The history of the Church of Scotland, beginning in the year of our Lord 203 and continued to the end of the reign of King James the VI of ever blessed memory wherein are described the progress of Christianity, the persecutions and interruptions of it, the foundation of churches, the erecting of bishopricks, the building and endowing monasteries, and other religious places, the succession of bishops in their sees, the reformation of religion, and the frequent disturbances of that nation by wars, conspiracies, tumults, schisms : together with great variety of other matters, both ecclesiasticall and politicall / written by John Spotswood ...

The Authors Life.

THough Buildings are looked upon with more plea∣sure when they are rear'd, then in their foundations, yet that this Reverend Prelat, raised in his own Countrey to the highest honour that his condition was capable of, may not seem obscurely to have stole into the World, as a Mushrome of a nights growth, or as that Roman did, of whom it is said in Tacitus, Videtur Curtius Rufus è se natus, It can no way be impertinent to mention that he was descended from the Lairds of Spotiswood in the Merse, an ancient race of Gentlemen, and the chief of that surname. His Grandfather died in the bed of honour with his King, Iames the fourth, in the battel of Flodden field, a battel that might have been looked upon as most unfortunate to that Nation, had not their latter contests by the sword proved infinitely more unhappy.

His Father was no sword-man, but betook himself to the study of the Arts, passing his course of Philosophy in the Colledge of Glasgow, with a purpose the better to enable himself for Theology, to which, by the guidance of Gods Spirit over him, he stood most affected. But matters of Religion being at that time in his Countrey like the eddies of waters, rowling, and confused, (the old way questioned, and the new persecuted) none knowing in this turning tyde which wayes the times would run, he withdrew himself into England, where bringing with him an unsetled mind, and doubtfull what party he should in∣cline to, Providence cast him upon a familiarity with Archbishop Cranmer, who soon confirm'd him in those truths which afterward he never varied from. About the time of the death of King Iames the fift he returned into Scotland, whereby occasion given by the Earl of Glencarn (to whom he had applied himself) he became known to Matthew Earl of Lennox, who finding him a person judicious, and discreet, and fitted by these qualities for managing of business, em∣ploied

him to Henry the eight of England, when France upon some jea∣lousies was so unkind to him as to cast him off. Affaires upon this succeeding to the Earl of Lennox his mind, the Earl came into England, with whom some moneths he there remained: But longing to see the smoak of his own Countrey, he returned once more to enjoy himself among his friends; where being known to Sir Iames Sandi∣lands of Calder, (a person of great authority in those times) he was moved by him to accept of the Parsonage of Calder, which upon the beginning of the Reformation was then void. Not long after this, he was made Super-intendent of Lothian, Merse, and Teviot-dale, where he exercised fully the power, and discharged faithfully the Office of a Bishop, though under another style; For it was not the Office, but the name, which the first Reformers out of humor startled at, though they who have succeeded them (for in errors of this kinde, the last comers think they have done nothing, unless they out-bid the former) have since to their own ruin cast out both. He continued in this holy function, with the approbation of all good men, till his death; when being full of days, and leaving the persume of a good name behinde him, he peaceably departed out of this life on the fift of De∣cember, in the year 1585. His Wife was Beatrix Crichton, a grave and a discreet Matron, daughter to the Laird of Lugton an ancient Baron of Scotland. And from these Parents Iohn Spotiswood, the Author of this History, descended.

Born he was in the year of our Lord 1565, when he was no soon∣er brought into the World but a remarkable passage accompanied it; For among the rest that were present (not ordinary Gossipers, but women of good note) there was one among them who in a sober, though in a prophetick fit, taking the childe in her armes, called aloud to the rest in these or the like tearms, You may all very well rejoyce at the birth of this childe, for he will become the Prop, and Pillar of this Church, and the main and chief instrument in the defending of it. From what principle this praediction came, or how she was thus inspired, I will not search in∣to, but that her words came really to pass, may evidently appear to him that reads this short story of his life.

His education was answerable to his birth, for being a child of a pregnant wit, great spirit, and good memory, he was by the care of his parents brought up in the University of Glasgow, where he came so early to perfection, that he received his degrees in the sixteenth year of his age: for though the fruits of the earth under that Northern Clime do not mature so soon, the men generally are of a better mold, and mellow as early into a ripeness, as any of those Nations, who because they have more of the Sun plead for a priority, forgetting that some kinde of grain are ripened best by Frosts. And this so many excellent men of all sorts, as have been of that Nation, are so many examples of.

But to revert to this one among the rest, who having laid his foundation in humane Arts and Sciences, did not make his period there, but used them as the rundles of a ladder by which he might climbe higher to the knowledge of diviner things, to the practise of which by way of charge he was sooner called then he expected; for his father being by age and weakness of body unable to appear any more in publick, none was thought fitter to succeed in the Parsonage of Calder then his son; though otherwise in a well-govern'd Church, his age (being then but eighteen) might in an ordinary course have been a barre against him; but his early parts, and his conscientious diligence in attending this cure, supplied his defect of years, and the greenness of his youth was corrected, and tempered by so sober a gra∣vity, as no man could either despise his youth, or think him unfit for the employment.

Nor were these virtues of his buried, and confined within the boundaries of his Parish; for having formerly had a relation to the Noble family of Lennox,* 1.1 he was looked upon as the fittest person of his quality, to attend Lodowick Duke of Lennox as his Chaplain in that honourable Ambassy to Henry the fourth of France, for confirming the ancient amity between both the Nations: wherein he so discreetly carried himself, as added much to his reputation, and made it ap∣pear that men bred up in the shade of learning, might possibly en∣dure the Sun-shine, and when it came to their turnes might carry themselves as handsomely abroad, as they whose education being in a more pragmatick way usually undervalue them. In the retinue of this Noble Person he returned from France through England, where Queen Elizabeth being in her declining age, was in his Masters name saluted by this Ambassadour, who seeing her night draw on so fast, could the easier guess that his Masters rising in this Horizon was not then far off.

Some two years after this,* 1.2 Queen Elizabeth (after the glorious reign of fourty four years) by her death made way for King Iames her successor, and when all the World stood at gaze what would become of the Crown of England (which the Jesuit under the name of Dolman had bandied over into Spain, and some of the contrary ex∣treme, were then in consultation (though upon different purposes) to make a game of it at home) there was a diviner hand of Provi∣dence, which so unexpectedly ordered it, that without any contest at all, it settled on the right heir, to the admiration of the neighbouring Nations, and (had we known our own good) to the infinite happi∣ness of this. This King being to take possession of his hereditary Crown here, chose out for his attendants, the most eminent persons of all kindes: and among his Clergy this Author (being then no far∣ther advanced then to his Cure of Calder) was summoned to this

service. That year, Iames Beaton Archbishop of Glasgow dying, the King (who being of excellent parts himself, could the better disco∣ver and value them in others) not only preferred him to that See, but farther admitted him for his prudence and dexterity in Civil things to be one of his Privy Councel in Scotland. And being graced with these honors, he was sent back from England the same year to attend Queen Anne in her journey to London, who knowing his integrity made him her Almoner for the better dispensing of her Charity, which could not confidently be credited but to clean hands and an un∣corrupt heart, such as his really was.

Not long after this,* 1.3 he presided in the Assembly at Glasgow, where the power of Bishops, ex Iure postliminii was restored. The same year upon the Kings command, he with the Bishops of Brechin and Galloway repaired to London, where he received the solemnities of con∣secration from the Bishops of London, Ely, and Bath, in the Chappel at London••house.

At his entry to the Archbishoprick of Glasgow, he found the Revenues of it so dilapidate, that there was not One hundred pounds sterling of yearly Rent left, to tempt to a new Sacrilege: But such was his care and husbandry for his Successors, that he great∣ly improved it, and yet with so much content to his Diocese, that generally both the Nobility and Gentry, and the whole City of Glas∣gow were as unwilling to part with him, as if he had been in the place of a Tutelar Angel to them.* 1.4 But part with him they must; for after eleven years presiding there, the See of S. Andrews being vacant, King Iames (who like another Constantine thought himself as highly concerned in providing Successors for Churches, as Heirs for his Crown) removed him from Glasgow (being then about the age of fourty nine years) to be the Primate and Metropolitan of all Scotland.

The next year after this,* 1.5 he presided in the Assembly at Aberdene, where the Earl of Montross being the Kings Commissioner, the ex∣communicated Marquis of Huntley was upon his Penitence received into the Bosome of the Church. And at the same Assembly there past an Act for the drawing up a Liturgie for the Church of Scotland, and some of the most learned and grave among the rest (William Cowper Bishop of Galloway being designed the chief) were deputed to that Work, wherein the Service of God, and the Peace of that Church was so deeply concern'd: Which I the more willingly mention, that the deceived party might know, that the designe of a Liturgie, which was afterward look'd upon as the dangerous Trojan horse, sent in by their suspected Neighbours, might have proved more properly such a Palladium to them, as might have preserved them to this day, had they not onely scornfully, but seditiously rejected it, and have

therefore found the same fate as they of Troy did; of whom it was observed,

Peritura Troja perdidit primùm Deos.

Being invested by the Kings favour in this Primacy, he made so much farther use of it, as he procured Three hundred pounds sterling of yearly Rent (being by the Sacrilege of former times swallow'd up in the Crown-Revenues) to be restored to his See: Nor did he finde any difficult business of it; for certainly these latter Ages have not produced in any Nation, a Christian Prince that understood bet∣ter then he the horror of Sacrilege, and the Concernments of Reli∣gion, which never suffers more, then when the Professors of it are exposed to Scorn and Poverty. For, however this was the portion of the best and Primitive Times, when the Christian Faith had no publick Civil Authority to own it, yet after it had pleased God to make Kings the Nursing-Fathers, and Churches were endowed by pious men, their Revenues were ever held Sacred, till the Covetous∣ness of some, and the Profaneness of others, had consulted with that subtile Oracle, that delivers it tanquam è Tripode, that there can be no such sin as Sacrilege; for as Nothing can be given to God, so Nothing can be taken from him.

All King Iames his time he lived in great favour with him, and was the prime Instrument used by him in several Assemblies,* 1.6 for the restoring the ancient Discipline, and bringing that Church to some degrees of Uniformity with her Sister Church of England; which had we on both sides been worthy of, might have proved a Wall of Brass to both Nations. Nor was his Industry less for the recovery of some remnants and parcels of the Churches Patrimony, which (though they were but as a few Crums in comparison of that which at a full Meal Sacrilege had swallow'd) he found to be an hard Pro∣vince, yet by his zeal and diligence he overcame many difficulties, and so little regarded his own ease, that for the effecting of this, and what else conduced to the recovery of that Church in Patrimony and Discipline, they who knew the passages of his life, have computed that he made no less then fifty journeys from Scotland to London.

Nor was he less gracious with King Charles his blessed Son,* 1.7 who was Crown'd by him in the Abbey Church of Holyrude-house, with such high applause and acclamations of that Nation, that it could not have been possibly imagined, that such an Hosanna should ever be turned into a Crucifige; or that a Prince, so passionate a lover of his own native Countrey, should finde such enemies in the bowels of it, as either to contrive, or to assist his Ruine. But thus God had ordered it (as in the case of Iosiah) rather as a Punishment for our sins, then his, that leaving his earthly Crown (which to him really

proved but a Crown of Thorns, whatever it may prove to others) to the bold Hand that would next venture to take it up, he might be put in possession of a more glorious Diadem, and sit Crowned there, where (if the joyes of heaven admit of such a diversion) he looks down upon things below, and all that happens here, with so much unconcernment, as what was said of the brave Roman, may in a Christian sense be more sutable to him,

—Illic, postquam se lumine vero Implevit, stellás{que} vagas miratur, & Astra Fixa Polis, vidit quantâ sub nocte jaceret Nostra dies, ridét{que} sui ludibria trunci.

But to return to this pious man (who was so happy as to have his eyes closed, before the Crown which he so solemnly set upon his Masters Head, was to the astonishment of the World snatcht from him) there must be added to this story, That as he enrich'd his See of Glasgow, so he did the like for S. Andrews, procuring the Revenues of the Priory (being then in Lay hands) to be added to his Church. But having compassed this, to shew that it was done rather for the Churches interest then his own, he dealt by way of humble Peti∣tion with the King, that of his large Diocese of S. Andrews, so much as was of the South-side of the River of Forth might be dismembred, for the erecting of a new Bishoprick: which accordingly was done, and being amply endowed, was seated in their Prime City of Edin∣burgh.

Two years after this,* 1.8 the Earl of Kinnoul being Chancellour dy∣ing (a Person of singular Prudence and Integrity) his Majesty knew not where to fill the place with a Successor, with whom he might more securely trust his Conscience, then with this aged Prelate, near to God by his Function, and by his age (being then arrived to Davids great Climacterick) so neer to his end as might well put him in remembrance, that the account which he was to give of his Stew∣ardship could not be far off. And this honour he enjoyed to his death, with the approbation of all, only such excepted, whose evil eye at the Clergy, and their own particular ambition wrapt into such a fancy, as made them think every honour to be misplac'd that was not setled on their own shoulders.

He had not fully measured out four years in the discharge of the duties of this place (which did not so entangle him but that the dan∣ger of the Church which then was drawing on filled him full of thoughts which way he might divert it) when that unhappy design which had been so long hatching under the wings and warmth of a mal-content and seditious party, began to be ready to fly abroad. And what could be called for as a fitter Midwife to this birth, then some∣thing

that at least might look like Religion. For the rule was given long ago, before ever Macchiavel lived to vent it, and is likely to hold to the end of the World,

—Quoties vis fallere Plebem, Finge Deum.

And from hence rose that storm, which with so much violence fell on this Reverend good man, that he was forced by it for safety of his life to retire into England,* 1.9 where age and grief, with a sad soul in a crazy body had so distempered him that he was driven to take har∣bour in New-castle, till by some rest, and the care of his Physicians, he had recovered so much strength as brought him to London. But this proved but a short reprieve, for being come thither he fell into a relapse, and the sentence of death being to be executed on him, he took his bed some nine dayes before, waiting for that blessed hour, when being freed from any farther heart-breakings for those evils he could not prevent, he might be admitted into his Masters joyes, where future calamities could not reach him.

In this time of his sickness, and preparation for his end he was vi∣sited by the Archbishop of Canterbu••y, and some other Bishops, with whom, with great devotion, he received that blessed Viaticum, the Bread that came from Heaven, in the strength of which he was to pass unto Eternity.

After which though his desire was rather to compose himself for privacy and silence, then to admit of any company, he could not pre∣vent the visits of many honorable Persons. Among whom the visit of the Marquiss Hamilton (being looked upon by the eye of the World as disaffected to the whole Order) deserves more particularly to be re∣membred; and the circumstances of it you shall have in those tearms as they are related.

The Marquiss coming neer to his bed-side, was pleased to say, My Lord, I am come to kiss your Lordships hands, and humbly to ask your blessing To which the Archbishop with a soft voice answered, My Lord you shall have my blessing, but give me leave to speak these few words to you; My Lord I visibly foresee, that the Church and King are both in danger to be lost, and I am verily perswaded, that there is none under God so able to prevent it as your Lordship: And therefore I speak to you as dying Prelat in the words of Mordecai to Esther, If you do it not, Salvation in the end shall come where else, but you and your house shall perish. To whom the Marquiss made this worthy re∣ply, That what he foresaw was his grief, and he wished from his heart he were able to do that which was expected from him, though it were to be done with the sacrificing of his Life, and Fortunes. Af∣ter which upon his knees he received the Archbishops blessing and departed. I shall make no Commentary upon it, for the best interpre∣ters of words are actions,

As he lived, so he died in peace, with a stilness so much more then ordinary, that they who were about him, could not by any outward agony perceive when that peaceable Soul of his departed. But before that last minute (sad to his friends, but to him infinitely joyful) had closed up those eyes, which had so long been watchful for the Church he govern'd, his Intellectuals and best Faculties being clear and un∣disturbed, and desiring to leave the world a copy of the faith he died in, he premised it to his last Will and Testament in this form following:

First, for that I esteem it the duty of every Christian (especially of those whose service it hath pleased God to make use of in his Church) to make some open decla∣ration of his Faith wherein he lives and dies, I profess that I believe all the Articles of that ancient Christian Creed, commonly called The Apostles Creed; the sum whereof is, That God is One-in Three Persons; the Father, Creator of all things; the Son, made Man in fulness of time, who by his bitter Possion and Death ha∣ving redeemed Mankinde, rose from death, and ascended to Heaven, from whence he will come to judge all flesh; and the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, the Sanctifier of all that believe; That this God hath chosen to him∣self a Church, the Members whereof living in Communion, though never so disper∣sed, shall by his infinite mercy receive remission of all their sins, and being raised again in their Bodies, at the last day shall enjoy everlasting life.

This is the sum of my faith: Other Additaments which Ignorance and Cor∣ruption have super-induced into Christianity, I simply refuse, beseeching God to purge his Church from the Errors and Superstition that hath crept into the same, and at last to make us all that are called Christians, the Sheep of one Fold.

For matters of Rites and Government, my judgement is, and hath been, That the most simple, decent, and humble Rites should be chosen, such as the bowing of the knee in the receiving the holy Sacrament, with others of the like kinde; Profane∣ness being as dangerous to Religion as Superstition. As touching the Government of the Church, I am verily perswaded that the Government Episcopal is the onely Right and Apostolick Form; Parity among Ministers being the breeder of all Con∣fusion, as experience might have taught us. And for those Ruling-Elders, as they are a meer humane Device, so they will prove (when the way is more open to them) the Ruine of both Church and State.

In the simplicity of this Faith he lived, and in this he died, like one of the Bishops of those Primitive Times, when the modern names of-Faction were not known; and whosoever agreed to these Funda∣mentals, the Church was not so nice a Mother as to cast them out. And though in the passages of his life, enough hath been said already to give you the Character of this excellent Person: yet because Pictures drawn at length, where nothing of the figure or proportion is left our, are the most graceful Pieces, I shall so far enlarge it for the Readers sake, as may with more advantage induce him to copy it out into his own life and manners.

And for this, though the voice of publick fame be loud enough to

give directions, yet I shall rather ow them to those persons of integrity, who in his Life time being admitted to be neerer witnesses of his con∣versation then others, may with more security be hearkned to. For flattery followes no man farther then his grave, and it were well if ma∣lice went no farther.

And this he had the less reason to fear, because in his Life he had set so severe a watch upon himself, that his conversation was without re∣proof, even in those times, when the good name of every Clergyman was set at a rate, as formerly were the heads of Wolves. Only one hath been found (that ever I heard of) who thought he could not sufficient∣ly vindicate his Diana the new-modeld Church of Scotland, (which un∣der the notion of the kingdom of Christ were then busy to set up a kingdom of their own) unless he raked into the grave of this innocent person, and violated his dust, whom in his Life time he could not look upon without reverence. Nor shall I do him the honor to name him, much less to answer him, but rather leave him to the Tribunal of his own Conscience, where if the Court be not infinitely corrupted, he stands condemned already. And this I forbear the rather, that writing his Life, I might in this particular imitate the Life I write of, which had so much of moderation and calmeness in it, that though he had many encounters with those 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (such as Bishop Nazianzen complains of) yet he never dealt with them at their own weapons, but borrowed his from the Armory of his Saviour, from whence he was furnished with humility enough to oppose their pride, and meekness enough to answer their choler.

As for his Patience in suffering, which is a neighbor virtue to the for∣mer, he is a rare example; for living in those tumultuous, and undi∣stinguishing times, when Rapine, and Malice was called Zeal, and Sedition wore the colours of Religion, and being thereupon driven both from his native Countrey, and from the honors, and prefer∣ments which he enjoyed, he was never so much as heard to complain of his enemies, but upon his death-bed made it his solemn prayer to God, that he in his own particular might be forgiven upon no other tearms, then as he for Christs sake forgave them.

For piety he was more for substance, then for shew, more for the power of godlyness, then the bare form of it. Frequent he was in his private Prayers, and in the publick worship of God of such an exem∣plary carriage, as might warm the coldest congregation to gather heat, and to joyn with him in the same fervency and height of his devotion.

For preaching he was rightly gifted, though not in the Modern sense, where ignorance and impudence, without any farther commission, make up the Preacher. For his constant way was to deliver much mat∣ter in few words, not affecting or looking for applause from them, who doat upon the best lungs, and the longest Preacher, but considering se∣riously whose message he brought, he discharged it with so much judge∣ment

and yet with such simplicity of spirit, as might sooner get Souls for God, then Praise from men.

For outward works of Charity, he looked upon them as the proper Badge of his heavenly Master, and could no more esteem him a Chri∣stian, who boasted of his faith without them, then he could believe a Thorn or Brambleto be a Fig-tree. And in his own particular he acted in this way to the utmost of his means, for besides the dispensing of his private Charity, where the right hand was not to know what the left hand did, he publickly upon his own charges built, and adorn'd the Church of Darsy after the decent English form; which if the boisterous hand of a mad Reformation hath not disordered, is at this time one of the beautifullest little pieces of Church-work, that is left to that now-unhappy Countrey. Nor is it to be buried in silence, what he did in a time of famine, for the relief of the Isles of Orkney, when he did not one∣ly incite others to a liberal Contribution, but led the way to them by his own example, in such a proportion as suted rather with the largeness of his minde then of his fortunes.

There remain but two things more to be accounted for, The Children of his Body, and the Issue of his Brain: The former was numerous, but of these, three onely came to perfect age, whom he had by Rachel Lindsay daughter to David Lindsay Bishop of Rosse, of the house of Edzell, an ho∣norable family in Scotland. His eldest Son Sir Iohn Spotiswood lives yet, though not in a plentiful, yet in a contented condition, not any way cast down, or asham'd of his Sufferings, but comforting himself rather, that in this general Ruine brought upon his Countrey, he hath kept his Conscience free, though his Estate hath suffered.

His second Son was Sir Robert Spotiswood, a great ornament to his Na∣tion, for his many and rare abilities, who after he had studied nine years abroad, was for his great wisdome and knowledge in the Laws, pre∣ferred first by King Iames to be Lord of the Session extraordinary, and afterward by King Charles not onely to be the constant President thereof, but to be his chief Secretary for that Nation. And although he suffered a violent death upon the Scaffold at S. Andrews, yet seeing he was found guil∣ty of no Crime but that of Loyalty and Fidelity to his Master, which in no Records of Law, nor in any Age but this (ubi ipsa rerum nomina perdidimus) was ever reckoned among Treasons, let his Memory he had in honour, as of a Martyr that suffered for Righteousness sake: for which he had so great a zeal, that upon that very Scaffold where he was to suffer, he shew'd such a religious and honest boldness towards his Countrey∣men, as to call to as many of them as curiosity had brought thither to see his end, That they should keep fast their Duties to their God, and to their King, and beware of those seditious Ministers, into whose mouths, as into the Prophets of Ahab, the lying spirit had entred, both to seduce them, and to ruine that noble Nation.

The third left of his Progeny was a Daughter, who being virtuously

and religiously bred, was happily married to Sir William Saint-clare of Rosline, one of the ancient Barons in Scotland.

As for any Works that he left behinde him (besides the memory of his life, which might have made the greatest Volumn) I hear of none extant but this excellent History: For though he were a person both of great Place and Parts, he was not easily tempted to trouble the Press, and to shew himself abroad. Nor was this History undertaken by him by any free motion of his own, but by the instance and command of King Iames, whose discerning spirit had singled out him as a person best qua∣lified for an Historian, with Prudence, and Candor, and clearness of style, and so much innocent courage, as neither to fear to speak the Truth, nor to dare to speak a Lie. And though his obedience to the Com∣mands of his Soveraign had a very powerful influence upon him, yet be∣ing to deal with a King who made not his Will his Law, but being a great Master of Reason, was as ready to hear, as to give it; he took the liber∣ty in an humble way to propound several Objections, one of which more especially deserves to be remembred, not onely for the Historians sake, but for his that set him on work: and it was thus; It is not unknown to your Majesty (saith the Bishop, being willing enough to finde an hansom excuse) that your Majesties Mother being defamed by the bold Writings of a mali∣cious Party, and the credulity of easie people (who to avoid the trouble of searching into them, use to swallow such Reports as these without chewing) hath not left a clear name behinde her: And as in mine own pa••ticular judgement I cannot joyn with them in those Scandals which they have with so malicious a falshood cast upon her, so your Majesty must give me leave to say, that in all things she did I cannot approve her: And being of necessity to speak of her in the Series of this History, what to do therein I know not. To whom the King replied, Speak the Truth man, and spare not.

And upon this encouragement from so excellent a King (which few of the Rulers of this present world dare give to their Historians) he chearfully set about this Work, and laying aside all Partialities, that he might more faithfully go through with it, he had not onely the use of all the Registers both of Church and State in Scotland, but of all Letters of State that could any way concern the Work he was about, which either were sent to him, to be survey'd by his own eyes, or transcribed by sworn Officers, and attested by the Clerks hands. With this caution, and with these advantages he undertook, continued, and finish'd this History, as the Intervals of publick business, and his own private Stu∣dies and Devotions would give him leave. And the Work being of that nature, as not to be Res Ingenii, and to be woven out of his own Brain, but such as required search and deliberation, and such helps as were not alwayes ready at command, but were to be waited for, let not the Reader wonder that this History begun by King Iames command, should not come into the world till both King Iames was in his grave, and the Writer too; but let him rather wonder that it comes out now: for it

was left like an Infant of the Israelites in an Ark of Reeds, and if Pro∣vidence had not found out very tender hands and heart to save it, it had been lost. And now it is time to bring this Reverend Prelat to his grave, though his good name and story may be longer lived. The manner of his burial by the command and care of his religious King, was solemn∣ly ordered, for the corps being attended by many mourners and at least 800 Torches, and being brought neer the Abbey Church of Westminster, the whole Nobility of England and Scotland (then present at Court) with all the Kings servants and many Gentlemen came out of their Coaches, and conveied the body to the West-dore, where it was met by the Dean and Prebendaries of that Church in their Clerical habits, and buried according to the solemn Rites of the English Church, before the extermination of decent Christian burial was come in fashion:

Above his Corps these words following are engraven in brass.

MEMORIAE SACRUM DOMINUS JOANNES SPOTISWOOD ECCLESIAE SANCTI ANDREAE ARCHIEPISCOPUS, SCOTIAE PRIMAS, ET REGNI CANCELLARIUS VIGINTI ANNOS PRESBYTER UNDECEM ANNOS ARCHIEPIS COPUS GLASGOENSIS VIGINTI QUIN QUE ANNOS S. ANDREAE ET PER QUATUOR ANNOS REGNI SCOTIAE CANCELLARIUS EX HAC VITA IN PACE MIGRAVIT ANNO DOMINI 1639 SEXTO CALENDAS DECEMBRIS REGNI CAROLI 15. AETATIS SUAE 74.

PRAESUL, SENATOR, pene MARTYR hìc jacet Quo nemo Sanctior, Gravior, Constantior Pro Ecclesia, pro Rege, pro Recta Fide Contra Sacrilegos, Perduelles, Perfidos Stetit ad extremum usque Vitae Spiritum, Solitumque talium Meritorum Praemium Diras Rapinas Exiliumque pertulit. Sed hac in Urna, in Ore Posterum, in Deo Victor potitur Pace, Fama, Gloria.

D. M.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An. 1601.
• * 1.2

  An. 1603.
• * 1.3

  An. 1610.
• * 1.4

  An. 1615.
• * 1.5

  An. 1616.
• * 1.6

  The Assembly of Perth 1618.
• * 1.7

  An. 1633.
• * 1.8

  An. 1635.
• * 1.9

  An. 1639.