HISTORY
OF
SCOTS AFFAIRS.
THE SECOND VOLUME.
ABERDEEN: PRINTED AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE,
BT WILLIAM BENNETT.
THE SPALDING CLUB.
At a Meeting of the Committee of the Council of THE
SPALDING CLUB, held at Aberdeen, on Saturday the
twelfth of June, M.DCCC.XLL,
Mr. THOMSON of Banchory hi the Chair,
The following Report w as read and approved of, and ordered to be printed
and circulated among the Members :
" The Committee of the Council of THE SPALDING CLUB
have great pleasure in being able to report that its affairs continue in a
highly prosperous condition. Within a few weeks after the issue of its first
publication, the number of Five Hundred Members, to which the Club
is limited, was completed ; and many applications for admission into it have
siq,oe been received.
" The Committee are informed by the Editors that the second volume of
Gordon's History of Scots Affairs has now been completed at press,
and is in the hands of the binder, so that in a few days it will be ready for
delivery to the Members. The printing of the third volume of the work
2 THE SPALDING CLl'B.
has been commenced, and will be proceeded with as speedily as the avoca-
tions of the Editors will permit. While the second volume was passing
through the press, the Editors were informed by the Reverend Mr. James
Robertson, at Cairness, that the copy of the work to which they had re-
ferred in their Preface under the name of " Ruddiman's MS." was in the
library of General Gordon of Cairness ; and it was soon after placed in
their hands, by the kindness of that lamented gentleman, in whose death the
Club has lost a valuable Member. It appears to be autograph of the Par-
son of Rothiemay ; and the Editors have used it in collating the sheets of
the second volume from the sixty-fifth page downwards. They will prefix to
the third volume some account of it, together with a facsimile of one of its
pages, and such various readings as may be observed in collating it with
that portion of the work which was printed before this more authentic
manuscript was recovered.
" The Secretary, by whom the editing of the first volume of The
Club's Miscellany has been undertaken, stated to the Committee that a
considerable portion of that work is printed, that all the materials for it
have been collected and arranged, and that he expects it will be completed
in three or four months.
" The Committee are gratified to learn from the Secretary that Mr.
Cosmo Innes has, agreeably to their desire, undertaken the editing of
Gordon's Description of bothe Touns of Aberdeene, written about
the year M.DC.LXI. The engraving of the interesting Map of Aber-
deen, which this description was designed to illustrate, is nearly completed ;
and the work will, it is hoped, be ready for issue in two or three months.
THE SPALDING CLUB. C
" Mh. Joseph Robertson, who had agreed to superintend the tran-
scription of the volumes of tlie Chartulary of Aberdeen preserved hi
the library of The King's College, stated that this task was now all but
accomplished ; and that as soon as a transcript was obtained of the volumes
in the library of the Faculty of Advocates at Edinburgh, the printing of the
work might be commenced.
" The Secretary reported that the transcript of the View of the
Diocese of Aberdeen, written in the beginning of the last century, and
preserved in the Advocates' Library, is now completed ; and that a tran-
script of Sir Samuel Forbes' History of Aberdeenshire, from the
manuscript in the British Museum, is in progress, under the superintend-
dence of Sir Henry Ellis.
" Mr. Joseph Robertson, to whom the editing of Patrick Gordon's
Abridgement of Britanes Distemper from M. DC. XXXIX. to
M.DC.XL., was assigned, stated that a transcript of that work is now
prepared for the press, and that the printing of it may be commenced
whenever the Committee desire.
" The Committee are informed that considerable progress has been
made in collecting materials for a volume of Orationes Panegyrics Ha-
bits IN AcADEMiis Abredonensibus, the editing of which has been under-
taken by 'Dr. Melvin.
"The Secretary reported that a transcript has been made of the His-
tory OF THE Family of Rose of Kilravock, and that Mr. Cosmo
Innes has undertaken to prepare this interesting and valuable work for
the press.
4 THE SPALDING CLUB.
" There was laid before the Committee a Manuscript which had been ob-
tained from the late General Gordon of Cairness, bearing the follow-
ing title :
' The Book or List off Poleable persons within the Shire off Aberdein &
Burghs within the same
' Containing the names off the haill persones poleable and Polemoney payable
be them conforme to their respective capacities According to the Act off
Parliament anent Polemoney daited the [ ] day of [ ]
' Faithfullie extracted ffurth of the Principall Lists of poleable persons off
each paroch within tlie Shyre, as they were reported by the Commis-
sioners and Clerks for the severall paroches appointed ffor that effect
' By William Hay Collector appointed off the polemoney peyable ffurth of the
said shire
' And revised and examined by ane Quorum of the Commissioners of Supplie
off the samen shyie and attested by them the (first day of Aprile 1696.'
" The Committee appointed a Sub-Committee to examine this volume,
and to report on it to the Committee, at their next meeting."
ALEX. THOMSON, Chairman.
PRINTED AT THE ABERDEEN CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE,
BY WILLIAM BENNETT.
HISTORY
OF
SCOTS AFFAIRS,
From M DC XXXVII to M DC XLI.
JAMES GORDON,
PARSON OF ROTHIEMAY.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
ABERDEEN :
PRINTED FOR THE SPALDING CLUB.
M DCCC XLI.
M/£R.i
A&J
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
History of Scots Affairs :
The Argument, vii
The Third Booke [continued], 1
The Fourth Booke, 189
HISTORY
SCOTS AFFAIRS.
THE ARGUMENT.
THE ARGUMENT.
THE THIRD BOOKE.
OHAPTER
XXX.
XXXI.
XXXII.
XXXIV.
XXXV.
XXXVI.
XXXVII.
XXXIX.
XL.
XLI.
XLII.
XLIII.
XLIV.
XLV.
XLVI.
PAGE
Moderator's speech 3
Lord Erskine joins the Covenanters ; and others ;)
The Assembly is continued ; they vote themselves competent judges of
the bishops, and that they were to proceed in their trial. .5
Commissioners from Strathbogy advise with the Commissioner about
staymg «
Answer to the Bishops' Declinator.
Council meet, and write the King. „
26
Assembly continue to sit. Argyle joins them ; and several other lords. „
Ministers who had been objected to in the Declinator are cleared and
received.
Committees. Bishop of Galloway's process begun. Proclamation for
dissolving the Assembly. Sum of the King's reasons
Assembly's protestation against the proclamation ; and the sum of the
reasons . ,
The King's exceptions to the above protestation ,
Unanimity of the Assembly. Mr. Alexander Carse
Trial of six Assemblies referred to a Committee.
Account of six Assemblies, and the High Commission.,
Processes against Mr. David Mitchel, Dr. Patrick Panter, and Mi-.
Alexander Gladstanes
Argyle's speech. Speeches concerning Arminianism „,
Bishop of Orknay submitts to the Assembly ; also Sir Archibald Stuart
of Blackhall ; also Mr. John Forbes, an Anti-Covenanter, and on his
way to Ireland. Mr. Mitchel deposed, and ordered to be excommuni-
cated. Committee to examine into exceptionable things against the
Ministers of Edinburgh. Witnesses against the Bishop of Galloway.
THE ARGUMENT.
CHAPTER
XLVII.
XLVIII.
XLIX.
L.
LI.
LII.
LIV.
LV.
LVI.
LVII.
LVIII.
LIX.
LXI.
LXII.
LXIII.
LXIV.
LXVI.
LXVII.
Arrainianism condemned. Mr. Robert Bailey's speech against it. Com-
mittee to censure the Ministers of Edinburgh. Mr. Alexander
Committee's exceptions to the six Assemblies. They are declared un-
lawful. ,~~„^ — '.■
Intrant oath nullified. Exceptions. Dr. Robert Hamilton deposed.
Mr. James Forsyth ; Mr. John Crighton deposed. .
Animadversions on the Service Book
The Assembly condemn and prohibit the Service Book..
The Author's opinion on this subject, and of impartial people at that
time. —-' ~ —....-
Summary of Bishop Lesly's defence of the Service Book in his Lysi-
machus Nicanor. ..^.^....^.w^^..^^ — -
Animadversions on the Book of Canons
Book of Canons rejected and condemned
Opinion of sober men upon this. ,
Animadversions on the Book of Ordination : said book rejected.
High Commission Court condemned. .
Opinion of sober people about the Book of Ordination and the High
Commission. Commission to visit the shire of Angus, to sit at
Dundee 94
Mr. Alexander Lindsay, bishop of Dunkeld, submitts. Mr. George
Haliburton's process referred to the Angus Committee. Mr. James
Auchnleche referred to a Committee. Sydserfe, bishop of Gallo-
way, deposed and excommunicated. 95
Archbishop of St. Andrews trial ; [he is] deposed and excommunicated. 99
Whyteford, bishop of Brichen, deposed and excommunicated. 100
The Author's reflection on this. 100
More of Bishop Whitefoord. Negotiation with Lindsay, archbishop
Interpretation of the Confession of Faith. Diocesan Episcopacy ab-
jured and removed by said Confession. 102
Reasonings and observations on this conclusion. _„™ 105
Mr. Robert Bailey's behaviour concerning this question. He furnished
Mr. Spang with the materials of his Historia Motuum lOS
Mr. Robert Bailey's opinion ; also Rutherford's and Knox's 107
THE ARGUMENT.
CHAPTER
LXIX.
LXXI.
LXXII.
LXXIII.
LXXIV.
LXXV.
LXXVI.
LXXVII.
LXXVIII.
LXXIX.
LXXX.
LXXXI.
LXXXII.
LXXXIII.
LXXXIV.
LXXXV.
LXXXVI.
LXXXVII.
1 XXXVIII.
LXXXIX.
XC.
XCI.
XCII.
Witnesses sworn against Bishopps.
pacy, from the printed Acts.
Assembly's Act concerning Episco-
109
Vote about Episcopacy put a second time. Mr. Robert Bailey. Mar-
quess of Hamilton publishes a declaration concerning Episcopacy,
contrary to the Act of Assembly. Substance thereof 113
Assembly's answer to Hamilton's Declaration. 118
Mr. Row subscribes the Covenant : he is son of Mr. John Row, Minis-
ter of Carnock. Committee for constitutions and laws to prevent
corruptions in future. .,.„
Five Articles of Perth condemned. The Act..
Mr. John Abernethy, bishop of Caithness,
archbishop of Glasgow.
Mr. David Lindsay, bishop of Edinburgh, deposed.,
Mr. Adam Ballentine, bishop of Aberdeen, deposed.™
Mr. John Maxwel, bishop of Ross, deposed. .
Mr. James Wedderburn, bishop of Dunblane.
Mr. James Forsyth. „,. , .
Mr. Patrick Lindsay,
Mr. John Graham, bishop of Orkney. ,
Mr. John Guthrv,—,, .
Mr. Patrick Lindsay, archbishop of Glasgow. _
Mr. James Fairley, bishop of Argyle.
Mr. Neil Campbell, bishop of The Isles.
Several ministers deposed. „,^
Lindsay, bishop of Dunkeld.,
Abernethy, bishop of Caithness
Wedderburn, bishop of Dunblane—
127
127
1.31
131
133
134
136
137
138
138
140
141
142
143
145
146
146
Moderator ordered to pronounce, next day, the sentence of [deposition]
of fourteen bishops. Mr. Andrew Rollock renounces his subscrip-
tion of the Declinator. Sentences read over. „ 146
Ceremony of pronouncing the sentences of excommunication. 147
Earl of Wigton. Mr. William Aniiane. Mr. Robert Hamilton ; and
Mr. Henry Scrimgeor. Dr. Robert Hamilton, at Glassford. Mr.
Thomas Mackenzie, archdeacon of Ross. Dr. George Wisheart, of
St. Andrew's. . , , 1,30
Mr. Andrew Shepheard. Committees at Jedburgh, Glasgow, and
Edinburgh. , 1 50
THE ARGUMENT.
CHAPTER PAGt
XCIII. Provincial Synods, Kirk Sessions, and National Assemblies restored — 153
XCIV. Dr. Patrick Panter. Town of Edinburgh. Mr. John Lundie. Bishop
Patrick Forbes vindicated. Bishop Elphingston's foundation. Io4
XCV. Intention of sending visitors, to furnish a pretext for sending arms to
suppress Huntly 157
XCVI. John Gordon of Crosseirne. Mr. John Bell, Glasgow. Mr. John
Moyle. Acts of Assembly read over, old acts renewed. 157
XCVII. Dr. Guild's supplication about salmon fishing on Sunday. Visitation of
Glasgow College 161
XCVIII. Deposed ministers to be excommunicated, if they did not acquiesce.
Places of doing penance for the bishops ; [they] may be relaxed in
articulo mortis. Committees. Visitations of Colleges. Edinburgh
gets the Moderator 162
XCIX. Churchmen not to take civil offices. IB."!
C. Mr. Andrew Cant. Index and Acts of Assembly. Acts, etc. to be
read in pulpits. Mr. Archibald Johnston and Mr. Robert Dalgleish
to license the press. Yearly Assemblies. Mr. Robert Blair trans-
ported to St. Andrews. Lex Rex. Procurator's place. Ratifica-
tion applied for.
CI. Moderator concludes the Assembly. Argyle's speech. King's excep-
tions to Argyle's speech,
CII. His exceptions to the Assembly
cm. Many ministers drawn aside by influence.
CIV. King's Declaration against the Assembly.
CV. The Assembly's Protestation in Answer.
CVI. The Marquis of Hamilton returns to court
the committees. [The Covenanters] think of levying an army and
taxes. The King declares the Scots rebels in the beginning of 1 639. 1 86
165
Ministers turned out bv
THE ARGUMENT.
THE FOURTH BOOKE.
CHAPTER PAGE
I. King incensed 191
II. Proceedings of the Covenanters in their own vindication. Their Mani-
festo 191
III. Its reception favourable in England. 193
IV. The King publishes a counter Declaration ; is necessitated to take arms
and declare the Covenanters rebels ; his endeavours to raise money.
Contributions from the English clergy and nobility.- 194
V. The King orders his domesticks, with their vassals, to meet him in arms
at York, on the twenty-sixth of January ; also letters written to the
nobility to the same purpose. Earl of Arundel made general ; other
officers. ,__ . 195
VI. Huntly's allotment ; Aberdeen fortified; Huntly's proceedings at Aber-
VII. Assistance expected by Huntly from the King to Aberdeen. Scots
ships seased ; posts stopped and searched. King's councels betrayed
to the Covenanters _______ 197
VIII. Berwick and Carlisle garrisoned. King's proclamation, twenty-seventh
of February. 198
IX. Preparations of the Covenanters in their own defence. Information
for Defensive Arms read in pulpits, circulated in write, but not
printed 202
X. Corbet's Refutation _„ 203
XI. The Covenanters levy men. Colonel Robert Munro. Marquis of
Argyle. Montrose opposed to Huntly. General Sir Alexander
Lesly. Clan Cameron join the Covenanters, in opposition to
Huntly. Meeting at Perth. Taxes . 204
XII. Covenanters fortify proper places. Leith. Colonel Alexander Hamil-
ton their master of artillery. Dalkeith. Regalia. Edinburgh
castle seized ; also Dumbarton __„_ 207
XIII. Marquis of Huntly's rendevous at Turreff. James Ogilvie, Earl of
Findlater. The Earl Marischal declares for the Covenanters 210
XIV. Montrose puts himself in a state of offence ; intimates the time of his
return to the north. 217
THE ARGUMENT.
CHAPTER
XV.
XVI.
XVII.
XVIII.
XIX.
XX.
XXI.
XXII.
XXIII.
XXIV.
XXV.
XXVI.
XXVII.
XXVIII.
XXXI.
XXXII.
XXXIII.
XXXIV.
XXXV.
XXXVI.
Argyle appointed to take care of Airly, and prevent his joining
Huntly ; also to fall upon Badenoch, etc. in a certain event
Huntly's awkward situation. Commissioners sent by him to treat with
Montrose. Montrose resolves to visit the old College of Aberdeen.
Second deputation. Montrose's answer and behaviour. Trepida-
tion among tlie Covenanters. Foolish alarm at Montrose. Prodigy ;
author eye-witness of it.
Huntly disbands, and retires from Inverury to Strathbogie
Commissioners return to Aberdeen. The Loyalists tly. Bishop Bel-
lenden flies. Bishop's house demolished
Montrose marches for Aberdeen ; seizes cannon, arms, etc
Montrose marches against Huntly, leaving Kinghorn governour of Aber-
deen ; encamps at Inverury.
Their severity upon the Loyalists.. — — . —
Interview betwixt Huntly and Montrose at Lowess __ — .
Huntly returns with Montrose to Inverury, where he subscribes a paper,
but not the Covenant. Terms which Huntly obtained for his friends.
Designs of Forbesses and Erasers to detain Huntly at Inverury — „ —
Montrose marches back to Aberdeen. Argyle falls upon Airly
Solemn Committee at Aberdeen ; [they] send for Huntly .
Assurance given Huntly. Forbesses and Erasers press to detain him,
and particularly Frendraught — .
Montrose allows himself to be overruled. Huntly carried to Edin-
burgh ; ever after resented Montrose's behaviour to him — _ __
Huntly committed to the castle of Edinburgh. His second son, Aboyne,
allowed to return ; goes to Berwick. Two of Huntly's daughters
married _.^ ._ _
Answer to King's Manifesto, which was dated twenty-seventh February.
King's Proclamation.
Hamilton comes to the Firth with a fleet
Keeps correspondence with the Covenanters. His mother's behaviour.
Those elected to parliament last year conveen ; answer Hamilton.
Army set on foot against the King. General Lesly gets the command ;
settles the command and distribution of the forces left for the de-
fence of the kingdom. .
218
•218
219
224
225
226
228
228
229
231
232
234
234
237
238
240
246
248
249
250
THE ARGUMENT.
XV
CHAPTER PAGE
XXXVII. Troubles in the north renewed. Lesly encamps at Dunse Law ; King
at Berks, near Berwick. Fall of a bank near the Scottish camp
discovers round stones fit for balls. 233
XXXVIII. Huntly's friends conveen at Strathbogy, to repair their breach of pro-
raise to him; their vain hopes. Account of the insurgents at Strath-
bogy : what set them in motion. Covenanters at Turreff. 234
XXXIX. Gordons resolve to drive them away. Sir George Ogilvie of Banfe.
Gordons dispute who should command them, also, what commission
they had to fight , 236
XL. March to Turreff; come within musket shot. Covenanters fly ; not
pursued ; loss inconsiderable 257
XLI. Gordons fall to plundering; cause the inhabitants subscribe the King's
Covenant. This affair called The Trott of Turrefi'. 238
XL II. Gordons return to Strathbogy, and from thence to Aberdeen ; their de-
bates. Strathloch advises them against being on the offensive;
mediates between them and Marshal. Barrens' Reign ; go to Durris
in order to join Donald Farquharson and Huntly's Highlanders 260
XLIII. Meantime Strathloch goes to Dunnotter to Marshall. His answer.
Gordons disband. , 261
XLIV. A number of the Barons return to Aberdeen, where Marshal beats up
their quarters , , 262
XLV. Gordons return to Strathbogie; cross the Spey. Agreement between
Banff and Innes. Articles subscribed. Innes gains BanflT over ;
and northern Covenanters disband 262
XLVI. Montrose collects his army ; comes through Aberdeen to the kirk of
Udny. Barons disband. Montrose lays siege to Gight. 264
XLVII. Raises the siege speedily, being informed of Aboyne's arrival in the
road of Aberdeen. Aboyne's story. The supply given him by
Hamilton. Dr. Nicholas Monk came to visit the Aberdeen Doctors. 263
XLVIII. Montrose marched from Aberdeen the day preceding Aboyn's coming.
Aboyn comes on shore ; is met by several of his father's friends ;
goes for Strathbogie. James Grant, a son of Carron ; John Dow
Gare ; Aboyne censured for taking them into his party. 266
XLIX. He returns to Aberdeen reinforced ; publishes a band of abjuration 268
L. Read of Cowie. Aboyne and Gun march to Stonehaven ; their views ;
caimon shipped 269
i THE ARGUMENT.
CHAPTER PAGE
LI. Lie at Muchals all night ; Aboyn marches towards Fetteresso. 270
LIL Aboyn's powder blown up accidentally. Ships that had Aboyn's cannon
and powder on board driven to sea. Aboyn advances to Meagre
hill. Gun censured. Skirnaish. Second party from Stonehaven.
Aboyn's horsemen retreat. His Highlanders run away in confusion ;
the rest reel and mutiny against Gun ; all drop otf in companies. — 271
LIII. Aboyn sends to Aberdeen, ordering his men to return. This called The
Read of Stonehaven. 274
LIV. Montrose follows Aboyn. Outguards skirmish. Aboyne possesses the
bridge of Dee. Resistance by the Aberdeen's men ; Dundee's men
repulsed. Montrose's cannon brought up ; makes a feint as if to
cross at Banchory ; is followed by the cavalry by Gun's advice.
Johnston wounded; defendants discouraged retreat to Aberdeen.
Gun and Arradoul (Gordon) dispute. Covenanters march straight
to Aberdeen 275
LV. Covenanters enter Aberdeen in great choler; imprison ; hardly restrain-
ed from setting fire to the town ; Marshal and Muchols save it. 280
LVI. News arrives of the pacification of Berwick, on the twentieth of June,
by sea. It was signed only on the eighteenth. Hostilities cease
on both sides 28 1
LVII. Aboyn goes to the King at Berwick 282
HISTORY
SCOTS AFFAIRS.
THE THIRD BOOKE.
HISTORY OF SCO'l'S AFFAIRS.
THE THIRD BOOKE.
XXX. How soone the Commissioner was gone, candles wer brought in A. D. 1038.
to the churche ; and the moderator begann for to exhorte the members of the ^,~, 7 ,
' ^ ^ Moaeratur s
Assemblye that since kinges wer Chryste's subjectes, no member of that speccli.
meeting should suffer themselves, either for feare of or favour to any man,
for to be reduced from the obedience to Chryste's commandes in the
leaste ; that now they wer to reley upon Chryste's immediate praesedencye
amongst them, whom, from the very beginning of ther bussinesse, they had
founde going favourably alonge with them ; that Chryst biddes all expect
that tbinges shall come for the best to thoise who comitte themselves to him
for ther gwyde ; that they needed not for to be discouraged for any blockes
that should be cast into ther waye, specially with thoise wherby it was ma-
nifestly discovered how praejudicial this worke they wer about was to the
kyngdome of Sathan and of Antichryste, as also how acceptable it was to
Chryste, the Generall of this combate, for to rebuild the ruines of his be-
loved Zion.
XXXI. Immediatly therafter Lord Erskyne,* eldest sonne to the Earle Lord Erskine
of Marre, stood upp and made a speeche (with teares, say such as have J"'"^ ''"^ ^°'
vcnantors ;
wryttne this uarratione,t although himself, who is presently living and is and others.
Earle of Marr,(') deneys it constantly,) to this pourpose : My Lordes and the
rest, my heart hath been long with yow ; I will dally no mor with God ; I
begge to be admitted into your blessed Covenant, and pray yow all to pray
• This was done by Erskyne after the vote for continuance of the Assemblye.
t So that the Moderator and some others weeped after him for company. M.S. Historye
of Glasgow [Assembly. See Baillie's Letters, toI. i. p. 119.]
(1) [John, ninth Earl of Mar, succeeded to that title in 1654. He died in September,
1668.]
4 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. God for mee, that he would forgive me for dallyng with him so longe.* It
is undoubtedly true that much after this fashione the Lord Erskyne tooke
the Covenant, which he, presently living whilst I wrytte this, deneys not ;
only he protestes that it was with his conscience, although now he fyndes
mor sorrowe for tacking the Covenant so unadvysedly then he founde then
for his supposed delaye in swearing thertoo. Three other of meaner
qwalitye t desyred the same, and so all thes four wer presently admitted into
ther Covenant. It is reported by some,t and suspected by mor, that thes
men, specially the Lord Erskyne, wer resolved to enter in Covenant befor
that tyme, but wer reserved on pourpose for doing it that honoer, for the
encourao-ement of others : For no sooner had they sworne, and the moderator
receaved them all by the hande, but presently he desyred the whole audience
for to admire God's approbatione and sealing of ther proceedinges, that
even at that instant, when they might have feared some shrinking and back-
slyding, because of the present rupture. He had moved the heartes of thes
men to begg admittaunce into ther societye.
Immediatly therafter, diverse stoode up and spocke, but all much about
one, and to this sence : They had seen how carefull and punctwall the
King's Commissioner was, lycke a good servant, faithfully for to serve the
King his maister, and to observe his instructiones ; how much mor then
ought they to be carefull to be founde faithfull in following his instructiones
who was maister to them and to the Comissioner's maister lyckwayes : a
compliment that the moderator, amongst others, had passed oftner then
once that night.
The Assem- XXXII. Thes exhortatory speeches being ended, it was thought fitt that
bly is con- yp,.y niirht, befor the rvsing- of that sessione, least some, befor they mette
tinued; they J o ' J ^
* Historia Motuum, pag. 110.
f Mr. Patricke Forbesse from Hollande, and his colleague [Matthew Mackaile], and one
James Malcolme, merchant buigesse of Edinburgh. [Patrick Forbes was the nephew of
Patrick Forbes of Corse, Bishop of Aberdeen, and the son of the well-known John Forbes,
minister at Alford, who was banished from Scotland for the part which he took in the
General Assembly at Aberdeen, in 16U5. " Mr. Patrick Phorbus," says a MS. account of
the Glasgow Assembly, " was so much the more gladly received, because that his father
before him had been ane sutlercr lor the truths of Christ Jesus. To whom the moderator
said thir words, ' Come forward, Mr. Patrick ; before, ye were the son of a most worthy
father, but now ye appear to be the most worthy son of ane most worthy father." " Patrick
Forbes became afterwards " chaplain to the loyal Earl of Teviot, at Dunkirk ; and return-
ing home with the King at the Restoration, was consecrated Bishop of Caithness, anno
1602." Errol MS. He died in 1G80.]
J Large Declaration, potj. 287.
Ch. XXXII.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
againe, should be threatned, others allured to desert the Assembly/') for to A. D. 1038.
putt it to voicino: : First, whither, notwithstandin"- the Kinoe's Comissioner's ,~T
r . o o ^ vote tnem-
departing and protestatione, they wold adhere to ther owne protestatione selves compe-
and continow the Assemblye. They all voiced afBrmativly, except the Lord tent judges of
Carneggye, commissioner from the presbytrye of Brichen ; Sir Johne Car- and that thev
neffsve of Eithye, commissioner from the presbytrye of Arbrothe ; Mr. Johne ^^^'"'^ '° P™-
r J J ^pgj jj^ tlieir
Anann*'^) and Mr. Joseph Brodye,(3) commissioners from the presbytrye f,.;^!
of Strabogye ; the ministers and laye elder commissioners from the presby-
trye of Peebles ; Doctor Johne Strange, Principall of the Colledge of Glas-
gow ; Doctor Johne Barron, <<^ comissioner from the Universitye of St. An-
drews, with some others,* who refoosed to sitte with them any longer. Some
(1) [" It was good we were all put to it it presently," says Baillie ; " for if it had been
delayed till the morrow, it is feared that many would have slipt away." — Letters, vol. i. p.
118.]
(2) [Parson of Kinore. This parish now forms part of that of Huntly.]
(3) [Minister at Keith.]
(4) [Dr. John Barron, Provost of St. Salvator's College, St. Andrew's, and brother to the
learned Dr. Robert Barron, Professor of Divinity in Maiischal College, and Bishop elect of
Orkney.]
• Adde Mr. Patrick Mackgill, Mr. Patricke Lyonne, Mr. Thomas Thoris [minister at
Udny], Mr. .lohne Wattsone, Mr. Thomas Makenzie. [Spalding adds, the Constable of
Aberdeen " John Kennedy of Kermuck, a ruling elder of the Presbytrye of Ellon ;" and
" Mr. Andrew Logic, person of Rayne." Hist, of Troub. vol. i. p. 81. The names of the
members who withdrew were expunged from the roll of the Assembly ; so that they do not
appear in the list wliich was afterwards published by Warriston, in the Answer to the
Bishops' Declinator, and is reprinted in Stevenson's Hist, of the Church of Scot. vol. ii.
p. 475 — 181 ; and in the Records of the Kirk, p. 109 — 111. So much of this document as
relates to the Synods of Angus and The Mearns, Aberdeen, and Murray, is subjoined.
L THE SYNOD OF ANGUS AND THE MEARNS.
" Presliyterie of Meggill.
M. George Symmer minister at Mcggill.
M. George Halyburton minister at Glen-
ylla.
lames Lord Cowper Elder.
Presbyterie of Ditndie.
M. Andrew Wood minister at Monj'footh.
M. lohn Robertson minister at Achter-
house.
David Grahame of Fentrie Elder,
lames Fletcher Provost of Dundie.
Presbyterie of Forfar.
M. lohn Lindesay minister at Aber-
lemno.
M. Silvester Lammy minister at Glames.
M. Alexander Kynninmount minister at
Killimure.
lames Lyon of Aldbarre Elder.
David Hunter Provest of Forfar.
John Grahame Bailie of Montrose.
Robert Demster Bailie of Breehen.
Presbyterie of M ems 'iFordoun'].
M. lames Sibbald minister at Benholme.
M. Andrew Mill minister at Fetteresso.
Mr. Alexander Symson minister at Con-
weth [Laurencekirk].
Sir Gilbert Ramsay of Balmain Elder."
No commissioners appear from the Presbyteries of Brechin and Arbroath, or from the
burghs of Arbroath and Bervie.
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. III.
Commission-
ers from
Stratlibogy
advise with
tlie Commis-
sioner about
staying.;
of thes (its saide) pretended they would have stayed, but complained that
ther comissiones did give them no latitude to staye after the removall of the
Kinge's Comissioner. The second thing that was voted was, whither or not
the Assemblye, though discharged by the Commissioner, was competent
judge to the Bishopps, and whither they wold goe on in ther tryall, not-
withstanding the reasones contained in ther Declinator : and this passed
affirmativly, without a contrarye voice ; and so for that night the Assembly
was dismissed.*
XXXIII. After the rysing of the Assemblye the two above named
ministers, commissioners for the presbytrye of Strabogye, went to the
Kinge's Comissioner, humbly desyring his grace to tell them what theye
should doe, they being cast in two extremes betuixt disobedience to the
Kinge's commande and the members of the Assembly, who wer resolved all
II. THE SYNOD OF ABERDEEN.
" Presbyterie of Aberdene.
M. David Lyndesay minister at Bal-
helvie.
M. William Guild minister at Aberdene.
lames Skein of that Ilk Elder.
M. lohn Lundie Humanist for the Vni-
versitie of Aberdene.
Presbyterie of Heir.
M. Andrew Cant minister at Pitsligo.
M. lames Martine minister at Peterhead.
M. Alexander Martine minister at Deir.
Alexander Eraser of Fillorth Elder.
Presbyterie of Aifurd.
M. lohn Young minister at Keig.
M. lohn Ridfurd minister at Kinbettock
M. Andrew Strachan minister at Tilli-
neshill.
M. Michaell Elphinstoun of Balabeg
Elder.
Presbyterie of Turreff.
M. Thomas Michell minister at TurrefFe.
M. William Dowglasse minister at Forg.
M. George Sharpe minister at Fyvie.
Walter Barclay of Towie Elder
Presbyterie of Kinhairne [0'iVee7j.
M. Alexander Robertson minister at
Clunic.
Presbyterie of Gmioch.
M. William Wedderburn minister at Bath-
el nie [Old Meldrum].
Andrew Baird burges of Bamfe."
[Towie].
No commissioners appear from the Presbyteries of Ellon and Fordyce, from the city of
Aberdeen, from The Marischal College, or from the burghs of Kintore, Inverury, and CuUen.
HI. THE SYNOD OF MURRAY.
" Presbyterie of Forresse.
M. William Falconer minister at Dyke.
M. lohn Hay minister at Raffert.
M. David Dumbar minister at Edin-
kaylly.
William Rosse of Clava Elder.
M. John Dumbar Bailie of Forresse.
Presbyterie of Innernesse.
M. lohn Howistoun minister at Wartlaw
[Kirkhil!].
M. Patrick Dumbar minister at Durris
[Dores].
lames Eraser of Bray Elder.
Robert Bailie Bailie of Innernesse."
No commissioners appear from the Presbyteries of Strathbogie, Abernethy, Aberlour
and Elgin, or from the burghs of Elgin and Nairn.]
• Historia Motuum, p. 111.
Ch. XXXIV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 7
to sltt, with whom they wold gladly concurre, if they thought the hazard A. D. 1638.
war not greate to follow. To whom the Commissioner replyed, that they
might sitt still, and remaine with the rest of the members of the Assembly.
" O, but," says Mr. Joseph Brodye,*" your grace has commanded them to
ryse, under paine of treasone : how shall we doe for that ?" " That's trwe,"
sayes the Commis-ioner, " and I cannot but commende your loyaltye, and if
you will lett me know your names particularly, and wher you live, I will
macke your fidelitye and obedience knowne to his Majestye :" and, withall,
caused tacke a note of ther names. The Commissioner furder did ques-
tione them if they wanted charges or any thing else for ther journey home-
wardes, and he wold supplye them ; they tould him they wanted nothinge,
only they thanked his grace for his offer, and so tooke leave. This them-
selves, after ther returne, made no councell of, but related it to nianye.
XXXIV. I shall beer macke a pause, and, befor I proceede any furder, Answer to
give ane accompt of the ansuer which was published afterwardes, in the name Declinator
of the Assembly, to the Bishopps their Declinator ; which, being printed not
long after this tyme of the Assembly, and published at London, ther was
ane answer lyckwayes printed to it at Edinburgh, at lenth, but not that
which but in few wordes on haiste was readde in the Assembly, after the
Declinator was presented. The summe of the Declinator see above, in the
sixth sessione of the Assemblye.C To the preface, which containes. First,
The necessity of nationall synods ; Second, The authoritye wherby synodes
are called ; they ansuer,* That the bishopps' protestatione concerning the
necessitye of nationall synods, is protestatio contra factum ; since, for
many yeares past, the bishopps have been the only impediment and hin-
derers of calling Generall Assemblyes, being to them as dreadfull as a
generall councell to the Pope. To the second they ansuer, that heerby the
bishopps, for ther own privatt interest heerin, doe flatter the King ; for,
albeit it be ingenously acknowledged, that the supreme magistrate may in-
dicte a synodef when he thinkes expedient, yet are not all guiltye of trea-
sone who shall necessarly conveene at any time without his warrant; for then
all Christians, for the first three hundred yeares after Chryst, should have
(1) [See above, vol. i. p. 100—168.]
* Historia Motuuna, pag. Ill, et seqq. [See also Stevenson's Hist, of the Church of
Scut., vol. ii. p. 518 — 334.]
t See the qiicstione of the power of calling Synodes handled, and all that is heer instanced
for it, ansuered by Grotius, Dc Jure Mayistratus Circa Res Ecchsiasticas, cap. "mo.
o HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A: D. 1638. been traitors. If it be excepted that ther is a disparitye betuixt ane hea-
thne and Christian prince, it is not deneyed but ther is ; and that therfor
the Christian magistrat's consent ought to be sought, and all meanes pos-
sible used for obtaining it. But what if he refoose to asiste, the Churche
being in daunger ; what if he disdaine or neglecte that dutye ; what if he
leave off to doe his dutye in the manifest daunger of the Churche; must the
Churche be guiltye of trcasone for using this necessarye meanes for obviat-
ing eviljs lycke to fall upon it ? Pan'a sunt non apparere et non esse ; et error
cut non resistitur approhatur ; et Veritas cum minime clefensatur opprimitur ;
negligere imperium cum possis deturhare perversos nihil aliud est quam
fovere, dist. 83 canone error. Therfor if the magistrate be willfully wanting
to doe his dutye, the Churche is as free to macke use of its owne right, as
the anciente Christianes wer. Morover, the mor sounde papistes doe not
give so much power to the Pope in calling synods (though they judge him
monarche of the Churche) as the bishopps doe give to the Kinge. See
Antonius de Rosellis, J. V. D. in Monarchia parte 2da, cap. 30. et parte 3a,
cap. 3. who dyed in the time of the Emperor Frederick the Third, anno 1467.
See Antonius de Dominis, [arch] bishop of Spalato, lib. 2. de Repub. eccle-
siast. cap. 7, num. 18. ; Jacobus Almainus, a Sorbonist divyne, who lived
anno 1.510: Who thinke that the Churche may conveene in an Assemblye
(though the Pope should refoose to licence it), by way of requisitione or
admonitione denunciativly, though not by waye [of] authorisatione and prae-
ceptivlye ; and the reasone and fundatione of ther opinione they laye, because
such a preiveleidge and right belonges to the Churche by divyne right. If
thes arguments can be of force for the right of generall councells against
the Pope's flatterers, then much mor they must be concluding for the right
of a churche in convocating nationall synods, as being mor necessaire ;
which is not denyed by Dr. Richard Feeld, though he wer episcopall, lib. 5.
of the Church, cap. 52. Of old, the primats called national synods, yet we
reade not that they gott a speciall consent from the magistrat to indicte
eache of them ; because Emperors and Kinges being Christians, are sup-
posed for to give tacite consente, whilst they themselves embrace Christiane
relligione, and give freedom to their subjectes to professe it publicklye : For
principali concesso, accessoria omnia concessa videntur, sine quibus principale
sartum tectum conservari nequit. Hence the learned author, m his Tractate
for Church Libertye in Defence of the Venetians against the Pope, sayes
that the Emperors, by yeelding liberty to Christians by ther edictes, to
Ch. XXXIV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 9
professe Christian relligion publicklye, did lyckwaye give them libertye for
to call synodes freelye ; for this is a substantial! and absolutly necessarye
pairte of Christian worshipp : Therfor, since it is graunted by acte of Parlia-
ment, anno 1592, it is not necessaire to be alwayes seeking a new warrant
from the King for that ende. But the bishops instance that, albeit it wer
so of old in the Churche of Scottland, yet that it cannot be so now, without
the breach of standing lawes; for in the Parliament 1592, it is declared that
it belonges to the King or his Commissioners for to designe the tyme and
place of ane Assemblye; which is [confirmed] in the Parhament, anno 1G12.
To which the Assembly ansuers : That the title of the acte of Parliament
1592, is a ratificatione of the libertyes and preiveleidges of the trwe Churche ;
therfor, albeit that acte declare that it is the King's right, or his Com-
missioner's, to designe tyme and place, yet it is with that cautlone if he
be present ; which cautione insinuates that, in the Kinge or his Com-
missioner's absence, the right belonges to the Clmrche so to doe ; but that
thes wordes are not to be understoode of any privative right competent to
the Kinge, as if it were left to his arbitriment to indicte or not indicte a
synode, for thus that acte of Parliament should contradicte the title therof,
and this wer to robbe the Church of its right, and not ratifie its rightes and
preiveleidges.
Other thinges necessaire to be spockne concerning this subjecte, the As-
sembly referres to a particular tractate, published upon that subjecte, to
whiche they sende the reader. And then having past the preface, they an-
suer the exceptiones against the Assembly as foUowes : —
First, To the first they answer. It is a calumney, as the dates of the let-
ters sent for that pourpose will cleare ; and suppose it wer so, it is knowne
that if ther be assuraunce that ane Assemblye is to meete, that it is very
uswall for presbytryes in such a case to choose ther Commissioners before
the day bee particularly desitrned ; and that the bishopps cannot deney this,
if they will but remember the waye of choosing Commissioners to the As-
sembly, at St. Andrews, anno 1617.
Second, To the second they answer. That that acte of Parliament, 3,
Jac. 6, 1572, is proscrybed and out of use ; that the cause of that acte
was, that some wold not acknowledge Jacobus VI. to be King whilst his
mother lived ; but that law ceased with her deathe. Secondly, If this ex-
ceptione render the members of the Assembly uncapable to vote, then the
bishopps themselves, and as many as entred into the ministry after her
10 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
deathe, would doe weall to purge themselves from this imputatione. Thirdly,
That acte does not concerne all ministers in generall, hut only suche who
had ecclesiasticall titles and benefices. Fourthly, If ther be any omissione
therof, it is to be laide upon the bishops ther negligence, who did not
cause putt that acte in exeecutione ; but it is not to be charged upon minis-
ters, except it proved that they have refoosed it ; which cannot be objected
to any, since that graduates in Universityes, and such as lately subscrybed
the Confessione of Faithe, have willingly tackne that oathe of fidelitye.
Third, To the third they ansuer, That they would never have refoosed
the subscriptione to the Kinge's Covenant, if another sence had not been
putt upon it, viz. that it did subsiste with all innovationes already intro-
duced, and that it was no barrier to the bringing in of mor ceremonyes :
therefor they are not to be holdne for rebells to the Kinge's commande, till
it be first proved that ther praedecessors tooke that oathe in the sence that
the King now declares it to be tackne in ; and that all subscribents are tyed
to follow the first subscribents meaning is cleare by the acte of councell in
September, 1638.
Fourth, To the fourth, Seing that, by old lawes, not only bishopps, but
also abbots and priors, as weall as they, doe macke upp the third estate of
Parliament, it must follow that such as speacke against bishopps can be no
mor guiltye then thoise who crye downe abbots and priors. As for thes
lawes, whairby bishopps are fully restored unto ther places and dignityes,
specially 1584, they answer. That thes ordinances wer repealed, a7mo 1587,
by the acte of annexatione ; and in place of bishopps and abbots, the small
barrons, comissioners from the shyres, wer erected into a third estate,
who yet sitt in Parliament, and out amongst whom the Lordes of the Ar-
ticles are chossne in aeqwall number with the other two estates, for to sup-
ply the defecte of the ecclesiastickes, who wer then excluded ; nor have the
Parliaments which followd ever tackne away that right fi'om the barrons.
But, albeit it be confessed, that the bishopps alone doe macke upp the
third estate, shall therfor such be accounted guilty of treasone who doe
challendge the bishops faultes, and saye that bishopps are lyable to be cen-
sured in Assembly es? which was confessed at Glasgow Assembly e, 1610,
by themselves, and is declared by the King that they are lyable to Assem-
bly es by his proclamatione, in September, 1638. Are episcopacy e and the
bishopps faultes [so] inseparable, that bishopps must not be censured, least ther
dignitv be woronged, and [ifj which some still crye out, that ministers vices
Cu. XXXIV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 11
ought to be distinguished from ther office, why doe they confounde these A. D. 1638.
thinges heer ? That which troubles them most is, that God's faithfull ser-
vauntes ar no mor affrighted with the buggbeare of the episcopall hierarchy,
but doe call a spade a spade.
Fifth, To the fifth, that presbytryes have forfeitted ther right of electione
of Commissioners, or sending them to the Assembly, because they have de-
pryved ther moderators who wer appoynted by the bishopps, acording to
the actes of the Assembly at Glasgow, 1610, they ansuer. That, in that
very pretended Assembly, it was expressly provyded, that ther should be
yearly Generall Assemblyes holdne ; therfor, since this was not performed, the
bishopps have forfitted that concessione : That thes actes appoynt bishopps to
desygne moderators in provincialls, with consent of presbytryes present ;
which, since they did it not, it was cleare that the presbytryes wer in ther
oune place againe, except the bishopps can prove that the moderators are
designed at the provinciall synods ; which will not be gottne done. Secondly,
Many of thes moderators have willingly dimitted ther functiones, in which
case it is laufuU for presbytryes, by the acte of that Assembly, to choose
new ones; others, chosne by the bishopps, are yet keeping ther places.
Finally, albeit presbytryes had turned out all such moderators, no man can
justly conclude from thence that presbytryes have no power nor preiveleidge,
but aO to be forfeitt : the farrest that can be concluded is, that they are
answerable for the breach of the actes of Generall Assemblye.
Sixth, To the sixth, that laicke elders asisted at the electiones, etc. [they]
ansuer. Since that gentlemen from the Reformatione doe asiste in church
sessiones, who can thinke it absurde that they asiste ministers in presby-
tryes? which is [not only] the practise of the Churches reformed in Holland
and Fraunce, but enacted in this churche ; see Second Book of Discipline,
oftne to this pourpose ; and General Assembly, 1582, ordaines ministers to
reqwyre elders to keepe presbytryes specially in matters of concernement,
amongst which choise of comissioners to Generall Assemblyes is a maine
one. The Assembly at Dundee, 1597, appoyntes the number of ministers and
elders to be sent from presbytryes to synodes, presbytryes then being made
upp of bothe ; so that without ther advyce nothing was done in the Churche ;
see Ambrose, 1st ep. to Timothee [cap. 5.]. If ruling elders are worne
out of use, after so many actes for them, such as have aimed at bishoprickes
are to be blamed for it, who looked upon them as ther only remora ; yet a
few yeares intermissione ought not to prescrybe Churche canones received
12 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
and approvne, since no acte of Assembly can be Instanced wherin they are
abolished. Now it being dangerouse for any one to passe from his right and
power in divyne matters, and since the Second Booke of Policye declares
the office of ruling elders to be agreable to God's worde ; ther is no reason
to upbraide them with the cloathing themselves with that which is ther right,
for preventing the present hurt offered to relligione.
Seventh, To the seventh, Since they name no minister, who, by tri-
bunitian sermons, has stirrd up the people to rebellione, nor any presbytrye
sending ther commissioners, nor any synod to whom they are sent knowes
any suche, all this is to be holdne for a calumney ; nor doe they think that
the bishops would conceale such, if they knew ther names whom they slander
with treasone and schisme at evry worde ; but generalls are deceitfulle.
Eighth, To the eighth we ansuer, That such ministers are not to be ac-
counted shismatickes, because they have opposed episcopall tyrantes (and
modestly too), who wer obtruding upon the Churche the dregges of poperye ;
nor yet perjurd ministers, if they tooke not that ungodly unwarranted oath
which the bishopps constrained many to sweare, who neither knew the
Churche constitutiones nor the bishopps designes, who wer corrupting all
puritye. Sure it is that, without perjury e, it was ever laufull in sinefull pro-
mises for to breacke [faith]. As for the oathe of intrantes, it wanted both
truth in the matter sworne, and justice in the cause of the swearing it : Jus-
tice in the cause, because it was obtruded for the establishment of episcopal
tyrannye in the Churche, which is now evident, albeit at first it was not so,
and consequently at this tyme frees all from perjurye, specially, that oath hav-
ing been concerning things indifferent (as the bishopps confesse) which come
to be removed when they hinder a greater good, without respect to ane oathe,
least the bonde of pietye be the hinderaunce of godlinesse : Next, that the
oath wanted the truth, in the matter sworne, viz. the laufullnesse of the
Assembly of Pearthe, and the five articles ther obtruded, together with
diocesene episcopacye and its appendices, consistent with the first esta-
blished discipline of the Churche ; albeit many thought it so, being deceived
by invincible ignorance, yet now the productione of the authenticke regis-
ters of the Churche has aboundantly cleared the contrarye: Morover this
oathe tackne praejudgeth the oathe tackne laufullye by all ministers, in ther
fathers' persones, and by themselves, whilst theye tooke degrees in Universi-
tyes : Therfor, since such rash oathes bynde not, the ministers who breacke
them are not to be holdne for perjured ; for justice breackes unjust bondes.
Cn. XXXIV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 13
But what if this objection macke against thebishopps themselves, Who dare A. D. 1638.
not deny but that they have brockne the cautions to wliich they wer bounde
by oathe at ther inauguratione to ther bishoprickes, by the acte [of] Assem-
bly at 3Iontrose, anno 1600, which notwithstanding then, whither English or
Popish, they abjured by oathes, and which scarce will be beleeved except
ther main man had printed it : They confesse that they swore to observe
some of thes cautiones for a tyme, rather then with a designe to observe them
continwallye therafter ; a chinke through which heathnes would be ashamed
to macke an escape, who abhorred that of the poet, Juravi lingua, mentem
injuratam gero. As for thes four commissioners, who are alledged to be
fledde ft-om the censures of the Churche of Irelande (for ther are but four of
them at most), it is ansuered. They are Scottish by birth, and by professione
ministers of the Churche of Scottlande ; ther cryme was only because that,
adhering to the simplic'.tye of the rytes of the Churche of Scottlande, they
could neither be wonne by force nor allurmentes for to confesse that the
Enalish Hierarchy and Service Booke wer altogether agreable to the worde
of God : So that albeit they were censurable in Ireland upon that accompt,
yet was not the Churche of Scottland tyed to acknowledge ther censures,
since it did mantaine paritye of pastores, and lyckwayes did owne a mor pure
simple forme of discipline : Furder, it did acknowledge such as wer called
to the ministrye laufuUy to be laufull ministers, since that censure did not
bynde any without Irelande. As for the ministers within the Church of
Scottland whom the bishopps affirme to bee lyable to censures, and under
processe, it is ansuered. They know none such, except they meane the High
Commission, which is an unlaufuU judicatory, and sett upp from its originall
for to silence faithfull ministers ; and it is trwe which Gelasius sayes, causa
11. quest. 3., Apud Deum et ejus ecclesiam neminem potest gravare injusta
sententia : ita ergo ea se nan ahsolvi desideret, quia se nullatenus perspicit
ohligatitm. Lastly, they saye, that ther needes some solide proofe to macke
out that which the bishopps affirme, that all the ministry of the Assembly
deserve deposition, it being a bloody sentence ; that the bishops did ca-
lumniate boldly, knowing that somewhat still would sticke.
Ninth, To the ninth, that laicke elders are admitted to a definitive voice
in the Assembly, they ansuer, First, That such ought not to be called
laickes ; for the Bookes of Discipline calle them churchmen : and justly are
they called clerici, though chossne out amongst the people, for a calling to
any ecclesiasticke function makes men clericos, if so be that Gratian speacke
14 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
truthe, (list. 21. cap. Cleros, ex Isidoro, et causa 12 q. 1. cap., duo sunt ge-
nera, he proves out of Hierom, Clericos sic dictos quia sorte electi sunt, ut in
Christi ecclesia deserviant : and [if] they are to be esteemed laickes when
they receede from ther charge, that they ought not to be called laickes
whilst they beare ane ecclesiasticke functione and a publicke charge. Se-
cond, This exceptione admitted, destroys all the Synods holdne in Scottland
since the Reformatione, not excepting the corrupt Episcopall Assemblyes,
wher still some elders had voice ; this will anull all Assemblyes of the
Churche over sea ; this assertion is censurable in the bishopps, though
nothing else wer to be objected to them : nor will it be a retreate to them to
saye " that such laickes as are delegated by the supreme magistrate have
power of a definitive suffi-age :" for thus they robbe the Churche of its right,
which ever sent such as it best pleased ; that this was knowne in the pri-
mitive Churche, whose practise the Churche of Scottland has followed, in
which laickes (as they contemptibly call them) were still commissionate, and
that by express acte of the Assembly at Dundee, 1597, wher both ther
number is defynd, and lyckwayes it is declared that presbytryes have power
to send them, and to elect them also : That of old godly princes thought
it eneuch to admonish Churches whom they should sende, but the nomina-
tione of such they left to the Churche, who had the right, as they knew.
To thes wordes of the Councell of Calcedon, Mitte foras superjluos, to
such, as Whittacker's ansuer is not satisfactorye (that thes superjiui wer the
clergymen, monkes, and laickes, who favoured Entiches, whom they
thought fitt to exclude, for shunning of tumultes, since they had laufuU dele-
gatione from none) ; if they by thes meane the gentrye and nobles sitting in
the Assembly, then they putt an unsufferable efi'ront upon men of honour :
If this ansuer doe not please them, then lett the bishopps be content to heare
Matthew Sutlive, an episcopall man for them, de concil. lib. 1. cap. 34. who
retortes this argument upon Bellarmine, who therby would debarre laickes
from the Synodes: " That thes wordes are not the wordes of the Fathers
of the Councell of Chalcedon, but that Dioscorus and the ^■Egyptians, fa-
vourers of heretickes, did so crye out. Thus," says he, " whilst Bellarmine
can fynde no safe subterfuge amongst the testimoneyes of orthodoxes, he is
constrained to flee to the heretickes, and to seek their asistance :" So doe
the bishopps beer, to whom they doe not grudge this passage. To Theo-
dosius the younger his wordes, they ansuer. If it be tackne strictly what he
spocke, it is hard for to defende the supreme magistrate his definitive voice,
Ch. XXXIV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
15
against papistes, who macke use of this passage against his power in Church
matters ; or how will ministers be proved to have power to vote contrare to
papalls, who deney it to them upon this acoompt ? for bishopps will sweare
that presbyters are not in the order of the most holy bishopps, nor will
Athanasius be spared ; who, at the Council of Neece, had a hande in the
transactiones against Arrius, then befor he was a bishopp. [And what if
Theodosius did meddle in the atfairs of that Councell of Ephesus ?] Will that
or will not that voide all the actes of that Councell ? But, albeit he was not
present, yet he sent Candidianus, who did acqwaynt the Emperor with all
thinges : Wherfor Whittacker thinkes this to be fained, since it is not to be
founde in the old coppyes, and because it is apparent in itselfe to be false.
Lastly, Thes thinges are saide to be ill translated out of the Greeke ; for
To» "ilu tea xoL-rxxiyau rZi WitKCTM, should be rendered eorum qui sunt extra cata-
logum episcoporum, and not eorum qui non sunt in ordine episcoporum : so
the sence is that they only wer to vote who had comissione, as also such as
war reported by the bishopps out of the letters of publicke authoritye which
they used to present, as Junius does weall observe. To the commande of
the Empresse Pulcheria they ansuer. That it was very just, being that such
as she commanded to be thrust out did intrude themselves, and carry very
uncivilly, without any comissione ; the which cannot be applyed to the
ruling elders sent to this Synode : To which may be rejoynd, that ther
wer laickes at the Councell of Calcedon, without delegatione from the Em-
peror, whom the bishops did bringe alonge with themselves ; it was
graunted to thes to be present, which is deneyd to others ; but to what
pourpose wer they present, if they had no vote ? Lastli/, To that of Mar-
tinus, the Archimandrite, they ansuer, that he refused to subscrybe,
putting it over upon the bishopps, because he favoured Eutiches, the
hereticke, who was condemned by the Councell. They say furder. That by
this instance it is probable that, in the tyme of the Councell of Calcedone,
that others besydes the clergye should have a definitive voice in Synodes :
otherwayes, why should the Synod have reqwyred the subscriptione of one
who was abbot of a society of monkes ? For Hierom sayes, alia est mona-
chorum causa alia clericorum ; clerici oves pascunt, ego pascor ; and, in
another place, he sayes, monachus tion docentis, sed plangentis habet ojfficium:
Nay, and the very Councell of Chalcedone did decreet that monkes should
not meddle with the office of churchmen ; because they wer laickes, and
inferior to deacons and other ministers of the Churche : But albeit all thes
16
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. wer graunted to be as the bishopps would have it, yet it will not follow
thence that the Assembly is null, because the questione is not now if the
Assembly should be constitute as it was in thes corrupt tymes of the
Churche, but if ruling elders can consiste with the discipline of the Churche
of Scottlande : The bishopps objectiones to the contrary are all borrowd
from Romanistes, to whom the doctors of the Reformed Churche ansuer
fuUye, so that it is a shame for the bishopps to disowne the protestantes,
and with papalls to affirme that only churchmen have decisive voice in Synod.
Are ther not amongst the people who are able ? Have they not concerne-
ment in opposing errors of the Churche ? Shall they be debarred, because
they are laickes ? This will exclude evne the supreme magistrate, and his
delegates, to whom the bishopps doe yeeld a definitive voice.
But because the bishopps bragge that Scripture and antiquitye are for
them, it shall be seene that Scripture and antiquitye are not wantinge for that
elders be caOed to voice who have giftes and a calling so to doe. Instance
Actes [chapter] xv. verse 4 ; to what pourpose is the questione brought to all
the churche, if all had not interest in giving sentence ? See verse 7 ; et verse
12, [which] proves that others spocke besyde the apostles and presbyters;
and verse 22, " Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole churche,
to send chossne men of ther own companie to Antioche :" the word tS»|£ is
[as] weall applyable to laickes, as to the apostles and elders, and implyes a
definitive voice : verse 23, the synodicke letters wer sent in the name of
the apostles, elders, and brethren ; therfor it foUowes that the people gave
sentence and subscrybed ; now, subscriptiones are most certaine proofs of a
definitive voice : Againe, verses 25th and 28th, " it seemed good unto us,"
is [repeated] ; out of which testimoneyes Ludovicke, Cardinal of Aries, in the
Synod of Basile, collectethe, That others besydes bishopps had a definitive
voice in the Synode. Any that would see the viudicatione of this place
against the papalls, lett them reade all our doctors who have wryttne therof
and of Synods, against the papistes. Reason lyckwayes proves it : for
being that a Synode ought to consiste of a representative of all the Churche
of that natione, it must follow that it ought to consiste of all sortes, and
orders, and degrees of men, quia quod ad omnes pertinet, Jirmum esse
non potest sine consensu omnium : et quod omnes tangit ah omnibus trac-
tari et approbari debet : which, to this pourpose, is citted by Jewell, as
a canon confirmed by Theodosius in the Councell of Calcedone : which Dr.
Feild sales is founded in nature and reasone. But thinges to be handled
Ch. XXXIV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS 17
in SjTiodes pertaine to all ; and laickes as weall as clergyemen are citti-
zens of the churche, to whom God oftne tymes gives the gifte of inter-
pretatione in as great measure, and oftne in a greater then to ministers ;
which, since it is givne for the good of the whole churche, it is very un-
juste for to hyde ther talent under a bushell. Now, what place is meeter
for the exercise of this gifte then a Synode ? whoise judgement is not
authoritative but inquisitive and bynding, by reasone of the proofe brought
from God's worde. Now, if authoritye may be competent as weall to laickes
as to the clergye, and is givne unto them by publicke comissione, who ought
for to qwarell with ther being present at Synodes ? And if any thinke that
thes giftes are only competent to bishopps, let him remember the heavy
complainte of Gregory Nazianzene against the bishops of his tyme, Qui
licet rustici, idiotae, ilUterati, nulla sacrarum literarum scientia praediti, nee
in rebus sacris e.rercitati, in Si/nodis tamen ausi fuerint judicium ferre.
Therfor, Spalato says (lib. 7. cap. 3) that Nazianzen did justly distaste
thes Synods ; lyckwayes Marsilius Patavinus (def. pacis, parte 2da, cap. 9.)
observes of the greater and lesser clergye of his tyme, Et deo teste, (sayes
he) et Jidelium mnltitudine, sacerdotes plurinios abbates et prelatos quosdam
me vidisse Sf audiisse memini adeo diminutos, ut nee grammatice qiddem
congruum scirent proferre sermonern, ideoque suadet generate concilium, per
non sacerdotes integrari ; having for to prove that, brought the example
of the Apostles, and Isidorus his authoritye. Therfor they looke ill to the
good of the churche who sleight the learndest of the laitye and tacke in the
ignorant amongst the clergye ; see Spalat. [de repub. ecclesiast.] lib. 7,
cap. 3. The practise of the primitive churche, [even] after the episcopall
ambitione prevailed, will be founde frequent eneuch this waye, and such ex-
presse footestepps of this custome that they cannot be blotted out : Theo-
doret, bishop of Cyrus, epist. 81, desyres a Synode which may consiste not
of bishopps alone, but of judges and others, eminent in dignity e and skillful
of divyne matters. Marsilius Patavinus, ubi supra, cittes Isidorus Merca-
tor his sentence, and approves it, which runnes thus, Deinde ingrediantur
et Laid, qui electione Concilii interesse meruerunt : much mor, then (sayes
Marsilius), scollers and skilled in divinitye, albeit they be not priests. The
canons of the [second] Councell of Orange wer subscrybed by illustriouse
men of remarke, Magdeburg. Cent. 5. cap. 9. At the Councell of Colonia
Agrippina, Coline, 887, laickes wer present, by whoise consent the canons
of that Councell wer published. At the Councell of Metis, [Concilium]
18 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
Metense, under Arnulphus, several! earles (or comites) wer present, noble-
men and other laickes, fearing God. In the beginning of the first chapter
the fathers saye thus : Episcopi, presbi/teri et fideles Laid qui ante nos
fuertint, juxta sacram carionum authoritatem saepius in Christi nomine con-
venientes, justitiam Dei statuerunt, et idcirco suis diebus pacem habuerunt :
see Spalato, ubi supra, for mor of this. The author of the Review of the
Councell of Trent, albeit a papiste, yet, lib. 1. cap. 8., sayes, Ab omni sae-
culo post receptam Christiani nominis professionem, laicis suffragium defini-
tivum competivisse in conciliis : to prove this he cittes Actes xv. 2.3, and
many Frensh and Spanish Synodes. At the Councell of Constance wer
present twenty-four dukes, one hundred and forty earles (or comites) and
many commissionat from cittyes and universityes, doctors, and professors of
the law, all of them laickes. A greater number of laickes wer present at the
[first] Councell of Pisa. If Cyprian's tymes be looked unto, it will be founde
that not only bishopps and presbyters wer present at Councells, but all the
people also, or the greatest pairt therof. Lastly, As Sutlivius, an episcopall
man, says, de concil. lib. 1, cap. 8. [parag ult.], Nulla lege aut consuetu-
dine, vel principes et docti viri a suffragiis decisiois in coiicilio excluduntur,
neque aliquid contra eos investigari poterit, licet omnes angulos perreptet
Bellarminus, or any who have after him, or will undertacke the defence of
so desperat a cause : Therfor, since thes authors testifie that such as are
meerlye laickes have had, and may, and ought to have, a definitive voice in
anye councell, evne in generall councells, by what law can thoise be re-
foosed it who are elders in churches ? who, by reasone of ther office, are to
be joyned to churche men, and reockned to be suche, and not at evry third
worde, by way of derisione and contempt, to be called laickes : The prac-
tise of the Reformed Churches, who all runne this way, and ther doctors
should not be sleighted : or, if any disdainfully will rejecte them, lett him
heare that of Augustine, Qui contemjjta veritate praesumit consuetudinem
sequi, aut circa Jratres invidus est et malignus quibus Veritas revelatur, aut
circa Deum ingrafus cujus inspiratione ecclesia instruittir.
Tenth, To the tenth, that the Assemblye is pairtye, looke for ansuer to
the dispute betuixt the moderator and Doctor Bacanquell, session seventh,('>
and adde as follows : Since the bishopps declyne the Assembly as pairtye,
why doe they call themselves members of the Churche of Scottlande ? since
(1) [See above, vol. i., p. 175 — 178.]
Ch. XXXIV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 19
the SjTiod, by the commissioners from churches, representeth all and evry A. D. 1638.
one of the Scottish churches ; so they cannot be members of it who cast all
and evry one as pairtye. Secondli/, Since the Nationall Assembly is the
supreme churche judicatorye, and has power to decyde all churche contro-
versyes, it cannot be declyned, saye the divynes of Great Brittaine, in the
Synod of Dorte, annis 1618, 1619: Nor are any exceptiones to be hearde
against it, which is the highest judge. Thirdhj, Albeit the comissioners of
the Assembly, befor its indictione, did praecondemne thes thinges that wer
to be disputed in the Assemblye, they did but that which was ther diitye ;
adhering to the doctrine and discipline first established, they opposed them-
selves, according to ther charge, to such as wer corrupting botbe, which be-
longeth to all ministers : all this will be no hinderaunce but any thing can
be brought against them by the bishopps out of God's worde, for they are
willing to embrace that, and chaunge their opinione. Fourthly, It cannot
be proved that anything has been privatly condemned by any commissioners
which was not befor condemned by the Churche of Scottlande, as they are
ready to demonstrate: As for episcopacy, they did not praecondemne it,
but referred it to the Assembly to be judged whither it ought to be looked
upon as one of the corruptiones of the discipline of the Churche of Scott-
lande : For the five Articles of Pearthe, they did not simply then abjure, but
only did promise for to abstaine from the practise therof till the synod should
declare whither they wer to be accounted amongst the errors condemned
in the Nationall Confessione. Nor is the instance concerning the Reformers
declyning the Councell of Trent to any pourpose ; for as ther is such a dis-
paritye betuixt the two Assemblyes themselves, that any protestant may be
ashamed to paralell the two together, wherin bishopps wer judges, the popes
slaves, the popes will the rule of ther decisione, to gratifie whom all wer
sworne, which was so relligiouslye observed by them, that they durst not
give ther definitive voice in the lightest matters, till it was sent in a cloak-
bagg from Rome to Trent : Ther is lyckwayes a disparitye betuixt the
first Reformers and thes bishopps ; for the Reformers disclaimed union to the
Churche of Rome, having abjured it as Anti-Christiane ; as for the bis-
hopps, they doe professe themselves to be members of this churche ; Ther-
for if the bishopps follow ther example, they must renounce our communion :
And refusall of some Fathers to be present at the xuo-Tj/^a;; Synodis, is ill ap-
plyed by the bishopps to a just refusall by them to be scene at this Assem-
blye ; since they are citted for to purge themselves of crymes laid to ther
20 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. HI.
A. D. 1638. charge. To what they say, that the judges are pairty, it is answered, That
the cause for which the bishopps are cited, concernes not the ministrye
alone, but the whole Churche ; and the bishopps did agree, anno KiOO, that
they should be answerable to the censure of annwall Generall Asseinblyes,
in case they transgressed the cautiones prescrybed to them : Therfor, since
by agreement it is appoyntcd that the pairty offended shall lyckwayes be
judge, that exceptione is frivolouse.
Eleventh, To the eleventh, concerning that hatred which the members of
the Assembly beare to the bishopps. It should be proved. The renewing of
the Covenant they confesse, but not out of hatred to the bishopps, or to
hurt them (or any man), if they be free from the challendge laide against
them by ther Covenant : they show ther hate against the faultes, not the
persones of men. As to that lybell wherby the bishopps wer citted, which
they instance as an unquestionable proofe of ther hate, it is answered, That
the lybell contained two sortes of crymes ; first of thes about which ther was
fama clamosa and publicise scandall ; second sort wer so notoriouse, that it
was questioned whither in a cause so notoriouse, wittnesses wer needfull or
not ; and if any double, he may be easily cleared by an over reading of the
lybell. Some of ther personall faultes wer so clearly proved, that the As-
sembly was ashamed for to insiste in the enquery any longer. Some of thes
crymes objected wer not proved, pairtly for want of tynie, and pairtly by
reasone of the wittnesses ther absence, and not as if our consciences did witt-
nesse ther innocency. If the bishopps desyre to have thes thinges proved,
they may for us ; but it is to be feared that they shall fall under the ac-
cusatione. But they say, why was that lybell reade publickly in all the
churches of the kyngdome ? Ansuer, not for to proclalme ther crymes, but
because this was the surest and the only way left for citatione, being that
the King's Comissioner refoosed to graunte processe against them, that so
for want of citatione they might escape censure. Nor need they heere to
crye out against wante of charitye ; for charitye that is discreet so covers
sinnes that it does leave its own place to justice, which commandes to rebuke
openly such as sinne openlye ; and none doubles but the safety of the
Churche ought to be mor regarded then the fame or reputatione of incen-
diars and seducers. As for the precept of the apostle, not to rebuke an
elder, etc. it meanes an oulder in yeares ; otherwayes such as sinne pub-
lickly must be publickly rebooked, of whatever age he bee. Nor did any
member of the kyngdome suffer praejudice, the accusatione being against
Ch. XXXIV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 21
bishopps themselves, and not the order of episcopacye, of which abeady, in A. D. 1638.
the ansuer to the fourth exceptione. The citatione super inqidrendis is
deneyed, for the speciall undenyable crymes are instanced. As for three
summondes, they wer not necessary, and are only to be befor inferior judi-
catorys, which meet oftner then once a yeare, but not befor the highest
judicatoryes, for else delinquents would escape censures till the third yeare.
But what needs three summondses successivly ? for by ther declinator they
acknowledge the first ; for, as the lawiers saye, Citatio vero contumaciam indu-
cere potest, si scientia citationis apprehenderit citatum, atque ita comperiatur
malitiose aut dolose latitare. Of the lycke nature is ther exceptione that the
summonds ought to have been directed out by the General Assembly ; for
it is the ordinare practise for sessiones to cite to presbytryes, and presby-
tryes to synods, etc. : This is only questiond by the bishopps, that, for
wante of forme, they may escape censure. Lastly, Wheras they object
that the summondes did charge evry one of the bishopps with all the crymes
therin contained ; the Assembly ansuers. That this was done because all of
them together had conspyred into ane factione, and because they wer all
guiltye of some crymes ther specifyed.
Twelfth, To the twelfth it is ansuered. That the bishopps, as bishopps,
have no voice in Generall Assemblyes, is cleare. By the acte of Assembly
at Montross, 1600, and the yeare 1.597, it was enacted, that whatever
minister came to the Assembly, they should be commissionate from presby-
tryes ; which two church actes are neither yet abrogate, nor ought to be
abrogated, because they are founded upon the law of nature, and are in
continwall custome in other Reformed Churches, amongst whom thes only
are admitted to vote who have laufull delegatione from the churches : Be-
cause the synod representeth the churche, therfor such as are not com-
missionate from the churches to the synode cannot represent any churche ;
except they will affirm, with Bellarmine, that the churche is represented by
bishopes, as the republicke is represented by the prince ; which Wliittacker,
in his Controllers, de conciliis, aboundantly refootes, controv. 3. quaest. 3.
Adde to this, that all the doctors of the Reformed Church affirme that it is
necessaire for such as are to have voice in synods for to be accomplished
with necessary giftes and a laufull call ; which laufull call they explaine to
be chossne and commissionat by the churche for that effecte. If the
bishops have this, left them shew it ; if they instance old councells, then
left them remember quod veritati a nemine praescribi posse ; and that the
22 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
Church of Scottland is not to be modelised acording to the methode of old
councells, seing it has extirpate that hierarchye as ane human inventione,
which did macke waye for Antichryste ; nor can it be proved that episco-
pacy is as yet restored by any free Assemblye.
Thirteenth, To the thirteenth they ansuer, That they justly refuse prece-
dencye to the primates and metropolitans of this natione, since it is agreed
in the Booke of Discipline of the Church of Scottlande that a moderator
be chossne by common consente ; which liberty stoode unbrockne tiU anno
1616, in the pretended Assembly of Aberdeen, that the Archbishop of Saint
Andrews obtruded himself for moderator, without any title oi- custome.
Nor is this any new thing, seing that in the Councell of Antioche (un-
der Galien and Aurelian), holdne against Paulus Samosatenus, Malchion
a presbyter of Antioche, did preceede ; see the Cent. Magdeburg. As
for the canons of the Councells of Niece and Antioche, they are not to
pourpose, for ther actes concerning discipline are disused amongst all the
Reformed Churches ; and for the Novells of Justiniane it is ansuered, That
municipall lawes of forraigne princes cannot prescrybe to other kingdomes,
not governed by thes lawes. The bishops ought to prove it out of the
worde of God, or at least out of actes of Assemblyes, that they have
right to moderate in councells. They cite the actes of Parliament, annis
1606 and 1609, wherein they saye the bishopps wer restored, in integrum:
to their temporalityes : the acte restores them, but no furder ; and in the
Assemblyes holdne annis 1606 and 1610, they did not offer to usurpe that
power, though thes Assemblyes wer holdne after the Parliaments of that
years : and they know that the Synod at Linlithgow, 1606, ordained that
the moderator should be chosne by acte of the Assemblye and ther voice ;
which acte isnot abrogate by no other acte to this daye. But then they
tell us that they have their presidencye from Chryste ; wherin they follow the
footstepps of the bishopps of England, who pleade a jus divinum for their
order ; which paradox they will sooner mantaine by amputations then dis-
putationes : By their example they owne that order (which once they
abjurd), first as tollerable ; then to be necessair, not only jure apostolico,
but divino. But then why doe they not instance one passage of scripture to
prove it so to be ? since the canonistes defyne jus divinum to be that which
is contained in the law and evangile, and abydes still unchangable, (lib. 1.
Jure Canon, tit. 2) ; and all that stand at defyance with Rome owne scrip-
tur as the only judge of controversye. And, questionlesse, if they had
Ch. XXXIV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 23
scripture for it, they would shew it, except they be Cassander's followers, A. D. 1638.
who are so enamoured with antiquity e that they thinke ther is a. Jus divinum
founded therupon ; of whom Chamier has truly prophecyed that the state
of the church shall be miserable : For, sales he, except that God doe re-
straine the attemptes of the serai-papistes, it is to be feared that the papistes
shall not become mor correcte, but that we shall be mor corrupte ; of whom,
if ye will, yow may heare the censure of ane ancient father, viz. That it is
devUlish for to putt divyne authoritye upon any thing that is without the
authoritye of the scriptures : this censure, out of ther love to antiquitye,
it may bee that they will listne too mor calmelye. But, albeit a bishop have
his call fi-om Chryste, by what authoritye doe they exercise it in the
Church of Scottlande, which never consented to the setting upp therof ?
And since they ascrybe it neither to Parliaments nor Assemblyes, they
must be holdne for usurpers, for the which, amongst other crymes, they
are citted. But, saye the bishopps, we have our laufull call, by the elec-
tione of the chapter, and episcopall consecratione, by the Kinge's consente,
acording to the old laudable constitutiones of this kyngdome. To this the
Assembly ansuers. If heerby they understand popish canons, we leave them
to thes lawes ; yet that will not be a defence, for thes lawes are oftne
rescinded by posterior constitutiones, et posteriora derogant prioribus :
But lett them shew the least shaddow of warrant graunted by Generall As-
semblyes for episcopall election by chapters ; on the contrare, they are
condemned by Assemblyes as popish. As for the free consent and voice of
the chapter, it is a frivolouse tale to mentione it, for it is weall knowne that
the King names the bishop to be chossne by his letters, and the chapter
must give their consent to his imperiouse requeste ; Nor gett the people
any voice in ther electione, as of okle, as themselves will not deneye ; albeit
Cyprian sayes that Cornelius of Rome, and other bishopps in his tyme,
wer so chossne ; and he sayes that they cannot be otherwayes chosne, since
the people ought to nominate such as are able, and reject others. Wher is
that canon (says Athanasius), tit a palatio mitteretiir episcopus ? See
mor of such electiones, in Spalato de Repub. Ecclesiast. hb. 3. cap. 3.
Therfor, since they are not elected as in Cyprian's dayes, and are but
usurpers, they have no reasone to macke use of any passage of Cyprian.
Rather lett them heare Gregory Nazianzen, concerning the 5rj«Sj«t §• pM-
larchia of bishopps : Propter hanc res omnes nostrae jactantttr et concutiun-
tur, propter hanc fines terrae versantur in suspitiotie, et hello, eoque surdo,
24 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. et ne nomen quidem habente : jiropter hanc periculum est ne magnum illud et
NOVVM nomen amittamus, utinam neque esset praesidentia, neque loci
praelatio, neque violenta praeeminentia, id ex sola virtute cognosceremur.
Nunc autem dextrum hoc latus et sinistrum, suhlimior et inferior sedes, et
ilia praeeundi vel eodein gradu incedendi invecta consuetudo midtas nobis
clades necquicquam intulerunt, etc. Now what is meant by that magnum et
novum nomen'? Augustine telles us, Epist 19, ad Hieronytnum : Secundum
honorum vocabula quae jam ecclesiae usus obtinuit episcopatus presbgtero
major est. Yow must know that he speackes of episcopacye, which, in his
tyme, differed from presbytery, not in the thinge itself, but the title ; not in
the power, but the honor : What wold he have saide if he had seene the
pryde that bishopps at this flay have brought into the churche ?
Fourteenth, To the fourteenth, the Synod deneys [not] that the power of
ecclesiasticall ordinatione was givne to the bishopps [of old] by permissione ;
yet will it not foUow that by the Lord's warrant the bishopps in Scottland
have it. Morover, if bishopps cannot be judged by presbyters who are or-
dained by them, no mor could the presbyters of the Churche of Alexandria
be judged by ther bishopp, for they ordained him, [if] Hierome may be
trusted, who says, Eos semper unum ex se electum, et in excelsiore gradu col-
locatum, Episcopum nominasse : this passage alone is eneuche to close ther
mouthes who ascrybe the right of ordination to bishopps alone. And because
bishopps of old wer not judged by presbyters, it will not follow that the lycke
ought to be in Scottlande, which declares all ecclesiastickes subjectes to ane
General Assembly's censure : none argue thus but thes who, disclaiming
Church canons, runne to custome : And this argument is the begging of
the questione ; for it is in vaine for the bishopps to pleade to be judged
acording to old canons, seing that the Church of Scottland is not obleidged
to be regulated by ther example ; and, if the canons be acuratly followed,
then no bishopp can be judged but befor twelve bishopps, the accusation
being proved by fitt wittnesses, Causa 2da, quest. 5. Canone, Nullam dam-
nationem, &f Praesid non damnetur ; this canon is said to be made by Silves-
ter, bishop of Rome, in Constantinus Magnus his dayes : This waye doe the
bishops enclyne [when they cite] ConcU. Carthag. 2. Can. 10. Now, if
bishopps reqwyre to be judged acording to thes canons, it is lycke that in
haist ther processes shall not be made ; for all thes formalityes will never be
founde in a Kationall Synode ; for the want wherof they will escape all
censur, the which is ther uiaine aime.
Ch. XXXIV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 25
Tlierfor, since all ther exceptiones are frivolouse, ther protestations fol- A. D. 1638.
lomig must fall to the ground. As for that clause concerning the necessitye
of the churche to be governed by bishopps, the synod wonders at ther
impudence, since they cannot prove it by Scripture so to bee ; for it is neither
simply necessaire, being that many churches have flowrished and prospered
without it, wher it was never heard of; nor is it necessaire, in some respectes,
for its utilitye, because that v^d^lx, albeit it was first sett upp of a good
intentione, yet made waye, unperceived, to the ambitione of manye, as
Nazianzen tells yow, vide supra ; what thinke ye would he have saide if he
had seen our bishopps, whoise ambitione has brocke through all barriers, and
now rageth because it sees itself lycke to be restrained ? But why saye we
ambition ? He is blynde who does not descrye a doore opne to Antichryste :
for the aristocraticke apostolicke governement of the churche, by a per-
petwall concessione of prioritye of order to one, has turned and been
chaunged, by little and little, into olygarchye, and lastly into the tyranny of
one oecumenicke universal! pope. How helpfull it has been for to promove
peace, the distracted condition of this churche will wittnesse, which has
found episcopacye, since it was sett upp heer, to have been still the fewell
of schisme, and not the remedye ; for nothing divydes a churche mor then
desyre to rule ; which may be observed in the popes of Rome, whoise heade
can be borne upp with none other then episcopal! shoulders : And it would
macke Democritus laughe for to heare sis bishopps protest, in name of all
the Churche of Scottland (for more then six subscrybe it not), and a few
ministers, either brybed, or terrifyd, or cheated by false narratives, as sun-
drye of them, with teares, did ingenowsly acknowledge ; yet thes few must
macke upp all the Churche of Seottlande, whoise authoritye, and all her
Assemblyes they stryve to anul be such a prodigiouse protestatione. They
say that they are carefull that nothing be determind in the Assembly con-
trare to the churche its liberty, the Kinges power, etc. ; of which it is
cleare that hitherto they have had little regarde : Yet thes thinges they
upbraid, that they may macke us hatefull to the King and neighbour
churches ; albeit the Assembly never intended to worong the Kinges
authoritye, or to putt any marke of infamy on neighbour churches, who
will not tacke it evill if this church, aiming at puritye, reject all that
which she iyndes contrarye therunto, albeit receaved by others ; to whom, as
the Churche of Scottland does not attempt to praescrybe, so she thinkes
others ought not to praescrybe to her by ther example, specially of thes
26 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. churches amongst whom some dregges does yet remaine of the Romish
disease: see Rainold in Thesibus de ecclesia, thes. 5. parag. 29. And
thus much shortly lett it suffice to have saide in ansuer to the bishops
ther Dechnator.
This answer to the bishopps Dechnator, if it gott an answer, it came not
out in publicke ;(') for about the tyme that ther Dechuator was putt out, the
troubles wer begunne ; and the penns which had been ther weapons on both
sydes, for a whyle wer exchaunged with pickes ; armyes on both sydes in the
feelds ; and the King reduced to that extremes that he was necessitate to
give way to the abolitione of Episcopacye in Scottland, and to retreate all
his former declarations against the Covenanters, and all his censures that
he had past upon the former protestations, and approve all as good service
which the Covenanters had done, and to lett the bishopps shift for them-
selves, and others be censured who did owne his intei-est. But to returne
to tlie narratione of the Assembly.
Council meet, XXXV. The Commissioner, after he had left the Assembly, that very
and write the uiuplit, thouffh late, assembled the Councell ; non absent but Argvlle, who
"Kins* o •' ~ ' "*'
excused his absence, and the Lord Almond, then sicke. The Councell did
that night resolve on two thinges ; first, to wrytte a letter of thankes to the
King for his gratiouse proferrs made by his Commissioner at the Assembly ;
next, to draw upp a proclamatione for dissolvinge the Assemblye. The
letter, besyde thankes to the Kinge, contained in it a great commendatione
of Hamilton's skill and honestye, and ane offer to mantaine with ther lyves
and fortunes the Kinge's person and royall authoritye, promising in all
other actiones to approve themselves his Majestyes most loyall and humble
servantes : [subscryved by] Traquair, Roxburgh, Marre, Murrey, Lith-
gow, Perthe, Wigtoune, Kingorne, Tullibardin, Haddingtoune, Gallo-
(1) [Though Gordon seems not to have seen it, nor indeed to have known that it existed,
an Answer to the Bishop's Declinator was published in the beginning of 1639. It differs
in many points from the Responsio Synodi ad Episcoporum protestationem, printed by
Spang, (Historia Motuutn, p. lU — 142,) and of which Gordon, in the text, has given a
translation. Baillie thus notices it ; — " Our next purpose was the bishop's declinature.
Two answers in writ were framed to it, and both read by the clerk. They were confessed
to be raw and rude, but promised to be perfected with the first conveniency ; as indeed,
some days thereafter, I saw two papers, one of the clerk's forming, possibly with Mr.
Calderwood's help, another of Mr. Andrew Ramsay's more short. Both contained solid
answers to all that was material in the bishop's invectives ; yet were thought meet to be
cast in a tliird better mould, which ye see in print, The Answer to the bishops declina-
ture." Letters, vol. i., p. 113. And see Stevenson's Hist, of the Church of Scot., vol. ii.
p. 518—534.]
Ch. XXXVII.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
27
way, Annandaile, Lauderdale, Kinoule, Drumfreeise, Southeske, Angusse,
Elphinstoune, Naper, Dallyell, Have, William Elphinstoune, James Car-
michael, Hamiltoune, Blackeball ; and dated at Glasgow, November twenty-
eighth, 1638. f) To this letter the Earle of Argylle refoosed to sett his
hande ; as he lyckwayes did refoose to subscrybe the proclamatione which
was drawne upp the next morning, and signed by the Comissioner and
Councell.
XXXVI. But notwithstanding of the Comissioners abrupt departur the
night befor, yet the Assembly, who after his removall had voted ther owne
sitting still, did acordingly conveene the next day : And with thes did the
Earle of Argylle joyne himselfe ; although he had no comissione to be a
ruling elder, yet he entred as a weall wisher, to see thinges framed right.
The moderator espying him to be present, (though he knew weall eneuch he
was to come), as if it had been unexpected, fell to request him in his owne
name, and in the name of all the Assemblye, that he wold be entreated for
to stay with them during the sitting of the Assembly, and be wittnesse to
all ther actiones, that he might beare recorde how orderly and legall ther
proceedings should bee. This he suffered himself, with very little diiBcultye,
to be perswaded to yeeld to ; it being very weall knowne to all that he was
come ther both to be wittnesse and a director of ther actings. It is
affirmed* that som wer glade of his comming, as supposing the King and
Commissioner had pourposly directed him to waite ther ; which, as it was not
true, so it was not tackne so by the Assembly, for all knew that the Kinw
befor now suspected him, and the Assembly knew he was ther freende. It
was also much about this tyme that the Earl of Marr, Earl of Wigtoune,
Earl of Kinghorne, Earl of Gallowaye, the Lords of Naper and of Almonde,
and Blackball, declared lyckwayes to the Assemblye that they had subscrybed
the Covenant, which the King had enjoyned, acording to the sence and
practise that it was subscrybed in anno 1580 ; and saide that they thought it
only meetest that the true sence and explicatione therof should be searched
out of the Registers of the Assemblye, and no wher else.
XXXVII. Therafter the Assembly, tacking notice that the bishopps in
their Declinator had objected to them, that some ministers wer members ther
who were under the churche censures, both at home and in Irelande, they
(1) [See the King's Large Declaration, p. 289.]
* Historia Motuiini, p. 184.
Assembly
continue tu
sit. Argyle
joins them ;
and several
other lords.
Sess : &va,
November 29.
Thursdaye.
Ministers
who had been
objected to in
the Declina-
tor are clear-
ed and re-
ceived.
28
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B, III.
A. D. 1638.
Committees.
Bishop of
Galloway's
process be-
gun. Pro-
clamation for
dissolving the
Assembly.
Sum of tlie
King's rea-
sons.
beganne to eoquyre concerning thes. Four of them had fledde out of Irelande,
viz. Mr. Robert Blaire,(') Mr. Johne Levistoune/^) Mr. James IIamiltoune,W
and Mr. James Macklellane,(*) who had gottne a call to places in Scottlande :
[They] declared that they had been questioned in Irelande for no other
reasone but because they did adhere to the puritye of church discipline, and
refoosed for to practise aU thes ceremonyes that the Churche of Ireland was
burthened withall ; and, withall, they shewed that the processes ledd against
them wer not forraall nor legall. After them the three ministers(^) in Scott-
land, vis. Mr. Samuel Rutherfoorde, and Mr. David Dickson,* who wer sus-
pended and confynd by the High Comissione, did so fully cleare themselves of
all that was laide to ther charge by the High Comissione, that all the Assembly
wer easily perswaded for to thinke that they had gottne woronge. Thus,
themselves being wittnesses in ther owne processes, and ther judges owning
them as guiltless before they wer questioned, and no man appearing to say
any thing against them, they gott all of them a quicke absolvitor. f
XXXVIII. The next thing that the Assembly fell upon was for to con-
stitute some mor Comittyes. First, One of thes ComittyesJ wer appoynted
for to searche the registers of the Assembly ; and to declare and report from
thence the true and reall sence of the Confessione of Faithe, as it was sub-
scrybed ab initio, anno 1580 ; and to macke an enqwyry whither all the new
innovationes and chaunges which the discipline of the Churche of Scottland
had suffered in the praeceeding yeares could subsiste therwithall, or if they
(1) [Minister at Ayr.] (2) [Minister at Stranraer.] (3) [Minister at Dumfries.]
(4) [Minister at Kirkcudbright.]
(5) [There were only two ministers in Scotland under the censure of the Court of High
Commission ; the third person alluded to was Alexander Gordon of Earlston, elder for
the presbytery of Kirkcudbright. See Baillie's Letters, vol. i., p. 121. Records of the
Kirk, pp. 149, 150.]
* Mr. Samuel Rutherfoorde was confyned at Aberdeen ; Mr. David Dickson at Turrcft'.
[Rutherford was minister at Anwoth ; Dickson at Irvine.]
•f Alexander Gordon of Earlston, his comission is challendged, but Argylle defended it,
and gott it approvne. [See Records of the Kirk, p. 150.]
X Names of that Comitty : Mr. Andrew Cant, Dr. Guild, Mr. David Dicksone, Mr.
Thomas Mitchell [Mr. David Lindsay, Mr. James Martine, Mr. Harry Rollock, Mr.
Walter Balcanquell, Mr. Robert Hendersone, Mr. Thomas Wilkie] ; Lordes, Rothess,
Lowdon, Balmcrino, [Burleigh] ; Lairdes, Sir William Douglasse, Laird of Keir, Laird of
Auldbar ; Burgers, James Cohrane, Patrick Belle, James Fletcher. [Dr. Guild seems not
to have been a member of this committee. See Records of the Kirk, p. 151 ; Baillie's
Letters, vol. i., p. 121.]
Ch. XXXVIII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 29
wer destructive therunto. Second, Another Comittie* wer appoynted for to A. D. 1638.
peruse the Service Booke and Booke of Canons diligentlye, and the Booke of
Ordinatione, and report to the Assembly all that they founde censurable in
any of the three. Third, There was a third Comittyef appoynted for to
collect the greivaunces of the churches, and represent them to the Assem-
blye, so ordering them, that lycke overtures, they might be proposed orderly
and seasonably to the Assembly, eache of them in ther owne place.f
And now the accusers of the bishopps urged for to gett hearing of ther
processe against the bishopps ; which was easily yeelded unto. And the first
that they beganne upon was Mr. Thomas Sydserfe, bishopp of GaUowaye,
whoise accusatione was publickly reade, himselfe being citted at the churche
doore to come in and answere (though they wer sure he would not). It con-
tained (besyde the general articles that wer charged upon all the bishopps,
such as the breach of the conditiones enacted at Montrosse, anno 1600, and
the usurping upon the libertyes of the churche), many personal crymes, as
was alleadged, wherof he was guiltye, both in his manners and doctrine ;
such as opne and ordinar profanation of the Lordes day ; negligence in his
pastorall charge, and downright tyrannye (the lycke whairof had scarcely
been heard) both over the ministers and others ; as also, that he had frequently
and familiarly conversed with papistes, who, for ther obstinacye, wer ex-
communicated ; also, that he had affirmed, in hatred off the reformed rel-
ligione, that papistes he loved better then puritans ; that he mantained and
defended many popish tenents ; and, lastly, that both in publicke and privat
he defended Arminianisra.§ The tryall of his processe and his sentence
was delayed for the tyme ; for the Assembly wer expecting evry minute that
* Second Comitty men wer : Mr. Andrew Ramsey, Mr. Robert Bailye, Mr. Edward
Wright, Mr. Gilbert Rosse, Mr. Alexander Petrye, Mr. William Menezeis, Mr. John
Oswell, Mr. Samuel Ruthert'oorde, Mr. Alexander Carsse, Mr. William Douglasse, Mr.
John Have. [In other lists the name of John Adamson appears, and that of Gilbert Ross
is omitted. See Records of the Kirk, p. 132. ; Stevenson's Hist, of Church of Scot. vol.
ii., p. 587. ; Baillie's Letters, vol. i., p. 1'21.]
f Third Comittye men for tacking in complaints against the bishopps wer : Mr. Thomas
Ramsey, Mr. William Sympsone, Mr. David Dalgleishe, Mr. Donald Mackgillivorich, Mr.
John Duncan, Mr. George Summer, Mr. David Murrey, Mr. George Halliburtoune, Mr.
Alexander Martine, Mr. William Falconer, Mr. David Monroe, Mr. George Leslye, Mr.
Walter Steward; Earl of Eglintoune; Laird Durye, younger; Mr. Alexander Peerson,
and others. [Compare Records of the Kirk, p. 151.]
X MS. History referres the nomination of thes three Comittyes to Session ninth.
§ It was objected against the Bishop of GaUowaye, That he had a customc to sweare
ordinarly in his anger ; that he called his horse Piuitane, who would doe nothing without
30 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. the Kinge's Commissioner wold, by opne proclaraatione, command the As-
sembly to dissolve, as yesternight he had done by worde of mouthe, himself
being personally present. Nor war they deceived of ther espectatione.
For that forenoone, being November twenty-ninth, the King's heraulds,
with coates of armes on ther backes, went to the mercatt crosse of Glasgow,
and ther solemnly, with sounde of trumpetts, did reade the Kinge's proclama-
tione for dissolving of the Assemblye. The summe wherof was to this pour-
pose : * First, The Kinge gives a particular accoumpt of all his concessiones
to them, both for to remove ther jealousyes, as also for to assure them of his
Intentioncs towai'ds the preservatione of relligione ; he shewed that for all
that, the wished effectes had not followed ; for albeit he had graunted to them
a free Assemblye, yet ther meeting was not suche, because it was made upp
mostly of thes who had protested against his concessiones in his proclama-
tione, September twenty-second, although themselves had oftne petitioned
for such thinges as wer graunted ther. Second, Because they had and wer
dayly and howerly gwarding and watching about the CasteU of Edinburgh,
suffering nothing to be imported therin but at ther discretione, and stopped
openly the importatione of ammunition or any necessaires to any of his
houses within the kyngdome : deneying that liberty to ther King which the
meanest of them did arrogate to themselves, (an acte without praecedent or
example in the Christian world). Third, By convocating unlaufuU Councell
Tables of nobilitye, gentrye, etc., within Edinburgh, without regarde to the
lawes of the kyngdome ; and [they] conveene ther without warrant from
authoritye, and treate ther upon matters civill and ecclesiasticke, and send
fi-om thence ther orders and injunctions to ther subordinate tables in the
countreye, and to ther under-ministers ; and, under colour of relligione,
exercise unbounded authoritye and unwarrantable, and reqwyre obedience to
ther illegall and unlaufull procedurs and directions, to the great praejudice of
authoritye and laufull monarchical! governement. Fourth, The course for
electione of ther commissioners to the Assemblye illegall and uniformall ; some
under censure of the Churche in Scottlande, others censurable in Irlande ;
some banishd for preaching against monarchye, others suspended ; some
irregularly admitted to the ministrye ; some of them denounced rebells at the
beatino- ; (for his lyfe and conversatione otherwayes they cleared him) ; that he had brockne
all the'caveatts, had transgressed against the actes of Generall Assemblys and bookes of
policye.
* Largre Declaration, pag. 290.
Cn. XXXIX.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 31
home, and consequently uncapable to be judges or to stande in judgement ; A. D. 1638.
all the members bounde by oathe for to overthrow episcopaeye ; perenip-
torye and illegall proceedings of presbytrys, who, at ther owne hande, with-
out order of law or due forme, did thrust out moderators laufully established,
placing others who wer most enclynable to ther assistance ; for choosing
comissioners to the Assemblyo, laicke elders sett upp, having aeqwall voices
or mor voices then the ministers, who choosed both the ministers and ruling
elders to the Assemblye. Fifth, Comissioners chossne by privat instructiones
and nominatione fi-om the Tables, who wer such as wer only knowne to favour
them. All which the King, blyndefolding his judgement, was patiently pleased
for to suffer, but that they had still proceeded. Sixth, And come armed to
Glasgow, in great numbers, contrary to the lawes of the launde and his pro-
clamatione, dated sixteenth November. Seventh, Had refoosed assessors to his
Commissioner for to vote in the Assemblye. Eif/hth, Refoosing to reade the
Declinator of the bishopps, which shewed why the Assembly ought not for
to proceede to the electione of a moderator without them, or for to admitte
comissioners from presbytryes befor they wer heard to object against them :
Refoosing to rest satisfeed with the declaratioue givne in by the Commis-
sioner, signed by him, and registred in ther bookes of Assemblye ; and on
the contrare, doing all that might tende to the destructione of episcopacy,
although one of the three estates of the kyngdome, thus overturning the
very fundamentall lawes. Therfor the King dischargeth it, under pain of
treason, nullifies the actes of it, forbiddes all subjectes to obey it, and he
commandes all to remove thence within twenty-four howres after the publi-
catione of thes presents : with this provisione alwayes, that his declaratione,
under his Comissioner's hande, shall stande firme to all his good subjectes in
all tyme to come. He promised, furder, to protect all who should incurre
daunger heerafter for disobedience to the actes of that praetended Assem-
bly, etc. And it was dated at Glasgow, Novembris twenty-nine, 1638, and
the fourteenth yeare of the Kinges raigne; subscrybed by Hamiltoune,
Traquaire, Roxbrughe, Murraye, Linlithgow, Perthe, Kingorne, Tullibar-
din, Hadingtoune, Galloway, Annandaile, Lauderdale, Kinnoule, Drum-
freise, Southeske, Belheaven, Angusse, DalyeU, John Haye, William
Elphinstoune, James Carmichael, John Hamiltoune.
XXXIX. No sooner was the proclamatione readde, but it was receaved Assembly's
with a protestatione, readde in the same place by Mr. Archebald Johnston, P''ot«'statioii
r ' r J 3 against the
clerks of the Assemblye, asisted by the Lord Erskyne, and diverse others proclama-
32 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. young noblemen and gentlemen. It was thought that the paper which the
.. T~. clerke readde was not the protestatione which was afterwardes printed : for
tion ; and the ' ^ a- ■
sum of the he readde something out of a paper to that pourpose, and oftered it by the
reasons. name of a protestatione to the herauld who readde the Kinges proclama-
tione, which paper the clerke of the privye councell offering to receave,
Mr. Archebald Johnston refoosed for to delyver it, saying, He must stay till
it wer wryttne. And it is very probable that it was not that same protesta-
tione which was printed ; for it is not probable that they could, in so short
tyme, frame a categoricke answer (which they strove to doe in all ther pro-
testationes) to the proclamatione, whoise contents they could not know
peremptorly, specially my Lord Argylle, being removed of his own accorde
when it was drawee iipp. However it was, yet therafter ther was an ansuer
to the proclamatione printed at Edinburgh afterwardes, under the name of
The Protestatione of the Generall Aseemblye of the Churche of Scottlande,
made at the highe kirke and merkatt crosse of Glasgow, Novembris twenty-
eight and twenty-nine, 1638 : Wherof the short summe foUowes.* First,
They intitle themselves the members of a free lawfull Generall Assemblye,
conveend by the King's warrant ; and then, after a narrative of ther peti-
tioning the indictione of the Assemblye, and the King's concessione, they
shew that the graunte therof was with praelimitations of the members, or
manner or matter therof, or the order, so farr as they wer destructive to its
freedome ; and, since it mett, they shew that the Comissioner, by protest-
ing against all the actes therof, had furder restrained its freedome, as also
by excepting against the members therof; but now, since the Comissioner,
after seven dayes' sitting, does discharge the Assembly, under paine of
treasone, for such causes as are contained in the Kinges former proclama-
tione, or the bishopps ther Declinatour, which they have alreadye (they
saye) fully ansuered, or for such reasones as wer proposed in the eleven
articles givne in by the Comissioner to them, which lyckwayes they have
fully ansuered, or for such exceptiones as he has tackne against the consti-
tutione and actings of the Assembly, since the downe sitting therof ; which
lyckwayes they have shewed all to be orderly done : For thes causes, and out
of conscience to the truth of God, King's honour, churches libertye, etc.
They declare that they cannot dissolve the Assemblye, First, For the
• See Large Declaration, page 294. Note reader, that Historia Motuum [p. 188] has
sleighted this protestation, and setts downe one which was made afterwards on December
[eighteenth] at Edinburgh, for it.
Ch. XXXIX.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
33
reasones already printed, concernina; the iiecessitye of conveening ane As- A. D. 1638.
sembly, which are strenthned by his Majesty's indictione, his Comissioner's
presence, and seven dayes' sitting, and the King's declaratione, exhibite by
him to be registred in ther bookes. Second, For the reasones made in
ther former protestationes, to which they now judicially adhere, as also to
the Confessione of Faith and Covenant. Third, Because the booke of
policye, registred in the bookes of Assembly, declares it unlaufull for to
hinder or dissolve Assemblyes ; but so it is that the Confession of Faith,
commanded to be subscrybed by the King, does relate to discipline, as it
was established in anno 1580. Fourth, Because, secundum legem et praxim,
the Kinge, by his praerogative, has neither grownde nor warrant, by acte
of Parliament nor Assembly, to dissolve Assemblyes : But, upon the con-
trarye, his Majesty's prerogative, by actes of Parliament, is declared to be
no wayes praejudiciall to the preivileidges which God has graunted to his
spiritwall office-bearers of the churche. Fiftli, The Generall Assemblys
have been in use for to proceede without interruptioue ; as may wittnesse ther
procedur against Mr. Robert Montgomerye, though the King charged
them with letters of horning for to leave off. Sixth, Because now to dis-
solve, after all ther adresses, preparations, and ther convention in the
Assembly, wer to oifend God, and to increase combustions in the churche,
and deceive all men's expectationes. Seventh, It is most necessary to sitt
still, for removall of the praejudices that may ensue upon the subscriptione
of two covenants ; the first being a nationall covenant with God, renewd,
with a necessarye explanatione, which corruptions, introduced since thes
tvmes of the first signing therof, has enforced us to adde : Therefor ther is a
necessitye for to determine that both thes Covenantes are but one and the
same, etc. Therfor, they protest, for themselves and others. First,
That they are not guiltye of any ill meaning towards the Kinge. Second,
That all the comissioners' and the bishopps' protestationes, proponed or to
be proponed, may be discussed befor the Assembly, as the highest judge.
Third, That the Comissioner depart not till thinges be settled ; and they
declare, in God's presence, that they shall proceede in all thinges, without
praejudice, acording to the lawes of the launde, actes of church, God's
worde, and the light of ther consciences. Fourth, That if the Comissioner
depart, it may be laufull for them to sitt still, till all thinges being settled,
it be dissolved by common consente. Fifth, That it may be holdne for a
free laufull Generall Assembly, and acordinglye obeyd by all the members
34 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A D. 1638. of the churche. Sixth, That whatever inconveniences fall out by ther
sitting, it be not imputed to them, but to the prelatts and ther adherents, as
the disturbers of the church, and overthrovcers of the libertyes therof ;
whom they doe citte againe and againe for to ansuer befor the present
Assembly, and to defende themselves against the accusations alleadged
against them : Lyckeas, they doe, by ther present protestatione, summond
and cytte all the lordes of the Kinges councell, or any other, who have
procured, consented, or ratifyd this present proclamatione, to be ansuer-
able to the King and the three estates of Parliament, for ther councell givne
in this matter, conforme to the acte of Parliament, 12 act, Jacobus IV.,
Parliament 2 ; protesting for remedy of law against all and evry one of
them. Finally, they doe adheare to all their former protestationes ; and
since in this they wer surprysed by the Comissioner, who removed and
would not heare them, they protest that it shall be laufull to them to enlarge
and adde mor reasones to ther protestatione, for ther fuller clearinge ; upon
which they tooke instruments. This was done in the high churche of Glas-
gow, in the audience of the Assembly, begunne in the audience of the
Comissioner, who removed, and refoosed for to heare the rest of it to the
ende, Novembris twenty-eighth, and upon the Mercatt Crosse of Glasgow,
Novernbris twenty-ninth, respective, anno 1638.
The King's XL. Befor I proceede to the history of the Assembly I shall heer sette
exceptions to jQ^,,g ^-j^g exceijtiones tackne against this protestatione by the Kinffe.tO
the above '■ _ "^ . .
protestation. First, He observes that much is repeated heer which was in former protesta-
tiones. Next, He questiones how they could protest so confidently in the
name of noblemen, barrons, gentlemen, ministers, burgesses, and commons,
subscrybers of the Confessione of Faithe, since they neither wer actwally
nor could possibly, in that space, be acqwaynted with what past at Glasgow
at that tyme. Third, " That the Comissioner first indicted ane Assembly
praelimited, which he fynding clearly, made a journey to the King to obtane
a free Assembly," The King saves it is false. No such thing was done
either by him or his Comissioner ; but, on the contrary, that themselves
did praelimitate the Assembly, the Comissioner's desyre being that ther
might be conference concerning the forme of it, because that Assemblyes,
for many yeares, wer out of fashione, and so ther order weer forgottne.
Fourth, He exceptes against ther assertione that ther Assemblye was consti-
(1) [See the King's Large Declaration, p. 302 — 316.]
Ch. XL.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 35
tute " of such members as, by all law and reasone and custome of that church, A. D. 1638.
wer ever admitted in ther fi-ee Assemblyes," since they knew that ther was
no law for lay elders' voices : Next, [he asks] if ther wer reason for it, that
laickes, many of them ignorant mechanickes, should sitt in the highest eccles-
iastical] judicatorye, and by ther voices determine poyntes of faithe, and
by ther voices inflicte censures of excommunicatione upon ministers and
bishopps, specially since they, sitting in aeqwall numbers, weall neer with
the clergye, if they gett but a pairt of the ministry to vote with them, ther
vote may carrye it, and perhaps the learndest and holyest men [be] thus
overborne in vote by the ignorant multitude : Lastly, he deneys that ever
ministers wer chosne by voice of ruling elders befor that tyme for to be
comissioners to Assemblyes. Fifth, He challendged ther declaratione and
proceedings to want synceritye, because they aifirme that the Comissioner
" did unexpectedly departe and discharge any furder meeting or proceedino- in
this Assemblye," which themselves did notwithstanding expect ; for, First,
The Earle of Rothesse told the Commissioner that they did looke for the
discharge of the Assembly, and therfor had provyded a protestatione ready
wryttne, which they desyrd him to staye and heare, and it was putt to voices
if they wold adheare to it. Second, The very protestatione itself telles
that it was reade first in the High Church, then at the Crosse of Glas-
gow. Third, The moderator's speeche to the Comissioner was discovered
to be praemeditated and penned for the pourpose, and far better then his or-
dinary extemporary speeches, which did lett see it was provyded against the
Comissioner his removall. Sixth, To ther assertione, " that they had fully
satisfeed all the reasones of the bishopps' Declinatour, and his eleven ar-
ticles, and that the Comissioner acknowledged it," he sayes it is untrue ab-
solutlye : And wheras they afErme that the Comissioner knew that the ruling
elders wer to have voice in the electione of Comissioners, he sayes its true ;
but then he knew not how to helpe it, and declared his opinion against it,
that the King would not be satisfeed therwithall; and that ministers wer as
ill satisfeed with it as anye. Seventh, For the third asertione, he does
looke upon it as so derogatory to royall praerogative, that it does deserve
no ansuer but justice ; being that therby no mor power is givne to the Kino-
in ther Assemblye, if he had been present ther, then to Thomas Patersone,
a taylor of Edinburgh, who sate Comissioner ther.CO Eighth, He deneyes
(1) [As one of the commissioners i'rom the city of Edinburgh.]
36 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
that ther Assembly is constitute by God's worde, though they doe affirme
it. Ninth, He sayes that they will have the Comissloner's seven dayes
stay ane acknowledgement of its laufullnesse ; but they conceale that he
entred solemne protestatione against evry thiuge they said or did; which
will iniplye, if they argwe right, that they acknowledge his proclamationes,
though they protest against them. The lycke (sayes he) may be said con-
cerning the Comissioner his exhibitione of the King's declaratione. Tenth,
He sayes ther second and third reasones are ther oune fancyes : They have
sworne so, and interpreted the oathe so, therfor they must adhere to all : if
ther oathe be amisse, it is unlaufuU to keep it. Eleventh, For ther fourth
reasone he ansuers, it is an untruth altogether : he affirmes he has power to
raise Assemblyes ; Pai'liament 21, Jac. 6, act 1, gives him power to indicte
Assemblyes; therfor to raise them. Nam ejusdem est destituere cujus est insti-
tuere. And for that they doe deney that ther is any such practise, he sayes
it is untrue, and does instance the Assembly at Aberdeen, discharged by
Jacobus VI., who wer conveened befor the Lordes of CounceU, and deelyning
ther authoritye, and appealing to a Generall Assembly, wer fetcht within
compasse of treasone, and put into the hands of the judge criminal. Fur-
der, " that, by dissolving Assemblyes, he does destroy the Church preive-
leidges," he sayes it is untrue and seditiouse: and histanceth an acteof Par-
liament to the contrary, ratifying Assembly at Glasgow, June, 1610, and re-
scinding the 1 14th act of Parliament anni 1592 which gave power to Generall
Assemblyes, in some cases, to indicte new Generall Assemblyes. Twelfth,
To ther fifth reason he ansuers, it does not conclude because one Assembly
did wickeiUy, ergo another may doe so too; and willes them to call to mynde
how they wer punished who kept Aberdeen Assemblye. For ther sixth
reasone, he deneyes that ther is any reasone in it. Thirteenth, In ther se-
venth reasone, wherin they say they cannot ryse till they fynd both the
Covenantes one, he answers. If they mean the Confession of Faithe, they
need not sitt ane hower for that pourpose, both being one to a syllable : But
if they meane ther owne additiones and explications, wherby they destroye
the text, then they must sitt till the world's ende ; for thes two will never
consist, his father's Confession of Faith, and ther glosses. Next, it seemes
they thinke not both Confessiones one, for they have hindered the subscrip-
tione of the Confessione enjoyned by him ; so if they be men of ther worde,
they should have sittne still yet. Next, to ther protestationes, he ansuers,
That ther first, third, fourth, and fyfth, are not worth the readinge, as con-
Ch. XL.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 37
taming nothing but tautologies, and tacking God's sacred name in vaine. A. D. 1638.
For ther second and latter ende of the sixth, he conceaves it a boldnesse un-
beseeminge subjectes for to reqwyre the Kinge's Coraissioner not to depart
from the Assembly till they wer pleased ; which he tackes as an affront to
royall authoritye. And for ther cittation of the councell for to answer as de-
linquents before the King and three estates of Parliament (which he won-
ders how they can macke three without bishopps) ; he thinkes it a cryme
that, for its boldnesse, called rather for admiratione then for refutatione. As
for the Pai-liament, act 12, Jacobus IV., he thinkes the printer has printed
it amisse, for ther [is] no word of Assemblyes, rather it gives too much to the
councell ; but he thinkes it uswall with them to perverte Scripture, and mis-
cyte actes of Parliament, as supposing the readers will not be at the paines
to peruse them. Lastly, Wheras they lay the fault of raising the Assem-
blye upon the bishopps' councell, he protestes it was done by his owne spe-
cial commandement, when no bishopp was neer him to give him any such
advyce. And for ther seventh protestatione, it being uswall with them, he
tackes no notice now. Finally, He concludeth that all impartial men should
judge whither he could any longer continow that Assembly, without endanger-
ing his authoritye, they having perused all ther actinges, his reasones against
them, and ther protestationes. He did shew furder that liberty and limita-
tione are not destructive one of another ; for that ft-eedome which admitteth
no boundes is not libertye, but licentiousnesse. And then for a conclu-
sione, he shewes what reasone he had for to except against ther choise of
comissioners ; as. First, That they refoosed to treate with the Comissioner
concerning the manner of the Assemblye, or matter to be handled ther,
alledging all thinges wer to be handled upon the place: wheras it is certaine
they directed four severall papers of proclamations from ther Tables, two
avowed, and others sent privatlye. Second, Some Comissioners chosne
before indictione of the Assemblye. Third, Ther laye elders forme of
choise was not warranted so much as by ther bookes of discipline, nor agre-
able therunto ; and though it had been so, yet it did not relevate, thes bookes
being wryttne by private men, and not confirmed by Parliaments. And,
suppose ther had been law, yet fourty yeares prescriptione reqwyred a newe
reviving of the law befor it could be practised ; and it wold be thought hard
measure in a prince for to putt in practise old lawes, and tacke penaltyes for
them, without a new intimatione. Fourth, In many presbytrves the lay
elders disagreed wholly in ther electione from choosing thes ministers which
38 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. ther fellow ministers clioosed, and carry d it from them by plurality e of
voices. Fifth, The men elected as laye elders could not be thought able
and fitt men, since they were never elders befor ; all or most of them newly
chosne ; some of them chosne lay elders the very daye befor the electione of
the comissioners to the Assemblye ; which shewed that they wer chosne to
serve the turne of ther associatts. Sixth, The institutione of laye elders
is, by ther oune principles, for to watche over the manners of thoise in the
paroshins, wher theye doe live. Now it is amisse for any man to be chossne
elder from a presbytrye, who is not ane inhabitant within any paroshine of
the praecincte of that presbytrye ; and yet diverse noblemen wer chossne
ruling elders from presbytres, within the praecinct wherof they never did
dwell ; which is contrare to sence, reasone, and ther oune groundes. Se-
venth, Ther ruling elders have assessors, without wlioise consent they wer
not to voice, which is contrare to law and practise. Eighth, Lay elders are
a burthen to the ministrye, and many presbytryes, forced to yeeld to them,
did proteste against it in the tyme to come. Ninth, Some comissioners
wer chossne who wer not fitte, and the fittest passed by ; because they knew
that new men neither knew ther oune liberty, nor the Assemblyes, and
would easily swallow bothe : Some comissioners wer under churche cen-
sure, and som depryved by the church ; some expelled out of uneversityes,
for readinge doctrines contrare to monarchy ; some wer banished men ; some
wanted ordinatione ; some admitted to the ministrye lately, contrary unto
the standing lawes ; and all chosne by laye elders. Tenth, Diverse members
who sitte ther wer rebells, and at the borne. Eleventh, The Kinge's Co-
venant, the oath of alledgance, the oathe of supremacye, ought to have
been tackne by all who sate there ; nor is any man capable to be a judge
who does not tacke all the three : but so it is, that thes three oathes wer not
all, or not at all, tackne by most pairt or any of the Assemblye.
Unanimity of XL I. Thes wer the exceptiones tackne by the King against ther pro-
the Assembly, testation, and the constitutione of ther Assemblye; other exceptiones against
der'Carse. it we shall heare afterwardes. The Comissioner is now removed, who ever
since his downe sitting had disturbed them with protestationes ; but, uno
avulso non deficit alter, Argylle succeeded, not as a formalle Comissioner
from the King, not as having any comissione, but as a director and as-
sistant, as it has been told alreadye. During the Comissioner's aboade, it
is saide that few ministers spocke, and but seldome. Rothesse, ane Earle,
is saide to have spockne mor that tyme then all the ministers, except the
Ch. XLII.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
39
moderator. I cannot tell how truly this is saide, but its sure ther was no
minister spacke oftner then hee. Ther was a great harmonye observed in
ther voting ; for whatever the first man who was called in the rolle (whoise
name was Mr. Alexander Carsse, minister at Pollwart, one of the comis-
sioners from the presbytry of Dunce) did vote, all the rest did ordinarly
follow ; so that by his voice the Assemblyes judgement in ende beganne to
be knowne, and the calling the vote of the Assembly heer (as in some
which followd) grew but tediouse to the hearers. This suffered (then and
after) but ane ill constructione, for it was thought to be done by a palpable
praeagreement. Others said that Mr. Alexander Carsse would be mor
famouse to posteritye then any father that ever had sittne in any generall
councell, Greeke or Latine ; for he behoved for to bee tackne for a man of
unparalelld judgement, both for soundnesse and profouudnesse, from whoise
judgement not one of the whole Assemblye (except Mr. Robert Baily once)
did ever swerve in the least particulare, seing the rest did constantly follow
as he beganne.C^ But, after the interruptione of so many protestationes and
proclamationes, it is high tyme for to resume the threede of my narration
of the progresse of the Assembly, wher, till the closure, after the eight
sessione therof, all thinges went on in a sweet harmoniouse unitye.
XLII. In the next sessione, ther was a motione made for tryall of the
Assemblyes of the churche, which had been holdne as foUowethe : First,
Ane Generall Assembly, holdne at Linlithgow, anno 1606. Second, Ane
other Generall Assembly holdne ther, anno 1608 ; one at Glassgow, 1610;
one at Aberdeene, 1616; one at Saint Andrews, 1617; one at Peart,
1618. It was to be reqwyred if they wer to be holdne for laufulle Assem-
blyes, or not. Much was spocke against them, but nothing for them ; for
such as sate ther either had praecondemned them, or else wer ignorant how
they past, and could say nothing for them, but tooke the argumentes for
ther nullitye, mostly upon trust. It had been no difficult matter to have
putt ther authoritye to a presente vote, and gottne them determined un-
laufull, by what was alledged against them ; but it was thought fitt to use
some formalitye in a matter of so great weight ; to which pourpose, therfor,
the matter is referred to a comittye, * or select number of ministers, who
(!) [See the King's Large Declaration, pp. 313, 316.]
' Comittye nominate wer, Mr. Jolme Belle, elder, Mr. Richard Inglishe, Mr. Johne
Robertsoune, Mr. Andrew Woode, Mr. Andrew Blaire, Mr. Andrew Smythe. Lordes
Hume, Sinclaire, Cranstoun, Yester, Couper, Baluierinoche. Lairdes Towey-Barcley,
Sir Thomas Keer, after his Peebles comission was examined and declared good. [Compare
Records of the Kirk, p. lo4.]
Trial of six
Assemblies
referred to a
committee.
Sessio 9a.
NovembrisZO.
Frydaye.
40
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. III.
Account of
six Assem-
blies, and the
High Com-
mission.
A. D. 1638. wer appoynted for to search the registers of the Assembly es, and for to
reporte all that they founde concerning thes Assemblyes worthy to be tackne
exceptione against them. The comitty wer very diligent in ther tryall and
enqwrye, for they did macke ready a report, in foure dayes space after they
war delegated, and gave in such reasones against evry one of these six
Assemblyes (as we shall afterwardes heare) as wer allowed all of by the
Assembly, and past in ane acte for nullifying them ; serving thes poor
Assemblyes with that measure, which since they have begunne for to serve
ther oune withall. But because it may be worth our enqwyry and the
reader's paines to be resolved why thes six Assemblyes wer nullifyed, be-
yonde any other that ever had been holdne befor them (though not after
them), I shall render ane short acounte of the ende of the calling of thes
Assemblyes, and the principall actes and passages of them.
XLIIL* In the year 1606, King James did indicte ane Assembly of
the churche at Linlithgow, December tenth, and deputed Sir George Hume,
Earl of Dumbarr, to preseede ther, wher wer present one hundred and
thirty-six ministers ; noblemen and barrons, and others, thirty-three. The
King did remonstrat, by his letter, to the meeting, f that he had called
them cheefly for regulating the tumultuary carriadge of some of the
ministrye, whom in vaine he had essayed to pacifie, (for not long befor he
had called a number of them that wer questionable for speacking against
him to courte) ; but, since nothing had prevailed, he had now conveened
them to sett downe such rules as might prevent the lycke for the tyme to
come. To which pourpose overtures wer proposed concerning the modera-
tors of presbytryes and provinciall synods, that, in the severall presbytryes,
the most experienced man should be designed moderator, and that bishopps
should constantly preseede in synods ; and thes moderators to be in all fol-
lowing tyme constant members of the Generall Assemblye. Thes over-
tures, with some cautiones, wer passed in ane acte by the Assemblye, yet
not without grumbling of manye presbyterians, who saw episcopacye by
this meanes setting up its heade. Nor did the actes gett full obedience at
first ; for, anno 1607, the Synode of Pearth did oppose thes actes, and
discharged the constant moderator, whom the Assembly had nominated.
The lycke was done by the Synode of Fyfe.
* Note reader : The following digrcssione, concerning the six Assemblys aniiUed at Glas-
gow, as also concerning the Highe Comission, pertaines properly to the First Bookc of
this Historye.
t Spottswood, pag. 500. [edit. Lond. 1677.]
Ch. xliii.] history of scots affairs. 41
In the year 1608, the King toocke occasione, upon the revoult of Himtlye, A. D. 1638.
Anguss, and Eroll, to poperye, for to call an Assembly at Linlithgow, in
Julye, wher the Earles of Dunbar, Wenton, and Laudian, preseeded for the
Kinge. [The] Bishop of Orkney [was] elected moderator in this Assembly.
Severall actes wer past against papistes ; nor meete I with any thing heer
that tended to the promovall of episcopacye, but that a comissione was ap-
poynted to be givne to evrye bishopp within his diocesse, for apprehending
jesuittes, seminary preestes, excommunicate papistes, etc. ; except that a
bishopp did moderate.
Afterwardes, in the yeare 1610, the King indicted a meetinge at Glasgow,
June sixth. The Earl of Dunbarr, Sir Johne Prestone, and Sir Alexander
Haye, secretarye, preseeded [for the King] ; Spottswood, bishop at that tyme
of Glasgow, did [moderate.] In this Assembly it was declared. First, That no
Generall Assembly could be called, without the Kinges consente. Second,
That bishopps be moderators of provinciall Assemblyes ; or, in ther absence,
such as they should appoynte. Third, No excommunicatione to proceed,
without the bishop's knowledge or approbatione ; the lycke of absolutione.
Fourth, Presentationes of churches that are faUne into the churche handes,
jure devoluto, to be disposed of by the bishoppes. Fifth, Ministers ther
suspentione or depositione to be done by the bishopp's asistaunce. Sixth,
Ministers, at ther entrye, to sweare obedience to the King, and to his
ordinarye bishopp diocesane. Seventh, Visitationes to be by the bishopp,
or by his delegattes. Eic/hth, Bishopps to moderate presbytryes wher they
reseede; or, in ther absence, such as the bishopp appoyntethe. Ninth, No
ministers to dispute against thes conclusiones, nor dispute about the aeqwa-
litye or inaeqwalitye of ministers, as tending to the schisme and disturbance
of the churche its peace.
It was immediatly after this Assembly that the Archbishop of Glasgow
and the Bishops of Brichen and Galloway went to Londone, and wer
consecrated by the three bishopps of London, Eli,* and Bathe, October
twenty-first [1610].
And, because it wiU fall shortly to be spockne of againe, it is to be noted
that immediatly after this the King gave order now for an High Comission
to be sett upp in Scottlande, for the ordering of causes ecclesiasticall. It
was modelled acording to the patterne of the English High Comissione ;
• Dr. Andrews.
42 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. and, in February, anno 1611, was proclaimed, with the approbatione onlye
of the bishopps, and such of the ministrye as they called for to imparte it
unto ; who, yow may be sure, wer not rigide presbyterians : But ther was
no approbatione of [a] General! Assembly sought therunto ; for it was not
very lycke that it would have been obtained : And it was as little pleasing to
the nobilitye as the clergye ; for, by this meanes, they sawe mor power putt
into the bishopps' handes then they lycked weall of ; and what was added to
the bishoppes' power this waye, they tooke as ane restrainte and diminutione
of ther oune ;* nor is it any mervaille that, after the beginning of the
troubles, one of the thinges that they did first declare against was the Highe
Comissione. The summe of ther power in direct articles was as followethe,
for I am not to transcrybe all that has been spockne by such as have anato-
mised it,t and have endeavoured for to demonstrate it very boundlesse in
its consequences of its power : Such as are curiouse may see the booke
themselves.
First, It was appoynted that nothing should come before the Higli Comis-
sione, but such matters as bishopps could not gett rectifyd in ther par-
ticulare diocesses, or which they neglected to trye. Second, That bishopps
should resyde at ther oune cathedrall churches, and repaire them if they
coulde. Third, Bishopps should visite ther diocesse once evrye thirde
yeare at leaste. Fourth, Or at least once in seven yeare all the diocesse.(')
Fifth, That the boundes of dioceses be made contigouse and proportionable
one to another ; not some of them too great, others too little. Sixth, Pres-
bytryes to be but of ten or twelve ministers for censuring scandalls, but to
excommunicate by the bishop's warrant ; and bishopps, if they fynde cause,
shall have power to discharge ther meetings. Seventh, Ministers, with the
bishopps' approbatione, shall nominate some laickes in ther paroshines for
to asiste in repairing of the churche, provydinge of elements for the cora-
munione, contributiones for the poor, witli other necessary services ; but no
laicke ruling elders to be sett up. Eir/hth, The ministers and ther asso-
* See Spottswoode, po<7<7. 514 et 515, lib. 7.
t Mr. David Calderwood, in his Altare Dmnascenum, [pp. 14 — 16, edit. Lugd. Bat.
1708] has givne a large deductione of the power of the Highe Comissione ; but Spottswoode,
Hist. lib. T.pagg. 514 e( 516, does mcntione no other articles of ther power, but such as
are heer sett doune, which, as the juditiouse reader will observe, are not all, and some of
them but reductive therunto.
(1) [According to Spottiswoode (p. 514), the fourth article is, " That every Archbishop
visit his Province every seven years at least."]
Ch. xliii.] history of scots affairs. 43
ciatts to censure notoriouse offendours ; or, if they be obstinate, to referre A. D. 1638.
them to the bishopp. Ninth, Ministers shall be admitted by impositione of
handes of bishopps, with two or three ministers asisting him; and a booke
of ordinatione to be drawne upp. Tenth, The electione of bishopps shall
be acording to the Conference anno 1571; and that vacante sede, the deane
and chapter'" shall bee vicarius in omnibus ad episcopatum pertinentihus.
Eleventh, Deane and chapter to conveene once evry yeare, and nothing to
be done except they bee capitulariter congregati ; and that they keep a re-
gister of all that passeth and is done concerning the administratione of the
rentes of the diocesse. Twelfth, Generall Assemblyes shall be called by
supplicatione directed to the King ; and the members therof to bee bishopps,
deanes, archdeanes, and such ministers as are chosne by the reste. Thir-
teenth, No youthes to preach ordinarlye in publicke, till they receive impo-
sitione of handes and ordinatione.
And then in anno 1(312, the King, by his letter, discharged summare
excommunicatione of fugitives who wer guiltye of capitall crymes and durst
not compeere; which was consented unto by the bishopps, contrare to the
principles of the presbyterians, as afterward was scene : for at this tyme,
and after the Assembly of Glasgow 1638, summar excommunicatione came
in fashioue agane, and was made greate use of ; as after we shall heare.
In the yeare 1616, King James called ane Assembly at Aberdeene, Au-
gust thirteenth, wher the Earl of Montrosse was Commissioner : Wher,
amongst other thinges, [it was enacted,] First, That a booke of leiturgie
should be drawne upp : Second, That the actes of the Generall Assemblyes
should be gathered and putt in forme of canons : Third, That childeren
being catechised, should be confirmed by bishopps. To thes the King added
some others, which they shewed him would not be admitted without a new
Assemblye.
Therfor, anno 1617, at King James his last being in Scottland, [he]
came to Saint Andrewes, July tenth, wher he was mett by the archbishopps
and bishopps, and some thirty-six ministers : Wher the King beganne anew
to presse the overtures which befor he had urged after Aberdeen Assem-
blye ; but nothing was then concluded, for severall of the ministrye, by ther
protestation es, did oppose any conclusione at that tyme. All thino-es, ther-
for, wer putt off to a Generall Assembly, to be holdne at Saint Andrews,
(1) [" Dean of the Chapter," according to Spottiswoode, p. 515.]
44 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. twenty-fifth November, 1017 ; at which dyett the Earl of Hadingtoune, and
Viscount Stormont, preseeded for the Kinge. But all that could be con-
cluded ther was privat communione, and that ministers should give the
elements out of ther owne handes to the people. Other thinges wer waved.
But ■ King James would not tacke thes two actes as satisfactory : therfor,
the next yeare, being 1618, he indictes ane Assembly at Pearth, August
twenty-fifth, wher the Lordes Hadingtoune, Carnegye, and Scoone, wer
Comissioners for the Kinge. Archbishop Spottswood moderated that As-
semblye ; and ther at last the King gott thes articles to be concluded, which
he had so long pressed : Whiche wer five in number : First, That all should
kneele at the communione. Second, That private communion should be
administred to the sicke. Third, Privat baptisme, in caise infantes could
not befor ther deathe be transported to the churche. Fourth, Childeren to
be confirmed by bishopps, when they wer to give accounte of the Catachesis.
Fifth, That the five Christian festivalls of, first, Christmasse ; second, Pas-
sion, or Good Fryday ; third, Resurrection, or Pash Daye ; fourth, Ascen-
tione Daye ; fifth, Coming of the Holye Gohst, or Wittsunday, be observed
yearly in the Churche.
It shall not be needfull to give yow any furder accompt of this Assembly,
which was solemnely confirmed immediatly therafter by acte of Parhament :(')
For, many yeares befor it was condemned in this Assembly of Glasgow 1638,
the presbyterians did lett loose ther pennes against it and its formalitye,
wrytting a booke against all the indirect wayes of its constitutione and trans-
actiones; which was afterwardes ansuered by a bishopp,* and is to be seen
in print as yet extante. And then for these fyve articles, which proved a rocke
of offence to the presbyterians, befor ever the Assembly of Glasgow satt
downe, ther wer polemicke disputtes in printe extant against thes articles,
and against episcopacye itselfe ; though the most pairt of the authors, as being
subject to the episcopall lashe, did at that tyme conceale ther names. But,
having givne my reader some accounte of thes Asseniblyes, and the endes
•why they wer conveened, it is now high tyme to come backe to our comittye
againe, and to tacke notice of thes reasones and exceptiones which they pre-
sented against them to the Assembly of Glasgow, which yow shall heare in
the twelfth session, December fourthe.
(1) [The Acts of the Perth Assembly were not ratified by tlie Parliament until 1621.]
* Defence of the Assembly of Pearthe, by Mr. David Lindsey, Bishop at [Brechin. See
above, vol. i. p. 95, note].
Ch. XL v.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
45
XLIV. Upon the first of December, the Assembly conveend betymes in
the morning, but did not sitt long, because of severall ministers, members
of the Assemblye, who wer to preache the next daye, being the Lorde's
daye, in Glasgow, and some of the neerest places adjacent therunto. Yet
that day the controverted comissione from the presbytrye of Peebles was
approved (of which I spake befor) ; and next ther was a processe givne in
against Mr. David Mitchell, minister of Edinburgh, and it was publickly
reade. The crymes laid to his charge wer. Firstly, That he defended all the
poyntes of Arminianisme in his sermones. Secondli/, That he had publickly
taught many poyntes of poperye, and that he had oftne most insolently in-
veighed against the Confessione of Faith of the Churche of Scottlande befor
many wittnesses, who had deponed all this upon oathe. Next, That without
advyce or consent of the Churche, and against the mynde of the presbytrye
and sessione, he had publickly readde the Service Booke. Finalhj, That
he had appealed from the Synod to ane Generall Assembly ; yet, that now
being called upon, bee had willfully absented himselfe ; to all which contu-
macye, he had superadded his subscriptione to the bishops' Declinator ; for
which contumacy alone (albeit he had been innocent of all the rest), they
judged him worthy to be deposed from the ministrye, and excommunicated,
by vertwe of the acte of Assembly 1582.
The lyckethinges wer objected against Dr. Patricke Panter, preacherC) at
Saint Andrews : And then his colleague, Mr. Alexander Glaidstons'* accusa-
tione was reade of that same nature with the former two ; which was distin-
guished fi-om the rest in this, that he was charged with ordinary drunk-
nesse and profanitye of lyfe and conversatione : And, after the reading of thes
processes, the Assembly voiced them guiltye of the forsaide crymes. The
bishopps wer lyckewayes called upon with ther adherents, and, amongst
others. Dr. Eliot, though no subscribent of the bishopps' Declinator ; and
after this the sessione ended.
XLV. Upon Moonday, December third, the Assembly satt downe againe;
wher first Argylle stoode up, and made a short speeche (though no member
of the Assembly), exhorting all that wer present, specially the ministers,
to speacke respectfully and sparingly of the King and his royal praeroga-
(1) [Dr. Patrick Panter was Professor of Divinity, and Principal of the New College, at
St. Andrews. His Latin poem on the exploits of Wallace has been much admired. See
Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 123.]
• Archdeane of Saint Andrews, and preacher ther.
A. D. 1638.
Processes
against Mr.
David Mit-
chel, Dr. Pat-
rick Panter.
and Mr.
Alexander
Gladstanes.
Sessio 10«.
Decembris 1.
Saturdaye.
Argyle's
speech.
Speeches
concerning
Arminianism.
46 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1038. tive; telling them that ther wer spyes upon the Assembly, who tooke par-
~ ticular notice, and related all that was spockne, either in privat conference,
Decembrisi. pulpitts, or Assemblye, or whatever was done : He saide that so good and
Moondaye. gratiouse a prince would be mor moved with ther proceedings by ther mo-
destye, then by ther arrogant loftye speeche, which, he saide, was good for
nothing, but rather to encrease then quensh wrathe, and that it was for the
good of the Church so to doe ; To the ende, therfor, that the innocent
should not suffer for the guiltye, he exhorted them all to be sparing, or ra-
ther silent, in thes thinges, wherby no beneifitt could be reaped, but rather
losse to the whole kyngdome. Ardgylle his exhortatione was seconded by
the moderator ; who, first giving his Lordship thankes for his good and zeal-
ouse councell, saide that the Lord of Heaven was judge, the kirke index,
and the magistrate vindex : He exhorted all to give evry one his dew, and
wished all ther present to carry as in the presence of God, the kirke, and
kyngdome. The occasione of this warning was a sermon preached the day
befor, by Mr. George Gillespye, then minister at Weems (who afterwarde
grew mor remarkable) : His text was, " The King's heart is in the handes of
the Lorde," etc. ; which, albeit to the judgement of the hearers, he did handle
pertinentlye, yet they thought it was little prudence in him (who was not
so much as a member of the Assemblye), a young man, for to speacke so
freely concerning the Kinge's power, at such a tyme as it was spockne-
Otherways, all wer satisfeed with his doctrine ; and Argylle and the moder-
ator kept themselves in generall, without any reflection on him, though it
was knowne whom they meaned.(')
Then the moderator spocke to the Assembly, shewing them that, since
Arminianisme was beginning to spring upp in the churche, it wer good to
choke it in the beginning, and therfor thought fitt that some of the ministers
present should macke a short refutatione of the five articles. To this pour-
pose, Mr. David Dickson, minister at Irvin, had been befor advertished to
prepare himselfe ; who, now being called upon by the moderator, did macke a
long exhortatory refutatione of Arminianisme, too tediouse to be sett downe
heer.(2) The summe of it tended to shewe that ther errors stoode upon four
pillars. First, That the Arminians did place electione in man towards God,
and not in God towards man. Second, That they placed the deathe of
(1) [See Stevenson's Hist, of Church of Scot. vol. ii. pp. 602, 603.]
(2) [See it at length in Records of the Kirk, p. 156—159.]
Ch. XLVI.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS
47
Chryste in a covenant betuixt God and man, as man was in the state of in-
nocence.(0 Third, In man, his actual conversione to God, that they did at-
tribute too much to man his co-operatione, graunting God once to have free
will to man, but to man the whole glorye of the executione and prosecuting
this redemption. Fourth, That, in the state of perseveraunce, they sett
man alone, and not with God's grace, as the meane acording to the elec-
tione. After he had instanced the Arminian argumentes to mantane thes
tenents, he then ansuered all ther objectiones.
When Mr. David Dickson had made ane ende, the moderator did request
Mr. Andrew Ramsey to speacke something to that poynte, whom he affirmed
to his knowledge (though unadverished), yet alwayes to be in readinesse
against suche errors. Mr. Andrew ansuered, that he should speacke what
was presently come into his thought ; so he fell on, in the next place, and
having expounded the goldne chaine of God's electione, of his gi-ace and
mercye, he did refute all the errors of the Arminians, drawing them to fyve
heades, to the great satisfactione of all the Assembly, specially of the most
pairt of the ruling elders ; who, with a devoute ignoraince, applauded thes
deep poynts with ane implicite faithe, although many doubted if all of them
understood either the Arminian tenents, or the refutatorye argumentes ther-
of : But that was all one, they wer sure to saye with the reste.
XLVI. And now, after many publicke citationes at the church door,
they beganne for to examine the severall processes of the bishops. In order
to this, ther wes a roUe of wittnesses givne in, who wer present and ready-
to depone upon oathe against the Bishop of Galloway, Mr. Thomas Syd-
serfe. It was urged by the bishopp's accusers, that the several wittnesses
oathes might be tackne judicially befor the Assemblye, that therafter they
might be examined befor a comitte appoynted for that pourpose. But at
this instant comes in one of the Bishop of Orkncye's sonnes, with letters
from his father ; wherin he did at first excuse his absence from the Assem-
blye, by reasone of his infirmitye, and then declared that he submitted him-
self to the Assemblye in full wordes which wer " that he should be ready
and willing for to performe what should be imposed or reqwyred of him."
This was a matter of joye to all the Assembly, but of as much detestation
to all bishopps, or such as wer episcopall ; particularly to Joseph Hall,
A. D. 1638.
Bishop of
Orknay sub-
mitts to the
Assembly ;
alsoSirAxchi-
bald Stuart
of Blackhall;
also Mr. John
Forbes, an
Anti- Coven-
anter, and on
his way to
Ireland. Mr.
Mitchel de-
posed, and
ordered to be
excommuni-
cated. Com-
mittee to ex-
amine into
(1) [Dickson's words are these : " They extend Christ's death in drawing on a bargane
betwixt God and man, to put man in the termes that Adam fell into, that man may take a
new essay of himselfe, by the force of imiversall grace, to hold his feet where Adam fell."]
48
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. III.
A. D. 1638.
exception-
able things
against the
ministers of
Edinburgh.
Witnesses
against the
Bishop of
Galloway.
bishopp of Norwiche, who was so unsatisfeed with the bishop of Orkne
for his submissione, that, upon that very accounte, in a* booke wryttne by
him shortly after, Joseph Hall reflectes upon him, and twittes him sharply,
as a man most unworthy to have been a bishopp.
The bishopp of Orkneye's excuse, which did cast the fault of his absence
on the distance of the way, winter seasone, and his oune old age, being sea-
soned with the first fruictes of the episcopall submissione, made all proceed-
ing against him to [be] demurrd for that tyme.
It was a high tyde of proselyttes now : For after this, in comes a minister
with a comissione from Sir Archbald Steward of Blackhalle, counceller ;
who, in Sir Archbald's name, declard to the Assembly that he, the saide
Sir Archbald had not putt his hande to the Kinge's proclamatione made
lately at Glasgow ; next, that he would stand to his subscriptione of the
Covenant, affirming his relligione at his subscriptione and now to be one
and the same, which was sett downe in the first Covenant and profest,
anno 1580.
After him came in one Mr. Johne Forbesse,(') brother to Sir William
Forbesse of Cragivarr ; who having left off his pourpose of going for Ire-
lande, being then in his journey, and ane opposer of the Covenante, stept
into the Assembly, and solemly engadged himself therunto. This chaunge,
so soddaine, was thought a great mercye ; howbeit such as looked furder
then the outsyde of thinges, knew the impulsive cause of his soddaine
chaunge to have ilowed from a privatt advertishment that he had to recall
him ; wherin he was certifyde by his elder brother, that Mr. David Ballan-
tyne, minister at Kincardln,(-) was lately decesed, and that churche, which
is a very considerable benefice, vacant : And, to his great comfort, he knew
that it was at the disposall of his eldest brother, then patrone. Yet thinges
wer so handsomly carryde, that a bearer, with a packett, came to him, and
gave publicke appearance, some four howers after the saide Mr. Johne his
subscriptione, with the newes of Mr. David Ballantyne his death, and a de-
syre from his brother to returne and leave his journeye ; which was inter-
* Joseph Hall's Episcopatus Juris Divini.
(') [John Forbes, parson of Kincardine, younger brother of Sir William Forbes the first
baronet of Craigievar, and nephew of Patrick Forbes of Corse, Bishop of Aberdeen. See
Douglas' Baronage, p. 76 Mathew Lumsden's Genealogy of the House of Forbes, p. 22.
Inverness, 1819. Records of the Kirk, p. 160.]
(2) [Kincardine O'Neil, then one of the richest benefices in the diocese of Aberdeen.]
Ch. XLVII.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
49
preted by such as tooke all for current coyne, to be a gratiouse providence
in behalf of the new proselyte.*
For a closure of this sessions, Mr. David Mitchell (of whom befor) was
thryce publickly citted ; his processe all readde over, his censure was voted ;
and, without a contrarye voice, he was degraded from the ministrye, andt
ordained to be excommunicated. After this ther was a comittye J appoynted,
who, after the rysing of the Assembly, should sitt and cognosce upon some
thinges givne in against the ministers of Edinburgh, and some other minis-
ters about Edinburgh, which last action did putt ane ende to this sessione.
XLVII. Upon Tewsdaye, the fourth of December, the twelfth sessione
of the Assembly was holdne ; wher the Arminians were staged anew (ther
doctrine, not ther persones, for I fynde of none that was putte to it by waye
of dispute in the Assembly upon that accompt) : To which pourpose the mo-
derator desyred Mr. Robert BaiUie, minister at Kilwining, for to fall on
(whom befor he had advertished to be ready to speacke to that poynte).
Mr. Baillie drew out his papers, and reade a refutatione of Arminianisme,
wryttne by himself, printed since ;f') therin he shewed the ryse and pro-
gresse and history of Arminianisme ; he had ane examen of ther doctrine,
and refooted it out of the Scripture, and out of St. Augustine's wryttinges
cheefly amongst the fathers of the Churche ; and, lastly, he ansuered ther
objectiones ; which discourse gott ane uniforme approbatione from all the
Assemblye as a solide and sinnewye disputatione.
That which was thought a straunge kynde of proceeding against the
Arminians was. That, upon the report of three ministers, the whole Assem-
bly did condemne all the Arniinian tenents ; and, which is yet straunger,
That they did not defyne thes tenents, nor have emitted a synodall suffi'eige :
so that to this daye it is hardly knowne, furder then the generall, what wer
the poyntes of Arminianisme condemned by this Assemblye, and how farr.
A. D. 1638.
Anninian-
ism con-
demned. Mr.
Robert Bai-
ley's speech
against it.
Committee
to censure
the ministers
of Edin-
burgh. Mr.
Alexander
Gladstones
deposed.
Sessio 12a.
Decembris 4.
Die Martis.
Tewsdave.
* See MS. Hist, of the Assembly of Glasgow.
t Nota. Mr. William Spang, in his Historia Motuum, [p. 199], mentions not the last
pairt of Mr. David Mitchell his censure.
X This Comittye, see joa<7. 30, session twelfth, at lenth. Spang putts it to session eleventh ;
but Mr. T. A. [Thomas Abernethy] in his MS. to session twelfth. Tanta est Concordia
Jratrum. [The Committee seems to have been appointed in the twelfth session. See
Records of the Kirk, p. 160. Baillic's Letters, vol. i. p. 124.]
(>) [Dr. Irving enumerates two works by Baillie on the subject of Arminianism, " An
Antidote against Arminianism," and " A Scotch Antidote against the English Infection of
Arminianism. Lond. 1652." See Irving's Lives of Scotish Writers, vol. ii. p. 68. Ste-
venson's Hist, of Church of Scot. vol. ii. p. 608.]
50 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. or how many they condemned. The King, in his Great Declaratione, *
stickes not to tell us that, under the name of Arminianisrae, they did then
condemne many thinges receaved by all the Reformed Churches; which the
King could as weall judge of if it wer true as the most of the ruling elders
who sate ther, not to say ministers. And it was thought a straunge pro-
cesse to accuse bishopps and ministers (as was befor spockne), and condemne
them for Arminianisme before Arrainianisme was condemned ; no, not once
to licence them for to retreate ther opinione ; a courtesy not refoosed to
heretickes in the purer tymes of the Churche. How ther ansuer to all this
" that Arminianisrae was poperye, and under that name was abjured by the
Confessione of Faithe of the Churche of Scottlande" will satisfee, I leave
it to evrye reader to considder and determine ; selng that I wrytte other
mens censures and challendges but not rayne owne, as unwilling to mLxe
annalls and critickes together.
Arminianisme being condemned, there was ane indytment givne in against
Mr. William Maxwell, minister at Dunbarr ; wherin he was accused, pairtly
for hereticall doctrine, pairtly for scandalouse and lewde lyfe and conversa-
tione, as : First, That a man might keepe the law, otherwayes that God
wer unjust to impose it upon man. Second, That the distinctione of sinue,
in mortall and veniall, was lauful and justifiable. Third, That the sainctes
might fall awaye ; that he kneeled befor the Eucharist was givne ; that he
tooke silver out of the church-boxe, and disposed of it without consent of
his sessionall elders, and that he did not restore it, etc.
Then up stoode James Cochrcine and Thomas Paterson, rulinge elders
fi'om Edinburgh, desyring a comittyet to be nominate to censure the minis-
ters of Edinburgh. Ther reasones wer, because of the averssnesse of the
people, both from the persones preaching and conversationes of ther minis-
ters ; and so much the rather because they had declyned the Assembly then
sitting at Glasgow ; as also by reasone of the great necessitye of Edinburgh,
in some measure destitute of preachers (of whom some wer now degraded
* See the Large Declaratione, ptiffff. 319 et 320, wher it is instanced against this ansuer
" viz. that Arrainianisme and Popery are one," that the Dominicans and the Jesuitts dift'er
heerin as much as the Protestants did, yet both of them popish : Secundli/, That the Lu-
therans, who adhere to the Augustan Confessioiie, doe hold the Arminian tenents, yet are
they the first protestants ; so that it was ridicolouse for to condemne that as popery, or any
of thes tenents as popish, which learned men amongst the papistes reject, and also learned
men amongst the protestants mantaine See mor in that place to this pourpose.
f Videpag. praeceding.
Ch. xlviil] history of scots affairs. 51
by the Assembly*), and they unwilling to keep others. This request was A. D. 1638.
weall entertained, and ther desyre graunted ; the comittye appoynted to
consiste of noblemen, barrons, ministers, burrows, who wer to judge of the
ministers of Edinburgh ther abilityes, as also the delinquencyes of some
adjacent ministers, such as Leith, Dunbar, and some other places.
Next came ane accusatione against Mr. Alexander Gleddstans, minister
at Saint Andrews. It was lybelld against him. That he was a runnagate, a
beastley drunkard, of which cryme many instances wer alledged unfitt to
be repeated; that the contributione gathred for the releefe of the poor mi-
nisters of the Palatinate was by him converted to his owne use, and never de-
ly vered ; [that] in his doctrine he said that the Jesuittes wer good and sownde,
ours the contrarye; also, that he railed against the Covenanters, calling
them brainsicke rebells ; that he was slacke in discipline, and never punished
sinne ; that he practised the Articles of Pearthe before they wer enacted by
ane Assemblye ; that he swore great oathes he had rather deney God than
be a puritane ; that he was sure that the author of The Practise of PietyeO
was condemned in hell, for that booke made all the ladyes in the land puri-
tanes. He was not present to ansuer for himself; therfor witnesses wer ad-
mitted and sworne : What was proved is not come to our knowledge ; how-
ever the result was, he was voted to be deposed from his ministrye, and that
without one contrare suffreige. It would seerae, if all the lybell wer truthe, if
we reflect upon the justice done to other ministers since that tyme, and then
in the lycke cases, that the Assembly wer blame worthye for so gentle a cen-
sure as a simple depositione, without any additionall censure ; but if they wer
guiltye of any sinne of ommissione that way at this Assembly (which many
think they were not), yet that error was fully amended in the followng yeares
by Generall Assemblyes, Church Comissione, Synods, and Presbytryes.
XLVIII. And now at last that comittye which was appointed to trye Committee's
the sex last Generall Assemblyes, rave in ther declaratione and iudg-ement ^^ceptions
to the six
of the unlaufullnesse of all and evrye one of them : Which they grownded Assemblies.
pairtly upon reasones tackne out of the registers themselves of the Assem- They are de-
blyes, or out of the registers of presbytryes. Secondly, From King James f„]_
Sixth his letters. Thirdly, From the testimoney of some ministers present
• Mr. D. M. [Mr. David Mitchell.]
(I) [This work was written by Bayly, bishop of Bangor from 1616 to 1631 ; it was trans-
lated into the Welsh, Hungarian, and Polish tongues ; more than fifty editions of it were pub-
lished in the course of a hundred years.]
52 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. in this Assembly, who had been eye witnesses to the proceedings in the
former sex, as they affirmed. The course that they tooke for nuUifyng them
was the informalitye of their calling, or constitutione, or procedur. Thus
they wer pulled upp, roote and braunche, without passing any censure upon
the actes of thes former Assemblyes as voide of themselves, ex capite ini-
quitatis ; for this was ane easyer and neerer waye. The exceptiones wer
drawne upp in wrytte by the comitte, and readde in the face of the Assem-
bly, albeit some wer of opinion that all thes exceptiones wer in readinesse
befor either Assembly or comittye satt downe, and that ther was a praede-
termination to condemne thes six synods upon any accompt : It is certaine
that some of them wer so much qwarelled with that long befor the Assem-
bly at Glasgow, the Assembly at Pearth, both its formalitye and its five
articles, did aiford matter to many pennes, according as they wer affected or
disaffected to it, for to dispute for it or against it. The summe of ther
reasones for nullyfyng all and each of the six wer as foUowethC) :
It was alledged against the Assembly at Linlithgow, a7ino 1606, First,
Because the indictione was but seven dayes befor the opening of the Assembly.
Second, Comissioners wer called to it not by presbytryes but by the Kings
private letters. Third, The Kings letters call it onlye a meeting to treate
only about conclusiones ; but they had no power from presbytryes to con-
clude any thinge. Fourth, Presbytrys did limitate comissioners not to con-
clude any thing contrare to established discipline, nor to vote as in ane As-
sembly, but to protest if any thing praejudiciall to this wer attempted.
Fifth, The actes of this meeting are not in the register of the Assemblyes.
Sixth, The next Assembly, at Linlithgow, 1608, acknowledge Mr. Patrick
Gallowaye to have been moderator at the immediatly preceeding Assembly ;
but he moderated, anno 1602, at the Assembly of Halyroodhouse ; erffo,
they doe not acknowledge this for the immediate praeceeding Assemblye.
Against the Assembly at Linlithgow, 1608, it was objected, First, That
forty-two noblemen, barrens, and bishopps sate heerin, without any comis-
sione, contrare to acte of Dunde, 1597. Second, Out of some presbytryes
came mor then three ministers commissioners, contrare to the acte at Dun-
dee, 1597. Third, They wanted ruling elders from presbytryes.
It was objected against the Assembly holdne at Glasgow, 1610, First,
That such wer chosne comissioners whom the King and bishopps did designe,
(1) [See Records of the Kirk, p. ■24—26 ; Historia Motuum, p. 200—203.]
Ch. XLVIII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 53
and it was assured tliat none other would be accepted. Second^ Ther wer A. D. 1638.
no ruling elders present. Third, Some presbytryes sent mor ministers then
three. Fourth, Threttye noblemen and bishopps had vote therin upon the
Kinge's call, without comissione. Fifth, They wer allured to vote the
Kinge's waye or threatned. Sixth, The principall actes wer made in co- N. B.
mittees by the noblemen and bishopps, and reade in the Assembly only to
be approvne. Seventh, Sundrye ministers got rewardes and brybes to vote
the Kinges waye ; and such as contrould him wer threatnd with deprivatione
and banishment.
As for the Assembly at Aberdeen, anno 1616, First, The bishop of Saint
Andrews usurped the place of moderator. Second, It was indicted but
twenty dayes befor it did meet, so that all could not conveene. Third,
Ther wer twenty-five noble and gentlemen calld by the Kinge who voted ;
some ministers voted without comissiones. Fourth, Mor comissioners then
one from brughes. Fifth, Ruling elders wer excluded. Si.rth, The Arch-
bishop of Saint Andrews, with his owne hande, did interlyne, adde, chaunge,
vitiate the scrolls and minutes of that Assemblye.
The Assembly at Saint Andrews, 1617 (said they), First, Was not to
be founde in the registers. Second, The indictione so informall, that the
scrolls therof declare many comissioners refoosed to be present. Third,
The King, in his letter to Perth Assembly, calles it only a meeting,
wherin ther was disgrace offered to him. Fourth, All the corruptiones of
the four former Assemblyes had ther confluxe into this and the followng
Assembly.
Against the Assembly at Pearth, 1618, they remonstrated, First, That
it was indicted but twenty dayes befor the holding of it. Second, No lau-
full electione of moderator. Third, Nor of a clerke. Fourth, The dioceses
of Orkney, Catnesse, Rosse, Argylle, and Isles, five in all, wer totally
absent. Fifth, Nynteen noblemen and barrens, and eleven bishopps, did
vote without comissione ; thirty-six brughs absent ; no ruling elders ; and
some brughs present had two or three comissioners. Sixth, Some presby- N.B.
tryes did send mor ministers comissioners then three ; some ministers voted
without comissione; others who had comissiones wer rejected, and ministers
wanting comissiones putt in ther place. Seventh, The bishopps practisd
some of thes thinges that wer voted in that Assembly befor the Assembly
sate downe, viz. geniculatione at communion, etc., so ther voices wer prae-
judged. Eighth, Ministers wer threatned to voice affirmative, under paine
54
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. III.
Intrant oath
nullified.
Exceptions.
Dr. Robert
Hamilton de-
posed. Mr.
James For-
syth ; Mr.
John Crigh-
ton deposed.
Sessio 13.
December 5.
Wedinysdaye.
of deprivatione, imprisonement, banishment. Ninth, The vote was stated,
" Whither the Five Articles, in respect of his Majestye's commandement,
should passe in acte, or not ?" and not if they wer conforme to God's word.
Tenth, It was declared by the bishopps, that whither they voted for the
Five Articles or not, yet they should passe in ane acte and be practised.
This is the short summe of the reasons givne by the comittee appoynted for
tryall of thes sex Assemblyes.
The Assembly having heard thes reasones, and the proofes of all and
eache of thes reasones grownded upon the evidences forsaide, declared all
thes sex Assemblyes, " and evrye one of them, to have been from the be-
ginninge unfree, unlaufull, and null Assemblyes, and never to have had, nor
heerafter to have, any ecclesiasticall authoritye, and ther conclusiones to
have been, and to bee of no force, vigour, nor efficacye ;" and prohibited all
defence and observaunce of them in all tyme to come.
The King tooke exceptione against the last pairt of this acte, and
declared that it was an ouncoth forme of procedure for to rescinde six
Assemblyes as null and voide, notwithstanding that two of them even then,
and for some tyme after that, wer still in force by severall actes of Parlia-
ment, and diverse actes of the other four wer at that tyme standing ratifyd
and confirmed by Parliament actes.
XLIX. Upon Wedinysday, December five, the thirteenth sessione of
the Assembly conveened ; where the moderator did declare, that since the
six Assemblyes (presently spockne of) wer founde null, therfor it behoved
necessaryly to follow that all the noveltyes wherwith the Church was
burthend, by vertwe of the actes of the saide Assemblyes, did lyckwayes
fall to the ground ; and so amongst the rest, the oathe which intrant ministers
tooke for observing all or any of thes noveltyes, to be null in itself, and not
obligatory unto any minister who had tackne it, as also all subscriptiones
givne by any to this effecte. The reasone of the nullitye of this oathe was
declared to bee, because the bishopps, who gave the oathe, did suppose
somewhat to be constituted by the Churche which was not so, viz, that the
Churche had givne power to the bishopps to exacte such ane oathe, which
they, by ther nullifyng the six Assemblyes, declared was not givne ; as also
that the Church had established thes noveltyes, which she never did by any
free laufull Assemblye. They declared* that if intrant ministers had not
• See print Assembly of Glasgow, Act. Sess. 13.
toria Motuum, p. 203.]
[Records of the Kirk, p. 26 ; His-
Ch. xlix.] history of scots affairs. 55
supposed all this, that they would never have tackne the oathe; therfor, A. D. less,
since it was apparent to all that thes oathes were not obligatory, as being-
deceitfully procured by the bishopps, they did declare, by ther unanimouse
vote, that all ministers who had tackne such oathes wer discharged from
observing thes oathes in any tyrae comming.
And furder, the Assembly, by ther vote, did unanimously declare, that
the power of presbytryes, provincial and General Assemblyes, had been
unjustly suppressed, but never laufully abrogated ; and therfor that it had
been most laufull for them, notwithstanding of any poynt unjustly objected
by the prelatts to the contrarye, to admitte, suspende, or depryve ministers
respectwe within ther boundes, upon relevant complaints sufficiently provne,
and to choose ther owne moderators, and to execute all the poyntes of ec-
clesiasticall jurisdictione, acording to ther oune limits appoynted to them by
the kirke.
The exceptiones tackne with the dispensatione of the oathe of intrants by
the mor knowng wer : First, That it was very improper for ministers to sitt
judges and dispence with themselves; for it is certaine ther wer many minis-
ters members of this Assembly, who voted against the oath in ther oune fa-
vours. Second, That ther wer ane 'virri^nn; in tacking the oath of the Covenant
befor this acte ; for all who gott the benefitt of this acte of nullifying thes
episcopall oathes, it seems they ought tirst to have been dispenced with for
the former, and then to have sworne the oathe of the Covenant, and not,
simul et seniel, for to have sworne two contradictorye oathes : Nor will that
which was made the pretext, salve this solaecisme, as the Doctors of Aber-
deen have fully evinced in their Duplyes ; for, first, that which the intrants
swore too was enacted by a standing law ; so, without sinne, they could not
lay by the practise by ane oath, till the practise was declared unlaufull ; or,
if they did limitate ther suspensione of the practise till a free Assembly did
sitte, either such as did limitate themselves thus, did suppose the General
Assemblyes determinatione infallible, or, if not, that then they supposed (as
it was true) that themselves in the Assembly wer to be judges in ther owne
cause, as it fell out. A third exceptione was, whuther or not all intrants
did sweare the observaunce of thes ceremonyes cum hoc intuitu vel supposi-
tione that they wer imposed by Assemblyes laufulle ; for who does not see N. B.
that this practise does opne a doore to repeale all oathes and subscriptiones,
if after times shall declare nullitye in former Assemblyes. The last, and
not the least, exceptione against the repealing of this oathe was. Supposing
56
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. the oathe had been fraudulently extorted by bishopps from intrants, yet, if
the thinges which thes intrant ministers swore to observe wer ex parte rei
in themselves laufull to have been observed, and not sinnefull constitutiones ;
Whither the fraudulencye of the meanes used to move intrants to tacke the
oathe could be excuse eneuche to free the swearer from his obligatione ?
Casuistes, who dispute this case, give the instaince of Joswas oathe made
to the Gibeonitts, which God himself declared obligatory ; yet it was frau-
dulently extorted, and the promise made to the Gibeonitts founde contrarye
to God's positive commande, which was not to spare any of thes nationes,
nor enter in leagues with them. Ther is another instaince givne of one
man compelled by a theefe for to [promise to] paye him so much money,
which casuistes lyckwayes suppose the swearer obleidged unto, because the
promise in itself is not unlaufuU ; for, except it be provne that ane oath is
rinculnm iniquitatis, it must be confessed that many thinges indeed may
hinder men from macking ane oathe, which will not excuse them from ob-
serving ane oathe once being tackne, the impediments befor and after ane
oath not being of aeqwall latitude.
After this acte was past, ther wer many witnesses sworne against the
bishopps of Brechin and Galloway. . And then ther came in a complainte
against Dr. Robert Hamiltoune, minister at Glasseforde (he who presented
the bishopps Declinator) by his parishoners, for not observing church
discipline ; for brybery ; for suffering fornicatione unpunished in his house ;
for refoosing to visite the sicke ; that in his ordinar discourse he used oathes
to floorishe his discourse withall ; that he was ane ordinare profaner of the
Sabbath daye ; that he had oftne deserted his charge, and stayed some
tymes four, some tymes fyve moneths at once at courte ; that he had perse-
cuted some most violently with excommunicatione ; that to some he had re-
foosed the benefitt of marriadge, and baptisme to some of his parishoners
ther children, because they wold not kneel at the communione ; and his
great cryme, that he had declyned the Assemblye, and had railed against
it, being summoned befor it, bidding the officer goe hang himself, wold
he compeer befor a rebelliouse conventicle, that he was ane honester
man then any who wer at that Assemblye.* The proofes against him
* It was objected against Dr. Hamiltoune lyckways, that he suftered children to dye
without baptisme ; that he had musicke and dauncinge in his house upon the Lords day
at'ternoone ; that he said images wer laufull ; and swore that he would keep the Service
Booke in his churche, and use it in despyte of puritans and the devill.
Cfi. XLIX.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 57
wer admitted ; and Dr. Ilamiltoune, by unanimouse vote of the Synode,
v; IS deposed from the ministerial! functlone, session twentieth, Decembris
thirteenth.*
It is ane observatione, that many about that tyme and since have had, That,
in thes tymes, no ministers wer accused as faulty, but such as wer Non-Cove-
nanters, or active against [the Covenant] ; and scarce any such wer ever ac-
cused, who escaped depositione ; if justly or not, it is very hard to determine;
for none can be so uncharitable as to thinke that all such wer proceeded against
in thes tymes upon unjust and groundlesse accusationes. But the wonder is,
that amongst all the ministers who tooke the Covenant, not one in ther
tymes was accused or founde out, to whoise charge any thing was laide lycke
thes Non-Covenanter ministers, who wer accused or deposed. Whither it
was that the godly pairty of the ministrye did close with the Covenant, and
the profaner parte of them oppose it, or if it wer upon any other aceompt
it fell out so, I doe leave it to the reader to judge.
After Dr. Hamiltoune, one Mr. James Forsyth/,, was complained upon,
and wittnesses against him sworne ; but the lybell was not readde at this
sessione. Then wer all the caveatts reade publickly, which the bishopps
wer obleidged to stand too at ther admissione (which you may fynde in
the long summonds givne out against the bishops, of which befort^)),
which they wer declared to have brockne all and evrye one. And therafter
the lybell against the Archbishop of Saint Andrews was readde ; of which
mor afterwardes.
In the closure of this sessione, Jlr. Johne Creightoune, minister at Pasley,
was citted. His indytment contained. That he lived atheistically ; that
he enclyned to popery and Arminianisme ; that he praised the popish im-
plicite faithe, affirming it was better then that of the protestants, and suffi-
cient to salvatione ; that he saide it was easye for to reconceile protestants
and papistes, if puritans and jesuitts wer awaye ; that he said that men
might fullfill the law, otherwayes God wer unjust for to commande the
keeping of it ; he defended that praedestinatione of forseen workes was good
orthodox doctrine, and that none did hold the contrary, except some braine
sicke madde fooles, who followed Calvin's doctrine ; that he teached and
mantained universall grace with all the errors ,poDsequent therupon ; that he
allowed auricular confessione, and mantained free wille ; that papistes and
* Nota. Dr. Hamiltoune was not sentenced with depositione till the twentieth sessione.
(1) [Minister at Kilpatriol;.] (2) [See above, vol. i. pp. 127, 128.]
58
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. III.
A. D. 1638.
Animadver-
sions on the
Service
Book.
Sessio 14.
December 6,
Thursdaye.
protestants wer both saved, and evryc man that beleevs in Chryst onlye ;
that the world might have been saved weall eneuch without Chryste's deathe ;
that the sainctes might fall totally awaye from saving grace ; that he bap-
tised a chylde on ane ordinarye daye in his bedde, for lazinesse for to ryse,
without any prayer, with his night cappe on, using no exhortatione to the
parents, putting a little water on the chylde, pronouncing the wordes of
baptisme, and no mor ; that one daye, whilst he was going to churche, a
poor distressed man asking almes of him, he did strycke the poor man with
his foote, to the effusione of the beggar his bloode ; and being advertished
of his uncharitable dealinge, he ansuered. What other was it to stricke such a
one then to strycke a dogge : For which crymes and heterodoxies, he was
by full vote, depry ved of his ministeriall functione ; and except he macke his
publicke repentaunce, he was ordained to be excommunicated.
The King, in his Large Declaratione,* reportes that at the votinge of
one of thes ministers' deprivationes (but names not who), [the Moderatour
of the Assembly] did move a questione to the Assemblye, Whither, if the
depryved minister should baptise a chylde, the chylde must not be baptised
againe ? But that, one of the ministrye tooke him off instantly, by telling
him that they never did baptise thoise children who had been baptised by
popish preestes ; and so no mor was spockne of that matter. This passage
I doe insert upon the trust of the relator ; because albeit that Declaration
be much qwarrelled at, yet it is very unlycke that such a passage would have
been inserte, if it had not been publicke and befor many wittnesses.
L. Upon Thursday the sLxth of December, the Assembly satte for the
fourteenth sessione ; wher the moderator beganne with a short speeche of the
evill and goode that the Service Booke had done, and then desyred Mr.
Andrew Ramseye to give in his diligence, and observationes upon the new
leiturgie : Which Mr. Andrew acordingly presented in wrytte, and therin
laboured to prove that the Service Booke was heathinish, Popish, Jewishe,
and Arminiane, both in matter and ceremoney. Some others who wer upon
that comittye for tryall of the Service Booke, gaveinther notandums against
it, such as Mr. Robert Bailye, Mr. Edward Wright, Mr. Samuel Rutherfoorde,
Mr. William Douglasse, Mr. Johne Haye, and some others : Yet thes observa^
tiones being reade (which tooli.e upp the whole tyme of that sessione), it was
thought that the comittye was sett downe rather to collatione ther several] ob-
Pag. 320.
Ch. l.] history of scots affairs. 59
servationes, then in so short a tyme that it was probable that they could draw A. D. 1638.
upp all that was wryttne by them, and publickly reade at that tyme. I shall
not trouble my reader with giving ane accounte of all the exceptiones at lenthe,
as about that tyme they wer sett downe in severall tractats, some of which
are by me in manuscripts. The most materiall wer as followes :
ANIMADVERSIONS ON THE SERVICE BOOKE.*
The comittye declared that the Service Booke was to be rejected, First,
Because for the maner of introductione therof : It was brought into the
Churche without consent of the Churche, or vote of GeneraU Assemblye,
to whom it belonged to determine the lycke. Second, Because it thrusts
out a laufull and uswall service already practised in the Churche ; and in its
place setts upp another leiturgye, patched upp out of the Roman masse
booke, ther booke of ceremoneyes and breviare, t which does containe many
thinges superflouse and ridiculouse, many thinges superstitiouse, as also the
seeds of great errors and idolatrye, and in manye places is worse then the
Englishe Service Booke.
Amongst thinges superstitiouse and ridicolouse, First, The presbyter is
holdne (pag. ?(') of the Service Booke t) to saye or reade the mattens
and vespers evrye daye publicklye or privately. Now, if he reade them
privatly and alone, to what pourpose are ther responsoryes, except himself
answer in name of the Churche as ther representative? Next, if thes
prayers be appoynted by publicke authoritye, and the presbyter be the
Churches delegate to saye them daylye, what else is this but to sett up the
popish Canonicke Howers, two [out] of seven [of them] ? See Bellarm.
torn. 4. controv. lib. 1. de bonis oper. cap. 10. Second, Ther is no certaine
place appoynted for the morning and evning publicke prayers, but it is re-
* See Spang, Historia Motuuni, pag. 204, cl scqq. [" Animadversiones in librum litiir-
giae ab Episcopis obtrusum ccclcsiae Scoticac." The " Animadversions on the Service
Booke" in the text are translated from this document.] Mr. Robert Baillie, his Animadver-
siones on the Englishe Service Booke wer afterwardcs published by the Assembly of Divynes
at Westminster, anno 1644. See them sett ilowno in William Sandersons Historye of
King Charles I. [p. 682—687. Lond. 1658. fol.]
t Missale, Rituale, Breviarium, Romanum.
CD [Signature a 4. Though Gordon, following Spang, has quoted the Service Book by
the page, the leaves of that work are not numbered or marked, except by the printer's sig-
natures. In order to facilitate reference, these will be given in the notes.]
X Printed in folio, anno 1637, by R. Younge, at Edinburgh.
60 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B III.
A. D. I(i3s. mitted to the bishopps discretione;(') to whom it is recommended/-) to re-
duce the shape of the churches to the olde forme that they wer builded in,
viz. as they wer in tyme of popery, answerable to the forme of Solomon's
temple, devyded into the portico, navis et sacrarium* Third, Some thinges
are appoynted to bee pronounced by the presbyter with a lowde voice, other
thinges againe with a lower voice, which is a popish practise in the masse ;
also, the prayers, the confessione of faith, and some other thinges, are com-
manded to be saide or sunge, albeit they are not putt in metricall numbers.
Fourth, Albeit the posture of the bodye at prayer be a thing indift'erent, yet,
in some prayers, ther is a comraande in that booke for to bowe the knee ;
and at other tymes to stande ; and in other prayers the posture of the bodye
is left arbitrarye to all : Sometymes the people are commanded to praye and
not the presbyter, sometymes the contrarye, and sometymes both are biddne
praye together ; sometymes one of them repeates, sometymes they ansuer,
at other tymes they pairte the prayer betuixt them : The presbyter is com-
manded sometymes to turn his face towards the people, therfor he some-
tymes must turne awaye his face from them : They are biddne stand when
the evangile is readde, sitte when the epistle is readde, and bow the knee
when the decalogue is readde : That ther behoved to be a frequent turning
and turning backward againe of that booke from the psalmes to the coUectes,
thence to the hymnes, thence to the psalmes, to the lessones, and tinally to
the littanies. Fifth, Ther are many new and ouncoth wordes in it, which
all do savour of poperye, such as the Scottish understoode not at all, bor-
rowd from the Romish Leiturgie : such as " Mattens, Vespers, Advente,
the Epiphanye, Sejjticar/esimu, Sexagesima, Q_uinqioagesima, Dominica,
Rogations, The Ordinary of the Place, Collects, Littanyes, Venite, Te
Heum, Benedictus, Mai/ni/icat, Nunc dimittis, Sabbatuin cantate. Dies
(1) [Sig. b 8. Rubric: " The Morning and Evening Prayer shall be used in the ac-
customed place of the Church, Chappell, or Chaneell, except it bee otherwise determined
by the Ordinarie of the place : and the Chancels shall reniaine as they have done in
times past."]
(2> [Gordon seems here to liave misunderstood Spang, whose words are these: " NuUus
certus locus destinatur matutinis et vespertinis precibus publicis ; sed remittitur arbitrio
Episcopi, qui sedulo studel>it templorum formam ad tempora praecedentia rcvocare, hoc est,
quando Papismus regnabat." Historia Motuvm, p. 203.]
* It is reported that William Laude, Archbishop of Canterbury, at his being in Scottland,
anno 1633, qwarelled extremly with the forme of the church of Bruntiland (which is
quadrate, suported with four pillers aequidistant), telling them who were present, that it
was hard to tell, in a churche of such a shape, where to place the altar.
Ch. l.] history of scots affairs. 61
Cinerum, Oblations, Antiphonia, Purificatione of Women." Also some chap-
ters of the Actes of the Apostles, and of the Prophetts of the Old Testa-
ment, are called epistles. Other termes, such as " OiFertorye, Annunciation
of our Ladye, Officiare, Corporal, both Kyndes," etc., they thought it was
to be doubted least under thes uncoth and Latine words, the Latine Ser-
vice wer also latent. Sixth, In the Calendar some sainctes are insert of
whom it is doubtsome whether they wer sainctes or not : such as Lucianus,
Saint David, Kentigerne, Fabianus, Agnesse, Vincentius, Blasiu.s, Valentinus,
Colmannus, Saint Patrick bishopp, Cuthbert, Benedicte, Gilbert, Serjius,
Saint George, Dunstanus, Suithimis, Nomen Jesu, JEgidius, Niiiianus, Ada-
mnanus, Sapientia, Crispinus, Hugh bishopp, Silvester, etc. Seventh, The
confessione of sinnes and absolutione is appoynted to be readde befor
prayer, pag. 35 ;(') as if confession wer not a prayer, and as if therin many
thinges wer not sought from God. Eighth, The wordes of the conclusione
of the Lorde's Prayer are sometymes appoynted to be repeated, sometymes
to be omitted ; nor can it be tould why it should be so.'^) Ninth, Evrye daye
the hyme Te Deum laudamus is appoynted to be readde or sunge ; as if an
hyme composed by men wer holyer then all the psalmes and hymnes dictated
by the Holy Gohste. Tenth, " The presbyter, clerke, and all the people
together, must repeate the Lorde's Prayer with ane lowde voice," pag. 42.(')
How much confusione is ther heer, and are not the presbyters of the clergye ?
Eleventh, In the Litany they ascrybe many names to God, and they are to
repeate one and the same prayer oftne ; eight tymes " Good Lord deliver
us" is repeated ; " We beseech thee to heare us good Lord" is two and
twenty tymes repeated : The presbyter designes only the evills whiche the
people deprecate, as also thes good thinges which the people doe praye for.
Twelfth, Thes wordes, " By the mysterie of thy holy Incarnation, [by
thy holy] Nativitie [and] Circumcision, [by thy] Baptisme, [Fasting and
(1) [Sig. A 2.]
(2) [Sig. A 2. Rubric : " Then shall the Presbyter or Minister begin the Lords
prayer with a loud voyce. And in this, and all other places of the Liturgie, where
the last words, for thine is the kingdom, &c. are expressed, the Presbyter shall reade
them. But in all places where they <ire not expressed, he shall end at these words,
but deliver us from evil. Amen." Compare St. Matthew, vi. 9 — 13. with St. Luke, xi.
2-4.]
(3) [Sig. A 5. Here and elsewhere, Gordon, by translating from Spang, has fail-
ed to preserve the exact words of the original. The Rubric quoted is : " Then the
Presbyter, Clerkes, and people, shall say the Lord's prayer, in English, with a lowd
voyce."]
62 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
.A. D. 1638. Temptation,] by thine agonie and bloudy sweat, by thy Crosse and Passion,
by thy precious Death and Buriall, by thy glorious Resurrection and As-
cension, [and by the coming of the holy Ghost], Good Lord deliver us :"
What other thing can such expressions be accounted but meere adjurationes ?
Thirteenth, After four and fourty prayers, of which the Lorde's Prayer is
one, at last it is said") " Let us pray ;" as if all the praeceeding wer not to
be accounted for prayers. Fourteenth, In the lessons at the Euchariste,
the epistle is putt before the evangile, which is against the order of the
byble ; nor is ther any thankesgiving after the reading of the epistle, whilst
it is most carefullye appoynted that the doxologye should still shutt upp the
reading of the evangile.'^) Fifteenth, It is said*^) that the innocent infantes
murdered by Herode wer Chryste's wittnesses or martyres, and that " they
wer such as expressed God's praise, not by speacking but dyinge ;" wher it
is censure worthy. That thes infantes are called Innocents without any expli-
cation, which savours of Pelagianisme : Second, That all of them in generall
wer Chryst's martyrs, whilst they wer not martyres neither in habite nor
acte ; not in habite or in resolutione of ther heartes, much lesse in the acte,
since they cannot be said none of them to have dyed for the faithe, which
they knew not ; and, furder, all of them cannot be firmly and confidently
averred to have dyed in the faithe. Sixteenth, In the collectes of the thirdt'*^
and fourthC^) Sunday after Epiphanye, and in the Septwagesima,('') ther is a
(1) [Sig. B 4.]
(2) [Sig. M. 8. Rubric : " Immediatly after tlie Collects, the Presbyter shall read the
Epistle, saying thus : The Epistle written in the Chapter of at the verse.
And when "he hath done, he shall say : Here endeth the Epistle. And the Epistle ended,
the Gospel shall be read, the Presbyter saying : The holy Gospel is written in the
chapter of at the verse. And then the people all standing up shall say :
Glori/ be to thee, O Lord. At the end of the Gospel, the Presbyter shall say : So endeth
the holy Gospel. And the people shall answer : Thanks be to thee, O Lord."]
(3) [Sig. C 5. Collect for Innocents day : " Almighty God, whose praise this day the
young Innocents thy witnesses have confessed and shewed forth, not in speaking, but in
dying : mortifie and kill all vices in us, that in our conversation our life may expresse thy
faith, which with our tongues we do confesse, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."]
(4) [Sig. D 2. This collect is the same with that appointed in the present English
Book of Common Prayer for the same day.]
(5) [Sig. D 2. Collect: " God which knowest us to bee set in the midst of so many and
great dangers, that for mans frailnesse we cannot alwayes stand uprightly : grant to us the
health of body and soule, that all those things which wee suiTer for sinne, by thy help wee
may well passe and overcome, through Christ our Lord. Amen."]
(6) [Sig. D 4. This collect is the same with that appointed in the English Book of
Common Prayer for the same day, except that in the conclusion the words " with thee and
the Holy Ghost, ever one God," do not occur in the Scotish Service Book.]
Ch. L.J HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 63
deprecatione ao-ainst some certaine daungers ; as if thes dayes wer mor fatall
then other dayes. Seventeenth, In the collect of the third Sunday of
Lent,(') defence against enemyes is prayed for; as if thes dayes wer fuller of
daunger then other dayes, or else that suche petitione made on such a daye
wer sufficient for preventing that. Eif/hteenth, The day of the passion has
three collects,W whilst some dayes have none at all, and all other dayes
eache but one. Nineteenth, In the collecte of the twelfth Sunday after the
Trinity daye,(3) ther is a prayer, " that God would graunte thes thinges which
Christians dare not seeke in ther prayers ;" a petitione verie unagreable with
the ^>.n^„(pc^U of the Christian profossione. Twentieth, All the collects, for
the most pairt, are tackne de verba ad verbum out of the masse booke.
Twenty-first, In the rubrick that is preiixed to the Lord's Supper,('') " it
is appoynted that the Holy Table be covered with a tableclothe, and a cleane
linning clothe, and other decent utensiles :" This may implye all the super-
stitiouse toyes whairwith the papistes adorne ther altars, viz. the crosse,
candles, phylacteryes, etc., and so much the rather, since that the framers
of that booke doe not anye wher declare against the use of suche thino-es.
Tiventij-second, The presbyter being to officiat, is commanded to stande at
the northerne syde of the altare, who must be clothed with a surplice, if the
bishopp thinke expedient jW for, anno 16.33,* they gott power graunted to
the Kinge for to impose anye habite to churche men, which he should think
fittinge. Ticenty-third, After the repeating of the Lorde's Prayer, the pres-
byter is commanded, with his face turned to the people, to recite clearly
(1) [Sig. E. This collect is the same with that appointed in the English Book of
Common Prayer for the same day.]
(2) [Sig. F 8. They are the same with those appointed in the English Liturgy.]
(3) [Sig. J 7. Collect. " Almighty and everlasting God, which art alwayes more ready
to heare then we to pray, and art wont to give more then either we desire or deserve .
powie down u])on us the abundance of thy mercy, ibrgiving us those things whereof our
conscience is afraid, and giving unto us that that our prayer dare not presume to ask,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."]
C4) [Sig. M 6. Rubric : " The holy Table having at the Communion time a Carpet,
and a faire white linen cloth upon it, with other decent furniture, meet for the high
mysteries there to be celebrated, shall stand at the uppermost part of the Chancell or
Church, where the Presbyter, standing at the north-side or end thereof, shall say the
Lords prayer, with this Collect following for due preparation."]
(5) [Sig. b 8. Rubric : " And here is to be noted, that the Presbyter or Minister at
the time of the Communion, and at other times in his Ministration, shall use such Ornaments
in the Church as are prescribed, or shall be by his Majestic, or his Successors, according to
the Act of Parliament provided in that behalf."]
* See first ParUament, Charles I., anno 1633.
64 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
and distinctly the decalogue, and the people must all of them kneele at that
tyrae ;(') whence it appeares that he must saye the Lorde's Prayer, with his
backe to the people, and with a low voice : Furder mor, it may be asked,
why the people must kneele whilst the decalogue is repeated, and yet kneel-
ing is not enjoynd unto them whilst the Lorde's Prayer is saide/^) Twenty-
fourth, It is appoynted(') that the servaunt or deacon ofthechurche "shall
offer the basone with the oblationes of the faithfull people to the presbyter
who is officiatinge, who shall tacke it, and, with a low bowng of his knee,
shall laye it upon the altar, and offer it unto the Lorde :" Wher ther is lurk-
ino-. First, Judaisme, whilst God, by this meanes, is supposed to be present
befor consecratione mor at the altar then else wher ; a thing that the papistes
cannot awaye withe : Secondh/, Poperye, whilst the people's offering must
gee befor the sacrifice ; and, next, whilst, by this meanes, two offeringes are
made, one of money, another of bread and of wyne. Twenty-fifth, Kneel-
ing is oftne commanded, whilst no wher is ther to be founde a commande-
ment of seriouse preparatione befor the communion, or that ther should be
spritwall and inward worshipp in the very acta therof. Twenty-sixth, Ther
is a permissione to use rownde wafers, (^) commonly called Hostias, and thes
unleavened. Twenty-seventh, The presbyter is commanded to stande
whilst he prayes for the Kinge,(') and ther are two prayers for the King,(^)
(1) [Sig. M 6. Rubric: " Then shall the Presbyter, turning to the people, rehearse
distinctly all the Ten Commandements : The people all the while kneeling, and asking God
mercy for the transgression of every duty therein ; either according to the letter, or to
the mysticall importance of the said Commandement."]
(2) [Tiiere is not in the Scotish Service Book any rubric such as that which, in the
English Book of Common Prayer, follows the Absolution in the order for Morning Prayer :
" Then the Minister shall kneel, and say the Lord's Prayer with an audible voice ; the
people also kneeling, and repeating it with him, l>olh here, and wheresoever else it is used
in Divine Service."}
(3) [Sig. N. Rubric : " The Deacon, or (if no such be present) one of the Church-
wardens shall receive the devotions of the people there present in a bason provided for that
purpose. And when all have offered, hee shall reverently bring the said bason with the
oblations therein, and deliver it to the Presbyter, who shall humbly present it before the
Lord, and set it upon the holy Table. And the Presbyter shall then offer up and ])lace the
bread and wine prepared for the Sacrament upon the Lords Table, that it may be ready for
that service."]
(4) [Sig. O. Rubric: " And to take, away the superstition, which any person hath or
might have in the Bread and Wine, (though it be lawfuU to have wafer bread) it shall suf-
fice that the Bread be such as is usuall : yet the best and purest Wheat Bread that conve-
niently may be gotten."]
(5) [Sig. M 7.]
(6) [Ibid.]
Ch. l.] history of scots affairs. 65
but not one for his Qween, nor childeren. Ttoenty-eighth, The presbyter,
at celebratione, must intimate such festivall dayes as are to be observed the
followng weeke.O) Tinenti/-nlnth, If the people come to the sacrament
of the Lord's Supper mor unfrequently or negligently, the presbyter is com-
manded, evne whilst he is celebrating the communione, to exhorte them to
approache :('-^) Now it wold be knowne, since the people have made knowne
to the presbyter ther intentione to communicate, as in another rubrickeO
they are enjoyned to doe, to what ende is such an exhortatione as this ? Now,
if the people had no former intention to communicate till they be exhorted
at that tyme, it would be known if the presbyter will then admitte them,
though any of them wer guiltye of scandall, without satisfactione ? or, if
they communicate then, will he putt them to it to satisfee afterwardes for
ther scandall ? Thirtieth, Some holy dayes have prefaces for the pour-
pose,(^) others have none ; and why ? Thirty-first, The presbyter officiating
is commanded to stande, and not for to kneele, whilst he is recyting the
prayer of consecratione ; and he must stand in such a place wherin with
most freedome he may have the use of bothe his handes, whilst, in the
meane tyme, he standes alon at the altar, pag. 207 :(^' It is worth the en-
qwyrie what they meane by the free use of both his handes ; is it to cast the
signe of the crosse in the aire ? or is it that he may elevate the pattine and
chalice, and Hft them high upp? Yea, is it not also appoynted in this
rubricke, that he shall stand at the west syde of the altare, with his backe
towardes the people, and his face to the easte ? Such toyes as thes con-
verte the Lordes Supper into a comedye, and exposes such a mysterye to
(1) [Sig. M 8. Rubric ; " After the Creede, if ther be no Sermon, shall follow one of
the Homilies which shall hereafter be set forth by common authority.
" After such Sermon, Homily, or exhortation, the Presbyter or Curate shall declare unto
the people whether there bee any Hol^'-dayes, or Fasting-dayes the week following."]
(2) [Sig- N 2. After the prayer for the whole state of Christs church militant here in
earth, follow this Rubric and Exhortation : " Then shall follow this exhortation at certain
times when the Presbyter or Curate shall see the people negligent to come to the holy
communion. We be come together at this time (dearly beloved brethren) to feed at the
Lords supper, unto the which in Gods behalfe I bid you all that be here present, and be-
seech you for the Lord Jesus Christs sake, that yee will not refuse to come thereto, being
so lovingly called and bidden of God himself," etc. e/c]
(3) [Sig. M 6.]
(■1) [Sig. N 5. Proper prefaces upon certain Festivalls.]
(5) [Sig. N 6. Rubric : " Then the Presbyter standing up, shall say the prayer of
consecration, as foUoweth, but then during the time of consecration, he shall stand at such a
part of the holy Table, where he may with the more ease and decency use both his hands."]
66
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. the mocke of the prophane, and saddnes the heart of the godlye. Tliirty-
second, In the prayer of consecrationeO the wordes of the institutione are
directed to God by way of prayer, not to the people, as Chryst did ap-
poynte it. Thirty-third, Albeit the leiturgie of the Lordes Supper did
begiune with the Lords Prayer, yet now, after the offering upp of Chryst,
pay. 209, ('^^ it is repeated, prefacing it with this remarkable clause " We
dare saye ;" wherby they imply, that at the first saying it was without confi-
dence, because that Chryst was not yet oifered : Thes thinges are popish
(nugae ) raveries. Thirty-fourth, The presbyter is commanded to devyde
the oflTering of money, and tacke the half to himselfe :W This is sett downe as
a motive for to macke him swallow downe all thes ceremonyes with the bet-
Baptisme. ter wille. Thirty-fifth, It is saide that it is most expedient to baptise in
the English tounge :<''^ Heir it is questioned why as much is not saide con-
cerning the rest of the pairtes of Gods worshipp ? and is it not mor expe-
dient in some places of Scottland to celebrate all sacred dutyes in the Irish
tounge, as being in many places of Scottland better understoode then the
Englishe tounge ? Thirty-sixth, It is saide that the primitive churche did
celebrate baptisme only at Pashe and Pentecoste, and that as neer as we can
we are to imitate this custome, albeit it ought not only to be practised,* fag.
215 :(^' It is questioned why that ancient custome is beer mentioned; is it
to shew that the fathers thought not baptisme simply necessaire ? which the
authors of the Service Booke thinke not, for afterward verye expressly they
affirme the necessitye of baptisme : Or is it that thes fathers may be accused
(1) [Sig. N. 6.]
(2) [Sig. N 7. Rubric: " Then shall the Presbyter say : As our Saviour Christ hath
commanded and taught us, we are bold to say."~\
(3) [Sig. N 8. Rubric: " After the divine service ended, that which was offered shall
be divided in the presence of the Presbyter, and the Church-wardens, whereof one half shall
be to the use of the Presbyter to provide him books of holy divinity : the other half shall
be faithfully kept and employed on some pious or charitable use, for the decent furnishing
of that Church, or the publike relief of their poore, at the discretion of the Presbyter and
Church-wardens. "]
(4) [Sig. O 2. Rubric]
* [Licet] in solidum revocanda non sit. [Historia Motuum, p. 210.]
(5) [Sig. 0 2. Rubric: " It appeareth by ancient Writers, that the Sacrament of Bap-
tisme in the old time was not commonly ministred, but at two times in the year : At Easter
and Whitsuntide. At which times it was openly ministred in the presence of all the Con-
gregation. Which custome now being grown out of use ; (although it cannot for many
considerations be well restored againe) it is thought good to follow the same, as neere as
conveniently may be."]
Ch. l.] history of scots affairs.
67
for ther lazinesse, and ther negflecte of the salvatione of infantes? But if it A. D. 163*
be so, why propose they thes fathers for a patterne ? Turpe est doctori, etc.
Thirty-seventh, In the celebratione of baptisme, pag. 215,(0 the godfathers
are desyred to be present at the font, not the parents ; and the sanctitye of
the baptismall font is much cryed upp : But it would be knowne what mor
efficacye of sanctitye in a fount then in a basone? Thirty-eighth, Albeit it
be tould the curate that the infant is to be baptised, yet he must againe en-
qwyre if the chyld be already baptised. C^) Thirty-ninth, Ther is a peculiar
way of consecratione appoynted for the baptismall font, and the water must
be chaunged twyce evry monethe, and consecrated anew when it is chaunged,
pay. 2I6.<3) Fortieth, In imitation of the ancients, who enqwyred at such
as, being come to age, wer to be baptised, Firstly, If they beleeved ? Se-
condly, Renounce yow devill, world, etc. ? Thirdly, Will yow be baptised,
etc. ? They propose the selfe same questiones ridicolously eneuch (satis J
unto infantes, in whoise place the godfathers are commanded to ansuere,
I beleeve, I will be baptised, etc.w Forty-first, The godfathers, and not the
parents, are obleidged to bring upp the chylde in the growndes of ther
relligione.^*^ Forty-second, It is said that, in such as are to be baptised, two
thinges are reqwisite, repentaunce and faithe ; which the infantes performe
by ther godfathers :(^) Wliich assertione is unsownde ; for since infantes are
baptised as being within the covenant wherby God has promised that he
will bee a God to the parentes and to ther seede, and since infantes are not
the seede of ther godfathers, how can the faith or repentaince of godfathers
avaUe them ? Fortif-third, In the leiturgie of marriadge, pay. 242, W the Mairiadge.
brydegroome must have a ring, whiche he must laye upon the presbyters
booke befor he delyver it to the bryde : This, it would seeme, supplyes the
place of the popish benediction by holy water : The presbyter gives the ring
to the bridegroome, quho puttes the ringe upon the brydes ring finger of
(1) [Sig. O 1. Rubric]
(2) ilbid.-]
(3) [Sig. O 2. Marginal note: "The water in the font shall be changed twice in the
moneth at leest : And betbre any childe be baptised in the water so changed, the Presbyter
or Minister shall say at the font the words ; Sanctijie this fountain of baptisme, thou which
art the Sanctijier of all things."'}
(4) [Sig. O 3. 6 4.]
(5) [Sig. 0 5.]
(6) [Sig. P 3. The Catechisme.]
(7) [Sig. P 6, where the same rubric occurs as that which is in the English Liturgy.]
68 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. the lefte hande, and sayes " with this ringe I the wedde, with my body I the
worshipp :" The worde worshipp proper only to relligiouse adoratione.
Visitine Sick. Forty-fourth, In Visiting the Sicke, par/. 249,(0 one forme of prayer, con-
solation, exhortatione, is praescrybed for the use of all the sicke, without
any distinctione. Forty-fifth, At burialls, ther is reading, praying, and
singing. Forty-sixth, Lastly, Churchinge of women is appoynted, which
savours of Judaisme, etc.
Next, for the seedes of errors which are scatterd ther, is, First, Apocry-
pha is calld a pairt of the Old Testament, pay. 1 1 -,(2) and that some bookes
and chapters of the canonicke Scripture are said to be lesse aedifyinge, and
that they may better [be] omitted then Apocrypha's chapters, which they do
appoynte to reade ; much also of the canonicke Scripture is not to be reade
publlckly at aU, such as the Canticles, all the Apocalyps, except only two
chapters therof, and a pairt of the nineteenth chapter : It may be questiond if
the popish error sprung not from hence to think Apocrypha canonicke Scrip-
ture, because it was publickly readde in the Churche ? Second, Observatione
of saintes dayes, pay. 31, W and angells dayes ; yea, mor saintes dayes then
the Jewish had festivalls under the law ; quere, if the worshipp of saintes
tooke not its originall hence amongst the papists ? Third, pay. 38,('') It is
said " Having overcome the bitternesse of deathe, thow didest opne the
Kyngdome of Heaven to all beleevers," and in the epistle to be readde in
the vespersCO of Pashe, this is applied to 1st Peter, iii. ITW ; queree, does
not this savour of Limbus Patrum ? Fourth, In the order of the buriall, they
praye, pay. 262, (") that we, together with our deceased brother, and all others
dead in the trwe faith and confessione of thy name, may obtaine perfect ab-
(1) [Sig. Q2.]
(2) [Sig. a 6 : " The order how the rest of holy Scripture (beside the Psalter) is ap-
pointed to be read. The old Testament is appointed for the first Lessons at Morning and
Evening Prayer, and shall be read through every year once, except certain books and chap-
ters which be least edifying, and might best be spared, and therefore are left unread."]
(3) [Sig. b 8.]
(4) [Sig. A 3. Hymn of Te Deum Laudamus: " When thou haddest overcome the
sharpnesse of death : thou diddest open the kingdome of heaven to all beleevers."]
(5) [The Vigil of Pasch, or Easter Even, is meant.]
(6) [Gordon seems here to have misunderstood Spang, whose meaning indeed is not very
clear. His words are these: — " Devicta mortis acetbitate, aperuisti regnum coelorum om-
nibus credentibus, pag. 38. & in epistola praelegenda ad vesperam Paschatis, applicatur 1.
Pet. 3. 17. Annon sapiunt haec limbum patriarcharum ?"]
(7) [Sig. Q 8. The prayer referred to is the same as that which is appointed in the
English Liturgy ]
Ch. l.] history of scots affairs. 69
solutione and an'e consummated blessing, both of soule and bodye ; quere,
will not prayer for the deade qwickly grow out of such a roote ? Fifth,
" From whordome, and all mortall sinnes, save us, good Lord" :(" Heer is
expresse distinctione of sinnes into mortall and venialle. Sixth, At Christ-
masse, such as pray saye, this day the sonne of God is borne :(2> Whence it
followes, Chryst was as oftne borne as ther are yeares from his nativitye, viz.
1637, a yeare befor the comitty satt downe : Or, if it be understood of the
day of the moneth, then it cannot be a prayer in faith, for the day nor yeare
nor moneth is not founde in Scripture : The lycke also is said concerninge
the Circumcisione, Epiphanye,(3) and other feastes. Seventh, In the collecte
of the third Lordes day after Pash,'"*) it is saide that God showes the light
of his truth to all that are walking in error ; contrare to Psalm cxlvii. verses
19, 20. Eighth, In the collect at the feast of Michaelmasse, Michael is called a
created angell ;(5) contrare to Apocalypse xii. 7. Ninth, In the rubricke befor
the communion, the praeparatione of communicants seems to be no mor but
that such as are to communicate, the night befor lett the presbyter know
ther names, or that same day that they are to communicate :(^' albeit a
preacher cannot in so short a space enqwyre in ther lyfe and manners, nor
tacke awaye scandalls nor discords. Tenth, ibid. Such as are guiltye of
scandall is admitted to communicate, provyding that he resolve for to satisfie
afterwardes :(') j?/erjY«r, is not this contrare to Chrystes institution, whobiddes
us first be reconceiled, etc. i Eleventh, As the booke itself wants all church
authority, so, pag. 29,(') it commandes to receave the homilyes that are to be
(0 [Sig. B 2. The Letany : " From fornication, and all other deadly sinne, Good
Lord deliver us."]
(2) [Sig. C 3. The Collect for Christmas day : " Almighty God, which hast given us
thy only begotten Sonne to take our nature upon him, and this day to be borne of a pure
Virgin : Grant that we," etc.']
(3) [Sig. C 7. The collects referred to are the same with those appointed in the English
Book of Common Prayer for the same days.]
(■<) [Sig. G 8. The collect is the same with that appointed in the English Liturgy.]
(5) [Sig. M '2. The Collect is substantially the same with that appointed in the English
Liturgy. Spang's words are these: " In collecta ad festum S. Michaelis, Michael ille
Angelorum princeps, Apocalyps. 12. 7. refertur inter Angelos creates, cum tamen sit lesus
Christus."]
(6) [Sig. M. 6. Rubric : " So many as intend to bee partakers of the holy Communion,
shall signifie their names to the Presbyter or Curate over night, or else in the morning afore
the beginning of Morning prayer, or immediatly after."]
(7) [Sig M 6 Rubric]
(8) [Sig. M 8. Rubric : " After the Creede, if there be no Sermon, shall follow one of
the Homilies which shall hereafter be set forth by common authority."]
70
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. composed by publicke autlioritye: Hence it follows that prayer and preaching
must depend upon publicke civil autlioritye ; and that, in matters of relli-
gione, the church is tyed to blynd obedience ; and that the foundatione of
faithe is ane proclamatione procured, or to be procured, from courte.
Twelfth, The prayer of the oftertorye contradictes the inscriptione ; which
is, Lett us praye for Chrystes universall church, heer militant upon earthe :
Butt in the prayer ther is a comraemoratione of the deade, and a restrictione
of the catalogue of sainctes to such as are now in glorye :(') So that thus ther
is a waye made to the canonizatione and invocatione of sainctes : Lyckwayes
ther prayer is made for the dead who have spent ther lyfe in the faithe, and
now rest from ther labours :t'^ By which way BeUarmine does confesse that the
soules in purgatorye are best descrybed. Thirteenth,, Auricular confes-
sione is urged upon the people, pat/. 204,(2) and absolutione is expressly offered
to them. Fourteenth, The communion may be celebrated, if three or four
be present, /)rt^. 214(3); i)^^^ may ^jg deacon, sub-deacon, and clerke, albeit
none of the people be present : What can be lycker privatte masse ? Fifteenth,
It is ther appoynted that all communicat thryce evrye yeare, but specially
at Pashe ('') : This is Judaicall, nor doe we read that Chryst affixed it to any
(1) [Sig. N 1. In the prayer for the church militant, the Scotish Service Book has the
following sentences, in place of the concluding sentence of the same prayer in the English
Liturgy : — " And we also blesse thy holy name for all those thy servants, who having
finished their course in faith, do now rest from their labours. And wee yeeld unto thee
most high praise and hearty thankes for the wonderful! grace and vertue declared in all thy
saints, who have been the choice vessels of thy grace, and the lights of the world in their
severall generations : most humbly beseeching thee, that we may have grace to follow the
example of their stedfastnesse in thy faith, and obedience to thy holy commandements, that at
the day of the general resurrection, wee, and all they which are of the niysticall body of thy
Son, may beset on his right hand, and hear his most joyfuU voice. Come yee blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Grant
this, O Father, for Jesus Christs sake our only Mediatour and Advocate. Amen."]
(2) [Sig. Q 4. The Visitation of the Sick. The rubric and collect are the same as those
in the English Liturgy; except that the clause in the former "if he humbly and heartily
desire it" does not occur in the Scotish Service Book.]
(3) [Sig. Q 5. The Communion of the sick. Rubric: " But if the sick person be not
able to come to the Church, and yet is desirous to receive the Communion in his house,
then he must give knowledge over night, or else early in the morning, to the Presbyter or
Curate, signifying also how many be appointed to communicate with him : and having a
convenient place in the sick mans house, where the Presbyter or Curate, may reverently
minister, and a sufiicient number, at least two or three to receive the Communion with the
sick person, with all things necessary for the same, he shall there minister the holy Com-
munion."]
('') [Sig. O 1. Rubric ; " And note that every parishioner shall communicate at the least
three times in the year, of which Pasch or Easter shall be one,"]
Ch. l.] history of scots affairs. 71
one tyme. Sixteenth, pag. 216, ('> To perswade the people of the necessitye A. D. Ifi38.
of baptisme, they cite the wordes, John iii., except a man be borne agane of
water and of the spiritt, etc. : which wordes are not to be tackne for the bap-
tisme of water ; and ther it is saide that God has sanctifyd the fonte ; with-
out any warrant of Scripture. Seventeenth, In the exhortatione after the
crosse in baptisme/^) this grounde is tackne for confessed, that all who are
outwardly baptised are regenerated : juic/. 224, (') it is saide that baptised in-
fantes have all thinges needful to salvatione : Which they saye who mantaine
totall and linall apostasy of the sainctes. Eighteenth, The interrogationes
proposed at the examinatione of private baptisme, pag. 223(-'), presume that
such may baptise who are both ignorant of the matter and forme of bap-
time. Nineteenth, It is said, pag. 231,(5) that Chryst has redeemed me and
all mankynde : This implyes universall redemptione. Twentieth, pag. 235,('''
It is saide that ther are two sacraments generally necessaire to salvatione :
This implyes that ther are other sacraments lesse necessaire ; and after-
ward it is said that orders, matrimony, pennance, and confirmation are of that
number. Ticentij-first, pag . 236, (') The internaU pairtes of the sacrament of
the Lordes Supper, are saide to bee the bodye and blood of Chryste, which
are trulye tackne in the Holy Supper ; yet no wher, neither in the leiturgye
of the Euchariste, nor in the catechism, is ther any exphcatione of that
phrase to distinguish it from transubstantiatione. Twenty-second, Confir-
matione, -pag. 237, 238,(8) acording to the definition of a sacrament in the
catechisme, will be a sacrament, viz. " ane outward and visible signe of ane
inwarde and spiritwall grace, dispenced on us* and instituted by Chryste as
(1) [Sig. O 2. The exhortation is the same with that in the English Liturgy.]
(2) [Sig. O 4. The exhortation is the same with that in the English Liturgy.]
(3) [Sig. O 6. Private Baptisme. Exhortation after the Gospel : " Doubt ye not there-
fore, but stedfastly beleeve, that he hath liliewise favourably received this present Infant,
that he hath embraced him with the arms of his mercy, that he hath given unto him the
blessing of eternall life, and made him partaker of his everlasting Kingdome."]
(■«) [Sig. O 6. They are the same as those in the English Liturgy, except that a sixth
question is added in the Scotish Service Book : " Whether think you the childe to bee law-
fully and perfectly baptized ?"]
(5) [Sig. P. The Catechisme.]
(6) [Sig. P 2.]
0) [Sig. P 3.]
(8) [Sig. P. 4.]
* In nos coUatae. [Historia Motuum, p. 213. The words of the Catechisme are, "an
outward and visible signe, of an inward and spirituall grace, given unto us, ordained by Christ
himself, as a means whereby we receive the same, and a pledge to assure us thereof. " Sig. P3.]
72 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
a meanes by which grace is receaved, and ane earnest wherby we are assured
of that grace" : Heer the outward signe is impositione of handes by the
bishopp, who only can confirme ; the internal! and spiritwall grace is defence
and strenthe against all the assaults of devill, world, etc. ; in the prayer
after impositione of handes, the bishopp sayes,(') "we power forth most
humble prayers to thee for thes childeren, upon whom, acording to the ex-
ample of thy Apostles, we doe laye our handes, that therby we might macke
them the mor assured by this sign of thy good will towards them" : Whence
it foUowes that impositione of the bishopp's handes is " signum ohsu/nator-
ium" the meanes by which grace is conferred : Adde to this, that by reasone
of the bishopp, who only has power to dispence of it, it is preferred to the two
undoubted sacraments ; and, morover, this confirmation is absolutly termed
necessaire : Now, what does all this diifer from the papistes? Twentij-third,
And what wOl hinder matrimony to be tacitly reockned upp amongst the
sacraments ? For the ring, being twoched by the presbyters booke, wiU be
holye, signifying a symbole of grace. Intimating that such as are marryed
must live in mutwall peace and love, and acording to Chrystes commands.
Twenty-fourth., In the celebratione of matrimonye, jmij. 242,(2) the bryde-
grome is taught by the presbyter to saye to the bryde, " I macke the par-
taker of all my goodes, or I endow the with all my goodes of fortune, in
the name of the Father, Sonne, and Holy Goste" : By which wordes the
husband is holdne to communicate to his wyfe all his goodes, both movable
and immovable, except he would be perjured. Twenty-Jifth, In the order
of the visitatione of the sicke, pay. 253, W the sicke man is commanded
for to macke a particular confessione of his sinnes befor the presbyter, from
which he is to be absolved by the presbyter : This practise lookes very lycke
auricular confessione. Twenty-sixth, In tyme of pestelence, or the raging
of any contagiouse sicknesse, it is permitted to the minister to celebrate
the Lords Supper with the sicke persone alone ;(^) and if with one sicke per-
sone, why not with any other persone alone ? Txoenty-seventh, It is said,
(i) [Sig. P 4. " We make our humble supplications unto thee for these children, upon
whom (after the example of the holy Apostles) we have laid our hands, to certifie them (by
this signe) of thy favour and gracious goodncsse toward them."]
(2) [Sig. P 6. The words referred to are the same with those in the English Liturgy.]
(3) [Sig. Q 6. The Communion of the sick. The Rubric referred to is the same with
that in the English Liturgy.]
(.1) [Sig. Q4.]
Ch. l.] history of scots affairs. 73
pag. 267,(0 " that ther was ane holy discipline in the primitive churche, A. D. 1638.
so that notoriouse sinners in the beginning of Lent wer brought to publicke
pennance, and that such did most humbly submitte themselves to undergoe
punishment in this worlde, that so ther soules might be safe in the daye of
the Lorde : in place wherof, till the lycke discipline can be restored (qubich
is most to be wished) it seemed good at this tyme to read befor yow the
generall curses which God pronounceth against impenitinent sinners :"
What other is all this, then to wishe that the penitentiary actes of satis-
factione may be restored ? And it is false that ther was anye such custome
in the primitive churche, except they meane to disgwyse the corrupt
churche of Rome with such a title and name. All which things doe evi-
dently shew that the authors of this booke doe inclyne to the present churche
of Rome.
Lyckewayes in this booke are contained the seedes of idolatrye : for, First,
The calendare containeth a catalouge of some men and women whom, in a spe-
ciall waye, they dignifie with the name of sainctes : What other is this but
the canonizatione of sainctes, which makes way to the invocatione of
sainctes ? Second, To this ende lyckwayes inclynes the dedicatione of
dayes in the honour of the sainctes, which this church, ever since the Re-
formatione, did ever accompt popish idolatrye. Third, The Blessed Vir-
gine, pag. 14.0) is called our Ladye. Fourth, In the pi-ayer of consecratione
of the elements of the communion, thes wordes are to be readde : " blesse
and sanctifie with thy worde and spiritt thes thy creatures of bread and of
wyne, that they may become to us the bodye and bloode of thy dear Sonne :"(')
which are the very formall wordes of the canon of the masse for transub-
stantiatione. The apostle sayes, indeed, that the creaturs are sanctifyd by
the worde and prayer ; but wher was it ever heard that thinges uncapable of
spiritwall grace are sanctifyd by the spiritt ? Meane whyle, the contryvers
of the booke have sufficiently bewrayd ther meaninge, viz. that God, by
the omnipotencye of his spiritt, wold miracolously macke that wyne and
(1) [Sig. R 2. " A Commination against sinners, with certain Prayers to be used divers
times in the year, and especially on the first day of Lent, commonly called, Ashwednesday."
The exhortation referred to is substantially the same with that in the English Liturgy.]
(2) Sig. a 7. Table of Lessons proper for some holy-daies : " Annunciation of our
Ladie."]
(3) [Sig. N 6. " Vouchsafe so to blesse and sanctifie with thy word and holy Spirit these
thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine, that they may bee unto us the body and bloud of
thy most dearly beloved Son."]
74 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
breade to be turned into the true body and bloode of Chryste. For the
sanctificatione which is prayd for in thes wordes is a certaine chaunge,
either sacramental!, or spiritwall, or by transubstantiatione : It is not sacra-
mentall, for then other words wold not be necessaire but the wordes of
Chrystes institutione : Nor is it spritwall, for then they wold saye with the
English leiturgye, " sanctifie us with thy worde and spiritt, that we maybe
partackers of the bodye and bloode of Chryste :" ('> It remaines, therfor,
that thes wordes should be understoode concerning transubstantiatione, and
to this pourpose the booke mackes mentione of the corporall, which worde
they doe not use till after the consecratione. Fifth, pag. 208/2) It is noted
upon the margent, that when the presbyter comes to thes wordes of the
institutione " he tooke breade," then, being to officiate, he shall tacke breade
in his handes. And in the Roman missall it is ordered that, whilste the
preest repeatesthe wordes " Hoc est enim corpus vieum" he must bft or ele-
vate the hostia above his heade, that it may be seen and worshipped by all.
Nor is it to be doubted but the sence is one beer, if the place that the pres-
byter standes in, and the place wher the people are at that tyme, be atten-
tivly considdered ; for the presbyter, in this acte, standes at a distaunce
from the people, at the west syde of the altare, with his backe to the peo-
ple, and the people are all on ther knees without the chancell : therfor it is
necessair for him to elevate the patten and chalice, that the people may see
it, otherwayes it wer in vane for him to tacke into his handes the species
(as the booke speackes). Adde to all, that by such a scitvatione of presbyter
and people, both are engadged for to praye with ther faces towards the easte :
Heer is a deceitfuU insinuation of idolatrye. Sixth, The papistes have a
twofold oblatione in the masse ; the first preparatorye, of breade and wyne
to be consecrated ; the seconde, of the hostia, after consecratione : this
booke containeth bothe. The first is expressly in the offertorye : the seconde
is in the memoriall of the oblatione,^'^ after the prayer of consecratione ; for
(1) [The words of the English Liturgy are these ; " Grant that wee receiuing these thy
creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Sonne our Sauiour Jesus Christs holy insti-
tution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed
body and blood."]
(2) [Sig. N 6. Marginal note : " At these words (took bread) the Presbyter that officiates
is to take the Paten in his hand. At these words (took the cup) he is to take the chalice in
his hand, and lay his hand upon so much, be it in chalice or flagons, as he intends to
consecrate."]
(3) [Sig. N 6. After the prayer of consecration follows this memoriall or prayer of
oblation . " Wherefore O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy
Ch. l.] history of scots affairs. 75
besyde that the title it self mackes it cleare, the wordes of the memorial A. D. 1638.
themselves macke it out fullye : and albeit it macke mentione of the sacri-
tice of praise or thankes givinge, yet, by that worde, no spiritwall sacrifice is
to be understoode, which consistethe in praise and thankes giving, but the
sacrifice of Chrystes bodye, so termed because God is therby praised, Bel-
larmine so interpreting it, de Missa, lib. 2. cap. 21. Seventh, Albeit the
presbyter stoode befor consecratione, yet, after consecratione, he must
kneele : and, paq. 104,(0 he sayes, that Chrystes flesh is eatne and his blood
drunke ; and it is prayed that our bodyes may be purifyd by his bodye, and
that our soules may be washed in his bloode: All thes phrases are very
grosse, being proposed so rawly, without any explicatione or distinctione,
from the popish errors. Eir/hth, The bishopp or presbyter officiating is
commanded to communicate himself in both kyndes befor he delyver it to
the people, />«</. 210 :(2) Wher, Jiist, the worde species smells of poperye; as if
the materialls of the elements of breade and wyne did not remaine after
dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we thy humble servants do celebrate and make
here before thy divine Majestie, with these thy holy gifts, the memoriall which thy Son
hath willed us to make, having in remembrance his blessed passion, mightie resurrection, and
glorious assension, rendring unto thee most heartie thankes for the innumerable benefits
procured unto us by the same. And we entirely desire thy Fatherly goodnesse, mercifully
to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, most humbly beseeching thee to grant,
that by the merits and death of thy Sonne Jesus Christ, and through faith in his bloud, we
(and all thy whole church) may obtain remission of our sinnes, and all other benefits of his
passion. And here wee oft'er and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and
bodies, to be a reasonable, holy and lively sacrifice unto thee, humbly beseeching thee, that
whosoever shall be partakers of this holy communion, may worthily receive the most pre-
cious bodie and bloud of thy Son Jesus Christ, and be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly
benediction, and made one bodie with him, that he may dwell in them, and they in him.
And although wee be unworthie, through our manifold sinnes, to oft'er unto thee any sacri-
fice : yet wee beseech thee to accept this our bounden dutie and service, not weighing our
merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord ; by whom, and with
whom, in the unitie of the holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father al-
mightie, world without end. Amen."]
(') [Sig. N 7. After the memoriall or prayer of oblation, follows the Lord's Prayer, and
immediately thereafter this Rubric : " Then shall the Presbyter kneeling down at Gods
board, say in the name of all them that shall communicate, this collect of humble accesse to
the holy communion, as followeth : ' We do not presume to come to this thy table (O
mercifuU Lord) trusting in our own righteousnesse, but in thy manifold and great mercies.
We be not worthie so much as to gather up the crumbes under thy table. But thou art
the same Lord, whose propertie is always to have mercie : grant us therefore, gracious Lord,
so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his bloud, that our sinfull
bodies may bee made cleane by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious
blood, and that wee may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.' "]
(2) [Sig. N 7. Rubric : " Then shall the Bishop, if he be present, or else the Presbyter
that celebrateth, first receive the communion in both kindes himself, and next deliver it to
other Bishops, Presbyters and Deacons (if any be there present) that they may help him
that celebrateth ; and after to the people in due order, all humbly kneeling."]
76 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. consecratione : second, it seems to imply a consuming of the sacrifice, wher-
in Bellarmine, de Missa. lib. 1. cap. 27. will have its forme to be placed,
for heer the sacrifice is accomplished, and is consumed by the presbyter,
befor the people be admitted. Ninth, In the leiturgie of baptisme,(') the
chylde who is to be baptised is signed with the crosse : which is aiie humane
additione, and a symbolicall ryte without warrant, superadded to Chrystes
institutione ; a seed lyckwayes of ane horrible idolatrye amongst the papistes,
which this churche has expressly abjured as suche. Tenth, Such as are
marryed, jJag- 244,(2) a^,.g bijdne bow the knee befor the altare : and what
other is this but that which is enjoyned in the solemnityes of marriadge by
the Romishe ritwale, or booke of ceremoneyes ?
Lastly, The new Scottish Service Booke, in many thinges, is worse and
mor corrupt then the English Service Booke : for, First, There are manye
mor sainctes putt in its calendare, then in that of Englande.(') Second,
Befor the communion, the English leiturgye exhortes all who are to commu-
nicate to be myndefull of the poore ; in place of which exhortation the new
booke bidds rehearse some sentences tackne out of the Roman oifertorye.C'')
(1) [Sig. O 4.]
(2) [Sig. P 7. The Rubric is the same as that in the English Liturgy.]
(3) [The following saints occur in the Kalendar of the English Church, but do not ap-
])ear in that prefixed to the Scotish Service Book : " Hilary, Bp. & C." (13th January) ;
" Edward, King of West Sax." (18th March) ; " Ven. Bede, Presb." (27th May) ; and
" St. Alban, Mart." (17th June). The Scotish Kalendar contains the following saints, none
of whom IS found in the English : " David, King." (11th January) ; " Mungo, Bishop."
(13th January); " Colman." (18th February); " Const. 3. King." (1 1th March): " Pa-
trick" (17th March); " Cyril, Bishop." (18th March) ; •' Cuthbert, Bishop." (^Oth March) ;
" Gilbert, Bishop." (Ut April); " Serf, Bishop." (20th April) ; " Columba." (9th June);
" Palladius." (6th July) ; " Ninian, Bishop." (l8th September) ; " Adaman, Bishop." (iSth
September); " Margaret, Q." (16th November); " Ode, Virgin." (27th November);
" Drostane." (4th December). It was part of the King's instructions to the Scotish bishops,
" that in their Kalendar they should keep such Catholick Saints as were in the English,
such of the Saints as were most peculiar to that Kingdom (especially those which were of
the Royal Blood, and some of the most holy Bishops) being added to them : but that in no
case St George and St Patrick be omitted." Heylyn's Life of Archbishop Laud, p. 325.]
(•<) [English Rubric ; Scotish Rubric :
" After such Sermon, Homily, or exhorta- " After such Sermon, Homily, or exhorta-
tion, the Curate shal declare vnto the peo- tion, the Presbyter or Curate shall declare
pie, whether there be any holy dayes or unto the people whether there bee any Holy-
fasting dayes the weeke following, and ear- dayes, or Fasting-dayes the week following,
nestly exhort them to remember the poore, and earnestly exhort them to remember the
saying one or moe of these Sentences fol- poore, saying (for the offertory) one or moe
lowing, as he thinketh most conuenient by of these sentences following, as hee thinketh
his discretion." most convenient by his discretion, according
to the length, or shortnesse of the time that
the people are offering."]
Ch. l.] history of scots affairs. 77
Third, Albeit in the English ther be some sentences by which the people
are exhorted to almes giving, yet all of them, for the most pairt, are tackne
out of the New Testament, and they speacke only concerning almes, so
that there is no feare that the wordes be perverted into any other sence;
but the new one has many sentences of the Old Testament which can only
be understoode concerning the Leviticall sacrifices and oblations. ('^ Fourth,
In the English booke, the people are bidde praye that God wold accept of
the almes of his people, etc. : but in ours, ther is a thankes giving super-
added for such as are deade in the faithe, etc. ;(^) so that it does nior resem-
ble the popish masse, as was befor observed. Fifth, In the English booke,
the holy table is placed in the middle of the nave of the temple or sacrarium:
but in ours, the altar must be putt in the qwyre within the chancell, and one
syde of the altar must twoche the easterne walle.(^) Sixth, In the English
leiturgye, after the prayer of consecratione, the presbyter is biddne com-
municate and then immediatly give to the people : but in ours, after the
prayer of consecratione (different from that of the English), the prayer of
the second oblatione followeth, according to the ideea of the masse.
Seventh, In the Englishe, the presbyter delyvering breade to the people is
bidd saye, " Tacke eate, for a memoriall that Chryst has dyed for yow, eate
him with faith in your hearte, with thankes givinge" ;('') which goldne sentence,
which cuttes the throate of transubstantiatione, is altogether omitted in our
leiturgye, because, forsoothe, it is not to be founde in the canon of the
(1) [The verses in the English Liturgy are these ; St. Matthew v. 16; vi. 19, 20; vii.
12, 21 ; St Luke six. 8 ; 1st Corinthians ix. 7, H, 13, 14 ; 2d Corinthians ix. 6, 7 ; Gala-
tians vi. 6, 7, 10 ; 1st Tiniothj' vi. 6, 7, 17, 18, 19 ; Hebrews vi. 10 ; xiii. 16 ; 1st John iii.
17; Tobit iv. 7, 8, 9; Proverbs six. 17; Psalms xli. 2. The verses in the Scotish Li-
turgy are the following: Genesis iv. 3 ; Exodus xxv. 2; Deuteronomy xvi. 16; 1st Chro-
nicles xxix. 10; Psalms xcvi. 8 ; St. Matthew vi. 19, 20; vii. 12; St. Mark xii. 41, 42,
43,44; 1st Corinthians ix. 7, H, 13, 14; 2d Corinthians ix. 6, 7; Galatians vi. G, 7;
1st Timothy vi. 17, 18, 19; Hebrews vi. 10; xiii. 16.]
(2) [Allusion is made to the difference between the prayer for the church militant in the
English and the corresponding prayer in the Scotish Liturgy. See above, p. 70, note (i).]
(3) [Englhh Rubric ■■ Scotish Rubric ■■
" The Table at the Communion time, " The holy Table having at the Commu-
hauing a faire white linnen cloth vpon it, nion time a Carpet, and a faire white linen
shall stand in the body of the Church, or in cloth upon it, with other decent furniture,
the Chancell, where Morning and Euening meet for the high mysteries there to be ce-
Prayer be appointed to be said." lebrated, shall stand at the uppermost part
of the Chancell or Church."]
(4) [" Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on iiim in
thine heart by faith with thankesgiuing."]
78
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 16-38. masse. Lyckewayes, it is to be observed, that in the giving of the cupp
the English has, " drinke this for a rememberaunce that Chrystes bloode was
shedde foryow, and give thankes" :0) which wordes are not to be founde in
oures, because they are not in the Roman masse book. Eighth, The
English bidds delyver the elements into the peoples handes : No such worde
in oures ; so it seemes they may be putt into ther mouthes. Ninth, The
English bidds putt both elements into the peoples handes : Ours has no
such worde, being content to bidde the people communicat in ther oune
order ; that is to say, the laickes must be removed without the qwire, as
being a prophane multitude, for which cause the qwire is railed with a
wodne raile : for ought we know, it may be beer insinivate that the commu-
nion of the people in ther order is different fi-om that of the clergye, not
only by reasone of the place, but by reasone of ther communicating under
both kyndes, as the papistes speacke : Nor doe we suspect without cause
that the contryvers of our booke had some such thing in ther heade ; for
they have already plainly declared that ther is no grownd in Scriptur to
prove the necessitye of communicatinge under both kyndes : it is called a
traditione by Doctor Whyte, Bishop of Eh, in his booke, lately printed,
called Sunday no Sabbath, (^) pag. 97 ; and Bishop Montacuc,*^) expressly,
in his booke of Origins, pac/. 396, " Wher (sayes bee) is ther a commande
in Scripture to baptise infants, or bidding communicantes participate in both
kyndes in the Lordes Supper ? Of thes thinges we maye saye, that the
Scripture teaches no such thinge, the Scripture commands not this". Is it
not justly to be feared that pwrposly they have omitted mentione of giving
bothe elements, that they may opne a doore in the next editione of ther
booke to this graunde sacreiledge ? Tenth, In our liturgye, the reliques of
the consecrate breade must be covered with the corporall, and the Lordes
table must be covered with a decent carpett : but no mentione of the lycke
in the English, nor of the worde corporalle to expresse the linnens wherwith
(1) [" Drinke this in remembrance that Christes blood was shed for thee, and be
thanket'ull."]
(2) [The well-known work " Sunday no Sabbath" was wTitten by Dr Poeklington, canon
of Windsor and prebendary of Peterborough. But Francis White, Bishop of Ely, pub-
lished a Treatise on the Sabbath, to which, as indeed appears from the words of Spang, re-
ference is here made : " ad traditionem refertur ab Eliensi episcopo Whito, libro nuper
impresso, de Sabbato, pag. 97." Historia Motuum, p. 221.]
(3) [Richard Montague, Bishop of Chichester from 1628 to 1638, of Norwich from 1638
to his death in 1641.]
Ch. LIL]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
79
the elements are covered ; this kynde of name to it was never hearde of in A. D. 1638.
the church befor transubstantiatione. Eleventh, In the English booke, all
the collection of almes is ordained to be putt into the common boxe ; but in
ours, it must be devyded, and the presbyter must have one halfe. Tioelfth,
Our booke mackes mentione of the offering breade and wyne ; but no worde
of the lycke into the Englishe. Thirteenth, Our booke approves round
unleavened wafers ; the English booke bidds use ordinary leavened breade.
Fourteenth, The English booke biddes carrye the reliques of the bread and
wyue to the curates house, and macke use of them : our booke will have the
remander therof, as if holy, to be eatne in the churche itselfe. Fifteenth,
If ther be not eneuch of elements consecrated for the present vse, our booke
will have mor elements consecrated anew : no such practise in the Englishe.
Sixteenth, In the first prayer befor baptisme, in our booke, these wordes
are to be readde " sanctitie this baptismall fonte" ; which is wanting in the
Englishe. Seventeenth, In the margent of our booke (ibid.) the water of
the fonte must be twyce renewd raonethlye, and be consecrated anew, but
with a prayer for the pourpose : all which is wanting in the Englishe booke
of leiturgye.(')
LI. Considering, therfor, the manner of the introductione, and the mat- The Assem-
ter of the booke to contane such thinges as are above related, and itselfe and'^Ttibit
to be the very popish frame of service ; therfor the Assembly, in one voice, the Servioe
did rejecte it, and condemne it as illegally introduced, and erroneouse for the ^'"''^•
matter, repugnant to the doctrine and discipline of the reformed churche,
to the Confessione of Faithe, constitutiones of Generall Assemblyes, and
Actes of Parliament establishing the trew relligione.: and did prohibite the
use and practise therof: and ordaines presbytryes to proceed with the cen-
sures of the churche against all such as shall transgresse.('^)
LIL That this Service Booke was introduced upon the churche very The Author'.-^
illegally, evry man confessed ; and for the materialls being ane hoteh potche °P.'"'°'I .""
(1) [The objections to the Scotish Service Book, founded on its differences from tlic
English Liturgy, will be found stated at more length in Baillie's " Ladensivm ai/T»xscT««-
^lais, The Canterbvrians Self- Conviction : Or, An evident demonstration of the avowed
Arminianisme, Poperie, and tyrranie of that faction, by their owne confessions ; With a
postscript for the Personat Jesuite Lysimachus Nicanor, a prime Canterburian. The third
Edition augmented by the Author, with a large Supplement. [pp. 95-11.3.] Printed
for Nathaniel Bvtter. 1641."]
(2) See print Actes of Assembly Glasgow,
Kirk, p. 26.]
pag. 12. act sess. 14. [Records of the
80 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. of the masse booke, English Service Booke, and some new additiones,
.~7^ albeit the exceptiones (above related) tackne against it, it may be with
and 01 mipar- ^ ^ .... . .
tial people at some, wer not all thought relevant, but that m charitye manye thniges, or
that time. some thinges, might have been capable of a better constructione then was
putt upon them; yet all who looked upon it with unpartiall eyes, saw just
causes to except against it, and that in all this ther was as much as might
give just cause of offence to cordial protestants: And it was thought the me-
dicine was worse than the disease, by such a cure thrust upon the patient ;
for albeit that afterward the Assembly of Divynes and Scottland, by esta-
bhshing the Directorye,(') confessed the necessitye of achurche leiturgye, and
that eache minister ought not in the forme of publicke service for to be left
to his owne discretione, which could not chuise but produce many ill conse-
quences; yet such a Directory as this Service Booke did put the patient
out of one sicknesse into an other worse then the former, which was, that
ministers prayed extempore. For if the prayers and forme of service used
befor in the churche of Scottland wer only qwarelld at, who does not see that
heerby the Frensh churche was tacitly condemned, from whom that modell
was mostly borrowd. And now supposing that the old modell was faultye
in nothing but in its disconformitye with the churche of England (for evne
the bishopps who wer justling it out, could not laye so many challendges
against it as against the Service Booke, is beer givne in by the followers of
the old Scottish formes), evry one did, upon that supposition, justly con-
clude that the bishopps new leiturgye (though it had been free of all the
challendges laide against it), yet was not so necessaire as to trouble the
peace of such for it who wer unwilling to embrace it, and who wer accus-
tomed with ane other service not heterodox nor suspitiouse any way in its
materialls. But to follow the threede of my narratione. After the Service
Booke, upon the exceptions forsaide, was voted downe, the comittie gave in
ther observationes upon the Booke of the Episcopall Canons, of which
booke I spocke befor, which wer as foUoweth. But befor I doe insert them,
(1) [A Directory for the Publike Worship of God throue;hout the three Kingdoms of
Scotland, England, and Ireland. With an Act of the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of
Scotland, for establishing and observing this present Directory. Together with an Act of
the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland approving and establishing the same : An Act
of the Committee of Estates concerning the Printing thereof: and an Act of the Commis-
sion of the Generall Assembly for the Printing, and for the present practice of it through-
out the said Kingdom of Scotland. Edinburgh : Printed by Evan Tyler, Printer to the
Kings most Excellent Majestie. 1645.]
Ch. liii.] history of scots affairs. 81
having gott into my hande as I am wrytting this, a kynde of defence of the A. D. 163^.
Service Booke, I shall give yow ane short accounte therof, and leave all to
the readers judgement, least it be thought that the contryvers therof have
not been hearde.
LIII. In defence of the Service Booke, sayes the counterfitt Jesuitt, Lisy- Summary of
machus Nicanor :* First, The booke purgeth itself from all superstitlone, Sf ^Pfgnce
wher it telles us " that the multitude of ceremonyes are rejected, because of of the Service
the multitude and of ther superstitione". And in the celebration of the com- f°°Y '"^'^
munione, it recommendes the use of common breade " for avoidmg oi su- Nicanor.
perstitione". For ceremonyes it calls them inditferent thinges that may be
omitted ; that if they burthen mens consciences they must be tackne away ;
and if any be retained, it is for discipline and order, but are not aeqwall
with Gods lawe. Second, It contanes no pairtes of the masse ; for it keeps
Chrystes institutione and Paules repetition therof. And it is deneyd that
sub speciehus panis et vinj the body of Jesus Chryst and his blood is bodily
offered upp by the preiste to God the Father, a propitiatorye sacrifice for
the quicke and the deade : no such thing in all that booke. Third, Want-
ing superstitione and all the essentiall pairtes of the masse, it can opne no
doore to poperye ; and when thinges tende to superstitione, it does appoynte
to barre them out. Fourth, If it be reade without praejudice, it will be founde :
Jirst, to containe nothing contrary to Gods worde. Second, It is that far from
being contrare to the practise of the primitive churche, that it is agreable ther-
unto. Third, The poyntes condemned in it are not controverted betuixt clas-
sical! divynes and papistes, but agreed upon by both sydes. Fourth, Nothing
contrary therunto in the Scottish Confessione of Faithe ; no divyne eminent
amongst the Reformers! did ever condemne this booke of the least poynt of
poperye : Contrarly they commende it. So Bucer Script. Aiif/lic. in con. pag.
456, " In the ceremonyes of the Englishe Lyturgie, I have founde nothing
which is not tackne out of the worde of God, or at least which is repugnant
to it, so it be favourably understoode." Calvine, epist. 200, fol. 336, declares
that he found no fault in it at all; and worot to the English exiles at Franc-
furde, who had made a rent and schisme in the churche, to be moderat and
* Dr. Lesly, Bishopp of Downe, in his Lysimachus Nicanor, pag. 27, et seqq. [The
Epistle Congratulatorie of Lysymachiis Nicanor was written not by Bishop Leslie, but by
Mr. John Corbet, minister at Bonhill. See above, vol. i. p. 8, note.'\
t He meanes the English Service Booke, it wold seeme; for the Scottish Service Booke
was not wryttne many yeares after Bucer and Calvin passed ther judgement of the English
Leiturgye.
82
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. III.
A. D. 1638. returne to the churche. " T'os ultra modum ric/idos esse nolim." " In Anglo-
rum controversia moderationem semper tenui, cujus me non pcenitet." It was
Calvine and Peeter Martyre who pers waded Bishop Hooper to conformity,
specially to putt on the surplice, which he did. So farr hee ; as for his other
defences, they are recriminationes, and not defences of the Service Booke.
This is all that I have mett with in defence therof, which I leave to the
reader his judgement. * Now follow the comittye ther
ANIMADVERSIONES UPON THE BOOKE OF CANONS OBTRUDED UPON THE
CHURCHE OF SCOTTLANDE.(')
Animadver-
sions on the
Book of Ca-
nons.
LIV. First, This Booke of Canons is obtruded without any consent or
approbation of the churche or Generall Assembly ; yet such as are episco-
pall confesse that ecclesiasticall canons wer never any wher made but in
synods. So sayes Lanclot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, in his Ser-
mone of the Trumpetts, published and revised and dedicated, with the rest of
his sermons, to the Kinge, by William Lawd, Archbishop of Canterburye :
as also the ordinare practise of the convocatione house in the churche of
Englande, which amongst them standes for a nationall synod, teaches the
same. Second, With one dash, they in it overturne all the discipline of the
church of Scottlande, and all the actes of assemblyes for eighty yeares
paste : and in place therof, it settes upp a new discipline, formed by the
bishopps alone, without assistaunce or consent of all or anye of the minis-
trye ; whairby a meer tyrranny and soleshipp of the bishopps is established
over all the churches, and whairby ane irresistible power is givne to them
for to chaunge and acta all thinges in the churche acording to ther plea-
sure. Adde to all, that in this booke ther are some thinges openlye contra-
dictorye, some things directly contrarye to the Actes of Parliament, and
some great errors.
It overturnes the receaved discipline established by Generall Assemblys
and confirmed by Actes of Parliament ; First, For first it interdytes minis-
* Mr. Robert Baily, in his Ansuer unto Lysymachus Nicanor, [subjoined to his Laden-
sium AuTSKxriK^iiTii] has givne some short reply to all that is said heer in defence of the
Service Booke ; but it is so short and generall that it wer needlesse to insert it, for he
ansuers Lysymachus Nicanor as little as Lysymachus Nicanor does ansuer all that is object-
ed against the Scottish Service Booke.
(1) [Translated from " Animadversiones in librum Canonum ab Episcopis obtrusum eccle-
siae Scoticae," Historia Motuum, pp. 222 — 229.]
Ch. liv.] history of scots affairs. 83
ters and laickes from medling with church matters ; cap. 8, sec. 4 :(') whence
it followes that church sessions must be discharged, as also all presbytryes ;
and that laices are to have no voice in any churche judicatorye, although
comissionate. Second, It mackes mentione of no churche judicatorye, but
only diocessan synods, wher the bishopp is to have all the power alone at
his arbitriment(^) : Lyckwayes, it transferres the exercise of all ecclesiasticke
power(3) wholly upon the bishops officiall or comissarye alone, as if ofEcialls
wer Chrystes institution ; cap. 8, sec. !.('') Third, Interdicit aliis omnibus
ecclesiasticorum conventibus pro rebus ecclesiasticis ; cap. 8, par. 2.(^) Once
only and upon the by, as if spockne recklesslye (quasi authoribus incogitan-
tibus ), ther is mentione in it of nationall synods ;(^) but no mentione who
(1) [Chap. VIII. Of Synodes, Sec. 4. " Who-so-ever shall heere-after aifirme, that
it is lawfuU for anie Presbyter, or Lay-man, joyntlie, or severallie, to make Rules, Orders,
or Constitutions, in causes Ecclesiasticall ; or to adde or detract from anie Rubrickes, Arti-
cles, or other thinges nowe established, without the King's Authoritie, or His Successoures,
shall bee excommunicated, ipso facia ; and not restored, till hee repent, and revoke such
hb bolde and schismaticall attemptes."]
(2) [Chap. VIII. Of Synodes, Sec. 1. " For the better tryall of all disorders which
may fall out amongst the Clergie, and the retaining of Unitie in Doctrine and Discipline ;
It is ordayned, That in everie Diocesse, Assemblies shall bee kept twyse a yearc, in such
places, and at such tymes, as the Bishop shall appoynt. And if anie Presbyter absent him-
selfe, without a lawfull excuse signified at the tyme, hee shall bee suspended to the next
Synode."]
(3) [The words of Spang are these : " Exercitium etiam spiritualis jurisdictionis in commis-
saries seu ofSciales Episcopi, in solidum transfert, quasi vero officiales illi essent a Christo
instituti ministri ecclesiastici."]
(4) [Chap. XIX. Of Commissaries, and their Courts, Sec. 1. " No man here-after
shall bee admitted Commissarie, or Officiall, to exercyse anie Spirituall lurisdiction, except
hee be of age xxx years at least ; and one who is Master of Artes, or Bacheler of Lawes,
& well skilled in them ; as lykewyse well-atfected in Religion, of good and exemplarie lyfe,
and obedient to the Orders of the Church."]
(5) [Chap. VIII. Of Synodes, Sec. 2. " Because all Conventicles, and secret meet-
inges of Church-men, haue ever beene justlie accounted hurtfuU to the peace of the Church
wherin they liue ; It is ordayned. That no such Meetinges bee kept by Presbyters, or anie
other persones whatsoever, for consulting vpon matters Ecclesiasticall ; And, That all mat-
ters of that kynde bee onlie handled in the lawfull Synodes helde by the Bishops, and es-
tablished by authoritie."]
(6J [Chap. VIII. Of Synodes, Sec. 3. " Nationall Synodes, called by His Majesties
Authoritie, for matters concerning the state of the Church in generall, shall bind all per-
sons, as well absent, as present, to the obedience of the Decrees thereof in matters Eccle-
siasticall. And if anie shall affirme or mayntayne, that a Nationall Synod so assembled,
ought not to bee obeyed, hee shall bee excommunicated, till hee publicklie repent, and revoke
his errour."]
Sec. 4. " But it shall not bee lawfull for the Bishops themselues, in a Nationall Synod,
or otherwyse, to alter anie Rubricke, Article, Canon Doctrinall, or Disciplinarie, what-so-
ever ; vnder the payne aboue mentioned, and his Majesties farther displeasure."]
84 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
are to be its members, whence it may be weall concluded that the bishopps
judge themselves the only members of Geuerall Assemblyes : for nationall
synods are the church representative, and the bishopps already have de-
clared themselves to be the representative of the natione.* Fourth, They
wholly rejecte the order of deaconsC as it is instituted by the Holy Ghost,
and receaved into this churche ; and in place therof certaine oeconomi are
to be chosne by the bishope('^), (a new plantation, and alltogether unknowne
to the Scottishe) who are putt in office of deacones.
It gives all the power, nay a tyrannicall power, to bishopps. For Jirst, To
them alone, or to ther chapellans, is the power givne to examine such as are
to enter into the functione of the ministrye ; cap. 2, sec. 3. Second, It is in
the bishopps power for to graunte letters of dimissione to ministers ; cap. 2,
sec. 5. Third, It is only the bishopp who must ordaine ministers ; cap. 2,
sec. 7. Fourth, The bishopp may give ministers licence to be non residents ;
cap. 3, sec. 1 : whill residence is knowne for all that to be juris divini.
Fifth, It forbidds ministers to preach any wher but in ther oune churches,
what ever occasion or necessity ther be for it, except they first purchasse
license from the ordinarye (for so does that booke terme the bishopp) ; cap.
2, sec. 2. Sixth, The bishopp may dispence ministers from catechising
the ignorants of ther paroshin; cap. 3, sec. 6.(') Seventh, Ministers are for-
biddne publickly to refoote heresyes vented by other ministers in ther pul-
pitts, except ther ordinary licence them so to doe ; cap. 3, sec. TW : so then
* Ecclesiae representativae exomarunt. [Historia Motuum, p. 223.]
(1) [By the Scotish Book of Canons, the order of deacons was placed on the same footing,
in all respects, as in the Church of England.]
(2) [By Chap. XVI. Sec. 6, the distribution of alms among the poor is appointed to be made
by the Presbyter and two Church- Wardens, in the presence of six chief men of the parish.]
(3) [Chap. III. Of Residence and Preaching. Sec. 6. " It is the duetie of Presbyters,
not onelie to stirre vp the affections of people by exhortation ; but lykewyse to inform their
judgement, by solide instruction, that they may bee acquaynted with the groundes of their
Profession : Therefore It is ordayned, That there be catechizing everie Sunday in the
afternoone, except the Bishop dispence with it, as hee findeth cause."]
(4) [Chap. III. Of Residence and Preaching. Sec. 7. " If anie Preacher shall in the
Pulpit particularlie, or of purpose, impugne, or confute the doctrine delivered by anie other
Preacher in the same Church, or in anie Church nigh adjoyning, before hee hath acquaynt-
ed the Bishop of the Diocesse therewith, and receaved order from Him, what to doe in that
case, because vpon publicke dissenting and contradicting, there may growe much offence,
and disquietnesse, to the people ; The same beeing notified to the Bishop Hee shall not
suffer the Preacher anie more to serue in that place which hee hath once abused except hee
faythfuUie promise, to forbeare all such matter of contention in the Church, vntill order bee
taken therein by the Bishop ; who with all convenient speede shall so proceede, as publicke
satisfaction may bee given to the Congregation where the offence was committed : — Ne'yther
Ch. liv.] history of scots affairs. 85
if the bishopp vente the same heresye, orthodox ministers must be qwyett, A. D. 1638.
and the bishopp must bee obeyed, et pereundum populo. Eighth, Albeitt
Actes of Parliament or Churche Actes wer never so sinnefull, yet (if once
they be enacted), cap. 3, sec. 8, ministers are forbiddne for to speacke
against them, but they must propose ther scruples to the ordinary, and ac-
qwiesce modestly in his determinatione.O) Ninth, Ministers must be trans-
planted upon no accompt, but with licence from ther ordinarye ; cap. 4. sec.
4.(2) Tenth, Bishopps only have power to licence marriadge without three
proclamationes of banns. (') Eleventh, Bishopps must indict only the tyme
and place of synods.*"*' Twelfth, Bishopps only must plant scooleraaisters
and readers in churches. f^) Thirteenth, Nothing must be printed without
the bishopp or his capellans licence ; cap. 12, sec 1 ■S^'> But what if the bishopp
be heterodox, then all orthodox wryttings must be aeternally silenced, or at
least the bishopps death must be waited for, till one orthodox succeede,
shall anie Preacher vse bitter invectiues agaynst his fellow- Presbyter or Preacher ; or goe
about indirectlie to worke his disgrace with the people ; vnder the paine of being censured,
as a prophaner of the Word." Compare Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical of the
Church of England, 1603, can. 53.]
(1) [Chap. III. Of Residence and Preaching. Sec. 8. " No Presbyter or Preacher
shall presume in Sermons, to speake agaynst his Maiesties Lawes, Statutes, Acts, or Ordin-
ances : But if hee conceaue anie scruple or doubt, let him goe to his Ordinarie, and receaue
instruction." The General Assembly which met at Perth in March, 1597, had ordained
" that no minister shall reprove his ^lajestie's lawes, statutes, acts, and ordinances, unto
the tyme that first he be advysit with his Presbytrie, Synodall, or Generall Assemblies,
complaine and seek remedie of the same from his Majestic, and report his Majestie's answer,
before any further ])roceeding." Booke of the Universall Kirk, p. 443 ; Archbishop Spot-
tiswoode, p. 442 ; Calderwood, p. 393 ]
(2) [Chap. IV. Of the Conversation of Presbyters. Sec. 4. " If anie Ecclesiasticall person
shall goe out of his Diocesse, to sute Plantation in another, or accept of anie place, hee shall
bee recalled by his Ordinarie, and returned to his Charge. And if hee disobey, bee disposed."]
(3) [Chap. VII. Of Marriage. Sec. 4.] (4) [Chap. VIII. Of Synodes. Sec. 1.]
(5) [Chap. X. Of Schoole- Masters. Sec. 1. Chap. XI. Of Curates, and Readers.]
(c) [Chap. XII. Of Printers : " For restrayning the Libertie of Printing, which is
greatlie abused, in setting foorth Bookes, Ballads, Satyricall Lybels, and other Pamphlets,
repugnant to the Trueth, or not agreeing with Honestie and good Manners ; It is ordayned.
That nothing heere-after bee imprinted, except the same bee scene, and allowed, by the
Visiters appoynted to that purpose." The Glasgow Assembly of 1638, " by vertue of their
ecclesiastical authority, discharged and inhibited all printers within this Kingdome, to print
any act of the former Assemblies, any of the acts or proceedings of this Assembly, any con-
fession of Faith, any Protestations, any reasons pro or contra, anent the present divisions
and contraversies of this time, or any other treatise whatsoever which may concerne the
Kirk of Scotland, or God's cause in hand, without warrand subscribed by Mr. Archibald
Johnston, as Clerk to the Assembly, and Advocate for the Kirk." Records of the Kirk, p.
39 ; Steuart of Pardovan's Collections, b. iii. tit. iii. sec. 6 ; Baillie's Letters, vol, i. p.
149 ; Historia Motuum, p. 286.]
ob HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. which bygone experience has shewed to be rare. Fourteenth, The minis-
ter is commanded to send to the bishop yearly a catalouge of people raarryed,
of childeren baptised, and of deade people specially, whoise deathe may be
ganefuU to the bishopp by confirmation of ther testamentes.(') Fifteenth,
The bishopp only must appoynte publicke fastes; cap. 14, sec. IW : so that
without his consent it will be a sinne to fast for sinne. Sixteenth, The
bishopp must tell what place of the churche the pulpitt must stand in, which
pulpitis must be decent; cap. 16, sec. 5('): that is to saye, the bishop has
power to licence the reading of the Evangile out of the higher pulpitt, be-
cause they saye it is holyer then any other place or pairt of Sacred Scripture,
as being uttered by Chrystes mouthe : and the bishop may licence the read-
ing of any other pairt of the Scripture out of the pulpitt box or the readers
seate : and what if by that decencye of the pulpitt, ministers be compelld to
have pulpitts of woodde only, as a simbollical significatione of the crosse of
Clu'yste, acording to Araularius, lib. 3, de divinis ojficds. Seventeenth,
The bishop must have the oversight of all thinges appoynted to piouse uses,
and all the wryttes or deedes or instruments that concerne such thinges W;
cap. 17, sec. 5, 6, 10 : Now, who shall ansuer for the bishop his trust, since
(1) [Chap. XIII. Of Christninges, Weddinges, and Burialls, to be registrated : " In everie
Paroch- Church within the Kingdome, a Parchment Booke shall bee provided, at the Charge
of the Parochin ; where-in shall bee written the daye and yeare of everie Christning, Wed-
ding, and Buriall : which shall bee kept, and layde vp in a sure Coffer, to bee provided also
by the Parochin, and not taken foorth by the Presbyter, or anie other, except when the
Christninges, Weddinges, and Burrialls are to bee recorded. And to the effect those bee
not neglected, the Presbyter shall everie Lord's Day, after Prayers, or Sermon, take tborth
the sayde Booke, and wryte there-in the names of all persons Christned, with the names
and Syrnames of their Parentes : The names also of all persons married, and buried in that
Parioch in the weeke proceeding ; with the day and yeare of everie such Christning, Wed-
ding, and Buriall. And everie yeare once, within one moneth after the first day of /onwane,
transmit vnto the Bishop of the Diocesse, a true Copie of the names of all persons Christ-
ned, married, and buried, the yeare before within his Parochin ; with the dayes and moneths
of every such Christning, Marriage, & Burial, subscribed with his hand : to the end the
same may be preserved in the Bishops Register. Wherein if hee shall bee found negligent,
hee shall bee called, and censured, for the contempt of this necessarie Constitution."]
(2) [Chapter XIV. Of publicke Fastes. Sec. 1. " None in holie Orders shall without the
License and direction of his Ordinarie, appoynt or keepe anie solemne Fastes, or bee present
thereat of purpose ; vnder the payne of Suspension, or other punishment, which the Bishop
shall thinke fit to inflict."]
(3) [Chap. XVI. Of things pertayning to the Church. Sec. 5. " A Pulpit lyke-wyse,
decent and comelie, must bee provided, and placed in a convenient part of the Church, for
Preaching the Word of God. And if anie question aryse, for placing the same, it shall bee
determined by the Bishoj) of the Diocesse." Compare the English Constitutions, can. 83.]
(■1) [Chap. XVII. Of Tithes and Landes, dedicated to Chvrches. Sec. 5. " Thinges
dedicated to Holie and Religious Uses, and such other thinges as are offered willinglie, or
Ch. liv.] history of scots affairs.
87
many bishopps by experience are founde sacreledgiouse ; or in caise the A. D. 1638.
bishopp wer challendged with this cryme, how shall it be provne against
him, seing himself has the proofes in his oune keeping, who maye very easily
destroye all the recordes and evidences therof ? Therfor as heerin, so they
have been very discreet in ther censure of sacraleidge, cap. 17, sec. l(') ; for
ther is no pennance laide upon them but simple restitutione without raor.
Eighteenth, No man must be excommunicate without a warrant under the
bishopps hande; cap. 18, sec. 3:(2) Matthew xviii. 17, (')meanes otherwayes;
except the bishopp be ther only meand by the churche, and represent it as a
prince does his kyngdome. Nineteenth, It is forbiddne for to absolve ex-
communicate persones without the bishopps warrand;('') and why not ? for he
who can only bynd should only loose againe. Ticentieth, The bishopp may
by Latter- Will left to anie ])ious Use, shall bee carefuUie looked vnto by the Bishop and
Presbyter, that they bee not lost, nor converted to anie other vse. And if anie man shall
fraudfullie detayne thinges offered, or left by Latter- Will to the Poore, or anie pious Use,
hee shall bee suspended from all benefites of the Church as a Murderer of the Poore, and
irreligious crosser of the good intentions of People." Sec. 6. " If anie Presbyter shall with-
holde, detayne, or destroy, or deliver into the handes of Competitors, anie Wryting, or
Instrument what-so-ever, where-by the Donation of Ecclesiasticall Goods, or their Right,
or Possession, may bee instructed, or in the pursuit of acquyring them, shall privatelie
transact with the partie, without the knowledge and consent of the Ordinarie, to the
hurt and prejudice of the Chvrch, in anie sort, hee shall refound the losses, which came
by his deede, and bee deposed from his Function." Sec. 10. " Everie Arch-Bishop, and
Bishop, shall in their severall Diocesses, procure a true Note of all the Gleabes, Landes,
Meadowes, Orchards, Houses, Implcmentes, and portion of Tithes, belonging to anie
Chvrch ; and take care, that the same may bee preserved in their Registers, for a perpe-
tuall memorie."]
(1) [Chap. XVII. Sec. 1. " For-as-much as the Goods of the Church, of what-so-ever
sort, are not committed to the disposing of persons Ecclesiasticall, but onelie to thair dis-
pensing ; It shall [not] be lawful! to anie Arch-Bishop, Bishop, Parson, Vicar, or anie Church-
man, to set, alienate, or jjut away from the Church, and present vse there-of, his Benefice,
Church-Rent, or anie part of the same, to anie person, or persons, whether Wyfe or Chyld,
Friend or Stranger, mediatelie or immediatelie. And who shall bee proved to doe the con-
trarie, shall eyther bee compelled to restore the same, or bee deposed from his Office, Be-
nefice, and Living."]
(2) [Chap. XVIII. Of Censures Ecclesiasticall. Sec. 3. " Neyther shall anie Presbyter
pronounce the Sentence of Excomnumication, till hee haue showne the Processe to the Or-
dinarie, and obtayned His Approbation vnder His Hand."]
(3) [" And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church : but if he neglect to
hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."]
(<) [Chap. XVIII. Sec. 6. " If anie person bee excommunicated in one Diocesse, hee shall
not bee absolved in another, without lawfuU Warrand from the Bishop, who caused pronounce
the Sentence. And the Contraveaner shall bee suspended from his Function, and the Ab-
solution 7i«//; vntill hee who is excommunicated haue performed his Satisfaction in the place
where hee was sentenced."]
88 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
licence any to converse with excommunicate persones ; cap. 18, sec. 5.(0 Is
not this to give licence to dispense with the law of Chryste ? Tioenty-first,
Ministers ther sentence of depositione must not be pronounced by any but
the archbishopp, or the bishopp of that diocese wher the minister lives :
thus profane ministers, if they syde with the bishopp in promovall of cere-
monyes, will be safe, howbeit never so guiltye of other crymes, as experience
shews it. Tioenty-second, The bishopp must designe and appoynte the
habite of all churche men :('^) and what ther habite must bee is not difficult to
judge ; for they urge conformitye in all thinges with the churche of Eng-
lande, and it must be that same which is appoynted, canon 74, of the
English Constitutions,^') and if ther be any discrepancye betuixt the popish
church mens habite and that of the church of Englande, our bishopps,
who evrye daye are stryving to improve all thinges, will help that ;
and as they have almost restored all the masse, why should they not also
give us the habite agreable therunto ? for it wer a shame to swallow ane oxe
and worrye on his taile, or to straine a gnatt after they have thus swallowed
a camell. Twenty-third, Lastly, As if it wer troublesome to our bishopps to
containe the violent current of ther power within any brinkes or boundaryes;
cap. 19, sec. 7dt.,W they assume power to themselves, acording to ther owne
(1) [Chap. XVIII. Sec. 5. " And if anie shall after intimation [of the sentence of excom-
munication] resort to, or converse with anie who is excommunicate, (those excepted who are
by natural! duetie bound to attende them, or who are licenced by the Bishop) they shall in-
curre the same Censure, and bee excommunicated themselues."]
(2) [Chap. XV. Of decencie in Apparell, enjoyned to persons Ecclesiasticall : " The
Chvrch of Christ being ever desirous that Her Clergic should bee had in outward reverence,
and regard, for the worthinesse of their Calling, did thinke it fit, to haue them knowne to
the people, by a prescribed and decent forme of Apparell : whose judgement wee following,
doe ordayne, That all Arch-Bishops, Bishops, Deanes, Masters of CoUedges, Doctors in
Divinitie, Presbyters, Deacons, Masters of Artes, and Bachelours of what Facultie soever,
shall vse Apparell beseeming their Degrees, and abstayne from all light and new-fangled
Garmentes ; eyther in colour, or fashion, no wayes beseeming the gravitie of their persons
and Places."]
(3) [" Archbishops and Bishops shall not intermit to use the accustomed apparel of their
degrees. Likewise all Deans, Masters of Colleges, Archdeacons, and Prebendaries, in Ca-
thedral and Collegiate Churches (being Priests or Deacons,) Doctors in Divinity, Law, and
Phvsic, Bachelors in Divinity, Masters of Arts, and Bachelors of Law, having any Ecclesias-
tical Living, shall usually wear Gowns with standing Collars and Sleeves straight at the
hands, or wide Sleeves, as is used in the Universities, with Hoods or Tippets of silk or
sarcenet, and square caps. And all other Ministers admitted or to be admitted into that
function shall also usually weiu- the like apparel as is aforesaid, except Tippets only."]
(4) [<• Lastlie : In all this Booke of Canons, where-so-ever there is no Penaltie expresslie
set downe, it is to bee vnderstood. That (so the Cryme or Offence bee proved) the Punish-
ment shall bee arbitrarie, as the Ordinarie shall think fittest."]
Ch. liv] history of scots affairs. 89
arbitriment, to inflict punishment upon such as doe transgresse the canons,
which are enacted with no speciall sanctione therunto added : this is the cape-
stone that they sett upon this prowde building-e : and if any thing be wantinge,
they crowne it with this supplement : To conclude, the sumrae of all comes
to this, that the bishopp may judge all men, and hiraselfe be judged by none.
Thirdh/, This booke containes some thinges contradictorye. For, cap. 18,
sec. 2,(') it condemnes summary excommunicatione without a citation ; yet,
cap. 8, sec. 4,(2) such as contradicte synods and ther decrees, and doe not
acquiesce therin, all such as shall chaunge the rubricke, canon, the wordes
of thes bookes, viz. the Booke of Canons, Leiturgye, Ordinatione or Ho-
melyes (albeit none of them wer printed at that tyme, but only the Booke
of Canons), they are declared excommunicate ipso facto : Next, they en-
joyne residence to all presbyters ;(') yet, cap. ll,^) curatts are reockned upp
amongst laufull ministers ; whois only use is for to supply the vice of non
residents, nor can ther use be any other.
Fourtly. This booke containes some thinges contrary to actes of Par-
liament. [For,] cap. 7, sec. 6,<^> the innocent party divorced is forbiddne to
marrye as long as the adulterouse party divourced('') lives ; yet in the actes
of Parliament, the contrare is warranted : Next, cap. 17, sec. 7,(') pastores
who dye without childeren must leave a great pairt of ther goodes to piouse
uses, albeit thes goodes have been left to them by ther progenitors, which
(1) [Chap. XVIII. Of Censures Ecclesiasticall. Sec. 2. " The Censure of Excommvni-
eation, beeing the highest Censure which the Church can inflict, may not bee sumniarie, nor
ordinarHe vsed; but after lawful! Citation, and due Admonitions preceeding."]
(2) [See above, p. 83, note, CD.]
(3) [Chap. III. Of Residence and Preaching, Sec. 1.]
(4) [Cliap. XI. Of Curates, and Readers: " Everie Bishop within his Diocesse, shall
take tryall of the qualitie of the Curates and Readers, and permit none to reade, or con-
ceaue publicise Prayers in the Church, vnlesse hee bee in holie Orders, and lawfullie author-
ised by the Bishop."]
(5) [Chap. VII. Of Marriage. Sec. 6. " In all Sentences of Separation, a Thoro Sf
Mensa, there shall bee a Caution inserted, that the persons so separated, shall live continent-
lie, and chastlie, and not contract marriage with anie person, during each others lyfe."
Compare the English Constitutions, can. 107.]
(6) [This objection, it would appear, proceeds on a misunderstanding of the canon referred
to, which seems to applv not to cases of Divorce, but to cases of Separation a thoro ct meyisa.l
(7) [Chap XVII. Of Tithes and Landes, dedicated to Chvrches. Sec. 7. " For the
greater encowragcment of peo|)le to the workes of I'ietie, and Charitie, If anie Bishop, or
Church-man shall depart this lyfe, leaving no Children, nor Successour of himselfe, hee shall
leave his Goods, or a great part of them, to the Chvrch, and holie Uses. Or if hee haue
Children, for whom hee must provide ; yet according to his abilitie, hee shall leaue some
Testimonie of his loue to the Chvrch, and advancement of Religion."]
90 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. many thinke is appoynted for no other reasone but that all may come into the
bishopps treasurye, since he is to have a care of the lycke goodes ; nor any
meanes left how he may be called to ane accompt : But whatever grounde
ther may bee for such a conjecture, sure it is that the bishopps, by this
meanes, tacke mor power to themselves over the goodes of defunct minis-
ters then ever any king of Scottland assumed over the goods of free sub-
jectes. This canone mackes the bi.shopps lords of the goodes and fortunes
which others laufully possesse as ther owne, and to which none other has any
right ; and it is contrare to the commone and receaved raaxime of our
lawes, which constitutes the last will of free men adying to be free.
Fuftlije, It has in it some very great errors, amongst which this is one,
that the bishopp may give warrant to converse with excommunicate per-
sones ; contrare to Matthew xviii. 17. Second, That he may licence non-
residency ; albeit, de jure divino, faithfull pastors must resyde with ther
flockes. Third, It forbidds marriadge to the innocent party divorced ;(')
contrarye to Matthew v. 32, et Matthew xix. 9, which the reformed churches
maintaine against the councell of Trent, sess. xxiv, can. vii.(2) who have such
doctrine as our bishopps. Fourth, Cap. 8, sec. 4,W the booke speackes as if
the churche of Scottlande wer not reformed, either in doctrine or disci-
pline : Heer lett all judge what a doore the bishopps opne to innovationes ;
and hence it is that they macke no mentione at all of the Confessione of
Faith, ratifyde by actes of parliament long agoe. Fifth, They call order
a sacrament ; cap. 2, sec. 7 -M) For all thinges are to be founde (acording to
(1) [See above, p. 89, notes (5), (6).]
(2) [" Si quis dixerit, Ecclesiam errare, ciim docuit, & docet, juxta Euangelicam &
Apostolicam doctrinam, (Matt. 19.; Lucae 16.; 1 Cor. 7.), propter adulterium alterius
conjugum matrimonii vinculum non posse dissolvi ; & utrumque, vel etiain innocenteni, qui
causam adulterio non dedit, non posse, altero conjuge vivente, aliud matrimonium con-
traliere ; moecharique eum, qui diniissa adultera aliam duxerit, & eam, quae dimisso adultero,
alii nupserit ; anathema sit." Concil. Trident. Can. et Decret. Vide etiom Catech. Con-
cil. Trident, par. ii., cap. viii., secc. xxvii. xxviii. xxix.]
(3) [Chap. VIII. Of Synodes. Sec. 4. " But f'or-as-much as no reformation in Doctrine
or Discipline, can bee made perfect at once in anie Cliurch ; Therefore it shall and may be
lawfull, for the Church of Scotland, at anie tyme, to make Remonstrance to His Majestie,
or His Successoures, what they conceaue fit to bee taken in farther consideration, in, and
concerning the Premisses."]
(•1) [Chf.p. II. Of Presbyters and Deacons, their nomination, ordination, function and
charge. Sec. 7. " That the greater reverence may bee carried to that holie Calling [of the
Ministry], all Ordinations shall bee made by imposition of handes, and with solemne prayers,
openlie in the Church, after the morning Service ended, and before the Communion, in the
forme and verie wordes praescrybed in the Booke of Ordination, and in presence of two or
three Presbyters of the Diocesse, who shall laye on handes together with the Archbishop,
or Bishop."]
Cn. LV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 91
* ther catechese its definitione) that macke upp a sacrament : For the outwarde A. D. 1638.
ryte is irapositione of handes, the inward benefitt is the Sacred Spirit; " Re-
ceave," sayes the ordaining bishopp, "the Holy Goste." Now, since they doe
pray for Gods grace to such as are to be ordained, it is necessair that the
promise be fuUfuUed, if they would have the prayer to be of faithe : Lyck-
wayes they professe that such an iustitutione is divyne, as if such a grace
wer only dispenced by the handes of the bishopp. Sixth, The lycke may be
collected that they thinke of pennance ; for why, otherwayes, should thev with
the Papistes call confession and absolutione sacramentall, and cause printe
that worde in capitall letters, [cap.] 18. sec. 9(')? Lasthj, To macke all
thinges have the greater authoritye, the authors of this booke flatter the
Kinge. For, cap. 1, sec. 2,(2) they ascrybe to the King and his successors,
without any limitatione, all that power in church matters that ever was
competent to the Kings of Juda : Hence it will follow that our Kinges
have power to wrytte Scripture, as David and Solomon had:* And, cap. 8,
sec. 4,(3) they declare the King and his successors to be supreme judges in all
ecclesiasticke matters, both in doctrine and discipline ; albeit the power finally
to decyde controversyes in any churche belonge to the nationall synode of that
churche, as the divynes sent by King James the Sixth to the councell of Dorte
doe roundly affirme and mantaine,(^) without any ambiguity e of wordes.
LV. Upon thes considerationes, mostly, t therfor did the Assembly, all Book of Ca-
in one voice, reiecte and condemne the Booke of Canons, as contrarve to ""1^ rejected
■■ •' and condemn-
ed.
(1) [Chap. XVIII. or Censures Ecclesiastical). Sec. 9. " Al-be-it SACRAMENTALL
CONFESSION AND ABSOLVTION, haue beene in some places verie much
abused ; Yet, if anie of the people bee grieved in niynde, for anie delict, or offence com-
mitted, and, for the vnburthening of his Conscience, confesse the same to the Bishop, or
Presbyter, they shall, as they are bound, minister to the person so confessing, all Spiritual]
Consolations, out of the Word of God," etc.'\
(2) [Chap. I. Of the Chvrch of Scotland. Sec. 2. " Whosoever shal herafter affirm,
T/iQt the king's Mojestie hath not the same Authoritie in Causes Ecclesiasticall, that the
godlie kings had amongst the lewcs, and Christian Emperours, in the Primitiue Church ;
or impeach, in anie piirt, his Royall Supremacie in causes Ecclesiasticall ; let him bee ex-
communicated, and not restored, but onelie by the Arch-bishop of the Province, after his
Repentance, and publicke Revocation of these his wicked Errours." Compare the English
Constitutions, can. 2.]
* But not as kings. This added by .1. G.
(3) [See above, p. 83, 7iote (l).]
(1) [Sessione 29. illius synodi, in responsione ad protestationem Remonstrantium." His-
toria Motuum, p. 229.]
■f See print actes of the Assembly at Glasgow, act sess. 14, December 6. [Records of
the Kirk, p. 26.]
92
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. III.
Opinion of
sober men
upon this.
the Confessione of Faiihe, repugnant to the established governemeiit, the '
Booke of Discipline, and the actes and constitutions of our kirke : prohibitts
the use and practise of the same; and ordained presbytryes to proceede
with the censures of the church against all such as shall transgresse.
LVI. This Booke of Canons, which had the same common parents with
the Service Booke, felt the lyke fate ; and sober men thought that by such a
damnatorye sentence it gott but justice. The informality of its introduc-
tione was notoriouse ; and for the straine therof manye who understoode
bothe deemd that it resembled a Boniface, or a Gregory, or a Clement,
sitting in the Vaticane of Rome, compyling ther Decretalls, or Clementines,
or Extravagants. For many sober ministers, who otherwayes favoured the
bishopps, wer startled with thes Cannons, and thought them grossly extra-
vao-antt, as bewraying a too great neglect of all the churche in the intro-
ductione of them, and a too great usurpatione of power to themselves in
the Canons ther sett downe. All saw that the bishopps, seeking heerby for
to fathorae in the whole power of the churche too quickly, did heerby lose
themselves and the power that they wer possessed with, mor qwickly then
they dreamed off. Howbeit Lysimachus Nicanor tooke upp the buckler in
his invective against the covenanters, for to defend the Service Booke, yet
he has not had the boldnesse for to pleade for the Booke of Canons, but
passeth it over in silence.
The Booke of Cannons beinge overthrowne, the next booke which was
brought to the test was the Booke of Ordinatione, ane other whelpe of that
same litter with the two former. The exceptiones givne in against it wer
as followeth :
ANIMADVERSIONES UPON THE BISHOPPS THER BOOKE OF ORDINATIONE
OF PRESBYTERS AND DEACONS. (''
Animadver-
sions on the
Book of
Ordination :
said book
rejected.
LVII. First, This booke is made upp without any consent or approba-
tione of any Nationall Assemblye ; nor has it any ecclesiasticke or civill
authority, albeit the bishopps have severall tymes already made use of it.
Second, It mackes the bishopps a thirde order of the clergye, distincte from
presbyters. Third, It setts upp a new order of deacons, who are to have
no charge of the poore, as the deacons had. Acts vi. ; and it gives power to
(1) [Translated from " Animadversiones in librum ordinationis Episcoporum, presbytero-
rum, & Diaconorum," Historia Motuum, pp. '229, 230.]
Ch. lviii.] history of scots affairs. 93
thes deacons to bcaptise and raarrye. Fourth, It reqwyres of intrants to the A. D. 1G38.
ministrye new and unwonted oathes, contrare to actes of parliament : nor
are such as are to be admitted to the ministrye suffered to know what they
are to sweare till the very instante that they are to gett orders, and to
tacke the oathe ; so that they cannot be saide to sweare with judgement.
Fifth, It affirms that the episcopall forme of ordinatione is agreable and
warranted by actes of General Assemblyes ; which is false. Sixth, It referres
the tryall and examinatione of intrants to the bishopp, debarring the pres-
bytrye, to whom properlye it doeth belonge. Seventh, It licenceth a
bishopp to laye handes soddainly on such as he never saw befor ; for he has
the knowledge of the intrants lyfe and manners, by a superficiall relatione
of his archdeacon or capellane. Evjhth, It putts the power of ordinatione
into the handes of the bishop alone, excluding all presbyters from any pairt
therin, furder then being wittnesses. Ninth, The whole forme of ordina-
tione is papisticke, and tackne out of ther rytwall booke.(') Tenth, It
affirmeth that the bishopps have gottne that power and jurisdictione from
God. Other observationes wer givne in upon thes three bookes, for the
fourth of them, viz. the Booke of Homelyes, saw never the light, but was
stiffled in the very birth therof. The Assemblye, therfor, upon thes con-
siderationes, and withall fynding it ane impediment to the entrye of fitt and
worthy men to the ministrye, and to the discharge of ther duty after ther
entrye, conforme to the church discipline, did therfor all in one voice
rejecte and condemne the Booke of Ordinatione ; and did forbidd all use and
practise therof, etc., ut supra.i^)
LVIII. In the last place, the Assembly tooke to its cognitione the Higli Com-
High Commissione court ; and declared that, by setting upp therof, all ec- ™ssion court
clesiasticke jurisdictione and power was overturned and jumbled ; and that
all powers heerin wer confounded and cast together in a medlye ; that it was
unagreable with church constitutiones (albeit it did belye the resemblance
of a supreme ecclesiasticall judicatorye), and with the actes of Parliament ;
that it was contrare to the actes of Parliament and fundamentall lawes,
specially that of James I. Parliament 3, statute 48, and James IV. Parlia-
ment 6, statute 79, whairin it is expressly ordained that the subjects be ruled
by no other lawes then thes of the kyngdome; that in this judicatorye, the
(1) [" Tota forma consecrationis Episcoporum & Archiepiscorum pontifioia est.. & ex
rituali Romano translata." Historia Motuura, p. 230.]
(2) [See Records of the Kirk, p. 26.]
94 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1G38. power of both the swordes, as weall civill as ecclesiasticke, was givne unto
churche men, and such as war meerly secular, and that such therby gott
into ther handes the power of church discipline and the keys : Finallye, they
declare that it was tribunal extraneum, a straunge judicatorye, erected
without the consent of Parliament and Churche, and that the only ende
therof was for to establish the episcopall tyrannye :(') For which reasones the
Assembly, all in one voice, condemned it as unlaufull, prohibited the use of
it as praejudiciall to the libertyes of Chrystes church and kyngdorae, the
Kings honor in mantaining the established lawes and libertyes of the churche
and its judicatoryes; and ordained presbytryes to proceede against all trans-
gressors, ut supra, etcS'^y
Opinion of LIX. The Booke of Ordinatione all saw informally introduced, and he-
sober people g ^^g that, ther was an other ill in the contents therof; for by this booke the
about the Book •' ...
of Ordination neighbour reformed churches ther practise of ordinatione by presbyters,
and the High ^g ^^jg^ ^f ^^^ churche of Scottlande, for many yeares after the Reforma-
Commission. . 11111
(Jommission to tione, was heerby tacitly condemned, and many hundereths, yea thousands,
visit the shire of ministers declared laickes (which the learned episcopall men dare not
at Dundee. saye), and qwyte unministred to the great offence both of clergye and peo-
ple ; so that no body but such ministers as had been lately ordained by
bishopps, wer dissatisfeed with the removall heerof. And how ridicolouse it
is to affirme that none have power of ordinatione jure divino but bishopps,
or ever had, I referr the reader to the learned polemicke tractats that have
been in the past yeares wryttne upon that subjecte.
And finally, for the High Comissione, its forme of establishment all
thought illegall, its constitutione a mungrell clero or episcopo laicall eccle-
siastico-civill judicatorye. Yet many did thinke, as beefor I have related,
that the nobility e ther enmity e at that judicatorye flowed not meerly upon
such an accompt as the Generall Assembly declared, but upon a particular
interest, as fynding themselves made too much obnoxiouse to the lashe of
churche discipline, seconded with brachium seculare, which they never much
fancyd. However it was, as it was sett upp without consent or approbatione,
the nobilitye, gentrye, or ministrye, ther consent was unanimouse eneuch
(though ther endes might be diverse) for to pull it downe, and putt it out
of doors againe. The discussing of the reasones against the leiturgye, bookes
of canons, ordinatione, and the court of the High Comissione, did tacke
(1) [Historia Motuum, pp. 231, 232.] (2) [Records of the Kirk, ]>. 26.]
Cu. LX.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
95
upp all this sessione, as it wealle might seeme to doe ; yet, before the rysing
therof, a comissione was ordained to sitt at Dundee, to visite all Angusse
after the dissolutione of the Assembly. The members therof wer em-
powred from the Assemblye for to tacke in the complaintes of all or any of
the shyre of Angusse, against any of the ministrye who had been accused
befor this Assemblye, and for to heer the proofes of the lybells givne in
against them. The reasone of this comissione was, because it was now
winter, and many of the wittnesses not able (or perhaps unwilling) to be pre-
sent to depone against the accused ministers. Ther was another reasone,
which was, that in Angusse ther was a considerable pairtye of the gentrye
and ministrye disaffected to the Covenante, who behooved to be looked
after. The members of this comittye wer composed of noblemen, barrons,
ministers, and burgers, inhabitants of Angusse, but mostlye of Fyfe, who
wer mor generallye zealotts(') ; they all gave ther oathes cle fideli administra-
tione, and gott the Assemblyes full power, as if it had been done in face of
the Assembly, but they wer to be answerable upon ther honours to the next
Generall Assemblye, for all ther actinges. So this sessione ended.
LX. Upon Frydaye, December seventh, the Assembly conveened againe,
when first ther wer letters presented from the Bishop of Dunkeld, Mr.
Alexander Lindseye, submitting himself to the Assemblyes censure, pro-
mising to adhere to all the decrees therof, as of a laufull Generall Assem-
blye. He excused his absence by reasone of the winter seasone, and his ould
age and bodily weacknesse. Argylle did stand upp upon the reading of the
letter, and gave him the testimoney of a modest and peacably disposed man.
This was done after the moderator had reade the names of wittnesses against
Mr. William Annand, minister at Aire, and against the Bishops of Rosse,
Edinburgh, and Dumblaine, who wer all sworae ; and seing that severall of
thes witnesses wer of the members of the Assembly, they wer discharged,
for the greater formalitye, from having voices as judges in the processes
of thoise against whom they had borne witnesse.
Befor they proceeded with the trial of the bishopps, which now they wer
about, it was desyred by the moderator that Mr. George Halliburton&C^) pro-
cesse might be putt to a periode. The reasone was, because the Lord
Lindsey, who was a maine agent in it, behoved necessarly to goe to Edin-
burgh ; for, by letters brought by Mr. George Winerhame, the noblemen
(1) [See a list of them in Records of the Kirk, p. 104.]
(2) [He was minister at Craii.]
Mr. Alexan-
der Lindsay,
bishop of
Dunkeld,
submitts.
Mr. George
Haliburton's
process refer-
red to the
Angus Com-
mittee.
Mr. James
Auchnleehf
referred to a
Committee.
Sydserfe,
Bishop of
Galloway,
deposed and
oxi'omnnmi-
catcd.
Sessio 15.
Decembris 7.
Frydaye.
96 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
ruling elders wer advertished that Hamlltoune was tacking some course to
provyde the castell of Edhiburgh with ammunitione, which it was thought
needfull for to preveent and hinder. Lyckwayes it was certifyd that one of
the Kings shipps was entred the Firth of Forthe ; for which reasones it was
held fitt that the Lord Lindsey, Rolhesse, Johnstoune, Wachtoune/O and
Sir William Scott, should goe thither and keepe the next councell daye.
Then was Mr. George Haliburtons accusatione reade, the heades wherof
wer mostly provne, being, first, simony ; secondly, that he, the said Mr.
George, deneyed the sacraments to many honest men, and gave them to
scandalouse persons ; that he had putt of honest men from his sessione, and
putt worse in ther places ; that he had kept upp the coUectiones gathered
for the use of the poor ministers of the Palatinate, and for the supply of the
poor people of Orkneye in the tyme of famine ; that he had made use of a
false key (as some saide), and therwith tackne out money out of the church
boxe; that he had declyned the Assembly, and appealed to the King, or
any competent judicatorye appoynted by the Kinge. In his absence, George
Halliburton, laird of Keillor, answered for him, who deneyed that his kins-
man Mr. George had appealed from the Assemblye. He furder undcrtooke
to move him to ansuer before his oune presbytrye : he, the laird of Keillor,
added that he and his freends wer willing and able to serve the Lord Lind-
sey to good pourpose. Thes considerationes, specially Keillor being
knowne to be a Covenanter, moved the Lord Lindsey to desiste, and to
remitte the tryall of Mr. George Haliburton to the presbytrye wher he
lived, or to the commissione of the Assemblye for the shyre of Angusse,
wher Mr. George Haliburton lived ; and this was yeelded too by the whole
Assemblye.(^)
After him, Mr. James Auchnlecke(^) was called upon and citted, who did
compeer and answer for himselfe. He was accused of several poyntes of
(1) [Sir Patrick Hepburn of Waugliton, ruling elder for the presbytery of Dunbar.]
(2) [Records of the Kirk, p. 165. "Lord Lindsay," says Baillie, "urged vehemently
the deposition of Mr George Haliburton minister of Crail, yet when we perceived that the
main thing alledged against hmi was, but meddling with the ehurcli-box, and negligence in
counting for it, and that the chief quarrel was his late transportation to Crail, (it being a
great benefice), against Lord Lindsay's will, the great patron of it, we would not gratify
any man's humorous spleen, but referred the trial of that process to the presbytery of St
Andrew's, showing that we thought the man's negligence in counting, being yet helped by
refunding, of some moneys, needed not to be so odiously exaggerated with the name of sacri-
lege as it was." Letters, vol. i. p. 128.]
(3) [A minister in the presbytery of Dundee.]
Ch. lx.] history of scots affairs. 97
Arminianisme, which he deneycd that he mantained.C) His tryall was A. D. 1638.
remitted to a comittye of ministers, who wer appoynted to give in ther dili-
gence the Tewsday followinge, Decembris twelfth. The members of that
comitye wer Mr. James Bonnar ; Mr. Samuel Rutherfoorde ; Mr. John
Moncreiife ; Mr. Alexander Sommerveill ; Mr. Johne Marten ; and Mr.
Mathew Birsbane.C^)
Now did the Assembly proceed to the tryall and proofe of the lybell givn
in against Mr. Thomas Sydserfe, bishop of Gallowaye, sessione octava* To
it did the wittnesses give ther affirmative testimoney. To the rest of his ac-
cusation was added that he was contumaciouse to the Assembly, and willfully
did absent himself, though he knew himselfe to be summoned, and, for the
tyme, did macke his aboade hard by in the countreye. Befor his sentence was
past, the moderator made a short speecheC^) of the ills done by the bishops,
and exhorted the Assemblye to be attentive to ther accusationes and proofes
therof, that so, with cleare consciences, they might give ther voices. Nor
did they neglect the formailitye of calling upon Dr. Robert Hamiltoune, as
procurator for the bishopps, and him consequentlye ; but neither of them
answering, the Assembly voted that the saide Mr. Thomas should bee from
thenceforth deposed from his episcopall and ministeriall function, and be
excommunicatedC''). Sir George Stirling of Keir, and Mr. Silvester Lambe,
(1) [" The man," says Baillic, " cleared himsell' to us of all, but some quirks in the se-
cond article. The gentlemen, [the ruling elders and commissioners] \\\\o understood not
well, thought everything here capital heresy." Letters, vol. i. p. 128.]
(2) [Compare this with the list in Records of the Kirk, p. 165.]
* Vide supra, sess. 8. [p. 29.]
(3) [It is printed in the Records of the Kirk, |). 165 ; and in Stevenson's History of the
Church of Scotland, vol. ii., pp. 618—620.]
(4) [Lord Hailes has printed a remarkable letter regarding Sydserf, WTitten from Paris,
by Robert Burnet of Crimond, to Archibald Johnston of VVarriston. " For Mr. Sydeserf,
sometime Bishop of Galloway, he came here five or six weeks ago, and by [without] my
knowledge, by the address of other Scotsmen, he took his chamber in the house where I am,
and has been since my being here. I could have wished he had not come here, as long as I
had been here, rather to have satisfied other men's scruples, whom I have no intention to
offend, than my own ; for the Lord is my witness, to whom I must answer at the last day, I
think there was never a more unjust sentence of excommunication than that which was pro-
nounced against some of these Bishops, and particularly against this man, since the creation
of the world ; and I am persuaded, that these who did excommunicate him did rather ex-
communicate themselves from God, than him ; for I have known him these twenty-nine
years, and I have never known any wickedness or unconscientious dealing in him ; and I
know him to be a learneder and more conscientious man (although I will not purge him of
infirmities more than others) than any of those who were upon his excommunication. And,
alas, Brother I what would you be at, that now when you have beggared him, and chased
yo HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. minister at Glammes in Angusse, desyred that his excommunicatione might
proceede after the ordinar forme ; Mr. David Lindsey,(0 a minister, saide
that he desyred a tyme to be advysed concerning his excommunication -fi)
Wherupon the moderator tooke occasione to speacke of the nature and se-
verall kyndes of excommunicatione, shewing that it was ordained to punish
the bodye that the soule might be saved ; that the church of England had a
forme of excommunicatione, called lata sententia, wherby thes who did
such a thing ipso facto wer excommunicated ; which was specifyd in ther
bookes of canons ; but that such a forme was papisticke, and so not to be used :
Next, he told of another forme of summar excommunicatione practised by the
Generall Assembly* against Mr. Patrick Adamson, bishop of St. Andrews,
which forme he thought unmeet to use against the bishopps ; that they would
use only the ordinare forme, which is after citatione, which, since the
bishopps have sleighted, he thought fitte to proceede to that censure against
them. Mr. Arichbald Johnston, clerke, did second the moderator heerin,
and shewed that the scriptur did warrant it in that passage. Si ecclesiam
non audiverit, etcS^) It was suggested by one Mr. Thomas Abernetthy (who
him by club-law out of the country, would you have him reduced to despair, and will you
exact that every man, yea against his conscience, shall approve your deeds, how unjust so-
ever, yea out of the country ? As I wrote to you before, none of the ministers of Paris
would believe me, that you would or durst excommunicate any for not subscribing that Co-
venant ; and the ministers declared to him, that, notwithstanding his excommunication, they
would admit him to the communion, since his excommunication was not for any crime, but par
raisoH d'etat sculement; but he communicates with the English. All Scots and English
here, both of one party and other, respect him ; and I assure you he defends the Protestant
religion stoutly against Papists, and none of our Scots Papists dare meddle with him, after
they had once essayed him. Be not too violent then, and do as you would be done to, for
you know not how the world will turn yet." Memorials and Letters relating to the Reign
of Chai-les I. pp- 72 — 73. Glasgow, 17<36. During his residence in France, Bishop Sydserf
" exercised his Episcopal office in the chapel of Sir Richard Brown the King's ambassador
at Paris, by ordaining priests, and amongst the rest the laborious Mr. John Durel." Skin-
ner's Ecclesiastical History of Scotland, vol. ii. p. 348. Lond. 1788. " He dyed at Edin-
burgh, 1663, leaving 400 merks to the ]joor of Kirkwall." MS. Account of Scotish Bisho])s.]
(1) [Parson of Belhelvie.]
(2) [" Excommunication," says Baillie, " seemed to me so terrible a sentence, and that
obstinacy, the formal cause of it, required admonition, and some delay of time after the clo-
sure of the process, that I voiced him to be deposed, but not presently excommunicated.
In this I was followed by some five or six, but the rest went on to present excommunica.
tion." Letters, vol. i. p. 129. See Records of the Kirk, p. 166; Stevenson's Hist, of
Ch. of Scot. vol. ii. p. 618.]
• Rather by Mr. Andrew Melvill. See Spotswoods Historye, lib. 6. [p. 345. Cal-
derwood, pp. 1 99, 200. The sentence of excommunication proceeded from the provincial
synod of Fife.]
(3) [St. Matthew, xviii. 17.]
Ch. lxi.] history of scots affairs.
99
of a deposed preest was turned a Covenanter minister lately,) to a minister A. D. 1638.
who did sitt neerest to him, that it was proved against the bishopps that
they called themselves the churche of Scottland ; therfor, if the Assembly
did not excommunicate them, they would excommunicate the Assemblye ;
that, therfor, since they wer citted befor the Assembly to heare sentence
passe against them, either the Assembly, being thus engadged, behoved
presently for to excommunicate the bishopps, oi', if they did not so, then
they behoved for to accounte the bishopps the church of Scottlande, and
that themselves did wante power to proceede against the bishopps. The
minister, to whom this was whispred, proposed this learned dilemma as from
himselfe. In ende, it was concluded that presently the bishopps should be
censured with excomraunicatione, but all at one tyme, after all ther pro-
cesses were discussed and made out. As for pronouncing a particular sen-
tence of excommunicatione against evry of the bishopps severally, it was
dislycked by the Assembly as a thinge unnecessaire, although the modera-
tor proposed that overture.
LXI. The archbishopp of St. Andrews tryaU proceeded next, (for they Archbishop of
kept no order). The articles wherwith he was charged wer breache of the ^^ Andrews
caveatts, ut supra ; that he was guilty of prophanitye, by playing, gaming, deposed and
and travelling in journeys on the Lords daye ; that he was a Simoniake, excommuni-
and sacreledgiouse ; that he had kept upp for his owne private use fiftye
thousand merkes, appoynted for the releefe of Mr. Mortoune and his com-
pany, out of the Turkish slaverye ; as also that he had abstracted fyve
thousand merkes mortified [by] Mr. Wilkye for the bursery of St. Andrewes ;
that he had kept upp the stocke and annwell rentes of the collectione within
his diocese, for the use of the depauperate ministers within the Palatinate ;
that he used to sitt upp late and tipple in tavernes ; that he railed bitterly
upon all praecedent General Assemblyes ; that he was guiltye of crimen
falsi, havinge blotted and chaunged at his pleasure the actes of the As-
sembly last holdne at Aberdeen ; that he was guiltye of many prophane
wrytts and speeches against thoise whom he called puritans ; that he was a
countenaincer of heterodoxe pastors and professors, whome, albeit it was
in his power, he did not restraine the yeares past, the church beinge
muche troubled by suche ; that consequently, since he winked at ther errors,
he tooke ther guilt upon himselfe. His accusers offered to prove that he was
guiltye of many other grosse crymes, or at least that ther wer very pregnant
praesumptions therof against him. For which reasones the Assembly did
100
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. 111.
Whyteford,
bishop of
Brichen, de-
posed and
excommuni-
cated.
The Author';
reflection on
this.
vote that he should not only be depryved from the ministeriall and episcopall
functione, but lyckwayes excommunicated; and that so much the rather,
because to all his former cryraes he had now added contumacye against the
Assembly, and declyned it ; as has been told abefor. Sir George Stirling
of Keire desyred that, befor his excommunication, he should be citted pub-
lickly three Lordes dayes from the pulpitt of Glasgow, for the mor forma-
litye, as he alledged, lest enemyes should gett any advauntage against the
Assembly ; but the vote carryd otherways, and the laird of Keers over-
ture was sleighted as superflouse.C)
LXII. The last who was called upon in this sessione was Mr. Walter
Whytefoorde, bishop of Breichen, together with the procurator, Dr. Ro-
bert Hamiltoune ; but neither of the two answering, his accusation was
readde, and the witnesses ther depositiones tackne. It was objected to him,
besyde the breache of the cautiones, etc., that he was oftne guiltye off
beastly drunknesse ; that he cam in to the porters lodge of his owne dwel-
ling upon a tyme, and ther sleepd a good space befor he could goe upp
staires againe ; that, upon a tyme, he was so drunke that he could not
containe his urine, which was discerned by such as stood by to fall upon
the grownde ; that on a tyme, after he made water against a wall, he went
awaye with his nackednesse discovered, and in that posture daunced a space
in his owne court yarde. For thes and other reasones, the Assembly or-
dained that he should be deposed and excommunicated, without any contra-
dictorye voiceC'^) ; and this was the laste acte of that sessione.
LXIII. The reader cannot chuse but blushe to reade thinges of this
nature ; nor would I sett them downe beer, but that they wer publickly
objected, and stande upon recorde in such papers as have come to my
(1) [Archbishop Spottiswoode did not long survive the Glasgow Assembly. He died at
London, on the "iOth November, according to the inscription on his tomb, or, according to
other authorities, on the 26th or '27th December, 1639. A brief memoir of his life, by
Bryan Duppa, Bishop of Winchester, is prefixed to his History of the Church and State
of Scotland. Lond. 1677.]
(2) [" The Bishop of Brechin," says Baillie, " was proven guilty of sundry acts of most
vile drunkenness ; also a woman and child brought before us, that made his adultery very
probable ; also his using of a massy crucifix in his chamber. The man v^'as reputed to be
universally infamous for many crimes ; yet such was his impudence, that it was said he was
ready to have compe:ired before us for his justification ; but was stayed by the Marquis [of
Hamilton], lest his compearance should have been for an acknowledgement of the judicatory."
Letters, vol. i. p. 129. Mr. Samuel Rutherford alludes to " the adulteries of Whiteford, popish
prelate of Brichen, whose Bastard came weeping to the Assembly of Glasgow in the armes
of the whore." Lex, Rex : The Law and the I'rince. [prei'ace, sec. 12.] London, 1644.]
Ch. LXIV.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
101
handes. If all wer trwe, this miserable man fell under a just censure ; yet,
though it had been so, modestye and charitye would have pleaded the sup-
pressing of some of thes crymes ; it being questionable whither the acting
or divulging them wer the mor scandalouse. It was thought that, propter
honurem sacerdotij, thinges of this nature should have been suppressed ; and
that charitye, which covers the multitude of offences, did not warrant so
goggle eyed ane enqwyrye into the escapes of such as wer not only men,
but of that selfe same order and fraternitye with ther pretended judges.
Many have thought, to this daye, that by such procedur the mouthes of the
enemyes of the reformed relligion wer opned to raile against all, without
distinctione ; the instances of a few being so carefully suggested by thes of
ther owne order.
LXIV. It might have been thought that Mr. Walter Whytfoord, bishop
of Breichne, was sufficiently affronted in the last sessione ; yet at the next
meeting of the Assembly, Saturdaye, December eighth, which was the six-
teenth sessione tberof, Mr. Matthew Weemes, not reqwyred to any mans
seminge, stoode upp and did tell them that the moneyes which he had
gottne from the bishopp of Breichne to give to ane whore Aloisia Creich-
toune (who was alledged to have borne a chylde to the said bishopp in
adulterye), for to tell the truthe, and not to slander the saide bishopp un-
justlye, and to macke her declare who they wer that suggested her
to slander the bishopp (shee being putt too it for to confesse the facte,
and that the bishopp was guilty) and for to mantaine her in prisone
only out of commiseration, and not for mantenance of that chyld as was
alledged : But, said Mr. Mathew, To what ende did the bishopp give money
to the said Aloisia to goe to England, Ireland, and Holland, and two
hundereth merkes at evrye tyme that he gave her any ; specially the said
bishopp having no enemyes to questione him, but rather freendes to conceale
the facte ; all this falling out befor the troubles or the questioning of the
bishopps. This accusatione was ex superabundanti ; for the bishopp was al-
ready sentenced and his facte tackne for graunted ; so it was past by.*
* Note, Reader : That the woman, who did accuse the bisliopp of Breichen for solhciting
her to uncleannesse, was afterwards putt to it amongst others blackcoats, some six in number,
for to poynt at the man who had lyen with her ; which she could not doe, but mistooke an
other for him, although the bishopp was present looking on: And it is saide that in ende she
confessed freely that she was suborned by the meanes of the Earle of Hartfell for to accuse
the bishop of Brechen of that infamouse cryme. [The earldom of Hartfell was not created
until 1643, when it was erected in favour of James, the first Lord Johnstone, who had dis-
tinguished himself by his zeal in the cause of the Covenant.]
More ot
Bishop
VVhitefoord.
Negotiation
with Lindsay,
archbishop of
Glasgow.
Sessio 16.
December y.
Saturdaye.
102
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. Ill-
A. D. 1638.
Interpreta-
tion of the
Confession of
Faitli. Dio-
cesan Episco-
pacy abjured
and removed
by said Con-
fession.
Her.after the moderator proposed the reading of Mr. Patrick Lindseye,
archbishop of Glasgow, his processe, and that after proofe he should be
censured. But the Earle of Weems, who had been conferring with that
arehbishopp, desyred that some tyme might be graunted for to use meanes
to reclaime him. Weems declared in the bishops name, that, against his
privatt judgement, and being pairtly compelled and importuned by Mr.
John Maxwell, bishop of Rosse, and others, he had been wonn to sub-
scrybe the bishopps Declinator. This moved the Assembly for to appoynt
some of ther number for to conferre with the bishopp, and to move him for
to give that under his hande which he had spocke in privatt to the Earle of
Weems, and therwithall a subscrybed subraissione to the censure of the
Assemblye : Yet (albeit it was thought that the bishopp was unwilling to be
excommunicate,) all that negotiatione with him proved ineffectwall.
LXV. Argylle therafter desyred to be heard speacke ; which being wU-
linglye graunted, he tould the Assembly, That it was not unknowne to them
that he, being one of the Kinges councellors, behoved, upon Tewsday next,
be in Edinburgh, ther to attende the councell that daye ; he desyred, befor
his parting from them, he might know the Assemblyes judgemente and
interpretatione of the Confessione of Faithe, that, for the good of the
churche, he might macke knowne ther rational! and just procedurs unto the
privy councell ; and this so much the rather he pressed because he saide
he knew that it was the judgement of some of the lordes of councell that
the Generall Assembly wold not explaine the Confessione of Faithe or
Covenante.C) This request was secounded by the Earle of Rothesse, who
saide that Argylles desyre was both laufull and necessair to be gone about,
notwithstanding of all the other aifairs of the Assemblye. The Lord
Lowdone therafter, to that pourpose, made a long speeche ; wherin he de-
duced a long narratione of ther proceedings since the beginning of the late
troubles, inveighing against the churche of Scottlande its corruptiones ; and
that the sleighting of all ther supplicationes made to the councell, comis-
sioner, or King, had necessitate ther entring into a Covenant with God,
which God had owned by bearing it through all oppositions, and moving
the Kings heart so as to graunt them a free Assemblye for the decisione of
all thinges questionable, wherof the very sence of ther Covenant was one ;
and, therfor, as Argylle had done, so he lyckways desyred that it might be
explained : First, Because many who had tackne it did thinke that the Ser-
(I) [Records of the Kirk, p. 166.]
Ch. lxv.] history of scots affairs. 103
vice Booke, Booke of Canons, etc., might subsist with it. Second, Because A. D. 1638.
severall of the lords of councell and sessione had subscrybed it with ane
explicatione, it was needfull to lett them know whither they war tyed by ther
subscriptione and explicatione. Third, Because it was alledged by some of
the followers of the pretended prelatts, that it neither excluded novationes,
ceremoneyes, nor offices of the Inghshe churche, but was only against
papistes, otherwayes that all other thinges might very weall stande therwith,
and wer not abjured by ther subscription therof. Fourth, That since the
ambigouse sence had brought men for to subscrybe it diverslye, viz. some
acording to the Kinges sence therof, others acording to the institutione of
it, and, lastly, some acording to the present professione therof, including
all corruptiones introduced, or to be introduced, he thought it very neces-
saire to have the true sence of it knowne.
Thes reasones, and many others, moved the Assembly to conclude that
the Covenant should be explained acording to the tyme of the institutione
therof; to which pourpose the Assembly warranted the former comittye
for to draw upp the explicatione of the Covenant formally and clearlye,
without any ambiguitye ; which they undertooke. Therafter the moderator
readde a pairt of a ministers testament, of seventy-nine years of age, at
Norwitch in England ; wherin he declared his confessione to be the same
with the church of Scottlande, and that episcopacye was ane antidote worse
then the poyson itselfe, and that all the particularityes pertaining to episco-
pacye wer the relickes of the Antichristiane beast yet unbanished from
amongst us. And the moderator preferred coppys of that testamentary de-
claratione to all that desyred it ; but who that minister was I do not fynde
mentioned in such recordes of the Assembly as have come to my handes :
It seemes to have been presented at this tyme for to cleare the Assembly
ther judgement concerning the sence of the Covenant in some measure, and
to be ane apologeticke prolouge to the enswing actes. For, when this paper
was readde, the moderator arose and made a speeche of all the evills that
the office and persones of bishopps had brought into the churche since the
Reformation; shewing ther incomming and unlaufull introductione ; ther
tyrranouse increase in authoritye, pryde, and ambitione ; the lamentable
continowance therof without any grownde in Gods lawe or the lawes of the
kyngdome : The first, he said, was proved already by the learned labowres
of many worthy zeelouse pastors ; and the second he offered ther presently
to shew out of the bookes of Assemblye and Parliament : And, acordingly,
104 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. Mr. Archbald Jonston, the clerke, did reade a paper,(') drawne upp by the
comittye, wherin, First, Was sett downe the necessitye of this declaratione
and acte : Second, It did containe all the actes of Generall Assemblyes,
from 1576 to 1596, which did rejecte episcopaeye altogether, and all the
kynds therof; particularly, it was therin proved from actes of Generall
Assembly and Parliament, that the office of a bishopp was never ordained
in this kyngdome, although ther titular dignityes of lordes wer allowed, and
stipendes conforme therunto : Third, That paper did containe ane ansuer
to such objectiones as seemed to be for episcopaeye. The paper being reade
and examined, the moderator thought it meet for to put the matter to a
vote, and to state the questione concerning episcopaeye, which was thus :
N.B. Whither or not, acording to the Confessione of Faithe, (first published, anno
1580, and universally sworne, an7io 1581, and againe renewed, anrw 1590,)
ther be any other bishopp approved of in this church, except only the pastor
of a particular churche, or of one flocke, to whom ther is no trjoiSf/a and
power graunted over his colleagues : And whither or not, acording to the re-
ceaved sence of that Confessione (as it was swoi'ne in thes yeares) all other
sortes of episcopaeye was abjured, and now for that cause ought to be re-
moved. After the stating of the question, many actes wer reade de novo,
wherin episcopaeye, they said, was condemned ; and, last of all, the acte of
councell past this yeare, 16.38, which was the declaratione of the lordes,
was reade in confirmatione of thes actes ; and the moderator saide that if
N.B. the office of a diocesan bishopp was in any other reformed churche, that it
was by tolleratione and not by ordinatione, and that they wold not ansuer
for any other churche but for the professione and confessione of ther aune
churche. The reading of all thes actes and proofes was so pleasing to
Argylle, that he declared that neither the comissionair nor himself, nor any
of the prelatts or councellers, ever dreamed that ther reasones wer so rele-
vaunt, or that theye could have proved ther assertiones so fullye, formally,
and relligiouslye as now he had heard them doe ; and he wished that the co-
missioner had been present to heare it : Furder, he assured the Assembly
that he wold relate all that he had seen and heard of this matter unto the
councell.(*) When Argylles speech was ended, it was put to the vote in
few wordes ; the affirmative was " Abjured and Removed" : this was a
(1) [See Records of the Kirk, pp. 28—32 ; Historia Motuum, p. 234.]
(2) [See Records of the Kirk, p. 168.]
Ch. LXVI.]
HISTOBY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS
105
tions upon
this conclu-
complexe, and in the negative was capable of two ansuers : First, Neither A. D. 1638.
abjured nor removed ; Second, Removed but not abjured ; for the third,
viz. abjuratione, still presupposed ane removall of episcopacy.
LXVI. The King, in his Large Declaratione,* complaines upon the Reasonings
iniquitye of this manner of voting. That if ther power had been laufull they ™-^ observa
might have removed episcopacy and Pearth Articles ; but that it was be-
yond the credite of any rationall man for to beleeve that episcopacye and
Perth Articles (of which afterwardes) wer abjured when the Confessione of
Faith was first sworne too : Adde to this, that themselves allowed many, in
the first subscriptione of the Covenant, not to abjure episcopacy and Pearth
Articles ;t also, that many ministers, members of the Assembly of Glasgow?
had sworne at ther admission unto ther benefices, acording to the actes of
Parliament, and actes of Generall Assemblyes provyded in that case ; And
so, by swearing that thes thinges wer abjured in the first Confessione, that
they made all ministers confesse that they had perjured themselves in tacking
the other oathe of conformitye to thes pretended innovationes.
Yet, (as has been already related,) the Assembly founde a salve for this
sore ; which was to nullifie the sis former Assemblyes, and all that did fol-
low therupon consequently as not obligatorye in themselves ; so that the
whole Assembly, without scruple, voted in downeright termes that the office
of a bishopp, which differs from that of a pastor over one flocke, acording to
the true meaning of the Confessione of Faithe was abjurd, and that therfor
it was justly removed, and to be removed out of the churche of Scottlande.
Mr. Andrew Ramsey (being to preache the next day and so absent at his
studye) sent his voice by wrytte, fuUy consonant with the rest.
Yet this vote was unsatisfactorye to manye, by reason of the termes that
the Confessione had been subscrybed in : For if they tooke it in an unknowne
sence, then it was not sworne in judgement, which still ought to bee one of
the great circumstaunces of a relligiouse oathe : Or, if it was tackne acording
to the mynde of him who imposed that Confession, anno 1580, the most
knowing saw clearly that King James, who imposed it, meand not the abju-
ration of episcopacye, nor of Perth Articles ; for he made it his maine worke
to establish them. And it is probable that the Assembly itselfe thought not
ther declaratorye vote sufficient for to cleare the bussinesse and putt it out of
* Large Declaration, pag. 324
t Vide supra, lib. 2. [ch. xxxviii., vol. i. p. 43.]
O
106 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. controversye ; which appeared too manifestly by that declaratorye clause which
they caused subjoyne to the Covenant (of which yow shall heare afterwards),
and ordered all who had formerly subscrybed it for to subscrybe it anew,
with that additione, per expressum. That they subscrybed it acording to the
Assemblyes interpretatione. For to tamper thus with a matter of so great
consequence as an oath, and a nationall one too, was for to play with ane
edged toole ; as the event since that tyme has saddly verifyd it.
Mr. Robert LXVII. And howbeit the vote went faire before the wynde in the As-
Bailey's be- semblye, yet ther was one of the number who, fynding himself sett fast upon
cernino- this ''^'^ rocke presently mentioned, could not away with that complexe vote :
question. He That was Mr. Robert Bailye (whom I have had occasione to macke mentione
(3'™'^,^ "^ -u ^' ofbefor), who, whilst the vote was carrying on, "Removed and Abjured", did
the materials vote expressly " Removed, but not Abjured;"* which offended many of the
"ii -""'""" Assembly, he being- looked upon for his zeale as one of the most fordwards in
Motuum. •' ° ' . „ . „
N B. ^^'^ Assembly, and for his learnmg to be seconde to few, if to any ther, and
for his gravitye and piety in his ministrye, inferiour to none. But he, know-
ing that all the actes wer particularly to be read and voiced too againe, had
drawne upp a supplicatione to the Assembly in name of thoise ministers who
befor had conformed themselves to the Fyve Articles of Pearthe, t for miti-
gatione of that acte, at least that it might receive a publicke hearing and
* Spang, Historia Motuum, pngg. 234, 235. [" The question," says Baillie, " was
formed about the abjuration of all kind of Episcopacy, in such terms, as I profess I did not
well, in the time, understand, and thought them so cunningly intricate, that hardly could I
give any answer, either ita or non. To uiake any |>ublick dispute I thought it not safe,
being myself alone, and fearing, above all evils, to be the occasion of any division, which
was our certain wrack. The farthest I aimed at was, in voicing, to declare shortly my
mind. So when all men were called to propone what doubts they had, before the voicing, I,
with all the rest, was as dumb as a fish. When it came to my name, many eyes were fixed
on me, expecting some ojjposition ; but all I said was. That according to the express words
of the assembly 1580 and 1581, Episcopacy was to be distinguished: Episcopacy as used
and taken in the Church of Scotland, I thought to be removed ; yea, that it was a Popish
error, against scripture and antiquity, and so then abjured : but Episcopacy simpliciter, such
as was in the ancient church, and in our church during Knox's days, in the person of the
superintendents, it was for many reasons to be removed, but not abjured in our Confession
of Faith If I had considered the moderator's stating of the question, as now it stands
in print, I would have said, without any hesitation, as my voice, that it seemed to me to be
«X:/|kt»«5, consisting at least of three much ditferent questions, all which required much
difterent answers In voicing, many, to the number of fifty and above, and some who
curiously remarked, did avow removed Episcopacy, but said nought of their abjuration ; yea,
sundry of prime men there yet will avow, that they never thought all Episcopacy abjured in
our church If any man, for any respect, dissembled his judgement, his own heart
knows, I will judge no man." Letters, vol. i. pp. 132, 133.]
j- Large Declaration, paj/i;. 324, 325.
Ch. LXVIII.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
107
argwynge ; which the reste having linowledge of, when that acte came to be
readde and voiced to againe, one of the lordes, a ruling elder, tampred with
the clerke, that in calling the list, Mr. Robert Bailly his name should be
omitted, and so the acte passed without so much as asking his voice, who had
his supplicatione ready when he should be called upon by his name, but per-
ceiving that the omissione of his name was pourposely done, he made no
more sturre in it, as doubting what the consequence might bee, in caise he
stoode pertinaciouse in the defence of his first opinione. Whither or not he
reasoned the matter at the stating of the questione, such as have gathred
the recordes of this Assembly which have come into mye handes, directly
mentione not. Yet Mr. William Spange,* author of the Covenanters Large
Manifesto, called Historia Motuum, has sett downe the reason of Mr. Robert
Baillyes vote to the full ; which he mighte weall doe, having gottne the in-
formatione therof from Mr. Robert himselfe, to whom lyckwayes he is be-
holding for sending over to him unto Campveer the most considerable part
of the materialls of that booke : And because it seemes to be substantially the
same with Mr. Robert his intended supplicatione, I shall willingly tran-
scrybe it.
LXVIII. Mr. Robert Bailiye mantained that episcopacye ought to be
distinguished ; first. Into that sort of episcopacye which some did then
usurpe contrar to the mynde of the churche ; to which kynde of episcopacye
thes who mantaine the hierarchye ascrybe, and to it alone, a perpetwall
spii'itwall preheminencye and primacye of dignitye over all the diocese, to-
gether with the whole power of ordinatione and jurisdictione : This kynde
of episcopacy, (said he,) the churche did condemne and abjure in its Confes-
sione ; and therfor it was absolutly to be removed out of the churche as ane
popish error, unknown to Sacred Scripture and pure antiquitye : But, (saies
hee,) ther is ane other kynde of episcopacye, which the holy fathers used in
the primitive churche, which was practised in the office of superintendents
in Scottland in the beginning of the Reformatione, to which, by the voluntare
consent of the ministrye, a certain primacye of order, a primatus a^iAx's, was
yeelded : This sort of episcopacye, albeit he thought not expedient to re-
establish ; yet he could scarcely bee perswaded to thinke that it was abjured
in the Confessione of Faithe : He said that ther was grownde for this dis-
tinctione, in the formall words of the acte of the Assembly at Dundee, annu
Mr. Robert
Bailey's opi-
nion ; also
Rutherford's
and Knox's.
* Spang, ubi supra. [Historia Motuum, pp. 234 — 236.]
108 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. 1580, and reiterated at Glasgowe, anno 1581 : for oftne tymes the ofiBce of
a bishopp is repeated " as the bishopps use it now in this kyngdome" : which
since it is the manifeste determinatione of the subjecte, viz. episcopacye, to
that first kynde of bishopps wherwith the church was then vexed, it can-
not be extended to all kyndes of episcopacye simply considdered in itselfe.
Adde to this, that the only episcopacye which was condemned in thes Assem-
blyes was that forme of episcopacye which was not from God : But from
the very beginning of the Reformatione, it was the constant opinione of the
churche of Scottlande that the office of superintendents was not in itself
unlaufull, and that such as wer called rightly by the churche to that office,
wer called by God, as is apparent in the forme of ordinatione of superin-
tendents,(') printed in the Psalme Bookes, and in John Knox Church His-
toryeW also ; For the last questione of that forme is in the wordes : " Acknow-
ledge ye not that the dignity of this office to the lohich God has called yow,
does reqwyre holyness of lyffe, such as the enemyes of the evangile may
see" ?(') By which ansuer of his, Mr. Robert Bailiy strove to lett it bee seen
that the vote was a complexe, and behoved to be devyded into mor braunches
then one, which is knowne to logitians to be ^axvimrnriy ■, for he saide it was
one thinge to enqwyre and vote. Whither any other sorte of bishopp was
then allowed into the Church but he who was the pastore of one flock ; and
another thing to putt it to vote, Whither all other sorte of episcopacye was
abjurd and condemned in the Confessione of Faithe. And, lastly, that ther
was latent a third queree, Whither all other sorte of episcopacye be to be
now removed out of the Churche. But Mr. Robert Bailiye gott no body to
seconde his voice nor opinion ; all the Assembly did flattly declare against
him, that episcopacye, without distinguishing upon the kyndes therof, was
abjurd flattly from the beginninge. True it is, that Mr. Sam well Ruther-
ford, in a booke of his,* wryttne since that tvme, as he shewes his talent
(1) [The Forme and Ordour of the Election and Admission of the Superintendent: which
may serve in electioun of all uther ministers. At Edinburgh the ninth of March anno
1560. John Knox being minister.]
(2) [The Historie of the Reformatioun of Religioun within the Realm of Scotland, b. iii.
pp. 289 et seqq. Edinb. 1644.]
(3) [" Know ye not that the excellencie of this office, to the which God hath called you,
requireth that your conversation and behaviour be such as that ye may be irreprehensible,
yea, even in the eyis of the ungodly ?"]
• Samuel Rutherfoorde's Paules Presbytrye. [A Peaceable and Temperate Plea for
Pavls Presbyterie in Scotland, Or a modest and Brotherly Dispute of the government of
the Church of Scotland. By Samuell Rutherfurd Professor of Divinity at Saint Andrews.
Ch. LXIX.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
109
mainly in coyning new distinctiones, ill to be understoode for the most pairt,
and in severall of his workes, has taught us the airt to shredd the smallest
haires, so in this poynte concerning superintendencye, he has been very
helpfull to the Assembly's declaratione, and has done much to shew Mr.
Robert Baillyes needlesse scrupulositye in his vote : For Samuel Ruther-
foorde tells us in that booke, that superintendencye was but an office pro
tempore for promovall of reformatione, and only needfuU for the churche
(to use his owne langwage), " tiU the breestes and haire of the churche
wer growne :"('' so that, acording to his doctrine, beside the Apostles and
Evangelistes, ther may be in the churche laufull officers, from God too, (for
so sayes Mr. John Knockes to Mr. John Spottswood,* whilst he admittes him
superintendent of Lothian,) yet thes offices must cease at other tymes, and
be outed. Belycke, Rutherfoord mackes superintendents analogicall to
nurses ; or to thes timber supporters and frames and scaffolds which ma-
sones use, by the helpe wherof they joyne arches, and raise upp walls to
height, and afterward pull downe thes frames and scaffolds as uselesse : Or,
if his assertione doe not implye so muche, I shall leave it to the reader to
macke of his assertione what he pleasethe.
LXIX. How soone the vote declaring episcopacy e to be abjured by the
Confessione of Faithe was closed and past, the moderator made ane humble
and zealouse speeche of thankesgiving to God for the spiritt of vnitye which
he had lent to the whole Assembly, in a matter of so great weight and con-
sequence ; wherin it was saide that Maister Archebald Johnstoune, clerke, by
his discoverye and delyveringe thee bookes of the Assemblyes, and the lost
registers, was a speciall instrument under God. Yet it was thought that
this unitye was not unexpected to the moderator ; for, from the beginning of
the Assembly, and long befor it satte downe, such as wer but very raw
Lond. 1642. The greater part of this treatise is incorporated in its author's later and more
elaborate work, The Due right of Presbyteries, Or, A Peaceable Plea for the Government of
the Church of Scotland. Lond. 1644.]
* Ubi supra, [p. 108.]
(I) [" In the tirst constitution and infancy of our Church there were some visitors, and
superintendents for planting of Churches, because breasts and haire of our Churches were
not growne, after tlie example of tlie Apostles, who sent such to plant, and visit Churches,
and appoint Elders in Congregations, Acts S. 14, 15, 16. Acts 13. 14, 15, 16. Acts 14.
23. Tit. 1. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Acts 21. 17, 18. but after the Church was planted there was
no need of such." A Peaceable and Temperate Plea, p. 311. ch. xx. art. 2. See, on the
other side, Bishop Sage's Fundamental Charter of Presbytery, as it hath been lately esta-
blished in the Kingdom of Scotland, Examin'd and Disprov'd, By the History, Records,
and Publick Transactions of our Nation, pp. 119-166. Lond. 1695.]
A. D. 1638.
Witnesses
sworn against
Bishops.
Assembly's
Act concern-
ing Episco-
pacy, from
the printed
Acts.
110 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
prognosticators did confidently fortell that the Assembly, constitute of such
members as did meete ther, would infallibly declare to the full against the
order of episcopacy e; so that the moderator, at the opening of the Assem-
bly, it was thought, might have prophecyed that which now was elFectwated.
After all this, some wittnesses wer sworne against such of the bishops
who wer next to be staged, and then the Assembly arose ; and this was the
ende of the sessione sixteenth.
But because we have hearde what Mr. Robert Baillye saide for him-
selfe, we must lyckwayes looke now upon the reasone of the Assemblyes
vote ; which is sett downe at lenth in the printe actes of the Assemblye,*
and heer only abridged, yet nothing omitted of the substaunce therof;
which is much to the pourpose followinge : First, After a long narrative
(not much unlycke the Lord Lowdons reasones) shewing the necessitye to
have the Confessione of Faithe interpreted, t they doe laye for a grownde
the wordes of the Confessione of Faithe, as followeth : " We professe,
that we deteste all traditions brought into the kirke without, or against the
worde of God, and doctrine of this reformed kirke : Next, we abhorre
and detest all contrary relligione and doctrine, but cheiflye. All kynd of
papistrye in generall, [and] particular heades, as they wer then damned and
confuted by the worde of God, and kirke of Scottlande, when the said
Confession was sworne and subscrybed, atin. 1580. and 1581. 1590. and
1591. Thirdly, That we detest the Roman Antichryste, his worldly mo-
narchy, and wicked heararchye : Fourtly, That we joyne ourselves to this
reformed kirke, in doctrine, faithe, relligione, [and] discipline, promising
and swearing by the great name of God, that we shall continow in the doc-
trine and discipline of this kirke, and defende the same acording to our
voactione and power," etc. Now, if the meaning of the churche be con-
siddered, when that Confession was first sworn, it will be founde that heerby
episcopall governement is abhorred and detested : This is proved, First,
By the Booke of Policie, J agreed upon in the Assembly at Edinburgh,
* Print actes of Glasgow Assembly, 1638, pagg. 19, et seqq. [Records of the Kirk,
pp. 28-32.]
t See print actes, pagg- 20, et seqq. [Records of the Kirk, pp. 29-32.]
X Nota. Yet this Booke of Policye heer mentioned, and ordained to be subscrybed by
all ministers, is a booke wholly unknowne to the most pau-t of the ministrye ; and albeit it
be registred in the registers of the Assembly, yet it is not to be seen in printe, by the
Assemblyes warrant, to this hour. See it printed verbatim in Spotswoods Historye, lib. 6.
[pp. 289-302; Calderwood, pp. 102-116; Booke of the Uuiversall Kirk, pp. 333-564.]
Ch. lxix.] history of scots affairs. Ill
Apryle twentie foure, 1578, et eodem anno, October twentie foure ; A. D. 1638.
which booke is ordained to be registred, by the Assembly at Glasgow,
1581, and to be subscrybed by all ministers therafter, by acte of As-
sembly, Edinburgh, 1590, August fourth, and July second, 1591 ; but
specially in the second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh, eleventh chapters of
that booke. Second, The Assemblye, 1575, declared the name of a bishopp
to be common to evrye one that hath a particular flocke. Third, The
Assembly, 1576, censured such bishops as had not tackne themselves to
particular flockes. The conclusiones of the booke of policye wer ratifyd
finally at the Assembly, 1578 ; wher lyckwayes it was remonstrated to
the Chancellor and Montrosse, that they had drawne out of the pure
fountaine of Gods worde such a discipline as was meete to remaine, which
was the booke of policye. Fourth, In the same Assembly also, the corrup-
tions of episcopacye wer sett downe, and bishopps craved to subscrybe to
proposalls for reformatione therof, which wer about eight in number. Fifth,
The Assembly at Dundee, anno 1580, abohshed the otfice of a bishop, by
a particular acte, as wanting all foundament, ground, or wan-ant, in Gods
word. Sixth, In the same Assembly, 1580, session tenth, it was desyred that
the booke of policye might be established by acte of privy councell till a
parliament might be holden. And the acte made at Dundee, its extente
was interpreted in Glasgow Assembly, 1581, session sixth, wher by the office
of bishop they declare that they understande the whole estate of bishops
as they are now in Scottlande used. Seventh, The Kings Comissioner
presented to this Assembly the Confession of Faith, subscrybed by the
King, and his housholde, with a plott of presbyti-yes to be erected;
which he offered to asiste the promovall of by his letter ther presented.
Eighth, At this Assembly ther was an ordinance past to register the
bookes of policye, and presbytryes for to tacke coppyes therof; and [at] the
forsaide Assembly, the Confession of Faith subscrybed by the King is
homologated by the Assembly. Ninth, In the Assembly at Edinburgh,
1581, Mr. Robert Montgomery, who teached that disciplin was ane
indifferent thinge, is ordained to be charged not for to media with the
bishopricke of Glasgow, as an office contrare unto Gods worde, and that
under paine of excommunicatione. This Assembly lyckwayes did renew the
comissione for erectione of mor presbytryes, and it did acknowledge that
It was of Mr. Andrew Melvills framing. It was pairtly approved and pairtly rejected by
the parliament at Stirling, anno 1578.
112 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
the estate of bishops was condemned. Tenth, In the Assembly, Apryle,
1582, Mr. Robert Montgomery was warranted to be excommunicate, except
he leave off the episcopall functione ; which was done acordingly by him, be-
cause he refoosed. Eleventh, [In the] Assembly at Edinburgh, 1582, pres-
bytryes got comissione to trye and censure bishopps; and, session nineteenth,
they declare that no bishop may sitt upon councell in name of the churche.
Ticelfth, The Assembly, 1586, declared that pastors, doctors, and elders
had vote in Generall Assemblyes. Second, That the name of bishop is
common to all pastors and ministers. Thirteenth, [In] the Assembly, 1587
Mr. Robert Montgomerys admissione to the temporalitys of the bishopricke
of Glasgow is ordained to be undone. And that same Assembly, by ther let-
ter to the King, reject Mr. Robert Fonts presentatione to the bishopricke
of Catnesse, as to an office unagreable with Gods worde. Fourteenth, [In
the] Assembly, 1.590, it was ordained that the booke of policye should be sub-
scrybed by all intrant ministers, under paine of excommunicatione. And this
forsaid acte was renewed in the Assembly, 1591, and a penaltye imposed
upon the moderator, in caise it be neglected. Fifteenth, In the Assembly,
Maye twentie second, 1592, session second, thes articles wer drawne upp, viz.
That the actes of parliament, made 1584, against the discipline, liberty, and
authority of the kirke be annulled ; kirke discipline be ratifyde ; and abbotts,
pryors, and prelatts pretending the title of the kirke be not suffered. [In] ses-
sion eleventh, the number of presbytryes wer givne upp and insert. In parlia-
ment, June fifth, 1592, all the libertys of the churche and her severall judi-
catoryes wer ratifyd largely, and all contrare actes wer abrogated : The
Kings praerogative declared not to be praejudiciall to the same preveleidges
grounded upon Gods worde ; the former commissions to bishopps, 1584,
rescinded, and all ecclesiasticall matters subjected to presbytryes, acording
to the discipline of the churche. Anno 1595, the booke of policye [is] ratifyde
and ordained to be printed. Sixteenth, Episcopacye is condemned in thes
wordes of the Confession, his wiked hierarchye. For the popish hierarchy
consisteth of bishops, presbyters, deacons, id est, baptising and preaching dea-
cons: So determinsthecouncelof Trent, cap. A, De Sacramento ordinis, can. 6.
Si quis dixerit, in ecclesia cathoUca non esse hierarchiam divina ordinatione
institutam, quae constat ex episcopis, presbi/teris et ministris ; anathema sit.
So lyckwayes sayes Bellarmine, De Clericis, cap. 1 1 : Tres sunt hierarchiae
in ecclesia militante, (sayes hee,) prima jMntificum, id est, episcoporum, secun-
da sacerdotum, tertia diaconorum; atque hi diaconi licet, comparati ad sacer-
ch. lxx.] history of scots affairs.
113
ilotes, xiiU ministri, ad plfbem famen comparati sunt principes et praesules: A. D. 1638.
This propositione following ; Hierarchia ecclesiastica constat ex pontifice,
cardinalibus, archiepiscopis, epitcopis et regularihus, was censured by the
Facultye* of Theologye in the Universitye of Parise, as foUoweth : In ista
prima propositione, enumeratio membrorum hierarchiae ecclesiasticae sen
sacri principatus, divina ordinatione instituti, est manca et redundans, atque
reducens in errorem contrarium determinationi sacrae Si/nodi Tridentinae :
The propositione was defective, because it omitted presbyters and deacons ;
and it was censured as redundant, because it made the hierarchic to consiste
of the pope, cardinalls, archbishopps, and regulars ; the pope is not within the
hierarchic, and primats, metropolitans, and archbishopps, but as they are
bishopps. Seventeenth, Finally, this hierarchy is called his hierarchy in the
Confessione, id est, the popes ; not that ther is a laufuU hierarchy contradis-
tincte : But because the hierarchy, whersoever it is, is called his, as other
popish corruptions are called his : viz., such as invocatione of sainctes, dedi-
cation of altars, are called his, not that ther is another laufull invocation of
sainctes, dedication of altars, etc. Lyckwayes, this hierarchy in the Confes-
sione is distinguished from the popes monarchy e.
Finalise, The second Booke of Discipline, in the end of the second
chapter, does agree upon this conclusione : All titles in the kyngdome of
Antechryste, and in his usurped hierarchye, which are not either pastors,
doctours, elders, and deacons, together with the offices depending therupon,
in one word ought to be rejected.
LXX. Upon the hearing of thes reasones and warrants reade in the Vote about
Assemblye, they did unanimously vote without contradictione of any one pJt^^°Pg%„j
(for Mr. Robert Baillyes voice was not sought any mor in this particulaire), time. Mr.
That all episcopaeye different from that of a pastour over a particular flocke, ^j^.)^'^ ^'f ^f^^'
was abjured in this kirke, and to be removed out of it. Therfor they did Hamilton
prohibite, under ecclesiasticall censure, anye to usurpe, accept, defende, or Fibhshes a de-
'^ , . , „ . . claration con-
obey the praetended authority theroi m any tyme commmge. cerning Episco-
The Marquesse of Hamiltoune, comissionair, who was sojourning at pacy, contrary
Edinburgh whilst thes things wer a doing, upon the hearing of the synod Assembly!
of Glasgow ther interpretatione of the Covenant, in a sence destructive Substance
unto episcopaeye, did instantly, with the asistaunce of some of the bishops, ''"^° '
publish a declaratione contrary to ther acte ; wherby he declared that epis-
• Censura propositionum quarundam ex Hibcrnia delatarum per sacrani fecultatem Theo-
logiae Parisiensis facta.
114 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
copacye was not abjured in the Negative Confessione ; and, therfor, did ex-
pressly prohibite all loyall subjectes to subscrybe it in such a sence. This de-
claratione of his, first printed at Edinburgh, and after by the Marquesse of
Huntlye his directione at Aberdeene, for substance did proporte :(') First,
That all oathes are to be tackne acording to the meaning of thes who give
the oathe, but that neither King James, nor King Charles, nor himself as
comissioner for King Charles, who had warranted that oathe to be tackne,
did ever any way insinuate the abjuration of episcopacye by that oathe as
unlaufull ; and that because, Jirst, it was not to be imagined that the King
would have any to sweare anc unlaufull oathe ; which they behoved to doe if
they did abjure episcopacye, it being established by lawes of church and
kyngdom, except they first proved episcopacy to be contrary to Gods lawe.
Now, if any should affirme that the actes of Parliament, by which it was in-
troduced, wer unlawfully and undwly obtained ; then they ought to remon-
strate ther reasons to thes judicatory es, that the actes in favour of episco-
pacye might bee repealed, if any reason wer founde in their alledgance :
But for any to hold, that constitutions established by standing lawes may be
abjured befor they be formally repealed by these judicatoryes, is a wicked
positione, and destructive of the very foundatione of justice, both in church
and commonwealthe.
Second, This oathe obleidgeth not the now tackers therof furder then
it did the first tackers therof : for doctrine and poyntes of faith it did ob-
leidge them then, and us now, perpetwally, because thes poynts are perpetwall
and immutable. But, for poyntes of discipline and governement, the oath
could obleidge no longer then that discipline and governement should stand
in vigour by lawes of this church and kyngdome : Now, it is certaine that the
church of Scottland, art. 20 et 21 of her positive Confessione, declareth
thes thinges alterable at the will of the churche, and so repealable by
succeeding actes, if the churche fynde cause. Thus, a King and a judge
swearing for to administer governement acording to standing lawes at ther
admissione, that oath byndes them no longer then thes lawes to which they
sweare doe stande laufuUy unrepealed. Since therfor if the first tackers
of that oath wer alyve, they could not be saide to have abjured episcopal!
governement, which has been since established, specially if we considder
that the church in her Confessione holds thes thinges alterable at the
(1) [It will be found in the King's Large Declaration, pp. 327-337.]
Cu. LXX.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 115
will of the churche ; then it must follow that we repeating that oathe, can-
not be said to abjure that governement now, mor then they could be saide to
doe it if they wer alyve and repeating the same oathe.
Third, The Kings commanding the subscriptione of the Covenant in the
same wordes and syllables that the Covenanters have reqwyred ther asso-
ciats for to tacke it, cannot prove that heerby episcopacye is by his com-
mand abjured mor then by ther swearinge : But so it is, they declared epis-
copacy not to be abjured by the Covenant to many of ther associats who
could not be brought to subscrybe the Covenant till it was first protested to
them that episcopacye was not abjured therby ; as also other thinges esta-
blished by lawe. And the three ministers, in ther [first] answers to the Doctors
of Aberdeens Qwerees, declare that episcopacye, for the present, is not ab-
jured but referred to the tryallof a free General Assemblye : Lyckwayes,
such as adhere to the protestatione against the Kinges proclamatione, ninth
of September, in the ninth reason against the subscriptione urged by his
Majestye, doe plainly averre, that this oathe urged by the kinge, doeth
obleidge the tackers thereof to mantain Pearth Articles and to man-
tain Episcopacy. But that several men swearing the same wordes and
syllables should be said to sweare in several sences, passeth the capacitye of
ordinar understandings to considder how it may be done.
Fourth, It is a received maxime, that oathes ministred to us must either
be refoosed, or tackne acording to the knowne mynde, and professed inten-
tione, and expresse commande of the authority urging them : Whiche even
the protesters, totidem verbis, in the place above cited mantaine. But it is
weall knowne that the King avowes the upholding of episcopacy in his three
kvngdomes ; which the protesters lyckwayes acknowledge in the place above
citted. Whence it appeares that episcopacye neither being removed nor sus-
pended by his Majestys declarations, as other things wer, it will follow
that, in the judgement of thes protesters, the Kinge did no waye intend to
have episcopacye abjurd by that oathe. Now, since both major and minor,
(as far as relates to episcopacye) ar both acknowledged, how can the King
be thought to have caused episcopacye to be abjured ? specially since the
protesters themselves, in that place above citted, by a dilemma which them-
selves must ansuer, have averred that, when that acte of councell, anno
1581, should come out, yet that it coulde not be inferred from thence that
any such thing was abjured.
Fifth, If that acte of councell be tackne in that sencelesse sence that they
116 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. urge, [yet] it will not appearethat episcopacy was abjured when the oath was
first administred : Since the very wordesof that Confessione are, " receaved,
beleeved, defended by many and sundry notable kirkes and realmes, but
cheifly by the kirke of Scottland, the King's majesty, and three estates
therof, as Gods eternall truthe," etc. But at that tyme bishops, abbots, and
pryors, made up the third estate of the realme, which gave approbatione to
the Confessione of Faith : therfor it is not to be conceived that this third
estate did abjure episcopacy. If it be objected that it was repealed by actes
of Generall Assemblye, and qwytte abolished, yet it is replyed, that it was
not abrogated by any acte of parliament ; but, on the contrary,it was in
force by many actes of parliament, because none of them wer repealed.
Now it is not to be hoped that in a monarchy, or any weall constituted
commonwealth, that Jeswiticall position shall ever tacke place, That what is
enacted by a monarch and his three estates of parliament, shall ever be held
repealed or repealable by any ecclesiasticke nationall synode.
For thes reasones, the comissioner reqwyred all who tooke the oathe for
to tacke it in no other sence but such as he declared, and by no other
authoritye but of thes who wer delegated by the King for that ende.
That episcopall jurisdictione was in force by actes of parliament, and
no wayes abolished nor suppressed, anno 1580, nor at the tyme of refor-
matione of relligione within the realme of Scottlande, the comissioner by
his declaratione proved, by instances of the following actes of parliament :
First, In the parliament, 1567, cap. 2, wher the popes authority was
abolished, it is enacted. That no bishop, nor other prelate in this realme, use
any jurisdictione in tyme comming by the popes authoritye. Et ibid, act
3, it is ordained. That all actes, not agreing with Gods worde, and contrary
to the Confessione of Faithe, approved by the estates in that parliament, to
have no effecte nor strenth in tyme to come. Whence it is cleare, that epis-
copacye was not condemned by Gods worde, but only bishops ordained
not to exerce ther functione by the bishop of Romes authoritye. All
which is yet furder cleared by the sixth acte of the saide parliament, rati-
fyde parliament 1579, cap. 68, which does intimate, that they did not at
that tyme innovate or chaunge any thinge in that policye they founde in the
churche befor the reformatione, nor did exclude any from ther communion
who owned ther confessione.
Lyckwayes the King, albeit at his coronatione, by oath, he be obleiged
for " to mantaine the trwe relligione, preaching of the worde, and dwe admi-
Ch. lxx.] history of scots affairs. 117
nistratione of the sacraments"; yet is he not sworne to any innovation of A. D. 1638.
church policye or discipline.
Second, [These] subsequent actes of parliament show, that by the munici-
pal! lawes of Scottland, archbishops and bishops wer not only allowed in the
church, but had jurisdictione and authoritye to governe the same.
First, Acte 24 of the saide parliament, ratifies " all civill preiveleidges
graunted by the Kings predecessors to the spiritwall estate " : the lycke
[does] acte 35, parliament 1571, wher all actes in their favours are ratifyde.
Second, Acte 46, parliament 1572, warrants bishops to depryve all in-
feriour ministers, who shall not subscrybe the Confessione of Faithe, and
tacke the oathe of alledgance.
Ibid. Acte 48, bishops are declared to have authoritye in the designa-
tione of ministers gleebs.
Ibid. Acte 54, bishops [are] appoynted at ther visitationes for to nominate
persones to sett thetaxatione for upholding churches and churchyard dykes,
and to conveen and trye persones who embeasle timber or stones belonging
to the churche.
Parliament 1579, acte 69, the jurisdictione of the churche defyned ;
yet no other church oificers allowed, but such as wer allowed by former
actes ; but archbishops and bishops, intended to continow in authoritye,
[as is] proved [by these acts following.]
First, Acte 71, parliament 1579, persones returning from travell, are
appoynted, within twenty dayes of ther returne, to passe to bishop, superin-
tendent, or churche comissioner, and ther give a confessione of ther faithe.
And thes actes are ratifyd, acte 99, parliament 1581.
Parliament 1584, acte 130, all men are forbiddne to seeke the dimi-
nution of the dignitye and authoritye of the three estates of the kyngdome,
under paine of treasone.
Ibid. Acte 131, all judgements and jurisdictiones for twenty-four yeares
preceeding, not approved by the King and three estates, are discharged.
Ibid. Acte 132, bishops appoynted to trye ministers upon crymes merit-
ing depravatione : the lycke, ibid, acte 133.
Parliament 1587, acte 23, all actes concerning the churche and its
preveleidges are ratifyde.
Parliament 1597, acte 231, ratifies titles and immunityes graunted to
prelats ; and declares them the third estate ; and that ministers whom his
Majesty shall provyde to the title and office of a bishopp, shall have vote in
118
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. III.
Assembly's
Answer to
Hamilton's
Declaration.
parliament ; and that act wall ministers shall only be provyded to such vaking
places.
Parliament 1606, act 2, restores the estate of bishopps fully, who are
said there to have been almost fully subverted by the acte of annexatione ;
and it does declare that neither did King nor estates ever meane to subverte
them.
Parliament [1609] acte 6, archbishopps and bishopps are fully restored
to whatever was theirs, etc.
Parliament 1617, archbishops and bishopps are ordained to be elected
into ther places by ther chapters, and to be consecrated by the rites and
order acustomed, and no otherwayes.
LXXI. This was the summe of Hamiltons Declaratione, published about
the time of the Assembly, which the Covenanters had not leisour to ansuer
till the Assembly ended : After which tyme ther came forth ane ansuer therto,
" Revised acording to the ordinance of the Generall Assembly, by Mr. Arch-
bald Jonston, clerke thermito, Edinburgh, February fourteenth, 1639," which
is very long and voluminouse ; nor shall I trouble the reader with any thing
but the materiall pairtes therof. True it is, that Mr. William Spang, in
his Historia Motuum, who settes downe the declarations as short as he can,
and the Covenanters ansuers in a disproportionable lenthe, has printed
ane ansuer^) somewhat diflferent from that which Mr. Archibald Jonston
caused printe ; as any will perceave who compares them together, Spangs
being mor elaborate, and beer and ther interwoven with cittationes of fa-
thers and church historye ; so that it is no hard matter to guesse that his
informer had a linger in it. But, passing that floorish made to straungers in
Spangs Latine narratione, I must relate that which was ansuered at home,
with the Kinges animadversiones therupon ;(2) for he declares that it did de-
serve no just replye, because nothing contained in the live reasones wer
therby weackned. The introductione is very long, and is a recapitulatione
of things past, almost and much to the tune of the ordinar proems of ther
protestationes. Ther is one passage in it which the King markes with
an asteriske : they say that, " In obedience to his {viz. Gods) divyne
commandement, conforme to the practise of the godly in former tymes, and
acording to the lawdable example of ther relligiouse progenitors, warranted
(1) [Historia Motuum, pp. 241—203.]
(2) [The Assembly's Answer to Hamilton's Declaration is inserted, along with the King's
marginal commentary, in the King's Large Declaration, pp. 337 — 363.]
Ch. lxxi.] history of scots affairs.
119
bv actes of councell, they did againe renew ther Confessione of Faithe," A. D. 1638.
etc. To this the Kingreplyes, that, " Ther is no divynecommandement in ~^~^
Scripture, nor example of the Christian churche, for subscrybing any
Confessione withont the consent of the supreme magistrate, if he be a Chris-
tiane."
First, They except that this declaratione is made by the Kings comis-
sioner, and not by the lordes of the councell, who should interpret ther
oune acte : but the councell doe distinguish in ther acte betuixt relligione
as it was then, anno 1580, and now, anno 1638.
To this the King replyes, that, " The lordes of councell did tacke and wer
to tacke this oathe, as weall as any other, in the known sence of us who
commanded it ; and, therfor, any acte of councell for ther explanatione was
unnecessarve ; and it is unjustly aifirmed that this declaratione or explana-
tione was made by our comissioner, for it was made by us, but published
bv him at our commandement, as is plainly expressed in the title of it."
Thes are the Kinges wordes.
Second, They saye, that albeit the King had not intended to raantaine
the relligion as profest, anno 1580, yet was his intentione, by causing tacke
that oathe, for to cause mantaine true relligione in its puritye ; wherunto as
praejudiciall episcopacye was ever condemned ; as also because the corrup-
tions now received in this kirke are contrai-ye to Gods worde. The King
replyes, " But when shall they be proved to be contrary to the word of God ?"
Third, They will have us to distinguish betuixt oathes tendred by the
first framers of the Confessione, the whole kirke, who have power for to
interprete and explaine the same, and oathes reqwyred, to be renewed by the
supreme Magistrate, who as custos utriusque tabulae, and a true sonne of
the kirke, ought to receave the [true] meaning of the kirke, and cause his
subjectes receave it : And that his Majestye cannot be understood to be fram-
ing a new Confession of Faith, but renewing the old as it was in anno 1580.
The King replyes, First, that, " They themselves doe know that this Con-
fession was not framed at first by the churche as the positive Confessione was,
but by one Mr. Johne Craige, and commanded by the authoritye of the Kings
father ; he did advyse with the churche concerning it, but they receaved it
from him, not he from them." Secondly, " That the supreme Magistrate
should, as the sonne of the churche, only receave the meaning of the
churche, and cause it to be receaved by his subjectes, is not only the
Jesuitical! tenet but ther very wordes and syllables, and, as they are alleadged
120 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 163S. heer, very false, for the greatest pairt of this Confessione containeth not
matters of faithe, but of goverment, discipline, and ceremonyes : besyde,
this Confessione was first enjoyned by King James and his councell, befor
it was approved by the churche : how then King James, if he wer now
living, should receave the meaning of it from the churche, after he had
subscrybed it, and commanded his houshold to doe so ; or how he (viz.
King Charles) should now receave the meaning of it from the Generall
Assembly after it was subscrybed by his owne commandement," he sales, he
could not apprehend.
Fourth, They say, if ther wer any reall oppositione betuixt the King his
proclamation and the acte of councell, yet the first being his privat, the
second his publicke judicall will, posterior derogat priori, publica privatae :
(Nota bene.) And the swearers are obleidged to observe rem juratam and the reall mat-
ter of the oathe (mor then the mynd and mandate of the prescryber),
specially since it is no new Confessione : So that the councell have virtually
abjured episcopacye, since the churche interpretts it so ; and any declara-
tion contrarye is protestatio contraria facto, if they say that episcopacy is
not by it abjured.
The King replyes to ther assertione, that posterior derogat priori, that,
on the contrary, " the first should be preferred : for if his comissioner and
councell had explained it contrary to his meaning, his declaratione comming
after should be preferred to ther misinterpretatione."
To the first reasone of the five, they ansuer. First, That the King, by com-
manding to subscrybe the Confession of Faith as it was anno 1580, com-
mands them to abjure whatever is founde by the competent judge to be in-
troduced since that tyme repugnant therunto, albeit law did countenance it
by the corruptione of the tymes interveening. Secondlg, The lords of
councell have subscrybed the Confession as it was in 1580, in opposition to
the present lawes, by returning from the present corruptions in the profes-
sione, tanquam termino a quo, to the professione 1580, tatiqitam terminum ad
quern : which a great pairt of the councellors and others declare to be ther
meaninge. Thirdly, Episcopacye is found by many Assemblyes to be un-
warranted by Godes worde. Fourthly, Episcopacy was never restored by
any Assembly of this churche, nor Assemblyes condemning it repealed,
without which a pai-liament could not reestablish it. Fifthli/, The lawes
establishing episcopacye extende only to ther civill preiveleidges, and wer
alwayes protested against by the churche. Sixthly, If any suche Assem-
Ch. lxxi.] history of scots affairs.
121
blyes did countenance it, they are declared nuU ah initio. Seventhly, The A- D. 1638.
breach of covenant, by introducing such corruptiones, is to be shunned
heerafter. Eiijhthhj, Episcopacy is virtwally abjured, anno 1580, and the
tryall heerof referred to the Assemblye which has founde it abjured, anno
1580.
The King replyes, that, " The last pairt of the first reasone is qwytte
omitted, though in it lyeth the principall explicatione of this firste reasone."
Second, To the councellers ther determinatione, he replyes, that, " How
many of them have determined so ? they know that they are not comparable
in number to thoise who have determined the contrarye." And, third, he
sayes that ther assertione that episcopacye was never restored by acte of
Assembly, was in itself " Most false."
To the second reasone of the declaratione, they answer. First, If bishops
be warrantable by Gods worde, they cannot be called ceremonyes, and are
not alterable ; but if they be ceremonyes, then are they justly exploded.
Second, That God warrants not introduction of new church officers. Third,
That, in cap. 19 of the Confession, discipline is called ane unchangable and
essentiall marke of Gods [kirke] . And then they bring in many instances
for to prove, both from the Confessiones, actes of Assembly, and discipline
bookes, that they only allowed pastors, elders, doctors, deacons ; and that
it was not probable that they comprehended episcopacye under any of the
four, since they so frequently condemned it. Next, That the prelatts call
episcopacye apostolicke, and not changable : As for the kirke, it had con-
demned such at all tymes as held discipline and policye indifferent and
chaungable, particularly Mr. Robert Montgomerye : That the Assembly,
1596, licenced the King to propose doubtes concerning discipline, animo
aedificandi non tentandi : But withall that they desyred him to declare befor
the states, that he never intended to praejudice the booke of policye.
Lastly, Though discipline wer chaungable, that specijice, et interposito jura-
mento, they had sworne for to mantaine discipline as it was, anno 1580.
The King replyes to what they answer concerning episcopacye, its not
being judged a ceremony by the prelatts themselves, that, " Because in the
XXI. article citted, the worde ceremony is used, therfor they wold inferre
that this reasone supposeth episcopall governement to bee but a ceremonye :
But weakly, (sales the King,) for the reason consisteth in the worde policye
which they tacke no notice of, and episcopall governement being a pairt of
ecclesiasticall policye, they hold the one alterable (as all they doe who ad-
Q
122 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. here to that XXI. article), must needs hold the other so too : nor can it be
inferred from any thing in this reason, that episcopal! governement is man-
tained by it to be alterable, but that they themselves, and that XXI. article
doe hold it to be so." Secondh/, To ther assertione, That the Assembly
desyred his father for to declare that he never intended to chaunge any thing
of ther policye, he sayes, The Assembly desyred it ; that might bee ; but
did ever his royall father declare so much to the Assembly as they are said
to have desyred ?
To the third reasone, they answer, that it needs no answer, if the
circumstances of thinges be considdered : That the meaning of ther answers
to the Aberdeen Querees was, that they did not expressly abjure epis-
copacye, but all that was abjured, 1580 : which they referred unto a free
Assembly and Assembly recordes to trye. Secondly, That when the coun-
cell was urged to subscribe the Confessione, 1580, conforme to the warrants,
bearing (that they should mantaine the relligione now presently professed),
they justly feared that it being subscrybed, a?i?«o 1638, would comprehende
episcopacy and Pearth Articles : which caused the covmcell declare that
they meaned for to subscrybe the Confessione as it was mantained, anno
1580. Third///, Albeit by the meaning of the prescryber of the oathe, the
swearer wer tacitly bownde to mantaine episeopacye and Pearth Articles ;
N. B. yet, considdering the former reasones, he is mor obleidged to the realitye rei
juRATAE, which is now declared and founde by the soveraine judge com-
petent, to abjure episeopacye ; whatever the prescryber did meane by
the oathe.
The Kinges animadversione upon this paradoxe of swearinge, secundum
veritatem reijuratae, is, that, " He defyes any man living to produce from
any Jesuite, or the greatest patron of aequivocatione yet ever heard of, such
a wicked position as this is, that the swearer is neither bounde to the mean-
ing of the exacter of the oathe, nor to his oune meaning who tackes the
oathe, but to the realitye of the thing sworne, as it shall be afterwards expli-
cated by the competent judge : For then no man can tell what he swearethe,
when he sweareth, if the declaratione of the competent judge shall come
after ; that it wer to be wished that he who sett downe this propositione, had
sett his hande to it, that the world might tacke notice of him for ane ignor-
ant foole and an arrant knave : In the mean tyme, till Johnstone fynde out
an other, he must be tackne for the man, because his hande is at this foolish
pamphlett."
Ch. lxxi.] history of scots affairs. 123
To the fourth reasone they answer, First, That, in contradictory oathes, A. D. 1638.
the swearer is mor obleidged to the sence of the thing sworne then to that
of the prescryber, or his owne sence, specially wher ther is no new oathe.
Second, The oathe was refoosed till the councell gave ther sence to be one
with the sence of the Covenanters. Third, They doe not meddle with the
kirkes of Englande or Irelande, but recommend to them the patterne shewed
in the Mounte : they speake onlye of Scottland wher episcopacye was still
aboHshed till the latter corrupte tymes.*
The Kings replye is, that, " This answer is directlye contrarye to the
wordes of ther owne protestatione against his proclamatione, dated Septem-
ber ninth " : See ther ninth reasone in ther protestatione against the sub-
scriptione to the Kings Covenant, and the reader will fynde it flatly con-
tradictorye to what they affirme now. Secondly, That, " They doe not
meddle with the church of England, but yet in all ther wryttings they declare
that the governement of the Church of England is against the worde of
God, and the patterne shewed in the Mount : and that ther new fancyd
governement, contained iu ther iraaginarie booke of discipline is only ac-
cording to it."
To the fyfth reasone they ansuer. First, That befor the subscriptione of
the Confessione, anno 1580, abbots, pryors, andbishopps wer clearly banished
out of the churche, as the records of the Assemblyes will prove. Second,
The clause citted in the reasone is of doctrine, and not of discipline, which
is after determined, and the hierarchy detested. Third, Collections by way
of inference cannot be alledged ex consequenti against expresse actes of the
tyme ; wherin apertissime dicendo, the mackers leave no place to presume for
episcopacy : so are the expressions of stylus curiae carefully observed, and
actes are saide to be made by the King and three estates, although not a
bishop present. Fourth, Ther wer no standing actes of parliament for
episcopacye ; or if any wer, by subscrybing the Confessione, 1580, King
and subjectes have returned to the same doctrine, as it was then without
bishopps : which may be enacted in the parliament proclaimed to be holdne
* Nota bene. When the Covenanters did publish this declaratione, and the King wrytte
his replye, the Leagwe and Covenant was not then subscrybed. How farr since they liave
meddled with the churche of England, is very weall known ; and England bevailes it as
much as Scottland does this daye, ther meddling with the governement of Scottland; and it
is hard to tell what pattern they meane, England beinge become a kynde of a great Amster-
dam for sectes and for shismes and anarchy in churche.
124 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. May fifth, 1639. The actes of Assembly and the Booke of Policye, cap. 1
et cap. 10, puttes cleare marches betuixt civill and ecclesiasticke jurisdictione ;
macking evry one independent in matters belonging to ther own jurisdic-
tione, and evry one subject to another in matters properly belonging to that
other. So as Assemblyes cannot macke civill lawes, nor hinder the macking
of them, nor repeale them being made, no mor can a Parliament originally
Nota bene, macke ecclesiastical) lawes nor repeale them, nor hinder laufuU Assemblyes
from macking or repealing them. For albeit actes of Assembly are ratifyd
by Parliament, yet this cannot hinder the Assembly to repeale its owne
actes : so that the civill sanction falls ex conseqitenti, if so be that the As-
sembly repeale its owne acte. And to say the contrary of this is qwyte
derogatorye to Chrystes prerogative, church libertye, freedome of Assem-
blyes, and to the nature, ende, and reason of all ecclesiasticall jurisdictione.
See their protestatione, September twenty-second, wher it is proved to be
so. For which reasones they declare that the Assemblyes sence only be
helde as right, and all reqwyred to subscrybe acordinglye.
To this answer of the fyft reasone, the King setts three animadversiones :
First, Wher they deney that episcopacye is mentioned as ane estate of parlia-
ment, when no bishopp was present, he reply es, " That it is most uotoriouse
that at those parliaments which wer holdne when the Confessione of Faith
was first sworne unto, bishopps had voices and wer presente, and so then
episcopal! governement could not be abjured." For proof of this, he in-
stances,* out of the rolles of parliament : parliament 1597, sederunt pro
clero, sex bishopps, fifteen abbotts ; parliament 1.581, three bishopps, twelve
abbotts; 1583, eight bishopps, thirteen abbotts; 1584, four bishopps, eleven
abbotts ; 1584, four bishopps, four abbotts ; 1585, four bishops, nine ab-
botts ; 1587, five bishops, thirteen abbotts; 1592, two bishopps, six abbotts ;
1593, two bishopps, six abbotts; 1594, three bishopps, five abbotts; 1597,
five abbotts; 1600, two bishopps, six abbotts ; 1604, five bishopps, three
abbotts; 1606, six bishopps, one abbott, one pryor; 1607, sk bishopps and
three abbotts; and in this roll the bishopps seates are all mentioned.
Secondly, To ther assertione, that the Assembly cannot macke civill laws, etc.,
he rejoynes, " Let any kyngdome which is acqwaynted with parhamentes
* See Large Declaration, pag. 364 et 365, extracted out of the rolles of parliament.
Ther is noted that the abbots wer secular men which had gott the abbay laundes, yet re-
tained ther names and places in parliament.
Ch. lxxi.] history of scots affairs.
125
consisting of a monarche and his three estates, digest this propositione, A. D. 1638.
and then the parliament can be no mor the highest court of the kyngdome."
Thirdly, To ther position, that the civill sanction falles if the Assembly
repeale its owne acte, he ansuers, it is, " A most false positione : As if the
convocation in Englande, or the generall Assembly in Scottland, had power
to reconcile the two kyngdoms to the church of Rome, to reduce poperye
into them, and to restore to the church all the abby laundes, notwithstand-
ing many actes of parliament in both kyngdomes to the contrarye."
In the rest of ther ansuer, which is terribly prolixe, they stepp out of theer
spheare (if they wer the delegats of the Generall Assembly who penned the
ansuer, and spocke as churche men), and tacke much panes for to ansuer all
the actes of parliament which the comissioner cittes ; although it would seeme
that the King and parliament wer most competent interpreters of thes actes,
wher the ansuerers will assure us no churche men wer asistant at ther en-
actinge. They tell us that the churche wrestled with episcopacye till anno
1592; and that her policye could not be gottne confirmed in parliament till
then ; and. Second, That actes of parliament cannot macke ecclesiasticall
officers : That parliament discharging bishopps to depend on the pope did
therby simply discharge ther office ; for it depended never on any but him :
That Assemblyes all thes tymes censured such as usurped the office or the N. B.
title of bishopp ; and wer still remonstrating to the state against the restitu-
tione of them : That the Kings coronation oath mackes no mention of
bishopps : That preiveleidges ratifyd in parliaments to bishopps must be
understoode concerning church men then receaved, but not bishopps : That
7 acte of 1 pari. Jac. VI., referres the examinatione of ministers unto su-
perintendents, but mentions not bishopps : as for superintendents, they wer
permitted only lycke temporary evangelistes ad ecclesiam const itiiendam, and N. B.
afterward abrogate fi'om 1575 m ecclesia constituta : That, annis 1572 et
1573, the Regent brought in bishopps upon designe, which the Assemblye
protested against the next yeare ; that thes bishopps titular had no power
from the churche : That if parliament gave power to bishopps after that
in church matters, it was not as bishopps but as comissionat from the
churche, and named by the title of bishopp, wherby they wer best known :
That parliament, 1581, does ratifie presbyteriall governement, and is ill
citted to prove episcopall power : That the actes of parliament, 1584, wer
protested against by the ministers of Edinburgh, in name of the church of
Scottland ; that that tyme was the howr of darknesse, when the Earl of
126 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
Arran* did tyrranise. The rest of the actes are answered and interpreted
by them, with thes or the lycke distinctiones, That few bishopps sate thes
tymes, and that such as satte wer disownd by Assemblyes, some of them
not church men : That they had ther vote in parhament by reason of ther
laundes ; that the laundes tackne from them tooke awaye ther vote ; which
they doe instance by actes of parliament for ther restitutione : That histo-
rians doe all testifie that nobility, barrens, and burrows wer the three estates
of parliament, for many hundereths of yeares, without bishopps : And that
the 114th acte, parliament 1592, expressly abrogates bishopps and all former
actes made in ther favours, and therfor is not citted at all by the Marquis of
Hamiltoune in his declaratione, becaus it establisheth presbyteriall governe-
ment : That some gott voices in parliament in name of the churche who
wer not churche men, and whom the churche employed not, but wer thrust
in ther : That when voice in parliament was obtruded upon the churche as
a favour, it was to such as she should comissionat, not to bishops : That the
bishopps, without controversye, had vote in Parliament, yet it cannot follow
fi'om thence that they are not censurable by Assemblyes, as they declare in
ther declinator : That the parliament, 1606, might repone them to ther
temporalityes and voice in parliament, but could not make them bishopps
spiritwall : That, annis 1606 et 1609, they rode in parliament without
comission from the churche, contrar to the cautions of Montrosse :
And, Ji/ialli/, That the Assembly conveened lately at Glasgow, 1638,
hath proceeded not by actes of parliament (nor should not), but by Gods
worde alone ; and that by ther oath they are obleidged to returne to the
doctrine and discipline as it was in anno 1580, and renounce followug actes
contrary thertoo.
This is but a short abridgement of ther refutatione and interpretatione of
actes of j)arliament befor mentioned ; to which pourpose they spend threeten
pages in ane indifferent small character, in folio. Yet the Kinges replye
is farr shorter, for he summes it upp in fewer then half as many lynes
upon the margent of ther tediouse ansuer, and tells us that, " For the
caviUs beer made against the actes of parhament, citted in the explanatione,
they will be sufficiently confuted, if the reader will tacke the paines to reade
• Sir James Steward, father to the Lord Uchiltrye. [Captain James Stewart of Both-
well-muir, second son of Andrew second Lord Ochiltree, was in 1581 created Earl of
Arran. He was deprived of the title in 138.5 ; and was slain in 1596. His eldest son, Sir
James Stewart of Killeith, acquired the Lordship of Ochiltree in 1615, and died in 1659.]
Ch. LXXIII.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
127
the actes ; for then he shall easilye discover that thes exceptions are not
only weacke, but non at all."
LXXII. Having now sufficiently tyred the readers patience with the
short sumine of thes remonstrances for and against episcopaeye, it is now
tynie to give ane accoLnite of the rest of the proceedinges of this Assembly e,
which mett againe, Munday, December tenth. The first acte that daye, was
one [ ] Row, sonne to Mr. Johne Row, minister at Carnocke, his
presenting himself publickly. He tould the Assembly that he had been
abroade out of his native countrey for the space of eighteen yeares, travell-
ing through France, Germany, and Irelande ; and since he was by Gods
providence returned at such a gloriouse tyme, his earnest request was, that
he might have the honour to be admitted f;o the subscriptione of the Cove-
nant : which was no sooner petitioned for, but as readily it was yeelded unto,
with uniforrae applause and congratulatione ; and the new come home pro-
selite matriculate into the Covenant.
Immediatly therafter, the moderator saide, That, since the churche had
been under long and greate thraldome, wherof the most pairt was tackne
awaye alreadye by this Assembly, that ther next course was for to considder
upon such positive lawes and constitutiones as might praeveen the lycke
corruptions in all following tymes ; and to this ende, proposed the nomina-
tione of a comittee, who should heare overturs, and propose such as them-
selves should thinke expedient for the wealle of the church. The members
of that comittye wer appoynted to be Mr. Johne Adamson, Principall of
Edinburgh College ; Mr. Johne Row, elder of Carnocke ; Mr. James Sib-
bald ; Mr. Johne Moncrilfe ; the Lord Balmcrino ; [ ] ; Lyon of
Oldbarre, brother to the Earle of Kinghorne ; and James Coheraine,
and Gilbert Gowrlaye, two burgers.
How soone that this comittye was constituted, the moderator did call
upon such ministers as had been at ther studyes upon Saturdaye, when epis-
copaeye was voted downe, that they might homologate explicitly the con-
demnatione of episcopaeye ; which they all did, being but few in number,
very readily : For albeit they had intended otherwayes, it was now behynde
tyme for them to proppe it up by ther suffrage.
LXXIII. The Fyve Articles of Pearth wer next brought to the test ;
nor was it thought eneuche that the King had discharged them by procla-
matione, nor that the Assembly had annulled them by a consequence, having
founde the Assembly of Pearth null and voide in itselfe : But it was thought
A D. 1638.
Mr. Row sub-
scribes the
Covenant :
he is son of
Mr. John
Row, minister
of Carnock.
Committee for
constitutions
and laws to
prevent cor-
ruptions in
future.
Sess. 17.
December lu.
Moondaye.
Five Articles
of Perth con-
demned.
The Act.
128 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
necessarye that thes Five Articles should be considderred as in themselves
whither they wer lawful or unlaufull. But befor the matter should be voted,
it was thought expedient to reade all the actes of Assemblyes condemning
such practises, and censuring ministers for practising the lycke in former
tymes. Upon this motione, the Lord Lowdon Campbell stoode upp, and
declared that he thought it unnecessaire to proceede to furder tryall of thes
saide articles, since ther unlaufull introductione was alreadye proved, and
since the King had condemned them in his proclamatione.
Then Mr. Andrew Ramsey fell to speacke concerning holy dayes, and
shwed that to ane holy daye three things wer reqwyred, cessatione from
labour, hallowing, and dedicatione. He said that evrye one of the holy
dayes observed in Scottlande had thes three conditiones,(') ergo, \etc7\ But
this was spockne by Lowdon and him after the following paper was reade,
which, for substance, is engrossed in the condemnatorye acte of the five ar-
ticles, much to this pourpose* :
First in the generall, they doe fynde and declare that the Fyve Articles,
viz. First, Kneeling at the Communion : Second, The fyve festivall dayes ;
first, Chrystmass ; second. Good Fryday ; third, Pash daye ; fourth, As-
cention daye ; fifth, Wittsonday : Third, Episcopall confirmatione of child-
ren : Fourth, Privat baptisme : Fifth, Celebratione of the Lords Supper
privatly, or in privat houses ; are all abjured by the Confessione of Faithe
and Covenant, as it was swoi-ne too and subscrybed, aw7H'x 1580, 1581, 1590,
1591 ; contrary to the relligione then profest ; and are confuted by the worde
of God and churche of Scottland ; or are rytes and ceremonyes added to the
ministratione of the [true] sacraments, without the worde of God ; or now-
rishe the popish judgement against infants departing without baptisme, or
absolute necessitye of baptisme ; or rytes, signes, and traditions brought into
the kirke, without or against the worde of God and doctrine of this trwe
reformed churche. And then they declare particularly :
First, Concerning geniculatione or kneeling at the communion, That the
sacraments must be ministred, as Chryst himself has ordained : see Con-
fession of Faith, prefixed to the PsalmesC^) approved by our kirke in the
(0 [See Records of the Kirk, pp. 169, 170.]
* See print Assembly of Glasgow, pag. 27, acte session 17, December tenth. [Re-
cords of the Kirk, pp. 32, 33.] Vide Spang, Historia Motuum, pag. 263.
(2) [In the journal of the Assembly printed in the Records of the Kirk, it is recorded
that, during the discussion on the Articles of Perth, " as some things were cited out of the
Ch. lxxiii.] history of scots affairs.
129
very beginning of the Reformatione, repeated in the twenty-third chapter of A. D. 1638.
the Larffe Confession, printe amongst the actes of Parliament : That such
a gesture is most agreable to Chrystes example, viz. to sitt, and most
agreeable to the actione itselfe ; that whatever men have added are to be
thought alterations of the Lords institutione, as if they challendged it of
imperfectione : In the Assembly, 1.562, ministers are ordained to follow
the rule of Geneva at the ministratione of the Sacrament, wher John Knox
was sometyme minister ; who did condemne geniculatione. Parliament 1567
will not have any thought to be members of this churche, but such as com-
municate as she does. This acte was renewed, parliament 1581 ; and kneel-
ing never sett upp till Assembly 1618.
Second, Concerning the five festivall dayes. First Booke of Discipline,
cap. 1, does thinke it necessaire utterly to abolish them all, [because they are
neither commanded nor warranted by Scripture ; and that such as observe
them be punished by civil magistrates. In the General Assembly holden at
Edinburgh,] anno 1566, the [Large] Confession of Suitzerland is approved
in all thinges, except in the article of the festivall dayes. [It was not then
the popish observation only, with the popish opinion of worship and merit,
which was dissallowed ; (for so the reformed kirk in Helvetia did not
observe them), but, simpliciter, all observation. In the Assembly holden]
a7mo 1575, complainte was made against the ministers and readers be-
syde Aberdeene, for assembling people to preaching and prayers upon
festivall dayes : And the Regent was to be com))lained unto, that the people
of Drumfreeze had conveyed a reader to ther church at Christesmasse, with
musicke, for to reade, because ther oune reader refoosed to goe. Assembly
1577, visitors are appoynted to admonish ministers not to preache at Christs-
masse, or administer sacrament at Easter. First Book of Discipline, cap. 9,
setts downe the reasons against Easter communion, because at that tyme
people did runne superstitiously to it, and wer careless at other tymes.
Assembly 1595, observing of festivall dayes, setting on of bonfyres, singing
carols, are reockned amongst corruptions to be amended. \_Lastly, It was
the unanimous opinion of the ministers, that only the Lords day was to be
treatise befor:' the Psalnie Booke, printed at Aberden, 1625, where prayer is made against
hyreling Papists, that God would confound them, In these that are printed at .Aberden,
Papists are left out : In ane uther prayer, these words, ' the Romish Idol,' are left out ;
Then Doctor Guild, in Abcrdene, desyred that the printer might macke accompt of it,
who had bein the occasion of that." Records of the Kirk, p. 169. See below, book v.
ch. XXXV.]
130 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. observed as a festival.] And some added that, Assembly 1590, King James
thanked God that our church did exceed the church of Geneva for purity
of reformation, as observing no daye but the Lords daye, whilst Geneva
kept Youle and Pasche.
Third, Concerning Confirmatione, they declare that it is condemned in
the Confessione, under the clause of the " five bastard sacraments," as one
of them : And that, seing episcopacy was abolished, confirmatione did faU
to the grownd by consequence, since none pretended to it but theye : Nor
is ther the least inkling of impositione of handes in any acte for catechising
younge ones.
Fourth, Concerning administratione of the sacraments in private places,
they declare, in the Booke of OrderO sett downe before the psalmes it is
saide. That sacraments are not to be administred in privat corners, as sor-
cerers use to doe : Assembly 1581, ordaines that sacraments be not ministred
in privat houses, but solemnly acording to good order : That Mr. Thomas
Cranstone, minister at Tranent, anno 1581, was suspended, and not released
till he acknowledged his fault in the kirke of Tranent, as also others, for
kneeling at communion, and celebrating the communion on Pash day. All
which did macke it appeare that the church of Scottland did oppose all
that which might macke baptisme be thought absolutly necessary, or that
the sacrament was to be givne as a viaticum.
When all this was reade, the moderator stated the questione. Whether
the Fy ve Articles of Pearthe, by the Confessione of Faithe, as it was meand
and professed in the yeare 1580, 1581, 1590, 1591, ought to be removed out
of the kirke. Ther was one of the members of the Assembly who did alledge,
That such a state of the questione was, in other termes, for to putt it to the
vote, whither or not all were perjured, who had practised all thes Five Ar-
ticles, or any of them, after that nationall oathe was sworne.(^) This the
(1) [The Book of Common Order, or, The Order of the Enghsh Kirk at Geneva;
whereof John Knox was Minister. Approved by the famous and learned man, John Calvin.
Received and used by the Reformed Kirk of Scotland, and ordinarily prefixed to the Psalms
in Metre.]
(2) [Historia Motuuni, p. 266. The member alluded to was Baillie. " I was resolved,"
he says, " to dispute none, yet before the voicing I did complain of the question's stating.
That to ask if Perth Articles were to be removed according to our Confession, which was
conceived by way of oath and covenant, was all one, as if to ask if they were truly abjured
before, and all who had defended them since, were truly perjured ; which was a very hard
matter for many to grant. The moderator, a most grave and wise man, yet naturally
somewhat temed,(') took me up a little accurately, showing I might draw the question so
(1) [" Tkrne, TERNEn, arf;. Fierce, wrathful, choleric." Jamieson.]
Ch. LXXV.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
131
moderator deneyd, saying that he meand no such thing in stating the ques-
tione. When it came to the vote, without contradictione of any (hut one
onlye), it carryd affirmativelye : Wherupon by acte they prohibite and dis-
charge all disputing for them, or observing all or any of them heerafter, and
did ordain presbytryes to proceede with the censurs of the kirke against all
transgressours.c >
The methode which the Assembly observed with the Articles of Pearth,
first nullifying the Assembly of Pearth, and afterward declaring against evry
of the Five Articles particularly, was conforme to that which they used
against episcopacye. For having condemned the functione in abstracte, they
now thought it high tyme for to censure the bishopps themselves; to which
pourpose, the next actione of this sessione was for to enter upon the exa-
minatione of the particular accusations givne in against evry bishopp.
LXXIV. Mr. Johiie Abernetthy, bishop of Catnesse, his accusatione
was waved and mitigated, by meanes of a letter sent from himself, and ane
other from the presbytrye of Jedburgh in his favours, wher (it seems) he
had sometyme been a minister. Both letters contained his excuses by rea-
sones of his siklynesse ; also they did intimate both his subscriptione of, and
affectione to, the Covenant. His owne, furder, did professe a willingnesse
to submitte to all the actes of the Assemblye, with a most earnest prayer for
the good and happie successe therof. Thes thinges wer weall tackne, and
ther acceptaunce was seconded by the Lord Lowdon, Sir William Douolasse
of Cavers, and Sir Thomas Kerr, and others, who spocke in his favours ;
specially they tould that he had wryttne a worke to be published, against
the innovationes lately introduced into this churche. Mr. Patrike Lindsey,
archbishop of Glasgow, his ansuer was delayd till the next daye, it havino-
been reqwyred by such as wer appoynted to speacke with him.
LXXV. Mr. David Lindsay, bishop of Edinburgh, his accusatione was
readde ; and after cittatione and calling upon him at the church doore, and
Dr. Hamiltoune as his procutor, was fownde to he, besyde the generall
crymes objected to all the bishopps, i-iz. breach of the caveats, etc.. That he
A. D. 1638.
Mr. John
Abernethy,
bishop ol'
Caithness.
Mr. Patrick
Lindsay,
archbishop
of Glasgow.
Mr. Davia
Lindsay,
bishop of
Edinburgh,
deposed.
strait as I pleased, yet he had not stated it so : however give my voice. When it came
to me, I said no more ; for at once I was found no mistaker ; for Mr. Alexander Carse,
and after him almost all, answered the question, abjured, and removed; to whom no man was
noted opposite but myself: for here I saw no place for distinction as before in Episcopacy ;
and so witho\it any hesitation, I voiced to be removed now, but never before abjured."
Letters, vol. i. pp. 133, 134.]
(1) [Records of the Kirk, p. 33; Historia Motuura, p. '266.]
132 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. had pressed the practise of the Service Booke and the Fyve Articles, and
had gone befor others in the practise therof, and of the Booke of Canons,
and had obtruded all thes innovationes extremely upon ministers ; that he
had refused to give the order of presbyter to any but such as had first been
created deacons, which they instanced in one Mr. Johne Makgie ; that he
did kneele befor the altar ; that he had putt on the rochett and other masse
lycke apperall at divyne service ; that he had givne licence to some to marry
without tliryce proclamatione of ther banes ; by which meanes one gott a
warrant to marry his owne fathers sister,* which warrant the minister to
whom it was sent refoosed for to obeye ; lyckwayes two men gott warrant
in one day for to marry one woman who had her husband livinge ; that he
used the ryte of elevatione very solemnly at the communion ; that he
suffered erroneouse doctrine to be preached within his diocesse by some of
the ministers of Edinburgh ; and being advertished therof, did connive at
it ; that he had defended the error of the ubiquitye of Chrystes bodye, in
his booke which he printed in defence of the Assembly of Pearthe, wher he
mantaineth kneeling before the elements, in respect of Chryst his bodily
presence ther, that we should worshipp Chrystes body and flesh ther(') (that
booke was cryme eneuch, though no heterodoxie had been founde in it, for
to turne him out) ; that at the Kings coronatione, he had used popish toyes
in the chappell royall ; that he wold not consecrate ane churche at the Queens
Ferrye, because he was not able to opne the doore therof himself, which
was conditio sine qua non ; and because he was therfor reprooved by the rest
of his colleagues that wer with him, as also, for that he would have castne
holy water upon it, which they wer not satisfeed with, therfor he gave over
the worke, and lefte the churche unconsecrated. For all which crymes, which
wer provne, and never a wittnesse excepted against ; as also, for that he had
subscrybed the declinator against the synode, and had added contumacye to
all his former crymes ; therfor the synod, with ane unanimouse vote, depose
him from being not only a bishopp, but also a minister, and withall ordaine
him to be excommunicated.
• Si credere fas est.
(1) [" To beleeue that the body of Christ is present in the Diuine Person, wherein it
subsisteth, albeit locally the same be in heauen, is no crrour It is no errour to
beleeve the spirituall, powerful!, and personall presence of Christs bodie at the Sacrament,
and in that respect to worship his flesh and blood there." Trve Narration of the Proceed-
ings in the Assembly at Perth, p. 142. " These passages," says Baillie, " stood twenty
years untouched by any that 1 heard of, till I pointed at them to our presbytery about a
year ago." Letters, vol. i. p. 135.]
Ch. LXXVI.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
133
LXXVI. With that selfe same order and formalitye did they proceede A. D. 1638.
against Mr. Adam Bellandyne/O bishop of Aberdeen, whoise accusatione did m^. Adam
containe, (besyde the crymes objected to all the bishopps,)That he was guiltye Ballentine,
of simonye ; that he had obtruded upon the ministrye the Booke of Canons ^f '''d °n
and Service Booke ; that he had suspended some ministers, particularly Mr. deposed.
Alexander Martin, minister at Old Deer in Buthqhwan, and Mr. James
Martin, his brother, minister at Peeterheade, for keeping a fast on the Lords
daye ; that he had tackne the oath of obedience, and other unlaufull oathes,
from intrants ; that he had admitted intrants acording to the Booke of
Ordinatione ; that in provincial! synods he had played rex, and tlier had
made canons concerning fasting, without the advyce of the Assemblye or
consent therof ; that he had suspended the e.Kcommunication of a papist in
the very acte of pronouncing the sentence ; that he had relaxed the old
Lady Abercorne from the sentence of excommunicatione, without consent
of his bretheren, or any satisfaction givne upon her pairte ; that he had freed
some who wer lying under the slander of inceste from churche censures,
without consent or advyce of anye ; that at the request of Elizabeth Gordon,
Lady Wardesse, he had consecrated a chapell at Tillifour, after the super-
stitiouse forme and manner ; finally, that he was ane apostate, because, when
he was minister, he had subscrybed the protestatione of the ministrye against
bishopps, anno 160G,(2) and at that tyme was a great inveigher and persecuter
of episcopall ministers ; yet therafter that he turned with the tymes, and
had givne brybes to gett himself preferred to be bishopp, and had turned
as violently to the other extreme. For thes crymes, which wer either provne
or tackne for graunted, and for his refoosall to compeir and ansuer, the most
pairt of the Assembly voted him to be excommunicated, besyde ther unanl-
mouse vote for his deposition from his episcopall and ministeriall functioned)
(0 [Dr. Adam Bellenden, second son of Sir John Bellenden of Auchnoul, was promoted
to the see of Dunblane in 1615, whence he was translated to that of Aberdeen in 1633.
After the Glasgow Assembly he fled into England. In December, 1640, he was living- in
London, " in g^-eat poverty and misery." Baillie's Letters, vol. ii. p. 232. He survived
the month of April, 1642. Spalding s Hist. Troub. vol. ii. pp. 39, 40.]
(2) [Calderwood, p. 531.]
(3) [" The next," says Baillie, " that came to be sentenced was Aberdeen. His proper
faults were great slanders of frequent simony ; that, though he was removed from the
chapel.royal to Aberdeen, as one who did not favour well enough Canterbury's new
wayes,(') yet he had been found as forward as any to press the canons and liturgy ; that
he suspended ministers for fasting on Sundays ; that he enacted in his synod, without voicing,
(1) [See Lord Hailes' Memorials of Charles the First, pp. 5, 6, 8, 9, II, 12 i Hejlyn's Life of Laud, p. 323 ]
134 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. LXXVII. Mr. Johne Maxwell, bishop of Rosse, stoode in greater op-
„ "TT positione with ther tenents and proceedings then to ansuer, although he
Maxwel, was the next who was publickly citted at the church door to ansuere. The
bishop of Ross, cryjjjes particularly objected to him wer (besyde the generall sinn of all his
order), that for some yeares past he had caused reade the Service Booke
publick fastings to be kept on Wednesdays only ; consecrating the chapel of an infa-
mous woman, the Lady Wardhouse(i) ; stayed at his pleasure processes against Papists and
incestuous persons. He had not subscribed the declinature, as was thought, for lack of no
good will, but only through distance of place the writ could not in time be conveyed to
him. That defect in his process was supplied by the moderator, with a discourse of his singu-
larly malicious apostasy, that he had been a man by appearance but too zealous against
bishops, and all their course ; so that his vehemency, beyond the grounds of any reason, he
knew offended his wise and learned neighbour Mr. Patrick Simpson. We decreed him to
be excommunicated." Letters, vol. i., p. 135.
" The Bishop of Aberdeines proces was red, and the probation thereof.
" Mr John Row declaired, that he subscryved the Protestation given in to the Parlia-
ment 1606, and that there wes no man more against Bishops in the toune of Stirling nor
he ; and he was raightilie offendit at Mr John Grahame, who was taking a bishoprick ; yet,
nevertheless, he was the man that tooke out the bishoprick out of Mr John Grahames
hand.(2) I remember when he subscryvit the Protestation, he subscryvit verie neir the
end of the paper ; and it began to weare, when he began to get the bishoprick, we said he
was going to loupe the dyke.
" The Moderatour said — Mr Patrick Symsone said to me, he never lyked Mr W"
Coupar, and Mr Adam Ballantyne ; for they were too violent against Bishops, without any
light, or good reasons ; and, therefore, he feared that they should never be constant.
" Auldbar and Mr David Lyndsay declaired that, they being in the Bishops house,
when Auldbar said, ' The only meane to take away abuses and disorders in this Church was
a free General Assembly,' he arose in a great flame and passion, and said ' The first article
that they would make then will be to pull the crowne off King Charles head.'
" Moderatour said — Though his hand be not at the Declinatour, yet he has not submitted
himselfe to the Assembly, and this would be considered beyond the rest, (I may call it so,)
his apostacie ; for the being once of our opinion, and now so far degenerat, that he is become
osor sui facti.
" Mr Andrew Cant said — There entered a contest betwixt Craigievar and this Mr
Ballantyne, concerning the patronage of the Kirk of Kinghorne, [Kincardine O'Neil,] and
was long agitat before the Lords. Alwayes Craigievar presented a Cusing of his, and the
(1) [Dame Elizabeth Gordon, wife of Sir John Leslie of Wardhouse, who died on the 29th November, 1640.
On the 22d June following, she married Sir Alexander Gordon of Cluny. She died at Durham on the 2d
December, 1642 ; '* and wes" says Spalding, '* bureit honestlie out of hir awin native soyll : — a woman of
suspect chastetie, and thoeht over familiar with Sir Alexander Gordoun laird of Cluny forsaid, thir many
yeires bygone, in hir first husbandis tyme, and thoclit an evill instrument to the dounethrowing of both ther
fair and florishing estaites." Hist, of Troubles, vol. ii., p. 101. Arthur Johnstone has commemorated her
charms in three poems, " De Elizabetha Gordouia Wardesiae domina." Arturi Jonstoni Poemata Omnia, p.
424. Middelb. 1642.]
(2) ["Mr. Adam Bannatine Minister at Falkland, and sometime a vehement opposit against Bishops, suc-
ceeded to Mr. George Graham in the Bishoprick of Dumblane. He had said before, that Mr. George Graham
the Undoch {U of Bishops, had gotten the Bishoprick of Dumblane the Excrement of Bishopricks. Now he
is not ashamed to lick ud his excrements, and to accept that mean Bishoprick, to patch up his broken Laird-
ship of Kinnocher.'' Calderwood, p. 650.]
(1) [■* UNDOCH, Undocht, Undooght, Wandodght, s. A weak or puny creature, one who is good for no-
thing ; applied both to body and mind." Jamieson,]
Ch. lxxvil] history of scots affairs. 135
publickly in his cathedrall churclie ; that he used for to bowe his knee befor A. D. 1638.
the altar ; that he used the surplice at divyne service ; that he had deposed
holy and learned ministers (for non conformitye), and had putt in ther places
unlearned and profane whore masters ; that he conversed familiarly with
profest papistes and excommunicats, and being advertished of it, ansuered
he had rather converse with them then with puritans ; that having suspended
some ministers, without consent, he bidd such as complained of it goe to
the sighinge sisters and regrate it to them ; that he had playd at cartes
and dyce, and drunkne excessivly, the very Lordes daye that he had com-
municated ; and that, besyde his ordinar playing at cartes and dyce, he had
used such exercise oftne on the Lordes daye ; that he had receaved a minister
who was suspended for marrying incestouse persones, for no other cause or
satisfactione but because the minister had givne him his bande of confor-
mitye ; that he had most crwelly extortioned his vassalls, having reduced
some of them to extreme povertye and miserye : that he had appointed sett
fastes upon Fryday ; that he was an ordinar profaner of the Lordes daye ;
Bishop impedit him, pretending that the King had the right, and consequentlie, the Bishop
of Aberdeine. At last, the Bishop gave Craigievar 160 merks to desist, to the end that the
Bishops sone might get the place. (i)
" Mr Thomas Mitchell deelaired that he was present by accident when he did consecrat
a chappell, the chappell being richlie hung, and all the rest of it. The lady came in, and
gave him a catalogue of the things that are within, which she had wrought with her owne
hands, and desyred that they might be dedicat to God, and so delyvered the key to the
Bishop, who went in and preached a sermon of consecration, and baptised a child, and then
went to their feisting. His text was upon Solomons dedication of the temple.
" Then the rolles were called.
" Mr. Alexr Kerse said — Besyde that he is guiltie of the breake of the Caveats, there
are many grosse faults proven against him ; and therefore, albeit he has not subscry vit the
declinatour, he deserves deposition and excommunication.
" And the whole Assembly voited the samine, except Mr Richard Inglis, and two or
three more, who voited onlie to his deposition." Records of the Kirk, pp. 170, 171.
" Abredonensi Episcopo objectum prseter vulgaria Episcoporum crimina, flagrans Simonige
scandalum, quod libros illos Canonum & liturgise pastoribus obtrusisset, quod pastores a
ministerii functione suspenderit, quia die Dominico jejunium publicum celebrassent ; quod in
Synodis provincialibus tyrannidem exercuisset, ac in iis Canones de jejuniis condiderit, pas-
toribus non consultis ; quod Capellas superstitiose dedicassct ; quod Pontificios, & incestus
scandalo flagrantes ab ecclesiasticis censuris, reluctante ecclesia, liberasset : Addebant alii,
malitiosse apostasiae crimen foedum ; nam licet olim disciplinae purioris acerrimus esset pro-
pugnator, ac praefervido zelo coUegis gravis fuisset; postea tamen tempori & scenae serviens,
Episcoporum conatibus promovendis scse totum tradiderit : Quare ab omni functione eccle-
siastica deponitur ac Excommunicandus decernitur." Historia Motuura, pp. 267, 268.]
tl) [•' Upon the 24th of Novemher [1639], Mr. David lic'nend5n, sone to the bishop, and person of Kincar-
dine, departed this life in his father's house ; and, without ane funeral sermon, was buried." Spalding-, Hist.
Troub. vol. L, p 86.]
136 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. that he had no flocke which he tooke the charge of ; that he had turned his
backe, in a manner, upon his charge, and had involved himself wholly into
secular affaires, and was become a constant attender of the Kings court or
councell ; that he defended many grosse errors of poperye, and all the he-
terodoxies of the Arrainians, publickly both by himself and his associatts ;
finally, that he was a maine instrument of all the troubles and calamityes of
the kyngdome for some tyrae past, ane abbetter therof, a boutefeu betuixt
the King and his loyall subjectes, stirring upp the King against them ; that
his crymes wer notoriouse ; that he had declyned the Assembly and refoosed
to appeare : For which reasones the Assembly did vote him to be deposed,
and to be excommunicated as infamouse.O)
Mr. James LX XVIII. The next bishop called upon was Mr. James Wedderburne,
Wedderburn, bishop of Dumblaine,* who lately was fledde to Englande. It was objected
Dunblane. against him that he had been very active in drawing upp the Booke of Canons
and Service Booke, and therin had concurred with the bishopp of Rosse ;
that he had rigorously obtruded them upon the ministers ; that all the tyme
(1) [Historia Motuum, p. 268; Records of the Kirk, p. 171. "Ross followed,"
says Baillie ; " his process was no ways perfect. The long legend of his erroneous doc-
trines was clerin omitted. It was committed to Durie to search for witnesses of a number
of errors, which all knew he gloried to preech even in Edinburgh ; but Uurie's information
came not in tmie ; however, it was proven that two years ago he was a public reader in his
own house and cathedral of the English liturgy : that he was a bower at the altar, a wearer
of the cope and rotchet, a deposer of godly ministers, and an admitter of fornicators a com-
panion with Papists, an usual carder on .Sunday ; yea, instead of going to thanksgiving on
a cimimuuion-day, that he called for cards to play, had often given absolution, consecrate
deacon?, robbed his vassals of 40,000 merks, kept fasts ilk Friday, journeyed usually on
Sunday, had been a chief decliner of the assembly, and a prime instrument of all the troubles
both of church and state. Of his excommunication no man made question." Letters, vol.
i. p. 136.]
* Nota : Spang, in his Historia Synodi, [Historia Motuum, p. 274] referres the sen-
tence and depositione of the bishop of Dunblaine to session ninetenth, December twelfth,
die Mercii7 ii ; yet Mr. Thomas .Vbcrnetthy, who was present at the .Assembly, referrs
him to this seventeenth session, and affirmes that it was night when he was calld upon, and
that for want of light to wrytte, he could not gett his crymes insert: so sayes his manu-
script, which is in my hands at the vvrytting of this. [The deposition of tlie bishop of
Dunblane soenis to have been in the seventeenth session, on the tenth December. See
Records of the Kirk. pp. 43, 171- Spang appears to have been misled by his correspondent
Baillie. See his Letters, vol. i. p. 141. "I forgot Duniblane's process Though he did
not subscribe the declinature, neither was person.dly summoned, having fled to England;
yet was he excommunicated, as one who had been a special instrument of all our mischiefs,
having corrupted with Arminianism divers with his discourses and lectures in St. Andrew's,
whose errors and perverseness kythes this day in all the nooks of the kingdom, having been
a special penner, practiser, urger of our books, and all novations. What drunkenness,
swearing, or other crimes were libelled, I do not remember."]
Ch. lxxix.] history of scots affairs. 137
of his being bishop that he had so carryd himself as if he had tackne plea- ^- D. 1638
sure to trample upon the churche; that he was lying under a pregnant
scandall of drunknesse, swearing, and profaning the Lordes daye ; that
when he was professor of divinitye in Saint Andrews, it was his uswall cus-
tome for to inveighe upon many of thes thinges that are receaved in the
reformed churches, and to render them distastfull to the hearers, his
scollers ; that he praised the wryttings of papistes and Arminians, and re-
commended them to his hearers above all others, wherby he did infect them
with all the Arminian errors, and not a few popish errors also, wherby many
pairtes of the kyngdome wer infected, and felt the evill : For which rea-
sones, with unanimouse vote, he was presently degraded from the minis-
teriall funetione, and ordained to be excommunicated solemnlye.
LXXIX. As earles, at ther creatione, use to have some nominate Mr. James
knyghtes, to attend them who at that solemnity are knyghted, so the '^"■'syth.
bishopps, at ther degradatione, had some ministers who bore them com-
panye. In the closure of this sessione, one Mr. James Forsythe,(') a minis-
ter, was citted to compeer. His accusatione being reade, bore that he was
a lewd man in doctrine, lyfe, and conversatione ; that he taught Arminian-
isme ; that one daye, being in company of ane other minister, as he was
about to distribute the elements of the communion, he interrupted his col-
league, saying, Siste parumper f rater, est quod ag am, and then immediatly
brought in a serjeant or messenger at arraes to the churche, whom he caused
instantly charge all his parishioners with horning to pav him his vieerao-e,
who wer conveened to the number of eighteen hundereth communicantes, at
which some wer so scandalised, that presently they left the church and would
not communicate (and no marvell they did so, if this was true), but forsooke
ther devoutions.<2) My informer* complaines he had not light to wrytte the
(1) [Minister at Kilpatrick.]
(2) [Records of the Kirk, p. 171. " Mr. James Forsyth bare up the bishops train that
day. His bill carried sundry foul-like faults, whereof they say he might have cleared him-
self for the most part ; but it was his humour to be a decliner of the assembly, and for no
request of friends would p?.ss therefrom. He was accused of reading an inhibition for the
teinds against his people on the first communion-day at the table, and betwixt sermon and
celebration ; for teaching the lawfulness of bowing at the name of Jesus ; that our covenant
was seditious, treasonable, Jesuitic : that who kneeled not got no good at the communion.
He gave money at his entry for his place, and struck a beggar on the Sabbath-day. A
number of sucli things were libelled, and urged hotly against him. The moderator, and
others, for his sister's sake, had a great mind to have delayed him ; but no man speaking for
him, he was deposed." Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 136.]
• Mr. T. A. [Thomas Abernethy.]
138 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. \mii. rest of Mr, James Forsyth his crymes : However, he was, by unanimouse
vote, depryved from his ministrye, and appoynted to be excommunicate, ex-
cept he make his publicke repentance ; but, in speciall, if he doe not retreate
his subscriptione to the declinator givne against the Assembly, and ob-
leidge himself to obey all the actes therof. And with his sentence the
sessione ended for that night.
Mr. John LXXX. The next day. In the fornoone, they satt againe, and proceeded
(iraiiaraj ^jjjj ^j^g tryall of the rest of the bishoj)ps. Mr. [George] Grahme,(i) bishopp
Orkney. of Orkney, was first publickly citted. His accusation was the breatch of all
Sf'ssio Iti. the cautions; that he had tackne bandes from ministers at ther entrye for
December . ^^ observe Pearth Articles, etc.; that he was a publicke profaner of the
Lordes daye ; that he had sqwandard and dilapidate the church living in
favours of his sonnes and of other gentlemen ; that he had not putt churche
censurs in execution against adulterers and divyners ; that he had extor-
tioned the ministrye for a contributione for to reedifie his cathedrall churche :
His maine accuser was one Mr. William Steward. His sentence was (seing
he had sent his submissive epistle to the synode, wherin he declared that he
would yeild obedience to all the actes therof, and had therin declared that
he never loved the noveltyes obtruded upon the churche by the bishopps),
that he should only be deposed from the ministerial! functione ; cvnd, in
caise he gave not seriouse signes of repentaunce (which the yeare following
he gave in to the Assemblye at Edinburgh by a solemne subscrybed recan-
tatione), for to bee excommunicate.^^)
Mr. John LXXXI. The next who was citted in order with the rest, was Mr. Johne
(iiithry.
(1) [George Graham, son of the hiird of Inclibraky, was promoted to the see of Dunblane
in 1606, whence he was translated to that of Orkney in 161 j. " He was," says Bishop
Keith, " very rich, and being threatened by the Assembly at Glasgow, he renounced his
Episcopal function ; and, in a letter, declared his unfeigned sorrow and grief for having exer-
cised such a sinful office in the church. By this submission, being only deposed, he was not
excommunicated ; and thereby he saved his estate of Gorthie and the money he had upon
bond, whicli otherwise would all have fallen under escheat." Catal. of Scot. Bishops, |).
227. " He was a man of a little spirit, so that being threatened by the Covenanters, he
abjured episcopacy in a very abject manner 1639, and joining the Presbyterians took the
charge of a privat parish." MS. Account of Scotish Bishops.]
(2) [Historia Motuum, p. 269; Records of the Kirk, p. 171. "Orkney's process
came first before us. He was a curler on the ice on the Sabbath-day ; a setter of tacks to
his sons and good sons, to the prejudice of the church ; he oversaw adultery, slighted
charming, neglected preaching, and doing any good there ; held portions of ministers
stipends for building his cathedral : yet for his mislike of ther late novations, and letter of
submission to the synod, he was only deposed, and ordained, under the pain of exconmunii-
cation, to give tokens of repentance against such a day." Baillie's Letters, vol. i. ]i. 137.]
Ch. lxxxi.] history of scots affairs. 139
Guthrye, bishopp of Murreye.(') His accusatione was, besyde the breache of A. D. Ki.-J
the cautions, that he had putt on the surplice in the High Church of Edia- ." :
burgh, anno 1633, and had then professed that, for to please the King, he Murray.
would become yet mor vyle ; that he had sold churches, particularlye had
sold the benefice of Abercherder,(2) to Mr. Richard Maitland, which, if it wer
true, its lycke that Mr. Richard bought it deer, being accused by the pres-
bytrye of Strabogye at that tyme for having bought it from the cedent, (Mr.
Walter Haye) ; that he had givne warrant for to baptise children begottne
in fornicatione without consent of the ministrye or satisfactione by the
pairtye ; that he had suffered one Mr. Johne PeeterC') to teache Arminian-
isme. After some contest about the manner of his censure, it was voted,
because he was not personally citted, that he should only be deposed for the
tyme ; and, in caise he macke not his publicke repentaunce in Edinburgh,
wher he had preached befor King Charles with a surplice, to the great
scandall of the zeelouse people ther, that he shall be excommunicated upon
his refusall to submitt to the Assemblys ordinance, which was afterward
acordingly done solemnly upon his contumacye.('')
(1) [John Guthrie, laird of That Ilk, minister, first at Perth, afterwards at Edinburgh,
was promoted to the see of Murray in 162.3. After the Glasgow Assembly, " he did not,
as other Bishops, fly into England, but kept possession of the Castle of Spynie ; and when
the Covenanters took arms anno 1640, he garrisoned it. But in July that year, Major
General Munro marched with 300 men to reduce it. Mr Joseph Brodie, Minister at Keith,
and son-in-law to the Bishop, prevailed with him to surrender, on July 16th, and only the
arms and riding horses were carried oft'. The Bishop retired to his paternal inheritance of
Guthrie in Angus." Shaw's History of Moray, p. 318. " Here he lived contentedly and
hospitably, and dyed much lamented." MS. Account of the Scotish Bishops. See Keith's
Catal. Scot. Bish.' p. 152.]
(2) [Now more commonly called Marnoch, from the patron saint. Saint Marnoch, or Mar-
nan, whose reliques, preserved here, were of old held in great reverence. See Registrum
Moraviense, pp. 246 — 231.]
(3) [Probably " Mr. John Peter, minister at St. Andrews Kirktoun, in Murray," who,
about April, 1640, "was deprived for not subscriveing the covenant." Spalding, Hist, of
Troub., vol. i., p. 195.]
(■1) [Moraviensi episcopo preter vulgaria Episcoporum omnium criniina, objicitur, quod
ille primus ausus fuerit superpelliceo indutus sacra peragere, in primario Edenburgenfe civi-
tatis templo, anno 1633. professus se in regis gratiam, quern palpabat, viliorem adhuc
futurum ; Ab omni ecclesiastica functione removetur ; nequaquam tamen excommunicandus,
nisi Synodi judicio sese submittere renuat." Historia Motuum, p. 269.
" Murray had all the ordinary faults of a bishop ; besides his boldness to be the first who
put on his sleeves in December, made many urge his excommunication ; but because he was
not formally summoned, the moderator, with some piece of violence, kept him from that
sentence ; and when some objected publickly, he assured he had no reason, for of all the
bishops, he had been to him most injurious. I assented the more willingly to the modera-
tor's lenity in this, hoping to have obtained to poor Glasgow the like favour ; which he
140 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1038. LXXXII. After some conferences and delayes, the archblshopp of
,, p . , Glasgow, Mr. Patricke Lindsey,W who all the whyle was resident in his
Lindsay, aun house (hard by the Asembly), was called upon. It was reported that
archbishoi) j^g ^^^g Contented verbally to passe from the bishopps declinator (wharof he
ot tilasgovv. . r ri ...
was a subscryber), but only he would recant it verbally, not by his subscnp-
tione. The Asemblye thought not that sufficient ; therfor they proceeded
to his tryall, though he refoosed to compeir. The articles that he was
accused upon was that (besyde the common guilt of all the bishopps) he
instantly craved, but all in vain. A fourteen days ago Mr Henry RoUock excommunicated
Murray, and that, as I tliink, in the great church, to perform, as he said, tlie man's own
prophecy, who said in that place, he would yet be more vile to please the King. There
was objected against hira, but, as I suspect, not sufficiently proven, his countenancing of a
dance of naked people in his own house, and of women going barefooted in pilgrimage not
far from his dwelling." Baillie's Letters, vol. i., p. 137.
" Then there was given in a proces against Mr John Guthrie, pretendit Bishop ot
Murray, wherein it was found that he had transgressed all the Caveats. It was objected
that the Assembly could not proceed against him, in respect he was not personallie sum-
mondit. The clerk answered that he had sumuionded him at the Kirk of Edinburgh and
Leith, the ordinarie places of citatione in ecclesiasticall causes. ^tHie, That he was per-
sonallie summonded ; but the executions of the summonds was not produced ; 3""'^, It was
answered, that the 2 Caveats obleissed every ane of them to compeir before everie As-
semblie, to make accompt of their doings ; 4, That the protestatione was sufficient, protest-
ing that it might be instead of sunnnonds for them.
" Mr Androw Cant said that he knew him to be a common ryder on the Sabbath day,
and lykewayes that he was a prettie dancer, as Mr Thomas Abernethie can testifie. At
his daughters brydell, he danced in his shirt. Lykewayes, Mr Androw said, that he con-
veyed some gentlewoman to a ehappell, to make a pennance, all bair footed. This Mr
Thomas Abernethie declaired to be of trueth.
" Mr Frederick Carmichaell said, that the Bishop being, by occasion, ryding from the
church on the Sunday morning, he was desyred to stay all the night, becaus it was the
Sabbath day. He answered, he would borrow that piece of the day from God, and be as
good to him some uther gate.
" The Moderatour said — I think, though he hes not subscryvit the declinatour, yet deposi-
tion should passe against him, if the Assemblie thinks it good ; and, if he declair his contu-
macie afterward, when the sentence of the Assemblie comes to his hearing, they will declair
that he shall be worthie of excommunication.
" Then the roUes were called.
" Mr Alexr Kerse said — His not subscryving the declinatour deserves some mitigating
consideration. Therefore, I think he should be deposed for the present, not exeeming him
from excommunication, if he continow obstinat ; for he deserveth both : and the rest of the
iissembly voited the same. Some voitcd that he should make his repentance in the
church of Edinburgh, where, he said, he \\"^ be more vyld in the eyes of uncals [unco's,
strangers'], for the pleasure of his king. Twelfe did voite he should presentlie be excom-
municat." Records of the Kirk, pp. 171, 172.]
(1) [Patrick Lindsay, a cadet of the old and honourable house of Edzell, was raised to
the see of Ross in 1613, whence he was translated to that of Glasgow in 1633. After the
Glasgow Assembly he retired into England, where he died at an advanced age, it is said in
1641, certainly before the 23d July, 1644. Baillie's Letters, vol. ii. p. 44; Keith's C'atal.
Scot. Bish. pp. 264, 265.]
Ch. lxxxiii.] history of scots affairs. 141
waited mor upon court and High Comissione then upon his charge; that, A. D. I63t
for preaching twyce in his diocesse, he had receaved mor then fifty thousand
merkes of emoluments ; that he made actes and constitutions without con-
sent of his bretheren, chaunged and made ministers and moderators of
presbyterys at his owne pleasure ; that he would suffer no expectant to
preache till he subscrybed oathes with trifling articles in them of his own
up drawing ; that he tooke unlaufull oathes of ministers at ther entrye ;
that he planted ministers in paroshins who understood not ther langwage :
that he charged ministers to receave the Service Booke with letters of
horning, wherin he was singular, and had done the lycke by the Booke of
Canons at a provinciall synode ; that he gave a testimoniall of a good lyfe
to a very scandalouse minister ; that he did discharge all expectants who
would not first tacke the order of deacon, then of presbyter, and last of
pastor ; that he both fyned and confyned the best ministers, and admitted of
others, without advyce, who were lewd men ; that he was slow in punishing
crymes, specially the fornicatione of one Alexander Mortimer with the
bishopps daughter in the bishops house ; that he was a great extortioner
of his vassalls and ane oppressor of the ministers, and had tackne ten libs.
Scottish, from eache of them yearly, under colour of his expences for
agenting the church aflPairs at court ; that he was a seller of comissariotts,
clerkeshipps, and procutor fiscalls places for moneye, as also of benefices
and patronages ; that he had stopped the processe of excommunication
without consent of the ministrye, and relaxed some from excommunication
after that manner.(') His sentence was depositione, and, if he submitt not to
the Assemblye, excommunication ; to which pourpose he gott no longer
breathing tyme then the thirteenth of December, two dayes after, for to
advyse; but that day, for his contumacye, he was excommunicate with
others of the bishopps.
LXXXIII. The bishop of Ardgylle, or Lissmoir, Mr. James Fairlie,(2) Mr. jamet.
was staged in the next place. His crymes wer alledged to be that he had F^irley,
compelled the ministry to sweare unlaufull oathes (viz. to obey Pearthe o-yie"'^ "
Articles, etc.) ; that he had obtruded the leiturgye ; had profaned the Lords
(1) [See Baillie's Letters, vol. i., pp. 137. 138 ; Historia Motuum, pp. 269, 270 ; Record*
of the Kirk, p. 172.]
(2) [James Fairlie, one of the ministers of Edinburgh, was consecrated bishop of Argyll
on the I5th July, 1637, according to Keith, or on the 8th August, 1637, according to other
authorities. Stevenson's Hist, of Ch. of Scot. vol. i. p. 155. He afterwards conformed to
the Presbyterian policy, and became minister of Laswade in Lothian.]
142 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. 111.
A. D. K).?!^. daye ; that he had preached Arminianisme, specially universall grace, illus-
trating it by the simile of a pilot in a storme, who intends to save all within
the shipp but is hindered by the violence of the storme, not by the will of
the maister of the shippe ; that he did not reside at his charge, nor preache,
and, though he should doe so, that he could not be understoode by his
Highland sheepe without ane interpreter ; that he was never in Argylle
but once, and that only fyve nightes, at which tyme he preached not but
exacted his rents. His owning Arminianisme was thought straimge of by
some who knew him before tymes to be contrar mynded : some interpreted it
to be rather complyance with the tymes as a waye to promotione.(') When
his censure was voted, Mr. Alexander Carse, a border syde minister (who,
for some years after, had the praeserybing leading vote(2) in Generall As-
semblyes till it was appoynted that presbytryes should beginne by turnes in
a following Generall Assembly), jested at him, and calld him a most vigi-
lant pastor, who had never sleeped but fyve nights at his charge.(^) He was
with the rest voted presently to be deposed ; and in caise he owne not the
actes of the Assembly, to be excommunicate : Yet he was, upon his con-
forming to the tymes, in the followng yeares, placed againe into the minis-
trye, and sate in some General Assemblyes comissionair.* He had been
but short tyme bishopp, and his exit was not very farr distant from his en-
trado,
Mj-. Neil LXXXIV. Mr Nigellt Campbell,(<) bishopp of The Isles, his accusation
Campbell, ^^^ reade next. His sinnes wer only breach of the caveatts, except that
bishop of The i , ,-, ■ i i i i i i • i
Isles. he was a non-resident ; had dilapidate the church goods by setting tackes
of the tithes.*^) His censure was depositione, and except he submitt to the
(1) [Historia Motuum, p. 270 ; Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 138.]
(2) [" In the voicing," says Baillie, " it fell always on Mr Alexander Carse to be first ;
very oft the man delivered his voice in a quick merry tale, so that he became to us all most
pleasant." Letters, vol. 1. p. 125.]
(3) [" Mr Alex' Kerse said — It is said of one that he was so vigilant a Consul that
he sleeped nane all his tyme, for he was entered in the morning and put from it ere night.
So was it with this Prelat ; for he sleipit but few nights in his Episcopal! nest, and was not
Weill warmed in lus Cathedrall chyre, whill both chyre and cuschane was taken from him.
Therefore, depose him only ; and if he obey not the sentence of the Assemblie, let him be
excommunicat." Records of the Kirk, p. 172.]
• Anno 1647. t Neill.
(<) [Niel or Nigel Campbell was promoted to the see of The Isles in 1634.
(■^) [Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 138; Historia Motuum, p. 270; Records of the Kirk,
p. 172.]
Ch. lxxxv.] history of scots affairs. 143
Assembly, excommunicatione. It seemes this bishopp was upon the waye of A. D. 1638.
the primitive pietye that resyded in the West Isles, about the Isle of Hya,
in the tymes of Columba and Aidanus ; being that, beyond all the rest, no-
thing could be objected to him but his being bishopp : so that in all proba-
bilitye the episcopall sanctitye was fled to the confynes of Christndorae, to
hallow anew the barbarouse appendices of the Scottish continent. Twas
weall for him, however, that his episcopall sea was at such a distance with
the episcopall superintendents, and himself stood at such a near relatione to
ArgyUe as his surname.
LXXXV. Much of the tyme being spent in sentencing bishopps, the Several mi-
reere of the sessione was fetched upp with the accusationes and censures of "'s'^''* ''e-
some ministers, all Anti-Covenanters, (for it is to be observed that in thes
dayes nothing could be founde to be laide to the charge of any minister
who tooke the Covenant,) by name Mr. Andrew Lambe ;") Mr. Johne
Mackmath ;('^) Mr. Francis Harvye ;(3) all accusd of Arminianisme, and lewde
lyves ; and Mr. Christopher Knolls, who, to boote, was* saide to have
gottne a chylde in adulterye, which his wyfe caused a freende of his tacke
upon him to be father too. The tryall of all thes accusationes was referred
to comittyes, in the respective boundes wher thes ministers lived.
In the last place, Mr. Thomas Forrester, minister at Melrosse, his accu-
satione was reade, to which it is unnecessair to adde any thinge by way of
agredgment, if all wer true. The presbytrye of Melrosse are saide to have
been accusers all of them. It was affirmed that he had saide that preachino-e
was too common ; that ther was [no] absolute necessitye of it, and that it was
no essentiall pairt of Gods worshipp ; that himselfe seldome preached on the
Lordes daye ; that he was ane ordinar profaner of it, by keeping courtes
and deboshd conversatione therupon ; that he saide that servile workes wer
laufuU on that daye ; and had shewd his hearers, by his example, in leading
in his come upon that daye, for to contemne it ; that he had mantained that
it was not of morall institutione, and that all who saide so wer leading men
(0 [Or Lawmoiit. See Records ot the Kirk, p. 172.]
(2) [See Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 138. He was minister at Chirnside.]
(3) [Ibid.]
• Spang has not the confidence to insert this, although Mr. Thomas Abernethy, a ren-
negado preest, deposed and chased out of the popish communion, for two fornications he is
said to have fallne into in Catnesse, does, in his manuscript relation of this Assembly, racke
into thes ordurs, and omitts nothing unregistered which was then published. [See Steven-
son's History of the Church of Scotland, vol. ii. p. 636.]
144 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
backe to Judaisrae ; that conceived prayer by the spirit was but idle fancyes,
comparing such mens prayers to a bird in a cadge, flying heer and ther ;
that ther cacologies and tautologies wer intollerable ; that the right forme
of prayer was booke prayer ; and of all thes, the Service Booke contained
the best, which all both in publicke and privatt wer to macke use of ; that
the readinge of the Service Booke (which he said was a puire and refynd
booke), was mor necessalre then preachinge ; that he baptised ordinarly
in his chamber, or in privat elsewher ; that at baptisme and absolution he
used the signe of the crosse ; that he had caused breake the communion
tables, and had converted the timber to privat uses, and in place therof had
caused erecte ane altar, which he had caused enclose with a raile, wher
himself stoode, giving the sacrament to the people who stoode without the
chancell ; he said concerning sitting at the communion, that it was altoge-
ther unlaufull, for thus did men macke themselves alycke with Chryst, sitt-
ing cheeke for cheeke with Chryst ; concerning Chrysts presence, he saide
it was a questione of curiositye to enqwyre if Chryst was present ther sa-
cramentally, or by transubstantiation, or by consubstantiatione, since it was
sure that Chrystes body was really present in the Lords Supper ; that he
did mantaine all the poyntes of Arminianisme, and severall poynts of poperye,
viz. that merite of workes wer Christian and commendable, and papistes
who confyded in them wer saved ; that he never used catechisme ; that he
wanted all rclligiouse worshipp at home ; that he had kept upp summes
of money mortifyde for plouse uses ; that he conversed with scandalouse
companye ; that he said our faith as it was in a7mo 1580 is and was a faith-
lesse faithe ; that he had railed at Knoxe and other reformers of the church,
and had oftne saide, both in publicke and in private discourse. That in few
yeares they had done mor hurt to relligione, then the pope and his factione
in ten ages; that he commonly used to cause dryve his cowes through the
churche to eate grasse in the churche yarde, yea and that he had caused
milke his cowes in the churche.(')
The laird of Lihertoune and Phllipp Nisbitt proved that he was in Scott-
land since his citatione to ansuer the Assembly : For all thes reasons and
others, he was, by unanimouse vote, deposed from the ministeriall charge and
(I) [Baillie's Letters, vol. i., pp. 138, 139; Historia Motuum, pp. 270, 271. A satirical
poem on the Covenanters, in the form of a parody on the Litany, has been sometimes
ascribed to him. Guthry's Memoirs, p. 39. It is printed in Maidment's Third Book of
Scotish Pasquils, Edinb. 1838.]
Ch. lxxxvi.] history of scots affairs. 145
declared worthy of the highest church censures : And after his censure past A. D. 163b.
the sessione ended.
LXXXVI. The Assembly raett againe Wedingsdaye, Z)ece/HZi/'/A- twelve, Limlsay,
which daye was the nineteenth sessione therof. Mr. Alexander Lindsev,('^ S?!*''?^,j'
i-iPT\iii • Dunkeld.
bishop of Dunkeld, was citted at their downe sitting. His sonne ansuered ,. .,.
.' ° ^e&sw 19.
for him, and presented to the Assembly a letter from his father, wherin he December 12.
shewed that he was lying under a long sicknesse ; that he desyred to be con- Wpt'ingsdaye.
tinowed in his bishoppricke if the Assembly intended to lett episcopaeye
stande in vigour ; otherwayes, he said he was content to dimitte his place
and to obey all the actes and constitutiones of the iVssembly. His accusa-
tion was that he was avaritiouse ; that he had sold the comissaryes place ;
that he planted ministers, who understood not Irish, into paroshines wher
ther was not a worde Scottish ; that, without advyce of the ministrye, he
had givne warrants for privett marriadges ; that he had erected ane new
paroshin, and had givne the rentes of ane hospittall to be the ministers
steepende, wherby all who belonged to the hospitall (if any did) behoved
either for to begg or starve ; that he had rejected able men from the minis-
trye because they refoosed to conforme to Pearthe Articles, etc. After the
tryall of his guilt, many voted to excommunicate him because he had peti-
tioned that (antiepiscopall) Assembly for a bishoppricke ; others saide he
ought to be depryved absolutly from the ministerial! functione, and sul)-
joyned that a deade stocke lyck him had nothing to doe with such a call-
inge ; but the major pairt determined the vote to be that he should be pre-
sently depryved from his episcopall functione, and suspended from the mi-
nistrye till he macke his publicke repentaunce and macke sufficient provi-
sione for the hospitall which he had woronged : And, for to oversee his
repentaunce and the restitutione of what he had tackne awaye, wer ap-
poynted Mr. Robert Murrey, minister at Methven ; Mr. Jon Robertson,
minister at Saint Johnstoun ; Mr. Johne Freebairne ; Mr. Johne Fleeming ;
Mr. George Wishart ; Mr. William Menezes ; Mr. George Summer ; the
lairdes of Moncrieff, and Lawers ; and some others who wer delegate as a
comittye to examine such thinges as wer not made out against him.'^' This
was all the favour that his letter could purchase, mor it would if he had nut
(1) [Alexander Lindsay, brother to the laird of Evelick, was promoted to the see of
Dunkeld in 1608. "He being threatn'd 1638 and having before amass 'd riches, abjur'd
Episcopacie, and accepted a private parish." MS. Account of Scotish Bishops.]
(2) [See Records of the Kirk, p. 173.]
14G
HISTORY OF SCOTS Al'FAIRS.
[B. III.
Abernetliy,
bishop of
Caithness.
Wedderburn,
bishop of
Dunblane.
Moderator
ordered to
pronounce,
next day, the
sentence of
[deposition]
of fourteen
bisliops.
Mr. Andrew
Rollock re-
nounces his
subscription of
the Declina-
tor. Sentences
read over.
supplicated for a bishops place : However, to encourage others to submis-
sione, it was appoynted, after his repentauuee, that he should be planted as
minister in the paroshin of* St. Medoce.
LXXXVII. Yow have heard befor concerning Mr. Johne Abernethy,
the bishop of Catnesse, his submission to the Assemblye. He being citted
at this tyme, his accusatione was reade, viz., that he was guilty of simonye.
His censure was only that he should be deposed from the episcopall charge,
and his repentaunce to be made acording to his abilitye at the sight of some
of his owne friendes (for he had subscrybed the Covenant alreadye), who
wer nominated to bee Mr. Thomas Wilkye, Mr. Thomas Abernethye, Sir
William Dowglasse, Sir Thomas Keerr, and some others.
LXXXVIII. I gave ane accounte of the accusatione givne in against
Mr. James Wedderburne, bishop of Dumblane, who at this tyme was
enacted with others to be deposed and excommunicate.
LXXXIX. And now ther remained nothing but that thes arrestes of
the Assembly should be solemnly pronounced : which, after some debate
about the circumstances therof, was concluded in ende to be delayed no
longer then the next daye: The reason by some was alleadged, because
it was to be feared that the privy councell should sende some new man-
date prohibiting the pronouncing of the sentence of excommunicatione
against the bishopps ; but it is lycke that the Assembly would have little
regarded any such warrant. To this pourpose, therfor, it was ordained
that the moderator, the very next day, in the great church of Glasgow
(which was the house wher the synode sate), should solemnly pronounce
the severall sentences against the fourteen bishopps as they wer respectivly
voted.
In the ende of this sessione Mr. Andrew Rollocke, minister at Dunse,
came in and renounced his subscription of the bishopps declinator, protest-
ing that he did it out of ignorance, having been bredd upp in England, and
had not been sufficiently informed of the constitution of the Church of
Scottland till now. The Earle of Hume stood upp and pleaded for him,
and shewed he had been but two yeares in Scottlande ; wherupon he was,
without furder censure, admitted to macke a publicke recantatione in his
owne churche befor some of his compresbyters.
Though it was drawing towards night, yet the clerke, by warrant of the
* Sammedoose. [Now commonly written St. Madoes. It is situated within the presby-
tery of Perth.]
Cu. XC] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 147
Assembly) did reade over all the sentences that wer to be solemnly pro- A. D. 1638.
nounced against the bishopps the next daye.
Nothing mor was done that night save only ane act past for the trans-
plantatione of a minister called Mr. James Cunninghame, upon his owne
pressing desyre.
XC. Acording to yesterdayes ordinance, the members mett be eight Ceremony of
aclocke in the morning, in the High Churche of Glasgow, wher the moder- 1'™"°""'^'"?
" ^ . . '•"^ sentences
ator was to pronounce the sentence of excomunicatione solemnly against the of excommu-
bishopps, and to preache. Befor the sermone begunne, one James Sanders, "'^'''''o"-
church townes reader and precentor, readde some paii't of the Scripture ; rf"^^'? ^^'.
and being left to his owne choise, did read the sixteenth chapter of Johne, Tursdaye.
which beginnes thus : " Thes thinges have I spockne unto yow, that ye
should not be oifended. They shall put you out of the Synagogues : yea, N. B.
the time comraeth, that whosoever killeth yow, will thinke that he doeth God
service," etc. This was constered as done pourposely to affront the Assem-
blye ; and probably, the reader being episcopall. Mr. Andrew Ramsey had
not the patience to lett the reader proceede, but will needs have him reade
other chapters of the dewtyes of bishopps and pastors, and of the power
of excomunicatione ; which the reader with some grumbling obeyed. When
they came to the psalme, he caused singe the fifty-first psalm, which in the
old translatione of the psalmes (then used) beginnes,
" O Lord, considder my distresse.
And now with speede some pittie tacke."
This was interpreted as sange in favours of the distressed bishops ; yet the
psalme was sung without interruptione ; but when afterwarde the reader was
challendged in common discourse for so doing, he excused himself that what
he did was ignorantlye done. However the Assembly did lett it passe with-
out challendge.
The churche was crowded with people who came together to be specta-
tors of this unuswall fulminatione ; yet the Assembly did provyde that the
Earle of Weems, the Lord Burleyh, and Lord Sinclaire should keepe that
place of the churche (wher the Assembly sate) for the members themselves,
who sate altogether, and heard sermone which was made by the moderator,
who beganne with a conceved prayer, first confessing sinne, and then peti-
tioned for a blessing on the ensewing actione. Prayer being ended, he told,
by way of preface, the actione which he was to goe about, and shewed what
the miserable unhappiness was of impenitent sinners (the bishopps); that
148 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
the church last remedy against such was that which he was now to use, in
name and by authoritye of the Assemblye against thes wretches (the
bishopps) who had endeavoured to destroy the crowne and kyngdome of
Chryste, and yet for all that remained contumaciouse and impenitente ; and,
therfor, he exhorted all men to pray with him for them that this censure
might be for the wealle of ther soules, as it was a punishment to ther
bodyes : And then he fell againe to praye most earnestly for that eftecte, and
with great zeale.
The text of his sermoneCO he tooke out of the hundreth and tenth psalme,
verse first, " The Lord said unto my Lord, Sitt thow at my right hande,
untill I macke thine enemyes thy footestoole," etc. After divisione of his
texte, and muche spockne concerning Gods decree of Chrystes victory, and
consequentlye how infallible it was, which I omitte as tediouse to be men-
tiond beer ; in ende, he came to tell the hearers that ther was a subordina-
tione betuixt God and us, God the upper ende of the lyne, and we the lower,
and the middle tye Chryst, represented ther by David our superior ; that
from God, by Chryste, all graces lineally doe descende upon us ; that no
grace flowes downe upon thoise who are not withiu that lyne perpcndicu-
larlye : Then he exorted all to keep the lyne, and looke to the heade of the
lyne, and not to looke to them (the bishopps) who wer out of the lyne.
Some may thinke that this applicatione was strained ; but if the bishopps
wer out of the lyne, as he did putt them out of the churche, he would have
done weall at that tyme to have cleared in what pairt of the lyne, in
the waye of subordintitione to God, did the churche comissione judicatorye
stande, which at this Assembly beganne to be projected, and in few yeares
overpowred synods, and grewe dreadfuU to Generall Assemblys, who mo-
delized it as ther oune lasting delegatione.
How soone his sermon was ended, which continowd but about one howre,
he related to the hearers the historye of the bussnesse in hande, and then
caused Mr. Archbald Johnstone reade the actes of Assembly contaning the
several! censures of the bishopps, which wer drawne upp in five particular
actes.
The first acte* bore a sentence of depositione and summau-e excommuni-
catione (very summair, indeed, for it was without any citatione,) of the
(1) [It will be found in the Records of the Kirk, pp. 174 — 178.]
* See print Actes of the Asembly of Glasgow, pag. 14, et seqq. [Records of the
Kirk, pp. 26—28.]
Ch. xc] history of scots affairs.
149
bishopps of Saint Aiulrewes, Glasgow, Edinburghe, Galloway, Rosse, and A. D.
Brechen. The narrative was, That whereas the Assembly had heard the
lybells and complaintes, givne in against thes saide bishopps to the presbytry
of Edinburgh, and sundry other presbytryes within ther diocesses, and by
the saides presbytryes referred to be tryed by the Assembly : [The said
bishopps] being laufully citted, oftne called, and ther procutor, Dr. Robert
Hamiltoune, not compeering, but declyninge the Assemblye, which is a thing
censurable by actes of Assemblye with summaire excommunicatione : The
Assembly having considdered ther Declinator and founde it irrelevaunt, a
displayd banner against the churche, full of insolent speeches, lyes, and
comtumelves against this Assemblye, proceeded to the tryall of the saides
complaintes and lybells ; and fynding them guilty of the breache of the cau-
tions of the Assembly at Montrosse, 1600, etc. for receiving of episcopall
consecratione, for usurping power of the High Comissione, pressing the
church with novationes, and for sundrye other haynouse oiFences and enor-
mityes, at lenth expressed and clearly provne in ther processe ; and for ther
refoosing to undei'lye the reigning slander of sundrye other grosse trans-
gressions and crymes laid to ther charge : Therfor the Assembly, moved with
zeale to Gods glory, etc. ordaines them to be deposed, and by thir presentes
deposes them, not only of the office of comissionarye to vote in parliament,
councell, or convention, in name of the kirke, but also of all functiones of
ther pretended episcopall or ministeriall calUnge ; declareth them infaraouse ;
and lyckwayes ordaineth the saides pretended bishopps to be excommuni-
cated, and to be holdne as hethnickes, etc. ; and the sentence of excom-
municatione to be pronounced by Mr. Alexander Hendersone, moderator,
in face of the Assemblye in the High Kirke of Glasgow, and the execu-
tione of the sentence to be intimate in all the kirkes of Scottlande, by the
pastors of evry particular congregatione, as they will be ansuerable to pres-
bytryes, or synodes, or the next Generall Assembly, in caise of the negli-
gence of presbytryes and synods.
The second acte contained a sentence of depositione and of excommuni-
catione of the bishopps of Aberdeen and Dumblane. The narrative is
almost the same with the former, so needs not to be repeated.
The third acte containes a sentence of depositione agahist the bishopps of
Murrey, Orkney, Argylle, and of the Isles. It differed nothing from the
former, but that they are appoynted to be excommunicate, in caise they
macke not ther repentaunce and submitte to the decrees of the Assemblye.
150 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. The fourth acte has the depositione of the bishop of Dunkeld, who, in
caise he subraitte, is only suspended, and, upon his repentaunce, continowd
in the ministrye of the ehurche of Saint Madoze ; otherwayes to be excom-
municated.
The fyfth acte, containing the depositione of Mr. John Abernethy, bishop
of Catnesse, is the same with the fourth, only it names not a particular
benefice to him, but declares him conditionally capable of one.
After the reading of thes sentences, the moderator made a discoursed) for
half ane hower, concerning the necessitye and power of the sentence of ex-
communicatione, specially at that present tyme ; and then he exhorted all
to pray with him, that that which he did bynde on earth might be bounde
in heaven, etc. : And then the sentence of delyvering six of the bishopps
into the handes of the deville was thundered out, till they repent ; then he
prayed againe to the forsaide pourpose ; then ther was a psalme sunge,
which was the texte: After the blessinge, he exhorted all men not to frequent
the company of thes excommunicat bishopps as they had done befor.
This sentence, although pronounced with great zeale and solemnitye, yet
few or non did or would be seen to show any recentment therof amongst
the beholders, for ought that could be remarked, except some of the mor
ignorant sorte, who are amazed at noveltyes ; and many wer present who
wer much rejoyced at it, as the most gloriouse solemnitye that ever they
had seene.
Upon this ther procedure against the bishopps, sundry have since that
tyme past ther censure, that the Assembly proceeded most stricklye against
such of the bishopps as had acted most episcopally, and for others of them
who had nothing of bishopp in them hot the title and the revenue, they wer
most gently handled.
The King complaines that they have printed the sentence of the bishopps,
which bearenot the particular crymes which wer proved(^); yet he might have
knowne that it was needlesse, for it was cryme eneuche to have been bishopps :
other thinges wer givne in against them ex sujierubundanti, specially against
thoise of the number who wer most hatefull to the Covenanters.
Earl of \Vit(- XCI. The Assembly sate down about two aclocke afternoone, which was
'*>"• opned with a prayer of thanksgiving to God, for the good that the ehurche
(1) [See Records of the Kirk, pp. 179, 180.]
(2) [See the King's Large Declaration, p. 317.]
Ch. XCL]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
151
had that daye receaved. The tirst thing that was done was the presenting
of a letter from the* Earl of Wigtoune, shewing the reasone why he could
not waite sooner upon the Assembly, and that he was coming to sitt with
them; which he did acoi'dinglye the next daye.
A complaint therafter was givne in against one Mr. William Annane,
minister at Aire. Its contents wer, That he taught erroneouse doctrine ;
that he kept sainctes dayes and holy dayes ; that he railed on such as op-
posed the Service Booke, and compared the author therof to'the author of
Job ; that he had deserted his flocke eight inoneths ; that he taught that dea-
cons and elders wer not laufull, if they did not continow ad vitam ; that it
was laufull to heare the devill preache ; that he was a common drunkard, a
swearer, and had sworne that the communione gesture was only kneeling,
that we wer not to sitt cheeke for cheeke with Chryste ; that he wished to
God that the popish orders wer in this churche ; that he inveighd on ex-
temporarean prayer, and, in presence of a whole provinciall synode, had
praised the Service Booke ; finally (which was a capitall guilt), that he had
subscrybed the bishopps Declinator. For this he was by vote deposed from
his ministrye.f')
Mr. Robert Hamiltoune, minister at Lesmahago, and one Mr. Henrye
Scrimgeor, ane minister also, wer calld upon, and a number of articles
readde of ther guilte ; but it was affirmed that they wer both penitent {id est,
had subscrybed the Covenante) ; therfor both wer pardoned. The coming
in to the Assembly of the first vvas daylye expected; and Mr. Henry Scrim-
geor was present, whom the laird of KeillorC^) did persecute so hottly to be
ridde of him out of ther paroshin, that Mr. Henrye was contented to be de-
posed at the closure of the Assembly, and not to be admitted againe till the
ministrye see relevaunt signes of his repentaunce and amendment. Mr.
Robert Hamiltons sentence was delayd till his awne coming to the Assem-
blye.
Dr. Robert Hamiltoune,* minister at Glassford, was next calld upon,
A. D. 1638.
Mr. William
Annane. Mr.
Robert Ha-
milton ; and
Mr. Henry
Scrimgeor.
Dr. Robert
Hamilton, at
Glassford.
Mr. Thomas
Mackenzie,
archdeacon of
Ross. Dr.
George
Wisheart, of
St. Andrews.
* He declared in his letter that he had subscrybed the Covenant in the sence of 1580,
and did submitt to the Assemblye. [Records of the Kirk, p. 180.] Spang [Historia
Motuum, p. 275] sayes that his letter was presented, session twenty-first, die Veneris,
Decembris fourteenth.
(1) [Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 141 ; Historia Motuum, p. 274.]
(2) [According to Baillie, the laird of " iV«rfon, Rothes's uncle." Letters, vol. i. p. 142.
See also Records of the K.irk, p. 182.]
* See Dr. Hamilton his accusation, session thirteenth, [above, p. 36 ]
152 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. and his crymes wer readde over againe, which had before been once hearde;
for which he was appoynted to be deposed, and if he doe not macke his re-
pentaunce, to be excommunicate by his presbytrye ; but it was eneuch that
he had presented the bishopps DecHnator ; ther needed no mor.
Mr. Thomas Maclvenzie, archdeacon of Rosse, whoise comissione had been
rejected, sessione qicinta, was now calld upon as a delinquent, who thought
to have sittne as a member. Sir Jolme Mackeinzie of Tarbott was his ac-
cuser. The lybell bore that he was of ane insolent dissolute lyfe ; had
falhie in fornicatione ; a drunkard ; a swearer ; a merchant, not a minister ;
a maltraan and a multerer to Sir Johne Makeinzie, his accuser ; that he
was pairtner of a little shipp or barke; that he pleaded other mens causes
in Edinburgh, and neglected his charge ; that at his transplantatione, he did
carry e with him the byble and other bookes belonging to the churche from
whence he removed ; that he had marryd two persones without proclama-
tione of bandes, who had four childeren begottne in adulterye ; that he
stoode much for all innovationes in the churche ; finally, that he had pre-
sented a protestatione against ruling elders unto the Assembly. For thes
crymes he was deposed from his ministrye, and ordained to be excommuni-
cate, except be macke his repentaunce.
Dr. George Wishart of St. Andrews'') his accusatione closed this sessione ;
but because he had not been formally citted to compeer befor the Assem-
bly, therfor the tryall therof was remitted to a commissione which was to
sitte at St. Andrews, ther to purge outt such as the Assembly had not lei-
sour for : And this was the ende of that sessione.
Mr. Andrew XCII. Upon the fourteenth of December, Frydaye, the Assembly sate
Shepheard. againe, whiche was the twenty-first sessione therof; to which sessione came
at Jedbufh, ^^'- Johne Smart, minister at Wike, and presented a comissione from Cat-
Glasgow, and nesse, who was admitted a member of the Assemblye, though he was long a
EdinburKh.
" conimmg.
essio _ . Next came in one Mr. Andrew Shepheard, a minister who had sub-
Frydaye. scrybed the bishopps Declinator, protesting with teares that he did it ignor-
antly, and begging to be licenced to blott out his name affi.'ced therunto,
which was graunted readily ; and since no bodye accused him for any other
guilt, u])on his promise of amendment, all bygones wer pardond.
And because severall bills wer givne in from presbytryes, which the As-
(1) [Afterwards bishop of Edinburgh, the i'aitliful companion and accomplished biographer
of Montrose.]
Ch. XCIII.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
153
Synods, Kirk
Sessions, and
National As-
semblies re-
stored.
serably had no leisour for to examine, therfore it was ordained that all thes A. D. 1638.
coniplaintes should be tryed befor comittyes, which wer then constituted for
that pourpose.
To this ende, a comittye of ministers and ruling elders was ordained to
sitt at Jedburgh and at Kirkubright ; one lyckwayes at Glasgow, and another
at Edinburgh.(') They had each of them ther limitts defyned to them, and
they wer to trye such thinges as the Assembly, for want of leisoure, could
not. The power of the Generall Assembly was putt into eache of ther
handes for the matters that they wer to judge upon, with this proviso, to
be ansuerable for ther actings to the next Generall Assembly. The ende
of ther sittinge was mostly to cast out Anti- Covenanter ministers, specially
such as wer active that way, who at this tyme wer only founde faultye.
XCIII. All this whyle past the Assembly was busyd pulling downe Provincial
the fi'ame of episcopacye, and whatever they had sett upp ; as also in
dryving out the bishopps and such ministers as adheared to them. Now,
they thought it high tyme to laye the foundationes of the prcsbyteriane
aediiice, that it might appeare they had pulld doune one aedifice for to build
another upon its ruins. To which pourpose ther was a motione made for
restoring provinciall synods to ther power and limitts, which they enjoyed
befor episcopacye was sett upp. For bringing this overture to a poynte,
ther was a choise made of the eldest members, who wer to joyne with the
comittye for overturs, and informe what they knew of the ancient bownds of
provincialls.
Meane whyle they passe ane acte* restoring kirke sessiones, provinciall,
and uationall assembly es unto ther full integrity e in ther members, preive-
leidges, liberty es, powers, and jurisdictiones, as they wer constitute by the
Booke of PoUcye. The print acte mackes no mentione of presbytryes,
which is either ane omissione of him who extracted the actes, otherwayes
they are not mentioned, because, in the bishopps tymes, the presbytryes had
mor freedom then the rest. And to the eflect that they might all beginne
to acte againe with ther ancient power and force, severall billes, which wer
presented to the Assembly, wer reade and referred backe to the respective
presbytryes or provincialls.
(1) [Records of the Kirk, p. 45.]
* See print actes, pag. 30. [Records of the Kirk, p. 34.] Spang [Historia Motmim, p,
i'o] referres this to session twenty-second, but amisse.
U
154
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. III.
Dr. Patrick
Pantcr.
Town of
Edinburgh.
Mr. Jolin
Lundie
Bishop Patrick
Forbes vindi-
cated. Bishop
Elphingston's
t'dundation.
Sessio 22.
Decembris 15
Saturdaye.
Little raor was done in this session, except ane acte past for the presby-
trye of Achterardowrs sitting at Aber Ruthven.
XCIV. The twenty-second sessione was held, Saturday, Decembris
[fifteenth.] Little of consequence was done, except references of billes to
presbytryes or comittyes. Ane actione that related to Dr. Patrick Panter
of Saint Andrews, was referred to the comittye which was to meet at
Dundee.
Therafter the towne of Edinburgh gave in, by ther commissioners, a de-
syre for to have a preiveleidge graunted to them for to macke choise of mi-
nisters out of any place of Scottlande, because they wer the cittye of great-
est resorte, also nominating Mr. Alexander Henderson, moderator, to be
ther minister, who did declyn it. Ther desyre was referred to a comittye
to heare ther reasones, and report them to the Assemblye.
The towues of Brunt Island and Kinghorne gave in supplications for
helpers to ther aged ministers, which wer graunted.
Last of all, Mr. Johne Lundye, who was owned as comissioner for the
Universitye of Aberdeene (though he had no warrant but to be ther agent),")
gave in a supplicatione in name of the Universitye, from which he had no
such comissione ; (but tbes practises of supplicating for suche as knew not
grew common afterwardes, nay, and in name of such as wer opposite to the
supplicantes and judicatoryes to which they applied themselves). He desyred,
in name of the Universitye, that ther might be comissionairs appoynted for
to visite it ; his reasones wer, because that Universitye was miserably op-
pressed by the bishops, who had tackne the rentes dwe to the regents and
the professor of humanitye, (that was himselfe,) and employd them upon
professors of the superstitiouse canon lawe.(^)
(i)j[See above, vol. i. pp. 154, 155.]
(2) [" Mr John Lundie, professor of Humanity, gave in a supplication for a visitation of
the Old college of Aberdeen, that whileas the parliament 1597, and assembly preceding,
had granted them power to rectify their old foundation ; yet their bishop had destroyed that
new rectification, and urged on them for consuming their rents, chantries, jirebendaries, pro-
fessions of the Canon law, according to their old Popish foundation, by virtue of his place of
Cliancellor. Lord Balmerino protested for his interest. That Bishop Elphinston's first
foundation should not be altered -. when Lundie, the University's commissioner, replied,
That they required no other alteration than of Popish offices opposed to the Reformed re-
ligion, which their bishop of new had posed on them. But Balmerino and all consented to
that petitioned visitation." Baillie's Letters, vol. i., p. 143.
" Mr. John I .undie, as ye have befor, without warrand, desired the bishop of Aberdein
as alleadged chancellor, Mr. James Sandielands canonist, and Doctor William Gordon medi-
cinar, to be removed, as unnecessary members, frae the said Colledge, and unlawfully brought
Ch. xciv.] history of scots affairs. 155
Ther coukl be no mor arrant lye then that snpplicatione its narrative ; for A, D. li
bishop Patrieke Forbesse, laird of Corse, whom he reflected upon, who dyed ~~2
but 071710 1635 befor, a gentleman of great worthe and integritye, was knowne
to be so farr from oppressing that Universitye, that, upon the contrarye, he
freed it from oppressione, and erected a professour of divinitye ther, and
made up a yearly revenewe to him by contributione, who yet standes to this
daye.
And, because its a great questione whither Mr. Johne Lundye or Mr.
William Spange, who has ingrost this in his Historia Motuum,(') have done
greatest woronge to bishop Patrieke Forbesse his memorye, who deserved a
better rewarde, I shall begge the readers patience to vindicate the fame and
reputatione of that eminent and wyse bishopp, upon my certaine knowledge,
having both scene oftne and lyckwayes perused the authenticke instruments
of the foundatione of that Universitye, and relating what followes upon
certaine information.
Bishopp William Elphinstone, by the liberal contributione of King James
the Fourth, besyde what he largly spent that way of his owne privat revenew,
laide the foundatione of that Universitye, an/io 1500 ; and what he could
not (being preveend by death) bringe to a pcriode, he recommended by tes-
tament to be done by his successor, bishopp Gavin Dumbarr, to whom he
left the expence for that pourpose. But befor he dyed, he sett downe the
institutione of that UniversityeW in a large instrument, which tackes up a
in and established b}' umquhile Patrick bishop of Aberdein against the foundation set down
be umquhile King James, takeing up the rents without any lawfull service, whilk rather he-
longed to the masters and inward members of the said Colledge, who cairfully attended
their callings for upbringing of the youth. The forsaid petition was given in befor the
generall Assemblie without warrand of the Colledge members, yet was weill heard by the
Assemblie, who ordained ane committee to come and visite the said Colledge. The which
comeing to the masters ears, directly accused the said Mr. John Lundie for passing by his
commission, and giveing in such ane petition befor the said Assemblie, and accused him befor
the bishop Bellenden and other outward members of the said Colledge, alleadging he had
wronged the liberties of the house, by drawing them under censure of ane committee of the
assembly, who were only answerable to the king and his councell for any offence or over-
sight ; but the said Mr. John Lundie pleaded guiltie and confessed his error, and by ane
act, not subscrived with his hand, confessed he had no warrand nor commission to the effect
forsaid." Spalding's Hist, of Troub., vol. i., pp. 95, 96.]
(1) [" Designati etiam qui Academiam Abredonensem visitarent, ejus ad synodum legato
instante, ac querente, tantum non oppressam fuisse niiseram illam Academiam usurpatione
Episcopi, qui reditus artium liberalium ac scientiarum professoribus destinatos transtulerit in
Canonicos, prebendarios, juris Canonici Professores, & id genus daranatas a reformatis
ecclesiis functiones." Historia Motuum, p. 276.]
(2) [CoUegii Regalis Universitatis Aberdonensis Erectio, per Revercnduui in Christo
156 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A D. 1638. booke of veleira parcheraent yet e.xtant, subscrybed and sealed. He did
^ obtaine from Pope Alexander sixth, and Julius second (as the fashion then
was), and from the Kinge, that it should enjoye as ample preveleidges as
the Universityes of Parise or Bononla ; that it should be ane Universitye
for all sciences, etc. : Amongst the rest he instituted a professor for the
civill law, and another for the canon law. After the reformatione of the
relligione, the then members of the Universitye beganne to thinke upon a
new modell of the institution of the Universitye ; to which pourpose one
Mr. David Raite,(') ther principell, drew a draught of a foundatione, wherin
all the old institutione was turnd up syde downe. This they presented to
James the Sixth, then King of Scottlande; and it went neer to be ratifyd in
parliament,('^) had it not been opposed by secretair Elphinstoune, a great
statesman, who, in favours of bishopp William Elphinstouns memorye (both
of them being cadetts of the farailye Shelms), said it was no reason for to
perverte the founders meaning, as farr as it could stand with the reformed
relligione. So the new draught was stifled in the birth ; and that paper
coming afterwards into the handes of bishopp Patricke Forbesse, with a
sollicitatione for him to sett it anew on foote, hee threw it into the fyre,
wher it endedW ; and instantly, being chancellor of the Universitye, caused
sett the old institution on foote, as farr as it could subsist with the protestant
relligione('') : The two professiones of the civill and canon lawe he united into
one, or rather commanded the civill law to be taught in place of the other.
The rentes that belonged to severall professors, by the avarice of
such as had been members of the Universitye, wer fewed or lett out for
payment of so little as could not mantaine them, and ther verye dwelling
houses impropriat; which, being thus squandard, bishopp [Patricke] Forbesse
could hardly recover all his lyfe tyme, and was forced, as I have already
Patrem ao Doniinum, Gulielmuni Elphinstoun, dictorum Collegii et Uiiiversitatis Erectorem
et Fuiidatorem, denuoqiie ])er Revorendum in Christo Patrem, Gavinum Aberdonensem
Episcopum, restituta, &c., quse intuentibus pateri possit. Anno 1330. This lias been more
than once printed. See Kennedy's Annals of Aberdeen, vol. ii., pp. 410 — 433. Lond. 1818 ;
Evidence taken by the Commissioners on the Universities of Scotland, vol. iv., pp. 141 — 151.
Presented to both Houses of Parliament by command of His Majesty. Lond. 1837.]
(1) [Principal from 1593 to 1632.]
(2) [See Kennedy's Annals of Aberdeen, vol. ii., p. 442.]
(3) llbid.. vol. ii , p. 440.]
(4) [Report made to His Majesty by a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the state of the
Universities of Scotland, p. 307- Ordered, by the House of Commons, to be Printed,
7th October, 1831.]
Ch. XCVI.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
157
tould, for to sett upp the professione of theologye by waye of contributione :
So farr was it from truthe that he had either oppressd them or missa])plyd
thes rentes, ther having not been so much left undilapidate at his entrye as
to mantaine all the professors acording to ther institutione.C) Bishop Adam
Ballendyn, who succeeded to bishopp Forbesse, could not be the oppressor,
for the short tyme that he sate ther he twoched nor did innovate nothinge.
So great treuth ther was in the reasone of that comissione.
XCV. But any thing was good eneuch to be a colour and pretext for to
give them ane errand thither ; the mystery is, that Mr. Johne Lundye was
suborned to supplicate.C^) But ther ende of comming ther was pairtlye for
to dryve out (as they afterwards did) some of the learned members of that
Universitye, who had vexed them with ther querees concerning ther Cove-
nant. This was alta mente repostum ; they wer ther only considerable anta-
gonistes, and downe they must with ther colleagues, the learned and illus-
triouse Doctors of Aberdeen.
This gave them another fair pretexte for to raise armes for to suppresse
the Marquesse of Huntlye, who was ther declared and most considerable
enemye in the north of Scottlande. For, this Universitye lying within his
reache (and himself some tymes chancellor therof) and protectione, in the
followng spring they made ther manifesto of carrying armes to the north to
bee, only to be a gwarde to them against Huntlye his supposd disturbing as-
sault, whilst they should goe about the visitatione of the Universitye of
Aberdeene : But what ther intentions wer will be best knowne in its awne
place, when the actings of ther pairtye shall come (God willing) to be
spockne and faithfully related. But it is high tyme to close this digressioune,
and this session of the Assembly.
XCVI. Upon the seventeenth of December, Moonday, the twenty-third
sessione of the Assembly conveened, to which one Johne Gordon of Crosse-
ime(3) presented a supplicatione for provyding a new church, built in ther
bowndes, with a steepend. The Assembly appoynted to collect a stocke
from all charitable people besouth Taye, and thes collectiones to be sent
from sessions to presbytryes, thence to provincialls, and thence to the newe
Intention of
sending visi-
tors, to fur-
nish a pretext
tor sending
arms to sup-
press Huntly.
John Gordon
of Crosseirne.
Mr. John
Bell, Glas-
gow. Mr.
John Moyle.
Acts of As-
sembly read
(1) [Kennedy's Annals of Aberdeen, vol. ii., pp. 373 — 375.]
(i) [See his Oratio Evcharistica & Enconiiastica, In benevolos Vniversitatis Aberdonensis
Benefactores, Fautores, & Patronos, Aberd. 1631, throughout, but particularly in regard to
his charges against Bishop Patrick Forbes, pp. 9 — 11.]
(3) [Or Carsphairn, in the presbytery of Kirkcudbright.]
158
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. erected paroshe to be mortifyd ther. This project was followd by the ad-
over old acts ^^^^ °^ ^^^ Lords Lawdian, Burleigh, and Sir William Dowglasse, to whom
renewed. it was comitted till the next daye.O
Sessio 23. Yow have heard alreadye the project for transplantatione of Mr. Alexander
^M^mdl'V^ Hendersone to Edinburgh : this was seconded by another supplicatione by
Mr. Johne Bell, elder, minister at Glasgow, for ane helper to himselfe, by
reasone of his age, whome he named Mr. David Dicksone, another of the
great instruments of the reformatione. The Earle of Eglintoune strove to
crosse Mr. Davids removall from Irwin ; and shewd, that Mr. David had
been the instrument to reclame him from poperye ; that if he wer removed,
himself would leave the Assemblye ; he said furder, that Glasgow had tackne
three of ther mhiisters alreadye. Mr. David Dicksone his transplantatione,
at that instant, was wavd a little till the Earle of Eglintownes consent
should be gained, the want wherof was the only rcmora of disposing this
great watchman into that qwarter of the kyngdome.
The Dundee men complained upon one Mr. Johne Moyll, who had re-
ceaved the order of deacon and no mor, and under that notione did reseede
amongst them, desyring to remove him : This was putt over to the comittie
which was appoynted to meete at Dundee.
Therafter the whole actes of the Assembly wer reade over de novo, and
all of them ratifyd with a new placet.
Such as wer designed, session seventeenth, for to considder upon the
greivances of the churche, as also what old actes of Assembly it was neces-
saire for to reveive, gave in ther diligence. They shewed, first, that ther
wer few or no actes to be made which had not been enacted befor, but since
they wer forgottne by the iniquitye of the tymes, it was ther humble opinion
that they should be enacted anew in this Assembly. The list of them wer
reade and approved, which wer as followes(^) :
N. B. First, That presbytries erected since the yeare 1586 be approved, and
(>) [In this session of the Assembly, " The Commissioners from the Presbitrie of Turrey
[Turreif] gave in a Supplication, declairing, That whereas Alexr Andersone and Robert
Davidsone, in Turrey, having fallen in ane delinquencie at a mercat in Aberdeine, and for
that were conveined before the Bishop, and payed 522 merks of penaltie, which should have
been bestowed in mending the high wayes betwixt Turrey and Aberdeine, notwithstanding
they delivered it to the Bishop, whilk he detaines, and the parties are not called for to make
their repentance.
" The Assemblie ordaines the delinquents to make their repentance in Turray and Aber-
deine, and the penaltie to be restored." Records of the Kirk, p. 184.]
(2) [Records of the Kirk, pp. 34 — 38; Historia Motuum, pp. 276—278.]
ch. xcvi.] history of scots affairs.
159
new presbytryes in Argylle ; (which questionlesse was needfull, if Argylle A. D. 1638.
might be moved to pairt with the benefices of eight parosh churches of
Lochaber and the adjacent places, which benefices pertained of old to the
pryory of Ardchattan, now impropriat in the handes of the said relligiouse
lorde.)
Second, That presbyteriall meetings be once a weeke in summer and win-
ter, otherwayes once a fortnight in winter, at which tymes one of the minis-
trye shall exercise, and another adde : that once in the moneth ther be a
controversye of relligione disputed amongst them.
Third, That presbytryes visite paroch churches within their bowndes
once evry yeare, and enqwyre how familyes are ordered and catechised.
Fourth, That masters of coUedges and scooles be tryed concerning the
sowndnesse of ther judgement, ther abilityes, and conversatione.
Fifth, That ministers be obleidged to dwell and reside at ther oune
manses in ther paroshins.
Sixth, That scooles be planted in the countrey, that publicke reading, and
singing of the psalme, and catechising, may thus be promoved lyckwayes.
Seventh, That presbytryes shall have power to choose ther oune modera-
tors and adraitte ministers.
Eir/hth, That a course be tackne for acomodating the boundes and the
scituatione of presbytryes and paroshins.
Ninth, Concerning the entrye and conversatione of ministers, that the
acte of Assembly at Edinburgh,* March twenty-four, 1595, session seventh,
be renewed in all its particulars, as to the waye of ther entrye and ende
therof, ther learning, ther conversatione, be renewd and putt in practise.
Tenth, That ther be a course thought upon for defraying the expences
of thes who are to goe comissioners to general! Assemblyes.
Eleventh, That all papistes names, and names of Jesuittes and preests,
bee enqwyred after ; all such as keepe not the churche ; and, finally, that all
be commanded to sweare to the Confession of Faithe, and communicate; and
that papists childeren be not sent abroade without licence of presbytryes or
provincialls.
Tn-elfth, That the Lords supper be frequently celebrated, and ministers
to have allowance for furnishing elements oftner then once a yeare.
* See the acte at lenth in the print actes, pagg- 33, 34, 33, 36. [Records of the Kirk,
pp. 34—36; Booke of the Universall Kirk, pp. 426—429; Calderwood, pp. 314 — 317.]
160 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
Thirteenth, That none enter into the ministrye befor twenty-five yeares,
except such as are rarely qualifyd.
Fourteenth, That course be tackne for chaunging weekly mercatts from
Moonday and Saturdaye.
Fifteenth, That sermon may [be had] upon the Lords day afternoon as
weall as befornoone.
Sixteenth, That such as will not forbeare the company of excommunicate
persones, after admonition, be excommunicate themselves.
Seventeenth, That all who shall speacke against the Covenant, or thes
who wrytte against it, or speacke or wrytte against the actes of this As-
sembly, be censured by the churche.
Eighteenth, That ministers usurpe no negative voice in churche sessiones,
except the session vote against actes of the churche ; and that collegiate mi-
nisters doe all thinges by mutwall advice and consente.
Nineteenth, That the titles of chapters, abbots, pryors, deanes, arch-
deacones, preaching deacons, chanters, subchanters, which flow all from the
pope and canon law (although the King, in his Large Declaratione,(') af-
firmes that thes offices wer in the churche long befor popery was knowne of
in the world), be not usurped nor used, under paine of churche censures.
Twentieth, That no minister nor reader be intruded upon a paroshe con-
trary to the will of the congregatione.
Twentij-Jirst, That no marriadge be solemnised without proclaraatione of
banes, except the presbytrye see urgent reasones for it.
Twenty-second, That it may be thought upon how burialls in churches
maye be restrained ; as also they discharge funerall sermons.
Twenty-third, That expectants, befor ther entrye to the ministrye, be
tryed in ther learning, skill of langwages, lyfe, and conversatione.
Tiventy-fourth, That the presby tries and boundes of provincial! synods,*
(1) [P. 322.]
* See the rolle of them in the print actes, pagg. 39 et 40. [Records of the Kirk, pp.
37, 38. So much of the roll as relates to the provincial Synods of Angus and the Mearns,
of Aberdeen, and of Murray, is subjoined ;
" The Provinciall Synod of Angus and Merns.
' Meegle.
Dundie. -S ( The Shyref- "j To meet the first
The Pres- ^ Arbroth. g J domes of \ time at Dundie,
byteries of ' Forfair. •= j Forfair and C the third Twesday
Brechen. ^ ^ Merns. J of April.
. Merns. f"
Ch. XCVlI.j
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
161
and the tymes of ther meetings, once in the half-yeare, be fixed anew, and
that rolle to be registred in the bookes of the Assemblye.
Ticenhj-Jifth, That the minister of the place wher the provinciall meets,
doe preache the first daye of the meeting, and that the neerest provincialls,
by ther comissioners, keepe mutwall correspondence.
XCVII. In the ende of this sessioune, Dr. Guild, comissioner fi-om
Aberdeene presbytrye, gave in a supplicatione against salmon fishing upon
the Lords daye, desyring it might be restrained. He had some yeares befor
wryttne a two penny pamflett against it, and published it ;(') but, by reasone
that his colleagues the Doctors of Aberdeene, abler then he, did not medle
in that controversye, his dispute against it was sleighted by the Aberdeens
men(2) : he was now, therfor, resolute for to plye his refractarye parishoners
with actes of Assemblye. It did not wante such as disputed for it ther in
the midst of the reformatione. In ende, the Assembly, by ther acte, dis-
charged it, as also the going of milles upon the Sabbath, under paine of
church censures to the contraveeners, acording to the acte of the Assembly
at Halyrood house, anno 1602.0
A. D. 1638.
Dr. Guild's
supplication
about salmon
fishing on
Sunday.
Visitation of
Glasgow
College.
The Provinciall St/nod of Abekdene.
Aberdene.
bvteries of
Kincairdin.
AU.foord.
Gairioch.
Elian.
Deer.
Turreffe.
Fordyce.
The Provinciall Si/nod of Morkay.
( The Shyref- ^
3 domes of f
J Aberdene C
[^ and Bamfe. J
To meet the first
time at new Aber-
dene, the 3 Twes-
day of April.
The Pres-
byteries of
Innernes.
Forresse.
Elgin.
Strabogie.
Abernethie.
Aberlower.
r
1
9^
To meet the tirst
time at Forresse,
the last Twesday
of April."]
The Shyref-
domes of In-
nernes in part,
Nairn in part,
Murray, Bamf
p, I in part, Aber-
L den in part.
(1) [In the lists of Dr. Guild's works is mentioned a " Treatise against Profanation of the
Lords Day, especially by Salmon fishing. Aberdene, 1637."]
(2) [But see the dedication to him of the Theses maintained in The King's College in
1638, printed at Aberdeen in that year, by Edward Raban.]
(3) [Records of the Kirk, p. 38 ; Historia Motuum, p. 279. " Dr Guild was commended
for his pains in helping much to put down the Sunday's fishing in the north ; yet the modera-
tor was scrupulous to make a new act for the simple discharging of it : but when Mr John
Robertson, who, among us all, was more skilled in our assembiy-acts, had found out an old
act of the assembly at Holyroodhouse, anno 1602, for abolishing simply all sorts of fishing
162
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. III.
A. D. 1638.
Deposed mi-
nisters to be
excommuni-
cated, if they
did not ac-
quiesce.
Places of do-
ing penance
for the bishops;
rthey] may bt
F'lnalhj, Ther wer visitours in the closure of this sessione appoynted to
tacke inspectione of the colledge of Glasgow, as weall as of Aberdeen ;
for ther wer sundrye unsownde members ther, who had shewd but small
affectione to the Covenant. This was the eigthe delegatione ; seven wer
before.
This sessione was very remarkable for ther sympathy in vote agreable to
the comittye of overturs propositiones, not so few as sixty canons being
heer voted, if the ninth acte concerning ministers be considdered.
XCVIII. The Assembly wer now macking quicke dispatche ; therfor
they doe meete againe pro mcesimo quarto, upon Tewsdaye ; wher it was
first enacted that all ministers who wer deposed by this Assembly, if they
did not acquiesce in ther censurs, should be excommunicated by ther pres-
bytryes, in caise they exercise any pairt of the ministeriall functione.
Then ther was ane acte past designing the places wher suche of the
bishopps as gott licence to repent should doe pennance, viz. The bishop of
and milling on Sunday, he applauded gladly to the renewing of it." Baillie's Letters, vol.
i., p. 146,
" Doctor W™ Guild presented a supplication to the Assembly — That, whereas there was
great fisching of salmond neir Aberdene ujion the Sabbath, which occasioned great profana-
tion of that holy day, by peoples continuall resorting to see that tisching, even in tyme of
divine service ; and likewayes declaired how he had prevailed much, throw the blessing of
God upon his labours, to restraine that abuse, so that divers worthie religious persones who
have speciall interest in that fisching, had bein moved to draw up a bond and covenant among
them to forbeare that sinfull practice in all tyme comeing ; therefore supplicats that the As-
sembly may be pleased to make ane Act against the said profanation, that upon that ground
he might proceed against them, after his return from the Assembly.
" The Assembly, after much disputation of this question too and fro, in respect they could
find no Act of Assembly against salmond fisching for the present, and not willing to make
ane new Act, they appoynted Doctor Guild, Mr John Robertsone, with some uthers, to
thinke upon some overture for it against the morrow." Records of the Kirk, p. 186.
" Sess. ultima. [December 20, 16.38.] After in calling upon the name of God, Doctor
Guild said — There is a motion made, as ye all hard the other day, concerning salmond fisch-
ing, and proffanation of the Sabbath thereby, and it was not thought expedient to make
new Acts, but to search for old ones, and to revive them. In Gods providence, there is
heir found ane Act, in the year 1602, of the Assembly holden at Holyrudhouse, 12 Nov.
5 Session, where salmond fisching is expresslie inhibite and ordained to be punished by the
censures of the Kirk ; and I requyre that the Clerk may read it ; which accordinglie was
done, and the whole Assembly, in ane voit, renewed the same." Ibid. p. 189.
" This assembly act," says Spalding, " made some obedience with great difficultie, for it
was thought no sin to fish upon the Sabbath day before." History of Troubles, vol. i.,
p. 306.
There is preserved an authentic copy of a Bull, dated at Rome on the 26th March, 1451,
by which the Pope (Nicholas V.) grants to the clergy and laity of the city and diocese of
Aberdeen, full freedom to fish for salmon on Sundays and holy days, during five months of
each year, " diebus dominicis et aliis festivis in quinque mensibus anni in qtiibus magis dicti
salmones ad terrain conjiuere dinoscuntur." Registrum Ecclesiae Cathedralis Aberdonensis.]
Ch. xcix.] history of scots affairs. 163
Murrey in Edinburgh; bishop of Orkney in Kirkwall; bishop of Catnesse A. D. 1638.
in Jedburffhe (very farr distant from Catnesse, as beincr the other extreme , 7~
. _° relaxed 2B«r-
of Scottlande) ; bishop of Dunkeld in Sammedoose ; bishop of Argyle and ticulo mortis.
bishop of Isles in any church within ther respective dioceses. Committees.
„, p . . . „ Visitations of
Theraiter an acte was past, empowering any neerest minister tor to Colleges.
relaxe ane excommunicate bishopp from that sentence, iyi articulo mortis, in Edinburgh
caise the dying bishop in extremis shew reaU signes of repentaunce, and derator.
subcrybe his desyre to be relaxed. I know not what trust the minister gott Sessio 24
by this generaU acte, in caise the dyinge bishopp cannot subscrybe, for Decembris 18.
weacknesse or sicknesse. "^ ^^^'
In the next place, the members names of the severall committys wer
reade, and the tyme and place wher cache of them wer to meet, etc. The
places [wer], Jedburgh, Kirkcubright, Irwing, Edinburgh, Saint Andrewes,
Dundee, Forresse, Chanrye of Rosse; besyde the visitationes of the Uni-
versityes of St. Andrewes, Aberdeen, and Glasgow colledge. Thus the
Assemblye, by its delegationes, spredd itself over all the kyngdome, for
perfyting of the worke.
Edinburgh had petitioned already for the moderator ; St. Andrews will
not be behynd with them. To this pourpose, James Sworde, (who after-
ward for his little capacitye was oftne putt upon publicke employments, as
fittest to concurre with ane implicite vote,) a little bailye, once a pedler in
St. Andrews, putts in lyckwayes for the moderator to be ther minister.
The Lord Lindsey seconded this Sworde. Earleshall, for Lewchars, wer
resolute to keepe him, and he willing to stay, as he declared ; but withaU
he will submitte to the Assembly. The Edinburgh comissioners grew im-
patient to be denyd. The moderator, who could not moderate in his owne
cause, is removed. Mr. James Bonnar tackes the chaire for that vice ;
and, after ane hotte dispute by three partyes, Edinburghe carryes him by
pluralitye of votes, which was prophecyd befor the Assembly sate downe.
XCIX. The twenty-fifth sessione was upon the nineteenth of December, Churchmen
Wedingsday; wher it was agitated. Whither ministers might sitt as justices "ot to take
" •' . ,. ° •.. • • 1? • civil offices.
01 peace, or vote in parliament, or sitt in privy councell, or sessione, or
exchequer. In relatione to this propositione, it was enacted, that it was Decembris 19
unlaufull from henceforth, by the Confessione of Faith, for any church man Wedingsdaye.
to tacke a *civill power or place upon him, ether ordinar or extraordinare ;
* Mr. Spang, in his Historia Motuuni, [pp. 280-285], addes a number of reasones for
this determination, which he calles the reasones of the Assembly ; as. First, Luck xii. 14,
164 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
albeit they did not deney but it was laufull for church men to advyse king
or councell in all thinges wherin the churche or ther consciences wer con-
cerned. And as for the concessione of the Assembly at Montross, anno
1600, it was declared that the church was compelled to acquiesce to a
minister to vote in parliament, for peace cause, and with many cautiones,
which wer all broke by the bishopps.
compard with John xx. 21. ; also John viii.. His refoosing to sentence the adulteresse, and
His oftne declaring that His Kyngdome was not of this world. Second, Matthew xx. 25, 26,
lordshipp forbiddne : Hence Bernard, lib. 2. de consideratione ad Eugenium : " I ergo tu &
tibi usurpare aude aut Dominans Apostolatum, aut Apostolicus dominatum." Third, That
such as doe betacke themselves to a sacred warf'air should not involve themselves in the
thinges of this lyfe, 2d Timothy ii. 4, except in poynt of necessitye, 1st Corinthians iv. 12.
Fourth, Because they are not able for to wait upon bothe, 2d Corinthians ii. 16; they
are to be constant labourers, which gives no vacance to other affaires. Fifth, The apostles
wer not able to undergoe two ecclesiasticall functiones, Actes vi. 2 ; erant tamen utraque
haec munia Eeclesiastica ; ct Gregorius I. citante Gratiano in decreto dist. 89. from Romans
xii. 6, 7, argues a minori ad majus ; hence two church offices incompatible, ergo, much mor
a church one and a civill one. Sixth, He instanceth Can. Apost. can. 6, et can. 81 et 83 ;
et Cyprian, lib. i. epist. 9 ; et Clemens Rom. in epist. ad Jac. fratrem Domini ; et Syne-
sius, bishop of Ptolemais, telling us, " lUicitum esse jungere civilem virtutem cum sacer-
dotio" ; Hilarius Pictaviensis ad Auxentium, " Anne aliquam sibi a palatio dignitatem
sumpserunt Apostoli?"; also Gratian, Decret. part. i. dist. 88, 89; Bernard, de consid. ad
Eugen. lib. 2: "' Clericus qui secularibus negotiis se immiscet est irregularis "
He ansuers Augustin, in Psalm 118. cone. 24. complaining that he was vexed with law
decisiones, grounded on 1st Corinthians vi. 4; That Augustine mistooke the text, 1st Cor.
vi. 4. ; that Paule meanes that causes ought to be referred to the most contemptible amongst
the Christians rather then the chiefe amongst the Heathen, and that thes most contemptible
wer not churche men. He addes, that the civilians tell us that churche men grew not
judges till corrupt times, and that. First, It was in civill thinges ; Second, It was with con-
sent of pairtye ; Third, It was by way of decreet arbitrall ; Finally, He referres us to Hist.
Concil. Trident, lib. 4, to reade ther how church men grew civill judges.
But Mr. Spang, or his informer, is too confusd in his arguments, for we ought heer to
distinguish betuixt the legislative and executive power of the lawe : Secondly, Betuixt
councell and advyce, or expresst consente, to a law mackinge : Thirdly, Distinguish be-
twixt lawes civill and criminall.
His arguments may happily imply that church men ought not to be judges in criminall
causes, which is tackne pre confesso ; or that they ought not to be ordinar judges in civill
causes, as in a sessione ; which would prove a great abstractione to them from their call-
inge. This is for the executive pairt of the law.
But it will not be denyd that in macking of lawes ther advyce ought to be had ; this is
graunted by all (because they oftne understande cases of conscience beste). And next, to
deney them a vote of explicite consent, by ther representatives, in macking thes lawes, which
they must be subject too, is against all sence and reason, quia, quod omnes tangit, ab omni-
bus tractari debet ; if this be not graunted, they are made slaves to all the states of a launde.
Finalljt, I doe not see how Mr. Spange his argumentes will debarre them from the
Kinges councell, by his oune concession, that they ought to remonstrate and be advysed
with in matters of weight ; to which I adde, that a prince cannot be hindred to consult in
matters of weight with the ablest men in his kyngdome, nay, as himself shall macke choise
of, and no church man can be a good subjects and refoose his best advyce to his prince as
oftne as it is called for by the magistrate.
Cn. C] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 165
Nevertheless, befor the sessione ended, thev was a comissione of minis- A. D. 103S.
ters appoynted to waite upon the parliament, which was to meete in Maye
followinge, who wer to represent to that parliament all the grievaunces of
the churche/'' To thes warrant was given to have a speciall care, ne quid
detrimenti caperet ecclesiaS'^^
Thus was the foundatione laide of that extravagant churche judicatorye,
which wantes all precedent in all antiqwitye ; which, in the following yeares,
grew so troublesome to the state, that by ther raeanes the churche, which
befor had but fourteen votes in parliament, did usurpe a negative vote upon
the parliament, as was cleare in the matter of the Engadgement, anno 1648.
We will see this judicatory, which heer appeared but lycke a cloude of the
bignesse of ones hande, in end, in the yeares following, covering the whole
heavene, and growne formidable to thoise who, without any jus divinum, for
promovall of selfish interests, had created it: The Comissione of the
Churche, Imeane, which in following Assemblyes was lickd into a shape, mid-
wyfed by polititians, and its power added to it by peece meale, in a surrepti-
tiouse waye ; not all at once, for that would have startled the creators of it of
the ministrye, who did beginne to qwarell with its usurpatione too late, when
by its meanes they wer thrust out by dosens and scores from the ministrye,
for serving and promovall of the endes of thes noblemen and churchmen,
whos actiones in ende proved the destructione of ther illustriouse and relli-
giquse prince ; the lawes and libertyes of the kyngdome ; the churche go-
vernment and ministrye, and for a conclusion, either did malecontent the
cheife actors, or made them sclaves or beggers, or bothe, and the countrey
a feeld of bloode, rapine, and oppressione.
C. It is not to be forgottne, that in the ende of this Assemblj'e Mr. An- Mr. Andrew
drew Cante,''^ who, fi'ora very obscure beginnings, had been a teacher of the
(1) [Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 148.]
(2) [Historia Motuum, p. 286.]
(3) [This person, from whose name it has been said that the word cant is derived, was
born in the year 1584, probaljly of obscure parents. He was educated in The King's Col-
lege of Aberdeen, where he became Humanist or teacher of Latin, in 1614. He was
soon afterwards appointed to the benefice of Alford ; whence he was translated to the
church of Pitsligo. He was removed to Newbottle in 1639, and to Aberdeen in 1640. He
remained there until the Restoration, when, retiring to the south, he deserted his charge,
from which he was soon afterwards formally de])osed. He died on the 30th April, 1663, in
the seventy-ninth year of his age, and in the forty-ninth of his ministry. He was interred
beside the west wall of the churchyard of St. Nicholas, in Aberdeen, where his tombstone
yet remains. His grandson, of the same name, was, in 1722, consecrated a bishop of the
Scotish Episcopal Church ; he died in 1728, leaving, among other works, some sermons
upon the Festival of the Nativity, and on the Martyrdom of King Charles I.]
166
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. III.
A. D. 1G38.
Index and
Acts of As-
sembly. Acts,
etc. to be read
in])ulpits.
Mr. Arcliibald
Johnston and
Mr. Roljort
Dalgleish to
license the
l)ress. Yearly
Assemblies.
Mr. Robert
Blair trans-
])orted to St.
Andrews.
Lex Rex.
Procurator's
place. Rati-
fication a|)-
plied for.
grammer, first in Old Aberdeen Universitye ; then minister of Afoord in
Marre ; afterwarde brought to Pittsligo church in Buchan ; beganne now,
for his zeale to the Covenant, to be as much in request, as, for his none
conformitye, he had been out of fashion whilst the bishopps swayd. Bishop
Patrick Forbesse did tollerate him ; and his want of learning to mantane his
opinions, made him contemptible to the learned Doctors of Aberdeen, who
tooke no notice of him. This last yeare he grew mor eminent by his zeale
to the promovall of the Covenant ; and in order to a furder stepp to his pre-
ferrment, this Assembly transplanted him to Newbottle,(') hard at the portes
of Edinburgh, wher some daye, it was thought, he might enter the pulpitt
as ther minister. But his insociable temper qwelld the citty and ministrye
of Edinburgh towards him ; and therfor, after not long stay at Newbottle,
he was, by the Covenanting factione of Aberdeen, some yeares after, thrust
upon that towne ; and, in compensatione of that service done to him, in anno
1648 he was the maine persecuter of Sir Patrick Lesly, provost, who had
the cheife hande in bringing him thither. During the power of the Cove-
nanters, he was dreadfull to that miserable towne ; after the English grew
maisters of Scottlande, neither lovd, nor feard, but mockd.
Another acte was paste, ordaining the commissioners from presbytrys
and burroughs presently to gett under the clerkes handes an index of the
actes of the Assembly, till theye be printed, and therafter to extracte them
and to carrye them home and registrate them in presbytrye and sessions
bookes, the generall actes viz. This was the first acte that was past in the
last sessione of the Assembly, December twentieth, die Jovis.
Then was ther a new article drawne upp, to be added to the Covenant,
and all who had formerly subscrybed it ordained for to subscrybe it de
(1) I" Wednesday the 19th was the twenty-fifth session. In it a number of supplications
for ministers to transport, and of people to have ministers transported to them ; but not one
of these required transportation. Mr Andrew Cant was too easily (we thought) induced
to be transported from Pitsligo to Newbottle." Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 146.
" My Lord Lowthian presented ane supplication to the Assemblie, anent the transporta-
tion of Mr Androw Cant from Pitsligo to Newbotle, in the Presbitrie of Dalkeith.
" Moderatour said — It would seerne reasonable your Lordship should get a favourable
answer, considering your diligence and zeale in this cause above many uthers, and I know
this not to be a new motion, but to be concludit by the Patron, Presbitrie, and Paroche.
" The Commissioner of Edin^ alleadged that they had made an election of him 24 yeares
since.(i)
" Then the matter was put to voitmg — Whether Mr Andi-o Cant should be transported
from Pitsligo to Edinburgh ? And the most pairt of the Assembly voited to his transplan-
tation to Newbotle; and so the Moderatour declaired him to be Minister at Newbotle."
Records of the Kirk, p. 167.]
(1) [See Calderwood, pp. 756, 788, 802.]
Ch. C] history of scots affairs. 167
novo, with the following additione, wherby the sence of it, which was so A. D. Ifi38.
much controverted betuixt them and the Kings comissionair, was putt out
of questione : And withall they did ordaine that the Covenant, with that ad-
ditional! declaration, ad perpetuam rei memoriam, should be insert in all
church registers. The declaratione was this :
" The article of this Covenant which was at the first subscriptione re-
ferred to the determiuatione of the Generall Assemblye, being now determind
at Glasgow, in December 1638; and therby the Fyve Articles of Pearthe,
and the governement of the kirke by bishopps, being declared to be abjured
and removed, the civill places and power of kirkmen declared to be un-
laufull ; We subscrybe acording to this determinatione of the said free and
laufuU Generall Assembly holdne at Glasgow. "O
This acta not only explicitly ownd ther determinatione in that particular,
but heerby subscribents wer tyd to ratifie ther Assemblye as free and laufull ;
and whither such an oath could be tackne knowingly by all subscribents,
since it depended upon matter of facte as weall as right, lett the reader judge.
But this was not all ; for it was seconded with ane acte appoynting all
ministers [to intymate] in ther pulpitts ther explanatione of the Confessione
of Faithe ; the acte against episcopacye ; the acte against the Five Arti-
cles ; the acte against the Service Booke, Canons, Ordination, High Comis-
sione ; and the actes of the respective excommunications and depositions of
the prelatts.(2)
And because severall papers the yeares past had been printed against the
Covenant, therfor the teyes of all printing presses wer putt into the handes
of Mr. Archbald Johnstone, clerke, (who in one of the former sessiones was
appoynted to be church advocate, as Mr. Robert Dalgleish was ordained
church agent). The ordinance bore that nothing that concerned the actes
of this Assembly, nor any treatise which concerned the churche, should be
printed without Mr. Archibald Johnstons warrant and approbation, under
paine of all ecclesiasticall censure ; and this lyckwayes to be intimated with
other actes.(^)
(0 [Records of the Kirk, p. 40.]
(2) llbid. p. 47.]
(3) [Records of the Kirk, p. 39 ; Historia Motuum, p. 286. " Our meaning," says Baillie,
" in the act of printing is, to give to our cleik the inspection alone of such treatises as con-
cerns the church-registers. However, some words of the act sounds farther ; yet I think the
youth understands no more ; and if he took an universal superintendency of our presses, it
would soon be remedied." Letters, vol. i. p. 149.]
168 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
The King animadvertes upon it, That it was a prettye acte, that he might
print nothing concerning ecclesiasticall polity and governement, except John-
stoune should give him leave.")
Next it was ordained, because the Marquesse of Hamiltoune had alreadye
printed a declaratione contrare to ther sence of the Covenant, that the
Kings Majesty should be supplicate to cause all subscrybe it in ther sence.
But in the interim they discharge all from subscrybinge the Covenant, so
far wrested from its right meaning as the Kings comissioner had done, under
paine of all ecclesiasticall censure ; but that they subscrybe it acording to
ther declaratione.(-)
This acte the King called a most traiterouse acte, because the very
termes and wordes of it containe high treasone.C')
It was lyckwayes enacted, that all presbytryes should keep a solemne
thankesgiving in all paroshuss for Gods blessing and good successe in this
Assembly, upon the first convenient Sabbathe ; which was seconded (as has
been said befor) with ane acte against all such as are malitiouse against this
churche, declyners or disobeyers of the actes of the Assemblye.
And because for want of summonds under the clerkes hand against the
bishopps, they had been latelye put to ther wittes ende how to summond the
bishopps to answer the Assemblye, therfor they would be sure to preveen
the lycke in tymes comming. To which pourpose ane acte was past, war-
ranting the moderator and clerke to give out summonds, upon relevant
complaintes, against pairties, to compeer befor the next Assemblye. (■*)
And least they should be at the paines to supplicate the Kinge any
mor for Generall Assemblyes, they passed an actet^^ declaringe. First,
That by divine, ecclesiasticall, and civill warrants, the church of Scott-
land has power and libertye to assemble and conveen in her yearly Ge-
nerall Assemblyes, and oftner, jjro re nata, as occasione and necessitye shall
requyre.
Second, They ordaine, by vertwe of this (intrinsicke) power, the next
Generall Assemblye to conveene and meete at Edinburgh (which thence
fordward for its vicinity to parliaments and comittyes of state, was made
(1) [The King's Large Declaration, p. 323.]
(2) [Records of the Kirk, p. 40.]
(3) [The King's Large Declaration, p. 323.]
(4) [Records of the Kirk, p. 47.]
(5) [Ibid. p. 40.]
Ch. C] history of scots affairs. 169
the seatt of Assemblyes), upon the thirde Wedingsdaye of July 1639, warn-
ing all interest, for to send ther comissioners thither.
Third, They give power to the presbytrye of Edinburgh, jiro re nata,
and upon any urgent extraordinarye occasione (if any happne befor the
dyet appoynted in July), to call ane occasionall Assemblye : A preiveleidge
which the patriarche of Rome, in the purest tymes of the churche, never
had nor durst seeke from the Empperor of Rome, over the empyre and
churches therof.
Fourth, And that the members might be all sownde, it was enacted that
none be capable to voice in GeneraU Assemblyes, but such as shall be
knowne to be subscrybers of the Covenant, in the sence that it is now in-
terpreted by the Assembly ; as also all suche as shall acknowledge the con-
stitutione of this Assembly (0 : Which acte was for to obviate doubtfuU
comissiones or contrary votes in posterum.
It was lyckwayes at this sessione that Mr. Robert Blaire (of whom I
spocke befor) was ordained to be transplanted from Aire to Saint Andrewes,
as a man fitte to promove the endes of the Covenant in this universitye
towne, as Mr. Alexander Henderson at Edinburgh, Mr. David Dickson at
Glasgow, and Mr. Andrew Cant at Aberdeene. Thes four pillers of the
Covenant wer to be sett inspectors over the four universitye cittyes, which,
for that or otherwayes, are the most considerable pairtes of the kyngdome.
The King, in his Large Declaratione,* putts his note to this acte, that
Mr. Robert Blaire had been expelled out of the Universitye of Glasgow by
the professors ther not many yeares befor, for teaching his scollars, in his
lectures upon Aristotle, that monarchicall government was unlaufull. Now,
for such a man to be made by them professor of divinitye in the pryme uni-
versitye of Scottland, whether he could endure it, he leaves to all to judge.
Yet he was forced to endure it, and much worse ; and few yeares after
the publishing of his Majestys Large Declaratione, did lett the world see
that ther was as little or lesse reasone for the Kinge, or any orthodoxe pro-
testante, for to endure, his colleague Mr. Samuell Rutherfoords booke,
called Lex Rex,(-^) printed at London (with parliamentary preiveleidge, if I
(1) [Records of the Kirk, p. 47.]
• Pctff. 324.
(2) [Lex, Rex : The Law and the Prince. A Dispute for the just Prerogative of King
and People. Containing the Reasons and Causes of the most necessary Defensive Wars of
the Kingdom of Scotland, and of their Expedition for the ayd and help of their dear
Brethren of England. In which their Innocency is asserted, and a full Answer is given to
a Seditious Pamphlet, Intituled, Sacra-sancta Regum Majestas, or The Sacred and Royall
170 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. Ill
A. D. 1638. rightly remember), in which booke he comes nothing short of Buchanan De
jure Regni, and Henricus Stephanus his Junius Brutus,i^) and others of that
gange. One thing Mr. Samuell Retorfortis transcendes such as worotte
befor him on that subjecte, that (as in his other bookes), he soars with sub-
lime distinctiones, et caput intra nubila condit ; most pairt wherof are not to
be understoode by ordinar capacityes ; for many of which he is beholding to
Gregory de Valentia, a Jesuite ; which is but to robbe the Egyptians for a
better ende.
Another acte was past, for representing to the parliament the necessitye
of the standing of the procurators place for the kirke.
The last acte and conclusione of the Assemblye, was an ordinance for ane
humble supplicatione to be sent to the Kinge his Majestye, for gaining the
ratificatione of the ensewng parliament to ther actings in this Assemblye,
and withall to thanke the Kinge for graunting to them a free laufuU As-
semblye. This supplication was contryved in forme of a synodicke epistle,
and is long, acording to ther uswaU straine. The summe of it was to this
pourpose li-)
That they wer thankefull and sencible of his Majestyes favour in graunt-
ing to them a free Assemblye ; that all alonge they had sought a blessing
upon the Kings government ; that they had carryd with such moderatione
as became loyall and dutifull subjectes ; that had the King been present he
would have approved all ther actinges ; that it was ther sorrow that his Ma-
jestyes commissioner had, all the whyle he sate, runn so crosse to ther actings.
Prerogative of Christian Kings; Under the Name of J. A. But penned by Jo: Maxwell
the Excommunicate P. Prelat. With a Scripturall Confutation of the ruinous Grounds of
W. Barclay, H. Grotius, H. ArnisiEus, Ant. de Domi. P. Bishop of Sjjalato, and of other
late Anti-Magistratical Royalists ; as, The Author of Ossorianum, D. Fern, E. Syramons,
the Doctors of Aberdeen, &c. In XL IV. Questions. Published by Authority. 1 Sam.
12. 25. But if you shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your King.
London : Printed for lohn Field, and are to be sold at his house upon Addle-hill, neer Bay-
nards-Castle. Octob. 7. 1644. At the Restoration this work was condemned as seditious
and treasonable, and its circulation prohibited, by the Committee of Estates, by whose orders
probably it was afterwards burned at Edinburgh and St. Andrews, by the hands of the
hangman. Wodrow's Hist, of Ch. of Scot. vol. i., pp. 76, 84. edit. 1829. Kirkton's Hist,
of Ch. of Scot. p. 121.]
(0 [The author refers to the celebrated work, Vindicise contra Tyrannos : sive de Princi-
pis in Populum, Populique in Principem, Legitima Potestate, Stephano Junio Bruto Celta
auctore, Edinburgi, 1579,conmionly ascribed to Hubert Languet, the correspondent of Buch-
anan and the friend of Sir Philip Sydney. Gordon is not the only one who has mistaken
the name of the author for the title of the book. See the Dissertation concernant le livre
D'Etienne Junius Brutus, which Bayle has appended to his Dictionnaire.]
(2) [Records of the Kirk, pp. 40 — 42.]
Ch. CL]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
171
and, finally, had commanded them to ryse, for no just cause but unwilling-
nesse to sitt longer ; that his commande to them to ryse may endure a tryall
of his Majestyes parliament, or of the Kings owne judgement, if it wer
lawfully done ; that they choosed rather to sitt still then obey, because of the
great trouble in church and state that would have followed if they had risne ;
that heerin they doubted not of his Majestyes approbatione, having doubled
ther circumspeetione in straight walking after the comissionaire left them ;
that they had proceeded acording to Gods worde, and former actes of the
churche, and Confessione of Faithe ; that they had rather reveived old
actes then approved innovations brought in without order ; that all wer
heerin so cleare, that if they had done otherwayes, it would have been to
have fought against God ; that best men are worst spocke of; that even Ba-
laam was misreported ; that truth was the daughter of tyme ; that they hoped
the King would keep ane eare opne for them ; that they wer content to be
thought the worst of all men, if in all ther actiones they had not aimed at
Gods glory, reformatione, and the Kings honour ; that they had keept
within ther owne limitts, without debording or reflecting upon the constitu-
tions of other reformed churches, to all whom they wishd weall, and by
whom they hoped to be approvne ; that if they had failed, it was by lenitye ;
that if they had failed in any of ther actings, contrarye to ther intentiones,
they begged that his anger for ther en'ors should be chaunged into a calme ;
and, finally, that what they had done might be ratifyd in INIaye next, in the
ensewing parliament, etc.
CI. The moderator concluded the Assembly with thankes to God for
ther good successe, to the Kinge, for graunting them ane free Assemblye :
and then he gave thankes to each one present, for ther assistaunce, acording
to ther deservings, and particularly, with a speeche, to Argylle, whom he
thanked for his presence and his councell, which had proved so strenthning
and comfortable to them. Argylle ansuered with a long speeche ;* first
entreating all present not to misconstrue his too late declaring himselfe for
them, protesting that he was alwayes sett ther waye, but had delayd to
professe it, so long as he fownde his close can-iadge might be advantageouse
to ther cause ; but now of late, matters had come to such ane height, that he
founde it behoved him to adjoyne himself openly to ther societye, except he
should prove a knave : Then he exhorted them all to unitye, wishing all, but
N. B.
Moderator
concludes the
Assembly.
Argyle's
speech.
King's excep-
tions to Ar-
gyle's speech.
See Large Declaration, pag. S-25. [Balfour's Annales, vol. ii., p. 315]
172 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. speciaOy ruling elders and ministers, to keep a good correspondence; he
intreated aU the ministers to considder what had brought bishopps to ruine,
viz. pryde and avarice ; and therfor willed them to shunne thes two rockes,
if they would escape shippwracke.
The King, in his declaratione,* exceptes against Argylles speech,
First, That he delyvered the true sence of the covenanters concerninge the
bishopps ; because it was neither (sayes the King) the bishopps bringing in
of novationes, nor the crymes alledged against them, that incensed the
covenanter nobilitye against the bishopps, but ther feare of the bishopps
rysing in dignitye and place, which is calld pryde, and that the bishopps
might recover the church laundes from them, which is called avarice by
Argylle. And whether it bee pryde to envy any mans rysing in churche
and commonwealthe, acording to that worth and sufficiencye that his prince
shall fynde in him, or whether it be avarice for any man legally to seeke to
recover ther owne, he leaves to the reader to judge.
As for Argylle, who made that speeche, the King ansuers, That at his
last being with the King in England, befor the synod of Glasgow (at which
tyme, sayes the King, he had, which no body can deneye, good reasone to
misdoubte him), he gave him assuraunce that he would rest fully satisfeed,
if the King would performe thes thinges which his Majestic had made good
by his last declaratione, wherin (sayes the King) he graunted mor then at
that tyme he did promise, so that, his Majesty sayes, he had little reasone for
to expecte Argylle his adjoyning himself to them, he having givne such
assuraunce to him of the contrarye, besyde the assuraunce which he gave
to the Marquis of Hamiltoune when he was in Scottlande : Whence the King
concludes, that if it wer true that, by his oune confessione, he carryd thinges
clossely all the whyle for the Covenanters advauntage, he being then one of
the lords of the Kings privye councell, and that, in ende, he must openly
joyne with them or be a knave ; what he hath proved himself to bee by this
closse and false carriadge, lett the world judge ; So farr the King his com-
mentair upon Argylls declaratione.
This is plaine EngHsh ; and the Kings downe right langwage heer con-
cerning Argylles honestye may be thought none of the least causes why
this his Declaratione in the following Assemblyes,(') and specially in the
• Large Declaration, ibid. [p. 326.]
(1) [See Records of the Kirk, pp. 263—268, 206.]
Ch. cii..] history of scots affairs. 173
parliament 1641, was so hottly persecuted, and Dr. Balcanqwell as author A. D. inss.
therof (thoutrh it be better knowne then to be deneyed that Balcanqwell
penned no pairt of it but by the Kings oversight and speciall directione, who
revised it all), that nothing would satisfee till, by acte of parliament, it was
condemnd and cryd downe as ane infamouse lybell, containing I cannot tell
how many hundereths of lyes in it, albeit to this hower they durst never
macke ther challendge goode. But, as the tymes did rule then, ane acte of
parliament was ansuer eneuch to it.
When Argylle had ended his speeche, the one hundreth and thirty-third
psalme was sunge ; and then, after prayer, the Assemblye was brockne upp
after a moneths sitting at Glasgow. (•)
CII. Besyde such exceptiones as are already spokne of against the His oxceptions
freedome and laufuUnesse of this Assembly, I have heer added, by way of r! ' Assem-
appendix, the exceptiones that the King tooke against it, as they are to bee
seene in his Large Declaratione, par/. 311, et seqq.
First, Wheras they did refoose to treate befor the hande with the com-
missioner for right ordering of thinges befor the Assembly, alledging that
all thinges must be treated upon the place, ther table did prepare all
thinges both by publicke and private instructiones : vide supra. i'^)
Second, Some presbytryes choosed comissioners befor the indictione of
the Assemblye, which made the electione null.
Third, At the choise of thes comissioners, ther wer mor laye elders then
ministers who voted, which practise is contrare to the appoyntement of ther
bookes of policye ; and thes bookes, then not ratifyd by parliament, and
ruling elders prescrybed by forty yeares desswetude, therfor ought to have
been first reveived by a new law, ere they gott any voice.
Fourth, In several presbytryes, the laye elders disagreed from the
ministers in the electione of a commissionaire, and carryd it by vote, though
ministers better knew who was fittest be a commissionair.
Fifth, Some laye elders wer but newly chosne, so that, never having
been elders befor, they wer most unfitt to sitt in a Generall Assem-
Sixth, Ruling elders, by ther institutione, are to watche over the people
(1) [" The assembly being thus happily concluded, Mr. Henderson said, We have now
cast down the walls o/' Jericho ; Let him that rebiiildeth them beware of the curse of ^\e\
the Bcthelite." Stevenson's Hist, of Ch. of Scot., vol. ii., p. 676.]
(2) [Vol. i., pp. 183—187.]
174 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1038. in the presbytryes wher they live ; but some war chosne elders for paroshins
wher they had no residence actwally.
Seventh, The ruling elders had assessors chosne and sent with them, by
whoise consent they voiced; which is contrary to all law and practise.
Eighth, Many presbytryes protested against ruling elders, and did sup-
plicate against them.
Ninth, Many fittest to be comissioners wer cast, and few chosne who had
ever been at ane Assembly befor ; some wer chosne who wer under church
censures, some who wer expelled out of Universities for teaching ther
scollars against monarchicall govemement, some who had been banishd for
seditiouse behaviour, others banished out of Irelande, some under the sen-
tence of excommunicatione, some who wanted ordinatione, some ministers
elected and admitted contrarye to standing canons, all chosne by lay-elders.
Tenth, Diverse members of the Assembly were at the home ; and so
wer uncapable of voice.
Eleventh, Three oathes wer to be tackne by every member of the
Assemblye : First, The oath of Confession of Faithe ; Second, The oath
of supremacye ; Third, The oath of alleadgance : Any of thes three
oathes who does refoose, cannot sitt as a judge in any court of that
kyngdome.
Twelfth, That church men wanted ther habite, not a gowne but two ;
noblemen and gentlemen, in colourd clothes and swordes, etcM) ; lay elders,
(1) [" At Glasffow the Marquis found the greatest confluence of People, that perhaps
ever met in these parts of Europe at an Assembly. The Marquis judged it was a sad sight
to see such an Assembly, for not a Gown was among them all, but many had Swords and
Daggers about them." Burnet's Memoires of the Hamiltons, p. 93.
" With much ado could we throng into our places The magistrates, with their
town-guard, the noblemen, with the assistance of the gentry, could not get us entry to our
rooms, use what force, what policy they could, without such delay of time and thrusting
through, as grieved and offended us. Whether this evil be common to all nations at all
public confluences, or if it be proper to the rudeness of our nation alone, or whether in thir
late times, and admiration of this new reformation, have at all publick meetings stirred up
a greater than ordinary zeal in the multitude to be present for hearing and seeing, or what
is the special cause of this irremediable evil, I do not know ; only I know my s])ecial offence
for it, and wish it romeided above any evil that ever I knew in the service of God among
us. As yet no appearance of redress. It is here alone, I think, we might learn from Can-
terbury, yea from the Pope, yea from the Turks or Pagans, modesty and manners ; at least
their deep reverence in the house they call God's ceases not till it have led them to the
adoration of the timber and stones of the place. We are here so far the other way, that
our rascals, without shame, in great numbers, makes such din and clamour in the house of
the true God, that if they minted to use the like behaviour in my chamber, I would not be
content till they were down the stairs." Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 96.]
Ch. civ.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
175
one or two, speackiiig almost all thinges ; ministers speaking- seldome ; and
so great a lycklyhood that all was made worke and praeagreement, * that
seldome or never was ther a contradictory vote, so that the calling of the
list was tediouse, after the firste voter, Mr. Alexander Carse gave his
voice, which proved the leading voice of the Assembly ; the lycke never
heard of in any Grieke nor Latine Councell that any fathers judgement
was so absolutlye followed, et cet.
cm. I have heard it constantly aiErmed (severall yeares after that As-
sembly sate,) by knowing men, that it was certaine that a very considerable
number of tlie rainistrye came thither with intentione to have voted farr
otherwayes in many thinges then they afterwards did ; but that, after ther
coming ther, ther wer many of them laide off by the influence of half a
dosen of leading men, pairtly through feare, and pairtly out of despaire
that ther votes would doe any good ; and therfor resolved for to serve the
tymes, and runne with the streame rather than with ther consciences ;
which (if it wer true) coulde not be commendable in the actors, though they
had voted right upon the matter. Whether this wer truth or not, I shall
not peremptorly determine ; albeit it is a great presumption therof that, not
many yeares afterwarde, severall ministers and rulinge elders, who had
sittne comissioners in the Assembly of Glasgow, fell ofi" so far from ther
principalis that it cost sundrye of thes ministers ther places ; to whom,
upon the chaunge of ther opinions, the rest of the confederacye turnd
implacable enemyes ; and, having throwne them out of ther benefices, wold
never sutfer them to reenter ther, and scarcly (some of them), after a pros-
titute humiliatione, to any place within the church of Scottland againe.
And it is weall knowne that some of ther eminent ruling elders, who had
been heer active and voters for them, wer sacrificed to the indignatione of
the rest upon scaffolds and gibbetts ; in bringing of whom to justice or exe-
cutione, the cheife leading men of the ministrye of the confederacye wer
the most active of anye ; or at least not behynde with thoise whom nothing
but ther blood could satisfee for their apostacye.
CIV. The members of the Assembly are dismissed : It is high tyme to
follow the Kings comissioner, who, since his leaving the Assembly, pub-
lished ane interpretatione of the Covenantee) about the tyme of his coming
A. D. I6:i8.
Many minis-
ters drawn
aside Ijy in-
fluence.
King's De-
claration
against the
Assembly-
* Vide supra, pag. [39.]
(1) [It is printed in the King's Large Declaration, pp. 327 — 33".]
176 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. to Edinburgh ; but, during the tyme of the Assemblyes sitting, having ad-
vertished the King of all that past (who wanted not advertishraent besyde),
and that ther wer many informations spreade thorough Edinburgh and other
places which wer nothing to the Kinges advauntage, but, on the contrare,
that the King had made little or nothing good of all that was contained in
his last declaratione, dated Edinburgh, September twenty-second : The
King thought it needfull, by a speedy dispatche, for to ordaine the comis-
sioner, by a new Declaratione once mor to undeceave the people, befor the
comissioner should returne to Londone. It was dated at Whytehall, De-
cember eighth, 1638, and publickly proclaimed at the mercatt crosse of
Edinburgh, December eighteenth, in that same yeare, Tewsday, which day
was the twenty-fourth sessione of the Assembly of Glasgow, much to the
pourpose followingeC) :
First, He shewes all his coneessiones by former proclamationes ; howbeit,
they had blocked up the castle of Edinburgh, and would suffer no ammuni-
tione to be imported to any of his castells (aue unparalelld acte) : Second,
Wer keeping up a judicatorye contrare to civill authoritye, directing orders
from thence to all pairtes of the natione, and reqwyring obedience therunto ;
that they had chosne illegalle members, and in ane illegall way, to sitt in ther
Assemblye, had thrust in laick elders, and thrust out many moderators, and
had sent privat instructiones for bringing up of comissioners ; wherby the
Assembly was praelimited. Yet he had suffered all, hoping upon his conces-
sions that they would have returned to ther obedience ; but that, upon the
contrarye, they had resorted to the Assembly in great troopes and in armes,
contrarye to his proclamation, November sixteenth ; had refoosed his Co-
missioner assessors, or to read the bishopps reasones, till a moderator wer
chosne. Howbeit, he had caused his Comissioner, by his declaratione to
be registred in ther Assembly bookes, to discharge all thes thinges, viz.,
Service Booke, Pearth Articles, etc., which theye looked upon as greiv-
aunces ; yet he founde that nothing will content them except they may be
licenced to overturne episcopacye and standing lawes. He was forced for
that reasone, and diverse others, importing true monarchicall governement,
for to dissolve ther Assemblye, yet in a calme waye, and to command them
to ryse under paine of treasone ; yet that they had sittne still in ther pre-
tended Assembly, etc. Therfor his Majesty thought it necessar to forwarne
(1) [See tlie King's Large Deciariition, pp. 366 — 374.]
Ch. cv.] history of scots affairs. 177
all his good subjectes that they be not insnared by thes ther unlaufull pro- A. D. Ifi-i8.
cedurs, and prohibites them to obey ther actes, and frees them from all the
penaltyes or dainger they may incurre for disobedience to them, and for-
bidds all ministers or judicatoryes of the churche to justitie or to execute
the actes of ther unlaufull meating at Glasgow, and commands all lords,
barrens, etc., to tacke notice of all such ministers, etc., as doe otherwayes ;
and furder prohibitts all judges, clerks, wrytters, etc., not to passe anye bUl,
summonds, etc., in order to the excecutione of any of ther Assembly actes.
And since he has declared the true sence of the Confession of Faith, sub-
scribed anno 1580, not to be destructive to episcopacye, heerfor he dis-
charges and inhibitts all good subjectes from subscrybing it in any contrare
sence. And, iinally, he promises to protect all his good subjectes who
shall disowne that pretended Assembly and ther actinges.
C V. This proclamatione was answered that same very day, by a very long The Assem-
protestatione, at the merkatt crosse of Edinburgh, which was afterward en- ^ly's Protes-
larged and revised by Mr. [Archibald] Johnstone, and printed in January j^.g^.
followinge; wherof I shall only give yow the short summe, with the Kings
animadversiones therupon, for it would be very tediouse to the reader for to
peruse it all, for it containes no lesse than seven sheet of paper in folio.*
First, They call themselves comissioners from presbytryes, brughes, and
from universityes, sitting in a full and free Generall Assemblye.
The King exceptes, and saves. Its false ; for, sayes he, ther was not, after
his comissioner left the Assemblye, any one comissioner from any universitye
in Scottland which did not desert them.
Against the narrative in the preface of ther protestatione, the Kinge
sayes, It is false that he did indicte ane Assembly, with praelimitations de-
structive therunto. Secondly, That it is as false that this was made cleare
to his commissioner. Thirdly, He sayes. It is false that his commissioner left
them, either without just reasone, or unexpectedly ; and the proofe of this
he referres to the vei-y history of ther actings. Fourthly, He sayes. It is as
false that his commissioner dissolved the Assembly without any warrant of
the councell, being that the proclamation was subscrybed by the handes of
the councellers.
For ther gwarding the castell of Edinburgh, they answer. They are war-
ranted not to lett any ammunition be imported ther by the law of nature,
* See Large Declaration, pag. 375.
178 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
and by the municipal! lawes of Scottlande. They say that the ammunitione
was to have been secrettly conveyed in thither for to terrifie them, Edin-
burgh being one of the cheefe places of ther meetings ; therfor they pre-
veend it, quia solus pojmli suprema lex. The safety of the public is the end
of laufull power.
The King replyes. That is true ; but that he, and the councell, and his
judges, and the rest of his loyall subjectes are the publicke ; wheras
mutineers and rebellsare but a private and schismaticall pairte, though never
so manye.
Next, they say. That in parliament 2, act 3, Jacobi II., it is ordaind that
wher ther is any violent presumptione of spoyling the countrey, the lievtenant
is to raise the countrey, and to passe to such castells wher unruly men are,
and tacke soverty of ther persones within thes houses.
The King replyes, But not without or against the Kinges commande ;
his generall (much lesse any lievetenant of his) cannot doe that.
Secondly, They saye. That though thes castells be the Kinges property,
yet they are annexed, first for the poverty of the Crowne, James II., parliament
11, acte 41, and are to be disposed by advyce of full parliament. Thirdly,
9 acte, 9 parliament, James VI., the castell of Edinburgh is acknowledged
to be one of the four strenthes which ought to be kept to the Kings behoofe
and weallfare of the realme : Therfor the most loyall pairt of the realme
(Which, the King notes upon the margent, the Covenanters are not) have a
maine interest to looke that this castell be not employed to the hurte of the
realme. Fourthly, 12.5 acte, 7 parliament, James VI., calles thes castells the
keyes of the realme : And, therfor, the collective body of the realme have
good right to see ther oune keyes weall kept, for ther owne behoofe, etc.
Heer the King moves a questione. Whither the King or the subjectes
should keepe the keyes of his aune kyngdome?
Fifthly, They saye. That since such as possesse that castell are hindered
by the best pairte of the bodye of the realme from hurting the realme,
therfor they deserve approbatione and thankes from his Majesty in due
tyme, for keeping his evill councellers and badd patriotts from putting hande
unto his best subjectes.
The King replyes. First, But the Covenanters are the worst pairt :
Secondli/, That he tackes them not for such fooles for to expect thankes from
him for ther proceedings ; if they doe it, they are lycke enough to goe with-
out them.
Ch. cv.] history of scots affairs. 179
Sixthly, They saye, That the best and most loyall pairt of his subjectes A. D. 1638.
(since the King is not in the castle himselfe) cannot be challendgod for
barring such as are within it from putting in practise ther violence and ter-
rificationes from out of that castell upon the states, who are shortly to
conveene.
Hear the King telles them, They are the worst and most disloyall pairt of
his subjectes.
Seventhly, They say. That the cronickles declares that the castle of Edin-
burgh was givne to the house of Erskin, hac lege expressa et conditione, tit
nulli nisi conventui ordinum rejmscenti traderent.
Eighthly, They saye, That they have many examples in the Christian
world, and in historyes of other churches and kyngdomes, and of ther owne,
for to punish rebelliouse subjectes, and to preserve the faithfull.
To ther seventh defence the King replyes, and asks, In what historye
be thes wordes? is it not Eeyi as well as conventui ordinum 9 or can ther bee
a convention of the three estates called without the King or his authoritye ?
But withall he gives one generall ansuer. That whatever they say concerning
the gwarding of his castells and fortes, and keeping himself out of them,
containeth no lesse then treasone, and is not to be answered with a penne.
To the objectione of ther meetings at ther Tables, they answer. That any
letters sent from thence wer but only advyce, not commandes, for promovall
of Assembly and Parliament, and supplicating the King.
The King replyes. That the tenour of many of ther letters wer reqwyring
such as they worot too to doe such things as they woidd answer the con-
trarye to the Tables.
Next, they averre, That such meetings are agreable to the dutye of good
subjectes, and want not warrant of fundamentall lawe, being made up of
such members who have place to vote in parliaments, acte 113, pari. 11,
James VI. which ratifies ane acte of parliament, James I. [^antio 1427] that
such votings reqwyre previouse meetings : Quia aliquo concesso, omnia
concessa videntnr, sine qtiihus concessum expediri nequit. Lastly, They say
that ther meetings wer allowed by the councell iirst, then by the comis-
sioner.
The King replyes shortly, That previous meetings wer never without the
calling and authority of the King. Second, He sayes. It is most false that
either councell or commissioner allowed them.
To the objectione that some members of ther Assembly wer under cen-
180 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. sure, they ansuer, That none such could they fynd who wer censured either
in Scottlande or Irelande for laufull causes, or by a laufull judicatorye :
And for the liorning. First, It was suddenly done, after some wer chosne
members, and suspentiones refoosed, though consignatione was offered, and
horning in itself tackes not away a ministers place from him : And, finally.
This was not objected by the comissioner when the severall comissions wer
examined.
The Kings replye is, That it is a peece of presumptione to them for to
judge the actings of other judicatoryes, specially of Irelande. SeconcUij,
That many members of ther Assembly wer denounced to the borne befor
the Assembly was thought upon.
To the objectione of the private instructiones sent from ther Tables,
First, They deney that they wer a publicke deede, or sent to ther know-
ledge. Second, That the phrase of ther Christian liberty is warrantably
spockne, in opposition to ther bondage under the prelatts. As for the other
paper, they ottered to the commissioner to purge themselves upon oathe,
and knew no article therof but the fourth and eighth, concerning chaptermen
and chapellmen, whom, they saye, they had reason to eschew, as being de-
clard for innovationes. As for the eighth article, de episcopatu, de seniori-
bus, de potestate Miif/istratus in synodis convocandis, they say, Ther was
reason for to call such as could dispute thes poyntes, because they had been
proposd by the Doctors of Aberdeene, etc. : That heerby they wer study-
ing to give Cesar his own.
To all this the King replyes. First, That ther instructiones wer not from
the publicke meeting, but from a cabinett councell, who ledd the rest by
the nose, whoise names he knew, etc. Secondly, If it was forged, it was
forged by none but by Covenanters, who from many severall shyres of the
kyngdome did send coppyes of the same, wryttne in the same wordes, to
his commissioner and others, and yet thes Covenanters did not know one
of anotbers sendinge. Thirdly, He deneyes that any man in the Assembly
offered any suche oathe. Yet he doubles not but ther wer many members of
the Assembly who might have tackne that oath safelye, because indeed they
wer never acqwaynted with thes papers ; but his commissioner, he sayes, if
he had been putt to it by the Assemblye, could have named many, specially
some of the nobilitye, gentry, and ministrye, who could not have tackne
that oathe without perjurye. Lastly, Concerning chappell men, he sayes.
First, that neither that article nor the eighth wer published in ther publicke
Ch. cv.] history of scots affairs. 181
instructions (for it would have offended many Covenanters, who wer both A. D. 1638.
chapter men and chappell men) ; and therfor they acknowledging it to be
one of ther instructiones, must needs confesse it to bee amongst ther private
ones. But (he sayes) it is a wounder that men should not be ashamed in
print to avow this ther false and partiall dealinge; for this instructione con-
cerninge chapter men and chappell men was only givne to barre some mo-
derate Covenanting ministers from being chosne comissioners ; for, notwith-
standing this instructione, Mr. Andrew Ramsey, who both was one of the
chapter of Edinburgh and subdeane of the chapell royall, and Mr. Henry
Rollocke, who was prebend of the same chapter, and one of our chappel-
lans, who dwly preached his turnes in our chappell, and some others, fierce
and fyrye revoulted chapter men and chappell men, were chosne comis-
sioners, though the reasone heer exprest was as strong against them as
against the rest.
To the objection that they went to Glasgow armed, they ansuer. That it
was to gwarde them from the Clan Gregor, then in rebellion, banting thes
feelds. Second, That the comissioners convey was lyckways armed. This
last, the King sayes, is most false.
To the objectione that they refoosed to admitte the bishopps Declinator,
or to graunt assessors to the Kings commissioner, they ansuer as has beene
related at lenth befor('); and withall deney that King James or his commis-
sioner had ever assessors graunted to them at laufull Assemblyes, till they
grew corrupt in the latter tymes.
The King replyes to this, That it is a bold and impudent speeche to
afErme that his royall father kept unlaufull Assemblyes, specially when some
of them are confirmed by parliament.
To the objectione that the Kinges declaratione, givne in by Hamiltoun
to the Assembly, might have been satisfactorye, they ansuer, It was not sa-
tisfactorye, as not being a legall securitye for settling peace, nor for purging
out corruptione ; that they wer forced to use the power that God had putt
into ther handes for removing innovationes, since the commissioner would not
stay with them ; for thes thinges which wer established by law, if they wer
only tackne downe by proclamations, and not by lawes, then another pro-
clamation might re-establish them ; and who mor meet to abrogate thes
thinges then Generall Assemblyes, who hath the only power to determine
(1) [See above, vol. i. pp. 141-143 ; vol. ii. pp. 7-'26.]
182 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
D. 1638. concerning matters of Gods publicke worshipp ; and that a legall expulsion
of thes innovations was necessaire, because the prelatts had imposed sundry
of thes innovations by actes of councell ; and then for the matter, it is cer-
taine that sundry popish errors wer a bringing in ; and for the High
Comissione, it was necessaire that both Parhament and Assembly should
abrogate it by ther several sentences, because it had incroatched upon both,
and wanted the consent of either to its establishment. For Pearth Articles,
they saye that a declaratione is not eneuch to repeale actes of Assembly
and of Parhament ; and if the Assembly should have meddled no furder
with them, then it was praelimited, as if it might not judge in matters
meerlye ecclesiasticke, without a licence from the Kings Majestye, wheras
N. B. the Generall Assembly is supreme and independent in matters ecclesiasticall
as the parliament in civil ; and the parliament ratificatione of actes of As-
semblye, its only for adjoyning a civill sanctione, for the greater terror oif
transgressors. Concerning the oath to be givne to intrants, that it shall be
only acording to actes of parliament, they ansuer, That this implyes that
the bishopps shall give oathes to ministers, as if bishopps wer unalter-
able. As for freedome to keep Assemblyes, as oftne as they need, they
ansuer. That the act of parliament, 1592, gives them the freedom of yearly
Generall Assemblyes, or oftner, pro re nata, which this offer refooteth.
Sixthly, Concerninge bishopps to be tryed by Generall Assemblyes, they
ansuer, That implyes that they must not trye ther office ; secondly, they say,
They have been tyed to the lycke befor, but befor and now againe have de-
clyned censure. Seventhly, As to the subscriptione of the Confession of
Faith, in the sence of 1580, they adde to what was said befor. That the
coinraissioner has declared that the subscriptione of it, in that sence, might
subsist with the innovations since introduced, albeit some of the lords of
the Sessione thought it could not subsist with that sence of 1580 to admitte
innovations since. For the rest, they say. It belonges to the Assembly
to give the true sence of it.
To all this the King replyes. First, That God putt never that power in
ther handes which they speacke of, but the devill, who is author of all
seditione and rebellione. Second, That Generall Assemblyes have not
power to determine matters of worshipp, without the authoritye of him or
his successors. Third, That if any thing was practised by authoritye
fi-om the lordes of the councell, it was not strainge, since the Confessione
of Faith, and band annexed, upon which ther Covenant is grownded, wer
Ch. cv.] history of scots affairs. 183
enjoyned at first only by his fathers authoritye and his councell, so that A. D. 1638.
the bookes {viz. of Service and Canons) war commanded by as good
authority as thes. Fourth, Ther tenent that they may judge and deter-
mine in matters meerlye ecclesiasticall, without his licence, he sayes, is a
false and Jesuiticall positione. Fifth, Concerning episcopall governement,
its being controverted, he ansuers, by way of jeere. That it is a fearfull
proposition, forsooth, for to hould episcopall governement to be an un-
controverted governement, which hath continowd in the churche ever
sbce the tyme of Chryst and his Apostles, without the least suspitione
of controversye, untill within thes few yeares. Sixth, To ther asser-
tione of the lords of Sessions declaration of the sence of the Confes-
sione, he sayes, They doe not declare all the truthe ; for of twenty Lords
of the Sessione, only four did it, but the rest who wer present did the con-
trarye.
To the objectione that nothing would satisfie them except they gotte
licence to abrogate episcopall governement, and consequently publick stand-
ing lawes, and one of the three estates, they ansuer, referring themselves to
the acte of Assembly for abolitioneof it, That the reasones may bee seen ther.
Which reasones, contained in that acte, the King sayes, are infaUiblye
false.
They say furder, that, after the commissioner dissolved the Assembly,
yet willing to have returned the next morning, which is alledged in the
proclamatione, they ansuer. They desyred him to returne, but that he re-
foosed. This, the King sayes, is most false.
Wlier it is objected that they sate still after the Assembly was dissolved,
they ansuer, They had reasone, First, Because a comissioner constitute it,
and sate seven dayes with them, and desyred to insert his declaratione in
ther registers. Second, For the reasones in former protestationes. Third,
The Confession of Faith obleidges them to it, which Confession implyes
that it is unlaufull for to breacke upp Assemblyes. Fourth, No law for the N. B.
King to dissolve them, and much lesse for his comissioner so to doe, who
hath ordained it to be kept seciinduni legem et praxin. It is contrary to
the Kings coronotion oathe, who sweares to observe the church preive-
leidges, wherof this is one. Fifth, The Assembly, 1582, sate still, though
charged with horning for to ryse up. Sixth, To dissolve, after so much
meanes, and fastes, and preparationes, and expectationes, of a Generall
Assembly, wer to offend God, and cast all thinges loosse. Seventh, It is
184 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A D. 1638. necessaire to sitt still, to determine the true sense of the two Covenants
which are subscrybed lately.
The King replyes no mor heer, but, That ther instance of the Assembly,
1582, is but one instance, and very reprovable ; that the ministers of the
pretended Assembly of Aberdeen, anno 1606, did the same, and wer se-
verly reproved and punished for it.
To the objectione that they have citted the Kings councellers, in ther
protestatione, to ansuer a parliament, they ansuer, That it is acording to
lawe, twelfth acte, parliament second Jacobi IV., et act sixth, parliament
first Jacobi IV. ; which actes warrant evUl councellers misgwyding the
King should be conveend, and made countable.
To that pairt of the Kings proclamation which dischargethe all men
from obedience to the actes of ther Assemblye, etc. they ansuer, First,
That such a command is contrare to Gods law and mans law, and they
cannot beleeve that ever the King did give warrant for the lycke ; which is
proved by Matth. xviii., 1st Cor. v., et Revelat. ii. ; all which places shew
that the power of the keyes are so intrinsecall to the kirke as that they can-
not be tackne from her. And for the apostles, they practised otherwayes,
rather obeying God then man. Thirdly, It is contrare to the civill lawe,
si contra jus vel iitilitatem puhlicam, velper mendacium fuerit aliquid pos-
tulatum vel impetratum ab Imperatore. Et titiilo de diversis rescriptis et
praf/maticis sanctionibus. Fourthly, To the canon law also, decret. decretal,
extravayan. titido de rescriptis. Fifthly, Contrare to the customs of all
nationes, who are to doe justice, though princes prohibite ; cleared by Con-
varnvia in Spaine, Pappon in Fraunce, Suedwyne in Germanye, upon that
title de rescriptis aut constitutionibus principum. Sixthly, To actes of Ge-
nerall Assemblyes, as of Saint Andrews, twentieth April, 1582 ; Mon-
tross, in July, 1597 ; Edinburgh, twenty-seventh June, 1582, session seventh;
wher it was complained that his Majesty strove to erect a popedome in the
churche. Seventhly, It is contrare to actes of parliament, which give
Assemblyes the same freedom that the parliaments have, parliament twelfth,
Jacobi VI. ; parliament first, Charles ; twelfth parliament, one hundred
and fourteenth act, Jacobi VI. ; act ninety-second, parliament sixth, Ja-
cobi VI. ; et act forty-seventh, parliament eleventh, Jacobi VI. ; et one
hundred and sixth act, parliament Jacobi VI. Ninthly, It wer contrare
to the trwe relligione, sworne to by the King, for to stopp administratione
of discipline, which is one of the three markes of the trwe churche.
Ch. cv.] history of scots affairs. 185
Tentfihi, By the Confession of Faith, 1580, King and people are bounde A. D. 1638.
to obey discipline, and to doe ther best to defende it ; which Confession is
now subscrybed by the greatest and best pairt of the kyngdome ; and first
cap. lib. 2. of the Booke of Discipline sayes that the power of the sworde
may not impede the power of the keyes, etc. Therfor they cannot expect
that his Majesty will now (after he has ordained by his proclamation, Sep-
tember twenty-second, all to be ansuerable to the Assembly) goe about to
stopp the laufuU and grave sentences of the nationall kirke.
To all this long defence the King rep lyes shortly. First, Wheras they
remitte ther readers to a special! answer made to the comissioner his decla-
ratione. That they would doe weall to answer that declaration and the
Querees of Aberdeen better ; the common opinion being that neither of the
two was as yet weall ansuered, no not ansuered at all. Second, For ther
passages of scripture, he sayes, They are prophaned and abused ; for no such
thing can be possibly or probably inferred from them. Third, To ther cit-
tatione of the canon law, he sayes, That it is weall that they will cite the
pope his law, whom they call Antechriste ; for (sayes he) when any thing is
objected against them out of the canon law, it is wswall with them to reject
it, as popish and Antichristiane. Fourth, To ther Assembly its remonstrance!
that King James was erecting a popedome, he ansuers, That the pretended
Assembly [hath] erected a popedome, and for ther authoritye goe upon the
same growndes, and use the very same arguments, and abuse the very same
places of Scripture which the pope and the learndest patrons of the pope
doe, for robbing princes of ther authoritye over all ecclesiasticall persons
and causes in ther several dominions : As for the actes of parliament which
they cite and applye, the King calles them a meer babling. F'ifth, He
sayes ther confessione is subscrybed. By the greatest, but worst pairt of the
kyngdome. Sixth, He tells them, That the sentences of ther pretended
Assemblye wer most unlaufull, light, and madd sentences.
Then they goe on, and conclude from that clowde of wittnesses, of veighty
reasons, I should have saide, that they, the members of the Assemblye, have
not thoughtes gwiltye of any thing which is not incumbent to them, as good
Christians towards God, and loyall subjects towards ther soveraigne : This
they protest, in the Jiist place, and that all ther actes of Assembly are
acording to Gods worde, knowne lawes, with sincerity of hearte, without
any passione ; and to all this they call God solemnlye to wittnesse. Second,
That it was and is laufull for them to sit still, till they ryse up by mutwall
2 A
186
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. III.
A. D. 1638. consent. Third, That this Assembly is to be held for a free laufuU Gene-
rail Assembly ; and all its actes to be executed and obeyed ; and all dis-
obeyers or speackers against it to be censured. Fourth, That all the
members of the churche, in ther severall stationes, joyne to mantaine it to
the outmost. Fifth, They protest against all challendges laide against
them in that proclamatione, and that ther ansuers are true, and eneuch to
vindicate them. And they againe cyte and summond all councellers, or
others, who have had any hande in this proclamatione, to ansuer to King
and parliament. Sixth, That they will mantaine each other, and the actes
of Assembly, against all outwarde and inwarde invasiones, with blood and
meanes, etc. Seventh, That all inconveniences that falls out by ther pro-
movall of this Assembly, in its constitutiones, may lye upon the score of all
opposers, and specially upon the prelatts ; and they desyre the King and
his comissioners asistance thertoo. Ei(/hth, That none subscrybe the Co-
venant, in the sence that the comissioner reqwyres it to be subscrybed.
Ninth, They protest, as they doe adheare to all and evry of ther former
protestationes, so that they may have the Kings approbatione to all the
actes and proceedings of ther Assembly, and ther behaviour during the
tyme therof. Upon all which they tooke instruments at the mercatt crosse
of Edinburgh, etc.
To all this the King replyes only, First, That ther reasones seemed to bee
wrapped upp in a cloude, for both they are so darke as they cannot be dis-
cerned, and they doe portende a storme, but have no weight in them at all :
Second, That the particular protestationes are the very same formerly made
by them, and so oftne repeated evne unto tediousnesse ; and, therefor, the
Tlie Marquis reader needs no mor to be troubled with them.
of Hamilton CVI. Not long after this proclamatione, the Marquesse of Hamiltoune
court * Minis- ^^^ retwrne to courte. And how soone the Assembly ended, such comittyes
ters turned and delegates as wer appoynted by the Assembly of Glasgow fell rowndlye
°"' tt ^° worke to turne out such ministers as refoosed to obey its decrees ; and
[The Cove- caused publish its actes through all the kyngdome, and presently did turne
iianters] ^^^ jj^g bishopps and all thes rytes and innovationes which they had brought
think of levy- ....-,„ , . , °
ins an array m. And because they lorsaw that it was lycke to come to a warre betuixt
and taxes. jjjg Kinff and them, therfor they beganne in the winter to thinke upon levv-
The Kin" de- . . . i j
Clares the iDo ^^ ^^^ armye, and raising tastes amongst themselves for the mantenance
Scots rebels in of that armye. Also, they begune to macke some fortes of defence, and to
of 1639. ° bring in mor armes : and because they wer loath that England should be
Ch. cvi.] history of scots affairs. 187
niistackne, they send in ther manifestos thither. Meane whyle, severall of the A. D. 1638.
bishopps and ministers who wer turned out, as also others who affected the
King, came running to courte giving the alarum as hottly as ever they
could, which Hamiltoune could hardly any longer extenuate. The conclu-
sione of all was, that the King in end founde himself necessitate for to put
on his cuirasse, and to tacke amies, and to declare the Scottishe rebells in
the beginning of the yeare 1639, albeit the English did not fancye the
warre against the Scottish muche. The beginnings and progresse of that
warre reqwyres a narratione by itself. It is tyme to draw to ane ende of
this Assembly, and thes warres betuixt the King and Covenanters, which
wer foughne with penns, paper, proclamations, and petitions, and protesta-
tions : I have insisted so much the longer upon this Assemblye, because
by it was the frame of the presbyterian government either reedifyde, cor-
rected, or enlarged, acording to the fancye of the workmen, who, for some
following yeares, wer still innovating some what in that waye of churche
policye.
HISTORY
SCOTS AFFAIRS.
THE FOURTH BOOKE.
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
Kinsf incensed.
THE FOURTH BOOKE.
I. HowBEiT the Kings Majestye was alreadye unsatisfeed eneuch with the
Scottishe, who would acquiesce in none of his concessiones, layinge hold
upon all his actes of grace as lesse then ther dwe, so farr as that in the
Assembly they wer begunne to be ther owne carvers, and to speacke out in
bigge langwage of protestationes, that ther was a coordinatione and ane in-
dependencye betuixt Church and State : Yet he wanted not such about him
who strove to kindle him furder, specially the bishopps and some of the
Scottish officers of State, who saw that themselves, by thes revolutions, wer
lycke to be the first suft'erers. Thoise and ther factione strove by all meanes
possible to alarum England with the rumor that the Scottishe intended to
invade them, knowing that the Commons of England at that tyme stoode so
dissaffected to the King that they wer glade to heare of the Scottish tumults ;
so that themselves should not therwith bee aifected.
II. Nor wer the Covenanters ignorant of the goodwill that was borne Proceedings
to them by many in Eng-land : And, therfor, how soone the Assembly of °^ "^"^ Cove-
njintGrs in
Glasgow ended, after they had made applicatione to the Councell of Scott- their own vin-
land, and by ther supplicatione had striven to vindicate the clearnesse of dication.
ther intentiones, they founde it necessarye in the next place for to publish a fggtp_
Manifesto to all good Christians within the Kyngdome of Englande, from the January 13.
Noblemen, Barrons, Burrows, Ministers, and Commons of the Kyngdome of
Scottland (thus they name themselves in the title), for Vindicating ther In-
tentions and Actions from the Unjust Calumneys of ther EnemyesC. This
declaratione was dated February fourth, 1639: It spocke to the pourpose February 4.
following :
That ther adversaryes, not being able to beate downe the walles of Jeru-
(1) [It will be found in Rushworth's Historical Collections; and in Historia Motuum, pp.
296—306.]
192 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
salem, they wer fallne now to undermyne them with a calumniare audacter
xemiier aliquid hmrehit ; opposing Ezra and Nehemia, lycke Tobias and San-
ballat, saying to the King Why is the rebelliouse cittye biiilded ? And, ther-
for, wer whispering to the King, and proclaiming in Englande, besyde all
that they wer charged with by the proclamatione, December eighteenth, that
ther intentiones wer to shacke off the laufull yocke of authoritye ; to chaunge
the forme of civill governement ; to invade ther neighbour countrey of Eng-
land, and to inrich themselves with the spoyles therof. Then they declare
and doe protest, in the presence of God, that they had never the least
thought against his gratiouse Majesty es persone or government ; that he is
ther laufull King ; that they wUl never deface his lyne, to whom it belonges
of right to rule over them ; that they will hazard lyves and fortunes for the
mantenance of his persone and authoritye.
As to ther intentione to invade England : They declare, and attest the ever
living God, that they never had any such designe to offend or worong them
in the smallest measure. Only they regrate, with ther deer Christian breth-
eren of that natione, that the church men of greatest power in England
should sett on foote dangerouse plotts, for introducing novations in relligione,
by corrupting doctrine, chaunging discipline, innovating the outward wor-
shipp, preaching and mantaining heades of Arminianisme and poperye, ad-
vauncing professors, and allowing bookes of that judgement, banishing all
who oppose the kirke of Rome, incroatching upon the Kings prerogative,
tyrannismg over the consciences and goods and estates of persons of all
qwalitye within that kyngdome : That, fuvder, they had encouraged the pre-
tended bishopps of Scottlande for to presse Scottland not only to ane uni-
formitye with ther actinges in matter of ceremoney, but also with the
churche of Rome ; as appeares bye the Bookes of Common Prayer and
Canons, corrected and enterlyned in Englande, and then sent downe beer
to be printed, and pressed upon all : That they had caused the King prohibit
the lawfuU meetings of his subjects, as treasone ; and to discharge the sitting
of ther Assemblye ; to tbreatne and prepare for ane invasive warre, and to
entruste papistes with places of cheifest charge in his armys a preparing : And
are stryving to raise jealousyes betuixte the two kyngdomes, and comitte
them : that therby the reformed relligion may be extinguished, a warre
kindled, and popery introduced, which alreadye is stronge in Englande.
Next, they regrate that thes calumneyes are better trusted then ther pro-
testationes, or supplicationes, or covenant with God : therfor they desyre
them to suspend ther beleefe till better informatione. Then they regrate that
Ch. III.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 193
any should thinke the standing of episcopacye in Scottlande to be a just A. D. 1639.
grownde for England to invade Scottland; seing that episcopacye is contrare
to ther lawes and church constitutions, and ever was so : Therfor they desyre
them to advyse whither such a warre will be just on the part of the invaders;
or if the setting upp of bishops will qwytte the cost of so much Christian
bloode. They declare that, except they would deney knowne light and ther
Covenant, they could doe no lesse then they have done : And that, albeit they
be a free nation, yet they are willinge to satisfee all men of the sincerity of
ther intentiones, and putts no questione but, if ther war a parliament sitting
in England, that parliament would pleade for them at the Kinges handes :
That they have at ther frequent meetings cleared the sinceritye of ther
intentiones one to another, upon ther greete oathes : That if they did
obtaine ther desyres, the Englishes one day would reape the fruicte therof, N. B.
and who knew how soone : That they should be only defencive, and though
Englande invaded, yet they should not conster that warre as proceeding
from the bodye of the kyngdome, but from persons ill affected to both kyng-
domes : That they wer sensible of the English ther sufferinges and bur-
thens, by the tyrrany of that hierarchye and Romishe suggestions : That
ther mane aime is to enjoye ther relligione in puritye, and ther lawes and
libertyes acording to ther fundamental! constitutions ; the which could be
no ground for ther deer bretheren to qwarell with them : That they founde
themselves obleidged to declare no lesse for confirming ther bretherens good
opinion of them, and arming them against the slaunders of such as endea-
vour the final overthrow and esterminione of the kyngdome of Jesus Chryst
from this whole illande, which God avert ; and that for procuring ther
ends they will employ no other armes (except they be enforced) but fasting
and prayer to God, and supplications to ther gratiouse Soveraigne.
III. It was not hard to discerne that Canterburye (though not named) Its reception
was cheifly reflected upon in this Declaratione: Nor did it wante the enter- e^""™)! " '"
tainement in England and acceptaunce, that the penners and publishers
wished unto it ; for it was snatched upp and readd, with a greedy delectatione,
by many who wer tyred with a long peace, and to whom, upon several ac-
compts, the episcopall greatnesse seemed either formidable, or ther order
superstitiouse.
But the King did his best (though in vaine) for to smother this Declara-
tione (which he esteemed no better then a seditiouse panphlet), by his
publicke proclamationes against all divulgers therof, or others who kept it ;
2 B
194 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. and withall caused another Declaratione of a contrare strane, to be pub-
lished, (of which I shall speake afterwardes). Albeit, the Scottish wer
better beleeved and favoured at that tyme then the King was in Englande.
The King IV. It was not to be expected that the King could any way promove his
i-ounter De- designes by a parliament, as thinges ruled. Scarcely, in ane affaire of so
claration ; great concernement, could he macke use of all his councell of Englande ; yet
to'take arms ^^ fowiide himselfe necessitate to tacke arines, and to declare the Cove-
and declare nanters to be rebells ; albeit, his court (who for the most pairt wer mor for
e -s rebels"''his ^^"^^^ games then martiall sportes at this tyme) had little stomacke for the
endeavours to feelde. Such as favored the Covenanters lycked not to see the King victo-
raise money, riouse in a warre which would encrease ther bondasre. However, the
Contributions i- r i ^
from the Eng- generalitye ot the Commons wer weall content to see that by this meanes
hsh clergy and the Kinge Would be necessitated to call a parliament, though he had brockne
upp severall parliaments befor ; and wer hopefull that, if a parliament wer
once mette, they would keep the matter from turning to a warre, and lyck-
wayes would punish such as they supposed to be the fomenters of thes
divisions. (■)
The King thought that he had long eneuche foUowd the Covenanters
with fairnesse, and that it was to little pourpose to lett them have gottne the
starte upon him, (who all the last yeare had beene provyding themselves
with necessaryes for a warre, and to his face hindering him from macking
use of his owne strenthes in Scottlande) : Therfor he bethinkes himselfe
wher money, the nerve of the warre, was to be had. None was to be
expected from a parliament; and his owne revenew cowld not serve the
turne.(2) It was needfull for to hastne his levyes, but that reqwyred
moneye ; and who should mor properly contribute for that effecte then the
bishopps of Englande ; for they fownde themselves much concerned in
the qwarell : the myters of Scottland wer strucke downe, and they saw
thers levelld at.
Therfor orders wer isswed from the lordes of the councell of Englande to
the archbishopp of Canterbury e (who was very urgent to hastne the levyes),
and to the archbishopp of Yorke, commanding them to sende forth direc-
(1) [Monteth's History of the Troubles, p. 45.]
(2) [Burnet's Memoires of the Hamiltons, p. 114. On the other hand, Clarendon says
that, " the revenue had been so well improved, and so warily managed, that there was
money in the exchequer proportionable for the undertaking any noble enterprise." History
of the Rebellion, vol. i. p. 200. edit. Oxford, 1826. 8vo.]
Ch. v.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
195
tiones to all the bishopps under them to conveen the clergye of ther
dioceses, and to invite them to a liberall contributione.f Seiug it was no lesse
then the Bishopps WarreC^) in the esteeme of the people, the bishopps could
doe no lesse ; but what the totall summe of that contributione did amount
unto was not known. It may be supposed that it was considerable ; being
that the Kinge, by that meanes, and the contributiones of severall of the
nobilitye and gentrye of England,^') was enabled to put a considerable armye
into the feelds, and his fleete to sea ; with a land army not altogether con-
temptible, if advantageously employed.
V. It is affirmed * by some that the King caused give ane oathe to all
the English and Scottish noblemen who bore offices about or did foOow the
courte, wherby they did abjure the Covenant and synod of Glasgow, and
promisd for to contribute all ther strenth for the Kinges asistaunce when-
ever the King calld for it ; which he was not long a doing, whither he
gave them an oathe or not : For all of them who were his domestickes, either
ordinar or extraordinare, wer commanded to follow him in armes, with aU
ther vassalls. And ther wer letters, of the date January twenty-sixth, sent
to all the English nobilitye, commanding them to meete the King at Yorke,
wher his army was to rendevouse in the begining of Apryle foUovving, that
from thence they might with him marche to the borders of Englande for to
oppose the Scottishe. Many volontiers offered ther service to the King,
and helped to macke upp his armye : Lyckwayes severall experimented old
officers, t whoise trade had alwayes been to live by the sworde, very wil-
lingly undertooke to follow him. The Earle of Arundell, a nobleman of
old extracte and greate worthe and loyaltye to his prince (but a profest
The King
orders his do-
mesticksjwith
their vassals,
to meet him
in arms at
York, on the
twenty-sixth
of January ;
also letters
written to the
nobility to the
same purpose.
Earl of Arun-
del made ge-
neral ; other
officers.
(1) [Heylyn's Life of Archbishop Laud, pp. 380—382.]
(2) [Whitelock's Mcmorialls, p. 30., edit. 1732 ; Sanderson's Hist, of Charles I., p. 248.]
(3) [See lists of those who contributed, and of those who failed to contribute, in
Nalson's Impartial Collection of the Great Affairs of State, pp. 202 — 206. Lond.
1682. fob]
* Spang, Historia Motuum, pag- 295. The Covenanters, in ther Ansuer to the Kings
Declaration (of the date February twenty-seven) alledge that the Scottish about court wer
made to subscrybe the Kings covenant, with this addition, That they should not acknowledge
the generall Assembly ; that they should not adheare to the late band and covenant sworne
to by the Scottishe ; and that they should oppose the Covenanters with ther best power, etc.
[Historia Motuum, p. 347.]
t Earle of Essex, lieutenant general to foote ; Earle of Holland, to horse and pairt of the
fleete.
196
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. IV.
Huntly's
allotment ;
Aberdeen for-
tified ; Hunt-
ly's proceed-
ings at Aber-
deen.
papist to his* relligione), was appoynted generall,'" and Yorke the rende-
vouse, Apryle first.
The Marquesse of Hamiltoune t was appoynted generall of the sea forces
and commander of the fleete. Thes forces are said to have been about fyve
thousand in number : His order was to sale unto the coast of Scottland,
unto the Firth of Forthe.
The Earle of Stratforde, deputye of Irelande, was ordered, and also
voluntarly undertooke, to macke either ane impressione or a diversion upon
the westerne pairtes of Scottland neerest Irelande, but specially upon Ar-
gylles countreye; and Earl Antrum and Donald GorumC^) promised to asiste
him.
The Marquesse of Douglasse, the Earle of Nithsdale, and the Lord
Herrise, wer comissionate to raise all they could towards the border and
southe pairtes of Scottlande : And the middle pairtes of the kyngdome wer
put under the commando of the Earle of Airlye.
VI. But all the north of Scottland, beyond the Mearnes, was the divi-
sione of the Marquesse of Huntlye ; who appeared at that tyme, both for
his greatnesse and follownge, and associats all resolute for the Kings in-
terest, most formidable of anye to the Covenanters. His statione, about
this tyme, Huntly fixed at Aberdeene ; both for the loyaltye of the cittizens,
as also for the fittnesse of the place and the sea port, which (in vaine) he
* The King seems to deney this in his Declaratione, February twenty-seventh. [Arundel's
creed seems to have been very doubtful. Clarendon says, " he was rather thought to be
without religion." Hist, of Rebell. vol. i., p. 100.]
(1) [" The King chose to make the earl of Arundel his general, a man who had nothing
martial about him but his presence and his looks, and therefore was thought to be made
choice of for his negative qualities : he did not love the Scots ; he did not love the puri-
tans ; which good qualifications were allayed by another negative, he did love nobody else :
but he was fit to keep the state of it ; anil his rank was such, that no man would decline the
serving under him." Clarendon, Hist, of Rebell. vol. i-, p. 201.]
t Scottish Remonstrance, March twenty-second, [Historia Motuum, p. 348.] sayes that
Hamiltoune was appoynted to joyne with forraigne forces who wer to attend the Kings
Majestye : But who thes forreigne Ibrces wer it is hard to tell to this daye, if it wer not
Irishes. Furder, they affirme that the Earle of Lindsey was appoynted for the sea, with
seventeen of the Kings great shipps, furnished with three thousand souldiours, to come into
such places of Scottland as ther commission, when it was unsealed, appoynted them : But
neither he nor they ever came. Finally, they sayc that six hundred horses wer appoynted
for to infeste the borders of Scottlande : But it is sure that much of thes preparations
vanished into smooke ; and mor was spockne then was trwe.
(2) [Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat, surnamed Gornie Oig, ancestor of Lord Macdonald.
He was created a baronet in 1625, and died in 1643.]
Ch. VII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 197
thought should he verye comiuodiouse to him for landing of forces. Lyck- A. D. 1639.
wayes, the townsmen, by his perswasione and ther oune inclinatione, fell to
worke for to raise some defence about ther towne ; albeit that nature has not
made the place wher Aberdeen standeth capable of any considerable de-
fence, acording to the rules of moderne fortificatione : Thes rampers of
thers wer no better then trenches ; nor did ther ingeneers ther dutye in the
drawing of ther lynes, either for want of skill or willingnesse to that worke,
which afterward proved qwytte uselesse.(')
VII. Huntly had reqwyred from the King the assistance of two or three Assistance
thousand men, and amies for five thousand mor, and a comissione for a f^pected by
lievtenantcye in the north, which had been oftne graunted to the heades of the Kmg'^to'
his family in former tyraes. The comission he receaved, the aide of men was -Aberdeen.
promised ; but nothing came to him (and that after much expectatione), but seaseV; posts
armes for three thousand foote and ane hundreth horses ; which came not to stopped and
him till that yeare in Marche, and wer sent upon the charges of Dr. Mor- K^n^'s^c"
toune, bishopp of Durhame. As for the souldiours who should have landed eels betrayed
at Aberdene or elsewher, it is trwe that the King had promised Huntly nant **^°^*''
asistaunce of men ; but the Marquesse of Hamiltoune (who alwayes looked
upon Huntlye with ane evill eye, as the aemulator of his greatnesse, and
withall was a secret freend all the whyle to the Covenanters) disswaded the
King from sending men ; alledging for his reasone, that, if the Kino- did so,
it would turne all the burthen of the warre upon the Kinge. How truly
this was saide, I leave to the readers : One thing certanly is true, that by
this councell the Kings hopes that he conceived from his freends in Scottland
wer blasted ; for the noblemen and Highlanders, who stoode for the King in
Scottland, promisd ther concurrence upon that expresse conditione, that they
might have a considerable number of trained souldours to joyne with ; who
never appearing, some of thes who had undertackne to doe much for the
King, either could not, or made that ther pretext why they would not, stirre.
It was by this meanes that Huntly was engadged in a manner alone, and
(2) [" The toun of Aberdein upon the first day of March [1639], fell to work, and
cast deep ditches frae the Gallowpet port, down the north syde of the toun towards the
Castlehill, and about the hill, and upon the south syde of the toune. They raised up
timber sconses anent the loch, cled with dailies, whereby the toune's musketiers might
safely stand and molest the enemy. They had the like sconses at the Gallowget port upon
the hill. They had eleven peice of ordinance, which was planted most commodiously upon
the toun streitts, ilk peice haveing ane timber sconse sett up for souldiers to defend the samen.
And thus wer they busied, man and woman, making gryte expenssis to hold them out, who
would not be holden out for them." Spalding, Hist, of Troubles, vol. i., p. 97.]
198
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. IV.
Berwick and
Carlisle gar-
risoned.
King's pro-
clamation,
twenty-
seventii ot
February.
February 27.
necessitated for to lay downe his armes and render himself in Marche
followinge.
Besyde thes praeparations, the King caused arrest such of the Scottishe
merchant shippes as wer in England, and forbade them all trade ther, and,
as far as he could, caused his fleete stopp ther trading to other places.
Lyckwayes, the packett and intelligence betuixt England and Scottland was
stopped, and order givne for to searche the poastes and all passengers for
letters, that Scottland might no mor know his praeparationes : Which was all
to no pourpose ; for the most pairt of his cabinett councells wer constantly
reveald to the Covenanters by such of his courteours who privatly favourd
them, specially some of the *gromes of his bedd chamber, who made it ther
ordinar trade, at night, when the King was a bedde, for to steale out of his
pocketts such letters as any who stoode for the King in Scottlande had
wryttne to the King ; which they coppyd out and sent the just doubles to
the cheife of the Covenanters ; and oftne tymes gave secrett notice to the
Covenanters of the tyme that anye of the Kings letters wer directed to any
of his trustees in Scottland, who, by this meanes, had opportunitye to in-
tercept such of the King his letters as they thought most expedient to know
the contents oif. Amongst others theyt intercepted a packett sent from the
King unto the Marquesse of Huntlye.
VIII. Finally, the King tooke care to putt in garrisones in Bervicke
and Carlisle, which are the frontier townes of Scottland. And because the
Covenanters had spreade a declaratione in England, the King secondes his
preparationes, and confrontes ther declaratione with a proclamatione, of the
date February twenty-seventh, which he caused be reade in all the parosh
churches of Englande, when the people wer conveened to divyne service :
The title and contents wherof wer as foUowes.(') It was superscrybed by the
* I tould in the second booke, that the cheife of thes wer James Maxwell of Innerwicke,
Mr. Maule of Panraure, and William Murrey, nephew to Mr. Robert Murrey, minister at
Methven.
f Spang, Historia Motuum, pag. 314. [" Ab iis interceptae erant tum literae ad Mar-
chionem Himtilieum, nobilcm, clientelse numerosissimae, cujus in Borealibus Scotias pro-
vinciis ultra montem Gram|)ium formidabilis olira consuevit esse potentia ; & hisce Uteris in-
telligunt foederati, Huntilceo cum summa authoritate istarum provinciarum prasfecturam
a rege demandatam fuisse : quam sciebant cupide amplexurum, & nihil reliqui ad summam
diligentiam facturum, quo regis desiderio satisfaceret, & familiae suae Gordonianae existima-
tionem augeret."]
(1) [This Declaration will be found in the Historia Motuum, pp. 307 — 314, and in
Rushworth's Historical Collections.]
Ch. VIII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS, 199
King ; its title was, " A proclamation and declaratione to enforme our loving A. D. 1639.
subjectes of our kyngdome of Englande of the seditiouse practices of some
in Scottland, seeking to overthrow our regall power, under false pretences
of relligione." Then he declares, that as by faire meanes he had for a long
tyme now endeavoured to appease the disorders and tumultuary carriadge
of some evill affected men in Scottlande, but in vaine, that he now founde it
necessary to informe all his good subjectes of England of the truth of his
proceedings ; what his gentlenesse had been towards them ; and how per-
verse ther returnes, howbeit they did insinwate much with the Inglishes ther
odiouse cause : That the Scottish disorders wer fomented by factiouse
spiritts, under the clocke of relligione, but in effect to shacke of monarchy
and vilifie regall power ; that they had labourd to seduce thes of Ingland
into that rebellione, poysoning them by ther subtUl wayes ; that, albeit he
was confident of the loyalty of the Englishes, who had testified it in pairt
by ther readye asistaunce, yet he could not but holde it requisite to give
them tynilye notice of ther treacherouse intentiones, which did appeare to
him very many wayes :
First, By ther multitude of printe pamphletts or lybells, stufled full of
calumnyes against his royall authority e and just proceedings, and spreading
them through this kyngdome of Englande.
Second, By sending ther letters to privat persones to incite them against
us, and sendinge some of ther fellow Covenanters to be at privat meetings
in London and elswhare, to perverte good people from ther dutye : that
some of ther meetings he knew, and some of thes letters, lewde eneuch, he
had seene.
Third, By a publicke contemning his just commands, and ther moutinouse
protesting against them ; a course not fitt to be endured in any weall ordered
kyngdome.
Fourth, By rejecting the Covenant commanded by authoritye, because it
was commanded by the King ; wheras no such bande can be warrantable in
Scottland without the Kinges consent and authoritye : for instance, ther
Covenant was condiscended unto (at the Generall Assemblyes desyre) by
King James. He sayes againe, that they had rejected his, because, for
matters of relligione, it agreed in all thinges with thers ; by which Covenant
of thers they had treacherously induced many of the people to sweare to a
bande against him ; which bande and covenant (or rather conspiracye) could
not be with God, being against him, the Lords anoynted : But it is pretended
200 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
to be with God, that, with the better countenance, they may doe the works
of the devill, such as are all treasones and rebelliones.
Fifth, Lastly, By ther hostile preparationes ; which can be supposed to
no ende if not to invade the kyngdoine of Englande, if he be not ready to
resist them ; being that many of ther heades wer men of unqwyett spiritts
and brockne fortunes, who will labour to macke them better on other mens
estates, under a clocke of relligione : That he hoped the Englishes would
not share ther fortunes with such desperat hypocryttes, who sought to be
better, but could not be much worse : Otherwayes, he asketh, what ther in-
tentions wer for to arme, since he sayes that he had assurd them that he
would not innovate any thing : That he had graunted ther petitions all in a
manner, yet no better effects had his grauntes produced but ther insolent
daringe to dishonour him both at home and abroade. All which (he sayes)
he did pass by till they wer begunne to stricke at the roote of princely
governement, assuming the princely power : First, By printing what
they please, though he forbidd, and to prohibite what they please, though
he bidd ; Second, Had dismissed his printer* whom he established : Third,
Had conveend the subjects : Fourth, Raised armes : Fifth, To blocke
upp his castells : Sixth, Had layd impositiones and taxes upon the peo-
ple : Seventh, Threatned such with force and violence as continowd loyall
to him : Eighth, Had slighted the directions of the Councell in that
kyngdome, and sett upp a Table of ther owne, and sitt ther under the
name of comittyes from ther late pretended generall Assemblye ; that
they did meet when or wher they pleased, concluded what they pleased,
without his or his Commissioners knowledge ; contrare to many standing
lawes of the kyngdome yet in force ; wheras they did pretende the violatione
of ther lawes as the cause of ther brainsicke distempers.
Therfor that he tooke God and the world to wittnesse, that he was
forced for to arme for to sett his aune kingly authority a foote agane in that
kyngdome, as also for to preserve Englande against the rage and furye of
thes men and ther Covenant : That the questione was not now about the
Service Booke nor episcopacye, but whither he should be ther king or not ;
for though in some of ther lybells they give him good wordes, as in that of
February fourth, 1639, yet that some of them did refoose the oath of al-
ledgance and supremacye, and did publickly mantaine that they wer not
* Robert Younge, who had printed the Service Booke.
Ch. VIII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 201
now obleidged unto it to tacke that oathe : which was a tenent contrary to
loyalltye, and the doctrine of protestant divynes, concerning the supreme
magistrate.
That others of ther countrey men are infected with this venome ; three
Scottish men being presently prisoners in Wales for refoosing the oath of
supremacye, ther reason being because they had subscrybed the Covenant :
That, albeit he had suffered with myldnesse, yet that he would not permitte
episcopall governeraent, which is most Christian itself, and agreable to
Christiauitye and to monarchical! governement, not to be established : That,
withaU, he desyres his subjectes ther to considder what will become of the
third estate in parliament if episcopacye be abrogated : That by establish-
ing the Service Booke ther he never intended innovatione, but uniformity
of worshippe in both kyngdomes; though some ill mynded men had wrested
some things in it to ane ill sence.
That ere long he was to publish a Large Declaratione of all ther actes ;
but, that people should not be praeposeste, he thought fitt for to publishe
this short one, for to obviate ther calumneyes : For instance, that in ther
last Declaratione they affirmed that he had putt papistes in places of greatest
truste ; which, as it was dishonorable to him and them, so it was false in it-
selfe. Secondly, That some of the hierarchy of Englande have been the
cause of his tacking armes to invade his native kyngdome and medling
with ther relligione ; wheras it is certaine that whatever they have done it
is done by his oune princely directione ; and, as for armes, that it is weall
knowne to his councell that thoise have perswaded him to peace and mo-
deratione.
That he would know, whOst they saye that they intended no acte of
hostility against Englande, unlesse they shall be necessitated in their aune
defence, he would faine know, Defence of what? Is it of disobedience? De-
fence against whom? Is it not against him ther trew and laufull soveraigne?
If they will defende against him, he sayes it ought to bee by lawe and not
by armes ; that defence he shall never deney, but this defence he will never
permitte, though his lawes are not by them regarded, and his judges so
awed that they dare not proceede acording to lawe.
That he desyres his good subjectes be not infected by them, and, withall,
that they may by thoise know the necessitye he has to arme ; which is for no
other ende then the safety and securitye of Englande, and the reestablish-
ment of his authority in Scottland, and the suppressing of such as have
3 c
202
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. IV.
A. D. 1639.
Preparations
of the Cove-
nanters in
their own
defence.
Information
for Defensive
Arms to be
read in pulpits,
circulated in
write, but not
printed.
missledd his subjectes ther, and would, if not prevented, doe the lycke in
Englande ; but not to innovate ther relligione, nor infringe ther libertyes,
which are acording to lawe.
Therfor he willes and commandes all his loving subjectes not to receave
any mor of ther seditiouse panphletts, sent from Scottland or else whair,
concerninge this aifaire, which can serve for no use but to draw others into
rebellion ; and, withall, that such as had receaved them should send them
to the next justice of peace, from them to be transmitted to his secretary,
as they and his secretary would answer the contrare at ther perill. And,
withall, he ordaines that his Declaratione and proclamatione may be readde
in all the parosh churches of Englande in the tyme of divyne service, that
all, evne to the meanest of the people, might see the notoriouse carriadge
of thes men, as also the justice and mercye of all the Kings proceedings.
Dated, February seventh, fourteenth year of his reigne, at Whytehalle.
God save the Kinge.*
This is the summe of that Declaratione which the King did oppose to the
Scottish remonstraunce, which, in the ende of this, hee commandes to be
suppressed. But, doe what he could, ther Informationes wer divulged ; and,
saye what he pleased, the most pairt believed him lesse then they did the
Scottish, who had many favourers in England, specially amongst the com-
mons and presbyterian pairtye, or all that wer antiepiscopalle.
IX. Whilst the King was preparing for warre (which now he proclaimed
by his Declaratione) the Covenanters stoode not looking on. Therfor ther
heads conveen at Edinburgh, and ther doe laye dovrae ther conclusiones,
presentlye to be putt in executione, for ther owne securitye. All which was
praefacd with solemne fastes, kept through such parosh churches as they had
the command over, praying God to move the Kinges heart to inclyne to
ther humble petitions, etc. And because the King would give no anser
unto ther letter sent from the Assembly, interpreting all their actiones rebel-
lione, least that name should sturre some, therfor they publish a booke
in wrytte, which they called an Informatione for Defencive Armes.C) The
* Printed at London, by Robert Barker, and the Assigncy of John Bell, anno 163f.
(I) [It is printed in Stevenson's History of the Church of Scotland, vol. ii., pp. 686 — 695.
It was wTitten, says Baillie, by Mr. Alexander Henderson. " He did it somewhat against
the hair, and more quickly than his custom is ; so that it was not so satisfactory as his other
writs : for this cause, though read out of many pulpits, yet he would not let it go to the
press." Letters, vol. i. p. 152. Bishop Guthrie says the paper was " contrived by Bal-
merino, Hope, and Henderson." Memoirs, p. 51. edit. Glasg. 1747.]
Ch. X.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 203
these which they mantained* therin was, That they had just reason and ne- A. D. 16
cessity for to defende themselves fi-om the armed power of the supreme ma-
gistrate ; and that it was laufuU to the greater and most uncorrupt pairt of
the nobilitye, with the collective bodye of the kyngdome, for to mantaine rel-
ligione established by publicise lawes, as also the preveleidges and libertyes of
the kyngdome, by force of armes, against a King, who, living without the
kyngdome, and seduced by the evill councell of the enemyes of relligione,
was preparing to invade the natione by force of armes ; although they, being
his subjects, wer not convinced that they had transgressed any divyne or
humane lawe.
The argument of this tractate looked so suspitiouse that the Covenanters
founde it not expedient to print it ; although that had bene to as good pour-
pose as to scatter the wryttne coppyes, which grew so publicke that presently
they wer fallne upon, and many passages qwarelld with, as resembling the
Jesuiticall doctrine so neer that they wer hardly distinguishable. Yet the
authors of that booke strove for to distinguish betuixt ther doctrine and the
Jesuiticall tenents, by giving in the instances of such practises as farr upp
as the dayes of the apocryphall King Fergus ; and from thes historicall
(and some fabolouse) instances of rebellione and killing of Scottish kinges
(for that was the result of many such sturres, if ther historyes speacke
truthe) they argued a facto ad jus, or, at least, custome and praescrip-
tione : Yet heerin they saide no mor then Junius Brutus, and Buchanan, in
his ridicolouse tractate De jure regni, and others of that stampe saide be-
for them.
X. Ther was one (I suppose Mr. Johne Corbitt by name), a minister, Corbet s
who fell upon that booke pourposly, and printed the refutatione therof in a f"t*tioii.
tractate called The Ungirding of the Scottish Armourf ; wherby he did man-
taine that upon no accompt it was laufull for subjectes to tacke upp armes
• See Spang, pa^. 316, Historia Motuum. The Tables ordained that this Liformatione
tor Defencive Armes should be readd in pulpitis and pressed in privat conference for justi-
fying tacking up armes against the Kinge.
f The ansuer called The Ungirding of the Scottish Armour is wrj'ttne by Mr. Johne
Corbett, minister at Bonyl, in Scottland, which was of old one of the coUedgiate churches of
the provestry of Dumbarton. It is printed at Dublin, anno 1639, and dedicated to the
Earle of Strafford, lord deputye of Ireland. The author was deposed by the presbytry of
Dumbarton, Apryle sixteenth, 1639, and forced to flye to Irelande. The causes of his depo-
sition wer. First, Subscrybing the bishopps ther Declinator. Second, Frequent absence and
contumacye from the presbytrye. Third, His preaching that tacking upp armes against
the Kinge was a doctrine of unrighteousnesse. Fourth, His not subscrybing the Covcnante.
Fifth, A seditiouse letter sent to the moderator. [See above, vol. i. p. 8. note.'\
"^^
204
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. IV.
The Cove-
nanters levy
men.
Colonel Ro-
bert Munro.
Marquis of
Argyle.
Montrose op-
posed to
Huntly.
General Sir
Alexander
Lesly.
Clan Cameron
join the Cove-
nanters, in op-
position to
Huntly.
Meeting at
Perth.
Taxes.
against ther laufull princes : Which refutatione the Covenanters, themselves
profest,(') disdaind to reply too, as being absurde in itself; albeit his positione
be none other but the very tenent and practise of primitive Christians ; and,
since the tyme that Mr. Corbitt worot that tractate, the these is agane as-
serted by the ablest pennes in Europe of the reformed divynes.
This booke of the Plea for Defensive Armes is lyckwayes oftne tossed by
Lysimachus Nicanor in his Congratulatory Epistle to the Covenanters. Al-
though it be true that Corbitt and Lysimachus be aeqwally hatefull to them,
yet Mr. Robert Bailly thought that Lysimachus deserved ane ansuer ; either
because it was a bishop (Lesly of Downe) who was the author,(2) or because
Lysimachus his paralell stucke ane odium upon the Covenanters. But
such as with indiiferencye have compared Leslyes learned satyre with Mr.
Baillys reply thertoo, (which reply is annexed to Laudensium Autokata-
crisisj have thought that Bailly had better lettne it alone, his superficiall
answer being little better then a rendring upp his armes to his enemye.
But mor of this, God willing, in its owne place.
XL The Covenanters for mor then a yeare past had been provyding
armes. They fall now to levy men and to provyde for opposing the King ; to
which pourpose they listed severall regiments, one wherof was putt under the
command of CoUonel Robert Munroe (a north countrey gentleman, who had
been bredd upp under Gustavus Adolphus, the martiaU King of Sweden).
His order was with his regiment for to lye neer the border of Englande, and
to have ane eye to any who from Englande upon the Kings accompt should
offer to macke any incursione or cavalcad upon Scottlande ; as also to waite
upon the motiones of the Earle of Nithsdale and his associattes who, upon
the south border and south west of Scottland, declared for the Kinge. This
regiment of his was disposed of into the safest and fittest qwarters for that
ende.
The Marquesse of Argylle undertooke for to gwarde the westerne coaste
of Scottland and the Fu-th of Clyde, and to keepe ane eye over the motiones
of the Earle of Strafford, lord deputy of Ireland, as also upon the Clan
Doneel, or any other Highlanders who should offer to joyne with the de-
puty. And to this pourpose he caused levy ane regiment of his owne High-
landers of Ardgylle and Lome, to whom other neighbour Covenanters wer
(1) [Historia Motuum, p. 317 ; Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 153.]
(2) [See above, vol. i. p. 8, iwte; vol. ii. p. «1, note.]
Ch. XL] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
205
to joyne as they saw cause or necessitye, in case the configuratione of Straf-
ford, the Earl of Antrim, and Mackdonel, should threatne them with danger
upon that hande. Argylles pairty are saide to have been about one thou-
sand in all.
And because Hamiltons castell, in the isle of Arran (which isle is scitu-
ated in the entrye of the Firth of Clyd and does belonge heritablye to the
familye of Hamiltoune,) was founde commodiouse for to gwarde that firthe
from the launding of forces from Irelande, therfor Argylle causes surpryse
that castell without bloode (for it was but slenderly gwarded), and therin
planteth a garrisone.
The Earle of Montrose was ordered for to waite upon Huntly, in caise
he should offer to goe to ane heade ; and some regiments of foote and troopes
of horse, consisting cheifly of volunteer gentlemen of the shyres be north the
Firth of Forthe, wer pittt under his comraande ; all thes of ther verye best
men, who, upon occasione, wer to joyne with the northerne Covenanters,
the Forbesses, Frazers, Creightons, and such of Murrey as wer of that
pairtye. And to Montrose was conjoined, as ane adjutante. Sir Alexander
Lesly (afterwards so weall knowne for being generall of the Scottish expedi-
tiones). Although the comissione of generall was at that tyme givne to
Montrose, yet all thinges wer to be done by General Leslyes directione and
advyce. Ther partye was givne out to be three thousande, though after-
warde they appeared not to be so manye.
Montrose had order for to fall upon Huntly befor he should joyne with
forces which wer proniisd to be sent to him from Englande, which Huntlye
was expectinge day by day ; as also that they should sleight all the trenches
that Huntly and the cittizens of Aberdeen had made at Aberdeen for to
gwarde the towne from inrodes; and to disarme the towne. Finally, they had
warrant for to lye so closse to him as that he should be disenabled for to
oppresse anye of the Covenanters his neighbours.
All these thinges wer concluded about this tyme, at a great meeting of
the Covenanters in Sainct Johnstone ; to which meeting, lyckewayes,
Argylle did invite and bringe some of the cheife of the Clan Camerone ;
specially Donald Cameron (seconde sonne to Allan Cameron Mack na
Toiche(O), knowne commonlye under the name of Donald Guirke, for having
(1) [ Allan Cameron of Lochiel, chief of the Clan Cameron, grandfather of the famous
Sir Ewen Dubh Cameron of Lochiel, and great-great-grandfather of the gallant Donald
206 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
in his younger yeares (as the fame goes) stabbed a countrey neighbour
upon some small disobleidgement ; for the which barbarouse acte he is said
to have been highly commended by his father Allan, as ane hopefull youth ;
Allan himself being too weall knowne for to have drivne that traide of throate
cuttinge amongst his neighbours in Lochaber, and a knowne sorcerer (')
and avowed.
That which engadged the Clan Cameron to Ardgylle was not anye anti-
pathy that they had to bishopps or Service Booke, etc., mor then ther
neighbours, the Ardgylle men ; being that most of the people in thes places
are barbarouse, or, if they inclyne to any professione, it is mostly to pop-
erye : But the Clan Cameron joyned with the Covenanters in oppositione to
Huntlyes familye, to whom most of them are vassalls in Lochaber, and had
been severall tymes befor crubbed by the Earles of Huntly by force of armes •,'-''>
which made them now glade for to laye holde upon any occasione of re-
venge. Besyde this, Ardgylle had ane eye to thes places, either to weackne
Huntly, as seing much of his greattnesse did consiste in his Highland fol-
lowinge ; or, if he could get a pretest, for to gripp to Huntlyes Highland
laundes himself, as afterward he did. But all such at that tyme wer welcome
to the Covenant ; albeit, afterward, about the tyme of Charles II. his
incoming, anno 1650, they chaunged ther principalis, and Argylle was
acessory to the purging out as knowinge and civUl men out of the Kings
army, as either the Argylle men or the Lochaber men wer. Yet, lett it be
remembered, that a pairt of the Clan Cameron, at this tyme and long after-
ward, owned the Kings qwarrell ; for most of the Highlanders are inclyned,
Cameron of Lochiel, so celebrated in the history of the rising of 1743. He died about
the year 1630. Lord Hailes has preserved a characteristic letter, written by him in 1643,
to Sir James Grant of Freuchie : " I have received your honour's letter concerning this
misfortunate accident that never fell out, betwixt our houses, the like before, in no man's
days ; but, praised be God, I am innocent of the same and my friends, both in respect that
they gi't [went] not within your honour's bounds, but [only] to Mttrray-land, where all men
take their prey ; nor knew not that Moynes was a Grant, but thought that he was a
Murray-man." Memorials of the Reign of Charles I. p. 156.]
(1) [Patrick Gordon, in his Short Abridgement of Britanes Distemper from the years of
God 1639 to 1649, MS. alludes to the chief of the Clan Cameron as a reputed seer. " Allan
M'CoUduie [MacConnel Duy, or MacDonald Dubh, the peculiar patronymic of Cameron of
Lochiel,] ane old fox, and who was thought to be a seer, had told that there should be a
battell lost there [Inverlochy] by them that came first to seike battell."]
(2) [ParticuU\rly in 1544, in 1614, and in 1626. See Sir Robert Gordon's Hist, of
Earld. of Sutherland, pp. 109, 294, 337.]
Ca. XII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 207
being' left to themselves, to be Royallistes ; happy at least, though they have A. D. Ifi39.
little learning, that they have not learnd to distinguish themselves out of
ther loyalty e, by notions unknowne till the latter ages.
Lyckewayes, such as laye amongst the Covenanters in thes provinces of
Scottland, which stoode for the Covenant ; such, I say, as wer for the Kinge,
whom they could be masters of, they dissarmed with as little tumult as they
could, doing them no furder harme ; although some preveened them, and be-
tymes reteered with their horses and armes : Others lyckwayes fledd, after
ther armes wer seised upon.
The taxtes for mantenance of ther armyes wer, at this tyme and after-
ward for a whyle, imposed upon themselves and ther associatts, by mu-
twall consent. The Tables wer they who did determine the sununa totalis,
as also did divyde it by ane aeqwall proportione.
Ther wer not a few whom they drew into the streame, and compelled, by
reasone of their neighbourhood, for to contribute and tacke upp armes, and
goe along with them, glade to give them outward obedience, for to shunne
ther feare and hazard of present hurt ; of whom not a few, afterwards when
they saw pairty to joyne too, proved more active against the Covenanters
then ever they had been for them.
Finally, ther was no diligence left unused, no meanes unassayed, wherby
such as might prove usefuU to ther partye, might either by allurments be
drawne over to ther syde, or, by terrors and the discommodityc laide out,
laide off from owning the Kinges interest, or standing at least neutralls till
such tyme as they, being masters, beganne in ende to commande suche
whom, at first, they made ther addresses too by way of requeste.
XII. Ther nest care was for to fortifie such places upon the two sydes of Covenanters
the Firth of Forthe as lay most opne to the algarads of sea forces, if any pl^ ' ^ P'"''P'""
should enter the firthe. To this pourpose some slender workes wer raised Leith.
at Kinghorue and Bruntislande, and such canon as they could gett, mostly •^ojo""' Alex-
'^ _ _ J a ^ J ander Hamil-
course iron peeces, tackne off of shippes, planted upon them. ton their
And because it concerned them much for to secure Edinburghe, therfor ™'''?';^'" o*
artillerv.
with all expeditione they fall to fortifie the port towne of Leith (which is Dalkeith,
about a myle distant from Edinburgh) with strong fortifications, acording to Rep'*'"*-
the moderne fashione. Leith had been fortifyd befor, in the tyme of Qween castle sefzed .
Mary of Scottland, by the Frenches ; and had stoode out a seidge, and the also Dumbar-
assault both of the Lord Grey, sent thither by Queen Elisabeth with con-
208 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
siderable forces, and of the lordes of the congregatione, till it was rendred
by La Brosse, anno 1560. The workes which the Frenches raised wer not
so fan- demolished but that the printes of them wer to be discerned after-
wardes ; yet did not Collonel Alexander Hamiltone, ingeneer to the Co-
venanters, and maister of ther arteillerye, thinke meete to follow the French
lynes, but did worke upon a new plane, which the levell scituatione of
Leethe gave licence to vary, acording to artists inventione.
The first basketts full of earthe wer carryd by the noblemen, the cheife
leaders of the Covenante ; whoise example was followd with great alacritye
by people of all rankes, specially the cittizens of Edinburghe, men, women,
and childeren ; who travelled at that worke so laboriously that in short space
it was brought to great perfectione, though it consisted of a considerable
number of great bastions, reared upp a la moderne.
I have hearde it affirmed, at that tyme, that the Covenanters wer
once resolved for to have marrd and rendred uselesse the haven of Mon-
trosse, by sinking some vessels full of stones in it. If it wer true or not, I
cannot determine, since it was not done at all, but the barbery left as
befor.
The castell of Dalkeith, which lyes within a six myles of Edinburghe,
was at this tyme standing without any gwarde, as being to no pourpose
to have garrisone ther, and the place being rather for pleasure then
strenthe. In it ther wer some qwantitye of ammunitione, lying since the
last yeare : it was carryd asyde thither, because the Covenanters would not
permitt it to be carryd in to the castell of Edinburghe, yet had ane eye still
to the ammunitione, which was left ther as a prey to them. They thought it
therfor high tyme now to macke use of that which was laid up ther furth-
coming for ther use ; and to that pourpose enter the pallace of Dalkeithe by
a acalladoe, not one being to resiste, and seise upon all the armes that wer
founde ther, and transport them thence.'"
In searching that pallace, they alighted upon a trunke, which they made
opne ; wher they founde (as some thought not by chaunce) the crowne and
scepter and sworde of the kyngdome of Scottlande, the ensignes of ma-
jestye ; all which they caused transport into the castell of Edinburgh, (it
(1) [" The Earl of Traqnair's Relation of the Surrender oi Dalkeith to the Covenanters,
delivered to His IMajesty at York, in April, 1639," will be found in Nalson's Impartial
Collection, vol. i. pp.212 — 214.]
Ch. XII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 209
being tackne at this tyme, as yow shall heare), with great solemnitye, con-
veying all* with no meaner attendants then the cheife noblemen Cove-
nanters : That castell being the place appoynted, as they affirmed, for keep-
ing thes badges of royaltye.
Edinburgh castell I should have spocke first off, for it was seized upon
befor the castell of Dalkeithe ; the day of its seizure Marche nine-
teenthO, or very neer it. It cost Uttle powdei-, and no bloode. Blocked upp
it had been a long tyme befor, as has been tould. When the daye came
that it must be thers, generall Lesly caused the muster maisters of Edin-
burgh call out some choice companyes that morning, who wer drawn upp
into the outwarde court yard of the abbey of Haliroode house, (for it is to
be remembered that all this spring, not only in and about Edinburgh, but
through the whole countrey, ther wer daylye musters ; and young souldiours,
who lately had been accustomd with the pleuch, wer now calld out, and
taught everye wher to handle ther armes, with no little noyse and qwarter
keepinge.) Thes companys armed, wer ledd along the high street, and
drawne upp in covert of the neerest buildings to the castell, a companye or
two drawne closse to the outwarde gate, (which opned then in the south syde
of a sumptouse outworke of ashler worke, called the Spurre, although it
wer both troublesome and uselesse to the castell, and therfor demolishd some
yeares afterwardes, when the English gott it into ther possessione). Upon
the gate they did hang a pittard, and therwith blew upp the outwarde gate
of the castell, without any resistance of the captane of the castelle, a gentle-
man called [Archibald] Haddin ; who, as he resolved not to render that which
he kept but by ther permissione all the whyle, so he was but in ane ill con-
ditione, as not able to mantane it, for want of all necessaires, longer then
the Covenanters wer pleased to permitte him so to doe. He and his few
souldiours stoode looking on amongst the canon, upon the high batterye,
whilste Lesly commanded to pettarde the gate. The gentleman and soul-
diours they dissmist, without harme done to them. It is affirmed that the
gentleman keeper shedde teares when they entred the castell, either for
* Leading the crowne and scepter captive, withe a triumphant processione, saies a late
wrytter.
(1) [On the twenty-first of March, according to Bishop Guthrie and Sir James Balfour.
Guthrie says Dalkeith was taken on the twenty-third, Balfour, on the twenty-second of March.
Bishop Burnet gives the twenty-third oi March as the date of the capture of Edinburgh castle.
The MS. Diary of Sir Thomas Hope states tliat Edinburgh was taken on the twenty-first,
Dalkeith on the twenty-third of March. Napier's Life and Times of Montrose, p.- 91.]
•2 D
210 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. greefe of the efFront, or that he fownde himself in no better capacitye to
doe the King, his maister, service.(') It may be disputed whether his bygone
confynment within the castell, or this way of releasment, was most trouble-
some to him, if he was reall in his trust.* Howsoone they wer maisters of
it, they tooke care to repaire the breach of the gate, and to furnish it with
men and ammunitione necessarye.
The lycke fortune did the castle of Dunbritton runne with Edinburgh ;
for by famineC'^) they made themselves maisters of that otherwayes impreg-
nable strenthe, if ther be any such in Brittaine.
Marquis of XIII. The castell of Edinburgh was surprysed that same very day that
Huntly s ^j^g Marquesse of Huntlye kept his second rendevouze, at Innerowrve;'^) for
rendevous ^ t-i-i-itiii
at Turrett'. he had kept one befor, at Turrefi,**^ of which I have delayd to give ane ac-
(1) [Burnet imputes Ijlame to the garrison- " It is true, much resistance could not be
made : but that could not wipe off their stain, who yielded that impregnable and important
Place so faintly. The occasion of their negligence was, that a Gentlewoman of good
Quality was sent in under pretence of visiting the Captain of the Castle, to keep him in
discourse : she dined with him, and engaged him to play at Cards, so that they were about
his ears, before he was apprehensive of danger." Memoires of the Hamiltons, p. 117.]
• Insere loco opportuno. Mariij SO, 1639 yeares, Ther was a petition givne into the
lords of the session, for some remeade for the absence of the signett. The lords ordaned that
all wryttes which should have past by the signet should be presented to one George Had-
din, a wrytter, and the ordinary pryce dwe to the signet consigned in his handes, and to be
made forthe coming to the lord secretarye, and his keepers. Wherupon the said George
Haddin should marke the date of the saide offer, besyde the waxe, at the place customablye
bering the date of the signett, and wrytte therupon thes wordes, " marked by me, acording
to acte and warrant of the lords of sessione, and ordained to be ane warrant for execution
heerof, or passing through the scales, albeit it be not signetted" ; which wordes he was to
subscrybe witlie his signe and subscriptione mannwall. [See Spalding, Hist, of Troub.,
vol. i., p. 84.]
(2) [The castle of Dunbarton was taken not hy famine, as our author supposes, but by
stratagem. " Dumbrettoun the king's house was taken in be the covenanters by ane prettie
slight, which was thus ; the captain thereof called Stewart, a religious gentleman, trew to
the king, happened upon ane Sunday to goe hear devotion at ane church without the cas-
tell, fearing no evill nor danger ; but he is suddenly taken by the covenanters, who was laid
for him ; he is compelled to cast otf his cloathes, which were shortly putt upon ane other
gentleman of his shape and quantitie, and he pat on his cloathes u])on him againe. Thus,
apparrell interchanged, they commanded this captain, under paine of death, to tell the watch
word, which, for fear of his life, he truely told. Then they goe on the night quietly, on-
sein be the castileans, and had this counterfeit captain with them, who cryed and called by
the watch word ; which being heard, yeitts are cassen open, in goes the covenanters with
greater power nor was within to defend it, and takes in this strong strength, and mans and
fortifies the samen to their mind." Hist, of Troub., vol. i., pp. 110, 111. Compare Bail-
lie's Letters, vol. i., p. 158 ; Sir James Balfour's Annales, vol. ii., pp. S-2-2, 323.]
(3) [On the twenty-fifth of March, according to Spalding, vol. i., p. 101.]
(4) [On the fourteenth of February.]
Ch. XIII.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
211
compt till now, least I should mixe the actiones of severall places. The
occasione of that rendevouze was an advertishment that Huntly had by Sir
George Ogilvye of Banfe, knycht (afterwards lord), at that tyme one who
profest to doe much for the Kinge. His intelligence bore that ther was a
great meeting to be (at Turreff, a raerkatt towne, about eleven or twelve
myle eastward from Strabogye, Huntlyes castell, but only a myle distant
from Forglen, wher Sir George Ogilvye then remainede) of the northerne
Covenanters, Forbeses, Frazers, Keithes, Creightones, and ther vassalls,
about some seriouse consultatione, which questionlesse tended to the oppos-
ing of ther formidable neighbour, the Marquess of Huntlye. It was Sir
George Ogilvyes opinion that if Huntly would but keepe rendevouze at
Turret? that daye, that either the other partye would not appeare, or, if they
did, that for plane feare they would acte nothing, but evanishe, without any
conclusione tackne. Huntly readily foUowd that advyce, which was dis-
pleasing to many of his freendes, who thought they had reasone to be
jealouse of the Lord Banfe, as one that bore not so much inwarde good
wille to Huntlys familye as he outwardly profest : And ther constructione of
it [was], that Banfe drew on that rendevouze, either for to engadge Huntly
actwally against the Covenanters, caring little how it shoulde ende ; or if the
service prospered, that himself might gett the thankes from the King, as
being very instrumental! (if not the only projector) to sette the Kings partye
for to acte. And beer I shall not trouble my reader with the narratione of
thes goldne hopes, and castells built in the aire, and expectationes of for-
faltryes, that severall of thoise who profest themselves for the Kinge did
laye ther compt upon for a whyle after this tyme ; some of them, who had
mor courage then solide wisdome, this yeare proceeding to that height of
folly as to qwareU with other about the Covenanters laundes, publickly, in
ther cuppes.
But Huntlyes intentiones for a rendevouze at Turreff, which he appoynt-
ed to bee upon that same verye daye with that of the northerne Covenanters,
could farr lesse be conceald from them then thers from him ; for the many
publicke dispatches that he sent for that pourpose to all qwarters (wrytting
to his freends to come thither without extraordinar armes, and ther follow-
ers), gave his neighbours the Covenanters the alarum, who as quickly did
certifie Montrosse therof, who was ready upon a call. And, being desyrouse
to shew himself as active in his charge (as he had been remarkable for coun-
tenancing protestationes, and the Generall Assembly of Glasgow, and pull-
A. D. I(i39.
James Ogil-
vie, Ear! of
Findlater.
The Earl
Marischal
declares for
the Cove-
nanters.
212 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
ing downe the organs of the chappell royall of HoHe Rood house, the
Kings pallace, the summer and winter past,) with such of the cavalrye of
the Mearnes and Angusse gentrie as war neerest, or readyest, or most
zealouse to the service, he flyes over the Grangbean hills with all speed
possible, scarce ever sleeping or resting till he gott to Turreffe, accom-
panyd with the number of neer two hundereth gallant gentlemen ; having
first not neglected to bidde the Forbesses, and Frazers, and all suche as the
shortnesse of the tyme could permitte then to conveene, for to be ther
tymously, upon the daye appoynted, which they failed not to doe. And,
befor any considerable number of Huntlyes people appeared, they wer come
to Tureffe; and it being an opne markett towne, they planted the church
yard of Turreff with musketeers and harquebuziers, wher it was supposed
that Huntly would meet with his friendes, if they wer to have any consulta-
tione that daye. The place for its scitwatione was advantagiouse for the
defenders, being high grounde and uneasye to bee approached except on
the east syde, neerest the street of the towne, wher the entrye to the church
yard is.
Huntlye and his freendes and followers beganne to appeare and con-
veen apace (after the Covenanters wer possest with Turreff,) from severall
quarters. Severall companyes of them entring Turritf and fynding the Co-
venanters ther, scarcely knew at first wher to seeke Huntlye. However,
they saw that it was not convenient for them to tacke upp ther stande in
a place alreadye filled with others ; therfor, such as entred the village, with-
out any aboade ther, roade fordwards and drew out to the feelds southwarde
therof, at some distance over against it ; and all this without any violence
offered to any of Huntlyes followers, either in worde or deede, by such of
the Covenanters who wer come to Turreffe that day to be defencive and to
stande ther grownde onlye, fynding it befor tyme to ingadge, and, though
it had been tyme, very doubtfull of the event, as not knowing Huntly his
strenthe nor numbers.
How soone Huntly himselfe came neer the place, he had advertishment
that it was poseste and tackne upp by Montrose and his followers. Therfor,
dissembling his dissatisfactione, he rode another waye towards the plane,
whither the rest of his company wer begunne to move, as supposing it would
be the most convenient place for them to halt upon till they knew Huntlye
his intentiones. The place is knowne by the name of the Broadefoord of
Towy, not so neer Turreff as a myle Scottishe : Thither in ende came all
Ch. XIII..] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 213
whom he had sent for; who, for gentlemen and yeomans, made upp twenty A. D. 1639.
and fyve hundereth all on horse backe, though not all the horses nor the
men for service upon horse.
Severall who wer present urged Huntly to fall on and dryve awaye the
Covenanters ; which, they saide, as he might be ansuerable to doe, being the
Kings lievtenant for the northe, so he had power to doe it; that it was
good to resiste the beginings ; that if he dismissed so manye gallant men
without acting any thing, who wer come resolute to serve the Kinge that
day, they would be discouraged, and not so readily conveene, at another
tyme, upon his next call ; that it would encourage the other partye to bearde
him, and contemne him, upon all occasions : besyde, they shewd him that it
was ane ati'ront to him to be kept out of Turreif. Thoise who thus argwed
wer some of the hottest headed, but not of the wysest.
To all ther argwings, Huntly ansuered. That he had no warrant from the
King to engadge in bloode with the Covenanters ; but, upon the contrare,
to lett them first show themselves. (') This he cleared to some of the princi-
pal! noblemen and gentlemen who wer present, tacking them asyde and lett-
ing them see some of the Kings expresses, wrytte to him, 'to that pour-
pose : For the rest, he thanked them for ther ready conveening, and ex-
horted them to continow in ther begunne loyaltye.
Amongst other men of qwalitye who did keep rendevouze with Huntly,
ther came thither, with the best of his followers, James Ogilvye, Earle of
Findlater(2) (who shortly afterward fell in to the Covenant). His waye com-
raing through Turreff, he tooke occasione to have some commoning with
Montrose and his pau'tye ; and being a man of a peaceable temper, and one
who was knowue to have no stomacke for warre, he tooke occasione to
mediate peace betwixt Huntly and Montrose, upon his owne feare and sus-
pitione, or uncertainty of the event, or the designes of either pairtye. The
ansuer and comissione sent from Montrose to Huntlye was. That they in-
tended not to molest any, and would be as loath to sitt downe under any
(1) [This is corroborated by Burnet. " A Commission for the Lieutenantry of tlie North of
Scotland was sent to the Marquis of Huntley; but he was ordered to keep it up as long as was
possible, and carefully to observe two things. One was, not to be the first Agressor, except
he were highly provoked, or His Majesties Authority signally aftronted ; the other was, that he
should keep off with long Weapons, till His Majesty were on the Borders ; lest if he should
begin sooner, the Covenanters might overwhelm him with their whole Force, and either
ruine him, or force him to lay down his arms." Memoires of the Hamiltons, p. 113.]
(2) [James, second Lord Ogdvy of Deskford, created Earl of Findlater in 163y.]
214 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
injurye if they could shuiine it ; tliat if the Marquesse of Huntlye had any
bussinesse with his freendes he might tacke him to any other pairt of the
toune of Turreffe, and they named the Earle of Errolls house in Turreff,
which they saide his lordshipp and some of his select freendes should be
welcome to macke use of. Of all the rest who were with him, they neither
spoke, nor meant they to admitte, lett be to invite them.*
This was a propositione somewhat ridiculouse, to invite Huntly for to
leave his rendevouze and come in amongst them with some few of his
freendes ; therfor it mett with such acceptance upon Huntlyes pairt as it
deserved, which was to slight it qwytte ; which made Findlater use manye
wordes to Huntlye, exhorting him to peaceable resolutions, who had no
warrant to doe otherwayes.
Some tyme befor sunnesett, Huntly breake upp his rendevouze, and sent
the most pairt of his owne men backe to Strabogye, with his second sonne
James, Viscounte of Aboyne, under whoise conducte they had come thither
that day in a brigadde together. A considerable number of gentlemen con-
veyed Huntly towards Forglane, the lairde of Banfes house, keeping the
straight way under the village of Turreff, and rydinge hard under the
dyckes of the churcheyarde, westward, within two picke lenth to Montrose
company without salutatione or worde speaking on either syde. The next
day Montrose disbanded and returned southwards againe.C)
* Nota. This commission that was sent to Huntly was sent by the Earle of Kinghorne,
who offered to Huntly a pairt of the tonne of Turreff, and the Earle of Errolls lodginge,
for him and such as should come to attende him ; but Montrose was unseen in it. The com-
mission was sent by one of Montrose syde, a Covenanter gentleman ; and the ansuer return-
ed by one of Huntlys syde. Whither that commissioner who came from Kinghorne did
come in Findlater's company or not, it is uncertaine, nor doe I remember it.
(1) [The narrative of Spalding supplies several details of this First Raid of Turreff. " The
Table had appointed ane committee to be holden at Turreff, for stenting of the countrie and
numbering of men. And to this effect, ther conveined the earle of Montrose, the earle of
Kinghorne, the lord Coujjar, with sundrie other barrens and gentlemen, about nyne score,
Weill horsed, and weill armed gallants, haveing buff coats, carabins, swords, pistolls, and the
like armes. They came not be Aberdein, but, upon Wednesday the 13th of February, they
lodged with the lord Fraser, at his place of Muchallis, and in the countrie about. And upon
the morne being the 14th of Februar, they rode from Muchallis to Turreff, haveing the lord
Fraser, one of the committee, with them, and his freinds ; where there mett them the
master of Forbes, with his freinds and followers, another of the said committee ; the earle
of Marischall himselfe was not there, but his men, tennents, and servants, of Buchan and
Marr, wcr ther ; and likewaycs, the young earle of Erroll, his men, tennents, and servants of
Buchan wer ther, albeit himselfe was but ane young bairne ; about the number of 800, weill
horsed, weill armed gentlemen, and on foot together, with buff coats, swords, corslets,
jackis, piptolls, carrabines, hagbutts, and other wapinis. Thus, they took in the toun of
Turreff', and busked very advantageously their muskets round about the dykes of the kirk
Ch. XIII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 215
This is that meeting which afterwards was knowne under the name of
The First Roade of Turreif, for to distinguish it from a rencounter that fell
out ther in May following, that yeare, betwixt Huntlys followers and ther
neighbours, the Covenanters of the shyres of Aberdeen and Banfe. It was
looked upon as ane actione upon Huntlyes pairt whoise deepe and mystery
few or none could dyve unto. Yet, Fame, that is no niggard in her reportes,
befor it came the lenth of Parise, made it passe ther in the Parisian Gazzett,
under no lesse notione then the seidge and tacking of the great towne of
TurrefT, in Scottland, by the Marquesse of Huntlye ; whom Fraunce knew
yeard, and sat down within the kirk thcrof, such as was of the committee, viz. Montrose,
Kinghorne, Coupar, Eraser, and Forbes ; as is befor noted.
" Now, the marquess of Huntly, being at the buriall of his aunt the lady Foveran, and
daughter to the laird of Geight, short whyle befor this time ; and hearing of this committee
to be holden at Turreff, and talkeing of the samen, some evil disposed persons informed his
lordship that he durst not come ther that day. The marquess incensed thcrvvith, came frao
the buriall to his house in Aberdein, and shortly WTytes to his freinds, to meit him without
any amies, except swords and shotts ; and, upon the said Wednesday the 13th of February,
he lap on in Aberdein, haveing his two sones the lord Gordon and the lord Aboyne with
him, the earle of Findlater, the master of Rae who by accident was then in Aberdein, the
laird Drum, the laird Banff, the laird Geight, the laird of Haddoch, the laird of Pitfoddels,
the laird of Foveran, the laird of Newtoun, the laird of Udny, with many others that mett
him. Allwayes, he lap on in Aberdein, about 60 horse with swords, pistolls, and hagbutts
allenarly ; and, upon Wednesday, he came to Kellie, the laird of Haddoch's house, at night.
Upon the morne being Thursday and the 14th of February, he lap on, and at the Broad
Foord of Towie, two miles distant from Turreff, the marquesse himselfe begane to rank and
putt his men in order, and to take up the number of them, which was estimate to be about
2000 brave weill horsed gentlemen and brave footmen, albeit wanting armes, except sword
and shott, as I have said. Thus, the marquess came forward, in order of battell, up the
northwest syde of TurreiF, in sight of the other companyes, ilk ane looking to others, but
any kind of offence or injurious word. The marquess, haveing thus peaceablie past by, dis-
solved his company, ilk man to go home, and himselfe, that night, went to Forglan, pertain-
ing to the laird of Banff. The covenanters heard indeed of the marquess' comeing, and
therefore they took in the toun, and busked the yeard dykes very commodiously, as I have
said ; and seeing ther was nothing but peace, they held their committee within the kirk of
Turreff, stented, taxed, and numbered the men, ordaining them to be in readiness, with
their armes, to attend the Table. It was reported, ther came to assist this committee out
of Murray, the laird of Innes, the sherrift" of Miu-ray, the lairds of Pluscardyne, Tarbett,
Brodie, and others, about 12 score brave weill horsed gentlemen. Allwayes, upon the said
14th of February, this committee dissolved in peace, and the lords returned back to
Muchailes ; the rest were lodged, that night, at Inverurie and Kintoir. Upon the morne,
they rode to Dunnotter, wher they wer mode weillcome, and Marischall ther declared him-
selfe clearlie to be ane covenanter, whilk was doubtfuU before ; and suae furth ilk man
home. The marquess of Huntly came from Forglan to Kellie, upon Fryday at even ; and,
upon Saturday, he returned to his own lodgeing in New Aberdein. This bussieness did no
good to the marquess, but was evill devysed and councelled to make a show of his strength
and power, without doeing any other service ; for the whilk and others his doeings, he was
with his freinds pitifully born down and oppressed; as ye may hereafter see." Hist, of
Troub. vol. i. pp. 93, 94.]
216 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
better then they knew TurreiFe, having seen him some few yeares befor
amongst the armyes of the Most Christian King, commander of the Com-
pany of the Scottish Gendarmes, (which company is the second of Fraunce)
in the service against Lorraine and Alsatia ; wher lyckwayes his two eldest
sonnes George, Lord Gordone, and James, Viscount of Aboyne, past
ther apprenteshipp in the scoole of Mars.
This interview, at TurrefF, betuixt Huntly and Montrosse pairtyes, did
irritate both alycke to tacke armes. Montrosse, by what he had sene, un-
derstood that he had a considerable pairty to deale withall ; and Huntly
saw that his enemy was resolute and watchfull. Therfor Huntly resolves no
mor now to lye idle. To this pourpose, therfor, he falls instantly to arme his
followers with such armes as the King had sent to him (which wer brought
about, in a pinnace, by Sir Alexander Gordon of Clunye,(0 together with
a comissione, from the King, of a lievtenantcye over the north,* which was
the dignitye his predecessors had) ; and for to cause traine the young soul-
diours, and list them in companyes and in horse troopes, who consisted
mostly of volunteers. And, least he should lye opne to a surpryse, he drawes
in gwards about him to Aberdeene; which the townesmen, at his request, and
for ther owne securitye, fell to fortifie with such ti'enches as the shortnesse
of the tyme, and the present necessitye, would permitt them to cast and
macke upp; which worke they beganne too in the begininge of Blarche. His
house of Strabogye, which he was then repairing, was not in conditions
to be made tenible ; nor was the Boge of Guight in much better posture for
defence, being builded rather for beauty and accomodatione then for strenthe.
Ther remained one castell, seven myles west from Strabogye, near Balveny,
called Achindowne castell (built, as is affirmed, by Cochrain, who was minion
to King James the Third), which was the only strenth he coulde confyde
(1) [" Sir Alexander Gordon of Cluny, knight barronet, being sent be the marquess to goe
to the king be land, returned to Aberdein be sea in one of the king's pinnages upon the
nynth of March. This pinnage guarded and convoyed ane other merchant ship, to the
port of the said burgh, wherein there was '2000 musketts, bandiliers, and musket staves ;
1000 pikes with harness and armes both for footmen and horsemen; and carrabins, horse
picks, pistoUs, powder, lead, and match. Thir armes were brought on shoar, and delivered
to the marquess upon the 17th of March." Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 99.]
* March sixteenth, His commission to be levtennnet was publicklye proclaimed at the
crosse of Aberdeen, with sounde of trumpett, and therafter warrant directed out to all
cheife men within the precincte, for to tacke armes. Particularly warrants wer sent to the
Forbesses and Frasers, rcqwyring them to follow him in the Kings service, but they
sleighted his orders, and quickly joined with ther oune pairtye. [Spalding, Hist, of Troub.,
vol. i., pp. 100, 101, where a copy of the proclamation is preserved.]
Ch. XIV.]
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
217
in ; yet. because of its scitwationc amongst barren hills, and neer the High- A. D. 1639.
lands, rather meet to be a prisone and a retreate than a gwarde to the conn-
trey, being unfitt for sallyes upon ane enemye. Nor had he any money
furder then his owne revenew (a pairt wherof was morgadged), for to wadge
this warre ; nor was he to expect contributions from his freendes or asso-
tiatts, who behoved to mantane themselves ; the power of the Marquesses
of Huntly, consisting cheiflye in the great number of his owne vassalls, both
in the Highlands and Lowlands, who posesse great laundes belonging to
him, and doe therfor pay to him ther personall service with ther followers,
either upon horse or foote, upon ther owne charges within Scottland when-
ever they are reqwyred, and little mor of any thinge. Besyde this all his fol-
lowers being as much inclynd to the King as himself, and most of them
with ane implicit obedience, all this coulde macke him confident to doe that
which want of money would have made appeare impossible to others or him.
This I intimate, once for all, that it may be understoode what was the reason
why he was so hardly brockne afterwarde ; as also how it came to passe that
his followers, and vassals, and freendes, a few yeares afterward, wer so in-
strumentall to carry on such considerable atcheivments as made the Cove-
nanters power reele and stagger in Scottland at that very time that they
wer gainers in Englande. Yow see the case is soone resolved ; such as wer
Huntlyes followers wer obleidged to serve him upon ther oun charge ; and
they, and all that joyned with them, founde themselves as muche concerned
in the Kings qwarell and interest as ther leaders themselves.
Though I have, in my younger yeares, oftne had occasione to see both
partyes at that tyme, yet I cannot peremptorly determine the numbers of
thoise who then and afterward bore armes under Huntlyes commande. Yet,
I suppose, I am not farr fi-om the truthe if I say that his followers and freends
wer about three thousand, most pairte foote, and horse the rest. If they
wer not some mor or some feuer, it was with a number not many fewer that
Huntlye did keep his next rendevouse at Innerourye, in the ende of Marche ;
of which mor presently.
XIV. Montrosse, upon the other pairt, was no slower then Huntly for Montrose
to putt himself in a posture offensive ; for he was resolved to be no longer P"ts himself
defensive, as he had been at TurrefF.* Therfor, that he might macke sure offence • in-
* Nota. Another reasone that made Montrosse so hastye for to discusse Huntlye was
the necessitye that the Covenanters saw for to have the couiitrey qwyett, and no consider-
able bosome enemye ; seing that they forsaw that they behoved for to turne ther maine
2 E
218
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. IV.
A. D. 1639.
timates the
the time of
his return to
the north.
Arglye ap.
pointed to take
care of Airly,
and prevent
his joining
Huntly ; also
to fall upon
Badenoch, etc.
in a certain
event.
Montrose's
following.
worke with Huntly, he intimates the time of his backe coming to the north,
unto the Covenanter pairtye of the Forbesses and Frazers, etc., and others
in the shyres of Aberdene and Banfe. Lyckwayes, he advertishes the
Covenanters be north the river of Spey, such as belonged unto Murrey,
Rosse, Sutherland, Catnesse, for to be readye, with all theye could macke,
for to marche over Spey, and joyne with him if need should bee. Nor wer
most of them slow to corresponde with Montross ; Huntly and his famUye
being dreadfull for his near neighbourhoode, and therfor hatefull, as also
envyd for his greatnesse by his over Speye neighbours, who could gladly
wished befor then, at the least, for to have had his winges clipped and his
naUes pared.
XV. And because ther was correspondence betuixt Huntly and the Earle
of Airlye, whom the vicinitye of the hills gave faire occasione to joyne with
Huntlye at his pleasure ; therfor Argylle, with about a thousand of his
Highlanders, was appoynted to fynde worke to Airlye at home ; it being
knowne to the Covenanters that none wold goe about that service mor faith-
fully then Argylle, being that the Earle of Airly was hated be Argylle up-
on privatt concernement, as the Ogilvyes of Airlye and ther familye did
beare a reciprocall ill wille to the Campells of Ardgylle many yeares befor
the Covenant. This was not all Argylles instructiones ; for he was lyck-
wayes for to fall upon the countreys of Badzenache, and Lochaber or Stra-
dawin, in caise the Marquesse of Huntly should have offered to have made
use of the inhabitants of thes places for to draw them downe to the low
countreye for strenthning his oune pairtye.
XVI. Montrosse himself was followed by the cavalry e of Mearnes,
Angusse, and some pairt of Pearth shyre, and others, mostly be north the
river Forthe ; as also with foote levyd out of thes places, trained and regi-
mented, and putt under skillfull officers, brought from abroade for that
pourpose, and kept under paye some tyme befor. Such as speacke of his
numbers to the greatest advauntag-e call them but three thowsand horse and
power against the King, who was macking ready considerable forces for to marche towards
the border of Scottland. Had Huntly and his associats been standing unbrokne when the
Kings army came unto Bervicke, it would have provne very hurtfull to the Covenanters,
and rendered ther army very inconsiderable, and probably made ther conditions at the
Kings handes lesse advantageous for them.
But the maine reasone was a privat letter sent by Hamiltone to the Covenanters (which
was enclosed in a pistoll, with another letter, which desyred them to receave a pistoU and
draw the charge) ; which privat advice was for to crubbe ther northeme enemyes, or to
expecte no qwarter from the Kinge.
Ch. XVII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 219
foote ;' others saye not above half as manye ; which is as neer the truthe as A. D. 1639.
the tother relatione of his numbers; for I suppose they wer about two thow-
sand att moste.
XVII. Huntly was not ignorant of the storme that was gathering above Huntly'sawk-
his heade ; but he was to acte only by order from the Kinge ; and betuixt ^^^ situation.
them ther was such a large space, and the Covenanters, interjected, who sent by him to
carefully strove to stoppe his intelligence, which (as I have told) easily they '■'^^' ^''h
might doe, that it fared with him as in the tyme of the civill warres betuixt Montrose re-
Vespasian and Vitellius. Vespasians pairtye, under Mutianus conduct, solves to visit
wer scuffling with the VittcUianists in Italye, whos orders wer sent them \ ^^ ° r ;,
^ ^ '' *P^^ 01 Aber-
from Asia out of Jurye ; by which meanes either the actione, or the oppor- deen. Second
tunitye to acte, was past befor the orders came from Vespasian. deputation.
•^ '^ Montrose s
But ther was worse then the distaunce of place, and the Covenanters answer and
ther intercepting Huntlyes intelligence and orders ; for all Huntlyes direc- behaviour.
tions wer sent by HamUtounes advyce, who heerm directed the King, anion? the
Huntlys director. They all tended to peace and delayes, and to stand de- Covenanters.
fencive, and, finally, to doe nothing against them. This made Huntlye at Montrose.
essaye by treatye what could be effectwate at Montrosse hande ; to which Prodigy ;
pourpose, about the fifteenthe of Marche,(') two commissioners wer directed, v"it/,°'^/"7'u
in Huntlyes name, to Montrosse. The comissioners wer Robert Gordone
of Strathloche, and Dr. William Gordone, medicinar to Huntlye, and pro-
* " Tria millia militum festinato delectu ex Transforthnnis provinciis, quibus se adjunxere
qui in Angusia & Mernia foederatarum partium erant." Spang, Historia Motuum, pag.
319.
(1) [On the twentieth of March, as we learn from the following entry in the Council
Register of the City of Aberdeen :
" Commissionares directt to the Nobilitie of the Covenant.
" Vigesimo die mensis Martij 1639,
" The samen day doctour Williame Johnstoune and George Moresoun ar chosin commis-
sionares to pas to the nobilitie of the Covenant conveinit at Montrois, and to capitulat with
thame vpoun sic articles as shalbe gewin in commissioun to the saids commissionares anent
the repairinge of thair armie to this brughe ; As lyikwayes to confer be the way with the
erll Marshall wpoun the same busienes, that his lordship wald be pleased to contribute his
assistance to the saids commissionares for the peace and quyett of this toune ; and George
Jamesoun is appoyntit to accumpanie and assist thame in the said commissioun, quhilk is gewin
to the effect following, viz. To petition and desyre the nobilitie that they send in a peace.
abill nianer ane hundrcth men at the most for holding of thair committie in the auld coUedge,
and ])ublieatioun of the actes of the gcnerall Assemblie in the cathedrall kirk of this diocie ;
and, if the college and cathedrall kirk be not made patent to thame for that effect, to declair
wnto thame that thay sal have oure paroche kirk patent for the said intimatioun ; the nobi-
litie alwayes keipand thamselfis and thair forces als far distant frome this burghe, as the
Marqueis of Huntlie sail do with his forces." Aberdeen Council Register, vol. lii.
p. 432.]
220 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. fessor in the University of Aberdene : To thes, lyckwayes, the cittye of
Aberdene conjoyned two of ther townesmen, Dr. William Johnstone, me-
diciner, and professor of the raathematickes in the New Colledge of Aber-
dene, who had subscrybed the Covenant ; and George Morrisone, baillie of
Aberdene. Thes four comissioners founde Montrosse at his owne house
of Old Montrosse, the first tyme that they went to treate with him, befor
his souldiours wer rendevouzde. Ther proposalls wer to him, in name of
Huntly and Aberdene, That he would be pleased for to keepe himself be
south the hills of the Grangbeen, which doe divyde the north from the
Mearnes and Angusse and the rest of the southe ; and that, till it should bee
seene whither ther might be any hopes of treatye as yet betuixt the King
and the Covenanters ; which, iff Montrosse wold consent to, Huntly pro-
misd to give assurance that neither he nor any of his pairtye should trouble
or molest any of the Covenanters his neighbours, and that he should keepe
himself within the boundes of his lievtenantrye be northe the hills. But, al-
beit the commissioners pressed this propositione as much as they could, yet
they coidd obtaine no ansuer else from Montrosse but, That, in obedience to
the acte of the Assembly of Glasgow, they behoved to visite the Old Colledge
of Aberdeene, and behoved to keepe the tyme appoynted ; that they should
trouble no man ; they should pay all that they gott ; and, finallye, that they
should doe no mor violence to any man then they should be necessitate to
doe : Which wordes he oftne very peremptory repeated, and kept himself
in thes generall termes. For the rest he professed a great deale of good
will to Huntly, and to his followers, and wished a better understanding
amono-st them ; and so, after a generall complimentall ansuer, with much
appearance of outwarde civilitye, dissmissed the commissioners.
How soone they returned from Montrosse to Aberdene, and related ther
ansuer, which was nothing pleasing to manye, Huntly beganne to rendevouz
March 18. his men ; and, against the eighteenths of Marche, had about two thousand
and two liundreth foote and horse weall armed at Innerourye ; but all of
them countrey people, and though none wanted good will, yet few or none
wer amongst them who had skill to commande, or had ever been upon any
considerable service.
(1) [As the commissioners were not dispatched until the twentieth, Gordon is obviously
mistaken in supposing that Huntly's rendevous was on the eighteenth. It is placed by
Spalding, apparently with accuracy, on the twenty -fiflli. Gordon was probably misled by
the terms of Huntly's proclamation. See Spalding, Hist, of Troub., pp. 100, 101.]
Ch. XVII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 221
Huntly, who neither had orders to fight, nor great confidence in the skill A. D. 1639.
of his commanders, resolves, at least, to putt a good face upon the matter,
and to keepe his men together till he might see the utmost of it : To which
pourpose, he dispatchesC) the former commissioners towards Montrose from
the rendevouz at Innerourye, once mor to trye if his former offer of cessa-
tione would be accepted, or at least to gane tyme tiU he might have new
advertishment from the King, from whom he howerly expected it, either to
ingadge or retteere ; or, if non of that wold be aceptable, at least to lett him
know what the Covenanters pretences wer, and what they desyred of him.
The commissioners tooke little rest till they came wher the Earle of Mon-
tross was. They founde him in the towne of New Monrosse (which is two
myles eastwarde of Montrose his castell. Old Montrose, and both standing
upon the river of Sowtheske), with generall Leslye in his companye, and a
considerable number of cavaleers and souldiours macking his rendevouze for
his expeditione thither. Lyckwayes had he caused bring two peeces of brasse
demicanon, with som other lesser peeces (strainge ingredients for the visi-
tatione of ane Universitye), as supposing he should be drivne to make a
breache in the new walls of Aberdene befor he should gett entrye. But when
the comissioners beganne againe to urge the former propositiones in behalf
(1) [On the twenty-fifth of March, according to the Aberdeen Council Register :
" Commissionares direct of new againe to the Nobilitie.
" Vigesimo quinto die mensis Martij 1639,
" The quhilk day. In respect that doctour Willeame Johnstoun and George Moresoun,
who wer directed commissionares from this burghe to tlie erle of Montrois, vpoun the twentie
day of Marche instant, with Mr Robert Gordoun of Straloch and doctour Willeame Gor-
doun commissionares lyikwayes to his lordship from the Marquis of Huntly, did receave a
delaying anser at that tyme frome the said erle of Montrois to such propositions as thay did
remonstrat to his lordship : Thairfoir the prowest baillies and counsall thinkis it expedient to
direct the same commissionaris of new againe to the said erle of Montrois, and to propone to
his lordship and otheris of the nobilitie there ])resent with him, the articles following, and to
craive thair anser thalrw])oun. Off the quhilkis articles the tenor foUowes.
" It is desyred be the toune of Aberdeine, That they may hawe assurance that no hostilitie
be vsed againes thame ; nor nane of thair magistrattes, ministers, nor vtheris thair inhabitantes,
be forced in thair consciences, nor wranged in their bodies, nor gudes : And that thair
toune be left in peace, as thay are content to geive a peaceable entrie to the nobilitie and
thair armie.
" Item, If any particular persones geive any offence. That it be repared in privat, but re-
flecting vpoun the publict peace.
" Item, That the toune be not vrgit to receave nor harbor mair people nor they may con-
venenientlie ease.
" And the toune promissis a peaceable entrie and issue, and sic accommodatioun as they
can atibord, during the abod of the nobilitie there. Subscrywed be the prowest and baillies,
and be the Marquis of Huntly, as consentar, the 25 day of Marche 1639." Aberdeen Coun-
cil Register, vol. Hi. p. 453.]
222
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
of Huntlye, they could draw nothing from Montrosse but faire and generall
answers, which either signifyd Httle or wer flatt refusalls, or wer slightings
of all ther proposalls. They tould the commissioners, by way of derision,
that they behoved to come to Aberdeene to proclaime the General Assem-
blye, which was to be holdne that yeare at Edinburgh, and some such ne-
glective undervaluing ansuers, and that they behoved to proclame the As-
sembly of Glasgow, 1638. Nor did they insiste muche ; for at ther returne
they sawe Montrosse his motione towards the northe not lycke to be retarded
by what they had to saye ; being that he had tackne so little notice of ther
last comming, as that he did not pause nor delay his rendevouze one hower,
nor his marche any whyle upon that accompte.
Great was the trepidatione that was amongst them ; and whatever might
be the generall Montrose his confidence, yet the mixed multitude, his fol-
lowers, either wanted stomacke to the service or wer fearefull of the event;
and, albeit, they saw no enemye as yet, yet they went not about ther bussnesse
with confidence eneuche. Hithertoo they had asisted the reading of protesta-
tiones, or sittne in assemblyes, or tackne in some empty or disarmed castells:
Now they supposd they wer to dispute it withe ther enemyes in the feelds ;
and whatever meanes was used by the nobilitye or ther ministrye to per-
swade the vulgar sorte of the justnesse of ther qwarrell, yet the most pairt of
them, who had been borne and bredd upp under a long peace, could hardly
distinguish it from rebellione against ther Kinge. This abstracted confi-
dence from manye of the meaner sort, and bredd a trepidatione in them at
the hearing of their owne drummes, trumpetts, and shotte.
At this time, lyckwayes, the Covenanters beganne to weare and tacke for
ther colours blew ribbons, which they carryd aboute them scarfFwyse, or as
some orders of knythoode weare ther ribbonds. This was Montrosse whimsie.
To thes ribbons, ordinarly the cavalrie did appende ther spanners for ther
fyre lockes, and the foote had them stucke upp in bushes in ther blew capps ;
which devyce seemed so plausible, that when the army marched towards the
border, some shorte tyme afterwards, many of the gentrye threw away ther
hattes and would carry nothing but bonnetts and bushes of blew ribbons, or
pannashes, therin, in contempt of the Englishes, who disdainfully called
them blew cappes and jockyes.
Ane instance of the feare that was amongst them was visible eneuch to
Huntlyes comissioners, the first tyme that they came for to speacke with
Montrosse. For that night the townesmen of Montrosse espying some fyre
Ch. XVII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 223
in the night tyme in the hills, towards Innermarke and Edgell castell, fell A. D. 1639.
upon a strong concept that it was Huntlye and his forces who wer already
come within two or three myles of ther towne, macking havocke of all be.
for him with fyre and sworde. This imaginatione, fostred by ther feares,
moved them to beatte drummes, and ring the alarum bell ; and, albeit it was
after ten a clocke at night, yet to armes they wold needs goe, half in a
rage, half in a feare. Great was the noyse that they made ; and although
the comissioners from Huntly, who were ther lodged that night, assurd
them there was no dainger, and that none who belonged to Huntlye was
neerer them than Aberdeen, yet all that could not qwyett them. Nor wer
they farr from falling in upon the commissioners to aifront, or doe by them
as ther feare and fury should prompt them, had it not been for the master
of the house wher they wer lodged, who, being provost of Monrosse at that
tyme, interposed his authoritye to pacifie the multitude, and caused shutt his
gates against them. But beer it rested not ; for needs must they runne out,
they knew not whither, nor against whome, remaning at some distance all
night in ther armes, till breack of day discovered ther error, and made them
know that ther supposed enemyes wer nothing else but heather kindled in
the hilles, the which, about that tyme of yeare, the countrey people use
to doe in thes places when the heather growes olde ; which burninge, the
comissioners sent from Huntly saw burning all the day befor, hard by
them, whilst they wer on ther journey to Old Montrosse.
But the commissioners sent from Huntly, in ther returne towards Aber-
deen, after ther second journey to Montrosse, saw that which deserves to
be putt upon recorde to the posteritye ; and which, at that tyme, they looked
upon as a certane presage of the warre and bloodshedd which quickly ensued
in the yeares followinge. For, having tackne horse at Montrosse (wher they
left the Earle of Montrosse and his followers), a little after suime rysinge,
as they wer going towards the mouth of the North Water, which is some
two myle distant from the towne of Monrosse, they and ther waiters did
espye the sunne shyning of a perfect bloode colour ; yet coulde they discerne
no vapours which could phisically occasione the chainge of her colour, for
she shyned at some distaunce above the sea, and they wer hard by the shore.
The difference betwixt her and other tymes when her colour is obfuscated
by vapours, was that, at other tymes at her ryse and sett, her reed colour is
dreggye and enclynes to browne ; but that day her colour looked lycke to fresh
blood, wherof a little qwantitye is powred into a brighte silver basone, or
224
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. IV.
Huntly dis-
bands, and
retires from
Inverury to
Strathbogie.
lycke a reed rose, or lycke that bloode in the cheke which phisitions call
sanguis Jioridiis. A second great diiFerence was in the duratlone and con-
tinwance of that extraordinar colour ; for wheras, at other tymes, the vapors
tacke or keep awaye the sunnes bright colour but for some short space after
her ryse or befor her sett, it was evident eneuch, that this day she keeped
that colour most pairt of the fornoone ; and, befor she did parte therwith,
cloudes arysing, about eleven a clocke in the fornoone, tooke the sunne out
of ther sight.
I would have been loathe to have related this prodigie so confidentlye and
particularly, upon any man's asertion or informatione, being that it is uswall
to macke thes thinges greater then they are, had I not at that tyme been my-
self in company with the commissioners from Huntlye, and ane eye wittnesse
therunto. Nor should I at that tyme have trusted my owne skill to distin-
guish betuixt what was naturall or what prodigiouse, had I not heard the
commissioners, three of whom wer weaU knowne to have been able scoUers
and philosophes, conclude at that tyme that nether that colour of the
sunne which they wer beholding at that tyme, nor the long continwance
therof, did or could flow from any discernible naturell cause. But the event
since has putt it out of doubte that it was as prodigiouse as thes gentlemen
at that tyme did unanimouslye prognosticke it would bee. But its tyme to
leave thes digressiones (which possibly may recreate the reader), and to
resume the threed of my narratione.
XVIII. The commissioners, at ther returne, had newes that Huntlye
was disbanded and had reteerd himself to Strabogve.t" Whether it wer that
(1) [The commissioners seem to have returned on the twenty -seventh or twenty-eighth
of March.
" The erle of Montrois ansser to our commissionares propositiones.
" Vigesimo octauo die mensis Martij 16.39,
" The quhilk day, the hidll towne both frie and wnfrie being conveinit in the Tolbuith be
the drum, Mr Alexander JaftVay prowest schew and declaired to thame the articles men-
tioned in the act immediatlie befoir written, quhilk the magistrattes and counsaU had send
with thair commissionares to the erle of Montrois and remanent nobilitie of the Covenant
approching towards this burght with thair armies ; And withall the prowest shew the ansser
quilk oure commissionares had receaved in wreitt to the saids articles ; of the quhilk the
tenor followes : The erle of Montrois did expres that his intendit woyage for Aberdeine is
onlie for performing the appointment of the late generall Assemblie, according as it hath
bene done in other places ; and in no way to do the smallest wrong or injurie to any (as per-
haps is sup])osed), nor vse the meanest violence excejjt in so far as his lordship and his lord-
ships foUoweris salbe necessitat for thair awin saiftie and thair cans. In respect of the quhilk
diligence vsed be the magistrattes and counsell in directing commissioners to the said erle of
Montrois, and of the said erll his ansser forsaid gewin to the saides commissionares. The
lished.
Ch. XIX.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 225
he chaunged his resolutione, after he sent away the coramissioners towards A. D. 1639.
Moiitrosse ; or that befor ther returne, which was but two nightes, that he
had some advertishment from the King so to doe ; I cannot nor ever could
afterward certanlye learne. The last I dare not confidently affirme ; beinge
that about that very tyme and day which was his rendevouze at Inverourye,
March eighteenth, the Kings houshold entred ther journey towards Yorke,
and the King himself tooke not journey towards Yorke till March twenty-
seventh, which was after Huntlycs disbandage some dayes.
XIX. The commissioners, at ther returne to Aberdeen, proved no other Commissioner?
but harbingers to Montrose his pairtye, to assure the townesmen that the ''ff'""" to
. . Aberdeen.
Covenanters pairty was at ther heeles marching northe, and as fast as they The Loyalists
could ; and, therfor, that now, in steade of keeping watche and warde, they "/• Bishop
would doe weall to provyde good qwarter for them : which shortly afterward fljes_ Bishop's
they wer glade to doe to the most pairt of Montrose followers. However, house demo-
the Marquesse his disbanding, and the comissioners ther coming befor Mon-
trose, was a sufficient warning for all who had shewed themselves most de-
clardly for the King and against the Covenant for to reteer, uncertane
how they should be used or looked upon by ane armd multitude.* Amongst
thoise who fledd away, was the bishopp of Aberdeen, Adam Bellendin ;
who, though he wer ouncle to the Maister of Forbesse, a pryme Cove-
nanter, yet he was glade to reteer, in a disgwyse, to his friends in the
countrey.t Dr. Barron, and some others of the ministry of Aberdeen,
fledd be sea to Bervicke; severall countrey ministers followed ther ex-
ample; and not a few of the cittizens of Aberdeen at first reteered,''' till
towns declared that thay ar content to receave the nobillmen and thair foUoweris, and to har-
bor thame efter the most commodious maner they can ; And desyres the magistrattes to geive
ordour, ilk baillie throw his awin quarter, for that effect, and for furnishing competent
ludginges wnto thame sic as the toune can affoord." Aberd. Counc. Regist. vol.lii. p. 454.
According to Spalding, Huntly broke up his gathering on the twenty-sixth of March.]
' Maria twenty-second. All the members of the Kings Colledge of Old Aberdeen fledd
and abandoned the Colledge. [Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 102.]
■j- Whence shortly after he lyckwayes fledd unto England. His dwellinge house at Aber-
deen was rifled by the Covenanters souldiours, and, in liew of them, by some of the inhabit-
tants, qwyte demolished, as the dwelling houses of sundry others of the bishopps wer used
about thes tymes ; following the maxime of the first reformers. That the nestes being cast
downe, the crowes would build no mor ther. The abbey and cathedralls for the most pairt
had been demolished befor ; and now the ruinating of most of the bishopps houses made wav
to a through reformatione.
(1) [" Ilk man begane to look to his own particular wcill. Some removed their best
goods out of the way ; other some fled to the toun with their wiffes and bairnes. Amongst
others, there fled be sea about 60 of the bravest men and youths of Aberdein, weill armed
2 F
226
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. IV.
Montrose
marches tor
Aberdeen ;
seizes cannon,
arms, etc.
afterwards, fyiidiiig the Covenanters to carrye qwyetter then they expected
(for what else could they doe, meeting with no oppositione), they beganne
to dropp in againe to ther houses.
XX. No sooner was Huntly disbanded, but Montrose had certane
advyse therof from the Covenanters in the north, about Aberdeen. And
now Montrose beganne to mai-ch not as to a warr but as to a triumph ; all
ther former feares wer turned to joye, and all was imputed to the good-
nesse of the cause, to which God beganne to shew himselfe so favourable,
that ther enemyes had fledd whilst none persewed them, and that now the
curse was ahghting upon Meroz (so they termed Aberdeen in ther ser-
mons), which came not to helpe the Lord,(') etc. Ther was a minister at
that tyme who did ascrybe the fairnesse of the three last dayes of Marche
(commonly called Borrowing Dayes)(''') that tyme to a miracle, in a sermon
preached befor many wittnesses.
Montrose and general! Lesly entred Aberdeen* upon Palme Sun-
with sword, musket, and bundilier, as excellent cavalliers ; they took one of the Toun's
colours, and John Peak their drummer with them, and resolve to goe to the king. Others
againe bade within the toun, such as Mr. Alexander Jaffray provost, the baillies, and others,
covenanters. Allwayes, about the 28th of March, shipps at Torry our toune's cavilliers in
ane ship attending their service. With whom shipped also Doctor Lesslie principal! of the
King's CoUedge, Dr. Barron professor of divinitie, (for Barron was not an ordinar minister
then in Aberdein, but preached once in the 20 dayes, because he was professor and teached
divinitie). Dr. Sibbald one of the ministers of Aberdein, Dr. Ross, and Dr. Guild, other
two of the toune's ministers ; but Dr. Ross might not flie, because he was lying sore sick at
that time. Thus, all fled to England, except Guild who fled to Holland. There also
shipped with them the lairds of Drum, Pitfoddels, young Foverane, Balgouny, Mr. Alex-
ander Irvine, Robert Irvine, and some others ; and upon the said 28th of March, hoyse up
sail, and to the king goe they. Doctor Forbes of Corse, Doctor Scroggie minister at Old
A'^erdein, and Mr. Gilbert Ross reader, fled all their houses, and throw the countrie goe
they. Mr. Alexander Middleton, Mr. Alexander Gairden, and Mr. Alexander Scroggie
regents, with Mr. Robert Ogilvie sub-principall of the King's College of Old Aberdein,
cast up the colledge yeitts and sett the students at liberty, and fled throw the countrey
themselves : this was done upon the 22d of March. The bishop of Aberdein flyes out of
Aberdein, upon 27th March, with John Bellenden his sone, Mr. John Bellenden his brother
sone, and John Blaccatcr his servitor ; and quietly throw the country goes he." Spalding,
Hist, of Troub. vol. i. p. 105.]
(1) [Judges V. 23.]
(2) [" Borrowing Days, the three last days of March, Old Stile. Those days being
generally stormy, our forefathers have endeavoured to account for this circumstance, by
pretending that March borrowed them from April, that he might extend his power so much
longer." Jamieson,]
* Montrose and his armye marched downe Dee syde, and entred Aberdeen, Marche
thirtieth. [" They came in order of battell weill armed both on horse and foot, ilk horse-
man haveing five shot at the least, with ane carabine in his hand, two pistols by his sydes,
and other two at his saddell toir ; the pikemen in their ranks, with pike and sword ; the
Ch. XX.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 227
dayeC" with a veni, vidi, vici, when they lay some dayes and qwartered. The A. D. 16.39.
tirst thing they did was to cause the cittizens fill upp ther trenshes, and
sleight all the workes which they had made upp some dayes befor. Next, they
cause raacke searche for armes, and, by proclaraatione (which gott but little
obedience), command all cittizens to delyver upp ther armes. Some yeares
befor, when the English had warre with Spaine, King Charles had sent
musketiers in their ranks, with musket, musket stafFe, bandelier, sword, powder, ball, and
match ; ilk company both on horse and toot had their captains, lieutenants, ensignes, ser-
geants, and other officers and commanders, all tor the most part in bufF coats, and in goodly
order. They had five colours or ensignes ; whereof the earl of Montrose had one, haveing
this motto, FOR religion, the covenant, and the countrie, the earle of Marischall
had one, the earle of Kinghorne had one, and the town of Dundie had two. They had
trumpeters to ilk company of horsemen, and drummers to ilk company of footmen ; they
had their meat, drink and other provision, bag and baggage, carryed with them, all done be
advyse of his excellence Felt Marischal Lesslie, whose councell, generall Montrose followed
in this bussieness. Now, in seimly order and good array, this army came forward, and
entered the burgh of Aberdein, about ten hours in the morning, at the Over Kirkgate
Port, syne came down throw the Broadgate, throw the Castlegate, out at the Justice Port,
to the Quein's Links directly. Here it is to be notted, that few or none of this haill army
wanted ane blew ribbin hung about his craig doun under his left arme, which they called
The Cove7ianter' s Ribbin. But the lord Gordon, and some others of the marquess' bairnes
and familie, had ane ribbin, when he was dwelling in the toun, of ane reid flesh culler,
which they wore in their hatts, and called it The Royal Ribbin, as a signe of their love
and loyaltie to the King. In despyte and derision thereof this blew ribbin was worne, and
called The Covenanter's Ribbin be the haill souldiers of the army, and would not hear of
the royal ribbm ; such was their pryde and malice. . . . Muster being made, all men were
commanded, be sound of trumpet, in generall Montrose' name, to goe to breakfast, either
in the Links or in the toun. The generall himselfe, the nobles, captains and commanders,
for the most part, and souldiers, sat doun on the Links, and of their own provision, with
ane servitt on their knee, took their breakfast." Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 108.
" Entrie of the first armie.
" Memorandum : On Saturday the penult day of Marche 1639,
" The erllof Montrois, generall of the armie, accumpanied with the erll Marshall, the erll
of Kingorne, generall Leslie, the lord Coupar, the lord Elcho, the lord Fraser, the maister
of Forbes, and many barons of Angus Mcarnes Mar and Buchan, came to the Toune of
Aberdeine, with thair armie of horss and fute, whair thay entered and marched throughe the
toune to the linkis, and there they pitched their camp, being accompted sex thowsand men,
satt at thair counsell of warr ; And thaireftir the erles of Marshall and Montrois, generall
Leslie and the greatest pairt of the armie, marched that day frome the linkes to Invervrie,
leaving behind thame the erll of Kingorne, with aughteine hundreth men, to ly in the toune
till thair bak cuming. And befoir thay marched out of the linkes, the nobillmen send for
oure prouestandbaillies, and chairgit thame to fill vp and cast in oure trinshes in all possible
diligence, and to enter to work for that etfect on Mononday nixt and to continew thairat till
all the trinshes were filled wp againe vnder the paine of plundering and rasing oure toune ;
quhilk wes accordinglie obeyit." Aberdeen Council Register, vol. lii. p. 455.]
(1) [There is here an error in the date. Palm Sunday in 1639 fell upon the seventh of
April ; but, as we learn from Spalding, from the Aberdeen Council Register, and indeed
from Gordon himself, Montrose and general Lesly entered Aberdeen on Saturday the
thirtieth of March.']
228
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. twelve peece of iron canon to Aberdeen of about sixteen pounds ball ;
thes the Covenanters seized upon and caused carry away by sea with ther
furnitur, and disposed of them in other places ; but to this daye they were
never mor restored. And now the Covenanter ministers enter the pulpitts
of Aberdeen triumphantly, which had been deneyd to them the yeare befor ;
ther they crye victorie, and begine to sing a song to the townesmen of a farr
other tune then they had learnd from ther owne ministers and doctors,
crying downe that doctrine which the townes doctors (they knew) wer not
now in eqwall termes with them to mantane any mor without affi'ontes to
ther persons.* Whether Aberdeen at that tyme payd any contribution of
money to themf I will neither affirme nor deney. Some few prosllitts, by
flattery or terrour, at that tyme wer drawne to subscrybe ther Covenant.
Montrose XXI. After some few dayes staye in Aberdeen, Lesly constitutes the
aSinsr Earle of Kingorne governour of Aberdeen ; and then Montrose and his
Huntly, partye marched for lnnerourye,(0 with resolutione to disscusse and fynde
leaving Knig- ^^^^ Huntlve. They did lye downe at Innerowryt in opne leaguer, (2) having-
horn gover- j ^ j j jtio' &
nour of Aber- drawne alonge with them some short feeld peeces, of three foot longe or
deen ; encamps tljgrby, which, for all that, were of ane indifferent wydnesse, and did shoote
at Inverurv. . .
ane indifferent great ball. Thes peeces (commonly nicknamed Deer Sandyes
stoups, as being the inventione, or so thought, of Collonel Alexander Ha-
miltoune, master of ther artillerye, who himself was nicknamed Deer Sandy,)
wer the ordnar feeld peeces that afterwards for some tyme wer made use
of, for the most pairt, by the Covenanters.
Their severity XXII. The last yeare the Covenanters had sent ther ministers north
upon the Loy- for to gaine proselytes to the Covenant, or Good Cause, as it was commonly
termed. But now the Covenant beganne to be propagated by an other sort
• Apryle second. The comittye appoynted by the Assembly of Glasgow sitt downe in the
Old Toune Colledge, and citte the members to ansuer them ; but all refoose to compeer ex-
cept Mr. John Lundy, a Covenanter.
t They did pay ; vide postea.
(1) [On Saturday the thirtieth of March. Spalding, Hist of Troub., vol. i., p. 109.]
(2) [On Monday the first of April. Ibid, vol, i., p. 110.]
t In ther absence at Inneroury, the gwarde of the comittye sitting at the Old Toune
Colledge, being mostly country souldiours belonging to Forbesses and Frazers, fall upon the
bishop of Aberdeen his house, and begin for to plunder it. But at that tyme the laird of
Oldbarr, brother unto Kingorne, did beatt them off with little harnie done. [" In the mean
time, some of his rascally souldiers began (which none did before) to abuse the bishop's
staitly palace, and spulzie the samen, against Auldbarr's will and commandment." Spalding,
Hist of Troub., vol. i., pp. 112, 113.]
Ch. XXIII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 229
of apostles ; for no sooner was Montrose come to Innerowrye, but his men A. D. 1639.
must be billetted most pairt upon free qwarter, a langwage that till then was
not understood in thes places, though afterwardes evry body came to know
weall eneueh what it meand, to ther charges and expence. Nor was this
all ; for being that most pairt of the countrey next adjacent to ther qwarter
wer Anticovenanters, the souldiours wer connivd at for to carry rudly in
ther qwarters, and had underhand warrant for to rifle the houses of some
gentlemen who wer fledde: This they called for to plunder them. Such a
kynde of deportment looked very ill favoured ; and so much the worse be-
cause, albeit few felt this new kynde of discipline, yet all thought them-
selves obnoxiouse who wer within the reache of ther qwarter. The alarum
of plundering brought many convertes to the Covenant ; for the countrey
people, fynding no hopes of protectione by Huntlyes meanes, and perceiv-
ing that they wer lying under the feete of ane armed power, began for to
come in apace and subscrybe the Covenant, which was the pryce of ther
securitye : For to none was ther a safegwarde or protection graunted, sub-
scrybed by Montrosse, but to such as first subscrybed the Covenante. And
not a few, after they had been terifyd by the souldiours, and ther houses
rifled or plundered, wer glade to subscrybe the Covenant for ther after se-
curitye, though they intended not to stande to it.W
XXIII. In the interim, Huntly being at his owne house of Boig of Interview be-
Gioht, not* many myles distant from ther qwarter, either behoved now to twixt Huntly
° -z ■' <. 11 8"" Montrose
flee and leave his countrey and followers as a prey, or to come to a parley at Lowes?.
with them ; which they wer desyrouse of, and was accorded to by Huntlye.
The place for the enterview, betwixt Huntly and Montrosse, was, by mu-
twall agreement, appoynted to be Lowess,t a countreye village*^' (upon
(1) [" Diireing the space the army was lying at Inverurie, they plundered frae Thonia*
Crombie of Kemnay, out of his ground, as ane ante-covenanter, about 22 score bolls of
victuall, which he had laid up in stoir within his girnells in Kemnay. The earle of Mar-
shall's men of Skeyne and Kintoir were busie about this plundering with the rest of the
souldiers ; and it was sold very cheap, at 6s. 8d. the boll, because they could not carry it
with them. The lord Erskine caused plunder, frae Mr. Alexander Reid, six score bolls of
victuall, out of the lands of Kildrummy. The lau-d of Pitmedden's ground of Barrach, and
sundrie other pairts in this countrey, about this time, was pitifully spuilzied and plundered ;
whilk made them all to come in and subscrive the covenant, albeit they had subscrived the
king's covenant before, and were glaid to obtaine the generall's protection to save their
ground from any farder molestation." Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 114.]
* Twenty-seven myles Scottish, wher he stayd not, but reteerd to Balvcney castell.
t It was altered ; vide infra.
(2) [Now called Lewes of Fyvie, on the highway from Aberdeen to Banff.]
230
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. the rode waye betwixt Aberdeen and Straboggye), lyinge neer a myle south
west of the parosh churche of Raine. Ten myles distant from Strabogye
castell, or therby, it is, and about four from Innerowrye, then Montrosse
heade qwarter ; for Huntly was not in posture now for to gett a meeting
midd waye. Ther war appoynted twelle gentlemen upon eache syde,
twenty-four in all, to be present at that interviewe.*
When the tyme appoynted for the meeting came, neither of the partyes
failed to be present; but befor they parlie, ther was a gentilman directed off
from either syde, to searche the counter partye for hiddne armes, which was
acordingly done. And then Huntly and Montrose did respectfully salute one
another ; and, after some little generall conference, they two stept asyde and
had a long privat discourse together, leaving the gentlemen (who came hope-
full to be wittnesses to ther conference), now to be only spectators to ther
meeting ; whairwith some of Huntlyes syde wer not weall satisfeede.
What wer the particulars of ther conference I could never learne, nor was
ther mor knowne, but by the effectes and event therof ; for after some bowers
stay at Lowesse, Huntlye tackes horse, and with the twelve genthnen, his
freendes (without ever acqwaynting any of them upon what accompt he did
it), rydes fordwards with Montrosse to the heade qwarter at Innerowrye,
wher he was receaved with much respect and joye to the Covenanters ; his
' The manner of the drawinge on of that parley was by the mediatione of the laird of
Straf hloche, who befor had been twyce coniraissioner betwixt Huntly and Montrose. To him
did Huntly wrytte from Boig of Gight, desyring him for to trye if the Covenanters woulde
come to a parley, but not to lett it be knowne that he had anye warrant from Huntly.
Strathloch, upon the receipt of Huntlyes letter, went immediatly to Montrosse qwarter,
at Kintor, being in his waye towards Innerowrye ; and, being come ther, desyrd for to s])eacke
with Montrose and others of the cheife men ; and, having gottne audience, he urged a treatye.
They enqwyred if he had any warrant to propose a personalle treaty from Huntlye. He an-
suered. That he had such power with Huntlye, that, if they wer willinge, he would under-
tacke for to macke Huntly come and speacke with them in any indifferent place. This they
wer very weall content of, and agreed that Lowesse should be the place, and twall on the
syde : this was upon Sundaye [the thirty-first of March ;] the day of meetinge to be Tews-
day therafter, or Wedynsday. Montrose desyred Strathloche to macke haistc to draw on
the meeting ; who came the next daye to Boige, upon Munday, and at his alighting, worot
to Huntlye (who was reteered to Balvenye castell, towards the hills). Upon the sight of
his letter, Huntly came to Boige upon Munday, at night. He saide he would embrace the
offer and speacke with Montrosse, because they wer not yet fallne in bloode, and therfor
the lesse danger to goe, etc. The meeting was once appoynted to be at Lowesse ; but
when Huntly came ther, he chaunged his resolution, and rode fordwards to Innerowrye ; and
the treaty was holdne ther twixt him and Montrose, hard by the Covenanters qwarter.
At first, they fell to grow hott in ther discourse; but whilst the laird of Strathloch made a
motion that they should parley by midd men, Huntly and Montrose, of ther owne accorde,
went asyde to a privat conference.
N. B.
Ch. XXIV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 231
comming having been alyke wished and unexpected by them. The gentle- A. D. 1639.
men, his freendes, wer also very civilly welcorad, and vi'er left to ther free-
dome to goe away whither they pleased, without urging them furder then
discreetly with the subscriptione of the Covenant, which at that tyme they
delayed.
XXIV. Although it was supposed that Huntly at that tyme subscrybed Huntly re-
the Covenant, yet the result of ther conference and his capitulation did all 'j^J™^ ^""^
come to this, That Huntly should subscrybe a paper to the Covenanters, Inverury,
wherin he obleidged himself for to mantaine the Kinges authoritye, together where he sub-
with the libertyes both of Church and State, of relligione and lawes ; which per, but not
was accordinsrlv done by him."' But whatever obligatione that paper might }^^ Covenant.
,n,^ 11- .» Terms which
implye, it seemes the rest ot the Covenanters thought it not so satistactorye Huntly ob-
as Montrosse did; for (as shall be told), they fell to presse him to subscrybe tained for his
the Covenant, after they had tackne him south prisoner, contrare to ther
parolle after that meetinge.
Some assuraunce lyckwayes he purchassed to his freendes and followers.
They wer of severall predicaments ; some of them wer launded gentlmen,
of his name, or his associatts, but not his vassalls ; others wer his owne fol-
lowers and tenents, and, amongst thes, some wer protestants and others
papistes. Assuraunce was givne for all of them, in the generalle, that they
should not be harmed, nor any thing that belonged to them, they carrying
themselves peaceablye; and such of them as would subscrybe the Covenant,
(1) [" Ye heard before, of ane meiting tb-awen on betuixt the marquess of Huntly and
generall Montrose. The 4th of Aprile being Thursday, the marquess came, eleven and him-
selfe, with only swords be their sydes, wherof the lord Oliphant, and his son James the lord
Aboyne were two. The generall, in like manner, mett him at the place appointed, with
eleven and himselfe, in like armes, whereof the lord Elcho and lord Coupar were two. After
salutation, they lighted frae their horses, and upon foot fell to conference, but nothing was
ended ; yet both took to be advysed till the morne. They parted, the marquess rode, that
night, two miles frae the camp to Legatsden, where he soupped and went all night to Pit-
caple to his bed, without whom he could doe nothing, and so had their advyce ; and the
generall returned back to the camp.
" Upon the morne being Fryday and 3th of Aprile, the saids lords mett againe, in the samen
place and forme forsaid ; wher, it was said, the marquess past some conditions in write,
obleidgeing him to stand to the Confession of Faith, made in anno 1380 and anno 1581, and
that he would defend the king, the religion, lawes, and liberties of the kingdome to his
power ; that he would doe his best to cause his freinds, men, tennents, and servants, subscrive
the covenant, otherwayes to behold them. Thir were the conditions, as was alleadged,
which the marquess subscrived and delivered to the generall. Thereafter they parted in
peace, without dissimulation, as was thought. The marquess went not near the camp, but
straight to Strabogie ; and the generall rode close to the camp, where after consultation
they were weill pleased, and he praised for his paines." Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i.,
pp. 112, 113.]
232 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. as they wer invitted to it, so they wer content to lett them advyse upon it,
and not to be hasty with them ; and Huntly was content to restrane none
who wer willing to tacke the oath of Covenante. The difficultye only re-
mained for such as wer papistes, and so not lycke to subscrybe the Cove-
nant, how they should be securd, as also what assuraunce might be expected
from them. To this pourpose, ther was a middse fallne upon with all such,
that they should be tackne under protectione, they subscrybing a declara-
tione of ther willingnesse for to concurre with the Covenanters of maintain-
ing the lawes and libertyes of the kyngdome. And that the papistes might
be encouraged unto the subsigning of such ane obligatione and bounde, ther
was a declaration emitted by Montrosse to that pourpose, signed by such
noblemen as wer present with him at that tyme at Innerowrye, and by
Huntlye amongst the rest. The principall coppye of that declaration having
fallne into my handes some short tyme therafter, and being as yet by me, I
have sett it downe worde for worde, it being but very short : And it is as
followethe :
" Forasmeekle as thes who by profession are of a contrarye relligione,
and therfor cannot condiscende to the subscrybing of the Covenante, yet are
willing to concurre with us in the common course of mantaining the lawes
and libertyes of the kyngdome : Thes are therfor reqwyring that none of
thes who being papistes by professioune, and willing to subscrybe the bande
of mantenance of the lawes and libertyes forsaide, shall be in any wayes
molested in ther goodes or meanes, nor sustaine any praejudice mor then
thes who have subscrybed the Covenant."
Et sic subscribitur, " Huntly, Montrose, Kingorne, J. Couper,
J. Erskyne."
This syncretisme was quickly after neglected, by reasone of the chaunge
of the face of affaires ; nor did the givers nor the receavers therof intende
that it should be long lastinge.
Designs of XXV. When Huntly came to Innerowrye, he perceaved many of the
Forbesses and principall of the Forbesses ther, as also of the Frazers and others ther,
tahi Huntly ^^''^ whom he was in no good termes ; and suspecting (as afterwards it fell
at Inverury. out) that they would doe ther best against him, and informe Montrosse as
much as they could to his disadvauntage, therfor, to obviate ther attempts
that waye, he sendes Robert Gordon of Strathloch (who had been one of
the twelve gentlemen who had attended the conference at Lowesse, and had
come along to Innerowrye with Huntlye,) with a secrett commissione to
Ch. XXV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 233
Montrosse, bidding tell Montrose from him, That he should not credite all A. D. 16.39.
the inforraationes that the Forbesses and Frazers would sug-gest to him ;
and that he should not follow such councell and advyse as they would give
Montrose against him, specially if they should suggest the detentione of him :
For, he saide, that it was weall knowne that thes people wer his enemyes, and
would study all the disadvauntages against him that they could, under colour
of the Covenant ; and, next, if they should offer to tacke him alonge, they
would be muche deceaved in ther expectatione, for it would be founde that
the countreye would not be so qwyett, nor his followers so peacable, as they
imagind, or as ther informers promisd it should be. The laird of Strath-
loch failed not to waite for ane opportunitye for to imparte Huntlyes mes-
sage to Montrosse, which he did privattly to Montrosse in his tente. Mon-
trose answer was. That it was probable thes people bore Huntly no good
will, and that he knew it in some measure, by what he had learnd of them-
selves, to be trwe ; that, for his pairte, he was willinge to doe for Huntly
all the good offices that he could, and should faile to him in nothing that he
had promised : Only, he said, all his difficultye was in this, that ther bussi-
nesse was transacted by votes, and by a comittye, and that he could not gett
thinges done be himselfe. Strathloch ansuered him. That since he had done
a pairte be himself alreadye, why not the rest ? that if he wer as willing as
he promisd (of which he doubted not), that, being generall, and the maine
man amongst them for the tyme, if he stoode to his poynte, thoise whom
Huntly took for his enemyes would not be pressinge. Montrose replyd. He
should doe his outmost for Huntlyes satisfaction ; and, with this ansuer,
dissmissed the messenger. Nor failed he of the performance of his pro-
mise ; for that night, after Huntly had subscrybed the paper agreed upon,
Montrosse was content that he should returne peacably to his owne house ;
which he did accordingly, not without the great miscontentment of thoise
who would have had him detained.*
* Apryle eleventh, Argylle men entred Aberdeene, having qwartered upon and plundered
the lairds of" Drumm and Pittfoddells laundes.
[" Upon Thursday' the 1 1 of Aprile, the earle of Argyll's hielandmen (at command of
generall Montrose) came in to Aberdein (from out of the bounds of Drum, and Pitfoddell's
ground, and the country thereabout, where they wanted not abundance of beasts, mutton,
and good fare, for little pay,) in order of battel 1, with bagpipes and hieland amies, about
500 men. They went about the croce in rank, and being viewed, the generall commanded
them to goe to their lodgeings, which were prepared within the toune for them ; and that
they should do no wrong, whilk they carefully obeyed, and for which the toune gave them
500 merks in money, when they removed with the foot army." Spalding, Hist, of Troub.,
vol. i. p. 118.]
2 G
234
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. IV.
A. D. 1639.
Montrose
marches back
to Aberdeen.
Argyle falls
upon Airly.
Solemn Com-
mittee at
Aberdeen ;
[they] send
for Hnntly.
XXVI. After Huntlye had made his capitulatione with Montrose, ther
partye marched backe agane to Aberdeene, wher they made no longer staye
than the Earle of Argylle, upon the heade of his Argylle regments, did
come and meete them ther. Argylle was appoynted to marche by the heights
of Angusse, and to fynde worke to the Earle of Airly and his freendes,
least they should offer to assiste Huntlye. He (as Airly lyckwayes was)
getting sure notice that Huntly had left the feelds, falls upon Airly with the
greater boldnesse, who alone was not able to stande his ground with him ; and,
having overrunne the Earle of Airlyes boundes and plundered his men, he
was not forgettfull for to demolish Forthar, ane dwelling belonging to the
Lorde Ogilvye ;* and for to put fyre to the house of Airlye, and to demolish
it,t upon a pretext that it might prove disadvantageouse to the Covenanters,
by reasone of its scitwatione, and, therfor, that it was necessaire that it should
be sleighted : but it was consterd as done upon a privatt accompt,t as I have
told befor. In this acte it was observed generally by all that Argylle was
the first who raised fyre in Scottland, by burning Airlyes house ; as gene-
rail Lesly had first begunne plundering at Innerowrye.
XXVII. When all wermett together at Aberdeene, § ther was a solemne
coniittye kept for some dayes, which was made upp both of southe and north
• Nota. This was done the next year, 1640, or only one house, Forther tackne. [See
below, book iv., ch. cv.]
t In which worke he shewed such eagernesse that Argylle himself was observed for to have
wrought with his oune handes till he did sweate, knocking downe the doore postes and head
stone of Airly castell.
} Viz. It was too neer the Cambells laundes to be lettne stande ; for the Ogilvyes have
laundes upon one syde of Isla river, and the Cambells upon the other syde.
Nota. Argylle was so violent against Ogilvy, that he did destroy his house, and expelld
his lady (daughter to the Lord Banfe), who knew not what way to goe. Her graund
mother, Dame Mai-rian Duglasse, old Lady Drumme, sent to Argylle, and demanded licence
of him for to tacke in her grand chyld, the Lady Ogilvye, to ly in at her house of Kelly ;
but the Earle of Argylle, though ther blood freend, did forbid it ; so that the Lady Drumm,
without his licence, tooke her into her house in all hazard.
§ Lesly returnd to Aberdeen, Apryle sixth. [Spalding, Hist of Troub. vol. i., p. 114.]
Apryle ninth, Earl of Murrey, Seafort, Lovat, Inis, with three hundred, come to
Aberdeen, unto Lesly, and stay with him till Apryle thirteenth ; then they retume. [Ibid.
p. 116.]
Apryle twelfth, generall Lesly marched out of Aberdeen southward, compelling the town
to pay "him ten thousand merkes, as a great courtesy to them. [Ibid. pp. 118, 119.]
Then Kingorne, governour, stayd some whyle behynd, with some country fellows belong-
ing to Forbesse and to Frazer. He seised the amies of the toune, and restors them to all
who subscrybe the Covenant; the lycke he does in the Old Toune; then he inventares
Huntlys goods in Pittfoddells house. [Ibid. p. 11-2.]
Nota. Kingorne carryd bothe simply and insolently in his goverment, which he little
knew how to manage.
Ch. XXVIII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
235
Covenanters, of whom severall of note had come to Montrose, as farr as A. D. 1639.
from the farrest partes of Murrey, and beyond that lyckwayes. The great
matter of ther debate was to tacke a finalle course for settlement of the
northe. And because it could not be wealle eifectwate without the advyce
and presence of Huntly, as they pretended, therfor they sent Ollphant to
Huntly, who was then at Straboggye, desyring him against a sett day (being
to morrow after Ollphant came to him), for to come to Aberdeen, for the
publicke businesse, wherin they were to proceede, in so far as concerud the
northe, by his Lordshipps advyce. Huntly, who was fairly gott otF, and
smelled the matter that it was not unlycke that his unfreendes had sett on
foote ther former designe to macke him prisoner, sent them worde that he
was both readye and willing to attend them any whair, upon conditione that
they should not macke him prisoner ; (for at his coming to Innerury, he had so
much free tyme graunted to him to come and returne back to his owne house,
whither he agreed with the Covenanters or not ; and it was upon that ac-
compt that he had at first went off, though Montrosse shewed himself not
unwilling however it had beene.)
XXVIII. Huntlyes desyre was graunted, and ane assurance sent him Assurance
under the chiefe mens handes (specially Montrosses), that he shoulde be FOTbessesaml
free to retwrne. Therfor, trusting to ther second assuraunce, he comes to Frasers press
Aberdeen,* wher he had not lono: stayed, but the Forbesses and Frazers, to detain him,
' n J jj[,j particu-
larly Fren-
• Nota Bene. When Huntly came in to Aberdeen, [on the tenth of April], he lodged draught,
in Pittfoddells house ; wher, by generall Leslys directione, his lodging was gwarded both
at the forgate and posterne, which Huntlye did not know of till the next daye, and was
much troubled at it.
The pretext of tacking him southe was proposed to him by generall Leslye putting him to
it for to performe some articles, as, First, That he would contribute with them for the expence
of the warre. Second, That he would obleidge to make the Highlands peacable. Third,
That he would bring in .lohn Dow and James Grant prisoners, etc. This he did refoose to
doe, wherupon Lesly told him himself must then goe along with them ; but befor he would give
them an ansuer, he desyred to restor his band that he had subscrybed to, etc. Some say
that Lesly did so, and so the agreement being discharged, tooke him prisoner ; but if cer-
tainly it wer restored, I cannot aifirme it.
[" Upon the forsaid 10th of Aprile, the marquess of Huntlye, with his two sones, the lord
Gordon, and the lord Aboyne, came frae Strabogie with about 40 horse, sore against his
freinds' will, to New Aberdein, and lodged in the laird of Pitfoddells' house. But whether
it was communed upon betuixt him and generall Montrose at their conferences, that he should
come into the toun and visite him, or that he was written for be the generall, to come in, I
know not ; but it was most constantly reported, he would not have come, but upon the ge-
neral's letter. Howsoever it was, he came as is said before. Upon the morne, being Thurs-
day, there was ane council holden amongst the nobles, barrons and others, who also sent for
the marquess, who came ; and after some consultations, this councill dissolved shortly, and the
marquess returned to his own lodgeing." Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 117.
236 ■ HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. and all such as they had suggested, fell anew to presse the detaininge of
him. And heerin none shewed himself mor violent then James Creigh-
tone, laird of Frendrecht, who was knowne to be a bitter enemye to
" Now, orders put to Aberdein, the foot army dispatched, and all things settled,
the generall and nobles began to think, how to captivate and treacherously take the
marquess of Huntly with them south, as doubtless they had orders so to doe before
they came north, as many men tliought. Allwayes, upon this same Good Fryday
at even, the generall and nobles invited the marquess and his two sones to supper
in their own lodging in skipper Anderson's house, where they supped altogether, and
made mirric. After supper, they travell with the marquess, (as was said,) saying, it was
good to him to quyte his lieutenandrie, and to send the samen back againe to the king ;
shewing, that it was stopped at the sealls, and therfore none would give obedience to the
samen, in thir dangerous times ; as also to wryte to his majestic favourablie and freindly of
the covenanters, as his good and loyall subjects ; and to direct, upon the raorne, with the
laird of Clunie, thir letters and lieutenandrie to the king. The marquess understanding,
that his lieutenandrie was not, nor could be gotten throw the sealls, as they said, and that
the samen being past he would gett litle obedience when he happened to have adoe, re-
solved shortly to doe as they desired, because he had pairtly reason, and wrote his letters, and
in their presence directed the laird of Cluny the samen Friday at night, to take joiu-ney upon
the morne being Saturday, towards the king. Thus all being ended, the marquess with his
two sones took their leaves frae the generall and nobles, and peaceably came over to Pitfod-
dell's house, his own lodgeing, and presently directed ane boy to go to Leggitsden upon the
morne, and to have his dinner ready ; but he was deceived. The lords finding the marquess
most noblie to yield to their desyres, which they never thought he would doe, looking u])on
ane refuiseall to have made ane ground and quarell to have taken him south, resolved upon ane
other course to draw him under wrak, which with reasone they could nowayes bring to pass.
And first, (the marquess haveing mind of no evill) the generall causes sett straitt watches at
the tbir and back yeitts of his lodgeing, and at the stable doors where his horses stood, with
muskatteirs, to the end the marquess might not ryde, (as he intended,) upon the morne,
home to Strathboggie ; whereof the marquess had no knowledge, whyle upon the morne.
" Allwayes, the generall and the nobles, ujjon Saturday the 13th of Aprile in the morn-
ing, sent in two noblemen to the marquess' lodgeing, desireing him with his two sones to
come into the earle Marshall's hou?e and speak with the generall. The marquess won-
dering at the watching of his lodgeing, and now sending for him after he had taken his
leave in a freindly forme the night before from them, and told he was to ryde home upon the
morne, as 1 have saide ; allwayes, he with his two sones goes into the earle Marishall's
lodgeing, meitts with the generall, and, after freindly salutations, the generall begins to
make up a new ground of ane quarrell, and sayes to the marquess, ' My lord, I would
desire you to contribute to pay William Dick 200,000 merks, which is borrowed frae him
for lifting of this army to come north.' The marquess answered, he was not obleidged to
l)ay any part thereof, because it was borrowed, waiied and employed but his advyce or
consent, and that he had spent as meikle in this bussienes for his own part, as any nobleman
in the land had done, out of his own purse. 2do, He desyred him to take James Grant,
John Dugar, and their accomplices, rebells, bloodshedders and murtherers, and great
troublers and oppressors of the covmtrey people. The marquess answered, he bore no
publict office nor had commission to that eil'ect ; whilk albeit he had, James Grant had
gotten the king's remission, and so could not take him ; and as for John Uugar, he would
concurr with the rest of the countiie to take him, as he was employed. 3tio, He desired
the marquess to agrie with the laird of Frendraught, and take him by the hand ; because
the Covenant admitted of no hatred nor feid to stand unreconceiled. He answered, what
he had subscrived to the generall on no wajes obleidged him to take Frendraught be the
Cu. XXIX.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. " 237
Huntlyes familye, and most of his surname ; the cause of which enimitye I A. D. 1639.
gave accounte of in the first booke, to which I doe referre the reader.
XXIX. Whither Montrose was content to be overborne by votes, that Montrose al-
so it might be his greater glorye to leade Huntly to Edinburgh as a trophee lows himself to
of his conquest, or if indeed Montrosse wer overpowred and constrained Himtly carried
for to yeeld to the clamors of the northerne Covenanters (who had drawue '« Edinburgh ;
the south country men ther waye,) it is uncertaine : But, however, it was sentell Mon-
concluded that Huntly must goe alonge with them to Edinburghe, under a trose's behavi-
gwarde, though not disarmed or a prisoner ; which was accordingly per-
formed. So Montrosse and his pairty, within lesse than a fourtnight after
ther comming, marched southwards againe, establishing a comittye of the
Forbesses and Frazers, and ther associats, for to gwarde the countrey,
which they easily undertooke, Huntly being now out of the waye ; who
hand, nor would he take him be the hand upon no condition. The generall haveing used
and proponed thir frivolous petitions and demands, and getting such reasonable answers as
he could not weill eschew, he then broke up the thing he most earnestly would have bein
at, (which was the marquess himselfe), and changeing his purpose, sayes, ' My lord, seeing
we are all now freinds, will ye goe south to Edinburgh with us ?' He answered, he was not
of such mind, nor was he prepaired to goe south at this tyme, because he was goeing home
to Strathbogie. The general said, ' Your lordshipp will do weill to go with us.' The
marquess seeing his purpose, answered quickly, ' My lord, I came here to this toune upon
assureance that I should come and goe at my own pleasure but molestation or inquietation ;
and now I see by condition my lodgeing was guarded, that I could not come out nor in, and
now, by my expectation, ye would take myselfe (who is here, and bidden here with your
lordship in quiet maner, mirrie and glaid,) and carrie me to Edinburgh, whither I would or
not ; this in my sight seims not fair nor honourable.' AUwayes, sayes he, ' my lord, give
me my bond whilk I gave you at Inverurie, and ye shall have ane answer.' Whilk the
generall obeyed, and delivered to the marquess. Then he said, ' whither will ye take me
with vow south as ane captive, or willingly of my own mind ?' The generall answered,
' Make your choice.' Then said he, ' I will not goe as ane captive, but as ane volunteir.'
Whereupon he comes to the door, and haistiely goes to his own lodgeing, where he finds
the samen straitly guairded with musketeirs. AUwayes he goes in and sitts down to break-
fast, sends post after the laird of Cluny to stay his journey, as ye have heard, so that he
went no farder nor Edinburgh. Some of the marquess' freinds thought hardly of his goeing
south, without some hostage left behind for his saife returne, but the generall being spoken
to refuised to grant any hostage. Thus, is this great and mightie marquess, great and
egregious earle, lord lieutennent of the north be his majestie's authoritie, a man of singular
spirit and courage, of great freindship, and faire commandment, brought under thir straittes
and hard conditiones by his neighbour subjects for being ane loyall subject to his master the
king ; which otherwayes I hope they durst not have hazard to enterpryse be their own
strength and following in thir quarters. AUwayes he was first forced to tryst and give his
bond at Inverurie, then intysed to come quietly to Aberdein, his lodgeing guarded, himselfe
under trust taken, as ye have heard. All this he was driven to suffer, and behold most
patiently, for the love he carried to the king his master, his kine and freinds. Cheifly his
dear childrein were greivously oflended thereat, to see him taken frae his freinds, and had
to Edinburgh amongst his enemies, who never liked his house nor standing. What should
moieT— Ibid. pp. 119— 1-2-2.]
238 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. went to Edinburgh foote for foote with Montrose, accompanyd with his two
eldest sonnes, Georg Lord Gordon and James Viscount of Obyne,* who
voluntarly went along with ther father. His third sonne, Lord Ludovicke
Gordone, being but a young boye, at scoole in Boige, with his graund
mother ; the other two, Lord Charles and Harye, young childeren, the last
of the two in Fraunce, wher he was borne ; so none of the three wer in
capacitye to be tackne notice of.
True it is that for that tyme that Huntly, contrare to paroUe, was made
prisoner (for I can give it no better name), few or none of the Cove-
nanters recented that dealing, but rather allowed it ; yet it did availe
them nothing who wer the mane abettors therof, being exposed to greater
affi'ontes by his followers immediatly therafter (as we shall tell), then if
he had stayd at home, who would have undoubtedly, acordinge to assur-
aunce givne, kept in his followers. And for Montrosse going along with
that actione, it is most certane, to the best of my knowledge (for I wrytte
this knowingly), that it bredde such a distaste in Huntly against Montrosse,
that afterwardes when Montrosse fell oif to the Kinge, and forsooke the
Covenanters, and was glade to gett the assistaunce of Huntly and his fol-
lowers, the Marquesse of Huntly could never be gained to joyne cordially
with him, nor to swallow that indignitye. This bred jarres betwixt them
in the carrying on of the warre, and that which was pleasing to the one was
seldome pleasing to the other ; whence it came to passe that such as wer
aeqwally enemyes to bothe (who knew it weall eneuch), wer secured, and in
ende prevailed so farr as to ruinate and destroye both of them, and the
Kinge by a consequent.
Huntly com- XXX. When Huntly came to Edinburgh, he was comitted to the castell
'"'S f^Ed'^ °^ Edinburgh prisoner, but very honorably used. His eldest sonne did stay
burgh. His with his father willingly, to beare him company ; but his second sonne, the
'ak"" *°"i Viscount of Aboyne, after a short staye,t by the advyce of his fi'eendes,
lowed to re- craved licence of his father to be gone, which could not be refoosed by
turn; goes to j^g Covenanters, who gladly would have kept him too. Therfor, upon pre-
of Huntly's texte of dispatching his fathers private bussinesse, he shiftes for himself, as
daughters little fancying a voluntare imprisonement, which he was not resolved to
betake himself too, if he could otherwayes choose ; and befor he rested
* Nota. James Viscount of Aboyne was sent backe from Aberdeen to Strabogye, by
his father. [Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 122.]
t At Aberdeene, not Edinburgh.
Ch. XXX.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 239
much he gott be sea to Bervicke, wher we shall lett him rest for some few A. D. 1639.
dayes.
The Marquesse of Huntly, when he came over to Edinburgh, befor his
being comitted to prisone into the castell, was much soUicited by the pryme
Covenanters for to subscrybe the Covenant and come over to ther syde ;
and very honorable tearmes wer offered to him. But he gave them a resolute
ansuer negativly, which I have heer inserte, tackne off of the printe coppye,
as himself caused afterwards publishe it, with this title of The Marquesse of
Huntlye his Replye to Certaine Noblemen.(U It is dated Apryle twen- April 20.
tieth :
" To be your prisoner is by much the lesse displeasing to mee, that my
accusatione is for nothing else but loyaltye, and that I have been brought
into this estate by such unfaire meanes, as can never be made to appeare
honorable in thoise who used them.
" Wheras yow offer liberty upon conditione of my entring into your Co-
venant, I am not so badd a merchant as to buye it with the losse of ray con-
science, fidelitye, and honour ; which, in so doinge, I should account to be
wholly perisht.
" I have already givne my faith to my prince, upon whoise heade this
crowne, by all law of nature and nationes, is justly fallne ; and will not fal-
sifie that faith, by joyning with any in a praetence of relligione, which my
awne judgement cannot excuse from rebelHone ; for it is weall knowne, that
in the primitive churche, no armes wer held laufull, being lifted by subjectes
against ther laufull prince, though the whole frame of Christianitye was then
in questione.
" Wheras yow would encouradge me to bee a partacker with yow, by
your hopes of supply from Fraunce and other forreigne nationes, together
with vour so good intelligence in Englande, as that no dainger will come
from thence, lett me tell yow that, in my opinion, thes reasons are but vaine ;
the Frenshe being now mor strickly tyed then befor, to upholde the autho-
ritye of our [sacred] soveraigne, [by a new cemented league of marriage,]
wherby ther interest in his majestyes progenyewill overballance yow, though
(1) [Spalding gives the title at length ; The marquess of Huntly 's Reply to certaine noble-
men, gentlemen, and ministers, covenanters of Scotland, sent from their associates to signifie
to him, that it behoved him either to assist their designes, or be carried to prison in the
castle of Edinburgh; the iOth of Aprill 1639. Now published, because of a false copie
thereof lately printed without authoritie or his own consent. London, printed by Robert
Young, his majestie's printer for Scotland, 1640.]
240
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. IV.
Answer to the
King's Mani-
festo, which
was dated
twenty-
seventh Fe-
bruary.
Aprylp 1.
your cause wer better. Other forraigners are meerly unable by ther aune
dislractiones, and the Englishe have ever been strong eneuch for us, when
only ther owne King, and not ours too, did leade them.
" For my oune pairt, I am in your power ; and resolved not to leave that
foule title of traitor as ane inheritance upon my posteritye. Yow may tacke
my heade from my shoulders, but not my heart from my soveraigne."
Upon this ansuer, the Tables thought it was to no pourpose for to soUicite
Huntly any mor ; therfor they commanded to incarcerate him into the castell
of Edinburgh, whence we are not to expect him out agane at libertye till
the pacificatione of Bervicke be past. We shall leave him, therfor, a whyle,
and give leisour to the Lord Seaton, eldest sonne to the Earle of Wenton,
and the Earle of Hadingtoune, for to suite his second and third daughters,
the ladyes Henriett and Jane Gordones, whom not long after they marryde.
XXXI. The Covenanters now having settled the north, and gottne
Huntly into ther power, beganne to thinke how to beare upp the King, who
by this tyme was at Yorke. But, befor all thinges, they resolve for to keepe
England in a good conceite of them and ther actinges ; and because the
Kinge had caused publish and proclaime a Declaratione against them and
ther actinges, which was dated February twenty-seventh (the contents wherof
I have already mentioned), which was readde in all parosh churches in Eng-
lande : Therfor they founde it necessarye for to publish and disperse through
England ane ansuer to the forsaide manifesto ; wherin they stryve to vindi-
cate themselves and ther actiones from all the ill constructione that the King
did putt upon them, as also to ansuer all his objectiones. This apologye of
thers was, for substaunce, as followethe :0)
They affirme, in ther preface. That they suppose the Lord is about some
greate worke, because the cupp that has been filled to other reformed
churches is now putt into ther hande : That albeit they had used all meanes
for to informe the King, and supplicate to him, yet that, by ther enemyes
meanes, his eares wer still closed, specially by the prelatts, who wer attempt-
ing to fish in troubled waters : That the Kinges warath was increasing, they
saye, it is manifest by his declaratione February twenty-seventh : That, how-
beit, they wer confident that the gates of hell should not prevaile against ther
cause. Yet they wer sorry to be aspersed and lye under them, or then for to
appeare, in contradictory termes to thes proclamationes, as ther adversaryes
(I) [Historia Motuum, pp. 332— 350.]
Ch. XXXI.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
241
doe lybeU, and prevaile with the King to send out against them. That albeit A. D. 1639.
all that is said be ansuered befor by them, yet, least Gods cause and ther
innocencye should bee woronged by ther silence, they are therfor necessitate
for to answer, once mor, in few wordes, that which formerly is wryttne at
large.
First, For the title directed to the loving subjectes of England, they are
wilhng that all English subjectes be rightly informed ; but are sorry that
any should be thought mor loving or loyall then themselves. Second, That
wheras it chargeth them " as seekers to overthrow his niajestyes power by
seditiouse practises, under pretence of relligione," they ansuer. That none of
ther actiones is mor charged with seditione then ther Covenant ; wherein
they are so farre from overturning regall authoritye, that in it they attest
God that they have not the least intentione or desyre to attempt any thing
that might turne to the diminutione of the Kings greatnesse and authoritye.
That they could not suspect that rejecting of episcopacye and Service Booke
wer the overturning of regall power, whoise pillars are relligione and
righteousnesse, which they shall stryve to support as they have sworne to
doe. They complaine upon the epithetts givne to them, and ther practises
of " seditiouse, tumultouse, froward, perverse, traiterouse, doers of the devUl
his workes, as treasones and rebellions, hostile preparationes to invade Eng-
lande, daring insolencyes to macke whole ther brockne fortunes, brainesicke
distempers, traitorously affected persones, turbulent spiritts " : To all this they
ansuer with the wordes of 2 Samuel svi. 12, et Matthew v. II ; and that thes
railing accusationes proceed from the raging prelatts. Yet shall it not macke
them, in one worde, reflecte on the Kings majestye. That they have insert
the image of the hierarchye into the Kings pourtraicte, that such as doe
reverence to the one may be forced to doe the lycke to the other ; yet that
they can distinguish betwixt honoring the King and the prelatts. That the
prelatts evLll langwage speackes neither against them nor ther cause : that
the prelatts stryve to engadge the King irrevocably, but shall be mistackne ;
for they trust the King will never doe so ; that he is mor then a common
parent, and if he turne pairty, by unaeqwall weight the passengers and
such a one as sittes at the helme should both be drownd ; which the prelatts
rather choose then that themselves should be the Jonas to be cast into the
sea. That the maxima is olde which theye follow, When we are deade, lett
the earth be burnt up with fyre.*
• E^si; Sa»o>T»s yat/"* /ii^^uu tn/^i. Suetonius in vita Neronis.
242
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
That they are glade in the narrative that ther actiones ar judged, and by
them ther intentiones. Ther actiones they justifie, First, To be full of
long suffering of the prelatts insolencyes over church, state, relligione and
worshipp, and lawes and judicatory es. Second, By ther peacable proceed-
inges ever since they beganne to appeare in publicke against the Service
Booke, though imposed by way of horning by the prelatts, which was op-
posed only by supplicationes. Third, By ther entring in Covenant with
God, when they founde ther supplicationes gett no ansuer but terrible pro-
clamationes, which they cleared against all objectiones. Fourth, When they
were commanded to ryse at the assembly of Glasgow, they choosed that
pairt which is most warranted by Chryste, and agreable to the Kings will,
formerly manifested ; had done nothing but supplicated the King, and being
threatnd with armyes, had studyd only upon ther owne necessair defence,
without intentiones to invade any man.
To the particular evidences of ther traiterouse intentiones, exprest in the
proclamatione, which are instanced, Jirst, to be " multitudes of infamouse
lybells, stuifed full of calumneys, against the Kings authoritye," they an-
suer. That ther straine is contrarye, and they desyre that any such should be
instanced.
To the second, of letters sent to privatt persons and private meetings in
London, they ansuer. That they deney any such thing by them to be done ; if
others, under ther name, publish thinges which they never saw, they thinke
that the best way to suppresse them is to neglecte them.
To the third, viz. ther publicke contemning and neglecting his majestyes
commandes, they answer, Ther protestationes against unjust commandes are
faire and legall, not moutinouse ; and at some tymes, for preservatione of
right, unavoydable.
To the fourth, that no Covenant or band is warrantable, without civill
authoritye, That they have wryttne so much for ther vindication therin al-
ready, that they hope all men except the prelatts are satisfeed.
To the objectione, that they rejected the Covenant commanded by
authoritye, they answer by referring all men to ther print protestatione,
September twenty-second et December eighteenth, and to ther actes of
Assemblye.
To the third, that ther Covenant is a conspiracye against the King, etc.
they answer, It is a blasphemy, which they are sure neither the King nor any
fearing God will be accessory too ; and that it is ane evidence that they are
Ch. XXXI.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 243
not doing the workes of the devill may appeare, because God has givne a A. D. 1639.
testimony from heaven unto ther actings against the prelatts.
To the objectioune, that they intende to invade Englande, they answer,
That ther late declaratione may satisfee any man therin ; and that it will
prove nothing to saye " that the cheefest amongst them are men of brockne
fortunes and unqwyett spiritts," since it is knowne that the cheefest have
wealth answerable to the conditione of ther natione, and that all others are
content with with ther owne estates ; and that, on the contrary, it is
knowne that the chiefest (setting asyde some few states men and such as
draw ther breath from courte) are either atheistes, papistes, or drownd in
debte, and under captiones for debtte ; and are devyding the laundes of
others in ther owne fancye.
Furder, they say, That ther innocencye is cleared by the councells letter,
which they are informed was, with ther supplicatione, exhibited to the
councell of England, February twenty-second et twenty-eighth, with ther
supplicatione ; which the councell of England had so farr tackne to heart as
to joyne ther supplicatione therwith to the King, requesting him not easily
to be moved for to thinke upon harder courses against his ancient native
kyngdome, but to thinke how to settle them without force of armes.
To the dismissing of the printer, they ansuer by deneying it to be true ;
and for inhibiting to print without ther warrant, they ansuer, They forbidd
only, without warrant of the churche, to printe thinges that concerne the
kirke, which, they say, is no new practise.
To ther raising arrayes, and beseeging and blocking up the Kings cas-
tells, they ansuer by referring to ther protestatione, December eighteenth.
To the challendge, that they affirmed that the conducte of the Kinges
army was in the handes of papistes, they ansuer. They wer informed it was
so ; and why should not designes smelling of Rome and poprye be borne upp
by papistes ?
To the second, that some in power in the churche of England have beene
the cause of tacking upp armes against them, they ansuer. They wUl verifye
it by wrytte, and by depositione of the pryme statesmen and councellors,
against Canterbury by name, that he did negotiate with Rome about the
frame of our Service Booke, and with his owne hand did alter and interline-
at that booke, tending to conformitye with Rome ; and that his reprinted
Conference with Fisher will not vindicate him. Therfor they attest all true
patriotts to supplicate the King for a parliament, that such a mystery of
244 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. iriiqwitye may be fully detected, which tended to the envolving of two
kyngdoms in a warre, and building upp of Rome.
To that objectione that the lawes are oppressed, and subjects dare not
acte as judges, they ansuer, That the pryme judges may remember how
oftne justice was refoosed to them be way of missives sent to the judges, for
feare to offende ; that horning, conforme to actes of parliament, was denyde
to them against the excommunicate prelatts, by reason of the Kings letter,
March second, prohibiting to graunte : Which shewes that the judges are for
them, but not awed by them.
To the objectione that some of them refoose the oath of alledgance and
supremacye, etc. they answer. They know not who is tackne in Wales, but
it would seem ther is ane hotte inqwisitione ther. Yet for themselves, albeit
ther be a difference betuixt the oathe of alledgeance and supremacye, and
that they cannot tacke the oath of supremacy, as it is extended and glossed
by the prelatts flatteryes, yet they render all to the King that sownde re-
formed divynes doe.
To that which is affirmed that the Service Booke was not for innova-
tione but for conformitye, they replye, They are urged to conforme with
other kyngdoms, as if they had not ane established worshipp of ther owne,
but wer tabula rasa.
[To] that assertione that tacking away episcopacye would destroy the third
estate of parliament, they reply, Ther is no acte for it. Secondly, Parlia^
ments may bee and are complete without such ane excrescens.
And if ther Covenant must not be endured, because the King will not
consent, albeit it be with God, then Covenanters must either renounce God
or be punishdlycke rebells and traitors.
To i\\e: fourth, that the questione is if the King shall be King or not, and
the _/iftk, that the King is forced to tacke armes to lett them see that he must
both establish his kingly authoritye, and endure no such Covenant as thers wes,
they answer. That in this case they are to resolve if they will lye under foule
aspersiones; recall Service Booke and prelatts ; opne a door for poperye ;
hinder the queens conversione, etc. ; interrupt the marche of the Lord of
Hostes upon the earth'; wrest his displeyd banner out of his handes; pull the
N. B. crowne from the heade of Chryst ther judge; resiste the Holy Gohste; pull
downe the goldne candlesticke ; bring all the plagues of the booke of God
upon them ; rather then defende themselves against armed violence and un-
just invasione. Therfor, to the queree of the proclamatione, " What will
Ch. XXXI.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 245
we defende ?" they ansuer, Ther relligione, libertys, and lives. To the second A. D. 1639.
querie, " Against whom we will defende it ?" they ansuer, That they distin-
guishe, First, betwixt a King resident in his kyngdome, and rightly informed ;
and a King distant in another kyngdome, hearing only one pairtye, and mis-
informed by ther adversaryes. Second, betwixt a King, as King, proceed-
ing acording to law against rebells ; and a King, as a man, coming from his
throne (at the foote whairof the humble supplicationes of his subjectes lyes
unansuered), and marching furiously against his humble and weall meaninge
people. Third, betwixt a King, a straunger to relligione, and tyed no
furder but acording to his owne pleasure ; and a King, professing the same
relligione with his subjectes, and obleidged, by his fathers deede, and by his
oune oathe, to defende his subjectes, ther lawes, libertyes, relligione, etc.
Next, they distinguish betwixt some few privatte persones tacking armes N. B.
for resistaunce ; and the whole body of the kyngdome (except some courteours
statesmen, papistes, or popishly aifected, and ther adherents), standing to
ther owne defence. Second, betwixt subjects rysing and standing out
against law and reasone, intending to shacke off the yoke of obedience ; and
a people holding fast ther alledgiance, in all humilitye supplicating for rel-
ligione and justice. Third, betwixt a people labouring, by armes, to intro-
duce novationes in relligione, contrary to lawes : and a people seeking to have
relligione ratifyd against all novationes, as it has been sworne by King and
people. Fourth, betwixt a people pleading for ther oune fancyes and fool-
ryes ; and a people suspending ther judgement in thinges conti-overted, till
they be determined in a free Assemblye, and therafter standing to the As-
semblyes determinatione.
And then they apply the distinctiones to ther owne advauntage, by
shewing that this is ther present case, whairin they are warranted to be de-
fensive evne by thoise who pleade most contra monarchomachos ; that,
finally, mutwall contracte betuixt King and people, at his coronatione, does
warrant them.
Then they desyre the Englishes not to be hasty to beleeve all that is saide
against them ; nor ready to engadge in a warre wher so little is to be gained,
which would prove so harmefull to both nationes ; and that hearing of ther
necessarye defence, they will judge charitably, and suppose the case ther
owne ; and that the Englishes would praye to God for them, and supplicate
the King for them ; and, if need be, defend them against wicked men of
Beliall, because they are brethren under one roofe, etc.
246 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A D. 1639. And then they declare what remonstrances, proclamationes, preparationes,
have been emitted, and made, and are niacking against them ; and this they
say was the cause why they wer forced to seise thes castells, so much ob-
jected : that either they behoved to doe or dye.
Finally, they conclude that by the law of nature they may prevent blowes
as weall as strike; and that ad defensionem sujjicit quod praecedat ojfensa vel
Justus timor offensae, nee debet quis exspectare primum ictum : melius enimjura
intacta servare, quam post vidneratam causam remedium quaerere. Qiiando
praecedunt signa et actus manifestae ojfensionis, et quando aliter nosmet tueri
non possumus, turn incnlpata ac neccssaria dicitur tutela, ac in dubio insulta-
tus quicquid facit in incontinenti, praesumitur ad sui defensionem facere.
And then they conclude that France and Holland did the lyeke : finally, that
they will hold ther supplicationes in one hand, and ther swordes in the other ;
that how soone ther supplicationes are graunted, themselves and the peace
of the kirke and kyngdome settled, they would suffer ther swordes to fall
from them ; and should leave nothing in ther power unperformed for perfect
pacificatione ; and should vow to live and dye in obedience to his Majestys
lawes, and the mantenance of his royall persone and authoritye, etc. And
then it is subscrybed. Revised according to the ordinance of the Generall
Assembly, by Mr. Archibald Johnstone, clerk therto. Edinburgh, twenty-
second March, 1639.
King's Procla- XXXII. This is the summe of that long Remonstrance which the Cove-
mation. nanters published in ansuer to the Kings Declaratione, February twenty-
seventh ; to which the Kinge gave no replye. For now they wer preparing to
dispute the cause with swordes, and no longer with wordes ; for by the
Apryle I. first of Apryle, the Kinge was at Yorke, at his rendevouze, wher he re-
mained for some weekes till his army should be fully at a heade. Upon the
Apryle 25. twenty-fifth of Apryle,* the Kinge caused publish a proclamatione or decla-
ratione at the merkatt crosse of Yorke, which he lyckwayes commanded (but
all in vaine) for to be proclaimed at all the merkatt crosses of the burroughs
of Scottlande : The contents whairof wer to this pourpose followingeCO :
First, The King shewes that whairas he had used all faire meanes to
reclame his subjectes, who wer blyndly runne into seditiouse courses, and
* Kingorne leaves Aberdeen and his gouvernement, and Apryl twenty-five, Earle of Mar-
shall and Master of Forbesse come in to Aberdeen with about a thousand followers ; and they
quarter in the towne, and the Earl of Marshall is made governour. [Spald. Hist of Troub.,
vol. i., p. 125.]
(I) [Historia Motuum, pp. 352—356.]
Ch. XXXII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 247
had laboured (but in vaine) to settle his owne authoritye and governement ;
that all his clemencye had proved a raeanes to encrease ther insolencye, as
for to seize his fortes, his crowne, magazins, etc. : which (though now in
armes) he declares for all this shall not be employed to innovate relligione,
or for to infringe the civill lawes and libertyes therof ; his tender affectiones
both to relligione and his subjectes being aeqwall, specially such as have re-
mained faithful]. Therfor, with sinceritye of heart, he promiseth that he
will macke goode all his former proclamations, or whatever his comis-
sioner in his name had promised at the last pretended Generall Assembly of
Glasgow. That though it be not necessaire alwayes to be declaring the
sinceritye of his professione in the reformed protestant relligione, yet that
by such false reportes, whairby they have givne out that he was popishly
affected, they had no other ende who raised it but to steale away the
heartes of the people from him, therby the better for to compasse ther
treacherouse designes for the overthrow of monarchicall governement :
That he tackes God to witnesse that he was a defender of the trwe protes-
tant relligione, which he promiseth and hopes to continow in ; and that he
will mantaine it against innovationes, as it is established by the lawes of
the severall kyngdomes respectivlye. That (whatever anye treacherously
disposed saye to the contrarye) he does obleidge himself most punctwally
to performe this promise, for preservatione of relligione, and evrye pairt
therof. That he hopes to be beleeved that he meaneth no otherwayes then
he speakes, whatever people treacherously disposed, to gett followers to
themselves, will saye to the contrarye. That the seductione of many is the
worste of crymes ; that albeit many be seduced, yet he is willing to shew
mercye to all who will accept his oifer, and from that tyme fordwards live
qwyettly and obedient to his commandes : to which pourpose, he intended to
hould parliament ther how scone he saw the countrye in such peacable
posture as it was fitt for him, with honour and with safetye, to come per-
sonally amongst them. Therfor he commandes all his houses, fortes, crowne,
etc. to be restored to him within eight dayes after the publicatione of his
proclamatione ; fortes to be demolished, and the laundes, houses, and goods
of his loving subjectes, tackne from them, to be restored also within the
saide space, and that as they tendered ther alledgaunce. And he commandes
all subjectes to lay downe armes, and to disband ther forces, all to goe to
ther owne homes, and to dissolve ther conventicles and meetings within the
space forsaide, after the pubUcatione heerof. That for ther securitye, he
248 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. was willing to graunte ane acte of oblivione for all that was past ; and that
since he was willing to deale so gratiously with them, he was confident that
his gratiouse offer should be heartily embraced.
That if any refoosed his offer, within the saide space, he would be forced
to have recourse to a sharpe cure of justice. Therfor he does proclaime
suche to be opne rebeUs and traitors ; that he would dispose of ther laundes
and estates to other better deserving subjectes adhering to him and obeying
his commandements : To which pourpose, he dischargeth all ther vassals and
tenents for to pay any thing that they owe to suche, but to reserve the one
halfe for the Kings use, and the other half for ther oune use : and he pro-
misethe to such as would leave ther maisters and adhere to him, good termes
of years of ther possessiones, and a diminutione of a third of the rentall at
least that they payed to ther maisters presentlye ; and to the vassals of such
also he promiseth to give them immediate holding of himselfe, and the dimi-
nutione of a third of the dutye which ther charters obleidgeth them to pay
to ther superiors. And for superiors adhering to him, who have any rebel-
House vassals, he declares that it shall be laufull to expell suche vassals,
and that he freely resignes his right to such superiours for to possesse
themselves the laundes of such vassals, or whatever should belong to him by
forfaltrye, with this provisione still that such superiours asiste him. Fur-
der, he dischargeth all indetted to such in sowmes of money for to macke
payment to them ; and assures his good subjectes that they shall have retri-
butione out of the saide moneye, as he shall see them to deserve. And all
burghs and cittyes who shall accept his offer, he promiseth to tacke into his
protectione, with all ther libertyes and privileidges ; other wayes he does
seclude them from any such hopes in any tyme thereafter. Lastly, he de-
clares that the forfailture of any rebell shall not praejudice any good sub-
jecte to whom they are indetted, but that all such shall have payment befor
that the King macke any use of ther forfaltrye. Lastly, he orders that this
may be proclaimed at all the heade buroughs of Scottlande, at the merkatt
crosses and other places needfuU, that none pretende ignorance, etc. Date
therof is at York, Apryle twenty-five, 1639. Printed by Robert Younge.
Hamilton XXXIIL Ther was a coppy of this Declaratione delyvered to Marquesse
comes to the of Hamiltoune, with warrant to cause publish it at his arryvall into Scott-
fl^f "''"' ^ land. Hamiltoune came into the Firth of Forth, May first day, with a fleete
,, . of about twenty-eight shippes ; wherin wer saide, besyde the marriners, to
have been fyve thousand foot souldiours, Englishes, together with money
Ch. XXXIV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 249
and ammunitione for levyinge and arming souldiours at Hamiltounes land- A. D. 1639.
inge. Simdrye noblemen of Scottlande, who stoode for the King, and some
officers of fortune (as they terme them), who came alonge with Hamiltoune,
wer appoynted for to commande thes levyes.
HamUtoune, at his comming into the Firthe,* anchored betuixt the two
little isles or inshes, called Insh Keithe and Inshe Columbe ; ryding in the
very place wher the passage boates betuixt Leeth and Bruntisland macke
ther ordinarye and neerest passage and course at all tymes. His comming
thither begott a great alarum amongst the commons, and such as wer not
acqwaynted with the mysteryes of bussinesse ; who, upon both sydes of the
Firthe, beganne to runne to armes and to gwarde the coastes, that Hamil-
toune and his souldiours might bee keept from laundinge. And ther trepida-
tion was no whytte diminished by the Covenanter noblemen, who kept a greate
deale of sturre and qwarter with rendevousing and drawing upp horse and
foote to keep off Hamiltoune, who made no greate haste to come ashore ;
for all he did was to sett his souldiours by turnes a shore upon Insh Keithe
and Insh Columbe, for to refreshe them. And it was affirmed that beinge
ther they caused macke some fyre workes, which made a noyse lycke unto a
volly of musketts shott ofl"; and all this to macke the ignorant people be-
leeve that his numbers wer greater then indeed they wer.
The rest of the tyme they lay ther was spent in macking excursions
upon passage boates or fishermen, without offering to come a lande, till his
victwalls beganne either to consume or spoyle, or the launde souldiours to
sickne and severall of them to dye : Otherwayes this fleet did mor hurt to
the King, who sent them, then to the enemye.
XXXIV. For, during the tyme that he laye in the Firthe commander Keeps corres-
of the fleet, Hamiltoune had dayly correspondence, by letter or message, pondenee with
„ , 1 • 1 1 11 1 11 -11 '"*' Covenant-
under the pretexte of that which shall be presently tolde, with the pryme ers. His mo-
Covenanter noblemen ; who sometymes would come aboarde of the shipp ther's beha-
wher Hamiltoune was, sometymes one, sometymes another of them.(') Thus
wer matters carryd under hande, whilst great noyse was made about the
hindering of his launding, in a comicall waye : And, amongst other zealotts,
none bussyer to barre his launding then Hamiltouns owne mother ; who came
* May third, Obyne, who had been macking some preparationes in the northe, leaves his
men, and privattly shippes upon the coast of the Enzie, upon advertishment of Hamiltounes
coming to the Firthe. [Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 130.]
(0 [See Bishop Guthrie's Memoirs, p. 56.}
2 I
250 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. ryding towards Leethe, upon the heade of some armed troopes, with two
case pistolls at her saddle, protesting, (as it is affirmed,) that she would kill
her Sonne with her owne handes if he should oiFer to come a launde in ane
hostile waye : And some atfirme that she had balle of gold, insteade of leade,
to kill him withall. This laste reporte I shall not asserte for ane undoubted
truthe ; howbeit it appears to be true which was reported of that ladyes
romance lycke caprice in this particular, by the testimonye of such as having
wryttne a manifesto* for the Covenanters, doe not glorye a little in the
old ladye Marquise of Hamiltoune her valour and resolutione against her
Sonne.
The first thing that Hamiltoune did in this mocke warre was to wrytte to
the provost of Edinburgh, desyring him to macke patent harbyre for the
fleete royall, and for to cause proclaime at the crosse of Edinburgh the
Kings declaratione (at Yorke, Apryle twenty-five). To this the provost of
Edinburgh did macke answer, beseeching Hamiltoune not to put that upon
him ; since it was mor then he durst performe without the advyce and con-
sente of the nobilitye and the cheife trustees amongst the Covenanters, who
behoved first to conveene and resolve : Or rather he intreated Hamiltoune
to waite till the parliament wer mette, whoise doune sitting, since it did
now approache, it was ther dutye of course to tell him what he might ex-
pecte in answer to his proposalle.
Those elected XXXV. And immediatly therafter, May fifteenth, thes who wer elected
to parliament (q gj^^ j^ the parliament, which was indicted the last yeare, did conveene at
veen; answer Edinburgh ; who, befor the downe sitting of the parliament, mett at ther
Hamilton. Tables, and, by common consent, answered HamLltoune,(') shewing him that,
^ ' for manye reasons, they neither could nor ought give waye to the publishing
the Kings declaratione, except they would violate the lawes and proclaime
the nationes disgrace, confesse themselves perjurd, and, finally, tacke the
guilt upon themselves of all the crymes whairwithe ther adversaryes so
unjustly branded them.
Next, they affirmed that such a proclamatione was unlaufull bothe for the
forme therof, because it was made without the kyngdome, and without the
* Spang, Historia Motuum, pa^. 351. [" Praetereunda certe non est illustrissima Heroina
Hammiltonia Marchionissa, quae supra sexum, virilis animi pro tuenda vindicum libertatis &
religionis causa, egregia indicia edidit, ac posthabito omni materno affectu in illustrissimum
filium Marchionera Hammiltonium, quern tamen unice diligcbat, se & sua fcederatis labor-
antibus benigne obtulit."]
(1) [Their letter is printed in Burnet's Memoires of the Hamiltons, p. 125.]
Ch. XXXV.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 251
councells eonsente ; which is both contrare to knowne lawes and practise : A. D. 1639.
And for the matter, lyckwayes, they ansuered, that it was never heard of
befor, that all the nobilitye and almost the whole body of the kyngdome
should bee declared rebells and traitors, and all ther goods to be confiscate,
without any tryall of ther g'uilt or sentence of parliament, albeit it be only
judge competent in suche cases: That such a procedure and punishment
could not be usd nor inflicted against the meanest subjecte till he wer first
citted, and his guilt proved, in foro contradictorio : Finally, they said that
by this proclamatione all ther former actings wer condemned as treacher-
ouse, albeit they could both prove them just and necessary also.
They said that such a proclamatione was praejudiciall to the King his
honour, as being against law ; wheras the King oftne befor, and evne in this
selfe same declaratione, promiseth to observe all the lawes and preiveleidges
of the kyngdome ; and that the councell and sessione had oftne pronounced
such a proclamatione unlaufull : That certainlye not the King, but ther
enemyes, wer the authors therof, who, by this meanes, wer seeking to macke
the rupture betuixt King and people altogether incurable : That to obey
such a commando wold be a breache of ther Covenante, which would draw
Gods wrath upon them and ther posteritye : That they had tryed all
meanes in vaine for to informe the Kinge; but as yet they requested Hamil-
toune that hee would doe and interceede for them at the Kings handes :
Finally, they shewed that if Hamiltoune would joyne with them in parlia-
ment, they should undertacke to macke it apparent to the King, and to all
the world, that ther enemyes wer the church and kyngdoms enemyes, and
guiltye of treasone, but themselves humble and loyall subjectes.
Meane whyle, the King sent ane expresse wherby he declared both the
necessitye as weall as expediencye to prorogate the parliament to a fitter
occasion. This was eonsterd by the Covenanters as done to trye them, if
they wold enter a parliament against the Kings commando, as they had
continowd to sitt in ther Assemblye. Yet the wysest of them thought not
so, and befor hande saw little appearance, as things stoode betuixt them,
that the King would lett the parliament sitte at that tyme : nor could any
rational! man thinke otherwayes. The heades of the Covenanters founde it
not expedient at that tyme to hold a parliament, whilst the King was upon
his march with ane armye leading towards Scottland, and the north of
Scottlande beginning againe for to grow unqwyett, as afterward shall be told.
Otherwayes, they would not faile to have sittne by vertwe of the King
252
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. his proclamatione, as weall as ther predecessors did in the dayes of Queen
Marye. Yet it was givne out that all was done in obedience to the Kinges
commande ; but withall they declared that it was no pairt of the Kings
praerogative for to adjourne a parliament without the consent of the states
of the kyngdome.C)
Army set on XXXVI. Leaving therfor the thoughtes of a parliament for that tyme,
th r' ^5^'"^' ^^^y '^°^ beginne to put ther army on foote ; having long befor made all
GenerarLesly things readye for that ende; putting Sir Alexander Leslye (commonly
gets the called Generall Leslye), upon the heade of ther army, as generalissimo,
command; set- ,,„,...,,. -^ ... '^ , , ,. , .
ties the com- both tor his skill in mihtarye conducte, as also tor to remove aemulatione
mand and dis- amongst themselves, (for hardly would the rest of the nobilitye have followd
the forces left ^"J 0^^ *5^ ^^^^^ owne number) ; to have all of them swore to be faithfuU and
for the de- obedient; and he lyckewayes tooke an oathe of tidelitye in the discharge of
fence of the i . i . i i .i
kingdom. '^'^* dutye and commande over tliem.
Generall Lesly rendevouzd the Covenanters army upon the Linkes of
Leethe, and ther proclaimed the articles of warre which himself, with
advyce and consent of the Tables, had caused draw upp, following in many
thinges Gustavus Adolphus his modelle. Thes articles of warre he caused
lyckwayes be printed for the use of the officers and souldiours under his
commande. And because himselfe, with the maine body of the army, behoved
to marche towards the border, therfor he leaves considerable forces within
the kyngdome both for keeping downe inward combustions and repelling
forraigne invasione. The Earle of i\rgylle was commanded by him for to
tacke up his post neer Strivlinge with his men ; that hee might both keepe
ane eye over the westerne coastes, in caise the Earle of Straiforde should
send over any forces from Irelande, as also over the north pairtes, in caise
any iiifall should be ther. To the Lord Johnstone (afterwards Earle of
Hartfell), was givne the oversight of the borders betuixt Scottland and
Englande ; that he, with his vassals and such as wer joynd with them,
might beare up such troopes of English or Irish horses as wer sent to
macke incursions upon the borders, as also for to keepe downe [Robert]
Maxwell the Earle of Nithsdale (a Roman Catholicke in professione), one
who stoode for the King, and considerable for followers in thes places : And
for efiectwating all this the better, ther was a garrisone putt into Drumfreese,
ane opne towne upon the south west border of Scottlande, not ftirr from
(I) [Historia Motuum, pp. 358, 359.]
Ch. XXXVII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 253
Carleile, wher the Kings fore party laye. To the Earles of Cassils and A. D. 1639.
Eglintoune was comitted the charge of Gallowaye, Carricke, Kyle, and
Konninghame, and the reste of the weste. The Fyrth of Forthe was
gwarded so on evrye syde, by the countrey men neerest inhabitants
to the two sydes therof in Fyfe and Lauthian, that, betuixt ther wil-
lingnesse to defende, and Hamiltounes unwillingnesse to persew, little
daunger was to be feard from any attacke that Hamiltounes fleete was
lycke to give.
XXXVII. About this tyme, the troubles in the north wer againe be- Troubles in
gunne. Therfor, for quyetting thes places for the present and following * ," j"^'^/*^'!
tymes, Montrose, who befor had marched thither, was of new putt upon encamps at
that service. To him was conioyned the Earle of Marishall, with his J?™^*" Law ;
Kino* at
followers, as also the vassalls of the Earles of Errolle, Dumferlemlyn, and Berks, near
Glammes, ane regiment of the Athole men, and two foote compauyes of Berwick,
the townesmen of Dundee, who wer to be made us e of by Montrosse as „gf^ the Scot-
he saw necessetye, or could gett occasione to call them out. All thes t'sh camp dis-
thinges being putt in order, Generall Leslye tackes his marche for the stones* fit for
border of Scottlande, towards Bervicke ; and encamped at Dunse Hill balls,
(commonly called Dunse Law), which is scitwated in the Merse, about four
myles distant from Bervicke, and about fourtye Scottish myles from
Edinburgh.
Upon the twenty-eighth daye of Maye, the King encamped at two myles May 28.
distaunce from Bervicke, at a place called Birks, and within view of the
Scottish armye. The Kings campe was within the fronteer of Englande,
Leslys within Scottishe bounds ; wher I must leave both armyes looking
upon another for some tyme till the treatye beganne and closed ; for nothing
else was done ther, all the actione in the interim, such as it was, being
in the north of Scottlande ; towards which I must for a whyle steppe back-
war des.
And beer, by the waye, I shall remember upon that whiche fell out neer
Dunse Law about thes tymes. It was the fallinge of a pairt of a banke
upon the steepe syde of ane hill neer by to the Scottish campe, which of
its owne accorde had shuffled downewarde, and by its fall discovered
innumerable stones, rownde for the most pairte in shape, and perfectly
sphericall, some of them ovall shapne. They wer of a darke gray colour,
some of them yellowishe, and for qwantitye they looked lycke ball of all
syzes, from a pistoll to feeld peeces, such as sakers or robinetts, or bat-
254 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. tering peeces upwards : sraoothe they wer, and polished without, but lighter
^~~~ then leade by many degrees, so that they wer only for shew but not for
use. Many of them wer carryd about in mens pocketts to be seene for
the raritye. Nor wanted ther a few who did interprete this stone maga-
zine at Dunse Hill as a miracle, as if God had sent this by ane hidde
providence for the use of the Covenanters ; for at this tyme all thinges wer
interpreted for the advauntage of the Covenante. Others looked upon
thes peebles stones as prodigiouse, and the wyser sorte tooke little notice
of them at all. I suppose that at this present the qwarrye is extant, wher
they are yet to be seen, no mor a miracle ; but whither the event has deter-
mind them to be a prodigee or not, I shall not tacke it upon me to defyne
either pro or con.
Huntly's XXXVIII. The imprisonement of Huntly, as it was troublesome tohim-
tnends con- gelfe, so it was ill so tackne by his freends and followers, and others who did
veen at Strath- ii-oiii
bogy, to repair stande for the King in the north of Scottlande, that upon the rumor of the
their breach Marquesse Hamiltounes comming to the Firth with the fleet, and of the
ot promise to ^. , . , , i c t^ i i i i i
him; their Kinges marching towards the north oi hnglande, they doe tacke courage a
vain hopes. freshe, and beginne to bethinke themselves bothe how to repaire the breache
insuro-ents at'' of promise to Huntlye, as also how to doe the King service. Towards which
Strathbogy : pourpose a considerable number flew together about Strabogye, Huntlyes
himotbn ''" castell.* They had amies and horses, and courage and afi'ectione eneuche to
Covenanters the Kiuffes cause, and the very common souldiours running to service of ther
at T ff o ' J _ o
lurren. oune aceorde ; but all that might macke ther service usefull or considerable
was wantinge ; for leader they had none whom they would consent to follow
but as they pleased, and under offieiers wer lyckwayes scarce amongst them.
Money they had not for to keep up souldiours ; and for ther councells, as
many heads, as manye wittes. Nothing did they resolutly prosecute ; the
Kinges service was the common pretexte ; but most of thes who did animate
them wer drivne on with hopes of the Kings victorye, and that for ther
services he could give them no lesse, acording to his late proclamatione,
then ther nest neighbours estates, who wer Covenanters ; severall of which
they had already swallowd up in hopes and conceite. Little or no correspond-
ence had they with the King. True it is, that from prisone Huntly did send
them some privatt intelligence, which was secretlye conveyd to some of the
pryme of them who wer in armes, or to tacke armes, giving them assuraunce
• Nota. May third, Obyne he left them and shipped.
Ch. XXXVIII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 255
that the Kings bussnesse would goe wealle; but his informers either spocke A. D. 1639.
to him as they wished, or wer willfully mistackne, to the ende that Huntlyes
followers might be instigatted for to tacke armes to no pourpose, and so
beinge brockne for wante of conducte, the King might see how little he
could repose in ther service, as it fell out.
Thes who made upp this associatione wer a number of gentlemen of the
surname of Gordone with ther followers, besyde such Gordones as wer vas-
salls to Huntlye, who ledd his Lowland or Highland men of severall surnames.
With thes wer joyned severall other gentlemen of the shyres of Aberdene
and Banfe, with ther vassals ; such as Sir Alexander Irvine of Drumme and
his followers, Sir Gilbert Menezies of Pitfodells, and severall of the sur-
name of Settone and Wrqhwards, with others ; finally, some of the sur-
name of Ogilvye, the chiefest of whom was Sir George Ogilvye of Banfe,
with ane inconsiderable number of his vassalls, scarce surpassing the num-
ber of his dayly traine.
The impulsive cause which sett thoise a worke was ther neighbours, the
Forbeses, and Creightounes, and Frazers ; who, after that Genrall Lesly
and Montrose wer gone southe, having gottne the command of the shyres
of Aberdeen and Banfe from Montrosse, with assuraunce of asistaunce, if
they stoode in neede of it, wer now begunne to looke upon Huntlyes partye
as lesse considerable then formerlye ; and to the ende that they might
qwytte reduce them, beganne to keepe meetings, and consulte both how to
gwarde themselves and restraine the Gordones (for so they wer termed).
This could not be secrettly done, by reasone that they wer aU intermixed in
one countrey, and neer neighbours. Therfor Huntlye his freendes and
followers, who did esteeme that ther was no just victorye gott over them by
Montrose, and who disdained that ther neighbours should command them,
o-rew jealouse of the meetings and consultations of the Forbesses, Frazers,
and ther associatts ; specially, fynding that the eifeete of all ther consultes
was for to tacke armes, and goe to ane heade.
They resolve therfor not to be behynde with them ; and whilst ther
neighbours the Covenanters wer conveeniug from all qwarters to TurrefF,
(wher Montrose had lately opposd Huntly), the gentlemen of the Gordones
and Huntlyes followers wer as bussy running to ane heade about Strabogye.
Thes thinges wer a doinge about the eleventh, twelfth, and threteenth dayes
of Maye ; by which tyme the number of such as wer conveend at Strabogye
of the Gordones, and of the Forbesses at TurrefF, was growne to some
number.
256
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. IV.
A. D. 1639.
Gordons re-
solve to drive
them away.
Sir George
Ogilvie of
Banfe. Gor-
dons dispute
who should
command
them, also,
what commis-
sion they had
to fight.
XXXIX. They fall next to consult what they should doe ; and having
gottne sure intelligence of the Covenanters rendevouze, pretended for keep-
ing of a comitty at Turreffe, they resolve, all with one vniforme consent,
to fall upon them, and chase them awaye. He who was mainly instrumentall
heerin was Sir George Ogilvye of Banfe, who loved not to see the Co-
venanters so near himselfe in armes, ther being but six short myles betuixt
Turreffe and Banfes house. Besyde, if the bussnesse carryd, he would be
sure to ascrybe the praise to himselfe ; if otherwayes, the losse that should
be sustained should alight amongst the Gordones, and not on him, who
had but few ther to lose ; or, if he wer called to ane accoumpt for it after-
wardes, he could easily lurke amongst the multitude, and passe with the
rest, as having but one vote and no commande ther ; so that, goe the world
as it pleased, he did thinke himself a gainer, or no loser. Ther wer many
handes, but few heades ; and Banfe had a number of gentlemen of his
acqwayntance ther, whom he used as adjutators, to sett on the multitude to
call for that which he projected.
Ther projecte for to beate upp the Covenanters qwarters at Turreff, in
the night tyme, it being but eleven myles distant from Strabogye, was
lycke to have stuckne ; for when it came to that, that they wer in readinesse
to marche, they coulde not agree who should be commander in cheefe.
Some did name Lord Adame Gordone of Achndowne, younger brother to
the Marquese of Huntlye ; but that motione was quickly stiffled, be reasone
that the gentleman had no skill in military matters, and his parents had
sequesterd him to a retreate, as not useful! for to goe about matters of any
consequence.
After some dispute, it was in ende concluded that Sir George Ogilvye of
Banfe, and Sir John Gordone of Hadda, should be generalls conjunctly ;
bothe of them of knowne courage, but Banfe the wittier of the two, and
Hadda supposd to be plyable to Banfs counceUs and advyce.
But the greatest questione was behynde. What commissione they had for
to light, and what should be ther manifesto and qwarell ? For the first, it was
praesumed the King would allow it, and that it tended only unto defence.
At last, Alexander Gordone of Carneborrow suggestes ane overture, that
ther should be a bande of associatione drawne upp, the which should de-
clare that ther engadgement was for the mantenance of the Kings preroga-
tive, next for the dutye, service, and honour and safetye of Huntly and his
familye, and for ther owne mutwall preservatione. This pleased all, and
was subscrybed by all the gentlemen present.
Ch. XL.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 257
XL. Now they wer in a readinesse to marche, and night was comming A. D. 1639.
on ; at which tyrae they tackc waye for Turreffe, being about two horse ,. "T~
troopes, mostly gentlemen, about five or six foote companyes of the Stra- Turreft'; come
bogye re^ment, all new levyd souldiours, whom Huntly had caused to ^i""" musket
■ %, • . 1- „ , ,TT-„- -r , shot. Cove-
trame. 1 he van was givne to hevtenant collonel William Johnston, nanters fly ;
(sonne unto Robert Johnstone of Crimond, provost of Aberdeen,) the "°' pursued ;
only man of note in all ther company, who had been bredd upp at the warre, derable.
and wanted neither gallantrye nor resolutione. They lyckwayes drew
along with them four brasse feeld peeces, which belonged to Huntlye.
They came within muskett shotte of Turreif, undiscryed ; for the Cove-
nanters, who were ther in proportionable numbers, kept slacke gwardes,
most pairt a bedd, and little dreamd of ane infall that tyme of the night.
But whilst the Gordons were over against the towne, the carriadge of one
of ther feeld pieces bracke : this tooke upp some tyme to helpe it, and was
lycke for to have marred all ther project; yet, having patched it up as weall
as the time wold permitte, they come hard to the toune as the daye beganne to
appeare, being so neer ere they wer discovered that ther centre pairtye had
scarce leisour to draw upp.
Ther marche was along a valley which lyes east and west under the vil-
lage of Turreff ; which standes upon highe and steepe grounde upon the
north syde of the valleye. They could not enter it in aeqwalle termes
upon any syde but either on the north or upon the easte, but best upon the
east syde, though it wer the ende of the village farrest removed from
them, who wer come from the west that night. Ther marche about the
village, as it gave leisour to ther enemyes to draw upp within the large
street of the village, which runnes from the east to the west, so it gave the
Gordons a great advauntage for to macke ane infall ; the east ende of the
street being opne, without any gate or porte, and it capable to receave a
number of horse or foote a breaste ; besyde, the feeld hard by the streete
levell, and usefull for drawing upp a greate number of men for reserve, to
second the persewers. The Covenanters made a fashione for to baricade
that ende of the street, as the short tyme and few materialls, which wer ill
to be founde, but most of all ther confusione and trepidatione, would per-
mitte ; for within the village all was in a confusione ; and, though ther
wanted not many gentlemen of courage and gallantrye, yet it was to small
pourpose, whilst none was ther to commande, and nobody knew whom to
obeye ; and meane whyle, as it befalls in such cases, all commanded, and no
bodye obeyd.
2 K
258
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. IV.
Gordons fall
to plundering
cause the in-
habitants sub-
scribe the
King's Cove-
nant. This
affair called
The Trott of
Turreff.
The Gordons fall on, and beginne to remove the slender barricadds that
wer in ther waye ; and withall let flee a salvo of ther musketts alonge the
streete, which they seconded with three or four shotte of ther feelde peeces.
This increased the feare that was befor amongst the Covenanters ; and al-
beit Sir William Keith of Ludwharne, a resolute gentleman, and Sir
William Haye of Delgatye, a gentleman bredd at the warre, called to the
most resolute of ther syde, and did all that laye in them for to breath
courage in ther comerads, and to keep off the Gordones, who wer pressing
hard for to enter ; yet all was in vaine ; for in this very tyme the most of
ther partye, without comminge to strockes, or fyring pistolls, wer begunne
to runne evry wher out of the opne villadge, specially by the way that goes
southwarde thorough the valleye.
The greater pairte flying, drew awaye such as wer resolute to have
stoode to it, who not being seconded, wer forced lyckwayes for to shift for
themselves. And now the Gordons wer maisters of the streete ; but livten-
nent collonel Johnstone, supposing ther soddane flight and retreate had been
done out of policye, restraint the persuite, so that little or no hurt was
done. Ther fell only two gentlemen upon the Covenanters syde ; one Mr.
James Stacker, a servant to the Lord Mucholles ; and one Alexander For-
besse, servante to Forbesse of Tolqhwone : upon the Gordons syde, one
common foote souldiour killed, (by the unskillfullnesse of his owne come-
rades fyring ther musketts, as was thoughte,) whom the Gordons caused
burye solemnly, that day, out of ane idle vante, in the buriall place of Walter
Barcley of Towey, within the church of Turreffe ; not without great terror
to the minister of the place, Mr. Thomas Michell, who all the whyle with his
Sonne, disgwysd in a womans habite, had gott upp and was lurkinge above the
syling of the churche, whilst the souldiours wer discharging volleyes of
shotte within the churche, and pcircing the syling with ther bulletts, in
severall places.
XLI. The Gordones being maisters of the villadge, ther common soul-
diours, who had marched all night, fell to rifle and plunder the townesmens
houses for meale, and tooke away what they pleased from such of them as they
thought Covenanters. Heer the minister, whom they looked upon as ther
enemye, sustaned the greatest losse, although farr shorte of four thousand
merke Scottishe, which he gotte at the parliament, 1640, for to sett upp
his losses againe.
Ther next worke was for to conveen all the inhabitants of Turreffe, whom
they could fynde out, and to cause them solemlye sweare and subscrybe
Ch. xli.] history of scots affairs.
259
to the Kings Covenant, But that was to little pourpose ; for a few weekes
therafter the minister of the place conveened all the inhabitants who had
subscrybed and sworne to it ; and, in presence of all his congregatione
having caused cache of them give a solemne declaratione that they wer
compelled so to doe, he caused them kneel down and crave publicke par-
done for ther breatche of Covenante ; and then gave them a solemne abso-
lutione from ther oathe and subscriptione of the Kings Covenante, declar-
ing them all fi'ee from the obligation therof. This infall (knowne after-
ward commonly by the name of The Trottof Turreffe, in derisione), fell out
May fourteenth, 1639, eai'lye in the morning.(')
(1) [" Ye heard how the committee to be holden at Turreff was adjourned to the -JOtli
of May. Now, there begane to gather, to keep this committee, the earle Mariscliall's men
tennents and servants of Buchane, himselfe being absent ; the infant earle of ErroU's men
tennents and servants ; the minor lord of Pitsligoe's men, with their captains and leaders ;
the lord Fraser, the master of Forbes, the lairds of Delgettie, Towie Barclay, Ludquharne,
Craigievarr, Echt, Skene, Tolquhone and Watcrtoun being present, and diverse others their
kine, freinds, men tennents, and servants ; and were estimate to be about 1200 horse and
foot. Aud upon Munday the 13th of May, they came forward to Turretf, thinking there
to abyde whyle the •20th of May, that more forces might gather, to hold their committee ;
and thereafter to goe in feir of warr upon the laird of Banff and such others as had assisted
the lord Aboyne, to plunder their goods, and take their persones, and to abuse them at their
pleasure. But howsoon the barrons who had assested the Lord Aboyne, heard of this melt-
ing, they resolved shortly to wait upon the samen ; and convein the lairds of Banff, Aber-
geldie, Haddo, young Cromartie, Craig, Auchmedden, Foverane, Cromie, Geight, New-
toun, Harthill, Udney, and lieutenant crowner Johnston, with diverse others brave gentell-
men, about the number of 800 horse and foot, with some good commanders, such as Arthur
Forbes of Blacktoun ; and quickly brought out of Strathbogie four brasen feild peices ,
and understanding the covenanters' forces to encrease daily, therfor they stoutly resolve to
take them in time, and to goe on with all diligence ; for their committee was to be holden at
Turret}' the SOth of May, as ye have heard. And the covenanters came to Turreff, upon
the Munday before, being the 13th of May, thinking to abyde ther whyle the twenty day
of May to hold ther committee : but the barrons quickly followed, and that self samen
Munday at night about ten hours they begane to march in very quiet and sober manner, and
be the peip of day they came by an unexpected way (wherof the covenanters' watches
could have no knowledge) to the toun of Turreft'; the trumpets shortly begane to sound,
and the drums to touck. The covenanters, wherof some were sleiping in their beds, other
some drinking and smoaking tobacco, other some walking and moving up and doun, hearing
this fearful noise of drums and trumpets, ran to their arms and confusedly to array, and re-
collect themselves. And be now botli the covenanters and anti-covenanters are standing
in others sights, in order of battell. There w ere two shotts shott out of the earle of ErroU's
house against the barrons, whilk they quickly answered with two field pieces. Then the
covenanters begane on hott service, and the barrons both, and shott many muskatt shott.
Then the barrons shott ane feild piece in amongst them, which did no skaith, but feared the
commons. Both pairties played on others. At last there was another feild peice againe
shott, the fciu- wherof made them all clearly to take the flight. Followed the chace. The
lord Fraser was said to have fouU fauklings, but wan away. The lairds of Echt and Skene,
and some others, were taken prisoners. There were some hurt, some slain. The barrons
260
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. IV.
Gordons re-
turn to Strath-
bogy, and from
thence to
Aberdeen ;
their debates.
Strathloch ad-
vises them
against being
on the offen-
sive ; mediates
between them
and Marshal.
Barrens'
Reign ; go to
Durris in
order to join
Donald Far-
quharson and
Huntly's
Highlanders.
After the beating upp of this qwarter, they made but little stay at
Turreffe ; whence they dismissed two gentlemen of the Covenanter syde,
James Skeen, laird of Skeene, and Arthur Forbesse of Eyght, who had
been made prisoners that morning flying from Turreff; not by anye of thes
who made the infall, but by ane old cavallier, Sir George Gordone of Gight,
who, comming that morning with his servaintes towards Turreif, mett them
in the way unexpectedly, and made them prisoners for some short space,
without doing them furder harme.
XLII. Being come to Strabogye, and encouraged by ther happy be-
ginnings, thes gentlemen Gordones and ther associatts beganne to thinke
of furder projectes, and ther numbers to encrease. And now they send
advertishment to Huntlyes Highlanders, desyring them to joyne with them
in armes. Meane whyle, the cheife of them, with as many as they could
gather together, march towards Aberdeen,* billeting ther foote upon free
qwarter ; and, befor they could conclude any thing ther, they spent some
few dayes in carroushig ; the townesmen fynding them all the whyle but
heavy freendes. In ende, because they hearde that the Earle of Marishall
was gathering forces to oppose them, they resolve that either they will have
assurance of him, otherwayes they will waste his laundes and disable him.
Ther debates wer not privatt, and ther consultationes lightlye in the
afternoone, and wer divulgd befor they wer thoroughly concluded ; and com-
ming to the eares of Robert Gordon of Strathloch, (who lately befor was
one of thes who wer commissionat from Huntly), it troubled him so muche
that some few should leade aboute a number for ther owne endes, without
warrant from the King, that the very daye that they wer to marche towards
the Mearns, from Aberdeene, Strathloche comes to them and desyres to
speack with them together. He desyred to know how they could be ansuerable
for what they wer doing, since they wanted the Kings warrant. He added,
furder, that it was ane unjust thing to fall upon Marishall upon a supposall
that he would persew them. Furder, he saide that the King was mor
sparing to engadge then they, and it was reported that thinges wer lycke to
close in a treatye ; and, finally, prayd them for to be defensive at least, if
sounds the retreat, and comes immediately back to Turreff, takes meat and drink at their
pleasure, and fears Mr. Thomas Mitchell minister at Turreff very evill. And so this com-
mittee was after this manner discharged at this time." Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i.
pp. 133, 134.]
* May fifteenth. They marched to Aberdeen, the cheife of them called the Barrens,
[Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 134.]
Ch. XLIII.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
261
they will needs stancle still in armes. But all that he spocke was hearde A. D. 1639.
with impatience of the most pairt, and by many he was esteemed no better
then ther eneniye, and by some he was entertaind with scornefull langwage;
particularlye by Sir George Ogilvye of Banfe, a maine stickler at that
tvme in all thes extravagantes : Who ansuered Straloche, (whilst he profered
to goe and deale withe Marishall for assuraunce not to molest them, and
shewed them that it was unjust to fall upon Marishall without discharging
with him ; and if they would doe so, he would goe betuixt them, though he
should be iirst killed,) " Goe," sayes Banfe, " since yow are desyrouse so
to doe, and bee our qwarter master and harbinger, and lett Marishall know
we ar comminge."
Thus, undesyrd by them (who at this tyme wer called the Barrens, and ther
actings, by way of derisione, The Barrens Raigne), Strathloch tooke jour-
ney towards Dunnoter; and they, in the afternoone, horse and foote, crosse
the bridge of Dee in great haiste. But that night they turnde westward some
ten myles, marching upp Dee syde towards Doorrs.* This was that they
might joyne with Donald Farquharson of Monaltrye, one of Huntlyes vassalls,
who had brought with him some himdereths of the Highlanders of Stradee,
Braemarr, Strathawine, and Glenlivett, etc. ; and to give the matter a bet-
ter face, had with him, in companye, Lord Lwdovicke Gordone, Huntlyes
third Sonne, who had brocke away from his grandmother at the Boige of
Gight, and had forsackne the scoole and his tutor, leaping over the walles so
hazardously, as he went neer to breacke one of his armes. He (I saye) in
Highland habite, being as yet a young boye, had the name of leader to thoise
Highlanders who in the morning joynde with thes who having come out of
Aberdeen, had lyne all night in the opne feeldes.
XLIII. That night that the Barrens with their forces marched from Meantime
Aberdeen, Strathloche went before them towards Stouehyve, whor Marishalle Stiathlocli
II- goes to Uiin-
laye, gwarded with some few foote and horse hard by Dunnoter ; and havmg notter to
made Marishall acqwaynte with ther proposalle, it was ansuered him that, for Marshall.
idis 3nswGr.
his pairt he was Huntlyes freende, and intended for to worong none of his Gordons dis-
followers furder then necessitye and the obligatione of Covenant, wherunto band.
he was sworne, should tye him ; telling them withall that if he gott orders
from the Tables he wold marche against them, but if otherwayes, not ;
for the reste, if they would persew him, he behoved to see to his oune de-
fence .(i)
* May twentieth, They goe to Dooers.
(1) [Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 136.]
262 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. With this ansuer, Straloche returned to the Barrens qwarter, not farr
from Doorrs, in the morning betymes ; wher, after a course supper and lying
on the grounde all night, he founde them a greate deale mor tractable then
they wer the afternoone befor in Aberdeen. In company with Strathloche
was James Burnett of Cragmyle, brother to Sir Thomas Burnett of Lyes
(a gentleman of great wisdome, and one who favoured the King, though he
dwelt amongst the Covenanters, yet loved and respected by all), whom the
Earle Marishall sent comissioner to the Barrons with his answer.
The event was beyond expectatione, for thes who wer so high and ex-
orbitant the last daye, grew wearyd in a nights staye : Yet they spocke the
old langwage, studying upon nothing but a faire retreate. James Burnett
of Cragmyle delyvered Marishalls commissione in faire termes to them ;
but, after much idle raunting and jangling, when they could scarce tell what
they would be at, Straloche in ende asked of them, Who amongst them all
durst be answerable to the Marquesse of Huntly, for to leade his men
against the Earle of Marishall, without ane warrant from Huntlye, or any
injurye done by Marishall ? To this ther was none that could give a re-
plye ; so that now, perceiving ther error, they disbanded, and marched
awaye from the place as confusdly as they had come thither unadvysedlye ;
reteiring to ther owne homes, doing nothing, except that the Highlanders
plundered the countrey coming or goinge, a thing verye vswall with them.
A number of XLIV. A number of the Barrons and ther followers returnd to Aber-
the Barons re- ^j whairof Marishall beinjj advysed by sure intelligence, gathers all that
turn to Aber- n j j e ' e
deen, where he could macke, with resolutione to crye qwyttance with them, and for to
Marshal beats si„.p,.yge them : But they gott tymouse advertishment, and made ther retreate
ters. ill Marishalls sight, who, with his men, foote and horse, did enter the towne.
This is that ridicolouse actione which was calld afterwardes commonly the
Reade of Dorres, scarce worth the recording, except to lett see how easily
the most gallant men bafle themselves for wante of leaders and resolutione.*
Gordons re- XLV. From Aberdeen the Barrons tacke journey to Strabogye ; whither
turn to Strath- j.|jgy g^j.g ^^ sooner come, and ftilling to new consultationes, but instantly
theSp'ey. theye are advertished that all the Covenanters beyond Speye, Seafort, and
Agreement Lovitte, the Dumbarres and Inneses of Murrey, the Grauntes of Stra-
and Innes, spey, wer rysing to ane heade against them. And withall they gott worde
• May twenty-fourth, The Covenanters souldiours, being the Forbeses and Frazers
men, fall upon tlie bishop of Aberdeens house, which they had attempted befor, and doe
spoyle it outright, and demolishe it. [Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 139.]
Ch. xlv.] history of scots affairs 263
that Montrose was macking readye against them lyckwayes, with intentione A. D. 1639.
to come from Angusse as quickly as he coukle for to crubb ther fiirder in- 7~j
solencye. Wherupon they soddainly resolve for to crosse Spey, and breacke scribed. Innes
thes northerne forces, least they should be environed on all qwarters ; and g^'"* BanfF
acordingly, to the number of about ane thousande foote, and betuixt two northern Co-
and three hundred horses, they marche towards the Boige of Gight, wher all venanters dis-
of them having been entertaind and supped at the coste of the Marquesse ^"
of Huntlyes mother, they crosse Spey aboute sunne sette ; and, under the
conducte of Banfe, befor the sunne they wer come within two English myle
of Elgyne, neer Longbryde, wher they lay upone ane high grownde.
The numbers of the northerne men who wer gathered together exceeded
them by farr, being mor then two thousand foote and horse ther (some have
calld them three thousandO). Yet ther unexpected comming, and the diverse
inclinationes and interestes of thes northerne men, besyde that they wer all
but countreymen and not trained souldiours, and the fame of the Gordens
ther victory at TurreiF, qwelld the stomaches of such as wer in Elgyne.
Wherupon they resolve upon a parlee ; to which pourpose, by common
consent. Sir Robert Innesse of Innesse (who was esteemed as wyse and
gallant a gentlman as any within Murrey) was designed commissioner. He
gave them faire langwaidge, and shewed them that the only reasone why
they armed was to gwarde ther oune countrey ; but meand for to molest
none that belonged to the Marquess of Huntly, ther neighboure. After
some overturs proposed, Banfe fell to an agreement with Innes, as com-
missioner, in the termes following, r«r. : That such as dwelt beyonde Spey
should not crosse the river Spey at any tyme ; and that they shoulde not
acte any thing praejudiciall to Huntlye nor his familye, nor joyne with ther
enemyes. This was drawne upp in articles, and appoynted for to be sub-
scrybed by all the cheefe of the Covenanters, conveend at Elgyne, and it
was undertackne that it should be so done ; and to this pourpose, Walter
Wrqhward of Crombye was sent to see the capitulatione subscrybed by
all.
But the uppshotte of all was Innesse his drawing Banfe to a private con-
ference ; after which tyme Banfe was never mor cordiall in the Kings service.
True it is, some whyle after he temporised and went along with them ; and
after the pacificatione came to courte, wher the King caused give him, in
(1) [Spalding says they were about four thousand in number. Hist, of Troub., vol. i.,
p. 140.]
264
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. ' [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. anno 1641, ten thousand merkes in gold ; but after thes tymes he never did
engadge any mor.
And then for the subscriptione of the paper, it was delayed by Seafort
to be subscrybed till the Gordons pairty disbanded, who stayed no longer
then the agreement was past, but crossed Spey homewardes ; so all that
expeditione, lycke the former at Dorrs, vanished in smoake, and proved to
no pourpose ; except only that the northerne Covenanters wer so afrighted
therwitb, that for that tyme they disbanded, and troubled not Huntlyes fol-
lowers any mor that yeare.
Montrose col- XLVI. Whilst thes things are a doing, Montrose mackes ail the haiste
■o*^ p u'^"^'"^]' ^^ '^^'^ ^"'^ ^° gather such as wer under his commande ; the Forbesses and
Aberdeen to Frazers, after ther being frighted from Turreife, having sent severall
Ud n desyres to him to macke haiste. He came just about the tyme that the
disband. Mon- Barrons came backe from Murrey. He had in his companye most of the
trose lays siege cavallrye of Mearnes and Angusse, and some hundereths of foote ; but the
most considerable wer a regiment of Atholo men, had they been willing to
the service, which most of them distasted, yet for that tyme wer forced to
complye. Montrose having past by Aberdeene,* came the next night to
the kirke of Udnye, which was made use of by the souldiours for a qwarter
N. B. not only for men but for horses ; and the morrow, at ther marching, the
churche was left spoyld with horses dunge : a practise then unuswall, though
afterward it grew to be mor in fashione to turne churches to stables ;
specially after Oliver Cromwell, by the treachery of unnaturall countrey
men, garrisond Scottland with the English souldiours, whom he had cor-
rupted for his oune villanouse and lewde designes.
His intentione was to besoidge the houses of the gentlemen of the Gor-
dones; for, upon his appearance, the Barrons wer disbanded, and evry one
* May twenty-fifth, Montrose enters Aberdeen agane, and the next day his men fell to
kill all the dogs about the towne, because it was reported that in derisione, some tyme befor,
ther had been a blew ribbon tyed about a dogges necke. [" The haill house dogs, messens
and whelps within Aberdein wer killed and slaine upon the gate, so that neither hound nor
messen or other dog was left alive that they could see. The reason was, when the first
array came here, ilk captain, commander, servand and souUlier had ane blew ribbin about his
craig ; in dispyte and derision wherof, when they removed from Aberdein, some women of
Aberdein (as was alleadged) knitt blew ribbins about their messens' craigs ; whereat thu-
souldiers took offence, and killed all their dogs for this very cause." Spalding, Hist, of
Troub., vol. i. p. 141.]
May twenty-seventh, Montrosse causeth Aberdeen pay ten thousand merkes to his
souliliours. [Ibid.']
Ch. xlvii.] history of scots affairs.
265
runne a severall waye, so that Montrose could hardly e tell wher to fynde A. D. 1639.
ane enemye. The first house that he did resolve to sett upon was the
castell of Gight, belonging to Sir George Gordone of Gight, younger,
who had provyded for a seidge, as others of the Barrons had done, who
had been upon the former actions, as he was. Himself was within his
house, and with him livtenant coUonel Johnstone, of whom I spocke befor.
Montrosse lay downe at some small distance from Gights castell, planting
some feeld peeces against it ; for battering peeces he had not brought alonge
with him. After two nights staye and summonding Gight for to render,
who refoosed so to doe, Montrose was necessitate for to lift his campe and
marche southward as qwickly as he coulde ; without doinge any thing furder
then destroying some cornes neer Gight by ther horses, who did eate the
green corne for grasse.
XLVII. The occasione of Montrose his speedy returne was an alarum Raises the
that he receaved, that James Viscount of Aboynde was come with a pairt of siege speedily,
irr.- iii-Ai, being miorm-
the Kings fleet, and souldiours, and otficers, into the roade betor Aber- edot'Aboyne's
deene.* Therfor, fearing that his retreate should be stopped by his laund- arrival in the
ing, and that the Gordones, encouraged by his coming with helpe, should jg^^j
aryse anew to ane heade, and, withall, not altogether confyding in all thoise Aboyne's
who followd him, Montrosse saw necessitye to be gone betymes. Howbeit, f^^^L gj^en
afterwards it appeared that fame, which enlarges evry thing, spocke mor him by Hamil-
broadly concerning Aboynd his awxiliaryes then it deserved. 'h"'las Monk '
I told befor how Aboynd, about the tyme of his father Huntly his im- came to visit
prisonement, reteered, and afterwards gott to the Kinge ; to whom having tjie Aberdeen
,. , ,11-1.1 TiTT- Doctors,
gottne accesse, and having shewed how his lather was wsed, the King gave
a new warrant and patent of lievtenantrye unto Aboynd in place of his
father, and ane order to Hamiltoune, who was then lying in the Firth of
Forthe, for to delyver to Aboynd two thousand of the land souldiours ;
whom he commanded Hamiltoune for to cause transport and launde safe at
Aberdeene. But Hamiltoune, who had quicke intelligence of all that past
about the Kings hande, being advertished heerof, upon praetext of scarcity
of victwalls and sicknesse, sendes backe thes two thousand men for England
befor Aboynde came to him with the Kings order ; so that, when Aboynd
came to the Firth to Hamiltoune, he was heartily welcomd and feasted, its
* June second, Obyne comes to Aberdeen roade. [Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i.,
p. 145.
•2 L
266 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. true, and many volleys shott off at drinking the Kings healthe ; but it was
shewd him that the men wer gone, and all that x\boynd could procure was
four brasse feeld peeces, and some feeld officers, and some small qwantitye
of ammunitione. And, above all thinges, Hamiltoune gives to him one
collonel William Gunne, a Catnesse man by birthe,'') whom he recommends
to Aboynd as a trustee and experiencd souldiour, advysing him in all thinges
to be directed by Gunne. Meane whyle (as appeared by the event) Hamil-
toune gave secrett instructions to collonel Gunne how to acte, as to this
howre it is constantly affirmed. With this retinew, about twelve or thirteen
feeld under officers, and one *Mr. Monke, ane English minister, (brother
to generall George Monke, so famouse in the after yeares,) who came from
Hamiltoun to visite the Aberdeene Doctors, and made little mor stay;
as also accompanyd with the Lord Tullibardine elder, and two of his
sonnes ; came Aboynd into Aberdeens roade, with three shippes, two of
them men of warre of the fleete royaU, of about sixteen gunnes, and the
third a Newcastell collier ; in view of whom Montrosse reteered south-
wards.
Montrose XLVIII. Aboynd, at his coming befor Aberdeen, knew not of 3Iontrose
inarched trom motione ; and though he had knowne it, durst not have attempted to stopp
Aberdeen the ? ,,,•„,., , p , • ,
day preceding his retreate, not bemg ane hundereth m all tor the number oi his attendants.
Aboyn^s com- ^^j Montrose, who saw no mor (for Montrose marched from Aberdeen the
conies on daye immediatly preceedinge Aboynes coming into the roade, who came
shore ; is met that very evning after Montrose was gone), yet doubtefuU who wer coming
his i'ather's after, had as little designe to hinder Aboynes laundinge ; so that, as if both
friends; goes had agreed upon it, the one marched southward, and the other immediatly
hoe-ie " therafter launded without any interruptione. And thes thinges bring us
James Grant, unto the beginninge of the monethe of June, which was the tyme that
^ ^''" Joh*^""^' A^oyn*^ arryved at Aberdeene.
ron
Dow Gare
(1) [According to Gordon of Sallagh, colonel Gun was born at Westergarthie in Suther-
land. He was the son of John Gun Robson, and of kin to the Earl of Sutherland. He
distinguished himself in the German wars, particularly at the battles of Norlingen and
Witstock. In 1639 he was, along with Gilbert Mcnzies of Pitfoddels, knighted at Berwick
by Charles I., and was subsequently appointed a gentleman of the King's bed-chamber.
Not long afterwards he returned to Germany, where he married " a rich and noble lady,
besyde the imperiall citie of Ulne, vpon the Danube ;" rose to the rank of major-general in
the imperial army ; and, in 1648, was advanced to the dignity of a baron of the empire.
Geneal. Hist, of Earld. of Sutherland.]
* Afterwards called Doctor Nicolas Monke, provost of Eaton, made bishop of Hereford,
January sixth, 1661, by Charles the Second his mandate. [He died in December following.]
Ch. XLVIIL] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 267
After Aboyne came a shore, he was mett at Aberdeene by severall of his A. D. 1639.
fathers freends and followers. Ther he stayed but few dayes, and havino-
caused proclaime his livtenantrye, with sownde of trumpett, at the merkatt Aboyne cen-
crosse of Aberdeene, he tooke waye for Strabogye,* wher he presentlye taking them
beginnes to isswe orders for conveening all that stoode for the Kino-. Nor '"'" ^'* party-
was he deceived of his expectatione ; for, in few dayes space, besyde the
Low Countrey gentlemen, all his fathers followers, both Highlanders (the
most pairt of Lochaber only excepted, whom Argylle either tamperd with
or forced to keepe home), and Lowland foote conveend and rendevouzd at
Strabogye. With them lyckwayes joyned James Graunt,(" a sonne of the
family of Carron on Spey syde, with some twenty of his followers. This
gentleman had been an out law severall yeares befor, upon a privat accompt:
Which was that his nephew, Johne Grant of Carron, had been killed by a
neer neiglibour gentleman, Johne Grant of Bellandallache ; which slaughter
was so recented by James Graunt, that for to prosecute the revenge therof,
he willfully turnd outlaw, and had been prisoner in Edinburgh castell not
long befor, and had made his escape thence ; but, being weall descended,
and cousin to Huntly on his mother syde, he was protected in the countrey,
all being his freends almost, and at this tyme owned by Aboyne, although
the Covenanters tooke occasione thence to traduce Aboyne and that partye,
for tacking such associatts by the hande.f
They gott greater grounde to speacke against him, by Aboyne his tacking
under his protectione one Johne Mackgrigour, a Rennache man borne,
(knowne by the Irish nickname of Johne Dow Geare,(2)) and a notoriouse
robber ; yet was he and his followers, about twenty-four arrant theeves and
cutthroates, tackne in to the partye. The additione of all thes, as it con-
tributed little to the service, so it gave great occasione to the Covenanters
to upbraide Abyne ; who, being young and inexperiencd, was perswaded
thertoo by such as either looked not to his honor, or willfully strove to affront
him ; and the wyser and most sober of his freendes wer very ill satisfeed
* June tenth, Aboyne marcheth from Aberdene to Keintor, wher he rendevouseth his
followers. [Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 151.]
(1) [The daring exploits of this bold outlaw are described at length by Spalding, and the
historians of the Earldom of Sutherland.]
t " Et a facinorosissimis latronibus, (qui pacatis etiam temporibus Borealem illam Scotiae
plagam latrociniis infestam habuerunt) suppetias lubentes acciperent," etc. Spang, Historia
Motuum, pag. 360.
(2) [See Spalding, and the Geneal. Hist, of Earl, of Sutherland, passim.'^
268 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. therwith : And so much the rather that thes two bandits, though bothe of
them wer wilHng to serve Obyne, yet they could not agree together ; but,
wher ever they mett, they wer lycke to fall to blowes with ther companyes,
and could hardly be kept asunder. The reasone wherof was, because James
Graunte had killed one Pati'icke Magregore, brother to the laird of Mack-
gregor, who had undertackne (by warrant from the privy councell) for to
kill or retacke James Graunt. This slaughter was as muche resented by
the Clangregor (according to ther Highland forme) as Carrons slaughter
was resented by James Graunte.
Uc returns to XLIX. Aboyne having gathered considerable forces of foote and horse,
Aberdeen re- ^^ ^j^g number of about three thousand foote or mor, and about five hundred
iniorced; pub- / ^ / , i t • 11 1 • 1 1
lishes a band horses(') (though 1 am not ignorant that ther numbers are saide by some to
of abjuration, have beene five thousand foote and horse), marches for Aberdeene, after he
had halted some dayes at Keantor till his reer should come upp : Wher, in op-
position of the Covenant, he caused publish a bande of abjuratione of the
Covenant, and of all correspondence with the Covenanters, with a solemne
oathe thertoo adjoyned.(-) This oathe was tackne by suche who, for to sett
over the present storme and to shunne the plundering of ther goodes, in a
simulate waye joyned with him and rendered. Nor wer ther many of them,
some two or three ministers, and some countrey men, who oft'ered willingly to
tacke that oathe, and subscrybe for to putt ther realitye out of suspitione ;
but, howsoone Aboyne was brockne, and the pacificatione had made some
short settlement, thes new convertes fell in againe with the Covenant, some
of them mor violently then ever, therby for to attone ther former apostacye.
He was now come to Aberdeen, wher he laye in free qwarter for the most
pairt for some dayes, befor they could conclude what to doe. Yet this mea-
sure that Aberdeen was served with was easye in comparisone of ther
marching through the countrey, wher such as wer supposed to be Cove-
nanters wer plundered at random, without order, by privat souldiours. All
wer volunteers, none wer payed ; therfor Aboyne his partye, wer rather
his comerads to be requested then souldiours to be commanded ; collonel
(1) [Monteth's Hist, of the Troubles, p. 48. Spalding estimates Aboyne's forces at
" about 2500 men, horse and foot, hieland and lowland men." Hist, of Troub. vol. i., p.
152. Guthrie says " they were reckoned to be 2000 foot, and 300 horse." Memoirs, p. 57.
Patrick Gordon, in his MS. Abridgement of Britanes Distemper, says they were " aboue
fyue thousand horse and foote"]
(2) [A copy of the oath will be found in Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 148.]
Ch. l.] history of scots affairs. 269
Gunne, in the meane tyme, who had the charge under Aboyne, conniving A. D. l(>39.
at thes thinges.
L. Being now at Aberdeen, and getting advertishment that Marishall, in Read of
the absence of Montrose, was putting such as he could upon foote ; first, col- y?^'"' ,
' ° . ^ Aboyne and
lonel Gunne directes, under the conducte of lievtenant collonel Johnstone, Gun march to
a pairtye, in the night tyme, twell myles sowthwards from Aberdeen to Stonehaven ;
Stanehyve (or Stoneheaven rather), ane village with ane sea port, hard by cannon ship-
Dunnoter, who plunderd some countrey houses as they went thither ; and I""''-
without doing any thing but pistolling one centinell at Stonhyve, returned
to Aberdeen, and tould that they saw few or no souldiours ther: For no body
would staye to give them intelligence, the countrey people running evry
wher out of ther waye, and some of them flying out of ther bedds nacked in
their shii'ts, who runne to the neerest rockes on the sea syde ; so formidable
was ther very name. And that nights worke for distinctione, or out of deri-
sione, was termed the Reade of Cowye.
At last, in Aberdeen, it was concluded by Obyne and Gunne and his freendes
and followers, that they would march sowthwardes towards the Angusse ; sup-
posing that such as wer the Kings freendes in thes places would joyne with
them, specially the Ogilvyes ; and that ther numbers would grow as they
marched alonge ; and that they would mantane ther army upon ther enemyes,
the Covenanters, by free qwarter and plunder, or force all to joyne with
them ; and if any wer in the countrey of standing forces, they did putt no
questione but they would break them : Finally, if the Covenanters should
drawe oif a pairt of ther armye (which was lying at Dunce Law, that tyme
confrontinge the Kinge,) for to beare upp or fight Obyne, then they
tooke it for graunted that they durst not draw off so many as would over-
power them who foUowd Obyne ; or if they did it, the rest of ther army
would be so inconsiderable that the King would have a fair occasione, with
little adoe, to fight and breacke them ; and after that, that it would be hard
for the Covenanters to recruite ; for themselves did resolve to fight or draw
off towards the hills and stronge grounds, as they saw occasione or advaun-
tage. I could never learne mor of ther projecte ; and if this was fezable or
not, I leave it to the reader to judge.
However, with this resolutione, they marche from Aberdeen upon the
fourteenth daye of June, Frydaye, giving order for the shippes, which had June 14.
come alonge with Aboyne, for to saile alonge the coast and attende ther
motiones. And, for to save them the labour of carriadge, collonel Gunne
esso.
270 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. commanded the four brasse feeld peaces and the spare ammunitione which
Hamiltoune had givne them, for to be shipped into ane shipp belonging to
the Kinge ; tacking with them, by launde, four other feeld peeces which be-
longed to Huntlye, and as muche ammunitione as they could transporte.
That night that they came from Aberdeene, being Frydaye, they quartered
all night about the castell of Muchalls, in Mearnes (belonging to Sir Tho-
mas Burnett of Leyes, a Covenanter), within eight myles of Aberdeen,
which house was rifled by them the next day in ther returne ; and the night
that they laye ther the cornes abused, and any thing else, as ther humors
served them, wherupon they could laye ther handes; for manye of the coun-
trey people wer fledde, and ther best goods transported into the stronge
holde of Dunnoter, not far distant.
LieatMuchals LI. The reasone of ther lying all night at Muchalls was intelligence sent
Ah"'"^'' them that Montrosse, with some forces of horse and foote, was upon his
marches to- marche towards them, and that night come the lenthe of Stanehyve ; which
wards Fetter- ^-j^g ^rwe ; but his forces wer no mor then about eight hundred foote and
horse, all countrey levyes, considerable for nothing (as unable to persew)
but for the strenth of the place that they lay into, or that they had Dunnoter
hard by for their retreate ; and Montrosse, a gallant gentleman, and Ma-
rishall, who wanted not courage, for to leade them, with two brasse batter-
ing pieces, half canone, which served them afterwards to great pourpose,
and some feeld peeces tackne out of Dunnoter.
From Mucholls ther was a considerable forparty of horses sent off at
night, who wer to lye hard by the enemy all night, as they did; going within
lesse then two myles of the enemyes qwarter, then at Stanehyve, little
mor then five myles distant from Obyne his qwarter. Montross and his
pairtye kept themselves closse within ther workes at Stane hyve all night,
without any noyse, not offering to macke any disturbance or outfalle upon
Aboynes fore pairty ; nor did Aboynes for pairtye offer to molest them,
but returned to the rest, early befor the sune rysinge.
Upon Saturdaye, June fifteenth, Aboyne marched, soone after sunne
rysing, towards Fetteressok church, keeping the roade waye till, being
within a two myle of Stonehyve or lesse, coUonel Gunne gave order for all
men to marche towards the left hande ; wher upon ane heathe (or moor of
bather) both foote and horse were drawne upp in battaylia, almost in sight
of Stanehyve, which lay low beneath them. The van was givne to a troope
of volunteer gentlemen curassiers, about ane hundereth in number, who for
Ch. lil] history of scots affairs. 271
the colours caryd ane handkercifFe upon a launce. Thes wanted nothing to A. D. 1639.
have made them servicable but some officer to leade them, who had had mor
honesty then collonel Gunne. The cittizens of Aberdeen gott the first place
of all the foote, who had ther a tbote regiment of gallant fyre men, weall ap-
poynted, to the number of about four hundred. The Highlanders had the
reere, and other troopes of horses wer putt to the wings of the foote.
LII. There was something happned whilst the souldiours wer fillinge ther Aboyn's pow-
bandeleers, which, though it wer accidentall, vet it suffered ane ill construe- der blown up
•' accidentally.
tione, and was looked on as ommous : That was ane hundereth pounds of Ships that had
muskett poulder soddanly blowne upp amongst the foote, by the rashnesse Aboyn's can-
of ane unskillfull foote souldiour ; who, for haist to lift up his handes full of der on board
powder, thrust in a burning matche reclessly amongst the whole heape of ''"^en to sea.
powlder, to his owne great hurt, and of many of the bystanders, who wer vances to
therby miserably scortched, faces and clothes : some had ther eyes neer Meagre hill,
lost, but none killed. .^LiT't:
This omen was seconded by another, as hurttull, if not mor ; for the wynde cond party
turnd immediatly therafter to ther faces, wherby ther shippes, that wer I^"™ ^tone-
going alonge and appoynted to waite upon them, wer forced to beare off to Aboyn'shorse-
seawards, and could not come neer them ; nor did theye ever see them aaraine VI?" J,^''",*'?'' ,
. •' o His Highland-
to this bower, so that canon and ammunitione, and the three shippes, all ers run away
vanyshd together. '" contusion";
Whilst Aboyne is standing with his men drawne upp, Montrosse sent and mutiny
him a *letter, by way of a complementary challendge. It was sent to gaine against Gun ;
tyme upon Aboyne, and to diverte him from his begunne journey till mor companies,
aides should come to Montrosse, for he was expecting mor from the southe.
Not that Montrosse thought that Stanehyve was tenible ; for whatever his
thoughtes wer befor Aboynes men came in view, yet afterwardes he and
Marishall despaird to keepe Stonehyve ; and wer resolute, after some canon
shott, for to reteer to Dunnotyre, a strong hold belonging to Marishall hard
by ; and to this pourpose sent a messenger to Dunnotyre, commanding to
keepe the gates opne for to receave them befor ther enemyes did cutt of
ther retreate.
The recepte of this letter seeminglye inflaimmed Obyne, and much
• Whither such a letter wer really sent or not, I could never learne ; onlye this much I am
sure of, that Aboynde (when his party had gott orders for to marche towards Stonehyve)
came himself and told that Montrose had sent them a letter ; which he tould very cheerfully,
and desyred all to tacke courage.
272 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. pleased Gunne. Therfor, in all haist, foote and horse marche towards Stone-
hyve, and come in view therof at mor then half a Scottish myles distaunce ;
and ther wer drawne upp in battaile ranke, upon the browe of ane hill
called the hill of Meagre, wher such as wer in Stonehyve had full levell of
them with ther canone, which the Covenanters failed not to macke use of
howsoone they came into ther view ; for they made two canon shott at the
horse troope of volunteers, who wer in the vann, which fell short of ther
horse counters some yards onlye, without mor hurt done.
Foote and horse being drawne upp within Ccinon shott, collonel Gunne
reteered off a little to his breackefast, drawing Obyne with him, and the
most pairt of his officers, without giving order whither any man should fall
on or march off; a thing that all grumbled at, and smelld ranke of treachery
to the mor intelligent ; for they thought it straunge, if he intended south-
wards, that he should stepp asyde for to disscuss a pettye village, such as
Stonehyve was, not worth the gaininge and not tenible being wonne, and of
so little consequence ; that heerby he did fight att oddes with the enemye,
who either would mantane it or else macke a tymouse retreate to Dunnotyre
castell, which was not to be gaind by all Aboynes power. And, next, evry
one thought it a very odde pranke for to draw a number of raw souldiours,
speciallye Highlanders, within the mercye of the enemyes canon and reach
of ther shotte, to no pourpose in the world; and so much the worse that most
pairt of them had never seen nor heard canon shott in all ther lyves ; yet,
for a whyle, shame kept most in ther ranks till feare prevailed ; and gallantrye
and disdaine made others to stande it out to the last.
Long they had not stoode in this posture till a considerable number of
cavaliers, under the conduct of Johnstone, desyred that they might ryde
neerer Stonehyve and engadge the enemye, if they would be engadged at
all. They said that they wer not come ther to looke on ; and, if the enemy
would keep in, they desyred that the foote might be ledd ofi", and the ad-
vauntage of the high grounde tackne which hanges over Stonehyve, and is
in cover safe from Dunnotyre, that from thence they might both at once
tacke out ther enemyes out of Stonehyve and barre ther retreate to Dun-
notyre at ther backes.
This was the wholsomest councell, if it had been followed ; except ther
marching fordwards and neglecting Stonehyve, which the Aberdeens men
scarce lycked, fearing Montrosse might doe mischeefe in ther toun, now
left voide and at ther backes.
Ch. LIl.] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. 273
Gunne was, with difficultye, drawne to permitte a twenty-four cavaleers or
therby venture. Thes war not farr marched towards Stonehyve, neer a
brooke syde that runncs in at Stonehyve, but they wer rencountered with
about ane aeqwall number of the Covenanters horsemen, all gallant gentl-
men, who came out of Stonehyve to meete them ; and this was the first
tyme that ever the Covenanters stoode ther ground at the distaunce of
shott. Many pistoll shott wer exchanged, but at too great distaunce on
both sydes most shottes ; otherwayes the continwall motione of ther horses
preveend all hurt. Some, by the restivnesse of ther owne horses wnused
to service, wer throwne to the grounde. All the losse that was sustained
at ther first rencounter was the killing of William Seaton of Shethinn his
horse, not by the Covenanters horse, but by ane hardye fellow, ane Aber-
deens traidesmane, who had fledd to the Covenanters as fancying them
most ; who, tacking the advauntage of a plott of high grounde that over-
looked the place wher both partyes piched, did lett flee about a dosen of
muskett shott amongst Abynes cavaliers and then gott of : any hurt that
was done was by him. The Covenanter horse, after a whyles stay, be-
ganne to fall backe to Stonehyve, hard by them ; but ther they wer seconded
with a fresh pairtye, by whoise asistaunce Aboynes cavaUiers wer forced
to give grounde, till such tyme as the rest of that troop to which they
belonged, impatient to see ther freends reteer, fell in to ther rescwe, with-
out order ; such as pleased falling in, and such as wanted courage keeping
oif. But no sooner did the Covenanter horsemen fynde a mor consider-
able number of horse drawing neer, but instantly they tacke them to ther
heels and runne towards Stonehyve ; not for want of courage but for to
draw the Anti- Covenanter horsemen fully under ther shott, as it fell out. For
most pairt of them, upon a mistacke, did persew them so eagerly that, ere
they wer aware they wer under the muskett shott of Stonehyve ; Johnstone
only being sensible of ther error, and calling to them to reteere ; but that
was in vaine, tUl Montrosse pairty beganne to lett flee at them both with
his two half canon and with severall feeld peeces tackne off of Dunotyre
for that purpose, as also with muskett shott after that he had seen his
owne horsemen safely under cover ; so that now they who but immediatly
befor wer so eager in ther ])ersuite wer glade to runne of in disorder, not
having any enemy to cope withall but canon and muskett shott : Which
retreate did put ane end to that dayes actione.
After Aboynes horsemen wer come oS againe, Montrose beganne to
2 M
274
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
[B. IV.
Aboyn sends
to Aberdeen,
ordering his
men to re-
turn. This
called The
Read of Stone-
haven.
macke some canon shotte amongst Obynes foote bi-igades ; who all this whyle
had stoode at ther owne leisour looking upon the horsemen ther bloodlesse
skirmishinge, with collonel Gunne as unconcerned as anye. Some few
shottes did alight amongst them, wherby two or three wer either maimed
or killed ; whiche so aftrighted the Highlanders who stoode farrest off, that
without expecting any worde of commando, they did runne of, all in a con-
fusione, never looking behynde them, till they wer gott into a mosse, or
fast grounde, neer half a myle distaunte from the hill of Meager. Nor could
they be withheld from running, by any meanes or perswasione of such as
Aboyne caused for to ryde upp and downe amongst them, for to reclaime
them, albeit, all in vaine.
The example of the Highland foote made the rest of the foote for to
reele, for the most pairt ; who beganne now to mutinee against Gunne, so
that in the ende he gave order to draw them in covert backwarde from the
sight of Montrose his two so formidable halfe carthawes : And there was a
necessity for him so to doe, for otherwayes they would have gone off of ther
owne accorde.
This tooke upp all the fornoone of the daye. And now the Highlanders
beganne to dropp awaye and marche off in whole companyes ; and such
of the foote as pleased beganne by twentyes and threttyes to goe backe
to Aberdeene ; whilst a pairty of horse stood still, in the mercye of
Montrose canon, to maske the retreate of ther foote, and to conceale
ther unorderly retreate, whilst no body persewd them, and none of the
enemye so neer as half a Scottish myle. All thes passages wer unknowne
to Montrose syde, who still stood in doubte of the event, and therfor made
no shotte at the horsemen, after the foote wer reteered ; suspecting belycke
that the foote wer circumveening them, and going about some other waye.
LIII. Aboyne, being advertished of the retreate of the Highlanders, and
that many without licence wer going backe for Aberdeen, sent speedily two
gentlemen thither, who, in the afternoone, caused beatt drummes, ordering
all who wer come off to come backe to Aboynes qwarter, under all highest
paines. But scarce was this proclamation made, when Aboyne and all who
wer with him came backe to Aberdeen against Saturday at night : And
ther was reasone for it ; for, befor eeven, so many foote and horse wer
shrunke from him, that the Mearns would have been too hotte for him to
have stayed in it a night longer, so neer Montrose qwarter.
Most pairt loosd ther heartes, and saw Aboyne gwyded only by collonel
Ch. liv.] history of scots affairs. 275
Gunne, and his actions palpably grosse; so that many never did returne A. D. 1639.
againe at alle, though otherwayes gallant gentlemen, and considerable for
attendents. But all the foote in a manner shrunke awaye, so that the very
next daye Aboyne was necessitated for to send orders towards Strabogye
launde, and other places, to fetche them back againe. This is that actione
knowne so weall afterwardes under the name of The Reade of Stonehyve,
so ridicoulously and grossly managed that in all the warre nothing can be
recounted lycke it. Ther wer about four thousand foote and horse, as
gallant and resolute and weall appoynted men as wer to be found in Scott-
lande, yet all scattered, by evill and treacherouse conducte of collonel
Gunne. When Montrosse afterward came over to the Kings pairtye, he
carryd great actiones and victoryes, with farr fevver numbers ; and most of
thes who wer the actors (if yow except about thirteen hundred Irishes) wer
thes very foote and horse, who at the tyme wer so easily brockne, and ren-
dered contemptibly ridicolouse.
LIV. Montrose being instantly advertished both of Obynes retreate and Montrose fol-
his forces ther disbanding, resolves that he will turne persewer, and stand S.'^J Aboyn.
,„. A1T- Outguards
no longer defencive. And to this pourpose he advanceth upon Mundaye, skirmish.
June sixteenth, towards Cowye, within a myle of Stonehyve; drawina- alonff Aboyn pos-
./ ' D c s(>ssgg the
with him his victoriouse demicannon and some feeld peeces, and with him brid<j-e of Dee.
Marishall. His forces beganne to grow, by the accessione of some foote Resistance by
companyes sent to him from Dundee, and some mor horsemen from Angusse men; Dundee's
and the neerest places, about three hunderethe in all. men repulsed.
Aboyne, who had yet about him a number of the best of his cavallry, gott cannon "
as quickly advertishment of Montrose motione : and, to be sure of it, a brought up ;
pairty was directed from Aberdeen towards Stonehyve. Thes cominge the "V^t(f cr^oss
lenth of Elsicke, within six myles of Aberdeene, a forpairtye of aeqwall at Banchory ;
number of Montrosse cavaUry rencounter ther forpairtye, beinff about seven !? 'o^'^^ed by
•' _ r J ' o ^ tlie cavalry by
on the syde. Some wer hurt on either syde, and the result was the beating Gun's advice,
of Montrosse seven horsemen, two of them tackne prisoners ; Thomas Fo- Johnston
wounded ; de-
dringhame of Dunoen, by Johne Gordone of Fechill,"' and [ ] Ogilvy fendants dis-
of Powery, younger, by Nathaneele Gordone. Powry had some hurts, but couraged re-
not deadly. Both of them wer carryed along to Aberdeen, that same jeen. Gun
night, prisoners, and putt in safe but free and honourabill custodye. "n;l Arradoul
At night ther was another partye directed from Aberdeen, for to disturbe j^j^
(1) [The author's brother.]
276 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. and attend Montrosse motione. Thes did collonel Gunne rather permitte
then order for to goe out. Johnston, who had been that day upon the first
Oo\enanters pairtye, desvred licence for to macke an infalle upon Montrosse qwarter,
march straight i J ^ J _ r i '
to Aberdpen. offering to beate upp ther qwarter, which he shwd was very faecible, (as it
.Tuiip 1(1. vv'as indeede) ; but collonel Gunne by no meanes would consent that it
should be so. However, the pairtye that went out upon Munday, at night,
brought backe worde to Aberdeen that Montrosse was marching closse at
ther heeles.
•I»»p 18. Wherupon, a little befor sunne rysing, drummes beate, trumpetts did
sownde to horse, and the Aberdeens men wer commanded to arme. Such
Strabogye foote as had not disbanded with the rest wer ordered for to marche
instantly out of the towne, towards the bridge of Dee, two myles distant
south-west from Aberdeen, for to macke good the passe of the bridge till
the rest should come upp. Thes failed not to doe as they wer commanded,
casting trwffes and earth, as much as the shortnesse of the tyme would per-
mitte, behynde the gate of the bridge, which standes upon the south ende
therof. This was to some pourpose, for Obyne had not numbers to fight
Montrose ; and, besyde that, the ranes which wer fallne had swelled the
river Dee, so that it could not be crossed by horses.
Immediately after, followed such horsemen as Aboyne had, who came
upon the spurre to the bridge of Dee ; but they wer no sooner come ther
then they could espye Montrosse forces, upon the high grounde beyond the
bridge, at a qwarter myle of distaunce ; who, seing Aboynes pairtye pos-
essed of the bridge, made a stande, and fyred ther two peece of half can-
non upon Aboynes cavallrye, which fell short of the formost ranke. They
had gotte closse to the bridge out of curiositye to gett a fuller sight of the
enemye ; therfor they wer commanded to reteer to safer grownde, since
ther standing ther was uselesse at that tyme. Ther retreate gave the
enemy a fuller view of them, who heerupon discharged upon them sixteen
shott of feekl peeces, besyde ther two half canone. After the horsemen
wer gott upp from the bridge, Montrosse pairty made some canon shot at
ther bodye, but without any hurt done.
And by this tyme the Aberdeens companyes, about four colours, wer
com upp to the bridge, and the horsemen drew under covert. Befor ever
they could approache, Montrose caused discharge some cannon shot amongst
them, without hurt doing to anye all this whyle ; and howsoone ther com-
manded partye took upp ther poste upon the long bridge, of seven arches,
ch. liv.] history of scots affairs.
277
the Covenanters beganne to discharge ther battering peeces against the A. D. 1639.
ravehngs of the bridge, and to fall on with partyes of commanded men,
musketeers. The Aberdeens men stoode to it gallantlye, and all that daye
continowd giving fyre ; Johnston, ther townesman, stille asisting and en-
couraging them. Nor losed they any man that daye, save one Johne For-
besse, a burgesse of Aberdeen, who was shotte deade thorough the heade,
having been levelled at by a gentlman of the other partye, [ ] of
Dunsmill. And now ther women and servants wer become so couragiouse,
that, after two or three houres service, they, raisregarding canon and
muskett shotte, went and came to the bridge, with provisione and neces-
sairs for ther freendes and relationes who wer upon service.
After noone, the companyes of Dundee, aemulouse of the Aberdeen cit-
tizens, desyred to be lettne storme the bridge, which Montrose readily
yeelded too. Two companyes fell on, under the commande of one captain
Bonner, but they founde so hotte a welcome from the Aberdeens men that
they made a quicke retreate ; which was seconded with the whooping and
hallowing of such as wer looking on who mocked ther poor bravado.
The service continowd till the night came, both sydes rather being wearye,
then it fallinge darke, for ther is no sky sett then in the north of Scottland.
Both sydes intromitted till the morninge of the next daye, June nineteenth ; .lune 19.
and then, in the fornoone, they beganne afreshe. Montrosse, who thought '^' '"'^" ^^'
such a delaye little better then to be beatne, caused draw his two half canon
within neerer distaunce to the bridge in the night tyme ; and, by helpe of
the daye light comming, did cause leveUe them against the port of the
bridge of Dee, that both they might brashe the gates of the porte and
scoure the bridge all alonge. For, the day befor, most of the canon shott
wer made against one of the corners of the porte which looked to the south
west ; wherby one of the two small watche turretts upon the sydes of the
porte was much shattered in the topp of it, being all hewed stone, as all
that bridge is, being one of the gallantest in Scottlande, if not the state-
lyest itselfe. But the defendants could not thus be drivne to leave it, albeit
the canon shotte had brockne the porte its gates, and scoured the way of the
bridge all alonge. Aboynes horsemen lyckwayes drew near for to second
thefoote; which, Montrosse espying, made a feint with a pairt of his horse-
men, causing them ryde uppwards, along the syde of the river, as if they
meand to have crossed it neer Banchorye. Collonel Gunne, who could
espy no occasione befoi' to draw off the horsemen, cryes to martche up the
278 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
river syde and stopp Montrosse his crossing. It was told him ther was no
daunger, that but lately the foordes had been tryed and founde unpassable.
But no assurance could serve his turne who would not beleeve that which he
knew to be true : therfor, fordwards upp the river he goes ; and now his
horsemen being in full view of the enemyes canon, and at neer distaunce,
the Covenanters beganne againe to lett flee some shott at them. It was
with one of thes that a gallant gentleman, Johne Setton of Pettmedden, was
shott deade, most pairt of his body above the saddel being carryd away and
qwashed by ane half canon shott. This following upon Gunnes willfull re-
treate, discouragd the cavalree a little, who beganne to speacke out that
collonel Gunne was betrayng them.*
* Nota. Spang, in his Historia Motuum, tells us that at the bridge of Dee two wer killed
only upon the Covenanters syde (which is truth) ; but, u])on the other syde, " desiderati plus
minus quinquaginta," id est, fiftye or therby wer killed and many wounded. Yet ther wer
never mor heard of or seen but two killed(i) only, and one or two Aberdeens men wounded,
collonel Johnston and one captain James Gordone shott through the legge.
As truly he tells us, that in all the rest of the troubles in the north that no bloode was
drawne. Thes untruthes of his I taeke notice off, because I know the contrare to be true,
by as sure proofe as could be had of matters of facte, if many wittnesses can be beleeved,
and if mens eyes can be trusted. Spange is ane arrant Iyer, and his informer lyckwayes,
who did wryt over such a lye to Holland to him. [The passage in Spang here referred to
is the following : " Dum haec ad limites & confinia regnorum agerentur, in Borealibus Scotise
provinciis vice-comes Boinius, adeptus post secundam fugam peritos aliquot belli duces, &
apparatum bellicum Berwico cum navibus transmissum, captata Montis Rosarura & Mares-
challi absentia, niagnas turbns movet, & ducem se factioni exhibct ; ad quern convolarunt
omnes regiarum partium, exquibus speciem quandamexercitus confecit, prsesertim si numerus
& copiarum ductores soli numerarentur : Et horum quidam cum omnem spem suam in celeri-
tate ponerent, magnis itineribus in Australiores Merniae & Angusife ac Taithite provincias
contendendum esse suadebant, ut fcederatos sub ductu Montes Rosarum & cset. vel incautos &
nihil sinistri metuentes ex improviso 0])primerent, aut apparatum saltern bellicum in vicinis
oppidis mterciperent : Quod factu sibi haud difficile judicabant ; Nisi magno animo prsedicti
Comites cum suis obviam eis venissent, quorum adventu usque adeo terrebantur Boinias vice-
comes cum suis, ut, mutato priori consilio, ingenti terrore cogerentur ad antiquas latebras
confugere, & ut tutius laterent, cum ad Deae fluminis, (quod Abredoniam prseterlabitur,)
pontem venissent, eundem obstruunt ; & dispositis in ripa cohortibus, transitum foederatis prohi-
bere conantur : sed frustra, quippe foederati post paucorum horarum moram, pontem obstructum
admotis majoribus machinis intercipiunt, & qui non ita pridem triumphum ante victoriam
canebant, ad latebras & tutam fugam, quanta celeritate possent, circumspiciunt, & Abredo-
niam, foederatorum arbitrio denuo exponunt, qui earn statim interceperunt : Commodum
certe Abredonensibus turn fuit, quod celeri nuncio, Montis Rosarum & Mareschalli Comites
de icta pace certiores facti sunt, nam alioqui verendum fuisset, ne dementia ilia quam, toties
experti fuerant, & qua se toties indignos reddiderunt cives quidam Abredonenses (nam om-
nibus onmino civibus instabilis haec rautabilitas imputari non potuit ; quippe quod eorum
(1) [According to Spalding, there were^ce slain on tbe part of the Royalists Hist, of Trnub.. Tol. i. p.
155. Gordon of Sallagh says that *' fourteen of Aboyne's foot, and of the inhabitants of Aberdeen were
slayn; as many wer killed on the other syde.*' Gen. Hist, of Earld. of Sutherland, p. 494.]
Ch. liv.] history of scots affairs. 279
This misfortune was followd by ane other, for Montrose his pairty grew A. D. 1039.
still mor and mor impatient. Lievtennant coUonel John Midletoune(')
(afterwards better knowne) cryed out that ther canon would macke them all
arrant poultrons, since all ther confidence was in ther canon shott at a dis-
taunce, and no body durst sett on ; being somewhat discouraged by the
slaughter of one Captain Andrew Ramseye (brother to the laird of Bal-
maine), a gentleman of Montrose partye ; whom one Johne Gordone of
Inshstomacke, a Strabogye man, had killed the day befor with a marked
shott, out of indignatione that they had killed John Forbesse, a buro-esse of
quidam, licet cum manifesto vitae & fortuiiiirum periculo, reliquis foederatis serio se olim
adjunxerant ; neque fidem datam corniperunt) in justam iram verteretur, quandoquidem, ne
ignem in tecta ipsa conjicerent, difficulter detinebantur milites foederati ; sed ductorum au-
thoritate, & pacis certo nuncio asperiora ilia consilia & conatus impediebantur. In omnibus
illis motibus nihil humani sanguinis ettundebatur, prseterquam in hoc ad Deae pontem con-
flictu, ubi duo i'cederati desiderati sunt, sed ex altera parte plus minus quinquaginta, & com-
plures vulnerati, inter quos lonstonus quidam tribunus, vir acris & expediti ingenii." Histo-
ria Motuum, pp. 390—392.
" So soon" says Baillie "as Montrose had turned homeward to the Merns, at once Aboyne
and Banft', with Crowner Gun, and some other officers, gathered great forces. Aberdeen
joined heartily to the party. They spoiled Marischal's lands, and all our friends there.
They had devoured Dundee and all Angus in the throat of their hope. But at once Mon-
trose and Marischal, most valorous and happy noblemen, gave them some other matter to do,
though much inferior in number. They came to seek them. Some great ordinance we had,
which moved our party to hold off when they were coming on hoping to have clean defeat
us ; for their highlanders avowed they could not abide the rausquett's mother, and so fled in
troops at the first volley The enemy had fortified the bridge of Dee, and lay on the
other shore under sconces, with their musquets and horsemen. We resolved to have the
bridge on all hazards. It was a desperate piece of service. None more stout, and full of
good directions at it, than Jesuit Abernethy, by the playing of the great ordnance on the
bridge : and much ado ; for the perverse citizens of Aberdeen did fight very manfully that
day. At last with some slaughter on both sides, we won the bridge. We put our enemy
to rout, goes forward that same night to Aberdeen, lodges without in the fields, being resol-
ved to-morrow to have sacked it orderly, that hereafter that town should have done our
nation no more cumber. But as it pleased God to keep us from all marks of the least al-
ledged cruelty from the first taking up of our arms, so there the preventing mercies of God
did kythe in a special manner ; for that same night, by sea, the King's letters of pacification
at Dunse were brought to the town ; which to-morrow early being presented to our nobles,
made them glad they had got that blessed cord to bind up their soldiers hands from doing of
mischief, whereto that wicked town's just deservings had made them very bent. For all our
sparing, yet that country's malicious disloyalty seems not to be remeided. In the military
burial of Balmain's brother, some traitor with a musquet of moe bullets than one, did kill
outright a gentleman very near Montrose and Marischal ; as at the first expedition a knave
was taken in that tovm, who was mightily suspected to have had a design to have killed
Lesly." BailUe's Letters, vol. i., pp. 186, 187.]
(1) [Created Earl of Middleton at the Restoration. After he left their party, he was
occasionally taunted by the Covenanters for the zeal and gallantry which he displayed on
this occasion in behalf of the Covenant. See Kirkton's Hist, of Ch. of Scot., p. 118;
Wodrow's Hist, of Ch. of Scot., vol. i. p. 89.]
280
HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1(339. Aberdeene. For this cause Midletoune resolved to storme himselfe ; but
whilst he was macking readye, a pairt of one of the turretts of the bridge,
hard by the porte, being strucke downe by a canon shotte, overthrew John-
stone, who stoode all the whyle wher the greatest dainger was ; and being
half buryd in the ruine, it so qwashed one of his leggs to peeces that he
could no longer stande. Johnstons legge being brockne, he was instantly
carryd of; but his departure discouraged the defendants, so that shortly
after, befor the enemy perswed, ther captain losed and the horse reteered
they could not tell whither, they forsooke the bridge of ther oune accorde
and left it emptye, evrye one tacking a sundrye waye.
' The newes of Johnstons hurt being brought to collonel Gunne, who was
but ridd upp the I'iver syde a little, his next order that he gave was this :
" Gentlemen," sayes he, " macke yow for the towne ! lievtenant collonel
Johnstone is killd, and the bridge is wonne !" But his wordes gott slender
obedience : Therfor Obyne and the rest with him, and bee in companye,
rode off for Strabogye, leaving Aberdeen for to shift for itselfe.
Whilst they wer thinking of a retreate, William Gordon of Arradowle,
a resolute gentleman, desyred collonel Gunne to stande and waite upon the
Covenanters forpartye crossing the bridge, and shwed that as yet they had
advauntage : He tould him it was not tlie fashione of Huntlyes familye to
leave the feelds without fighting ther enemye. But ther was no hearing, for
it was Gunnes fashion alwayes to crye out that if they would not obey his
orders, he would laye downe his charge and complaine to the Kinge. This
refusall of his to charge was so ill tackne, that the company beganne for to
tell Aboyne that Gunne had betrayd him ; and Aradoulle, in a great chafe,
told him to his face he was a villaine, and ane arrant traitor : all which
collonel Gunne swallowd quyettlye.
Covenanters LV. Half ane hower after the foote had left the bridge, the Covenanters
enter Aber- forpairtye entred the porte, and marched alongest it, keepinge ther journey
choler ; im- towards Aberdeene, for it was far afternoon, without offering to persew
prison; hardly ^ny of Aboynes partye, who had gottne tyme to reteere.* When they
from settino- entred Aberdeene they came with great choller, seizing upon all such as
fire to the had not made hast to gett out of the towneCO ; and upon such of the
town ; Mar-
shal and Mu- * June nineteenth, Bridge wone and the toune entred : Forty-eight cittizens made pri-
chols save it. soners, and bounde with cordes : Toune fyned to six thousand nierkes. [Spalding, Hist, of
Troub., vol. i., pp. 155, 156.]
(1 ) [" The confederat lords comes to Aberdein with sound of trumpetts, displayed collours,
and touking of drums. As the army marched, the haill covenanters was blyth, and the
Cu. LVL] HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS.
281
townesmen as they could gett tryall of to have beene upon the service, A. D. 1639.
castino- them into prisone, and using them very rudlyeC): And hardly
could the souldiours be restrained from plundering and putting fyre unto
the towne.*
LVI. But whilst the poor cittye was fearing the worst, that same very News arrives
night came ther a pinnasse from Bervicke with letters bothe from the Kinge jfo^ of' Ber
and cheife of the Covenanters, orderinge all actes of hostilitye to cease wick, on the
upon both sydes, and intimatinge that the treaty was closed ; so that to twentieth of
morrow all the prisoners wer released, the peace proclaimed, and evry man it was signed
who had fledd beganne to come backe to Aberdeene to ther houses.C^) Yet oply «" 'he
° eighteenth.
royalists alse sorrowful! at this sight, who for plaine fear fled the toun, with their wiffes, and
childrein in their armes and carried on their backs, weiping and mourning most pitiefully,
straying here and there, not knowing wher to goe." Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p.
155.]
<i) [" After quartering in both Aberdeins, the soldiers immediately made search for sic
musketeirs as served against them at the Brig of Dee; and found about 48 cavilliers, brave
fyrenien, whom they caused hind be the gardies with towes, in disgraceful manner, and
brought to the tolbuith, wher that night they gott neither meat, drink, fyre nor candle, nor
bed ; and watched the tolbuith for that effect." Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 155.]
• Nota et insere. When Montrosse entred Aberdeene, the Earle Marishall and Lord
MuchoU pressed him to burne the toune, and urged him with the comittye of estates war-
rant for that effecte. He ansuercd. That it wer best to advyse a night upon it, since Aber-
deene was the London of the north, and wold praejudice themselves by want of it, et cet.
So it was tackne to consideration for that night, and next day the Earle Marishall and Lord
MuchoU came protesting he would spare it. He answered. He was desyrouse so to doe, but
durst not except they wold be his warrant. Wherupon they drew upp a paper, signed
with bothe ther handes, declaring that they had hindred it, and promising to interpone with
the comittye of the estates for him. Yet the next yeare, when he was made prisoner, and
accused, this was objected to Montrosse, That he had not burned Aberdeene, as he had orders
from the comittye of estates. Then he produced Marishall and MuchoUs paper, which
hardly satisfeed the exasperat comittye. [" Alioqui verendum fuisset, ne dementia ilia
quam, toties experti fuerant, & qua se toties indignos reddiderunt cives quidam Abredonen-
ses, in justam iram verteretur, quandoquidem, ne ignem in tecta ipsa conjicerent, difficulter
detinebantur milites fcederati." Historia Motuum, p. 391.
" Some," says Gordon of Sallagh, " did perswade to rase the toun, and to burn it, least
it should prejudge them afterward ; but that motion was hindred and crushed by the Earl of
Montrois." Gen. Hist, of Earld. of Sutherland, p. 494. Bishop Guthrie relates that on
the occasion of Montrose's first expedition to Aberdeen in March 1639, "some tierj' minb-
ters that attended him urged no less, than that he should burn the town, and the soldiers
pressed for liberty to plunder it ; but he was more noble than to hearken to such cruel mo-
tions, and so drew his army away without harming them in the least." Memoirs, p. 53.
" The discretion of that generous and noble youth was but too great," says Baillie ; " a
little time did try that we had been too great fools not to disarm that country altogether,
and use some severity for example among them." Letters, vol. i., pp. 159, 160. Elsewhere
he speaks of " Montrose's too great lenity in sparing the enemies houses." vol. i., p. 169.]
(■-) [" Upon Thursday the iOth of .Tune, the nobles went and took up the corps of Pit-
raedden and Ramsay both ; and ilk man was buried in the kirk of Aberdein, be their own
•2n
282 HISTORY OF SCOTS AFFAIRS. [B. IV.
A. D. 1639. could not Montrosse souldiours be gottne away out of the towne of Aber-
Hostilities deene till the towne payed fyve thousand merkes Scottish of a taxation to
cease on both thera ; so ill wer they satisfeed bothe with the want of the plunder of Aber-
^' ^^' deene and the hastye newes of the peace, which Montrose suspected would
come befor he entred the towne.
The next day captain Ramsey and the laird of Pittmedden wer solemnly
interred at Aberdeene. But at Pittmeddens buriall ther hapned ane
accident which was lycke to have bredd a new sturre ; for, whilst the
Covenanter souldiours and cittizens of Aberdeene wer drawne upp about
the churche, giving a volley to the burialls, one William Erskyne (brother
to Thomas Erskyne of Pittodry), ane hotte Covenanter, was shott thorough
the heade ; and this made way for a third burialle. It was observed that
this gentleman, William Erskyne, then living in Aberdeene, had carryd
himself very proudly and insolentlye, and that the very night befor no
man had carryde mor malitiouslye to the cittizens then bee. One of the
cittizens, whom befor he had ill intreated, William Anderson, a golde-
smythe, was afterward accusd for his slaughter, but was acqwytted as being
innocent. It was ane accidentall shott, and no body could ever tell to this
daye who did it.
Aboyii goes LVII. Shortly after the pacificatione, Obyne went to Berwicke to the
to the King Kinge ; and in Edinburgh, had lycke, by the rascally multitude, to have
been killed in his coatche. Thither went collonel Gunne also ; but shortly
afterwards Johnstone coming to court, his legge being cured, accusd him
as a traitour, and challendged him to single combatt ; but Hamiltoune con-
veyd Gunne away to Holland, who, the whyle that he stayd at court,
traduced Huntleyes followers as boldly as they confidently accused him ; so
that hardly knew the King whome to beleeve amongst them.
It is not to be omitted that during thes actiones ther was one expresse
freinds, with lamentation. There was ane dead voUie shott be the souldiers for their own
man Ramsay at the Old Kirk door, where William Erskine, brother to the laird of Pit-
todrie, was suddenly shot dead throw the head, standing amongst the rest ; wherof never
word nor tryall was gotten, whilk was thought marvellous, but indeid he was a willful
malicious covenanter.
" Therafter the nobles goes to ane councell of warr, (hearing certainly of a treatie past
betuixt the king and his subjects at Berwick, wherof they had knowledge before the in-
takeing of the Brig, as was said,) fynes Abcrdein in 6000 merks, which was presently
payed, louses the toun's men's gardies, who were knit two and two togither, and sets them
to libertie upon the same Thursday. The town was saved, unplundered, by payment of
this soume." Spalding, Hist, of Troub., vol. i., p. 156.]
Ch. lvii.] history of scots affairs. -S3
sent to Huntleyes followers from the King, by Mr. Alexander Innes, mi- A. D. 1639.
nister at Rothemaye ; wherin the King advysed them for to gwarde them-
selves as weall as they could, and tacke suche advauntage as they might of
ther enemyes : for the rest, he thanked them, but gave them no hopes of asis-
taunce. This was all that ever I could learne that came to them, and, if I
remember aright, it was not dely vered till either a few dayes befor, or a few
daves immediatly after the pacificatione ; wherof it is now high tyme to
come and speacke.
THE END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
PRINTED .\T THE ABERDEEN CONSTITUTIONAI, OFFICE,
BT WILLIAM BENNETT.