M. Iames Blair minister at Portmontgomerie.
M. Alexander Turnbull minister at Kirmaden.
Robert Adair of Kinhilt, Elder.
Iames Glover, Clerk of Stranrawer.
_Presb. of Air._
M. Iames Bonar minister at Mayboll.
M. Iohn Fergushill minister at Vchiltrie.
M. Robert Blair minister at Air.
Iohn Earle of Cassils, Elder.
Iohn Stewart, late Provest of Air.
_Presb. of Irwing._
M. David Dickson minister at Irwing.
M. William Russell minister at Kilbirnle.
M. Robert Baillie minister at Kilwinning.
Iohn Lord Lowdoun, Elder.
M. Robert Barclay, Provest of Irwing.
Mathew Spense, the Provest of Rothesay.
_Presb. of Argyle._
M. Donald Makilvorie min. at Inveraray.
M. Nicol Makcalman min. at Kilmun.
M. Iames Campbell minister at Kilfinnan.
Archibald Campbell of Kilmun, Elder.
_Presb. of Dumbartane._
M. David Elphinstoun min. at Dumbartane.
M. Robert Watson minister at Cardrosse.
M. Iohn Stirling minister at Badernock.
Walter Makalley of Ardincapill, Elder.
Iohn Sempill, Provost of Dumbartane.
_Presb. of Paslay._
M. William Brisbane minister at Erskine.
M. Iohn Hammiltoun minist. at Innerkip.
M. Matthew Brisbane minister at Killellan.
Iohn Brisban of Bishoptoun, Elder.
Iohn Spreull, burgesse of Ranfrew.
_Presb. of Glasgow._
M. Iohn Bell elder minister at Glasgow.
M. Zacharie Boyd minister at the Barrony Kirk thereof.
M. Iames Sharpe minister at Goven.
The Earle of Eglingtoun, Elder.
Patrick Bell, Provest of Glasgow.
David Spense, Clerk of Rutherglane.
_Presb. of Hammiltoun._
M. Patrick Hammiltoun minister at Cambuslang.
M. Iames Iohnstoun minister at Stenhouse.
M. Iohn Heriot minister at Blantyre.
William Bailzie of Carphin, Elder.
_Presb. of Lanerk._
M. William Livingstoun minister at Lanerk.
M. Alexander Somervell minister at Daulfingtoun.
M. Richard Ingles minister at Westoun.
Sir William Bailzie of Lamingtoun, Elder.
Gideon Iack, Bailie of Lanerk.
_Presb. of S. Andrews._
M. Alexander Henderson minister at Luchers. M. Andrew Auchinleck
minister at Largo. M. Iames Bruce minister at Kingsbarnes. Iohn
Lord Sinclar, Elder. Iames Sword, burgesse of Saint Andrews. Ninian
Hamiltoun, burgesse of Caraill. Thomas Symson, Town-Clerk of Kilrinnie.
William Hamiltoun, burgesse of Anstruther-easter. Iohn Tullous, Clerk
of Anstruther-wester. Iames Airth, Clerk of Pittenweeme.
_Presb. of Couper._
M. David Dalgleish minister at Cowper.
M. Iohn Moncreiffe minister at Collessie.
M. Walter Buchannan minister at Seres.
Iohn Lord Lindsay, Elder.
George Iameson, merchand, burgesse of Cowper.
_Presb. of Kirkaldie._
M. Robert Dowglasse minister at Kirkaldie.
M. Frederik Carmichaell minister at Kennoway.
M. Robert Cranstoun minister at Scoonie.
Iohn Earle of Rothes, Elder.
Iohn Williamson, burgesse of Kirkaldie.
David Symson of Monturpie, burgesse of Dysart.
M. Robert Cunyghame, burgesse of Kinghorne.
George Gairdine, burgesse of Bruntiland.
_Presb. of Dumfermline._
M. Iohn Row min. at Carnok.
M. Iohn Duncan minister at Culrosse.
M. Iames Sibbald minister at Torrie.
Robert Lord Burley, Elder.
Iames Reid, Provest of Dumfermline.
Gilbert Gourley, Bailie of Culrosse.
Iohn Bardie, Burgesse of Innerkethin.
_Presb. of Dumblane._
M. Harie Livingstoun minister at Kipping.
M. Andrew Rind minister at Tullicutrie.
M. William Edmistoun minister at Kilmadock.
Sir George Stirling of Keir, Knight, Elder.
_Presb. of Auchterardour._
M. George Mushet minister at Doning.
M. Iames Row minister at Muthill.
M. Iohn Grahame minister at Auchterardour.
Iames Earle of Montrose, Elder.
_Presb. of Perth._
M. Robert Murray minister at Methven.
M. Iohn Robertson minister at Perth.
M. Alexander Petrie minister at Rind.
Iohn Earle of Weemes, Elder.
Thomas Durhame, Dean of Guild in Perth.
_Presb. of Dunkeld._
M. William Menyies min. at Kennture.
M. Iohn Anderson minister at Cargill.
Mungo Campbell, fiar of Lawers, Elder.
_Presb. of Meggill._
M. George Symmer minister of Meggill.
M. George Halyburtoun minister at Glenylla.
Iames Lord Cowper, Elder.
_Presb. of Dundie._
M. Andrew Wood minister at Monyfooth.
M. Iohn Robertson minister at Achterhouse.
David Grahame of Fentrie, Elder.
Iames Fletcher, prov. of Dundie.
_Presb. of Forfar._
M. Iohn Lindesay minister at Aberlemno.
M. Silvester Lammy minister at Glames.
M. Alexander Kynninmont minister at Kirimure.
Iames Lyon of Aldbarre, Elder.
David Hunter, Provest of Forfar.
Iohn Grahame, Bailie of Montrose.
Robert Demster, Bailie of Brechen.
_Presb. of Merns._
M. Iames Sibbald minister at Benholme.
M. Andrew Mill minister at Fetteresso.
M. Alexander Symson minister at Conveth.
Sir Gilbert Ramsay of Balmain, Elder.
_Presb. of Aberdene._
M. David Lyndesay minister at Balhelvie.
M. William Guild minister at Aberdene.
Iames Skien of that ilk, Elder.
M. Iohn Lundie Humanist for the Univer. of Aberd.
_Presb. of Deir._
M. Andrew Cant minister at Pitsligo.
M. Iames Martine minister at Peterhead.
M. Alexander Martine minister at Deir.
Alexander Fraser of Fillorth, Elder.
_Presb. of Alfurd._
M. Iohn Young min. at Keig.
M. Iohn Ridfurd minister at Kinbettock.
M. Andrew Strachan minister at Tillineshill.
M. Michaell Elphinstoun of Balabeg, Elder.
_Presb. of Turreffe._
M. Thomas Michell minister at Turreffe.
M. William Dowglasse minister at Forg.
M. Geo. Sharpe min. at Fyvie.
Walter Barclay of Towie, Elder.
_Presb. of Kinkairne._
M. Alexander Robertson minister at Clunie.
_Presb. of Garioch._
M. William Wedderburn minister at Bathelnie.
Andrew Baird, burges of Bamfe.
_Presb. of Forresse._
M. William Falconer minister at Dyke.
M. Iohn Hay min. at Raffert.
M. David Dumbar minister at Edinkaylly.
William Rosse of Clova, Elder.
M. Iohn Dumbar, Bailie of Forresse.
_Presb. of Innernesse._
M. Iohn Howisoun minister at Wartlaw.
M. Patrick Dumbar minister at Durris.
Iames Fraser of Bray, Elder.
Robert Bailie, Bailie of Innernesse.
_Presb. of Tain._
M. Gilbert Murray minister at Tain.
M. William Mackeinyie minister at Tarbet.
M. Hector Monro minister in nether Taine.
Sir Iohn Mackenzie of Tarbet, Elder.
M. Thomas Mackoulloch, Bailie of Taine.
_Presb. of Dingwall._
M. David Monro minister at Kiltairne.
M. Murdoch Mackeinyie minister at Containe.
Iohn Monro of Lumlair, Elder.
_Presb. of Dornoch in Sutherland._
M. Alexander Monro minister at Golspie.
M. William Gray min. at Clyne.
George Gordon, brother to the Earle of Sutherland, Elder.
_Presb. of Thurso in Caithnes._
M. George Lesly minister at Bower.
M. Iohn Smairt.
Iohn Murray of Pennyland, Elder.
_Presb. of Kirkwal in Orkney._
M. David Watson minister at the Kirk of the Yle of Wastrey.
M. Walter Stewart minister at the Kirk of Suthronaldsay.
NOTE.—Since the first Part of this publication appeared, the second
centenary of the Assembly 1638 has been celebrated at Glasgow and
Edinburgh, (on 20th December 1838,) as well as in other considerable
towns of Scotland; and this commemoration has been conducted with
a degree of eclat unexampled perhaps within the memory of man, in
reference to any ecclesiastical concerns. We are not called on to
make any remarks as to the appropriateness and sound discrimination
displayed in all these demonstrations; but we gladly avail ourselves
of the present opportunity of enriching these pages with an extract
from a speech made by the Rev. Dr. Lee, of Edinburgh, at Glasgow,
on the occasion alluded to. We place it here in juxtaposition with
the authentic list of the members of Assembly of 1638, because it
affords the best illustration we could give of the composition of
that Assembly, and is a satisfactory refutation of certain ignorant
or malignant representations on the subject; and we are proud thus
to record our respect for that excellent and accomplished gentleman,
whose store of information, with regard to the history and constitution
of the Church of Scotland, exceeds, we believe, that of any other
individual, both for fulness and exactness:—
“If your time had permitted, I might have endeavoured to shew in what
manner and degree the Assembly 1638, and those which followed after, as
well as some which had preceded it half a century, contributed to the
establishment of the highest and finest University education. Among the
other great objects in which that Assembly so happily and successfully
engaged, none was nearer their hearts, or better accomplished. It was
their aim to establish all the Universities, Colleges, and Schools
in a state of high efficiency; and, with this view, they reclaimed
for the Church the power of visitation formerly exercised, that the
religious character and consistent practice of all Principals, Regents,
and Professors might be satisfactorily ascertained, as well as their
aptitude for their stations; and that whatever was deficient might be
supplied, and whatever was disordered or corrupt might be rectified.
“For this difficult undertaking, the members of that Assembly were
generally qualified in no ordinary degree. It has, indeed, been alleged
that a large proportion of the elders consisted of illiterate men. I
have seen it asserted in several books of late, even in some written
by Presbyterians, that many of those in that Assembly, who judged of
the gravest questions concerning theological learning and soundness
in the faith, could neither read nor write. There is no authority for
this insinuation, except the random assertion of Bishop Burnet—supposed
sometimes to have been a contemporary, though he was not born for
five years afterwards—the value of whose testimony on this matter may
easily be estimated by any one who observes what he has confidently,
though most ignorantly and erroneously, stated, with respect to Ruling
Elders—that the mixture of that class with the Ministers in Church
Courts was then quite a new thing; for, though such officers had
formerly been allowed to interfere in parochial discipline, ‘yet they
never came to their Assemblies till the year 1638.’ So far is this
from being true, that, from the very first, Elders had convened in
great numbers with the Ministers at the General Assemblies—there was
even a preponderance of them in the earliest of all the Assemblies,
in 1560—insomuch that, long before Burnet wrote, or even was born,
several Bishops of Scotland, such as Adamson and Maxwell, had published
complaints against decisions of the Assembly, on the ground that they
had been carried by the votes of Lay Elders, as they called them. If
the Elders were unable to read or write, so much the less credit is
due to the system of education which had prevailed nearly forty years
before 1638, under auspices not Presbyterian; and so much the greater
credit should be given to the Presbyterians for the improvements by
means of which, as Burnet frankly confesses, they brought the people
generally to a most surprising measure of knowledge, particularly on
theological points, and to a corresponding measure of practical piety.
“But I think it of some consequence to vindicate the claims of the
Assembly 1638 to the character of a learned Assembly. Well, then, what
is the fact? It is ascertained that in that Assembly there were 140
Ministers; 2 Professors, not being ministers; and 98 Ruling Elders
from Presbyteries and Burghs. Of these Ruling Elders, 17 were Noblemen
of high rank; 9 were Knights; 25 were landed Proprietors, or lesser
Barons, of such station as entitled them to sit in Parliament; and 47
were Burgesses, generally holding the principal offices of authority
in their respective towns—men who were capable of representing their
communities in the Parliament. There was not a peasant, as has been
insinuated, or even a farmer or yeoman, in the number. About the least
considerable persons present were, Mr Alex. Hume, bailie of Lawder,
and Mr Patrick Hume, burgess of North Berwick. Both of these, as well
as many others of the members from the burghs, were masters of arts,
having had a complete university education, and having obtained their
degrees after regular examination. From what I know of the personal
history of many of these men, and from documents which I have seen and
now possess, I could undertake to prove that not one was illiterate.
About twenty years ago, I acquired most of the original commissions
of the members of the Assembly 1638. These documents are subscribed
generally by the whole constituents of the Commissioners—namely, by
Ministers, by Elders, by Magistrates, and Councillors. The signatures
are, for the most part, in a superior style of penmanship; and it is
not credible that such men would elect persons to represent them who
were less educated than themselves. Moreover, the signatures of the
Elders who sate in the Assembly might have been known by Bishop Burnet
to be appended to the National Covenant—that great bond by which the
people of this land engaged to maintain the true principles of the
Reformation, as founded in the Word of God. Many of these documents,
studded with innumerable subscriptions, are still extant.
“But how did this Assembly, and those which followed, fulfil their
purposes with respect to the Universities? They not only appointed
visitations, but they prevailed on the Government greatly to enlarge
the provision for the maintenance of the Universities, so that they
were enabled to increase the number of Professors, and to augment their
incomes; thus making it practicable to admit the youth to the benefit
of their instructions on the easiest terms. They did not despise or
discourage the most elegant accomplishments. On the contrary, the
Assembly of 1645, following out the views of preceding assemblies,
deplored the great decay of poesy, and the ignorance of prosody, and
ordained that, in the trial of Schoolmasters, for burghs or other
considerable parishes, none should be admitted but such as after
examination should be found skilful in the Latin tongue, not only for
prose, but also for verse; and the same Assembly introduced other
regulations for advancing the study, not only of Greek, but of all the
branches of Philosophy. But the chief recommendation of the system,
then prescribed and practised, was, that the nurture and admonition of
academical youth was sanctified by the Word of God, and by prayer. The
study of the Scriptures was a college exercise. The young were trained
to habits of devotion. The catechisms, and other manuals of religious
instruction, were translated into Latin, and carefully taught; and, by
such provisions as these, the influence of piety was diffused over the
paths of solid learning.”
1638.—November 22.
95. _Letter from the Bishop of Ross to Hamilton._
MY LORD, MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GRACE,
This Worthy Gentleman hath desired my Judgment concerning three things:
first, concerning the production of a Letter from His Majesty to the
Assembly, directed to the Archbishops, Bishops, and Ministers, whether
or not this can be produced, and any Note made upon it, before there be
a Moderator condescended upon. My humble Opinion is, (which I humbly
submit to your Graces better Judgment) that the Letter be presented,
given by your Grace to the Clerk, and read by him. Here it is most
like your Grace will be pressed, that the Letter is directed to an
Assembly that cannot be without a Moderator, and yet on purpose to
get a Moderator by Election, and an Assembly established; to which in
my Judgment it may be replied, that it may be that the King’s Letter
containeth something to that purpose, which, therefore, is to be read,
and noted by the Clerk as produced onely. The second is concerning
the examination of the Commissions and Commissioners: My Lord, it is
certain that both are most illegal, and there is more than sufficient
ground from this one (if there were no more) to void this Assembly and
make it null. But how to begin at this I see not so well, for if the
Commissions and Commissioners be rejected, then how shall the King’s
Real and Royal Intentions be manifest to the subjects, which is most
necessary, that the Factious may not have advantage to possess good
and loyal Subjects, that His Majesty is onely deluding them for other
ends. On the other part, if your Grace approve the Commissions and
Commissioners, how far King and Church shall suffer, your Grace is
wiser to conceive than I am able to express. The third is concerning
the Declinator, when it shall be proposed or presented to your Grace;
My Lords of Glasgow and Brechin are fully of that mind, that at the
very first it is to be used before the Assembly be established: their
Reasons seem very pregnant, first, because all Declinators are used so;
next, if the Assembly be once established, how can it be declined, or
your Grace admit our Declinator or Protestation?
My Lord, seeing two things are mainly to be looked to, the one that
His Majesties Pious Intentions be made known to this present Meeting;
the other, that the Church suffer no prejudice; my humble Opinion is,
that first the King’s Letter (as I have said) be read, and marked
_Produced_; next immediately after, our Declinator produced, and
presented to your Grace, read in audience of all, Instruments taken in
the Clerk-Registers hands, and it marked by the Clerk _Produced_. Then
your Grace may, by your own Wisdom, conceive a brief Speech, excusing
your self that you are not so well acquainted with the Formalities and
Legalities of Church-meetings; yet that seeing in such Distractions and
Combustions all things cannot be done in that orderly way is requisite,
and that your Grace does know how that, with a most earnest and
Fatherly Care, His Majesty endeavours the binding up of this breach,
and the restoring of Church and State to Quiet and Peace, and that your
Grace, for that Duty you owe to your Master, and Love you have to your
Native Country, will leave nothing undone that is in your power, and
incumbent to a Faithful Servant and kind Patriot, and therefore will
adventure to chuse rather to erre in formal Errours: than to leave so
material and necessary a Work at such an exigent of time; and so seeing
there is no Archbishop nor Bishop present, your Grace by connivence
will permit them (for how your Grace can allow it I see not) to chuse a
Moderator, and will not fall upon that shelve or rock of Examination of
Commissions or Commissioners; being confident that if matters go on in
a moderate way, what shall be agreed upon shall be liked by all, even
those that are taken to be their Party; and what is amiss in Formality
and Legality, if no errour be in the matter of the Conclusions, may
most easily and speedily be helped. After the Moderator is condescended
upon, the first thing your Grace would urge is the Registrating the
Kings Letter in the Books of the Assembly, then the Registrating of
our Declinator. After this your Grace will be careful, that nothing
be proposed till what is in His Majesties Declaration be enacted, and
if (this being done) they fall upon any extravagancy, your Grace then
may by advice of the Council declare, that seeing they will not hold
Moderation, your Grace and the Council must examine their Commissions
and Commissioners, (to which before you gave connivence) and discuss
the relevancy of our Declinator.
This Course keeped, in my poor Judgement, will fully manifest to all
His Majesties pious Intentions, evidence your Graces sincere affection
to Religion and the Kingdom, preserve our Right, make them unexcusable,
let the People see how unreasonable and immoderate they are, and give
to your Grace a fair way and ground, to discontinue and discharge the
Meeting under pain of Treason. This my weak and poor opinion I have
made bold to declare to your Grace, not out of any confidence in my
self, but necessitated because of that Obedience I owe your Grace, and
true affection to the Peace of Church and State, which with myself,
and all my endeavours, I humbly prostrate to you, and submit to your
Grace’s better Judgement.
I humbly beg of your Grace to let me know by this Gentleman, what shall
be done with our Declinator, and let him come and speak with my Lords
of Glasgow, Brechin, and me, that we may be acquainted by him of your
Graces commands. God in his mercy bless you in this difficult Work.
Your Grace’s most humble
and bounden Servant,
JO. ROSSEN.[118]
Castle of Glasgow,
22ᵗʰ Nov. 1638.
at 7 a clock in the
morning.
* * * * *
1638.—November 27.
96. _Letter from Hamilton to the King._[119]
MOST SACRED SOVEREIGN,
When I consider the many, great, and most extraordinary favours,
which your Majesty hath been pleased to confer upon me; if you were
not my Sovereign, gratitude would oblige me to labour faithfully, and
that to the uttermost of my power, to manifest my thankfulness. Yet
so unfortunate have I been in this unlucky country, that though I
did prefer your service before all worldly considerations, nay, even
strained my conscience in some points, by subscribing the negative
confession; yet all hath been to small purpose; for I have missed my
end, in not being able to make your Majesty so considerable a party as
will be able to curb the insolency of this rebellious nation, without
assistance from England, and greater charge to your Majesty, than this
miserable country is worth. As I shall answer to God at the last day,
I have done my best, though the success has proven so bad, as I think
myself of all men living, most miserable, in finding that I have been
so useless a servant to him, to whom I owe so much. And seeing this
may perhaps be the last letter that ever I shall have the happiness to
write to your Majesty, I shall therefore in it discharge my duty so
far, as freely to express my thoughts in such things as I do conceive
concerneth your service. And because I will be sure that it should not
miscarry, I have sent it by this faithful servant of your Majesty’s
whom I have found to be so trusty, as he may be employed by you, even
to go against his nearest friends and dearest kindred.
Upon the whole matter, your Majesty has been grossly abused by my Lords
of the clergy, by bringing in those things in this church, not in the
ordinary and legal way. For the truth is, this action of theirs is
not justifiable by the laws of this kingdom; their pride was great,
but their folly greater; for if they had gone right about this work,
nothing was more easy, than to have effected what was aimed at. As
for the persons of the men, it will prove of small use to have them
characterized out by me, their condition being such, as they cannot be
too much pitied; yet, lest I should lay upon them a heavier imputation,
by saying nothing, than I intend, therefore I shall crave leave to
say this much. It will be found that some of them have not been of
the best lives, as St Andrews, Brechin, Argyle, Aberdeen; too many of
them inclined to simony; yet, for my Lord of Ross,[120] the most hated
of all, and generally by all, there are few personal faults laid to
his charge, more than ambition, which I cannot account a fault, so it
be in lawful things. But, Sir, to leave them, and come to those whom
I conceive it is more necessary you should know, your officers and
counsellors, of whom I shall write without spleen or favour, as I
shall answer to him at the last day, to whom I must give an account (I
know not how soon) of all my actions.