said to the saints att Corinth, it is the better parte putt for the whoU ; and then, quhen the Spirit of God sayes all, wholl, everie one, I shall think him too too bold, darre comment all and everie one to be bot some. Reade Acts ii. 38 ; and xv. 22, 23 ; Rom. i. 7, 8 ; 1 Cor. v. 7 ; and vi. 18, 19, 20 ; Flie fornicatione is said to all, why not quhat followes, and xii. 25, 26, 27, 28; 1 Thes. i. 2; and ii. 11, etc.; 2 Thes. i. 3; Isa. liv. 13; Gal. iv. 26, 27, 28; Acts xx. 28, 32; Zach. xi. 10; Acts ix. 26 ; 1 Thes. v. 5 ; Isa. Ixvi. 19, 20, 23 ; Philip, i. 7, 8 ; Isa. Ix. 21. And having reade, let mo heare quhat yow think of some or all profane, and so quhat a congregation now shall yat be, quhere there is XO. III.] APPENDIX. 535 judicio charitatis, (so sajes Dicksonus, in 1 Cor. i. 8, and all sound di- vines that I know,) ought to be such, yet not only visible professors who may be hypocrits, (and so creepe in unawares, for I think certain- lie thai admitted none ignorant or prophaue :) bot even a gracious man, a David, a Peter, may fall in a foull scandalous sinne, which wiU not brangle quhat is said. 2°. It is confessed that aU in ane eldershipe ought to be visiblie gracious, (1 Tim. iii. ; Tit. i, ;) why not the rest also, whom the Spirit of God designs by the names of saints, elect, called, justified, sanctified, temples of the most high God, for whom Christ died, etc. 3o. Looke all the names the Kirk gets in Hebrew, Greeke, Latin, they all speak out holines ; I have looked on eight or nine. Kirk, or rather kyrk, is Kvgia[_-/.^'], subaudi cl'/.la, quhat saves is^hv ? studie quhat templu?n, exxXriaia, ades sacra, etc. 4°. All scandalous persons ought, ere they be admitted to repentance, (for they ought to be excom- municat, 1 Cor. v. 1 1 ; Heb. xii. 15, 16, according to our own rule, but it is not knowen,) to give a cleare evidence of a penitent beleiver, much more ere he be absolved ; why should not all the rest be gracious as well as he ? 5". The Scriptures ordains judges and souldiours to be saints, holie men, with such and such qualifications, why not all Christ's members who should judge themselves ? Judge quhat the Apostles sayes, who will judge the world and angels, 1 Cor. vi. ; who do3 fight the Lord's battels, should a souldiour be holie, Deut. xxiii., and not a mer- chant or tradsman ? The Inglish Annotations sayes, Israel's armie should be ane armie of saints. G°. Our Confessione of Faith, and Direc- torie for Church Government sayes, a professione of faith, sound doc- trine and obedience. Now, if this be belied by practice, that profession, sayes our Covenant, is a mocking, will draw down God's wrath ; and certainlie it is, " Ilaill, King of the Jewes !" and yet spitt in his face. Mr Samuel printed a bare professione, nixt a blamles professione ; this last is aU that is craved. 7"". A member of the invisible church is a saint, ergo, a member of the visible should be a visible saint, by all the reasone of the world. 8". Our Directorie for Church Government calls them visible saints, (p. 2 and 7, and p. 15, 16,) there should not one un- godlie person be among the people of God, for he will leaven the rest ; and our Liturgie sayes, quhat a crueltie to lay a tender babie in the bed with him whom I know hath the botch. Speaking to the impure mixtures in congregations if one maybe profane, why not two,'twenty, two hundred, two thousand, ubi datur sistere^. eadem est omnium ratio, then all may be 53G APPENDIX. [no. III. no possibilitie of ane eldershipe or of a congregatione, according to the patterne. 9°. Barone in 1 Cor. v., as to that opinione of a bare pro- fessione, affirmes pestilcntissimam esse opmionem ; ministers neids not teach it, sayes that holie man, for people can be profane enough without such pestilent doctrine, for in their lives, nothing bot down- right atheisme is to be sein : isthcec ille. Bot that a bare profession is not enough, reade Rom. xv. 18 ; Ezeck. xlvii. 12 ; Mat. v. 16 ; and xv. 16 ; and 1 Cor. iv. 20 ; Acts ix.; they would not admitthim though he made professione till it was evidenced, Heb. iii. 6 ; 1 Thes. ii. 13, 14 ; Heb. X. 32, &c. ; 2 Tim. iii. 5 ; 1 Cor. v. 1, 2, 3, &c., to the end ; Tit. i. 16 ; Mat. xxvii. 29 ; Acts viii. 37 ; 2 Thes. ii. 10, 11, 12, 13 ; Mat. iii. 7, 8 ; with Luke vii. 29, 30 ; the generatione of vipers made a pro- fessione, yet were rejected and not baptised : weigh those. 10. Rebels, open outlawes, are not the King's subjects, ergo, neither the ignorant nor prophane, Christ's. A congregatione thus constitut with their elder- ships 1 suppose will be found the first church to whom, in the word, Clirist hath given the power of the keyes, censure, excommunicatione. The Papists, I conceive, is in one extreame, Brownists, Separatists, one another ; yow know there is a midst betuixt giving all to the cler- gie, and all to the people ; give parte to the guids and a cheif parte to the people, none are excepted by the Apostle, 1 Tim. ii. 11 ; and I Cor. xiv. 34. I sie our old rules (reade them, 1 professe they are buried in oblivione, our Liturgie before the Psalme booko) ascribes very much to the people, much more then we are awarre of, and no absolutione tiU all the Eldershipe be convinced by evidences, and after that, till all the people be satisfied, a cleare Act of Assemblie for it. Which of us ever practised this ? much of our own rules have bein left because they look- ed lyke that, against which we are willing to foster prejudice, without impartiall cxaminatione, proving aU things, resolving to hold quhat is good. I cannot find one place quhere ane Eldershipe alone, either in- trinsicall or extrinsical!, is called the Churcli. I shall find sundrio places quhere the People, as contradistinguished from their Elders, yea, without them, are called a Church, Acts xi. 2Q ; and xiv. 23, 27 ; and XV. 4, 22, 23, 30 ; 1 Cor. xi. 12, 22, 23 ; and xiv. 4, 5, 28, 35 ; 3 Jo. 6, bot most eminentlie, it is the people with their eldership. So the epistles are directed to the Churches, and so [IxxXjjff/a] ought, Mathew xviii. 17, [to] be understood, for it is the church (pihcrin the of- fences arose, ov/o, the congregatione and our rule is, goc not to a judi- NO. III.] APPENDIX. 537 catorie per saltum ; shall I overleape theu the congregatione and theii* eldershipe, and go to another, Ahsit. Now, if so, remark that it is the Church who may excommunicat, and whose sentence Christ will ra- tifio. Strange, ane adulterie fals out in Aberdene, and yet we may not excommunicat him, hot ane extrinsicall and a superior judicatorie must doe it, yea, doe it all ; Christ hath given excommunicatione to the Church quhere the oifence is done, yet not one of those how able soever darre excommunicat, yet that eldershipe and breithren can know the cace better nor ane (Ecumenick Synod. Albeit, those dogmatice may hold out more light in a point, the congregationall eldershipe hath from Christ a right, either to doe nothing or all their bussines, or this parte, but not that. Now, quhat you affirme, yow must cause scrip- ture speak it, or else yow will not brew your browst well ; as my young- est brother, my scholer, etc., relativus, said to me in the bitterest, most despitefull letter that ever I have readilie seine : I wish him pardone for it. Now, quhere is that text I pray, that assignes some parte of the work, but taks from them another parte ? if Christ hath given them excommunicatione, ordinatione, &c,, as it is granted in a remote farre yland, I would learne this now, because I have nigh- bours hard by me ; if I be able for the work the Lord hath given me to doe, shall my nighbours robbe me of my right whither I wiU or not ? If I ask help of ray nighbours, christiane charitie wiU that I should have it of them ; bot I hope if I may rule my familie on a moorhead, may my nighbours in a citie robbe me of my priviledge because I have nighbours ? if so, I hade better want them, then to be robbed of quhat Christ hath given to me. O bot it cannot cure all evill. Ans. Can a Generall Assemblie cure all evils ? Let the present posture of affairs speake ; may not a Generall Assemblie erre ? Our readers, not ex- horters, did baptize; the Act of Aberdene, 1640, against christians praying and conferring togither, repeated with a relapse, 1647, after it had beine solved ; our tenet of a bare verball professione, which Baron sayes, is a most pestilent opinione ; we should goe to no judicatorie per saltum ; yet still, if there be ane excommunicatione, it must goe to a higher and extrinsicall Eldershipe, &c., [I] darre showe a Generall Assemblie may erre : if it wrong me, what shall I doe, appeall to ane QEcumenick, hath Christ left me to ane impossible remedie ? I can- not have such a meiting, or though I hade one such, may not it crrc ? May it not fall in tuo? May not the one halfe protest against the 538 APPENDIX. [no. III. other? Yea, 1 dare say, in matters of censure, it were their wisest answer to remitt all to the congregatione, saying, thai know the bussines best, thai can doe it best. May not a Classis wrong a congregatione ? I desire ane text of scripture, quhere excommunicatione is given to ane extrinsical! Eldershipe, Classe or Synod, more or lesse. I find in twenty- eight yeirs (for so long taks up the Acts of the Apostles) one Synod, Acts 15, is there anay appeall as to a standing judicatorie with jurisdic- tione and power of excommunicatione ? I find them dogmatice decerning, and the people along with them, in all bussines, from the fii'st jump to the last, not one word of excommunicatione, and whence are they so frequent? Certainlie our mixturs occasions this latter, seing in that one which only we find to be the patterne they medle not att all with excommunicatione. And as for our Commissione of the Generall Assemblie making Acts, and excommunicating most precious men transgressing unratified Acts, which it is possible the Generall Assemblie might have disclaimed : Quhat ane ordinance of Christ is that, seing it was a wittie overture of King James VI., anno 1594, quherewith he resolved to overturne Pres- bytcrie : and so he did ; bot his drift at first was not espyed, bot short- lie, honest men saw it, bot could not help it. The Generall Assemblie hade given way to the overture : Good Lord, shall a devilish devyce of a cruell persecutour, devysed to overturne ane order setled (prout tunc) to which he had sworne in Covenant, shall that, I say, be ane ordinance of Jesus Christ? Farre be it from me to say there is no Church in Scot- land, or that there is no fault in it ; I wish the faults were amended. A sick man is a man, our Covenant is regula regulanda, not regidans, and I conceive mens legis est ipsa lex ; it aimed at reformatione ; there- fore, quhatsoever shall kyth reformatione, as sundrie good things are en- acted since 1G38, and be conforme to the patterne, I wish it were not interpreted a breach of Covenant ; and if anay stinting be in the Cove- nant, in reformatione as well as sanctificatione, non progredi est regredi. And if anay thing be amisse in male pactis, rescinde Jidem ; in turpi voto inuta decretum : Augustine. Quhatever I have written, the Lord's word hath swayed my minde [in] it, and I may expect deiim secli persecutione, excommunicatione, losse of liveliehood, and quhat not. Dueties are ours ; events the Lord's. I am, Your Loving Brother, Mu JO. ROW. XO. lY.] ' APPENDIX. 539 Desire my Motlier that she be not troubled with idle reports, bot that she heare all, and the grounds ; and show her the falshood of that lie de ■ vised of my Wife's being dipped above Dundie. It is a great untruth ; she understands, I hope, some better then so. After reading and seiking God, without prejudice, in cold blood, let me haue aue ingenuous answere. No. IV. SCRUPLES AGAINST CONFORMITY TO EPISCOPACY, WRITTEN ABOUT THE YEAR 1663. [From the enlarged copy of Row's MS. in the Advocates Library, marked 34, 5, 14. This paper was probably written by William Row, Minister of Ceres, and of course after the Restoration of Charles II., when Episcopacy was again introduced into Scotland.] I AM earnestlie dealt with anent submitting to the Governement now settled in the Cliurch by Bishops, and one motive is, That severall mini- sters of exemplar lyves, and eminent parts and profession, have closed with it, which in charitie is to be presumed to flow from their getting clearnesin their judgement in their closing ; of which Brethren so reputed there be some in the bounds where you reside : And seeing I have some Scruples, till I had attained clearnes, I wold not goe over the bellie of my judgement, to the undoing of my peace, and foirfalture of my salva- tion. And, therefor, I intreat and will expect, that yee will take the pains to informe yourselfe and me, what may be the grounds of that clearnes they have gotten, as to scruples of that nature that make [me] so anxious as yet, and let me have information theranent, that, if pos- sible, I may preserve my inward peace with my outward being, which they seem to doe. 1. My First Scruple is. That the Church being God's plantation and husbandrie, cannot, without blasphemie, be thoght, much lesse as- serted, to be without a Governement ; nay, that the Lord himselfe, the fontaiue of all prudencie and wisdome, protcsteth, that to fense his vine- yeard was his worke which he performed anent it, Is. 5. And the Apos- 540 APPENDIX. [no. IV. tie's rejoycing at the state of the Kirk of Collossc ; it was their order in Begimine Ecclesiastico, (as Piscator and others expone it,) as well as their faith that bred him that joy, CoU. ii. 5. So also he expresseth, 1 Cor. xii. 28, that God had set up a governement in the Church ; so that I conceive that the Lord hath not left it arbitrarie or indifferent, liow, or by whom, his church sail be governed, as the new conceit is : neither can it be solidlie affirmed that God appointed a governement in the church, and left it to particular churches or princes, to pitch upon the forme of governement in particular, that they find most conducible for themselves ; for that were to fancie universale extra singularia, which is a wyld notion in verie philosophic, let be in divinitie. So that, untiU Episcopacie be proven to be the governement of Christ in the church, and of his building about his vineyeard, the companion of the stedfast- nes of faith. Col. ii. 5, the rej eyeing of the godlie, I see not how I can close with it without doubting ; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. The most pregnant thing proposed to me for my clearing in this case is The testimonie of Antiquitie. But of those antiquities, not only the one varieth from the other, but severaU varie from themselves ; and although they were harmonious, yet is the testimonie but humane and fallible. And although they were infallible, yet their Episcopacie of antiquitie differs^from our Prelacie multis parasangis, no lesse then the Chancellor from the King. 2. Supposing that Episcopacie were indifferent in itselfe to be used or refused as (a blank in the MS.) yet I am sworne against it, and my ab- juration of it will be called a sin or a dutie. If it wes a dutie, then the breach of the oath of abjuration must be a notorious perjurie. Nor can it be called a sin, for if it were so, then the governement of the church by prelacie cannot be called indifferent ; for men may not, without sin, bind themselves to accept or refuise a thing indifferent except in the case of scandaU, which the said abjuration is not. Againe, if it be a sin or cause of sin in itselfe, and if to abjure it were a sin, then to man- taine it were a duetie, and so all the churches that wanted it might be justlie charged with neglect of a duetie, which will be no lesse un- charitable to think than difficult to prove, for ought that I have learned as yet. 2. If it were a sin, it must be either in reference to the mater sworne, or to some circumstances attending the sweareing, such as ig- norance, rashncs, deceit, feare for dissent of authoritic, or some other NO. IV,] APPENDIX. 541 such ; but if the mater ?worne be no sin abstracting from the circum- stances of the oath, then it is indispensible, as may be probablie in- stanced in the oath of Joshua and the princes to the Gibeonites, which wes attended with error, ignorance, rashnes, and deceit : Also, the oath of the spyes to Rahab, and of Zedekiah to Nebuchadnezzar, which wes attended with feare and force, Ezek. xvii. : And the oath of the peo- ple to preserve Jonathan, which was attended not only with dissent of authoritie, but also contrair to positive authoritie. I suppose the mater of my oath cannot be called a sin till Episcopacie be cleared to be the necessar governement by divyne institution, which to me, as yet, hath not bene cleared. Their are severall things proposed to me toward my clearing and engadging in this case. As, 1. That there salbe no declaration requyred of me to the contrair. Ans. But I conceive, that acting contrair to my oath, although I sould not be so madde as to sweare, yet so to act is downe right perjurie, al- thogh it be not so devilish as the other. Nor is it any more lawful! to receive the mark of the Beast in my hand then in my foirhead, in prac- tise or positive profession. 2. It is said, "We submitted to Usurpers contrair to the civile part of the Covenant, and why not to this part in lyke manor? Ans. But I conceive that that is not generallie true, nor particularlie as to me in my station ; and although it were, I take it to be no good reason, because I once perjured to perjure againe. Moreover, submission is twofold, pi-o- per or improper. The latter is, when I doe not counteract to any Usurper's power, but live quyetlie besyde it, which for one to doe, will not satisfie the Bishops. And albeit it must be my sin in some respects, yet perhaps I wold bee too easilie drawen to it ; and indeid this was all the submission that honest men gave to usurpers, being disenabled to doe much against them, except to give testimonie against them, which they did. The former and proper sort of submission is, when either by profession or practise, directlie or indirectlie, I come unto a lyne of subordination to the Usurpers, and communicate with them in this power so usurped. Thus to doe with the bishop were directlie against my oath, and which none but Tender-men, Place-takers, and such lyke coi'porators and concurrers with the English did. 3. It is said. That it is a greater ill for me to forbeare the improve- ment of my talent, instructing of soules, and preaching the word, that is so weightie and necessarie a dutie, 1 Cor. ix. 16 ; then to close with 542 APPENDIX, [no. IV- t:piscopacie, and the least'of evills is to be chosen. Ans. But I con- ceive that^I give not up mj duetie, when I am by power and force put from it, unles^I make shipwracke of a good conscience, when I must either perjure and sin in closing with Episcopacie, or els submitt to be laid asjde from my ministrie. It is not mj voluntar deserting for my owne ends, but a patient suffering of my selfe to be barred from my calling rather then sin, and consequentlie it is not my sin but my afflic- tion, neither am I called to procure my owne condemnation to proraove other men's salvation. To preach the gospell is indeid my desire, if I could have that libertie of it without lose of a good conscience ; but God stands not in neid of my sin to get him glorie and carie on his ser- vice and ends ; neither hnust I doe evill in the least, that good may come of it, Rom. iii. Further, preaching is but a positive duetie and juris partialis, not oblidging ad semper ; but not to perjure myselfe is juris universalis et naturalis ; and, therefor, the one competing with the other, the former must cede to tlie latter, and in this case, no blame is to be imputed to me, being for my part by this composition so neces- sarlie impeded, obstructed, and bound up from the exercise of my mi- nistrie. Well did Augustine determine in his booke, De Mendacio, That if the salvation of the (whole) world did lye at the staike for making ane officious lie, yet (sayeth he) we must not doe it. They redeeme their ministrie at a deare rate, who buy it by selling the trueth and God's honour and favour, In this case then I am morallie impos- sibilitated as to the exercise of my ministrie, and yee know, Nemo tene- tur ad impossibilia, and so it ceaseth pro loco et tempore to be duetie. 4. You say, preaching and exercising discipline is my commanded duetie, and sould I not doe it because a bishop bids me ? Ans. But I conceive that [what] cannot consist with my faithfulness to God, and consequentlie with my salvation, cannot be my duetie. And Christ denyed to satisfie his extreame hunger, (which otherwayes wes lawfull,) even by lawfull means, when requyred thereto by Satan. 5. When your conscience bearcth you witnes that you doe not ap- prove that governeraent, may you not let them bo doing with it, and goe on in your duetie ? Ans. Nay, but for me to act against my oath, my conscience dissapproving my practise, is not only perjurie, but sin against light. 6. The governement being now established by tlic civile power, you are not in a capacitie to extirpate it, and impossibilities are not obli- NO. IV.] APPENDIX. 543 gatorie ? Ans. 1 . But I say m j engadgements are not only for endea- vores, (which, notwithstanding of the civile power establishing, is yet possible,) but also for endeavores in my station, which is ministeriall by preaching, praying, &c., against it, so that, whill I am in this capacitie, I cannot forbeare from it nor omitt these. 7. Under the hazard of perjurie holy men, and martyrs, powerfull propugners of the truetli have been bishops, and will you judge them to have exercised ane antichristian charge ? Ans. Their Episcopacie dif- fers from ours almost toto genere, as may be easilie cleared ; and al- though it had not differed, yet they did it implicitlie and through cus- tome without searching into it, nor were they sworne against it, nor knew they by experience the evills of it sensiblie felt in after genera- tions, what ane enemie it proveth to pietie in its [exercise :] and trulie pompous prelacie, and the power of the gospell, are lyke Dagon and the arke, if the one stand the other falls, or els I beleive they never exer- cise it rightlie. 8. Sie ye not that divisions were occasioned by the governement since Episcopacie wes removed ? Ans. For this considder. That which is com- manded of God, not having intrinsecall casualitie to beget sin, but only ►Satan and corruption taking occasion from it, cannot, therefore, be cast out or dispensed with, els the law being the occasion of sin, Rom. vii. 5, and the gospell of divisions, Mat. x. 34 ; Luk. ii. 34, must be for- gone. 9. If you looke upon Episcopacie as unlawful!, you must not forbeare preaching though discharged ? Aiis. 0 but I must not ensnare the peo- ple inhibited by authoritie to heare me, and although submitting to the sentence be uncleared as yet, nevertheless, the Synod concurring with the Bishop, albeit they pretend not to act ex officio reduplicative, but as assistants of the bishop in the exercise of his power, yet reallie being in judiyio et officio, I wold reverence the sentence so farre as to submitt to their censure, and wold looke on their ministrie to me and their (T^aX/Aa in acting alio quocumque more then by intrinsicke vertue of their office, as upon their personal! error, but not as enough to count their sentence null in foro interiore seu ecclesia. 10. But you wiU bring yourselves to danger and your families to miserie ? Ans. I conceive that objection unworthie of a follower of Christ to object, or of me to regard. Nil timeo nisi peccata, said a martyr. Let us count our cost, and take up our crosse cheirfuUie, and choose a 444 APPENDIX. [no. IV. thousand miseries bcfor one sin ; feare not them who can kill the bodie, only desire to choose as Moses did, Heb. xi. 25, 2G, 27. Get ye behind me, Satan, said Christ, when Peter bade him spare himselfe. And cursed sail my advantage be that I sail gaine by shipwracking the peace and favour of God. Cura officii sit cura nostra, cura eventus sit cura Dei. 11. But you never personallie tooke the Covenant ? Ans. No more was the oath given to the Gibeonites personallie taken by Saul ; yet the breach thereof was severlie punished on his posteritie and people. My Third Scruple is, That being sworne in my statione to endeavore the extirpation of Prclacie, my station being ministeriall, out of con- science of my oath, I did beare publicke testimonie in acting to the light given to me in preaching, I spake with warrand, Thus sayth the Lord. And now saU I make the strength of Israel a lyar, and the gospell that I preached, yea and nay ? Sail I build that which I have destroyed, and not make myselfe a transgressor ? Sail I expect to doe good to soules who sail be witnes to my unfaithfuhies ? And will they be stirred up with such a uncertain and contradicting sound ? Or be- lieve that I lead them in the way of salvation, my selfe running in the way of coiidemnation ? If you object, that many able men who were zealous in that oath above others, yet have closed with the governe- ment. Ans. Indeed it cleareth none, but confounds me with feare, till I know what gained them that clearenes, I may suspect that there may be a whisk of the dragon's taile drawing these faire starres to the earth, Rev. xii. 4. And although it were not so, yet I darre not be a follower of men, but as they are of Christ, to my light. Everie man sail beare his owne burden, and make ane accorapt of himselfe to Christ. My Fourth Scruple is. The case of scandall. Sail I not make the ve- rities of Christ to be eviU spoken of, and cause the enemies of Christ to blaspheme ? Ans. Sail I greive and make sad the hearts of the godlie, and strengthen the hands of backslyders, and those who cast out such as tremble at his word and feare ane oath, saying, Let the Lord be glori- fied, and who kill the prophets for righteousncs sake, yet thinke they doe God good service ? It will be said, for ought I apprehend, if you op- pose, that I give offence to the pluralitie of the nation, by not closing NO. IV.] APPENDIX. 54i) way be the way of truetli and myne of error, for dueties are scandalous to no man. And did I know I were in ane error, I wold humblie and heartilie retract and offend no more. FinaUie, The meditation of two things sounds loud in my eares, and beget in me a loathnes of running to close without (dearnes ; and these are, the Love of God, and the Terrour of God. As to the love of Christ, I thinke I heare Christ crying to me, I had rather suffered the ruine of heaven and earth, the monument of my power, befqr I brake my word in a jote to you, and wiU you brake your word to me? Have you opened your mouth to the Lord? How can you goe back againe ? And againe, I ventured my life and glorie, and did suffer the fulnes of my Father's wrath for you, and will ye quite nothing for me ? Wes I unto you a wilderues, a land of drought ? What fault have you found in me? Or will ye so requyte the Lord, 0 foolish people and unwise? Secondly, As for the Terrors of Christ, I thinke as to the First Scruple I heare him crying. Away with that man, a vaine worshipper of me, who for doctrines closeth with the commandements of men ; away with such seeming wise men as are subject to ordinances which are often the com- mandements of men. And what is Episcopacie ? Oh! earth, earth, but a carnaU politicke devyce for extravagant greatnes of princes, and of some few selfe-seekers and atheists, qui tenui sorte non contend, Dio- trephes and Demas lyke mixe heaven and earth to raise themselves. Sail not I be avenged of such Babel-builders, and everie one that cari- eth a stone to it ? And as to the Second Scruple, I thinke I heare him saying. You that draw backe, my soule sail have no pleasure in you. And againe, Thou eviU and unfaithfull servant, thou sail not enter into my joy. And againe, Yee that sin wilfuUie, shall expiat your sin. And againe, Goe to your wife and children, and be saved by them, whom yee pre- ferred befor me, for ye are not worthie of me. Againe, You stoanie ground that was chocked with the cares of this world, let burning be your end. Againe, Ye who beare not my image, who am the trueth, and suffered not my faithfulnes to faile, and breake my covenant, nor altered any thing that is come out of my mouth, yee are not my children, yee are of your father the deviU, who is a Ivar from the beginning. 0, but my soule trembles to thinke to be "^ 2 M 54:Q APPENDIX. [no. IV. even with those that are most eminent in Church and State ? A^is. I say although they be offended, yet are they not scandalized, uules that lyable to the flying roll. And as to the Third Scruple, I thinke I heare a crying, Give accompt of these soules that perished by your uncertain sound. And againc, You have preached to my people another thing than you have formerlie preached, at least, now you act contradictorie to that ye preached befor, be yee therefore accursed. As to the Fourth Scruple, I thinke I heare him crying, Yee that offend these litle ones that believe in me, let the heavie milstone of God's eter- nall judgement be hung about your necke, and be yee cast, sailed, and drouned in the sea of God's vengeance, and sinke there for ever. Againe, Yee that walke so contrair to me, destroying those for whom I died, I will als walke contrair to you, and will bring upon you seven tymcs more plagues, and require their blood at your hands. 0, but sail I take the name of God in vaine, and expect to be holdeu guiltlesse ? And breake the covenant, and expect to prosper ? Or despise the oath, and escape ? Saul did not personalie sweare to the Gibeonites, yet liis contravention did destroy his sonnes and familie, and plagued his subjects with three years famine. Hebantistus [Franciscus] Spyra did sweare to those prin- ciples, which he after abandoning, did become a dreadfull monument of God's judgement, and a dreadfull spectacle to after generations. Oli ! my soule, although it be litle acquaint with the terrors of God, yet it fears to fall in the hands of the Almightie, Oh ! my soule, darre not adventure, for shunning their offence and wrath who only can kill the bodie, to incurre the offence of him who can cast soule and bodie into everlasting fyre. GLOSSARY. Abuilzements, 205, dress, gar- ments. Adoes, 162, 289, concerns. Afterliend, 387, subsequently. Aganis, 152, against. Aikers, 15, acres. Aills (what), 116, what is the matter with. Air, 219, heir. AUenarlie, 218, only. Anent, 522, concerning. Angels, double, 281, the name of a gold coin. Appearand, 381), heir-apparent. Assythment, 179, 182, compen- sation. Awin, 80, 151, own. B. Bairns, 7, 195, children. Balling, 172, dancing. Banning, 419, swearing. Batter, 72, paste. Beck, 115, to bow, to make a sign with the head. Bedralis, 6, bed-rid persons. Begouth, 245, 433, began. Beseek, beseech. Big, 396, to build, construct. Bigged, 189, 420, builded. Bishopric, 202, of&ce of a bishop Bishopping, 311, rite of confirma- tion. Black and blea, 466, livid, the skin discoloured. Blecked, 440, blackened. Boast, boasts, threats, threatenings. Boast, boasted, 245, to thi-eaten. Boasting, 324, threatening. BordeU, 404, brothel. Brughes, 47, burghs, boroughs. Bruik, 17, possess, enjoy. Bruiks, 71, enjoys. Brunt, 98, 356, burned, Bruted, 103, reported. Burrioes, 322, executioners. By, 473, without, beside. By, 366, contrary to. C. Cannobie, 435, canopy. Care not, 342, have no objection. Cartowes, 519, great canons. Casey, (calsay), 510, causeway, public street. Catbands, 506, strong hooks fixed in the wall for keeping a door or gate shut. Catch-peall, 501, peill, a place of strength, a fortification, properly of earth. Caudie-rapier, 462, a long sword ? Cleansed, 292, acquitted. 548 GI.OSSAEY. Coal-lieuclis, 339, coal-pits. Coast, cost, expense, risk. Commissioiirie, 413, oiRce of com- missioner. Compotists, 281, calculators, Compt, 14, account. Condisciples, 7, 32G, companions at school or college. Corbie, GO, a raven. Corbie-messenger, 448, a messen- ger who does not return with an answer. Cowp, 50, to exchange. Cracke, 453, talk. Cullers, 518, colours. Cullor, 101, colour. Cungering, 75, conjuring. D. Deaved with the din, 436, distract- ed with the noise. Debordings, 107, excesses. Delate, 32, accuse. Deletted, 522, accused, a law term. Dilated, 2G, deleted, expunged. Dishaunt» 48, not to frequent. Drons, 8G, drones, sluggards. Djters, 101, writers, endytexs. E. Effamished, 330, famished, state of starvation. Eiked, 17, added. Evict, l!)0, dispossessed. Ewest, 153, near, contiguous. Exercess, 45, exercise. Exped, 284, forwarded F. Fog, foggage, 111, 43, dry heather after it is cut ; also the corn- fields after the crop has been carried. Forby, 108, 354, besides. Forsamekle, 44, forasmuch. Fra, 59, from. Frequent, 499, numerous. Fylled, 387, found guilty. FyUs, 431, defiles. G. Gangrell, 456, vagabond, stroller. Gares, 304, causes. Geir, geyr, 77, 456, substance, goods. Gests, 311, actions, exploits. Gleeb, 48, 190, glebe, church-land. Graitli, 462, clothing. Greatumlie, 150, in great number, greatly. Grip, 33 1 , gripe, hold. Groufe (a), 406, on the ground, grovelling. H. Haill, 161, whole. Haughs, 330, low grounds on the side of a river. Haver, 443, possessor. Hinder, 1G7, hindrance. Hingand, 157, hanging. Horn, fra the, 189, from the sen- tence of outlawry. Horning, 184, 199, outlawed, de- nounced rebels. Hotch potcli, 372, hodge-podge. Howletts, 31, owls. I Fand, 436, found. Fead, 167, 178, feud. Illtgiitened, 5, enlightened. Feads, 88, feuds. Imperftt, 64, imperfect. Ferd, 127, fourth. Ingyns, 15^^, inclinations. Fireflaught, 333, lightning. Inlaiking, 496, wanting, deficient. Flype, 451, raise up, fold, turn Inlaiks, 16, deficiencies, inside out. Interessed, 48, coucerued. GLOSSAllY. 549 K. Kaill, 50, cabbage, colewort. Kepstone, 11, copestoue. Kyth, 431, seen, to be mani- fest. Laces, 21, leases. Lame, 260, earthenware. Languis, 6, language. Lardner, 291, larder, pantry. Laureat, laureation, 422, taking the" degree of A.M. Leaguer, 521, encampment. Leek, 398, leaky. Leet, leetts, 290, list, lists. Leeting, 290, nominating. Lentron, 7, the time of Lent. Letts, 224, hindrances. Lightlie, 422, to treat with con- tempt, to undervalue. Lippen, 456, to trust. Litt, 432, dye-stuff. Loun, 392, worthless. Lounes, 418, rogues, thieves. Lowsed, 130, released. Lugs, 286, ears. M. Maks, 110, makes. Manked, 133, imperfect, mutilat- ed. Marches, 196, boundaries, limits. Meas, 265, mess. Midden, 437, dunghill. Midds, 111, 251, medium, com- promise. Minassing, 279, menacing. Mirke, 264, dark. Misken, 263, to pretend ignorance, overlook, connive at. Mister, need, want. Motts, 422, motes, scruples, no hesitation. Moyen, 80, 105, 337, means, in- fluence. Muck, 437, dung. Muske's mother, 519, a piece of ordnance. Naked, 512, unarmed, stripped of arms. Night- waking, 172, revelling. Nipshott, 395, asquint, backward. Nocent, 108, gudty. Nor, 91, than. Notar, 381, notary -public. Noture, notoure, 51, 170, noto- rious. O. OcKSTEK, 145, arm-pit. Orphalingis, 6, orphans. Outwards, 369, external appear- ance. P. Pansed, 12, thought, considered. Pariosh, paroch, 209. 478, parish. Parochin, 373, parish. Passments, 439, ornaments on dress, strips of lace and silk sewed on clothes. Paughtie, 394, petulant, haughty. Pavie, 451-454, trick. Peltrie, 322, trash. Pen, to, 73, to write. Pig, 260, an earthen vessel. Pinnage, 368, pinnace- Pittard, 511, petard. Piatt, 167, 311, plan, scheme. Plead, 190, furnish. Pleasants, 173, jesters, fools, in theatrical exhibitions. Pleyes, 174, pleas. Poyndit, 9, penned, confined. Preass, 266, endeavour. Preassed, 252, endeavoured. Preassing, 24, endeavouring. Preveen, 160, to prevent. Promoved, 132, promoted. Pure, 6, poor. Putting, 436, patting, touching. 550 GLOSSARY. QuAT, 32G, quitted. R. Rat-ryme, 404, words rattled over, anything metrical repeated by rote. Raxeing, 323, stretching. Referres, 59, matters referred. Remead, 308, remedy. Reweled, 74, revealed. Riven, 54, torn. Road, raid, 140, insurrection, in- cursion. Roosed themselves little, 47G, had little to boast of. Rouit, 51G, rout. Rowms, 173, places, farms. Rugged, 97, pulled. Rugging, 12, pulling, tearing. Ryff, 173, rife. Ryve, 72, tear. S. Sarke, 449, shift. See-money, 395, pun on tlie word Simony. Sey, 299, essay, trial. Shavelingis, 76, shaven monks. Sheell, 433, a hut or temporary place of shelter. Slio, 12, she. Shoot to dead, 375, chance to die, death should happen. Sib, 473, related to. Sicht, 183, to examine. Sichted, 208, examined. Sickerlie, 205, securely. Sillie, 9, frail, helpless. Skarr, 256, scar, to take fright. Sklcatod, 409, covered with slates. Slyde, 417, slip, fall. Smak, 347, savour, inclination. Smalls, 287, small or petty sums. Sorners, 173, persons who take free quarters. Sound, a, 466, to fall in a swoon. Stceked, 144, closed, shut. Stickcd, 347, stabbed. Stirre, 416, disturb, trouble. Suddaintie, 273, suddenness. Suit, 29, to solicit. Summar, 176, 183, summary. Supposts, 446, adherents. Swarfed, 324, swooned, fainted. Sybbows, 50, the green tops of yoi;ng onions. T. Tacks, CA, 99, leases. Test, 294, taste. Theiked, 471, thatched, covered with straw or turf. Theologues, 5, theologians. Thir, 144, these. Tochergood, 57, dowry, marriage- portion. Traft'ecting, 179, trafficking. UxcotiTn, 364, strange. V. Vaik, vake, 64, 151, be vacant. Vaiked, 112, became vacant. Vice, 354. turn. W. Warded, 323, confining. Waughting, 173, quaffing, taking laro;e draughts of liquor. Whilk, 163, wliicli. Whill, 49, until. Winning, 139, to dry, by exposure. harvest-making. Wyt, wyte, 409, blame. Yaird, 432, plott of ground ad- joining to a house. Yoole-day, 314, Christmas-day. INDEX. Abbot, Dr George, Dean of Win- chester, and Archbishop of Can- terbury, 248, 333, 334, 368. Aberbrothock, Abbacy of, 105. Abercorn, Earl of, 348. Abercromby, Robert, 147. Aberdeen, IBishop of. See Bellen- den. Blackburn. Cunningham. Aberdeen, Doctors, 490. Aberdeen, King's College, 37, 59, 82, 50G. Aberdeen, Town of, 507, 508, 51 1- 510. Abernethie, John, minister of Jed; burgh, and Bishop of Caithness, 2G9, 430. Abernethie, Thomas, Jesuit, 498. Aboyne, Lord, 515-520. Adamson, John, Principal of the CoUege of Edinburgh, 202, 352, 374. Adamson, Patrick, Archbishop of 8t Andrewes, 8, 54, 58, 59, 61, 72, 106,111,113,115-133,137, 138, 304, 422, 444. Adamson, Violat, 422. Agnew, Sir Patrick, of Lochnaw, 'Sherriff of Galloway, 386, 387. Aguir, Mons. Francis, Espagnol, 148. Aittoun of Enmathe or Eranathe, 129. Alareit, St, or Loretto, Lady of, 448-453. Alexander, Sir William, of Men- strie, (afterwards Earl of Stir- ling,) 323, 348, 351, 352. Almond, Lord, 505. Andrews, Dr, Bishop of Ely, 283. Angus, Earl of, 182, 188, 206, 210, 250, 348. Angus, Countess of, 179, 470. Angus, William Douglas, Earl of, 140, 145-147, 155. Annand, Mr John, 504. Annandaill, Lord, 505. Anne of Denmark, Queen, wife of King James YL, 144, 172, 208, 418. Anne, Princess, daughter of Charles the First, 395. Anstruther, Captain, 69. Arabella Stuart: see Stuart. Arbuthnot, Alexander, Principal of King's College, Aberdeen, 48, 59, 82, 417. Argyll, Archibald, Earl of, 505. Argyll, Bishop of: see Campbell. Fairlie. ArgyU, Earl of, 42, 77. Aristotle, 106. Arnot, Sir John, 240. Arrol, Earl of: see Errol. Arthur, AVilliam, minister of St Cuthbert's, 374, note. 552 INDEX. Arran, James Hamilton, Earl of, 70, 102. Arraii, Covmtess of, Jesaboll, 136. Arran, Captain James Stiuirt, Earl of, 102, 123. Assembly, General, meetings of the : see Marginal Notes, passim. Assembly Registers, 04, 109, 123, 131. 133. Atholl, Earl of, 155. Aucliinleck, John, minister, 129. B. Bailme, Sir James, of Lochend, 386, 387. Balcanfiuell, Walter, minister of Edinburgh, 87-89, 184, 2C8, 216, 282. Balcomie, Laird of: see Lear- month. Balfour, James, minister of Edin^ burgh, 208, 231. Balfour, Laird of: see Bethune. Balfour, Walter, minister, 13. Ballantyne : see Bellenden. Balmailie, Laird of, 490, 520. Balmerinoch, L'ord, 165, 375, 381- 390, 497. Balnaves, Mr Henry, 37. Bamlf, Laird of, 507, 515, 510. Bancroft, Dr Richard, Ai-chbishop of Canterbury, 220, 233, 230, 283-280. Bannfetyne, Adam : see Bellenden. Barclay, David, minister of St An- drews, 430. Barclay, Mr Robert, Provost of Irvine, 490. Barlow, Dr William, Bishop of Rochester, 235, 230. Barron, Martha, first wife of l^a- trick Simson, 433. Barron, Dr Robert, Aberdeen, 489, 495, 497. Bayncs, Paul, 445. Becket, Thomas a, 400. Bell, John, minister of Abernethy, 269. Bell, John, minister of Glasgow, 502. Bell, Patrick, Provost of Glasgow, 504. Bellenden, Ballantyne, Bannatyne, Adam, successively minister of Falkirk, Bishop of Dunblane and of Aberdeen, 242, 200, 209, 305, 322, 326, 349, 370, 388, 430, 473, 474, 490, 490. Bellenden, Sir James, Justice - Clerk, 131. Bellenden, Sir John, Justice-Clerk, 40. Bennet, David, minister of Stir- ling, 93. Berkshire, Earl of, 524. Bethune of Balfour, 455, 467 : — llis daughter Margaret, 455, 467, 408. Betoun, Cardinal, 10, 31, 304. Beza, Theodore, 52, 414, 421. Bishops, Scotish, 488 : — Verses against, 292-290, 404. Black, David, minister of St An- drews, 129, 130, 154, 164, 181, 273, 421. Blackburn, Peter, minister, and Bishop of Aberdeen, 188, 204, 292, 293. Blackfoord, James, minister, 430. Blackball, Lord, 505. Blackness, Castle of, 228-230, 240. Blair, Adam, 5U2. Blair, Dr James, professor, St Andrews, 269. Blair, Robert, minister, succes- sively at Bangor in Ireland, Ayr, and St Andrews, 355, 397, 465, 480. Blantyre, (Walter Stewart,) Lord, 77, 131, 142, 165 ; Lord Trea- surer, 181. Blyth, Henry, minister of Holy- roodhouse and Eccles, 208, 258, 323, 324 Bohemia, King and Queen of, 331, o4/. Bonar, James, minister, 502. INDEX. 553 Boniface VIII., Pope, 2-15. Books of Policy of the Kirk, 15-20, 59-6G, 71, 81, 86. Borthik, S., 77. Borthwick, Alexander, minister of Livingstone, 89. Borthwick of Gordonshall, 129. Bothwell, Adam, Bishop of Orkney, 23, 3.5, 38, 105, 142. Bothwell, James, Earl of, 23, 35, 40. Bothwell, Lord, 152, 16 1. Bothwell, John, 105, note. Bouillon. See BuUoigne. Boyd, James, Archbishop of Glas- gow, 50, 59, 65, 72. Boyd, Lord, 42. Boyd, Robert, of Trochrig, Prin- cipal of the University of Glas- gow and Edinburgh, 329, 438. Boyll, John, preacher, 200. Bramble, Bramhall, Dr John, Bishop of Londonderry, 654. Brechin, Bishop of : see Lamb. Lindesay. Sydserff. Brightmau, Thomas, 266. Broddie, Joseph, 504. Broim, John, 13. Bruce, Alexander, of Earlshall, 129. Bruce, Edward, Commendator of Kinloss, 170,175, 181. Bruce, Sir George, of Carnock, 471, 472, 475, 476 :— His son, 471. Bruce, James, minister of Kings- barns, 484. Bruce, Dr Peter, St Andrews, 269. Bruce, Peter, 475. Bruce, Robert, of Kinnaird, mini- ster of Edinburgh, 135, 143,204, 217, 238, 252, 301, 320, 329, 337, 347, 420, 422, 479. Bruce, Robert, Jesuit, 148, 149. Buchanan, George, 25, 32, 33. Buchanan, Thomas, minister, 1 1 3, 137. Buchanan, William, minister, 430. Buckingham, George Villiers, Duke of, 346, 347. Bukkie, Laird of : see Gordon. Bulloigne, Bouillon, Duke of, 298. Burdon, James, minister, 430. Burghley, (Balfour,) Lord, 497. Burnet of Craigmyld ? 518. Butter, Patrick, 181, 199. C. Cachune, (Colquhoun,) Lady Cleish, 449-453. Caithness, Bishop of: see Aber- nethie. Forbes. Caithness, Countess of, 192. Cajetanus, 124. Caldcleuch, John, minister, 125. Calderwood, David, minister, 33, 273, 311-314, 325, 397, 407, 441, 445, 4G6. Calvin, John, 5. Campbell, Colin, minister of Dun- dee, 269, 430. Campbell, Dowgall, minister in the Presbytery of Brechin, 181. Campbell, NeiU, Bishop of Argyle, 293. Campheir, (Campvere in the Ne- therlands,) Scotish Congrega- tion, 90. Campvere, Conservator of Privi- leges, 90. Canons, Book of, 392. Cant, Andrew, minister of Pitsligo, 494-495. Canterbury, Archbishop of : see Abbot. Bancroft. Laud. Caprington, (Cunningham,) Laird of, 81, 82. Carmichael, John, minister of Kin- neuchar, or Kilconquhar, 231, 314, 324, 430, 438-440. Carnegie of CoUuthie, David, 103, 129. Carnegie of Eathie, Sir John, 504. Carnegie of Kinnaird and Leu- chars, 165. Carnegie, Lord : see Southesk. Cartwright, Thomas, 441. 554 INDEX. Cassillis, Earl of, 42, 497, 523. Cathcart, Earl of, 77- Cathcart, Lord, and Allan, Master of, 77. Cecilio, Jolni, 147. Chalmers oi- Chambers, David, of Ormond, 105, 107. Chamberlain, Lord High, of Eng- land, 524. Chancellor, Lord High, of Scot- land : see Glammis. Maitland, Spottiswood. Charles (L) Prince of Wales, 194, 332-335. Charles the First, King, 4, 339- 348, 356, 3G2-370, 483-525, et passim. Charles the First, his Qneen, 339, 350, 354; his Children, 350, 380, 395. Charles (IL) Prince of Wales, 350. Charteris, Sir John, of Amisfield, 386, 387. Chastelherault, Duke of, 38, 102. Chief-Justice, Lord : see Errol. Chisholme of Cromlix, Sir James, 167. Chishley, (Chieslie,) J., 77- Chrystie, Richard, 475, 476. Christison, (Gordon.) James, 147. Christieson, William, minister of Dundee, 13, 40, 41. Cleishe, Laird of, and his Lady : see Colville. Clerk- Register, Lord, (Sir James Balfour,) 37. Cockburn of Ormestoun, Sir John, Justice-Clerk, 175. Cockburn, Sir Rirliard, of Clerk- ington. Lord Privy Seal, 269. Coldonc, John, minister, 430. ('olt, Adam, minister, 231. Colville, Mr Alexander, 383. Colville of Cleislie, Robert, 449- 455. Colville of East Wemyss, James, 77,283. Colville, Robert, minister of Cul- ross, 349, 430, 473. Colluthie, Laird of : see Carnegie. Common Prayer, Book of, 1637, 398-409, et passim. Confession of Faith, (the King's, 1580,) 73-78, 86. Congregation, The, 11, 24. Corse, Laird of: see Forbes. Cowper, John, minister of Edin- burgh, 115, 134. Cowper, William, minister of Perth, and Bishop of Galloway, 250- 252, 255-260, 263, 275, 291, 293, no<(?, 371, 430. Cowper, Lord, 494, 497, 513. Craig, John, minister of Ilolyrood- houso, 33, 35, 40, 41, 56, 57, 68, 77, 87, 141, 142, 143, 152, 166, 167, 208, 415-417, 457-462. Craig, (Marion Small,) Dame, 461 . Craig, William, 77. Craigmyld, Laird of : see Burnet. Cranstoun, William, minister, 430. Craufurd, Earl of, 105. Craufurd, Master of, 46. Crawfurd, George, 147. Crichtoun, William, Jesuit, 136, 146, 147. Culross, (Alexander Colville,) Lord, a Lord of Session, 142. Cunningham, David, Bishop of Aberdeen, 72, 134. Cunningham, David, minister, 269. Cunninghame, William, of Brunt- hill, 517. Cunynghame, Mr Samuel, 125. D. Dalcjleisii, Nicol, minister of Pit- tenweem, 82, 122. 125, 141. Dalhousie, Earl of, 525. Dalyell, Lord? 497. Darnley : see Henry. Darrioch, William, 13. David, Signeur : see Rizzio. Davidson, James, minister, 430. Davidson, John, minister of Edin- burgh and Saltpreston, 60, 141, INDEX. 555 1G3, 170, 191, 220, 28G, 419- 421, 430, 461-4G3. DajeU, (DalyeU,) William, mini- ster of Dumfries, 07. Demetrius, 318. Dickson, David, minister of Irvine, 407, 484, 494, 495. Dickson, John, flesher, 337. Dickson, Patrick, 348. Dickson, Richard, minister of St Cuthbert's, 320. Didoclavius, Edwardus, (Calder- wood, David,) 273, 278, 31 G, 4G6. ■ Dornoch, minister of, 133. Dort, Synod of, 317. Douglas, Alexander, Bishop of Murray, 72, 2G9, 292, 293. Douglas, George, 77. Douglas, John, titular Archbishop of St Andrews, 33, 45. Douglas, Thomas, minister of Bal ■ merino, 391. Douglas, William : see Morton, Earl of. Drum, (Irvine,) Laird of, 518. Drummond, Andrew, minister of Panbryde, 2G9. Drummond's (Lord) daughter, 4G. Drurye, Mr, Jesuit, 335, note. Dnmblane, Bishop of : see Bellen- den. Graham. Dumfries, William, Earl of, 386, 387. Dun, Laird of: see Erskine. Dunbar, Sir George Home, Earl of, 229, 239, 241, 248, 250, 254, 2G1, 274, 281, 284, 285, 287, 288, 423, 424. ' Dunbar, George, minister, 355. Duncan, Andrew, minister of Crail, 229, 230, 321, 323. Duncan, Henry, minister of Muir- house, 430. Duncan, John, 349. Duncanson, John, minister of Holy- roodhouse, 49, GO, G7, 77, 95, IGG, 1G7, 208. Dundee, Provost of, 103. Dunfermline, Sir Alexander Sea- ton, Lord Fyvic, and Earl of. 1G5, 268, 272. Dunfermline, Commendator of: see Pitcairn. Dunfermling, Abbacy of, 137. Dunkeld, Bishop of : see Patton. Dunmure, John, notary publick, 381. Durem, (Durham,) Alexander, 77. Durie, John, minister of Edin- burgh, 55, 95, 97, 102, 415. Durie, Laird of: see Gibson. Durie, Robert, minister, 229, 230. Dykes, John, minister of Kilren- nie, 430. E. Eaulstoun, Goodman of: see Gordon, Edinburgh, Bishop of: see For- bes. Lindesay. Edinburgh, Dean of: see Hannay. Edinburah, Ministers of, 347, 348, 352, 3G8, 407. Edinburgh, Churches in, 1G9, 352, 370. Edinburgh, University of, 203. Egiintoun, Earl of, 42. Eglisham, Dr George, 34G, note. Elcho, Lord, 513. Elizabeth, Queen of England, 24, Gl, 103, 195, 220, 222, 473. Elphingstoun, James, parson of lu- vernoughtic, 165, 181. Elphingstoun, James, 77- Elphingstoun, Michael, 77. England, Church of, 220. English Bishops, 232-236. Errol, Francis Hay, Earl of, 145, 148, 155, 156, 179, 180, 182, 188, 206, 209, 250, 383, 386. Erskine, Arthur, of Scottiscraig, 494. Erskine, John, of Dun, 13, 26, 27, 29, 33, 46, 80, 417. Erskine, Lord, 503. Erskine of Dun, 490. 556 INDEX. Erskine, Robert, 77. Erskiiic, William, son of the Laird of Fittodriu, 514, 520. Erskine, William, minister of Den- nino, 430. Essex, Earl of, 517. Ewart, (llewat,) Peter, minister of Edinburgli, 208, ;nO. Exchequer, Court of, 342. F. Fadinsyde, Fawdonsyde : see Ker. Fairfull, John, minister, 208. Fairlie, James, minister of Edin- burgh, 352, 374 ; Bishop of Ar- gyle, 410. Falkland, 90, 342. Fedderat, Laird of, 517. Felton, John, 347. Ferchar, Farquhar, Robert, 514. Fercharson, Farquharson, Donald, 516. Fergusson, David, minister of Dun- fermline, 3, 4, 25, 4G, GO, 64, 80, 125, 418, 419,462, 463,471, 472. Fergusson, Grissel, wife of John Row of Carnock, 472, 480. Ferme, Fairholme, Charles, mini- ster of Fraserburgh, 202, 229, 421. Fife, Synod of, 117-131; griev- ances, 216. Fintray, Laird of: see Graham. Fleming, Lord, 497- Forbes, Alexander, Bishop of Caith- ness, 293. Forbes, Arthur, Lord, 269, 497, 513, 515. Forbes, John, Master of, 155, 501, 507. Forbes, Dr John, of Corse, Profes- sor, Aberdeen, 490, 495 Forbes, John, minister of Alford, 227-230, 239. Forbes, John, .son of John Forbes, minister at Delft, 504. Forbes, John, burgess, Aberdeen, 519, 520. Forbes, Patrick, of Corse, Bishop of Aberdeen, 200, 269, 315. Forbes, Dr William, minister of Aberdeen, and Edinburo-h, and Bishop of Edinburgh, 229, 269, 331, 336, 370-374. Forrester, Foster, Andrew, mini- ster of Dunfermline, 254, 287, 288, 3u6, 463. Forrester, David, minister of Leith, 323, 350. Forrester, George, Lord, 386, 387, 497. Foster : see Forrester. Foverane, (Turing,) Laird of, 516. France, King of, 13, 105. Francis II., King of France, 23. Fraser, James, 77. Fraser, Lord, 501, 507, 513, 515. French Ambassador, 212. Frencli, John, minister, 430. Fyvie, Lord, President of the Court of Session : see Dunfermline. G. Gairdin, Gilbert, minister, 45. Galloway, Bishop of: see Cowper. Hamilton. Galloway, Earl of, 505. Galloway, Patrick, minister of Edinburgli, 139, 159, 167, 209, 228, 241, 249, 269, 282, 310, 331. Galloway, SherilF of: see Agnew, Sir Patrick. Gardner, Helen, 431, 434, 435. Geddie, Mr John, 123. Gee, John, 336, note. Germany, Emperor of, 353. Germany, Princes of, 5. Gibson, Alexander, of Durie, 500. Gibson, James, minister of Pen- caitland, 134, 136, 138. Gicht, (Gordon) of, 516. Gillespie, George, minister of Wocms and Edinburgh, 445, 485. INDEX. 557 Gillespie, John, minister of Kirk- aldy, 430, 432. Gladstones, Dr Alexander, 2G9. Gladstones, George, minister of St Andrews, 164 ; Bishop of Caith- ness, 204, 209 ; Archbishop of St Andrews, 254, 2G7, 268, 273, 287, 289, 294, 301, 303, 304. Glammis, Lord, Chancellor, 48, 61. Glasgow, Archbishop of : see Bojd. Law. Montgomery. Spottis- wood. Glasgow, University of, 98. Glenbervie, younger, 136. Glencairn, Earl of, 38, 518. Goodman, Christopher, minister, 13, 453. Gordon, Alexander, of Earlston, 389. Gordon, Alexander, Bishop of Galloway, 21. Gordon, l)r, 513. Gordon, James, Jesuit, 136, 146, 147. Gordon, John, of Bukkie, 386, 887. Gordon, John, of Newton, 199. Gordon, John, of Haddo, 496, 516. (xordou. Lord, 172, 174, 515. Gordon, Sir Patrick, of Auchin- doun, 147. Gordon, Robert, of Straloch, 513. Gordon, William, 146. Gorthie, Laird of : see Murray. Gowrye, William, Earl of, 108, 218. Gowrye Conspiracy, 204, 217, 218. Graham, Andrew, Bishop of Dum- blane, 22, 51, 63, 72. Graham, David, of Fintrie, 105, 134, 136, 145, 146, 147. Graham of Morphie, 516. Graham, George, minister of Scone, and Bishop of Uumblane, 255, 292, 293 ; Bishop of Orkney, 269, 305. Grange, Laird of: see Kirkaldy. Grant, Laird of, 507. Gray, Patrick, Master of, 77, 80. Gray, Thomas, advocate, 239, 514. Gregorius XIIL, 398. Greig, Mr James, minister, 229. Greig, Walter, minister of Balme- riuo, 391. Grierson, Sir Robert, of Lagg, 386, 387. Guild, Dr William, Aberdeen, 491, 495, 496, 506. Guise, Duke of, 105. Gun, Colonel, 521. Gustavus Adolphus : see Sweden. Guthrie, John, minister of Perth, 269, 336 ; Bishop of Moray, 342, 363. Guthrie, Patrick, 129. H. Haddington, Thomas, Earl of, (see Hamilton,) 165, 505. Haddo, Laird of: see Gordon. Haig, William, 375, 382. Halkerton, (Falconer,) Laird of, 525. Hall, John, minister of Edinburgh, 205, 243, 250, 275. Halyburton, James, minister, 77. 99. Halyroodhousc, Lord : see Both- well. Steuart. Hamilton, Dr Archibald, minister of Paisley, 269. Hamilton, Gavin, Bishop of Gallo- way, 283, 292, 293. Hamilton, George, minister of Newburn, 484. Hamilton, Henry, 123. Hamilton, James, Marcpiis of, 328, 338, 346, 491, 492, 496-501, 503-505, 518. Hamilton, James, Duke of, 31, 38, .39, 42, 518. Hamilton, James, of Bothwellhauch, 31,32,41. Hamilton, James, Commissary, 269. 558 INDEX. Hamilton, James, minister in Ire- land, 465, 480. Hamilton, Sir John, of Orbiestou, Justice-Clerk, 489, 490, 511. Hamilton, John, Archbishop of St Andrews, 30-32, 304. Hamilton, John, apothecary, 337. Hamilton, Robert, minister of St Andrews, 45. Hamilton, Mr (Sir) Thomas, 77, 165, 239 : see Haddington, Hampton, Dr Christopher, 274, 282. Hannay, Dr James, Dean of Edin- burgh, 116, 374, 399, 408, 410, 445. Harlaw, Mr William, 13. Hay, Sir Alexander, Lord Clerk- Register, 109. Hay, Sir Alexander, Secretary in Scotland, 237. Hay, Andrew, 48, 80, 417. Hay, George, minister, 43, 56, 61, 417. Hay, Sir George, Lord Clerk- Re- gister, 269, 272 : see Kinnoul. Hay, Dame Helenor: see Linlith- gow. Hay, John, 514. Hay, Sir John, of Barra, Lord Clerk- Register, 356, 357, 362, 382-384. Hay, Peter, of Naughton, 381. Hay, Dr Theodore, in Glasgow, 269. Hempisfield, Laird of, (Amisfield) : see Charteris. Henderson, Alexander, minister of Leuchars, 324, 484, 494-496, 502. Henderson, Patrick, reader in Ed- inburgh, 408-410. Henrietta, Maria, Queen, 339. Henrison, Thomas, Commissary, Edinburgh, 269. Henry Stuart, (Lord Darnley,) 23, 31, 301. Henry, Prince, 208. Hepburn, Robert, 123. Hepburn, Thomas, minister, 58. Heriot, Richard, 77. Hcrries, Lord, 200, 210. Hewat, Peter, minister, Edinburgh, 310-312. Higgins, Dr Anthony, Dean of Ripon, 248. Hodson, Dr Phineas, 248, 274. Hogg, Thomas, minister of Dysart, 322, 356-363. Hogg, William, minister, 430. HoUand, Earl of, 524. llolyrood. Abbacy of, 105. Home, Sir Alexander, 160 : see George, Earl of Dunbar. Home, Alexander, Earl of, 154- 160,206, 210,517. Home, Alexander, 8. Home, Alexander, of North-Ber- wick, 160. Home, David, minister of Grinlay, 374. Hope, Sir Thomas, Lord Advocate, 203, 239, 383, 384. Howie, Dr Robert, Principal, St Andrews, 249, 269. Howieson, John, minister of Cam- buslang, 97, 98, 99. 101, 181. Hume, Alexander, minister of Lo- gic, 437. Hume : see Home. Hume, David, of Godscroft, 257. Hunter, Andrew, minister of Caru- bie and Newburn, 113, 129, 160, 16L Huntley, Marquis of, 491, 493, 496, 500, 501, 506, 508, 512, 513- 516. Huntley, Countess of, 192-206. Huntley, George Gordon, Earl of, 39, 105, 137, 138, 144-148, 155, 156, 177-182, 188, 190, 206, 209, 250, 348, 423. I. Inglis, Nathaniel, 229. Innes, Laird of, 507. Inverness, John, Lord, 155. INDEX. 559 Ireland, Bishops of, 397, 407 Primate of : see Usher. Irwin, James, minister, 229. Isles, Bishop of : see Knox. Jack, Mr Thomas, 122. JafFraj, Mr Alexander, 518. James the Fifth, King, 6, 7, 35. James the Sixth, King, 19, 23, 31, 34, 38, 62, 68, 73, 74, 77-80, 92, 96, 98, 103, 107, 108, 115, 132, 133, 139, 144, 155-161, 1G4, 165, 170, 176, 184-186, 205-209,220, 242, 272, 278, 298, 299, 306-316, 320, 323, 328-339, 352, 398, 413, 444, 473, 476. James, King : the King's Decla- ration, 1584, 122, 125, note, 126. Johnstone, Archibald, of Warris- toun, 493, 500, 502. Johnstone, James, Lord, 386, 387, 497. Johnstone, John, St Andrews, 421. Johnstone, Laird of, 250. Johnstone, Lieut.-Colonel, 501, 515, 520. Johnstone, Robert, of Crimond, Provost of Aberdeen, 518. Johnstone, Dr WiUiam, Professor of Mathematics, Aberdeen, 494, 512. Justice-Clerk : see Bellenden. Cockburn. Hamilton. K. Keith of Cowie, Robert, 518. Kemp, William,. 282. Kennedie, John, minister, 430. Kennoway, minister of, 467. Ker, Andrew, Clerk of the General Assembly, 463. Ker, George, 145, 146. Ker, John, 420, 462, 463 ; minister of Salt Preston, 502. Ker, Lady Fawdonsyde, 462. Ker, Mark, Lord of Requests, 92. Ker, Robert, minister, 463. Kinghorn, Earl of, 494, 505, 570, 512, 513, 514. Kingzo, Thomas, 129. Kinneir, Thomas, minister of Craill, 61. Kinnoul, Sir George Hay, Earl of, 385, 386. Kirk Registers : see Assembly. Kirkaldy of Grange, Sir William, 49. Knox, Andrew, Bishop of the Isles, 292, 293. Knox, John, the Reformer, 6. 9- 13, 24, 27, 30, 33, 45, 46, 52, 414, 415, 417, 455, 462. Kyer, (Keir?) Walter, 77. Lagg, Laird of : see Grierson. Lamb, Andrew, minister of Lcith, 208; Bishop of Brechin, 283, 292, 293. Lamb, Mr William, 13. Latimer, Hugh, 405. Laud, AVilliam, Bishop of London, 354, 361, 368, 389 ; Arclibi.sliop of Canterbury, 370, 389, 489. Lauderdale, John, Earl of, 386, 3S7. Law, James, minister of Kirklis- ton, 208, 210 ; Bishop of Orkney, 241, 245, 250, 268, 275, 282, 292, 293 ; Archbishop of Glas- gow, 304, 323, 327, 382, 389. Lawrence, Mr John, 140. Lawriestoun, Laird of: see Strui- ton. Lawsou : see LoM'son. Layng, William, 375, note. Learmonth, Sir John, of Balcolmic, 269, 343, 383, 511. Learmonth, William, 129. Leighton, Dr Alexander, 351. Lennox, Esme Stuart, Duke of, 87, 96, 97, 98, 105, 155. Lennox, Duke of, 485, 491, 499. Lennox, Earl of, 69-77, 210. 560 INDEX. Lennox, Mcatthcw, l^arl of, Regent, 31. Leslie, General Sir Alexander, 511-518. Leslie, Mr Alexander, 199. Leslie, Patrick, 495. Leslie, Dr William, Aberdeen, 495. Leys, (Burnet,) Laird of, 490 : see Lockhart. Lincoln. Bishop of, 334. Lindesay, Alexander, minister of St Madoes, and Bishop of Dun- keld, 244, 269, 293, 326, 327. Lindesay, Sir David, of the Mount, Lyon King at Arms, 6-8. Lindesay, David, minister of Dun- dee, and successively Bishop of Brechin and Edinburgh, 116, 243, 325, 362, 375, 390, 408, 410, 443, note, 433. Lindesay, David, minister of Leith, 13, 38, 50, 56, 60, 89, 99, 103, 108, 150 ; Bishop of Ross, 204, 223, 252, 292, 293. Lindesay, John, parson of Menmuir, Lord Seca-etary, 165. -Lindesay, Patrick, Bishop of Ross, 269, 342, 344. Lindsay, James, Lord, 155, 470, 471, 497, 523. Linlithgow, Alexander, Earl of, 218, 343. Linlithgow, Dame Ilelenor Hay, Countess of, 218. Livingston, Harie, minister, 244, 245. Livingstone, John, minister, 355, 390, 397, 465, 480. Livingstone, Lady, 206, 208. Livingstone, Lord, 148. Livingstone, Sir William, of Kil- syth, 269. Livingstone, William, minister of Lanark, 390, 502. Lo(;khart, Sir James, of Lee, 343, 490. Logan. James, parson of Ettilstone, 269. Logie, Mr Andrew, 496. Logie, John, 496. London, Bishop of : see Laud. Loretto : see Alareit. Lorn, Lord, 389. Lothian, Superintendent of : see Spottiswood. Lowdoun, Earl of, 343, 497, 524. Lowson, (Lawson,) James, minister of Edinburgh, 50. .56, 68,88, 415. Lundie, John, Professor, Aberdeen, 506. Lundie, Laird of, 69. Luss, Family of, 449. Luther, Martin, 5. M. Mackorn, John, minister, 269. Mackullo, Macollo, John, 321. Maclellan, John, 397, 465, 480. Magdeburg, Assembly at, 61. Maitland, Sir John, Secretary, 109, 131 ; Lord Chancellor : see Thirlestane. Makbirnie, John, minister of Fer- ry-Port-on-Craig, 421. Makgie, Mr Thomas, 91. Makgill, Mr Robert, advocate, 384. Malcolm, John, minister of Perth, 252, 290, 291, 305, 327, 430. Manderston, Hume of : see Dun- bar. Marcellus II., Pope, 458. Marischall College, Aberdeen, 153, 7iote. Marischall, George, Earl of, 153- 155, 268. Marischall, Lord, (of England,) 524. Marischall, William, Earl of, 386, 387,495,496,511-521. Marr, John, Earl of, Regent, 45, 47-49. Marr, Earl of, 155. Marr, John, Earl of, 268, 272, 386, 505. Mary of Guise, Queen Dowager, 11, 12, 13. INDEX 561 Mary, Princess, 354. Mary, Queen of England, 221. Marj, Queen of Scots, 13, 23, 24- 29, 31, 35, 40. Mathewson, Colonel, 511. Maxey, Dr, 248. Maxwell, Lord, 250. Maxwell, John, minister of Edin- burgh, 329, 348, 350, 352-355 ; Bishop of Ross, 363, 372, 382- 385, 395, 396, 398. Maxwell of Pollock, 78, note. Meen, John, merchant, Edinburgh, 3^7, 390. Melancthon, Philip, 5. Meldrum, William, Esquire, of Cleish and Binns, 449-455. Melross, Thomas, Earl of, 269, 272, 341. Melville, Melvin, Andrew, 56, 61, 81, 90, 95, 113, 115, 117, 126, 131, 133, 154,204,231-238,249, 283-286, 294, 296-301, 314, 421, 430, 439, 468. Melville, James, minister of Kil- renny, 6, 139, 159, 231-238, 252, 264, 430, 444. Melville, Sir James, of Hallhill, 151. Melville, Lord, 366. Melville, Mr Patrick, 122. Melville, Robert, minister, 349. Melville, Sir Robert, of Murdo- cairnie. Treasurer, 135, 160. Mendoza, Don Diego de, 334. Mercer, James, minister, 430. Mercer, Robert, minister, 430. Mercer, Thomas, 518. Meriton, Dr George, 274. Methven, Paul, 25, 26, 29, 36. Middleton, General, 520. MiU (MelviUe ?) Andrew, 417. Minto, Laird of : see Stewart. Mitchell, David, minister of Ed- inburgh, 345, 352, 372, 374. Mitchelson, Dr John, minister of Bruntisland, 430, 443. Moncreiff, Andrew, 129, 130. Monro, Colonel, 517. Monro, John, minister, 229. Monteith, Earl of, 351. Montgomery, Robert, minister of Stirling, and Bishop of Glasgow, 88, 89,91-97, 102, 108, 134, 135. Montrose, James, Marquis of, 497, 500, 507, 511-521, passim. Montrose, John, Earl of, 223, 269, 306, 494. Monypenny of Pitmillie, James, 125. Moorhead, James, minister, 430. Moray. See Murray. Moray, William, 77. Mordo, John, 77. More, William, Dean of Guild, 494. Morison, Mr George, 512, 514. Morphie, (Graham,) Laird of, 490. Morton, James, Earl of. Regent, 47-49, 55, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 77, 86. Morton, William, Earl of, 326, 382,383, 395, 470, 473, 491, 497. Mowat, James, 114, 203. Mowat, Roger, advocate, 384. Murray, Bishop of: see Douglas. Guthrie. Murray, Sir David of Gospetrie : see Scone. Murray, Sir David, of Gorthie, 254. Murray, David, 77, portioner of Ardeit 125. Murray, Earl" of, 144, 155, 173, 178, 179, 182. Murray, James, Earl of, Regent, 24, 31, 35, 37-41. Murray, James, Earl of, 386, 387. Murray, John, minister of Leith, and Dunfermline, 252-254, 305, 440, 475, 476, 479. Murray, William, minister of Dy- sart, 125. Myles, Edmund, minister, 430. Myrtoun, William, minister, 374. N. Napier, Lord, 505. Naughton, Laird of: see Hay. 2n 562 INDEX. Nicoll, John, writer, Edinburgh, 502. Nicolson, James, minister of Mei- gle, 159,166, 208, 241 ; Bishop of Dunkeld, 242. Nicolson, Thomas, Clerk of the Assembly, 181, 280. Nisbet, Sir Alexander of West Nisbet, 386, 387. Nisbet, Mr John, advocate, 384. Nisbet, Sir William, Provost of Edinburgh, 320. NithsdaiU, Earl of, 340, 348. 0. Ochiltree, James, Lord, 269, 383. CEcolampadius, 5. Ogilvy, James, Master of, 77. Ogilvj, John, minister, 269, 430. Oliphant, Dame Elizabeth, Coun- tess of Angus, 179. Orbieston, Lord Justice-Clerk : see Hamilton. Ordination, Book of, 391. Orkney, Bishop of : see BothweU. Graham. Orkney, EarLof, 112. Overall, Dr John, Dean of St Paul's, 232. Oxford, tFniversity of, 332. Palatine, Prince, 347. Parens, David, 332. Paris, Massacre at, 1571, 70. Parma, Duke of, 148, 149. Paton, William, minister of Aber- dour, 288, 473. Patton, James, Bishop of Dunkeld, 65. Paulus IV., Pope, 458. Pearson, Alexander, 383. Peebles, Holy Rood of, 70. Perth, Magistrates of, 154. Philip, Dr Henry, 269. Philorth, (Fraser,) Laird of, 202. Pierson, Alison, witch, 106. Pitarro, (Wishart,) Laird of, 37. Pitcairn, Robert, Commendator oi Dunfermline, 77. Pitfoddels, (Menzies,) Laird of, 508. Pitmeddin, Laird of: see Seaton. Pittenweem, Prior of, 69. Pittodrie, Laird of: see Erskine. Pius IV., Pope, 398. Pont, Robert, minister of St Cuth- bert's, Edinburgh, 40, 42, 55, 81, 103,133,168, 169,175,208, 417. Pope, The, 5, 14, 332. Porterfield, George, merchant bur- gess, 500. Presbyteries, proposed erection of, 83, 85, 109, 150, 151. President, Lord, of Session : see Skene. Spottiswood. Prestoun, John, of Fentonbarns, 165, 170, 181. Primrose, Gilbert, surgeon in Edin- burgh, 469. Primrose, Peter, minister, 279. Privy Seal, Lord : see Cockburn. Steuart of Blantyre. Provincial Synods, Platform of, 83, 85. R. Ramsay, Andrew, minister of Edin- burgh, 269, 324, 352, 374, 499, 525. Ramsay, George, 129. RaviUac, Francis, 400. Regent of Scotland : see Lennox. Mar. Morton. Murray. Register, Lord Clerk : see Hay. Skene. Requests, Lord of : see Ker. Reth, WiUiam, minister, 430. Rhind, Andrew, minister of Tilli- coutry, 457. Rhind, or Rind, Dominie, 456, 457. Rhind, James, minister of Long- forgan, 457. INDEX. 563 Rig of Atliernie, William, baillie in Edinburgh, 325-327, 337, 457, 469, 472, 476 :— His wife, Catharine Row. Ripon, Dean of, 248 : see Higgins. Ritchie, James, clerk of the Gene- ral Assembly, 181. Rizzio, Seignior David, 29. Robertland, (Cunningham,) Laird of, 172. Roberton, James, advocate, 383. Robertson, William, minister of Futtie, 496. Rochester, Bishop of: see Barlow. Rollock, Harie, minister of Edin- burgh, 352, 374, 500. Rollock, Robert, minister in Edin- burgh, and Principal of the Uni- versity, 150, 181, 203, 419, 436, 467, 469, 470. Ross, Bishop of: see London- derry. Ross, Sir William, 525. Rosse, Dr Alexander, Aberdeen, 494, 4;;5. Rosse, Mr James, 430. Rosse, Mr John, 159-161, 229. Rothes, John, Earl of, 343, 367, 382, 497. Row, Archibald, minister of Stobo, 457. Row, Catharine, wife of William Rig of Athernie, 457, 469, 472. Row, Colin, minister of StQuivox, 457. Row, James, minister of Kilspindo, 430, 456, 514. Row, John, the Reformer, minister of Perth, 3, 13, 27, 33, 35, 46, 56, 57, 63, 80, 258, 415, 447- 457, 462. Row, John, minister of Carnock, 3, 4, 325, 326, 410, 411, 430, 446, 456, 457, 466-480, 502. Row, John, schoolmaster of Kirk- aldy, 125,476 ; minister of Aber- deen, 481. Row, Samuel, minister in Ireland, 465, 480. Row, William, minister'of Forgan- denny, 244, 245, 252, 326, 430, 456. Row, William, minister of Ceres, 326, 457, 465, 466, 477. Roxburgh, Earl of, 382, 409, 490, 491. Russell, David, 125. Russell, John, advocate, 468. Russell, William, minister, 129. Rutherfurd, Samuel, minister of Anwoth, 396, 397, 406. Ruthven, Lord, 46, 77- Ruthven, William, of Billindane, 77. St Alareit, or Loretto, Lady of, 448-450. St Andrews, Archbishop of: see Adamson. Gladstones. Spottis- wood. St Andrews, Presbytery of, 58. St Andrews, University of, 57, 67, 81. St Giles, Dean of : see Hannay. St Hugo, 7. St Paul's, Dean of: see Overall. St Thomas a Becket, 400. Salisbury, Earl of, 234, 524. Sandelands, James, 502. Sandelands, Thomas, 502. Sandesoun, Robert, 147. Sanquhar, William, Lord, 269. Saulin, Minister of : see Steuart. Schaw, William, minister, 77. Scone, Lord, (Sir David Murray,) 244, 261, 312, 313. ^ Scone, Minister of, 255. Scott, Sir John, of Scottistarvet, 74, note, 285. Scott, Robert, minister of Glas- gow, 344. Scott, William, of Abbotshall, 129. Scott, William, minister of Cupar, 231, 238, 324,430, 474, 479. Scrimgeour, John, minister of Kinghoru, 430, 476, 479. 564 INDEX. Scroggie, Dr Alexander, Aberdeen, 495. Scrjmgeour, John, younger of Glaswall, 77. Seaforth, Lord, 515. Seaton, Lord, 77, 138. Seaton : see Dunfermling. Seaton of Pitmeddin, 520. Secretary, Lord : see Maitland. Sempill, Colonel William, 147. Semple, Robert, I'.il. note. Service Book, or Common Prayer, 310, 311, 312. Seytoun, Alexander, 77. Sharp, John, minister of Kilmany, 228, 229, 230. Sharpe, David, 2G9. Sharpe, Dr John, Pi-ofessor, Edin- burgh, 352. Sheines, Sciennes, Nuns or Sisters of the, 451, 452. Sherer, John, 431, 436. Sibbald, Dr James, Aberdeen, 495, 501. Simson, Symson, Andrew, mini- ster of Dunbar, 8, 9, 422. Simson, Symson. Archibald, mini- ster of Dalkeith, 310-312, 431. Simson, Symson, Lilias, 433, 436. Simson, Symson, Patrick, mini- ster of Stirling, 8, 139, 142, 144, 159, 204, 246, 250, 261, 282, 315, 422-437, 440. See Baron. Skene, Sir James, President of the Session, 341. Skene, Sir John, Clerk Register, 181, 341. Skene, John, 82, 326. Smeton, Thomas, minister of Pais- ley, 66, 81, 86, 103, 417. Southesk, Lord Cai'uegie, Earl of, 165, 306. Spain, King of, 145-149, 332. Spain, Traffiquers with, 192. Spanisli A.mbassador: seeMendoza. Spanish Armada, 137, 147. Spens, David, minister, 125, 137. Spottiswood, Jolni, Superintendent of Lothian, 33, 50, 417. Spottiswood, John, Archbishop of Glasgow, 50, 78, 208, 210, 223, 252, 254, 267, 268, 27.3, 275, 283, 287, 292, 293, 298, 299: Archbishop of St Andrews, 304- 306, 311, 313-316, 320-.323, 337, 343, 346, 348, 382, 385, 391, 409, 413, 417, 423, 436, 442, note, 474, 476. Spottiswood, Sir John, of Duni- pace, Lord President of the Ses- sion, 383, 511. Spynie, Alexander, Lord, 470. Stewart, Arabella, 300, 301. Stewart, Esme, Lord D'Aubigny: see Lennox. Stewart : see Henry, Prince. Stewart, Lady lesabell, (Isabella,) 136. Stewart, (James, Earl of Arrau ?) 77, 136. Stewart, James, minister of Salin, 65, 287, 470, 471. Stewart, Margaret, widow of John Knox, 46. Stewart, Sir Matthew, of Minto, 96, 97, (note,) 99. Stewart, Robert, 77, 105. Stewart, Walter, Prior of Blantyre, 77, 165 ; Lord Privy Seal, 108, 109 : see Blantvre. Stewart, Col. William, 99, 136. Stuart: see Stewart. Stirling, Presbytery of, 89, 91. Stirling, Provost of, 525. Stirling, Sir William Alexander, of MeEstrij, Earl of, 388. Stormonth, Mungo, Viscount of, 386, 387. Strachan, Sir Alexander, of Thorn- ton, 386, 387. Strachan, Alexander, minister, 229, 230. Strachan, James, minister of Bar- rie, 430. Strachan, John, 269. Straloch, Laird of : see Gordon. Strang, Dr John, minister of Errol, 269, 438, 504. INDEX. 565 Straton, Sir Alexander, of Lau- riston, 225, 226, 227. Struthers, William, minister of Edinburgh, 269, 336, 342, 352. Sutclivius, 124. Sutherland, Countess of, 192 Sutherland, Nicol, 41. Sweden, King of, 353, 356. SjdserflF, Thomas, minister of Ed- inburgh, 352, 3:.6, 371 372, 374, 375 ; Bishop of Brechin and Gal- loway, 388, 396. Sjmson, see Simson. T. Tables, The, 486, 514. Thesaurer, Treasurer : see Blan- tyre. Traquair. Thirlstane, Sir John Maitland, Lord, Lord Chancellor of Scot- land, 131, 135, 165. Thomas. Dean, 445. Thomson, Alexander, minister of Edinburgh, 345, 352, 374, 409. Thomson, J ames, minister of Hailes, 374, note, Thornton, Laird of ; see Strachan. Thorres, Thomas, minister, 504. Tilenus, Daniel, 441. Torrie, Nicoll, 496. Traquair, John, Earl of, 382, 385- 395, 410, 485, 490, 491, 511. TuUibardin, Lord, 518. Turreff", Trott of, 516. U. Usher, Dr James, Archbishop of Armagh, 355. V. Vautrollier, Thomas, printer, 71. Villiers, George : see Buckingham. W. Waldegrave, Robert, printer, 73, 145. Waldon, Lord, 285. Wales, Prince of: see Charles. Walker, John, Reader at Dunferm- line, 475. Wallace, Robert, minister of St Andrews and North Berwick, 16, 321, 430. Watson, Charles, 129. W^atson, John, minister, 504. Watson, William, minister of Ed- inburgh, 185, 208, 231. Wedderburn, Alexander, Clerk of Dundie, 490. W^edderburn, the poet, 64. Wedderburn, William, Bishop of Dumblane, 388. Weenies, David, minister of Glas- gow, 13, 97, 101. AVeemes, John, minister, 430. Weemes, John, Commissary of St Andrews, 269. Welsche, John, minister of Ayr, 181, 228, 229, 230, 462. Welsche, Josiah, 355. Wemyss, Lord, 409. White, Dr Francis, Bishop of Ely, 397. Whitefuird, Walter, parson of Moffat, 26'*, 342 ; Bishop of Brechin, 388. Wliitegift, Dr, 441. Whitenhall, Thomas, 221. Wigtoun, Earl of, 505. Wilkie, Robert, minister of St Andrews, 114, 125, 129, 198. Willock, John, minister, 2o, 26, 36, 38. Winchester, Dean of: see Abbot, Young. Winrame, George, of Libberton, 510. Winrame, Robert, minister of Port- moak, 13. W^ischeart, George, the Martyr, 10, 11, 462. Wischeart, William, minister of Leith, 374. Wood of Bonningtoun, Margaret, sister of, 206. Wood of Stravithie, Andrew, 152. 566 INDEX. Y. Yester, Lord, 497. York, James, Duke of, 370. Young, Dr John, Dean of Win- chester, 3] 6. Young, Peter, (Sir Patrick,) 77, 108. Young, Robert, printer, 398. Young, William, minister of Lon- cartj, 430. Youngston, Robert, minister of Clatt, 229. Princeton Theological Seminary- Speer Library 1 1012 01130 5820