hath not first nominated none can be consecrated Bishop or take possession of the Revenues of the Bishoprick without the King 's special Writ or Assent He is the nursing Father of the Church the King hath Power to call a National Synod and by his Commissioners to make constitutions relating to the Government and polity of the Church This National Synod was stiled the General Assembly which according to its Constitution and Authority setled in King James the sixths minority was made up of two Ministers Commissioners from every Presbytery and one lay Elder a Commissioner from every Royal Burrough one from every University one fâ—om the King These had the Supream Authority about aâ—l Church-matters How much trouble this Assembly General bred King James the sixth and the pretentions the Church made afterward the sad desolations of the Church of Scotland in these times do sufficiently bear witness A shadow of this still remains for the Supream Ecclesiastical Court is declared to be a National Synod made of Bishops and Deans and two Ministers from every Presbytery one of whom is of the Bishops nomination and a Commissioner from every University yet nothing is to be proposed but by the King or his Commissioner nor can any thing that they do be of force till it be ratified by the King but of this Synod their is no need being the King's Supremacy is so large it is evident that the King is over all Persons as well in Ecclesiasticks as Civil Supream From the King of Scotland there is no appeal in Ecclesiastical Affairs to the Bishop of Rome as it is in other principal Kingdoms of Europe There is no appeal in civil Affairs as in other Dominions of Christendom nor in either Ecclesiastical or Civâ—l to the Peopâ—e who in themselves oâ— by their Representatives in Parliament were ever subordinate to the King The King being the only Soveraign and Supream Head is furnish'd with plenary Power Prerogative and Jurisdiction to render Justice to every Member within his Dominions He may be properly call'd as all great Princes Gods Vice gerent being so much Majesty and Power is represented by him whereby the People have so much the higher esteem and more reverend awfulness of him for if that fails nothing can be expected but confusion impiety and calamity The Ancient Christians out of an high respect to their Christian Kings and Emperors used to attribute the Titles of God though imperfectly and analogically in them yet essentially and perfectly only in God and the good Christians of these times out of their excess of respect were wont to swear by the Majesty of the Emperour as Joseph once by the life of Pharoah some writers of that Age seem to justifie it as being done only to beget a respect in these times in the hearts of the People for their Kings The King is not subject to Death because he is a Corporation in himself that liveth for ever All Inter-Regna being unknown in Scotland the same moment that one King dies the next Heir is King fully and absolutely without any Coronation Ceremony or Act to be done The King is every where in all His Courts of Justice in all His Palaces therefore it is that all His Subjects stand bare in the Presence-Chamber wheresoever the Chair of State is placed though the King be many miles distant from thence By his Prerogative of pardoning whom the Law hath condemned the King is in a manner invested with Omnipotency by raising men from Death to Life Can create to the highest Dignity and annihilate the same at pleasure All punishments proceed from him in his Courts of Justice and it is not lawful for any Subject to revenge himself In consideration of these and other transcendent Excellencies no King in Christendom nor other Potentate receives from Hâ—s Subjects more Reverence Honour and Respect than the King of Scotland All His people at their first Addresses kneel to him all persons not the Prince nor the Heir apparent excepted stand bare in the presence of the King and in the Presence-Chamber though in the King's absence The King 's only Testimony of any thing done in his presence is of as high a nature and credit as any Record and in all Writs sent forth for dispatch he useth no other Witness but himself viz. Teste meipso CHAP. III. Of Succession and the next Heirs to the Crown of Scotland THE King of Scotland hath Right to the Crown by Inheritance and the Laws and Customs of the Kiâ—gdom upon the Death of the King the next of kindred though born out of the Dominions of Scotland or born of Parents not Subjects of Scotland is immediately King before any Proclamation Coronation publication or consent of Peers or people The Crown descends from Father to Son and his Heirs for want of Sons to the Eldest Daughter and her Heirs for want of Daughters to the Brother and his Heirs and for want of a Brother to the Sister and her Heirs The Salique Law or Custom of France hath here no more force than it had anciently among the Jews or in Spain and other Hereditary Kingdoms The Salique Law is of force only among the French Turks and Barbarians and hath been so of a long time At the Death of the King die not only the Offices of the Court but all Commissions granted to Judges In the King's Infancy a fit person of the Nobility is made choice of in Parliament who by nature or alliance hath most interest in the preservation of the Life and Authority of the Infant In Scotland the King being absent by His Majesties Commission the Lord High Commissioner to whom the King commits the grand and weighty Affairs of the Kingdom doth by Instructions from His Majesty regulate the Affairs and redresses the Grievances of the Kingdom Of the present King of Scotland The King now Reigning is Charles the Second of that name his name of Baptism Charles in the German Tongue signifies one of a masculine strength or virtue Surname His surname is Stuart which first by Office was given to Walter Father to Robert King of Scotland from whom our present King is descended he was grand Senescal or High Steward or Stuart of Scotland as bearing such an Office by a long and vulgar errour it hath so prevailed that it was accounted the surname of the Kings of Scotland and of many Families descended from them The Genealogy The King now Reigning is Son to King Charles the Martyr and the Princess Henrietta Maria Daughter of King Henry the Great of France from which two Royal Stocks he hath in his veins all the Royal 〈◊〉 of â—â—rope concentred he is descenâ—â—â—â—â—neally lawfully from Scotish Kings for almost 2000 years the King now Reigning the 109th so that for Royal Extraction and long line of just descent His Majesty now Reigning excels all the Monarchs of all the Christian if not of the whole world Birth He was born the 29th of May 1630. at the
with incomparable valour and extraordinary hazard of his own Royal Person after a most sharp Engagement he obtained a signal Victory over the whole Dutch Fleet commanded by Admiral Opdam who perisht with his own and many more Dutch Ships in that Fight He married Anne the Eldest Daughter of Edward Earl of Clarendon late Lord High Chancellour of England which Lady is deceased by whom he had a numerous Issue whereof are living first the Lady Mary now Princess of Orange Born April 30. 1662. whose Godfather was Prince Rupert and Godmothers the Dutchess of Buckingham and Ormond His Royal Highnesses other Daughter is the Lady Anne Born in Feb. 1664. whose Godfather was Gilbert then Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Her Godmothers were the young Lady Mary her Sister and the Dutchess of Monmouth This present Dutchess hath had several Children but are all dead Her Royal Highness is Daughter to the Duke of Modena in Italy The Titles of His Royal Highness are Duke of Albany and York Earl of Vlster Lord High Admiral of Scotland c. Of the Prince of Orange Next to the Duke of York and his Issue is William of Nassaw Prince of Orange only Issue of the deceased Princess Royal Mary Eldest Daughter to King Charles the First and wedded 1641. to William of Nassaw Commander in Chief of all the Forces of the States General both by Land and by Sea His Highness the present Prince was Born Nine daies after his Father's Death on the 14th day of November 1650. had for his Godfathers the Lords States General of Holland and Zealand and the Cities of Delph Leyden and Amsterdam His Governess was the Lady Stanhop then Wife to the Heer Van Hemvliet At Eight years of Age was sent to the University of Leyden His yearly Revenue is about 60000 l. sterling besides Military Advantages He is a valorous Prince and a great example of Valour and Courage besides a great lover of Souldiers Of the Princess Henrietra The next Heir after the fore named to the Crown of Scotland is the Princess Henrietta her Issue who we Born the 16th day of June 1664. at Exeter during the heat of the Late Rebellion After the surrender of Exeter conveyed to Oxford and thence 1646. to London whence with her Governess the Lady Dalkeith she escaped into France was there educated as became her high Birth and Quality but being left wholly to the care and maintenance of the Queen her Mother at Paris embraced the Romish Religion At the Age of sixteen was married to the only Brother of the French King the Illustrious Prince Philip then Duke of Aujou till the death of the Uncle and now Duke of Orleans whose Revenue is 1100000 Livers Tournois besides his Appanage Her Portion was 40000 l. sterl her Joynture to be the saâ—e with the Dutchess Dowager of Orleans This Princess had one Daughter who is now married to the King of Spain Of the Prince Elector Palatine There being left alive no more of the Off-spring of King Charles the First the next Heirs of the Crown of Scotland are the Issue and Descendants of Elizabeth late Queen of Bohemia only Sister to the said King who was married to Frederick Prince Palatine of the Rhine afterwards stiled King of Bohemia whose Eldest Son was Charles Lodowick Prince Elector Palatine of the Rhine commonly called the Palsegrave from the High Dutch Psaltzgraff Palatii comes was Born the 22d of Decemb. 1617. at Heydelberg and afterwards at the Age of three or four years conveyed thence into the Countries of Wittenberg and Brandenburg then into Holland and at the Hague and at the University of Leyden was educated in a Princely manner At the Age of Eighteen years came into England was created Knight of the Garter about two years after fought a Battel at Vlotta in Westphalia In the year 1637. passing incognito thorow France to take possession of Brisach upon the Rhine which the Duke of Saxon Weymar intended to deliver up unto him together with the Command of his Army he was by the quick-sighted Cardinal Richlieu discovered at Moulins and thence sent back Prisoner to the Bois de Vincennes where after twenty three weeks Imprisonment he was by the mediation of the King of Great Britain set at Liberty In the year 1643. he came again into England and with the King 's secret Consent because the King could not continue unto him the wonted Pension whilest the Rebels possest the greatest part of His Majesties Revenues made his Address to and abode with the disloyal part of the Lords and Commons at Westminster until the Murther of the said King and the Restauration of the Lower Palatinate according to the famous Treaty of Munster for which he was constrained to quit all his Right to the upper Palatinate and accept of an Eighth Electorship at a juncture of Time when the King of Great Britain had he not been engaged at home by an impious Rebellion had been the most considerable of all others at that Treaty and this Prince his Nephew would have had the greatest Advantages there In the year 1650. he espoused the Lady Charlotte at Cassele Daughter to the Landgrave of Hessen he had one Son named Charles who is now present Prince Palatine of the Rhine a hopeful and magnanimous Prince He had likewise one Daughter named Charlotte This being all the Issue he left behind him Of Prince Rupert Next to the Issue of the Prince Elector Palatine is Prince Rupert Born at Prague the 17th of December 1619. not long before that very unfortunate Battel there fought whereby not only all Bohemia was lost but the Palatine Family was for almost thirty years dispossest of all their possessions in Germany At Thirteen years of Age he marcht with the then Prince of Orange to the Siege of Rhineberg afterwards in England was created Knight of the Garter At the Age of Eighteen he Commanded a Regiment of Horse in the German Wars and in the Battel of Vlotta 1638. being taken by the Imperialists under the Command of Count Hatzfield he continued a Prisoner above three years In 1642. returning into England made General of the Horse to the King 's Fights and Defeats Collonel Sands near Worcester Routed the Rebels Horse at Edge-Hill took Cirencester raised the Siege of Newark recovered Lichfield and Bristol raised the long Siege before Latham-house fought the Battel at Marston-Moor was created Earl of Holderness and Duke of Cumberland after the extinction of the Male-line of the Cliffords 1643. Finally The King's Forces at Land being totally defeated he transported himself into France and was afterwards made Admiral of such Ships of War as submitted to King Charles the Second to whom after several disasters at Sea and wonderful preservations he returned to Paris 1652. where and in Germany sometimes at the Emperour's Court and sometimes at Heydelberg he passed his time in Princely Studies and Exercises till the Restauration of His Majesty now Reigning after which returning into England
Campo-bello or Campbell Turgot Prior of Durham and B. of St. Andrews wrote the Lives of King Malcolm Canmoir and of his Queen Margaret Liber Sconae a Chronicle written by the Monks of Scoone Liber Pasletensis The Black Book of Paislay a Chronicle written by the Monks of Paislay Liber Pluscartensis a Chronicle written by the Monks of Pluscardy One Blind Henry wrote the History of Sir William Wallace in Scottish Meeter John Barbour Archdeacon of Aberdeen did write the Life of King Robert Bruce in Scottish Meeter John Major Provost of St. Salvator's Colledge in St. Andrews wrote the History of the Nation William Elphinstone B. of Aberdeen wrote a Treatise of the Scottish Antiquities Hector Boeth or Boyes Principal of the King's Colledge of Aberdeen wrote the History of the Nation till the Reign of King James the First continued till the Reign of King James the Sixth by John Ferrerius a Piemontoise a Monk of Pluscardy John Balenden Archdeacon of Murray did translate Boyes History into English George Buchanan Praeceptor to King James the Sixth wrote the History of the Nation till the year 1572. Robert Johnstone wrote a Continuation of the Scottish History from the year 1572. till the year 1624. in Latine Folio John Leslie Bishop of Ross wrote the History of the Nation till the year 138 Raphael Holinshed wrote the History of the Nation till the Reign of King James the Sixth continued by Francis Thin Will. Cambden wrote a Description of the Kingdom John Dempster wrote an Introduction to the Scottish History David Chalmer wrote a Treatise of the Scottish Saints David Hume of Godscroft did write the History of the Earls of Douglass and Angus William Drummond of Hawthornden did write the Lives of the Five King James's William Sanderson wrote the Lives of Queen Mary King James the Sixth and King Charles the First John Spotiswood Archbishop of St. Andrews did write the History of the Church of Scotland from the first Plantation of the Christian Faith therein till the Death of King James the Sixth The Office of the Chancellor of State conferred upon him by that glorious Martyr King Charles the First he discharged to the satisfaction of his Royal Master and the advantage of the Church He was a person of rare Ornaments and in all things compleatly qualified for his Imployment yet he did not escape the hard measure which other Loyal Subjects tasted of for by the Covenanters he was forced to retire into England where he met with entertainment more suitable to his worth He ended his daies in a good old Age and was honourably Interred in Westminster Abby Anno 1639. after he had governed the See twenty four years George Wishart Dr. of Divinity and Bishop of Edinburgh did write the Actions of James Marquess of Montross Robert Gordon of Stralogh did write the Theatrum Scotiae being a description of the whole Kingdom with the Maps of every particular Country Printed by Janson Bleaw at Amsterdam a very excellent work The mercenary Printer did him a double injury first in printing with his Book Buchanan's Seditious Pamphlet De Jure Regni apud Scotos it being sufficiently known that the Author was of no such principle but alwaies Loyal Then in dedicating that work to the Usurper O. Cromwell whereas the Author sent over to the Printer a Dedication of his Book to His most Sacred Majesty at that time Prince of Wales and the Copy of that Dedication written with his own hand is yet in the Custody of his Son the Reverend James Gordon Parson of Rothimay This much was necessary to be said in vindication of that worthy Gentleman who was one of the most Learned persons of the Age he lived in If any think that this Treatise hath not swelled to that bulk that might be expected from an undertaking of this nature having so large a Subject to treat of let this suffice for an Answer that the several calamities that have happened in this Antient Kingdom may justly serve for an Apology when it is to be considered that after the Death of Alexander the Third of that Name King of Scotland and all his Sons which in one years space died of a pestilent Fever which was never before known in this Kingdom his Daughter being Queen of Norway died in the same year who left behind her a Daughter whom after the Death of the King and his Sons the Estates sent for to this effect Two Ambassadors were dispatcht to Norway to take care of the safe conveyance of this Young Lady the only hope the Kingdom relyed on It was not long after these Gentlemen that were sent to Norway returned bringing News that this Lady was dead likewise Consider what fears and sorrows at the hearing of these News did perplex the Subjects of this Kingdom So many deaths falling out in the Royal Family did presage great calamities to ensue For as the Loss of so worthy a King was great so their Fears was no less because of the uncertainty of the Succession Many Competitors six they were in number claiming the Inheritance of the Crown and all of them men of power and friendship It must needs be supposed that they did divide the Realm and so beget a Civil War yet these who were trusted with the management of Affairs during the Inter Reign did by their Mediation work them to a Compromise and to remit the decision of the Controversie to King Edward the First of England a Prince of long Experience and much respected in that time For this purpose divers Gentlemen were sent to King Edward who at that time was in France to inform him of the inconveniencies that were feared to fall out in the Kingdom of Scotland and the course they had taken to prevent the same intreating his help for quieting the State King Edward glad to have an hand in the making of a King in Scotland dimitted them with many kind expressions of his kindness to the Kingdom assigning a Dyet for the Competitors at Norham upon Tweed at which Dyet the King was present at this meeting there was no decision all the Competitors except two to wit John Baliol and Robert Bruce were ordered to cease from their claim Of Baliol and Bruce an Oath was taken that they should abide and stand by the Sentence the King should pronounce The like Oath was taken by the Prelates Nobles and other Commissioners who swore to accept of him for their King that would be tryed to have the best Right and for the greater assurance all their Seals were appended to the Compromise Five years and some more were spent before the Controversie was brought to an end At last K. Edw. returned to Berwick and calling the Twenty Four to whom the important Affairs were committed they were shut up in the Church there to debate the Matter none being permitted to have access unto them he himself now and then went in to know how their proceedings went and perceiving the greater part
gave to the Colledge two parts of the Revenues of the Bishoprick of Aberdeen so long as the See should remain vacant An. 1641. upon which Donation eight Bursars more were endowed and the University was called the Caroline University King Charles the Second by the Advice of the Estates of Parliament did bestow upon it Anno 1672. the stipends of all these Churches whâ—ch should happen to be vacant within the Diocesses of Aberdeen Murray Ross and Cathnes and that for seven years following the Date of the Act. William Stuart Bishop of Aberdeen built the Library Chapter-house Vestry-house a School and Chambers for the Chaplains Gawin Dumbar Bishop of Aberdeen built the South-quarter of the Colledge and the Houses belonging to the Prebendaries and did perfect whatsoever Bishop Elphinstone left undone Nicholas Hay Professor of the Civil Law and Official of Aberdeen gave maintenance for Bursars Duncan Sherar Parson of Clat gave certain Lands towards the maintenance of Bursars Robert Maitland Dean of Aberdeen procured the annexation of the Deanry to the Colledge Anno 1579. Walter Stewart Principal procured the annexation of his Rectory of Methlick to the Colledge Sir Thomas Burnet of Leyis endowed three Bursars James Wat Rector of Snaith in Yorkshire gave certain Lands towards the maintenance of a Student of Divinity Alexander Reid Dr. of Physick left in Legacy to the Colledge two hundred pounds of English money He also left his Books to the Library John Forbes Doctor and Professor of Divinity did purchase two Houses he left one for the accommodation of his Successors Professors of Divinity and the other for the use of the Cantor The following persons left their Books to the Library Alexander Strachan Doctor and Professor of Divinity George Clerk a Minister Thomas Garden George Anderson Sir Francis Gordon Alexander Blackhall Student of Divinity Resident at London Thomas Mercer Burgess of Aberdâ—en Principals An. 150 Hector Boeth or Boyes descended from the Boeths of Panbride in Angus Born in Dundee and Bred up in Letters in the University of Paris was the first Prinpal Besides his History of the Scots he wrote the Lives of the Bishops of Aberdeen Anno 153 Will. Hay Sub-principal was his Successor Anno 1552. John Biffait continued six years and resigned his place because of his infirmity proceeding from long sickness to Anno 1558. Alexander Anderson Sub principal who was also Parson of Tyrie and Vicar of Kinkell This man was a great Scholar and a subtil Disputant but no great friend to the Colledge For the hatred he bare to the Reformed Religion he alienated some of the Colledge Revenues destroyed many of its Writings and Evidences whereby many Lands and other Rents belonging to St. Germans are quite lost sold the Ornaments Books and other furniture belonging to the Colledge Commendable he was in one thing for when some of the Reformers would have taken away the Lead and Bells he beat them away by violence He was afterwards turned out and the place conferred upon Anno 1569. Alexander Arbuthnot Brother to the Baron of Arbuthnot Parson of Arbuthnot and Logy Buchan a most Learned and pious Divine Anno 1584. Walter Stewart Sub-principal was his Successor a very hopeful person taken away in the thirty sixth year of his Age. Anno 1593. Upon his Death David Rait of the House of Hallgreen in the Mernis Sub-principal was preferred to the place He continued Principal forty two years Anno 1634. To him succeeded William Leslie D. D. Sub-principal a man of great Learning In his Time Anno 1634. a storm of Wind beat down the Top of the great Steeple which afterwards was built more stately consisting of 4 Arches supporting a Crown with a Globe and Cross Principal Leslie was for his Loyalty thrust out by the Covenanters and in his room was Elected Anno 1640. William Guild Doctor of Divinity Minister in Aberdeen and one of the Chaplains to King Charles the First a Learned and worthy person He built the Tradesmens Hospital in Aberdeen left considerable Legacies to the Poor and bequeathed his Books to the Library of St. Andrews Anno 1649. The General Assembly gave a Commission to some Ministers and Lay Elders to reform the Colledge and to expel the Malignants Persons thrust out Dr. Will. Guild Principal Alex. Middleton Sub-principal Professors of Philosophy Patrick Gordon Geo. Middleton Persons put in their places The Commissioners at that time did not unanimously agree whom to put in and considering Winter drawing near that the Colledge would not be well governed unless there were a Principal or Sub-principal therefore they ordered the Sub-principal to continue till his place was supplied by another Shortly after the Masters restored the Principal in despite of all opposition to his place Anno 1651. General Monk sent five Collonels to reform the Colledge Collonel Fenwick Moseley Disburrough Owen and Smith At this Reformation both Principal and Sub-principal were turned out Gilbert Reule was substituted in the room of the latter and the place of the former was conferred upon Anno 1652. John Row an Independent Minister in Aberdeen a person well seen in the Latine and Greek Languages and not ill in the Hebrew In his Time Anno 1657. was laid the Foundation of the New Work in the North-East corner of the Colledge of six Stories high consisting of 24 Chambers with Chimnies conveniencies a School and a Bulliard-house The Money that built it was given by the Masters other well disposed persons whose names are written in a Register called Album Amicorum Collegii Regii Abredonensis Mr. Row continued Principal till Anno 1661. At which time William Rait Minister at Brichen was preferred to the place he stayed only a year and returned to Brichen Anno 1662. Alex. Middleton Minist in old Aberdeen and Sub-principal of whom before succeeded him Professors of Divinity The Professor of Divinity was founded by the Bishop Synod and Colledge of Aberdeen Anno 162 The first Professor was John Forbes Doctor of Divinity a most pious peaceable and Learned Divine he continued till the year 163 And being by the Magistrates of Aberdeen chosen to be one of the Ministers of the Town he left for his Successor Anno 1634. Andrew Strachan Dr. of Divinity who lived little above a year after his Instalment Anno 1635. Dr. Forbes was chosen Professor again and continued till for his Loyalty he was thrust out by the Covenanters Anno 1639. Shortly after he went into Holland where he published his Instructiones Historico-Theologicae and returning home died in his house of Corse Anno 164 William Douglass Minister at Forgue succeeded Dr. Forbes He died Anno 1665. Anno 1673. Henry Scougall Parson of Achterless was after some years vacancy preferred to the place The Election of the Rector Dean of Faculties Professor of the Oriental Languages Professors of Philosophy c. is by the major part of the Masters The Principal and rest of the Prebendaries are chosen not only by the major part