'YAnjs^MViEissinnf- • ILIIiaiyaJIW •

1873

AUTOBIOGEAPHY AND DIARY

MR JAMES MELYILL

M.D.LVL— M.DC.X.

THE WODROW SOCIETY,
INSTITUTED MAY, 1841,
FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THE WORKS OF THE FATHERS AND EARLY
WRITERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.

THE

AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND DIARY

OF

MR JAMES MELYILL,
MINISTER OF K.ILRENNY, IN FIFE, AND PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY
IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS.

CONTINUATION OF THE DIARY.

EDITED FROM MANUSCRIPTS IN THE LIBRARIES OF THE FACULTT
OF ADVOCATES AND UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH,
BY
ROBERT PITCAIRN, ESQ.
F.S.A. SCOT.

EDINBURGH:
PRINTED FOR THE WODROW SOCIETY.
M.DCCC.XLII.

ED1HBUKSH PRINTING COMPANY, SOUTH ST DAVID STREET.

PREFATORY NOTICE.

I. THE AUTHOR'S BIRTH AND EDUCATION.
Mr James Melvill, Melvyne, or Melvin, (in which latter
form the family name was generally known, both in Scotland and
in foreign countries ' at the period when our Author flourished,)
was one of the sons of Richard Melvill of Baldowy or Baldovy,
Minister of the parish of Marytoun, near Montrose, in the presby
tery of Brechin, by his spouse Isabell Scrymgeour, sister to the
Laird of Glass well. The Melvills of Baldowy were then a respect
able family, and near cadets of Melvill of Raith, who was consi
dered to be the chief of a rather powerful and influential name in
the county of Fife. Melvill of Dysart, however, was acknowledged
by Mr Andrew Melvill to have been the chief of the Baldovy branch
1 In all the interesting correspondence which took place between our Author and his
celebrated uncle, which is in Latin, (Melvini Epistolse, MS. in Adv. Lib.) the name
is uniformly written " Melvinus." It may also be remarked, that in Fifeshire the
name is still vulgarly pronounced " Melvin," and at an earlier period it was fre
quently pronounced and written " Melin," " Mellin,'' and " Melling." a

VI PREFATORY NOTICE.
of the family.1 The Author states, in his Autobiography, that he
was born on the 26th day of July 1556, but at the same time
quaintly remarks, " my uncle, Mr Andro, haulds that I was born
in anno 1557."2
Of the early life, education, and pursuits of Mr James Melvill,
a simple but lively and unaffected narrative has been preserved by
himself in his Autobiography, in which will be found many curious
and important particulars as to the state of classical and theologi
cal education in Scotland in his younger days, and more especially
in the Universities of St Andrews and Glasgow. He has also, in
the commencement of his work, recorded much interesting infor
mation as to the early introduction of the Greek and Hebrew lan
guages into Scotland, and the methodical study of Oriental Lan
guages as a regular branch of theological education in these Uni
versities, at a period when it has generally been considered that
too little attention was paid to these departments of learning. It
may perhaps not be unworthy of a cursory notice in this place, that
it likewise appears from this work, that at St Andrews and elsewhere,
at and before the middle and close of the sixteenth century, not
only was the mind assiduously cultivated by the study of theology,
philosophy, mathematics, the classics, and other kindred branches
of a polite education, in a manner hardly to be surpassed in the pre
sent day, but the bodily faculties were strengthened and developed
by the regular practice of archery, fencing, running, leaping, wrest
ling, swimming, and other athletic and manly exercises and sports,
in regard to which many amusing instances are alluded to or en
larged on by our Author. The enquirer into the manners, customs,
1 M'Crie's Melvill, i. 409. a See Diary, p. 13.

PREFATORY NOTICE. Vli
and superstitions of our countrymen, at this period, will also find
numerous passages of considerable interest and curiosity.
It would be equally unnecessary and out of place to attempt a
recapitulation of what is so forcibly and graphically narrated by
the Author on these subjects ; but it may here be briefly noticed,
that through the kindness of Principal Lee, the Editor is now en
abled from his notes (which have been most obligingly communi
cated at a time when busily engaged in important public avoca
tions) to throw some additional light on the exact dates of Mr
James Melvill's matriculation at St Andrews, and the period of
his laureation as a Master of Arts.
As has been recorded by himself, Mr James Melvill got the ru
diments of his education at Logie and Montrose ; and in his Diary,
he states that he was entered as a student at St Leonard's College,
St Andrews, in 1571. In this latter instance, however, it would ap
pear that he had quoted from memory, at an advanced period of
his life, as the Very Rev. Principal Lee has politely communicated
to the Editor, from his notes of matriculations, &c, that our Author
was enrolled so early as 1569, (" Jacobus Melwal,")1 when in his
fourteenth year. From the same authentic .source it is gratifying to
state, that the accuracy of the previous entry in the matriculation
books of St Andrews is amply proved by the following, in the list of
Bachelors of Arts who were admitted on the 9th day of February
1572, " James Melvyn ;" which exactly corresponds with the
earliest period at which he could have been admitted to this de
gree by the statutes of that University. It is possible that Mel
vill may have taken his degree of Master of Arts either at Glas-
1 His name is so inscribed in the original Register.

vm prefatory notice.
gow or subsequent to his return to St Andrews ; but the period of
his laureation is uncertain, from the imperfection of the lists, about
that period, both at Glasgow and St Andrews.
The Editor trusts that the Members of the Wodrow Society, as
well as the Church and public, will cordially join him in the wish
that the Very Rev. and learned Principal, to whose notes the So
ciety is indebted for this information, may still be prevailed on to
favour the world with his long projected work on the Ecclesiastical
and Literary History of Scotland, at no very distant date. It is uni
versally acknowledged that no one is better qualified for undertak
ing so important a task ; and a large number of his friends are
well aware that during the last thirty years he has amassed a most
valuable store of materials, at immense personal labour and consi
derable expense, and that he has ever been willing most liberally
to afford his advice, and to communicate information to others en
gaged in kindred pursuits. Already have the pages of many of our
authors been enriched from these stores, and it is to be hoped that
sufficient leisure may still be afforded him for completing so very
desirable a work.
II. PROFESSOR IN THE UNIVERSITIES OF GLASGOW AND
ST ANDREWS.
On Mr Andrew Melvill being appointed Principal of the Uni
versity of Glasgow, our Author, his nephew, was invited by him
to accompany him thither ; and, we are informed by Mr James
Melvill, that at the early age of nineteen, he began, as a Regent,
about Michaelmas 1575, to instruct his class in Greek, Logic, and
Rhetoric ; and, in the following year, he taught them Mathe-

PREFATORY NOTICE. IX
matics and Natural Philosophy. Dr M'Crie records that " he was
the first Regent in Scotland who read the Greek authors to his
class in the original language," ' in which both he and his uncle
were great proficients.
In the year 1580, after his uncle had returned to his charge as
Principal of St Andrews, our Author was appointed Professor of
Hebrew and Oriental Languages in the same University, and was
soon afterwards invited to be Minister of Stirling, which offer,
however, he declined to accept.
III. HIS FIRST MARRIAGE, AND HIS CONDUCT AS A MINISTER .
OF THE GOSPEL.
On the 1st day of May 1583, Mr James Melvill married Eliza
beth, daughter of his friend and patron, Mr John Dury, Minister
of Edinburgh,2 afterwards of Montrose, by Marion Marjoribanks,
who is understood to have been daughter of Sir John Marjori
banks, Provost of Edinburgh.
Having preached his first sermon at the early age of eighteen,3
the increasing expenses of his family induced him, in the autumn
of 1586, to accept of a call from the parish of Anstruther^Wester ;
and he was soon afterwards admitted by the presbytery to that
charge. From the Registers of that parish the following entry
occurs : " 1586, 22 day [of] Oct., being Sonday, Mr James Mel
vill our ministair, now began and ministered the sacrament of
baptisme, as after followes, in Anstruther," &c. &c.4 Mr Robert
' M'Crie's Life of Melvill, i. 74. 2 He had been transported to that im
portant charge from Leith. 3 At " the Exercise." Diary, p. 50. ' Register
of Births, &c. of the parish of Anstruther-Wester.

X PREFATORY NOTICE.
Wood, who had been appointed minister of the parish of Kenno-
way, December 4, 1582, was his predecessor, and held the office from
the year 1584 ; and from the manner in which the Author speaks
of him in his Introduction,1 it would seem that he was far from
being acceptable to the people.
It would appear that on the death of Mr William Clark, in
February 1583,2 who had been burdened with the care of the
three parishes of Pittenweem, Abercrombie, and Kilrenny, Wood
got a presentation to the whole from the Archbishop of St An
drews, (Adamson ;) and on his removal, Mr James Melvill entered
on the same extensive and laborious charge. Greatly to his
honour, and to the credit of his religious profession, our Author,
in place of attempting the arduous task of performing the duty of
minister to four large parishes, immediately used all his influence
and exertions to get separate ministers appointed to each. In this
he finally succeeded, and, despising the mere motive of pecuniary
aggrandisement, he then betook himself seriously to the discharge
of his ministerial duties in the parish of Kilrenny, to which, in
October 1590, he was enabled exclusively to restrict himself.
The manner in which he effected this is beautifully and simply
narrated in his Introduction.
The charge of Anstruther-Wester he resigned in favour of his
friend, Mr Robert Dury,3 in 1588. That distinguished man was
banished by King James VI. in 1606, and died at Leyden in 1616.
1 Diary, p. 4. « Register of Presentations to Benefices, ii. 133.
a It is probable that he was his brother-in-law, but the Editor has not been able to
satisfy himself of this on proper evidence. He married Elizabeth Ramsay. Mr
Andrew Melvill was witness to the baptism of his son and daughter, Andrew and Mar
garet, in 1605 and 1607. Session Record of Anstruther.

PREFATORY NOTICE. XI
The charge of Pittenweem was committed to Mr Nicol Dal-
gleish, who, on 3d November 1603, got Mr Roger Melvill ap
pointed as helper to him. In April 1613, Mr John Durie suc
ceeded to the cure of souls in this parish ; and on his translation
to the parish of Logie in 1614, the parish remained vacant until
1617, when our Author's eldest son, Mr Ephraim Melvill, who was
translated thither from Newburn, was appointed. On his death,
in 1629, Mr John Melvill succeeded. He conformed to Presby
tery in 1638, and died in 1649. The succession of ministers in
this parish has been noted, in consequence of one, and perhaps two,
of the sons of our Author having been included in the number of
its ministers.
The charge of Abercrombie was, in 1593, considerably after the
resignation of Mr James Melvill, bestowed on Mr Alexander For
syth, who went to England in 1604. It may be remarked, in re
ference to this subject, that in the year 1646, the parish of Aber
crombie had the town and lands of St Monance united to it. These
were ecclesiastically dismembered from that of Kilconquhar ; but
as the Kirk of St Monance was " most capable to conteine the whole
parish, and because the grytest nomber of the parishioners duell
neerest to that kirk, and for other reasons conteined in the suppli
cation given in to the Presbyterie for that effect," Divine worship
was ordained to be performed therein for the future.1
The charge undertaken by Mr James Melvill, as minister of
Kilrenny, in which he continued from the period of his admission
until he was called to England by order of the King, was most
1 Ecclesiastical Records of the Synod of Fife, 1611-1687, p. 201, presented to
the Abbotsford Club by Charles Baxter, Esq. as his private -contribution.

xii PREFATORY NOTICE.
faithfully and zealously discharged by him ; and when the duties of
his professorship and the increasing wants of the parish demanded
further assistance in that important duty, he got his dear friend, Mr
John Dykes, admitted as his " fellow laborer," or colleague, in 1596.
Mr John Dykes, however, was translated to the parish of Newburn
in October 1604; but, on the invitation of the parish, he returned
to Kilrenny in 1614, shortly after Mr James Melvill's death. He
died in 1634. It may be mentioned generally, that there was
another Minister of the same name flourishing at the same time,
probably a near relation, who was appointed as the first Minister
of Culross in 1567. He was confined by order of James VI. in
1607. This individual seemed to have been a considerable plural
ist, as he also held the large and important parishes of Tulliallan and
Clackmannan, being assisted in the former by Walter Myllar, " Ex-
hortar," and, in the latter, by Robert Maxwell, " Reidare," in these
charges. If this Mr John Dykes was the same individual who
was so intimately associated in the bonds of friendship and of the
holy ministry with Mr James Melvill, he must have been a Mini
ster above forty years, and, consequently, advanced in life when
confined by order of the King in 1607 ; and if he lived to the
year 1641, when, so far as the Editor has been enabled to discover,
it is believed he died, he must then have been above ninety-four
years of age. The Editor, however, is convinced, from the cir
cumstance of the plurality of livings held by him, and the discre
pancy of the periods of the death of the incumbents of these pa
rishes, that they must have been different individuals.1
i See Records of the Synod of Fife, pp. 208, 210, 236.

PREFATORY NOTICE. Xlll
It is not a little complimentary to the popular talents of our
Author, that we have it to relate that his separation from his parish
of Anstruther was deplored by his people as a subject to them of
deep and lasting regret ; and had he left so affectionate and at
tached a body of parishioners merely for pecuniary gain or personal
aggrandisement, such an expression must have been not only ex
tremely affecting, but must have afforded cause for bitter remorse.
The Kirk-Session of Anstruther-Wester thus forcibly record their
regret : — " Mr James Melvill took his guid nycht from this con-
gregatioun the said moneth of October 1590 yeiris, and took him
to Kylrynnie to be thair minister. God forgif him that did sa !
for I know and saw him promes that he suld never laif ws for any
vardlie 1 respect, sa lang [as] he lyvit, except he var forssit be the
Kirk and his Majestie; bot, nevir being forsit aither be Kirk or his
Majestie, leift ws."2 It may be noticed, that the contiguous town
of Anstruther-Easter was then annexed to the parish of Kilrenny,
and all the three parishes are situated within a short distance from
each other.
The various steps which led to the final endowment and estab
lishment of four ministers in these four populous parishes, by the
extraordinary exertions of one conscientious minister, in whose per
son the whole had been originally united, through the pernicious
system of pluralities then so prevalent in Scotland — and that within
the almost incredibly short space of three years — are related by our
Author in his own simple and forcible manner, and are well worthy
of admiration. They afford a very striking instance of what may be
1 Worldly. 2 Kirk-session Records of Anstruther- Wester, October 6, 1590.

xiy PREFATORY NOTICE.
achieved by the untiring, conscientious perseverance and energe
tic application of the mind and influence of one good man, having
only before his eyes the glory of God and the eternal interests of
his fellow Christians. IV.^HIS PUBLIC LIFE.
The personal history of the Author, and his proceedings in the
public affairs in which the Church was involved during the event
ful period which followed, are so fully narrated in his Autobio
graphy, and in the Continuation of his Diary, and are so much
connected with the History of Scotland, that it is only necessary
here to advert generally to his work itself. The noble stand which
he made, in common with his uncle, Mr Andrew Melvill, and the
other Ministers who accompanied him to England, in a situation
of singular difficulty and delicacy, where their religious liberty and
that of the Church, with which they so completely identified them
selves, was so much at stake, is one which has exercised the pens,
and called forth the commendation of our best Ecclesiastical histo
rians.1 The leading circumstances connected with this remarkable
passage of British History are detailed with admirable precision
and candour by our Author.
The particulars relating to the oppressive and cruel detention of
the Ministers in London, from their families and flocks, the con
finement of Mr Andrew Melvill in the Tower of London, and the
banishment of our Author as a prisoner at large to Newcastle and
Berwick, with his active and zealous professional employment.
i See especially Calderwood's Church History, M'Crie's Life of Melvill, &c.

PREFATORY NOTICE. XV
while there, are all detailed with touching simplicity and fidelity,
which, indeed, are highly characteristic of the whole of this most
valuable contribution to the History of the Church of Scotland, and
they stamp on it the indelible impress of truth.
V. HIS SECOND MARRIAGE. — HIS BANISHMENT AND RESIDENCE
AT NEWCASTLE AND BERWICK.
During his residence at Newcastle-on-Tyne, the Author lost his
affectionate wife, Elizabeth Dury, who had, for so long a period,
been his faithful companion and friend, and the fond partaker with
him in all his toils and troubles. The date of her death cannot now
be exactly ascertained, but it is supposed to have occurred between
the years 1609 and 1610. After a most diligent search of all the
Registers and Vestry books of the parishes of Newcastle-on-Tyne
and Gateshead, as well as of the town of Berwick-on-Tweed, (for
which the Society is indebted to the zeal and kindness of Thomas
Bell, Esq., and J. Bailey Langhorne, Esq. of Newcastle, and of
Robert Weddell, Esq., of Berwick",) no entry has been found of the
death or burial of Mrs Melvill.
It appears, however, from the interesting correspondence above
alluded to, which took place between the Author and his uncle,
Mr' Andrew Melvill,1 that Mr James Melvill remained above two
years a widower ; and that previous to July, 1612, he was united
in marriage to Debora Clerke, daughter of the then deceased
Richard Clerke, A.B., Vicar of Berwick-on-Tweed. No entry oc
curs in the Parish Registers of Berwick ; and until now it was
l Melvini Epistolse, MS. in Adv. Lib. It may be remarked that this valuable col
lection formerly belonged to Mr James Melvill, and is partly in his own hand- writing.

XVI PREFATORY NOTICE.
merely known, or rather reported, that our Author married a young
girl of nineteen years of age, who was believed to have been the
daughter of a deceased Vicar of Berwick. Through the persever
ing activity of Robert Weddell, Esq., of Berwick, a note of the suc
cession of Vicars in that town was procured, and the conclusion
drawn, that the Author's second wife was likely to have been the
daughter of Richard Clerke.1
The name of Clerke was a common name in Berwick, from the
reign of Henry VIII. downwards. Richard Clerke, probably a
near relation, perhaps the grandfather of the Author's second wife,
in a deed dated 15th October 1594, is called " Richard Clarke,
precher of God's Word in Berwick." It relates to a property in
Berwick belonging to the Gardiner family ; one of whom, George,
was Dean of Norwich, (Wood's Ath. Oxon.) The only other no
tice of Richard is, that he " lived in the Churchyard !"
After much trouble, and a prolonged but fruitless search, which
was instituted by the editor into the Books of the Commissa
riats of St Andrews and Edinburgh, he at length applied to
his friend Mr Weddell, in the hope that Mr James Melvill's Will
might have been proved at Durham, York, or some of the Eccle
siastical Courts in the northern or middle districts of England :
and that gentleman at length succeeded in tracing the interest
ing document forming No. I. of the Appendix to this Prefatory
I Thomas Clerke was Vicar of Berwick 18th December 1 567, and died before
26th February 1589, when we find Richard Clerke, A.B. in that living. On 22d
July 1607, William Selbye, A.M. was Vicar, and resigned the same year. He was
succeeded by Leo. Rountree, who also resigned in 1610, and was succeeded by Richard
Smith, who died in 1613. Gilbert Durie was Vicar from that time till about 1660.
It is not unlikely that he was connected with Mr James Melvill's family.

PREFATORY NOTICE. XV11
Notice, in the Registry of the Consistory Court at Durham. The
Will of Mr James Melvill settled the point most satisfactorily, so
far as concerns the Christian and family name of his second wife,
which had previously been so very doubtful.
Previous to this marriage taking place, a very serious remon
strance had been addressed to the Author by his uncle, Mr An
drew Melvill, to whom the courtship had been revealed, both on ac
count of the unsuitableness of her age, and from the circumstance of
a long-formed friendship, which Mr Andrew concluded to have sub
sisted between his nephew and the widow lady with whom Mr
James had lodged at Newcastle, and whom Mr Andrew most
anxiously pressed him to marry. Mr James, however, persisted
in maintaining the inexpediency of becoming united to the excel
lent and respectable widow alluded to by him in his Diary ;' and,
ultimately, Mr Andrew yielded the point to his nephew. In the
whole of this protracted correspondence, an abstract of which has
been ably and humorously given by Dr M'Crie,2 and even to the
conclusion of that collection,3 embracing a period before and after
his second marriage, the name uniformly given by Mr Andrew to
his niece was Melissa,4 which led to the conclusion that such was
indeed her Christian name, until the discovery of the Author's
Will.
There is now no evidence to prove that there was any issue of
our Author's second marriage — at least no traces of such are to be
1 " Whose sone-in-law," (says our Author, Diary, p. I72,)"guidman of the house,
was lyand seik of manie deadlie wounds giffen him be the Scottes theives on the Bor-
dar." 2 M'Crie's Life of Andrew Melvill, ii. pp. 364-375. 3 Melvini Epistolse,
passim. 4 She is frequently termed by Mr (Andrew Melvill, in his letters,
" melitissima Melissa,'' which Dr M'Crie has happily translated " the honied Melissa."

XV111 PREFATORY NOTICE.
found in the Will, nor in the Account of his Death-bed, which is
sufficiently minute in many similar particulars ; neither do the pa
rish Records bear any entries of the birth of children after the date
of that marriage. On the contrary, there is every reason to con
clude there were none.
VI. IS OFFERED A BISHOPRIC. — HIS CONDUCT WHEN IN FAVOUR
AT COURT, &C.
It is recorded by Calderwood in his Ecclesiastical History, ' that
in the month of October 1607, Sir John Anstruther2 was sent by
the King to Newcastle, with the offer of a bishopric to Mr James
Melvill, at a period when the Court seems to have calculated that
it was not unlikely that Melvill might be inclined to purchase his
liberty at the expense of his integrity, and the consistency of his
religious principles. This offer, however, he unhesitatingly reject
ed ; and he preferred to remain in obscurity and captivity in the
North of England, rather than compromise his deliberate opinion
as to Church government, and the form of religion which he had
conscientiously embraced, and maintained at so great a cost, by
the acceptance of an office of such dignity and emolument in his
native country. This is no more than might reasonably have been
expected of a man of such inflexible integrity.
In the course of his Autobiography, it is clearly discoverable how
great a favourite at Court Mr James Melvill was, at an early period
of his professional career, and how easily he might have risen to
1 Calderwood's History, in Adv. Lib. vii. 72, 2)8. M'Crie's Melvill, u 375
' Calderwood's MS., in the British Museum, states this courtier's name to have
been Sir William Anstruther.

PREFATORY NOTICE. XIX
the highest eminence and ecclesiastical preferment. Numerous
passages are there to be found of the personal intimacy and friend
ship which subsisted between him and the King, and the great
freedom and honesty with which he expressed his opinions before
his Majesty. But when rigorous measures were adopted against
his uncle, Mr Andrew, then Principal of the New College of St
Andrews, in July 1602, and after Mr Andrew had been put in
ward within the precincts of that University, our Author conducted
himself with the utmost determination and courage. Dr M'Crie
states, " that he attended the Assemblies of the Church at the risk of
his life ; and when confined by a lingering disease, he wrote thence
from his sick-bed letters containing the freest advices, and the most
powerful exhortations to constancy."1 Some of these have been
preserved in the present work, and show most forcibly how the ut
most possible gentleness and meekness of temper and disposition,
and the most indomitable courage, sometimes meet in the character
of individual Christians, when aroused to action in times of trial
and persecution.
Among other instances of this leading trait in the character of
Mr James Melvill may be cited two remarkable anecdotes, which
have fortunately been preserved. The first was connected with the
proceedings of the General Assembly 1602. In the spirit of con
ciliation, and with a view to promote peace and harmony, our
Author had in some cases made certain compliances, of which un
handsome advantage had been taken ; while, on the other hand, he
had generally rather shunned controversy, and often preferred to
remain silent when action did not seem to him to be essentially
1 M'Crie's Melvill, ii. 181.

XX PREFATORY NOTICE.
necessary. This line of conduct was misconstrued by the enemies
of the cause which he espoused, into constitutional timidity and
vacillation of character. During that eventful time the King
thought proper to send for him to his palace, with the view of
talking him over, and counted on his being able to carry the mea
sures which he then contemplated, through the influence and in
strumentality of Mr James Melvill. As he came out of the King's
cabinet, Mr William Row, minister of Strathmiglo, who had been
waiting for access, overheard his Majesty saying to one of his at
tendants, " This is a good simple man. I have streaked cream in
his mouth ! I'll warrant you he will procure a number of votes for
me to-morrow." Row lost no time in communicating this to our
Author ; who, having next day given his vote directly against the
proposal of the Court, the King would not believe it, until the
Clerk of the Assembly had called his name a second time.1
The other instance is related by Calderwood. With the view of
preventing the opposition of the Author to the Court measures
which were about to be proposed at a meeting of the Synod of
Fife, intimation was made to him that the King had placed one of
his letters in the hands of the Lord Advocate, for the purpose of
instituting a criminal prosecution against him. So little, however,
did he regard this intimidating threat, that Sir Robert Murray, in
reporting the proceedings of that Synod to the King, informed his
Majesty that James Melvill had become more fiery than his uncle !
Calderwood thus closes his allusion to this matter : " At the time
of the sitting of the Synod of Fife, in April 1604, Mr James Mel-
vine, being assured that the King hated him worse than any Scot-
1 Livingston's Characteristics, art. William Row.

PREFATORY NOTICE. XXI
ish man, because he crossed all his designes, and was a ringleader
to others, answered to the informer, ' My resolution is this,
Nee sperans aliquid, nee extimescens,
Exarmaveris impotentis iram J'"1
During his detention in England, many ineffectual attempts were
made by his parish, Presbytery, and Synod, and by the General
Assembly, by supplications presented to the King, petitioning for
the return of our Author to his duties. The same, indeed, had
been done on behalf of the other Ministers. Two instances may
be quoted, beside those alluded to in the Diary, which are to be
found in the Records of the Synod of Fife :
April 3, 1611. " Petitio Kilrynnie. — Anent the supplication giffen
in be the parochinars of Kilrinnie for Mr James Melvill, thair Mi
nister, that he may be restored to thame, my Lord Archbishop de
clared that he had written to the King's Majestie for that effect,
but had not effectuate it. The Assemblie, as yet, requeistit his
Lordship to insist."2
And in April 1612, " the parochiners of Kilmanie 3 proponed
thair suitt that his Majestie may be dealt with for granting libertie
to Mr James Melvil, thair Minister, to returne to thame ; quhairin
my Lord Archbishop sail travell."4
There is a passage in the history of Mr James Melvill which has
hitherto been unknown, but it is well worthy of notice in this place.
The Society is indebted to Principal Lee's notes for the informa-
1 Calderwood's History, folio edit. p. 481. s Records of Synod of Fife, p. 7-
s There is no doubt this refers to his own parish of Kilrenny. 4 Ibid. p. 50.
b

XX11 PREFATORY NOTICE.
tion. It would appear that our Author, either for the recovery of
his shattered health, or feeling an overwhelming anxiety to see his
uncle Mr Andrew before he died, had made preparations to embark
for France. With this view he applied to his nephew, Mr Andrew
Balfour, one of the many individuals who were named after Mr An
drew Melvill. Mr Andrew Balfour was a son of his youngest sister,
Barbara, who was married in 1575 to her cousin, Mr James Bal
four, Minister at Guthrie. Mr Andrew became Minister at Kirk-
newton in the year 1613, to which living he was presented by
Lord Balmerinoch in 1612, and ordained by the Archbishop of St
Andrews. After his admission, there was a long litigation for the
purpose of reducing the settlement, which was carried on at least
as late as August 1615. Its issue, however, is not at present known,
and is perhaps unimportant. In the Minutes of the Presbytery of
Linlithgow, 7th July 1613, it is stated that Mr Andrew Balfour
applied for leave of absence, because his uncle, " Mr James Mel-
win," had written to him to visit him in Berwick, as " he was pur
posed to pass to France shortlye, that he might meet with him
before his remuiffing from Berwick :" — " Quhilk being considered,
licens was grantit to him upon that respect."
It would also appear from the above quotation that Mr James
Melvill had contemplated a permanent residence abroad. His
uncle had formerly held out the prospect of a respectable living
from a Professor's chair at Sedan, or elsewhere abroad, if the state
of public affairs in Scotland precluded the probability of his being
speedily restored to his church and parish, and to the quiet enjoy
ment of his Theological Chair at St Andrews. Many of his per
secuted brethren in the ministry had taken refuge in foreign coun-

PREFATORY NOTICE. XXlli
tries, and laid the foundation of many a Protestant Church, where
formerly Popery had reigned with undisputed sway. The increas
ing infirmities, and the death of our Author, within half a year
after that proposal had been made, prevented the accomplishment
of his wishes, in this respect. No traces are now to be found of
Mr James Balfour's visit, which it is likely he cheerfully paid his
uncle. VII. MANUSCRIPTS FROM WHICH THIS WORK HAS BEEN EDITED.
The Editor has now briefly to explain that the Manuscripts
from which the present Work has been edited are preserved in the
Libraries of the Faculty of Advocates and the University of Edin
burgh. In preparing these valuable and important historical remains
of our pious, faithful, and learned Author for the press, the Editor
has deemed it to be an indispensable duty to present them to the
Members of The Wodrow Society as nearly in the same dress
in which they have been handed down by the writer as circum
stances now permit.
The first portion of this Work consists of The Autobiography
and Diary of Mr James Melvill,1 which is now printed from
what appears to be the Author's original Manuscript, and which,
fortunately, has the advantage of being enriched by the numerous
enlargements and corrections which he from time to time found
it necessary to make on these biographical and historical Memoirs.
> Advocates' Library, Jac. V. 6, 29, (new mark, 34, 4, 15.)

xxiv PREFATORY NOTICE.
No other contemporary transcript is known to exist, although
there are traces still to be found of many copies and extracts
having been made at and subsequent to the period of the
Author's death, and of the Diary being very largely made use
of by all our early Ecclesiastical and Historical Writers, as a
Work on which perfect reliance can be placed. Besides having
served, in some respects, as the ground-work of the valuable
" Life of Andrew Melville," by the learned and indefatigable Dr
M'Crie,1 it is a well known fact, that the Autobiography and
Diary of Mr James Melvill has been very copiously quoted by
Mr David Calderwood in his History of the Church of Scot
land, by Mr John Row, Minister of Carnock, in his Ecclesiasti
cal History, and by nearly every writer who has treated of the
political and ecclesiastical affairs of Scotland, during the troublous
period embraced in the narrative of our Author's Work.
The honesty and integrity of Mr James Melvill, his highly
conscientious character, and the very conspicuous part he was fre
quently called on to perform, when placed in situations of the
utmost delicacy and difficulty, peculiarly fitted him to be a faith
ful and true Chronicler of the remarkable occurrences which
passed under his own observation during the very eventful times
in which he lived ; and the value which has been placed on the
Memoirs he has left behind him, ever since that time, affords a
pretty sure criterion of their general accuracy and fidelity. No
man can read his graphic pages without being deeply impressed
1 " The Life of Andrew Melville : Containing Illustrations of the Ecclesiastical and
Literary History of Scotland, during the latter part of the Sixteenth, and beginning
of the Seventeenth Century.'- 2 vols. 8vo. Edinburgh, Blackwood, 1819.

PREFATORY NOTICE. XXV
with a high veneration for the character and integrity of the
Author, however much he may otherwise be disposed to differ
from him in the views he entertained of the affairs of Church or
State which he discusses. An open, frank, and manly spirit ap
pears in every page of his writings ; and the disposition and temper of
the humble and sincere, but zealous and uncompromising, Christian
Minister shine forth throughout his highly interesting Autobio
graphy and Diary.
The original Manuscript is written in a neat, small, but very
correctly formed character ; and although, like other Manuscripts
of the same period, it abounds in many abbreviations and arbitrary
variations of the orthography, it is, to those conversant with the
writings of that age, sufficiently distinct and perspicuous. It
consists of 371 pages, closely written on foolscap folio by the
Author. For the satisfaction of the reader, it may be interesting
to mention, that in a transcript of this Manuscript which belongs
to Adam Gibb Ellis, Esq., it appears that the original Volume
had by descent come into the hands of Sir William Calderwood
of Polton, one of the Senators of the College of Justice, and a
Lord of Justiciary, " who had it among other papers which be
longed to his grand-uncle,1 Mr David Calderwood, author of Al-
tare Damascenum, History, &c." Sir William Calderwood was
admitted advocate, July 1, 1687,2 and, after having filled the
office of sheriff-depute of the county of Edinburgh, with consider
able reputation, was elevated to the bench on the death of Sir
William Anstruther of Anstruther, Nov. 6, 1711, under the title
' Wodrow's Letters, Adv. Lib. Hi. 173. s Pitmedden MS.— lb.

xxvi PREFATORY NOTICE.
of Lord Polton.1 It is believed that Lord Polton presented the
original MS. to the Faculty of Advocates, of which he was long
a distinguished member, and to whose valuable Library he is un
derstood to have made other benefactions.
The second portion of the present Work, being " A true nar-
RATIOUNE OF THE DECLYNELNG AIGE OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND,
from m.d.xcvi. to m.dc.x.," has all along been considered as the
Author's Continuation of his Autobiography and Diary, which is
alluded to by him as being contained in a separate volume. It
is quoted and marked as such by Wodrow, in his MS. Collec
tions, and has also been cited by Dr M'Crie, and other writers,
who all appear to have been perfectly satisfied with the authenti
city of these Manuscripts, from their own internal evidence, as well
as from the circumstance of the two MSS. belonging to the Fa
culty of Advocates having uniformly been reputed to be the work
of Mr James Melvill, and marked as such on the Volumes
themselves. Until now the Continuation has never been printed.
After the Editor had completed the collation of the two Ma
nuscripts of this Continuation, belonging to the Advocates' Li
brary,2 it was fortunately discovered that a MS. in the Library of
the University of Edinburgh, which has for a long period been
¦ He died Aug. 7, 1733, in the 73d year of his age.— Historical Account of Sena-
tors of College of Justice, p. 492.
! The first is in foolscap folio, pp. 188, (shelf-mark, 34, 2, 1 1.) The other MS.
is in small quarto, pp. 286 ; shelf-mark, Rob. III. 2, 12 j being Vol XIV of the
Wodrow MSS., entituled, « James Melvill's History of the Declining Afte of the
Church of Scotland." 6

PREFATORY NOTICE. XXV11
known as a work on Church History, by Mr Ninian Dunlop,
from 1596 to 1610, was in reality a transcript of Mr James Mel
vill's Continuation, above a century earlier in date than the two
Manuscripts before alluded to.
The University Manuscript of the Continuation of Mr James
Melvill's Diary is also a foolscap folio, consisting of 139 pages,
very illegibly written on a discoloured, thin, spongy paper. It
seems to have been transcribed early in the seventeenth cen
tury, by Mr Ninian Dunlop, who has (apparently for the pur
pose of identifying his transcript, and stamping the value which
he set on its contents) pertinaciously subscribed his name or
initials on some part of almost every leaf. This probably led
the Keepers of the Library to catalogue and title this Volume
as a work on Ecclesiastical History by Mr Ninian Dunlop ; while,
at the same time, that very circumstance would serve to with
draw the attention of those who have had occasion to consult
the valuable stores preserved in that National Collection. The
Editor has followed this last MS., as containing the oldest and the
most correct text, and has also adopted its orthography; while,
on the other hand, the various readings of the more modern tran
scripts, in the Advocates' Library, have been scrupulously noted.
Without the aid of the University MS. the Editor would have
considered it to be inexpedient for the Wodrow Society to have
delayed the publication of the Continuation until a more correct
MS. could be discovered, owing to the very incorrect manner in
which these more modern transcripts have been made. There
seems to be no reason for doubting, that all the three Manuscripts
have been copied from one common original ; but, after having

XXviii PREFATORY NOTICE.
bestowed considerable pains, the Editor has not been able to trace
any original or earlier Manuscript of this part of Mr James Mel
vill's work. The value of the "Narratioun" itself, as well as
the important papers and documents which the Continuation has
served to perpetuate, are too apparent to render any observa
tions necessary in this place.
It may be remarked here, that while all abbreviations have
been carefully discarded, the Editor did not feel himself at li
berty to modernize the orthography, or to make the slightest
alteration on the forcible style of the Author. In publishing,
from original Manuscripts, historical or poetical works of Scotish
authors, written in the racy vernacular of the sixteenth century,
it seems to be highly inexpedient, indeed it would be unwar
rantable, in an Editor to attempt any alteration in the style, or
to translate the language then in common use at Court and in
the pulpit. However, for the sake of aiding the modern English
reader, and to obviate the difficulty of any of the Members of
the Wodrow Society perusing the dialect of our Author, it has
been considered necessary very briefly to explain, in foot-notes,
such words and phrases as might be supposed to occasion hesi
tation in the minds of those not conversant with the phraseology
and idiom of the Scotish dialect, at that period.
VIII. DEATH OF MR JAMES MELVILL.
The Author died on the 19th January 1614. The particulars
attending his deathbed will be found in the Appendix1 to this
1 See App. No. II. to this Prefatory Notice.

PREFATORY NOTICE. Xxix
Preface, but they are so briefly and feelingly narrated by the
talented Biographer of Mr Andrew Melville, that no apology is
needed to lay them before the reader, in his own words : — " A
letter from Sir James Fullerton, which he (Mr Andrew) received in
the month of April 1614, gave a shock to his feelings which it re
quired all his fortitude to bear. His dearest friend and most affec
tionate and dutiful nephew, James Melvill, was no more. His health
had for some time been in a state of decline, which was accele
rated by grief at the issue of public affairs in Scotland, which his
extreme sensibility disposed him to brood over with too intense
and exclusive interest. In consequence of the importunity of his
friends, and an apparently earnest invitation from Archbishop
Gladstanes, he set out for Edinburgh, in the beginning of the
year 1614, to arrange matters for his return to Kilrinny, or, if this
was found impracticable, to make permanent provision for that
parish. But he had not gone far when he was taken so ill as to
be unable to proceed on the journey, and with difficulty returned
to Berwick. The medicines applied could not impede the pro
gress of the distemper, which soon exhibited alarming symptoms.
He received the intimation of this with the most perfect compo
sure, and told his friends that he was not only resigned to the
will of God, but satisfied that he could not die at a more proper
season. On Wednesday the 19th of January, he ' set his house
in order;' and all his children being present, except his son
Andrew, (who was prosecuting his theological studies at Sedan,)
he gave them his dying charge and parental blessing. His bro
ther-in-law, Joshua Durie, minister at St Andrews, and Hume of
Ayton, a gentleman who had shown him great kindness during

XXX PREFATORY NOTICE.
his residence at Berwick, waited by his bed-side. He was much
employed in prayer. When he mentioned the Church of Scot
land, he prayed for repentance and forgiveness to those who had
caused a schism in it, by overturning its reformed discipline.
And, addressing those around him, he said : ' In my life, I ever
detested and resisted the hierarchy, as a thing unlawful and an-
tichristian, for which I am an exile ; and I take you all to witness
that I die in the same judgment.' He made particular mention
of his uncle at Sedan ; gave him a high commendation for learn
ing, but still more for courage and constancy in the cause of
Christ; and prayed that God would continue and increase the
gifts bestowed on him. In the midst of the acute bodily pain
which he endured, during that night and the succeeding morning,
he expressed his resignation and confidence, chiefly in the lan
guage of Scripture ; and often repeated favourite sentences from
the Psalms in Hebrew. Being reminded of the rapture of the
Apostle Paul, he said — ' Every one is not a Paul ; yet I have
a desire to depart and be with Christ, and I am assured that I
shall enter into glory.' — ' Do you not wish to be restored to
health ?' said one of the attendants. ' No ; not for twenty worlds !'
Perceiving nature to be nearly exhausted, his friends requested
him to give them a token that he departed in peace ; upon which
he repeated the last words of martyr Stephen, and breathed
gently away.1 He died in the fifty-ninth year of his age, and in
the eighth year of his banishment."2

Calderwood's MS. History, vii. 502-513. * M'Crie's Life of Andrew
Melville, ii. 438.

PREFATORY NOTICE. XXX1
In the Register of Burials, at Berwick, the following entry is
made: " 1613,1 Januarie 21, James Melvill."
The present Church was built during the Commonwealth, and
the tombstones in the ancient Churchyard appear to have been
used as flagging-stones or pavement for the more modern structure,
It is likely that the pious and grateful affection of his friends would
induce them to erect a tombstone over his grave, or a commemora
tive tablet on the wall of the Church ; but if so, it has long since
been defaced, like all the older sepulchral monuments of the kind
of that place. IX. CHARACTER OF THE AUTHOR.
His character is thus summed up by the same impartial autho
rity : " The Presbyterian Ministers of that age were in general
characterized by piety, assiduity in the discharge of parochial du
ties, disinterestedness, public spirit, and the love of freedom. In
James Melville, these qualities were combined with the amiable
dispositions of the man, and the courteous manners of the gentle
man. ' He was one of the wisest directours of Kirk affaires that
our Kirk had in his tyme, (says Calderwood,) and for that caus
was ever imployed by the Generall Assemblies, and other public
meetings appointed by the King and General Assemblies. He
acted his part so gravelie, so wiselie, so calmelie, that the ad-
versarie could gett no vantage ; yet the King, being bent to per-
fyte that worke which he had begunne of his advancement of the
3 That is, 1614, hew style.

XXX11 PREFATORY NOTICE.
estate of Bishops, called him up to Court ; not doubting, by the in
stigation of the aspyring Prelates; but suffered him never to re-
turne backe againe to his owne native countrie, least his presence
and action sould be anie impediment to his designes. Thus was
the man of God exiled and deteaned in a forreine countrie, without
conviction of anie cryme but-onlie for feare of these good parts that
were in him.'1 Though gentle and not easily provoked, he possessed
great sensibility ; could vindicate himself with spirit ; and testified an
honest indignation at whatever was base and unprincipled, especially
in the conduct of men of his own profession. He felt a high vene
ration for the talents and character of his uncle ; but he was a confi
dential friend and able coadjutor, not a humble dependent or syco-
phantish admirer ; and his conduct, during the last years of his life,
when he was thrown on the resources of his own mind, served to dis
play the soundness of his judgment, and to unfold the energy of his
character.2 Besides what he had published at an early period of his
life, he prepared, a short time before his death, several treatises for
the press. His Supplication to the King, in the name of the Church
of Scotland, a work on which he bestowed great pains, is composed
in an elegant and impressive style. Possessing less fancy than
feeling, his poems, which are all written in the Scotish dialect, do
not rise above mediocrity ; but from this censure, some parts of
1 The foregoing extract has been obligingly communicated by the Rev. Thomas
Thomson, from the original MS. of Calderwood's History, in the British Museum.
* When some urged that James Melvill might be allowed to return home, although
it was dangerous to set his uncle at liberty, Archbishop Spottswood is said to have
replied: " Mr Andrew is but a blast, but Mr James is a crafty, bydingman, and
more to be feared than his uncle !" — Wodrow's Life of James Melvill, p. 146.

PREFATORY NOTICE. XXX111
his Lamentation over the overthrow of the Church of Scotland
deserve to be exempted." '
X. THE DISTRESS OF MR ANDREW MELVILL ON LEARNING
THE AUTHOR'S DEATH.
The distress which Mr Andrew Melvill felt at receiving the tid
ings of his nephew's death was calm and silent, because it was
deep. It is expressed with a tender simplicity, in the following
Epitaph,2 which he wrote for him :
Epitaph on Mr James Melvill, written by his uncle,
Mr Andrew Melvill.
Chare nepos, de fratre nepos, mihi fratre, nepote
Charior, et quicquid fratre nepote queat
Charius esse usquam ; quin me mihi charior ipso,
Et quicquid mihi charius esse queat.
Consiliis auctor mihi tu, dux rebus agendis,
Cum privata, aut res publica agenda fuit.
Amborum meus una animo, corde una voluntas,
Corque unum in duplici corpore, et una anima.
Una ambo vexati odiis immanibus, ambo
Dignati et Christi pro grege dura pati.
Dura pati, sed iniqua pati, sub crimine ficto,
Ni Christum, et Christi crimen amare gregem.
Qui locus, aut quas me hora tibi nunc dividat, idem
Hie locus, me hsec eadem dividat hora mihi.
Tune tui desiderium mihi triste relinquas ?
Qui prior hue veni, non prior hinc abeam ?
An sequar usque comes ? sic, sic juvat ire sub astra,
Tecum ego ut exul eram, tecum ero et in patria.
1 M'Crie's Melville, ibid. 2 M'Crie's Melville, ii. 509.

xxxiv PREFATORY NOTICE.
Christus ubi caput, arternam nos poscit in aulam,
Arctius ut jungat nos sua membra sibi.
Induviis donee redivivi corporis artus
Vestiat, illustrans lumine purpureo.
-ZEternum ut patrem, natumque et flamen ovantes,
Carmine perpetuo concelebremus, Io.
In a letter to his friend, Mr Robert Durie, at Leyden,1 Mr
Andrew Melvill thus expresses himself: " The Lord hath taken
to himself the faithfull brother, my dearly beloved son, Mr
James Melville, in January, as I am informed by Mr James Ful-
lerton. I fear melancholy to have abridged his days. He was in
great perplexity and doubt what to do, as ye know, and as Mr
Bamford wrote me ; and I answered, by these letters which I sent
you. I cannot tell if they be yet beside you ; but I persuade
myself he has never seen them. He was resolved to accept no
restitution without you and Mr Forbes.2 Now he is out of all
doubt and fashrie,3 enjoying the fruits of his suffering here. God
forgive the instruments of his withholding from his flock ! I can
not write more at this time. If ye have received the particulars
of his sickness and his death, I pray you let me know the circum
stances at large." XI. CHILDREN OF MR JAMES MELVILL.
Of the family of our Author it is to be regretted that little infor
mation can now be gleaned ; but, in the absence of more ample in
formation, the following memoranda may in part suffice to satisfy
the reader's curiosity :
1 Letters from Mr Andrew Melville to Mr Andrew Durie, No. 5, MS. in Bibl.
Jurid. Edin. M. 6, 9, No. 42. « Two of the banished Ministers, whose suffer.
ings are related at great length in the Diary. s Trouble, O. Fr. fascherie.

PREFATORY NOTICE. XXXV
I. Ephraim was bom at Newcastle, 15th January 1584-5,1 dur
ing the temporary flight of his parents to England. The earliest
reference made to him in the Records of the parish of Anstruther-
Wester is on 29th April 1606, and 31st May 1608 ; where, he is
mentioned as a " Preacher."2 In the Records of the Synod of Fife,
his name appears among the " Expectantis," or Probationers, in
September 161 1.3 He was admitted minister of Newburn, a
small parish in the Presbytery of St Andrews, in 1614 ;4 and was
translated to Pittenweem, in the same Presbytery, in 1617.5 He
is said to have died in 1629,6 and to have been succeeded by Mr
John Melvill, probably his brother, who conformed to Presbytery
in 1638, and died 1649. Wodrow, in his Life of Mr James Mel
vill, states that " Mr Ephraim was afterwards a faithful and useful
minister of the Gospel at Queensferry, and singularly blessed with
success in his ministry. I have been told he was the instrument
of converting that extraordinary light of this, and I may say, all
the Reformed Churches, Mr James Durham."7
It is believed that Mr Ephraim Melvill was translated from
Queensferry to Linlithgow. In the Record of Retours, under date
4th June 1653, " Andrew Melvill, merchand burges of Edinburgh,"
is mentioned as being " second and third of kyne, on the father's
syd, to Bessie, Eufame, and Kathrein Melvills, daughters to the de-
ceist Mr Ephraim Melvill, minister of Linlithgow."8 If Wodrow
' Diary, p. 22 1 . 2 The Society is indebted to the Rev. Hew Scott, Minister of
Anstruther-Wester, for this information. 3 Records of Synod of Fife, p. 39.
4 Records of Synod of Fife. p. 210. 5 Ibid. p. 21 1. 6 Ibid.
7 Wodrow's MSS. xii. 154, Bibl. Coll. Glasg. For this extract the Society is
indebted to Professor J. Seaton Reid, D.D. of Glasgow, who politely communicat
ed it to the Editor. 8 Register of Retours de Tutela, No. 801.

XXXVI PREFATORY NOTICE.
is correct in supposing this individual to have been the eldest son
of Mr James, there must be an error with regard to the period of
his death. Lamont, in his Diary of Fife, also mentions that Mr
Ephraim Melvill and two other Ministers in Lothian died in April
1653, which exactly tallies with the above-mentioned Retour.1 The
same authority, referring to the Sacrament having been dispensed
in several places, on Sunday 13th July 1651, states : " Att this
time, in Sconie, was present (beside Mr Samuel Rutherfoord) Mr
James Gutherie and Mr David Bennet, Mr Ephraim Meluen, and
Mr William Oliphant minister, in Dumfermling. Hither did re
sort many strangers, so that the thronge was great ; for Mr Ephraim
and Mr David Benet, both of them did sitt within the pulpit whille
the minister had his sermon. Mr Ephraim on the Sabath, and
Mr David on the Moneday."2
There is no doubt, however, that Mr James' eldest son, Ephraim,
was minister of Newburn ; for, in a letter to his uncle, Mr Andrew,
the Author thus writes, in the month of July 1612 : — " Ephraimus
meus Newburnenses pascit, doletque quod ad Kilriminos meos ad-
mitti non potuit. Non potuit siquidem adduci ut eos relinqueret

II. Andrew, born at St Andrews, 9th July 1586.4 He was
named after his grand-uncle, Mr Andrew Melvill. This child died
in infancy, to the great grief of his parents, in the beginning of the
year 1588.5
i Lament's Diary, p. 54. » Ibid. p. 32. 3 In allusion to his colleague, Mr
John Dykes. Melvini Epistolse MS., Adv. Lib. 4 Xilaxy, p. 254. 5 Ibid. p. 269.

PREFATORY NOTICE. XXXV11
IH. Andrew, who was born (probably at Anstruther) in the
month of August 1588.1 He was in after life a very great favour
ite of his grand-uncle, Mr Andrew, after whom he also was named.
This young man generously partook of his great relation and pa
tron's imprisonment in the Tower of London. In this duty he
seems to have been occasionally relieved by his cousin, Andrew
Melvill, another name-son of Mr Andrew, a young man of a ro
mantic and unsettled disposition, who was the son of Mr Andrew's
deceased brother, who died leaving a large family unprovided for.
Mr James's son, Andrew, after having left the Tower, where his
grand-uncle had thoroughly grounded him in the languages, and
completed his classical and philosophical education, resided with a
Scotsman named Guthrie, who was a brother of Mr Alexander
Guthrie of Edinburgh, and related to Mr James Lawson, the Mi
nister. Guthrie taught an academy in the neighbourhood of Lon
don, and appears to have been assisted by young Andrew Melvill
for some time. His school was at Hoddesdon as early as the year
1584. He died in the year 1609.2
Owing to the names of the two cousins, Andrew Melvill, being
the same, it is difficult now correctly to trace the history of the
second son of Mr James ; but fortunately there have been preserv
ed some notices in the valuable correspondence, already so often
quoted,3 which suffice to show the progress of his education, and
how he was employed down to the conclusion of this collection of
the epistolary intercourse between Mr Andrew Melvill and his
nephew. 1 Diary, p. 269. , 2 Ibid. 3 Melvini Epistolse, MS. Univ. Lib. pp. 56,
64, 100 ; M'Crie's Melville, ii. 355 ; Life prefixed to Bishop Cowper's Works.

xxxviii PREFATORY NOTICE.
Mr Andrew Melvill writes thus to his nephew, Mr James, Idibus
Oetobris 1609: "Redlt ad te Andreas tuus (Guthraeo jam altera
patre vita fiincto) melior ; quidni ita credam? Si non multo doctior
ea provincia, et severi senis quanquam amicissimi domestica disci-
plina." And again, November 28, he adds, " Andreas tuus, ut
spero, jam aliquot, non dies modo, sed etiam hebdomadas apud te
est.". Of his nephew (young Andrew Melvill) he thus writes,
April 1610 : " Abit Andreas, nepos tuus, in Galliam."
His stay, however, must have been very short in France, or
probably he merely returned through France to Scotland ; for our
Author, in a letter to his uncle, April 29, 1610, states that his son
Andrew had just entered as a student of Theology and Hebrew, in
Scotland. This Avas no doubt under his own eye, in the University
of St Andrews.
In the summer of the following year, young Andrew left the
University to pay a visit to his grand-uncle at Sedan. Accordingly,
on 15th July 1611, from Berwick, Mr James. writes his uncle in
these terms : " Nescio an Andreas meus dextram tuam adhuc teti-
gerit." He appears to have continued in the same high favour
with his venerable relative as when he helped to while away part
of the time which hung so heavily on his hands, during his confine
ment in the Tower of London. In a letter dated at Sedan, 4 Cal.
Mail 1612, Mr Andrew Melvill writes to Mr James : " Tuus, apud
me, Andreas, in officio est et ut se dant principia bene sperare de
progressu in Uteris jubet." To which Mr James replies from Ber
wick, " Julio mense," 1612 : " Quam me beasti testimonio tuo de
meo Andrea ! Sed velim eum sudore vultus sui vivere " &c.
In the same letter he writes his uncle with the following inter-

PREFATORY NOTICE. XXX1X
esting particulars as to the members of his family : " Ephraimus
meus Newburnenses pascit, doletque quod ad Kilriminos meos ad- "
mitti non potuit. Non potuit siquidem adduci ut eos relinqueret
Deixius. Joannes meus mecum est, bonas horas inutiliter locatus
mea opera redimens. Isabella mea, jam nubilis, si essent nummi,
Edinburgi manet cum cognata sua, D. Bancalquelli filia, bona et
amante fcemina. Anna est apud me, Anglice educta. Adhaerens
lateri quae semper chara Melissa sustinuit conjux exulis esse viri.
Tui quam ego saepius memor et cupida magis ! Tibi et Andraee
meo omnem salutem."
At the beginning of the following year, we find that, in the
month of January, (1613,) our author thus addresses his uncle :
" Cseterum, nisi tibi ad nutum placide demisseque inserviet Andreas
meus, non amplius erit meus. Eat quo velit, nihil pensi habebo !"
So great was the veneration he felt for his highly valued uncle and
friend. Having remained with his grand-uncle since the beginning of
summer 1611, young Andrew appears to have been recalled home
to complete his studies at St Andrews, and probably to prepare
himself for the holy ministry. On 15th June 1613, the author
again writes to his uncle that he had not yet seen his son, Andrew,
and gives the following reason for his delay : — " Detinetur enim
juxta Linam oppidum ad Cami ostium tertiana notha laborans."
The last notice that we find of this very promising young man is
preserved in the following quotation, which contains a contrast
drawn between the characters of the two young men, and was writ
ten on the 5th September 1613, from Sedan, by Mr Andrew Mel
vill, to his nephew : — " Andreas alter, fratris tui filius, ante alterius

xl PREFATORY NOTICE.
Andrese, filii tui discessum, hue venerat in re tenui admodum, ut
qui ne obulo quidem gravis aut onustus esset quo se hospitio exper
diret ! Mussat nescio quid de suo patrimonio non persoluto. Sim
plex est et apertus imbecillione judicio. Tuus tectior et versutior,
Uterque, si utilem non tardus provisor, certe prodigus seris."
Whether or not young Andrew Melvill died shortly after his
arrival in England, the Editor has not been able to discover ; but
certain it is, that no mention is made of him in the Will of our
Author, nor is any blessing left by Mr James while on his death
bed, which would seem to indicate that he had died before January
1614. In the Account of the Last Illness and Deathbed of Mr
James, it is mentioned that " he callit on his childring, quho wer
all thair, saiff ane." This probably alludes to his daughter Isa
bella, who, in July 1612, at least, remained in the family of her
relation, who was probably a daughter of Mr Walter Balcanquall,
one of the ministers of Edinburgh. That excellent man was, with
Lawson and Pont, one of the protesters against the " black acts"
of 1584, and, with twenty other ministers, was forced to take re
fuge in England -,1 and the persecution against him was so hot,
that he was denounced rebel after he had returned, and he was com
pelled again to return to England in 1596. If Andrew had been
the individual alluded to, and if he had been with his grand-uncle
at that period, assuredly Mr James would not have failed to be
stow on him a father's blessing.
1 It is related of Arran, that, with his usual coarseness, he threatened " that he
would make Lawson's head to leap from his halse, (neck,) though it were as big as a
haystack!" — M'Crie's Melville, i. 314.

PREFATORY NOTICE. xli
IV. Margaret, born 28th August 1593. She died in infancy,
having only survived six or seven months.1
V. John, born on Thursday, 27th March 1595. This son is
stated to have been named after his " guid-schyr," (grandfather by
the mother's side,) Mr John Durie.2 Of the history of this son
little can be discovered, excepting that he studied for the Church,
and that it is probable he succeeded his brother, Mr Ephraim, in
the charge of the parish of Pittenweem, in the year 1629. That
charge appears to have remained vacant from the year 1617, when
Mr Ephraim was translated to Newburn, in 1629. Mr John con
formed to Presbytery in 1638, and died in 1649.3 In the roll of
the Presbytery of St Andrews, preserved in the Record of the
Synod of Fife, Mr John Melvill appears to have been present at
" the Provenciall Assemblie of Fyffe, hauldine at St Androis the
4th Aprile 1648." The ruling elder, who was present with him
for Pittenweem, was " Johne Keith." No other authentic traces
can at present be recovered of him by the Editor.
VI. Issobel. It is singular that no mention is made of his two
daughters by Mr James, in his Diary. In the letter above quoted,
dated at Berwick in July 1612, the Author writes to his uncle at
Sedan : — " Isabella mea, jam nubilis, si essent nummi, Edinburgi
manet cum cognata sua, D. Bancalquelli filia, bona et amante foe-
mina." Supposing her to have been sixteen years of age at that

' Diary, p. 309. * Dial7> P- 323-
3 Records of the Synod of Fife, p. 21 1 ; Lamont's Diary, p. 8.

xlii PREFATORY NOTICE.
time, he is likely to have been born in the summer of 1 596. No
notice of her marriage or death has been discovered.
VII. Anna. It is likely this daughter was born in 1597 or
1598. In the above-cited letter1 the only mention the Editor
can find of this daughter occurs : " Anna est apud me, Anglice
educta." Perhaps it ought to be mentioned that Mr Andrew MelvilL in
one of his letters, speaks of his nephew as being then the father of
five children. Omitting Ephraim, he speaks of Andrew, John,
Elizabeth, (in all probability a mere slip of memory or a clerical
error for Issobel,) and Anne. There is no trace of Mr James Mel
vill having any daughter of the name of Elizabeth.2
It is probable that this is the last child our Author had. In his
Diary 3 it is related, that about the month of August 1600 his wife
" was strucken with sic infirmitie that sche could nocht be a wyff
to mie."
As has already been hinted, the precise date of the death of the
Author's first wife is not known to the Editor, but it is believed to
have occurred in June or July of the year 1607.4 It is believed
she died in Scotland; for Mr James Melvill was not only detained
as a prisoner in England, but he was barbarously refused leave to
visit his wife in Scotland when on her deathbed. Calderwood, how
ever, records, that after her demise Melvill was allowed, as a special
favour, to go to Anstruther to put his family affairs in order short-
1 Melvini Epistolas, Jul. 1612. MS. Univ. Lib.
* Melvini Epistolse, pp. 81-96. Univ. Lib. 3 Diary, p. 486.
* See Calderwood's History, MS. British Museum.

PREFATORY NOTICE.

xliii

ly after the period of her decease ; but he was strictly prohibited
from preaching, or attending any meeting of Presbytery or Synod,
during his stay ; and he was taken bound to return to the place of
his confinement at the end of one month.1
Since the earlier part of this Prefatory Notice was printed, the
Editor has had an opportunity of examining more carefully the
valuable MS. Collection of Letters in the University Library, so
often quoted, (Melvini Epistolse.) It is proper, therefore, to state
a few particulars in further explanation of our Author's second
marriage. Mr Andrew Melvill writes thus to his nephew, in the
month of April 1610 : — " Remitto progymnasma tuum, expecto
tuas. Quiescat Melissa ad tempus." At that period, Mr James
Melvill was engaged in completing certain works, the rough draught
of which he appears to have shown his uncle. The exhortation Mr
Andrew gives him, to defer all ideas of love and marriage in the
meantime, and seriously to betake himself to the completion of the
works in question, shows that, at that date at least, the marriage
had not taken place. In a subsequent letter, Mr James promises
duly to observe his good advice.
On 11th April of the following year, 1611, Mr Andrew thus
addresses our author : — " Mi fili, mi Jacobe, vale, vale, cum Melissa
mellitissima, in Domino !" At that date, there is no doubt that they
were married persons ; but it is likely, from the tenor of the cor
respondence with his uncle, that the marriage took place in the
summer of the year 1610 ; for, before the close of that year, Mr
l Calderwood's History of the Church of Scotland, MS. Adv. Lib., vii. 49 — A
much fuller account is, however, given in the larger MS. in the British Museum,
which is now in the course of publication for the Wodrow Society.

xliv PREFATORY NOTICE.
Andrew sends his affectionate regards to " Melissa," as the wife
of his nephew and friend, and the worthy successor of " Eliza !"
He then prays that they may pass many happy years in each other's
society, and that Melissa might enable him to become the father of
a fair offspring.1

XII. WORKS OF MR JAMES MELVILL.
After bestowing considerable pains in collecting suitable ma
terials, the Editor has not succeeded in preparing such ample and
satisfactory bibliographical notices of our Author's Works as he
would have wished. The limited time permitted for this purpose,
his other laborious avocations, and the difficulty of recovering the
necessary information, will, it is hoped, plead his apology with the
Members of the Wodrow Society.
I. ¦" The Description of the Spainyarts' Naturall, out
of Julius Scaliger, with sum Exhortationes for warning
of Kirk and Countrey." This seems to have been the first of
Mr James Melvill's published works, in verse. He says, under date
1592, " then did I first put in print sum of my Poesie." 2 No copy
of this Poem is known.
II. " A Spirituall Propyne of a Pastour to his People."
Edinburgh, printed by Robert Waldegrave, printer to the King's
' Melvini Epistolse, MS. Univ. Lib. pp. 134, 141, 143, &c. See also M'Crie's
Life of Andrew Melville, ii. 374.
1 Diary, p. 307.

prefatory notice. xlv
Majestie. Cum Privilegio Regis. Quarto, pp. 127. This book is
extremely rare. A very imperfect copy is in the Advocates' Li
brary. This work he styles his " Catechisme," by the publication
of which he lost four hundred merks.1 It is dated from " Anste-
ruther, the 20 day of Nouember, 1598." The first part is in prose :
It consists of Prayers and Meditations suited to different occasions,
Directions for Self-examination, and " The Forme of Tryall and
Examination taken of all sik as ar admitted to the Table of the
Lord," in the form of question and answer. The second part is
in verse, and is introduced by the following title : " A Morning
Vision : or Poem for the Practise of Pietie, in Devotion, Faith,
and Repentance : Wherein the Lord's Prayer, Beleefe, and Com
mands, and sa the whole Catechisme, and right vse thereof, is
largely exponed." It is prefaced by a metrical Dedication to
" James the Sext, King of Scottes, and Prince of Poets in his
language ;" and contains, among other devotional and moral pieces,
a singular composition set to music, and entitled : " Celeusma Nav-
ticvm : The Seaman's Shovte, or Mutuall Exhortation to ga for
ward in the Spiritual! Voyage." 2
HI. " A Poeme, in print, called The Black Bastill, or a
Lamentation of the Kirk of Scotland, compyled by Mr
James Melvill, Minister at Anstruther, (now, in anno
1611, confyned in england.")3
Dr M'Crie cites a manuscript copy of this poem, which is dated
November 1611. The MS. is preserved in the collection of Ro-
1 Diary, pp. 12, 443. z M'Crie's Melville, ii. 505.
3 Row's History of the Kirk of Scotland, (Maitland Club's Edit.) i. 260.

xlvi PREFATORY NOTICE..
bert Graham, Esq., of Redgorton. It extends to 93 stanzas. In
the year 1634, an abridged copy of the poem was published, ap
parently abroad, under the following title : " The Black Basteh or
a Lamentation in name of the Kirk of Scotland, composed by M.
lames Melvil, when he was confined at Berwick, anno 1611.
Abridged by N.— Ann. Dom. [1634.]" sm. 8vo, 8 leaves. This
copy was reprinted, and is included in a very curious and valuable
collection, entitled, " Various Pieces of Fugitive Scotish Poetry ;
principally of the Seventeenth Century," edited by David Laing,
Esq. Edin. 1825, 8vo.
IV. A Poem, entitled, " Thrie may keip counsell, gtve
twa be away;1 or Eusebius, Democritus, Heraclitus."
This poem, which consists of 69 stanzas, is in the same MS. volume
with the above.
V. A Translation into English Verse of part of the
Zodiacus Vit^: of Marcellus Palingenius : " Dedicat to the
E[arl] of D"[unbar.] It contains only Aries and part of Taurus.
This work is contained in the following interesting manuscript :
VI. D. Andrew Melvini Epistol^;, Londino e Turri Car-
ceris, ad Jacobum Melvtnum, Novocastri, exulantem Scripts ;
cum ejusdem Jacobo nonnullis ad eundem. Annis supra 1608,
1609, 1610, et 1611. Item, EcclesiEe Scoticanse Apologetica ad
Regem anno 1610, mense Aprilis. It is preserved in the Library
1 If, or providing, two be absent.

PREFATORY NOTICE. xlvii
of the University of Edinburgh, and has been largely quoted by
Dr M'Crie, in his Life of Andrew Melville. This remarkable col
lection is well worthy of being printed by some of our literary as
sociations. VII. Collection of Poems, Autograph MS., 4to, 102 leaves,
presented to the Library of the Faculty of Advocates by the Rev.
William Blackie, Minister of Yetholm, in May 1822. It has since
been inlaid and bound. The chief contents are thus enumerated in
the Catalogue of MSS.
(1.) Sonnets and other short Poems, written in 1610 and 1611,
and some of them relating to Andrew Melvill, followed by a copy
of a Petition to the Lords to examine the  and carriage of
D. Ban[croft,J Archbishop, by Hugh Broughton. Anno 1608.
(2.) A PRESERVATIVE FROM APOSTASIE, or THE SONG OF MOSES,1
with short notes for the deduction and doctrine thereof. Trans
lated out of Hebrew, and put into Metre, first shortly, and then
more at large paraphrastically.
1 It is probable that this may be a translation or adaptation of a work of Mr Andrew
Melvill's :  " Cakmen Mosis, Ex Deuteron., Cap. XXXII. quod ipse moriens Is
raeli tradidit ediscendum & cantandum perpetuo, Latina paraphrasi illustratum.
Cui addita sunt nonnulla Epigrammata, & Iobi Cap. III. Latino carmine reddi-
tum. Andrea Melvino, Scoto, Avctore. Basileae, M.D.LXXIIII." 8vo, pp. 16.
The manuscript of this work was, it is probable, left on the Continent by the
author when he returned to Scotland. But one, at least, of the Epigrams, (that on
the death of Charles IX.) must have been transmitted to the printer by Melvill after
his arrival in Britain. In the inventory of books belonging to Thomas Bassinden,
printer in Edinburgh, inserted in his Testament Testamentar, is the following ar-
t;cle .  « Item, xlviii. Carmen Moyses, the dosane xviii. d. summa, vj. s." There
can be no doubt that this is Melvill's work. Bassinden died 18th October 1577.
Commissary Records of Edinburgh — M'Crie's Melville, i. 92.

xlviii PREFATORY NOTICE.
(3.) David's tragique Fall, in Verse, concluding with a Pa
raphrase of the 51st Psalm.
(4.) The Reliefe of the longing Soule, or the Song of
Songs, which is Solomon's, exponed by a large paraphrase in
metre, for memorie and meditation. Dedicated by James Melyil
to his sister, M. Nicolas Murray, at London, November 5, 1606.1
(5.) A Meditation of the Love of Christ, and effects thereof, for
true thankfulness, and two Sonnets, end the volume.
VIH. His celebrated Apology for the Church of Scot
land, which was not published until many years after his death :
" Ad Serenissimum Jacobvm Prlmvm, Britanniarvm Mon-
ARCHAM, ECCLESLE SCOTICAN^E LD3ELLUS SUPPLEX, airokoynrtxhs
xai bXopvgrixog. Auctore Jacobo Melvino, Verbi Dei Ministro,
Domini Andreas Melvini rou -raw, nepote. Londini, Excudebat J. R.
pro Georgio Thomason & Octaviano Pullen, anno 1 645," 4to, pp.
49, besides two pages not numbered, containing "Epitaphium Auc-
toris, a Domino Andrea? Melvino conscriptum." 24 lines.
IX. Autobiography and Diary of Mr James Melvill,
1556-1601. X. A True Narratioune of the Declyneing Aige of the
Kirk of Scotland, 1596-1610, being a Continuation of the
Diary.
1 Perhaps this is the same with the " Book of Canticles," alluded to in the Account
of his Last Illness, (App. No. II.) as having been " ane pairt of Scripture in which he
was deligentlie versed, quhilk he had parraphrased and turned in pleasand Poesie."
No such work is known to have been printed.

PREFATORY NOTICE. xlix

Before concluding these Prefatory Remarks, the Editor may
take this opportunity of explaining, that in that portion of Wodrow's
Manuscript Collections which was bequeathed to the Library of the
University of Glasgow, there is a Life of Mr James Melvill,
written by Mr Robert Wodrow, which is frequently quoted by
Dr M'Crie, extending to one hundred and sixty pages of foolscap
folio j1 and in another volume, in the same Collection, there is a
brief Appendix, illustrative of that Life.2 Of these materials
the Editor had only a very cursory inspection when last in Glas
gow ; and, as he considered the entire Life, as written by Wodrow,
likely to prove too copious to admit of its being prefixed to the
present Work, before resolving what was fit to be done, he recom
mended the Council of the Wodrow Society to apply to the cura
tors of the university OF Glasgow for the use of these manu
scripts, or for leave to have them transcribed. However, there
being other two volumes in the same Collection containing Wod
row's Life of Mr Robert Bruce, with relative Appendix,3 the
Council were desirous that the Editor of Bruce's Sermons (also
in the course of progress through the press for the Wodrow So
ciety) should previously examine them before preparing a Biographi-
1 Wodrow's MSS. in the University of Glasgow Library, vol. xii. pp. 160.
2 Vol. ii. of the same Collection contains the Appendix to the Life of Mr James
Melvill. 3 Wodrow's MSS., vol. jl. (marked Nov. 23, 1724,) extends to 112
pp. of small quarto, and contains several quotations of Letters, &c, with Life or Me
moirs of Mr Robert Bruce. Vol. iv. contains an Appendix to this Life, viz. : — 64
pp. of Letters : Sermon on XL. Psalm, (printed,) pp. 18: " Ane Exhortatione to
the Provinciall Assemblie of the Presbyteries of Louthiane, haldin at Edinburgh the
16th of September 1589 ; made be Mr Robert Bruce, Minister of Christe's Evangell
there," pp. 12.

1 PREFATORY NOTICE.
cal Sketch of Mr Robert Bruce. For that purpose, a regular official
application was made by desire of the Council to the University of
Glasgow. The Senatus Academicus having declined that request,
no further steps could be taken by the Council, in compliance
with the wishes of the Editor, to obtain access for him to Wodrow's
Papers, in relation to the Life of Mr James Melvill.
Owing to the extent to which this Work has reached, it has
been deemed proper to print two separate sets of title-pages, so
that Members who prefer it may ultimately bind the Auto
biography and Diary in two volumes, which would be advisable, as
was originally contemplated, although from motives of economy it
has been boarded in the present shape.
R. P.
Edinburgh, 25th November 1842.

APPENDIX OF DOCUMENTS

EEFEREED TO

IN THE FOREGOING PREFATORY NOTICE.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF MR JAMES
MELVILL.1
Berwick upon Tweed. — In the name of God, Amen. I
James Melvine, precher of God's Word, sick of body, but in per-
fitt memory, do make this my Last Will and Testament in man-
nour and forme followeing, viz.
First, I comend my soule into the hands of Almightye God,
my Maker, surelye trusteing, throughe the mirretts of his Sonn,
Jesus Christ, my Redeamer, that all my sinns ar washed away
and pardoned ; and my body to be buryed at the discretion of my
executrix. ' Extracted from the Registry of the Consistory Court of Durham. The above
has been taken from the original Will, which is still extant, and is written on vellum.
It is broken into paragraphs as it is here printed, and is indorsed thus :
" 1613. Testamentum Jacobi Melvin, clerici, &c.
Parh. de Barwick deft. Probatum, 25 Feb."
The Inventory which follows is on paper.

Hi appendix to
Imprimis, I give unto Debora Melvine, my wife, all that my
house and tenement, wherein I now dwell at Berwick, toge
ther with all my goods and moveables whatsoever therein con
tained. Item, I give to the said Debora, my wife, the some of one hun-
dreth pounds sterlinge, which is oweing unto me by Henry Mad-
dison of Necastle upon Tyne, marchant, appeareing by his bill,
beareing date the xvith of Maye, 1610.
And also the some of ten pounds, which he, the said Henry
Maddison, is oweing unto me, dew in May nexte insueing the date
hereof, for which I have no spetialty. Desireing my said wife, at
her departure from this life, (if God so inable her,) to despose the
foresaid to such of my children as she shall best like.
Item, Whereas there is given unto me a yearly anewety by my
worshipfull, godly, and well disposed frends, to witt, Mr Adam
Newton, Deane of Durham, five pounds by year, Sir James Fol-
lerton, ten pounds, and by Mr Thomas Murey, Tuttor to the
Prence, five pounds ; I trust in ther godly desposissions they will
pay the same to my said wife, for and towards the satisfieing of
my debts and credits, and as it shall pleas God to move them to
consider further on her as my wife.
Item, My will also is, that whatsoever lands, goods, or tene
ments I have in Scotland, my wife shall not medle therewith,
nor have any parte therof, for that I have desposed of them to my
children.1 Nether shall any of my children medle -with any of
the estate before mentioned givin to my said wife, nor have anye
parte thereof.
Item, I do give and bequeath to Isabell Clerke, my mother-
in-law, ten pounds sterlinge.
Item, I do mak my said wife, Debora Melvin, my full and sole
executrix of this my Last Will and Testament. Witnes my hand
l After every care has been bestowed on the subject, no trace of our Author's
disposition and settlement of these " lands, goods, or tenements," can be discovered.
The Inventary, for the time, displays considerable wealth.

PREFATORY NOTICE. liii
and seall, the xiiijtn day of Januarye, 1613, [1614,] according to
the coiriputacon of the Church of England.1
Signed, sealled, and delivered in presents of Michaell Sander
son,2 James Lanye, William Fenwick.3

CEASED, TAKEN BY US WHOSE NAMES AR HER UNDR WRIT
TEN, THE XXIIIJTH OF FEBRUARY 1613. [1614.]
In the Hall. L. s. d.
It. i. Fir table and frame, . . . 00 03 04
ij. Litle small fir tables, . . . ' 00 02 00
j. Litle old corr. cubbert,4 . . 00 01 04
ij. Shorte fir formes, . . . 00 01 00
ij. Old litle gren chares, . . 00 00 8
j. Scots needle-worke carpett, . 00 06 8
j. Old screane, . . . 00 01 00
Six thrume cushens, . . . 00 06 00
1 02 00
In the Citchen. j. Bras pott, . . . . 00 04 00
j. Iron pott, . . . . 00 02 00
ij. Small pans, . . . . 00 03 4
ix. Pewter dishes, . . . 00 09 00

1 The Will does not bear the signature of Mr James Melvill. It is probable that,
on his deathbed, this excellent man had been wholly unable to sign his name ; which
may account for the subscriptions of three attesting witnesses.
2 Michael Sanderson was Mayor of Berwick in 1 603 ; and again in the years 1612,
1619, and 1628.
3 William Fenwick was likewise Mayor in the years 1629, 1635, and 1638. For
these notices, the Society is indebted to Robert Weddell, Esq. They are recorded
here in testimony of the very high estimation in which Mr James Melvill, though a
prisoner at large, was held by those highest in authority in this ancient borough.
* Corner cupboard. d

liv APPENDIX TO L. S. d.
iiij. Small sauc". . . • 00 01 00
ij. Hand basons, . . . . 00 02 6
ij. Pewter candlesticks, . • 00 02 00
j. Old quart pot, . . . . 00 01 04
j. Pottle pot, . . . • 00 03 04
ij. Chamber pots, . . . . 00 02 00
j. Chaffing Dishe, . . . 00 00 10
01 11 4
In the Chambr. and Parler.
j. Short table and frame, . . 00 05 00
j. Cornr. cubbert, . . . 00 02 6
vj. Leather chares, . . . . 01 00 00
x. Scots nedle-work quishens,1 . . 00 15 00
vj. Gren carsey quishens, . . . 00 05 00
ij. Picklers, . . . . 00 02 00
j. Standing bedsted, wth. curtens and vallence, 01 00 00
ij. Fethr. Bedds, j. bolster, and ij. pillowes, 03 00 00
j. Tooll twilte, . . . . 00 06 8
j. Grean rugg, . . . 01 05 00
j. Pr. of blankets, and j. Scots plad, . 00 08 00
ij. Othr. bedsteads wa. the furnisheing, . 01 06 8
j. Small trunke, . . . . 00 03 00
j. Othr Scots nedle-worke carpett, . . 00 06 08
ij. Small cabenets, . . . 00 08 00
Certaine books worth, . . . 02 00 00
His apparrell, . . . 05 00 00
Linen sheets, table clothes, pellebrf ,2 and nap
kins, . . . . 03 10 00
vj. Silver spounes, . . . . 02 00 00
j. Silver kfin,3 . . . . 01 10 00
24 13 6

Sm* 027 06 10
Cushions. s Pillowberes. 3 Can, tankard.

PREFATORY NOTICE. lv
It, Mrs Henry Maddison of Newcastle is oweing L. s. d.
by spetialty, . . 100 00 0
And more, the said Henrye Maddison1 is
oweing whout spetialty, . . 010 00 00

Sm^. totalis, 137 06 10
James Lany.
Will". Fewnk.
Will proved 25th February 1613. [1614.]
Duly compared and examined this twenty-sixth day of Octo
ber 1842. Joseph Davison,
Depy. Regr.
Extracted by
Robert Burrell,
Proctor.
1 In St Nicholas' church, Newcastle, there is a monument erected to the Maddison
family, " of marble, painted and gilded since its erection," (Brand's Hist, of New
castle, i. 291,) from which Mr Weddell has kindly noted what relates to the friend of
Mr James Melvill : —
" Here, interred also, are the bodys of Henry Maddison, and Elizabeth, his
wife, (daughter to Robert Barker, of this towne, Alderman,) who lived together most
comfortably and lowingly, in true wedlock, the space of 40 yeares. He was sometyme
Maior of this towne, and having lived in good name and fame 60 yeares, deceased
in the trve faith of Chryst, the 14th of Jvly, 1634. Elizabeth, his only wife, had
issve by him ten sonnes : — Sir Lionel Maddison, knight, Raphe, Robert, William
Henry, Peter, George, Timothy, [John,] and Thomas ; and six davghters, Jane, Svsan,
Elizabeth, Barbara, Elenor, and Jane : All the sonnes at his death were living but
John, who died in the late expedition to Cadiz. She lived his widow 1 9 years, and
being aged 79 yeares, dyed the 24 of September, 1653."
He derived his Newcastle " franch'"from a second son of Rowland Maddison of
Unthank, near Berwick, (Surtee's Durham, ii. 135 .) In 1554, an Anthony Maddy-
son was made a burgess of Berwick, and he seems to be of the same family. There
are still wealthy families of that name resident in Newcastle and other places in the
county of Northumberland.

APPENDIX TO

II.

ACCOUNT OF THE LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH OF
MR JAMES MELVILL.

ANE MINUTE OF SIK THINGIS HARD AND SEINE IN THE DEATH OF
THAT FAITHFULL SERVAND OF GOD, MR JAMES MELVILL, MI
NISTER AT KILRANIE, QUHO DIED IN EXYLL1 AT BERVICK, THE
20 OF JANUAR, 1614 YEIRIS.
" Mark the vpright man, and behold the just, for the end
of that man is peace." — Psal. xxxvii. 37.
First, it wes markit that his heavie diseas seasit upon him at
that time quhen the Bischop of Sanctandrois sent for him to cum
to Edinburgh, to conferre upone the conditiones of his home cuming ;
for, being one his journay, his bodie alteris, and that so grytlie, that
he wes compellit to turne bak again, and, efter ane schort space, to
tak bed.
Secondlie, the pain of his diseas wes wonderfull vehement, as
the Doctor affirmed, fra ane hudge quantitie of teuch2 humoris
gathered togidder in his syd, in the forme of ane postrum,3 quhair-
untill the melancholie humor wes predominant. Sindrie thingis
wes applyed for purgatioun, baith above and under; quhilk
wrought verrie weill, geving due intermissione to pain, but never
ane full exemptione thairfra.
Thridlie, the continuance and humoris of this paine maid him
1 He had been in all seven years in confinement in England. 2 Tough.
» Calderwood's abstract of this paper properly reads, " ane aposteme," i.e. an apos-
tume or imposthume. " Postrome," however, it may be remarked, was frequently used
for a postern, from L. B. posturium ; and might, in this case, denote the shape of the
abscess, or carbuncle, with which Mr James Melvill was so much afflicted.

PREFATORY NOTICE. lvii
to think that it wes deadlie. He fed himselff so with this thought,
that noe reasoune used, aither be doctoris or utheris, could dissuade
him thairfra, saying oft tymes, it gave him in his heart he wold
die; and in his conceit he could not in ane better tyme.
His contentmentis by death were thir, as he himselff rehearsit
thame :
First, ane exemptione ffa sinne and paine; citing that place
in the second of the Corrinthianis, v. 4, " For indeid we that are
in this tabernacel siche1 and are burdenit, becaus we wald not be
vncled,2 bot wald be cled, that mortaletie might be swallowed up
of lyff."
The second wes, the testimonie of his conscience, in keipeing
fast the trewth without a brek, notwithstanding of sindrie tenta-
tiones, till his dying day ; and so, oft tymes rejoyced himselff with
that speich of [Paul, in ii.] Timothie, [iv.J chap. [6-8] verse?
"For I am now readie to be offered up, and the tyme of my
departure is at hand ; I haiff faught the good fight, I haiff fin-
isched my course, I haiff keipit the faith ; from hence furth is
laid up for me the croune of righteousnes."
The thrid wes, that in his death, and by his death, he might
confirme the trewth of the caus for the quhilk he suffred, to the
consciences of all, deing3 constantlie in that trewth as he leived ;
in it rejoycing with the Apostle, Philip, ii. chap. ver. 17, to be
oflred up upone the sacrifice and service of thair faith.
The fourt wes, the sight of the face of God in glorie ; rehearsing
that verse of the xvi. Psalm, " Thow wilt schaw me the pathe of
lyff; in thy sicht are the fumes of all joyes, at thy right hand is
the plentie of pleasures for evir."4
His only refreschment and releiff, in the extremitie of paine, wes
prayer, beleiffing that part of the word, " Call upon me in the day
of trubel, I will hear the," Psal. 1. verse 1. His prayeris were
often, as the heareris can record, bothe day and night ; they wer
verrie pithie, with manie tearis. In all his prayeris, efter he had
1 Sigh. * Unclothed. 3 Dying. ' Psal. xvi. 1 1 ,

Iviii APPENDIX TO
begged mercie and confort to himself, he ever rememberit the
kirk in generall, and Scotland in particular, lamenting heavilie
hir dissolutione ; applyeing that speich of Chryst, in the Gospell,
to give hir thousand eis " to sie thos thingis that.belongeth unto
thy [her] peace." He prayed for repentance of so manie of the
breithering as had made ane schisme in the kirk, by ranverseing1
that forme of Governement quhilk wes anes, upon the warrand
of Godis word, with ane uniforme consent of all, establisched ;
and quhairwith the Kirk, be the space of manie yeiris, wes
hapelie relivit.2 He ever rememberit his fellow-suffereris, and
craved earnestlie strenth and courage to thame for perseverance
to the end ; naming them all in particular to God by thair names.
Throw the waiknes of his awin bodie, being grytlie extenuat by
the grouth of pain, he wes subject to syndrie suerfes and soun-
inges,3 quhilk he himselff called the foirrunneris of death.
On Weddinsday, in the morning, quhilk wes the 19th Januar,
the day befoir his death, ane heavie suerf overtaketh him ; quhilk
continued lang, sua that scarslie we lookit for onie recoverie;
yit, throw the Lordis providence blissing good meanes, at lenth
he revived, saying to us, pitifullie, that he wes weill, if we had
lattin him be so ! He began to think with himselff that his tyme
is not to be long heir ; and, thairfoir, with gud King Hesekiach,
resolved, sua lang as strenth served him, to put his hous to or-
dour ; and imediatlie callit on his childring, quho wer all thair
saiff ane,4 and lifting up himself bothe in bodie and spreitt in the
bed, in the audience off all, he declared his will, appoyntit his
eldest sone to be in his place as ane father to the rest, and leaving
untill everie ane a pledge of his fatherlie cair and affectione. The
declaratioune of his will being finisched, his eldest sone craved
for his blissing earnestlie, without whilk all wes nothing : Quhair-
unto he wes most willing ; and, gaddring spreittis to himselff,
abruplie, he had a speich to everie ane, be way of blissing, so elo-
1 Overturning ; turning upside down — Fr. renverser. " Rewlit? ruled.
3 Fainting fits and swoonings. " Saving, excepting one. Probably in
allusion to Andrew, his second son, who was then completing his theological studies
under his grand-uncle, Mr Andrew Melvill, at Sedan.

PREFATORY NOTICE. lix
quentlie and so pertinentlie, so heartilie, and in sik confidence,
as wes mervelous to hear :
To Ephraime, he wisched the blissing of Ephraim, [Abraham ?]
Isaak, and Jacob ; saying, " God mak the as Ephraim, quhilk is
ansuerabill to thy name, being fruitfull in all sort of good worlds."
To Johne, " that he might be gratius, bothe in the sight of God
and man, throw Godis grace."
To Issobell, he wissed " that scho might be lyke hir mother in
all godlines, vertew, and in all comelie behaviour."
To Anna, he wisseth " humilitie and meekness ; and that, ac
cording to hir name, scho sould insinuat hir selff in the acceptatione
and love of all."
Haiffing endit thais blissingis to his childring, he rememberit the
Kirk, and his most excellent Majestie, in his speich [with teares
uttering these words,1] " The Romish hirarchie will schortlie undo
religione in Scotland ; I pray the Lord oppin the Kingis eiis,
that he may sie it, and grant him grace to amend it. In my
lyff I ever deteastit it, and resistit the same as ane thing unlaw-
full and antechrystiane, for the quhilk I am heir in exyll ; and
now, I tak yow all to witnes I die in the same judgment this day."
He rememberit, most lovinglie, all his dear freindis and acquant-
ance in Chryst ; and, namelie, his loving uncle, Mr Andro, to
quhom he gave ane honorabill comendatione for his literator, bot
speciallie for sinceritie and courage in the caus of Chryst, quhilk
he besought the Lord to [increase and2] continow to the end.
He rememberit sum gentlemen in Angus, to quhais gudwill he
wes oblegit.
He rememberit, in lyk maner, the faithfull Breithering of the
Ministrie of Fyff most effectuallie.
As ane loving schiphird, he blissed his flok i thanking God for
the occasione they had, praying earnestlie they might use it weill,
for the crowning of that work quhilk God had maid him the instru
ment to begin and prosequut.
He mentionit manie of the Ministrie of Louthain, the Merse,
1 Supplied from Calderwood's History, MS. " Ibid.

Ix APPENDIX TO
and in particular named some gentlemen to quhois kyndnes and
gudwill he acknouledged God himselff grytlie to be bund.
He blissed the toune of Berwick, the Doctor, for his paines.
He rememberit some of his acquentance at Londoune ; and from
thence, passing over the seas, he sueitlie named the haill banisched
Brethering, thanking God for thair constancie, and wissed perse
verance to the end.
And after he had endit his speich, he earnestlie desyred Mr
Durie1 to conclud all with ane prayer ; quhilk he did verie zealous-
lie. Efter the quhilk he tuik him to rest, and passed over that
haill day, sum tyme in rest, as it seimed, and sum tymes in paine.
About sex of clok at night, the Laird of Aitoune,2 ane of his
deir acquentance, cam in to him, to quhom he spak most conforta-
billie ; and affected him sua with joy, that he resolved, howbeit his
awin hous wes neir hand, to stay all night to heir and sie farder ;
quhilk efterward he ascryved to Godis providence, and thanked
him for it.
About nyne houris at night, waking from his sleip, he fand in
his bodie ane sensibille alteratione to worse ; forby3 that his pain
increased and his strenth decreased, sua that he wes cast in ane
mervelous feare of impatience ; and thairfoir desyred his wyff to
send about the Laird [of Aitoune,] the Doctor, with Mr Durie,
(who a litill befoir wer gone frome him,) to come to him in hast.
He seing the Doctor, he sayis, "For Chrystis saik, use some
meanes to quench this, for I am vnhabill to abyd it !" The Doctor
replyes, that he had used all meanes that lay in the witt of man :
" Thair is no remeid but patience, quhilk God most give, and ye
most crave, and we helpe yow." With ane heavie sich, he sayes,
" Lord, grant me it !" and desyred us to fall doun upon our knies,
for begging the same. The Minister, as before, in prayer, craved
it of God.
The prayer being endit, he cryes out, with David, in the xxxix.
Psal., " Tak away the plag,4 for I consume with the straik of thyne
1 Joshua Durie, Minister of St Andrews, his brother-in-law.
a William Hume ? 3 Besides. * Plague.

PREFATORY NOTICE. lxi
hand ;'" and, with Job, " Albeit thow sould slay me, yit will I
trust in thee ;"2 and rememberit him of Moses' busch quhilk wes
burning and yit neuer wes consumed,3 becaus God wes in it.4
Being ovir mutch with the pain, he fallis over in ane quyet
sleipe, quhilk lested till tuelff of the clok ; syndries of the chamber
went to thair bed, upon good hoipe of his recoverie. About ane
of the night he wakned exstreame seik, and sayes to his sone, " I
feare my awin weaknes ; I cannot last long. Tak hed to me, or
ellis I will slip away !" On his wakning [he says, " Goe walken5]
the Laird, Doctor, and Mr Durie." The Doctor comeing in in
hast to him, he tellis him the pain had flitted from his syd and
bak, and had com to his heart ; useing thir wordis, " Palpitat cor."
The Doctor replyes, it wes ane tokin his battell wes neir ane
end. Fearing this, he cryes, with Simeone, "Now, lettest thow
thy servand depart in peace ; myne eyes [haiff] sein my [thy]
salvatione : A light revealed to the Gentillis, and the glorie of
Israeli," Luk. ii.6
He says to the minister, " Good Mr Durie, give me the last
gudnight. Comend my saull and bodie unto the handis of God,
my Redeemer." This being done, he comforteth himselff with syn-
drie speiches out of the Psalmes, quhilk he rehearsit in Hebrew ;
as namelie, ane speich out of the iv. Psal., " Lord, lift up the lyght
of thy countenance upon me :"7 The xxvii. Psal., " The Lord is
my fight and my salvatione, quhat can I fear ?"8 The xxiii. Psal.,
" Albeit I wakit through the valley of the schadow of death, yit
will I fear none evill, becaus God is with me ; thy rod and thy
staff they confort me."9
The candell being behind bak, he desyred that it sould be
brought befoir him, that he might sie to die. Be occasione quhair-
of, that pairt of the Scripture wes rememberit, " Light aryses to
the righteous in the middes of darknes," Psal. cxii.10 -,'<< The Lord
1 Psal. xxxix. 10. 2 Job xiii. 15. ' Exod. iii. 2.
4 Acts vii. 35. 5 Calderwood MSS. " Luke ii. 29-32.
7 Psal. iv. 6. s Psal. xxvii. 1. " Psal. xxiii. 4. '» Psal. cxii. 4.

lxii APPENDIX TO
will lighten my candell, he will inlighten my darknes," Psal.
xviii.1 For the space of tua houris, the pain and seiknes held him so
at the heart that he wes without language ; dureing the quhilk
tyme his sone rememberit him of manie confortabill speiches of
Scripture, quhilk he heard with great joy, and greatt cheirfullnes.
In takin quhairof, he geve ever ane demonstratione, and signed2 with
his handis, testefieing his inward motione conforme, [in token of his
joy and feeling, quhen anie comfortable sentence of Scripture was
uttered to him.3]
Quhen the xiv. of Johne wes rememberit, " Lett not your
heartis be trubled, ye beleiv in God, beleiv also in me," he lifted
up his hand towardis heaven.
Quhen the fyve wyse virgines wer rememberit, quho had their
lampes in readines to meitt the brydgrome, he putt his hand to
his heart, and chaped 4 thryse on it. Quhen he wes rememberit
of Paulis speich, Rom. viii. " Quho sail separat me from the love
of God ? Sail principallities, or pouaris, thingis present or to cum,
lyff or death ?"5 he turned the bak of his hand to them all ; and
rejoyced in this, that in them all he sould be more than conqueror
throw Chryst that [loved] him. So, feilling his pain to work up
ward, and perceiving his eare to faill him, that he hard not so
weill as he did befoir ; eftir ane long silence, quhen we thought
the pouar of speaking had left him, in vearie cleir tearmes, he
cryes out, putting his hand one his eare, " He is heir, he is heir !
Welcome, welcome !" — meaning deathe. [Being asked, If he were
desirous to turne backe ? He answered6] and said, " Williame,
Williame, I am now sure I sail not goe again bak for twentie
worldis !" Comforting himself with that speich, xxxvi. [Psal.]
" How excellent is thy mercies to us ; thairfoir the childring of
men trust under the schadow of thy weingis : Thou feidis him
with the fatt thingis of thyne hous, and gives them to drink of the
i Ps. xviii. 28. 2 Made a sign with his hand. 3 Cald. MSS.
* Knocked. s Rom. viii. 35-39. <> caid. MSS.

PREFATORY NOTICE. lxiii
riveris of thy pleasuris ; for with the [is the] wall1 of lyff, in thy
light I sail sie light."2
Being rememberit of Jacob his visione of a ledder that he saw
betuix heaven and earth, God upon the head, the angellis going
up and doune, he sayis, " Stay3 is the ledder of death, and leith4 is
flesh to clim it !"
Being rememberit of Paull his revischeing to the thrid heavens,
and of the glorius revelationes he gatt thair, he ansuered, " Everie
ane wes rot .with Paull, alwayes5 he wes assured to be filled with
glorie."5 Quhen they told him of the sight of Stevin, how he saw the
heavins oppin, and the glorie of God, and Jesus standing at the
right hand of God, he prayed Stephane his prayer, " Lord Jesus,
receave my spirit." 6
Quhen ane speich of the Canticle wes fitted unto him, it grytlie
rejoyced him, being ane pairt of the Scripture quhairintill he wes
deligentlie versed, quhilk he had parraphrased and turned in plea-
sand poesie. This wes oft in his mouth, " My weill beloved is
myne, and I am his." 7 " Cover me with the baner of his love ;
stay me with flagones ; confort me with apples."8
Efter this maner the morning wes putt off, his breath drawing
upward, continuallie, in als gryt peace and quyetnes as befoir he
had pain.
Quhen we thought that all his senses wer gone, and he almost
without fealing, he lay so quyet, his sone cryed unto his eare, and
askit Quhat he wes doing ? He ansuered, albeit with grytt defi-
cultie, he wes " singing the Song of the Lamb." At the quhilk
all then wondered.
We desyred him to give us the last signe of his inward joy,
through the sense of Godis presence, and his reddines to depart
cheirfullie : He lifted up baith handis, and said, " Sueitt Jesus,
receave my saule !" [After these words he never stirred, but
1 Well, fountain. ' Psal. xxxvi. 8, 9. ' Steep is the ladder.
4 Laithe ; loath, unwilling. 5 Notwithstanding. 6 Acts vii. 59.
7 Cant. ii. 16. 8 lb.' 4, 5.

lxiv APPENDIX TO
sobbed softer and softer, till at length he surrendered the spirit;1]
and that so quyetlie, [peaceablie, and insensiblie,2] that nain could
perceave ; and [like] the Patriarch Jacob, he endit his dayes, quhilk
wer few and exyll, and he holy spent in the service of God, as the
storie of his lyff will declair ; and he eattis the fruittis of his la-
bouris, in ane pairt of the sawell, amonges the number of the
righteous, till the day of the full redemption of the childring of
God ; quhen, in bodie and sauell, he sail schine in the heavens as
the sune and moone in the firmament : To the quhilk place the Lord
may bring me to that evirlasting joy and portione, for Chrystis
saik. Amen.3

Give4 thow wald lyff a godlie lyff,
Think daylie thow most die :
Give thow wald die ane happie death,
Live weill, I counsel! thee ! s

1 Supplied from Calderwood's MS. History in British Museum. z lb.
3 " Thus endit that faithfull servant of God, Mr James Melvine, his dayes, in exile,
after he had spent a great part of his life in the service of God, and suffering for the
truthe." — Ibid. t jf
5 The writer of this interesting account adds below, " This is my gutcheris [i.e.,
grandfather by the mother's side] testament."

PREFATORY NOTICE. lxv
III.
POEMS ON THE DEATH OF MR JAMES MELVILL,
BY MR THOMAS MELVILL.1
I.
TO THE TBEWLIE HONORABLE, A VERRIE ACCOMPLISHED AND SINCERLIE AF
FECTED CHRISTIANE GENTELMAN, HIS VERRIE ASSURIT IN THE LORD
JESUS, ALEXANDER KEITH OF BALDMIE. SONET.
Quhen as I think upon that dolent day,
Quhais bad aproch hes bailfull newes brocht,
Quhilk maid thy weiping eyes thy wois bewray,
As seconde treuchman2 to thy sadder thoght :
Nixt, quhen I find how he forgot the nocht
Quhen streames of deith most stronglie with him strave ;
His love to thee thy worth to him hes wrocht
To link your heartis in love, above the leave.3
Quhairthrow I sie, and sensiblie perceave,
As aie thow did, with oppin heart and hand,
His memorie, howbeit he be in grave
And lair, yow loveis, howbeit in unholy land :
Go, since thow art compartner of my cairis,
To yow, guid Sir, I dedicat my tearis.
Youris, ever devoted to serve yow in the Lord,
T. M.
1 Of this ingenious young man, who wrote the following poems in the fourteenth
year of his age, the Editor has not been able to collect any satisfactory information.
It is probable he was a nephew or near relative of Mr James Melvill.
1 Interpreter. O. Fr. trucheman. 3 Lave, rest.

Lxvi APPENDIX TO

II.

THE FUNERALL TEARIS OF T. M. FOR THE DEATH OF HIS DEIREST FREIND
AND LOVING FATHER, THAT FAITHFULL SERVANT OF GOD, MR JAME9
MELVILL, MINISTER OF GODIS WORD AT KILRANIE ; QUHA DEIT, CONFYNIT
AT BERWICK, THE 20TH OF JANUAR, 1614.
INVOCATIONE.
Imanuel ! my muse, heich Prince, Apollo myne,
Jove's loud and match God will [with ?] trew delites devyne
Inspire me from above, beir witnes to my cairis !
Iff in my lynes thair lyrkis dissait, or treson in my tearis,
Iff from my pen proceid a word bot veritie,
Then, thow protector of the trewth, condem it as ane lie.
Bot if I treat of trewth, and wald that trewth war kend,
Thoch Momus freit, I feir him not, Thow sail thy trewth defend.
And yow that temporize, and schames the trewth to tell,
Thow trewthles tounge, and hoples hert, go hay1 thee hence to hell !
I treat of tragik tearis, my sangis are of the same,
Sen murning mater best beseames my mirthles muse to fraime.
Melpomene, that Muse that onlie myndis to mone,
Sail cum and tak her place be me ; scho sail not murne alone.
The baldest fyrie flaim that in Mont Etna burnis,
Quhair wglie mefist2 Schedalus his tomb with terror turnis :
His ludge is left of lait, and in my breist is boun
With greif to gall my heavie hert, and beir my body doun.
The tall trymling treis, quhois staitlie topis uprise,
And seames throw watrie woltis3 of air to cut the chrystell skyes,
Did lour and bent them low, as witnes of my wrangis,
Alse scho out of hallow caves resoundis my dririe sangis.
Hie, haste. ' Perhaps from O. Fi meffier, to distrust. » Vaults.

PREFATORY NOTICE. Ixvii
The cloudis do ceis to drop, the wavering windis to blow,
The ventyes1 one bankis leif off to blow, the sies to fill and flow ;
The birdis, with chirming chair, that cuttis the azure skyes,
They ceis to sing ; the beistis to low, the fisch to sowme our seis :
The sone and moone amas'd, and steris all still thai stand,
And all Jove's hudge and curious worlds the sei they left the land,
Left off thair kyndlie cours, and cairit with me to ken,
About ane tombe quhat meanit to murne so many modest men ?
Bot quhill agast me gazed, thrie out amangs the leave2
In Durik nomberis3 sadlie soundis thair sangis about his grave.

[first] songe.
This land hes lost a fight, our Kirk may now bemoane ;
Religione laMs hir love sinterit a sone.4
Iff leirning mycht with wit, if grace with gravetie ;
Iff prudent cariage be in pryce, if matchles modestie ;
And, in a word, I vow, iff vertew ludge below,
Heir lyes the worthiest wicht, for one my self did know :
His faith, his hope, his love, his cours of lyff wes kend,
Oh ! lat me lyff his holie lyff, and mak his blissed end !

second songe. mel-vinum.
As hony, mixt with Celtik or Hebereane wyne,
The one the other qualifie ; so both are guid and fyne ;
Richt so, quhair Naturis giftis, and skill acquyred be Art,
Both in ane compas are conteinit within ane hallowit hert,
Grace suggeris all the rest, and seasonis all ; and then
The first a pleasant portione makes, the nixt a perfect man.
1 Probably for breezes — Fr. vents. 3 Rest, lave. 3 Doric numbers.
4 Perhaps this implies that a favourite son was thus sunderea or torn from her.

lxviii APPENDIX TO
Then hapie he quhois name and fassione had that seat
To get the grace to sanctifie his giftis, quhilk were so gret !
His name includis, we know, the hony and the wyne ;
His saul now drinkis the ambrosie and nectar most devyne.
His [body] now closit in clay must in his cave remain
Untill the tyme that trumpettis sound the righteous call again.
His gloir that's now begun sail then accomplisched be,
But1 intermissione or exchange for all eternitie.

THRID SONGE. SONET.
This leife is nothing but a vaill of tearis ;
This leife is most inconstant, cled with cairis ;
This febill leif is frauchtit full of fearis ;
This leif hes sillie hopis, bot deip disparis ;
This leif is nothing but a schoole of wearis,
Now seame we sound, but schortlie full of fearis.
Our surtie's small, our hopis are hung be hairis !
This nane denyes, but few this lessone leiris.2
Few lothis to live, few for the end preparis,
Few sichis for sin, bot gled the burding beiris.
Few leirnis to die, and few thair comptis clairis ;3
Few in the land of leif seiMs to be airis.4
Then hapie, hapie, hapie thryse is he
Quho lothit his leife, and lerneth to die !
1 Without. 2 Learn. 3 Clear or settle their accounts. 4 Heirs.

PREFATORY NOTICE. lxix

in.

ANE DIALOGUE UPON THE DEATH OF THE SAID DEFUNCT.
Interloquitoris.
Viator. Fama.
Viator.
Stay, passenger,
I pray, a prettie space,
Quhair haldisthe race,
That garis the fie so fast ?
Art thow in haist ?
May yow not pair thy pace ?
How cumes the case
Thow seames to be agast ?
Off courtesie, I pray ye, be so'kynd
To stay a quhill, and tell us of thy mynd.
Fama.
Let be, my freind,
Impach1 me not, I pray,
I may not stay ;
For so purportis my name,
I am fleing Fame,
That dar mak no, delay,
Be night nor day,
Till I the trewth proclaim.
1 Hinder me not. O. Fr. empetcher.

lxx APPENDIX TO
It is my calling. I have tane in hand
To sound Tyme's trumpett, both be sie and land.
Viator.
Welcume to me,
Sueit saul, quhair hes thow bein ?
Quhat hes thow sein ?
Speake out, and do not pante,
Quhat is the chante ?
Quhat may this murning mein ?
Seldome is sein
In the sic conntinuance.
Quhat newis in hevin, in hell, in earth, in air t
It seames nae mowis1 that makis the murne so sair.
Fama.
I spair to speak,
Lest I sould seame to lie.
Fane wald I flie,
Iff thow wald let me go.
But sen yow, so
Importune, urgis me,
The veritie
I sail ye schortlie scho ;
Sic strange event is fallin forth of lait
Makis heavin rejoyce, hell rage, and eirth regrat.
That auld, untymelie,
Irrant, dolent Death
Hes stopit a breath,
Serious matters ; no jokes or sport.

PREFATORY NOTICE. lxxi
Sen yester day at morne,
Of quhom my home
Sail vant ; quha ever be wrath,
I will be laith
To smoir1 him, I have suorne.
Quhill he wes heir, his name, be me, wes knawin
Throw Britain boundis ; but now mair boundles
blawin.
The hevin rejoyces
At his gratfull gast,
Quhom all the host
Of angellis thair convoyit.
The hellis are nocht,
Sen Plutois beattis and boittis
Are hoples lost,
Thocht coastlie imployit.
On earth ane sabill hew the Sanctis bemone,
Gryt spaittis of teiris2 thair spend, caus he is gane.
Our Kirk, and cuntry
Baith, hes lost a light.
Nane schynit mair bricht
In Kirk nor Polecie ;
Sinceritie He socht with all his might ;
His heartis delight
In Chryst to live and die :
And now maid be malanchollie, at last,
Died in exyll, and given up the gost.
Sueit steiring streames,
That posting spuris with speid
In Ersk and Tueid,
1 Smother or conceal his. fame. 2 Floods.

lxxii APPENDIX TO
Now your Lord ye sie
Cum furth with me
Throw land with uncoth leid.
Ye sail, indeid,
Nobilitated1 be.
Beseidis the first his body gan to breath,
And now the last maid famous be his deith.
Braid-walit2 Berwick,
Tueidis toune, famosit befoir
Throw many scoir
Off mortall-myndit men ;
Bot now we'll ken
His death is 3 gained mair gloir
Then ever befoir,
Thocht thowsandis in thee slain.
Gife4 cities stroave quha.brocht to Homer breath,
Then baldlie Berwick brag of sic a death.
Giv cities sevin for Paganis birth contend,
Then much mair Berwick famous, be his end !
Viator.
Now, now, I heir
The man quhom of ye mein ;
For lait yistrein,5
As I my ludging tuik,
Ane litill buik,
Be me befoir unsein,
With oppin ein6
The leiffis7 1 overluik,
Within quhilk lynis, in staitlie styll wes pen'd
His famous factis, his hapie leif and end.
1 Ennobled. " Virtus sola nobilitat." * Broad- walled. ' For lias.
4 If. /Last night. 6Eyea r Leaves.

lxxiii

PREFATORY NOTICE.
And sen I sie
That he wes sic ane one
Quhom I expone
A perles i A per se ;
Then Fame go fie,
Thow sail not pas alone
Him to bemone ;
I'll beir ye companie.
Go saill the sie, compas the Continent,
Leirn, sie and land, his los for to lament !
Go throw the puir
Protestant Kirk of France ;
Schaw them the chance :
Thence to Geneva toune,
To Berna boune,
Throw Cantonis2 him advance ;
To Cedar lance,3
To Netherlandis goe doune :
Tell his auld uncle and the banischit band 4
He is lanceit 6 befoir tham to the Holy Land !
Go throw the Germanis,
Tell Prince Palatone,
With weiping ein,
Lament our los, alace !
Proclame the cace.
Sehaw forth what thow hes sein
To King and Quein :
Schame not to schaw thy face.
Spair not to speak, his praise to proclaime
Throw all the world, to eternize his fame.

1 Peerless, matchless. l The Cantons of Swisserland. 3 Launch. '
4 Mr Andrew Melvill and the banished Ministers. 4 Launched.

kxiv APPENDIX TO PREFATORY NOTICE.
Syne schortlie boune
Quhairever thow hes bein
Or sail be sein,
Quhill men heir lyvs be law,1
Thy bugall blaw.
His garland gar grow grein.
Caus him to schyne ;
Mak all the warld him knaw !
Fama.
Throw out 2 all ageis trewlie I intend
To schaw his leif, his exyll, and his end.
Finis.

Thais Verses wes written upon the tuentie-thrid day of Decem
ber, in the yeir of God 1647 yeiris, and off my aige 14 yeiris.
1 Until men live by law. z Throughout.

POSTSCRIPT.

The Editor has much satisfaction in notifying to the Members of
the Wodrow Soceety, that some time after this Work was com
pleted at press, and, indeed, far advanced in the hands of the
binder, a small quarto Manuscript Volume, chiefly in the auto
graph of Mr James Melvill, has been purchased by David Laing,
Esq., at the sale, in London, of the Library which belonged to the
late George Chalmers, Esq., F. S. A., the well-known author of
" Caledonia," &c. Immediately on the arrival of this Manuscript
in Edinburgh, Mr Laing kindly communicated it to the Editor for
examination ; and although it cannot now be made fully avail
able to the Society for the present Volumes, it is very gratifying
to state that it completely establishes the authenticity of the Con
tinuation of the Author's Diary, for which, until now, there exist
ed merely a very strong probability, nearly approaching to cer
tainty, of its being the genuine production of our Author.
In a comparatively modern hand, the following title-page to this
Manuscript has been supplied by some former proprietor, but
which gives a most erroneous idea of its contents, and of our Au-
/

]xxvj POSTSCRIPT TO
thor's office, as its compiler : " Acts of the General Assembly
of the Kirk of Scotland, from anno 1560 to 1605, by
James Mellvil, their Secretary." Mr James Melvill never
was Secretary or Clerk to the General Assembly, and the Ma
nuscript which has been recovered is, no doubt, the separate vo
lume of Memoranda, to which the Author frequently refers in the
course of his truly valuable Autobiography and Diary.
There is contained in that valuable volume copious abstracts of
the proceedings of the General Assemblies during the period al
luded to, with the Author's remarks ; and occasionally there are
inserted copies of documents founded on in the acts, or conse
quent on the various movements of parties in Church and State.
Many of these are incorporated in the present Work ; and it is
interesting to remark that, in one of these instances, where a do
cument is purposely omitted, Mr James Melvill thus briefly refers
to his Autobiography : " Sie the Buik of my Lyfe." In another
place, after describing the proceedings of the General Assembly
in November 1602, he remarks : " Befoir the dissolving of this
Assemblie, the penult sessione theirof, thir tua heids following /
put in wrytt, and presented them to the Assemblie ; but they wer
cast by, and na audience gevin to woord, nor accepting of wreate.'
Had Melvill's MS. been acquired by Mr Laing a few months
earlier, the Society would have had the advantage of the additional
collation from it of the former part of the Continuation ; and, per
haps, some few documents, to which the Author merely alludes in his
Autobiography, might have been incorporated in these Volumes. It
is believed, however, that no material omission occurs in the Uni-

PREFATORY NOTICE. lxXVU
versity's and Advocates' MSS. from which the whole of the Conti
nuation was carefully compiled, although this Work might have
been enriched by the insertion of additional papers from this authen
tic source.
But the most satisfactory and gratifying circumstance in con
nexion with the recovery of the Manuscript is, that it demonstrates
that The Continuation of the Diary of Mr James Merrill,
which has been printed in the present Volumes, proceeded from his
pen. The question, therefore, of the authenticity of the sources
whence the MSS. of " A True Narratioune of the Declyneing
Aige of the Kirk of Scotland, from 1596 to 1610," which are
preserved in the Libraries of the University of Edinburgh and Fa
culty of Advocates, have been derived, is thus for ever set at rest.
It is fortunate that the proof of this fact has reached the Editor
just in proper time to be announced previous to the present Work
being issued to the Members of the Wodrow Society.
It is probable that Mr George Chalmers, the last owner, acquired
the MS. at the sale of the Library of Joseph Ames, the Author of
Typographical Antiquities, whose name is faintly stamped, in blank
types, on one of the boards. From what quarter Ames procured
the MS. cannot now be traced ; but it is likely, that after Melvill's
death, his books and manuscripts were sold by his widow.
The Editor has also the pleasure of announcing that, on a se
cond application to the Senate of the University of Glasgow,
access has now been afforded to Wodrow's Life of Mr Ro-

lxxviii POSTSCRIPT TO PREFATORY NOTICE.
bert Bruce, to make such transcripts as may be thought ad
visable. It is, of course, unfortunately, now too late to apply for a
similar leave in relation to his Life of Mr James Melvill, the
present Volumes being nearly completed in the binder's hands ;
the Work, besides, having extended much further than was origi
nally contemplated. This, however, is the less to be regretted, as
it is understood, on good authority, that the materials collected
by Wodrow are in this instance very meagre and unsatisfactory.
R. P.
Edinburgh, 8th December 1842.

MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY.

M.D.LVL— M.DC.I.

MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY.

THE AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION.

At Anstruther, the 10 of August, in the Yeir of
the last Age, 1600.
Forsamikle as the corruption of man is readie, nocht onlie un-
gratlie to forget the benefittes of God, bot also most sacrilegiusfie to
ascrybe to tham selves the praise of anie thing commendable and
weill done, I haiff thought it maist necessar to inregistrat, in this
book, the warks of God for the ministrie of his worschipe, and sal
vation of his peiple within this congregation of Kilrynnie, for amen-
diment of unthankfulnes, and remembring and steiring upe the hartes
of all the members thairof to acknawlage fra tyme to tyme the
graitnes of his cair, love, guidnes, and grace ; and that all thanks and
praise may be giffen to his Majestie, all haill and alleanerlie.
In the yeir 1583, Mr Wilyeam Clark, of maist happie memorie
for godlines, wesdome, and love of his flok, departed this lyff, leav
ing four congregationes, wharof he haid the charge, destitute ofmi-
nisterie, viz. Abercrombie, Pittenweim, Anstruther, and Kilrynnie,
whase desolat miserie was the mair that it fell in the yeirs of feir-,
full plages and confusion bathe upon the Kirk and Comounweill ; to
wit, the yeirs fourscore four, and fourscore fyve yeirs,1 in the quhilk
unhappie tyme Bischope Adamsone of St Androis, tyrannizing in the
1 The years 1584 and 1585.

4 MR JAMES MELVILL S DIARY.
Kirk, obtrudit to thame ane of whome they lyked nathing, whase
name I spair,1 for the maist part ; be occasion wharof thair enterit
in very grait dissentioun in thair bowelles, quhilk vexed tham with
anguise of mynd, grait peanes and expences, during the said twa
yeirs, and mikle of the fourscore sax2 also.
To the remead and composing wharof, supplicationes wer gevin
in to the presbyterie of St Androis, of the mercie of God newfie
erected and restored againe, whilk directed commissionars at dyvers
tymes to visit the esteat of these kirks, and travell to draw the
peiple's harts togidder in ane, and aggrie upon a pastour. Amangs
the quhilk commissionars was James Melvill, ane of the Maisters of
the Collage of Theologie ; whase doctrine and dealling, when they
haid hard and war acquented withe, they condisendit all in ane to
crave at the presbyterie that his peanes might be imployed and con-
tinowed with thame, nocht onlie for composing of thair controver
sies, and reconceiling tham in Chryst, bot also for undertaking of a
pastorall charge amangs tham ; sa the said Mr James being ernest-
lie delt withall, bathe be the presbyterie and the congregatiounes,
yeildit to the calling of God and his Kirk, and enterit in the sim
mer seasone, in the monethe of July 1586, to teatche at the kirk
of Anstruther, situat in the middes of the said congregatiounes.
It pleasit the Lord of the hervest to bliss his travells, sa that all
debattes and controversies amangs the congregatiounes, and with
in the bowelles of everie ane of thame, (quhilk war bothe grait and
in number,) being taken upe and removit,. with grait joy and com
fort, the communion was ministrat in the kirks of Anstruther and
Kilrynnie, in the spring-tyme of the yeir 1587.
Therefter, finding the four congregationes a burding intolerable
and importable, with a guid conscience, whowbeit the said Mr James
haid brought with him at the beginning a fellow-laborare, viz. Mr
Robert Dury, yit nather could the said Mr Robert be provydit of a
stypend, nather could they find tham selves able to discharge so
grait a cair of sauUes ; therfor, the said Mr James sett him selfcair-
1 This alludes to Mr Robert Wood. 2 The year 1586.

THE AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION. 5
fulfie for the separating and severall planting of the said congrega
tiounes, resolving to tak him self to Kilrynnie alean ; and delt with
Pittenweim, and causit thame prepeare ane auditorie and kirk with
in thair awin town, in the quhilk he teached to thame bathe on the
Sabothe and ouk dayes,1 nocht intermitting his ordinarie doctrines
in the uther kirks, untill Pittenweim was provydit and planted with a
minister of thair awin, and that without hurt or impearing of the sti
pend of thelork of Anstruther Waster ; the quhilk, be grait fascherie 2
and travell at the Plat, and dyvers actions of pley3 befor the Lords
of Sessioun and Exchacker, be the special! blessing of God, he haid
augmented from fourscore pounds to a hunder lib., and thrie chal-
ders victuall, with glebe and manse recovered and repeared. And
sa Pittenweim being planted with Mr Nicol Dalgleishe, the said Mr
James quyttes and resignes the said new purchassit stipend, with
the kirk of Anstruther, gleib, and manse, to his fellow-laborar, Mr
Robert Dury; and freithing4 him selff of the charge bathe of An
struther and Pittenweim, with all the stipend and commodities thair-
of, whowbeit disponit to him steadfastlie under the King's privie seall,
and tuik him to the kirk of Kilrynnie alleanerlie.5
For soone therefter6 the parochinars of Abercrombie aggreit with
Mr Alexander Forsythe, and cravit of me their vicarage, with sax-
tein pounds money peyit out of their teind scheaves, quhilk I haid
also disponit to me for my lyfftime ; bot I quyt all, in lyk maner,
and incontinent efter admission of the said Mr Alexander to that
ministerie, delyverit him my pices and rights of vicarage and
stipend, togidder with the burding of the said peiple and congre^
gation. Now, in this mean tyme, the stipend of Kilrynnie was but four
score lib. but7 ather gleib or manse ; but God moved the peiple's
hartestohave a cear8 of me, and mak me sufficient securitie of four
hounder markes in stipend ; the town of Anstruther Eister bund
for the twa part, and the gentlemen to landwart for the thride, and
1 Week-days. 2 Trouble. O. Fr. fascherie. 3 Law pleas. 4 Free
ing, relieving. 5 Only, solely. ° On the margin of the MS. the author has
noted" 1589." 7 Without. 8 Care.

(5 MR JAMES MELVILL S DIARY.
fordar oblesit tham selves to big me a house upon a piece of ground,
quhilk the Lard of Anstruther gaiff frielie for that effect. This
was undertakin and begoun at Witsonday in anno 1590, bot wald
never haiff be,in perfyted, giff the bountifuU hand of my God haid
nocht maid me to tak the wark in hand my selff, and furnisched
stranglie to my considderation all things neidfull ; sa that never ouk ¦
past bot all sort of warkmen was weill peyit, never a dayes inter
mission fra the beginning to the compleitting of it, and never a
soar finger during the haill labour. In Junie begoun, and in the
monethe of Merche efter, I was resident therm. It exceides in ex
pences the soum of thrie thowsand and fyve hounder marks ; and
of all I haid nought of the paroche, bot about a thrie thowsand
sleads 2 of steanes, and fourtein or fyftein chalder of lyme ; the
stanes from the town, and lyme from the landwart, skarslie the half
of the materialles, lyme and stean, and thairfor justfie I may call it
a spectakle of God's liberalitie.
The hous being endit, and I resident thairin, I becam mikle in
deat, and my familie thairwithall to increase ; for bearing the bur-
ding wharof I fand my four hounder marks to com far schort,joyn-
ing thairwithall a grait part thairoff unpleasandlie peyit, and out of
tyme ; quhilk did cast me in grait heavines and perplexitie, sa that
I was mightelie tempted to haiff abandonet this ministerie of Kil
rynnie, and yeildit to maist ernest callings in uther places ; for
Edinburgh, Sterling, Dondie, and St Androis also, haid divers tymes
ernestfie dealt with me. Yit, finding my deir peiple's hartes, thair
obedience to my ministerie, and the wounderfull blessing of God
growing alwayes with me, I durst na wayes waver or mint away,3
bot stand stedfast in that roum4 and station wher he haid placed
me ; and sa fand, in notable experience, the treuthe of Chrystes
words, saying, " Seik first the kingdome of God and the righteous-
nes thairof, and the rest salbe castin in to yow." As to the grait
1 Week. 2 Sledges. At this period, all heavy carriages of this sort were
performed in sledges, wheeled carts not being at that time in common use. Lighter
loads were carried on pack-saddles. 3 Aim, or attempt to leave, or go away.
4 Place, situation.

THE AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION. 7
glorie of his name I continow this narration; for the sam yeir
1590, meining1 my self to the Plat, I gat fourscore pounds in aug-
mentatioun, and the yeir following, maist easelie, by 2 expectatioun,
four chalders of victuall: Sa I fand, be sure experience, that it
was guid to len and giff to God, and nocht stand for his honour to
quyt whatsumevir, for he wald repey twyse als guid, and nocht ly
lang in na man's comoun.3 Whowbeit, alas ! what can we giff him
bot his awin ? Bot behold yit the gopine.4
It pleased his grace, indeid, to twitche my conscience with a
solist cear of my charge and flok, sa that whowbeit my distraction
and occupatione war in grait and maist weghtie and necessar ef
feares of the Kirk, yit his fear sufferit me nocht to leave my peiple
without daylie attendance and comfort ; and sa, of unspeacable
mercie and favour, the Lord steirit upe a young man, indewing
him with singular graces, and setting the cairfull affectioun of his
hart to supplie my absence and weaknes, yea, as a fathfull yok-fel-
low to undertak the hahT of my burding, viz. Mr Jhone Doig, in
whase roum in the schole, the Lord send another youthe also of
special! godlines, and cear of Chryst' s honour, and of the weill5 bathe
of young and auld. Thir twa, my happie haiff marrow6 (of whome
I man wryt to the glorie of God, as he is witnes I do in all this re-
hersall, that sche evir haid als grait a cear of my calling as I haid
my self, delyting above all things to sie the wark of God to grow
and go fordwart, and esteiming that onfie rightlie and weill be-
stowit that was warit that way, neglecting and casting asyde the
cair of provision for hir selff and childring, whowbeit now growing
seikfie and impotent) haid a special! cair of, and delyt into for the
helpe of my charge, bathe amanges the young and aidd, and thair-
for interteaned tham in houshauld ; sa that the burding of hous-
haulding and deattes7 contracted in biging,8 with verie grait ex
pences in the comoun effeares of the Kirk, wherin almaist the haiff
' Making suit, or complaining to the Commissioners of the Plat. z Contrary
to, beyond. 3 Not lie long in any man's debt. * Oowpin, or handful ; here
meaning an overflowing measure, a bountiful return. s Welfare. c Wife,
literally half a pair, his " other half," 7 Debts. 8 Building.

8 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY.
of sum yeirs I was employed, maid me above sit equal at the yeir's
end. Bot my guid God and maister, whom I servit, and whaise turn
and wark I haid in hand, provydit ane uther helpe, be a purpose
and in a maner quhilk I could nocht haiff devysit nor luiked for.
First, he moved the Lard of Anstruther to be willing to dispone
and quyt the right of the teind fisches to the paroche and toun, ane
or bathe, for the soum of thre thowsand marks, quhilk annes ] be
ing bestowit, might purchas a stedfast steipend to thair minister for
ever. Nixt, when bathe town and paroche haid refusit the blok,2 it
pleasit God to move the Lard to offer it to my selff a thowsand
mark better, scheape,3 to be acquyrit to me and myne. And God
also put in my hart to accept of the blok ; bot nocht sacrilegiusfie
to purchas a leiving to me or myne, of that quhilk sould sustein
the ministerie of God's worschipe and salvation of the peiple, but to
acquyere it for the sustentatioun of the ministerie of the town of
Anstruther Ester. When we haid aggreit upon the blok for twa
thowsand mark, the an haiff to be peyit befor and at Mertimes in
anno 1592, and the uther at Witsonday in anno 1593, 1 knew nocht
whar nor whow to gett the soumes : I conveinit, thairfor, the haill
Eldars of the paroche to brouche and land4 within the sessioun-hous
in the kirk, and thair I maid them this offer ; to be content with my
present leiving, and let the revenew of the teind fisches be taken
upe yeirfie, till twa thowsand marks and the profit war peyit compt-
lie, and therefter to quyt tham thair augmentation, and tak me to my
assignation and these teind- fisches, to live upon and sustein afellow-
labourar with me, quhilk might be thairefter a constant provision for
thair ministrie in all tyme to come. Manie schew5 guid will to the
mater, when they saw that I was na way seiking my awin com-
moditie, bot the weill and provision of thair ministerie ; bot, in end
and effect, as it feares with comoun turnes,6 when it cam to the pre
paring and debursing of soumes, it fealled.7 And then, giff it haid8
1 Once. 2 Agreement, or bargain. * \t 1000 merks lower in price.
' Both burgh and landward. > Shewed. 6 As it fares in ordinary busi
ness transactions. 7 Failed. 8 If it had.

THE AUTHOR S INTRODUCTION. y
nocht pleasit God to move the hart of a speciall freind of myne (to
whom I was regrating the mater, and to whome, in that ceas, the
ministerie of Kilrynnie is mair behauldin nor to all the paroche and
parochinars) to get me the soum I sould delyver at the first term,
I wald haiff bein forcit to quait the blok againe, and left the purchas
of the speciall moyen and provision of this ministerie, quhilk now,
of the speciall gift and providence of God, is acquired unto it.
Now, the first termes soum being delyverit, and the Lardes right
put in my hand, it could haiff avealit the ministerie na thing, unles
I haid the tytle of the vicarage, quhilk was in Jhone Anstruther's
possessioun, with whome it behoved me to blok of new againe for
his dimissioun ; the quhilk I did, and contented him with thrie
hounder marks, and reservatioun of the dewtie of the Silverdyk.
Sa yi* I haid threttein hounder marks to delyver and purchas, for
the quhilk I meined my self againe to my sessioun, and was compelfit
in end to sell tham my agmentatioun, quhilk they war bund to pey
me yeirfie, to thair grait ease and my grait hurt, (war nocht thair
ease culd nocht be my hurt, whase ease and weillfear in God was
all my cair and respect in the mater ;) for haiffand the town of
Anstruther bund be sufficient contract in wrait to me for twa houn
der marks yeirfie, during my ministerie, and the gentle men to
landwart for a hounder, I quat tham bathe for thrie yeirs' dewtie,
viz. nyne hounder marks ; wharas, sen syne, I might haiff gottin of
tham twyse samikle, and my right standing to the fore. The quhilk
I wald nocht sa particularlie sett down, war nocht sum, forgetting
them selves and the grait benefit of God, hes alleagit that they de-
bursit soumes for acquyring of the teind fisches to the ministerie,
quhilk is far from the treuthe ; for, indeed, giff God haid nocht
done that turn without their soumes or cair, thair haid skarslie bein
a ministerie in Kilrynnie this day. And this I wryt nocht to im-
pear the praise of guid men in the paroche, wharof I thank God
thair is a guid number, and als weill affected as in the land agean,
bot to repress the unwarrie ingratitud of sum that considders nocht
the bountifuU guidnes of God, in the planting and preservation of
thair ministerie.

10 MR JAMES MELYILL S DIARY.
Bot to return to the narration: With this nyne houndrethe
marks, and four hounder of my brother-sonnes gear,1 I satisfeit the
next termes soum, and enterit be presentation, coUation, and insti
tution of the vicarage, as actuaU minister in possession of the said
teind fisches, and na way be the tytle receavit fra the Lard as tax-
man,2 to mak it cleir and sure that I sought the provision of the
ministerie, and nocht a leiving to me and myne. Quhilk I sett
down, partfie to stope the mouthes of calumniators, giving out my
doing as a conquaist of the kirk gear to me and myne ; partfie to
resolve my warldlie frindes, who thinks I wald never be sa daft as
to tak on soumes sa grait to acquyre and bring hame to the kirk
hir teinds againe : Bot it is nocht the warlde, but my God, whome I
seik to please, and I thank his bonte continualie, hes in sa doing
fund mair of the warlde nor sic as hes done utherwayes,3 or ever I
sought or luiked for. The haul expences of the proces and pices of
the tytle lyand in a severaU bust4 be tham selves in my lettron,5 1
estimat to a houndrethe marks ; sa, in debursit money, the haill is
to me four-and-twentie houndrethe marks.
The quhilk soum, by the speciall blessing of God, in the fischings
I might haiff easelie utreade6 sen my first possessioun, giff the bur
ding of my forsaids fellow-laborar and scholmaister haid nocht lyen
upon me, the grait expences of the comoun effeares of the kirk, and
the lang and heavie disease of my wyff. Now, this my frind wald
ask, What I haiff for my releiff of sic soumes ? I answer, the favour
and providence of my guid God. For giff God spear my dayes,
with rest in his Kirk, I hope he sail utreade all my deattes,7 that it
may be left frie to the intrant ; giff nocht, and the intrant be worthie
of the roum of this ministerie, God and his conscience will move him
to pey the deat resting. Giff he will nocht, the greiff and loss wil-
be graitter to haiff sic a man in that roum, nor of myne to pey my
deattes, whowbeit they seU the books and plenessing for that effect.
As for the bernes, giff they lern to be God's servantes and berns,
1 My nephew's money. « As holding the tack or lease of the teinds. » Than
those who have done otherwise. * Lying in a separate shuttle. ¦ Reading
desk. O. Fr. lectron. • " Outred," cleared off, discharged. i Debts

THE AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION. 11
he will provyde for tham as he hes done for me : giff nocht, (as God
forbid !) they ar mair wordie to beg nor to bruik.1 For my reward
at the hands of God,2 the Lord of his infinit mercie and grace
friethe3 me from the just desert of my vyle sinnes, for the merit of
the deathe and pretius bloode of his Sone, my Saviour, the Lord
Jesus Chryst, wha is God over all, blessit for ever. For when all
is done, as he and my conscience beares witnes against me, a maist
wretched, vyle, unworthie servand in his sight, unles he behauld me
in his Chryst, whas I am, and nocht my awin. And far be it fra me
to glorie in anie thing bot his cross, wharby, wald to God, this
warld war fullie crucified to me, and I to it.
As for the town and paroche, the benefit indeid is thairs : Let
tham thairfor, as I hope they will, considder thair dewtie in con
science befor thair God, to whome, for thair ministerie, I am suir
they ar mair addettit nor anie paroche4 I knaw. The Lord mak
tham to acknawlage it and be thankfull ! This onlie I beseik tham,
for the mercies of Chryst, let never that be takin away or abusit
from the right use quhilk God hes annes 5 applyed it unto, sa far as
may ly in thame, as they love the honour of God, and his worschipe
to stand in the middes of tham, joynit with the salvation of thair
saulles. And, namlie, I man6 ernestlie admonische the hous of An
struther never to mein to acclame againe the tytle or possessioun of
thay7 teinds, whowbeit they might find a corrupt and sacrilegius
perjured persone to put in the roum, be whome they might gett a
new sett8 and possessioun of thay teind fisches ; for I pronunce heir a
curse and maledictioun from God upon whosoever sail intervert and
draw away the commodities thairof from the right use ofsusteining
of the ministerie of God's worschipe, and of the salvatioun of God's
peiple's sauUes within the town of Anstruther, and congregation of
Kilrynnie ! And God forbid that ever that hous sould bring on it
the feirfull effect of this curse, quhilk of dewtie I man love best of
anie hous in the land.
1 They deserve rather to beg than to enjoy or possess. 2 " Nehem v. ver. 19."
On margin of MS. "Free. 4 Than any parish. "Once. "Must.
7 These. s Lease.

12 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY.
In the yeir 1598, I cawsit print my Catechisme1 for the profit of
my peiple, and bestowit thairupon fyve hounder marks, quhilk God
moved the hart of a maist godfie and loving frind to frifie offer to
me, in len2 for that effect. Of this I remean addettit, bot could
never, to my knawlage, attein to a hounder marks again for the
buiks.3 1 An imperfect copy of this Catechism, which is now of great rarity, is preserved
in the Advocates' Library. It is partly in prose and partly in verse ; but the copy
alluded to is so much mutilated, that no use can be made of it in the present work.
The portion which is preserved chiefly consists of a " Propyne (gift or present) of a
Pastor to his People." 2 Loan. 3 This last paragraph seems to have
been added by the Author at a later period than the present Introduction. The wor
thy Author appears to have lost 400 merks by this publication.

THE HISTORIE

THE LYFF OF JAMES MELYILL.

Thow does manie things, O Jehova, my God. Thy merveals and thoughts to
ward us can nocht ordourlie be recompted before thie ; giff I wald set me to schaw
and speak tham out, they ar mo in number then I can rehearse ; Psalme xl. 6.
Thow art my hope, Lord Jehova ; my confidence fra my bernhead.
I lean upon thie from tbe'wombe ; from my mother's bowels thow cacht me ; in
thie sail my praise be continualie.
Let my mouthe be filled with thy laude, even all the day with thy glorie.
Cast mie nocht away in my auld age ; when my strainthe fealls mie, leave mie
nocht ; Psalme lxxi. 5, 6, 8, 9.
I will sing the mercies of the Lord for ever : with my mouthe will 1 declare thy
treuthe from generation to generation ; Psalme lxxxix. [1.]
O whow deir ar thy thoughts towards mie, O strong God ! whow grait is the
soum therof !
I wald recount tham, bot they are ma then the sand : I wake that I may bie yit
withe thie ; Psalme cxxxix. 17, 18.
I KNAWE a man in Chryst, brought from the wombe of his mo
ther be God, the 25 day of the monethe July, (dedicat of auld to S.
James the Apostle and Martyr,) in the yeir of our Lord 1556 ;l wha,
for thankfulness of hart, to the praise and honour of his gratius God
and deir father in Chryst, and for edification and comfort of his
childring, and sic as sail reid the saming heirefter, is movit to sett
down, in monument of wryt, the benefets of God bestowit on him
sen his first conception and day of his birthe foremarked ; sa far,
at leist, as his weak understanding and freall memorie in maters
that ar esteimed of importance can conceave and recompt. Whow-
1 " My vncle, Mr Andro, haulds that I was born in anno 1557." Margin of MS.

14 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1556.
beit, as I haiff professed, in the words of the Psalme with David,
that the smalest of his unknawin benefits passes the graittest
reatche of my apprehension and utterance.
And, first, God wald haiff me begottin of godfie, fathfull, and
honest parents, bathe fightned with the light of the gospell, at the
first dawning of the day thairof within Scotland, knawing and be-
leving that Covenant of Grace, and sa the seid of the fathfull, ex-
preslie mentioned in that Covenant, quhilk assures mie of the be
nefit thairof, yea of that root and weal-spring of aU his benefites, my
eternall election in his Chryst befor the foundation of the warld.
These parents, be name, war Richard MelviU of Baldowy, and Iso-
beU Scrymgeour, sistar to the Lard of Glaswell for the tyme.
My said father, brought upe in letters from his youthe, and gen-
tlemanie effeares tui he was past twentie yeirs of age, therefter
chosine psedagog to James Erskine appeirand of Donne, he past
with him to Germanie, whar he remeaned at the studie of letters,
namlie, Theologie ; first with Doctor Macabeus, in Denmark, and
thairefter a heirar of Philip Melancton in Wittenberg, be the space
of twa yeirs. Of the grait mercie of God, haiffing the happe of
sic maisters as war the graittest lights of that age within the coun-
trey, in the toun of Montrose, and companie of that Lard of
Donne,1 and the maist godfie, lerned, and noble Scots Martyre, Mr
George Wyshart, and these nominat in Germanie. And the Lord
blessing the seid sawin be tham in his hart, at last, soone efter the
first Reformation of Religion, thrust him out into his hervest, and
placed him Minister of his Evangell at the kirk of Mariton, a myle
from Montrose, harde adjacent to his awin house and roum of Bal
dowy ; in the quhilk he continowed fathfulfie unto his lyfles end.
He died the 53 yeir of his age, [in the moneth of Junie,2] anno
1575, in a icterik fevar,3 maist godfie ; for efter manie most com
fortable exhortationes maid to the noble and gentle men of the
cowntrey, wha all resorted to visit him during his disease, and to
1 Jhone Areskin of Dun, Superintendent of Angus and Mernes. Margin of MS.
1 What is within brackets is supplied on the margin of the MS. :< Icterick or
bilious fever ; the jaundice. Fr.fievrc icterique.

1561. MR JAMEiS melvill's DLVRY. 15
his breither and frinds wha remeaned about him, about the verie
hour of his deathe, he caused reid to him the 8 chapter of the
Epistle to the Romans, and immediatlie efter his brother, Mr James,
minister of Arbrothe, asking him, what he was doing ? Lifting upe
eyes and handis toward heavin, with reasonable might of voice, he
answerit, " I am glorifeing God for the light of his gospell, and
resting in assurance of his sweit promises of lyff maid unto mie, in
my Saviour, the Lord Jesus Chryst ;" and na ma • intelfigible words
thairefter. He was a man of rare wesdome, judgment, and discre
tion ; and, therfor, mikle imployed in the trysts and effeares of the
noble and gentle men of the countrey, quhilk distracted him fra his
calling, hinderit his vertew, and schortened his lyff. The recom-
pence quhilk he had was estimation and affection of all. Ther was
nane of his rank, and verie few above it, that was sa honored and
loven as he ; quhilk kythed 2 specialie at his buriall, and hes bein
often tauld me be men of all degries sen syne.
My mother died about a thrie quarters, or at least within a yeir,
efter I was born ; a woman exceidinglie belovit of hir housband's
frinds and nibours. I haiff divers tymes hard, when my father-
breither Roger, Jhone, Mr James and Robert, could nocht satisfie
tham selves in contending hir godlines, honestie, vertew, and affec
tion toward thame. And I haiff often hard Mr Andro say, that he
being a bern verie seiklie, was maist lovinglie and tenderlie treated
and cared for be hir, embrasing him and kissing him oftentymes,
with these words, " God giff me an uther lad lyk thie, and syne tak
me to his rest !" Now sche haid haid twa laddies befor me, wharof
the eldest was dead ; and betwix him and the second, sche bure
thrie lasses ; sa, in end, God granted hir desyre, and gaiff hir an,
wha wald to God he war als lyk to Mr Andro in gifts of mynd as
he is thought to be in proportion of bodie and lineaments of face ;
for ther is nane, that is nocht utherwayes particularfie informed, bot
taks me for Mr Andro's brother.
The nixt benefit is of my education, till I cam to the age of a
1 He uttered no more. 2 Which was made manifest.

16 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1566.
man, and entered in my calling, wharin als manie moments, als
manie benefits ; bot the maist remarkable, to my judgement and me
morie, I will record. And first, in generaU, to the praise of my hea-
vinlie parent, I man confess, with David, " My mother has now left
mie, bot Jehova hes receavit mie ;" and with Esai, " The mother
hes forgat the fruit of hir wombe, bot the Lord hes rememberit me
alwayes ! " I haid an evill-inclyned woman to my nuris ; therefter
speaned1 and put in a cottar hous, and about four or fyve yeir auld
brought hame to a step-mother ; yit a verie honest burges of Mon-
tros 2 hes oft tauld me, that my father wald ley me down on my
bak, pleying with mie, and lauche at me because I could nocht ryse,
I was sa fatt ; and wald ask mie what ealed mie : I wald answer,
" I am sa fatt I may nocht geang." And trewlie sen my remem-
berance, I cam never to the place bot God moved sum an with a
motherlie affection towardis me. About the fyft yeir of my age, the
Grate Buik was put in my hand, and when I was seavine, lytle thair
of haid I lernit at hame ; therfor my father put my eldest and onlie
brother, David, about a year and a haiff in age above me, and me
togidder, to a kinsman and brother in the ministerie of his, to scholl,
a guid, lerned, kynd man ; whome for thankfulnes I name, Mr Wil-
yam Gray, minister at Logie-Montrose. He haid a sistar, a godfie
and honest matron, rewlar of his hous, wha often rememberit me of
my mother, and was a verie loving mother to us, indeid. Ther was
a guid nomber of gentle and honest men's berns of the cowntrey
about, weill treaned upe bathe in letters, godlines, and exerceise of
honest geames.3 Ther we lerned to reid the Catechisme, Prayers,
and Scripture; to rehers the Catechisme and Prayers parceur; also
nottes of Scripture, efter thereiding thairof; and ther first I fand,
(blysed be my guid God for it !) that Sprit of sanctification begin-
ing to work sum motiones in my hart, even about the aught and
nynt yeir of my age ; to pray going to bed and rysing, and being
in the fields alan4 to say ower the prayers I haid lernit with a sweit
moving in my hart; and to abhore swearing, and rebuk and com-
¦ Weaned. 2 « Robcrt CIal.fe;, supplied fay ^ ^^ ^ ^ _
¦> Uames, sports, exercises. * Alone.

1566. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 17
plean upon sic as I hard swear. Wherunto the exemple of that
godfie matron, seiklie, and giffen to read and pray in hir bed, did
mikle profit me ; for I ley in hir chamber and heard hir exerceises.
We lerned ther the Rudiments of the Latin Grammair, withe the
vocables in Latin and Frenche ; also dyverse speitches in Frenche,
with the reiding and right pronunciation of that toung. We pro-
- ceidit fordar to the Etymologie of Lilius and his Syntax, as also a lytle
of the Syntax of Linacer ; therwith was joyned Hunter's Nomen-
clatura, the Minora Colloquia of Erasmus, and sum of the Eclogs
of Virgill and Epistles of Horace ; also Cicero his Epistles ad Teren-
tiam. He haid a verie guid and profitable form of resolving the au
thors ; he teatched grammaticallie, bathe according to the Etymolo
gie and Syntax ; bot as for me, the trewthe was, my ingyne and
memorie war guid aneuche, bot my judgment and understanding
war as yit smored1 and dark, sa that the thing quhilk I gat was
mair be rat ryme nor knawlage.2 Ther also we haid the aire guid,
and fields reasonable fear, and be our maister war teached to handle
the bow for archerie, the glub for goff, the batons for fencing, also
to rin, to loope, to swoom, to warsell,3 to preve pratteiks, everie ane
haiffing his matche and andagonist, bathe in our lessons and play.
A happie and golden tyme, indeid, giff our negligence and unthank-
fullnes haid nocht moved God to schorten it, partfie be deceying of
the number, quhilk caused the maister to weirie, and partfie be a
pest quhilk the Lord, for sinne and contempt of his" Gospell, send
upon Montrose, distant from Over Logie bot twa myles ; sa that
scholl skalled,4 and we war all send for and brought hame. I was
at that scholl the space of almost fyve yeirs, in the quhilk tyme, of
pubfict news I remember I hard of [the mariage of Hendrie and
Marie, King and Quein of Scots,6] Seingnour Davie's slauchter,6 of
the King's mourder at the Kirk of Field, of the Quein's taking at
Carbarri, and the Langsyd feild. Wherof reid Mr Bowchannan
Cornicle, lib. 17, 18, 19.
1 Smothered, obscure. 2 Was more by rote than knowledge. "' Wrestle,
* " Skailled," was dismissed. 5 This supplied on margin of MS. 6 Tim
murder of Riccio, then usually styled " Signior Davie." B

18

MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1568.

me

Even at that tyme, me thought the heiring of these things moved
, and stak in my hart with sum joy or sorrow, as I hard they
might helpe or hender the Relfigion : Namelie, I remember the ordour
of the fast keipit in anno 1566 ; the eviU handling of the ministerie
be taking away of their stipends; for Mr James Melvill, my uncle,
and Mr James Balfour, his cusing-german, bathe ministers and sti-
pendles, with guid, godfie, and kynd Patrick Forbes of Cors. The
Lard of Kinnaber, and the godfie and zealus gentlemen of the coun
trey, partfie for thair bernes' cause, and partfie for that notable in
strument in the Kirk of Scotland, Jhone Erskine of Done, Super
intendent of Merns and Angus, his residence in Logy at certean
tymes, did oftentymes frequent our hous, and talk of sic maters.
Also, I remember weill whow we past to the head of the muir to sie
the fyre of joy1 burning upon the stiple head of Montrose, [at the
day of the King's birthe.2] These things I mark for the grait bene
fit of that place and companie, wherin the Lord wald haiff me
treaned upe in my first and tender age.
Now, when my brother and I war come hame, our father ex
amined us, and was glad to sie that we had profited reasonablie :
Nevertheless, the esteat of the countrey was sa uncertain and
troublesome, the moyen he haid (wanting his awin stipend, and
helping diverse that wanted of his breithring) bot mean and small,
and the occasione of scholles nocht serving, we remeaned a wintar
at hame, rememberit of our buiks bot now and then, as our father
haid leaser, quhilk was bot verie seindle.3 Yit the Lord sufferit
nocht that tyme to be fruittles nather, bot I remember therin twa
benefites ; ane the reiding of the Storie of the Scripture that win
tar, quhilk stak in my mynd ; and of David Lindsayes book, quhilk
my eldest sistare, Isbel, wald reid and sing, namfie, concerning the
letter judgment, the peanes of hell, and the joyes of heavin, wherby
scho wald caus me bathe greit and be glad. I lovit hir, therfor,
exceiding deirfie, and scho me by4 the rest. Scho schew me aB day,
amangs uthers; a ballet sett out in print against ministers, that for
want of stipend left thair charge, beginning 
1 Bonfire. 2 On margin of MS. 3 Seldom, rarely. * More than. 4 One.

1568. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 19
Who so do put hand to the pleuche,
And therfra bakward goes ;
The Scripture maks it plean aneuche,
My kingdom is nocht for those, &c.
With this scho burst furthe in teares, and sayes, " Alas ! what will
com of thir at that letter day ? God keip my father, and Mr Jamea
Melvill, and Mr James Balfour, fra this ! " And efter, cryes out the
verses of Davie Lindsay : —
Alas ! I trimble for to tell
The terrible torments of the hell ;
That peanful pit who can deplore ?
Quhilk sail endure for evermore.
With hir speitches and teares sche maid me to quak and chout
bitterfie, quhilk left the deipest stampe of God's fear in my hart of
anie thing that ever I haid hard befor. I was giffen to a bernfie
evill and dangerus use of pyking ; [ the quhilk sche perceaving, of
purpos gaiff me the credit of the key of Mr kist,2 and haiffing sum
small silver in a lytle schottle, I tuk sum of it, thinking sche sould
not haiff misset it. Bot be that occasion sche enterit sa upon me
with sa soar threatnings, and therwithall sa sweit and loving admo
nition and exhortations, that I thank thie, my God, I absteinit from
it all my dayes therefter ; and wherever I was, giff I could haiff
gotten anie thing to by, worthie of hir, I was accustomed to send it
hir, [in taken of our affectioun,3] sa lang as sche leivit. This benefit
I haid of God, by hir meanes, that wintar, for incress of his fear
and honestie of lyff.
The uther was for civiU conversation and prudence. My father,
that wintar, put in our hands Palingenhis, wherin he delyted mikle
him self; injoyning to us, at his rydings fra ham, to lern sa manie
verses par ceur. Therby I lernt weill, and ever keipit in memorie,
1 Committing petty thefts, pilfering. * Chest. 3 Margin of MS.

20 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1569.
for dayfie practise sen syne, these precepts for winning of heartes,
concieUiating of affectiones, and peacable conversation, quhilk he
hes in Cancro from these verses fofiowing to the end of the buik : —
Quicunque ergo cupit multum dum vrrit amari
Aut studeat delectare, aut prodesse, vel in se
Virtutes habeat, quas compeUuntur et ipsi
Commendare mali, et quamvis odere, verentur, &c.
Onfie a1 thing in the end, (quhuk he wald nocht haiff us to lern,) for
subtiU revenge is nocht Christian, bot yit maist neidfuU to be mar
ket, it is sa in use in the warld in this our age, and esteimed a mean
point of prudence :
Nimirum magna est prudentia vincere blande,
Atque animi ad tempus pressum coelare dolorem.
Machiavel him selff could nocht haiff prescryvit it sa weill as I
haiff knawin it practised in this countrey ; and" as yit it is working
on : God mak us simple as doves, and wyse as serpents ! I thank
God fra my heart, that maid me to ken it fra my youthe to be war
of it, bot nocht to use it, as I bles my Chryst I deteast aU revenge
as devillrie, and namfie serpentine.
About the spring tyme, my father resolved to keipe my eldar
brother at hame withe him, to lern him housbandrie and experience
of the warldlie lyff, now almost past from the age of bernheid ; 2 and
to send me to the scholl againe for a yeir or twa, that therefter he
might acqueiit me also with housbandrie, and prepear for me a
roum ; 3 and that becaus he nather saw the meanes to mak us at-
tein to sic lerning as we might five upon, nor when we haid gottin
it, anie sure interteinment in the countrey for it. Sa I was put to
the scholl of Montrose ; finding, of God's guid providence, my
1 0ne ' Childhood. J A small farm.

1569. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 21
auld mother, Marjorie Gray, wha parting from hir brother at his
mariage, haid taken upe hous and schoU for lasses in Montrose ; to
hir I was welcome againe as her awin sone. The maister of the
schoU, a lerned, honest, kynd man, whom also for thankfulnes I
name, Mr Andro Miln ; l he was verie skilfuU and diligent. The
first yeir he causit us go throw the Rudiments againe, thairefter
enter and pas throw the first part of Grammer of Sebastian ; thair-
with we hard Phormionem Terentii, and war exerceisd in composi
tion ; efter that entered to the second part, and hard thairwith the
Georgics of VirgiU, and dyvers uther things. I never get a strak
of his hand, whowbeit I comitted twa lurd2 faultes, as it war with
fyre and sword : Haiffing the candle in my hand on a wintar night,
befor sax hours, in the schoU, sitting in the class, bernlie and ne-
gligentlie pleying with the bent,3 it kendlet sa on fyre, that we haid
all ado to put it out with our feit. The uther was being molested
by a condisciple, wha cutted the stringes of my pen and ink-horn
with his pen-knyff, I minting4 with my pen-knyff to his legges to
fley him ; he feared, and lifting now a lag, now the uther,5 rasht on
his lag upon my knyff, and strak him selff a deipe wound in the
schin of the lag, quhilk was a quarter of a yeir in curing. In the
tyme of the trying of this mater, he saw me sa humble, sa feared,
sa greived, yefid sa manie teares, and by fasting and murning in the
scholl all day, that he said he could nocht find in his hart to punishe
me fordar. Bot my righteus God let me nocht slipe that fault, bot
gaiff me a warning, and rememberance what it was to be defyld with
blude, whowbeit negfigentfie ; for within a short space efter I haid
causit a cutlar, new com to the town, to polishe and scharpe the sam
pen-knyff, and haid bought a pennie-worthe of aples, and cutting
and eatting the sam in the Linkes, as I put the cheive6 in [my]
mouthe, I began to lope upe upon a litle sandie bray, haiffing the
pen-knyff in my right hand, I feU, and thairwithe strak my selff, miss-
1 "Minister of Fedresso." Margin of MS. 2 Clumsy, stupid, awkward. Fr.
lourd. * It was usual to strew the floors with rushes or bent-grass, in winter,
as we use carpets. This custom was also prevalent in England, as well as in foreign
countries. 4 Aiming at. 5 Now one leg, now the other. 6 " Shave," or slice.

22 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1570.
ing my wombe, an inche deipe in the inwart syde of the left knie,
even to the bean,1 wherby the squitie of God's judgment and my
conscience strak me sa, that I was the mair war of knyffes all my
dayes. In Montrose was Mr Thomas Andersone, minister, a man of mean
gifts, bot of singular guid lyff. God moved him to mark me, and
caU me often to his chalmer to treat me, when he saw anie guid in
me, and to instruct and admonish me utherwayes. He desyrit me
ever to rehearse a part of Calvin's Catechisme on the Sabothes at
efternoone, because he hard the peiple lyked weiU of the clearnes of
my voice, and pronuncing with sum foiling ; and thairby God moved a
godfie honest matron in the town to mak mikle of me thairfor, and
called me hir lytle sweit angle. The minister was able to teatche
na ofter but annes in the ouk ; 2 but haid a godfie honest man reid-
ar,3 wha read the Scripture distinctlie, and with a relights and
devot feilfing ; wherby I fand my selff movit to giff guid eare, and
lern the Stories of Scripture, also to tak plesure in the Psalmes
quhilk he haid almost aU by hart, in prose. The Lard of Done?
mentioned befor, dwelt oft in the town, and of his charitie intertein-
ed a blind man, wha haid a singular guid voice ; him he causit the
doctor of our schoU teatche the whoU Psalmes in miter, with the
tones thairof, and sing tham in the kirk ; be heiring of whome I was
sa delyted, that I lernit manie of the Psalmes and toones thairof in
miter, quhilk I haiff thought ever sen syne a grait blessing and com
fort. The exerceise of the ministerie was keipit oukfie then in Mon
trose, and thair assemblies ordinarfie ; quhilk when I saw I was movit
to lyk fellon weul4 of that caUing, bot thought it a thing impossible
that ever I could haiff the abfiitie to stand upe and speak when all
helde thair toung and luiked, and to continow speaking alean5 the
space of an houre. Ther was also ther a post,6 that frequented
Edinbruche, and brought ham Psalme buikes and baUates ; namfie,
of Robert Semple's making, wherin I tuik pleasour, and lernit sum
1 Bone. 2 Once in the week. a " Jhone Beatie." Margin of MS.
* Extremely well. This word was in frequent use as a superlative. 5 Alone.
" A carrier or messenger. " John Finheavin." Margin of MS.

1571. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 23
thing bathe of the esteat of the countrey, and of the missours and
cuUors of Scottes ryme. He schew me first Wedderburn's Songs,
wharof I lerned diverse par ceur, with great diversitie of toones.
He frequented our schoU, and of him also I lerned to understand
the Calender, efter the commoun use thairof.
And, finafie, I receavit the comunion of the bodie and blud of
the Lord Jesus Chryst first at Montrose, with a graitter reverence
and sence, in my sauU, then oft thairefter I could find, in the 13
year of my age ; whar, coming from the table, a guid honest man,
ane eldar of the kirk,1 gaiff me an admonition concerning lightnes,
wantonnes, and nocht takin tent 2 to the preatching and word read,
and prayers, quhilk remeaned with me ever sen syne. Sa God
maid everie persone, place, and action, to be my teatchers ; bot,
alas ! I used tham never sa fruitfuUie, as the guid occasiones servit,
bot was caried away in vanitie of mynd with young and fullishe
conceattes, quhilk is the heavie chaUange of my conscience. The
tyme of my being in Montrose was about twa yeirs, during the
quhilk the comoun newes that I hard was of the grait praises of the
government ; and, in end, the heavie mean3 and pitiful regrat, amangs
men in aU esteatts, for the traiterus murdour of James Earl of
Murro, caUed the Guid Regent, anent the quhilk, sie the 19 book
of the fomamed Cornicle.4
M.D.LXXI.
The esteat of Montrose schol changit, be occasion of the master's
taking of him to the ministerie, I cam hame to Baldowy about the
Lambes,5 in anno 1571. The fourtein yeir of my age, now expyred,
whar my father setts me about the hervest-labour, wherin I haid
litle pleasour ; for whowbeit I spendit nocht the tyme sa fructfullie
as I might at scholl, yet I lyked the schollar's lyff best ; bot my fa
ther held us in sic aw, that we durst nocht reasone with him, bot his
wiU was neidfuU obedience to us. Sa to the glorie of my God, I re-
1 " Richart Andersone, brother to the former, Mr Thomas Andersone." Margin
of MS. * Not bestowing attention. 3 Moaning, lamentation. * Alluding
to Buchanan's History, quoted above. » Lammas, 1st August.

24 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1571.
member a certean day my father send me to the smeddy 1 for dressing
of hewkes 2 and sum yron instruments, the way lying hard by Marie-
kirk, wherin my father pretched, I begoude3 to weirie soar of my
lyff; and as my coustome haid bein fra my bernheid to pray in my
hart, and mein my esteat to my God, coming foment the kirk, and
luiking to it, the Lord steirit upe an extraordinar motion in my hart,
quhilk maid me atteans, being alean,4 to fafi on gruiff 5 to the ground,
and pour out a schort and ernest petition to God, that it wald please
his guidnes to offer occasion to continow me at the scholles, and in-
clyne my father's hart tui use the saming ; 6 with promise and vow,
that whatever missour of knawlage and letters he wold bestow on
me, I sould, by his grace, imploy the saming for his glorie in the
calling of the ministerie ; and rysing from the ground with joy and
grait contentment in hart, again feU downe and worschipped, and
sa past on and did the earand, retourning and praising my God,
singing sum Psalmes. Within a few dayes thairefter, Mr James
MelviU, my uncle, comes to Baldowy, and brings with him a godfie
lernit man, named Mr Wilyeam CoUace, wha was that sam yeir to
tak upe the class as first regent of St Leonard's CoUage, within the
LTniversitie of St Andros ; efter conference with whome that night,
God moves my father's hart to resolve to send me that sam yeir to
the CoUage. Trew it was, I was bot weakfie groundit in grammar,
and young of yeirs ; yit the lovingnes of the gentleman, and promise
of the benefeit of a bursare's place, and of taking peanes on me,
maid the mater to go fordwart ; wherof, when I was informed be
my said uncle, and haid sein and spoken a lytle with the man, Re
becca was never blyther to go with the servant of Abraham, nor I
was to go with him. And trewlie this finding of God, at a neid,
was the beginning of a ritche treassour of the pruiff of his provi
dence, mercie, and grace, continowaUie increassing sen syne, that I
wald nocht giff for ten thowsand warlds.
Sa I cam to St Androis about the first of November, in the for-
said yeir 1571, and enterit in the course of Philosophie, under the
1 Smithy. 7 Reaping hooks, sickles. ' Began. * At once, being
alone. s Prostrate. 6 Same.

1571. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 25
regenterie of the said Mr Wilyeam, Avha haid the estimation of the
maist solide and lernit in Aristotle's Philosophie. And first hard
under him Cassander his Rhetorik ; but at the beginning, nather
being weiU groundet in grammer, nor com to the yeirs of naturaU
judgment and understanding, I was cast in sic a greiff and dispear,
because I understood nocht the regent's langage in teatching, that I
did nathing bot bursted and grat l at his lessones, and was of mynd
to haiff gone ham agean, war nocht the huffing cear of that man
comforted me, and tuik me in his awin chalmer, causit me ly with
him selff, and everie night teatchedme in privat, tui I was acquented
with the mater.2 Then he gaiff us a compend of his awin of Phi-
losophi and the partes thairof; of Dialectik, of Definition, of Divi
sion, of Enunciation, and of a SyUogisme Enthymen, and Induction,
&c. ; quhilk I thought I understuid better. About the quhilk tyme
my father coming to the town, begoude 3 to examine me, and finding
sum beginning was exceidinglie rejoysit, and uttered sweittar affec
tion to me then ever before. He interteined my regent verie hartfie
in his ludging, and gaiff him grait thanks. He send me to him,
efter he haid taken leive, with twa piece of gold in a neapkine ;
bot the gentleman was sa honest and loving, that he wald haiff non
of his gold, but with austere countenance send me bak with it, na
never wald receave gold nor sUver all the tyme of my course. We
enterit in the Organ of Aristotle's Logics that yeir, and lernit till
the Demonstrations. He haid a lytle boy that servit him in his
chamber, caUed David Elistone, wha, amangs threttie-and-sax schol-
lars in number, (sa manie war we in the class,) was the best. This
boy he causit weat on me, and confer with me ; whase ingyne and
judgment past me als far in the whoU course of philosophie, as the
aigle the howlet.4 In the multiplication of Propositiones, MedaUes,
Conversion of SyUogismes, Pons Asinorum, etc., he was als read as
I was in telling an-and-threttie. This I mark for a speciaU cause
of thankfulnes foUowing.
1 Sobbed and wept. 2 " We hard the Oration, Pro Rege Deiotaro." Mar
gin of MS. 3 Began. * As the eagle the owl.

26

MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1571.

Bot of aU the benefites I haid that yeir was the coming of that
maist notable profet and apostle of our nation, Mr Jhone Knox, to
St Androis ; wha, be the faction of the Quein occupeing the cas-
teU and town of Edinbruche, was compeUit to remove thairfra with
a number of the best, and chusit to com to St Androis. I hard him
teatche ther the prophecie of Daniel that simmer, and the wintar
foUowing. I haid my pen and my litle book, and tuk away sic
things as I could comprehend. In the opening upe of his text he
was moderat the space of an haiff houre ; bot when he enterit to
application, he maid me sa to grew ' and tremble, that I could nocht
haid a pen to wryt. I hard him oftymes utter these thretenings
in the hicht of their pryde, quhilk the eis of monie saw cleirlie
brought to pass within few yeirs upon the Captean of that Castle,
the Hamiltones, and the Quein hir selff. He ludgit down in the
Abbay besyde our Collage ; and our [Primarius, Mr James Wilkie,
our2] Regents, Mr Nicol Dalgleise, Mr Wilyeam Colace, and Mr
Jhone Davidsone, went in ordinarfie to his grace efter denner and
soupper. Our Regent taried aU the vacans3 to heir him, whowbeit
he haid urgent effeares of his brother-sonnes to handle, to whom he
was tutor. Mr Knox wald sum tymes com in and repose him in our
CoUage yeard, and caU us schoUars unto him and bless us, and ex
hort us to knaw God and his wark in our contrey, and stand be the
guid cause, to use our tyme weiU, and lern the guid instructiones,
and foUow the guid exemple of our maisters. Our haiU Collage,
maisters and schoUars, war sound and zelus for the guid cause.
The uther twa CoUages nocht sa ; for in the New CoUage, whow
beit Mr Jhone Dowglass, then Rector, was guid aneuche ; the
thrie uther maisters and sum of the Regentes war eviU myndit,
viz. Mrs Robert, Archbald and Jhone HamUtons, (wharof the last
twa becam efter apostates,) hated Mr Knox and the guid cause ;
and the Commissar, Mr WUyeam Skein, could nocht lyk weiU of
his doctrine. The Auld CoUage was rewlit be Mr Jhon Ruther-
1 Shudder. 2 Margin of MS. » Vacation.

1572. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 27
furd, then Dean of Facultie, a [man lernit in phuosophie, bot '] in-
vyus, corrupt. This I mark for the setting furthe of the benefit I
receavit in the CoUage and companie I was into.- The public
newes I hard that yeir was of the Engfiss armie that cam in under
the conduct of Mr Druri, and brunt and slew throuchout Cliddis-
daU and aU the dominiones of the HamUtons, for the slauchter of
the Guid Regent. They brunt the casteU, and pafice, and town of
HamUtone, and caried away grait pray ; they wracked aU the Bor-
dars wast and est, and tuik the casteU of Hume. Also Mathew
Stewart, Erie of Lennox, was schosine Regent, wha that hervest
cam to Breachine, beseigit the casteU thairof, haldin be the suddarts 2
of the Erl of Hountfie, compeUet tham to rander, and hangit
threttie thairof, quhilk was caUit " the Bourde of Breachine."
[This yeir, in the monethe of July, Mr Jhone Davidsone, an of
our Regents, maid a play at the mariage of Mr Jhone Colvin,
quhilk I saw playit in Mr Knox presence ; wherin, according to Mr
Knox doctrin, the Castle of Edinbruche was beseiged, takin, and
the Captan, with an or twa with him, hangit in effigie.3]
MJJ.LXXn.
The second yeir of my course, we hard the Demonstrations, the
Topiks, and the Sophist Captiones. And the Primarius,4 a guid,
peacable, sweit auld man, wha huffed me weill, teached the four
speaces of the Arithmetik, and sum thing of the Sphere ; bot the
graittest benefit I had of him was his dayfie doctrine at the prayers
in the kirk, everie morning ; for he past throw the twa biuks of
Samuel, and twa of the Kings, very pleanlie and substantiuslie,
quhilk I rememberit the better ever since. He causit sing co-
mounlie the 44 and 79 Psalmes, quhilk I lernit par ceur, for that was
the yeir of the bludie massacres in France, and grait troubles in
this countrey, the warres betwix Leithe and Edinbruche being
verie hat. The Castel of Dumbarten was notablie tean,s and Jhone
Hamilton, Bischope of St Androis, hangit.
1 Margin of MS. 2 Soldiers. 3 Supplied on margin of MS.
' " Mr James Wilkie." Margin of MS. s Taken.

28 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1574.
In the monethe of August, "the Blak Parliament" of Stirling
haldin,1 whar the second Regent was slean, in Wolmistones armes,
&c, vide Buehan. Chro.2
M.D.LXXHL
The thrid yeir of our course, we hard the fyve buikis of the
Ethiks, with the aught buikis of the Physiks, [and Be Ortu et Inte-
ritu?~] That yeir we haid our Bachlar art, according to the solem
nities then used of declamations, banqueting, and playes. And in
the mean tyme thairof, my father maried my said eldest sistar
IsbeU, and second, Marjorie, bathe on a day ; bot efter that fest-
ing, we gat hard newes of the defeat of the Forbesses at the Crab-
stean, besyd Aberdein.
M.D.LXXD7.
The fourt and last yeir of our course, quhilk was the 17 yeir of
my age outpast, and 18 rinning, we lerned the buikis de Ccelo and
Mateors, also the Spher, more exactlie teachit be our awin Regent,
and maid us for our Vicces and Blakstens, and haid at Pace4 our
promotion and finissing of our course. The beginning of this yen-
was also maist dulfuU to me, by the departour of my deirest sistar
IsbeU, wha died of hir first bern ; in whom I lossit my naturall
mother the second tyme.
[The ordour of four kirks to a minister, then maid be the Erl of
Morton, now maid Regent ; against the quhilk Mr Jhone David-
sone, an of the Regents of our CoUage, maid a buik caUed the
" Conference betwix the Clark and the Courtieur ;" for the quhilk
he was summoned befor the Justice-ear at Hadinton this wintar,
the last of our course, and banisched the cowntrey.5]
In the thrid and fourt yeirs of my course, at the direction of my
father, I hard the Comissar, Mr WUyeam Skein, teatche Cicero de
Legibus, and divers partes of the Institutiones of Justinian. I was
1 " The parliament was haldin in August 1571, before I cam to the Univorsitie.''
Margin of MS. 5 Buchanan's History of Scotland. 3 Margin. 4 Pasch,
Easter. 5 This paragraph is also supplied from the margin of the MS.

1574. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 29
burdet in the hous of a man of law, a very guid honest man, An
dro Greine be nam, wha lovit me exceiding weiU ; whase wyff also
was ane of my mothers. I am sure sche haid nocht sone nor bern
sche loved better. This lawier tuk me to the Consistorie with him,
whar the Comissar wald tak pleasour to schaw us the practise, in
judgment, of that quhilk he teatched in the schoUes. He was a
man of skill and guid conscience in his caUing, lernit and diligent
in his profession, and tuk delyt in na thing mair nor to repeat ower
and ower again to anie schoUar that wald ask him the thingis he haid
bein teatching. Lykwayes my ost, Andro, acquentit me with the
formes of summonds and lybeUing, of contracts, obligatiounes, actes,
&c. ; but my hart was nocht sett that way.
Mairower, in these yeirs I lerned my music, wherin I tuk grait-
ter delyt, of an 1 Alexander Smithe, servant to the Primarius of our
CoUage, wha haid been treaned upe amangis the mounks in the Ab-
bay. I lerned of him the gam, plean-song,2 and monie of the treables
of the Psalmes, wherof sum I could weUl sing in the kirk ; bot my
naturalitie and easie lerning by the ear maid me the mair unsolide
and unreadie to use the forme of the art. I lovit singing and play
ing on instruments passing weill, and wald giadfie spend tyme whar
the exerceise thairof was within the CoUage ; for twa or thrie of our
condisciples played feUon weUl on the virginals, and another on the
lut and githorn. Our Regent haid also the pinalds3 in his chalmer,
and lernit some thing, and I eftir him ; bot perceaving me ower
mikle caried efter that, he dishanted and left of. It was the grait
mercie of my God that keipit me from anie grait progress in sing
ing and playing on instruments ; for, giff I haid atteined to anie rea
sonable missure thairin, I haid never don guid utherwayes, in re
spect of my amorus disposition, wherby Sathan sought even then to
deboiche me ; bot my God gaiff me a piece of his fear, and grait na-
turaU shamfastness, quhilk by his grace war my preservatives. Als
I haid my necessars honestlie aneuche of my father, bot nocht els ;
for archerie and goff, I haid bow, arrose, glub and bals, but nocht a
' One. ' The gamut and plain-song or tenor. 3 The spinet. Fr. eapiuet.

30 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1574.
purs for catchpuU1 and tavern ; sic was his fatherfie wisdom for my
weill. Yit now and then I lernit and usit sa mikle bathe of the hand
and racket catche as might serve for moderat and halsome exerceise
of the body.
I wald haiff gladlie bein at the Greik and Hebrew toungs, ber
cause I red in our Byble that it was translated out of Hebrew and
Greik ; bot the langages war nocht to be gottine in the land. Our
Regent begoud and teatched us the A, B, C, of the Greik, and the
simple decfintiones, bot went no farder. Be that occasion he tauld
me of my uncle Mr Andro Melvill, whom he knew in the tyme of
his course in the New CoUage to use the Greik Logics of Aristotle ;
quhilk was a wounder to tham that he was sa fyne a schoUar, and
of sic expectation. This maid me inquyre for Mr Andro, when
I cam ham, the second and thrid yeir of our course ; bot my father
and Mr James schew me they fearit he was dead, because of the
grait ciriU warres in France, and that they hard he was in Poictears
beseiged ; that it was aught or nyne yeirs sen he past to France, and
four or fyve yeirs sen they gat anie letters or word from him. This
twitched my hart wounder soar, in respect of the grait comendation
I hard of him be my Regent and diverse uthers. Bot soon efter,
about the middes of our thrid yeir, Alexander Young cam ham from
Genev, from his uncle, and my neir kinsman, Mr Henrie Scrymgour,
of honourable memorie, with sum propynes 2 to the King, and let
ters to Mr George Bowchanan and Mr Piter Young, that an the
King's maister, that uther his pa^dagog ; and amangs the rest
brought letters from the said Mr Andro to my father, and his bro
ther Mr James ; and thairwithaU word of his weilfear and singular
estimation in Genev, whar he haid four yeirs professit. Of these
newes my hart was exceiding glade, and the said Alexander being
with aU diligence to return againe to Genev, I haid a letter in rea-
dines pennit at lainthe in Latin, the best I could, quhilk I delyverit
to my cowsing Alexander, wha within a twa monethes put it in the
hands of my said uncle Mr Andro. And he tauld me at meitting,
1 Also termed catch-peill, a sort of game of tennis or rackets. * Presents.

1574. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 31
and oft sen syne, it was a speciaU motion of his ham-coming, then
the quhilk, I, nor Scotland nather, receavit never a graitter benefit
of the hands of God, as wiU better appeir heirefter.
Bot because, in aU my course, the graittest benefit was the sight
and heiring of that extraordinar man of God, Mr Jhone Knox ; sa
far as I then knew and hard of him, I man heir record. In the
tyme of his being in St Androis, ther was a General Assemblie hauldin
in the schoUes of St Leonards, our CoUage. Thair, amangs uther
things, was motioned the making of Bischopes ; to the quhilk Mr
Knox opponit him selff directfie and zealusfie. Yit a number of
Comissionars of the Kirk, meatt at Leithe,1 with the Lords that
haid the guid caus in hand, (wharof everie ane was hounting for a
fatt kirk leiving, quhilk gart them feght the fastar,) and ther aggreit
to mak Bischopes ; the warst turn that ever was done for the kirk
leiving, as experience atteanes declared, when they war named
" Tulchains," that is, calffs' skinnes stuffed with stra, to cause the
cow giff milk ; for everie lord gat a bischoprie, and sought and pre
sented to the kirk sic a man as wald be content with least, and sett
tham maist of fewes, takes,2 and pensiones. Amangs the rest, the
Erie of Mortoun gat the bischoprik of St Androis, efter the hanging
of Jhone HamUtone ; and presented therunto that honorable father
of the Universitie, as Rector thairof for the present, Mr Jhone
Dowglass, a guid, upright-harted man, bot ambitius and simple,
nocht knawing wha delt with him. I hard Mr Knox speak against
it, bot sparinglie, because he lovit the man ; and with regrat, saying,
" Alas ! for pitie, to lay upone an auld weak man's back that quhilk
twentie of the best gifts could nocht bear. It wiU wrak him and
disgrace him !" And, indeid, it cam to pass sa ; for within, twa or
thrie yeirs he died ; during the quhilk he haid nather that honour,
welthe, nor helthe, as he was wount to haiff, ever repenting that he
tuk it on. That was the first tyme I hard Mr Patrik Constantine,
wha, then new retourned out of France with young Mr James Mac-
giU, the Clark Register eldest sone, thought, be the said Clark's
1 " The Conference at Leithe was in Januare ; and the General Assemblie in Merche
therefter, 1571." Margin of MS. 2 Tacks, leases.

32 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1574.
court, wha was grait with the Erie of Mortoun, to haiff bein pre-
ferrit to the bischoprik, bot coming schort, becam a zealus preatchour
against Bischopes. I hard a sermont of his the ouk efter the Bis
chope was maid, upon ane extraordinar day, that he might haiff the
graitter audience ; wherin he maid thrie sorts of Bischoppes : My
Lord Bischop, My Lord's Bischop, and The Lord's Bischope. " My
Lord Bischope," said he, " was in the Papistrie : My Lord's Bis
chope is now, when my Lord getts the benefice, and the Bischope
serves for na thing bot to mak his tytle sure : And The Lord's
Bischope is the trew Minister of the GospeU." Mr Patrik was
then weUl lyked, and of guid expectation with sic as knew him
nocht intus.1 The yeir efter was maid Bischope, Geordie of Murro,
whom I saw a haUl wintar mumling on his pretching af his peapers
everie day at our morning prayers ; and haid it nocht ¦weiUlpar ceur
when aU was done : And efter him, Bischope Patone of DunkeU.2
This greivit the hart of the man of God to the dead ; bot the warres
war sa.hatt, and the Lords cryed they behud3 to leave tham, giff
they gatt nocht the kirk leiving ; and monie knew nocht yit the
corruption and unlawfulness of that invention of men, and sa the
mater past fordwart.
At Mr Knox coming to St Androis, Robert Lekprivik, printar,
transported his lettres and press from Edinbruch to St Androis,
whar first I saw that exceUent art of printing ; and haid then in
hand Mr Patrik Constant's Catechisme of Calvin, converted in
Latin heroic vers, quhilk with the author was mikle estimed of.
About the sam tyme cam to St Androis, to visit Mr Knox,
Jhone Durie, feUow minister of Leith with Mr David Lindsay, wha
was then for stoutness and zeaU in the guid cause mikle renouned
and taUced of. For the gown was na sooner af, and the Byble out
of hand [fra the kirk,4] when on ged5 the corslet, and fangit was
the hagbot,6 and to the fields ! Him I saw first at St Androis with
Mr Knox.
' Inwardly, thoroughly, intimately. 2 " I saw them bathe gett imposition of
hands be B. Douglas and Mr Jhon Woundrom, Superintendent, whom I saw inau-
garat (as they cald it) B. Douglas." Margin of MS. 3 Behoved * Taken
from the margin of MS. » Went. . The lmgbut was snatched up.

1574. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 33
The town of Edinbruche recovered againe, and the guid and
honest men therof retoumed to thair housses. Mr Knox with his
familie past hame to Edinbruche. Being in St Androis he was verie
weak. I saw him everie day of his doctrine go hufie and fear, with
a furring of martriks about his neck, a staff in the an hand, and guid
godfie Richart BaUanden, his servand, halding upe the uther oxtar,
from the Abbay to the paroche kirk ; and be the said Richart and
another servant, lifted upe to the pulpit, whar he behovit to lean
at his first entrie ; bot or he haid done with his sermont, he was sa
active and vigorus that he was lyk to ding that pulpit in blads, and
fly out of it ! Sa, soone efter his coming to Edinbruche, he becam
unable to preatche ; and sa instituting in his roum, be the ordinar
calling of the kirk and congregation, Mr James Lawsone, [a man of
singular learning, zeal, and eloquence, whom I never hard preatche
bot he meltit my hart with teares,1] he tuk him to his chamber, and
most happelie and comfortabfie departed this lyff. Vide concerning
his lyff and dathe, Mr Thomas Smeton's buik against HamUtone
the Apostat.
Ther was twa in St Androis wha war his aydant heirars, and wrot
his sermonts ; an, my condisciple, Mr Andro Yowng, now minister
of Dumblean, wha transleated sum of tham in Latin, and read tham
in the hall of the CoUage in stead of his orations : that uther was
servant to Mr Robert HamUton, minister of the town, whom Mr
Robert causit to wrait, for what end God knawes. The threatnings
of his sermonts war verie soar ; and sa particular, that sic as lyket
nocht the cause, tuk occasion to reprotche him as a rashe raler,
without warrand. And Mr Robert HamUton himselff being offend-
it, conferrit with Mr Knox, asking his warrand of that particular
thretning against the Castel of Edinbruche, that it sould rin lyk a
sand-glass ; it sould spew out the Captan with scham ; he sould
nocht com out at the yet, bot down ower the waUes ; and sic lyk.
Mr Knox answerit, " God is my warrant, and yie saU sie it." WhUl
as the uther was skarslie satisfeit, and tuk hardlie with it, the nixt

> This has been afterwards added by the Author on the margin of the MS,
C

34 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1574.
sermont from pulpit, he repeates the thretnings, and addes therto,
" Thow, that wiU nocht beleive my warrand, saU sie it with thy eis
that day ; and saU say, What haif I to do heir ?" This sermont the
said Mr Robert's servand wrot ; and, being with his maister in Edin
bruche a twa yeir thairefter, at the taking of the CasteU, they ged '
upe to the CasteU-hUl, saw the forwark of the CasteU aU demolish
ed, and rinning lyk a sandie bray ; they saw the men of wear aU
sett in ordour ; the Captan, with a lytle cut of a staff in his hand,
takin doun ower the waU upon the leathers ; 2 and Mr Robert,
troublet with the thrang of the peiple, sayes to his man, " Go, what
haif I ado heir ?" And, in going away, the servant remembers his
maister of that sermont, and the words ; wha was compeUit to
glorifie God, and say, he was a trew prophet.
Ane uther strange particular was recompted to me be Mr David
Lindsay, minister of Leithe : That efter Mr Knox haid taken bed, he
cam in to visit Mm, as he was accustomed, and asked him whow he
did ? He answerit, " WeUl, brother, I thank God. I haiff desyrd
aU this day to haif yow, that I may send yow yit to yon man in
the CasteU, whom yie ken I haif loved sa deirlie : Go, I pray, and
teU him that I haif send yow ito him, yit annes,3 to warn and bid
him, in the nam of God, leave that eviU cause, and giff ower that
Castle ; giff nocht, he salbe brought down ower the wals of it with
shame, and hing against the sune : Sa God has assurit me." Mr
David, whowbeit he thought the message hard, and the thretning
ower4 particular, yit obeyit, and past to the CasteU; and meiting
with Sir Robert Melvill walkin on the waU, tauld him ; wha was, as
he thought, mikle movit with the mater. Therefter communed
with the Captan, whom he thought also sum what moved ; but he
past from him to the Secretar Lithintone, with whom, when he
haid conferrit a whyU, he cam out to Mr David again, and said to
him, " Go, teU Mr Knox he is bot a drytting prophet !" Mr David
returning, tauld Mr Knox he haid dischargit the commission fath-
fuUie ; but that it was nocht weiU accepted of, efter the Captan
haid conferrit with the Secretar. "WeUl," (sayes Mr Knox,) "I
1 Went. 2 Ladders. * Yet once more. 4 Over, too-

1574. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 35
haif bein ernest with my God anent tha twa men ; for the an I am
sorie that sa sould befaU him, yit God assures me ther is mercie for
his saul ; for that uther I haif na warrand that ever he salbe weill."
Mr David sayes, he thought it hard, yit keipit it in mynd tUl Mr
Knox was at rest with God.
The Engliss armie cam in, with munition meit for the seage of
the CasteU ; and within few dayes the Captean is sean to rander,
and com down the leathers ower the waU. He is committed to a
ludging in the town with a custodie of souldarts.1 Mr David, be
cause of grait acquentance, comes to visit him, whom he employes to
go to the Erie of Morton, and offer him his haul heritage, the band of
manrent of aU his frinds, and to pass af the countrie in exyU, during
his wUl. Mr David goes that night and speakes the Erie, then
being Regent, proponing to him the offers. The Regent goes asyde,
and consultes with the Abbot of Dumfermling and Clark Register ;
thairefter Mr David comes, craving his answer. It was giffen, It
could nocht be : The peiple could nocht be satisfeit, nor ther cause
clerit and crowned, with[out] exemplar punishment of that man and
his counseUour, the Secretar. Mr David the morn, be nyne hours,
comes agean to the Captean, the Lard of Grange, and taking him
to ane fore stare of the ludgin apart, resolves him it behoved him
to suffer. " O then, Mr David," sayes he, " for our auld frind-
schipe, and for Chryst's seak, leave me nocht !" So he remeanes
with him, wha paecing up and down a whyU, cam to a schot, and
seeing the day fear, the sune cleir, and a scaffald preparing at the
Corss in the Hie-geatt,2 he faUes in a grait studie, and alteris coun
tenance and cuUour ; quhilk, when Mr David perceaved, he cam to
him, and asked him what he was doing ? " Fathe, Mr David,"
sayes [he,] " I perceave weUl now that Mr Knox was the trew ser
vant of God, and his thretning is to be accompfissed ;" and desyred
to heir the treuthe of that againe. The quhilk Mr David rehersed ;
and added thairunto, that the sam Mr Knox, at his retouming, haid
tauld him that he was ernest with God for him ; was sorie, for the
' Under a guard of soldiers. 2 At the Cross, in the High Street.

36 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1574.
love he buir him, that that sould com on his bodie, bot was assurit
ther was mercie for his sauU. The quhilk he wald haiff repeated
ower againe to him ; and thairupon was graitlie comforted, and be
cam to be of guid and cheirfuU cowrage. Sa that he dyned mode-
ratlie ; and thairefter tuk Mr David apart, for his streinthning to
suffer that dethe ; and in end beseikes him nocht to leave him, bot
convoy him to the place of execution : " And tak heid," sayes he,
" I hope in God, efter I salbe thought past,1 to giff yow a taken2 of
the assurance of that mercie to my sauU, according to the speakine
of that man of God ! " Sa, about thrie houres efter none, he was
brought out, and Mr David with him ; and about foure, the sune
being wast about af the north-west nuk of the steiple, he was put
af the leddar, and his face first feU to the est ; bot within a bonie
whyU3 turned about to the west, and ther remeaned against the
sune : At quhilk tyme, Mr David, ever present, sayes, he marked
him, when aU thought he was away,4 to lift upe his hands that war
bund befor him, and ley tham doun again softfie ; quhilk moved
him, with exclamation, to glorifie God befor aU the peiple. This last
part of his execution I hard also of Jhone Durie, wha was present
with him on the scaffald.
Sa, in lyk maner, whatever he spak concerning the HamUtones
and the Quein, whowbeit in appeirance, in the mean tyme, bot con-
trar, and monie guid folks thought hard and strange, yit cam to
pass, and was marked in particular to the grait glorie of God, ter-
rour of the enemies, and joy of the godfie.
Thus, ending my course of PhUosophie in St Androis, whar upon
the part of God I haid offerit to me aU guid occasion of godfines,
lerning, and wesdome, sa mikle as was in the countrey for the tyme,
[and might faU in my age ;6] bot on my part, wha throw wantones
and vanitie neglected and mispent the occasiones, haid gottin na thing
bot a nam and opinion of lerning, a babfing of words without wit,
at least wesdome : For my light young nature was giffen mair to
1 After his spirit had passed away. 2 To give you a token or sign. 3 A con
siderable time. " Dead. ¦'» Added on margin of the MS.

1574. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 37
be superficiaU nor solid, circumferentiall nor centrik, desyring to
heir and haiff the names of manie things, bot never weUl degesting
nor ryping out the nature of anie, bot fleiting and flowing, soon
lyking and soon lothing everie thing. Onlie now and then I fand
sum sweit and constant motiones of the feir and love of God within
me. I cam to Dondie, whar my uncle Roger, a man godfie, kynd, and
wyse, enterit with me to understand to what calling my hart in-
clyned ; and gaiff out that my father's intention was to haiff me a
lawer. I said nocht mikle against it, bot wissed at God I might
haiff the gifts and grace to be a minister. Coming ham, my father
tented ' me in the sam maner, bot nocht sa familiarfie ; nather durst
I utter anie thing against his opinion and judgment, bot said I was
readie to obey his wiU and direction in aU things. He commandit
me then to occupie my tyme weul amangs his books tUl the vacans,
at what tyme he wald haiff occasion to meit with sum guid man of
law in Edinbruche, to whom he wald put me in service. Giff sa he
meinde, indeid, because he saw na provision for the ministerie, or to
essay my resolution, I can nocht teU. Going a2 day to Bonitone, I
past by the Kirk of Maritone and place wher I haid prayed, and
vowed to God : the sam cam in my memorie, with a grait motion
of mynd and determination to pay my vow, giff God wald giff the
grace and moyen. Sa, praying and worschiping befor God, it cam
in my mynd to pen a sermont upon a part of Scripture, and leave
it in a buik of my father, whar he might find it ; and sa I tuk the
beginning of the nynt of Jhone's Evangell, of the blind man, and
studeing his comentares thairon, Musculus and Marlorot, wrot it and
left it in Musculus' Comentars ; quhilk, when he fand it, lyked him
weiU ; yit sPa^ na thing, bot left me in suspence tUl it pleasit God
to giff me fuU resolution. For, a lytle befor Lambes,3 word cam
that Mr Andro was com to Edinbruche, and within twentie dayes
efter he cam to Baldowy ; with whom when my father had conferit,
and knawin what opinion he haid of me, he dely verit me ower unto
1 Tried. 2 One. 3 Lammas ; the least of St Peter ad vinculas.

38 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1574.
him, thinking he was disburdenit of me ; and sa indeid he was, as
the continuation of this narrative wiU declar. This was in the yeir
of God 1574.
Because I said befor, that Scotland receavit never a graitter bene
fit at the hands of God nor this man, I will schortlie sett down,
first, a litle discours of his lyff befor his coming ham, and syne1
what he brought with him. He was born in Baldowy, a place
pleasand, fertUl, and weUl aired, lyand within a myU to the town of
Montrose, upon the south-west, hard be the " JEstuarium fluminis
JEskas meridionafis," in the yeir of Chryst's birthe 1545, the first
day of the monethe August, begottin of gentiU and honest parents,
Richard MelviU of Baldowy, brother-german of Jhone MelviU of
Dysart, and GUIs Abercrombie, douchter to Thomas Abercrombie,
burgess of Montrose, of the house of Murthle. He was the young
est of nyne breither, aU left alyve when thair father was slean with
the graittest part of the gentUmen of Anguss, in the vangard of the
field of Pinkie. His mother leivit 2 an honorable weidow tiU he was
twaU yeir of age, traned upe in letters in the scoU of Montrose,
under Mr Thomas Andersone, esteimed the best maister in his
tyme, whowbeit nocht the maist lernit. Sche left sax of hir sonnes
in honest roumes ;3 aU, even then or schortlie thairefter, bearing office
in kirk or comoun weiU, and with the best estimed in thair rank
and above. They war, Richart MelviU of Baldowy, and minister
of Chryst's Evangell sone efter, the eldest : Mr Thomas, a fyne
schoUar, weUl travelit in France and Itafie, Secretar-deput of Scot
land : Walter, burgess, and oft baUyie of Montrose, a wyse and
stout man : Roger, burgess of Dondie, a man of singular giftes of
nature and God's grace, bot was nocht traned upe in lettres. I
hard that fathfull pastor of Dondie, WUyeam Chrystisone, a lytle
efter his deathe, with teares say, " Alas ! when God tuk this Roger
MelviU, he tuk from me my father, and the carefulest father that
ever Dondie haid. His nam wilbe rememberit sa lang as Dondie
' Then' * Lived. -' Respectable situations.

1574. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 39
is a town."1 Mr James, minister of Chryst's EvangeU : Jhone,
then guidman and rewlar of his mother's effeares, and efter a mini
ster in the kirk : the rest war Robert, David, and Andro ; wharof
the first twa- was keipt at the schoU tUl they tyrde, and war put to
craftis { the last was a seikfie tender boy, and tuk pleasur in na thing
sa mikle as his bmk. Sa with the portion that was left him, he
spendit a yeir or twa in Montrose, namfie, heiring a France man,
caUed Petrus de Marsiliers, teache the Greik grammer, and sum
thing of that language, honestlie conducit to the sam as a rare thing
in the countrey, nocht hard of befor, be that notable instrument in
the kirk, Jhone Erskine of Done, of most honourable and happie
memorie j'wherin he profited sa, that entering thairefter in the course
of PhUosophie within the Universitie of St Androis, aU that wes
teatched of Aristotle he lerned and studeit it out of the Greik text,
quhilk his maisters understud nocht.\ /He past his cuirse2 in the
New CoUage, tenderfie belovit of Mr Johne Dowglass, provost of
that CoUage and rectour of the Universitie ; wha wald tak him
betuix his legges at the fyre in wintar, and warm his hands and
cheiks, and blessing him, say, " My sillie fatherles and motherles
chyld, it's UI to wit what God may mak of thie yit \'K
Sa, ending his course of PhUosophie, he left the Universitie of St
Androis with the commendation of the best philosopher, poet, and
Grecian, of anie young maister in the land ; and with aU possible
diligence maid his preparation, and past to France. Be the way he
was extreamlie tormented with sie-seUmes and storme of wather, sa
that oft tymes, whyUs be danger of schipwrak, whyUs be infirmitie
and seiknes, he huked for deathe. He arryvit first in England, and
again imbarking cam to Burdeaux, wher he taried nocht lang, bot
embarking from that cam to Deipe ; from that to Paris, whar he re-
meanit in the Universitie twa yeiris at his awin studies, heiring the
lightes3 of the maist scyning age in aU guid lettres, the king's pub-
1 " I haiff hard Mr Robert Bruce say oft of Roger, that giff he haid haid Mr An-
dro's lerning, he wald be the oddest man in Europe." Margin of MS. 2 Course.
3 " Salinacus, Pascasius, Forcatellus, Mathematiciens ; Balduinusthe lawer, Duretus
Mediciner ; Carpantarius, Quinquarborius, Hebrew." Margin of MS.

40 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1574.
lict professors, Andreas Tornebus in Greik and Latine Humanitie ;
Petrus Ramus in Philosophie and Eloquence ; Jo. Mercerus in the
Hebrew langage, wherupon he was speciafie sett. In the last yeir
of they twa, he grew sa expert in the Greik, that he declamit and
teatchit lessones, uttering never a word bot Greik, with sic readi-
nes and plentie, as was mervelus to the heirars. From Paris he
past to Poicteors, whar he regented in the CoUage of St Marcean
thrie yeirs.1 Ther he haid the best lawers, and studeit sa mUde
thairof as might serve for his purpose, quhilk was Theologie, wherto
he was dedicat from his mother's wombe. And when the CoUages
war giffen upe, because of the seage leyed to the town, quhilk was
lang and feirfuU, he was employed be an honourable counceUar to
instruct his onlie sone. The bern profited exceiding weUl, and was
of a sweit inclination, takin away from him and his parents be a
schot out of the campe, quhilk parted the waU of his chalmer, and
wounded him deadfie in the thie. He called incontinent for his
maister, whom whow soone he saw, he caucht him in his armes, and
uttered the words of the Apostle in Greik, hibaexa'ki, rh dgopov /aoD
riTiX'/jxa, " Maister, I haiff perfyted my course !" and sa, with monie
uther godfie and sweit words, he died. That bern gaed never out
of his hart ; bot in teatching of me, he often rememberit Mm with
tender compassion of mynd. He taried in that hous, quhilk was
weUl furnesit, during the tyme of the seadge. Ther was a corporaU
with a few suddarts put to keipe the house, who espyed him in his
prayers and speitches to behalie and devot ; and on2 day, (being a
Papist and man of warr,) with a grait aithe he chaUengit Mr An
dro that he was a Hugonot, and wald helpe to betray the town ;
thairfor, because the alarme was strikken, he could nocht trust him
in that hous. Mr Androw answers incontinent, " I am als honest
a man to my God, and magistrat, and estat of the town, and maister
of this famifie, as thow art ; and sa saU prove this clay  do thy

1 " Ther was grait emulation and contention in verses, and harangs betuix the twa
Collages, S. Marcean and Pivareau ; bot during his presence ther, S. Marcean haid
without question the upper hand." Margin of MS. 2 Qne

1574. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 41
best I" And with that starts to the nixt armour, and on with it ;
and aU in armes to the stable, and takes the best horse be the heid.
This when the corporaU saw, he comes with feUon fear termes,1 and
intreats him to leave of and forgiff him. " O no, no !" sayes he, " I
saU prove als honest and stout as thy selff." " O Monsieur," sayes
the uther, " my captean and the maister of this hous wiU rebuk me
and put me from it, giff yie be thus troublet ; thairfor I pray yow
tak me oblesit to my uttermaist, and tarie and forgiff me." Sa he
tuk ease in guid part, and was never troublet thairefter. Giff it haid
com to the warst, he was resolved, being weUl horst, to haiff gottin
him to the campe of the Admirall, wha was in persone beseageand
the town.
The seage of the town being rasit, he left Poicteors, and accom
panied with a Frenche man, he tuk jorney to Genev, leaving buikis
and aU ther, and caried na thing with him bot a litle Hebrew Byble
in his belt. So he cam to Genev aU upon his fut, as he haid done
befor from Deipe to Paris, and from that to Poicteors ; for he was
smaU and fight of body, but full of sprites, vigourus and cowragius.
His companiones of the way, when they cam to the ine,2 wald ly
down lyk tyred tyks,3 bot he wald out and sight4 the townes and
rilages withersoever they cam. The ports of Genev wer tentifie
keipit, because of the troubles of France, and multitud of strangers
that cam. Being thairfor inquyrit what they war, the Franche man
his companion answerit, " We ar pure scoUars." Bot Mr Andro,
perceaving that they haid na wiU of pure6 folks, being alreadie
owerlaid thairwith, said, " No, no, we are nocht puir ! We haiff
alsmikle as wUl pey for aU we tak, sa lang as we tarie. We haiff
letters from his acquentance to Monsieur di Beza ; let us deliver
those, we crave na fordar." And sa, being convoyit to Beza, and
then to thair ludging, Beza, perceaving him a schoUar, and they
haiffing neid of a Professour of Humanitie in the CoUage, put him
within a twa or thrie dayes to tryeU in VirgUl and Homer ; quhilk
he could acquait so weUl, that butfarder6 he is placed in that roum
' Very fair or smooth terms. 2 Inn. 3 Dogs, hounds. •' Inspect,
examine. 5 Poor. " Without further ado or examination.

42 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1574.
of profession ; and at his first entrie, a quarter's fie peyit him in
hand. Sa that whowbeit thair was but a crown to the fore ' betwix
tham bathe, and the Frenchman weak-sprited, and wist nocht
what to do, yit he fund God's providence to relieve bathe him selff
and helpe his marrow2 tiU he was provydit.
In Genev he abead fyve years ; during the quhilk tyme his cheiff
studie was Divinitie, wheranent he hard Beza his dayfie lessons and
preatchings ; Cornelius Bonaventura, Professour of the Hebrew,
Caldaik, and Syriac langages ; Portus, a Greik born, Professour of
the Greik toung, with whom he wald reassone about the right pro-
nuntiation thairof ; for the Greik pronuncit it efter the comoun
form, keiping the accents ; the quhilk Mr Andro controUit be pre
cepts and reasone, tUl the Greik wald grow angrie, and cry out,
" Vos Scoti, vos barbari ! docebitis nos Grascos pronunciationem
linguae nostrse, scilicet ?" He hard ther also Francis Ottoman, the
renounedest lawer in his tyme. Ther he was weUl acquented with
my earn,3 Mr Hendrie Scrymgeour, wha, be his lerning in the
lawes and polecie and service of manie noble princes, haid atteined
to grait ritches, conquesit a prettie roum vrithin a lig to Genev, and
biggit thairon a trim house caUed " the VUet," and a fear ludging
within the town, quhilks aU with a douchtar, his onlie bern, he left
to the Syndiques of the town.
About the end of fyve yeirs, the Bischope of Brechine, and Mr
Andro Pulwart with him, cam ther ; and tareing a whyU, purposit
hamwart ; with whom Mr Andro MelviU, efter the receaving of
letters from his brethering and me, with grait difficultie purchassit
leave of the kirk and magistrates of Genev, [wha wald on na wayes
haiff contented to part with him, giff his conscience haid suffered
him to reserv his gifts anie langer onoffered to his cowntrey, and
imployed for the benefit of his frinds. Beza, in his Letter to the
GeneraU Kirk of Scotland, aUeages, that as the graittest taken of
affection the Kirk of Genev could schaw to Scotland, that they
haid suffered tham selves to be spuUed of Mr Andro MelviU, wherby
1 Remaining. 2 Fellow, companion. i His unele by the mother's side.

1574. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 43
the Kirk of Scotland might be inritched,1] and takin jorney cam
hamwart. From Lions they traversit the Franche Compte to the
heid of the river of Loir, and cam down the sam be water to Or
leans, haiifing in companie, sevin or aught dayes, a captean, a me-
diciner, and a preist, superstitius Papists at than.' meitting kythed
in ther speitche and meattes, bot be mirrie and solid reasoning
w:thall, becam flech-eatters on Fredday, and the captean nocht far
from the kingdome of heavin or 2 they parted. The portes of Or
leans wer streat keipet, (being bot a yeir and haiff efter the horrible
massacres.) Brechine and Mr Andro Pol wart was on fut, and Mr
Andro weUl mounted on horse, because he haid wraisted3 his leg,
they past the twa futmen, and deteining the horseman, the souldarts4
inquyres what he was ? He answerit, " a Schottes man." " O ! yie
Scottes men are aU Hugonotes," sayes the gard. " Hugonotes !"
says he " what's that ? we ken nocht sic." " O," sayes the soul-
dart, " yie haiff nocht mess." " Forsuthe," sayes he mirrefie,
" our berns in Scotland gaes dayfie to mess !" " Guid companion,"
sayes the uther, lauching, " go thy way." Coming to thair bulg
ing, he teUs his nibours, and garres them lauche : " Bot surlie," say
they, "we war verie fleyed5 our pasport sould haiff bein loked,6
and finding us com from Genev, sould haiff bein troublet." " Yea,"
sayes thair host, " tak it for a speciaU providence of God, for with
in this twaU monethe, monie thowsands for les hes lost thair lyves."
Going out of the town again at the turn of a rew,7 they meit the
procession ; Breachin and his pajdagog was befor, Mr Andro a lytle
efter. Brechin turns bak and sayes, " What saU I do ?" " Ford-
wart ! " quod he ; and so he does. Mr Andro haulds out his syde
clok8 with his armes als thought he haid bein bearing sum thing
under his oxstars,9 and so passes by. But his hart bet him thairefter
oft and sear,10 that he sould haiff sa stoutlie counseUit the uther, and
usit a piece of dissimulation him selff. Coming to Paris, ther they
1 What is contained within brackets is inserted on the margin of MS. z Ere,
before. 3 Twisted, sprained. * Soldiers. 5 Afraid, terrified. 6 Nar
rowly inspected. 7 Street. Fr. rue. 8 Long cloak. 9 Under his arms.
10 His heart or conscience smote him afterwards frequently and severely.

44 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1574.
remeaned dyvers dayes ; whar Mr Andro, meitting with the Lord
OgUbie, his countreyman, is requeisted be him to go to the Jesuits'
CoUage, whar he reasonit with Father Tyrie sindrie dayes ; bot
the tyme being sa dangerus, and of sum minassing speitches of the
Bischope of Glasgw, he was counseUit to hast af the town.1 Sa
they cam from Deipe ower to Ry in Eingland, from thence to Lon-
done, whar they remanit a space ; and bying horsses, cam hame
Loudon-way, be Berwik, to Edinbruche. And this for a schort re-
citall of his lyff tUl his coming ham.
As to that he brought ham with him : It was that plentiful! and
inexhaust theassour of aU guid letters and lerning, bathe of humen
and devyne things ; and that quhilk superexceUes, ane profund
knawlege, upright sinceritie, and fervent zeaU in trew reUigion, and
to put the sam in use for the profit of his Kirk and countrey ; ane
unwearied peanfulnes and insatiable pleasour to giff out and bestow
the sam without anie recompence or gean. Yea, rather sa far as
his small moyen might reak, 2 conduceing and inviting aU guid in-
gynes to receave and imbrace the saming. Wherby within these
sax and twentie yeirs he hes inritched his nation with incorruptible
substance, mor without all compear nor in anie age sen it was a
kingdome, [or manie nations in the warld this day, giff ther war
honour and mentinance for lerning,3] quhilk the diduction of this

1 " At Witsonday he cam out of Paris, the quhilk day King Charles, that maid
that horrible massacre, died of an issew of Mod, bursting out at all the conduits of
his body ; wharon, in London, he maid that Epigram :
Naribus, ore, oculis atque auribus undique et ano,
Et pene erumpit qui tibi, Carle, cruor,
Non tuus iste cruor : Sanctorum at cede cruorem,
Quern ferus hausisti, concoquere haud poteras !
At nease, at mouthe, at ein, at ears, at wand,
That blud, that bursts from all thy conduits weast,
Is nocht thyne, Charts, bot of that holie band,
Quhilk thow did drink, but could nocht weill digeast !" Margin of MS.
2 As far as his small means might stretch. " This is added on the margin.

1574. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 45
storie wiU verifie and cleir at large. The nixt simmer cam ham his
librarie, ritche and rare, of the best authors, in aU langages, artes
and sciences ; cleirfie declaring, be his instruments, what a craftes-
man he was.
He was nocht weUl come to Edinbruche, when word was of him
at Court, and the Regent Erie of Morton caUed unto him Mr
George Buchanan, Mr James Halibourton, coronaU, and Alexander
Hay, soone efter Clark Register, and directes tham to deU with Mr
Andro to content to be my Lord Regent's grace domestic instmct-
our, and to giff a few notes upon his chaptour read daylie, and he
sould be honorablie advanced at the first occasion. The Regent's
meining was to haiff him and his giftes framed for his purpose, to
restrean the fridome of application in preatching, and authoritie
of the GeneraU Assemblies, and bring in a conformitie with Eing-
land in governing of the Kirk be Bischopes and injunctiones ;
without the quhilk, he thought, nather the kingdome could be gydet
to his fantasie, nor stand in guid aggriement and lyking with the
nibour land. For this form of polecie he usit to mak schose of the
men of best giftes, and first try tham at Court giff they wald be
conformable and serve his purpose, and syne1 prefer thame to
bischopries and government of the Kirk, as he did with twa thair
efter ; and haid proceidit fordar, giff God haid nocht disapointed
him. Mr Andro, whowbeit nocht weUl acquented with thir pur
poses then, yit lyked nocht to be in Court, bot rather to be in sum
Universitie, and profess thair as the King's Lectors in Parise ; and
sa, as God directed him, refusit, and cravit his grace's favour to
repose a whyU with his frinds, tUl God caUit him to sic a roum
quhilk he thought meittest.
Sa he cam to Baldowy to his brother, my father, whar he re
meaned that hervest quarter, and whar, within a few dayes efter
his coming, I was resigned ower be my father haUefie unto him to
veak 2 upon him as his sone and servant ; and, as my father said to him,
to be a pladge of his love. And surlie his service was easie, nocht to
1 Then, afterwards. 2 To vaik, or await on his leisure. Lat. vacare.

46 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1574.
me onfie, bot even to the fremdest man 1 that ever served him ; for
he schosed for his servantes onfie schoUars, and giff they haid done
anie guid at thair book, he cared nocht what they did to him.
That quarter of yeir I thought I gat graitter light in letters nor all
my tyme befor ; whowbeit at our meitting, in my conceat I thought
I coidd haiff taked to him in things I haid hard, as he did to me as
a Maister of Arts ; bot I perceavit at annes that I was bot an igno
rant bable, and wist nocht what I said, nather could schaw anie
use thairof, bot in clattering and crying. He fand me bauche 2 in the
Latin toung, a pratler upon precepts in Logik without anie profit
for the right use, and haiffing sum termes of Art in PhUosophie
without light of solid knawlage ; yit of ingyne and capacitie guid
aneuche, wherby I haid cunned3 my dictata, and haid them readie
aneuche. /Ue enterit thairfor and conferrit with me sum of Bow-
chanan's Psalmes, of Virgill and Horace ; quhilk twa, namfie Vir
gin, was his cheiff refreschment efter his grave studies ; wherin he
lut me sie, nocht onfie the proper Latin langage and ornaments of
poesie, bot also mair guid Logik and PhUosophie then ever I haid
hard befor. I had tean4 delyt at the Grammer Schole to heir reid
and sung the verses of Virgill, taken with the numbers thairof,
(whowbeit I knew nocht what numbers was till he tauld me,) and
haid mikle of him par ceur ; bot I understud never a lyne of himtUl
then. He read a Comedie of Tyrence with me, schawing me that
ther was bathe fyne Latin langage and wit to be lernit : That of
langage I thought weUl, bot for wit I merveled, and haid nocht
knawin befor. He put in my hand the Comentares of Caesar, co-
mending him for the simple puritie of the Latin toung; also Sa-
lust, and read with me the Conjuration of Catelin. He haid gottin
in Paris, at his by-coming, Bodin his Method of Historie, quhilk he
read ower him selff thryse or four tymes that quarter, annes with
me, and the rest whUl I was occupied in the Greik grammer, quhilk
he put in hand, of Clenard ; causing me understand the precepts on
fie, and lear the iragaday/iura exactlie ; the practise wharof he schew
1 To the greatest stranger. 2 Deficient, inexpert. 3 Conned, learned. 4 Taken.

1574. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 47
me in my buik, going throw with me that Epistle of BasUius, and
cawsing me lern it be hart, bathe for the langage and the mater.
Thairefter to the New Testament, and ged throw sum chapters of
Mathew, and certean confortable places of the Epistles, namlie the
Romans. And last, entering to the Hebrew, I gat the reiding de-
clynations and pronons, and sum also of the conjugations out of
Martinius' Grammer, quhilk he haid with him, and schew me the
use of the Dictionair also, quhilk he haid of Reuclius with him.
And aU this, as it war, bot pleying and craking ; sa that I lernit
mikle mair by heiring of him in dayfie conversation, bathe that
quarter and thairefter, nor ever I lernit of anie buik ; whowbeit he
set me ever to the best authors.
The GeneraU Assemblie was haldin in the monethe of August,
soone efter his ham-coming, whar ther was grait word of him,
arysing be the commendation of the Bischope of Brechine, and Mr
Andro Pulwart. Sa commissionars from dy verse partes of the cown-
trey maid sutt to the Assembfie for him ; namlie, they of Fyff wald
haiff haid him to St Androis, in the roum of Mr Jhone Dowglass,
newlie departed this lyff; and thair, indeid, was he marked be the
Regent to haiff bein maid Bischope of St Androis, giff he haid bein
capable of Court bischopriks. Bot the maist ernest instance of Mr
James Boid, latfie maid Bischope of Glasgw, and Mr Andro Hay,
Superintendent of thaise partes, obteined of the Assembfie and sum
of his frinds ther present, that he sould come and visit Glasgw, and
sie the beginning of a Collage ther, and heir what conditiones sould
be offered to him, that giff he lyked he sould condisend tUl abyde
with tham. This Mr James Boid was a gentle man of the Lord
Boid's kin, a guid man, and lover of lerning and lernd men, inducit
be his Cheiff to tak the bischoprie, the gift wharof the said Lord
Boid, being a grait counsaUour to the Regent, haid purchassit for his
commoditie ; bot within a yeir or twa, when he fand nocht his Bis
chope plyable to his purpose, he caust his sone, the Maister of Boid,
tak the CasteU, and intromeat with aU thairin, keipe it, and gather
upe the rents of the bischoprik to intertein the saming ; and this

48 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1574.
was done impune, nochtwithstanding the Regent's streat justice, be
cause the Tulchain1 causit nocht the kow giff milk aneuche to my
Lord. Sa that I haiff hard the honest gentle man rew whow sear
that ever he tuk on that bischoprie, efter he haid understand be Mr
Andro of the unlawfulnes thairof, and fand sic a curse upon it.
That uther, Mr Andro Hay, was an honest, zealus, frank-harted
gentleman, Persone of Renthrow, and Rector of the Universitie of
Glasgw, wha lyked never those bischopries, and wha specialie was
the ernest suttar for Mr Andro MelviU. Sa, upon thair lettres, he
tuk jorney, accompanied with twa of his breither, Mr James and
Roger, and Mr James Balfour, then minister at Edinbruche, his
cowsing german, and cam unto Glasgw ; whar he contented, at the
end of vacance, to enter and teatche in the CoUage as principall
maister ; and thus aggreing, he returned ham again to Baldowy. At
the tyme apointed, about the end of October, we tuk jorney, ac
companied with his brother Jhone, and cam to Dondie, from that
to St John's Town,2 the first tyme I saw it ; from that to Stirling,
whar we remaned twa dayes, and saw the King, the sweitest sight
in Europe that day, for strange and extraordinar gifts of ingyne,
judgment, memorie, and langage. I hard him discours, walking upe
and doun in the auld Lady Marr's hand, of knawlage and ignorance,
to my grait merveU and estonishment. Ther Mr Andro conferrit
at lynthe with Mr George Bowchanan, then entering to wrait the
storie of his countrey ; also with Mr Piter Young and Sanders his
brother ; Mr [GUbert Moncreif, the King's Medicinar,3] whome with
he haid bein weUl acquented in Genev ; also with Mr Thomas
Bowchanan, then scholmaister, the wha accompanied us, of his
kyndnes, to Glasgw.
We cam to Glasgw about the first of November 1574, whare we
fand Mr Piter Blakburn, a guid man, new com from St Androis, enterit
in the CoUage, and begoun to teatche conform to the ordour of the
course of St Androis. But Mr Andro, entering principaU maister,
1 See p. 31, where this is explained. 2 Perth. 3 Added on the margin of MS.

1574. MR JAMES MELYILL'w DIARY. 49
all was committed and submitted to him ; wha permitted, wUling-
lie, to the said Mr Piter the can- of the Collage leiving, quhilk
was but verie small, consisting in litle annuaUes then ; and sett
him haUlelie ¦ to teatche things nocht hard in this countrey of
befor, wherin he travelit exceiding diligentfie, as his delyt was
thairin aUeanerlie. Sa falling to wark with a few number of capa
ble heirars, sic as might be instructars of uthers thairefter, he
teatched tham the Greik grammer, the Dialectic of Ramus, the
Rhetoric of Taleus, with the practise thairof in Greik and Latin
authors, namlie, Homer, Hesiod, Phocilides, Theognides, Pytha
goras, Isocrates, Pindarus, VirgiU, Horace, Theocritus, &c. From
that he enterit to the Mathematiks, and teatched the Elements of
Euclid, the Arithmetic and Geometrie of Ramusj the Geographic
of Dyonisius, the Tables of Hunter, the Astrologie of Aratus. From
that to the MoraU PhUosophie ; he teatched the Ethiks of Aristotle,
the Offices of Cicero, Aristotle de Virtutibus, Cicero's Paradoxes,
.and Tusculanes, Aristot, Polyb. and certean of Platoes Dialoges.
From that to the NaturaU Philosophie ; he teatched the buiks of
the Physics, De Ortu, De Ccelo, &c, also of Plato and Femelius.
With this he joyned the Historie, with the twa lights thairof,
Chronologie and Chirographic, out of Sleidan, Menarthes, and Me-
lancthon. And aU this, by and attoure 2 his awin ordinar profes
sion, the holie tonges and Theologie ; he teachit the Hebrew gram
mar, first schortlie, and syne3 mor accuratlie ; thairefter the Caldaic
and Syriac dialects, with the practise thairof in the Psalmes and
warks of Solomon, David, Ezra, and Epistle to the Galates. He
past throw the haiU comoun places of Theologie verie exactlie and
accuratlie ; also throw aU the Auld and New Testament. And aU
this in the space of sax yeirs ; during the quhilk he teatchit everie
day, customablie, twyse, Sabothe and uther day ; with an ordinar
conference with sic as war present efter denner and supper. His
lerning and peanfulnes was mikle admired, sa that the nam of that
CoUage within twa yeirs was noble throwout aU the land, and in
1 Wholly, exclusively. 2 Over and above. 3 Then, afterwards, T>

50 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1574.
uther countreys also. Sic as haid passed ther course in St Androis
cam in nomber ther, and entered schoUars again under ordour and
discipline, sa that the CoUage was sa frequent1 as the roumes war
nocht able to receave tham. The scolmaister of the town, Mr Patrik
Scharpe, was his ordinar heirar and contubernaU,2 whome he in
structed, and directed in the maist commodius bringing upe of the
youthe in grammer and guid authors ; whom I hard oftentymes
profes that he lerned mair of Mr Andro MelviU cralring and pley-
ing, for understanding of the authors quhilk he teatched in the
schoU, nor be aU his comentares. Sic lyk Mr Piter Blackburn,
wha tuk upe the first clas. Finalie, I dar say ther was na place in
Europe comparable to Glasgw for guid letters, during these yeirs,
for a plentifuU and guid chepe mercat of aU kynd of langages, artes,
and sciences.
In the simmer of the first of these sax yeirs, about the 18 yeir of
my age compleit, God opened my mouthe first in publict upon the
exerceis, with sic comendation out of the mouthe of Mr Andro
Hay, Rector and Superintendent, namlie, even ther in publict in his
addition, as I was wounderfuUie incouragit to go fordwart. In the
middes of that ouk,3 I dreamed that I haid maid the exerceis in
Montros, and being demissed from the breithring with comfortable
commendation, I cam ower to Baldowy to my father, and entering
in the place ther was nan that knew me : I past upe to the haU,
and enterit in the chalmer at the end thairof, whar I met with my
father, and tauld him whow I haid bein occupied, wha tuk me in
his armes, and kissing me, said in my ear, " Jamie, serve God, for
thow art behauldin to him !" and with that he goes and sitting
down on a bedsyde, he keaves bak ower,4 sa that his feit stak out
stiff and dead. With that I walkned5 with grait feir and commo
tion, quhilk abaid with me the space of an houre. Bot the burding
of the exerceise lyand upon me, maid me to forget it, tUl going to
the Rector, Mr Andro Hay, his ludging, to delyver certean buiks I
1 Crowded, well attended. 2 Comerade, companion. Lat. contubenalis.
3 In the middle of that week. * Fell over backwards. ¦'• Awoke.

1574. MR JAMES melvill's dtary. 51
haid borrowit, and at the first sight he takes me in his armes, and
thrusting and kissing me, he sayes, " My hart, serve God, for thow
art behauldin to him !" Ther is my dream ! thought I, and tauld it
to my companion going to the CoUage againe. Bot within twa
dayes, my uncle, Mr Andro, returning from Edinbruche, whar he
haid bein taking ordour with his bulks new com hame ; by his
countenance first, and after a sweit and confortable delling with me,
thairefter tauld me that his brother, my father, was deperted this
lyff, and efter inquisition, fund it was the sam verie night I haid
dreamed. Sa it pleased God to mak me warning, and furneise me
confort against the heaviest newes that ever I haid hard befor in aU
my lyff ; for as I haiff schawen befor, he was a rare man, and a maist
loving father to me ; at the closing of whase mouthe, God thus
opened myne.
Be occasion of the recounting of this dream to my uncle, Mr
Andro, he rememberit me of an uther I haid dreamed, and tauld
him the ouk befor his going to Edinbruche, that my brother David
was hangit, with certean circumstances, quhilk troubfit me. The
quhilk, at the verie instant I tauld him, he interpreted of my
brother's mariage, whilk wald nocht be to his weUl and confort ;
knawing na thing of that mater, tiU with the newes of my father's
dethe he was informit that he haid marled his sone David in a sum-
mar l and hastie maner a few dayes befor his departour ; quhilk was
almaist a wrak to him and his hous, as heirefter we saU declare.
Nocht lang efter Mr Andro receavit letters from Monsieur du
Bez, and therin amangs the rest, " Colaceus vester, exemplar omnium
virtutum, nuper apud nos vita functus est." This was my guid regent,
wha, efter the ending of our course, haid gean2 to France, and coming
to Genev, ther died ; a grait los to the Kirk of God in his countrey,
for he was solidlie lernit, hailelie addicted to divinitie, with a sin-
cear and zealus hart. Ther was never twa thinges befor that, quhUk
ofter and mair heavilie I regreated in my mynd, nor the deing3 of
these my fathers, befor I haid testified my thankfuU hart to tham,
1 Summary. 2 Gone. 3 Than the death.

52 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1574.
efter the atteining to sum light of letters and knawlage of God ;
quhilk, when I was even then about to do be sum litle essay in the
thrie langages, I was be the newes of thair deathe cutt aff.
That yeir also, in the monethe of Merche, I haid the benefeit to
be present with my uncle, Mr Andro, at the GeneraU Assembfie
haldin in Edinbruche. At the quhilk the question being movit
about the Jurisdiction and Polecie of the Kirk, Mr Andro MelviU,
withe certean uther breithring, war ordeanit to tak peanes thair-
anent, and giff in ther judgment to the nixt Assemblie. And in
deid that mater cost him exceiding grait peans, bathe in mynd,
body, and gear,1 during the space of fyve or sax yeir, with thegean
of the Regent, Erl of Morton, and his Bischope's utter indignation.
Yit, with the wounderfuU assistance of God, he bure it out tUl the
abofishing of Bischopes, and establissing of the Presbyteries accord
ing to the word of God ; wharby he gatt the nam of imaxon^aeri^,
Episcoporum exactor, the flinger out of Bischopes. Ther I hard first,
in Edinbruche, Mr James Lawson, a godfie lernit man, of a woun
derfuU moving utterance in doctrine ; whom I delyted mikle to heir,
and whom I never hard bot withe teares bathe of remors and joy.
As also. Jhone Durie, newlie transported from Leith to Edinbruche,
a man zealus and mightie in spreit, with Mr Walter Balcanquall,
ane honest, upright-harted young man, latlie enterit to that mini
sterie of Edinbruche. Thir, informed mair throwfie be Mr Andro
of the unlawfulnes of Bischopes, and the right maner of governing
of the Kirk be Presbyteries, dealt dUigentlie and forcibfie in ther
doctrine against that ane ; and for that uther wakned upe the spreits
of aU guid brethring, and crabet2 the Court stranglie. Bot surlie
ther ministerie and exemple of lyff movit me, and tuk sic hauld
upon my hart, that I went never to na place with better wiU nor to
Edinbruche, and tyred never les in anie place nor in thair companie.3
1 " Keiping Assemblies and dyettes of conference, reasoning and advysing with
brethring anent that wark." Margin of MS. 2 Vexed, put out of temper.
8 " The tym was verie favorable, for God haid glorefied his nam wounderfullie of
leat, in performing strange things forspoken be Mr Knox against the Castell of Edin
bruche." Margin of M S.

1575. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 53
M.D.LXXV.
Being at the Assembfie thairefter in August, at Edinbruche, 1575,
the question was proponed, " Giff Bischopes, as they war at that
tyme in the Kirk of Scotland, haid a lawfull calling or office by the
word of God ?" Efter advyse of certean breithring thairupon, and
reasoning in publict, it was resolvit negative ; and that the nam
" Bischope" was comoun to everie Pastor, and ordeanit that breither
sould inquyre fordar, bathe in that and uther poinctes of the Dis
cipline and Polecie of the Kirk.
Efter the Assemblie we past to Anguss in companie with Mr
Alexander Arbuthnot, a man of singular gifts of lerning, wisdome,
godlines, and sweitnes of nature, then PrincipaU of the CoUage of
Aberdein ; whom withe Mr Andro communicat anent the haUl
ordour of his CoUage in doctrine and discipline ; and aggreit, as
thairefter was set down, in the new reformation of the said CoUages
of Glasgw and Aberdein. In Angus we maried my youngest sistar
Barbara upon Mr James Balfour, then minister at Guthrie ; and
buried guid auld Thomas MelviU of Dysart, the minie man ; and
sa, efter vacans, returned to Glasgw.
About Michaelmas, in the yeir 1575, in the 19 yeir of my age, I
enterit Regent, and tuk upe the class, and teatched the Greek gram
mer, Isocrates Paranesis ad Demonicum, the first buk of Homer's
Iliads, Phocylides, Hesiod's sgya xai i^sga/, the Dialectic of Ramus,
the Rhetorik of Taleus, with the practise in Cicero's Catilinars and
Paradoxes, &c.
Ther was then resident in Glasgw Mr Patrik Adamsone, alias
Constant, minister of Pasley, a man of notable ingyne, letters, and
eloquence, wha was Mr Androes grait frind and companion ; and,
efter he haid craftelie insinuat him selff in Mr Androes favour, and the
ministerie of Edinbruche, he began to step on fordwart to the first
degrie of a Bischope ; and, leaving Pasley, past to Court, and be
cam minister to the Regent, Erie of Mortoun. About the quhUk
tyme the personage of Giffen vaked, a guid benefice, lyand hard
besyde the town of Glasgw, peying four and twentie chalder of
victuaU. This benefice is offered to Mr Andro, provyding he wald

54 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1576.
be the Regent's man, and leave aff the persut of the Bischopes.
QuhUk he refusit, bot delt ernestlie with the Regent him selff, and
be aU moyen, namfie, of the said Mr Patrik, to Jiaiff it annexit to
the CoUage, the rent wharof was verie smaU, nocht able to sustein
twa maisters, without anie bursares. The Regent keipit the benefice
in his hand undisponit mikle of twa yeir ; l aUeaging, that Mr Andro
haid the wait, 2 wha wald defraud that CoUage, and him selff bathe,
of sic a benefit, because of his new opiniones, and owersie3 dreames,
anent the Kirk Discipline and Polecie. Yit, at last, the Regent^
seing he could nocht be broken be bost,4 be advyse of the said Mr
Patrik, he essayes to move him be benefit, and makes a new erec
tion and reformation of the CoUage of Glasgw, annexing and mor-
tefeing thairunto the said benefice of Giffen ; quhilk was the best
turn6 that ever Iknewather the Regent or Mr Patrik to do. Bot
the speciaU drift was to demearit Mr Andro, and cause him relent
from dealing against Bischopes ; bot God keipit his awin servant
in uprightnes and treuthe, in the middes of manie heavie tentationes>
(whUas his coleg, Mr Piter, and uthers, nocht onfie surmeisit, bot
spak out, that he was a grait hinder of a guid wark,) and by his
blessing effectuat the turn be crewked instruments.
M.D.LXXVI.
The second yen- of my regenting, I teatchit the elements of
Arithmetic and Geometrie out [of] PseUus for schortness ; the Offi
ces of Cicero ; Aristotle's Logic, in Greik, and Ethic, (and was the
first regent that ever did that in Scotland ;) also Platoe's Phasdon
and Axiochus ; and that profession of the Mathematiks, Logic, and
MoraU PhUosophie, I keipit (as everie ane of the regents keipit
their awin, the schoUars ay ascending and passing throw) sa lang
as I regented ther, even tUl I was, with Mr Andro, transported to
St Androis.
That yeir, in ApryU, the GeneraU Assembfie, convenit at Edin-

1 Undisposed of for the greatest part of two years. 2 Wyte, blame.
3 Literally " over-sea," i.e. far-fetched. * Threatening. b Good office.

1576. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 55
bruche, resolved, concerning Bischopes,? the nam and office to be
comoun to aU the Pastors of the Kirk ; out of the quhilk might be
schosin commissionars for visitation, planting, &c. Item, AU Bis
chopes war ordeanit to tak them selves to a particular flok. Item,
Contribution ordeanit to be maid for releiff of the exylit Frenche
kirks. Item, Nominat for making overture of the Polecie and Juris
diction of the Kirk : for the West countrey, James Bischope of
Glasgw, Mr Andro Melvin, Mr Andro Hay, Mr James Grig, Mr
David Cuningham ; for Lawdien, Mr Robert Pont, Mr James
Lawsone, Mr David Lindsay, and, adjoynit to tham, Mr Clement
Lytle, and Mr Alexander Sim, lawers ; for Fyff, Mr Jhone Wind-
rame, Superintendent, with the principaU maisters of the Universi
tie ; for Merns and Anguss, the Laird of Din, Wilyeam Chrysti-
sone, Mr Jhone Row, Mr WUyeam Rind, Jhone Duncansone ; for
Aberdein, Mr Jhone Crag, and Mr Alexander Arbuthnot ; the
places ordeanit whar they sould meit, andjthair diligence to be gif
fen in to the nixt Assemblie, to be haldin at Edinbruche in October.
In this mean tyme, the ChanceUar, Lord Glamms, being a guid,
lerned nobleman, wryttes to Geneva to Theodor Bez, craving his
judgment in the questiones moved at our GeneraU Assemblies ; and,
be that occasion, we gett ham Bezae's Treatiss, De Triplici Episco-
patu, quhilk did mikle guid.
AU the tyme I could get, by my ordinar caUing, I employed to
the studie of the Hebrew toung and theologie. I read Bezae's Con
fession, giffen me be my uncle, dUigentlie, and hard his lessons ac
cording to Calvin's Institutiones ; and, being myndful of my vow
and finding God to haiff blessed the first and second opening of my '
mouthe in publict on the exerceise, I thought guid to continow.
The ordour of the CoUage was, that everie regent, his ouk about,1
eonvoyit the schoUars to a kirk hard adjacent, whar the peiple con-
venit ; and that regent red the comoun prayers, with a chaptour or
twa. I, for my part, contented nocht simplie to reid ; bot taking
sum pean, when I might haiff sliped, the night befor indevorit to
1 Each in his own turn, weekly.

56 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1576.
tak upe the soum of the chaptour, and giff sum notes of doctrine,
with exhortation. This pleasit and confortit guid peiple verie
mikle, sa that they resorted verie frequentlie my ouk ; quhilk also
movit the rest of the regents to essay and foUow the sam form, and
sa bathe profited tham selves and uthers. AU the quhilk I record
to the praise of the grace of my guid God aUeanerfie -,1 for uther-
wayes, a veaner, fulishar, corrupter youthe was ther nocht in that
CoUage ; sa that giff my God haid nocht put in me sum bit of con
science, and fear of his nam, in discharging my office, and a peice
of honestie and scham befor the warld, I sould never haiff done
guid, bot, by sluggishnes and wandering fantasies, easefie caried
away to aU deboicherie.
The breithring appointed be the Assemblie convenit at Glasgw,
in Mr David Cuninghame's hous, then Subdean of Glasgw, and
Dean of our Facultie of Artes ; a man lernit and of verie guid ac-
compt at that tyme, haid fear houss and yeards wherin an erle
micht haiff dwelt, and a thowsand mark of rent, with the better.2
Nan was sa frak 3 in the cause as he. He moderat the reasoning,
gatherit upe the conclusiones, and put aU in wrait and ordour to be
reported to the Assemblie. Bot, to mark the strange sagacitie of
my uncle Mr Andro, he ever suspected bathe Mr Patrik Adamsone
and this Mr David, and said, he fearit they sould nocht prove frinds
in the cause, they war sa courtlie. And sa feU out, indeid, as we
saU heir.
The GeneraU Assemblie, convened at Edinbruche in October,
ordeanit the traveUes of the Breithring to be sighted and advysit
upon, that, being brought in open Assembfie, they might proceed
to determine. In the mean tyme, compeires Alexander Hay, Clark
of Registar, and giffes in, from my Lord Regent's grace, a number
of questiones to be resolrit be the Assemblie, anent the Polecie and
Jurisdiction of the Kirk, quhilk sett tham to fardar consultation.
Ther was Mr Patrik Adamsone, presented to the Bischoprik of St
'Only. ' And upwards. 8 Hearty, forward.

1576. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 57
Androis ; and being inquyrit, in the publict Assemblie, giff he wald
receave that bischoprik? he answerit, he wald receave ha office judgit
unlawful! be the Kirk ; and as to that bischoprik, he wald na wayes
accept of it without the advyse of the GeneraU Assemblie. And,
nevertheless, or ' the nixt Assemblie, he was seasit hard and fast on
the bischoprik ; wherby aU gossoprie2 ged upe3 betwin him and my
uncle Mr Andro. Ther was at Court then Captan Mongumerie, a
guid honest man, the Regent's domestic, wha market an accustom
ed phrase of Mr Patrik's in his doctrine, " The prophet wald mein
this." And whow soone he saw Mr Patrik gripe to the bischoprie,
he cryes out amang his companions, " For als oft as it was repeated
be Mr Patrik, ' The prophet wald mein this,' I understud never
what the profit meins whU 4 now !" quod he.
[To mak the Assembfie lyk the better bathe of the presenter and
presented, the Regent directs his minister to the Assembfie, schawin
he had receavit a letter from the Quein of Eingland, informing his
grace that the Princes of Germanie war to keipe a GeneraU Con
vention at Magdeburg, for ratefieing of the Augustan Confession,
whar wald be present lernit Commissionars from aU Protestant
princes ; and that hir Majestie was to send, requyring him to do
the sam. The Regent's grace, thairfor, desyrit the Assembfie to
nominat the persones, and he sould mak provision. The Assemblie
nominat Mr Andro MelviU, Mr Alexander Arbuthnot, and Mr
George Hay ; bot when ther was an appeirance of the bischoprie
the ambassadrie feafit.5]
Mr Patrik taking him to the bischoprie, the suffragantes roum is
fiUed atteanes6 be Mr David Cuninghame, wha leived Glasgw and
the guid cause, and becomes the Regent's minister, bot with a curs
accompaning him ; for he haid never that wealthe nor estimation
efter quhilk he haid befor, whowbeit within a yeir advancit to the
bischoprik of Aberdein ; and nocht onfie sa, bot became, soone
efter the Erie of Morton's execution, an of the [maist] miserable
wretches in aU the West country, lyand debochit and out of credit,
1 Before. 2 Familiarity, interchange of friendly offices. 3 Were given up.
i Till. s This paragraph on margin of MS. 6 At once.

58 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1576.
in a cot hous, him selff at the an syde of the fyre, and his cow at
the uther ! Thus God cursed that bischoprie of his ; but as for Mr
Patrik' s, we wUl haiff mair ado with it heirefter.
[This yeir, in the wintar, appeired a terrible Comet, the stern '
wharof was verie grait, and proceiding from it toward the est a lang
teaU, in appeirance, of an eaU2 and a haiff, lyk unto a bissom or
scurge maid of wands, aU fyrie. It rease nightlie in the south-
weast, nocht above a degrie and an haiff ascending above the ho
rizon, and continowed about a sax oukes, or twa monethe, and
piece and piece weir away. The graittest effects wharof that out
of our countrey we hard was a grait and mightie batteU in Bar-
baria in Afric, wharin thrie kings war slean, with a huge multitud
of peiple. And within the countrey, the chasing away of the Ha-
mUtones : For whowbeit the Regent, soone efter the taking of the
government upon him, maid a law of oblivion, yit the Hous of Mar
consentit nocht thairto, thinking the young King, whom they haid
in keiping, could never be sure sa lang as the HamUtones keipit
ther roumes ; and thairfor maid a read3 against them the sam sim
mer, wherby the Lords of Arbrothe and Pasley, with the speciaUes
of thair frinds, namlie, sic as war gUtie of the guid Regent's mur-
thour, fled away in Eingland. The CasteU of HamUton, keipit a
whyU be Arthour of Mirritoun, Avas takin and demofissed to the
ground, and the said Arthour execut at Stirling in my sight ; wha
died verie penitentlie and weiU, to my grait edification, being the
first execution that ever I saw, except of a witche in St Androis,
against the quhilk Mr Knox delt from pulpit, sche being set upe at
a piUar befor him. Lyk as, I haiff hard the sam maist notable ser
vant of God, almost ordinarfie, threttin these HamUtones maist fer-
fulfie for the murder of the gud Erie of Murray, Regent. The Lord
Arbrothe maried the Countes of Cassels, sistar to the Lord Glammes,
then ChanceUar, wharby he gat tolerance for a schort tyme. But
the wintar befor the said ChanceUar being cut of at Stirling, in the
simmer foUowing he was fean to flie away. The minister of Ha-
1 Star, nucleus. 2 Ell, yard. 3 Raid, or incursion.

1577. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 59
milton, Mr Jhone Davidsone, a guid man, haid admonissed and
thretned that CasteU for ryot, hurdome, &c. ; and saw in a vision,
as I hard him record, a grait arm, with a sword in the neff,1 stand
ing above the CasteU, quhilk, with swift force stricking down upon
it, did overthraw the sam to the grund, and thairefter coming down
throw the wood and town, did spoUe and hurt the sam.2]
M.D.LXXVH.
The yeir foUowing, 1577, the GeneraU Assemblie conveined at
Edinbruche in October, whar the Heades of the Polecie war or
deanit to be drawin in conclusiones ; and certean breither apointed
to gather togidder the traveUes of the brethring from aU partes, and
digest and put the sam in ordour, drawing tham in certeane propo-
sitiounes, for breritie.
At that Assembfie, Mr Patrik Adamsone is fund to haiff intrusit
him selff in the bischoprik of St Androis, against the actes and ordi
nances of the Kirk ; and thairfor ordeanit to be proceidit against be
his SynodaU. Bot, as he was wounderfuU craftie, he offerit to
ley down aU at the feit of the breithring, and be ordourit at the
pleasure of the Assemblie, whow soone the sam war throuche and
at a point with the mater of the Polecie ; and sa, with fear pro
mises, drifted and pat. aff tUl he gat his tyme.
About the end of that sam October, ther was an uther Assem
blie haldin at Edinbruche, at the quhilk the Heids of the Polecie
war reported, digest in order. They war ordeanit, efter revising,
to be put in mundo, and presented to the Regent's grace ; and cer
tean breithring nominat to confer with his grace thairanent, and a
dyet sett at Stirling for the sam.
During aU these Assemblies and ernest indevors of the breith
ring, the Regent is often requyrit to giff his presence to the Assem
blie, and fordar3 the cause of God ; bot nocht onfie in effect refuses,
bot uses grait thretning against the maist zelus breithring, schoring4
to hang of thame, utherwayes ther could be na peace nor ordour in
1 Hand. 2 Margin of MS. 3 Further. * Threatening.

60 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1577.
the countrey. Sa, ever resisting the wark of discipline in hand,
bure fordwart his Bischopes, and pressed to his injunctiones and
conformitie with Eingland ; and, but ' question, haid steyed 2 the
wark, giff God haid nocht steired upe a faction of the Nobifitie
against him, wha maid a grait convocation at the Faw-kirk, and
haid almost com to straks, giff the Eingfis Ambassatour, a guid,
godfie man, and lover of our nation, Mr Robert Bowes, with the
ChanceUar's guidnes and wesdome, haid nocht steyit for taking or
dour ; wherwith a Convention was sett in Stirling of the Esteates,
and the breithring nominat and apointed be the Assembfie weating
on, feU out that unhappie murdour of that lerned and guid noble
man, Lord Glammes, ChanceUar, slean in a tumult be a schot of a
pistolet in the head.3 Whom when God had sa taken away from
the Regent Mortoun, his contrar faction drawes a draught at annes4
to cause the Rang, now about fourtein yeirs of age, to tak the go
vernment in his awin persone ; wharby Morton is compeUit to go
to the Market Cross of Edinbruche, in solemne maner, and giff
ower his Regentschipe, and aU publict administration of the realme.
This Regent, Erie of Mortoun, was a man ever cast upon the
best syde, and did honestfie and stoutlie in the cause. He lovit
Mr Knox whill he was alyve. At his deathe and buriaU he gaiff
him ane honorable testimonie, " That he nather fearit nor flatterit
anie fleche !" and, efter his deathe, was frindlie to his wyff and chud-
ring. He was verie wyse, and a guid Justiciar, in administration.
His fyve yeirs war estimed to be als happie and peacable as ever
Scotland saw. The name of a Papist durst nocht be hard of; ther
was na theiff nor oppressour that durst kythe.5 Bot he could nocht
suffer Chryst to reing6 frielie be rebuking of sinne, bot maid oppo-
1 Without. " Delayed.
3 " Mr Andro maid upon him this Epigram : —
" Tu, Leo magne, jacis inglorius ; ergo manebunt
Qualia fata canes ? Qualia fata sues ?
Sen lawlie lyes thow noble Lyon fyne,
What sail betyde behind to dogges and swyne ?" Margin of MS.
4 His opponents at once devise a stratagem. 5 Show himself. " Rei«ii.

1578. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 61
sition to the ministrie of Edinbruche in publict place ; nor be the
right government of his Kirk be the Presbyterie of his lawfuUie
callit pastors and eldars, mislyked the Assemblies GeneraU, and
wald haiff haid the name thairof changit, that he might abofishe the
prevUage and force thairof. Wharunto my uncle, Mr Andro, spe-
ciafie opponit him selff, and thairby, and for the Bischops, incurrit
his speciaU indignation ; [and thairabout first discordit with Mr David
Lindsay, to whom he was comounlie contradictor, saying, that
Maister Knox haid commendit him to the Court aU his dayes ;. that
he was a guid mid-man, and maker of brues1 amangs men, bot sould
nocht haiff place betwix God and man. Yit, in effect, the said Mr
David keipit honest in the cause of the discipline tUl it was con-
cludit, and efter.] He sought to insinuat him selff, efter the leying
doun of his Regentrie in the King's favour and sum CounsaUours,
be twa things in speciaU that concernit the King's weUl and the
realmes. Ane, that the King might be a frie King and monarche,
haiffing the reweU and power of aU Esteates, quhilk the Kirk's Ge
neraU Assembfie empeared.2 Ane uther, to be conform with Eing
land in the Kirk's Polecie ; to haiff Bischopes to rewU the Kirk, and
they to be answerable to the King, and sa the frie preatching re
pressed.' With this, he was wounderfuUie giffen to gather gear,
thairby, as he said, to inritche the King withaU. ^Thir things, whow
beit humblit, yit he amended nocht, bot keipit out of his course tUl
he might do na mair, and then glorifiet God, as in the awin place
salbe declarit.
[This yeir, in the simmer, God brought ham Mr Thomas Smeton,
a man of singular giftes of lerning and godlines, a grait benefit to
his Kirk, and speciaU blessing of my guid God, for me in particular.3]
M.D.LXXVIII.
The GeneraU Assembfie conveinit at Edinbruche in ApryU 1578,
in the Magdalen ChapeU.4 Mr Andro MelviU was schosin Modera-
1 Reconciler of quarrels, peace-maker. 2 Impaired. 3 Margin of MS.
4 " Atthis Assemblie war a number of questiones giffen in from Court be Alexander
Hay, Clark Register, and the answers thairof cravit at diverse Assemblies thairefter,
for the Courtes profeit." Margin of MS.

62 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1578.
tor, whar was concludit, That Bischopes sould be caUit be thair
awin names, or be the names of " Breither," in aU tyme coming, and
that lordfie name and authoritie banissed from the Kirk of God, quhilk
hes bot a1 Lord, Chryst Jesus. Also the haul Heids of the Polecie,
put in propositiones, and sett in ordour, war ratefied and aUowit, ex
cept a litle of the Diaconat to be farther advysit. Item, That na
Bischope sould be elected or maid thairefter, nor na Minister con
sent thairto, under the pean of deprivation. Item, The leat inur-
dour of the Lord Glames, ChanceUar, regreted ; and for that blud
and uthers, for the King's prosperus government, undertaken
newfings 2 in his awin person, and for the guid acceptation of the
wark of the Polecie and Discipline of the Kirk now concludit, and to
be presented to his Majestie and CounsaU, ther was a GeneraU Fast
concludit to be zealusfie keipit throwout the land.
[When the Assemblie haid concludit the Discipline, diverse of the
breithring, as namlie, Mr Andro Melvill and Andro Hay, desyrit the
sam to be subscryvit be the haul breithring. To the quhilk Mr
Patrik Adamsone answered, " Nay, we haif an honest man, our
Clark, to subscryve for aU ; and it war to derogat to his fathfulnes
and estimatioun, gif we sould aU severalie subscryve." " WeUl,"
sayes Mr Andro Hay, " gif anie man com against this, or deny it
heirefter, he is nocht honest." And to Mr Patrik he said, before
thrie or fower, " Ther is my hand, Mr Patrik ; gif yie com against
this heirefter, consenting now sa thorowlie to it, I wUl caU yow a
knave, and 3 it war never sa publictlie !" Mr Patrik receaves the con-
ditioun : Bot at the presenting of the conclusiounes befor the Re
gent and CounsaU, the Regent askes Mr Patrik, gif he haid as
sented thairto ? He denyit it, and that he haid refusit to subscryve
it. Wherupon the said Conclusiones of Discipline war refused be
the CounsaU. The cause wharof, when Mr Andro Hay haid in-
quyred at diverse honorable CounseUors, they leyed the wait 4 on the
said Mr Patrik ; wha coming by in the mean tyme, Mr Andro Hay
takes him be the hand befor the said CounsaUour, and dispytfuUie .
1 One. 2 Newly. 3 If. * Wyte, blame.

1578. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 63
to his face sayes, " 0 knave ! knave ! I wiU crown thee the knave of
all knaves !" l]
The Assembly thairefter conveined at Stirling in July, that sam
yeir ; wherin the form of conclusion, as in aU the former Assem
blies, sa in that, was, That the Kirk, aU in a voice, hes concludit the
haul articles and propositiounes of the Buik of the Polecie of the Kirk,
to be conform to the Word of God, and meit for the Esteat of the
Kirk in this land ; and ordeanes the sam, with a supplication, to be
presented to the King's Majestie. The quhilk was done, and his
Hienes gaiff a verie confortable and guid answer thairanent, nomi
nating certean of his CounsaU to confer with the breithring apointed
be the Kirk thairupon.
That yeir my uncle dedicat to the King his Carmen Mosis, with
certean Epigrames, and a chapter of Job in vers, quhilk put aU
men in hope of graitter warks ; but partfie his grait occupationes
and distractiones, partfie, as he wes wount to say, Scribillantium et
scripturientium turba ; and cheiflie, that he thought the tyme maist
profitablie bestowit in doing, teatching, and framing of guid instru
ments for the meantenence of the treuthe and wark of the ministerie
and schoUes, moved him to neglect wraitting, except of verses and
epigrammes, as his humor and occasiones moved him ; wharof he
hes, in his peapers, a grait number ; and nocht a few, as Carmina
Sybillina, lost. Bot for commendation of thrie notable verteus in
him, thrie things, amangs manie ma, I man recompt :2 Interpreta
tion of dreames, patience, and heroic stoutnes.
The CoUage haid monie pleyes in law depending that yeir, and
Mr Piter Blakburn was CEconomus and speciaU actor ; yit, because
the animation of Mr Andro was graitter, he desyrit him at cer
tean peremptor dyettes to be present in Edinbruche. For sic a
dyet, being to go to Edinbruche, Mr Piter comes in to his chalmer
in the morning, heavie and grim-lyk. Being inquyrit be the Prin-
1 Margin of MS. 2 Among many more, which I must recount.

64 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY, 1578.
cipaU what ealed him, he answerit, " I haiff dreamed an unsall1
dream, and I am sum thing solist2 efter it." — " What is it ?" sayes
he. " Methought we war sitting at our CoUage burde, and a cap
full of barmie drink befor us. I luiked to the cap, and I thought I
saw a read-headit tead lope3 out of it, and craled 4 upe upon the wall,
the quhilk I perceved and dang down, and tramped under my feit ;
and as I turned, I saw an uther lope out also, quhilk, whowbeit I
foUowed, it gat away in a hoU out of my sight."—" Be nocht solist,"
sayes he, " Mr Piter ; I wUl interpret your dream, and warrand the
interpretation trew, for a pynt of wyne I" — " For suthe," sayes the
uther, " and it be guid, a quart !"— " The CoUage burd and cap is
our CoUage leiving, into the quhilk twa read-nebbit teades hes in-
trusit thamselff. They ar the twa read-neased Compeditours5 of
our CoUage, against the quhilk yie haiff presentfie the actiones,
viz. Jhone Grame, the first whom yie perse wing at this dyet, clim
als weUl as he wiU on the waU of the law, yie sau d™!? down and
owercome. The uther is the read-faced Commissar, Mr Archbald
Beaton, wha be some wyU saU eschew presentfie, and win away.
Assure thyselff, man, thow saU find it sa." Mr Piter lauches, and
sayes he was worthe the wyne, whow ever it was ; for the twa men
war verie read and tead-lyk faced, for ploukes and lumpes. And
in deid it cam sa to pass, for they brought hame a notable decreit
of reduction of a few of the Freires-yeard against Jhone Grame ;
and the uther, by moyen and ernest sofistation, gat the action de-
layit, and brought to arbitriment.
[I haiff also marked manie experiences in him of wounderfuU sa
gacitie and smelling out of men's naturaUs and dispositiones ; sa
that tho' sum haid bein never sa fair-farrand 6 and curteus, he
could nocht gif tham a guid countenance nor word ; quhilk, in deid,
wald prove UI men. Uthers, altho' nocht of sa guid apeirance, he
wald lyk of, and be hamfie with, wha wald prove weU. Of bathe
the sortes, I could rackon divers be nam and surnam, but it is nocht
1 Unlucky, unfortunate. s Anxious, solicitous. 3 A red-headed toad leap.
* Crawled. 5 Red-nosed accountants or treasurers. " Plausible.
3

1578. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. t>0
expedient ; ¦ onlie an I can nocht omit, wha about this tyme was or
deanit be the GeneraU Assembfie to be tean ordour withaU be the
Synod of Glasgw, for deserting of his ministerie ; wha, be bis fear
ciriU facions fund favour with aU except Mr Andro, wha, delling
scharpfie with him for his desertion of the ministerie, gat this an
swer : " I wUl nocht profes povertie." — " O then," sayes Mr Andro
to him, " yow will deny nocht onlie the ministerie, bot also trew
Christianitie." This man was Mr Jhone Colvin, first apostat fra
the ministerie, and syne fra trew Christian religion to fouU Papis-
trie ! •]
Now, for his patience ; whowbeit he was verie hat in aU ques
tiones, yit when it twitched his particular, 2 no man could crab 3 him,
contrair to the comoun custome ; as, amangs manie uther, I marked
this. — My Lord Hearise haid a sone in the CoUage, named Jhone,
wha was drawin away from his studies and ordour be sum young
men of the town, namlie, a burgess air named Andro Heriot. The
PrincipaU caUes for Jhone, and reproving him, sayes, "What? hes
my Lord, your father, send yow heir to spend your tyme with de-
bauchit persones of the town ?" &c. This was tauld Andro Heriot,
wha, partfie of intemperat disposition, and partfie, as was supposed,
be the CoUage mislykers stired upe, cam to Mr Andro, the Princi
paU, a day efter sermont, coming out of the Kirk, haiffing aU his
schoUars and Regents at his bak, and quarrels him schamfuUie with
manie thows and lyes ; continowing from the Kirk almaist down to
the CoUage, quhilk is a grait space, yea, with sword about him,
with menassings and brawUes ; but Mr Andro verie patientlie and
meiklie answers never a word bot " God facher ! 4 what hes muvit
yow yie neid to bost?5 We ar ma nor yie." 6 The schoUars war out
of thair wittes, and fean wald haiff put hands in him ; bot he re-
buiked tham in sic sort that they durst nocht steir. As for my selff,

1 The author has made the above addition on the margin of MS. 2 When it con
cerned his own private interest. 3 Enrage or put him out of temper. i Good
faith ! 5 Scold, threaten. 6 We are more in numbers than you are. E

66 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1578.
for als patient as I am caUed, I doucht nocht ' suffer it, bot withdrew
my selff from him.
Within a schort space efter, the said Andro contractes a fiver, of
the quhilk he died ; and a day or twa befor, he send for the Prin
cipaU, wha glaidlie cam and visit him ; wha, with grait remorse, con-
fessit his offence, and commendit the uther's grait patience, say
ing, That he haid win a graitter rictorie of him, nor giff he haid
sufferit his schoUars to ding out his harnes ! 2 and oft tymes em-
brasing and kissing him for the sweit confort he bestowed on him,
being sa unworthie, cryed ay for him sa lang as the breathe was in
him ; and sa gaiff upe the ghaist, being a lustie youthe in his mide-
age. The young man, Jhone MaxueU, partfie eschewing discipline, and
partfie, as was supposed, caried away be the counsaU of Papists,
(for he haid gottin eriU groundes thairof, and aU his father's houss,
¦be Mr GUbert Broun, Abbot of New Abey,) left the CoUage, and
abad 3 in the town. Bot whowsoone the Lord Heres, his father,
hard of it, he cam to the town, scharpfie rebuked his sone, and
brought him to the CoUag, efter he haid lovingfie and maist cur-
teslie delt with the PrincipaU, causit the haul maisters and disciples
convein in the verie closs of the CoUage ; and ther, in presence of
aU, austerfie commandit his sone to sitt down upon his knees, and
humblie offer him selff to what sort of discipline the PrincipaU of the
CoUage and his Regent (against whome cheifflie he haid bein re-
fractar) wald put him to. The young man obeyit humblie, and
the PrincipaU lifted him upe be the hand, efter promise of amendi-
ment ; and, efter reconciliation, he enterit him to the Regent againe,
humblie presenting to him a piece of golde. What that Lord Heres
was utherwayes, I leave it to the Cornicle ; bot in this he left a not
able exemple to aU noble men and fathers to foUow.
For fordar verification of his grait patience, because he wald seim
verie hat and impatient : At our table, comounfie at meaUes and
efter, was movit be him sum question of phUosophie or artes, namlie,
1 Could not. 2 Knock out his brains. 3 Abode.

1578. MR JAMES melvill's dlary. 67
for this end to schaw that Aristotle could err, and haid erred, con-
trar to S. Androis axiom, Absurdum est dicere errasse Aristotelem. Mr
Piter Blakburn, our coleg, was a bitter propugnar of Aristotle ; a
verie guid and lerned man, bot rud and carlisse of nature ; and when
he could nocht bear out his defence be reasone, he wald do it be
coler and invection upon the persone of Mr Andro, that he was ar
rogant, proud, and full of his awin sence ; but when it cam to that,
the argument seassed, for the PrincipaU never spak a word mair.
And be this form of doing he wan Mr Piter from monie baith wrang
opiniones and eriU fasones ; for the guid, honest-harted man, frie
from his coler, eschamed of him selff, amendit him selff. And this
I marked ever to be Mr Androes maner -. Being sure of a truethe
in reasoning, he wald be extream hat, and suffer na man to bear
away the contrar ; bot with reasone, words, and gesture, he wald
carrie it away, caring for na persone, whow grait soever they war,
namfie, in maters of reUigion. And in aU companies, at table or
utherwayes, as he understud and tuk upe the necessitie of the per-
sones and mater in hand to requyre, he wald frifie and bauldlie
hauld thair eares fow of the treuthe ; and tak it as they wald, he
wald nocht ceas nor keipe sylence ; yea, and nocht onlie ance or
twyse, bot at aU occasiones, tUl he fand tham better instructed, and
sett to go fordwart in the guid purpose. And verelie, be lang ex
perience, I haiff knawin him to haiff done as mikle guid in sic con
ferences and meittings as be his publict doctrine ; for sic as war
willing to understand in sa doing, he pleasurit tham mair and mair ;
and sic as wer nocht, he suffered never to rest tUl he ather brought
tham from ther contrarie mynd, or els discovered a perverss dispo
sition against the truethe. Giff he haid nocht bein throuche and
resolut him selff in a mater, he wald haiff hard verie patientlie and
quietlie, and reasonit thairupon caldlie and camfie aneuche till he
war fulfie resolvit, and fand his grounds sure. But for his awine
particular, in persone, gear, or fame, I knew him never hard in pub
lict with anie man to this houre.
Now for his heroic cowrage and stoutness : The Regent, seeing

68 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1578.
he could nocht divert him [be] benefits and offers, he caUes for him
a day indirectlie, and, efter lang discoursing upon the quyetnes of
the cowntrey, peace of the Kirk, and advancment of the King's Ma-
jestie's esteat, he brak in upon sic as war disturbers thairof be thair
conceats and owersle J dreames, imitation of Genev discipline and
lawes ; and, efter sum reasoning and grundes of God's Word al-
leagit, quhUk irritat the Regent, he braks out in coler and hosting : 2
— " Ther wUl never be quyetnes in this countrey, tUl haiff a dissone
of yow be hangit or banished the countrey !" — " Tushe ! sir/', sayes
Mr Andro ; " Purpuratis tuis ista minitare mihi, idem est humi an
'sublime putrescam: Domini est terra. Patria est ubicunque, est bene.
I haiff bein ready to giff my lyff whar it was nocht haiff sa weul
wared, at the pleasour of my God. I leived out of your countrey
ten yeirs as weUl as in it. Let God be glorified, it wUl nocht ly in
your power to hang nor exyU his treuthe ! "
[This Regent objected against the GeneraU Assembfie, That it
was [a] convocation of the King's leiges. Mr Andro answerit,
" That Chryst and his Apostles war gUtie of that cryme, wha con-
veinit with houndrethes and thowsands, taught tham, and governed
without anie leive of the magistrat ; and yit did aU dewtie to Caesar,
and bade giff him that quhilk was his." Item, Mr Andro aUeaging
a place of the Actes to the said Regent, the Regent sayes tanting-
lie, " Read yie ever °^ si° an act as we did at St Jhonstoun ?"
Answeres Mr Andro : " Gif yie be escheamed of that act, Chryst
wUbe escheamed of yow !" The Reformatioun of ReUigioun in
Scotland was don as the men in the GospeU, wha, bringing a man
seik of the palsey, careidbe foursome in a bed, brak the houss abone
whar Chryst was, unasking leive of the gudman and maister thairof,
for the grait desyre quhilk they haid to com to Chryst for the man's
helthe. Yit Chryst fand na fault thairwith ; bot seing thair fathe,
approved the sam, and healed the man. Sa throw zeaU the king
dom of Heavin suffered violence at the beginning, and men sought
to com to Chryst without asking leive of King or Cassar.3]
1 Far-fetched, over-sea. 2 Choler and scolding. 3 What is contained within
brackets has been added, at a subsequent period, by the author on the margin of MS.

1578. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 69
Monie siclyk hes he hard, and for me reported in mair ferfuU
form ; bot for aU nevir jarged a jot ather from the substance of the
cause, or forme of proceiding thairin. Bot a piece of storie I man
report, steirit upe in particular against him in my persone.
The Lord Boid was grait with the Regent, and haid a cusing in
our CoUage, named Alexander Boid, a youthe of a grait spreit and
ingyne, bot verie commersom and refractar.1 He haid pleyit the
companion wickedfie with the maister in the grammar schul, and
siclyk with the first regent the first yeir of his course in the Col
lage. The nixt yeir he comes to me : At his entrie I delt with him
fearfie, and besought him to be weiU conditioned, and he sould find
na thing in me bot speciaU courtessie and affectione ; bot giff he
sould preass to missuse me, and mak trouble as he haid done to his
maisters befor, for als rneik as I seimed, he wald find me scharper
nor anie he haid delt with. Upon this premonition he continowes
haiff a yeir as guid a bern as was in the seage.2 TUl taking occa
sion of Mr Thomas Smetone's companie, in the quhilk I mikle de-
lyted, I past with him to Edinbruche to fetche ham his wyff; and
befor my going, I tuk exact ordour with my schoUars, injoyning
large task to tham, and apointing of censurers and deleattors of aU
ther behaviour. Coming ham again, I fand the said Alexander often
deleated in grait faultes, namlie, absenting him selff from the kirk,
and pleying the loun on the Sabbathe. I begin to deaU with him
in words ; he disdeanes and vilipends with misbehaviour in words
and countenance ; I command him to correction, he rebeUes : To
be schort, I wald nocht be deforcit ; and he gat his deat peyit, bot
indeid far within his demearit. He sittes down in a nuk fra my
sight, and whUl I was teatching my lessone, he takes his pen and
ink-horn, and striks him selff on the face and nease3 tUl effusion of
bluid ; he ryves4 his buik, and dightes5 his nease with the leaves
thairof, and drawes the bluid athort6 his face, and spots his clothes
with the saming ; 7 and incontinent efter the lessone rinnes out of

1 Quarrelsome and refractory. z Form, seat. Fr. siege. 3 Nose.
Tears. 5 Wipes. ° Across, athwart. 7 Same.

70 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1578.
the CoUage, and away and compleanes to his frinds he was sa mis-
usit crewafie be me. The PrincipaU and Maisters at the bruit,1 and
my desyre, takes tryeU, and finds it as is spoken. He byds away
fra the CoUage a monethe ; about the end wharof, on a simmer
evening efter supper, I was coming out of the CasteU with twa of
my companions, whar we haid bein visiting a guid gentleman, wha,
unbeset be twasum,2 haid defendit him selff notabfie, being weUl
fensed,3 tUl his dagger cas [was] cut in pices, and brought to extream
danger of his lyff, was compeUit ather to slay an of tham or be slean.
For the quhilk apprehendit, he was deteined in pressone in the
CasteU, whar we customabfie visited him, and lernit of him to fence.
Sa, coming from him in the kirk-yeard, my schoUar lying in weat
with an4 Alexander Cuningham, sistar-sone to the Lord Boid, wha
hounds out the youthe with a baton in his hand to strik me behind
my bak. Heiring the sound of his feit, I turned and spak a few
words, at the quhilk the boy rinnes by me and luiks for his helper,
Alexander Cuninghame, wha cam with speid efter him with a
drawin sword and monie bludie words. The twa that war with me
saw nocht this Alexander, bot ran and tuk the boy ; sa Alexander
leyes out a strak at me with the sword, quhilk, declyning5 my bodie
a litle, I eschewed, and closing with him, I gripped his sword arm
under my left oxter, and with my right hand caucht his quhingar,6
haiffing na kynd of wapean upon my selff, and bids him stand.
Withe this, incontinent my twa companiones commes and sinders
us ; sa my God keipit me that night, bothe from doing or receav-
ing anie fordar harme. Coming to the CoUage, I schew the mater
to the PrincipaU, wha first commandit aU the schoUars to thair
bedds, perceaving tham incensit : And, fearing a wark of the Devill
to deboiche tham from ther studies, enter tham in blud, and wrak
the whoU CoUage, yit wald noch suffer the preparative to pass un-
tean ordour with, upon the morn conveines the Rector and Magi-
strats of the town, according to the ordour, and cites the parties

1 Rumour, report. Fr. bruit. 2 Attacked or beset by two. 3 Skilled in
the art of self-defence. 4 One. 5 Stooping. 6 Short sword.

1578. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 71
befor tham. I compeir ; the uther is contumax, and persevers in
his bost.1 The mater is tryed exactlie. They decern Alexander
Cuninghame, for his wrang, to come to the place whar it was done^
and ther, humblie, bear-futted and bear-headet, to crave the Rectour,
the PrmcipaU, and me, the persone offendit, forgiffnes. This being
notefied to Alexander, he malings, and vowes 2 ther sould be graitter
cause maid or anie forgiffnes cravit.
Ther na thing was noysit sa mikle in the countrey, as the Boids
and Cuninghams wald slay the Maisters and burn the CoUage.
Bot the PrmcipaU jarget never a whit,3 nor movit him selff, whow
beit sum of us war right fleyd ;4 but send and reasit Letters, and
summoned Alexander befor the King and Secreit CounsaU, wha
compeired with a grait number of his frinds, thinking to bost us fra
it ; bot we cam befor the King and CounsaU at St Androis, pro-
ducit the proces and decreit of the Rector and BaUyies of Glasgw,
and obteined the sam to be ratefiet ; and the said Alexander chargit
to fulfill and obey it sic a day, or then to enter in ward within the
CasteU of Blaknes.
Coming ham to Glasgw, and the day approtching, our speciaU
frinds dealt with us, namlie, the Rector, Mr Andro Hay, a man of
grait moyen5 in the countrey, to quyt that decreit and forgiff it, se-
ing ther was na evill done, utherwayes he was certified it wald com
to war,6 for the man was neir in blod on the father syde to the Erl
of Glencarn, and on the mother's to the Lord Boid, the naturaU and
fasones wharof he knew, [that they wald nocht suffer ther blud sched
(as they aUeagit) unrevengit.7] The PrincipaU answers, " Giff they
wald haiff forgiffnes, let them crave it humblie, and they saU haiff
it ; but or that preparative pass, that we dar nocht correct our schol-
lars for fear of bangstars and claimed gentlemen, they saU haiff aU
the blud of my body first !" Sa the day comes, at the quhilk the
Lord Boid comes to Glasgw, accompanied with aU his frinds ; so
comes my Lord of Glencarn with his, to the number of four or fyve
1 Threat. 2 Maligns, or curses and vows. 3 Never swerved a whit.
1 Were much afraid. 5 Influence. 6 Worse would befal. 7 Margin,

72 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1578.
houndrethe gentUmen. The PrincipaU is delt with be diverse in
tercessors nocht to present the place : Bot terrifie as they wald, he
sayes, " They that wUl go with me go ; they that are fleyd,1 let them
tarie !" And sa the Rector, the PrincipaU, and I, with our schol-
lars at our bak, in our gowns, com to the kirk-yeard, and stude at
the place wher I was unbesett ; the kirk-yeard being foil of gentle
men, giffes place. Then comes Alexander, arrayit in his best abuUy-
ment, in the middes of twa gentlemen, wherof an was the eldest
brother of my schoUar, the uther his neirest frind ; and the said
Alexander, bear-headit and bear-futed, and offers to fulfill the de
creit giff anie wald accept of it. " Dout nocht of the acceptation,"
answers the PrincipaU : " We are heir readie !" And sa the said
Alexander, in presence of aU his frinds, to bear him witness, recited
the words of the decreit, and obeyed conform to everie circumstance.
The quhilk, when the gentUmen saw, wha, for the maist part, knew
nocht for what cause they cam, luche him to skorn, spendit thrie or
four hounder mark in the town, and returned, as they confessit, grait
ter fuUes nor they cam a-field !
Now to Mr Thomas Smeton, of whom I maid mention befor. I
marked the wounderfuU guidnes and providence of God towards his
Kirk in this realme, wha, as first efter the blud of these martyrs,
Mr George Wischart and Walter Miln, steired upe Mr Knox to ef-
fectuat the wark of Reformation ; and taking him to his rest, send
ham Mr Andro MelvUl for continuance of zeaU and sinceritie, with
exquisit literature and knawlage, and for putting on of the ceapstean
of the trew and right discipline and polecie. Sa, when the course
of Papistrie begoud againe to creipe in be the alteration of the go
vernment, and Guisian counsaU 2 entering about the King, then God
plucked out from amangs the Jesuits a wadge of thair awin timber,
wherwith to rent and cross thair deceaits. This was Mr Thomas
Smeton, wha, in that jorney to Edinbruche, recompted to me the
strange wirking of God with him ; this in soum :3 — That, at the
' ' Afraid, terrified. 2 The council or policy of the House of Guise. 3 A summary.

1578. MR JAMES melvill's DIARY. 73
Reformation of Religion, he being put from the Auld CoUage of St
Androis, past to France, whare in Paris he thought mikle upon the
trew way of salvation, and be deaUing of diverse of his acquentance,
namfie, Mr Thomas Matteland, a young gentUman of guid literature
and knawlage in the treuthe of religion, was brought to ken and be
inclynde to the best way. Whar also he was acquentit with my
uncle, Mr Andro, and Mr GUbert Moncreiff. Yit lothe to alter his
mynd wherin he was brought upe, and fand him selff sum tyme ful-
lie perswadit in the mater of his fathe and salvation, he thought he
wald leave na thing untryed and esseyit perteining therto. And
understanding that the ordour of the Jesuits was maist lerned, hafie,
and exquisit in the Papistrie, he resolrit to enter in thair ordour,
during theqyears of probation ; at the end wharof, giff he fand him
selff sattieled in his auld fathe, he wald continow a Jesuist ; and giff
he fand "nocht amangs tham that might remove aU the douttes he
was cast into, it was bot folie to seik fordar ; he wald yeUd unto
that light that God, be the ernest delling of his loving frinds and
companions, haid enterit him into. And sa he enterit in the Je-
suists' CoUage at Paris, whar he fand Mr Edmond Hay, a verie
loving frind, to whom he communicat aU his mynd. Mr Edmond,
seing him worthie to be win to tham, and giffen to lerning and sight,
directes him to Rome ; and be the way he cam to Genev, whar Mr
Andro Melvill and Mr GUbert Moncreiff being for the tyme, he
communicat with tham his purpose, and cravit thair prayers. Of
his purpose they could sie na guid warrand, but thair prayers they
promisit hartlie. Sa, making na stey ther, he past fordwart to
Rome, whar he was receavit in the Jesuists' CoUage gladlie. In the
quhilk CoUage was a father hauldin of best lerning and prudence,
wha was ordeanit to traveU with sic as wer deteined in pressone,
for religion, to convert tham. Of him he cravit that he might ac-
companie him, at sic tymes, when he went to deaU with these pre-
soners ; quhilk was granted to him. Be the way as they cam from
the presoners to the CoUage, quhilk was neir a myU, Mr Thomas
wald tak the argument of the presoners, and mentein it against the
Jesuist for reasoning's cause, and indeid to be resolrit ; and the

74 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1578.
more he insisted he fand the treuthe the stranger, and the Jesuist's
answers never to satisfie him.
This way he continowit about a yeir and a haiff in Rome, tUl at
last he becam suspitius ;l and thairfor was remitted bak to Paris,
throw aU the CoUages of the Jesuists be the way ; in aU the quhilks
he endevorit mair and mair to haiff his douttes resolrit, bot fand
him selff ay fordar and fordar confirmed in the veritie. Coming to
Paris again, he abaid ther a space, verie lovingfie interteined be
Mr Edmond ; tUl at last he could nocht bot discover him selff to
Mr Edmond ; to whom, he sayes, he was alse mikle behauldin as to
anie man in the warld : For notwithstanding that he perceavit
his mynd turned away from thair ordour and reUigion, yit he ceased
nocht to counsaU him, frindfie and fatherfie, and suffered him to
want na thing. And being a verie wyse man, he thinks to keipe
Mr Thomas quyet, and nocht to suffer him to kythe 2 an adversar
against them. Perceaving, thairfor, the young man to be giffen to
his buik, he giffes him this counsaU, to go to a quyet CoUage, situat
in a welthie and pleasant part in Lorain, whair he sould haiff na
thing to do but attend upon his buiks ; whair he sould haiff aU the
Antient Doctors, and sic buiks as yie pleasit to reid ; he sould leak
na necessars ; thair he sould keipe him quyet tUl God wrought for
dar with him ; utherwayes he wald cast him selff in grait danger.
Thair was na thing that could aUure Mr Thomas mair nor this, and
thairfor he resolved to foUow his counsaU ; and taking jorney, went
towards Lorain, whair be the way the Lord leyes his hand upon
him, and risites him with an extream fever, casting him in utter-
maist pean and perplexitie of body and mynd. Thair he faught a
maist Strang and ferfuU batteU in his conscience ; bot God at last
prevealing, he determines to schaw him selff, abandone that dam
nable societie, and utter in plean profession the treuthe of God, and
his enemies' falshods> hypocrasie, and craft. Sa, coming bak to Paris
again, he takes his leive of Mr Edmont, wha yit, nochtwithstanding,
kythes na thing bot lovin frindschipe to him, and at his parting
1 Suspected. 2 Turn out, prove, or manifest himself to be.

1578. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 75
giffes thrie counsaUes : 1. To reid and studie the Ancient Doctors
of the kirk, [and nocht to trow1 the ministers ;] 2. To go ham to his
awin countrey ; and, thridlie, To marie a wyff. From that he
manifested him selff amangs the professours of religion, tiU the tyme
of the Massacre2 quhilk schortlie ensewit ; at the quhilk being nar-
rowfie sought, he cam to Ae Engliss Ambassator, Mr Secretaire
Walsingham, in whase houss, lyand at Paris for the tyme, as in a
comoun girthe,3 he, with manie ma, war seaff. With whome also
he cam to Eingland soone efter, whar he remeaned scholmaister at
Colchester tUl his coming to Scotland.
At his coming in Scotland, he was gladlie content to be in com
panie with my uncle, Mr Andro ; and sa aggreit to be minister at
Pasley, in place of Mr Andro Pulwart, wha enterit to the Sub-
deanrie of Glasgw, when Mr David Cuninghame was bischopit in
Aberdein. A litle efter his placing, Mr Andro, PrincipaU of the
CoUage, put in his hand Mr Archbald HamUtone's apostat's buik,
De Confusione Calviance Sectce apud Scotos ; and, efter conference
thairanent, movit him to mak answer to the sam, quhilk was pub
lished in print the yeir foUowing, to the grait contentment of aU the
godfie and lernit. Mr Thomas was verie wacryff4 and peanfuU,5 and
skarsfie tuk tyme to refreche nature. I haiff sein him oft find fault
with lang denners and suppers at GeneraU Assemblies ; and when
uthers wer thairat, he wald abstein, and be about the penning of
things, (wherin he exceUit, bathe in langage and form of letter,)
and yit was nocht rustic nor auster, bot sweit and affable in com
panie, with a modest and naive6 graritie ; verie frugal! in fude and
reyment, and walked maist on fut ; whom I was verie glad to ac-
companie, whyUs to Sterling, and now and then to his kirk, for my
instruction and comfort. He lovit me exceiding weUl, and wald at
parting thrust my head in his bosome and Ms me.
He being weUl acquented with the practizes of Papists, namlie,
Jesuists, and thair devyces for subverting of the Kirk of Scotland,

1 Believe. Margin. 2 The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve. 3 Sanctuary.
Wakeful, taking little sleep. B Pains-taking. 6 Lively, natural. Fr. naif.

76 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1578.
bathe pubficfie and privatlie, ceassit nocht to cry and warn ministers
and schoUars to be diligent upon ther charges and buiks, to studie
the controversies, and to tak head they neglected nocht the tyme,
for ther wald be a Strang unseatt l of Papists. Also he was cear-
fuU to know the reUigion and affection of noble men, insinuating
him in thair companie in a wyse and- grave maner, and warning .
tham to be war of evUl companie, and nocht to send thair berns to
dangerus partes. And, finafie, Mr Andro and he, mervelousfie con-
spyring in purposes and judgments, war the first motioners of an
Anti-Seminarie to be erected in St Androis, to the Jesuist Semi
naries, for the course of Theologie ; and cessit "never, at Assemblies
and Court, tiU that wark was begoun and sett fordwart.
The GeneraU Assembfie convenit at Edinbruche, October 1578.
Therin the Noble men, frequentfie conveinit,2 war desyrit to aUow
of the Polecie of the Kirk by grait peanes and deliberation con
cludit ; and, as they haid accepted the right' and trew Confession
of the Christian Fathe, sa of the Discipline also drawin out of the
word of God. They accepted thairof, and promisit to meantein the
sam to ther powar, except in sa far as the King's Majestie and Coun
saU was nocht resolrit, namfie, of the Diaconerie. Thir Noble men
war the Erles of AthoU, ArgyU, Montrose, &c, wha haid drawin
the faction against the Regent Mortoun ; sa it pleasit God to work.
That yeir arryvit Monsieur d'Obignie from France, with instruc
tions and devysses from the Houss of Guise, and with manie
Frenche fasones and toyes ; and, in effect, with a plean course of
Papistrie, to subvert the esteat of the Kirk new planted, bathe with
trew doctrin and discipline. He brought with him an Monsieur
Mombirneau,3 a subtUl spreit, a mirrie feUow, verie able in bodie,
and maist meit in aU respects for bewitching of the youthe of a
1 Or unsaucht ; dispeace, trouble. 2 Numerously, assembled. 3 " Mr Nicol
Dalgles tauld me that this Monbirneu's mother was a verie godlie lady, and schew
grait curtessie to tham in France, at Burge in Berie, and warnit tham of M. Obig-
nie's sending in Scotland ; wherupon he maid advertisment to the ministers of Edin
bruche." Note by the author, inserted on margin of MS.

1579. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 77
Prince. They within few dayes insinuat tham selffs sa in favour of
the young King, that they gydit aU, brought in be Mortone's mis-
lykers, bot to the wrak bathe of him and thame. Under thair
winges crape in craftie feUowes, wha maid the Reformation of Rel-
ligion, and aU the guid service done for the King befor, to be bot
turbulent and treasonable deUing, &c. ; against the quhilk the
ministers of Edinbruche, lyk fathfull watchmen, maid loud and ty-

M.D.LXXIX.
The Assembfie convenit at Edinbruche in the New Kirk, July
1579. To convoy the mair craftelie and quyetlie the course in-
tendit, thair is presentit from his Majestie a Letter to the Assem
bfie, schawing his Hienes guid mynd towards the Kirk, and craving
the Heads of the Polecie to be presented to the Parliament instant,
to be past thairat. This was to concifiat the favour of the Kirk,
and mak Mortoun mair odius tUl they war stranger. Item, Bischopes
and Superintendents hailfie removit, and Commissioners from As
sembfie to Assembfie, in number sufficient for the haiU realm, acord-
ing to the severaU Provinces, placed in ther roum. The Bischopes
ther began to withdraw tham selves fra the Assemblies, and ordour
takin thairanent. The reformation of the Universitie of St Androis
intendit, and sutt maid to the King's Majestie thairanent. Presby
teries ordeanit to be erected, and that the Exerceises sould be as
Presbyteries in the mean tyme.
It was a maist pleasand and confortable thing to be present at
these Assembfies, thair was sic frequencie and reverence ; with hali-
nes in zeaU at the doctrine quhilk soundit mightelie, and the Ses-
siones at everie meiting, whar, efter ernest prayer, maters, war
gravlie and cleirfie proponit ; overtures maid be the wysest ; douttes
reasonit and discussit be the lernedest and maist quik ; and, finalie,
aU withe a voice concluding upon maters resolved and cleirit, and
referring things intricat and uncleired to farder advysment. Namlie,
it is to be noted, that in aU these Assembfies anent the Polecie,
ther was nocht sic a thing as a careing away of anie poinct with a

78 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1579.
number of vottes, an or ma, or by a preoccupied purpose or led
course ; bot maters indifferentfie proponit, and efter beging fight of
God, and sersing the Scripture by conference and reasoning dis-
cussit, with large and sufficient tyme taMn and difigentlie employed
for that effect, all with a voice, in an consent and unitie of mynd,
determines and concludes.
God glorified him self notablie with that ministerie of Edinbruche,
in these dayes. The men haid knawlage, uprightnes, and zeall;
they dwelt verie commodiuslie togidder, as in a CoUage, with a
wounderfuU consent in varietie of giftes, aU strak on a ' string and
soundet a harmonie. Jhone Dury was of small literature, bot haid
sein and marked the grait warks of God in the first Reformation,
and bein a doer bathe with toung and hand. He haid bein a dili
gent heirar of Mr Knox, and observer of aU his wayes. He con-
cearit the best grounds of maters weiU, and could utter tham fearlie,
fulfie, and fecfuUie, with a mightie spreit, voice, and action. The
speciaU gift I marked in him was halines, and a dayfie [and nightlie 2]
cearfuU, continuaU walking with God in meditation and prayer.
He was a verie guid faUow, and tuk delyt, as Ms speciaU comfort,
to haiff Ms table and houss filled with the best men. These he wald
gladfie heir, with tham confer and talk, professing he was bot a
buik-bearer,. and wald fean lern of thame ; and getting the ground
and light of knawlage m ame guid poinct, then wald he rejoyse in
God, praise and pray thairupon, and urge it with sa cleir and for
cible exhortation in Assemblies and pulpit, that he was estimed a
verie fordersum3 instrument. Ther ludgit in his house at aU these
Assembfies m Edinbruche, [for comoun,] Mr Andro MelviU, Mr
Thomas Smeton, Mr Alexander Arbuthnot, tMie of the lernedest
in Europe ; Mr James MelviU, my uncle, Mr James Balfour, David
Fergusone, David Home, ministers ; with sum zelus, godfie barrones
and gentUmen. In tyme of meaUes was reasoning upon gmd purposes,
namlie, maters in hand ; thairefter ernest and lang prayer ; thairefter a
chaptour read, and everie man about4 gaiff Ms not and observation
1 One. 2 Margin of MS. 3 Ready, active. * Alternately, one by one.

1579. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 79
thairof : Sa that giff aU haid bein sett down in wryt, I haiff hard the
lernedest and of best judgment say, they wald nocht haiff wissed a
fuUer and better commentar nor sum tymes wald faU out in that
exerceise. Thairefter was sung a Psahne ; efter the quhilk was con
ference and deliberation upon the purposes in hand ; and at night,
befor going to bed, ernest and zealus prayer, according to the esteat
and success of maters. And often tymes, yea, almost dayfie, aU
the CoUage was togidder in an or uther of thair housses ; for, befor
Mr James Lawsone and Mr Walter war maried, they war burdit
with Jhone Durie, and efter entring to thair awin housses, keipit
exceeding guid faUowscMpe togidder.
f Heir I man remember a singular benefit of God's providence and
government towards me. I was then m the floure of my age, about
a twa and twentie and tMie and twentie yeirs ; a young man nocht
unlovfie, and of nature verie loving and amorus, quhilk was the
proped schot of Sathan wharby to snare me, and spoUl the haiU
wark of God in me. Manie lovers haid I, and sum loves also ;
monie occasiones, m dyvers places and sortes of persones, and nocht
of inferior rank : Yit my guid God, of Ms frie grace and love to
wards me, a vean, vyU, corrupt youthe ; partfie by his fear wrought
in my heart, partfie by necessar occupation in my calling, and part
fie be a certean schamfastnes of a bashfuU nature, quhilk he pat in
me, sa keipit me that I was nocht overcome nor miscaried be na
woman, offensivfie to Ms Kirk, nor greivuslie to my conscience, in
blotting of my bodie. I markit befor the occasion I haid of lerning
to sing and play on instruments of music in St Androis, wharof
my hart was verie desirus, [bot from grait skUl, wherin God keipit
me ;] far graitter and sweittar haid I in Glasgw of a gentUman's
houss in the town, wha interteined maist expert singars and play-
ars, and brought upe aU Ms berns thairin, namfie, Ms eldest douchtar,
a verie pleasand gentUwoman, endewit with manie gmd verteus.
I haid everie yeir sum of tMs gentUman's sonnes my schoUars, and
be that occasion was hamlie in Ms houss, and maist loringlie and
hartlie interteined. Affection enterit verie extreamlie betwix that

80 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1580.
gentlewoman and me, bot as God and man bathe knew, honest and
cheast ; J yit sic as giff my God, and the cairfuU and fatherfie admo-
mtiones and conforts of my uncle, haid nocht supplied, it haid un
done me. Mame sear 2 battels and greivus tentatiounes 3 did my God
uphauld me in, and carie me tMow ; and at last put in my hart a pur
pose to seik and use that holie and lawfuU remeid of mariage ; and
thairin, namfie to respect a helpe and confort for that caUing wher-
unto I haid advowit my selff. Sa, be my hanting to the GeneraU
Assemblies in Edinbruche, and taMn with the godfie ordour and
exerceise in the familie of Jhone Durie, and with that cairfuU
waUdne with God I saw in him ; as also with sum appeirance of
God's fear and honestie I saw in the face and fasones4 of the bern,
being bot about aUeavin or twaU yeirs of age, I resolrit with my
God to settle my hart ther, tak hir for my love, and put aU uther
out of my hart : And tMs ahnost a four yeir befor our mariage.
M.D.LXXX.
The GeneraU Assembfie convenit at Dondie, July 1580, wharat
Mr James Lawsone was Moderator : The King's Commissionars
war ther. Ther Episcopatus was utterfie abofisched, and aU bruik-
and that office ordeanit to demit the sam, and with dew tryaU to
be receavit as pastors of particular congregationes de novo, and that
under pean of excomunication ; and the ProvinciaU Synods im-
mediatfie foUowing to put the act in execution. Item, Anent the
office of Reidars, that ther is nocht sic an office in the Kirk of God
as of simple reiding ; and, thairfor, aU Reidars to be tryed witMh
twa yeir, and giff they haiff nocht profited sa that they ar able to
exhort with doctrine, to be deposit ; and that nan sould be admit
ted, m tyme coming, to anie benefice that could do na mair bot reid.
Also manie delationes was maid of Papists that haid flocked hame
with and efter Monsieur d'Obigme, wha haid presence and credit
at Court ; wheranent the King's ministers, Mr Jhone Crage and'
Jhone Dunkanson, war admomsed.
1 Chaste. 2 Sore. ¦* Grievous trials. i Manners.

1580. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 81
At that Assembfie, Captan Robert Anstruther, father-brother to
the present Lard of Anstruther, wha haid spendit Ms haul lyff in
the warres in France, and haid atteined ther to honour and ritches,
moved of conscience, cam hame to end his lyff in his awm coun
trey, in the Reformed Kirk thairin ; and offerit Mm selff as a peni
tent to the said Assembfie, for being sa mame yeirs present at mess
with Ms maister, the Kmg of France, knawin the ydolatrie thairof,
and professing the trew religion in Ms hart. The Assemblie re
mitted him to the Synod of Fyff and Presbyterie of St Androis,
to be receavted in the favour of the Kirk, as he was the wmtar
thairefter ; and within a yeir died happelie, full of dayes. He was
a verie wyse and valiant man in armes, spendit aU Ms tmie m the
warres with grait honour, and yit haid the hape never to sched
blud with his awm hand, nor to haiff Ms blud schede. He left to
the pure of the congregation of KUrinny, whare he was born, and
whare he died, the soum of a thowsand marks.
That yeir was the King's first progress and promene athort l his
countrey, with solenmities of entress in mame of his Hienes'
brouches ;2 and amangs the rest of St Androis, whar we war for
that present come from Dondie with the supplication and articles
of the Assembfie, and keiping a dyet befor the CounsaU about
Alexander Cuninghame, in the mater mentioned befor. Whar, on
a day, the gentUmen of the countrey about haid a gyse and farce
to play befor the King : His Majestie was in the new Innes of the
Abay, befor the windowes wharof the schow was to be maid.
Grait confluence of peiple conveined, and the place read with a fear
circuit : It continowed void for the space of a lang houre, wither
that his Majestie was nocht readie to behauld, or the playars to
present tham selves, I can nocht teU, bot, whUl aU ar gasing and
langmg for the play, in stappes Schipper Lindsay, a knawin fre
netic man,3 and paesses4 upe and down m the circuit with a grait
gravetie, Ms hands in Ms syde, looking verie big and hiche. The
1 Athwart 2 Burghs. 3 A known madman. 4 Paces, struts.
F

82 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1580.
man was of a grait telyie,1 weUl bigged,2 of a large face, and guid
manlie countenance, all rouche with heire, his browes grait tuftes
of heire, and als grait a tuft upon the verie neb of his nease ; 3 Ms
look was verie reasit and Mche : Wherat first the peiple maid a
noyse with laucMng ; bot when he began to speak, he movit sic
attention as it haid bein to a preatcher ; and, indeid, for my part,
I was mair movit with it then with monie preatchings. Ther he
discoursit with grait force of sprit and mightie voice, crying upon
aU of aU ranks and degries to heir Mm, and tak exemple be him,
whow wicket and ryottous a man he haid bein ; what he had done
and conqueist be the sie, and whow he had spendit it, and abosit
him selff be land ; and what maist justfie for that the grait God
and Judge of the warld haid brought upon him. He haid wit, he
haid ritches, he haid strenthe and abifitie of body ; he haid fam
and estimation passing aU of Ms tread and rank ; bot aU was vamtie,
that maid Mm misken Ms God, wha wald nocht be miskenned,
namfie, be the hichest. And turning him sehT to the boss windo,
whar, in the nedmaist, the Erie of Morton was standing gnapping
on Ms staff-end, and the King and Monsieur d'Obigme above, he
makes sic application to him in speciaU as movit him throw the
hart, and was marveUus in the eares of the heirars : For my selff,
I was estonisched and movit to tears, heiring and seing the man.
Amangs the rest, he warned Mm, nocht obscurfie, that Ms judg
ment was neir, and his dome was dichten. And, indeid, the verie
sam tyme was the platt a dressin agamst the Erie of Morton, na
wayes knawin nor suspected of anie [in comoun.4] Sa, that the platt
leyers wald haiff suspected a discoverie, giff they haid nocht knawin
the man to be lunatik and bereft of Ms wit. I market the Erie,
standing just foment him, mikle movit with this first interlude, as
ernest and nocht play ; sa, that during aU the sportes that foUow-
ed, he altered never the gravitie of his countenance.
In the monethe of October immediatfie thairafter, the GeneraU
1 Stature. z Built. 3 Point of his nose. * Margin.

1580. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 83
Assemblie conveinet at Edinbruche. Ther Bischopes caUit upon ;
aU war fund absent. The actes maid against them ordeaMt to
be put in operation. Mr Andro Melvill, sear against Ms wiU, de-
cemit and ordeanit to transport him selff from Glasgw to St An
drois, to begine the wark of Theologie ther, with sic as he thought
meit to tak with Mm for that effect, conform to the leat reformation
of that Universitie, and the New CoUage thairof, giffen in be the
Kirk and past in Parfiament. Wharupon compulsators of horning
past out against Mm, and Mr Thomas Smeton ordeanit to be placed
in the CoUage of Glasgw in Ms roum.
[About tMs tyme rested happelie in the Lord Mr Jhone Row,
minister of St Jhonstoun, a wyse, grave father, and of gmd litera
ture, according to Ms tyme ; wha, be information of my uncle, Mr
Andro, haid first, in a GeneraU Assembfie, be doctrine, clerit aU the
Heads of the Discipline, to the grait contentation of the haiU Kirk ;
and thairefter continowit a constant promoter thairof to Ms end. J]
The vacans2 befor, and aU that yeir, I was resolved haiUelie to
haiff gean3 to France ; bot could na wayes obtein my uncle's guid
wUl, nor yit the guid breithring' s, whaes judgments I reverenced ;
yit I haid almost prevealed tUl this transportation was concludit.
And then, partfie moved with the lov and reverence of my uncle,
whom I could nocht leave, so ernestlie desyring me to tak a part of
that charge with him ; and partfie glad to be frie from the dayfie
labor of regehting in PhUosophie, to ascend to the profession and
dayfie traveU in Theologie, wherin I was blythe to spend my haul
lyff, I cast away that purpose of France, and tuk me haUlefie4 to
tak part with my uncle, namfie, finding the approbation of aU the
guid breithring and caMng of the Kirk to that purpose. Yit a
benefit, quhilk I haid of that purpose, to pass in France, was the
studie of the Frenche toung, wharto I was mikle giffen that yeir,
and wherin, to satisfie me, my uncle helped me graitfie, by confer
ring with me textes of Scripture ; also sum thing of the best au-
1 Margin of MS. 'Vacation. 3 Gone. 'Wholly.

84 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1580.
thors in the Frenche toung, as of Plutarche's Lyves and Heliodor's
Ethiopic Historie, conferring the Greik with the Frenche ; wherin
I profited m bathe, namfie, in the right pronunciation of the Frenche
langage, quhilk is hardest to attein unto. Be quhilk occasion I tuk
mikle delyt, and reade manie things in the Frenche langage.
We tuk leive from Glasgw with infinit teares on bathe sydes, sa
that sic as war our mislykers befor (wharof, except sum Boyds and
that Alexander Cuninghame, ther was nan) wald haiff fean kythed
frindscMpethen; and leaving Mr Thomas Smeton in the PrincipaU's,
and my cusing, Mr Patrik Melvill, (sone to guid Roger, wha leatfie
haid past Ms course in PhUosopMe ther,) in my roum, we cam to
Edinbruche about the end of November, whare I fand my bern1
growand in grace and favour with God and man, quhilk eased me
sum what of the langour of our frinds at Glasgw.
But the grait feir and cear quhilk was in my hart of my inhabili-
tie to undertak and bear out sa grait a charge as to profess Theo
logie and hofie tounges amangs ministers and maisters, namlie, in
that maist frequent 2 UMversitie of St Androis, amangs divers alterit
and displacit, and thairfor malcontents and mislykers, occupied me
sa, that I behorit to forget aU, and rin to my God and my buik.
Mr James Lawsone, Jhone Dury, with the Lards of Bread and
Faldownsyde, convoyit us to Londy, and so with the Lard thairof,
to St Androis, and enterit us in the CoUage in the monethe of De
cember 1580. Mr Andro, PrincipaU Maister, Mr Jhone Robert-
sone, wha haid bein lang in that CoUage befor, and haid studiet
sum thing in Theologie, a gmd weiU-conditionet man, but of small
literature and giftes, and me. Mr Andro maid Ms preface, and en
terit to the comoun places : So did I, and enterit to the Hebrew
Grammar. Mr Jhone did as he could in the New Testament ; bot
was supplied thairin be the PrincipaU, wha remitted na thing of his
wounted peanes.
At our first entrie, ther was a student chalmerit 3 abon a lafted

1 His future wife, the daughter of John Durie. See p. 80. 2 Numerously
attended. 3 Who resided or lodged in a chamber.

1580. MR JAMES MELVILL S DIARY. 85
leache seUer, J in the quhilk seUar wrights war working, and it was
full of dry timber and speaUes, 2 grait and smaU. The student coU
ing 3 his candle in a mornmg, the coU faUes tMow the laft, and
kendles the smaU speales lyand alangs a pleaning burde,4 and sa
athort the house. He comes out greitting and crying ; quhilk, my
chamber being nixt, I heir, and coming down with speid, lookes in
at a window, and sies aU the house athort in fyre, and the key of
the dure could nocht be gottin. Giff I haid a dammist sear hart,
God knowes, luiking for na thing bot the burning of the haiU place
at our first entrie, to the grait discourage and greiff of aU guid men,
and the joy of the wicked, and sic as heated 5 the wark. Wharfor,
crying mightUie to God in my hart, I with the auld portar presses
the breaking of the dur m vean ; bot it pleased God mercifullie to
luik on and pitie the mater, sending the wright boy with the key,
onluUdt for, and twa or thrie with water ; wherby we quenched the
fyre befor it tuk haid of the gests and lafting6 above ; and, indeid,
the houss being sa fuU of dry timber and speaUes, it was a wounder
to sie the fyre sa soone slokned ; 7 and that, quhUk I thought a spe
ciaU benefit, befor anie thing was hard thairof in the town, or noyse
maid thairabout : Bot it sank sa m my hart, that I could nocht for
get nor conceiU it, for danger of unthankfulnes to God, wha sa mer
cifullie keipit that wark from sMander and discuragment at the first
entres thairto.
Ther was nan that welcomde us mair than Mr Patrik Adamsone,
caUed Bischope, wha resorted to our lessones, and keiped verie fa
miliar frindscMpe with Mr Andro, promising what could ly in him
for the weUl of that wark. He haid takin him to the ministerie of
St Androis, and teatched twyse in the ouk exceiding sweitlie and
eloquentlie ; but tfie Sabothes, at efter noone, vaked, because of
Mr Robert HamUton's seikfines, wha was ordinar minister. And

1 A low cellar in the New College of St Andrews, having a " loft" for drying timber.
2 Carpenters' chips and shavings of wood. 3 Snuffing. 4 A carpenter's
planing-bench. 5 Hated. e Joists and lofting. 7 Quenched.

86 MR* JAMES melvill's diary. 1581.
thairfor, at the desyre of sum of the eldars of the kirk send from the
session, I occupied the pulpit on the Sabaths at efter noone ; lyk
as the PrincipaU did oftentymes in the fornoone, in absence of the
Bischope. Thus it pleased God, of unspeakable grace, to haid the
mouthe quhUk he haid opened, sounding Ms treuthe and praise,
quhilk was done with grait tentationes and mikle . trembling and
fear in the present tyme, bot now rememberit to the graittest joy
of my hart. And thus we war occupied aU the ouk in the schooUs,
and m the Kirk on the Sabothe ; quhilk -was my onfie releiff against
monie foofishe thoughts and langmssing cears, and held me fast upon
my God, with ernest wakryffnes, : to beg Ms grace.
Ther was twa things that dayfie sterrit me upe to thankftdnes
towards God, and ernest endevour in my calling. That an, when
I lewked upon sic as haid bein maisters and regents when I was a
schoUar, now to be receavers of instruction out of my mouthe,
saying oft with David, " Thou has maid me wysar nor my teatch-
ers." Another, I saw a condisciple of myne, mentioned befor,
Mr David Efison be name, wha was the best schoUar of Ms class aU
the tyme of our course, and going to France with the Clark Re
gister sonnes, ther he faUes in a phrenesie and daffing, 2 quhilk keipit
him to his deathe ; whom, when I beheld out of the pulpit in the
scholles, and rememberit the mercifuU working of my God with
mie, my breist could nocht contein my breathe nor my eis teares.
Then I had the honour, of Him to whome aU honour aperteines, to
be the teatcher of Mr Robert RoUoc, of most worthie memorie, the
Hebrew toung, wha resorted ordinarfie to my lessone and chalmer
to that effect.
M.D.LXXXI.
The GeneraU Assemblie conveined at Glasgw in ApryU, 1581,
wherat, throw distance of place, and the new beginning of our wark
in St Androis, Mr Andro thought lang nocht to be ; bot at last,
borrowing a guid horse from the Bischope, aff-hand takes jorney and
1 Wakefulness, watchfulness. ! Lunacy and idiotcy.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 87
keipes that Assemblie. Therin the office of Bischopes, as they war
mentioned, judged damnable. The Act of Dondie cleirfiar exponit,
and ordeamt to be put in execution. The ordour of Presbyteries,
in aU Provinces, sett down ; and Commissionars apointed for estab-
lissing of the sam. [The King's Confession, published for removing
suspition of Papistrie from the Court, sighted ' and aUowit. This
Confession is maist notable ; bot because it is publict and comoun
in the housses and hands of aU, I have omitted it.2] Bot, namlie, the
Buik of the Polecie, efter almaist a ten yeirs labours, was throwlie,
and in everie poinct, ratified, and ordeanit to be inregistrat in the
buiks of the Assembfie, and copies thairof given furthe to aU Pro
vinces. The quhUk, because this declymng age is beginning to
forget and sfipe fra, I thought guid to msert in this place, wharof
the tenor foUowes : —

THE HEADS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE POLECIE
OF THE KIRK, M.D.LXXXI.

CAP. I.
Of The Kirk 'and Polecie therof, in general!; and wherin it is different
from The Civill Polecie.
I. CONCLUSION.
" Proposition 1. The Kirk of God is, sum tymes, larglie tean3
for aU them that professes the EvangeU of Jesus CMyst ; and sa it
is a companie and feUowschipe, nocht onfie of the godfie, bot also
of hypocrites professing alwayes, outwardfie, a trew reUigion.
" 2. Uther tymes, it is taken for the godfie and elect onlie ; and
sum tymes for them wha exerceises the spirituaU functiones amangs
the Congregation of them that professes the treuthe.
1 Examined, inspected. 2 This on margin of MS. ' Takon.

88 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
" 3. The Kirk, in the last sence, has a certean powar granted be
God, according to the quhilk it uses a propre Jurisdiction and Go
vernment exercit to the comfort of the haul Kirk.
" 4. TMs powar Ecclesiastical is a powar and authoritie granted
be God the Father, tMow the Mediator, Jesus Chryst, unto sic
wha hes the speciaU government of the Kirk committed to them,
be lawfuU caMng, according to the Word of God.
" 5. The Polecie of the Kirk, flowing from this powar, is an ordour
or form of SpirituaU Government, exercit be the members apointed
thairto be the Word of God, giffen be CMyst unto his Office-bearers,
to be usit for the weUl of the haUl bodie of Ms Kirk.
" 6. This powar is diversfie usit; for sum tymes it is severafie1
exercit, (cheiflie be the teatchers,) sum tyme conjunctfie, be mutuall
consent of them that bears the office and charge, efter the form of
judgment : That an is comounfie caMt Potestas Ordinis ; that uther,
Potestas Jwisdictionis.
11 7. These twa kynds of powar hes bathe a author and ground,
and a finaU cause, bot ar different in the form' and maner of execu
tion ; as is evident in the speaMng of our Maister in the 16 and 18
ofMathew. " 8. TMs powar and Polecie EcclesiasticaU is different and distant
in the awin nature fra that powar and Polecie quhilk is caUet
CiriU, aperteinand to the CiriU Government of the Comoun-weUl ;
albeit they be bathe of God, and tend to a2 end, giff they be rightfie
usit ; to wit, to advance the glore of God, and to haiff guid subjects.
"9. For this powar Ecclesiastical flowes immediatlie from God,
throw the Mediator, Jesus Chryst, and is spirituaU, nocht haiffing
a temporaU head on erthe, bot3 onfie Chryst, the spirituaU King and
Governour of Ms Kirk, now in glorie witMn the heavines, at the
right hand of Ms Father.
" 10. Therfor, this powar and Polecie of the Kirk sould lein upon
the Word immediatlie, as the onfie ground thairof, and sould be
takin from the pure fonteans of the Scripture ; heiring the voice of
1 Separately. s One. 3 Unless, except.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 89
Chryst, the onfie King of Ms Kirk ; and therfor sche sould be
rewlit be Ms lawes aUeanerfie.
" 11. It is a tytle falslie usurpit be Antichryst, to call him selff
Head of the Kirk, and aught nocht to be attributit to angell or
man, of what esteat soever he be, saving to CMyst Jesus, the onfie
Head and Monarche of Ms Kirk.
" 12. It is proper to Mngs, princes, and magistrates, to be caMt
Lords andDominators ower thair subjects, whom they govern cirilie ;
bot it is proper to Chryst alean to be caMt Lord and Maister in the
spirituaU government of the Kirk. Nor aught anie that bears office
thairin to usurpe domiMon, or be caMt Lords within the Kirk, bot
onfie ministers, disciples, and servants ; for it is CMyst's propre
office to command and reull Ms Kirk UmversaU, and everie particu
lar Kirk, tMow his Spreit and Word be the ministerie of men.
"13. Nocht withstanding, as the mmisters and uthers of the Ec-
clesiasticaU esteat ar subject to the magistrat cirilie, sa aught the
persone of the magistrat to the Kirk spirituafie, and in Ecclesiasti-
caU government and discipfine.
" 14. The exerceise of bathe thir Jurisdictiones can nocht stand
in a persone ordinarfie.
"15. The civUl powar is caMt The Powar of the Sword ; the uther
is caMt The Powar of the Keyes.
" 16. The ciriU powar sould command the spirituaU to exerceise
and do thair office according to the Word of God. The spirituaU
reulars sould require the Christian magistrat to minister justice and
punishe vyce, and to meantem the fibertie and quietnes of the Kirk
withm thair boundes.
"17. The magistrat commandit externaU tMngs for externaU
peace and quietnes amangs the subjects. The mmistrie handlit on
lie externaU tMngs for conscience cause.
" 18. The magistrats handlit onlie externaU tMngs and actiones
don befor men ; bot the spirituaU rewlars judge bathe inwart affec
tiones and externaU actiones, in respect of conscience, be the Word
of God.
"19. The civiU magistrat craves and gettes obedience be the

90 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
eworde, and uther externaU meanes ; bot the ministrie, be the
spirituaU sword and meanes.
" 20. The magistrat nather aught to pretche the Word, minister
the Sacraments, nor execut the Censours of the Kirk, nor yit pre-
scryve ame form or reuU whow it sould be done, bot command the
minister to observe the reuU commandit in the Word of God, and
punishe the transgressours be civiU meanes. The minister, on the
uther part, exerces nocht the civUl jurisdiction, but teatches the
magistrat whow it sould be done according to the Word of God.
"21. The magistrat aught to assist, meantein, and fortifie the
Jurisdiction of the Kirk. The minister sould assist thair prince in
aU things aggreiable unto the Word of God, provyding they neglect
nocht thair awin charge, be involring them selves in ciriU effeares.
" 22. Finafie, As ministers ar subject to the judgment and punis-
ment of the magistrats in externaU things, if they offend ; sa aught
the magistrates to submit them selves to the discipline of the Kirk,
if they transgress in maters of religion and conscience.

CAP. II.
Of the Parts of the Polecie of the Kirk, and Persons and Office-bearers,
to whome the Administration therofis committed.
" 1. As in the CivUl Polecie, the whoU comoun-weUl consistes in
the governours or magistrats, and sic as ar govemit or subjects ; sa,
in the Polecie of the Kirk, sum ar apointed to be reulars, and the
rest of the members thairof to be reuled and obey according to the
Word of God and inspiration of Ms Spreit, alwayes under that an
Head and Governour, CMyst Jesus.
"2. Again, the haul Polecie of the Kirk consistes in thir things : —
In Doctrine, in Discipfine, and in Distribution. With Doctrine
annexit the administration of the Sacraments.
" 3. And according to the partes of this division arysethe a thrie-
fauld sort of Official's in the Kirk ; to wit, of Ministers or Preach-

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 91
ours ; of Eldars or Governours ; and of Deacones or Distributars.
And' aU these may be caUed be a generaU word, Ministers of the
Kirk. " 4. For albeit the Kirks of God be reuled and governed be Jesus
CMyst, wha is the onfie King, Hie-priest, and Head thairof ; yit he
uses the mimsterie of men, as a maist necessarie midds1 for his
purpose. " 5. For sa he hes, from tyme to tyme, befor the Law, under the
Law, and in the tyme of the EvangeU, for our grait comfort, reased
upe men indeued with the gifts of the Spreit, for the spirituaU go
vernment of Ms Kirk, for the exerceising and bearing of his awin
powar, tMow the Spirit and Word, to the buUdmg of the sam.
"6. And to tak away aU occasion of tyranme, He wiU that they
sould reweU, with mutuaU consent of breithring and asqualitie, everie
an according to thair functiones.
" 7. In the New Testament and tyme of the EvangeU, he hes usit
the mimsterie of the Apostles, Prophetes, Evangefists, Pastors, and
Doctors, in administration of the Word ; the EldarsMp for guid
ordour and admimstration of discipline, and the Deaconschipe to
have cure of the Kirk gmddes.
" 8. Sum of thir EcclesiasticaU functiones ar Ordinar, and sum
Extraordinar or TemporaU.
" 9. The Office of Apostles, Evangelists, and Prophetes, ar nocht
perpetuaU ; bot, serring for the first plantmg of the Kirk, now haiff
ceassit, except when it pleasethe God extraordinarlie to steire upe
sum of tham for a tyme agame.
" 10. Ther ar four Ordmar functiones, or Offices, in the Kirk of
God : The Office of the Pastor, Minister, or Bischope ; the Office
of Doctor ; of the Presbyter or Eldar ; and of the Deacon.
"11. Thir offices are ordinar, and aught to continow perpetuafie
in the Kirk, as necessarie for the Government and Polecie of the
sam ; and na ma2 offices aught to be receavit or sufferit in the trew
Kirk of God establissed according to his Word.
1 Means, medium. 5 No more.

92 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
" 12. Therfor, aU the ambitius tytUles inventit in the Kingdome
of Antichryst, and in his usurped HierarcMe, quhilk ar nocht of
thir sortes, togidder with the offices depending therupon, in a word,
aught to be rejected.

CAP. III.
Whow The Persons that be in Ecclesiasticall Offices ar admitted to
thair Functions.
" 1. Vocation or Calling is comoun to aU that sould bear Office
within the Kirk, quhilk is a lawfuU way, be the quhUk qualefiet
persones ar permitted to ame SpirituaU Office witMn the Kirk of
God. " 2. Without tMs lawful! caMng it was never leisome to anie per
sone to middle with ame function ecclesiasticaU.
" 3. Ther is twa sortes of calling ; ane Extraordinar, immediatlie
be God, as wer the Prophets and Apostles ; quhilk, m Kirks estab-
fissed, and alreadie weUl reformed, hes na place.
" 4. That uther caMng is Ordinar, quhilk, besyde the caUing of
God, and inwart testimonie of guid conscience, hes the lawfuU ap
probation and outward judgment of men according to God's Word
and ordour estabfissed in Ms Kirk.
" 5. Nan aught to presume to enter in anie EcclesiasticaU Office
without he haiff tMs gmd testhnonie of conscience befor God, wha
onfie knawes the harts of men.
" 6. TMs ordmar and outward caMng hes twa partes : Election and
Ordmation. " 7. Election is the chusmg out of a persone or persones maist
habUl1 to that office that veakes,2 be the judgment of the Elderschipe
and consent of the Congregation wherunto the persone or persones
ar to be apointed.
1 Fit, proper. Lat. habilis. 2 Becomes vacant.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 93
" 8. The Qualities m generaU requisit in aU them wha sould bear
charge in the Kirk, consistes m soundnes of religion and godfines
of lyff, according as they ar sufficientlie sett furthe m the Word.
" 9. In this ordour of Election is to be eschewit, that na persone
be intrusit m ame of the offices of the Kirk against the wUl of the
Congregation over quhilk they ar to be apointed, or without the vot
of the ElderscMpe.
" 10. Nan aught to be mtrudit or put m the places alreadie plant
ed, nor m anie roum that veakes, for anie warldfie respect. And that
quhilk is caUed the Benefice, sould be nathing els bot the Stipend
of the Minister wha is lawfuUie caUed and elected.
"11. Ordination is the separation and sanctefeing of the persone
elected to God and Ms Kirk, efter he be weUl tryed and fund quafifiet.
" 12. The Ceremonies of Ordmation ar, Fasting, Prayer, and Im
position of the hands of the ElderscMpe.
" 13. AU thir, as they ar ordinat of God, and maid able be him for
the wark wherunto they ar fimited within God's word, sa aught they
nocht to pas the bounds thairof.
" 14. AU these Office-bearers sould haiff ther awin particular flocks,
whom amangs they exerceise thair charge ; and sould mak residence
with tham, and tak the mspection and oversight of tham, everie ane
in Ms vocation. And, generafie, thir twa tMngs aught they aU to
respect ; the glorie of God, and edifeing of his Kirk, in discharging
the dewties in ther caMng.

CAP. IV.
Of The Office-bearers in particular ; and, first, Of The Pastor or
Minister.
" 1. Pastors, or Bischops, or Mimsters, ar they wha ar apointed to
particular Congregationes and Kirks, quhUk they reuU be the Word
of God, and ower the quhUk they watche. In respect wharof, sum
tymes they are caUed Pastors, for feiding of thair flocks ; sum tym

94 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
ixiexoiroi, or Bischopes, because they watche over the Congregation ;
sum tym Ministers, be reasone of thair service and office ; sum
tyme also Presbyters, or Semores, or Eldars, for thair age, graritie,
and maners, quhilk they aught to haiff, m taMng care of the spiri
tuaU government that aught to be maist deir unto tham.
" 2. They that ar caUed to the ministerie, or that offer tham
selves thairunto, aught nocht to be elected without a certean flocke
be assigned unto tham.
. "3. No man aught to mgyre ' Mm selff, or usurpe tMs office, with
out a lawfuU caMng.
" 4. They wha ar annes 2 caMt be God, and dewfie elected be
man, efter that they haiff annes accepted the charge of the mini
sterie, may nocht leave thair function.
" 5. The desertours sould be admonisched, and, m case of obsti-
nacie, finalie excommunicat.
" 6. Na Pastor may leave his flock without license of the Provin-
ciaU or NationaU Assembfie ; giff he do utherwayes, efter admoni
tion nocht obeyit, let the censours of the Kirk strik upon him.
" 7. Unto Pastors of the Kirk aperteines the teatcMng of the
Word of God, in seasone and out of seasone, pubfictlie and privat
lie ; alwayes teatcMng to edifie and discharge of his conscience be
God's Word prescryrit to Mm.
"8. Unto the Pastors onlie aperteines the Admmistration of the
Sacraments, in lyk maner as of the Word ; for bathe ar apointed
be God as meanes to teatche us, that an be the eir, that uther be
the ei and uther senses ; that by baithe knawlage may be trans
ferrin to the mynd.
" 9. It aperteines, be the sam reason, to the Pastor to pray for the
peiple ; and, namlie, for the flock committed to Ms charge, and to
bliss tham in the nam of the Lord, wha wiU nocht suffer the bless
ing of his fathfuU servands to be without effect.
" 10. He aught to watche above the maners of Ms flock, that he
may the better apply to tham, in rebuking dissolut persones, and
1 To insinuate himself into the office by artful means. 2 Once.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 95
exhorting the godfie to continow in holmes and the feir of the
Lord. "11. It apperteines to the Mimster, efter lawfuU proceiding be
the Elderschipe, to pronunce the sentence of binding and lowsing
upon anie persone, according to The Powar of the Keyes granted
to the Kirk.
" 12. Itbelangesto him, in lyk wayes, efter lawfuU proceiding of
the ElderscMpe, to solemnize the band of Mariage, and bliss the
persones joynet thairin.
" 13. And generafie aU denunciationes that ar to be maid in the
Kirk, befor the Congregation, concerning EcclesiasticaU effeares,
belanges to the office of the ministerie ; for he is the mouthe, mes-
smger, and herauld of God, betwix him and his peiple, in all these
effeares. CAP. v.
Of Doctors and thair Office, and of The Scholles.
" 1. Ane of the twa ordmar and perpetuaU functiones that traveUes
in the Word,- is the office of a Doctor, wha may also be caUed a
Prophet, Bischope, Eldar, or Catechisar, that is, a teatcher of the
Catechisme and Rudiments of Religion.
" 2. His office is to opm upe the mynd of the Spreit of God with
in the Scriptures, simplie without sic application as the Minister
uses, to that end that the fatMuU may be instructed in the right
warrands of halsome doctrine ; and that the puritie thairof may
abyde in the Kirk, uncorrupted be ignorance and evUl opiniones.
" 3. He is different from the Pastor, nocht onlie in name bot in
diversitie of giftes : For, to the Doctor is giffen the word of knaw
lage, to open upe, be simple doctrine, the mysteries of fathe ; to
the Pastor the gift of wisdome, to apply the sam, be exhortation,
to the maners of the flocks, as occasion servit.
" 4. Under the name and office of a Doctor we comprehend the
ordour of Scholes in CoUages and Universities ; quhilk hes bein

96 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
meanteined carftdfie, alsweiU amang the Jewes and Christianes as
profane nationes.
" 5. The Doctor, being an Eldar, as said is, sould assist the
Pastor m the government of the Kirk, and concure with the El
dars, his breithring, m aU Assemblies ; be reasone the mterpreta-
tion of the Word, quhilk is onfie judge in EcclesiasticaU maters, is
committed to his charge.
" 6. Bot to preatche unto the peiple, to mmister the Sacraments,
and to celebrat mariage, perteines nocht to the Doctor, unles he
be utherwayes caUit ordmarfie ; whowbeit, the Pastor may teatche
in the SchoUes as he wha hes the gift of knawlage, oftentymes meit
thairfor, as the exemple of Policarpus and uthers does testifie.

CAP. VT.
Of The Eldars and thair Office.
" 1. The nam of Eldar, m the Scripture, is sumtyme the nam of
age, and sumtyme of office.
"2. When it is the nam of Office, sumtyme it is taken largfie;
comprehendmg alsweM the Pastors and Doctors, as tham wha ar
comounfie caMt Seniors or Eldars.
"3. In tMs our division, we caU those Eldars whom the Apostle
tytUles Presidents or Governours.
" 4. Thair office, as it is ordinar, sa it is perpetuaU, and alwayes
necessar in the. Kirk of God.
" 5. The EldarscMpe is a spirituaU function as the mimsterie.
" 6. Eldars annes caUed to the office lawfuMe, and haiffing the
gifts of God meit to exerceise the sam, may nocht leave it againe.
" 7. Albeit sic a nomber of Eldars may be schosm in certean Con
gregationes, that an part of them may releive an uther, for a rea
sonable space ; as was amangs the Levites, under the law, in serv-
mg of the Temple.
" 8. The number of Eldars in everie Congregation can nocht be

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 97
limitat, bot suld be accordmg to the bounds and necessitie of the
peiple. " 9. It is nocht necessar that aU the Eldars be also teatchars of
the Word ; albeit, cheiflie, they aught to be sic, and sa worthie of
double honnour.
" 10. What maner of persones they aught to be, we referre it to
the express Word, namlie, the Canons wrytten be the Apostles.
" 11. Thair office is also, severafie as conjunctlie, to watche dM-
gentfie upon the flock committed to thair charge, bathe pubfictlie
and privatlie, that na corruption of reMgion or maners enter thairin.
" 12. As the Pastors and Doctors sould be dMgent in sawmg the
seid of the Word, sa sould the Eldars be cairfuU in seUring the
fruitt of the sam amangs the peiple.
" 13. It aperteines to tham to assist the Pastors, m examination
of them that comes to the Lord's Table, and m risitMg of the seik.
" 14. They sould be cairfuU to cause the Actes of the Assembfie,
alsweiU particular as prorinciaU, or generaU, to be put in execution.
" 15. They sould be dMgent m admonismg aU men of thair dewtie,
according to the reuU of the EvangeU.
"16. TMngs that can nocht be corrected be privie admonition,
they sould bring and deleat to the ElderscMpe.
" 17. Thair principaU office is to hauld Assemblies with the Pas
tors and Doctors, wha ar also of thair nomber, for estabfissmg of
gmd ordour and execution of discipline. Unto the quhilk Assem
blie aU men ar subject that remeanes witMn thair bounds.

CAP. VII.
Of Eldarschips, Assemblies, and of Discipline.
" 1. ElderscMpes or Assembfies ar constitut of Pastors, Doctors,
and Eldars, that labour nocht m the Word ; of whom, and of whase
severaU powar, has bem spoken.
" 2. Assemblies ar of four sortes ; for ather ar they of particular G

98 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
Kirks and Congregationnes, an or ma, ather of a Prorince, ather
of a haiU Nation, or of aU and smdrie Nationes, professing Jesus
Chryst. "3. AU EcclesiasticaU Assemblies hes powar to convem lawfuUie
togidder, for treating of things concerning the Kirk and thair charge.
" 4. They haiff powar tUl apomt tymes and places to that effect,
and a l Assemblie to appoint dyet, tyme, and place for an other.
" 5. In aU Assembfies a Moderator sould be chosin, be comoun con
sent of the haUl breithring convemt ; wha sould pray, propone
maters, put in reasomng, gather the vottes, and keipe the Assembfie
in gmd ordour.
" 6. Tent2 sould be tean3 be the Moderator, that onfie Ecclesiasti
caU maters be handlit in Assembfies ; and na meMng4 with anie
thing perteining to the CivUl Jurisdiction.
" 7. Everie Assembfie hes powar to send furthe from them a nom
ber, an or ma, Visitors to sie whow maters ar handlit in the bounds
of thair Jurisdiction.
" 8. Visitation of ma Kirks is na orcfinar office EcclesiasticaU in
the persone of a man ; nather may the name of a Bischope be at
tributit to the visitour onfie; nather is it necessar to abyde al
wayes in the persone of a man, bot it is the part of the ElderscMpe
to send out qualefiet persones to riseit.
" 9. The finaU end of aU Assembfies is, first to keipe the ReMgion
and doctrin in puretie, without errour and corruption ; nixt, to
keipe comfie and guid ordour m tfie Kirk.
" 10. For tMs ordour's cause they may mak certean reuUes and
constitutions aperteimng to the guid behaviour of aU the members
of the Kirk, m thair Visitation.
"11. They haiff powar also tUl6 abofishe and abrogat aU statutes
and ordmances concerning EcclesiasticaU maters that ar fund noy-
sum or unprofitable, and aggrie nocht with the tyme, or abbused be
the peiple.
" 12. They haiff powar tUl execut EcclesiasticaU Discipfine and
1 One. 2 Heed. 3 Taken. * Meddling, interfering. " To.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 99
punisment upon aU transgressours and proude contemners of aU
guid ordour and Polecie of the Kirk : And sa the haul discipfine is
in thair hands.
" 13. The first kynd and sort of Assembfies, albeit they be within
particular Congregationes, yit they exerceise the powar and Juris
diction of the Kirk with mutuaU consent, and thairfor bears the nam
of the Kirk.
" 14. When we speak of particular Congregationes, we mem nocht
that everie particular paroche-Mrk can, or may, haiff thair awin
particular ElderscMpe speciafie to landwart ; bot we think tMe,
four, ma or fewar, particular Kirks may haiff a comoun ElderscMpe
unto tham aU to judge m EcclesiasticaU causses.
" 15. Albeit it is meit that sum of the Eldars be chosm out of
everie particular Congregation, to concur with the rest of thair
breithring m the comoun Assemblie, and to tak upe the delationes
of offences within ther awin Kirks, and bring tham thairto.
" 16. This we gather of the practise of The Primitive Kirk, whar
Eldars, or CoUages of Semors, war constitut m cities and famous
places. " 17. The powar of the particular ElderscMpe is to giff diligent
laboures m the boundes committed to thair charge, that the Kirks
be keipit in gMd ordour, to inquyre dUigentfie of naughtie and un-
godfie persones, to traveU to bring tham in the way againe, be ad
monition, tMetnmg of God's judgments, or be correction of censours.
" 18. It appertemes to the ElderscMpe to tak heid that the Word
of God be purlie teatched witMn thair bounds, and Sacraments
dewfie mmistrat, the Discipfine menteined, and the EcclesiasticaU
gmds uncorruptfie distribut.
" 19. It belanges to tMs kynd of Assembfies to cause the ordon-
nances maid be the Provincialles, NationaU and GeneraU, to be
keipit and put m execution.
" 20. To mak Constitutiones concerning r6 irgtmv in the Kirk, for
decent ordour of the particular Kirks whar they govern, provyding
they alter na rewles maid be the Provinciall or GeneraU Assemblies.
And that they mak the ProvincinU Assemblies rculles to sie as they

1^0 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
sail mak; and abofishe constitutiones tendmg to the hurt of the
sam. "21. It hes powar to Excommunicat the obstmat.
" 22. The powar of Election of tham wha beares EcclesiasticaU
charges, perteines to tMs kynd of Assemblie withm thair awin
bounds, bemg weM erected and constitut of Pastors and Doctors of
sufficient abMtie.
" 23. Be ElderscMpe, or Presbyterie, is memed sic as ar constitut
of Pastors, Doctors, and sic as ar now caUed Eldars.
" 24. Be the lyk reasone, thair Deposition apertemes also to this
kynd of Assembfie, as of tham that teatche erromus doctrin and cor
rupt ; that be of sklanderus lyff, and efter admonition, amend nocht;
that ar giffen to scMsme or rebeMon agamst the Kirk ; to blasphemie
manifest ; to symonie, and aU corruption of brybes, falshode, per-
jurie, hurdom, thift, drunkennes, flyting, feghting, worthie of pun-
isment be the law ; usurie, dansing, and sic dissolutiones and
crymes that importes ciriU infamie ; and aU uthers that deserves
separation fra the Kirk.
"25. These also, wha ar fund altogidder insufficient to execut thair
charges, sould be deposit ; wharof uther Kirks wald be advertised
that they receave nocht the persones deposit.
" 26. Albeit they aught nocht to be deposed, wha, tMow age,
seiknes, or uther accidents, becomes unmeit to do thair office ; m the
quhilk cais, thair honour sould remean unto tham, thair Kirks sould
meantein tham, and uthers aught to be provydit to do thair office.
"27. ProvmciaU Assemblies we caU lawfuU Conventiones of the
"Pastors, Doctors, and Eldars of an Prorince, gathered for the
comoun effeares of the Kirk thairof; quhilk also may be caMt The
Conference of Kirks and Breithring.
" 28. Thir Assembfies ar constitut for weghtie maters, necessar to
be intreated be mutuaU consent and assent of Breithring witMn that
province, as neid requyres.
" 29. This Assemblie hes powar to handle, order, and redress all
things committed or done amiss in the particular Assemblies or
Presbyteries.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 101
" 30. It hes powar to depose the Office-bearers of that Province,
for gmd and just causses, deserring deprivation.
" 31. And, generafie, thir Assembfies hes the haM powar of the
particular Elderschippes wherof they ar coUected.
" 32. An NationaU Assemblie (quhUk is our GeneraU of tMs
realm) is a lawfuU Convention of the Kirks of that haiU realme or
nation, whar it is usit to be gadderit for the comoun effeares of the
Kirk ; and may be caMt The GeneraU ElderscMpe of The Haul
Kirk withm the Realme.
" 33. Nan ar subject to repeare ' to this Assembfie to vot2 thairin,
but EcclesiasticaU persones, m sic number as salbe thought gmd be
the sam Assemblie ; nocht excluding uther persones that wUl re
peare to the said Assembfie, and ther propone, heir, and reasone
ordourlie.3 " 34. TMs Assembfie is constitut, that tMngs omitted or done
amiss m the ProvmciaU Assembfies may be redressit ; and tMngs
generafie serring for the weUl of the haUl body of the Kirk, in that
realme, may be forsem, mtreated, and sett furthe to God's glorie.
" 35. It saU cair that Kirkes be planted m places whar they ar
nocht. " 36. It sould prescryve the reuU who the uther twa kynd of
Assembfies sould proceid in aU things.
"37. TMs Assembfie. sould tak heid that the SpirituaU Jurisdic^
tion and CivM be nocht confoundit, to the hurt of the Kirk.
" 38. That the Patrimonie of the Kirk be nocht dmunisched nor
abbusit. " 39. And, generafie, concerning aU weghtie effeares quhilks con-
cernes the weM and gMd ordour of The Kirk UmversaU of this
reahn, it aught to interpon Mr authoritie thairunto.
1 Repair. * Vote. 3 It is of course to be understood^ that although this
privilege was so liberally granted, yet such persons who were neither Members nqr
Commissioners had not the power of voting in the affairs brought under the consider^
ation of the Assembly.

102 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.

CAP. VIII.
Of The Deacones and thair Office ; the last Ordinar Function in the
Kirk.
" 1. The word Deacon is sum tyme largfie taMn ; comprehending
aU them that bear office in the mmistrie and spirituaU function of
the Kirk.
" 2. Bot now, as we speik, it is tean1 onlie for tham to whom the
coUection, and distribution, of the ahnes of the fathfuU and of the
Kirk gmds does belang.
" 3. The office of the Deacon, so taMn, is an ordour and perpetuaU
EcclesiasticaU function in the Kirk of CMyst.
" 4. Of what properties and beauties he aught to be that is caUed
to this function, we remit to the manifest Scripture.
" 5. The Deacon aught to be elected and caUed as the rest of the
SpirituaU Officiars, as was spoken of befor.
" 6. Thair Office and powar is to coUect and distribut the haUl
EcclesiasticaU gmds unto tham to whom they ar apomted.
" 7. TMs they aught to do according to the judgment and apoint-
ment of the Presbyteries and EldarscMps, of the quhilks the Dea
cones ar nocht ; that the patrimome of the Kirk and pure 2 be nocht
interverted3 to privat men's uses, nor wrangfuMe distributed.

CAP. IX.
Of The Patrimonie of The Kirk, and Distribution thairof.
"1. Be The Patrimome of the Kirk, we mem whatsumever thing
has bem at ame tyme befor, or salbe m tyme coming, doted4 and
given, or be consent and umversaU custom of countreyes professing
1 Taken, understood. 2 Poor. 3 Perverted, misapplied. * Endowed,
gifted by legal deed or latter-will, &c. Lat. dotare.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 103
CMistian religion, apointed to the publict use and utilitie of the
Kirk. "2. Sa that under tMs Patrimome we comprehend, first, aU tMngs
gerin, or to be gerin, to the Kirk and service of God ; as lands,
bigings, possessiones, annualrents, and aU sic lyk wherwith the
Kirk is dotted, ather be donation, fundation, or mortification, or
anie uther lawfuU tytles, be Mngs, princes, or anie inferiour per
sones, given to God and Ms Kirk, with the continuaU oblationes of
the fathfuU.
" 3. We comprehend also aU sic tMngs, as be Lawes, Custome, or
use of Countreyes, hes bem applyed to the use and utUitie of the
Kirk ; of the quhilk sort ar the Teinds, smaU and grait, Manses,
Gleibs, and sic lyk ; quhilk, by comoun and mumcipaU lawes and
umversaU custome, ar possessed be the Kirk.
"4. To tak away oMe thing of tMs Patrimome be unlawfuU meanes,
and convert it to the particular and profean use of ame man, we
haid it a detestable sacrilege befor God.
" 5. The gMds EcclesiasticaU aught to be coUected and distribut
be the Deacones, as the Word of God apoints ; that they wha bears
office m the Kirk may be provydit for, without cear and soMcitude.
" 6. In the ApostoficaU Eirk, the Deacones war apointed to dis
tribut whatsoever was coUected of the fathfuU to the necessitie of
the samcts, sa that nan laMt amangs them.
" 7. These Deacones was nocht onfie coUectors of that quhilk was
gathered m maner of Almes, (as sum suppose,) bot of uthers gMds
movable and unmovable, of lands and possessiones, the pryce wherof
was brought and leyit at the feit of the Apostles.
" 8. This office continowed m the Deacones' hands, wha intro-
meated with the haM gMds of the Kirk, ay wMU the esteat thairof
was corrupted be that Antichryst, as the ancient Canones does
witness. " 9. The sam Canones makes mention of a four-fauld distribution
of the Patrimonie of the Kirk ; wharof a part was apomted for the
Pastors or Bischopes, for thair sustentation and hospitalitie ; the
second to the Eldars and Deacones, and all the Clargie ; the thride

104 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
to the Pure,1 Seik persones, and Strangers ; the fourt for the Fabric
and uphauld of the Kirks, and uther effeares, namfie, extraordinar.
" 10. We add heir unto the SchoUes and Scholmaisters, quhilk may
be weUl sustemed of the sam gmds, and ar comprehendit under the
Clargie ; to whom we joyne the Clerks of the Assembfies, alsweiU
Particular as GeneraU, Syndics or Procurators of the Kirk's effeares,
Takers upe of the Psahne,2 with sic lyk uther Ordinar Offices of the
Kirk, sa far as they ar necessar.

CAP. x.
Of The Office of a Christian Magistrat.
" 1. Albeit aU the members of the Kirk be haldm, everie an in
thair vocation, to advance the Kmgdome of Jesus Chryst, sa far as
lyes m thair powar ; yit> cheiflie and namfie, Christian Princes,
Kings, and Magistrates, ar haukfin to do the sam.
"2. For they ar caMt mthe Scriptures, Nurishars of the Kirk, forsa-
mUde as be tham, (at least aught to be,) meantened, fosterit, uphauld-
in, and defendit against aU that wald procure the hurt of the sam.
"3, Sa it apertemes to the office of a Christian Magistrat tUl assist
and fortefie the godfie proceidmgs of the Kirk in aU behalffs ; and,
namlie, to sie that the publict esteat and ministerie thairof be mean-
temed and sustemed as apertemes, conform to the Word of God.
"4. To sie that the Kirk of God be nocht mvadit nor hurt be false
teatchers, or hyrfings, nor the roumes thairof occupied be dum dogges
and ydle-beMes.
" 5.' To assist and meantem the Discipfijie of the Kirk, and punishe
tham civUlie that wUl nocht obey the censures of the sam ; without
confounding, alwayes, the an Jurisdiction with the uther.
" 6. To sie that sufficient provision be maid for the Ministerie,
SchoUes, and Pure ; and giff they haiff nocht sufficient for avating3
1 Poor. 2 Now termed Precentors. 3 Awaiting.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 105
on thair charges to support thair indigences, even with thair awin
rentes, giff neid sa requyre.
" 7. To hauld hand to them alsweiU concerning thair awin per
sones, saveing tham from opm injurie and violence, as concerning
thair rentes and possessiones, that they be nocht defraudit, rabbet,1
nor spoUed thairof.
" 8. Nocht to suffer the Patrimonie of the Kirk to be applyedto
profean and unlawfufi usses, or to be devorit be ydle-beMes, and sic
as haiff na lawfuU function m the Kirk, to the hurt of the Ministerie,
SchoUes, and Pure,2 and uther godfie usses, wfierupon the saming
aught to be bestowit.
"9. To mak Lawes and Constitutiones aggreiable to God's Word,
for the advansment of the Kirk, and Polecie of the sam ; without
usurping upon ame thmg nocht pertemmg to The CivM Sword, but
belangmg to the offices that ar mere Ecclesiastical, as is the Mini
sterie of the Word and Sacraments, using of EcclesiasticaU Disci
pfine and spirituaU execution thairof, or anie part of the powar of
The SpirituaU Keyes, quhUk our Maister gafiT to his Apostles and
thair trew successours.
" 10. And altho Kings and Princes, that be godfie, sum tymes be
thair awm authoritie, (when the Kirk is corrupted, and aU tMngs
out of ordour,) place Mmisters and restore the trew service of the
Lord, efter exemple of sum godfie Kings in Juda, (the quhUk they
did be direction of Prophets,) and divers godfie Kings and Em-
perours, in the light of the GospeU ; yit whar the Mmisterie of the
Kirk is annes3 lawfuMe mstitut, and they that ar placed in offices
lawfuMe caMt, then aU godfie Princes and Magistrates aught to heir
and obey thair voice, and reverence the Majestie of the Sone of
God, be them speakand.
1 Robbed. 2 Poor. 3 Once.

106 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.

CAP. XI.
Of The present Abluses remeaning in The Kirk, quhilk we desyre to
be Reformed.
" 1. It is the dewtie of the godfie Magistrat to meantem the pre
sent fibertie, quhilk God, of his mercie, hes granted to the Pretch-
mg of the Word, and the right Administration of the Sacraments
witMn tMs realm ; sa it is to provyd that aU Abbuses, quhilk as yit
remeanes witMn the Kirk, be remorit and utterly taMn away.
" 2. Therfor, first, the A dmission of men to PapisticaU Benefices,
sic as serves nocht, nor hes na function m the Reformed Kirk of
Chryst, as Abates, Comendators, Pryores, Pryoresses, and uther
tytles of Abbayes, whase places ar now, for the maist part, be the
judgment of God, demolisfied and purgit of Idolatrie, is plean ab-
busion, and is nocht to receave the Kingdome of God in Chryst
amangs us, bot rather to refusa it.
" 3. Sic lyk they that war called of aMd the Chaptours and Con
vents of Abbayes, CathedraU Kirks, and lyk places, serve for na
thmg now, but to sett Fewes and Takes 1 (if ame thmg be left) of
the Kirk-lands and temdes, m hurt and prejudice thairof, as dayfie
experience teatches ; and thairfor aught to beTaUuterfie 2 alterit and
abolished. " 4. Of the lyk nature ar the Deacones, Archdeacones, Chantors,
Thesaurars, ChanceUours, and uthers haiffand the lyk tytle flowand
from the Pape and Canon Law onfie, quhilk hes na place m a Re
formed Kirk.
" 5. Mikle les is it lawfuU that persones, amangs thir men, haiff
fyfteen, saxteen, twentie, or ma Kirks, aU haiffing charge of sauUes,
and bruik the patrfinome thairof, ather be admission of the Prince,
or of the Kirk, m tMs fight of the EvangeU; for it is bot mocage3
to crave reformation whar sic lyk hes place.
1 Tacks, leases. 5 Entirely, altogether. " Mockery.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 107
" 6. And albeit it was thought guid for avoiding of graitter incon-
venients, that aMd possessours of sic benefices wha embrassit The
Religion, sould enjoy, be permission, tie twa part of the rentes
quhilk they possessit of befor, during thair lyff tyme ; yit it is nocht
tolerable to contmow m the lyk abuse, and giff thair places and uther
benefices of new to als unmeit men, or rather unmeittar, wha ar
nocht myndit to serve in the Kirk, bot leive an ydle lyff, as the
uthers did wha bruiked them in tym of blmdnes.
" 7. And m sa far as in the ordour tean at Leithe, anno 1571, it
appeirs that sic may be admitted, being fund qualefiet, &c, ather
that pretendit ordour is agamst aU gMd ordour, or els it man be un-
derstud nocht of tham that be qualefied to worldfie effeares to serve
in the Court, bot sic as ar qualefiet to teatche God's Word, haMing
the lawfuU Admission of the Kirk.
" 8. As to the Bischope, if the nam sirigxoiros be properlie taMn,
they ar aU an with Ministers, as we befor declarit ; for it is nocht
a name of Superioritie and LordscMpe, bot of Office and Watch
ing- " 9. Yit because m the corruption of the Kirk tMs nam, as uthers,
hes bem abbusit, and yit is lyk to be, we can nocht aUow this fachion
of chusmg of Bischopes, nather of the Chaptours that ar electores of
tham, to sic a sort of office as they ar chosme.
" 10. The trew Bischopes sould addict tham selves to a particular
flok, quhilk sindrie of tham refuses ; nather sould they usurpe lord-
schipe ower thair breithring and inheritance of CMyste, as these
men do.
"11. Pastors, m sa far as they ar Pastors, hes nocht the office of
Visitation of ma Kirks joyned to the PastorscMpe, without it be
giffen to tham.
" 12. It is a corruption that Bischopes soMd haiff fordar boundes
to visit nor they may, possiblie, or lawfuMe.
"13. Na man aught to haiff the office of Visitation, bot he that is
lawfuUie chosine by the Presbyterie thairunto.
" 14. The ElderscMpe, being weUl estabfissed, hes powar to send
out Visitors, an or ma, with commission to visit the bounds within

108 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
thair Elderschipe ; and sic lyk, efter compt tean1 of tham, ather to
contmow or remove them, as the Presbyterie tMnks meit, to the
quhilk they salbe alwayes subject.
" 15. The TemporaU Jurisdiction, joyMt m the person of a Pastor,
is corruption. " 16. It agreis nocht with the Word of God, that a Bischope sould
be a Pastor of Pastores of mame flockes, and yit without a flock
certean, and without ordinar teatcMng.
"17. It agreis nocht with the Scriptures, that they sould be ex-
ehned 2 fra correction of thair Breither, and Discipfine of the parti
cular ElderscMpe of the Kirk whar they sould serve ; nather that
they sould usurpe office of Visitation of uther Kirks, nor anie uther
function besyde uther Ministers, bot sa far as beis committed to tham
be the Kirk.
" 18. Heirfor, we desyre the Bischopes that now ar, ather to aggrie
to that ordour that God's Word requyres of tham, and as the Gene
raU Kirk wUl prescryve unto tham, nocht passMg the bounds, nather
m Ecclesiastical nor CiriU effeares, or els to be deposit from anie
function of the Kirk.
" 19. We deny nocht, m the nieantynie, bot MMisters soMd assist
thair Prince, when they ar requyrit, m aU tMngs aggreiable to the
Word and thair caMng, wMther it be at CounsaU, Parfiament, or
utherwayes ; provyding, that they nather neglect thair awm charges,
nor, be flaterie of Princes, hurt the publict esteat of the Kirk.
" 20. Bot, generafie we say, na persone, under whatsoever tytle of
the Kirk, and speciafie the abbusit tytUles of Papistrie, as Prelattes,
Convents, and Chapters, aught tUl 3 attempt ame act m the Kirk's
name, ather m CounsaU, Parfiament, or without, haiffand na Com
mission of The Reformed Kirk witMn tMs reahne.
"21. And be Act of Parliament, it is provydit, that the Papistical
Kirk and Jurisdiction sould haiff na place witMn the sam ; and na
Bischope, nor uther Prelat, in tyme coming, sould use anie Juris
diction flowing fra that authoritie.
i Taken. - Excepted, exempted. Lat. eximere. 3 To.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 109
" 22. And agam, that na uther EcclesiasticaU Jurisdiction sould
be acknawlagit witMn tMs realm, bot that quhilk is and salbe with-
m The Reformed Kirk, and flowing thairfra.
" 23. Sa we estehn holcfing of Chaptours, m PapisticaU maner, ather
m CathedraU Kirks, CoUages, or uther ConventuaU places, usurpmg
the nam and authoritie of the Kirk, to hurt the patrimome thairof,
or use onie uther act to the prejudice of the sam, sen the yeir of our
Lord 1560, to be abbusion and corruption, contrair the libertie of
the Kirk Reformed of Jesus CMyst, and lawes of this realme ; and
thairfor aught to be annuMt and reducit, and in tymes coming aU-
uterlie1 dischargit.
" 24. The dependances also of tMs PapisticaU Jurisdiction ar to be
abolished, of the quhilk sort ar the mingled Jurisdiction of the
Commissars, in sa far as they meU 2 with EcclesiasticaU maters, and
hahTna commission of the Kirk thairto ; but war erected in the tyme
of our Soverame Lord's mother, when tMngs war out of order. It
is an absurd thmg, that smdrie of tham, haiffing na function of the
Kirk, soMd be Judges to Ministers, and depose tham from thair
roumes. 3 Therfor, they wald ather be dischargit from Ecclesiasti
caU maters, and ame meffing thairwith, or it wald be limitat to tham
m what maters they might be Judges, and nocht hurt the libertie
of the Kirk.
" 25. They, also, that war befor the EcclesiasticaU esteat in the
Pape's Kirk, or that ar admitted of new to PapisticaU tytiUes, and
now ar toleratit be the Lawes of tMs Reahne, to place the twa
part of thair EcclesiasticaU rents, aught nocht to haiff anie fordar
libertie bot to intromet with the portion assignet and granted to
tham for thair lyff tyme ; and nocht, under the abbusit tytles quhilk
they hade, dispone the Kirk rents, sett takes and fewes thairof at
thair pleasour, to the wrak of the Kirk, and of the pure laborars
that dweU upon the Kirk-lands, contrair to aU guid conscience and
ordour. 1 Wholly, altogether. 2 Meddle, interfere with. 3 Places, situations.

110 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.

CAP. xn.
Certean Speciall Heids of Reformation craved.
" 1. Whatsoever hes bem spoken of the Offices of the Kirk, the
severaU powar of the Office-bearers, thair conjunct powar also ;
and last, of the patrimome of the Kirk, we understand it to be the
right reformation that God craves at our hands, that the Kirk be
ordourit thairto, as with that ordour quhilk is maist aggreiable unto
the Word of God.
• "2. Bot because sum tMngs wUbe twitched, in particular, anent
the esteat of the countrey, and that quhilk we seik principalie to
be reformed m the sam, we haiff coUected tham m thir heids fol
lowing' : —
" 3. First, seemg the haul countrey is devydit in Provinces, and
thir Prorinces agam ar devydit m Paroches, 1 alsweiU to bruche as
land,2 and in everie parocMne a reasonable Congregation, ther wald
be placed an or ma3 Pastors to feid the floks, and na Pastor or Mini
ster to be burdeamt with particular charge of ma flocks or Kirks
then an alleanerlie.
" 4. And because it wUbe thought hard to find out Pastors to all
the Paroche-Mrks of the reahne, alsweM to landwart as m townes,
we flunk, be the a 'vyse of sic as commission may be giffen to be
the Kirk, and the Prince, Paroches m landwart or smaU vUlages
may be joyned twa or thrie, or ma m sum places togidder, and the
principaU and maist commodius Kirks to stand and be repearit suf-
ficientfie, and qualefiet Mmisters placed thairat ; and the uther Kirks
nocht fund necessarie sufferit to decay, thair kirk-yeards alwayes
bemg keipit for buriaU-places ; and in sum places, whar neid re-
quyres, ane parocMne, whar the Congregation is ower grait, may
be devydit in twa or ma.
"5. Doctors wald be apointed in Universities, CoUages, and uther
1 Parishes. 2 As well burgh as landward. 3 One or more,

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. Ill
places neidful, and sufficientlie provydit for, to open upe the mein-
ing of the Scriptures, and to haiff the charge of sauUes, and to
teatche the rudiments of reMgion.
" 6. As to the Eldars, ther wald be sum to be censors of the maners,
ane or ma, in everie Congregation ; but nocht an Assembfie of
Eldars in everie particMar Kirk, but in towns onfie and famous
places, whar resort of men of judgment and abUitie, to that effect
may be haid ; whar the Eldars of particular Kirks about may con-
veM togidder, and haiff comoun EldarscMpe and Assembfie place
amangs them, to treat of aU tMngs that concernes the congregationes
ower whom they haiff the owersight.
" 7. And as ther au^ht to be man apointed to umt and devyde
the paroches as necessitie and commoditie requyres, sa wald ther
be apomted.be The GeneraU Kirk, with the assent of the Prince,
sic men as feires God, and knew the esteat of countries, that war
able to denommat and assmge 1 the places whar the Assembfies of
particular ElderscMps soMd convein, taking consideration of the
Dioceises as they war devydit of auld, and of the esteat of the
countries and Provinces of the realme.
"8. Lykwayes, as concernmg ProrinciaU or SynodaU Assem
bfies, consideration war alswa to be haid, whow mame and m what
places they war to be haulcfin, and whow often they sould convem,
aught to be reserrit to the libertie of The GeneraU Kirk, and or
dour to be apomted thairin.
"9. The NationaU Assemblies of tMs countrey, caMt comounly
the GeneraU Assemblies, aught alwayes to be reteined in thair awin
libertie, and haiff thair awin place ; with powar to the Kirk to
apoint tyme and places convement thairfor. And all men, alsweM
magistrats as mferiours, to be subject to the judgment of the sam,
in EcclesiasticaU causses, without anie reclamation or appeUation 2 to
ame Judge, Civill or EcclesiasticaU, within this realme.
" 10. The libertie of Election of EcclesiasticaU persones caMt to
bear function in the Kirk, obserrit without interrupted continow-
1 Assign. 2 Without reclaiming or right of appeal to another tribunal.

112 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
ance unto the corruption of AnticMyst, we desyre to be restored
and retemed witMn this reahn ; sa that nan be mtrusit x upon anie
Congregation, ather be Prince or ame mferiour persone, without law
fuU Election and consent of the peiple ower whome the persone is
to be placed ; as the practise of the ApostoficaU Primitive Kirk,
and aU gMd reasone and ordour, craves.
"11. And because tMs Ordour, quMUs God's Word and aU guid
reasone craves, can nocht stand with Patronages and Presentationes
to Benefices, usit in the Pape's Kirk, we desyre aU sic as trewfie
feires God earnestfie to consider, That forsamilde as the names of
Patronages and Benefices, togidder with the effect thairof, flowed
from the Pape and closit of the Canon Law, wharby unmeit and
corrupt persones ar intrusit and placed in Kirks haiffand curam ani-
marum ; and forsanukle as that maner of proceiding hes na ground
in the Word of God, bot repugnes flatlie to the saming,2 ower-
thrawing the ordour and libertie of Election, they aught nocht to
haiff place in the fight of Reformation ; and, thairfor, whasoever
wiU trewfie embrace God's Word, and desyre the Kmgdome of his
Sone, Jesus Chryst, to be advanced, they wiU also embrace and re
ceave the Polecie and ordour quhUk the wiU of God and upright
esteat of his Kirk craves : Utherwayes, it is m vean that they haiff
professed the GospeU.
"12. Nochtwithstandmg, as concerning uther Benefices and Pa
tronages thairof, that hes nocht curam animarum, sic as ar these
Altarages, Prebends foundit on temporaU lands, Annuels, and sic
lyk, may be reservit to the ancient Patrones to dispone thairupon,
when they veak,3 to SchoUars and Bursares, as they ar requyred
be Act of Parliament.
" 13. As to the Kirk-rents m generaU, we desyre that ordour to
be admitted and meanteined amangs us that may stand with the
sinceritie of God's Word, and practise of the Kirk of Chryst.
" 14. To wit, that was befor spoMn, the haM Rent and Patrimo-
nie of the Kirk, (exceptmg smaU Patronages befor mentioned,)
1 Intruded. 2 Is flatly repugnant to^the same. 3 Fall vacant. Lat. vacare.
2

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 113
may be devydit in four portiones : Ane thairof to be assigned to
the Pastor, for his mtertemment and hospitafitie : Ane uther to
the Eldars, Deacones, and uther Ofliciars of the Kirk, sic as Clarks
of Assembfies, Takers upe of the Psalmes, Beddels, and Kirk-mais-
ters and keipars, sa far as they ar necessar ; joynmg m speciaU
maner the Doctores and SchoUes, that thair ancient foundationes
may be helped whar neid requyres : The thrid portion to be be
stowit upon the Pure members of the fathfuU, and HospitaUs : The
fourt and last, for Reparation of the Kirks, and uther extraordmar
charges as ar profitable for the Kirk, as also for the comoun weUl,
as grait need saU requyre.
" 15. We desyre, thairfor, the EcclesiasticaU gMds to be uplifted
and distributed fathfuMe to whom they apertem, and that be the
mimsterie of the Deacones, to the quhilk office properfie tfie col
lection and distribution thairof belanges ; that the Pure may be an
swerit of thair portion thairof, and they of the Mmisterie left with
out care and soMcitude ; as also the rest of the treassours of the
Kirk may be reserrit and bestowit on the right uses.
" 16. Giff these Deacones be elected with sic qualeties as God's
Word craves to be m tham, ther is na feir that they saU abbuse
tham selves m thair office, as the profean CoUectors did of befor ;
yit because that tMs vocation appeires to mame to be dangerus, let
tham be obfist, as they war of auld, to a yeirfie compt to the Pas
tors and EldarscMpe ; and iff the Kirk and Prince think expedient,
let cautioners be obfist for thair fidelitie, that the Kirk-rents na
way be delapidat.
" 17. And to the effect tMs ordour may tak place, it is to be pro-
vydit that aU uther mtromeittours with the Kirk-rents, CoUector
generaU or speciaU, wMther it be be apomtment of the Prince or
utherwayes, may be dischargit of fordar intromission thairwith ;
and suffer the Kirk-rents, M tyme coming, to be haUefie mtrometit
with be the mmisterie of the Deacons, and distributit to the usses
befor mentioned. And also to the effect, that the EcclesiasticaU
rents may suffice to those usses for the quhilk they ar apointed, we
think it necessar to be desyrit that afienationnes, setting of fewes
H

114 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
or taks of the rents of the Kirk, alsweiU landes as teindes, to the
hurt and dMunution of the auld rentaUes, be reducit and annullit,
and the Patrimome of the Kirk restorit to the auld mtegritie. In
lyk maner, that the Temds, m tyme coming, be sett to nane hot to
the laborars of the ground, or els nocht sett at aU, as it was aggrejt
upon and subscryvit be the NobMtie, m the First BMk of Discipline,
anno 1560.

cap. xni.
The Utilitie that sail follow, of this Reformation, to all Esteattes.
" 1. Semg the end of tMs SpirituaU Government and Polecie,
wharof we speik, is that God may be glorified, the Kingdome of
Chryst Jesus advancit, and aU they that ar of Ms mysticall body
may five peacebfie m conscience : Therfor, we dar bauldfie affirm,
that aU sic wha hes trew respect to these ends wM, erin for con
science' cause, glaidfie agrie and conform them selves to tMs ordour,
and advance the sam sa mikle as lyes m them ; that, thair con
science bemg sett at rest, they may be repfimshed with spirituaU
gladnes, m dewtifuU obedience to that quhUk God's Word and the
testhnome of thair awm conscience does crave, and refusmg aU cor
ruption contrare unto the sam.
" 2. Nixt, we saU becom an exemple and patron l of gMd and god-
lie order to uther Nationnes, Countries, and Kirks professmg the
sam Religion with us ; that as they haiff glorified God m continow-
mg m the sinceritie of the Word Mtherto, without all errours, praise
be to that grait Keippar ! so they may haiff the lyk occasion, in our
conversation, when, as we conform our selves to that Discipfine,
Polecie, and gMd Order, quhilk the sam Word and puritie of Re
formation craves at our hands. Utherwayes, that feirfuU sentence
salbe justfie said and sein : " The servand that knaws the wU of
Ms Maister and does it nocht, salbe beatm with manie wMpps."2
' Pattern. 2 Shall be beaten with many stripes or strokes.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 115
"3. Mairower, giff we haiff ame pitie or respect to the Pure l mem
bers of Chryst, wha sa graitfie increas and nmltiplie amangs us, we
wUl nocht suffer tham to be lang defraudit of that part of the Pa
trimome of the Kirk quhilk justfie belangs unto tham. And be
tMs order, giff it be dewfie put M execution, the burding of tham
salbe takin af us, to our grait comfort ; the streites salbe cleingit 2
from the orymg and murmuring of them ; as we salbe na mair a
sklander to uther nationes as we Mthertiles3 haiff been, for nocht
taMn ordour with our Pure, and causmg of the Word quhilk we
profes to be evM spoMn off, giffing occasion of sklander to the ene
mies, and offendmg the conscience of the simple and godfie.
" 4. Besyd tMs, it salbe a grait ease and commoditie to the comoun
peiple, M releivmg of thair burdmgs, and uphauldmg thair Kirks
for thair Mstmction and sauUes' helthe, and residence of God
amangs tham ; as also for the saiftie of thair bodies, in biging and
haMdmg upe of briggs4 and uther publict warks, for the comfines
and polecie of the countrey ; also ane ease to the laborars of the
ground, M peyment of thair temds, and aU uther tMngs wherinto
they haiff bein MthertUs riguruslie handlit be these fals caMt
Kirk-men, thair taksmen, sutters, and extortioners.
" 5. FMalie, to the King's Majestie and haul Comoun-weM, tMs
profit saU redounde, that the curse of sacrilage, (quhilk wounder-
ftdfie eates upe and consumes aU that auld luk and we'lthe m the
patrimome of his croun and rents, gMd and gear of aU his leiges,)
bemg remorit, the Lord sail bliss aU, in sic sort as thair salbe na
want, bot plentie and store of all gMd tMngs. The Lord wU open
the hearines, the erthe and sie saU giff thair meres, and aU salbe
satisfeit with aboundance. And when the orcfinar necessarie ef-
fares of the Kirk, SchoUes, and Pure, ar satisfeit, the superplus
being coUectit and put m the tMeasors of the Kirk, may be profit-
ablie imployed and liberafie bestowit upon the extraordinar support
of the effeares of the Prince and Comoun-weUl, and specialie of that
part of the Kirk-rents quhilk is apomted for the Reparation of the
Kirks and fabric thairof.
1 Poor. 2 Cleansed. 3 Hitherto.

116 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
" 6. Sa we conclud, aU being willing to apply tham selves to tMs
Order, the peiple suffering tham selves to be rewfit thairby, the
Prince and Magistrats tham selves nocht being exehnit ;s and they
wha ar placed m EcclesiasticaU esteat, rightfie rewfing and govern-
mg, God salbe glorifiet, the Kirk ascfifiet, the bounds thairof inlargit,
CMyst Jesus and Ms Kingdom sett upe, Sathan and Ms subvertit,
and God saU dweU m the middes of us, to furnise aU gMd and keipe
from aU eviU, M Ms Sone, the Lord Jesus ; wha, with thair Eternall
Sprit, abyds hofie and blessed for ever. Amen."
ENDS THE CONCLUSIONS OP THE POLECIE.

In the yeir 1580, m the wmtar, brak out a notable effect of
Monsieur d'Obignie's course and commg m Scotland. For the
King, sittmg at CounsaU a day with Ms nobles, amangs the quhilk
the Erie of Mortoun last Regent was, in comes Captean James
Stewart, a brother of the house of OchUtrie, advancit M creadit of
Court be D'Obigme, and maid Captean of the King's Gard, quhilk
of new was then tean upe,2 and faMn down on Ms knies, accused
the Erie of Mortone of Me treasone : Wharupon the said Erie was
Mcontinent committed to warde M the Castle of Edmbruche ; the
Erie of Angus, Ms cusing, chargit to ward benorthe Tay, with cer
tean cheUT men of that nam. And thairefter Mortoun was trans
ported from Edmbruche to Dumbartane, whar he remeaned tui the
monethe of May. In the mean tyme, Ms landes and gear war dis
ponit to Monsieur Obigme, maid and called, then, Due of Lennox ;
sa of a noble and ritche prince as ever governde in Scotland, he be
cam a pure prisoner, wha skarsfie haid to fumise his necessitie. In
the monethe of May he was brought tUl Edmbruche, and keipe in
Robm Gurlayes house, with a band of men of wear ; and the verie
> Exempted, excepted. Lat. eximere. 2 Taken up, established.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 117
dayes of Ms puting to assyse and execution, I hapned to be ther in
Edinbruche, and hard and saw the notablest exemple, bathe of God's
judgment and mercie, that to my knawlage ever feU out M my tyme.
For m that Tolbuthe, whar oftentymes, during Ms government, he
haid wrysted and tMowm ' judgment, partfie for gean,2 wharto he
was gem,3 and partfie for particMar favour, was Ms judgment over-
tMowm ; and he, wha above ame Scotsman haid maist gear, frind-
scMpe, and clientell,4 haid nan to speak a word for Mm that day,
bot the graittest part of Ms assysars bemg his knawin unfrernds,8
he was condamned to be headit on a sMaffaMd ; and that head,
quhilk was sa wittie m warldfie effeares and polecie, and haid com
mandit with sic authoritie and digmtie witMn that town and judg
ment-seat, to be sett upe on a prik6 upon the Mchest stane of the
geaveU7 of the Tolbuthe, that is towards the publict streit. Tfie
quhUk sentence, in my sight, was put M execution upon the morne.
But, m grait mercie, when the Lord haid stryped him naked and
bear of aU these tMngs vrirldfie, and of a cable maid a twynde thride
to go M at the narow ei of that neidle, he gaiff him, efter unfemyit
repentance, sic fathe and assurance of Ms favour M Chryst, that he
maist magnanimusfie contemned insMting of enemies, bewafing of
frinds, aU warldfie dignitie, ritches and pleasures, and tuk Mm with
his CMyst, be deathe, to owercom and gett the croun of lyff. The
Mmisters war at Mm that mght of his condemnation, and the morn
befor he was brought out ; whom he satisfeit verie weM, be juste-
femg God, Ms Word and ministerie thairof, and acknawlegmg Ms
smnes ; bot na art nor part of the King's father's murdour wherfor
he was condenmit. Jhone Durie and Mr Jhone Daridsone, whom
he haid hardfie usit, the an for Ms pretcMng, the uther for Ms buik
against the four kirks, cam to Mm, of whom he cravit pardone ; and
wha taried with him, and was maist movit for Ms ceas.8 He keipit
the sam countenance, gestour, and schort sententius form of langage
upon the skaffalde, quhilk he usit M his princfie government. He
' Wrested and twisted, or perverted. 2 Gain. 3 Given. * Clients, followers.
5 His known or avowed enemies. c Spike, spear's-point. ' Gable. 8 Case
condition.

118 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
spak, led about and urgit be the commanders at the four newkes '
of the skaffald ; bot efter that ance he haid verie fectfiufie2 and
gravefie uttered, at gMd lamthe, that quhilk he haid to speak, thair
efter almaist he altered nocht thir words : " It is for my smnes that
God has justlie brought me to this place ; for gif I haid servit my
God als trewfie as I did my King, I haid nocht com heir ! Bot as
for that I am condem'd for be men, I am mnocent, as God knaws.
Pray for me." AU men and peiple of aU rankes bewalit Ms deathe
exceidmglie,. except onfie they wha haid particMar hatred against
Mm ; for Papistrie durst nocht be hard of in his dayes of govern
ment, and the land Mjoyed never graitter peace and plentie. I
coMd wreit mikle mair of my heiring, semg, and knawlage, anent
tMs mater and the tMngs that foUowed, ghTmy purpose war to wrait
the storie of drill effeares in our tyme ; but that nocht being, I con
tent to haiff recordit the wark of God, quhilk I saw with my eis,
and hard with my eares ; for the quhuk I could nocht bot at my
returning to St Androis glorifie God, be rehersaU thairof M opin
audience from pulpit.
That yeir, 1581, the GeneraU Assembfie convemt, in October, at
Edmbruche ; in the quhilk, certean breither war apointed to con-
sMt whow the Parfiament soMd nocht mleak3 the SpirituaU Esteat,
Bischopes being removit. To the quhUk deliberation the Assem
bfie was dryven unto be Curt ; the grait gydar wharof, the Due
of Lennox, by GMsian counsaU and direction, nocht daring put at
reMgion pleanfie, pressit the restoring of the esteat of Bischopes,
and haid latfie intrusit Mr Robert Montgumerie in the Bischoprik
of Glasgw, without aU ordour of the Kirk, pleno jure principis,
(quhilk vexit the BreitMing of Glasgw wounderfollie, sa that I wat
nocht whow mame score of dyettes they war compeMt to keipe in
that earend.) The Breithring apomted be the Assembfie retumes
thair advyse M that mater ; the quhilk bemg cpnsidderit be the As
sembfie, aU M a voice determmes, Tfiat concermng vot m Parlia-
1 Corners, angles. * Powerfully. 3 Want, be deficient in.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 119
ment, and using of CiriU and CriminaU Jurisdiction, Commissioners
soMd be directed from tyme to tyme from the GeneraU Assemblies
to the Parliaments, to discharge the Kirkes dewtie, and do for the
sam in aU Mr effeares. And the heritable BaUyies of Regalities
sould use aU things pertemmg to the jurisdiction of civUl andcrimi-
naU causses.
The Ministers of Edinbruche aU this whyU was maist fathfuMe
and wacryflie ' gming the warmng to aU, anent the cours and prac
tise of Papists ; and, thairfor, at tMs Assembfie, Mr Walter Bal-
canquaU was accmsit be the Court, sedfrustra.
At that tyme it was a pitie to sie sa wefll a brought upe Prince
tM Ms bernhead2 was past, to be sa miserabfie corrupted in the
entress of Ms springaU3 age, bathe with smistrus and fals mforma-
tion of aU proceidmgs in Ms minoritie, and with eriU and maist
dangerus grundes and principaUes m government of Kirk and
Comoun-weM. Then was he maid to thmk warst of the best men
that ever serrit m tMs Kirk and Countrey ; to thmk the haM maner
of Reformation of Religion to haiff bem done be a pririe faction,
turbulentfie and treasonablie ; to suspect the noble men and haul
ministerie that stude for the cause of Religion and Ms croun against
his mother's faction ; yea, to tak course against them, and put at
tham as Ms unfrinds.4 Amangs the rest, Captan James5 put the
opmion of absolut powar M Ms Majestie's head ; whom, M sa domg,
I can compear to nane sa weM as to PMlomelus, the Captean of
the Phocenses, wha being about a maist sacrilegius purpose to
owertMaw and spMyie the Kirk of Delphus, and cut out of the
pMars thairof the decreits of the AmpMctions, whase sacrat judg
ment governed the comoun-weUl of aU Greice, and sa to subvert
bathe religion and polecie, he compeMt the PytMan preist to go
upe on the Tripos, to giff him a response. The woman, urgit vio-
lentfie, sayes, " Yow may do what yow will." The quhilk wourds
PMlomelus gripped at, and taried na langer for the oracle, but gaiff

1 Wakefully, watchfully. 2 Infancy, childhood. 3 Stripling. ' Enemies.
5 Stewart.

120 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
out amangs Ms armie, and to aU, that he haid gottm a plean licence
of ApoUo to do what he wald.1 Sic lyk Mr Patrik Adamsone,
Bischope of St Androis,- a grait counseUour m these dayes, amangs
manie uther eriU grounds wharof we wM heir heirefter, mculcat
tMs : " That a Christian KMg soMd be the cheif governour of the
Kirk, and behorit to have Bischops under Mm, to haid aU in order,
conform to antiqMte and maist flurissmg esteat of the Christian
Kirk under the best Emperour, Constantme. And that the dis
cipfine of the Kirk of Scotland coMd nocht stand with a frie king-
dome and monarcMe, sic as was Ms Majestie's m Scotland," &c.
Mutche lyk Bischope Caiphas, wha thought that CMyst's Mngdome
and the Roman hnpyre coMd nocht stand togidder : Or Herod, wha
heiring that Chryst the Kmg was borne, was troubfit, and aU Jeru
salem with him, and thairfor send, &c.
But nochtwithstandmg of tMs constitution of Court, by a remark
able providence of God cam furthe the Cornicle of Mr Georg Bu
chanan, printed with privUege, and the Buik of the Polecie of the
Kirk concludit in Assembfie.
That September, M tyme of vacans, my uncle, Mr Andro, Mr
Thomas Buchanan,"and I, heiring ' that^Mr George Buchanan was
weak, and his Historie under the "press, past ower to Edinbruche
annes earend,2 to visit Mm and sie the wark. When we cam to Ms
chalmer, we fand Mm sitting in Ms chaire, teatcMng Ms young man
that servit Mm in Ms chalmer to speU a, b, ab ; e, b, eb, &c. Efter
salutation, Mr Andro sayes, " I sie, Sir, yie are nocht ydle." "Better
tMs," quoth he, " nor steMng sheipe, or sittmg ydle, quhilk is als
M !" Thairefter he schew3 us the Epistle Dedicatorie to the Kmg;
the quhUk, when Mr Andro haid read, he taMd Mm that it was ob
scure in sum places, and wanted certean words to perfyt the sen-
1 "Diodor. Sicul. Biblioth. Hist. lib. 16. Lyk as Stratocles, in Athens, maid a
decree of Demetrius, iraa on 6 Baaitevs Arifiyir^ios r-eyevo-y tsto x.cti x^o? Sews
dijvo!/ km •a^Ofd.vS^ofXovi aval iixaio'j. — Whatsumever King Demetrius commandath,
that to be holie toward God and just, toward men. Plut in vita Demetrii." Inserted
by the Author on margin of MS. * For the express purpose. 3 Showed.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 121
tence. Sayes he, " I may do na mair, for tMnldng on another
mater." " What is that ?" sayes Mr Andro. " To die !" quoth he ;
" bot I leave that and maMe ma tMngs for yow to helpe."1
We went from Mm to the printar's wark-hous, whom we fand at
the end of the 17 Buik of his Cornicle, at a place quhilk we thought
verie hard for the tyme, quhUk might be an occasion of steymg2
the haM wark, anent the buriaU of Davie.3 Thairfor, steymg the
prmter from proceiding, we cam to Mr George again, and fund him
bedfast by4 Ms custome ; and asMng him, whow he did ? " Even
gomg the way of weUfare," sayes he. Mr Thomas, Ms cusing,
schawes him of the hardnes of that part of Ms Storie, that the KMg
wald be offendit with it, and it might stey aU the wark. "TeU
me, man," sayes he, " gUT I have taMd the treuthe ?" " Yis," sayes
Mr Thomas, " Sir, I thmk sa." "I wffl byd Ms fead,5 and aU Ms
Mn's, then !" quod he : " Pray, pray to God for me, and let Him
direct aU!" Sa, be6 the printing of Ms Cornicle was endit, that
maist lerned, wyse, and godfie man, endit tMs mortaU lyff.
Efter that GeneraU Assembfie, m October, Mr Patrik Adamsone
aggreit to aU the pomcts of the Buik of Polecie, and concermng the
office of a Bischope ; and calling to dmner Mr Andro Merrill, my
uncle, Mr Alexander Arbuthnot, and uthers divers, he subscryvit
thairto ; quhilk his subscription is yit in my uncle's custodie. Item,
that wmtar he past ower to a Convention of the Esteates ; and
efter he fand nocht Curt7 as he Miked for, he drest Mm8 to the Mini
sters of Edmburche, schawing tham whow that he cam ower to Court
with Balam's hart, of purpose to curse the Kirk and do eriU ; bot
God haid wrought sa with Mm, that he haid turned Ms hart to the
contrare, and maid Mm, bathe in reasoning and vottmg, to stand for
the Kirk, promismg to schaw fordar and fordar fraicts of his con
version and gMd meiMng. Wharat Jhone Dury was sa rejoysit,
that he treated Mm in hous, and wrot ower at lainthe to me in his
1 " He was telling him also of Blakwod's answer to his buik, De Jure Regni." 
Margin of MS. 2 Stopping. 3 David Riccio. 4 Contrary to. 5 Feud,
enmity. " By the time that. 7 Favour at Court. J^. B Addressed himself.

122 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
favour. Wherupon I past down to Ms CasteU at Ms ham-coming,
and schew Mm what Mformation concernmg Mm I haid gottin from
the breithring of Edinbruche ; thanMng God thairfor, and offering
Mm, in cais of continuance, the right hand of societie. Wherat re-
joising, he taMd me the mater at lamthe, and, namlie, concermng
the grait motiones and woriring of the Spreit. " WeM," said I,
" that Spreit is an upright, halie, and constant Sprit, and wUl mair
and mair lcythe l in effects ; bot it is a fearfuU thmg to lie against
Mm!"
But to return to Mr Andro Melvin. The light of his lernmg, and
hatt2 of Ms zeaU to hafiff reformation M the Mrk and schoUes of St
Androis, brack nocht soonner out, when the darknes of ignorance and
caMdnes of Christian profession uttered them selves in Ms contrare.
MaMe and grait adversares he haid ; but the Lord, wha haid sancte-
feit Mm for his wark, gaiff him notable victories ower all. First, the
Maisters wha war displacit out of the New CoUage, as Mr Robert
HamUton, miMster of the town, commandit be the GeneraU Kirk to
leave the office of principafitie in the CoUage, and tak Mm to his
ministerie, vexit Mm with persut of compts of the CoUage ; but he
rejected that upon the Commissionars wha haid the powar of the
Reformation, whom, be moyen and importunitie, the said Mr Robert
maid to relent, and direct him again upon Mr Andro, to his great
vexation, tM it pleasit God to cutt schort the lyff of the said Mr
Robert, even when he was about to mtend action against Mr Andro.
Yet that cause ceassit nocht, bot was foUowit out M the personnes
of Ms weidow and bernes, be a man of grait wit, peanes, and moyen,3
an of Mr Androe's awin compaMones, whase comfort he haid fund in
Glasgw, and now Miked for, coming to St Androis, to sic a guid
wark. This was Mr Thomas Buchanan, first scholmaister m Stir
ling, and syne Provest of Kirkheuche in St Androis, and mmister of
Syres ; a man of notable gifts of leming, naturaU wit, and upright-
nes m the cause of the Kirk against the Bischopes, bot haid his awin
1 Manifest itself. * Heat, zeal. 3 Influence.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 123
imperfectiones, namfie, of extream partialitie in the cause of his
frinds and dependars, quhUk maid him to alter with Mr Andro ; and
in that cause of Mr Robert HamUtone's, [whase relict he maried,]
and Ms coUegges, to often greive Mr Andro : Bot, m end, a glib of
the CoUage gear settlet that, aUowit be the saids Commissionars,
Mr Andro bearing with it, because he coMd nocht mend it. Ane
uther, that haid bem Regent M that CoUage under Mr Robert HamU
ton, was Mr Jhone Caldcleuche, a daft wousten1 man. He bosted2
that he wald houche3 Mr Andro, with mikle mair daft talk; and a
day he comes M to Mr Androe's chalmer, bemg alan in it, and askes
Mm, weM rudfie, giff he knew Mm ? " Na," sayes Mr Andro, " I
knaw you nocht." " I soMd be knawen," sayes he, " as a Maister
m tMs CoUage ; my nam is Mr Jhone Caldcleuche." " Ho 1" quoth
Mr Andro, " Is this yM that wUl houche men ?" And with that put
to the chahner dure, and sayes, " It is even best tym now !" Bot
the uther calmit atteanes,4 and begmnes to speak with mair rever
ence ; whom Mr Andro, by manlie courage and force of reasone, sa
dantoned and tamed, that the Maister was fean to tak a bursare's
place M the CoUage, and five thairin as a humble student. I was
in the chalmer abon and hard aU, and cam doun at last to the end-
mg of it.
Thir fascheries5 war skarse weM sattefit, when out braks a grait
ter contradiction. TMs was of the Regents of PMlosopMe, nam
fie in St Leonard's CoUage, wha heiring, M Mr Androe's ordmar
pubfict lessones of Theologie, thair Aristotle, amangs the rest of
the phUosophers, the patriarches of heresie, as ane of the ancients
termes tham, mightelie confuted, handfing the heids anent God, Pro
vidence, Creation, &c, maid a strange steir6 m the Universitie, and
cryed, " Grait Diana of the Ephesians," thair bread-winner, thair
honour, thair esthnation, aU was gean,7 gUf Aristotle soMd be sa owir-
harled8 M the heiring of thair schoUars; and sa dressit pubfict
orationes agamst Mr Androe's doctrine. But Mr Andro msisted '
1 Woustour or woistare ? A silly, boasting fellow. 2 Threatened. 3 Literally
ham-string. 4 At once, immediately. 5 Troubles, annoyances. O. Fr.
6 Stir, excitement. 7 Gone. 8 Overturned, upset'.

124 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
mightefie agamst tham in his ordmar lessones ; and when thair
counned1 haranges cam at thair Vickes and promotiones of Maisters,
helut2 tham nocht sfipe, but af-hand answerit to tham presentfie with
sic force of treuthe, evidence of reasone, and spirituaU eloquence,
that he dashit tham, and M end convicted tham sa M conscience,
that the cheiff Coryphoes amangs tham becam grait students of
Theologie, and speciaU professed frinds of Mr Andro, and ar now
verie honest upright pastors in the Kirk; whom, for honour, I nam;
in speciaU, Mr Jhone Malcolm, minister at Jhonse Town, and Mr
Andro Duncan at CareU. And certeanlie the treuthe was, that ig
norance, with a proude opMion of knawlage, because they knew na
better, wrought aU tMs. For efter the Mst zeaU of Reformation, in
Mr Knox and Mr GMdman's dayes, the caMdnes of Mr Robert
HamUtone's ministerie, and ignorance and negligence of tham that
soMd haM teatched Theologie, maid, that Regents and schoUars
carit na thing for Dirinitie ; yea, it was erin a pitie to sie that ig
norance and profannes that was amangs tham. And as for Langa
ges, Arts, and PMlosopMe, they haid na tMng for aU, bot a few
buikes of Aristotle, quhUk they lernit pertmatiuslie to bable and
flyt3 upon, without right understandmg or use thairof. Bot witMn
a yeir or twa, Mr Andro, be his deMng in pubfict and privat with
everie an of tham, prevafit sa, that they feU to the Langages, studeit
thair Artes for the right use, and perusit Aristotle m his awm lan
gage ; sa that, certatim et serio, they becam bathe pMlosophers and
theologes, and acknawlagit a wounderfuU transportation out of dark-
nes unto fight. Bot, indeid, this was nocht done without mikle
feghting and fascherie,4 and the authoritie of the GeneraU Assemblie
interpoMt, in end.
The thrid thortar5 and debat qubilk he haid was with the pro-
vist, baUyies, and counsaU of the town, about thair miMsterie.
The Session of the Kirk haid a custome to send twa of thair
eldars everie ouk6 to desyre Mr Andro and me to helpe tham on

1 Carefully conned or prepared. 2 Let. 3 To babble and wrangle about.
* Fighting, or contention and trouble. 5 Opposition, literally thwarting. 6 Week.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 125
the Sabbathe, during the want of a mmister and absence of the
Bischope. Sa Mr Andro, coming M the pMpit, spak the treuthe of
aU thingis with grait ardentness and zeaU ; and bemg acquent with
sum corrupt proceidmgs of the rewlars agamst eqMtie and justice,
and percearing they lyked nocht of gMd men to be thair minister,
sic as Mr Andro wald haM haid, bathe for the weM of the Town
and UMversitie, namfie, of that wark of Theologie, sic as Mr Thomas
Smeton or Mr Alexander Arbuthnot, he causit tham heir thair do-
Mgs m the deaffest eare ! TMs was takme sa Mche, that a grait
space ther was na tMng bot affixing of plackarts upon the CoUage
yett, l bostmg with batomng, 2 burmng and chassMg out of the
town ; wherwith, to speak the treuthe, I was mikle fearit, semg
Town, Umversity, and aU malcontents against us attannes ; and
luiMt for na thmg, day for day, but steiring upe of sum tumMt for
ane eriU turn. But Mr Andro, with ane heroicaU spreit, the mair
they stirit and bostit, the mair he strak with that twa-eagit3 sword ;
sa that a4 day he movit the Pro vest, with sear rubbmg of the ga5
of Ms conscience, to ryse out of Ms seatt m the middes of the ser
mont, and with sum muttering of words to goe to the dure, out-
throw the middes of the peiple : For the quhUk, being delt with
be the Presbyterie, and convicted M Ms conscience, the said Pro-
vest maid pubfict satisfaction be acknawlagmg of Ms offence, and
craring God and the congregation forgMhes. Another day he tuk
a placcard, affixed upon the CoUage yet, 6 knawm, be the Italian
and French toung, to be wrytm be James Lermont, appeirand7 of
Balcomie ; and m the application of his doctrine, quhUk was woun-
derfuU persmg8 and vehement, he produces the wryt, and haUfing the
said James sittand befor Mm M the Kirk, he tMetnes Mm in parti-
cMar with a judgment, that maMe years efter was marked to strik
upon the said James, to tMs effect : "Thow Frencheist, Italianist,
jolie gentleman, wha has defyled the bed of sa mame maried, and
now hosts9 with thy bastonados to defyU this Kirk, and put hands
'Gate. 2 Threatening to cudgel. 3 Two-edged. * One s Gall
6 Gate. t Younger, or heir-apparent. 'Piercing. 9 Threatens.

126 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1581.
in his servants, thow saU never enjoy the frMcts of mariage, be
haMng lawfuU succession of thy bodie ; and God sail bastone tMe
m Ms righteous judgments !" TMs was rememberit when the said
James, bemg Lard of Balcomie, leivedmame yeirs M mariage with
out chyld, and taken be the HeUand-men coming out of the Leaws, '
was siccerfie bastoned, 2 and sa hardlie used, that soone thairefter
he died in Orkney, M the yeir 1598.
The fourt feght that he haid was agaMst the Pryor and Ms gen-
tlemen-pensionars, wha coUuded with the rewaUars of the town to
haid the ministerie vacand ; and M the mean tyme tuk upe the sti
pend, and spendit the sam, with the rest of the kirk-rents of the
Pryorie, at the goff, archerie, gMd cheir, &c. Thir thmgs, be Mr
Andro and I, war rounden3 out of pMpit to tham : quhUk for to stay,
they preparit a purs with a number of fourtie sMUMg pices in it,
and sencfing for me to the Chalmerfing's hous, efter gMd intertein-
ment, they offerit it to me for my peanes takin, in pretcMng and
supplemg the defaMt of a Mmister. I answerit, It was trew my
peanes haid deservit that and mair at thair hands ; whowbeit I haid
recompence, in aU aboundance, at the hand of God, m honormg me
with the message of his Word and service. Bot my peanes was
nocht talrin for the Mnderance of that ministerie, bot for forderance
of the saming ; and I fearit, giff thay gatt a fason of a mmisterie sa
easefie provydit, they wald be lang of bringing M an of the notable
men nominat to that mmisterie, under whase feit I wald be glad to
sit, with my pen, and with whom I wald be blaithe4 to helpe, as I
coMd, for nought : And sa refusit thair money. This, when the
Presbyterie understud, be 6 Mr Andro and me, and espyMg that
our helpmg on the Sabathes Mnderit the placing of a man of gMes
in that mmisterie, (for they hafifing George Blak to mmister the
sacraments and marie, and us to teatche, wald content thairwith
and seik na mair,) thairfor the Presbyterie dischargit us from pretch-
mg ame mair, and ordeanit me to pen a letter, to be red the nixt

1 The Island of Lewis. 2 Smartly or severely cudgelled. 3 Whispered,
insinuated. « Blythe, glad. » By, through.

1581. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 127
Sabbathe, schawmg the reasones of our leaving af pretcMng.
QuhUk bemg done, and pubficMie read, certean of therewlars of the
town, namfie, Mr Darid RusseU and WUyeam Lermont, ragit
thairat, and penMt agamst the nixt day an answer, m effect and
termes unreverent ; denying the authoritie of the Presbyterie, caU-
Mg it pretendit, and MveyMg against the sam : For the quhUk
cause, the persone that red it, Ringand ' RewU, taker upe of the
Psalmes,2 beMg caMt befor the Presbyterie, schew that Mr Darid
RusseU and WUyeam Lermont commandit him to reid it ; bot, pure
man, he gat Ms reward, for he never mreave nor did gMd efter that,
bot died with madnes and miserie. The saids Mr David and WU
yeam bemg caMt, the Pryor and Provest compeires with tham,
tMnkMg to bang out the mater ; bot God assistes Mr Andro sa,
that he dasht tham aU, and maid them fean to go packmg. The
GeneraU Assemblie nocht being far to, the Presbyterie remittes the
mater thairto, and summoned the said Mr David and WUyeam to
compeir befor the Assembfie, quhilk they did with thair assistars ;
bot they war condemnit be the Assembfie, and ordeanit to mak
pubfict repentance M the Kirk of St Androis, and Mr Andro to re
ceave the saming ; the quMIk they did solenmlie, and sa becam
better-conditioned thairefter. 3
By tMs occasion I man mark be the way, it was a confortable
thmg in these dayes to haiff a gMd cause in hand, and stand be it ;
for whowsoever it was resisted and crossed in particMar Sessiones,
Presbyteries, or Assembfies, yit sure it was to be redressed and
brought to a gMd poMct at the GeneraU Assembfies, because of the
~ friedom, grait authoritie, and uprightnes in zeaU that was thairin,
to the grait terrour of the wicked, and confort of the godfie : Sa
mUde tfie mair is the loss thairof to be deplored M tMs declyMng
age and tyme !
The fyft and graittest enemie of aU was the Bischope, Mr Pa
trik Adamsone, craftelie and qmetfie concurringwith the Court ;
1 Ringan, i.e. Ninian. 2 Precentor. 3 " Mr David Russall, for falshod,
was efter, in the yeir .... deposit from his office of Commissar Clarkschipe, with
a not of infamie ; and Jhone Arnot placed in his roum." Margin of MS.

128 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1582.
bot alwayes, as yit> under profession of grait frindscMpe, and sa
maist dangerusfie seikand his distraction, with the utter overtMaw
of the libertie of Chrysf s Kirk andkmgdome. [Bot the Lord not-
ablie upheld and preserrit Ms awM servant, and brought Ms ene
mies to confusion ;] as M the haill narrative and storie foUowmg
wUl be manifest. M.D.LXXXH.
The GeneraU ALSsembfie conveMt at St Androis the 24th of
ApryU, anno 1582 ; Mr Andro Melrin schosm Moderator. To it
was Mr Robert Mongomerie, Mtrusit Bischope of Glasgw, sum
moned ; wha compeired, with letters of homing to discharge the
Assembfie, yit he durst nocht use tham, sic was the frequencie of
barrones and breithring, with sa grait authoritie and zeaU. And
sa, for acceptation of the Bischoprik plenojure, and troubfingof the
breithring of Glasgw, he was deposit inperpetuum, and tMetMt with
excommuMcation, tM he humblie presentit Mm sehT with teares be
for the Assembfie ; and then Jhone Dury, wha was maist seveire
agamst Mm, rease out of his seat, and caught Mm M Ms armes.1
But at that sam tyme Mr WUyeam Clark, my predecessour, a wyse,
godfie, sweit man, said unto me, " It wM never be tMs man that
wM trouble and hurt the Kirk ; bot jie rill find that Mr Patrik
Adamsone wM do it, wha is this man's counsaUar, and causses him
now to yirid for the tyme." At that Assembfie was apomted a
generaU Fast, to be keipit M the monethe [ of] JuMe foUowmg ;
the causses wharof was conspiracie of Papists, oppression and thral
dom of the Kirk, &c.
In the monethe of JuMe that sam yeir, an uther GeneraU Assem
bfie was conveMit M Edmbruche, wherat Jhone Dury, for Ms plean
1 " Yit the sam Mongumerie insisted and troublet the Breithring of Glasgw thair
efter, and thairfor was excommunicat ; and the excommunication annullit be ane act
of CounsaU, and letters publisched thairupon, receavit thairefter, in Court, and in
terteined iu the King's presence be the Due ; and the sam sentence thairefter, in the
Parliament 1584, be an act thairof, annullit." Note by Author on margin of MS.
l

1582. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 129
speitches against the Due, and proceidmgs of the Court, was ac-
cusit ; bot hoping for na speid thair, he was caMt befor the King
and CounsaU, at Dalkeithe ; whar narowfie eschaping the Due Ms
cookes (wha cam out of Ms MtcMng with speittes and grait knyves)
with his lyff, as he often taMd me, he was, be act of CounsaU,
bamsched out of Edmbruche ; bot the GeneraU Assembfie comman
dit the Presbyterie of Edmbruche to keipe Ms roum frie, J and place
nan thairin. In tMs Assembfie, manie GrefiTes and Articles war
penmt, and commissionars apomted to present tham at the Conven
tion of the Esteats, to be halcfin at Perthe M the monethe of JMy
nixt foUowMg.
The Convention keipmg at Perthe, Mr Andro Melvin, Modera
tor, with the rest of the Commissionars, went tMther with the
Grehfes and Articles of the Kirk, wha gat verie eriU countenance,
and mame secret terrors.

[gREEPPES OP THE KIRK, GIFFEN IN AT PERTH.
"Unto your Majestie maist humblie memes2 and schawes your
Grace's maist fathfuU and obedient subjects, the haM Mmisters of
God's Word witMn tMs your Grace's realme, convemt in the Ge
neraU Assembfie, haldm at Edmbruche the 27th of Junij : .That
whar upon the occation of Mverse grait and evident dangers ap-
pernng to the haM Kirk of God, and professours of his treuthe M
tMs countrey, findMg the authoritie of the Kirk abrogat, Ecclesias
ticaU censures contemmt, and violence usit against sum of our
breithring unpunished; wharof the lyk hes never bem sein witMn
this reahne, nor mame uther whar trew reMgioun hes bein pretcMt
and ressearit : And fearing lest your Majestie, for leak3 of infor
mation, might neglect in tyme to provyd remedie for the Move
ments lyklie to ensew thairupon, we convenit ourselves, in the fear

1 To keep his living, place, or pulpit, vacant. 2 Complains.

' Lack.

130 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1582.
of God, and your Hienes obedience, and efter diligent considera
tion of the present esteat, be comoun consent thought necessar, be
our Commissionars, to open upe and present to your Grace certean
of our eheM" and weghtie Greiffes, without hastie redress wharof
the Kirk of God and Ma trew reUigion can na wayes stand ' and
contmow M this your Majestie's countrey.
" First, That your Majestie, be devyse of sum counsaUours, is caus-
sit to tak upon your Grace that spirituaU powar and authoritie
quhilk properfie apertemes to Chryst, as omie Kmg and Head of
his Kirk ; the mMisterie and executioun wharof is gfiffen to sic only
as beares office M the EcclesiasticaU government of the sammg ; sa
that, M your Grace's persone, sum men presses to erect an new
Papdom, as thought your Majestie coMd nocht be foil Head and
King of this comoun-welthe, uMes alse weUl the spirituaU as tem-
porall sword be put Mto your Grace's hands, uMes Chryst be be
reft of Ms authoritie. and the Jurisdictiones confoundit quhilk God
hes devydit : quhUk directfie tendes to the wrak of aU trew reM-
gioun, as be the speciaU Heades foUowmg is maMfest : For bene
fices ar gMfen be absolut powar to unwortMe persones, Mtrusit in
the office of the mMisterie without the Kirk's admissioun, directfie
agamst the lawes of God and actis of Parliament ; whartMow the
Kirk's leiringes comes M profean men's hands, and siclyk as sell
their saiMes, and mak scMpwrak of conscience, for pleasur of men,
and obteanmg sum warldfie commoditie.
'• 1. EldarscMps, SynodaU and GeneraU Assembfies, ar dischargit,
be letters of hormng, to proceid agaMst manifest offendars, and to
use discipfine of the Kirk, and censures thairof, according to God's
Word. •• 2. Jhone Durie. be act of CounsaU, is suspendit from pretching,
and banisched from his flock.
" 3. Excommunicat persones, M contempt of God and Ms Kirk,
ar MterteMed M cheMF Lords' housses; and namfie, Mr Robert
Mongummerie authorised and causit to pretche, and brought m your
Majestie's house and presence, quhUk is a sear2 wound to the con-
1 Subsist. 2 Sore.

1582. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 131
science of tham that loves your Majestie, and knawes your Grace's
upbringmg, and a heavie sklander to aU nationnes professmg the
trew reMgioun.
"4. An act of delyverance of CounsaU is maid agamst the pro-
ceidings of the mmisterie, withe a sklanderas narrative suspendmg
shnpfie, and disanuMng, tfie excommunicatioun justfie and ordour
lie pronuncit agamst Mr Robert Montgoumerie, an rebeU and ob-
stmat offendar and troublar of the Kirk of God, and open procla
mation maid according thairto.
" 5. Contempt of Mmisters, and dmgmg^of mame domg thair
offices, and especiafie the violent drawing of Mr Jhone Howysone
out of the Judgment-seatt, whar he was placed Moderator of the
Presbyterie of Glasgw, Ms crewafi and uttragius handfing and
caremg to preasone, lyk a thehT, be the Provest and BaUyies of
Glasgw, and thair complices : And, efter complent maid, na ordour
takin with the doars thairof, but contrairwayes MterteMMg tham
as gif the sammg haid bem gMd service.
" 6- and 7. The Mmister of Glasgw was, be force of armes, dis
placed out of his roum,2 quhUk, without reprotche, he hes occupied
thir monie yeirs ; the gentle men of the countrey bemg convocat
for that effect. Also violence was usit, be an of your awM Gward,
to putt Mm out of the pMpit the day of CommuMoun, m presence
of the haM congregatioun, M tym of sermont ; and na faMt fund
thairwith. " 8. The Ofiiciar of the Kirk was cassm M preasone,3 your Grace
bemg present, and thair keipit a lang tym, for executing of Letters
directed agamst a sklanderas man.
" 9. The Mmisters, Maisters of SchooUes, and CoUage of Glasgw,
the verie schoUars thairof, M tym of pubfict fast, war, be letters of
horMng, compeMt to leave thair flockes and schoUes destitut ; and
sensyne,4 from tyme to tym, and place to place, have bein conti-
nowit and deleyit ; thairby to consum tham be exorbitant expences,
and to wrak the kirks and schoqUes whairof they have the charge.
1 Striking, beating. 2 Place, situation. 3 Cast into prison. * Since then.

132 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1582.
" 10. The Students of the CoUage war Mvadit, and ther hhud
crewafie sched, be the BaUyie and commoMtie, gatherit thairto be
sound of comoun beU, and stroak of drum ; and be certean seditius
persones inflambet l to have slean tham aU, and brunt the CoUage :
And yit na thing don to the authores of the tunmlt and seditioun.
"11. Hands schaldn with the bludie murderars and persecutors
of the peiple of God, be letters and propynes2 ressavit and sent.
" 12. The Due oftymes promisit to reform his hous, and na tMng
don thairin.
"13. The Lawes maid for mentenance of the trew reffigioun, and
pumsment of the enemies thairof, ar nocht put to executioun ; sa
that aU things gaes louse, 3 and warse lyk tM ensew. 4
" Monie uther tMngs ther be that crave present reformatioun,
wherwith we tMnk nocht expedient to trouble your Majestie, untill
we sie what ordour beis takm with these greivus 5 compleants. Be-
seikand6 your Majestie maist humblie, for the love of God, wha
hes placed and establissed your Majestie in tMs royaU tMone,
Mtherto wounderfuMe menteMed' and defendit, cearfuMe to luik
upon thir maters as becomes the lieutenant of God, and thankfuU
Christian Kmg ; and withe the advyse of tham that feir God, and
tenders your Grace's esteat, and weiU and qmetnes of tMs comoun-
welthe, sa to redres the premisses, that first Chryst, above aU, may
be acknawlagit ; Ms messingers, without feir or stope, to execut
thair office ; the cours of the GospeU advancit ; and sic exemple
maid of pumsment of tham wha sa ficentiusfie and contemptuuslie
have wrangit and injurit the Mmisters and professours of God's
Word, that uthers heireftir be effrayit7 to interpryse the lyk."8]
To that Convention cam the Erie of Hountlie, weM accompamed
with Ms frinds, in whase favours, to the grait hurt of the Forbasses,
the King gaiff out a decreit-arbitraU. Newes war sparpefit athort'

1 Inflamed. 2 Gifts, presents. 3 Go loose. 4 Worse is like to ensue.
6 Grievous. 6 Beseeching. ' Afraid, terrified. 8 The whole of the
preceding document has been supplied by the Author on the margin of the MS.
9 Spread, divulged across, or athwart the country.

1582. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 133
the countrey, that the Ministers war all to be thair massacred ;
quhUk moved me go repear 1 to Perthe with dUigence, to tak part
with my uncle and father in Chryst. Coming ther, Sir James
MelriU of HahUl schawes me whow evM my uncle and I was
thought of at Court, because of our sermonts in St Androis the
tyme of the fast, and our doMgs and sayings at Assembfies, and
counsaMt us to depart af the town ; quhUk I schew Mr Andro, and
wttfit sa to do, bot M vean : " For I thank God," sayes he, " I
am nocht fleyed2 nor feible-spirited M the cause and message of
Chryst. Com what God pleases to send, our commission salbe dis
chargit !"
At last the Commissionars of the Kirk war caMt, wha, coming in
befor the KMg and Ms CounsaU, delyverit thair GreMes and Arti
cles;- quhilk bemg read, Captan James3 beginnes to tMettin, with
thrawin brow, and bostMg langage.4 " What !" sayes he, " wha
dar subscryve thir treasonable Articles ?" &c. Mr Andro answeres,
" We dar, and wU subscryve tham, and gif our lyves in the cause !"
And withe aU starts to, and taks the pen fra the Clark, and sub-
scryves, and caUes to the rest of the breithring with couragius
speitches ; wha aU cam and subscryvit. This baMdnes, when the
Due and Captan percearit, they gatherit thairon that the Kirk haid
a bak,5 and becam eflrayit ; and, efter sum cafiner langage, dimissit
tham m peace, whom everie an supposed they soMdhahT bein hard-
liar delt withaU.
In the monethe of August therefter, certean of the NobMtie and
Barrones of the reahne repearit to the King at Ruthven, in the Erie of
Gowrie's hous, and schew Ms Majestie whow aU thmgs went wrang
be the misgovermng of that new CounsaU com latfie from France,
to the grait offence and greiff of aU his guid subjects, the hearie
vexation of the Kirk, and extream perreU of the comoun-weM; cravit,
thairfor, maist humblie of Ms Majestie, that he wald content till6

1 Repair. 2 Terrified, affrighted. 3 Stewart. 4 With frowning-
brow and threatening language. 5 Had backing or support. c To.

134 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1582.
abandone the said CounsaU, and tak him to be counsaMt be his aMd
Nobifitie, as his princelie progeMtours haid done, and the funda-
mentaU lawes of Scotland cravit ; and sa furthe, as at mair lainthe
is conteMed in a Declaration of them, published soone thairefter in
print. And sa the KMg and the Due war dissivered,1 and never
saw uther againe.
TMs brought a grait releive to the Kirk, and the honest breith
ring of Glasgw and EdMbruche, that war soar troublit be the said
Due. Whowbeit, the treuthe is, for aught I know, (and I know
whatever the speciaUes of the Kirk knew, that I am sure,) the Kirk
was nather art, part, read nor counsaU in that mater, nather luiket
for anie sic thmg at thair beMg in St Jhonstone. And what ever
the instruments war and respected, they coMd nocht but rejoise m
God, and thank him for delyvering King, Kirk, and Comoun-weM
of sic cownsaU, as sett tham selves plaMfie to pervert aU.
WitMn few dayes thairefter, Jhone Durie gat leive to ga ham to
his awM flok of EdMbruche : At whase retourMng ther was a grait
concurs of the haM town, wha met him at the Nather Bow ; and,
going upe the streit, with bear heads and loud voices, sang to the
praise of God, and testifeing of grait joy and consolation, the 124th
Psalm, " Now Israel may say, and that trewfie," &c, till hearin and
erthe resoundit. This noyes, when the Due, being M the town,
hard, and ludgit M the Hie-gat, Miked out and saw, he rave his
berde 2 for anger, and hasted him af the town ; and remeaned in
Dumbartan, at the Wast Sie, whar, or3 he gatt passage, he was put
to als hard a dyet as he causit the Erie of Morton till use ther, yea,
evM to the tother extremitie that he haid usit at Court : For,
wheras Ms Mtching was sa sumptuus that lumpes of butter was cast
in the fyre when it soked,4 and twa or thrie crownes warit upon a
stok of keall dressing,5 he was fean till eat of a magre guse, skowdrit
with bar stra.6
1 Dissevered, parted. 2 Tore his beard. 3 Ere, before. * Grew dull.
•'¦ Wcro expended on the dressing of a single stock or head of kale or cplewort. 6 He
was fain (o cat of a loan goose scorched with barley straw.

1582. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 135
In that monethe of October, the GeneraU Assemblie eonvenit at
Edmbruche, whar, with freche courage, the Bischopes war sett
upon, and seveire ordour takm rith tham ; also sic as haid been eritt
instruments to the Due against the Kirk war takm ordour with.
Amangs the rest, Mi- Darid MacgiU, Advocat, for penning of sklan
deras and wicked proclamation, pubfissed agamst the Kirk. This
was a man of als grait, sofide, and naturaU a wit as m our mne, ex-
ceMng thairin aU Ms coUeages of the Session and lawexs.1 bot with
out aU sense of God, and rith a prvdfuU disdean and contempt of
the ministerie. I hard Mm als dispytniflie and HghtfifuDie. b-emi: in
Ms awm house, tak upe my uncle, Mr Andro, bemg send rith utters
from the Assembfie to Mm, as movit me, bemg present, utherwaves
estimed nocht verie hnpatient, to almaist debord.2 nocht onfie with
toung, bot hand. Bot, or he died, with a terrible strak of eon-
science, God tamde Mm lyk a lamb ; sa that Mr Andro coming to
Mm againe, and I with Mm, was as the Angefl of God m his eis ;
cust Ms hat to the ground, and could skarsfie lMk Mm in the face,
tffl he hard out of his mouthe the words of consolation, the quhilk
he gaped for as a gorbet,3 and recearit as Comefius the mstruction
of Piter ; yea, the memnest of the nunisterie that cam to visit him,
was mair to Mm then giff the King and the Lords haid com to him.
I thought often that was a cleir accomplisment of Esaiae" prophecie,
" The lyon saU eat stra lyk a buUok," &c. He died maist happefie
and sweitfie, efter divers yeMs humiliation, with these words m his
mouthe, " Lord, M thy light, let me sie light."
At that Assembfie, I was emestfie suted, be the Town of Stir
ling, to be thair Pastor ; bot the wark of Theologie bemg yit M the
tender briddmg leaff,4 my uncle, Mr Andro, coMd nocht consent
thairto, nor the Kirk, rith Ms miscontentment,5 command ; whowbeit,
my mynd was to the mMisterie, remembering ever my vow, and
nocht the mair unwUfingfie, that I haid the purpose of my mariage
in hand.
• Lawyers. 3 To exceed proper bounds, to lose self-command. Fr. deborder
¦ A young nestling or unfledged bird, (literally a young crow.) « I„ the ^
young leaf bursting from the bud. 5 Displeasure

136 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
M.D.LXXXHI.
The yeir foUowmg, 1583, M the end of ApryU, and begming of
May, the GeneraU Assemblie convemit at EdMbruche. That As
sembfie was frequentiie keipit1 be the noMfitie, (for ther was pre
sentfie a Convention of the Esteates at EdMbruche,) wha requeisted
the Assembfie to approve thair proceidMgs, M repearing to Ms Ma
jestie at Ruthven, &c. The breithring's judgment was, That God
haid glorified his nam, and wrought thairby to the grait ease and
comfort of Ms Kirk, as they haid fund Mthertils ; 2 as for the mstru-
ments, they coMd nather approve nor disprove, bot wissit rith thair
hartes they might be fund sanctified veshaUes3 of mercie to the Lord.
To the quhUk effect, at least, they desyrit an act to be msert in
the Buiks of the Assemblie ; to the quhilk the Kirk wald nocht
condiscend tiU they haid the King's gMd wM and consent thair
unto. The quhilk his Majestie, sending CoronaU WUyeam Stewart,
new com ham, and of grait credit, and Mr Darid LMdsay, to the
Assemblie, M large termes and maner assented unto ; and sa it past,
as is exstant M the Buiks of the Assembfie. Amangs the rest, Jhone
Dury hrid a4 day m bis doctrine a verie cleir and pertinent compa-
risone for the purpose, of the bfind man m the 9th of Jhone's Evan-
gill. When the Pharisies said that Chryst was but a smner, Whow
coMd he do ame guid ? " I can nocht teU," sayes the bfind man,
'¦ bot a thing I am sur of, that I was bfind, and now I sie." This
he applyed rith grait evidence and approbation of the heirars.
At that Assemblie I maried my wyff, the first day of May, and
gat the blessMg of the best breithring of the Kirk ; the quhilk, my
blessed God of Hearin be blessit for, IhaUT fund wounder foil effectual!
to this houre. for als grait helpe and comfort in my caMng, even in
the middes of her hearie disease and Mipotencie, as ame brother in
the land hes. And whowbeit, the haul course of my lyff sen syne 5
has bem, M outward appeirance, bot a schoU of aflfictiones, yit (alas !
for thankfidnes) and maist halsome 6 and happie schoU, with a mix-
1 Numerously attended. * Hitherto found. s Vessels. 4 One.
Since that time. B Wholesome.

1583. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 137
ture of als manie prorisiones, preservationes, privat profits, pleasurs,
joyes, and consolationnes, as ever anie of the secret annes : of the
Lord recearit.
In the monethe of JuMe thairefter, at the beginning thairof, a
hearie tertian fever, caUed comounfie " the excese," 2 owertuk me ;
quhUk pynned me extreamlie, namfie, m the hat3 of it, that ten or
twall hours I wald ly burMng thairin and reavMg, and ryse againe
without ame swyt. This continowed tM the middes of the monethe
of August.
AU this whyU, sen the GeneraU Assemblie M ApryU, anno 1582,
and befor, untill tMs August, a lytle befor Bischope Adamsone keipit
Ms castle, [lyk a tod in his hoU,4] seik of a disease of grait fetiditie,
and oftymes under the cure of women suspected of witchcraft,
namlie, an wha confessit Mr to haiff lerMt medecin of an callit Mr
WUyeam Sfinsone, that apeired divers tymes to hir efter his dead,5
and gahT hir a buik, &c. This woman being examMed be the Pres
byterie, and fund a witche, M thair judgment, was giffen to the Bis
chope to be keipe M his castle for execution, bot he sufferit hir to
sfipe away ; bot within thrie or four yeirs thairefter sche was takin,
and execut M EdMbruche for a witche.
[It was reported for veritie to us, that the Bischope consMted
with these witches anent the Kmg's esteat, of the countrey, and his
awm ; and gat a response, that he soMd stand sa lang as the King
stud. Bot the devUl, as he uses to do, decearit Mm ther. Bot,
verefie, about these witches we war plane and scharpe with Mm ;
bathe from pulpit, M doctrine, and be censur of our Presbyterie.6]
Nochtwithstanding, the King comMg to St Androis about the
end of JMy, and seperating Mm selff ther from the Lords that haid
seasit about him at Buthven, the Bischope becomes a haM man at-
teanes,7 and occupies the pMpit befor the KMg, lustefie declammg,
as it was markit, M a possessit and inragit maner, agamst MMisterie,
1 Ones. 2 Fever and ague. It is also met with in the MS. under these various
forms  axes, axis, axysis, and axies. 3 In the last stage of the fever. 4 A fox
in his hole or den. Margin. 5 Death. 6 This is added by the Author on
the margin of the MS. 7 Becomes at once, all of a sudden, a whole man.

138 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
Lords, and aU thair proceidMgs ; and he that often professit from
pMpit, befor, that he haid nocht the sprit of appfication, gat the
gift of application be Mspiration of sic a sprit as neve • spak M the
Scriptures of GotL And because it was reported for treuthe, that
the Due M Paris haid deid a Papist, he maid opM contraMction
thairto, aflirrMng, for certean, that he deid a gMd Protestant,
quhilk he prorit be scharin of a skroU M his hand, quhilk he caMt the
Due his Testament : Bot an honest merchant woman, sitting befor
the pMpit, and spying it narowfie, affirmed it was a compt of a four
or fyve yeir auld dett, that a few dayes befor sche haid send to
him : wharof sche gat na mair peyment nor * the Due his executors
maid hir!
At that tyme. Sir Bobert MelviU cam to the CoUage to Mr An
dro, and, as a frind, schew2 him whow eriU the King was informit
of him, besaught him thairfor to go to the King, and purge Mm
sehff of these calummes. Quhilk Mr Andro refusit to do, saymg,
purgation presuppomt fouMes, wherof his conscience, nor na man,
was able justfie to accuse Mm M aMe kynd of undewtifolnes to the
King's Majestie : Giff his Majestie desyrit his coming to him for
his adwse, M maters of the Kirk or comoun-weM, or aMe uther
dewtifuU obedience, he wald maist humblie do it with aU observance;
but he wald nocht be an Mdirect accusar of him sehT to his Sove-
raM. The CounsaUours and Courteours now giffes out, that the King
captived befor, thought him selff at libertie, and sa settes tham to
be erin, bathe rith the Lords of the Bead of Ruthven and with
the Kirk, quhUk they sklanderit as aUowars of treassone. Yit
eraftelie. for the space of haUT a yeir or mair, dissembfing rith the
Lords, they begin to put at some of the Kirk. And, M the monethe
of Xovember, Jhone Durie of new is dischargit EdMbruche ; and
coming ower to St Androis, whar I hrid taken upe hous, efter the
vacans,3 he finds his douchtar, my wyff, bot begmnand to convales
1 Than. 2 Shewed. 3 Recess, vacation.

1583. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 139
of a deadfie hat fiver,1 (wharout of sche haid cuUit 2 with a bleding
excessive, sa that, for ought the mediciners coMd do, it steyed
nocht four and twentie hours tM lyff was almost flitting ; bot the
Lord haid mercie on me, and sparit hir for a speciaU wark of com
fort to me against the day of a grait eriU ;) and taremg bot a few
dayes, behoved to go to his ward m Montrose, to the quhUk I con-
voyit Mm. Be the way, a lytle befor we cam to the furde of the
Water of Lownan, a sow comes in the Me rod befor us, and trottes
on toward the ford, swomes ower befor us. Now, the water was
weM grait in speat,3 whar, we bemg in the middes thairof, my
father, Jhone Durie's horse lyes down in the water, and committes
Ms rydar to swomMg with the stream ; bot it pleasit God, I being
nixt under Mm, caught him be the cott neak,4 and takMg a gripe of
my horse mean, 5 he wad6 and wan to land : Wharof I incuragit Mm,
speattes of aflfictiones war to sease on us, bot the Lord soMd dely
ver out of them aU. Sa, coming in that countrey, I acquented Mm,7
and recommendit to aU our frinds ; whom he finding thairefter ever
loring and frindfie, fand my mariage a speciaU providence of God
towards him.
That was a dark and heavie wmtar to the Kirk of Scotland, ec-
clipsed and bereft of thrie grait fights ! Of Mr Alexander Arbuth-
not, M the beginMng thairof; Mr Thomas Smeton, in the middes,
(of quhUk sort I wat "nocht giff8 ther was manie scores M aU Chris-
tiandome for aU sort of lerMng and godfines ;) and, in the end of the
wmtar, Mr WUyeam Clark, my predecessour, a man, whowbeit
nocht in rank of lerMng with the uther twa, yit the fight and lyff
in the part he dwelt in, mUde belorit and regratted of aU sorts of
persones that knew Mm, namfie, that he haid the charge ower : Ower
sure a presage of a grait calamitie and owerthraw schortlie tUl en-
sew upon the Kirk of Scotland ! Amangs divers Epitaphes wher-
with Mr Andro beualit9 this so grait a loss, I man heir insert an,
becaus it stiks recentfie in my memorie :
1 Hot or burning fever. 2 Cooled. 3 Was very great or full with
a fresh, or spait. 4 Neck of his coat. ° Horse's mane. c Waded.
7 Introduced him, or made him acquainted with all his friends. 8 Grant, allow.
0 Bewailed.

140 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
Vix, heu ! vix raptum, deflevimus Arbuthnotum ;
Vix, heu ! justa datis solvimus exequiis.1
Et premit altera mors, et funere funus acerbat,
Et magno extincto MmMe, majus obit.
IUe qMdem Arctoa tenebras de nocte fugabat ;
FMgebas medio Glasgua steUa die.
Quod si luce sua spofiata est noxque diesque
Nostra, Eheu ! quantis obruimur tenebris.
Aut ergo e tenebris revoca lucem, aut hominum lux,
Christe, redi, ut nobis stat sine nocte dies !
TURNED IN SCOTS.
Yit skarse, alas ! haid we bemeande our deir Arbuthnot's dead,
Yea, skarse, alas ! his exeqMes haid we and funerales maid,
When corps with corps does urn us cear, and deathe with deathe
does pres,
And on grait fight extinguised,2 an other feaUes, alas !
That an the dark and drowsie night be northe did dryve away ;
That uther as the3 Sun did schyne be southe at mids of day.
Giff sa, then, bathe our Mght and day be spufiyet of thair fight,
Sa feirfuMe hes us owerwhelmde of darknes what an Mght ?
Then ather CMyst from darknes now the light retourn agame,
Or com our fight, that but aU night, our day may ay remaine !

ME WEIL I AM4 CLARK'S EPITAPHE.
That thow a Maister was, as yet thy SchoUar's skM can prove ;
That thow art weM, foil weUl, confirmes thy godlines and love.
A cunning Clark, right cleirfie knawin, be nature and be art,
And all the time, in that thow play'd sa weM a Pastor's part ;
1 Inferiis. Margin of MS. a " Alas ! put out." On margin. 3 " Thow
Glasgw star as." lb. * " Weil I am," a play on William.

1583. me JAMES melvill's dlvry. 141
Then happie Master WeU I am Clark, by nam thow saU abyd,1
As CareU, rith Anster, Pittenweun lyes leauehe* by FyrTs cost syd :
Bischope Adamson, for aU3 Ms lang seiknes, becam then nocht
onfie able to pretche, and keipe Conventiones of CounsaU and Es
teates, and weat upon Court, bot also, M the rintar, to tak jorney
and go M ambassage to Eingland, and aU to practise the alteration
of the haM esteat and discipline of the Kirk. [The Presbyterie
had enterit M proces rith him, and remitted him to the SynodaU,
and that to the GeneraU (Assembly :) M the quhUk he was sus-
pendit from the office of the mmisterie, as corrupt, bathe m doctrin
and lyff, and ordemed to be forder proceidit agamst. In the niean-
tyme, to eschew the censors of the Kirk, and practise the wrak
thairof, he undertakes this jorney.4]
ComMg to Londone about Yutt, he mformit the Quern the warn
of the mmisterie and gMd nobMtie, and the best of the Court of
Scotland. He practised with the Bisehopes for Conformitie. and
gahT tham dextra societatis; he delt for lerMt preatchours to be
placed M the best rowmes 5 of Scotland, knawMg weUl the best men
of the ministerie of Scotland war to be displaced ; he wrot verie
craftelie to Geneva and Tigurie, and send tham propositiones and
questiones desyring to haM thair judgment; and, finafie, left na
stan onturned ower that might mak for the wark of Sathan. to be-
seige and demofishe the waUes of Jerusalem.
WhM he is a bissie Bischope about thir tMngs M cutting, as the
cours was layed, they war nocht ydle at hame ; for, M the begm-
Mng of Febraar, Mr Andro Melrin is summoned to. compeir befor
the King and CounsaU witMn les nor thrie dayes,6 to answer to sic
tMngs as war to be leyit to Ms charge, anent certean speitches
uttered be Mm from pMpit, seditius and treasonable. Mr Andro
compeired, accompamed with sum of Ms schoUars and frinds, amangs
1 " Thy nam als lang sail byd." On margin. 2 Laiche, low. » Notwith
standing. * This is added by the Author on the margin. 6 Places, situations.
B " Summoned on Setterday, to compear on Mounday nixt." Margin of MS.

142 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
whom was Mr Robert Brace ; and I being m Angus, convoyMg my
mother-M-law to hir housband, gon away a day befor Ms summond-
ing, maid dUigence, and cam to EdMbruche the day of Ms second
compeh-ance. The quhUk day he declyned the judicator of the
King and CounsaU, beMg accusit upon na ciriU cryme or trans
gression, but upon Ms doctrin uttered from pMpit. The quhilk,
when the King and Captan James,1 then maid Grait ChanceUar,
rith roarings of lyones, and messages of deathe, haid taken sa hat,
that aU the CounseU and Courtes of the Pafice war filled with fear,
noyes, and brattes, Mr Andro never jargMg2 nor dascMt3 a wMt,
withe magnaMmus courage, mightie force of sprit, and fouthe4 of
evidence of reasone and langage, planfie taMd the King and Coun
saU, that they presumed ower baMdfie in a constitut esteat of a
CMistian Kirk, the Mngdome of Jesus CMyst, passmg by and Ms-
deanmg the prophets, pastors, and doctors of the Kirk, to tak upon
tham to judge the doctrin, and controU the ambassators and messin-
gers of a King and CounsaU graitter nor they, and far above tham !
" And that," sayes he, " yie may sic your weaknes, owersight, and
rashnes, M taMn upon yow that quhilk jie nather aught nor can
do," (lowsMg a litle Hebrew Byble fra Ms belt, and clanking it
down on tfie burd befor the KMg and Chancelar,) " Thair is," says
he, " my instructiones and warrand ; let sie quhilk of yow can judge
thairon, or controU me thairin, that I haM past by my Mjunctiones !"
The Chanclar, opemng the buik, findes it Hebrew, and putes it in
the KMg's hand, saymg, " Sir, he skornes your Majestie and Coun-
sail." " Na, my lord," sayes Mr Andro, " I skorn nocht ; bot with
aU ernestnes, zeaU, and graritie, I stand for the cause of Jesus
Chryst and Ms Kirk."
MaMe tymes put they Mm out, and caMt him M agame, whylles
deMng with mMacmgs, and whyUes rith fear5 words, to brak him ;
bot he grew mair and mair in wesdome, stryngthe, and courage,
whowbeit, nan was sufferit to com M rith Mm ; and when he cam
out, haid skarslie lasour to draw his end, mikle les to tak ame advyse
1 Stewart. 2 Swerved, flinched. 3 Abashed. « Abundance. * Fair.

1583. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 143
with his frinds and brethring. In end, they proceides ; admittes
an accusar, wha bruUrit that nam for ignommie manie yeirs efter,
" WUyeam Stewart the Accusar," a pensionar of the Pryor of St
Androis ; receaves the articles of accusation ; admittes and takes
the deposition of a number of witnesses, summoned out of St Androis,
namlie Ms graittest mislykers : Mr Andro ever adhering to Ms de-
cfinator, and at aU tymes, as occasion servit, telling tham his mynd
mightefie anent the treuthe and weght of the cause of Chryst and
Ms Kirk, and wrangs done thairunto, quhUk he wald be advengit of
sum day. And when they haid don aU, lytle or na thing for thair
purpose gat they prorin, bot decernes that Mr Andro, for Ms un-
reverent behaviour befor Ms Majestie and CounsaU, sould be put in
ward in the Castle of EMnbruche during the King's wiU.
In the mean tym, Mr Androe's breithring and frinds is informit,
be sic as knew the plattes leyed, that ther was na guid meMed to
Mr Andro, and, if he war annes fast,1 he wald nocht be lowsit again,
uMes it war for the skaffald. This maid Mm to keipe hhn quyet a
Mght and a day, during the quhilk tyme I travefit amangs the coun-
sallors. MaMe gaiff me fear2 words, and said ther was na danger;
bot our best frinds read a dictum, wrytten on the waU, sounding,
" Louss and Leiring." We understud, fordar, that the decreit of
the CounsaU was alterit, and the ward apoMted to be Blaknes, a
fouU hoU, keipit be Captan James' men. Sa, whill we was all in
grait and heavie anxietie, and maist dulfuU doutsomnes, what to
counsaU — upon the an part, thinking it a hard and sear3 mater to
bereave the SchoUes and Kirk of Scotland of sic a light and lead-
der, and tMnking that moyen4 and tyme might mitigat the King,
and procure Ms libertie ; upon the uther part, knawing the course
and plattes leyed be the enemies, and semg the violent form of
Gaptean James' government, we thought it hardar to jeoperd the lyff5
of sic a man, as might be reserved for a better tyme — being, I say,
in this dutfuU debeat6 amangs our selves, and everie an with his awin
1 If he were once laid fast in ward. 2 Fair, smooth. 3 Sore. 4 Means
or influence. '' Put his life in hazard or jeopardy. 6 Doubtful debate.

144 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
hart nocht knawm weM wharto to Mclyne, Mr Andro Mm selff comes
out M pubfict, resolut and cheirfuU, and bad us aU be of guid cow-
rage, for God haid resolrit him of the best, and he was assurit wald
be with him. Sa we go to dinner M Mr James Lawsone's hous,
wha rith aU his gheasts * war exceiding hearie harted, and often
tymes coMd nocht conteM, bot mix thair teares rith thair drink.
Onlie Mr Andro eat, drank, and crakked 2 als merrefie and frie-
myndit as at aMe tyme. and mair ; and (accordmg to Ms continuall
form at meat, and M aU compame) tuk occasion of gMd conference
and discours, pertinent for the tyme and stat of maters, to his awin
wounderfuUMcouragnient, and our grait comfort, mterlasmg 3 alwayes
sum mirrie Mterludes, and drinking to Ms Captean and ward-fel-
lowes, biddmg us mak us ready to foUow, &c. Sa, efter denner,
he gaM" it out, and non knew uther, bot a verie few, that he wald
obey the charge, and enter M ward, giff the King commandit, and
God sa directed Mm. Wherupon the meassar4 gettes acces, gfifes
Mm the charge, rith his warrand, till5 enter m the CasteU of Blak-
nes within four and twentie houres, the quhilk he receaves reve-
rentfie; bot, withM an houre or twa, his brother Roger and he
sfippes out at the Port, hand for hand, and ludges that night whare
God haid preparit ; and witMn four and twentie houres enterit in
Berrik, M place of the Blaknes ! [A certean of Captan James hors-
nien haid finmediatfie befor ridcfin out at the sam Port tiU attend
upon Mm, and convoy him to Blaknes, ther annes6 to mak Mm
sure.7] "
Ther was na thing beMnd bot bitter teares and heavie lamenta
tion, partfie for the present lose, bot mikle mair for the esteat that
was tM ensew upon the Kirk, quMlk everie an apprehendit M graitter
and graitter missoiu* of horrour and feirfuMes. Bot above aU, that
notable and maist fathfuU mmister of God, Mr James Lawsone,
wha, semg sa terrible a tempest breidmg and coming on the scMppe
of the Kirk, and the wyesest, stouttest, and ableast schippars and
1 Guests. 2 Talked or conversed cheerfully. 3 Interlacing, interspersing.
* Macer. 5 To. 6 For once. 7 Added by the Author on the margin.

1583. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 145
mariners removit, apprehendit the danger sa hiely, and drank in the
grehTand melanchofie sa deipfie, quhilk bemg augmentit, and na
wayes mitigat, be that quhUk foUorit, namfie, the undewtifuMes of
Ms flock, wasted Ms vitaU sprites be piece-meaU, and, witMn few
monethes thairefter, cutted the tMid1 of Ms maist stedable2 and
comfortable lyff to the Kirk of Scotland.
As for my sehT, to confes the treuthe, I was almaist exaMmat3
with hearines of hart, the quhUk, if it haid nocht resolvit in
aboundance of teares, my lyff haid beM suffocat ; for the quhUk
cause I tuk me to a chahner, and closmg the dur, let my affec
tiones brak out, and go louse at randon, quhilk a speciaU loving
frind of myne, wating on me, sufferit for the space of an houre ;
bot efter, knokMt sa, and spak to me, that bathe for love and reve
rence it behorit me till4 opm ; wha nocht onfie usit aU the comforts
he coMd, bot wated upon me, and convoyed me ham to St Androis :
TMs was Andro Wod of StrearitMe.
Mr James Lawsone, and Mr Walter BalcanquaU, Ms oMy coUeg
that remaned, maid, accordMg to thair disposition, the pMpit of
Edinbruche to sound mightefie m the praise of Mr Andro, and to
the detestation of the fact of the CounsaU, that haid sa proceidit
agamst him ; also, they prayit for him M particular, at aU thair
ordmar sermontes, quhilk moved the peiple verie mUde, and gaMt
the Court.
At my commg to St Androis, my wound, skarslie stemit,5 beguid
to blude apace,6 fincfing na thmg, whar ever I cust my eis, bot mater
of melanchofie. His bookes war M danger, [he] bemg put to the
horn ; and thairfor I addressit me with dMgence to pak tham upe,
and put tham asyde, and skarse was ther ane quhUk I haid knawM
m his comoun use that ranckled nocht my wounds againe, sa that
that labour was feUon7 peanfuU and hearie to me. Bot, above aU
it was a dayfie hart-brak to me to sie that notable wark, sa weill
1 Cut the thread. z Available. 3 Overcome, half-dead. Lat. exanimis-
4 To. 5 Stemmed, staunched. " Began to bleed apace. 7 Very, extremely.
K

14(5 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
begoun, yeUding, in the first spring-tyme of it, sic appeirance of
plentifuU fraicts, with sic1 a calamitie cuttit of from aUhope ofher-
vest. I thought I felt continuafie a caMd hearie lumpe lyand on
my hart, lykMg for to chok me ; and sure I am it haid cost me my
lyff, giff the mightie hand of my God haid nocht curit bathe bodie
and sauU ; and efter the curing thairof, furnesit, by 2 aU conscience
of abMtie and expectatioun, sum missour of strynthe and gMs to
tak a piece of courage, and haMd M the spunk3 of lyff M the wark,
tiU God soMd haM mercie, and retourn for the restauration
thairof. For finding, as in the spring-tyme, nature begMning to purge, I
helped the sam with a melancolique purgation; quhilk wrought
lang, and M grait quantitie, evidentfie be the cuUor, kytMng4 the
peccant humour. And soone thairefter, fincfing sum curage, bathe
naturaU and spirituaU, I feU to wark, and by5 my awM houres for
the langages quhUk I keipet befor, I supplied, as I coMd, the thrie
dayes of Mr Androe's publict Lessones M the comoun places of Re
ligion, and teatched the twa cheM controvertit heads, De Verbo et
Ecclesia, M the monethes of Merche and ApryU.
By and besyde6 the Mward hand of my God, to whom alan per-
teMes aU praise, I haid twa utward speciaU comforts. An was the
Maisters and members of the Universitie, wha kythed an uther
mynd to the wark then I Miked for, and gaiff thair presence and
gMd countenance and assistance to my Lessons, to my grait com
fort and incuragment. The uther was of twa speciaU dayfie fnnds
and compaMones : the ane Mr Robert Bruce, the uther Mr Robert
Durie, wha keipit compaMe with me continuafie, to my grait up-
hald and forderance in God's Word. [Mr Thomas Buchannan also
was my gMd Mbour and frind, at that tyme, and aU Ms dayes.7] Of
that an wharof, namlie, for the grait praise of the caire and provi
dence of God towards his Kirk, I man8 remember sum tMng mair
at lainthe.

1 Such. 5 Beyond. 3 Spark. " Manifesting. » Forbye,
besides, * Over and above. 7 Supplied from margin of MS. 8 Must.

1583. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 147
Mr Robert Bruce, second sone to the Lard of Arthe, brought
upe in letters, past his course of PhUosopMe in the Universitie
of St Androis ; and thairefter, be Ms father furnesit, was sent to
France, whar, and in the Universitie of Lovan, in the Law
Countreyes, he studiet, namlie, tM1 HumaMtie and the Jims-
prudence, quhilk Ms father and frinds haid sett to be the end of
his studies. Thairefter, coming hame, he is directed tM attend
on Court and Session, for his father's effeares and his frinds, till
the Lord began to caUupon Mm, and wourk2 strangiie in his
conscience, sa that he haid na rest nor confort, bot in the Word of
God and compaMe of gMd men. Yit the manifald effeares of his
father and frinds continuafie importuning him, maid Mm to stryve
against the workMg of his hart ; bot M vean, for he was fean at last
plainfie to schaw his father, that ther was na rest nor lyff for him,
uMes he haid leive to go to the studie of Theologie, and be in com
paMe of Mr Andro MelriU, in St Androis. Sa his father permitted
at last, and he cam to us at the begMnmg of that sam wintar, at
the end wharof Mr Andro was put att, whom maist loringlie and
fathfuMe he assisted tM his departour out of the countrey, and syne
retoumed again to us, and sett Mm sehT mair emestfie then ever
befor to Ms studies ; and that nocht onfie to be a heirar, but to
essay what gift God wald giff him of utterance of that quhilk he
studeit. And all tMs movit, yea, drawn as it war perforce, with a
mightie inwart working, quhUk sufferit Mm never to gett rest bot
when he was about that purpose, he said to me a3 day, in re-
leiring of Ms mUde and sear occupied mynd, in privat conference
purmeineing4 in the fields, that or he cust him selff again M that
torment of conscience quhUk was leyed on Mm for resisting the
calling of God to the studie of Theologie and Mmisterie, he haid
rather go throw a fyre of brinston haM a myU lang !
Sa, befor he wald open his mouthe at our table, whar ordmarfie
ther, meaU about,5 the students opened upe a chapter, and gather-
1 To. 2 Wrought. B One. 4 Walking. O. Fr. pourmener, (promener.)
5 At each meal alternately, in their turn.

148 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
ed sum nottes thairapon, he desyrit to haM sum exerceise M privat
with me and Mr Robert Dury; and sa, annes M the ouk1 first,
thairefter thryse, our tyme about, M a large wyde hous of the Col
lage, we handlit a chapter. tiU that way we past tMow the Epistles
to the Romanes and Hebrews : But, or2 we cam oMe way fordwart
m the Hebrews, Mr Robert tuk the haM exerceise to him sehT, and
haid us auditors, to our grait joy and comfort. Therefter, we drew
Mm to the schoU, whar the students haid ther privat exerceises be
for the Maisters : from that to the table, and syne3 to the morning
doctrine on the Sabbathe, to quMlk a mMtitude of the best peiple
of the town resorted. Sa it pleased God at that tyme, to my sin
gular uphaMd and Mcuragment M Ms service, to begM to trean upe
and fram4 that maist notable preatchour for the tyme of restitution
of his decerit and captived Jerusalem.
During this tyme, the first mteUigence, be wryt, I gott of Mr
Andro, was of the Bischope's bissmes, a just copie of whase Articles
he send me hame : the quMlk I haM thought meit heir to Msert,
for cleiring of the controversie betwix the Kirk and Mm, and to
schaw whow craftefie and mafitiusfie that sycophant calumMattes
the Ordourand Conclusionnes of Discipfine befor sett down; thairby
to haiff catcMt a vantage, ghThe coMd haM gottin, be sic Mforma-
tion, a censour of the Breithring of the French Kirk, Genev, Ty-
gurie, &c, and to mak us and our Discipfine odius to the Quein
and Kirk of EMgland :
ARTICLES QUHTLK THE BISCHOPE OE ST ANDROIS GAIFF OUT IK
EESGLAXD TO THE FRENCHE KIRK AT LONDONE, SEND TO GE-
XEV, TYGURD3, &C 1583.
THE ORDOUR APOINTED BE THE MINISTERS OF SCOTLAND OBTRUDIT TO
THE KING BE THAM.
" 1. As ther [is] a cfifference betwix the CivUl Polecie and Go-
1 Once a week. * Ere, before. 3 Then, afterwards. 4 Frame, mould.

1583. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 149
vermnent of the Kirk, sa is ther divers governours apomted for the
an and for the uther.
"• 2. The Cirill Magistrat rewfit M his politik effeares oMy, and
the SpirituaU Governours m the effeares of the Kirk.
" 3. As SpirituaU Rewlares does exceid thair bounds, if they M-
terpryse upon cirill and politik matters ; so does the Prince or CiriU
Magistrat, if he pretend M maters EcclesiasticaU.
" 4. The exemple of Uzziah, King of Juda, declares that Kings
soMd be affrayed to middle with maters perteMMg to the Kirk.
" 5. It is an heresie to a Prince to usurpe the tytle to be called
The Head of the Kirk.

THESE ABOVE WRTTTIN CONCERN THE PRINCE'S DEWTIE : THESE THAT FOL
LOW CONCERN THE GOVERNMENT AND POLECIE OF THE MINISTERIE.-
r " 1. The Ordour wharby the Kirk soMd be govemit, alsweM M
preatchmg of the Word, nfinistration of Sacraments, as Discipfine
EcclesiasticaU, is sufficientfie and fullie sett ftu-the m the Scriptures,
and hes neid of na farder ; and the Mmisters of the Word of God
soMd haMna injunctionnes gMen1 to tham M pretcMng of the Gos-
peU, bot soMd speak as the Word of God puttes M thair mouthe.
" 2. The Government of the Kirk consistes M thrie sortes ; in
Pastor, Doctor, Semor,2 wha aught to haiff the haM Discipfine of
the Kirk m thair powar ; and Pastors to be sic as hes a particMar
flok, wha lykwayes soMd be caUed Bischopes.
" 3. The office and esteat of Bischopes, as they ar of Prorinces
and Dyoceis, can nocht stand with the Word of God.
" 4. Everie Pastor witMn his awm Congregation soMd haM a
nomber of SeMores or Eldars, of laic men,3 to assist tham in coun
saU for the government of the Kirk*; and in everie compas, or
reasonable precmct of boundes, thair sould be erected a Presbyterie,
consisting M the Pastors and Doctors, and sic uther laic persones,'
as be election may be associat within the sam. And these Presby'

Given. 2 Eldel. 3 L

aymen.

150 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
ters soMd haiff cair of the doctrine and maners witMn thair bounds,
and of the Election of Pastors, when anie of tham saU happin to
Mleak ; x and powar of excommunication, and disposition of bene
fices. " 5. The SynodaU Assembfie does consist M manie Presbyteries ;
lyk as the Presbyteries in manie particMar Kirks; and in the Pres
byteries and GeneraU Assembfies an Moderator is to be chosin, be
the consent of the rest, at everie meitting ; and his powar to con
tinow to the nixt Assemblie thairefter.
" 6. Thair is appeUation from the particMar [Kirk] to the Pres
byterie, from the Presbyterie to the SynodaU, and from the SynodaU
to the GeneraU, if anie man be hurt or greirit. And the General!
Assembfie does consist of the Commissionars, quhilk ar directed
from the SynodaU Assembfies to the GeneraU : And, in lyk maner,
the Assemblie GeneraU sould haiff a Moderator chosin at everre
meitting. " 7. The Assembfie GeneraU hes powar to mak Lawes, Canones,
and Constitutionnes, for the effeares of the haM Kirk, and to deter
mine in aU maters EcclesiasticaU, in Election of Pastores, Deposi- -
tion, Suspension, Excommunication, Heresie, and whatsumever
effeares perteining to the Kirk.
" 8. The Assembfie GeneraU may appoint tymes of thair con
vention from Assembfie tM Assemblie, and convein tham selves
without anie licence impetrat of the Prince for that effect.
" 9. The Assembfie GeneraU hes also powar to direct Commis
sionars to the King's Parliament ; quMLks Commissionars sould
haiff the powar and authoritie of the Kirk, and nocht sic as ar Bis
chopes, except they be from tyme to tyme authorised with thair
commission. " 10. The Assemblie GeneraU hes also powar to direct, of thair
awin nomber, certean to visit the Kirks, as occasion saU faU. And
ther is na ordMar powar to visit, except they haiff commission .of
the Kirk, and be directed from the GeneraU Assembfie to that effect.
1 To be deficient or awanting, e.g. by death, &c.

1583. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 151
"11. Benefices ar the Mvention of the devM, and na man aught
to possess rent or leiving ; bot Deacones sould fift upe the Kirk-
rents, and distribut the sam, accordMg to the ancient canones.
" 12. Patrones and Patronages ar nocht to be tolerated in the
Reformit Kirk, as occasiones of intolerable corruptionnes. Bot the
Patrons soMd resmg J M favours of the Deacones : And giff Patrones
soMd be permitted, they soMd nocht haM the choise of the election
of the persone ; bot efter the persone is elected be the ParocMne 2
or Presbyterie, then the Patrones aught to confer the leiving onlie
to the persone Mtrant, and the Mstribution of the said leiving im
mediatlie to be gMen to the Deacones.
" 13. Therbelanges to the PatrimoMe of the Kirk aU sic tempo-
raU and spirituaU lands, teMds, rents, as hes bein at anie tyme
founMt or dotted 3 thairunto ; and it is a sacrilage to the Prince, or
anie mferior persone, to middle thairwith, except the Deacones onfie
to the use forsaid.
" 14. GUT the Prince wald contravem the Actes of the GeneraU
Assemblie, he may be alsweM excommunicat as ame Mferiour M the
realme.

FOLLOWES THE JUDGMENT OF THE BISCHOP OF ST ANDROIS, QUHILK HE
PRESSED TO HAIF HAD CONFIRMED BE THE LERNED DOCTORS AND MINISTERS
OF GOD'S WORD IN EINGLAND, GENEV, OR ELSQHER, FOR SUPPLANTING OF
THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND. 1. For the Prince.
"1. It is ane of the graittest parts of the Princfie office, to ap-
poinct a godfie Ordour to the Kirk, and to tak head that the sam
be meanteined and keipit.4
" 2. It proceidit from the tyrannie of the Paipe, tM arrogat to
the Clergie the haM Government of the Kirk, and to exclud ther-
1 Resign. 2 Parish. 3 Left, bequeathed, or endowed. * « Gift" thir
grunds be fast stuken to or nocht, this tym's experience may tell ! 1690." The above
note has been inserted by the Author on the margin of MS.

152 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
fra Christian Princes and godfie Magistrates, wha soMd be nurishes '
of the Kirk, and keipars of bathe the Tables.2
" 3. Princes, in thair awin cowntries, ar cheM heades under
Chryst, as weM in EcclesiasticaU Polecie as TemporaU ; and thair
judgment M bathe is soveran.
u 4. Giff the Rewlars of the Kirk hes done wrang, appeUation is
lawfuU to the Princfie powar, be whase authoritie the sarMng sould
be redressit. 2. For the Ministrie.
"1. It is maist necessar that a gMd Ordour and Form be pre-
scryrit in the Kirk, alsweM m the service of God as M publict
doctrin, that aU things may be don ordourlie, and na man transgres
the limites and bounds apomted in the Scripture, under pretext of
the libertie of the Spreit of God.
" 2. The Government of the Kirk does consist M the authoritie
and powar of the Bischope, to whom ar committed the dyoceise and
provinces M government.
" 3. The Office of Bischope is of the Apostolic institution, and
maist aggreable to the primitive puritie of the Kirk of God.
" 4. The Ordination and ordMarie Judgment of Pastors belangit
to the Bischope, without whase authoritie, whasoever does presume
to the PastoraU cure enters nocht at the dur, bot ower the dyk.3
" 5. Doctors hes na power to preatche, bot be the apointment of
Bischops ; nather haiff they anie fordar powar in governing the Kirk.
" 6. SeMors or Eldars, of the laic sort, is nocht agreable with
the Scripture, nor ancient puritie of The Primitive Kirk.
" 7. Presbyteries to be apointed of gentUmen, or lords of the
ground, and uthers associatt with the MMisters, is na uther thing
bot tM induce a grait confusion in the Kirk, and an occasion of con
tinuaU sedition.
" 8. The ordour of apointing Moderators in Presbyteries or As-
' Nurses. * Of the Law. 3 Over the wall.

1583. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 153
semblies to be alterit at thair meitting, is nather CanonicaU efter
the Scriptures, nor aggreiable to the ordour of The Primitive Kirk ;
in the quhUk it hes beM locall in the Bischope's seat, and nocht
elective and variable, as was the Wardeanes of the Frires.
" 9. The SynodaU Assembfie soMd be moderat and governed be
the Bischope, in everie Prorince and Dyocie, and be him sould
ordour be takM that the Kirks be weM servit.
" 10. The GeneraU Assemblie of a reahne hes nocht powar to
conveM tham seM bot upon a grait and weghtie occasion intimat to
the Prince, and licence granted thairto.
" 11. Ther is na Assembfie that hes powar tM establise lawes and
constitutiones witMn the realm, bot sic as ar afiowit of the Prince
and his Esteat.
" 12. The resort of the Prelates of the Kirk to the King's Parfia
ment. and grait CounsaU, for the weghtie effeares of the realme, is
maist necessar ; and that MMisters sail presum to direct of thair
number to the CounsaU and Parfiament, it is an intolerable arro-
gancie. " 13. Visitation is an office necessar in the Kirk, and proper to
the function of a Bischope, and sic as ar apoMted be him for that
effect. " 14. Benefices and Patronages hes beM zealusfie and godlie
apomted be our antecessours ; and Christian Pastors may with saiff
conscience injoy the samMg. And the Deacones to be apointed
ower the Eirk-rents is an preposterous Miitation of The Primitive
Kirk, without anie kynd of reasone.
" 15. The Patrimonie of the Kirk is that qMiilk, be the lawes
and esteates of countreyes, belangs to the Kirk and MterteMment
thairof, and nocht that aboundance wherwith the Roman Kirk did
owerflow." Thir last Articles, plean contradictorie to the estabfissed Disci
pline of the Kirk of Scotland, the said Bischope of St Androis pre
sented to the Bischopes of Canterberry and London ; also to the
Ministers of The Frenche Kirk at Londone, and to sindrie uther

154 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
lernit men, aUeaging tham to be foundit upon the Scriptures, and
maist sinceare antiqMtie ; willing tham, be vertew of a commission
giffen to him be the King's Majestie of Scotland, to Mtreat of thir
maters, to confirm the sam be thair subscription and approbation.
And mairower, he wrot to Genev and Tigurie sinistrus Mformation
of aU our proceidMgs, and as best might serve to purchase, and haid
bein never so lytle a MnMing1 of ther pen tM haM born out Ms
course, and maid vant of for Ms creadit at Court. Bot, as my uncle
directed me, I maid his bissMes knawin at hame, and Mformit aU
the guid breithring of his proceidMgs, and send copies of Ms Articles
abrode throwout the contrey.
And, on the uther part, Mr Andro, wha warred2 hhn far in credit
without the contrey, [amangs the best and maist lerned,] namfie at
Genev and Tigurie, wrot unto the Kirks at laMthe, in the breith-
ring's nam, and informit tham of the man, and aU his proceidmgs
and purpose in his deUing with thame. The quMlk Epistle, because
it cleires bathe the cause and storie better nor3 I can set it down, I
haiff translated, and thought maist meit to be insert in tMs place.
[EPISTLE FROM MR ANDRO MELVILL]
TO THE MAIST REVEREND FATHERS, AND OUR MAIST LOVING BRETHRING IN
THE LORD JESUS, THE PASTORS OF THE KIRK OF GENEVA AND TIGURIE.
" It is now almaist fyftein yeirs, Reverend Fathers M God, and
Breithring in the Lord, maist WorschipfoU, sen that grave and
lerned men, and that quMlk is cheM burning with wyse and sincere
zeall of the glorie of God, and helthe of his Kirk, Mformed with
your precepts, and Mstructed with your exemples, hathe, m the
first planting of our Kirks, conjoyned with the puritie of Doctrine
the holmes of Discipfine : And that thair uniforme consent and
aggreiment in aU poinctes witnessed unto the haM warld, might lest
unto the posteritie, they subscryvit your Confession. In the futt-
1 Inkling, hint. ' Surpassed, excelled, 3 Than.

1583.

MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARV. 155

steppes of the quhilk guid and godfie renoumed men, we therefter
insisting, haiff, nixt efter the heaviMie oracles of the Word of God,
foUowmg the doctrine and constitution of your Kirk, keip the sam
course unto this present day; and farther, also leanMng on the
mercie and gmdnes of our God, and on the strynthe of Ms Holie
Spreit, we dout nocht constantfie, without weireing, to haid the
sam unto the end. Of the quhUk, our purpose and constant
aggriment with yow m doctrine and discipfine, we haiff fund of
God's gmdnes tMs frmct, that mduring sa manie yeirs na heresie
hes sprung out in our Kirks ; nan com from uther places hes taken
rut, entered ame thmg deipfie, or remeaned aMe space of tyme M
the hart of ame man, mUde les to haMgrowm upe or cropen abrode.1
Na obstinat Papist or trespassour, pubfictfie knawM, hes it sufferit
lang to converse amangs us, untean2 ordour withe. Sa it hes pleasit
the Lord to bles the labours of Ms servantes, undertakM accordMg
to the direction of Ms Word ; and unto this day to heape sa grait
and mcreMble happMes, of Ms awm smgular gmdnes, upon the
Congregationes of Scotland.
" But m the mean tyme, alas ! wMU as we answerit nocht unto sa
grait and rare a grace and gMdnes of God toward us, be that thank-
fulnes of mynd, obedience to his Word, and dMgence M our dew-
ties, that becam us, behaMd, of the fearftul judgment of God, but
indeid justfie deserrit, Sathan sa bfinds with avarice and ambition
ane nocht of us albeit amangs us,3 bearing the office of a Minister,
that forgetting, as sayes the poet, bathe Ms awin scham and the
helthe of his breithring, and (that quhUk is mair miserable !) casting
af aU grid conscience, and makMg shipwrak of his fathe, goes ford-
wart without ceassmg to mix heavM with erthe, and with utter con
fusion to trouble aU tMngs. For, when he haid left Ms flok, and
unwitting of the Kirk haid croppM m4 Court ; when he haid nocht
onlie with subtM craft and polecie Mtradit Mm selff M the esteat of
fals Bischopes, of new sprung upe agame from the hoUes, the quhUk
he haid oppugned of befor, bot also haid taken planlie unto him
' ' Crept abroad. 2 Untaken. 3 One not of us, although among us. * Crept into.

156 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
that fals usurped authoritie quhUk in his sermonts pubficfie he haid
damned,1 quMlk opiMie in a maist frequent Assembfie GeneraU of
the Kirk he haid oftentymes abjurit, and the quMlk, be sindrie sub-
scriptiones and hand-wryttes, he haid renuncit and giffen ower;
when, as he haid addicted Mm seM to the maist vyle servitude and
slaverie, and with the sworn enemies to the guid esteat of the
Countrey, Kirk, and ReUigion, M a maist MtMe cause joynit and
bandit Mm sehT; when, thatM doutfuU maters, and disparit helthe
of his body, he haid nocht onfie consMted with witches concerning
the esteat of KMg and Countrey, bot also for releiff of Ms seiknes
he haid ernestfie sought the helpe and support of derilrie and witch
craft; when, that efter a stubburn sylence from pretcMng the space
of a haM yeir, under clok of sicknes and infirmitie, he haid, to foster
and steir upe the permtius affectionnes of the Co'urt, maid twa
maist turbMent and seditius sermonts ; when he haid, with the
MachiaveMans of the Court, and the Pape's trafectars at ham,2 de-
vysit maist crewall counsaUes against the lyff, lands, and esteat of
the best and maist zealus noble men, and uthers gMd gentUmen and
subjects of the countrey ; when he haid don monie uther tMngs,
quhilk nather tyme sufferes, and scham forbiddes, to wryt ; and now,
when formaU proces upon the forenamed maist odious and hynous
crymes was lead and deducit against Mm befor the Presbyteries and
Assembfies, and for that cause, efter that he was Mhibit, as maist
sklanderas and unwortMe tM use the function of mMisterie, unto
the tyme that the last censor of the Kirk might strik upon Mm, to
cut Mm of from the body of the sam as a maist contagius and cor
rupt member, he obteines a frie legacie from his Majestie to pas to
uther nationnes, whar, under pretence and clok of curing Ms Ms-
eases and seikMg of his helthe, he might moyen3 aU the meanes and
wayes he coMd (as his verie deids hes declarit) to vex and trouble
the Kirk, the quhUk now he haid leyit in his hart to slay and Ms-
troy as Ms deadlie enemie. Yie wM giff us, as we hope, this leive,
(Reverend Fathers and Breithring in the Lord,) in the cause of
1 Condemned. 2 Traffickers at home. 3 Compass or effect. Fr. mm/enner.

1583. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 157
God and his Kirk, simplie and planlie to deaU with yow, for that
oMie a cearssar of the hart is witnes ' that we yeUd na tiling in this
present narration to our privat affections, botrather owerpas2 manie
tMngs, of sett purpose, quhUk the cause it sehT requyres.
" In London, then, letting Mm selff out as Ambassator for Ms
Majestie, he thifteiusfie Mtreated oftentymes of secret purposes
with the Ambassators of France and Spean. Withe our nibour Bis
chopes (for ther amangs our mbours he remeaned, nather purposed
he at the begmnmg to go anie farder) he haid sic coMerence, be
the quhilk he traducit the best of our nobUitie and subjects as se
ditius and treasonable, he gMes him seM to sic devysses and coun-
saUs, be the straMthe and effect wharof, at this tyme, the maist ler
nit and fathfull Pastores in bathe the Mngdomes ar forced ather
haMefie3 to keipe sylence and leave the mmisterie, or then by
flight and exyU to saM thair ly ves, or els to essay the ffltMe weiri-
nes of stinking pressones ; or then of necessitie to do that quhilk
onfie remeanes agaMs thair de,wtie and conscience, to subscryve to
the ambitius tyrannie of the fals Bischopes, and to the Mipietie of
mame corrupt rytes and ceremonies.
" Of this comes those ArcMepiscopaU Letters, wrytten to yow
and the Breithring of Tygurie ; be the quhUks that mervelus, cun
ning, and fyne artifice, M feMyeMg and dissemblMg what he wM,
bathe does burding us with false and forgit crymes, and bring the
government of our Kirk, traducit be maMe calumMes, Mto dout
and question, albeit he is les ignorant then aMe man : And our
awm conscience beares us record, us to haiff pressed ernestfie to
that, that the Discipfine of the Kirk might be taken out of the
Word of God, sa far as coMd be, and that it soMd nocht pas a jot
from the judgment of your Kirks. Wharfor, lyk as it soMd be
superfluus to us to open upe and declar our judgment unto yow
namlie, concerning maters of Discipfine, semg whatsoever we haiff
in that mater, we wUfingfie and planlie coMes to haiff receaved it
of yow ; and that we altogidder agrie with yow in aU poincts sa
1 For that only searcher of the heart is witness. 2 Overpass, omit. 3 Wholly.

158 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
mervelousfie does our mynds and wiUes, be the vertew of God's
Spreit, concent in an harmonie ; sa wiU we nocht, for fear bathe of
temeritie and impudence, prescryve unto yow anie form of answer
ing, or maner of wryttmg againe to the Bischop's Letters and
Questionnes. Of this oMie, at tMs tyme, wald we haiff yow per-
suadit, that the guid ordour of the Kirk, the quhilk Adamsone
durst first undermynd secretfie, and thairefter opmlie oppung,1 and
now at last wickedlie to calumniat, fatMesfie to mean-swear, and
mafitiuslie to deteast as PapaU tyrannie, mother of confusion, and
faggot of sedition, hes bein receavit witMn our Kirks, conform to
the Word of God, and maner of the constitutionnes of your Kirks,
ever sen the first tyme that Papistrie was chassit away ; and in
continent approvit be the vottes of the haM esteates of the coun
trey M Parfiament, and, piece and piece, at last, of the mercie of
God, hes bein brought to sum mediocritie of perfection, sa far, at
the least, as the smaMes of that missour quhilk God hes bestowit
upon us might attein unto ; and quhilk thrie yeirs ago hes bein ap-
provin, seaUed upe, and ratefeid be the profession of the mouthe,
hofie and feirfull aithe of the Lord interponit, and subscription of
the hand of the King him selff, and everie an of his subjects, grait
and small, of what ordour, rank, and esteat soever they war ; and
that be the express letters patents of his Majestie, commandMg aU
and sindrie, under the hiest pean, to do the sam.
" Now, altho these tMngs be sa in verie deid as is declarit, and
tMs our Discipfine be corroborat be divers and manifold use and
experience, maister of fooles, M aU partes and in everie occasion
faMn out continuaMe tMr xxv yeirs bypast ; nevertheless the ad-
versar, efter that he haid maid the maist godfie and stout, alsweM
of the nobMtie as of Mferiour esteates, wha haid bein the speciall in
struments of God M the defence and estabfisment of ReMgion and
the cause of the King, be conducit and suborned accusars, waMit2
out of the number of sic men wha haid saMd3 tham selves in sauU
and body to work all kynd of iniquitie and riUanie for warldfie pre-
1 Impugn, oppose. z Chosen, selected. 3 Sold.

1583. MR JAMES MELYILL";? DIABY. 1-^'
ferment, and be1 fids forgit erymes maist craftebe and deceariullie
leyit upon tham, ather to be aeeusn of thair bn\s and want the
head,2 or to be comprehendit and casten in i ri<s n. :;uhsscm. and
forfaMt, to the mtent, that nan sould be left :_" gansnnd ihair ^:« •--
les course. This adversar. I say. :-^uii: the K:"s Majestie *»«»&-
tinent, and these Papistical! Epijurtaus and bk«E<e r-Ssir? «tf the
Hous of Guise and Quern Mother, be die qahilks uli G^ace -^
haMdm M fearfuU bandes and abuse, tc- co-ut.cs.;: i r j^sei-id rf
the thrie Estate of the countrey. t-:- r*---g the ¦rwwawg zrrc Trie ami
bund slaverie. For nather dursi they resume c; a ^uT=rf jr-
poMt, nor thairefter giff thair vottes and fuoi^usu^ ~^rV. sK-.rc-iiz^
to the wounted libertie of the Esr«i-~ <k Si-isfaad. asd tbe ^.ai-
able government of our nation : bot, in a bet sad Maist szej£>£
maner, the King's wfll being maid a law and ra_si"se fer altltias.
the Presbyteries ar nttedie perverted, the Ps-^u jUF-r.^-.-rg" — -
ranie restorit, the Kmg, be a plean law. recea-^ a full *-*•- ili*:-
Mt powar to command and rewfl ~ zlsss^ a>-— -"B EiadbsaesieaM
as CiriU ; the sentences of prwurnimiii-afiiM kwisKe ^srirrzzi^&i
be the Presbyteries, be thair audxriri? ii <JW— ~.=vL ?5«F C^&szn
to be of na forse or effect : and. finable. aU Zedfcaasrieai JFasfc-Zh-
tion, and nixt under the Kmg, all powar af ^V— ? » "^a Kfri. *
ghTen to the fids Bischopes, qnhflks war iA bries. wu»5jl iie 5Zbi
stude, ather maist jnstfie exeonmmxiaK. ct l»iag uu^fer the fK*5s*
of the Kirk's censours, as knawin mak ddarakro* sz»i -safaaeas
persones tMowout aU the couulrev.
" Amang the quhilk the cheiff captan and rewfar. e~e=. the au
thor, and forger, and cheM" executor of aU tht wiekednc&v k Patrik
Adamsone, the fals Bischope of St Androis: wha, aeying npoo
this perpetuaU and pontifidaU dktatura, mervelus it is whow wrx-
fie he rages agamst the Pastore of die Kirk, and all gnid mea, for
bathe he propynes certean Articles, (akartit* togidder be him.; or
rather blottes of that comfines and ordour quhilk sonld be in Chrrefc
Kirk, drawin newfie out of the dregges of the cope of the A nti. brwt

By. « Be beheaded.

1 Scraped, scratched.

160 Mil JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
unto the lawfuU Pastors to drink ; and als, be the authoritie of the
KMg, obtenes tham to be subscryrit, under the pean of baMsment,
incarceration, or depriving of tham from thair ministerie. Be the
quhUk Articles, bathe that libertie of preatchMg the Word being
oppressed, is attemperat unto thelusts and pleasures of men ; and
steat of Publict Prayer, with the simpficitie of ryttes M mmistrar
tion of the Sacraments and celebrating of Mariage, is filthefie adM-
terat, and manie uther tMngs agaMst the express Word of God
is committed. He hes pitiuslie destroyed the CoUage a fyve yeirs
since, at the command of the KMg and be a speciaU Act of Parfiar>
ment consecrat to hofie erudition and vertew, that onlie a l Anti-Se->
minarie of the knawlage of the tongues and sincere Theologie, m
aU the realme of Scotland, sett doun and planted against the mani-
fald Seminaries of the bissie Jesuites ; casting out thairof aU the
Professors and Students, and spMyemg2 the Bibliothek and wrytt-
ings thairof : It nocht being obscure what Sathan purposes by this
doing ; to wit, that the light of heavMlie knawlage being extin
guish;, we be involved again in the mist and darknes of JesuiticaU
sopMstrie ; that we, wha began in the Sprit, may end m the fleche ;
that the vynyeard of the Lord, spoMed of the savegarde and de
fence of his hedge, might be eatten upe of wyld beasts ; and, finafie,
the waUes of Jerusalem cast down, the sanctuarie may be brunt
and defy lit.
" Unto the hofie peace, concord, and unitie with our Mbours, to
whase frindschipe we ar joyned sa streatlie, first be bands of reli
gion, libertie, and conquest thairof by thair speciaU helpe and
meanes, and thairefter confirmed with maMfald benefites, they pre
fer the favour and frindscMpe of the Guisians, and the rest of these
monstruus Read-eattins 3 M France, quha celebrat that bludie
drunken feast of Bartholomew M Paris, with that horrible butcherie
of the holie martyres of God, the quhUk our Court now affirmes
justlie to haiff bein massacred ! Yea, they have persuadet our Joas
1 Single, one only. 2 Plundering, spoiling. 3 A Red-ettin, or giant ; a
fabulous Rawhead-and-bloody-bones, who conspicuously figures in Scotish Legends.

1583. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1(51
to receave in Athafia in the association and feUowschip of the Scep
ter and Croun, without whase guid wM, benediction, and full de-
lyverance, they contend that nather can he happelie ring ' and law
fuUie at hame, nor obteM the empyre of the whole Bl of Britannie.
Be the bluMe counsaU and direction of the quMlk Athafia, aU tMngs
hes proceiMt, sen Monsieur Obignie's first commg M Scotland ; M
sic sort, that, accordMg thairto, a thrie yeirs ago, the Erie of Mor
ton, Regent of Scotland, and now latlie the Erie of Gowrie, bothe
most stout and valiant advengars and defendars of ReMgion and
the Bong's cause, be the fals sentence of corrupted judges, war cir-
cumvemt and oppressed. At whase pleasure and wM, albeit cap
tive, the best nobMtie and peires of the land, the frakest2 and maist
zealus M ReMgion, in dicta causa unhard, ar forfaMted, apomted for
the slauchtar, and drawm to the gibets and comoun place of execu
tion, and aU thair gMds and geare, as the clothes of the Mnocent
to the hangman, ar ghfen to the sauUes3 clyent of Gmse and Atha
fia. The quhUk mercUess men, with the gMds and gear of the
noblest, best, and maist Mnocent, as with the spuUzie of thair ene
mies, ar gorgiusfie arrayit, and accompaMed warlyke with a sort of
limmers and godles suddartes,4 most feirfuU and dolorous to the
grid and godfie, and profitable and plesand to the ungodlie and
wicked. They abrogat and braks God's lawes, and maks wrang
and unjust, and puts tham scharpfie M execution ; sa that in na
place ever coMd that be mair treulie spokm,
Jam late hnpietas grassatur libera, passim
Omnia plena mafis :
Cum penes Mjustos jus est, et jussa malorum
Sunt metuenda boMs.
Now rages louss ungodfiness m land,
In everie place aU is foil of5 molest,
' Reign. * The most forward, hearty. a Soulless. < A comnanv
of scoundrels or thieves, and godless soldiers. a « U1 and" on margm /M [
L

1()2 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1583.
Whill as the right is in the wrangfuU hand,
And warst men's lawes ar feirfoU to the best.
" Sie, now, altho we soMd keipe sUence, Reverend Fathers and
maist loring Breithrmg in the Lord, what meines the questiones of
Adamsone anent the powar of the Prince in making of EcclesiasticaU
lawes, and constituting of the Polecie of the Kirk, M convocating
of Synods and GeneraU Assembfies, and in proclaiming of Fastes.;
to wit, that na thing be sa sur and sacrat amangs us, quhUk be the
wickednes of these mischant ' men saU nocht be riolat and undone ?
He knawes weM aneuche, nather can he be ignorant of that quhilk
he hes so often read and lerned of your maist godfie and lerned
wrytings, That it perteines nocht to the Prince to prescryve ather
ReMgion to the Kirk, or Discipfine to' the Pastors thairof; bot, be
his authoritie, to confirme bathe the an and the uther, apoMted be
God, and sincerlie declarit out of his Word, be the mimstrie of Ms
servantes ; to revenge and punishe aU corrupting of clein doctrin,
contempt of hofie Discipline, and perturbation of lawfoll Ordour,
for the quhUk use and purpose he hathe receirit the sword ; to de-
core the Assemblies, giff neid beis, with his presence ; to arme the
innocence of this Ministrie be his saiffgard and defence ; iff ther
aryse controversies amangs the Pastors sumtymes, to compose and
agrie the sam be his authoritie Mterponed ; to promove, 2 be grid
lawes maid for that effect, these tMngs quhUk ar lawfuUie constitut
be the Assemblies ; and to do manie uther things for the weiU of
the Kirk, quhUks wer lang to rehers, and unneidfuU. Bot far
utherwayes does he sitt in the Synods amangs the Pastors then he
does in the throne of the kingdome amangs the Esteattes ; heu-, to
mak lawes for subjects and command, bot ther, to receave lawes
from God to obey. And, finable, the coming of the enemie to he
declarit be the sound of the trumpet of the watchmen, as EzecMell
and Joel commands.
" And albeit, that sum things be callit EcclesiasticaU, and uther
1 Wicked. Fr. mediant. 2 Promote. Lat. promovere.

1583. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 163
tMngs CiriU, and the CivM apertean to the Comoun- weill, the uther
to the Kirk, yit it is nocht sa milde to be considderit what tMngs is
handlit as whow ; seMg the knawlage of an and the selff sam tMng,
a1 way, and m sum respect, aperteines unto the Magistrat, and an
uther way to the Senat EcclesiasticaU ; and yit sic a mater nather
does the Kirk cirilie nor the Counsall-or Parliament ecclesiasticallie
intreat— dxia yXauxas s/s 'Atojuas — salt to Dysert, or coUes to New-
casteU ! And as twitchMg the Convention of the NobMtie at
Ruthven, and the judgment of the Assemblie concerning that mater,
What neid is ther to wryt ? The haUiest and best part of the No
bMtie and Esteates of the realme, without anie tumult or slauchter,
comprehending and putting M prissone ane or twa wicked men, re
moved a pest from the Comoun-weM, a sure mischeiff fra the Kirk,
and delyverit the KMg from present danger, bathe of body and
sauU. The KMg caMt a Convention of the Esteattes. He declarit
the danger wherin Mm selff, the Kirk of God, and Comoun-welthe,
was brought M by the counsaU of wicked men ; he commends the
fathftdnes and stoutnes of the NobMtie, wha haid delyverit Ms Ma
jestie, the Kirk, and Comoun-weM, from sa present a danger, frie
and grave sentences and vottes ar spoken, aU with a voice2 com
mends the deid : Ane Act is maid be the Esteates, be the quhilk
the conveimng of the NobMtie at Ruthven is approven as guid
service done for KMg and Comoun-weM : And at the sam tyme
the GeneraU Assembfie of the Kirk was conveinit, unto the quhUk
was send fra the Noble men that tuk sa gMd a wark M hand to
purge tham from the calumnies of eviU-wMars, and from aU sus-
pition of privat factionnes and sedition, and to notMe and approve
the deed to the Assemblie and aU guid men : Ther is also send to
the Assembfie ane or twa Commissionars from the King : From the
Assembfie also unto the KMg ther is directed, lykwayes, sum of the
Breithring with his Majestie's Commissionars, to understand the
King's awin mynd in that mater, and report it againe to the Breith
ring : In the King's awin nam and words, it is reported to the As-
1 One. 2 All with one voice, unanimously.

164 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
sembfie agame, that Ms Majestie acknawlegit in verie deid, him
seM, the Comoun-weM, and the Kirk of God, to haiff bein releived
of a maist grait and extream danger ; and for that cause thanked
God hartfie, and wUfit the Assembfie, and everie an of the Breith
ring, accordMg to thair office, dUigentfie to traveU that the comoun
danger now beMg removit be the stoutnes of the NobMtie, the wark
of delyverance begoun sould be baMdlie prosecut and perfyted, sa
that bathe m thair prayers to God, and sermontes in pubfict to the
peiple, they soMd haiff in speciaU recommendation sa guid, sa hofie,
and wholsome a cause of the King, Kirk, and Comoun-weM. The
Assemblie obeyes, and gMes thaMcs to God in a smgMar maner, for
heiring of the prayers of the Kirk, quhUks haid bein powred out
with a solem fast and humMation a lytle befor the arysmg of the
delyverance from the sworn suddarts ' of the House of Guise, and of
our Athalia, Obignie being Captan to tham, wha haid sa soarfie2
oppressed the King's Majestie, Kirk, and Comoun-weM, with a
mistie Mght of captivitie and blak darknes of schamftdl servitude.
"And tMs is that quMlk our guid Bischope exagitates, to bring
the BreitMing in hatred and invy ; wha eschames nocht befor yow
to plead the cause of the Papists, whom he can nocht suffer to be
counted for goattes be the trew Pastors, whase office is to feid the
lambes of Jesus Chryst. But the bearer presses us, andperadven-
ture this is over mUde, namfie unto you wha is acquented with the
smeMng out of the craft and subteltie of sic woMes. And, thairfor,
in end, we pray yow, bathe M your privat and pubfict prayers, to
commend to our comoun Father the Kirks in bathe the countries,
for the graitest part is destitut of thair Pastors, and sa exponit3 to
the intrusion of bludie wolffes ; and that yie wald, M this grait dark
nes, schyne befor us be your fathfoll counsaU, wha, sear agamst our
wUles, ar puUit away from our awin dear flockes. From, &c."
M.D.LXXXIV.
Bot to turn bak againe, and deduce the storie of our esteat till
1 Soldiers, mercenaries. s So sorely. " Exposed.

1584. MB JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 165
we foUowed Mr Andro, and war aU fean to flie efter Mm. About
the beginnmg of ApryU that yeir, 1584, the devM essayit the stay
of my weik traveUes for halding upe the wark of the CoUage of
Theologie, or rather hadding M anie spark of lyff M it. For the
GDconomus of the CoUage, wha held the hous, and Mtrometed with
the haffl leivmg thairof, beMg a slight and war 1 man, and perceaving
the esteat of the Kirk deceyMg, and graitlie to be hated be the
Court, he thought it wald nather be profitable nor sure for Mm to
be in that place of service M the Kirk ; for he haid his MteUigence
and coUusion with the Bischope alwayes. And, therfor, whowbeit
m the middes of the yeir, when aU thmgs war at the deirest, and
he haid uplifted the best and surest part and peyment of the Col
lage leiving, yit he comes to me, and wald neides giff ower Ms office,
and leave the haldmg of our hous M the CoUage. TMs was woun-
derfuU heavie to me, bemg owerburdenit with teatcMng and govern
ing of the students M thair disputes, exerceises, and conversation ;
for the hous of the CoUage annes gMen upe,2 the students behoved
to skatter, and aU exerceis cease. Yit it pleased God to giff me a
hart resolved to be domg what I coMd ; thMMng it the best, when
ever the visitation of the Lord soMd com, to be fund occupeit in
his wark. Therfor, with the advyse of Mr Robert Bruce, wha maist
loringlie and cearfuMe assisted me m all, I caUed the said O3cono-
mus to Ms comptes, gaMMm a discharge of Ms intromission, safar
as he clared Mm be just compt, and undertuk my selff the furnesMg
of the hous, wherunto my wyff was a right and stedable helpe, and
sa put af that monethe.
TMs monethe of ApryU was a most anxius and perplext monethe
to the Kirk and haM countrey of Scotland : Wherin about the
Pasch,3 the Erles of Angus and Mar, the Maister of Glammes, ac
companied with thair frinds, occupied the town and Castle of Star
veling, MiMng for the concurrance of the countrey to stand be the
guid cause, and repres Captan James' insolence. Bot finding cadd
concurrance, and heiring of the King with grait forces to be merching
1 Wary, cautious. 2 Being once given up. J Easter.

1 66 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
from Edinbruche to Stirling, war fean to Me and eschape into Emg-
land. At the sam tyme, the breithring from aU partes assembfing
to St Androis, whar the GeneraU Assembfie was apoincted to he
keipit, they fand a hosting1 fyrie Commissionar2 directed from the
King, to crave a retractation of the approving of the Read of Ruth
ven, and a condamnator and excommuMcation of the Noblemen
conveined at Stirling : Bot the graitest part of the breithring de
parted, and sic as remeaned refused to haid an Assemblie, and sa
suffered the sam to desert. I haid then bathe the confort and dis-
confort to haiff Mr James Lawsone to be my ghest ; to haM the
man to whom, for Ms grait affection, I was mUde addetted, and wha
was cheiff for lerMng, holines, powar in doctrine, and aU gMd ver-
tues amangs the haiU mMisterie, M my hous interteaned the best I
could, it was a grait comfort and joy to me ; bot to sie Mm M sic
perplexitie, sorow, and melanchofie, it wald haiff grievit the hart of
anie that loved the cause of CMyst.
The King, with his forces, coming to Stirling, the town receaves
Mm obedientlie. The Castle nocht being furnesit, was fean to
rander, Miking for ther lyves, bot gat na grace. The Erie of Gowrie,
apprehendit at Dondie a whyU befor, is brought to StirlMg, and
ther beheadit.
About the beginning of May, I was compeMt throw necessitie,
bathe of the furnesing of the foundat persones in the CoUage, and
my awin famelie, to tak jorney athort Angus and Merns, whar the
CoUage leiving lyes, and gather in the rent dew to the CoUage. In
this mean tyme, the Bischope is retourned from Ms embassage. A
Parliament is keipit at Edinbruche, in the quhilk lawes is sett down
for restraining of the frie pretcMng of the Word, and owerthraw of
the haM establissed discipfine of the Kirk ; and that of speciaU pur
pose to be snares to tak the fathfuU mMisters in ; for, do what they
could, they sould nocht eschape ather treassone against CMyst or
the King : For preacMng frifie the treuthe, they soMd faU under
1 Threatening. » " My Lord Litle Justice, Mr Johne Graham." Margin of MS.

1584. MR JAMES melvill's diarv. 167
the danger of these lawes ; and keiping sylence, or pretching to the
pleasour of men, they soMd betrey the cause of Chryst. These
lawes ar promMgat at the mercat-cross of Edinbruche, and vowes
maid be Captean James, the ChanceUar, and cheM hand of that
cours, that giff Mr James Lawsone's head war als grait as a hay-
stak, he soMd cause it lope from his hause I1 The qulMk, when Mr
James perceavit, be advys of his brethring of the Presbyterie, and
of the best of Ms flok, and godfie barones and gentlemen about, with
his brother and coleag, Mr Walter Balcanquall, withdrew him selff
secretfie from EdMbruche, and past in Emgland. Bot befor they
past, Mr Robert Pont, accompanied with Mr Walter BalcanquaU,
and certean of the breithrmg, cam to the mercat-cros at the verie
publication of the actes of parliament, and tuk publict documents,
that they protested against the said actes, (sa far as twitched the
Kirk,) M the nam of the Kirk of Scotland, &c.
Returning from Angus, aU tMr newes is taMd me, and that the
bruit2 was, that I was away with the rest ; whowbeit indeid, as yit it
cam na wayes M my mynd to leave the CoUage, bot was resolvit to
be fund ther when ever it pleasit God to visit me. Sa, the Sabbathe
efter my ham-coming, I went to the Kirk ; and efter noone my
uncle Roger, knawmg fordar nor I did, comes ower from Dondie,
and findMg a frind of his in St Androis, taMd Mm that the Bischope
was coming hame with a commission to tak me ; and thairfor be
sought Mm nocht to leave me tiU I aggreit to go ower to Dondie
with Mm. Sa he delt with Mr Robert Brace and uthers my frinds,
and hnportuned me sa, that it behoved me to go with Mm, as I did
that Mght, to DonMe. The newes that comes to me the morn was,
that the Bischope's men, with the Magistrats, haid bein cersMg 3
the CoUage and my hous for me, and haid sought out aU my let-
trones4 and wryttes ;5 and that my dittay was aMeady inacted, in-
terteimng of inteMgence with my uncle, the King's rebeU, &c.

Halse, throat or neck. 2 Rumour, report. Fr. bruit. 3 Searching.
' Reading and writing desks, Fr. lectron. 5 Papers, writings.

168 MR JAMES melvill's dlaky. 1584.
Sa, seiking resolution cairftdlie of my God what to do, a cusmg
of my awin name, of his awin frie motion and accord, offerit to me,
be the assistance of God, to put me saiff M Berwik witMn twentie-
four houres be sie.1 To tMs also my uncle Roger, and uther frinds,
aggreit. Sa, efter consMtation with my God, and finding of Ms
warrand in my hart, I concludit to go, albeit nocht without grait
tentationes2 and mUde heavines ; yit on the part rejoysMg, that
God gaMthe hart to leave native countrey, house, and sweit loving
new-maried wyff, and all for the love of him and his Chryst. Thus
my cusing, being a mariner, conducit a bott to carie a town of Ms
portage wyn about to CareU, and decking me upe.M his sie attyre
betymes in the mornMg, about the simmer solstice, tuk me in down
under Dondie as a sMpbroken sie-man ; and rowMg about, behoved
to go to the heavin of St Androis, to lose a certean of sMeatt steanes ; 3
and because it was law water, we behoved to ly a whyU m the road
tM the water grew,4 whare the bott wanting ane owerlaft,5 the
seaU was cassen ower Mr ta end, and ther I leyed upe, lest I soMd
be spyed of sum shipes rydding besyde. Bot witMn schort space,
partfie be rokkMg in the sie, and partfie for want of eare, I grew sa
extream seik, that maMe a tyme I besaught my cowsMg to sett me
a-land ; schosin rather ame sort of dethe, for a gMd cause, nor sa to
be tormented M a stinking hoU. And yit, whowbeit it was extream
peanfuU, I gatt ther notable medicin of vomitine, quhUk was a pre
servative to my helthe aU that yeir. Sa, commg hard to the steppes
of the Archbischope's peire at St Androis, we lossit our sMeattes,6
and tuk M rivers,7 and rowit out agean hnmediatlie, and cam that
night to PitmMie-burn-mouthe, wher I gead a-land, and reposit me
m my sie abbat.8 And efter offers of grait kyndnes be the Lard, and
furMtour of a rubber of starke Merche eaU,9 betymes in the morn
ing we rowit out about the Nes.10 The day was hat. Ther was
bot twa men in the bott, by11 twa cusings of myne, with my seM.1
Of these twa, we haid an at our devotion ; the uther was the awner
1 By sea. 2 Trials. 3 To deliver a cargo of slates. A Till high-water.
6 The boat having no deck or loft. 6 Delivered our slates. 7 Provisions.
5 Sea dress. 9 Strong March ale. 10 Fife-Ness. " Besides ; forbye.

1584. MR JA3IES MELVILL'S DIARY. 169
of the bott, and verie eriU-affected; bot the hat rowmg, and the
stope with the stark eaU hard besyd Mm, maid Mm atteanes to
keave ower asfipe.1 And it pleased God to send a prettie pirhe of
wound, wherby getting on a seaU upon hir, or ever our schipper
wakned we was a gMd space besouthe the May ; wha, seing he
coMd nocht mend Mm sehff, was fean to yeUd and agrie with Ms
merchant for a hyre to Berwik. Bot beMg af and on with Dumbar,
about ane efter noone comes af the MUes of Lamermure-age2 a grait
mist, with a tempestous schoure and drow,3 quhUk, or4 we coMd
gett our seaUes taklit, Md cast us about, and, or my cusMg was
awar, caried us bak almaist to the May, with sic a how wa5 and
spene drift,6 that the bott bemg opm, he lukit for grait danger ghT
the stormie schoure haid continowed. Bot the young man being
verie skUfuU and able, starts to his Mst,7 and tuk out a compas,
and finding us contrare our course, with mikle ado, wanting helpe,
and scMppMg of mikle water, he cust about and pykit on the wmd,8
halcfing bathe the helme and scheit, sustemmg M the mean tyme
eriU langage of the scMppar M stead of helpe, tM it pleasit God
mercMUfie to lMk upon us, and witMn an houre and an hahT to dryve
away the schoure and calme the drow, sa that it fell down dead
cahne about the sune drawing leache.9
To keipe the sie aU night in an opM litle bott, it was dangerus,
and to go to Dumbar we durst nocht ; sa, of necessitie, we tuk us
toward St Tab's Heid.10 Bot we haMing but twa eares,11 and the
boot slaw and hearie, it was about aUearin houres of the Mght or we
could wM ther ; whowbeit, na man was ydle, yea, I rowit my seM,
tM the hyd12 cam af my fingars, mair acquented with the pen nor
woriring on an are.13 Commg under the crag, we rowit in within
a prettie lytle hoU betwix the mean and the head,14 whare easefie
going a-land, we refrescMt us with caMd water and wyne ; and re-
1 To fall over asleep. 2 Edge. 3 Sudden squall. ' Before, ere.
5 Literally hollow wave or billow ; sea running high. 6 Spray violently driven by
the wind. 7 Sea-chest. 8 Tacked and sailed near the wind. 9 Drawing
low; sunset. 10 St Abb's Head. "Oars. 12 Skin. "Thau
pulling an oar. u Betwixt the mainland and St Abb's Head.

170 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
turning to our boot, sleipit the dead of the night, bot neidit nan to
wakin us, for soon, be the day-light piped,1 ther was sic a noyse of
fouUes on the crag, and about us, because of thair young annes, that
we war almaist pressed to lamche out. Now we haid CawdMgham
bay and Hay-mouth to pas by, and that but slawly, rowing be the
land, whar the residence of Alexander Home of Manderston, an of
our cheiff confederat enemies, and wha haid intercepted a boot of the
Earle of Angus coming about from TamtaUon to Berwik nocht lang
befor. This put us M grait feir ; but our guid God gardit us, mak
ing a sweik thik mist tM aryse, wherby we might bot skarslie gis 2
at the sight of the land ; and thairfra nane coMd sie us. Sa we cam
on hufie and fear tM we wan within the bounds of Berwik, whar we
was in graittest danger of all, unbesett3 in the mist be twa or time
of the cobles of Berwik, quhUk war sa swift in rowmg, that they
ged round about us ; bot we being fyve within burd, and haiffing
twa pistolets, with thrie swords, and they na armour, they war fean
to let us be, namlie, when they understud that we was making for
Berwik. Thus gratiuslie protected be my guid God, I cam to Berwik,
whar I fand Mr James Lawsone and Mr Walter BalcanquaU, my
uncle, Mr Andro, with Patrik Forbes, appeirand of Cors, and sum
uther gentlemen, but twa dayes befor entred in their jorney sou the
ower.4 And Mr James, with his coUeg, war evM upon thair voyage
to foUow, as they did within tiarie or four dayes, acquenting me
with thair frinds, and leaving me in thair rowm to pretche M the
Kirk, as I was desyrit.
Being in Berwik, I rememberit the sweit tender-harted young
las that I haid maried ; and tMnking our burding was nocht yit
grait, nather knew I that sche was with chyld, I resolved with my
God to send for hir, and tak sic part togidder as it sould pleis Ms
gmdnes to bestow. And sa, satisfeing the botmen to thair con
tentment, I send bak with tham my cusing, Mr Alexander Scrym-
1 Peeped, dawned. 2 Guess. 3 Surrounded and attacked. 4 Southward.

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 171
geour, (bemg then bot a schoUar, and now a man of guid giftes and
estimation m the mmisterie,) with a letter to my wyff, wha, casting
aU thmgs asyde, cam to me with diligence, be the conduct of a ser
vant of the EMglis Ambassatour, lying M Edinbruche for the tyme ;
and tuk part with me during aU my sojourning in Eingland, to my
grait coMort. My cowsing, James MelvM, returned nocht bak to
Scotland, bot tareid m EMgland, and occupied his caMng ther aU
the tyme of our exyU. I taried at Berwik about a monethe, and
teatched twyse everie ouk,1 wherby I gat verie grait friendschipe,
namfie, of a maist curteus and godfie lady, my Lady Widdringtoun,
spouse to Sir Harrie Widdringtoun, KMght, and Maister Gover-
nour of the town, under my Lord of Houndesdean, wha defreyed
me of aU my charges during the tyme I was ther, and offerit me ten
crownes of gold at my parting ; bot I haid na neid of tham, and
therfor refusit tham thankfuffie. I haid also offered me, be divers
gMd men and weimen of the town, bot haMing of the bountifol
liberafitie of my God aneuche brought with my wyff, I wald nocht
incur ame fikfihead2 of a mercenar; bot trewfie I fand sic fectfoll
professioun of trew Christiamtie in Berwik, as I haid never sein the
lyk in Scotland.
Efter rype and lang advysment with my God, I resolved to tak
jorney suthe ower,3 and as God soMd call me "to anie condition to
teatche a schoU, and therwithe keipe the mouthe quhUk he haid
opened, m catecheismg and pretcMng of CMyst occupied, tM these
afflictiones war past in Scotland, quhilk I Miked nocht, indeid, soMd
haiff bem quarter sa schort as they war.
In the mean tyme, the Erles of Angus and Mar, lyand at New-
casteU, wryttes for me ans, and the second tyme verie instantlie, to
com and pretche the Word unto tham for ther comfort. To whom
I answerit I coMd nocht, because I was nocht entered in the mini
sterie; nather was I of anie experience of knawlage in thir maters
bemg but a young man brought upe M the schoUes, and thairfor haid
resolved to keipe my awM caffing. The treuthe was alsp, that my

Preached twice every week. 2 Suspicion.

' Southward.

172 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
hart abhorrit and fearit to haM to do with thame, bemg the KMg's
rebeUes, and nocht knawMg ther cause weM, and disposition of
ther hart.
Yit I coMd nocht bot visit tham in my jorney at NewcasteU, whar
I purposed to tak schippMg southwart to Londone. Sa, parting
from Berwik, hartfie recommendit to the blessMg and grace of God,
be maMe godfie men and women, and be sum sett and convoyet a
gMd way on our jorney, we cam that night to Anweik, and ludgit
in the house of a weidow, whose sone-in-law, gMdman of the hous,
was lyand seik of manie deadlie wounds, giffen him be the Scottes
theives on the Bordar : And yit we receavit never an evM counte
nance of tham, bot be the contrar war verie weM treated, and rea-
sonabfie, and at our departing, gat bathe from the aMd woman and
hir douchtar mame blessings.
ComMg the nixt Mght to NewcasteU, we resolvit on the morn
incontinent to seik for sMpping, and na wayes made anie lang tare-
ing, a piece of dewtie annes dischargit to the Noble-men. Bot Mr
Jhone Davidsone, being ther with the Lords, Mformes me sa M aU
maters, yea, and being my Maister in St Androis, and a man of
authoritie in the Word and Spreit of God, and namfie schawMg me
it was nocht Ms judgment onfie, but of the haM breithring that haid
past by, that I soMH abyd with the Noble-men, exerceising tham
in the Word of God, tM that ather they aU, or sum of tham at least,
soMd returne bak againe, brakes me from my purpose and resolu
tion, that, at the ernest deMng of the Lords, and cleiring of thair
cause, purpose, and conscience unto me for that effect, I yeUdit tM
abyde with tham.
Thus, finding the warrand of God sattelit in my hart, efter divers
dayes deliberation and ernest prayer, I foUowed the sam. And
soone efter Mr Jhone Daridsone's passmg away, wha haid beM de-
teined be tham onlie to abyde my coming and enter me, thinking
it best to sett down the ordour meit to be keipit amangs tham at
the beginning, I put the sam in wryt with ane exhortation, direc
tion, and fathfull warning prefixed, as foUowes :

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY.

" TO THE RIGHT 60DLIE, ZEALUS, AND NOBLE, MY LORDS OF
ANGUSS AND MARRE, THE MASTER OF GLAMMES, AND OTHER
NOBLE AND GENTLE MEN IN COMPANIE WITH THAM AT THIS
PRESENT IN NEWCASTLE, IN EINGLAND, YOUR HONORS MOST
HUMBLE MINISTERS AND SERVANTS LN THE LORD, WISHETH GRACE
AND PEACE FROM GOD THE FATHER, AND FROM THE LORD JESUS
CHRYST. " Forsamikle as at the ernest desyre of your godfie and noble
honors, and the apomtment of the rest of our breithrmg, confirming
that inwart caMng whilk we haM of God in our harts, we ar placed
heir to serve your LordscMps and your companie in the ministerie
of the Word of God M a tym sa necessar : Lyk as, M maist tender
love and affection we cease nocht M our exhortationes to put yow
m mynd of aU tMngs, according as the occasion of the portion of
Scripture mtreated offers ; sa we haM thought it expedient, for the
mair fathfull dischargmg of our dewtie and conscience befor God
and Ms Kirk, schortlie M wryt to caU to your continual remem-
berance some speciaU tMngs, the dMgent consideration and often
meditating wharof may serve graitfie to the furtherance of the wark
of God put m your weak hands. •
" It behoved us Mst, M verie deid, tM acknawlage in our con
sciences, and confes, as the treuthe is, that the Lord has maist
justfie, and yit M grait mercie, corrected us, nocht onlie for uther
our mamfald sMnes and offences, be the quhUk we haiff strayed
away from Mm, to bring us ham again be his rod of humiliation, to
the fimld and obedience of that gMd Pastor of our saMles, the Lord
Jesus, thairby maMng us to feiU and perceave, in experience, the
fatherfie cear quhilk he hathe of us, in chasteismg us as Ms awin
deire cMldrMg, but also, and maist speciaMe at this tyme, for over
lightfie regarding, and negfigentfie using, the occasiones offered, of
performing the gMd wark of the Lord, quhilk we haid in our hands.
For nather at that tyme, as becam us uprightlie, was the glorie of

174 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584,
God sought, nather yit afaMdlie l and ardentlie was procured the
preservation, advancement, and further estabfisment of his Kirk,
the kmgdome of his Sone Chryst Jesus, sa notablie of Ms grait
mercie planted witMn our countrey, but then as now brought M ex
tream danger, be craftie and wicked Papists : Nather was the King's
persone and esteat difigentlie gardit from pernitius flatterars, car-
naU Atheistes, seditius and bludie idolaters, licentius libertines,
Mthie haiiotes, heUishe witches, and sic uther divefishe counsaU-
ours, as ceassed nocht to nurishe and steir upe the poisone quhUk
they had instilled M his young and tender breist : Nather was ther
maid anie redres of the innumerable abbusses and misordours crop-
pen2 in within the body of our miserable comoun-welthe. But,
contrarie wayes, sum haiffing na thing bot the Word of God's glorie
in thair mouthe, laked aU love and desyre thairof in the hart ; the
quhilk appeired plainlie in thair warks and proceidMgs, to the dis
honour of God, and sMander of his guid cause : Sum thought it a
smaU mater to flatter the King in all Ms conceattes and affectiones,
and mak his eares patent to sic wha3 could alienat his mynd from
the gMd cause and instruments thairof, and haid Ms hart and favour
bund and bent to the former faction of the enemies, and thair un-
godlie courses : Some regairding nought at aU bot thair awM stand
ing and guid esteat warldfie, as thought thair haid beme na thing in
hand but a comoun alteration and change of Court, played prettelie
the part of Jak on bathe the sydes. The compleants, greiffes, and
petitiones of the Kirk was hard, but with deaff eares, and Miked on
with winking eis, in sic sort, that the King now triumphes in that
poinct, affirming with manie attestationes and aithes, that never
annes was movit to him be the NobMtie a word of the Kirk's
effeares. Na remors nor redres for sacrilage, wherwithe the graitt
est part was defylit ; no provision for the mMisterie, schoUes, and
pure ; no ministration of justice, nor punishement for maist oMus
and horrible erymes, quhUk aboundit in everie quarter of the coun-
1 Sincerely, uprightly ; literally one-fold. 2 Crept. 3 Such as.

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 175
trey ; and, fynalie, aU was said to haiff sought thair awin particulars,1
because na better appeired in deid.
"And yit, nochtwithstanding thir our grait sinnes, qMiMc, giff"
God wald enter in judgment to puMshe, might deserve a thowsand
fauld mair nor he hes yit leyde on us, yea, the verie helles-fyre, we
may be weM assured, if we be rightfie humblit and unfeinedlie
turned to him with aU our harts, with deliberat, ardent mynds and
wMes, to traveU tM amend aU thir misses,2 M cais God again ans
in Ms mercie sail offer the occasion, that of Ms superaboundant
grace wasMng away all our Miqmties in the blood of Ms Sone Chryst
Jesus, he wM, for the glorie of his awm name, and that compassion
quhUk he hes ever haid of Ms awin deir cMldring, luik upon the
oppression of Ms awin Kirk, and the miserie of that pure afflicted
nation and realme.
" For treuthe it is, when we luik at our awin deserving, we can
find na tMng but mater of mere desperation. But I pray yow, what
hes the glorie of the Lord deserrit, that is trode under futt be these
wicked Mstraments of Sathan, wha, without aU scham and feir of
God's judgments, hes bem sa baMd as to place a vaMshing sched-
dow, a breathe going and nocht retourning again, with absolut
powar and authoritie in the roum and seatt of the Most Hie God ?
What hes the Mngdome of the Lord Jesus, and libertie thairof,
merited, the quhilk by vyle dogs turning to thair vomit, and filthie
swyne waltring in the foull pudle of thair abominable vyces and
corruptiones, is poUuted, defylit, and led schamfollie captive to the
slaverie of the corrupt and cancered affectionnes of profean Jero
boams, that hes gean about with knawladge agamst conscience to
force the trew worschippmg of God, sett down and established with
aU friedome, liberties, and privUedges of the Word, M Ms awin
sanctuarie at Jerusalem, as a captive slave to serve to sic a perni-
tius kynd of government as thair undantoned breanes and unbry-
delit affectionnes hes against aU pietie, justice, and honestie, blas-
phemuslie forget and impudentlie obtrudit to God, and the Kino-'s
1 Their own interest. 2 To travail to amend all these omissions.

176 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
fathfuU and obedient subjects ? Wha hes pulled away the ordinarie
sacrifices of contreit and brokm harts for repentance, the peace-
offerings for remission of sinnes and reconcMation, and oblation of
the calves of the fippes for joy of conscience and thanksgMMg of
the peiple of God, from Chryst Jesus, the hofie altar of the Lord
placed in the middes of his Kirk, as in Mont Sion ; and hes tyed
the sam to thair newfie erected goldin calffes and abominationnes
of Bischopes' seattes, and residence of Court, as in Dan andBetheU ?
Wha hathe ruggit1 away, but2 reasone or reasoning, the admmi-
stration and government of the Lord's tempeU from Ms lawfuMe
caUed Ministers, Doctores, Eldars, and Deacones, to the quMlks
onlie, be the Word of God, it is giffen as to his schosMe Levittes,
and anointed Preists of the chUdring of Aaron, and be plan law hes
applyed the sam to thair beM-godes,3 fals preists of Baal, maist in-
famus amangs the peiple, theiffs, drunkards, gluttones, whure and
witch mungars, perjurit, sacrUegius, debousMt 4 persones, to mean
holiglasses,6 comoun trickers and deceavers ; and, finalie, men sham-
les, and maist sklanderas in aU thair lyff and doMgs ? And aU be
cause, say they, with Jeroboam, the sone of Nebat, wha maid IsraeU
to sin, utherwayes our kingdome can nocht stand ; our course can
nocht go fordwart, for the peiple wM go to Jerusalem ; they wM
adheire to the hous of David ; they wUbe Mstructed be the Priests
of the leiving God, wha can nocht comport with our doing.
" They haM puUed the Croun of RoyaU Authoritie within the
SpirituaU kmgdome, and thrawM6 the sword of the Word of God,
and schepter of ecclesiasticaU government, af the head and from
the hands of Chryst Jesus, the onfie Head and King of his Kirk :
1 Torn. 2 Without. 3 Belly-gods. * Debauched, worthless.
s Holieglass, or Howleglass, was a popular hero who figured in the poetic fictions and
dramas of England as well as Scotland in the sixteenth century. As applied by
one of the Makaris, Sempill, the Scotish Poet, in his " Legend of the Bischop of St
Androis," (Adamson,) he appeared to be adopted in these fictions as the personifica
tion of a cunning, deceitful, and scheming character — for Sempill there alternates
Holieglass with " Lowrie," " lurcan (lurking) Lowrie," and " deceatfull Lowrie," in
allusion to the well-known characteristics of the fox, who is still popularly known as
" Tod Lowrie" in Scotland. G Wrested, wrung.

1584.

MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 177

And sa, with open sound of trumpet, castMg down, sa far as in tham
lay, the eternaU Sone of God, Kmg unmortaU of heaviiMe glorie,
from his tin-one, wherout of he rewlethe his Kirk, hes placed m Ms
steade a chyld of corrupt Adam, even an ertMie mortaU creatoure:
They haM foUowed the fulishe exemple of Achaz, the KMg of
Juda, and Uria the preist, M remoring of the brasen alter of the
Lord, and placmg m the roum thairof an uther, accordMg to the
form of the altar of Damascus : They haiff foUowed the pervers
d calling of the cursed apostat Julian against the Kirk of CMyst,
in faking away the leirings from the MMisters, to destroy tham be
houngar, (mair crewefiy nor Dioclecian, wha cust the Christianes to
wyld beastes !) and makmg waste and desolat the schooUes of Diri-
Mtie, and aU hofie erudition : They haM said, with the fey1 and
desperat Jewes, to the Siers, ' Sie nocht ;' and to the Prophets,
' Prophesie na langer to us m the nam of the Lord, but speak unto
us pleasand things accordMg to our lykMg !' And, wMUes the fativ
foil servantes of the Lord, M love of ther amencfiment and fervent
zeaU of the glorie of God, discharged frifie thair commissiones, re-
ceaved of the Lord unto tham, they haM forced tham, for feir of
thair lyves, to flie and abandone thair native countrey, with crewaU
JezabeU ; cust tham m pressone, with wicked Achab ; and thretned
tham with death, as did foofishe Amazia, when the Lord haid taken
counsaU to destroy Mm : They haM plucked the keyes of the king-
dom of Heavin from the trew Apostles of Chryst, and gMen tham
to the wicked Pharisies, his enemies, wha nather wM enter m tham
selves, nor suffer uthers tM enter : And, finable, they haM cast down.
the dyk, cutted the hedge, demolished the towre, brokM the wyne-*
pres, bamshed the watchmen and laborars, the snedders and drivers a
of the wyne-yeard of the Lord, to mak it to be tramped under futt
of wyld Atheists, yea, an opin prey to the bloodie and creuaU
locusts of the botomles pit.
" Can the Lord suffer these tMngs lang, and be just in executing
of his judgments, and puring out of Ms plages upon Ms cursed ene-
1 Fated, infatuated. q Pruners or vine-dressers, and diggers. M

178 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
mies ? Can the Lord suffer his sanctuarie to be defyfit, and his awin
to smart, and be the Father of mercies, God of consolation, and
maist fathfuU keipar of his promises ? Can the Lord suffer Ms glorie
to be giffen to an uther ? Can He, wha haithe promised to mak the
enemies of CMyst Jesus his futstool, suffer tham to tread on his
head? " Na, na ! right honourable and deir breithring, he hes anointed
Mm KMg on Ms hofie montean ; he hes giffen him aU nationes for
an Mheritance ; he hes put in Ms hand a schepter of yron, to bruse
m pouder these erthen veshaUes. When Ms wrothe saU annes be-
gM to kendle bot a lytle, he sail mak it notoriusfie knawin tiU all
the warld, that they onfie ar happie wha M hunfilitie kisses the Lord
Jesus, and trusts in Mm. Now, thairfor, seing the Lord hes maid
your lordschipes to haiff these places and rowmes be birthe witMn
your native countrey, whertiirow it lyes on your shoulders, of spe
ciaU dewtie, wherof ye saU giff a compt to God, to procure and seik
to the uttermaist of your powar the releiff, delyverance, and weU of
your naturaU nation and Prince, lyMg tMs day M sa pitius esteat of
captiritie : And seMg, M lyk maner, it hes pleased the Lord of his
gmdnes to caU yow to be his gude Mstraments in tMs maist accept
able wark of rindicating of Ms glorie defaced, and delyverie of Ms
Kirk, brought in sa miserable boundage, as also of the reclaming of
your native King from sa dangerus a companie and course ; and
seMg yow haM" also, ance or twyse, employed your selff in the cause,
but for the just reasones befor rehersed, and mvdtitud of our secret
sinnes, wherwith the Lord hathe beM Mfie offendit, it hes nocht as
yit haid an expected succes, and yit, as becomes valiant warriours
and capteanes of the Lord's armie, ar nocht discuragit, but pur
poses, efter trew humMation and assurance of God's mercie and
favour, to go fordwart, we, your MMisters, in the feir and nam of the
Lord our God, and in love and reverence of your honours, desyre
thir presentes to be a witnes and testmionie befor God and his
Kirk, of the fathfuU discharge of our conscience and dewtie towards
yow, exhortMg yow maist ernestfie, by the Lord our God, and his
Sone Chryst Jesus, that withe trew repentance, unfeinyit humilia-

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1 79
tion, reformation of lyff and maners, Mstruction and wesdome of
the Buik of God* ardent prayer and meditation, fervent love and
zeaU toward God, his Kirk, and your KMg, yie saU fracfie J and
curagiusfie to the wark of God, and, foUowmg furthe the sam di
rectfie, uprightfie, fathftdlie, constantlie, and with aU cair and di
ligence, fearing alwayes that wa,2 quhUk the Profit pronunces
agamst sic as does the wark of the Lord negfigentfie and deceit-
fuMe, yow may yit hope for a happie succes of the mercie and
blessmg of God, for Ms awm glorie and name's sak. Yie sie the
enemies never ceasses to devyse, deliberat, reasone, tak counsaU,
and put m execution thair malice and creweltie agamst the Kirk of
God, his treuthe and professours thairof; whow graitlie then soMd
we be eschamed to be found slipperie and slaw in the gMd cause of
our Chryst !
" Bot this a tMng, m speciaU, we man denunce unto yow, taMng
God, his Kirk, and your selves to record, that we forwarn yow,
fathfulfie, and M tyme, That m cais (as God forbid !) yie ga to this
wark agaMe, moved cheMy with your awM particMars, as vengeance
on your enemies, and to be restored to sic honours, rowmes, pos-
sessionnes, and commodities, quhUk yfo mj°yed of befor, making
God's glorie, the cause of his Kirk, of your King and Comoun-weM,
to be bot pretences and skugges,3 and as bot slaves and gudiates
serring thairunto, ather the Lord saU curse the wark in your wick
ed hands, and mak it turn to your graitter schame and disadvantage
then of befor, or, M ceas for Ms awm name's seak, he work the wark
of Ms glorie m mercie for delyverance of Ms Kirk, (as he is accus
tomed to do with maist roustie and creuked instruments and deU-
ings,) yit wM he nocht feaU in Ms justice to reward yow with the
corrupt and hypocriticaU workers of MiqMtie, at sic tyme thairefter
as he thmks conveMent. But in cease, (as we hope weiU, and caUes
to God maist ardentlie that sa may be,) efter trew repentance and
effectuaU reformation of your selffs and companies, yie go to wark
setting directfie befor your eis the honour and glorie of God acord-
1 Freely, heartily. * Woe. ' Shelters, stalking-horses.

180 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
ing to his wM, framing your wMes and affectiones unto the sam ;
and sa uprightfie, trewfie, and zealousfie, be aU gMd meanes and
wayes seik God to be glorified, Ms Kirk to be delyverit, reformed,
and surlie estabfissed, your tender King, and sweit native countrey,
to be redde from the abbusars and misrewlares of the sam; and mak
your awin particulars to foUow efter, as the servant and sheddow,
and nocht go befor as the maister and body, and be maist wMing
and ernest to schaw the sam, in effect when God saU offer the oc
casion : And, finafie, if yie go to with upright, deliberat mynds, and
bent wMes, tM amend all things neglected of befor, then we dar be
bauld, be the warrand of the Word of God, tM assure yow of the
presence and blessing of God to be withe yow, and undoutedlie to
perform the wark in your hands, whow weak that ever they be ;
and whow maMe, craftie, and pMssant so ever they be that gean-
stands the sam, to Ms awin glorie, the grait comfort of Ms Kirk, and
your honour and weUfear, nocht onfie temporaU, but perpetuaU and
everlasting. " And to that intent, that maters may this wayes happelie pro-
ceid, we ar, in conclusion, maist ernestlie and loringlie, in the
boweUes of CMyst Jesus, to exhort you and aU your companie, that,
in the mean tym, whill as occasion of bodelie exercise M the mater
is nocht yit offered, that yie giff your selves dMgentlie and ferventfie
to spirituaU exerceis, M heiring, reiding, and meditating continow-
afie of the Word of God, wherby yie may be moved to unfeMyed
repentance, trew humMation, amendmient of lyff, and devot and ar
dent prayer to the Lord, for Ms grace, mercie, and favour, and for
the worMng of his powerfull Spreit M yow, yie may, out of the
Word of God, as out of the fontean and tMeassor of aU wesdome,
draw out sic store and aboundance of aU guid knawlage, wesdome,
and wholsome counsaU, as may direct yow alwayes aright ; and
wharby yie may find strenthe, courage, confort, patience, hope, and
perseverance in all your battels, bathe within and without, to the
end, and assurit victorie and glorie in the end.
" For the quhilk cause, we haiff sett down to your lordschips and
companie the Order, bathe of Doctrin and Discipline, qubiUt aucht

1584. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 181
to be observit in effect M aU the companies and feUowschippes of
the fathfuU, but speciaUie with aU reverence and cair be us now in
tliis present esteat, wharby we our selves may be inarmed, prepared,
and maid fitt M aU tMngs for the wark of God, the enemies heiring
of it, discuragit, and sic as loved God and his gMd cause provock-
ed be our exemple, be moved to praise God, and baldlie joyne
them selves with us, being persuadit that we seik unfemedlie the
Lord. " The leiring God of heavm and erthe, M the tender love and
mercies of Ms Sone Chryst Jesus, mak Ms gMd Spreit to dwell sa
plentiousfie m your noble harts, that yie may be fund worthie and
notable instruments of His glorie, bathe in this and aU uther gMd
warks of the Lord God ; and that nocht onlie at tMs tyme, but en
during the haM course and tyme of your lyves, that efter aU the
battels of tMs present miserie, yie may mjoy with Hhn that everlast-
Mg croun of glorie, quhilk he hes leyde up M store for aU his fath-
fuU servands and valiant warriours. Amen.
"At NewcasteU, the 2d of August, 1584."
The Ordor and Maner of Exerceise of the Word for Instruction, and
Discipline for Correction of Maners, used in the Companie of those
Godlie and Noble Men of Scotland, in tyme of thair aboad in Eng-
lande, for the guid cause of GooVsKirk, thair King and Countrey.
" First, Ther shalbe four Sermones in the ouk ; twa on the Son-
day, and twa on the ouk-dayes ; ane befor noone, and an uther
efter, on the Sabothe ; and, on the ouk-dayes, an on Wedmsday,
and an uther on Fredday.
" The Sermont on the Sabbathe sail begin at hahT houre befor
ten, and continow wMU efter aUeavin, sa that the haiU exerceise
saU nocht pas the space of ane houre and a haiff; and efternoone it
sail begin at haiff houre to four, and end befor fyve.
" The Sermones on the ouk-dayes sail begin at ten houres, and
be endit be alleavin ; sa that the haill exerceise pas nocht the space
of an houre.

182 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
"Ther salbe dayfie Comoun Prayers twyse everie day, befor
noone at ten houres, and efter at foure, at qubilk tyme a Psahne
salbe read and handlit, sa that the soum thairof be schortlie gather
ed, the partes sett doun in ordour, and some schort notes of doc
trine, with exhortation ; bot M sic schortnes, that the haM tyme oc
cupied exceid nocht the space of an hahT houre.
" Ther salbe at everie meaU, immediatlie efter thanksgiffing at
denner and supper, a Chapter read of the historie of the Bible, and
handlit schortlie as tyme and occasion saU requyre ; and therefter
a Psahne, or reasonable section thairof, bemg lang, salbe soung.
" Ther salbe a ouk M the monethe dedicat tM Abstinence and
Pubfict HumMation, spent M prayer, doctrine, meditation, with sic
modest, temperat, and humble behaviour as effeires; the ordor whar
of salbe observit according to the prescript of The Buik of Fast and
Pubfict HumMation used in the Kirk of Scotland ; wherof the pre
sent causses salbe the miserable esteat of our Kirk and countrey of
Scotland, and, amangs the rest, of the Kirks M Europe, of France,
and Flanders.
" At the quhilk tyme, upon the last Sabbathe of the ouk imme-
diatfie foUowMg the exerceise of fasting, the Super of the Lord
salbe ministrat, efter that just tryeU and examination haid passed
befor. " On the Setterday, at the houre of evening prayer, or the Sa-
bathe, at efter noon, or bathe, salbe a Lecture, or plean leasone m
the CatecMsme, and principaU grounds of Christian ReUigion.
" The MMisters, accordMg as they sail agrie amang tham selves,
saU haiff there ordinarie Texts out of the chehT partes of the Scrip
ture ; som of the Law, sum of the Prophetes, some of the Evangelists
and Actes of the Apostles, and some of the Epistles and Revelation.
And the orcfinar exerceise at prayers and meaUes salbe m the
Psalmes, Salomone's Warks, and Historie of the AMd Testament.
" Everie an m speciaU is ernestfie exhorted to Ms privat exerceise
of fervent prayer, reidMg, and meditation of things hard and read,
that therby he may be steired upe to grow, day by day, mair and
mair zealus and devot in spreit, familiar with his God, armed with

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 183
spirituaU armour against aU adversitie, and dUigentlie moved to
practise of doctrine M a godfie lyff and hable conversation.
" And this mikle for the exerceis of doctrin and prayer ; for the
quhUk it is necessar that everie an, that can reid, haiff a Byble and
Psalme Buik. Off Discipline.
" Ther salbe a day M the ouk, Tusday or Furisday,1 a Conven
tion of sic as salbe chosm Eldars and Deacones, for ordering of aU
tMngs pertemmg to the comfie maner of aU exerceises of the Kirk,
and aU uther things necessar to a hofie Christian Congregation.
And namlie, to watche ower the maners of tham selves and the rest,
and spy out the fructes of the Word M aU behaviour ; and gUT aMe
opM vyces or sklanders fidles out M the persones of anie man, to
bring that persone to repentance and redres, and remove the sklan-
der from the compame ; as also to haUTa cair of the seik and dis
eased, pure and Mdigent.
" Ther salbe then sax Eldars chosm, and ordourlie caMt to that
office, quhUk consistes speciafie M censuring and owereeMg of
maners, and rebukmg M privat of aU sic as behaves tham gelyes M
speakmg, domg, gestoure, or uther wayes, then it becomes holie and
fathfuU Christianes. And M ceas of na amendfinent, efter twa or
thrie admomtionnes, or pubfict offence or sklander Msewmg, to de-
leat them to the Assembfie or Session, wherby they may be brought
to repentance, and mak pubfict satisfaction.
" Ther salbe twa Deacones : an tM attend2 upon the box, that
sail stand on the table at everie meaU, to coUect and distribut to
the outward pure3 that ar nocht of our nomber ; ane uther to haiff
the cair of our awin Mward mdigent or diseased, to recommend
tham to the Session for prayer, or coUection to be maid for releM
of thair necessitie.
"Giffm the audience of an Eldar, ather at meat, play, or els-
1 Tuesday or Thursday. 2 One to wait. > p00r.

184 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
whare, a gentUman sail nam the deril, bannMg,1 pronunce an athe,2
Mthe talk, or aMe eriU-favoured spetche, the Eldar saU cause Mm
pey to the box ; and M cais of disobedience, deleat Mm to the Ses
sion. And giff a faUow or lad3 be fund with sic speiches as said
is, or aMe wayes makmg noyse or molestation, the Eldar saU ather
correct him presentfie, or deleat Mm to his maister ; wha, gM he
correct Mm nocht convementlie to Ms fimlt, he salbe censured be
the Session.
" AU, bathe maister, servant, and boy, salbe present at aU the
exerceises of the Word and Prayer, except sic as salbe occupied
efter meals, absent from Chapter and Psahne ; and the Eldars ouk-
lie, thair tyme about, with ane of the MMisters, salbe speciaU m-
spectors and notars of the absents, wha salbe for the first firalt
caused pey to the box sax pence ; for the second, a scMUing ; and
for the thrid, sumoned befor the Session, and causit mak publict
repentance. " Iff an haM" a necessar earand to do, wherby it behovethe Mm
to be absent, let Mm advertise ane of the Ministers or Eldars, and
he salbe excusit.
" The Mmisters, Eldars, and Deacones, shaU haM" M wryt the
names of aU the companie, an and uther, for the effect forsaid.
" The rest, referring to farther deliberation, and to be concludit
and set down be comoun advyse, as tyme and occasion saU mmister
mater. " Finis."

TMs Exhortation, Warning, and Direction, with the Ordour of
Exerceise of Doctrine, Prayer, and Discipfine, being presented to
the Noble men, they accepted verie weiU thairof, and gaiff me grait
1 Cursing. » Oath. 3 & serving-man or boy.

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 185
thankes ; and causmg it to be notffied to aU thair companie, they
submitted them selves hartfie to the Ordour, humblie embracing the
admomtion and direction. And sa, makmg chose ' of our Eldars and
Deacones, we constitut2 a Session, the Noble men tham selves being
magistrats and cirill rewlars, everie an of ther awin compame, and
togidder of the haM. And about the beginning of August, 1584,
we entered to the practise and keipmg of the Ordor, wherin we con-
tinoued, by the grait grace of our mercifuU God, during the haM
tyme of our sojournmg m Eingland, with sic fruict of spirituaU in
struction, coMort, and joy, as bathe grait and small thought it the
happiest tyme that ever they spent m aU thair lyff. Gud, godfie,
wyse, and stout Archbald, Erie of Angus, hes oft tymes said to me,
"Before my God, Mr James, gM3 the conscience of the gMd cause
we haM m hand moved me nocht, and giff I haid bot sa mikle of
my awm leiring as might bot M tMs maner sustem us, I wald be
hartfie content to spend aU my lyff M tMs esteat and forme !"
TMs noble man was feUon weM myndit,4 godfie, devot, wyse, and
grave; and by and besyde5 thir comoun exerceises, was gMen to
reidmg, and privat prayer and meditation, and ordmarfie efter dm-
ner and super, haid an houres, and sum tyme mair nor twa houres,
conference with me about aU maters ; namlie, concermng our Kirk
and Comoun-weM, what war the abbusses thairof, and whow they
might be amendit. Wherof he was sa cairfuU, that he causit me
sett tham down in wryt, and present tham to Mm, being in com
pame with the rest ; quMlk, when he haid red Mm sehff and con
ferrit thairon with tham, he causit wryt a copie in gMd wrait, quhUk
he put in a litle coffer, wharin Ms speciaU wreittes and lettres war
caried about with Mm sehT continuafie, that he might haiff tham
in memorie, and as occasion servit, confer and reasone thairon with
his consortes : The quhUk, also, I thought nocht amiss heir to insert.

1 Choice. 2 Constituted. * If. * Very well-minded, or woll-
affected. 5 Over and above.

186 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.

CERTEAN GRAIT ABBUSSES AND CORRUPTIONS IN THE KIRK AND
COMOUN-WEILL OF SCOTLAND, QUHILK PARTLIE THE LEAT MIS-
REWLARS HES BROUGHT IN, PARTLIE AS THE HIE PLACES IN JUDA
HES REMEANED UNREFORMED UNTO THIS DAY, GIFFEN UPE TO
THE NOBLE-MEN EXYLED IN EINGLAND TO WEY AND CONSIDDER,
THAT THEY MIGHT BE REPENTED FOR THAIR PART, AND INDE-
VORIT TO REDRESS, WHEN IT SOULD PLEASE GOD TO GRANT
ABILITIE AND OCCASION.
AT NEWCASTELL, 10 AUGUST 1584.
PSALME LXXXI.
Hear, O my peiple, and I will witnes unto thie : O Israel, if thow will harken un
to my voice ; if ther sail nocht be anie strange god amang yow ; or sail nocht
worschipe anie uther god.
1 am the Lord thy God, wha brought thie out of the land of Egypt : Open thy
mouthe wyd, and I sail fill it.
But my peiple wald nocht heir my voice ; and Israeli wald nocht obey me.
Wharfor I gave them ower unto thair awin harts' lust, and lut them follow thair
imaginations.
O that my peiple wald haiff harkned unto me, if Israeli wald have walked in my
wayes 1
I sould soone put doun thair enemies, and turn my hand against thair adversaries.
The haters of the Lord should willinglie haiff yeildit unto him ; and the guid esteat
of my peiple sould haiff indurit for ever.
I sould haiff fead tham also with the fynnest whait floure, and with the stonie rok's
honie sould I haiff filled thie. '
" Jesus Cryst, the onlie King of his Kirk, withe the libertie and
friedome of his spirituaU kmgdome in preatchmg of the Word, and
exerceising of Discipfine, is brought latfie in maist abommable sla-
verie to the corrupt affectiones of fleche and blude.
" For, whar as Chryst aucht onfie 2 to command and bear rewU in
the Kirk be his Word and Spreit, and be the mMisterie of his law
fuUie caUed officiars and servants, to whom he hes concredit 3 the
dispensation of his heavMfie mysteries, thegydding4 and feiding of
1 Psalm lxxxi, 8-16. 2 Ought alone. a Entrusted. < Guiding.

1584. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 187
his lambes, with the keyes of the ltingdom of heavine, of binding
and lowsing, the Kmg takes upon Mm to rewU and command als
weiU m Chryst's SpirituaU kMgdome as in Ms awin CivM, quhUk
is maist sacrUegius, and war nor ' PapisticaU ; and hes apointed,
not servands, but under-lords and commanders, whase authoritie
and powar flowes nocht from CMyst or his Kirk, but from the
King, (as the BuU gMen to the Bischope of St Androis planlie tes
tifies,) and wha nocht onlie ar maist sklanderas persones them
selves, bot also whase office hes na thmg at aU to do with the Scrip
tures of God, bot mere Anti-Christian, to tyranMse over the Lord's
inheritance, and vex the boMes and consciences of CMyst's flok.
And that quhilk is maist dangerus, and ahnaist desperat, tMs feir-
foJl and horrible spoliation of Chryst Jesus, and tyranme over his
Kirk, is maid and confirmed be plan lawes m Parfiament.
" Heirby is the libertie of God's Sprit bund M the mouthes of
the preachours, the gift and fredom of cuttmg and devyding of the
Word aright, and applying tM everie an thair part, as they haiff
neid, without spearing2 of the graittest because of graittest neid, sa
mikle commenMt m the Storie and Wryttings of the Apostles, re-
stramt and opprest ; the reanes of Discipfine, ExcommuMcation,
with aU the spirituaU censours and correctiones of the Kirk, Elec
tion, Ordmation, Deprivation of MMisters, apomtmg of Assembfies
and gufing of warnMg to the peiple to eschew plages be fasting
and prayer, togidder with the haM government of the Hous of God,
ar put m the hands of the Court and thair corrupt Bischopes, the
quhilk of aU uther hes maist neid of discipfine ; wha, for thair odius
erymes, ar maist subject tM excommuMcation and censors of the
Kirk; wha hes nather skM nor wM to elect gMd and qualifiet
Pastors ; wha ar readier and mair wMMg to deprive and put away
the fathfuU and edMcative nor the mercenar and sManderus ; wha
sleiping m thair sMnes, hes nocht wacryff eis3 to sie the plag
coming, and thairfor caires nocht for fasting and prayer ; and, finalie
wha being the cheiff corruptars and deformers of the Kirk can
1 Worse than. * Inquiring. 3 Wakeful or vigilant eyes.

188 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
nocht suffer frie Assemblies to be haid for reformation and ordour-
ing thairof. The rentes and revenues of the Kirk, the bread of the
mMisterie, schoUes, and pure, is giffen to dogs and swyne, to the
graittest contemners, vexars, and oppressars thairof; and, m a
word, the hous of God is maid a den of theives, and the flockes of
Chryst committed to hyrfings, whom the forsaid wofiffs hes at thair
devotion. " The haM body of the nation, and namlie the graittest members
thairof, wha soMd be gydders and gMd exemples to uthers, ar de-
fylit with sacrUage, swearing, blasphemie, blud, adMteries, reaf and
oppression, &c, sa that na merveU it is tho the fleMg bMk of God's
judgments enter in thair housses, and consume timber with stean, .
" Lawes nather tMowfie weM maid for punishment of sic hynous
erymes, and manie [lawes] weM maid wantes execution, lyk ather-
cape wobbes l that taks the sMie Mes, bot the bumbarts braks tMow
tham !2
" Be the insatiable sacrUegius avarice of Erles, Lords, and Gen
tlemen, the Kirk, SchoUes, and Pure, ar spMyied3 of that quhUk |
soMd susteM tham. The materiaU Kirks lyes lyk sheipe and nout
faMds4 rather then places of Christian congregationes to assemble
into. The parochmars 5 wiU haiff a couple of shores of hirdes for
thair catteU, bot skarse a6 Pastor to feid thrie thowsand of thair
sauUes. Wharof cumes feirftdl darknes of ignorance, superstitionj
and idolatrie, with Mnumerable ffithie and execrable sinnes, quhilk
procures God's just advengance upon the haM land.
" The smaU number that is of the Ministerie can haiff na cer-
teantie of the pure stipend assignet unto tham, but yeirfie it man 7
be cast in the Lord Modifier's hands, and of new schapin and as
signed ower again, to sie whow mUde may be win in to the CoUec-
tor. Of this comes that sic wha hes court and credit, and awaites
thairon, gets weM mikle, namfie giff they can comport and flatter
uthers ; and the best gets nocht for thair necessitie.
1 Spiders' webs. 2 Catch the weak flies, but the large blue-bottle flies break
through them. 3 Spoiled, robbed. i Lie like sheep and cattle folds. s The
parishioners will have a couple of score of herds. " Scarcely one. 7 Must.

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 189
" Ther is na provision maid for the pure relicts and fatherles • of
the Mimsterie. But nochtwithstanding thair ernest, fathfuU, and
maist wakryff cear over thair flockes, quhUk maid them to cast
away aU uther Mdustrie and vertew for warldfie provision to thair
wyffes and cMldring, they ar suffered to beg and ly in miserie efter
ther departour.
" The SchoUes, and in speciaU the CoUage of Theologie, quhUk
soMd be the SemMarie of the Kirk and MMisterie, leakes provision
bathe for Maisters and Students ; for the haM rents thairof stand-
mg M TeMds, ar sparpeled2 M sMdrie parts and provinces of the
countrey, far from the CoUage, and thes gentUmen tenants, accus
tomed to pay a smaU sUver-dewtie, wM na wayes grant tiU aug
ment, uncompeMt be law ; the quMlk the exception of omnium in
terest steyes from takMg effect ; sa that honest, grave, and lernit
men, sic as soMd be the Professours of Theologie, can nocht haiff
thair neidfuU and honest sustentation. And as for Students, the
cMldring of the grait and riche ar nocht desyrus of Divinitie. The
mid rank thinks it an unthrift to bestow thair cMldring's ' berns'
part of geare ' M susteimng tham at the studie of Theologie ; and
when they haM past the course thairof, to haM na guid roum or
moyen of lyff preparit for them M Kirk or Comoun-weM. And as
for the Pure, quhUk ar comounfie best giffen to that studie, and
wharof comes maist fraict to the Kirk of CMyst, they haiff na
thmg to susteM tham withe of thair awm, nather is ther provision
of bursars' places for them ; sa that na merveU it is whowbeit ther
be bathe grait raritie and ignorance amangs the MMisterie : And,
m verie deid, it is of the extraordinar benefit of God that ther is
ather lerning or refigioun m Scotland, beMg thairin nather funda-
tiones or moyen to trean upe schoUars, nor honour and profit for
sic as hes atteined to lerMng.
" Of tMs comes it, that the guid ingyns, wharof na nation hes
graitter store nor ours, ather is applyed for necessitie to handie-crafts
and courting service, or then gaes furthe of the countrey, whar the
1 The poor widows and orphan children of the Clergy. 2 Scattered.

190 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
graittest part is corrupted and abbusit, and maid maist dangerus
enemies to the Kirk and Esteat of thair countrey.
" The NobMtie and Gentlemen ar uMerned them sehfs, and takes
na delyt to haM thair cMldring and frinds brought upe in lettres,
to the grait reprotche and schame of the countrey, and thair awin
grait hurt and dishonour.
" Ther is manie Noble and GentU men that hes Prebendaries,
Alterages, and uther rents and casualties, be the quhilk they plea
sure ther ' servands and frinds M giffing them lyff-rents thairof.
The quMlk, ghTthey war a lytle mendit, rightfie used, and maid'
bursses M the schoUes of PMlosopMe and Theologie, everie Noble
man might haM a semMarie of the youthe of thair awin frMds or
servands witMn few yeirs weM instructed M gMd letters, nocht onfie
to serve them selves in thair housses, but also thair uther frinds and
haM peiple of thair lands and dommiones.
" DUapidators of thair benefices, and anuaUers thairof, from the
right use, unto thair wyffes, cMldring, and frinds, efter they are de
posit justlie be the Kirk from ther office, yit nevertheless, m de-
spyt of God, the Kirk, and gMd ordour, the Prince and the Law
makes him to possess the benefice. And in case a houndrethe yeirs
sen syne, the laborars or factors haid peyit rictuaU or fourtie pen
nies money for the boU, gM they sett it now in few or lang taks for
fourtie penMes the boU, or change the victuaU M sUver, it is nocht
esteimeddimMution of therentaU! Albeit the treuthe be, that fourtie
pennies money now is dimmished in valour sax-faMd from that it
was a hounder yeir syne ; yea, that fourtie penMes growes now to
ward fourtie sMMngs, and the boU of victuaU that was then bought
for fourtie pennies wM nocht be bought now, communibus annis, for
ten tymes our fourtie pennies at this day. Yea, sa hes the grait
abbus growin, that M ceas the predecessour, bemg a waster of Ms
benefice, hes sett lang takks and fewes with plean diminution, and
also conteining just causses of reduction, ther is na remeadie to be
gottin, altho the law be plan, because Judges, Lawers, Lords, and
aU, is infected with the sam seiknes, sa that the remead falles amang
impossibUities, lyk the HeUand or Bordour theift.

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 191
" The rents, lands,'and leirings of the HospitaUs, Almes-housses,
and Masone Dieus,1 ar lyk wayes tean M few2 be gentUmen and bur
gesses for right nocht ; M sic sort, that thair builcfings is alwhare
deceyit, and thair fundations lost and abolished.
"The Pure, partfie for want of thair awM patrimonie, and partfie
for yeirly increassMg of thair number, be wrang and oppression,
goes tMow the countrey M swarmes, war nor3 Turks or InfideUes,
godles and lawles, without mariage, baptesme, or knawlage of dew
tie to God or man.
" The NobMtie neglects and castes af thair publict caUings, leiv-
Mg nocht as sic as soMd haiff a speciaU cair and charge of thair
countrey and comoun-weM, and whom God hes caMt to be counsal-
lours to thair KMg, fathers of the peiple, and defendars and mean-
teMers of Ms Kirk M this cleir fight of the GospeU ; for the quhUk
calfing, Chryst saU a day caU them tM acompt ; bot rather as pri
vat men, thinking it aneuche to keipe that quhUk thair fathers hes
left tham, and tak thair pastyme and pleasur, or to conqueise mair
to thair cMldring, or to be redoubted of thir Mbours, and pley the
oppressours and bangsters, &c.
" As for the rewMng of the comoun-weM, haid M hand tM exe
cution of justice, reforming and establissMg of the Kirk, counsaUMg
and assisting of thair Prince to that purpose, they cair na mair
thairfor nor sa mikle as may be a pretence for thair particulars : Sa
that whar they soMd be rewlars and halders of uthers in gMd or
dour and dewtie bathe M Kirk, Court, and Comoun-weM, they ar
becom degenerat slaves to courteours, and corruptars of Judges,
men of law, and Kirk men, for bringing to pas maMe unjust and
wrangfuU turn ; or to be sufferit to sit at hame for thair ease and
pastyme, as thouche they war born for ther awin beMe, lyk beasts.
Wharof hes proceidit thir mischeMs foUowing :
" Ambassatours of Babel, clyentes of the Pape, our Athafia and
the Hous of Gmse, and the Court of Spean, profest Papists, hes bein
and is sufferit to carie away the KMg's hart from the cheiff profes-
1 Maisons Dieu. 2 Feued, taken in feu. 3 Worse than.

192 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
sours and meanteMers of the GospeU, to runne a cours direct against
reMgion, weM of his countrey, and standMg of Mm sehT M guid
esteat of Mnglie honour, boMe and sauU. Sa that it is thought and
spoMn, that the undewtifulnes and negligence of the NobMtie hes
indangerit, and almaist lost, that rare perle of sa notable expecta
tion. " DebauscMt l men, godles flatterers, wha haid saMd 2 them selves
in body and conscience to do ame thing for warldfie preferment,
was sufferit tM MsMuat tham selves in the King's favour; wha
withe violence, outtragius pryd, craft, falsed and flatterie, war meit
to executthe plat leyed down be the Papists, and now, MgratfuMe in
deid, and injustfie upon the part of men miployed to wrak thair ad-
vancsars, bot in respect of God maist justfie to puMshe the ower-
sight of the nobMtie. Yea, thair degenerat harts, wha cearit nocht
for purchassing of thair particMars to becom servants and courters
of flattering courteours, and permit the haM government of the
Comoun-weM to be cast lous and turn M tyranMe, to thair just de
serrit wrak in the end.
" Of this hes sprung the absolut powar, wharbe,3 as a monster
never hard of in ame just government, the haM privUeges of the tMie
Esteates of the ReaMie is weakned and almost taMn away ; be the
quhilk Esteates, according to the lovable custom of the KMgdome
of Scotland, fra the begMning thairof, aU tMngs with mature deli
beration, frie reasonmg and votting, aU tMngs was done, and be
the qubilk Kings, passing thair bounds to the wrak and oppression
of the Comoun-weM, war corrected and brought M ordour. In lyk
maner, the pririlages of Towns and UMversities, yea of the holie
Kirke it selff, established be sa manie gMd rewlars and parliaments,
according to the Word of God, ar owerthrawM.
"AU the Judgments of the Realme, Secret CounsaU, Session,
Justice Courts, Consistories, Scheriffs' Courtes, Provost, BaUyies
and uthers, ar rewfit, nocfit be law, civM or municipaU, right or rea~
sone, sed Principis placitum legis habet vigorem. It is the King's will,
1 Debauched, w orthless. 2 Sold. 3 Whereby.

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 193
for now Captean James, as Stratocles M Athens, hes maid a law,
' That whatsoever the King commands, that is halie ' towards God,
and just anents 2 men.'
" From thence ar sa maMe score of slauchters, and murdours,
hearscMps and oppressiones, lying on the head of the KMg and
bak of the countrey, crying to the hearinnes for just vengeance from
the righteus God ; for as everie an hes 3 moyen at Court, sa comes
Ms mater to pas. And because the Court is godles and wicked,
the maist ungodlie and wicked finds the graittest moyen thairin :
Wharof it comes that the wicked thus triomphe, and the gMd and
godfie is oppressit and wracked ; sa that na merveU it is to sie the
countrey thus plegged, yea, whowbeit it soMd utterly pearishe, in
God's righteus judgments.
" The King's patrimoMe and casualities ar graitfie hurt and ab
busit ; whilk causes nocht onlie Ms povertie, to the grait scham of
the countrey, and Mnderance of comoun warks, bot also sa moMe
Mtolerable taxationnes, exactiones, and imposts to be maid upon
Ms subjects, to the tynMg of thair harts, and wrak of the pure
laborars; for Lords, Lards, and Prelates, exacts twyse sa mUde from
thair pure tenents upon that occasion.
" Of the forementioned PapisticaU course, and tMs, comes sa
mame forfimltries and baMsment of the best and maist noble men
of the realme ; seMng of slauchters and blud, grait soumes of com-
positiones exacted for na faMts bot weM doing; the quhilk aU of
God's judgments turnes to mischeiffs, whM as be tMr divefishe se-
ductors it is abusit to execut aU kynd of violence against the guid
men of the land.
" The rest referring to your LordscMps' experience and wesdome,
and to sic as hes graitter Msight, be yeirs and judgment, I ceas nocht
to pray God to ghT your Lordschips an upright and constant reso
lution to sie thir tMngs sum day redressit and amendit."
Zacharie i. " Thus sayes the Lord of Hostes, Turn unto mie
with aU your harts, and amend your evUl wayes, and I wM turn
unto yow, sayes the Lord of Hosts." 4
1 Holy. 2 Concerning. 3 According as any one has. 4 Zech. i. 3.
N

194 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
Now, because amangs these horrible corruptiones, we haiff
affirmed that quhUk wald sehn incredible in a reformed and sattled
esteat of a Kirk, That these monstruus misrewlars wald cause the
King tak unto Mm to be the onfie Head and Monarche in the Kirk,
as in the Comoun-weM ; and that the cheM f ewlars of the Kirk,
the Bischopes, soMd tak the authoritie and warrand of thair caMng
from Mm, (qubilk is pleane Popish HierarcMe, and so mUde wars,1
as the Pape is a Bischope, an ecclesiastik persone and office-bearer,
provydMg he and his Kirk war trew,) as Mdeid I coMd skarsfie a
lang whyU beleive my sehT that the devM durst sa soone and planlie
utter Mm seM in Scotland, whM I gat the actes of parfiament for-
mentioned ; and efter dMgent intreatie, a just copie of the Arch-
bischope of St Androis' BuU cam in my hand, quhUk for the war
rand of sa Mche aUeageance it behoved me heir tM insert :

" A COPIE OF THE BULL QUHILK THE ARCHBISCHOPE OF ST AN
DROIS GAT OF THE KING, AS SUPREAM GOVERNOUR OF THE KIRK,
WHERBY HE HAS POWAR AND AUTHORITIE TO USE HIS ARCHE-
PISCOPALL OFFICE WITHIN THE KIRK AND HIS DIOCESE.
" Our Soveran Lord, with advys and consent of the Lords of
his Hienes Privie CounsaU, ordeanes a Letter to be maid under the
Grait SeaU in dew form, geivand, grantand to his weUbelorit clerk
and orator, Patrik, Archbischope of St Androis, powar, authoritie,
and jurisdiction to exerceis the saming Archbischopric, be Mm sehT,
Ms Deputes, and Commissionars, in aU maters EcclesiasticaU witMn
the diocease of St Androis, and shireffdomes quhUk hes beM heirto-
fore annexed thairunto : With powar to the said Archbischope under
his Hienes to caU and conveM SynodaU Assemblies of the ministerie
within the Mocease for keiping of gMd ordour, meanteiMng of trew
doctrine and reformation of maners aUeanerfie : 2 To plant MMisters
of Kirks, quhilks saU happin to be desolat and vacand :3 To gM Ad
mission and CoUation of Benefices to persones qualefiet, ather pre-
• Much worse. 2 Alone, only. » Vacant.

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 195
sentit be the lawfuU Patrones or us : To Depose persones unquali
fied and unable in lyff or doctrine for discharging thair cure ; the
quhUk persones beMg sa deposit, thair rents, stipends, and bene
fices to veak1 M the hands of the lawfuU Patrones, to be conferred
of new to qualefiet and godfie persones : To reform CoUages, Kirks,
and sic uther places apomted for lerMng : To place and displace
Maisters of CoUages unqualefiet, accordMg to the tenour of thair
fundationes, or eriU affected to our service and obedience, contra-
veining be word or wryt our Royall powar and privUage estabfissed
in our leat actes of parfiament, or sMandering us be erroneus doc
trine : To visit the Hospitales witMn the diocease, and Kirkes, and
sie tham weM furnesit, mentemed, and apperrefied : Commandmg
our fathfuU and trew subjects to yeUd unto the said Patrik, Arch
bischope of St Androis, dew obedience : And that the sam may be
better reverenced and obeyit, we haM given and granted powar to
the said Archbischope to haM an of the maist verteus, godlie, and
honest officers of armes witMn the said diocease, wha salbe caMt
the Officer of the Kirk, wha saU M our nam and authoritie assist
the forsaid Archbischope, and saU command aU and smdrie con-
travema^s and brakars of the gMd and godfie ordour of the Kirk,
of what degrie or qualetie soever they be under us, with sic penalties,
nmlcts, Mmrisonments, repentances and maner thairof, as we, our
CounsaUours and Esteates sail agrie unto, upon the humble sutt of
the said Archbischope, and uther Bischopes and Commissionars in
EcclesiasticaU maters ; M the quhUk, gUT the said Bischope and
officer be disobeyit, we wM accompt the Mjurie don to our awin
persone, and puMshe the saming with all rigour, M exemple of uthers.
ProvydMg alwayes, that gUT aMe persone or persones receave anie
mtolerable wrang, or, without cause or just deserving, be uther
wayes usit be the said Bischope, than as the law of God and lovable
constitution of this reahne does permit, it salbe leisome2 to the per
sones sa mormfie hurt to appeU to us, and our soveran authoritie
to be interponit for remead thairof; for giff the seat and image of
' Become vacant. Lat. vacare. 2 Lawful, allowable.

196 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
Emperours in ancient tyme war a sufficient girthe,1 azM,2 and pro
tection to them that haid refoge thairunto, it becomes us mUde man-
in our awin persone to be a confort, aid, and releiff to tham that
saU seik unto our cleamencie against whatsumever oppression be
spirituaU or temporaU persones, to whom we promise our prineefie
favour ; the quhUk we mynd always tM admimstrat be3 the grace of
God in sic sort as we may be answerable to him, whase image and
leiutennantrie we bear in this realm. And fordar, because it is
necessar for the Kirk of God, and preservation of gMd ordour to be
mentemed thairin, that, when necessitie requyres, the Bischopes of
everie dyocease, and sic uther lerned men of thair diocease as salbe
thought meit for that purpose, assemble togidder for taking of an
uniform ordour to be observit in the realm, in form of Comoun
Prayer and uther tMngs requisit, for the comoun esteat of the Kirk,
we, of our princfie powar, grantes the privUadge unto the said Arch
bischope to convein the rest ; provyding alwayes, that befor anie
Convention GeneraU of the Clargie, that the said Bischope saU mak
us advertised of the necessarie causses of the forsaid Convention,
that we may understand the samMg to tend to the weUfear of the
Kirk and polecie of the countrey ; and that the said Bischope may
haiff our speciaU licence thairunto granted unto him under our pririe
seaU ; and that na act or constitution maid be the Assemblie of
Bischopes or Clerks haiff anie force, strenthe, or effect witMn our
realm, to bind anie of our subjects, without they be aUowit, approvit,
and confirmed be us, our CounsaU and Esteat : And efter the pro
bation of our royall authoritie, they to stand in foil force and
effect," &c.

Thus it pleased God, of his grait mercie and grace, to haM me oc
cupied the first monethe of my entrie with our Lords ; about the
end wharof Mr Patrik GaUoway, returning bak agaMe from Lon
don, cam to us, and undertaMng the Ministerie of the companie
1 Sanctuary. 2 Asylum. s To administer by.

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 197
with me, (wha travelit onfie in the Word and Discipline,) lyked
weM of our ordour, and accordMg to the saming, efter the exerceis
of fasting, a haM ouk gomg before, mMistrat the Hofie Communion
the last Sabothe of August ; and sa continowing conform to our
ordour, in everie poMct, the monethes of September and October ;
m the quhUk, because my wyff was becom grait with chyld of hir
first birthe, and langit to be M Berwik, ther to ly, for divers rea-
sones, I, obteMMg leive of the flok, convoyed hir tiuther, and re-
tourned to my charge tM the monethe of November : In the quhilk,
the Lords haiffing Mr Patrik with thame, thought it meit that I
soMd remean a space at Berwik, because the haiff of the companie
and my wyff was ther ; for ther was the Lords Abbots of Cambus-
ldnneU,1 Drybrouche, and Pasley, George Dowglas of Parkheid, and
dyvers uther gentUmen. To tMs I aggreit, and entering with tham,
helde tham occupied als neir the ordour leyed down as could win.
And surfie I was never mair dMgentfie and fraitfuMe occupied nor2
that wmtar ; for by the exerceise quhUk I haid amangs our awin
folks, to the quhUk resorted a number of godfie peiple of the town,
because the pubfict doctrin M the Kirk was dischargit be a prac-
teising betwix the Lord of Hounsdan, Governour, and Captean
James, gyddar of our Court, caUed then Erie of Arran and Chan
ceUar of Scotland. The guid Lady Wedringtoun, of whom I maid
mention befor, bemg cowsMes, and M creadit with the said Lord
Governour, obtemed licence to me, for hir confort and of a number
of maist godfie and zealus peiple, to teatche M a certean hous of
the Town thryse in the ouk, to thair and myne grait joy and con
solation. During that tyme the CommuMon was to be celebrat in Berwik
and therfor a certean dayes I teatched to tham the doctrine of Pre
paration before the sam ; wherin that gMd Lady fand sic instruc
tion and confort, that sche ernestlie Mtreated me to sett doun the
substance thairof to hir in wryt : The quhilk I did, the quhUk also
sche schew me a space thairefter copied ower in her awin hand wryt
1 Cambuskenneth, generally so spelled in ancient MSS. 2 Than.

198 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
exceiding a thrie or four [leaves] throuche, for sche wrot verie fear.
Sic was hir dMgence and cair to grow in knawlage and practise of
trew reUigion.
The newes quhUk we haid, in the meantyme, out of Scotland
war verie evM; for Arran, with his authorised Archbischope, began
then to rage.
Diverse gentiUmen, upon naked and bear suspitionnes, was appre-
hendit and put to schamfufi execution. Amangs whom was the
Lard of DrumwhasM, wha drank a bitter coupe of his awM brewmg ;
for he was a grait counsaUour and doar in bringMg hame Monsieur
d'Obignie, and his sone-M-law, the Lard of Meanse, a gentleman of
notable gifts of body and mynd, and thairfor mikle hated and fearit
of these wicked men; whase deathe was als mUde lamented m
EMgland as ever I hard Scotsman.
The Archbischope, that he soMd nocht be beMnd, feU to wark,
and M tyme of modMcation of stipends, sett down the form of a
Band, the quMlk aU behoved to subscryve that gat assignation of
stipends ; yea, it was sa prosecut, that wha soever refused to sub
scryve was tMetned with the los of thair benefices and leirings, yea
fordar, with imprissonment and banisment, m cais of aMe spetches
uttered in the contrar. Heirupon, and sum uther forget causses,
Mr Darid Lindsay was put M the preasone of Blaknes, Mr Jhone
Howisone in the Spey Towre of St Jhonstoun, Mr Andro Hay put
in warde, and hardfie usit ; yea, ther was nocht' a gMd man, M Kirk
or countrey, but was put in sic fear, and oppressed with sic greiff,
that they weiried of thair lyris, and thought us happie wha was
away, and haid that libertie of body and mynd to serve our God and
ease our conscience.
A grait number of the Ministerie kythed1 what they war; even
sum at the beginning went tiirouchfie with the Archbischope, but
efter Mr Jhone Crag and Jhone Dunkesone, the King's MMisters,
yeUdit; wharof that ane, Mr Crage,2 haid stand constant verie
1 Experienced, realized. * " Mr Crag at this tyme pronuncit a judgment upon
the Erie of Arran, in his face, befor the King, saying, ' As tho Lord is just, he will

1584. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 199
lang, and sustemed grait thretnings and bost of Arran ; yit, at last,
be weaknes and a sort of sophistication, (casting in a clause, " ac
cording to the Word of God," maMng manifestam repugnantiam in
adjecto, as ghT ane soMd say, he wald obey the Pape and his Pre
lates, according to the Word of God,) he yeUdit and subscryvit,
and drew with him the graittest part of the MMisterie of Scotland,
quhUk was the heaviest newes that coMd com to us ; for, alas !
then the enemies triumphed, and aU the harts of guid men war
broken and Mscuragit. Yit ther war a few guid breither in Mers
and Lawdien,1 wha, as they might, bathe keipit tham selves clein,
and withstude the adversar, maMng sum stay to that grait defec
tion, wha knawMg that I was M Berwik, acquented me with the
mater, and send me the forme of the Band, with Mformation of all
proceidMgs. Wharupon, with grait motion and greiff of mynd, I
penMt tMs Letter foUowmg, and send M, togidder with a Letter in
Latine, and the controversies gathered to a few conclusiones, con
firmed with maMfaMd reasones and places of Scripture, directed to
the Archbischopes meache2 and graittest associat, Mr Alexander
Home, Mmister of Dumbar ; provokMg him to answer giff he coMd,
or giff nocht, to bid Ms ordMar, the Archbischope, do it Mm selff.
Bot I haid nather answer of the an nor uther, and the guid breith
rmg war thairby mikle coMbrted and Mcuragit,
A JUST COPLE OF THAT QUHILK THE SUBSCRYVING MINISTERS FIRST
AND LAST DID SUBSCRYVE.
"We, the beneficed men, MMisters, Reiddars, Maisters of SchoUes
humble yow !' The Erie, mokking him, said, ' I sail mak the of a fals Frier a trew
Profet !' and sa, sitting down on his knie, he sayes, ' Now I am humblit 1' ' Na,' sayes
Mr Crag, 'mok the servant of God as thow will, God will nocht be mocked ; bot mak
the find it, in ernest, when thow salbe humblit af the hiehe hors of thy pryde !' Quhilk,
within a certean of yeirs thairefter, ( 1 598,) cam to pas, when James Dowglas ran him
af his hors with a spear, and slew him ; and his carcas, cast in an open Kirke besyde,
or [ere] it was buried was fund eattin with the dogs and swyne ! Mr Crag, utherwayes
an excellent pretcher, haid dischargit a fathfull dewtie at Court in all his ministerie
bot heirin grevit us all to the verie hart." — Note by the Author on margin of MS.
1 Merse and Lothian. * Maih, companion, confident.

200 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
and CoUages, undersubscryving, testMes and fatiifuMe promises, be
thir our hand-wreittes, our humble and dewtifuU submission and
fidelitie to our Soveran Lord the King's Majestie ; and to obey with
aU humMtie Ms Hienes actes of parfiament haldin at EdMbru
the xxij. day of May 1584 yefi-s : And that, accordMg to the sam,
we saU schaw our obedience to our ordMar Bischope or Commis-
sionar apointed, or to be apointed, be Ms Majestie, to have the ex
erceise of the spirituaU jurisdiction in our diocese, [according to the
Word of God.] And in ceas of non-obedience M the premisses, our
benefices, stipends, and leirings to vac,1 ipso facto, and qualefiet and
obedient persones to be provydit in our rowmes,2 as giff we war
naturafie dead ; accordMg to his Hienes Act of Parliament maid
thairanent in aU poincts.
" TO THE BREITHRING OF THE MINISTERIE OF SCOTLAND,
" Wha hes latfie subscryrit to the Popish Supremacie of the King,
and ambitius tyrannie of the Bischops ower thair BritMmg,
" J[ames] M[elriU] wissethe unfeMyit repentance.
" Ther is strange newes latfie reported unto us, (my breithring,)
that yie soMd haM altogidder without streakes3 yeUdit to the adver-
sarie, and nocht onlie be word consentit, bot alse be the subscrip
tion of your hands confirmed, that horrible boundage and sMaverie,
wharinto our Kirk of Scotland is brought be the leat actes of par
liament, and tMs present Mtolerable tyrannie of the fals Bischopes ;
the quhUk, undoutedlie brought upon yow be Sathan, the adversar
of CMyst's kingdome, hes bein wrought be the meanes ather of
malice and hatred agamst the treuthe knawin, or of ignorance, or
then of grait weaknes.
" Trewfie, my breithring, albeit I knaw that of tham that wer
Sathan's instruments, be feir and flatterie, to bring yow to so feir-
fuU a faU and greivus sklander, sum be new Julians, who, altho they
' Become vacant. * Places, » Without opposition, without a blow struck.

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 201
confes they knaw the treuthe of the sinceare Religion of Chryst,
yit for malice and hatred concearit agamst it and the Ministers
thairof, they haid rather bein of the Turks' fathe then of the fathe
of Ministers. And, thairfor, foUowmg the fut-steaps of Julian, they
persecut the sam mafitiusfie, takMg the leivings from the Ministers,
casting tham M pressone, baMssing tham the countrey, owerthraw-
ing the SchoUes and Semmaries apoMted for the continuance thair
of ; and wald undoutedlie, with fyre and sword, persew the saming,
giff force and powar answerit to thair mcensit aire ' and bludie ap-
petit. Sum ar mair leMg, flattering, and ambitius, then was Ama-
ziah,' the Preist of the King's ChappeU at BetheU, wha, perceaving
the prophetes of the Lord to prophecie agamst KMg Jeroboam's
new forgit reMgion, be serring to the quhilk Ms ambition and glut-
tonie was meanteMed, he ceassit nocht tM invent treassone, sedi
tion, and aU sort of lies agamst tham, and mak the King to ban-
ishe, imprissone, and persecut tham with aU kynd of rigour ; mair
avaritius and war2 myndit against God's chUdring then Balaam the
fals prophet, cursmg and devysing aU meanes to mak the peiple of
the Lord to faU m the hands of thair enemies, and furnesmg to
Balak wicked and devUlishe counsaU tM intyse tham to defection
from the trew worscMppMg, and sa to sM against God, to mak the
fyre of Ms wrathe to kMdle against tham ; and, finafie, mair rashe,
and void of gMd conscience, M maters of ReUigion, then was Urias
the preist, wha thought idolatrus King Ahaz' command a warrand
gMd aneuche for Mm to displace the altar of the Lord, and sett M the
roum thairof an new dressit, according to the form of the Altar of
Damascus.3 Sum, wars nor4 the godles Atheist Machiavel, wha
caremg* M thair sleives maist cunmng court-craft, makes na thing
of God, CMyst, and ReMgion, with the MMisters thairof, bot pages
and slaves to serve to thair turnes : For if they may mak for thair
course, and sic an esteat of government as they wald haM7, O then
they wM speak weM, and graitlie esteim of tham ! Bot if they can
do na thing for thair purpose, or can nocht suffer thair wicked at-
1 Wrath, ire. 2 Worse. 3 See 2 Kings xvi. 10-16. ' Worse than.

202 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
tempts, or wM nocht change and alter opiniones when they wiU,
then can they nocht be sufferit in a Comoun-weM ; they ar ene
mies to Princes and lawfuU authorities ; they ar seditius, proude,
and treasonable, and thairfor man tM exyU,1 baMssment, preasone,
and skaffaMd. To these HeU is but a boggiU to fley barnes,2 and
Hearin but a conceat to mak fooUes fean ! And last, mair ethnik
nor Numa PampMus, esteimmg ReMgion and worschiping of God
bot a superstitius terrour to the conscience of peiple to haMd tham
in awe and under obedience.
"This I say, althought they be, that works in this mater be
malice and hatred, judgit and damnet of them selves, and whase
portion salbe with the forenamed workers of Miquitie, to whom
they ar lyk M lyff and doMg ; yit can yie nocht be purgit from com
municating with thair feirfoU sinnes, M sa far as yie haiff consented
thairunto be word and wryt ; wharas jie sould rather haiff obeyit
the Word of God, commanding be Ms prophet — ' Say nocht, a
confederacie with this peiple, nather feir yie thair feir, nor be ef-
frayit of tham, bot sanctefie the Lord of Hostes, and let Mm be
your dreid : Surfie he sould haiff beM unto yow as a sanctuarie, and
unto tham a stumbling-blok, and a rok to faU upon.' 3 Gladfie wald
I purge you, my breitMing, of this first mean of malice and hatred
against the treuthe and the meanteMars thairof. And, alas ! that
anie occasioun soMd ever haiff bein offerit annes to think this of
anie of that number ! But what saU I say when I heir that sum of
yow hes nocht onfie subscryvit your selves, bot also, lyk desperat
pest folks,4 destitut of CMistian charitie, traveUes to seduce and in
fect sic as ar haM5 and wald keipe the right way, and betrays the
constancie of the best be delatting of tham to the persecutor ; and
that nocht onlie be teMng the treuthe, bot be tratteUes,6 lies, and
forgit teaUes,7 lyk warldfie pykthanks,8 to mak your godfie breithring
ather to mak defection with yow, or then to suffer extremitie in
thair bodies ? Alas, for sorrow ! whar is the fruicts of that doctrine
1 They might be put to exile, &c. s A bugbear to terrify children. * Isaiah viii.
4 People infected with the pestilence. 6 Whole, in good health. "Idle
talk, tittle-tattle. 7 Forged tales. "Pick-thanks.

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 203
of Love and Charitie quMlk hes soundit sa often out of your mouthes ?
Bot to let be charitie, whar is the hatred of malice and homecid ?
Alas ! these ar rather the marks of bludie burreaus l and crewall
buchars2 of Sathan, the fier and murderar, then of the disciples of
Chryst ; the takens of Turks, Paganes, and Papists, then of Chris
tian peiple, to let be Pretchours and Mstructors of uthers ! Wo is
me for yow, uMes tMr tMngs be repented in tyme ! Behauld, what
it is to slyde bot a litle from the treuthe, and mak a schism e in
opmion from the brethering ! When Sathan getts ans entres, to mak
untreuthe and falshode sehn to be born withaU, and yeildit unto
bot a lytle, he gaes fordwart mcontinent, and begets in the hart a
hatred and malice agaMst the treuthe and professours thairof. Be-
war, bewar, my breithring ! Mark Sathan's craftie deaUings ; cast
out with him and resist Mm M tyme, least he gett the vantage and
preveaU, and mak the last warse nor the first : ' For if we sin will-
ingfie efter we hafiT recearit the knawlage of the treuthe, ther re-
meanes na mair sacrifice for sM, but a feirftd lookmg for of judg
ment, and violent fyre to devore the adversaries.' 3
" Alwayes, my breithring, I wald wUfinglie heir yow aU purgit of
malice ; bot I knaw sum wM say, I knaw na better, and understand
never tMowlie the maters of the discipline, and, if we haiff feMt,4
it is of ignorance and nocht malice. CerteaMie, albeit I feir that to
be over trew M over maMe of yow, yit it is a schamfuU thing to be
hard teMt M your awM countrey, and abrod in other nationes, that
yie, wha hes bem brought upe M sa notabfie constitut a Kirk tMs
twentie-sax yeirs, m quhilk sum of yow also hes bein Pastors and
teatchers nocht mikle les, and aU hes born function and charge,
nocht onfie M pretcMng of the Word, but in dischargmg of that
uther als necessar poinct of your mMisterie, in rewfing and govern
ing of the Kirk with your feUow breithring thir maMe yeirs bypast,
to say that yie ar yit ignorant of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and
spirituaU authoritie of the Mngdom of Chryst, and whow it differs
from the temporaU, bodefie, and civiU polecie ; what is the part and
1 Executioners, hangmen. 2 Butchers. > Hebrews x. * Failed.

204 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
dewtie of the CMistian magistrat M the Kirk ; and, namfie, wMther
he aught to be maid a new Pape, to use tyranMe over the Kirk,
and conscience of men of the EcclesiasticaU functiones. ¦ And giff
that sataMcal presumption and pryde of fals Bischopes may be tole-
rat in the Kirk of Jesus CMyst, quMlk from the dayes of Constan-
tin, be whase mair zealus affection than considerat wisdome, they
gat warldfie ritches and honour, hes infected the Kirk, nocht onlie
with all kynd of vyces against the Second Table, but also hes rent
and devydit the samMg, with sects, schismes, heresies, and dissen-
tiones, be thair ambitius debeats, ever stryring for steat, wha
might be hiest and graittest. Efter that annes that command and
law of asquafitie gMen be Chryst was transgressed and riolat, they
never ceassit unto the tyme they haid hoised upe that Man of Sin
into the thron and roum of that onlie Supream Rewlar and Head,
the Lord Jesus ; for Bischopes wald be Archbischopes, and they Me-
tropolitanes, and theyPatriarches, and sa Papes ! Yie conveiMt your
selves M GeneraU and ProvinciaU Assembfies, and in Presbyteries,
to the quhUk yeirfie, half-yeirfie, and oukfie, yie resorted, as ordMar
members and charge-bearers within the sam ; and yit can nocht teU
what ground, warrant, or authoritie yie did the sam upon, as tho yie
soMd planlie say, yie did it nocht in fathe ; and sa so often yie
sinned and abbusit those holy Conventionnes of the Kirk of Chryst.
" To your grait repruff, I man caU to mynd the notable occasiones
of atteimng to solid knawlage in thir maters that God offerit unto
yow ; bot in love, as of God Ms glorie, sa of your saMes, as God
mot love myne ! ' Forby and attour2 your privat studies M reidmg
of the Scriptures, and sa monie lerned men's wrytings on thir
poincts, aggremg aU in effect in maist sweit harmonie, (wharinto,
giff yie haid beM als dUigentfie occupied as God gaM tyme and oc
casion, yie neidit nocht to aUeage ignorance for an excuse,) whow
war thir heads handlit pubfictlie m the Assembfies ? Was nocht the
GeneraU Assembfie, be the space of sax or seavm yeirs, almaist
haUefie occupied in thir questiones ? War nocht the Ministers, in
' May G°d love mine ! 2 Besides and moreover.

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 205
aU the quarters of the countrey, ernestlie exhorted, and, be publict
authoritie, commandit to cears ' and seik the Scriptures dMgentlie,
and aU kynd of wrytters, aMd and new, for finding furthe of the so-
fide and undoutted treuthe ? Was ther nocht apointed Conferences
to be haid m aU partes amangs the breitiiring, in thair Oukfie Exer-
ceises and ProrinciaU Assembfies, from the quMlks men, weM in
structed with reasones and judgment of the rest, war send, from
tyme to tyme, to the GeneraU Assembfies ; whar, bathe be privat
and opm reasonmg, the opmione and sentence of aU men war ex-
ammed and tryed, tMow everie head of the discipfine of the Kirk ;
and efter lang and often reasonMg, aU put in votting, and be haiU
and uniforme consent and aggriement of the haM Kirk, M a Gene
raU Assembfie, concludit, and digested in conclusion, and inregistrat
in the Books of the said Assemblie, and extract thairof ordeanit to
be gMen to everie Presbyterie throuchout the realm? WMdder,
giff tMs, joyned with the continuaU practise of the seM-sam disci
pfine, these divers yeirs bypast, may mak us Mexcusable befor God,
Ms Kirk, and AngeUes, the verie blind warld may judge !
" Alas ! deir breithring, yie may weM, for a schort tyme, tiunk
yow M gMd esteat that lerned nocht, because, as yie think, with
les prik of conscience, and danger of bodies and geire, yie may pas
ower thir eril days : But O, fMishnes ! put the cais, yie might put
af m tMs maner manie thowsand yeirs, ans 2 saU com the day when
yie saU be forcit to compeir before that grait Judge, and gM an ac-
compt of the dischargMg of that maist hie caMng, when a compt
salbe crarit of aU the ydle houres, words, and doings that yie haiff
spent ! SaU yie nocht be then eschamit of that wherinto now yie
tak pleasour ? SaU nocht tMs sUfie ease be turned in sorrowftdl
wanrest?3 SaU ignorance then be an excuse befor Him wha saU
schaw Mm seM from hearin, with the angels of his might, in flamb-
ing fyre, to tak vengeance on tham that has nocht knawn him,
namlie, on sic as hes neglected and dispysit sa manie guid occasiones
of knawlage mmistrat unto tham ? What saU the flatterie and autho-
1 Search. » Once, at length. » Restlessness.

20G MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
ritie of your King and Bischop then avaM ? Na thing, bot to be par
takers of judgment as of sine, except repentance intervem.
" Oh ! my breithring, yie ar farder m the mist with tMs igno
rance than yie suppose. For what hope saU Sathan haiff now, (of
whase force, craft, an bissines, yie sa oftentymes warn your heirars,)
to mak you to yeUd in the verie poMcts of the doctrine of salva
tion, seing he hes fund you sa easie to be overcom in the cais of
the discipfine, wharof yie haiff na less sure warrand and ground, re-
fering to the mater in the Word of God, if you haid fist to haiff
lerned ? What incuragment saU it be to the Papists, that hes nocht
beM neglegent M lerMng the untreuthe, and studeing the controver
sies in thair Seminaries, and wha now dayfie provokes us to the com
bat, when they sie but a lytle tMeatMng of the Prince, nocht of
lyff, bot leiring, and a smaU piece of flatterie of a fals Bischope, is
able to shak you from your grounds, and mak you to faU for leak of
knawlage ; yea, to suffer the waU and blok-housses of your discipfine
to be demolised and doung doun, thmkMg (as indeid they may) it
wUbe easie to mak the breiche, and wM the haMd and citie of your
doctrine and Kirk ? SaU they nocht, I say, haiff gMd cause to hope
weM of the victorie and conqueist ? SaU they nocht haiff reasone tM
afiirme that quMlk they haiff sa often spokM and wryttin, That the
Ministers of Scotland is bot a sort 1 of ignorant and feible beasts,
wha nather dow abyde reasoning nor thretning? My breitMing, the
devM hes maid a grait brak amangs you, and with smaU forces, and
few strakes, gottin a grait victorie over you ; and yit yie wM find
that he wM nocht content nor stay ther, but as a victor puft upe,
wM preas fordwart. And, thairfore, M the tender mercies of God,
for the cair I haiff of your salvation, extreamlie indangerit now,
when fame is lost and gone, I man apply unto you an extream and
harde remead,2 to pluk you if possible out of the claues of Sathan ;
to wit, that feirfuU commination3 of the Apostle to the Hebrews,
' It is hnpossible that they quhilk war annes fightned, and haiff
tasted of the heavenfie gift, and war maid partakers of the Hofie
1 A company, an assortment. » Remedy. 3 Threatening.

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 207
Ghost, and hathe teasted of the guid Word of God, and of the
powar of the warld to come, if they fall away, salbe renewit againe
be repentance ; semg they crucMe agaM to tham selves the Sone of
God, and makes a mok of him. The erthe, quhUk drinks upe the
rean that comes upon it, and brings furthe herbes meit for tham be
whome it is dressit, receaves a blessing of God. Bot that quMlk
bears thornes and breires is reprobat, and neir cursmg ; the end
wharof is to be brunt. Yit, breithring, weUbelorit, we ar persuadit
of better tMngs, and meit for salvation, of you,' l whowbeit we
thus, with the Apostle, wryt to terifie you, and reclame and rease
[you] from this faU, and keipe you bak from farder and wars.2
" Alas ! what a face saU yie ^ave to com befor the godfie and
fathfol breitMMg of the countrey, when it saU pleise God to dely
ver his awM Kirk, and restore it again to the former or better
esteat ? or rather, What a conscience and mynd saU yie haiff, when
yie remember, reid, or heir, that wa pronounced be CMyst upon
tham be whome sMander and offence comes ? And O ! whow manie
godfie hartes, bathe M Scotland and EMgland, yea, M France, and
aU Reformed Kirks, ar crewafie wounded with this fact of yours,
and that nocht without grait cause ! For, als lang as the haM mi
msterie stud constant, ther was guid hope of a happie redres of
maters ; bot now, be tMs fact, yie haiff giffen the deriU entres with-
m the waUes of Jerusalem to spoU and destroy all the gMd and con
stant citicmers thairof, wha wM nocht defyU tham selves, bow thair
kmes to BaaU, and eat swyne's flesche with you. What wM yie
tMnk, when yie com to that vers of the 50th Psalme, ' Unto the
wicked tMs sayes God, What hes thow to do to declar my ordon-
nances, that thow soMdest tak my covenant M thy mouthe, seing
thow hates discipfine, and hes casten my words behMd tMe ?' Wald
to God yie soMd be sa moved therby, as was the lerned Origin,
wha, efter he haid bein Mducit, tMow weakness, to sacrifice to
idols, thafi-after commg unto the Kirk to preatche, casting upe the
buik, he feU, be God's providence, on the sam place of the Psalme,
1 Hebrews vi. 4-9. 2 Further and worse falls. 3 Psalm 1. 16, 17.
4

208 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
and bursting out M teares befor the peiple, he maid a maist dolo
rous and bitter lamentatipn and Mvection against Mm selff, as ye
may reid in his Lyff, recorded by SMdas. And, finafie, What a
dart to your pure conscience saU that sentence of Chryst be, ' He
that denyes me befor men, I wM deny Mm befor my heaveMie
Father ?' For yie knaw, that whosoever heires the Word of God,
and does it nocht, namfie, in the tyme of tryaU, schawes nocht that
he is sofidfie groundit in the sam, denyes Chryst, as he Mm selff
teatches in the 7th of Matthew utherwayes : ' MaMe saU come unto
him on that day, and say, Lord, did we nocht prophecie in thy
name ? Did we nocht work miracles and cast out devMes? Bot he
wM answer, I knaw you nocht ; depart from me, yie workers of ini-
quitie.' '
" Bot it may be that sum of you, your unhappie complices and
counsaUours M this course, tMnks, and wM say, * What neids aU
this ado ? Why ar yie sa hat2 in threatnMg ? the mater is nocht of
sa grait weght,' &c. Alas ! my breithring, miserable and lamentable
experience, except God of Ms mercie prevent it, I feir, saU teatche
you and the pure Kirk of Scotland what ye haM done, and whow
grait and sear ar the consequents that insewes on your fact. For,
first, be the approving of that act of parfiament anent the KMg's
Supremacie in aU causes EcclesiasticaU as CiriU, and na appellation 3
to be maid from him, yie haiff nocht onfie sett upe a new Pape, and
sa becom trators to Chryst, and condescendit to the cheM error of
Papistrie, wherupon aU the rest dependes ; quhUk, giff it be nocht
to deny and refuse Chryst, I knaw nocht what it is sa to do.
Bot, farder, ye haM, M sa doMg, granted mair to the King then
ever the Papes of Rome peaceblie obteined, whow tyrannuslie and
ambitiusfie soever they sought the sam ; for the CounsaUes of Con
stance and BasU decreit in the Pape's face, and be infimt argu
ments of reasone and Scripture evicted, that it was nocht onfie a
veritie bot a poinct of fathe, The CouncM to be above the Pape,
and appeUationes to be maist lawfuU from the Pape to the Coun-
' Matt. vii. 22, 23. 2 Hot, severe. » Appeal.

1584. MR JAMES melvill's dlvry. 209
cM. And sa, from the Pape ther was ever appeUationes to the
CounceUs, rewfit be the Word of God and his Spreit, wherin
the trew Bischopes and Pastors, and Doctors of the Kirk, satt as
Chryst's officiars, to judge and discern on maters EcclesiasticaU, ac
cording to the Word of God. In the quhilk the best Christian
Emperours that ever war, Constantin and Theodosius, sat in na Mer
degrie nor the Pastors, as obedient members of the Kirk, humblie
to be governed and rewled with the rest be the scepter of the Word
of God, and nocht as heads and Lords to command and rewU over
it, knawMg the Lord Jesus Chryst was onlie King and Empe-
rour thair. Bot ye haM subscryrit, that whosoever, M aMe mater
EcclesiasticaU, declynes the KMg and CounsaU's judgment, salbe
reput and puMshed as a tratour. What, I pray you, giff these pro
test Papistes and Jesuistes that flockes ham out of France, Speanr
and Itafie, and finds graitter favour and credit M Court then aU the
MMisters, what if they sail chaUange you for the Doctrine of Jus
tification, frie wM, reaU presence, and the rest of the Heids of Re
ligion, for these, as cMeff maters EcclesiasticaU, sail the KMg and
Ms CounsaU be judge to you, and na appeUation be maid under the
pean of treassone ! What saU, then, I pray you, becom of ReMgion
and the professours thairof ? SaU they nocht be ather forced to deny
Chryst, or maid to disput with the torments apomted for trators ?
And syne tMs, for a clok, to be casten ower it. It is nocht for Rel-
figion, but for Hie Treassone, that sic ar sa handlit ! Do yie nocht
heir espy the craft of the .crewaU feMd, wha dar nocht, in tMs age
of knawlage and light of the gospeU, oppon him sehT agaMst the
treuthe, as the Scrybes and Pharisies durst not gamstand the doc
trine of Chryst, bot seiks, under pretence of lawes, and clok of jus
tice, to mak the godfie and trew professours and preachours to be
schamfuU spectacles, that thairby men may be eschamit of the veri-
tie of the EvangeU ; even as Chryst was put to deathe under the
nam of sedition and treassone !
" Secondfie, Yie haiff taken away, be your subscriptiones, the law-
full powar of the Pastors and Doctors, and Eldars of the Kirk, to
convem tham selves in the nam of na erthlie Prince, nor temporaU o

210 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
autoritie of King, nor for na erthfie nor temporall effears, bot in
the nam and authoritie of Jesus Chryst, King of kMgs, Lord of
lords, the onlie Soveran rewlar and commander witMn the Kirk,
quhUk is his kingdome spirituaU, and nocht of tMs warld, tM m-
treat ' of tMngs heaviMie and eternafi, quhUk directfie concernes the
saMes and consciences of men : The quhilk powar they hahT of
Chryst, planlie, in his Letter WiU, joyMng a maist comfortable
promise agamst sic grait dUficulties that behorit tM aryse in the
discharge of sa Mche an office, ' Whensoever twa or thrie of yow
salbe convemt in my nam, I salbe M the mids of yow.' Leamng
upon the quhUk powar and promise, the Apostles and Disciples con-
veined tham selves sindrie tymes efter the resurrection of CMyst,
and efter his ascension, to choise ane m the roume of Judas ; 2 they
assembfit the haM congregation to the election of the Diacons :3
and now, efter a grait manie kirks war planted, nocht oMie amangs
the Jewes, bot also amangs the GentUles, the Apostles and Eldars
assembfit tham selves in a GeneraU CounsaU at Jerusalem, to de-
termM in the question moved about the circumcision, and sa furthe.
For, when the command be Chryst is gfiTen ather to the heirars to
heir, or the Pastors to feid, or the Doctors to teatche, or the Eldars
to govern or rewU, surfie, be necessitie of relation, it man be that
he giffes tham also authoritie and powar in Ms nam to convein to
gidder, and with thair flockes, for that effect. Sa that be that act
of parfiament quMlk discharges the Assemblies and Conventiones
of EcclesiasticaU Office-bearers, is restramt that friedom quhilk
Chryst Jesus hes giffen to the officers of his kMgdome, to convein
for discharging of the dewties and caUMgs quhilk he hes leyed on
tham, to be usit for Ms service, and salvation of Ms peiple.
" And, trewfie, als weiU might they haM dischargit the Conven
tiones for heiring of the Word and miMstration of the Sacraments,
as for the exerceising of discipfine and government of the Kirk ;
semg this is na les leyed4 on the bak of the officiars of Chryst's
Kingdom, as a speciaU part of thair dewtie and charge nor the for-
1 To treat. * Acts i. 3 Acts vi. " Laid, imposed.

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 211
mer, and hes the command and powar giffen to use it na less then
the uther, without caremg for anie authoritie or command of men.
For that quhUk Chryst sa ernestlie repeates to Piter, quhUk also is
commoun to aU Pastors, < Feid 1 feid! feid !' is nocht onlie be Word
and Sacraments, bot also be discipfine, rewfingj and government,
as the mater it sehT declares, the word sigMfies, and the sfinMtud
planfie proves. And what, I pray you, meMes the comand of
Chryst's tM the Kirk, that is, the Ecclesiastick Senat or Assembfie
of the Office-bearers, as the lerned expones it, ' And if he refuse to
heir the Kirk, let Mm be unto tMe as an ethMc and pubfican !' giff
the Kirk hes nocht powar and authoritie of judgment giffen to it
be Chryst ? And that, ' I give you the keyes of the kingdome of
heavine ; whatsoever yie louse on erthe salbe lowsit M hearin ; and
whatsoever yie bmd on erthe salbe bund M hearin.' War thir keyes
gMen to anie kmg or magistrat ? or flowes the powar thairof from
humean ordination ? And, finafie, what memeth the Apostle to the
Romanes ML, when he so ernestlie exhortes everie officiar M the
Kirk to discharge thair caMng diligentfie ? WMes he tham tiU
abyde the commandiment of aMe erthfie King or Prince ? Na, als
frifie as the King hes Ms powar and authoritie of God, the Creator,
to Mscharge Ms office M things ciriU and temporal!, als frifie hes
the Pastors, Eldars, Doctores, and Deacones of the Kirk powar
and authoritie of Jesus Chryst, the Redehner, to do thair office in
things heavenlie and spirituaU. But I purpose nocht, my breith
ring, to Msist with you M proring of maters at tMs tyme ; bot, tak
ing things to be sufficientfie tryed and concludit unto the tyme I
heir ame reasones aUeagit be you or aMe uther M the contrar, I
wald discover unto you the feirfuU consequences of tMs your yeUd
ing, tending to the wrak of Chrysf s Kirk, and the libertie thairof.
"It was onfie the Assemblies and Presbyteries, as aU that feires
God, yea, and the enemies tham selves knawes, that was the ordi-
nariemean to keipe the Kirk of Scotland from the pollution of
vyces, hearesies, and scMsmes ; the quhilk now being takM away,
vyce and wickednes saU overflow, for wha saU tak ordour thairwith ?
The Court and Bischopes ? Als weM as Martin Elwod and Will

212 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
of Kinmont with steafing on the Bordours ! Heresie, Atheisme, and
Papistrie, saU brak M, for wha saU resist it ? The Bischopes ? Put
the cais, that sic wha hes saMd God, reUigion, and hearin, for tMs
present warld, and the tMngs thairof, coMd haM the grace to gam-.
stand the Atheists and Papists, and cheM meMteiners of Atheisme
and Papistrie, wUbe graitter in Court (fra the quhUk the Bischopes
hes thair powar and authoritie, and can, nor dar do na tMng with
out speciaU leive and command thairof) nor the beggerlie Bischopes
and aU thair Clergie can be. And last, the schismes and contro
versies that aryses and ar sawM be Sathan salbe na wayes componit
nor extinguisit be the brotherlie and humble Conventiones in
sequafitie, (as the happie experience of sax and twentie year bypast
hes proven our Assembfies tM have done,) bot contrarie wayes, be
the proude ambition and vaMtie of the Bischopes, they salbe dayfie
fosterit, Mcreassit, and augmentit ; the prMff and experience wher
of yie may reid efter the first tMie hounder yeirs of Chryst's Kirk,
when the persecutions war endit, and the Bischopes began, under
Christian Emperours, to gett ease, honour, and ritches, and brak-
Mg the commandiment of Chryst, began tM usurpe lordfie autho
ritie and prehemmence over thair breitivring. Fra that tyme, as
never of befor, miserabfie hes the Kirk been cut and devydit be
controversies, schismes, and heresies ; sa perMtius hes it bein to
ley asyde the Word of God, and right rewUes of govermng of his
Kirk be asqualitie amangs the Pastors.
" Thridlie, Yie haiff consentit and subscryvit that thir Bischopes
saU haiff the owersight and rewfing of aU the Kirks, according to
the powar quMlk they receave of thair Pape and head. QuhUk
office hes na warrand in the Scripture of God, but is an Mvention
of Sathan brought M be ambition and avarice ; yea, that pre-
sumptous and lordfie authoritie over the rest of ther breitMmg is
plat contrar to the word and commandiment of Chryst ; Matth. x.
19, and xxvi. 24, 28, and of Luc xxii. 24, 25, 26, 27, and [1] Pet. v.
1, &c. And that mangreU meUing with civM and warldfie maters,
exerceisMg judicatour in civM and criminaU causses, loudfie cryes
that they war never of Chryst, whase kingdome is nocht of this

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 213
warld ; wha refused to be maid KMg be the peiple, yea, wald nocht
sa mikle as devyd the Mheritance amangs breithring, albeit a chari
table turn ; and aU for eschewing of incumbrance in erthlie maters,
quhilk might Mnder Mm from the spirituaU and hearinfie wark of
Ms Father, for the quhilk he was send. And by and attoure the
unlawfuMes of the office, quhilk the Scripture and nature of the
kingdome of Chryst can nocht bear withaU, the persones" that pre
sentfie yie haM subscryrit obedience unto are Mfamus, vyle men,
nocht onfie of the bas and cursest1 sort amangs the peiple, as war
the Preists of profan Jeroboam, bot maist dissolut and sklanderas
m aU thair lyff; be whase cairfuMes M gathering upe the woU and
milk, and cairlesnes m feidmg of the floks, and evM exemple in aU
kynd of vyce, na merveU it is gM Mumerable sauUes drown in ig
norance, perishe in thair smnes, and five without God or religion.
" Therfor, now, I beseik yow, my breithring, rightfie to considder,
and deipfie to pondir this mater : Whidder haid it bem better to
refuse, and undertak the displeasure of an erthlie Prince, wha onfie
hes powar ower the body, (and that na mair nather nor it pleases
God,) and haUT estehned aU tMs warld but dirt and draff under
your feit, in respect of Ms lmff and obedience, wha coMd haM given
yow agaM a houndrethe fauld M tMs lyff, and the lyff. eternaU to
the guid ?2 Or to haM consentit, and Mcurrit the Mche displeasure
of Chryst Jesus, the grait HeavMfie King, wha, efter the bodie is
slean, may cast bathe it and the sauU M the fyre of heU ; and the
offence and detestation of aU the godfie and fathftdl for the scham-
fuU denymg of sa gMd a Maister, betraying of the friedome of Ms
kmgdome, sclandering of Ms Kirk, and offering occasion to the ad-
versars to triumphe and be Mcuragit.
" Agam, I say, for God's cause, and your awm salvation, enter
in deiplie to wey and consider what yie haM done, that the hy-
nousnes of the fact may mak yow to abhore your selves, and be un-
feinyitfie cast down thairfor. For haM yie nocht be your hand
wryt, the seaU of your treuthe, bund your selves, as slaves, to the
' Base and coarsest. 2 Into the bargain, over and above, besides.

214 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
wicked appetit and affection of a bfind godles Court, overflowing
with aU kynd of sine and impietie ? and to a Bischope, O fy ! to
whom I can nocht gUT a ricius epithet mair nor another, and I am
sure a thowsand wald nocht express Ms vyces, as your selffs, and
aU the warld, is witnes ? And that quhUk is warst of aU, haiff yie
nocht brought the fibertie of the Spreit, and preatcMng of the
Word of God, the dispensation wharof is concredit1 unto yow, in
maist abomMable tMaldome ? Sa that yie dar nocht reprove vyce
without exception of persones, nor pretche the treuthe frifie, as
your God, your buik, and your conscience, teatches yow, and com
mands. For, dar yie now rebuk the contemners of God, and re
ligion, and fathfuU MMisters thairof, the blaspheamer of God's nam
and Ms treuthe ; diveMshe dissfinMation, yea, open divelrie, per-
jurie, persecution, tyranme, crewaltie, oppression, drunkennes, hur-
dome; scorning of God and man ; ambition, avarice, flatterie, lemg,
braMng of promise, trieMng, taunting, decearing, profanation of
the Word of God, sacrilage, simonie, witchcraft, shamles obsceMtie,
rilame, apostasie, and mensuaring 2 of that quMlk the mouthe hes
professit, and pubfictfie spoken and teatched, the hand hes often
subscryrit with the grait athe3 of the Lord maid and MterpoMt
thairin ? seMg your new erected Paprie, and, namlie, your famus
OrdMar, the Archbischope, to whom yie haM bund your obedience,
is altogidder festered and owergean4 with tham.
" Now, as to that nam of obedience, quhUk is cravit M a fair
and honest maner, to clok a maist MtMe and unhonest mater, mis
ter5 I to wryt ame thing to yow thairanent ? for can yie understand
or teatche aMe uther tMng thairanent nor tMs ? Obedience, except
it be M God, and according to his command, is na obedience, bot
sm, rebeMon, and disobedience, the quhilk is as the sin of witch
craft, wickednes, and ydolatrie befor God, as Samuel teatched
King Saul, m his awin face. That quhMt man, following his awin
judgment and M affection, caUes rebeMon, treasone, and disobe
dience, is aUowit befor God as dewtifuU dewtie, gMd obedience,
and service : And contrar, was nocht Sydrach, Misach, and Abed-
1 Entrusted. 2 Perjury. 3 Oath. * Overrun. s Need

1584. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 215
nego, cast in the furnace be Nebugednezar, Kmg of Babylon, for
thair disobedience, m nocht falling down to worshipe his erected
finage ? Was nocht Darnel cast M the den of lyons for disobedience,
because he brak King Darius' godles law, in making his prayer
thryse a day toward Jerusalem, and wald nocht ghT sa mUde as a
secreit consent to sett upe the KMg M God's stead ? The gard of
King SaM disobeyit Mm, commandMg, be bis awm mouthe, to slay
the Preists of the Lord. Sa did his awin sone, gMd Jonathan, and
wald nocht bring in David, bot conforted Mm, and set him on his
jorney. The medwyffes, King Pharo, Ioiaha,1 and the haUl esteates
of Juda, bludie Athafia, Lobna, a citie of the Levites, preists, the
apostat KMg Amazia, and Mnumerable ma m Hofie Scripture, whase
doMgs, nevertheless, the Spreit of God commends, and as dew obe
dience to God and thair superiors, hes-left tham mregistrat M his
Hofie BMk to be foUowit.
"In graitest humMtie and dewtifuU reverence of that maist law
fuU authoritie gMen be God to KMgs and Magistrats, and yit in
curage and baMdnes of spreit, for the glorie of my God and fiber-
tie of the Kmgdome of Chryst, defaced, alas ! and brought under
vyU slaverie be the pemitius flatterers of princes, wha, deifemg
tham m thair conceattes, makes tham to tak unto tham absolut
powar to do what they fist, and trampe the Kirk of CMyst under
futt, I wM tak tMs proposition to defend agamst the best and
maist lernit of thair courteours, court Bischopes and MMisters, pro-
vydmg they disput be Scripture and gMd reasone, and nocht be
the Blaknes,2 Spey Tour,3 gibet and maden,4 that to obey the
Kmg of Scotland, as he craves presentfie obedience accordMg to
Ms last acts of parfiament, is treasone against Chryst, and disobe
dience, yea, rebeMon to Ms Word and command; and, thairfor, wha
soever may stay and withstand Mm, be refusaU of obedience, or
uther wayes be ordMar and lawfuU meanes of thair calling, and
1 Probably this is meant to apply to.Jehoahaz, or Jehoiakim. » Imprisonment
m Blackness Castle. 3 The Spey Tower of Perth t ^ ^ ^
lows, and the maiden, a sort of guillotine for. beheading criminals, said to have been
wonted by the Earl of Morton,_himself the first who was beheaded by it

216 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
does nocht, is a treator to his Majestie, countrey, and Kirk of
Chryst, witMn the samMg.
" And lest yie, my breithring, or aMe uther, soMd tak tMs my pleaii
schawMg of the treuthe M an evM part, the Lord God of hearin
is witnes to my conscience that I mein na contempe or disdean to
Ms Grace's ather persone or lawfuU authoritie, nather does tMs
proceide of aMe eriU-wM or desyre of revenge for anie wrang done
to us ; bot the Lord knawes, befor whom we walk, that the siches
and sobbes of our dolorus and maist affectioned harts toward Ms
weM and amendiment, is with teares powred out dayfie for that ef
fect ; and whom I knaw assuredfie that aU the godfie in Scotland
and EMgland wald obey, love, and reverence above aU fleche as
thair awin naturaU and born Prince, giff, learing thir godles Coun-
sallors and courses, he wald rewU in the feir of God, and estabfis
the kingdome of Jesus Chryst accordMg to his Word. Therfor,
alas ! my breithring, ye haiff, under the name of obedience, defyfit
your selff with these erymes that Samuel conricted King SauU of,
for nocht obeying the Word of the Lord. And the exemples of
God's servantes in thair feir of his grait Majestie, and constancie
standing in his treuthe and obedience stoutfie, nochtwithstandmg
danger of lyff, yea, terrible torments, may be feirfuU judges sett be
for your conscience to condemne you, except yie repent. Peter and
Jhone ar bathe be word and exemple cryMg unto you, That it had
bein better to obey God nor man.
" But, me thinks I heir sum of you lamenting and saying, It
was weaknes and feiblenes of this freall nature that maid you do
tMs tMng. Trewfie, breithring, weaknes and Mfirmitie is natu
raU to flesche, and hes oftentymes maid the chUdring of God to
slyde and faU, for sa did Darid in adMterie and murdour, Piter in
the thriefaMd denyaU of his Maister, and the zealus Origin, of
whase faU I speak befor. Wharfor, in that ceas onlie, the remeadie
Mcontinent without delay is to be sought ; for it is manlie, and of
weaknes to faU, bot to ly stM and sleipe in sine, without remorse or
amendiment, it is the rod of reprobation. It is a thing maist feir
fuU to deny Chryst, but far mair nocht to confes him constantlie

1584. ME JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 217
agean unto the deathe. It is a horrible mater sa to sklander the Kirk
of God, bot far mair to contmow thairin, and nocht to repear and
remove the sam. And, thairfor, I exhort you, deir breitMing, maist
ernestlie and tenderfie, in the bowels of the Lord Jesus, and admo-
nise you, befor God, his AngeUes, and haM Kirk, that yie pres '
with speidie repentance tM amend this miserable mis,2 and repear
sa mikle as can ly m you tMs bealfuU brak. That yie meditat and
cry, with Darid, that is, with the contrit sprit and broken hart of
Darid in that 51 Psalme ; yie go asyde, with Piter ; yie lament-
ablie cry out and Mvey agamst your selves, with Origine, and mak
the streames of your bitter teares deleit and washe away that sub
scription, and the -wound of your siches3 and sound of your sobbes,
blaw abrod your repentance for that denyaU of Chryst ; and thair-
after, constantfie coMes Mm with Piter unto the deathe, and that
spedefie, befor he cum M judgment, and deny you befor Ms hearin
fie Father.
" And, finafie, M conclusion, to remove bathe the pubfict sklander
and wa4 pronuncit agaMst sic wharby it comes, I sie nocht whow
it can be don utherwayes, then gM yie com bauldfie to the King
and Lords of Chacker agaM, and schaw tham whow yie haiff faUM
tMow weaknes, bot be God Ms powar ar rissin agame ; and thair,
be pubfict not and witnes taMn, frie your selves from that subscrip
tion, and wM the sam to be deleit, renuncMg and detesting it plan
fie, and thairefter pubfictfie M your sermonds and be your declara
tion and retractation M wryt presented to the haM Kirk, and fath
fuU mamfest the sam. Let tham do with stipend, benefice, and lyff
it sehT what they fist ; yie wM stik be Chryst, wha knawes what ye
haM neid of, and wM provyde for yow sufficientfie, yie serving him
in tMs lyff, and bring yow heirefter to Ms glorie in the lyff- ever
lasting! The quhilk that yie may do, and thairefter constantfie
stand unto the end, I saU ernestlie caU to God for yow, to assist yow
with Ms strong and Almightie Sprit for the glorie of Ms awin name,
. the reparation of the grait offence and sMander of his Kirk, and
1 Press, strive. * Miss, loss. 3 Sighs, ' Woe

218 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
your jqyfuU recearing agaM in the number of CMyst's warioures
and citiciners of Ms Kmgdome, and Capteanes of Ms armie ; with
whome fechting lawfuUie in suffring heir, with him we salbe crowmt
with MxmortaU glorie in the heavines, whar he leives and ringes
with Ms Father for ever."
TMs Letter, with the conclusions and arguments befor mentioned,
send hame, and gomg abrod, did mikle conforte the constant, and
crab ' the enemie. Twa of our students m Theologie for copemg
thairof, and sending to breithring, war fean to Me and com to me to
Berwik ; Mr James Robertsone, a verie gMd brother, now Mmister
of Dondie, and Mr Jhone Caldcleuche, whom I receavit gladfie,
and wha efter certean moneths abydMg with me at Berwik, we past
southe togidder to Londone. Also an WUyeam Erde, an extraor-
dinar witnes steired upe be God j wha bemg a masone of Ms craft
tM he was past twentie yeirs and maried, lerMt first of his wyff to
reid EMglis, and taken with delyt of letters he him sehTstudeit the
Latin, Greik, but speciafie the Hebrew langage, sa that he haid Ms
Byble als hamlie to him M Hebrew as ame uther langage ; The
quhUk being knawin to the Kirk, and the giftes he haid besyde,
bothe of knawlage and utterance of diviMtie, he was maid to leave
Ms hanMe-craft, and tak Mm heaMe tM attend upon the CoUage
and exerceis ; whar he profited sa, that witMn few yeirs that he was
caMt and placed M the ministerie at the Kirk of St Cuthbert's,
under the CasteU wall of Edmbruche, and is now a notable man for
uprightnes and grait lerMng and reidding. This brother, for just
feir, cam away also, and abaid with me a space M Berwik. The
cause of Ms feir was the apprehencfing of Ms feUow laborar, a grave
and godfie brother, Mr Nicol Dalglaishe, keipmg of Mm in clos
pressone, and putting him tM ane essaise,2 of ernest and defiberat
purpose to haiff execut Mm as a trator, onlie for the sight of a cer
tean letter com from Mr Walter BalcanquaU to Ms wyff, bot the
saise wald nocht fyU Mm,3 wherat the Court was verie crabbit.
1 Vex, annoy, enrage. 2 Assise, inquest, or jury. 3 The assise would not
convict him, or find him guilty. Acquittal was expressed by clenging, (cleansing.)

1584. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 219
That worthie brother, and now ancient father in the Kirk, was verie
evM handlit, and stude wonderfuU constant.
That sam wintar to thir hard newes from our awin countrey be
northe, cam unto us far harder newes from southe out of Londone,
of the departour of Mr James Lawsone ther ; wha, for giftes and
estimation, was chehT amangs the mMisterie : For, efter my uncle
Mr Andro, with the said Mr James and certean uther of the breith
ring, haid in the monethe of JMy visited the UMversities of Oxford
and Cambridge, and conferrit with the most godfie and lernit ther,
retourning agame till Londone, partfie tMow his traveU and afterac
tion of the eare, bot cMeflie for the causses twitched befor of the
behaviour of some of Ms awM flock, wha haid subscryrit a Letter'
caUMg tham woMes andhyrfings, Mr James, being a melancholian2
of constitution, faUs M a hearie disease, quhUk resolved in a melan-
colius dysenterie, quhilk be na meanes of medecM (whowbeit he
haid ther a number of maist lerned and godfie) coMd be cured ; bot
efter dyvers monethes seiknes he died, speikMg tM Ms utter houre
maist hofifie to God's glorie, and confortabfie tM aU the heiraps ;
bot Ms deathe, and speitches, quhUk were maMe and notable, I
leave to tham wha war present. Bot verelie tMs was a grait lose
and disbarting amangs us, and haid undone divers of us, giff God
by-Ms word and Spreit of consolation haid nocht uphaldin us. His
wyff (whom, for hir rare and maist sweit giftes of knawlage, devo
tion, tender and maist zealus love towards God, Ms servants, and
aU that loved the Lord Jesus Chryst, I can nocht of dewtie and
conscience bot mak mention of, for a happie memorie to the pos-
teritie) was M readmes to go to Mm, and cam to Berwik even
about the tyme of tha3 dolorus newes, wharof she knew na tMng tM
she was by a convoy brought bak again to that maist godfie and
confortable hous to aU the servands of God, HuttonhaU. Bot, as
ever persone M that esteat, sche kythed the fraicts of trew Chris-
1 " The copie of this Letter is amangs my scoralles.'' Note by Author on the
margin of MS. 2 A hypochondriac. 3 These.

220 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1584.
tiaMtie, nocht onfie at that tyme, bot aU the dayes of hir lyff to hir
death, leiving as a trew weidow and relict of sic a housband, in
fasting, prayer, meditation, and exerceise of the warks of mercie
and love, Mstructing the ignorant, sweitfie admoMsing the offendars,
comforting the afflicted, visitMg the seik and diseased in body or
mynd, and persevering in prayer with tham unto the end ; sa that
hir refresMngs and pastyme was to tak peanes M these exerceises.
Thus sche leived in Edinbruche serin or aucht yeir efter our re-
tourn, a remarkable mirroure of godfie weidowheid, and died with
als grait mean and missmg of the godfie M aU degries, namfie 1 the
pure, as aMe woman that ever I knew. Sche was my speciaU ac
quentance and confort in CMyst, from the deathe of hir housband
to hir lyve's end.
My wyff was at the sam tyme grait with chyld, neir hir birthe,
and, heiring of Mr James' deathe, wha, by the comoun and pubfict
respect, was to hir in affection a father, brought upe dayfie in Ms
hous and companie with his wyff, sche dooMt and bursted sa,2 1
beMg in NewcasteU with the Lords, that they war aU in grait fear
sche soMd haM parted with her birthe. Amangs whom, a godfie
suddart, [named Francis Goodwin,] conforting hir, sayes, "Tak heid
what yow do, Mistres Melvin, that yow becom nocht an unnaturall
murderar of that quhUk is m your beUie, quhUk by appeirance is a
man chyld ; and yow knaw nocht if God may mak Mm to suppfie
a place M Ms Churche agaMe !" WitMn a monethe thairefter sche
was lichtar of a man chyld Mdeid, whom, be finitation of Josephe,
I caMt EpMaim, because God haid maid me fraictfoU in a strange
land ; praying God of Ms grace, nocht regardMg my smnes and
unthankfolnes, to mak anie mean instrument M his Kirk. I can
nocht expres the cair, kyndnes, and tender affection quhUk God
Mndfit in the harts of that peiple towards me, in the behalff of my wyff
and chyld : For, certean I am, if all Mr frinds and myn in Scotland
haid bem about hir, it was nocht in thair powar to haM used hir sa
cairfuUie, lovMglie, tenderfie, and dMgatiie;3 and, namfie, I war
1 Especially. 2 Mourned and sobbed, in such a manner. s Delicately.

1585. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 221
maist ingrat if I soMd forget my gMd, godfie, and maist courteus
Lady, my Lady Wedringhton, wha wated on mair cairfoilie then
the maidwyff, and recearit Mm from the wombe M hir awin skirt,
and findmg Mm nocht fivfie, maid hast "to the fyre, and tiirusting
m her curshar,1 brunt it, and helde to Ms naisthriUes,2 wherby he
qmcned and kythed3 signes of lyff. TMs I sa particMarfie sett down,
partfie tM extoU the cair and proridence of God towards me, and
partfie to move that chyld to sett Mm seM to the knawlage and ser
vice of that God wha thus brought Mm from the wombe. He was
born the 15 day o Januar, m the yeir 1584-(1585.)
About the middes of Febraar, efter a grait humMation and fast
for aU thir causses, and confort of the hofie communion keipit at
NewcasteU, the noble men, partfie because they perceavit that thair
lyMg neir the Border Mdangerit thair frinds, and partfie at the de
syre of hir Majestie, past southe, and, efter they haid remaMt about
a monethe M Northwitche, they cam to Londone ; and I returning
to Berwik, as my calling requyrit, preparit my wyff and companie,
and foUowed to Londone be water.
My gMd Lady Wedringtoun wald neids deteM my young sone,
and haM him M plege tM my retournMg, wha lykwayes, with our
uther maist cairfuU and loring frinds M Chryst, maid gMd provi
sion for our voyage. Mr Walter BalcanquaU cam down from Lon
done, and, sendMg for Ms wyff, went in compame with us. We war
in nomber about twoU persones passMgers inbaririt about the be-
gmmng of Merche, bot be contrarie wmdes, with grait fascherie4
and seiknes, war put M M TMmouthe, whar we ley sax dayes, and
again lamcMng furthe, upon the fourt day we arryvit at Londone,
whar, meitting with my uncle and Ms compaMe, we war nocht a
lytle conforted.
M.D.LXXXV.
A lytle efter the Noble-men cam to Londone, and I entered
agame to my awM charge, mikle helped and Mcuragit by my uncle,
1 Kerchief. 2 Nostrils. 3 Manifested, showed. * Trouble,

222 MR JAMES MELVILL'S JDIARY. 1585.
whom the Noble-men drew to tham, and maid Mm thair domestic.
Our tentationes then war verie grait, for be Ambassatour efter Am-
bassatour send to hir Majestie, first we war caMt a grait stope bak
from our frinds, quhilk maid tham and us bathe to tyne hart and
almaist dispear ; l bot syne it was ernestlie suted that we soMd be
put out of Eingland, and maMe promises, maid for that effect. Sa
that, indeid, we luiked for na tMng bot to be put from EMgland as
Scotland ; bot the Lord our God haid heirin a gMd wark in drawing
us neirar and neirar unto Mm, and makMg us knaw that he was to
wourk that wark Mm sehT for Ms awin glorie. And, thairfor, first
M that sMimer he send a pest,2 quhUk past throw the principaU
townes, and raget tM ahnaist utter vastation in the townes of Edin
bruche, St Androis, St Jhonstoun, and Dondie, in sic sort that the
comoun clamer of the peiple was against the Court. With this, sic
utragius tyrannie was usit be Arran and his ficentius, proude, im
pudent Lady, that aU esteates mislyMt and weiried at the sam.
Thus God prepared the peiple at hame that simmer ; and at the
hervest, togidder with the ragMg pestUence incressing mair and
mair, namfie in Edinbruche, the Lord send sic tempest of wather
and rean,3 that aU began to cry, The Lord's hand wald nocht stey
unto the tyme the MMisters of God and Noble-men war brought
hame againe ! The quhUk, when our frinds percearit, they maid us
advertisment ; bot the dMicMtie was in purchassing of licence,
quhUk our unfrinds,4 confederates with Arran, wald nocht suffer to
be granted, tM God provydit, in lyk maner, a motive for that, to
wit, the slauchtar of the Lord Russell, Warden, at a day of Trewes,5
upon the Bordour. The quhUk, for aU excuses could be maid,
crabit6 sa the Quein, that sche licenced our Noble-men joyned with
the HamUtones, to return to thair frinds M Scotland. And sa, efter
a verie ernest exerceise of humMation keipit be our haM companie,
at Westmmster, wharin manie teares war powred out befor the
Lord, and the hartes of aU weM prepared, about the beginning of
1 Lose heart, and almost despair. 2 Plague, pestilence. 3 Tempest of
weather and rain. ' Enemies. s A Warden-Raid, or " day of Trew."
6 Vexed, angered.

1585. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 223
October, the Erles of Angus and Mar, with the Maistir of Glames,
and thair compames, past from Londone, and with thame my uncle
Mr Andro, Mr Patrik GaUoway, and Mr Walter BalcanquaU, wha
commg to the Bordour, the Lord HamUton and those that war at
Berwik cam to tham ; and as they enterit m the countrey, ther re
sorted unto tham without delay the haM Bordours, Est and Wast,
conducted by thair Lords of Hume, BodweU, and MaxweU, and
mercMng fordwart with dMgence cam to St NMian's Kirk, a myU
from Sterfing, upon the first day of November, and ther camped to
the number often thowsand horsmen. In tMs mean tyme, procla-
mationes with aU diligence was send athort the countrey, and double
tMs number war convemit within the town of Stirfing, but nocht
hahT sa resolut and weM harted to feght in the quarreU as our men
war. Sa, to be schort, on the morn soone, be brak of day, they
unbesett l the town, and with grait qmetnes and unresistable courage
mmistred be God, scaled and clam ower the waUes. A lytle re
sistance was maid be Captean James and CoroneU Stewart be the
space of twa houres, bot seMg the courage of the uther they scMank
bak, and reteiring, gahT fibertie to aU to enter and win the town.
Captean James, haiffing m his poutche the key of the brig,2 fled
away that gett3 Mcontinent : The rest, viz., Montrose, Crafurd,
Glencarn, AroU, and ColoneU Steward, reteired to the CasteU, whar
the King was ; but our folks, persuing hatlie, cam aU to the CasteU
MU, and clos under foresnout of the Blokhous planted thair stand.-
dars and campe.
The King, percearing that he was nocht able to keipe the CasteU,
and knawMg that the peiple's affection was towards these Noble
men and Mmisters, resolved to Parliament, and send furthe unto
our Lords the Secretar and Justice-Clark, requyring of tham : —
First, That his lyff, honour, and esteat, might be preservit.
Secondfie, That the lives of Montrose, Crafurd, and CoroneU
Steward, soMd be sparit.
Thridfie, That aU maters soMd be transacted peacablie. And,
1 Surrounded. 2 In his pocket the key of the bridge. » Way, road.

224 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1585.
upon these conditiones, offerit him selff to be governed be thair advys
and counsaU in tyme coming.
The Noble-men answered to the King's messangers : —
That, for the First, the God of HeavM knew that they haid never
aMe uther intention than to preserve Ms Majestie's persone, esteat,
and dignitie ; and to delyver his Majestie from the handes of sic, wha,
under pretext of Ms name and authoritie, haid sa creuaUie opprest the
Kirk and Comoun-weM, and fiaid exponed to danger bathe Ms Ma
jestie's lyff and croun : That, haiffing the feir of God befor thair eis,
they war com to do Ms Majestie aU dewtie and service, and to schaw
tham selves fathfuU and obedient subjects, as they haid done of be
for ; exposing tham selves to the violence of sic as befor tyme faught
with Ms mother agaMst Mm with displeyed baner, to depryve Mm
of his esteat and honour, wha, nochtwithstandmg, haid beM of leat,
at least thair successours in that cause, admitted to the handfing of
all his effeares.
As to the Second, seMg the persones befor named, whase lives
war desyrit to be sparit, haid troublet the haM countrey, and bein
Mstruments of sic confusion as the lyk haid nocht bein hard nor sein
in Scotland, they coMd do na les for Ms Majestie's honour, and af
fection they bure to thair countrey, then seik the meanes wharby
they might be put in the hands of Justice, to be used as they haid
demerit. As to the Thride, they tham selves declarit to the KMg, that they
maid humble supplication to his Hienes, that he him seM soMd tak
ordour and sie aU things to pas, and be wrought pacible M an op
portune and convenient tyme, to the grait contentment of aU his
gMd subjects ; and for that effect promised aU ayde and assistance :
protesting that they approched nocht to Ms Majestie in armes, and
with sic companies, bot be constraint for saveing of thair lyves and
leirings from the tyranMe of sic as sought thair mine and utter
wrak. The King's messingers being departed, the Noble-men send

1585. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 225
in lyk maner unto the Kmg, requyring of Ms Majestie tMie
things :
First, That the KMg soMd gM Ms consent to reform the cor-
ruptionnes and abbusses that war crouppen witMn the Kirk and
Comoun-weiU, be the erill government of tham wha haid abbusit
his authoritie ; and thairfor he wald allow as lawfuU and guid ser
vice thair proceidmgs M seiking the said reformation, and for that
cause that bis Majestie wald subscryve the schort declaration quhUk
they haid formed of thair cause ; and that for thair graitter assur
ance, that the stramthes and CasteUs quhUk the troublers of the
esteat haid in thair handes soMd be delyvered unto tham, to be
keipit be sic as the Esteattes of the Realme thought meit.
Secondlie, That the said troublers of the Esteat soMd be giffen
M thair keipMg, to be presented to justice.
And, Last, That the King's Gard might be changit, and an uther
chosM of the fathfuU, modest, and sobre men, under sic a Captean
and Commander as the Noble-men soMd nam.
All these tMngs wer granted. The Lord HamUton maid Cap
tean of Dumbartan ; the Lard of Cowdounknowes of Edmbruche,
and Stirfing restored to the Erie of Mar ; and the Maister of Glanies
maid Captean of the Garde. In end a Parliament was proclamed
to be haldin at LMfitfigow, the tent of December foUowing, for
restoring agaM of Noble-men, MMisters, and all.
The King recearit aU the Noble-men M favour, and granted tham
what they wald ask for ther particMar. Bot concernmg the maters
of the Kirk, that twitched his honour sa, that he wald nocht be
controUed thairin, nor grant to na tMng bot efter his pleasour ; and
sa tuk upe a heiche humor agaMst aU the guid breititring, partfie
because he perceavit that the Noble-men war nocht verie ernest in
the maters, getting their awin turnes done, as, indeed, (except the
grid Erie of Angus, to whase hart it was a continwaU grieff that he
coMd nocht get concurrance,) ther was lytle or smaU cear amangs
tham thairof, for all the vowes and fair promises maid to God and
his servants, the quhUk the Lord in mercie mak them to tak till
hart m tyme and repent, befor the last come, quhilk can nocht, in

226 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1585.
Ms just judgment, bot be mair feirfuUnor the first ; partfie because
he estimed the Kirk to be the cheiff cause of his controlment M his
proceidMgs first and last, the discipline wharof he could na wayes
lyk, ex metu Herodiano et Jeroboamino.
About the end of November, warnMg was maid, accordMg to the
ordour of the Kirk be the last Moderator, athort the countrey to the
breitMing, to conveM in GeneraU Assemblie, conforme to custome
befor the Parfiament at Dumfermling, na uther meit town being
frie of the pest. The breithring frequentfie ' furthe of all partes
resorting thither. The portes of the town war closit upon tham be
the Provest for the tyme, the Lard of Pitfirren, aUeaging he haid
the King's expres command sa to do. Therfor the breithring, co-
mending that wrang to God, the righteus Judge, conveMt sa monie
as [they] might in the fields, and conforting them selves mutualie in
God, apomted to meit in LMfithgow a certean dayes befor the Par
liament. Bot God, withM a few yeirs, peyit that Lard and Pro-
vest Ms hyre for that piece of service, when, for the halding out of
Ms servantes from keiping his Assemblie in that town, he maid Ms
awin hous to spew Mm out : For a2 day, M the morning, he was
fond faUen out of a window of his awin hous of Pitfirren, thrie or
four hous [stories ?] Mght, wither be a melancolius dispear casting
him selff, or be the violence of unkynd ghests'ludgit witMn, God
knawes ; for, being taken upe, his speitche was nocht sa sensible as
to declar it, bot within few hours efter deit.
The newes of the taMng of Stirling was at the Court of Eing
land and in Londone witMn aught and fourtie houres ; for it being
done on Tysday in the mornMg, on the Furisday3 thairefter Mr
Robert Bowes tauld us, and on the Fredday it was comoun M the
mouthes of all Londone. At the quhUk we graithmifie4 rejoysing
in the soveran gMdnes and mercie of our God, and resorting togid
der to steir us upe mutualie to thankfolnes : Sa, with aU conveni-
' In numbers, numerously. 'One. 3 Thursday. "" Graittumlie," greatly.

1585. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 227
ent dUigence we maid for the jorney hame ower ; ¦ in the quhilk, as
m going, sa in returning, we fond the bountifuU and gratius hand of
our God with us, sa that we haid occasion divers tymes to sing
unto the praise of our God that 126 Psalme, with manie ma, but
namlie at our coming to Anwik on the second Sabathe of our jor
ney. Ther we rested, and war caUed to dinner be Sir Jhone Fostar,
Lord Warden, wha, at mides of dMner, began bathe to glorifie God
M recompting what he haid wrought already, and to prophesie con
cermng the stay of fouU wather and of the pestUence, whowsone all
the Mmisters of God war brought ham agaMe ; as, indeid, it was
marked and found witMn a monethe, that we war estoMshed to heir
the mouthe of a warldfie cirill man sa opened to speak out the
woundarfuU warkes and prases of God, wrought for us. We war
M compame a Mne or] ten horses, and fand Mm the gratius God of
the land M retourning, as we fund him of the sies in our passage
southwart. Coming in Scotland, I left my wyff, weirie of sa lang a jorney,
to rest at HutonhaU, M compame with the relict of Mr James Law
sone, gMd, sweit, and godfie Janet Guthrie, and with Mr Robert
Durie tuk jorney to Linlithgow to the Parfiament, swaUeingupe2 be
hope, Mquenchable joy of reformation of aU tMngs amiss, and grait
welcommg with maMe gMd-morrowes. But as at our gOmg out of
the countrey, we knew nor saw na thing that might rease us in anie
grait hope of provision or comfort, and yit, by the guid providence
of our God, we fand far beyond expectation ; sa, be the contrar, at
our retourning, loMng for aU gMd and comfortable, we fund na
thmg les.
For, first, rydmg from HadMgton to Smeton, reposing on our
gyde, we went fordwart, whowbeit under night, far, bot when we
war in graittest danger of coll-pittes and sinks, the darknes was sa
grait, that our gyd knew nocht whar he was, nor whow to gyde;
1 Homewards  " My individuus comes sen syne, and maist sure and fathfull bro
ther and frind, Mr Robert^Dury, was with me, wha'haid a monethe or twa of befor
eom from the Rotehell to London to us.'' Margin of MS. 2 Swelling, buoyed up.

228 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1585.
sa that iff God haid nocht gydet us, we haid bein lyk Thales, wha
compased the erthe, and dyed in a draw-weU at his awin dur ! When
we haid spent a guid part of the night, at last ane of our hors rash-
ed on his nes1 upon a geriU2 of a hous ; bot whither it was hous,
or stak, or heuche, we knew nocht, nather saw hors or man, na
nocht our awin fingar-end, tM ane lightand down grapes eUanges,3
and finds a dur, and chapping4 we gat sum folks that tauld us we
war in Trenent, fra the quMlk conducing6 a gyde, with a lantern
knit to his hors-teaU to schaw us the way, with grait fascherie6
throw the CoU-hors-gett we cam to Smeton. On the morn we maid
hast, and, comMg to Lestarik,7 disjoned,8 and about aUeavin hours9
cam ryding m at the Water-gett of the Abbay, upe throw the
Canow-Gett, and red m at the Nether-bow, tMow the grait streit
of Edinbruche to the Wast Port, in aU the quMlk way we saw nocht
tMie persones, sa that I miskend10 Edinbruche, and almost forgot
that ever I haid sein sic a town. About evein we cam to Lithgow,
to a nomber of heavie and greived breither, and a miserable vyll
presone, the lyk wharof I was never in aU my dayes.
The occasion of the breithring's greiff was, that they war out of
hope to gett aMe thing undone at that Parfiament, quhUk was done
at the Parfiament of the 1584; and that because the King haid
sett Mm selff dispytfuMe against the Kirk, and these in speciall
wha haid beM with the Lords ; namfie, my uncle, Mr Andro, wha
haid beM verie quik and plean with the King divers dayes. And
as for the Noble-men, they required that, first, they might be sat-
telit in thair roumes,11 and syne 12 wald do aneuche ; bot it was taMd
them, that that wald bathe weaken and scham tham and thair
cause with God and man. Yit, in effect, the gMd breithring war
left and deserted be tham, and behoved to bear thair reprotches
that wald do na thmg for Chryst. But by tMs, a hearier cause of
greiff was giffen by a bitter invection that Mr Crag maid against

1 Nose. 2 Gable. 3 Alongst. 4 Knocking. 5 Hiring.
6 Trouble. 7 Restalrig, near Edinburgh. 8 Breakfasted. 9 Eleven o'clock.
10 Forgot, knew not. u Settled in their situations or livings. " Then.

1585. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 229
us befor the King and haM Lords of Parfiament, steired upe, as he
aUeadgit, be a sermont that James Gipsone haid maid, in the pul
pit of EdMbruche, against the Subscry ving Ministers, of whom Mr
Crag was the cheiff; sa that ther was the seid of a feirfuU schisme,
giff God, be the meanes of patient and wyse breithring, haid nocht
born down the sammg1 at the nixt Assemblie. Togidder with
this, the tiu-ang of the town was sa grait, that we haid na confort
of meit, drink, or ludgmg, bot sa eriU and miserable, and thairwith
sa extream deir, that we war rather brought from wealthe, ease,
and fibertie, and cast M a wretched fouU pressone, nor from exyU
tM2 our native countrey. Yit the conscience of our cause and ser
vice of Chryst upheld us, and maid us to keipe togidder, m a de-
ceyit house, that nather helde out rind nor weit, with coMort furnesit
be the mightie Confortar, the space of ten dayes or fyftein, tM the
Parfiament endit; efter the quhilk also I was constreanit to tarie
uther ten, partfie to gett our Letters of Restitution exped, and
partfie for my hors, whom, for want of stabbing, the Mst night I
founder M bathe the twa former feit,3 to my grait los.
Efter divers hatt, rouche, and maist scharpe reasomngs, haid be
twix the KMg and my uncle, Mr Andro, in end the King desyrit
us to ghT M, M wrait, what we haid to say against the actes of par
fiament maid m anno 1584. Upon the quhUk we formed and gaiff
in to his Majestie tMr Animadversiones foUowing :

ANIMADVERSIONS OF OFFENCES CONCEAVED UPON THE ACTES OF
PARLIAMENT MATD IN THE YEIR 1584, EN THE MONETHE OF
MAY, PRESENTED BE THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE KIRK TO THE
KING'S MAJESTIE AT THE PARLIAMENT OF LINLITHGOW, IN DE
CEMBER, 1585.
" In the First Act, it is thought a grait impearing4 of the libertie
of the trew Kirk, in sa far as na thing thairby is granted to the
1 Same. 2 Then from exile to. 3 I foundered in both the fore-feet. * Impaired.

230' MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1585.
Sam, bot the fibertie of preatchmg and mmistration of sacraments ;
seMg the powar of bindmg and lowsing, quhUk is caUed the powar
of the keyes of the kingdom of heavin, consistes nocht onlie in
these poincts, bot also in judgment, jurisdiction, and removmg of
offences out of the Kirk of God, and excommuMcation to be pro-
nunced against the disobedient be tham that ar office-bearers
within the sam : And sa the haM discipline is left out. And this
act restrictes the libertie granted be uther actes of Parfiament of
befor, concerning discipfine and correction of maners, quhUk war
establissed be a law in the first yeir of your Majestie's reing. Our
warrands of the Word of God for tMs part of the libertie of the
Kirk we ar to bring furthe when your Majestie pleases.
" As concerning the Second Act, the narration thairof apeires to
be sManders agaMst sum of the Ministerie, quhUk we wald wis to
be reformed, or uther wayes conceaved, except the treuthe thairof
war verefied. And, as to the substance of the act it selff, it attri
butes unto your Majestie a soverane powar of judgment, nocht
oMie upon the persones of aU your subjects, but also M aU maters,
wherin they, or anie of them, salbe apprehendit, summoned, or
chargit, &c. : QuhUk appeires to be verie strange, the lyk wharof
we heir nocht to haiff bein practised in anie Christian comoun-
welthe, and can nocht stand with the Word of God. For, although
the persones of men ar subject to your Majestie and Cirill Judges,
when they offend against your lawes, yit in maters mere Ecclesi
asticaU, and concerning conscience, na CMistian Prince can justfie
clame, nor ever clamit, to him selff sic powar to judge, seing the
Prince in that behalff is bot a member of the Kirk, and Jesus Chryst
onlie the Head, wha onfie hes powar to giff lawes in maters of con
science. And sa said the godfie Ambrose, ' Imperator bonus intra
Ecclesiam non supra Ecclesiam est.' And to confound the JurisMc-
tiones CivM and EcclesiasticaU islthat thMg wherin aU men of
guid judgment haiff justfie fund faMt with the Pape of Rome, wha
clames to him selff the powar of bothe the swords, quhUk is als
grait a faMt to a CivM Magistrat tM acclam or usurpe, and speci
afie to judge upon the doctrine, errours, and heresies, he nocht be

1585. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 231
Mg placed M EcclesiasticaU function to Mterpret the Scriptures.
The warrands heirof out of the Word of God we ar lykwayes
readie to bring furthe.
" Anent the TMid Act, it appeires to be obscure, bot yit the ef
fect thairof to tend to tMs, That nane desyre alteration of the
form or custome of the conveinMg of the Esteats in Parfiament,
as sum hes sought the sam to be mnovat. Sir, we understand that
the ancient libertie of the said TMie Esteates is lovable and an
cient; bot lykwayes it is of treuthe that amangs uther corruptionnes
that war M tym of Papistrie, the EcclesiasticaU Esteat was cor
rupted, and apointed to be of sic persones wha haid na lawfuU
function in the Kirk of God, and speciafie aught nocht to haiff
place, Religion being reformed witMn tMs reahne ; we mein of Bis
chopes, Abbots, and sic lyk Popishe Prelacies, M consideration that
be Actes of Parfiament maid of befor, aU authoritie and jurisdiction
of the Pape of Rome, and of uthers flowing from Mm, nocht agrie-
able to the Word of God, is abolished within tMs reahne. Ther
for, we think in our conscience, and haM oft suted it of your Ma
jestie, that nan shoMd vot M Parliament in nam of the Esteat of
the Kirk bot they that haM thair calling of God, and ar constitut M
EcclesiasticaU office and function according to Ms Word ; and thair
for discreit Commissionars, of the maist lernit bathe M the law of
God and of the countrey, being of the function of the Ministerie, or
Eldars of the Kirk, to represent that esteat at whase mouthe the
law aught to be requyrit, namlie, m EcclesiasticaU maters ; and it
is nocht the grait rents or promotion to grait benefices, nor yit the
digmtie of Mnred or blood, that caries with it aU knawlage or judg
ment, bot uther men, wha ar coumpted of inferiour rank to the
judgment of the warld, may preveaU thairin. And ther is na incon-.
vement that Commissionars may be send fra the Kirk, representing
the Thrid Esteat, alsweiU as from the Burrowes, to haiff vott in
Parfiament. Therfor, we humblie desyre your Majestie to declar
the said act, and deny nocht unto us that fibertie that God's Word
and the lawes of the countrey maid of befor, and sequitie and reas-
sone in this behalff, craves.

232 MR JAMES melvill's DIARF. 1585.
" As concernMg the Fourt Act, the tytle thairof is dischargmg
aU Jivrisdictiones and Judgments nocM approved be Parfiament,
and all Assemblies and Conventionnes without your Majestie's
speciaU ficens and commandiment. And, in the narrative, it ap
peires ther is a sHanderas report reased upon the Kirk and Office
bearers witMn the sam, for using certean Jurisdictiones nocht ap
proved be the lawes of the realm, and aUeaging ane Act maid m
the dayes of your Hienes grandschir, that all the lieges aucht to be
rewled be the comoun lawes of the realm, and be na uther lawes.
And, thairfor, the said act discharges aU Judgments and JurisMc-
tiones, spirituaU or temporaU, accustomed to be used thir xxv.. yeirs
bypast, nocht approved be your Hienes and Esteats M Parfiament,
with fbretning of execution upon all persones that uses or obeyes
the sam, as usurpers and contemners of your Hienes authoritie, and
for convocation of your Hienes lieges.
" Sir, we maist humblie crave your Hienes mynd to be farder de
clared heirin, for it appeires to us to be verie strange, and a tMng
that can nocht stand with the libertie granted be Jesus CMyst to
his Kirk, and tham that bear function and office witMn the sam.
And, first, as to the Act of King James the Fourt, your Hienes
grandschir, we say, that the sam act appeires pleaMie to mean of the
CiriU Jurisdiction, quhUk he and Ms predecessours and successours
may clam witMn tMs realme be thair RoyaU powar, and nocht of
the EcclesiasticaU Jurisdiction ; for that law was maid agamst tham
of the YUes, that used the King of Denmark's lawes in civM maters ;
and, in your grandscMr's dayes, ther was an uther EcclesiasticaU
Jurisdiction witMn this realme, efter the maner of Papistrie, used
be tham that war caUed Kirkmen, unto the dayes of Reformation
of ReUigion, as hes bein used continuafie sen that tyme, with
quhMf na faMt was fond. And it is of treuthe that ther is a Spirit
uaU Jurisdiction granted to the Kirk of God be his Word, (quhUk
makes na derogation to the Jurisdiction of erthfie PrMces,) wherof
the Office-bearers within the Kirk in tMs realm hes bein in peace
able possession and use thir xxiiij. yeirs bypast with the mair,
wherof followed na trouble, bot grait quietnes to the Kirk and

1585. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 233
Comoun-welthe. And ther has bein mair trouble in the Ecclesiasti
caU Esteat witMn thir twa yeirs last bypast, nor ever was sen the
ReUigion was reformed witMn tMs countrey. Alwayes we offer us
to prove, be gMd warrands of the Word of God, that it is lawfoll
to the EcclesiasticaU Esteat to convocat Assemblies, and to hauld
the sam, and tM apoint an ordour, place, and tyme, for conveining
of the sam, to treat upon sic maters as concemes the Kirk's effeares,
quhUk na wayes impears your Majestie's ciriU and royaU jurisdic
tion, bot rather fortifies and decores the sam. Nocht denyMg, in
the mean tyme, bot it is lawfuU to your Majestie and Esteates,
when anie extraordMar necessitie saU requyre, to caU the members
and Office-bearers withm the Kirk, M few or graitter number, and
cause tham be conveined to resolve upon sic things as concernes
thair esteat, and necessitie of the tyme. And fordar, concerning
the GeneraU Assembfies of the Kirk, ther is an Act M the first yeir
of your Hienes remg, ratefemg the authoritie thairof, and decern
ing appeUationes to be devolvit thairto, as to the last judgment of
maters concerning the Kirk. The sam argument we use concern-
mg uther Assemblies, alsweM particMar, and of the Presbyteries, as
ProrinciaU, be the paritie of reasone and guid grounds of the Word
of God, quMlk we offer us to schaw. Reseikand your Majestie to
reform, or repear and qualefie this act according thairto ; for, if it
saU stand in the form that it is, nocht oMie Conventiones for dis
cipfine, bot also for heiring of the Word, wilbe thairby dischargit.
" As to the Fyft Act, we aUow weiU with our hartes, that aU
they that ar planted M the function of the Ministerie, if they com
mit ome offence wortMe of deprivation, they be depryvit bathe of
thair functiones and reveneus, quhilk they possess for using the sam.
Bot, to mak exception of persones, that they quhilk haiff vott in
Parfiament saU nocht be controUit in that behalff, nor the lyk judg
ment execut upon tham, we can nocht understand whow that can
agrie with reasone and gMd lawes, seing we ar able to verefie the
maist part of tham in that esteat to be mair sklanderas, and wordy
to be deprived bathe of thair fonction and benefice then anie uther.
And, as to the votting in Parliament, who they aucht to be that

234 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1585.
soMd haiff place ther, we haM declarit our judgment of befor.
Therfor, this act appeires to mak exception of persones, quhUk can
nocht weM stand be the law of God or man. As to the causses of
deprivation, it requyres also a conference, quMlk war ower lang now
to put in wrait to your Majestie. Therfor pleise your Hienes also
tM advys better heirupon, and qualefie the sam.
" Now, for the Saxt Act, the dytter l thairof apeires to be verie
cairfuU that Ministers saU await upon thair function and office, and
saU use na uther function, judgment, or office, that may abstract
tham thairfra. GM it be simplie meined, the act is verie guid. Bot,
with your Majestie's ficens, they ar verie far in the wrang to your
Hienes that wald burding you with aU function and jurisMction
bathe in CivM and EcclesiasticaU maters, beMg bot a2 persone,
and mikle les3 able to discharge nor4 a simple MiMster of a Kirk
to discharge his cure. And, fordar, seing the sam acte, and uther
actes of this Parliament, attributes Jurisdiction to Bischopes over
manie kirks, and to be Judges in EcclesiasticaU causses also, they
ar far mair'unmeit to discharge tham selves thairof nor a simple
Minister that hes onfie a flok or kirk, and, peradventure, an coUeg
with him in the sam. And, fordar, in sa far as . the EcclesiasticaU
Esteat is an of the Thrie Esteates in Parfiament, and as we ar able
to prove the Office-bearers and Ministers in the Kirk aught to re
present the said Esteat, it can nocht weM stand that aU Judicators
sould be taken from tham, seing it is the Supream Judicator in this
reahne, wherin bathe CivM and CriminaU causses ar decydit ; and,
thairfor, to tak away tMs judgment from tham that ar of the Ec
clesiasticaU function it is verie hard, and can nocht weM stand with
the libertie granted to the Kirk of ancient tyme. As to the uther
CivM Judgments that may abstract Ministers from thair cure, we
think they aucht nocht to mell5 thairwithe, bot sa far as they ar
caUed lawfuUie by the Prince, and ar able to discharge the sam.6

1 Inditer, the person who framed or drew up. 2 One, 3 Much less.
1 Than. * Meddle, interfere. « " Notandum, That Mr Robert Pont
penned this Animadversion, and wald haiff it thus in, by [t. e. against or contrary to]

1585. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 235
" Pasdng ower the rest of the Actes, as nocht perteMMg to the
Kirk, tM we com to the TMetteMt, in the quMlk the first yeir's
fruicts of aU benefices is decemit to be taken to your Hienes' use
and your Gard, na provision being maid for the Ministers that serves
whar the benefice lyes ; and the first yeir's fraicts war never cravit
witMn Prelacies befor tMs Act. And also a grait yeirfie taxation
is leyed upon the benefices, as appeires, bathe grait and smaU, be-
sydes the thrids. Remedie wald thairfor be provydit be your Ma
jestie whow the Kirks may be served sufficientfie, and the MMisters
nocht Msapomted of thair stipends ; for the reveneus of the Kirk
ar already sa diminished, that although new impositiones be nocht
leyed thairupon, it is dMicM to keipe aMe ordour witMn the Kirk,
quhUk mikle mair salbe hnpossible, if they befarder dimmishit.
And as to the Munks' portiones, it wald be a godfie ordmance to
your Majestie tM apomt the sam, or els a guid part thairof, for Bur-
sares m CoUages, as sum tyme it was proponit and halfflie grantit.
" Sa, passMg to the Twentie Act : The sam giffes commission to
Patrik, caUed Archbischope of St Androis, and uther Bischopes, or
sic as your Majestie saU constitut Judges M EcclesiasticaU causses,
nocht specffeMg of what esteat they soMd be, EcclesiasticaU or
CiriU ; and siclyk mention is maid of sum Commissionars M the
Saxt Act, to quMlk Commissionars powar is granted to put ordour
to aU maters and causses EcclesiasticaU, visit the Kirks and stat of
the Mmistrie, reform CoUages, receave Presentationes, and they
onfie giff CoUationnes upon benefices, and that Commissiones sould
be extenffit heirupon, under your Hienes Grait SeaU ; conform to
that quhilk Mverse Commissiones ar direct, with powar to Bis
chopes alleanerfie, M thair awM persones, without anie assessours
or assistars, and, namlie, to the Archbischope of St Androis, within
his haM diocese, or to aMe Ms deputes and commissionars under
him ; with powar also to Depose MMisters, quMlk is nocht con-
teined in the act, and lykwayes to Place and Displace Maisters of

the judgment of my uncle, Mr Andro, myne, and uthers ; wha haid bein upon the
Session, and it is of opinion yit that sa is lawfull." Margin of MS.

236 MR JAMES melvill's diary. 1585.
CoUages, attoure the tennour of the act. Sir, to speak our con
sciences planlie concerning tMs act, we suppose your Majestie be of
guid mynde that the sam saU continow na langer nor tMs present
Parfiament, bot saU aUutterfie1 be dischargit ; for sa it is conteined
in the act it selff, in the end thairof, M expres termes, wharbe we
think your Majestie and Esteates war of mynd it soMd nocht con
tinow when it was first maid.
"And, indeid, giff it soMd continow, manie and grait incon-
venients soMd of necessitie foUow to the Kirk of Jesus Chryst and
esteat thairof. For, Mst, to devolve that powar M a manes hand,
altho he wer never sa wyse, lerned, and godfie, to do aU tMngs m
the Kirk at his awm pleasure and authoritie, be Mm sehT aUanerfie,2
or his deputs, takes away that libertie and gMd ordour quhilk the
Sprit of God, be the mouthe of Paull, wMes to be M the Kirk, and
wharof we haiff maMe uther warrands into God's Word ; for it
aperteines to the EcclesiasticaU Senat, and nocht to aMe a man, to
do those tMngs. Nather is it a civiU thing, and to be committed
to a CiriU Magistrat, or to whome they pleise, to govern the Hous
of God, quhilk is his Kirk, and can haM na exemple of aMe uncor-
rupt age or persone. Therfor, we suppon your Majestie wM clam
no fordar to the sam, nor yit suffer sic men to abbuse the Kirk m
that sort. And, as to uther Judges to be constitut in Ecclesiasti
caU causses be your Majestie, nocht specifeMg of what esteat they
soMd be, CivM or Ecclesiastik, that is indeid tM use the powar of
bathe the swords, quhUk aU men of guid judgment hes damMt3 in
the Pape. Sir, we ceas to mak fordar discourse upon this act, or
to declar the qualities of tham to whom sic Commissiones ar gMen,
because we suppose your Majestie wM wUfinglie reforme and abro-
gat aUuterfie that act."
ANENT THE ACTS NOCHT IMPRENTED.
" Sir, We find amangs these Acts nocht imprented, the Act an-
1 Entirely, altogether. 2 Only, alone. 3 Condemned.

1585. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 237
nuMng the Excommunication of Mr Robert Mongumery, wherin
your Majestie takes authoritie with your Esteates in Parliament, to
meU1 with that thing, quhUk can haiff na exemple that anie Prince
ever meUed with sen the first planting of the ReMgion of Jesus
Chryst. To pronunce excommunication upon MipeMtent sinners,
or to absolve tham thairfra, or to decern the saming effectuaU, or
nocht effectuaU, can na mair perteM to Prmce, or aMe CivM Magi
strat, nor to preatche the Word of God, and mimstrat Sacraments,
for they ar bathe in lyk maner committed be Chryst, our Maister,
to the trew Office-bearers witMn Ms Kirk, when, as he said, i Die
ecclesice,' &c. Therfor, amangs aU uther tMngs, we can nocht mer-
veU a lytle wha soMd be sa baMd to put in your Majestie's head tiU
usurpe that powar, or meU thairwith-, seing, for the lyk fact, Uzzia,
the KMg of Juda, was sa terrible plagget,2 and Ms haM land schaken.
God forghT tham that wald sa jeoperd your Hienes, withoutrespect
of conscience, or the feir of God. We beseM your Majestie to re-
vok tMs, and meU na fordar thairwith, as a thing nocht perteiMng
to your office, or aMe CivM Magistrat.
" Ther is an uther act, amangs the nocht hnprented, concerning
the payment of the MMisters' stipends, of the quhUk we can speak
na thmg, because we want the copie of it ; beseikand your Majestie
to giff commandiment to the Clark of Registar that we may haiff,
and giff our reasones M agamst it, giff neid beis."

THE SUPPLICATIONE.
" Sir, We haiff, M the feir of God, at your Majestie's command,
as schortnes of tyme wald suffer, giffen our Animadversiones upon
the lait actes of Parfiament, May 1584, beseikand your Majestie to
bear with our langage, if in aMe part it be nocht sa perfytted and
courtfie as some men wald wis, for we tend onfie unto the end of
these thMgs wherof we war in conference with your Grace, to open
1 Meddle, interfere. * Plagued.

238 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1585.
tham upe simplie and planfie ; and to speak the treuthe in our con
science, (for it is nocht our dewtie to dissemble with your Grace,)
when we haiff perused and read these actes ower and ower againe,
sa dUigentlie as we can, we can nocht think in our judgment whow
the sam can stand as they ar formed, or whow anie mterpretation
that can be maid thairapone, unles it was to contein contradiction,
quhilk is an uncomfie thing M making or setting out of lawes : for
the law it self sayes, ' They that may speak planfie M makmg of
lawes, contracts, or anie sic thMg, and speaks obscurfie and am-
biguuslie, sic contracts and lawes ar to be exponed against the maker
or former thairof, quia potuerunt apertius dicere.' Therfor, saring
the honors of your Majestie and your Esteates, we think it mair
comlie to place new, reformed, and plean lawes in ther roum nor
tUl interpret these quhUk can nocht be weM interpret, in anie gMd
sence. We trust your Majestie wM tak this our simple meiningin
a good part, and do that quhilk is maist meit according thairto.
The Lord grant your Majestie the sprit of trew and upright judg
ment. Amen."
" There is a thing fordar, quhUk M maist humble maner we crave
of your Majestie, that it be provydit be Act of Parfiament, That
lykas your Hienes is to restore tham of the NobMtie to thair
honours and leivings, sa your Majestie wM restore the Kirk of God,
and Ministerie thairof, to thair former possessiones, alsweM in dis
cipfine, as thair leirings, roumes, and offices, fra the quhUk they
war displaced be occasion of the saids actes, or anie thing foUowmg
thairupon ; and to thair stipends, alsweM bygean as to cum, semg a
grait part thairof remeanes as yit on-taMn upe."
TMr Animadversiones and Supplication, penned af-hand, because
of want of aU commoditie, and presented to Ms Majestie be us, the
King tuk pean him sehT, be the space of four and twentie houres, to
tak him to his cabinet ; and, withe Ms awin hand, wrot and penned
his Declaration foUowing, word be word :

1585. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 239
THE KING'S DECLARATION AND INTERPRETATION OF HIS ACTES OF
PARLIAMENT SET FURTHE.
Nam ejus est explicare, cujus est condere.
" The First [Act] makes onlie mention of the pretching of the
Word and Sacraments, nocht thairby to abrogat ame gMd fardar
Polecie or JurisMction in the Kirk, bot aUanerfie l to remit a part
thairof to the actes msewing ; and the maist quhUk as yit is un-
aggreit upon or concluMt, I entend, God willing, to cause to be
perfyted be a godfie GeneraU Assembfie of Bischopes, Ministers,
and uther godfie and lerned, Imperatore presidente ; and then sail
the act be maid mair ample, accordMg to the conclusion aggreit
upon tham, bathe m Polecie and Jurisdiction.
"The Second Act hes twa parts, an narrative and a charge.
The narrative hes twa partes ; an, affirmmg that sum of your voca
tion haid appefit fra me, as nocht bemg thair Judge ordMar. I
dout nocht your selves wM na wayes deny tMs, sen sum of your
selves Md it, and I dout be yit skarse far from it. The uther part
makes mention of the treasonable, seditius, and contumefius speitches
uttered be sum of your caMng, m pMpit, agamst me and my pro-
gemtors. TMs part lykwayes can nocht weM be denyit, sen it is
mair nor evident that it hes beM the maist part of sum MMisters'
exerceis thir four or fyve yeirs past. AUwayes,2 whowsoone the
haM Mmisters of Scotland saU mend thair maners, M tMs poinct, the
forsaid act salbe rescMdet. As to the second part of the Act, it
conteines a charge that nane, beMg summoned or accused be me, saU
declyne my judgment, in respect I am declarit and confirmed Judge
be the Parfiament over aU persones withM this realme, in aU causses
that they salbe apprehendit or summoned for ; and M the lyne end
it sayes, that nane saU declyne my judgment in the premisses. Now,
say I, and declares, (quhilk declaration salbe als authentik as the
1 Only. ' Nevertheless.

240 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1585.
Act it selff,) that I, for my part, sail never, nather my posteritie,
aucht ever cite, sumond, or apprehend, anie Pastour or Preatchour
for maters of doctrine M reUigion, salvation, heresies, or trew inter
pretation of the Scripture ; bot according to my Mst Act, quhilk
confirmes the libertie of pretching the Word, ministration of the
Sacraments, I avow the sam to be a mater mere EcclesiasticaU, and
altogidder impertinent to my caUing ; thairfor never sail I, nor
never aucht they, I mem my posteritie, acclame anie powar or juris
diction in the forsaids.
" The TMid Act is sa reasonable and necessar, that it neids na
declaring nor explication, except onlie this, that my Bischopes,
quhUk ar ane of the TMie Esteates, saU haMpowar, als far as God's
Word and exemple of the Primitive Kirk wM permit, and nocht
according to that man of sine, his abominable abuses and corrup-
tiones. But I can nocht aneuche wounder whar yie fund that rewU
or exemple, ather in God's Word or anie Reformed Kirk, that sum
Ministers, be commission of the rest, aught to be an of the Esteates
in Parliament ! WeUl, God purge your sprits from ambition and
uther indecent affectiones for your caMng, and giff you grace to
teatche, in aU humMtie and simplicitie, Ms Word and veritie !
" In the Fourt Act, I discharge all Jurisdictiones nocht approved
in Parfiament, and Conventionnes without aMe speciaU licence.
As to the discharge of Jurisdictiones, my meining and declaration
is, That they saU ceas wMl a setled Polecie and Jurisdiction be es-
tabfissed according to the missour and lyne of God's Word. As to
discharge of Assemblies, they ar nocht shnpfie dischargit, bot onlie
ordaint that they soMd be haldin with my speciaU licence. And
surfie, I trust, that in all Reformed Kirks, whar the Princes and
Magistrates war sound M reMgion, yie saU find that the Assembfies
of the Kirk was noch onfie be thair speciaU licence, bot evin be
thair caMng, and they tham selves Presidents and Moderators of
tham. Yie do evM in makMg your selves to be ignorant of your
awin act, as to tiiink the narrative of this act sklanderas and untrew.
"As to the Fyft Act, it exemes the Bischopes onfie for tMs
cause, for that it speakes onlie of deprivation of Bischopes be Sy-

1585. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 241
nodaU Assemblies, wheras they soMd be deprived be GeneraU. As
to the causses of deprivation, they salbe aggreit upon be the Kirk,
and thairafter my act accordmglie qualefiet.
" The Mndmaist part of my Declaration upon the Thrid Act ex-
pones, and with sufficient reasones proves the Saxt Act to be weM;
and besyd the forsaid Saxt Act, I am assurit na thing repugnant,
but justfie aggremg with the Word of God.
" As to the TMetteMt, my mtention was ever that aU benefices
of cure under Prelacies soMd be excepted, and sa saU they be re
served M the Act. As to the xx. Act, it is Mdeid bot temporaU,
and sen it is maid tM mdure onfie wMU the Parfiament, and furder
during my wM, it may be alsweM caMt bak without a Parliament
as with it. As mdeid I mem, efter further conference with sum of
the Mmistrie, to tak a sofide ordour thairanents ; but in a tMng yie
misconstrue it ; wharas, yie aUeage that it giffes authoritie to a per
sone to reforme the Kirk, quhUk is nocht, but it apoMcts everie
Bischope to reform Ms awM diocese ; and the Bischope of St An
drois' awin declaration apoMtes ilk Bischope a counsaU of Ms awM
dioceise, sa as M effect this act ordeanes Uk Bischope with Ms dio
cese to reforme Ms awm dioceise. And as to the commissionars
nocht EcclesiasticaU joyned to tham, they ar joyned to ghT thair
advysses, and nocht to mterpone thair authoritie, as yie your selves
hes haid sindrie men, mere cirill, assisting your Assemblies ; and
as it wilbe maist necessar that sum men lerned and godfie be yit
schosm out for sattefing of the Polecie.
"As to the Act concernMg the ExcommuMcation of the Bis
chope of Glasgow, I man first deleat the occasion schortlie, and
thairupon mduce the answer and meining. Efter that he haid bein
often cited, summoned, and admonished, under pean of excommuM
cation, to demit his benefice, and he, nochtwithstanding, still pos
sessing the saming, dependMg upon me wha gahT it to Mm ; at last,
sum of the MMisters, speciafie sum of the Presbyterie about EdMr
bruche, was caUed (as oft befor they haid bein for the sam cause)
befor the CounsaU, and desyrit to leave af that form of proceidmg,
whU it war tryed be further conference, wither Bischopes war toler
able in the Kirk of God or nocht. TMs desyre was granted and

242 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1585.
promisit be the haM MMisters present ; bot finmediatlie thairefter,
he was excommuMcat at the Kirk of Libbertoun, a landwart kirk,
agaMst promise.1 They beMg caMt for againe, and accused of ther
promise, they aU denyit the knawlage thairof; and nocht onlie they,
but the haM Mimsterie of Scotland, except that onlie man, David-
sone, that pronunced the sentence, the haM Kirk then disavowmg,
and that onfie man advowMg the deid. Chryst saying, ' Die Ec-
clesice,' and a2 onfie man steMng that dMt3 M a quyet hoU. The
Act of Parfiament reduces the sentence for informafitie and nuUetie
of proces, nocht as Judges wMdder the excommuMcation was
grunMt on gMd or just causes or nocht, but as witneses that it was
informafie proceidit against the warrand of God's Word, exemple
of aU Reformed Kirks, and your awm particular custome M this
countrey. And for approbation of the premisses, the forsaid Bis
chope salbe producit befor the first GeneraU Assembfie that I saU
apoint ; and thairupon, the erymes that war leyed to Ms charge saU
ather be peremptorfie absolved or condemned.
" Then, schortlie, tM end my Declaration, I mynd nocht to cut
away anie fibertie granted be God to his Kirk : I acclame nocht to
my selff to be Judge of DoctrMe M ReMgion, salvation, heresies, or
trew interpretation of Scripture : I aUow na Bischopes accordMg to
the traditiones of men, or inventionnes of the Pape, but onlie ac
cording to God's Word, nocht to tyramse ower Ms breithring, or
to do anie thing of Mm seM, but with the advyse of his haM dio
ceise, or at least with the wysest number of tham to serve him for
a counsaU ; and to do na thing Mm alean,4 except the teatcMng of
the Word, ministration of the Sacraments, and votting in Parlia
ment and CounsaU. FMafie, I say, Ms office is, solum imtsxomiv ad
vitam, hafifing thairfor sum prelation and dignitie above his breith-.
ring, as was in the Primitive Kirk. My intention is nocht to disr
charge anie JurisMction in the Kirk that is conform to God's
Word, nor to discharge anie Assembfies bot oMie those that salbe
haldin by my licence and counsaU. My intention is nocht to meU
with excommuMcation ; nather acclame I to my sehT or my aires,
1 " Fides hie penes Principem !" Margin of MS. 8 One. 3 Concealing
that occasion or opportunity. * To do nothing alone or by himself.

1585. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY.

243

powar M anie thmg that is mere EcclesiasticaU and nocht abia<pogov,
nor with ame tMng that God's Word hes sMiplie devolvit m the
hands of his EcclesiasticaU Kirk. And, to conclud, I confess and
acknawlage Chryst Jesus to be Head and LawghTar to the sam ;
and whatsumever persones do attribut to tham selves as Head of tbe
Kirk, and nocht as member, to suspend or alter aMe tMng that the
Word of God hes onfie remitted to tham, that man, I say, com-
mites mamfest ydolatrie, and smnes agaMst the Father in nocht
trusting to the words of his Sone ; agaMst the Sone M nocht obey
ing Mm, and taking his place ; agaMst the Holy Ghost, the said
Hafie Spreit bearing contrarie record to his conscience.
" This mUde for my Declaration, promised at our last Confer
ence, sa far as schortnes of tyme coMd permit. Wharin whatso
ever I hahT affirmed, I wM offer me to prove be the Word of God,
purest ancients and moderns, neoterics, and be the exemples of the
best Reformed Kirks. And whatsoever is omitted for leak of tyme,
I remit first to a Convention of godfie and lerned men, and nixt.
till a GeneraU Assembfie, that be thay meanes a godfie Polecie
being sattelit, we may uMformly arme our selves agaMst the
comoun enemie, whom Sathan, els foiling the brathe of God,1 makes
to rage in thir letter dayes. December 7, anno 1585.
" James Rex."
Efter the recearing and reidMg of tMs Declaration, the Parfia
ment posting till an end, and aU men mUde weired, m a caMd wm
tar, sa ill eased ; and finding na assistance nor confort, bot contrar,
bathe in NobMtie and Breithring, we behoved tM content,2 and tak
that might be gottin for the present. And sa, efter exhibition of
this Supplication following, the meiting dissolved :
THE COMMISSIONER OF THE KIRK'S SUPPLICATION, GIFFEN IN
EFTER THE RECEATT OF THE FORMER DECLARATION.
" Sir, Let it please your Hienes, we haiff sein and considderit
1 Already feeling the breath or inspiration of God. 2 To be contented.

244 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1586.
your Majestie's Declaration and interpretation upon the mentioned
Actes of Parfiament. We praise God, as it becometh us, for your
Majestie's judgment and knawlage. Nochtwithstanding, we wald
maist humblie crave that M this weghtie cause concerning the esta-
blisment of a perfyt Polecie and stat of Government in the Kirk,
to stand to aU ages and posterities to cum, that the mater might be
mair deipfie and digestfie considderit, be Conference of the maist
lerned and godfie of your Hienes realme, and giff neid be, with
consMtation of the best Reformed Kirks in uther countries, that
thairefter your Majestie, with advyse of your Esteats, may estabfishe
a perfyt and settefit law in Parfiament. And, in the mean tyme,
or at lest to the Mxt Parliament, your Hienes will grant us libertie
and freidome to hauld our ordinarie Assembfies, and use sic disci
pfine as we war in use of befor thir leat Actes, for government of
the EcclesiasticaU effeares, concerning the quhilk we salbe at aU
tymes readie to giff an accompt to God, your Majestie, and guid
CounsaU, if we do anie thmg besyds our dewtie, or to perturbe the
Comoun-wealthe, sa far as lyes in us. And in tMs mean tyme, that
your Majestie wM grant to restore aU Ministers, Maisters of
SchoUes and CoUages, to thair rowmes and possessiones : And spe
ciafie, that our breitiiring, Mrs Jhone Howisone and WUyeam
Watsone, be delyverit out of warde, and that we be nocht troublet
in the mean tyme ; to suspend and stay aU execution of the lait
maid Actes of Parfiament, mentioned sa oft against us : And that
the Bischopes use na thing bot that quhUk they war in use of befor
the making of the forsaids Actes, and perturbe nocht the Kirk nor
Assemblies."
M.D.LXXXVI.
That wintar my uncle spent M Glasgw, beMg ernestlie mtreated
to visit that CoUage, quhUk was his eldest bern ; and I was occu
pied, first, M transporting of my wyff from the Southe to the
Northe, whar hir father was in Montrose. Thairefter, learing hir
ther, I was occupied in Edinbruche and uther places about the
CoUage effeares ; in getting the leiving and ordour thairof restorit

1586.

MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 24r>

and restablished, quhUk the Bischope haid altered and turned from
Theologie to PhUosophie, ab equis ad asinos, and be contentius pley '
betwix Mr Jhone Robertsone, an of the Maisters wha remeaned
behmd us, and Mr Darid Achmoutie, claiming again, efter my de
parting, the tytle and Mtromission of GSconomer thairof, was piti-
folie rent and confoundit.
Fra the Parliament2 the pest abated, and began to be stranglie
and remarkabfie withdrawin, be the mercMdl hand of God, sa that
Edmbruche was frequented agam that wMtar ; and at the entrie of
the spring, aU the townes, ahnost desolat befor, repeipled, and St
Androis amangs the rest ; to the quhUk Mr Andro and I retourned
and enterit m the CoUage about the middes of the monethe of
Merche. At our entrie we war put in mynd of the Provinciall As
sembfie, accustomed to be keipit in the beginning of ApryU, inter
mitted during the haM twa yeirs of our absence ; and understand
ing that I haid bem Moderator at the last Synod quMlk was keipit'
it lay -on me to mak the doctrine at the beginning of the Assemblie
followmg. The text and purpose wharof, be my uncle's advyse, I
chusit out of the xii. to the Romans, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
The Assembfie beMg convemed, M the place accustomed, verie
frequentfie,3 and the Bischope placing Mm sehT hard besyde me that
teatched, with a grait pontificafitie and big countenance, as he brag-
git he was in his awm citie, and haid the King Ms maister5 s favour,
he neiMt to fear no man ; efter McaMng of the nam of God, entring
m the doctrine, efter the deduction and opening upe of the text, I
intreated, First, the groundes and poincts of the trew discipfine, con
firming the sam be cleir warrands of Scripture : Thairefter refoted
the contrarie corruptiones, namlie, of the humane and deiriUishe
bischoprik: Thridfie, was discoursit the maner of planting and
settfing with maist profitable, comlie, and confortable possession of
the right and trew discipfine witMn the Kirk of Scotland, untill
these twa or thrie yeirs last bypast : Fourtlie, it was deducit and
declarit tiirowout the haiU ages of the Kirk, sen the planting thairof
be the Apostles, whow that the presummg and swaMng of the cheiff
1 Litigation, contention. 2 From the period the Parliament ended." 3 Numerously.

246 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1586.
corrupt members, be avarice and ambition, haid vitiat and wraMt '
the esteat of the Kirk from tym to tym, bringing in sectes, schismes,
heresies, and aU kynd of corruption, bathe in doctrine and maners :
And, last, coming in particMar to our awin Kirk of Scotland, I turn
ed to the Bischope, sitting at my elbow, and directing my speitche
to him personalie, I recompted to Mm schortlie his lyff, actiones,
and proceidMgs against the Kirk, taking the Assemblie ther to
witnes, and his awin conscience befor God, giff he was nocht an evi
dent pruiff and exemple of that doctrine, whom, being a Minister
of the Kirk, the dragon haid sa stangit2 with the poisone and
venom of avarice and ambition, that swaMng exorbitantfie out of
missour, thretned the wrak and destruction of the haM bodie, in cease
he war nocht tymouslie and with courage cut of. This particularfie
confirmed and cleired, exhortation was direct to the Assemblie, con-
venit ther, to play the cMrurgian for preserving of the body, namlie,
seing aU meanes of amendhnent haid bein lang syne used upon that
maist corrupt member and monstruus : And this was done with sic
powar of the Spreit and force of utterance as it pleased God to
furneise for the wark he haid M hand.
When I haid endit, the Bischope begoud3 with certean frivolus
and forgit questiones and chalenges agaMst me ; adding thairunto
tiiretMngs that I soMd be maid tM4 answer befor Ms Majestie for
my doctrine, offensive against the King and actes of Ms Hienes Par
liament, bot sa dasMt and strucken with terror and trembfing that
he could skarse sitt, to let be5 stand on his feit. Bot the Assem
blie, keiping thair ordour, chusit a Moderator, and thairefter censurit
my doctrine, and aU in a voice glorified God, and approved the sam,
praying God to giff tham grace to byde be6 that treuthe quhUk haid
beM cleirlie and mightefie delyverit to tham out of God's Word,
and to endevour to discharge that dewtie wharto they war sa mov-
ingfie exhorted. Therefter enterit in proces with the Bischope, wha
annes getting out of7 the Assembfie, wald na wayes gM Ms presence

1 Vitiated and wrecked. 2 Stung. 3 Began. * To. B Not to
mention. 6 Abide, stand fast by. ? Who, if once he got out of.

1586. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 247
thairto agame, aUeaging proudlie that it aperteined to Mm to judge it,
and nocht to it to judge Mm. Bot the treuthe was, he was dasMt in
conscience, and terrified with the number of gentUmen conveMed,
that, nochtwithstandmg his awM citie and Ms maister's favour, he
seimed to feir everie man he saw. To be schort, the Assembfie pro-
ceicfing with aU graritie, leasor, and ordour, M end, for maMe noto-
rius erymes, troubling of the Kirk, and present malignant contu-
macie, pronuncit that sentence of excommuMcation agaMst him ;
the weght wharof he felt the sarer1 thairefter, that uphaldm a whyU
be the authoritie of man, he proudlie repyned agaMst the sam.
A day or twa efter, he penned an excommuMcation, and in a
bischoplie maner send out a boy with ane or twa of his jakmen,2 and
red the sam M the Kirk, wherby, be Ms ArcMepiscopaU authoritie,
he excommuMcat Mr Andro MelriU, me, and a certean ma3 of the
brethring ; quhilk was as mikle thought of, even amangs the peiple,
as giff he haid fyUed the Kirk.
Then with dMgence he directs away to the KMg a hearie com-
plent, with a large and scMewdfie penned AppeUation, the quhUk I
answered at laMthe, as was thought maist neidfuU for the tyme ;
and to the quMlk, because it conteMes a foil declaration of the haM
cause and proceiding thairin, with the reasones and warrands thairof,
I remit the reidar.
The Sabathe foUowing, the Bischope wald neids tak courage, and
nochtwithstandMg Ms suspending from pretchMg of aMd be the Ge
neraU Assembfie, and now excommuMcation be the SynodaU, yit he
wald to the pMpit and preatche. But beMg com to the Kirk, and
the beU roung, and he ready to go to pMpit, an comes and teUes
him, (upon what mynd I knaw nocht,) that a number of gentUmen,
with ceartean citicMers, war conveMed witMn the New CoUage, of
purpose to tak Mm out of the pMpit and hang Mm ! Wharat, call-
mg for Ms jakmen and frinds to byde about Mm, he reased a grait
tunmlt in the Kirk, and for feir coMd nocht byd M the Kirk, but
' Sorer, more severely. 2 Hired and armed retainers. 3 A certain number more.

248 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1586.
tuk him to the stiple ; ' out of the quhUk, be the baUyies, accom
panied with aU Ms favorars and freinds, skarslie coMd he be drawm
to be convoyed saMlie to his awin CasteU ; but being haiff agaMst
Ms wM ruggit2 out, and haiff borne and careit away, sic as was neir-
est him aU the way war lyk to burst for stink ! And it was reported
for veritie to me, be manie honest men that saw it with their eis,
that a heare3 brak out amangs the nmltitude in the middes of the
comoun Hie-gett and streit,4 and ran befor tham toward the Cas
teU, and down throw the Northe-gett. TMs the vulgar caMt the
Bischope's Witche.5 Upon tMs he reased and gaiff out, yea wrot
to the KMg maist fals and malitius sManders on my uncle and me ;
aUeaging that I haid posted a day or twa befor athort6 the countrey
to cause the gentlemen convein agaMst hhn, and that Maister Andro
haid tham convenit in the CoUage of purpose to tak Ms lyff : When
the treuthe was, that immediatlie efter the ending of the Assembfie,
a heavie feat of the tertian7 overtuk me, that causit me keipe my
hous twa dayes befor that Sabathe ; and that sam morning it seased
sa on me that I swined and lay dead,8 tM, by the grait and pitifoll
cryes of my wyff, the nibours cam in for hir helpe and comfort ;
quhilk conricted him of a malitius fie. And as to Maister Andro,
the treuthe was, that the Lard of Lundy, haffand a speciaU earand
with his brother-in-law, PitmMie, cam to St Androis with certean
frinds, and about the last beU ged9 M to the CoUage to coMer with
Mr Andro, and haM exerceise of the Word ther, because he wald
nocht heir an excommuMcat man pretche : The quhUk the guid
peiple of the town perceaving, left the Kirk and drew tham to the
CoUage ; quMlk was aU that was in that mater, upon the part of Mr
Andro ; wha, albeit he hated his wickednes, yit loved the sauU and

1 Betook himself to the steeple of the church. s Dragged. 3 A hare.
11 High-road and street. 6 The Archbishop was said to have consulted with
witches ; and it was popularly considered that witches, when hard pressed, frequent
ly assumed the form of a hare, in order the more swiftly to make their escape from
their pursuers. 6 Across, athwart. f A severe fit of the tertian fever and
ague. 8 Swooned away and lay insensible, as if dead. 9 Went.

1586. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 249
bodie of Mm better nor him sehT, the quhUk he wald never haid de
stroyed, bot, if it war possible, be aU gMd meanes win to God.
The Kmg, at this mater, was graitlie Mcensed ; and Inlawing that
a GeneraU Assembfie was to be in Edinburgh in the monethe of
May foUowmg, travefit maist dMgentfie and ernestlie with courte-
ours, officiars, NobMtie, and Ministerie, to haiff that sentence anull-
ed, and his Bischope restored and relaxed. And with feUon grait '
bissines, and mUde ado maid at the Assemblie, at last skarslie be a
few number of ma vottes, tiirew out tMs conclusion, That the Bis
chope soMd be haldmg and reput in the sam cais and condition that
he was M befor the haMdMg of the Synod of St Androis, without
prejudice, dicernMg or judgmg anie tMng of the proceidMgs, pro
ces, or sentence of the said Synod. Wherin, to the grait greiff of
the godfie and zelus upright hartes, was first espyed what the feir
and flatterie of Court coMd work m a Kirk, amangs a mMtitud of
weak and mconsiderat breithring.
Na Mtimationes from pMpit was maid of tMs sentence, but with
aU speid a proclamation with sound of trumpet was maid thairupon.
And thairefter Mr Andro and I caUed befor the King, and efter ad
mitting to Ms gratius presence M Ms Cabbinet, and kissmg of his
Hienes' hand, yit Mr Andro was commandit to ward M the place
whar he was born, during the King's wM ; and I, because I was seik
of the tertian fever, send hame to the CoUage. And the Bischope
ordeanit, by his preatcMng in the pMpit, to teatche pubfict lessones
in Latin witMn the AMd CoUage schoU, and the haM Universitie com
mandit to frequent the saming. Sathan mightefie stry ving thairby
to haMd upe the banner agaMst the kmgdome of Jesus Chryst.
Thus, with patience, parting from EdMbruche, Mr Andro to his
ward, and I, withe Ms directiones, entering againe to that lang in
terrupted and almost ruyned wark of the CoUage, the Bischope to
his teatcMng and pretching in pMpit and schooles ; he triumphing
and we almaist dejected, thus remeaned all that simmer. Yit in
1 Very great.

250 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1586.
the mean tyme, under grait weaknes, befor the warld, God was
worMng strongelie ; wha furnesing sum helthe and courage to me
on the ane part, and graitter desyre of knawlage and haUines in
the hartes of the haiU heirars of the Universitie, maid our auditorie
and schooles to be frequented agaMe. I began tM aUure the au
ditor ' [with] a maist pleasand and fruitful! purpose, to wit, the His
torie of the Byble, with the twa lightes for cleiring thairof, Geo-
grapMe and Chronologie, and MtermeMng2 thairwithe, M thair ages
as they feU out, the cheiff poMcts of the Greik and Latine storie ;
bot, namfie, myndfuU of the wark of Chryst : Everie uther day 3 1
teatched the Epistle to Timothe, intreatting, as I could, of the
discipline, and namfie insisting on the controverted questionnes,
bringing in aU the Bischopes reasones, and refuting tham, and esta
bfissmg the treuthe to my uttermaist. These disputes, at the de
syre of our students, for thair memorie M the efter noone houres, I
dytted4 to tham.
Bot skantfie haid I bein a monethe thus wayes exerceised, to
my grait confort, and haldM in of sum spunk6 of lyff in the Col
lage and cause of Chryst, when the deviU devyses a distraction.
The CoUage haid a taMsman 6 of a Kirk of thars, named Jhone
Yrewing,7 wha finding his takes8 draw to an end, and knowing
that he coMd nocht gett tham renewed bot be moyen9 of Court,
dresses Mm to attend thairon ; namlie, perceaving the King to be
giffen to haUdn and hounting,10 wherin he was expert, he employes
his service officiouslie, sa that he becomes a man of credit ; and
seMg Mr Androes cease to stand sa, makes his sutt that he soMd
nocht be receirit tM his tak was renewit : And yit, that he might
haiff the turn done fearfie,11 causses the Kmg to wrait for me to
come to Mm with diligence ; and when I haid come twyse or thryse,
na thmg was meined12 to me of that mater be the KMg, bot onlie
be Ms Maister Haker.13
1 Auditory. 2 Intermingling. 3 Each alternate day. * Dictated.
5 Spark. ° Tenant, one who held a lease. 7 Irving. 8 Tacks, leases.
" Influence. 10 Hawking and hunting, sports of which King James was passion
ately fond, n Fairly, plausibly. '2 Complained. 13 Master Falconer.

1586. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 251
TMs wayes being distracted, the Universitie, wanting the profit
of Mr Andro and the small thing I could do, also sendes an ernest
supplication directed with the Dean of Facultie and a maister of
everie CoUage to his Majestie, schawing the grait los of Mr An
droes traveUes and lerMng amangs them ; as also whow I was dis
tracted fra my charge, humblie beseikand his Hienes to releive Mr
Andro from ward, and restore hmi to Ms teatcMng and office in
the CoUage, quhUk was sa profitable for the Kirk and Comoun-
weM, and honourable for Ms Majestie's esteat and realme.
The KMg, moved with tMs commission and supplication of the
Universitie, promises to tak ordour with that mater and satisfie.the
Universitie, provydMg the Bischope might be in quyetnes and re-
verendfie hard and usit, wherof Mr Andro makmg him sure, he
soMd be frie. Wherupon I was directed to Mr Andro, and re-
tourned answer, that as he haid ever beharit him seM befor, sa he
soMd do, troubfing na man, bot attending on the discharge of Ms
caMng. NochtwithstandMg the moyen of the Maister Haker pre-
vealed, and maid aU our exerceises to veak1 except now and then
for a monethe, and cost me neir a couple of hounder myUes ryding ;
tM at last, about the beginning of August, I was directed ower to
convoy my uncle to Ms Majestie, wha, coming to Falkland to his
Hienes, was, be the convoy of the Maister of Gray, brought to his
Majestie, and efter lang and fear2 coMerence, was receavit in favour
and send hame to the CoUage, bot sa that upon the King's fathfuU
promise to better the CoUage twyse sa mikle, the Maister Baker's
tak was subscryrit.
Therefter, in the monethe of September, accompanied with my
fathfuU frMd and compaMon, Mr Robert Dury, I tuk jorney to
Berwik to bring hame my sone EpMaim, on whome befor I haid
skarsfie lasor to think ; and thanMng that godfie, guid, courteus
lady,3 and aU our frinds ther, we retourned the neirest way be the
Ferrie of Northe Berwik, passing the quhilk I was in the graittest
perplexitie of ane that ever I was in my tyme befor, and haid the
1 To remain vacant. Lat. vacare. '' Fair. 3 Lady Widdrington.

252 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1586.
maist suddan and confortable releiff of my guid and gratius God
and Father, to whase honour, as in aU, I man record it. We scMp-
pit in weM unadvysedfie, ' because the day was verie feare, in a
miMe coU-bott, 2 wherin ther was bot a auld man and twa young
boyes, we hafiflng twa horses, a boy, the nurise, an EMglis woman,
a soMdier's wyff of Berwik, wha haid a desyre to com with the
bern in Scotland, and whom I coMd nocht refuse, bathe because of
hir kyndlie offer, and the bern was sa browdin upon3 hir, that
without danger he coMd nocht be speaned4 from hir. We hoised
seaU6 with a lytle pirhe of est wind,6 and lainshed furthe tM al
maist the tiirid of the passage was past, and then it feU down dead
calme. For rowing, nather was ther eares meit nor handes, 7 the
boott was sa heavie, the man aMd, and the boyes young. In tMs
mean tyme, the honest woman becomes sa seM, with sic extremitie
and preas of vomiting first, therefter with swinings, 8 that it was
pitiftdl to behaMd. Withe hir woriring, the barn wackens,9 and be
comes extream seik, being nan bot my selff to curie 10 tham, for Mr
Robert was rowmg. This dreing11 for the space of thrie houres,
in end I becam dead seM my selff, sa that then it becam a maist
pitiftdl and lamentable spectaMe, to sie a woman, a stranger, an
honest man's wyff com fra ham to pleasour me, to be with extream
pres apeirand everie mMut to giff upe the ghost ; an infant of thrie
haiff yeirs aMd spreaufing M the awin excrements, and the father,
partfie for feir and cair of mynd, and partfie for sear seiknes, lifting
upe pitifuU hands and eis to the heavines, voide of aU erdlie 12 con
fort or helpe of man ! Now, that quhUk maid our esteat ahnaist
disperat was, if the calme remeanit, the woman coMd nocht haUT
indurit, bot, but dout,13 haid died, the extreamitie of hir pean and
swining was sik, 14 and being sa far fra land in a haM of the Mght
with that quhUk rested of the day, nocht past tMie houres, we
coMd nocht haiff rowed to land, if aMe drow 15 haid rissen ; nather
1 We embarked most unadvisedly. 2 A large coal boat. s Doatingly fond of.
i Weaned. 5 Hoisted sail. 6 Light breeze of east wind. 7 Neither were the oars
nor hands meet, or suitable. 8 Swooning, fainting fit. 9 The child awakes.
'» Take care of. " Suffering, enduring. "Earthly. " But without doubt.
H The extremity of her pain and svvoooning were such. '& Sudden squall.

1586. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 253
was ther handes to takle the sealles,1 nor was the grathe haill and
freshe to byd the wound.2 And thairwith, be hir tumbling and
yeawing,3 the mast schouk sa louse, that Mr Robert (the aMd man
being dammist and macMes4) haid mikle ado to fasten the sam ; sa
that na releiff beMg bot m the sweit mercie and helpe of our God,
my hart maist urgentlie importuned Mm ; and hopmg patientlie,
(for everie houre was mair nor the haM tyme of our banismcnt,)
at last the Lord Miked mercifuMe on, and send, about the sune
going to, a thik ear5 from the South-east, sa that, getting on the
seaU ther was upon hir, witMn an houre and a haiff, qubilk was
strange to our consideration, na wound blawMg, we arryved witMn
the Afie,6 and efter a maist weirisome and sear7 day, gat a confortable
night's ludging with a godfie lady in Carmury.
[I twitched befor, the sermon that James Gipsone,8 Mmister of
Pencatland, maid m the pMpit of EdMbruche, at the incommg of
the Lords, and taking of Sterfing. Thairin, as he was thought to
be scharpe agamst the Subscryring Brethering, so was he judgit
vehement and over peremptorie against the Kmg, whom he threat-
ned with the judgments of Jeroboam, m these words, or verey neir :
" That if he persisted in perverting the established Discipfine of
the Kirk, and persecuting of God's faithfuU servants, Ms posteritie
shoMd be cutt aff, and he shoMd be the last of Ms race I" The King
caussed seik him lang ; and at last, by some of his Gward, appre-
hendit him and put him in prisone ; and at the GeneraU Assembfie,
haridm at EdMbruche m the moneth of October, travelit sa that
by mamest vottes he was condemMt as rasche M application, and
over particMar and sair agaMst tfie King ; and sa removit from Ms
mmisterie whar he serrit. Yit coMd he by na meanes be moved
to caU bak9 or deny bis doctrine, uMes he shoMd lie against that
warrand both of the Word and Spirit wharby he haid spoken, &c.10l
1 Tackle the sails. * Neither was the tackling whole and fresh enough to
stand the wind. 3 Yawing, rolling, or heeling with the ground-swell. * Feeble
void of might or strength. 5 About sun-set, a thick fog or mist. 6 No wind
blowing, we arrived within the harbour of Elie, " in the East-nuik of Fife." 7 Tedious
and sore, or severe. 8 Gibson. 9 Revoke or recal. i° On margin of MS.

254 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1586.
That wMtar it pleased God to repear r againe the temple of Ms
awm Jerasalem, opemng the mouthe of Ms servant Mr Andro agam
with sic grace and powar, that aU began M ernest to be Theologes ;
the treuthe bathe concernMg doctrine and discipfine to be narow-
lier Miked unto, and the Bischopes fear schawes, and scheddowes,2
to vamshe and wear away. Then, also, God opened the mouthe
of Mr Robert Bruce at a speciaU remarkable tyme within the Col
lage. For aU was justfie casten in dout wither they sould heir the
Bischopes pretcMng, beMg bathe suspendit and excommuMcat ; jit
manie yeUdit for feir and favour of the man's smothe and pleasand
utterance ; bot the best, bathe of the Town and Universitie, coMd
nocht of conscience heir Mm, and therfor resorted verie frequentfie3
to the CoUage everie Sabothe, and fand of Mr Andro and Mr Robert
Brace exceiding grait edMcation and confort. As for me, I was
then apomted be the Presbyterie to teatche at Anstruther everie
Sabothe, and was M-caMng4 to that ministerie, wherin I enterit the
simmer foUowmg, about the sam age that the Preistes, and Chryst
Mm seM, enterit and began thair mMisterie. Anent the occasion,
maner, and effects wharof, reid M beginning of tMs book, inregistrat
ther at lynthe, and of purpose. The quhUk narration, M this dis
course of my lyff, and maist merciftdl and gratius workMg of God
with me, an unworthie wratche, comes in in this place ordourlie.
Bot the memorie of my grait fascherie5 and vexation wherin I
was occupied M the simmer of the 1586 yeir, haid almost maid me
forget a confortable benefit of God bestowit on me M the middes
thairof; to wit, of a pleasand second sone, M tMs respect contrare
to the uther, that the first was gottin M Scotland, and born in Eng
land ; the second, gottin at London, was born M St Androis the
nynt day of JMy. Be occasion I haid the Erie of Mar to my gos-
sope,6 whom I rememberit of his dewtie ; bot M love and remem-
berance of Mm whom it was nocht thair part to let ly in ward from
his caMng, I called the bern Andro.

1 Repair. 2 Fair shows and shadows. 3 Resorted in considerable numbers.
Called. * Trouble. « Godfather or sponsor.

1587. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 255
M.D.LXXXVH.
At the GeneraU Assembfie in the spring tyme of the yeir 1587,
Mr Andro moved the Kirk of EdMbruche to desyre the Assemblie
to cause Mr Robert Brace pretche, and efter to sutt him att the
said Assemblie to be thair pastor, m the place of Mr James Law
sone, and the said Assembfie to grant and appomct Mm thairto :
bot whowbeit that he and I bathe delt ernestlie with Mr Robert,
he wald nocht assent thairto, but contented to teatche ther, and tak
a sey * what God wald work with Mm ; the quhUk he did, with the
notable fraict that foUowed.
That yeir, M the monethe of May, GMfiaum Salust, S[eignour] du
Bartas, cam M Scotland to sie the Kmg, of whome he was recearit
accordMg to Ms wortMnes, mtertemed honourabfie, and fiberalie pro-
pyned2 and cfimissed M the heiwest, to Ms Majestie's grait praise, sa
lange as the French toung is used and understuid in the warld.
About the end of JuMe, Ms Majestie cam to St Androis, and
brought with him the said Du Bartas, and comMg first without anie
warmng to the New CoUage, he caUes for Mr Andro, saying he was
com with that gentleman to haM a Lessone. Mr Andro answeres,
That he haid teatched Ms ordMar that day in the fornoone. " That
is aU ane," sayes the King, " I mon haiff3 a lessone, and be heir
witMn an houre for that effect." And, Mdeid, withM les nor an
houre, Ms Majestie was M the schoU, and the haM Universitie con-
vemt with Mm ; befor whom Mr Andro ex tempore Mtreated maist
cleirfie and mightefie of the right government of CMyst, and in
effect refuted the haM Actes of Parfiament maid against the dis
cipfine thairof, to the grait Mstmction and confort of his auditor,
except the KMg aUean,4 wha was verie angrie aU that night.
Upon the morn the Bischope haid bathe a prepared lessone and
feast maid for the King. His lessone was a tichted upe 5 abreg-
ment of aU he haid tetched6 the yeir bypast, namlie, anent the cor
rupt groundes quhilk he haid put in the KMg's head, contrarie to
1 Trial. 2 Presented with gifts. 3 Must have. * Alone.
6 A close (literally a tightened up) summary or abridgment. 6 Taught.

256 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1587.
the trew discipline. To the quhilk lessone Mr Andro went, contrar
to Ms custome, and withe his awin pen market ' all his fals grounds
and reasones, and, without farder, caussit ring Ms beU at twa efter
noone the sam day ; wharof the King heiring, he send to Mr Andro,
desyring him to be moderat, and haiff regard to his presence, uther
wayes he wald discharge him. He answered couragiouslie, that Ms
Majestie's ear and tender breist was pitiftdfie and dangerusfie fiUed
with errours and untreuthes be that wicked man, the quhUk he
coMd nocht suffer to pas, and bruik a lyff, utherwayes, except the
stopping of the breathe of God's mouthe, and prejudgMg of Ms
treuthe, he soMd behaiff him seM maist moderatfie and reverentfie
to his Majestie, M aU respects. The KMg send againe to Mm and
me, desyring it soMd be sa, and schawM that he wald haiff his four
hours 2 in the CoUage, and drink with Mr Andro. Sa coming to
that lessone with the Bischope, wha requysted the KMg for leive
to mak answer instantfie, in cais anie tMng war spoken against his
doctrine. Bot ther Mr Andro, making him as thouche he haid na
tMng to do but with the Papist, brings out thair works, and reids
out of tham aU the Bischopes grounds and reasones. The quhilk,
when he haid at lainthe and maist cleirfie schawin to be plean
Papistrie, then he settes against |tiie sam with aU his mean,3 and
with inrincible force of reasone, from cleir grounds of Scripture,
with a mightie parrhesie and flMde of eloquence, he dinges tham sa
down, that the Bischope was dasht and strukken als dum as the stok
he satt upon ! Efter the lessone, the King, in his mother toung,
maid sum distingoes,4 and discoursit a whyU thairon, and gaM cer
tean Mjunctiones to the Universitie for reverencing and obeyMg of
his Bischope ; wha, fra that day furthe, began to tyre of his teatch-
ing, and faU mair and mair in disgrace and confusion. The Kmg,
with Monsieur du Bartas, cam to the CoUage HaU, wher I causit
prepear, and haM M readines a banquet of wat and dry coMec-
tiones, with aU sortes of wyne, wharat his Majestie camped5 verie
1 Marked, noted. 2 His refreshment or repast at four o'clock. 3 Might.
4 Distinctions. 6 Caroused, kemped, or drank deep.

1587. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 257
mirrefie a guid whyU, and thairefter went to his hors. Bot Monsieur
du Bartas taried beMnd and conferrit with my uncle and me a whoU
houre, and syne foUowed efter the King ; wha inquyring of him that
mght, as ane taMd me, " What was Ms judgment of the twa he haid
herd m St Androis ?" He answeret the KMg, " That they war bathe
lerned men, bot the Bischope's war cunned,1 and prepared maters,
and Mr Andro haid a grait reddie store of aU kynd of lerning within
Mm ; and by2 that, Mr Andro Ms spreit and courage was far above
the other." The quMlk judgment the KMg approved.
That Witsonday I removit my wyff and famelie from St Androis
to Anstruther, quhUk was the twolt tyme I haid flitted sen my ma
riage M the space of four yeir ; wherby I was rememberit tMs lyff
to be but a sojourning in a wUdernes, and was sett to considder
mair neirlie the Mstorie of the peiple of God in thair jorney from
Egypt to the Promist Land, &c.
At my first commg to Anstruther ther feU out a heavie accident,
quhUk vexit my mynd mikle at the Mst, bot drew me mikle neirar
my God, and teatched me what it was to haiff a cear of a flok.
Ane of our creares3 retournmg from Emgland was unbesett be an
Emglis pirat, pMed,4 and a verie gMd honest man of Anstruther
slean thairin. The quhilk lown5 coming pertfie to the verie roade
of Pittenweim, spMlzied6 a scMpe lying thairin, and misusit the men
thairof. TMs wrang could nocht be suffered be our men, lest they
soMd be maid a comoun prey to sic limmers.7 Thairfor, purchass-
ing a commissioun, they riget to a propre flie-boot,8 and everie
man incuragMg uther, maid almaist the haM honest and best men
in aU the town to go in Mr to the sie. This was a grait vexation
and greUT to my hart, to sie at my first entres the best part of my
flok ventured upon a pak of pirates, wharof the smaUest member of
the memest was mair in valour9 then a scfiipfuU of tham. And yit
1 Conned, prepared beforehand. 2 Besides, over and above, forbye.
3 A sort of lighter or barque with one mast. 4 Pillaged. & l,oon> a wortn.
less fellow, a rascal. 6 Spoiled, plundered. ' Thieves, scoundrels.
8 Bigged out a proper fly-boat, i. c. a swift-sailing vessel. 9 Worth. Lat valor.
R

258 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1587.
I durst nocht stay sum les nor I steyed all,1 and aU I durst nocht,
bathe for the dangerus preparative,2 and the frinds of the honest
man wha was slean, and of tham that war abbusit, wha war mame,
in sic sort as the mater concerned the haM. Bot my God knawes
what a sear hart they left beMnd when they parted out of my sight,
or rather what a hart they caried with them, leiving a bouk be
Mnd. I nather eat, drank, nor sleiped, bot be constraint of nature,
my thought and cair alwayes being upon tham, and commendmg
tham to God, tM aught or ten dayes war endit, and they in sight
retourning, with aU guid takens of joy, flagges, streamers, and en-
seingyie displayit, whom with grait joy we recearit, and went to
gidder to the Kirk, and praised God.
The Captean for the tyme, a godfie, wyse, and stout man, re
compted to me trewfie ther haM proceiding : That they meiting
with thair AdmiraU, a grait schipe of St Androis, weM riget out be
the Burrowes, being fyne of seale,3 went befor hir aU the way, and
maid everie schipe they forgatherit with, of whatsumever nation,
to strik and do homage to the King of Scotland, schawing tham for
what cause they war riget furthe, and inquyring of knaves and pi-
rats. At last, they meit with a proude, stiff Eingfisman, wha refoises
to do reverence ; thairfor the Captean, thiMring it was a lown, com
mands to giff tham his nose-piece,4 the quhilk delashit5 fightes on
the tye of the Eingfisman's mean seale,6 and down it comes ; then
he yeUds, being but a merchant. Bot ther was the mercifull pro
vidence of God, in steying a grait piece of the Eingfisman lying
out hir starn in readines to be schot, quMlk if it haid lichted amang
our folks, being manie in litle roum, without fence, wald haM crew
afie demeaned tham aU : But God directing that first schot pre
served tham. From them they approtched to the schore at Suffolk,
and findes be Proridence the lown, wha haid newfings7 taMn a
crear of our awin town, and was spMeing8 fiir. Whowsone they
spy ane coming war-lyk, the lownes leaves thair pryse,9 and rines
1 1 dared not prevent some, unless I had prevented all of them. 2 Example.
3 A fast sailer. ' A piece of ordnance in the fore-part of the ship. 'Which
being discharged. 6 Mainsail. 7 Newly. 8 Plundering. 9 Prize.

1587. Mil JAMES melvill's diary. 259
thair scMpe on land. Our flie-boot efter, and almaist was on land
with tham ; yit steyMg hard be, they delaishe l thair ordinance at
the lownes, and a nomber going a-land persewes and takes a haiff
a dissone of tham, and putes tham abord M ther boot. The gentle
men of the countrey and townes besyde, heiring the noyes of schot-
ing, gathers with hast, supposMg the Spamyard haid landit, and
apprehendmg a number of the lownes in our men's handes, desyrit
to knaw the mater. The quMlk, when the Justices of Peace under-
stude, and saw the King of Scotland's armes, with twa gaUand
scMppes in war-lyk maner, yeUMt and gaiff reverence thairto, suf
fering our folks to tak with tham thair prisoners and pirat's schipe,
quhUk they brought hame with tham, with haiff a dissone of the
lownes ; wharof twa war hangit on our Pier-end, the rest in St
Androis ; with na hurt at aU to aMe of our folks, wha ever sen syne
hes bem frie from EMglis pirates. AU praise to God for ever. Amen.
[TMs yeir, rydMg upe to Carnbie, in compame with the Lard of
Balfour and his brother, to desMg the manse and gleib of the Kirk
to Mr Andro Hounter, mmister, upon an kitle hat ridden hors, ap-
protchmg to a strype weM how of sevin or aught feet brod, I put
at the hors to cause him lope2 it ; and because he was evM-mouthed
and hat ridden, I held his head streat, wharat he repynmg in the
middes of his lope, cust down Ms head, sa that aU the seddle-gear
braMng, he cust me ower on the uther bank with the sedle be
twix my legges, and Ms heid going down, he lopes the supersaMt,3
and his buttokes lightes hard besyd me, with aU his four feit to
the fift!4 The lyk wharof was never hard in the judgment of the
behaulders, and aU that hathe considderit it sen syne, without anie
hurt to man or beist, except the sadle-grathe braMng.]
That yeir, about the end of July and beginning of August, was
haldin the first Parliament be the King efter his perfyt age of
twentie and a5 yeirs : Wherin, except the ratefication of the Actes
maid of befor for establishing of the trew ReUigion and abolisMng
' Discharge. 2 Leap. 3 Casts a somerset. i Sky, firmament. s One.

260 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1588.
of Papistrie, na guid was done for the Kirk ; bot, be the contrar,
sche was spuUyet be a plane law of the ane haiff of her patrimonie,
to wit, of the temporaU landes of aU her benefices be that Act of
Annexation : Her ei M the mean tyme blearit with twa fear1 pro
mises ; ane of abofisMng of aU Bischopries and Prelacies, and yit
the Bischope of St Androis was a speciaU doar thairin, (and was the
last publict act that ever he was at;) ane uther, that the haM
teinds soMd be peaceabfie put M the Kirk's posssession. Bot of
God's just judgment, that annexation of the temporafitie hes done
the King alsmUde guid as sic promises of the Kirk's Spirituafitie.
The sam yeir, in the hervest, brak upe a grait pest2 in Leithe,
and continowit aU that wintar, quhilk strak a grait terrour in EMn-
bruche and aU the cost syde. Be the occasion wharof we began
the exerceise of dayfie doctrine and prayers in our Kirk, quMlk con-
tinowes to this day with grait profit and confort, bathe of the
teitchars and heirars.
[This wintar I past ower to Dalkethe, and obteined the gift of the ,
stipend of Anstruther Waster, whar God, be sum helpe of me, an
unworthie instrument, called Mr James Nicolsone from the Court
to the Mmisterie ; and in retourning, of mere Providence, was the
occasion of the mariage of Patrik Forbes of Cors with Lucres 3
Spence, sistar to the Lard of Wilmerston,4 maried in Anstruther m
the simmer foUowing.]
M.D.LXXXVIH.
That wintar the King was occupied in commenting of the Apo
calypse, and M setting out of sermontes thairupon against the
Papists and Spainyarts : And yit, by a piece of grait owersight,
the Papists practeised never mair bisselie in this land, and maid
graitter preparation for receaving of the Spainyarts nor5 that yeir.
For a lang tyme the newes of a Spanishe navie and armie6 haid

¦ Fair. 2 Pestilence, plague. 3 Lucrece, Lucretia. 4 Wormiston.
6 Than. 6 The " Invincible Armada,'' which, through the merciful Providence
of God, was wonderfully dispersed and destroyed so shortly afterwards.

1588. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. * 261
bein blasit abrode ; and about the Lambes tyde of the 1558, this
Yland haid fund a feirfull effect thairof, to the utter subversion bathe
of Kirk and Polecie, gM God haid nocht wounderftdfie watched
ower the sam, and mightefie fauchten and defeat that armie be his
soukfiours, the elements, quhUk he maid aU four maist fercelie to
afflict tham tM ahnost utter consumption. Terrible was the feir
persmg war1 the pretcMngs, ernest, zealus, and fervent war the
prayers, sounMng war the siches and sobbes, and abounding was
the teares at that Fast and GeneraU Assembfie keipit at EdM
bruche, when the newes war credibfie taMd, sum tymes of thair
landmg at Dumbar, sum tymes at St Androis, and in Tay, and
now and then at Aberdem and Cromertie first : And in verie deid,
as we knew certeanfie soone efter, the Lord of Armies, wha ryddes
upon the wMges of the wounds,2 the Keipar of his awM IsraeU,
was M the mean tyme convoyMg that monstruus navie about our
costes, and directmg thair hulkes and galiates to the ylands, rokkes,
and sandes, wharupon he haid destinat thair wrak and destruction.
For witMn twa or thrie monethe thairefter, earfie in the morning,
be brak of day, ane of our baUyies cam to my bedsyde, sayMg,
(but nocht with fray,3) " I haiff to teU yow newes, Sir. Ther is
arryrit witMn our herbrie tMs morning a scMpe foil of. Spainyarts,
bot nocht to giff mercie bot to ask ! " And sa schawes me that the
Commanders haid landit, and he haid commandit tham to thair schipe
againe tM the Magistrates of the town haid advysit, and the Spain
yarts haid humblie obeyit: Therfor desyrit me to ryse and heir
thair petition with tham. Upe I got with diligence, and assem
bfing the honest men of the town, cam to the Tolbuthe ; and efter
consMtation taken to heir tham, and what answer to mak, ther pre-
sentes us a verie reverend man of big stature, and grave and stout
countenance, grey-heared, and verie humble lyk, wha, efter mUde
and verie law courtessie, bowMg down with his face neir the ground
and twitching my scho4 with Ms hand, began his harang in the
Spamse toung, wharof I understud the substanee ; and being about
1 Piercing were. 2 Winds. 3 Affright, terror. * Touching my shoe.

262 . MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1588.
to answer in Latine, he haiffing oMie a young man with him to be
his interpreter, began and taMd ower agame to us in guid Eingfis.
The sum was, that King Phifipe, his maister, haid riget out a navie
and armie to land in Eingland for just causes to be advengit of
manie intolerable wrangs quhUk he haid receavit of that nation;
but God for ther sinnes haid bein against thame, and be storme of
wather haid dryven the navie by the cost l of Eingland, and hhn
with a certean of Capteanes, being the GeneraU of twentie hulks,
upon an yll of Scotland, called the Fear YU,2 wher they maid
schipewrak, and whar sa monie as haid eschapit the mercUes sies
and rokes, haid mair nor sax or serin ouks suffred grait hunger and
caMd, till conducing that bark out of Orkney, they war com Mther
as to thair speciaU frinds and confederats to kiss the King's Majes
tie's hands of Scotland, (and thairwith bekkit 3 even to the yeard,)
and to find releiff and comfort thairby to him selff, these gentUmen
Capteanes, and the poore soMdarts, whase condition was for the
present maist miserable and pitifull.
I answerit this miMe, in soum : 4 That whowbeit nather our frind-
schipe, quMUt coMd nocht be grait, seing ther King and they war
frinds to the graitest enemie of Chryst, the Pape of Rome, and our
King and we defyed him, nor yit thair cause against our nibours
and speciaU frinds of Eingland coMd procure anie benefit at our
hands for thair releiff and confort ; nevertheles, they sould knaw
be experience, that we war men, and sa moved be human compas-
sione, and Christiannes of better reUigion nor they, quhUk sould
kythe,5 in the fraicts and effect, plan contrar to thars. For wheras
our peiple resorting amangs tham in peacable and lawfuU effeares
of merchandise, war violentlie takin and cast in prisone, thair guids
and gear confiscat, and thair bodies committed to the crewaU flam
ing fyre for the cause of ReUigion, they soMd find na thing amangs
us bot CMistian pitie and warks of mercie and almes, learing to
God to work in thair harts concerning ReUigion as it pleased him.
This being trewfie reported again to him be his trunshman,6 with
1 Past the coast. 2 Fair Isle. * Made obeisance. • In brief, in sum.
6 Manifest. 6 Interpreter. Evidently from Fr. trucheman.

1588. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 263
grait reverence he gaiff thankes, and said he could nocht mak
answer for thair Kirk and the lawes and ordour thairof, onlie for
him selff, that ther war divers Scotsmen wha knew him, and to
whome he haid schawM courtesie and favour at CaUes,1 and as he
supposit, sum of this sam town of Anstruther. Sa schew Mm that
the BaUyies granted hfin licence with the Capteanes, to go to thair
ludging for thair refreschment, bot to nane of thair men to land,
tM the ower-lord2 of the town war advertised, and understand the
King's Majestie's mynd anent thame. Thus with grait courtessie he
departed. That Mght, the Lard3 being advertised, cam, and on the morn,
accompaMed with a gMd nomber of the gentUmen of the countrey
round about, gaMthe said GeneraU and the Capteanes presence, and
efter the sam speitches, in effect, as befor, receavit tham in his hous,
and MterteMed tham humeaMie, and sufferit the souldiours to com
a-land, and ly aU togidder, to the number of threttin score, for the
maist part young berdles men, sUfie, traucMed,4 and houngered, to
the quMlk a day or twa, keaU, pattage, and fis.che was gMen ; for
my advyse was conforme to the Prophet Elizeus his to the KMg of
Israel, in Samaria, " GUT tham bread and water," &c. The names
of the commanders war. Jan Gomes de Medina, GeneraU of twentie
houlkes, Capitan Patricio, Capitan de Legoretto, Capitan de Luf-
fera, Capitan Mauritio, and Semgour Serrano.
Bot verefie aU the whyU my hart melted withM me for desyre of
thankfolnes to God, when I rememberit the prydfuU and crewall
naturaU of they 5 peiple, and whow they wald haiff usit us in ceas
they haid landit with thair forces amangs us ; and saw the woun-
derftdl wark of God's mercie and justice in maMng us sie tham
the cheiff commanders of tham to mak sic dewgard6 and curtessie
to pure simen, and thair soMdarts7 so abjectlie to beg almes at our
dures8 and in our streites.
In the mean tyme, they knew nocht of the wrak of the rest, but
1 Calais. z Over-lord or feudal superior. 3 The Laird of Anstruther.
1 Young beardless men, feeble, dragging their limbs after them with debility.
' These. <* Salutation, God save you. Fr. Dieu garde. 7 Soldiers. 8 Doors.

264 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1588.
supposed that the rest of the armie was saifflie returned, till a1 day
I gat in St Androis in print the wrak of the GaMates 2 in particu
lar, with the names of the principaU men, and whow they war usit
in Yrland and our HUands, in WaUes, and uther partes of EMg-
land ; the quhUk when I recordit to Jan Gomes, be particMar and
speciaU names, O then he cryed out for greiff, bursted and grat.3
This Jan Gomes schew grait kyndnes to a schipe of our town,
quhilk he fond arrested at CaUes at Ms ham-coming, red to court
for hir, and maid grait rus4 of Scotland to his KMg, tuk the honest
men to Ms hous, and inquyrit for the Lard of Anstruther, for the
Minister, and his host, and send hame manie commendationes. Bot
we thanked God with our hartes, that we haid sein tham amangs
us in that forme.
That [15] 8 8 yeir was also maist notable for the deathe of Quein
Mother of France, Catherin de Medicis, bludie JezabeU to the
Sanctes of God, wha then was caUit to Mr recompence. As also
the maist remarkable wark of God's Justice in repeying the twa
cheiff executors of that horrible carnage and Massacre of Paris, mak
ing, first, King Hendrie to cause Ms Gard stik the Due of GMse,
under trest, with the CardinaU of Lorean : And syne a JacobM
Frier, of that ordour quMlk the King did maist for, maist treason-
ablie to stik the King. The Lord working be maist wicked instru
ments, maist wysfie and justfie ! [The Due and CardinaU war slean
in December [15]88 ; the Quein, for hartsearnes, foUowit5 M Ja-
nuar ; and the King was sticked 6 the August foUowing.7]
Thus God glorefiet his name maist remarkabfie injustice against
the graittest enemies of his Kirk, and sweit mercie and favour to
wards his : for by the continuance of pace M this YU, the Kirks of
France, from ahnaist a desperat esteat, becam mair and mair to be
conforted, betterit, and at last releivit. In the [15]85 and [15]86
yeirs, all the Protestants war chargit af France witMn sic a day,
1 One. 2 Galleons. 3 Sobbed and wept. « Praise, commendation.
5 Followed her husband, dying of a broken heart. ° Stabbed. 7 Margin of MS.

1588. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 265
under pean of lyff, lands, gMds, and gear ; sa that the number of
banished in Emgland war sa grait, and the pure of tham so manie,
that they war compeUed to seik releiff of us for the saming. And
to the glorie of God I remember it, in the pure bounds I haid under
charge at the first beginning of my mimsterie, we gatherit about
fyve hounder marks for that effect ; [bot few or nan did samikle, as
be the smaMes of the soum may appeir.] The soum of the haiU
coUection quhUk the Frenche Kirks gat extendit bot tUl about ten
thowsand marks, as thair acquittances and letters of thanksgUfing
beares, quMlk I haiff M custodie, delyverit to me be the GeneraU
Assembfie to translat m Scottes, and set furthe to close the mouthes
of mvyfoll sklanderars, wha gaM out that that coUection was maid
for an uther purpose. As also, the coUection maid for the town of
Geneva, wharfore1 we gat mair thankesby a Letter ofTheodor du
Bez, M the name of the Senat and Kirk thairof, nor it was aU worthe,
readie to be producit.
NochtwithstandMg of the Lord's judgments that yeir upon Pa
pists, yit efter the spreit of the serpent wharwith they are led, altho
cut and deadfie woundit in divers partes, nevertheles war ever steir-
ing and menassing. Sa that divers practeisars and trafectars, Je-
suistes, SemMarie Preists, and uther emissars of the AnticMyst
crape in the countrey, and kythed2 dangerus effects in divers partes,
namfie, m the Northe and Southe. And, thairfor, the maist wac
ryff3 and cearfuU of the breithring, everie an warnmg and moving
uthers, as the custome of the Kirk of Scotland was from the begin-
Mng, conveMed at Edinbruche M the monethe of Januar the sam
yeir, and gaiff in to the King and CounsaU the Petitiones foUowmg .-
THE KIRK'S HUMBLE PETITION TO HIS MAJESTIE AND COUNSALL
FOR PREVENTION OF THE DANGERS THREATNED TO THE PROFES
SION OF THE TREW RELLIGION WITHIN THIS REALME. JAN. 1 588.
" That it may pleise his Majestie giff command, bathe to parti-
1 For which. 2 Produced, manifested. 3 Wakeful, watchful.

266 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1588.
cular Presbyteries, and sic uther ministers, and barrones, and gen
tUmen, as salbe thought meit, to convein and consMt upon the
readiest remedies of thir dangers appeirand, sa oft as they sail thmk
expedient, and to report thair opMiones and advyses to Ms Majestie
betwix this and the xx. day of Januar.
" That it may pleise his Hienes to forbeare, in tyme to cum, to
interpon Ms Privie Letters or discharges to the Kirk for steying of
thair proceiding with thair censures against the Papists, when as
they can nocht be reclaimed be lawfuU admonitiones.
" That Commissiones may be directed to sum speciaUes of his
Hienes' CounsaU, best affected and of graittest powar to serche, seM,
and apprehend and present to justice aU JesMstes and uthers, privat
or pubfict seducers of Ms Hienes' leiges, and that the saids Com
missionars may be instantfie named, and a day apointed to the re
port of thair dMgences M that behalff.
" That sum speciaUes of the ministerie, assisted with sum weiU
affected barrones or uther gentUmen, may be authorized with his
Hienes' Commission and licence, to pas to everie quarter of this
realme ; and ther, be meanes that they find meittest, try and exploir
what Noble-men, Burrowes, Barrones, and uthers of anie rank or
calling, profes the ReMgion, and wM joyne afaMdlie ' in the defence
thairof, and wha wUl nocht ; and that a day be appointed, in lyk
maner, for reporting of thair dMgence.
" That seing the speciaU occasion of the sMister suspitiones con-
cearit of his Hienes' synceritie in the treuthe, and that inanimates 2
the Papists maist, is his authoritie and service put in the hands
of Papists, under whase winges aU JesMstes, and uthers devoted to
that superstitioun, findes countenance and confort : That, for remead
thairof, it may pleis his Majestie to purge his Hous, CounsaU and
Sessioun, and to reteire Ms powar of Lieutenantdrie, Wardanrie,
and uther his auctoritie whatsumever, from aU and whatsumever
persones, avowit or suspected to be Papists ; and to let proclama
tions be immediatlie directed for publication of his Hienes' guid
1 Sincerely, without duplicity. 2 Encourages, inspirits.

1588. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 267
intention and meamng in that behalff, to the confusion of the Papists
and thair patrones, and confort of the godfie, offendit, this tyme by-
gean, with thair lang intolerance and oversight.
"Finis."
Thir Petitiones presented be us to his Majestie and CounsaU
war granted, and thairefter meitting, Commissionars war nominat
throuchout aU the partes of this land, to put in execution the things
cravit ; wharupon an Act of CounsaU and Proclamation past out ex-
stant in print. The sam day, it was thought guid that a certean
soMd be nominat to consMt in privat concernmg the best and maist
reddie way of the said execution, wharof was ten of Noble men,
lawers, and burgeses, viz. the Erie of Angus, GMd Archbald, the
Erie MareschaU, Mr [of] Glames, Thesaurar, the Lard of Louch-
leaven, the Clark Register, Mr Jhone Scharpe, Mr Thomas Crag,
Mr Jhone Nicolsone, Jhone Jhonestone of ElpMstone, and Jhone
Adamsone ; and ten of the Mmistrie, viz. Mr Andro Malrin,1 Mr
Robert Pont, Mr Robert Bruce, Mr David Lindsay, Mr Andro Hay,
Mr Thomas Bowchanan, Mr Patrik GaUoway, Mr Nicol Dalglas,
Mr Andro MM, and my selff : Wha, meitting the sam day at efter
noone, efter lang reasonmg and advysment, thought it maist expe
dient and neidfuU, First, that the said execution soMd be without
deley, m respect of the Mimment danger ; nixt, that forsamUde as
ther war thrie rankes of enemies — the first of cheiff meanteiners of
Papists and Papistrie ; the second of Jesuists, SemMarie Preists,
and Trafectars ; the thrid of aUowars, receavears, and intertemers
of these in thair housses, and partakers of thair purposes and ydola-
trie — It was thought best that the first sort soMd be chargit to
warde ; the second apprehendit at unaware 2 and punished ; the
tMide proceidit against conforme to the lawes of the countrey ; and
bemg found cMpable, to be punished accordinglie. And, last, to
the intent that sa weghtie a mater might be sofidfie advysit and sett
doun in aU poincts, the Clark Register, Alexander Hay, Mr Jhone
1 Melvill. 2 Suddenly, unaware.

268 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1588.
Scharpe, Mr Thomas Crag, and uthers, war requeisted to tak tyme
and panse1 upon the mater, and everie ane severafie sett down
thair judgment in wrait. The quhUk being conferrit togidder, con
clusion was taken and reported to Ms Majestie, wharof proceidit the
acts and proclamationes, and commissiones soone efter published in
print. At the sam tyme, in that Convention war apointed certean Com
missionars and Breithring to meit everie ouk in EdMbruche for con
sulting upon maters perteining to the weUl of the Kirk M sa danger
us a tyme, viz. Alexander Hay, Clark Register, Mr Jhone LMdsay,
Lord of Session, Mr Jhone Scharpe, Mr Thomas Crag, Mr Jhone
SkeM, Mr Jhone Nicolsone, Advocats, WUyeam Lytle, Provost of
Edinbruche, Jhone Jhonstone, Jhone Adamsone, Hendrie Charters,
Burgesses of Edinbruche, Mr Robert Bruce, Mr David LMdsay, and
Mr Robert Pont, MMisters.
Also the King's MMisters, with sum uther breither, war apointed
to traveU with his Majestie for a proclamation to be sett furthe, to
let aU his subjects understand his Hienes' zeaU and cair for repurg-
ing of the land of Papistrie, and meantenance of the trew religion :
And to desyre his Majestie of new again, now in Ms perfyt age, to
subscryve the Confession of Faithe maid ; and renew the charge
giffen in his minoritie to aU Ms subjects to subscryve the saming
ower again. The quhilk also was obteined and published in print.
It was fordar ordeanit that aU Commissionars and Moderators
of Presbyteries in aU partes soMd be cairfuU to haiff inteMgence of
all maters concerning Religion and weM .of the Kirk within thair
boundes, and to mak advertisement of the saming from tyme to
tyme to the forsaid Commissioners apointed oukfie to convein in
EdMbruche. Item, ther was a GeneraU Assembfie apoMted to be haMdm at
Edinbruche the saxt of Febraar foUowing ; and the ProrinciaU As
sembfies in everie schyre to be endit befor the xxiij. of that in
stant Januar. For the quhilk cause, it was thought necessar that
' Reflect, study. Fr. pen sir.

1588. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 269
the Commissioners of Provinces, and everie Mmister within thair
awm bounds, soMd inform aU weM-affectioned gentlemen to Relli-
gioun, of the attempts of Papists, and immMent danger thairby, and
of the fibertie granted to convein be his Majestie and CounsaU, wher
by they may be moved to tak Commissiones from Synods without
feaU to keipe the GeneraU Assembfie, and mak it frequent.1
And, last, as concerning JesMstes, Semmarie Preists, and uthers
deceavers of the peiple, it was ordeanit that [at] thair nixt Synods
charge soMd be gMen to everie Mmister to declar tham excommu
Mcat out of pMpit, at thair return immediatlie to thair awin kirks,
that the peiple may bewar of thame, and siclyk the companie of sic
as favours, Mtertemes tham in thair housses, or hes anie thmg to do
with thame : And for that effect everie Mmister to haM thair names
inroMt. At tMs Convention my uncle moderat, and I wrot.
That GeneraU Assembfie M Febraar was verie frequent of noble
and gentlemen. Thairat the Greives of everie Province and Pres
byterie war giffen M, wherby it might be easefie percearit whow
horribfie the land was defyled aU throuchout, bot namlie in the
Northe and Southe, with Papistrie, Superstitione, blodsched, and
aU sort of riUanie. Upon the quhUk, regrates, grives, complents,
and petitiones, war formed and presented to the King and CounsaU
for puMshment and redres, quhUk war ower lang and tedius to be
registrat. And the breithring steired upe to wakryffhes2 and dUi
gence, m watcMng over thair floks and cairing for the haM Kirk.
For conclusion of tMs mervelus yeir, I can nocht forget my par
ticular, semg that it is my speciaU purpose to recompt the gratius
worMng of my God with me. He corrected me sweitfie in taking
from me at the begmning thairof my litle sone Andro ; bot recom-
penced the sam agaM maist bountiftdlie, in gUfing me another
Andro, born that sam yeir, M the monethe of August : Sa the
Lord taks, the Lord giffes, blessed be the nam of the Lord for ever !
1 Well frequented, numerously attended. ' Wakefulness.

270 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1588.
The bern was faUon beautifuU, x loving, and mirrMe, and seimed
to be of a fyne sanguMe constitution tM a quarter efter he was
speaned ; 2 bot syne, wither be wormes or a hectik consumption, I
knaw nocht, bot his fleche and cuUor foaled, and be the space of a
quarter of yeir consumed and dwyned3 away, keipMg alwayes the
sweitest and pleasandest ei that could be in annes heid.4 I was ac
customed to sett Mm at the end of the table in tyme of denner and
supper, as the Egyptiens did the picture of dead,5 tM acquent me
thairwith ; and yit, when he died, I mervefit at my awin hart that
was sa urened6 and moved with it, sa that yit, when I wrot this, I
was nocht frie of the bowdnings of the boweUes of* that naturaU af
fection. And if we that ar erdfie7 wormes can be sa affected to our
cMldring, what a love beares that hearinfie Father to Ms ? He was
my first propyne and hanseU 8 to heavM. I can nocht forget a strange
thing at his deathe. I haid a pear of fyne mUk whait dowes,9 quhilk
I fed in the hous : The ane wharof that day of his deathe coMd
nocht be haldin af his cradle, bot stopped from sitting above it, crape
in and sitt in under it, and died with Mm : The uther, at my ham-
coming on the morn, as I was washmg my hands, cam, lighted at
my futt, and pitiusfie cryMg, " Pipe, pipe, pipe !" ran a litle away
from me. Then I called for peyes and beanes 10 to giff it ; bot they
schew me it wald nocht eatt. I tuk it upe, and put pUdes in the
mouthe of it, bot it schuk tham out of the tiirot ; and parting from
me with a pitifoll pipMg, withM twa or thrie houre died also.
I maid on him tMs Epitaphe.
A sojournar in London, I thie gat,
At hame, in tyme of trouble, thow was born,
The babbes for beautie thought maist dMgat,
Thy beautie semi'd yit farder tM adorn.
1 The child was extremely beautiful. 2 Weaned. 3 Pined. 4 The pleasant-
est eye that could be in any one's head. s Death. « Probably troubled, wrung.
In the form urisum, urusum, or ooriesome, it is more commonly met with in MSS.
7 Earthly. s present ^a offering. 9 A pair of fine milk-white pigeons.
10 Pease and beans.

1588. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 271
As Democrit thow first the world did skorn,
For to refraishe the mynd a meakles marrow ; '
Syn to beweaU my wickednes forlorn,
The tears of Heracfit thow sehned to borrow.
I set tMe M my sight at evin and morrow,
My hart tM humble, acquenting me with deathe :
But, O the love of parents ! what a sorrow
Did sease on me, fra th' anes thow lost thy breathe !
Oh ! fost lyk pleasand floure on erthe thow grew !
Syne dwyn'd to dead, with dowes2 to heavm thow flew !
TMs page, if thow be a pater3 that reids it, thow wUt apardone
me. If nocht, suspend thy censure tM thow be a father, as said
the grave Lacedemonian, AgesUaus.
The miMsterie of Mr Robert Brace was verie steadable4 and
mightie that yeir, and divers yeirs foUowMg, maist coMortable to
the guid and godfie, and maist feirfMl to the enemies : Sa that it
was sensabMe percearit that as God haid substitut to Mr Knox,
Mr Lowsone ; sa haid he provydit Mr Robert to supplie that in-
leak.5 The godfie, for Ms pMssant and maist moving doctrine,
lovit Mm ; the warldfings, for Ms parentage and place, reverenced
Mm ; and the enemies, for bathe, stude in aw of him. The Chan
ceUar, Mr Jhone MeteUan, 6 enterit in speciaU frindscMpe with Mm,
Mr Andro, and me, and keipit trew and honest tM the day of his
deathe. He helde the King upon twa groundes sure, nather to
cast out with the Kirk nor with EMgland. Whowbeit he haid
maid mformationes to him of gMd men by7 the treuthe, to win Mm
court at the begmmng in the Due his dayes, quhUk he wald fean
haiff mendit, bot could nocht.

1 A matchless companion. 2 Doves, in allusion to the above story. 3 Parent
father. * Serviceable, profitable. 5 Deficiency. * Maitland. 1 Against
contrary to.

272 MR JAMES melvill's diary. 1589.
M.D.LXXXIX. "
The yeir foUowing ther feU out a mater in St Androis that
wrought heavie and grait trouble to the best and honestest men in
aU that town, and quhilk occupied me mUde and sear;1 bathe m
mynd and body, manie yeirs efter. The occasion wherof was this :
The Bischope haid lurked a yeir or twa lyk a tod 2 in Ms hoU, as
his custom was when things framed nocht with hmi ; and, Mdeid,
be the ChanceUar' s moyen, efter he was joyned with us, the King's
opinion and lyking was far diverted from Mm. He devyses M tMs
mean tyme a mischeiff to be revengit upon Ms mislykers, and
steires upe a jakman3 of his, caUed Hendrie HamUton, to quarreU a
Maister of the Universitie, Mr WUyeam Walwode, Professour of
the Lawes, a man bathe in blude and affinitie joyned neir to the
maist honest in all the town, knawing weM that bathe sic of the
Universitie and town that lyked him nocht, wald tak part with the ¦
said Mr WUyeam. This Hendrie comes upon the Hie-gett, Mr
WUyeam going to the Principal's Lessone of the New Collage, and
efter quarreling words, touks4 him and striks Mm with the gardes
of his sword. Mr WUyeam plantes5 to the Rector, Avha calling the
said Hendrie befor him, efter cognition, depryves him of Ms name
of Maister, (for he was maid Maister,) and ordeanes him to mak a
humble satisfaction to Mr WUyeam in the sam place whar he in-
jourit Mm. TMs he refusing to do, the complamer meined Ms
cause to the Lords of Session, wha gaiff out compMsitors upon the
Rector's decreit, wherwith the said Hendrie being chargit, first be
the moyen of a certean wicked men, misgyders of the town, favor-
ars of the Bischope, and haters of thair honest and gMd Mbours,
onfie for their vertew, he is receaved in the number of the citicM
ers, and maid burges. Then he comes dissimulatlie to the Rector,
desyring the execution of the charges to be superceidit, and pro
misit to mak a mends to Mr WUyeam on the Hie-streit sic an day.
Be this Mr WUyeam is secoure, and within a day or twa addresses

1 Sore. 2 Fox. 3 Jackmen were armed retainers, who generally acted
as bullies. Fr. jaqvc. * Tugs, or pulls him violently. » Complains. 2

1589. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 2 t -J
him to his ordinar Lessone of the Lawes within the Auld Collage,
and going from Ms hous in the town to the CoUage, his gown on,
his book m the a hand, and sand-glass in the uther, meditating on
his Lessone, Hendrie HamUtone ushes x out of a hous, where he lay
in wait for bloode, and unbeseatting 2 Mr WUyeam, with the first
strak3 wounds him M the hand and mutUats him, and haid pro
ceidit fordar, giff be sum gentle men passing that way he haid
nocht been steyed. Mr AVUyeam is lead to his mother's hous
crewaMe woundit ; the newes wharof gaes amang his frinds, they
ryse and rine togidder M armes to assist the BaUyies for justice.
Bot an of the BaUyies bemg upon the conspiracie, refusing thair
assistance, brings the murdarer, accompaMed with the Bischopes
guid brother, James Arthour, caUed comounfie Jaques, and a offi
cer or twa and na ma, 4 and m plane provocation, by the teithe of
the partie, conveMt befor Mr WUyeam's mother's stare, yet whar
he was lying with his wound bleidMg, sa that it coMd nocht be
steamide.5 The quMlk, Ms brother and brother-in-law seing, could
nocht abyde, bot makmg a mint,6 maid the lown to flie, and steirit
upe a grait tunrult of aU sort rinMng togidder M armes, UMversitie,
citie, and gentle men bemg M the town for the tyme. In this tu-
nmlt naMe is sa bissie to schow Ms manreid7 in feghting as the said
Jaques Arthour, and meitting with Ms marrow,8 with rapper and
dagger, missMg Ms ward, he gettes a porh9 at the left pape, whar
of he dies. His corps is brought to a cheirargian's boothe and sight
ed ther, and sought be Ms frinds and a number in pubfictj and
fund to haiff that onlie a poinct streak of a rapper sword,10 be whom
gMen na man coMd certeanfie knaw, sum suspecting an, and sum
another. Mr WUyeam's brother, Jhone, persewes efter Hamilton ;
wha, crying for mercie, and randring Mm selff, obteines mercie at
the said Jhone's hand, and be him is brought out and delyverit to
the BaUyies againe.
1 Issues. 2 Besetting, attacking. 3 Stroke. * No more. 6 Stemmed,
staunched. <> Attempt. 7 Manfulness. It also implies his obligation, as
a feudal retainer bound, by bond of manred or manrent, to fight in his superior's quar
rels. * Match] equal 9 Tnrust> Btab. io Rapier or smal, swor[L
S

274 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1589.
The tumMt steying, the honest men goes to thair houses, ignorant
altogidder of anie evM done, namfie of the slauchter of the said
Jaques. Amangs the rest, an [James Smithe,] a man of sMgMar qua
lities, graitlie beloved of aU godfie and guid men for his vertew and
guid conditiones, and asmUde invyed and- hated be the wicked, is
warned be divers that loved him, that ther was a man slaMe, and the
mater was dangerus, prayed him thairfor to haMd Mm sehT quyet
and out of the way for a tyme. The quhUk he refused, reposmg
on his innocencie, and sayMg they haid sufferit wrang M the per
sone of thair frind, bot haid done nane. Incontinent, the BaUyies
comes to the hous of the said honest man, better accompaMed nor
when they convoyit HamUtone to the Tolbuthe, and charges Mm
in the KMg's name to go to warde with thame. He wUfinglie
obeyes and gaes with thame, and sa does the rest, to the number
of nyne or ten.
These simple foulles, tMs way fangit 1 in the net of these craftie
hountars, (wharin the partis of aU I coMd pent out, 2 particMarfie
giff my purpose permitted,) war from the Tolbuthe brought to the
Provest's hous, wha, withe the Bischope and rest of the misreaM-
lars3 of the town, war all under a complot, resolving then to be
weUl revengit upon those honest men, wha, at the ham-commg of
the Lords out of Eingland, haid sought redres of manie grait abuses
and inormities committed be the saids misrewlars of St Androis,
Miking that aU tMngs then soMdhaM bem corrected and sett M gMd
ordour — that YuM comoun they thought to repey weM now at Pasch.4
Sa they ar summoned to a day of law M Edinbruche, whar, un
derstanding the law to be streat,5 and wanting the Prince's favour,
quhUk was caried by6 tham be the Bischope's faction, and thairwith-
aU craftelie abbusit be thair feinyied7 frMds, they ar brought M ef
fect to com in the wM of the partie, wha decernes upon thame aU
bamsment furthe of the town during thair wM ; and upon twa in
speciaU, to wit, James Smithe, to whase wortMe praise I spak be-
' Caught, secured. 2 Depict. 3 Misrulers. « A proverbial expression,
denoting that they would handsomely repay their Yuill or Christmas reckoning at
Eastor. s Stringent, strict. « Past. ? Feigned, pretended.

1589. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 275
for, and Jhone Walwode, brother to the said Mr WUyeam, banis-
ment out of the countrey, upon grait soumes of contravention and
sure caution. By tMs malitius craftie devys and convoy war these
gMd honest men thus wayes maist innocentlie and unjustlie vexed
and bamssed out of the reahne from thair wyffes and chUdring [sax
yeires,] and at thair retourMng warse ' handlit, as we saU heir in the
awm place. Bot as the Bischope, withe the rest of the misrewlars
of that town, war the beginnars, sa I can nocht omit unmentioned a
maist vennemus and malitius prosecutor, whase unplacable hatred and
insatiable gredmes of these honest men's gear was sic, as na kynd
of deaMng, credit, favour, or requeist of men of aU sortes, raMces,
and degries witMn the countrey, employed ernestlie for to brak and
mitigat Mm, coMd purchas nor procure ony kynd of dres 2 at his hand.
TMs was Mr Jhone Arthour, stubburnfie and despytfuMe refusing all
reasone ; for tMs speciall cause, for that the Ministers favorit tham,
inspyrit, but question,3 be the spreit contrar to CMyst and his Mini
sters. The pretence of Ms malice and avarice was, that as he wald
affirme agaMst aU the warld and treuthe it sehT, that James Smithe
was the slayer of his brother, agamst whom James haid never anie
querreU, nor cam near him that day; bot was cleirfie sein and
knawm to be a pair of buttes lamthe4 from him when he was slaine ;
and farder, fyve hounder saw that onfie a porhe of a rapper,6 whar
of he Med, haiffing na kynd of stroak or wound ma,6 and everie
man spyed James' sword that day to be a brad sword.7 Bot the
treuthe was, James was ritche, honest, and upright, verteus m his
caUMg, and the uther pure,8 debauchit, greidie, and neidie, and
thairwithal a lawer, attending on Session, and wating to mak his
prey of the soumes of contravention, quhUk war grait and large
or then thair seqmvalent be composition ; for he kend they could
nocht, nor wald nocht, byde out of thair awM countrey.
The mere pitie and indignation of my hart (as the Cerschar of
hartes knawes !) maid me to indevor what I coMd for the helpe
1 Worse. " Redress. " Without a doubt. 4 A butt's length, in archery,
being about 200 yards for rovers, and 80 yards for point-blank or butt-shooting'
4 Only one thrust of a rapier. 6 More. 7 Broad-sword. 8 Poor.

276 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1589.
and confort of that honest man, in speciaU. Lykas ther was na
honest or godfie man in the land wha ather knew him or hard of
him bot meMed his ceas,1 and moyenned2 for it as they might, bot
na grace was to be fund at a graceless man's hand.
About the middes of that yeir 1589, Francois, Erie of Bothe-
waU, tuk upe bands of men of weare, under the conduct of CoroneU.
Hakerston, under pretence to tak ordour with the YUes, bot it
preived, in end, a Spanishe PapisticaU course, as is discovered in
the buik of the execution of Fyntrie.3 His Capteanes, leadmg his
men langs the cost syde, opprest and troublet the townes thairof,
eviU favored by going and returnMg anes. The second tyme they
enterit to compas and visit ower agaMe, and cam to Kirkady, send
ing thair furriours4 and commissars befor, to prepear for tham sum
pices of armour and MterteMment. But CareU, Anster,5 and Pit
tenweim, with assistance of sum gentUmen of the countrey about,
resolved to resist and feght tham. The quMlk when I perceaved,
I maid hast to Court, and informed the King of the abbus and
commotion that was lyk to be, and purchassed Letters to discharge
the Capteanes from proceiMng any farther, and if they wald nocht,
to warrand the subjects to resist. The Erie, being AdmiraU, dis
charges the bottes at Leithe from giffing me passage ; bot, taking
jorney to the Quem's-ferrie, I cam with sic dMgence as I could ; bot
or I cam,6 the CoroneU, with his men of wear, war fean to tak the
steiple of St Monians on thair head, utherwayes haid gottin sic wages
peyed tham as wald haUT MterteMed tham aU thair dayes. And
yit Msisting, they brak the apomtment quMlk the Tutor of Pitcure
(that notable Provost of Dondie) maid betwix tham and the towns,
and cam fordwart to Pittenweim ; bot, at my coming with the
King's discharge to tham, and warrand to our townes to resist, in
cais of disobedience, they war fean to reteire and leave af. Sa it

1 Bemoaned his case. 2 Used moyen or influence. s David Grahame
of Fintry, who was executed Feb. 15, 1592. 4 Forayers, foragers. Here it
denotes Quarter-masters. 5 Craill, Anstruther. 6 But before I came.

1590. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 277
pleased God to keipe from blod-scheddmg, and releive our townes
of a grait feir and vexation.
In the begmmng of wintar, the King, accompanied with the
ChanceUar and certean uthers of the CounsaU, with twa of the Mi-
Msterie, m very secret maner Mibarkit, few knawing tUl he was
away, and landit at Upslaw M Norroway, efter mUde foull wather
of a stormie wmtar, and from that travelit be land to Denmark,
throw maMe woods and wUdernes, M conformed frost and snaw,
and thair maried his Quern Anne, and maid gMd cheir, and drank
stoutlie tM the spring tyme. At his departing, he apointed Mr
Robert Brace to be on the CounsaU, and recommendit the esteat
•of his countrey to Mm, and the Ministerie in speciaU, reposing, as
he professit, upon him and tham above aU his Nobles. And, in
deid, he was nocht disapoMted, for of the favour of God thair was
never a mair peaceble and quyet esteat of the countrey nor l during
that tyme of the King's absence : Sa that, whar befor or sen syne,
few monethes, yea oukes, was ther without sum slauchter, ther was
na sic tMng during that tyme.
BodueU2 cam then M pubfict, and of his awin accord maid his
repentance befor Mr Robert Bruce, in the Kirk of Edinbruche, for
his ficentius, dissolut lyff, and aU Ms bypast sinnes ; and promised,
be God's grace, to kythe3 another man in tyme coming, &c.4 Bot
it was a taMng of God's name in vean, and pubfict abusing of him
seM and the Lord's peiple ; and thairfor the Lord cursed Mm, for
na thing succeidit weM with him thairefter,
M.D.XC.
In the spring tyme of the yeir foUowing, the GeneraU Assemblie
conveMed at EdMbruche. At quhilk dMgent tryaU being taken,
it was fund, that na steirage5 at aU was in the countrey of Papists,
of theMes, or anie trubelsome mordinat persones. Wharof the
breithrmg praisit God, and apointed, efter the ordour that the Kirk

1 Than. 2 The Earl of Bothwell. " Turn out, manifest himself to bo.
1 Sec Bruce s Sermons, Wod. Soc. Edit. s There was no stir or movement.

278 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1590.
of Edinbruche haid taken upe, that thair soMd be fasteing and
moderat dyet usit everie Sabathe tM the KMg's returning. The
quMlk custom being found verie meit for the exerceise of the
Sabathe, was keipit in Edinbruche, in the housses of the godfie,
continuafie thairafter. Sa that sparing thair gros and sumptuus
dinners, they usit nocht bot a dishe of brothe, or sum litle recrea
tion, tM night ; and that quhilk was sparit was bestowit on the pure.
BodueU resorted to that Assembfie, and, keiping hous in the Abbay
in the King's awM housses, he haid the Quein of EMgland be hir
Ambassator ordinar, (Mr Robert Bowes, wha ley at EdMbruche, a
verie godfie man, and to his uttermaist loving and cairfuU of the
peace and weM of the twa realmes of Eingland and Scotland,) to
be his commer,1 and Mr Robert Bruce, my uncle, and me, bemg
Moderator of that Assemblie, invited now and then to guid cheir,
haiffing sum grait purpose and to luik in hand ; bot he wes never
lukkie nor honest to God nor man.
At this Assembfie it was ordeanit, That all and everie Minister
that haid ma Kirks nor ane2 in cure soMd demit the rest, and tak
him tM ane only. Also that the townes of Edinbruche, Dondie,
Stirling, and St Androis, sould aggrie with sic as they thought meit
for tham, and report againe to the Assembfie for thair transporta
tion. Upon the quMlk I wa.s ernestlie delt with be aU the saids
townes ; bot the love of my awin flok and Presbyterie, and viciMtie
of my uncle in St Androis, permitted me nocht to condiscend unto
tham. For this my parocMners aggreit amangs tham selves to big
me a hous ; bot being undertaken, as it comes of comoun warkes,
it feafit. Thairfor my God and heavMfie Father, the gMar and
provyder for me of aU gMd things, put in my hart to tak the wark
in hand my self; and, albeit I haid nocht fourtie pound in readie
money, yit furnesit aU tMngs so strangfie to me, that annes begoun,
it ley never a day tM it was eompleit, God haiffing sum confort to
minister to Ms awin servants thairby, from tyme. to tyme, thair
efter. It was begun the 5th of Junij, and endit with October fol
lowing, 1590.
1 Intimate friend, companion, "gossip.'' ' More than one ; a plurality of livings.

1590. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 279
In the yeir 1590, the King, accompanied with his Quein, cam
hame the first of May, to the grait joy and contentment of all the
countrey. Divers practeses of witchcraft and devilrie ' was against
him, as he was certified of thairefter, bot the mercMM and mightie
hand of God watched over Mm, and preserved him at the ernest
prayers of Ms fathfuU servands the MMisters, whom then he acknaw-
lagit to be Ms maist fathfuU freinds. WitMn a monethe or twa
efter Ms retoum was keipit a maist solemne action and magnific of
the Quein's Coronation, and entres m Edinbruche ; at the quMlk
my uncle, Mr Andro, in favour of the Ambassatours sent from
divers Duces and Princes of AlmaMe and Flanders, maid and pro-
nuncit an Oration m vers to the grait admiration of the heirars, and
thair exceicfing joy and contentment, namfie of bathe thair Majes
ties. The KMg gaiff Mm grait thankes, saymg, he haid sa honored
him and Ms countrey that day, that he coMd never requyt him ;
and thairefter wald insist farder, and command Mm to giff the sam
to the printar, that with dMgence it might be exped, for ther was
nan of the Ambassadours bot haid maid Mm requeist for that effect.
And, Mdeid, this was the wark of God, to haM Ms awin servand
honored, for Mr Andro haid nocht bein warnit to tMs Coronation
m ame convement tyme, and haid na tMng preparit bot sic as cam
m Ms meMtation a Mght or twa, anent the right way of rewfing and
goverment, the quhUk he utterit with a mervelus dexteritie and
grace ; and, at the King's comand, the morn efter the pronuncMg,
gaiff it to the printar, with an epigram of dedication to the King,
and intitulat the incpaviexiov. The copies of it past tMow aU Europe,
and was mUde estehned of be the lernit. Josephus Scafiger wrait
to Mm congratulatMg, and said, " Nos tafia non possumus." Lipsius,
reiding it, said, " Revera Andreas, Melvmus est serio doctus." Be
the quhilk occasion, as often befor and sen syne, aU the lerned in a
maner lamented that he wald nocht set Mm selff to wryt, quhUk
was mikle memed2 to Mm be aU Ms frinds, bot he said, that God
haid caMt Mm to use his toung and vive voice yit ; when he fand
1 See Pitcairn's Ancient Grim. Trials, I. 209-223. i Complained, lamented.

280 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1590.
the caUing and warrand for the pen, quhMt God wald giff if he
thoucht it guid, he soMd do thairefter.
The apoMted ordinar GeneraU Assemblie was keipe at Edm
bruche in August, at the quhUk it behoved me to mak the exhorta
tion. I cam to the Kingorn the night befor, and, imbarking with
certean breitMing, we cam within a myle and les to Leithe ; bot a
contrarie wind coming just in our teithe when we haid usit aU
meanes be burding ' and rowing, we war compeMt to go bak againe,
with a foull schoure, and landit at Brintyland, whar na horses war to
be gottin, and being past sax hours at evin, I was to enter M jorney
on my feit to go about ; when God, respecting his awin wark, send
the wound in the wast2 with a pleasand fear night; and sa finding
be the sam Providence a lytle schoUab,3 reposing on him whase turn 4
was in hand, we tuk the sie, and gat verie fear passage, and cam to
Edinbruche even as nyne of the night strak, obteining of God's
mercie that night's repose, quhMt I Miked nocht for, to Mable me
for the morne's action.
It saU nocht be impertinent to remember sum poMcts of the doc
trine uttered at that tyme upon the 1 Thess. v., ver. 12, 13.
The text being soumed and opened upe, thir heades war insisted
into : — First, anent the weght of the charge of the Ministerie ; nixt,
anent the honour thairof; thridfie, whow neidfuU voudigia, rebuk or
admonition, was in the Kirk and amangs breithring. Upon this
last head, occasion was takin to speak at lainthe of discipfin, quhUk
also at mair lainthe I thought pertinent heir tM insert, because the
course of the cheiff mater of this storie rinnes upon that.
First, That discipfine was maist necessar M the Kirk, seMg with
out the saming, Chryst's Kingdome coMd nocht stand. For, unles
the Word and Sacraments war keipit in sinceritie, and rightfie usit
and practesit be direction of the discipfine, they wald soone be cor
rupted. And, thairfor, certean it was, that without sum discipfine,
na Kirk without trew discipline, na rightfie Reformed Kirk ; and
without the right and perfyt discipline, na right and perfyt Kirk.
1 Tacking. 2 Sent the wind into the west. 3 Shallop. * Business.

1590. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 281
[At this the Einglishe Ambassatour, being present, sturred,1 and
conferrit with me thairefter at lainthe, whom I satisfeit.2] This
was cleirfie declarit be the exemples of a republict and citie, and of
artes of warfear and pastorage. The storie of the giffing, begin
ning, continowmg, brak and restoring agame of the trew discipfine
within the Kirk of Scotland, was recompted and caMt to remem-
berance ; and thairupon exhortation giffen to dell3 with his Majestic
in maist grave and Mstant maner, That Ms Majestie wald schaw
that taken4 of trew thaMtfolnes to God for the grait benefit of his
saM preservation and retournMg with Ms Quein from Denmark, as
to rescMnde and abofishe obscure and dangerus lawes maid in pre
judice of the discipfine and fibertie of CM-yst's Kingdome within
this realme, hafifing fund, in gMd experience, m his absence, as
alwayes befor, the gMd wM, fidefitie, love, and cear5 of the Mini
sterie as of thair God, and Chryst Jesus his Kmg, be Mm anointed
and sett over aU, whase cause this was quhilk he haid put in the
hands of Ms pure servants, &c.
Also, the haM breithring war ernestlie exhorted to studie the dis
cipfine cfifigentfie, and practise it cearfuMe, that they might be able
at aU occasiones to stand in defence thairof, as it hes bein of God's
grait favour with the treuthe of the doctrine sett doun out of the
Word of God ; and the practise of the sam fund maist halsome and
profitable within the Kirk of Scotland. And that at this tyme, for
thrie causses, namfie ; first, because of the esteat of the godlie, guid,
and zealus breithring M Eingland, our mbour Kirk, standing for the
treuthe thairof, and searfie6 suffering for the sam. Secondlie, be
cause these Amaziases, beM-godBischopes in EMgland, be aU moyen,
yea and money, war seikand conformitie of our realme with thairs,
tiU invert and pervert our Kirk, as did Achaz and Urias with the
Kmg and Altar of Damascus. Thridfie, because we haid lurking
withm our awin bowelles a poisonable and vennemus PsyUus, a
warlow,7 1 warrand yow, sa empoisoned be the vennome of that auld
1 Objected, remonstrated. 2 This added by the Author on margin of MS.
3 Deal. •> Token. 5 Care. « Sorely. ' Warlock, wizard.

282 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1590.
serpent, and sa altered in his substance and naturaU, that the dead-
lie poisone of the vipere is his famMar foid and nuriture, to wit,
fies, falshode, malice, and knaverie ; wha hes bein lurltMg a lang
tyme hatcMng a cocatrice eagg, and sa fynlie Mstructed to handle
the whissall 1 of that auld inchantar, that na PsyUus, Circe, Medea,
or Pharmaceutrie, coMd ever haiff done better. This is Patrik
Adamsone, fals Bischope of St Androis, wha at this tyme was in
makMg of a buik against our discipfine, quMlk he intytles PsyUus,
and dedicates to the King, the epistle dedicatorie wharof is in my
hand, wharin he schawes his purpose to be, to soMt out the poisone
of the discipline of the Kirk of Scotland, as the PsyM, a vennemus
peiple in Afric, soukes out the vennom of the wounds of sic as ar
stangit 2 with serpents. But I trust in God (said I) he . saU prove
the foole als madlie as did these siMe PsyMes, of whom Herodot, in
his Melpomene, wryttes, that they perished altogidder M this maner :
When the south wound3 haid dryed upe aU thair conservars and
cisterns of water, they tuk counsaU, aU M a mynd, to go against it
in armes for advengement ; but, coming amang the deserts and dry
sandes, the wound blew McMie and overwhelmde thame with sand,
and destroyed tham everie man. Sa, I dout nocht, saU com of tMs
obstinat, malitius foole, whUas he intends nocht onlie to stope the
breathe of God's mouthe,4 bot also to be advengit upon it, because
it hes strukken him sa, that he is blasted thairwith and dryed upe,
and maid voide of aU sape and moisture of heavMfie lyff. But, alas !
my breitiiring, (said I,) giff yie wald do that quhUk I tMnk yie
bathe might and soMd do at this tyme, to wit, to ratefie and approve
that sentence of excommunication maist justfie and ordourlie pro-
nuncit against that vennemus enemie of CMyst's Kmgdome, as I
am assurit it is ratefeit in the heavines, as cleirlie may appeir be
the effects thairof, na les then in the dayes of Ambrose, when Sathan
sensiblie possesit sic as war delyverit to him be excommunication,
he wald feUl better his miserable folie, and be woun againe to
Chryst, if he be of the number of the elect. The quhMt if yie do
r Whistle. 2 Stung. 3 Wind. ' The free preaching of the Gospel.

1590. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 283
nocht, my breithrmg, be a soar experience nocht laug syne past
befor, I may foreteU yow a thing to come, giff God in mercie for
his Chryst's seak stey it nocht, that yie wM find and feM yit mair
permtiusfie the reserved poisone of that PsyUus in brangling ! the
discipfine of the Kirk, and punissMg of our undewtifuU negligence.
An uther poMct of the doctrine then uttered I haid it nocht un
profitable heir to insert, because of the necessitie thairof yit abyd-
ing unamendit. This was anent the dewtie of the flockes to thair
Pastors and watchmen. The flocks aught to love their Pastors
deirlie, be this text and uther of Hofie Scripture ; they aught to
provyde for tham all tMngs neidfuU and coMortable for this lyffj
and to giff tham that honour quhilk aperteines to the ambassatours
of Chryst. God biddes thee honour him in the ministerie of his
worscMpMg, and thy salvation with the best of thy substance ; and
gM thow do nocht, tMs way, acknawlage the awnar of aU thy sub
stance and giffar thairof, thow art bot an unthankfuU theiff, and
nocht a lawfuU possessor thairof with guid conscience, and at that
day of God's justice court, thow saU heir the dome and feM the
puMsment of a theM7, if thow prevent nocht be repentance.
But heir our flockes excuses thamselves, saying, Our temds ar
rigurasfie exacted and taken upe from us, therfor tMs burding lyes
upon tham that gettes the teMds, &c. Answer, If men pitie [nocht ?]
thair awM sauUes, it is na excuse for tham ; for giff they war never
. sa sear spMyied and oppressed, wald they want the necessar foid of
the body, and reyment thairof, sa lang as they haid ame thing left,
yea, or coMd beg or borrow ? Na : They wald use the reddiest for
the present necessitie, and prease to remead the oppression and
wrang, by what meanes they coMd. And why wM they nocht use
the lyk for the fode and reyment of the sauU and inwart man ? Is
it warse then the bodie ? Is it nocht to be ceared for ? Or is ther
nocht a sauU, a hearine, a heU, a God, a devM ? Na, I am sure my
breithring, if this doctrine soundit often M pubfict and privat amangs
the pure famising sauUes in tMs land, a guid number at least wald
1 Shaking, menacing. O. Fr. bransler.

284 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1590.
be waUtned" and moved to seik pastors on thair awin charges.1 I
speik be guid experience, I thank God for it : Tak peanes and dis
trust nocht God, he wM work and bring furthe sum guid effect. I
never saw yit a piece of fathfuU peanes taken uprightfie for the
honour of God, and salvation of pure sauUes, bot it fand a blessmg
and succes worthie of aU, and2 it haid bein ten tymes mair. Nather
yit ever knew I in Scotland a man of gMd conscience, that durst
in conscience come to the schaking af of the dust of his feit agaMst
aMe town or congregation. And for my awM pairt, I fand ever
the fault mair in the peanes of the Pastor nor3 the purs of the peiple,
if they haid it. Yea, can it be possible that a man sail gean or for
dar a sauU to Chryst and the lyff everlasting, and nocht receave of
his purs and things of this lyff as he may spear, and it war to speare
it on Mm selff? Na, nocht possible ! for a thankfoll hart getting
mon giff againe ; and if nocht thankfuU, na Christian ; and winning
the man's hart and saMl to Chryst and tMe, the man him selff, and
what he hes, mon be at thy command in Chryst.
O bot they wM say, SaU the sacrUegius then pas frie, and bruUt
the teinds ? Na, nocht sa : Bot let the flocks and Pastours joyne
togidder, and cry and crave at the King, CounsaU, and Esteattes,
and be bot als ernest in that mater concerning the service of God,
and the weffl of thair airin sauUes, as gentUmen and uthers are in
things twitching thair heritage, honour, and uther civM or criminaU
actiones, and I wM warrand they saU com speid ! For whow ather ,
coMd they, or durst they, be refused in sa reasonable a petition, &c.
Bot what is the Kirk's dewtie in tMs ceas ? That we leave na tiling
undone that Chryst hes put in our hands, and requyres of us, ac
cording to our office, in the rewling of his Kirk and Kingdome.
Ar we the trew Kirk ? Ar we the lawfoll Ministerie ? Haiff we the
authoritie and powar of his schapter ?4 Haiff we that fyre that de-
vores the adversar, and that hammer that braks the rokkes ? Yea,
1 " Nota  That nochtwithstanding of the ordinance of the last Assemblie, men
war leathe to quyt the multitud of Kirks, saying, ther wald na stipends bo gottin
I o Kirks, and men could nocht enter to charges without stipends." Margin of MS.
" If. 3 Than. < Sceptre.

1590. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 285
and haiff we nocht that scharpe twa-eagit sword ? or is it scharpe
and drawin onlie against the pure and mean annes,1 and nocht
potent in- God for owerthrawing of luraldes, for doing vengeance
upon haM nationes, chestesMg of peiples, yea, binding of kings in
channes, and the maist honourable princes M fetters of yron, to
execut upon tham the judgment wryttin ? And, finable, is thair ex
ception ather of persones or sMnes befor the judgment seat of
CMyst ? or saU Ms sword or censour strik upon the pure adulterat
or fornicator beMg contumax* and ly M the scabart rusting from the
sacrUegius, suffering tham to go on contemptiuslie obstinat ? Na,
na ! deir breithring, I man utter the advys that God hes put in my
hart, submitting alwayes my spreit to the prophettes.
First, I wald the KMg's Majestie soMd be traveled withe for his
favour and concurrence, wha is neir als far hurt in this mater as the
Kirk is. We haM his wM ; we haiff Ms promise ; we haiff mani
fold exemples and reasones to ley befor Mm. We, and the graittest
and best number of our flockes, haiff bein, ar, and mon be, his best
subjects, Ms strynthe, Ms honour. A guid Mmister (I speak it
nocht arrogantfie, bot according to the treuthe !) may do him mair
gMd serrice in a3 houre, nor manie of Ms' sacrUegius courteours in
a yeir, &c.
Nixt, I wald wis that from tMs present Assembfie war directed
to the cheM sacrUegius persones M aU the schyres of tMs reahne,
chosm men of godfie graritie and authoritie, foil of the Hofie Ghost,
tM Mstruct, admoMse, and charge tham, in the name of God, and
of Ms Sone Chryst Jesus, tM amend but4 deley, &c.
Last, that a frequent and honourable Assembfie war keipit,
assisted be the King's awin presence M persone, solemnlie sanctified
with the exerceis of fastmg and humMation, with a guid number of
gentUmen and burgesses, directed in commission from everie paroche
and brouche thairunto : Befor the quhUk certean of the speciaUes
of these sacrUegius persones might be caMt, and compeiring, in-
quyrit if they war of Chryst, and of the trew members of his Kirk
1 Poor and mean ones. 2 Contumacious. > One. " Without.

286 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1590.
or nocht ? If they answered they war, then let them testifie it be
heiring of his voice and the voice of his Kirk. If nocht, let be
schawin tham that CMyst commands to haid tham as pubficanes
and ethniks.1
O then, me tMnks, I heir sum crying, " WM ye excommuMcat
tham ? That wUl breid a grait schisme and uproare ; they are the
cheiff that faught for ReUigion ; yie wM ryde with a thine court if
yie want tham !" Soft, I pray you, and heir reasone. I wald ask
tham, wither it war the nam or the mater of excommuMcation that
they abhorrit and fearde ? Giff it be the mater, ar they ignorant of
that quhilk is sa aft dung 2 in thair heides, to wit, that, ipso facto,
befor God they ar excommuMcat, sa lang as Mdurdfie 3 agaMst thair
conscience they ly under the curs of that execrable sacrUage ? And
as for the effects and inconvenients aUeadgit, I ask oMie, if tMs be
that dewtie that God bids us do, and requyres of us conforme to
our office ? When anie abyds in sinne, wherby God is dishonorit,
the Kirk hurt and sManderit, and the persone's selff indangerit of
condemnation, can the Pastors be answerable for the discharge of
thair dewtie, except they deaU with that persone be aU the meanes
that God prescryrit to thair caMng, wharof the speciaU ar the word
and discipline ? And if it be our dewtie, what haiff we mair to do
bot to obey and do it, leaving to God the effects, quhUk ar in his
hand aUeanerfie ?4
And yit to answer, by gMd appeirance, this mater sail proceide
sa fearlie and cleirlie, that nan can repung thairto, except they wiU
planlie ganstand God, the Kirk, the King, and aU gMd reasone ;
and, sa doing, wUbe sa weak, that they may be easUie owercom.
As to thair number, it is na thing m respect of the mMtitude of
pure saMles that wants thair spirituaU fuid, and are oppressed in
thair teinds, and of the number of gMd men that fean wald
sie Reformation. As for thair feghting for ReMgion, sa did sacri-
legius Achan for the inheritance of Canaan, SauU for IsraeU, Joab
and the sonnes of Seraia6 for the Mngdome of David ; bot they war
1 Heathen. 2 Hammered. 3 Indurately. 4 Only, solely. 6 This
evidently alludes to the sons of Zeruiah  2 Sam. iii. 39 ; xvi. 10, &c.

1590. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 287
nocht approved of God. It is nocht the feghtar that is commendit
and aUowit, but he that feghtes rightfie and lawfoMe. The praise
of plantmg of ReMgion in tMs land apperteines to the Lord of
Hostes aUeanerlie, and when ever they bost of that, they faU in a
dowble and Mchar degrie of sacrilage, arrogating to tham the glorie
of God, and that maist falsfie, nocht bemg sa mikle as God's guid
instrument. For if they refuse that quhilk we crave, they declar evidentfie
they faught never for God nor ReMgion, bot for the Kirk gear, to
disturbe the possessours thairof that they might Mvade the sam ;
they faught never agaMst the Papists, bot agamst the titMars of
the teinds and rents of the Kirk ; they sett nocht tham selves to
haMd out JesMstes, bot the suddarts J that clamed right to Chryst's
cott ; 2 they wald nocht rut out the SemMarie Preists, bot the seid of
the Kirk, guid lerMng, and aU reUigion. Sa that if God, if CMyst,
if reMgion, if ministerie, salbe reclamers of the teMds and Kirk gear
againe, they sail at an instant becom to tham Satan, Antichryst,
Papistrie, and JesMttes. And now if it salbe the number of sic
that sail mak out our number, war it nocht better to be few ? or
sic courteours to sett out our court, war it nocht better to be
courtles ?
Wharfor, deir breithring, (said I,) to be schort, and conclud my
opiMon, that it may receave ather your approbation or censure, my
exhortation is, that we be cearfoU tM3 understand our dewtie, and
what command we haM of God in tMs poinct, and weymg it right
fie, that we be about cairftdfie to put it M practise, learing to God
the event and effect, reposmg our selves, what ever faU out upon the
warrand of his wM, and the testimonie of a sound and upright con
science. Let us nocht say with the slugart, " Ther is a lyon in the
way ;" nor, for feir of stormie wound or wather, leave af to saw and
schear4 the Lord's land. Gif Chryst and his Apostles haid sa done,
the GospeU haid never bein preatched. And if these noble instru
ments steired upe in tMs last age, even in this countrey, haid been
1 Soldiers. 2 Coat. 3 To. 4 To sow and reap.

288 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1590.
sa terrified, we haid never enjoyed this fibertie and fruict thairof.
Let us be then incuragit in the strainthe of our Almightie God, and
in the authoritie of his hie caMng ; and the mair that sacrUegius
avarice carie men away from God and ReMgion, let us the mair
ernestlie seUt efter him, and procure the weM and confort of the
sauUes concredit1 to us. And without question we salbe terrible
to whatsumever enemie and contrarie powar, and saU want na guid
thing. We saU feid sweitfier and better on a dishe of pottage, nor
they on thair Mngfie fear,2 serving an3 God trewfie, and stryring
with our Chryst agaMst the unthankfuU warld. It was God, even
our God, wha almost by all meanes begoud 4 the wark mervelouslie,
and na les mervelouslie by aU meannes hes continowed it, in despyt
of aU contrarie craft and powar ; and the sam, our gMd God, in the
sam sort wM croun and end it, that aU praise thairof haMefie5
may be His, to whom be it for ever. Amen.
This doctrine and advys was weM lyked and approvit of aU, bot
was nocht thought expedient to be practised at that tyme be the
wesdome of the politik and warldfie-wyse. And siclyk concerning
the Bischope, whom they perceavit to be falfin alreadie, gif he war
lettM alean;6 bot if he war put at, the KMg wald tak his part,
thinkMg it was for his cause he war put at. Onlie this was con
cludit, That everie MMister sould haM a copie of the Book of Dis-
ciplme and peruse it ; and everie Presbyterie sould cause thair haill
members subscryve the sam, and the refusars to be excommuMcat,
purposMg thairby to ather cause the Bischope subscrive the sam,
or then to be of new excommunicat : Bot God wrought that mater
better. The Bischope, being a man that delt deceatfuUie with aU, and
never dischargit sa mUde as a civM dewtie accordMg to the lawes,
reposing upon the King's favour, at last the Kmg was sa faschit7
with complents of aU sortes of men upon him, that he was sa often
1 Entrusted. 2 Fare. 3 One. * Against,- beyond, or contrary to
all means begun. B Wholly, entirely. 6 Let alone. 1 Troubled.

1590. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. ' 289
denuncit to the horn, and sa lang lying registrat thairat ; and un-
derstandmg thairwith that he was infamus and eviU-loved be all
men, he was eschamed of him, and cust Mm af ; and fordar, dispo
nit his lyflrent to the Due of Lennox, with the temporalitie of the
bischoprik, wherby the miserable Bischope feU M extream povertie,
and thairwithaU m a heavie disease of body and mynd. Bot he
haid simMat1 sa often sciknes, that nan beleived Mm tUl he was
brought to sic necessitie that he was compeMt to wrait to Mr
Andro, my uncle, mak confession of his offences against God and
Mm, and crave his helpe ; wha, but fordar,2 visited him, and sup
ported him sa, that the space of divers monethes he leived on his
purse. At last he besought Mm to get him sum collection of the
breithring in the town, and for than- satisfaction promised to pre
sent the pMpit, and mak publict confession. Bot wMther he femiyit
excuses, or that it was sa indeid that God wald nocht permit him,
I knaw nocht, bot he haid never that grace to present the pulpit
agame. In the end of that wmtar he send to the Presbyterie, and maid
humble sutt to be relaxed from excommunication ; and the breith
rmg, douting wMther it was that he felt the dmt thairof in effect
upon Ms conscience, or to be a mean to Msinuat him in the breith-
ring's pitie, to gett wharby to susteM him, send Mr Andro Mon-
creUT, of guid memorie, and me, with sum others, to try him. We
fand him M a miserable esteat ; and whowsone he marked me, he
plukked af the thmg on his head, and cryed, " Forgiff, forghT me,
for God's seak, guid Mr James, for I haiff offendit and done wrang
to yow manie wayes !" I schawing Mm his sine agamst Chryst
and Ms Kirk, exhorted him to unfeiniyit repentance, and thairwith
conforted him M the mercie of God, and forgaiff him with aU my
hart. Then proponing to him anent his excommunication, gM° he
acknawlagit it lawfuMe done, and felt the force of it M his con
science, he interrupted me, and cryed pitiouslie out in these words :
" Louse 3 me, for CMyst seak !" dyvers tymes, over and over. The
1 Feigned, dissembled. 2 Without further ado. 3 Loose, absolve,
T

290 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1591.
quhUk, when we reported to the breitMing, with prayer and thanks-
giffing he was relaxit.1 M.D.XCI.
At the Provinciall Assemblie conveMed M St Androis the 6 of
ApryU 1591, Mr Jhone Caldcleuche presented, in Ms name, to the
Assembfie, certean Articles of Recantation, wryttin in Latine.
The quhilk being red, the Assemblie directs Mr Andro MelviU,
(chosMe that yeir Rector of the UMversitie, in the roum of Mr
James WMtie, latfie departed, a gMd, godfie, honest man,) Mr Ro
bert WUkie, David Fergusone, and Mr Nicol Dalglaishe, to the
said Mr Patrik Adamsone, Bischope, to crave of him, in the name
of the Assemblie, a mair cleir and ample Recantation, and that in
vMgare langage, that all might understand the sam. The said
Bischope sendes the sam, subscryrit with his awin hand, as efter
foUowes :

THE RECANTATION OF PATRICK ARCHBISHOP OF] SANT ANDROIS,
DIRECT TO THE SYNOD CONVENIT AT ST ANDROIS, 6 OF
APRIL 1561.
" Breithring, being troublet with sicknes, that I might giff
confession of that doctrMe wherin I hope that God saU caU me, and
that at his pleasour, I aught depart in an unitie of Christian fathe,
I thought gMd to utter the saming to your WorscMps, and like-
wyse to crave your godfie WorscMps' assistance, nocht for the res
titution of aMe warldfie pompe or pre-emMence, quhUk I lytle re
spect, as to remove from me the sklanders quhUk ar reasit in tMs
countrie concermng the varietie of doctrin, speciafie upon my part,
wherin I protest befor God, that I hahT oMie a single respect to Ms
glorie, and be Ms grace I saU abyde heirin unto my lyve's end.
" First, I confes the trew doctrine and Christian ReMgion to be
* From the sentence of excommunication pronounced against him.

1591. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY

291

teatched and rightfie annuncit within this realme, and deteasts all
Papistrie and superstition, lyk as, blessed be God, I haiff detested
the sam M my hart the space of tMettie yeirs, sen it pleased God to
ghT me the knawlage of the treuthe, wharin I haM waUtit uprightfie,
alsweM heir as M uther countries, as the Lord beares me record,
unto thir last dayes ; wherin, partfie for ambition and vean glore to
be preferit to my breithring, and partfie for covetousnes, I haiff
possessit greidefie the peM of the Kirk, I did undertak tMs office
of Bischoprik, wherwith justfie the smceirest professours of the
Word hes fund faMt, and hes condemnit the samMg as impertinent
to the office of a smceir Pastor of God's Word. And albeit men
wald cuUor the sammg and miperfectiones thairof be divers clokes,
yit the sam can nocht be concMt from the spirituaU eis of the fath
fuU, nather yit can the men of God, when they ar put to thair con
science, dissemble the sam.
" Nixt, I confes I was M an eroneus opinion, that I beleirit the
government of the Kirk to be lyk the kmgdomes of the erthe,
plean contrar to the commandiment of our Maister CMyst, and the
monarche wherwith the Kirk is governit, nocht to be onfie m the
persone of our Saviour Chryst (as it is) bot m the MiMsters, wha
ar na tMng but vassaUes, and under him M an aequalitie amangs
thamselves. " Thridfie, That I maried the Erie of Huntfie contrar the Kirk's
command, without the coMession of his fathe, and profession of
the sinceir doctrine of the Word ; I repent, and craves God par-
done. " That I travelit, bathe be reasonMg and utherwayes, to subject
the Kirkmen unto the King's ordmance in tMngs that apertemes
to Ecclesiastick maters, and tMnges of conscience ; I ask God mer
cie, wharupon grait enormities hes faUen furthe in tMs countrey,
" That I beleived, and sa teatcMt, the Presbyteries to be a fool
ishe invention, and wald haiff it sa esteimed of aU men, quhilk is
an ordmance of CMyst ; I crave God mercie,
" Fordar, I submit my selff to the mercie of God and the judg
ment of the Assemblie, nocht missuring my offences be my awin

292 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1591.
selff, nor infirmities of my awin ingyne, bot to the gMd judgment
of the Kirk, to the quhMt alwayes I submit my selff, and beseikes J
yow to mak intercession to God for me, and to the King's Majes
tie, that I may haiff sume moyen2 to live, and consume the rest of
this my wretched tyme, for whase cause and favour I committed
aU thir errors ; and God has justfie recompensed me in Ms judg
ments. " And wharas I am burdenit to haM bein the settar furthe of
the buik called The King's Declaration, wherin the haM ordour of
the Kirk is condemnit and traducit, I protest befor God that I was
sa commandit to wrait be the ChanceUar for the tyme, bot cheiflie
be the Seeretar, wha him selff pennit the second Act of Parfiament
concerning the powar and authoritie of Judicatour to be absolutlie
in the King's powar, and that it soMd nocht be leisome3 to anie
subject to reclame from the saming, under the penaltie of the
Actes, quhMt I suppose was treasone.
" Item, Whar it is aUeagit that I soMd haiff condemnit the doc
trine announced and teatched be the Mmisters of Edinbruche, to
haiff avowit onlie concerning obedience to the Prince, my doctrine,
I confes and protestes befor God, that I never understud nor knew
anie thMg bot sinceritie and uprightnes in the doctrMe of the MMi
sters of Edinbruche, in that poinct, nor na uther.
" Fordar, I confes that I was author of the Act dischargmg the
Ministers' Stipends that did nocht subscryve the Actes of Parlia
ment ; wherwith G od hes justfie recompensed my selff." "
The premisses and divers uther poincts conteined in the Buik of
the Assembfie war dyted be Mr Patrik Adamsone, and wrytin at
his command be Ms servant, Mr Samuel Cunnmghame, and sub
scryrit with his awin hand, befor thir witneses, directed to Mm
from the SynodaU, because of Ms MabMtie of body tM4 repear to
the Assembfie, James MoMpenMe, fear of Pitmfifie, Andro Wod
of Streawithe, David Murray, portionar of Ardet, Mr Darid Rus-
1 Beseech, allowable. 2 Means. 3 Lawful. 4 To.

1591. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 29^
saU, baUyie of St Androis, Mr WUyeam Murray, Minister at Dy
sart, with uthers divers.
This man haid manie grait giftes, bot speciafie exceUit in the
toung and pen ; and yit for abbusing of the sam against CMyst, all
use of bathe the ane and uther was takin from him, when he was
in graittest miserie, and haid maist need of tham. In the latter
end of Ms lyff his neirest frinds was na confort to him, and Ms sup
posed graittest enemies, to whom indeid he offerit graittest occa
sion of enmitie, was his omie frinds, and ceased nocht to recom
pence gMd for eriU, namfie, my uncle, Mr Andro, but fand small
takings1 of anie spiritual confort in him, quhilk speciafie be wald
haiff wisset2 to haiff seM at Ms end.
Thus God delyverit his Kirk of a maist dangerus enemie, wha,
if he haid bein endowit bot withe a comoun civiU piece of honestie
in Ms deMng and conversation, he haid ma meanes to haiff wrought
mischeiff M a kirk or countrey nor3 anie I haiff knawM or hard of
in our yland.
Mr Darid Blak, a man mightie M doctrine, and of singular fideli-
tie and dMgence mt he mmisterie, haid, be the cairfuU procurment
of my uncle at the GeneraU Assemblie, beM apomted Minister of
St Androis, Mr Robert WMtie taking him to a part thairof within
the CoUage of St Lenord's, as maist' aggrieable with his naturaU4
and giftes. He attendit maist charitablie upon the Bischope, fur-
nesing Mm confort bathe for bodie and sauU, to whom the Bischope
promisit divers dayes to com to the pulpit, and suppleing his roum
to mak publict confession ; bot so often was Mr Darid disapointed,
and maid to occupie Ms awin roum 5 with the les preparation. He
cravit of Ms wyff, and tham that wated on him, that in anie ceas
he soMd be advertised of the tyme when they saw Mm weakest,
for Mr David wald haiff feUon fean sein6 sum confortable mark of
God's Spreit working with Mm ; bot being warnit, came and fand
him, as he levit, sensles of spiritual sanctification, sa to die ; thair-

1 Tokens. 2 Wished. 3 Than. * Temper, disposition. Fr. natural
5 Place in the pulpit. ° Would have very fain have scon.

294 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1592.
for, comending him to the mercie and guid pleasour of God, with
a hearie hart, departed.
That yeir also Boduell lost the King's favour, the quhUk being
excessivelie MdMgent towards him divers yeirs, turned at last in
implacable hatred. He maid manie attempts for surprysing of the
King's persone, quhilk was the cause of manie pitifol executiones,
wharof a number I saw with my eis, as tragicaU spectacles in the
theater of this miserie of man's lyff. But tMngs done be forme of
justice haid with tham joyned sum confortable consideration ; but
the murdour done of the Erie of Murray, at DinnibirsaU, be the
Erie of Hountfie, on fear1 day- fight, the KMg Miking on it with
forthought, feUon hamsuMn, and treason under tryst, maist crew
afie with fyre and sworde, yit mightefie cryes and importunes the
ear of the righteus inquyrar and revengar of bloode !
M.D.XCH.
The aw of BoduaU's remeaning alwayes within the countrey,
and often tymes hard about the Court, togidder with the horrour
of the deid of DinnibirsaU, quhMt the unburied corps, lyand in the
Kirk of Leithe, maid to be nocht onlie unburied amangs the peiple,
but be comoun rymes and sangs keipit in recent2 detestation, als-
mUde as the pubfict threatning of God's judgments thairapon from
pMpites, obteined (at the Parfiament hauldin at Edinbruche in the
monethe of Junie 1592, for better expeding of the forfaMtrie of
BoduaU) by3 our expectation, that quhUk haid cost us mikle pean
in vean monie yeirs befor, to wit, The Ratification of the Libertie
of the Trew Kirk, of GeneraU and SynodaU Assemblies, of Presby
teries, [and] of Discipline ; the tennor wharof, because it is the
speciaU evident of our discipline amangs civill men, and for that it
cost me a piece of peanes, I could nocht bot heir inregistrat.
1 Open, fair, broad. 2 Fresh. Lat, recens. 3 Beyond, contrary to.

1592. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 295

THE RATIFICATION OF THE LIBERTIE OF THE TREW KIRK ; OF
GENERALL, SYNODALL ASSEMBLIES, PRESBYTERIES AND DISCI
PLINE ; AND LAWES IN THE CONTRAR, ABROGRAT [m] PARL.
JUNIE 1592.
" Our Soveraine Lord and Estaites of tMs present Parliament,
foUowing the lovable and gude exemple of thair predecessours, hes
ratified and approved, and be the tenour of the present act ratifies
and aproves, aU liberties, privUeges, UnmuMties, and friedomes
whatsumever, given and granted be Ms Hienes Ms Regents in his
name, or ame of his predecessours, to the trew and halie Kirk,
presentfie established withm tMs reaMie, and declared in the first
act of his Hienes parfiament, the twentie day of October, in the
yeir of God a thowsand fyve houndrethe threescore nyntein yeirs,1
and aU and whatsumever Actes of Parfiament and statutes maid of
before be his Hienes and his Regents, anent the fibertie and fredom
of the said Kirk : And, speciafie, the first Act of Parfiament haldin
at Edmbruche the twentie-four day of October, the yeir of God a
thowsand fyve hounder fourscore ane yeirs,2 with the haM particular
Actes there mentioned, quhUk salbe als sufficient as gif the sam
war heire expressed ; and aU uther Acts of Parfiament maid sen-
syne M favour of the trew Kirk : And sicfik ratifies and approves
the GeneraU Assembfies apoMted be the said Kirk, and declares
that it salbe lawfuU to the Kirk and Ministers, everie yeir at the
least, and ofter, pro re nata, as occasion and necessitie saU requyre,
to haid and keipe GeneraU Assembfies : Provyding that the King's
Majestie, or his Commissionars with them, to be apointed be his
Hienes, be present at Uk GeneraU Assemblie, befor the dissolving
thairof, nomMat and apoint tyme and place when and whare the
nixt GeneraU Assemblie salbe haldm ; and M case nather his Ma
jestie norhis said Commissionars beis present for the tyme in that
town whare the said GeneraU Assemblie beis halden, then and in
that case, it salbe leisum 3 to the said GeneraU Assemblie, be tham-
'1579. 2 1581. 3 Allowable, lawful.

296 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1592.
selves, to nominat and appoint tyme and place whare the nixt
GeneraU Assembly of the Kirk salbe keipit and haldin, as they
have bein in use to do thir tymes bypast. And als ratefies and
appreivcs the SynodaU or Provinciall Assemblies to be haldin be
the said Kirk and Ministers twyse Uk yeir, as they have bein and
ar presentfie in use to do within everie Province of this realme.
" And als ratefies and appreives the Presbyteries and particular
Sessions apointed be the said Kirk, with the haill Jurisdiction and
Discipfine of the sam Kirk aggreit upon be his Majestie, in con
ference haid be his Hienes withe certean of the Ministers conveined
to that effect : Of the quhilk Articles the tenor foUowes : — ' Maters
to be intreated in Provinciall Assemblies : Thir Assembfies are con
stitut for weghtie maters, necessar to be intreated be mutuaU con
sent and assistance of breithring within the Province, as neid re
quyres : Thir Assemblies hes powar to handle, ordour, and redres
aU things omitted or done amiss in the particular Assembfies : It
hes powar to depose the Office-bearers of that Province, for gude
and just cause deserving deprivation : And, generafie, thir Assem
blies hes the haM powar of the particular Elderschipes wharof they
ar coUected. Maters to be intreated in the Presbyteries : The powar
of the Presbyteries is to give dUigent laboures in the boundes co-
mitted to thair charge ; that the kirks be keipit in gude ordour ; till
inquyre dUigentfie of nauchtie and ungodlie persones ; and to traveU
to bring tham in the way again be admonition or threatning of God's
judgments, or be correction : It aperteines to the Elderschipe to
tak heide that the Word of God be purfie pretched within thair
bounds ; the Sacraments rightfie ministered ; the Discipline inter
teined, and EcclesiasticaU gudes uncorruptlie distributed: It be-
langes to thir kynd of Assemblies to cause the ordinances maid be
the Assemblies, ProvinciaUes, NationaUes, and GeneraUes, to be
keipit and put in execution ; to mak constitutiones quhilk concernes
rinrgiirav in the Kirk for decent ordour in the particular kirk whar
they govern, provyding that they alter na rewles maid be the Pro
vincial! or GeneraU Assemblies ; and that they mak the Provinciall
Assemblies foresaid privie of the rewles that they sail mak ; and to

1592. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 297
abofishe constitutiones tending to the hurt of the sam : It lies powar
till excommunicat the obstinat, formall proces being led, and dew
intervaU of tymes observed. Anent particMar kirks, giff they be
lauchfuUie reMed be sufficient MMisterie and session, they have
powar and jurisdiction in thair awin congregationes in maters Ec
clesiasticaU.' " And decernes and declars the said Assembfies, Prebyteries, and
Sessiones, Jurisdiction and Discipline thairof foresaid, to be in all
tymes coming maist just, gude, and godfie in the selff, nochtwith
standing of whatsumever statutes, actes, canon, civiU, or municipaU
lawes maid in the contrare : To the quhilks, and everie an of tham,
thir presentes saU nocht express derogation. And because there ar
divers Actes of Parfiament maid M favour of the PapisticaU Kirk,
tending to the prejuMce of the fibertie of the trew Kirk of God pre
sentfie professit withM tMs realme, jurisdiction and discipline thair
of, quMlk standes yit in the BMkes of the Actes of Parfiament, nocht
abrogated nor annuUed, therfor his Hienes and Esteates forsaids
hes abrogated, cassed, and annuUed, and be the tenor heirof abro
gates, casses, and annuUes all Actes of Parliament maid be his Hienes'
predecessours, or aMe of tham, for meantenance of superstition and
ydolatrie, with aU and whatsumever actes, lawes, and statutes, anie
tyme befor the day and dait heirof, against the fibertie of the trew
Kirk, jurisdiction and discipfine thairof, as the saming is used and
exerceised within this realme.
" And in speciall, that part of the Act of Parliament balden at
Stirling, the fourt of November, the yeir 1443, commanding obedi
ence to be giffen to Eugenius, the Pape for the tyme ; the act maid
be King James the Thride, in his parliament, haldin at Edinbruche
the 24 Febraar 1480, and aU uther actes, wharby the Pape's autho
ritie is established : The act of King James the Thrid, in his par
liament haldin at Edinbruche, 20 November 1469, anent the Satter-
day and uther vigUles to be halie dayes from even-sang to even-sang.
'¦' Item, that part of the act maid be the Quein Regent in the
parliament haldin at Edinbruche, 1 Febraar 1552, giving speciall
licence for balding of Peace and Zuill.1
1 Pasch or Easter, and Yule or Christmas.

298 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1592.
" Item, the King's Majestie and Esteates forsaids declares, that
the 129 Act of the Parliament haldin at Edinbruche, the 22 day of
May, the yeir of God a thowsand fyve houndrethe fourscore four
yeirs,1 saU na wayes be prejudiciaU, nor derogat aMe tMng to the
privUage that God hes gMen to the spirituaU Office-bearers in the
Kirk, concerning Heads of ReUigion, maters of heresie, excommuni
cation, coUation or deprivation of Ministers, or anie siclyk essenti-
aU censors,2 speciafie groundit, and haiffand warrand of the Word
of God.
" Item, our Soveran Lord and Estaites of Parliament forsaids ab
rogates, casses, and annuUes the act of the sam parliament haldin at
Edinbruche the said yeir 1584, granting Commissiones to Bischopes
and uthers Judges constitut in EcclesiasticaU causses, to receave his
Hienes' Presentatiounes to Benefices, to give CoUation thairupon,
and to put ordour in aU causses EcclesiasticaU ; quhUkhis Majestie
and Estaits forsaids declares to be expyred in the selff, and to be
null in tyme coming, and of nan avaUl, force, nor effect ; and, thair
for, ordeanes aU Presentationes to benefices to be direct to the par
ticMar Presbyteries M aU tyme commmg, with foU powar to give col-
lationes thairapon ; and to put ordour to all maters and causses Ec
clesiasticaU witMn thair bounds, according to the Discipfine of the
Kirk : Provycfing the forsaid Presbyteries be bund and astricted to
receave and admit whatsumever quafified Minister presented be his
Majestie or laik Patrones."
This act is maist remarkable, for the passing thairof was flatlie
denyed tM it was extract, and being extract and fund to haM bem
published and giffen out with the rest, it was mikle rowed and de
tested in anno 1596. And, in deid, the Kirk is addettit to Mr Jhone
Mettellan,3 ChanceUar for the tyme, for the sam, wha inducit the
King to pas it at that tyme, for what respect I leave it to God, wha
workes for the confort of his Kirk be aU kynd of instruments, to
whom thairfor be all praise and thankes for ever !
Ther was that yeir, in the monethe of November, a Convention
1 .1584. 2 Church censures. 3 Maitland.

1592. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 299
keipit at Edinbruche of a number of breithren, conveMed from
divers partes of the countrey, to foresie and prevent the dangers
imminent to the ReUigioun and professours thairof. The quhUk I
mention and sett down of purpose, to schaw the custom of our Kirk,
lovablie and profitablie observit heirtofore in tyme of neid and
danger, quMlk, to the graitt perrell of the Kirk, is now restranit
and dischargit.

[PROCEEDINGS OF THE. CONVENTION]
" AT EDLNBRUCHE, THE 15, 16, 17, 18, AND 20 DAYES OF NOVEMBER,
IN THE YEIR 1592.
" The quhilk dayes the Breithring, conveMed from divers partes
of the countrey, to foresie and prevent the dangers imminent to the
ReMgion and professours thairof, efter McaMng 1 of the name of God,
haiffing commuMcated mutuaMe thair inteMgences, hes fund the
enemies of the treuthe witMn tMs countrey verie dUigentlie labor
ing for subversion of the ReMgion, and sindrie crewaU and dangerus
plottes concluMt and intendit to be execut with all possible dM
gence, uMes the Lord, of Ms mercie, disapointed thair interpryse.
For remead2 wharof, it is concludit, that ther be a GeneraU Fast
in aU the Kirks of tMs countrey the 17 and 24 dayes of December
nixt, that be trew humiliation and unfeMyed3 repentance, the feir-
fuU judgments of God that hingethe ower this land may be pre
vented. The Causses of the General Fast.
" 1. The practises of the enemies without and witMn tMs coun
trey, intendmg tM execut that blodie decrie of the CounsaU of Trent
against all that trewfie profes the ReUigioun of Chryst, to the utter
subversion thairof, and of the King's esteat and persone, whase
1 Invoking. 2 Remedy. 3 Unfeigned.

300 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1592.
standing and decey they acknawlage to be joyned with the stand
ing and decey of ReUigion.
" 2. A miserable desolation of the graittest part of the countrey,
perishing in ignorance, throw leak of Pastors and sufficient moyen1
to intertean the Word of God amangs tham, with a cearlesnes of
the Magistrats to remead thir miseries.
" 3. A feirfull defection of a grait number of aU esteats in this
land to Papistrie and Atheisme, speciafie of the NobMtie, throw
the resorting and trafecting of Jesuites, SemMarie Priests, and uther
Papists, without execution of anie law against thame.
" 4. The generaU disordour of the haM esteat of the Comoun-
welthe, overflowing with all kynd of impietie, as contempt of the
Word, blasphemie of the name of God, contempt of the Magistrat,
tresson, innocent blood schede, adulteries, witchcrafts, and sic uther
abominable erymes.
" Thir causses to be mlargit and eiked 2 be the discretion of everie
brother, according as he sail haiff sure knawlage and sense of the
premisses. " Item, it is ordeanit that everie Presbyterie travell within thair
awin bounds tM inform the speciaUes and best affected gentUmen
amang tham of the practise of the enemies, and to move tham to be
upon thair gard, and in readines upon advertisment for defence of
ReMgion and professours thairof, and resisting of the enemie ; and
to tak upe and compose aU feiddes,3 namfie amang tham that ar
trew professours, or at the least assurances, whar fuU aggriement can
nocht be presentfie procured, and to resave thair subscriptiones unto
The GeneraU Band, at least whar it salbe thought reqmsit, at the
discretion of everilk4 Presbyterie. And because the Presbyteries
underwrytten, for divers considerationes, craves the assistance of
sum uther breithring, the breithring heir conveMed hes apointed
Mr Robert Pont to concure with the Presbyterie of Aberdein for
the effect above wreittin ; Mr Robert RoUok with the Presbyterie
of Dalkethe, and Mr Robert Bruce and David Lindsay with the
1 Means. = Added to. 3 Deadly feuds. * Each, every.

1592. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 301
Presbyteries of the Wast, for uptaking of the deadfie feiddes be
twix the Maister of Eglintoun and the Erie of Glencarn, the Lardes
of Garfies and Blakwhean, &c. And to tMs effect, that they obtein
his Majestie's Commission, and procure his Majestie's Commission
ars may be direct with thame ; and they tM attend on this as thair
lesar wM serve. And, in the mean tyme, that his Majestie's Letters
be obteined to move the parties tM assure, and the Presbyteries to
traveU sa far as they may, be thair awin labours.
" Item, that the breither acquent tham selves withe the Mstories
of the crewaltie of the confederates of the CounceM of Trent, prac-
teised against the fathfuU in uther countreyes, and inform thair con
gregationes thairof, as lykwayes of the lyk crewelties against tham
selves, gif they preveall in thair wicked attempts. And, in respect
of the subtUtie and secreit craft of the adversars, wha now sa deiplie
hes lerned to dissemble thair proceidmgs, that speciall sutt be maid
to God in our pubfict prayers, that the plats and hid practises of
the enemies may be discovered, brought to fight, and disapointed.
" Item, it is ordeaMt that ther be an OrdMarie CounseM of the
breithrmg underwrytten, viz. Maisters Robert Brace, David LMd
say, Robert Pont, Jhone Daridsone, Walter BalcanquaU, James
Balfour, Patrik Galloway, Jhone Dunkesone, wha saU convein
ordmarfie everie ouk ans, and ofter, as occasion saU crave, to
consMt upon sic advertisment as salbe maid to them from divers
partes of the countrey or utherwayes, and providere in omnibus, ne
quid Ecclesia detrimenti capiat. And for the better execution of
thair conclusionnes, it is ordeaMt that ther be ane ordinarie Agent
to attend m Edmbruche upon tham, viz., Mr James Carmichael,
tM the Mxt Assembfie GeneraU, whase office saU consist in the
poincts foUowmg : —
"Imprimis, He saU traveU dMgentfie, be aU meanes, to be Mformed
of the practises of Papists, as be merchants and passMgers coming
from uther countreyes, and aU sic as from anie part of this countrey
resorts to EdMbruche. For the quhilk cause also, the Mmisters M
everie part ar commandit to mak cearfull advertisment of aU kynd
of practises against the ReUigioun of all Papists, JesMstes, and re-

302 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1592.
seatters of tham withm thair bounds, and aU uther weightie enor
mities that saU faU out and com to thair knawlage, and that in
forme as efter foUowes : —
" Mr Andro Cramby and Mr George Monro for Ross ; Mr Tho
mas Howisone for Invernes, and Jhone Forstar for Forrese, saU
send thair advertisments to Mr Alexander Dowglas, Minister of
Elgean. " Mr Alexander Dowglas for Elgean saU send to Mr Piter Blak-
burn, Minister of Aberdein- Mr George Hay for Banff, Mr James
Duff and Mr GUbert Gardin for Strathbogy, Mr Jhone Strath
auchsone for Mar, Mr George Patersone for Garioch, and Mr Doun-
can Davidsone for Dear, saU send to Mr David CunMngham, Mmi
ster at Aberdein. Mr Piter Blakburn and Mr Darid CunMnghame
saU send thair advertisments to Montrose. Mr Andro MUn for
Mernes, Jhone Dury for BreacMn, Mr Arthour FitMe for Arbrothe,
Mr James Nicolsone for Meigle, saU send to WUyeam Chrystisone,
Minister of Dondie. WUyeam CMystisone saU send to Mr Adam
MitcheU, Minister at Cowpar, and Mr Adam to Mr Thomas Biggar,
MiMster at Kingorn, and Mr Thomas to Mr Walter [BalcanquaU,]
MiMster at Edinbruche.
" Mr WUyeam Glas for Dunkeld saU send to Mr Jhone Mal-
colme at Perthe ; Mr Jhone Malcolme to Mr Walter [BalcanquaU]
at Edinbruche. Mr WUyeam Stirling for Dumblean, Mr Patrik
Simsone for Stirling, Mr Jhone Spotswode for Linlithgow, Mr
Adam Jhonstoun for Dalkethe, James Gipsone for HadMtoun, Mr
Robert Habroun for Dumbar, Mr Archbald Dowglas for Peapbles,
Jhone Clapperton for Hutton, Mr WUyeam Meffan for Dunse, Mr
Jfione Knox for Melrose, Mr Andro ClayMU for Jedbrouche, Mr
Hew FouUarton for Dramfreise, Mr Darid Blythe for Kirkcowbrie,
Mr James Davidsone for Wigtoun, Mr Andro Hay for Glasgw,
Mr Robert Darrouche for HamUton, Mr Robert Lindsay for Lan-
nerik, Darid Fergusone for Dumfermfing : AU thir saU send thair
advertisments directfie to Mr Walter BalcanquaU M Edinbruche.
" Jhone Porterfield for Aire, Mr Robert WUkie for Irewing, Mr
Jhone Rose for Dumbartan, Mr Andro Knox for Pasley, sail send

1592. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 303
to Mr Andro Hay in Glasgw, and he to Mr Walter [BalcanquaU]
in Edinbruche.
" Mr Andro MelriU for St Androis, Mr Thomas Bowchanan for
Cowpar, saU send to Mr Thomas Biggar, MMister at Kingorn, and
he to the said Mr Walter ; and last, Mr David Spense for Kirkady
to the sam Mr Walter. Provyding that if anie of the above wrettin
breithrmg haM the commoditie of a trustie bearer utherwayes, or
if the mater be of sic weght that it wM nocht suffer delay, M that
case they saU send to EdMbruche to the said Mr Walter hnme-
diatfie. And, to the end that the forsaid breitMMg may haiff the
mair sure MteMgence, it is ordeaMt that everie brother within the
Presbyterie saU gM tham sure information at all occasionnes neid-
foll. " Secondlie, Efter the said Agent saU receave thir MteMgences
and advertisments, he saU at the first meitting commumcat tham to
the ConceM of the Breithring ; and if the mater requyre hast, the
Agent saU conveM the CounceM for that effect ; and being found
be tham to requyre fordar advyse of uther breithring, the said Agent
saU convocat them be Ms lettres, according as he sail receave direc
tion fra the CounceM.
" Thridfie, Whatsoever sail happM to be concludit be the Coun-
ceaU of the Breithring to be suted at Ms Majestie, CounsaU, Session,
Provest and Balyies of Burrowes, Convention of Esteates, Bur-
rowes or Barrones, or uthers whatsumever, the said Agent sail
attend fathftdfie and dMgentlie for executing thairof, and report Ms
dMgence to the CounceM.
" The said Agent saU seik out and extract aU Letteres, Acts, and
Decreits anent the causes committed to him, and use and direct tham
as they aught to be, and to commuMcat tham, togidder with the
conclusiones of the CounceM, to sic Presbyteries and partes of the
countrey as the CounceM saU direct, accordMg to the forme, and
be the persones above wryt ten, ordine retrogrado.
" The said Agent saU wryt the Memoirs of the Kirk's proceidmgs
and deaUmg with the Prince, CounceU, and Esteattes of this realme
fra tyme to tyme sen the Reformation of ReUigion, to be a monu-

304 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1592.
ment to the posteritie. And for that effect, it is ordeanit, that from
aU Presbyteries, scroUes, wryttes, and anie pices that ar in the haldin
of anie breither, salbe directed to Mr Walter BalcanquaU, to be de
lyverit to him. And lykwyse aU proceidmgs and deaUings, qMulk
the Kirk saU haiff with the King, to be noted be Mm heirefter, &c.
" Item, It is ordeanit, that thair be a comoun purse for furnesing
of necessarie expences for the effaires forsaids, without the quhilk
they can nocht tak effect. And that for the present, Mr Robert
Bruce, with sic as he thinks guid to adjoyne to him, saU mein the
want of thir comoun expences in sa dangerus a tyme to sic men of
all esteates as he knawes to be weiU affected, that be thair fiberali-
tie this want may be supplied, untM sum guid ordMarie mean be
fund out for that effect. And that the soumes coUected be put in
a box, wharof thair salbe twa or thrie keyes in the hands of twa or
tMie Breithring of the CounceU, wha saU deburse thairof as the said
CounsaU saU command thame.
" Item, It is ordeanit, that the said CounsaU saU traveU ernestlie
with his Majestie and CounsaU, that the Articles foUowmg may be
granted : —
" That his Majestie, be publict proclamation, mak Ms guid affec
tion toward the ReUigion and professours thairof knawin to his haill
subjects, and promise to meantein and defend it against aU enemies
without and withm, to the uttermaist of his powar ; and that he
accompt aU the enemies thairof to be enemies of his esteat and per
sone, and of this Comounwealthe ; chargmg heirfor his haM sub
jects to joyne tham selves in a unitie and profession of the trew Re
ligion professed within this countrey, and subscryve The GeneraU
Band for the meantenance thafrof against whatsoever enemies,
quhUk salbe presented to tham be the Ministrie.
" That a Commission be granted tM a certean of the best affected
Noble men, Barrones, and GentUmen and Magistrats witMn Bor-
rowes, that is to say, to the Provest and BaUyies of everie broughe
witMn thair towns and liberties thairof; Robert, Erie of Orkney,
James, Lord Zetland, MichaU Balfour of Montwhanie, for Orkney,
&c, to execut all acts of Parliament and CounsaU against what-

1592. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 305
sumever Jesuites, Seminarie Preists, excommunicat and trafecting
Papists and thair reseatters, and to cause mak wapinschawmgs,1
and convein the countrey M armes, at aU occasions neidfuU for de
fence of the trew ReUigion, and resisting of the enemies thairof.
" That a sufficient number of the wysest of the Noble men, Bar
rones, and best affected to ReMgion, his Majestie's esteat and stand
ing, and the weM of tMs Commoun-welthe, be apomted upon the
Secret CounsaU, and mak thair residence in Edinbruche tMs wMtar,
and fordar, ay whM 2 the conspiracies, plattes, and attempts of the
enemies of Religion within this countrey be disapointed and re
pressed. " That aU Papists and practeisars against the ReMgion be re
moved from his Majestie's companie, and debarrid from aU publict
charge, commission, fieutenandrie, or pubfict office.
" That aU skippars and maisters of shippes saU present to the
Magistrat and CounsaU of the place whar they saU aryve, aU pas-
singers, merchants, and uthers that saU com with tham in thair
shippes, wha saU gM thair conscience and aithe 3 of aU persones and
packets of letters or bMks whatsumever, quhilks they haiff receavit
at ame port sen thair departour, to' be delyverit to anie persone or
persones, witMn tMs countrey or without. And giff they haiff sett
on land, at ame part, aMe persone or persones, or delyverit packets
or bMks, coffars or Msts,4 to anie whatsoever, under pean of confis
cation of sMppes, guids, and gear.
" That a Commission be gMen to the persones underwryttin, viz.
 ,5 to sett down a constant form of pro-
' vision of Ministers' Stipends at everie Congregation witMn this
countrey ; and that to be ratefied in Secret CounsaU, Sessioun, and
Chacker,6 to haiff the straMthe of a law quhill7 Parliament, and
then to be ratefied be the haUl Esteatts.
" Last, It is ordeanit that ther be a GeneraU Assemblie at Edin
bruche, the nynt of Januar nixtocom, M cais the Parfiament haid ;
and giff the Parfiament be contMowed, that the Presbyterie of Edin-
1 Musters for military exercises, &c. 2 Until. 3 Oath. 4 Coffers or chests.
6 A blank is left in the MS. for inserting names. 6 Exchequer. ' Until.
U

306 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1592.
bruche giff advertisment thairof to the breither of all Presbyteries,
that they mak na wast traveU."
And thir things, devysit be my uncle, Mr Andro, with the rest
of the breithring, Mr James Nicolsone and I war ordeanit to pen
and sett in ordour.
Betwix this Convention and the GeneraU Assembly foUowing
apoMted, the Lord, ever watchfuU over his Kirk, detected a strange
Conspiracie of certean of our Nobles • in maner foUowing. A cer
tean young gentUman, Mr George Car be nam, was attending on
a schipe at the Wast-sie, whar his privie conversation bemg espyed
and his speitches taken heid to, it was perceavit him to be a Papist
passing to Spean ; and first greatly suspected, and thaireftar cer-
teanlie knawin be sum of his familiares that he was a trafectar di
rected with commission, in word and wryt, to the King of Spean
be sum Scotes Noble men. Of tMs Mr Andro Knox, Minister at
Pasley, being certeanfie mformed, accompanied with sum of his
frinds, went a borde on the sheppe, sche being readie to mak seale,
and apprehends the said Mr George,2 and cersing his coffers, finds
divers Letters and Blankes, directed from George, Erie of Hount-
fie, Frances, Erie of Arrol, and WUyeam, Erie of Angus, subscry
rit with thair hands, wryttin, sum in Latin and sum in Frenche,
togidder with thair cachets,3 signets, &c. He being thus appre-

1 The singular story of " The Spanish Blanks," the particulars of which will be
found at length in Pilcairn's Ancient Criminal Trials, vol. i. 310, et seq. 2 Vide
'¦ The Discoverie, &c. and examination of Mr George Car and David Grame of
Fentrie, publist in print at the executioun of the said David." Margin of MS. — The
title of this scarce tract is as follows : " A Discoverie of the Vnnaturall and Trai-
terous Conspiracie of Scottisch Papistes against God, his Kirk, their native cuntry,"
the Kingis Maiestie's persone and estate. Set downe as it was confessed and sub-
scrived bee M. George Ker, yit remaining in prison, and David Grahame of Fentrie,
iustly executed for his Treson in Edinburgh, the 15 of Februarie 1592. Whervnto
are annexit certain Intercepted Letters, written by sundrie of that faction, to the
same purpose. Printed and published at the speciall command of the Kingis Majes
tie. At Edinburgh, printed by Robert Waldegrave, Printer to the Kingis Majestie.
Cum privilegio Regali." 3 Fr. cachet, a stamp for marking a signatnre.

1592. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 307
hendit, is brought with diligence to the King, and put in pres-
sone. Upon the quhilk also the said Erie of Angus is put in the
CasteU of EdMbruche, and a most frequent * GeneraU Assemblie
convenit at Edinbruche, of a grait number of Barrones from aU the
partes of the realme, besought the KMg to tak ordour with these
unnaturaU subjects, betrayers of thair countrey to the crewall
Spainyeard. With the quhUk the Kmg tuk nocht weiU at the
first, quarrefing the Barones for thair conveining in sic number at
the Mmisters' warning, without Ms caMng for and licence. To the
quhUk they answerit freMe, that it was na tyme to attend on warn
ings when thair ReMgion, Prince, countrey, thair lyves, lands, and
aU was brought to jeopard be sic treasonable deMng. Thairfor,
the King sattefing, aggreagit2 thair cryme verie Mlie, and said it
was of the nature of the tMngs that was abon him, and withe the
quhUk he coMd nocht dispense ; and thairfor promisit to tak tryeU
thairin with dMgence, and put ordour thairto with aU severitie, to
thair contentment. Nevertheles, the Erie of Angus eschaped out
of the Castle of Edinbruche. The rest war oversein,3 . quhilk
wrought a grait suspition and miscontentment in the harts of all
the guid subjects of the land towards the King. [Then Md I first
put in print sum of my Poesie ; to wit, the Description of the
Spamyarts' NaturaU, out of Julius Scaliger, witfi sum Exhortationes
for warning of Kirk and countrey.4]
In that simmer the devUl steired upe a maist dangerus uproar
and tunmlt of the peiple of St Androis against my uncle, Mr An
dro, to the extream perreU of his lyff, if God haid nocht bein his
protection and delyverance. The wicked, malitius misrewlars of
that town, of whom I mentioned befor, in the trouble of the honest
men thairof, hated Mr Andro, because he could nocht bear with
thair ungodlie and unjust deMng, and at thair drinkmg, incensit
the rascals be fals information against Mr Andro and Ms CoUage,
making tham to think that he and his CoUage sought the wrak and
1 Crowded, numerously attended. 2 Aggravated. Fr. aggreger. 3 Over
looked, their crimes winked at. ' Margin of MS. >

308 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1592.
trouble of the town ; sa that the barme ! of thair drink began to
rift2 out crewaU thretnMgs against the CoUage and Mr Andro. They
being thus prepeared, the devMdevyses tham an appeirance of just
occasion to faU to wark. Ther war a certean of Students in Theo
logie, wha weireing to go out of the CoUage to thair exerceise of
bodie and gham,3 causit big a pear of buttes4 in the CoUage gard-
ing, joyning to a wynd and passage of the town. Wharat a certean
of tham shootting a efter noone, amangs the rest was Mr Jhone
Caldcleuche, then an of the Maisters of Theologie, bot skarse yit a
schoUar in archerie, wha missing the butt and a number of thak5
housses beyonde, schouttes Ms arrow down the hie passage of the
wynd, quhUk lightes upon a auld honest man, a matman6 of the
town, and hurts him in the crag.7 This coming to the eares of the
forsaid malitius and seditius, they concitat the mMtitud and popu
lar crafts and rascaU,8 be thair words and sound of the comoun
bell ; wha setting upon the CoUage, braks upe the yett9 thair
of, and with grait violence unbesets 10 the Principall's chalmer, ding-.
ing at the forstare11 thairof with grait gestes,12 crying for fyre, &c.
Bot the Lord assisting his servant with wesdome and courage,
maid him to keipe Ms chaMier stoutlie, and dell with sum of tham
fearfie,13 whom he knew to be abbusit, and with uthers scharpfie,
whom he knew to be malitius abbusars of the peiple. Be the tra
veUes of Mr David Blak, new entred to his Ministerie, and Mr
Robert WUkie, Primarius of St Leonard, with uther Maisters and
schoUars of the Universitie, efter lang vexation and mUde adoe,
the peiple's insurrection was sattelit.
The King, be the CanceUar's counsaU and moyen, was graitfie
offendit with this, and caMng the Magistrats and certean of the
ring-laders, ordeanit tham to be tryed, in particular,14 be the Ba-
rones and gentUmen of the countrey about St Androis ; bot be
that occasion getting graitter bands,15 and mair streat, abone the
1 Yeast. 2 Belch. 3 Game, 4 Erect a pair of butts for archery.
5 Thatch. 6 Maltster. 7 Neck, throat. 8 " The rascal multitude""
3 Gate. 10 Surround and attack. " The fox stair. I2 Great joists or beams.
13 Fairly, gently. "Individually. ' b Bonds, security.

1593. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 309
heids of the town, for staymg of the lyk in tyme coming. Seing
God haid keipit bathe the honest man that was schot, and the
CoUagetrfrom grait hurt, Mr Andro overpassit and forgaiff by-
geanes,1 upon a humble submission and band of preventing and ab-
stemmg from sic fasones in tyme to come.
M.D.XCDJ.
[TMs yeir, 1593, M the monethe of August, the 28 day, being
Tysday, efter fyve yeirs cessMg, my wyff brought furthe a douch-
ter, quhMt I named Margrat. Sche never leuche2 in this lyff, bot
witMn sax or serin moneths died ; the onfie corpse that past out
of my hous these dissone of yeirs. Of the quhilk visitation I thank
God I gat a saftned hart and graite confort, quhUk I can nocht omit
unrememberit to His praise. For the quhUk I wrot this Epitaphe :
Sen aU mon3 enter mto presson Strang
Of erdfie fleche, and ther remean a space,
They ar, but dout, maist happie aU amang,
Wha schortest tym remeanes in sic a place.
Lo ! tMs hes bem my luk and happie cease,
Above sax monethes nocht to ly opprest
Withe erdfie bands, when God, of his guid grace,
Has tean me ham to Ms arternaU rest.
Sen CMyst hes then recearid me in Ms glore,
Deir mother, cease, lament for me no more !4]
In the monethe of September 1593, the ProvinciaU Assemblie
conveMt at St Androis, wharin the Lord's watchmen of the schyr
of Fyff, beMg informit of the bissmes and dangerus delling of the
Papist Erles and Lords, tMow finpumtie and oversight of the
Prince, began to wey the mater gravefie ; and efter guid and
1 Bygone, all that was past. ' Laughed. 3 Must. * Margin of MS,

310 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1593.
throuche advysment, condiscendit all in on voice to pronunce the
sentence of excommunication upon certean of the cheM of tham.
The quhilk was done be my mouthe, Moderator for the tjine, and
the quhUk God sa blessed that the haM Kirk of Scotland approvit
the sam, and the quhUk the Lord maid to be a speciall mean of
preventing extream e danger of wrak of the Kirk and Comoun-weM
of Scotland, and bringing of the enemies to forfaMtrie and exyU.
The names of the excommunicat was WUyeam, Erie of Angus ;
George, Erie of Hountfie ; Francis, Erie of Arroll ; Jhone, Lord
Home ; Sir Patrik Gordoun of AcMndown, and Sir James Chis-
holme, Knights. TMs our Synod communicat with dMgence to
aU the Provinces of the land, and cravit a meiting of Commissionars
from thame to be keipit at Edinbruche in October foUowMg, for
prosecuting of the mater.
That Convention at EdMbruche was frequentlie keipit bathe be
MMisters and Barones, wherin it was thought guid that Commis
sionars thairfra, bathe of the MiMstrie, and gentUmen, and burgesses,
sould be direct to the King, craving ordour taking with these ex
communicat Papist Lords ; namlie, it was verie greivus to the
breithring to heir that the saids excommunicat Lords haid repearit
to his Majestie and spokin him at Faley,1 even immediatlie befor
the meiting of the Kirk. This was gevin in Commission to be re-
gratit. The King at this tyme was in Jedbruche, and the mater
suffered nocht delay, for these Papist Lords was making grait pre
paration of armes, and amassing thair frinds to repear to the King
and cease2 about his persone. Therfor it behoved me (aU uther re
fusing except Mr Patrik GaUoway, the King's ordinar MiMster,
wha was to go thither) to tak jorney to Jed wart,3 accompanied
with twa Barrones, the Lards of Merchistoun and Caderwoode, and
twa Burgesses of Edinbruche ; whar, finding the King, war bot
bauchlie4 lukit upon. Our Assembfie of Fyff was bitterfie inveyit
against, namlie my uncle Mr Andro and Mr David Blak. I an
swerit for aU, as it pleasit God to giff, and efter the KMg's coler
1 Fala. 2 Seize. 3 Jedburgh. * Sorrily, indifferently.

1593. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 311
appeasit, we dischargit our Commission in maist humble and feet-
full maner. The King againe was crabit1 at the Convention of
Edinbruche, namlie at the Barrones and Burgesses, wha stude ho-
nestlie be it, saying it was in trew and upright hartes, with aU
dewtie and reverence to Ms Majestie for preventing of Miminent
evM and danger to Ms Stat, ReUigion, and Countrey. Sa that
night delyvering our petitiones M wryt, betymes on the morn, we
gat our answers in wrait fear aneuche, and returned on the thride
day to the breithring. Ane of the speciaU answers was, That the
King sould hauld a Convention, at Lithgow, soone efter his retourn
from the Southe, whar he soMd tak ordour with aU these maters.
Bot the BreitMMg, certeaMie informit that the Papist Erls was
conveMing aU thair frinds, of purpose to be present at the said
Convention, and place tham selves about the King, thought meit
that aU sould with dUigence retourn ham to thair countreyes, and
mak warning thairof to thair Barrones and brouches,2 schawing the
King's guid answers and the enemies' purpose ; desyring thairfor
aU to be in readmes to keipe3 the said Convention, for disapointing
the adversar ; and for that effect to repear tM Edinbruche a few
dayes befor, ther tM advys4 anent thair proceidmgs. The quhilk
was done be everie Commissionar with exact dUigence.
Ther was a Convention of the Barrones of Fyff keipe at the sam
tyme at Cowpar, to the quhilk my uncle, Mr Andro, and I hasting,
maid tham to direct speciaU Barrones of thair number with certean
of the ministerie, to the town of Perthe to Mcurage tham, and to
promise tham assistance for keiping of thair town against the ex
communicat Erls and thair forces. The quhilk they did, tM, be
the King's charge, they war constreanit to receave tham. The
best and maist zealus Barrones, gentUmen and burgesses, war on
fut in readines to keipe the dyet at Edinbrache, namlie heiring of
the Erls of Hountlie and Errol's forces come to St Johnstoun, tUl
the King send expres discharge of the said Erles' forces, and com
mandit tham withe a few of thair frinds to abyde quyetlie in
1 Cross, angry. 2 Burghs. '' Hold. * To advise.

312 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1593.
Perthe, attending his wUl anent thair effeares. QuhUk being un
derstud, leaving ther armes, commissionars coming from everie
paroche and presbyterie, keipit the dyet at EdMbruche, at quhilk
they resolvit to direct from that Convention a Comission of Bar
rones, Burgesses, and Ministers, to the King and Convention of
Esteattes at Linlithgow, withe petitiones, as of befor. Sa the
number send to Jedwart being dowblit, cam to Lithgow, amangs
the quhilk (because, as they said, best acquent with the haM pro-
ceadour of the mater) I was chosin to be speitchman 1 and presentar
of the petitions. Bot the ChanceUar, Mattellan,2 haid dressit aU to
our coming, sa that thair was nocht miMe ado at that dyet, bot aU
remitted to a new Convention of Esteats, to be haldin at Edin
brache the monethe foUowing. The Erles Papists turning bak,
and all our folks going ham, with thankfoU harts to God for disa-
pointing of a maist dangerus interpryse, as ever was of an be
Papists in this land.
The Convention at EdMbruche followit efter, in the monethe of
December, Whar I, withe uthers apointed, presented of new our
former petitions ; the quhMt the King perceaving, contentedlie
promised to satisfie at efter noone. At quhUk tyme we attending,
ther was offers of satisfaction to the Kirk and the King's Majestie,
gUfln in be the Erls' agents ; wherupon the nixt day, the KMg,
with large discourse, schawes to the Esteattes whow dangerus the
mater was ; for giff3 the offers of these Noble men war refusit, they
wald disperatfie go to armes, and get forean assistance, quhilk
might wrak King, Countrey, and ReMgion. And sa, be that and
sic lyk arguments, Mducit the Esteattes (wha, seing the King's in
clination, uses nocht to gainstand, for manie of tham that ar called
ar prepeared befor hand for the purpose) to condiscend to an up-
takMg of the mater. And sa divers dayes was devysit that Act of
Abofitioun ; of the quhilk I wM nocht speak, nocht being my pur
pose to wryt a storie,4 ather CivUl or Ecclesiastick, bot onfie to
1 Spokesman. 2 Maitland. 3 If. I . « History.

1593. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 313
nfinut, in Memoes, the tifings quhUk God maid me to heir and
sie; bot trewfie quhilk my hart pitied fallon sear.1 The King, by
tMs deafing, brought him sehT M graitt suspition and mislyking of
Ms best subjects, bathe for favouring of Papists, and of him wha
haid sa notoriousfie committed that filthie murdour of the Erie of
Murray at DonibirsaU.
My uncle, Mr Andro, usMg alwayes to speak planfie, with zeall
and birring affectiones to the honour of God and the King's weUl,
gaiff Mm at tMs time a maist scharpe and frie admoMtion concern
ing his evill thmking and speaking of the best frinds of Chryst and
him seM, the GMd Regent, Mr Knox, and Mr George Bowchanan ;
and Ms thinkMg weM and favouring of Chryst and his graitest ene
mies the Papists, and, namfie, that Hous of Hountlie ; desyring,
confidentfie, that sic as war Ms counsaUours thairin soMd kythe 2 in
presence of the Esteatts, and giff he conricted tham nocht of fals,
treasonable, and maist perMtius domg thairin agaMst Chryst, the
King's persone, Ms esteat and realme, he sould nocht refuse to go
to the gibbet for it, provyding they beMg convict soMd ga the sam
gett ! 3 Withe the quhilk the King and Ms CounsaUors comported,
and past ower the mater with smyUMg, saying the man was mair
zealus and coleric nor wyse.
[On the Michelmes that yeir, the crafts and burgesses of St An
drois changing thair Provest, for the Lard of Darsie, chosit Capitan
WUyeam Murray, quhUk maid Darsie's frinds to rage sa, that Bur-
ley cam under sylence of Mght, and tuk an honest man out of his
hous and caried Mm away ; at the qMiilk brave exployt Burley was
mutUat of a fingar to begM Ms warrs withaU. His man, MyUes,
another night, with certean companiones, his complices, cam to an
uther honest man's hous and reft away his douchtar : And last, the
said Lard of Darsie maid a grait convocation of Ms frinds, with the
quhUk in armes he purposed to enter in the town, and abbuse cer
tean citiciners thairof at his pleasour, and that Mdeid of the best
sort. The quhUk, when it was meined4 to my uncle, Mr Andro,
' Very sorely. 2 Appear, show themselves. 3 The same way. 4 Complained of.

314 MB JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1594.
being then Rector of the UMversitie, and sa a civM Magistrat, con-
vocat the haiU Universitie, and schew tham whow thair nibours of
the town war oppressed, and what God's law, and mane's bathe,
craved M sic a ceas : And sa resolvit to tak armes for helpe and
defence of the town, and confortablie assisted with my Lord LMd
say, Sir George Dowglas, and divers gentUmen of the countrey,
maid the invadder fean, for aU his forces, to byd out, and tak reasone
in part of payment. He merchet mikle of that day ' with a whait 2
speare in Ms hand, as he ware3 a corslet thairefter at the dingmg
down of Streabogy.
The wintar foUowing, God provydit, in the place of Mr Jhone
Robertsone, an of the Maisters of the New CoUage, a godfie, honest,
and lerned man, Mr Jhone Jhonston, wha, efter divers yeirs' pere-
grinatioun for the studie of guid letters in Germany, Genev, France,
and Eingland, cam ham and contented to tak part with my uncle,
Mr Andro, in the said CoUage ; and wha sen syne hes bein a grait
helpe and comfort to my said uncle, and ornament to the CoUage
and Universitie. Mr Jhone Caldcleuche withstud his electioun,
and troublit the CoUage and Universitie verie mikle, and last raisit
soummonds and caUit us befor the KMg and CounsaU ; bot he was
send ham the graitter fooll, whar, for his violation of the actes, and
troubling of the Universitie, he was deposit from aU office-bearing
witMn the sam. God warnit me of that trouble be a dream of
fyre and water, quhUk moved me mikle, and wharof I fand a notable
effect be an extream danger of drownning going over the Ferrie of
Kingorn, at Granton Cragges,4 to keipe a dyet in that mater. And
a wounderfuU delyverance alas for thankfulnes ! The xx. Day of
Mertche, at Granton Crages.5] M.D.XCIV.
About the spring tyme in the yeir foUowing, 1594, the outlaw,
BodwaU,6 kythe openlie7 with forces at Leithe and at Preistfeild,
1 He marched the greatest part of that day. 2 White. 3 Wore. 4 Near
to where the Duke of Buccleuch's Pier and Docks at Granton are now being erected.
* Margin of MS. ° The Earl of Bothwell. 7 Appeared, showed himself openly.

1594. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 315
bot withe lyk succes as often tymes befor. He tuk upe men of
war, in secret, upe and down the countrey, and gaiff out that it was
at the Kirk's employment against the Papists, quhMt maid me, be
ing then mUde occupied in publict about the Kirk's effeares, to be
graitlie suspected be the King, and bak-speirit J be aU meanes ; bot
it was hard to find [that] quhilk was never thought. For I never
lyket the man, nor haid to do with him directfie or indirectlie ; yea,
efter GMd Archbald, Erie of Angus, whom God called to his rest a
yeir or twa befor this, I kend hMi nocht of the nobMtie in Scotland
that I coMd communicat my mynd with anent pubfict effears, let
be to haiff a deMng with in action.
The GeneraU Assemblie conveMed at Edinbruche in the monethe
of May ; my uncle, Mr Andro, chosin Moderator. Thair compeir
ed the Lord Home, makMg humble supplication to be relaxed from
excommuMcation. It was granted upon certean conditiones verie
streat ; 2 the quhUk, M cais he soMd thairefter contravein or nocht
fuMU, he soMd be of new denuncit accursit. Bot the said Moderator
nocht finding sic takens of trew repentance as he wald have cravit,
and thought neidfuU to be sein be the Kirk, namfie, sic grait num
ber and force of enemies beMg in the countrey, efter he haid schawin
Ms reasones to the Assemblie, wald nocht pronunce the sentence of
absolution ; hot Mr David Lindsay, being last Moderator, did it.
Thairefter a Commission, with the sentence pronuncit be the
Synod of Fyff agaMst the rest, was approven and ratefied be the
haM Assembfie, acknawlagmg thairin the speciaU benefeit of God's
providence M steiring upe the spreits of his servants to be wacryff,3
cearfuU, and curagius M the wark of his glorie and cause of his
Kirk. And during the tyme of Assembfie was directed, with Com
missionars, certean Articles and Petitiones to the King. Amangs
the quhilk commissionars I being named, sum said it was nocht con
venient, being suspected and eriU-lyked of be the King. To the
quhUk opinion the Assemblie beginMng to Mclyne, I stud upe and
said, " I haid bein employed M commission oft tymes against my
1 Cross-questioned. 2 Strict, stringent. 3 Wakeful, watchful.

316 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1594.
wUl, and when things was mair peanfuU and dangerus, even when
uthers refosit ; bot now, even for the reasone quhilk was aUeagit, I
wald requeist for it as a benefit of the breithring to send me, quhilk
wald be the onlie way to cleir bathe them and mie of suspition and
sklander, for even utherwayes I meined to present my seM at Court
befor the King, to sie gif anie man haid ought to say to me." Of
tMs the breitMing war glaid, and resolved, in a voice,1 to send me.
Sa, commg to Sterling, whar the King was, far by 2 our expecta-
tioun we war maist gratiousfie accepted.
All our Articles war reasomt and answerit be his Majestie's awm
hand-wryt upon the mergent, and that verie favourablie, to our grait
contentment ; and thairefter, I, that was the grait tratour, with the
rest caMt in to the Cabbinet with the King allean !3 His Majestie
beginnes to regrat that he coMd nocht find that freindfines in the
Kirk quMlk he cravit and wissed.4 I, haiffing the speitche, answer
ed, Ther was a peccant humor in the body quhUk behoved to be
purged, or it coMd nocht be out of danger of disease, yea, deathe.
The King asked me what that was ? I said it was suspition on ather
syde ; for purgMg wharof it war best we sould be frie on ather syde,
and schaw our greMs and occasiones of suspecting the warst, the
quhUk being removit, the body wald be curit and haM. The King
thought it maist meit and pertinent, and begins and expones what
he haid [to say ?]
First, concerning the assembfing of his subjects without Ms
licence : — To the quhUk we answerit, we did it be the warrant of
his Majestie's lawes, and of Chryst, according to the Word, and
custom of our Kirk sen the beginning ; quhUk nather haid, nor be
God's grace ever soMd be to his Majestie'shurt,bot honour andweUl.
Second, concerning the excommunicating of his speciaU servant
and noble-man, the Lord Home : — We answerit, That he was a
profest dangerus Papist, in course with the rest, and whowsone he'
repented and reteired from them, as we war in guid hope he sould
do, and approve him sehT to the present Assemblie, he soMd be re
laxed, and his Majestie satisfeit thairanent.
1 Unanimously. 2 Beyond, exceeding. 3 Alone. 4 Wished.

1594. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 317
The Third and last was concerning Mr Andro Hountar, Mini
ster, wha haid kythed * in open fields with Bodwell : — We answerit,
that incontinent thairefter the Presbyterie of St Androis haid pro
ceidit against Mm, and haid deposit him of Ms office of Ministerie.
Then his Majestie ceassing, I asked, if Ms Majestie haid anie
thing to say to me ? He answerit, Na thing mair nor to aU the rest,
saiff that he saw me ane in aU commissiones ! I answerit, I thanked
God thairfor, for thairin I was servmg God, his Kirk, and the King
publictfie, and as for anie privat unlawfoil or undewtifuU practise,
I wald wis traducars (if anie was of me to his Majestie) sould be
maid to schaw thair face befor ther KMg, as I presentfie haid pro
cured of the Kirk to do, of sett purpose. And thairefter exponing
aU our greMs and petitiones, recearit, as said is, verie guid answers,
namfie a promise of a Parliament with aU convenient dUigence,
wharin these excommunicat Papist Erles sould be forefaultit, and
thairefter proceidit against with fyre and sword. Efter the quhMt,
the King, takMg me asyde, caussit ushe2 the Cabmet, and ther
conferrit with me at laMthe alean3 of aU purposes, and gaiff me
speciaU commendationes and directiones to my uncle Mr Andro,
whom with me he acknawlagit to be maist fathfuU and trustie sub
jects. Sa of the Strang workMg of God, I, that cam to SterlMg
the trator, retourned to Edinbruche a grait courteour, yea a Cabi
net CounsaUour ! And sa, indeid, continowed tM these Papist Erls
war brought hame and restored againe, as we wUl heir at lainthe
heirefter. The Parfiament, according to promise, was solemnizet in the
moneth of Junij, 1594, at quhUk the excommunicat Erls forsaid
war, upon the intercepted wryttings and blanks,4 forfaulted, streat5
actes maid against Mes-heirars6 and Papists, and monie guid in
favour of the Kirk, for ministers' leivings, gleibs, and manses. And
I being then M grait credit, purchassit, be the King's awM speciall
1 Appeared ; had shown himself. * Caused the Cabinet to be dissolved.
3 Alone. 4 See Notes to p. 306. 6 Strict, stringent. " Hearers of Mass.

318 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1594.
cear and favour, ane act M favours of the honest men of St Androis,
James Smithe and Jhone Walwode, for retourning of tham from
exyU to thair awM countrey, citie, hous, wyff, and childring.
In the hervest quarter thairefter, the Erie of ArgyU, authorised
with the office of Lieutenantrie, prepeared a grait armie, with the
quhilk he cam upon the Erie of Hountlie, and faught Mm at Glen-
rinnes, above Murray land, with uncertan victorie, bot graittest los
to Hountlie ; for excommuMcat AucMndown was ther slean, with
uther divers gentUmen of Ms Mn, ther horses aU spoMed, and a
grait number of the best hearifie woundit ; quhUk maid tham un
able thairefter to mak anie resistance to the King's armie.
This was in the end of September, and, in the beginning of Octo
ber foUowing, the King, with compaMes of horsmen and futtmen,
under wages, by1 the comoun forces gathered be proclamation, past
Northe against these rebeUes, whom my uncle Mr Andro and I,
with uthers of the ministerie accompanied also at Ms Majestie's
desyre, to bear witness of Ms peanes and sevear proceidmgs agamst
these, because the peiple war yit gealous over the King for Ms
knawin and kythit2 favour to the Erie of Hountlie. At our coming
to Aberdem we fond na resistance, bot the enemies fled and darn'd.3
Yit the. King resolvit to go fordwart to thair cheiff housses for de
molishing thairof ; bot extremitie of wather steyed Mm tM almaist
the first monethe was consumed, and for the nixt ther was na pay
to the wagit horsmen and futmen, wherin stud the forces that war
reposit on to do the turn.4 It was thairfor, be his Majestie and
CounsaU, thought a turn wheron the haM cause dependit, to direct
a man of credit, fathfulnes, and dUigence, to move the brouches 5
and weM affected of aU rankes to send with dUigence the second
monethes pay, for the quhilk I was maid choise of be the KMg,
CounsaU, and BreitMing. Wharof I mak mention to the praise of
my gMd God, wha keipit me, and directed aU aright, the message
being maist peanfuU and perriUus, bathe for my persone, and fame,

1 Forbye, besides, over and above. 2 Manifested. 3 Hid or concealed
themselves. 4 Business. * Burghs.

1594. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 319
and estimation. The jorney was lang to go to Edinbrache and re
tourn agam with dMgence to AberdeM, M extremitie of evill wather ;
the countrey broken and dangerus ; and that quhUk effrayed me
maist, I was commandit to wrait to EMgland to Mr Bowes, ordinar
Ambassatour, and to assure the Breithring of the ministerie of Edin
bruche and aU uther, yea to preatche it, that seing the rebels war
fugitive, thair principaU housses sould be demolished to testifie the
King's utter mdignation against thame. And yit the treuthe was,
I was nocht twa dayes on my jorney, when sic moyen was maid
that thair soMd be na mair done bot a viewing of the places and
returning agaMe ! Bot the Lord my God, haMmg a cear of me,
saved aU, except my man, wha, at my retourning, tMow exces of
traveU, tuik seiknes in Cowy and died. I haid also a speciaU ftind
behmd, whom God usit as instrument to work that wark and saiff
my creadit. TMs was my uncle, Mr Andro, wha being at Strea-
bogy, and present M CounsaU dayfie, when be maniest vottes it
was MclyMng to spear1 the hous, he reasoned and bure out the
mater sa, be the assistance of the gMd Lord Lindsay, and Capteans
of horsmen and fotmen, that at last the King takes upon Mm, con
trar to the graitest part of the CounsaU, to conclud the demofishmg
of the hous,2 and giff command to the maister of wark to that effect ;
quhUk was nocht lang in executing be the soMdiours. When aU
was done, lytle sound meining and smaU effect fordar was producit.
For the King returned Southe, and left the Due, Lieutenant, be-
hMd to accompfis the mater ; wha tuk upe rigorasfie the penalties
of countrey peiple that obeyed nocht the proclamationes, and com-
poned3 easefie with the assistars of the rebels, be avaritius and
craftie counsallars wha war left with Mm, quhUk rased a grait
offence and out-cry, and litle uther grid. Alwayes,4 in end, these
Papist, excommuMcat, and forfaultit Erls, war compeUit to pas aff
the countrey, and sa God triumphit ower tham, tiU, in his justice
for our sinnes, they war retournit and sett upe againe. Bot because

' Spare. 2 Of Strabogy, the Earl of Huntly's seat. » Compounded.
4 Nevertheless.

320 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1594.
thairefter my dMgence was thought ower grait, and my speitches
ower frie M that mater, for my awin releiff and defence I haiff
thought gMd tM Mregister heir the wrytings quhUk I gat at that
tyme from the King and Breithring : —

EDINBRUCHE.
" Trest Frinds, We greit yow hartfie weiU. At the leat Con-
ventioun of our Esteats assembfit for the preventing of the dangerus
practeises of the Papists, and uthers our unnaturaU subjects, joynit
and conspyring the subversion of ReUigion, the wrak of our persone
and esteat, and perpetuaU tMaldome of our countrey, to maist mer-
cUes strangers, it was resolrit that we sould with aU celeritie haist
in expedition towards the Northe, lest, giff tymous remead ' war
nocht provydit, thair expected strangers might arryve : And for the
better effectuating thairof, it was thoucht requisit that we soMd
haiff our ordinarie force of horsmen and futmen, (of the quhUks our
Burrowes verie kyndlie, and of guid wiU, yeUdit to a sowme for sus-
teining of a thowsand futmen the space of twa monethes, as we
our selff provydit be our awM privat moyen the first monethe to our
horsmen,) the wather being verie unseasonable, and sic spaittes 2 of
waters, as with grait difficultie, and nocht without perrell of a grait
part of our armie, could we attein to this town befor the haiff of the
fost monethe was expyrit : Wherby, and be the retreat of our re
beUes, coveredlie, to corners and MddMes,3 thinking to weirie us,
and abyding the ischew of the pay of our waigit men, as thmgs heir
ar lyk to draw to graitter lainthe then we expected, yft seing what
our departour from this might import, and whow maMe dangers ar
imminent, we are fuUie resolved to mak our residence heir, and to
depart na whar elles, whM we have frdfie settled this part of the
countrey, and put it to sic poinct as litle danger salbe fearit, giff
1 If timely remedy. 2 Floods. a Hiding-places.
4

1594. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIAKY. 321
we be aydit be your kyndlie helpe and promised releM. We will,
thairfor, maist effecteouslie desyre you, that yie wUbe instant be all
meanes to move that our Brouche of Edinbruche, and the rest of
our Burro wes, to have at us in this town befor the xxviij. of this
instant the second monethes pay, with the rest of the first monethes,
wherof oMie that an habT yit is ressaved ; without the quhUk we
wUbe constreanit to leave this guid and necessar wark undone,
wharby the adversaries wUbe sa incouragit as they wM hut for na
resistance, and haiff the countrey opin to strangers ; quMlk, befor
it soMd faU out in our tyme, or anie blam might be imput to us, we
haid rather giff croun, lyff, and whatsoever God hes put in our
hands ! Be nocht, thairfor, caMd nor slaw in this mater, but employ
your haiU means, and sie the sam effectuated, whUk we dout nocht
bot jie ^riU do, and interpon aU your guid traveUes and dMgenGe
to that effect. Fordar, we commit to tMs bearar, Mr James Mel-
rill, whom we haM expresfie chosin to this message, and we wis
you to credit as our sehT. Sa we comit you in God's holy protec-
tioun. From Aberdein, the xvj- of October, 1594.
(Sic subscribitur,) " James R."

TO OUR TREST FRLNDS, THE PROVEST, BAILYIES, AND COUNSALL
OF OUR BROUCHE OF EDINBRUCHE, AND THE REST OF OUR
BURROWES. " Traist Frlnds, We greit you hartfie weM : TMs bearer, Mr
James MelvM, being an of the Mimsterie that hes accompanied us
in tMs haM jorney, and thairtMow best acquented with aU our pro
ceidMgs in the way, and since our heir coming, We haM taMn oc
casion, annes earand,1 to direct him toward you, to sigMfie to you
particMarfie, whow we haiff bein occupied, and what our intention
is befor our retoum. As alswa, haiff instructed him in sic tMngs as
he saU speciafie impart to you in our name, anent the furtherance
1 For the express purpose.

322 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1594.
of the cause M hands, whom we wM desyre you firmlie to credit as
our seM. And sa, remitting the mater to his sufficiencie, and the
particMar Letter of the rest of the MiMsterie heir, We commit you
to God. From Aberdein, the xv. of October, 1594.
(Sic subscribitur,) " James R."

TO OUR RIGHT WORSCHIPFULL AND DEIR BREITHRING THE
MINISTERS OF EDINBRUCHE.
" Manie ar the tribulations of the righteus, but the Lord delyvereth tham
out of tham all."
"Right Worschipfull and deir Breithring : Albeit the Lord,
in justice, thretned this land withe heavie judgments for the con
tempt of his favour, yit we find that in the middes of wrathe he re-
membrethe mercie, and owercomethe when he is judged ! For the
King and Ms CounsaU, with Ms haM compaMe, dayfie growes in
ernest affection to advance the gMd cause agaMst the enemies
thairof, and hes reasolutfie concludit, be the grace of God, nocht to
remove out of thir partes befor the utter overtiirow of the adver-
sarie caus, wherin, as we haive just occasion to prais God, sa we
ernestlie recommend to your prayer the guid and happie succes of
tMs actioun. Requysting you lykwayes to employ your sebTs with
our brother Mr James Melrill, the bearer, at the hands of your awM
town, that a guid cause be nocht forsaken at the utmaist poinct,
and faU tMow leak of sufficient moyen to bear it furthe ; as we dout
nocht to find your effectuaU assistance according to your zeaU. The
rest to the bearer, whom yie wM creadit. The Lord preserve you,
and direct aU your proceidMgs to his glorie. From Aberdem, the
xvj. of October, 1594.
" Your breithring and feUow-laborars in the Lord's hervest,
(Sic subscribitur,) "An. Meluile.
" Mr. P. Gallouay.
" Ja. Nicolson."

1595. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 323
M.D.XCV.
[In the monethe of Merche, 27, [1595,] being Furisday,1 about
aUearin houres of the Mght, in place of a sarie las that never
leuche,2 God gave me of my wyff, dearfie beloved, a pleasand boy,
wha, during his infancie, being of a fyne sanguine complexioun, was
a pastyme and pleasour, nocht onfie to my haM famMe, bot almost
tMow aU the town whar ever he was caried. Sa it is a guid thmg
to tak M patience whatever God sends. His guid-shyr,3 Jhone
-Durie, beMg with me at that tyme, gave him the bage4 of baptisme,
and caUed Mm Jhone,5 in remembrance of theinspeakable grace of
God bestowit on Mm and his successioun. The grace of God mak
as mUde to kythe in Mm, comMg to age, if sa be His pleasure, as
appeires in the youthe inwartfie and outward !]
The yeir foUowMg, [1595,] Mr David Blak's ministerie in St An
drois, quMUt haid wrought notable guid effects, bathe in the town
for the weM of aU the peiple's sauUes, and ther repubfict, and guid
ordour of prorisioun for the pure, as also to landwart for purpose
of bigmg of kirks, and in the Presbyterie movmg non-residents to
tak tham to thair kirks and charges, began now, be the devM invy-
mg it, to be branglit.6 The instruments war the Manse-moungar,
(sa Mr David named him,) WUyeam Balfour, and his favourars,
wha, fearing Mr David's prevaling agaMst Mm, and evicting of his
hous in the Abbay to be a manse to the MMister, causit, be divers
courtiours and uthers, the KMg's eares to be Mled with calumMous
informationes of the said Mr David Ms doctrMe and mMisterie :
As lykwayes be Ms occasioun of Mr Andro, my uncle, Rector of
the Universitie, beMg the principaU mean of the said Mr David's
bringing and placing thair, and .meantiner and assistar of him in his
mMisterie. Sa, M the monethe of August 1595, the said Mr David and my
uncle ar chargit to compeir befor the KMg and CounsaU at Falk
land, to answer for certean speitches uttered be tham in thair doc-
1 Thursday. 2 Sorry, sad, or weakly girl, that never laughed. See ante,
p. 309. 3 Grandfather, by the mother's side. ' Badge, seal. b John
signifies the grace, gift, or mercy of the Lord. 6 Menaced. O. Fr. bransler.

324 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1595.
t
trin against Ms Majestie's progenitours ; of the quMlk I knew na
thing bot be advertisment fra my uncle from St Androis to keipe
the dyet. Coming to FaHdand, the King inquyres of me, What I
thought of Mr David Blak ? I answerit, " I thought Mm a guid
and godfie man, and a mightie preatchour, and a man whase mini
sterie haid bem verie forcible and fruitfuU in St Androis." — " 0,"
sayes the King, " yie ar the first man, and onfie, that ever I hard
speak guid of him amangs ministerie, gentUmen, or burgesses ! " —
" Surfie, then, (says I,) I am verie sorie, Sir, that your Majestie
hes nocht spoken with the best sort of them aU." — " I ken," sayes
the King in coler, " the best, and hes spoken with tham ; bot all
your seditius deaUings ar clolted, and hes bein with that name of
the best men." — " Then, surfie, (says I,) Sir, your Majestie sail
do weM to giff Mr David a syse of anie in aU tha tMie ranks, ex
cepting nan bot sic as hes knawin particMars ; and giff they fyle '
him, I sail speak na mair in this maner to your Majestie, tM your
Majestie find what he is in effect." The Kmg slipping away fra
me, goes to a speciaU courtier, and sayes to him, " Fathe, Mr
James MelvM and I ar at our graittest, for I perceave he is aU for
Mr David Blak, and that sort !" The King, lest he soMd irritat
the Kirk be caMng befor his CounsaU anie Minister for thair doc
trine, quhUk haid nocht succeidit weUl of befor, caUed oMie a nom
ber of the BreitMing of the ministerie, (namlie, sic whUk war of
fendit with Mr David's scharpe and plean forme of doctrine, sparing
nather Kmg nor Mmister,) to try the mater, and judge thairapon.
Mr David compeiring, declynit the King's judicator, M doctrine ;
and as for the BreitMMg, he refosit tham nocht, being aMe sort of
Assembfie of the Kirk, rightfie caUit for that effect, or utherwayes
in privat to confer with thame, and satisfie tham in anie dout con-
ceavit of his doctrine. The King summarlie and confosedlie passit
ower aU, and put nan of these things to Mterloquutor, bot caUed for
the witneses. And Mr David, caUed to sie what he haid to say
against tham, answerit, Gif that was a judicator, he soMd hahT an
1 Fyle, find him guilty.

1595. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 325
answer concernmg the uMawfulnes and incompetencie aUeagit ;
as lykwayes, put ceas [ it war, as it is nocht, he sould haiff an accu
sar fortifeit with twa witneses, according to the rewU of the Apostle,
&c. That in lyk maner is past, and a nomber of witneses is examin
ed, Burley, the delatter 2 and accusar, being alwayes present : WhUk,
when my uncle, Mr Andro MelvM, perceaving, chappMg3 at the
chalmer dure, whar we war, comes M, and efter humble reverence
done to the KMg, he braks out with grait libertie of speitche, let
ting the King planfie to knaw, that quhUk dyvers tymes befor with
small lykMg, he haid tooned4 M his ear, " That thair was twa
Kings m Scotland, twa Kingdomes, and twa Jurisdictiones : Thir
was Chryst Jesus, &c. : And gif the King of Scotland, civill King
James the Saxt, haid anie judicator or cause thair, presentfie, it
soMd nocht be to judge the fathfuU messanger of Jesus Chryst, the
KMg, &c, bot (turMng Mm to the Lard of Burley, standing there)
tMs trator, wha hes committed divers poincts of Me treasone
against Ms Majestie's civM lawes, to Ms grait dishonour and of
fence of Ms gMd subjects, namlie, taMng of his peacable subjects
on the Mght out of thair housses, ravishing of weimen, and receat-
ting withm his hous of the KMg's rebels and forfault enemies!" &c.
With tMs, Burley faUes down on Ms knies to the King, and
craves justice. " Justice ! " sayes Mr Andro, " wald to God yow
haid it ! Yow wald nocht be heu- to bring a judgment from Chryst
upon the King, and- thus falslie and unjustlie to vex and accuse the
fathfuU servants of God ! " The KMg began, with sum countenances
and speitches, to command sUence and dashe him ; bot he, insurg-
Mg5 with graitter baMdnes and force of langage, buir out the
mater sa, that the King was fean6 to tak it upe betwix tham with
gentUl termes and mirrie talk ; saying, " They war bathe litle men,
and thair hart was at thair mouthe !" Sa that meitting was demis-
sit the forenoone. Nather war we assembfit again in anie forme of
judicator ; bot, when I percearit the King to be incensed, and
1 Put the case. 2 The dilator or informer. ^Knocking. 4 Tuned, sounded.
5 Rising, overflowing. Lat. insurgere. * Fain, glad.

326 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1595.
verie evM-myndit bathe agaMst Mr Andro and Mr Darid, I spak
the Erie of Mar, bemg at Court, informing Mm of the treuthe of
maters, and whow dangerus a tMng it was to Ms Majestie, at sic a
tyme, to brak out with the Kirk, whM as Boduell haid confederit [
with the Papist Lords, and as he knew ther war presentfie a grait
commotioun M aU the Bordars, besought him thairfor to counsaU
his Majestie aright, and mitigat these maters. The quhUk he did
fathfollie. And sa, the King caffit Mr David to him seM, M privat
and hamlie maner, desyring to understand the treuthe be way of
conference ; the quhMt Mr David schew him to Ms satisfactioun.
In lyk maner, Mr Andro, wha, efter his fasone, maist frifie reasonit
with the King, and tauld him his mynd betwix tham to the King's
contentation ; and sa, in end, his Majestie directed me, efter lang
conference on tMr maters, to go to St Androis and teatche, and
declar the mater, sa as the peiple might be put out of eriU opiMon,
baithe of Ms Majestie and thair Minister, and whow that all was
weM aggreit. WhUk I did upon the morn, in St Androis, teatch-
Mg the 127 Psalme ; and because I knew it wald be marked, I sett
down the haM poincts I was to speak, in wrait, upon that mater,
as foUowes :
" Now, I am sure, gMd Christianes and breithrmg, yie wald
fean haM newes from this last dyet whilk .we have keipit with his
Majestie at FaUdand! And, indeid, the KMg's Majestie and breith
rmg of the MiMsterie ther convenit, fearing that quhilk M effect is
faUen out, viz., the fasones of eviU fame, quhilk ever reports of all
things to the warst, and oftentymes sawes abrod2 lies for veritie,
and eriU newes for gMd, as we heir it hes been reported amangs
yow, that the King haid begoun to put at the Kirk, and to plunge
in maters with the Ministerie, namfie, haid melde3 with your Pas
tor, and ather put him in exyU, warde, or sylence, whUas, indeid,
ther is na thing les ; therfor hes his Majestie and the said breith
ring directed me to this place to testifie and declar the treuthe.
1 Confederated. 2 Sows abroad. 3 Meddled, interfered with,

1595. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 327
First, then, it is of veritie, that a grait number of eviU reports hes
bein caried from this place to the King, sa bissie hes men bein,
speciafie sic as war twitched in than- particulars,1 quhUk might
have easefie moved and crabet2 the King; bot he suspendit his
opiMon, and reservit aU to a just tryeU, as occasion might best
serve for the saming.
" Amangs the rest, a delatioun of leat was maid, maist offensive
and odious, That Mr David, your Pastor, by name, sould have3
publictlie from pulpit traducit the King's mother maist vyUie, to
mak his Majestie contemptible in the eis of his peiple, and to steir
upe the seditius to treasonable and dangerus attempts against his
Majestie's esteat and persone ; the quhUk coMd nocht be sufferit
unput to tryeU. Compeiring then befor Ms Majestie, and a guid
number of the breitMing of the Ministerie, bathe the accusar and
accusit, the accusar affirmed that your Pastor haid spoltin never a
gMd word of the King's mother, but mUde evM ; the quhilk, gif he
soMd nocht prove be sufficient witneses ther present, he soMd be
content to tyne Ms land, his lyff and aU.
" Your Pastor answered, he haid comendit his Majestie's mother
for manie grait and rare gifts, and exceUent verteus ; and oMie
verie sparinglie and soberfie haid twitched the treuthe of the judg
ments of God, quhUk haid com on hir for refuising the wholsome
admomtioun of the Word of God. Sa the witneses war producit
and examined. It was fund cleir, M end, that your Pastor, contrar
to -the accusation, haid spokin miMe gMd of the King's mother, as
also haid spokin concernmg the judgments of God upon hir, in hir
faU. " The KMg coMd nocht tMnk it altogidder uMawfuU to use his
mother for example ; bot thought it na wayes expedient in Ms
tyme, because of the peiple, that is ever readie to draw that to the
contempt of his Hienes' persone, and of the seditius and treason
able, wharof ther is manie M the land, wha ar ever readie to grip
thairat ; as thought the forme of men's dealing against hir, quhilk
1 Their own interests. 2 Irritated, incensed. 3 Had publicly, &c.

328 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1595.
was extraordinar, might be drawin in exemple, and usit be tham :
Therfor, it was thought expedient be the haM breithring ther, that
nather Mr David nor na Mmister soMd speak a word of Ms Majes
tie's mother, tUl that a certean Act of the GeneraU Assembfie,
maid thairanent at Dondie, war sein and considderit, and in aU
tvmes coming the tennour thairof to be keipit preceislie.
" And for satisfaction of his Majestie, the said Mr David cam
maist humblie in his Majestie's presence, and acknawlagit. ther,
that, as he sould mak answer to God, upon the usage of Ms mmi
sterie, he thought nocht that his speitches could be offensive to his
Majestie, nor anie wayes meMit to haiff offendit his Hienes, bot
onlie usit that exemple to bear down sinne M the persone quhUk
he was rebuking ; nather yit wald he heirefter use that speitche,
nor anie uther wUfuUie or undewtifuMe, to Ms Majestie's offence or
displeasour ; bot as his hart wes afaMd,1 upright and maist affec-
tioned to Ms Majestie, as anie subjects or MMisters in this realme,
sa wald he mak it knawM in experience, and aU dewtie to his
Hienes heirefter. Wharwith his Majestie was weM pleasit, and in
guid favour dimissed the said Mr David. Conceave thairfor right-
lie and reverentfie, and stand M gMd opinion bathe of your Prince
and Pastor, for the discharge of aU dewties addettit to tham, and
pray God to keipe his Majestie in gMd concord and aggriment
with his fathfuU and trew servands, deteasting from your harts the
evM disposition of sic persones, that, for thair particular,2 is sett to
the contrar."
TMs piece of service was weill aneuche lyked and accepted on
bathe the partes ; bot my court grew les thairefter, and, as we wM
heir, at the ham-coming of the Papists Lords, clean deceyit. And
to leave the treuthe of my courting testified befor God, befor whom
I walked, I sought it nocht, but it fell on me be the occasion re-
hersed. When it cam on, I MterteMed it as I could in con
science, (quhiUt, indeid, was hard to do, and cost me manie soar prik
1 Single, sincere. 2 To promote or further their own private interests.

1595. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 329
in hart,) chieflie and first, to mak the King to ken that we loved
him deirlie, and wald do anie tMng that ley in us for his pleasuring
with the warrand of God and a guid conscience, that, by Ms
throuche lyking and conjunction with the Kirk maters, bathe in
Kirk and polecie, might go right and weM fordwart. And trewfie,
I thank God, during my twa yeirs court, it was sa. Bot as I was
thus about to wM the Kmg, as in me lay, to the Kirk, sa was he
M winning of me to the Court ; and when on ather syde aU meanes
was usit, and bathe keipit our groundes, without grait vantage an
of another, we relented and fearlie reteired,1 as the continowing of
this storie wM M the awin2 place declar. The onlie particular
quhUk I haid, was the pitiftdl esteat of the guid honest men of St
Androis, whase cause and condition was joyned sa with the esteat
of the Kirk and guid breithring, that thairwith it stud and feU.
Bot for my selff, as God knawes, I haid never a croun be my cour-
tein, bot spendit everie yeir the haiff of my stipend thairon ; and
the treuthe was, I never sought nane, and I gat nan unsought.
In the monethe of September foUowmg, the Erie of Orkney, be
the Lard of Burleyes moyen, cam to St Androis, as direct from
the King, and reconcyled the said Lard with Mr Andro MelviU,
Rector, and Mr Darid Blak, and Mr Robert WaUace, Ministers of
St Androis, and that verie craftelie, under pretext thairof to draw
again the peiple to the hous of Darsy, and cause tham change thair
Provest again, as they did : For Captean Murray, perceaving the
changeablenes of the peiple, and the weght of the office, demitted
the sam wiMnglie ; and sa be the uther faction of the peiple, favor
ed be Court, the Lard of Darsy wes receavit again. That cost us
a faschius jorney to St Jhonstoun.3 Returning fra the quhilk,
certean newes cam of the ChanceUar, Mr Jhone Metellan's depar-
tour, whom Mr Andro, Mr Robert Brace, and I, haid visited nocht
lang befor, and left at a verie guid esteat for the lyff to come. He
was a man of grait lerMng, wisdome, and stoutnes, and kythe in
end to have the feir of God, deing a guid Christian, and lovar of
1 Fairly retired. 2 In the proper. a Perth.

330 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
Chryst's servants. And, indeid, he was a grait instrument in keip
ing the KMg af the Kirk, and fra favoring of Papists, as the yeir
efter it kythed cleirlie. M.D.XCVI.
That WMtar the haM Officiars of Esteat war alterit, and the
King's haiU effeares concerning his patrimoMe, propertie, and ca
sualties, war put M the hands of aught,1 and sa almaist the haM
admMistratioun of the realme, and thairfor named Octavtans ;
the an hahT wharof war suspected Papists, and the rest litle better
TMs was mUde thought of, and portendit a grait alteration in the
Kirk, whUk feU out the yeir foUowMg, 1596, quMlk may be mar-
kett for a speciaU periodic and fataU yeir to the Kirk of Scotland,
and thairfor man tak mair pean2 to schaw the maters that feU out
thairin. It haid a strange varietie and mixture : The beginning
thairof with a schaw of profit in planting of the Kirks with perpe
tuaU locaU stipends ; the mids 3 of it verie confortable for the exer
ceise of Reformatioun, and renewing of the Covenant ; bot the end
of it tragicall, in wasting the Sion of our Jerusalem, the Kirk of
Edinbruche, and tMetning na les to manie of the rest. The re
defining wharof, I feir be tyme, salbe fund to have cost us deirar
be the los of the haM fibertie of Chryst's kingdome in Scotland, nor
giff aU annes haid beM wasted and overrune. Wherin I pray God,
of Ms mercie, that my feir may be fund foofishe.
[This yeir had twa prodigius tMngs, quhUk I marked amangs us,
on the coste syd. Ane in the Seinzie ouk efter Pace,4 the day being
fear,6 about noone, ther feU a cloud of rean6 upon KeMe Law, and
the mounteans besyd, that for a space covered them with rinning
water, the quMlk descending thairfra, rasit sa at ane instant the
1 Eight. 2 Must take more pains. 3 Middle. 4 The Synod or Consistory
Week, at Easter. Knox has the following pithy passage on this Assembly, which had
its origin in the old Roman Catholic times : — " Efter the Pasche, he came to Edin-
burghe to haid the Seinye, as the Papistes tearme their unhappie Assemblie of
Baale's schavin sort." Knox's Hist. p. 63. It was usual, during "Seinzie week,"
to have processions of the Priests, when their pretended Saints and idols were carried
in great pomp through the streets, with banners, &c. 5 Fair. 6 A water-spout.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 331
strypes and burnes, that they war unpassable to the traveUars,
whowbeit weM horst.1 The burn of Anstruther was never sein sa
grait in man's memorie, as it rase withM an hour. The read speat2
of fresche water market the sie mair nor a myU and a haiff. That
brought grait barrennes upon the land the yeirs foUowing. The
uther was a monstruus grait whaale, befor the hervest cam in, upon
Kincrag Sandes.3]
The occupatioun and continuaU laboring to eschew ruting out,
maid me befor nocht to mention anie peanes takin upon planting,
whowbeit ther was mUde at divers tymes, namlie, in the yeirs four
score ten, twoU and tiirettein yeirs.4 Wharanent we haid divers
Commissiones from Parfiament and GeneraU Assembfie, and quhilk
indeid was bathe peanfuU and expensive to me, amangs uthers ; bot
because I can recompt na effect of tham,5 1 saU set down this yeir's
wark aUeanerfie, when Commissiones war gMen out upon an act of
Parfiament and letters, to deU with taxmen6 and aU titulars of teinds
for effectuating of the best Constant Plat, that efter lang advys-
ment takM amangs us wes put m ordour and pennit be Mr Jhone
LMdsay, Secretar, and the quhUk to serve for aU those biotik7
maters, I thought meit to be heir insert ; if that first I mark a8
tMng that I hard Mr Alexander Hay, Clerk Register, a man of
anie M Scotland maist exerceised in tha maters, and the said Mr
Jhone LMdsay, a man of the graitest lerning and solid naturaU wit
joyned with that, I knew, controvert divers tymes, bathe be worde
and wrait, anent that Plat : The an, haldMg that it was an impossi-
bMtie, as tMngs stud in Scotland, to devyse a Constant Platt, or,
1 Horsed, mounted. 2 The flood, carrying the red-coloured soil into the sea.
3 Margin of MS. 4 In the years 1590, 1592, 1593. 5 " For the generaU,
whowbeit I man remember, to the grait praise of God, that our particular traveUes
war sa blissit, that whar at our coming to St Androis ther was nocht passing four or
fyve Kirks thairabout planted with Ministers, ther is this day saxtein or sevintein
in the Presbyterie thairof ; manie of them alsweiU provydit as anie of the countrey,
1600." [This is added, at a subsequent date, by the Author on the margin of the MS.]
6 Tacksmen, lease-holders. 7 Extraordinary, out of the way. 8 One.

332 MR JAMES melvill's diary;. 1596.
giff it war devysit, to effectuat it ; and deid1 in that opinion : The
uther, to wit, Mr Jhone, halding that bathe was possible; and
thairfor sett Mm selff to devyse the sam, and put it in mundo 2 as
foUowes ; bot, concerning the effectuating thairof, he died in the
sam fathe with the Clark Register!

THE NEW AND CONSTANT PLAT OF PLANTING THE HAILL KIRKS OF
SCOTLAND, PES
IN ANNO 1596.

SCOTLAND, PENNED TO BE PRESENTED TO THE KING AND ESTEATS

" Oure Soverane Lord, with consent of his Thrie Estaits in
Parliament, understanding that be the Law of God it is expresfie
commandit, lykas alswa for interteinment 3 of ReUigioun and God's
service, it is mair nor necessar that the MMisters of his Holie
Word haiff sufficient rents for thair honest sustentatioun :
Kirk-rent damnified be Annexatiouns, Erectionnes, Setting of lang
Taks, Peyment of SUver-dewtie, Lyffrents, Assignationnes, Pen-
sionnes, King's Superplus, Comoun Kirks, First Fruits, Fyft Pennie,
Patronages, Dispositions of Benifices, Ratificationnes in Pari.
" Considering also that the rents and patrimonie quhMt perteined
of auld to the Kirk is graitumlie dammfied and exhaust be the an-
nexatioun of the haM temporalitie thairof to his Hienes' Croun, and
be the erectionnes of a grait part of the said temporaU lands of the
Kirk with divers Kirks and Teinds Mcludit thairwith in new Tem
poraU Lordschipes, and be the new fasone of setting of lang takes
of the said teinds for divers nyntein yeirs, and lyff-rents successive
for peyment of smaU sUver-dewtie, nawayes equivalent to the haiff
of the reasonable valor of the saids Teinds ; and be the pretendit
rightes of sa monie persones lyff-rents, assignationnes, and uther
dispositionnes of the said Teinds and dewties of taks, and be his
Majestie's rights of the Thrids, superplus, comoun Kirks, first-
' Died. - Write it out fairly. 3 Maintenance, support.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 333
fruicts, and fyft-pennie of Uk benefice, rights and disposition of the
sam, proceidmg from his Hienes efter his perfyt age ; and fra his
Grace's predecessours, for the maist part ratefied in Parfiament :
Wharby ther is na moyen ' left presentfie to augment the smaU sti
pend of anie pure 2 Mmister, albeit he haid never sa grait necessi
tie ; nor yit to plant anie new Ministers at anie Congregation, al
beit the maist part of aU the Paroche 3 Kirks of Scotland ar alto-
gidder destitut of aU exerceise of ReMgioun : And that ther is a
grait number of MMisters nocht provydit, but awating upon sum
speciall charge and vocatioun, lykas a grait number of guid school-
lars of the youthe of this realme, for the lyk povertie, is compeUit
to pas to France, to the grait danger of apostasie fra ReUigioun,
whar utherwayes they might be profitable to the Kirk, and might
be honestfie interteined upon the said Teinds :
Teinds, be all Law, the Kirk's just right. — Na new Provision to
Prelacies befor the Ministers of the Kirks be provydit.
" QuhMt TeMds nocht onfie befor the wryttin Law of God, and
thairefter be expres commandiment of the sam, bot also be the con
sent of aU nationnes, and speciafie of tMs realme, hes ever pertein-
ed to the Kirk ; wherby of aU reasone the Kirk, haveing na uther
patrimonie, aught to be meanteMed in the right and possessioun of
the saids TeMds, at leist ay and whM4 they be sufficientfie provydit
utherwayes : Conforme to the quhMt, divers Actes hes beM maid
in Parfiament, that befor the new provision of aMe Prelat, the Mi-
msters at the Kirks and Paroches uMted to the said Prelacie sould
be first provydit to sufficient Stipends, utherwayes the prorision of
the Prelacie to be nuU.
Act of Parliament [15]67. — Act of Annexatioun. — \_Manses, Gleibs.]
" And lykwayes, in the tent act of the Parliament, haMdin 1567,
it is ordeaMt, that the haM TMiddes sould be first employed to the
use of the Ministers, ay and whM the Kirk com in possessioun of
' Means. 2 Poor. -" Parish. * Until.

334 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
thair awin patrimonie, quhilk is the Temds. And als, M the said
act of Annexatioun, and divers uther loveable actes, it is expresfie
provydit, that the Ministers sould be sufficientfie provydit of
leivings ! furthe of the best and readiest of the spiritualities, and
that they sould be provydit M tytle to aU smaU benefices ; that
they sould be provydit to Manses and Gleibs, for thair residence at
thair Kirks ; and that laic Patrones soMd provyde quafifiet per
sones. " WhUk actes hes nocht tean2 fuUie effect, but, on the contrar, the-
leivings of the said Ministers left incerteanfie to be sought from
yeir to yeir at his Hienes' Checquer,3 out of the Thrids, with Mfimt
proces m law, be reasone of the manifald dispositiones of the said
Thrides to uther laic persones, proceiding fra his Hienes as haring
right to the haM TMids, comoun Kirks, superplus, fyft-penMe, and
temporalitie of Uk benefice, and be reasone of the coUation of bene
fices pleno jure to persones na wayes qualefied, contrar to the guid
meMing and intentioun of the forsaids actes of Parfiament, to the
utter wrak and distractioun of the Kirk be plean povertie, as the
profest enemies of CMyst wald have done of aMd, gfiT spidie re-
meadie be nocht fond :
All Teinds the proper Patrimonie of the Kirk.
" Thairfor his Hienes, remembering that ther is na thmg mair
proper to Ms royaU office nor4 to be the nurissar of the trew Kirk,
and to be cairfuU of the advancment of the trew ReUigioun, and
continowmg thairof to the posteritie, with consent of the Estaits m
Parliament, be the tennour of tMs act, Declares, That the haM
Teinds of tMs realme, bathe of Personages and Vicarages, asweM
united to Prelacies and uther dignities as nocht united, and uther
Teinds whatsumever, hes perteined in aU tymes bygean, and sail
pertein in aU tymes coming to the Kirk, as thair proper patrimome :
And of new, with consent forsaids, giffes, grants, and dispones, and
perpetualie mortefies the saids Teinds of all Personages and Vicar-
1 Livings. 2 Taken. 3 Exchequer. 4 Than.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 335
ages, and uther Benefices whatsumever withM this realme, to the
Kirk, to remean thairwith as thair awin proper Patrimonie, conform
to the tennour of tMs present Act, in aU tymes coming.
1. Locall Stipends of a modifiet quantitie of VictuaU, out of sic and sic
Towns, in everie Paroche, with Gleib and Manse, nochtwithstanding
anie man's right whatsumever.
" And with advys forsaid, statutes and ordeanes that the Lords
of Checquar, with sic of the Ministerie as salbe apointed heiranto,
being of asqual number with the saids Lords, saU modifie and assing '
out of certean townes of Uk Paroche 2 a certean quantity of victuaU
of the TeMd-scheaves thairof, and uther dewties of the Vicarage,
as the nature of the ground may pay, with the manse and haM
gleib land, gM the sam remean yit mrfewed ; and gM the said gleib
be fewed, four aikers of the said gleib, wither the sam be of the
Persones', Vicars', Bischopes', Pryors' or Pryoreses', Deans' or Sub-
deans', Abbayes', or aMe uther Kirk-land for the gleib ; as an locaU
stipend to Uk Paroche Kirk of tMs reahn, without exception, for
sustentation of the MMister thairat sufficientfie and honestfie in aU
respects of the fraicts of the paroche it seM, nochtwithstanding the
saids Kirks be annexed to Prelacies or uther Benefices or nocht,
doted to CoUeages or Universities, or utherwayes perteiMng to auld
possessours of whatsumever degrie, or to Ministers newlie provydit
M tytle thairto, at the KMg's presentation or laic patrones', devydit
amangs manie Prebendaries, DigMties, or Chaplanries, or nocht
devydit, comoun Kirks, or uther whatsumever qualitie or conditioun
the said paroche Kirks hes beM, or be whatsumever maner of way
the TeMds thairof hes beM bruiked m tymes bypast ; and nochtwith
standing aU and whatsumever right his Majestie may haM or pretend
to the Thrids, superplus, first-fruicts, and fyft-pennie of the saids
benefices ; and nochtwithstanding of aU pensiones, takes,3 assigna-
tiones, lyfirents, erectionnes, of the said TeMds, or anie part thairof,
M an temporaU LordscMpe, prorision to Prelacies, or uther bene-
1 Assign. 2 Parish. 3 Tacks, Leases.

336 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
fices, uniones, or divisiones of the saids paroches and uther disposi-
tionnes of the saids Teinds, or anie part thairof whatsumever, pro-
ceidmg from his Majestie or his predecessours, efter his or thair
perfyt age, confirmed M Parfiament, with whatsumever solemMtie
or utherways, to whatsumever Castelles, CoUages, or Universities,
particular persone of whatsumever degrie : And nochtwithstanding
whatsumever uther taks, pensionnes, lyffrents, fewing of the saids
Teinds, with landes, and fewMg of the saids gleibs, and uther dis
position whatsumever, maid be Prelates or beneficed persones, with
consent of thair Chaptours, to whatsumever particMar persone, Col
lage, or UMversitie, for whatsumever space of yeirs or yeirfie dewtie:
And nochtwithstanding the privUage of Lords of Sessioun, and
actes of Parliaments, and uther lawes bygean, uniones, annexa-
tionnes, and incorporationes of severaU paroche Kirks to a Prelacie
or uther benefice, or division of the frMcts of a parocMne amang
manie Prebendaries, or Chapleans, or uthers ; and nochtwithstand-
Mg of aU uther MipeMments quMUt anie way may stay the foU exe-
cutioun of this present Act.
" Declaring aU and whatsumever the forsaids provisions of
benefices, uniones, incorporationes, divisiones, takes, pensionnes,
lyffrents, erectiones, and fewing of TeMds, Manses, Gleibs, privi-
lages, actes, lawes, and constitutionnes, formar and uther disposi-
tiones whatsumever of the saids Teinds, Manses, and Gleibs, pro
ceiding from his Majestie, or Ms Majestie's predecessours, or fra
whatsumever uther beneficed persone, with whatsumever solemMtie,
to be nuU in tyme coming, in sa far as they may mak aMe preju
dice to tMs present act, and to the particMar locaU assignatioun of
stipends to be assigned to Uk paroche kirk, coMorm thairto, and to
the foil execution thairof, but l anie uther reduction or declaratour
of law. Withe powar to the saids Lords and Ministers to tak trew
tryaU of the valour 2 of the saids TeMds, and to apoMct, ordean, and
assigne the saids perpetuaU locaU stipend at Uk paroche out of sic
speciall towns and lands of the said paroches, and to uneit3 severaU
1 Without. 2 Worth, value. Lat. valor. 3 Unite.

1596. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 337
paroches in an,1 or dissiver and separat an M ma,2 withe consent of
the parocMnars.
Buik. — The Ministers' right to the Teinds locallie assigned, with
reservatioun.
" And to mak a speciaU buik thairupon, and generaMe to do aU
tMngs necessar for tMs effect. WMlk locaU assignationes of stir
pends and teMds whatsumever of the particMar townes and lands to
be specMed thairin, saU perteM als frielie to the Minister of the said
paroche as giff he haid bein provydit of auld M tytle thairto. Withe
powar to the said Mmister to coUect, gather, and intromeat with,
and to mak warnMgs and inhebitionnes against the possessours of
the saids Temds, Manses, and Gleibs, with als grait effect as aMe
Persone or Vicar, or aMe uther beneficed persone might have done
M anie tymes bypast, nochtwithstancfing aU Mrpecfiments forsaids
and uther whatsumever, but prejudice of the saids Ministers' rightes
to the haM remanent of the saids benefices, when the sam saU veak3
and faU in thair hands be deceas of the present possessours, re-
ducMg or expyring of takes, or utherwayes whatsumever, and of
the frie dispositioun thairupon as accordes of the law, and conform
to tMs present act m aU pomcts.
2. Dissolution of grait Benefices. — Patronages.
" And for the better executioun of the premisses, Our Soveraine
Lord, with advys forsaid, dissolves expresfie aU and whatsumever
umones of severaU paroche Kirks to Prelacies, Benefices of dignitie
and uthers, and suppresses and abrogattes the name and styUes of
the said Prelacies and digMties, and uMtes of new the Temds of Uk
paroche whar the sam was devydit of aMd amangs maMe Preben
daries, Chapleanes, or uthers, M a haM benefice ; and ordeanes that
Ministers be provydit M tytle to Uk paroche Kirk M particMar,
quhUk was befor united to Prelacies now vacand, or quhUk hes
vacked m Ms Grace's hands sen the Parfiament halden at 
anno 1584, or quhUk saU in anie wayes veak heirefter be dimis-
' Into one. 2 One into more. 3 Become vacant. Y

338 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
sioun, deprivatioun, or utherwayes whatsumever ; and to aU uther
severaU1 paroches, vacand bathe to the parsonages and vicarages
thairof, with the manse and gleib of four aikers of land, conform to
the formar actes maid anent the saids gleibs and manses ; at the
quMlk Kirks the said Mmisters salbe oblesit to mak thair residence,
and saU haiff intromissioun with the frMcts thairof, conform to this
present act and BMk of PerpetuaU Modificatioun of the locaU Sti
pends to foUow heirupon. And efter thair diceas, demissioun, or
deprivatioun, uther qualefiet persones to be presented thairto be Ms
Hienes and Ms Grace's successours, and be uthers haveand the right
of presentatioun and patronage thairof; and that na new Preben
daries salbe provydit efter the deceis of the present possessours, bot
the rent to accres to the leivMg of the MiMster, coMorm to this
Act, etc.
3. The ^Estimators of the Valor of everie Towne 's Teinds.
ei And because it is maist necessar that the saids locaU stipends
be of a certean quantitie, according to the nature of the ground, and
out of certean speciaU landes maist ewest2 to the Kirk and com
modius for the MiMster, that the Minister may knaw whom of to
crave Ms dewtie. And semg it is impossible to the Lords of
Checquar to knaw what landes tM3 apomct for peyment heirof, be
reasone they knaw nocht nather the names of the lands nor the
valour of the Teind-scheaves of Uk particMar town and land witMn
tMs reahne ; Thairfor his Hienes, with advys forsaid, ordeans, that
Uk Presbyterie witMn tMs reahne, with advys of thrie Barrones or
landit gentUmen, wha hes thair residence witMn the said Presby
terie, of gMd relfigioun, and leist participant of Kirk rents, chosm
be advys of the GeneraU Assembfie, and faUyeing of the concur
rence of the saids Barrones, that the saids Presbyteries be tham
selves sail have powar tM estimat reasonablie the valour of TeMds,
bathe Personage and Vicarage, of Uk particMar townes and landes
lyand withM Uk ane of the saids paroches of thair Presbyteries, and
of the commodiusnes thairof to the sustentatioun of the Minister :
1 Separate. 2 Lying nearest, most contiguous. 3 To.

1596. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 339
WhUk estimatioun salbe pubfist upon twa severaU Sondayes in
tyme of Divyne serrice m the said paroche Kirks, with prorisioun,
that whatsumever partie enterest M anie wayes be the said estima
tioun, and pleise to complean thairupon, saU haiff maist summar
remead, befor the saids Lords of Checquar, efter summarie cogni-
tioun of the cause betwix the said Presbyterie and particular Mini
ster of the paroche Kirk, and generaU Procutour for the Kirk, or
uthers haring enteres on the an part, and the said partie compleaner
on the uther part. 4. The maner of setting Takes.
" Attour, because the dUapidatioun of the rents of the Kirk hes
proceidit for the maist part fra the Kirk men tham selves, wha haid
ower grait fibertie to sett sic lang takes and fewes, and for sic dewtie
as they pleasit, the solemMtie of ordMar Chaptours serring nocht
to restrean the said dUapidatioun for the quhUk they war first in-
stitut, bot rather to authorise the sam, quhUk Chaptours for the
maist part ar now worn away; Thairfor, Our SoveraMe Lord, with
advys forsaid, statutes and ordeanes, that na Minister or beneficed
persone saU have powar to sett in tak, or mak anie kynd of disposi-
tioun, alteratioun, or change in aMe wayes, the esteat of the locaU
Stipends of the paroches, with whatsumever consent or solemMtie ;
nather to sett new taks or to renew aMd takes of whatsumever uther
TeMds of Ms paroche, or of aMe part thairof, or mak whatsumever
dispositioun of the sam M tymes coming, without the consent of the
haM or maist part of the Presbyterie wherin the paroche lyes,
assembfit at thair ordMarie day of conveining, efter reasonmg
twa former ordMarie dayes anent the a^quitie of the setting, re-
newmg, or making of the saids taks and dispositiounes : And de
clares, that the converting of victuaU or uther dewties in sUver
salbe expres dMrinutioun of the rentaU, and a cause of nuMtie or
reduction. 5. For eschewing of anti-daittes and lang Takes.
" And for eschewmg of ante-deatting of Takes and rightes of

340 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596;
Teinds whatsumever, and of the infiMt tyme for the quhilk the sam
is sett in tyme bypast, Ms Hienes, with advys foresaid, ordeanes,
That aU and whatsumever Taks of whatsumever TeMds sett m
anie tyme preceiding the dait heirof, for whatsumever langer tyme
of manie nyntein yeir takes or lyffrents successive, saU mdure oMie
for the space of nyntein yeirs efter the dait of the saids Taks.
Withe prorision, that whatsumever nyntein yeirs taks or lyflrent
of teMds, quhUk hes nocht begoun in the settar's tyme, salbe nuU
and of nan aveall, albeit an uther nyntein yeir tak or lyflrent con-
tined in that sam tak hes begoun or run out in the said settar's tym.
And that aU former takes of teMds preceiding the dait heirof, lyff
rents, assignationnes, pensionnes, erectionnes, fewes, and uther dis-
positionnes of teinds, salbe producit befor the Lords of Checquare
before the day of nixtocome, and registrat in the buiks
of the CoUectorie ; at the leist, sa mikle of the saids erectionnes
and fewes to be registrat as concernes the right of teinds conteMt
thairin : And the dait of the registratioun thairof, and the persone
Mgffiar of the saids taks and uther rights, to be registrat thairwith
in lyk maner, and market and subscry vit be the CoUectour Clark upon
the bak of the saids taks and rightes, for eschewing of aU fraudes
quhilk may be heirin ; withe certMcatioun, that the takes and uther
rightes of whatsumever teinds nocht registrat, as said is, salbe nuU,
and mak na fathe in judgment nor without. And that the imprent-
ing or publicatioun of tMs Act salbe sufficient mtimatioun heirof, and
of the certMcatioun forsaid, without any uther speciaU Lettres, etc.
6. For escliewing thefaschrie and danger of Spuilyie.
u Mairover, because the Mmisters and uther beneficed or laic
persones, having the right of temds of uther mene's heritage, oftymes
mjustfie troubles bathe tham selves and the lawfuU possessours of
the saids teinds, with Mhibitiones and actionnes of spuUyie, wherby
they compell tham to height thair teMds above the reasonable valor :
Thairfor, Our SoveraM Lord, with advys forsaid, declares and or
deanes, that whatsumever persone is lawfuMe in the naturaU pos
sessioun of teinds be the leading and intromeattmg thairwith, the

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 341
heritage or present right of possessioun of the land being his awin,
and makes guid and thankfuU peyment witMn dayes efter
ilk term, of the dewtie of the said teinds, conform to the estima
tioun above wrettin, to be maid be the Presbyteries forsaid to the
MMisters and uthers haring right to the said teinds, in that ceas the
said persone salbe frie of aU actioun of spMyie, and danger quhilk
may foUow upon MMbitiones led against Mm thairanent : Provyd
ing alwayes, that whatsumever persone committes anie violence in
ejecting of an uther forth of the naturaU possessioun of leadding of
teMds, salbe subject ather to the actioun of spMyie, or to the quad
ruple of the estimatioun forsaid, at the optioun of the partie eject
ed, as said is. Lykas also it is provydit, that whar the right, bathe
of the propertie, and present right of the actuaU possessioun of the
land, and als of the teinds, concurres in a ] man's persone, it saU be
leisome 2 to Mm to use MMbitiounes, and conform to the auld ordour,
apprehend possessioun of Ms awin teinds, payand alwayes the dewtie
and valuatioun thairof to the Minister, or uthers haiffing right. In
the quhUk cais, the offer of the estimatioun forsaid salbe na relevant
defence to rescind the naturaU possessioun of the teinds of an uther
persone's heritage : And to eschew the danger of spmlyie M preju
dice of him wha hes the right bathe of the lands and teMds, as said
is, and M favour of him wha hes na present right to the actuaU pos
sessioun of an uther mane's land, nor yit of the Teinds thairof, etc.
7. The Rentall of the Superplus.
" Attour, be reasone that the said Patrimonie of the Kirk soMd
also susteM and uphaMd Scholes and Pure3 with the comoun effeares
of the Kirk, and uther godfie uses ; Thairfor, Our Soveran Lord,
with advys forsaid, statutes and ordeanes, that a perfyt RentaU be
maid of the superplus of the rents of Uk Paroche Kirk, by and
attoure the forsaids locaU Stipends, conteMing the rightes, be the
quhUk the superplus of ilk benefice is presentfie possessit, and that
the MiMster, albeit he be provydit in tytle to the haM benefice, and
haiff the collectione of the haM fruicts thairof, and fibertie to re-
' One. 2 Allowable, lawful. 3 Poor.

342 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
duce takes or fewes, as anie uther beneficed persone might have
done of befor, yit the saids Ministers saU nocht have the frie dis-
positioun of the said superplus to thair awM use, bot salbe comptable
thairfor to tham wha saU obtein the right thairof. And M ceas of
thair faUyie m thankftdl peyment, or commit violence, they salbe
subject to the danger of spMyies, duble or quadruple of the estima
tioun forsaid, siclyk as uthers that makes nocht peyment thankfoUie
to the said Mmisters tham selves, conform to the formar Article.
8. Distribution of the Superplus.
" And as for the said Superplus of the Rent of Uk particMar
Paroche Kirk, by and attour the locaU and perpetuaU stipend
apointed for the Mmister, wMlk superplus ather presentfie perteines
to the Kirk be vacking 1 of the benefice or utherwayes, or saU heir
efter pertein or faU M the Kirk's hands, be expyring or reductioun
of Taks and uther rightes, deceis of the present possessours, or uther
wayes whatsumever ; Our Soverain Lord, with advys foresaid,
ordeanes and statutes, that the said superplus salbe disponit be
advys of the Lords of Checquar, and breither of the mmisterie
apointed for ModMcatioun of Ministers' Stipends : First, to the
CoUages and Lords of Sessioun, and aMd possessours of the benefices
induring thair lyfftymes, forsamUde as salbe tean2 fra tham be the
present ordour : Nixt, that the comoun effeares of the Kirk be suffi
cientfie susteined thairupon : Thridfie, that reasonable considera-
tioun be haid of the Pure, of Strangers, of Weidows, and Orphefings;
Reparatioun of Brigges, Kirks, HospitaUes, and uther godfie warks :
And gif ther be anie rest,3 the sam salbe coUected and keiped to
the use of the Kirk, and at thair dispositioun aUeanerfie.
The Comoun Effeares of the Kirk, the SchoUes, and Pure, to be
provydit out of the Superplus, sufficientlie, first of all.
"And whatsumever particular persone, CoUage, or uther, saU ob
tein assignatioun of anie part of the superplus be the saids Lords and
modifiers, thair said assignatioun and letters thairapon salbe speci-
1 Vacancy, remaining vacant. 2 Taken. 3 Residue.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 343
afie M quantitie, and out of what townes and landes the sam is as
signed; and the saids lettres salbe speciafie directed agaMst the
tenents and actuaU possessours of the saids particMar lands, and the
MMister of the paroche aUeanerfie, swa that na lettres in tyme com-
ing.be directed generaU against ' aU and sindrie parochmars,' etc. ;
and of the best and readiest of the fraicts quhair the right quhairupon
the lettres passes extendes onlie to ane part of the fruicts, and nocht
to the haUl frMcts of the paroche, as wes of befor, quhilk was the
occasioun of grait confusioun.
9. Commissionars from Presbyteries to Voit in Parliament.
" And because the Prelacies in effect war befor dissolvit, the haiU
temporalities thairof being annexit to the Croun, and MMisters' Sti
pends ordeaMt to be tean out of the Paroche Kirks uMted and in
corporated thairwith, lyk as be tMs ordour the haM Spirituafitie and
TeMds is of new destinat, gevin, and mortefied to the Kirk, quher-
by the saids Prelacies is aUuterlie dissolvit, and sa ceisses in tymes
coming to be an of our Esteattes in Parliament : Therfor, Our Sove-
raine Lord, with advys forsaid, statutes and ordeanes, that in tyme
commg Uk Presbyterie saU send, of thair awin number, ane Com-
missionar to the Parliament, out of the quhMt haM nomber of Com
missionars the rest of the Esteattes sail chuse sa maMe as, being
joyned with the auld possessours of the Prelacies quha salbe pre
sent for the tyme, may mak out the fuU and compleit number of
tham wha hes vott in Parliament for the esteat of the Kirk, quhilk
number salbe a^quaU with the number of anie of the uther Es
teattes. And efter the deceis of the haM present possessours of Pre
lacies, the haM number of the Kirk's Esteat salbe elected, and tean
of the saids Commissionars of Presbyteries, wha saU have sic vott,
privUeages, and fiberties in Parliament as the saids Prelattes haid
of befor, etc. Act of Februar.
" And to the effect that the rightes of na parties be farder pre-
judget, Our Soveran Lord, with advys forsaid, RatMes aU actes and

344 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
statutes, maid of befor M favour of the Kirk, in sa far as the sam
aggries or may in any way fortifie this present act : And speciaMe,
the Act be Secret CounsaU, Sessioun, and Checquare, upon the 14
of Febraar, 1587 : And in lyk maner, aU Actes and Statutes maid
in favour of Fewes, Takes, Patronages, Pensiounes, Erectiounes,
and uther dispositiounes of the Kirk-rents, M sa far as they ar
nocht contrare or aMe wayes repugnant to tMs present act, and fuU
execution thairof. QuhUk Actes, togidder with aU and whatsum
ever rights perteMing to privat persones and parties, sic as fewes,
prorision of their benefices, erectionnes, takes, lyffrents, pensionnes,
patronages, assignationnes, and dispositionnes whatsumever of the
TeMds, saU stand in the sam force as of befor the maMng of tMr
presents ; exceptand, planlie, in sa far as they ar expreslie prejudgit
be the said locaU stipend to be apoMted at everie particMar
paroche, conform to the tennour of this present Act, and Buik of
particMar ModMcatioun to foUow thairapon, and uther provisiouns
and restrictiounes expreslie conteined heirin.
" Lykas our Soveran Lord, with advys forsaid, abrogates all
former lawes, actes, constitutionnes, practiques, and ordMances
whatsumever, quMlk may in anie wayes Mnder, stope, or imped
tMs present act and foil force and execution thairof; and declares
whatsumever salbe done in the contrar thairof, or anie part of it,
the feilyie and contraventioun salbe tryed, and the right, disposi
tion, or uther deid whatsumever done contrar to the tennour heirof,
salbe reducit and annuMt, as weM be way of exceptioun, reply,
or duply, as be way of actioun. Lykas our Soveran Lord, with ad
vys forsaid, commands that na Judges remit to an action, or delay
the proponar of the said nullities be way of exceptioun, reply, or
duply, but proceid instantlie to the tryeU of the said nuMtie, as
said is. 10. The Modifeing of the Local Stipend proportionablie.
" Attour, because there is divers and sMdrie persones wha pre
sentfie brakes the rents of ilka paroche Kirk, Our Soveran Lord,
with advys forsaid, ordeanes, that the quantitie of the local! and

1596. MR JAMES melvill's DIARY. 345
perpetuaU stipends soMd be sequalie tean fra Uk an of the saids per
sones proportionalie, at the least Uk an to releive uthers propor
tionable, accordMg to the frie profit quhilk they receave of the saids
Temds, at the discretioun and summar cogMtioun of the saids mo
difiers, wha salbe onlie judges heirin, and saU try, judge, and cog-
nos sumarfie upon the asquitie of the releM betwix the possessours
of the saids TeMds, sic as whar ther is an Prelat or auld provydit
man, an or ma Taksmen or pensionars, new erected Lordschipe,
with Teinds mcludit, with the fewes of lands, fewes of formes, and
whatsumever uther varietie ther is of rightes, be the quhUk the pos-
sessour of the TeMds of Mt paroche respective bruikes the sam.
11. The King's Right and Releiff.
" And what relefif the rest aught to mak to them fra whom hn-
mediatfie the rightes of the TeMds is tean, quhUk salbe assigned
for the perpetuaU locaU Stipend of Uk Paroche Kirk, quherem also
salbe considderit the right quhilk our Soverain Lord haid to the
Thriddes or anie uther partes of the Benefices, togidder with sic
uther actionnes for the quhUk Ms Majestie might have chargit the
possessours of the said TeMds. Lykas also the saids Lords of the
Checquar, M the makMg of the said releM, saU considder immuni
ties and pririlages, and rightes quMlk parties haid of befor, and va-
fiditie thairof, with aU uther circumstances, ex cequo et bono : And
for tMs effect, Our Soveran Lord, with advys forsaid, giffes powar
to the saids Lords of Checquar, and Ministers speciafie to be
apointed, be his Hienes' Commissioun, being alwayes sequaU in
number with the saids Lords, to interpret aU obscurities, and to
decyde summarlie aU controversies, quhUk sail aryse upon this
present act, and upon the forsaid releM, betwix aU parties subject
thairto. " FINIS."
This Plat was thought the best and maist exact that ever was
devysit or sett down, and wald, sum litle things amendit, [haiff] bein
glaidlie receavit be the breithring of best judgment, gif, in the

346 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
monethe of August 1596, ther haid nocht bein ane act of Esteattes
devysit anent the renewing of the Takes of Teinds to the present
taMsmen for thair granting to the PerpetuaU Plat, quhilk in effect
maid the Teinds in aU tyme commMg heritable to tham ; thir lo
caU stipends and a portioun to the King sett asyde in Uka paroche.1
To the quhUk, nather the Kirk, nor gentUmen whase teinds was M
uther men's possessioun, could nor wald condiscend to. And sa,
as I mentioned befor, the cheiff of this wark gaiff it ower as a thmg
nocht lyk to be done M Ms dayes.
The GeneraU Assembfie, convenit at Edmbruche M the monethe
of ApryU that yeir, 1596, be the motioun of sum godfie fathers and
gMd zealus breithring, was almaist haUlelie occupied M tryaU of
thair members, and exerceis of repentance and reformatioun of cor-
ruptiones in the office and lyves of the MiMsterie ; and remember
ing whow the peiple of God upon divers occasiones, namlie a grait
apprehensioun of thair smnes and God's judgments MimMent thair
for, did tak tham to HumMation and Fasting, and Renewing the
Covenant of mercie and grace with thair God, for preventing of Ms
judgments, and contMuance of his gratius favour : As m the Plean2
of Moab, be the motioun and direction of Moses, Deut. xxix. and
xxx. ; in the Field of Sichem, at Silo, be Josua, Jos. xxiv. ; be Sa
muel, M Mizpa, 1 Sam. rii. ; at Jerusalem, in the hous of the
Lord, be Joiada, 2 CorMcl. xxM. ; sic lyk in the sam place be
Josia, 2 KMgs xxiii. ; as also be Ezra and Nehemias ; they thought
it maist neidfoll to gM tham selves to the samMg, begMMng ther
presentfie amangs the Pastors at that Assemblie, and be that
exemple to pas to the Synods M everie Provmce, and from tham to
the Presbyteries, and sa to everie Congregation M particMar. The
quhUk, of the grait mercie and blessing of God, was effectuat, the
Lord preparing his servants and Kirk for a tryaU foUowing, be a
maist profitable and confortable exerceis goMg befor ; yea, maMng
that feirfuU invasioun of the derill to com on when his servants war
1 In each parish. 2 Plain.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 347
best sett and maist happelie occupied, quhUk giffes ' me yit assu
rance that God wM yit M mercie repear the brakes2 and decayes of
his Jerusalem !
Fu-st, certean Breithring of scharpest and best insight war sett
asyde to pen The Enormities and Corruptiones of the Ministerie,
and the Remead thairof; the quMlk, returmt to the Assembfie, was
hard, considerit, and aUowit. The tennour, M substance, wharof
foUowes : —

THE tennor of the advyse op the breithring deput for
PENNING OF THE ENORMITIES AND CORRUPTIONS OF THE MINI-
STRIE, AND REMEAD THAIROF ALLOWIT BE THE GENERALL AS
SEMBLE, APR. 1596.
Corruptions in the Office.
" Forsamlkle as, be the over suddan admissioun and light tryaU
of persones that entres M the MMisterie, it comes to pas that manie
sManders falles out M the persones of Mmisters, It wald be or
deaMt, for remead M tyme coming, that mair dMgent MqMsition
and tryaU be usit of aU sic persones as saU enter in the MiMstrie :
As speciafie, in thir poMcts, That the intrant salbe posit upon Ms
conscience, M the presence of God, and that in maist grave ma
ner, What moves Mm to accept the office and charge of the MMi-
strie upon Mm ? If it be a trew inwart motioun and desyre to serve
God and win sauUes to Chryst, or warldfie moyen of lyff and pre
ferment ? That it be Mquyrit gM anie, be sofistation or moyen,3
directfie or Mdirectfie, pres to enter in the said office ? And it bemg
fund, that the sofistar be repeMt ; and that the Presbyterie repeU
aU sic of thair number fra voting m the electioun or admissioun as
salbe fund moyennars for the solicitar, posit upon thair conscience
to declar the treuthe for that effect.
" Because, be Presentationnes, manie are mtrusit forciblie in the
1 Gives. ' Breaches. 3 Interest, influence.

348 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
Mmistrie arid upon Congregationnes, that utters thairefter that
they war nocht caMt be God, It wald be provydit, that nan seik
presentationnes to Benefices without advys of the Presbyterie with
in the bounds wharof the benefice lyes ; and gM anie do M the
contrare, to be repeUed as rei ambitus.
" That the tryaU of persones to be admitted to the Ministerie
heirefter, consist nocht only in thair lerMng and abMtie to preitche,
bot also M conscience, and feMng, and spirituaU wesdome, and nam
lie in the knawlage of the bounds of thair caUMg, in doctrine, disci
pline, and wesdome, that he may behave him selff accordingfie with
the divers rankes of persones within his flock, as namfie Atheists,
rebelfius, and those that" ar vexit with divers tentationes, and ar
waik in conscience, and sic uther wherin the pastoraU charge is
maist kythed, and that he be meit to stope the mouthes and con-
rince the adversars : And sic as ar nocht fund quafifeit in thir
poincts, to be deleyit tM fordar tryaU, if ther be appeirance they
may be fand qualefiet. And because men may be meit for sum
places that ar nocht for uther, it wald be considderit that the prin
cipaU places of the realme be provydit be men of maist worthie
gifts, wesdome, and experience, and that nan tak the charge of
graitter number of peiple nor they ar able to govern ; and that this
Assembfie tak ordour thairwith.
" That sic as salbe fund nocht gevin to thair buik, and studie of
Scriptures, nocht cairfuU to have buikes, nocht gevin to sanctifica-
tioun and prayer, that studie nocht to be powerfuU and spirituaU in
doctrine, nocht applyMg the sam to everie corruptioun, quhUk is the
pastoraU gift, obscure and over scholastic befor the peiple, caMd
and wanting spirituaU zeaU, negligent m visiting of the seik, and
caring for the pure, Mdiscreit in schosMg of parts of the Word
nocht meit for the flok, flatterers, and dissembling at publict sinnes,
namfie of grait personages, in thair Congregationes, for ather flat
terie or feir : That aU sic personnes be censured according to the
degries of thair faults ; and if they amend nocht, bot contmow
thairunto, to be depryved.
" That sic as be sleuthfull in the ministration of the Sacraments,

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 349
and irreverent profaners thairof, receaving clein and unclem, igno
rant and sensles, profan, malting na conscience of thair professioun
m thair caMng and famMes, omittMg dew tryeU and examinatioun,
or using light, or nan at aU, or havMg in thair tryeU respect of per
sones, wharin ther is manifaMd corruptiones ; that aU sic be scharp
fie rebuked, and if they continow thairin, deposit.
" GM aMe be fund seUars of the Sacraments, or coUudars with
sManderus persones M dispensing and ower-seing ' tham for money,
be deposit simpliciter.
" That everie Mmister be chargit to have a Sessioun established
of the meittest men M his Congregatioun, and that discipline, strik
nocht onfie upon gros sinnes, as hurdome, blodshed, &c, bot upon
aU smnes repugnant to the Word of God, as blasphemie of God's
nam, swearing M vean, banning,2 profanMg of the Sabathe, disobe
dience to parents, idle, unrewlie annes without caMng, drunkards,
and sic lyk debousMt men as hes na conscience in thair lyff and
rewfing of thair famMes, speciafie in bringing upe of thair bernes,
liars, sManderars, bakbyters, brauUars, uncharitable, merciles, Ma
kers of promise, &c, and this to be an universaU rewU throuchout
the realme. And sic as be negligent heirin, and continow, efter
admoMtioun, in thair negligence, to be deposit.
" That ther be a cair M recearing of sic as faU in publict sMan
der, to sie tham nocht onfie gif outward obedience by constrent,
quhUk is the Magistrat's office, bot to find appeirand warrand in
conscience of thair trew conversion, finding M tham bathe a feMing
of thair sMe and apprehensioun of mercie ; and that nocht onfie
m that opM sme wherin they ar tean,3 bot in far graitter covered
sinnes committed agamst God, and knawin to him : And sa, to
use this occasioun to win the sauU throwlie to Chryst, be aU dM
gence in doctrine and exhortation ; and namfie, of repentance,
quhilk nocht bemg trewfie practised then, that place is abbusit,
and the persone casten in graitter sin, and God mair heMe of
fendit for pubfict profanatioun and mockage.
1 Overlooking, winking at. 2 Cursing, using imprecations. 3 Taken.

350 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
" DUapidatioun of Benefices, demitting of tham for favour or
money, that they becom new Patronages without the advys of the
Kirk, to the wrak thairof; and siclyk interchangmg of Benefices
be transactioun, and transporting of tham selves be that occasioun,
without the knawlage of the Kirk, preceisfie to be pumshed. Sic
lyk, settMg of TakMs, without the consent of the Assembfie, be
puMshed accordMg to the Actes ; and that the demission m fa
vours, for money or utherwise, to the effect above wryttin, be
punished as dUapidators. Corruptiones in thair Persones and Lyfs.
" That aU sic as ar light and wanton M behaviour, as M gorgeus
and fight apperreU, M speitche, corrupt communication, morologie,1
aischrologie, entrapefie, usMg vean and profan companie, uMawfuU
gaming, as dancing, carting, dicMg, and siclyk, nocht beseiming
the graritie of a Pastor, be scharpfie and gravfie rebuMt be the
Presbyterie according to the degrie thairof; and contmowmg thair
in, efter dew admoMtioun, that sic be deprivit as sklanderas to the
GospeU. " That MiMsters being fund swearers or banners, profaners of
the Sabbathe, drunkards, feghtars, guUtie of aU thir, or anie of
tham, be deposed simpliciter ; and sic lyk leiars, detracters, flatter
ers, brekers of promise, brawlars, and quarreUars, efter admoMtioun
continowmg thairin, incur the lyk punishment.
" That MiMsters gevin to uMawfoU and incompetent traids and
occupationnes for MtMe game, as haMding of hostiUaries,2 taking
of ockar besyd conscience3 and guid lawes, and bearing warldfie
offices m noble and gentUmen's housses, merchandice, bying of
rictuaUes, and keiping of tham to the darthe,4 and aU sic lyk
warldfie occupatiounes as may distract tham from thair charge, and
that may be sManderus to that pastoraU caMng, be admoMshed,
and brought to the acknawlagment of thair sinnes, and if they con
tinow thairin, to be deposit.
1 Foolish divination. 2 Public houses or inns. 3 Usury, contrary to conscience.
1 " Forestalling" and " regrating" markets.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 351
" That MMisters nocht resident at thair flockes be deposit, ac
cordMg to the Actes of the GeneraU Assemblie and Lawes of the
realme, utherwayes the burdMg to be leyed upon the Presbyteries,
and they to be censured thairfor.
" That the Assembfie command aU thair members, that nan of
tham await on the Court, and effaires thairof, without the advys and
aUowance of thair Presbyterie. Item, that they mtend l na actioun
civM without the said advys ; and for remeadMg of the necessitie
that sum MMisters hes to enter M pley of law,2 that remead be
crarit for summar and schort processes to be usit in MMisters'
actiones. " That Ministers tak speciaU cair M usmg godfie exerceis m
thair famMes, M teatcMng of thair wyffes, chUdring, and servands,
in usMg ordMar prayers and reidMg of Scriptures, in removmg of
offensive persones out of thair famMes, and sic lyk uther poincts of
godfie conversatioun and gMd exemple : And that they at the visi-
tatioun of thair Kirks try the Ministers' famMes in thir poincts
forsaid ; and sic as ar fund negligent in thir poincts, efter dew ad
moMtioun, salbe adjudgit unmeit to govern the hous of God, ac
cordMg to the rewU of the Apostle.
" That Ministers, M aU compaMes, stryve to be spirituaU and
profitable, and to talk of tfiMgs perteMMg to godfines, as namlie,
of aU sic as may streMtfien M Chryst, instruct M thair calling, and
of the meanes whow to have CMyst's KMgdome better establisMt
m Congregatiounes, and to knaw whow the GospeU florishethe in
flockes, the Mnderances and remeadies thairof, &c, wharin and
anent thair is maMfaMd corruptiounes bathe in our companeing
with our selves and uthers. That the contraveinars herof be tryed
and scharpfie rebuMt.
" FMafie, If a MiMster be fund to countinance, procure, or assist
a publict offendar put at be Ms awM Minister, and to beir with
Mm, as tho his awin Minister war over seveir upon Mm, he be re-
buikit," &c. " FINIS."
1 Intent, raise. 2 Enter in law-pleas.

352 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
Thir Corruptiones and Remeads, beMg read in the Assembfie,
was recommendit to the consideration of aU the Breithring betwix
God and thair conscience ; and aU war exhorted to prepar tham
selves again the day foUowmg to the exerceise of the Word, fast
ing and prayer, and sa to the actioun of renewMg the Covenant.
The day foUowing, the haM Breithring war assembfit in the
Lessar Kirk • of Edinbrache, tham alean,2 without the peiple, whar
a godfie, zelus father, Mr Jhone Davidsone, haid the doctrin and
directioun of the actioun, being the mouthe of the rest in prayer.
His doctrine was upon the 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46 verses of the
xii. of Luc's EvangeU ; verie plean, particular, and powerfuU, in sic
sort as the gravitie and motion of the man Mm seM, with the
mightie force of the Word, moved the haM BreitMMg exceidmglie.
Efter the quhUk, aU war directed to thair privat meditationes, con-
fessioun, and prayer, a large space; efter the quhilk the forsaid
mouthe maid pubfict confessioun and deprecatioun, during the
quhUk tyme teares war shed aboundantlie. Thairefter the Mode
rator, declaring the purpose and end of the actioun, as be the teares
and countenance of the Breithring, uMeinyit sorow and humMa-
tioun was testified, sa he desyrit that be the lifting upe of thair
handes they soMd sigmfie the desyre and resolution quhilk they
haid of amendiment of aU bypast sinnes, M commissioun or omis-
sioun, agamst God and dewtie, in thair office and persones, promis
ing, be Ms grace, an ernest indevour for the sam ; and sa a entring
of new agaMe in Covenant with thair God M Jesus Chryst, the
grait Pastor of the sauUes, and MeMator of the Covenant, &c.
Efter the quhUk, prayer being maid be the Moderator, for obteM-
ing of grace, and woriring of the Spreit for that effect, the blessmg
was pronuncit, and the actioun endit, quhUk lasted about the space
of thrie houres and mair.
1 Also called the Little Kirk and Mr Robert Bruce's Kirk, and latterly Haddo's
Hold, or the New North Kirk. 2 Alone.

1596. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 353

THE COVENANT RENEWED IN THE SYNOD OF FFYF, 12THMAY 1596.
In the fourt sessioun thairof, anent the makmg of a new Cove
nant betwix God and Ms MMisterie witMn tMs realme, ordeanit in
the last GeneraU Assemblie to be done M everie SynodaU tMouch-
out the land, the present Assembfie of Fyff, apprehending the
weghtines, tendmg ather to an effectuaU reformatioun of aU things
amis (sa far as can ly M the waiknes of man) m the Pastors first,
and syne in thair flockes, or then to Mvolve aU in a mair feirfuU
gUtmes and danger of horrible judgment, be sealfing upe a new and
maist grave testimoMe and witnessmg agaMst aU, thought it maist
neidfuU that aU meanes soMd be usit that might move and steir upe
the hartes of the breitMMg to an ernest consideratioun and feiMng
of thair undewtifuMes and transgressiones M thair offices, famMes,
and persones, to bring tham to a trew humMatioun, sorrow, and
greiff thairfor, to a plean confessioun of the sam in the presence of
God, a cearfuU seiking of mercie for Jesus Chryst's seak, an avow
ing and promisMg of amencfiment in tyme to come, be the assist
ance and mair effectual worMng of the Spreit of Grace, and a ve
hement sofisting of God be prayer for that effect. And sa causit
first to reid in the pubfict audience of the Assembfie, distinctlie,
the Articles of Reformatioun sett down M the last GeneraU Assem
bfie, the quhUks war ordeanit to be insert in the Buik of the Synod,
and everie Presbyterie commandit to haiff the copie thairof in thair
bMks, and to cause everie an of thair members to extract to tham
selff a copie thairof for thair rememberance. Nixt, for preparatioun
of the hartes, ordeaMt the Pastor of the place, David Fergusone,
to keipe Ms awin place and houre of doctrine the day foUowmg,
and studie to fram Ms doctrin for the purpose ; and be the vottes of
the maist part, aU maid chois of Mr David Blak to teatche the nixt
day thairefter, to be keipit with preceise abstinence. Immediatlie
efter the quhilk doctrine, the haM breitMing soMd convein M the
place of the Assemblie for the solem renewing of the said Covenant ;
and, in the mean tyme, ernest exhortatioun was maid be the Mode-
Z

354 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
rator to wey the mater and wark they war about, maist deipfie and
ernestlie, with thair God, M thair conscience, with meditation of
the forsaid poincts of Reformatioun, and rememberance of that curse
upon sic as does the Lord's wark negfigentfie and deceatfuUie.
Also to caU to God ernestlie for the breithring apoMted to deaU in
doctrine. Sa, upon the 13 day of May, bemg Furisday,1 efter the doctrin
delyverit be Mr Darid Blak, upon the ground, the 13 chapter of
Ezech., and last vers of the 5 Psahne, the quhilk was copius, power^
full, percmg, and pertinent, the breithring of the MMisterie, and
Commissionars of everie paroche present, haMefie and immediatlie
conveMng in the place of the SynodaU, the Moderator, for the
better disposmg of the harts, and exemple of ordourlie proceicfing in
the actioun, red the last chaptour of the Buik of Josua, wherin
Josua, calling togidder the heades and rewlars of the peiple, re-
coumptes the benefites of God bestowit upon tham, and settes
the said rewlars and heades of the peiple to advysment, WMdder
they war resolrit and uprightfie memed to serve that God M
uprightnes and treuthe, utherwayes to leave af aMe professioun
of Ms service, and tak tham to idolatrie; and sa, efter divers
demands, and answers gerin be the peiple, he settes down the
Contract and Covenant M forme, and registers the sam in the
Buik of the Law, and setts upe a stan under an ake trie,2 in a
monument thairof for a memorandum m aU tyme to come. The
quhilk exemple and form was foUowed pomct be pomct. First, be
commemoration of the benefites of God bestowit on the Kirk of
Scotland M plantmg and gardmg the samMg from the Castafians,
ObeMttes, Spaniarts, Bischope Balaam, and lait Conspiracie of the
Papist Erles. The quhUk beMg endit, and a lytle begoun to be
spokM of unthankfuMes and undewtifolnes M caring trewfie and
ernestlie over that wark of God, and watchMg over the flockes of
Chryst committed to the Pastors' charge, and over the quhUk the
Lord haid sett tham sa lang with sic libertie and ease, the Lord
1 Thursday. 2 Sets up a stone under an oak tree.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 355
steirit upe sic a motioun of hart, that aU war forcit to fall down be
for the Lord; with sobbes and teares in aboundance, everie man
mightelie commovit with the affectionnes of thair conscience in the
presence of thair God, M privat meditatioun, rypping out thair
wayes, coMessing and acknawlaging thair unwortMnes, and craving
ernestlie grace for amendiment, and that a lang space.
Efter the quhUk, the hartes bemg sattelit, the Moderator, as
comoun mouthe of all, at grait lainthe maid open confessioun of
unthankfuMes, forgettftdnes, undewtiftdnes, negligence, and caldnes,
hardnes of hart, darknes, senslesnes, MstabMtie, vanitie of mynd,
stubburnes and rebellioun in wM, foulnes and uncleinnes in affec
tionnes, undantoned feritie 1 m perturbationes, unsavorines and fofie
of speiche, and of conversatioun facioned efter the warld, easeliar
and mair reddefie drawM efter the maners and custome thairof from
God, then having force of hofines and of the Spreit, in word and
actioun, to draw the peiple from thair vean conversatioun to God,
and the seUting of thair lyff and salvatioun : And, finafie, with trim-
bfing and manie teares for the offence of sa guid and grartius a Lord
and Father, misusing of sa grait and honourable a CaMng, and
quakMng for feir of sic a weght of wrethe hinging on for the blud
of sa manie sauUes lying on our heids, we aU bitterfie weiplt, and
ernestlie sought for a blessing and grace to use the present occa
sioun of the grait mercie and lang-suffering of God grantit to us
rightfie and fathfuMe for amendiment.
Efter the quhilk confessioun, the Moderator, entering again to
deaU in doctrine upon the dialogisme or conference of Josua with
the eldars and rewlars of the peiple ; and first, insisting sum what
upon the rejecting of the consent as a thing impossible to tham to
serve God, wha was hofie, angrie, and indfing,2 to mak the breith
ring try out thair awM sinceritie and upright meining of thair hart,
he resolrit the dout of impossibifitie, and the greiff of experience of
relapse, schowmg that the graitest perfectioun we can attein unto
in tMs lyff is to ken and feM our awin imperfectioun, and stryve
' Violence. 2 Jealous. The common form in which this word occurs in old
Authors and Manuscripts is eldnyng, elduring, and indicting.

356 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
and labour against the saming in treuthe and uprightnes of hart ;
absteinmg from aU tMngs that may quenche the Spreit, and cearfuU
using of aU that may steir upe the sam, sending aU unto CMyst
Jesus, the gMd and gratius Pastor, and to his Mines and perfectioun.
Nixt, upon the thrid consent of the peiple, and reply of Josua,
commanding them to cast away their idoUes, the Moderator in
sisted ernestlie upon the casting away of our idoUes; that is, aU
these tMngs of tMs warld wharof we tak mikle thoucht, and wharin
oftentymes we tak mair pean, and delytes mair nor M God Ms ser
vice, or our caMng ; schawing, that it was our part, in this Contract
and Covenant, to give our selves haMefie to serve the Lord in
treuthe, uprightnes, and fidefitie. And the part of God was to be
our God, to keipe us from aU eriU, and provyde for us aU thmgs
guid for us ; the quhMt his part he wald, but dout,1 foMU aboun-
dantfie, if we haid a cair of our part. But, alas ! whM as forgetting
our part, and learing it undone, we tak on the part of God, caring
for provision, defence and preservatioun of our selffs, we faU in infi-
defitie and distrust of Mm, yea and M proude idolatrie, placmg our
selves and moyens of this warld M the roum and digMtie of God
Almightie ! etc.
And sa, efter divers other poincts of doctrine, admonitiones, and
exhortationes, for the purpose, be fifrmg upe of the hand, everie
an testified befor God, and mutualie an to an uther, the sMceare
and ernest purpose of the hart to studie tM amend and serve God
better in tyme to come, bathe in their privat persones and in the
office of that grait MMisterie of God's honour, and salvatioun of
the peiple concredit to thame, etc.
And last, the Moderator spak upon these words, " You are wit
nesses this day against your seMs," etc., and anent the monument of
the stean sett under the ake,2 and the wreittmg of the Covenant in
the Buik of the Law, preissing to imprent and mgrave in the harts
of the Breithring and his awin, the rememberance of tMs Covenant,
that it sould nocht be forgot, and maid irrit,3 and of na effect,
1 Without doubt. 2 Stone set under the oak. 3 Null. Law Lat. irritus.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 357
(quhUk was oftymes cast upe to the peiple of IsraeU be the Pro
phetes thairefter,) declaring whow the Lord God haid our awin
consciences to bear witnes against us, out of the quhUk the memo
rial of this actioun sould nocht be deleit ; he haid Ms angelles and
aU his creatours ; he haid that sam place, yea the' verie pUlars of
stean standing in that Kirk, lykas be thair awin consent this minut
and soum of the haM actioun soMd be insert and registrat in the
Buik of the SynodaU Assembfies, thair to remean for admoMtioun,
and rememberance during our tyme, and for exemple to the posteritie.
Therefter the Moderator, remembering of the defectioun men
tioned soone efter the deathe of Josua, and the fathers and eldars
that haid sein the warks of God in their dayes, for preventing of
the lyk defectioun, and fastnmg of this new Covenant the mair firm-
lie M the hart, for that effect, of aU the breithring of smaUer age,
requyrit certean fathers, godfie and zealus breitMing thair present,
to spealt as they haid seM, hard and helpit to do in the grait wark
of God, M planting and preservatioun of the Gospell and libertie of
Chrystes Kingdome, trewfie and sMcerlie withm tMs land.
And sa David Fergusone, Pastor of Dunfermling, a reverend
father, spak verie pleasandfie and confortabfie of the begMnMg and
succes of the MiMsterie : Namfie, whow that a few number, viz.
onfie sax, wharof he was an, sa mightefie went fordwart M the wark,
but feir or cair of the warld, and prevafit, when ther was na name
of stipend hard teU of ; when the authoritie, bathe Ecclesiastik and
Cirill, opponit them selves, and skarslie a man of name and estima
tioun to tak the cause M hand, etc. But now it was faUen to that,
the feir or flatterie of men, cair of getting or lothnes of losing of
stipend and moyen of lyff, haid weakned the harts of a mMtitud of
MMisters, etc. : JoyMng thairunto exhortatioun meit for the pur
pose. Mr Jhone Davidsone, a zealus grave father, directed from the
GeneraU Assembfie to visit our SynodaU, foUowit, and spak verie
movingfie and profitablie, saying, That as the fathers of the peiple
of the Jewes, efter their retourn from Babylon, luking upon the
building of the new repearit Temple, and comparing it with the

358 mr james melvill's diary. 1596.
facioun of the aMd that they haid seM, weipit bitterfie ; even sa was
he movit when he beheld the present estait of our Kirk, m the per
sones and conversatioun of the Ministerie and professours, and con
ferrit1 the sam with the beginning that he haid seM, being sa un-
lyk in godlines,'zeaU, graritie, love, and hartfines, stoutnes, cair, and
peanfulnes, mightines and powar of doctrin, etc. ; with ernest ad-
monitiounes and grave exhortatiounes moring the breithring to m-
devour to find the fruicts of that dayes wark, etc. He memit2 al
so miMe the want of lerning in the MMisterie, having sa gMd edu-
catioun, and sa grait tyme and occasioun of letters and knawlage,
that yit he could skarslie meit with an that coMd talk or reasone,
in an exact and lerned maner, of hard places of Scripture or contro-
versit questionnes ; or that could schaw takens 3 of reiddmg of An
tient Doctors of the Kirk, or the Historie thairof, joyning the pre
cept of the Apostle, Attendite lectioni, etc.
Mr Patrik Simsone, Minister of Sterling, bemg present with the
said Mr Jhone, and joymt with him in commissioun from the Gene
raU Assembfie, requyrit be the Moderator, spak verie halelie and
weM anent a pomct of Reformatioun, viz., of the mouthes of the
Ministers quhilk soMd be the Oracle of God, whase fippes soMd keipe
knawlage, and at whase mouthes the Law of the Lord soMd be
sought as the Messingers of the Lord of Hostes, as sayes the Pro
phet. And yit to be sa comounfie and opeMie defylit and abusit
with foolishe, vean gesting, and unsavorie speitches and talk, evm
at tables in open audience, schowing an unclein and unsanctifeit
hart, cearles of the honour of God, and ariMcatioun of his peiple.
Uther breithring also being requyrit in generaU, as God gave it,
and movit thair harts to continow that maist profitable and confort
able exerceise, for leaving of deipe stampe of the actioun m the harts
of the breithring. Mr David Blak, an of the pastors of St Androis,
spak of the dekey and faUing abak of ReMgioun, smceritie, zeaU, and
uprightnes quhilk he haid espyit, being yit bot a schoUar m St An
drois, be the default and warldfie and unspirituall behaviour of tham
1 Compared, contrasted. 2 Bemoaned, lamented. 3 Tokens.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 359
that succeidit M the MMisterie and rewfing of the UMversitie, un
to these godfie and upright men that preceidit tham : That the
greiff thairof haid bem grait in his hart durmg his abyding out of
the countrey, except sa far as he haid hard of Mr Andro MelvM ;
and returning in the countrey he haid fund the sam faMng to al
maist a remediles miserie, and yit haid bein tiirust in be God and
his Kirk in that roum, and sa schawing his indevours wissit the con
currance of the breitMing, and helpe of thair prayers ; exhorting
verie powerfuMe everie an tM attend upon thair awin charge in a
new manner, accordMg to the doctrin delyverit be the last Modera
tor, repeated agame be Mm seM that day, and now promisit and
advowit solemfie to be observit and pressit unto be aU and everie
an of the breithring M tMs present actioun, etc.
Mr Andro MelvM, Rector of the Universitie of St Androis, fol-
lowit furthe the sam purpose, and Msisting on the feir of, defectioun,
warnit the breithring of a lait experience of a grait waiknes and slyd-
ing away, when the hofie discipfine was persecut and sought to be
overtMawin. Whow maMe, for feir of the want of thair stipend
onfie, war brought to a sort of denying of Jesus CMyst, be subscryv-
ing to the wicket Actes of Parfiament in the yeir 1584, wharby the
libertie of Ms tMone and Mngdome was intendit to be utterfie sub
verted. What soMd be Miked for then gif the Spainyards, wha haid
leatfie taMn Cafis, fra quMlk m few houres they might easefie trans
port tham selves to this Yland, yea, in our awin Firthe, he sould
essay our constancie with fyne and exqMsit torments of thair Inqui-
sitioun, upon the quhUk piece of serrice our excommunieat forfaMtit
Papist Erles war attending. Wherby he mightelie exhorted aU
the breithring to tak heid to tham selves, and fixt the doctrin quhUk
they haid hard that day, and this present actioun and Covenant in
thair memories, and tM use fructfuMe this guid occasioun of rest and
fibertie that God sa gratiusfie geves, to be Marmit and preparit
agaMst the day of tryaU, quMlk was nocht far of.
Thir speitches endit, efter treating and finismg of uther incident
maters, ernest prayer was powred out be the Moderator for getting
of grace to remember, practise, and pey the vowes thair maid, and

360 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
efter hartfie thankgiffing for that memorable benefit of God, the
Assemblie was dimissed about four efter noone, als full of spirituaU
joy in the sauU as emptie of corporaU fuid ; everie brother, with
exceiding grait gladnes, glorifeMg God for that actioun above all
uther that ever they haid bein partakers of : To whom onlie be all
praise and honour, for ever. Amen.

THE COVENANT RENEWIT IN THE PRESBYTERIE OF ST ANDROIS.
Upon the penult Furisday1 of the monethe of JMy, 1596, the
Covenant was renewit in the Presbyterie of St Androis be a verie
frequent Assemblie of gentUmen and burgesses, prepared for the
purpose befor be thair Ministers in everie paroche ; wherin, as the
Synod befor, sa the Presbyterie appointed me the comoun mouthe,
keiping the form sett down befoir, as neir as might be. The gene
raU heides of the exhortatioun war these :
The Covenant of God is the contract, securitie, and warrand of
all our weUfear, maid with Adam efter his fall, renewit with Noe
efter the flud, then with Abraham, etc.
This Covenant is broucht to rememberance, and sa in a maner
renewit as often as the Word is pretched, the Sacrament usit, or
exerceis of fasting and publict repentance keipit.
Bot, in a speciaU maner, it hes beM usit amangs the peiple of
God efter a grait threatning and appeirance of manie plagges,2 and
grait danger for sinne and unthankfolnes, sic as hes bein espyed be
the Seirs and Watchmen in tMs land, wha, thairfor, hes begoun at
tham selves, in thair GeneraU [Assemblies] and Synods.
The maner thairof is, first : To try the brakes of the Covenant
of God maid with us, in the privat persone of everie an, M thair fa
mMes, in nibourhead, and in discharge of pubfict offices m Kirk
and Comoun-weill : 2. In acknawlaging and confessing the sam
with unfeinyit sorow and repentance : 3. In craving mercie for the
1 The last Thursday but one. 2 Plagues, judgments.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 361
Mediator of this Covenant his seak, with trew fathe beleiving in
him : And last, in taking ernest purpose, and making promise and
vowes of amendiment, with a fathfoll endevour of keiping and pey-
ing : of the sam in aU the lyff thairefter.
The Covenants of Ezra and Nehemia, whUk they maid with the
peiple efter thair retourn from Babylone, quhMt with fasting and
prayer war maid, wryttin, seaUed, and sworn, was read distinctfie,
and conform to these heads, doctrin, and exhortatioun usit ; and
efter meditatioun in privat and pubfict prayer, be haulding upe of
hands, thir promises and vowes war maid in speciall, for testefeing
of a trew conversioun and change of mynd.
1. The exerceise of reidMg the Word with prayer and thanks-
gering, and catecheising of cMldring and servants, to be usit and
done be the father of everie familie, ordinarlie, within the sam.
2. The resisting of aU enemies of ReUigioun, without fear or fa
vour of aMe persone.
3. The planting of the Ministerie of God's honour, and salva-
tioun of the peiple witMn thair Paroches, bestowing cost thairon to
thair abUitie, and seikMg the Kirk dewties to be recoverit for that
effect. 4. To tak ordour with the pure,2 that thair be nocht vagabund
beggars. 5. To keipe better pubfict Conventiones, and discharge offices
and comoun dewties for the weM of Kirk and Countrey.
. And last, to tak cair of comoun warks, namlie of the standing
and repearing of brigges. 3
Sa, efter prayer to God for grace to perform, lest unto aU the
formar transgressionnes the gUtines of horrible perjurie war ad-
joyned, to hasten the extremitie of judgment, etc. the action endit.
Efter the quhUk, the speciaU Barrones and gentUmen conveiMt
with us in the place whar the Presbyteries sittes, whar, be confer
ence, understanding that ther was grait word and appeirance of In-
vasioun of Spainyeards, and that the excommunicat forfaulted Pa-
1 Paying, fulfilling. " Poor. * Bridges.

362 MR JAMES MELVILL'S- DIARY. 1596.
pist Erles war com ham quietfie, the gentUmen offerit tham selves
verie fracfie ' for resistance, and named thair capteanes of horsmen
and futmen, and sett down an ordour anent thair armour and pro-
visioun ; wharof it was thought guid the King soMd be advertised ;
to whom, for that effect, the Lard of Reiras and I war directed, bot
war nocht taMn weM withe ; and ther was an uther degrie of decay
of my Court, for the King haM determmed to bring ham the Pa
pist Lords again, and lyked of nan that wald nocht wag as the bus
waggit.2A SOUM OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE COVENANT RENEWIT IN THE
KIRK OF SCOTLAND, AND NAMLIE, WITHIN THE PROVINCE OF
FYFF, AND IN THE CONGREGATION OF KILRENNY, THE FYFT OF
SEPT. 1596 : SET DOWN IN MANER OF CONFERENCE FOR THE
USE OF THE PEIPLE.
" M. Thow heires that God hes movit the Watchmen and fath
full Pastours of the Kirk of Scotland and tMs Prorince of Fyff,
beginning at tham selves, to caU and labour to move all to a tryall
of the brak of his Covenant, and an exerceise of Renewing of the
saming: What, does thow think and esteim of the Covenant of God ?
"P. I think and esteim of the Covenant of God as the onlie
evident, right, securitie, and warrand of aU my weilfear.
" M? Wharfor sa ?
" P. Because it is the contract, band, and obligatioun wharbe
God bmds and obleses him selff to be my loring God and Father m
CMyst, sa as thairby I am sure to want na guid thmg, and to be
keipit from aU eriU.
" M. What war thy ceas and esteat if thow wanted this warrand ?
" P. Even that maist miserable esteat of Nature, without God,
without Chryst, a chylde of wrathe, afian from the comoun-weM of
his peiple, under the slaverie of the devM and sMne, and, finafie, a
faggot of heUes-fyre.
' Freely, heartily. ' 2 None that would not wag as the bush wagged.
3 The remainder of the letters M. and P. are supplied to the Questions by the Mini
ster, and the Answers by his People.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 363
" M. What is, then, the substance and tennour of this Covenant ?
" P. God obleses Mm selff, of Ms frie grace, to be my God and
Father in his Sonne Jesus CMyst ; and I with the rest ar bound
to be his servants and cMldring.
" M. Wha hes moyenned l this Contract and Covenant, and
knit it upe betwix God and tMe and Ms peiple ?
" P. The oMie MeMator and Reconcylar, my Lord Jesus CMyst,
and that be his awin pretius blood, and bitter passioun and deathe.
" M. And what is the conditioun on thy part, wharby thow
may be kend Ms servand and chyld M CMyst ?
" P. Gif I embrace tMs promise of God's grace and benefeit of
the blissed Covenant (purcfiassit be Jesus Chryst) be a trew fathe,
and testifie the sam M love, hafines, and obedience.
" M. I perceave, then, the Contract is mutuaU ; sa that God is
nocht bund to thie, gif conditioun be nocht keipit on thy part.
What, then, gif thow hes broken ? Is nocht the Contract dissolved,
and maid to thie of na stead, force, or effect ?
" P. Yes, m verie deid, gif God sould enter in judgment with
us, and deaU streatfie and preceislie accordMg to Ms justice and
right. " M. And what soMd then becom of tMe ?
" P. Even to be cast away in the former miserie and condemna-
tioun with the devMes ; and that sa mikle the mair, as we ar be
com fatMes and mean-sworn,2 Makers of Ms hafie MutuaU Band
and Covenant.
" M. Thow, then, teU me, hes thow enterit M tMs Covenant with
God ; and hes thow compromitted with Mm according to the ten
nour of this Contract and MutuaU Band ?
" P. Yes, mdeid I have, or then I war maist miserable.
" M. When enterit thow thairin ?
" P. Even when I was Mst baptised, and hes professit the sam
ay sen I cam to aMe wit or knawlage, be giffing confessioun of my
fathe, and using of the Hofie Supper.
1 Who has been the means of proouring. 2 Perjured, man-sworn,

364 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
" M. And hes God keipit his part to tMe ?
" P. Blessed be his hofie nam and heavenlie Majestie, for he hes
bein alwayes to mie a gratius God and bountifuU loring Father.
" M. But what hes bein thy part againe to him ?
" P. Alas ! I have broken and transgressed, maist unthankfulfie,
sinning searlie1 at all tymes agaMst my gMd God, my nibour, and
my awin sauU. And sa, if he soMd deaU with me in judgment ac
cording to his right, I can have na securitie or warrand of weill-
fear to produce, bot man close my mouthe, and coMes I ly maist
miserablie under danger of God's wrathe, and all Ms pleagges and
judgments, temporaU and eternaU.
" M. Now, what if God might be moved to forget and remit all
bygeans,2 and enter in a new Covenant and Contract with thie,
wald thow nocht be glade to embrase sic grace ?
"P. O ! with aU my hart ; bot whow saU that be ?
" M. Giff thow ernestlie repent thy sinnes bypast, tak upe a fee-
full3 purpose of amendiment, with a fathful promise and vow of
the sam unto the Lord by his grace for the tyme to come, and by
assurit fathe cleive to the Lord Jesus, in whom is aU holines and
perfectioun. " P. That is dayfie cravit of us be the Word of God, use of the
Holie Sacraments, and oftentymes in the exerceise of fasting and
publict repentance.
" M. Treuthe, indeid ; for the Covenant and purpose is aU an and
the sam : Bot because dayfie we brak, it haid neid daylie to be re
newed to us ; and namfie, efter a lang sparing and large bountiful-
nes of God, and manie fouU sinnes and grait unthankfulnes, tend
ing to an utter defectioun from God, and procuring of the extremi-
tie of his wrathe and judgments. When God votchaffes,4 then, as
he maist mercifuMe does at this tyme, to caU us, be Ms servants the
Watchmen, to the Renewing of the Covenant, that he may yit de
fer his plagges, and continow his mercifull gMdnes toward us, soMd
we nocht be glaid thairof, and indevour our selves with aU cair and
reverence to meit the Lord, offering mercie and grace ?
1 Sorely. 2 Bygones. 3 Strong, powerful. ' Vouchsafes.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 365
" P. Now the God of mercie grant we may sa do, and work in
my hart in speciaU be his Hafie Spreit for that effect. Bot, alas ! I
have sett my seM oftentymes to repent, and promised and advowit
amenMment with my sehT, bot coMd never atteM to the perform
ance ; and, thairfor, I feir I saU do na uther thing at this tyme,
bot involve my selff M a new gUtines of men-swearing and brak of
promise. " M. GUT1 thy hart be upright and trew toward God, and if thow
find aMe ernest desyre of amendiment, with a laboring, stryving,
and preassMg thairunto, whowbeit thow can nocht attein to that
thow wald, feir nocht ; for God requyres nocht perfectioun of us in
tMs lyff, quhUk he knawes we can never attein unto, because he wM
nocht giff it. Wha is the God of ordour that hes apointed a tyme
of feghting and a tyme of triumpMng, a tyme of sojourning and
wandring, and a tyme of habitatioun and dweUing, and, finafie, a
tyme of warsfing2 and suffering heir, to mak us conform to Chryst,
that we may heirefter ring with him in glorie ? Therfor, heir we
have to strive against our awin imperfectiones, and against his ene
mies and ours, the derill, the warld, and fleche ; and be trew fathe to
cleive to that perfectioun of Ms Sone, the Lord Jesus Chryst, our
Saviour, M whom he is weM appleasit, and of whase perfectioun he
wM accept of as ours ; for Chryst is the Cautionar 3 of the Covenant
and Contract for us, and sa principaU deatter,4 takMg the sam upon
Mm to satisfie in aU whar we ar unable. Onlie remember this ; whar
Chryst dweUes m the hart be fathe, thair is a continuaU grouthe and
progres M knawlage and halines during this lyff, quhilk hes the awin5
perfectioun in the lyff to come, fulfilled even in us be the qMcning
Spreit of Chryst, working then without all contradictioun, impedi
ment, or stay.6
"P. O ! that effrayes7 me maist of aU ; for, alas ! I find na grouthe
or going fordwart, bot rather a decay and bak-turning.8
" M. Surfie, if thow be the chyld of God, thow mon9 grow upe
' If. 2 Contending, wrestling. 3 Surety, security. ' Debtor.
s Its own proper. " Hindrance. 7 Affrights, alarms. 8 Relapsing. 9 Must.

366 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
to the just stature of a perfyt man in Chryst, and be lyk the pleas
and plants M the Lord's ortchyeard. Bot tak heid, I pray thie,
whom God sa disposes and moves, (for ther is nocht mome of that
sort !) as it is weM done to think na thing of thy sehT, sa be war
tM extenuat the grace of God and working of his Spreit, quhilk
soMd be alwayes acknawlagit with thankfuU hartes to Ms praise :
For it is in that poMct with the godfie M spirituaU giftes, as with
the warldlings M temporaU, that an tMnks litle or na tMng of that
quhUk they have atteined to and gotten, bot ay wald be at fordar
and mair ; and sa does that uther. Also, ther wUbe a decey, in ap
peirance, for a farder grouthe ; and a grouthe quhUk wffl nocM be
percearit, unles it be narrowlie luked unto, even as in the tries and
plantes M the wmtar seasone ; quhUk, nochtwithstanding the eauld
frost and snaw, having the rutt x fast M the ground, is ever growing
ather witMn or without the erde, in Mght, graitnes, or sum way;
yea, and that quhUk is farder in the Elect of God, comouMie ther
is graitter grouthe and going fordwart when they thmk and feiUes
leist, and leist when they feM and th-Mk maist; for, but2 question,
then ar we best M God's sight and estimatioun when we ar warst
in our awm, and contrair : And feiUing is na sure rewell of fathe,
for we wM feM mair a wMtteU in our fingar nor the helthe of the haM
body.3 Yet, for treuthe, the mair feMing of the soares of sinne,
the graitter missoure4 of grace; for it is by grace that we can feM
sinne sair.5 Assure thy sehT, thairfor, of a gMd cais if thow find that
feUfing, yea, or the sorow for want thairof, with desyre to have it,
for that is nocht of fleche and bhiid, bot of the Spreit of grace, quMUt
can work bathe the wM and deid m that missour that he knawes
meit for thie ; with the quMlk be content.
" P. WeM, Sir, I thank God with aU my hart, of your confort
able instructioun, wherby I am brought to be weM resolvit to in-
devour my sehT in this actioun, beseikand6 yow also to schaw me
whow I saU proceid thairinto.

' Root. 2 Without. 3 For we will much more feel a whitlow in our finger
than the health of the whole body. * Measure. 5 Sore, painful. 6 Beseeching,

1596. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 367
" M. First, be preparatioun traveling cearfuUie to try and find
out thy smnes and transgressiones of God's hofie law : Nixt, with
an feUfing dispositioun m remorse and sorow for the sinnes com
mitted, craving mercie and forgiffnes thairof, and with a fectfuU1
purpose promisMg be Ms grace tM2 amend : Thridfie, M traveling
for fraict efter the actioun, be marking these sinnes in speciaU quhUk
maist greives thy conscience, or thow knawes to be offensive to the
godfie, and Mdevoring but3 delay to mend the sam.
" Anent aU the quhMt thow wUbe at lynthe instructed in the doc
trine quhilk God of mercie saU witchaff 4 to grant for that effect ;
and, thairfor, pray ernestlie to God to grant giftes to his servants,
of knawlage, feMing, and utterance to delyver ; and to thy selff, and
the rest of the peiple, grace to receave the sam with light of under-
standmg, and cair to practise.
" Now, the gratius Lord, for Jesus Chryst his Sonnes seak, be
thair Holie Spreit of grace, mot5 work it in us all. Amen."
Thus was our peiple catecMsed the haiU monethe of August, and
upon the first Sabbathe of September, the Covenant, with the Hofie
Communion, celebrat, to thair grait confort.
And as efter aU our fastes, (quMUt I haM pretermitted in tMs
storie, because I have wraitten a speciaU Treatise thairof,) sa efter
tMs exerceise we wanted nocht a remarkable effect. For if God
haid nocht extraordMarfie provydit for Scotland rictuaUes,6 (coming
in sic store and aboundance out of aU uther countries as never was
seM in this land befor, sa that, be the estimatioun of the customers
and men of best judgment, for everie mouthe that was in Scotland
ther cam m at least a boU of victuaU,) thowsandes haid died for
houngar j for nochtwithstanding of the infinit number of boUs of
victuaU that cam ham from uther partes, aU the hervest quarter
that yeir, the meaU gave aught, nyne, and ten pound the boU, and
the malt aUeavin and twoU, and in the Southe and Wast partes
manie died.
1 Powerful. 2 To. 3 Without. ' Vouchsafe. 5 Now, may the
gracious Lord, &c. 6 There was a prospect of great famine that winter.

368 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
I dar nocht bot mark it, whowbeit against my wM, that the
MiMsters of Edinbrache and Kirk thairof neglected and omitted
this actioun of the Covenant, with the effect of a feirfuU desola-
tioun, gif we dar judge ! l
About the end of August, the King caUes a Conventioun of the
Esteattes to Falkland, even of sic as be favour and fiindschipe war
neirest joyned with the excommunicat, forfaMtit Papist Erls ; whar
Alexander Setoun, President of the Sessioun, a Papist, maid a pre
pared harang, wharby to perswade the Kmg and Esteattes to call
hame these Erles, lest, lyk Coriolanus the Roman, or Themistocles
the Athenian, they soMd joyne with the enemies, and creat an un
resistable danger to the esteat of the countrey ! Divers of the
Ministerie war wraitten for to that Conventioun, bot sic as the
King knew he coMd mak.2 But Mr Andro, understandmg thairof,
and being a Commissionar apointed be the GeneraU Assembfie to
sie to the dangers of the Kirk at aU occasiones, cam tMther, and pre
sented him seM with the rest : Whom, when the King saw, he send
to Mm, asking of his earand, and wiMng Mm to go hame ; bot he
said he haid a commissioun first to discharge, in God's nam and
the Kirk's, to the King and Esteattes.
When the King and Esteattes war sett doun, the King causses
the Mmisters to be caMt upon be nam and lettin in, leaving out Mr
Ajidro, who cam in with the formaist. The King finding faMt with
him that came ther uncaMt, he answers, " Sir, I have a caMng to
com heir be Chryst Jesus the King, and his Kirk, wha hes speciall
entres M tMs tourn,3 and against quhUks directfie this Conventioun
is mett ; chargmg yow and your Esteattes M his nam, and of his
Kirk, that yie favour nocht Ms enemies whom he hattes, nor go
nocht about to caU hame and mak citicMers, these that has trater-
ouslie sought to betrey thair citie and native countrey to the crewall
Spainyard, with the overtMow of Chryst's Kmgdome, fra the quhilk
they have bein thairfor maist justfie cutt of as rolten members ;
1 If wp may dare to judge. 2 Use as tools. 3 Interest in this business.
i

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 369
certifeMg, if they soMd do in the contrair, they soMd feM the dint
of the wrathe of that IGng and Ms Esteattes !" And, braking on
in particMar upon the graittest part of that Conventioun, with plane
speitche and mightie force of zeaU, he chaUengit tham of hiche
treasone bathe against CMyst and the King, against the Kirk and
countrey of Scotland, in that purpose and counsaU they war about.
Bot the King Mterrupted Mm, and commanded Mm to go out,
whase command he obeyit, thanMng God that they haid knawin his
mynd, and gottin his message dischargit. Mr David LMdsay,
Mr James Nicolson, Mr Patrik GaUoway, and I, that remeanit
and hard aU, and spak in the contrar, adhering in effect to that
quhUk Mr Andro haid uttered, bot in sic sort, that the King, with
fear 1 promises, satisfeit over easefie and removit. In end, the
Esteattes concludes, that the King and Kirk being satisfeit, it war
best to caU tham hame, and that his Majestie soMd heir thair offerres
for that effect.
In the monethe of September foUowmg, the Commissionars of
the GeneraU Assembfie, with Mvers uther gMd breithring, conveinit
in Cowper ; and, understandMg certeanfie of the retourn of the Pa
pist Lords, and of thair plattes, 2 purposes, and bissines, with thair
favorars and associattes, thought gMd to direct certean of the breith
rmg thair present to the KMg, bemg in Falkland, to mein 3 the
mater to him, and crave a discharge of Ms dewtie, namfie, that seMg
without Ms licence and knawlage, as was certefeit to the Kirk be
his Majestie's MMisters, these rebeUes was com ham, and war about
to mak insurrectioun M the countrey, ther dangerous Mdevours
soMd be maturfie prevented be Ms Majestie his authoritie and
powar. Also, that ther sould be a meitting again of the breithring,
in EdMbruche, the monethe of October foUowMg.
Sa, Mrs Andro MelvM, Patrik GaUoway, James Nicolsone, and
I, cam to FaUdand, whar we fand the KMg verie quyet. The rest
leyed 4 upon me to be speaker, alleagmg I coMd propone the mater
substantiuslie, and in a myld and smothe maner, quhilk the King
1 Fair. 2 Plots. 3 Make complaint. « Laid the burden
2 A

370 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
lyked best of. And, entering in the Cabinet with the King alan,
I schew Ms Majestie, That the Commissionars of the GeneraU As
sembfie, with certean uther breitiirmg ordeaMt to watche for the
weM of the Kirk in sa dangerous a tym, haid convenit at Cowper.
At the quhilk word the KMg interrupts me, and crabbotfie l quar
rels our meitting, aUeagmg it was without warrand and seditius,
maMng our selves and the countrey to conceave feir whar thair waa
na cause. To the quhUk, I beginning to reply, M my maner, Mr
Andro doucht nocht 2 abyd it, bot brak af upon the King in sa zealus,
powerfoll, and unresistable a maner, that whowberTthe Kmg used
his authoritie in maist crabbit and colerik maner, yit Mr Andro
bure Mm down, and outtered the Commission as from the mightie
God, caMng the King bot " God's sUlie vassaU ;" and, taking Mm be
the sleive, sayes this in effect, tMow mikle hat reasoMng and manie
interruptiones : " Sir, we wM humblie reverence your Majestie al
wayes, namlie m publict, but gen we have tMs occasioun to be with
your Majestie M privat, and the treuthe is, yie ar brought in ex
tream danger bathe of your lyff and croun, and with yow the
countrey and Kirk of Christ is lyk to wrak, for nocht teMng yow
the treuthe, and giffen of yow a fathfuU counsaU, we mon 3 discharge
our dewtie thairin, or els be trators bathe to Christ and yow ! And,
thairfor, Sir, as divers tymes befor, sa now again, I mon teU yow,
thair is twa KMgs and twa Kmgdomes in Scotland. Thair is CMyst
Jesus the King, and his kMgdome the Kirk, whase subject KMg
James the Saxt is, and of whase kMgdome nocht a Mng, nor a lord,
nor a heid, bot a member ! And they whome CMyst hes caUit and
commandit to watch over Ms Kirk, and governe Ms spirituaU kmg
dome, hes sufficient powar of him, and authoritie sa to do, bathe to
gidder and severalie ; the quMlk na Christian King nor Prince sould
controU and discharge, but fortifie and assist, utherwayes nocht fath
fuU subjects nor members of Chryst. And, Sir, when yie war M your
swadfing-cloutes, Chryst Jesus rang 4 friely in tMs land in spyt of all
his enemies, and his Officers and MiMsters convenit and assembfit
for the rewfing and weM of his Kirk, quhUk was ever for your weil-
1 Angrily, testily. 2 Could not. 3 Must. 4 Reigned.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 371
fear, defence, and preservatioun also, when thir sam enemies was
seiking your destructioun and cuttMg af. And, in sa doMg, be thair
Assembfies and meittings sen syne contMowafie hes bein terrible to
these enemies, and maist stedable l for yow. And wM yie now,
when thair is mair nor2 extream necessitie of the continowance and
fathfuU discharge of that dewtie, drawin to your awM destructioun
be a devMische and maist pemitius counsaU, begin to hinder and dis-
hart 3 CMyst's servants, and your best and maist faithfuU subjects,
quarreUMg tham for thair conveimng and cair that they haiff of
thair dewtie to Chryst and yow, when yie soMd rather commend
and countinance tham, as the godfie KMgs and gMd Emperours did ?
As to the wisdome of your counsaU, quhilk I caU derifishe and per-
nitius, it is tMs, that yie mon be servit with aU sort of men to come
to your purpose and grandour, Jew and GentiU, Papist and Pro
testant ; and because the MMisters and Protestants M Scotland is
over stark, 4 and controUes the King, they mon be waikned and
brought law, 5 be steiring upe a partie to tham, and the King beMg
aequafi and incfifferent, bathe salbe fean to flie to him ; sa saU he be
weiU serrit. Bot, Sir, gif God's wesdome be the onlie trew wis
dome, this wM prove mere and mad fofie, for his curse can bot light
upon it ; sa that, M seUting of bathe, yie saU los bathe, wharas in
driving uprightfie to God, his trew servants soMd be your sure
freinds, and he soMd compeU the rest, counterfitfie and leingfie, 6 to
gM over tham selves and serve yow, as he did to Darid !"
Thir thmgs, and manie uther, was spoken be occasioun in con
ference with grait fibertie and vehemence, tM at last the King sat-
telit and dimitted7 us pleasandlie, with manie attestationes that he
knew nocht of the Papist Lords' ham-coming tM they war in the
countrey ; and whowbeit the Esteates haid licenced tham to mak
thair offers, they sould nocht be receaved tM they tham selves war
furthe of the countrey agam ; and offer what they wald, they soMd
gett na grace at his hand tM they satisfeid the Kirk.
1 Serviceable. 2 More than. 3 Dishearten. ' Strong, powerful.
5 Must be weakened and brought low. fi Lyingly. 7 Dismissed.

372 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
The 20 of October the Commissionars of the GeneraU Assem
blie, and from divers SynodaUs, convened at Edinbruche, the haill
proceidMgs wharof from that day untM the xvij. day of December,
that accursed wrakfuU day to the Kirk and Comoun-weM of Scot
land, because they ar at lainthe, and particMarfie, M forme of Ephe-
merids, sett doun be me M a buik be tham selff, for contractmg of
tMs volum, I mon remit the reidar thairto. OMy heir I wM insert
the Offers quhUk the Erie of Hountlie maid to the Synod of Mur
ray, be his Lady, the 1 9 day of the forsaid monethe of October,
that it may be knawin whow trew the Lord hes ever bem in his
promises to his Kirk, in maMng thair and Ms enemies lemglie yeild,
and to giff ower tham selves unto his David.

THE OFFERS PRESENTED BE THE LADY HENRIET STEWART, COUNTES
OF HOUNTLY, HAVING COMMISSION FROM HIR HOUSBAND IN HIS
ABSENCE, TO THE SYNODALL ASSEMBLIE OF THE PRESBYTEEIES
WITHIN THE DIOICESE OF MURRAY, CONVENIT IN ELGEN THE XIX.
DAY OF OCTOBER, 1596.
" In the first heiring, and haring inteMgence that your Wisdomes
heir convenit, and remanent of the Kirk of tMs reahn, hes bein in
tyme past, and as yit remanes eriU informit, be suggestioun of mis-
reportes of my Lord and spouse, that he soMd be a trafectar 1 with
strangers sen his departing out of tMs reahne, m prejudice of the
ReMgioun presentfie professit in the sam, and of the esteat of his
native countrey, I, as having commissioun in his nam, offers, nocht
onfie to mak Ms purgatioun of the sMister misreportes of Mm above
wrytten, bot also that he saU abyd and submit him selff to aU law
fuU tryaU thairanent ; and, if he beis fund cMpable and gUtie thairof,
to suffer and underly the censours of your Wisdomes, King, and
CounsaU. " Secondlie, I offer that he saU mak sufficient securitie nather till
1 That he is reputed to have been a trafficker.

1596. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 373
attempt, assist, nor devyse anie thing M tymes cummmg, tending
to the alteratioun or inversioun of the ReMgioun presentfie professit
witMn this realme.
" Thridfie, Offers that he saU banishe and eject from Ms com
panie and societie aU Jesuites, SemMarie Preist, excommuMcat
persones, and notorius knawin Papists.
"Feirdfie, He is and salbe content to Mtercomoun and confer
with quhatsumever of the MMisterie your Wisdomes and haM Kirk
saU apomct ; and m cais he may be movit be gMd arguments and rea
sones, and thairby persuadit in Ms conscience to leave the ReMgioun
presentfie profest be Mm, he saU embrace the ReMgioun profest
witMn this realme.
" Fyftlie, Offeres that he saU ressave an ordinar MiMster in Ms
compaMe, for Ms better mstructioun, on his awin charges ; and M
mean tyme saU keipe grid ordour.
" Sextfie, For better assurance of Ms gMd meMing, he is content
tM assist your Mscipfine in punisMng of vyce.
" Serintlie, In consideratioun of the premisses, I wiU desyre your
Wisdomes to giff and concead a reasonable tyme wharin my Lord
my spouse may be resolved M Ms conscience ; and that it wM pleis
your Wisdomes to schaw him that favour to absolve him fra the
proces of excommuMcatioun ; and that he may have, be your meMa-
tioun and MterceidMg, his Majestie's favour and oversight, to re
mean withM the countrey untroublit during the tyme of the Con
ference. " And for your perswasioun to the premisses, I offer, in Ms name,
that he saU mak sufficient securitie for observmg of the Articles
above wrettin ; and M testimonie of his guid intentiounes, saU assist
the planting of Ministers in the Kirks desolat within his bounds.
( Thus subscryvit,) " Henrett Countess of Huxtlye."
Thir Articles war presentit be the Barones underwryten : Sir
Walter OgUbie of FMdlater, Knight, Robert Innes of that Ilk, Sir
Jhone Gordown of Pitlurg, Knight, WUyeam Sutherland of Duffes,
Jhone Urquhart of TuUo, Tutor of Crommertie.

374 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
Upon thir offeres, the Papist Erles war suffered to bruik the
countrey, yea, ther awin housses and lerings, tiU the monethe of
May thairefter ; when, at the GeneraU Assembfie haMdin at Don-
die, they war absolved : QuhUk was easie to effectuat, the Mini
sterie of St Androis and Edinbruche, and sa of the haiU Southe,
being ather defaced or drawin to the KMg's devotioun ; and the
MiMsterie of the Northe haiUefie, be fear and flatterie, maid for the
purpose. And thus our undewtiftdnes did lose agaM that grait
victorie quhUk God haid conqueist ower these enemies ; the quhilk
I pray his mercie they be nocht maid just skurges to the Ministerie
M speciaU thairfor.
Immediatlie efter that xvij. day of December, the Ministers of
EMnbruche, Maisters Robert Brace, James Balfour, Walter Bal
canquall, and WUyeam Watsone, war nocht onlie counsaffit, bot
ernestlie urgit be thair flok to flie. Twa of the quhUk, Mr Robert
and Walter, past Southe, in England. The uther twa cam Northe
ower to Fyff, whar they war attendit upon, and receavit in a hous
quhilk the Lord haid preparit for the confort of his servants. Ther,
under the wmges of God's proridence, they reposit, and ther thair
host penned the Apologie of thair cause, foUowing : —

A DECLARATIOUN OF THE JUST CAUSSES QUHILK MOVED THE MINI
STERS OF EDINBRUCHE TO WITHDRAW THAM SELVES FROM THAIR
FLOKES, FOR A SEASONE, IN THE MONETH OF DECEMBER, 1596 ;
GIVELNG PLACE TO THE WRATHE OF THE PRINCE, TO RESERVE

THAM SELVES FOR A BETTER TYME.

" There hes bein in aU ages, is, and salbe, (1.) Sum proffessit
malitius enemies to the Lord Jesus and his servands : (2.) Sum that
wald profes frindschipe to tham, bot the love of tMs warld sa ower-
rewles thair affectionnes, that when the frindschipe of the an and
the uther comes in comparisone, sa that of necessitie they man for-
seak an of tham, lyk the ritche man M the GospeU, with heavines
of hart they depart from Chryst : (3.) Sum weak and infirm breith-

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 375
ring that haid neid nocht oMie of righteus Mformatioun M the treuthe,
bot also of continuaU confort : (4.) And sum wyse and strong favo-
rars, wha leakes na thing bot inteMgence of the proceidMgs of
maters that they may meantem the caus, and stand thairunto agaMst
whatsoever calumnie or sMander.
" Concerning the first, wharof we meM nocht to tyne tyme M wass-
ing of sic Moores,1 nor, contrar to the command of our Maister, to
cast our hafie things to doogges, and sett our peirles befor sic swyne,
seUring to find and save sic whom the Lord wM have lost and de
stroyed ; and, thairfor, in his righteus judgments, gMes tham over
to thair awm fantasies to forge out stumbling-blokes, and cast tham
M thair awM way to faU on, and go from evM to warse, decearing
and being decearit, to thair awM just condemnatioun.
" As for the second sort, it war bot lost labour also to preas to
perswad tham of the treuthe ; for it fearethe2 with tham as with an
sa affectionat to his frind that he meMes never to speir3 his quarreU,
what ever be done, what ever be said, right or wrang, trew or fals,
rashfie or advysedfie ; sa it tend anie wayes to the hurt or hinder-
ance of his affectionat frind, it is aU an ; yea, he is sa ather blindit
or wMfuMe adMcted to Ms fond frindscMpe, that the least appeir
ance of the hurt thairof makes right, treuthe, wesdome, advysitnes
M Ms conceat to alter bathe name and nature, and be estefined and
gMen but for contrarie vyces : Sa ar they to the frindschipe of
thair gear and this warld.
" Our onlie cear is of the twa rankes that remeanes, rightfie tiU
informe that an of the just and wechtie causses moving us to with
draw our selves from our charges, and leave af the exerceise of our
ministerie amangs our flocks of our awin accord for a seasone,
(quhMt utherwayes we soMd have bem compeUed to do against our
wMes, to the los of our fives and graitter disadvantage of the co
moun cause, as eridentfie wiU appeir in our Apologie efter foUow
ing,) and togidder heirwithaU to subjoyne sum comfort also for the
confirmatioun of that uther ; beseikand tham bathe to accept of the
1 Washing of such Blackamoors ; labour in vain. 2 Fareth. * Ask, inquire into.

376 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
saming rightfie and lovmgfie, in the tender boweUes of the Lord
Jesus. " Thair is twa things, as we understand, blawm abrode of us for
our discredit, and the hurt of the cause of Jesus Chryst. An, that
we have left our flockes, and sa becom, of pastors, hyrlings. The
uther, that we ar fled from the lawes, and sa of guid subjects be
com rebeUes and outlawes. The quhilk erymes ar befor God and
man, M aU Reformit Kirks and Comoun-weMes, sa hynous and
odius, that, giff we haid nocht the testimoMe of a guid conscience
in the contrare to uphold us befor God, and evident reasones to
cleir our selves befor the reasonable and godfie, we wald esteim our
selves of aU men maist miserable.
" For, as concerning the flight from our flockes, we have the
command of our Maister bidding us, bemg persecut M a citie to
flie to an uther ; and, conform to the saming his awin exemple, and
the exemple of his apostles, namlie St PaMl, who, bemg let down
in a basket by Mght over the waUes of Damascus, eschaped, and
the manifold ffightes of mame reverend fathers of the Antient Kirk,
and namlie of the godfie and zealus Athanasius, weUl thought of and
approvin of all Christiamtie. And wha, I pray yow, speaking in
conscience, will or can deny our persecutioun ? Having sic bludie
bod warts l coming to us from Court continuaMe, sic schoring 2 to
pluk us out of our pMpites, sic bitter and malitius reaMng3 agaMst
us at tables, and in conference of counsaUours, sic blasphemus tra
ducing in publict, be proclamatiounes at mercat crosses with sound
of trumpet ; whar, befor that ever we war caUit or hard, we war
convict of seditioun and treasone, and proclamed to be sic personnes,
namfie, in that maist malitius and blasphemus proclamatioun, whar
in was deducit the proces led against Mr David Blak, in the selff
maist MformaU, impius, and injust, and we involvit in the gUtines
of the sam alleagit erymes, to be maid part-takers of the sam puuis-
ment at the pleasur and wM of the Prince; wha, God wattes4 and
1 Messages, in fiery haste. Literally, this word denotes the stick or fiery-cross,
which of old was sent from place to place to call the people to defend the country, &c.
2 Threatening, menacing. 3 Railing. * Wots, knows.

1596. MB JAMES melvill's diary.

377

man bathe, what guid wM he hathe uttered towards us and all our
Maister's servands, sen the recearing of our deidlie enemies the Pa
pist Erles in his favour : For the quhilk, we humblie pray the Lord
to be merrifott to the KMg, and giff him repentance in tyme, befor
that grait Judge of the warld sett Ms Justice Court, enter in re-
ductioun of that proces, and pronunce a feirfuU sentence in Ms con
trar, to be execut M wrathe without delay. And at last, a maist
craftefie devysit tumult and Msurrectioun motiouned be our enemies,
and moved be the simple popMace ; the quMlk nochtwithstanding,
be our dMgence and authoritie, it was asswagit without anie vio
lence or tort1 done to ame man, praisit be God. Yit, forsuthe, the
sam is sa hMe aggreagit,2 that it is gMen out to the warld for a con
spiracie of us and our associattes, of hie treassone agaMst Ms Ma
jestie's persone and counsaUours, and maid to be a sufficient cause,
wharfore we soMd be apprehendit as seditius trators, committed to
warde, and condemmt to schamfuU executioun.
" For what better coMd we have luiked for at the hands of our
accursed enemies, the excommunicat Papist Erles, whase speciaU
frinds and favourars hes nocht onlie afienat the hart of his Majestie
from us, bot sa mcensit the samMg in hatred and wrathe agaMst us,
steired upe be our frie rebMMng of sMne, and fathfuU admoMtiounes
giffen from tyme to tyme to Ms Majestie for eschewing of the feir
fuU judgments of God, that Ms awin mouthe hes brathed out
bludie sentences and domes against us. The quhilk tMng, when
our breithring, the Commissionars of the GeneraU Assemblie, haid
espyed and considderit, befor thair departing of the town, forcit to
leave us be that streat3 charge and proclamatioun, they gaiff us
thair speciaU advys and counsaU, that M cais our Magistrates and
flock wald nocht preserve us saM from violent invasioun and craftie
dMt of deidlie malice, M that ceas we soMd withdraw our selffs for
a tyme, and reserve our selffs to a better occasioun, when we might
serve our God and his peiple be our ministrie in saftie and freidome.
And it is of veritie, that sa far was our bailyies and counsaU from
1 Wrong, hurt. Fr. tort. 2 Aggravated. > Stringent, strict.

378 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
that abMtie or dewtie, that they war fean, for feir of thair awin
esteattes, to receave a commissioun to tak and apprehend us, and
put us in streat warde and sure firmance, to be producit at the
pleasour of our enemies, and maid a prey to the recent anger of an
incensit King, whose wrathe is as the roaring of a lyoun, or as a
boare rabbit of hir whelpes,1 as speakes the Scripture. The quhilk
they haid nocht fealit to have effectuat indeid, gM God of Ms guid
Proridence haid nocht carit for our preservatioun, and movit the
haM breitMing of our Presbyterie, and uthers out of divers partes
of the countrey, bemg ther for the tyme, togidder with our awin
Sessioun and divers of our flock better affected, to counsaU us cair-
fuMe and maist urgentlie to move us to eschew the present furie
and danger, and keipe our selves to the fore 2 for the wark of God
at a better tyme. Giff then it be lawfuU, comendable, and honest,
for the stouttest to feir whar thair is just cause, and flie to that end
they may feght againe, namfie to Pastors wher thair is na danger
of infecting of thair flockes with heresie, and evident danger Mtendit
against thair lyves : And if the premisses and mUde mair, cleirlie
knawin to the consciences of aU men of cair and sight in proceid
Mgs of maters, be trew, it is manifest that sic was the stat in deid
of us and our flockes. Thair is nan of sound and sanctefied judg
ment that wM blam us as mercenarie desertours of our charges, bot
rather praise God, wha hes of his gratius guidnes wotchaffed3 sato
direct and protect us, to be reserved M hope of farder imployment
M the wark of his glorie and grace M Jesus Chryst.
" Now to the uther heid of our accusatioun, twitching our flemg
from the lawes, we stand justfie to the flat denying thairof. For we
flie nocfit from the law, bot from the wrathe and evM dispositioun
of the Judge that may easefie pervert the law ; "or rather from the
partie wha intends, be pretence of law, to be revengit upon us, as
upon thair noysome enemies, wha, as they aUeage, hes nocht cessit,
be our just rebuking of thair sinnes, quhUk they term seditius ser-
montes, to disgrace tham befor the peiple, and thairby at last hes
1 A bear robbed of her whelps, Prov. xvii. 12. 2 In life. 3 Vouchsafed.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 379
concitat1 the samMg agaMst tham to bereave tham of thair lyves
and honors. Giff it be nocht sa, we appeM thair conscience befor
God ; and if it be sa, as it is mdeid, have we nocht reasone to de
clyne the judgment of our partie, and flie from a craftie and crewaU
intendit revenge of a deidlie and malitius enemie ?
(t For, to be plean, in this our necessar Apologie, we ar forcit
unto for defence of the sestimatioun of our office, and creadit of our
caMng amangs the peiple of God, nocht we onlie, bot aU men of
grid and asqmtable judgment, thMks it aU an 2 to be judgit be the
present CounsaU as be the Erie of Hountlie, in whase favour the
advancment of the speciaUes of tham, speak what they will, hes
bein procurit, and for whase effect thair credit is continowed and
increassit at Court. And we ar sure nan wM esteMi us foolishe
or fleyed3 for flemg from the judgment of that crewaU trator, as
from the Burning of DunibirsaU or Spanishe InqMsitioun.
"And as to the King's Majestie, we flie nocht from his lawfuU
authoritie, but from Ms uMawfuU wrathe, nocht from his eviU natu
raU, (quhMt of it seM is maist clement,) but from his prejudicat
dispositioun and eriU opiMoun conceavit against us be the maist
subtiU and importune subjestioun4 of craftie serpentes, from whase
pernitius poisone our continuaU prayer to God is, that his Majestie
may be saiff, and nocht thairby slean in body and saMl. For as
to Ms Majestie's Judicatorie, we mein nocht to declyne it in this
cause ; nather, whowbeit we have be aU law maist just cause of
appeUatioun thairfra, being sa Mormlie greirit and hurt be aU his
proceidMgs against us, yit we meM nocht simplie tM appeal from
his Hienes' throne to anie Caesars, Kings, or Princes, in the erthe,
but a Rege male consulto et affecto ad melius. Sa that whow soone
soever it pleis God to delyver Mm from the companie and counsaU
of wicked Papists and malitius Atheists, and turn his hart and af-
fectioun to the trew professours of the right Christian ReUigioun
and fathfuU Ministers thairof, wha, without aU questioun, is, hes
bein, and will prove Ms oMie sure frinds and gMd subjects, we sail,
1 Stirred up. 2 Equal, the same thing. 3 Afraid, terrified. A Injection.

380 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. • 1596.
in aU readines and humMtie, present our selves befor his Majestie,
sitt dow,1 fimld our feit,2 and tholl an assyse3 of anie honest men
of whatsumever rank, for aU art, part, read,4 or counsaU of that
insurrectioun, or anie uther interpryse at anie tyme attempted
against Ms Majestie.
" Wharfor, deir breithring, we ernestlie exhort yow, m the
boweUes of our comoun Saviour, to conceave of our cause and do
ings aright ; and nocht onfie to satisfie your selff with the equit
able reasones and motives thairof, wherby all occasioun of offence
and mislyMng may easMe be removed, bot also of Christian dewtie
and love to play the advocat for us at the hands of uthers, namfie,
of sic as may have acces to deaU with Ms Majestie for the treuthe,
and move his Hienes to a better dispositioun.
" For, as concerning our dewtie to his Majestie, the God of
heavin, the cearsar6 of all hartes, bears us witnes, that we injoy a
guid and quyet conscience thairanent, quhMt accuses us nocht of
omitting anie thing we oucht6 of dewtie to his Majestie, nor com
mitting of anie thing against Ms Majestie's persone or esteat, un-
les it have bein be the exces of affectioun or zeaU, fearing for his
danger, and caring for Ms weffl and preservatioun against all sort
of trators : That lyk as Ms Majestie haid guid pruff and experience
thairof agamst BoduaU, from whase attempts he could never be
frie tiU we put to our hand; and after redding7 of his Majestie
divers tymes out of his claues,8 at last maid him fean, being excom
municat, till abandone the countrey ; sa he might have the sam
against these graitter and mair dangerus trators, the said BoduaUes
confederattes at Menmure, the excommunicat Papist Erles, wha
seikes maist subtMie to betrey his Majesty in body, sauU, Mngr-
dom, lyff, temporaU and everlasting. Gif heirin we have offendit,
let the King pardone and forgiff us.
" But, alas ! wald to God the wrang war done to us onlie, the
pure servants of the Lord Jesus, and nocht directfie to Mm selff,
¦Dolefully. 2 Bend our knees. 3 Submit to a jury. * Knowledge, rede.
5 Searcher. 'Owed. ' Extricating, delivering. 8 Clutches.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 381
whase croun and kingdome is riolentlie invadit ; withe whome the
King enterit in actioun for redding of merches,1 and in the mean
tym maid irruptioun riolentlie witMn the middes of his undoutted
possessioun, and under conference of tMngs aUeagit questionable
betwix his erthfie kMgdome and the Kirk, the spirituaU kMgdome
of Chryst Jesu», satt down in judgment, tuk decreit to him selff,
and therby acclamed the speciaU pririlages of the croun of Chryst,
to wit, the judicator of the preatcMng of the Word, and concearing
of prayer, and annuMng of the constitutionnes and commissionnes
of his Supream Assemblie withm this realme. Giff aMe gentUman
of the countrey haid bein sa used with his nibour in questioun of
his mertches, wald he nocht be thought to have just occasioun of
compleant, yea, just cause and quarreU to war 2 his gear,3 land, him
selff, and aU that wald tak Ms part for redres thairof? And yit saU
nocht the Lord Jesus be hard4 to complean ? SaU his servants be
declarit trators, because they meM5 his cause? SaU his officers be
rebeUes, because they warn his frinds to cognos upon the wrang
and sie it repearit?6 And saU sic oppressioun and tyrannie pas un-
repressit? SaU he wha has received the haiU lands and costes of
the erthe for a just possessioun, yea, aU powar in heavin and in erd
from the grait Creator thairof, suffer Mm selff to be thus handlit
and usit ? SaU the Pagan Turk, the Cam of Tartarie, the Muscovit
and SopMe of Pers, defend thair bounds and conqueist kingdomes ?
SaU bastard Christiannes, sic as Prester Jhone in Afric, beir im-
pyre, and PMlipe of Spean mak the warld agast, Mlarging his domi
niones from the West to Est, and in the mean tyme the Hair7 of the
Warld, the KMg of Glorie, be oppressed, spMied, and dishonored
be a litle erthfie RegMus ? Na, alas ! wald to God the King knew
what he war doing, and tMk upe rightfie, and considderit the fath
fuU, lovMg, and cearfuU hartes of the Ministrie, wha sies the hat
wrathe of Jehova kindlet agaMst him, for helping the wicked, and
favoring of tham whom God haittes, and of the Lord Jesus, King
1 Literally, a process at law for settling and adjusting of marches or boundaries.
* Expend. 3 Wealth. * Heard. 5 Head. 6 Repaired. 7 Heir •

382 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596.
of kinges, for Mvaddmg of his possessiounes, and usurping upon his
spirituaU croun and Mngdome : And, thairfor, mon 1 cry the alarme,
and giff the warning M tyme to leave af and repent, befor he be
consumit thairby, and maid a feirfuU spectacle to the rewlars of the
erde! " Alas ! his conscience, and the conscience of aU, may weM ken2
it is nather ritches, honour, land, nor rent, nor na warldfie particu
lar3 that we crave, as does Ms courtiours, wha goes about to cla
and counsaU Mm, nocht according to Ms weUfeare, bot efter his af-
fectioun and present dangerus dispositioun ; and sa, when they
have gotten that quhilk they sought, they cair na mair for him, bot
wald have another in Ms place, of whom they might get mair, to
serve thair insatiable appeteit : Bot our cair onlie is lest he offend
his God, and sa be left destitut of his grace and protectioun, and
faU M the hands of sic as seiks his wrak and distructioun. And
yit, forsuthe, they ar the frinds, and we the enemies I they the
wyse and discreit, and we the inordinat fooUes ! they the savears of
his honour and privUeages of his croun, and we the empearers4
thairof, and sic as seikes to disgrace him befor the peiple ! But,
alas ! wald to God his Majestie saw thair plattes, and knew thair
devysses ! He wald flie from tham as from the sword, or consump
tion of ragMg fyre ; for, as Solomon speakes of the harlot, ' Honnie
is in ther mouthe, but the sting of bitter deathe is in thair end.'
Let the KMg persew us as he pleases, we saU nocht ceas to requyt
him with ernest prayer to our God to preserve Ms grace from the
miserable experience quhUk saU cleir this cause to the haM warld,
o-if he brak nocht af his sines be repentance, and turn to God in
tyme. " Now, in end, we turn to yow, our deir afflicted flok, for the
saftie of whase saMles we hope, be God's grace, to gM our lyves,
giff neid beis ; whowbeit we esteim the present los of your gear of
lytle aveaU, in respect of that service quhMt yit M tMs lyff we may
do to Chryst and his Kirk. What ever be the doings of men in
1 Must. 2 Know. •1 Interest, advantage. 4 Impairers.

1596-7. mr james melvill's diary. 383
this your visitatioun, luik yie to the hand oftGod, justfie worldng
that quhUk sa often be our mouthes he forwarned yow of, for the
contempt of Ms GospeU, and fruictles passing ower the lang shn-
mer and seasonable herveist thairof. He hes moved the folie of a
mad and confusit mMtitude to minister to your troublers the occa
sioun of your present perplexitie, yea, of this hearie plag upon your
hartes, bodies, and geare ; to the spUfing,1 be appeirance, of a guid
cause, and moving of the wrathe of an erdfie prince against yow.
Bot we beseik yow thairin to perceave and tak upe the angrie face
and crabbit2 countenance of the Lord of Hostes, wha hes the
coupe of Ms vengeance, mixit with mercie and justice, M his hand,
to propyne3 to this haM land, and everie member thairof, in what
ranlt and degrie so ever they be. Of the quMlk the servants of
Ms awin hous, and yie in speciaU, hes gottin the breird to drink.
Drink it patientlie, for whowbeit it be bitter, it is a halsome po-
tioun of repentance propynit to yow in mercie ; bot be assurit for
your confort, when that hathe wrought weM upon yow and us for
our humMatioun and amendiment, the thik dreg of that read wyne
of the Lord's vengeance is preparit in wrathefuU justice for the ene
mies to drink, the quMlk they saU drink, nM they wM they,4 to
thair horrible destructioun and confusioun everlasting ! Amen."
At the beginnmg of Januar, the King, with grait forces of the
Homes, Cares,5 and Southland genteU men, cam to Edinbruche,
quMlk pat the town in grait feir, and thair was keipit a frequent6
Conventioun of Esteates, wharin war maid maMe strange and seveir
actes, the tytles wharof foUowes : — -
Imprimis, TMie actes of CounsaU7 confirmed be thair authoritie :
an, finding the uproare at Edinbruche the xvij. of December to be
hichest treasone, and the authors and partakers, with thair favorars,
to be trators in the hichest degrie : An uther, discharging the Mi
nisters' Stipends that wald nocht subscryve a Band, acknawlaging
1 Spoiling. 2 Incensed. 3 Present as a gift. ' In spite of them.
5 Carrs, Karrs. 6 Numerously attended, crowded. 7 Privy Council.

384 MR JAMES melvill's DIARY. 1596-7.
the King to be onlie*Judge in maters of treassone, or uther civill
and crimMaU causses, committed be preatchmg, prayer, or what
way so ever: The thrid, ordeanMg aU provests and baUyies,
shireffes, Stewarts, and uthers of authoritie, that soMd happen to be
present at anie sManderus speitches of Ms Majestie, in pMpit or
utherwayes, to stay tham from anie farder proceidMg, tak and ap
prehend, keipe and deteM tham, tM they soMd understand Ms Hie
nes' pleasure anent thair offence.
Item, Ther past an act with thir, finding his Majestie to have
powar to charge and discharge a MiMster to teatche at anie tyme
or place, as he soMd tMnk conveMent.
Item, Ane act discharging aU GeneraU SynodaU Assembfies and
Presbyteries to be keipit at anie tyme heirefter withm the brouch of
Edinbrache ; and the Presbyterie of Edinbruche to sitt in' Mussel-
bruche or Dalkethe.
Item, Ane act ordeanMg the MMisters' houses m Edmbruche to be
appropriat in tyme coming to Ms Hienes' use, be reasone of the
treasonable and seditius complottes, ther devysit at sindrie tymes
be the formar inhabitantes ; and thairwithall the Nather CounsaU-
hous, for that it was sum tymes imployed to be a gard-hous, to be
a Chacquer-hous in aU tymes coming.
Item, Ther was a form of Band to be subscryvit be the provest
and baUyies of EMnbruche, and thairefter to be presented to the
remanent Magistrates withm Brouches, bearing a maist streat aithe
of fidelitie to Ms Majestie, and oblesing tham never to suffer anie
Minister blaspheam Ms Majestie, his CounsaU and Esteattes, unap-
prehendit, under the pean of perjurie against the haill thrie persones
of the Godheid ; and under a grait pecuniaU soum in cais of faUyie.
Item, The Town of Edinbrache bund never to admit thair former
Ministers to teatche again witMn the town, without Ms Majestie's
consent ; never to chuse ame uther, in thair place, without Ms Ma
jestie's aUowance ; siklyk never to chuse a Magistrat without Ms
Majestie's approbatioun ; and the present Magistrats to dimit and
resing thair offices ower in his Hienes' hands, to the intent he
may, with advys of CounsaU, elect sic uthers as he pleases. And

1596-7. mr james melvill's diary. 385
#
fordar, was mjoyned to tham, ather to find out the principaU offend-
ars, and mak thair proces cleir, that ther rest na thing but execu-
tioun befor the last day of this Mstant, or els the provest, baUyies,
deacones, and counsaU, representing the haM bodie of the town, till
enter thair persones M warde, witMn the town of Perthe, upon the
first of Februar next, ther tM underly the law for the said treason
able uproare, and for thair letting to fibertie of Mr James Balfour,
efter his apprehensioun.
Item, The Sessioun to be transported to Perthe, ther to sitt the
first day of Februar nixt, and his Majestie and the Checquer to re
mean tM then at Lithgow. The Commissars and Shireff Court to
sit at Leithe.
At the sam Conventioun was read on a1 day bot thrie bMes :
An of the Erie of Hountfie's, an uther of the young Lard of Boni-
tone's, and the tMid of the Lord Sachar's, 2 thrie excommunicat
Papists. In the twa first, Aberdein was chargit to heir thair of
fers, and, finding tham agriable to the law of God, conscience, and
quietnes of the reahne ; to accept tham, and to releive the complean-
ers of the sentence of excommuMcatioun ; utherwayes, to compeir
befor the CounsaU witMn fifteen dayes thairefter, and schaw a rea
sonable cause why ; with certMcatioun, in cais of faUyie, letters
soMd be direct to charge tham simpficiter thairto.
And last, ther was apomted a number to sitt in everie quarter
of the town of EdMbruche, and examine sic as they pleasit, or sould
be gMen M row 3 to tham. Of whase dispositionnes ther was
wryttin monie quarres 4 of paper, and yit amangs aU nocht sa miMe
fund as might justfie mak a man, to let be a MMister, suspitius of
anie conspiracie or for-devysit uproare, that could pubfictfie be pu-
Mshable. The KMg, findmg tMs vantage and occasioun, pousses fordwart
the sam to the conquering of the fibertie, bathe of the Kirk and
Borrowes, withM tMs land ; and pubfisses in print a nomber of Ques
tiones, wharby he caUes in dout the haM discipline and ordour of
1 One. 2 Sanquhar. 3 Roll, list. * Quires.
2 B

386 mr james melvill's diary. 1596-7.
the Kirk, ordeanMg the sam to be disputed and concludit in a so-
lem Conventioun of the Kirk and Esteattes of the Realme, to be
conveMit be him at St Johnstoun, about the end of Febraar.
Wharfor the Synod of Fyff, cairfuU of thair dewtie at sa neidfiill
a tyme, convenit at Cowper the 8 of Februar, ordeanit every Pres
byterie to nominat and direct twa of thair maist discreit, wyse, and
resolut breithring to meit within the citie of St Androis, upon the
Munday efter the xxj. of that Mstant, thair to confer, reasone, and
resolve, with comoun and uMform consent, on maist solid and sub-
stantius answers to be sett down in wryt, verie schortlie, for resolu-
tioun of the King's Questionnes.
Also, efter ernest incaUing1 of the nam of God, and grave and
weghtie consideratioun of the dangers the haffl esteat of the Kirk
might faU into, if the government thairof, maMe yeirs ago estab-
lissed be the Word of God and lawes of the countrey, and peaceable
practise, accompanied with a rare blissing of sMceritie and concord,
voide of aU errour and scMsme even unto this day, soMd be now
caMt in controversie, and brought M doutfuU and uncertain reason-
mg amangs men unskMed in the Scriptur and Kirk effeares, with
out the advys of a GeneraU Assembfie, or anie Mferiour Assembfie
of the Kirk, namfie, at sic a tyme when the notour2 enemies thairof
ar, efter sa lang preparatioun, now M fuU readmes to accompfis
thair attemptats, to Mr utter overthrow ; the Synod did nominat and
ordean certean of thair maist grave, godfie, and discreit breithring,
to wit, Darid Fergusone, Mr Thomas Buchanan, Mr Robert WMde,
Mr Robert Durie, Mr WUyeam Scot, Mr Thomas Dowglas, and
Mr Jhone FearfuU, to pas from the present Assemblie in Commis-
sioun to the King's Majestie, and in aU humble reverence and dew
tifuU maner, be aU gMd arguments and reasones to traveU with Ms
Majestie, that this apoMted Assembfie, at Perthe, may desert and be
left of, or at leist be prorogat and continowit unto the tym the last
apointed GeneraU Assemblie be the haM Kirk, with consent of his
1 Invocation. 2 Notorious, well-known.

1596-7. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 387
Majestie's Commissionars, accordMg to the act of his Majestie's
Parfiament, convein in St Androis in the monethe of Apryll nixto-
come, and gM thair advys anent His Majestie's Intentionnes and
Purpose, published M print ; declaring to Ms Majestie in speciall,
that na Presbyterie hes powar to giff commissioun to anie of thair
breithring to cast M questioun or put in dout the determinationnes
and conclusionnes of a GeneraU Assemblie, na mair nor a particMar
brouche1 may caUin controversie Ms Majestie's actes of Parliament :
Sa that, whowbeit the Presbyteries saU direct thair Commissionars
to Ms Majestie at Perthe2 at the day appointed, for testifeing thair
dew obedience, they can on na wayes com mstructed for the pur
pose mentionat thairin, to put M questioun or alter anie constitu-
tioun of a GeneraU Assembfie.
In lyk maner, that it wald pleis Ms Majestie to relax the MMir
sters of EdMbruche from the horn, and repon tham again M thair
awin roumes ; as also, Mr David Blak to Ms awin charge in St
Androis ; certefemg his Majestie, that he can do na thing mair to
the contentment and winnMg of the hartes of aU the fathfoll and
godfie of this land at tMs present tyme.
And fordar, to beseik3 his Hienes nocht to suffer ame tMng to be
¦published M print anent the proceidMg of maters betwix his Ma
jestie and the Kirk of leat, haring thairin a speciaU cear of his
Majestie's honour and estimatioun, quhilk can nocht bot be imparit
amang the godfie and sMcere professours in aU reahnes, if our con
troversies com in thair hands.
The said Synod also condisendit upon certean Instructionnes to
be giffen to the Commissionars, to be chosin be thair Presbyteries,
to keipe the apoMted dyet be the KMg at Perthe, as foUowes :
1 Any more than any single or particular burgh. 2 " Nota.  The King wrot
to all Presbyteries throw the countrey to send thrie of ther number to the Assem
blie apointed at Perthe." This has been added by the Author on the margin of the
Manuscript. 3 Beseech.

388 MR JAMES melvill's diary. 1596-7.

INSTRUCTIONS GKEVTN BE THE SYNOD OF THE PROVINCE OF FYFF TO
THE COMMISSIONARS, TO BE CHOSESTE BE EVERIE PRESBYTERIE
WITHIN THE SAID SYNOD, TO GO TO THE CONVENTIOUN AP-
POINTED BE HIS MAJESTIE AT PERTH ; THE QUHILK THE SAID
SYNOD ORDEANIT THAM AND EVERIE AN OF THAM PRECEISLIE
TO KEIPE.
" First, yie saU schaw that yie ar com for obedience to Ms Ma
jestie, and nocht for that yie acknawlage that to be a lawfuU Gene
raU Assembfie, be reasone it was nocht apointed be the last Gene
raU, nor convocat be the advys of the Commissionars of the last
GeneraU Assembfie, as hes beM the practise of the Kirk at aU tymes
befor within tMs realme, warranted be the Word of God and lawes
of the countrey.
" Item, yie saU schaw that yiejnay nocht condisend m aMe wayes
to the reasoMng or putting m questioun the maters of the Polecie
of the Kirk ; because the GeneraU Kirk of tMs realme, to quhUk
yie ar subject, hes alreadie determmed the samMg ; quhilk deter-
mmatioun yie have also subscryvit unto, and nan may caU the sam
in dout, and put tham M reasoMng, but a GeneraU Assembfie. •
Therfor, yie saU desyre Ms Majestie, in aU humMtie, for continua-
tioun of the reassonmg to the ordMar assigned GeneraU Assembfie,
to be haMdin at St Androis the xxvj. of ApryU nixtocome.
" Item, gif na continuatioun can be obteMed, and yie be urged to
proceide, yie saU protest for The Liberties of the Kirk, and planfie
disassenting, keipe your selffs frie of everie thing that salbe done
thairanent. "Item, because the Conventioun is apomted be Ms Majestie onfie
for the Questionnes, yie sail nocht meU1 in aMe maner of way withe
the recearing of Hountlie or uther excommuMcats, or anie uther
thing remitted from SynodaUs, or Presbyteries, or properfie belang-
ing to a GeneraU Assemblie. 1 Meddle, interfere with.

1596-7. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 389
"Item, in cais the brethring amangs tham selves, or his Majestic,
or anie of his CounsaU, enter in reasoMng with yow, or anie of yow,
m privat, that yie haMd fast be thir generaU grounds : — 1. That the
haM externaU Government of the Kirk mon be tean1 out of the
Word of God : 2. That the ordMar Pastors and Doctors of the
Kirk mon schaw the wM of God out of his Word ; and that onlie
to be foUowed : 3. That the Pastors and Doctors of the Kirk of
Scotland hes with lang and grave deliberatioun sett down and con
stitut the haM externaU Discipfine and Governement of the Kirk ;
accordMg to the qMiiUt it hes bein thir manie yeirs sa happelie
goverMt and rewfit, that na heresie, schisme, or dissentioun hes
haid place thairin unto this houre ; and that ther is nan beiring
office in the Kirk wha caUes the sam in dout. It wald, thairfor,
pleis his Majestie nocht to suffer the rair and maist peaceable and
decent constitutioun thairof to be disturbit be exagitating of fruict-
les Questionnes, namlie at this tyme, qMien Papists preasses, be that
mean of disputatioun, namfie, to brangle 2 and pervert aU.
" Item, yie saU traveU with the Ministers, Barronnes, and Noble
men, that saU happM thair to be conveiMt, that an uniform Sup-
plicatioun may be maid and giffen in for restoring of the Ministers
of Edmbruche and Mr Darid Blak again to thair flockes ; and be
have your selves heirin M the feir of God and love of Chryst and
his kingdome, fathfuMe and providentlie, with all dewtifuU reve
rence to the King's Majestie. " FINIS."
In tMs Assemblie also was read the Band quhilk the King and
CounsaU devysit to be subscryvit be aU Ministers, under pean of
tmsaU3 of thair stipends, M effect to rescind the declinator subscry
vit be aU of befor at the caMng of Mr David Blak befor the King
and CounsaU in the monethe of December. The quhUk Band the
Assemblie judged to be unlawfull and superfluus, for manie and
divers reasones ; quhUks, togidder with the poincts of the forsaid
1 Must be taken. 2 Confound, throw into disorder. Fr. bransler. 3 Loss.

390 MR JAMES melvill's DIARY. 1596-7.
Suppficatioun, yie saU find in the volum mentioned befor, of the
particMars that feU out in the monethes of November and De
cember. Upon the 21 of this monethe, Febraar, the breitMing apointed
out of everie Presbyterie conveMed at St Androis, and divers
dayes towtcMng the KMg's Questionnes,1 the schort soum wharof,
togidder with the Questionnes them selves, foUowes :

THE QUESTIONNES PROPONED BE THE KTNG, TO BE RESOLVIT AT
THE CONVENTIOUN OF THE ESTAITS AND GENERALL ASSEMBLTE,
APPOINTED TO BE AT THE BROUCHE OF PERTHE, THE LAST OF
FEBR. 1596. answer. — 1 Tim. ri. [3, 4, 5.]
" Gif anie man teatche utherwayes, (viz. then the Apostle hes
taucht concerning the government of the hous of God, quhilk is
his Kirk,) and concentes nocht to the halsome words of the Lord
Jesus Chryst, and to the doctrin quhilk is according to godlines,
he is puft up and knawes na thing ; bot dottathe about questionnes
and stryff of words, wharof cumes invy, stryff, reallings, eviU sur-
misings, vean disputation of men of corrupt mynds, and destitut
of the treuthe, quhilk think that gean is godlines ; from sic se-
perat thy selff."
" Quest. 1. May nocht the maters of the externaU Gubernation
of the Kirk be disputed, salvafide et religione ?
" Ans. They may nocht : 1. The Government of the Kirk bemg
alreadie established and constitut upon guid groundes of the Word
of God, be lawes of the countrey, and mair nor2 tiirettie years pos
sessioun : 2. Namlie at sic a tyme when the Papists ar readie bent
to schak and overthrow the Kirk and GospeU: 3. When that un-
1 " Nota. — Mr Jhone Lindsay was suspected to be the author of thir Questiones.
I wat he was cheiflie on the counsall of tham, bathe in devysing and following furthe
of tham." This added by Mr James Melvill on margin of MS. 2 More than.

1596-7. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 391
formaU Conformitie is sought be our nibour enemies of the disci
pfine, the Bischopes of EMgland : 4. In sa dissolut estait of a law-
les and justiceles peiple : 5. When na edMcatioun bot distructioun
and breiddmg of schisme and dissentioun within the boweUes of
the Kirk may aryse thairof : 6. When nane of the Pastors or Doc
tors of the Kirk douttes thairanent : 7. Let the King and Coun
saU considder whow Mtolerable they wald think it, to cast in dout
the fundamentaU lawes of the Mngdome, and actes of Parliament ;
or gif aMe man wald put in arbitriment or reasoMng Ms undoutted
possessioun, lenMng upon a law, and decreit, and right unreducit.
" Quest. 2. Is it the King severafie, or the Pastor severafie, or
bathe conjunctlie, that soMd estabfishe the actes anent the externaU
Government of the Kirk, or what is the form of thair conjunction
to mak lawes ?
" Ans. AU actes of the Kirk soMd be established be the Word
of God, conteMed in Hofie Scripture, the ordinar interpretars whar
of ar the Pastors and Doctors of the Kirk. The extraordinar, in
tyme of corruptioun of the haM esteat of the Kirk, ar Prophettes,
and sic as God Mdowes with extraorcfinar giftes ; and Kings and
PrMces aucht, be thair ciriU authoritie, to ratMe and aprove that
be thair lawes, and rindicat be thair civM sanctiones, quhilk they
declar to be God's wM out of his Word.
" Quest. 3. Is nocht the consent of the maist part of the flock,
and also of the Patron, necessar M the electioun of the Pastors ?
" Ans. The electioun of Pastors soMd be maid be tham wha ar
Pastors and Doctors lawfuMe caUed, and wha can try the giftes
necessarfie belangMg to Pastors, be the Word of God; and to sic
as ar sa chosine, the flok and Patron soMd giff thair consent and
protectioun. " Quest. 4. Is it laufuU for the Pastor to leave Ms flok agaMst
thair wMes, albeit he have the consent of the Presbyterie ; and for
what cause soMd the Presbyterie consent therto ?
" Ans. When the flok wiU feir and obey men and nocht God,
and nocht keipe thair fathfull Pastors from wrang, and dint of

392 mr james melvill's diary. 1596-7.
deadlie malice and riolence, in sic ceas the Pastors, be consent of
thair Presbyteries, may leave thair flocks.
" Quest. 5. Is it laufuU for a Minister to use farder appficatioun
nor : that quhUk may edifie his awin flock ; or is the haM warld the
flock of everie particMar Pastor ?
"Ans. A Minister may declar and apply the Word of God
throwout the haM Scripture, and his warks wrought throuchout
the haM warld, for the glorie of God, and eydMcation of his parti
cular flock.
" Quest. 6. Is he a lawfuU Pastor wha wants impositionem ma-
nuum ?
" Ans. Impositioun, or laying on of hands, is nocht essentiaU and
necessar, bot ceremoniaU and mdifferent, in the admissioun of a
Pastor. " Quest. 7. Is it lawfuU to Pastors to express particMar men's
names, Counsalfis, or Magistrats, in pulpit, or so vivfie 2 to descryve
tham, that the peiple may understand whom be they mein, with
out notorious declarit vices and privat admonitions preceiding ?
" Ans. The Canon of the Apostle is cleir, ' Them that pubficfie sin
rebuk pubfictlie, that the rest may feir.' And sa mUde the mair giff
the pubfict sinne be in a pubfict persone, bearing publict office and
charge ; quhUk nocht beMg corrected, might indanger the pubfict
esteat. Nather can aMe sear3 be healed without the plaster be par
ticMarfie applyed to the persone and place of his seare : Uther
wayes, he does na tMng of the pastoraU dewtie aright ; and sic as
finds fault thairwith, thinks mair M to be caUed ritius nor be ritius
indeid, and, lyk fooUes and bernes, chuse rather to die in thair
disease nor abyde the cure.
" Quest. 8. For quhUk vyces soMd admonitiones and reproving
of Magistrats pas pubfictlie from pMpits, in thair absence or pre
sence, respective ?
" Ans. For aU publict vyces, against the first and second Table
1 Thau. 2 To describe them to the life. ¦¦> Sore.

1596-7. MR James melvill's diary. 393
of the Law of God ; and that in aU congregationes, because all hes
interes M thair King and superiour Magistrats, thairfor aU soMd
ken thair danger, and be moved to pray for tham.
" Quest. 9. Is the appfication of doctrin in pMpits lauchfull
quMlk is foundit upon informatiouns, bruits, and rumors, suspitious
conditions gif tMs be and that be ; probabMties, likfines or unfikli-
nes in tMngs to come, in civM matters, quhilk aU may be fals, and
consequentlie the doctrine foUowMg therupon ? or, sould aU appli-
catioun be upon the veritie of knawin and notorius vyces ?
" Ans. Ther is na bruted l vyce or corruptioun but mayJaU in the
persones and offices of men, and comounfie the sin is mUde war nor
the bruit ; thairfor thouche this war, thair wer na grait perreU of
an2 speaking treuthe thairin. Albeit thair nather hes beM, or is
anie appficatioun used but agaMst over notorius veritie of vyces.
" Quest. 10. Is the text, quhilk is read in the pulpit, the ground
wherupoun all the doctrine sould be buUdit ? or, may aU things
be spokin upon aU texts, so that the reidMg therof is bot a ceri-
moMe ?
" Ans. The Apostle to Timoth. Epist. ii. chap. 3, answers cleirfie,
that ' Ther is na Scripture quhUk is nocht sa ritchfie inspyrit be God,
that it is profitable for doctrin, refotatioun, correctioun, admoM
tioun, yea, even to mak the man of God perfyt for aU guid wark ;'
and to the Rom. xv. ' Whatever is wryttM is for instructioun and
consolatioun :' Sa this is bot an ignorant or cerimonius questioun.
" Quest. 11. May a simple pastor exerceise anie jurisdictioun
but3 consent of the^maist part of Ms particMar sessioun?
" Ans. He may with consent of the best part, quhilk comounfie
is nocht the maist ; for he being the messinger of God and inter
preter of Ms Word, hes mair authoritie with a few nor 4 a grait mM
titud in the contrare.
" Quest. 12. Is nocht his Sessioun judge to his doctrine ?
" Ans. The Word of God and exponars thairof, the Pastors and
Doctors, are onlie judge of Ms doctrin. 'The sprit of the prophetes
ar subject to the prophetes,' 1 Cor. xiv.
1 Commonly rumoured. 2 One. 3 Without. ' Then.

394 MR JAMES melvill's DIARY. 1596-7.
" Quest. 13. Sould nocht the Moderator of the Session be
chosM yeirfie of anie wha has vot therin ?
" Ans. The cheiff burding of moderatioun over the haM flock
lyes on the Pastor or Pastors. And, because of the message, gift,
office, and commissioun by the Word quhUk he beares, the eldars
and deacones mon ' be moderat be him also.
" Quest. 14. May the Sessioun be lawfuUie elected by MiMsters
onlie, but the consent of the haM Congregatioun ?
" Ans. Nocht, for the Ministers directs and moderates the elec
tioun be the Word, and the Congregatioun obeyes and gMes con
sent thairto.
" Quest. 15. Why soMd nocht Eldars and Deacones of Uk par
ticMar Sessioun be elected ad vitam ?
" Ans. They are elected ad vitam, except just causses of depriva
tioun intervem. Bot because the Kirk leiving2 is sacrilegiusfie
spoiled, quhUk soMd susteM tham, they may nocht everie yeir leave
thair occupationes and attend on that office ; and thairfor of a num
ber lawfuMe elected successivfie sum releives uther, yft au abyMng
Kirk-officers ; and tMs is of necessitie tM the Kirks get Mr awin
leving. " Quest. 16. How maMe Presbyteries is meit to be in the haUl
countrie, in what places, and whow manie Pastors of Kirks M Uk
Presbyterie ?
" Ans. Plant the countrey weM with Kirks out-throw, and the
Kirks with Pastors and Doctors, and this questioun wUbe soone
solved ; bot if tMs forme of doMg haMd out, thair wUbe fewar or
they be ma. 3
" Quest. 17. SoMd nocht the Eldars and Deacons of Uk parti
cular Sessioun have vot in the Presbyteries, or the Pastors oMy ?
"Ans. Eldars also haring commissioun from thair Sessioun in
maters of maners, lyk as also Deacones in the Pure's effeares, and
Patrimonie of the Kirk.
" Quest. 18. What is the maters of the Jurisdiction of the Pres
byterie quhilk may nocht be intreated in particular Sessions ?
1 Must. 2 Living. 3 There will be fewer before there be more.

1596-7. mr james melvill's diary. 395
" Ans. The Buik of the Polecie of the Kirk of Scotland sett down
be the GeneraU Assembfie, and the first Act of the Pari, haldin at
EMnbruche in anno 1592, answers heirto sufficientfie, and to manie
of aU thir Questiones ; and thairfor wald never have bein proponit
gif the aMd affectioun haid remeanit towards the Kirk.
" Quest. 19. What Form of Process in fibeUing and citation,
termes and dyattes, probation and pronuncing of the sentence, sould
be usit befor the said particMar Sessiouns and Presbyteries respec
tive ?
"Ans. Echo. Form summar, asqmtable, grave and spirituaU,
as best may serve for the end of thair deMng to win sauUes from
Sathan and his snares of sinne to God, be trew repentance ; and
purgmg and preserring of the Kirk from sMander, and danger of
corrupt and pernitius members respective.
" Quest. 20. What maters sould the Synod Mtreat upon quhUk
may nocht be decydit M the Presbyteries ?
" Ans. The Answer to the 18 answers to this.
" Quest. 21. SoMd nocht aU wha hes vot in the Presbyteries,
and als M the particMar Sessions, have vot in the SynodaU Assem
bfies? " Ans. The Pastors, Doctors, and sic as hes comissioun from par
ticMar Sessionnes of Congregationnes, hes vott, except in maters of
doctrin, wherin oMie they that labors in the Word may vott and
judge. " Quest. 22. Sould Uk UMversitie or Uk CoUage, or Uk Master
or Regent withm Uk CoUage, have vot in the Presbyteries or Sy-
nodals in the towns or countries whar they ar ; and sic lyk, what
form of vot soMd they have M the GeneraU Assembfie ?
" Ans. Doctors and Professours of Theologie, and ordMar M-
structars of the youthe in the groundes of ReMgion, soMd vott.
The first, because they ar ordMar Office-bearers witMn the Kirk ;
the second bemg lawfuMe caffit to be Sym-presbyters.
" Quest. 23. Is it lesum to convocat the GeneraU Assembfie by
his Majestie's licence, he bemg plus et Christianus Magistrates ?
" Ans. Gif he be pius et Christianus, he wM alwayes aUow and

396 MR JAMES melvill's DIARY. 1596-7.
protect the Assembfies of the Office-bearers of the Kirk for govern
ing of the sam, wha hes thair office and warrand of conveimng for
discharge thairof, nocht of anie erthlie or mortaU KMg, but of
Chryst Jesus, whom the Father hes anointed his Kmg on Ms holie
montan ; and thairfor may convein in his nam, and soMd whenso
ever they sie the weM of the Kirk and doing of thair office to re
quyre the sam.
" Quest. 24. Is it necessar that the GeneraU Assemblie be or
dinar, or onfie extraordMarlie convened for waightie causses con
cerning the Kirk ?
" Ans. The necessitie hes bein, is now, and jit lyk to be, m this
land sa grait, that bathe the an and uther is neidfuU. The ordMar
for the ordinar causses conteined in the Buik of Discipfine ; the ex-
traordinar for preventing of dangers, et pro re nata.
" Quest. 25. Hes nocht aU men of guid lerMng and reMgion
vot in the GeneraU Assembfie ?
" Ans. Nan may vott bot sic as hes lawfuU caUMg, viz. Commis
sionars from Synods and Presbyteries : yit aU the godfie and fath
fuU may assist, heir, or speak, in a grave, ordourlie, and comlie
maner, with leave asked and given be the Moderator.
" Quest. 26. Is Uk particMar Pastor oblesit to repear to the
GeneraU Assemblie, or is it sufficient that onfie Commissionars
com fra Uk particMar Sessioun, Presbyterie, or SynodaU ?
" Ans. Commissionars ar sufficient for votting, but the haM fath-
ftdl for assistance, gM they pleise and neid be.
" Quest. 27. Wha soMd schuse the Commissionars to cum fra
ilk schyre to vot in the GeneraU Assemblie ?
" Ans. The ProvinciaU Synodes.
" Quest. 28. Quhat is the number of votters necessar to the
lawftdnes of the GeneraU Assembfie ? and whow maMe of the haUl
number soMd be Pastors, and whow mame uther men ?
" Ans. A certean of everie Province, and fewar or ma, as the
maters to be intreated of craves.
" Quest. 29. May aMe thing be acted in the Assembfie to the
quhilk his Majestie consents nocht?

1596-7. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 397
" Ans. The Kmg soMd consent to, and be his lawes approve, all
that be the Word of God's Majestie is concludit in Ms Assemblies.
Bot the actes thairof hes sufficient authoritie from Chryst, wha hes
promised, that ' whatsoever twa or tMie, conveMed in his nam, saU
agrie upon M erde, to ratefie m the heavins.' The lyk wharof
na King nor PrMce hes ; and sa the actes and constitutionnes of
the Kirk is of graitter authoritie nor anie KMg erdfie x can giff; yea,
even sic as soMd command and overrueU Kings, whase graittest
honour is to be members, nuris-fathers, and servants to the King,
Chryst Jesus, and Ms spouse and Quem, the Kirk.
" Quest. 30. Is it nocht expedient that the twa part of tham,
wha hes jus suffragii, soMd consent to ame tMngs decemit in Eccle
siasticaU judgment, that maters pas nocht be a vot ma or les ? 2
" Ans. We have to thank God alwayes for that spreit of unitie
M judgment quhilk hes accompaMed our Assemblies to this houre,
in sic sort that na tMng of Miportance ever passit tM all war fuMe
resolrit, and M an voice votted thairanto, namfie in the haM poincts
of the discipMie. God grant that thir Questiones and Court-deU-
mg breid nocht contraMctioun !
" Quest. 31. Hes nocht Uk Judgment inferior to the GeneraU
Assembfie an territor fimitat,3 outwith the quMlk they have no powar
of citation or Jurisdiction ?
" Ans. They haM; bot M sic sort, that if uther persones com
mit sklanderas erymes witMn thair bounds, they may proceid
agamst tham ther, untM they satisfie and remove the sMander
from the part they have committed the erymes into. And whar
citatioun is reqMsit, the Assembfie withm whase bounds the per
sone is resident, cites Mm and causses him to compeir, etc. ; bot
contra hostem communem et publicam, it is lawfuU to anie member to
deaU. " Quest. 32. What is the Ordinar EcclesiasticaU Judgment to
the discipfine of His Majestie's Houshold and CounsaU, removable
with Ms Majestie to aMe part of the realme ?
1 Earthly. 2 One vote more or less. 3 A limited territory.

398 MR JAMES melvill's DIARY. 1596-7.
" Ans. The Sessioun of His Majestie's Hous, and Presbyterie
witMn the bounds whar his Majestie makes residence for the tyme ;
or the Presbyterie withM the quMUt the sMander is or was com
mitted, pro ratione delicti.
" Quest. 33. SoMd thair be fibeMt precepts conteinmg the
cause of the citation and certMcatioun of the censures befor aU Ec
clesiasticaU Judgments, or onlie tM answer super inquirendis ?
" Ans. They that ar cited to EcclesiasticaU Judgments ar cited
comounfie for a deleated or arrissen comoun sklander,. ather be
word or wryt, but oftest be word, partfie for schortnes of proces,
partfie for want of the Kirk-leiving to susteM a Clark ; with cer-
tificationnes as effeires, as the cause, and salus Ecclesice aut persona,
saU requyre.
" Quest. 34. Hes the Inferior Judgment powar to summond
to compeir befor anie Superior Judgment, or soMd men be sum
moned onlie be the authoritie of that Judgment befor quMUt they
soMd compeir ?
" Ans. Grait sManders wharwith Inferiour Judgments can nocht
weM tak ordour, wUbe referrit to the Superior or graitter Judg
ments, and the persones gUtie chargit tM answer ther, as havmg a
warrand sa to do, in sic causses, fra the Superiour Assemblie.
" Quest. 35. Is it nocht necessar that privat admoMtionnes, with
reasonable MtervaUes of tym, pas befor aU maner of citationnes ?
" Ans. Whare the sMander is becom pubfict, -the place of privat
admoMtioun is past ; and na citatioun befor a pubfict Judgment
befor the sMander brak out : Sa the Questioun is answerit negative.
" Quest. 36. What MtervaUes of tyme is necessar betwix Uk
privat admoMtioun, and betwix the last admoMtion and the first
citation, and betwix the citation and the day of compeirance befor
Uk an of the saids Judgments ?
" Ans. The Officers of CMyst's kMgdom ar men of wesdome
and asqMtable discretion, occupeit in maters of chieff importance,
concerning the glorie of God and salvatioun of his peiple, and thair
for soMd nocht be empeschit1 with triffling Questionnes.
1 Hindered, interrupted.

1596-7. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 399
" Quest. 37. Whow manie citationnes sould infer contumacie ?
" Ans. Ane may infer contumacie ; bot the Kirk, uMes ther be
pubfict danger, usethe plurafitie, bathe of pubfict and personaU, as
best may serve for the winning of the offendar. [The law sayes,
Una citatio contumaciam inducere potest, si scientia citationis apprehen-
derit citatum, atque ita comperiatur maliciose latitare : Hcec una pro
omnibus dicitur.1^
" Quest. 38. Is simple contumacie, but2 probation of a cryme,
or is anie cryme but contumacie, sufficient cause of excommunica
tion? " Ans. Conjunctlie and severafie : for the cryme may be sa hain-
ous, that for purging of the Kirk, and moving of the persone to a
graitter humifiatioun, he, may be excommunicat, whowbeit obedient
M schort tyme's outward appeirance. And being called for befor
the Kirk, gif he compeir nocht, nather schaw a just cause why, he
bewrayes a pryde and corruptioun of hart, testefeing him nocht to
regard the Kirk, or have anie societie thairwith ; and sa, wordie 3 to
be declarit and pubfictlie signified sic a ane4 as he is indeid.
" Quest. 39. Is ther nocht divers kynds of censures, sic as
prohibitio privati convictus, interdictio a cozna, nocht published to the
peiple ; and, last of aU, publica traditio Satana ?
" Ans. We have in comoun use of our Kirk, as was in the
Antient, but twa, abstentos a cozna, et excommunicatos. As for the
rest of the sortes, luik our Theologs' Comoun-places, and our
Answer to the Bischope of St Androis' AppeUatioun.
" Quest. 40. Sould the Presbyteries be Judges of all things
that imports sMander ; and gif sa be,8 wharof ar they nocht Judges ?
" Ans. The Presbyteries sould prease to purge thair bounds
from aU sklander, and separat everie sauU from thair sManderus
knawin sine, lest it sla him, and Ms blude be cravit at thair hands.
And, as Martyr sayes, Nihil est ad quod Dei verbum se non extendit,
ac proinde censura Ecclesiastical. And yit, in the mean tyme, it
nather considders nor twitches that quhUk the CiviU Magistrat
' Margin. 2 Without. 3 Worthy. * Such a one. 5 If so be.

400 MR JAMES melvill's DIARY. 1596-7.
does, nor for that end. Vide supra in Mr Androe's Letter, wryt-
ten to the Kirks of Genev and Tigurin.1
" Quest. 41. Can ExcommuMcation be used against theiffis,
murderars, usurars, or nocht peyars of thair dettes ; and if sa it
may be, why ar nocht aU the Bordour and Hieland theiffs cursed ;
as als aU the manswering merchants and occurrars2 amangs the
Borrowes ?
" Ans. It can verie weM ; bot gif the Magistrat do his dewtie, it
neids nocht. And gif the HUand and Bordour Kirks war planted,
ther wald be less tMft. Also, sic merchants ar curst indeid, and
brybing Lords of Sessioun to.
" Quest. 42. Is ther ame AppeUation fra the Inferiour to the
Superior Judgment ? and is nocht the sentence suspendit during
the AppeUation ?
" Ans. Ther is AppeUatioun from the Inferior Judgment to the
Superiour upon just causses, aye and whM3 it com to the Su-
pream, quhUk is the GeneraU Assemblie, fra the quhMt ther is nan.
And as to the sentence, gif the AppeUation be admitted, it is sus
pendit for just and reasonable causses, giff nocht admitted, bot
justfie repeMt, not.
" Quest. 43. SoMd nocht aU process and actes be extracted to
parties havand interest ?
"Ans. Inforo poli this may be or nocht, as the Judge sies best to
be for the honour of God, weM of the Kirk, and saiffing of the per
sone from the danger of his sMne ; and seMg the EcclesiasticaU
Judgments is nocht astricted alwayes to a wryttM proces, for di
vers reasones, they can nocht be bund to gM ane extract M wryt
alwayes. "Quest. 44. Is Summar Excommunication lauchfoU in ame
cace, but4 admonitionnes and citationnes preceidMg ?
"Ans. In sum ceases5 it is, sic as of BoduaU, Spot, and the
Papist Erles ; and wantes nocht gMd warrand of reasone and Scrip
ture, with exemples of the Primitive Kirk.
1 Pp. 154-164. 2 Okerers, usurers. 3 Until. - Without. 5 Cases.

1596-7. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 401
" Quest. 45. Hes ame uther nor the Pastors of the Kirk vott in
Excommunication ?
"Ans. Doctors that interprettes the Word, and Eldars that
watches over the maners, hes vott also. Whowbeit, cheiflie that
censur is deducit, directed, and execut be the Pastors, the ordinar
MMisters of the Word of Wesdome, Aiyou eopia;.
" Quest. 46. Hes Uk EcclesiasticaU Judgment afik power to
ExcommuMcat ?
" Ans. Everie EcclesiasticaU Judgment, weiU constitut, hes
powar to Excommunicat witMn thair bounds ; whowbeit, in respect
of the weghtines of that censure, it is thought guid that the Ses-
siones proceid nocht without the advys of thair Presbyterie.
" Quest. 47. It is lawfuU tM ExcommuMcat sik Papists as pro
fessit never our ReMgion ?
"Ans. A Papist resident witMn our bowelles, esteimed of our com-
munioun, and under schaddow thairof, indangering the Kirk, may,
by Excommunicatioun, be decovered and maid knawin for sic a an
as he is.
" Quest. 48. A woman beMg ExcommuMcat, havMg a fathfoll
housband therefter, soMd he abstein from hir companie ?
" Ans. Excommunicatioun cuttes nocht af the dewties of mariage
nor nature, sa they be usit but ! danger of the Kirk, offence of the
godfie, and stay of the medicin applyed, quhUk is to move the per
sone to be eschamit of thair detested esteat, and seik to be releivit
thairfra. " Quest. 49. Is it nocht reasonable, that befor anie letters of
hornMg be granted be the Session upon the process of Excommu
nication, that the partie sould be summoned to heir tham granted ?
" Ans. The ordour prescryvit heiranent in the act of Parliament
is gMd and reasonable. As to this summonding, it can serve for
nan uther end but to mak the Sessioun judge M the proces.
" Quest. 50. Hes nocht a Christian King powar to annuU an
notorious injust sentence of Excommunication ?
1 So that they be used without danger to the Kirk.
2c

402 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596-7.
" Ans. Na mair nor ' to excommunicat ; or the Kirk hes tM an-
nuU an notorious injust sentence of hormng or forfaMtrie.
" Quest, 51. May anie CounsaU or UMversitie be exeommu-
nicat ? for what cause, whom be,2 and maner therof ?
" Ans. Sum CounsaU or Universitie may be, viz. Wherof everie
member, or individuum and persone, is sklanderas for sic erymes
as be the Word' of God deserves excommunicatioun. And this
sould be done be thair ordinar Judgment Ecclesiastic, in maner
sett down, conform to the Word of God.
" Quest. 52. When the Pastors does nocht thair dewtie, or when
a Jurisdiction usurpes above an uther, or anie uther scMsme falles
out, soMd nocht a Christian King mend sic 3 disorders ?
" Ans. A Christian KMg soMd imploy Ms authoritie for mend
ing of aU disorders, as the Pastors and Doctors of the Kirk declares
be God's Word ar to be amendit ordinarfie ; and extraordmarfie be
an extraordinar warrand. But na King nor PrMce soMd tak upon
hand mending or reformatioun, but with the advys of the Watch
men, and at the sight of the Siers, wha hes the gift and caMng to
tak upe the just cawses, conform to the Word of God.
" Quest. 53. May Fastes, for generaU causes, be proclamed be
a Christian Prince's command ?
" Ans. Be the advys of the Watchmen, and at the sight of the
Siers, wha hes the gift and caUMg to espy the just causses of hu
mMation by the Word of God, they may.
" Quest. 54. May ome EcclesiasticaU Judgment compeU a man
to swear in suam turpitudinem ?
" Ans. A man sManderit in causa turpi, gif witnesses can nocht
be gottm, and weghtie presumtiones and motives beMg confirming
the suspitiones of the sHander, that sMander can nocht be removit,
the Kirk satisfeit, nor the persone purgit, bot be the aithe of the
Lord interponit ; quhilk, be the Word of God, determines all
douttes and controversies.
" Quest. 55. Sould ther onie thing be intreated in the Eccle-
1 No more than. * By whom. 3 Such.

1596-7. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 403
siasticaU Judgment, prejudiciaU to the CiviU Jurisdiction or privat
men's rights ; and may nocht the CiviU Magistrat lauchfuUie stay
aU sic proceidMgs ?
"Ans. Nane of tham sould prejudge another, bot bathe soMd
judge as breither, for ther mutuaU helpe and confort, according to
the diversitie of the giftes and caUMg bestowit upon tham be God,
and sett down in Ms Word, wharby aU men's lawfoU rightes salbe
helped, and nan have occasion to stay, bot bathe to fordar and ad
vance uther mutualie. " FINIS."
Coming to Perthe the last of Februar, we fand the MMisters of
the Northe conveMed in sic number as was nocht wount to be sein
at our Assemblies, and everie ane graitter courteours nor uther.
Sa that my eis saw a new sight, and eares hard new voces ; viz.,
flockes of MiMsters gomg in and out at the King's palace, let at
night, and betymes M the morning.1 For Sir Patrik Murray, the
dMgent Apostle of the Northe, haid maid aU the Northland Mini
sters' acquentance with the King, wha began then to luik big on the
mater, and find fault with the Ministers of the Southe and the
Poprie of Edinbruche, quhUk haid nocht handlit maters weUl, and
almost losit the King, etc. Greirit at the hart with this, we dis
chargit our commissioun from our Synod, and usit our Instruc-
tiones bathe privatlie and pubfictlie in sic sort, that, do what they
coMd, wee delayit the haulding of anie Assemblie thrie dayes, till
my speciaU comMto2 and companioun in Chryst, wha also at that
tyme was my bed-faUow, was caried in to the King be Sir Patrik,
and keipit from Ms bed weiU twoU houres of the night. At quhilk
houre coming M and lying dowmg besyde me, he tuk twa or thrie
houres sleipe, and thairefter finding me walking,3 begoud4 to tell
me whow he haid bein send for to the King, and what lang con
ference haid bein betwix tham, mixed with thretMng and flatterie,
In end he was alterit M opinioun : " For I perceave," said he, " the
1 Late at night, and early in the morning. 2 Fellow-soldier. 3 Awake. 4 Began.

404 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596-7.
King wM nocht feall to wrak him selff and the Kirk bathe, unles
that our maters be better luked unto, and he yeUdit unto sa far aa
we may of conscience ; yea, suppose we lose sum tMng rather nor
all !" I answerit, " I could sie na better resolutioun then we haid
bein upon in aU streattes bygean,1 quMlk was to seik be prayer and
cersMg2 and conference of the Word to ken our dewtie, and be
about fathftdfie to discharge it better and better ; learing the events
and effect to God, whose the cause was. Bot, as for yeUding and
granting anie thMg against that wherof we haid sufficient warrand
in God's Word, and possessioun with sic coMortable fruicts sa lang,
for nather tiiretning, feir of danger, nor flatterie, be God's grace I
soMd never ; for, in my judgment, at sic a tyme the passmg from
anie poMct, and3 it war never so smaU, wald be a schakmg us louse
and sindrie,4 disarming of us of the trust in the treuthe of our
cause and uMtie, wharby we haid stronglie stand5 to that houre,
and sa our disgrace and weakMng, the adversar's mcouragment
and fardar hope, to the schamfuU wrak of the cause of Chryst and
Ms Kirk !"
Efter lang coMerence anent thir maters, we rease and past out
to our meditationes in the Inche ;6 and meiting againe, we, that war
wount wounderftdfie to consent and aggrie in aU tMngs, began then
first to dMer in opiniones. " WeM," said he, in end, " yie ar to be
send for to, and peradventour, when yie have hard that I hard, yie
wM think as I tMnk ; for the King begoud with me in "thir words :
' As I said to Mr James MelvM and yow in Edinbruch, when I
tuk yow twa by7 and spak with yow last in my chamber, that I
haid a speciaU quarreU agaMst yow twa, wha bathe was Mscreit and
wyse men, and sic as I lipned8 in,' etc. ; thairfor prepear yow for it."
Yit we put af that fore noone also with grait reasoMng and deMng
bathe in privat with divers brethring, and with a number togidder
in a YU9 of the Kirk ; tM at efter noone Sir Patrik was send with
a command, that aU soMd meit, and resolve be reasoning and vott-
ing ather to haMd Assembfie or nocht. The question being pro-
1 All bypast straits. 2 Searching. 3 If. * Separate, asunder.
s Stood. 6 Of Perth. f Aside. » Trusted, depended. 9 Aisle.

1596-7. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 405
ponit, Mr Piter Blakburn tuk the affirmative, as being indeid of
that opMion ; and I gat the negative, as being indeid of the contrar.
We reasonit the mater at grait lainthe, tiU the graittest part of the
breithring thoucht it aneuche, and mclyned to my part, desyring
the mater to be voted ; when my said commMto v began a lang dis
course, wharby he supplied the wants of the formar reasoning, be
speitches M appeirance verie wyse and perswasive, quhUk, with the
KMg's authoritie, careid a grait number from our syde, sa that
when it cam in votting, the number of the NortMand Mmisters and
Angus prevealed. QuMlk, when I perceavit sa to ga,2 with grait
greM of mynd, I withdrew my selff, reidMg in that entrie a dangerus
course of defectioun that foUowed. And, efter a heavie regrat unto
God, and consideratioun of my awin weaknes, in respect speciafie
of Mm M whase vertew I confydit maist amang all the breithring
present, (for Mr Andro was absent, being Rector of the Univer
sitie, the choise wharof feU just at that tyme,) and yit with a night's
conference of the KMg, I saw him sa strangfie alterit, what coMd I
promise to my seM?
Therfor, efter the breithring of our Commissioun haid maid
honest and plane protestatioun of thair disassent from aU that form
of proceidmg from that pretendit Assemblie, and aU that soMd be
done thairin, to keipe tham selves clein and frie thairof, understand-
mg that divers war direct from the King of my frinds and weU-
wMars to deaU with me, and bring me to his Majestie, I quyetfie
witfidrew my selff from the town. And this mikle, in generaU, as
I knew concermng that Assemblie. Now for the particMars.
We haid tMie or four meittings and conferences with certean
Lords apointed be the King befor that Conventioun was named a
GeneraU Assemblie ; wherin thir Articles foUowing war towtced,3
and answers sett doun unto, quhilk, as I hard, haid the approba-
tioun of the Assemblie thairefter : —
1 Fellow-soldier. 2 So to go. 3 Touched.

406 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596-7.

CERTEAN ARTICLES PROPONIT BE HIS MAJESTIE, AT PERTH, 2 AND
3 OF MERCH 1596 ; AND ANSWERIT, IN CONFERENCE, BE CERTEAN
BREITHRING CONVENIT THERE.
" Art. 1. That it be nocht thought uMawfuU, nather to the
Prince nor tiU aMe of the Pastors, at anie tyme heirefter to move
douttes, reasone, or crave Reformatioun in anie poinct of the ex
ternaU Polecie, Discipfine, and Government of the Kirk, that ar
nocht essentiaU concermng salvatioun, or is nocht answerit affirma
tive or negative be ane expres part of Scripture, provyding it be
done decenter, in the right tyme and place, and animo ozdificandi non
tentandi. " Ans. The Breither conveMed gives thair advys, M the first
Article, That it is nocht expedient to mak a law or act twitcMng
this, least a durre soMd be opened to curious and turbMent sprites :
Utherwayes they think it lawfuU to the King, be him sehT or his
Commissionars, to propon m a GeneraU Assemblie whatsumever
poinct he desyres to be resolvit of, or to be reformit in specie externi
ordinis, seing substantia externa administrationis Ecclesiastic® is ph-
nissime tradita in sacris Uteris : And as the GeneraU Assembfie may
accept of this from the King, sa may the General! Assembfie do
anent anie tMng that is done be his Hienes in anie Conventioun,
meitting, or Assemblie, convenit be him heirefter.
"Art. 2. Seing that the CivM and Politic Government of the
countrie belangs onfie to the King's office and CounsaUars, and is in
na way pertinent to the SpirituaU Ministerie of the Word, That na
Minister heirefter saU meU ' with anie mater of esteat M the pMpit,
or with anie of his Majestie's lawes, statutes, and ordinances ; bot
gif anie of the MiMsterie think tham hurtfuU to ReUigioun or con
trar to the Word, they saU privatlie complean thairon to the King
and his CounsaU.
" Ans. The advys to the 2d Article is, That lawes alreadie maid,
1 Meddle, interfere

1596-7. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 407
hurtfuU to ReUigioun or prejudiciaU to the Libertie of the Word, be
declarit to be expyrit, as the sam salbe particMarfie condisendit
upon ; and na law be heirefter maid twitcMng ReMgioun without
the advys and consent of the Kirk, wha ar declarit to be the TMid
Esteat of the countrey ; and that na act whatsumever be maid con
trare to the Word, the preatchMg wharof the Ministers hes concre-
Mt ' to tham. WhUk, gM it sail faU out, as God forbid, they think
that everie Pastor, be the advys of Ms Presbyterie, SynodaU, or Ge
neraU Assembfie, soMd first complean, and seik remeadie of the sam ;
quhilk remeadie nocht beMg gottM, they sould direct the force of
the Word against the sam, with all libertie. And, as concerning
maters of esteat, the Breithring desyres the explaning of this pomct
of the article.
"Art. 3. That it saU nocht be lawfuU to Pastors to name anie par
ticMar mene's names in the pMpit, or sa vivelie to descryve tham
as may be asqmvalent with thair naming, except upon the notorietie
of a cryme ; quMUt notorietie may oMie be defynit be the gUtie be
ing fugitive for the cryme, or fylit be an assyse,2 or excommuMcat
for the sam.
" Ans. Na mane's name sould be expressit to his rebuk in pulpit,
bot whar the fault is notorius pubfict ; yit they esteim notorietie
mon be defymt utherwayes then by being fugitive, fylit be assyse,
or excommuMcat. For contumacie efter citatioun, publict commis
sioun of murdour, adMterie, or siclyk, as was BoduaU' s coming to
the Abbay, the murder of DuMbirsaU, and manie uther of that sort,
makes notorietie ; as also, when the fact is sa evident, that the noto
rietie thairof may be maid out befor the Judge Ordinar. As to the
vive descriptioun asqMvalent to the naming, it is hard to sett a law
thairto, semg a gUtie persone wM apply to him self, whowbeit the
Preatchour never thought on Mm.
"Art. 4. That everie. MiMster, in his particMar appficatioun, sail
have onlie respect to the ariMcatioun of his awin flock and present
auditour,3 witfiout expatiating upon uther discourses na wayes per
tinent to thair Congregationnes.
1 Entrusted. * Found guilty by a jury or assize. 3 Auditory.

408 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596-7.
" Ans. Na Pastour soMd use appficatioun wharin he hes nocht
respect to the aedMcatioun of Ms awM flock and present auditor.
"Art. 5. That everie Presbyterie salbe comandit to tak dili
gent accoumpt of everie Pastor's doctrin, that he keipe Mm selff with
in the bounds of these premisses.
" Ans. It is the dewtie of everie Presbyterie to tak accoumpt of
everie Pastor's doctrMe, that he keipe him selff witMn the bounds
of the Word of God.
"Art. 6. That Summar Excommumcatioun be utterfie Mschargit
as inept, and that thrie citationnes at least, of aught dayes intervall
betwin Uk ane of tham, preceid the sentence.
" Ans. In the GeneraU Assembfie haMdin at Montros, it was or
deaMt that everie Presbyterie soMd seik out the warrands of Sum
mar Excommunicatioun pro et contra, and produce the sam, to be
considderit M the nixt GeneraU Assembfie, that decisioun might be
taken thairin according to the Word of God. And seing the Co-
missionars from Presbyteries at this present hes nocht brought with
tham the said Reasones, it is best to leave this mater to the ordmar
GeneraU Assembfie. In the mean tyme, the act of Montrose to be
keipit. " Art. 7. That na Presbyterie or SynodaU use thair censures
upon nan bot tham that ar resident witMn the bounds committed
to thair charge, utherwayes the decreit and sentence to be nuU.
" Ans. The GeneraU Assemblie hes apoMted everie offendar to
be censurit in the place whar he offendes, quhilk they can nocht ga
by,1 nisi in causa communi.
"Art. 8. That aU summonds contein a speciaU cause and cryme,
and nan to be super inquirendis, quod est mere tyrannicum.
"Ans. Fiat.
" Art. 9. That na Meittings and Conventionnes be amang the
Pastors but2 Ms Majestie's knawlage and consent, excepting alwayes
thair ordMarie Sessiones, Presbyteries, and Synodes.
" Ans. This Article is against the meitting of Pastors necessar, as
1 Which they cannot exceed or go beyond. 2 Without.

1596-7. MR james melvill's diary. 409
Visitatioun of Kirks, Admissioun of Ministers, concurrance of
BreitMMg in maist lawfuU earands, as in taking up feaddes,1 re
solving of questionnes, and sic lyk. Therfor, besyde thair Ses-
siones, Presbyteries, and Synods, Provinciall and GeneraU, the
Breithring thinks all meittings, for discharge of thair office, aught to
be aUowit.
" Art. 10. That in aU ProvinciaU Townes Ministers be nocht
chosin without the consent of thair awM flock and his Majestie ; and
this ordour to begM presentfie m the planting of Edinbruche.
" Ans. TMs Article is answerit be an act of the GeneraU Assem
blie, quhilk statutes, that the principaU Townes salbe planted with
MMisters be the advys of the GeneraU Assemblie, at the quhUk his
Hienes' Commissionars ar and sMd be present.
" Art. 11. That aU maters concerning the haM rest of his Ma
jestie's Articles saU rest on-meMt2 withe, ather in pMpit or anie of
thair Judicators, whM Mst aU his Hienes' uther Questionnes be fuMe
decydit ; and, in speciaU, that aU maters importing sMander cum
nocht in befor tham in the mean tyme, wherin his Majestie's royaU
authoritie is Mfie prejudgit ; but onfie M causes that ar mere Eccle
siasticaU. " Ans. TMs Article importes a discharge of maMe poincts of our
Discipfine, sa as it can nocht be presentfie answerit.

Ane uther particMar was, the morn efter it was concludit and
named an extraordMar GeneraU Assembfie, the King caMt it in to his
Pafice, and, in the Grait HaU thairof, joynit it with his Conventioun
of Estates, and thair began to reasone Ms Questionnes ; whar the
Moderator and Breithring, refusing to put anie of the poincts of the
Discipfine of the Kirk in questioun and dout, the King wald neids
have reasoning, and maid grait provocatioun thairfor. Mr Thomas
Buchannan, an of our Commissionars, maks answer, saying, " Sir,
it is nocht that we distrust our cause, or that we want reasone to
1 Reconciling deadly feuds. 2 Untouched, not interfered with.

410 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1596-7,
resolve anie that douttes of our maters, sa that they cam in a loving
and weU-wUling maner to inquyre ; but we perceave the purpose
is bot to canves and towt our maters heir a whyU, that thairefter men
of lytle skill and les conscience may decern in to tham as they pleis."
And sa, efter divers pertinent protestationnes, he enterit, in his
maner, verie scharpfie, sofidfie, and oft tymes sarcasticfie, he gaiff
tham reasoMng ther fifies, and trewfie played a stout, honest, and
fathfuU part that day.
And last, a grait and large Commissioun was giffen for conver-
sioun and receaving agaM in the bosome of the Kirk, the Erie of
Hountlie with Ms complices, the dMgence thairof to be reported to
the nixt GeneraU Assembfie, apointed to be hauldin at Dondie in
the monethe of May foUowMg ; and aU uther maters remitted thair
unto. But in the meantyme this Assembfie, and consequentfie aU that
flowed thairfra, or foUowed thairupon, was estefined, of the best and
most godfie, to be nuU in the seM, and of na force or effect, for
manifald reasones.
1. First, because it was convocat uMawfidfie, that is, agamst the
lawes of the countrey ordeanMg the GeneraU Assembfies to be
apointed be tham selves, with advys of the King or his Commis-
sionares : Bot sa it is that this was convocat be the King against
the advys of the Kirk, to prejudge the ordinar apomted GeneraU
Assemblie in St Androis.
2. Because it was nocht tffl edMe, bot to demofishe the Disci
pline established, as was evident be the printed Questionnes, cast
ing in dout the haM Discipfine, thairby at least to gean sum advan
tage against the sam.
3. Because it was nocht fensit nor sanctefied be the Word of
God and prayer, conceavit and done be the mouthe of the last Mo
derator, [Mr Robert Pont,] accordMg to the ordour observit in all
GeneraU Assemblies sen the first beginMng.
4. Because ther was na Moderator chosine ; but an subornde be
Court, [Mr Darid Lindsay,] intrusit him selff, wherof proceidit con-
fusioun and unaccustomed immoderat behaviour.

1596-7. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 411
5. Because the ordinar Scrybe being sen the last Assemblie de
parted this lyff,1 ther was na Scrybe2 chosine, sworn, or admitted.
6. Because almaist the haiff of the Comissionars from Presby
teries accordMg to thair commissionnes disassentit thairfra, and pro
tested against it.
7. Because it was efter four dayes' deley, be flatterie and bost3
of Court, be a few vottes ma, skarsfie at last tMawin out, and
named ane Extraordinar Assemblie, as it was indeid.
8. Because, when it was sett down for ane Assembfie, ther was
nather haMe,4 grave, nor ordourlie proceiding thairin.
9. Because ther was na cleir proponing of maters, bot convoyit
and dressit for the purpose.
10. Ther was na Article gravefie reasonit thairin, nor na wayes
reasonit. 11. Ther was nan votted.
12. Ther was nan concludit.
13. Ther was, indeid, named a certean5 Breithring of everie Pro
rince to heir his Majestie's Articles, and giff thair advys to the
Assembfie ; the quhilk beMg hard in opin and foil meitting, was
weUl lyked of and approrin. Bot the sam thairefter was, upon
post-hast, altered, eUted, and peared, and maist confosedlie par-
brailyied.6 And nochtwithstanding of the disassenting and protest
ing of divers Breitiiring against the saming, yit without reasoning
or votting, was be the mouthe and pen of an unchosin Moderator
and Clark, concludit and put out M wryt.
And sa it was of the grait mercie of God that na mair M was
done there ; and that the M was done, was done in sic a sort as it
may for thir manifald nuMties be justfie estimat as undone.
1 " This was Mr James Riche, a, godlie, lerned, fathfull, guid, honest man, with
whom the honestie and uprightnes of our Assemblies is lyk to end ; whose deathe
that yeir, and Mr Andro MoncreifTs, Minister at Carell, a godlie, fathfull, and upright
brother, war ominose to the Kirk of Scotland." Note by the Author on margin of
MS. 2 Clerk to the Assembly. 3 Threatening. 4 Holy. 6 A certain
number. 6 Added to, pared, and most confusedly jumbled. Fr. brouiller.

412 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1597.

M.D.XCVH.
The 27 of ApryU, anno 1597, Mr Robert Pont, Moderator of the
last lawfuU GeneraU Assembfie, cam to St Androis of purpose to
keipe the dyat 1 apoMted for the GeneraU Assembfie ; bot finding
nan convenit ther bot the Province of Fyff, cam to the New Col
lage SchoU, the place apomted for the said Assembfie, and ther,
efter McaMng2 of the nam of God, and humble confessioun of sine,
that haid procured that brak and desolatioun, cravit mercie, and
fensit the Assembfie ther ordourlie in the name of God, takMg notes
and documents of protestatioun for the fibertie of the Kirk.
But, alas ! even then that fibertie began to be almost lost ! For
thairefter, to utter it in a word, whar CMyst gydit befor, the Court
began then to govern aU ; whar pretcMng befor prevafit, then polecie
tuk the place; and, finafie, whar devotioun and hafie behaviour
honoured the MiMster, then began pranking at the chare, and prat-
ling in the ear of the Prince, to mak the Minister to thMk Mm selff
a man of estimatioun !

DIFFERENCE BETWIX THE KIRK S G-ENERALL ASSEMBLIES AND
THE KING'S.
And, heir, annes3 to mark the difference betwix the Assembfies
GeneraU foUowing and these that past befor :
1. Chryst, be His spirituaU Office-bearers, convocat and apoint
ed tymes and places befor ; now, the King, bearing na spirituaU
charge in the Kirk, usurpes that aUanerlie.
2. Chryst preseidit be Ms Word and Sprit, directing the Mode
rator and Breithring : Now, the King, his lawes and polecie of esteat
directes, I will nocht say controUes, Moderator and Breithring.
3. Maters war propoMt simpfie, and the Breithring send4 to seik
light thairin out of the Word of God, be reasoning, conference,
1 Day, or set lime. 2 Invocation. 3 For once. * Sent.

1597. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 413
meditatioun, [and] prayer : Now, plattes and courses ar wysfie leyit
befor moyenes and meanes ar apoMted to bring tham about ; all is
devysit and advysit in the King's Cabbinet, according thairto is
the proceidmg. Tent is weM tean J in pubfict, in privat, what may
fordar, what may hMder the sam, ther is mater to win creadit at
Court. He is the King's man, an honest man, a gMd peacable
Minister, that goes that way ; and they ar seditius, troublesome,
cappit,2 factius against the KMg, as meMes or reasones in the con
trar. 4. In reasoMng, the Word was aUeagit, the text sighted, the
reasone weyit at grait lenthe and lasour, and according to the
waight thairof, it bure the conclusioun away be a plean force of cleir
treuthe ; the quMUt beMg ans3 fund out, he that helde the con
trar, wUfinglie and pleasandfie yiekiit, and aU acquiescit : Now, the
Word is ather as a thmg knawin and comoun, past and posted
ower ; or gif it com directfie and cleir agaMst the leyed purpose,
then the King's man, that is quicest of ingyne, man devyse a glose
or distingo ; 4 and giff it be Msisted upon, the King him selff mon
faU on Mm, and beare him doun, and put Mm doun, and put him to
silence with reasone, langage, and authoritie.
5. The veritie was uprightfie and MdMerentfie soucht without
respect of tMs syde or that, tMs purpose or that ; quhilk maid men
sattletfie,5 gravlie, and quietfie to bring out thair reasones, and
speak thair opmiones : Now, the purpose mon be respected and
delt for with hat and contentioun, or they can nocht be thought
frak6 aneuche in the cause.
6. The feir of God, the love of Chryst, the cair of the Kirk,
lerMng in Scripture, the powar of pretching, the motioun and force
of prayer, and the eis and presence of those in whom these giftes
speciafie schyned, wrought amangs aU, Eestimatioun, reverence, and
guid ordour : Now, it is the persone, presence, purpose, favour, and
regard of the Prince that beares out and controUes aU.
7. Giff anie had a gift and missour by uthers7 of lerning, utter-
1 Care is well taken. " Ill-humoured, peevish. " Once. * A gloss
or distinction. 6 In a settled manner. 6 Hearty. 7 Beyond or above others.

414 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1597.
ance, uprightnes, zeaU, ernestnes m prayer, force M exhortatioun,
it was spyed out and speciafie employed be consent of aU at these
Assembfies : Now, the plattes ar leyed whow nan saU have place
bot sic as serves for the purpose.
8. Giff an offensive word or gesture haid faUen out m a brother
it was incontinent censured, and redressit : Now, gif a treuthe be
uttered frilie and in zeaU, it is met with a squar ly, and he that is
for the KMg's cause may use what countenance, gesture, and lan
gage he pleis.
9. And votting was wount to be usit for na uther purpose bot to
testifie an uMversaU consent and aggriment M a cleirit and found
out veritie ; sa that skarsfie yie wald have fund an non liquet, be
cause that tyme and aU meanes war granted and used for resolu-
tioun : And now, reasoMng is used but for the fasone, and na thing
is sufferit to com in determiMng bot that quhUk is sure to be born
away be maniest vottes,1 and, thairforythe catalog of the Commission
ars man be perused, to ken wha is with us, and wha is agamst us.
10. In end, the end of the Assemblies of aMd was, whow
Chryst's Mngdome might stand m hafines and friedome : Now, it
is whow Kirk and ReMgioun may be framed to the polytic esteat
of a frie MonarcMe, and to advance and promot the grandour of
man, and supream absolut authoritie m aU causses, and over all
persones, alsweM EcclesiasticaU as CivM.
Sic an Assemblie then as tMs first cam in, and was haldin at
Dondie the . . day of May, 1597. In the qubilk the twa cheiff
purposes was, ane to relax from excommuMcatioun the Papist
Earls, ane uther to gett the Articles, aUeagit concludit m ane Ge
neraU Assembfie at Perth, declarit and ratified at the present As
semblie, and as far furthe further as might be attemed unto. For
preparatioun to the quhUk, the Kmg, perceaving the estats of the
Ministers of Edinbruche and of Mr David Blak to be mikle mein
ed,2 for purchassing ther favour and forderance to his purposses, he
1 Borne down by a plurality of votes. 2 Lamented, bemoaned.

] 597. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 415
heires sic as travelit in thair cause, and makes his awin men of the
Ministerie tM1 obtein sa mUde at his hand as to bring the Mini
sters of Edinbruche to Ms conference ; efter the qubilk, he grantes
tham to be relaxit from the horn, and libertie to do thair effeares
abrod as frie subjects, yea, to come to Dondie to the Assemblie to
knaw farder of Ms mynd. In lyk maner, to Mr Darid Blak licence
from his warde to com to Dondie.
Also ther was a grait plat leyed, and mikle ado usit, (plewmg
alwayes with our hiffers !?) whow to gett a Moderator meit for the
purpose. For this effect, Mr Thomas Buchannan was woun be the
grant of a verie weM lyked sutt for the gMd Lord Lindsaye's re
laxing and restitutioun, wha haid at tutorie, m a maner, Mr Robert
RoUoc, PrincipaU of the CoUage of EdMbruche, a guid, godlie,
lernit man, bot feUon3 simple and pusManimie, and sa as he was
easUie caried with counsaU ; sa, efter the Assemblie was lawfuUie
fenced be the doctrine of the last Moderatour lawfuU, viz., Mr
Robert Pont, and a Clark chosine, viz., Mr Thomas Nicolsone, it
was- drifted and weiried be the King's command tM the comMg of
the said Mr Robert RoUoc, nocht being present at the first ; and
then be the fore-provydit sure course of maniest vottes moyennit4
be maMe and grait persuasiones and motives usit with the breith
ring, bathe M pubfict and privat, the said Mr Robert was declarit
Moderator ; whom, when the King and Ms men haid dressit for
thair purposses, the Assemblie is keipit frequentlie, Imperatore pre
sidente, with grait congratMatioun.
With this aU men of aMe mark or valour was practised be Sir
Patrik ; and sic as war alreadie woun, and brought to be acquent-
ed, and to confer with Ms Majestie. TMs was the exerceise, morn
ing and evenmg, diverse dayes. On a night at evin, I, sitting at
my supper, Sir Patrik sends for me to confer with him in the kirk-
yeard. I, raising from supper, cam to Mm. The matter was
anent my uncle, Mr Andro, whom the KMg coMd nocht abyde.
I wald do weM. to counsaU him to return ham, or the King wald
1 To. 2 Ploughing always with our heifers. 3 Extremely. * Influenced.
3

416 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1597.
discharge him. I answerit, It wald be bot in vean to me sa to do,
for he wald nocht tak that counsaU ; and gif the KMg wald use
Ms authoritie, he wald suffer patientfie ; bot I was certean that
deathe wald nocht cause Mm do agaMst Ms conscience ! " Surfie,"
sayes he, " I fear he suffer the dmt of the KMg's wrathe !" " And
trewfie," said I, "I am nocfit fearit bot he wM byd aU!" Re
turning to my uncle, whar I left him at supper, I taMd him ; whase
answer I neid nocht to wrait.
Upon the morn, befor Assembfie tyme, I was commandit to com
to the KMg, and Mr Andro withe me ; wha, entering m his Cab-
binet, began to deU verie fearlie ' with my uncle ; bot thairefter en
tering to twitche maters, Mr Andro brak out with Ms wounted hu
mor of fredome and zeaU, and ther they heeled on2 tM aU the hous,
and clos, bathe hard, mikle of a large houre. In end, the King
takes upe and dismisses him favourablie.
The things that war done at that Assemblie I can nocht exactlie
recount. Ther was, at the chosmg of the Clark, an ordonnance,
that at the penning of everie act ther sould be certean Brether with
the Clark, wharof I was an, and Mr James Nicolsone an uther ;
but whM as I cam tM attend, they war commandit to com to the
King with the Minutes, and sa I gat nocht acces agame. Also, it
was ordenit that aU soMd be read in pubfict befor the dissolring of
the Assembfie, bot [that was] nocfit keipit.
The Articles proponit at St Jhonstoun, and answerit, war hard
agam at tMs Assembfie. It was schawM and verifiet to the As
semblie, whow they haid past, bot litle mendit ther ; whowbeit a
guid number of gMd honest Breithring did honestfie ther part, as
they might.
The Lords excommunicat war be a worscMpfuU Commissioun or
deanit to be relaxit, and that be a few vottes ma, efter sic reason
ing, as when a speciaU frind asked me, commg out of the Assemblie
the Sessioun befor, to schaw Mm my judgment in effect, because it
dependit on his credit, wither I thought they wald be ordeanit to
1 Fairly, smoothly. 2 And there they continued in keen disputation, &c.

1597. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 417
be absolvit at that tyme ? I taMd Mm, as I thought, that, in my
judgment, they wald gett na absolutioun at that Assemblie nor the
nixt, tM they kythed l better fruicts of repentance. Bot by votting
and deaMng the King's wM was wrought.
The MMisters of EdMbruche's mater and Mr Blak I refer to
tham selff.
Mr Jhone LMdsay, Secretar, Mtendit an accusatioun against Mr
Robert Walace, Minister of St Androis, befor his Presbyterie, wha
was ther chaUengit also, bot all these are leiving, and can declar
thair awin causses better nor I.
In end was devysit a certean Commissionars, to have powar from
the Assembfie to convein with the King at what tyme and place
his Majestie soMd requyre, to keipe concord betwix the Kirk and
King, and to Mtreat of aU maters that might serve or apertein to
that effect. The quhilk, as experience hes provin sen syne, hes de
volvit and transferit the haM powar of the GeneraU Assemblie in
the hands of the KMg and Ms Ecclesiastic CounsaU, these Com
missionars ; for, bathe in GeneraU Assembfies, and without, they
re will aU.
In the monethe of JuMe, Mimediatfie efter Ms retourn from the
Assemblie, tfie King enters M practise with Ms Commissionars con
veiMt at FaUdand ; and, calfing the Presbyterie of St Androis, re-
ducit a sentence of depositioun pronuncit against Mr Jhone Ruther
ford from Ms mimsterie of Kinnouchar be the said Presbyterie, and
approvM be the Synod of Fyffe. The quhUk, nochtwithstanding, I
am certean was ratefied in the heavines, for he never did guid in
the mMisterie sen syne ! [And, now, hes renunced the mMisterie, and
takM Mm to be a medicMer.] 2 The said Mr Jhone purchassit his
court be calumnies and dUationnes of Mr David Blak and his mi
nisterie. And within a fourtein dayes thairefter, the King commandit Mr
Jhone Lindsay to com to St Androis, (as the said Mr Jhone al-
1 Showed or manifested. 2 This is added, at a subsequent period, by the
Author on the margin of the MS.
2 D

418 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1597.
legit,) and Mtend the prosecutioun of his actioun against Mr Ro
bert WaUace befor him and his Commissionars, takand it out of the
hands of the Presbyterie.
Mr Robert was to teatche upon the morn efter the King's coining,
accordMg to the cours of his office in the ministerie of St Androis.
The King coming to his doctrin, heires Mm tM he cam to applica-
tioun, at the quhilk he interrupted him, and spak against Mm pub
fictlie. For the qubilk, aU uthers beMg sylent, Mr Andro Melvill
rebukit the KMg maist scharpfie, tMetnmg Mm with feirfull judg
ments, gif he repented nocht ; and those Commissioners of the Kirk,
and his particMar Ministers also, for nocht discharging a fathfull
and maist necessar dewtie to Mm in that respect. Thus, God as
sisted Ms servant wounderfuMe, nochtwithstanding he knew that
the cheiff purpose of thair commg was agamst him. For Ms cause
they intendit a visitatioun and reformatioun of the Universitie ;
they sought out aU they coMd gett or find agaMst him. [Ther was
a number of strangers, Polomans, Dences,1 Belgians, and French
men, schoUars, wha, at the fame of Mr Androe's lerning, cam to the
UMversitie of St Androis that yeir, and war resident within the
sam ; quhilk crabit 2 the King miMe, and restranit his purpose
agaMst him. This is remarkable for God's providence.] 3 I saw
befor the KMg lying, and thairefter haid in my hand, a quare of
peiper4 of calumnies, in fear wraitt, giffen upe to the Kmg. They
caUed him diverse tymes, they leyed diverse things to his charge,
they hard aU Ms mislykers, erill-wMars, and sic as haid anie com-
plents against Mm ; bot God was sa withe Mm, with sic courage, ut
terance, and powar of his image, that they coMd do na tMng to him
in end, but mak a new chose of the Rector of the UMversitie. At
the quhUk, according to the custome, he wMingfie dimitted his
office, wherof he wald- have gladfie beM quyt for mame causses,
namlie, for that it importeth a mixture of the CiriU Magistrate,
with the Ministerie Ecclesiastic, war nocht from yeir to yeir the
haM Universitie haid burdenit him thairwithe. And yit they fearit
1 Poles, Danes. 2 Vexed, crossed. 3 Margin of MS. 4 Quire of paper.

1597. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 41 9
sa the publict opiMoun, that they gaM him ane office als honour
able, and mair setting and aggreiable to him in aU respects, to wit,
to be Dean of the FacMtie of Theologie, the quhUk indeid they
coMd nocht gM by 1 him to nan uther bearing ever the sam in effect,
without compear or matche for his incomparable lerMng ; and yit
of that quMlk they behoved to do of necessitie, they wald moyen
thanks bathe at his hands and the comoun sestrniatioun.
As they wald have thankes M tMs, sa wald they in the mater of
the MMisterie of Edinbruche, for whom they sufferit tfiam to be
suted and intreated that they soMd be enterit agaMe everie an in
thair awin roumes, and that to thair severaU flocks, with a new
stampe of impositioun of hands. Bot aU tMs was to the wrak of
the thrid, viz., the Ministerie of St Androis ; that that bemg done,
the rest might be the easiar prey as occasioun served thairefter.
And sa Mr Robert WaUace was proceidit against and removit from
St Androis, be sum form of kmglie Commissionar proceidmg and
proces. Bot Mr Darid Blak was never annes caUed, and yit of
mere kinglie powar it behovit him to be debarrit St Androis, and
tak Mm to an upeland roum, or then want aU roum in his native
countrey ; and with post dMgence, summarlie, Mr George Glad-
steanes placed in Ms roum.
To receave Mr Robert Brace, Minister of EdMbruche, and giff
Mm impositioun of handes, war apointed be his Majestie and Com
missionars, Mr Thomas Buchannan and Mr James Nicolsone, wha
apprehenffit sic a feare of leymg on of thehandes of the peiple upon
tham,2 that it stak to thair stomak aU that yeir efter-hend ; 3 and
was the occasioun of a verie faschius antipathie and contradictioun
betwix the MMisters of Edinbrache and the Commissionars ; whom,
gif the King haid nocht stoutlie with might and mean assisted, the
said Commissionars haid gottin lytle thank, and aU thair awin traveU
at the nixt GeneraU Assembfie. And, as it was, they spak na thing
1 Past. 2 " The peiple of Edinbruche was almost in an uproar that day, at
least the Commissionars war effrayit of it." — Note by Author on the margin of MS.
3 Afterwards.

420 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1597.
les tham selves, bot that they haid gottin peyment for thair travell
of that coyne and streak.
About the sam verie tyme that the KMg Mterrupted Mr Robert
WaUace, and undid the Ministerie of St Androis, ther was an erth-
quak quhilk maid aU the North parts of Scotland to trimble, from
St Johnstoun1 throw AthaU, Bredalban, and aU these Hie-lands to
Ros, and thairin, and KMteaU ; quMlk was schawm me for certean
be sum of our merchants wha war in Ros and Crommartie Firthe for
the tyme ; and as the countrey peiple ther reported it to my selff,
beMg directed that sam yeir, M the monethe of October, be the
King and GeneraU Assembfie, to the Visitatioun of the Northe.
TMs maid sic as haid red the storie of the King of Juda, Uzzias,
to remember, whow that when he, at a solemn feast, usurped the
Priestfie office, and went in to the Temple to offer incense on the
Golden Altar, the Lord sent a mightie erthquak quhUk reased the
haiff of the montean Eroge, situat on the southe and west of Jeru
salem, and caried it four stades,2 that is, haiff a myU, toward the
Est, and lighted on the syde of the Mont of Offence, condamnitthe
hie-way, and spUt3 aU the KMg's Gardmgs. Thairwith also the
Temple reave,4 and, a beam of the sune commg tMow, strak the
KMg in the face, wharby he becam leprouse, and sa be the preists
was cast out of the Temple, yea of Ms kmgdome, and finafie Med
of melanchofie and greiff; as wryttes Josephus, lib.ix. Antiq. Jud.
cap. 11. Wharof also by the storie of the Kings, Amos and Zacha-
rie the prophetes mentionnes. Anent the quhUk this Dix-hMtaine
was maid : —
Uziah King contented nocht to brake
The ciriU sword of Juda's government ;
Bot pristfie office proudlie undertuke
Till offer incense at the altar bent.

Perth. 2 Stadia, or 500 paces. 3 Spoilt, destroyed. ' Bent.

1597. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 421
God schuk the erd,1 and holie Temple rent.
And maid a niontan skipe out of Ms place ;
(Of feirfoU wrath a 'feet2 maist evident !)
Whilk kMglie gets3 and gardmgs did disgrace.
The Kmg him self with leprosie M face,
Was strucken sa for schamles saerilage.
That he was forst, with mame loud alace !
To quyt his crown, and die M hermitage.
King James the Saxt, this yeir thow fast aspyrs,
Ou're Chryst Ms Kirk to compas thy desyrs.
O wey this weM, and heire exemple tak,
Lest CMyst, wha this yeir schuk thy north-wast parts,
And withe eclipsed Sun amasde the harts,
For kMgs to com tMe just exemple mak !
A heavie fact for aU the hartes of the godlie and honest, and
maist detestable, traterus, and crewaU M respect of the devysars
and committars, feU furthe upon this alteratioun of the mMisterie
of St Androis. For the forementioned malitius, craftie misrewlars
of the citie, semg now the auband4 of that mMisterie removit, and
aU sic as lyked of the best mMisters to be mislyked at Court, and
that they haid gottm a ministerie that wald go tMouch with thair
factioun, they steir upe and Mcitats four debosMt young limmers,
and wattes5 that maist notable man amangs aU the merchants of
St Androis, and for godfines and vertew nocht Mferior to manie M
the land, James Smithe, as he was coming ham at Mght from the
cost syde, and crewaMe demeanes and murdares hfin. The guid
honest man was maist Mnocent of anie cryme or wrang done to
anie, as we schew befor, (whowbeit, persones led with the sprit of
that murdarar and liar from the begming, nocht contented to have
murderit his body, presses yit to murdar Ms guid fame, bot in vean,
1 Earth. 2 An effect. 3 Gates. * Restraint. * Lies in wait for.

422 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1597.
amangs the chUdrmg of godlines and treuthe !) and thinking it was
bot gear they sought, was resolvit to have bought pace with large
soumes ; and for aggriment thairanent, the King him self haid
apointed the day foUowing to be keipit be frinds, and a commissioner
directed from Mm expreslie for that effect, and thus under tryst
was cut of. Thair was never a cais that befeU a man that woundit
my hart sa sare, and cast me in sa terrible a tentatioun of doutting
of the Providence of God, [seing sa gMd a man left in the hands of
sa vyU lowns !] I knew the innocencie and gudnes of the man sa
weM, the vylnes of Ms maist wicked enemies, and the veritie of his
cause. I was even drounde, a certean dayes, even almaist in a dead-
lie and sencles dispear,1 tM my deir Father of mercie and God of
aU consolatioun haid pitie on me, and brought me in the light of
his sanctuarie, and maid me better to knaw and beleive thairby,
that ther was a heU prepared for the wicked, and a heavine for
the godlie heirefter ! and aU the rest of the pomcts of that maist
deipe and comfortable doctrine of his Proridence.
I haid a grait cear of that man's esteat, for the oMie reasone be
for schawin ; and seing that alteratioun coming on, I often said
to Mm, that he haid a thing graitfie for his comfort, that the cause
of Chryst and Ms Kirk in Scotland was sa joyned with his, that sa
lang as the an went weiU, I soMd warrand the uther; bot when
the an alterit I fearit the uther ! And often hes he answerit me,
" That was over grait honour for sic a vyU worme ; and that maist
gladfie wald he tak his part in the hardest sort as M the best." At
the tyme of that alteratioun I was meUde and verie Mstantlie urget
be the King to mak the sermont at the recearing of Mr George.
FaUon leathe 2 was I, and soar was it against my hart for manie
weghtie reasones, bot, seing the gMd honest men was at ane ex
tream poinct of wrak, having ane interlocutor of the Sessioun past
against tham of ten thowsand mark, quMlk tendit to thair utter
hearschipe,3 1 indented with the King for the staying of that decreit,
and composing of that mater, (wherin I haid sa lang travelit with
1 Despair. ' Extremely unwilling. 3 Wreck and ruin of their property'

1597. MR JAMES MELYILLS DIARY. -123
Ms Majestie,) I wald condiscend to do^that qMMk utherwayes my
hart coMd nocht suffer me to do : For I thoucht ther could be ua
M don in teatcMng the Word trewfie ; and I thank God thairin I
satisfeid my conscience ; bot the doMg of it. at that tyme, and by
sic a compactioun, was a grait huik M my hart,1 and wrought sear
remorse at the newes of Ms deathe. Bot as the cersar of harts and
reanes knawes, the overtM-aw of that mimsterie of St Androis was
a hearie overthraw to the joy and pleasure of my sauU, sa far was
I from art, part, read, counsaU, consenting thairto, or aUowmg thairof.
And wheras I tuk grait peanes thairefter M placeMg of Mr Blak at
Mr George's Kirk, I did it because I kend the^fathfuU, honest
brother's danger; for the King and Commissionars bathe war
carles 2 of Mm, and desyrit nocht better nor to cast him lous on his
awm defaMt, (as they wald aUeage,) that throAv necessitie he might
be compeUed tM abandone the countrey.
James Smithe was my deir frMd whM he leirit, and from whom
I parted in my awM hous about twa houres befor Ms slauchter, with
als grait sweitnes and joy of hart, arissM of a hearinfie conference,
whilk haid stowM 3 twa houres from us or we was a war, as ever I
haid M this warld; during the quhilk me thought that he and I
bathe was caried from the erthe, and delyting our sauUes M that
lyff and glorie purchassed be the deathe of the Mediator and Sa
viour Jesus Chryst ; tM Mr George Mernse, bailyie of St Androis
for the tyme, a gMd simple man, and Ms frMd, cam and tuk him
out of my maist hartfie embracing, sear agamst my wM, for I was
determmed to keipe him with me that Mght, and go with him to
St Androis on the morn, for keipmg of that tryst of agriment
apomted be the KMg.
Gif the reidar be holefie affectionat in trew and godlie frind
schipe, he wM nocht lothe of the poeticaU passioun quhMt pleasit
and easit me for the tyme ; and, thairfor, for my frind's sak, I can
nocht suffer to pearishe, whowbeit bot a dwabbfing countrey ryme,
1 Hook rankling in my heart. -' Careless. 3 Stolen, beguiled away.

424 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1597.
meittar to be swipped away with the mouse-wobbes,1 nor byd2 as
a picture in the palace of Apollo !
A DULFULL LAMENTATION FOR SIN, QUHILK HES PROCUEIT THE
THRALDOME OF THE KIRK, AND CREWALL MURDER OP JAMES
SMITHE, MERCHANT AND CITICrNER OF SANCT ANDROSE.
Sept. 1597.
With the toone of " Alas, I die,'' etc.
Alas ! the tyme, that ever I did offend
AgaMst thy Mche and dreidfuU magestie ;
Alas ! the yeirs and seasons I have spend
In erdfie tourns 3 and warldfie vaMtie ;
Alas ! tfie mounths, alas ! the wkes 4 and dayes,
That I consum'd M foofishe sports and playes.
Alas ! alas ! for verie greiff and pame ;
Alas ! for sin ; alas ! for sin againe.
TMs pretius loss, quhilk I sa seare lament
Withe murnfuU mean,5 is of the tyme of grace,
When God sa lang his GospeU tM us lent,
TM offer lyf with everlasting peace
For aU repentand, fathfuU, hafie annes :6
This wounds my hart, my flaishe, my blud, and beans.7
Alas ! alas ! etc.
I may lament with mame loud alace !
I may regrat with manie reuthfuU reare,8
The fichtleing9 of the favour and the grace
Of thie, my God, alas ! withe siches seare :
1 The slender filmy web of the gossamer spider. 2 Than remain, or be preserved.
3 Earthly concerns. 4 Oulks, weeks. 5 Lamentation, complaint. 6 Ones.
7 Bones. 8 Roar, with many a rueful or doleful exclamation. 9 Under
valuing, holding light. ,0 Sore sighs.

10

1597. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 425
Whare grace is gean,1 what rests2 bot mortaU grehT,
With ddfuU deathe, and wa3 without releM".
Alas ! alas ! etc.
And yit, the graittest mater of my greM
Is nocht tMs hearie sauU with pean4 repleit,
Bot that my smnes hes wrought sa grait mischeM
To crabe5 my hearinfie Father, deir and sweit ;
And move him nocht to speare Ms ertMie glore,
His deirest Kirk quhilk did this land decore.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
For whare the scepter of thy Chryst did gyde,
And govern be Ms Word and Hafie Ghaste,
It is contemn' d, alas ! and set asyde,
And fantasies of flaishe for it is plaste :
Sa sm gets not Ms just and frie rebuik,
The godlie grones, the wicked proudlie luik,
Alas ! alas ! etc.
The standart of thy treuthe is troden down,
And fies and falshod hes the upper hand ;
Restored agaM ar trator, thM, and loun,
And honest men ar murdrit m the land ;
Whar Chryst Md gyd, now Court does govern aU.
O wratched ceass ! O miserie and tMaU !
Alas! alas! etc.
But na thmg mair efirayes and terrifies,
Then the renewmg of that Covenand :
At grait Assembfie, Synods, Presbyteries,
And aU our Kirks, bathe up and down tMs land,
' Gone. 2 Remains. 3 Woe. 4 Pain. s Vex, offend.

426 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1597.
Whare monie voued, and promis'd tM amend ;
Bot uthers Mche M rank did vMpend.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
The purpose therof was to purge the land
From fflthie sin, that God therin might dweU :
Bot Sathan's sleaves 1 wald na wayes understand
That gud intent, nor yit the purpose thoU :2
And sa this tow hes put upon our rok,3
And brought our fredom under boundage yok.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
And ever, alas ! for scham and weM-awa ! 4
Even we our selffs, wha promisde aU the best,
Be feir and flatterie caried clein awa,
Permits thy Spreit in us to be represt.
Yea, sum in hart, are led a contrair course,
Of aU tMs wa,5 the fontean and the sourse.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
Sa, by that heape of hynous sinnes before,
Whilk cry'd a vengeance to the heavMnes hie,
We have incenste the mightie KMg of glore,
Be brak of promise, and withe perjurie :
TM ather quyt his justice and Ms right,
Or then to cast us clein out of his sight !
Alas ! alas ! etc.
And sen the frie rebuk of sin is gean,
And of our censures the severitie :
The Papists, Atheist, mockars everilk an,6
And beastlie slaves to sensuafitie,
1 Slaves. 2 Suffer, endure. 3 Distaff for spinning tow. ' Wallawa !
an interjection denoting, woe is me ! & Woe. » Each or every one.

1597. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 427
At fredome now they vant and wark thair wM,
Revyling God, Ms Word, and servants stiU.
Alas ! alas ! etc.

FINIS.

J[AMES] S[MITHE.]
A crewaU deid tfiat hereupon ensewed,
With woundit hart I woefolfie record,
That aU the gUtie greivusfie may Tewed,
Hast for to render recompence, O Lord !
I mean the murder of that meaMes man,
Amangs tham aU St Androis did belang.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
GMd James Smithe, thy fathe and feir of God,
Thyn honestie m lyff and conversation,
Thy vermes rare dissemMat abrod,
And weM bekend throw manie CMistan nation ;
Thy gentUnes and trew hunfifitie,
Thyn upright meMing and fidefitie.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
Tfiy courtessie, tfiy fasones fear and fyne,
Thy deaMng just and square can naine conceU,
Thy kyndnes, frindscMpe, and thy spreit devyne,
In lykMg polecie and comoun-weM :
Thy love of right, and hatred of aU wrang,
ExceUing aU thy citicines amang.
Alas ! alas ! etc.

428 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1597.
Bot speciafie, thy lykMg of God's Word,
And MterteMMg of his servants trew,
Maid Satan's slaves to tak the blodie sword,
And strut tha strakes, quhUk they sail ever rew.
They did pretend a forgett cause of fead,1
Bot verefie thy vertew was thy dead.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
For certeanfie thow was an Mnocent ;
To God and man approved weM be tyme ;
Altho maficius greidie men war bent
On thie, maist falsfie, for to lay a cryme,
Thair consciens ay the contrar did tham tell,
As they ar yit convicted be tham seU.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
For why the ground of stryff and deadlie fead ?
It is from Sathan sen that first he feU,
Whase sprit the wicked reprobat does lead,
And maks tham Mst to hat the Lord him sell ; 2
And syn abhore sic as him loves and feirs,
Whase spreit and lyff is contrarie to theirs.
Alas! alas! etc.
Invy and malice, lang mveterat,
Did bowden3 in the breist of craftie men,
Withe Satan's vennom haM Mtoxicat,
As God at last wM mak the warld to ken ;
Wha houndit furthe these ratches4 under night,
On Lambe alan, haM four to set thair might !
Alas ! alas ! etc.
1 Deadly feud. 2 Himself. 3 Swell. It is often written boldin or bolden,
in old MSS. 4 Whether this means wretches, or "ratches," a sort of butcher's
dog, does not seem obvious ; but perhaps the latter is the most probable. From Fr.
brachet, a kind of little hound.

1597. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 429
And that at unawars behmd his bak,
They Mterprys'd thair fimmers crewaltie,
QuhUk soMdart-fike1 they durst nocht undertak ;
Sic was Ms manhead and activitie :
When he was passing lyk a seakles lam, 2
These crewaU craftie wolfs upon him cam.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
Wa to yow, foofishe, MtMe, foible fallows !
Yie ar mad faggets to the fyre of heU.
Lyk lowns and fimmers, your carkashe3 for the gaUows,
Your cursed sauU for Beelzebub Mm seU.4
As vagabounds, lyk Cain, to be kend,
TM that yie mak a maist unhappie end.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
Fy ! on the limmer LMdsay, by the leave, s
Thow might have clam'd sum kinred by thy name,
Bot malting thie to slaves a MtMe slave,
Thou'rt blotted out with everlasting scham !
Ah ! slave to Satan, and to slaveishe beasts :
Ah ! fiashar tyk, 6 whom aU the land deteasts.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
Yie venturars7 beweaU8 Ms tragedie,
Yie kend Mm ever godfie, gMd, and wyse.
Yie mariners and tradars be the sie,
Amang your merchants he haid eu'r the pryse,
AU honest men, aU burgesses of towns,
WM mein his cease, 9 unles they be bot lowns.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
1 Soldier-like, i.e. bravely face. 2 Guiltless lamb. 3 Carcase. 4 Himself.
5 The scoundrel Lindsay, beyond all the rest. 6 Butcher's dog. 7 Adventurers,
merchants. 8 Bewail. 9 Lament his case.

430 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1597.
But maist of aU, the honest pure wM miss
His merchandise, with mercie ever mixt ;
He gat a thowsand' s bennesone l and bliss ;
They wanted nocht wha kept thair tym affixt.
Yea manie an, he quat2 fuU fiberaMe,
Tfiat was by hasard3 put to povertie.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
O Kirk and King, whow gratfie ar yie wrangde !
Alas ! for losing of sa rare a man.
Gif hounders of sic knaves war tean and hangde,
War M compear a wUd-gus for a wran.4
A better subject, nor a better sone,
Haid nocht the KMg nor Kirk this land within.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
Then if yow wM eschew the vengeance grait,
Of seakles 6 blud that ower this land does hMg,
Tak pean to purge ; set heir your harts delait ;
Think this beseats a godlie Kirk and KMg :
For, gif that therin yie be negligent,
I am sure to leat yie sail it seare repent !
Alas ! alas ! etc.
And thow, O Fyff ! sa fflthelie defylde
Withe fore-thought fellons' bludie crewaltie !
I rather be a stranger far exylde,
Nor Erie, or Lord, or Baron, into thie :
Unles thow kythe thir murders to deteast,
That in thy Wast, this uther in thyn East.
Alas ! alas ! etc.

1 Benediction. " Requited, rewarded. 3 The Author has also the word
'jeopard" in the text. 4A wild-goose for a wren. 5 Guiltless.

1597. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 431
I red thie,1 therfor, dull 2 for Dunnibirsall,
And for St Androse now, to sobbe full sear,
Or thow saU feM thy judgment, scharpe as tiiirsaU,3
Upon thy bak, and on thy buttoks bear :
For why whar seakles blmd sa fast cryes out,
The righteus God mon pumshe ther, but dout.
Alas ! alas ! etc. .
Bot, O St Androse ! searlie saU thow rew
The tym that thow brought out that wicked race ;
For thow saU drink of that quhilk thow did brew,
With mUde wa,4 and manie loud alace !
For sure thyn eis saU verefie behaMd,
What ever thy fathfuU Pastors to the taMd.
Alas ! alas ! etc.
And namfie jie, wha, laucMng M your sleive,
Now maks tMs mater seage unto your drink ;
For surfie God saU then his awin releive,
When yie your craft and malice saU forthMk.
Lauche on, and sport yow with your guid success,
Our God is M hearin, wha sies, and wUl redress !
Alas ! alas ! etc.
Bot weU's thie weidow, supposed miserable,
God give thie grace to knaw thy happines.
The deriU hes done mischeif intolerable,
Yit God his graittar gMdness saU express.
WhUk thow saU find with wonderfuU delyt,
To thair maficius wicked harts dispyt.
O confort ! confort ! stedfast to remean.
O confort meit to mitigat thy pean.
1 Counsel thee. 2 Dool, mourn. Fr. deuil. 3 Thistle. * Woe.

432 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1597.
God hes reteird thy housband to his rest,
And him inroUd, for to mak out that number
Of righteus martyrs, whom he loves ay best,
Into tMs lyff persewd with cross and cumber,1
Beneathe that Altar, blessed Saincts amang,
Whilk cryes, "Hast, Lord, revenge our blMd and wrang!"
Thair cled in whait2 he plesand saU remean:
O confort meit to mitigat thy pean !
Bot certeaMie God saU thy Housband bie,
And Father to thy chUdring an and aU ;
He saU yow freethe 3 from aU this miserie ;
He saU yow heir, and give yow hart to caU.
He saU yow dayfie grace and blessing send ;
He saU yow gyd unto that blessed end.
O confort ! confort ! stedfast to remean,
O confort meit to mitigat thy pean !
Deir damiseUes ! leave af your dreirie mean,4
And grow in godlines to womanhead ;
Yie saU nocht five lyk orphefings alean,5
Altho your ertMie father now be dead.
Your HeavMfie Father's guidnes yie saU feM ;
He sail yow touchar6 aU, and marie weiU.
O confort, etc. etc.
Thow bonie boy, conceaved and brought upe,
MiracMuslie by7 ame expectation,
Into thy youthe, rejose to tholl the whupe,8
Thy God salbe thy scheUd and preservation :
' Cummer, strife, contention. 2 Clothed in white robes. 3 Free or
deliver. * Moaning, lamentation. 6 Orphans alone. " Provide you with
tochers or doweries. 7 Beyond. 8 Rejoice to suffer the scourge or correction
of the rod.

1597. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 43
He saU thie bliss, and mak tMe sic at ease,
A feirfoll curse on aU tfiy father's faes.1
O confort, etc. etc.
Sa, efter God hes maid yow meit for him,
Be aU your suffrings and tentationnes,
He's mak yow on the ledder Chryst to dim,2
And end your greifs and tribMationnes,
Surmonting far the skyes and sternes 3 bright,
Yie's enter m the Lord's asternaU light.
Ther meit with him, and never part agaM.
O confort meit to mitigat your pean !
Now CMyst our King, triumphar over the devUls,
Ou'r sin, ou'r deathe, ou'r heU, this warld and aU,
BehaMd from hearin tMr maist mischeivus evMs,
And heire the plaMt of sic as on tMe caU.
And aither staMche4 the rage of thair impyre,
Or come and cast them M asternaU fyre !
O com ! O com ! O com ! without delay.
O com ! and judge, Lord Jesus, we thie pray.
AMEN.

In the monethe of October thairefter, with a heavie hart, grait
pean in body, be a distMatioun faMng on my teithe, and with grait
expences, I entered M jorney with the rest apointed, and visited the
Prorinces of Aberdein, Murray, and Kos. At ther Synods and
Presbyteries we tryed the MMisters, particMarfie in doctrMe, knaw
lage, and lyff : Sum we deposit ; sum we'admonished ; sum we in-
curagit : manie we helped M ther gleibs, manses, and leirings. We
delt with aU the Noble men and cheiff Barrones, for provyding of
thair Kirks, be doctrine and privat deMng, and gat Subscriptionnes

Foes. 2 Ladder to climb to Christ. 3 Stars. « Staunch.
2 E

434 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1597.
to the particMar provisionnes sett down in wrait, anent everie-Kirk :
Wherin the penitents recentfie receavit past befor, be guid exemple,
the Erles of Hountlie and ArroU, because they war nocht yit re
stored in Parfiament ; but sensyne I heir litle of the performance.
But thairin MakinToshie1 warred2 all the rest, wha, meitting us at
Ennernes,3 sett down the plat of aU Ms Kirks with sufficient provi-
sioun ; and when he haid done, he subscryrit it with Ms hand be
for us, and said, " Now it may be thought I am liberaU," sayes he,
" because na Minister wM venture to com amangs us, therfor get
me men and sey4 me, and I wiU find sufficient cautioun for safiftie
of ther persones, obedience to ther doctrine and discipfine, and guid
peyment of thair stipend and Mterteinment M St Johnstoun,
Dondie, or Aberdein !" And, Mdeid, I have ever sensyne regrated
the esteat of our Hielands, and am sure gif CMyst war pretched
amangs tham, they wald scham monie Lawland professours ; and
gif peanes war taken bot als wMinglie for wMMng of tha sauUes 5 be
the Prince and Pastors to plant ther Kirks, as ther is for wrakking
and displanting of the best constitut, Chryst might be pretched and
beleived, bathe in Hielands and Bordours.
In that jorney, be occasioun of conference be the way with Sir
Patrik Murray, Mr James Nicolsone, and Mr Piter Blakburn, I
smeld out the purpose of erectioun of Bischopes againe. The quhfik
coming to Edinbruche to the parfiament in the monethe of Decem
ber, I fand plaMie going to wark, and therfor left my litle Court
Commissionarie, and aU fordar deaUing witfi tham M anie course or
purpose, and reteired my sehT ham to my awM caMng. From the
quhUk, whowbeit I was often absent of befor, occupied ever in
comoun causses,6 to my great peanes and spending of aU I haid, yit
I haid confort in my conscience and joy in spreit thairefter, remem
bering sum guid done to the contentment of the godlie. But when
I perceavit my peanes and expences to be dowblit, and to reape na
thing in end bot greiff of mynd, and eviU estimatioun amangs guid
1 The Chief of the Clan Mackintosh. 2 Excelled, outdid. 3 Inverness. « Try.
5 These souls. » Public concerns ; affairs concerning the welfare of the community.

1597. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 435
folks, I thought it hie tyme to reteire. And yit twa turnes feU out
that tyed me, as efter we wM heir.
At the parfiament, in December, the mater was convoyed and
brought m tMs maner. The Commissionars, in nam of the Kirk,
sought be petitioun a vott M parliament, wharof they thought they
haid sufficient warrand, because it haid oftentymes, yea almost at
everie parfiament, compleaMt, that men satt and votted in parfia
ment M nam of the Kirk, that nather bure office in the Kirk, nor
haid aMe commissioun thairfra. The Abbots, Priours, Lords of
Sessioun, and sic as they drew of the NobMtie, war against the
Kirk ; yit be ernest deMng of the KMg, wha haid promist miMe
guid to be done to the Kirk at that parfiament, they condiscend
and aggreis, that sic of the mMisterie heirefter, as his Majestie
soMd promot to the digMtie, office, place, and title of Prelacie,
Bischope, Abbot, or uther, saU have vott in parfiament, sUdyk and
als frifie as any uther EcclesiasticaU Prelat haid at anie tym by-
gean, etc.
Now this, forsuthe, was a grait benefit for tfie Kirk, obteined at
that parfiament, when the Papist Erles war restorit, and for the
quhUk the Kirk behoved to receave tham in favour. For the Kirk
haid lyen lang M contempt and povertie, quMUt the King and his
Commissionars soar pitied, and tMs was the way to mend that :
To gett of the godfiest, wysest, and best of the mMisterie, upon the
CounsaU of the realme, Conventionnes of Esteattes and hichest
Court of Parliament, ther they soMd reasone and vott in ther awin
causses, and bring hame the Kirk leiving, and nocht stand at the
durre geiffing M peapers of petitiones ; and skarsfie when they haid
iaked1 on manie dayes, gott sa miMe as a fear2 answer. And, in
deid, gif warldfie fionour and ritches haid beM to be sought for to
the KMgdome of CMyst, as it was and is of the Antichryst, or gif
ther haid bein honour and ritches to be gottM M Scotland, even
bot sic as was wount to be to these tytles, dignities, and offices of
Prelates, I wald haiff easefie beM moved and caried away with
1 It is also frequently written jauk, to spend time idly. 2 Fair.

436 MR JAMES melvill's diary. 1597.
these arguments, wanting the grace and government of God's
Spreit ; bot Chryst teatcMng us, and maMng us to teatche his
peiple the contrar, and the peiple M sic a cleir light of the GospeU,
semg and spying the wandrmg away of ther gydes M the mist of
Court vanitie, and thairfor the mair esteimed ther, the mair dispysit
and contemptible befor tham, and the les able for anie gMd tedifi-
catioun to the conscience, maid me altogidder to avoid and abhore
it. And heir, again, my forsaid commMto l and I war in contra-
dictorie opiniones.
Our Synod of Fyff conveiMt M St Androis in Februar foUowing.
To it was Sir Patrik direct from the King to moyen for the mater
of Bischopes. It was far and fearlie 2 brought about with a Letter
thairanent from the King's Majestie to the Presbyteries. Item, an
uther from the Commissionars with a copie of the act of parliament,
scfiawMg whow hardfie it haid obteMed by the King's grait peanes
and authoritie at the hands of the Lords of Articles, and what com-
moditie might therby com to the Kirk. Therefter the questioun
was propoMt, Gif it war expedient and profitable for the Kirk, that
the Ministers soMd have vot M parliament for and M nam of the
Kirk ? The quMUt seimmg guid, be maniest vottes of the BreitMing,
to be answerit affirmative, I planfie discoverit unto thame the pur
pose, to the grait offence of the King's Commissionar, schawing
tham that it being annes3 fund profitable and expedient, that Mini
sters soMd vott in parfiament, these MiMsters behoved to be Bis
chopes and Prelates, or els they wald nocht be admitted to vott ;
and sa we soMd faU to wark and big upe Bischopes, quMlk we haid
bein all our dayes dinging down. Mr Andro MelvM insisted herin,
in his vehement maner ; wha, taken upe rudlie be Mr Thomas Bu
chanan, that he soMd nocht have place in the Assembfie, (meining
because of the misordour quMlk the King and Commissionars haid
maid m the UMversitie, debarring the Maisters thairof, namfie of
Theologie, from the Assemblies,) he answerit, " My professioun
1 Fellow-soldier. * Fairly. s Onoe.

1597. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 437
was to resolve questionnes in the Kirk of God out of his Word, and
to reasone, vott, and moderat M Assembfies, when yours was to
teatche the grammar rewUes ! QuhUk answer contented and moved
the Breithring verie mUde.
Efter the quhUk Darid Fergusone, the auldest MiMster that
tyme in Scotland, spak gravfie, cleirfie, and at lainthe, whow the
corruptiones of that office of Bischopes haid bein espyed be the
Kirk of Scotland from the begming ; what pean haid bein taken
bathe M doctrin from pMpites and M Assembfies, for purging and
aUuterfie putting away thairof. And now he perceavit a purpose
tM erect tham of new, conveyed in sic a maner as he coMd com
pear to na tMng better nor that quhilk the Grecians usit for the
overtMaw of the antient citie and Mngdome of Troy, busMng upe
a brave horse, and, be a craftie SMon, persuadMg tham to pluk
down the waUes with thair awin hands to receave that in, for thair
honour and weMear, quhUk serrit for thair utter wrak and distruc-
tioun. Therfor he wald, with the Breithring that haid giffen gMd
warning, cry, Equo ne credite Teucri.
Mr Jhone Davidsone, an of the antient fathers of the Kirk, was
present with us at that Assembfie, and mightefie and gravefie war-
mt, Mformit, and movit the Breithring. Amangs the rest he said,
mirrefie, " Busk, busk, busk Mm as bonMe as ye can, and fetche
him in als fearlie as yie wM, we sie Mm weM aneuche, we sie the
homes of Ms mytre !"
In memoriaU wharof tMs Decatessarad was maid, when the mater
wrought fordar on thairefter :
By PaUas' art the Grecians buUt an horss,
Als hudge as Mil, presenting him to Troy,
And craftie SMon, taken as par forss,
Perswadit them to brak thair waUes, with joy,
Be thair awM hands, this horss for to convoy,
And set him upe in thair maist sacrat place :
Bot therout usMng capteans did distroy
With fyre and sword thair citie soone, alace !

438 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1597.
Tho Dardan prophets cry'd and bad tham seace,
Alluring tham to work thair awin releiff:
Yit foolishe madnes spuUyiet tham of grace,
Sa God, for sin, brought on thair last mischeiff.
This hors, this SMon, and this Troian sak,
Me thmks I sie, whM we our Bischops mak !
In that Februar, betwix the Synods ProrinciaU and GeneraU, was
that maist conspicuus eclipse of the sunne, quhilk strak aU creatours
with sic estonishment and feir, as tho the day of Judgment haid
beM com. I knew befor it was to com ; I was nocht ignorant of
the naturaU cause thairof; and yit when it cam to the amazfull,
uglie, alriche darknes, I was cast on my kMes, and my hart almaist
fealled. On that I gave tMs warmng :
In Februar, the twentie-fyve exack,
We saw the sunne, the tent hour of the day,
BegM to loss Ms light and turn to blak,
WhUk piece and piece Ms whait did weare away.
The cause is tMs, as lerned men do say,
The darksum bodie of the changMg moone
Cam m betwix our sight and Phoebus gay,
And Md from us Ms halsome ligfit sa soone.
Amid the meittings of our Kirk this done,
Portends the dark and variable warld
SaU com betwix the Klrk and Chryst abone,
And mak hir Pastors crewked, bfind, and thral'd !
Then statlie starrs stik fast, and tak gud tent,
The dragon's taiU wM reng the firmament !
[Over notable effects of this eclipse kythe the yeir foUowmg in
the deathe of notable lights of the Kirk of Scotland, Mr Thomas
Bowchanan, Mr Eobert BoUoc, David Fergusone, and Mr Adam
Jhonstoun ; also of Mr Jhone Lindsay, for naturaU judgment and
learning the graittest light of the polecie and CounsaU of Scotland.

1598. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 439
In lyk maner of guid James Smithe, the sune amangs the mer
chants. A mair feirfuU eclipse was of the sun, and faU of starnes from
the hearin, when in the Kirk of France the men of graittest lern-
mg and estimatioun (Mtysit be the flatterie and giftes of the King
for estabfissmg of the peace quhilk he haid fantyseit in Msbrean be
twix the Papists and Protestants, for the commoditie and surnes of
his esteat) war maid to set and imploy thair ^thought, pen, and
traveU to erect, and set furthe ane mid and weM-mixed ReUigioun
and new CMistiaMtie, the effectuating wharof haid nocht feallit,
gif God haid nocht cutted schort thair dayes with exemplar sorts
of deathe. The names of the cheiff war Ardianus, Serranus, Ro-
tanus, Egbergius, and Martmius.1] M.D.XCVHI.
In the monethe of Merche foUowMg, 1598, the GeneraU Assem
bfie field at Dondie. Ther the KMg and Commissionars met be
for togidder, and leyed aU the plattes and coursses, being in grait
fear that the Commissionars soMd be soarlie censurit for thair pro
ceidMgs, and that ther soMd be na forderance, in thair cheiff pur-
pos of erecting of Bischopes. Ther was ther bissMes day and night
to mak and try aU m everie Prorince. The Moderator was befor-
hand preparit, and all and everie an that soMd teatche and open
thair mouthe in pMpit ; and, finafie, aU things framed for the purpose,
sa far as wit or dMgence might mak with the Prince's authoritie.
The King professit to stand be the Commissionars, and they be
Mm. The uther partie war the mMisters of Edinbruche and St
Androis, with aU sic as stud uprightfie for the established disci
pfine and fredome of the Kirk. The Commissionars offerit tham
to giff a compt of thair proceidmgs to the Assemblie ; bot sa in ef
fect that they war judges thair sehT, for they war sure beforhand
the graittest number soMd be on thair part. Manie grehTes war
giffen in be Edinbruche, St Androis, and uther Presbyteries ; grait
hait and altercatioun was, sa that sic an Assemblie was never sein
• ' These two paragraphs have been added by the Author on margin of MS.

440 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1598.
in Scotland sen Reformatioun of Religioun ; and that quhilk was
warst, the graittest enemies of the Ministerie [the lat excommuni
cat forfaMtit Papist Erls] war brought in to tak their pastyme of
the imperfectionnes of the Breithring, and skrape togidder mater
of sMander and calunmie to ventUat -and saw athort amangs the
enemies bathe witMn and without the land. My uncle, Mr Andro,
was happie in that, at his first presenting to the Assembfie he was
dischargit ; nather wald the King com in nor suffer anie thmg be
done tM he was away, (yit he past nocht on-uttering his mind to
the Breithring in his aMd maner.) And, nocht satisfeit that he was
out of the Assembfie, fie was cfiargeit aff the town under aU heest
peanes. And surfie, I say, he was happie that hard nocht the
tMngs quhUk woundit our hartes throuche ; better to be buried, as
they war ordeanit in end, nor ever rememberit !
Efter that a large tyme was evM tint upon the greMes, and they
(Male Malcontent, mother of the Greives ! :) buried, the questioun
moyennit at aU the Synods befor cam in, Whither MiMsters might
vot M parliament ? It was reasonit at lynthe, wherin I had my
large part, as they foUow heirefter ; but at last, when it cam to the
roU, Mr GUbert Body led the ring, a drunken Orkney ass ; and the
graittest number foUowit, aU for the bodie,2 but3 respect of the
spreit. And yit, praisit be God, a guid number of honest breith
ring glorifiet God, bathe M reasoning and votting directfie against :
Another sort war mistakme bathe in reasoning and votting : And
the number that caried the conclusioun away war nocht sic that 4
laborit or haid skifi in the Word, bot kit Commissionars wha votted
with the King and thair Ministers. Efter the quhUk conclusioun,
Mr Jhone Davidsone, of whome I have divers tymes spoken befor,
maid pubfict protestatioun agamst it in his awin nam, and the nam
of the Breithring that disassented, first in word, and thairefter gaiff.
in in wryt, desyring the Clark to insert it.
1 " This nam was giffen to that dealing, in derision, be the people." Margin of
MS. 2 The depreciating way in which the Author here shows his contempt for
this individual is accompanied by the above humorous play upon his name, which can
only be fully appreciated by a Scotch reader, a Without. * Were not such as.

1598. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 441
Therefter, goMg fordwart to the rest of the Questionnes, befor
they soMd be reasonit, to mak tham the mair plausible and easie to
be past, the haM devys and forge of the new BischoprUt was brought
furthe faUon weM busket, l and fearlie and at lynthe red befor the
Assembfie. Tfier war they maid clein of aU corruptioun of Papis
trie, Antichristian and AngficaU Bischopries, fyned of new in the
furnace, cast in a new mould, and maid of a frecbe strak ; 2 and
finafie embarrit and inclosit with sic caveats, as range and fling
thair filles tho they war wyld, they sould never win out ! Yit, when
the rest of the Questiones war read, they, perceaving that the
BreitMMg's hartes wha haid assented to the first began to stand
and swidder, 3 for the best part thought it meittest to tak tyme to
moUefie and moyen maters, lest they soMd grow fousome4 at the
first ; and sa was ordeaMt, that efter advysment m Presbyteries,
the Synods of everie Province soMd assemble in May, and efter
reasoMng of the Questiones ther, sould direct tMie of thair number
quha soMd conveM with the King at the tyme and place to be
apomted be his Majestie.
[It was also concludit at tMs Assembfie, that this office of vottMg
m parfiament was of a mixt quafitie, and thairfor the electioun thair
to behoved to be mixt, partfie be the King and partfie be the Kirk ;
and the nomber of vottars to be fiftie.]
Our Synod of Fyff conveMt in Dunfermfing in the monethe of
Junie. Ther war Commissionars from his Majestie, the Lord of
Towngland, and Sir Patrik Murray. Reasoning was, and the judg
ments of aU the Presbyteries and Breithring, giffen M tifir Ques
tiones : 1. Efter what maner he saU be chosin wha saU vot in par
fiament for the Kirk ? Wither the Kirk the nominatioun, and the
King the chose, 5 or e contra ? Cuper Presbyterie, quhilk Mr
Thomas Buchanan gydit,6 thought that the Kirk soMd nominat fyve
or sax, out of the quhUk the King soMd chuse an. The uther thrie
1 Extremely well dressed out. 2 In allusion to a coin fresh struck at the mint.
3 Hesitate. * Surfeited, nauseated. 6 Choice. 6 Guided,

442 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1598.
Presbyteries aggreit in an, l that the Kirk soMd mak chose of thair
awin Commissionars, and thairwith the KMg soMd content and ac
cept the sam, as the Barrones and Burrowes does. 2. Whow lang
soMd they continow ? Cuper said, Tota vita, nisi interveniat culpa.
The uther thrie m an, From a GeneraU Assemblie to an uther.
3. Whow they soMd be caMt ? Cuper thought it a thmg mdiffer-
ent wither they war caUit " Bischopes" or " Commissionars." The
uther thrie m an thought the consequens of the nam of graitter
importance, because the verie nam of Bischope now hnportethe cor-
ruptioun and tyranMe in the Kirk, thairfor that they sould be called
" Commissionars of the Kirk." 4. Concermng the rent ? AU ag
greit in that it soMd be but2 hurt of uther Kirks, and nocht Mnder
the Dissolution of Benefices.
For my awin part, I protested I wald have na thing ado with the
forgMg or blockmg of it M aMe sort ; for as I saw it workMg, the
best of it wald be bot a corruptioun and tyranMe brought M witMn
the Kirk, to the wrak thairof.
But aU the cair and traveU of the King's Commissionars was to
gett sic thrie men nommat as the King lyked best of; grait de-
vyses and mikle bissMes was about that. In end they fand the way
to put upon the lyttes 3 a grid number of the thrie Presbyteries that
war against tham, that they might be quyt of thair vottes ; and sa
haMing moyenned4 the rest beMnd, they gatt thair mtent, viz.,
Mr George Gladsteanes, Mr Thomas Buchannan, and Mr Jhone
FearfuU. Whilk, when the gMd Brethring espyed, they wald giff
tham na uther commissioun bot to report fathfuMe thair judgment
in the Questionnes, and according thairto, to reasone, vot, and
conclud, and sie ne quid Ecclesia detrimenti capiat: Promitten. to
approve and aUow na thing bot that quhUk they did lawfuUie in
that mater.
' That Conventioun of the SynodicaU Commissionars was keipit
1 Unanimously. 2 Without. 3 Leets. ' Influenced.

1599. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 443
with the King at FaUdand, in the monethe of August thairefter ;
wharin what was done I can nocht rightfie sett down, because I
was nocht ther. For, efter the Conventioun of Perthe, I was never
at Assemblie nor meitting bot agaMst my wiU, except M Presby
terie ; and my opMioun and wis l was, ther soMd be na generaU
meittings, Rege presidente, uMes it pleasit God to turn and sett his
hart utherwayes ; for I saw and was certean, we sould ay be farder
and farder behmd in the sMceritie and libertie of Chryst's kMg
dome ; and they soMd ever, a way or uther,2 gett thair intentes
brought about.
AU wayes, in generaU, they fand nocht sic fordar M the purpose
as they luiked for ; and thairfor the GeneraU Assembfie, that was
apoMted to be the yeir foUowMg, was prorogat almost a yeir, for
advysment and better dressMg of maters.
[TMs yeir I cawsit print my CatecMsme for the profit of my
peiple. It cost me fyve hounder marks, quhUk God provydit be the
motion of a maist godfie and loving frind's hart. Of the quhUk
soum I abyde addettit,3 bot never could gett a hounder mark of it
agaM to tMs hour.]

M.D.XCIX.
[In the simmer of the 99 yeir,4 ther was. a meitting of mame
Breither with the KMg and Commissionars in St Androis, for a
purpose of aggrehnent and concord ; and when all professit frind
schipe and brotherlie love ane to another, and onlie the dMerence
was M opmiones of proceidMgs, and anent the conclusionnes past,
it was thought meit to refer that to a Conference, quMUt was
keipit thairefter in November, in Edinbruche. I trow to mitigat
my uncle and mak Mm amends, it was then that Montrose was
maid ChanceUar of the Universitie, Mr George Gladsteanes, Vice-
Chancellar, and Mr Andro MelvM, Dean of the Facultie of Theo
logie.] 1 Desire, wish, 2 One way or another. 3 Indebted. 4 A.D. 1599,

444 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1599.
In the mean tyme, at our Synod M September, 1599, a weill-
meiMng brother, my coUeg,1 gaiff in to the Assembfie a certean
Anglo-pisco-papisticaU Conclusionnes, wherof he haid over guid a
warrand of the King's buik, MtitMat BaaiXixov Sugov, but because it
haid but of accident cum in Ms hand, and was nocht published, he
coMd nocht be plane. The Synod judget tham treasonable, seditius,
and wicked, thinMng that sic things coMd nocht be, and directed
tham to the King. The King, knawMg the warrand durst nocht
be exhibit, gettes knawlage of the brother that gaiff tham in, and
sends to apprehend him; bot God watched over him, and saved
him. This maid me fean,2 when I haid resolrit nocht to keipe the
Conventiones of the Commissionars, whowbeit wraitten for, to giff
obedience, and tak grait peanes, fascherie,3 and expences, with greiff
of mynd, tM attend upon4 sum gMd occasioun to gett my brother
and cofieag relaxit from the horn, and reponed m Ms awin roum
againe. [Strange and vehement war the exerceises of my mynd
during that tyme, quhUk God, wha hes a secret deMng with Ms
awin secret annes, knawes.*] And this was an of the causses for-
mentioned why I conteMowed M my Commissionarie, leyed on me
be the Kmg and Assemblie. Whilk occasioun I gat never tM the
fact of St Jhonstoun feU out ; and immediatlie thairefter the cause
of the Ministers of Edinbruche teatherit 6 me agam, sa that I could
nocht gett frie tM that was disparit ; and God leyed Ms hand upon
me be seUtnes, wharof heirefter in the awm place.
The conclusiones, wharby we gatt certean knawlage of the King's
determinat mynd in our maters of the Kirk, war namfie these, set
down in that Buik7 as in Testament to Ms Sonne.
1. The office of a KMg is a mixed office betwix the Cirill and
Ecclesiastic Esteat.
2. The rewfing of the Kirk weM is na smaU part of the King's
office.
'Colleague. 2 Fain, glad. 3 Trouble. O. Fr. fascherie. * To wait for.
6 This added by the Author on the margin of MS. 6 Fettered, entangled. 7 Tho
King's Basilicon Doron.

1599. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 445
3. The KMg soMd be judge if a MMister vag ' from his text
m pMpit.
4. The MMisters soMd nocht meU2 with maters of esteat iu
pMpit.
5. The Minister that appeaUes from the King's Judicator M
Ms doctrine from pMpit, soMd want the head.3
6. Na man is mair to be hated of a King nor a proud Puritane.
7. Paritie amangs the MMisters can nocht agrie with a Mon-
arcMe.
8. The godlie, lerned, and modest men of the MMisterie
soMd be preferred to Bischopries and Benefices.
Without Bischops, the Thrie Esteats m Parliament can
nocht be re-established ; thairfor, Bischops mon4 be, and
paritie5 baMshed and put away.
10. They that preatches against Bischops soMd be punished
with the rigour of the law.
1 1 . Puritans ar pests m the Comoun-weM and Kirk of Scotland.
12. The principals of tham ar nocht to be suffered to brmk
the land.
13. For a preservative agaMst thair poisone, ther mon6 be
Bischops.
14. The Ministers sought tiU estabfishe a democratic m this
land, and to becom TrUmni plebis tham selves, and lead
the peiple be the nose, to bear the swy7 of aU the Go
vernment.
15. The Mmisters' quarreU was ever agaMst the KMg, for
[_ na uther cause bot because he was a King.
16. Paritie is the mother of confusion, and enemie to uMtie, quMUt
is the mother of ordour.
17. The Minister tMnks be tyme to draw the Poficie and CiriU
Government, be the exemple of the EcclesiasticaU, to the
sam paritie.
1 Wander. Lat. vagare. 2 Interfere with, meddle. 3 Should he decapitated.
4 Must. 6 Equality. 8 There might. 7 Balance, control.

446 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1599.
18. Na Conventionnes or meittings of Kirkmen to be suffered bot
be the KMg's knawlage and permission.
rrsris.

In the monethe of November thairefter, the King, maid to under
stand that a Conference amangs the BreitMing of aU sortes wald
mak maters to go fordwart peacabfie, and aU purposes to pas at the
nixt GeneraU Assemblie, send his Missives athort aU Prorinces,1
and convocat the speciaUes of the Ministerie from aU partes to
EdMbruche agaMst the 17 of November. The soum of the quhilk
Conference, als fathfuMe and neir as I coMd coUect and remember
it, immediatlie thairefter, I sett down as foUowes :

THE SOUM OF THE COHERENCE KEIPIT AT HALIRUDHOUSE,
THE 17 OF NOVEMBER, 1599.
The Preface.
" Because the meittMgs of the last GeneraU Assemblies war
factius, tumMtuus, confose, haitt, and unordour-lyk,2 least the lyk
soMd faU out at the nixt, his Majestie, withe advys of the Commis
sionars, thought meit tM apoMct tMs present Conference, and call
thairunto of all sortes of the mMisterie, zealus and fyrie, modest and
grave, wys and indifferent, wherin maters might be quyetfie and
gravfie reasonit, and a way prepearit to a decent and peaceable
Assemblie, wherin they may be decydit and concludit."
The Proposition.
The propositioun was : " That it was permitted to everie an ther
conveMed, friely to reasone and schaw thair mynd, bathe upon
things concludit in Assembfies and Conferences befor, as also on
things to be concludit that war yit in deliberatioun: Provyding
alwayes, that na reasone war brought against tMngs concludit in
1 Sent his Missive Letters through all Provinces. 2 Hot and disorderly.

1599. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 447
Assembfies, but onlie out of Scripture, quhilk may justfie be brought
and used against the constitutionnes of anie Assembfie."
The Breithring that stud for the Established Discipline, and dis
assented from whatsoever Constitutiones, Actes, or Ordinances
maid M the leat and new form of Assemblies, prejudiciaU to the
sam, answerit, they nather could nor wald reasone in these maters,
nocht bemg preparit thairfor, nor meinMg to prejudge the GeneraU
Assembfie foUowmg. I the quhUk, efter the mstructioun of God's
Word, and caMng for his wesdome, they purposed, be his grace,
beMg called thairto, to speak thair mynd cleirfie and ftdfie, as God
sould furmse abMtie and warrand be Ms Word and Spreit.
It was answered, that ther was na prejudice memit to the As
sembfie, bot onfie a preparatioun for it ; and in cais aMe havmg
occasioun to speak now, being wryttM for be the King for that
effect, and keipe upe Ms reasones and mynd to stand m the head
of a factioun thairwith, thairefter, m the Assembfie, he might be
counted a fals knave.
The Breithring, beMg thus urged, accordit to speak as they
coMd remember presentfie, protesting alwayes the saftie of the
cause from hurt, that the Assembfie war nocht prejudgit, and that
it might be leisome to tham to helpe thair present speitches and
reasones, and bring out fordar as they might attein unto, for the
'weM of the cause at the nixt Assembfie.
Sa the Conclusiones of the Assemblie of Dondie was read, bear
ing, " That it was neidfull and expedient that Ministers soMd vott
in Parfiament ; and that that office was of a mixed quafitie, partfie
CivM, partfie Ecclesiastic," &c. In lyk maner was read the
thing done at the Conventioun of Falkland, efter the said As
sembfie, with the Caveattes for keiping of the saids votters in Par
liament from aU EpiscopaU corruptioun, &c. And sa, returning to
the former conclusion, the cheiff poinct of aU, it was proponit to be
reasoMt upon first, and the said Breithring requyrit what they haid
to say against the samMg ?
The BreitMing answerit, They knew na warrant of the Word of
God for sic a conclusioun ; desyrit, thairfor, they might be instruct-

448 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1599.
ed of the [same] be Scripture, quhUk, giff they coMd find, they
wald wMMglie aggrie and stand content ; giff nocht, that conclu
sioun could nocht be maid in fathe, and thairfor wrang, and to be
reformed in thair judgment.
Na scripture was producit, onlie a reasone buildet upon this
principaU, " Evangelium non destruit polytiam : Atqui hcec est pars
politics : Ergo," [&c] To the quhUk it was answerit, be distinction
oipolytia in lawfuU and uMawfull ; and the lawfolnes thairof behov-
ethe to be schawin be the Word of God, els Ethnik, TurMshe, and
Jewishe polecie might stand withe the GospeU. It was answerit,
it was aneuche that the Polecie was nocht repugnant to the Word
of God, whowbeit the warrand of everie part of Polecie, and Act
of Parfiament, or CivM law, war nocht producit : " Therfor," (said
they,) " schaw yie the affirmative, that it was repugnant to the
Word, the probatioun wherof now comes upon yow."
[Ther was an uther argument rather meinit nor ' proponit : Mini
sters war cives and libera capita ; and, thairfor, according to Pole
cie, behovethe to giff ther consent to the making of lawes in Parlia
ment. — Ans. Gif a consent be necessar, it is douted : But (put) ceas
it be,2 they consent to the law in Parfiament, ather be the Lords or
Barones of the schyre whar they war born and remeanes, or be the
Commissionar of the Brouche wherin they war born or dweUes;
for, as to his ministerie, it is na part nor poinct of Polecie nor civill
burgeschipe ; or, if the mouthe of the Lord is to be consrited, the
Commissionar directed from the GeneraU Assembfie sould be
heard.3] It was therfor provm repugnant to the Word of God, and con
cludit be this syUogisme : —
That Ministers soMd be involvit and intangfit with effears of
this lyff, namlie, of Polecie, CivUl Judicators, and effeares of
Comoun-weM, is against the express Word of God :
" But this conclusion and office thairby imposit, wM intanggle
and Mvolve tham : Ergo," &c.
1 Than. 2 Put the case that it is so. 3 What is contained within brackets
has been taken from a note by the Author on the margin of the MS.

1599. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 449
The propositioun is proven be the expres Word, 2 Tim. ii. /itjdeSf
qaftM/thos tpifkiMTtt.i reus rov j8/ou ^ay/^arsiaig, whar the word vgay/ia.
mac, meines properfie, effeares of law, jurisdictioun, and rewling of
the comoun-weM ; as 1 Cor. vi. vgay/to,, for a ciriU actioun or cause.
It was answerit, That that place tuk nocht away naturaU, (Eco
nomic, and polytic dewties, quhilk necessarlie this lyff requyres ;
and the quhUk man be done, and may be done of ever Uk an,1 sa
that they mvolve nocht tham selves, and Mtangle thairm to the
Mnder of thair caMng.
To that it was aggreit, That ther was certean dewties and simple
actionnes to be dischargit now and then for nature, ceconomie, and
polecie, be everie an, and sa be Mmisters also, for the helpe and
nocht Mnder of thair cheM and proper caMngs. Bot ther was a grait
difference betwix sic actiones and dewties to be done, at certean
tymes and occasionnes, of urgent necessities, and the dischargMg
of a sett and ordinare office m a comoun-weM, namfie, in the twa
graittest pomcts of the majestie and princefie stat vo/Aodqrixri and
Sixueix.?}, that is, the malting of lawes in a comoun-weill, and judg-
mg of the subjects accordMg to the sam M the Parliaments, Coun-
salls, and Conventionnes of Esteattes of the reahne, quhUk coMd
nocht be done without Mtangfing and involvmg M effeares, and sa
distractioun fra the cheM charge ; as the place it sehT cleirlie de
clarit what mtangfing was, viz., whatsoever might Mnder the wari-
our from doMg the dewtie of a soMdart,2 and pleasing his captean.
For the quMUt purpose also, the weghtines of the charge of the
mimsterie, and graitnes of the cure of sauUes,3 was insisted into ;
and plainfie affirmed they knew never nor felt the weght thairof,
that thought a cirill office of government in the comoun-weM
might be undertakm and joyned thairwith. Whar mirrefie was
cast M the speitche of the Quern of Eingland, when sche makes a
Bischope : " Alas ! for pitie, (sayes sche,) for we have marred a
guid Pretchour to day !" And the Kmg exhorted nocht to mar
Ms Pretchours sa.
i Every one. 2 Soldier. 3 Souls.
2 F

450 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1599.
For corroborating and strynthmng of the reply, this syUogisme
was subjoyMt : —
" That Ministers sould be distracted from preatcMng the Word,
is against the Word of God :
" But this wUl distract tham. Ergo" &c.
The expres word, Luc. ix. ver. 59, 60, 61, 62, Chryst sayes to
an, " Follow me ;" wha answerit, " Let me first go burie my
father." CMyst answers, " Let the dead go burie the dead, and go
thow and preatche the GospeU of the kMgdome of God." Another
sayes, " I wM foUow thie, but let me first go and tak ordour with
my hous." Chryst answers, " Na man putting hand to the pleuche
and luikes bak, is meit for the Mngdome of God." Heir ar maist
neidfuU naturaU dewties and ceconomic, quhMt Chryst expresslie
forbiddes, for steying of the pretcMng of the GospeU, and attend-
mg upon his ministerie. Whow mikle mair, then, mcompetent
offices, quce sunt Ccesaris et Reipublicce ! as we wM schaw heirefter.
The expres word is in the saxt of the Actes. The twoU Apostles
sayes to the rest of the disciples, " It is nocht sequitable, or to be
approved, that we sould leave the Word of God, and serve the
tables : therfor, let deacones be chosine and apomted." GM the
Apostles wald nocht leave the preatchmg of the Word for an Ec
clesiastic office, because of distractioun, mikle les wald they that
MMisters soMd leave thair ministerie of the Word for ciriU and
impertinent. Thridfie, The Scripture caUes the MMisters apogur/jbivovs, Rom. 1.
— separat and sett apart : And wharfra ? QuestioMes fra the occu-
pationes of this lyff, to save the peiple and tham selves, and draw
tham be the GospeU to the lyff everlasting, to fishe tham out of the
sie of tMs warld to God and his kMgdome of hearin. Sa the haill
nature of ther caUing is separat and sett apart from the warld, to
the quMlk they soMd nocht be caMt bak again, mikle les thairin
involved and drowmt.
Fourtfie, The Lord's mMisterie, under the law, is caMt " a war-
fear," Num. iv., and Ms Ministers " wariours ;" and sa, in the place
aUeagit in the New Testament, the sacrament and aithe wharof is

1599. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 451
maist streat,1 and na wayes suffers distractioun. For tham was
aUotted na Mheritance, but haid the Lord for thair Mheritance,
Deut. xvM. 1 ; Josu. xiii. 14. They say to thair father, I respect
him nocht ; they ken nocht thair breitMing, they acknawlage nocht
thair sonnes, bot keipes the Lord's words, and observes his Cove
nant ; teatches Jacob Ms judgments and Ms law to IsraeU, settes
mcense befor his face, and brunt offerings on his altar, Deut. xxxm.
Then, mikle mair the Mmisters of the New Testament, because of
a graitter and cleirar grace, spirituaU and frie from beggerlie ceri-
momes and elements of tMs warld.
And, last, to conclud tMs poinct with that maist wechtie and
grave attestatioun of the Apostle to TMiothe, ii. 4 : "I attest the
befor God, and the Lord Jesus Chryst, wha saU judge the qmck
and the dead at his appeirance and Mngdome : Pretche the Word ;
be mstant M tyme, and out of tyme ; convict, reprove, exhort, with
aU lang-suffring and doctrine." And, M the fourt of the first, " Tak
cear of thir tMngs, be about thir things." And ar thir tMngs spoken
to TMiothe onfie, and nocfit to aU MiMsters and Pastors ? And gif
they be spoken to aU, what tyme, I pray yow, is left to be imployed
at Parliament, and in the effeares of the comoun-weM ? The deviU
is a bissie Bischope, and goes about lyk a roaring lyon ; and wha
sail giff a compt of the torn scheipe, or stoUen, m the Pastor's
absence ? And, finafie, that thrifaMd2 demand to Piter, Amas me ?
and charge, Pasce Agnos, &c. perteMes it nocht to aU ?
It was objected, that we feU M the sam absurditie with the
Papists, that gatherit thair Celibatum out of the words of the Apostle,
1 Cor. vii. Conjugatus curat quce sunt mundi, quomodo placeat uxori.
And gif ane with a Ecclesiastic or pastoraU charge may have the
charge of wyff and famMe, wharfor nocht of the comoun-weM ?
And the Apostle sayes, that " He that ceares nocht for Ms famMe, is
wars nor3 an MfideU."
It was answerit, That the Papists' argument was frivolus from
the abbus of mariage to the taking away of the benefit thairof, being
1 Stringent, strict. 2 Threefold. * Worse than.

452 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1599.
apointed be God, and rightfie serring for the helpe of man in his
caMng ; and na thing lyk unto this, wherin an evident Mtangfing
and distractioun may be sein. And to answer for the caring for the
hous and tham that ar thairin, that is meined l for instructioun and
rewfing thairof be Christian discipline, as is evident out of the 3
Chap. ver. 4, be the word vgodijmt, he that can nocht rewaU and
govern Ms awin hous, whow saU he have cair imfj,th7\rl of the Kirk
of God ? For the Apostle is cleir in that poinct, 1 Cor. ix. That
the flocks soMd provyde for thair pastors, tham and thair fanfilies,
the things that ar neidfuU for tMs lyff, as the Captan or Prince for
his soMdarts, and they maid frie tM attend on thair service.
It was insisted, that ther was als mikle distractioun and tyme
spendit in our Commissions and Visitationnes, M awatting on Plattes
and pleyMg2 of Stipends, attendMg on Parliaments and Conven
tionnes, &c.
Answerit : That these war the wantes, finperfectiones, and cor-
ruptiones of our Kirk, as yit nocht weM constitut, wharof the faMt
is in the Magistrat and flockes, schawm, compleanit upon, and re
buked at aU occasionnes be the Word of God, quMUt hes na place
to prove anie thMg M this mater, ubi qumritur, quid fieri debeat, non
quid fiat ? And as for Commissionars for Visitatioun, we ar occu
pied thairin in our awin subject, in pretching the Word, exerceising
discipfine, and usmg of censures ; and that nocht ordmarfie or be
sett office, bot ex necessitate Ecclesice, et pro re nata.
It was fordar insisted, that we granted tM obey and com to the
King's Majestie when soever he caUed for us, quMlk was aU an3
with that M question.
Answerit : His Majestie now or then caMng for us, we might
repear to Ms Hienes, and giff our advys in aU thmgs de Jure Divino,
or utherwayes as cives, sa that the benefit redoundmg to the Kirk
or Comoun-weM thairby preponderat and weyed down the hurt of
our particMar charges. But it was longe aliud to have an ordinar
office to discharge in the King's CounsaU and Parfiament ; for, as
' Meant. i Pleaing, litigating. 3 All one, all the same.

1599. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 453
was twitched befor, ther is a grait difference betwix a certean
actioun to be done now and then, as necessitie and occasioun craveth,
and a sett office to be ordmarfie discharged.
It was objected, That the GeneraU Assembfie haid alwayes from
tyme to tyme crarit tMs votting in Parfiament ; and now, when
the Kmg offers it, it was evM thought of and refosit.
Answerit : The Assembfies haid oftentymes cravit that nan sould
vott in Parliament M nam of the Kirk, bot sic as buir office within
the sam, and haid commissioun thairfra. Bot that ame GeneraU
Assembfie, befor the last M Dondie, haid determined that Mini
sters soMd vott M Parfiament, it was flatfie denyed : And it was
schawM that often tymes that question haid bein agitat in Assem
bfies and amangs breithering, bot coMd never be fund whow it coMd
stand with the office of a MiMster to be a Lord M Parfiament, nor
was able to be schawin be the Word of God.
It was then demandit, wha coMd vott for the Kirk, giff nocht
MiMsters ?
Answerit : It might stand better with the office of an Eldar and
Deacon, nor of a Mmister' s, they haring commissioun fra the Kirk,
and subject to rander a compt of thair doing at the GeneraU As
semblies. And that, Mdeid, we wald als fean have the Kirk in-
joying hir awM privUeages as ame uther, and have Ms Majestie sa
tisfeit, and the effeares of the Comoun-weM helped, bot nocht
with the hMder, wrak, and corruptioun of the spirituaU mMisterie
of God's worschiping, and salvatioun of his peiple.
It was replyit, That it war better for the Ministers to be thair
awin carvers, and sie to the weM of the Kirk, bathe in the order-
mg and provision thairof tham selves, rather nor commit it to uthers,
wha wald cear bot sMenderfie for it.
Answerit : Tfiat the King and his Nobles gave the ministerie
credit and onfie place in spirituaU maters, sa that they wald nocht
tak the sacraments, nor uther benefites of the Kirk, at thair awin
hands, nor of the hands of na uther. They wald nocht tMnk thair
bernes weM bapteised, nor the Supper weM mmistrat, nor thair
mariages blessed, bot be sum Minister. And gif his Majestie gave

454 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1599.
us sic credit, authoritie, and place, in tMngs perteinmg to the saull,
as proper to our office, why soMd we nocht giff Mm and his Lord's
the lyk in things perteinMg to the body and tMs lyff, as proper to
tham and thair office; and think it als grait absurditie to mell1
thairwith our selves, &c. ?
It was objected, That the Kirk was in possessioun of voting in
Parliament be Bischopes, viz. Mrs Jhone Dowglas, Patrik Adam
sone, David Cuningham, and uthers.
Answer : Sen the GeneraU Assembfie haMdin at Dondie, anno
1580, whar that office of a Bischope was declarit tmlawfoU be the
Word of God, the Kirk cryed out continuafie agaMst tham, and
excepted against aU ther domgs in Parliament or els whar, as hav
ing na lawfuU office M the Kirk, nor na commissioun fra the saming.
Therefter, place being given, ther was producit ane uther argu
ment to schaw the conclusioun repugnant to the Word of G od : —
" That Ministers soMd bear supremacie, dommioun, and be caUed
' Lords,' is agaMst the Word of God :
" But the conclusion imports that : Ergo" &c.
The propositioun is cleir out of the tMie Evangefists, Math.
xx., Marc, x., Luc. xxii., and 1 Piter v. M. ; and, Nolite vocari
Rabbi, etc. This reasone was nocht insisted Mto, nor answerit for
want of tyme. Lykas also ane uther, M the sam maner : —
" The confoundmg and mingling of Jurisdictions, distinguist in
the Word of God, is repugnant thairunto :
" But the conclusioun imports that : Ergo" &c.
The propositioun is evident of the 2 Chron. xix., and, Quis consti-
tuit me Judicem ? and, Date qua sunt Ccesaris Ccesari, et qua Dei Deo,
etc. CMyst refused to devyd the Mheritance amangs breithring, to
judge the adMteres, Jhon viii. He refused to be maid King, and
professed that Ms Mngdome was nocht of tMs warld.
Heir was declarit at lainthe, and verie weghtefie, be Mr Andro,
be what meanes and degries the Pape was hoised upe2 mto that
chaire of pestUence, wherout of he tyrannises over aU Kirks and
1 Meddle, interfere with. 2 Elevated, hoisted up.

1599. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 455
Comoun-weMs, trampMg Kings under his feit, and transferring
thair crownes and dominiones at his pleasur; and all from this
usurpmg of bathe the powars and swords, the CivM and Ecclesias
tic. In end, a siccer1 Caveat was given to the Kmg, to be war he
sett nocht upe sic as soMd cast him or Ms down. And tMs mikle
anent the conclusioun of the last GeneraU Assemblie, as memorie
might serve.
Therefter was propoMt the twa pomcts left be the said Assem
blie to the meitting at FaUdand, and ther also left undecydit or
determmed upon. 1. Gif these votters M Parfiament, bemg annes 2
chosM be Ms Majestie and the Kirk, soMd bear that office ad vitam
or culpam, and sa be perpetuaU ; or, gif they soMd be alterable fra
tyme to tyme at the Assembfie's pleasour ? 2. Gif they sould bear
the nam of " Bischopes," or nocht ?
AgaMst the perpetMtie, the distractioun fra thair spirituaU office
of the mMisterie was mikle urgit agame ; schawing, cleirlie, that
sic a continuaU charge and burding lying on a few, coMd nocht bot
debaush and distract tham aUuterlie3 from the pastoraU attending
and feiddmg of thair flockes ; the quMlks they behoved to commit
to sum Vicares and sum Suffraganes.
For the perpetMtie thir arguments war usit :
First, That thair wald na man tak the peanes and mak the ex
pences upon the tytle of the benefice, to giff it over the nixt yeir to
an uther.
It was answerit, That we war nocht upon men's particMar com
moditie, bot semg what might be for the helpe and guid of the
Kirk and Comoun-weM, to the quhUk sic wald never do gMd wha
war seiking thair awM honour and welthe.
Nixt it was reasonit, That the Mnder of aU comoun turnes was
be twa Mleakes4 cheUflie ; ane of skM and understandmg of maters,
and right way of proceidmg thairin ; ane uther of continuance and
attendance constantfie on tfiam bemg annes begoun, tiU they war
1 A sure, strong. 2 Once. 3 Entirely, altogether. 4 Defects.

456 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1599.
brought to sum guid pomct and effect : Bot sa it was, that gif these
comoun men soMd be changable, they coMd nather lern slriU,1 nor
prosecut tbmgs : Ergo.
Answer : They might gett mair skM of the wit and lawes of men,
and les of the wesdome and buik of God ; mak mair attendance on
Court and the warld, bot les on Chryst and his Kingdome. And
it was hard to perswad us that a few wald sie sa mUde for the weill
of the Kirk as a haM GeneraU Assembfie conveMit for that effect,
or foUow out a gMd comoun cause better and mair constantfie, seing
experience alwayes teatched, that they wha wUbe ritche and honour
able, are miMe about the saming, and verie litle for Chryst.
At last thir reasones and Mconvements war brought out dUated,
and insisted Mto agaMst perpetMtie :
First : It wald brak the barres of aU thair Caveattes, and, but
dout,2 estabfisbe lordscMpe over the breithering, tyme strynthning
opMioun, and custome confirming conceat. And gif the best de-
vyce hes be tyme turned to corruptioun, mUde mair tMs of the law-
ftdnes wharof we justfie dout.
To tMs was answerit, That paritie3 amangs MMisters was nocht
to be lyk, and soMd nocht be. And put the cais, it behoved to
stand, because of our constitutiones and ordour: They soMd he pares
and alyk as MMisters, whowbeit, in respect of thair civM office and
lordscMpe, they war abon the rest.
Nixt, perpetMtie wald bereave and defraud the Kirk of the bene
fit and fibertie of electioun and choise of the meittest for the turn, pro
rei nata commodo ; for it is sure that aU men ar nocht meittest for
all turnes, etc. Answerit : The meittest soMd be chosM at the be-
gMnmg, wha wald grow ay meittar and meittar; also that it was
frie to the Kirk tM adjoyne sic as they pleasit to tham for coun
saU and assistance. It was replyit, That sic as war adjoyned wald
nocht be hard to reasone nor vott in Parliaments, Conventiones, and
CounsaU. Thridfie : Manie alterationnes befalls to mortaU men : They may
1 Experience, knowledge. 2 Without doubt. 3 Equality.

1599. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 457
be seik M body, faU in offences, qulfilks, albeit nocht mak tham
worthie to be deposit, (nam difficilius ejicitur quam non admittitur
hospes,) yit may disgrace them sa that they becom unable and un-
meit to do aMe gMd in comoun turnes ; they may tyne the gifts of
mynd and utterance, etc. In sic ceasses, tMs perpetMtie wM de-
fraude the Kirk of an in that roum ; for sic a man, an or ma, can
nocht nor wUl nocht be deposit, and a Commissionar in his place
wM nocht be admitted.
It was answerit, The number of Mmisters admitted, and ordein-
ed to vott, viz., fiftie, was sa grait, that whowbeit an, twa, thrie,
four, or ten or twoU, war away, ther might be anew behMd. Re-
plyed : It wald be lang or sic a number war weM sett down and
provydit with guid Lords' leivMgs in Scotland ; and when they
war, ther might be anew, and mair nor anew, behind of the guid
nes they wald be of; bot an guid man might be mair stedable to
the Kirk nor an and fiftie of that sort.
Fourtfie : Gif tfiese men serve for the Prince and Steat, whow
beit against the weM of the Kirk, the Prince wM meantein tham
ather be Ms authoritie and moyen amangs the breithring M Assem
bfies, having ther lyff and gear in Ms powar, sa that they wiU nocht
fear depositioun ; or whowbeit the Assemblie wald depose tham of
the ministerie, yit wald the King cause Mm keipe Ms lordscMpe and
leivMg. And sa soMd they sett tham selves to be advengit on the
Kirk, to hir wrak.
Answerit : Ther was na tMng sa guid bot might be bathe M sus
pected and abbusit ; and sa we soMd content with na tMng. Re-
plyed : That we doutted of the guidnes, and had over just cause to
suspect the evM of it. Duplyit : That ther was na faMt bot we
war aU trew aneuche to the craft. Bot God mak us aU trew aneuche
to CMyst, say we.
Fyftlie and last : TMs perpetMtie will overtMaw the powar and
fibertie of the Assembfies of the Kirk, and altar the Christian Go
vernment of the Kirk to AnticMistian Hierarchie, placing perpetu
aU Commissionars or Bischopes above Ministers and ther Assembfies,
and syne sum mimsteriaU head mon be abon tham, the hie way to
Paprie ! At least the haM powar of the Kirk and GeneraU Assem-

458 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1599.
blie salbe in the hands of these twoU or threttem, wha, I warrand
yow, wM tak na fimitat Commissioun from the GeneraU Kirk, bot
to reasone and vott as they tMnk best for the weM of the Kirk, for-
suthe ; sa tMs epitome wUl abofishe the grait wark, and the Gene
raU Assemblie wM becom to be bot a Chaptour of these Bischopes,
and skarslie that.
Answer : The Caveattes hes provydit for aU these inconvenients
weill aneuche. Reply : These comentares wUbe tedius to reid, and
UI to remember, and the text taken to be schort and cleir aneuche
in the selff.
In end, ther was aUeadgit a number of MconveMents that sould
faU out giff these vottars war nocht perpetuaU : — 1. That Ms Ma
jestie and Esteattes wald nocht admit tham in Parfiament uther
wayes, and sa we sould lose the grait benefit. Answer, Facilisjac-
tura. 2. That the Ministers soMd ly in contempt and povertie.
Answer : It was thair Maister's cais befor tham ; it may serve tham
weM aneuche to be as he was ; and better povertie with sinceritie,
nor promotioun withe corruptioun. 3. That uthers wald be pro-
morit to that roum m Parliament, (for his Majestie coMd nocht
want his thrie Esteattes,) wha wald opres and wrak the Kirk.
Answer : Let Chryst, the King and advengar of the wrangs done
to his Kirk, and tham deU togidder, as he hes done befor ; let sie
wha gettes the warst ! 4. That it coMd nather stand for the weill-
fear of King, nor Kirk, nor Comoun-weM. Answer : It was best
that God thought best. 5. That it wald be fasMus and confuse
ilka yeir to chuse Commissionars. Answer : Na profit nor pleasure
without pean-taken, and experience haid proven it maist easie and
ordourlie. 6. That it wald breid variance and contentioun, whfil a
end wald preas to have sic, and another sic, and sa forthe. Answer :
Tak away profit and honour, and contentioun wM ceas. 7. Men
wald be that way disgraced, now sett upe, and now sett by and
cast down, and sa discuragit from doMg guid. Answer : He that
thinks it disgrace to be employed as God's Kirk thinks guid, hes
lytle grace in him ; for grace is given to the lawfie.
Thus, efter a thrie or four houres deaMng in the former heades, it

1599. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 459
was thought insisted lang aneuche thairon ; and thairfor the poinct
remeanmg concernMg the nam of these Vottars in Parfiament
sould bear, was propoMt to be reasonit upon.
It was reasoned for the Affirmative : That aggreMg upon the
mater and substance, it maid nocht what nam war giffen it.1 And
semg the Parfiament last haid granted to the mater, under condi
tioun the MiMsters votting in Parliament soMd bear the nam and
office of " Bischopes," quhilk was also a name of Scripture, we
soMd nocht stand tM aggrie thairto, lest the refusing of the name
soMd mak the benefit to be refused, quhUk Ms Majestie haid got
tin past in favours of the Kirk with grait peanes and difficMtie.
It was answerit : That the nam Wiexanroc, beMg a Scripture nam,
might be gMen tham, provyding, that because ther was sum thing
mair put to the mater of a Bischope's office then the Word of God
coMd permit, it sould have a lytle eik put to the nam quMlk the
Word of God joyned to it, and sa it war best to baptize tham with
the nam that Piter, 1 Cap. iv. gMes to sic lyk officers, caMng tham
aXheryovKiexoiroui war nocht they wald tMnk scham to be merschaMt 2
with sic as Piter speakes of ther, viz., murderers, theiffs, and male
factors? And verelie that gossope3 at the baptisme (gif sa I dar
play with that word) was na litle voMe4 for getting of the bern's
name. But, M ernest, it was reasoMt on the contrar, That the nam of
" Bischope" coMd nocht be gMen tham for these reasones, the
quhUk war nocht ftdfie handlit, nor replyed unto, partfie for want
of tyme, and partfie for want of patience, because of litle speid m
the purpose.
1. GM they soMd gett the nam of " Bischope," they behoved to
have it ather as it was taken properfie in the Word, or as it was
comounfie conceavit be the peiple. Bot nather of the twa coMd
thay : Nocht as in the Word, because it soMd be applyed to sigMfie
1 It signified not what name was given it. 2 If it were not that they would
think shame to be marshalled. 3 " This was Andro." — Margin of MS. Gossip
properly signifies sponsor or god-father at a christening or baptism. 4 Another
and older form for vogie, vain, elated, proud of the honour. Fr. vogue.

460 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1599.
that quhUk coMd nocht stand with the Word, as hes bein declarit,
except it war, Judas Episcopatus : And nocht as it is comounfie
taken, because then it sould import the corruptioun of Antichristian
and Anglican Bischopes, contrar to the Caveats.
2. That quhilk offendes the Kirk of God soMd be eschewit,
altho a tMng mdifferent, for sa it becomes eriU : Bot this nam of
Bischope offendes the Kirk of God in tMs land : Ergo, &c.
3. That quhUk justfie may sMander the Mmisters and bring
tham in disgrace soMd be avoidit, bot giffing to them of that name
wM justfie sMander them ; because, these twentie yeirs, thair doc
trin from the pMpit hes soundit agamst Bischopes, tM they war
utterfie overthrawM : And now sa soone to turn our toung, for
hope of ritches and promotioun, and change our not,1 with the
clok2 on the uther shoMder, wUl it nocht offer just occasioun of
sklander ?
4. That quMlk may and wM bring in tyrame and corruptioun in
the Kirk, is nocht to be admitted withm the sam. Bot this will
do it : For bearing that nam that caries with it the sigmficatioun
of Biscfiopes, corruptiones amangs the peiple, aU the Caveattes
wM nocht keip it thairfra, namfie from Ma3quafitie, pre-emmence,
and lordscMpe over the breitMing. For they wUbe sa estefined
and saluted amangs the rest of the Lords M Parfiament and
Court, and I warrand yow thair maners and faciones wffl easelie
fram thairunto, bringmg from Court to Kirk sic behaviour as they
drink in ther ; for bemg caMt " Lord" at Uka word,3 and braking4
principaU roumes6 m Court and Parliament, they wM luik verie
soure gif they want the sam M Kirk and amangs the breithring
and peiple ; yea, and be siccar6 in thir, even at Plat, Court, and
utherwayes, whom they tMnk to contemne tham, and nocht giff
tham thair styUes and honors.
And sa for that Mght, leat, we war dimissit.
Upon the xix. of November, the breithring wryttin for being as-
1 Note. 2 Cloak. 3 At each word. * Enjoying. 5 Places,
6 Sure, secure.

1599. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 461
semblet again with his Majestie, the Moderator reported schortlie
the tMngs coMerrit upon the last day, requyring yit, that gif ther
was ame man wha was nocht satisfeit anent the heads conferrit
upon, that they wald yit insist ; and gif aU war satisfeit, they sould
proceid to the poinct remeanmg anent the nam.
It was answerit plaMlie be the Breithring that stud against this
new forging of Bischopries, that they haid hard to and fra reason-
Mg upon the poincts proponit ; they war throuche l and satisfeit in
their awin judgments for the treuthe, and rather confirmed fordar
tfiairinto nor2 ame wayes moved to the contrar, for ought that haid
bein spokan ; wherin they haid hard na thmg out of the Word of
God, quhUk might warrand that conclusion of the last Assembfie,
to thair conscience, or aMe tMng yit bMldit, or to be buUdet thair
upon. And in speciaU, Mr Andro appeafit the Moderator, Mr
Darid LMdsay, maist weghtefie and vehementfie on Ms conscience,
Tfiat seing he was an of the antient fathers of the Kirk, wha was
present at sa manie godfie and grave Assembfies, haMdin sa manie
yeirs anent these maters, and wharin they war cleirlie decydit be
the Word of God, whow coMd he now mak sic a propositioun, or
thmk that aMe sattfit man M tfie treuthe coMd, be a light Confer
ence, wherin the Word of God haid beM rather profaned then
holefie, reverentfie, and gravfie usit, be moved to alter Ms judg
ment, and be satisfeit M the contrar ?
This word of the profaning of the Scripture was taMn in verie
evM part by the KMg, and answerit courteously with a fie ;
whowbeit, the speaker condemmt Mm selff for undewtifoll handling
of the Word, als weM as anie uther. Sa the King, M end, brak af
the Conference thus, M effect : — Tfiat he haid bem movit be the
Commissionars to appoMct tMs Conference, for satisfaction of sic
as war nocht resolvit, that maters might proceid mair peaceabfie
and uniformafie ; bot seMg he percearit men to be sa fuU of thair
awm conceattes, and pre-occupied in judgment, that they plased
tham selves mair and mair, and war rather obfirmed3 in thair opi-
1 Resolved. 2 Than. 3 Confirmed.

4=62 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1600.
niones nor ' moved to gM place to reasone, he wald leave the mater
to the Assembfie. GM2 the Assembfie wald receave the benefit
quhilk he offered, and conclud M the mater accordMgfie, he wald
ratefie thair conclusioun with a sanctioun civM of his law, that
nan, foUowmg thair particMar and privat conceatt and opinioun,
sould be permitted to speak against the pubfict orffinance of the
Assembfie. Giff the Assemblie wald nocht embrace the benefit,
let them wait3 them selves gM graitter povertie and contempt cam
upon the Kirk. As for him, he coMd nocht want an of his esteattes ;
he wald put in that roum, and these offices, sic as he thought guid,
wha wald accept thairof, and do thair dewtie to Mm and his coun
trey. FINIS.
M.DC.
The last night of Februar thairefter, my father-in-law, Jhone
Durie, departed this lyff; wha, as he leived happefie, waUtmg with
God in prayer day and night, sa he died, glorifemg God with grait
joy and assurance of everlasting lyff and weMfear. For, efter he
haid caUed for the Magistrats and CounsaU of the brouche, and ex
horted tham, and admonished of certean tMngs for thair weiU, bathe
togidder and severafie,4 and siclyk the Eldars of Ms Sessioun, and
divers of the Breithring of the ministerie ; and at last, efter he haid
put his hous in ordour, and directed, instructed, and conforted his
wyff and cMldring present, he takes Mm to privat meffitatioun and
prayer ; and thairefter mquyres what day of the monethe it was ;
and being answerit to him, that it was the last of Februar, [and the
morn the first of Merche,6] " O ! then," sayes he, " the last day of
my wretched pUgrimage, and the morn the Mst of my rest and
glorie !" Nocht lang thairefter, delyvering Ms sauU m the hands of
God, throw Jesus Chryst, leaning his head to his eldest sonnes
breist, wha held him in his armes, maist quyetfie and sweitfie giffes
upe the ghast. He was upright, zealus, and falon6 famfiiar with
1 Than. 2 If. a Blaine, wyte. * Separately. h Margin. 6 Extremely.

1600. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 463
God. Sa that, gif ame tMng haid bein heavie and doutsome, ' he
haid na resolutioun, rest, nor releM, tM he haid fund it in medita
tioun apart with God. And surfie, bathe in his particular turnes
and publict effeares, when things sefined falon hard, and dangerus,
whowbeit of nature melancolius and feirfoll,2 he wald gett grait as
surances ; as, namfie, of our retourn out of Eingland, and of our
saiftie fra the Spainyars, he schew3 me oft tymes that his God
assured Mm Mght and day thairof. Whatever haid com con
fortable to Mm, Mcontinent apart to prayer and thanksgiffing ; his
haM conference and speakmg upon the warks of God to the glorie
of his name ; aU uther thMgs was (as he usit that word oft, " tyn-
tyme") bot vaMtie and tinsaU of tyme4 to Mm. Sa that I may
say, the haM course of his lyff that I knew was an unweireMg and
constant occupatioun in doctrine, prayer, and praise. The mair I
tMnk on him, the mair I thank God that ever I knew Mm ; pray-
mg God, that, as I have seM the outgeat5 of Ms conversatioun, (as
the Apostle sayes, Heb. xiii. 7,) sa I may foUow the sam in fathe.
He oft regrated and inveyit upon the warldle fasones and bissines
of the mMisterie, sayMg, he fearit they soMd becom als vyU in the
peiple's eis as ever the preists war. And as concerning this mater
of Bischopes, my uncle, Mr Andro, expressit his mynd thairin M his
Epitaphes, quhilk being maist pertinent for that quhUk was, even
at Ms deathe, M hand, I have heir Msert. He desyrit, indeid, er
nestlie to have levit6 tiU the Assemblie, quhUk was hard at hand,
that he might have dischargit Ms mynd to the King and Breith
ring ; bot that quhMt alyve he could nocht, Mr Andro suppfied
fathftdfie efter Ms deathe.7

1 Doubtful. 2 Timid, predisposed to fear. 3 Shewed. " Loss of
time. s Utterance. 6 Lived, survived. 7 Nota  " It is guid to be
honest and upright in a guid cause ; for the guid cause will honour sic a persone,
bathe in lyff and deathe." — Note by the Author on margin of MS.

464 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1600.

EPITAPHIUM DE JOAN. DUR^I,
PASTORIS rNTEGERRIMI ET FEDISSIMI CELTJRCANI ; QUI DD3M EX-
TREMUM CLAUSIT, CAL : MART : 1600.
I.
Durius ore tonans, Edena pastor M urbe :
ArcMt a stabulis, quos dabat aMa lupos.
Celurca m coelum migrarit nunc, qMa non qmt
Arcere a stabulis, quos dabat aMa lupos.
n.
Ipse de se, sive J. D. pastoris fldelis.
Testamentum et extrema voluntas.
IntonM ipse tuba grandi, cum jus fifit et fas ;
Arcere a stabulis quos dabat aria lupos.
Nunc cedo statione lubens, cum non datur Mtra
Arcere a stabulis, quos dabit aMa lupos.
HI.
ALIUD DE SYNODIS.
Res grata ac jucunda foit, mmi coetibus mter-
esse sacris, quando sancta corona foit.
Nunc patribus Sanctis, qma succressere profam ;
Qua? mmi cum diris spes MMare lupis ?
IV.
ALIUD.
Cum foit ArcM-unus mMi Christus Episcopus ; uni
Vivere et M vita hac, vita, placere foit.
Nunc postquam ArcM-unus non CMistus Episcopus ; uni
Ut CMisto moriar stat mmi vita mori.

MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 465

V.
ALIUD.
Celurca? expectabam, ultro Regemque patresque,
Et sanctum M LetM limine ConcMum.
Quo mMtum obtestarer ego Regemque patresque
Est qM orium custos, ne siet Mde lupus.
Nunc qma me e terris subfimem ad sydera cceli,
Dux meus hnperio de statione vocat ;
E ccelis obtestor ego Regemque patresque,
Est qM ovium custos, ne siet Mde lupus.
VI.
AD SYMMISTAS.
Ardua res, totumque hommem, haec res una reqmrit,
Cceleste in terris pascere orile Dei.
Hue vocat Me orium Pastor bonus, Me vocatos
Et regM atque aMs avocat a studiis,
Hanc unam Mipomt cum soMcitudme curam,
Quam feret finpensam, praemia magna ferens.
Castera de mambus vestris non Me requiret :
Neglecti at poenas exiget officii.
VH.
EXTREMA VOLUNTAS, ET VERBA, AD REGEM.
CompeUat Regem Dirino carmme vates
Durius, in fati limine dricis olor.
Inclyte Rex, qM tam mmi Regum a Rege secundus ;
Quam spe reque onmi Rege priore prior.
Pro te vitam Mtro objeci vel mMe pericfis ;
Pro te vota Polo millia multa tufi ;
2g

466 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1600.).).).
Pro te quo pugnari aMmo, qua mente precatus ;
Hac mente, hoc animo, hoc te precor unum abiens.
Ne regnum coeleste geras mortafibus ausis ;
Neu sacer Antistes Rex tua sceptra gerat.
Mystica pertractent mystag, regalia Reges,
Pubfica jure suo, publicus ordo gerat :
Da dirina Deo : cape Rex tua, smt sua plebi :
Distinctum Miperium sub Jove Caesar habet.
FINIS.

[TRANSLATIONS OF THE PRECEDING.]
THE EPITAPHES OF A MAIST UPRIGHT AND FAITHFULL PASTOE,
JHONE DURIE, MINISTER OF MONTROSE, WHA DIED
THE FIRST OF MERCHE, 1600.
In Edinbrouche, the thoundring of Jhone Durie weM was harde,
When courtfie woMes from Chrystes flok be flegged and debarde.
Now, in Montrose, to heavin he flites, for greUF that he can nought
The courtly wohffes debar from Kirk, quhUk Chryst hes deirlie
[bought.
II.
HIS TESTAMENT OR LETTER-WILL, HE UTTERING IT OF HIM SELF.
I blew a trumpet terrible, when right and fredom serrid,
To mak Chryst's flock from courtfie wolffes be keiped and preserVd ;
Bot now I willingfie mon jield, sen fQa* we may na mau"
Keipe Chryst his flock from courtfie wolffes, wherof we stand in fair.

1600. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 467
m.
ANE UTHER OF THE ASSEMBLIES.
A gratfuU and a pleasand thmg to me it was to bie
Ay present M Assembfies, whare God's servands I might sie.
But now, for hofie fathers, when profane usurpes the place,
To byd and yeaule with wicked wolffes, I can nocht have a face !
IV.
ANE UTHER.
When Chryst was onfie Arcfie-bischope, I pleasure haid to byde,
To him to five, and Mm to pleise, I lyked tyme and tyde.
Bot now, sen onlie Chryst is nocht Arche-bischope, I do chuse
To die to Mm, and ay to five, and aU tfie warld refuse.
V.
ANE UTHER.
I luiked gladfie for the King and Breithring at Montrose,
And at the dur of Deathe to sie Assemblie maid of those ;
That I might ernestlie obtest the KMg and Breithring aU,
That keippars of the scheipe soMd nocht to woUfishe fasones fall.
Bot sen that now from erd tM hearin my Captan does me clam,
AccordMg to his right, I do beseik tham aU for schame,
Furthe of the hearines obtestmg bathe the Breithring and the KMg;
That keipars of the flok of Chryst do nocht as wohTes owering.
VI.
TO HIS FELLOW MINISTERS.
A tMng maist hard, and quhilk requyres the man all haM indeid,
Is heire on erthe the heavMfie flock of Chryst to gyd and feid.

468 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1600.
That Pastor gMd to tMs does caU, the sam does seperat
The caUed from aU warldfie cares, as to him dedicat ;
And tMs, as onfie cear, he does withe grait soMcitude
Impone, and of rewards for it does promise nmltitude ;
And as for uther tMngs, he wM nan of your hands requyre,
Bot fatMes negfigens of this, he plagges with burning fyre.
vn.
HIS LETTER-WILL, AND WORDS, TO THE KING.
Jhone Durie, with a vers devyne, does caU upon the Kmg,
As sweitfie singing swan, when deathe his dayes tM end Md bring.
O noble King, whom I esteim to bruUt the second place
Nixt under him wha is abon, and first m everie cace.
For tMe I jeoperd have my lyff M dangers manie an ;
For thie my praer hes aydant ] bein, bathe public and aUan,
And withe what mynd I praed for tMe, and with what hart I faught,
Withe that sam mynd and hart at deathe, tMs on thing I have saught.
Let nocht the hearinfie Kirk of CMyst be rewlde on erthfie wayes;
Let nocht the Pastors for to twitche thy scepter mterpryse.
Let Mmisters, aU mystic things, and Mngfie Kings mtreat ;
Set CounsaUars for cirill tMngs, and Lords into thy seat.
Giff tMngs devyne to God, tak thyne, let peiple have ther awin ;
For under Chryst, the King impyre, distinguist hes and knawin.
FINIS.

The GeneraU Assemblie conveinit at Montrose M Merche 1600.
Ther was the King, in maner wounted, occupied with Ms Commis
sionars. The Moderator last [Mr Peter Blakburn, now Bischope
1 Constant, anxious.

] 600. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 469
of Aberdein l] delyverit verie gmd doctrine befor noone, bot he was
brought m effect to recant it at the efter noone befor the haM As
sembfie, to the grait greiff of gmd Breitiiring, a grait stepe from a
preceise honest MMister to a Bischope of this new strak,2 quMUt he
becam the yeir efter.
The sam polecie was usit to gett a Moderator for thair purpose,
quhilk wes m the Synod of Fyff formentioned : For they put a
nomber of the best and maist estimed BreitMen upon the leittes,
wharby the ring-leaders M votting was removed, and the vottes of
the best Breithring distracted ; sum gMen tiU a man, an sum to an
other ; and, m the meantyme, sic as the KMg was sure of ged att a
gett.3 Nixt, it was thought best to put the choise of the haM Assemblie
upon the CoMerence, and ther to reasone aU maters, wharby they
might knaw what to bring m pubfict, and whow.
In the Conference,4 first was Mtendit a treatie for uniform consent
and aggreMient M opmiones ; and, thairfor, it was thought gmd that
four of the an opMioun, and four of the uther, soMd go asyde to a
chalmer tham alean,5 and confer togidder; the quMlks aggrieng wald
gfif grid hope of anumversaU [agreement.] Thir aught5 spendit
an efter noone verie fructfrdfie ; for we war verie plean, squar, and
compenffius, efter protestatioun befor God to be secret ; and, Mdeid,
I luiked for sum gmd effect of our traveUes. But on the morn, when
we on our part were to continow and go fordwart, the King wald
have na mair of that form, but wald have the reasoMng M the Pub
fict CoMerence befor Mm seM and certean of Ms CounsaU, with
the haM number of tham that war nomMat be the Assemblie upon
the Conference. And sa we entered in reasoMng, as foUowes :
1 Written on the margin of MS. 2 Strike, stamp. In allusion to a newly coined
piece of money just struck at the mint. * Went all one road. « This was
termed " The Privie Conference.'' 5 Alone, apart by themselves. 6 These eight.

470 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1600.

CERTEAN ARGUMENTS USED AND PROPONED IN THE CONFERENCE
AT THE GENERALL ASSEMBLIE HAULDEN AT MONTROSE IN THE
MONETHE OF MERCHE 1600, WITH THE ANSWERS GIFFEN AT THAT
TYME, SHORTLIE MINUTED.
"First, the act of Parliament 1597, the title wharof is, 'That all
MMisters provydit to Praslacies soMd have vot in Parliament,' was
requyrit to be redde ; the tenor wharof foUowes :
" Our SoveraMe Lord and his Esteattes m Parliament, haveand
speciall consideratioun and regard of the grait privUeges and im
munities granted be his Hienes' predecessours, of maist worthie
memorie, to the Hafie Kirk witMn tMs realme, and to the speciall
persones exerceising the offices, titles, and dignities of Praslacies
within the sam ; quhUks persones hes ever represented an of the
Esteattes of this realme in aU Conventiones of the saids Esteattes :
And that the saids privileges and fridomes hes bein from tyme to
tyme renewed and conformed in the sam Mtegritie and conditioun
wharin they war at anie tyme of befor ; sa that Ms Majestie acknaw-
lages the saming now to be faUin and becoming under his Majestie's
maist favorable protectioun. Therfor Ms Maj estie, of Ms great zeall,
and smgMar affectioun qubilk he alwayes hes to the advancement
of the trew ReMgioun presentfie professit within this realme, with
advys and consent of his Hienes' Esteattes, statutes, decernes, and
declares, That the Kirk witMn this realme, wherin the sam ReUi
gioun is professed, is the trew and Hafie Kirk ; and that sic Pastors
and MiMsters within the samMg, as at ame tyme Ms Majestie sail
pleise to provyde to the office, place, tytle, and MgMtie of a Bischope,
Abbot, or uther Prelat, saU at aU tyme heirefter have vott m Par
liament, sUdyk and als frielie as anie uther EcclesiasticaU Prelat haid
at anie tyme bygean : And als declares that aU and whatsumever
Bischopries presentfie vacand in his Hienes' handes, quMlks as yit ar
undisponit to anie persone, or quhilks sail happin at aMe tyme heir
efter to veak, salbe onlie disponit be his Majestie to actuaU Preatch-
ars and Ministers in the Kirk, or to sic uther persones as salbe fundin

1600. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 471
apt and quafified to use and exerceise the office and functioun of a
MiMster and Preatcher ; and wha in thair provisionnes to the said
bischopries saU accept in and upon tham, to be actuaU Pastors and
Mmisters ; and, accordMg thairto, sail practise and exerces the saming
thairefter : Item, as concermng the office of the saids persones to be
provydit to the saids Bischopries, in thair SpirituaU Polecie and
Governement M the Kirk, the Estates of Parliament hes remitted
and remites the samMg to the King's Majestie, to be advysit, con-
sMted, and agreit upon be Ms Hienes, with the GeneraU Assemblie
of the MiMsters, at sic tymes as Ms Majestie saU thMk expedient to
treat with tham thairupon ; but prejudice alwayes, M the mean tyme,
of the JurisMctioun and Discipfine of the Kirk, established be actes
of Parliament, maid m ame tyme preceidmg, and permitted be the
saids actes to aU GeneraU and Provinciall Assembfies, and uther
whatsumever Presbyteries and Sessionnes of the Kirk."
" That the Constitutioun of the GeneraU Assembfie haMdin at
DonMe, 1598, takin as it is meined efter the mynd of the fore sett
down actes of Parfiament, is flat repugnant to the Word of God."
Argument 1.
" Antichristian and Anglican Episcopal! digmties, offices, places,
and tytles, and all EcclesiasticaU Prelacies, ar flat repugnant to
the Word of God ; Luc. xxii. ; 1 Tim. M. ; Tit. i. ; 1 Pit. v. ;
Math, xxiii. etc. : Bot sic is that quhilk is sett down M the act of
Parfiament fore-placed, and memed in effect be the constitution of
the said Assembfie : Ergof &c.
Answerit : That aU corruptionnes of those Bischopries ar damned
and rejected ; and as to the act of Parliament, it was aUeagit to be
formed and sett down be the Mvyours of the Kirk's weM, of pur
pose that the benefit might be refused, and the Kirk to ly over in
the aMd miserie and contempt. Argument 2.
" That the Ministers of God separat from the comoun effeares of

472 __ MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1600.
the warld, sanctefied and consecrat to the mimsterie of God's wor-
schippmg and salvatioun of Ms peiple, soMd turn agane to the warld,
and bear a comoun office and charge thairin and effeares thairof, is
flat repugnant to the Word of God : But sa it is, that tMs Consti-
tutioun wM impon that on the Ministers of God : Ergo" &c.
The propositioun is proven be thir Places foUowmg :
" Num. iii. 44, 45. ' And the Lord spak unto Moses, saying, Tak
the Levites for aU the first born of the cMldring of IsraeU, and the
Levites salbe myn : I am the Lord.'
" Num. xvM. 6. ' For lo, I have taken the Levites from the
cMldring of Israel, qubilk as a gift ar given to the Lord, to do the
serrice of the Tabernacle of the Congregatioun.'
" Deut. x. 8. ' The sam tym the Lord separat the tryb of Levi,
to bear the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, to stand befor the Lord
to mmister unto Mm, and to bless in Ms nam, unto tMs day.'
" Deut. xriii. 2. ' The preists and the Levites saU have na part
nor inheritance with IsraeU, for the Lord is thair inheritance, as he
said unto tham.'
"Acts xM. 2. 'Now, as they mmistred unto the Lord, and
fasted, the Hofie Ghost said, Seperat me Barnabas and SauU for the
wark wherunto I have caUed tham.'
" Rom. i. 1. ' PauU, a servant of Jesus CMyst, put apart to
pretche the EvangeU of God.' "
The assumptioun is proven be the act of Parfiament, whar, unto
the Ministerie is adjoyned an office to be gMen be the King, called
the office and dignitie of a Bischope or EcclesiasticaU Prelat ; and
in the constitutioun of the Assembfie, it is determmed to be of a mixt
quafitie partfie, or haM CivM, haiff Ecclesiastic.
This argument was answered be denymg the assumptioun, and
sa the act of Parliament and conclusioun of the Assembfie ; and
planlie declarit that they sould bear na comoun office nor charge in
things cirill. Argument 3.
" That the Ministers of CMyst soMd be distracted from preatch-
ing of the Word and doctrin, is flat repugnant to the Word of God.

1600. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 473
Bot tMs office and digmtie of a Bischope, votting in parliament, &c.
wM distract : Ergo" &c.
" Luc. ix. 59. ' CMyst sayes to an, FoUow me ; wfia answerit,
Let me first go burie my father. Chryst answerit, Let the dead
burie the dead ; and go thow and preatche the gospeU of the king
dom of God. Another sayes, Maister, I wM foUow the, bot lat me
first go and tak ordour with my house. CMyst answerit, Na man
putting hand to the pleuche, and lukMg bak, is meit for the Mng-
dom of God.'
" Deut. xxriii. 8. ' And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummfin and
thy Urim be withe the hofie on ; saying to his father, and to Ms
mother, I have nocht fern him, nather knawes he Ms breithring,
nor his awm cMldring, bot observes thy word, and keipes thy cove
nant. They teache Jacob thy judgments, and IsraeU thy law ;
they put mcense before thy face, and brunt offrings upon thyn
altar.' " Acts vi. 2. ' Then the twoU caUed the mMtitud of the disciples
togidder, and said, It is nocht meit that we soMd leave the Word
of God to serve the Tables.' "
The argument takM from tMr places concludes strongfie. For
giff these maist necessar, naturaU, ceconomic, yea, and ecclesiasti
caU offices, soMd nocht distract from the preatchmg of the Word,
miMe les soMd civM effeares and offices have place to distract.
To the quMUts it was answerit, that they soMd nocht be dis
tracted, bot necessarlie finployed in pretchMg of the Word, and in
doctrMe at these solem and comoun tymes, for the weM of the haM
Kirk and Comoun-weM. Argument 4.
" Whosoever ar M tyme and out of tyme, day and night, to be
occupied m the bissMes of thair calfing, sould be freed and have
mimunitie from aU uther turnes : Bot sa aught and ar the Pastors
of the Kirk to be occupied : Ergo," &c
" 1 CMon. ix. 33. ' These ar the cheiff fathers of the Levites
abydmg in the chalmers, (of the temple,) exemed, (from warldfie

^74 ME JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY.- 1600.
turnes,) because day and night the wark (of the temple) lay on
tham.' " 2 Timoth. iv. ' I attest the befor God, and the Lord Jesus
Chryst, wha saU judge the quik and the dead at Ms appeirance and
kingdome : Preatche the Word ; be instant in tyme, and out of
tyme ; convict, reprove, exhort, with aU lang-suffiring and doctrine:
Watche in aU, suffer adversitie, fulfiU thy mmisterie.'
" 1 Tim. iv. 15, 16. l Tak cear of tifir tMngs; be occupied in
thir, that thy forderance may be manifest to aU men. Tak heid
to thy self, and to the doctrin ; abyd or remean therupon ; for in
doing sa, thow saU save bathe thy self and them that heirs the.'
" Johan. xxi. 15, 16, 17. ' So, when they had dyned, Jesus said
to Simon Piter, Shnon, sone of Jonas, loves thow me mair nor these ?
He said unto Mm, Yea, Lord ; thow knawes that I love the. He
said unto him, Feid my Lambes.' And so thryse.
" Acts. xx. 20. ' I pretched pubficfie and tMow everie house ; I
warned everie an, mght and day, with teares.' "
Answer to tMs was : They salbe occupied M na tMng by ther
calling. Argument 5.
" To make the charge of sauUes sa fight, that thairwithall another
may be joyned and born, is direct agaMst the Word of God. Bot —
Ergo," &c.
" Ezech. xxxiv. 1, etc. ' And the Word of the Lord cam unto
me, saymg, Sone of Man, prophesie against the Pastors of Israeli,
and say unto tham, Thus sayeth the Lord God, Wo be to the
Pastors that feid tham selves ! soMd nocht the scheiphird feid the
flocks ? Yie eat the fatt, and cleithe yow with the woU, bot yie feid
nocht the flock. The weak have yie nocht stramthned ; the seik
have ye nocht healed, nather have yie bund upe the broken, nor
brought again that whilk was driven away, nather have yie sought
that quhUk was lost, etc. They war skattered without a scMphird,
and the scheipe wandrit,' etc.
" Zachar. xi. 17. 'O idoU scheiphird that leives the flok, the

1600. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 475
.sword salbe upon his arm, and upon Ms right ei. His arme salbe
clem dried upe, and his right ei salbe utterfie darkned.'
" Acts xx. 20. ' I keip bak from yow na thing that was profitable,
but have schawed yow, and have taught yow opiMie, and tMow
everie house. 26. I tak yow to record tMs day, that I am pure
fra the blood of all men. 28. Tak heid unto your selves, and to aU
the flock, wharof the Hafie Ghast fies maid yow oversiars, to feid
the Kirk of God, quhUk he hes purchassed with Ms awm blod.
31. Therfor watche, and remember, that be the space of thrie yeirs
I ceased nocht to warn everie an, bathe Mght and day, with teares.'
" [1] Pit. v. 2. ' Feid the flock of God, caring for it with a readie
mynd. 8. Be sober, and watche ; for your adversar the devM goes
about lyk a roaring lyon seUdng whom he may devore.'
" 2 Cor. ii. 15. ' For we ar unto God the sweit savour of CMyst,
in tham that ar saiffed, and M tham that pearishe. 16. To the an
we are the savour of death unto deathe, and to the uther the savour
of lyff unto lyff: and wha is sufficient for these things ? 17. For
we are nocht as maMe, quhUk mak merchandis of the Word of God,
but as of smceritie, but as of God, M the sight of God we speak M
Chryst.' "Heb. xifi. 17. ' Obey your gydes, and be subject to tham, for
they watche over your sauUes, as sic as saU gM a compt for tham.' "
The Answer was be denymg the assumptioun, and sa, as kail
thair answers, in effect denymg the thmg they war doMg.
Argument 6.
" The jumgling and coMoundMg of JurisMctiones and caUMgs,
quMlk God hes distmguisit in persones and maner of handfing, is
agamst the Word : Bot sa it is that tMs Constitution finports that
expreslie, terming thair office to be of a mixt quafitie : Ergo," &c.
" Num. xviii. 4, 7. ' Yie saU keip the charge of the Tabernacle of
the Congregatioun, for aU the service of the Tabernacle, and na
stranger saU com neir to yow. The stranger that cometh neir salbe
slame.' "The MMisters then [ar] of God's service, and the civM admiM-

^76 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1600.
strators ar strangers ane to an uther, and soMd nocht be confoundit,
under pean of deathe.
"2 Chron. xix. 11. 'BehaMd, Amaria the preist salbe cheif over
yow m aU maters of the Lord ; and Zebadia, the sone of Ismaell, a
rewlar of the house of Juda, salbe for aU the KMg's effeares.'
" Math. xxii. 21. < Give unto Cassar that quhUk is Cassar's, and to
God quhilk is God's.'
" Deut. xxii. 21. ' Thou saU nocht saw thy vynyeard with dy-
verse kynd of seids, least thow defyl the increass of the seid quhilk
thow hes sawM, and the fruict of the vynyeard. Thou saU nocht
plow with an ox and an ass togidder. Thou sail nocht wear a gar
ment of divers sortes, as of wooUen and finnmg togidder.'"
TMs was answerit be a denyaU of jumfing and confusioun, bot
with a granting of conjoymng and conjunctioun, and sa aU ane, and
bewraymg of the purpose quhUk they seimed befor to deny, viz. to
conjoyne a CivM office with an Ecclesiastic.
Argument 7.
" That the Officiars of CMyst's KMgdome soMd meddle with
tMngs nocht perteinmg thairto, is aXXor^iosvuxoviTv against the Scrip
ture ; 1 Pit. iv. 15 : Bot polytic and civM effeares ar sic : Ergo,"
&c.
" Johan. vi. 15. ' Jesus then knew that they war to com and tak
Mm and mak him thair king, he withdrew him seM unto the mon-
tan alan.'
"Johan. xviii. 36. ' Jesus answerit and said unto PUat, My king
dom is nocht of this warld.'
" Luc. xii. 13, 14. ' An of the mMtitud said unto Mm, Maister,
speak to my breithring, that he may devyd the heritage with mie.
He said unto him, O man, wha maid me judge or parter over yow ?'
" Johan. viii. 11. ' Jesus said to the adMteres, Nather do I judge
thie ; go, and sin na mair.' "
It was answerit, That the spirituaU and cirill functionnes Mffers
nocht in subject, bot in maner and form of handling and treatting
of ane and the sam subject to divers endes ; and that Chryst's of-

1600. MR JAMES melvill's DLARY. 477
ficers salbe urgit to handle tMngs civM na uther wayes bot spirit-
ualie. Argument 8.
" That Chrysf s Ministers soMd bear warldfie pre-emmence. brMk
ambitius styUes, and be caMt j^sra/. gratius Lords, is agaMst the
Word of God : But this constitutioun wM permit, yea, and mak
tham sa to do : Ergo," &c.
"Math, xxiii. 6. 'The Scribes and Pharisies love -::r:i)jwi at
Soupers, and Kgoroxakbgmt M the Svnagotre. salutatioun in the
mercats, and to be caUed Rabbi. Bot be yie nocht callit Rabbi.
for yie have a Maister, xabr,yr,rr.;. CMyst : and yie ar all trehnrinsr.
&c. Let him that is grait amang yow be servant : for whasoever
wM fift Mm seM upe salbe cast doun, and he that wifl demit Mm
sehT salbe fift upe.'
"Luc. xxii. 26. 'Ther enterit a contention amang them wha
soMd be the maist or graittest. But he said unto tham The
KMgs of the nations bears rewU over tham, and ar caUed hi?, -nu.
gratius Lords. Bot be vie nocht sa : bot he that is maist amang
yow, let Mm be as least, and he that is the gyd as the servant.'
" Math. xx. 2 6. ' Bot it safl nocht be sa amangs vow : bot whfcso-
ever wUbe grait amangs yow, let Mm be vour servant.' ~
To this was answerit, That this quhilk they war about to do,
sould nather permit nor mak warldfie pre-emmence nor ambitius
styUes. Argument 9.
" That the soMdiour of God soMd be Mvolved M the effeares of
tMs lyff, is flat repugnant to the Word of God : But this wffl m-
volve Mm : Ergo," &c.
" Num. iv. 3. < From threttie yeir arid, and above unto fiftie yeir
aU that is meit to tak on tMs warfear, to do the wark M the Taber
nacle of the Congregation.'
"2 Tim. ii. 3, 4. 'Thow therfor suffer affliction, as a grid soM-
diour of Jesus CMyst. Na man that warreth Mtangfit hun selff

478 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1600.
with the effears of tMs lyff : that he may please him wha hes schosin
Mm to be a souldier,' " &c.
Answerit : They saU nocht be Mvolrit, nor soMd nocht, be the
nature of ther caMng. Argument 10.
" The Magistrat and CivM rewlars pretched nocht the Word, nor
ministers Sacraments, nor exerceises spirituaU discipfine, acknaw-
laging these tMngs Mipertinent to thair functioun : Ergo, Nather
soMd the MMisters mak civM lawes, nor judge and reweU conform
thairto." Answer : It was nocht meMit be that voting in Parliament, that
the MiMsters soMd use judicator civM or crfinmaU, or anie part of
the Magistrat's office : For that the King was oMie Judge m the
Parfiament, and the Esteattes gave but thair advys.
Argument 11.
" That quMlk wantes bathe precept and exemple in the Evangels,
Actes and Epistles of the Apostles, and in the haM storie and
wreittings of the Christian Kirks, tM almost aught hounder yeirs
efter CMyst, and at what tyme the Papes cam to that schamles
usurpatioun of bathe the swords, and sett him seM m that chair of
pestUence and pryde, treadding on the neks of emperours and kings,
&c, is na wayes to be admitted or sufferit m our Reformed Kirk :
Bot sic is this new office of a mixed quafitie : Ergo," &c.
For answer to tMs was broucht furthe exemples of the Auld
Testament ; Melchizedek, King and Preist ; the government of the
Kirk M the famMes of the Patriarches. Item, Moses and the Le-
vittes wha war apointed Judges and Interpreters of the law athort
the land.
To tMs replyed : Melchizedik, Moses, nor the Hie Preist, can
nocht be exemples for the EvangeficaU mimsterie, being types of
the heid and soveran Mche King and Preist, the Lord Jesus Chryst.
Also Moses and Aron war breithring indeid ; bot efter Arone's con-
secratioun buir distinct offices, schawing us that the Ecclesiastic

1600. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 479
and CiriU rewlars soMd five as breithring, bot everie an to be about
thair awm office and calling for uther's mutuaU weUfear. As for
the government of the fiumlies, ther was an uther reasone thairof,
then of cities and comoun-weMes, m sa &r as he that rewles his &-
mMe, rewles bot Mm seM: bot wha rewles a citie or comoun-welthe,
governs mame fiumlies : thairfor Arist. 1. PoL n^iies an essentia
difference betwix the adinMistrcrio" of a republic and &mifie.
And, finafie, as for the Levines. they represent i^t ErdesiLS-
tic EvangeficaU office, and eoncersnLj ~ s>; that wat irccrzei
DHflttf D'S# CflSIT- eaBed m. irir G:^e~ -^^t— _ zd?
they represented anie office undo- die E-sz^rl, r: -w^ rie :cri-c *
Doctores, sa that tbairby the Dx-icr? scald be srncrrai ?qess^ m
Parfiament. Argwmod ii.
" The subject of the office of a Mzd?:s. izri i£ t ririL -v^caSM
office, ar divers and contrar : xhshfrj? am -tsz. aossi he m1 1 Hjn ii ri
bathe. " Rom. riiL 5, •:". 7. i They ~~~&r, et ririfr oe fse ~l—*zz rift
things of the fleshe : but thev zisEi ar riiHr rift tt^t- 13a rinnes
of the Sprit. The ^-~d:-TK ;f rii £srift j= 3iErift z ~:r~ rift -ran
dom of the Sprit is lyff and peace. Tift vfsrinnft if rift feritt s
enemie agamst God : it is msztt ^rJfz'.i i£< rift jet #£ <Gr«L rnariftL:
indeid can be.'
" 1 Cor. ii. 12. ¦ We have nocht reseeared the ^ek «£ rift -variri
but the spreit quhUk is of God, that -we May krjsnr rift thmsgs zzxr.
ar giffen to us of God : but the natnnri --:-.- p^eesres m#ht. ritt
tMngs of the Sprit of God : for they ar <nKgr-n^g - -_• H~v Xathyr
can he knaw tham, for they ar spiritnafie deeernhv
" 1 Jhon ii. 15, 16. 'Love nocht the warld, nor the ~~- ~ t- rias ar
mthe warld : Give (if) aMe man love the warld, the love of the Father
is nocht M Mm ; for aU that is m the warld (as the mst rf ri^
fleche, the lust of the eis, and the pryd of lyff) is nocht of the
Father, but of the warld. And the warld paseethe away, «"d the
lust therof, but he that fulfiUes the wM of God abyds for ever.'"

480 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1600.
It was answerit : That this argument was against warldfie, un-
cMistian, and unsanctified civM offices and actionnes. Replyed :
That manie aUeagit CMistian war mair impius and injust nor the
Persian, Grecian, and Roman. Argument 13.
" The maner of doMg of the an is in lyk maner advers to the
uther, as is evident of the sam places, and mame uther : Ergo" &c.
And heir was pertinentlie used the ApoUog of .iEsope anent the
Colziar and the Wakar ;l wharof the Colziar desyrit to dweU be
syde and with the Waker, alleagmg maMe commodities that might
com to bathe. Bot the Wakar, weM advysit, refused altogidder ;
" For it is nocht possible," sayes he, " but thy occupatioun will
mar myne, for thow makes blak, and I mak whait."2
Argument 14.
" Thair end ar also contrar : The Mmister's office being to fishe
men out of the sie of this warld unto God ; quhilk they can nocht
giff they ly plungMg in the warld tham selves."
Thus said CMyst to Ms disciples, Piter, Jhone, &c. — " FoUow
me, and I wiU mak yow fischars of men."
Argument 15.
" The experience of the Kirk M aU ages sen that corruptioun
enterit in, and namfie, in our awM age, nocht oMie amangs the
Papists, bot m our Mbour land of Eingland, and amangs our selves,
cleirfie proves, and loudfie cryes, Tfiat it is nocht possible that they
can stand togidder. Therfor the Quein of Emgland's dictum is,
when sche makes a Bischope, ' Alas for pitie ! for we have mar
red a guid Preatchour to-day.' And what geppes of gear our Bis
chopes hes bem in Scotland, and is, the haM cowntrie kennes.
" The experience also of the godfie Pastors teatches tham this,
when they have bein bot never sa lytle, and of necessitie occupied
1 The fable or apologue of the Collier and the Waulker, or fuller. 2 White.

1600. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 4S1
m the warld, whow hard it is to gather tham selves agam, and gett
the hart sett towards God and thair spirituaU dewties and actionnes :
QM ambulat M sole, coloratur; qui tangit pieem mquinatur: qm
frasquentat aulam et curiam, profanatur. Forum Ponrriris Petrum
ad Christi abnegationem adegit. Qme -s: corporjin c ~s:::::::.\
ea est et morum. Grcnmposito aere cafido criesririiis. et rur^-is
frigido frigesrimus. Sic cum Sanctis sor.:-rjs ens. cun perrersis
perverteris. "Math. ri. 24. 'No man can serve twa -::.'s:ers : ather si^
he hait the an, and love the uther. or cleive to that an, ana le-
spyse the uther : Tie can nocht serve G*l and Mammon.""
Argument l<y.
" Nature and the sam experience hes dyted ~--~ ari: ri and pr:-
verbe, ' A office for a man is aneuche :' and, * Manie yrons m the
fyre, sum wM cuU.' Thairfor, the wyse men m c^Trire. Plato and
Aristotle, m thair Repubficts, setts down the sam Cz cts, II aad
banisses thaufra it='fj6zo/^y^un and w-^Se^smm, m»tniiiifnp setrrins
for ma usses at annes, as unprofitable, and that srries ri — r^- ~ ii.
Now, gif m a ciriU comonn-weffl, by the Erin of nature. » «*-
jecto homogenio, a turn and office is anpnehe ibr a man. surfie j ^
na wayes convement nor possible, that, im tmfyxi: bOengam^ riz_
bathe m Kirk and Comoun-weUL, a man can bear twa offices.
Argument 17.
" That quhUk hes beM as a pest eschewit, streatfie rirbidded be
Actes, and stoutlie stand against m pubfict doctrine, and at afl As
sembfies, sen tfie first planting of the smceritie of the GospeU with-
m this realm, soMd nocht now, be perswasioun and moven of
Court, be brought M witMn the Kirk : Bot sic is this : Ergo ~ &c
The Actes of our GeneraU Assembfies forbids a Mmister to joyne
with Ms Mimsterie the office of a notar, housbandrie, or laboring
of land, hostelarrie, &c, under pean of depositioun.
Theod. Beza ad Knoxium, Epist. 79 : " Sed et istud (mi Knoxe)
te ceterosque fratres velim meininisse, quod jam ocufis pene ram
2h

482 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1600.
obversatur : sicut Episcopi Papatum pepererunt, ita Pseudo-Epis-
copos Papatus refiqMas, Epicureismum terris invecturos. Hanc
pestem caveant qui salvam Ecclesiam cupiunt, et cum Mam e Scotia
in tempore profligaris, ne quaeso Mam unquam admittas, quantum
vis unitatis retinendas specie, quse veteres etiam optimos multos
fefeUit, blandiatur." Argument 18.
And Last : The judgment of the Fathers and Doctors of the
Kirk, antient and modern, aMd and new : TertMlian, CyrUlus,
Primasius, Ambros, etc.
Tertull. de Idolat. cap. 18 : — " Si potestatem nuUam ne in fuos
quidem exercuit Christus, qmbus sordido mMisterio functus est, si
Regem se fieri, conscius sm regM refugit, plenissime dedit formam
suis dirigendo omni fastigio et suggestu, tam Mgnitatis quam potes-
tatis. Quis eMm magis Ms usus foisset quam Dei filius ? Quales
enim fasces producerent ? quale aurum de capite radiaret nisi gloriam
sascufi afienam, et sibi et sms judicasset ?
" Ideo, quas noluit rejecit, qute rejecit damnavit, qua? damnarit
in pompa diaboli deputavit."
CyrUlus in Joan. fib. 3, cap. 20 : — " Honor et gloria mundi fugi-
enda sunt iis, qM volunt gloriam Dei conseqM."
Primasius in 2 Tim. 2 :-^" Comparatione mMtum utitur, ut
ostendat nmlto magis, nos a negociis secMaribus liberos esse debere
ut CMisto placeamus, si etiam secufi mUites, a reliquis secufi acti-
bus vacant, ut possint Regi suo placere."
Ambros. M Epist. 2 Tim. 2 : — " Ecclesiasticus autem idcirco
Deo se probat ut huic devotus officium hnpleat quod spopondit, in
Dei rebus soMcitus, a secMari negocio afienus. Non enhn convenit
unum dupficem habere professionem."
Bernard, de Consider, lib. 2, cap. 4 :— " Apostoficis interdicitur
dominatus, ergo tu usiu-pare aude, aut Dominus apostolatum, aut
Apostolus dominatum, plane ab utraque prohiberis ; si utrumque
simM habere voles, perdes utrumque."
Idem. — " Non monstrabunt ubi qmsquam Apostolorum aliquando

1600. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 483
judex sederit hominum, aut divisor terminorum, aut distributor ter-
rarum, stetisse denique lego Apostolos judicandos, sedisse judicantcs
non lego."
Can. Apost. Can. 80 :— " Dicimus quod non oportet Episcopum
aut Presbyterum, pubficis se admmistrationibus immittere sed va-
care, et commodum se exhibere usibus Ecclesiasticis. Animum
iritur inducito hoc non facere aut deponitor. Nemo enim potest
duobus dommis servire."
Vide Gregor. lib. 1, Epistolarum, Epist. 5, ad Theotistam, Im-
peratoris sororem.
Synod. Nicen. Can. Syla. et Constant.—" Nemo clericus vel dia-
conus vel presbyter propter causam suam quamfibet intret in curiam,
quoniam omnis curia a cruore Mcta est : Et si quis clericus in
curiam mtroeat, anathema suscipiat, nunquam rediens ad matrem
Ecclesiam." Damasus et Cone. Neocces. etAntioch. Anno 371 : — " Episcopi qui
secriaribus Mtenti curis greges chorepiscopis vel curiis commendant
ridentm- mUii meretricibus simUes, quae statim ut pariunt, infantes
suos aMs nutricibus tradunt educandos, quo suam citius fibidinem
explere valeant. Sic et isti infantes suos, in popMos sibi commissos
aMs educandos tradunt, ut suas fibidines expleant, i. pro suo libit u
secularibus curis mhibent, et quod uMcmque visum fuerit liberius
agant. Pro tafibus emm arimse negfiguntur, oves pereunt, morbi
crescunt, haereses et scMsmata prodeunt, destruuntur Ecclesiae, sa-
cerdotes vitiantur, et refiqua mala proveniunt. Non taliter Domi-
nus docuit nee Apostofi Mstituerunt. Sed ipsi qM curam suscipi-
unt ipsi peragant, et ipsi proprios manipulos Domino representent.
Nam ipse ovem perditam dUigenter quaesirit, ipse invenit, ipse pro-
priis humeris reportarit, nosque id ipsum facere perdocuit. Si ipse
pro ovibus tantam curam habMt, quid nos miseri ducturi sumus ?
QM etiam pro ovibus nobis commissis curam Mipendere negligimus,
et afiis eas educandas traMdimus? Audiant quaeso qMd Beatus Jacob
dixerit socero suo : — ' Vigmti annos foi tecum ; oves tuae et capre
sterUes non fuerunt ; arietes gregis tm non comedi, nee captum a
bestia ostendi tibi, ego damnum omne reddebam, et quidquid furto
perierat a me exigebas : die noctuque agstu urgebar et gelu ; fogiebat

484 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1600.
somnus ab oculis meis.' Si ergo sic laborat et vigUat qM pascit oves
Laban, quanto labori, quantisque rigMis debet intendere qm pascit
oves Dei ? Sed in his omnibus nos instruat qm pro ovibus sms dedit
animam." Calvinus in Epist. ad 2 Tim. 2 : — " Semper Pastorem memi-
nisse oportet veteris proverbii, Hoc age, quod sigMficat ita serio
incumbendum esse peragendis sacris, ut studium ejus et Mtentionem
nihU afiud impediat."
P. Martyr, M loc. Com. Clas. 4, cap. 13 : — " DistingM oportet
has functiones CivMs et Ecclesiastica, qMa utraque earum seorshu
totum hominem requirit : imo vix ullus unquam repertus est qui
alterutram recte obire posset, adeo est difficMs utraque provincia."
Synodus 4 Carthaginensis : — " Ut Episcopus nuUam rei famifiaris
curam ad se revocet, sed ut lectioni et orationi et verbo praedica-
tionis tantummodo vacat."
Synod. Calcedon. OScumenica. consessu 15 : — " Ne Episcopi, clerici
et monachi rebus se polyticis impficent, aut praedia aliena condu-
cant." Sexti Uniuers. Synodus Constantinopolita. Can. 80 : — " Episcopis
non competere ecclesiasticam et politicam eminentiam. Episcopus
aut presbyter aut diaconus, mMtias vacans, et volens utrumque,
principatum Romanum et sacerdotalem digmtatem deponitor : Nam
quas Caesaris sunt Caesari, et quae Dei, Deo."
Ex Epistola Concilii Africani ad Papam Celestinum : — " Execu-
tores etiam clericos vestros qmbusque potentibus nolite mittere,
nolite concedere ne fumosum typhum secufi in Ecclesiam CMisti
quas lucem simpficitatis et humMtatis diem Deum videre cupienti-
bus prasfert rideamur mducere."
Synod. Macrensi: — " Nee Rex, pontMcis digMtatem, nee Ponti-
fex regiam potestatem sibi usurpare praesumat. Sic actionibus pro-
priis dignitatibusque a Deo distmguntur ; ut et Christiani reges pro
asterna vita pontMcibus indigerent, et pontifices pro temporalium
rerum cursu regum dispositioMbus uterentur, quatenus spirituafis
actio a carnalibus distaret in cursibus, et ideo mifitans domino mi-
nime, se negotiis secMaribus impficaret, ac ricissim non Me rebus
Divinis presidere vidiretur."

1600. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 485
Synodus Romana, an. 1215 : — " Universis clericis interdicimus, ne
quis praetextu Ecclesiastics fibertatis suam de caetero jurisdictionem
extendat in praejudicium justiciaj secularis : ut qua? sunt Caesaris
reddantur Caesari, et quas sunt Dei, Deo."
Bohemi quotum- Articulos Basiliensi Synodo proponunt, quorum se
cundus est : — " De civM domino, quod interdictum clericis Divina
lege Mcebant." — Gesnerus de Synodis.
Of thir and the lyk places, the Ancients and NeotorUts are full
and cleir, when ever they treat of this mater.
Thir Arguments, being sa strang and cleir, coMd nocht be de-
nyit, thairfor in effect they war aU granted ; and yit they sought,
be aU the labor and meanes they coMd, to gett it past in Assembfie
be maniest vottes, " That these Vottars M Parliament soMd stand
in the persones chosen, ad vitam." Bot it was be manie honest and
gMd Breithring mightefie withstud in open Assemblie, sa that in
votting it past agaMst tham, and was concludit annuatim.
My uncle, Mr Andro, cam to that Assembfie, but the King
caUed for him and quarrefit Mm for his coming; wha, efter the
arid maner, dischargit his conscience to him with all fredome and
zeaU ; and, gomg from the KMg in grait fervencie, said, putting his
hand to Ms crag : ' — " Sir, tak yow tMs head, and gar cut-it af, gif
yie wM ; yie saU sooner get it, or I betray the cause of Chryst !"
And sa he remeanit M the town aU the whyU, and fumisit argu
ments to the Breithring, and mightefie strynthned and incuragit
tham. This yier, in the monethe of August, the fyft day thairof, the
Erie of Gowrie, and Ms brother Mr Alexander, war slean be the
KMg's folks at St Jhonstoun, for a maist hid and horroble conspi
racie, Mtendit be tham to have cut af the King ; and, in the monethe
of November thairefter, forfaMtit in Parliament, &c. [A litle be
for, or hard about the day of this accident, the sie2 at an instant,
1 Neck, or throat, 2 Sea.

486 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1600.
about a law Water, debordet and ran upe abon the sie-mark, hier
nor at anie stream-tyd, athort aU the cost syde of Fyff; and at an
instant reteired again to almaist a law water, to the grait admira-
tioun of all, and skathe don to sum. About that sam tym, lying
in Kinkell, I dreamed my wyff was dead; and, waknmg, appre-
hendit the sam, sa that with grait heavines of hairt, I murned for
hir aU that day, even after I knew the contrar. And, indeid, thair
efter sche was strucken with sic infirmitie, that sche could nocht be
a wyff to mie.1]
The King immediatlie thairefter send ower the word to the
CounsaU that was at Edinbruche, commanding the Ministers of
Edinbruche to publis the maner in pMpit, and move the peiple to
giff thankes with tham to God for the King's preservatioun. The
Ministers gladfie aggreit to thank God for the King's delyverance,
but to declar and preache the maner, in particMar, as a treuthe of
God out of pMpit, because the informationes war divers and uncer-
tean, they refosit. This occasioun was gripped at tM undo2 that
ministerie, quhUk oftenest and maist crosit3 the Court in aU erill
proceidmgs, and was the graitest auband4 and terrour to Sessioun,
NobMtie, and aU the land, to keipe tham from impietie, injustice,
and aU wickednes.
The King cam to Edinbruche, whar he was receavit with grait
concourse, and past in persone to the mercat cors5 of Edinbruche,
and thair causit his awin Minister, Mr Patrik Galloway, mak a de-
claratioun of the mater to the peiple, the quhilk the Kmg him selff
secoundit and confirmit, to move the peiple to dewtie and thankful-
nes. Thairefter satt in CounsaU with his ordMarie counsaUours,
and gave out a sacrUegius sentence against the Ministers of Edin
bruche, usurping Chryst and his Kirk's place and authoritie, depo
sit tham from pretching the GospeU witMn his countrey for ever ;
qidiilk was a houndreth tymes war nor6 if be form of civM proces
he haid hangit tham ; because of the usurpatioun of Chryst's juris-

' Note written by the Author on the margin of MS. * Was laid hold of to
undo. 3 Crossed, thwarted. "Restraint. 5 Market- Cross. ° Worse than.

1600. MR JAMES melvill's dlary. 487
dictioun and his Kirk's, wha hes onlie powar to caU and depose his
servants. The Dron, the Doungeoun, and the Draught,
Did mak thair cannon of the King,
Syn feirfuMe withe us they faught,
And doun to Mrt they did us ding.
Thairefter the Commissionars war wrettin for to Falkland, whar
the mater was schawm us at laMthe, and ordeaMt that the SynodaUs
sould convein and aggrie anent a form of pubfict ThanksgUfing, and
apoint a certean to conveM at EdMbruche M the monethe of Octo
ber foUowing, to tak ordour with the mmisterie of Edinbruche.
[At that tyme, being m FaUdand, I saw a funambMus,1 a French
man, play Strang and incredible prattiks upon stented takeU2 M the
Palace-clos befor the Kmg, Quein, and haM court. TMs was poli-
tikfie done to mitigat the QueM and peiple for Gowrie's slauchter.

1 A rope-dancer. In the Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, (pre
served in the General Register House,) in August 1600, the name of the French fun
ambulist is thus quaintly given, with a, most extravagant reward assigned to him for
playing his pavies and sowpill trickis. The original entry is as follows : 
"Item, be command of his Majestie's Precept, to Peter Bramhill, Frenche pavier ;
as the said Precept, with his acquittance, producet upoun compt, proportis, iijcxxxiij.
li., vj. s., viij. u." (L.333, 6s. 8d. !) an enormous sum, considering the value of
money at that period.
Another still more remarkable instance has been preserved in Birrel's Diary, MS.,
Advocates' Library, where an English mountebank is recorded to have performed
wonderful feats of agility and daring in Edinburgh, on 10th July 1598  " Ane man
sume callit him a juglar, playit sick sowpill trickis upone ane tow, (rope,) quhilk wes
fesnit betwix the tope of St Geillis' Kirk stipill and ane stair benethe the Croce, callit
Josias' Cloise head ; the lyk wes neuir sene in this contrie, as he raid doune the tow
and playit sa many pavies on it !" Besides the gratuities which he doubtlessly re
ceived from the nobility, gentry, and citizens, the King ordered him a handsome
donation, viz. : — "Item, be his Hienes' speciall command, to an Inglis sportour that
come doun upon ane tow fra the cok of the stepill of Edinburgh, xx. li." (L.20.) And
in the same month, (September 1598,) another payment is made, perhaps, to the'
same person :— " Item, lykwayis to David Weir, (Vere ?) sportour, be- command,
vj. li., xiij. s , iiij. ct." (L.6, 13s. 4d.) 2 Stretched rope-tackle.

488 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1600.
Even then was Hendersone1 tryed befor us, and Gowrie's pedagog,
wha haid bein buted.2]
At that Synod haridin at Dumfermfing, I, being Moderator, cam
from it to the King at Falkland, and schew3 Ms Majestie the forme
of thanksgiffing concludit. And, using that occasioun, maid humble
sutt for my coUeg Mr Jhone Dykes ; and, God moring the King's
hart, obteined fibertie, to Mm to glorifie God again, in the exerceis
of Ms ministerie at our awM Kirk.
Bot, being freed from that quhUk was na small exerceis to my
mynd, being then resolved to have left Commissionarie, Court, and
aU that course, I was compeUed of conscience to contmow with a
mair heavie and greivus fascherie, labour, and pean, bathe of mynd
and body, for that Ministerie of Edinbruche ; for twa of the Breith
ring being all commandit af the town, cam to my hous, and urgit
me to continow in my Commissionarie for thair cause. The Kmg
wald have bein at the planting of EdMbruche with uthers. I schew
him that could nocht be tM the present MMisters war deposit be the
Kirk, or be Ms CivM Judicator justfie cut af, giff sa they haid de
serrit, for na honest man wald tak thair roumes ower thair heid ;
and certean I was that nan of the twa coMd be justfie done : Sa
that, of necessitie, they behoved to be reposit M thair awM roumes,4
or the places to veak ; 5 also the peiple of EMnbruchetiiam selves was
a grait helpe, for they stud honestfie affected to thair awin, and wald
agrie to nan uther.
The meitting of the Commissionars from all Provinces was at
Halyrudhous in October. Ther was lang reasoning and devysing
anent the Ministerie of EMnbruche ; bot do what the King could,
they could nocht gett by that quhUk I haid spoken. Therfor, the
King declaring his determinatioun that they soMd never come in
Edinbruche againe, and the Kirk tMnking it hard that that mini
sterie soMd veak, it was thought meit that the cais soMd be schawin
to the Ministers of Edinbruche tham selves, and sie giff they wald
' Andrew Henderson. 2 Put to torture in tho boo£s. See Pitcairn's Criminal
Trials, ii. 146-237. This paragraph is noted by the Author on the margin of MS.
3 Shewed. * Reponed, or restored to their own situations. s Become vacant.

1601. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 489
content of thair awin accord to yeUd to transportatioun. For the
quhUk purpose, the KMg and Breithring convenit directed Mr
WUyeam Scot, Jhone Carmichaell, and me, to shaw tMs mater to
the Breithring of Edinbruche, and report thair answer. And when
we war absent, the King with his Commissionars, and the Breith
ring ther conveMed, in what form I can nocht teU, nominats and
chuses tMie Bischopes, Mr Darid Lindsay, Bischope of Ros ; Mr
Piter Blakburn, Bischope of Aberdein; and Mr George Gladsteanes,
Bischope of Catnes, apomting tham to vott for the Kirk m the nixt
Parfiament at the forfaMterie of the Erl of Gowrey, without anie
regard had to the Caveates or Conclusioun of the last GeneraU As
sembfie. Wharof we knew na thmg tM that Convention was di-
missit. M.DC.I.
Sa that mater of the ministerie of Edmbruche keipit me catchmg
heir and ther aU that wmtar, with grait hearines of hart for the
wrak of the libertie of Chryst's Kirk, overtMaw of the Sion of Ms
Jerusalem, the Kirk of EdMbruche, and baMssing from Ms native
countrey of that maist notable, upright, and hafie servant of Chryst,
Mr Robert Bruce ; tiU m the spring tyme, at the begfiring of
ApryU, it pleasit my God, M fatherfie cear and affectioun, to de
lyver me from these pubfict vexationnes, be leymg Ms hand on my
awin persone, and visiting me with peanes and perplexities, of
heavie seiknes of body, and grait conffictes of mynd, quhilk Ms
Majestie's gMd Sprit and myne oMy knawes, and saU keipe in secret
till it please Mm to Mspyre ; sa that these exerceises of my spreit
may be pubfisched to his glorie, and confort of sic consciences as
militattes under the standart of Chryst, in the feghting-feUds of
tMs erd and lyff. My seiknes, with the maMfald schowres of the
vexationnes of mynd, continowed yeir and day ; bot he wha uphalds
and confortes the contreit and humble, did uphald and confort me
to whom, thairfor, be everlasting praise. — Amen.1
1 "Memor — The Conference of Brintyland, in the monethe of Merche. Item the
Synod of St Androis against the Papists, whar Mr Jhone Hamilton was excommu
nicat : Thairat I taucht upon the Testament of Moses concerning Levi, and pennit
Articles and Petitiones, presented tham to the King at Halirudhous, with lytle thanks
or effect.'- Margin of MS.

490 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1601.
In the tyme of my seiknes, the GeneraU Assembfie, apoMted to
be haMdin at St Androis, was, be the King's proclamation at Mer-
cat-crosses, commandit to be keipit with Mm at Brinteyland m the
monethe of May. To the quhUk, whowbeit seik and unable, it be
hoved me to wryt. The quhilk Letter the KMg tuk out of the
Moderator's hand, and sufferit it nocht to be read, but keipit it in
his awin poutche,1 and hes it leyed upe, as I am Mformed, amangs
his privie wryttes as yit ; for what purpose tyme wM declar. The
copie wharof, word be word, I thought thairfor guid to sett down
heir:

" TO THE GODLIE FATHERS AND BREITHRING CONVENIT IN THIS
PRESENT GENERALL ASSEMBLIE AT BRINTYLAND, MAY 1601,
j[AMES] M[ELVILL] WISSETHE GRACE, MERCIE, AND PEACE FROM
GOD THROW JESUS CHRYST, WITH THE SPREIT OF FREDOME, TJP-

" Havinge manie wayes a calfing to be present with yow at this
Assemblie, (godfie Fathers and deir Breithring,) and steyit onfie be
infirmitie of body, efter a lang and soar seiknes, I could nocht at
least bot communicat my mynd with yow schortlie M wryt. And
first, as concerning his Majestie : Sen it hes pleasit God to mdew
him with sic a rare and singMar grace, as to resolve to bestow him
sehT, his stat, and aU that God hes giffen Mm in possessioun, or
tytle, for glorefeing of Chryst, King of Kings, in the meanterance
of his GospeU and trew Religioun ; and now to put hand to justice
against impietie, wrang, and aU oppressioun, to kythe2 in effect the
trew and ernest dispositioun of his hart. 3 I think it aU our partes
to praise God uncessantfie thairfor, and to concur and joyne with
his Majestie in our caMng to our uttermaist, namlie in steiring upe
and moving the harts of his peiple to his reverence and obedience,
' Pocket. 2 Manifest. •1 " Nota — The King haid maid grait profession
and promises anent ReUigioun, understanding that the Jesuittes in England war his
conjurit enemies ; and haid latlie exeeut justice upon grait personages for op-
ressioun nolablie." The above added by the Author on tho margin of MS.

1601. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 491
yea, to bestow thair fives and aU that they have with his Hines in
that cause, and in all his Majestie's effeares that may serve for the
weill thairof. And trewfie they are worthie to be accursed, and
nocht bruit the nam of Christian nor Scottes men, bot esteimed
enemies to God, ReMgioun, and his Hmes, that wM nocht willing-
lie yield heirunto, as Deborah cryes, ' Curse Meros ! sayeth the
angell of the Lord, Curse ! because they cam nocht to assist the
Lord agamst the mightie.' I wald wis, thairfor, for this effect, as M
the dayes of Asa and Joas, kMgs of Juda, namlie according to the
derectioun of guid Jehoiada the priest, that solemne Covenants and
Bands, the Word of God and prayer going befor, war maid betwix
God and the Kmg, God and the peiple, and betwix the King and
the peiple, begmnMg M this present Assemblie, and sa goMg to
ProvinciaUes, Presbyteries, and tMow everie Congregatioun of this
land. " Nixt, as concerning the MMisterie of Edinbruche, I haid fast
that aggreiment of the Breithring conveinet in Brintyland in the
monethe of Merche last ; and wald beseik ' the Breithring of the
Assembfie tM 2 msist with Ms Majestie, with the reasonnes set down
at that Conference, and sic uther as God wiU furneise, joynmg
prayer to God, wha hes the King's hart m Ms hand, wherby his
Hines might be brought to yeUd thairunto, as a speciaU weiU, nocht
onlie of the Kirk, but of his Majestie's esteat and effeares, (gif God
hes gMen me aMe eis to sie anie tMng m tham.) For by that, that
the cheiff blokhous3 of the Lord's Jerusalem in tMs land can nocht,
in my judgment, be weM fortefied without tham. In my con
science, I knaw nocht braver trompettes to Mcurage, move, and sett
fordwart the peiple to his Majestie's obedience and assistance, when
occasioun of Ms Majestie's wechtiest effears may crave the sam.
And trewfie, when I pas throw the formes of proceidMgs with my
selff to spy out what may befaU M end, I can nocht sie gM' it be
weill, bot it wUbe repossessioun ; for processes wilbe fund hard ;
transportatioun full of fascherie and inconvenients, and in end fect-

1 Beseech. 2 To.

Bulwark, fortification, defence.

492 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1601.
les,1 wanting contentment ; thairfor the best mon be repossessioun,
wherunto I pray God his Majestie's hart may be inclyned, as the
haM Breitheringes ar, I am sure.
" Bot ther is heir an incident (deir Breither) of. graitter import
ance nor aU the rest, wheranent I mon nocht onfie exhort you, bot,
M the nam of Chryst, charge and adjure yow, as yie wM answer to
Him upon your fidefitie in Ms serrice, that yie endevour to redres
it : This is, that Mterest quhilk CMyst sustemt be that act and
decreit of CounsaU, wherby the Ministers of Edinbruche ar deposit
from pretcMng in anie tyme heirefter, because they refosit to pretche
and gM thankes as was enjoyned to tham be the said CounsaU ; the
graittest interest that ever Chryst sustenit M tMs land, for gif he
hes nocht soU powar to chuse, call, and depose his awin messingers
and ambassadours, he hes na powar at aU. His Majestie hes
schawin him selff, in my heiring divers tymes, willing that this
soMd be amendit ; bot I feir the decreit stands in the buiks with
out anie not thairupon. Forgett nocht tMs, bot remember it as the
graittest poMct yie have to do. And let nocht, I humblie beseik,
his Majestie and CounsaU be miscontent with the bringing of tMs
in heid, for the honour of CMyst, and feir of his just wrathe against
sic as say, Nolumus hunc regnare supra nos, (Luc. xix. 14, 27,) con-
stranes me ; the quhilk I wis to be als far from his Hienes and
honourable CounsaU, as from my awin hart and sauU ; bot contrarie
wayes, that in the favour, and be the blessMg of Chryst, Ms throne,
as the throne of David, may be established and florishe as the
palme. " Now, as to the rest, revise your Caveattes, for corruptioun
creipes fast on, and is corroborat be custom ; sight 2 the conclusioun
of your last Assemblie, and sie giff maters hes proceidit conform
thairunto or nocht, giff it may pleise his Majestie to permit thir
thmges to be done at this tyme, (quhUk indeid ar maist necessar to
be done, utherwayes it is nocht possible to keipe fra corruptioun.)
Fordar, the restraining of the fridome of our GeneraU Assemblies
1 Feckless, wanting might or strength. ' Examine, narrowly inspect.

1601. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 493
m the ordinar Conventionnes thairof, wald be heavelie compleanit
upon and regratit to Ms Majestie ; for, semg we have full powar
and expres charge of Chryst, the onfie King of his Kirk, to meit
and convein togidder for the government thairof, and hes our ordi-
narie Conventiones annes ' in the yeir at least, and ofter pro re nata,
approven be his Majestie in his lawes and actes of Parliament,
(Pari. 1592, Act 1,) wharfor sould our meittings depend on licences,
letters, and proclamationes, namfie whM uther esteattes, as of Bar
rones and Brouches, ar permitted to use ther privUage frefie ? SaU
the Kirk of Jesus Chryst be les regardit, and restranit in hir fre
dome and privUage, m a setlit and constitut esteat, under the pro-
tectioun of a rare Christian Magistrat ? God forbid !
" FMafie, my deir BreitMing, charitie and the love of CMyst
comands me to mak yow warning be my experience, that M all your
speitches yie respect the trew profit of the Kirk, and of Ms Majes
tie's esteat joyMt thairwith, and nocht present pleasuring. Now,
the trew profit is that quMlk hes the warrand m the Law and the
Prophetes, whowsoever the reasone of men tMnk of it. We soMd
be the mouthe of God to aU. His law soMd be m our fippes, and
trew wisdome M our mouthes. Our speitches soMd be the speitches
and oracles of God. And, as the lawers sayes, It is scham to speak
without a law ; mikle mair, say we, It is scham befor God and his
angeles, and befor the Kirk of God, to the dispensator of the hea
rinfie mysteries, to speak without Scriptoure and warrand of the
Word of God. Tak head to this, utherwayes, when God beginnes
to tak yow asyde and racken with yow, and ley on his hand, as I
thank Ms fatherfie affectioun he hes done with me, yie wM detest
from your hart the facionnes of tMs warld ; the wisdome of fleche
and bhrid, the exemple and maner of domg of tMs tyme in speciall ;
yea, yie rill repent and rew 2 that ever yie knew or foUowed tham.
"In conclusioun, I ley down at your feit my Commissioun, as
the pynnour 3 does his burdMg when he is owerleyed.4 It hes spendit
that wharon my numerous famMe soMd have bein sustemed ; it hes
1 Once. ' Rue, regret. 2 Carrier, porter. « Over-loaded.

494 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1601.
greivit my mynd continuafie, and now, in end, it hes brought me in
extream danger of my lyff; wharfor I beseik you burdmg me na
mair with it, unles yie wald have my sMne. Now, the Lord Jesus,
of the sam love that moved Mm to giff Ms lyff for his Kirk, govern
and keipe the sam fra the poUutionnes of this last age ; and mak us,
and aU the laborars within the sam, ever myndfuU of that grait day
when he sail com and caU us to a compt of our dispensatioun. Amen.
From the bed of my Mfirmitie, the 12 of May, 1601."
Whowbeit, the King conceaMt this Letter, and wald nocht suffer
it to be red, yit he foUowit the advys of the first part thairof, and
renewit the Covenant, to the grait confort of aU the Kirk at that
Assembfie, and ordeanit the sam to be done tMowout the land.
The King ther, as I hard, maid a confortable confessioun of his
sinnes and Ms fathe ; and promesit, maist weghtelie and solemnlie,
to abhor aU Papistrie, Idolatrie, and Superstitioun, and to five and
die in the trew ReMgioun wherin he was brought upe, and whUk
was pretched and professit within Ms realme of Scotland presentfie ;
also to execut justice, and do aU dewties of a godfie and Christian
King, better then ever befor.

A MEMORIALL EUCHARISTIC AND EUCTIC, EFTER MY SEIKNES,
IN THE YEIR 1601.
Amangs the mUfiones of Thy mercies, Lord,
WbUks Thow hes heaped on me aU my dayes,
This benefit of freche1 I mon2 recorde,
To steire me up to thankfulnes alwayes.
For even as Nature dytts,3 and aU men sayes,
He is a wratche unworthie of the light,
Wha is mgrat, and namfie in Thy sight.
1 Of new. ' Must. 3 Dictates.

1601. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 495
And first, for to recompt my cearfuU case :
I was about the tryaU of my lyf,
The quhilk, as I may justfie say, alase !
I fand of everie sM exceiding ryf.1
I thank Thy grace, with batteU, greiff, and stryf,
But oftentyms ouerwhelm'd, ouercom, and win,
Be Sathan's slight, the wicked warld, and sin.
For wMlk I fasted, pray'd, and meditat
Upon the Word foil oft and ernestlie :
I did indure the chastisments I gat,
And used my self M godlie companie.
For aU tMs, fra my self I coMd nocht flie,
But fand a woundrouse force that did withstand,
And oftest sM to have the upperhand.
Then said I, Lord, I sie tiler's na remead2
For to put end to this offending Thie,
AU meanes I use m vean ! It's oMie dead3
That wM releive me of this miserie.
Therfor, O ! Lord, gif Thow may pleased bie,
Cut af 4 thir smfull dayes and tak me hame ;
Na graitter gift nor5 this I can acclame.
Thus, efter praer, I panset6 a whyle on deathe,
And thoucht it passmg sweit to tMnk upone,
TM I perceaved an altering M my breathe,
With schuddring caMd and gantmg ; 7 then anone
I hasted hame, because I was alone,
And cal'd for chamber, fyre, and bead fra hand,8
And skarslie now upon my feit might stand.
1 Very plentiful. 2 Remedy. 3 Death. * Off. * Than. 6 Thought, pondered
on. Fr. penser. 7 With cold shivering and yawning. s Bed, immediately.

496 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1601.
I went to bead, and on my borit atteans,1
A crewaU fiver2 ther upon me seas' d,
WUk brunt upon my fleche, my blMd and beans ; 3
That I supposed now it haid Thie pleas'd
Of aU my troubles me for tM have eas'd,
Be sendMg deathe, the messmger of grace,
To tak mie hame unto my resting place !
This message, whM I gladfie did abyde,
ConcludMg with my self assuredfie,
Be grait McressMg seames4 M my syde,
In my conceat it was a pleurasie ; 5
And sa mdeid it kythe6 at last to bie,
And past sum critik dayes withoutin cure ;
Whilk maid me think my deathe wes feUon sure.7
I thank Thy grace a houndreth thowsand syse,8
I was resolrid and hartfie weM content ;
Yit, lest tfie meanes of lyff I soMd dispyse,
Tfiey for the Doctor and Chirurgian sent ;
Thow lukked sa,9 they cam Mcontinent,
And cairfuUie on mie they did thair cure,
Bot O ! that whyU what pean did I Mdure !
O pean ! the ghen,10 the torment, and the rak,
Whow sear ll art thow to sMie fleche and blude !
Whow vexes thow the head, the hart and bak !
But pruff thy preass can nocht be understude.12
WhUs on thow raisches with thy schowrs sa rude,
Ther is na reste in bodie nor in mynd,
Nor nought can please the pitifuMe pynd.13
1 On my whole frame at once. 2 Fever. 3 Bones. * Soreness,
feeling of pain. 5 Fever of the pleura. 6 Proved, turned out. 7 Very certain.
8 Times fold. 3 Caused it so to befall. 10 The rack or torture ; from 0. Fr.
Gehenne, Lat. Gehenna. " Sore, painful. ,2 Without. experience, thy pressure
cannot be understood. 13 Subjected to lingering pain.

111111601. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 497
I thought it sweit with deirest deathe to ludge,
Yit felt the passage peanfMl, soure, and hard,
I wald have fean bein at my last refuge,
Bot pean and searnes stirring me debar'd.
I lyked nocht for to reteire sa nar'd,1
Bot all men's love to five did me aUure,
And murmng flock, wherof I had the cure.
For frinds and flock for me did fast and pray,
The pyn'de, the weidow, and the fatherles
Did cry on Thie, and sobbing sear did say,
" Delyver, Lord, our helper from distres !"
(Bot I, alas ! my God, unwortMe was,
For I am nought, and Thow art aU m mie,
To whom perteines all praise aeternalie.)
Thus Thow did move thair hart, and hard thair praer,
And blest the meanes was used to mak mie heall ;2
My seiknes ceased dayfie mair and mair,
TM now aU force of fiver cleM did feaU.3
Bot efter M my hand began to beaU4
A crewaU catarh, working mUtle wa,
Bathe mynd and bodie was tormentit sa.
My mynd was vex't with strange imaginations,
My bodie haM tormented was with pean,
WhUk did aryse of sympathetic passions,
And na remead M man did now remean.
Then I on Thie, my God, to caU was fean,
And maid my. prayer in sa ern'st a ways
As I hope to remember aU my days.
To memorie I cal'd quhilk I had taught,
And meditat into my mynd full oft ;
1 Narrowed, straitened. 2 Whole. » All symptoms of fever abatuj
* Suppurate. This appears to have been an inveterate kind of boil in the hand
2 I

498 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1601.
" (God's Word beleive, when ever it's teatch'd we aught,
Bot then it's best, when it is deirest coft ! l
We aU in ease ar lothsome, weak, and soft ;
Bot when the cross maks fleche to feM the neid,
Then is the Word right stedable indeid !")
The speciaU poMct was, whow the Lord susteins
His awm M tym of thair maist sharpe tentations ?
Withe pitie grait, and mercie he tham meins,
Induring thair extremitie and passions.
Syn, efter pruff and tryaU of vexations,
He tham releives, and gives tham rest in end,
With graitter pleasure nor ever they war pen'd.
The praer was ithe,2 the practise verie hard,
For to beleive and weat3 withe patience,
Sic greivous pean tormented me, and mard
That I could skarsfie keip me but4 offence,
Till neir dispearing, void of confidence,
Thow turn'd Thy face, and gave a pleasand blink,5
QuhUk pers't my hart, and deipfie ther did sink.
Me thoucht I saw Thyne eis with mortaU sight ;
But weM I wat I felt th' effect Mdeid,
For wha had said, " to pass an uther Mght
Thow saU have strainthe," I wald have thought they leid.6
And yit that luik began atteans7 to breid
Sic courage, confort, strynthe, and patience,
As I have ever to praise Thyne exceUence.
As Sydrak, Misak,8 and Abednego,
Ley in the flaming furnace frie of harme,

i

1 Bought. 2 Constant, steady. This is the same word with eident, ithind,
and ythan. 3 Wait. 4 Without. s Look, glance. 6 Lied.
7 At once. 8 Shadrach, Meshech.

11601. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 499
Sa foUie was I fenc'd agamst my fo ;
That thouche as fyre, sa birring was myn arme,
I lut it ly,1 as it had bein bot warme ;
And fuU sax dayes mdurit patientlie,
TM Thow at last with joy releived mie.
Let ame judge whow grait my pean coMd bie :
When fourtie dayes ar folfie past and spent,
And yit the mater rinnes aboundantlie
Out of my hand, and litle does relent ;
AU praise to God wha mad me patient,
Wha weM wM cure tMs, and aU uther wonde,
That I for ever his benefits may sounde!
And, to confes the treuthe unto Ms glore,
I find ten faMd of joy and pleasure sweit ;
Mair then my seiknes and my pean before,
Bathe M my bodie, and M to my spreit.
Lord, put in mie thouchts, words and warks that's meit,
To be a lasting sacrifice to Thie,
Of thankfolnes, even to the day I die !
Lord, mak tMs lyff, be seiknes sa perseu'd,
And keep by TMe, stM serve unto Thy glore ;
Lord, mak tMs lyff, that's sa be Thie reneue'd
A new lyff, for to praise TMe more and more ;
Lord, let the ritches of Thy mercies store,
Thus in sic plentie powred upon mie,
Be to Thy praise and glore asternafie !
And sen from hopped herbrie2 1 mon3 now
Lainche furthe again into the stormie sies ;

1 I suffered it to lie. 2 From the wished-for haven. » Must.

500 MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 1602.
I humblie pray Thie, Lord, Thyne eare to bow,
And grant to me as Thow kens best agries,
Me to preserve in aU difficMties :
And cause mie syne aryve in to that port,
Whar Thy redefined maks ther best resort.
Thy frie and constant Spreit, O Lord, therefore,
Foir Jesus' seak, whom Thou'rt weill content,
Set m my sauU : that dewfie tM adore
Thie God, M Chryst, by Him I may be bent,
To surfie trust, and rightfie to repent
To rin my course, and ply my voyage out,
TM I be saved and past aU kynd of dout.
And, namfie, sen the quarreU of Thy Chryst,
Withm this Land, requyrs a dewtie
Of doing, suffring, manie turn and tryst,
Myn instant sauU beseiks uncessantfie,
First, what Thow wM, that I may planfie sie,
Syn to be stout, withe readie upright hart,
Amangs the rest to play an honest part !
FINIS.

Merch, 1602.
I.
QUATORZAIN.
Skarse fra my right syd past the pitius pean
Of pungent Pleuresie, when Catarha
Maist curstlie kyth hir force to have me slean,
Syn soone cam on this crewaU Colica.

1 11602. MR J"AMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 501
In this respect amangs tham warst of a',
Because she setles sa in my left syd,
That moneths ten can nocht hir weare awa,
Bot stUtand still she stubbornlie does byd.
And namfie when I think I may confyd
Sa in my helthe, that I may do my turns,
Sic greivus gripps she malts me tiU abyd,
Of seiknes seare, that aU wha sies me murns.
But, Lord, sen they ar pledges of Thy Love,
Draw me be tham to Chryst in heaven above !

I.
DIXATN.
Lykas the ragMg tempests M the sie
Does crose the course of merchants, M sic sort
That they ar fean to yeUd, and let it bie,
And cast about, and seik the neirast port :
Sa when I'm set my peiple to confort,
And for my sauUes ease to serve my God,
This crewaU Colic gives me batteU mort,
And dmgs me dead when I wald be abrod.
But sen sic stormes ar send from God alone,
Lord, grant contentment, " Let thy wUl be done 1"
AMEN.

END OF THE DIARY.

TRUE NARRATIOUNE

THE DECLYNEING AIGE OF THE KIRK
OF SCOTLAND.

FROM M.D.XCVI. TO M.DC.X.

CONTINUATION

MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY.

A TRUE NARRATIOUNE

DECLYNEING AIGE OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND.

The Church Uotversall is likened unto a birthfuU mother, and
the ParticMar Churche unto the daughter of the samyne ; of the
quhilk the birth, growth, and declyneing is the matter of Ecclesias
ticaU Histories. Our Kirke of Scotland being one of thaise, and I
about to wrytt the Historie thairof, I doe most humbly besiche God
Mr Father, and Jesus Chryst hir spouse, the onfie wisdome and ve
rity, that I may doe the same wysely and truely ; suppressing
nothing of the truth that is materiaU, and expressmg notMng that
saU nocht be neidfuU for His glory, and the good and true Mforma-
tioun of the posteritie : Protesting befoir His dreidfuU Majestie, in
aU submissioun, humMtie, and sinceritie, that what I doe is from
the uprycht intention of my heart, without wavereing to the rycht
or left hand, for feir or favour of oney, saife Jesus Christ above aU ;
quhose caus to forder or advance with any leies quhatsumerir, I
doe account it a detestable and sacriligious boldness !
The aige of The Kirk of Scotland, since scho wes brought out
of the darkness of Paperie to the Reformation begun in Scotland, the

506 THE CONTINUATION OF 1596.
clear light of the GospeU, has been now sa perfect jubilee of sevin
sevMe1 yeares, from the yeir of hir Lord's Mcarnation 1560, unto
this present year 1610. 2 The mfancie quhairof wes admirable, the
growth to hir full perfectioun was McomparabM M any kmgdome ;
and so this doolfuU decay, in this almaist dying aige, most pitiftdl
and most lamentabM. Her mfancie, most happie M ahnost blessed
tyme, hath been most exceUentlie, boith for truth and styUe, com
mitted to wrytt. Her perfectioun, just according to the paterne
schawin by God to the Prophettis and AposteUes upon the Mon-
taines of SMay and Sion : In doctrine and discipfine, without any
mixture from Babylon, or that city sett on seven MUs, 3 or from
the poficie of man's braine, hath bein, for sinceritie, truth, and
fibertie, thaise mony yeires, of aU Kirks, in aU the kmgdoms of
Europe, with admiration beholdmg and looking upon ; faire as the
morneing, cleir as the mone, pure as the soone in the eyes of hir
freMds, and dreidfrdl as ane armie feghting4 under ane banner, to
aU hir enimies ! And, now, necessitie is laid upon me, with sor-
rowfuU heart and drouping eyes, to sett doun the declyneing aige
thereof, s wMch took the sensibill begiMng at that EvM Synod, the
serintein day of December, in the yeir of our Lord 1596 ; and
haith continewit, from eriU to worse, unto this present yeir, 1610 ;
as the true Narratioun subsequent saU mak mamfest.
M.D.XCVI.
The Kirk of Scotland having obteMednot oMy Mr DoctrMe, bot
Mr Discipfine and Governement, confirmed, ratified, and approven
by the King's Majestie and quhoU Estaites of the realme ; first, se
verafie, by subscribeing and sweireMg to his Majestie's Confessioune
of Faith tuo dyverse tymes, viz., in the yeir 1581, and m the yeir
1 Seven times seven years complete. 2 " This History written in 1610."—
Note on Margin of Advocates' MS. Rob. III., 2, 12. 3 Rome, the mystical Ba
bylon. 4 " Marching" in the other MSS. 6 " Handles only the Declining State
of the Church, from the year 1596. "—Margin of Adv. MS. Rob. III., 2, 12.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 507
1590 ; and thairefter by the Estates, solemnelie assembled in Par
liament, haldin in Edinburgh in the moneth of June in the yeir
1592 ; and by the frie and powerfuU walding of the tuo-edgit Rom-
phaia, ' put in the mouth of hir Ministers, and force of the bands of
discipfine joyned therwith ; and, namely, in hir GeneraU Assemblies
and Presbyteries, scho had gotten the Apostate Earles, Huntlie,
Angus, and ArroU, 2 with the heMis of that Papiste factioune ex-
peUed the realme, 1594 ; and that most speciaMe, for that forraMe,
unnaturaU, and treasonabM conspiracy with the Spainyairds, scho
didbegMne, with true thankfuUnes, seriouslie to seike God and the
obedience to the haM wM of Christ, Mr spouse, according to the
perfect lawis and ordmances of Ms kingdome, now fully estabfischit :
And, first, at the GeneraU Assembly holdMe at Edinburgh, M the
moneth of Marche 1596, scho tryed exactfie Mr haUl memberes;
searcheMg out the corruptioune of aU estaites, ordoures, and offices ;
preischMg to abofishe and wasch them away by the fire and wattir
of the blood3 and Spirit of God ; and, for that effect, had the doc
trine dayfie soundmg mychtifie, with humifiatioune, fasting, and
prayer, confessing hir sinnes, and caMng for mercie and grace to
amend ; and sua reneweing and binding upe the Covenant maid to
God in Jesus Christ. 4
The Excercise beginMng M the GeneraU Assemblies passeth by
directioune thereoff to aU the ProvinciaU Presbyteries and particu
lar Sessiounes and Paroches of the realme, and was cairftdfie keip-
ed dureing the sonimer and harvest sessioune thairefter, to the
gryt joy, comfort, and edMcatioune of all such as feired God and
loved the Lord Jesus Christ ; . and I am certame, by the experience
found m my selff and maney others present in thaise meittinges,
that the Assemblies of the saintes in Scotland wes nevir more beauti-
foU and gloriouse by the manifold and mightie graces of the pre
sence of the Holy Spirit ; and sua nevir moir acceptabffl to the
1 The reading of this passage in the two Advocates' MSS. is as follows : " And by
the free and powerfull pleading of the High God." 2 Adv. MSS. incorrectly read
" Atholl." The Earl of Errol is the person alluded to. 3 Adv. MSS. " Word."
* Adv. MSS. " Maid againe with God and Christ Jesus.''

508 THE CONTINUATION OF 1596.
Lord and Heid, and profitabiU to everie one of hir true members,
nor wes at thaise times ; as the deductioune of the particular
actiounes extant in the Buikes and stories of thaise Assemblies will
testMe to the posteritie.
Thaise indeavores so enraged the Papistes and politictes,1 that
thei searched out aU the ceUars of Acheron, and in verie deid raised
the very devM for the Msturbance thairoff. The Papistes proving
that thair wes na being for him in Scotland, iff that course schould
continue, the pofitictis, feiring tfieir craft and tread schorid be un
done, quhUk is to use MdMerently aU men and meMes to effectuate
their proffectes, and set thame seMes upe, and it were M the throne
of Christ him selff : So, in the monethe of Auguste the King was
movit m the CounseU at FaUtland to decerne the recaveing haim
the excommuMcated and forfalted traitoures, apostat Earles, then
to make choise of eight persounes,2 viz. : Alexander Seaton, Prior of
Pluscarty,3 Walter Stewart, Prior of Blantyre, Mr John LMdsay,
Mr Thomas HamUtone, Mr James ElpMnstone, Mr John Skeene,
Mr David Carnigy, and Mr Peter Young of Seton, quhairof the
cMefFe were much suspected of Papistrie, caUed Octavians, quho
schould have the cMeffe matters and effaires of tfie Kingdome hafilie
concredited 4 to them ; and thairwithaU the Countesse of Huntly,
ane professed obstinat Papist, to be resident at the Court, and haiff
the governement of the Queine's persoune, or cheife attendance and
caire upon hir. These things effectuat in the moneth of October.
The Commissionaris of the GeneraU Assembly, bemg put in just
feir, wer moved to meit together at Edmburgh, in the monethe of
October ; quhair they resolved to abide and continue tM they had
usit aU meines that lay in them for preventmg of so dangerous at
tempts to the Kirk, and estait of all the realme, not omitting dayfie
to deille with the Kinges Majestie and CounseU annent these pro
ceedings, and making the doctrine from pMpits stranglie to sownd
1 Politicians. 2 University MS. reads, " And therfoir called ' The Octa-
viannes,'" — but does not give their names. 3 Pluscardine. ' Entrusted.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 509
agamst thame, that no privie deafing nor ' admonitioun could take
place for staying thairof.
In the mean tyme, Mr David Blak, a faithfull watchman in the
mmisterie at Sanct Androes, made for warneing to the peiple, in
ane sermone of Ms, from the pMpit at St Androes ; for the quhilk,
without any complaMt of hMi maid aither to the Sessioune or Pres
byterie, or to the Commissionares of the GeneraU Assembfie, he was
summond at ane certame day to compear before the King and
CounseUe, at Edinburgh, quhair the Commissionares of the Gene
raU Assemblie beMg sitting, he advysethe with hfin self and tham
quhat to doe ; and be the commoune advyse, and consent, and
counseU of the haM MiMsterie that conveMed with the said Com
missionares, he was moved to give m a Declynatour, in wryt, sub
scribed by the hands of aU, schawing, by maney Mvmcibffl reas-
souns out of the Word of God, that the King and CounseU coMd
not be Judges to the Mmisteris of God their doctrMe utterit from
pulpit, in prima instantia. A coppie of the quhilk Declinature, for
the mair weght and strenth, wes with aU diUigence sent by the
Commissionaris of the GeneraU Kirk to everie Presbyterie [and]
tMough every Prorince of the realme, and returmt againe to them
subscribed by the hands of every severaU Minister in Scotland ;
with humble and earnest exhortatioun to his Majestie's CounseU
to use the ordour prescryved by the Word of God, constitutiounes
of the Kirk, and established by the lawis and practise of the reahne.
The tennor of tMs Decfinature2 foUowis:
1 "Dreiding or." University MS. « This very important paper is omitted
in both of the MSS. belonging to the Advocates' Library. It has, however, been
preserved in the University MS., and has also been printed in Calderwood's' Hist
fol. edit., pp. 353, et seq.
It may be remarked here, that very few of the Original Papers have been preserved
mthe two transcripts belonging to the Faculty of Advocates, both of which have
been very carelessly copied ; but it is satisfactory, that by a collation of the three
MSS. a pretty correct text has now been adjusted.  Editor.

510 THE CONTINUATION OF 1596.

THE DECLYNATOUR OF THE KING AND COUNSELLE'S JUDGMENT IN
MATTERES SPIRITUALL, NAMELY, PREICHING OF THE WORD, GIVIN
IN TO THE SAME, ATT HALIRUDHOUSE, BE MR DAVID BLAK,
MINISTER AT SATNCT ANDROES, IN HIS AWIN NAME, AND IN NAME
OF HIS BRETHEREIN OF THE MINISTRIE, THE AUGHTETN DAY OF
NOVEMBER 1596.

Decretal. Lib. 5, cap. 5.
Quod latenter aut per vim vel alias illicite introductum est nulla
stabilitate debet persistere.

Calvinus Farello.
Expecti sumus quam difficile sit eos moderari quae viam sapiential
opinione desipuunt pariendo tandem eluctabimur interea gernma-
mus ferentes quae corrigere non licet.
" Unto your Majestie and Lordis of Secrete CounseU, in aU reve
rence in Christ, humblie meMes,1 1 Mr David Blak, MMister of the
EvangeU at Sainct Androis, That quhair I am chargit be your
Highnes' Letteris to compeir and answer for certain unrevereand,
unfamous, and undecent speiches, aUedgit be me utterit in some of
my sermones maid in pubfict, in the Kirk of St Androis, in the
monethe of October last bypast, 1596; as at more length is conteined
in the said Letteris : Quhairin, albeit the conscience of my innocen-
cie uphaldis me sufficientfie againes quhatsumever calumnies of men,
and that I am readie, by the assistance and grace of my God, to
give ane Confessioune, and [stand] to the defence of everie point of
the treuthe of [my] God, utterit be me in the said sermones, aither
in the opining up of his Word, or application thairof, befoir your
Majestie or Councel, or quhatsumevir persoun or persounes that
upon any lawful! cause will craiffe ane account of that houpe that
1 Complains.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 511
is in me, in quhatsumerir place or .maner, so far as salbe requisit
for cleiring and mamtinance of the treuthe and of my ministerie,
and may be done without the prejudice of that libertie quhUk the
Lord Jesus hes given and establischit in the spirituaU Office-bear-
reris of his kmgdom : Yet, sieing I am brought at tMs time to stand
befoir your Majestie and CounseU [as a Judge] set to cognosce and
decerne upon my doctrMe, quhairthrow my answering to the preten-
dit accusatioune might finport with the manifest prejudies of tfie
liberties of the Kirk, and acknowledgement also of your Majestie's
jurisMctioun in matteres that ar meir spirituaU, quha mycht move
your Majestie to attempt forther in the spirituaU government of
the House off God, to the provocatioune of Ms holie l displeasure
agames your Majestie ; and m end, ather a plam subverting of the
said SpirituaU Judicature, or at least a confoundmg thairof with
the civil, if at oney time prophaM and ambitiouse Magistrats mycht
by such dangerous begmnmges finde tfie hedge brokine [downe] to
mak a violent irruptioune2 upon the Lord's inheritance, quMUt the
Lord forbid ! Thairfor, I am morid with3 all humMtie and submis-
sioune of mynd, to use a Decfinatour of this judgment, at the least,
in prima instantia ; quhUk I beseik your Majestie earnestlie to con
sider of and accept. AccordMg to justice : For the Reassounes
foUowmg. " First, The Lord Jesus, the God of ordour, not of confusion, as
apperis evidently M aU the Kirkes of Ms Sainctis, and of quhom onfie
I haM [the grace of my] caMng, as his ambassadour, albeit moste un-
wortMe of that caMng and honour to beir Ms Name amonges his
saincts, he hes given me his Word, and no law or traditioune of men
as the only instructiounes quhairby I schoMd rewle the haU ac
tiounes of my caMng, preiching of the Word, administratioune of the
Sacramentes4 thairof, and excerceise of Discipfine; and in the dis
charge of Ms commissioune I cannot faU in the reverence of any
civiU law of man; but m sua far as I salbe found to5 pas the com-
1 Cald. Hist. " Hote." « Univ. MS. " Corruptioune." 3 Cald His(.
" Constrained us." ' Cald. Hist. " Seales." f Cald. Hist. '" Have

°" THE CONTINUATION OF 1596.
passe of my instructiounes, quMUt can not be judgit, according to
the order estabMscMt by that God of ordour, bot be his prophetes,
quhoise lypes he hes oppMed, and appoynted to be the keipers of
his heavenfie wisdome, and to quhUk he has subjected the spmtis
of the propheitis. And now, sieing it is the preiching of the Word
quhairoff I am accusit, quhMt is a principaU poynt of my calling,
of necessitie it must be that the propheitis first cleir2 qurither I
haiff keipit the boundis of my directiounes befoir I cum to be judgit
be ypur Majestie's power3 for my offence.
" Secondly, Because the Libertie of the Kirke and haM Discipline
thereof, according as the same has bein and is presently excerceised
witMn the boundis of your Majestie's realme, hes bein confirmed
by diverse actis of parfiament, and approved by the Confessioune
of Faith, be the subscriptiounnes and oathes of your Majestie, your
Majestie's Estaites, and haM bodie of the contrie, and peceablie
brooked be the Office-beirares of the Kirke in aU poyntes; and
namely, in the foresaid poynt annent the JuMcatorie of the preich
ing of the Word, in prima instantia ; as the practeis of diverse kit
exemples evidentfie wffl schaw. Thairfoir, the questioune annent
my preicMng aught, first, according to the grounMs and practise
foirsaid, be judgit be the EcclesiasticaU Senat, as the competent
Judge thairof, in prima instantia.
" In respect quhairoff, and for diverse other weightie causses and
consideratiounes, namefie, for eschewmg the gryt and dangerous
inconveniences that myght both faU out to the Religioune and to
your Majestie's awin Estaite by the appeirance of distractioune of
your Majestie's affection from the Ministrie and good cause of God
in their hands, to the greiff of your Majestie's best subjectes, and to
the encouragment of the adversaries, boith of your Majestie's Estate
and Religioun. Thairfoir, I most humblie beseche your Majestie,
in name of my Breitherein the Commissionaris of the GeneraU As
semblie, and tfie remanent of the Breitherein of the Mmisterie, quho,
for testifieing of thair earnest affectioune and allowance of the pre-
1 Cald. Hist. " Must first deciair." 2 " Of your Majestie's lawes." Cald. Hist.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 513
misses, hes subscryved tMr presents with their handis, that your
Majestie, in this action, would manifest your earnest cair to men-
tem that fibertie quMlk the Church of Christ withm the countrie,
for the confort of his srintis, with so gryt blessing enjoyed, sMce
the GospeU was first revealed in tMs land, wheretMough the god
fie may be comforted, the adversaris frustrated of their expecta-
tioune, and your Majestie tndy honoured, M honouring the Lord
Jesus." TMs moved the Kmg and CounseU so, that by oppm proclama-
tioune, contememg a most scandalous narratioune agamst the MMi
sters of the Kirk and their proceidmges, the Commissionaris of the
GeneraU Assembfie wer commandit to avoid ' the toune, and goe
home to thair places, witMn aught and fourtie houres. The qubilk
commandement, efter they had directed lettres to aU the Presbyteries
of the land concernemg thair proceecfinges, and the cause of thair
departour, they humbly obeyed ; the coppie of the charge foUowes :
[CHARGE AGAXNST THE MINISTERS, &C.]
" James, be the grace of God, King of Scotis, To 
Messengers, our Shereffis M that pairt, conjunctfie and severaUie,
speciaUie constitut, greiting : ForsomeUtle as we, with consent of our
thrie estaitis of our parliament, M the yeire of God 1584, undir-
stanMng that gryt MconveMence and harme has faUM M our reahne
throw the wicked and licentious privat and pubfict speiches of un
true calumneis of diverse his subjects, to the disdam and contempt
of our ConseU and proceidmges, and to the dishonour of us, ourpa-
rantis, and progenitouris, and estaite ; steiring upe of our subjectes
thairby to mislykmg, seuitioune, unquyetnes, and to cast off all
thair due obedience to us, to thair awin evident perreU, tmsell, 2 and
distructioune, we alwayis concurring m love and clemencie towardis
1 Retire from. 2 Loss. '2 K

514 THE CONTINUATION OF 1596.
our subjectes, and maist wUfing to seike tfiair saifetie and preser-
vatioune : Tfiairfoir, it wes then statuted and ordamed be us and
our estaites of parfiament, that non of our subjectes, of quhatsum-
ever functioune, or degrie or quafities, in tyme comemg, schould
presume nor tak upon hand, privatlie or pubficfie, m sermones, de-
clamatiounes, or farMliar conferences, to utir any slanderous speiches
to the disdam, contempt, and reproche of us, our Conseles and pro-
ceidMges, or to the dishonour, hurt, and prejuMce of us, our parentes
and progenitouris, to meddeU with the effaires of us and our estait,
present, bygame, or to come, under the pames conteined in our
actes of parliament, agaMes the mockers and tellers of fies betuix
us and our subjectes, qubilk is the paM of death; certifieing thame
that soMd be found contravemeres thairoff, or that heires sick slan
derous speiches, and repeitis not the same with diUigence, the same
salbe execute againes thame with aU rigor, m example of utheris;
as m the aught parfiament foirsaid, 1584 yeiris, at lenth is con
tained ; in the quMlk also, be ane uther act, our royaU power above
aU estaites, boith spirituaU and temporaU, wes estabMiscMt ; and
thairfoir, it wes ordamed, that no persoune, functioune, or degree,
spirituaU or temporaU, schoMd declyne our judgment M any materes
ofseditioune or of treassoune, orofuthiriscivMor criminaU causses,
or M any contumelious, seditious, or tressonable speiches uttired
be thame in pMpites or scoofis, or uthirwayes, to the disdaine, re-
proch, and contemp of us, our CounseU and proceidinges, undir the
prin of tressoune, as the said uther act at mair lenth is conteined :
And by reassoune the said wicMt and licentious forme of speiches,
pubfict M sermones and pMpites, and meddling with the estait day
fie mcreasses, be impugmnge of loveabffl actes of parfiament, Coun
seU, and proclamatiounes foUowMg thairupoune, with our loveahul
decreitis in cirill materes givin with advyse of our NobMtie and
CounseU, royaU power and auctoritie, m aU civM and crhninalle
matteres of seditioune and treassoune, bemg brought in doubt and
qusestioune, as thought we wer not Judge to any speiches, of quhat
sumerir quafitie, uterit in pMpit, or that the said place for utiring

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 515
of God's Word, m truth and in veritie, schould be a girthe ' and im-
munitie to false, seditious, and tressonabUl words, and a caus of de-
clynemg of our Judgement thairin ; as also the samyn is most ne
gfigentfie sufferit be the auMtouris thairof; testifyeing thairby, in a
maner, they consent, speciafie be the Magistrates and men of power
to quhom the executioune of aU gMd lawis, and mrintenance of our
auctoritie properfie pertemes : Thairfoir, it is statute and ordained,
that Uk Schereff, Stewart, Baffles of our Regalities, Provest, Bafflies
and Counseffis withm Burghes, Nobffl men, Barrounes, and GentU
men of power to landwart, and Uk ane of thame, conjunctlie and
severafiie, quho saU be present auditores and hereres of any sic false
and seditious, or treasonabffl speiches foirsaids, respective, and sail
not apprehend, keip, and detem the heireres thairof, quho saU suffir
the utirer to speik pubfictlie any mair withm the bounds and juris-
dictioune foirsaid : And that lettres be directed be us, at our Advo-
cattis mstance, chairging the said Baffles, Stewartis, &c, Uk ane of
thame respective, to put our said act of parliament, and this our pre
sent act, to dew executioune, undir the paffl foirsaidis, witMn aught
and fortie houris eftir iUt ane of thame be chargit thairto, undir
the paine of rebeMoune ; and if they faffie, to denunce, &c. : And
that the tryaU thairof saU come M maist summarfie, suspensioune,
by way of supplicatioune and chairge to ane messinger, to summond
the said Advocate the morne efter the chairge be obtefirit be the
pairtie chairgit, and to be desyeit severaffie before us and our Coun
seU, in caice tfie pairtie chargeit deny aU bygane contraventioune,
and offir to find cautioune undir gryte sowmes, M caice he haM bein
found to haUT contraveifflt, and for obedience ffl tyme comemg ;
but 2 prejudice alwayis of our richt and power to seUte forder pames,
sike as paine of lyffe, landis and guidis, competent to us againes
the not reveillares of lyes, seditioune, and treassounj according to
the quafitie of the said speiches respective, quhilk salbe pubfictlie
utterit, and not stoppite and reveiUit3 be the persounes foirsaid
heireres thairoff, conforme to the arid loveabffl lawis and consuetud
1 Sanctuary. a Without. a Stopped and revealed.

516 THE CONTINUATION OF 1596.
of our realme, in pursuite of seMtiounes and treassounabffl persounes.
Our WUl is, &c. : Mak publicatioune heiroff."
The second Decfinatoure of the KMg and Counsales Judicatour
in matteris spirituaU, namely, of the preichMg of the Word, gerin
to the samyne att Edmbruche, the 30th of November, by Mr Darid
Blacke, in Ms awin name and of the haiU MMisterie, quho had
everie ane in their awin persounes subscryved the form ere.1
The next sermone day, quMlk was the 17 day of December, ad
vertisement comes to the Breither m the morneMg, that about ane
hundreth of the best professouris of the burgesses of the towne of
Edfflburgh were commandit to warde, out of the towne ; [and the
favourers of the Papist Earles, their servants, and friends, and
clyents, were flocMng to the toune, and gathering together thereM.2]
The Watchemen,3 as duetie required, maid wairneMg, and after the
sermone requeist the Nobffl men [and Gentlemen4] that wer pre
sent, in the name of Christ, to meit there immediatly in the West
Kirk,5 thair to advyse quhat were meittest to be done for prevent-
Mg Popische attempts. The haffl number gathered and convefflt
thought it maist fitt that a guid number of the best that were thair
schoMd be directed to the Kingis Majestie and CounseU, presently
sitting in the commoune Judgment-place, thair to compleM hum
blie and hearifie of the dischairgmg of the Commissionaris of the
GeneraU Assemblie, and of the trublemg of so mony honnest men
without a causs, and of the libertie and freedome granted to excom
municat tratour Papists.
Traitors, whffl as these wer attending his Majestie's answer, and
the rest of the Nobffl men and GentiU men abyding togider in the
Kirk, and waiting for his Majestie's pleasoure, out comes ane with
a gryt fray, and sayis, " The Papistis ar in armes to tak the towne,
and to cutt all your tMoattis !" Quhairat the Nobffl and GentiU
1 This document is contained in the Univ. MS., but omitted in the others. It is
to be found in Cald. Hist, folio edition, pp. 346-348. 2 Omitted in Univ. MS.
3 The Ministers of Edinburgh. d Note in Univ. MS. 5 The parish Church of
St Cuthbert's, without the walls of the city. Univ. MS. reads, " in the nixt Kirk."

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 517
men, with gryt feir and haste, arose. The tumult raissit, all the
towne gois to armes, and coming togidder to the commone streit
and mercat-place ; but witMn les space nor ane houre of time, by
the MMisters of Edinburgh thair traveU, runneing amongis thair
awM people, and forbidfflg thame, the tumfflt wes stayit without
any hurt or harme to any man. His Majestie by aU wes most reve-
rentfie convoyit from the place of Judgment downe to the Palace
off Hafirudhouse ; quhair, at aftirnoone, the Nobffl and GentiU men
directed to eomplame were attendMg ane answer, by ane messenger
sent by the King and CounseU wer commandit to depart forth of
the towne, and to goe home, within so many houris, to thair places,
under the pame of tressoun. The tumfflt is declairit to be sedi
tious and treasonabffl, and the MMisters of Edinbruche the cheif
autouris thairoff; the burgesses of the towne, the committeres and
aU pairt-takeres of quhatsumerir place or rarfite, gfflltie.
The King with his CounseU makes haist from of Edinbruche to
Lyfflythgow, and thairfra, 20 December 1596, directs chairges to
the Proveist and BaUfies of EdMbruche to apprehend thair four (five)
MMisteres, [viz., Masters Robert Bruce, Walter BalcanquaU, WU-
liam Watsone, James Balfour, and Michael Cranstoune,1] and put
thame M stronge and closse prissoun to abyd thair tryaUs. The
MMisters after advyse with the cMef and wysest of thair flockes,
thought best to ceid 2 and give place to the present furie, and re
serve thame seMis alyve to a better tyme ; mainly tendering his
Majestie's estait, leist he scfioffld be seduced by wicked men and
CounseU to doe that quhilk too lait mycht be repented ; and sua,
eftir the Apologie sett doune in wrytt, they withdrew tham selves
secreitfie, and lurkit by the space of half ane yeare. The tennor
of wMch Appologie foUoweth : 3
1 The names of the five Ministers of Edinburgh are not inserted in Univ. MS.
a Adv. MSS. " To flie." 3 The reader is here referred to the note on p, 522 of this
work.

518 THE CONTINUATION OF 1596.

ANE HUMBILL SUPPLICATIOUNE APOLOGICALL, AND FAITHFULL
ADMONITIOUN, TO HIS MAJESTIE AND COUNSELL, GIVIN AT
THAT SAME TYME BE THE COMISSIONERES OF THE GENERALL
ASSEMBLIE, IN NAME OF THE HAIL KIRKE.
" Pleas your Majestie, and your Lordschips of your Majestie's
CounceU : For alsmeUtle as the GeneraU Assemblie of the Kirk, hal-
dine at Edinbruche in the moneth of Mairch last bypast, consider
ing, that the iniquity of the land in aU estaitis wer aMedie com to
the ffflnes that it coffld not longer suffer a delay of the judgmentis
threattnid againes the contempt of this aige ; and perceringe the
raige of Sataun kendled up aU his instrumentis, alse weill witMn
the contrie as without, that evin then it appeirit that the Lord wes
preparing the scourge of his mdignatioun quhairwith he wald straik
undoutedfie befoir it wer longe ; thairfoir, thai gaif thair commis
sioun to certaine chosMe Breithreme, quho, upon the occasioune of
the approching of the angrie continance of God, mycht assemble
thame selffes togidder, and give thair attendance upoune the Lord's
working, that by thair fidelitie, every ane of thame, in thair awin
caMng, mycht be in the convefflent tyme steirit upe unfainedlie to
turne unto God for preventing of Ms wraith : According to the
quhUk, being heir conveiMt, and finding the foirfaulted, excommu
nicated Earles to be returnit and remainemg within the contray,
and to strenghtene thame selves dayly, by impunitie and ovirsycht,
quhairthorowe they become able to give the concurrance to the for-
raine enemie, in caice of forraine assault, and lykewyis to attempt be
thame selves and thair confederatis within the contray, quhatsum-
ever purpose mycht be prejudiciaU to the Kirke of God and your
Majestie's estait, quhilk is a evident argument of the wraith of the
Lord to be at hand, and moir neir alwyis nor it is apprehendit be
your Majestie: We can nocht, thairfoir, but give your Majestie
faithfoU adverteisment, beseiking your Majestie to give heid thairto
without all preoccupied mind and affectioune, as we be the grace
of God, in sinceritie, love, and humilitie, sail propone the samyne to

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 519
your Majestie : And becaus we, our Presbyteries and Ecclesiasti
caU Judgmentis, ar greviousfie traduced at Tabfflis, Counsel, and
mercat-crosses M publict proclamatiounes, be giveing us out to be
uMawfolly occupyed in devysemg and setting doune of formes,
ruefis, and places, altogidder againest the law of God and man, pre
judiciaU to your Majestie's auctoritie and persoune, to presume
proudly to mak convocatiounes and tumffltis, to intend to brek
your Majestie's peace, the raiseing of truble, seditiounes, and insur-
rectiounes, confusioune, discord, and uther inconvefflentis in your
Majestie's contrie ; seiking offly to cffllour thair doinges under fri-
volus pretences and comissiounes, as thought we war nocht your
Majestie's subjectis, or [your] Majestie hes nocht power to command
us, and to be usurperes of auctoritie ovir our awin brethrein ; to be
carries ovir our flockis, and leafe thame comfortles : QuhUk erymes,
if they mycht justfie be laid to our chairge, we wer of aU your Ma
jestie's subjectis [most] unwortMe to live, lett be to haif the recon-
sfflatioune to the world : And as they ar pubfischit againes us, sua
calumfflousfie thay can proceid from no uther fountane then from
the dregis of anticMistiane sinne, and can tend to no uther end bot
to the disgrace of our holie mMisterie, that thairefter the truth it
sen0 mycht lykwyis faU mto discreidit, and then ane plaine way
mycht be laid oppme to Papistrie or Atheisme, quhilk we beseik
your Majestie to consider and tak heid wysely in tyme, befoir it
com to a kanker that can not be cured. For tMs caus we wer com
peMt, for cleiring of our ministrie, and purging of us of all suspi-
tioune of sick unnaturaU affectiounes and offices towardis your Ma
jestie and the estait of your Majestie's contray, to caU the Gryt
Judge, that knawis the secreitis of aU heartis, and saU give to everie
on accordMg to thair secreite thoughte thairof, to judge betuix us
and the auctouris of aU thaise caUumnies and speiches, befoir
quhoise tribunaU we protest that we haif allwayis borne, now beiris,
and sail beir, God wUfing, to our lyffe's end, alse loyall affectioune
to your Majestie as any of your Majestie's best subjectis within
your Majestie's contrie, of quhatsumevir degrie or ranke, and ac
cording to our powir and caMng, salbe, in the grace of our God,

520 THE CONTINUATION OF 1596.
als readie to procuire your Majestie's wefiair, peace, and advance
ment, as ony . of the best affectionat quhatsumerir : Lykas we
CaU your Majestie's awm heart to record quhair thay haif nocht
found it in effect, sua m your Majestie's streatis ;J and if your Ma
jestie be nocht ftdly perswadit to find the lyk of us aU, if it saU fall
out that 'your Majestie haif occasioune M your difficulties to haif
the tryaU of the effectioune of your subjectis againe, and quhatso-
evir we haif uttirit, ather M our doctrin or uther actiounes to your
Majestie, it hes proceidit from a zealous affectioun to your Majes
tie's welfair, Mx to the honor of God, above aU titingis, as we pro
test; chfflseMg ratMr, be the fibertie of our admoffltiounes, to
hazard our selves then by our sylence to suffir your Majestie, m
the wraith and judgment of God.
" In respect quhairof, we most humblie beseik your Majestie so to
esteim of us and our proceidmges as tendmg aUwyis, m gryt sm-
ceritie of our heartis, to the estabMscMng of RefigMune, tfie suretie-
of your Majestie's estait and croun, quhfflt we acknawledge to be
inseparabiffle conjoyned thairwith, to the eommoune peice and wel
fair of your Majestie's haffl contrie, as the Lord knawes ; and that
your Majestie would earnestfie consider quhat may be the fflten-
tioune and end of such as haif sua subtifie and cautely2 drawm
your Majestie to exagitat thir thornie questiounes, and unnecessar
at sic tymes, quhairin every appeirance of your Majestie and Majes
tie's course from the Mmistrie of the GospeU and Preichours thairof,
will give a dipe wound in your Majestie's subjectis, and ane greit
encouragment to the adversaris, quhairby they may and doutles
wUbe bold to attempt the hightest, in tMs sua greitt advantage
quMlk is presented to us upone tMs occasioune : For we persuade
our selffes, howaoevir the first motioun of the actiones mycht hriffe
proceidit upon ane purpose of your Majestie to haif the limitis of
the SpirituaU jurisdictioune distinguischit from the Civil, yit the
samyne is intertenit and blawin up by the favouris of thame that
ar and saU prove the grytest efflmies that eyther your Majestie or
1 Straits, difficulties. 8 Craftily ; from Fr. cauteller, to deceive or cozen.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 521
causs of God can haiff in this contrie ; titinking heirby to engendir
sik a mislyking betuix your Majestie and the Minisieris as saU by
tyme tak away aU further trust, and make ane divisioun betuix the
irreconcUabffl, quhairby your Majestie mycht tMnke your grytest
friendis, (quMlk the Lord foirbid, for Ms mercie's saike !) as lykwyis
herby to mak your Majestie's affectioune towardis the foirfafflted
Earfis maMfested to the haU world ; as if this heat on your Majes
tie's pairte, agames the MMisterie, had proceidit upoun occasioune of
the Kirke Msisting agames the said Earfis, quhUk, out of aU ques
tioun, is thought alredie, and wUbe thought mair and mair, if your
Majestie insistes further in tMs forme. And further, we maist hum
blie beseik your Majestie, siring thair is no necessitie at tMs tyme,
nor occasioun offirid upon any pairt, to Msist on tfie decisioun of
finpficat and unprofitabffl questiounes and processis, to the dever-
sioun of your Majestie's mtentioun and causses from againes the
adversaries upon the MiMsterie ; albeit yit, be subtffl craft of the
favoureris of the adversaris of your Majestie's quyetnes, sum absurd
and aUmost finpossibUl suppositiounes, (quhilk the Lord foirbid
soffld entir M the heartis of Ms MessMgeris !) be drawm in and urgit
finportunatfie at tMs tyme, as if the seortie ' and pririledge of your
Majestie's crowne [and] auctoritie royal dependit upon the present
decisioun thairof.
" That thairfoir it wald pleis your Majestie to remitt the deci
sioun thairoff to ane lawfuU Assemblie, that mycht discerne thair-
upone according to the Word of God, and not to croach 2 on the
limit of Jesus Christ, under quhatsumerir pretence, and to bend to
your Majestie's actioune, according to the sycht of God, according
to the light he hes girin us M his truth ; that the speciaU caus of
the blissMg that hes remaMit and remaffles upoun your Majestie
and contray, sMce your Majestie's coronatioune, hes bein and is the
libertie quhUk the GospeU hes had witMn your reahne, and of your
Majestie, undir quhatsumerir cuUoure aUedge the same, directfie or
indirectlie, tfie wraithe of the Lord Jesus salbe kendlit againes
1 Surety, stability. 2 Encroach,

522 THE CONTINUATION OF 1596.
your Majestie and kmgdome ; [of J quhilk we haif fore wairnit yow, in
the name of tlje Lord Jesus : That your Majestie's and Counsel's
blood ly not upoun us, chairge, in lykways, your Lordschips of Ms
Majestie's Counsel and NobMtie, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to
give his Majestie feir and faithfoU counsel ; and as MthertUl to the
honour of God and your Lordschips' just paines, ye haif keipit your
selffes, baith in counseling and actioun, from aU prejudice of the
libertie of the Gospel, by laymg ony injunctiounes of the Mini
sterie thairof, sua your Lordschipis wald at this tyme wyisely and
godlUie forsie that they be nocht drawin ffl the guUtines of sic ane
greit sine againes the tMone of Christ, by the craft of sic as hes
bein subtifie seiking the tMaldome of the GospeU, and now wald
laye the guUtines of thair malitious devyces on your LordscMpis as
auctoris of thea1 iniquities, but yit be your advyce and credit, at
his Majestie's hand, all controversies moved thairanent be remitted
to a frie and lawfuU AssembUe, that the samyn may be queitfie reas-
souned and concludit with greit evidence of the Word of God, as
becumes in a matter of sua greit a weight, Mipairting the brawfing
of Religioun estabilishcMt, quhairin we assure our sehTes your Lord
schipis saU doe exceptabffl2 service to God, and profitabiU to his
Majestie and haffl contraye."3
Incontinent thairefter, the Ministeres [were also charged to ap
pear before the King and Councffl the 23 of October, as traitors,
seditious, and convocaters of the leidges. The Ministeres]4 are
denunced rebeUs and put to the home, and so are the speciaUeciti-

1 These. 2 Acceptable. 3 This important document is contained in the
Univ. MS. only. It is followed in that MS. by " A Declaratioon of the Com-
missiounaris of the GeneraU Assemblie, [their] Proceidings annent the Petitioun
proponit be thame to the Kingis Majestie, for ordour taking to purge the land of ex
communicat, idolaterus Earlis, and contraversie fallin out be occasioun thairof ; direetit
be the saidis Commissionaris to everie Presbyterie." That paper being very prolix,
and besides being contained in the folio Edition of Cald. Hist., (pp. 359-363,) and will
of course be printed for the Wodrow Society in the progress of that work, it. has not
been deemed advisable to reprint it here also. The " Deolaratioun " is not preserved
in either of the Adv. Lib. MSS  Editor. * Not in Univ. MS.

1596. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 523
zenes ' and burgesses of the towne of Edinburghe ; the towne is de-
pry ved of hir fibertie, namelie, M chuseing off Magistratis and
Mifflsteres, saiff only sic as it sould please the King to put in over
thame. And thus was the Kirk and towne of Edinburghe, the very
Sioun2 of our Jerusaleme, overthrawin and put at undir !
This successe ovir the toun of Edinburgh emboldit the enemies
so, that publisching ane Book of Questiounes, quhairby the Disci
pfine and Govemement of the Kirke wes maid dispautabffl and
brought m dout ; [whereas the custome of the Kirk wes before, in
aU common matters, and of any importance, after earnest prayer
and searchMg of the Scriptures, evidence of doctrMe, power of ex
hortation, grave reasoMng, and long time taken in consultation, and
good advysement, to conclude and determine aU things, by the uni-
forme consent of the whole Assembfie conveened.3] The KMg wrytis
to the Presbyteries severaMe, and appoyntis ane Conventioune of
the Mmisterie with the Estaites of the realme to be in Pearth, in
the end of Februar, thair to dispute and discyd the Questiounes.
The Mimsterie conveifflng, they were in gryt perplexitie and dout-
sume angfflsch of mynd, for the best saw cleirly that the owirthraw
of the Discipfine and Govemement of the Kirk wes sought, and
thairfoir wald noways condiscend to mak the meitting a GeneraU
Assembfie, or entir M reassounemg of the Questiounes, but remitted
aU to the ordinar GeneraU Assemblie apoyntit in Apryl.
The wisest perceaved that by most dangerous and pernitious
counsel, the Kirk and KMg wes brought to be most aposit, that the
safetie of ane was wraike and undoeing to the other ; and, thairfor,
taMng pity of boith, they thought meittest sumquhat to mitigat the
KMg, and by ane pice of toleratioun to putt off ane eviU tyme.
The gryt number, M the meine tyme, pairtfie terriefied by tfireat-
nefflgs, and pairtfie aUured witfi faire promisses of the restoring
of the MMisterie of Edinburghe, and making all things goe weill,
yit wer brought to Mclyne to the Court ; for thairwithaU gryt bussi-
nes, pames, and pollicie wer usit by courteouris to rent the Mini-
1 Adv. MSS., " Artificers." ' Adv. MSS., "Sun." 3 Not in Univ. MS.

524 THE CONTINUATION OF 1596-
steris ffl contrarie factiounes. Many of the best witts and giftis,
namely, of the North part of Scotland, were brought to the KMg's
presence, and kisses of his handis to quhom complamts wer maid
of the undiscreit, severe, and unreverend usage, pryd, and arrogat
ing of the haU Discipfine of the Kirke of the Sutherene MMisteres,
namefie, of the towne of EdMburgh and St Androis. That the
Northland MiMsters were men of better dispositioune and discre-
tioun, with whom his Majestie being acquantit and haifeing to doe
with, sic things they soffld sie in schort tyme that aU mafteres
schoffld be composed and brought to a gMd poynt, and so fraughtit
with grid hope and Court holye watter, wer sent out to deaU with
the mMtitud that wes of purpose thair assembfit and conveMed out
of the North pairts, in favour of excommunicat Papist Earfis' Articles,
quho sought to be relaxit and restorit againe to the Kirke : So
that, in the end, the greater pairt overcame the best ; and eftir four
dayis deliberatioun and contraverting of the mater, that meitting
wes decernit to be a GeneraU Assembfie of the Kirk ; howbeit the
last Moderator wes absent, no exhortatioun maid at the begMing
thairof; the Clark being laitfie deid, no new [one] wes chosffle ;
no new Moderator wes chosine now : The Assembfie ordinar Gene
raU wes to be keiped in Appryl. They intendit lichtly to dispaut
of sume off the Questiounes, viz., in disputation, referring the rest
to the next GeneraU Assemblie, to be haldine att Dundie in the
moneth of Maye nixt foUowing, and thairwithaU they gaffl commis
sioun to certaine of the Ministeris of the North to receave ' the
offers and takines of repentance of the excommuMcat Earles, and
report to the nixt said Assemblie.2
1 Univ. MS , " Heir." 2 There is a note in Adv. MSS. ; "That which fol-
loweth in this page should preceed the Assembly of Perth. Here should also be in
sert The Book of Questions, and Answers given in thereunto."
In the Univ. MS. there followes "Ane Appollogie or Declaratioune off the
causses that moved the Ministers of Edinburgh to withdraw thame selfes from thair
flockis for a seasone," &c. This has been inserted by Mr Ninian Dunlop, along with
" The Buik of Questiounes," in the Univ. MS., but tbey have already been printed
in a former part of this work. See pp. 374-383, and pp. 390-403.

1597. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 525

M.D.XCVH.
In the moneth of Februar thairefter foUowmg, upon the twentie-
four ' day thairoff, bemg the Saterday, betwixt nyne and ten houris
befoir noone, a maist fearfuU and conspicuous eccfipse of the soun
began, quhilk continfflt the space of tua houris ; for the body of the
moone enterit on that of the sonne. TM the going off the samyn,2 the
haiU face of the sonne semit to be coverit and darknet about haiff ane
quarter of ane houre, so that non coffld sie to reid on a buik : The
starris appeirit M the firmament, and the sea, landj air, and tries sua
stiU stricMn deid, as it war, that upon thair astonishment the faint-
nes of heartis of men and womene, foulis and beistis, were prostrat
to the ground. I knew, out of ephemerides and almanak, the day
and hour of it, as was also, by the naturaU philosopMe, the causses.
I sett my seM to marke the proceidMgis of it m a basMe of watter
mixit with fflke, thinking the matter but commoune ; but yit quhair
it com to the extremitie of darknes, and I my seM lossit aU the
sunne, I was struckm with such feir and astonischment, that I had
no refuge but to prostrat on my kneis, and commend my selff to
God, and to cry for mercie. TMs wes thought by aU the wyiss
and godfie verie prodigious ; so that in pulpit and by wrytting, boith
ffl prose and verse, admoffltiounes wer given to the Ministeres to
be warr that the changeabffl glistering shaw of the world sould not
go m betwix thame and Christe, and remove the lycht of his coun
tenance from Ms Kirk.
That samM yeir, M the moneth of Julij, thair was ane earthquake
quhilk maid aU the North pairtis of Scotland to KintaU,3 Ross,
Cromarty, BraidalbaM, evM doun to Perth, to schaik; even as quhen
KMg Uzzias4 usurpit the preisthood, was the great earthquake in
Judea5 mentioned by the Prophets Amos and Zacharias, Amos i.
4 ; Zech. xiv. 5. Likewayes, ffl the yeir preceedmg, a most mon
strous and feirfuU birth wes brought forth, not farr from the Kingis
1 Adv. MS. "25 day.'' 2 Adv. MS. " Going down of the sun." " Adv.
MSS. " Kintyre." 4 Uzziah, king of Judah. ° Univ. MS. reads " Jordane."

526 THE CONTINUATION OF 1597.
PaUace in FaUtland, in Fyffe. Quhat thais things, and such fike
signes in the herins, as heirefter in thair awin place salbe markit,
did portend and threttin, the wyise and godfie did tak gMd notice
of, and weffl consider, as by their sermounes and monumentis of
their verse wes maid manifest.
It is not to be omitted, that the Bretherine convefflit in that
meitting, being desyrit be the King's Comissionaris sent from Ms
Majestie to that effect, to repair to the place quhair his Hmes and
Estaitis wer presentfie sitting, to confer anent the Kingis Ques-
tiounis, they, at his Majestie's desyr, resorted to the Counsel-hous,
and thair, befoir any further reasoneing, efter the KMg had dis-
coursit on sic thingis as wer propoundit, they protestit in maner as
eftir foUowes -.

[protestation by the brethren to the king's MAJESTY.]
" Sir, Forsuameikle as we ar com heir to testifie unto your Ma
jestie our obedience, to heir quhat salbe proponit to us by your
Hines, in aU reverence we Protest that this our meitting be not
estehned as thought we maid our selff ane Assemblie with the
Estaites, or yit that we doe submitt ony matter Ecclesiastik con-
cernfflg Doctrin and Discipfine to your Judicatour ; but eftir we
have conferrit and reassonit with your Majestie concernmg the
Articles propoundit be your Majestie to us, we must returne to the
ordMarie place of our Assemblies to reassoun, vote and resolve, in
aU tfiese pofflts, accordMg to the Word of God and guid conscience :
And this our Protestatioun we maist humblie beseik your Majestie
to Msert it in your Majestie's Buikis of CounseU, for the eschewmg
of inconvenientis that heirefter may arryse."
And tMs Protestatioun was reiterat, ratified, and confirmit by
his Majestie ; and, after reasouneing on the Articles, the BreitMein
wer demissit.
The GeneraU Assemblie wes holdin at Dundie, the moneth of

1597. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 527
May foUowmg, by the King's Majestie, with great frequencie1 of
the Mifflstrie from aU pairtis ; but, namely, from the North : For
now the politicians and freMdis of the excommuMcat and forfaulted
Earles had purchessit and dressit to tham selves a gryt number
and factioun of the Mmistrie ; and the Kmg had maid, for his pur
pose, many of the wisest and best esteimit men, quMlk kythed2 first
m chuseing of ane to be the Moderator quha wes absent ; and nixt
the voitting of the relaxatioune of the apostate Earles from the
excommuMcatioune ; but concludit in ane plurafitie of voitis, in a
led maner ; and last, in appomting Commissionaris, quho thairefter
caMt for at Court for everie occasioun usurpit the govemement of
the haul Kirk, and caried aU thMgis efter the KMg's plesoure ; for
aU matters become then to be first placed and drest M Court, and
syne effectuat and concludit by purchessit voitis of the greitest num
ber at Assembfies [and] Conventions ; [quhairas the Kirk and cus
tome thairoff wes befoir, M aU commoun matteris of importance,
eftir earnest prayer, searchmg the Scripturis, evidence of doctrin
and powar of exhortatioun, gMd reassouneing, and long tyme taking
for consffltatioun and gmd advysment, to conclud and determine by
the uniforme consent of the haffl Assembfie.3] Moirover, in that
same manner, the lawftdnes off the Assembfie at Perth, and thinges
done thairin, wes ratified, and summar excommunicatioun for no
torious erymes, tfie feirefuUest censure of tfie Kirk, wes suspendit,
and M effect broken and takffl away. In end, it is not to be omitted
how matters foUowing, quhilk that Assemblie wes solemnlie de-
clairit by the King and haiU number thairanent, the oracle declair-
mg and ordaMing, that no Conventioune of Pastouris sould be with
out his Majestie's knawledge and consent. His Majestie's consent
is declarit to be extended to aU and quhatsomever forme, either
GeneraU Assembfies, or speciaUy permittit and auctorised be his
Majestie's Hienes lawes, accordmg as they have warrand in the
Word of God, as being the maist authorised and authentick forme
of consent that any King can haiffe.
1 Was well frequented ; numerously attended. 2 Manifested itself. 3 This
passage is altogether omitted in Adv. MSS.

528 THE CONTINUATION OF 1597.

THE FORME OF THE FIRST GENERALL COMMISSIOUN.
"The whUk day, the 16 of May, sess. 9, M the presens of the
haM Assembfie, the King's Majestie bemg personaffie present, de-
claired, that tMow the schortnes of tyme thair wes smdrie matters of
weight and importance, not offly concernefflg particMar foUris, bot
quhilk did in speciaU tuich the haffl estait and body of the Kirk,
quhUk coffld not commodiousfie be Mtreated and concludit in this
present Assembfie, as namely, tfflching boith the planting of parti
cular Congregatiounes and of the haffl Kirk withm the reahne,
quhilk as yit, thorow default of honnest Mtertainement, remames
unplantit, and is destitute of the comfort of the Word : And anent
solid ordor to be taMn anent a constant and perpetuaU prorisioune
for the sustentatioune of the haffl MMisterie witMn the realme, to
the end that they be not, as in tyme bygoine, to attend and awayit
on the Commissionaris appoynted for modifieing of thair stipend,
and so be forcit to be absent thame selves the maist pairt of the
yeir from thair flockis ; to the gryt disgrace of thair caffingis, dis-
harting of their Congregatiounes, and discontentment of Ms Majes
tie, whois cair hes evir bein, and earnest desyre as yit is continuit,
that every Congregatioun haiff a particMar Pastour honorabfflie
susteinit, for the better waitting on of Ms cuir, and dischairging
of his deutifuU office in the samyn. And, thairfoir, Ms Majestie
desyris the BreitMein to consider whether it were expedient that
a GeneraU Commission shoffld be granted to certaMe of the most
wyse and discreet of the BreitMen to conveen with Ms Majestie for
effectuating of the premisses. The wMch his Majestie's advyse the
GeneraU Assembly tMnks very necessar and expedient; and, there
fore, hes given and granted, fikeas, be tfie tenor heirof, they give and
grant, their whole power and Commission to the BreitMem under
wrytten, viz. : [Masters Alexander Douglas, James Nicolson, George
Gladstones, Thomas Buchanan, Robert Pont, Robert RoUock? David
LMdsay, Patrick GaUoway, John Duncanson, Patrick Scharpe,
John Porterfield, James Melrine, Wffliam Couper, and John Clap-

1597. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 529
pertoun,1] to the number of fourteen, or any seven of thame, to
conveM with his Majestie betuixt the day of thir presents and the
last of the monethe of May instant ; with power to thame to tak
sofid order annent the provisioun of MMisteres to the townes of
Edinburghe, Dundie, and Sanct Androis, Ms Majestie's and the
Prince's Houses, to giffe thair advyse and judgment to his Majestie
annent the planting of everie particMar kirke within the realme,
to mak sic Overtures as they can best devyse, touching the Con
stant Plott [Plat ;] and, generaUy, to give advyse to his Majestie
in all affaires concermng the weffl of the Kirke, and intertainment
of peace and obedience to Ms Majestie within the reahne ; with
expresse power and command to the aaid Commissioneres to pro
pone to Ms Majestie the Petitions and Greivances alsweiU of the
Kirk M generaU as of everie member thairoff M particMar, as salbe
meMed unto them, promitten. de rato."
Ane fair and honest taffl, and ane specious fair schaw ! But,
alace ! heir wes the deid-stroake 2 and baine of the Kirk, ever
since the Court hes gydit Mr ! And so mUtle as scho is incfined
to the warld, so far declyfflt scho from Christ ; as her honours in-
creassit hir graces cfimfflisched : For thais Commissionaris being
exalted so high as to haiff accesse to the King quhen he pleasit,
and to sitt with his Majestie in CounseU, began soone to chaing
thair maneres and luik doun on thair breithrin. They reulit as they
fist ; they rent the Kirk ffl tuo qffliill as 3 the maist pairt foUowit
thame ; and the best stood to the Kirk Mr establischit constitu
tioun, with the King's distresse, reproch, and contempt of cour-
tieres ; and, finaffle, they were the very neidle to draw in the Epis-
copaU tMeid ; our enemies kytheit againes us by them with our
awM armour, and maid us with our awin handis to puU doun our
own waUs, and ressaive in that fataU Trojan horsse.
With these forces and armouris of the Kirkis awin in the
monethe of JMy foUowing, they unbeset that uther maMe fortres
1 The names have been supplied from the folio edition of Calderwood's Hist pp.
409,410. 2 Death-blow. 3 Till at length. 2l

530 THE CONTINUATION OF 1598.
of Mrs, quhilk wes the Kirk and Universitie of Sanct Androis;
and by auctoritie mair nor order they caMt the haffl Presbyteries
of Sanct Androis befoir the KMg at FalMand, and retreated and
annffllit ane maist just sentence deprivative given againes ane most
unworthie Minister, Mr John Rutherford, and reponed Mm againe
to his place at KMuchames ;' they threw out the tua maist pam-
fiffl 2 Pastours therof, togider with the Rector of the UMversitie,
without any advyse at aU ; and directfie againes the consent of the
Presbyterie, appointit ane new MiMster for the Kirk, and Rector
for the Universitie, with sic new orders and lawis as they thought
maist fitting for the course, namely, that no Professor, nor power,
nor Master of the Universitie, nor Doctor of DivMity, soffld sit in
Presbyteries, in matters of Discipline, quhilk wes of purpose to cutt
off Mr Andro Melvin.
In the winter following the Parliament wes keipit, quhairin the
Papist apostate Earfis were restoirit to thair livings and honouris ;
at the quhUk Parliament thais Commissioners, without any advyse
or directioun from the GeneraU Assemblie, put up ane petitioun
that the Mmisters of the Kirk soffld haiff voit in Parfiament.
Quhairupoun thair wes ane act passed, that suche of the Ministerie
as woffld become Prelatis, sic as they wer of old in the PapisticaU
Kirk, soffld be admitted to have voit in Parliament ; the estaites of
Parliament thinking, indeed, that no honnest men in the Mifflstrie
wald undirtake such ane office, agaMes the quhilk the forme and
tennor of thair doctrine had so longe and mychtilie soundit.
M.D.XCVHI.
In the beginning of the moneth of Marche foUowing, the Gene
raU Assemblie wes keipit at Dundie, verie frequentlie, 3 and with
gryt expectatioun on boith the sydes. The Commissioners, on the
one side, houping to be assisted and fortified be the Kingis Majes
tie, and be all meinis he coffld perswad, terrMe, or mak. For the
two first dayis, thair wes nothing done, fi-ae airly 4 in the morneing
1 Left blank in Univ. MS. 2 Pains-taking, conscientious. 3 Very "
numerously attended. * From early.

1598. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 531
tiU late at night, but caMng for tMs and that Minister to the Kingis
Majestie ; and deffling with thame, that they mycht be his. The
Brethreine, standMg for the estabfisMt constitutioune of the Kirke,
on the uther side, finding many Presbyteries that had Grieves and
Complaints agaMst the Commissioneris, in houpe to finde Godis
concurrance, and standMg for the caus of the Kirke ; the Politicianis
and Papistes, in tfie mein tyme, bussie to egge the bargaine, ' think
ing to take thair pastyme m beholdmg the battel! and the blawis of
thair efflmies amongis thame selves, [as they did for sum dayis, to
the gryt hart-breke of the godly. 2] But the King, feiring that his
purpose m setting up Bischoppis, by quhom he mycht reuU the Kirk
at Ms plesoure, soffld not succeed weffl that way, efter a few dayes
controversies, composeit aU matteres, buried the Grieves, forgaiffthe
Ministeres of EdMburghe, and enterit in freindscMppe with thame
again. Sua, at the tenth sessioun, the King had a speiche, declab>
ing how gryt care he had to parifie, adorne, and accommodat the
Kirk, and remove aU controversies, and estaibfische the discipfine,
and restoir the patrimoffle thairoff ; and farder, M effect, it wes most
needfiffl that the MMisteres should have voit in Parfiament, with
out the quhilk, they could not be vMdicat from tfie povertie and
contempe under the quhilk they had bein lying so long. He
meinit not to bring M neither AngeficaU nor PapisticaU Bischop-
rickes, but offly the best and wysest of thair Ministeres, apoyntit
by the GeneraU Assemblie, soffld haM place in CounseU and
Parfiament, to sitt upoun thair awin matteres, and sie them done,
and not to stand alwayes at the dbore, dispysit fike poor suppli-
cantis, and not regardit. In the mein tyme, he promisit solemnefie
to deiU with the taxmen of the teinds, 3 by Ms Hienes' auctoritie,
for the augmenting of the stipendis of the Ministerie of the Kirke,
and to mak a law to compeU such as wer not wffling ; for the
quhilk caus, everie MMister sould doe weffl, against a certain day,
to give in to his Majestie's Exchakers and Commissioneris of the
1 Foster, or encourage the strife or quarrel. The Univ. MS. reads " ogill ;" to
spy or look on the quarrel, as an unconcerned spectator. * Not in Adv. MSS.
i Those who held tacks or leases of the tithes.

532 THE CONTINUATION OF 1598.
Kirk, the names of thair taMsmen and estait of thair Kirk. • And
because sindrie of the Britherine desyrit to be satisfied of Ms Ma
jestie's mynd, by his awin mouth, towardis certaine of the Mini-
steris, and in speciall towardis theMinisteris of Edinburghe, anent
quhatsoevir the thorteris ' and accidentis faUin out, thais tua yeiris
bygaine, his Majestie, for making of his Majestie's mynd to be moir
cleirlie to be understood by the haM Britherine, declaired his mynd
to be contentit and satisfied with the Ministeris of Edinburghe, and
that his Majestie did beir no grudge nor evffl-wiU to any of thame
for any accidents that hes fallin out in ony tyme bygaine; and
that the samyne soffld nevir be rememberit by his Majestie in tyme
coming, but that his Hienes and they (quhUk the Ministeris of
Edinburche wfflinglie consentit) sould never caU any of these acci
dentis faUen out, in any tyme bygaine, to rememberance ; neither
mak mentioune of the samyn, in privat speiches or publict sermones,
in any tyme herefter. This being done, and the heartes of many
hereby movite and concUiat, the GeneraU Commissioune wes renewit
for the Constant Platt, to put the finaU end and conclusioun to
the samine, and solemnelie to plant every particular Kirk witMn
the land : Item, to plant Ministers in burghs, and in the Kmg and
Prince their Housses ; also to attend upon the Parfiament, and to
give thair advyce to his Majestie for avoyding and eschewing any
danger or inconvenient quhilk may be lykefie to faU out in the pre
judice of the Kirke ; and lykwyis, in caice his Majestie soffld find
hfin self grieved, or craive redresse of ony enormitie done to his
Hienes be any of the Ministerie, with power to Mm and the saids
Commissioners, or any nyne of thame, to sitt and recognosce upon
the samine, and suafurth.
In the eleventh and twelfth sessioune, the mame purpose wes
handiUit and concludit as foUowis :
" Forsomuch as the Commissioneris of the GeneraU Assembfie,
at the Parliament fialdin in the moneth of December last bypast,
upon ane earnest zeale that they did evir beir to the. weffl of the
1 Disagreements, wrangling*.

1598. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 533
Kirk, had givin in certaine Articles to the Lordis of Parliament con-
cerneing the libertie of the Kirke ; and in speciall, had craivit that
the Ministerie, as representing the trew Kirk of God within this
realme, and so being the thrid Estait in this realme, micht haiff the
voit in Parfiament, according to the loveabiU actes and constitu-
tiounes maid befoir in Parfiament in favouris of the freidome of the
Holy Kirk and hir fiberties ; quhUk, their travells and endeavoiris,
proceiding aUwayis upon a godly intentioune, they submittit pre
sentfie to the censure of the present Assemblie ; desyring the
Bretherin to aUow or disallow of the samyn, as they sould think
most expedient for the glorie of God and estaibMsching of trew Re-
ligioune withM the realme. Quhairupon the Bretherine being rypfie
advysed, aUowit the honnest and godlie Mtentioune of the Commis
sioneris M crairing voitt M Parfiament for the Ministrie : And forso-
meUtle as Ms Majestie, wffling to uttir the gMd intentioune that he
hes aUwayis borne to the estaibfishing of the true Kirk of God within
this realme, declaired that, for the bettir performance thairoff, his
Hienes had assistit the Commissioneris of the last Assemblie in
craffing voit in Parfiament, M name of the Kirk ; quhilk thair suite,
albeit in some pairt, and as it wer in a certaMe manner, grantit be
the Lords M the Parfiament, yit the acceptatioune thairoff, the
forme, constitutiounes, and haffl of the persones, wer reservit to the
GeneraU Assemblie, to be acceptit or refosit as the Kirk soffld tMnk
expedient : And sieing Ms Majestie had anticipat the appoyntit
tyme of the Assembfie, and desyrit the Brethrine to convein at
tMs present tyme, especiaffle for the caus foirsaid, thairfoir his Ma
jestie desyrit that the Bretherine wald enter in a speciaU consulta-
tioune of the haiU poynts of the samin act, in everie particular poynt
thairof: And, first, to reassoun, in publict audience of the haffl As
sembfie, QuMther if it wer lawfuU and expedient that the Ministerie,
as representing undoubtitlie the Kirk withM this realme, sould
haiff voit M Parliament or not ?
" The said questione being at very gryt lenth reassonit and de-
baited in utramque partem, in presens of the haffl Bretherine, and
thaireftir voited, the General! Assemblie, by pluralitie of voitis, findia

534 THE CONTINUATION OF 1598.
and conoludis that that is most necessare and expedient for the
weM of the Kirk, that the Ministerie, as the thrid Estait of this
realme, in name of the Kirke haif voit in Parliament. In verie
[truth] thair wes not haiff ane scoir of voitis in the one syd moir
nor on the uther, and thais wer of lyk persounes that had no com-
missioune. " For the argument of the distinctioune betwixt the Kirk and
the Commoun-weffl of the kingdome of Jesus Christ, and thais of
this world being so cleirit and Msistit upon, as it wes caryit all that
wes not preoccupyit nor corrupted in judgment efter it. Also they
clearly schaw that it wes ane foundatioune to buUd up the humane
Bischoprick upon quhUk in the Kirk of Scotland, as plaffle Poprie
was utterlie abolfischit.
" Concemeing the number of them that soffld haiff voite M Par
liament, M name of the Kirk, it wes lykewayis concludit and thought
upon, that it wes very expedient that as many of thame sould be
chosine to voitt in Parfiament as wes wont of old, in tyme of the
PapisticaU Kirke, to be Bischops, Abbotis, and Prioris, that had the
lyk fibertie to voit to the number of fiftie-one or thairby. Item, eftir
reassoufflng, it wes voited and concludit that the electioune of sic
of the Ministerie as schould voit in the Parfiament aught to be of
a mixit quafitie, and appertein pairtfie to his Majestie and pairtfie
to the Kirk. And becaus be schortnes of tyme of the Bretherine
coffld not perfytelie be resolvit in the remanent heidis and circum
stances concerning the office of thame that schould haiff voit in
Parliament, viz., de modo eligendi ; of his rent ; of continuance of
his office ; whither he sould be chosine ad pcenam or not ; of his
name ; of the Cautiounes ; of the preservatione of him frae corrup-
tioune and sic uther circumstances : And thairfor the Assembfie
ordained everie Presbyterie to be rypfie and tiiruchtfie advysit with
the particMar headis above written, and thairfoir to convocat their
Provinciall Synodis thorow the haffl realme upon ane day, quhUk
salbe the first Tuysday of June nixttocome ; and thair, eftir new
reassouneing and advysement with the saids particular heidis above
wnttm, that every Provinciall Asscmblv chuse out thrie of the

1598. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 535
wyiseste of thair number, quho salbe ready on his Majestie's ad-
vysement, quhUk salbe on ane monethes warneing at the leist, to
convein with his Majestie, togider with the Doctoris of Divinitie
and of the Universitie, sic day and place as his Majestie sould think
expedient ; with power to thame to treat, reassoune, and conferr
upon the saidis headis and utheris pertaineing thairto ; and in caice
of agriement and ufflformitie of opiniounes, to voit and conclud in
the haM questioune concerneing voit in Parliament, utherwayis,
in cais of discrepance and variance, to refer the conclusioun thairof
to the nixt GeneraU Assembfie."
Howbeit I lyk not to name any in particulare, yit the truth and
substance of the storie requyreing sua, I must heir mentioun tuo :
First, that Mr Andrew MelvM, howbeit directit in Commissioun
from his Presbiterie to this Assembly, yit quhen he come he wes
not suffirit to byd m the Assemblie ; bot, by auctoritie, wes first
commandit to keip his ludgein, and syne chairgit to goe hame to his
CoUedge. Nixt, Mr John Davidsoune ' did give in ane Protesta
tioun in wryt againes the samine Assemblie and proceidingis thairof,
as no lawfuU and frie Assemblie, according to the Word of God,
and estaibfischit ordour within the Kirk of Scotland, and such whois
proceidingis tendit to the subversioun of the ordinance of Jesus
Christ : But at the ryseing of that Sessioune, he wes fain to with
draw him selff, and wes thaireftir confyned and wardit within his
parocMne. The next GeneraU Assemblie wes apoyntit to be haldine at Aber-
deine the first day of July 1599, bot be the King's proclamatioun
wes tossed too and fra tyme to tyme, and place to place, as befoir,
from Stirling, quhair the first Assemblie at Dundie appoyntit it to
be halden at Dundie agaMe, preventing 2 the day ; so from Aberdien
now to Montrose, postponeing the tyme ; and this mainely becaus
matteris wer not weill dressit ; but cheiflie to the intent that the
King mycht tak from the Kirk liberty of convein eing, (quhilk had
1 Adv. MSS. "Adamsone." 2 Anticipating. Lat. prcevenire.

536 THE CONTINUATION OF 1599.
•
injoyed it evir since the beginnmg, tuyse a yeir to conveme, and
oftner pro re nata,) and mak it absolutlie in Ms pleasoure and power,
and not else ; that as by the actis and deafing of the Assembfie
ratified at Perth at the first, and this last at Dundie, the frie preich
ing of the Word was restrained, and summar excommumcatioun
suspendit ; and so, the Kirk strypit nakit of hir chieffe armoure ;
and sua, now, scho mycht altogider be taine and led captive, by
caussing either GeneraU Assemblie not to be fiolden at aU, or then
such offly as wes dressit to prosecut the purpose in hand m over
throwing the Estaibfischit Estait of the Kirk, by such Conven-
tiouns as sould beir the name of a GeneraU Assemblie, and so by
hir seM to kffl1 and undoe hir selff!
M.D.XCIX.
The ProrinciaU Assembfies conveiMt the first day of Junij, bemg
Tuysday, at every ane quhairof wer present Commissioneris directit
from his Majestie, with expres chairge to traveU by aU meines, that
sic thrie as the King soffld lyke sould be nommat to convein with
his Majestie, according to the Commissioune given at the last Gene
raU Assembfie, the quhUk being aines obteinit, they cairit nothmg
for the resolvit judgementis of Assembfies, for they percevit that
ffl the Kingis absence everie ane of the Bretherine cleirit their
mynde friely against the course. Thaireftir, diverse meittingis, at
diverse meittingis and places, wer keipit with his Majestie by these
that wer nominat to the Synodis and Commissioneres ; as namely,
at FaUtland, m August immediatlie thaireftir ; at Samct Androis in
Junij ; at the Hafirudhous in October ; and of diverse Bretherine,
the speciaU of boith sydis, convenit with Ms Majestie's Commis
sioner att Bruntyland ; quhairin, not fincfing the successe as they
wald, the Assembfie wes prorogat to be keiped at Montrose, in
Merche 1600. Adv. MSS. " Unkirk."

1600. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 537

M.DC.
The GeneraU Assembly conveenmg at Montrose, the King left
aU utheris effaires, and attended hailie tfiairupon, so that there was
neither Sessioune nor Privie Conferrence without his presence. It
wes thought guid, first, that thair sould be four choisine out of
either syid, to advyse, reassoune, and compose matters in privatt ;
but the King, being Mformit by ane of that number that it wes to
losse rather nor game thairby, caUit, urgit, and reassounit to be be
fore hfinself and the Privie Conference. So the Questiouns reas
sounit at gryt lenth, Quhither the voit in Parliament, as it wes
offirit to the Kirk ffl the statut last maid thairannent, soffld be ac-
ceptit or not ? The Bretherine quho stood for the estaibfischit Dis
cipline brought forth many Reassounes, concluding directly that it
wes agaffles the Word of God, and thairfor could not be acceptit
off. Tfie Reassounes and Answers given at that time foUowes.
When matteris succeidit not as they lookit, in that plaine deill-
Mg, they went on to work under cover, peice and peice, as they
mycht ; and first, to conclud and ratffle in the present Assembly
the tMnges agreit upoun by the Commissiouneris of the Provin-
ciaU Synods ; and, thaireftir, to assay ane maine poynt of it, giff
it mycht be gottin tMough M the present Assembfie, quhUk wes
the continowance of the Commissioune to voit in Parfiament, in
the persounes of sume ones, nominat ad vitam aut culpam ; the quhUk
if they mycht once gaMe, thair purpose wes near a poynt ; bot the
matter was sone taffle up, and ressouned and discoursit upone by
mony guid bretherine, that the voyce of the Assembly wente and
concludit that they sould be chosine annuatim. QuhUk conclusione
the King and the Clerk adding thairto, drew alse neir thair purpose
as they could ; so aU this proceidmg past forth, as followis :

538 THE CONTINUATION OF 1600.

[CONCLUSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT MONTROSE, AS TO
MINISTERS VOTING IN PARLIAMENT.]
Sessio 6.
" The Commissioneris of the last GeneraU Assembly, conveinit
at Falkland, in the moneth of July 1598, to decyde the questioun
anent the Voitis in Parfiament, &c, beMg ryplie and throwely ad
vysit with the heidis foUowing, gaive thair advyce and conclusioune
as foUowis ; the samin, in effect, quMlk wes sett doune and read in
the Assembly at Dundie, and remitted to farder advysment, con-
cerneing the maner of choysmg of him that should haM voit in Par
fiament, M name of the Kirk : It is condescendit upon, that first,
fie salbe recommendit from the Kirk to Ms Majestie; and that the
Kirk saU nominat sex for every place that hes neid to be fffled up,
off quhom Ms Majestie saU chuse ane of quhom he best lykis ; and
his Majestie promises, obfisses, and bindis him selff to choyse none
uther but ane of that number; and in cais his Majestie refoisses the
haffl, upon ane just caus of msufficiencie of thame, and gryter suffi
ciencie in uthers that are not recommendit, the Kirk saU mak ane
new recommendatioune of men according to the first number, of
the quhUk ane by his Majestie salbe choisine without any farder
reffflsaU or new nominatioune ; and he that salbe chosine be his
Majestie salbe admitted by the Synodis.
" Secundlie, It is concludit that the GeneraU Assemblie saU haiff
the nonrinatioune or recommendatioune of him that in name of the
Kirk saU haiff voit in Parfiament, quho saU tak the advyce of the
Synods and Presbyteries thairanent, direct from thame m wryt;
and the Synod saU haiff leiff to nominat alse weiU within the Pro
vince as without, provydmg that iff thair be ane man within the
Province meit for that place, cceteris paribus, he be preferrit to ane
uther. " Thridly, Anent his rent, It is advysit, with ane consent, that
the Kirk being planted sufficientfie, the CoUedges and Schoofis al-

1600. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 539
redy erectit not prejudgit, that the King saU provyde him to all
the rest that may be obtaifflt of that benefice quhairto he is pre
ferrit. " As to the Cautiounes to keip him from corruptioun that sail
haiff voit m Parfiament, tfiey be these foUowing :

THE CAL'TIOUNES.
" 1. That he presume not at any tyme to propone to Parliament,
CounseU, or Conventioun, any thing in name of the Kirke, without
expresse warrand and directioun of the Kirke ; and sic thingis as he
sail ansuer to be for the weffl of the Kirke, undir paMe of deposi
tioun from Ms office : Neither saU he keip sylence, in any of the
saidis Conventiounes, M ony thmg that may be prejudiciaU to the
weffl and libertie of the Kirk, under the said pame.
"2. He saU be bund at everie GeneraU Assembfie to give a compt
anent the dischairge of Ms Commissioun since the Assembfie goe-
mg befoire, and shaU submitt himselff to the censure, and stand at
thair deterrfflnatioune without appeUatioune ; and sail seUte and ob-
teM ratificatioune of Ms doMges at the said Assembfie, undir tfie
paine of Mfamie and excommunicatioune.
" 3. He saU content Mmself with that pairt of the benefice quMlk
salbe girin Mm from Ms Majestie for his liveing, not hurting nor
prejudgmg the rest of the MMisteres of the Kirk, within his bene
fice, plantit or unplantit as yet, or to be planted, or any uther Mmi
ster of the contray quhatsumerir ; and tMs caus to be insert in his
provisioune. " 4. He saU dUapidat in no wayis his benefice, neither mak, sett,
nor disponne thairoff, without the speciaU consent and advyce of his
Majestie and GeneraU Assembfie ; and for the gryter warrand, he
saU Mterdict him sehT not to dilapidat his benefice, nor consent to
the dilapidatioune thairoff maid be utheris to the GeneraU Assem
blie ; and sail be content that Mbibitiounes be raisit on him to that
effect.

540 THE CONTINUATION OF 1600.
" 5. He salbe faithffflly bund to attend upon Ms awine particular
Congregatioune, quhair he salbe Minister, in all poyntis of a Pas-
tour ; and heiranent saU subject himselff to the tryeU and censure
of his awne Presbyterie and ProvinciaU Assembly, as ony uther
MiMster that beiris not Commissioun.
" 6. In the administratioune of Discipline, CoUatioune of Bene
fices, Visitatioune, and aU uther poyntis of EcclesiasticaU Goveme
ment, he saU neither usurpe nor acclaime to himselff ony power nor
jurisdictioune farther nor ony uther of the rest of his Bretherine,
except he be imployit by Ms Bretber, undir the paine of depriva-
tioune ; and Mcais he usurpe any pairt of the EcclesiasticaU Go
vemement, and the Synod, Presbyterie, and GeneraU Assembly
oppone and make any impediment thairto, quhatsumerir he dois
eftir that fflipecfiment to be nuU, in ipso facto, without any declarator.
"7. In Presbyteries, ProvinciaU and GeneraU Assemblies, he saU
behaive himselff m aU thMgis, and saU be subject to thair censuring
as any of the Breithrin of the Presbyterie.
" 8. At his Admissioune to his office of Commissionarie, thir and
aU uther poyntis necessare he saU sweir and subscryve to fulfill,
undir the penalties forsaidis ; and utherwayis not to be admittit.
" 9. And in cais he be deposit by the General! Assembfie, Synod,
or Presbyterie, from his office of Ms Ministerie, he sal! also tyne ' Ms
voit in Parfiament ipso facto, and his benefice saU vaike.2
" 10. And farder Cautiounes to be maid, as the Kirk pleisis and
findis occasioun.
" 11. Anent fiis Name that for the Kirk soffld haiff voit m Par
liament, It is advysit, by uniforme consent of the haffl Bretherine,
that he salbe caUit ' The Commissioner' of sic a place ; and in cais
the Parliament, by his Majestie's moyen,3 may be mduceit to ac-
knawledge that name, it sail stand so; iff not, the GeneraU As
sembly sail voit and conclud this questioune annent his name.
" 12. The questioune being demandit, QuMther the Commis-
sioune of Mm that for the Kirk soffld voit in Parfiament sould in-
Lose. i Become void or vacant. " Means, influence.

1600. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 541
dure his lyff-tyme, except sum cryme or offence intervein, or for
a schorter tyme, at the plesoure of the Kirk ? The Commissiouneris
of the GeneraU Assembfie, being of diverse opiniounes, thought guid
to refer tMs questioune to the nixt GeneraU Assembfie."
Quhilk haill Conclusiounes being red, in the audience off the Ge
neraU Assembly, and they being rypfie advysit thairwith, ratified,
aUowed, and approved the samyne, and thought expedient that
the samen Cautiounes, togider with such utheris as salbe concludit
on by the Assembfie, be msert in the bodie of the act of Parliament
that is to be maid for confirmatioune of voit in Parliament to the
Kirk, as maist necessar and substantiaU pointis of the same.
Sessio 8.
" Forasmuch as the Commissioneris of the Synod convenit at
FalMand, the 25 of JMy 1598, being of diverse opimounes con-
cerneing the continowance of the Commissioneris that soffld haiff
voit in Parfiament, quhither he sould indure for his lyftyme, ex
cept sum cryme or offence intervein, or for a schorter tyme, at the
plesoure of the Kirk, they thought guid to refer the same to tMs
present Assembfie : Thairfor, the GeneraU Assemblie, haiffing reas-
souneit at lenth the said questioun tuiching the continowance of
Mm that sail haiff voit M Parliament ; efter voiting of the same,
findis and declairis that he saU annuatim give a compt of the Com
missioun obtemit from the Assembfie, and lay doune the same at
thair feit, to be continowed or altered thairfra by his Majestie and
the Assembfie, and that as the Assembfie, witfi consent of Ms Ma
jestie, saU tMnk most expedient for the weffl of the Kirk.
" It is also statute and ordained, that none of thame that sail haiff
voit in Parfiament sail come as Commissioneris to any GeneraU As
semblie, nor haM voit in the same, M any tyme cuming, except he
be authorizit with Commissioun from his awin Presbyterie to that
effect. " It is moirover fund be the Assemblie, that crimen ambitus salbe
sufficient caus of deprivatioune of him that saU haiff voit in Parlia
ment.

542 THE CONTINUATION OF 1600.
" In end, it is statute and ordained, that everie MiMster intimat
this generaU, that the voit in Parliament is concludit by the As
semblie, and that name utter speiche in pMpit contrair to the same."
Thair wer very money guid Breitherine at this Assembfie, and
did stand verie honnestly to the caus ; but auctoritie, dissimula-
tioun, crafte, and painfuUness, cairied the matter away.
As for example, of Auctoritie ; that Moderator quho had utterit
exceUent guid doctrine befoir-noone wes compeUit, at leist inducit,
by auctoritie to recant it efter-riioone,1] to the gryt greiff and of
fence of the best. Mr Andro MelviU come to the Assembly, by
Commissioune of Ms Presbytrie, but wes commandit to keip his
ludgeing ; quho, being caUit to the King m private, and demandit,
Quhy he wes so trublesume as to come to the Assemblie, being
dischairgit ? He answerit, He fiad a caUing in the Kirk of God,
and of Jesus Chryst, the KMg of Mngs, quhilk he behovit to dis-
chairge at aU occasiounes, being orderlie callit thairto, as he wes at
this tyme ; and that for feir of a grytter punischment then could
any eartMy king inflict. Quhairat the Kmg being angrie, utterit
sume minassing words. The said Mr Andro, laying his hand to
his heid,2 said, " Sir, it is this that ye would haiff ! Ye saU haiff it :
Tak it ! Tak it ! or3 ye bereave4 us of the fiberties of Jesus Christ
and Ms kingdome ! " With many mo speiches, verie zealousfie, to
that effect.
Dissimulatioun ; M sa meikle that as makMg on the Bischoprie
with all mycht and maine, yet they did give it out amangis the
Breitherine thair wes no sick thMg meinit, saiff onlie vot in the
Parfiament, to rindicat the Kirk from contempt and povertie ; and
sua soundit all the answeris to the argumentis of the manifold and
maist stronge reasounes of the Breitherine that stood for the Estai-
blischit Discipline.
Craft ; whereof take the instance of the choyseing of the Mode-

t a

Advocates' MSS. " ' " On his neck." Adv. MSS. 3 Rather than.
Robe," (rob.) Adv. MSS.

1601. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 5'1.)
rator, quhilk wes the thing they evir laborit for to haiff their voices,
and to have ane at their devotioune : For the quhUk purpose, all
tMs Assemblie, they used this stratageme ; first, they compted the
voites they had made and were sure off; and, feiring they soffld be
overcume by a gryter numbir, they causit put upon the leitis for
chusemg of the Moderator four of the cheiffest Breitherine, amongis
all with him quhom they designit, assuring tham selves that thair
by that the voitis wald be distracted, qubiUe, as sume sould think
ane meit, and sume ane uther ; and in the mein tyme, they keipit
close constant thair course, and voited aU to ane ; and so it come to
passe, indeide ; quhairas, aU the contrair voites soffld [have] been
given to ane of thais grid Breitherine, they had farr prevaUed.
And as for PaMfuUness ; in the time [of this Assembly] the
KMg arose earfie at mome tM he went late to bed, he was continu-
aUy with MMisters, and so bussie with them, that the cortiouris
compleaned hearifie that they could gett no accesse. Bot, to be
short, the GeneraU Commissioune, that refflfit all, being renewit,
and tfie nixt Assembfie apoyntit at Sainct Androis in the last
Tuysday of July in the year 1601, the Assemblie wes dismissed.
The summer eftir foUowing, the Ministeres of Edinbruche, being
repossessit in thair places, beganne freifie to preach in the auld maner ;
bot by the occasioun of the matter of Gowrie, that fell forth in the
moneth of August thaireftir, thair pulpit was overthrawin the se
cond tyme ; for, becaus they could not goe on immediatlie upon
the first occasione and informatioune to Mforme the people, and
convein the people, and give publict thaffltis from pulpit, they wer
commandit to goe out of Edinbruche, and not to preiche nor ap
proach witMn eight myles neir to that towne ; and how Mr Robert
Bruce, for his uprychtnes and heriate [hatred ?] of the Episcopall
course, wes usit, it would requyre a larger treatie nor we can in
tMs compend of storie bestow thairupon.
M.DC.I.
The yeir foUowing, the General! Assemblie appoyntit at Saint

544 THE CONTINUATION OF 1601.
Androis, wes, first by proclamatioune -anticipate in tyme, reserving
the place and tyme, and syne proclaMied to be haldine againe at
Bruntiland.1 What with feir and satisfactioun of discontentmentis,
a maist fair and plausibffl forme wes used ; first, forsuith, to
searche for the causses of so gryt defectioune from the puritie, zeal,
and practise of the trew Religione in all estaitis of the contrie ; and
nixt, how the samyne mycht be maist effectually releivit, so that
maist exceUent, comfortable, and maist necessar exercisses of humi-
liatioune, fasting, and renewing tfie Covenant witfi God, wes con
cludit to begin at that Assembly, and thairfoir upone ane weik to
be solemnlie keipit throwout aU the realme ; approving that now,
quhUk boith by the Court and by monie of the Mifflsteris wes not
only neglected, bot scornit befoir. The King, in presens of the
haffl Assemblie, maid a lairg and humbffl confessioune of Ms awin
sines, and great unthankfuUnes, committed alsweiU M the commoune
govemement, namlie, in spairing of Papistis, and givefflg remis-
sioune for murther as done before in his famffle and persoune, with
promisses and caMng for grace to amend ; and so aU foUowit. Bot
howbeit the heartis of many were humblite and sett to seik God
and the honor of Jesus Christ, the right way, yit litle smceritie or
guid meineing kythed in the reuUeris and cheiff directeris of that
actioune ; for, neither wes the cheiff caus of diffectioun laid oppine,
nor any thing meinit of the rycht way to remeid the samyne. The
four Ministeres of EdMbruche were transportit from their places at
Edinbruche, and ordained to be placit in other places, and in the
GeneraU Commission renewit a speciaU caus be put in for that ef
fect. Uther things also wald haiff bein assayit war not, after they
were aschamed, the catalogue of the Breitherine then conveinit,
they could not be sure to carie it away by a pluralitie, namfie, eftir
so pubfict and earnest humfflatioune ; and so, eftir ratificatioune
againe of the actes of the former Assembfies, and for dischairgmg
1 The General Assembly was to have been held on the last Tuesday of July ; but
owing to the King having fallen from his horse at the hunting near Falkland, (when he
hurt his left shoulder,) it was appointed by him to be held at Burntisland on 12th
May, 1601. See Cald. Hist., &c. 8 Advocates' MSS. " Plantit."

1601. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 545
appeUatiounes in excerceisses, and yonge men from pricheing in
cheM places, the nixt Assembfie wes appointit to be fialdine at
Sainct Androis at the last Tuysday 1602 ; bot that day wes only for
the fascMoun's saike, for the KMg wes now accustomit to appoynt
thame quhen, and quhair, and how he pleisit, by his proclamatiounes
at mercat places.
About the end of Junij, Mr Andro Melvine, making his excer
ceisses in his ordMarie places upon the Ephesians, v. 2, he insistit
onlie in schawMg the duetie of Ministeres ; and tuichit sua the
present corruptiounes to the qfflck, namely, of the degenerat and
intrusit MiMsterie of Saint Androis, that they compleined to the
King, causit him to come to St Androis, in July thairafter, and
commandit Mr Andro [MelviU] to ward within his awin CoUedge
of Theologie, quhairof he wes PrincipaU Master ; lyke as the
samyne auctoritie, he had bein befoir dischairgit aff the Presby
terie and aU the Doctoris of Theologie with him for this cause ; bot
the wynter thairefter, the lairnit Ministeris of that Presbyterie, be
Mg aU of them Mr Andro Ms schoUeris, beganne ane excerciss in
the Schooles of Divynitie, and continowit it ordinarfie tfieir tyme
about 1 befoir the haffl Universitie ; quhairin they disputed aU contra-
veined2 poynts accuratly, as it wer againes the Papistis, and cleirit
the truth stronglie and evidentfie to aU. TMs grevit thame mychti-
fie, bot becaus it wes done in the Latine tongue in the Schoofis,
and M schaw agames the Papistis, according to ane ordinance of
the GeneraU Assembfie, it could not be for a gryt space counter-
mandit, tiU be these traveUis the lawfuU auctoritie of Presbyteries
and GeneraU Assembfies wes confirmed, Popish supremacy and aU
EpiscopaU auctoritie orirthrawin, the course of the present corrup
tiounes damned, and all the Ministerie of that Presbyterie verie
much edified and incuradgit. Sa, in the moneth of October, the
ProvinciaU Synod of Fyffe wes keipit at Kinghorne, quhair aU the
corrupt proceidingis wes sett doune in Grevis, and the Commis-
sionaris appoyntit to mein3 the same to nixt GeneraU Assemblie,
1 Alternately. 2 Controverted. 3 Make complaint of.
2 M

546 THE CONTINUATION OF 1602.
quhilk by proclamatioune wes translaitit from Sainct Androis, quhair
it wes ordaneit to be keipit in July by the last Assemblie, and com
mandit to be haldine at Edinburght in November foUowing.
This was sair againes the heartis and laboris of sume Episcopal!
Commissioneris thair present, but the universall myndis of the guid
Ministerie of that Province prevaUit. They follow heirafter, as
they are registrat in the Buikis of the GeneraU Assemblie.
M.DC.II.
Now, the last GeneraU Assemblie that the King kepeit in Scot
land wes at his Palace of Halirudhous, in the moneth of November
1602 ; quhairin, becaus aU thingis were deliberated and painfifflie
and dfflgentlie dressit, he thought weiU to obteffl Ms purpose. The
quhilk ane of the Bretherine weffl percaivMg, quhen it came to Ms
voite concerning the Moderator, he thus protested, with aU rever
ence of the King's Majestie's presence, but in the feir of the gryte
God and in love of Christ, his annoyntit, quho is above all :
" Befoir I speik ony thing in this Assemblie, I man protest that,
siring it is conveMed extraordinarly by his Majestie's authoritie,
besydis1 the tyme appoyntit in the last Assemblie, and is keipit
heir within his Majestie's Palace, a place quhairin no Assembfie
wes accustomit to be keipit heirtofoir ; quhatsoevir be done thairin
contrair to the Word of God and former constitutiounes of the Kirk,
and the establischit Discipfin thairoff, (as God forbid thair sould be
any !) the same be nuU and of nane effect ; and remeidit at the nixt
GeneraU Assembfie ordinar, frie and lawfuU, of the Kirk of Scot
land."2 The haffl drift of the Assembfie being to sett up the Bischoppis
in the second Sessioune, the same wes convoyit, first, be the tryeU
of the Commissioneris appoyntit by the last Assemblie ; m place
quhairoff, thair wes thrie Bischopis put in possessioune of thair

' Apart from, independent of. 2 From the manner in which this brief outline of
the speech is given, it is most probable to have been delivered by Mr James Melvill,
who, with his accustomed modesty, thus generally alluded to himself in his Diary,

1602. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 547
Bischoprickis, undir cure1 of thair Commissioun givin thame to
Visit thais Provinces, to witt, Rosse, Caitnes, and Aberdeine,
aU contrair to the Cautiounes; and to be continowit by the re
newing the foirsaid Commissioun for Visitatioune of thais Pro-
vmces ; and thairfoir to convoy the matter the bettir, a new exact
ordour wes sett doun by the Assembfie : The quhilk convoy being
discoverit befoir the Assembfie, it wes stoutly and honnestlie gain-
stood, namely, in the persone of Mr George Gladstaines for Cait
nes ; quhom, notwithstanding the grytter number of the Assemblie
refuissit to appoynt a new Commissioun for Caithnes, yit auctoritie
and cunfflng convoy carreit it away in the end.
The poynt being wounne, and a new GeneraU Commissioun sett
doune againe, and the said thrie Bischoppis continowit in their Com-
missiounes and Bischoprickis in the fourt Sessioune, the matter gois
on ; and undir pretence to plant and provyd the Kirk, the Prelacies
and gryt Benifices ar thought meit to be givin and disposit to Mi
nisteris, as foUowis :
" Annent the Constant Platt, the Breitherine ordainit to sitt
thairone with his Majestie's Commissioneres bemg demandit, Quhat
effect thair travefis had taMn in the samyn? They producit the
conclusioune of the Commissioneres of the said Platt, resolving
thrie heidis, out of the quhUk one soffld be chosine as the maist
readiest way for the effectuatMg of the said work ; quhairof the
tennor fofiowes :

OVERTOURIS OF THE COMMISSIONERIS OF THE. PLATT TO BE
ADVYSIT WITH HIS MAJESTIE, &C.
" Giff everie Minister being assignet out of the fruictis of the
Kirk quhair he serves, by the benevolence of the takismen 2 grantit
1 Cover. 2 Tacksmen, lease holders, or tenants of the teinds or tithes.

548 THE CONTINUATION OF 1602.
to the augmentatioune of the said stipend, iff thair salbe ane perpe
tuaU securitie maid to the said takismen of thair teyndis of ane spe
ciall gressowme to be condescendit upon for Uk chalder, for the
space of 19 yeiris, and to be renewit yeirly thairefter for the lyk
space and the lyk gressowme ; upon this conditioune, that the said
principaU taxmen saU grant and renew the lyk securitie to the
sub-taxmen for peyment of thair pairt of the said gressowme pro
rato, where ony tax ' are : Or giff the gryt benefices salbe provydit
to Ministeres upon this conditioune, that aU the Kirkis of the Pre
lacies be planted with sufficient Ministeres, and be provydit with
competent livingis, as the modifiaris of the said Constant Plaite sail
think expedient, and he to pay to the Kingis Majestie yeirly the
tent pairt of the fruitis of the said benefice quhilk saU rest, by and
attour2 the sustentatioune3 of the said Ministeres; and that aU the
inferiour benefices salbe provydit with MMisteres serring the cuir
of the saidis Kirkis, alseweffl personage as riccaradge : Or giff aU
the gryt benefices salbe dissolvit, and the Prelat to haM the prin
cipaU Kirke of the Prelacie with the temporaU landis thairof, and
the rest of the KirMs to be provydit with qualified MMisteres,
and the said Prelat and Titfflaris of the said Kirkes to pey ane yeir
fie duetie to his Majestie as the benefice may beire, at the sight of
the Commissioneres forsaids."
The quhilk Overtouris being red in the sight of the Assembfie, It
wes ordained every Synod sould haiff a coppy of the same, and to
be advysit thairwith untill the morning, that they mych give thair
advyse to his Majestie qubilk of the thrie wer maist meit to be im-
braced. This purpose wes also plainly espeyitt and withstood, by giveing
in ane coppie to the Kingis Majestie of the former Plott of Plante-
ing of all the Kirkis of the realme, settin downe by Commissioune
from his Majestie and the estaites of Parliament 1597, by dissolve-
ing of Prelacies, and Planting of fyftie Presbyteries M thair places,
the Commissioneris quhairoff sould haiff voit in parliament ; bot by
1 Tacks, leases. 2 Over and above. 3 Support.

1602. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 549
auctoritie and dressing of voitis of the evill advysed multitud it
wes rejected, and the conclusioun past as foUowis :
" Anent the Overtouris givin in by the Commissioneris of the
Constant Platt, with the quMlk the Bretherine were ordained to be
advysit, efter mature deliberatioune and voiting, The Assemblie
thinkes the second Overtour maist expedient to be accepted, bear-
rig the provisioun of Ministeres to all Prelacies, with the condi-
tiounes thairin contefirit as is above expressit. Item, the Assembfie
thought expedient to adjoyne and nomMat utheris out of the num
ber of the Britherine to be adjoyned to thais quMlk wer nominat
by the Commissioneres of the Prorinces conveinit at Halyrude-
house, the fyftein of October ; out of the quhilk number his Majes
tie soffld mak his chfflse of sic as he soffld present to the benefice
vacand. The names of thame aU are as foUowes : Mrs Robert Pont,
James MelviU, James Nicolsoune, Patrick GaUoway, Johne Forbes,
Jhone Knox, Robert Wilkie, Jhone Howisoune, George Monro,
Johne Clappertoune, Robert Bruce, Johne CarmichaeU, Wffliam
Malcohne, Robert Howie, Alexander Scrymgeour, Alexander Lynd-
say, James Robertsoune, Patrick Lindsay, Andro Knox, Johne
Spottiswood, Garine HamUtoun, Andro Lambe, Alexander For
bes, Alexander Douglas, and George Grahame."
Off the quhfflt, sume plainely refoised, and sume wer absent, and
yit thair names wer put in as nomMat by the Assembfie.
It wes long and verie much urgit, or ' the Greivances of the Synod
of Fyffe coffld be gottM hard2 and answerit ; but, sieing the grytest
number of the Assembfie pressit the same, thair wes haM ane dus-
sane namit out of the Assembfie to confer with so many of the said
Synod thairanent, and to report thair agriement to the full As
sembfie. FOLLOWS THE GREIVANCES OF THE SYNOD OF FYFF.
" 1. It wald be meffled3 to the GeneraU Assembly nixt, that the
GeneraU Assemblies of the Kirk are nocht ordinarilie keipit, nocht-
1 Before, ere. 2 Heard. 3 Complained of.

550 THE CONTINUATION OF 1602.
withstandMg the actis of Parliament and GeneraU Assembfie, and
the necessitie of the tyme ; but that the dyatis thairof ar altered
without the knawledge of the Presbyteries and Synodis.
" 2. That Ministeres are caUit befoir his Majestie's Secreit Coun-
cill, in prima instantia, for Discipfine or Doctrine, quhUk is a gryt
Mcouradgment to the enimies.
" 3. That aU applicatiounes of Doctrine in Presbyteries and Ex-
cercises ar found fait with, undir pretence of an act of ane GeneraU
Assemblie ; quhilk act, thairfoir, wald be sichted and cleirlie inter-
pretit. " 4. Tfiat the Govemement of the cheiff matteres of the Kirk
continowis in the handis of a few, undir the name of a Commis-
sioune, to the gryt prejudice of the fiberties of Synods and Pres
byteries. " 5. That the ordMarie Doctoris beiring 1 ordinare caMng in the
Kirk, by the discipfine and constitutioune thairoff, [and are now
abrogat, and now2] ar debarrit from Presbyteries and Assemblies.
" 6. That the Assemblie hes takin no tryeU hithertill3 annent the
Cautiounes sett doune for avoyding of corruptioune in the Commis
sioneris, and voiteris in Parliament.
" 7. That the absence of the Pastouris in Edinbruche, and al-
teratioune of the Ministerie thairoff, quMlk wes the cheiff Watch-
tower of the Kirk, hurtis greitfie the caus of true Religioune, and
incowradges the enemies.
"8. That thair is distractiounes in opiniounes far different from
the consent and unitie of heartis quhUk hes bein in the Kirk befoir,
in all weightie causses, and ovir letill deliberatioune and reassoune-
ing had in matteres ; quhairby conclusiounes are past, almaist the
haM of the Bretherine gaising ;4 quhairas our Assemblies wes evir
wont to consider before they concludit any thing.
" 9. That the land is defiled, and the Kirk is indomadgit by the
French Embassadour his mass.

1 Univ. MS. reads, " diverse learned men having." 2 Adv. MSS. ' Hereto
fore, hitherto. • Both of the Adv. MSS. read " gainstanding."

1602. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 551
" 10. That excommunicat persounes for Papistrie are suffired
to haunt the countrey pubfictlie and piceablie.
"11. That the NobiUmen laitlie relaxit from excommunicatione
for Papistrie gives no toakines of thair professioun of the truth, bot
rather the contrarie.
" 12. That apprehendit Papistis' directiounes and Letteris are
kepit close, and the dangers imminent thairby to the Kirk are
not communicated to the Watchmen,1 quhairby they may make
faithfoU2 wairnemg, and prevent the perreU.
" 13. That the Discipline of the Kirk againes murther, incest,
and adulterie, is not practised with that holy severitie that becomes,
notwithstanding of the frequent remissiounes obtaifflt by crimfflaU
persounes, for eschewMg of drill punischment.
" 14. That the remeidis sett doune againes apprehendit dangeris
at diverse tymes, and at diverse meittingis of the Kirk, ar not fol-
lowit furth."3 Sess. 8, November 13, 1602.4
" The said day, the Breither they appointit to visite the Grei-
vances and Petitiounes of the Synod of Fyfe, condescendit upon
the Answers foUowmg :

[answers by the brethren appointed to visit the
grievances of the synod of fife.]
" First, Findis and decerns that the GeneraU Assembfies sould
be appoyntit and keipit accordMg to the act of Parliament haldin
at Edinbruche the fiftfi day of June 1592, quhairoff the tennour
foUowis, so far as concemes that poynt : ' And siclyk, ratiffies and

' The Ministers. 5 Univ. MS. " thankfull." 3 Immediately following this
document, there follows in the Univ. MS., " The Sowme of the Conference keipit at
Halirudhous the 17 of Nov. 1595 ;" which the reader will find in the Diary, pp. 446-
462. * In Univ. MS., " 13 December, Sess. 5."

552 THE CONTINUATION OF 1602.
approves the GeneraU Assemblies appoyntit by the samyne Kirk;
and declaires that it salbe lawfuU to the said Kirk and Ministeres,
every yeir at the leist, and oftner pro re nata, as occasione and ne
cessitie sail serve and requyre, to hafiT and keip GeneraU Assem
blies ; providing that the King's Majestie or his Commissioneris to
be appoyntit with thame be his Heffles, bemg present att Uk Gene
raU Assemblie, befoir the dissolving thairoff, nominat and appoynt
a tyme and place quhen and quhair the nixt GeneraU Assembfie saU
be keipit; and M caice that naither his Majestie nor his saids Commis
sioners be present for the tyme in that toune quhair the Generall
Assemblie salbe halden, that then, and M that cais, it salbe leisum
to the said GeneraU Assemblie, by thame selff, to nomMat and ap
poynt tyme and place, quhen and quhair, the nixt GeneraU Assem
bfie of the Kirk salbe keipit and hokfin, as tfiey haiff bem in use
thir tymes bygane.
" 2. GM his Majestie proceid againes Ministeres accordmg to Ms
Majestie's awin declaratioune, maid and inacted in the Generall As
semblie haldin at Dundie, 1597, sess. 2, the desyre of the second
article is satisfiet, and no uther tMng meMit thairby.
"3. Thinltis it expedient that the act maid annent appficatiounes
in excerceis be interpreit not to be extended to forbid the usefflg of
the Word of God, in appficatiounes to the generall endis thairoff,
quhUk is lawfuU to use efter this manner ; this heid of doctrine
serves for refutatioune of sic ane errour, for the rebuke of such ane
vice, for comforting of such ane people or persoune in such ane cais,
&c. ; and as for particfflare or personaU appficatiounes, leaves it to be
advysit quither it salbe in tyme comemg or noe, and how farre. And
tMnkis guid that this be reassonit in the Presbyteries and their
Commissioneris sent with utheris reassounis to the Mxt GeneraU
Assembfie thairannent ; and, in the meintyme, no invocatiounes to
be used againes personaU appficatiounes.
" 4. Let all Commissiounes be girin forth and usit accordmg to
the actis of the Generall Assemblie from this tyme forth.
" 5. Findis that Doctouris hes had, and may haiff, voit in Generall
Assemblies, thai haiffing ane generaU lawfull commissioune for that

1602. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 553
effect, according as it hes bein efis fund ' and declared by the Generall
Assembfie's Commissioun for tfiat effect, haldin at Edinbruche, May
10, 1586, and at Glasgow 1581 ; quhair it is fund and declareit by
the act of the GeneraU Assemblie, that Doctouris soffld concurr with
the Elderis thair, and thair BrethereM, M aU Assembfies.
" 6. Lett the Cautiounes be lookit and preceisely keipit M
tyme cummmg, undir the paries conteinit in the actis maid thair
annent." ANSWERIT IN THE ASSEMBLIE.
" 7. NotMng to be done and concludit M Assemblie, except it be
sufficiently reassoufflt and defiberat upoune.
" 8. Acquiesces in the deliberatioune of the Breitherine that
hes spokM to Ms Majestie thairannent; and desyres Mr Walter
BalcanquaU to schew the samyn to the Assemblie, and how the
Presbyterie of Edmbruche is satisfied in this poynt.
" 9. Let thair names be given up to his Majestie, that he may
tak order with thame according to the lawis ; and in special with
Captam Halkersoun, Patrik Butter, Mr Alexander Leslie, Dun-
cane Law, Thomas Browne, Wffliam Leslie, and Thomas Mortimer."
ENDIT LN THE ASSEMBLIE.
" 10. To acquiesce M Ms Majestie's declaratioune thairannent ;
and to reqfflest Ms Majestie that the Presbyteries heiraftir be ac-
quentit M sic causses, quhen it salbe neidfuU.
"11. Quhair thair is negligence in this poynt, let it be mendit
heireftir, accordMg to the actis of the Assembfie.
" 12. Let farder diligence be usit quhair negligence hes bein."
Quhilks Answers the Assembfie aUowis of, and approves thame ;
and ordaines the samyn to be insert in the Buikis of the Assem-
1 Already found.

554 THE CONTINUATION OF 1604.
blies. And so ended this Assembly. The nixt Assemblie wes ap
poyntit to haMd at Abirdein, the last Tuysday of July, anno 1604,
the King voiting thairto him selff first, and the rest foUowing;
howbeit, he did schaw him selff mychtily offendit at the minting1
to keipe the samyn, as the progress of this storie will schaw.2
M.DC.1TI.
The yeir following, guid Quein Efizabeth restitin peace, and King
James entirit King in England more peaceably nor him selff or any
uthir could haiff expectit. So it pleasit God to magnffie his mercie
and grace with his blissit GospeU of peace ; the lycht quhairoff once
entering in Britaine, eftir the grosse and most dark night of Poprie,
beganne peace betwixt the unconciliabiU 3 natiounes of Scottis and
English : The continowing quhairof maid peace to grow, and at
last perfytit the samyn be ane blessit Umoune, iff it be, in the true
faith of boith doctrine and discipline, knitt fast with the band of love
in Chryst. The King maid gryt haist to goe to tak possessioun in
England, and in oration maid pubfictlie for taking Ms leiff, in the
Gryt Kirk of Edmbruche, he thanMt God that he had sattled boith
Kirk and kingdome of Scotland, and left it in that estate quhilk he
meinit nocht to hurt or alter ony way, the subjectis thairof remaine-
ing and injoying the samyn peaceably and quyetly ; for the quhilk
effect, he would once in every thrie yeir cume and visit the samyn.
Also, his Majestie send back word with diverse Ministeris that mett
him by the way, that thai soffld schaw aU thair bretherein, in his
name, that thais sould keip unitie and peace, without altering any
thing concludit in thais Assemblies quhairin he wes present Mm
selff in persoune, for his purpose was nocht to alter ony thing.
M.DC.1V.
In the moneth of January thaireftir, the Conferrence was keipit
at Hamptoune Court, of gryt expectatioune that aU the great and
grosse corruptiounes of the Kirk of England sould be reformed ;
1 Aiming, attempting. ! Adv. MSS. "testifie." 3 Irreconcilable.

1604. MR JAMES melvill's dlvrt. 555
the effect quhairof wes publischit by two proclamationes, in the
monethe of Merche following ; one againes Jesuites and Semi
naries, but very favourabill to the Pape, and Papistis in Religioune ;
the uthir very favourabiU to the Bisschoppis, but griveous to the
sincere Ministeres, and gryt disapoyntment, discouragement, and
disgrace of aU that craffled and MiMt for reformatioune.
The ProvinciaU Synods in Scotland conveining in Appryl, and
heiring of ane Parfiament proclamed to be keeped in Edinburght,
directit ovir thair Commissioneris to joyne and advyse with the
Commissioneris of the GeneraU Assembfie annent the effaires of the
Kirk ; and, according to the custome, desyrit ane GeneraU Assem
blie to be grantit and haldin befoir or with the Parfiament, namely,
at sic a necessare tyme, wfien aU wes on fute awaikit to look to thair
matteris : Sa, we passit ovir to the Parfiament haldin at Efflnburg
the 24th of that moneth, quhair Mr Patrik GaUoway and Mr
Darid Lindsay, caUit Bischoppis J laitly, wer cume from the King ;
quho, in a full Conventioune of the Commissioneris boith of the
GeneraU Assemblie [and of the last ProvMciaU, declared unto us
that they had desyred a Generall Assembfie to be2] afoir3 or at the
Parfiament ; [quhUk the King said, needeth not, in respect there
wes nocht to be intreated of in this Parliament,4] bot concerning
the Unioun, quhairin the Kirk could have no interest in at tMs
Parliament, and quhairby the ordour and discipline of our Kirk of
Scotland sould nawayis be hurt. The Commissioneris of the Pro
vMciaU Assemblies reassounit in the contrair, that so could not be ;
becaus the realmes could not be united without the unioune of
the Kirk ; neither could the Kirkis be united in discipline, the ane
bemg EpiscopaU and the uther Presby teriaU, unles that the ane soffld
surrender and cede5 to the uther. It wes replyit, that nothing wes

1 Advocates' MSS. " Bischope of Rosse.' * Omitted in University MS.
* Before. 4 Omitted in University MS  These omissions are noted here to
exhibit a specimen of the extreme carelessness of nearly all the existing transcripts
from old MSS , and the necessity of scrupulously collating them with as many copies
as can conveniently be procured. — Ed. s Adv. MSS. " Yeild."

556 THE CONTINUATION OF 1604.
to be done in tMs Parfiament but chuseing of Commissioneris to
treat of the Umoune, and report. We answerit, that commounly,
as thingis wer dressit and blokit by the Conferrence and treiting,
they wer at last sua concludit and endit, and, thairfoir, the greittest
danger wes in the want of skiU, tentivnes, faithfullnes, and guid ef-
fectioune of Commissioneris, and quho Md undertak commissioune
in so weightie a matter for the GeneraU Kirk, without warrand and
directioune from the samyn, or quho could be caMt Commissioneris
for ony estait, and accept it as such, unles thai wer chosen by
thame, and ressavit instructiounes and warrand from thame. Thai
reply eit,1 that the Parliament did chuse thame, and the Kirk had ap
poyntit certaine to vote thairm. We answerit, that sic wer athare2
of old Prelates, or men namit 3 Bisschoppis. Giff4 the auld Prelates,
the most just exceptiounes of the Kirk, had bem at aU tymes by
gaine againes thame, as neither beiring office M the Kirk nor hav
ing commissioun thairfra : Giff new[-named] Bisschoppis, thair wes
ane express cautioun, disschairgMg thame to presume to propone any
thing, in Parliament or in ony uthir Conventioune, m name of the
Kirk, without ane expres warrand and direction of the samyn, undir
the paine of deprivatioune from thair office.
TMs reassoiming pleissit not the Bisschoppis, (of new so nameit,)
and such of the Commissioneris of the GeneraU Assembfie, in
quhom the King confided ; and thairfoir wes lychtly brokin off, and
the matter eludit and put off to further advysement. Wee, siemg
thingis like to goe so that the Parliament wald chuse, eftir the
commoune maner, Lordis of Articles, and thai the Commissioneris
to treat of the Unioune, we wer of purpose to treat and protest in
oppin Parfiament ; but, being assurit of new that the Kmg merit5
not to alter any thmg off our order and discipline, and had expressly
promissit thame, provyding we had behaived our selves quyetly at
this tyme ; also, perceaving that the treity annent the Unioune wes
not lyk to frame in neither of the realmes, but lykly to be crossit

1 Advocates' MSS. " Threiped," i.e. pertinaciously asserted. 2 Either.
3 Adv. MSS. " New-named." l If. = Meant.

1604. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 557
be uther estaitis, to the Kingis miscontentment, we left aff the
purpose of pubfict protestatioune, and resolvit to keip us within
the boundis of deiffing with the Commissioneris of our awin Gene
raU Assembly ; and sua putt our Advyse and Articles in wryt, and
to present thame with a graiff and scharpe admoMtioun, quhUk
nochtwithstanding was reverently ressavit, and our advyce promissit
to be foUowit, and put faythfffllie to practise by thame that had
place. FoUowis now
THE ADVYCE OF THE COMMISSIOUNERIS FROM THE PROVINCIALL
SYNODIS, GIVIN UP TO THE COMMISSIONERIS OF THE G-ENERALL
ASSEMBLY CONVELNIT AT EDINBURGHE, BEFOIR THE PARLIA
MENT, THE 24 OF APRYLE 1604.
" ForsuameUtle as, by your Missives directit to our Presbyteries,
(Right Reverent and worsdiipftffl Breithrin,) we wer warnit to give
in our advyce to yow befoir this proclaimed Parliament, anent mat-
teris to be propouned be the same for the weffl of the Kirk, for dis-
chairgemg of that dewtie, we haiff sett doun and sent to yow in
wrytt by our Commissioneris, with aU heartly salutatioune in the
Lord Jesus, the Articles of our Advyce foUowMg :
" And, First, we thank God of tMs purpose of Unioune of thais
realmes togidder, as maist loveabffl and guid, in respect that all-
ready by the professioune of the GospeU, thai haiff bein united in
God thais many yeiris bypast ; and now, by a speciaU blissing of that
samyn GospeU of peice and unioune in Jesus Christ, they ar come
undir ane King in vertues and graces incomparabffl ; and, thairfoir,
we earnestfie wische the same, be aU guid meinis and indeavouris
of aU estaitis to be present, namely, by the ecclesiasticaU, evin tffl
it be effectuat for the estabUisching and maintinence of the Mng-
dome of Jesus Christ, quhfflt is the kingdome of true peace and
unioune, wirking true saftie and firme weillfare to all kingdomes
reigneing and standMg with Christ and M him. Secondlie, Becaus
the occasioun and treating annent the Unioune so happUy be God's
gryt and guid Providence fafflne forth, is since the last Generall

558 THE CONTINUATION OF 1604.
Assemblie, and in name of the said Assemblie of the Kirk of this
realme, ye could thairfoir haiff no warrand, directione, or informa
tioune to deaU in any particulare concerneing the same ; yet we
think that thai may and sould doe this in generall, in the name of
the said Assembly : That is to say,
" First, To craive the actis maid in favours of the Kirk, in Parlia
ments preceiding, to be ratified and to be confirmit off new m tMs
present. " Nixt, Solemnelie we protest that nothing be done by way of
Commissioune or utherwayis, at this tyme, quhairby any innova-
tioune, alteratioune, hurt or prejudice ensew againes the present
rycht professioune of the Doctrine, Discipline, and Govemement
of the Kirk and kingdome of Jesus Chryst within this realme,
estabMschit be the Word of God, confirmeit by the law of the
contrey, breiffely comprehendit and publischit in the Kingis Majes
tie's Confessioun of Faith, quhairunto all his Hemes' subjectis wer
movit, with thair King and Soveraigne Lordis solemnlie to sweir
and subscryve, and the quhilk his Majestie, going to his prosperous
promotioune, most gratiously vouchsaffit, and granted it soffld enjoy
peiceabilly and unaltered heirefter. And incais thair be any thing
done in the contraire, (as God forbid !) to protest it to be null, and
of no force nor effect in it selff, in respect that neithir the GeneraU
Kirk wes warnit thairto,1 nor had directit any Commissiouneris
thairannent. " Thridlie, That the old Petitiounes of the Generall Assembly
be reneued, and so much the moir presently urgit, as the danger is
gryt ; to witt, that none vote in name of the Kirk, and as the estait
thairof, in Parliament, quho beiris not office within the samyn, nor
hes any Commissioun so to doe from the same ; and iff thai be .
admittit to sit and voit thairin in that name, to protest that it
be not esteimed the voit and judgment of the Kirk of Scotland.
"Fourtlie, Forsuameikle as in the Generall Assemblie haldme
in presence of the Kingis Majestie's presens, at Montrosse, in the
1 Advocates' MSS. " would yeild thairto."-

1604. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 559
monethe of Marche anno 1600, it wes expresslie and be cautioune
provydit, that thais of the Ministrie quho in name of the Kirk ar
appoyntit to voit in Parliament saU not presume at ony tyme, in
Parliament, CounseU, or Conventioune, to propoune any thing in
name of the Kirk, without ane expresse directioune and warrand
thairfra ; neithir yet saU keip silence in oppouning thameselves
thairto, iff thai saU heir or persaiff ony thing uttirit to the hurt or
prejudice thairof, under the paine of deprivatioune : Thairfoir, we
think that thai soffld chairge the same voitteris in Parliament, in
name of Christ and his Kirk, so to doe, undir the paine of depriva
tioune, and further as CMist by his Kirk sail inflict ; and to re
commend to thame the order and discipline of our Kirk to be weill
considerit, studeit, and hauldine in memory, that thai may men-
teine and stand faythfully to the samyn to thair uttirmost ; remem-
biring that accompt thai must give to the Generall Kirk of this
realme, but namely to Jesus Christ, and that gryt and glorious
Parfiament off Ms last appeirance to judge the quick and the deid.
" Fyftlie and last, We most earnestly beseik yow, in the boweMs
of Christ Jesus, yea evin attesting and adjureing, befoir God and
his elect angellis, as ye wiU mak answer to tfiat great Judge to
quhom ye man give ane accompt of your stewartschip, that ye, by
these presentis, certiffie and Mforme the Commissioneris to be
chosine in the present Parliament to treat upoun this Unioune, for
the pairt of the Kirk, and so by thame the King, our Soveraigne his
most exceUent Majestie on earth, that we belive in our fieart and
conscience, and have it Mstructit, cleirit, and assurit by the Word of
God, wryttM in Holy Scripture, that the essentiall grundis of the
Discipfine and Govemement of the Kirk and kingdome of Jesus
Christ, estabilischit and usit within this realme of Scotland, ar not
thmgis indifferent and alterabffl, but substantiall pairtis of the Gos
peU, haiffing as great and lyk warrand as ony poynt of our fayth
and religioune ; quMlk to renunce or pass fra we wiU not, by his
grace : We will esteime it as hard as to renunce the manifest truth
of God, reveUit to us in the Scripture, and so hardly and worse
then to suffer the death, quhilk expressly, by thir presentis, we

560 THE CONTINUATION OF 1604.
protest and confesses, chuseing rather so to doe now befoir hand,
for the eas and releife of our conscience, nor ovir lait1 heirefter,
quhen (as it may be yet, God forbid !) thair is constitutiounes and
lawis maid in the contraire."
The Parliament being prorogat to the moneth of July, and keipit
at Perth, the Barrounes and Burgessis, with sume of the ancient
NobUitie, quhois numbir wes but smaU, M respect of the new-maid
Lords and Erfis advancit to honour for that purpose, as namefie the
grid auld Earle of Mortoune, most uprycht and zealous for the fiber-
tie and sincere standing of the doctrine and discipline of the Kirk,
desyrit ane claus to be insert in the Commissioune for the Unioune,
to preserve and keipe the present sincere and frie estait of the Re-
ligioune in discipline and doctrine witMn the Kirkis. They deaU
with the Commissiouneris of the GeneraU Assembly to assist thairin,
as such to quhom it appertaineth cheifly ; bot thai were borne back
by the new nameit Bisschoppes and agentis of the Court, haid lytle
cair thairin, (a blott of treasoun againes the caus,) yit the foir-nameit
NobUlmen, to quhome the prais heiroff amonges men speciaffie be-
longis, Msistit so M oppine Parfiament, that howbeit the clause wes
not insertit in the Commissioune ; yit, in the first act of that Par
liament maid in favouris of the Kirk, it wes provydit that the estait
present of the Kirk of Scotland, in religioune and sinceritie, boith
of doctrine and discipline, sould no wayes be prejudgit or hurt by
the present Commissioune, or grantit be the Unioune, &c, and that
wes aU we desyrit for the tyme.
The Generall Assembly wes appoyntit to be haldine att Aberdeine
the last Twyisday of July. Amongis utheris Articles that the
Lord Comptroller, Lord of Scoone, brought from Court, (for now
our country begouth2 to be reufit be directioune of Articles,) thair
wes one annent the prorogating of the said Generall Assembly till
the Unioune wes concludit, and the nixt adverteisement. The ques
tioune, thairfoir, being movit in the Presbyterie of Saint Androis,
Quhither Commissioners sould be directed to keipe that day or not ?
1 Than too late. s Began.

1604.. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 561
It wes concludit that thai soffld, becaus the warrand of keipeing wes
greitter nor of continowing and prorogatioune thairoff, to witt, the
Word of God, custome of the Kirk smce the first Reformatioune
of Refigioun, law of the realme, and ordinance of the last Generall
Assembly, quhair Ms Majestie, with the Assembly, did appoynt the
samyn ; and namely, the pririledges, weill, and libertie of our Kirk,
wes to be looMt to at tMs tyme, quhen aU estaitis wer zealous of
their rychtis and fiberties. Quhairupoun that Presbyterie directit
the Commissioneris to Aberdeme; quhais dUigence wes reported
by thame to the said Presbyterie, as foUowis ;
'' At Aberdein, the last day of July 1604, within Saint Nicolas'
Paroch Kirk of the Burght off AberdeM, at four houris efter noone,
or thairby, befoir thir wittnesses, Mr Peter Blackburne, James
Rosse, and Archibald Blackburne, MMisteres of Aberdeene, John
Bought, MMister at Rige,1 Mr Thomas Nicolsoune, Commissioner
of AberdeM, and George Nicolsone, burges off the said Burgh :
" The quhUk day, in presens of the wittnesses foirsaidis, and of
the connotaris pubfict under-subscry vand, compeirit personaUy within
the said Paroche Kirk, Mrs James MelvM, Wiffiam Erskine, and
WUfiame Murray, Mifflsteris of the EvangeU of Jesus Chryst, and
presented ane Commissioune givin to thame be the Breitherin of
the Presbyterie of SaMt Androis, &c, quhairby thai ar constitut
Commissioneris for thame for keipeing of the Generall Assembly
appoyntit at AberdeM in the moneth of July Mstant ; as the said
Commissioun, quhilk wes red in audience of us and of the saidis
wittnesses, in the seM at mair lenth beires ; quhairof the tennour fol-
lowis: ' At St Androis, the 26 day of Jffly 1604; the qulfflk
day, after McaUMg2 on God, the Presbyterie did appoynt and con
stitute thair Breither Ministeris, James Melvill, WUfiame Erskine,
and William Morray, thair Commissioneris to the Generall Assembly
appoyntit to be haldine at Aberdeine [this moneth ; givmg to thame
thair full Commissioune and express command to pass to Aber-
1 Adv. MSS., erroneously, " John Rower, Minister at Rige." * Invocation.
2n

562 THE CONTINUATION OF 1604.
deine,1] and thair, for the said Presbyterie and m thair names, to
conferr, voit, and conclud sic thingis as soffld be handefit m that As
semblie, and to doe quhatsumevir thMgis that perteinis to the weffl
of the Kirk : Promisemg to ratifie and approve qufiatevir the saids
Commissioneris saU doe thairinto, according to the Word of God.
In wittnes quhairoff, thai haM commandit thair Clerk to subscryve
tMs present Commissioune, day, yeir, and place foirsaiffls. (Sic sub
scribitur,) Mr Robert Roucht,2 Clerk to the Presbyterie, at the
command of the same.' And thairwith did give in and present in
wryt thair Protestatioune subsequent; quhilk, siclyk, wes red in
audience of us and the said witneses, and wes subscryvit with thair
handis in our presence ; quhairoff lykwayis the tennour foUowis :
' ForsuameUde as albeit the Kirk of Scotland, evir since the Refor-
matioune of Refigioune, and lycfit of the GospeU rychtly Mstructit
and informit, hes thought it a most necessar duetie, awand to Chryst
and his Kirk, to conveine in thair GeneraU Assembfie, yeirly, for
keiping of the puritie of the doctrine, excerceise of discipfine, and
govemement of tfie haffl estait thairoff, with ufflforme consent and
agriement, lykas thai haM bein M contMuaU use and possessioune to
keipe the same inviolabffl, as a cheiff and principaU pairt of the fi
bertie and office of the Ministrie commandit by the Lord Jesus
Christ : As also, God hes movit the heart of the Kmg, our Sove-
raine, with consent of Ms Estaitis in Parfiament, by speciaU actis
and lawis, to ratifie and approve the same, grantfflg fibertie and fri
dome to the Miffisteris of the Kirk to convein in thair GeneraU As
semblies, once in the yeir at the least, and oftner pro re nata ; and
the Kingis Majestie, of his speciaU caire and effectioune to the Kirk
of Jesus CMist withm Ms Hienes' reahne, did give Ms awin presens,
as at uthers diverse GeneraU Assembfies, so at the last holdine at
Hafirudhous, quhair certaffle Grievances beMg girin M, amang the
rest, that the Generall Assembfies wer not keipit ordinarfie, quhilk
his Majestie and the said Assembly ordeinit to be keipit in tyme
comming ; appoynting the actis of Parfiament maid thairannent to
1 Omitted in Univ. MS. * Adv. MSS. " Kooke."

1604. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 563
be observit, insertmg the very wordis of the act of Parliament in the
ordmaU of the Assembfie, and accordmg thairto at the ending of the
said Assembfie, appoyntit tfie nixt GeneraU Assemblie to be holden
at Aberdeine the last Twysday of Jfflly, in tMs instant yeir 1604.'
" Nevertheless, that day bemg now come and instant, we fand
no appeirance of the keipmg of the said Assemblie by the presens
of the last Moderatour, nor Conventioune, nor meitmg togither of
Bretherine, Commissiouneris directit from Provinces or Presbyte
ries, to the gryt displesoure and greffl of our heartis, namely, in sua
necessare and sua neidfull a tyme, quhen messes are breMng forth
in diverse pairtis, and sume of the burghis of the reahne, Kirks and
Congregatiounes lyis pitiffflly unplantit, a cairles cauldnes in aU
estaitis, namely M the Ministrie it seM, and Atheisme, with aU kynd
of vyce overflowMg the face of the land : Thairfoir, we, Mrs James
MelviU, WUfiame Erskffle, and WUfiame Murray, Commissioneris
apoyntit and sent Mther by the Presbyterie of Saint Androis, haffl"-
fflg preceisely keipit the day sett for the GeneraU Assembfie, and
attendit on M the Kirk of Aberdeine aU the foir noone, without
meetting of ony Commissioneris from uthir Provinces or Presbyte
ries smce we came ; and siemg we can do no more, hes thoucht it
our most necessar duetie, befoir God and Ms angeffis, and yow that
ar present, to tak documentis and mak protestatioune : Lykas, in
the handis of yow notaris pubfict we tak actis, documentis, and M-
strumentis, tfiat we, abovenamit, ar heir present, directit M commis
sioune from our said Presbyterie of Samf Androis, for keiping of
the said appoyntit GeneraU Assembfie on this day and at this place ;
so that this same defect hes not, so much as lyes in us, but may
hold and keipe accordMg to the Word of God, constitutiounes and
continuaU customes of the Kirk, the lawes of the realme, and the
appoyntment of the GeneraU Assembly last holden, the Kingis Ma
jestie beMg present thairat, and voiting first to the samen : And
we doe protest, befoir God, that quhatsoevir skaith, hurt, damnage,
or entres,1 the Kirk and KMgdome of Jesus Christ within the realme,
1 Interest.

564 the continuation of 1604.
in the privUedgis, liberties, or friedomes, or utherwayis in the gene
raU or particular estait thairoff, saU happine to Mcurre or susteine,
by the oversycht, negfigence, and slipping of the said appoyntit
Assemblie, it be not imputed to us and our said Presbyterie of
Saint Androis : Protesting also, expressly, that the samyne (iff any
be) may be amendit and redressit by remeid of the Word of God,
lawis of the realme, actis and constitutiounes of our Kirk, and auld
fibertie and friedome thairoff in sic tyme and place as God saU thmk
expedient. " Thus, protestmg and procureing most earnestlie * and solemnely
for the weffl, pririledgis, and libertie of the said Kirk and King-
dome of Jesus CMist estaibfiscMt in this realme, movit and steirit
up thairto for no uther caus (as God is Judge) but that we may
doe and dischairge a most necessar deutie for the glorie of Christ,
saftie of his Kirk, and the ease and releiff of our consciences m the
gryt day of his glorious appeirance, to caU us to ane accompt of our
ministerie and dispensatioune concredit2 to us.
(Sic subscribitur) "Mr James Melvill.
" William Murray.
" William Ersktne.
" QuhUk Commissioune and Protestatioune bemg red and presentit,
as said is, the said Mr James MelviU, Wffliam Erskine, and WU-
liam Morray, maid their Protestatiounes conforme thairto, and tuik
documentis and instrumentis thairupone in the handis of us conno-
taris pubfict, undirsubscryveand, day, monethe, yeir, and place foir
said, and befoir the witneses above mentionit, witnessing thais our
subscriptiounes manuelfis.
" Ita est, Mr Thomas Nicolsoune, scriba constitutus communis
Burgi de Aberdeine, Notarius Publicus, ac testis ad premissa re
quisites et rogatus ; testan. hac mea subscriptione manuali.
" Ita est, Walterus Robertsone, scriba constitutus Burgi de
1 Adv. MSS. "instantly." » Entrusted.

1604. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 565
Abirdiene, Connotarius Publicus, ad premissa specialiter rogatus
et requisitus ; testan. hie meis signo et subscriptione manualibus.
" Ita est, David Mar, ' Connotarius, in premissa rogatus et requi
situs ; teste mea hac subscriptione manuali."
The gMd Breitherine of the North, siring Saint Androis to haiff
such a cair of the GeneraU Assembfie, quhairoff thai had bein cair-
les, condemned thair awin negfigence, and did tak advyce to di
rect Lettres and Commissioneris from thair nixt Synod to be
holdine at Abirdeme in the moneth of August, to aU the Provinces
of the realme, requeisting that a certaine number directit from
every ane of thame aucht to be present at the Synod of Fyff, to
be keipit M St Androis M the moneth of September, quhair thai
mycht expoune their Grivances, namely, annent the Earle of
Huntly, quho vexed thame with Ms proud Poperie, and to crave all
concurrance for a GeneraU Assembfie.
Be tMs occasioune, the Synod wes keipit verie frequently 2 at Saint
Androis. Thair wes a gryt numbir of gentillmen and many Com
missioneris of diverse Provinces, namely, be-south and west. The
doctrine wes upon Appostasie, the xxix. of Deut. ; quhilk God blissit
with gryt power and movemg of the heartis of aU. Thair wes the
Laird of Lauristoune, the King's Commissiouner, quho being in-
formit that we meMeit to keep ane GeneraU Assembfie, fiad Let
tres m reddmes from the Councffl to dischairge our meitting ; but
quhen he heard the occasioune expouned be our Breitherine of Abir
deme, and saw aU our proceidMgis in ane ordinar and quyet forme,
he approrit all. Att tMs Synod the questioune wes movit, 3 Quhither
the GeneraU Assembfie mycfit be haldme4 without crairing and
obtemeing the King's leive ? It wes found, by guid reassouneing,
that it mycht ; for, besyd the warrand of Christ, the offlie KMg of
the Kirk, quhilk is sufficient and great aneugh, we haiff a law for
it, quhUk the King Mmselff, in a Gener*aU Assembfie at Dundie,
acknawledgit to be the most autentik forme of license and consent
1 Adv. MSS. "Mure." ' Crowdedly, great numbers attending ifc,
' Adv. MSS. "reasoned." 4 lb. " conveen."

566 the continuation of 1604.
that a KMg could give, et id possumus quod dejure possimus : Thair
foir, we sould not dout of it, bot even as Shereffis and Barrounes
keepis thair Courtis upoun warrandis, and giftis, and mfeftmentis,
so may we. Bot the Kingis Commissiouner, grantmg that so it
mycht be, counseUit us rather to attend his Majestie's license and
guid wiU ; for utherwayis it wald mak a sturr, and the CounseU by
Lettres wald dischairge it : We soffld doe weffl to mak warneing
from this Synod and the rest of the ProvMces to direct thair Com-
missiouneris to meitt with such as this Assembfie soffld appoynt, at
Perth, in October foUowmg, quhair also he soffld caus the Com-
missiouneris of the GeneraU Assembfie to be present with himselff,
and quhat wes thought most meitt concernmg a GeneraU Assem
blie, or any uther tMng, then he sould cary it to the Kmg, and re-
turne a guid answer. QuMUt advyce being foUowit, and the Com-
missiouneris bemg nominat, the Assemblie dissolvit.
Tfie dyat set at Perth, M the moneth of October, wes very fre
quently keipit, quhair the Kingis Commissiouner declairet the caus
of thair meiting, and desyrit aU the Commissiouneris from Prorinces
to meitt togidder by thameselves, to advyse on Articles and Peti-
tiounes to be sent be him to the King, for he wes presently on Ms
journay towardis his Majestie ; and he, with the Commissiouneris
of the GeneraU Assemblie, would advys alon in the lyk maner. So
we rose from thame, and went togider to a place off the Kirk by
our selris, quhair, chuseing a Moderator, the Breither that come
from aU pairtis and Provinces of the land, with gryt gladnes and
contentment of mynd, spent the foirnoone ; every man orderly and
at length uttering their Grivances, and layMg thame opin in plaihe
termes to their Britherine, regrating hevifie the decaymg estait of
the Kirk, the restraineing of the fridome thairof, the usurpatioune
of the Commissiouneris of the GeneraU Assembfie, in taking upone
thame the haUl refflfing and government of the Kirk, and gryt and
manifold inconveniences faffing out dayfie in aU Provinces thairby,
namlie for the wanting of a frie and Generall Assemblie ; adding
also, in end, thair judgmentis and advyccs, how thaise tMngs mycht
be mendit, and further hurt and mischeiff mycht be preventit ; so

1604. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 567
that eririe man thought thai wer begming of new to tast againe of
the sueiteness of the auld fridomes thairof, and joyfffll meiting to
gidder of the Breitherine for Chrystis honour and thair mutuaU con
fort. Bot, how sone as the knawledge heiroff come to the Com
missiouneris, (as it come incontinent be sume that went out from
amongst us, bot wer not of us,) we haM not leive to meit againe
and proceid at eftimoone ; but it behovit us, of need force, either
to sit togidder with him, and advyse on matteres in commoune,
or then to be dischairgit. Many guid Breitherine wald haiff con
tinowit and mett agam togidder at eftirnoone, but the grytest pairt
left us ; and we being desyrit to continow togidder with thame,
wald seime to be smgfflar, and be auctoris of a schisme, but come
and sat doun with thame, quhair we enterit in a very peice off free
conferrence about the male-contentment of Breither.
We did schaw plafflly thair wes amongis us mony more, two
causses in speciaU, that gririt us ; only that the Commissiouneris last
chosme be the GeneraU Assembfie, or rathir a very few of that
numbir, arrogatis to thame the haill govemement of the Kirk and
power of the GeneraU Assembfie. They did and undid in the name
thairof quhat thai fist ; sa thai maide the compend to abofiscfie the
haffl gryt work [and power of the GeneraU Assembfie,1] and re-
dactit2 the Kirk to ane oligarchic, and wald not htiff off thair com
missioune, nochtwithstanding the tyme thairoff, bemg bot to the Mxt
GeneraU Assembfie, wes expyrit : The uthir wes, that we saw thais
new-nameit Bischoppis growne up feUounlie and ambitiousfie to tak
it on thame M Parfiament, reassounemg and voiting thairin without
any commissioune from the Kirk, to the gryt schame of the Kirk in
hir estimatioune, and hurt of hir patrimony.
Thair answer to the first wes, thai undirstud that thair Commis
sioune wes to continew till the holdfflg of the nixt GeneraU Assem
blie, quhilk keipit not at AberdeMe ; and it wes not so meikle thair
desyre to remaMe commissioneris, for thai wer wearie of the office,
as because the King would acknawledge no uthir to deaU with him
1 Not in the Univ. MS. " Reduced, Lat. redactus.

568 the continuation of 1604.
bot them, and that we wald finde iff we attemptit any thmg with-'
out them.
To the nixt annent the Bischoppis, if thai had done any thing
contrair to the Cautiounes and Ordinances of the Generall Assem
bfie, thai sould find aU the Commissiouneris alse sair ' censureris as
any of us ; upon the quhMt poynt thai contendit not to heir the
Moderator, Mr Patrik Galloway, to speik verie zealously and lairge-
lie ; bot evirie ane of the Commissiouneris and Bisschoppis thair
present spak thair tyme about, and thair stryring quha mycht be
most zealous and preceis againes the Bisschoppis as brekmg off the
Cautiounes. Many thingis wer replyit, bot speciafiy agames the
second; that thair wes never one jote of the Cautiounes keipit,
eithir in the entrie or behaviour of thais Bisschoppis, as it wes evi
dent to men that had desertit thair flockis, and left thair mmistrie
to goe posting to Court, and come home Lord Bisschoppis againe,
as Mr Johne Spotiswood, Mr Alexander Forbes, and utheris had
done. All quhilk we were ready2 presentfie to verify, and aU the
quhilk we wer desyrit to reserve to the GeneraU Assembfie;
quhairat, iff we gat not concurrance, as every ane had thair pro
fessit and promissit, fhai soffld nevir be estemit as Britherine.
Quhairunto this wes answerit, that aU wes remittit to the nixt
GeneraU Assemblie ; and by them that feirit controlment, that wes
moyened at the hand of the Court to be driftit and delayit tM cus
tome had corroborat corruptiounes, and meinis maid evin among the
MMisteres for thair upsetting and standMg betwixt thame and
CMist, be it quhen he sould come and call aU to ane accompt.
In end, thair wes four Petitiounes aggriet upon to be sent and
directit to the Kingis Majestie, with his Hemes' Commissiouner,
quho promisit fidelitie thairannent :
First, craiffing a GeneraU Assemblie to be keipit without his
Majestie's offence, according to the actis of the Parfiament, and cus
tome of the Kirk.
That order mycht be takin with the Papistis, and contemneris of
the Kirkis discipline and censures.
1 Severe. ' Adv. MSS. "undertook."

1604. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 569
That the godlie and ffaithfull Britherine in England, vexit with
Bischoppis, mycht find favour with his Majestie, and be reponit to
thair offices and livingis.
Annent tfie Platt, and helping of their Britherine quho had bein
enormly hurt at the last modfficatioune, namely, in the Priorie of
Sanct Androis.
No further that yeir, bot of a Strang meteor, quhUk wes hard and
sein in the aire, the seventh day of December. About ane houre
befoir the sone rose, the moone schyneing cleir tuo dayis befoir the
chamge, in ane calme and pleasant mornemg, thair wes at ane in
stant sein gryt inflamatiounes of fyre-flauchtis l in the Eisterne
hemisphere, and suddentfie thaireftir thair wes hard a gryt crack,
as of a gryt cannoun, and sensibffle markit a gryt glob or bffllat,
fyrrie-cffllorit, with a mychtie quMssiMng noyse, flieing from the
north-eist to the south-west, quhfflt left behind it a blew traine and
draught in the air, most lyk ane serpent in mony fafflds and linkit
wmiples ; the head quhairof breathffig out flames and smooke, as it
wald directfie Mvaid tfie moone, and swaUowit hir up ; but immedi
atlie the sone ryseing, faire and pleasant, abofischit aU. The crack
wes hard of aU, alseweill witMn as without the house ; and sic as
wer without, in the tyme, or hastifie ran out to see, did verie sensi-
bffly sie and marMt the rest above rehearsit. Heir wes a subject for
Poyetis and Prophettis to play upoun, as wes also the strange comett
so much discoursit upoun and written on, togidder with the starr
that appeirit and cleirly schynit aboune Edinbruche, hard on by the
sonne, at ten hours, elevin hours, and at twelve and ane of the clock,
in the middel day; prognosticatting, undoutidfie, Strang alter-
atiounes and changes in the world, namely under our climat. Bar-
tholomeus, Kelermannus, the learned Dantiscane phUosopher, in his
extraordmarie Disputatiounes of Ms NaturaU PhUosophie, did tak
it for ane undoutit comet out of Petrus Crugorius' Observatiounes
of the most laimit Astrologianis, namely, that nobUl Ticho Brache,
Thaddeus Hagatius, Paulus Fabricius, Hastarchus, Honstelius,
1 Flashes of lightning.

570 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
Consul Augustinus, Mestelenus Briumas, Minotius, Valerius Pra-
tensis, and a gryt number moe, concerneing the strangnes and
eventis from thair workis ; namely, the said Ticho Brache, in Ms
AstronomicaU Excercitatiounes, and Kelermannus, Dialepsis againes
thame. M.DC.V.
In the monethe of Merch, anno 1605, Mr Johne Forbes, ane
faithfoU brother [and] godfie Minister in the North, by Commis
sioune of Ms BretMr of the Synodis of Abirdeine and Murray, and
advyce of the Secreit Counsel, past to the King, and wes verie weill
acceptit of Ms Majestie, and wes sent backe with dMgence, carieing
lettres and credit againes the Erie of Huntfie and aU Papistis; with
certfflcatioune of the King's constancie in that Refigioune he wes
brought upe mto, and concemefflg the order of the Kirk ; that his
Hienes wes not myndit to alter ony tiring thairin ; but that Ms
Majestie's wM and plesoure wes, that the acts of Parliament and
constitutiounes of the GeneraU Assembfie, namelie, quhairat he wes
present, soffld be keipit ; and that Ms Majestie commandit the said
Mr Johne to utter it to aU the Britherine of the Mfflistrie, as his
manifest wM wes to doe soe ; the quhilk Mr John did faithfuffle.
Now, tfie great Commissiouner, Lawristoune, witfi the Commis
siouneris of the GeneraU Assembfie, had writtine to aU the Presby
teries for keiping of the GeneraU Assembfie at Abirdeme the second
of July ; annent the lteipmg quhairoff great troubffl and disputa-
tioune feU out, as at length the foUowing exemple and most true
Narratioune saU particularly mforme the reider :

A TRUE NARRATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASSEMBLY AT
ABERDEEN, IN JULY 1605.
" At Aberdeene, the seconde day of Jffly 1605 : The quhUk
day, diverse and sindrie Britherine from diverse and sindrie places
and Provinces of the land, instructit with sufficient Commissiounes

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 571
from thair Presbyteries to reassoune, voit, and conclud in the Ge
neraU Assemblie, appoyntit be Ms Majestie's Commissiouner, [and
Commissiouneris of the Generall Assembfie directit from Perth,
the 4 of July 1604, subscryvit with his Majestie's Commissiouner,1]
the Lairde of Lawristoune, Mr Patrik GaUaway, Moderator of the
last GeneraU Assembfie holdMe at Halirudhous, and Ricfiard
Tfiomsoune, as Clerk to the Commissiouneris, to be and begine att
Abirdeine the first Twysday of July 1605, iff by sooner advertis
ment, it can nocht, beMg lawfuMe assembfit upoun the said warrand
and directioun, accordMg to the Word of God, lawis of the coun
trie, nature and continuaU custome of the Kirk of God, eftir McaU-
ing 2 on the name of God be Mr Donald Rob[ertsoune,3] in absence of
the lait Moderator, Mr Patrik GaUaway, Mr Robert Durie, Johne
Muray,4 Johne Forbes, bemg "put on the leitt, with uniforme con
sent, Mr Johne Forbes wes chosMe Moderator, his Majestie's Com
missiouner havemg first nomMat the said Mr Johnne to be mouthe
to the rest ; and Mr Johne Scharpe, in abscence of Mr Thomas
Nicolsoune, with consent of the haffl Britherine, wes nominat and
chosMe Clerk.
" The same day, his Majestie's Commissiouner, haiffing first by
word declairit and oppfflit the desyre of Ms Majestie's Secreit Coun
sel, concerneMg the said meitting, did give in ane Lettre direct
from the saidis Lordis of Ms Majestie's Counsel to the Britherine of
the said MMisterie convefflit at the said Assemblie ; the effect quhair
off wes, to desist from the keipemg of the Assemblie, and to suffer
that meitting to desert. QuMlk Lettre, and desyre conteinit thairin,
with the sfflt and desyre of Ms Majestie's Commissiouner agrieing
thairwith, beMg rypfie considerit by the said Assemblie, and haM-
ing weyeit5 the weightiness off the effairis to be thairin treatit, and
rarenes6 of thair awin number, diverse of the Commissiouners be
ing stayed be the tempest of wetMr, and wUling then, as at aU tymes,
to wittnes thair wifflngnes they carriet to satisfie the Kingis Ma-

' Omitted in Univ. MS. s Invocation. 3 Adv. MSS. " David Wait."
• lb- " Monroe.'" 5 Weighed. " Fewness, smallness.

572 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
jestie and Lordis of his Hienes' Secreit Counsel, in aU thair reas-
sounabffl desyris, Msomuch as mycht stand ,with the Word of God
and testimonie of a gMd conscience, thought meitt and expe
dient to continow the intreating of the effaires perteining to the
said Assemblie to the last Twysday of Septembir foUowing ; and to
dissolve for the present, accordMg to the said suite and desyre of
the Councffl and Commissioners. Befoir the quhfflt ordinance, Ms
Majestie's Commissiouner maid protestatioune, that from the be
ginning he did not acknawledge that present meitting to be a law
fuU Assembfie, M respect of the absence of the last Moderator and
Clerk ordMare. The Moderator, in name of the Britherine, protes-
tit againe, that the said meitting now wes, and behoved to be, ane
lawfuU Assemblie, in respect of the warrand of thair meitting aUed
git. Quhairwith the Commissiouner, not being contentit, causit a
messenger, thair present, with letteris to chairge the Britherine
thair assembfit to depairt, and suffir that meitting to desert, undir
the paine of horneing.
" The Kingis Lettres being red and considerit, the Moderator
and Britherine immediatlie yeUding obedience, caMt on the name
of God, and dissolvit the Assemblie, taring documentis and actis
in the handis of the said messenger, who was also a notar publict,
nameit Johne Wischart, of thair present readie obedience ; and be
caus the said Johne refosit the benefit of his office in that pairt, the
Moderator, togidder with the haM Britherine assembfit, depairtit
out of the Kirk and place quhair thai satt, and went streight to
the Commoune Clerkis chalmer of the Towne of Aberdein, at haiff
ane hour to four eftir noone, and thair tuik documentis and fflstru-
mentis in the handis of Mr Thomas Nicolsoune ; the tennour quhairof
foUowis :
" < At Abirdeine, the 2d of July 1605, in the Commoune Clerk
his wrytting chalmer of the burght of Aberdein, at half houre to
four eftir noone, or thairby : In presens of us, connotaris publict and
witnesses underwritten, compeirit personaUy the Commissiouneris
of the Ministerie of this realme eftir foUowing: Thai ar to say,
Mr Robert Durie, Minister at Anstruther, Mr Andro Duncan, Mini-

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 573
ster at CarraUl, Mr Johne Scharpe, MMister at KUreny,1 Mr Alex
ander Strachane, Minister at Raith,2 Mr Johne Forbes, Minister at
Ford,3 Mr Alexander Forbes, Minister at Buittorhulk,4 Mr James
Irring, Minister at Touch, Mr Robert Youngstoune, Minister at
Clatt, Mr Robert Reid, Mmister at Banchrie Trinitie, Mr Charles
Ferme, MMister at Fraserburght, Mr WUliam Davidsoune, Mini
ster at Ruthwen,5 Mr David Robertsoune, Minister at Kinglatt,
Mr Johne Mountro,6 Minister at Taine, Mr Archibald Blackburne,
Minister at AbirdeM, Mr James Ross, MMister thair, Mr Johne
Roucht,7 MMister at Nig, and aUedgit that thai being conveinit m
the Sessioun-house of the Kirk of this burght of Abirdein this day,
as the appoyntit tyme and place for boldMg of the GeneraU Assem
bfie of the Ministerie of tMs reaMie, thai wer chairgit be Johnne
Wischart, messenger, by virtue of Ms Majestie's Lettres girin be
act of Ms Hienes Secret Counsel, of the dait at Edinbruche, the
twentie day of Juffij 8 last bypast, within the space of ane quarter of
ane hour smce, that thai soffld suffir the Assemblie to desert, and
to repair everie one to thair awin dwelling places and chairge ; and
that thai M nowayis presume or take upoun hand to convein or as
semble thame selves M ony place, for keipeing of the said Assembly,
undir the paffle of horneMg ; as the coppie of the saidis Lettres,
quhilk thai schew to us, connotaris publict and witnesses undirwrit-
tin, subscryvit, as appeirit to said Johne Wisschart, messenger,
proportis : And that, for obedience to the command and chairge
of the said Lettres, the Ministerie, eftir the giveing of the said
chairge, dissolvit without any further actioun, and come immediat
lie forth of the said Sessioune-house and Kirk, to tak notis and M-
strumentis of their obedience, to the command of the said Lettres
and dissolvemg of the said Assembly, in the hands of us, connottaris
undir subscryvand; and heirupoun thai tuik Mstrumentis at the
saidis Commoun ClerMs chalmer at the west end of the towne of
Abirdein, at the most pubfict place, day, moneth, hour, yeir, and
1 Blotted in Univ. MS. The Adv.MSS. read " Kirkman." * lb. " Careith."
sIb. " Alsford." * lb. " Kinkethauchie." & lb. " Ratraw."
<¦ lb. " Monroe." 7 lb. " Ronok." B lb. " July."

574 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
place foirsaid ; befoir thir wittnesses, Mr Alexander Forbes of Fin-
gas,1 David Ronaldsoune in Tffllidaff, Mathew Donaldsoune, Johne
Ker, Baxtar, Alexander Thomsoun, SMnner, Burges of Aberdeme,
with George Speir, serritour to the said Mr Johne Forbes, and
Thomas Forbes, sone to Thomas Forbes, elder, burges of Abir-
deine. " ' Ita est, Mr Thomas Nicolsoune, Notarius Publicus, scriba
communis Burgi de Abredonia, ad premissa requisites.
" ' Ita est, Walterus Robertsoune, scriba substitutes.
( Sic subscribitur) " ' Mr Johne Scharpe, Clerk of the Assemblie.'
" Upon the Fryday thaireftir, being the fyft 2 of July,-a numbir
of Britherine, directit from aU pairtis and ProvMces of the realme,
in Commissioune to the said Assemblie, come to Abirdene, Mndrith
pairtfie by evffl wether, and spaits of watteris, and pairtfie by mis-
taiking of the day directit by the Commissiouneris lettres sent to
thair Presbyteries beiring the fyft day of July ; quho, quhen thai
had undirstanding and considerit the doeing of thair Britherine,
quha keipit the second day, thai did confirme and approve the samyn,
directing thair proceidMgs to Edinbruche, with aU dMgence to
the Secreit Counsel.
" The Kingis Commissiouner, Lauristoune, returneing from
Abirdein to the Secreit Counsel, quhither movit with the spirit of
lies and falsehood, or intysit and corruptit pubfictly3 to tak occa
sioun of this accident to undoe the GeneraU Assembfie and the
haffl liberties of the Kirk, God knowis ; but certainly he did report
ane false and deidly lie, to witt, that he had dischairgit the Brei
therine to meitt on that day befoir the Assembfie, and that by
oppin proclamatioun at the mercat-cross of Abirdem, and notwith
standing thairoff, in manifest contempt of the Kingis Majestie's auc
toritie, thai had keipit the Assemblie ; yit, nevirtheles of this
schameles lie, for verificatioun thairof he wes not abffl to produce
ane man in all the tonne of Aberdein. The Counsel ordaines, first,
1 Adv. MSS. " Tagastar." 2 lb. " Fourt." 3 lb. " politicly."

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 575
aU the Britherin that convemit thair to be denunceit rebeUis and
put to the home ; but perceiving that wald want the grand of law
fuU chairgeMg, and heiring that Mr Johne Forbes, the Moderator,
and Mr Johne Welsche, Minister at Aire, wer in Edinbruche,
quhair the Counsel did sitt, thai usit the occasioun, and warnit
thame by a messenger to compeire befoir the Counsel ; quhair, eftir
certaine mterrogatoris, notwithstanding thair answers were most
pertinent and cleire, accordmg to the truth of thair proceidings, as
is befoir rehersit, that thai schewed thame, it wes the Kingis wUl
that thai soffld be wardit M the CasteU of Blacknes tiU his Majes
tie's directioune.
" The Counsel was betymes conveMit M the morneMg, betuixt
sex and serin a clock ; and so lyk that of the Scribes and Pharisies
that condemnit Christ, consisting of a few Court Lordis and sum
MMisteres, to schaw the oppositioune of the NobMtie, quha con-
veinemg at the ordinare houre of Counsel, reassounit honnestlie for
the Britherine of the Assembfie of Aberdeen.
" Thus, Mr Johne Forbes, and Mr Johne Welsche, eftir thai had
bein keipit M the CasteU of Edinburgh one Mght, wes transportit
thairfra to the dungeoune of Blacknes ; quhairintffl thai wer res-
sarit, and none suffirit to cum unto thame for thair confort. On
Friday, the 27 of July, the rest wer ordaifflt to be summoned with
lettres to compeir at EdMbruche the first day of August.
"Tfie foure Commissiouneris of Fyfe, Maisters Robert Durie,
Andro Duncan, Johne Scharpe, [and Alexander Strauchane,1] who
came to sie what was done at Edinbruche, [compeiring befoir the
Counsel, and standing honnestlie to that quhUk wes done in Abir-
deine,2] were incontinent careit away from Edmbruche to the
Blacknes to comfort their Breitherme, and were not twenty-four
houris thairin, quhen, erin on the morrow, the plague of pestilence
brak up M the towne of Edinbruche, Leith, and St Androis, and
diverse uthir pairtis of the land, a verie feirfuU thing ; and, with
the first, the Lord ChanceUeris awin house infectit in Edinbruche,
1 Not in Adv. MSS. 2 Not in Adv. MSS.

576 THE continuation of 1605.
andbetain1 with the penalty pronunced be Josua upon the bffllding
up of Jericho ; for Ms eldest and offly sonne died, and a young
damosell, his neice, so that he wes compeUit to dissolve his famMe,
and to goe with his wiff alone, as in hermitage, with gryt feir of
the death of his daughter also, on quhom the byles brak forth.
TMs was markit2 and talkit of be the peiple.3
" About this same tyme, Sir George Home's sonne,4 of the house
of Manderstoune, wes advancit to gryt honnour, being first maid
Lord of Barwick, and syne Erie of Dumbar, and thairwith imployit
Gryt Commissiouner from his Majestie to governe all Scotland,
Kirk, and Commounweffl ; to quhom certaine of the Ministerie, of
his guid acquaintance, did wrytt as foUowis :

[LETTER TO THE EARL OF DUNBAR.]
" ' Unto your Honnour, our duetie humblie rememberit in the
Lord, pleas that, undirstanding that your cuming in the contray
with high honouris and ample Commissioun, we would faine haiff
salutit your Lordschip in presens, and congratulat your Lord-
schipis advancement to sic honor and wealth, as becam us ; but be
ing debarritt be seiknes and uthir impefflmentis, we haiff taMn
boldnes to doe the same by this schort Lettre, quhilk we pray your
honor to tak in gud pairt, as the humble servantis of God. We
wald hold you in remembrance, that sic preferment comis not from
the est nor from the west, as sayis the Psalmist, but from God,
quha exaltis and dejectis at his plesour, and quho wffl honour them
quha wffl honor him. Thairfoir, for your Lordschipis stabffltie in
honour, we wald recomend to yow earnestlie tfie Kirk of Jesus
Christ within this realme, that it may injoye the sinceritie of the
Gospel, and rycht govemement and discipfine prescryvit thairin, as
it hes beM constitut, and be the Kfflgis Majestie's awm lawes esta-
bUischit in the Northerne kingdome of his Gryt Britanne. We are
1 Overtaken. 2 Adv. MSS. "marvelled." 3 lb. " of all the Brether."
4 lb. " ane uncle."

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 577
put in sum feir be the plottis and attemptis of your new and young
Bisschoppis, quho, without aU order of the Kirk, ethir old or new,
intruse ' thame selves in thais rooms, quhilk his Majestie sett doun
in ane GeneraU Assembfie, fioldine at Montrose, be the Commis
siouneris for the Kirk at his Heines' Parliament, taring thair in
structiounes and directiounes from the GeneraU Assemblie ; the
quhUk cautiounes, notwithstandmg, if thai saU keipe and observe,
we look for nothmg but guid peice and quietnes among us ; quhair-
unto we sie the haffl Ministerie marvelouslie inclyne since his Ma
jestie's last directioune at the entrie of his HeMes progresse to
wardis the South.
" ' But if thais Bisschoppis breick the cautiounes, and preas lordly
to tyranise owir the Britherine and the Kirk of Jesus CMist, thai
wUbe the brekeris of the peice of Jesus CMist and his Kirk, and
quyetnes of Ms Majestie's subjectis, sore againes our wffl and heart.
The men are bot yong, and easUy puft up with the auctoritie and
countinence of so wyse and mychtie a King ; but we know thame
weffl eneughe that they have been under the rod of our correctioun
and discipfine boith M the scoofis and Kirk. We cannot, witfi
patience, sie thame misken God, his Kirk, and thame selves, with
out putting order thairto, be the power that Chryst hes givin us,
accordMg to our caffing ; tfie boundis quhairof, by Godis grace, we
saU nowayis passe. But your Lordschipis gryt wisdome and knaw-
ledge of the estait of this countrie may easUie tak upe quhair that
may breid, to witt, iff possibffl, it may be that his Majestie's cle-
mencie may be expugnant by thair importufflty, thai wffl procure
his Majestie's wraith and mdignatioune upoun us, quhilk, iff thai
obtein, we man resolve patientlie and constantfie to suffir; bot
what may ensue thairupoun manifest exemples of our lait aige may
cleirly declair.
" ' Your LordscMp knawis best of our pure approveing fidelitie
and loyaltie to fiis Majestie m aU thingis, and how compleseing we
haife bein in aU matteris, saiff this poynt, aUenerfie,2 that tuiches
1 Intrude. J Only, alone.
2 o

578 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
our conscience and duetie to the King of kingis, the Lord Jesus
Chryst, to quhom quhosoevir is unfaithfuU, or unfaithfull in thair
ministerie, sail nevir prove faithfffll nor stabffl to men. We doe
abyd the samen men quho wM give place to no Bisschope of thame
all in loyalty, honour, reverence, obedience, or ony sort of duetie to
his maist exceUent Majestie, and doeing of aU guid offices m our call
ings for preservatioune of his Majestie's most royaU estait and per-
soun in suretie, peace, and in the favour of God and all guid men,
the only sure foundatioune of sic majestick and magrifick abrikfing:
Bot in this opMioun we wffl die, (and so, we ar assurit, wffl the
best, yea, evin the greattest pairt of the MiMsterie of the Kirk of
Scotland,) that to suffir the tyrannie of Bisschoppis to come within
our Kirk of new againe, is to committ Mght treassoune against
Christ and the King ; and, thairfoir, must oppoune ourselves thairto
to the uttirmost of our lyffis, yea, think our lyves most honorabUlie
bestowit, if God wffl honour us so meUtle as to suffir thairfoir, evin
to the losse of our lyvis, being assurit that so we sail gaine our
sauMs and lyvis to lyff for evir.
" ' Thairfoir, as we haiff evir knawin your LordscMp weffl and
cairfullie affectit to the Kirk, for his Majestie's qfflet estait and
peaceabffl reigne, we most humbffly beseik your LordscMp to im
ploy your Lordschipe's gryt credit, for staying the ambitious foffle
of thais men, that it disturbe not the piceabffl, most quyet, and obe
dient estait of the realme ; and iff it faU out any utherwayis, (as
God forbid,) we tak your LordscMp to wittnes be thir our present
lettres, that we ar wytles,1 being of purpose to doe no moire for
Christ and his Kirk establischit witMn this realme nor2 the purest
subject thairin wald doe for ane cot-hous and a kaU-yaird, quhairto
he had guid rycht, and quhairin he wes in long and peaceabffl pos
sessioun of the same ; that is, to stand for the rycht, and doe for it
his uttirmost. Thus doeing, as we dout not of your LordscMpe's
approven guid-wffl, boith of old and of new, by that quhilk our
Brothir, Mr Johne 3 Forbes, fand, being laitlie at Court, and hes
1 Free of wyte or blame. 2 Than. ' Adv. MSS. " Patrick."

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 579
maid knawin to aU the guid Britherine, your Lordschip sail undout-
edfie procuire the blessing of God, the love of Chryst, the favour of
aU guid men.'
" At the verie selff-same tyme, ane nobffl, weffl-affectit gentffl
man to the kmgdome of CM-yst, and of guid credit with the Earle
of Dumbarr, wrote to him as foUowis :

[letter by a noble, well-affected gentleman to
the earl of dunbar.]
" ' My Lord, haifeing the occasioun to meitt with sume speciaU
of the Ministerie, Mimediatly eftir my departoure from your Lord
schip, I fand that thai are abill to justifie thair doeingis at the As
sembfie at AberdeM, be sufficient warrand, thai being nevir dischair-
git, directfie nor Mdirectlie, till aU wes concludit ; and feiring the
misconstructmg of thair matteris, and meittingis be the Bisschoppis,
behavit thame selves M sic sort, that thai meddfflt witfi no particu-
laris whatsumevir; only electit the Moderator, caMt the RoMs,
and continowit the Assembfie tM ane uthir dyat : QuhUk thingis,
bemg Mdifferentfie considerit, thai (not dischairgit) wald sefine
most lawfuMe to be done. Thairfoir, seing thai haiff your Lord
scMp in sic estimatioune amongis thame, as thair awin * patroune at
the Kingis Majestie's handis, let me be this baffld, most humbfie to
mtreat your LordscMp at this tyme so to doe, that thai may find
your Lordschipis favoure to continow with thame ; and to accept of
the deolaratioun of the truth of that matter without being prejud
git, and I wffl promise, M thair name, for so I haM commissioun
to wryt, that heireftir, iff your LordscMp wUbe plessit to reveil your
LordscMpis mynd quhat way thai saU behaiff thameselves concerne
ing Ms Majestie, thai salbe reufit with your Lordschipe's advyse in
all thingis, so far as thai may, keipeing thair conscience saiff befoir
God in aU thair calfingis. And for this effect, thai wald be glaid
1 Adv. MSS. " only."

580 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
that your LordscMp wald imploy sume one to quhom your Lord
scMp wffl give credit in the contrary, and how far suche tMngis,
quha from tyme to tyme mycht accquant thame with your Lord
schipis mynd ; by the quhUk doemg, your LordscMp wffl not only
haffl* thame youris in goring on your Lordschipis awM respectis,
but lykwayis to the furtherance of quhatsumerir uther thmg sail
occur in the Kingis Majestie's estait, in contentment, and your
Lordschipis credit, quhairin none can doe so grid offices as they,
haiffing the heartis of aU the godly and honnest witMn the land.
" ' Iff your LordscMp knew thair credit in the contray, and how
far thai ar affectiouned to the KMgis Majestie's obedience, and the
quyetnes of the land, togidder with thair honnest and unifold1
meining in simplicitie in everie tMng, as I doe, your LordscMp
wald merveU how thai soffld be so misconstructed .as thai ar. The
truth is indeid this, that in thais tMngis quhilk concerned the fiber-
tie of the Kirk and discipfine thairof, thai wUbe mstant for the de
fence thairof, be aU meines possibffl, lawfuMe, yea, even hazard of
their lyves. Thairfoir, as I dout not, thai ar approvM to your Lord
schipis conscience to be the best sorte, it salbe ane honour to your
LordscMp to take thair mentinence, althought for the present your
LordscMp may not directfie nor yit mdirectlie ; and thairby your
LordscMp sail conqueiss aU the heartis of the honnest men m the
land, and I am assurit that the Lord wffl recompense it with eter-
naU blissMg. Now, sieing thai ar your LordscMpis, for the present,
loiss thame not, for thai ar wortMe to be keipit ; ane man may haiff
the credit of thame as your LordscMp hes, and may haiff. Many
utheris reassounes I mycht wryt, quhUk I refferr it to your Lord
schipis guid and wyse consideratioime ; and sua, I bid your Lord
scMp fairweffl.'
"Upoune the 25 of Jffly thair wes pubfiscMt a Proclamatioune,
being a narratione that a few Ministeris, not content to continow
in the guid ordour quhairin the Kirk had florischit many yeiris, had
' There seems to be no doubt this is meant for afald, sincere.

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 581
of lait, in a manifest contempt and misregard of the King, conveinit
thameselves at Abirdein, and thair held ane Assemblie, and ap
poyntit a new Assemblie to be haldin the last Tuysday of Septem
ber nixt to come, without any lawfuU warrand, power, or commis
sioun for that effect ; thairfoir, commanding, chairging, and inhibit
ing the Proveistis and Baffles of Abirdein, and of aU burghes and
villages, that thai suffir not Ministeres to come witMn thair boundis
to that effect, the said day, nor eight dayes befoir nor eftir the
same ; and siclyk, all nobfflmen, barrounes, and gentfflmen, and all
Burrowes, Presbyteries, and Sessiounes, magistratis, and inhabitantis
of tounes, burchtis, and villages, that thai direct no Commissiouneris,
nor repaire thameselves thairto ; undir the paine of convocatioun
of the King's leidgies and borneMg, &c. The first pairt of that
proclamatioune wes remarkabffl, that the King had girin so mony
proofes and testimonies of his sinceritye in that Refigioune quhairin
he wes trainit upe, and quhairin he had given ane confessioun, and
maid a constant professioune, that everie weffl-affectit subject, and
namefie the MMisteris, had maist just caus to expect assureitly that
stedfast course to be stffl keipit by Ms Majestie ; and this wes to
tak away aU suspitioune of alteratioune mtended in the Kirk.
" Upon the eight day of August, immediatly eftir foUowmg, wes
pubfischit ane uther Proclamatioune, schawing the unlawfuUnes of
that Assembfie halden at Abirdeme ; and, thairfoir, dischairging aU
Synods, Presbyteries, and Sessiounes of Kirks, and MMisteres, from
ratifieing and approveing of the samen, undir the paine to be re-
putt J as guUtie as they ; also aU nobfflmen, barrounes, and gentU
men, burgesses, or uthiris, from heiring of the samyn, athir pri-
vatly or pubfictly approvffl, undUating tfie samyn to the Secreit
CounseU, and furnescMng of wittnes for probatioune of the same,
to the intent thai mycht be convictit and punischeit.
" The samyne moneth of August, again the Britherine committed
to ward wer seitid2 to compeire befoir the Counsel to answer to
certaine Interrogatoris that come from Court ; quhilk quhen thai
1 Reputed. * Cited.

582 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
had done, thai wer committit agame to thair waird at Blacknes, and
ordaineit to compeire befoir the CounseU at the toune of Perth, at
such a day in the moneth of October foUowing. In the meintyme,
the Synod ordinar of Fyff beMg convenit in Innerkitheing, did de-
liberat and reassoune in the matter as foUows :

[PROCEEDINGS OF THE SYNOD OF FIFE HELD AT INVERKEITHING,
AUGUST 1605.]
" ' First, they find it most necessar to fiaiff ane GeneraU Assem
bfie without anie delay, without the quhilk the Kirk of Jesus Christ,
withM this reahne estabfischit, could not remame long frie and saiff,
M respect of the insolencie of Papistis, grouthe of Atheisme, dis-
solutioune of maneris, and distractioun amongis the Pastors and
Ministeris of the Kirk, quhilk in smaU proces of tyme mycht pro
ceid to ane horribffl and feirfffll schisme, to the uttir overtMow and
subversioune of the sinceritie of the GospeU and Ubertie of the kmg
dome of Jesus Christ, so notably settelit and faithfully defiverit to
the present office-beireris thairin by thair godly, wyse, leamit, and
zealous predecessoris, and of the inuttirabffl mercie and gffidness of
God. " ' Nixt, becaus the last Synod of thair Province, haldine at
Bruntyland in the moneth of AprU last bypast, thai had thought it
most necessar, for the reassoune above sperifeit, and diverse utheris
great and weightie reassounes and causes moveing thame, that evirie
Presbyterie within the Province sould elect thair Commissiouneris
for the keipeing of the Generall Assemblie appoyntit by the King's
Commissioner, with the advyce of the Commissioners of the Gene
raU Assembly to be holdine at Abirdeine the first Tuysday of .July
last bypast, the Presbyteries thairof had done faithfoU duety by
directing thair Commissiouneris ; quhfflt Commissiouneris had re
ported thair diligence in assisting with the Commissiouneris of uthir
Presbyteries in fenseing the said Generall Assembly, day and place
above mentionit, and continowance of the samyn, for the causses

1605". MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 583
contineit in the actis and documentis takin at Abirdein thairannent,
unto the last Thursday of this present moneth of September : The
quhilk doeing and dMgence the said Presbyterie had aUowit.
" ' Thairfoir, tMs present Synod soffld find it to be the most ne
cessar for the foirsaid causes, and for the keipeing the possessioun
of our GeneraU Assemblies saif and frie, (quhilk, utherwayis, mycht
be interruptit and brorin, and fall be prescriptioun of tyme,) that
the said day soffld be keipeit at Abirdein be the Commissiouneris
of the Presbyteries : But, undirstanding that thair haid interveinit
proclamatioune and edictis pubfischit M the Kingis Majestie's
name, by the qfflulk the said Assembfie holdffl at Aberdeine is con
demned as proceidMg of contempt and rebeffloun agames his Majes
tie, (the contrair quhairof the God of hevM, and gMd men on earth
knawis,) and the haffl occasiounes and behaviour of the said Com
missiouneris of the Presbyteries evidently testMes ; and, thairfoir,
the said next Assemblie and meitting at AbirdeM is dischairgit
undir the paine of hornemg, as at mair lenth is conteinit in the said
proclamatioune, the said Synode fand thameselves brought in this
strait, atitir in omitting in keipeMg of the said dyet at Abirdeme,
and so losseing the possessioune of thair GeneraU Assembfie, or tfien
of the incurring of the Kingis Mght Mdignatioune and paines con-
temit M the said proclamatioune. The quhUk gryt strait and ex-
treame dfificffltie, quhen they had long and most gravely reassonit
upon and considerit, at diverse sessiounes, and eftir invocatioune
most earnestfie for the lycht, wisdome, and directioune of God, in
so weighty a matter and gryt perplexitie, sould resolve in end, for
thair awin pairt, rather nor fall undir the handis of men, and undir
their displeasure and danger of thair decries, then to omitt so ne
cessar a duetie, and to fall in the handis of God, quho is a consume-
ing fyre, and in caise of ane evffl conscience, quhilk is that con-
tinowaU byting ' worme that never dies ; and yet, foiling least that
any danger, be over haistie or rasche doeing of them, mycht come
to the commoun estait of Godis Kirk, and so to the just offence of
1 Adv. MSS. " living."

584 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
the memberis thairof throughout this realme, and in other con-
trayis also, assureing thamselves that thais proclamatiounes pro
ceidit not so meUtle from his Majestie as from sMisterous informa-
tiounes and evill-effectit persounes towardis the guid estait of the
Kirk ; as also thinking it most meit, in a matter of extreame im
portance, to haiff the advyce and concurrance of the Britherine of
uthir Prorinces, for meffling of the matter by humble Suppfica-
tiounes to nis Majestie ; not douting but his Majestie, being rychtly
informit of all proceidmgis, and sieing sic necessitie for a Generall
Assemblie, and so greit reverence cariit towardis his Majestie's
obedience, but that his Majestie wilbe movit to grant to the re-
queist of the Kirk : Thairfoir, the said Synod thought it meitt to
prorogat the day appoyntit be the Britherine at Abirdem to the
moneth of Maii nixt foUowing, siemg that befoir that tyme, neithir
the Kingis Majestie can be rychtlie informit ffl treatmg, and his .
Majestie's answer gottme, neither yit the advyce and concurrance
of the Presbyteries and uthir Provmces obteiffit, ane Supplicatione
in the meintyme wald be penned and sent to his Majestie with
sume of the maist gracious Britherine from the Synod ; lykas from
the same Commissioners to aU other Provinces nixt adjacent about,
to haiff thair advyce, concurrance, and consent, alseweffl to the said
Supplicatioune as to the continouatioune of the day appoyntit for
the nixt GeneraU Assemblie, that, if it be possibffl, we neither
tyne 1 the possessioune of our GeneraU Assembfie, nor fflcur his
Majestie's offence, nor any wayis prejudge or hurt the caus of
Christ, the Britherine quhom he honouris with so godly and honnest
both doeing and suffiring for the samyn ; but that we may be about,
with aU lawfuU indevouris, to purches thair relive.2
" ' This being weill deliberat, fafflit in that pairt effectuating
concerneing that Supplicatioune and sending to the King ; pairtly
for feir thai sould not be admittit to the Kingis Majestie's presens,
quho would ressave no informatioune of the matteris of the Kirk
but from his Commissiouneris, pairtly throught distrust that it
1 Lose. 2 Procure llieir relief.

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 585
could work anything but the hurt, boith of them that wer in pris-
soun and uthiris : AUwayis, the knawledge thairoff, goeing athort '
the Presbyteries, come to the King word by word ; lykas, also,
that quhilk wes with universaU consent agriet upoun in that Synod
at Fyff, that a Fast sould be keipit throughout all the haill Pro
vinces, on twa dayis solemnely, immediatly eftir the returne of
evirie MiMster to his flock, viz. upoun the 15 and 22 dayes of that
instant September ; the Causses quhairof wer agrieit upoun in the
verie wordis foUowing :
[CAUSES OF THE FAST TO BE KEPT IN THE SYNOD OF FIFE.]
" ' First, The plague of pestUence so long continowing, and the
litle estimatioune of the hand of God thairm.
" ' 2dly, Unseassonabffl wether in the tyme of harvest.
" ' 3dly, The distractioune of the MiMsterie, and sume thairof
seiking thair awin preferrement, contraire to the Word of God and
constitutioune of our Kirk.
" ' ^thly, The restraMt of GeneraU Assembfies, being sua neidfull
in tyme of Atheisme and Papistrie growing.
" ' [_5thly,] The imprissounement of Ministeris, and restraineing
of thame from thair flockis at the tyme quhairin Godis judgmentis
are brokine forth.
" ' [Qthly,2 The not knawMg the day of our visitatioune, in thingis
perteifflng to our awin peice, neither by the Sieris and Watchmen,
nor be the peiple.'
" This deliberatioune and doeing of the Synod of Fyff, howbeit
in gryt weaknes, yet goeing abroad, and coming to the Itnawledge
of the Ministeris and their flockis athort this realme, maid monie to
look neirer to the matter, and tak it moir to heart ; also the godly
behavioure and zealous excerceis of prayer and preicheing of the
Word, quhilk the imprissounit Britherine usit in aU thair prissounes,
Dumbartan, Stirling, Doun,2 [and] Blacknes, movit the people
1 Acros-s, athwart - Adv MRS. " Dundie."

586 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
very muche, so that the CounseU thought it neidfull to direct
lettres to evirie Presbyterie withM the realme, schawing thair guid
dispositioune to put the lawis in executioune againes the Papistis,
and aU insolent contemneris of Miffisteris ; notwithstanding, thai
wer to tak order with the few number that had factiously and se-
ditiousfie offendit Ms Majestie's command and directioun. The
qfflfflk wes answerit and mett be ane Appologie givin out for the
Britherin, takMg1 upe the matter schortlie and pithilie in this sfi-
logisme foUowing, the assertioun premittit :
The guid and godly Britherine their caus is cleirit, to the conscience of
all, by the force of this Syllogisme .-
" ' Giff thai haM assembfit and proceidit in thair Generall As
semblie haldm at Abirdem, the second day of Jffly 1605, be the
guid warrand of the Word of God, of the Lawis of the realme, of
the Constitutiounes and contmowaU Practise of the Kirk of Scot
land, sin the first Reformatioune of the Religioune, and according
to the Order and Discipline of the Kirk, subscryved and solemne-
lie sworne to by the King, and Estaitis, and the Ministeris, and
haffl body of the Kirk and kingdome, &c, thai haiff done lawfuUie,
weiU, and wysely ; and so sould not be condemned and punischit,
but honourit and rewardit :
" ' Bot so it is, that thai evin haiff so assembfit thameselvis, and
proceidit M the truthe :
" ' Thairfore, thai haiff done lawfuUie, weffl, and wyselie ; and so
sould not be condemned and punischit, bot, by the contraire, honorit
and rewardit.'
" The warrandis of the Word of God, quhen he had deduceit by
severaU poyntis orderfie, and cleirfie, he concluded thus :
" ' It is then manifest, of the Word of God, that Jesus Christ, to
quhom aU power in hevin and earth is givin, hes givin power to the
Pastouris and Elderis to meit togidder solemnefie with thair flockis
and peiple, not only to Preiching Ms Evangel!, and Publict Service
1 Adv. MSS. " packing."

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 587
and Worschippeing, in Prayer and Administratioune of the Holy Sa-
cramentis, but also to keipe Assemblies for reteineing of the samyn in
sinceritie without corruptioune, and for conteineing boith Pastoris and
peiple in thair Christiane duetie by the rod of Discipline : And this
power is givin be Christ to his Pastores, no mortaU sould restraine,
violat, or imped any wayis ; no King, Prince, nor Magistrat, much
more bemg a CMistiane Magistrat ; but the more truelie and sin
cerely the Emperour, KMg, Prince, or Magistrat, professes Christ
Jesus, the more rilling, bent, and ardent sould he be in imploying
the power and auctoritie that God hes givin him, to sie God glori
fied and obeyit M his Kirk, and so preserve and manteine haffl and
sound the priveledge and fiberties of conveinemg and assembling
commandit by Jesus Christ unto the Pastoris and Elderis of the
Kirk. The Lord Jesus Christ oppine the eyis of the King and Ms
Consel to sie with quhom it is they have adoe, to wit, even with
the Lord Jesus, and not with poor, simple men, quhom they per-
sewe ; and also, quhat thai ar doeing in this caus, for by the last
proclamatioune givin out agaffies the Assembfies and. meittinges of
the Ministeres, thai being the best servandis of Christ, and the
maist duetifull subjectis to the King, to that extreamitie of The
TMie CMldreM and Daniel, that is, either to transgresse againes
God, or to be cassm in the fyrie fornace or lyounes denn ; and so
that is maist pertement to tMs purpose, quhilk Eusebius, in Ms first
book of the Lyff of Constantine, wrytis of Licinus the tyrant, as
the Latine Mterpreter translaitit it : Utilitas et necessitas Synod-
orum vel inde provideri potest quod Licinus Ecclesiis exitum machina-
tur, cum nihil haberet quod commiseretur aliud, hanc legem promulgavit,
Ne Episcopi inter se de rebus suis vel Ecclesiarum communicarent, neque
Conventus aut Consilia celebrarent.' And this he subjoynes, ' Hcec
tanquam causa Licinio fuit ad nos proterve contumeliosque tractandos
aut enim legem violando supplicio obnoxios esse opportebat, aut legis
pro3cepto more gerendo Ecclesice ritus et instituta evertere, nam magna
et graves deliberationes de rebus Ecclesia? suscepta non aliter possunt quam
per rectam Conciliorum administrationem ratione et via procedere'
" When he had producit his warrands, by diverse and many actis

588 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
of parliament, statutis, and lawis of the realme, and also from the
constitutiounes and custome of the Kirk, since the year 1560, to
the year 1563, ' he bringis in the oppugneris objectiounes and an-
sweris to them : First, The few number : 'idly, The forme of the
chuissing the Moderator omitted : idly, The want of the ordinar
Scribe : Athly, The way and place of keipemg of it, as nevir wes
usit in any Assembly in Christis Kirk befoir : bthly, and last, The
standing preceisly upon the keipeing of one day with the Kmg, quho
meinit not to tak away our GeneraU Assemblies from us.
" For the number and fewnes, he answers, that the Assembfies of
Christis Kirk are not in his GospeU defynit by great numbers, bot
by very smaU ; as that, ' At quhatsumevir tyme two or thrie ar
gatherit in my name, I wUbe present in the middest of yow :' So
that, ' Agrieing in my name,' ' Quhatsoevir ye doe on earth in my
name, salbe ratified in hearin.' So suir ar we that this wes and is,
and farder for aU that wes donne, thair wer anew, and ovir many,
to witt, to fensse the Assemblie with prayer, and continow the samyn
till a uthir day for just causes moveing thame, with thankisgiveing
to God, in the end : Quhilk forme of doefflg, as in the parfiament
of our realme oftine so hes it bein in our Kirk m use : For instance
and example, in the year 1596, the Generall Assembly ordinarie of
our Kirk wes appoyntit at Saint Androis ; thair interveinit a great
schaiking of the Kirk, and brangefing thairof by the diril at that
EvM Synod, 17 day of December,2 and ane Assemblie by the Kingis
Missive Letteris, convocatid at Perthe in February. Mr Robert
Pont, a godlie, learnit fatiiir ffl the Kirk, being ordinarie Moderator,
accompanied with Mr John Hall,3 and a few othir godly Britherin,
come to St Androis on the 27 day of Aprile, ordained for the ordi
narie GeneraU Assembfie, and did prorogat and continow the samyn
till the moneth of May nixt foUowing, to be keipit at Dundie, for
the keipeing of the Kirk in the possessioun of hir libertie, quMlk
that Conventioune of Perth wes about to prejudge and tak away.
" For the Moderator, say they, thair wes ane ordinarie standMg
1 Adv. MSS. " 1G03." 2 lb. " September." 3 lb. " Auld."

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 589
answer : He wes absent undeutifullie, and thairfoir another chosine
in his rowme lawfuUie, to moderat that meitting, and to censure
the absent : Thair wes no exhortatioune, no edictis 1 for electioune,
none put to the dore. Answer, The last Moderator, lookit for,
came not to preache, and no uther man, upon so short a tyme,
without advysement, could tak upon Mm sic a weightie matter ; also
the ordinarie doctrine of the Ministerie of the place mycht serve
for that, and suppfie it. 2. Lettres [leets ?] that wer maid eftir
prayer, concevit by the Moderator of the Synod of the Province of
AbirdeMe ; and as for that putting out, and the rest of these acci-
dentall formes and ceremonies, one answer may serve for aU, that
sic triffles can not stand nor [be] striken upon, quhen the substance
of aU is in sic perrel of undoeing and periscMng, as at that tyme,
the possessioun of the fibertie of the keipeMg of our Assembly. In
end, the forme of moderatioun is not thought to be sua strange, and
so to be querrelit by thame, iff thai wald remembir the foir-men-
tioffit Assembfie at Perthe, quhair, without any doctrine or letteris
[leets] at aU, m absence of Mr Robert Pont, ordinare Moderator,
Mr David Lindsay, at the offly nominatioun of two or thrie of the
Britherine present, in a secreit conference, enterit Moderator to that
Assembfie. Witnes aU tfiat wer present thair.
" As for the OrdMarie Scribe, for feir he refosit to doe Ms office,
beMg stayit be the King's Commissiouner ; but it became not the
MiMsteres of Jesus Christ so dastardfie to leive so necessare a
dewtie, and tfiairfoir thai cbusit ane moir auctentUt Clarke, ane of
thair awM numbir, efter the maner of the Synodis and Presbyteries
of the Kirke, ane lairfflt, honnest Minister of Christ's Evangel.
" Annent the place, it wes not privat, as wes aUedgit wrangous-
lie ; nor yit witfi closse doris, utherwayis nor is the common cus
tome of keipeMg of Assembfies, but in the ordMar Sessioun-Hous,
without the Great Kirk of Abirdem, quhairin the Synodis and Pres
byteries ordinarfie sittis ; as publict ane hous as athir the CounseU-
hous, withM the Tolbuith of Dundie, quhair wes keipit a most notabffl
1 Adv. MSS. read more correctly "lites," (leets.)

590 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
GeneraU Assembfie in the monethe of July 1580, or the Counsel-
hous within the Tolbuithe of Edinburcht, whair ordinarily twyse
everie yeir, by the space of diverse yeires, the GeneraU Assembfie
did sitt. Bot, as hes been answerit, aU thais circumstances and
formes giris place quhen the essence and substance of matteris
standis m hazard and jeopardie.
" Fyftfie, and last, concerneing the preceis keipfflg of a day with
the KMg ; answer, Thair wes ane great caus in standMg on ane day,
quhen ane uthir day had bem appoyntit, for utherwayes the pos
sessioun of our GeneraU Assembfie had bem interrupted and brokin
off, nather could the way have been fund ordinarffle to convo
cat againe ane GeneraU Assembfie ; for quho had powir to appoynt
tyme and place for the samyne ? None ordmarfie and orderfie but
the Generall Assemblie. So the day appoyntit be the last Gene
raU Assembfie being omitted and desertit without the appoynting
of a new day, the possessioun of our GeneraU Assembfie was lossit
by the prescriptioun and circumduceing of the terme, as the laweris
caUis it ; and further, in verie deid, thair wes manifest just causses,
quhilk did mak thame to feire the meinemg to tak away and dis
possess the Kirk of hir GeneraU Assembfies, at tfie least the lawfuU
ordinarie Assembfies continowit since the beginnmg : For the As
semblies convocat be the King, or his proclamatiounes and missives,
ar not the proper, lawfuU, orfflnare Assembfies of the Kirk, becaus
thai flow from a CiviU Magistrat, for cirill obedience, quhfflt is but
the ordmance of man, as the Apostle Paull caMs thame, Coloss. ii.
20, 22, and not spirituaU, and ordMances of Jesus Christ, the offly
King of his Kirk."
Ane speciaU poynt of the AppoUogie is the schawing of the just
caus of our feir of our wanting, and disspossessing of us of our Ge
nerall Assemblies, quhUk ar thais foUowing :
" The King plainefie professit that he lykit not our GeneraU As
sembfies, becaus we acknawledged not the power thairof to flow
from Ms auctoritie : 2dly, The Bischoppis abhorrit thame becaus
thai wer thair judge, for feir thai sould be caMt to ane accompt for
brering of the Cautiounes thairof ; quhairof in aU thai wer griltie :

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 591
idly, The Commissiouneris, in lyk maner, because they fearit cen-
sureing and putting of thame from the haffl govemement of the
Kirk, quhilk thai had usurpit and plffltit away from the GeneraU
Assemblie, under pretence of a Commissioun tfierfra.
" We sought to haM obteMit leive, and beine suffirit to keipe
and hold ane Assemblie according to our custome and warrand, and
usit for the same aU maner of earnest Supplicatiounes by the space
of tuo yeires and mair, but could not obteme the samyn ; pairtfie,
becaus of the forme of the petitioune, that without bis Majestie's
offence or staying, we mycht keipe our GeneraU Assembfie ; pairt
fie, for feir we sould ovirtume so meUde of the EpiscopaU worke
„ that wes brildit upe. First, to this effect, the Synod of Fyfe
earnestfie delt with and wrote to Mr Johne Hall, last Moderator
befoir Mr Patrik GaUoway, quho wes absent out of the countrie
and realme, that forsuameiHe as thair wes ane Parfiament to be for
Ms Majestie's coronatione, and uthiris maist weightie effaires of tfie
Unioune of the tuo realmes togider undir his Majestie's dominioune,
we mycht haiff ane GeneraU Assemblie at that Parliament [to sie
to the estait of our Kirk, as it bad evir beM the custome of the
samyne, since the first Reformatione of Refigione, to have a Gene
raU Assembfie :] M tyme of Parfiament : The said Mr John HaU
pronrissit to wryt to the King, quho reportit ane answer that he had
so done, and could not obteme it.
" Secondly, The Mmisteris of Edinburcht wryt to Mr Patrick
GaUoway, last Moderator, he being with his Majestie at Court, to
the samyne effect ; quho, eftir delaying and mony promisses, at
last he wrot that he sould come home and keipe ane Assembfie ;
but eftir Ms fiome-cummMg no sic effect foUowit.
" Thirdfie, The Britherine of the North, eftir thai fand the As
semblie appoyntit at Abirdeine in July 1604 to be continowit, came
to the Synod of Fyff holdin at Saint Androis M September soone
eftir, and joyn ring with thame of that Synod, besought the Kmgis
Commissiouner, the Laird of Lawristoune, thair present in the
1 Omitted in Univ. MS.

592 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
Synode, for the effect foirsaid, quho answerit, he was repairing to
wardis his Majestie ; and, thairfoir, desyrit the Commissiouneris of
everie ProvMce to meitt at Perth, and joyne togider in one Suppli
catioune, quhilk he sould carie as that from the Commissiouneris of
the GeneraU Assembfie, to be assembfit thair, (for from the handis
of no uthir wald the King ressave aney requeist or Supplicatioune
concerneing the commoune effaires of the Kirk,) and said, he wes
in guid houpe to obteine the samyn.
" The Commissiouneris of the GeneraU Assembfie conveinit with
the Kingis Commissiouner at Leith,1 in Octobir thaireftir ; quhair
wes also frequently conveinit many diverse Commissiouneris from
all the pairtis and provinces of Scotland, qfflulk aU agreid in ane to
mak Supplicatioune for a GeneraU Assembfie, directing the samyne
with the Kingis Commissiouner, and sua expectit some guid answer ;
but all in vaine.
" Mentioun being maid of a GeneraU Assemblie at the last Synod
of Fyff, haldin at BruntUand, the Commissiouner being now returnit
from Court, and thair present, did strangely withstand the samyne ;
schawing that he had ane expres article in his Commissioune not
to permitt it. It wes humbfie and earnestlie desyrit thair that the
tyme and place mycht onlie be appoyntit, hou schort or hou long
soever, that the Kirk mycht be put out off suspitioune and jealousie
of disspossessing of thame, and losseing of ane Assemblie for evir ;
but it could not be grantit.
" Tfie said Commissiouner, at the day approaching, appoyntit for
the GeneraU Assembfie at Abirdein in Jffly 1605, sent Lettres to
aU the Presbyteries for superceidfflg thairoff; the quhilk Lettres
buire no certaine day nor place to the quhilk the Assembfie sould
be prorogat and continowit.
" The Lettres directed to Abirdeine from the CounseU desyrit
and counsefit, directfie and expresslie, that the Assembfie mycht be
deserted and left ; yea, and the Britherine conveMed thair being
caUit be the Counsel, crarit that any day and place mycht be ap-
1 Adv. MSS. "Perthe."

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 593
poyntit for the nixt GeneraU Assembfie, that thair mycht at least yet
remaine sume houpe of the samyn ; but it could not be grantit :
And, Last, it wes and is the commoune voyce of aU, to the grytest
greiff ofthe gMd andgodly,and the tryumphing of enemies, Papistis,
Atheistis, and licentious, that we sould nevir have a frie Generall
Assembfie of our Kirk agame. Let onie indifferent man then judge
quhither thair wes not just caus of feir for the lossing all libertie
within our Kirk and Assemblies or not ! "

FOLLOWIS THE APPOLLOGTE FOR THE PRISSOUNERIS OF CHRYST

Soli Deo gloria.
" The commoune newis and maner of talk is now of the fin-
prissounement and horneing of Ministeres, (of the quhUk thair be
money,) yea, even of the Ministerie that is not evil thought of, and
so almost aUowit be sum, procurit be aU, is not takin to heart, but
coldfie regairdit ; and yit it is sure tfiat sic a numbir of the lairneit-
est, godfiest, and best of the Ministerie, hes done amisse and faUin.
The breck and raffle of the Kirk is great, for the quhUk we aU, true
memberis thairof, maist sensibfflie and feilfingfie be tuichit and so-
rowe. If thai haM not fafflt, but done ane honnest necessar duetie,
and that rychtly and wysely, then the procureres of the punisch-
ment of sic weffl-doeMg, the aUowaris thairoff, yea, and the lycht

1 This document was written by Mr James Melvill, and has often been alluded to
by historians. In the folio edition of Calderwood's History, p. 497, it is merely cited
as the production of our Author. As is generally the case, this very important paper
is not contained in either of the MSS. of this Continuation, belonging to the Faculty
of Advocates. It would have been desirable to have collated so remarkable an
Apology with a more perfect transcript, but although a pretty careful search was
made among the Miscellaneous MS. Collections in the Advocates' Library, the Editor
was not so fortunate as to meet with a perfect copy. No doubt, such must still be
extant, and it is not unlikely to be contained in the larger work of the indefatigable
Calderwood, in a more perfect form.
2 p

594 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
estimeris and caffld considereris of the caus, ar gryt befoir God,
evirie ane on in thair awin rank, and can not schaw his wraithe,
quho sufferis none to doe his prophetis wrong unpuniscMt, but re-
provith Kingis for thair saikis, saymg, ' Tuich not myne annoyntit,
and doe my prophetis no harme,' Ps. cv. 15 ; but, be lik the sonnes
of Jacob, quho soffld Joseph to prissoun, and syne sat doun to eit
and drink, and without repenting M tyme, brought on a plague, as
may mak thame, with Jacob's sonnes, to say ane to ane uthir, 'We
haiff veriely smneit agaffles our brotitir, in that we saw the anguisch
of his safflle quhen he besought us, and we would not heir Mm ; thair
foir is tMs trubffl cum upon us !' And that someikffl the mair, if
thais guid Britherine be negfigentfie, cowardlie, and traterouslie de-
sertit M the work of the Lord, and caus of our Chryst, commoun to
aU Christiannes, namelie Ms Ministeris, quho, iff thai suffir with him,
saU reigne with him ; iff thai denye Mm, he wffl also denye thame,
Tim. ii. 12. Heirfoir, I haiff thought it expedient and necessar to
cleir the caus of the Britherine, (if it be CMystis Jesus his caus,)
I houpe doe mak it manifest, that it is aU trew CMistiannes may
tak pairt thairine, as they would be acknawledgit by him quhen he
comes in the glorie of his Mngdome; that fiT ignorance Mnder
thame, thai may be mstructit ; iff negfigence or foirgetfulnes, thai
may be rememberit and steirit upe ; if remisnes and cauldnes, thai
may be prickit and maid zealous ; least the caus standing be the
cair, wisdome, and power of him quhois it is, thai saU faU with the
enimies ; for the Heid ' said, ' He that is not with me is againes me,
and he that gatherit not with me scattirith ; and quhosoevir is
aschamed of me and of my wordis, of Mm sail the Sonne of man be
schamit quhen he saU come in his glorie, and in the glorie of his
Father and holy angeUis !' Luc. ix. 26.
" Eftir the sfflogisme set doune, foUowis the probatioun thairof,
and pairtis of the ApoUogie :
" GM° the propositioune of this hypothetick sfflogisme, I think
non will doubt it, but it is true ; thairfoir at the present it seimes
1 Christ Jesus, the great Head of his Church.

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 595
to be tain1 in the probatioune andcleiringoftheassumptioune ; and
so comes in order the pairtis of the present AppoUogie.
" First, Quhat the Word of God teiches thairannent, and iff ac
cording thairto thai haM done.
" 2. Quhat ar the lawis of the realme concerneing the same.
" 3. The constitutiounes and practise of our Kirk since the first
Reformatioune thairoff.
" 4. and last, The mentionned Confessioune of Faith, and iff the
Britherine haiff done rychtly and wysely conforme to the same.
" We then deduce the warrand of the Word of God orderly, in
thais Propositiounes :
" Thair is no power but from God, Rom. ii.
" The Father annoynting Jesus, his only begottin Sonne, King
owir his Kirk, hes girin him aU power in hevin and M earth, Psal.
xxvi. ; Math, xxviii. 18.
" Chryst hes givin the office, power, and giftis to gather his Kirk,
and to governe the same, unto Ms Appostles, and that for that caus
promissit to be with thame and thair successoris unto the end of
the world, Math, xxviii. : And not to leive thame orphalling,2 Joh.
xvi. 18 : And as the Father sent him, so sent he thame, Joh. xx.
1 : He breathit on thame, saying, 'Ressaive the Holie Ghost ; quhois
sinnes ye remitt thai salbe remittit, and quhois [sinnes] ye retein
thai salbe retemed,' ib. 23, 22 : He converssit with tham eftir his
resurrectioune fortie dayes, instructing thame in matteres concerne-
mg the kmgdome of herine, that is, the govemement of his Kirk,
Acts iii. : And, finaUy, on the day of Pentecost, he sent on thame
the Holy Ghost, that Comforter promiseit, Acts ii.
" The same Chryst, quhen he had be the same Appostles coUectit
the Kirke and foundit thame, be thame also he gaive the Kirke
Pastouris, Doctoris, Elderis, for the co-augmentatioune of the samtis
for the worke of the MiMsterie, for the edificatioune of his body, tUl
aU the elect sould grow upe to a perfyt man, in the just measure of
the stature of Chryst, Eph. iv. 13 ; Tit. 15 ; 1 Cor. 12.3
1 Taken, comprehended. ' Orphans, comfortless. 3 It may be noted
here, once for all, that there is much confusion in the Scripture proofs and references
throughout this document, and in many of the other Papers in this Continuation.

596 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
" CMyst, not to thir Appostles only, but also to thais Pastouris,
Doctouris, and Elderis ordained be thame, he gave the keyes of the
kingdome of heavin, and power of binding and lowsfflg, of reteine
ing and remitting of sMes, as said is ; and that be the use and mini
sterie of the Word, Sacramentis, and Censuris of the Kirk, Math.
xvi. 17, 18 ; John xx. 20 ; Acts 20, 28 ; 1 Pet. v. ; 1 Cor. v. 5 ;
Math. xvi. 19.
" Chryst, then, the offly Lord and King of Ms Kirk, hes appoyntit
his administratoris and officeres of his Mngdome, Pastouris, Doc-
toris, and Elderis, to be occupyit about the Word, Sacramentis,
Discipline of maneris, and caire owir the pure, Eph. iv. 12 ; Rom.
xii. 17, 18 ; 1 Cor. ix. ; 2 Tim. v. 7 ; PhU. ; 2 Tim. ffl.
"Now, aU thais Ministeres and Office-beareris in the Kirk of
Chryst ressarit from thair Lord and King the office and giftis to
dischairge the same, togider with the expres command and power
to exeefflt and doe the same faithfully and dUfigentfie ; and that
not only severaUy, but conjunctfie in thair Sessiounes, Presbyteries,
and Synodis, as in places quotted, is evident, Eph. iv. ; Math. ;
1 Cor. 3 ; and of the practise thairof, ffl the xii. of the Actis.
" Namelie, the office and duetie of Pastouris is to superceid for the
Presbyterie, ' Tak heid to themselvis, and to thair flockis ouir the
quhilk the Holy Ghost hes appoyntit thame Pastouris, Watchmen,
and Ovirsieris,' Acts ii. 28 : And that baith severaUy, M the par
ticulare functiounes of every office, Rom. xii. 7, 8 : And together,
in the Sessioun of the Kirk and Presbyterie, Math. v. 22, 17, 18 ;
1 Tfin. iv. 14 ; 1 Pet. v. 2 : For the quhilk caus the solemne meitt
ingis and GeneraU Assemblies of Meittingis of Pastouris of the
Kirk is most necessar and profitabffl, that thai may thairin tak heid
to thame selvis, and order with thame seM, the Kirkis, and Con
gregatiounes, ouir the quhilk CMyst placit thame, in doctrine and
maneris, that thai mycht entir in pice and uniformitie, keipeMg the
unitie of faith by the band of charitie, Acts xx. 28 ; xxi. 23 ; Heb.
x. 25.
" The Assembfies, in the legaU poUicie of the Kirk, Chryst ap-
provith, Math. v. 22 ; Luc. xxii. 66 ; quhair he makis answer befoir

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 597
the Presbyterie of the Jewis Kirk, and neither damnes ' thair Judi-
catoure nor declynes the same, it being the lawfuU ordinance of
God. So did Ms Appostles, Peter and Johne, Acts iv. ; and Paull,
[Acts] xxii. xxiii. 3.
" But in the CMystiane Kirk, and PoMcie thairoff, he expressly
constitutit and ordaffled the samyn, translaiting that quhMt wes the
lawfuU ordinance of God, most necessar for the govemement of the
Kirk, from the LegaU to the EvangeficaU, Matfi. xvM. 15, 16, 17,
18, 19, 20 ; commandfflg to tell tfie Kirk, tfiat is, the Assembfies
and Meittings of Pastouris and RueUeris of the Kirk, quhair any
Christiane Bretherin can not be am endit be privat admonitiounes ;
to the quhilk he gives the power of binding and lowsing, quhom he
bids expresslie convein quhair he promissit, albeit thair number wer
niver so smaU, but ' tuo or thrie being convenit in his name, that
thair he wUbe with thame, evin in the middis of thame.'
" This power the Appostles ressarit and continowit ; in the go-
vernemg M the Primitive Kirk, Acts i. ri. and xv. ; the electioun
of MatMas ; in chuseMg the Deacounes ; and in holding the Coun
seU at Jerasalem ; in every city and kirk, Paull and Barnabas or
dained the same, Acts xi. 22, and xx. 17 ; and directit Titus to doe
the same, Titus i. ; and the caMng of Timothe is commandit, by
layfflg on of the handis of the Presbyterie, 1 Tim. iv. 14.
" And it is most evident that the Appostles, obeying the com-
mandfinentis, and leMMg on tfie promise of Chryst thair King and
MiMster, as the Heid of the Kirk requyrit, conveinit thameselvis
M Ms name and auctoritie, and electit MatMas M the place of Judas
the traitor, Actis i. 12 ; chusit the seven Decounes to mmistrat the
tabUes, and tak cair of the powir,2 Actis ri. 3 ; refivit the GentUes
convertit be Chryst from the burdeffl of the CeremoniaU Law,
Actis xv. ; separat Paul and Barnabas for the workis of the Gos
peU, Actis xiii. : Lyk as, they most gravely exhortit the Pastouris,
and electit and constitut be thame in every Presbyterie, to doe the
' Condemns. 2 Poor,

598 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
same faithffflly and dffligently, so oft as the necessitie of the Kirk
requyrit, Actis xx. 28 ; 1 Cor. v.
" It is manifest by the Word of God, &c, but so it is then (to
assume) that the nine Britherin's imprissounement, viz., Mr Johne
Forbes, Robert Durie, Johne Welch, Mr Andro Duncane, Alex
ander Strachane, Johne Scharpe, Johne Monro, Charles Ferme,
and Johnne Ros, and the rest of the Ministeres that keipit day and
place appoyntit for the GeneraU Assembfie in the moneth of July
last, are the weill-knawM and trewely appoyntit Mmisteris of Chryst
within the Kirk of Scotland, qfflfflk no member within the same
can be so impudent as to deny ; thairfoir, thais faithfffll Ministeres
of Chryst, quho assembfit last at Abirdein, had that warrand and
power of Jesus CMyst so to doe, namely at so necessary a tyme
quhen Papistis, Atheistis, and licentious men, wer ovirwhehneing
the Pastouris and the pairt of the Kirk of that reahne, and so mani
fest evidence kythit of the ovirtMawmg of the haffl fiberties of the
Kirk, and sinceritie of the Gospel; and sould, thairfoir, be the
Christian Magistrat, be honourabffly reverenceit nor1 schamffflly
pumschit. " H. The second poynt, thair warrand of the Lawis.^-Now, as
to the second poynt to be provffl, annent the Lawis of the reahne ;
the first of all, in the actis of parliament, is annent tfie fridome of
the Holy Kirk : It is statut and ordainit, that the Holy Kirk joy
and bruk, and the MMisteris thairof, thair old priveledges and fri-
domes ; James I., par. 1, cap. 1. Item, ffl lyk maner, the first act
of the second pari, is, in the first, to the honour of God, that the
fridome of the Holy Kirk be keipit throught out the realme. The
same is augmentit and confirmit be King James n. in Ms first pari.
quhilk is aU in print in Actis of Parfiament. Siclyk, ffl the second
pari, of King James HI., in the first, it is statut and ordameit, that
the pririledges of the Holy Kirk and spirituaU persounes be observit,
' Rather than be.

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 599
&c, confirmit be the sam King James, in the first and fyft pari.,
in tfiir wordis, ' Tfiat the fridome of the Holy Kirk be keipit in aU
pririledgis and fridomes ;' in the same maner and wordis be King
James IV. in the first act of his second pari. ; the first act of the
pari, of King James V. is, that fridomes and priviledges of the Holy
Kirk and spirituaU persounes be observit, and keipit in honour and
worschippe, &c.
" Then, iff fridomes and privUedgis of the Holie Kirk be statut
and ordaMeit be law to be keipit with aU imunitie, priviledg, and
fridome, and this wes knawin evir to be ane of hir speciall priri
ledgis to conveM in thair Synodis, surely the Synodis and Conven-
tiounes, as also the Assembfies of the Kirk, may lawffflly be the
warrand of the actis of parliament ; and iff ony wffl object that tMs
wes grantit to the PapisticaU Kirk, tMs answer is easie and strong
far mair to the trew Refformeit Kirk of CMyst Jesus : And, indeid,
the godly Prorinces foUowing, eftir the manifestatioune of the
bright of the GospeU and Reformatioune of Refigioune cleirit and
inlairgit the privUedgis and fridomes of the Kirk, and namely to
Ms immortaU prais, our present King quho now reignes, (and quho
mot ' happUy reigne !) and that not only be the advyce of his four
Regentis ffl Ms mfflority, but maist lairgely and particularly eftir
the taking of the govemement in Ms awin hand and persoun, and
cleirest and fullest eftir his perfytt age of twenty-five yeiris, as the
actis foUowMg wffl declair.
" La the parliament holdM be the Erie of Morray, caMt com
mounly, as he wes Mdeid, ' The Guid Regent,' ratffled in his secound
pari, haldin be Ms Majestie's guidschire,2 of guid memorie, Mathow,
Erie of Lenox, in the second act thairof, in thais wordes : ' Item,
our soveraine Lord, with advyse of his said Regent, his thrie
estaitis, and body of the present parfiament, hes ratffled, and by
this present act ratifies, all and quhatsumevir actis and statutis maid
off befoir be our soveraine Lord and his predicessoris, annent the
fridome and libertie of the Kirk of God, and Religioun now pub-
1 May he. z Grandfather by the father's side.

600 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
fictfie professit within this realme ;' and namely in that first act of
that pari, of King James the Sixth, the 15 of December 1567, an
nent the lait Patronnes, thais wordis ar in the act, ' It salbe leasume
to the Patronnes to appeU to the Superintendent and Ministerie of
the Prorince quhair the beneficis lyis, and desyre the persoune to
be presentit to be admittit ; quMlk UT thai refusse, to appeU to the
GeneraU Assemblie of tMs realme, be quhom the caus being de-
cydit, sail tak as they decerne ; quhairin the Suppreme and Mghest
Judgment of the Kirk may be expressely sein the acknowledgeing
and approbatioune of the GeneraU Assemblie, as the Mghest Judge
in the haffl realme in Kirk matteris.'
" The same is ratffled in his first act of Ms Majestie's third pari.
holdin eftir the haffl govemement wes in Ms awm hand ; also, in
the first act of his sixth pari, holdin at Edinbruche, the 20th of
October 1579 : ' Our soverain Lord, with advyce and consent of
his thrie estaitis, and haM body of tMs haffl parfiament, ratifies
all and quhatsumevir actis and statutis maid of befoir be his Hines,
by advyce of his Regent, M his awM reigne or predicessoris, annent
the fridome and fibertie of the true Kirk of God, and Refigioun, as
now professit witMn the realme.' The secound act of the same
sixth pari, expresslie for the jurisdictioun of the said Kirk, quhfflt
is confyfflt, consistis, and standis in the prichfflg of the Word of
Jesus Chryst, correctioun of manneris, and admfflistratioune of the
Holy Sacramentis ; and declairis that ' thair is no uthir face of Kirk
nor no uthir face of Refigioun then is presentfie, by the favour of
God, estabfiscMt witMn tMs realme ; and that thair is no uthir
Jurisdictioun EcclesiasticaU acknawledgit within tMs reahne uthir
then that is and quhUk salbe witMn the same Kirk, or that quhilk
foUowis thairfra, concerneing the premisses.'
" So thair is ane Jurisdictioun of the Kirk ampfie aneugh dis-
tinguischit be the ciriU poUicie, quhilk of necessitie must haiff
meittingis in tyme and place to excercise and execute the same.
" And his seventh pari, at Edinbruche, the 25th of October 1581 ,
in the first act, thair is a generaU ratificatioun of the fibertie of the
true Kirk of God; and confirmatioune of aU the actis and lawis

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 601
maid to the effect befoir ; and that be particMar rehersall and catol-
logie, among the rest, a ratificatioune of the fibertie of the true
Kirk of God and Refigioune, annent the Jurisdictioune of the true
Kirk, tuyse. And thaireftir the Kingis perfytt age of twenty-one
yeiris, at the eleventh pari, at Edinbruche, the 29 of July 1587,
thair a full and a cleire ratificatioune of aU lawis maid annent
the fibertie of the Kirk, and aU utMris maid be Ms progenitouris in
his minoritie be his Regentis, or since the acceptatioune of goveme
ment in his awM persoune. And, finally, that ' Golden Act' of
twelfth pari, quhilk cleirlie crownnes and firmelie concludis the caus,
viz., the first act of that twelfth^parl. of King James VI. holdin at
EdMbruche, the 8 of July 1592, Mtitulat Ratificatioune of the Li
bertie of the true Kirk, of the GeneraU and SynodaU Assemblies, of
Presbyteries, of Discipfine ; quhairin, annent our Generall Assem
blies, thais ar the wordis : ' And siclyk, ratifies and approvis the Ge
neraU Assemblie appoyntit be the said Kirk, and declairis it salbe
lawfull to the Kirk and MiMsteres, every yeir at leist, and oftir l
pro re nata, that is, as occasioune and necessitie saU requyre, to
hold and keipe GeneraU Assembfies; tfiat, provyding that the
Kingis Majestie or Ms Commissiouneris with thame, to be ap
poyntit be his Hines to be present at Uk Generall Assembfie befoir
the dissolving thairoff, nominat and appoyntit tyme and place quhen
and quhair the nixt GeneraU Assembfie salbe keipit and holdin, as
hes bein in use thir tymes bygaine.' Quhair the gentill and benevo
lent reider hes to mark, that the King and Estaitis takis not upoun
thame to give the powir to the GeneraU Assembfie thair to con
veM, quhilk nethir thai nor the Kirke ever thought it to be in
thair handis, but in the handis of Christ Jesus aUenirely, 2 the offly
King off Ms Kirk, [of] quhom the Kirk of Scotland had it, and ac
cordMg thairto practiseit it thirty-two yeiris befoir thir actis of par
liament, but only to ratifie and approve it, conforme to thair Christ-
iane duetie by the auctoritie that God hes put in thair handis.
" And becaus the [15]84 yeir myght be aUedgit againes the As
semblies and liberties of the Kirk, thairfor this posterior act ex-
1 Oftener, more frequently. * Solely, alone.

602 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
presslie speikis thus : ' And becaus thair is diverse actis of parlia
ment tending to the prejudice of the libertie of the true Kirk of
God, and Refigioun presently professit within this realme, m juris-
dictioune and fibertie thairoff, quhUk standis yit in the buikis of
actis of parfiament not abrogat nor annuffit ; thairfor Ms Hines and
Estaitis foirsaidis hes abrogat and annfflfit, and be the tennour
heiroff, abrogattis and annffllis aU actis of parliament respective, with
aU and quhatsumevir actis, lawis, and statutis maid at any tyme
befoir the day and daitt heiroff, againes the libertie of the true Kfi-k,
and jurisdictioun, and fibertie, and discipfine tfiairoff, as the samen is
usit and execuitit within the realme,' &c. And declairis, in 129 [act]
of pari, haldin at EdMbruche, the 22 of May 1584, saU no ways be
prejudiciaU nor derogat any tMng to the privUedge that God hes
girin to the spirituaU office-beireris in his Kirk, concerneing the
Heidis of Refigioune, matteres of Heresie, Excommunicatioune,
Collatioune, or Dispositioune ' of Ministeres, or any siclyk essen-
tiall censuris specially grundit and haivand [warrant ?] of the Word
of God.
" Now, it is objectit that the actis may be grantit Mdeid, bot it
conteines ane expres provisioun that the Kirk [King?] and his
Commissiouneris, with the Ministeres, saU appoynt the tyme and
place : Answer, first, we grant the provisioune, but sic as it is, that
is not privatly, or derogative to the lawftdlnes of the meittingis
ratifieit be the actis with the claus ' utherwayis not,' or sic as the
laweris and formafistis usis ; sua that iff the provisioune be not ob
servit, the licences is null, not bot only for the strenth and further
ance of the Assembfie, provyding that his Majestie or his Commis
siouner saU concur as the claus nided,2 (as they haiff M use to doe
thir tymes bypast,) cleirly schawis.
" Nixt, we answer, we haiff his Majestie's licence and consent,
first, be plain law, as we presently alledge and urge, as Ms Majestie
acknawledgit spak with his awin mouth, and comandit to be sett
doun in actis, being present in the Generall Assemblie holdin at
Dundie, in the monethe of May 1597, session 7, annent the Arti-
' Deposition. 3 Nceded.

1605. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 603
cles, and ordaineing that no Conventioune of Pastoris be without
his Majestie's consent acknawledgit. His Majestie's consent is de-
clairit to be extendit to aU and quhatsumevir, from either GeneraU
Assemblie or speciaU, permittit and authorisit be his Majestie's
lawis, accordmg as they [have the] warrand of the Word of God,
being the maist autentUt forme of consent that a king can give :
And nixt, be Ms Majestie's awin presens in the GeneraU Assem
blie holdin at Holirudhous, in November immediatly befoir his
Majestie's progresse M the South, quhair Ms Majestie gave his
voitt first of aU in that Assembfie, that the nixt Assemblie sould
be keipit at Aberdein the last Tuysday of July 1604 ; and albeit
that appoyntit Assembfie held not, yit it wes prorogat be his Ma
jestie's consent be a Lettre subscryrit with his Majestie's Com
missiouner, the Laird of Lawristoun, and Mr Patrik GaUoway, last
Moderatour, continowit to the first Tuysday of July 1605 ; accord
ing to the quhUk appoyntment, the Presbyteries coming on war
rand of the Word of God, and lawis foirmentiounit, sent thair Com
missiouneris, and keipit day and place : But thai insist and reassoun
that that day wes dischairgit be ane uthir Lettre sent to the Pres
byterie from the said Commissiouner, not that day, viz., the 2d of
Jffly, but the 5th, wes dischairgit ; as the samyn extant among the
Presbyteries yi** beiris : AUwayis,1 say they, the meineing wes to
dischairge that Assemblie. True, but wes it lawfuU and duetifull
to the MiMsteres of Chryst Jesus, quho hes thair calfing, office, and
aU pairtis thairoff from Chryst aUennerly,2 and mone3 give answer
and accompt thairof to him upoun thair uttirmost, upon an aUedgit
dischairge, be ane Article sent from the King dischairging the Ge
neraU Assemblie at so necessar a tyme, it being warrandit be so
many and MvincibiU reassounes and warrandis as ar brought forth
heirtofoir, to desert and leive the same, undir the signe and pre
tence of I watt npt quhat obedience to a light Lettre, not of the
Kingis, bot of sic a Commissiouner; and iff thai obeyit the Lettre
quhat warrand could it haive bein to thame, quhen either Chryst
or the Chrystiane [Kirk ?] sould haiff caUit thame to accompt and
1 Notwithstanding, nevertheless. » Alone, solely. 3 Must

604 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
dischairge so expresslie, at so necessar a tyme, requyrit of thame?
Add heirunto, that the Lettre of the Commissiouner and last Mo
deratour conteinit no certame day quhairunto the said Assembfie
soffld be prorogat ; so that it is evidently importit a casting lous
and deserting, yea, the tyneing 1 of the tittle of the possessioun of
our Assemblie, then the quhUk rycht, quhat could be moir danger
ous to the fridome and libertie of Chrystis Kirk, at sic a tyme,
namely, at the Treatie of the Unioune, quhen aU the Estaitis of the
realme, and every frieholder, wer zealous and cairfuU for thair rychtis
and possessiounes ? I am sffir thair is not ane M Scotland that hes
the rycht, title, and possessioune of ane cow-hous or a caffl-yrird,
that wald so easUy haiff sMppit from the samyn, or could haiff done
les for the keiping of thair possessioune, than thais MMisteres of
Jesus CMyst did for the rycht and tytle of his kmgdome within
Scotland. O fy for schame ! that Christiane men, zealous Mini
steres, sould lett so lycht and esteim so lyttle of the fridome, and
liberty, and possessioun of the Kirk and kMgdome of Jesus CMyst,
plantit and peacabffly estaibUiscMt so notabffly, and so longe con
tinowit, witMn the realme of Scotland ; yit they continowit to
reassoun againes the lawfulMes of thair proceidingis ! Lett it be
so, that the day mycht haiff bein keipit, yit thai sould not haive sua
usit ane Assembfie, and appoyntit ane tyme for ane uthir, without
the consent of the Kingis Majestie's Commissiouner.
" Namefie, the said Commissiouner, dischairgeing thame baith
by a missive Lettre from the Counsel, and Letteris Patentis pro-
clamed : Ansuer, thair wes no proclaimeing of Lettres : This is a
manifest forgit lie and untruth, cleirly knawin ; and how soone they
wer chairgit thai gaiff obedience, and dissolvit, for eschewMg of of
fence and obedience to man ; yea, erin ffldangering thamselris ouir
far M offence and dissobedience to God, in omitting sua necessar a
duetie as said is ; and to the Counsellis Lettres it continowit a
counseU, quhilk is no command, to desert and leive the Assembfie ;
ane thing so unlawfuU, that iff thai had foUowit it, thai could not
haiff bein answerabUl, nethir to Chryst, nor to the King, nor to the
1 Losing.

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 605
Kirk thaireftir, being chairgit thairfoir at ony tyme, for the reas
sounes befoir aUedgit. And farther, quhat the meineing of the
lawis that the Kfflgis. Commissiouner sould cohonestat, and fortifie,
and foorder the Assembfie, the foirnameit Commissiouner, Lawris
toun, expresslie and purposelie to hinder that Assembfie, and op-
poune hfinself thairunto, so that he wes not Commissiouner to the
Assembfie, bot agaffles the same ; and so, aU alyk ar worse as iff
thai had not bein in the toune ; and, thairfoir, be the plain meine
ing off the act, it wes lesume and lawfoll to that Assembfie con-
•veinit to nominat tyme and place for the nixt Assembfie. They did
nothMg, thairfoir, bot that quhUk boith off necessitie and duetie it
behorit thame to doe, or els betray the caus of CMyst, or losse the
fridome and libertie of his Kirk and Mngdome peciabffly, and with
out Mterruptioune possessit M Scotland thes 42 yeiris bygame ; as
we haiff now, M the nixt pomt of probatioune, to verifie be the
contMowall custome, and possessioune, and constitutioun of our
Kirk, since the Reformatioune of Refigioune within the reahne of
Scotland. " HI. And becaus that poynt is evident aneucht, be the Buikes
off the GeneraU Assembfie and sum ancient FatMris of the MMi
sterie, quho ar yit on lyff, I find it sufficient to sett it doune in the
generall assertioune, that from the yeir of our Lord 1560, the 25
day of December, quhen, with the Parfiament of the realme, the
GeneraU Assemblie of the Kirk satt doune at Edinbrache first, for
estabMscMng of Refigioun, and setfing tfie Reformit estait of the
Kirke, unto the yeir 1603, M the beginmg of Apryle, [quhen] his
Majestie pairtit from Scotland to tak possessioun in the Mngdome
of Ingland, the continowaU custome of the Kirk of Scotland ap-
provit and reverenced the supreme Magistratis and estaitis of the
reafine, wes to conveM in their Generall Assembfie tuyse a yeir
and sume tyme thryce ; I say, almost becaus of that grytt ecclipses
in the yeir 1584 and [15]85, be violent injurie of that tyme, and be
caus of the prorogatioune and useing of the Assembfie, so by Let
tres and proclamatiounes, from tyme to tyme, and place to place

606 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
eftir 1596 ; yit, M all thais yeiris and Assemblies of our Kirk, the
custome wes, that in the end of the Assemblie presentfie keipit, the
place and tyme of the nixt Assemblie succeidmg wes agrieit and
determineit upoune ; the quhilk wes keipeit without interruptioune,
upoune the warrand that Jesus hes givin to Ms Kirk to convein,
without licence sought or girin be ony Magistrat or Prince, uthir
then the commoun and approrin custome befoir the lawe, and
eftir set doun for the ratificatioun tfiairoff in tfie parliament befoir
cited, anno 1592. TMs to be true, since the 1574, above ane hun
dred persounes of the Ministerie, and ane thousand uthir gentill-
men in the land, can weffl remember and testifie. Quhat wes be
foir that, erin smce the beginning, lett us heir out of the Admori-
tioun of the GeneraU Assembfie conveiMt at EdMbruche, in the
moneth of Marche 1573, direct ffl wrytt to the Erie of Mortoun,
Regent, and to the Lordis of Counsel and Estait, beiring this nar
ratioune :
" ' It is knawin to your Grace, that since the tyme that God
bfissit the countrie with the Evangel, the haffl Kirk most godly
appoyntit, and the Parfiament be actis authorizit, that tua godly
Assembfies of the haffl GeneraU Kirk of the reahne souldbe evirilk1
yeir, alsweiU of aU memberis of aU estaitis as of the MMisteres ; the
quhfflt Assembfie hes bein, since the first ordinance, continowaffie
keipit in sic sort, that the most nobfflest and Mghtest hes joyrit
thame selvis, be thair awin presens in thais Assembfies, as mem
beris of ane body ; concurring, voiting, and authoriseing aU thingis,
thair procefflingis, with thair Britherine.'
" IV. The Fourth and last poynt of the AppoUogie wes annent
The Kingis Confessioun of Faith, (as it was caMt,) notoriously pub
fischit in Latine by Mercurius Gallo-Belgicus, the noble poster of
newis athort the world, upon occasioun of a sute maid by the French
Kirk, at Loundoun, to Ms Majestie for the continowmg of thair
priviledges, at his Hienes' entry in Londoun ; at quhUk tyme his
Majestie, assureing thame of his guid affectioune towardis the true
' Each, every.

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 607
Refigioune maid mentioune in tfie said Confessioune, as ane un-
doubtit witnes of the same ; and, thairfoir, the said Mercurius setis
doune M Latine, as it is also extant in French, Dutch, and aU uthir
commoune langwedgis ffl Europe.
11 QuhUk Confessioun, as they aUedgit, did furnisch ane ungain-
standabffl argument for the lawfuUnes of the said Assembfie haldin
at AbirdeM, closeing the mouth of all guid memberis of the Kirk and
subjectis of the reahne of Scotland from speUring againes the same,
and binding thame be aU dewtie and conscience to stand for it,
uffles thai wald declaire thame selves apostatis and perjurit in the
sycht of God and the haM world : For quhy it is aU veritie that
the Kingis Majestie Mm sebf, with the haffl Ministerie, CounseU-
ouris, NobMtie, Estaitis, and subjectis of the kingdome, hes
solemnely subscryrit and sworne thais wordis foUowing of that
Confessioune :
" ' To the quhilk Faith and ReMgioune we (the trew Reformit
Kirk of Scotland immediatlie mentionit befoir) joyne our selves
wfflingfie M Doctrine, Faith, Refigione, and Discipfine, and in the
use of the Holy Sacraments, as lyvely memberis of the samyne, in
Chryst our Heid ; promiseMg and sweiring, by the great name of
our Lord God, that we saU continowe in the obedience of the Doc
trine and Discipline of tMs Kirk, and saU defend the same, accord
ing to our vocatioune and power, aU the dayes of our lyff, undir the
paffle conteffled M the law, and danger boith of bodie and sauUe in
the day of Godis feirfoU Judgement.' And eftir a few lynes it
foUowis :
" ' We, willing to tak away aU suspitioune of hypocrisie and
doubffl-deaUing with God and his Kirk, protestis and caUis the
Searcher of aU heartis to wittnes that our heartis and myndis doe
fully agrie unto this our Consent, Promeise, and Confessioune, Oath,
and Subscriptioune, so that we are not movit with any worldly re
spect, but are persuadit in our conscience, only throw the knaw-
ledge and love of Godis trew Refigioune, printed in our heartis by
the Holie Spirit, as we saU answer to him in that day quhen the
secreitis of all heartis salbe disclosit.'

608 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
" ' Now, take heed, I pray yow,' sayeth the Appollogie-maker,
( at quhat tyme wes this Confessioune pubfiscMt by auctoritie, and
commanded to be sworne and subscryvit, and that solemnely, eftir
his Majestie and Ms haffl Household1 goeing befoir, he doeing the
same ?' 2 It wes evM subscryvit quhen the Kingis Minister, Mr
Johnne Craige, and Ms. Majestie's Commissiouner for the tyme,
the Laird of Capringtoune, to the GeneraU Assembfie halden at
Glasgow, ffl the moneth of Aprile, in the year 1581, at the quhilk
Assembly the Buik of the Poficie and Discipline of the Kirk, soe
many yeires befoir, in so many Assembfies traveUit unto, perfytit
and censurit tfiairto by the Kingis Majestie and CounseU, eftir the
GeneraU Assembly haldffl at Stirfinge, by directioun of the samyn,
in the yeir 1575, gratiously and weffl acceptit, wes approvin, and
ordained to be registrat in the BuUtis of the GeneraU Assembfie,
ad perpetuam rei memoriam ; lykas at the same Assembfie, by Ms
Majestie's said Commissiouner approving the Discipfine concludit
M tfie said Buik of Poficie, wes presented from Ms Majestie a Plat3
of the Presbyteries throughout the haffl realme, craiveing Commis
siouneris from the said Assembfie to be directit with such as his
Majestie sould appoynt for planting of the said Presbyteries in
everie ProvMce ; the quhilk wes done : And sieing that Bisschoppis
wer utterlie abofiscMt M the Assemblie haldin at Dundie the yeir
preceiding, Ms Majestie desyrit to know how thair place sould be
suppfieit at Parliament ; as at mair lenth is conteined in the Buikis
of the GeneraU Assembfie, and namelie the Register of the said
Assembfie at Glasgow.
" TMs cleireth sufficientfie quhat wes then the Discipline of the
Kirk of Scotland, nameit and mentiouned M the said Confessioun
of Faith ; soe that, far from aU dout or questioune, our Generall
Assembfies wes then most floriscMng and frequent, foU of reverence,
grace, gravetie, and auctoritie, the fridome and fibertie quhairoff
wes the cheiff heid and bffllwark of aU the Discipfine of our Kirk ;
1 Univ. MS. " Counsel." 2 Adv. MSS. " be guid example had done the
samyne." 3 lb. "of the place."

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 609
quhUk once to impair or brangle, wes indeid the overtMow of our
Kirk and Refigioune : And tMs wes so reverencit, so swome, and
subscryvit, [yea, and pubfischit in print of new againe, and ordained
to be of new sworne and subscryvit,1] M a GeneraU Band in the
yeir 1590, befoir the obtefflfflg of the ratificatioune in Parliament
in the yeir 1592.
" This, then, beMg the discipfine sworne and subscryvit, dar any
of the sweireris and subscryveris cum in the contrair thairoff, or
dar the faithfffll Ministeres of Chryst, for the use and practiseing of
it, unles thai would prove and profess thame selves apostatis, and
perjurit, and mensworne ? Yea, or can they refuse to obey or defend
the samyne, according to thair vocatioune and power, aU the dayis
of thair lyff, siefflg it is and standis upoun the danger of boith saull
and body in the day of Godis feirfffll Judgement, as the foir sett
doun tennour of thair aith beires ? No, I am assurit that the Kingis
Majestie MmseM, (quhom God preserve, and mak weffl, and long to
regne and live,) his honorabffl CounseU, and aU his guid Chrystiane
subjectis, quhen they haffl weyit2 this matter, and laid it to heart,
wUbe waiknit3 and moveit to remember thair oathe, they wffl feir
and trembffl that the gryt name Jehovah, the Lord God, interpounes
and beiris witnes in that matter of so high and gryt importance ; and,
finding Ms servants to haif done nothfflg in the contraire, but ac
cordmg thairto, as we haiff sufficientfie schawm in the poynts pro
ceeding, wiU sie thame honorit and rewardit as faithfffll Pastoris
of the Kirk, and not revfflit and punischit as malefactoris. Off
tMs haffl discours also, it is most evident that thais ar far deciveit,
quha tMnkis we haiff the power and auctoritie of our Assembfies
from the KMg, and his lawis, as the cheiff warrand and grand
thairoff; nay, our meittingis in our Assemblies is ane essentiaU
poynt of the office of the Ministerie of Chryst Jesus, quhilk Mim
sterie we haiff naither in fuU nor in the pairt of any earthefie king,
but of him quho is King of kings, Lord of lords ; but forsuameikle
' Omitted in Univ. MS. * Weighed. 3 Awakened. 2 Q

610 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
as God hes ordained kingis, queenes, and princes, to be nurischeris,
manteineris, and defenderis of his Kirk, as the speciall end quhair
by they haiff ressavit thair auctoritie and preheminencie, and for
quhois saik thai ar boith sett upe and cast doune by God : Thair
foir it is, that M aU reverent submissioune the Kirk craives the
benefit of the mantinence and lawis for the honour of Chryst his
anoyntit KMg, upon his holy montaine, the quhilk iff they dueti-
ffflly bestow, thai saU not doe it for nought, for the Lord wffl honour
thame quho honouris him ; if uthirwayis, he wffl caus thame knaw
that he maid thame up and can cast thame doun againe, and, thair
foir, in aU reyerence, to seek1 it; and, saveing quhatsoevir incres
the guid Britherin may incur2 thairby, M aU reassoune. Thai haiff
evir bein obedient in leving in the duetie warrand3 and commandit
be CMyst, quhUk no man sould or may controvein, and not holding
out of the said Assemblie for manadgeing and effectuating the ne
cessare effaires of the Kirk, quhairfoir it wes appoyntit, rather then
rebeMous and contemptuous againes the King, quhois estimatioune,
honor, and obedience, must stand with CMyst and his holy Ministerie
of the Kirk, and not againes the same.
" In end, thus it wes concludit, that sieing it wes sua manifest of
the premisses that the Britherin, Commissiouneris of the Presby
teries of the Kirk of Scotland, qulfflk Presbyteries, iff thair had
bein any fault, sould haiff bein punischit, and not they conveened
at the last GeneraU Assembfie at Abirdein, had sua evident and
strong reassounes and warrantis for thame of the Word of God,
lawis and customes of the realme, and constitutiounes of the Kirk,
since the beginning of that nobffl and famous Confessioun of Faith,
and that thair wes so just caus of feir of lossing of the libertie
of the GeneraU Assembfie; for aither there can remaine no doubt
in the heart of any good Christiane, bot that they have [done ?]
honest, lawfuMe, and weffl, and if so, they must needs have done
wisely aUsoe. For it is speciaU wisdome even for kingis and princes
to serve the Lord even with fear, and to kiss his Sone with humble
1 Univ. MS. " speik." 2 Adv. MSS. " receave." 3 Warranted.

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 611
obedience, lest he be angrie, and they perische in the way, quho for
inobedience and rebeMon his wrath is kindled, Psalm ii. 10, 11, 12.
So, what obedience, faith in the Sone of God, blessednes and wis
dome to preserve that the treasure of the GospeU of grace and life,
to keep that precious pearle which lightens the eyes and quickens
the heart, and to stand for the honor of Christ, the King, and the
liberties and fridome of his kingdome, and againes aU such as seik
to beir doune and deface1 the same, or to usurp and incroch thair-
upoun ; thair to suffir with him, that thai may regne with him, is
grytter wysdome then to conqueis aU the prelaceis and kingdomes
upon the earth. Iff Chryst, the wysdome of the Father, be to be
befivit, sayeth, Quhat availeth it a man to wine the haffl world
and tyne his saffll ? — and tMs wUbe fond. Quhat salbe said to the
wyse worldUngis foole, ' This nycht also sail thai tak away thy
safflle from thee?' Also, 'I knaw yow not; depairt from me, ye
cursit of my Father, unto unquanchabffl fyre prepairit for the diviU
and his angeMs ! ' Quhat avaffis it for wisdomis commendatione ?
WM it be then mair to haiff feirit and obeyit man nor2 God ? And
that is all the folie, forsuith, that thais wyse3 Breitherine can be
accusit off.
" In end, thairfoir, iff thai haiff donne both wyselie and lawfuMe,
let thair Judges tak heid how thai judge, least condemneing the
Mnocent, yea, the rychteous, thai be abominatioune befoir God,
the great and feirftd Judge, let your persewaris be effrayed4 least
they feight not againes God ; least he prevaUl againes thame, and
cutt thame in cffllopis !s Let thair fellow Britherine be true, just,
and honest, and frank with thame in the caus, as they wald be pair-
takeris with thame in the kMgdome, and least thai heir that dome,
' Tak the unthankfuU6 servant, bind him hand and foot, and cast
him in the kingdome7 of uttir darknes,' — and that wUbe a blacker
nes or nest8 quhairin our guid and honest Britherine now lye I Let
1 Adv. MSS. "defame." 2 Than. 3 Adv. MSS. "good and faithful." " lb.
" let persecutors be afraid." 5 lb. " collops," in pieces. 6 lb. " unfaithfull."
7 lb. "dungeon." 8 A play on the Castle of Blackness, where their brethren,
the Ministers, were then closely imprisoned.

612 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
thame, now, that thus stryk and imprissoune thair fellow servandis,
and sitt doun and eit and drink with the drunkine, feir for the
cuming of that great Lord to discomfeis judgment, and cutt tham in
tuo : Let all Christianes consider quhat Chrystiane compassioune
and charitabiU duetie craves towardis the afflicted Brethrine, but
namlie to Chryst him selff, in his sufferinges, as they would wish to
hear that most joyfull call, ' Come, ye blissit of my Father; for quhen
I was in prissoun ye visitet me !' Let the guid and faithfoU Mini
steres, presentfie imprissouneit, for thair incorragment and comforte,
heir and meditat thais thingis, quhilk He quho hes the sevin starris
in his rycht hand, and walkes in the middes of the sevin goldine
candilestickis, quho is the First and the Last, quho wes deid, and
is now alive for evir moir, amen, and sayis, ' I knaw thy workis,
and thy tribulatioune, [and patience, and povertie; bot thow art
taught,1 and I know the blasphemie of them quho say they are
Jews, and are not, bot are of the synagogue of Satan. Fear not
for these things thow art to suffer ; behold, it shaU come to pass,
that the deviU shall cast some of yow Mto prisone that ye may
be tryed ; and ye shall have tribfflatione 2] ten dayis. Be thow faith-
full unto the deathe, and I wffl give ye the croune of lyff. Come,
come [quickly,] Lord Jesus, Amen,' "

The thrid day of October wes directit from Perthe a lybefflt
summonds, at the instance of the King's Advocat, agaffles the pris-
souneris of Blaknes, and the rest in thair prissounes of Dumbartan,
Stirling, and Doune,3 cfiairgeing thame personally to compear be
foir the Lordis of Secreit Counsel at Edinbruche the 24 day of
October instant, to heir and sie it be found and declarit that they
haiff verie contemptuously and seditiouslie conveinit and assembfit
tham selves, and proceidit in thair said actioune, the tyme foirsaid ;
1 The authorised version, " rich." z Omitted in Univ. MS. This is
another instance of the carelessness with which such transcripts were formerly made.
3 Adv. MSS. "Dundie."

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 613
and, thairfoir, the said Assemblie, and approbatioune thairof, decer-
nit and declairit unlawfffll, and so to be reput, holding, and esteimit
in all tymes cumeMg; and thai to be puniscMt in thair persones
and guidis for thair ufflawfull conveimng, holding, and appoynting
of the samyne. In the meantyme, persaifing tfiat it wes spokin
plainefie, and eviU-takin with, by aU the MMisteris, that the Gene
raU Assembfies wer to be uttirly orirtMowM, and nevir a frie one
to be permittit agame, it wes thought meitt that a GeneraU As
semblie sould be appoyntit and proclaimed be the Kingis Majestie
to tak away and remove that offence, and yit to keip his rycht, as
thought no Assemblie wer lawfuU, or could be keipit without his
appointment or ordMance. The day wes appoyntit to be the last
Tuysday of July, but in quhat yeir, nevir a word ; and sua the
Greik Calendis and Englische proclamatioune, ffl matter and lan-
gwedge, givM at Hamptoun Court, and printed at Edinburghe by
Robert Charteres.
The Britherine from aU their wardes and prissounes, compeiring
befoir the CounseU at Edinbruche the 24 of October,1 gaiv in first
thair Supplicatioune to the CounseU, as foUowis :

"THE SUPPLICATIOUN OF THE MINISTERIS, IN WARD, TO THE
LORDIS OF SECREIT COUNSELL.
" My Lordis off Secreit CounseU, unto your Lordschipis humblie
meines and schawis,2 We, the Ministeres of the GospeU of Jesus
Chryst, quho hes bein callit befoir your Lordschipis, and now im-
prissouneit by the space of threttein weekis, for conveineing in our
GeneraU Assemblie, haldin at Aberdein the last Tuysday of July
last by past : That forsuameikle as we are chairgit, de novo, to com
peir personaMe befoir your LordscMpis at EdMbruche, the 24 of
October Mstant, to heire and sie it found and declairit, that we
haiff very contemptuousfie and seditiouslie conveinit and assembfit
1 Adv. MSS. erroneously " July.'' * Complain and shew.

614 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
ourselffis, and proceidit in our actiounes in the said Assemblie ;
and, thairfoir, the samyn Assemblie, and approbatioune thairoff, de
cemit and declairit ufflawfull ; as in the summoundis execut againes
us thairannent at mair lenth is conteffleit. QuhUk forme of sum
moundis and proceidingis befoir your Lordschipis againes us, is al-
togidder prejudiciaU to the authorized authoritie of the Kirk of
Scotland, and contrair to the laudabiU order observit within this
realme : Because it is of veritie that, by the Word of God, Disci
pline of the Kirk of Scotland, actis of Parfiament maid in favouris
of the samyn, and practeis since the Reformatioune of Refigioune,
that aU spirituaU matteris anent Doctrine and Discipline hes bein
and aught to be cognoscit and judgit by the Kirk aUennirfie, as the
maist competent Judge thairoff, as a matter spirituaU : And trew it
is, that the lawftdlnes, approbatioune, and dissaUowance of a Gene
rall Assemblie, and the proceidingis thairoff, is a matter spirituaU ;
the GeneraU Assembfie foUowing hes aUowit ever, or disaUowit, as
they haiff found just occasioun or cause, and the Assembfie's pro
ceidingis and thingis done or aUowit thairin, as it is evident in the
GeneraU Assemblie holdin at Dundie in the year 1597, quhilk de
clairit and aUowit the preceiding Assembfie holdin at Perthe, and
proceidMgis thairoff, to be lawfuU, his Majestie being present at
baith : 2. Because it is expressefie sett doun in Ms Majestie's lait
proclamatioune annent the GeneraU Assemblie to be holdM at
Dundie the last Tuysday of Jffly, that his Majestie expectit repa-
ratioune of dissorderis, that iff thair be any thrie of your Lord
schipis saU proceid againes us, for the caus above specifeit, your
Lordschipis may give occasioune to confound the EcclesiasticaU and
CivUl Jurisdictioune, quhilk hiddertffl hes bein and are by lawis
and practeis happelie distinguischit, to the great peice and unitie of
this realme, praisit be the name of God thairfoir ! And iff we haiff
ony wayis transgressit againes any civffl lawis, we offir our selvis
maist willingly to be judgit and tryit conforme to the order and
forme practeisit amongis his Majestie's subjectis within tMs realme,
the dewtie aUwayis, and the transgressioune of our office, being re-
mittit to the Judge Ordiner. Heirfoir we most humblie beseik

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 615
your Lordschipis maist earnestlie, in the name of Jesus Chryst,
quho sail judge quick and deid, to remitt the said caus and tryaU
thairoff to the said GeneraU Assemblie, as only Judge competent
thairto, and to dimitt us in peice, that we may attend on our call-
ingis : According to aU eqffltie and reassoune, and your Lordschipis
answer heirunto we maist earnestfie and fiumbUly beseUt ; and so
meiHe the mair, becaus we haiff givin unto your Lordschipis diverse
Suppficatiounes hereanent of before, and hes ressavit no answer
hithirtffl as yit."
This Supplicatioune, being givin [ffl] and read, wes aluttirfie ' re-
jectit and refuissit ; and the Britherine urgit to answer to the libell,
by the Kingis Advocat, Ms accusar ; a*nd, thairfoir, thai wer con-
straifflt to refuse the Judicatorie,2 formaUy, and gaiff in the De-
clynatore foUowmg, undir aU thair handis :

THE DECLYNATOURE.
" My Lordis of Secreit CounseU, unto your Lordschipis : Pleas
your Lordschipis, the approbatioune and aUowance of ane Generall
Assembfie hes bein and soffld be a matter and caus spirituaU, and
aUwayis cognoscit and judgeit by the Kirk, as Judge thairoff com
petent, withM this reahne. And siring we are caMt befoir your
Lordschipis, to heire and sie it to be fund and declairit that we
haffl verie seditiousely and contemptuouselie convenit and assembfit
ourselffis in a GeneraU Assemblie at Abirdein, &c. ; and, thairfoir,
the said Assemblies, and the approbatioune thairof, to be declarit
and decerMt unlawfuU, as at mair lenth is conteiffit in the said
summoundis execute againes us thairannent, We, in consideratioune
of the premisses, and other reassounes to be givin in by us, hes just
caus to declyne your Lordschipis Judgment, as nowayis competent
in the caus above specifeit ; and by thais presentis, we doe simpli-
1 Altogether. 2 Decline the jurisdiction of the Privy Council.

616 THE CONTINUATION OF 1605.
citer declyne the same, sieing we are maist wffling to submitt our
selff to the tryaU of the GeneraU Assembfie, quhUk is only Judge
competent, by thir presentis, subscryrit with our handis as foUowis,
the 24 of October 1605.
" Mr Johne Forbes. Mr Charles Ferme.1
Mr Johne Welsche. Mr Johne Monroe.
Mr Robert Durie. Mr James Irving.2
Mr Andrew Duncane. Mr Wm. Forbes.
Mr Alex. Strauchane. Mr Johne Rosse.
Mr Johne Scharpe. Mr Robert Youngsone.
Mr James Gregg. Mr Nathan Inglishe."3
Nevirtheles of tMs Declynatoure, the CounseU findis thame
selffis Judgis, and urgis thame to answer to the lybeU. The Brith
erine, undir protestatioune, and adhering aUwayis to thair Declyna
toure, answeris at lenth by wrytt, proveing the lawfoUnes of thair
Assemblie, purgmg thame of aU contempt and seditioun, and offir-
Mg them to prove the indorsatioune and executioune of the chairge
givM in againes thame be the Kingis Commissiouner, the Laird of
Lawristoune. Notwithstanding thairoff, the CounseU giris out
sentance againes the Assembly, and thame quho wer the holderis
thairof, conforme to the summondis, and remittis the prissouneris
to thair wairding-places.
In this meMtyme, thair wes apprehendit a famous excommuni
cat, foirfaultit, and perverting Papist, namit Mr Gilbert Broome,
Abbot of New Abbay, quho, evir since the Reformatioune of Refi
gioun, had conteinit in ignorance and idolatrie aUmost the haill
South-west pairtis of Scotland, and had bein continowaffle occupyit
in practiseing againes the Refigioune. TMs man, being [bot one
night]4 keipit in Blaknes, feUow-prissouner with the Britherine of
the Ministerie, wes transportit to the Castell of Edinbruche, quhair
1 Fairholme. 2 Adv. MSS., erroneously, " Garbane." 3 Inglis,
1 Not in Univ. MS.

1605. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 617
he wes liberaffle intertained upoun the Kingis expensses, and ane
of his speciaU freindis licensed to com and goe to him at his plesoure ;
and, in end, haiffing aU his gffldis restorit to Mm, evin his idola
trous refictis, crosses, Agnus Dei, &c, wes set at fibertie, and per
mitted to imbarque and goe to France, not without great suspi-
tioun, and appearing to say messe in Edinbruche, and greatly feared
and supported to be reaU ; for the nicht befoir his departoure, boith
Ms messe-clothes and cheMs,1 &c, wes fund and takffl by the BaU-
lies. Tfiis wes very evffi-takffl off by aU guid men, as seming to
be done in despyt of the Mmisteris detemit so long in that foffll
hous and dungeoun of Blacknes, upon thair own excessive costis
and expenssis.
The Parliament of England wes to sitt downe the 9 of Novem
ber, the year of God 1605 ; a few dayes befoir the quhUk wes de-
tectit ane horribffl Conspiracie of Catholict Papistis, quho had un-
dermyndit the Parliament Hous, and had laid in ane hudge quan
titie of gunpowder, haUfing ane of thair number, named Gwy Faux,
reddffie attendfflg with a sett traine and prepairit lount 2 and match,
to haffl blawin aU the Hous in the aire, immediatly eftir the King,
Quein, Prince, and Nobfflis, with the haffl Estaitis, had bein con
veinit to heir the Kingis oratioune, the first day of the Parliament.
The newis of this movit aU guid men to think that the King wald
haffl left off the persfflt of the puire Ministeris M boith the realmes,
and requyring thair prayeris and praisemg of God in thair Congre
gatiounes, and amongis thair flockis, for so gryt a deliverance : But
the effect thairof declairit the contrairie ; for not only wes thair no
refiveMg, but a msisting moir eagerfie and fiercelie, boith be pen
and tungue, sayfflg, The Papistis wes seiking Ms lyff, indeid, but
the Ministeris wes seiking his Crowne, deirer to him nor his lyff!
And so, expresse chairge wes sent home to the CounseU, namely,
to the Chanceler, Secretar, Advocat, Comptroller, Officeris of the
Estaite, to put the Ministeris to ane asyse or jurie upon ane dittay
* Chalice, communion cup. 2 Match of slow fire.

618 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
of treassoune, because of the Declynatoure of the quhilk, these foir-
namit CounseUeris, directit, for feir of inabUitie to effectuat so hard
a matter, as to dress a Judge and assysse with all thingis neidfuU
to gett thame convictit, and brought undir the compas of the law ;
and, thairfoir, pairtfie for that and pairtfie for the Kingis occupa-
tiounes annent the conspiracie, the matter tuik ane delay tiU the
first moneth of the new yeir, 1606.
M.DC.V1.
The first newis we heard, in the new yeir, wes the comming
doune from Court of tuo great CounseUeris, to witt, the Erles of
Marr and Dumbar. Thair home-comemg was thought to be for
great matteris ; but aU, M end, tendit to put the Ministeres warded
in Blacknes to ane assyse, quhUk wes done on the Friday,1 the tenth
of Januar.
The Erie of Dumbar sent for ane of the Ministeres of Ms best
and antient accquantance, to quhom he regraitit heavUie his imploy-
ment and present service he wes about ; and, thairfoir, requeisted
most earnestlie the said Minister to tak the paines as to goe and deaU
with the prissouneris of Blacknes, and to sie ffl thai wald condiscend,
and it wer 2 to never so lycht a confessioun of fault, and coming in
the Kfflgis wffl thairfoir ; and he soffld imploy his credit to the ut
tirmost for pleasing the King and paciefieing him. The Minister,
glaid to haive the occasioun to talk with Ms Britherine, and sie how
God wrought with thame, being wairnit that thai were to be put
to ane assyse, past to the Blacknes, and aU that nycht commouned
with the prissouners, and leirit no argument, that he could heir or
invent, unusit, to assay thair constancie ; but thai stuid firme as a
rock, breking and repulseing all the waves that Boreas could blow
out of the sea agaMes thame : And so, eftir thair most comfortabill
excercise of the Word and prayer, went to bed ; but being on thair
momeing sleipe, (haiffing put off muche of the nicht with guid ex
cercise of reassouneing, reiding, and prayer,) thai ar awakened with
1 Adv. MSS. " Thursday." 2 If it wore.

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 619
the sound of a trumpet of the Guard, cum from Linlithgow to con
voy the prissouneris befoir the CounseU, quhilk the Livetennent of
the Guard said wald sitt doun befoir day-lycht, and thairfoir be-
hoveit to mak haste. Thai made ready, and caMt to God, and so
come to Lifflythgow by the sunne-riseing, and wer brought the
Me-way to the Palace, quhair the CounseU wes most foil and fre
quent sitting. The Erie of Lithgow, quho keipit hous in the Pa
lace, and quhois wyf wes ane obstinat Papist, ressavit thame verie
courteousely, and caussit thame be convoyit into ane chalmer ; quhair,
eftir guid intertrinement, thair assembfit a guid number of the Mi
nisterie from aU pairtis, and wer permittit to caU to God, and to
consult togidder with the prissouneris.
Mr Johne Forbes, Moderator of the Presbyterie of Abirdeine,
being Moderator, accordMg to his office, said, " Indeed, thair hes
been money sessiounes of GeneraU Assemblies rarer then this wes."
Thair wes a great deifing, by dyverse CounseUeres and utheris, usit
to break thame, quhy, and in quhat reassoune ; but aU in vaine.
Thaireftir the CounseU directit expressefie the Lordis of New-
bottffl, QuMttfflghame, Blantyre, the Lord Little Justice,1 to reas
soune with the Ministeres conveiMt, that thai mycht bring the Mi
nisteres, prissouneris, to ane submissioune, but M vaine. Then they
sent the same again, with diverse utheris, and namely the Advocat,
to accquant us with the proces, and assure us that it wald proceid
to thair convictioune ; thairfoir, and the said Advocat, with diverse
utheris men of law, that professit gryt freindscbippe and favoure to
the MMisteris, [and possessit the samyne,]2 sic as Mr Thomas Craig,
Mr William Oliphant, were instant3 with the Breither to pas from
the Decfinatour, pro loco et tempore ; assuring thame that it wald
be no wayis prejudiciaU to the Kirk, thair caus, or thameselffis, to
use it agaffle quhen they pleassit ; and so, iff thai wald pas from
the Assemblie and Declinatoure, the CounseU wald pas from all
the proces and present persuit, and the prissouneris sould goe frie.
TMs movit many of the Bretherin present, haifing a grytter cair,
1 The Justice-depute. '' Adv. MSS. 3 lb. " earnest.''

620 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
and beMg m a greitter feir for the present, to be put in perrill and
danger of thair lyvis nor1 the prissouneris thameselffis, quho wer
most resolvit ; and sua we craffit a space to consfflt togider, that
the CounseU mycht haiff ane answer.
Thair wes gryt reassouneing to and fro amonges us, and the
matter was thought to be of sua gryt importance concerneing the
haill Kirk, that it wes hard for thame quho wer thair to jeopard2
it ; and, thairfoir, thought it meit to direct of that number certaine
to the CounseU to crave a tyme to communicat 3 with the Presby
teries of the Prorince ; and that, efter advyce, resolute answer
mycht be givM to the CounseU. So haiff ane dussane of the Bri
therine past to the CounseU, qffliilk thai fand sitting verie orderely
and magnificly in the ChappeU of the Pafice ; and eftir proponeing
of the matter they wer removit, and withm a schort spaice caMt in
againe, and ressavit a plaine Nolumus. The quhilk beMg repeittit
to the Breitherine, the Moderator, Mr Johne Forbes, Mr Johne
Welsche, with the rest of the prissouneris, with gryt confidence,
said, That thai saw that the Lord had caUit thame that day to give
ane testimonie of the fibertie of the kingdome of Jesus Chryst, and
to stand to his Croun againes the usurpatioune and the pryd of
men : Quhairat thai wer not affrayed, but exceiding glad and co-
ragious ; only besought the Britherine to give thame thair advyce
that thai hurt not the caus, haiffing no respect to any thing that
could befaU thame, in compaire of that. The Britherine, sieing
thair constancie, courage, and resolutioun, glorified God ; and quhill
as thai wer confirmeing thame by thair uniforme assent and prayer,
it wes schawin thame by the Livetennent of the Guard that the
Judge, assistit by the haM CounseU, wes sett in the Tolbuithe, the
place of pubfict judgment of the town, attendmg the prissouneris
presenting. Thus, the haiU Britherine accompanieit the prissouneris to the
Judgement-hous, quhair the prissouneris of Blacknes, being callit,
enterit within the barr upon the panneU, quhair the Justice Clerk-
1 Than. 2 Hazard, risk. 3 Univ. MS. " convocat."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 621
deput schew thame that thai wer indyttit thair for treassouu com
mittit againes the Kingis Majestie, and so red thair libellit dittay ;
and bemg Mquyrit, Quhat advocat thai wald haiff to speik for
thame ? they desyrit Mr Thomas Craig and Mr Williame Oliphant ;
quho bemg caMt for, it wes reportit that thai wald not plead for
thame : Thairfoir, it behovith thame to tak sic as wald, to witt, Mr
Thomas Gray, ane old man, weffl-wffling, but not skUlfull, and ane
uther young man, quho nevir befoir pleadit any caus befoir the
Justice, yit prorit notably weiU, as moved by God for that effect ;
in whose actione nothMg wes missed that the best could have done.
This was Mr Thomas Hope, quho conquisit to himself that day the
estimatioune both of a guid man and of a guid advocat. Mr Thomas
HammUtoun, the KMgis Advocat, in accusing, kythed1 gryt sopbis-
trie, craft, and eviU-will, scMewdlie convoyit with eloquence, boith
in oratioun and actioune. The substance of his accusatioune wes
concludit in this syUogisme :
" Quhosoevir, in quhatsoevir caus, declynis the Kingis and Coun-
seffls Judicatour, incurris the guUtines and pame of treassoun :
Bot thais upoun the pannaU hes treassonabiUie declynit the
King and CounseUis Judicatorie : Ergo, thai haive incurrit the
guUtines and paine of treassoun."
The propositioune he provit by the actis of parliament haldm at
Edinbruche in May 1578. 2 To the quhilk it wes answerit : 1. That
the mynd of the act wes not to mak aU declinatouris guiltie of treas
soun ; for it is acknawledgit most lawfuU and orderfie done, to de
clyne tfie Secreit CounseU in civiU matteris or criminaU actiounes,
as not Judgis competent, and draw thame to the Sessioune, Shereffis,
and Justices ; and sua maist lawfuU in matteris ecclesiastic!?, to
declyne the same CounseU, and cleave to the GeneraU Assemblie,
and Inferior Synodis and Presbyteries : 2dly, That act and the haiU
force thairof wes abrogatt and takin away, and repeUit expresselie,
by a posterior act in the parliament haldin at Edinbrache M the
yeir 1592, in sua far as concemes matteres of heresie, doctrine,
1 Showed, manifested. 2 Adv. MSS. "1584."

622 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
sacramentis, excommunicatioune, or discipfine of the Kirk : Bot sua
it is to judge of the lawfifflnes or uMawfoUnes thairof is a speciall
poynt of discipfine ; yea, that quhilk keipit Doctrine, Sacramentis,
and Discipfine, and aU in order, and quhilk keipit aU uncorruptit.
idly, That the act buire the Mcurring of the paine of treassoune,
quhilk paine can never be inflictit uffles the fault be fund treassoun-
abffl be law ; but so it is that thair is no law defyneing the decly-
natour of ane incompatiabffl Judge to be treassoune. After long
reassounemg of the Advocatis ultro citroque l upon tMs poynt, the
Judge gois to ane interlocutor, quhUk wes dumbe and tacit, asking
every ane of the CounseU assistingfie and secreitfie, in thair ears,
thair judgment ;2 and thaireftir pronunces, by the uniforme con
sent of the haM CounseU and Lordis thair present assisting him,
the propositioune wes fund relevant, and the ansueris maid repeffit.
At the pronunceing quhairoff, the Erie of Marr and two Lordis
with him, viz., Halyrudehous and the CoUector, Mr Johne Pres-
toune, answeris him, " Say not aU, my Lord ; for thair ar heir
that ar not, nor nevir wUbe, of that judgment !"
So it com to the assumptioune, quhUk the Advocat said was evi
dent be the Declinator, girin in and subscryvit with thair handis,
and red ; merkand, that they treassounabffly declynit the King and
Counsellis Judicatour.3 To the quhfflt the pannall maid answer,
That thai had not declynit the Kingis Majestie's Judicatore, but
the Counsefis only ; that thai wer evir, and wald be glaidlie con
tent to be judgit be Ms Majestie and the GeneraU Assemblie, or
his Majestie, being mor with the GeneraU Assemblie ; and had evir
professit and had offerit thamselris, lykeas presentfie they offer and
professe thamselvis, in their bodies and guidis, and quhat they had,
to be in no othir rank or conditioune then any uthir subject ; but,
in all humilitie, to be judgit, and submitt thamselves, according to
the lawis and commone ordour of the realme ; craifing no immunitie
or privUedge, as Papistis doe, only that, according to the Word of
1 From one side to the other, backwards and forwards. 2 " In that judge
ment." Univ. MS. 3 Adv. MSS. " whilk was declared, that they had do-
clyned the King's Councill Judicature, and the King, treasonablie."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 623
God and lawis of the realme, they had distinguischit the civM and
ecclesiasticaU jurisdictioun, and so had evir keipit tham distinct in
aU quyetnes and guid order : The matteres of the Kirk may be
judgit and cognosced by the Kirk in Mr Assembfies, the quhilk wes
alseweM ratified and confirmit by the lawis of the realme as any
utMr Judicatore wes. Nixt, quhairas he assumit treasounabfflie,
that wes eriU logick and sophistrie, assumeing moir nor wes pro-
pouned ; seeing, neither the propositioun nor alleadgit act for prove-
ing thairoff contemit that word " treasonabUfie declynis." idly,
Naither wald he be abffl to prove that Declinatore treasonabffl.
And, last, the panneU desyrit to mak a deolaratioun upon thair owne
Declynatore, quhilk wes then grantit to thame, evm to dytt the
same to the Clarke at thair awm pleasure ; lyk as the haUl rcas-
souneffig, in effect, and proces, wes sett downe and dyttit1 by the
Advocatis hinc inde.
Thaireftir the Judge and Syse or Jurie wes caUit ; agames the
quhUk thair wes no exceptioune usit, because they wer all uncertain2
to the panneU and their advocattis ; yit thair wes gryt feir of caus,
as they knew thaireftir ; for sum of thame wes debosched horneris,3
as wes the Laird of CraigihaU, ChanceUour of that Assyse ; uthiris
knawffl Papistis, as Mark Swffltoun and4 Innerkeithing ; and sume
had suitis at Court, the Lairds of Caridine and Polwart ; utheris
mein men, easffle conduceit or terrified ; but, as it is said, they wer
unknawin, and nevir heard off befoir they wer presently nominat.
Eftir thair oath takine solemnelie, conforme to the order, the Advo
cate did Mforme, perswad thame, and terrMe thame very shrewdlie,
that the Judge had alreadie provine the propositioune of thair accu-
satioune, that it wes treassoune to declyne the King and Counselis
judgment ; so, offly tfie second part remainit for thame to judo-e
upoun it and finde, to witt, iff the prissouneris quho wer thair pre
sent on the panneMs had declynit, quhUk was ane easie thing to be
judgit and decemit, in sa far as thair Declinatoure, undir thair awin

1 Adv. MSS. " dictat." 2 lb. " unknown." 3 Persons denounced at
the King's horn. The Adv. MSS. reads "whorers." 4 lb. " at"

624 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
handis, wes thair present befoir the Judge ; unto the quMlk they
thameselvis stood so, that of aU rycht, necessitie, and duetie, thai
behovit to fyle 1 thame ; and iff thai did not so, he wald protest
againes thame for errour wilfolfie committit, and so thair lyff, landis,
and guidis, to faU in the Kingis handis.
On the utifir pairt, the Advocat for thais of the panneU dischairgit
ane honest duetie, warneMg the Assysse, weightilie, to remember
the defences usit ; quhilk he resumit schortlie and plainlie, that thai
sould judge equitabilfie, rychtlie, and trewfie, and not efter aUedgit
lawis, not onlie repeUit and abrogat in that pairt, but also offlous,
maid in a violent tyme, and not weUl groundit ; againes the quhilk,
at the verie tyme of thair proclameing at the mercat-crosse of Edin
brache, Mrs Robert Pont and Walter Balcanquall, Ministeris, in
name of the haffl Kirk, by publict dissassenting, tuike mstrumentis
and documentis of thair dissassenting, in the handis of Mr George
Nicolsoune,2 nottar-pubfict, that thai sould feir the great and
rychteous God, and his Sonne Jesus CMyst, quho salbe the great
Judge of the world ; and, finallie, to remember thair conscience and
thair honor and estimatione in the contrie and Kirk of God, in the
MMisterie quhairof these Ministeris had serrit many, yeiris with
great approbatioune and prais of all. To the quhUk also thais upon
the panneU, namelie, Mr Johnne Forbes and Mr Johnne Welsche,
to quhom the rest gave the place of speich, spake very powerfuUy
and unveighingly.
Mr Johnne Forbes rememberit thame of the Confessioun of Faith,
quhairin the Discipfine, Jurisdictione, and haill Order of the Kirk,
wes conteinit, quhfflt the King, Ms CouncUl, and haffl NobMtie, and
honourable Estates of the land, had sworne and subscryvit, and by
the publict chairge givine to all the Ministeris of the land, hes causit
the gentillnien and every parischiner of the parische to sweire and
subscryve ; the quhUk also, by Solemne Covenant, the King him
selff, Estaites, and aU rankis of the realme, had received and renewit.
" Now," sayis he, " tak heid, that ye, gentillnien, haiffing the rc-
1 Find them guilty. 2 Adv. MSS. " Mackicsono."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 625
putatioune of guid Christianes, be not notabillie perjurit, in decerne-
ing that it be treassoune againes us, for pleising or feir of any man,
quhUk ye haiff sworne and subscryrit to profess, mantein, and de
fend to your uttirmost ! " And, thairwithaU, taking the same Con
fessioun of Faith in print out of his pockett, the oath quhairof is
maist feirfuffle conceivit, he red the same distinctfie and moveing-
lie ; and thaireftir directit his speich to the Nobfflmen and Coun-
seUeres thair presentfie sitting in judgement, he gaive thame ane
maist grave admonitioune, with horribffl tMeateningis, and appeU-
inge the Erie of Dumbar M particMar, abjureis him to report the
admonitioune, quMlk, of necessarie urgent duetie, it behoveth him
to direct to the Kingis Majestie. So, at great lenth, he recompteit
the historie of the Oath and Covenant quhUk Josua and the people
maid with the Gibeoffitis ; the quhilk, becaus that SaM, King of
Issrael, did brek and violat, longe eftir his death the Lord forgott it
not, but plagued the land m the days of David, tiU the haffl sonnes
and posteritie of SauU wer taltine and hangit up befoir the sone,
and so he and his aUuttirly rootit out. The quhilk, maist pitMlie
reassouneing from les to moir, he applyit to the King ; and thairon,
directmg the admoMtioun and threitneing most terribiU, maide all
the heireris astoniscMt, and their hairis to stand !
So the Assyse past out of the place of judgment and enterit in
ane hous below ; quhair they remaiffit inclosit with the Justice
Clarke above sex houris, great contradictioun being betuix the
Assyseris ; and, in end, be the cleire and earnest reassouneing of
Johnne Livemgstoune of Dunipace, in favouris of the prissouneris
on the panneU, aU wer about once to absolve thame : QuhUk being
espeyit, thair wes great dealing usit with the Assysseris, in parti
cular, by promises and tMeatenings ; and especiaUy by this argu
ment, that thair wes no harme nor dangeris of death meined againes
thais Ministeris, but offly that the King behovit to be pleasourit in
the matter, and then aU sould goe weill. Nevertheles, in end, six
of the gentUmen, Assysseris, absolvit simpliciter, and the uthir nyne
wer induceit to fyle ; ' and so the ChanceUoure of the Syse,2 com-
1 Find guilty. 2 The foreman of the assize or jury.
2 R

626 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
peiring in judgement, pronunceit that the Assyse, be moniest voitis,1
did fyle thame. Quhairapon the Laird of Dunipace, as befoir he
went doune, so then he spak forth plainelie, that he absolrit and
clengit 2 thame as cleine, not offly of aU treassoun, but also honnest
Ministeres of Christ, and guid subjectis to the King.
The Judge, continowing the sentence doome to the tyme that
his Majestie's wffl and pleasoure sould be knawM, ordainit the pris
souneris, attentit3 and convict, to be return eit to thair waird and
straitfie keipit, that no man soffld be admittit to thame.4 Niverthe-
les, the Britherine imbracit ane ane-uthir, and thankit God for his
present assisting with thame in the haM actioune, and convoying
with thame to thair Pafice cfiamber ; and as the Britherine of the
Ministerie present returfflt from the Pafice to thair ludgmgis, ten
houris M the Mght soundit ; and the peiple said, " Certainely this
wes a worke of darknes, to mak Chrystis faithfoU MMisteres tra-
touris to the KMg ! God grant he be river ffl greater dangeris nor
off sic traitouris !"6
On the morne, diverse of the Britherine of the MMisterie con
voyed them back againe to the Blacknes ; quhair, with thankisgiv-
Mgis, prayeris, and many teiris, thai left thame glader and mair con-
firmit M the caus nor evir befoir ; rejoyceing greatfie that God, be
this actioun, had cleirit the caus to the knawledge and conscience
of aU men, moir nor off befoir, and that he had honorit Ms servantis
with a plaffle and constant testimonie girin thairunto.
The Synodis throughout the realme wes, by the Kingis direc
tioune, appoyntit aU to be convefflit and haldine witMn the moneth
of Februare nixt ; quhair answeris wer to be girine in to certaine
Articles proponit be Ms Majestie. They foUow, as they wer girin
out: —
1 Majority of votes. 2 Acquitted ; found clean or innocent. 3 Attainted.
4 Adv. MSS. " have access to speak to them." 6 Than of such traitors.

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 627

ARTICLES TO BE PROPONEIT TO THE SYNODIS OF THE
PROVINCES FROM THE KINGIS MAJESTIE.
" That notMng be alterit that wes done in the GeneraU Assem
bfies quhairat Ms Majestie wes present thairin.
" That Bisschopis sail have foil jurisdictioun ovir the Ministeris,
undir Ms Majestie.
" That the Commissioneris of the GeneraU Assemblie be not
alterit. " That thair be no appeUatioune from thame to the Generall
Assembfie. " Tfiat the King be acknawledgit suprem reuler of the Kirk un
dir CMist ; and that from Mm the power of Ministeris assembfing
and spirituaU meitingis doe lawfully flow."
These inflamit a certaffle Brother of the Synod of Fyff,1 being
undir Godis scharpe correcting hand, out of the midis of his paine?,
to wryt to the Synod, convefflit at Couper, as foUows :
[MR JAMES MELVILL'S LETTER TO THE SYNOD OP FIFE.]
Standfast in the libertie quhairwith Chryst hes maid us frie, and
be not intanglit againe with the yocke of bondage?
" I had Mver so great a desyre to be with yow in a SynodaU As
sembfie, deir Britherine, and wes Mver withhaldM with stronger
cordis of seiknes, sairnes, and mafflfald mabffities, to my great and
herie regrait : For quhen I percive my miserabffl dayis to consume
in vaffltie and vexatioune, Alace ! said I, saU I not be refreschit in
the Assemblies of the Lordis servantis, and in the presens and
1 The Author here alludes to himself, in his usual modest and unpretending man
ner. He has not, throughout the course of this Continuation, spoken of himself in the
first person ; and it is by no means improbable that the fear of future annoyance, to him
self or his family, induced him to write with such extreme reserve. 2 Gal. iv. 1 .

628 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
lycht of his countinance ? SaU I not sie thame conveinit, and fencit
in the name of Jehovah,1 (in quhom all the hous of IsraeU is lettin
to knaw, for a suertie, that the Lord hes maid him boith Lord and
Chryst !) with prayer and invocatioune, with precheing, holie, sofid,
armed, and grave eloquence of that hevinlie vertue of God, con
cerneing the rueling of Discipline, Ordering, and Govemement of
the Kirk ; so cleir in Scripture, and so plaine in storie ; so allowit
and lovit of all wrytteris, ancMent and moderne ; so profitabffl for
unitie and sinceritie againes all sortis of heresies, schismes, and con-
fusiounes in our fourtie-six yeiris experience ; the lyff of our soulis ;
the glorie of the Kirk and kingdom ; in sua far as it is the meinis
to reteine Jesus Chryst, by the force of Ms Comforter, to be resi
dent amongis us,2 the gall of our enemies ; and as uttered so ressa
vit by aU godly approbatiounes and applauses of our affectiounes,
studie and zeaU, and with your3 indeavoure to keip and maintaine
the same; yea, even zealous least any jott thairoff sould faU in
hafflting, and so be turnit out of the way. Quhen I remember so
mony guid Britherine, aU as one man, mycht be for the Lord,4 in
veritie,5 charitie, wysdome, and moderatioune, cair, feire, fastnes,
conscience,6 [and] guid order, my verie heart brustis for my un-
thankfullnes, that soffld depryve and bereave me of my greitest
confort on earth ! But all the wayis of the Lord are mercie and
truth to thame that love him, and are in Ms covenant-mercy M for-
giveing of sines, and truth in keiping his faithfffll promis of grace :
So this my absence, accordmg to the order, excerciseit,7 is but my
dwetie as yit not dischairgit.
" I heir [rumors] of a strange gnaverie8 of Articles to be presentit
from his Majestie to all our present services ;9 bot verilie, I neither
wiU, nor can I befive it to be true. Quhat ? Is it possibffl that a most
CMystianeKing, liveing 10 our Kirk and reahne in a settfit Refigioune
and Poficie, himselff and aU his subjectis standMg fast bund to God
1 Adv.-MSS. " Jesus Christ." 2 lb. ".to be President, present amongst us."
3 lb. " with open." 4 lb- reads more properly, " meit before the Lord."
6 lb. " unitie." 6 lb. " constancie." 7 lb. " execute." s lb. " rumors."
" Gnaverie" seems here to imply dexterous shifting, from Lat. gnaws. ' lb.
•• Synods." 10 Leaving.

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 629
by a most Solemne Covenant, sworne and subscryvit throughout
the land, [and after so many promises and protestationes not to be
meaned alterationes,1] propoune Articles for ranversmg 2 and turne-
mg of aU upsyd doune ? Now, put the cais that sum Commissioun
eris will stand up and affirme3 that thais Articles are from his Ma
jestie, signit with his awin hand, and sett furthe, yit I think that thair
is no earnest truth in thame ;4 but sum such wyse and godlie poficie,
such as wes commended in the Emperour Constant, the father of
Constantine the Great, quho, willing to mak a sure proof and tryaU
of the truth and refigioune of his servandis, chairgit thame with
plaffle Pagannisme, that thai sould professe the samen for thair Re
figioune, or elis5 to abandoun his Court, and quyt thame of thair
offices ; but finding sum redie to foirfault and losse all or6 they leive
thair Refigioune, he taMs thais for sure servantis and freindis, and re-
jectis the rest, as sic as could nocht be true to the Emperoure quho
wes not true to thair God M thair Refigioune. For, tiiiffltis ony man
uthirwayis, or that sua wyse and godly a King wald evir propoune
to the Synodis of Scotland [thais poyntis of plaine Papistrie, and hes
not the pfflpits of Scotland,7] thais fourtie yeiris bygone, soundit as
mychtUy 8 agames the Pope's supremacie, againes the Jurisdictioune
of a Pastor above a Pastor, agaffles tyrannie, usurpatioune of the
power and fibertie of tfie Kirke, [sould propone plaine poyntis of
Papistrie tfiat wes declareing againes aU these, and aU the pulpitis
withM the land cryMg out agaffles it, as againes9] the Antichristian-
isme errouris ; yea, baith pulpitis and scoolfis hes bein moir againes
that, yea, moir fierce nor againes meritis,10 messes, and purgatorie !
Can tMs be true and earnest deifing? No11 possibffl, unles they
tMnk it to be ane draught of Circe's disch to turne us, Vce / omnes,
at ane Mstant from men to swyne, and from preceise Pricheris to
renunce our faith at the view off ane Article cam12 from Court, and
becum apostate renegatis,
1 Omitted in Univ. MS. 2 Overturning. Fr. renverser. 3 Adv. MSS.
" assume." 4 lb. " to be therein." 5 Else, otherwise. 8 Ere, before.
7 Omitted in Adv- MSS. 8 lb. " some as it might be " 'J Omitted in
Univ. MS. "> Adv. MSS. " raaitins." "Not. ,2 Adv. MSS. " sent."

630 THE CONTINUATION OF 1(506.
" Fmalie, deir Britherine, if thair salbe fund any tMng in the
matter of effect, by quhatsumevir maner buskit1 or borne upe, my
judgement is, not to Mud2 it, but to put it aff to a GeneraU Assem
blie, as pertinent offly thairto. Sed principiis obsta quam fortissime
et diligentissime : For iff it pas without plaffle controlment and gain-
standing, it wUbe nixt among the Lordis of Articles M Parfiament,
to be sett doune for a law and a statut, befoir that evir it com
to a GeneraU Assemblie, to advyse and conclud the same ; and,
thairfoir, give them a plaine Nolumus, detestamus, execramus, anathe-
matizamus !
" First, then, I wald we sould doe the duetie of true Pricheris,
Watchmen, and Sieris, to speik, wryt, [and] send to mak faititfull
warneing and admonitioune, in aU humMtie and love dew to them,
[in the name of our CMyst to our Chrystiane Kynge : The quhilk
being done, 3] lett every ane prepair himselff for giveing our faithfull
and constant testimonie, as it saU please God to chape4 upon Mm,
and caU Mm out thairto, strenthenMg our selris M the word and
prayer, and in espeying5 of the working off God with Ms awin ser-
vandis, our deir Britherine, and, verifie, the tryel saU not haif passit
aU the Tribes of IsraeU quhen the Sone off Man saU be manifestit
in his glorie ! Let Herod and Pontius PUat goe to ; 6 let Lacinius
and Julian assay thair witis, and doe aU that the hand of God and
his counseU hes apoyntit for7 the tryaU of Ms Kirk ; only the Lord
look on thair tMeitneingis, and give them strenth, courage, and fri
dome, and language and spirit to uttir Ms truth, and stand to the
samyn, not only in pannel and prissoune, bot even at the fyre8 and
at the scaffauld, iff it lyk the world to assay the same, [whereat
they have been often warned by the patience of the samts.9] And,
finaly, my deir Britherine, I wald haiff the Assembfie requeisting
Mr Andro Melvffl to wrytt to the Kingis Majestie fuffle and cleir-
lie 10 of these Fyve Articles foUowing :
' Decked, dressed out, disguised. ! Elude. 3 Omitted in Adv. MSS.
4 Chap ; literally to knock, as at a door. " Adv. MSS. " Inspyreing."
6 lb. " Agree." 7 lb. " Concerning." 8 lb. " Staick." ° Not in
Univ. MS. I0 Adv. MSS. " Plainly."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 631
" First, That the Ministerie ' of the GospeU is from CMist al-
lenerfie, quhairof men (evin that beiris office in the Kirk) ar but
witnesses. " 2. That it is ane essentiaU pairt of the office of the Ministerie
to keip the Assemblies, for taring heid to the doctrine and maneris
of thameselves mutuaMe, and to thair flockis.
" 3. Thridfie, that diverse hunderith yeiris befoir thair wes ane
CMistiane Magistrat, thair wes maist flurisching Churches, quhair
wer Pastouris, Doctoris, and Professouris, quho wes at home in
thair famMes, and in utheris pairtis worschipped God togither ; 2 and
quho keipit many famous, and frequent, and proffitabffl Assemblies
and Counseffls againes the Mst heretickis to represse thame.
" 4. That the space of threttie-two yeires befoir any expres and
fuU ratificatioune M parliament, the GeneraU Assembfies of the
Kirk of Scotland were bettir, 3 fuller, and greitter, and of mair auc
toritie nor syne.4
" 5. That the GospeU of peice brought peice and unitie5 from
deedlie warns in tfie Yie off Britane, and hes inriched and broucht
foirward the same to the present perfectioune ; but, unles it be
keipeit in sfflceritie, and Jesus Chryst suffirit to reigne friely, all
tfie wittis of the world sail not be abill to keip it in unitie 6 and
peice. " Your Brothir, trewfie, 7 " J[ames] M[elvill."]
As soone as this Lettre wes red in the Synod, the Kingis Com
missiouner, Sir Darid Moray, laitly maid Lord of Scoone, desyrit
to haffl0 it, for it behovit to be sent to the Kingis Majestie ; lykas,
ressaivefflg the same, he did post it away with aU dMgence, fiveing
the Assemblie bot a coppie thairof undir his subscriptioun.
The fyftein of this samen moneth of February a Proclamatioune
wes maid solemnelie, by sound of trumpet, at the mercat-cross of
1 Adv. MSS. " Matters." 2 lb. " together in thousands." 3 lb. " both."
4 lb. " they have been since. " 5 lb. " veritie." 6 lb. "veritie." 'Univ.
MS. reads " poorely," in allusion to the then feeble state of his health.

632 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
Edinbruche, founded upon tuo actis of parfiament, maid in anno
1584 : One, that none sould speik, m privat nor in pubfict, againes
his Majestie and Counselis proceidingis, undir the paffle of death ;
and ane uther, that none soffld declyne Ms Majestie's judgement,1 in
any [caise or2] caus, undir the paine of treasoune ; commanding,
chairging, and inhibiting all and sindrie persounes, his Majestie's
subjectis, of quhatsoevir degrie, quafitie, estait, or conditioune soevir
they be, that non of thame presume nor tak upoun hand, [privatlie or
pubfictlie, in sermounes, declamatiounes, or privie conferrences,3] to
uttir any sclanderous spiches againes the proceidingis of his Majes
tie's Counsel and Justice, in trying and punisching of the seditious
Ministeres, and onnawayis to meddel with that matter, nor in na
uther effairis of his Hienes, his Counsel or estait, bygaine, present,
or to come, undir the paine of daith; with certificatioune effeirand :4
Also commanding aU Shereffis, Stewartis, Bailies of Regalities,
Proveistis, Baffles and Counsellis within Burghis, Nobfflmen, Bar
rounes, and GentiUmen of power in landwaird, that incais they
sould heir from pulpit any meddffling with thais matters, to inter
rupt thais spiches, 6 tak thame doune from pMpit, and put tham in
sure firmance, and to dUat aU that in privat or publict soffld talk
of the CounseMs proceidingis, or meddffl with the effairis of estait
bygaine, present, or to cume ; undir the pame, that the heirer and
not apprehender or dUator of it, iff it be in his power, be punisched
in the samyne degrie and missure as the principaU offendaris.
This wes the effect, utterit in moist terribffl termes and maner :
so that the proclamator thairof, or6 he com to the mides of the pro-
clamatioun settfflit7 doune spicfieles, and with meUtle adoe ane utMr
wes enterit into his rowme,8 the peiple marking and crying out for
detestatioune. In the meintyme, the prissouneris wer fffll of com
fort and joye, so that they wreit many lettres to thair Britherine
that savourit and smellit mycfitUie of that oyle of glaidnes and con-
stancie : In witnes quhairof, [amongis mony, foUowit on ane of the
1 Viz. the jurisdiction of the King and Council. 2 Not in Univ. MS. " Not
in Adv. MSS. 4 Corresponding or belonging thereto. 6 Adv. MSS.
" preachers." ,! Before, ere. 7 Adv. MSS. " foil." 8 Place.

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 633
schortest, quhen1] the Brothir2 that wes sent unto thame by the
Erie of Dunbar befoir thair attenting, 3 had be this same directioun
offerit thame pardoun iff thai wald confes ane fault and craiff mer
cie, and receaved this answer :
" Reverent and deirely belovit Brothir, We haiff bein so ftdly
cofflortit by your consolatioune and the confort of your love, that
we knaw not quhat thankisgiving to randir to God. Surefie4 our
joy hes greitlie abounded since tMs last day, so that we can not
sufficientfie wonder at the riches of his frie grace, that sould haiff
voutcbsaffit sic a grace5 upon us as to suffir for his Mngdome, in
the qfflfflk thair is joy unspeikabUl and glorious ; by the quhUk we
ar rather in feir that we be not continowit, and sua we robbit of
further consolatioune, nor6 that quhilk it soffld increas ; desyreing
sumtime to fiffisch our testimonie, by giving the last of our blood
unto the same : For thais afflictiones ar so far from discourageing,
that the abondant consolatioune thairof hes encouragit us exceeding-
lie ; desyring now to be maid conformabffl to the death off our Lord,
that we may be maid pairt-takeris of the glorie to be revefflit. God
be tfianrit, in CMyst Jesus, for aU his unspeikabUl giftes ! Surelie
tfiair is great consolatioune to suffir for Chryst and his truth,
quhairfor we now suffir, is seifflt to us with many seUes ; only we
would haif the helpe of the prayeres of all the saintis that we faint
not M the defence of the GospeU, but that the Lord would assist
us ffl the same.
"It is truth (Brother in Chryst) we dow not7 expres unto yow
the joy that our God hes caussit abound in us, quhairoff, under
Him, your love, and fidelitie, and throughtnes for Chryst and his
cause, hes bein a great instrument. Let nevir man, for pitie and
love to the persoune, misregard the caus ; for we haiff fund our
love growing towards yow by your counseU. Surelie it is our re-
solutioune nevir to blott the Lord his cause that way ; but as long
as the Lord our God sail susteine us, we mynd rather to indure the
1 Not in Adv. MSS. 2 Adv. MSS. "that Minister." 'Attainting. Adv.
MSS. read •'condemning." * Adv. MSS. "trewly." '' lb. "such ane gift."
s Than. 7 Adv. MSS. " cannot."

634 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
greatest extremitie that flesch and blood can doe, rather then to
accept, let be to craive, a remissioune. It is Chrystis caus and
truth ; and, thairfor, let men ceis to think off thais thingis ; yea,
that quhUk they doe let thame doe it qfflcklie. We houpe our
God saU strenthene us to the end. [Surelie we ar not soficite,
neithir cairfuU in the mater. We knaw that our God can deliver
us if he wffl, and ffl not, he strenthneMg us,1] we saU nevir give the
leist and memest apeirance of denyaU of that truth for the quhilk
we suffir. Sua, assure his Lordschippe that, as we look for that
kingdome and glorie, our purpose is not at aU to yeUd, neithir to
that nor any uthir thing that may prejudge Ms caus, in sua far as
our God saU give us grace and wisdome to persevere, or strenth to
resist. The God off consolatioune be with you aU for ever mair.
Amen." In the moneth off Appryl, the Counsel, findfflg thair proceedrigis
againes the Ministerie wes evffl thought off, boith witMn and with
out the Kingis dominiounes, they pubfischit in prent a book of the
same, Mtitulat Agames the Ministeres attentit off Treassoune, &c. :
For recountering quhairoff, not long eftir com out, ffl prent, also,
ane faithfoU report annent thais proceidingis of the Assemblie of
the Ministerie at Abirdein on Tuysday the 2 of Jffly 1605 ; boith
the quhUk being extant in prent, we referre the reider to thame.
In the moneth of May thaireftir came hame aught Lettres,
closit, directit to aught Ministeres, upon the back thus : " This to
our trustie and weUbelorit" such a man, "Minister of GoMs Word"
in sic a place ; the tennour quhairof foUowis :
" James Rex.
"Trustie and wefflbelovit, We greit yow hairtfie weUl. Our
earnest desyre to entertaine that happie peice of the Kirk of our
kingdome of Scotland, quhilk, with gryt cair and traveU, we left
universaMe establischit thairin at our removeing hither, quhilk hes
¦ Not in Adv. MSS.

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 635
since from tyme to tyme bein manifestit by our Lettres to the
maist pairt of the Synodis of that realme, and to diverse of our
Commissioneris by Missives and Instructiounes, alsweiU verball as
wryttme, and mair perfytlie ratiffied by Lettres writtine to our
Counsel with our hand, proporting most cleir testimonies of the
firme constancie of our love to aU weffl-effectit memberes of that
bodie ; quhUk, by proclamatiounes and imprentit declaratiounes,
wes lykewyse solemnely pubfiscMt, as the notoritie thairoff could
not be unknawM to ony but to sic as throught wilfffll senslesnes
would nethir heir nor sie : Haiffing, nevirtheles, so lytle prevaffit
with sume incredfflous, wUfuU, ingrat, and maficious-disposeit per
sounes, as sume of thame haiff not foirbome raschfie to contemne
and dissobey our auctoritie, and chairges, and our commandementis,
and so stubburnefie to persist in thair contumacie, as thair malicious
obstinacie hes forcit us to extend gryter rigour againes thame nor
our proclamatiounes, alwayis, yit far les then thair offences did de
serve ; and utheris haiff presumeit in pMpit foolischfie to justifie the
obstinat and malicious proceidMgis of thair Britherine, and thairfoir
to sclander our just commandementis and lawfull proceidingis of our
Counsel : As also, the Synodis beMg requyrit by our Lettres and
Commissiouneres directit to thame, to provyd for thair awin pairtis
sua far as in them lay, to give us assurance that certaine actis esta-
bfflscMt in former Assemblies, necessar for the peice and weU of the
Kirk, particMarfie expressit M our Instructiounes sent to thame,
may be ordamit by thame, not to be proponit, Mtreitit, or altered at
the nixt GeneraU Assembfie, qubilk we knaw to be moir fitt to be
ourpassit, or untwitchit, at the same, then that any mentioune sould
be maid of thame thairin, lest thairby occasioun soffld ryse of dis
tractioun in the Kirk, and offence to our selffis : Yet they so lytle
regairdit the earnestnes of our sute, as thair answeres universally
tendit to a present delay, without any assurance to us of thair per-
formeing, at the Assemblie, that qubilk for thair awin weU we so
earnestfie urgit. Quhairin we finding a more generaU oppositioun
to our just petitioune then could haiff evir bein expectit in any sic
caus, thais thingis, and utheris weightie reassounes, hes movit us

636 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
heartily to wM and command yow, all excMsses set apairt, not to
faffl with dMgence to repaire towardis us befoir the fyfteine of Sep
tember nixt, to the mtent we may that day beginne with your
seUfis and sic uthir of your BritherMe as we have knawin to be of
gMd laiming and experience, and command lykwayis to be heire ;
at the same tyme to treat with yow of matteres concerneing the
peice of our Kirk of Scotland, to mak our constant and unchange-
abffl favour borne to aU the dewtifuU memberes of that body, mani-
festfie knawin to yow, quhairby they may be bund in dewtie and
conscience to conforme your selffis to our godly meineing, and to beir
true witnessing for justifieing the lawfifflnes of aU our mtentiounes
and actiounes, alsweiU concerneing the haffl Kirk as the particular
actiounes and memberis thairof; and that it may be manifest to all
the world that we haffl embassed ' our selvis for giveM satisfactioun
to all the professouris thairoff further then uthir Princes doe compt
beseimeing to thair estait. If thaireftir sum turbulent spiritis be
not thairby recaUit to thair duetie, but persist maliciousely in un-
duetifoU contempt of us, it may then be worthely judgit that the
severitie, quhilk be thair obstinacie we may be forceit to use, sail
rathir be riolentlie extorted againes our nature, for thair amende-
ment, then wUlinglie Mflictit for thair orirtMaw. Thus, houpeing
ye wiU not fail precisly to keip the foirsaid day appoyntit, as ye
tender our service and the weffl of the Kirk, We bid yow fair weill.
Att our Mansioun in Greinwitch, the 22d of May 1606."
In the monethe of June, at the day appoyntit for the Parfia
ment for to haid at Edinbrach, when aU wes conveinit for keipe
ing of the same, it wes by solemne proclamatioune prorogat to the
first of July, to be haldffl at Perth. The caus pretenfflt wes the in-
fectioun of pest in Edinbrache, quhUk wes almost none at aU ; but
the trew caus wes the unmeitnes of the place for the purpose in
hand ; [viz.,] the setting upe of Bisschopes upon the stage of hon
our, to ryd in Parliament, and the purchesing of ane taxatioune of
1 Probably meant for embarrassed. Adv. MSS. "straitnrd."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 637
four hundreth thousand merMs ; boith quhUk wer effectuatit at
Perth. Att Edinburgh, then, thais that wer writtine for, to meitt
togidder, viz., Mr Andro Melrine, Mr James Melvine, Mr James
Balfoure, Mr WUfiam Watsoune, Mr WMiam Scot, Mr Johne
Carmichaell, Mr Robert WaUace, and Mr Adam Colt. Thai con
ferrit thair Lettres, and fand thame all one word by word ; and caU-
fflg on God, they advysit quMther they sould goe or find ' meines
to be excuissit. To the last thai aU Mclynit, becaus they percaiffit
no guid to be meMit, nor any profitabiU effect to follow ; and thair
foir appoyntit sume to speik the Erie of Dumbar ; but quhen they
had used all moyen and credit, thair wes no remeid but goe they
must, or doe worse. The nixt would be a charge to our greater
paines and less advantage to the caus ; they that stud into the
same being blottit with contempt and dissobedience. It wes also
schawin us that this wes the advyce2 of sume of thame that would
haif matteres to goe bettir, and procurit againes Bischoppis and
Commissiouneris knawledge and wM. Thairfoir, as thai loved the
weiU of the Kirk in commoune, and of the Britherine in prissoune,
thai soffld not faille to goe ; sua they resolvit first to keip the Par
fiament at Perth, and thaireftir mak for thair journey.
At this Parliament at Perthe, the Britherine Commissioneris from
aU the Presby tries of aU pairtis of the realme wer frequentlie3 con
veMed ; and howbeit the Bischoppis haiffing in suit at the CouncUl
to haiff them dischairgit the Parfiament by proclamation, it wes
not thought meit that they conveinit ordinaUy by thamselvis, and
caUit unto God, and advyseit togidder ; and perceveing that the
EpiscopaU purpose wes dressit and determined, thai agrieit aU in
ane, that a Protestatioune sould be in redines, with a number of
Reassounes quhy Bischoppis sould not be sett up at that Parlia
ment. Thais they thought grid and meitt to be offirit first by the
Commissiouneris of the Generall Assemblie, quhose duetie it wes
ordinarly to deal in the commoun matteris of the Kirk at Parlia-
1 Adv. MSS. "use." 2 lb. " a devyce." 3 Numerously.

638

THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.

ment, and from no uthir would thai ressaive any thing. The Com
missiouneris, quhen they understood that the Lords of the Articles
wer about the EpiscopaU duetie and dignitie, desired to be hard,
but wer refusseit. Then thai gaiff in thair Protestatioune m wryt,
makMg mentioune thairin of thair argumentis ; but in vaine. All
wes repeUit, l the ChanceUour saying that sua thai wer commandit.
Thairfoir, it was thought meitt that a coppie thairof, with tuo of
the Britherine, sould be directit to every ane of the Estaitis quhair
thai continowit ; severaMe exhortmg every ane of them, in the name
of God, to wey and consider the same, and stand for the caus of
Chryst agaffles the corruptiounes of such tymes : Quho, quhen to
gidder, they wer acceptit weill, and promissit friefie ;2 but thair
Commissiouneris for tfie maist pairt wer ane way or other maid for
the purpose. Thair restit, then, offly a Protestatioune in the oppin
Parfiament, to be maid the last and most solemne day : QuhUk Mr
Andro Melvffl, with sume utheris with Mm, resolvit to doe ; quho
hardly getting m, how soone he stuid up in oppin sycht he wes
espeyit and sent to, and commandit to depairt ; quhilk, neverthe
less, he did not, till he had maid aU that saw and hard him to
understand his purpose.
The day befoir the Parfiament Mst Ryding, Mr WUfiame
Couper maid ane exceUent powerfull sermoune, to the gryt confort
and contentment of aU the godly, but nethir he nor his coUegue,
Mr Johne Malcolme, nor none of that sort, wer sufferit to come
thair agaffie ; for ane express directioune came from that Court
annent thais that sould preiche : So Mr Andro Lambe preichit the
nixt day ; of quhom the Inglischmen present said, that " The
lamb had prorin ane old scheipe that daye, and wes of aU counted
unfitt for sic ane audience." Mr Patrick GaUoway preichit on the
Sabbath, quho tauld the Bisschoppis and aU plainly, that the Kmgis
mynd wes not to sett upe Bisschoppis boordis M Parfiament, to
be Lordis over the Kirk, and above thair BritherMe, or to have
any authoritie M the Government of the Kirk, over or above the
1 Adv. MSS. "rejeetit." 2 lb. "fairlie."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 639
Britherine ; and, thairfor, to prevent such corruptioune, wes or-
dairit be Ms Majestie and the GeneraU Assemblie, to the quhilk
Cautiounes the Bisschoppis had sworne and subscryvit, and soffld
be esteimit schamefuUy perjurit ' iff they contraveinit the same.
Quhairupone the Commissiouneris of the Presbyteries offirit to
prooffe befoir the Commissiouneris of the GeneraU Assemblie, (be
mg at thair Mstant desyre conveiMt in the Kirk,) that the Biss-
choppes had brokine aU the Caveatis, boith M thair entrie to thair
BisschopricMs, and behaviour sfflce thair entering ; but the Com
missiouneris refuissit to be judgit ffl that matter, referring the same
to the GeneraU Assembfie to be holdine at Dundie the last Tuys
day of that instant Jffly : Bot this Assembfie wes disscbargit at
the ryseMg of the Parfiament by oppme proclamatioune, and pro-
rogat to ane uthir yeir. They wer instant, at the last, that the
Cautiones soffld be insert in the act of Parfiament to be maid
in favouris of the Bisschoppes, the quhfflt the whole Commis
siouneris of the GeneraU Assembfie thought maist neidfuU and ne
cessar ; 2 yea, and mony of the Bisschoppis too, becaus it wes so or-
damit and aggrieit upoun by the King and Generall Assemblie at
Montros ; and sua ane of the Cautiounes did expressely contein
and beir : But notwithstandfflg that it wes earnestfie sought and
urgit by the same reassounes by the same Commissiouneris at the
handis of the Lordis of Articles, it could not be grantit.
Mr Johne Spotiswoode, Bisschoppe of Glasgow, againes quhom
wes produceit Ms awin fatheris testimonie in a GeneraU Assemblie,
that a civM functioune wes nowayes competent with the office of
the MMisterie, maid the exhortatioun in the Parliament House,
directing tfie maist pairt of his speiche againes the estabifischit dis
cipfine. Him, tfiairfoir, the Britherine of the Presbyteries conveinit
befoir the Commissiouneris of the GeneraU Assembfie, quho, as of
befoir, refuissit to judge Mm.
The first day of tfie Ryding M Parliament, betuix the Erles and
the Lordis raid the Bisschoppes, aU in sUk and velvet fuit-mantelles,
1 Adv. MSS. "shamless perjured persones." 2/J. "reasonable,''

640 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
by paires, tuo and tuo, and Saint Androis, the great Metropolitanne,
alone by him selff, and ane of the MMisteres of no smaU quantitie,1
named Arthur Futhey, with his capp at his knie, waUtit at his
stirrope alongst the streit. But the second day, for not haiffing
thair awin place as the Papist Bisschoppis of auld had, unto quhois
place and dignitie they wer now restorit ftdly in judgment,2 quhilk
wes befoir the Erles, nixt eftir the Marquesses, thai would not ryde
at all, but went to the House of Parfiament quyetlie on frit. This
maid the Nobfflmen to tak up thair presumeMg honour, and detest3
thame as soone as they had maid thame and sett thame up, per
ceiving that thair upelyfting4 wes thair awM douncasting: And
this Parliament was effectuatit, Mdeid, besyde the Kingis authoritie
and earnestes, upon compleit and mutuaU stipfflatioune betwix the
Lordis and the Bisschoppis, that the ane sould voit to the confirme-
mg5 of the seventeine new erectiounes of SpirituaU Praslacies in
TemporaU Lordschipes ; and the uthir, to the confirmatioune and
setting up in integrum of the old Papistical Bisschoprickis to their
LordscMpes : And this wes the first fraites of thais Bisschoprickis,
the vindicateing, forsuitb, of the Kirk from povertie, and drawing
the fiveing thairof out of the handis of Nobfflmen, quho had pos
sessed thame seffes thairwith.
The Commissiouneris from the Presbyteries also dealt earnestlie
with the Commissiouneris of the GeneraU Assembfie to give in the
Supplicatioune of the Imprissounit Britherine, and of Mr Robert
Brace, confynit at Innernes ; but they refoissit so to doe, aUedging
that it wald rathir hurt nor help thame. Yet, lest the publisching
of the BuUt of the Counsel sould haiff derived ony, thai sent a coppie
of the said Supplicatioune, togider with schort Instructiounes of all
the proceidingis of thair caus, unto every ane of the Estaitis seve
raMe, quho said they wer sufficiently confirmit in6 the truth of thair
caus, bot coffld not helpe thame.
FinaUie, thair wes thrie notabiU thingis done in that Parliament,
1 Adv. MSS. read " qualitie," but it seems evident the Author meant this as a
pleasantry, in allusion to his great bulk. 2 lb. " in intey um." 3 lb. " to
cast at." 4 //<. "upcast." 6 lb. " establishing. " G lb. " informit of."
4

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 641
and such as wes never lookit to haiff bein brought to pas, no not in
presens of a King, let be in absence : First, The setting up of
Bisschoppes of new M thair haill liveingis, rentes, and priveledgis,
conforme to thais of old M tyme of Papistrie : 2. SeventeM Kirk
Prelacies erectit in TemporaU Lordschipis : 3. Ane Taxatioune
upon the realme of four hundred thousand merkis. And this wes
caUed the Rid l Parliament, qulfflk in old prophecies wes talkit many
yeiris agoe, as the commoune speiking wes, then sould be keipit in
Perth or Saint Johnestoune, becaus all the Nobfflmen and Officeres
of estait com ryding thairto, and satt thairin with rid gownes and
hoodis, eftir the maner of England, for ane new solemMtie ; quhilk
many did interpret a toakffle of the rid fyre of Godis wraith to be
kendelit, boith upone Kirk and countrie ; and ane did affix thais
Verses ; Quhen Constantine sett up Sylvestir Me,
On civiU state 2 of his hnpyre of Roome,
TMs voyce from heavine then soundit michtilie :
"Now poysoune is pourit out on Christendome !"
Great James of Britanne, quhy didst thow sa,
That spiritual poysoune soffld thai peiple slay ?

FOLLOWIS THE PROTESTATIOUNE, WITH A DETESSORIT 6 OF REAS
SOUNES QUHY THIS NEW SORT OF BISSCHOPES SOULD NOT BE
SETT UP LN SCOTLAND.
" To the Kingis maist exceUent Majestie, and maist nobU and
religious Estaitis of this present Parliament, holdMe at Perthe in
July 1606. In the moneth of August, seing that thair wes no re-
meid but the Britherine written for must goe or doe worse, they
did communicat with thair Presbyteries and Sessiounes, quho
counseUit thame to obey, but wald give no commissioune, in cais
' Red, scarlet. 2 Adv. MSP. "seat," 3 lb. "number." 2 s

642 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
they had bein urgit to disputatioune, or giveing of opinioun in mat
teris proponed to thame. Thair wes in that number tMie out of
the Presbytrie of Saint Androis, Mr Andro Melrin, James Melvin,
and Mr Johnne CarmicheU, quho, taking leive of thair Presbyterie,
maid a Petitioun, and obteinit the samyne ; the whilk, in cais of ex
ceptioun againes it by sum perjurit backslyderes, I wffl sett the mat
ter doun, in the verie forme, word by word, as they had it under the
Clerk of the Presbyterie's hand, at the expres command of the same :
"At Saint Androis, this 1 of August, 1606.
" The quhUk day, after the incafflng1 of the name of God, Mr
Andro Melvine and James Melrine, being to tak jurney toward
his Majestie, with Mr Johne CarmichaeU, according to his Majes
tie's Lettres, desyrit to haiff the extract of aU the actis maid or sub
scryrit heirtofoir usit in the Presbyterie, annent the Discipline of
the Kirk of Scotland, with consent of the haffl Britherine in the
Presbyterie, [and in speciaU, the act of the Presbyterie of the 2 of
August, 1604, annent the haM Britherine of the Presbyteries, 2] sub-
scriptiounes of Confessiounes of Faith, pubficMy authorisit be his
Majestie : QuMUt desyre bemg fund reassonabffl be the Presbyterie,
and the speciaU act foirsaid being pubfictlie red ffl the audience of
the haM Presbytrie fully conveffit, without any oppositioune of any
persoune of the samyn, the Presbyterie ordafflit the extract of the
foresaid act, togider with aU uthir actis M generaU or particular, to
be givine to the Britherine foirsaid, auctenticHy subscryrit by the
Clark. Extractum," &c. " Mr Robert Roche, 3 Clerk.
" At command of the said Presbyterie of Sanct Androis."
" At Sanct Androis, the 2 of August, 1604.
" The quhilk day, after the incalfing on the name of God, the
haffl Britherine being lawffflly convenit, the Confessioune of Faith
authoriseit in the Kirk of Scotland wes pubfictlie red in the au-
1 Invocation. 2 Omitted in Adv. MSS. 3 Adv. MSS. "Rollock."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 643
dience of all, togider with the actis of parliament holdine at Edin
burgh anno 1592, for explanatioune of the present 1 Discipline ge-
neraUy authoriseit in the said Confessioune of Faith, quhfflt be the
foirsaid actis of parliament ratifiet and confirmit, and namely in the
Liberties of the GeneraU Assembfies, and everie year's SynodaU
Assemblies, and particulare Presbytries and Sessiounes of the Kirk,
were to renew the samyne, dirogating from all actis maid of befoir
m prejudice of the same ; and declareing the present Discipline usit
in the Kirk of Scotland,- and approvine in the actis foirsaid, to be
the only just, godly, and lawfuU Discipfine in aU tymes cumming ;
as is at maire lenth conteined ffl the actis of parliament foirsaid :
QuhUk Actis and Confessioun of Faith, bemg ryplie advysit and
considered, wes pubfictly subscryveit with uniforme consent of the
haffl Britherine, to testffle thair harmonie and hairtly aggriement in
aU thingis, boith concerneing Doctrine and Discipfine ; promiseing
solemnely to defend the samyne aUwayis, accordmg to thair caU-
ingis, and nevir to com in the contrare, according to the great oath
sett doune in the foirsaid Confessioune of Faith. In witnes quhair
off, first the Moderator subscryvit, then Mr George Glaidstaines,
Mmister at Sanct Androis, Mr Robert Wffltie, CoUector ; 2 and so
everie man as they satt in thair places, as is contenit in the said
principaU, subscryrit particularly with all the Britherine thair
handis. Extractum," &c.
(Sic subscribitur,) "Mr Robert Roche,3
" At command of the Presbyterie."
[" I had Mr George Gladstaines' awne hand-write and subscrip-
tione-mannual to the Confessione before my eyes ; the writeing
heirof in this hand, letter by letter, " Mr George Glad
stones." 4]
1 Adv. MSS. "Presbyterians." 2 lb. "Rector." 3 j0 «R0nock »
• Not in Univ. MS. In the original MS. there had doubtless been & facsimile of Mr
George Gladstanes' signature. The transcriber, however, does not attempt such
exactness.

644 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.

" Saint Androis, the 10 of Januare, 1605.
" The quhfflt day, eftir the returne of Mr George Glaidstaines '
out of England, declaired M presens of the haffl Britheren of the
Presbyterie, that as he depairtit a Brother, so he returnit, usurping
no superioritie over thame, but to haiff ane simple vote as the rest;
promiseMg to behaffl Mmselff M alse great humMtie and greatter
then evir befoir : And quhairas he depairtit, not advertiseing the
Presbyterie, he desyrit that thai soffld not be offendit thairwith, be
caus the commoditie of jurnay so requirit that he sould not adver
tise thame. Of the quhfflt declaratioune and excuse the Presby
terie acceptit weffl. Extractum," &c.
"Mr Robert Roche,2 Clark,
" At the command of the Presbyterie of Sanct Androis."
This Mr George GlaidstaMes, eftir he had desertit two3 flockis,
and two BischopricMs, and sworne he sould niver be Bisschope of
Saint Androis, becaus Ms predicessoris thairin had so eviU success,
and wer so evffl-haitit, yit evin at this tyme he came home Biss-
choppe of Samt Androis : And quhen ony gentilman of his fami-
liaris, and utheris that had hope of Ms advanceing and gaine by
him, wald ask Mm, Howe he could so jouk4 and beir with the
MiMsteres and Presbyterie, that not only wald not acknowledge
but controU him? He wes accustomit to answer, "Hold your
toungue ! We saU steffl thame aff thair feit !"
But this by the way, leiveMg the man to be painted out in his
Legend,5 as Ms predecessoris wes, we returne to sett tham, the
foirnameit Britherine, on thair journay, quhairoff four embarkit the
15 of August, and come to Londoun the 25 of the same, by Yar-
muith, Norwische, Thelfurd,6 New-marMt, Brakum, BartUlay,7 and
' He had, in the meantime, been regularly consecrated Archbishop of St Andrews.
2 Adv. MSS. " Rollock." 3 lb. " 4." * Condescend, literally to crouch or
stoop ; as in the proverbial expression, "jouk and let the jaw gang by." s The
satirical Poem, " The Legend of the Bischop of St Androis." 6 Adv. MSS.
" Hereford." 7 lb. Bambury, Barkway. All the MSS. are often equally unintel-
ligible in the names of these and other places and persons.

1(J06. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 645
Ward. The other four com by land about the end of the same
moneth. At thair coming, thai wer kyndly visited by diverse of
the guid Britherine of the MMisterie of Londoun, and thairabout :
Also the tuo Archbisschoppes of Canterburie and York sent and
intreitit thame to com to thair housses ; but thair answer wes, they
had not as yit seme tne Kingis Majestie, quho sent for thame, and
tM then thai would salut no uthir. Mr Alexander Hay, the Scotisch
Secreatere, com to tham from ' Westmmster, directit from his Ma
jestie, being yit unreturnit from Ms summer Progress, and schew
thame it wes his Majestie's wffl and pleasoure that we sould stay
at Westminster aU till the twenty off September ; bot thai, not
thinking that a sufficient warrand, directit Mr Wffliam Scot to the
King, with Mr AUexander Hay, by quhom they ressavit the samyne
answer. The word went, in the meintyme, that the earand quhairfoir they
wer sent wes to disput with the Bisschoppes upon the heidis of our
Discipfine, concernemg the quhilk we ressavit many weffl-writtine
Lettres from our Britherine out of Scotland ; quhairfoir we re
solvit upon the mattir, and sett doune schortly Reassounes quhy
netMr we would nor could reassoune : First, because in sua doeing,
we soffld schaw ourselves unjust, unfaitMuU, arrogant, foolisch, and
hnpious. Unjust, M doeing sic a wrong to the Kirk of God esta-
blischit M Scotland, in this place, to cast M questioune the Disci
pfine thairof : Unfaithfull, in deafing 2 with the effaires of the Kirk
without commissioun and warrand thairfra : Foofische, in taking
on us sic weightie a cause raschely, without lawfuU wairneing and
preparatioune : Arrogant, in presumeing suameUtle of our selves as
off-hand to deaU in such a matter, bemg but a few of the waikest
memberes of that body, quhairunto the caus properly perteines :
Impious, iff sua we soffld tempte God, wanting both calling and
meanes. Nixt, we could haiff no partie adversare to contend withall in
the caus of the Kirke of Scotland ; they can nor ought not in this
1 Adv. MSS. " to us at." 2 /„. « medleing."

646 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
place : For iff ony heir wald disputt of the Engfisch Kirk, thai
may find a partie amongst thameseUfis, and neidit not to provoke
us ; and if any of Scotland, they can not nor aught not to be
hard, sieing thai haiff aU subscryvit of new, lately, by aU the mem-
beres, and also teicMt, sworne, and professit the Discipfine and Go
vemement estabMscMt m the Kirk of Scotland. And, indeed, we
had with us " The Kfflgis Confessioune," subscryrit of new, lately, by
aU the memberes of the Presbyterie of Saint Androis, and that
namely for Mr George GlaidstaMs' caus/ in cais he or uthir quho
wer sent for, and did come hither, wald haiff takine in hand the
reassouning : Bot the truth wes, we hard nothing at any tyme pro-
pounit tendMg to sic a purpose. The Britherine attentit 1 and lye-
Mg in prissoune did wryt to us mony gMd Lettres ; and aU to the
effect continowit 2 in tMs foUowing, quhilk salbe sufficient to be put
in heir:

" TO THAIR REVERENT AND WELBELOVIT BRITHERLNE, MR ANDRO
AND JAMES MELVTNE, WITH THE REST OF THAIR FELLOW-BEI-
THERrNE THAIR.
" Reverent and deirly belorit BritherMe, The earnest care and
soficitud that we haiff aUwayis of yow, altogider, with the assu
rance quhairin we ar dayly confirmit, that he quho hes sent yow,
and evir Mthertffl hes beffle with yow, and keipit yow blameles
evin to tMs verie tyme, and making yow lychtis and lanipes to
schyne befoir the rest of your BritherMe, wM now also caus yow in
tMs last and maist publict testimoffie quhairunto he hes caMt yow,
be with yow. Thais tMngis, I say, wffl not suffir ws to lett any
occasioune of wrytting to yow pas away without sum testimorie
of our remembrance of yow, with aU the strenth the Lord hes be
stowit on us ; not that ye neid to be incouragit, strenthened, and
confirmed by us, bot that heirin we doe eas ourselffis, but disburd-
1 Attainted. a Adv. MSS. "contained."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 647
nmg our heartis of that love that we beir unto yow, the faithfuU
servauntis of the maist Mght God, now waUit out ' and chosine
from among all the rest of your Britherine, to beir witnes of
Chryst, not only befoir Cffisare, but as it wer befoir the haill world.
For quhois eyis ar not on yow ? Quhois heartis ar not attentive, in
expecting baith the actioun and the event ? Your Britherine at
home, the Kirkis abrod, and your enimies baith heir and every
quhair ! Now is the tyme He hes caMt yow to beir witnes of his
glorious and frie Monarchic, the quhMt, as it is the last of his of
fices, so it is the last put at, and as it is the end of the uthir tuo,
and sua mair glorious, sua is the testimony thairof mair glorious to
God, mair honorabffl to Ms Sone, and salbe mair confortabiU to
yow nor the testimonie either of his PropheticaU [office] or Priest
hood. In tMs respect and consideratioune, ane thmg, deir Brithe
rMe, we dare say be experience, and our God is witnes that we
lie not, that unspeikabUl is the joye M the full and frie testimonies
of Christis RoyaU auctoritie ; unspeikabUl is the joye of the suffer
ing for his kmgdome ; so that we know not that if a man soffld
have so much joye M suffering for propfiesie or priesthood, as he
saU have now, and at this tyme of suffering for his kingdom, be
caus that is now speciaMe oppugnit. We haiff nevir had sic joye
M preicMng of it as we haiff had in suffering for it ; for it is so tfiat
we ar evin glaid quhen the sufferingis ar multiplied, our deirest
Britherine, because that we knaw the peice and joye salbe propor-
tionatfie multiplied: And our deir Brither, that quhUk we spak
befoir in knawlage, we now speik by experience, that the Mngdome
of God standis in peice and joye. Remember that commissioune
givin to Jerimie, ' Speik all that I command yow, and be not af-
frayit of their face, leist I destroye thee befoir thame, and I wffl
mak thee a brazen waU,' &c. : And that in another place, ' Turne
not thow unto thame, but let thame turne unto yow : ' And that
of Micha, 'I am fifflt witfi vertue from the Spirit of the Lord.'
Judicio et potentia, §-c. Chryst saU regne, and aU his efflmies salbe
1 Adv. MSS. " marked." WaUit signifies carefully picked or selected.

648 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
strampit under fitt ; and, indeid, they ar efflmies unto him, quho will
not suffir for to have him reigning, and to be King, alseweffl as to be
a Prophet and Priest. But, our deire Britherine, we ar perswadit
his grace saU beir yow out with aU confidence to witnes a guid
confessioune befoir your adversaries. He that hes evir bein hither
to with yow wffl not leive yow now. The greatest confort yow
can bring unto us is the regairding of the caus, without respecting
of our persounes, or any tMng we can suffer for the same, in the
fridome of the Mngdome of Chryst. Our fridome standis not a jot,
Britherine, for us, nor for any fibertie or benefit can be brought to us.
We wffl not trubffl yow with farder, for we knaw it is needles.
The God of wisdome, peice, and strenth, be with yow all for evir.
From Edinbrache CasteU, the 3d of September 1606.
" Your Britherine, Johne Welsche.
"Johne Forbes," &c.
This Lettre, with diverse uthiris from thame, wes written boith
in generaU, from Blacknes, Edinbruche, Stirling, and Dundie ; and
in particular, from sundrye of thame, togither with a Supplicatioune
sent to the Kingis Majestie from thame, earnestfie desyring us to
present tfie same with the Informatiounes sent be thame to the
Parfiament mentiouffit befoir, maid us, being meikle movit to admire
the gfit of constancie girin unto thame by CMyst ; and sua, casting
off the cair of thair persounes to haiff respect to the caus only, and
yit to tak guid heid that we damned not uthir actiounes and pro
ceidingis. The Supplicatioune foUowis, quhfflt wes put in the Kingis
hand, as the narratioune foUowing wffl record :
[SUPPLICATION OF THE IMPRISONED MINISTERS TO THE KING.]
" Please your sacred Majestie, Giff thair wer no moir, dread Sove
raine, but the estait of our desolat famMes and our awin, for the
maist pairt circuit in our wardis without,1 in the present devouring
1 Adv. MSS. " circled in their own wardes, in."

1606. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 649
plague of pestilence, quhUk is sic that we can hardly thinke that iff
we were throughtfie knawin to your Majestie, it could not but oppin
the bowefis of your Heines' pitie and compassioune towardis us,
quhairinto, nixt to our God, we haiff recourse for releiff: We sould
not haiff importunat your Majestie heirin forder, but had keipit
silence, and restit in the guid pleasure of our God, quho is merci-
fuU, patiently awaiting for the gracious appoyntit tyme of our de-
ly verie, in oppineing your Majestie's eares and heart to haffl' hard
and reguardit with commiseratioune the distres of your Majestie's
pure, Mnocent, and obeffient servantis and subjectis, the servantis
of Jesus Chryst, quhom he hes accomptit worthie to. be put in his
service ; haiffing learnit to be contentit, with meiknes and humbU-
nes of mynd, not only to haiff sufferit reproches, povertie, hunger,
[and] imprissounement, for Ms saik, bot also in the power of Ms
grace aUenerly, to lay doune our lyfes in defence of the GospeU and
KMgdome quhairunto he hes caUit us ; and for the quhilk, with
dewtifoU patience, we haif sufferit thais tuelve or threttine monethis *
imprissounement. But the fearcenes of Godis wraith burneing so
hightly, not offly in uthiris pairtis of your Majestie's kingdome,
but also and speciaffle in thais places and Congregatiounes amongis
quhom, undir your Majestie's protectioune, we haif heirtofoir and
now lykwyse sould practeise our Ministerie, quhairby not offly the
destroyeing angel with his drawin sword is hewing doune day and
richt contfflowaUy, and caussing the carcases to faU, and that in sic
a number in sume of our Congregatiounes, that the lyk thairof hes
not bein hard thais many yeires befoire ; but also, quhfflt is most
lamentabill, and cannot but perce the most stainey heart that evir
had hope to find mercie to himself in that great day, that they live
and die comfortles under the feirfoU judgment, fiUing the hevin and
the earth with thair sighes, sobbis, and cryes of thair distressit
sowles, for being depryvit not only of outward comfortis, (quhilk
wer great also,) but also of aU inward consolatioune, throw the want
' Adv. MSS. "weeks."

650 THE continuation of 1606.
of the ordinarie meines of thair peace and lyff, to witt, the preach
ing of the Word of our Ministerie.
" This, Sire, is the speciaU caus quhy we wer movit to present be
our humbffl Supplicatioune unto your Majestie's pitie, not so much
our awin miserie outward, quhilk mischief it selff is moir nor the
boweles of true compassioune could weUl suffer, the quMlk we can
glaidfie indure for Ms saik ! quho hes sent us, sieing heir we haiff
that peace quhUk the world cannot tak from us, and the enjoying
of a guid2 conscience, that in nothfflg we haiff justfie offendit your
Majestie, bot haiff waUtit in aU sinceritie3 M our caUinges. We
say, not so meUtle our awin miserie, as the maist lamentabffl estaites
and desolatioune of our poore Congregatiounes, confortles now baith
M body and mynde, that out of your Hemes' faithfuU love and
tender compassioune thair distres may be supplied, and thair sor-
rowfffll heartis comfortit, by permitting to thame the use of our
MMisterie againe : Thus sail the God of your Majestie's preserva-
tioune and wonderfiffl preferrement, in dispyt of the manifold
attemptis of his irreconcUabiU enimies, be glorffleit ; the heartis of
the saintes, the best effectit of your Majestie's subjectis, quho now
sorowis for the afflictioune of Joseph, salbe confortit ; thus sail your
Heines' poore people, quho five and die in such miserie,4 bliss the
Lord thair God, quho haith put in the Kingis heart to pitie thair
cais, to speik nothfflg of the blissmg that saU redounde to your Ma
jestie's persoune and throne according to the Covenant, 'I will
blisse thame that blisse thee, and curse thame that curse thee.'
Quhairfor saU the guUtines lye on the King and Ms chUdren, that
so many safflis that wer once fed abundantfie with the truth of the
Gospel, ar now fiveing and dieing M unspeakeabffl sorrow and
miserie, and M want of that only confort to thair safflis ? Quhy
soffld thair blood be fond under the Kingis wingis ; and quhy sould
the cry of thair blood cum upe in the eares of the Lord of Hostes,
quhois heart is full of pitie, that he can not but heir the crye of his
1 Adv. MSS. " the well of his Kirk." 2 lb. " rejoyceing of our good."
3 lb. " simplicitie." l lb. " faith and fear."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 651
pure anes, and sua fuU of love, that he quho tuitches thame tuitches
the apple of his eye ; and that he that does the meinest duetie to
thame, or the mefflest benefit for thame, he cannot but account it
done to himsebfe ; and quhois severitie is sua great, that howbeit
for a tyme he spair,1 yit at the lenth he wffl avenge the cryes of
his elect ; and if his severitie be sua great, that evin for the meffl
est omissioune of the dewties, he wffl inflict eternaU torment, quhat,
then, wM the wraith be that is reserved for the withhaulding of the
verie meines of the eternaU salvatioune from sua many thousand
soules ?
" If it wer but our awin lyfes alenerly, then verifie we could be
sUent ; but siring it is sua greit a matter that concemes so higMy
the honour of your Majestie, the good and eternaU salvatioune of
many thousand soules quhfflt he hes bought with his blood, we dare
not, nor dow not, keip sUence thairoff to your Majestie ; and, thairfoir,
forcit and constrafflit thairunto be inevitabffl necessitie of that most
holy caMng laid upon us, if we maid not our humbU, yit loveing and
faithfoU wameing to your Majestie, that neither the former by gone
guUtines may be continowit, nor yet uthir greatter may be addit
thairto ; the qulfflk wffl not fail (if it be not repentit and pardoffit
in the blood of Chryst Ms Sone) to bring on ane manifest, assured,
heavie and lamentabffl judgment, the quhilk from our heartis (the
Lord is our witnes) we deprecat day and nycht ; protesting here,
befoir God and Ms elect angefis, that we doe this with aU dewtifuU
reverence unto your Majestie, as the Lordis Lieutennant heir upone
earth, and as our only lord and lawfuU soveraine, under God, ovir
us, M aU tMngis perteineing to this lyff, and the lyff it selff, to
quhom we are bund in conscience, and gives aU thingis that God
in Ms Word hes ordaineit and commandit to be givin by ony sub
ject to ony Prince under hevin, reserving to God offly that quMlk
is his, and quhUk he wffl not give unto any of Ms creatures, as Ms
awffle incommunicable glory and auctoritie, of the quMlk sort we
accompt thais tuo to be :
1 Adv. MSS. "suppose he suffer long."

652 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
" Ane, the authoritie of the Meetingis of the servauntis of Chryst
for the effairis of his kingdome, quhilk is from hevin onlie, and not
from men ; and that in the doeing of the ordinarie dewtie of our
caMng, approven by all lawes, we haiff nothfflg justly offendit your
Majestie, nor violat your Hienes' lawes, bot hes in simplicitie serrit
our God in the same : Nixt, that Soveraine Judgment in all the
effaires of his hous and kingdome belonges only to Ms Kirk, accord
ing to the same Word, [quhais voyce the Father only hes comman
dit to be heard ; and that the ministerial Judgment of the Kirk
being only to the Kirk according to the same Word,1] to the quhilk
alanerly2 he hes given the keyis of Ms kingdome, and from the
quhilk we doe not exclude your Majestie's Hienes as ane honour-
abffl member of Ms bodie ; quhairunto, by vertue of that supprenie
power quhUk the Lord hes givine your Majestie, we acknawledge
that it belongis to sie the haffl worschipe of God directit and ad-
ministrat according to his Word ; in commanding all to be done as
he hes commandit, and foirbffling all that he hes foirbidin ; no wayis
inhibiting that quhilk he hes commandit, nor commanding that quhilk
God hes inhibitit to be done ; yea, and further, to punische quhoso-
evir within your dominiounes that is fond to be againes the trew
and lawfuU Judgment of the Kirk, according to the Word, or to
be contemneres or neglecteres thairof. And in this holy feir of our
God, and humbffl reverence of your Majestie, in whom we doe
present this our dewtifuU Testimonie and Supplicatioune for our
fibertie, togider with our Greives and Supplicatiounes presentit in
Parliamentis, but not ressavit ; houpeing that our God, in quhois
handis the heartis of Princes ar, saU returne from your Majestie
ane answer, confortabffl to his saintis and joyfuU to our desolat Con
gregatiounes, and refreschfull to us poore prissouneris, to the glorie
of our God and your Majestie's prais ; in quhom, and to quhois
mercifuU and blissit protectioun, we maist heartly commend your
Majestie, your Hienes' kingdome, govemement, and haffl effairis.
1 Not in Adv. MSS. ' Alone, solely.

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 653
From the places of our imprissounment, respectively, the twenty-
third of August, 1606.
" Your Majestie's pure and most humble Supplicantis and
dayely Oratoris, in God," &c.
Fryday, the 19th of September, we came to Kingstoune. Thair
Mr Johnne Gordoune, Dean of Safisberrie, directit to wait upon us,
and dres us the best he could for the purpose, came, salutit and
welcumit us ; and on the morne he convoyit us to Hamptoun
Court, quhair, eftir the Kingis dinner, immediatly we gat presens
of his Majestie, as yitt sitting at his dfflner, admitting us verie
graciousely to the Ms of his handis ; and eftir a few wordis, mirrUy,
to Mr James Balfoure, and concerneing the grid order takin with
the pest at EdMbruche, we wer dimissit with a very guid counte
nance, and went to Kingstoune to dfflner with Mr Johnne, our at-
tendar, at Ms ludgefflg.
Eftir noone, walking by the river, the Deane of Westminster,
directit to our said attendar, requirit us to be present to-morrow
(being the Sabboith) at the Kingis Chappel in Hamptoune Court,
to heir the sermone ; quhair comming, we fand a place prepairit for
us "hard besyd the Pricher, Bischop Barlo, quhom, befoir the King,
Quern, and Nobffls, we patiently hard mak a long or weU-joyned
sermone, writtin, and fynely compactit in a lytle buik, quhilk he
had aUwayis in Ms hand, for help of Ms memorie. It wes upoun the
20 of the Actis, " Attendite vobis et gregi" &C.1 The judicious
termed it a confotatioune of the text ; aU for the estaite of the Bis
schoppis thair superioritie above Ministeres, by ordinatioune and
hnpositioune of handis only, and proppirly pertemeing to thame,
and jurisdictioune ecclesiasticaU, &c. Eftir sermone, we wer con
voyit to the Kingis closet,2 quhair we dyfflt on the Kingis meitt.
The Deane of Westminster, with Mr Johnne Gordoune, attendit
and accompanied us. Amongis the rest of our speiches, this wes
1 " Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy
Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased
with his own blood," Acts xx. 28. 2 Adv. MSS. " Queen's closet."

654 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
marltit and carieit to the King, that our Bisschoppes had compac-
tit with sacrilegious Lordis to undoe the patrimonie of the Kirk of
Scotland ; so that at this last parfiament, quhair the giftis of our
new Bisschoppis wer confirmit, they sitting and voitmg in parlia
ment without any commissioune from the Kirk ; there were seven
teen Prelacies erectit in temporaU LordscMppis, and that wes the
first fruits, forsfflth, of their votes in parliament ! For this, the King,
the day eftir, amonges the rest of his speiches, maid appoUogie for
himselff and the parfiament ; schawing that wes done, upon condi-
tiounes of provyding of everie kirk of thais Prelacies with a suffi
cient stipend, quhairin be wes and sould be most cairfuU, and that
the parfiament had only ratifieit and confomed that quhilk, being
his awin, he had disponed as pleased him.
Mononday, the 22, we wer sent for to conferrence with Ms Ma
jestie; and being enterit into the Chalmer, the hous was uschit1
by the Erie of Dumbar ; and none wes sufferit to byde thamn but
the Scottis Counsellouris and the Ministeris, save only Dr Mon
tague, Deane of the Kingis Chappel, wes permitted to stand within
to keipe the doore. Thus, the King, sitting in his chyre, callit on
us to come neir about him, and enterit to expone the caus quhair
foir he had writtin for us, almost according to the tennor of the
Proclamatione, and of the Lettre sent to us ; gathering upe aU in
end to tuo poyntis, quhairin he wes to be tMoucht with us for the
piece of the Kirk, and annent the pretendit GeneraU Assemblie,
(so he termit it,) haldin at Abirdein, and the doeing of thais Mini
steres ensewing thairupon. The uthir, how thair mycht ane orderly
and2 peiceabill GeneraU Assembfie keipit, to sett all thingis in
quietnes and guid ordour. Now, we had agreit amongis our selffis
that one sould be speich-man for aU ; quhUk burdein wes laid upoun
Mr James MelviU, and that we soffld give no present answer, bot
tak all to guid advysement. So, the said speiker maid answer in
thais wordis :
' Cleared, emptied. 2 Adv. MSS. " He shew further thair might be ane uthir ane."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 655
" Pleas your most exceUent Majestie, quhen we had resavit your
Majestie's Lettres, we mett togider at Edinbruche ; and, reiding
the same, we wer greatfie rejoyceit to haiff so guid occasioune to
sie your Majestie's face, and kisse your hand, bot meUtle more quhen
we perceivit the purpose of your Majestie's Lettres to tend to the
intertairing the peace of the Kirk of Scotland in that estait in the
quhfflt your Majestie left the same, and to testifie your Majestie's
love and affectioune thairto, according to your Majestie's Lettres
from tyme to tyme, sent to sume of the Presbyteries and Synodis,
and also to the Commissiouneris of the Kirk, and maist ample to
your Majestie's honourabffl Counsel ; so that howbeit diverse of us,
namely, for seiknes, and knawin inhabffitie, mycht haif excuisit
our selffis, yit we resolvit all to come to your Majestie, evir with
alacritie and dMgence, preventing2 the day appoyntit, least acci-
dentis of wethir, or any uthir impedmient, mycht haiff impedit :
And now, findMg your Majestie M helth, welfair, and high honour,
and testfflefflg the samyne thingis to us by your gracious mouth,
with so favourable countinence towardis us, we can not expresse
our joye and propens dispositioune to serve and plesoure your Ma
jestie, in quhat can fie in us, under God ; but, as concerneing any
particular, your Majestie's Lettres beires none, nethir haiff we be
foir to tMs tyme heard of thame. We wald thairfoir maist hum
bfie desyre your Majestie to give us tyme to advyse, and we sail
returne with ane answer, the best way we can."
Thaireftir was a guid tyme spent M reassouneing annent the
Presbyteries sending thair Commissiouneris, eftir the ressaiving of
his Majestie's Commissiouneres Lettres for dischairgeing of the
Assembfie at AbirdeM : Item, annent the doeingis of the Synod of
Fyff: Item, annent the praying for the conrictit Britherine : And,
last, annent Mr James Melvffl's Lettres wryttine to the Synod of
Fyff. To the quhfflt we answerit, aff-hand, at that tyme, this
meUde for the Presbyteries : That many of thame had not gottin
advertisement, nor ressavit any Lettres befoir the day. Next, that
1 Anticipating, coming before. Lat. prevenire.

656 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
sic as had ressavit, considering far greatter and weightier reassounes
to keipe thame to omitt, resolvit to stand to the day appoyntit by
his Majestie ; quhairas the Lettres conteinit no day, the law stand
ing, quhilk is the most auctentick consent, be Ms Majestie's awin
judgment, in oppin Assembfie at Dundie, that a King can give ;
the enemies so bussie and malapairte ; so mony referrences, and ap-
peUatiounes, and uthir matteris lyeing ovir, and untakine order
with, in gret confusioune and corruptioune, quhUk can not be orderit
nor helpit without a GeneraU Assembfie ; and last, and greatest,
the fear of the lossemg of the right and possessioune of a Generall
Assembfie, expyring in it selff, without any appoyntit sett day.
And as for the Synod of Fyfe, the judgment thairof wes sent in
wryt to many of the rest of the Provinces of the realme, and so no
doubt come M Ms Majestie's handis ; quhilk wes sic, eftir our mein
judgment, as nethir could prejudge the GeneraU Kirk nor his Ma
jestie's RoyaU power, nor yit the Breitherine quMlk wer under his
Majestie's mercie, in ward. And as concerneing prayeris for thame,
we confesse we did it, nethir could we omitt that commoune dewtie
to thame quhfflt we extenffit to aU, evin malefactoris, for thair
amendment ! FinaUy, annent Mr James Melvffl's Lettre, thais
wordis wes betuixt the King and hfin : " I hard, Mr James Mel
vill, that ye wreitt a Lettre to the Synod of Fyff, at Cowper,
quhairin wes meikle of CMyst, but lytle guid of the King. Be
God, I trow ye wes reavand1 or mad! (for he spak so.) Ye speik
utherwayis now. Now, wes that a charitabffl judgment of me ?"
" Sir," sayis Mr James, with a low courtessie, " I wes boith seik
and sair2 in bodie quhen I wreit that Lettre, bot sober3 and
sound in mynd. I wreit of your Majestie aU guid, assureing my
selff and the BritherMe, that thais Articles, quhairoff a copy com in
my handis, could not be from your Majestie, they wer so strange ;
and quhom sould I think, speik, or wryt guid of, if not off your Ma
jestie, quhois the man under Chryst quhom I wisch most guid and
honour unto?" "But quhair ar these Articles?" sayes the King.
' Raving. 2 Sore, pained. 3 Adv. MSS. "suir," sure,
1

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 657
" The coppie of thame that com in my handis is at Londoune, Sir,"
(quoth he.) So diverse of the Bischoppis and Commissiouneris, to
put ane end to that, affirmeing befoir the King, that thair wes di
verse coppies, and sume very [often] hard of thais Articles, quhair
off ane mycht haiff cume to Mr James Ms handis, that matter wes
left off ; and the KMg reassouneMg agame the first tuo heidis,
cfimissit us to the nixt day for advysement and giveing answer
thairto. We wer not weU cume to our ludgMg, at Kingstoune, quhen we
had a Lettre from Mr Alexander Hay, Secretar to his Majestie in
Scotis effairis, wairneing us in the Kingis name to cume to sermone
to-morrow, in the Kingis Chappel, and thaireftir to dyne M the
Pafice. So Tuysday, the 23d of September, we came be tyme in
the morning to Hamptoune Court, quhair we waUtit in the gardein
quMU the tyme of sermone ; quhair, sitting in our place appoyntit
M the Kingis Chappel, the King and the Quern present, with many
nobfflis, Mr Doctor Butricht ' preached on the 13 of the Romans,
annent the Magistratis auctoritie in matteres EcclesiasticaU, aU out
of Mr Bilsoune's bMMs Of Obedience, quhairinto we assentit, ex
cept that quhair, of ignorance or malice, or both, he joynes diverse
tymes the Presbyterie with the Pope, as thought the ane had
beine joynit in the same judgment with the uthir. Eftir ser
mone by Mr Johne Gordoune, our attendant, we wer led to the
Kfflgis closet, quhair we saw the RoyaU ceremonie of tuicMng of
some diseased cMldreM for haffling off sume of the escrolles, com-
mouffly callit " the Kingis seicknes ;" 2 and understood, by the said
Mr Johne Ms discours, M quhat respect and maner the KMg usit
it, to witt, not for haffling, (quhilk wes offly in Godis hand,) but for
prayer and3 ahnes towardis the poore diseasit, and for sume poli-
tik reassounes, least omittmg the ceremonie usit by the Kingis of
France, he soffld thairby losse sume of the substance thairof and
title quhfflt he had to the kingdome and croune of France ; quhfflt
1 Adv. MSS. " Buchridge." 2 Scrofula, or King's evil, popularly " the cruels."
O. Fr. escrouelles. 3 This is left blank in Adv. MSS.
2 T

658 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
respectis had maid the King, quho wes altogider againes it at the
beginning, to yeUd to the use thairof now.
Thaireftir, we went to dMer M the Kingis 1 closet, and maid guid
cheir. Eftir the diner, remembering that we wer to be caffit coram,2
caUing on God, we did tak tMs resolutioune, that our appoyntit
speiker soffld only speik, uffles that utheris wer commandit and
askit by name ; and that our speich-man soffld declaire how we could
not judge of the Assembfie at Abirdeine, for the reasounes follow
ing : 1. Siring Ms Majestie had proclamit a GeneraU Assemblie,
quhairat his Majestie expectit a reparatioune of aU disorderis, in sua
far as belongit to the Censures of the Kirk ; if we sould give our
judgmentis now, either ffl condemning or absolring, we could not
be hard then, haveing prejudice, for the quhilk we sould call to
mynd a practise usit by Ms Majestie at the Assembfie at Montrose,
quhair the Presbyteries of Louthiane and Mers were hindered for
sua doeing : 2. Res non est integra, but judgit already by the Coun
sel, quhUk we would be loath3 to contraffict: 3. The judgment thair
of coffld not perteffl to us ; Nam quis nos constituit Judices ? 4. Put
the cais, we could be Judges, and the matter committit to us, we
coffld not doe it lawfuUie ; Indicia causa reis non citatis et auditis.
TMs wes our premeditat answer for the first heid of the two
proponit by the King : But by quhat counseUour, or on quhat con-
sideratione, I can not tell ; the King had takin ane uthir cours,
quhfflt wes to appel4 every ane in particular, that heiring5 every
maffis forme of speiche and answer, they mycht marke and tak ad
vantage of menis infirmities and formes of behavior for thair pur
pose. And so admitting that, after menis dyett, Mverse of the
Counsel of England, to witt, the Bisschoppe of Canterbury, placit
at the Kingis rycht hand, the Erie of Salisberrie, Great Secretar,
the Erie of Suffolk, Great Chamberlane, and the Erie of Worches-
ter, Maister of the Hous, the Erie of Nottinghame, Great Admirall,
the Erie of North-Hamptoune, Lord KnoMs, [the Lord Stencrope,6]
with diverse utheris Nobfflis, and witfi tMie or four Bisschoppis and
1 Adv. MSS. " Queen's." * Into the King's presence. 3 Adv. MSS. " could
not thus." ' lb. "pose." 5 lb. "whilk weighted." 6 Omitted in Univ. MS.

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 659
Deanes, standing in diverse duris behind the tapestrie, quho,
comeing in now and then, discoverit thame selffis : Hither also the
Prince wes brought, standing at his fatheris left hand, with aU the
Scottis Nobfflis and CounseUoris. The King, efter reassouneing of
the poynt left at the last day, com in end to be resolvit of this
questioune particularly, QuMther the Assembly last haldin at Abir
deme wes ane lawfuU GeneraU Assembly or not ? — and the proceid
mgs of thais Bretherine thairat and eftir, and quhether thais [were]
justfflabffl, yea or no ? " And," (sayis he,) " I wffl begfflne at yow
Bisschoppis and Commissiouneres." Thais wer Ministers, Mr
George Glaidstanes, Mr John Spotiswood, Mr James Law, Mr
Andro Lamb, now Bisschoppis ; Mr George Nicolsoune, Mr Patrik
Scharpe, Mr Robert Howie, and the Great Commissiouner Lawri-
stoune ; quho aU answerit, " They had evir damnit * that Assembly
and the proceidingis of thais Brithrine as unlawfffll."
And sua it com to us : " Now, Siris," sayis the King, " Quhat
say ye, and first Mr Andro Melvill ?" Quho, with meikle low
courtessie, taUtit aU his mynd in Ms awin maner, roundly, soundly,
ftdly, friely, and fervently, almaist the space of ane hour, not omit
tmg any poynt he coffld remember. In end, in effect he refosit to
judge of that Assembfie ; for the reassounes afoir sett downe.
Mr James Balfour foUowis at the Kfflgis caMng, regraiting hevUy,
uncharitabffl and fals delatiounes maid of Mm, in end answerit Mm
to the samyn effect ; and that utherwayis he coffld not sie how the
peace of the Kirk coffld be settifflt.
The King spendit meUtle tyme with thais tuo ; and, smeMng how
the matter went, semit wery, and caMt on Mr James Melvill; quho
answerit and said, " Sir, I wUl not weary your Majestie, quhairfoir
pleis yow ressave my answer schort. Thair hes bein meiHe tyme
spent about the questioune : Iff it be in thesi, sett it doun in wrytt
and we saU answer as we can : Iff it be in hypothesi, your Majes
tie's demand is anent the Presbyteries, senderis, and the doeingis
of thair Commissiouneres sent. Anent the senderis, I did schaw
1 Adv. MSS. "esteemed."

660 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606
your Majestie their reasounes yisterday ; and iff your Majestie
judge a fault thairin, let the Presbyteries that sent the Commis
siouneris be puniscMt, and not the Britherine that wer sent be
thame. Anent thair doeingis, it is judgit alreadie by your Majes
tie and CounseU ; quhairin I am resolvit, with the panneU, to witt,
to obtemperat either by obedience or patience. Iff your Majestie
pleas to judge it forther be ane GeneraU Assemblie of the Kirk,
quhilk is aU our wisches, I can not prejudge that ; and iff, in the
mein tyme, your Majestie wffl urge me for my judgment of the
matter accordMg to my conscience, uffles that aUedgit wronge done
unto thame, and girin in by wrytt to your Majestie's Estaitis in
Parliament, last haldin at Perth, be considerit disscussit and
rychtly judgit, I wald not for aU the world condemne thame ; ane
coppie of the quhfflt wrangis we are earnestfie desyrit by thame to
present to your Majestie." And this said, he stoppit to, * and de
lyverit thame in the KMgis handis ; the substance quhairoff is sett
doun in the storie befoir. The King red thame aU ovir quhill as
the rest wer sporting, 2 and with ane angry smyle, said, he wes glaid
thai wer givin in.
Mr Robert WaUace foUowed, regraiting also sume delatiounes ;
and gaffl his judgment according to the preceiding : So did Mr WU
fiame Wattsoune, speiking soharpely againes the Commissiouner,
Lauristoune, and laying the burdein of aU upoun Mm ; quho nevir
replyit ane word.
Mr WUfiame Scott foUowit, and declairit Ms judgment sofidfie
in few wordis, and conforme to thame befoir: With quhom to deall,
the Advocat craffit licence of the King ; and thair wes ane prettie
peice of logicaU and legaU reasouneing, quhilk delighted and moved
the judicious audiens.
Mr John CarmichaeU and Mr Adame Colt wer commandit to be
schort, and to speike thair mynd conforme to the rest, aU most re
verently on kneis, but thairwith most friely, statly,3 and plainely, to
the admiratioun of the English auffitorie, quho wer not accustomit
to heir the King so talrit to and reassounit with.
1 Stept up. 2 Adv. MSS. " speaking." 3 lb. " stoutlie."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 661
In the end, Mr Andro MelvM, craiffing licence, on his knees,
humbly to speik bak again, spake out in Ms awin maner, and friely
and plainely affirmit the innocence of thais guid, faithftdl, and hon
nest Britherin, and in aU thair proceidingis at Abirdein ; and thair
foir he recomptit the wrongis done unto thame at LMfithgow, as
ane that wes present as an eye and ear wittnes ; and takMg him in
direct termes to the Advocat, Mr Thomas Hamnffltoune, he invyit '
scharpely agaffles Mm, teffing him planely and patheticaUy, of Ms
favouring and spairemg the Papistis, and craftie, crueU, and malicious
dealing agames the Ministeres of Jesus CMyst ; so that he coffld
have done no moir againes the saintis2 of God then he had at Lin
lithgow! At the quhUk wordis the King Miking to the Arch-
bisschoppes, sayis, " Quhat ? Me thiffltis he maris Mm the Anti
chryst !" And, suddentlie, agaM witfi ane oath, [exclaims,] " Be
God ! It is the divefis name in the Revelatioune ! He hes maid the
divel of Mm, wel-belovit Bretherine, brother Johne !" And so, cut-
titly ryseing, and tumefflg Ms back, he sayes, " God be with yow,
Siris !"
Quhen we wer gone out of the Palice a lytle way towardis Kfflgs-
toune, Mr Alexander Hay senffis back for us, and withaU, M the
Uttir Court, reidis to us a cfiairge from the Kmg not to returne to
Scotland, nor to com neire the King, Quern, nor Prince their
Courtis, without a speciaU caMng for, and licence.
Wedfflsday, the 24 of September, about twelve houris of the
day, a yong man come from Mr Alexander Hay with a ticket, de
syring us aU, in Ms Majestie's name, with aU convenient speid, to
come to Court ; and first to the said Mr Alexander Hayis chalmer
as the beirer would schaw the way. The ticket wes directit on the
back to Mr James MelviU, M speciaU. Quhen we wer com neir
and at the place desyrit, Mr Alexander Ms chalmer, [he] shew us
and the said Mr James in speciaU, that he wes directit be Ms Ma
jestie to desyre Mm to subscryve the sched3 of paper givin in be
1 Adv. MSS. " inveighed." 2 lb. " servants." 3 Ik „ scheet_..

662 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
Mm yisterday to Ms Majestie : Quho answerit, " Lett me sie it, and
wryt the answer thairon, qubilk I maid to his Majestie yisterday,
concememg the caus and maner how I delyverit it, and I wald
glaidly subscrive the same ;" provyding that the said Mr Alexander
wald give him selff thairefter a coppie, aU subscryvit with his hand.
So he gave Mm ffl the Instructiounes to perveise l the coppie.
QuhUk being done, the said Mr James wret the answer and maner
of delivery of them M the Kingis hand, as is above sett doun, and
subscryvit the same. This being done, the said Mr Alexander
schew that he wes desyrit also by the Kingis Majestie to aske him
of quhom he had thais Instructiounes, and quhen he gatt thame ?
He answerit, " In a packet from Scotland, delyvered to him since
he came from thence to Londoun, be quhom truely he could not
remember, (neither coffld he indeid,) for that the beirer was un
knawin to him, and passit away suddently, and to delait any man
to the Kingis Majestie uncertainefie he could not." With the
quhilk answer he passit from us to the King.
In haiff ane houre eftir com to us the Erie off Glencairne, with
Mr Johne Gordoun, Dean of Safisberry, schewing us that thai wer
sent from the Kingis Majestie to desyre of us ane answer in wryt,
subscryrit be our handis, to this questione, " Quhat the King mat
DOE IN MATTERES ECCLESIASTICALL ? AND QUHITHER OR NO HE
HAD THE WHOLE POWER OF CONVEINEING OF ASSEMBLIES OK
dischargeing thame ? We answerit, that " Iff it would pleas his
Majestie, or thame in Ms Majestie's name, to sett doun the ques
tioun in wrytt, and subscryve it as from Ms Majestie, we sould
glaidly also sett the answer doun and subscryve the answer ; grant
ing to us sufficient tyme of advysement for the samyne, becaus the
matter wes of great importance." But, efter a peice of reassoune
ing, they depairtit, 2 and returned back to the King without ane
answer. Not long eftir thair goeing from us, Mr Alexander Hay
come again, schawing Mr James MelviU that the King had red his
answer, and wischit him to be moir laconike ; desyring him further,
1 Collate, compare with. 2 Adv. MSS. "left us."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY.

663

iff it pleasit him, for thair was no danger of intercommoning, nethir
carit the King meikle for the matter, to teU him from quhom he
had his Instructiounes at Londoun. He answerit, that off con
science he wes nocht well rememberit, nor wes not accquantit with
the man that delyverit thame ; and to put any manis name in
the Kingis hand upon conjecture he would not. So Mr Alex
ander, schewing us that the Erie of Glencairne, and Mr Johne
Gordoun, would not come againe to us, and it drawing neir to
evineing, we took a boat and com to Burstoune.1 That day2 Counte
de Vaude-Mount, brothir to the Duke of Loraine, and Generall of
the Venetian Infantrie, wes lookit for to come to Court to visit the
Kmg with four score of gentUmen M tryne, quho com on the morne.
And so we had tMee dayis to refresche us and relax our myndis ;
dureing the qubilk we wer visiting the feUdis about, namely, Non-
suche and Richmont ; namely, we censurit aU our wordis and ac
tiounes, with thankfuUnes to God for bypast assistance, and prayer
for continowance to the end.
Sonday, the 28 of September, writtin for by Mr Alexander Hay,
we come to Court, quhair wes prepairit for us a RoyaU Service,
with quhfflt the haffl solemMtie of ceremonies in the Kingis Chappel,
and Doctor Andrews, then Bischoppe of Exchester, maid the ser
mone on the tenth of Numberes, of the tuo trumpettis, thairon a
long Mscourse ; proveing, that the cqnveinefflg of Assemblies and
Counseles, and dischairgeing of the samyn, perteirit to Christiane
Kingis and Emperoures, directly against Ms text, quhfflt sayis, that
the sones of Aaron should blow the trumpets. And becaus we wer
attendit on by no honnest man, of any countinance, to leid us to
dinner as befoir, howbeit, one tauld us it wes ready in the Queine's
chalmer, 3 as befoir, our braines fffll of wyne and musick, and our
stomakes emptie of victualfis, we come home to dyne at Kingis-
toune. BeMg at supper, ane uthir Lettre come from Mr Alexander
Hay, bidmg us be at Court to-morrow againes eight o'clock in the
morneing, for the Scottish Counsel wes to deaU with us.
1 Adv. MSS. " Kingstoune." ' lb. "nixt." s 76. "closet."

664 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
So, on Monounday, the 29 of that moneth, tymous in the morne-
ing as we wer wairnit, that day wes Assembly keipit m honour
of Saint Michel ; solemnly keiped, indeed, with strange musick,
and hie service in the Kingis Chappel ; to the quhfflt we wer desyrit
to come, and commandit to bring Mr Andro and James Melvill
cheiffly, be Mr Alexander Hay, at the Kingis expres command.
The said Mr Alexander, becaus of the great tMonge, convoyit thame
thairin throucht the secreit passage throw the Chapplane's chalmer.
Mr James taMd his uncle by the way, that it wes to trappe thame,
and assay thair patience, in cais they wer hard speik or wryt1 any
thing againes that superstitious vanitie. Thair we saw the King
and Quein offer at the altar, quhfflt wes decorit with tuo bukes, tuo
basines with tuo candelstickes ; and upon this occasioun, Mr Andro
maid the verses, for the quhilk thaireftir he was trabfit. Thair one
of the Count de Vaudemontis cumpanny, a German man, spake in
Latine, in the hearing of many, " Ego nunquam vidi talem cultum 1
Nihil hie profecto deest de solemna missa, preter adorationem transub-
stantiali panis /"
Efter service we waiteit on the CounseU till twelve houres ; and,
being fasting, we wer invited to breckfast be a guid freind, quhair
we wer sent for ones, twyse, thryse, to come befoir the Scottish
Counsel, quhfflt had sittin long caUing for us. Quhen we com,
they wer angry becaus of our stay, and we told thame we had
stayit tM twelve houres a' clock fasting, and wer hungry, and could
stay no longer. Sederunt, in the Erie of Dumbaris house, Argyll,
Glencairne, Orknay, Wigtoun, Dumbarr, aU Erles, Scone, Control
ler, Advocat, HamUtoune, Lindores, Mr Peter Young, Kilsyth.
We resolrit, befoir we com in, to make answer to nothing, bot to
crave aU in wryt to advisement, bot many could not keep that re
solution. All being coram, the Erie of Dumbar shew us it wes his
Majestie's will that the Council, thair conveinit in that kinde, sould
deaU with us severally in certaine heidis ; quhairin they would
pray us to give plain and cleir answeris, for satisfactioun of his Ma-
jestie, and all to goe forth and come in as we wer callit.
1 Adv. MSS. "sound," probably for round or whisper.

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY.

665

Mr James MelviU, first caMt, compeirand, wes questiounit by
the Advocat : 1. Quhither he had prayit for the Britherine in pris-
soun? Quhither he aUowit the keipeing of the Assembly at Abir
dein, and the decfinatour usit be tham quho keipit the same, befoir
the Counsel ? 3. Quhither this wes his Lettre writtin to the Synod
of Fyff, &c. ? He answerit, he wes a frie subject of the kingdome
of Scotland, quhfflt had lawis and priveledges of its awin, as any in
the world, to the quhilk he would stand. He thoucht thair had
bein no lawfuU summonds lawffflly execut agaffles Mm : The NobU-
men thair sitting, nor yit he, wes not at home in thair awin native
countrey : The chairge super inquirendis wes long syne put away
and abofischit, as iriquouse and injust : He wes of no law nor reas-
soun bound to accuse Mmseffl, be forffisefflg dittay agaffles himselff.
He desyrit the Nobfflmen quho wer thair present to remember
quhat they wer, and to deal with him (howbeit ane poor man, yit
a frie-bom gentU Scotis-man) as they would be content to be usit
thamselffis, that is, by the lawis of Scotland. The Advocat, nocht
withstanding, urgit him to answer ; with quhom he Mterchangit
sume few ' sentences, telfing him, howbeit he had not studeit in the
lawis as he had, yit he had sume piece of naturaU witt, and had
bein boith lernit and taught in logic, in the Scofis. The Erie of
Dumbar sayisj " Mr James, will ye not deinzie the Kingis Majes
tie with ane answer ?" " With aU submissive reverence," said he,
" iff I may knaw the questioune, and haiff tyme to advyse on ane
guid answer, ye saU haiff that," said he, " and I saU doe aU duetie
again," said Mr James. " I understand," sayis the Erie, " that ye
haiff a Supplicatioune from the Ministeres in prissoun to the KMg ;
wM ye give it me ?" " Yes, my Lord, it is my great desyre to haiff
it presentit. I thank your LordscMp for mentiouneing thairof,
humbfie intreiting your Lordschip to present it to Ms Majestie, and
to helpe thairin quhat your Lordschip can." So he gave it to him,
and wes desyrit to remove himsehf to a bed-chamber thairin, and2
to stay quhffl3 he wes caUit againe.
1 Adv. MSS. « quick." 2 lb. " within, there." 3 Until.

666 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
And sua wer the rest caMt round about, and sent M one by one
to him, tffl Mr Andro MelvUl, being at last caMt, gaiff thame
enought of it, alse plainely and scharpfie as he wes accustomit,
namely, tefflng thame flattly, that they knew not quhat they did,
and wer degenerat from the antiant nobMtie of Scotland, quho wer
wont ' to give thair landis and lyffes for the fridom of the kingdome
and Gospel, and they wer bewraying and ovirturneing the same !
TUl it became laite, and eftir sune-sett, that they were faine to di-
mitt us to the nixt caMng for.
That same day, befoir noone, Mr James MelviU, walking in the
great Hall of the Pafice, Mr Doctor Montague, Deane of the
KMgis Cfiappel, come by, with quhom Mr James had this confer-
rence : " Wffl it pleas yow, Sir," (quoth he,) " to be favourabill to
us and our caus at the Kingis hand ?" "I can not," sayis the Doc
tor, " for ye ar againes the estait of our Kirk, that is, of Bischoppis,
quhilk haith beM this system fyftein hundrith yeiris in the Kirk of
Christ." " Not so," said he, " in this sort of Bisschoprick, invol-
vit in cirill and worldly effaires cum tipho2 seculihujus! Such was
Mver in the Kirk of Chryst but since the Popes of Roome declairit
thamself to be the great Antichryst." " Howsoevir," sayis the
Deane, " ye ar agaffles our Kirk and Bischoppes." " If ye truhle
not us, we truble not yow," (quoth he.) " Yes," sayis the Deane,
" ye haffl maid mentioun of our Bisschoppes to the King and your
Parfiament!" And with tMs he piffles out of his bosome the Pro
testatioune givM in to the Parfiament at Perthe, and poyntit at the
place quhair it mentiouffit, PapisticaU and AngeficaU Bischoppes.
"Ay, the corruptioune of them !" sayis Mr James, "and I pray
yow, Sir, think ye not thair is corruptioune in that estait?" "I
tMnk thair may be," said he, " but ye deny the Kingis Supremacies
" None," sayeth the uthir, " that he sould haiff the Supremacie over
the Ministrie." " Yes," sayeth he, " that Supremacie that he sould
haffl M the ministeriaU Kirk ; the quhilk athir the Pope, or the
Prince, or the Presbyterie, must have." " The Pope sould not, we say
1 Adv. MSS. " alwayes readie." 2 lb. " primo."

1606. MR JAMES melvill's diary. 667
aU." "Mr Calvine gives it to the Presbyterie, and soe doe we,"
sayeth Mr James. "Ay," saith the Doctour, "but that is treassoun
in England, for the Prince hes it be our lawis." " But not," saith
the uthir, " by our lawis of Scotland." " But ye must haiff it sua
in Scotland !" saith he ; and sua abruptly went his way.
Tuysday, the 30 of September, we wer bidden to the sermone
againe befoir the Kingis removeall from Hamptoun Court, quhair
Doctour King maid a most violent Mvective againes the Presby
teries, cryeing to the King, "Doune! Doune with thame all!"
The quhUk four Sermones wer, by commandement, imprintit soone
eftir, as they wer purposely long befoir prepairit and dressit, and
this day every ane of us returnit Ms answer M wryt to the Articles
given us the day befoir, everie man severaMe, to the samyn effect
and substance, as we had answerit M word befoir. The same day
also the King enterit M Ms progresse with Count de Vauddemount,
and becaus thair wes a grait bussines, we behovit to haiff patience
that day, and the day foUowing.
The second of October, we wer caMt befoir the Scotis Counsel
againe. They defiverit to us tMie Articles in wryt, willing us to
make Answer thairto by wrytt ; every man severaMe to tak quhat
tyme he pleisit, and to goe quhair he. pleisit, so that we went far
from Court, and maid knawin the place quhair we lay, that we mycht
be fond quhen the KMg caMt for us. The Articles foUow, qubilk
we desyrit to be subscrivit be the Counsel ; quhilk they refosit,
and commandit Mr Alexander Hay to subscryve for thame, quhilk
he did.
ARTICLES QUHAIRUNTO MR ANDRO MELVILL, MR JAMES MELVILL,
MR JAMES BALFOURE, MR WILLIAME SCOTT, MR JOHNE CAR-
MICHEL, MR WILLIAME WATSOUN, MR ROBERT WALLACE, MR
ADAM COLT, AR DESYRIT, IN HIS MAJESTIE'S NAME, TO GIVE
THAIR DIRECT ANSWERES ; EVERY ANE OF THEM SEVERALLIE
FOR THAME SELFIS.
" I. Consider, qfflfither if or not they haiff transgressit thair

668 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
duetie, in making pubfict prayeres for thair Britherine in waird, as
being afffictit, and ar wffling to craiv his Majestie's favour,1 thair
foir, siring that thair said Britherine bydis in waird for just causses,
and be ane just sentence of ane lawfuU Judge, standing unquerrelit
and unreduceit ?
" n. QuMtfier they acknawledge Ms Majestie, be prerogative
of his auctoritie royaU, as a CMistian King, to haiff lawfuU and full
power to convocat, prorogat, and desert, upoun just and necessary
causses knawin to him, the Assemblie of the Kirk witMn Ms Ma
jestie's dominions ?
" HI. Giff Ms Majestie, be Ms auctoritie royaU, hes not lawfuU
and sufficient power to caU and conveM befoir his Majestie's Coun
sel quhatsumevir persoun or persounes, civU and ecclesiasticaU, for
quhatsumevir faultis,2 and give sentence thairannent ; and iff all his
Majestie's subjectis be astricted to compeir, being citit befoir his
Majestie and Counsel, to answer, acknawledge, and obey Ms Ma
jestie and Ms Counselis judgment M the said effaires ?3 — 2 of Octo
ber, 1606."
" The Articles above writtin, be bis Majestie's Counsel, appoyn
tit to be defiverit out of my hand to the Ministeres above men-
tiounit, be his Majestie's speciall command, " Alexe. Hay."
Incontinent eftir our actioun at Hamptoun Court, Mr James
Elphistoune, Secretar, wes directit away to Scotland, with commis
sioune to pronounce the sentence and doome againes the prissoun-
eres in Blaknes ; and unles they would acknawledge4 thair offence,
and craveing forgivenes, come in Ms Majestie's wffl, to be banischit
off his Majestie's domffliounes, namely, the sex attamtit; and the
rest to be confynit, sume in the Lewis,5 and sume in Kintyre, and
sume in Caitnes ; the most barbarrous pairtis of the realme.

1 Adv. MSS. " carry his Majestie's feed," feud, enmity. 2 lb. " offences-"
3 lb. " offences." * 76. " confess." " Lewis, one of the largest of the
Hebrides or Western Islands.

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 669

THE MANER OF [THE MINISTERES] THAIR PAIRTING FROM SCOT-

" I wrett a Lettre to yow, Rycht Reverend, from Leith, the 6th
of November, concerneing the Britherine in Blaknes, quho imbarkit
the 7 of the same instant; [quhois depairtour wes boith joyfffll2]
and sorrowfffll to many : Joyfffll, in that many guid folkis quho
wer present saw thair constancie and courage to stand for the guid
caus they had in hand : But sorrowfuU, becaus the land is deprivit
of sua notabM fightis as they ar. The maner of thair depairtoure
wes this : The 6 of November, about four eftimoone, they wer de
syrit to come to the boat quhilk wes prepairit for thame, be the
Watter-Bafflie of Leith and Edinburgh ; quho, obeyMg, come, ac-
companeit with sume of thair dearest freindis and wyiffes to the
peire, quhair thair wes a guid number of peiple waiting on, to tak
the grid-night3 at thame, and to sie thame, but eftir thair cumming
hither, Mr Johne Welsche conceivit a prayer, quhfflt bred great
motioune M the heartis of aU the heareres. Prayer endit, they tuk
grid nycht of thair freffldis, wyffes, and many uthir wel-wiUeres quho
wer present, enterit Mto the boat, quhair they remainit a guid space
waitting on the sripper, quho, becaus he wes not ready that nycht
to goe aboard, and lyeing M the scMpp, they wer desyrit by the
Watter-BaUyie, either to goe aboard and lye in the schipp that
' The six Ministers who were tried for treason at Linlithgow, before Mr William
Hairt of Levelands, Justice-Depute, and twenty Assessors, (composed of the Lord
Chancellor, and Lords of the Privy Council,) on 10th January 1606, were Mr John
Forbes, Mr John Welsh, Mr Robert Durie, Mr Andrew Duncan, Mr Alexan
der Strauchane, and Mr John Sharpe. The reader is referred for the details of
these most oppressive proceedings to Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, II. 494-504 ; Wod
row's Church Hist, pp. 506-516 ; Hailes' Memorials and Letters, Jac. I. pp. 1-4;
Cook's Hist, of Ch. of Scot., II. 160 et seq. ; M'Crie's Life of Melville, II. 201 et
seq. ; and Calderwood's Hist., p. 509 et seq., &c. Doom and sentence of banish
ment was pronounced on them, Oct. 23, 1 606, in the Court of Justiciary, and the
above is an affectmg account of their embarkation at Leith.  Ed. " Not in
Adv. MSS. 3 Taking farewell.

670 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
nycht without the skipper, or eles to goe to thair ludgemg that
nycht, and be redy at the nixt caU.
" They, by Godis speciaU providence, chusite to goe to thair ludge-
ing ; for that nycht come on a great storme, that the schippe wes
forcit to saiff her selff in Kinghorne road aU that nycht. They wer
caMt againe by tuo houres M the morneing ; quho, obeying, come to
the schore and peer, accompanieit as the nycht befoir, no smaU con-
curse of peiple being with thame, beyond expectatioune, so airly to
sie thame boat. Prayer conceirit as befoir, by Mr Johne Welsche,
they imbarMt, giving many exhortatiounes to aU to hold fast the
truth of the doctrine quMlk they had defiverit ; for the quhfflt, they
doutit no thing to lay doun thair lyffis, let be to suffer banischment ;
addmg thairto, that quhUk they sufferit wes the great joy of thair
conscience. In the meane tyme, the marineris haistit thame away,
they not beMg abM to speik longer, nor we to heir, that boith the
courage and joye they had in God mycht be marifest to aU, they
depairtit out of our sycht, making us to heir the cofflortabUl joye
quhfflt they had in God, in smgmg a Psamie. Blissit be God, quho
maid that actioun glorious, and gracit them in the heartis and eyis
of aU that lookit on thame, and graunt me grace, for my pairt, river
to forget it !
" The Bischops, returneing from England, presentit a Proclama
tioune to the Presbyterie, that no Minister soffld be so baffld, under
the pain of death, as to pray for thame ; lykwayis ane Lettre came
from the Counsel, schawing them that it wes his Majestie's wffl,
that the Ministeres of the Presbyterie sould suppfie thair roumes
that wer put away, till he saw to the planting of thair Kirkes. I
may weU regrat the miserabffl estait of this Presbyterie, above any
of the land, sen thai and the rest left it ! God amend it ! To quhom
we ceise not to commend yow."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 671

THE PROCLAMATIOUNE, MENTIOUNIT IN THIS FORMER
LETTRE, BY THE KING.
" Quhairas diverse of the MMisterie of that our realme of Scot
land, patrounes, as it seimit, of that contemptuous Conventicle at
Abirdeme, the 2 of JMy 1605, by a little handfuU of the basest and
most ignorant sort of that professioun ; quhois seditious proceid
ingis being first condemnit by our Coimsel in that kMgdome, and
thaireftir the samyn, by the Commissiouneres of the GeneraU As
sembly, declairit to be no lawftdl meitting ; and the principaU auc-
toris of that Conventicle, haiffing incurrit the pames of treassoun
for thair treassounabffl declyneing of our Counsefis auctoritie, for
the quhfflt they wer conrictit M a Justice [Court,] holdin at Lith-
gow, the 10 of Januar last bypast, doe not spair, in thair ordMarie
sermounes and excercises, and in thair prayeres, to remember thais
convicted traitoures, as distressit, afffictit, or persecutit Britherine,
praying for thair defiverie ; finplying tfiairby us to be tyrantes, and
our govemement tyranricaU ; to tfie fiigh contempt of us and our
auctoritie, as without aU example of ony tyme formerlie observit in
ony Christiane Kirk. Our will and pleassoure is, heirfoir, that by
oppin proclamatioune at our mercat-crosse of our burght of Edin-
burght, and aU uthir places neidfuU, in our name and auctoritie,
command aU and quhatsomevir Ministeres of that our kingdome,
be inhibit and dischairgit, that none of thame presume, or at any
tyme heireftir to remember in thair sermounes and prayeres any
of thais conrictit traitouris, or any uthir of thair Britherin quho ar
in waird, als guUtie of the same treassoune, neithir any way mak
mentioun of thame, eithir generaUy or particularly of thame, M any
of thair pubfict excercises, eitfiir in preicMng or prayeres, (except
it be in disaUowmg thair proceidmgis,) under the pain of death, to
be mflictit with aU rigour upon sic as wUl presume to controvein
presently the command of this our present chairge : Commanding
thairby expressefie the LordSs of our Counsel, Shereffes, BaUyies,

672 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
and all uthiris Magistratis quhatsomevir, alseweffl in regafitie as in
royaltie, Provestis and BaUyies of our burghtis withM townes, and
all Barroffis, and Gentfflmen of any quafitie, within our Mngdome,
that iff any of thame be present at any sic excercises, preaching,
and prayers, quhair thais traitoures and utheris foUoweris salbe
favourabfflie remembered, that incontinent upoun the end of the
sermone thai caus the Minister, trespasser heirin, to be takin, and
then committit to the neirest waird ; and eftir acquanting our Coun
sel thairwith, that they bring sufficient prooff and verificatioune
thairof befoir thame, to the effect that the same may be condignely
punischit, and that utMres may be terrifieit by thair example from
committing the lyk : And our forther plesour and wffl is, that prin-
tit coppies of this our chairge be delyvered to the principaU Ma
gistratis, boith to burght and landwart, and to aU the Ministeres of
any principaU burght within that our realme, that none dar, be any
maner of way, pretend ignorance heirof. Girin at our Court at
Hamptoun, the 26 of September 1606. God safflthe King.
" Printit at Edinbruche by Robert Charteres, prmter to the
Kingis most exceUent Majestie, anno 1606."
Mononday, the sext of October, Mr WUfiame Scott and Mr
Williame Watsoune wer sent for by the Archbischope of Canter-
berrie ; and eftir long conferrence, he propounit to thame thrie
Questiounes, quhfflt he wald haiff given tham in wryt ; bot they
would not ressaive thame, leist that sould haif brought on a dispu-
tatioune.

THE QUESTIOUNES, AS THEY WER REPORTIT, WER THAIS.
" 1. Quhither, M any of the Antiantis, the name of the Presby
ter wes found givin to any that [had not '"] teicMt the Word and
ministerit the Sacramentis ?
" 2. Quhither, ever among the Auntiauntis we red of a Presby-
1 Not in Univ. MS.

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 673
terie or Ecclesiastic Senat, ' that had [not 2] in it, and above it, a
Bischope ?
" 3. Quhither the nam of a Bischope, in the Antiantis, wes found
given to ony quho had no superioritie above the Presbyterie, or
Ecclesiastical Synod, and the rest of the Presbyterie and Clergie?"
We understood also, by thame, that the Archbisschop had gottin
directioun from the King to conferr with us aU, and traveU to con
vert us ; but he fand thais tuo Brither so hard of his lair, 3 that he
dispairit to caU for thame agam, or for any moe of us. We under
stood also that thair wes moe nor ane hundred Missive Lettres,
wryttin and signettit, to be directit home to Scotland about sume
great matter ; qubilk eftirwaird we knew to be for the Conventioun
at Lmfithgow.
Twysday, the 7 of October, Mr Andro MelvM and Mr. James Mel
vM were caUit to be accquantit with a wyse, godly, and worschip-
fuU antient Knight, Sir P. Haistis, 4 quho thankit God exceidfflgly,
and congratulat to us greitly the haffl actioune at Hamptoun Court ;
schawing, that it wes meUtle taUtit of, and commendit amongst all,
and would doe much good, not only to our Kirk, but to uthiris,
namely, that courage and friedome of speiche, and constant stand
ing to the truth of the caus. Thais Britheris and many the lyk
approbatiounes, togidder with the rest of the particfflaris of these
eight Britherine's privat actiounes and conferrences, I ovirpasse,
and wffl now proceid to thair deUing with the King, and of his
Majestie with thame.
Amongis the Britherine of the MMisterie quho stuid with the
Bisschopes agafflis us at Hamptoun Court, thair wes one Mr James
Nicolsoune, a man of many guid qualities and deipe naturall witt,
quho, the 7th day of December, before mentiounit in the beginning
of tMs Historie, wes a cheife counseUer amongis us, in aU his pro
ceidingis, and a standert-beirer amongis the Commissiouneres of the

1 Adv. MSS. " Ecclesiastical Synod." 2 Not in Univ. MS. 3 Learning,
tuition. • Left blank in Adv. MSS.
2 u

674 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
Kirk, and quhois boith pen and mouth wes most in aU thais ac
tiounes. This man wes now broken to tak in ane Bisschopricke,
and become to the King cheiff counseUere againes us in aU his
proceidingis, without our Kirk. He wes the speciaU famfflar of
sume of us, quhom we boith lovit and reverencit ; and, thairfoir, we
thought guid to send unto him tuo of our number, and his great
accquantance, Mr Williame Scott and Mr Johne Carmichel, quho,
quhen they had talkit with him, and conferrit, fand smaU content
ment ; yit they defiverit to him aU our Answeres to the Articles givin
us by the Counsel, expouneing to Mm also our Greiffes, as the
King desyrit we schould : The substance of the quhfflt foUowis, for
we wer all conforme to one effect, howbeit sume more lairge nor
uthiris ; and becaus it wes givin out sclanderousely that we agrieit
with the Papistis in denyeing the Kingis supremacie, and were un-
ruUy, rebeUious, and unreverent, we usit the greitter submissioune.

WITH ALL SUBMISSIOUN, HUMILITIE, AND REVERENCE, TO THE
EXNGIS SACREID MAJESTIE, AND WITH ALL HEARTLE AFFEC
TIOUNE TO HIS GRANDNES, AND EXTOLLING ABOVE ALL MEN
UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH, JAMES MELVILL'S ANSWER
TO THE QUESTIOUN PROPOUNIT BY HIS MAJESTIE'S MOST
HONORABILL COUNSEL.
" 1. I can not conceive a transgressioun of duetie in praymg for
our Britherine ; the command and the warrand bemg sua cleir in
the Word of God, 1 Tim. ii. 1 ; 1 John v. 16 ; Hebr. xiii. 3. And
if I coffld conceive any prostrat at his Majestie's feit, with my face
upon the ground, I would ask wUlinglie, and most humbfie craive
pardoune and favour.
" 2. The lawes of the realme, the judgment, practise, and con-
stitutiounes of ou Kirk, are cleir heirannent ; and if thair be any
doubt remaining, if it is by the law and estait of the realme, let it
be resolrit by the nixt GeneraU Assemblie, to tfie qffltilk by the
haill Synod it is referrit.

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 675
" 3. The third is civffl, for the most pairt maid of many interro-
gatiounes, and not thairfoir to be simplely answerit ; and iff it be
doubtit off, it is be the law and estaitis of the reaMie to be ressol-
vit : And for judging of the Ministeres in matteres spirituaU and
meir ecclesiasticaU, such as concemes thair caMng and poyntis of
thair Ministerie ; the qulfflk, as they have oft in Jesus Chryst and
in his Kirk, [alenerfie, togidder with the Jurisdictioun of the Kirk, *]
quhat it is, and how it differes from the civffl Magistratis Jurisdic
tioun and power, the statutis of the realme, the judgmentis prac-
tisit, and constitutioun of the Kirk, the KMgis Majestie's Declara-
tioune at LMfithgow, and in diverse GeneraU Assemblies, are most
cleir and evident ; to the quhUk I stand, till God teich my con
science better : Protesting befoir the great God of hearin and earth,
that iff I thought it nocht a sinne agaffles Jesus CMyst, the Lord
of lordis, and King of Mngis, and so most dangerous to the Kingis
Majestie's persoun, croun, and estait, to ascryve 2 any further to him,
thair is none firing wald be glaider to imploye quhat lyis in his
abMtie for avowefflg, maintaMing, and standing to the same to his
uttirmost, then poore
" James Melvill."
The caus of our detentioune, howbeit, in truth, it wes to with
hold us tffl they had effectuat matteres at home, yit they gave it
out to be for that we had not givin in our Answeres and Greives
with our advyse, how the Kirk might be paciefieit : Thairfor, we
thought meitt that aU sould goe in befoir Mr James Nicolsoune
went away, of whom we looMt for favour, he being now almost the
Kingis only counseUer M all thais matteres, and quho wes with the
Erie of Dumbar, to enter to his journey.
1 Not in Adv. MSS. 2 Ascribe.

676 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.

FOLLOWS THE GREIVANCES, AND ADVYSE HOW TO PACIEFIE
THE KIRK.
" Pleis your most excellent Majestie to heir the Greives quhilk
your Majestie desyrit us to give upe unto your Hienes for redress
ing, as also our Advyse for paciefieing the estait of our Kirk: We
are greivit that this four yeiris, the GeneraU Assembfie of the Kirk
of Scotland hes bein prorogat in so neidfuU and dangerous a tyme,
quhen aU estaites ar so cairfuU of thair privUedgis ; and Papists,
Atheistis, and licentious persounes, contemneres of the Word and
Discipline of the Kirk, incresses and aboundes : We ar grivit that
fourtein Ministeres soffld lye holden yeir and day in waird and
prissoune, from thair flockes and famMes, quhilk the hand of God
is stricking sua sore by the plague of the pestUence amongis tham :
We ar grived that the Commissiouneres of the Kirk, that voitis in
Parliament in name thairoff, had netiiir enterit in that office nor
behavit thame seffles thairin, according to thais Cautiounes and
Orders sett down thairunto by your Majestie, in the Generall As
semblie holdin at Montrose ; and namely, that these Cautiounes,
ordained to be insert M the actis of parliament to be maid M thair
favour, howbeit offerit be the Commissiouneres of the GeneraU As
sembly, were refosit and rejectit at Perth : We ar grivit that the
Commissiouneres of the GeneraU Assembly maid no tymeous and
faythfffll wairneing to the Presbyteries of your Majestie's wiU
annent the prorogatioune of the Assembly appoyntit be your Ma
jestie to be haldin at Abirdeine, quhfflt wes the first caus of aU this
trubffl, and yit sume of thame satt in Counsel, and wer fordward in
condemneing thair Britherine in prissoune : We ar grivit that your
Majestie's Commissiouner, Lauristoun, his unfaithfuU, foolich, and
false deiling at Aberdein, the nixt and most caus of your Majestie's
offence, most evidently may be sein, and of the trubffl of the
Britherin : We are grivit at all the wrongis quhilk thais Britherine
alledges done unto thame ; most humbUly beseiking your Majestie
to examine, consider, and amende thame, as, nixt under God, to

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 677
doe the same : We ar grivit that we ar deteinit so long frome our
flockes and famefies in so dangerous a tyme of the plague of pesti
lence, and uthir great necessities : AU the quliUk Greivances, if it
wald pleis your gracious Majestie to tak it to heart, we dar be an-
swerabffl for it, upon the redresse thairof, that the estaite of our
Kirk salbe paciefiet."
The 5 of November, the Parfiament of England sat doun agaMe,
quhfflt maid us to be excluded againe from aU actioun and dealing
for our seffles at Court. In the meffltyme, we keipit ane honnest
tabffle and ludgeing hous altogidder, quhairunto resorted many
honest men and Britherin of the best sort : So, haiffing comfortabUl
commoditie of our beMg togidder, we thought it guid to tak us to
sume grid excerceise of the Word and prayer, and fasting, joynit
with humffiatioune, one day in the weik, namely, becaus of the dan
gerous deffling at fiome, that the Britherin thair mycht be constant
that God M mercie wald give unfainyieit repentance to our haill
Kirk, baith Pastour and peiple, for the lycht, estimatioune, and
fruitless abuse of the Gospel, so sincerely and friely continowit so
long a tyme in our country ; and, for the quhUk, tMs heavie dis-
sipatioune l and danger of greater corruptionne, wes hinging on ;
that it mycht pleas God, with his merrifffll eye, to look doun againe
unto Ms awin Sion, to gadder him againe his disperssit, [and] to
repair the breiches. That excercise continowit about ane moneth ;
in the meffltyme, not ceisseMg, by aU occasiounes of aU our freindis,
to give in our Supplicatioune to the Kingis Majestie, and to use all
meines quhat we could for our friedome. The effect we fand wes,
on Sonday the 13 of November, Mr Alexander Hay come to our
ludgeing, sent, as he said, from the King, to intimate ane ordi
nance for wairding of every ane of us with a severaU Bisschoppe,
so greitlie wes our remaineing togidder invyed : For boith the
King and the Bisschoppes, namely of Canterbury, had their spyes,
quho, under couUour of freindly visitatioune, reportit boith our
1 So in all the MSS. Probably for dispensatioun.

678 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
speiches and actiounes ; viz. Mr Andro Melvffle with the Bisschoppe
of Winchester, Doctor BUsoune ; Mr James Balfour with Nor-
witch, Doctor Bigom ; Mr William Scott with Peter Burrow,1
Doctor Done ; Mr Johne Carmichel with York, Doctor Matthow ;
Mr WUfiame Watsoune with Londoun, Doctor Vaintham ; 2 Mr
Adam Colt with Salisberry, Doctor Ravisch ; 3 Mr Robert Wal
lace with Rochester, Doctor Barlow ; Mr James MelvUl with
Duresm,4 Mr D. James.
This movit us all to great Mdignatioune and anger ; so that Mr
Alexander [Hay] wes laid upoun us aU, round about, and in end
ressavit this answer : " If we had committit any cryme, let us be
judgit orderly and puniscMt ; uthirwayis, we would not disschonnour
God, the King, and our caUMgis, to goe and ly at sic menis houssis,
but would rathir chuse imprissonement or banischement." We
maist humbUly againe besought his Majestie to regaird his awin
honour, quho had writtin for us so fairfie, tfie honour of our Kirk
and countrie, affirmefflg bauldly that they wer not gmd CounseUeres
quho had mentiounit that. This, and meUtle moir, wes reportit be
Mr Alexander Hay. We hard no moir of that matter tffl ane
quarter of ane yeir wes donne ; and eftir being mychtUy aflrayit thair
with, we wer faM to breck up our societie, quhilk wes sua invyit ;
but befoir we severit,5 we thought it most needfuU that the four
sermounes that we hard at Hamptoun Court, and now ar newly
pubfiscMt in prent, sould be answerit ; quhilk traveU we committit
to thame quho thought thame selffis best disposit for the same. Unto
ane of the numbir we injoynit to note and mark eligantly aU pro-
ceedingis, for Mformatioune to ane Historie, as it mycht pleas
God to grant this benefit thairof to the posteritie.
Sonday, the last of November, Mr Alexander Hay sent ane Lettre,
desyreing, in the Kfflgis name, Mr Andro MelvUl and James Mel
vill, with Robert Wallace, to come to his chafiner at QuMthaU by
ane of the clock. Comeing, he tauld us that thair wes certaine
Verses maid in Latine, com in the Kingis hand, for the quhUk we
1 The Bishop of Peterborough. 2 Adv. MSS. " Wathand." 3 lb. « Beants."
1 The Bishop of Durham. 5 Adv. MSS. "separated."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 679
wer to be caMt befoir the Counsel of England ; and so we wer
caMt by and bye.
Mr Andro MelviU called, confessit that he had maid such Verses,
being much movit in Ms mynd with Mdignatioun to sie such vani
ties1 and superstitioun in a Chrystiane Reformed Kirk, under a
Chrystiane King, bome and brought upe in the lycht of the Gos
peU most sfflcerely, befoir idoUateres, to confirme thame in the
same, and greive the heartis of true worscMpperes. And being
spokin unto by the Archebisschoppe of Canterburie, quho satt upp-
most at the CounseU table, on the right hand, tfflk occasioune
plamely m Ms face, befoir the CounseU, to teU him all his mynd,
quhUk burst out as Mclossit fyre M watter ! He burdeinit Mm with
aU thais corruptiounes and vafflties, and superstitiounes, with pro-
fanatioune of the Sabbath day, silenceing, imprissouning, and beir
ing doun of the true and faithfuU2 Preicheres of the Word of God,
of setting and holdfflg upe of Antichrystiane HierarcMe and
Popische Ceremoffies ; and taking him by the quhyt shrives of his
rocket, 3 and schaUring them, in Ms manner, friefie and roundlie,
caMt thame " Romishe ragis, and a pairt of the Beastes mark !"
He tauld Mm further, that iff he wes the authour of the buik Mti-
tulat, " Scotisemg Genevating Discipline," he estimit him the capi-
tall enemie of aU Reformed Churches in Europe ; and would pro-
fesse Mm enemie to Mm and aU such proceidingis, to the effusioun
of the last droppe of aU the blood M his bodie ; being uncessantely
grivit at his verie heart to sie a man have the Kingis eare, and to
sitt so Mght M that honourabM Counsel of England ! &c. He paffltit
out alsoe Bisschoppe Barlo for the wrytting of " The Conferrence
at Hamptoun Court," quhairin he had sett doun that " the King
wes in the Kirk of Scotland, but nocht of it," and uthir such horri-
bfil speiches ; marveUing that such a one wes unpunischit, and ex-
amplarffle, for making the King of no Refigioune ! And entering in
his sermounes maid last at Hamptoun Court befoir the King, he
1 Adv. MSS. " enorinitie." 2 lb. "sincere.'' 3 lb. "right hand-"

680 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
refotit the same so long as he gat audience and permissioune ; but
he wes oft interruptit, and at last put forth m a place by him self.
Mr James MelvM [was next] caMt in, quhom the Chancelerusit
verie courteousfie, with the style of lairneMg, graritie, godlines,
wisdome, honesty, and truthe ; feiring, as it appeirit, the force of
that Spirit, quhilk he neidit not, in useing such charmeing. He
shew Mm how the Eangis Majestie had commandit thame off the
CounseU to aske him tuo questiounes, not doubting but he would
answer traely and plainely : First, QuMther he had written home
to Scotland the lait proceidingis at Hamptoun Court betuixt his
Majestie and us ? He ansuerit, that at Ms coming from Scotland,
his freffldis wes desyreous to be informit of our matteres how they
went, and sua he had promisit to thame ; and, for performeMg of Ms
duetie, he had written aU. The Archbisschope asMt Mm, How he
had writtin of justiefiefflg Ms awM plott and pairt, and condemneing
tfie Kingis pairt ? He ansuerit, netfiir by way of justificatioun nor
condemnatioun, but offly by a trew and simple way of narratioune.
The Erie of Northamptoune insisted on the same poynt : To
quliom he said, he had ansuerit already. The Chanceler sayis, " He
hes ansuerit simpefie and plainelie," and sua movit the utitir ques
tioune, If he had seM certaM Verses, writtin in LatMe, againes the
ornamentis of the Alter of the Kingis Chappel ? He said, he could
not answer till he saw thame. l They gaiff Mm thame to reid ; quho
then said, he had seM such Verses in Ms uncle's, Mr Androis hand,
eftir the maMng of thame at Hamptoun Court, and knew weU the
greit greiff thairof, and motioun of Ms mynd 2 at that tyme. They
asMt, If he had girin out any coppies thairof, to send thame to
Scotland ? He said, Nay, non at aU ; nethir knew he yit of ony givin
out by Ms uncle to any man being on lyff; and marvelit how they
could come in the Kingis hand. So he wes bidden to remove, and
Mr Robert WaUace called. He wes demandit the samen ques
tiounes, and answerit conforme.
1 Adv. MSS. "heard these Verses." 2 lb. " heart."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 681
Eftir ane houre's advysement, we wer aU caMt in togidder ; and
Mr Andro, eftir a long and grave admonitorie oratioune of the
ChanceUor, Lord Edgertoune, that with his learneing and yeires
he sould joyne wisdome, gravitie, modestie, and discretioun, he wes
committit to the Deane of Paufis, to remaine M his custodie dureing
the Kingis Majestie's wffl ; and the uther tuo commandit to the cus
todie of thair awin wyse and discreit cariage, with a gentill waime-
ing to tak heid to thair actiounes, speiches, and wryttingis too.
The purpose of aU this wes to snare Mr Andro MelviU, quhom
they knew to be frie of speich, that they mycht haif sume appeir
ance of just occasioun to mak him fast, l and sua to be quyt of his
hinder2 M the prosecutioun of the Episcopall purpose ; for, soone in
the morneing, Mr Alexander Hay com with the warrand and com
missioun, to put the CounseUis decreit to executioun, and restit
not tM the tyme he had gottin Mr Andro enterit in the Dean of
Pariis hous and custodie, quhair he remained quhill the moneth of
Marche. In the moneth of March, [1607,] the Counsel sent a Lettre of
Warrand to the Deane of Paufis as foUoweth :

THE COUNSELIS LETTRE AND WARRAND UNTO THE DEANE
OF PAULIS.
" Quhairas ane Minister of Scotland, Mr Andro MelvM, hes, be
the Kingis Majestie's commandement, bein caUit befoir us at the
Counsel-Boord, quhair he had confessit himselff to be the auctour
of certame Verses, or rathir a PasquiU, tending to the scandeU and
dischonour of the Kirk of England ; for the quhilk bis great offence
he had been censurit to be restrafflit of his libertie untill such forder
proceedingis saU be taMn order with him as saU seim guid to his
Majestie, M such a caus as tMs, and by impunitie : Yow saU heirby
understand that his Majestie hes made chuse of yow, for the pre
sent, to ressaive Mm in your custodie. Quhairfoir, in his Majestie's
1 Adv. MSS. "sure." 2 lb. " hand."

682 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
name, we doe requyre yow forthwith to ressaive Mm accordingly,
to remain in your house at Paufis ; not suffering any to haif accesse
unto Mm, untU his Majestie's further plesoure heirin to yow be sig
nified. It is also thought expedient that yourself doe, at conveni
ent tymes, cofflerr with Mm ffl such poyntis quhfflt yow saU find
differing from the discipfine of tfie Kirk fieir estabfiscMt, for Ms
better satisfactioun and conformitie; quhairin, by your guid in-
devour, you may deserve very weffl of Ms Majestie, and so of us :
So, not doubting of your extraordmar reguard heirin, we bid yow
fair weffl." THE ALTAR VERSES FOLLOWIS — EPIGRAMMA.
Cur stant clausi Anglis, libri duo, Regia in Ara,
Lumina caeca duo, poUubra sicca duo ?
Num sensum cffltumque Dei tenet Anglia clausum
Lumffle casca suo, sorde sepulta sua,
Romano et 1 ritu, Regalem dum Mstrffit Aram ?
Purpuream pmgit refigiosa lupam !

[TRANSLATED THUS.]
On Kinglie ChappeU affltar standis
Bfind candelstickis, and closit buikis,
Dry sUver basines, tuo of each :
Quhairfor, saith he, quho luikis,
The mynd and worscMppe of the Lord
Does England so keipe closse ?
Blind in hir sycht, and buried in
Hir Mthines and drosse :
And quhill with Roman litis schoe does
1 Adv. MSS. "an."

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY 683
Hir kfflgly altar dresse,
Religiously a purple quhoore
To tame scfie does professe I1
The speciaMs of the Mmistrie being now to be exUit,2 wairdit,
and confynit, they thought to mak ane assay3 of a GeneraU As
semblie, quhereby to proceid one step forward. So about the be
ginning of December,4 a Lettre com from his Majestie to everie
Presbyterie, commandfflg thame to send such men to Linlithgow,
quhois names wer M the Lettre, the tenth of that instant, to con
sult and resolve with sume Nobfflmen for suppressing of Papistis
and removeing of jarris from the Kirk ; (for they durst not as yet
nominat a GeneraU Assembfie for feir of the successe thairof.)
Pririly Lettres wer also directit to particular Brither, commanding
thame to keipe the place appoyntit, quhither the Presbyterie gave
thame Commissioun or not. Out of sum Presbyteries were named
none, out of the most pairt three, out of sum four or fyve, out of
sum six, according as they were maid to favour the purpose. So
thair met about one hundred and twenty-nine Ministeres, and No-
bilmen, Officeres of Estaitis, and Barrounes thirty-three, or thairby,
att Lithgow the tenth of December. Maister Patrick Galloway,
last Moderator, wes desyrit to mak the exhortatioune, acording to
the ordour ; bot he refosit, becaus he knew not of any tyme ap
poyntit for ane GeneraU Assembly, and thairfoir wes not prepairit.
So Mr James Law, lait Bisschope of Orknay, made the exhorta
tioune ; and thereafter Mr Patrick prayit, and producit four in

' In the Adv. MSS., another translation of these Verses follows the lines by Andrew
Melvill, which it has been considered proper to be inserted here :
Why stands there on the Royall Altar hy,
Two closed bookes, blind lights, two basins dry ?
Doth England hold God's minde and worship closse,
Blind of her sight, and buried in her dross ?
With Romish rites King's Chappell doth thee dress,
Religious she the Red Whore dothe express !
2 Adv. MSS. " expelled." 3 lb. " offer." "> lb. " September,' erroneously.

684 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
lait1 from his Majestie, Mr Patrick Scharpe, Alexander Lyndsay,
Robert Howie, and Mr James Nicolsone, quho wes chosine Mo
derator. AU lawis wes sought out againes Papistis ; and becaus the fault
was inlaUte2 of executioune, ane[Ovirture wes fund that everie Pres
byterie soffld haiff ane Agent for persewing of Papistis, and the
said Agent sould haiff ane hundred pundes out of the Thesaurie for
his expensses. Then it wes askit of be the Moderator, Quhat wes
the caus of the jarris of the Kirk ? It wes answerit, For want of
a frie GeneraU Assembfie ; thairfoir thair wes one ordainit presently,
to be hauldin at Edinburgh, .the last Tuysday of July nixt foUow
mg. Supplicatioune being maid for the banischit Britherin, for
Mr Robert Brace, and aU these that'wer detefflit at Lundoun, all
wer tint 3 M the houpe of thair restoreing.
Then comes M Ms Majestie' s^speciaU desyre, that untffl the tyme
that Papistis wer repressit, and aU jarris removit out of the Kirk,
ane Constant Moderator mycht remaMe in every Presbyterie, for
sundry reassounes, namely, for that betwixt Moderatoris quha wer
changit sua oft, proces, dMgence, and executioun foUowit, the new
being unacquantit with the former proceedingis. The matter com
to reassounefflg. Mr Patrick GaUoway propounit tMee reassounes
in the contrair : First, The prejudgeing of the Presbyteries of thair
frie electioun quho best did knaw the quafitie of thair memberes :
2dly, The danger of tyrannizing of the Moderator above the Bri
therin, and usurpatioun of auctoritie and jurisdictioun over thame :
idly, The prejudgefflg of the GeneraU Assemblie of the frie nomi
nating of Commissiouneres out of every Presbyterie ; for, by ap
peirance, thair wes no uthir thing meinit by this but to mak the
Generall Assembly to consist of Bisschopes and Constant Modera-
tores of Presbyteries, quho mycht doe quhat they list. As to the
reassounes propounit, it wes eisUy ansuerit, that aU the Presbyteries,
and every Brothir thairof, sould knaw the estait and proceidingis of
1 In leet. The Adv. MSS. read, probably erroneously, " wailit," which signifies
chosen, picked out, or selected. 2 Lack. 3 Lost.

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 685
matteres ; and so, any mycht be able aneught to put matteres in
mynd for executioune, meUtle maire the meittest chosine for the
purpose, according to the postoure and estait of the matteres in hand,
for removemg thereof, and of sic dangeres and difficfflties, thais
Cautiounes wer provydit, that the Constant Moderatoris sould be
answerabffl to the Moderator of the Synode, and to the whole Sy
nod itself, for aU his oversycht and Ms offences, and removeabiU
be thame eftir a lawfuU tryaU, and the worthiest of Ms Presbyterie
preferrit to his place ; that every Presbyterie sould haif the frie
electioun of tuo uthir Commissiouneris to every GeneraU Assem
bfie ; and that it soffld be in that Presbyterie's hand and adoptioun
to accept of that Moderator nomfflat or not.
Thir Cautiounes being sett doun, and the Articles ftdly l aggrieit
upoun m the Privie Conferrence, it passit in the oppin Assemblie,
and agrieit, that he quho befoir wes namit the Agent sould be this
Constant Moderator. The Bisschoppes, with thair awin consentis,
wer ordainit to be subject thair to the Discipline of the Kirk, and
remaine and be Pastoris M the Kirk of their awin Bisschopprickis,
and to underly 2 the censure of their particular Presbyteries : And in
caice, at the next GeneraU Assemblie appoynted to be holden at
Edinbruche, it salbe found that they haif any wayis transgressit the
Cautiounes they offerit, evin thair to lay doune thair Bisschopprickis
at the Assembfie, that his Majestie mycht bestow the same upoun
any uthir of the Ministerie that salbe thought meit for the place.
Immediatlie eftir the Assembfie the Lordis Collector, Blantyre,
Clerk off Register, with the Moderator nominat in the Assembfie,
viz., Mr James Nicolsoun, come to Edinbruche ; and on the Pres
byterie day urgit thame to ressave thair Moderator, nominat at the
Assembfie, viz., Mr Johne HaU. Thair the Act wes red, but they
quho hard it and wes at Lithgow, to witt, that the Bisschoppes ar
ordainit Moderatoris of the Synodis ; quhilk Mr Patrick Galloway,
and Mr Johne HaU, and more, affirmit, that it wes nevir spokin of
in that Assemblie.
1 Adv. MSS. "openly." 2 Be subject and submit to.

686 THE CONTINUATION OF 1606.
The nixt Wedmsday the Presbyterie of Dalkeith wes urgit, quho
sought the Act to be advysit, withaU promiseing thaireftir to give
thair answer ; but the Act coffld not be had, neither by thame nor
by na uthir, tM it wes produceit M a Synod in Fyff, eftir the death
of the Moderator, almost aught monetMs thaireftir : But ffl the place
thairof thair passit out Lettres from the CounseU, chairgeing the
Presbyterie to accept of thair Constant Moderator in every Pres
byterie, M the Generall Assembly holdin at Lithgow, quhairoff the
tennour foUowis :
[LETTERS FROM THE PRIVY COUNCIL CHARGING THE PRESBYTERIES
TO ACCEPT OF CONSTANT MODERATORS.]
" James, be the grace of God, &c. ForsaumeUtle as the Generall
Assembfie of the Kirk, keipit at our burghe of Lfflfithgow, in the
moneth of December last bypast, and assistit by a frequent number
of the NobMtie, Counsel, and Barrounes of this our kingdome, it
wes thought verie meit and expedient, and ffl end conclufflt and
agrieit, with uniforme consent of the Assemblie, that, for the weill
of the Kirk, and staying of the number and growth of Papistis in
this our kingdome, thair sould be a Constant Moderator for a cer
tame space, nominat in every Presbyterie, quho sould haif the
chairge to informe the Lordis of our Secreit Counsel of aU Papistis,
recusantis, and contemneris of discipfine m this land, and to seik
the executioun of our lawis againes thame ; as in the act maid
thairanent at mair lenth is conteinit : Quhilk being seM and consi
derit be us, we haif not offly approrit and aUowit the samyn, and
interpounit our auctoritie thairunto, but haif recommendit it to our
Counsel that they haif speciaU cair and regaird to sie the same res
saive thair dew obedience and executioun ; lykeas N. wes nominat
and appoyntit Moderator for the Presbyterie of N. : And albeit it
wes houped that this godly and necessare conclusioun, importing
sua rightly the weffl of the Kirk, sould haif bein ressavit with all,
thankfulMes, and embracit be the Presbytries of this our Mngdome ;
nevertheles, the Ministeres of the Presbytrie of N, for quhat caus

1606. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 687
we knaw not, refoisses, or at the leist delayes, to ressaive the said
Moderator, and to conforme thamselvis to the ordinance and con-
clusioune forsaid ; the controveiffing quhairoff wffl altogidder mak
the samyne ineffectuaU, without remeid be provydit. Our Wffl is
heirfoir, and we chairge yow straitly, and commandis, that inconti
nent tMr our Lettres sein, ye pas, and M our name and auctoritie,
command and chairge N. N., MMisteres of the Presbytrie of N., and
the Clerk of the said Presbyterie, to conforme tbamselffis to the or
dinance and conclusioune of the said Assemblie, and to ressave the
said Moderator, and to reverence him in aU thMgis dew to the pri-
veledge of that office, without excuise or delay, within twenty-four
houres nixt eftir they be chairgit be yow, under the pain of rebel-
fioun and putting of thame to our home ; and if they faUyie thair
in, the said space bemg bypast, that Mcontinent thaireftir ye de-
nunce the dissobeyeris our rebeUis, and put thame to our home ;
and if they faUyie, that ye escheat, &c. : And siclyk that ye, in our
name and auctoritie, command and chairge the said Moderator of
the Presbyterie of N., to accept the said chairge upon him within
the space of twenty-four houris nixt efter he be chairged be yow to
doe so, under the pari of rebeffioun and putting of him to our
home, and if he faUyie thairin, the said space being bypast, that
incontinent thaireftir ye denunce the dissobeyeris our rebeUes, and
put thame to our home, and escheat and inbring all his moveable
gridis to our use for his contemptioun : The quhilk to doe, &c.
Givin under our Signett at EdMbruche the 17 of February, and
of our reigne the fourtieth yeir, 1606.
" Per Actum Dominorum Secreti Consilii,
" Ja. Prymerose."
About the end of December the Abot of Halirudhous and Mais
ter James Law, Bisschope of Orknay, wer sent to the King with
the proceidingis of this Conventioune at Lithgow sett doune in
wryt ; quhairwith the KMg wes litle content, becaus they proceidit
not frielyer ; and farder, sieing the Bisschoppes of the Presbyteries,
and appoynting thame Moderatoris ovir the ProvinciaU Synodes,

688 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
the Abot laid aU the waitt ' on the Bisschoppes, quho had volun
tarily submitted thamselffis of new to the Presbyteries. Bisschope
Law wes for tMs thoroughly chydit upoun ; aUwayis, the remedie
wes, that nothmg sould be put out2 tM some poyntis being put and
mendit,3 aU soffld be sent back againe to be given out in forme.
And tMs was supposit to be death to 4 the Moderator, quho, in his
wisdome, thinking to pleise both King and Kirk, had thankes of
none. Bisschope Law, bemg at Londoun, abassit Mmseffl to visit the
BritherMe detemit thair ; and comMg quhere Mr James Balfour
and Mr James MelvUl lay, begouth5 to expoune to thame the
strait ordour takin with Papists at the Conventioun at Lithgow.
Mr James Balfour sayis, " In nomine Domini incipit omne malum !
This is pretendit, bot the dffit (as yit, nes bein a long tyme) will
rycht6 on the Kirk, Discipfine, and standeres by of the same."
Quoth the Bisschope, " They saU caU me a false knave, and never
to be belierit agame, ffl the Papistis be not sua handleit as they
wer never M Scotland ! " " That may weffl be," said Mr James
Balfoure. In reassouneMg with Mr James MelvMe he did tak a
great and terribffl attestatioune that he knew nothmg of ony pur
pose the King had to alter and translait the DiscipUne and Goveme
ment of the Kirk of Scotland, but only to seik the provisioun
and estimatioun thairoff; vindicating tfie same from contempt and
poverty ; and tfiairfoir they ar far to be blamed quho suspectit his
Majestie and his Breitherine's proceidmges : " Nay," said the uthir,
" the King, boith by word and wryt, hes uttirit his mynde plainely ;
but ye deaU deceitftffly, decearing yourselffes and utheris ; but God
by tyme wffl mak aU manifest ane day !"
M.DC.VH.
Upon Tuysday, the third of Marche, the Britherin deteirit wer
chrirgit of new agame, but in a new maner, to goe to the Bisschoppes
1 Wyte, blame. 2 Adv. MSS. " goe further." 3 lb. " in a better order."
* lb. " the deid of." 5 Began. « Alight, fall.
4

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 689
house. The maner of ane I wffl sett doun, for example of the rest.
One WUfiame Sanderes come the day befoir to Mr James Mel-
viU's chalmer, and schew Mm that he wes directit be one of the
Clerkes of the Counsel, nameit Sir Anthonie AsMye, to delyver to
hhn the coppie of a Lettre from the Counsel to the Bisschope of
Duresme,1 and to desyre the said Mr James, M the Kfflgis name,
to goe with Mm to the said Bisschope. Mr James asMt the feUow,
iff he wald deliver a Lettre of his to hfin that sent him ? quho said,
he wald. So he wryt to Sir Anthonie, as foUowis :
[LETTER MR JAMES MELVILL TO SIR ANTHONY ASHLEY.]
" My dewtie premitted,2 Pleis your WorscMp, understand, that
one WUfiame Sanderes come to me this mornemg, directit, as he
doth affirme, from your WorscMp, with a Lettre of the most Hon-
orabffl Counsel of England to the Bischop of Durrahame, requyring
him to ressaive me Mto his hous, and give me guid and kynd inter-
tainement ; and addith farder, that he had directioune to chairge
me, in the Kingis name, to goe with him to the said Bisschoppe ;
quhairoff, quhen I had askit Ms warrand, he said he had non, but
only directioun from your WorscMp. Qufiairfor, I haiff taMn the
boldnes to wrytt thir few lynes to your WorscMp, quhairby I
wauld humbly craiff of your courtessie, to understand quhat this
matter sould mein, being verie strange to me ; being sent for by a
verie loring Missive Lettre from his Majestie, to come from my
awin countrie, waiting, calling, and attending, thir six monethes
past, on his Majestie's plesoure, to my great chairges ; not being ac-
cusit of any misbehaviour or cryme, to be chairgit to becume a do-
mestick to a Bisschope M England, knawin to be of a contrair
affectioun and oppfflion of the Govemement of the Kirk and Dis
cipline thairof, quhilk I tak to be ane harder punischment than im
prissounement or banischement : And as concerneing the non-satis-
factioun of his Majestie M sffldry poyntis, quhilk his Majestie ex-
1 Durham. 2 Premised.
2 x

690 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
pectit, and reclaimeing of us from such opiniounes, quhfflt we ar al-
ledgit to hoffld, repugnant to the guid govemement of the Kirk,
mentionit in the narratioun of the Counselis Lettre, thais can be no
such imputatiounes as deserve punischment ; for quho can satisfie
forder nor they ar able, be thair judgement and conscience ? And
quhat opinioune held we the Govemement of our Kirk, uthir then
that qulfflk hes bein establischit in our Kirk of Scotland thais many
yeiris bypast, and that by the warrand of the Word of God, his
Majesteis lawis of the realme professit, subscryvit, and sworne, boith
by the Kingis Majestie and haffl Estaitis of the Kingdome of Scot
land ? May it pleise your WorscMp, thairfoir, to ressaive the infor
matioune of the order of this proceidmg, that I may understand
the nature thairoff, for giveing wifflng obedience M patient suffer
ing in aU thingis dew I can, as I am most wifflng to rander obe
dience, in aU humMtie, to Ms Majestie and most honourabM CounseL
with aU humble thankfulnes for thair cair, diMgence, and courtesie,
though I am most unwffling to precipitat the caus of our Kirk, or
evin my awm poore conscience, persoun, and honnestie, in unneces-
sarie uncoacted bussMes, suffering danger or disgrace : Et si quid
morte gravius imponitur mortem oppetere potius ducimus. So, most
humbly and most ernestlie requyring your WorscMpis answer [of
courtessie, I commend yow to God. Blackfriers, tfie 3 of Marche
1607.1] Your WorscMpis,2 as aU dutie requyres,
" James Melvill"
The gentleman very courtessfie returnit Ms answer as followis :3
" Mr James Melvill, — Quhairas by your Lettre, ye requeist4
to ressaive of me such ane order and directioun as hes bem prescryvit
be the Lordis of his Majestie's Privie Counsel concerneing your
present goeing to the Bisschope off Durrhame, I pray yow under
stand, that I knaw of no uthir nor is conteinit in thair Lordschipis
Lettres, directit to the Bischope off Durrhame, quhairof I sent yow
1 Omitted in Adv. MSS. 2 Univ. MS. " Wisdomes.' 3 Adv. MSS.
' in the morning after, in these wordis." * lb. " yow are earnest."

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 691
a true coppie undir my hand, for your better satisfactioun ; quhair
unto, m my oppmioun, ye saU doe weM to obey and conforme your
selff, as is requyrit, the rather of that becaus yow sie thair is nothing
meriit thairby towardis yow but kynd and lovemg Mtertamement,
sic as is meitt for a gentfflman lyk yow. ' No doubt, Ms Majes
tie wffl tak a speciaU notice of your wilfing obedience in tMs behalff;
as, on the uthir syd, he may be movit on the contraire, in cais of
your obstinacie, quhilk I would wische yow to avoyde by aU meMes
possibU. Yow may wysely conceve mor nor then is fitt for me
to wrytt M a matter of tMs nature. Cor Regis in manu Domini.
And erin sua I commend yow to Godis mercifuU and saiff keippeing.
From the Court of QuhythaU, tMs feard2 of March, 1607.
" Your loving freffld, Ant. Ashley."
FOLLOWIS THE BISSCHOPPE OF DURRHAM HIS LETTRE SENT TO
HTM FROM THE COUNSEL.
" Efter our verie hairtlie commendatiounes to your Lordschip :
Quhairas six or seven of the Ministeres of Scotland, hafieing bein
specially sent for by the KMgis Majestie, on sum such occasiounes
as doe grytlie tend to the quyet estait of the Kirk, hes not girin
his Hines that satisfactioun, ffl sundrie poyntis, quhilk he expectit ;
and M regaird thairof ar not to returne home agame to thair coun
trie, forasmeUde as Ms Majestie, ffl his most princely cair for the
settfing of the Kirkes effaires of that kmgdome, is verie desyreous
to haif these said pairties reclaimed from such opiniounes, quhUk
they hold repugnant to the guid govemement of the Kirk, and
not one ar fitter for that purpose nor his grave and learnit Bis
schoppes, alseweffl by tham selff as by the assistance of uthir learffit
men, about and neir thame, quhom they knaw fitt to be imployit
in sic a work : We, by his Majestie's directioun, doe desyre your
Lordschip to ressaive to your hous Mr James MelvUl, ane of the
said MMisteres, to give kynd and grid intertainement for him self
1 Adv. MSS. " of your sort." ! Fourth.

692 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
and his servant, quhffl he sail remaine with yow : Letting yow for
der to knaw, that it is not his Majestie's mynd to send Mm to yow
as a prissouner, and to be in any wayes keipit or restraffit, althought
we doubt not but your LordscMp, in your wisdome, and Mr MelvUl,
in his discretioun, wffl so interprett his Majestie's plesoure, as that
neither of yow wffl permitt ony accesse of discontent and of fac
tiounes and scismaticall persounes, quhUk mycht nocht only hinder
that guid successe quhfflt Ms Majestie does houpe to find thairby,
but lykwayis, to tend to sume forder inconveffientis to be preten-
dit l by your Lordschip. And so we bid your Lordschip verie weil
to fair.2 From the Court at QuhythaU, the 28 of February 1607.
(Signit by)
" Lord Treassourer. Earle Shreusburie.
L. Chanceler. E. Worchester.
Lord [Archiebishop of3] Can- E. Northamptoune.5
TERBURY. E. SALLISBERRIE.
D. Lennox. L. Stainhoupe.
L. Admirall. Mr Secreter Harbart."
L. Chalmerane. 4
(Directit to) " The Lord Bisschope of Durhame."
" Concordat cum originali, An. Ashlaye."
Wednisday, the fourth of Marche, Mr James [MelviU,] knawing
the Bisschope of Durhame to be at Durrhame hous, and haiffing the
officer waiting on him, thought to goe to the Bisschope to testifie
his obedience to the King; but thairwith to perswad and desyre
the Bischope, iff he wer wyse, to concurr with him in suit to be frie
of such a ghaist : And so, accumpaneit with Mr WMiame Scott, we
went to him, and tauld him he wes come to testifie the dispositioun
of his heart Mclynit and bent alwayis to rander obedience to the
Kingis Majestie in aU thingis dew ; but thairwith to requeist his
Lordschip to joyne with him in suppficatioun and deafing with his
1 Adv. MSS. " prevented." 2 lb. " farewell." 3 Supplied from Adv. MSS.
* lb. " Chambell," viz , the Lord Chamberlain. 6 lb. " Mortoune."

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 693
Majestie and honorabffl Counsel to haif licence to goe home, quhair
he had ane honnest hous, calfing, and vocatioun, and famMe to at
tend upoun, and not on uthir menis tablis ; for he had evir bein
accustomed withaU to give rather than to take of any ; and truely
it wes not fitt that he soffld be Ms hostler and he his guest, being
sua farr different M stait and opMioun, the quhUk wauld breid but
cauld affectioun ; and how unpleasant would the societie be, quhair
thair wes tMouchtnes of opiniounes, Ms Wisdome mycht easiely
consider; eikand1 heirto that he wes a man subject to manifold
seiknes and diseasses,2 and coffld not trouble the hous of a stranger,
and such a nobffl Prelatt ; forder, he being a man professing the
cuir of many safflis, soffld take pietie of many thousand saulis in
the Kirk of Scotland, that laked the comfort of their persounes
[Pastors] detaffled so long from them M England.
His answer was sfflie and confoseit, to tMs effect : That, sieing
it wes his Majestie's and Counselis wffl, he sould be welcome to his
hous ; he sould prepair Mm a chalmer and a gardein ; but he be
hovit to put a gentUman out of his chalmer for his caus, and that
his man behovit to be with that gentleman Ms man ; and sume such
triffefingis. Mr James besought him not to doe sua, for he com
not to England to displace any man, gentle or semple. He thankit
God he had housses and chalmeres of Ms awM in Scotland, quhair
in he wes accustomit to ludge and plesour gentUmen, and not to
displace thame : And, thairfoir, M that respect and utheris, he had
alleadged he would rathir concurr with us in satisfieing the King
and Counsel, quhairby he mycht be frie of such a burdeM. " Weffl,"
said the Bisschope, " but quhat do ye talk of sua many peiple com
mittit to your chairge and mmistrie ? Is not the peiple the KMgis,
and haiff ye not your mMisterie of him ; so that if it pleise the
King to withhauld yow, and ruel his people utherwayis, ye should
be content to obey ?" " We must," said be, " be content, and suffer
patientfie ; bot the peiple is the Lordis, and thair saulis they wer
the price of Chrystis pretious blood ; and for our ministerie, in the
1 Adding, subjoining. 2 Adv. MSS. " many infirmities."

694 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
chairge thairoff, we haiff it not of the King, nor no pairt thairoff,
bot off CMyst and Ms Church, and is much unlyke your Bisschop
rickis, quhilk ar the Myentioun of men, and so girin and taken be
men ! "
By that occasioun, he would haif bein farther at the mayne poynt
concerneMg the Govemement of the Kirk by the King and Bis
schoppes, and not Presbyteries and Assemblies conveinit without
the Kingis licence ; but he taffld Mm that woffld reqfflre a gryter
tyme ; yet the Bisschoppes must use sume arguments, viz., that he
had studeit Dirinitie for so many yeiris, he had read aU that could
be said and wes written of that matter ; he wes ane old Doctor ;
had beM sua oftymes Vice-Chanceler of the Universitie of Oxford.
And sidtlyk Mr James told Mm, plafflly and schortly, that aU that
proved nor concludit nothmg : It would be stronger reassounes that
woffld reclaime thame ffl" they come to the Schooles. So, upon pro
mises that we sould come and dyne with him upoun Settirday nixt,
we tuik our leive : But, befoir Settirday, one quho attendit Mm and
us, quhom he would haiff cautiouner (forsuith) for our comming to
dfflner, preventit our comming, and taffld us that my Lord wes not
provydit for us as yit, and coffld not be at hame quhffl the nixt
weik. Upon the Sabboth nixt foUowfflg, (for on that day the Counsel
sitis ordfflarly, and meit together, and on no uthir day of the weik,)
we penfflt and gave ffl to the Counsel the Suppficatioun foUowing :

THE SCOTIS MINISTERES' SUPPLICATIOUN GIVIN IN TO THE COUN-
SELL OF ENGLAND THE 8TH OF MARCH 1607.
" Rycht Honourabffl, and our most singulare guid Lordis, &c.
May it pleas your Honouris, of your commoun equitie towardis aU,
and speciall courtessie usit towardis strangeres, to heir us, Mini
steres of the EvangeU of Jesus Chryst within the Kirk of Scot
land, and undersubscryvand : That quhairas we wer brought from
our countrie and caMng by speciall Missive Lettres, directit from

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 695
the Kingis most exceUent Majestie, and defiverit to ilk ane of us in
particular, quhairby his Heines willed and commandit us, aU excuisses
sett apairt, to repair to his Heines befoir the 17 of September last
bypast, for the weill of the Kirk of Scotland ; and notwithstanding
that diverse of us wer of guid age, subject to seiknes and disseases
of body, and aU of us had just and weightie matter of just excuiss ;
yit, understandMg also, by his Majestie's speciaU CounseUer in thais
matteres, that it wes Ms Hemes' plesoure, evM for a great benefit
to our Kirk, we sould in any cais repair to his Majestie and sie his
face, by the mercifuU hand of God with us, aU wer inableit, and
presentit our selffis befoir his Majestie the day appointit, at Hamp
toun Court ; quhair, with aU humMtie, eftir the weaknes ' of our
judgment and conscience, answering to such tMngis as it pleiseit
his Majestie to requyre and propoun unto us : We wer from that
gratiousely dismissit to attend his Majestie's further pleisoure at
Londoun, quhair diverse sort of seiknes and disseases of bodie, but
meUtle moir with great heavffles, and grief, and vexatioun of mynd,
by reasone of the chairge and burden of moir then twenty thousand
saules lyand on our mMisterie, besyd the numerous pure famMes,
quhairoff, fiT we sould not haffl a cair, we ar judgit by the Apostle
worse nor infidefis.
" We haiff, with such patience as we could, wrestled throucht
the longsume winter, and now quhen, eftir many Suppficatiounes,
directit with aU cair, reverence, and humUitie to Ms maist gratious
and exceUent Majestie, we MUrit for a comfortabffl dismissioun, and
sending home to our countrie, calfingis, and famMes, we find that
thair is certaM Inglischmen, [caMng thame Officeres and Purse-
vantis, directit, as they say, be the ClerMs of2] the Secreit Counsel
to chairge us in the Kingis name to goe with thame to certain
Bisschopes of the Church of England ; and shawing us a coppie of
your Honoures' Lettres of Requeist to the saidis Bisschoppes to
ressaive us M thair hous : The quhfflt chairge, baith in forme and
substance, we think very strainge, being frie Scotismen, and Pas
touris of the rycht Reformit Kirk, and long renowned in the realme ;
1 Adv. MSS. " verdicts." 2 Not in Adv. MSS. " sent from," &c.

696 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
and agames the quhilk, we haif just caus, and necessitie compelfis
us, to except ' and protest, we knawing certainely that netrir his
Majestie's Mght honour, that loves judgment, and quho, in maner
foirsaid, gratiously caMt us hither, nor yit your commoun honnest
eqffltie, the rycht and priveledgis of natiounes, substance, or forme
of justice, (quhairof your Honouris ar most observant,) can or will
approve the same : Lykas, the cair quMlk we carie towardis the
caus of our Chryst and his Kirk, and the pure honnestie quhilk we
susteM ffl our caUMgis and persounes, makis us to tak it as a pu-
Mschment inflictit upoun us, harder nor either imprisounment at
home, and banischment M forraffl places and pairtis ; the quhilk we
ar assuirit that the Mght honour of our gratiouse and exceUent
King, quho loves rycht, and your Honouris MMisteres of justice,
wald evir have finposit on us : And indicia causa, if we haif perpe-
tratit any tMng againes Ms Majestie, the Estait, or lawis of the
realme, justice would we sould be orderly tryit, judgit, and pu
niscMt, but if our carriage and conversatioun hes bem yit unac-
cusit, meUtle les condemnit, quhy soffld we losse our libertie, disc
honour and obscure the estimatioun of our Kirk, and blott our awin
honnestie, quMlk is pure ? — makfflg our seffles of our Masteris bunde-
men, dayely approveres of that, to the appeirance of men, quhilk
our Kirk condemnis ; and burdin aU loittereres, feidmg idffle-bel-
lies 2 at the tabfflis of strangeres, haffing honnest cafflngis, provi
sioun and housses, quhairby to live as Pastouris of Congregatiounes
and fatheres of families at. home. As tricMng thais Miputatiounes,
qubilk we haiff not girin satisfactione to Ms Majestie, (as far as we
could,) as Ms Hightnes expectit, and that we hoffld opiriounes re
pugnant to the guid Govemement of the Kirk, we haif truely in-
de vomit, 3 boith by word and wrytt, to satisfie Ms Majestie as we
could, and sould we satisfie forder nor our consciences or judge-
mentis affordetfi ?4 Iff it pleis your Lordschipis, we would most
glaidly understand quhfflt ar thais opiniounes we hoffld repugnant
to the guid Govemement of the Kirk of Scotland, to the end, that
if thair be any such, (quhairoff we knaw non,) at his Majestie's com-
1 Adv. MSS. "object.' 2 lb. "like bellie-gods.' 3 lb. "labcurit.
1 lb. "assenteth."

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 697
mand, by admomtioun of our awin Kirk, we may abandoun the
same, and not trouble the Lord Bisschopis of England.
" We haif forder to regrait [and] caus to bewaiU the heavie seik
nes of sume of us, the languischeing mynd of us all, to say nothing
of the great chairge we ar at, with great greiff to remember the im
pairing of our estait at home, haifeing att endit Ms Majestie's
plesoure thais sevin monethis : But commendfflg aU to the wyse
consideratioune of your Honouris' uffiversalie rememberit J discre
tioun, mtegritie, eqffltie, courtesie, and merciefffll deaUing, we wiU
no longer deteffl your Honouris ; but, in the great occean of our
sorow and greiff, desyris to be fred of the danger of the imminent
tempest upon the appeirance of safetie M seUring that heavin of your
Honouris' compassioun, quhair so many hes bein safeit from scMpp-
wrack ; namely, becaus it hes plesit Ms Majestie to give direc
tioun to your Honouris annent our matteres, nowayis, as we ar per
suadit, to prejudge the pririledges, and fridome, and liberties of our
natioun. In the name of the Almychtie God, and for the caus of
the Lord Jesus Chryst, quhom aU your Honouris doe love and feir,
and quhois Messengeris and MMisteres we ar, doe Mtreat and be-
seich your Honouris, in aU dewtifoU submisse reverence, that by
your mediatioun and Mtercessioun with his most clement, and most
gratious Majestie, sume refieff of thir our present misereis may be
obteinit, and we dismissit and sent home, to the confort of our
flockes and famMes, thair to pray to God Mcessantly for his most
exceUent Majestie, his Queffl and RoyaU progenie, for yow the
Lordis of Ms most honourabM Counsel, for the mantinence of his
Hightnes' kmgdomes and dommiounes in peax and unitie, M Jesus
Chryst : To quhois grace and merciefull protectioun we committ
your Honouris. Houpeing to heir quhat guid respect it sail pleise
your Honouris to haiff of our Suppficatioun, We rest, your Honouris'
pure Supplicantis,2
" James Balfour. James Melvill. William Watsoun.
Robert Wallace. Adam Colt. William Scott."
1 Adv. MSS. "renouned." 2 lb. " humble servants."

698 the continuation of 1607.
The Supplicatioune wes takffl by the CounseU out of the Erie of
Salisberrie's hand, and defiverit to the Archbisschope, to make
answer to the samyne ; quho sent for tuo of our number to cume
and speik with Mm. So Mr James MelvUl and Mr WUfiam Scott
went to Lambeth, on Mononday the seventh of Marche. The Arch-
bisschop puting aU out of the chahner but us alone,1 laymg his capp,
quhfflt wes turffit, asyd, with great reverence did schaw us that the
Kfflgis Majestie, letting us and the CounseU to understand that it
wes not Ms plesoure yit tnat we soffld be licenceit to goe home to
Scotland ; and willing us to be weffl MterteMed ffl the mein tyme,
had requyrit the Counsel to direct us to sume of the principaU of
the Clergie, as most fitt to mtertem men of our caMng ; thairfoir,
the Counsel directit Lettres to sume of the Bisschopes to recom
mend us to thame, and that the Messengeres sent us wer not Pur-
sevantis to chairge us, bot servantis to the KMg and Counsel, ap
poyntit to be our convoy to such places quhair we sould be weil
ressavit and mtertemit : But if either the servantis, quhfflt, eftir
the commoun sort, mycht be rude and mdiscreit, had usit us uthir-
wayis than became, or that we feirit that the Bisschoppes, to quhom
we wer recommendit, wald not loringlie ressaive us, and use us
kyndfie and curtesely, let Mm knaw it, and he soffld remeid it, and
be warrantabUl for the samyne.
Our answer wes, "We could accquyt2 nowayis his Majestie's
CounseUis' cair and courtessie towardis us bot by our poore prayeris;
yit, siring no ffljurie wes worse nor compulsatorie courtessie, iff it
wes Ms Majestie's counsel3 we soffld stay longer, we would wisch it
wer his Majestie's pleisoure also to suffer us to continowe and at
tend his Majestie's leasure upon our awin coist and chairge, as we
had donne sume4 monetMs, and not to truble such men, quhom to
we coffld neither be pleisaunt ghaistis, nethir they pleisand hostis
to us : We wer men that had honnest housses and tabffis of our
awin, according to the fascMoune of our awin countrie, and con-

1 Adv. MSS. " bot his own page." * Requite, repay. 3 Adv. MSS.
'pleasure." '74. "sevin."

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 699
ditioun of our caUMgis, quho wer accustomit to give moir meit nor
to take, and diverse of us agit, seiklie, and disseasit, to quhom it
wer not fitt to tye to the dyatis of utMris, nor that men of such
honour and worscMppe sould be trublit with ; for it is evident that
quhair oppiriounes differes thair affectiounes can not be sound."
"Trewfie," sayes the Archbisschope, "ye speik truth and lyk
honnest men, as ye ar ; and I doe thMk, my Breither, that the
Bisschoppes would haif litle pleisoure of yow, except to pleisoure
the Kingis Majestie ; for our custome is, eftir our serious matteres,
to refresche our selffis ane hour or two with cairdis and uthir games
after maris,1 and ye are mair preceis ; but it wer guid the King
sould be satisfieit to further Ms RoyaU indevour to uffite us togider
in one Kirk and Poficie." " We doe tMnk the same," say we, " sa
that the ground of the Uffioune, quhilk is the truth of Godis Word,
and fundamentaU lawis of eqffltie and poMcie, be keipit ; but quhair
a Kirk and KMgdome is sofidfie and of long standMg buildit on
thais, it is dangerous to seik ane alteratioun, and thair is no Unioun
can be maid to stand sure without that; for, the ground being
schakin, wiU mak of that2 tuentie peices."
" I knaw your meMeMg, Mr MelvUl," (sayis the Bisschope,) " by
the Lettre sent to Mr Ashely, quhilk I haif in my pocket now ;
but we wffl not reassoun that matter : But I am sure we doe boith
hauld and keipe the trew groundis of Refigioun, and are Britherine
in Chryst, and sua sould behaif our selffis one towardis ane uthir.
Our difference is only m the Governefflg of the Kirk and sume cere
monies ; but I understand, since ye come from Scotland, your Kirk
is alwayis3 brought to be one with ours in that alsoe ; for I am cer-
tiefieit that thair is Constant Moderatoris appoyntit in your Gene
rall Assemblies, Synodis, and Presbyteries, evin as I am Mghest
under the King in this Kirk, and yit am notMng above the rest of
my Brither, the Bisschoppis, but M pain and travel ; so that I wes
in a bettir estait quhen I wes but Richard Bancroft, evin as ane
Standing Moderator of that Generall Assemblie, or as Maister
1 Meals. 2 Adv. MSS. " one." ¦> lb. " almost."

700 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
Patrick Galloway, or sic utheris as ar in Scotland; and in every
Province and Dyosie thair is a Bisschoppe, a Moderator of a Chap
ter, or a Presbyterie, answerabiU aU to the KMg," &c. Mr William
Scot beganne, upon tMs, a wise and solid conferrence and discourse,
saying and laying sic groundis as mycht beir upe a suir and graiv
worke ; and malting mentioun of our dewtie to Chryst and a guid
conscience. The Archbisschope smyling, and chapping1 on his
arme, said, " Tush, man ! Tak heir a coupe of guid seek !" And sua,
fffling the coupe, and haulding the naprin in Ms hand Mm self, he
maid us drink. And it being now lait, and neir sex houris of the
clock eftirnoone, eftir many guid wordis and fair offeris of aU he
could doe at the Kingis hand for us to obtein our libertie, he sent
us away ; and we wer no moir trublit witfi that matter of goeing
to Bischopis againe.
AgaMe, the 26 of March, a Messenger of his Majestie's Chalmer
come to the Deane of Paufis hous to Mr Andro MelvM, quho eftir
uttering of Ms commissioun by word and writ, and subscryvit the
chairge following :
" Mr Melvin, — I am commandit by the Lordis of Ms Majestie's
Privie Counsel to cum to yow, and goe with yow to my Lord Bis
schoppe of Winchester, by thair commandement, becaus it is his
Majestie's plesoure, that thair ye soffld remame for a tyme, till his
Majestie's plesoure be farder knawm : And so rest your self con-
tentit to goe with me, being one of the Messengeres of his Majestie's
Chalmer. By me,
" William Wateetoune."
Mr Andrew thought this a warrand guid aneucht to leive the
Deane of Paufis hous ; but he wes not trubleit. with this Messenger
eftir this ; and so forgott to goe to his appoyntit Bisschope, but
keipit on with us all Marche and Apprffl.
The proceiding of the Synod at Perth, [Fife,2] Aprile 8, 1607,
wes come to Court ; and, thairfoir, heir to be registrat :
' Tapping, patting. 2 Univ. MS.

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 701

[PROCEEDLNGS OF THE SYNOD OF PERTH,1 APRIL 8, 1607.]
" The Synod of Perth haffldin witMn the Kirk thairoff. Mr
WUfiam Row maid the doctrin upon the seventh of Amos, concerne
ing the Bisschoppis of Bethel,2 quhairin he sofidfie and toucMngly
handlet matteres present. Tfie Lord of Scoone, Commissiouner
from the King, desyrit the Assemblie to stay a quhill upon him tUl
he might be at leasur eftir dfflner ; but they, keipeMg the order,
proceiMt to the electioun of the Moderator, and haifing gatherit the
voitis of tua Presbytries, word goes to my Lord, quho, cumming in
haist, complanit they had done Mm wrong that stayed not tM he
had produceit Ms Commissioun. It was ansuerit that the Modera
tor, quhois office it wes to ressaive Commissiounes, wes not yit
chosin, and thairfoir would proceid. He began to boast3 that he
would stay and dischairge the Assemblie if they would not reid his
Commissiounes, quhairof he had tuo ; the one from the Counsel to
himself, the Lord Halirudhous, the Lairdis of Balwaird, Bahnanow,
and ane utMr from his Majestie to him and Mr James Nicolsoun,
quho wes not present. The Commissioune bure to sie four Con
stant Moderatoris of the Presbyteries put on leit, according to the
ordinance of the GeneraU Assembfie. The Assembly craivit the
sight of that act, quhUk could not be produceit, and thairfoir they
could give no answer thairto. Moirovir, they schew that diverse of
thair number, quho wer at the Conventioun of Lithgow, declairit
that they hard not sic a tMng mentiounit, let be inactit ;4 offly
Mr Alexander Lindsay (eftir a Bischoppe) said, ' It wes anis castin
in at the taU of ane uthir matter, he knew not how.' One askis
him, 'Iff confositfie?' 'Yes,' coutfi5 he. Quhfflt gaiff ane occa
sioun of lauchter, that sic confussioun sould trouble thame ! Quhen
all this wes done, Scoone wald not suffer thame to proceid ; how-
1 Univ. MS. inaccurately reads " Fyff." 2 It is probable that Mr William
Row insisted chiefly on Amos vii. 13, "Prophesy not again anymore at Beth-el:
for it is the King's Chapel, and it is the King's Court." 3 Threaten. 4 Adv.
MSS. " much less then actit." 5 Quoth.

702 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
beit, M aU humMtie and sober maner, they intreitit him not to dis-
turbe the meittMgis of God's servants, nor bring sic a scandel on
the contrie, and sua upoun Mmself ; yit he persistit, and usit menace-
ing and boasting, repeiting evir, they should not make Lawristoun1
of Mm ! The Assembfie, weirieit, referrit Mm to tak advysment that
nicht to a bettir resolutioun, and offerit any of the Breitherin he
pleisit to conferr with him, aftir humble prayer to God, with great
earnestnes, and motioun for strenth and courage, they dissolvit.
" Upon the morne, Scoone wes cum west,2 and woffld neidis dis
chairge the Assembly, affirmeing that he had power so to doe ; and
so bringis in his secret Commissioun, givin to him and a Reverent
Father, James Bisschop of Dunkeld. This wes Mr James Nicol-
soun, quhom to heir so nameit, the Assembfie wes aU astoried, and
cryeit out, ' It wes not credibU that that man, quho had bein so farr
againes that corruptioun aU Ms tyme, and utterit himselff so to be,
at the Conventioune of Lithgow last past, quhair he wes Modera
tor, sould carie that title and stUe ; or, iff he did, it Md not become
a Reverend Father to reverence the Kingis Majestie's commande-
ment M assisting and ovirsiefflg that Assembfie !' Yit the Commis
sioun wes red, beiring that they sould tak heid that thair sould be
notMng done M that Assembfie contrair to the Kingis Majestie's
Mtentioun ; and that the thMgis done at the GeneraU Assembfie
conveiMt last at Lithgow sould be obeyit, and na wayis impugnit,
else3 they sould oppone thamselffis thairto : And, thairfoir, sieing
they would proceid M the contraire, he would dischairge the As
semblie. " They schew him he had no warrand, and his Commissioun
careit no such mater. If it soffld pleis Mm to mak oppositioune by
1 This allusion is to Sir Alexander Straiton of Laurenstonn, Knight, one of the
Commissioners for the Union of England and Scotland, July 11, 1604, who frequently
occurs in the preceding parts of the Continuation to the present volume. A Letter
of Gift and Pension for all the days of his life of the blench-duty of the lordship of
Scoon, extending to 1000 merks, was ratified to him by Parliament, July 11, 1606.
He was appointed to represent the King in all Ecclesiastical Judicatories. See Pit-
cairn's Criminal Trials, II. 495, ,«. s Adv. MSS. " becomes worse."
3 Otherwise.

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 703
reassoune, it sould be answerit1 or obeyit. The questioun wes
thairfoir movit,2 Quhither they sould proceid accordMg to the old
maner establiscMt and confirmeit by law and custome, or alter ac
cording to the aUedgit new act, quhUk wes justfie doubtit of, and
could not be produceit ? It wes concludit by uniforme consent of
thame aU, except ane smgular man, ArcMbald Moncreiff, that they
should keipe thair old3 forme ; quhereat Scoone ragit without reas-
soun, cryemg for the BaUyies to remove thame. They, notMng movit
at his boastis,* first askit Ms conjoinit5 Commissiouneris foirsaid, if
it wes thair wM to dischairge the Assemblie ? They answerit, They
had no such Commissioune. Nixt, they gravely chairgit Scoone,
in the name of the Lord Jesus Chryst, by quhois power and aucto
ritie they wer conveMit, not to truble that meitting ; appealing
him befoir the tribunaU of God, and remembering Mm quhat judg
ments of God had lighted on those quho had bein disturberes and
troubleres of the Kirk in tymes bypast, namefflg to hfin diverse
quhom he knew ; but he in a forie knoriting on his breist, exclaMrit,
' Thair is no Jesus heir !' For the qulfilk, ethir his miserabffl confes
sioun it he memit of himselff, or blasphemie if he spak of the Assem
blie, convemit and fensit M the name of Jesus Chryst, by the Word
and prayer, they with power rebuikit hfin every ane, as God mini-
sterit grace, that he wes so perplexit and dascMt that he' had not a
word to speik ! At last he beganne to use violence, and to puU the
cataflogue out of the Moderatoris hand, quho said to him, ' Ceis, my
Lord, we wffl not be boistit6 from doeing of our office under the
Lord Jesus Chryst, for we ar Ms servantis and gffld-fellowis too :
Think not your terroris will move us !'
" So, notwithstandfflg he raigit, the Moderator wes chosine, Mr
Henrie Liringstoun, quhom Scoone preissit7 to haif had out of the
chyre, sitting doune himselff in the same, and dischairgeMg Mr
Henrie from usmg that office : Quho answerit, He wes chosine and
chairgeit thairto be a greatter, evin the voyce of Chrystis Kirk,
1 Adv. MSS. "reasoned." 3 lb. "askit." 3 lb. "owne." * " Threats."
5 lb. " fellow." 6 lb. " debarred." 7 lb. " promised."

704 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
quho wes Chrystis awin voyce ; and, thairfoir, would obey [Him.]
As for the chyre, and Mgh place or heid of the boord,1 it wes a thing
indfflerent ; let Ms LordscMp keipe it, if he woffld sit at the tahle
amongis his Brither ! Then Scoone commandit his men to pull away
the burd : And the Moderator with the Britherin goeing to prayer,
according to the order, Scoone disturbis them, and preissing to
overtMow the tabffl upoun thame, piffling away the stufis, and
cryeing for the Bafflies, lyk ane mad man! Nochtwithstanding,
they enterit into prayer, and with great motioun continowit thairin,
that mycht haif maid the man afraid and aschamit of his godles
barberity ! The BaUyies cummes ; he commandis thame to ring
the commoun beU, and remove thais rebeMs ! The Bafflies said they
could not, without advyce of the CounseU, quhfflt they would goe
and convein, but they returffit not agame. The Assemblie pro
ceidit according to the order, and removes the Presbytrie of Perth
forth for tryel ; upon quhom Scoone lockit the doore, and closes
thame out ; but they, getting entres to a loft,2 sigrifieit to thair
Brither thair presense from that place ; and so proceiMt in tryel
tiU nine3 of the clock, the hour at quhfflt they sould dissolve; ap-
poynting to meit againe at ten houres.
" Returneing agame to the place, they fand aU the dores closit
and shutt. The Bafflies come and schew thame that Scoone had
done so, and taMn the keyes with him, againes thair wiU and con
sent ; quhairfoir, they wer willing tfie Assembly sould tak docu
mentis, and thairby offerit to thame another house to sitt in. They
answerit, That sieing they wer exclufflt out of Godis hous, they
woffld make aU the Avorld knaw it, that the thmg quhilk they did
might abid the lycht off the sunne ! So, resolveing to sitt at the
Kirk-doore, thair wes brought to them with dMgence boordis,
formes, and stooles anew ; and thair, with great confluence, men re-
grateing, women weipemg, and curseing the Mstrumentis of that
disturbance of the servantis of God M doeing of thair office, being
1 Board, table. ¦* Gallery. The Adv. MSS. read " to the queer," that is,
to the choir or quire of the Church. 3 Adv. MSS. " eight."

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 705
verie graifely and orderly sett downe with great attendance and
silence, the prayer wes wonderfuUy, and powerfuUy, and movingly
conceivit. Thaireftir the Moderator sayis, ' This is the fruit of thir
Meittingis at Lithgow ! Let us sie quho hes admittit Moderatoris
not of thair awm choyseing ffl any of our Presbytries ?' None was
found but Perth, quho shew how they wer urged thairto, and wer
wifiing to be censureit thairfoir, and injoyffit : 2dly, Siring it is said
that the Brither deteineit in England holdis opiniounes againes the
Govemement of the Kirk, they woffld declair thair judgment l with
thame, appoyntit a confortabUl Lettre to be written to the said
Britherin, with aU humble Suppficatioun to the Kingis Majestie to
send thame hafin : idly, Leist the Presbytries soffld be tempted
with prievy Lettres, they maid chuse of thrie Commissiouneris to
the GeneraU Assembfie, (quMlk they supposit sould be hauldM at
Edinbruche the last day of July nixt, as wes apoyntit at Lithgow,)
out of Uk Presbytrie : And, last, because Scoone had boastit 2 to
chairge thame befoir the Counsel, they appoyntit foure3 of thair
number to await on the first Counsel day, and to complame upon
him for Ms blasphemie, disturbance, and violence. And so they
depairted with great joy and contentment, thanking God for his
most gratious and confortable assistance.
" The redres quhfflt we gatt at the Counsel wes the denunceing
to the home of the most pairt of thame, speriaMe those of thame
that dissobeyit the Kingis Commissiouner, as namely of us, Mr
Wifflame Rowe, quho wes much sought for, to be apprehended and
imprissouneit ; so that he was faine, with many foffle steppis, to lurk
heir and thair amongis Ms freffldis ; but evir with courage and great
edificatioune4 quhair he come."
The 23 of Apryl wes St George day, quhilk wes keipit at Court
with great superstitioun and vafflitie : The report quhairof come-
ing to the eares of Mr Andro MelvUl, his spirit was irritat and
much Mcensit within Mm, as wes Paufis, quhen he saw the citie of
1 Adv. MSS. " agreement." 2 Threatened. 3 Adv. MSS. "some."
4 lb. " exultatione."
2 Y

706 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
Athenes foil of idolatrie. On quhfflt occasioun he made the verses
following : [VERSES BY MR ANDREW MELVILL.]
Andreas, Christi divinus Apostolus, est qui
Nunc Scotos ritus signat Apostoficos :
Armenijs, (ut fama,) Georgius, Haaresiarcha,
Nunc Anglos ritus signat Apostoficos.
Signa, Andrea?, ergo sunt nffllo Georgi ?
Undique Apostolicis, mfflibus Apostaticis !
[ Translated thus .-]
Saint Andro, Chrystis Appostle trew,
Does signe the Scotismenes ritis ;
Saint George, Armenian Heresiarch,
The Inglischmenes delytis.
Let Scotismen, thane, hauld fast the faith !
That is holie1 Appostoficke,
Howbeit that Ingland keipes the cours
That Papistis2 Apostaticke.
Upon the 26 of Appril, being the Sabboth day, betymes, in the
morneing, being fouUe, ane of my Lord3 of Safisberrie his men
cume to Mr Andro MelvUl, lyand at Bow, tuo mylis from Londoun,
in Mr Somaris house, and verie courteouselie intreatit him, in his
lord and maisteris name, to come to the Court at QuhythaU, to my
Lordis chalmer, at nyne of the clocke, quhair my Lord wald talk
with him ; beseiking him to mak no stay, for my Lord wald attend
his comeing. Thairfoir, Mr Andro makis him self readie with dM
gence, thinking it wes in freffldschippe, and that, eftir conferrence,
my Lord would bid him to dinner. Cuming from Ms chalmer to
our ludging, quhair, we nocht being ready, told us, he must goe
to Court, and would schortly stay to break Ms fast ; but hafflng
1 Adv. MSS. "whollie." * lb. " That iswhollie." 3Ib. "of the yeomen of the Earle."

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 707
borrowit the horse of his hoiste, he with his men postit away to
Court. Eftir the custom, Mr James Melvill had said ane word to
him, " Tak heid that your biding to diner be not a new caMng be
foir the Counsel !" Mr Wffliam Scot, Mr Robert WaUace, [and]
Mr James MelvM, foUowit on fot, and, taking the first convenient
boiteing, com by watter to Westminster, quhair, a little eftir elevin
of the clock, he come to the hous out of the Palace to James Arche-
soune's hous, and tauld us how he waittit in a gallerie befoir the
Erie of Safisberrie's chafiner since nyne a' clock ; and, sieing the
Erie and aU gomg to dinner, and he left alone, come to dyne with
us : And quhffl our buird coverit,1 and the meitt put thairon, he
uttirit to us ane exceUent meditatioun, quhfflt he had walking in
the gallerie, on the second Psahne, joyneing thairwith prayer;
quhairby we wer aU muche movit ; accounting the same in place of
our Sabboth foirnoone's exercise, endit, and, sitting doun to dinner,
he rehersit his St Georgis Verses, with vehement invectioun againes
the corruptiounes and superstitiounes of England. Thairfoir, Ms
cousine Mr James sayes to Mm, " Remember Ovidis verses :
" Si saperem doctus odissem jure sorores
Numffla cultori perniciosa suo ! "
His answer wes M the verses foUowing :
" Sed nunc tanta meo comes est insania morbo
Saxa demens refero rursus addicta pedem."
" WeiU," sayis Ms cousine, " eit your dinner, and be of good
courage, for I saU warrand yow ye salbe befoir the Counsel for your
Verses." " WeM," sayis he, " my heart is fuU and boldenit,2 and I
will be glaid to haif ane occasioun to disburdein it, and speik aU my
mynd plamely to thame for the dishonouring of Chryst, and wraik
of sua many soufis for their doeings ; be the beiring doun the sin-
1 Adv. MSS. " table wes drest to dinner." 2 lb. " faint and burdened, and
I would."

708 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
ceritie and fridom of the Gospel, stoping that healthsome breath of
Godis mouth, and mamtainfflg of the Papistis' corruptiounes and
superstitiounes." " I warrand yow," sayis Mr James, " they know
yow wUl speik your mynd friely ; and, thairfoir, hes concludit to
make that a meines to keip yow from gofflg home to Scotland."
He answered, " Iff God hes ony thing to doe with me in Scotland
more, He wiU bring me home to Scotland again iff he haM any ser
vice for me : Giff not, let me glorifie Mm, quhidder or quhairevir I
be ; and as I haif said often to yow, cousine, I thMk God hes sume
pairt to play with us on this theatre !" We had not half dyneit quhen
one comes to him from Lord Salisberie ; to qufiom he said, " Sir, I
waitted longe upon my Lordis dinner till I waxed verie hungrie,
and could not stay longer.1 I pray my Lord to suffir me to tak a
lytle of my awM dfflner !" That messenger wes not weffl gone
quhffl2 againe comes another ; soone eftir that, Mr Alexander Hay,
the Scottish Secretar, teUing Mm that the Counsel wes long sett,
attending him. At the heiring quhairoff, with great motioun,
raysing, he prayit ; and, leiving us at diner, (for we wer expressely
chairgit that we come not within the Pafice,) went with Mr Alex
ander Hay, with great commotioun of mynd. This wes sone eftir
tuo of the clocke.3 About tMee, one of our men, quhom we sent
to attend at the Counsel doore, comes to us with tearis, and schew
us that he wes carieit direct from the Counsel, by watter, to the
Tour. We followit with dffligence, yit could not meit witfi Mm
by the way, neither could we get accesse to him by any meines.
Upon the 6 of May, the rest of us gettis a Lettre from Mr Alex
ander Hay ; the tennor quhairof foUowes :
" Siris, I am directit to mak intimatioune of thais Warrandis to
yow. I am forcit my self to mak personal attendence. I haif di
rectit the beirer to schew yow the principaMs, quhfflt he must re
turne, and leive the coppies of thame with yow. I am sua directit.
I would wisch the giring to yow of moir contentment than thais
' Adv. MSS. " came then away." ' Until. 3 Adv. MSS. " in with the mes-
singer, about twelve a' clock."

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 709
Warrandis affordis, wer it in my power ; and without trubling of
yow, I rest, " Youris evir to his power,
" The 6 of May, 1607. Alexr. Hay."

THE COPPIE OF MR JAMES MELVUSTE S CHAIRGE, QUHO ONLY WES
CONFYNIT AND DETEANED EST ENGLAND WITH HIS UNCLE, MR
ANDRO. " James Rex. — It is our plesoure and will, and we command
and chairge yow heirby, Mr James Melvin, Minister, that upon in-
timatioune of thais presentis unto him, and within aucht dayes
thairefter, he depairt out of the citie of Londoun and fiberties of
the same, and repair with all convenient speid to our burght of
New Castel upon Tyne, witMn our contrie of Northumberland, and
thair to mak Ms stay and abod ; and no way to depairt forth thairoff,
and tuo1 myles about the same, under the pame of rebeffioun,
and putting Mm to our home ; certifiefflg Mm thairby, that if he
transcend his fimitit boundis, that lettres of horneing salbe direct
to denunce Mm our rebel, and to escheit and inbring aU his move
able goods to our use, &c. Givin att our court at QuhythaU, the
10 of May 1607.
(Sic subscribUur,) " Marr. Dumbar. Secretar."
Mr James Balfour ressavit the lyk chairge to goe home to Scot
land, and to be confynit at Cockburnispathe ; Mr Robert WaUace,
in lyk maner, to goe home and be confynit at Lawder ; Mr WUliam
Watsoun, witfiM Ms awin paroche at Brantiland ; and Mr Adame
Colt, witMn his awin paroche at MussUburght ; Mr WiUiam Scot,
as Mr Johne Carmichel befoir, upon great meines maid, (be
caus of the bodUy2 diseasse of his wyff,) gat license to goe home to
his paroche at Cowper in Fyfe, providing he did returne a testi-
1 Adv. MSS. " ten." , 2 lb. " deadly."

710 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
moniaU of his gMd beheaviour from the Bisschop of Saint Androis,
and sume uthiris, uthirwayis to tume back to Londoun befoir the
15 day of July. So the rest takMg jurnay, they depairtit hame-
wairdis, leiving Mr James Melvin and Mr WiUiam Scot at Lon
doun ; quho indeavourit quhat they could for Mr Andro Ms releiff,
bot could obteM nothing, save only that Ms servant soffld entir with
him in closse prissoun.
Mr James insistit, be all the meines and credit he had, to be li-
cencit to stay at Londoun or thairabout, for his uncle's comfort ;
but at last wes counseUit by his best freffldis to desist, and give
obedience to his chairge, or then assuredly both he and Ms uncle
would be worse usit. Thus much schewfflg him the lettres, and
provyding for his necessities the best way they could, they resolvit
to goe by sie to New Castel. The day they wer to depart, thair
come to thair chamber Mr Snape, Mr Balmeford, parochineres,
with Mr Corsbey, a gMd brother, apothecarie of calfing; quho
brought with him a great bag of monie, alse meUtle as he could
weM carie in Ms oxter.1 Mr Snapp, schewing us that some grid
Christianes, perceiving our long detentioun at Londoun, unprovy-
dit for be the King, had maid a collectioun for defraying of thair
chairges, and carrieing thame haime, understanding they tuo wer *
left to mak outred2 for thame selffis and the rest of the Britherine
quho wer gain3 away befoir. They thankit thame, and all the guid
Britherin, but tauld thame that they would haiff non of thair
money ; not that they despysit thair charitabill liberafitie, for the
quhUk they praissit God ; bot pairtfie to eschew offence, and pairt
fie for conscientious consideratioun. The offence wes a commone
bruit/ and opinioun among the peiple of England, that aU Scot-
tishmen come hither to begg, and purse upe the money of the land,
and carie it away with thame ; quhUk wes non of our eirrand, quhilk
had sufficient to live on, according to our callingis, at haime, and
wantit no credite to outred5 our selffis out of all expenses thair.
1 Under his arm. 2 Provision, and furnishings for their journey, and settle
ment of accounts due by them. 3 Gone. l Rumour. 5 Clear.

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 711
[We informed] the conferrence, that, considering the great number
of godly Britherin, lairnit and honnest men of thair awin Ministerie,
quhuk [had] thair families bereft of thair livingis and mantinence ;
and charitie, M tMs last aige of the world, growing cold, we caryit
a dispositioun of heart, rather to procure sume helpe to tham out
of our awin countrie, for as poore as it wes, nor l to be burdeinabill
to them, and to intercept that quhairoff the bestowing wes neidfuU
to thair awM. The quhilk thair constant refosaU, with such reas
sounes, they heightly commendit, and gloriefieit God thairfoir.
And so, convoyit with a guid number of most loveing and godly
Britherin to the Tour-staires, we tuik boittmg the 2 of July ; and
devaffit towardis our scMppe with verie sorrowfuU heartis, becaus
of him we left behffld us M this danger,2 and of the scattering and
dissipatioun3 of the money guid Britherin, so firmely joynit togid
der in CMyst his caus.
To returne to the proceedfflg of materes, the nixt Generall As
sembfie wes appoyntit by the Conventioun, haldin at Linlithgow,
to be keipeit at Hafirudfious the last Tuysday of Julie. But
thingis not weffl succeidMg as wes expectit, the Assemblie, by pub
lict proclamatioun, as in the yeir bygaMe, wes prorogat ; the tennour
quhairoff (with a narrative most bitter, false, and scandalous, that
one mycht be aneught, and too many, for aU !) foUowis :
"James, be the grace of God, King of Great Brittane, France,
and Ireland, &c. : Forsuameikleas the incresse of the adversaris of
the truth, and contrair professiounes, hes proceidit of nothing so
much as of the dissensioun amonges the MMisterie witMn our King-
dome of Scotland, sume of thame by natural incfinatioun, being
enimies of quyetnes, and turbulent spiritis, making chuse rather to
drink in mudie watteres,4 then to taist of the cleir fountain ; being
imboldenit be reassoune of the societie of a great many utheris,
quho, bemg guUtie thamseUfis of thair awin unwortMnes and small

1 Than. ' Adv. MSS. " that dungeone," viz., the Tower of London, from
which they were then preparing to embark. ' lb. " dispersing." 4 Muddy waters.

712 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
giftis, and M that respect, out of aU houp of preferrment, and thair-
upoun invyous and uncharitabUl towardis than- Britherin of the
best quafitie ; and aU of thame ranne and concurr togider, lyk ane
heidstrong factioun, to uphold and mantein ane anarcMe,1 and
thairby to Mduce dissorder and confusioun M that Kirk, to the great
hinderance of the progres of the Gospel, and the dishonour and
scandel of the professouris thairof : Quhairupoun, We, of our
princely cair and fatherfie affectioun to the peice of the Kirk, de
syring rather to extinguishe the fyre of divisioun, then to suffer it
to grow to ane confusioun in that Kirk ; and beMg evir wifflng to
bring thame to ane uniformitie of myndis and affectioun, did thair-
upoun appoynt a most grave, free, and frequent Assemblie to be
keipit at Lithgow, in December last bypast, of a great number of
the most godly, zealous, and weU-affectit, of the NobUitie, Counsel,
and smaU Barrounes, from aU the pairtis of that our kingdome, as
alsoe the most lairnit, experimentit, wyse, godly, and discreit, of the
Ministerie, from aU the Presbytries, in great number ; by quhois
travelis, caires, and wisdome, every occasioun and pretext of greiff
wes in sic moderatioun and godlines removit, that as the same did
yeUd us contentment, so everie thing done in that Assembfie, with
a great and generaU applaus of aU ; giving great houpes that notMng
from that tyme forth sould be found but unitie and concord in
the Kirk, and that all thair meittingis thaireftir sould be foil of peice
and love : And thairupoun, by our speciaU Warrand and aUow
ance, it wes speciaUy appoyntit that the nixt GeneraU Assembfie
sould be conveinit and holdin at HaMudhous the last Tuysday of
July nixt to cume. But We, now perceiving, that by the meines
of thais evffl-disposit, turbulent, and contentious spiritis, aU the
proceidingis in that GeneraU Assemblie ar brought in questioun
and traduceit, and by sume, no obedience givin, and by utheris, di
rect2 oppositioun maid to the actis concludit at that tyme; and
thairtMough, among the Britherin, sic distractiounes of mynffls and
bitter exasperatiounes, ane againes ane utfiir : And howsoevir the
i Adv. MSS. "schisme." 2 j0 .. contra(ji0ted by."

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 713
meitting of the Britherin, if it wer in love, peice, and charitie, no
doubt wald doe grid in the Kirk, so thair is no questioun but thair
conveiring with preoccupyit mynd, fraughtit with invye and malice,
wald give tfie enimie too much advantage to entir by that breach
of thair discord and divisioun, to mak thame selffis odious, and so
waikin thame : Thairfoir, We, to prevent the danger that is immi
nent to the estait of that Kirk by the distractiounes of menis affec-
tiounes thairin, and that the said GeneraU Assembfie may be keipeit
with the greater tranqffilitie and peice, hes thought meit and ex
pedient, that the haffl ProvMciaU Assemblies withM that our king-
dome saU be keipit and haldm in thair ordinarie places of meiting,
the fourth of August nixt to cum, with the remanent Commis
siouneres of the ProvMces ; and that at every one of the said As
sembfies thair be chosin tuo of the most godlie, peiceable, wise,
grave, of the best experience of that number, with power and com
missioun to conveM at Halyrudehouse the 2d of August nixt to
come, with the Commissiouneris of the Generall Assembly, and sic
of our Counsel as it saU pleise us to nominat for that effect, thair to
conferr, commoun,1 and conclud, by comoun advyse, upoun the
maist convenient remedies againis thais evUis, qfflrilk, for laik of
sume sufficient preparatioun, mycht faU out at the said GeneraU As
sembfie ; that thaireftir, the same beMg keipit and holdin in sic ane
peiceabU and qffiet maner as mycht bring true confort to the godlie,
and terrour to the wickit : And, in the meintyme, we haif thought
expefflent, that the GeneraU Assemblie, quhUk wes to be haffldin be
prorogat to the 24 of November nixtocum ; and that no persoune
presume to keip the said Assemblie in any place quhatsumevir, un
till the tyme that the Commissiouneres from the Synodis first pre-
ceid m thair meiting ; and we haif appoyntit the place of the keipe
ing of the said GeneraU Assemblie to be in Dundie, the day foir
said. Our will is heirfoir, and we chairge yow straitlie and com-
mandis, that incontinent thais our lettres sem, ye pas, and in our
name and auctoritie, mak publicatioun and intimatioun thairof be
1 Commune j Adv. MSS. " reason."

714 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
oppin proclamatioun, &c. : Certifieing aU such as upon ony pretext
quhatsumevir saU presume to conveM and assemble thame selffis
togider, contrair the tennour and intent of this our Proclamatioun,
that they salbe proceidit againes and punischit, as contemneres and
disobeyeres of this our most royaU commandement. GivM under
our Signet, at our Court of Greinwitch, the twenty-fourth of May,
and of our reigne the fiftfi and fourtieth yeir, 1607."
As we haiff hard of the honnest and strait proceidMgis of the
Synod of Perthe untUl it wes dischairgit, the lyk is now to be re-
cordit of the Synod of Fyff, of the quhfflt the adversaries boith
feirit and felt more oppositiounes : And, thairfoir, the Archimetropo-
litaun purchesit a dischairge thairof, to conveM at the day appoyntit,
with prorogatioun to the first Tuysday of Junij ; yit, nevertheles,
they met at Dysert, the place appoyntit, and that very frequentlie,1
so that few wer absent. They wer debarrit from aU meiting within
the toun, upoun a very strait chairge givin to the Bailyie, and
thairfoir wes forcit to tak thame to the Sandis betwixt Dysert and
Rivensheuch,2 the raffle laying on about their luggis.3 They spent
thair tuo houris in reassouffing and advyseing, quMther they sould
keip Assemblie, and proceid in thair matteres according to the war
rand of Jesus Chryst, lawis of the realme, customes and constitu-
tiounes of the Kirk, notwithstanding the dischairge purchessit by
enimies and false Britherin ? It wes concludit, by pluralitie of voitis,4
that they sould proceid in thair ordinarie matteres ; but sic as diss-
assentit, protesting that iff we so did, thai would leive thame, and
confessing the lawfullnes, usit many argumentis of expedience and
prudencie. The Brither, considering that the number wald not be
sufficient, in cais so many lefte thame, as also thair wes amonges
thame verie many guid uprycht Brither, they, all in ane voit, con
descendit to prorogat the Assemblie to that same day,8 that wes
conteinit in the proclamatioun, upon conditioun that iff that day,
' Numerously. 2 Adv. MSS. read " Rivenfirth." Probably near the ancient
Castle of Ravenscraig, on the sands or sea-beach. 1 Ears. l lb. "voyces."
'' lb. "eight days."

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 715
by new purchessit Proclamatioun, sould be prorogat also, the haffl
Britherin sould convein and proceid M thair ordinarie matteris with
out any questioun, notwithstanding of quhatsumevir mycht insew
or follow thairupoun. It wes appoyntit, in the meintyme, that a
guid number of the Britherin sould present a Complaint to the
Counsel, to the effect they mycht sie great male-contentment of aU
the Britherin, becaus of such proclamatiounes ; and intimat plainlie
unto thame, that iff in cais sic forme of deafing wer usit to disposses
the Kirk of hir fiberties, againes Godis word and lawis of the realme,
the Counsel would dryve the Britherin in [to] the snare of disso-
bedience, thair[by] to marr thair consciences, being compeMt to
obey God, notwithstandMg of hornefflg, wairding, or quhat could
insew. This Commissioun wes done faithfully : Thair bffl wes
heard and red M the Counsel. The answer wes litle les then silence.
The thing most concludit for wes obedience to the act of Lithgow,
[that] the Archbisschope of St Androis sould be placit and chosine
Constant Moderator in the Synod1 of Fyff; the quhUk act could
not be produceit : Howbeit, six monetMs eftir the making thairof,
thair wes not yit a ProvMce in Scotland that had acceptit ane
Constant Moderator, except2 Angus, and that not without opposi-
tione ; bot then, M end, Mr James Nicolsoun prevaUit by reiding
to thame the act, yit by no meMes could the coppie thairof be gottin.
The second day, being the second Tuysday of Junij, the Synod
of Fyff conveinit at Dysart ; quhair wes three Commissiouneres for
the King, urgeing the acceptatioun of the Bisschope of Saint An
drois to be Constant Moderator, by vertew of that Act at Lithgow,
but aU in vaine ; the Lord directing the heartis of the Britherin, so
that, as tyranMe in the Kirk, they constantfie refuissit that Mode
rator, speciaUy in persoun of sic a man as had intrudit him selff in
the Ministerie at Sanct Androis, without any consent of the Pres
bytrie, at Ms first cumeing amongis thame ; and he behaiffit him
self since sua that they scairsely thought Mm worthie to be ane of
that number, much les thair Constant Moderator. Mr WMiam
1 Adv. MSS. " Province." z lb. "save only."

716 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
Cranstoun did ane honnest and stout pairt, M prayer, doctrine, and
haffl actioun in that Moderatioun, quhairat the Metropolitan wes
mychtUy dashed, by * expectatioun, and the Lordis of Counsel, Com
missiouneres for the King, far frastrat ; to quhom the Bisschope
had promisit that aU soffld be chewit meit2 againes thair cuming !
To quhom, quhen they saw the constant and strong oppositioun,
the Lord of Halirudhous said, " Bisschope," (said he,) " is this your
chewit meit ? Me thinkis that ye and we boith ar lyk to wirrie3 on
it !" Mr James Nicolsoun thair wes put to a great pinch to mak
guid the act maid at Lithgow, for aU the Brither semeit to triumphe
ovir hfin, saying, They coffld not think uthirwayis of that act then
wes spokin by aU the guid Britherin thair present at Lithgow ; but
that pairt concerneing the Bisschope to be Constant Moderator in
the ProvinciaU and Synod wes false, fenyied, and forgit; sieing
that, eftir so long a tyme, thair could not ane coppie thairof be givin
forth ; and without ane copie givin under the hand of the Moderator
and Clerkis handis, they woffld befive nothmg ! In end, it wes
thought expedient the Assemblie sould be continowit and prorogat
to the last of September, uthirwayis thair wes lettres of hornemg ffl
reddines presently to dischairge the same ; and yit thais they durst
not use at that tyme. The Bisschope wes so plainely tauld that if
he horneit thame, thai sould assay quhois sword wes scharpest, and
excommunicat him 1
Bot the Bisschope wes moir imboldefflt and blowne upe with the
honour he had in the Parliament holdin at Edmburgh, the first of
August ; at qulfflk, by the speciaU requeist of the King, he had
place befoir the Erles : He chairgit, by the Kingis lettres, the Synod
of Fyff to convein the eightem day of the same moneth of August,
at Dysert ; the quhUk obeying, hither come from the King four
Commissiouneres to sie, without all faffing, the Archbisschope placit
in and investit Constant Moderator of that Province ; becaus they-
had now, eftir the death of Mr James Nicolsoune, gottin out the
act of Lithgow, under the Moderator and Clerkes hand. The Com-
1 Contrary to. ' Literally, chewed moat, 3 Choke.

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 717
missiouneres wer the Lordis Lindsay, Hafirudhous, Scoone, [and
the] CoUector, quho, by advyse of the Bisschope, had prepairit ane
of his awffle opinioun and faschounes to mak the exhortatioune be
foir the AssembUe. But Mr WMiam Cranstoune, ordinare Mode
ratour, wanting M the Sessioune-hous withm the Kirk, and desyre-
ing to haif his spirit and affectioune steirit upe by heiring of the
Psalmes sung by the peiple withM the Kirk, (he being at his medi-
tatioune, and findfflg himself movit1 with the cloisnes of the air
within the hous, and being somewhat refreshed,) he, immediatlie
eftir the second beU, goes upe to the pulpit, knawMg litle of any
uthir appoyntit to preiche : Such wes Godis providence ! And quhill
as he wes sitting and reposeing thair, a messenger with a lettre is
sent to Mm, the qubilk he tuik ; and, not lookmg thairon, put it in
his pocket,2 haffing" greatter matteres to think on. Thair cumes
eftir a schort quhyl ane uthir sent, bidfflg him cume doun, in the
Lordis names that wer thair. He answerit, he came thair in a
greater Lordis name, with a message quMlk he had not yit dis
chairgit ; and thairwith names to the people a Psalme to be sunge,
becaus he perceivit thame sumequhat to be astonishit. Then a
Bailyie of the towne cumes to Mm, and teffis Mm in his eare, that
he wes commandit by the Lordis of Counsel thair, to desyre him
to leive that place : " And I" (sayis Mr Wffliame) " command yow,
in the name of God, to sitt doun in your place, and heir quhat God
the Lord wffl say unto yow by me !" The qulfflk the BaUyie most
reverently obeyit. At the last, even as he was entering to prayer,
the Conservator of the PrivUedgis of Merchandis in the Law Coun
tries,3 being one of the Counsel, cummis and reverentlie in his eare
desyris Mm to desist, for the Lordis had appoyntit ane uthir to
preich : " But the Lord " (sayis he) " and his Kirk appoyntit me ;
thairfoir bewar to truble his wark !" And, heiring no moir, enteres
to prayer ; quhairin, as ffl the haul doctrine and actioune foUowing,
it wes most evident that the Lord had sent Mm ; all wes so mychti-
1 Adv. MSS. " straitned." 2 lb. " poutch.'' s The Conservator of
Scotish Privileges at Campvere.

718 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
lie moveing and steirMg, that the haill people and auditorie wer
astonishit, and the rest in admiratioun.
The Bisschop, and all the Lordis Commissiouneres, would not
come to heir, except the Lord Lyndsay ; quho wiscMt the rest had
bein thair present, as he tauld thame. The power of that same
Spirit quhairby the doctrine and exhortatioun wes delyverit, wes
sua effectual in aU the Britherin, that, imediatfie eftir sermone enfflt,
they mett togider couragiouslie ffl tfie place ordaineit for the As
sembfie, nevir staying for tfie Commissiouneres, quho, becaus they
voutchaffed not thair presens to Godis Word, quhair Mr WU
fiame, according to the order, conceivit the prayer most pithelie ;
and thaireftir he went out to be censurit of Ms doctrine, Mr Johne
Cawdoun,1 last Moderator, occupeying the roume. When it come
to the voit of the Ministeres of St Androis, the ane of thame, Mr
David Lyndsay, gloriefeit God exceidingfie for the notabffl sound,
pertinent doctrMe, and mychtie exhortatioun ; the uthir, Mi-
George Glaidstaines, caUit by the name of " The Minister of Saint
Androis," was found fault with, and scharply censurit for absenting
Mmselff from the doctrine; and, amongis the rest, the Moderator
himselff tould him, that " Ane Atheist coffld not haiff done worse ! "
At the quhfflt wordis the great Bisschope kendefit sua in a raige of
foull flyting, tfiat the Lordis Commissiouneres wais faine to teU
him that he wes unworthie to be in the number of MMisteres, let
be to be a Bisschope and Constant Moderator over thame, sieing
he coffld not moderat himseffl nor bis awM passiounes 1
The Bisschoppis blastis2 being blawne out andcafinit, the Mode
rator, Mr Williame, is callit in, his doctrMe justifieit and approvine,
with great thankes to God ; and so entering into his place agame,
propounes, according to the order, a leit for chuseing ane Modera
tor to the present Assemblie. Then comes in the matter, aU the
Commissiouneres for the King standing up and schawing thair
Commissioune ; the effect quhairof wes, to sie the Archbisschope of
Saint Androis placit Constant and PerpetuaU Moderator in the
1 Adv MSS. "Gordoune." 2 lb. "tempest."

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 719
Synod in aU Assemblies of that Province of Fyff, according to the
act and ordinance of the GeneraU AssembUe holdin at Lithgow.
The Moderator desyrit that Act to be producit ; the quhilk at last
they did, causmg the same to be red, and viewit, and subscryved
be Mr James Nicolsoune, Moderator, and Mr George ', Phfflp,
Clerk.2 Tfiey craved, accordMg to the tennour thairof, the Biss
chope of St Androis to be placit and acknawledgit Moderator.
The Britherin, aU in ane voyce, answerit that the act bure no such
thing cleirly and fffllie ; and that it wes constantly affirmit by all
the Brither of Provmces that wer present at the meiting at Lith
gow, that thair wes nevir such thmg propouffit thair, let be reassoun-
it, voitit, and concludit ; and thairfoir they could not acknawledge
that act, haiff a yeir and moir keipit closse, and now coming out
eftir the death of the Moderator quho wes thair, befoir that the haM
Presbytries of the Prorince had advysit thairwith speciaffle, and
conferred with uthir Provinces also ; for the quhfflt effect thai de
syrit a coppie to everie ane of thair Presbytries.
At the quhilk answer, the Commissiouneres sefflrit to be verie
angrie, and said the lettres of horneing wer over-long unexecute,
and the KMg wes but trubelit by thame ; and calfing for ane Offi
cer of Armes, quhilk they had redie with the lettres of horneing,
ane of thame tuik the cattologie of the Brither m Ms hand, begfflnes
to caU the same, demanding every man severafie, " Quhither they
would accept of the Bisschope to be Constant Moderator of that
Synod, yea or not ?" Quho answerit, " Nay." Than commandis
he the Officer presentfie to give him a chairge to accept him, under
the paine of rebeUioun and putting of thame to the home ; quhUk
the Officer solemnely doeMg eftir the forme and order, the Brithe
rin answerit severafie, " We wM rather abid horneing, and aU that
can foUow thairon, or3 we doe againes our consciences, to the wrack
of the fibertie of our Kirk. The office is unlawfull, the man is un
worthie!" The Commissiouneres thairfoir commandis him to de-
nunce them aU rebeUis : But the Bisschope, perceiving the Breithe-
1 Adv. MSS. " Henry." 2 lb. " Scribe." 3 Ere, before.

720 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
rine so stout, feiring, give • that iff they wer put to the home, they
would presentfie excommuMcat him, as Ms predecessor wes, assay-
Mg quhois homes wes hardest ! He did withdraw the Lordis Com
missiouneres apairt, and said unto thame, that he woffld tak upon
him to satisfie tfie KMgis Majestie, and he would spair his Brithe
rin, and sua preis to accquyre thair favour. Quhairunto the Com
missiouneres glaidly according, said, It wes Ms awin caus, doe thair
in quhat he pleiseit, they would lay the wait 2 of aU on him, iff the
King wer offendit ! And sua, causing the Officers witfi utheris
Lettres, quhilk wes also in readines, to dischairge the AssembUe pre
sentfie, and not to convein again without special warrand from the
King, that Assemblie, eftir heartie thankisgiven unto God, wes
dissolvit. The Bisschope presentfie wryt to the Kmg, and Mformit Mm of
aU, in his awin maner ; quhairby he procurit the Moderator, Mr
Williame Cranstoune, to be denuncit rebeU and put to the home ;
and utMr thrie of the Brither, to witt, Mr Johne Scrimgeour, Mr
John Caudom,3 and Mr John DyMs, his own brothir-in-law, to be
confynit witMn his awin Corigregatioune ; they nevir being citit
nor caUit befoir any Judge for thair tryel, were punischit thus for
insolent cariage and misbehaviour.
The Synods of Lowthiane, Merse, and utheris, foUowit the same
cours, denyMg the act of Lithgow, and refuissing SynodaU, un-
chosine, Constant Moderators, quhois proceidingis and forme of
doeingis wer too long to be sett doun in storie ; and, thairfoir, lett
us heir of thais most advyseit actis set doune at Lithgow. The
Moderatoris cygnean songe,4 the quhilk singis not indeid, far out of
toone,5 in respect of that quhilk foUowis ; howbeit, it fast maid way
to the breking out of the great damme quhfflt, aUace ! for pitie, wes
the cuttMg aff, in the mides of Ms dayis, of a man of rair, baith
spirituaU and naturaU, giftis :
1 Giving or granting that if, &c. 2 Wyte, blame. 3 Adv. MSS.
*' Gordone." * Swan-like song. 6 Not much out of tune.

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 721

IN THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND, CONVENIT BY HIS
MAJESTIE, AND HOULDIN AT LITHGOW, ANNO 1606.
Sess. 3, 12th of December.
" In lyk maner, the Conferrence, finding that nothing moir weak-
nit the credit and strenth of the Ministerie and Discipfine of the
Kirk againes Papistis, [nor] moir imboldnit the adversaris to goe
forwaird in their erronius corruptiounes and courses, then the ap
peirance of divisioune M.tfie MMisterie among thame selff, and the
afienatioune qufiilk serines to be among sume of thame ; thairfoir,
for the remoiving of aU eylistis x and schaw of divisioun, and aliena-
tioun of myndis, ethir amongis the Ministeres thame seMis, or of
his Majestie's guid affectioune and favour from any of tfiame, it
wes thought ane soveraigne remedie for the moir effectuaU supress-
ing of Papistrie, and hafflng fund and searcMt out the caus of dis
tractioun and afienatioun of myndis foirsaidis in the MMistrie, to
be, pairtfie, a feir that sume of our Britherin wes of purpose, and
of course to dissolve and subvert the Libertie and Discipfine of the
Kirk of Scotland, by removemg thair Sessiounes and Presbyteries,
ProvinciaU and GeneraU Assemblies, and by usurping in thair awin
persounes such lyk tyrrannous and unlawfuU Jurisdictioune, as is
no wayes lawfuU, nethir to be licenceit2 in any trew Reformit Chris-
tiane Kirk, and to schaik off thair obedience to all guid order and
comlines estabfiscMt, or to be estabfischit be the lawfuU Assemblies,
of his Majestie's consent; and pairtfie, a greiff, that sume of thair
Brither wer so baffischit forth of his Majestie's dominiounes, and
utheris diseasit, by thair long wairding3 and detaineing from thair
habitatiounes and chairgis : And findfflg, lykwayes, by the declara-
tioune of Ms Majestie's Commissiouneres, and sic as wes privie to
his Majestie's mynd, that Ms Hines wes no les grerit with diverse
actiounes and formes of some of the MMistrie, sorie for not haiffing

1 Literally, eyesores. The Adv. MSS. read erroneously, " the Lettis," i. e. hin
drances or obstacles. * Adv. MSS. " tolerated." 3 Imprisonment,
2z

722 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
dew regaird and cair, to use sic courses in thair actiounes and ad
ministratioune of the lawfuU effaires of the Kirk, as mycht sefin to
Mtertem ane lawfuU and ane solid place, peice, and quietnes, betuix
Ms Majestie and thame, as lykwayis mutuaMe among thame selff;
and speciaffle that the forme x of thair Govemement wes oftentymes,
and almost ordinarfie, committit to such as, for laik of experience
and wisdome, wer no wayes able to keip thair estait M any quietnes
or guid forme; quhairunto his Majestie finputit the cheiff causses of
aU the greivis and troubles that haif faffin out in tMs longe tyme
among the Ministerie thame self, or in ony offences girin by ony of
thame to Ms Majestie, and that his Majestie could not be satisfieit
quhffl this inconvefflence wes first removit, and a faithfuU remedie
wes provydit, that the lyk quhairoff2 should not fall out. Quhilk
his Majestie comprehendit summarely in tMs : Iff the effaires of the
Kirk sould be administrat by the most wyse and most godly, quhair-
annent also his Majestie's speciaU Overture, as heireftir foUowis,
was propounit :
" It is his Majestie's advyse at this Assembfie, and pleasure, that
presently thair be ane nomMat in every Presbyterie, of the most
godly and graiff, and of maist 3 auctoritie and experience, meitest
for govemement, to haif the Moderatioune of Ms Presbyterie, quhair
he remaMes, tUl the present jarris and fyre of dissentioune, quhilk
is amonges the Ministerie, to the great prejudice of the auctoritie
and credite of the same, and the Mnderance of the Gospel, and his
Majestie's Mght offence, be quenchit and taUtin away; and the
Nobfflmen and uthiris professfflg Papistrie witMn this kingdome so
repressed, be justice and executioun of lawis, [by the labours of their
Ministerie, and discipfine of the Kirks, that they be not able to
Mnder the course of the GospeU, or Scripture, and enlarge the
power and credite of false religion, and that the cMefest binding
of delatiounes of the saidis Papistis, and satisfactiounes for justice
and executioune of lawes4] againes thame, be committit to the saidis
» Adv. MSS. " ehairge." 2 lb. " hereafter." s lb. " greatest."
* Omitted in Univ. MS.

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 723
Moderatoris : And that the Bischopis in thair Presbyteries, quhair
thai ar resident, in ane of thair Kirkis of thair Bisschopperickis haif
this cair and burdein committit to thame, and sieing it wffl credibffly
faU out, that M the Bisschopprickis1 throw greitnes of parities, and
langsumnes and (fifficffltie of the proces of the said Moderator,
wUbe sometymes constrainit to reffer the doeing thairoff to the
ProvinciaU Assembfie, in preserring actiounes of greatest difficulties,
be committit to the Bisschoppis malting lawfuU residence within
the said Province, or to the worthiest of thame, quhen it sail hap
pen that moir nor one of thame be witMn one Province ; in respect
that his Majesty hes bestowit upoun thame moyen and place, quhair-
throw they may be abffl to beir out the chairges and burdeM of
dangerous and difficfflt actiounes, quMlk uthiris Ministeres wer not
abiU to sustein ; and lykwayis by thair credit and place in Counsel,
ar abffl, m sic causses, to procure greatter celeritie and executioun
of justice, as in such causses is reqfflsit, then uthiris. The Confer
rence, haiffing first advysit annent tfie taking away of the forsaid
feir, and suspitioune and satisfactioune of the Greivis,2 and wffling
to understand of Ms Majestie's Commissiouneres, and sic as had
bein laitfie accquentit with Ms Majestie's intentiounes, and willing
lykwayis to heir the declaratioun of the Bisschoppis heirannent, as
triching thair awM Mtentioun and purpose in that erand : It
was declairit, that it wes not in any way Ms Majestie's intent and
purpose to subvert the Discipfine3 of the Kirk of Scotland, but
rather to augment and strenthen the same, in sua far as could serve4
for the weffl of the GospeU and restraint of vyce, and to sie such
eyelistis5 and offences as in the administratioun thairoff wes the
occasioun of just discontentment to Ms Majestie, and hinderance
to the credit and auctoritie of the Ministerie among the people,
and among the MiMsterie thame selffis, be removit and tain away,
be sic grid Overturis as is above expressit : In signe quhairof, as
thair is notMng done in derogatioune in the haulding of the Ses
siounes of Presbyteries and ProvinciaU Assemblies, so it wes nevir
1 Adv. MSS. " Presbyteries." 2 lb. " danger." 3 lb. "this present
Government." * lb. " he could command." 5 Eyesores.

724 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607
Ms Majestie's intentioun, but that the keipeing of GeneraU Assem
blies, at certain and competent tymes and places, was and is a most
necessare mein for the preservatioune of peice and unioune in the
Kirk, and exterminatioune of aU heresie and schisme in the same.
" And, thairfoir, Ms Majestie does gratiousely declair, that as the
act of parliament does stffl stand in fuU force and effect for the con-
veining of the said Assemblie once in the year, by Ms Majestie's
directioun, so it is his Majestie's wiU that the day of conveining
the nixt Assembfie salbe in Edinburgh, the last Twysday of July :
Siclyk, the haill Bisschoppes declairit that it wes not thair inten
tioun to usurpe ony tyrrannous or unlawfffll jurisdictioun and power
over thair Britherin, nor to ingyre J thamseffiis ony wayis unlawfuUy
in the KirMs Govemement, or ony pairt thairoff, forther nor sould
be committit to thame be the Presbyteries, ProvmciaU and GeneraU
Assembfies ; and if it soffld be found to faU out that they, or ony
of thame, should do in the contrair, then and in that cais they ar
content to submitt thame selffis alse humblie unto the censuris of
the Kirk, as ony uthir of thair Britherin of the Ministerie.
" In lyk manner, it wes declairit that his Majestie, according to
the longanimitie and patience towardis sic as happinit to offend him
of the Ministry, had delayit a verie long tyme to give forth any sen
tence agaffles the Brither now banischit, stffl houpMg that be
their guid behaviour, and humble sute for his Hines' pardoun and
favour, his Majestie mycht haiff occasioun to schaw his clemencie
towardis thame : And albeit his Majestie, being justfie provokit,
wes movit to give forth his wffl annent thair banischment, yit he
immediatly being requistit in thair favouris by the Bisschopis and
uthiris Britherin thair present with Mm, it pleasit Ms Majestie to
declair, that the want of his favour proceidit upoun thair awin de
fault, quho had nevir humblit thame selfis to seik his pardoun as
becam thame ; in respect quhairoff, it wes thoucht meit to direct
the Bischop of Abirdein, Mr Patrick Scharpe, Patrick GaUoway,
Robert Wilkie, John Strachane, John Howie,2 John Hay, with
the Moderator of the Assemblie, to wryt a Lettre to the said Bri-
1 Insinuate. 2 Adv. MSS. " Hal."

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 725
therin, in name of the Assembfie, givmg thame advyse to forme and
send thair humble sute to his Majestie, for his favor and pardoun
to thame, as mycht give his Majestie best satisfactioun ; and that
the Assembfie earnestfie requeistit his Majestie's Commissiouneris,
and uthir Nobfflmen imployit by Ms Majestie to this Assembfie, so
soone as tfie said Suppficatioun saU cum from tfiame, of the tennour
foirsaid, to concur, by thair credit and commissioun, and to mak in-
tercessioun with Ms Hines to procure thame to be maid pairtakeris
of that gratious favour, quhUk Ms Majestie at no tyme heirtofoir
refused to any of that professioun, quhom he fand wffling to ac
knawledge and amend thair oversight, and haif recourse to his ele-
niencie. For the quhilk declaratioun, the Conferrence praisit
God; and thought grid, that the Britherin sould be writtin unto
as is affoirsaid, and be the Britherin foirnameit : And thaireftir,
haiffing considerit the Overtur propounit to thame in his Majestie's
name, and finfflng it in schaw to carie sume appeirance of novatioun
in the Discipfine of the Kirk, and feiring that it mycht bring with
it sume Mconveffiencie, thairfoir the Conferrence would not tak
upoune thame to determine thair advyse thairannent, quhffl first
the matter wes exactly handlit and reassounit in thair presens, and
sufficient remeid provydit for preventing of aU Mconvenientis quhilk
mycht be feirit to foUow thairby.
" Quhairupoun a gMd number of the most godly, laimit, and
wyse of the Britherin of the Conferrence, being appoyntit to reas-
soun ane eftir ane uthir ; and haffling exactlie, and at guid lenth
reassouneit and examfirit quhatsoevir inconvenient mycht follow on
the estabffishment of the same Overture, It wes considerit and
fund at last, by ane universaU voyce and consent of the haill Con
ferrence, without contradictioun, that the said Overture wes boith
wyse and godly, tending to the weffl of the Kirk, many wayis,
provyding that certain Cautiounes wer observit for preventing such
evil as mycht happffl to fall out, in cais of the said Moderatoris or
ony of them sould either arrogantlie presume or usurpe any further
powar in the saidis Presbytries and Assemblies then is cumely and
lawfuU for Moderatoris, in sic a caus, to doe, and presently to use,

726 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
and without innovating or altering at thair fantasies, and at thair
awin handis, the custome that the discreit Moderatoris haiff usit, and
ought to use in that place, or uthirwayis to be fond remiss in pro-
.pouneMg or prosecuting any guid purpose or overtour, quhUk sould
be givin in by the Britherin, or any of thame, to the saidis Presby
tries and Assembfies, and according to the doubtis quhilk in reas-
sounemg wer found out and feirit."

THE CAUTIOUNES FOLLOWING WER AGRIEIT UPOUN.
" First, That it be implyit that the Moderatoris of the Presby
tries and ProvinciaU Assembfies be nominat and chosine according
to his Majestie's Overtoure, saU presume to doe notMng in the Pres
bytries or ProvinciaU Assembfies, quhair they moderat, without the
speciall advyse and consent of the Britherin.
" 2. That the actis of the GeneraU Assemblie and Caveatis
thairin annent Bisschoppis prescryvit, be observit, that they saU
use no jurisdictioun or power, further nor the Moderatoris of the
Presbytries and ProvmciaU Assembfies hes bein M use of, be the
constitutiounes of the Kirk, befoir.
" 3. In cais it saU happin Moderatoris of Presbytries or Provin
ciaU Assemblies to be absent the tyme of thair Conventioun, then
it salbe in the power of the said ProvinciaUs and Presbytries to
nominat and cfioyse one of the best, and wysest, and gravest of the
Brither to be Moderator in that meitting, in absence of the said
Moderator. " 4. Quhen the place of the Moderator in any Presbytrie sail hap
pin to vaik, the electioun of ane uthir to succeid in his roume sail
be maid be the haiU ProvinciaU Assembly, with consent of his Ma
jestie's Commissiouneres, if ony happin to be thair present for the
tyme ; and that quhen any of the saids Moderatoris saU happin to
depairt this lyff betuix the Assembfies, it saU be lawfoU to the Pres
bytrie to nominat the honnestest, gravest, and wysest of thair num
ber, to continow in the Moderatioun of that Presbytrie quhiU the
nixt Provinciall Assemblie.

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 727
"5. The Moderatoris of the Presbytries salbe subject to the
tryaMs and censuris of the Provinciafis ; and in cais it saU happin
that they be found to be remiss in discharge of thair dewtie, or to
haif presumeit to haif usurpit over thair Britherin ony further power
nor is given thame be the Assembly, it salbe a caus to thame of de
privatioun from the office of Moderatioun ; and they salbe depryvit
thairfoir be the Prorincialfis.
"6. In lyk maner, the Moderatoris of the ProvinciaU Assem
blies shaU be tryit and censurit by the GeneraU Assembfie ; and if
he be found ethir to be remiss M the office of Ms Moderatioun, or
to haif usurpit any forther power nor the sfinple place of a Mode
rator, he salbe depryvit of the said office of Moderatioun by the Ge
neraU Assemblie.
" 7. That the Moderatioun of Uk Presbytrie or ProvinciaU As
sembfie, with the Scrybe, beMg chosine, faithfuU, wyse, and formall
men, be astrictit to be present at aU GeneraU Assembfies, as Mem-
beres thairof, and to haif the Register of the actis and proceidingis
of the Presbytries and Provincialls thair present with thame, that
thair fidelitie and dMgence may be sein by the GeneraU Assembly,
and the estait of the countrie thairby knawin.
"8. That it salbe leisume to Uk Presbytrie to send Commis
siouneres to the GeneraU Assembly, beside and attour the Modera
tor and the Scrybe, tuo or thrie, according to the actis of our As
sembfies annent the Commissioun from Presbytries, if they sail
think it expedient.
"9. Further, it is hereby declairit, that notwithstandMg of any
thing done at this tyme, the Sessiounes, Presbytries, ProvinciaU
and GeneraU Assemblies, are to be observit, keipit, and obeyit, as
they haif bein heirtofoir.
" 10. That the Moderator of the GeneraU Assemblie be chosMe
be voit of tfie said Assemblie, certaMe leitis being first nominat and
propounit friely, as hes bein in tymes bipast.
"11. That in every ProvinciaU Assemblie quhair thair is no
Bischope making residence, actuaffle and lawfuUie, and haifing the
Moderatioun of ane of the Presbytries* the Moderatoris of the said

728 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
Presbytries within the said Province being propounit on leit, the
meittest of thame salbe chosine be the said Assemblie Moderator
thairof, Ms Majestie's Commissiouneres consent bemg had thairto.
" 12. And further, the Conferrence haiffand examfflit the Rollis
of aU Presbytries, to sie iff ony wer meitter to use the said office of
Moderatioun then thais quho befoir hes bein nominat, to haif the
delatioun of Papistis and Non-commuMcantis, they fand, in thair
awin judgement, that the same persounes wer of aU uthiris, in every
Presbytrie, neirest and meitest, alswel to moderat as to haif cair of
delatioun foirsaid : Reservand aUwayis to the MMisterie of everie
Presbytrie heir conveffland thair awin privUedge and power to no
minat unto the Assembfie a meitter, if any thair be M thair Pres
bytrie, for Moderatioune : And, thairfoir, the said Conferrence found
it expedient that the persounes foirsaidis accept in and upoun
thame, presentfie, the said office of Moderatioune, and that within
the saidis Presbytries respective; and that the Presbytries aUow,
awne, and imbrace thame : And, for tMs effect, that the safflis Mo
deratoris and Presbytries be requistit thairunto earnestely be this
Assembly ; and iff neid beis, lykwayis chairgit that the Kirk of
God be not long frustrat of the confortabffl effectis of the foirsaid
ordour, quhUk it is abffl shortly, be the grace of God, to produce.
" This Overture befflg propounit and declairit at lenth, in presens
of the foil Assembfie, everie article and heid thairoff wes with ane
uniforme consent and assent and aUowance of aU approvit, without
any contradictioun, except only sua far as concemes the Modera
toris M Presbytries, and thair continowance in thair office of Mo
deratioun beyond the accustomit tyme ; quhairannent certain doutis
being propouffit and satisfieit, and the Bisschopis haifeing givin
thair awin deolaratioun out of thair awin mouthis annent thair in
tent ioun and purposes, to be subject to the Actis and Caveatis of
the Generall Assemblie, and to mak residence within such a space
as sould be limitit to thame and evirUk ane of thame be the present
Assemblie ; and if it sould be thought expedient for the weffl of the
Kirk, that uthir meitter and moir worthie than they sould possess

1607. MR JAMES melvill's dlary. 729
and occupy thair places, to dimitt thair benefices at the will and
plesoure of the Assembly, his Majestie's consent and approbatioune
being had heirto ; quhairin they promiseit, if need beis, to be ear
nest suiteris at bis Majestie's handis, lykas sume of thame declairit
that they had already craveit the same of Ms Majestie, for the re
spect they had to tak away aU offenses from the Brither : Provyde-
ing alwayes, if, ather upoun Ms Majestie's advyse and propositioun
to the Assembfie, or upoun tfiair awM Suppficatioun to the Assem
bfie, be movit heireftir to grant thame any relaxatioun of any of the
Caveats, the GeneraU Assembly be moved hereafter to grant them
any relaxation of any of the saids Caveatis, quhilk, upoun guid
reassoun to the said Assembfie, mycfit appear to be over strait, that
this thair promise saU mak no derogatioun to the fibertie quhilk
the Assembfie heirefter salbe movit to grant unto thame. Item,
it wes voitit, and be pluralitie of voitis concludit, to witt, his Ma
jestie's Commissiouneris, haill NobMtie, Erlis, and Barrounes, to
the number of tMrty-five, l togider with the number of one hun
dred and twenty-six MMisteres voiting affirmative, that the said
Overture annent the continowance of Moderatoris, quhM the pre
sent Mvisioun of the Kirk be removit, and that the haiU Brither be
brought to that unitie of mynd and affectioun quhilk is aggrieabUl
with thair caMng and service best to the furtherance of the caus of
God, and overtMow of aU contrair caussis, and the Papistis ftffly
repressit and brought to the obedience of the Gospel, sould pass
and be Mactit as ane of the conclusiounes of this Assemblie ; the
foirsaidis Caveatis being aUwayis keipeit be everie ane of the saidis
Moderatoris, and the contraveineres censurit and punischit, as is
befoir expressit ; four only of the haffl Assembfie be thair voitis
dissassenting thairfra, and uthir four reffflssfflg, to witt, for want
ing commissioun from thair Presbytrie, and two being non liquet.
Extractit furth of the buikes of the actis of the said Assemblie at
Lithgow, and subscrivit by the Moderator and Scrybe thairof.
(Sic subscribitur) "James Nicolsoun, Moderator.
" Henry Philipe, Scrybe."
• Left blank in Adv. MSS.

730 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.

Now, to proceid to the Generall Assemblie : It wes solemnely
promissit, as we hard at Lithgow, to be keipit at Edinbruche the
last Tuysday of July in the yeir 1607, [but] wes by proclamatioun
as oftentymes befoir prorogat to the same day and moneth in the
yeir of God foUowfflg, 1608, to hold M Dundie, becaus boith the
plotter and the plott wes deid and expyrit, and they wer not as yit
provydit of ane new ane. But the Bisschopis, keipeing diverse
meittingis, and boith sending and ressaivefflg consultatiounes from
Court, resolvit to mak a way, and prepair for perfyting of the pur
pose at the nixt GeneraU Assemblie be tiiree principaU meines :
First, By a pretext of a Conferrence : 2dly, By modificatioune of the
Ministeres stipendis : idly, By the Visitatioun of the Presbytries.
So the Commissioun of modfflcatioun of that yeir wes whoUy givin
to the Bisschoppes, quho, be augmentatioun, wanne and aUurit by
diminutioun, waikinit and bure doun, and by deprivatioun waikinit
the heartis and terrifieit a great number of the Ministerie, and that
sua closely and sua covertly as that ane caus pretendit in pubfict,
ane uthir wes assurit thame in secreit.
The Visitatioun of the Presbytries, by auctoritie of the GeneraU
Assemblie, quhair they could finde any grand of the Commissioun,
but speciaUy borne out by the KMgis auctoritie, the drifte quhairof
wes to lead and mak a number of Commissiouneres to voit with
thame out of every Presbytrie, tuo or tMie at the least, according
to the fore-provydit act of Assembly, quhairby they mycht be sure
againes the nixt Generall Assembly appoyntit at Dundie. QuhUk
wes espyit and weffl preventit be many, pairtly by conforming aU
thair memberes, and pairtly by refoissing thair visitatioun ; of the
guid reasoun quhairof, ane exampffl saU suffice.
The Presbytrie of Jedburcht refuissit the visitatioun of Bisschop
Law of Orknay, for thais Reassounes :

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 731

REASSOUNES QUHAIRFOIR THE BRITHERIN OF THE PRESBYTRIE OF
JEDBRUCHE DECLYNIT THE JUDGMENT OF MR JAMES LAW,
BISSCHOPPE OF ORKNAY.
" The act maid in the GeneraU Assembfie at Hafirudhous, anno
1602, concerneing the Visitatioun of ProvMces, conteinit ane blank
for insertmg the tennour of the edict quhilk sould be servit at
paroch-kirkis ; the quhilk edict sould be formit by thrie or four Bri
therin deput be the Generall Assemblie. But thais Brither nevir
mett yit for that purpose, and sua the blank wes nevir fiUit up :
How, then, can the act be put in executioun, wanting the edict, evir
a principaU pairt ? Evin to this houre we servit the edict sent to us,
expecting a lawfoU Commissioun, [qulfflk wes not as yit hard be us
to be discussit : Satis est delegato asserere se esse delegatum, si non sit
servicio personal, to caus any compeir, if the compeirance be turn
levissimo. But quhen we compeirit, we saw the imperious edict
quhilk we servit to be forgit, and not in the Commissioun !] it selff,
quhair thair wes notMng but a blank ; the said Visitor would judge
himselff alone, and that without John Clappertoune, a coUegue,
quhom his Majestie had designit in his Lettre sent to hfin.
" Nixt, without the Presbytrie professfflg plainely that he would
not foUow the most pairt of the voitis of the Presbytrie, quhen it
came to the censure of any particular member thairof. Iff he haiff
offerit great courtessie to others, that appeireth evidently he hes
cum to us cum cupiditate nocendi without his coUegue, deput be the
GeneraU Assemblie, without quhom he hes no power to visite ex
cept Ms coUegue wer seik ; and seiknes wes not aUedgit, neither
think we that the caus of seiknes expressit M the act can be ex-
tenrit to causses not expressit, be reassoun that aU delegat jurisdic
tioun est stricti juris, and M aU odious matteres odia sunt constrin-
genda ; for sure we ar that it is not agrieabiU to Godis Word, that
the haill power of ane National Assembly sould be devolvit over
1 Not in Adv. MSS.

732 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
upoun the back of a simple Presbyter ; by the quhUk he has not
offly cognitioun, bot also definitioun and executioun, in ane univer
sitie of caussis, ovir ane haffl Prorince of Ministeres : We would
notwithstanding haiff toUerat tMs great absurditie, sua far dissonant
from the Word, if the GeneraU Assembfie had appoyntit Mm alone.
We sie, then, in it selff, it is res plena odii, et ambitionis ; and, thair
foir, the caus of seiknes soffld not be extendit : But howbeit the
caus of seiknes, expressit M the act, mycht be expressit be ane
eqfflvalent word not expressit, yit Ms coUegue's Lettre, dytit the
seventh day of March, conteinit no such lat,1 M it seM, for it must
be a long-lasting seiknes and Mfirmitie woffld imped the executioun
of the office befoir the nixt insewing Assemblie, that must be the
reul and missour of the equivalent impediment for the Visitor to
say to Ms foUow Visitor, qfflien he hes a diseise that wffl schortly
ceis, that he wiU goe to visite without Mm, wer but to ludificat the
act of the Assembfie ; the ministratioune of the Lordis Supper,
catecheising of the people, unwfflingnes to wander about, mention-
it in bis coUegue's Lettre, as impedimentis, tfie seventh of March,
ar not ane impediment equivalent to longsume seiknes ; nor yit had
we ony warrand of finpedimentis the 2d of May, quhilk wes the
tyme of Visitatioun : As for confyneing, howbeit it wes aUedgit
and prorin, yit it had not beM eqfflvalent to the long-lasting seik
nes and Mfirmitie of bodie. But the truth is, confyneing wes not
so much as aUedgit in our presens, far les proven ; yea, the con
trare evidentfie coUectit out of his coUeguis Lettre. This much for
the second reassoun, taMn from Ms singfflar and sofid judgment,
without the coUegue appoyntit be Ms Majestie, and without the
coUegue appoyntit be the Generall Assembfie, as also without the
conjunct judgment of the Presbytrie.
" ThrMly, We say that the office itseffl is expyrit, fiowbeit it mycht
haiff bein put M executioun sMce the veritie2 of Ms commissioun,
and continuaU custom of the Kirk, it soffld haiff indured only to the
nixt insewing Generall Assemblie, and he himselff, with the rest of the
Visitoris, did hould up his hand pubfictlie, promisseing to put it in
1 Let, hindrance. - Adv. MSS. "be vertew.'

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 733
executioun befor the nixt Assemblie. Now, it is most evident,
that fyve yeires thairefter feU out that meiting houldin last at
Lithgow, quhfflt he himself avoweit [to be] ane Generall Assem
blie ; yit he could not let us sie ane act of prorogatioun from the
samyne, howbeit he craveit it ; and the not executioun of his office
befoir that tyme mritith hfin not to continow in the office, but to
be culpabffl of negligence, for the space of five yeiris, nam nemo
debet lucrari ex sua negligentia ; tfie discharge not expressit makes
him only to rest culpabffl,1 but the power and rigour of the office
itselff did at the sett tyme expyre, ane Moderator, or any such
lyke office man, howbeit the sett tyme rune out, continows stffl
till ane uthir Moderatour be designit, becaus it is ane constant
office, and thair must not be mterrupt a series of Moderatouris suc-
ceidin to Moderatouris ; but the office of Visitatioun is pro re nata,
arbitrarie, as the Assemblie thfflkis guid to send out Visitoris, or
not send ; the tyme bemg then not sett downe by the Assembfie,
the office does expyre at the same tyme and day. And, on the
other syde, to reassoun if the Assembly hauldin at Lithgow be ac-
countit ane lawfuU Assemblie, thair his office of Visitatioun ceissit,
unles it wer renewit be the same agaM ; and if that Assemblie be
not estefirit ane lawfuU Assembly, yit the day appoyntit by the
GeneraU Assembfie concernefflg Ms office of Visitatioun expyres,
or at least be prorogatioun, as the Assemblie rines in nonentrie, so
dois Ms Visitatioun.
" FourtMy, SMce that act of Halyrudhous, thair is a new emer
gent2 reassoun to refoisse Mm, for if ane delegat suspect may be re
fuissit, haiff we not just caus to refoisse hfin quho is becum a Biss
chop, seing that act for scMsme is sua great at this tyme betuixt the
Bisschopis and the better sort, that every ane reputeth the uthere3
adversaris ? Coffld we, then, without hazard underly the hazard of
our adversarie clefineing to the power of a deputie of the GeneraU
Assembfie, that meirit nothmg les then to arme Ms adversar with
a power againes his own chUdrein ?
Adv. MSS. " comptabill." 2 lb. "inargued."

734 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
" Lastly, Had we not just caus to declyne him quho spak with
the voyce of the AnticMyst? The Bisschop of Orknay, speiking
lyk the Bisschop of Roome, quho said in bis Lettre that he sent to
us, that he would not stand to proceid againes us cum jure et potes-
tate utriusque gladii! Bonifacius the Eight, Pope of Roome, of
quhom it is said, Intravit ut Vulpes, regnavit ut Leo, mortuus est ut
Canisl at the grit JubUe, quhUk he institutit in anno 1613, sat
one day with the PontificaU robe and keyis ; and the nixt day with
the ImperiaU sword befoir Mm, cryMg, ' Ecce hie duo gladii F One
quho had commissioun from the Kirk aught not to finploy the se
cular Sword ; bot the judge quho sent Mm out, finding tfie persoun
disobedient, soffld tak order thairwith : Delegatus enim Judex non
habet Jurisdictionem naturalem, sed alieno ex beneficio. We can not
be countit rebeMs, quho, according to order and forme, declyne.
Nemo enim rebellis est qui petit quod de jure permittitur ; and how can
the Secular Magistrat know utrum bene vel male Judicium, befoir
the GeneraU Assemblie, that, be the lawis of the realme, is the
competent Judge, haiff judgit our declinatoure? and how sould we
haiff personam standi injudicio, quhen the Assembly sail hauld that
we may seik remeid againes the pretendit Visitoris, if we be with-
hauldin with registratioun at the home, or any lyk impedfinent ?
for by that mein aU outgait ' is stoppit to us for evir, howbeit we be
innocent ; but tMs our Visitor cumes neirer his awin wordis, for
non tantum ad ejus initum sed ejus motem, is the prince's sword waifit2
againes us. In fiis awm persoun, he had the Commissioun to put
the Britherin to the home, and accordmgly waireit3 expensses, di
rectit officiaris to denunce and registrat upoun tfie principaU lettres :
Intending fortner, fiaiffing tuo swordis, fie maid chuse of the Tem
poraU, and excercisit the force thairoff, finitating Pope Julius the
Third, quho did cast SaMt Peteres Keyis Mto Tiber, and tuik unto
Mm the Sword of Pari: He wffl not punische us Ecclesiastically,
but. will delait us to the Magistrat to be scherper handleit, saying,
he would hafiT Ms handis frie of aU evU done unto us ! So, PUat
' Retreat. * Wielded. 3 Incurred.

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 735
wes guUtie of Chrystis death, notwithstanding he did wasch his
handis, and said, I am Mnocent ! Jam plectandi sumus, non ad ejus
nutum solum, etiam licitem," &c.
And so, indeid, it cam to pas, for notwithstanding of all thais
Beassounes, sume of the Britherin wer summond befoir the Coun
sel, sume horneit, and sume wairdit : Lykas thais of the Synod of
Duns wer so usit, quhen Mr Tobias Ramsay, Moderatour, and Mr
Johne Smyth, Clark thairoff, wer commandit to the Blaknes, offly
for undertakmg upon them thais offices, at the comand and caMng
of the Assembly, and for thair standing be the lawfulnes thairof
befoir the Counsel.
But now to the Conferrence. They tfflk occasioun thairof, by a
challange, quhfflt certrin upright zealous Brither had maid, whereof
the tennour foUowis :

THE MINISTERES OFFER OF CONFERRENCE.
" We, the MMisteres of Jesus Chryst, defenderes and favour-
eres of the Discipfine of tfie Kirk of Scotland, professis and de-
clriris, that the said Discipfine and Govemement, as it is appoyntit
be the Kirk, and ratffled ffl Parfiament, confirmit of auctoritie, sub
scryvit and sworne be tfie Pastoris and professoris of tfie Kirk
within this Mngdome, and accordingly ressavit and practisit these
fiftie yeiris withm the same, as most agriabffl to the Word of God,
and most convenient to concurre and stand with the CiviU Go
vemement of the kMgdome, and for defence heirof, in the feir of
God, Christian modestie, and brotherfie love, offeres to our Britfier,
Commissiouneres, voiteres m parliament, be evidentis of reassoun,
and warrandis of Scripture, to mantein and defend the samen
againes quhatsumevir they can object M the contraire ; [and for
that effect earnestlie desyris a frie Conferrence to be appoyntit and1]
keipit in the Conditiounes foUowmg :
1 Omitted in Adv. MSS.

736 the continuation of 1607.
[conditions.]
" 1. That the defenderes of the said Discipline may haiff ane
pubfict warrand and protectioun from his Majestie and Counsel,
for performance of that Conferrence.
" 2. That they mycht haiff a frie choyce of the persounes quhom
to they may committ the manteinence of that caus lawfully in the
said Conferrence.
" 3. That the partie appoyntit oppounent propoune and sett
doun, in schort and cleire Articles, the poyntis quhairin they diss-
assent from us in the said Discipfine, and deliver the same M wryt
to the Presbytries, a reassounabill tyme befoir the Conferrence,
on the first day.
" 4. That for rememberance caus, for eschewing of confusioun,
ydffl discoursse, [takin and caUumneis tfiat may faU furth on ather
syde, aU questiounes, argumentis, answeris, replyes and conten-
tiounes, and1] mistalring the conclusiounes that shaU be treattit of
in the said Conferrence, may pas by wryt, and be subscryvit be
boith the oppounentis and defenderes.
" 5. That it salbe lesume to thame that salbe chosMe to reassoun
for boith the pairties, to tak counseU and advyce of ony of thair
Brither, in ony perplexitie, or in ony particular or incident difficulties.
" 6. That quhatsoevir salbe treattit or agrieit upoun in that Con
ferrence be defiverit to tfie Presbytries, and eftir they haiff advysit
the same, to the Provinciafis, and syne to the GeneraU Assemblie,
ane or moe, thair to be ffflfie treatit and finafie concludit.
" The great consideratiounes and just reassounes moving the de
fenderes to mak this Offer to thair Brither foirsaid are thais :
" First, Becaus they are certainely perswadit and fflformit that
sume of thair Brither quho ar opposit hes not obscurely professit to
aU honourabffl professouris of aU estaitis, that howevir they haif bein
of ane judgment and practise with us M tyme bypast, now by a
cleir lycht qulfflk hes schynit to thame ffl thair gryt studie, thay
haif found out thair former errouris, and are perswadit that the
1 Not in Adv. MSS.

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 737
EpiscopaU Govemement and Jurisdictioun over thair Britherin,
quhilk hes bein and is condemned by the Kirk of Scotland, is the
ordinance of God ; quMlk, if they can cleirly demonstrat be prooff
of Scripture, in this desyrit Conferrence, they sin againes God, thair
awin sauU, and the salvatioun of thair Brither, except they communi
cat thair lycht to thame that they may walk in it ; utherwayes, it
wer againes all honnestie and conscience to thame to depairt from
the present Discipline, quhairunto they ar bund under the greit oath
of the Lord ; the reassounes quhairof they ar not aschamit to avow
and expresse l befoir the world.
"2. In the heat of thais contentiounes, the heartis, tongues, and
penris2 of Jerusaleme Watchemen ar turrit from the enemies of
the truth, and are lyk razoris scharpit and sett ane againes ane uthir,
and neithir ordinar nor frie EcclesiasticaU meitting, nor wyse men
to be found amongis us, to put us in rememberance that we ar
Brither, the salt of the earth, and the lycht of the world ; but over
many of aU sortis are readie to add fresch fewall to the flameing
fyre of our Mstractioun ; quhairby we and our professioun ar hurt,
to the great joye and incouragement of our enimies. QuhUk evffls,
and uthiris quhilk may faU out in cais of continowance, by the
mercie of God, M tMs Conferrence, may possibfie be preventit and
remeidit. "3. FaithfuU and unblameabffl Ministeres ar presently pressit
doun by the burdeM of so many great reproches, as if they wer the
only trubffleris of Issrael, and traducit to hauld and mantain Ana-
baptisticaU opfiriounes, and presentfie hes thair persounes wairdit
and thair fivingis restrafflit, againes qufiom no occasioun can be
found, except concerneing the caus of Discipline and Govemement
of the Kirk ; and it wer ridiculous that the Ministeres of God, in
sic caisses, should, lyk bairnes, lay thair handis upoun thair heartis
and hurt places, and cry ' Alace !' and in the meintyme seik not the
lawfuU remedies.
" 4. It becumes no wayes the Ministeriall caUing to keipe secreit
1 Adv. MSS. " profess." 2 lb. " hands." 3 A

738 the continuation of 1607.
the truth, quhairof they ar perswadit, and quhen thair professioun,
or any pairt thairoff, is brought under suspitioun, or impugnit by a
cowardfie kind of sUence, to betray the caus quhilk they belive sail
stand suir 1 in tfie day of the Lord Jesus.
" 5. The order and proceidfflgis of our Kirk ar tryit and carpit
witMn and without the contrie by unfriendis and enimies of the
govemement of the same ; and by present distractiounes we ar so
keipit at under, after tMs manner, that netMr we dar haif occasioun,
nor dar we safflely answere calumniatouris and oppositiounes.
" 6. Protestand, that iff the saidis Commissiouneres and Voitteres
in Parfiament (now commonly callit Bischopis) saU happffl to re
foisse thir modest Offeres and most reassounabffl Conditiounes
thairoff, nochtwithstanding of the important reassounes propounit
thairin be the said Ministeres, defenderes of the said Discipfine and
Govemement of the Kirk of Scotland, that then, and in that cais,
the said Discipfine and Govemement be reput and holdin wyse,
godlie, and peiceabffl, and stand unquarrefit qufiffl 2 they be law
fuUie and orderly fiard ; and tfiat thair Brither, according to thair
credite, use the same as they wffl answer to God and to his Kirk,
for the restoring the Ministeres to thair fibertie and fivingis ; to the
effect that all, in ane brotherly concord, may serve God and honour
the King, and with a particular 3 cair and endeavour to procure the
weffl of Chrystis Kirk witMn this realme."
This Conferrence, craifit on baith the sydis, but in far diverse re
spectis and endis, the Bischope of Glasgow returning from Court
the twelth day of Junij,4 the Conferrence wes very cufflngly callit
and dressit to hauld at FaUtland, the 15 of Junij ;5 quhUk, to the
intent it mycht be thought the more frie, diverse of the Brither
quho wer confynit wer delt with, and ficenceit to be thair ; to
quhom, be the rest on that syde, thair wer tuo Lettres sent, wortMe
of rememberance, [by Mr James MelvM 6] : —

1 Sure Adv. MSS. "good." * Until. » Adv. MSS. " PastoraU."
' lb. " May." 6 lb. "July." 6 Not in Univ. MS.

1607. MR JAMES melvill's DLARY. 739

[LETTER BY MR JAMES MELVILL TO THE BRETHREN ASSEMBLED
AT THE CONFERENCE OF FALKLAND.]
" The Spirit of grace be Avith yow, and of wisdom, and of up
rycht judgment be present with yow, at this tyme and for
evir.
"Britherin, Haiffing understood, be the beirer, of a Confer
rence inritit, and sume little of the purpose thairoff, I fiaiff thought
grid to communicate to yow my rude meditatiounes thairannent ;
trusting ye will tak thame in guid seassoun,1 albeit, I knaw, far in-
feriour to the greatnes of the matter [and your cleir fflsycht.
" Ye ar not ignorant quhat hes bein the event of diverse
Conferrences and CoUoqffies, M matteres2] of Refigioun, leiveing
thame in worse estait ; qufiairupoun lies followit alwayes greitter
disturbance, with greitter ifflqffltie3 and trouble, as witnesseth Col
loquium Poissiaconum in Gallia, anno 1561, quhairin Beza and Mar
tyr were coUoquitoris for the one 4 pairt : Item, [ Colloquium Maul-
bromense in Palatinis, anno 1568, quhairin Ursinus and Oliviannus
were coUoqffltoris on our syde agaffles Jacobus Andre and his com
plices : Itemf\ Colloquium Monpelgardense, anno 1564, inter Mini-
stros Hannonienses, et Jacobum Andrea and Ms adherentis : We re
member the event of Colloquium Fontrunense, betwixt Monsieur Du
Plessis and the Bishop of Eurens : Sicklyk the Conferrence in
Hampton Court betwixt Doctor Reynoldis and fiis fellowis and the
English Bischopis, quhairupoun foUowis the triumphe of Barlow,
And iff I remember rycht, Gregorius Nazianzene sayth, Nunquam
se vidisse bonum eventum ex Colloquiis durante schismate in Ecclesia ;
the rememberance quhairof, I doubt not, but the mercie of God
sail mak yow moir vigUant, cairfuU, and circumspect in tMs siclyk
caus, especially tMs proceiding from ane Me power, eujus finis est
victoria plus quam Veritas I
1 Adv. MSS. "pairt." 2 Not in Adv. MSS. ' Adv. MSS. '• enmitie."
4 lb. " our." ' Not in Adv. MSS.

740 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
" The end of this Conferrence I understand to be tuofold ; Pa
pistrie, and for Disciplinarie controversies. In my judgment, we
must not luik sua meUtle to the proponeris of baith as to the Hie
Disposer of aU, quho only out of darknes is abffl to bring lycht ;
quhffl, as I am thinking, quhat sould be the caus that, for matteres
of Papistrie, they sould seik your advyse and assistance, they haif-
ing in thair hand the manageing of aU thais matteres of a long tyme,
with power and auctoritie, secluding yow, sumtymes also crossing
yow in thais effairis. I conjecture two endis, the one, ad delendam
ignominiam Conventus Litgoniensis, quhairin great thingis wer pro
pounit, notMng prosecutit. 2dly, The matter being of greatest
weight, carieing the caus without hatreit, of hazard, and evffl-will
from the greattest sort within this land, quhat reickis iff they get
your pairt 1 of the burdein herein also, as haiffing no burdein on
yow alreadie ? But I ceis to search the intentiounes, quhatsoevir
they be. I trust, in that pairt, tifir salbe found no Papistis.
" As for the Ovirtouris againes thame, they are plain and manifest
to aU, proceeding offly of the former tymes, only wanting execution ;
quMlk defect man be urgit and laid on the Bisschopis, quho hes
the power in thair handis amonges the Overtouris. I dout not but
ye remember cheiffely upon The Commoun Band of Confessioun,
anno 1592,2 quhUk ye knaw was a foundamentaU ground laid agaffles
Papistis.3 Let this now be renewit,4 and cheifely urgit to be sub
scryvit be all ; quhUk, if it could pass throw all and by all, as it
wes first devysit and commandit, ye knaw the guid it mycht [haif]
effectuatit. The rest of the Overtouris I dout not wUbe reddie
at hand to yow, the executioun quhairoff non urgit6 upoun Bis
chopis and Commissiouneris, and I wald wish that they wer seri-
ousely stired up againes the commoun enimies, that they would be
gfflne to renew6 thair civiU warns : But it is to be feirit, that ac
cording to the skilfull airt, lyk fenseres, they mint and seik7 at ane
uthir pairt.
1 Adv. MSS. " strait yow in." 2 lb. " 1562." 3 lb. "Bischops."
4 lb. "remembred." 5 lb. " might be used." e lb. "relent." 7 lb. "move
at and stride ;" i. e. they seemingly aim at one part, but thrust at another.

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 741
" For the utMr, annent matteres of Discipline, shortely I wffl
tak up tuo thingis to be neidfuU, in my judgment ; the ane for pre-
paratioun, the uthir for actioun : First, for preparatioun ; let it be
rememberit, 1st, Quhatevir hes bein forgotten in the first rowme,
in lyk caussis, to witt, in humUiatioun and fasting to be urgit in
our Conferrence with Bischop Law, that it bring intimat to him,
he may traveU to mak it publict and generaU ; quhilk I know will
not work on thair pairt, yit it salbe neidfuU that they dischairge
your conscience in sua neidfffll a poynt to him ; but let it be urgit
on your pairt, in aU Presbyteries, of the purpose, quhair it may not
be had pubfictly, that it may be bad privatly amonges the fayth-
full favoureres of discipline. 2dly, To give advertisment to aU
Presbyteries of the purpose, pairtfie to remove jealousie that may
arryse ; pairtly, for craifing thair Overtouris, advyse, and counsel,
quhilk may be done with signfflcatioun of the fast, idly, Proposi-
tiounes to be propouned, contameing the groundis of Discipline of
our Kirk, and bakit by Scripture, Constitutiounes EcclesiasticaU,
perpetuaU practise, &c. ; qulfflk propositiounes aither may be ex
tractit out of the Buik of Discipfine, or then, according to the same
groundis, cleirit by new dUigence, quhairin standis precipuum mo-
mmerkum causa.
" For the actioun it selff, thir thingis I think neidfuU : First,
That ye haiff amongis your selffis your privat meitingis, and a Mo
derator privatlie to be chosine among your selffis for consent,
harmorie, and grid order. 2dly, Tfie warrand of your meitingis
to be requirit and produceit pubfictlie for tfie securitie, and the
authentik copie thairoff to be keipit for your warrandis. idly,
Being at pubfick meeting for the samene cause, Brethren have
been summond, as lately ye remember the event of the Con-
vocatione of the late Conferrence of the Brether at Hampton Court,
and, lately at home, be the example of Mr Wffliame Rowe, and Mr
Henrie Livingstoun, and the example of Mr John Murray, not un-
lyk preiching at a Generall ] Assemblie ; and yit wes he apprc-
1 Adv. MSS. " publick."

742 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
hendit as a malefactor by the Guard, and put in prissoun, quhair
he continowis to suffer the same for thais causses. I thmk it wer
neidfuU ye soffld crave securitie for your selffis in tfiat poynt, that
the Conferrence brek not out into ane new quarrefing, and trouble-
ing yow for your former meitting, and for defence of the caus.
And this poynt is not lychtfie to be passit over, quhfflt I recomend
to your consideratioun most earnestly. 4thly, It wer maist neid
fuU to urge that tMs Conferrence wes frie and full, and that be
calfing their cheiffest memberis absent, &c. ; quhfflt earnestfie and
urgentfie is to be insisted upoun, I mein of the absentis, and speci-
alfie of him that is at Londoun j1 and if this can not be obteinit, to
urge the presens of Mr James Melrin, quho is at New Castell ;
the necessitie heirof is to be dUaited. Siclyk, it is requisit that the
persounes be of the frie choyse on your syd on a foU caus concerne
ing aU ; for reassoun craiffis, and dayfie practise schawis, that everie
pairtie chuses thair awin CoUoquitouris. 5thly, No Conferrence
to be yeUdit unto but by wrytt, under the handis of tuo faytMuU
wrytteris ; for the quhfflt I thMk [Mr JoMme Kenneir and2] Mr
Johnne Row were the meittest : And this is the very formaU3 and
cheiff matter to stand upon ; quhUk if it be refussit, I think the
Conferrence can wirk no guid effect ; examples are recent. 6th,
Giff it wer grantit, thir thingis wald seime to be most necessar :
First, To mak the statum quastionis cleir, quhatevir hes bein ob
scure4 and disguised in tymes bypast : 2d, To agrie upoun groundis
of reassouring ; the cheiff ground to be the Word of God, the offly
o-round discemit and ressavit againes Papistis, togider with the
practise of the CMistiane AppostolicaU and Primitive Kirk. But
this I neid not to insist upon ; I feir it saU haiff no use at this
tyme ; but M cais it come to any actioun, verball or reaU, one tMng
is most neidfuU, to witt, that a protestatioun be maid, that notMng
done or to be done on your pairt may prejudge the publict caus
perteming to all," &c.
1 Allusion is here made by the Author to his uncle, Mr Andrew Melvill, who was
still a prisoner in the Tower of London, at that date. 2 Not in Adv. MSS.
3 lb. " principal!." 4 /*• " absurd."

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 743
The uthir Lettre disswadit from disputatioun ; as foUowis :
[ME JAMES MELVILL'S SECOND LETTER.]
" Brither, Your lettre, for informatioun, fffll of love and sueit
zeall, hes refreshit me verie meirie ; and the moir, becaus I wes
carefuU [and] tiiristie : As for a challange of disputatioune, I lyk it
not, neither coming on your pairt nor thairis, if it can be eschewit ;
for thais reassounes, quhilk I beseik yow weUl to wey and consid
der: —
" 1. They chaUange the disputt, as seUting the vantage, being
out of possessioune, and not haffleing thair rycht publictly de
clairit "and approrit, as we haif; and they ar seUting first to undoe
us, and thairfoir movis disputatioun, quhairin they meffl to be sett
in the brunt of the battell against Romisfi English Doctoris, that
retireing and yeUdfflg Uriafi may be slaffle. So did the Leslies with
the Grid Regent, the Erie of Murray, at the Feild of Corrichie,
and would haif undone Mm, if he, with a fewer nor a hundred,1 had
not ressavit thame on the poynt of thair speiris.2
" 2. Disputatione in a Kirk, quhairintffl trew Refigioun hes bein
once plantit, hes never edifieit, bot, on the contrair, hes evir castin
doun and destroyit it ; becaus it wes movit by the enemie : It breid-
eth contentioun et studium partium, quhfflt pervertis gMd ingynis,
Hindis the judgmentis : Nam quid est quod non dicenda fiat probabile,
quid tam verumfirmumque quod non labefactat sophistica oratio. Also
it makis the wffl obstinat and refractorie, namely of thame that ar
carriit efter error, and desyris no better nor to haif any schaw or
pretence of reassoun for that quhUk thair heart is carriit efter :
Examples, the Disputatiounes in France, Germanie, Helvetia, and
ri the auld contentious Counsel of Arrianis, Novetianis, [and] Do-
natistis; quhair, eftir such disputatiounes, heresies wer concludit.
Remember latelie the Disputatioun of Monsieur Duplessis and the
Bischops of Huruch, as also, laitter at Hamptoun Court.
1 Adv. MSS. " and five gentlemen." 2 lb. " Vide Hist. Bugh."

744 THE CONTINUATION OF 1607.
" 3. Giff disputatioun upon the Discipfin witfi Biscfiopis or
Ingfisfi Doctoris, quhy not upoun aU the poyntis of Doctrin with
the Papistis, as first creaiffing and chaUengmg tfie samyne as they ?
and thairby casting aU our Refigioun in questioun and doubt, wffl
find a gMd entres and preiss foirwaird ; for boith is the doctrin of
CMyst, alseweffl the one as the utirir, and we haif the lyke war
randis of God and men for boith.
" 4. Let them schaw reassounes quhy they preis to alter the pre
sent Discipfin, and depairt from us, is reassounes, I say, such as are
weightie and relevant, that we may justfie dout thame utherwayis
to be estemit Apostatis at the leist.
" 5. Thair juramentum de calumnia vel veritate would be requirit,
quhither lyk Balaam lyk-myndit, honour and wealth offirit, makis
thame to seik new consffltatiounes and new revocatiounes, sieing
grid Josiah hes cleirly manifestit his wUl thairannent, and they
haif professit, preachit, swome, and subscryvit, as the undoubtit
truth of Chryst ; or, rather, let tham be put to a jurie or assyse of
aU the guid, wyse, honnest, and godfie of the land. '
" 6. Giff equaU disputatioune, quhy is the Kirk of God M Scot
land usit lyk Sampsoun by the Phffistinis, intysit to sleip on the
knies of DaMa tUl the sevin lockis of his hair, quhairin lay his great-
test strenth, are cuttit aff, and then waknit with a great shout, that
all the Phifistinis ar upon him, to combate ? Restore Sampsoun to
Ms place agaM, and let his locMs grow again, and then come on !
" 7. Giff [there be] a disputatioune, thair must be a judge and a
pairtie quho wUbe judge ; but the King or moniest voittes of a Ge
neraU Assembfie, laid and dressit for the purpose, a pairtie of
foraigneres, quho callit thame to dispute agames the EstabliscMt
order of our Kirk, moir nor againes our Kingdome and Commoun-
weill ; or, qufio can suffer it tfiat is a true Cfiristiane Scottisman ;
or quhat haiff we moir to doe with these now, nor thir fiftie yeiris
bygain ? LT sume of our awin MiMsterie be a right, and trew, and
just pairtie againes us, they must be traitoris, men-sworne Apostatis,
1 Adv. MSS. "just, godlio, and wyse in the land."

1607. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 745
in deid, Quibusfulmine exeommunicationis potius quam disputationis
opus est,
" 8. Giff disputatioun, then, it must be, and in sua manie yeiris,
and ri the same forme as the Discipfin wes concludit and estaiblis-
chit, viz., by tfie space of sex or sevin yeiris, and nevir ane article
or conclusioun thairof passit, but be the commoun voitis and uni-
forme consent of the haffl Assemblie be fuUy and tfiroughtlie ga-
therit out of aU the realme, according to tfie rewle of the law, Nihil
¦magis naturale quam unurn quodque eodem modo solvi quo fait ligatum.
" 9. Giff the matter must be decydit be a plaine faught in a sett
battell, let us mak the chaUange againes English Bisschoppis, and
feght it in the middes of England ; yea, evin M Lambeth, giff they
will or dar, and nawayes M Scotland, becaus that ane hes beM
througMy subdueit to Chryst, that other never ; so, iff we be vic
torious, CMyst saU ftffly reigne thair also ; iff repfflsit, it salbe easie
to ressaive our forces with better Mcouragment ; quhairas ane irre-
parabiU overthraw mycht be given us in the middes of our awin
countrie, and quhairon such a Romishe1 revolt mycht ensew, as
again nevir can be suppressit.
" 10. FriaUie, Iff our disputatioune wer sought and undertakm,
candide, bona fide, sincere, et veritatis solummodo indagandi causa, and,
in a word, simpfie for edMcatioune, and not subtfflie, for distrac-
tioune, then such as doubtit mycht, in aU love, gentfflnes, and long-
sufferring, be traveffit2 withaU for thair instructioun and resolu
tioun ; but being done provyditfie, poMticaffie, yea, evin deceitftdly,
quhairas the conclusioun is aUready laid and determfflit, and the
propositiounes, meines, and middes 3 to attein thairunto, are dffli-
gentlie devysit and painefiffly dressit and platit, 4 it wer a foolisfie
and rasche expouneing of the cause to wrak, to yeUd a disputt and
casting off a suir rycht in questioun, as for any new law or consti
tutioun, iff equitably and orderfie they proceid. I am not affraid
thairoff; and iff subtfflie, and by force of auctoritie, tfie truth is evir
the stronger, and the cause the mair advantageit ; for, as ever be-
1 Adv. MSS. " ane remisse." z lb. " favoured." 3 Medium. * Plotted.

746 THE CONTINUATION OF 1608.
fore, so now, Chryst, by suffering and patience, sail prevaffl, and
be victorious in end. These reassounes, and uthiris that of guid
consideratioun may arryse heiroff, I wische and dout not but the
grid Breither wiU expend." M.DC.VIII.
The 15 of June, l the Conferrence sought be the Bisschoppes,
grantit be the King, and yeildit unto by the Brither, wes keipit at
Falkland. The Bisschoppes and Commissiouneres conveinit in the •
Chappell of the Pafice, and the MMisteres, of a guid number, out
of aU pairtis, conveinit in the Kirk of the towne, quho chusit be
thamseffl" Mr Patrick Simpsoun, Minister at Stirling, thair Modera
tor ; and so, by holie and powerfull prayer and conferrence, being a
little trystit, ex longo inter vallo, they teU of the sweitnes and con
fort of thair auld meittingis. In end, they resolvit and agrieit aU
togider upoun Four Articles to be givin in unto the Bisschoppis and
Commissiouneris, for concord and peice.
[ARTICLES GIVEN IN TO THE BISHOPS AND COMMISSIONERS
AT THE CONFERENCE AT FALKLAND.]
" 1. That the Cautiounes of the Generall Assemblie haulden in
the Kingis presence, at Montrose, sould be msert in the bodie
of the Actis of Parliament maid in favour of the Bisschopis, and
they censurit accordMgfie ; as was cravit by the Commissiouneres
of the Generall AssembUe at Perth, quhair the saidis actis wes
maid. " 2. That the Discipfin and Govemement of the Kirk, practisit
and estabUischit, swome, and subscryrit, sould continow and stand
incontroUabill. 2
"3. That the GeneraU Assemblie andProvinciaffls3 sould be re
storit to thair arid Mtegritie, as the most effectuaU meines to beir
doun thair enimies.
1 Adv. MSS. "July." 2 lb. " inviolable." * Synodal Assemblies.

1608. ME JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 747
"4. That the banischit and confyneit Brither, Godis faithfuU
servantis, sould be restorit to thair awin places and liberties they
had befoir."
Thais being hoUily, weightUy, and gravefie propounit be the said
Moderator, Mr Patrick Simpsoun, in name of the haU, to the Bis
schoppes and Commissiouneres, they seimit to lyk weffl of thame,
as most reassonabill ; but said they must be conferred upoun,
and agriet upoun at the said Assembly, that they may haiff the
greatter weight to move the Kingis Majestie to consent thairto.
The quhilk Assembfie, that it may be permittit, aucthorisit, and
peiceabilly keipit, be the Kingis Majestie his licence and guid wffl,
eftir long deffling, thir Articles eftir foUowing wer advysit, reas-
soneit, and agrieit upon by aU, on both the sydis :

ARTICLES AGRIET UPOUN BE THE BRITHERIN CONVEINIT AT
FALKLAND, THE 15 OF JUNE 1608, AND BE THE WAY OF
ADVYCE, RECOMMENDIT TO ALL THE PRESBYTERIES WITHIN
THE KINGDOME.
" That the Questiounes presentfie standing in controversie
amonges the Ministeres, annent the matter of Government, be un-
triched and unhandfit on aither syd, tffl the nixt GeneraU Assem
blie ; and no occasioun givM in by privat or publict speiches, of
any further distractioun of mynd ; but that aU, by guid countein-
ance, and utMrwayis,1 kythe thamselffis2 to uthiris, as Britherin and
Ministeres of Chryst ; setting tbamselfes with thair endeavour, spe
cially in doctrin, againes the Papistis, thair superstitious refigioun,
and proud pernicious practises.
" 2. That the GeneraU Assembly be haldin at the tyme appoyntit,
the last Tuysday of July,3 and that his Majestie be most humbly
intreatit for that effect.
" 3. In the said Assemblie, the commoun effairis of the Kirk
1 Adv. MSS. " on aither side." 2 lb. " counsellors." 3 lb. " June."

748 THE CONTINUATION OF 1608.
salbe handfit, and ane accompt taken of the Commissiouneris givin
in the Assembly preceiding, and sume sofid cours advysit upoun
for disapoynting of the practise of the enimies, in the advanceing
of the GospeU of Jesus Chryst.
" 4. That nothing that is in controversie, and makes stryff in the
Kirk, be treatit in the said Assemblie, bot l the same be conferrit
upoun in a Privie Conferrence, be sic as the Assembfie sail appoynt
to prepair a way for thais difficulties ; and the Assemblie to appoynt
a meitting of the Britherin, at sic tymes, place, and maner, as salbe
found fitt for that effect.
" 5. Tfiat requeist salbe maid to his Majestie for relaxing of the
Britherin that ar confynit, and specially sic of them as haif bein
present at the Conferrence, that they may keipe the said Assem
blie." Now the thingis that movit the Ministeres to agrie to thais
Articles wes, metus majoris mali, or feir of greatter inconveniences,
to hauld aff evil so long as they could ; for they were assureitly in
formit that the Erie of Dumbar, with the English Doctoris, and a
great number of new Erles, Lordis, and Krightis, wer come doune,
prepairit to overthrow the Discipline witfi one blow. And, indeed,
about the end of Junij, the Erie of Dumbar come doun with a
magnific Commissioune of Livetennantrie for all the North pairtis,
and wes ressavit at New Castle with above fourty schottis of great
ordinance, and other ceremonies apperteinand. Thair come, sum
dayes befoir him, tuo Engfisch Doctoris, to witt, Doctor Abbottis,
Deane of Winchester, and Doctor Luggie,2 Deane of Ripoune, who
stayit upon the Erie of Dumbar at Berwike ; and so went in with
him to Scotland. Thair went ane uthir Doctor also by watter, ane
of the Kingis Chaplaines, Doctor Major.3 Thair message, in all
outward appeirance, wes to perswad the Scottis that thair wes no
diversitie of Refigioun, in substance, betuix the realmes ; only sum
difference in thingis mdifferent, concerneing the Kirkis Governe-
' Adv. MSS. " unless." ' Dr Higgins. s Adv. MSS. " Maxwell ;" Maxy.

1608. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 749
ment and Ceremonies. So thai sould hauld fast be Chryst,
quhither under the govemement of the Presbyteries or Bischoppis.
They utterit also that it wes his Majestie's wiU, that Scotland sould
stand as his Majestie left it, and England as he fand it ; and, indeed,
they never uttirit thair oppinioun plainely, but once in St Androis,
eftir that they had heard Mr Robert Howe, out of Mr Andro Mel-
vine's chyre, speik affrontitlie, far by l thair and all menis oppiniounes
and expectatioune, againes the haill EstabMschit Discipline of the
Kirk of Scotland, for the auctoritie of Bisschoppis ; for the quhilk he
wes seveirlie censurit by his Presbytrie, and honnestlie and mychtilie
refutit pubfictlie be sume of Mr Androis scholleres. It wes alsoe
Iairgelie talkit of, that no smaU soumes of money com doune to be
distributit amonges the Ministeres and uthiris. To meitt this with-
all, some of the Brither M Fyfe did put in forme ane Commissioun,
with certaine Instructiounes, and sent the same throughout aU the
Presbytries, that aU thair Commissiouneres mycht come uniformaUy
to stand to the EstabMscMt Discipfin againes all assaultis ; the
tennour quhairof foUowis :

THE COMMOUNE COMMISSIOUNE.
" We, the Moderator and remanent Brither of the Presbytrie of
A., understanfflng that thair is a GeneraU Assemblie to be haldin at
B. the . . . day of C. nixtocum, M the yeir of God 1608 ; and, eftir
dew advysement, haifing found that be the long intermissioun and
want of a Generall Assemblie, alsweiU ordinar as pro re nata, the
dischairgeing of sindrie Provinciaffis [of thair meittMgis, the absence
and restraint of sindry Ministeres of certain Presbyteries of the
principaU Prorinces 2] within the kingdome, the taking the libertie
from sindrie Presbytries of electioun of Commissiouneres to the
Generall Assembfies, now pushit and tbrawin contrair to the order
and forme3 of the Kirk, the withhaulding of stipendis from sum of
1 Against, contrary to. 2 Not in Adv. MSS. 3 Adv. MSS. " custome,'

750 THE CONTINUATION OF 1608.
the Ministeres, and schoiring * of utheris with the lyk censure, ex
cept they yeUdit to the intendit alteratiounes and innovatiounes
of the feirfffll distractiounes of the Ministeres, the grouthe of Papis
trie, and the pride and insolencie of Papistis, all orderles persounes,
the great number of appeallatiounes undiscussit ; and by the danger
ous sequell of everie ane of thais, and of thame aU conjunctly, the
unitie, peace, and order, and edMcatioune of the Kirk within the
realme is dangerousely woundit, impairit, and hinderit ; and be the
doubtis, difficulties, questiounes, and dispautatiounes dayely aryse-
ing of the former occasioun farther to be indangerit, except be the
mercie of God sume godfie and wyse remedie be provydit tyme-
ousely : We haif thairfor appoyntit, and be thir presentis appoyntis,
constitutes, and ordaines A. B. C. our Commissiouneres ; giveing
unto thame our lawfuU power and commissioun to repair to the
said GeneraU Assemblie againes the first day thairoff, and thair in
our names to treat, reassoun, voit, and conclude concerneing the
repressing of Papistis, Papistrie, and ordourles persounes, the dis
cussing of appeUatiounes, the setting doun of convenient Orderis,
Overtouris, and Articles, annent the reformeing2 of the Generall
Assembfie, ProvinciaMs, and Presbytries, to the frie use of thair
former liberties and privUedgis, ratifieit and approvin be law ; the
removeing of the present distractiounes of the Ministrie,3 and the
caussis thairof ; and the searching out and putting in forme sic con-
ditiounes off peace ; as, quhairin the great God may haiff his dew
honnour, the Kingis Majestie may haif his contentment, and quhair
by the remanent MiMsteres and memberes of our professioune may
be in a godly consent and concord remitted, with express command
to pas from the said GeneraU Assemblie to the ProvinciaMs and
Presbytries, and ilk ane of them, to peruse the said Overtouris and
Articles ; and after dew reassouneing and deliberatioun had ther-
upoun, to returne the same rypefie advyseit, togidder witfi thair
best oppiriounes annent the convenient removall of thir present
evfflis, and settling of solid order for peice and concord in tymes
1 Threatening. 2 Adv. MSS. " restoreing." 3 lb. "Breither."

1608. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 751
comming to the nixt GeneraU Assembfie, to the effect that they
may be concludit with brotherlie harmony and consent : And by
reassoun of the saidis distractiounes and uthiris evfflis above writtin,
expressely prohibiting the saidis A. B. C, our Commissiouneres,
and Uk ane of thame, under the pain of depositioun from thair offices
in the Ministerie, and excommunicatioun, to vote or any wayes to
give consent to any innovatiounes or alter atiounes of the Goveme
ment within the Kirke of Scotland, and Articles or clauses thairoff
quhatsoever, haif bein intendit to fiaif bein alterit or innovat since
the GeneraU Assembfie, hafflden at Hafirudhous in November 1602,1
or saU happin to be intendit in this present Assembfie for advan-
tageing or estabffishing the EpiscopaU Govemement, quhilk is, and
hes bein evir judgit be tMs Kirk contrair to the Word of God, or
to the transferring of the power and the ordour of electing Mode
ratoris over ProvinciaMs or Presbytries, from aither of thame re
spective, and cofflerring thairof to any uthir persoune or persounes
quhatsumevir ; or to the continowance of any Moderator in Ms office
of moderatioun longer nor from ane ProvMciaU to ane utitir respec
tive, as the Kirk, for verie guid causses, hes beM accustomeit ; and,
generaUy, to doe no matter that in any wayes may breid, noorishe,
or incres distractiounes witMn the Kirk of tMs realme : Declairing
that quhatsoever they saU doe M thais causses salbe null and of no
effect, and thame to be censurit and proceidit againes as is above
provydit be this our Commissioun. Subscryvit be our Clerk at our
command," &c.

INSTRUCTIOUNES FOR THE COMMISSIOUNERES TO BE DIRECTIT
TO THE ENSEAVING GENERALL ASSEMBLIE.
" First, That at the productioun of the present Generall Com
missioun, and before any matter be actit M the GeneraU Assem
blie to be houlden, &c, the Commissiouneres ernestlie desyre this
' Adv. MSS. " 1564."

752 THE CONTINUATION OF 1608.
present Commissioun to be registrat in the Buikis of the Generall
Assembfie, at leist ane act maid in the begining of the Assemblie,
expresselie beiring that no matter- salbe handlit thairin but accord
ing to the tennour of this present Commissioun ; and in cais of re-
fussall of the ane or the utMr, to protest that they produceit ane
Commissioun of sic a tennour, and thaireftir desyrit the Protesta
tioun, with the Commissioun, to be ingrost and registrat : Quhilk
being done, let thame adhere to the Protestatioun, and pubfictfie
dissassent from quhatsoever salbe done uthirwayes nor1 the said
Commissioun beiris.
" 2. That it would pleis the present Assembfie, for farther expla-
natioun2 of the Articles of the Buik of Discipfine, annent the elec
tioun of Moderatoris of Assembfie, to declair and by ordinance
estabfisbe, that all the ProvinciaMs, Presbytries, and utheris lawfuU
Assemblies of the Kirk within tMs kingdome, and Uk ane of tham,
hes in Uk ane of tham sefifis, respective, lawfuU and sufficient power
to cfiuse, censure, input, and remove thair awin Moderator ; and
that the lawfuU continowance of fflt Moderator in his office of Mo
deratioun, alsweM of ProvinciaMs as of Presbyteries, in the lawfuU
Assemblie of the Kirk, and salbe from ane ProvinciaU to ane uther ;
and that for eschewing of miquitie, and ambitioun, and tyrannic
" 3. That no Minister burdeinit, or that in any tyme heireftir
saU happin to be burdeinit, be the GeneraU Assemblie with Com
missioun, m weightie matteres of the Kirk, mycht be in tyme cum
ming dureing his Commissioun over-burdeirit with the Moderatioun,
or electit Moderator of any Presbytrie, Provinciall or GeneraU
Assembfie. "4. That the actis of the GeneraU Assemblie alreadie maid
againes dUapidatioun, againes non-residence, cairlesnes, and uthir
corruptiounes in the persounes and caMngis of the Ministeres, with
sic additiounes as salbe found neidfuU, be gravely recommenffit to
the ProvinciaMs and Presbytries ; with express command to thame,
with aU possibffl diffigence, to censure thair awin memberes, respec-
1 Than. 2 Adv. MSS. " explicatione."

1608. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 753
tive, according to the act of the GeneraU Assemblie, without excep
tioun of persounes or excuse, as ye wUl answer to God, and that in
ane larger Assemblie.
" 5. In cais any innovatioun salbe maid prejudiciaU to tfie pre
sent discipfin, or any wayes tending to the furtherance of Episco-
pall govemement M any degree, ye faUyie not to declare to the
said Assembfie that we and our Britherin, favoureris of the Disci
pfin and Govemement, M the face of tMs present Assemblie, doe
offer to defend the same Discipfine be warrandis of the Word of
God, and to oppugne quhat can be opposit agames the same, or
quhat can be said for EpiscopaU Govemement ; as our said offer
at length bears : Humbly requeisting the said Assembfie to consid
der of the said Offer, and to insist, mantein, and stand for the guid
caus. " Finafie, ye saU tak heid that no Nobfflmen, Barrounes, nor
Burgessis, be admittit to vote in the GeneraU Assemblie, namely in
matteres of weight, concerneMg the Govemement of the Kirk,
but sic as haiff Commissioun from the Presbytries, and thairof so
mony only as the order and custome of our Kirk aUowis."
The samyne yeir also, Doctor Montague, Deane of the Kingis
ChappeU, wes promoveit to be Bisschop of Bath and WaUles, at
quhais inaguratioun, Doctor Downame, Dean ffl the ChappeU of
Lambeth, maid the sermone for the mantinence of the dignitie and
authoritie of the office of Bisschoppis above MMisteres ; the quhUk
being ane abridgment of Doctor BUsounes PerpetuaU Govemement,
wes thought of sic valour for the caus, that it was penffit, and printit
coppies thairof sent to Scotland befoir the appoyntit Assemblie :
But it wes weU answered, first and presentfie, for that boith thair
Bisschoppis and Doctouris wes over frank, accomptit strong for the
Discipfin ; and aU tfie world saw it wes the world that bfindit and
miscariit thame. I say, it wes weU answered, first and presently,
scharpfie, wyselie, and shortlie, becaus of the instant tyme ; and
thaireftir, at great lenth, ffflfie for the posteritie. So that sufficient
remedies and counter poysounes wes provydit for all, save for the
3 B

754 THE CONTINUATION OF 1608.
mammone of monie ; J againes the quhfflt only prayer to Chryst, to
keip Ms awin from Balaames wages of unrychteousnes, wes found
profitabffl ; quhilk, indeid, wes pourit out by all the myndfoU of the
caus. And so the GeneraU Assemblie, procbrimeit to be haulden
at Hafirudhous,2 wes keipit at Litfigow the last Tuysday of July
1608. The proceidingis quhairof is in matter and maner, as it wes
in schew and toakin for the rest, as foUowis :
Maister Patrick GaUoway, Moderator of the last GeneraU As
sembfie hauldM at Hafirudhous, maid the exhortatioun, poynting
only at such tMngis as wes controvertit among the Brither, and yit
to the joy and contentment of the best. The sermone enffit, the
Assembfie convenit very frequently,3 so that scairselie the haiff of
the Moderatoris voyce wes heard. The number of Nobfflmen and
Gentfflmen quho voitit in the Assemblie, be Ms Majestie's direc
tioun, wes above fourtie ; quhfflt put the Brither in a great feir that
sume mischevious conclusioun wes to pas by plurafitie of voitis.
Diverse of the Brither schew the Moderator that that wes againes
the act of the GeneraU Assemblie, quhfflt grantit offly thrie Com
missiouneres to the King ; but their speich prevaUit not, for it wes
answerit, that if they soffld cast off the Nobfflmen, thair conclusioun
wauld want executioun : " For we," said the Moderator, " must
pray and preich, but they must fright !" And so it went to the
chuseing of a new Moderator ; and the persounes on the Iritis wer,
Masteris Patrik Simpsoun, Johne HaU, Patrik Scharpe, Johne
Nicolsoun, and James Law, caUit Bisschop of Orknay. The greitt
est number of MMisteris voitit to Mr Patrik Simpsoun, a number
to Mr Johne HaU and Mr Patrik Scharpe, feiring Mr Patrik Simp-
sounes health, (quho, indeid, hes bein deidlie disseasit, and miracu-
lousfie restorit to health by God,) quMU as Mr James Nicolsoun,
the much reposit upon Moderator of the last Assemblie, wes takin
away in the middes of his dayes marvelousfie, so that none of the
best Ministeres gave voit to the Bisschop ; and yit, be the numberis
of Erlis, Lordis, Knychtis, and GentUmen, sent thair of purpose be
1 Money. 2 Adv. MSS. " Dundie." s Numerously.

1608. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 755
the King, the Bisschop Law wes imposit Moderator rather then
chosin; and howbeit aU the Nobfflmen and Gentillmen, Bisschoppis,
Commissiouneris, and thair adherentis, voitit to the Bisschop Law,
yit a number of the best of the Ministerie pingled l them ; so that,
iff they had not bein devydit becaus of Mr Patrick Sfflrpsoune's
disseas and waiknes, it wes thought they sould haiff prevafflit. The
quhilk tMng being marfrit, no less feirit the Bisschopis to propoun
any thing directfie for that purpose, nor they Mcourragit ; the guid
Ministerie persaring such a grid number sett in a way of uprycht-
nes as wes sufficient aneugfit to resist any conclusioun prejudiciaU
to the guid caus of the Kirk.
Bischop Orknay being sett doun Moderator, First, the Erie of
Dumbar, his Majestie's Great Commissiouner, deliveris to him a
Lettre from the Kingis Majestie, contefiring tuo poyntis ; ane, his
zeaUe and cair to resist and repress Papistrie ; tfie utMr, his love to
the Kirk of Scotland and the guid estait thairof; wisching everie
thing that mycht hurt the same mycht be removit, as namely the
present distractioun and alienatioune of heartis that wer among the
Brither about circumstances and matteris incfifferent, quhUk ethir
mycht be or not. His Hemes' Lettre wes verie kyndlie and reve
rently ressavit, and tfiankis given to God for that guid affectioun ;
persounes to be upon the Privie Conferrence ar chosine : Many of
all the Nobfflmen thair, and the greattest pairt of the Ministerie,
wer of sic as wes on the Blakburd2 syd.
First, They resolve to take ordour with Papistis ; and then, eftir
the wysest maner, to remove the causses of distractioun. Papistis
wer divydit m thrie sortis, Professit, Suspectit, and Not-communi-
cantis, or in proces. The Professit headis wer thrie, in speciall,
the Marques of Huntly, the Erles of Angus and ArreU.3 Tuiching
the Marques, they demandit the Bischop of Abirdein, " Iff he had
excommunicat him according to the directioun givin at Falkland ?"
Quho answerit, " No." They speirit,4 " If the proces deducit againes
him wes closed ?" He answerit, " It wes, and nothing resting but
1 Reduced them to straits. ; Adv. MSS. " Babell's." 3 Errol. 4 Asked.

756 THE CONTINUATION OF

1608.

the pronunceing of the sentence." They answerit, " Quhither the
sentence mycht presentfie be pronuncit in the face of the Assem
blie, or remittit to the Presbytrie of Aberdein ?" All with ane voyce
condiscendit that it sould be presentfie pronuncit, but * any forder
delay. QuhUk the Moderator, eftir a solemne maner, did. And it
being endit, his Majestie's Commissiouner condiscendit, fourtie
dayes being expyrit eftir the pronunceing of the said sentence, the
CiriU Sword soffld pas againes hfin, but2 mercie or favour to him
and his, yea, thought sume of his freindis soffld haif cum and buy
his escheit, it sould be refuissit. It wes ftuther ordaMit, that everie
Minister, in his pulpit, Mimediatfie eftir fiis returneing hame, soffld
mak publicatioun thairoff to his flocke, that quhosoever sould res
save or intertein him soffld incurr the same sentence. And as for
Angus and ArreU, the Presbytries of Perth and Glasgow, respective,
are ordainit, how soone they sould sitt doun, to urge thame to the
conformitie of heiring of the Word, usemg of the Sacramentis, and
Christiane obedience ; and faUyeMg thairoff, the sentence of ex
communicatioun [to be pronuncit againes thame befoir the 15 of
August rixtocum, his Majestie's Commissiouner promiseing the
execution of the civil lawis 3] to pass againes thame, in lyk maner,
without favour. The Lord MaxweU, for the filthie murthering of
the Laird of Johnstoune, wes ordainit to be excommunicat in Edin
brache. Concerneing the rest of the Papistis, this Overtoure wes givin,
that every ProvinciaU4 sould convein by thame selff in the place
quhair the Bisschop or Moderator of the ProvMce sould appoynt,
and sould give up the names of the Papistis professit, suspectit, and
not-communicantis, and that without feid5 or favour, or conceMng
from the Counsel of any of thair names. The qulifflt to doe the
aith6 wes solemnelie takin M the presens of God and haffl Assem
blie. Forder, that the Provinces conveinit sould try the causses of
the incresse of Papistis, and devyse remedies for taking away off
the same, [and the roMs of the Papistis' names, causseres of incres
1 Without. 2 Adv. MSS. " without." ¦" Not in Adv. MSS. 4 Every
Synod, or Provincial Assembly. -'• Feud. B Oath.

1608. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 757
of Papistrie, and remedies for the same,1] to be reportit in wryt to
the haffl Assemblie. A great number of the Papistis, in aU places
of the realme, of all sortis, were givin upe.
The causses, in lyk maner, of Papistrie, qubilk wer thought to
be these : First, Impunitie of the cheiff and principaU ; neither
SpirituaU nor Civffl Sword stryking on thame ; and that becaus of
the want of a GeneraU Assembfie thais many yeiris bypast, and
the oversycht 2 of sic to quhom the govemement of the kMgdome
wes committit by his Hienes, suspectit of Papistrie tham selffis
thais many yeiris bypast, and thairfor oversieris and favoureris of
utheris : The remeid of tMs wes a Petitioun to be presentit to his
Majestie concerneing the remedie, and craveing the fibertie of a
GeneraU Assembfie and Provinciafis, according and conforme to
the actis of Parfiament ; and tfiat sic Office-beireris suspectit of
Papistrie be removeit, and sound3 Protestantis put M thair rowmes.
2dly, The second caus of Papistrie and incres thairof wes found to
be the over rasche and haistie admissioun of Ministeres, without
exact tryeU of thair quafificatioun and abUitie for discbargeing of
such a hight calling : The remeid of this wes, that a lairge tyme
sould be spent M tryeU befoir impositioun of handis, according to
the reule of the Appostle. idly, The third caus of the Meres of
Papistrie wes the present distractiounes among the Ministerie
tham seUfis ; quhfflt the enimie labouris to foster, so far as lay in
his power ; and the restrafflt of so many faithfuU Brither, banishit,
imprissounit, and confyfflt within the realme and without, quho,
quhen they were present M thair awin places, wer feirfoU and ter-
ribffl to their effimies : The remeid of the third caus wes, that ane
Overtoure sould be thought upoun for removing of this present4
distractioun, and a Petitioun maid to the Kingis Majestie for re
live of sic Brither as wes put from thair places and callingis.
Thir thrie poyntis, Names of the Papistis, the Causis of Papistrie,
and the Remefflis thairof, wes presentit by the Provinces to the
Privie Conferrence : In the quhilk this Overture wes thoucht guid
1 Omitted in Adv. MSS. 2 Neglect, culpably overlooking or winking at.
3 Adv. MSS. " deposed, and some." * lb. " healing of the said."

758 THE CONTINUATION OF 1608.
to be proponit to the haiU Assemblie, that a little bffik sould be
maid, and thairunto the names of the haffl Papistis sould be sett
doun, Professit, Suspectit, and Non-commuMcantis, and be certaine
Commissiouneres chosMe be the said Assembfie, the said buik to
be presentit to the Kffigis Majestie for order taring with the saids
Papistis and excommuricatis, eftir the danger wes apprehendit. So
the Commissiouneres wer chosin, the Earle of Wigtoun, the Bis
schop of Glasgow, the Laird of KUsyth, the Lord Little-Justice ;
for the Burgesses, James Nizebitt, Bafflie of Edinbruche ; and, for
the Ministerie, Maister Wffliame Couper, Minister at Pertfie. And
to the end the Brither mycht be assurit of the sinceritie and truth
proceidMg againes Papistis, and that it sould vanish in the air, as
did the last meittingis at Lithgow, and especiaffie of the last meit
ting. Tuo Ministeres out of ilk Province wer appoyntit to meit at
Edinbruche the 13 day of November nixtocum, to heir Ms Majes
tie's answer tffiching thais Papistis, and to seik the executioun thair
off without partialitie. The Presbytrie, in the meantyme, com
mandit to intend proces againes aU Papistis quhois names are con-
teinit M that bffik, that, being conrictit, the sentence of excommu
nicatioun mycht be pronunceit againes thame without delay.
Thais tMngis, without long advysement or consultatioun, past
againes Papistis.
The second thing intreatit upon wes the TryeU of Visitatiounes,
committit by the Assembly at Hafirudhous to certaMe Brither ; of
the quhfflt number sume wer present, and sume wer absent. Such
as wer present gave in thair dMgence in wrytt, and thais wryttis
committit to certaine Brither to peruse : They fand many Mriris
wanting persones, to witt, fitt Pastoris, togider witfi great disorderis,
especiaUy in Caitnes and Sudderland, in the Merse, and the rest
of the DaUlis ' annexit to that Synod ; for remeiding quhairoff, the
Bisschop of Glasgow and Mr Johne Knox wer appoyntit Visitoris
for the Merse and the DaUlis ; the Bisschop of Caitnes and Mi-
George Hay for Caitnes and Sutherland. And then the Commis-
1 This refers to the districts of Teviotdale, Tweeddale, &c.

1608. ME JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 759
siouneres of the last Generall Assemblie offerit thame selffis to be
tryit, iff thai had done thair office faithfully and dUligently or not ;
quho went aU out, and Mr WUfiame Couper supplieit the rowmc "
of the Moderator, for that the Moderator wes ane of thais Commis
siouneris. The Brither, by him, being required, QuMther they
had any thing to lay to thair charge that wes Commissiouneres ?
No man answerit any thing ; so that sUence wes taffi2 for approba-
tioun, siemg thair wes notMng laid to thair chairge : Quhairupoun
wes made ane act of aUowance of thame, as honnest men and faith-
full Commissiouneres, and thairfor worthie to be continowit in thair
office, namelie, becaus it wes his Majestie's wffl that thais Commis
siouneres soffld be continowit in thair offices, utfiirwayes he would
heir none of the Kirk matteris by ony thair ; and that the rowmes
of thais quho had depairtit tMs lyff soffld be filfit to his lyking.
The Moderator schew that the continowance of the former, and the
supplieing of tfie places vacant as Ms Majestie desyrit, wes best, for
diverse causses : First, Becaus of thair moyen 3 and riches, quhair
by they mycht travel from place to place, as the matteris off the
Kirk sould requyre": 2dly, Becaus of the credit off the King, quho
would heir non uthir : idly, Becaus of thair experience and skffle
in handfing of matteres, fiaveing had great and long practise, ithly,
and last, Becaus thair wes none of that Assembfie fitter and meitter
nor they wer. To this the Brither condescendit, with protesta
tioun that the continowance of thame, for tMs yeir foUowing, sould
not prejudge the fibertie of the Kirk in thair frie electioun ; quhilk
Protestatioun wes admittit, and actit in the Buik of the Assemblie.
The last principaU tMng handlit in this Assemblie wes, how the
distractioun among the Brither mycht be removeit, to the end that
in unitie of ane spirit, aU mycht joyne tham selff togider againes
the comoun erimie. The devyseing of this wes commendit to four
of the best and wysest Brither, togider with his Majestie's Com
missiouner. The Overture devysit by thame wes this, that sieing
thair wes a double distractioun amongis thame, to witt, boith in af-
1 Adv. MSS. "place." 2 Taken. 3 Influence.

760 THE CONTINUATION OF 1608.
fectioun and judgment, baith of thame sould be takin away, efter
titis manner : The distractioun m affectioun, sieing it wes camaU
and uncumefie in the persounes of aU CMistiaMs, much moir in
Preicheris, sould be takin away be reconcUiatioun, testifieit be the
said whole Brither efter a solemne manner, promiseing befoir God
and the Assembfie to lay asyd aU rancour and malice, iff any wer
in thair heartis befoir ; and in tyme cumming to love ane another
as the servantis of ane Lord and Maister. TMs promise wes con
firmit by ane aitfi [by Ufteing up the hand befoir God, in presens of
the Assembfie. Farther, it wes ordaiffit that this reconcffiatioun
past by ane aith1] amonges the Brither, sould be reiterat ffl the
Presbytries, efter thair hame-cummeing, and thane solemnelie in-
timat in thair severaU pulpitis, to the joye of Godis chUdrein, and
terrour of thair enimies.
The distractioune of judgement to be tane away be a conferrence
of sic persounes as the Ministerie, on boith the sydis, sic as are
thought to be best lairnit, disposit to peice, and sein 2 in the mat
teres controvertit : For the Ministers, Maisteris Patrick Simsoun,
Johne Hall, WUfiame Scott, Johne Carmichael, Johne Knox, with
fyve more, 3 etc. ; upoun the uther syd, fyve Bisschopis, St Androis,
Glasgow, Orknayj Duncaldem, 4 etc., with fyve Miffisteris ; twentie
in aU, to meitt befoir his Majestie or Ms Commissiouneris, reassoun
and consult upon matteres, preisseing thairby to find out a grid
Overtour and middis8 quhairunto boith mycht agrie, and this
Overtour to be reportit to the nixt Generall Assembfie, thair to pass.
In conclusioun, the Moderator preissit to ordain the Bisschoppis
to be Visitoris in thair awM diosie ; but it wes resistit. For the
quhUk caus, aU sort of visitatioun, boith in the persoun of the Bis
schoppis and uthiris, wes dischairgit. The bUfis and supplicatiounes
wer remittit to the Commissiouneres of the said Assemblie, save
' Omitted in Adv. MSS. > Skilled, experienced, conversant with.
» " Patrick Galloway, Archibald Oswald, Adam Bannatyne, John Weems, and William
Couper."_( Cald. Hist. M. 598.) * " Caithness ; Mrs Patrick Sharpe,
Robert Howie, John Mitchelson, Henrie Phillip, and George Hay." 5 Medium,
middle course.

1608. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 761
only a suppficatioun, quhUk the Elderis of the parocMne ' of KUryn-
nie gave in for the releiff and hame-bringMg to thame of thair Mi
nister, Mr James Melvin ; quhilk wes ressavit and publictlie read in
the face of the Assembfie : Quhairunto the Erie of Dumbar answerit,
that the Commissiouneres directit with the RoUis of Papistis sould
interpone a requeist, M the name of the Assembfie, for the releiff
of the said Mr James, quhom he wald assist, for a report of his Ma
jestie's gracious answer thairannent; be occasioun quhairoff, Mr
Andro Melvin, Mr Robert Bruce, Mr Wffliame Rowe, and Mr
Johne Murray, the baniscMt honest Brither, and aU the confynit
at home, wer mentiounit : And the Brither, aU with ane crye,2 sol-
licitate the Moderator to requeist Ms Majestie's Commissiouner,
with the rest that wer sent upe, to be instant with the Kingis Ma
jestie, m name of the Assembfie, for thair releiffe and libertie.
They grantit to do for, except for the Brither baniscMt, quhois re
leiff the King woffld not grant, except thai woffld confess thair fafflt,
and crave his Majestie's pardoun. The Britherin of the Mmisterie,
quhois stipendis wes not sufficient to susteM thame selffis and thair
famMes, ar ordafirit to be M EdMbruche the 15 of August, that they
may haif exceptioune from the present taxatioun, and exemptit
thairfra, and M aU tyme to cume : In end, the nixt GeneraU Assem
blie wes appoyntit to be hauldffl at Edinbruche, the last Tuysday
of May 1609.
TMs Assembfie had a fair schaw, but the poMcie thairoff wes de-
tectit, and thus wes it censurit by the judicatoris,3 for thairin they
fand thrie or four dangerous eyelistis4 that they coffld not digest :
[1st,'] The censure of the Commissiouneres of the GeneraU Assem
blie at Hafirudhous, and thair approbatioun by sUence ; quhilk, iff
the conditiounes at FaUtland had beM keipit, sould not haiff beM
trichit, in respect that the controversies of our Kirk did cheifely
strick upon their proceedingis : 2dly, The casting off of all Visita
tioun of the Kirkes, becaus they could not be had in the persoune
1 Adv. MSS. " Congregation." 2 lb. " consent." 3 lb. "judicious."
4 Eyesores; Adv. MSS. " acts."

762 THE CONTINUATION OF 1608.
of Bisschoppis, as thought Bischoppries wer so necessar in our
Kirk, that without them we soffld haif no Visitatioun, nor doe no
guid. idly, Under pretence of thair reconcUiatioun, and abstinence
from aU controvertit poyntis, tM they be determinit thairupoun,
the Bisschopis tififfltis they haif closit aU the moutMs of the adver
sar Ministeris from speiking in the defence of the EstabMscMt Dis
cipfin, alsewel as ffl oppouneing l thairto, and sua hes brought boith
in suspense and questione, as thought boith lay over amongst us
to be decydit2 quhat DisciplM wes most lawfuU ; and M this advan
tage they haiff aMeadie kytMt, by occasioun of sume doctrMe dely
verit M excerceis of our Discipfin, quhUk wes censurit as done
agaffles the trewis,3 as they caU it, tMnking that thair sould not a
word be spokin in discipfin matteres, to or fra4 — a derilish poUicie!
TMs is the poysoune craftilie convoyit in that Assembly. Athly,
That aU the greitter deffling againes the Papistis is, becaus of the
buik of Tortus, quhairin the IGng is chaUengit of favoris and pro-
misses maid to the Pope and the Papistis, and wffl resolve M a par
ticular casting off of sume courteouris pofflticaffle, Papishe affectit,
quhairby to cloke and dissemble in matteres the better for a quhyle ;
yit thair wes one tMng much to be rejoycit into, to witt, the sound-
nes of the MiMsteres for the most pairt ; quhilk, as we undirstand,
hes frayit5 thame, that they wffl be laith to hazard summam rei
upon thair voitis again in a fuU6 Assemblie, unles thai finde the mat
teres surefier and bettir dressit.
The third, and deductioun of the generaU storie hes stayit the
particular, concerneing Mr Johne Murray, untffl now ; quhilk fell
furth M the same yen-, and wes thus. This gentfflman, of guid ac
compt as for his birth, and marriage of a most godly and nobffl vir
gin in the world ; so, for Ms singular giftis, and faithfulnes M his
ministerie, wes ordainit Pastor M the Kirk off Leith, quhair the
new-maid Bisschopis had thair meittMgis, consultationes, danceing,7
1 Adv. MSS. " oppugning." 2 lb. " debated." » lb. " Truce." 4 To and
fro ; on the one side or on the other. 5 Affrighted. » Adv. MSS. " free."
7 lb. " drinking."

1608. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 763
and playfflg at cairtis,1 dyce, and worse excerceisses ; quhairwith
Mr Johne mett sickerly, withM the sermones ; also if any of tham
had, in thair doctrin, (for they taught ofttymes in Mr David Lind-
sayis place,) glanceit at EpiscopaU auctoritie and govemement, it
wes without delaye maid oppffl and maffifest 2 by the said Mr Johne.
This angerit the Bisschoppis at the heart ; and thairfoir thai resol
vit to dUait him [to mak mformatioun of Mm to the Kingis Majes
tie ; quhilk wes done sffidrie tymes by him, quho] postit continow-
allie for the rest, to witt Glasgow, the sonne-in-law to Rosse,3 quho
then wer nameit Cajaphas and Annas ! And, notwithstandfflg, by
the favour and wyse defiling of Ms freffldis, quhairoff he had mony,
both at Court and at home, he continowit on, most profitabfflie and
most confortabUlie, Pastour, witfi great pames among his flocke,
the space of thrie or four yeiris ; for they coffld find nothing agaffles
him, save only foranent the law of his God, and faithfoU dueties
done to Chryst and Ms Kirk. Among the rest, being Moderator
in the Synod of LotMane, keipit in EdMbruche in wMter, he maid
ane exceUent sermone at the doun-layfflg of the Moderatioun ; the
coppie quhereof, (I wott not how,) cummfflg in sume grid Brotheris
handis, wes put to the press beyond the seas, and so come ffl the
handis of money, altogider without the knawledge of Mr Johne
himself; and wes alse sufficient as Daniefis prayeres to bring Mm
to the den of lyounes ! He wes callit befoir the Counsel, quhilk
would fame, at his desyre, haiff remittit him to his Presbytrie, or
ProvinciaU Synod, befoir the quMlk the sermone wes maid ;4 but
the Bisschopis Msistit mafitiouslie, and said, " That wes as much as
to declyne his Majestie's Judicatorie, and so faU under the cryme
of treassoun." So, the Bisschop of Samt Androis accuseing, and
the Bisschop of Glasgow also, he must neidis answer : They gaif
in to the CounseU the four Articles foUowmg, as a chaUange of
him, M wrytt ; quhUk wer cuttit out of the Buik with the Kingis
awin hand :
1 Adv. MSS. " cards." - lb. "confuted." 3 Mr David Lindsay was at
that time Bishop of Ross. ' Adv. MSS. " taught."

764 THE CONTINUATION OF 1608.

[ARTICLES AGAINST MR JOHN MURRAY, MINISTER OF LEITH.]
" 1. The auctour of the Sermone, page 28, speiking of abuseing
of Christiane fibertie, bringeth for an example, a law or Mjunc-
tioune for the use of the Surpleis1 in Devyne Service ; of the ring
in mariage, quhich is ane expres taxmg of the Canons of the Kirk
of England maid annent thais Ceremonies, and the Kingis Ratifica-
tioun tfiairoff.
"2. He sayis2 that the creiping M of the AnticMistiane yoke
had for the first steppe, quhfflt is little different from our new Mode
ratoris ; and so condemnit tfie act of Lithgowe, ratifieit be his
Majestie. " 3.3 The Kingis Counsel and NobUfitie, and aU [subjects,] haiff
ing sworne by the name of God to defend the Discipfin of tfie Kirk
aU tfie dayis of tfiair lyff, under the paines conteinit in the law, and
danger boith of bodie and safflle, in the day of Godis feirfoU judge
ment. And, page 52, he sayis that paritie in power and auctoritie
is the ordinance of God. This is a laying of perjurie to his Majes
tie and CounseU, sieing Ms Majestie condemnes paritie, and preisses
the abofitioune thairof out of the Kirk.
" 4. Page 48, he sayes, we in Scotland are baitting doun Chryst,
putting him in bandis, and covering his face, and [are] off purpose
to burie him, with the Jewis. This strykis upoun the Kingis auc
toritie, that he sould suffer Chryst to be so intreattit in his king-
dome." MR JOHNNES ANSWER FOLLOWIS.
" For answer, in aU humMtie and reverence to your Lordshippis :
The Articles quhairon I am chaUengit ar not the wordis of my ser
mone, but consequentis drawM out of thame, cumeing directfie
againes the scope of the sermone it seM, aymand4 offly, as it is evi-
' Surplice. 2 Page 33. 3 Page 44. « Aiming.

1608. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 76")
dent, at our selffis of the Ministerie at that present conveinit ; as also,
againes the expres wordis thairoff; the quhfflt, at page 49, ar fuU
of reverence and duetiefulnes towardis his Majestie.
" Heirfore, I most humblie beseik your Lordschippis, sieing my
challenge is not the expres affirmatioun of my wordis, bot the 111a-
tioun ; ' that as thair is no expres matter or caus of accusatioun, but
rather contrair, so thair may be no expres accusatioun ; and that
my wordis be not over sair wrung, nor my meMemg wrestit, but
favourabUfie constructit. Finaffle, tfiat your LordscMppis, accord
ing to your wontit loveabUl custome, wald leive the judgment and
censure of the sermoune and poyntis thairof to my OrdMar, that is,
either the Presbyterie or ProvmciaU, m qufiois audience it wes de
fiverit." This petitioun aU the CounseU, except the Bisschoppis, thought
reassounabffl ; and thairfor resolrit to wrytt to the Kingis Majestie
thairannent. But the nixt newis wes that Mr Johne Murray wes
takin the 13 of AppryU be the Livetennent of the Guard, and with
out any further proces committit to the CasteU of Edinbruche,
quhair he remanit tffl ane wes put M Ms rowme at Leith by the
Bisschoppis, and he transportit to New Abbay among the Papist
Cheiffes.2 This same yeir, 1608, wes finprintit ane uthir buik over-sie, and
cum abroad, Mtitulat " Informatiounes and a Proclamatioun,3 and
a Treatise from Scotland, secundat with Doctor Remolis' Lettre to
Sir Francis KnoMs, and Sir Francis KnoUis his Speich in Parlia
ment,- aU suggesting the usurpatioun of PapaU Bisschopis. ' Everie
plant that my hevinlie Fatfier hes not plantit saU my Father pluck
out.' "4 The Protestatioun wes that given in to the Parliament at
Perthe. The treatise fffllie confirmit tfie EstabifiscMt Discipfin in
Scotland, and cleirly discoverit and refotit tfie EpiscopaU usurpa
tioune. The year preceiding, 1607, the King, considering the twaBreivis
1 Adv. MSS. "consequents." 2 Univ. MS. "theves." 3 Adv. MSS.
" or protestationes." * Math. xv. 13; 1 Cor. ii. 12.

766 THE CONTINUATION OF 1608
of Pope Paulus V., and the Lettre of Cardmall Bellarmine to the
Archpreist, G. Blackwell, had hinderit the Papistis much from Ms
obedience, thought meitt to publishe a buik agames thame ; quhilk
he did, beiring this title, " Triplici Nodo Triplex Cuneus, or Ane
AppoUogie for the Aith of AUedgeance againes the Tua Breivis of
Pope PaMus Quintus, and the lait Lettre of CardinaU Bellarmine
to G. BlackweU, the Archpreist, Auctoritate Regia." Againes this
buik, within the haiff a yeir, wes pubfiscMt by tfie Papistis, ane
answer M Latine, off this inscriptioune : — " Mathei Torti, Presbiteri
et Theologi Parisiensis, Responsi ad fibrum inscriptum, Triplici
Nodo, &c. ; quo ostenditur Juramentum Mud ab hostibus Fidei,
Cathoficas excogitatum Miquissime a subditis Cathoficis, sub gravis-
sima bonorum omnium amissione, perpetuoramque carcerum poena
postulari atque exigi. Editio altera, CoUoniae."
The argument of the haill buik is in the sext page : " Primum
ostendimus juramentum Cathoficis propositum, non solum civilem
obedientiam, sed etiam Catholicae Fidei abnegationem requirere.
Hasc enim est principalis questio, quae inter nos hoc tempore dispu-
tatur ; deMde singulas partes appologise discutiamus."
In tMs book, Cardfflaffis ChappeUane (for so the printer, in Ms
Epistle, termes him Cardinalli BeUarmino a Sacellis1) is verie direct
and dispyttfoll againes the King, calling the auctor of the AppoUo
gie, " Calumniatorem mendacem finpudentem." He gives efter a
lyk flatt lye. In page 92, he saith, " Necesse est auctorem Appol-
logias omnem omnino pudorem et conscientiam exuisse :" Page 97,
" Jacobo Juliano in multis adajquatur," lairgely and dispyttffflly :
" Jacobus," saith he, " cum Cathoficis non sit, neque Christianus
est:" Page 98, "Jacobus primum Cathoficis deinde etiam Puri-
tanos opposuit :" Page 130, " Qua? turn ita sfflt desinat adversarius
in Scripturis Sanctis earumque testimoniis ad eum primatim stabi-
liendum abuti, quem non solum Cathofica Ecclesia est detestata
semper. Sed etiam Calvinus ipse cum schohe Genevensi appro-
bavit, nunquam abhoruit, et quam in ipsa Anglia ut a Regia cupi-
ditate exortum, ipse etiam Puritani molestissime semper tulerint."
1 Adv. MSS. "Postellis."

1608. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 767
Thais thingis trouble the KMg at the heart ; but namely, the tuo
passages foUowmg not offly gallit the King, but movit much the
CounseU and haill estaite. " Clemens the Eight, (sayis he,) duo Brevia
anno 1600 tribus anffls ante obitum Reginae ad Catholicos misit
unum ad Clerum, alteram ad popfflum ; quibus Brevibus non ut
iste mentitur Jacobum tunc Scotias Regem exclusit, sed consilium
dedit quale dare docebat Summum Pontificem, viz. ut Catholici
opera darent quantum a ipsis est ut Rex ad Religionem Cathoficam
bene affectus eligeretur, &c. Quibus verbis non solum Jacobus
Scotiae Rex non excludebatur, sed Mcludebatur potius, quoniam
Miristri ejus maxfinam spem fecerunt eum non abhorrere, a Fide
Cathofica suscipienda, pnesertim cum Rex ipse ad Pontificem ipsum,
necnon ad Cardinales Hildebrandum et BeUarmmum literas scripsit,
plenas humaritatis ; qribus, preter caetera, petebat ut aliqris e gente
Scotorum CardMafi S. R. E. crearetur, ut haberent Romas, per
quam facfflus et tutius cum Pontifice sua negotia tractare, ut quare
Pontifex, non perfidum, accusari, sed ipse sua spe frastratus vite
mente potMt et alibi, ut vir Cathoficus regno Ulo prope diem vaca-
turo properetur : Quo consfflo nffllum aliud a Pontifice Maximo
(cri Cathoficas Ecclesiae cura potissimum incumbit) magis Christi-
anum magis pium et utUe dari potuit quod sit hac generali admoni-
tione Jacobus excluderetur, ipse erat in causa qui spem non obscure
datam Pontificem fallere volebat certe ejus administri reprehendi
debeant ; qM magis adhuc aperte Jacobum tunc Scotia? Regem,
adepto Angficano regno, Catholicum foturum promittebat.' '
Upon this, it wes thought necessar, for cleiring the King of sua
odious sclanderis, the GeneraU Assembfie sould hauld in Scotland,
and the proceidingis thairin to be againes Papistis ; and a Suppfica
tioun thairfoir to be maid for pacifieMg off aU controversies within
the Kirk, and restoring againe of sic of the Ministeres as wer banis
chit, imprissourit, and confynit.
In the moneth of September 1608, Sir James Elphingstoun,
Lord Balmerinoch, PrincipaU Secretar of Scotland, and President
of the CoUedge of Justice, the Kingis speciall agent againes the

768 THE CONTINUATION OF

1609.

Ministeris, did tak his journay to the Court, for his further imploy-
ment ; but cumming to the Court and the King, at Roystoun, wes
accusit for defiling with the Pope, and wrytting to hfin and the
CardffiaMs in maner conteiffit in the foirnamit bfflk, and the pass
ages thairoff; fynaly, for being the caus of so hynous a sclander,
and aU dirifisfi attemptis of Papistis since syne againes the King
and Estaitis, and the Papistis being sua desperatlie inrageit for
finding tfiame selff disapoyntit of the great expectatioun they had
that the King soffld becum a Cathofick. But, leiveing the rest of
this to his awin confessioun, depositioun, and proces, quhilk is ex
tant,1 I remember only the effect — that the said Sir James, eftir he
wes degradit and deposit from aU honouris he had in Ingland,
[namely, from the number and tabffl of the most honourabM Privy
CounseU of Ingland,2] quhairof he wes one, he wes sent backe
prissouner to Scotland, thair to be adjudged and punischit accord
ing to his demeritis. M.DC.IX.
And, M the moneth of March following, a day of law, or Justice
Court, wes most solemnelie and frequentfie keipit at Saint Androis, to
the quhfflt he wes brought from Falkland ; and thair, upon his awin
confessioun, being convict and fyllit3 of fiie treassoun for surreptioun,
and thivish steffling of the Kingis hand in a Lettre to the Pope.
Upon his humble petitioun to the Judge and CounseU, Ms sentence
and dome wes delayit tffl the Kingis wUl sould be knawin thairan
nent. So, on the last day of March he wes brought over the watter
from Falkland to Edinbruche, and thair in the Tolbuith ressavit sen
tence to be execute to the death, and damnit as a tratour and male
factor ; and immediatlie thaireftir he was caryit back agaM to Leith,
and taken over the Ferry that same night, and put in his prissoune
at FaUtland, to expect the Kingis further wffl ; and thus, in Godis
rychteous judgment, wes he schamefully usit, and put to shame and
1 See Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, II. 568-601, for a full account of this very re
markable and mysterious investigation. 2 Omitted in Adv. MSS. » Found guilty.

1609. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 769
ignominie by thame quho imployit his pen to sua mony schamefoll
and spytfoU proclamatiounes againes the Ministeres of Jesus Chryst,
and Ms paffles for imprissouneing and baniscbing the samyne.
AU this quhyU, quhen men luikit for hott persewing of Papistis,
and relefiT of the baffischit, imprissounit, and confynit Brither,
Ministeres had warse ; Papistis wer playit withaU, and the purpose
of advanceing Bischopis bussUie promoveit for ane frequent Con
ventioun of Ministeres and Nobfflmen at Edinbruche in the moneth
of November. The four Commissiouneris directit from the Gene
raU Assembfie reportit Ms Majestie's answer to tfie Petitiounes of
the said Assembfie agaffles the Papistis, absolutely quhatsoever wes
crarit ; yea, that he had sent in the Erie of Dumbar, armit with
aU auctoritie to put M executioun quhatever wes cravit concerneing
the Ministeris under his displeasure, conditiounallie, if thai woffld
confesse thair faultis and mak humble Suppficatioun. So gentill
and clement wes the Kingis nature, that he wald be more readie to
give thame fibertie nor J tfiey would be to sute the same.
In end, the Bisschop of Glasgow, ffivying 2 agaffles the Papistis and
thais that said that the offer of tfie Conferrence wes but for the
fasrioun, and thairfoir, M the mein tyme, thair wes a defiling againes
Papistis to haid off : " Yit," sayis he, " it saU not be driftit ; for the
Earle of Dumbar and the Kingis Commissiouneris for the Kirk wffl
instantly appoynt ane day to be keipit in Februar nixt, and adver
tisment maid thairof to aU baiffand Mterest." Yit not only passit
thair M that Conventioun thrie or four little thingis to the grateing 3
of Bisschopis, and decrease and Mterest of Presbytries ; as, that
thai sould be examffleris of Pedagogues that passit with nobUmenis
and gentilmenis sones out of the countrie, and give testimoniallis
of approbatioun : Item, that none sould obtaffle entrie to thair
landis, and be servit lawfuU heretoris, without the Bisschopis lawfoU
certificat to the inqueist of the soundnes of Ms Refigioun, etc.
But also,ffi aU tMs, they had a main drift bringing about to restore
the Bisschopis in integrum to the Commissariat cottis 4 off Testa-
1 Than. 'Inveighing. 3 Adv. MSS. " greatening." 4 Quots.
3 c

770 THE CONTINUATION OF 1609.
mentis, and all utheris Judicatoris and casuafities that ever the
Popishe Bisschopis were M possession off; the quhilk great fisch,
to the intent they mycht the more easifier and firmlie fang l at the
nixt Parfiament, without oppositioun of the Ministerie, convemit
with the Lordis of Sessioun, and haM laweris and Commissaris, the
great bussines againes Papistis were cassin in, and the fair expec
tatioun of the Conferrence quhilk, in the moneth of May, wes dressit
and convoyit, in maner and matter as heir foUowis :

ANE JUST COPPIE OF THE CONFERRENCE AT FALKLAND,
4 MAY 1609.
" The Earfis of Dumbar and Wigtoune, the Lordis Scoone, and
Fentone-Barnes, CoUector, Commissiouneris to Ms Majestie ;
Maisteris George Glaidstaines, Johne Spottiswood, Alexander
Lyndsay, Alexander Forbes, Patrick Scharp, Robert Plowie, Johne
Nicolsoun, Henrie PhUpe, and George Hay, for the Bisschopis ;
Maisteris Patrick GaUoway, Johne Hall, WUfiame Scot, Aj-cMbald
Oswall, Johne Knox, Johne Carmichael, Adam BaUentyne, Johne
Wemis, and WUfiame Couper, (Mr Patrik Simpsoun being absent,)
mett M that chalmer quhfflt wes Ms Majestie's, for dischairgeing ane
Commissioun directit from tfie last GeneraU Assembfie haulden at
Lithgow the 29 of Jffly 1608. In the quhfflt meitting the saidis
Commissiouneres proceidit as foUowis :
Sessione prima.
" Efter prayer, ane short speich utirit be Mr James Law, Mode
rator, the Commissioun of the GeneraU Assembfie wes red, quhair
off the tennour foUowis :
"At Lithgow, the 29 of July 1608, post meridiem. As for the
second caus of eylistis,2 quhilk wes said to aryse upoun the diver-
sitie of oppffliounes, and the diversitie of oppiniounes resultis upon
1 Seize upon. ' Grievances ; literally eyesores.

1609. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 771
diverse differences of judgment amongis the Brither, concerneing
the externaU Govemement and Discipline of the Kirk, quhUk can
not so schortlie be discussit and advysit upoun as the brevitie of
this Assembfie permittis : Thairfoir, it wes the opinioun of the
Brither appoyntit for the advysefflg of the best Overtouris to be had
annent the distractioun and eyelistis tfiat ar enterit in the heartis
of the MMisterie, that the same soffld be delayit to a tyme moir
convenient ; and, M the meintyme, certaMe appoyntit to reassoun,
treat, and advyse upon the same : QuMUt, lykwayis, the Assemblie
following hes thought expedient ; and, thairfoir, they haiff electit
and chosine the Brither foUowmg, viz., The Bisschoppis of Saint
Androis, Glasgow, DunkeU, Orkney, Caithnes ; Maisteris Patrick
Scharpe, Robert Howie, Johne Nicolsoun, Henrie PhUip, Archi
bald OswaU, Johne CarmichaeU, Johne Knox, George Hay, Patrick
GaUoway, John HaU, Patrick Simpsoun, WUfiame Scott, Adam
Ballantyne, John Weemis, and William Couper, thair Commis
siouneris M that pairt, to conveM with his Majestie, and sic of his
Majestie's CounseU as Ms Hines saU appoynt, at sic place and tyme
as they salbe required be Ms Majestie ; and to treat, reassoun, and
consult upon aU matteris standing presentfie in controversie among
the Britherin, annent the Discipfine off tfie Kirk ; and quhatsoevir
thai agrie upoun to report to the nixt GeneraU Assembfie ; and in
the mein tyme, quhill the nixt GeneraU Assembfie, the advyse of
the Brither conveiMt at FaUtland, the 5 of JMy1 last bypast, be
observit annent the Constant Moderatoris. Nota, That upon the
margme this [was] nameit a Commissioun annent reformatioun of
Discipfin. " Thair wes red also Ms Majestie's Missive Lettre, and a Lettre
of excuse from Mr Patrick Sriapsoun, and thairefter thair wes a
motioun maid by Ms Majestie's Commissiouneris, and propounit by
the Moderator, that fyve off everie syd soffld be put apairt to sett
doun ane ordour of proceidour. Efter sume reassouneing upon the
same propositioun, and sume objectioun againes the same, it wes
1 Adv. MSS. "16 of June."

772 THE CONTINUATION OF 1609.
admittit and foUowit : Ajid for the Bisschopis syd wes nameit Saint
Androis, Glasgow, Maisteris Patrick Scharpe, Robert Howie, and
Henrie PhUpe ; for the Ministeris, Maisteris Patrick GaUoway, Johne
HaU, Williame Cowper, Johne Carmichael, and Wffliame Scott.
The Erie of Dumbar, the Lord of Fentoune-Barffis, CoUector, and
Mr James Law, Moderator. The ten quhilk wer nominat and
chosme removit, and went Mto his Majestie's Chalmer, quhair the
Commissioun wes red agaM : Quhfflt being considerit, wes thought
verie generaU to sume ; and for limitatioun thairoff, the particularis
efter following wer propounit be the Ministers : —
"First, That the Brither among quhom they controversies aUedgit,
wordis soffld be nameit particMarfie, or at leist sume way designit,
quhairby the ane pairtie may be knawin by the uthir : 2dly, It wes
requirit that the aUedgit controversies soffld be denominat and con
descendit upoun, for cleiring off the first poynt. Thais for the pairt
of the Ministerie declairit, that they wer ane in judgment with the
godly Fatheris, Reformeris of the Kirk of Scotland, and sic as had
from tyme to tyme, in the Generall Assembly, appoyntit the Assem
bfie and obteinit the reformatioun1 thairof; as also, that they
esteimit the Discipfin appoyntit be the Kirk, and ratifieit be the
lawis of the realme, to be most godly and meit for the rffleing2 of
Christis Kirk within the realme. Thais of the uther oppinioun com
to na particular nominatioun or designatioun, quhairby the differ
ences from sic as had estabfflshit the Discipfin mycht be perceivit.
" For better understandfflg of the second, the Ministeres desyrit
that distinctioun mycht be maid betuixt matteris standing in con-
troversie among the Britherin, and matteris extra contraversiam
within the Kirk ; in the quhilk causses they voite to be aU matteris
concludit in lawfuU GeneraU Assemblies. Item, That cleir differ-
rence mycht be maid betuixt privat Britheris oppiniounes and con-
ceitis, (put the cais thair number wer great,) and matteris in con-
traversie in the Kirk, but that quhfflt hes bein ressavit as ane dout
befoir in sume GeneraU Assemblies, and defendis as undefynit, for
1 Adv. MSS. "ratiBcatione." '- Univ. MS. "grounding."

1609. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 773
thair is ane order concerneing the cause, quhither the Brither doutis
and craivis reformatioun, viz., that such matteris sould be propounit
to the GeneraU Assembfie ordine decenter animo edificandi, non ten-
tandi gratia, M respect of tfie GeneraU Assembly ; quhfflt order is
no wayis convenient that the saidis MMisteris sould participat in
a Conferrence with thair Britheris oppiniounes, different from tfie
judgment of tfie Kirk ; and syne report the samyne to a Generall
Assemblie. " Lastfie, Siefflg the GeneraU Assemblie at Lithgow hes directit
Commissioun annent matteris standing presentfie in controversie
befoir that same, it wes demandit be the saidis Ministeris, Quhat
particular matteris either stuid M controversie, or wes caUit and
ressavit M and to the controversie, be the same ? The intentioun of
this thair deifflng wes to scfiaw, that this thair Commissioun, above
writtin, buir no warrand to the saidis Commissiouneris ather to mak
particular controversies or questiounes quhUk had not bein heard
ri GeneraU Assembfies or before, or yit t° cau ri controversie the
actis, conclusiounes, aUowit practises, or estabfflschit order in the
Kirk. TMs forme of deiling wes caMt be the uthir sort, ' tergiver-
satione of pofflcie,' ' quarreUMg the GeneraU Assembly,' ' for frus-
tratioun of thair grid intentioun,' etc.
" MeUtle tyme and talk wes spendit beirabout, and sume schoar-
ing and boasting,1 but no cleir satisfactioun returnit to the demandis
and propositiounes above specffleit ; and sumquhat abraptfie it wes
said, ' That thai mett either on sumethrig or nothing ; and sume-
thing confaissitlie wes castin M, tfiat sume of the Brither had res
savit the Constant Moderatione, and utheris not ; soe that thair
wes a contraversie of the Kirk,' said they, ' quhither the Modera
tione shoffld be constant or circular,' as they termeit it. Item, sume
of the Brither tham selves thinkis that the Cautiounes sould be
keipit, and utheris of thame thinkis that sume of tham sould be
abofiscbit. It wes a questione than, forsuith, Quhither the Cau
tiounes soffld be keipit or not ?
1 Menacing and threatening.

774 THE CONTINUATION OF 1609.
" It wes answerit to the first, That the foirsaid Assembfie at Litfi-
gow, quhairfrom this Commissioun wes directit, had expressely pro
vydit that the advyse given in at the Conferrence at FaUtland sould
be observit to the nixt GeneraU Assembfie ; and true it is, tfiat M
that Conferrence at FaUtland, the meitting at Lithgow, quhairin
the intendit Mnovatioun of the Moderator wes begun, wes stayit ;
and that matter to be further intreitit M the ensewing Assemblie
at Lithgow ; quhUk Assemblie, qufien it conveinit, acquiescit to the
advyse givin M at FaUtland ; so that thair is no warrand given at
all in this Commissioune to caU the accustomeit and estabfflscMt
order of Moderatioun in doubt. Unto the second it wes answered,
That the Cautiounes, efter long reassouneing and advyseing had M
the Presbytrie, Provinciall and Generall Assemblies, thai wer so
lemnelie concludit in tuo Assembfies, one at Dundie and another
at Montrose, his Majestie being present at the one and at the uthir,
and as yit standis in fuU force unrepeUed, and can no more be callit in
questioun be vertue of this present Commissioun then the actis an
nent vote in parliament, or ony uther act of the GeneraU Assemblie.
" It wes thought meit, be the most pairt, that thais matteres
of the Moderatioun and Cautiounes soffld be put M questioun ; and
so they pairtit, and presently re-enterit into the place of Confer
rence ; and aU being present, the Moderator cunneingfie demandit,
Quhither iff the said matter sould pas in questioun, or not ? It wes
answerit be the most pairt, affirmative, they sould ; and so the
questiounes wes conceivit as foUowis. 1. QuMther, in Synodis or
Presbytries, the Moderatioun sould be constant, or not? 2dly,
Quhither the Cautiounes sett downe in the Assembly haulden at
Dunffie and Montrose for resti'aineing the power of Bisschopis sould
be observit and sworne, or not? Thaireftir, the Moderator desyrit
that ane on aither syd sould be nameit to reassoun thais tuo ques
tiounes ; but, being lait, no nominatioun wes maid, but thankisgiv-
ing, and so that sessioun endit.
" Eftir the dissolvemg of that sessioun, the Ministeris mett among
thame selffis, and haifeing conferrit a little annent the dissadvan-
tage and danger, by suffering thame selves to be separat in that

1609. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 775
former sessioun ; and aU wes desyrit that nycht to think upoun the
fittest remedie, and tymeouslie to meit in the morneing ; the quhUk
they did M that their meittfflg : They concludit, first, that Mr
Patrick GaUoway sould be speichman, and sume utheres to assist
him, as neid requirit : 2dly, That they sould suffer thame selffis no
wayis to be devydit, but quhatsoever sould be propounit, (althought
of les importance,) they soffld tak it to be advysed be the haiU, be
foir that any answer sould be returmt : idly, In respect of the
Conferrence, and of the quafitie of tfie matteris caMt M doubt, that
they woffld no wayis disput but by wrytt.
5 May, Sess. 2da, ante meridiem, hora nona.
" The Commissiouneris foirsaid conveinit in the morneing, at the
place befoir nameit; and, efter prayer, the Moderator propounit
that ane on aither syde soffld be nameit and appoyntit to reassoun
the first questioun. Mr Patrick Galloway, beMg desyrit to speik,
answerit, that it wes most convenient to reassoun the matter be
wrytt: First, For eschewmg of jealousie, idle, and hait1 speiches,
superfluous digressiounes, and finpertinent discourses, quhairby Bri
ther mycht be irritat, and tyme unprofitabfily spent : 2dly, For
avoydrig different reportis to be maid be tfie Brither of different
judgmentis efter the Conferrence endit : And, thairfoir, he desirit the
uthir pairtie, that they would schortlie and cleirly sett downe thair
oppirioune ffl Articles, tricMng tfiat matter, and Reassounes
quhairby they would confirme the same ; promiseing that the said
Oppiniounes and Reassounes sould be plamefie and brotherlie an
swerit, so succinctfie as wes possibffl to be concivit and expressit
be thame M wrytt. Maney tMngis wer objectit againes that answer
and offer ; but aU the objectiounes wer answerit. And so, the Mi
nisteres, standing constantfie to tfiair resolutioune, tfie utfiir partie
desirit that they mycht advyse among thamsefiT annent the premis
ses : Unto the qubilk desyre the Ministeres aggrieit, and removit
thame selffis ; and the uther partie, with his Majestie's Commis
siouner, sat stffl. 1 Hot, intemperate.

776 THE CONTINUATION OF 1609.
" Efter thair re-entrie, the Moderator objectit four Reassounes
againes writting. 1. The custome of the Kirk of Scotland : 2. The
custome of the Conferrence M uther contries, and sume Colloquies
were namit : 3. His Majestie's prohibitioun of wrytt : 4. Sundrie
inconvenientis that mycht foUow thairupoun, as namefie, that the
coppies wald passe abroad, and come in the hanffis of erimies,
quhairby it could not faffl, but sclander and skaith woffld come to
the caus of Refigioun.
" To the first it wes answered, Tfiat quhfflt the Kirk of Scot
land had adoe with the CounseU thairoff, annent tfie treating and
concludfflg of the Heidis of the Discipfine, they gave and receaved
in write, the one from the other : To the second, That the CoUo-
quies nameit be thame hadj verie evffl eventis, and utheris that
treatit be thame in wrytt, and speciaffle be the Ministeris, had bet
ter success and maid better for the advantage of Refigioun. As for
the custome of uther contries generally aUedgit, wry ttis were more
usuaU nor wordis ; quhUk may be sein by Ambassadoris defflingis,
lairnit menis epistles, and printit CoUoquies and Treaties of aU ages :
To the thrid, It is evident, by his Majestie's Lettre, that his Ma
jestie's intentioun is to settle aU matteris peiceabffly, and besyd the
same thair is notMng produced. Thairfoir, wrytting quhairby
janglingis of wordis, heat speiches, and tedious digressiounes salbe
avoydit, is the most fitt and saiff way to come to his Majestie's pur
pose : To the fourth, In caise of agriement, interchanging paperis,
may be brunt and ravein,1 and the conclusiounes agrieit upon only
put M wrytt, to remaine. Iff thai can nowayis agrie, quhatsoevir
saU pass in writeing may be, with consent of aU, destroyit.
" And after these reassouneingis, the Ministeris concludit that
reassoune be wordis, without a Judge, could not readiefie be had2
without tumfflt in the mein tyme of treatie, and difference and con-
tradictorious reportis efter breaking upe of the meittingis ; quhairby
the present distractiounes would be augmentit, the cause of Refi
gioun further prejudgit, Papistis and aU sortis of enimies, wisching,
l Burnt and torn in pieces. 2 Adv. MSS. " cannot possiblie be heard."

1609. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 777
wirking, and watching for divisiounes among the Ministeres, so far
as they may.
" The matter bemg thus stood to be the Ministeres thair, sume
speiches of terrour wer given out ; and thairefter the Moderator
propounit that a short Mstorie mycht be sett doun, with all consentis,
of that meittMg, and the proceiding thairin to sume sic effect as
foUowis : That the Commissiouneres mett, thair Commissioun wes
red, tua questiounes wer agrieit upon : They for the pairt of the
Bischopis offerit to disputt thairon, and the Ministeris refuisit :
The Ministeris desirit the last poynt to be mendit, eftir this maner ;
that they for the pairt off the Bischopis offerrit to reassoun be word,
but refuissit be wrytt ; and the Mfflisteris wer readie to reassoun be
wrytt, but quhen they soffld come befoir ane GeneraU Assemblie,
the Judge OrdMar to sic matteres, thai soffld be readie to reasone be
word or wrytt, as it sould pleas the Assembfie to injoyne ; but beir
thai could not reassoun by word, for the reassounes afoir sett doun.
This wes refuissit, and so no Mstorie sett doun and aggrieit upoun ;
and the Moderator desyrit that Ms Majestie's Lettre, and the Com
missioun laid asyd, either of the parities wald advyse for sume
Overtouris for the peace of the Kirk ; and for reporting thairof, the
eftirnoone wes appoyntit for aU to meit again. Thus, efter thankis-
giving, the Commissiouneris rais.
" Immediatlie efter dinner, the Commissiouneris conveinit by
thame selffis, and efter consultatioun, agrieit upoun four Articles as
followis :
" Tfiat a deolaratioun sould pas from this Conferrence to be pub
fischit in the Kirk of Scotland, proporting that the Kirk within this
realme is weffl constitut in Doctrin and Discipfin,1 praissit be God ;
and that the discordis and differrences among tfie Ministerie annent
the one and the uther, agreed and given out be Papistis, prophane
Atheistis, and uther effimies, ar but scandalous and sclanderous ca
lumnies, tending to seditioun, and to deceive the people :2 2. That
1 Adv- MSS. "government." 2 lb. "simple."

778 THE CONTINUATION OF 1609.
the handfing ' of the discordis and differrences among the Ministeres
be laid asyd and spairit, and that the saidis differrences coverit un
der the skirtis of brotMrelie patience and Christiane wisdome,
quhill2 first Papistis and Papistrie be proceidit agaffles, and put to
ane poynt : 3. That sieing the matter of Bischopis and Hierarchie
can not be handlit at this tyme but with advantage to Papistis
and Papistrie, and disadvantage to the estabfflschit ordour of the
Kirke, quhilk baith bein a speciaU meine, quhairby thai and thair
kingdome hes bein dissipat and ovirtumit, that purpose was to be
superceidit, quhffl the land be purgit of thame and thair leaven : 4.
That ane earnest Suppficatioun sould pas from this Conferrence to
his Majestie, for grace and favour to the Ministeris that haith bein
so longe banischit and keipeit in prissoune, and confynit ; namelie,
that they mycht be relaxit, sett at fibertie, and returne to thair
awin places. Eodem die, hora tertid, post meridiem. Sess. itia.
" The haill Commissiouneris mett togider in the place above spe-
cffleit ; and, efter prayer, the Moderator requirit that the Ministeris
sould present thair advyse, as wes appoyntit befoir noone. And
Mr Patrick GaUoway presentit the Articles above writtin, quhfflt
wer readie ; and efter the reading thairof, sume pressit to speik,
but authoritative wer Mnderit be the Moderator ; and sume utheris
with vehemencie wes keipit at under, and sUence commandit.
Thairfor, the advyce of the uther pairtie wes red, and aU demandit
quhat they thought off it? Litle was said for it, and nothing
againes it. The Moderator desyrit the MMisteres to tak upe thair
Articles; the quhilk being done, the conclusioun foUowing wes
agrieit upoun : At Falkland, the fyft of May 1609.
" The Brither conveinit, haiffing givin thankis, and red the Com
missioun of the Generall Assemblie, and considering the generality
1 Adv. MSS. " alleadging." * Until.

1609. sir james melvill's diary. 779
thairoff, and how it is neidfuU, for ending of aU controversies stand
ing in Discipfin among the Ministeris, that the particular poyntis
in questioun be condiscendit upoun, haiff, for the present, aggrieit
upon tuo, viz., QuMther M Synodis or Presbytries the Moderator
sould be Constant, or not? And, quhither the Cautiounes sett
doun in the Assemblie haldin at Dundie and Montrois for restrain
ing the power of Bischopis soffld be observit, and sworne unto, or
not ? Quhilk tuo questiounes bemg propounit ; becaus neither the
brevitie of that time permittis, nor is it, for diverse caussis, thought
expeffient to enter in reassounefflg thairof at the present, the Brither
continowis aU treating of the same to the first Tuesday of August
rixtocum, appoyntit for tfiair meittfflg to that effect, m Stirling :
Willing and commandfflg everie ane of tfie saidis Brither to advyse
and consider gravefie of the saidis Questiounes, and aU poyntis
thairof; and to be readie at the said meiting to propoune thair
myndis, ather by word or wrytt, as they sould think meittest ; and
further, to sett doun in wrytt aU the differrences quhUk they doe
conceive M matteris of Discipfin, tfiat sume solid course may be
takin, with commoun consent, for removfflg of the same.
"In the meintyme, it is thought expedient, be the consent of
the haffl number, that the GeneraU Assembfie be prorogat to the
first Tuysday of May rixtocum, to be haffldin in Saint Androis, iff
so it saU pleas his Majestie ; that thir effairis be brought to sume
poynt, report may be maid, accordMg as it is ordaMeit in the said
Commissioun. And becaus Ms Majestie's maist zealous cair for
the guid and peace of the Kirk, and for suppressing of Papistis and
aU contrary Refigiounes, doitfi sua many wayis appeir, that we haiff
aU exceiding great mater of thankis to be givin to the Almychtie
God for the great blissfflg bestowit upoun the Kirk, in Ms Majes
tie's persoun : It is thought meit that a Lettre of humble thankis
be wryttin from tMs Conferrence to his Majestie ; and that in aU
the Congregatiounes of tMs his kingdome declaratioun be maid to
everie MMister of Ms Majestie's guid affectioun and resolvit mynd
to settle the Kirk in peace and truth, and to freith : the same from
1 Free, deliver.

780 THE CONTINUATION OF 1609.
aU uthir her enimies, and thair pernitious practises ; and that pub
fict thankis be givin to God for Ms present mercie, and prayeris
conceavit for the happie progresse of his Majestie's purpose. As
also, the Brither, knawing the great danger that the Kirk standis
in, throw the enimies of Refigioun, hes thought meitt to recommend
it to aU the Ministeris and Presbytries witMn the realme a cairfuU
proceiding againes Papistis, and such as remaine suspect M Refi
gioune ; and that they be diligent to lairne from the strangeris that
resortis from any forraigne pairtis, and to make inteUegence to
his Majestie's Commissiouner, the Erie of Dumbar, or sic utheris
of his Majestie's Counsel as thai ar best accquantit with, that they
knaw the zeal of Godis truth, and [are] faithfuU to his Majestie :
And, above all thingis, that they and everie ane of thame intertein
peice, freindschippe, and brotherlie love with utheris ;l laying asyd
aU jealous affectiounes, and uthir prejudices ; and that thai com
municat thair counsel and helpes to the advanceing of Refigioun,
and estabifishing a guid and sofid agriement in tfie Kirk ; quhilk
the Brither present for thamselffis hes solemnelie promissit : And
lykwayis, to labour with utheris to doe the same, so far as thai can,
that God may haif glorie, and his maist exceUent Majestie con
tentment and satisfactioun in aU thingis. TMs conclusioun and his
Majestie's Lettre being wryttM and subscrivit, the Moderator gave
thankis to God, in the place quhair we wer mett ; and Mr Wffliame
Couper, being requeistit be his Majestie's Commissiouner and sume
of the Brither, went to the Kirk of FaUtland, and aU that wer with
him, thair maid ane exhortatioun and thankisgiving upon the last 2
verse of the 74 Psalme ; and thairefter the 133 Psafine wes sung ;
and thus aU wer dimissit."
By this Conferrence, thus dressit and givM furthe, the Bisschopis
gained tMs muche, that no oppositioun wes maid agaffles thame at
the Parliament haffldin at Edinburgh in the moneth of July thair
efter ; quhair also they had, for the purpose, two Ingfisfi Doctouris,
1 Each other. 2 Adv. MSS. "3d."

1609. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 78 1
that teicMt aU the tyme thairof, Doctour Goodwyne and Doctour
Milburne, quho dyit soone thairefter. At that Parliament thai
rayd1 royaUie and Prelat-lyk. Thair they had the Judicatour,
Commissariot Coittis2 of Testamentis, and aU casuafities of the
Bisschopperikis of auld restorit again to tham in integrum and
confirmit ; and, finaffie, thai became bonorabill and rych Prelatis,
quhair befoir they wer but Bisschopis of Baine ! 3 All this accquirit
unto thame, upoun the Kingis great chairgis for the erecting of
thais Bisschoprickis and Bischoppis of new againe, wes estimat by
the wysest, quho wer actoris in it, to cost the King above thirty
thousand pounds sterling.
At that Parfiament also a statute wes maid, quhat forme of habit
aU sic as buir any office witfiin burgfitis soffld haiff; [that each
should have] thair awin particular habitis ; and, in lyk maner, all
Officeris of the land, as also the Ministeris of the Church, such as
the King, with advyse of certain Commissiouneris, sould appoynt
and sett doune, under the pain of horneing. Item, that aU oppin
speikeris againes Ms Majestie or Parliamentis proceedingis, or
againes Inglishemenis, or spreideris of cokalandis4 sould be pun
ischit by barischment or utberwayis at the Kingis wffl. Item, ane
act for dissolving the customis from the Crown for ten thousand
pounds be yeir, to be peyit to the Lordis of Sessioun in recompence
of the Coittis 5 of Testamentis takin from thame and givin to the
Bisschopis. Item, dissolvit from the Kirk, and erectit6 to the Lord
Burlie, for his bussie deilfing for the Bisschopis, the Abbacie of Kil-
wynnrig. Item, ane act for estabilisching of the Justice of the
Peice ri aU schyris, [efter the forme of England ; and the King to
haiff the nominatioune thairoff yeirfie.7]

' Rode. 2 Quots. 3 This alludes to the custom then observed, (and still kept
up in sport, in many places of England,) at Twelfth-night, where a King, Queen,
Bishops, &c, were chosen for regulating the festivities, in each dwelling. The chief
personage was called the King of Bean or Bane ; and our Author jocularly classes
the heretofore unbeneficed Bishops of Scotland with the mock Prelates of the Twelfth-
night King's Court. 4 Pasquils, lampoons, or libellous satires. Fr. Coq a
l'ane. ' 5 Quots. 6 Adv. MSS. "given." ' Omitted in Adv. MSS.

782 THE CONTINUATION OF 1609.
At tfiat tyme ane of the Brither of the Conferrence wrot to a
Brother in exile, desyreing his censuris of thair proceidingis ; unto
whom he wrett again, as foUowis : —

[LETTER FROM MR JAMES MELVILL, ONE OF THE MINISTERS IN EXILE,
AS TO THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE AT FALKLAND.1]
" I haiff ressavit your schort, but verie significative, Lettre of
your sound and ardent affectioun, boith towardis the caus and us
quho sufferis for it. You would be censurit and spurrit ; but
quhat I sould censure I sie not weffl, and to spurr ane runneing
horse wer verie evill discretioun ! And yit, it is true that thair is
great neid of boith to us aU : But quhat sail we doe ? — sieing God,
in his rychteous judgment for our former negfigence, contempt, and
ingratitude, lies pluckit away from us all hart and hand, affectioun,
reassoun, and zeaU, Itnawledge, spirit, courage, and actioun ; so that
auctoritie, money, craft, and bussines of this world, caries aU sin
ceritie, truth, wisdome, and friedome away ; or rather overquhelmis,
oppressis, and beiris doun the force and strenth thairof to the ground :
Greatter craft, subtilitie, poficie, and catasopMstrie wes nevir usit
by the Egyptiannis againes Godis people ! I saw the craft of thais
trewis 2 takin befoir the last GeneraU Assemblie, in aU thair pro
ceidingis, thais almost ane dussen of yeiris bypast ; and maid such
advertisement and wairneing as I could, boith pubfictlie and privat
lie, to GeneraU Assemblies and to particularis ; but as [tales'] casus
Cassandra canebat, hand unquam creditura Teucris,3 I saw the pofi
cie of the Conferrence befoir the Parliament, only to mak the
Brither secure and remiss, that they mycht without impediment
won sum forther ground, and forther poynt and staririneing4 of thair
estait. " I can not yit be throuchfie informit qufiat wes don at the Par-
' This Letter was written by our Author, as appears from Cald. Hist, folio edit.
p. 613. 2 Adv. MSS. " truces." s This quotation is taken from Virg.
Mneid, in. 257, and ii. 247. " Strengthening, establishing, consolidating.

1609. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 783
fiament ; but it is said and givin out heir, that quhatevir the King
would haif bein at is heir effectuat to him, and bettir service done.
Would to God that thair had bein at leist but sume such advertise
ment and protestatioun givin in and sent abroad, as wes givin in at
the Parfiament of Perthe ! And ffl thai would neidis bring in ques
tioun the Cautiounes, I wische that aU done in thais Assembfies ;
and so the voitting in Parliament, that foundatioun of that rebuUdit
Babyloun, to haiff bein shakin, and brought in doubt also, and con
troversie ; but wischeris and walderis ' are but erile bousse-haderis !
And so, I feir that the hous of God, quhairoff the Stewardries2 con-
creditit3 to us be brokin upe, and a long tyme of vacatioun or4 it be
gatherit and takin up againe ; and durerig that idle5 time6 (as in the
CoUegis) mair godfines and grid laimeing forget in ane offlk,7 nor
wes taught and lairffit M a moneth befoir ! Giff ye say, ' Men and-
brether, quhat saU we doe ?' Would to God we had the spirit of
compunctioun first to move us, in a earnest, zealous maner, to aske
tham ! I think that sum thmg mycht yit be answerit ; as, First, to
cry and compleM to CMyst, filling heavin and earth with lamenta-
tiounes for the captivitie and desolatioun of Sion, and for hir saik
not to keipe sUence untffl the Lord have pitie on her.8 2. To pub-
fishe to all Christiaffis our greivances and complaintis, how our Kirk
is opprest by auctoritie of men, corruptit with money, circumveinit
with craft and poMcie, and hauldffl in thraldome againes Godis
Word; quhat former constitutiounes and long customes ; and againes
thais actis, lawis, statutis, and privel'edgis, that the King, Estaitis
in Parliament, and haffl bodie of tMs realme, hes grauntit and givin
unto hir. 3. I wauld haiff thais Balaams, with honnour and welth
of this world, blinder then asses, that for the waigis of unrychteous
nes hespervertit the wayis and prophetis9 of the Lord; thais Judases,
sonnes of perditioun, quho for money hes betrayit Chryst and his
kmgdome ; thais Esawis, most prophain, quho hes sold thair birth-
1 Adv. MSS. " and nedderis." 2 Stewardships. 3 Entrusted.
' Before, ere. 6 Adv. MSS. " jollie." B In playful allusion to the holidays
at Colleges. 7 Forgot in a week. 8 Adv. MSS. "mercy on earth."
9 lb. "proffers."

784 THE CONTINUATION OF 1609.
rycht, in Chrystis inheritance, for1 a meis of pottage, that some
tyme did mightily reigne in our Kirk. And, finallie, thais SMmeas,2
imprissouneris and tormenteris of thair Britherin, efter dew admo
Mtioun to be paffltit out in thair awin cuUouris and proceidingis.
And last, allace ! iff that spirit of actioun, zeal, and courrage that
sumetyme did mychtiely rigne3 in this Kirk wes buUdit up againe,
that mycht mak a few from everie Presbytrie to convein togidder
in the name of Chryst, censure sickerlie4 thais corrapteris of the
Kirk to the uttermost.
" But quhat talk I of thais matteris ? siefflg your last Conferrence
hes preoccupyit aU sic dealling, and cut scfiort the occasiounes and
meines thairof, by approving the Kingis proceidingis, with thankis-
giving to God thairfoir, and promiseing peace, with brotherlie love,
contentment, and concord ! So, aU thais are but wishes and wordis,
venting,5 lyk new wyne, from the inward wirkfflg of a passionat
heart. Res non est Integra ; the caus is prejudgit,6 a free Assemblie
cannot doe, and a competent number of men will never be gottin.
Be getting this, thais and many uther thingis may eisUy be answerit,
and all houpe is lost and gone tM the avenger of the caus aryse and
mak his Ministeris, and sanctffle and steir up to him waponis of
wraith, and men of mycht, at this tyme. It is time ! O Lord, aryse,
it is tyme ! for thai haif maid thy Word and law irrite7 and of
none effect ! The earth is defylit with hir inhabitantis, becaus thai
transgresse thy lawis, thai alter and change the decrie, they mak of
no avaffl the perpetuaU covenant ! We wer wont to heir Psalmes
throw the endis of the earth, becaus the just wes cumely and held
in honour; but now, 1 say, My beUie, my belfie, my leinnes, my
leinnes ! Leane am I, for wois is me for the perfidious mensworne
does lyk mensworne ; 8 and with most MtMe perfidie thai doe most
perfidiouslie, thais fals forsworne men ;9 they led Jacob in captivitie,
and Judah in servitude. The heavenly scepter of thy kingdome, (the
1 Adv. MSS. read " bot," i. e. without. 2 lb. " Semajohes." 3 Reign.
4 Sincerely, heartily, severely. 6 Fermenting, working over. ° Adv- MSS.
"betrayed." 7 Lat. irritus, void, invalid. 8 Adv. MSS. " measar, (measure,)
does lyke measor." " Isa, xxiv. 16.

1609. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 785
frie preichemg of thy Word,) thai haiff wrestit out of the hand of
CMyst, thy annoyntit King, and subjectit it to the will and plea
soure of man ; the hedge and wall of thy wyne-yard, thy holy dis
cipfin, thai haiff undermyndit, cuttit, brokin doun, and dimolisfiit :
We sie no signis of remeid, neither is thair any prophet among us
to teU how longe ! And yit, my deir bairnis,1 and maist faithfuU
suffereris and laboureris M the middis of tMs caus of CMyst, let us
not be discouragit, but heir the comfortabUl voyce of our Chryst
and King : ' Let not your heartis be trubfit ; ye befive in God, be-
five also M me. In my Fatheris hous ar many dwefflngis, I goe
to prepair a place for yow.' ' Iff ye suffer with Mm, ye saU rigne
with him.' ' TMs is a faithfoU sayMg,' etc. Let us be at leist lyk
Jeremy, carriit to Egypt agaffles Ms wffl. EzekeiU, Daniel, Mis-
chaeU, Assryia2 to BabUoun. Let us ever haiff tfiair exampiU be
foir our eyis, and preas to imitat and practeis thair patience, pietie,
wisdome, and courage, and uther vertuis ; standing uprychtfie and
constantfie for the glorie of our God, and confort of his captivit
Kirk, till the tyme it pleas Mm to steir up a wise Zerubbabell,
Josua, and Ezra, forbringmg agaMe the captivitie thairof, and purge-
ing and repairing the Temple and Sanctuarie ; and a Nehemias for
restoiring of the citie, and brilding up agaMe and repairing the de-
cayit waUis of his Jeruselem ; the houpe quhairof is meikle incressit
and steirit upe amongis aU the true, lairrit, and godly in Europ, by
a voyce soundfflg mychtifie, as it were from tfie deid, againes that
sacrielegious and accursit HierarcMe, I mein Mr Bryehtmannis
Commentaries on the Apocalepse, quMlk hes moir cleirnes, force of
demonstratioun for the truthe, and M solid and lairrit storie, than
all the heMshe 3 Jesffltis and warldling formalistis againes tfie same ;
the reidMg quhairof and recommending to yow I rest, requiring a
greatter Mventioun of spirit M mutuaU prayer."
The Bischopis now bemg fortffieit with honour and riches, and

1 Adv. MSS. " Bretherin." 2 In allusion to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-
nego, whose names were Hananiah, Misbael, and Azariah. 3 Adv. MSS. " foolish."
3 D

786 THE CONTINUATION OF 1610.
perciring that thair wes no honour nor profite for thair purpose of
preferment in govemeing above thair Brither, in sofid and absolut
reufing of the Kirk, to be purchasit be Conferrence, thai desertit
and slippit l the dyet appoyntit to be keipit at Stirbrig M August ;
and making thairwithaU ane proclamatioun to pas furth, discharge-
ing the appoyntit GeneraU Assembly, and aU ordinar keipeing
thairoff, for this reassoun; becaus, forsuith, the Fatheris of the
Kirk, the reverentis Prelatis and Bischopis, and the inferiour Miffl-
steris, could not sorte and agrie weffl together, so that thair meitt
ingis sould serve for none effect, but contentious, skandeUous to the
godfie, and delytfffll to tfie Papistis and utheris enimies.
The tuo Archbisshoppis, that ane with some certaM of the rest
with him ; M lyk maner the uthir went up to Court, quhair they
postit away for performance of thair purpose ; to wit, 1. To mak
thame awfuU and redoubtit of all, thai maid the Hight Commis
sioun Court, maist tirannicaUy useit be the Bischopis in England,
to be proclaimeit and sett upe in Scotland, quhairby the two Arch-
bischoppis, with any four, mycht judge and punische many at thair
pleasoure, as be the tennour thairof, heirefter insert in the storie,
saU appeir. Nixt, That they mycht haiff sume pretext and schaw
of the Kirkis approbatioun, thai soffld by such meines as they
thought meittest, and mak and prepair for that purpose seven or
eight scoir of the bassest of the Ministerie, caMng out of everie Pres
bytrie the weakest thairoff; quho, by the Kingis speciaU Missive
Lettres sent to the Presbytries, that thais offly sould be directit in
commissioun, and to thame selffis, that thai soffld not faill to keip a
certain day and place, as thai wer assurit, boith of thankis and re-
waird ; and so a GeneraU Assemblie to be dressit for ending of the
matter. M.DC.X.
Thus, m the moneth of March, the Hight Commissioun wes pro
claimed at Edinbrucht and utheris pairtis as foUowis :
1 Adv. MSS. " deferred and stopped."

1610. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 787

THE TENNOUR OF THE HIGHT COMMISSIOUN.
"James, be the grace of God, King of Great Brittane, France,
and Ireland, Defender of the Faith : To our lovites, 
 messengeris in that pairt, conjunctli e and severalfie
speciaffle constitut, greiting. Forsuameikle as complaint being maid
to us in the behalfe of the Ministerie of tMs our kingdome, that the
frequent advocatiounes purchessit be sic as wes ether errofflous in
Religion or scandelous M lyff, not only discouragit tfie Ministerie
from censurerig of utheris, but imboldnit the offenderis to continow
ri thair wickitnes, userig thair advocatiounis as a mein to delay
and Mssappoynt boith tryeU and puffischement : We, for eschewing
this inconvenient, and tfiat tfie number of trew professoris may be
knawin to Meres, and the AnticMistian tyrannie and enemie, and
his growth suppressit, and aU sort of vyce and slanderous life pun
iscMt; and tfiat neither seine iffiquitie, nor delay of tryellis and
purischement of offendouris, the least, be this subterfuge of dis-
courageing of EcclesiasticaU censuris, to proceid on thingis sua meit
and propper for thame, haiff, out of our awM duetie to God and love
to his Kirk, beMg the heid nurishe-father of the same on earth,
within our domriiounes, girin power and commissioun to the Reve
rent Father M God, our trest and weffl-belovit couseing and coun
seUour, George Archbisschoppe of SaMt Androis, Primat and Me-
tropoMtane of our kMgdome ; and unto our rycht trest couseing and
counseUour, Alexander Erie of Dumfermefflng, Lord Hicht Chan-
cellour of this our kingdome ; George Erie of Dumbar, Thesaurer;
George Erie of MarscheU, Johne Erie of Mar, Johne Erie of Mon
trose, Patrick Erie of Kfflghorne ; to the Rycht Reverent Fatheris
in God, Alexander Bischop of Duncaldein, Patrick Bischop of Aber
dein, Alexander Bischop of Murray, Andro Bischop of BricMn, David
Bischop of Ross, George Bischop of Dumblain, Alexander Bischop
of Caitnes, and James Bischop of Orknay ; to our trastie cousine
and counceUour  , Lord Lindsay, Simone Lord Fraser
of Lovat, Darid Lord Scoone ; and to our trustie and welbelovit
counseUouris, Mr Johne Prestoune of Penfflecuick, President of our

788 THE CONTINUATION OF 1610.
CoUedge of Justice ; Sir Richart Cockburne of Clerkingtoun,
knicht, Lord Privie Seale ; Sir Alexander Hay, knycht, our Secre
tar; Sir James Hay of Kingask, our Controller; Sir Thomas1
Hammiltoun of Binnie, knycht, our Advocat ; and to our lovitis, Sir
David Carnegie of Kinnard, knycht, David Dundas of that' Bk,
Alexander Irring of Dram, Wffliam Ramsay of Balmarie, Mr Johne
Arthure, Mr Thomas Hendersoun, Mr Adam 2 KMg, and Mr James
BaUandein, Commissaris of Edinbruche ; Mr Johne Weemes, Com
missar of SaMt Androis ; Mr James Martine, Rector of the UM
versitie of Saint Androis ; Mr Robert Howie, Principal of the New
College thair; Mr David Moniepennie, Deane of Facultie, Mr
Patrick Galloway, Mr Johne Hall, Pettir Edwart, 3 Mr Johne Ni
colsone, Mr Robert WUkie, Mr Johne Strachane, Mr Andro Leith,
Mr Henrie Philip, Mr Andro Futhie, and Mr Patrick Lindsay,
Ministeres ; or to ony fyve of thame, the said Archbisschop being
aUwayis one of them, within the haffl boundis of the Province of
Saint Androis : And to the Right Reverent Father in God, and
our trusty and welbelovit cousigne and counsellor, Johne Aj-chbis-
schop of Glasgow, Alexander Erie of Dumfermeling, George Erie
of Dumbarr, Johne Erie of CassUis, James Erie of Glencaime,
Johne Erie of Wigtone, James Erie of Abircorne : And to the Re
verent Father in God, Wffliame Bisschop of GaUoway, Johne Bis
schope of Argyl, Andro Bisschop of the Isles ; and to our trustie
eousing and counseUour, Walter Lord of Blantyre ; and to our
lovitis, Mr Johne Arthur, Mr Thomas Hendirsoun, Mr Adame
King, [and] Mr James BaUandyne, Commissaris of Edinbruche,
David Forsyth, Commissar of Glasgow ; James HaUiday, Commis
sar of Drumfreis ; Mr John4 Hammiltoun, Commissar of HammU-
toun ; Mr James Hammiltoun, Commissar of Lanricke ; Sir George
Elphinstoun of Blythswood, 5 knight; Mr Patricke Scharpe, Prin
cipaU of the CoUedge of Glasgow ; Mr Wffliame Bimie, Minister at
Lanericke ; Mr Jofine Hay, Parsoun of Ranthrow;6 Mr James
1 Adv. MSS. "James." Thomas, afterwards President of the College of Justice,
Earl of Melrose and Earl of Haddington. * Univ. MS. " David." 3 Adv. MSS.
" Mr Patrick Stewart." * Univ. MS.-" James." 5 lb. " Sir James Hamilton
ofEistwood." "Renfrew.

1610. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 789
HammUtoun, Deane of Glasgow ; Mr David Scharpe and Patrick
Walkingschaw, Subdeanes of Glasgow ; Mr Thomas Ramsay, Mi
nister at Drumfreis, Mr Johne BeU, Minister at Glasgow, and Mr
Walter Stewart, Minister ; or ony fyve of thame, the said Arch-
bisschop being aUwayis one, within the haffl boundis of the Pro
vince of Glasgow : To caU befoir thame, at aU sic tymes and places
as they sail tMnk meit, any persoun or persounes dweUing and re
maining within thir Provinces respective above writtin, Saint
Androis or Glasgow, or witMn any of the diosies of the samyn,
being offenderis either in lyff or refigioun, quhom they haid any
wayis to be scandalous ; and that they tak tryell of tfie same ; and
iff they find thame guilty or impenitent, refoissing to give thair ac
knowledgment of thair offence, thai saU give command to the
Preicheris of that paroche quhair thai dweU, to proceid with sen
tence of executioun or excommunicatioun againes thame ; qubilk iff
it be protractit or delayit, and thair command be that Minister be
not presently obeyit, they sail than convein any sic Ministeris be
foir thame, and proceid m censurerig of thame for thair dissobe-'
dience ether by suspensioun, or deprivatioun, or wairding, accord
ing as thai by thair discretioun, [hauldrig him obstinat and refois
sing of thair discretioun to haiff deserrit ; and farder, to fyne at
thair discretiounis, l] imprissoun or waird any sic persoun, quho
being convenit befoir thame, thai saU find upoun tryeU to fiaiff de-*
servit any such punischement ; and a warrand under the hand of
any of the fyve above nameit, out of everie Province above writtin,
[the said Archbisschope of the Prorince beMg one, saU serve for a
sufficient command to our Capitaffls and Constabfflis of wairdis and
casteMs, and to aU keiperis of jayfis and prissounes, etfier in burght
or land, withm any Province respective above writtin, 2] for ressaive-
ing and detemeing of sic persounes as salbe directit to be keipit be
thame, ri sic forme as by the said warrand salbe prescry vit, as thai
wffl answer upon the contrair at thair perreU, and upoun all
hazardis ; and of aU sic fynis as salbe imposit upon any sic offender,
1 Omitted in Adv. MSS. ? Omitted in Adv. MSS.

790 THE CONTINUATION OF 1610.
the ane haiff to appertein to yourselff, and the uthir haiff to be im-
ployit upoun sic necessar chairgis as our said Commissiouneris salbe
sortit unto, be chairgeing of parities and witnessis to compeir be
foir thame, and the superplus to be bestowit at the sight of the
saidis Commissiouneris by distributioun among the poore : Com
manding our Lords of our Privie Counsel, upon sight of any certi-
ficat subscryvit be any fyve of the saidis Commissiouneris within
everie Province, as said is, the said Archbisschop of the Province
being ane, aither of any fyne imposit be thame upon any pairtie
compeirand and found guUtie, or the contumacie or refosaU of any
to compeir befoir thame, that the saidis Lordis of our Privie Coun
sel direct ane summar chairge of horning on ten dayis onfie, and
that no suspensioun nor relaxatioun be grantit, without first ane
testimoniaU under tfie fiand of tfie Archbisschop of the Prorince,
conteineing the obedience and satisfactioun of the pairtie chairgit,
be produceit ; and M cais of dissobedience and further rebelling of
tfie pairtie quho salbe chairgit for Ms fyne and not compeirance,
tfie saidis Lordis of our Counsel are than to prosecut the maist
strait order, for any uther caus quhatever useit againes rebeUis :
With power to our saidis Commissiouneris to proceid heirin, as also
to tak tryeU of aU sic persounes that hes maid defectioun or are
suspect in Refigioun ; and, as thai find any just caus againes thame,
to proceid in maner foirsaid ; and alsoe quhatsoever thai shall lairne
or understand of any MMisteris, Preicheris, or Teicheris of ScooUs
or CoUedgis, or Universities, or of Exhorteris or Lectureris being
Readeris within thais boundis, quhois speiches in pubfict had bein
impertinent, and againes the present EstabMscMt order of the Kirk
againes any of the conclusiounes of the bypast Generall Assemblie,
or M favour of any of tfiais quho are baniscMt, wairdit, or confynit,
for thair contemptuous offences, quhilk being no matter of doctrin,
and so meUtle idffl time spent without Mstructioun of thair audi-
touris in thair salvatioun, aucht so meUtle the moire to be seveirlie
puniscfiit ; and M regard that thai are Ministeris quho of all utheris
sould spend least idffl 1 talk, and speciaUie in the Chyre of Veritie ; 2
1 Adv. MSS. " their jollie.' 3 The pnlpit.

1610. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 791
and, thairfoir, efter the caMng of thame befoir the saidis Commis
siouneris, they are to be tryit and questiounit upoun the poyntis of
that quhfflt is laid againes thame, and punischit according to the
quafitie of thair offence : And quhairas complaint salbe maid to
thame be any pairtie that salbe conveinit befoir any EcclesiasticaU
Jufflcator for any such erymes as he salbe thair suspectit of, or that
the pairtie dois aUedge aUwayis the matter it selff to be improper
to that Jufflcator, or the proceidingis to haif bein informall, or that
the Jufflcator it seM hes bein too partiaU ; and quhen the Commis
siouneris saU sie any just caus, thai ar then to tak tryaU and cogffi-
tioun thairoff tham selffis, We dischairge the said Judicatorie of aU
further proceidings : Giving power also to our said Commissiouneris
to mak chuse of Clerk, and making of utheris Memberis of Court,
and to direct out preceptis m the name of the Archbisschop, and
his associatis witMn Ms Provmce, for citatioun of any parities befoir
thame, withM the boundis of the saidis Provinces, in any of the said
caussis above mentiounit ; quhilk preceptis aught to be seillit with
a speciaU seaU, conteining tfie armes of the saidis Bischoprickis ;
giving power also to chairge witnesses to compeir befoir thame,
under the paine of fourtie poundis Scottis money ; and upon the
certificatioun of the saidis Commissiouneris, that any of the saidis
penalties are incurrit be thame, the said Lordis of our Counsel are
to direct the lyk chairge for payment of the samen as is appoyntit
for payment of the fynis of the saidis Commissiouneris past our
Great Seale, containeMg diverse heidis, articles, and clausses and
conditiounes, and beirMg daitt at our Court at Roustoune, the
20 day of January hist, as at lenth is conteiffit : Quhairoff necessar
it is that pubficatioune be maid to aU our leiges, that none pretend
ignorance heirof. Our Will is heirfor, and we chairge yow strait-
lie, and commandis, that incontinent thir our Letteris sein, ye pas
to the heid burghtis withM the ProvMcis above writtin, and thair
by oppin proclamatioune that ye mak pubficatioune of tfie premissis,
that none pretend ignorance : As also, that ye, in our name and auc
toritie, command and chairge aU our leigis and subjectis to reve
rence and obey our saidis Commissiouneris in all and every thing

792 THE CONTINUATION OF 1610.
tending to the executioune of this our Commissioune ; and to doe
nothing to thair hfflder or prejudice, as thai, and ilk ane of thame,
wUbe answerabffl to us and our CounseU, upon thair obedience, at
thair hiest paine, chairge, and perreU : The qulfflk to doe, &c.
Givin under our Signett at EdMbruche, the 15 of Februar, and of
our reigne the 47 year, 1610. " Per Actum Secreti Concilii."
The Commissioune and the executioune thairoff, as it exaltit the
Bisschopis far above any Prelatt that ever wes in Scotland, so it
put the KMg in possessioune of that quhUk a long tyme he had
desyrit and huntit for, to witt, of The RoyaU Prerogative, and abso-
lut powar to use thair bodies and guidis of thair subjectis at pleasure,
without forme or proces of the commoun law, even than quhen the
bodie of the realme of England wes in thair Parfiament compleine-
ing of tfie justice and injurie thairoff, and seiking redresse, so that
our Bisschopis wes fittit in Mstrumentis of overtMaw of the fridome
and fibertie, boith of the Kirk and realme of Scotland, as it wes
then, be aU that had tongues and wittis takM up and taUtit.
About the end of the moneth of May, the Erie of Dumbar come
from England with auctoritie, and tMie Engfiscfi Doctoris, viz.
Hamptoune, Myritoun, and Hudistoune. Then the Presbytries
ressavit thair Lettres, accompaneit with the Lettres and seaUis of
the Bisschopis, to witt, ArcMebisschopis, craveing and commanding
such and such, be name, to be sent to Glasgow with unlimitit Com
missiouneris ; and tfiai nominat and dressit long befoir be the Bis
schopis, and caMt be the particMar the Kingis Missives, wer ffl reddi
nes to goe, either with the Commissioune or without Commissioune :
So, at one instant, the word went ; and within ten dayes wes ap
poyntit a GeneraU Assembly to be haffldin at Glasgow ; but no
man so much as dreamit of sic effect as at ane stoffln dint, ffl ane
day, to overtMaw ane work seventie yeiris in building, and above
24 yeiris spacious and most profitabiU standing. That Assemblie
did conclud and determine as foUowis :

1610. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 793
[Sess. itia, nono Junij, post meridiem.]
THE GENERALL ASSEMBLIE HAULDIN AT GLASGOW THE 8 OF JUNE
1610, CONCLUDIT THAIS HELD1S AND ARTICLES, CONCERNEING
THE DISCIPLIN OF THE KIRK, TO BE OBSERVIT IN ALL TYMIS
COMErNG .
" In the first, It is declarit, that the aUedgit Assemblie, haffldin
at Aberdein, is nuU l M it seM, speciaUy in respect it had not his
Majestie's warrand,2 and wes dischairgit by Ms Majestie's Commis
siouneris ; and becaus that the necessitie of the Kirk craves, that
for order taring with the commoun effimies, and uthir effairis of the
Kirk, that thair salbe yeirly ane GeneraU Assembly, the Judica-
torie3 quhairof the Assembfie acknawledgis to appertein to Ms
Majestie be the Prerogative of Ms RoyaU Croune ; and, thairfor,
the GeneraU Assembly most humbly requistis that GeneraU As
sembfies may be hauldffl once m the yeir ; or at leist, in respect of
the necessitie foirsaid, that his Majestie would appoynt a certaine
tyme at the quMlk the same salbe hauldffl in aU tymes cumming
preceisely. " Item, It is thought expedient that the Bisschoppis salbe Modera
toris ri every Diocesian Synod, and that the Synod saU haid tuyse
in the yeir of the Kirk of everie Diosie, to witt, in ApryUe and
October ; and quhair the Diosie is lairge, that thair be tuo or thrie
Synodis in convement places, for eis of the Ministeris.
" Item, That no sentence of Excommunicatioune, or Absolutioun
thairof, be pronunceit againes or in favouris of onie persoune,
without the knawledge and approbatioune of the Bisschope of the
Diosie, quho must be answerabffl to Ms Majestie for aU formaU and
impartiaU proceidmg tfiairin ; and tfie proces being found formaU,
the sentence to be pronunceit at the directioune of the Bisschopis
be the MMister of the paroche quhair the offender dweUis, and the
proces begunne ; and in cais the Bisschop salbe found to haiff stayit
the pronunceing of the sentence againes any persoune that hes
1 Adv. MSS. " wes unjust.'' 2 lb. " allowance." 3 lb- "injunctione."

794 THE CONTINUATION OF 1610.
merit 1 the same, and quhen the proces hes bein lawfuMe deduceit,
tfie' same being tryit and convictit in the GeneraU Assemblie ;
thaireftir that advertisement salbe maid to his Majestie, to the effect
that ane uther may be placeit in his rowme.
" Item, That aU presentatiounes heirefter be directit to the Bis
schop, and upon a presentatioune givin, or utherwayis sute 2 maid be
any to be admittit to the Ministerie, the Minister is to require the
Ministerie of that boundes quhair he is to serve, to certiefie be
thair certificat to him, the pairtie suitter his conversatioune past,
abMtie and qualificatioune for the functioune ; and upon the returne
of thair testificatioune tfie Bisschope is to tak further tryeU ; and,
finding him quafifieit, and being assistit be sume of the Ministeris
of thais boundis quhair he is to serve, as he will assume to himself,
and, as he wUbe answerabffl, to perfyt the haffl act of ordinatioun.
" Item, In the depositioun of Ministeris, the Bisschop assosiating
to himself the MMisterie of the boundis quhair the delinquent
servit, he is then to tak tryeU of his flock ; and, upoun just caus
found, to deprive him.
" Item, That everie Minister at Ms admissioune saU sweir obedi
ence to Ms Majestie and Ordinar, according to the forme sett
doun in the Conferrence, keipit in the yeir of God 1571, quhairof
the tennour foUowis :
' THE FORME OF AITHE3 TO BE GIVIN BE THE PERSOUNE PRO
VYDIT TO ANE BENEFICE, WITH CURE, THE TYME OF HIS
ADMISSIOUN BE THE ORDINAR.
" ' I, A. B., being now nominat and admittit to the Church of
D., Mtirely testiefies and declaires, ri my conscience, that the rycht
hight, exceUent, and mychtie Prince, James, be the grace of God,
King of Scottis, is the offly lawfuU Supreme Governour of this
realme, alseweffl in thingis temporaU as in conservatioune and pre-
servatione of Refigioun, and purgatioune thairof; and that no for-
raigne Prince, Prelat, or Pope, State, or Potentat, haiff or aught to
' Merited. z Suit. 3 Oath.

1610. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 795
haiff any superioritie, jurisdictioun, power, preheminencie, or auc
toritie, EcclesiasticaU or SpirituaU, within this reahne : And, thair
foir, I renunce utterly and forsake all forraigne jurisdictioun, poweris,
superiorities, and auctorities, and promisses that I wiU, from this
[time] furth, endeavour, and wffl beir faithfoU and true obedience
to his Hines, and Ms aires, and lawftffl successouris ; and to my
power saU assist and defend aU jurisdictiounes, privUedges, and pre-
heminencies, accessories, or unitteit and annexit to his Royal Croun :
And further, I acknawledge and confesse to haif and hauld the said
C, and all possessiounes of the same, under God, only of his Ma
jestie and Croun RoyaU of tMs realme ; and for the saidis posses
siounes I doe homage presentfie to his Hienes, in your presens, and
to his Majestie's aires and lawfuU successouris salbe true : So helpe
me God.'
" Item, The Visitatioune of the Diosie is to be done be the Bis
schop be him self; and, if the boundis salbe greater nor he can
overtake, he is then to make speciaU choyse, and to appoynt sume
wortMe man to be Visitor M Ms place; and quhatever Minister,
without just caus and lawfuU excms, salbe absent from the Visita
tioune of the Diosesian Assembfie, he salbe suspendit from his
office and benefice, and, if fie amend not, he salbe deprivit.
" Item, Excerceis of Doctrin is to be continowit oukely ' among
Ministeres at the tymes of thair awin accustomeit meittingis, and
to be moderatit by the Bisschop iff he be present, or then be any
uther that salbe appoyntit 2 at the tymes of the Synod.
" Item, The Bisschop salbe subject, in aU tMngis concerneing
thair lyff, conversatioune, office, and benefice, to the censur of the
GeneraU Assemblie ; and, being found culpabffl, be his Majestie's
advyse and consent to be depryvit.
" Item, That no Bisschop be electit bot quho hes past the aige of
fourtie yeiris compleit, and quho hes bein ane actuaU teiching Mi
nister be the space of ten yeiris at the leist.
" QuhUk haffl Articles, being diverse tymes red in the face of
the haill Assemblie, voiting efter the same, wer ratiefieit and ap-
i Weekly. 2 Adv. MSS. " he shall appoynt."

796 THE CONTINUATION OF 1610.
provit, and concludit be the haffl Assembfie, and ordainit to be
observit in aU tymes cuming.
[Sess. 4:ta, undecimo Junij, ante meridiem.1
" The said day, the Earle of Dumbar, one of his Majestie's Com
missioners, being presently of intention, to have caused instantly
discharge aU PresbyteriaU meetings by open Proclamation at the
market crosse of Glasgow ; and that because he had received a spe
cial warrant and command from Ms Majestie to that effect, which
he on no wayes would nor durst disobey; the whole Assembly
most earnestly interceed with Ms Lordship, that it might please his
Lordship to continue the making of the said Proclamation, and dis
charge of the Presbyteries contained in the said Letter, for a cer
tain space ; that, ri the mean time, his Majestie might be certiorat
of the proceedings of this present Assembly, which they doubted
not would give Ms Majestie full satisfaction in that part : Unto the
which request, these of the NobMtie, beMg presently conveened by
his Majestie's direction in the said Assembly, did concurre, and in
terpon their request to that same effect. Whereunto the said Earle
of Dumbar havffig acqffiesced upon special offer made by the Noble
men conveened, that they would interceed at his Majestie's hands,
that he shoffld be blameless for the said delay ; for the wMch, the
Assembly did give his Lordship most heartie thanks ; and there
fore ordaffied a Letter to be directed, in name of the whole As
sembly, containing a most humble Supplication, that it might please
his Majestie of his gracious favour to accept of the proceedings of
this present Assembly, M the matter of the Discipfine of the Kirk,
whereunto they had condescended for satisfaction of his Majestie's
good wffl, contained in Ms Highness' Letter ; and in respect thereof,
that it might stand with his Majestie's good pleasure and wffl to
superseed all further discharge of the said Presbyteries.
" Anent the Supplication given in name of George Marquess of
Huntlie, &c, bearing in effect, that after long conference and rea-
1 This portion of the proceedings (from this page to p. 799) has been supplied from
Cald. Hist, folio edit. It is omitted in all the MSS. of the Supplement to Melvill's Diary

1610. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 797
soring had M the controverted heeds of Religion, betwixt his Lord
ship and certaM of the Mffiistery deputed to that effect, he was
fully resolved in aU doubts and difficulties that might arise therein,
or trouble Mm M any sort ; m token whereof, he hath subscribed
the whole Heeds and Articles of the Religion presently professed
within this realme ; which were presented with the said Supplica
tion : And, therefore, desiring that a commission may be directed
from tMs present Assembly, givfflg power to such Commissioners
as they shoffld appoMt to absolve him from the sentence of Excom
munication, in respect of his satisfaction foresaid ; as at more length
is contained ri the said Supplication. Therefore, the Earle of Dum
bar, his Majestie's Commissioner, having declared, in his Majestie's
name, his Highness' mfflde anent the absolution of the Marquess
of Huntfie from the sentence of Excommunication ; and m special,
that it should be tried if Ms LordsMp was fully, in heart and con
science, resolved and satisfied M the heeds of Religion, as fie had
subscribed the same with his hand, to the intent that thereafter he
might be absolved from the said sentence of Excommunication.
" The General Assembly, being ripely advised with the said Sup
plication, and his Majestie's mMde declared by Ms Highness' Com
missioner thereanent, Giveth, granteth, and committeth their full
Commission to the persons after specified, the Archbishops of St
Andrews and Glasgow, the Bishops of Orknay, GaUoway, Brechen,
Mr John HaU, Mr Patrick Simpsone, Mr William Couper, Mr
Patrick Sharpe, and Mr Andrew Leitch ; with power to them to
passe with his Majestie's Commissioners, and the Earles of Mon
trose, Glencarne, Cathness, Linlithgow, Kinghorne, Wigtoun, and
Lothian, to the Castle of Stirfine, where the said Marquess is pre
sently confined, and there to try the said Marquess his intention
and resolution, M the Heeds and Articles of the Religion ; and if
he be ftdly satisfied thereanent in his heart and conscience, as he
hath outwardly professed the same, subscribed with Ms hand ; and
in case they finde Mm ftdly resolved, and of inward intention to
give foU satisfaction in all the pofflts and heeds of Religion con
troverted, and to avow, and constantly to confesse and professe,

798 THE CONTINUATION OF 1610.
the trae Refigion tfiat is presently professed pubficMy witfiin tfiis
realme, M that case, they give fffll power and commission to the
said BretMen, with Mr John Hay, Mr John Mitchel, Mr Robert
Cornwal, and Mr Patrick Lindsey, or any nine of them, (the Arch
bishops of St Andrews and Glasgow being alwayes two,) to absolve
him from the processe and sentence of Excommunication.
" Item, It was humbly regrated in the Assembly, that notwith
standing of many lovable acts and constitutions, as weU Ecclesi
asticaU as Civil, alreadie made and enacted for repressing the dis
order and insolence of professed and excommunicat Papists ; yet
neverthelesse they do stffl remain in their former obstinacie and
disobedience ; proceeding doubtlesse upon the impunitie wMch they
do enjoy, and oversight whereby they are suffered to have free pas
sage and accesse in aU parts of the countrey, as if they wer not ex
communicat : For remedie whereof, it is ordained, that every one
of the Commissioners present give in roll to the Clerk of the As
sembly aU the persons that "are excommunicat withM their bounds,
that the same being presented by Mm to my Lord Commissioner,
Ms Lordship may cause the Secret Councel take order with them,
according to the lawes of the countrey.
" And because it is not unknown to the King's Majestie, what
manifold treasonable practices and attempts are, from time to time,
devised agaMst his Majestie and Ms Royal Estate by the Papists,
and professed enemies to the truth, therefore, the Assembly hath
thought good that a Supplication shoffld be directed to Ms Majes
tie in name of the whole Assembly, to put Ms Majestie M remem
brance of Ms own estate and danger, whereunto his Majestie is sub
ject through the cruel and craftie treason daUy forged and contrived
against Ms state and person, by the Papists, Jesuits, and Seminarie
Priests, enemies to God and the true Refigion, and to fiis Majestie,
because his Highness is a special maintainer of the same against
their false and erroneous doctrines ; that, therefore, it would please
his Majestie to have such regard to his own estate, and preservation
of his most sacred person from their bloudie devices, that by de
barring of them and their favourers from his Majestie's presence,

1610. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 799
his Majestie, by the grace and protection of God Almighty, may
be preserved M safety, to the advancement of the glorie of God,
estabfishrig of the true peace of Ms Kirk within his Majestie's do
minions, and comfort and tranqufflitie of his Highness' subjects,
whose wealth and prosperitie in tMs earth, under God, they ac
knowledge to consist in Ms Majestie's preservation."]
[Sess. 5ta, Junii 11, post meridiem^]
" ForsuameUtle as m this present GeneraU Assembly it wes all-
redie statut and ordafflit, that the Excerceis salbe moderatit be the
Bisschop M the meittMgis of the Mffiisteris, if they be present, or
then by any uther quhom he saU appoynt at the tyme of the Synod;
and becaus the nixt Synod is not to be haffldin befoir the moneth
of October rixtocum, heirfoir, it is ordainit that, m absence of the
Bisschop, the Constant Moderatoris saU remarie in thair place quhffl
the nixt Synod to be hauldine M October nixtocume.
" Item, Becaus it is imcivill that lawis and constitutiounes, either
CiviU or EcclesiasticaU, being once estabfiscMt and in force, by opin
and pubfict consent, sould be controllit or callit in question be any
persoune ; thairfoir, it is statut and ordainit, be uniforme consent
of this haffl Assembfie, that none of the Mimsterie that ethir in
pulpit in Ms preichemg, or M his pubfict excercises, speik or reas
soune againes the present act of tMs Assemblie, or dissobey the
same, under the pame of deprivatioune, being tryit and convictit
thairoff; and speciaMe, that the questioune of equaUtie and in-
equafitie in the Kirk be not tryit in pulpit, under the same pame ;
and that everie one of the Commissiouneris present intimat the act
in the first meitting at tfie first excercise.
" Extractit forth out of the Buikis of the GeneraU Assembfie be
me, (Sic subscribitur) "Mr Thomas Nicolsoun,
" Commissiouner of Abirdeine, Clerk, Keiper,
and Extracter heiroff."
It is not to be omittit that Mr Petir Prymrose, with the haffl

800 THE CONTINUATION OF 1610.
Presbytrie of Air,1 perceiving befoir hand the dint and terribU
straik intendit, came with premeditat and resolvit purpose to pro
test againes it, and began in pubfict to doe tfie same, but wes ffiter-
ruptit, and referrit to the Privie Conferrence, quhair, pairtfie be
minassing auctoritie, and pairtfie be cunning polficie, tfiey wer
brockin and abateit.
The maner of thair proceiding in that Assembfie ye saU under
stand by this letter foUowing :

[LETTER AS TO THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASSEMBLY AT GLASGOW,
8 MAY 1610.]
" I doubt not bot yow ar sufficientfie informit of tfie proceidingis
at Glasgow ; but for my duetie, in a word, aU that thai haif bein
contending for and suffering tfiais maney yeiris, in that ane act is un
done. The meitting wes frequent of NobiUmen, Knychtis, and
CounseUeris, wryttin for, and dressit for the purpose, and quho aU
voitit, albeit it stood not upoun thair voitis ; for thair wes only fyve
contrary voitis in the haffl Assembfie. It began with fasting on
Tuysday,2 quhairapoun thair wes thrie sermonis. The Bisschop of
Glasgow, in the morneing, upon 'I wald haffl curit BabeU,' &c.
His principaU discours wes againes sacrielegious persounes, slanting
at the late Patrounages. In end, he had Ms speiche : ' Yow look,'
sayis he, ' that I soffld speik sumething of the purpose that this As
sembfie is conveMit for : I wM say no moir but this, that Refigioune
must not be intertaineit after the manner it wes brought Mto the
land. It wes brought in be confusioun — it must be Mtertaineit be
order : It wes brought ffl the land againes auctoritie — it must be
intertaineit by auctoritie !'
" Bischop Law foUowit at ten houris, quhois discours wes upon
peace ; and thairefter schew that the peace behovit to be with
veritie, or else better no peace ; and upon that came to the ques-
1 Adv. MSS. " whole Ministers of the Presbytries in the West.'
2 76. " Thursday."

1610. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIARY. 801
tioune, Quhither the Govemement of the Kirk aught to be by Mi
nisteris of equaU power, or by ane sett over the rest, yea or not ?
He passit over jus divinum, and tuik him to prove thair lawfollnes
out of antiquitie, of the ane above the rest ; and all com to thrie,
antiquitie, universalitie, and perpetMtie, (PapisticaU argumentis !)
casting in thairwithaU, to mak it the moir plausibiU, sume wrestit
sentences out of Calrine and Junius : And so concludit the verity
of the questioune for EpiscopaU Govemement with a solemne oath
and protestatioun of his conscience in that matter ; little remem-
bring quhat he had preicheit solemnelie at Synodis concerneing that
matter, and quhat they had sworne and subscryvit befoir the Bis-
choprick movit Ms conscience ! Eftirnoone came the litle Inglish
Chaplaine, Hudstone, aU upoun the same groundis, M Ms cunnit '
and cuttit maner.
" The principaU Articles concludit were, First, The Generall As
sembfie of Aberdeme condemffit : 2. The haiU power of Visitatioune
of Kirks, of Excommuricatioune, of Admitting and Deposeing of
Ministeres, to be in the handis of Bischopis ; everie ane withm thair
awin Diosie, and sua maney as thai pleis to joyne thame, tuyse in
the yeir : Diocesiane meittingis to be tuyse in the yeir : Generall
Assembfies to be none, except as the King sail think meitt to ap
poynt. Iff the Bisschop doe amiss in the power committit to him,
it salbe lawfoU to the Ministeris to complein againes him to the
GeneraU Assemblie, quhUk saU tak order with him according to the
Kingis advyce, as salbe qualiefieit againes fiim : No Minister to be
admittit befoir he haiff sworne his aUedgeance to the King, and his
obeMence to the Bisschopis, as thair Ordinar, in omnibus licitis et
Cannonicis : No Minister, either privatlie or pubfictlie, to speik any
thing againes the conclusiounes of this Assembfie, namely, of the
equafitie or inequalitie of the Ministeris, under the paine of deposi-
tioune. " Thair wes meikle adoe anent the dischairge of the Presbytries,
for the quhilk the Erie of Dumbar aUedgit he had a Commissioun
1 Conned. 3 Jfi

802 THE CONTINUATION OF 1610.
expresscly, sic as he behovit to put in executioune to dischairge
thame simpliciter ,- yit it resolvit verie craftilie in this, that the
number assembfit sould wrytt thair proceidingis to his Majestie, and
subscryve the samen ; and then malt suitis to his Majestie, that the
Presbytries may be permittit to stand ; howbeit, in effect, thai wer
also weffl away as to stand as cipheris only, and no moir to be ac-
knawledgit be the name of Presbytries, but to be called ' The
Meitting of the Britherin upoun the Excercise ; ' and so it pleissis
the Bisschopis to style thame in thair wryttingis and meittingis.
" Thir wer the principaU heidis concludit. All passit efter the
maner of the Privie Conferrence, and that, as the Moderator, Glas
gow, aUedgit in the oppin Assemblie, without any contradictioun,
except tuo Brither quhom he would not name ; quhilk wer thought
to be Mr Johne Hall and Mr Williame Cowper. Thair wes lairge
money distributit to the Ministeris that did the turne, under pre
tence of beiring thair chairges ; not without sume malecontentment
and contentioun in pairting thair pelfe-deilling. Thus ye sie how our
matteris gois, and quhat neid we haiff of wisdome, constancie, and
courage ; quhilk Chryst, quhois caus it is, must Avork in the heartis
of his faithfuU servantis. Amen."
As the NobMtie, Bischopis, and Ministeris, returnit from this
Assembfie, in a great and solemne audience, at Stirling, Mr Patrick
Simpsoune layit thair perjurie and defectioun so clearlie and fairlie
to thair conscience, in his sermone, that the Bisschopis wist' not
quhat to doe, quhither to accuse or comport ; 1 their patience pre
vaUit. In lyk maner, comeing to Edinbruche, Mr Walter Balcan-
queU did the same ; quho wes thairfor callit befoir the CounseU,
quhair, coram,2 he convictit Bisschop Law of apostacie and perjurie,
so that he had not to answer ; and yet escaipit with simple admoni-
tioun. Mr Patrick Galloway gianceit verie neir the matter, in his
first sermone maid thairefter at Edinbruche, but ever thairwith, ac
cording to his fasbioun, flattering the King. Also a merchant in
1 Adv. MSS. " to excuse or conceal that to doe." a In presence of the whole
Council.

1610. MR JAMES MELVILL'S DIAUY. 803
Edinbruche, nameit Mr WUfiame Kempe, being, for his privie
speiches againes the proceidingis of that Assemblie, wes callit before
the CounseU, did thair speik verie plainelie, saying, " Of a truth,
thai of that Assemblie wer unhonnest and perjurit : Unhonnest, for
that sending Commissiouneris from thair Presbytrie to keip the
GeneraU Assemblie at Aberdeine, they had first sufferit thais Com
missiouneris to be maist shamefully usit and punischit; and now
had condemnit that Ajssemblie, and thair Britherin's proceidingis
thairin, they never being tryit nor heard befoir any Assemblie or
Jufflcatorie of the Kirk : Perjurit, for that qulfflk thai bad sworne
and subscryvit unto solemnelie, and maid even all thair flockis
solemnelie to subscryve, and sweir that quhfflt they had preichit
and professit be thame, and practisit twentie yeiris bygaine ; haiff
now, sitting downe in one day of this Assemblie at Glasgow, over-
turrit and condemnit with so feirfoU a sclander and stumbling-block
to all the people, that they haiff not the warrant of thair faith,
utherwayis then by thair preiching, ar casten downe, or in dout
quhat to tMnk of all faith * and refigioun, preicfiit and professit be
thame, smce thair entrie in the Ministerie !" The CounseU would
haiff givin out a rigourous sentence againes Mm, but Glasgow in-
rerceifflt for him, and said that would do no guid, but rather hurt
nor forder 2 the KMgis caus and purpose ; for severitie, in that
matter so fresche, wald concitat and stirr up more, and mak thame
too much adoe : And so, efter a few dayis imprissounement, he wes
admonischit and lett goe. And thairon, immediatly, a terribUl pro
clamatioune wes maid, that none sould speik againes the proceid
ingis of that Assemblie.
Soone thairefter, Glasgow and Brechine tuik journay to Court,
to report and get thankis, and Galloway followit efter ; qiMo all
thrie wer keipit to the monethe of November, at quhat tyme
the Inglish Parliament satt doun at Westminster ; and tfiane, be a
speciall Commissioune from the King to the Bisschop of Londoun
for that effect; the Archbisschop of Glasgow and the uther tuo wer
solemnelie inaugurat and consecrat with annonyting of oyle and
1 Adv. MSS. "pietie." 2 Than further.

804 THE CONTINUATION OF MELVILL'S DIARY. 1610.
uther ceremonies, just according to the Ingfish faschioan and Pon-
tificall Papistis. Quho, thairefter, returneing to Scotland in the
moneth of December, they did to the Archbisschop of Saint An
drois, at Saint Androis, as thai wer done at Lambeth, aU as neir as
thai could possibiMe imitat.1
And now, in conclusioune of this Historie, it is remarkabffl how
soone thairefter the great Judge of this world caMt the two cheiff
mstrumentis of the overthrow of Discipline of tfie Kirk of Scotland
to thair accompt and judgment ; for Richard Bancroft, Archbis
schop of Canterberrie, quho, att the funeraU sermoun maid by Ab-
botis, Bisschop of Londoun, had the commendatioune of the over
throwing of the Presbytries of the Kirk of Scotland, wes Mmselff
feirfuUie overthrowin by feirfoU and terribffl tormentis and desperat
death at Lambeth, in that same moneth of November, at the verie
tyme of the Scottis Bisschopis inauguratioun : And in the moneth of
February thaireftir immediatlie foUowing,2 the Erie of Dumbar wes
by death pluckit from the height of his honour and credit at Court,
evin quhen he wes most cairfull to haiff had a great bffilffing com-
pleitt at Berwick ; for he had promiseit to celebrat Saint George
day thair, and quhen he wes about solemnizerig his daughter's
marriage most magrificfie with, the Lord Walden, eldest sonne
to the Erie of Suffolk, Lord Hight Chamberlane, with aU thair
spectaclis, fionnouris, and merriementis, that the favour off the King,
Court, and Nobillis could affoord, he wes faine to tak him to his
deathis-bed, and forcit to give up the ghost. And thus was
Jericho buUdit up againe, in Scotland, as also the curs executt
upoun the buUderis.
1 The rest of the Scotish Bisbops were afterwards formally re-inaugurated and
consecrated at St Andrews, as appears from the following passage : — " And there
after the two Archbischops consecrat them Bischops, ay as they wer nominat be the
King, and agried unto be the rest; first quistlie, but afterward verie solemnlie, as
their state grew and wer favoured by their Prince." — Row's Historie, Maitland Club's
Edit. i. 98.
' He diod at Whitehall, 30th Jan. 1611,— Calderwood's Hist, folio edit. p. 614.

INDEX.

INDEX.

A.

Abbots, 106, 231.
,  Dr, Dean of Winchester, 748 ; af
terwards Bishop of London, preaches
the Archbishop of Canterbury's (Ban
croft's) Funeral Sermon, 804.
Abercorn, Earl of, one of the High Com
mission, 788.
Abercrombie, parish of, 3 ; Mr Alexan
der Forsyth, minister, 5.
 Gills, 38.
 Thomas, burgess of Montrose, 38.
Aberdeen, K. James VI. and army there
when Huntly was defeated, 318, 319 ;
General Assembly, 1604, held there,
560; proceedings of the Assembly,
561-565 ; Synod of, 570 ; Narration
of General Assembly's proceedings,
July 1605, 570-582.
 Bishop of, David Cuningham, 56,
57, 75; his miserable end, ib., 58;
Patrick Blackburn, 489, 561, 724,
755 ; one of the High Commission,
787.
Abolition, Act of, 312.
Absolution, or absolving from sentence of
excommunication, 793.
Abstinence and humiliation, 182.
Abuses in the Kirk, 106, 186-193, 225.
Achmoutie, David, ceconomer of St An
drews College, 162.
Adamson, John, burgess of Edinburgh,
267, 268.
 (Constant or Constantine) Patrick,
Archbishop of St Andrews, 3 ; returns
to Scotland when a preacher, 31 ; his
satirical definition of " Bishop," 32 ;
publishes Calvin's Catechism in heroic
verse, ib. ; minister of Paisley, 53 ;
made Archbishop of St Andrews, 57 ;

his dissimulation with the Kirk, 59 ;
publicly called a " knave" by Mr An
drew Hay, 62, 63 ; attends Mr Andrew
Melvill's lectures, 85, 120; approves of
the Book of Policy, 121 ; a great enemy
to the Kirk, 127 ; accused of consulting
witches, ib., 1 37 ; his crafty behaviour,
1 28 ; goes to London, and practises
against the Kirk, 141 ; writes to Ge
neva and Tiguria,ib. ; gives out articles
of discipline for the Kirk, 148; returns
to Scotland, 166 ; Bull granted to him
by the King as head of the Kirk, 187,
194, 235, 241 ; is excommunicated,
247 ; excommunicates Andrew and
James Melvill, ib. ; his appellation to
the King, ib. ; his great alarm, ib.,
248 ; popularly supposed to have con
sulted witches, ib. ; composes a work
entitled PsyUus, which he dedicates to
the King, 282 ; his poverty, 285 ; be
seeches the Kirk to relax his excommu
nication, which is clone, 290 ; his re
cantation, ib. ; his death-, 293.
Admissioi} to benefices, 106, 151, 194,
409.
Admonition, private, 398 ; from the mini
sters of Edinburgh to the King, 518-
522.
Advice of Commissioners of Provincial
Synods as to Union with England,
557.
JEstimators of " valor" of teinds, 338.
Agnus Dei and Popish reliques, &c, 617.
Aischrologie, 350.
Alie (Elie) in Fife, 253.
Alms-houses, 191.
Alnwick, 172, 227.
Altarages, 112, 190.

808

INDEX.

Altar Verses, Mr Andrew Melvill's, 682,
683.
Ambitus, Crimen, 348, 541.
Anderson, Richard, 23.
 Mr Thomas, minister at Montrose,
22, 38.
Andrese, Jacobus, 739.
Andrews, Dr, Bishop of Exeter, 663.
Anglical Bishopries, 441, 471.
Angus, Archibald, " The Guid" Earl of,
put in ward benorth Tay, 116; rises
in arms, and occupies Stirling, 165;
flees to England, 166, 170; in New
castle, 171, 173; his character, 185;
returns to Scotland, 223, 225, 267.
 William, Earl of, sends secret dis
patches to Spain, for which he is im
prisoned, 306 ; escapes, 307 ; is ex
communicated, 310, 755.
 and Mernes, Superintendent of,
14, 18.
 Synod of, accepts of a Constant
Moderator, 715.
Animadversions of Offences conceived on
Acts of Parliament made in 1584,
229—238 ; the King's Declaration as
to these Acts, 239-243 ; the Commis
sioners for the Kirk's Supplication, ib.
244.
Annexation, Act of, 260.
Annexations, 332, 333.
Annuals, 112, 190.
Anstruther, Captain Kobert, uncle to the
Laird of, recants Popery, 81 ; dies,
leaving 2000 merks to the parish of
Kilrenny, ib.
 Burn, 331.
 John, (reader at Kilrenny,) 9.
 Laird of, 6, 8, 9, 264.
 parish of, 3, 4, 11, 141 ; vessel
captured by English pirate, 257 ; ta
ken, 258 ; pirates hanged, 259, 276.
 Easter, 5, 8.
 Wester, 5, 260.
Antedates and long tacks, 339.
Apocalypse, King James VI. writes on,
260 ; profane remark of James VI.
661 ; Mr Brightman's Commentaries,
785.
Apology for the ministers of Edinburgh,
1596, leaving their flocks, 374-386;
to the King, 518-522; for the pri
soners in Blackness, 593, et seq.
Apparel, gorgeous, 350; laws relative
to, 781.

Appeal to Superior Judicatories, 400.
Aratus' Astrology taught at St An
drews, 49.
Arbroath, Lord of, flees to England, 58 ;
marries the Countess of Cassils, ib.
Arbrothe, 302.
Arbuthnot, Alexander, (Principal of the
University of Aberdeen,) reforms that
college, 53, 55, 78, 121, 125; his
death, 139; his epitaph, 140.
Archdeacons, 106.
Archery practised and encouraged, 17.
Archesoune, James, 707-
Ardiauus, 439.
Argyle, Bishop of, Andrew Boyd, one of
the High Commission, 788.
 Earl of, 76 ; defeats the Earl of
Huntly at Glenrinnes, 318, 664.
Aristotle's Philosophy taught, 25, 30,
39, 49 ; " absurdum est dicere errasse
Aristotelem," 67 ; the Regents of Phi
losophy at St Andrews quarrel with
Mr Andrew Melvill for confuting Aris
totle, 123.
Arithmetic, by Ramus, taught, 49, 54.
Armada, "The Invincible" Spanish, 260;
wrecked on the coast of Scotland, &c,
261 ; Jan Gomes de Medina, the Spa
nish Admiral, arrives in a miserable
state at Anstruther, 262 ; his confer
ence with Mr James Melvill, ib., 263,
361.
Arnot, John, commissary-clerk of St An
drews, 127.
Arran, Countess of, 222.
 Earl of. See Stewart, James.
Arrol. See Errol.
Arthour, Jaques, slain in a tumult at St
Andrews, 273.
 Mr John, 275 ; one of the High
Commission, 788.
Articles of Perth, 1596, and Answers,
406-409 ; proponed to the Synods by
the King, 627 ; to be answered by Mr
Andrew Melvill, &c. 667, 668 ; at
Falkland, 778.
Ashley, Sir Anthony, 689, 691, 692.
Assembly, the General, held at St An
drews, 31 ; in August 1574, 47 ; meets
at Edinburgh, 52 ; passes resolutions
against the bishops, 53 ; again, 55, 56,
59 ; convenes at Edinburgh, abolishes
the name of Bishop, and approves of
the Policy, 61 ; at Stirling, 63 ; again,
77 ; manner of proceeding therein, 79;

INDEX.

809

held at Dundee, abolishes Bishops, 80 ;
convenes at Glasgow, and ratifies the
Book of Policy, 86; at Edinburgh,
118; at St Andrews and Edinburgh,
128 ; gives forth the " Greiffes of the
Kirk," 129 ; at Edinburgh, 1 35 ; again,
after the Raid of Ruthven, 136; power
of Assemblies, 150 ; convenes at Edin
burgh, and renews the Covenant, 353 ;
held at Perth, where the King's Ar
ticles are discussed and answered,
406 ; difference between the Kirk's
General Assembly and the King's,
412; meets at Dundee, 414 ; its pro
ceedings, 415 ; again at Dundee, 439 ;
prorogated, 443 ; meets at Montrose,

468; its proceedings there, 469; at
Burntisland, 490.
Assemblies, nature and kinds of, 97 ;
who may vote in General, 396.
Astrology taught, 49.
Astronomy taught at St Andrews, 28.
Athalia, Mary Queen of Scots thus named
by Andrew Melvill, &c. 161, 191.
Athanasius, 376.
Atheists, 348.
Athercape-wobbes, what, 188.
Atholl, Earl of, 76.
 earthquake felt at, 420.
Auchmoutie, Mr David, 245.
Augustinus, Consul, 570.
Azill, what, 196.

B.

Bachelor Akt, the laureation at Univer
sities celebrated by banqueting, plays,
&c. 28.
Baine, Bishop of, what, 781.
Balcanquall, Mr Walter, minister at
Edinburgh, 52, 79, 119, 145; protests,
in the name of the Kirk, against the
acts of Parliament, 1 67 ; withdraws
to England, 170, 218, 221 ; returns to
Scotland, 223, 301; again flees to
England, 374, 385, 517, 553, 624,
802.
Baldowy, the family property of the Mel-
vills, 14, 23, 38, 45, 48, 50.
Balduinus, Professor of Law, 39.
Balefire. See Bonfire.
Balfour, Mr James, 18, 19; minister of
Edinburgh, 48 ; minister at Guthrie,
marries Barbara Melvill, the author's
youngest sister, 53, 78, 218, 221, 301,
374, 385, 517; is invited to Parlia
ment, July 1606, at Perth, 637 ; goes
to London, 644 ; interview with King
at Hampton Court, 653, 659 ; to be
with Bishop of Norwich, 678 ; Bishop
of Orkney sent to him, 688 ; signs sup -
plication to Council of England, 697 ;
charged to ward at Cockburnspath,
709.
 Laird of, 259.
¦  of Montwhanie, Michael, 304.
 William, "the Mansemoungar,"
323.
Ballads, by Sempill the poet, 22.
Ballandein, Mr James, Commissary of

Edinburgh, one of the High Commis
sion, 788.
Ballanden, (Bannatyne,) Richard, secre
tary to John Knox, 33.
Ballantyne, (Bannatyne,) Mr Adam, 760 ;
one of the Conference at Falkland,
770.
Balmanno, Laird of, 701.
Balmerino, Lord. See Elphingstoune.
Balmfurde, Mr, shows kindness to the
Scottish ministers in London, 710.
Balvaird, Laird of, 701.
Bancroft, Richard. See Canterbury.
Band, the General, 300, 304.
Banning and swearing, fines for, 183,
349.
Barlo, Dr, Bishop of Rochester, 653,
678, 679, 739.
Bartas, Guiliaum Salust, Seignior du, ar
rives in Scotland, 253 ; visits, with the
King, the University of St Andrews,
ib. ; Mr Andrew Melvill lectures ex
tempore, ib. ; the Archbishop follows,
254 ; then the King, ib. ; his opinion,
257."
Bartholomeus, 569.
Bartholomew's Eve, Massacre of, 44, 75,
160.
Basilicon Doron, written by King James
VI., 444.
Basilius's Epistle, 47-
Bath and Wells, Bishop of, (Dr Monta-
gue,) 753.
Batons for fencing, (broadsword and cud
gelling?) 17.

810

INDEX.

Battles, fields, fights, &c. Carberry, 17 i
" Bourde" of Brechin, 27 ; Crabstane,
28 ; Pinkie, 38 ; Corrichie, 743,
&c.
Beatie, John, Reader at Montrose, 22.
Beaton, Archibald, Commissary of Glas
gow, 64.
Bcddels, 113.
Beggars, vagabond, 361.
Belgians, &c. students at St Andrews,
42,43, 47, 418.
Bell, Mr John, one of the ministers of
Glasgow, one of the High Commis
sion, 789.
Bellarmine, Cardinal, 766, 767.
Benefices, 151 ; disposition of, 332 ; dis
solution of, 337 ; dilapidation of, 350.
Bent-grass, strewed on floors, in place of
carpets, 21.
Berwick, 44, 218.
.  Mr Andrew Melvill escapes to
town of, 1 44 ; Mr James Melvill also
escapes thither in an open boat, 169,
170.
Beza, Theodore, of Geneva, 41 ; procures
Andrew Melvill the professorship of
Latin in the College at Geneva, ib. ;
his commendation of Melvill to Kirk of
Scotland, 42; writes to Melvill, 51 ;
Lord Chancellor Glammis writes to Be-
za, 55 ; his confession, ib. ; sends his
Treatise De Triplici Episcopate to
Scotland, ib. ; writes letter of thanks
for contribution made in Scotland for
Geneva, 265; letter to Knox, 481,
739.
Biggar, Mr Thomas, minister at King-
horn, 302, 303.
Bigom, Dr, Bishop of Norwich, 678.
Bilsoun, Dr, Bishop of Winchester, 678 ;
his Treatise on Perpetual Government,
753.
Biotick, what, 331.
Birnie, Mr William, minister of Lanark,
one of the High Commission, 788.
Birth, monstrous, near Falkland, 525.
Bishops, " Tulehain," what, 31, 48 ; the
name and office declared by the Gene
ral Assembly to be common to all pas
tors, 55 ; the title and authority abo
lished, 62 ; withdraw themselves from
the General Assemblies, 77 ; the office
abolished, 80, 93-95, 107, 108, 212,
434 ; name, if to be permitted, 459 ;

re-established, 489 ; title of " Lord''
given to, 460 ; discussion as to, 556 ;
restored, 641; protest against, ib. ;.
proposed to be Constant Moderators
over their Synods, &c. 687, 760 ; liable
to be deprived with consent of the
King, 795 ; not eligible under forty
years of age, ib.
Bishops, English, 281.
Black, Mr David, minister at St An
drews, 293, 308, 310; accused of se
dition, 323 ; declines the King's judi
catory, 324, 328, 329, 353, 354, 358 ;
released from ward, 387, 389, 414,
417 ; deposed, 419, 509 ; his declina
ture, 510, 516.
 Mr George, minister at St An
drews, 126.
 Parliament, the, 28 ; Regent Len
nox slain, ib.
Blackburn, Mr Archibald, minister of
Aberdeen, 561, 573.
 Patrick, (Peter,) professor in Glas
gow College, 48, 54, 63 ; minister at
Aberdeen, 67, 302, 434 ; made Bishop
of Aberdeen, 469, 489, 561.
Blackfriars, London, 690.
Blackness, Castle of, 71 ; Mr Andrew
Melvill ordered to ward in, 143 ; escapes
to England, 144, 215 ; ministers ward
ed there, 575 ; Apology for the Pri
soners there, 593, et seq. ; proceed
ings against them, 612 ; their Suppli
cation, 613; their declinature of Privy
Council, 615.
Blackwell, G., Popish Archpriest, 766.
Blakwhean, Laird of, 30 1 .
Blanks, Spanish, 306, et seq.
Blantyro, Prior of, 508.
 Lord, Walter, 619, 685; one of
the High Commission, 788.
Blasphemy, 100, 349.
Blythe, Mr David, minister, Kirkcud
bright, 302.
Bodin's Method of History, 46.
Bodwarts, what, 376.
Body, Gilbert, " a drunken Orkney ass,''
440.
Boid, (Boyd,) Alexander, his rebellious
conduct at Glasgow College, 69 ; de
serts the College, 70; assaults Mr
James Melvill, ib. ; is forced to apolo
gise, 72.
 Lord, obtains the temporality of

INDEX.

811

the bishoprick of Glasgow, 47 ; his
cousin's misconduct, 69, et seq.
Boid, Master of, intromits with the bi
shop-rents of Glasgow, 47. See
Boyd.
Bonaventnra, Cornelius, Professor of He
brew, &c. in Geneva, 42.
Bonfire (or balefire) on the birth of King
James VI., 18.
Boniface VIII., Pope, 734 ; saying re
garding him, ib.
Bonitone, 37.
 Laird of, his offers, 385.
Book of Policy. See Policy.
Border theft, 190, 400.
Borders, East and West, ravaged by
' English after murder of Regent Mo
ray, 27.
Bothwell, Francis, Earl of, marches with
the Confederated Lords to St Ninian 's,
223 ; they besiege Stirling, &c, ib. ;
he raises men to proceed to the Isles,
276 ; oppresses the people on the East
coast, ib. ; makes public repentance at
Edinburgh, 277 ; attempts to seize the
King, 294; loses the King's favour,
ib. ; appears in arms at Leith, &c,
314 ; is forfanlted and outlawed, ib. ;
joins the Papist lords, 326.
Bourde of Brechin, 27.
Bonrdeaux, 39.
Bow, near London, Mr Andrew Melvill
resides there, 706.
 and arrows, practice with, encou
raged, 17.
Bowes, Robert, the English ambassador,
60,226,278,281,319.
Boyd, Mr James, Bishop of Glasgow,
44, 47, 55.
 Andrew, Bishop of Argyll, 788.
See Boid.
Brahe, Ticho, 569, 570.
Braid, Laird of, 84.
Bramhill, Peter, a French rope-dancer,
487, n.
Breachin, 302.
Breadalbane, earthquake at, 420, 525.
Brechin Castle, besieged and taken by the
Earlef Lennox from the Earl of Hunt-
ly, 27 ; this exploit called " the Bourde
of Breachine," ib.
 Bishop of, (Alexander Campbell,)
42, 43, 47 ; Andrew Lamb, one of the
High Commission, 787, 788 ; goes

to Court after the Glasgow Assembly,
in 1610, 803.
Bribery, 400.
Bridges, building and repairing, 1 1 5,
342, 361.
Brieves, the King's, to Pope Paulus V.
766.
Brightman, Mr, his Commentaries on the
Apocalypse, 785.
Briumas, Mestelenus, 570.
Broome, (Brown?) Mr Gilbert, Abbot of
New Abbay, 66 ; imprisoned one night
at Blackness, as a Papist, 616; taken to
Edinburgh Castle, and allowed to de
part with his mass-clothes, &c„ 617,
765.
Brown, Thomas, (Reader at Orwell ?)
553.
Bruce of Arthe, 1 47 ; his second son
was Mr Robert Bruce, minister, ib.
 Mr Robert, minister of Edinburgh,
39, n. ; accompanies Mr Andrew Mel
vill when cited before King and Coun
cil, 142: his birth and education, 147,
165, 267, 268; preaches at St An
drews, 254 ; refuses to be successor to
Mr James Lawson, 255 ; his ministry,
271 ; appointed one of the Privy Coun
cil in the absence of the King in Den
mark, 277, 300, 301 ; withdraws to
England, 374 ; restored, and minister
of Edinburgh, 419; his banishment;
489,517,549; confined at Inverness,
640; supplication of General Assem
bly to have him restored, 684, 761.
Buchanan, George, 17 ; master or pre
ceptor to James VI., 30, 45; his
Psalms, 46 ; publishes his History of
Scotland, 120; his death, 121, 313.
 Thomas, schoolmaster at Stirling,
48, 120, 121 ; provost of Kirkheuch,
St Andrews, 122; minister of Ceres,
ib. ; marries Mr Robert Hamilton's
widow, 123, 267, 303, 386 ; his ad
dress to the King, 409, 410, 415,
419, 436, 442; his rudeness to An
drew Melvill, 436; his death, 438;
rules the presbytery of Cupar, 441,
528.
Bull given to Archbishop of St Andrews
by the King, as Head of the Church,
187, 194.
Bumbarts, what, 188.
Burghs, Scotish, Letter from King James

812

INDEX.

VI. craving aid from the Army of the
North, 321.
Burley, Laird of, oppresses St Andrews,
313 ; accuses Mr David Black of sedi
tion, 325, 329.
Burlie, Lord, 781 ; gets Abbacy of Kil
winning, ib.

Burntisland, 280 ; Conference of, 489 >'
General Assembly there, 490 ; Synod
of Fife held at, 582, 592, 709.
Bursars, 112.
Butricht, (Buchridge,) Dr, 657.
Butter, Patrick, 553.

C.

Cesar taught at St Andrews, &c, 46.
Caithness, Bishop of, Alexander Forbes,
489, 758 ; one of Conference at Falk
land, 771 ; one of the High Commis
sion, 787.
 Earl of, 797.
 Presbytery of, 758.
Caldcleuch, John, (minister of Abdie,)
master in St Andrews College, de
posed, 123 ; quarrels Andrew Melvill,
ib. ; flees to England, 218 ; presents
Archbishop Adamson's recantation,
290, 308, 314.
Calderwoode, Laird of, 310.
V Calvin, 22 ; his Catechism, ib. ; his In
stitutions, 55, 667, 766, 801.
Cam (Khan) of Tartary, 381.
Cambuskinnell, (Cambuskenneth,) Abbot
of, with the Scotish Lords at Berwick,
197.
Campbell, Alexander, Bishop of Brechin,
42, 43, 47.
Campvere, Conservator of Scotish Pri
vileges at, 717, and n.
Canon Law, 112.
Canterbury, Archbishop of, 153 ; (Rich
ard Bancroft,) 645, 658, 672, 677,
679, 692 ; his interview with Mr James
Melvill, 698-700; his death, 804.
Capringtoun, Laird of, 608.
Car, George, seized, with secret dis
patches (" the Spanish Blanks") to
Spain from the Popish- Lords, 306, et
seq.
Carell. See Craill.
Caridine, Laird of, (Sir James Forrester,
Knight,) 623.
Carmen Mosis, by Mr Andrew Melvill,
63 ; his Carmina Sybillina lost, ib.
Carmichaell, James, (minister of Cleish ?)
agent for the Kirk, 301.
 Mr John, minister, 489, 542 ; is
written to attend Parliament, July
1606, at Perth, 637 ; at St Andrews,

642, et seq. ; at Conference at Hamp
ton Court, 660, 674 ; .to be with Arch
bishop of York, (Dr Mathew,) 678 ; is
permitted to return home, 709, 760 ;
one of Conference at Falkland, 770.
Carmury, in Fife, 253.
Carnbee, 259.
Carnegie of Kinnaird, Sir David, one of
the High Commission, 788.
Carnegy, Mr David, 508.
Carpentarius, Professor of Hebrew, 39.
Carrs and Homes attend King James
VI. at Convention, January 1596-7,
383.
Cassander's Rhetoric, 25.
Cassillis, Countess of, marries Lord Ar
broath, 18.
 Earl of, John, one of the High Com
mission, 788.
Catcbe, hand and racket, game of, 30.
CatchpuU, (catche-peill or rackets,) game
of, 30.
Catechiser, office of, 95.
Catechism, by Mr James Melvill, 12;
published, 443 ; Calvin's, 22, 32, 195.
 taught in the schools, 1 6 ; expound
ed, 182 ; to children and servants, 361.
Cathedrals, 109.
Catherine de Medicis, Queen-Mother of
France, dies, 264.
Causes of the Fast, in Fife, 585.
Cautions (caveats) as to vote in Par
liament, 538-542 ; broken, 639, 685,
726, 773.
Cawdoun. See Cowdon.
Celibacy of Popish Clergy, 451.
Cellardykes, in Fife. See Silverdyk.
Censure of ministers, 348.
Censures, Kirk, 399. •
Chacker, Exchequer, 217, 305, 334,
339, 345.
Chair of Veritie, (the pulpit,) 790.
Chaldaic, taught at St Andrews, 32, 49.
Chaplainries, 335, 337.

INDEX.

813

Chapters, 106, 107, 108, 109, 339.
Charge against the ministers, 513.
Charles IX., King of France, massacre of
the Protestants by, 44 ; his death, ib. ;
an epigram on, ib.
Charteris, H«nry, burgess of IJdinburgh,
268.
 Robert, King's printer, 613.
Chirography taught at St Andrews, 49.
Chisholme, Sir James, excommunicated,
310.
Christisone, Mr William, minister of Dun
dee, 38, 55, 302.
Chronology taught, 49.
Church Government, 152.
Cicero taught, 17, 49.
Civil and Ecclesiastical Policy, 88, &c.
Clappertoun, Mr John, minister, Hutton,
302,528,529,731.
Clark, Robert, burgess of Montrose,
16.
 Mr William, mmister at Aber
crombie, &c, 3, 128; dies, 139; his
epitaphs, 140.
Clayhill, Mr Andrew, minister at Jed
burgh, 302.
Clement VIII., Pope, 767.
Clenard's Greek Grammar, 46.
Clerks of Assemblies, 113.
Club, golf, 17-
Clydesdale devastated by English after the
murder of Regent Moray, 27.
" Coals to Newcastle," a proverb, 1 63.
Cockburn of Clerkingtoun, Sir Richard,
' one of the High Commission, 788.
Cokalandis, what, 781, and n.
Coldingham Bay, 170.
Collace, William, professor in St Leo
nard's CoUege, 24, 25, 26 ; his death,
51.
Collation of benefices, 194.
Collectors, 113.
Colleges, order to be observed, 95. See
Universities.
Colloquies, celebrated, cited by Mr
James Melvill, 739.
Colt, Mr Adam, invited to attend Par
liament, July 1606, at Perth, 637 ; at
Conference at Hampton Court, 660 ;
to be with Bishop of Salisbury, 678 ;
signs supplication to Council of Eng
land, 697 ; charged to confine himself
to Musselburgh, 709.
Colvin, Mr John, minister, (of Culross ?)

26 ; play made on his marriage, per
formed in presence of John Knox, &c.
27 ; his apostacy, 65.
Comet, a large, appeared for two months,
58 ; its supposed effects, ib.
Commendators, 106.
Commission, General, 528 ; the Common,
749.
Commissioners, appointed by the Gene
ral ssembly, to frame the Policy of
the Kirk, 55 ; nominated to watch the
machinations of the Papists, 268 ; of
the General Assembly to meet at Cu
par, 369 ; and at Edinburgh, 372 ; of
the Kirk seek to vote in Parliament,
435 ; side with the King, 439.
Common Prayer used in schools, 1 6 ; in
Churches every morning, 27 ; twice a
day, 183.
Conclusions and Heads of the Policy,
87— 1 16 ; misrepresented by Archbishop
Adamson, 148 ; Mr Andrew Melvill's
letter in refutation, 154-164 ; as to
vote in Parliament, 538—542.
Confederate Lords, rise in arms and oc
cupy Stirling, 165 ; dispersed and flee
to England, 1 66 ; return to Scotland,
and besiege the King in Stirling castle,
who capitulates, 223 ; received into
the King's favour, and neglect the in
terest of the Kirk, 225.
Conference at Burntisland, 489.
 at Falkland, ministers' Offers, 735 ;
conditions, 736 ; Mr James Melvill's
letters to the brethren, 739-746 ; ar
ticles, 746-748 ; copy of the Conference
at Falkland, 770-780.
 at Hampton Court, 554 ; a tract
by Bishop Barlow so called, 679.
 at Holyrood betwixt the Kirk and
the King, 446 ; its proceedings, ib.,
et seq. ; broken off by the King, 46 1 ;
at the General ssembly in Montrose,
468 ; its proceedings and arguments,
470, et seq.
 of Kirks and Brethren, 100.
 at Leith, 31; at Holyroodhouse,
446 ; at Falkland, 443, et stq. ; at
Montrose, 470.
Confession, Augustan, ratified at Mag
deburg, 57 ; commissioners sent from
Scotland, ib.
 of Faith, 268.
 the King's, 87, 558, 606, 646.

814

INDEX.

Conservator of Scotish Privileges in the
Low Countries, 717.
Consistories, 192.
Conspiracy, the Popish, of the Spanish
Blanks, 306, et seq. See Gowrie,
Gunpowder Plot, &c.
Constant Moderators. See Moderator.
 Plat. See Plat.
 or Constantine, Mr Patrick, 31,
32, &c. See Adamson.
Continental Churches, Archb. Adamson
industriously misrepresents discipline,
&c. of the Kirk of Scotland, 148 ; Mr
Andrew Melvill's letter refuting him,
154-164.
Contribution for the exiled members of
the French Church, 55.
Contumacy, what, 399.
Convention of the Estates, held at Stir
ling, 59 ; at Perth, at which the Griefs
of the Kirk were presented, 129 ; at
Edinburgh, 1592, proceedings of, 299-
306 ; at Falkland, when the Papist
Lords were recalled from banishment,
368 ; meet at Edinburgh, and enact
severe laws against the Kirk, 383.
Conventions. See Edinburgh, Falkland,
Linlithgow, &c. &c.
Convents, 108.
Cornwall, Mr Robert, (minister of Lin
lithgow,) 798.
Corrichie, Field of, 743.
Corruptions and abuses in the Kirk, 106,
186-193, 225; enormities and cor
ruptions of the ministry, 347—35 1 .
Corsbey, Mr, shows kindness to Scotish
ministers in London, 710.
Corse, Laird of. See Forbes.
Couper, (Cowper,) Mr William, mmister
at Perth, 528, 758, 759 ; one of Con
ference at Falkland, 770 ; preaches
before its dismissal, 780, 802.
Covenant of the Kirk renewed in the Ge
neral Assembly at Edinburgh, 346 ; in
the Synod of Fife, 353 ; in the Pres

bytery of St Andrews, 360 ; heads of
the Covenant, 362 ; renewed in the
General Assembly at Burntisland, 494.
Covenant, Sum of the Doctrine of the,
362-367.
Cowdon »r Coldin, Mr John, minister of
Kinross, 718,720.
Cowdounknows, Laird of, made Captain
of Edinburgh Castle, 225.
Cowy, village of, Mr James Melvill's ser
vant dies of fatigue there, 3 1 9.
Crabstean, Battle of, 28.
Craig, Mr John, King's minister, 55, 80,
198 ; his prophetic judgment on the
Earl of Arran, ib., 228, 229, 267, 608.
 Thomas, advocate, 267, 268, 619.
Craigiehall, Laird of, (Henry Stewart,)
623.
Craill or Carell, 141, 168, 276.
Cramby, Mr Andrew, minister, 302.
Cranstoun, Mr Michael, 517.
 Mr William, (minister of Falk
land?) 716; Moderator of Synod of
Fife, 717 ; his firm conduct, ib., 718.
Crawford, Earl of, 223.
Crimen ambitus, 348, 541.
Cromarty, 261.
 Firth, earthquake felt at, 420, 525.
 Tutor of, 373.
Cross, fiery, sent round, 376, n.
Crugorius, Petrus, 569.
Cuningham, Alexander, nephew of Lord
Boyd, assaults James Melvill, 70 ; for
which he is tried, ib. ; summoned be
fore the King and Council, who ratify
the decree of the magistrates, 71 ;
humbles himself, ib., 72, 84.
 Mr David, subdean of Glasgow,
55, 56 ; made Bishop of Aberdeen, 57;
his miserable end, ib., 58, 75.
 Mr David, minister at Aberdeen,
302.
 Mr Samuel, secretary to Arch
bishop Adamson, 292.

D.

Daillis, the, Teviotdale, &c, 758.
Dalgleish, Mr Nicol, minister of Pitten
weem, 5 ; regent at St Andrews, 26,
76 ; accused of treason, and acquitted,
218, 267.
Dalkeith, King and Council there, 129,
260 ; Presbytery of, 300, 686.

Dancing, 100, 350.
Danes, &c, Students at St Andrews,
42, 43, 47, 418.
Dangers threatening religion, 265.
Daniel, John Knox lectures on prophe
cies of, in St Andrews, 26.
Darnley, Henry, his marriage with Queen

INDEX.

815

Mary, 1 7 ; his murder at the Kirk of
Field, ib.
Darrouche, Mr Robert, minister at Ha
milton, 302.
Darsie, Laird of, deprived of the pro-
vostship of St Andrews, for which he
invades the town, 313; re-elected,
329.
Davidson, Mr Duncan, minister, 302.
,  Mr James, minister in Wigtouc,
302.-
 Mr John, regent in St Leonard's
College, 26 ; makes a play on the mar
riage of Mr John Colvin, 27 ; writes a
satire against Regent Morton, for which
he is banished, 28 ; vision seen by him,
59 ; attends the Regent at his death,
117; pastor to the Scots nobles at
Newcastle, 1 72 ; resigns in favour of
Mr James Melvill, ib. , 242, 30 1 ; renews
the Covenant, 352, 357, 437 ; exhorts
the Synod of Fife against the Bishops,
353 ; protests against the conclusion
of the Assembly at Dundee, as to mi
nisters voting in Parliament, 440, 535.
 Mr John, minister at Hamilton, his
vision regarding the castle of Hamil
ton, 59.
 Mr William, 573.
Davie, " Seingnour." See Riccio.
Deacons, or Distributors, office of, 91,
102, 106, 113, 151, 152, 183; if for
life? 394.
Dear, (Deer,) parish of, 302
Dearth in Scotland, great, 367.
Decatesserad, verses" on the Troj an horse,
437.
Declaration, the King's, as to the Acts
of Parliament 1584, 239-243 ; the
Kirk's supplication, 243, 244, 292.
Declinature by Mr David Black, 510;
by imprisoned ministers, of Privy Coun
cil's jurisdiction, 615.
Demetrius, decree of, 120.
Denmark, 14 ; King James VI. marries
Queen Anne there, 277.
 King of, laws in civil matters, 232.
Deposition or Deprivation of ministers,
101, 150, 187, 195, 348; causes of,
350, 351, 794.
Deserters of their flock, 94, 391.
Dewgard, what, 263.
Diceing, 350.
Dieppe, 39,41, 44.

Dilapidation of benefices, 350.
Dioclesian, 1 77-
Diodorus Siculus, 120.
Discipline, 97 ; heads of, misrepresented
by Archbishop of St Andrews, 148;
Mr Andrew Melvill's refutation, 154-
164; Order of, for Scots Lords at
Newcastle, 181-184.
 Book of, 288.
Disposition of benefices, 332.
Dissolution of benefices, 337-
Distributors, office of. See Deacons.
Dixain, verses by Mr James Melvill,
501.
Dix-huitaine, verses on the earthquake,
420.
Doctor, office of, 91, 95; his duties, ib.,
97, 110, 113, 149; have they vote in
Presbyteries? 395.
Doig, Mr John, colleague of Mr James
Melvill at> Kilrynnie, 7.
Don, Dr, Bishop of Peterborough, 678.
Dowglas, Mr Alexander, 528, 549.
 ,  minister of Elgin, 302.
 Mr Archibald, minister, Peebles,
302.
 Sir George, 314.
 of Parkhead, George, with Scotish
Lords at Berwick, 197.
 of Lochleven, 267.
 James, slays the Earl of Arran,
note, 199.
 Mr John, provost of the New Col
lege, St Andrews, 26 ; made Arch
bishop of St Andrews, 31 ; his death,
47.
.  Mr Thomas, (minister of Balme-
rino ?) 386.
Downane, Dr, Dean of Lambeth, 753.
Dreams, importance attached to, 50, 51,
64.
Drumwhassill, Laird of, executed, 198.
Drunkenness, 349, 350.
Drury, English Ambassador, incursion by
him; Clydesdale, Hamilton, &c, de
stroyed for murder of Regent Moray,
27.
Dryburgh, Abbot of, with Scotish Lords
at Berwick, 197.
Duff, Mr James, minister, 302.
Dumbarton Castle taken, and Archbishop
of St Andrews (Hamilton) hanged, 27.
Dumblane, 302.
 Bishop of, George, 787.

816

INDEX.

Dumfries, 302.
Dunbar, 169.
 Earl of, 576 ; Letter to, ib. ; an
other, 579 ; sent down to try impri
soned ministers, &c , 618, 633, 664,
675, 709, 748, 755, 761, 769; pre
sides over Conference at Falkland,
770, et seq.; 787, 792, 796 ; his death,
804.
Duncan, Mr Andrew, minister at Craill,
124, 572; warded in Blackness Cas
tle, 575, 598, 616 ; is banished from
Scotland, 669.
Duncanson, Mr John, King's minister,
55, 80, 198, 301, 528.
Dundas of that Ilk, David, one of the
High Commissioners, 788.
Dundee, Mr James Melvill invited to be
minister, 6 ; resides there, 37 ; Gene
ral Assembly, 1 580, there, 80 ; act of,
87 ; Earl of Gowrie takep there, and
beheaded at Stirling, 1 66 ; the plague
there, 222 ; provost of, 276 ; Assem
bly, 1596, there, 374; again, 414;
General Assembly, 439, 526, 530.
Dunfermline, Parliament at, on account of
plague, 226 ; Provost shuts the gates
against the General Assembly, ib. ; his
remarkable death, ib. ; Synod at, 488.
— — Abbot and Commendator of, (Ro
bert Pitcairn,) 35.
 Earl of, Alexander, 787.
Dunibirsall, murder of 'the Bonny Earl"
of Moray, 294, 313, 379, 407, 431.
Dunipace, Laird of, (John Livingstone,)
625, 628.
Dunkeld, 302.
 Bishop of, James Paton, 32 ; James

Nicolson, 702, 760 ; one of the Con
ference at Falkland, 771. See Nicol
son.
Dunn, Laird of. See Erskine.
Dunse, 302.
 Synod of, 735.
Duretus, Professor of Medicine, 39.
Durham, (Duresm,) Dr James, Bishop of,
proposed to receive Mr James Mel
vill, 678 ; correspondence as to this,
689-694. '
Durie, Mr John, minister at Leith, visits
John Knox at St Andrews, 32 ; at
tends Laird of Grange on the scaffold,
36 ; transported to Edinburgh, 52 ;
his character, 78, 84 ; attends Regent
Morton at his death, 117, 121, 128 ;
accused, 129; suspended, 130; ba
nished Edinburgh, ib. ; restored, 134;
again banished, 1 38 ; narrowly escapes
drowning, 139 ; in ward at Montrose,
ib. ; at Brechin, 302 ; his death, 462 ;
his last moments, ib., 463 ; seven epi
taphs, with translations, by Mr Andrew
Melvill, 464-468.
 Mr Robert, minister at Anstru
ther, 4, 5, 148, 227, 251, 252, 253,
386, 571, 572; warded in Blackness
Castle, 575, 598, 6 1 6 ; is banished from
Scotland, 669, 670.
Dykes, Mr John, minister at Kilrenny,
writes against the King's Basilicon
Doron, for which he is deposed, 444 ;
restored, 488, 720.
Dyonisius' geography taught, 49.
Dysart, salt to, a proverb, 162; Synod of
Fife held at, 714, et seq. ; again, 716.

E.

Earthquake, an, felt through the north
ern parts of Scotland, 420 ; its sup
posed coincidence with the story of
Uzziah, ib. ; lines on it, 525.
Eclipse of the sun, 438 ; its portents, ib. ;
verses on, ib , 439, 525.
Ecclesiastical and civil policy, 88, &c.
See Policy.
Edgertoun, Lord, Lord High Chancellor
of England, 681.
Edinburgh, Mr James Melvill invited to
be minister at, 6 ; war between Leith
and, 27 ; ministers relieved after Ar-

ran's disgrace, 1 34 ; Mr John Durie
brought home in triumph, ib. ; plague
there, 222 ; great rains, ib. ; Conven.
tion of 1592, proceedings of, 299-
306 ; of 1593, 310 ; King James VI.
applies for aid to army of the North,
321 ; Apology for ministers leaving
their flocks, 374-383 ; magistrates
bound not to receive them again with
out the King's consent, 384 ; Court of
Session removed to Perth, &c, 385 ;
ministers reponod to their places, 387 ;
tumult, 517 ; denounced rebels, 522 ;

INDEX.

817

ministers restored, 543 ; again over
thrown, ib. ; plague at, 575 ; banished
ministers sail from Scotland, 669, et seq.
Edinburgh Castle, a play performed be
fore John Knox, &c, when the Castle
was besieged, &c. , 27 ; Captain of, John
Knox's prophecies against him, 33-
36 ; English army at siege of, 35 ;
surrenders, ib. ; the Captain hanged,
36 ; Earl of Morton put in ward, 116;
beheaded, 117; Earl of Angus escapes
from, 307-
 . Ministers of, banished, 26 ; their
character, 78 ; flee to England, 1 67 ;
return to Scotland, 223 ; withdraw
from Edinburgh, 374 ; Declaration of
the causes of their flight, ib. ; se
vere laws passed against them, 383 ;
restored, 415 ; refuse to declare from
pulpit the King's account of the Gowrie
Conspiracy, 486 ; for which they are
deposed, ib.
Education, system of, in the schools of
Montrose, 17, 21 ; in the University
of St Andrews, 26; Greek and He
brew languages not publicly taught in
Scotland, 30 ; Greek first taught, in
Scotland at Montrose, 39 ; in the Col
lege of Glasgow, 49.
Edward, Mr Peter, one of the High
Commission, 788.
Effigy, hanging in, 27.
Egberius, 439.
Eglintoun, Master of, feud betwixt him
and the Earl of Glencairn, 301.
Elders, Seniores, or Governors of the
Kirk, 91,94, 96-101, 111, 113, 130,
149, 152, 183; if for life? 394.
Election to Ecclesiastical offices, 92, 111,
112, 150, 187, 391.
Elgin, 302.
Elie, (Alie,) a sea-port in Fife, 253.
Elistone, David, student at St Andrews,
25 ; dies insane, 86.
Elizabeth, Queen of England, sends let
ters to Regent Morton, requesting him
to send Commissioners from the Kirk
of Scotland to the Convention of Mag
deburg, 57 ; orders the Confederate
Lords back to Scotland, 222 ; her
saying on making a bishop, 449 ; her
death, 554.
Elphingstoun of Blythswood, Sir George,
one of the High Commission, 738.

Elphingstoun, Mr James, Secretary of
State and President of College of Jus
tice, (Lord Balmerinoch,) 508 ; sent
down to Scotland to be tried, 668 ;
tried for the alleged forging of two
Brieves from James VI. to the Pope,
766-769.
Elwod, Martin, a Border thief, 211.
England, Court of, 226 ; Bishops of, 281 ;
Scotsmen study there, 314, &c.
English army, under Mr Drury, devas
tates Clydesdale, and the dominions of
the Hamiltous, for the slaughter of
Regent Moray, 27 ; also East and
West Borders, ib. ; besiege and cap
ture Edinburgh Castle, 35 ; part of
Spanish Armada wrecked on the coasts
of England and Scotland, 264.
Enormities and corruptions of the mini
stry, 347-35 1 .
Entrapelie, 350.
Epigrams — on King Charles IX. of
France, 44 ; by Mr Andrew Melvill,
on Lord Chancellor Glammis, 60, 63 ;
on dissoluteness of the age, 161 ; on
King's altar, 682, 683 ; on St George's
day, 706.
Episcopacy, arguments against ministers
having a seat in Parliament, 447, et
seq. ; attempts to restore, 546, et
seq.
Episcopatus abolished, 80.
Episcopo-mastix, a name given Mr An
drew Melvill, 52.
Epitaphs — on Mr William Clark, 140 ;
on the author's son, Andrew, 270 ; on
his daughter, Margaret, 309 ; seven on
Mr John Durie, with translations,
464-468.
Erasmus, works of, taught at St An
drews, 17.
Erde, Mr William, minister of St Cuth-
bert's, 218 ; his origin and remarkable
history, ib.
Erections, 332, 344.
Errol, Francis Earl of, 223 ; concerned
in conspiracy of " the Spanish Blanks,"
306, et seq.; excommunicated, 310 ;
Huntly and his forces go to St John
ston, 311, 755.
Erskine, James, younger of Dun, 14 ; Mi-
Richard Melvill, his tutor, ib.
 . of Dun, John, Superintendent of
Angus and Mearns, 14, 18, 22 ; intro-
3p

818

INDEX.

duces the Greek language at Mon
trose, 39, 55.
Erskine, Mr William, 561, 564.
Escrolles, (escrouelles, or " the cruels,")
touching for King's evil, 657.
Ethics of Aristotle taught, 49.
Ethiopic History, Heliodor's, 84.
Etymology taught, 17-
Euclid taught, 49.
Eugenius, Pope, 297.
Even-sang, 297.
Exchequer, (Chacker,) 217.

Excommunication, (ecclesiastical,) 100,
130, 150; against whom can it be
used ? 400 ; summary, ib., 408 ; who
have vote ? 401 ; who can annul? 402,
793.
Exercise, order and manner of, and
Church Discipline, for Scots Lords at
Newcastle, 181-184 ; weekly, 795.
Exercises taught to youth. See Games.
Exese, exies, the fever and ague, 137.
Exeter, Bishop of, (Dr Andrews,) 663.

Fabricius, Paulus, 569.
Fair Isle, part of Spanish Armada wreck
ed there, 262.
Falay, 310.
Falconer, King's master, his influence
over King James VI., 250, 251.
Faldonside, Laird of, 84.
Falkirk, Convocation of the nobility, 60 ;
English ambassador, Mr Rob. Bowes,
conciliates them, ib.
Falkland, 323 ; interview between King
James VI., Mr David Black, and James
and Andrew Melvill, 324-326 ; Con
vention of Estates there, 368, 443 ;
two points to be decided, 445 ; Synod
report to King as to returning thanks
for escape from Gowrie's Conspiracy,
488 ; Conference at, 739 ; Mr James
Melvill's letter, ib. ; his second letter,
743 ; Articles given in at the Confer
ence, 746-748 ; copy of the Confer
ence, 770-780 ; Letter from James
Melvill as to these proceedings, 782.
Famine, great, in Scotland, 367.
Farce and " gyse" before King James
VI. at St Andrews, 81.
Fast, Causes of, in Synod of Fife,
585.
 appointed, 18 ; general, 128, 299 ;
its causes, ib. ; can the Prince command
one ? 402.
Fasting, Buik of, and Publict Humilia
tion, 182, 346.
Faux, Guy, Gunpowder Plot, 617.
Fearful, (Fairfoul,) Mr John, (first of
Dunfermline?) minister, 386, 442.
Fencing, batons for, (practising broad
sword and cudgelling,) J 7.
Fentonbarns, Lord, Collector, 770.

Ferguson, Mr David, minister of Dun
fermline, 78, 302, 353, 357, 386, 417,
437 ; his simile of the Trojan horse,
ib. ; his death, 438.
Ferme, Mr Charles, minister at Fraser
burgh, 573 ; one of the imprisoned mi
nisters at Blackness, 598, 616.
Fernelius taught, 49.
Fever, icteric, what ? 14 ; the exese, or
fever and ague, 137.
Fewes, 342, 344.
Fiery cross sent round the country to
give alarm, 376, n.
Fife, Synod of, exeommunicates the Pa
pist Lords, 309 ; renews the Cove
nant, 353 ; meets at Cupar, and ap
points commissioners to attend the
Convention at St Andrews, 386; its
instructions, 388 ; meets at St An
drews, 436 ; at Dunfermline, 44 1 ;
Synod of, at Kinghorn, 545; " Greiffes,"
ib., 549; answered, 551; at Inver-
keithing, 582 ; letter from Mr James
MelviU, 627 ; sacrilegious conduct of
Lord Scone, 701-705 ; held at Dy
sart, 714, et seq. ; again, 716.
Fifeness, 168.
Fifth penny, 332, 335.
Fines for swearing, &c, 184.
Finheavin, John, " travelling stationer,"
22.
Fire of joy (bonfire or balefire) on birth
of James VI., 18.
First-fruits, 332.
Fithie, Mr Arthur, minister at Arbroath,
302. See Futhie.
Flanders, fasting and humiliation for Pro
testant churehes there, &c, 182.
Floods of rain, great, 222, 230.

INDEX.

819

Foot-mantles, velvet, for riding in Parlia
ment, 639.
Forbes, Mr Alexander, minister of But-
tergask, 549 ; Bishop of Caithness,
568, 573 ; at Conference at Falkland,
770, et seq.
 of Fingask, Alexander, 574.
 Mr John, (Minister of Alford,)
549, 570; chosen Moderator of Ge
neral Assembly at Aberdeen, 571, 573,
574 ; warded in Blackness, 575, 616 ;
his trial, 620, et seq. ; banished,
669.
 Patrick, of Corse, 1 8 ; retires to
England with Melvill, &c, 170; mar
ries Lucres Spence, sister to the Laird
of Wilmerston, 260.
 Thomas, 574.
 Mr WiUiam, one of the imprisoned
ministers, 616.
Forbeses defeated at the Crabstane, near
Aberdeen, 27 ; feud between them and
the Earl of Huntly, 132.
Forcatellus, Professor of Mathematics,
39.
Foreigners attracted to University of St
Andrews by the celebrity of its pro
fessors, 42, 43, 47, 418.
Forestalling and regrating, 350.
Form of process, 395.
Forres, 302.
Forrester, Sir James, of Carriden, 623.
Forstar, Mr John, minister (of Forres ?)
302.

Forsythe, Mr Alexander, minister of
Abercrombie, 5.
 David, Commissary of Glasgow,
one of the High Commission, 788.
Foster, Sir John, (Lord Warden,) his
kindness to the banished ministers
in England, 227.
Foullarton, Mr Hew, mmister in Dum
fries, 302.
France, Ambassadors of, 157 ; celebra
tion of mass, 550.
 massacres of the Protestants in,
27, 44, 75, 1 60, 264. See Protestants .
 Scotsmen study there, 314, et
passim.
French taught at St Andrews, &c, 17.
 Kirk in London, 153, 606.
 Protestant Church, contribution
for, 55 ; Archbishop Adamson writes
to, 148 ; his Articles, 148-153 ; Mi-
Andrew Melvill's letter, 154-164 ;
state of, 182, 439.
 . rope-dancer, 487, n.
Frenchmen, &c, students at St Andrews,
42, 43, 47 ; a collection made of
1 0,000 merks for the distressed Pro
testants, 265, 418.
Funambulus, a rope-dancer, 487, n.
Functions, ordinary and extraordinary,
91.
Furisday, (Thursday,) 183, 354, &c.
Futhey, Mr Arthur, 640.
Futhie, Mr Andrew, one of the High
Commission, 788. See Fithie.

G.

Galliates, (galleons,) Spanish, 264.
Galloway, Bishop of, WiUiam Conpar,
one of the High Commission, 788, 797 ;
goes to Court after General Assembly,
1610, 803.
 Mr Patrick, minister, returns from
London, 196; to Edinburgh, 223,
267, 301, 310, 321, 369; addresses
people as to Gowrie's Conspiracy, 486,
528,549, 555, 568, 571, 591, 683,
724, 754, 760 ; his speech at Confer
ence at Falkland, 775 ; presents Arti
cles, 778 ; one of the High Commis
sion, 788, 802.
Games used in Scotland, 16, 17, 29, 30.
See Bow, Golf, &c.
Gaming, 350. See Qards, Dice, &c.

Gardin, Mr Gilbert, minister, 302.
Garioch, 302.
Garlies, Laird of, 301.
General Band, The, 300, 304.
 Commission, 528.
Geneva, 30, 41 ; magistrates and Kirk
aUow Mr Andrew Melvill to return to
Scotland, 42 ; Archbishop Adamson
writes to, with false Articles, 141, 148,
154; his Articles, 143-153; Mr An
drew MelvUl's letter, 154-164 ; col
lections for town of, 265 ; Beza writes
letter of thanks, ib., 314.
Geography taught at St Andrews, 49.
Geometry, by Ramus, taught, 49,
54.
Germany, 14; Princes of, hold Conven

820

INDEX.

tion at Magdeburg, 57 ; Scotsmen
study there, 314.
Ghen, what, 496.
Gibson, (Gipsone,) Mr James, (minister
of Pencaitland,) deposed for reviling
the King, 229, 253, 302.
Girls, school for, in Montrose, 2 1 .
Girthe, what, 196.
Githorn and other musical instruments, 2 9.
Gladsteanes, Mr George, made minister
of St Andrews, 419; chosen Vice-
chancellor of the University of St An
drews, 444 ; made Bishop of Caith
ness, 489, 528, 547, 643 ; Archbishop
of St Andrews, is charged with per
jury, 644 ; at Conference at Hampton
Court, 659, 718 ; at Conference at
Falkland, 770-780, 797. See St
Andrews,
Glammis, Lord, (Chancellor of Scotland,)
writes to Beza, 55 ; his sister, Coun
tess of CassUlis, marries Lord Ar
broath, 58 ; slain in a tumult at Stir
ling, 60 ; epigram on, ib. ; regretted
by General Assembly, 62.
 Master of, appears in arms against
the King at Stirling, 1 65 ; flees to
England, 166 ; returns with the Con
federated Lords, and besieges the King
in Stirling Castle, 223 ; is made cap.
tain of the guard, 225, 267.
Glas, Mr William, minister, Dunkeld,
302.
Glasgow, Archbishop of, Mr James Boyd,
44, 47, 55 ; Robert Montgomery, 1 18;
deposed by General Assembly and ex
communicated, 128, 130, 131 ; annul
led by Parliament, 237, 241, 639, 738,
758, 760, 763, 769 ; one of Conference
at Falkland, 770-780, 797, 800.
 College, reformed by Andrew
Melvill, 49 ; system of education there,
ib. ; in great repute as a seminary of
learning, ib. , et seq. ; new erection of,
53.
 Minister of; pulled out of pulpit at
communion by King's guard, 131 ;
professors and students oppressed, ib.,
132 ; relieved after Arran's disgrace,
1 34 ; proceedings of Assembly, 8th
June 1610, at, 793-802 ; letter as to
these proceeding's, 800.
 Synod of, 65 ; General Assembly,
1581, held there, 86.

Glasgow University, Mr Andrew Melvill
made Principal, 48 ; succeeded by Mr
Thomas Smeton, 83 ; professors and
students oppressed, 131, 132; Sme-
ton's death, 139 ; goes to Court to re
port proceedings of General Assem
bly, 1610, at Glasgow, 803 ; is solemn
ly inaugurated at Lambeth, along with
the Bishops of Brechin and Galloway,
ib., 804 ; after their return, they or
dain the other Scotish Bishops, ib.
Glaswel, Laird of, 14.
Glencairn, Earl of, countenances the re-
beUious conduct of Alexander Cun
ningham, and comes to Glasgow with
his friends, 71, 72 ; at taking of Stir
ling, 223 ; feud with Master of Eglin-
toun, 301 : at Conference at Hampton
Court, 662, 663, 664 ; James, one of
the High Commission, 788, 797-
Glenrinnes, Battle of, Gordon of Auchin-
doun slain at, 310, 318 ; Earl of Hunt.
ly defeated at, ib.
Glub (club) and balls for goff, (golf,) 29.
Godfather, sponsor or " gossip," 254.
Goff, (golf,) game of, 17.
Goodwin, Francis, a godly soldier, 220.
Goodwyne, Dr, an English minister,
781.
Gordon of Pitlurg, Sir John, 373.
 of Auchindoun, Sir Patrick, ex
communicated, 310; killed at the
battle of Glenrinnes, 318.
 Mr John, Dean of Salisbury, 653,
657, 662.
Gossip, sponsor, or godfather, 254.
Govan, or Giffen Parsonage, benefice of,
vacant, 53 ; annexed to the College of
Glasgow, 54.
Governors of the Kirk, 91, 152.
Gowrie, Earl of, conspires against the
King at Ruthven, 133, 161 ; taken
prisoner at Dundee, and beheaded,
166.
 John, Earl of, conspires against
the King, 444 ; is slain at Perth, 485,
486, 487.
Graham of Fentrie, David, executed for
treason, 276, 306, n.
 Mr George, 549.
 John, (" my Lord Little Jus
tice,') 64 ; sent Commissioner by the
King to the General Assembly, 166.
Granton Craigs, near Edinburgh, 3 1 4

INDEX.

821

Gray, Marjory, schoolmistress in Mon
trose, (sister of Mr WUliam,) -21.
 Master of, 251.
 Mr Thomas, advocate, pleads for
the ministers at their trial, 621, et seq.
 Mr William, minister at Logie,
1 6 ; Mr James MelviU gets his first
education from him, ib.
Greek and Hebrew introduced into Scot
land, 30 ; Greek first taught at Mon
trose, 39, 46.
 grammar, 49, 63.
Green, Andrew, writer in St Andrews, 29.
Greenwich, 636, 714.
Gregg, Mr James, one of the imprisoned
ministers, 616.
Greiffes, and Articles of the Kirk, pre
sented to the Convention of Perth,
129-132, 439 ; of the Synod of Fife,
545-549; answered, 551 ; of the Kirk
presented to the King, 676.

Grievances. See Greiffes.
Grig, Mr James, minister, 55.
Guard, the King's disbanded, and re-
chosen, and the Master of Glammis
made captain, 225 ; escort ministers
from Blackness to Linlithgow, 616,
765.
Guidman, (Goodman,) Mr Christopher,
124.
Guise, Duke of, stabbed by order of Hen
ry Ill.of France, 264 ; the King assas
sinated, ib.
 House of, 72, 76, 118, 159, 161,
164, 191.
Gunpowder Plot, 617.
Gurlay, Robin, 1 1 6.
Guthrie, Janet, (relict of Mr James Law-
son.J See Lawson.
Gyse and farce performed before King
James VI. at St Andrews, 81.

H.

Habrodn, (Hepburn,) Mr Robert, mi
nister at Dunbar, 302.
Haddington, Justice-air at, 28, 227.
Hagatius, Thaddeus, 569.
Haistis, Sir P., 673.
Haliburton, Colonel James, deals with
Mr Andrew MelviU to become Regent
Morton's chaplain, 45.
Halkerston, Colonel, oppresses the coun
try, 276, 553.
HaU, Mr John, 588, 591, 685, 754 ; one
of the Conference as to Episcopacy,
760 ; at Conference at Falkland, 770 ;
one of the High Commission, 788,
797, 802.
Halliday, James, Commissary of Dum
fries, one of the High Commission, 788.
Halyrudehcms, Lord, 622, 701, 716,
717.
 Abbot of, 687. See Holyrood-
house.
Hamilton, Archibald, (regent in the New
College of St Andrews,) 36, 75.
 of Mirritoun, Arthur, executed at
Stirling, 58.
 Dean of Glasgow, one of the High
Commission, 789.
 Mr Gavin, 549.
 Hendrie, his quarrel with Mr Wil
liam Wallwood, 272.

HamUton, James, Commissary of Lanark,
one of the High Commission, 788.
 John, Commissary of Hamilton,
one of the High Commission,
788.
 John, (Regent in the New Col
lege,) 26 ; afterwards Archbishop of St
Andrews, taken in Castle of Dunbar-
ton and hanged, 27 ; Earl of Morton
gets Archbishoprick, and presents Mr
John Douglas, 31.
 Mr John, excommunicated, 489.
 Lord, returns with the Confede
rated Lords from Berwick, 223 ; made
captain of Dunbarton Castle, 225.
 Palace, castle, and town, burnt by
the English, and the adjacent coun
try laid waste for murder of Regent
Moray, 27 ; castle demolished by Re
gent Morton, 58.
 Robert, (Regent in the New Col
lege,) 26, 33, 85, 86 ; deposed from the
Principality of the College, 122 ; his
death, ib. ; his widow married to Mr
Thomas Buchanan, 123.
 Sir Thomas, (Lord Advocate, Pre
sident of College of Justice, afterwards
Lord Binning, Earl of Melrose and
Haddington,) 509 ; conducts the pro
secution against the ministers, 62 1 , ct

822

INDEX.

seq., 661 ; one of the High Commis
sion, 788.
Hampton Court, Conference at, 554 ;
interview between the Scotish mini
sters and the King, 653 ; Conference
with the ministers, 657, et seq. ; Bishop
Barlow's Tract, 679.
Hamptoune, Dr, an English minister,
792.
Hand and racket-catche, game of, 30.
Hanging in effigy, 27.
Harbert, Mr, Secretary, 692.
Hastarchus, 569.
Hawker, King's master Falconer, his in
fluence with King James VI., 250, 251.
Hay, Alexander, Clerk Register, 45, 56,
267,268,331.
.  Sir Alexander, Scotish Secretary,
645,657, 661, 663, 664, 667, 668,
677, 678, 708; one of the High Com
mission, 788.
 Andrew, parson of Renfrew, rec
tor of Glasgow College, 47, 48, 50,
553 ; put in ward and hardly used,
198, 302.
 Mr Andrew, 267.
 Edmond, a father in the Jesuits'
College at Paris, 73, 74.
 Mr George, minister, 57, 302.
 Mr George, 758, 760 ; at Confer
ence at Falkland, 770.
 of Kingask, Sir James, comptrol
ler, one of the High Commission, 787.
 Mr John, parson of Renfrew, 724 ;
one of High Commission, 788, 798.
Haymouth, (Eyemouth,) 169.
Heads and Conclusions of the Policy, 87-
116.
 of Reformation in the Kirk craved,
110.
Headship, Spiritual, of the Church, 90,
130, 176, 186, 194, 210, 230, 243,
397, 507, 508.
Hebrew early taught in Scotland, 30,
41, 47, 49, 55 ; Mr Andrew Melvill
throws down his Hebrew Bible on
the Council table, 142, 218.
HeUodor's Ethiopic History, 84.
Henderson, Andrew, examined as to
his share in Gowrie's Conspiracy, 488.
 Mr Thomas, one of the High Com
mission, 788.
Henry III,, King of France, massacre of
Paris, 264 ; causes Duke of Guise to

be stabbed, ib. ; is assassinated by a
Jacobin Friar, ib.
Henry, King, (Darnley,) married to Mary
Queen of Scots, 17; murdered at the
Kirk of Field, ib.
Heresy, 150.
Heriot, Andrew, debauches John Max
well, 65 ; attacks Mr Andrew Mel
vill, ib. ; his death, 66.
Herris, Lord, 65, 66.
Hesiod taught, 49, 53.
Higgins, (Luggie?) Dr, Dean of Ripon,
748.
High Commission Court, 786 ; the Com
mission, 787, et seq.
Highland theft, 190.
Highlands, the Spanish Armada are partly
wrecked on these coasts, 262 ; earth
quake there, 420 ; state of, as to reli
gious knowledge, 434.
Hildebrand, Cardinal, 767.
History, Bodin's method of, 46 ; history
taught in the Scotish Universities, 49.
Holieglass, or Howleglass, what, 1 76.
Holyroodhouse, Sum of the Conference
at, 17th November 1599, 446 ; Ge
neral Assembly at, 546 ; act of, 731,
733.
Holy Tongues, Hebrew, Chaldaic, Sy
riac, and Greek, taught in Scotland,
49.
Home, Mr Alexander, minister of Dun
bar, 199.
 of Manderston, Alexander, 170.
 Mr David, minister, 78. See
Hume.
Homer taught, 49, 53.
Homes and Carrs attend King at Con
vention, January, 1596-7, 383.
Honstelius, 669.
Hope, Mr Thomas, advocate, pleads for
the imprisoned ministers at their trial,
621, et seq.
Horace taught, 17, 46, 49.
Hospitals, 113, 191, 195, 342.
Hostillaries, clergy forbid to keep, 350.
Houndsdean, Lord, Governor of Berwick,
171.
Household, Royal, who are ecclesiastical
judges to ? 397, 398.
Howie, Mr John, 724.
 Mr Robert, 549 ; at Conference
at Hampton Court, 659, 684, 749,
760 : at Conference at Falkland, 770,

INDEX.

823

et seq. ; Principal of the New College,
St Andrews, 788 ; one of the High
Commission, ib.
Howison, Mr John, minister, is vio
lently pulled out of the Moderator's
chair in Presbytery of Glasgow, 131 ;
197 ; imprisoned in the Spey Tower
of Perth, 198, 244, 549.
 Mr Thomas, minister, 302.
Huddisdon, (Hudstone,) Dr, an English
divine, 792, 801.
Hugonots in France, 43.
Hume, Castle of, taken by the EngUsh,
27.
 of Cowdounknows, made captain of
Edinburgh Castle, 225.
 of Manderstoun, Sir George, 576 ;
his son created Lord Berwick and Earl
of Dunbar, &c, ib.
 . Lord John, marches with the Con
federated Lords to St Ninian's, 223 ;
excommunicated, 310 ; absolved, 315.
 of Polwart, Sir Patrick, 623.
Humiliation and fasting, 299, 346.
Huntly, Earl of, Brechin Castle taken by
the Regent Lennox, 27 ; George was

present at Convention at Perth, 1 32 ;
feud with the Forbeses, ib. ; his mar
riage, 291 ; slays the Bonny Earl of
Moray at Dunibirsle, 224 ; concerned
in the conspiracy of " the Spanish
Blanks," 306, et seq. ; is excommuni
cated, 310; Errol's and his men march
to St Johnstoun, 311; rises in arms,
and is defeated at Glenrinnes, 318;
his castle of Strathbogie demolished,
319; his offers of reconciliation to the
Kirk, 372, 385 ; promises largely to
the Kirk, 433 ; his obstinate adherence
to Popery, 565, 755.
Huntly, Marquis of, George, applies to be
freed from sentence of excommunica
tion, 796, 797.
 Countess of, Henrietta, 373.
Hunter, Mr Andrew, minister, 259 ; de
posed, 517.
Hunter's tables taught, 49.
Hutton, 302.
Huttonhall, a refuge to the oppressed
Reformers, 219; Mr James Melvill
leaves his wife there, 227.

I.

Icterick fever, 14.
Imposition of hands, 392.
Inch of Perth, 404.
Indling, (eldning, elduring,) jealous, jea
lousy, 355.
Inglishe, (Inglis,) Mr Nathan, one of the
imprisoned ministers, 616.
Innes, of that Ilk, Robert, 373.
Instructions by the Synod of Fife, 388 ; to
Commissioners to General Assembly,
751-753.
Invasion, Spanish, threatened. See Ar
mada.
Inverkeithing, Synod of Fife held at, 582.

Ireland, part of Spanish Armada wrecked
on coast of, 264.
Irving of Drum, Alexander, one of the
High Commission, 788.
 Mr James, minister at Touch, 573 ;
one of the imprisoned ministers, 616.
 John, (Yrewing,) 250.
Isles, Bishop of, Andrew Knox, one of
the High Commission, 788.
 laws of King of Denmark observed
there, 232.
Isocrates taught at St Andrews, 49, 53.
Italian studied at St Andrews, 125.

J.

Jak on bathe the sydes, playing, 1 74.
Jake, jauk, what, 435.
James VI., King of Scotland, his birth,
1 8 ; assumes the government, 6 1 ; re
ceives Mon. d'Obignie into favour, 76 ;
makes a royal progress through the
kingdom, 81 ; gyse and farce before
the King, ib. ; his mind corrupted and

set against the Kirk and ministry, 119;
dismisses Mon. d'Obignie and his fac
tion, 134; disperses the Confederate
Lords at Stirling, 166 ; holds a Par
liament, and restrains the Kirk, ib. ;
his bull to the Archbishop of St An
drews, as " Supream Governour of the
Kirk," 194; capitulates with the Con-

824

INDEX.

federate Lords at Stirling,'223, 224 ;
receives them into favour, 225 ; the
Kirk's animadversions against his acts
of Parliament, 1584, 229-238 ; his de
claration thereon, 239-243 ; Kirk's
Supplication, ib. , 244 ; influence of the
Master Falconer over him. 250, 251 ;
he and Signior du Bartas visit St An
drews, 255 ; Mr Andrew Melvill
lectures extempore, ib. ; Archbishop
follows, 254 ; then the King, ib. ; ban
quet, ib. ; Petitions to the King and
Council as to state of religion, 265 ;
holds his first Parliament after his ma
jority, and ratifies the Presbyterian
religion, 259 ; writes on the Apoca
lypse, 260 ; embarks at Leith for Den
mark, and marries Queen Anne there,
277 ; witchcraft practised to procure
his destruction, 279 ; returns to Scot
land, ib. ; his Queen crowned, ib. ;
ambassadors from Germany and Flan
ders present, ib. ; thanksgiving pro
posed for the King's safe return, 28 1 ;
meets Papist Lords at Fala, 310 ;
passes to the North of Scotland against
the Papist Earls, 316; his proceed
ings there, 317; his letter to ministers
of Edinburgh as to his proceedings
against the Papists, &c, 320 ; his let
ter of credit recommending Mr James
Melvill to the burghs, &c, 321 ; re-
cals the Papist Lords from banish
ment, 368 ; holds a conference with
the Commissioners of the Kirk at Falk
land, 369-371 ; Mr Andrew Melvill's
remarkably bold speech, 370 ; passes
severe laws against the Kirk, 385; at
tempts to overthrow the Kirk, 384 ;
proposes certain Questions to the mi
nistry, 390 ; holds a Convention of ihe
Kirk and Estates at Perth, ib ; at
which he gives out Articles, which are
answered by the Kirk, 406 ; interrupts
Mr Robert Wallace in the pulpit, 418;
is rebuked by Mr Andrew Melvill, ib. ;

attempts to re-establish the Bishops,
436 ; his Basilicon Doron, 444 ; his
opinion on the government of the Kirk
of Scotland, 445 ; holds a Conference
with the Kirk at Holyrood, 446 ; Gow-
rie's Conspiracy, 485, 486 ; re
news the Covenant at Burntisland,
494 ; falls from his horse at the hunt
ing, 544, n. ; succeeds to crown of Eng
land, 554 ; makes a speech in Great
Kirk of Edinburgh, ib. ; his letter to
ministers, 635 ; Supplication from im
prisoned ministers, 648 ; his first inter
view with Mr Andrew Melvill, &c, at
Hampton Court, 653.
James, Dr, Bishop of Durham, 678.
Jedburgh, 302, 310; Presbytery of, re
fuse visitations of Bishop Law, 730 ;
their reasons, 731.
Jesuits' College, 44, 73 ; the order of,
considered the most learned and holy
in " the Papistry, " 74 ; great enemies
to the Kirk, 267.
 ' Seminaries of, 180, 266, 269, 305,
555, 798.
Johnstone of Elphistone, John, 267.
 Laird of, murdered by Lord Max
well, who is excommunicated, 756.
Johnstoun, Mr Adam, minister of Dal
keith, 302 ; his death, 438.
Johnstoune, Mr John, master in the Col
lege of St Andrews, 314; he studies
abroad, ib.
Judas Episcopatus, 460.
Julius III., Pope, 734; casts keys of St
Peter into the Tiber, and takes sword
of St Paul, 736.
Junius, 801.
Jurisdiction of the Kirk, 55 ; civil and
spiritual not to be confounded, 101,
130; temporal, 108, 212, 239, 397;
who is Ecclesiastical Judge to King's
Household and Council? 397, 398;
appeal to superior courts, 400.
Jus Divinum, 452.
Justice courts, 192.

K.

Kelermannus, 569, 570.
Kellie Law, great rain at, 330.
Kempe, Mr William, merchant in Edin
burgh, called before Privy Council for
speaking against General Assembly at
Glasgow, 1610, 803 ; dismissed, ib.

Keys, power of the, 89, 95, 105, 230.
Kilrynnie, parish of, Mr James Melvill,
mmister, 3, 6 ; Mr John Doig ap
pointed to be his colleague, 7, 8, 1 1 ;
Captain R. Anstruther leaves 2000
mcrks to poor, 81 ; Sum of the doc-

INDEX.

825

trine of the Covenant, 1596, 362-367;
petition for the return of Mr James
Melvill from banishment in England,
761.
Kilsyth, Laird, of, 758.
,  Lord, 664.
Kilwinning, Abbacy of, bestowed on Lord
Burlie, 781.
Kincraig-sands, a large whale driven
ashore on, 331.
King, Mr Adam, Commissary of Edin
burgh, one of the High Commission,
7S8.
 Dr, preaches against Presbytery,
667.
Kinghorn, 280, 302 ; provincial Svnod of
Fife held there, 545, 670.
 Earl of, Patrick, one of the High
Commission, 787, 797.
King's Confession, 87, 558, 606, 646.
 right and relief as to teinds, 345.
Kingston on Thames, 653, 663.
Kinmont, WiU of, 212.
Kinnaber, Laird of, 18.
Kiuneir, Mr John, (minister of Leuch-
ars?) 742.
Kinnouchar, (Kilconquhar,) 417.
Kintaill, earthquake felt at, 420, 525.
Kirk of Scotland, abuses and corruptions
in the Kirk and Commonwealth, 106,
186-193,225; neglected by the Con
federate Lords, 225 ; animadversions
agamst the Acts of Parliament, 229-
238 ; the King's answer thereto, 239-
243 ; SuppUcation to the King, ib. , 244 ;
petitions the King against the Papists,
265 ; Commissioners appointed, 287 ;
ratification of the liberty of the true

Kirk, &c, 294-298 ; Conventions at
Edinburgh, 299-306 ; at St Andrews,
390 ; Convention of the Kirk and
Estates at Perth, ib., 403 ; answers the
King's Articles, 406-409 ; Conference
between the King and the Kirk at Ho-
lyrood, 446 ; proposals for an Union
with England, 554, 557, et seq.
Kirkaldy of Grange, John Knox's prophe
cies against him, 33-36 ; his contemp
tuous message to John Knox, 34 ;
renders the castle of Edinburgh, and is
taken prisoner, 35 ; his execution, 36.
 town of, 276.
Kirkcowbrie, (Kirkcudbright J 302.
Kirk- masters, 113.
Kirks, common, 332 ; reparation of, 1 13,
342.
Knollis, Lord, 658.
 Sir Francis, 765.
Knox, Mr Andrew, minister at Paisley,
302, 306.
 Mr And. (Bishop of the Isles, after
wards Bishop of Raphoe, in Ireland,)
549.
 Mr John, minister of Edinburgh,
obliged to take refuge at St Andrews,
26 ; his conduct and manner of preach
ing while there, ib., 32, 33 ; his pro
phecies against Kirkaldy of Grange,
&c, ib., 36 ; returns to Edinburgh, and
dies there, ib. ; his character by Re
gent Morton, 60, 313; letter to him
from Beza, 481.
 Mr John, minister at Melrose, 302,
549, 758, 760 j one of Conference at
Falkland, 770.

Lambe, Mr Andrew, (minister of Brech
in,) 549 ; at Conference at Hampton
Court, 659 ; Bishop of Brechin, one
of the High Commission, 787, 797;
goes to Court after Glasgow General
Assembly, 1610, 803; is consecrated
there, ib.
Lambes, (Lammas,) 23, 37, 261.
Lambeth, 745. See Canterbury.
 Dean of, 753.
Lamentation, a, for sin, on the thraldom
of the Kirk, and the murder of James
Smith, a poem, 424.

Lamentation and Verses on murder of
Smith, 424-433.
Lammermuir-edge, 169.
Lanark, 302.
Languages taught at St Andrews, 1 24,
146, &c. See Hebrew, &c.
Laureation at the Universities was cele
brated with banqueting, plays, &c.
28
Lauristoune, Laird of, appointed King's
Commissioner to the Kirk, 565 ; at Sy
nod of St Andrews, after the General
Assembly, July 1604, at Aberdeen, ib. ,
3g

826

INDEX,

570, 571 ; dissolves General Assem
bly, July 1605, at Aberdeen, 572,574,
591, 603; prosecutes the imprisoned
ministers, 616, et seq. ; at Conference
at Hampton Court, 659, 702, n.
Law, Duncan, 553.
 Mr James, Bishop of Orkney, at
Conference at Hampton Court, 659 ;
at General Assembly at Linlithgow,
683, 687 ; visits the ministers in Lon
don, 688 ; result of his interview, ib.,
74 1 ; Presbytery of Jedburgh refuse
his visitation, 730 ; Reasons for refu
sing, 731-735, 754 ; Moderator of
General Assembly at Linlithgow, 755,
760; Moderator at Conference of Falk
land, 770 ; one of the High Commis
sion, 787, 797, 800; charged with
apostacy and perjury, 802.
Lawder, town of, 709.
Laws of the Kirk, how to be enacted,
391.
Lawson, Mr James, succeeds John Knox,
as minister at Edinburgh, 33, 52, 55,
79 ; Moderator of the Assembly at
Dundee, 80, 84 ; protects Mr Andrew
Melvill, 144, 1 66 ; flees to England,
167, 170; visits Oxford, 219; his
death, ib.
 Mrs, (Janet Guthrie,) widow of
Mr James, on his death, goes to Ber
wick, 219 ; dies, 220 ; reposes at Hut-
tonhall, with Mr James Mevill's wife,
in her journey to Scotland, 227-
Leaping, exercise of, encouraged, 17.
Leaws, (Island of Lewis,) 1 26.
Legend of Bishop of St Andrews, 176,
644.
Legoretto, Capitan de, one of the wreck
ed Commanders of the Spanish Arma
da, 263.
Leitch, (Leith ?) Mr Andrew, 797-
Leith, war between Edinburgh and, 27 ;
Conference at ; plague at ; dead body
of " the Bonny Earl" of Murray open
ly exposed in the Kirk, 294 ; Sheriff
and Commissary Courts there, 385.
 Mr Andrew, one of the High Com
mission, 788.
Lekprivick, Robert, printer, removes his
printing press from Edinburgh to St
Andrews, 32.
Lennox, Mathew, Earl of, chosen Re
gent, 27 ; takes castle of Brechin, ib. ;
slain at Stirling, 28.

Lennox, Duke of, Estne, 116, 118, &cv,
692. See Stewart.
Lermont of Balcomie, James, younger,
publishes a placard against Andrew
Melvill, 125 ; his death, 126.
 William, bailie of St Andrews,
127.
Leslie, Mr Alexander, (minister of An
struther Wester ?) 563.
 William, 553.
Lesser Kirk, (Little Kirk, or Mr Robert
Bruce *s, or Haddo's Hold,) Edinburgh,
352.
Lestarik, (Restalrig, near Edinburgh,)
228.
Lethingtonn, Chancellor, Secretary. See
Maitland.
Lewis. See Leaws.
Libberton, Kirk of, 242.
Liberty of the true Kirk, ratification of,
295-298, 388.
Life, election of elders, &c, if for, 394.
Liferents, 332.
Lilius, syntax by, 17.
Linacer, syntax by, 17-
Lindores, Lord, 664.
Lindsav, Mr Alexander, (afterwards Bi-
shop" of Dtmkeld?) 549, 684, 701,
770.
 Mr David, minister at Leith, 32,
55, 6 1 ; imprisoned in Blackness, 1 98,
267, 268, 300, 307; moderator of
General Assembly, 315, 369, 410;
made Bishop of Ross, 489, 528, 555,
718, 763 ; one of the High Commis
sion, 787.
 Sir David, popularity of his works
alluded to, 18, 19, 136.
 John, (Parson of Menmuir,) Lord
of Session, 268, 508.
 John, Secretary of State, his Con
stant Plat for the Kirk, 33 1 ; suspect
ed of framing the King's " Questions,"
390, n , 417 ; his death, 438.
 Lord, 314, 319, 415, 717, 718 ;
one of the High Commission. 787.
 Mr Patrick, (afterwards Bishop of
Ross and Archbishop of Glasgow ?)
549 ; one of the High Commission,
788, 798.
 Mr Robert, minister for Lanark,
302.
 Skipper, a lunatic, warns Regent
Morton of a plot against him, 82.
Links of Montrose, 2 1 .

INDEX.

827

Linlithgow, Parliament held at, 225,
228 ; trial of the imprisoned ministers
held there, 619, et seq. ,- verdict of the
assize, 626 ; General Assembly or Con
vention at, 683 ; proceedings sent to
King, 687 ; proceedings of the Con
vention, 1606, 72 1-729 ; General As
sembly, July 1608, at, 754.
 Countess of, "ane obstinate Pa
pist," 619.
 Earl of, 619,797.
Lions, Mr Andrew Melvill there, 43.
Lipsius, his opinion of Andrew MelviU,
279.
Little Justice, Lord, (Justice-depute,)
619, 758, &c.
Livingstoune of Dunipace, John, 625, 626.
 Mr Henry, 741.
Lochlevin, Laird of, 267.
Logic, Aristotle's, taught at St Andrews,
54.
Logy-Montrose, Mr James Melvill edu
cated with minister of, 16.

Logy, Over, 1 7-
London, Bishop of, 153, 678, 803, 804.
Lord, title of, given to bishops, 460.
Lorraine, a College there, 74.
 Cardinal of, slain, 264.
Lothian, Earl of, 797.
 Synod of, refuses Constant Moder
ators, 720, 763.
Lovaine, University of, 147.
Lovat, Lord Fraser of, Simon, one of the
High Commission, 787.
Lownan, Water of, 139.
Luffera, Capitan de, one of the wrecked
commanders of the Spanish Armada,
263.
Luggie, (Higgins ?) Dr, Dean of Ripon,
748.
Lundy, Laird of, 84, 248.
Lytle, Clement, advocate, 55.
 WiUiam, provost of Edinburgh,
268.

M.

Macabeds. Doctor, in Denmark, 14.
Macgill, David, advocate, 135.
 James, eldest son to the Clerk Re
gister, 31.
Machiavel, 20, 156.
Magdalene Chapel, the General Assem
bly, April 1578, held there, 61.
Magdeburg, Convention of, 57.
Magistrate, civil, 89, 90.
 Christian, office of, 104.
Maiden, a sort of guillotine, 215.
Mains, Laird of, executed, 1 98.
Maitland, Mr John, Chancellor of Scot
land, his efforts in favour of Presby
tery, 271, 298, 312 ; his death and
character, 329.
¦  of Lethington, Sir Richard, Secre
tary of State, 34.
 Thomas, in Paris, 73.
Major, (Maxy?) Dr, King's chaplain,
748.
Makin Toshie, (M'fntosh of M'Intosh,)
his offers to the Kirk, 434.
Malcolm, Mr William, 549.
Malcolme, Mr John, minister at Perth,
124, 302.
Malcontent, Mally, " Mother of the
Greives," 440.
Manse and gleib, 335.

Manse-moungar, the, 323.
Mar, David, notary, 565.
 Earl of, rises in arms against the
King, and occupies Stirling, 1 65 ; flees
to England, 1 66 ; returns to Scotland,
223 ; made captain of Stirling castle,
225, 326 ; John, sent by King to try
imprisoned ministers, 6 1 8, 622, 709 ;
one of the High Commission, 787.
 House of, 57>
 Lady, governess to James VI. , 48.
Marischall, Earl, 267 ; George, 787.
Mariton, (Marie Kirk,) Kirk of, 14 ; Mr
James Melvill's father, Mr Richard,
minister there, ib., 1 9, 20, 24, 37.
Marriage, who entitled to solemnize, 95 ;
use of the ring in, objected to, 764.
Marolot, 37.
Marsiliers, Petrus de, teaches Greek at
Montrose, 39.
Martine, Mr James, rector of University
of St Andrews, one of the High Com
mission, 788.
Martinius's Hebrew Grammar, 47, 439.
Martyr, Peter, 739.
Mary of Guise, Queen Regent, 159.
 Queen of Scots, her marriage to
Darnley, 17 ; made prisoner at Carber-
ry, ib. ; field of Langside, ib. ; named

bz&

INDEX.

Athalia by Mr Andrew Melvill, &c,
161, 191.
Masone Dieus, (Masons Dieu,) 191.
Mass, hearers of, 317, 550.
Massacre of Protestants in France, 27,
44,75, 160,264.
Mathematics taught, 49, 54.
Mathow, Dr, Archbishop of York, 678.
Mauritio, Capitan, one of the wrecked of
the Spanish Armada, 263.
Maxwell, Lord, excommunicated for mur
dering the Laird of Johnstoun, 756.
 John, (son of Lord Herris,) 65,
66.
 Lord, joins the Confederate Lords,
243.
Maxy, (Major?) Dr, King's chaplain,
748.
May, Island of, 169.
Medicis, Catherine de, Queen- Mother ef
France, dies, 264.
Medina, Jan Gomes de, Admiral of the
Spanish Armada, arrives with one of
his ships in a miserable state at An
struther, 261 ; his kind reception
there, 263 ; shows great kindness to a
ship of Anstruther after his return
home, 264.
Meffan, Mr William, minister, Dunse,
302.
Meigle, 302.
Melanethon, Philip, Wittenberg, 14; his
works taught, 49.
Melrose, 302.
Melvill, Mr Andrew, minister, in Poic-
tiers, 30 ; at Geneva, ib. ; writes home,
ib. ; his relations reply, ib. ; arrives in
Edinburgh, 37 ; his birth and education,
38 ; goes to the Continent, and studies
at Paris, 39 ; teaches at Poictiers, ib. ;
professes Latin at Geneva, 41 ; leaves
Geneva, 42; account of his journey
home to Scotland, 42-44 ; refuses to
be domestic teacher to Regent Mor
ton, 45 ; superintends the studies of his
nephew James Melvill, ib. ; made Prin
cipal of Glasgow College, where he
introduces a new system of education,
48-51 ; receives letters from Beza, ib. ;
attends the General Assembly, and op
poses Episcopacy, 52 ; reforms the
College of Glasgow, 53, 54 ; modera
tor of the General Assembly, 61 ; pub
lishes his " Carmen Mosis," 63 ; his
interpretation of dreams, 64; his pa

tience, 65; his intrepidity, 67, 68;
boldly replies to the Regent's menaces,
ib. ; made Principal of the New Col-..,
lege, St Andrews, 65, 75 ; is succeed
ed by Mr Thomas Smeton, 83 ; meets
with opposition from the deposed
teachers, 122-128; moderator of the
Assembly at St Andrews, 128; also
at Perth, 129; accused of treason,
141 ; his trial, 1-42 ; his intrepid con
duct before the King and Council, ib ;
declines their jurisdiction, 143; order
ed to ward at Blackness, ib. ; flees to
England, 1 44 ; his letter to the Con
tinental Churches against Bishop
Adamson, 1 54 ; visits Oxford and Cam
bridge, with Mr Jas. Lawson, 219;
returns to Scotland, 228 ; remonstrates
with the King at Linlithgow, ib., 229,
235, ». ; in Glasgow, 244 ; is excom
municated by Archbishop of St An
drews, 247 ; commanded to ward, 249 ;
preaches at St Andrews, 254, 267 ;
pronounces a Latin oration at the co
ronation of Queen Ann, 279 ; chosen
Rector of the University of St An
drews, 290 ; his charity to Archbishop
Adamson, 293, 3.03,313; moderator
of the General Assembly, .315; ac
companies King and army to the North,
318 ; writes to ministers of Edinburgh
on this subject, 321 ; charged be
fore the King, 323 ; his interview with
the King at Falkland, 325 ; at Synod
of Fife, 359 ; his singular conference
with the King, 370 ; publicly rebukes
the King, 418 ; deposed from his rec
torship, ib. ; made Dean of the Facul
ty of Theology, 443 ; interview with
the King, who debars him from attend
ing the Assembly, 485 ; again, 535 ;
again, when he offers his head, rather
than lay down the liberties of the Kirk,
542 ; warded in his College at St An
drews, 545 ; goes to Parliament, July
1606, at Perth, 637 ; is warned to re
tire, 638 ; proceedings of Presbytery
of St Andrews before he went to Lon
don, 642, et seq. ; goes to London to
conference with the King, 644 ; Letter
from the Imprisoned ministers, 646 ;
at Hampton Court, 653 ; his examina
tion, 659; his address, 661 ; examined
by Privy Council, 666 ; to be with Bi
shop of Winchester, 678 ; ordered to

INDEX.

829

appear before Council of England for
writing Latin verses, ib., 680, 681 ;
placed in custody with Dean of St
Paul's, ib. ; the Verses on King's altar,
682, 683 ; warrant to go to Bishop of
Winchester, 700 ; goes to his friends
again, ib. ; his Verses on St George's
Day, 706 ; is sent for by Earl of SaUs-
bury, ib. ; sent close prisoner to Tower
of London, 708, 761.
MelviU, Andrew, son of Mr James, author
of the Diary, born, 254 ; dies, 269 ;
curious circumstance attending his
death, 270; his epitaph, ib.
 Barbara, sister of Mr James, (the
author,) marries James Balfour, mini
ster at Guthrie, 53.
 David, brother of Mr Andrew, 39.
 David, (son of Richard of Bal-
dowie, and elder brother of Mr James,)
1 6 ; brought up to husbandry, 20 ; his
marriage, 51.
 Ephraim, son of Mr James, author
of the Diary, his birth, 220; Lady
Widdrington takes care of him, 221;
is brought home by his father, 25 1 ;
dangerous passage, ib.-253.
 Isabel, sister to Mr James, 18; her
marriage, 28 ; her death, ib.
 Mr James, introduction to his
Diary, 3-12 ;. made Professor of Theo
logy at St Andrews, 4 ; minister of
Anstruther and Kilrynnie, &c, ib. ;
confines himself to Kilrynnie, 5 ; gets
Pittenweem bestowed on Mr Nicol
Dalgleishe, ib. ; and Anstruther on Mr
Robert Dury, ib. ; and Abercrombie
on Mr Alexander Forsythe, ib. ; re
fuses invitations to be minister at Dun
dee, Edinburgh, St Andrews, and Stir
ling, 6 ; Mr John Doig becomes his
colleague, 7 ; prints his Catechism,
12 ; he loses 400 marks by the pub
lication, ib. ; his birth, 13; his pa
rentage,) 14 ; his education, 16-23;
enters College of St Andrews under
Mr William Collace, 24 ; his studies
there, 25 ; John Knox arrives at St
Andrews, 26 ; lectures on Daniel, ib. ;
Mr James Melvill's second year's
course there, 27 ; his third and
fourth year, 28, 29 ; learns music, ib ;
and manly exercises, ib., 30 ; ends his
course of philosophy, 36 ; goes to Dun-
doe, 37 ; his uncle Mr Andrew returns

to Scotland, ib. ; sketch of his unole's
parentage, education, and employment
abroad, ib.-45 ; instructs Mr James
in the languages, philosophy, and Greek,
46 ; and Hebrew, 47 ; Mr James goes to
Glasgow with his uncle, 48 ; begins to
preach at the age of 18, 50 ; goes to
General Assembly at Edinburgh, 52 ;
becomes a regent in Glasgow College,
53 ; assaulted by two students, 70 ; is
contracted to the daughter of Mr John
Durie, minister of Edinburgh, 80 ;
purposes to go to France, 83 ; studies
Hebrew, 84 ; chosen Professor of
Oriental Languages at St Andrews,
ib. ; invited to be minister of Stirling,
1 35 ; marries a daughter of Mr John
Durie, 136, 138 ; teaches for Mr An
drew Melvill, De Verbo et Ecclesia,
146 ; is attended by Mr R. Bruce,
&c, ib. ; is denounced, and visits An
gus and Mearns to collect college
rents, 166 ; his house and papers
searched, 167 ; leaves Scotland in the
disguise of a shipwrecked mariner,
1 68 ; account of his flight to Berwick,
168-170; goes to Newcastle, and re
mains with the banished lords, 171 ;
his Letter and Order of Discipline while
there, 173-184; his Letter on the
abuses of the Kirk and Commonweal,
186; goes to Berwick with his wife,
197 ; his Letter to the Subscribing
Ministers, 200; h'as a son, Ephraim,
born, 220 ; returns to Scotland, 227 ;
brings home his wife from England,
244 ; leaves her in Montrose, and re
turns to Edinburgh, ib. ; occupied in
reforming the college affairs, ib., 245 ;
he and Mr Andrew Melvill excommu
nicated by the Archbishop of St An
drews, 247 ; ill of tertian fever, 248 ;
lectures on history of the Bible, &c,
250 ; troubles in the college, ib. ; Mr
Robert Durie accompanies him to bring
home his son Ephraim from Berwick,
251; his narrow escape from ship
wreck, 252 ; appointed minister of An
struther, 254 ; his son, Andrew, born,
ib. ; removes to Anstruther, 257 ; sin
gular adventure of some of his parish
ioners with pirates, ib., 259; escapes
from the fall of his horse, ib. ; his con
ference with the Admiral of the Spa
nish Armada, 261 ; collects 500 merks

830

INDEX.

in his district for exiled French Pro
testants, 265 ; also a collection for
Geneva, ib. ; consults as to Popish
earls, &c, 267 ; his son, Andrew, dies,
269 ; his epitaph, 270 ; preaches be
fore the General Assembly, 280 ;
sketch of his sermon, ib.-288 ; Arch
bishop of St Andrews beseeches him
to forgive him, 289 ; publishes a book
of poems, 307 bis infant daughter
Margaret dies, 309 ; commissioner
from the Kirk to the King, 316 ; a fa
vourite at court, 317; accompanies
the King in his expedition against the
Papist Lords, 318; his commission
from the King while there, 319; his
servant dies of fatigue, ib. ; King
James VI. recommends him to the
Burghs, &c. , as his special commission
er, to get supplies for the army in the
North, 321 ; hasanotherson, John, 323 ;
interview with the King at Falkland,
324 ; defends Mr David Black, ib. ;
Mr Andrew's boldness, 325 ; sketch
of sermon by Mr James, at St Andrews,
326-328 ; conference with the King
at Falkland, 369-371 ; a visitor of
the Highland churches, 433 '; publishes
his Catechism, 443 ; loses above 400
merks by it, ib. ; procures the restora
tion of John Dykes, 488 ; is seized with
heavy sickness, 489; addresses General
Assembly at Burntisland, 490 ; his
memorial " Eueharistic and Euctic,"
after his sickness, 494-500 ; his speech
at General Assembly at Holyrood-
house, 546 ; his bold conduct at Ge
neral Assembly called to be held at
Aberdeen, July 1 604, 561; his Letter
to Synod of Fife, 627 ; is written for,
to wait on Parliament at Perth, 637 ;
at St Andrews, and proceedings there,
642, et seq. ; goes to London, 644 ;
Letter from Imprisoned ministers, 646 ;
interview with the King at Hampton
Court, 653 ; King's address to Mr
James, 656 ; goes to Chapel Royal,
657 ; at the Conference, 659 ; his
speech, ib., 660; examined, 662 ; again
examined by Privy Council, 665 ; his
answers to their questions, 674, 675 ;
proposed to be placed with Bishop of
Durham, 678 ; ordered to appear be
fore Council of England, ib., 679; ex
amined, 680; is visited by Law, Bi

shop of Orkney, 688 ; writes Sir An
thony Ashley, 689 ; his reply, declining
to reside with Bishop of Durham, 690 ;
Privy Council's Letter to the Bishop,
691 ; conference with him, 692, 693 ;
Supplication of ministers detained hi
London to CouncU of England, 694-
697 ; goes to Lambeth. 698 ; inter
view, ib.-700 ; is charged to ward at
Newcastle, 709 ; applies for leave to
remain with his uncle, 710 ; is refused,
ib. ; his Letter to Conference of Falk
land, 739 ; at Newcastle, 742 ; his
second Letter, 743 ; the elders of Kil-
rennie petition for his return home,
761 ; his Letter to one of the exiled
ministers, 782.
MelvUl, Mr James, minister at Arbroath,
uncle of the author, 15, 18, 19, 24, 39,
78.
 James, cousin of Mr James, in Eng
land, with his cousin, &c, 171.
 Sir James, of Hallhill, 133.
 Mr John, minister at Craill, 39.
 John, of Dysart, brother of Rich
ard, senior, of Baldowy, 38.
 John, son of Mr James, born, 323.
 Margaret, daughter of Mr James,
born, 309 ; dies, ib.
 Marjory, sister to Mr James, her
marriage, 28.
 Patrick, professor in Glasgow Col
lege, 84.
 Richard, of Baldowie, grandfather
of Mr James, 38; killed at Pinkie,
ib.
 Richard, of Baldowie, minister at
Mariton, or Marie Kirk, father of Mr
James, 14, 19, 20,24.
 Robert, brother to Mr Andrew,
39.
 Sir Robert, 34 ; bis advice to Mr
Andrew MelviU, 138.
 Roger, burgess of Dundee, uncle
to Mr James, 38 ; his character, ib.,
39, 7i., 84, 144; advises Mr James to
withdraw to England, 167, 168.
 Thomas, Secretary-depute of Scot
land, 38.
 Thomas, of Dysart, surnamed "the
Merry Man," his death, 53.
 Walter, bailie of Montrose, 38.
Menarthes taught, 49.
Menmuir, parson of, John Lindsay, (Lord
of Session,) 268.

INDEX.

831

Mercerus, (Mercier,) John, Professor of
Hebrew at Paris, 40.
Merchandize, ministers forbidden to prac-
tise, 350.
Merchieston, Laird of, 3 1 0.
Mercurius GaUo-Belgicus, 606.
Mernes, Mearns, (Kincardine,) 302.
 Angus and, Superintendent of, 14,
18.
.  Synod of, 715.
Mernse, George, bailie of St Andrews,
423.
Merse, Synod of, refuses Constant Mode
rators, 720, 758.
Metellan. See Maitland.
Meteor, remarkable, 569.
Milburne, Dr, au English minister, 78 1 .
Miln, Mr Andrew, schoolmaster at Mon
trose, afterwards minister of Fetter-
esso, 21,267, 302.
 Walter, the martyr, 72.
Minister or pastor, office of, 93—95, &c.
Ministers of Edinburgh banished, 26 ;
their character, 78 ; flee to England,
1 67 ; they return to Scotland, 223 ;
right of ministers to teinds, 336 ; pro
vision for their widows, 342 ; censure or
trial of qualifications, 348; corruptions
in their office and lives, 347-351 ; forbid
to game, keep hosteUaries, or practise
merchandise, &c, 350; again with
draw from Edinburgh, 374 ; Declara
tion of the causes of their departure,
ib. ; apology for their leaving their
flocks, ib.-383 ; severe laws passed
against them, 383 ; how to be elect
ed, 391 ; they are restored, 415 ; re
fuse to declare from the pulpit the
King's account of Cowrie's Conspiracy,
486 ; for which they are deposed, ib. ;
charge against, 513; of Edinburgh
denounced, 522 ; Cautions as to vote
in Parliament, 539 ; of Edinburgh re
possessed in their places, 543 ; again
overthrown, ib.
 banished and imprisoned, the trial
of Imprisoned Ministers at Linlithgow,
619, et seq. ; verdict of assize, 6^6;
Supplication from them to the King,
648; first interview with the King,
653 ; ministers who went to London
invited by the King. (See Hampton
Court, &c.) Departure of the banish
ed ministers from Scotland, 669 ; Sup
plication of ministers in London to

Council of England, 694 ; offer of con
ference, 735 ; conditions, 736.
Minotius, 570.
Mirritoun, Laird of, executed at Stirling,
58.
Mitchell, Mr Adam, minister at Cupar,
302.
Mitchelson, Mr John, (minister of Kirk
aldy ?) 760.
-— Mr John, 798.
Moderator, office of, 98, 394 ; Constant,
684, et seq. ; Letter from Privy Coun-
cU to Presbyteries, to receive, 686,
715-720 ; proceedings of Convention
at Linlithgow, 721-729 ; at Falkland,
770-780, 793, et seq.
Modification of stipends, 338, 344.
Modifiers, Lords, of stipends, 188, 344.
Mombirneau, Monsieur, comes to Scotland
in the suite of Monsieur d'Obignie, 76.
Moncreiff, Mr Andrew, minister at Craill,
289; death, 411.
 Archibald, 703.
 Gilbert, physician of James VI.,
48, 73.
Monipennie, James, fiar of Pitmillie, 292.
Monro, Mr George, 302, 549.
Monstrous birth, 525.
Montague, Dr, Dean of King's Chapel,
666, 753 ; Bishop of Bath and Wells,
ib.
Montgomerie, Captain, 57.
 Mr Robert, made Bishop of Glas
gow, 118; deposed by the General As.
sembly, and excommunicated, 1 28, 1 30,
131 ; act annulled by Parliament, 237,
241.
Montrose, 1 4 ; system of education in
the schools there, 1 6 ; visited by the
plague, 1 7 ; bonfire at the Steeple-
head on birth of James VI., 18 ;
school, 20-25 ; the Greek language
first taught there, 39 ; Mr John Durie
in ward, 1 39, 408 ; General Assembly
at, 537 ; Conclusions and Cautions as
to vote in Parliament, 538-542 ; Ge.
neral Assembly there, 577.
 Earl of, 76, 223 ; made Chancellor
of the University of St Andrews, 443 ;
John, one of the High Commission,
787, 797.
Monypenny, Mr David, Dean of Faculty,
St Andrews, one of the High Com
mission, 788.
Moral Philosophy taught, 49, 54.

832

INDEX.

Moray, Bishop of, George Douglas, 32 ;
Alexander, 787.
 Earl of, " the Guid Regent," his
murder, 23, 743.
 the " Bonny" Earl of, slain by tho
Earl of Huntly at Dunibirsall, 294 ;
commemorated in songs, ib. ; his body
openly exposed in the Kirk of Leith,
ib., 313.
 Synod of, 570. See Murray.
Morology, 350.
Mortimer, Thomas, 553.
Morton, James Douglas, Earl of, made Re
gent, 28 ; acquires the temporality of
the bishoprick of St Andrews, 31, 32 ;
he presents Mr John Douglas, ib. ; re
fuses to pardon Kirkaldy of Grange,
35 ; wishes Mr Andrew Melvill to be
his chaplain, 4'i ; his policy regarding
the Kirk, ib. ; resigns the regency, 60 ;
his character, ib., 76 ; warned by Skip
per Lindsay of a plot against him, 82 j
accused of treason, 1 16 ; beheaded,
117, 118, 161; "guid auld Earle,"
in Parliament at Perth, 560.
Mountebanks, 487, n.
Mountro, (Monro,) Mr John, 573 ; one
of the imprisoned ministers at Black
ness, 598, 6 1 6.

Mouse-wobbes, what, 424.
Murray, David, portioner of Ardet, 292.
 Sir David. See Scone.
 Mr John, minister of Leith, 57 1 ,
761, 771 ; proceedings against him,
762 ; articles against him, and his an
swers, 764 ; warded at New Abbay,
765.
 Sir Patrick, employed by the King
to gain over ministers to the Court,
403 ; his diligence, ib. ; attempts to
intimidate Andrew Melvill, 415, 434;
directed by the King to the Synod of
Fife, to use influence for the restora
tion of Episcopacy, 436, 441.
 Mr WUliam, minister of Dysart,
293 ; his bold conduct at General As
sembly held at Aberdeen, 561, 564.
 Captain William, chosen provost
of St Andrews, 313; resigns, 329.
See Moray.
Musculus' Commentaries, 37.
Musselburgh, 709.
Music, and musical instruments, 29,
79.
Mylles, servant to Laird of Burley,
313.
Myritoun, Dr, an English divine, 792.

N.

Narration of proceedings of the General
Assembly, July 1605, at Aberdeen,
570, et seq.
National Assemblies, 98, 99, 111.
Natural Philosophy taught, 49.
Nazianzene, Gregorius, 739.
New Abbey, Abbot of, Mr Gilbert Brown,
616. See Broome.
Newbottle, Lord, 619.
Newcastle, the Scots fugitive Nobles
there, 172 ; Mr John Davidson, made
their pastor, ib. ; resigns in favour of
Mr James MelviU, ib. ; Mr James
Melvill's Letter to the Nobles, &c,
173-181 ; Order and Manner of Ex
ercise, as to Church discipline, &c. to
be observed, 181-184; Abuses and
Corruptions in the Kirk, &c , 186-1 93 ;
a fast by the noblemen, 221 ; James
Melvill is warded at, 709, 710.
Nicolson, George, notary, 561, 624 ; at
Conference at Hampton Court, 659.
i Mr James, (Bishop of Dunkeld,)

minister, 260, 302, 321, 369, 419,
434, 528, 549 ; is made a bishop, 673,
675 ; is chosen Moderator of General
Assembly at Linlithgow, 684, 685,
701, 715; dies, 716, 729.
Nicolson, Mr John, advocate, 267. 268.
 Mr John, 754 ; at the Conference
at Falkland, 770 ; one of the High
Commission, 788.
 Mr Thomas, notary, Commissary
of Aberdeen, 561, 564, 799.
 . Mr Thomas, chosen clerk of the
General Assembly, 415, 571.
Nizebitt, James, 758.
Non-residence of clergy punished by de
position, 350.
Northampton, Earl of, 658, 680, 692.
Northberwick, ferry of, 251.
Northwitche, (Norwich,) Scotish banish
ed Lords visit, 221 ; go to London,
ib.
Norwich, Bishop of, (Dr Bigom,) 678.
Nottinghame, Earl of, 658.

INDEX.

833

O.

Oaths, in turpi causa, 402 ; by a mini
ster at presentation, 794 ; form of the
oath, ib.
Obignie, Monsieur D'. See Stewart,
Esme.
Ockar, (usury,) 350.
Ockarers, (usurers,) 400.
(Economus, or CSconomer, of College of
St Andrews, 165, 245.
Octavians appointed, 330, 508.
Offences on acts of Parliament, 1 584, ani
madversions on, 229-238 ; King's De
claration, 239-243 ; commissioners for
Kirk's SuppUcation, ib., 244.
Office-bearers in the Kirk, 90, et seq.
OgUbie, (OgUvy,) Lord, 42.
 of Findlater, Sir Walter, 373.
Oliphant, Mr WUliam, advocate, 619.

Ordination of ministers, 93, 187, &c.
Oriental languages taught, 47, 49, 84,
146.
Origen, 216, 217-
Orkney, 126.
 Bishop of. See Law.
 Robert, Earl of, 304 ; reconcile!
Mr Andrew Melvill and the Laird of
Burley, 329, 664.
Orleans, 43.
Orphans of the clergy, 1 88".
Orphelings, (orphans,) provision for, 342.
Oswald, Mr Archibald, 760 ; one of tha
Conference at Falkland, 770.
Ottoman, Francis, Professor of Law at
Geneva, 42.
Over Logie, 17-
Overtures as to the Constant Plat, 547-

P.

Pace, Pasche, (Easter,) 28, &c. ; special
Ucence to hold, 297.
Paisley, Abbot of, with Scotish Lords at
Berwick, 197.
 Lord of, flees to England, 58.
Palingenius, 19.
Papist Lords send secret dispatches to
Spain, which are intercepted, 306, 309 ;
are excommunicated, 310; rise in
arms against the government, 312 ;
are attainted of high treason, 317 ;
flee from Scotland, 319 ; are recalled,
369 ; absolved from excommunication,
374, 416 ; are restored, 435.
Papists, proceedings against, King James
VI. 's letter as to, 320, 551. See Er
rol, Huntly, &c.
Paradoxes of Cicero taught, 49, 53.
Paris, massacre of, 264. See Massacre.
 city of, during massacre, 44, 73.
 University of, 39.
Parliament, " the Black," held at Stir
ling, 28 ; Regent Lennox slain, ib. ; the
Red, 641 ; why so called, ib.
¦  held at Edinburgh, 166 ; the first
after the King's majority, 259 ; at
Edinburgh, when the Papist Lords
were forfaulted, 317; enacts severe
laws against the Kirk, 383, 435.
 . vote in, 118, 343, &c. See Vote.
Parsonages, 334, 338.
Pascasius, Professor of Mathematics, 39.
Pasquills. See Verses.

Pkstor, Minister or, office of, 93-95, 97,
107, 110, 113, 149, 150; election of,
391.
Paterson, Mr George, for Garioch, 302.
Paton, James, Bishop of Dunkeld, 32.
Patrimony of the Kirk, 101, 102, 103,
105, 112, 141,334.
Patronage, 106, 1 12, 151, 153, 195, 332,
337,344, 350, 391.
Patrons,, laic, 298.
Paulis, Dean of, Mr Andrew Melvill
committed to his custody, 681 ; the
warrant, ib., 682 ; leaves him, 700.
Paulus V. , Pope, King's two brieves to
him, 766. See Balmerino.
Pensions, 332, 335, 344.
Perjury, 100, 361, 400.
Pers, (Persia,) Sophie of, 381.
Perth, 42, 48, 68 ; Grieffes given in to
James VI., 129; Convention at, ib—
133; plague there, 222; Court of
Session removed to, 385 ; Assembly,
1596, 403 ; Articles, 406-409; earth
quake, 5S5 ; Parliament at, 560 ; Sy
nod of, after the General Assembly at
Aberdeen, in October, 1604, 566 ;
their proceedings, ib., et seq. ; Parlia
ment, July, 1606, at Perth, 636, et
seq. ; called the Red Parliament, 64 1 ;
proceedings of Synod in April, 1607,
701-705.
Pest, (pestilence or plague,) in Montrose,
17 ; rages in Scotland, 222 ; Parlia-
3h

834

INDEX.

ment held at Dunfermline on account
of, 226 ; abates, 245 ; in Leith, 294 ;
in Edinburgh, 575 ; its violence, 649',
650.
Peterborough, Bishop of, (Dr Don,) 678.
Philip, Mr George, (Henry,) 719.
 Mr Henry, 729, 760; at Confer
ence of Falkland, 770; one of the
High Commission, 788.
.  II., King of Spain, 262.
Philomelus, Captain of the Phocenses, al
lusion to, 119.
Philosophy studied, 24, 25, &c. See
Aristotle ; Glasgow ; St Andrews, &c.
Phocilides taught, 49, 53.
Physics taught, 49.
Pinalds, and other musical instruments,
used in Scotland, 29.
Pindar taught at St Andrews, 49.
Pinkie, battle of, Richard Melvill of Bal
dowy killed at, 38.
Pirate, an English, captures a vessel be
longing to Anstruther, 257 ; pursued
and taken by a Scotish man-of-war,
258 ; hanged at Anstruther, 259.
Pirates, singular expedition against, 257-
259.
Pitcairn, Robert, commendator of Dun
fermline, 35.
Pitcur, " Tutor of," provost of Dundee,
276.
Pitfirren, Laird of, (provost of Dunferm
line,) refuses admittance to the General
Assembly warned to be kept there,
226 ; his strange death, ib.
Pitmillie-burn, 168.
 Laird of, 168, 248; fiar of, 292.
Pittenweim, parish of, 3 ; the church gets
a separate minister, 5 ; Mr Nicol Dal
gleish appointed, ib., 141, 257, 276.
Pivareau, College of, Poictiers, 40.
Plague. See Pest.
Plat, the Constant, for modification of
stipends, &c, 5,7,331; " The New
and Constant Plat," 332-345, 346,
532, 547.
Plato's Dialogues taught, 49 ; bis Phae-
don, &c, 54.
Play on marriage of Mr John Colvin,
performed before John Knox, &c, 27;
plays at laureation at Universities, 28.
Plessis, Monsieur du, 739.
Plot, Gunpowder, 617.
Pluralities, 399.
Plusoarty, Prior of, 508.

Plutarch's Lives taught, 84, 120.
Poetry. See Epigram, Epitaph, Verses.
Poictiers, in France, 30 ; College of St
Marcean, 40 ; of Pivareau, ib. ; siege
of, ib., 41.
Policy of the Kirk of Scotland, 55 ; Heads
of approved and ratified, 59 ; received
favourably by the King, 63 ; approved
by the noblemen, 76, 87-116, 239,
244.
 Book of, 395.
Polonians, Danes, Belgians, and French
men, students at the University of St
Andrews, 418.
Polwart, Mr Andrew, 42, 43, 47; mi
nister at Paisley, is made subdean of
Glasgow, 75.
 Laird of, (Sir Patrick Home, Knt.)
623.
Polybius taught, 49.
Pont, Mr Robert, 234, 267, 268, 300,
301; minister of Edinburgh, 55 ; pro-
tests against the acts of Parliament,
and flees to England, 1 67 ; moderator
of the General Assembly, 410, 412,
415, 528, 549, 588 ; protests against
proceedings as to Imprisoned ministers,
624.
Poor, 104, 113, 115, 188, 189, 341,
342, 361.
Popish reliques, 617.
Porterfield, Mr John, minister of Ayr,
302.
Portus, (Greek Professor at Geneva,)
his dispute with Mr Andrew Melvill,
42.
Potestas jurisdictionis et ordinis, 88.
 utriusque gladii, 89, 95, 105, 230,
757.
Prayer, public, 160.
 Common, taught in schools, 16;
in church every morning, 27 ; twice a-
day, 182.
Prebendaries, 190, 335, 337,338.
Prebends, 112.
Precentor, or taker up of the Psalm, 104,
113, 127.
Prelacies, provision to, 333, 337.
Prelate, title of, 108, 153. See Bishop.
Prerogative, Royal, 792.
Presbyter, office of, 94.
Presbyteries, 150, 152, 159, 296; how
many ? 394 ; jurisdiction of, ib.
Presentations, 347, 794.
Prester John, 381.

INDEX.

835

Preston, Mr John, of Pennicuick, Collec
tor, 622 ; President of College of Jus
tice, one of the High Commission, 787.
Primarius (Principal) of St Andrews, 25,
26, &c.
 title given to the Principals of
Universities, 27, 29.
Princes, duties of, to the Church, 151,
152.
Printing, art of, 32 ; in St Andrews and
Edinburgh, ib.
Priors and Prioresses, 1 06 ; their lands,
335.
Private admonitions, 39S.
Privy Council, 1 92 : who are Ecclesias
tical Judges to? 397, 398.
 Conference, 685, 802.
Profaneness, 340.
Professors of Theology, have they vote
in Presbyteries ? 395.
Progress, King James VI. makes a,
through the chief burghs, 8 1 .
Promene. See Progress.
Prophecies, 33-36.

Propyne (present) of a Pastor to his
people, 12; to the King, 30, &c.
Protestant Convention at Magdeburg,
57.
Protestants massacred in France, 27,
44, 75 ; contribution for them, 55 ;
massacre of Paris, 264 ; banished
France, and take refuge in Britain,
ib. ; subscriptions for their relief, 265.
Protestation by Ministers to the King,
526 ; against restoration of Bishops-,
641.
Provincial Assemblies, 98, 99, 100, 111,
150, 296, 396, 555.
Provision for widows of the clergy, 342.
Prymrose, Mr Peter, 799.
Psalms, singing, taught and encouraged,
22 ; Buchanan's Latin version, 46 ;
daily read and expounded, 182.
Psellus, his geometry taught, 49.
Purse, common, to defray the Kirk's ex
penses, 304.
Pythagoras taught at St Andrews, 49.

Q-

Quatorzain, by Mr James Melvill, 501.
Queensferry. 276.
Questions, the King's Book of, 385 ;
printed with Answers, 390-403 ; sus
pected to be written by Mr John Lind
say, 390, n., 523.

Quhittinghame, Lord, 619.
Quinquarborius, Professor of Hebrew,
39.
Quots of Testaments given to the Bi
shops, 781.

R.

Racket-catche, game of, 30.
Rain, excessive throughout Scotland,
222 ; on Kellie Law, which deluged the
country. 230.
Ramsay, of Balmaine, William, one of the
High Commission, 788.
 Thomas, minister of Dumfries, one
of the High Commission, 788.
 Mr Tobia3, Moderator of Synod
of Dunse, 735 ; warded in Blackness,
ib.
Ramus, Professor of Philosophy at Paris,
40 ; his Dialectic, 49 ; his geometry,
&c, ib., 53.
Ratification of the Liberty of the true
Kirk, 294-298.
Ratifications in Parliament, 332.
Ravenscraig, 714, n.
Ravisch, Dr, Bishop of Salisbury, 678.

Readers, the office of, in the Church, abo
lished, 80; 199.
Rebuking of ministers, 351.
Red-eattins, what, 160.
Red Parliament of Perth, 641 ; why so
called, ib.
Reformation in the Kirk, special Heads,
110.
Regalities, bailies of, 1 1 9.
Regrating and forestalling, 350.
Rei ambitus, 348, 541.
Reid, Mr Robert, 573.
Reiras, Laird of, 362.
Reliques, Popish, 617-
Remolis, Dr, 765.
Renfrew, parson of, Mr Andrew Hay,
48.
Rental of the superplus, 341.
Reparation of bridges, 115, 342, 361.

836

INDEX.

Reparation of Kirks, 113, 342.
Restalrig, (Lestarik,) 228.
Reuclius, 47.
RewU, Ringand, (Ninian,) 127.
Reynolds, Dr, 739.
Rhetoric taught, 25.
Riccio, David, his slaughter, 17 ; his
burial, 121.
Riche, Mr James, clerk ef the General
Assembly, his death, 411.
Riding in Parliament of Perth, 636, 638 ;
in silk and velvet foot-mantles, 639 ;
of Edinburgh, 781.
Rind, Mr WiUiam, minister, 55.
Ring, use of, in marriage, objected to,
764.
Ripon, Dean of, Dr Higgins, (Luggie ?)
748.
Rivensheuch, (Rivenfirth,) near Dysart,
714.
Robertson, David, 573.
 Donald, 571.
 Mr James, minister of Dundee,
flees to England, 218, 549.
 John, Professor in the New College
of St Andrews, 84, 245, 314.
 Walter, notary, 564, 574.
Rochell, 227, n.
Rochester, Bishop of, Dr Barlow,
678.
Rollock, Mr Robert, studies at St An
drews, 86, 300 ; Principal of the Col
lege of Edinburgh, chosen Moderator
of Assembly, 415 ; his death, 438,
528.
Rope-dancer, 487, n.

Rose, Mr John, minister at Dumbarton,
302.
Ross, 302 ; earthquake at, 420, 525.
 Bishop of, 489. See Lindsay.
, Mr James, (John,) 561, 573 j one
of Imprisoned ministers at Blackness,
598,616.
Rotanus, 439.
Rought, Mr John, 561, 573.
 (Roche,) Mr Robert, 642, 643,
644.
Row, Mr John, (minister of Carnock ?)
742.
 Mr John, minister of Perth, 55 ;
his death, 83.
 Mr William, (minister of Ceres,)
701 ; one of the banished ministers,
741,761.
Royal Household, who is Ecclesiastical
Judge to ? 397, 398.
— — prerogative, 792.
Rudiments of Latin Grammar, 17.
Running, exercise of, 1 7.
Russell, David, commissary clerk of St An
drews, deposed for falsehood, 127, ».
 David, bailie of St Andrews, 293.
 Lord, Warden of the Borders, slain,
222.
Rutherford, John, Dean of Faculty in the
University of St Andrews, 26, 27.
 Mr John, minister of Kinnouchar,
(Kilconqubar,) 417, 530; leaves the
ministry and becomes a physician, ib.
Ruthven, Raid of, 133, 136, 137,**'
163; Gowrie beheaded, 166.
Rye in England, 44.

S.

Sabbath, profaning, 349.
Sachars, (Sanquhar,) Lord, his offers,
385.
Salinacus, Professor of Mathematics, 39.
Salisbury, Bishop of, Dr Ravisch, 678.
 Dean of, (Mr John Gordon,) 653.
 Earl of, 658, 692, 706, 708.
Sallust taught, 46,
Sanderes, William, 689.
Saturday vigils, 297.
Scaliger, Josephus, 178, 279.
 JuUus, 307.
Scharpe, Mr David, subdean of Glasgow,
one of the High Commission, 789.
 John, advocate, 267, 268.
 Mr John, minister at Kilrenny,

571,572; warded in Blackness Castle,
575, 598, 616; banished from Scot
land, 669, 670.
Scharpe, Mr Patrick, Principal of College
of Glasgow, at Conference at Hampton
Court, 659, 684, 724, 754, 760 ; at
Conference at Falkland, 770 ; one of
the High Commission, 788, 797.
 Patrick, (schoolmaster in Glas
gow,) 50 ; receives the instructions of
Andrew Melvill, ib.
Scholars, 112. See Schools.
Scone, Lord, (Sir David Murray,) Lord
Comptroller, sent down as Lord High
Commissioner to General Assembly,
560,631, 664; his sacrilegious con-

INDEX.

837

-¦duct at Synod of Fife, 70 1 -705 ; again
-one of the Commissioners, 717; one of
the High Commission, 787. See Mur
ray.
Schoolmasters, 199.
Schools, 1 4 ; common prayer used in, 16,
17,20-25, 39, 112, 113, 115, 188,
189,341, 538.
Scotiseing Genevating Discipline, a tract,
679.
Scott, Mr William, (minister of Cou-
par,) 386, 489 ; invited to Parliament,
July 1606, at Perth, 637; at Confer
ence at Hampton Court, 660; sent for
by Archbishop of Canterbury, 672,
674, 678; accompanies Mr James Mel
viU to Bishop of Durham, 692 ; signs
Supplication to Council of England,
697, 707 ; returns to Coupar, 709 ;
goes with James Melvill to Lambeth,
698 ; their interview, ib  700 ; one of
the Conference as to Episcopacy, 760 ;
one of the Conference at Falkland, 770-
780.
Scrymgeour, Mr Alexander, cousin to Mr
James Melvill, minister, 170, 171,
549.
 of Glaswell, 14.
 of Geneva, Henry, uncle of Mr
James Melvill, 30 ; his death. 42.
 Isabel, wife of Richard Melvill of
Baldowie, mother of Mr James, her
death, 15.
 Mr John, (minister ef Kinghorn ?)
720.
Sebastian, grammar of, 21.
Secret Council, 192.
Seinzie- week, what ? 330.
Seminaries of Jesuits, 160.
 for Papists, 206.
Seminary priests, 265, 267, 269, 300,
305, 555, 798.
Semple, (Sempill,) Robert, (the Scotish
Poet,) his ballads, 22, 176.
Serrano, Seignour, one of the wrecked
commanders of the Spanish Armada,
263.
Serranus, 439.
Session, Court of, 192 ; ordained to sit
at Perth, 385.
 Lords of, 341.
Seton, Alexander, Prior of Plnscarty,
or Pluscardin, (afterwards Earl of
Dunfermline,) President of the Court
of Session, 368, 508.

Sheriffs' Courts, 192.
Shrewsbury, Earl of, 692.
Silver-duty, 332.
Silverdyk, (now corrupted into Cellar-
dykes, in the parish of KUrenny,) 9.
Sim, Alexander, advocate, 55.
Simony, 100.
Simsone, Mr Patrick, minister of Stir
ling, 302, 358 ; Moderator at Confer
ence at Falkland, 746, 747, 754;
chosen Moderator of General Assem
bly at Linlithgow, ib. ; but Bishop of
Orkney imposed, 755, 760 ; not at
Conference at Falkland, 770 ; sends
excuse, 771 ; 797, 802.
 William, a wizard, 1 37.
Singing taught at St Andrews, &c, 22,
29, 79.
Skein, John, advocate, 268.
 William, commissary of St An
drews, 26 ; teaches the civil law, 28,
29.
Slander, who judges of, 399, 402.
Sleidan, a text-book, 49.
Smeton, in East-Lotbian, 227, 228.
 Mr Thomas, his book against
Hamiltoun " the Apostat," 33 ; re
turns from the Continent to Scotland,
61 ; his marriage, 69 ; account of his
conduct abroad, and conversion from
Popery to Protestantism, 72-74 ; made
minister of Paisley, 75 ; his charac
ter, ib., 76 ; made Principal of Glas
gow College, 83; his death, 139.
Smithe, James, burgess of St Andrews,
falsely accused of slaying Jacques A r-
thour, 274 ; banished the country, ib.,
275; returns from exile, 317; is as
sassinated, 421 ; his character, 423 ;
a Lamentation and Verses on his death,
by James Melvill, 424-433.
 Alexander, teaches James Melvill
music, 29.
Smyth, Mr John, (minister of Leslie ?)
warded in Blackness, 735.
Snape, Mr, 710.
Somers, Mr, 706.
Songs by Wedderburn, 23.
Spain, Ambassador of, 157; Court of,
191.
 King of, 262.
Spaniards, threatened invasion by. See
Armada.
Spanish blanks, conspiracy of the, 306, et
seq.

838

INDEX.

Spence of Wilmerstone, 260 ; his daugh
ter Lucrece married, ib.
Spense, Mr David, minister at Kirkaldy,
303.
Spey Tower, near Perth, 215.
Spiritual keys, 89, 95, 105.
Sponsor, "gossip," or godfather, 254.
Sports of youth. See Games.
Spotswoode, Mr John, minister, Linlith
gow, 302, 549.
Spottiswood, Mr John, (Archbishop of
Glasgow,) 568, 639 ; at Conference
at Hampton Court, 659 ; at Confer
ence at Falkland, 770, &c. See Glas
gow.
Spuilzie of teinds, 340.
St Abb's-head, 169.
St Andrews, a great tumult in, 272 ;
Laird of Dairsie deposed from being
provost, and Captain W. Murray
elected, 513; greatly oppressed there
for, ib. ; its ministers deposed, 419
 Archbishop of, 640, 710; to be
Constant Moderator of Synod of Fife,
715, 719, 763; one of Conference
at Falkland, 771, 787, et seq.; re-
ordained at St Andrews, 804. See
Adamson.
 Archbishoprick of, given to Earl
of Morton, 3 1 ; who presents Mr John
Douglas, ib.
 city of, Mr James Melvill invited
to be minister there, 6 ; King James
VI. visits it during his progress, 81 ;
plague there, 222 ; uproar, 307, et
seq. ; General Assembly there, 544 ;
plague, 575.
 haven of, 1 68 ; Archbishop's pier,
ib.
 Prior of, 1 26 ; contest with Mi-
Andrew Melvill. ib. , 127, 143,569.
 Synod of, 245 ; Archbishop ex
communicated, 247, 249 ; Synod after
General Assembly at Aberdeen, 565.
 University of, 4, 24 ; text books
used there, 25 ; foreign students at
tracted to by the celebrity of its pro
fessors, 31, 42, 43, 47, 77; nar
rowly escapes being burnt, 85 ; state
of learning at, 124, 125; threatened
by the mob, 307 ; visited and reform
ed by James VI., 418.
St Cuthbert's, or West Kirk of Edin
burgh, 218.
St George's day kept, 705 ; Mr Andrew

Melvill's Verses, ib. ; to have been
magnificently kept at Berwick, but
stopped owing to death of Earl of Dun-
bar, 804.
St Johnstown, 48, 68 ; plague there,
222. See Perth.
St Leonard's College, St Andrews, 24,
31, 293.
St Marcean, College of, Poictiers, 40.
St Monans, steeple of, 276.
St Ninian 's Kirk, Confederate Lords en
camp at, 223.
Stades, stadia, 420,
Stanhope, Lord, 692.
Stationer, travelling, 22.
Stewart, Esme, (Mon. d'Obignie, Duke
of Lennox,) arrives in Scotland, and
becomes the King's favourite, 76 ;
created Duke of Lennox, 82, 116;
presses the Assembly to restore the
bishops, 118; loses the King's favour,
134 ; leaves Scotland, ib. ; dies a Pa
pist at Paris, 1 38, 289.
 of Craigiehall, Harie, 623.
 James, (Earl of Arran,) Captain of ¦
the King's Guard, accuses Earl of
Morton of treason, 116; his violence,
133, 142 ; made chancellor, ib., 143 ;
Angus, Mar, &c. , rise against the King
at Stirling, 1 65 ; flees to England,
166; threatens Mr James Lawsone,
167; his tyrannical proceedings when
Earl of Arran, 197, 193, 222, 223;
escapes from Stirling, ib.
 Mr Walter, one of the High Com
mission, 789.
 Walter, Prior of Blantyre, 508.
See Blantyre.
 Colonel William, (a pensioner of
the Prior of St Andrews,) receives the
sobriquet of " the Accusar," for accu
sing Andrew Melvill of sedition, 143;
taken in Stirling, 223.
Stipends, local, 335 ; victual, ib. ; mo
dification of, 338, 344.
Stirling, Mr James Melvill invited to be
minister, 6 ; and again, 1 36 ; General
Assembly there, 63 ; Angus, Mar, &c.
rise against the King, 1 65 ; flee to
England, 166; Earl of Gowrie taken
at Dundee, and beheaded at Stirling,
ib. ; Confederate Lords besiege and
take Stirling, 223 ; terms proposed by
King, ib. ; Lords' answers, 224 ; tak
ing of Stirling, 253 ; Marquess of

INDEX.

63 9

Huntly confined in Castle, previous to
his being loosed from excommunica
tion, 797.
Stirling Castle, rendered to the Confe
derate Lords, 225 ; this circumstance
known in London within forty-eight
hours ! 226.
.  Mr William, minister, Dunblane,
302.
Straiton of Lauristoun. See Lauristoune.
Strangers, provision to, 342.
Strathauchsone, Mr John, minister, 302.
Strathbogy, 302, 314; house of, east
down by King James VI., 319.
Stratocles, 120, 193.
Strauchane, Mr Alexander, minister at
Raith, 573 ; warded in Blackness Cas
tle, 575, 593, 616; is banished from
Scotland, 669, 670.
 Mr John, 724 ; one of the High
Commission, 738.
Suffolk, Earl of, 658 ; his son married to
Earl of Dunbar's daughter, 804.

Sumptuary laws, 781.
Superintendent, office of. See Woundrom,
(Windram,) &c.
Superplus, .132, 334, 335 ; rental of the,
341; division of the, 342.
Supplication of ministers imprisoned at
Blackness to King, 613; of ministers
detained in London to Privy Council of
England, 694-697.
Surplice, use of, in Divine service, 764.
Suspension of ministers, 150.
Sutherland, province of, 758.
 William, of Duffus, 373.
Swimming, exercise of, taught and en
couraged, 17-
Swinton, Mark, of Inverkeithing, 623.
Sword, power of, 89, 95 ; civU, 105, 230,
757.
Synodal Assemblies, 111, 130, 150,
153, 395 ; Articles proponed by King,
627.
Syntax publicly taught, 17.
Syriac, taught at St Andrews, 42, 49.

T.

Tacks, long, 332 ; of teinds, 339, 344.
Taker up of the Psalm, or precentor,
104,113, 127.
Taleus' Rhetoric taught at St Andrews,
49, 53.
Tamtallon, Castle of, 1 70.
Tartarie, Cham (Khan) of, 381.
Teind-sheaves, 335, 338.
Teinds, (tithes,) 151 ; the Kirk's just
right, 333, 334 ; minister's right to,
336 ; valuators of, 338 ; tacks of, 339 ;
spuilzie of, 340 ; King's right and re
lief, 345.
Terence taught, 21, 46.
Teviotdale, 757.
Theft, Border, 190, 400.
Theocritus taught at St Andrews, 49.
Theognides taught at St Andrews, 49.
Theology studied at St Andrews, &c. , 49 ;
have professors of, vote in Presby
teries ? 395.
 College of, 189:
Thieves, Highland and Border, 400.
Thomson, Richard, 571 •
Thrids (thirds) of teinds, 334, 335.
Tinemouth, 22 1 .

Tornebus, Andreas, Professor of Greek
at Paris, 40.
Tortus, Matheus, his work, 766.
Touching for King's evil, or cruels, {es-
crouelles,') 657.
Toungland, Lord (Abbot) of, Commis
sioner from the King to the Synod of
Fife, 441.
Tower- stairs, Mr James Melvill, &c. em
bark at, 711.
Tranent, 228.
Travelling stationer, 22.
Trent, Council of, 301.
Trial or censure of ministers, 348.
Triplici nodo triplex cuneus, 766.
Trojan horse, Mr David Ferguson's si
mile, and Mr Andrew Melvill's Verses
on, 437, 529.
Trunshman, (trucheman,) an interpreter,
262.
Tulchain bishops, what, 31, 48, &c.
Tumult in Edinburgh, 517-
Turks, 191, 201, 203.
Tusculans of Cicero taught at St An
drews, 49.
Tweeddale, 758.

840

INDEX.

Twelfth night, 781, /..
Tygurie, Archbishop Adamson writes to
Reformed Church at, 141, 148, 154;

his Articles, 148-153 ; Mr Andrew
Melvill's Letter, 154-164.
Tyrie, Father, the Jesuit, 44.

U.

Union of England and Scotland propo
sed, 554, 555, 557, et seq.
Universal Kirk, 89, 101, &c.
Universities, order to be observed, 95,
110; lands doted to, 335, 336 ; have
regents and masters votes in Presby
teries ? 395 ; can they be excommu
nicated ? 402 ; to be provided, 538.

Upslaw, in Norway, King James VI.
lands there, 277.
Urened, what, 270, n.
Urquhart of Tullo, John, 373.
Usury, 100; forbidden, 356; punish
ment of, 400.
Uzziah, story of, 420.

Vagabond beggars, 361.
Vaintham, (Wathand,) Dr, Bishop of
London, 678.
Valerius pratensis, 570.
Valuation of teinds, 338.
Valuators, " ^Estimators of the valor of"
teinds, 338.
Vaudemont, Count, brother to Duke of
Lorraine, 663, 664, 667.
Velvet foot-mantles for riding in Parlia
ment, 639.
Verity, chair of, (the pulpit,) 790.
Verses, 44, 60, 140, 161, 270, 309,420,
421, 424-433, 437, 438, 494-501,
641, 682, 683, 706,707.
Vicarages, 334, 338.
Vicars' lands, 335.

Victual modified for stipend, 335.
Vigils, Saturday and other, 297.
Vilet, the, near Geneva, 42.
Virgil taught at St Andrews, &c. , 17,
21, 46, 49.
Virginals, and other musical instruments,
29.
Virtutibus, Cicero de, taught, 49.
Visitation of Kirks, &c, 98, 107, 150,
409, 758, 795.
 of hospitals, 1 95.
Vote in Parliament for the Kirk, 118,
343, 441; whether ad vitam, 442
arguments for and against, 447, et seq.
number to be admitted to vote, 457
debated at Montrose, 470, et seq.
534, 537, 559.

W.

Waldegrave, Robert, printer, 306.
Walden, Lord, married to Earl of Dun
bar's daughter, 804.
Wales, part of Spanish Armada wrecked
on coast of, 262.
Walkinschaw, Mr Patrick, subdean of
Glasgow, one of the High Commission,
789.
Wallace, Mr Robert, minister at St An
drews, 329, 417 ; is interrupted, while
preaching, by the King, 418; is de
posed, 419; at Conference at Hamp
ton Court, 660, 678 ; ordered to ap
pear before Council of England, ib.,
680 ; signs Supplication to English
Council, 697, 707 ; charged to confine
himself to Lawder, 709.

Walsingham, Mr Secretary, (the Eng
lish ambassador,) protects the Pro
testants during the Massacre of Paris,
75.
Walwode, John, 275 ; returns from exile,
318.
 Mr William, Professor of Lawin
St Andrews, his quarrel with Hendrie
Hamilton, 272, 275.
Wapinshawings, 305.
Warden-raid, Lord Rnssell slain, 222.
Watertoune, William, 700.
Watson, Mr William, minister of Edin
burgh, in ward, 244 ; flees to Fife,
374, 517 ; is invited to Parliament at
Perth, July 1606, 637; sent for by
Archbishop of Canterbury, 672, 678 ;

INDEX.

841

signs Supplication to English Council,
697 ; to confine himself to Burntisland,
709.
Wedderburn's Songs, 22.
Weekly exercise, 795.
Weems; Mr John, commissary of St An
drews, 760; at Conference at Falk
land, 770 ; one of the High Cemniis-
sion, 788.
Weir, ( Vere ?) David, rope- dancer, 487, n.
Welsche, Mr John, minister at Air,
warded in Blackness, 575, 616 ; his
trial at Linlithgow, 620, et seq. ; ver
dict of assize, 626 ; takes leave of his
friends before sailing into banishment,
669, 670.
Westminster, 222, 645, 804.
 Dean of, 653.
Whale, a large, comes ashore on Kin-
crag Sands, 331.
WhitehaU, 692, 706, 709.
Widows of the clergy, 189; provision
for, 342.
Widdringtoun, Sir Harrie, (Governor of
Berwick,) 171 ; his lady's kindness to
the banished ministers, ib., 197, 198,
221 ; takes care of Mr James Melvill's
infant, ib.
Wigton, 302.
 Earl of, 664 ; John, 758 ; 770 ;
one of the High Commission, 788,
797.

Wilkie, Mi- James, Principal of St Leo
nard's CoUege, 26 ; his death, 290.
 Robert, Principal of St Leonard's
College, 293, 308, 386, 549, 643,
724 ; one of the High Commission,
788.
 Mr Robert, minister at Irving,
302.
Winchester, Bishop of, (Dr BUsoun,)
678, 700.
 Dean of, Dr Abbots, 748.
Wishart, John, 572, 573.
Witchcraft, 300.
Witches, one burnt at St Andrews, 58 ;
Bishop Adamson accused of consult
ing, 127, 137 ; one executed at Edin
burgh, 137 ; practise enchantments
against James VI. and his Queen,
279.
Wittenberg, Philip Melancthon, 14.
Wolmistone, Laird of, (Spence of Wor-
miston ?) Regent Lennox slain at Stir
ling in his arms, 28. See Spence.
Wood of Streavithie, Andrew, 145,292.
 Mr Robert, 4.
Worcester, Earl of, 658.
Works, common, 361.
Woundrom, (Windram,) Mr John, Su
perintendent of Fife, 55.
Wrestling, exercise of, practised, 17.
Wyshart, Mr George, (the martyr,) 14,
72.

York, Archbishop of, (Dr Mathow,) 645, Youngson, Mr Robert, 573 ; one of the
678. Imprisoned ministers, 616.
Young, Alexander, returns from Gene- Yrewing, (Irving?) John, 250.
va, 30, 48. YuUl, Yule, or Christmas, passim. Prov.
 Mr And. minister of Dunblane, 33. " To repay a Yuill commoun at
 Mr (afterwards Sir) Peter, of Se- Pasche," 274 ; special licence to hold,
ton, pedagogue, or tutor to James VI., 297.
38, 48, 508, 664.

Z.

Zerciah, sons of, cited, 286.

Zetland, James, Lord, 304.

THE END.

EDINBURGH PBIKTING COMPAHY, SOU1H ST DAVID STREET.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND DIARY

MR JAMES MELYILL.

M.D.L VI.— M.DC.X.

VOL. II.

THE WODROW SOCIETY,
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FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THE WORKS OF THE FATHERS AND EARLY
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND DIARY

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M.D.LVL— M.DC.X.

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THE WODROW SOCIETY,
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WRITERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.

THE

AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND DIARY

MR JAMES MELVILL,
MINISTER OF KILRENNY, IN FIFE, AND PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY
IX THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS.

WITH A
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EDITED FROM MANUSCRIPTS IN THE LIBRARIES OF THE FACULTY
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