Scotish History and High Commissioners With A compleat Catalogue of all the Arch-bishops and Bishops AN APPENDIX TO THE HISTORY OF THE Church of Scotland CHAP. I. Containing the Succession of the BISHOPS in their several SEES from the Reformation of Religion to the year 1676. Archbishops of SAINT ANDREWS AFTER that Cardinal David Beaton was murthered in his Castle of Saint Andrews by Normand Leslie and his Complices James Hamilton Duke of Chattelrault Governour of the Realm did nominate his base Brother John Hamilton Abbot of Pasley to the place who thereupon was elected by the Canons and soon after confirmed by Pope Paul the Third who fearing that Scotland would follow the example of England in casting off the Yoak of the Roman See was glad to gratifie the Governour in that particular About this time the Estimation of the Clergy began to decrease because of their corrupt Lives and gross Ignorance which induced divers of that number to relinquish their Order and to make open profession of the Truth multitudes also of Monks and Friers leaving their Cloisters began to exhort the people to renounce the Romish Fopperies and Superstitions and to submit to the Doctrine of Christ every-where crying out against the Corruptions of the Church The Prelates in stead of composing matters calmly took the contrary course exercising great Severity against them and cruelly burning such of the New Religion as they termed it as fell into their hands those who fled they prosecuted with the highest Censures of the Church Burning them in Effigie and Cursing them by Book Bell and Candle But all this Cruelty served to no purpose for the death of Walter Mill who was the last Martyr that suffered for Religion was the very bane of Popery in Scotland mens minds being now wholly alienated from the Clergy and their Consciences convinced that the Doctrine of Jesus Christ did neither allow such cruel Principles nor countenance such bloudy Practices To return then to Archbishop John Hamilton who was attainted of Treason under the Government of the Earl of Murray He lurked a while amongst his Friends in the West of Scotland but finding little security there he betook himself to the strong Castle of Dumbarton whereof the Lord Fleming was then Governour But this Fort beâ—ng negligently kept was afterwards surprised by three Companies of Foot sent thither by the Earl of Lennox then Regent commanded by three Captains Ramsay Crawford and Hume who seising upon the Prisoners sent them to sundry places and the Archbishop with a strong Guard to Striveling where he was publickly hanged on a Gibbet erected for that purpose 1570. He was the onely Bishop that suffered by form of Justice in this Kingdom At this time the Rents of this Bishoprick were by the Regent conferred upon the Earl of Morton for some years as a recompence of his great charges in his Embassy to England That Earl that he might enjoy them legally made choice of John Douglas Provost of the New Colledge of Saint Andrews before a Carmelite Frier and Chaplain to the Earl of Argile to be Titular Bishop who was with much opposition of the Presbytery for at that time there was no Chapter admitted and installed 1572. This Bishop sate little above two years and died at Saint Andrews 1575. After his death the Earl of Morton then Regent did prefer Patrick Adamson his Chaplain to the Bishoprick of Saint Andrews This Bishop was sorely vexed by those of the Kirk-party who prosecuted him with the highest Censures of their Church and excommunicated him very informally for not submitting to their Judicatory but the business was afterwards compounded and the Bishop relaxed He was a man of great Learning but an ill Administratour of the Churche's Patrimony He sate fifteen years and died at Saint Andrews 1591. Hereupon the See continued void and the Profits thereof were by King James the Sixth bestowed on the Duke of Lennox till the Parliament 1606. wherein the Temporalties of Bishopricks in former times annexed to the Crown were restored the want of which had rendered the Bishops of unserviceable both to Church and State About this time George Gladstanes Bishop of Cathnes was translated to Saint Andrews a man of ready utterance and of great invention but of an easie nature as appears by his being induced so easily to lease out his Benefice for so many Ages to come to the great detriment of his Successours But in this he was not singular for the rest of the Clergy both Papists and Protestants did let Leases of their Benefices to their Friends and others for Hundreds of years and that for a pitifull pittance Which Extravagancy was afterwards restrained by the wisedom of King James when he was of age for he enacted That Bishops should let Leases for nineteen years Rectours c. for their Life-time and three years and other Beneficed persons for their Life-time and three years with consent of their Patrons Bishop Gladstanes governed the See ten years and dying at Saint Andrews 1615. was interred in the South-East Isle of the Parish-Church Upon his death John Spotiswood Archbishop of Glasgow was translated to Saint Andrews who procured to this See whose Rents were almost wholly alienated by his Predecessours the Revenues of the Priory of Saint Andrews then in Lay-hands as also the restauration of three hundred pounds of English money per Annum of a long time swallowed up in the Crown-rents The Office of the Chancellary in the State conferr'd upon him by that Glorious Martyr King CHARLES the First he discharged to the satisfaction of his Royal Master and the Churche's advantage He was a person of rare Endowments and in all things compleatly qualified for his imployment Yet did he not escape the hard measure which other Loyal Subjects afterward 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 days in a good old age and was honourably interred in Westminster-Abby Anno 1639. after he had governed the See twenty four years About this time our long Peace and the Plenty which did accompany it made us wanton our Prosperity puft us up with Pride we were Enemies to our own welfare weary of our present estate too much desirous of Revolutions and greedy of Novelties Our private Discontents begat Jealousies and Animosities which since they could be no longer smothered must needs burst out into a flame We were afraid of we knew not what nothing but the Preservation of Religion must be the Pretext and the Cloak to cover the Knavery which was afterwards acted and notwithstanding the Satisfaction given unto us by the Best of Kings in laying aside the Book of Common-Prayer Book of Canons and High Commission yet still we continued dissatisfied All the Favours conferr'd upon us by the Best of Princes could not ingage us to continue in our Duty and Allegeance to Him All the good fruit we brought forth
Orkney and Schetland  The Constabularie of Hadington containeth East Lothian and Lauderdail Duke of Lauderdail STEWARTRIES STEWARDS Strath-Jern Earl of Perth Menteith Earl of Menteith Annandail Earl of Annandail Kirkubright containeth the East part of Galloway Earl of Nithisdail BAILIARIES BAILIFFS Kile  Carrict Earl of Cassils Cunninghame Earl of Eglington Besides these every man that holds a Barony of the King has a Baron-Court in which lesser matters are also judged and they may Fine and Distrain Anciently these Baron-Courts might judge of Life and death but that is now out of use For all the other particulars that relate to the Regalities Superiorities and other things of the Law of Scotland such as are curious may find full satisfaction in that most learned Work of Craigs de Jure Fendali written in Latin and Printed at Edinburgh in Folio The Military Government in Scotland of every County is not lodged in one person but the Regiments of Foot are commanded by Colonels and the Troups of Horse by Captains named by the King without any dependence upon one Lord Lieutenant nor are there Deputy-Lieutenants but the Lieutenant-Colonels and other Officers are named by the King as is usual in an Army The Court of Admiralty sits in Leith the chief Sea-port of this Kingdom but has not much business except in times of War to judge of Prizes The present High Admiral is His Royal Highness James Duke of York The Burroughs of Scotland are of three sorts either Royal Burghs Burghs of Regality or Burghs of Barony The former have Commissioners in Parliament and besides are a State apart for they meet yearly in a Convention called the Convention of Burroughs to which a Commissioner comes from every one of them There they make Laws for themselves about Trade and other things relating to their Corporations They hold these Meetings in a Circuit around the chief or as they call them the Head Burghs and at the end of one Convention they name the time and place for the next In these Burghs there is a Provost who has the chief Power and there are four Bailiffs that are next to him in the Government there is also a Dean of Gild who is the chief Judge among the Merchants likewise a Treasurer and a Common Council the one half of which is chosen yearly by the Merchants the other half by the Tradesmen who have likewise a Court of their own in which there is one from every Trade who is called the Deacon of the Trade and a Deacon Conveener who is their President and calls a Meeting of them when he pleases Those Deacons are chosen yearly by all the Freemen of their Trade and have a little Jurisdiction over them There are in most Burghs great Animosities and Factions between the Merchants and Tradesmen The Burghs of Regality are the Towns where these Lords hold their Courts The chief Magistrates are named by the Lord the rest they chuse themselves They have also great Freedoms little inferiour to the Royal Burghs onely they have no Commissioners in Parliament The Burghs of Barony are Mercat-Towns where the Lord of the Barony names some of their Magistrates and the Corporation chuses the rest In all these Burghs the Magistracy is no matter of burthen nor charge but of Power and Advantage from whence arise great Factions almost in them all A Catalogue of the Free CORPORATIONS or Royal BVRGHS in SCOTLAND Edinburgh in Lothian Linlithgow in Lothian Hadington in Lothian North-Berwick in Lothian Dumbar in Lothian Saint Andrews in Fife Cowper in Fipe. Dunfermlin in Fipe. Kirkaldy in Fipe. Craill in Fipe. Anstruther in Fipe. Pittenweem in Fipe. Dysert in Fipe. Earles-ferry in Fipe. Kinghorn in Fipe. Burnt-Island in Fipe. Culross in Fipe. Clackmannan in Fipe. Queens-ferry in Fipe. Dundee in Augus Montross in Augus Forfar in Augus Brichen in Augus Arbroath in Augus Kirkubright in Galloway Wigton in Galloway Whithorn in Galloway Stranraver in Galloway Glasgow in Clidisdail Lanerick in Clidisdail Elgin in Murray Nairn in Murray Forres in Murray Ranfrew in Ranfrewshire Pasley in Ranfrewshire Ruglen in Ranfrewshire Aberdene in Mar. Kintor in Mar. Bamff in Boyn Cullen in Boyn Innerness in Ross Tayne in Ross Air in Kyle Irwing in Cunninghame Rothsay in Bute Dumbarton in Lennox Innerara in Argile Jedburgh in Teviotdail Peeblis in Tweeddail Selkirk in Forrestshire Striveling upon Forth Dumblane in Menteith Innerkeithing in Fife Dornoch in Sutherland Annand in Annandail Dumfreis in Nithisdail Sanqbuar in Nithisdail Bervie in Mernis Innerowrie in Gareoch The People of Scotland are naturally candid and honest stout and resolute which makes them so much valued beyond the Seas the onely School of War to them since the happy Conjunction of this Island under one King They naturally love their King The Nobility have great Power chiefly in the High-lands where their Families commonly called Clannes depend absolutely upon the head of the Name whom they commonly call their Chief But the great Power of the Nobility of late years is much abated yet they are still very considerable The Property of the Subject is fully secured by Law and though the King has great Prerogatives yet the People have also great Liberties and Freedoms The COMMISSIONERS that have represented our KINGS since K. JAMES was settled on the Throne of England were as follows KING JAMES the VI. John Grabame Earl of Montross Commissioner 1604. George Hume Earl of Dumbar Commissioner 1606. George Keith Earl Marischal Commissioner 1609. Alexander Seaton Earl of Dunfermlin Commissioner 1612. James Hamilton Marquess of Hamilton Commissioner 1621. Anno 1625. KING CHARLES the I. Crowned Anno 1633. James Hamilton Marquess of Hamilton Commissioner 1638. John Stewart Earl of Traquair Commissioner 1639. James Grahame Marquess of Montross Governour 1644. Anno 1649. KING CHARLES the II. Crowned Anno 1651. John Middleton Earl of Middleton Commissioner 1660. John Leslie Earl of Rothes Commissioner 1663. John Maitland Duke of Lauderdail Commisioner 1669. A Catalogue of the CHANCELLOVRS of the Kingdom since the year 1198. collected out of Histories 1198. William Malvoisin Bishop of Glasgow 1220. William de Boseo Bishop of Dumblane 1226. Matthew Kinninmouth Bishop of Aberdene 1239. William Babington Bishop of Glasgow 1247. Abbot of 1248. Richard of Innerkeithing Bishop of Dumblane 1259. Gamelinus Bishop of Saint Andrews 1273. William Wishart Bishop of Glasgow 1280. William Fraser Bishop of Saint Andrews 1298. Maurice Bishop of the Isles 1363. Adam Bishop of Brichen 1372. Patrick Bishop of Brichen 1380. John Lyon Lord Glammes 1390. Gilbert Grimlaw Bishop of Aberdene 1409. William Lawder Bishop of Glasgow 1434. John Bishop of Brichen 1436. Sir William Creighton of Creighton 1444. James Bruce Bishop of Dunkeld 1448. Patrick Lyon Lord Glammes 1453. William Sinclare Earl of Orkney 1463. George Shorswood Bishop of Brichen 1474. John Lang Bishop of Glasgow 1476. Andrew Stewart Lord Evendail 1484. William Elphingston Bishop of Aberdene 1494. Archbald Douglas Earl of Angus 1497. George Gordon Earl of Huntlie 1502.
See a very worthy person he sate little above two years Upon his death Henry Guthry Rectour of was promoted to the Bishoprick of Dunkeld who died in the year 1676. The Chapter of Dunkeld consists of the persons following The Rectour of Kinelevin Dean Tibbermure Cantor Couper Archdeacon Lethindy Chancellour Dunkeld Thesaurer The Parson of Rattray Subdean The Rectour of Fungart The Parson of Ruffill Kepit-mack in Athol The Rectour of Inch-mack-grannoch Logy-Alachie The Parson of Moneidy The Rectour of Blair in Athol Eliot The Prebendary of Fearn Menmure Aberdaigy I can give no account of the Cathedral-Church in what condition it stands at present seeing I never saw it nor had any information concerning it The Diocese of Dunkeld contains the most part of Perthshire part of Angus and part of West-Lothian Bishops of ABERDENE THE Bishoprick of Aberdene suffered very much by Bishop William Gordon for he alienated the Profits thereof and in a short time brought the Revenues of that See almost to nothing And indeed this Benefice was at his death scarce worth the accepting About the year 1579. David Cunninghame Parson of Saint Nicolas was preferred to the See This Bishop was a grave learned and wise man imployed by King James the Sixth in an Embassy to the King of Denmark and the Princes of Germany wherein the Bishop did faithfully discharge his trust to his great commendation He died about the year 1603. Unto him succeeded Peter Blackburn Rectour of Saint Nicolas who governed the See about twelve years and dying Anno 1615. was buried in Saint Nicolas Church in New Aberdene Upon whose death Alexander Forbes of the House of Ardmurdo Bishop of Cathnes was translated to Aberdene He sate little above three years and dying Anno 1618. was buried in the Cathedral-Church To him succeeded upon King James's Nomination and the Chapter 's Election Patrick Forbes of Corse This worthy man at the earnest importunity of the Bishops of Aberdene and Murray did enter into Orders in the forty eighth year of his age An. 1612. and was preferred to the Benefice of Keath in Strath-Yla in which station he continued six years and after the death of Bishop Alexander Forbes at the importunity both of the Clergy and Laiety he did accept of the Bishoprick of Aberdene He was in great esteem and favour with King James and King Charles being Privy Councellour to both Kings In his old age he was much troubled with the Palsie Seventeen years did he faithfully and wisely govern the See and died in his house in Old Aberdene 1635. in the seventy first year of his age being interred in the South Isle of the Cathedral-Church near the Sepulchre of Bishop Gawan Dumbar His Commentary upon the Revelations and a Discourse of the Ministerial Office do shew his Learning and Judgment Upon his death Adam Bannatyn Bishop of Dumblane was translated to Aberdene who being thrust out by the Covenanters retired into England where he died shortly after His house in Old Aberdene for magnificence in all things like a Palace was plundered by a Regiment of the Covenanters and afterwards quite demolished by the English Usurpers Several Learned and Worthy men in the Diocese of Aberdene were at this time thrust out of their Livings The most considerable were John Forbes of Corse Doctour and Professour of Divinity in the King's Colledge of Aberdene Robert Baron Doctour and Professour of Divinity in the Marischal Colledge of Aberdene William Leslie Doctour of Divinity Principal or Warden of the King's Colledge of Aberdene Alexander Scroggie Doctour of Divinity Minister in Old Aberdene Patrick Dune Doctour of Physick Principal of the Marischal Colledge of Aberdene Alexander Ross Doctour of Divinity Parson of Saint Nicolas James Sibbald Doctour of Divinity Minister in Aberdene John Forbes Parson of Auchterless Andrew Logie Parson of Rayne John Ross Parson of Birse John Gregory Rectour of Drummaok John Logie Rectour of Raphan Thomas Thoires Minister at Vdny After the Restauration of the Hierarchy His most Sacred Majesty King CHARLES the Second preferr'd David Mitchel one of the Prebendaries of Westminster to the Bishoprick of Aberdene This worthy man was Anno 1638. one of the Preachers of Edinburgh and being thrust out by the Assembly of Glasgow retired into England He lived not a whole year after his Consecration he died in Old Aberdene and was interred in the South Isle of the Cathedral-Church 1663. To him succeeded Alexander Burnet Rectour of in the County of Kent who sate little above a year being translated to Glasgow which was then void by the death of Archbishop Fairfoul Upon this Translation Anno 1664. the Reverend Patrick Scougal Parson of Salton was promoted to the Bishoprick of Aberdene who is yet alive and governs the See wisely and piously The Chapter of Aberdene consists of the persons following Since the Rectory of Saint Machar was annexed to the King's Colledge the Principal thereof is Dean The Parson of Auchterless Cantor Rayne Archdeacon Birse Chancellour Daviot Thesaurer The Rectour of Saint Peters Subcantor The Parson of Kinkell who is the Patron of seven Churches Kinkell Drumblait Monkeigie Kintor Kemnay Kinnellar and Dyce The Parson of Morthlick The Rectour of Monimusk Kincairden of Neill The Rectour of Turreff Belbelvies Banchory-Devoneif Logie-Buchan The Parson of Clatt Methlick Innernochty The Rectour of Coldstane The Parson of Oyn Crowdan Tillinessill Forbes Phillorth Lonmay The Prebendary of Deir Ellen. The Cathedral of Aberdene dedicated to Saint Macbar was founded by Bishop Kinninmouth who died before the work was raised six cubits high Anno 1370 Bishop Leighton 1430 built Saint John's Isle laid the foundation of the great Steeple and of the two lesser Steeples and advanced the Fabrick mightily The Roof was laid on and the Floor paved with free-stone by Bishop Lindsay Anno 1445. Bishop Spence adorned the Chancel with many brave Ornaments 1460. Bishop Elphingston did perfect the great Steeple which was a mark for Sailours in those days and furnished it with costly and tunable Bells 1489. Bishop Dumbar did perfect the two lesser Steeples cieled the Church and built the South-Isle 1522. And his Successour Bishop Stewart built the Consistory-house Anno 1539. This glorious Structure being near ninescore years in building did not remain twentie years in its integrity when it was almost ruined by a Crue of sacrilegious Church-robbers for Anno 1560. the Barons of Mernis accompanied with some of the Towns-men of Aberdene having demolished the Monasteries of the Black and Gray Friers fell to rob the Cathedral which they spoiled of all its costly Ornaments and Jewels and demolished the Chancel Having shipped the Lead Bells and other Utensils intending to expose them to sale in Holland all this ill-gotten Wealth sunk by the just Judgment of God upon Sacriledge not far from the Gridle-Ness The body of the Cathedral was preserved from utter ruine by the Earl of Huntly Afterwards An. 1607. the Church was repaired and covered with Slate at the charge of the
Parish and so continues yet in pretty good repair The Diocese of Aberdene contains the Shire of Aberdene most part of Bamff-shire and part of Mernis Bishops of MVRRAY AFter the death of Bishop Patrick Hepburn this Benefice was conferred upon Alexander Lindsay Lord Spinie who possessed it many years so that the See continued vacant till about the year 1606 at which time Alexander Douglas Parson of Elgin was promoted to the Bishoprick How long he sate I cannot learn His Successour was John Guthry one of the Preachers in Edinburgh in whose time fell out our second Reformation Most of the Bishops left their Bishopricks having wisely withdrawn themselves into England to avoid the Storm which threatned them whereas this Bishop stay'd at home till his Bishoprick left him Being thrust from his Benefice by the Covenanters he retired to his ancient Inheritance of Guthry in Angus where he lived very contentedly and hospitably exercising his Charity amongst the Poor He died much lamented during our Civil Wars Anno 1662. Murdo Mackenzie Rectour of Elgin was preferred Bishop of Murray who now governs the See The Cathedral-Church of Elgin founded by Andrew Bishop of Murray 1230. was one of the rarest Monuments that this Kingdom afforded equal almost to Saint Paul's in London as I am informed in length but surpassing it in breadth It was demolished at the Reformation yet some of the stately Ruines are still to be seen and admired The Parish-Church dedicated to Saint Peter was as I am informed founded by George the second Earl of Huntly about the year 1490. The Diocese of Murray contains the Shires of Elgin Nairn and part of Innernes and Bamff-Shires Bishops of BRICHEN BIshop Sinclair's Successour in the See of Brichen was one Campbell Cousin to the Earl of Argile about the year 1567. How long he sate I cannot learn Anno 16 Andrew Lamb Rectour of Burnt-Island was preferred to the See and afterwards translated to Galloway then void by the death of Bishop William Cowper Upon this Translation Anno 1619. David Lindsay Parson of Dundee was promoted to the Bishoprick of Brichen he was translated to Edinburgh 1634. Unto whom succeeded Walter Whitfurd of the House of Milnton Rectour of who was outed by the Covenanters 1639. and his house plundred Anno 1662. David Straughan Parson of Fettercairn was preferred Bishop of Brichen He sate nine years and dying 1671. was buried in the Cathedral-Church His Successour was Robert Lowry Dean of Edinburgh who now governs the See The Cathedral-Church of Brichen is a pretty handsom Fabrick it hath on the South-side a small Steeple not unlike the Monument on Fish-street-hill London save that it is broader at the top then at the bottom by whom built I cannot learn The Chancel was demolished by our first Reformers The Diocese of Brichen contains part of Angus and Mernis Bishops of DVMBLANE ABout the year 1572. Andrew Grhame Uncle to the Earl of Montross was preferred Bishop of Dumblane and translated to Orkney 1615. To whom succeeded Adam Bannatyn of Kilconqhuar Rectour of Fawkirk who governed the See till Anno 1635. at which time he was translated to Aberdene then void by the death of Bishop Patrick Forbes His Successour was James Wedderburn Professour of Divinity in Saint Andrews who was thrust out by the Covenanters 1639. Anno 1662. Robert Leighton Principal of the Colledge of Edinburgh was promoted to the Bishoprick of Dumblane He was a man of singular and wonderfull Piety of great Learning and in him most of the eminent Vertues we admire in the Primitive Bishops seemed to be revived His Life was most exemplary and severe he preached constantly and seemed like one in heaven when he preached his Humility was astonishing his Meekness and Charity were extraordinary his expence on himself very small but all he had he laid out on the poor he was very tender of all the concerns of his Clergy and by his excellent deportment and heavenly discourses did much edifie and instruct them all and he studied by the most gentle methods possible to overcome the peevishness of the Schismaticks but all was in vain for they became more insolent and stubborn He was translated to Glasgow 1670. Upon which Translation James Ramsay Dean of Glasgow was preferred to the See now living 1676. The Bishop of Dumblane is always Dean of the King's Chappel Royal. The Diocese of Dumblane contains part of Perth and Striveling-shires Bishops of ROSS JOhn Leslie Doctour of the Canon Law and one of the Senatours of the Colledge of Justice before Canonist in the King's Colledge and Official of Aberdene was upon the death of Bishop Sinclair preferred to the Bishoprick of Ross 1564. He was a person of great Integrity and a faithfull servant to Queen Mary in the time of her Troubles He wrote the History of his Nation together with a Description of the Kingdom He died at Bruxels in Flanders 1596. To him succeeded Anno 1599. David Lindsay of the House of Edyell Preacher at Leith a worthy pious and learned Prelate He sate years and dying 161 was buried in the Parish-Church of Leith After his death Patrick Lindsay Parson of Saint Vigens in Angus was preferred to the See who being translated to Glasgow Anno 1635. left for his Successour John Maxwell one of the Preachers of Edinburgh a very Learned man a great Preacher and of excellent parts but was generally censured for meddling too much in Civil affairs and for being too violent which was thought a great occasion of the Troubles that followed He was thrust out by the Covenanters Anno 1639. and afterwards much prosecuted by them as an Incendiary Anno 1662. John Paterson Preacher in Aberdene was promoted to the Bishoprick of Ross who now governs the See The Cathedral of Chanonry where the Bishop of Ross his Seat is was demolished by our first Reformers some part whereof as I am informed is lately rebuilt The Diocese of Ross hath under its Jurisdiction the Shires of Tayn Cromarty and the greatest part of Innernes-shire Bishops of CATHNES AFter the death of Bishop Robert Stewart 1586. the See continued vacant till the year 1599. at which time George Gladstanes Preacher in Saint Andrews was preferred Bishop of Cathnes He was translated to Saint Andrews about the year 1606. Unto whom succeeded Alexander Forbes Rectour of Fettercairn in Mernis who was translated to Aberdene then void by the death of Bishop Peter Blackburn 1615. Upon this Translation John Abernethy was promoted to the See a Learned and worthy Prelat thrust out by the Covenanters 1639. Upon the Restitution of Hierarchy 1662. Patrick Forbes was preferred to the See now living 1676. The Diocese of Cathnes whereof Dornoch in Sutherland is the Bishop's Seat contains the Shires of Cathnes and Sutherland I can give no account of the Cathedral having neither seen it nor received any information concerning it Bishops of ORKNEY ABout the year 1565. Adam Bothwell was preferred to the Bishoprick of Orkney and deposed 1568. for
Power of Calling Adjourning Prorogation is not in our Law and Dissolving of Parliaments the giving the Votes of Parliament the Authority of Laws the executing of the Law and the pardoning of Offences are clearly and onely in the Crown But to these other great Additions have been made in the two Parliaments held since His MAJESTIE' 's Restauration For whereas the Supremacy in Ecclesiastical affairs was always in the Crown since the Reformation yet in the Reign of King James the Sixth the Power of the General Assembly was raised very high by Law which was the chief foundation of the late Troubles it being pretended that it was contrary to Law for the King to introduce any thing into the Church without the consent of a General Assembly It was therefore enacted in Parliament That the External Government and Polity of the Church was wholly in the King's power and that his Orders sent to the Privy Council and published by them about all Ecclesiastical matters Meetings and Persons were to be obeyed by the Subjects any Law or Practice to the contrary notwithstanding So that in all matters that relate to the Chuch-Government the King's Power is absolute The Second Point is about the Militia By the ancient Laws of Scotland all the King's Subjects were to assist him in his Wars Upon which a great enlargement of the King's Prerogative was grafted of late by two Acts of Parliament the Kingdom of Scotland offering to the King to raise and arm Twenty thoussand Foot and Two thousand Horse and to furnish them with forty days Provision to march into any of His Majestie 's Dominions of Scotland England or Ireland for suppressing any Foreign Invasion Intestine Trouble or Insurrection or for any other Service wherein His Majestie 's Honour Authority or Greatness may be concerned And these Forces by another Act are to give due Obedience to all such Directions as they shall receive from His Majestie 's Privie Council A Third Point is the Ordering and disposing of Trade with Forein Nations and the laying of Restraints and Impositions upon Forein imported Commodities which is declared a Prerogative of the Crown With these Sacred Rights is the Crown of Scotland cloathed The King's Revenue consisted anciently most in the Crown-Lands which could not be alienated but by Act of Parliament and in the Wards and Marriages of the Vassals of the Crown But most of these have been of late years given away and most of the Tenures of Lands are changed although there has been no general Law for taking away the Wards The Revenue is now raised out of the Customes and the Excise The last is given to this King for life but the former is in the Crown for ever The rest is raised out of what remains of the Crown-Lands and the Wards The Persons nearest in bloud to the King are first all the Issue of King James and King Charles which are so well known to every one that they need not be repeated Next to them are all that are descended from the Daughter of King James the Second since whom till the Queen of Bohemia no Collateral Branch sprung from the Royal Family of whom any Issue remains who was married to James Lord Hamilton and had issue first James created Earl of Arran whose Son was the Duke of Chastelberault from whom by two Sons and two Daughters are descended the Families of Hamilton and Abercorn and the Families of Huntly and Launderdail And by an Act of Parliament signed by all the Three Estates the Original whereof is yet extant in the Reign of Queen Mary the Duke of Chastelberault's Family is declared next the Queen and her Issue the rightfull Heir of the Crown The Sister of King James the Third bare likewise to the Lord Hamilton a Daughter married to the Earl of Lennox from whom descended the Family of Lennox There is no other Branch of the Royal Family since it was in the Line of the Stewarts except the Earl of Cassils his Family whose Ancestour the Lord Kennedy married King James the First 's Sister from which Mariage that Family is descended And so much of the Royal Family The Chief and Supreme Court is the High Court of Parliament which is made up of Three Estates The First is the Ecclesiastical that of old consisted of the Bishops and Mitered Abbots but since the Reformation consists onely of Archbishops and Bishops The Second Estate is the Nobility who were anciently divided into the Greater Barons and the Lesser for every man that holds Lands of the Crown with a Privilege of holding a Court much like the Lord of a Manour in England is called a Baron and all were obliged to appear personally in Parliament for Proxies were never allowed by the Law of Scotland and give the King Counsel This proved a very heavy burthen to the small Barons upon which they desired to be excused from their attendance in Parliament and this was granted to them as a favour in King James the First 's reign And though by that Act they might have sent two or three or more to represent them from every Shire yet they made no use of that for above 150 years but King James the Sixth to balance the Nobility got them restored to that Right so that ever since there are two sent from every Shire who are Commissioners for the Shires The Third Estate is the Burroughs every one of which chuseth one Commissioner onely the City of Edinburgh as the Metropolis chuseth two The Parliament is summoned by Proclamation made at the Head-Burrough of every Shire 40 days before they meet upon which the Shires and Burroughs meet about their Elections Every man that holds Lands of the Crown that in the Rolls of the Taxation the ancient Name of Subsidies or Assessments are valued at 40 shillings Scotish mony of Taxation to the King which will be in real value about Ten pounds Sterling a year is an Electour and may be Elected so he be rightly vested in the Land or according to the Scotish terms infeoft and seised and be not at the King's Horn that is under an Outlawry The Electours subscribe the Commissions they give and so their Commissioner is returned and if there be cross Elections the Parliament is the onely Judge In the Burroughs the Common-Council of the Town makes the Election When the day comes in which the Parliament is to be held the Regalia the Crown Sceptre and the Sword of State which are kept in the Castle of Edinburgh are brought down in State to the King's Palace and are to be carried by three of the ancientest Earls that are upon the place bare-headed before the King or His Commissioner In the great Court before the King's Palace all the Members of Parliament do mount on Horseback with Foot-cloaths c. The Burgesses ride first the Commissioners of the Shires next then the Lords Viscounts and Earls in their Robes the last of whom do carry the