IT is often impossible to identify persons at an early period who held
high ecclesiastical appointments, from only their baptismal names and
designations being given in deeds and the public records. But it is
singular that any difficulty should have been experienced in regard to
persons who flourished so late as the middle of the 16th century.
Among the dignified clergy who were present at the condemnation of Sir
John Borthwick for heresy, in May 1540, we find the names of William
Commendator of Culross, and John Abbot of Lindores. Both of these
individuals took their seats as Lords of Session, on the Spiritual
side, 5th November 1544; they had also a seat in Parliament; and both
of them having joined the Reformers, were present when the Confession
of Faith was ratified and approved in August 1560.