order with according to his H. Lawes and Acts of Parliament,
VOL. J. H ll
482 NOTES.
enduring the which time and travell, his Hieness has dispensed,
and be the tenour hereof dispenses with his ordinarie profes-
sion, and exercise within the said New Colledge, and appoints
the same to vaike until! his returning, Commanding in the
mean time the said M=^ James to attend upon his own place
for the instruction of the youth committed to his care and
teaching, as he will answer to God and his H. and to the In-
tent, that the said exercise of Theologie may be continued
within that Universitie, his Hieness vvith' advice forsaid ordeans
and commands the said Bishop to teach weeklie two Lessons
of Theologie within S. Salvators Colledge one upon Tuesday,
and another upon Thursday everie week, beginning upon the
first tuisday of Junie next, and so continuing ay and while his
Maj. take further order thereanent and that but prejudice of
his ordinar preaching unto a particular flock whereunto he is
astricted be the late Conference, and that Letters be directed
hereupon if need be, charging everie one of the said persons
to do accordingly as they will answer to his Maj. upon their
obedience at their uttermost charge and perril.
Extractum ex Libris Actorum Secreti Concilii per me
Joannem Andro Clericum Deputatum ejusdem sub meis sign©
& subscriptione manualibus.
Joannes Andro.
(Bibl. Jurid. Edin. Rob. IIL 6. 17. p. 219.)
The following charge taken from Calderwood, iv. 8. is cor-
rected by another copy which Wodrow has inserted in his
Life of Andrew Melville. MSS. vol. 14. Bibl. Col. Glasg.
Principall and Masters of the new Colledge, we greet you
well. For as much as we are informed certainly, That upon
the Sundays, you assemble to your selves, a number both of
burgh and land, and preaches to them in the English Tongue,
and inveigh against the late Agreement, q'^'^ by the advice of
the G. Assembly, was appointed for the Quietnes of the Kirk
and Realm ; q'^by great inconveniencys may ensue : specially
the Division of the members of the university, Gentlraen and
Burgesses, who by y^ means are abstracted from their parish
NOTES. 483
kirk and pastors there; We willing that no sucli occasion
should ensue, and for the wellfare and quietnes of the Toun
and kirk there have By thir presents tho"^ Good, That ye con-
tean yourselves within the Bounds of your own vocation &.
calling, and in such languages as ye profess for the Instruc-
tion of the youth and that in no wise ye attempt Doctrine in
English to ye people of the parish, we gave our command-
ment to Mr Andreu Melvil returning to the Colledge, that he
should not in any sort preach to the people ; wherein if either
ye or he contineu we will take further order in time coming,
that our appointment be not so lightly regarded. Thus we com-
mitt you to God, From Hallyroodhous the 4. of Feb. 1586.
James Rex."
Note FF. p. 384.
Of Melville s poeiyi on the Coronation oJQiieen Anne ofDen^
mark. — The title of this poem is " STEtPANISKION. Ad Scotiae
Regem, habitvm in Coronatione Reginae. 17. Maij 1590. Per
Andream Meluinum. Pro. 16. 13. lustitia stabilit thronum
Regis. Edinbvrgi Excvdebat Robertvs Walde graue An. Dom.
1590. Cum priuilegio Regali." 4to. five leaves. The poem is
republished in Delitice Poetarum Scotorum, torn. ii. pp. 71 — 76.
On the back of the title-page of the original edition are the
following lines, in which the author apologizes for the haste
with which the poem was composed and published, and in-
geniously alludes to the late voyage of the royal bridegroom.
Ad Regem.
Quod feci dixique tuo, Rex inclyte, iussu,
Ecce mbes volitet docta per ora virum.
Jussisti quod here, ego hodie : eras ibit in orbem :
Et properatum adeo praecipitabis opus ?
Praecipita. per me ire hcet quo authore volasti
Trans mare. Sors eadem fors erit : vrget amor.
James must have been pleased with the conceit expressed
in the two concluding lines, and with the following address in
H h 2
4,84 NOTES.
the poem itself, which pays a flattering compliment to his
gallantry in braving the winter sea, and to (what he was no
less proud of) his poetical achievements :
Ferguso generate, poll certissima proles,
Quot reges tulit olim orbis, quot regna Britannus^
Tot regnis augende haeres, tot regibus orte,
Tot reges geniture olim fcelicibus astris,
Lsetus in optatae Sanctis amplexibus Annae:
Annae, cuius amor te tot vada cerula mensum,
Tot scopulos, tot prseruptas saxa ardua rupes,
Tantam Hyemem, tot foeta feris et inhospita tesqua
Raptauit, gelidisque morantem distulit oris,
Quam procul a patria, ac populo regnisque relictis
Tam proprior Phoebo, Musis lucem annue nostris,
Dum canimus decus omne tuum, decus omne tuorura.
Rex Iacobe, decus Musarum et Apollinis ingens.
The theme of the StephanisUon is the right government of
a kingdom. After a description of the cares which environ a
ciown, and the small number of those who have swayed the
sceptre with credit to themselves and benefit to their people,
whose names, according to the saying of an Asiatic monarch,
Una omnes inscribi uno posse annulo, et una
Includi gemma, fulvum quae dividit aurum ;
The poet inquires into the causes which incite men to covet
this dangerous eminence, — the secret impulse of nature, the
innate desire of distinction, consciousness of talents or of birth,
thirst lor personal glory or family aggrandizement, patriotism,
and that more exalted and sacred flame which seeks, by the
faithful administration of a terrestrial kingdom, to obtain a
celestial and unfading crown.
Vis arcana naturae, et conscia fati
Semina :
Levat alta laborem
NOTES. 485
Ciloria, celsl animi pennis sublimibus apta.
Quid studium huniani generis ? quid viuida virtus
Ignauae inipatiens vmbrae atque ignobilis oti ?
Et pracdulce decus patriae : populique Patrumque,
Vel hello qua^renda salus, per mille pericla,
Mille neces, et oiorte ipsa quod durius usquam est ':'
Quo patriae non raptet amor ccelestis, & aulae
yEtheriae, aeterna regem quae luce coronal ?
The prince described is of course a patriot king ; but the
author does not maintain, as archbishop Adamson had accused
him, that popular election is the only legitimate mode of in-
vesting a prince with the sceptre :
Seu lectus magno e populo, seu natus avito
In solio, vel lege nova, vel more vetusto,
Sortitus sceptrique decu« regnique coronam.
He does not touch the harsh string of resistance to rul-
ers who abuse their power, but he strongly reprobates, and
condemns to the Stygian lake whence it ascended, the peste-
lential principle, that kings are born for themselves, and that
their will is their law :
Stat regi, ut regni Domino, pro lege voluntas :
Talia dicta vomit diris e faucibus Orcus.
*********
Est pecus, est pejor pecude, est fera bellua, soli
Qui sibi se natum credit : qui non nisi in ipso
Cogitat imperium imperio : qui denique secum
Non putat ipse datum se civibus, at sibi cives.
The marriage of James, with its attendant solemnities, was
celebrated by other poets besides MelviHe. Among these
were Hercules Rollock, (Delitiae Poet. Scot. ii. 323.) and
Adrian Damman, '* De Avgustissimo Jacobi 6. Scotorum
486 NOTES.
Regis, & Annae — conjugio : 13. Calend. Septemb. 1589 in
Dania celebrate : — Epithalamivm Ad eamdem Annam, Seren-
issimam Scotorum Reginam. liercule Rolloco Scoto auctore.
Edinburgi Excudebat Henricvs Charteris. 1589." Ten leaves
ill 4to. " Scliediasmata Hadr. Dammanis A Bisterveld Gan-
davensis — Edinburgi Excvdebat Robertvs Walde-graue An.
Dom. 1590." I in fours. This last collection consists of a Greek
and Latin poem on the marriage, and of Latin poems on the
storm which drove the Queen to Norway, the King's voyage,
the coronation, and the public entrance into Edinburgh. Pre-
fixed to the work are encomiastic verses by Melville in Latin,
and by Robert Pont in Latin and Greek. Damman gives a
poetical description of the ceremony of the Coronation, in the
course of which he praises the sermon preached by Galloway,
and especially the prayer offered up by Bruce.
Conticuere iterum, versisque ad Sacra Ministris,
Brucius assargit, vir nobihs, inque togati
Ciasse Ministerij nullo pietatis & aequi
Laudibus inferior, precibus Solemnia Sanctis
Commendare Deo, Christumque in vota vocare
Incipit, & prudens animi, linguteque disertus,
He gives the following flattering account of the part which
Melville acted in the solemnity :
Altisonis stat pausa tabis : strepitusque silescit
Gaudia testantis popuii : quum denique surgit
Nobilis eloquio, doctrinaque inclytus omni,
Divina imprimis : qui multus Apollinis antra,
Antra rosis, viohsque, et anethi picta corymbis,
Lymphae ubi limpidulo trepidant pede, rite frequentat,
Meluinus, grandique ad Regem carmine fatur
Ausonio, monitisque docet prudentibus artem
Imperij.
It appears from Daimnan's account, that Melville pronounc-
ed his poem immediately after the crown was placed on the
NOTES. 487
Cljuccn's head, and not before that ceremony was performed,
as 1 have stated in the text on the authority of James Melviile.
— Damman was not a Dane, as is commonly supposed. He
was born in the neighbourhood of Ghent, and had taught Huma-
nity in that city. (Anton. Sanderus, De Gandavensibvs Erudit.
Fama Claris, p. 13. Antw. 1624.) Sanderus says he went to
Scotland at the invitation of Buchanan. " Tandem a Georgio
Buchanano ad Nobilem iuventutem politissimis litteris imbuen-
dani accersitus in Scotiam fuit." Others say that he came to
Scotland in the retinue of queen Anne. He afterwards taught
for some years as professor of Humanity in the College of
Edinburgh, and acted as llesident of the States General at the
court of Scotland. (Cra^vfurd's Hist of the Univ. of Edinburgh.
Epist. Eccles. and Theolog. pp. 35—8. Amst. 110^.)
Note GG. p. 402.
Of patronage and popular election, — " Ordinarie vocation
consisteth in Election, Examination, and Adm.ission. — It ap-
pertaineth to the people, and to every severall Congregation to
elect their Minister. — For altogether this is to be avoided, that
any man be violently intruded or thrust in upon any congre-
gation. But this libertie Avith all care must be reserved to
every severall Church, to have their votes and suftrages in
election of their ministers." (First Book of Discipline, Head iv.)
*' Election is the chosing out of a person, or persons, most able,
to the office that vakes, by the judgement of the Eldership,
and consent of the Congregation, to which shall be the person,
or persons appointed. — So that none be intrused upon any
Congregation, either by the Prince, or any inferiour person,
without la\vfull election, and the consent of the people over
whom the person is placed, as the practice of the Apostolical
and Primitive Kirk, and good order craves. And because
this order, which Gods word craves, cannot si and Avith patron-
ages and presentation to benefices used in the iropes kiri- . we
desire all them that truely feare God, earnestly to consider,
that for as much as the names of patronages and benefices to-
gether with the effect thereof have flowed from tlie Pope mid
488 NOTES.
corruption of the Canon law onely, in so farr as thereby any
person was mtrused or placed over kirkes having Curam ani-
marum. And for as much as that manner of proceeding hath
no jxround in the word of God, but is contrar}'^ to the same
and to the said liberty of Election, they ought not now to have
place in this light of Reformation." (Second Book of Discipline,
Chap. 3. and 12.)
At the first General Assembly " the kirk appointit ye elec-
tioun of the minister, Elders and deacons to be in the publick
Kirk, and the premonition to be vpon the sonday preceiding
the day of the Electioun." (Bulk of Univ. Kirk, p, 2.) In June
15(32, it was concluded, " tuiching persones to be nominat to
Kirks, that none be admitted without nomination of the people,
and dew examination and admission of the Superintendent.''
(Keith, o\o.) An act of Assembly, April 1582, for correcting
disorders produced by ambition, covetousness, and indirect
deahng in entering to the ministry, concludes thus, " this act
no wayes to be prejudicial! to laick patrones and y^ presenta-
tiouns, vnto ye tyme ye lawcs be reformed according to the
word of God."' (Buik of Univ. Kirk, f. 123, b.) On the an-
nexation of the temporalities of the bishoprics to the crown,
the patronages connected v/ith them v.ere disposed of to dif-
ferent noblemen and gentlemen. The General Assembly, in
August 15SS, petitioned his ^Majesty against this ; 'â– inhibiting
in ye meantyme all commissioners and presbyteries y"^ they in
no wayes give collatioun or admissioun to any persons presentit
be ye saids new patrons as is above speit (specified) unto ye nixt
general a.'i>emblie of ye Kirk." (lb. f. 153, a.) Among the
articles of an overture approved by the Assembly, in May
1596, was the following : '' Thridlie because be presentatiouns
many forcibiie are thrust in ye ministrie and vpoun congrega-
tiouns y"^ utteris y''after they were not callit be God, it wald
be protydit y"^ none seik presentatiouns to benefices without
advyce of ye presbyterie within y^ bounds q''of pbrie (sic) lyis,
.ind if any doe in ye contrair the}' to be repellit as rei am-
bitus." (lb. 178, a.)
Such was the law of the church. The practice appears to
NOTES. 489
have varied somewhat in difierent places. Sometimes the Ge-
neral Assembly or the presbytery of the bounds nominated or
recommended a minister, either of their own accord, or at tlio
desire of the session or congregation. In some instances ti.e
ele^-tion was by the session, or by the session and principal per-
sons of the parish, and in others by the votes of the congregation
at large. Sometimes the congregation elected the individual
tiiemseives; at other times they nominated electors from among
themselves; and at other times they referred the choice to the
presbytery. But in w hatever way this was conducted, the gene-
ral consent of the people was considered as requisite before pro-
ceeding to admission, and the church courts exerted themselves
in obtaining the presentation for the persoii who was acceptable
to the parish. On the appointment of a second minister to the
town and parish of Haddington, the presbytery claimed the
right of nomination, but Mr James Carniichael having pro-
duced and read the act of Assembly 1562, they relincjuished
their claim. (Record of Presbytery of Haddington, August
15. 1601.) — The follovn'ng is the account of the election of
Robert Bruce to be minister of St Andrews :
" Die xxi° mensis Maii anno Lxxxix°.
The q''^ day being appointit to ye electioun of ane minister
and fallow laborar w*^ M Robert Wilkie minister in ye func-
tioun of ye ministrie in jis congregation, fur^ of ye nyne per-
sonis efter specifyt viz. nominat be ye town vniversite &: land-
ward parochenaris to witt M'^^ Robert Bruce, Jhone Cauld-
cleuche W'" Marche. nominated be ye town, M^ Johne Mal-
com alex monipenny & INI Jhon Auchinlek, nominat be ye
universite ; and M'^^ Nichol Dalgles Jhone Dauidsoun & Ro-
bert Dury, nominat be ye gentill men & paroshenaris upon
land. Comperit ane ry^ hono^' man James Lermou-h of Darsy
provest of S"^ And^^ M Wm Russel bailze Thomas Lentroui)
& Patrik Gutherie commissioners for ye town & Patrik Bonr
kill ye common clerk M James Wilkie recto"" of ye universite,
M David monypenny deane of facultie, M Andrew JMeluill
Mr principall of y*^ new College, and M \V'" Cranstoun mojs-
490 NOTES.
ter in ye auld college commissioneris for ye said universite^
and hon'i men Sir George Douglas of Elenehill kny'^ James
Wod of Lambeletham, James Hay chalmerlane of ye priore
of St An<^°5 Patrili Dudingstoun portioner of Kincapill, An-
drew Wod of Stray *wethy & M Alex Jarden of Smyddy grein
commissionaris for ye gentillmen and paroshinaris vpoun land.
Quha all w*^ ane voce efter ernest incalling On ye holy name
of God, electit Sr chusit ye said Mr Robert Bruce as ane man
maist meet habill and quhalifyt minister and fallow laborar in ye
ministrie w^ ye said Mr Robert W ilkie And ye saidis haill com-
missionaris hes aggreit ye ilk ane of yame to witt, ye towne,
universite & paroshenaris vpon land send w"^ "ail diligens yr sup-
plication in ye maist feruent maner to ye said M Robert Bruce
to cum & occupy ye said office in & upon him conforme to ye
said fre election." (Record of Kirk Session of St Andrews.)
On the demission of Mr Robert Wilkie, who was appointed
principal of St Leonard's College, *' The maist speciall of the
haill parochin alsweill to land as bur"^ being convenit, efter er-
nest incalling upon ye holy name of God, electit & chusit all
w^ ane voce w'^out discrepans or variance Mr David Blak, qulia
wes specialie recommendit to yame be ye generall kyrk, pastor
an:! minister to yis congregation." (lb. Nov. 11. 1590.)
Mr Andrew Forester, minister of Corstorphin, having laid
before the presbytery of Haddington a demission of the vicar-
age of Tranent by his father, and a presentation of it to him-
self by the king, confessed, after some interrogatories, *' that
bay^ ye dismission and presentation foirsaid wer taken be his
foirknowledge and accepted be his consent." The presbytery
found that they could not proceed to collation and admission,
because he had not obtained license of transportation, and
*' becaus b? his foirsaid dealling he is fallin vnder danger of
ane act of the generall assembly decerning sic persones as takes
giftes of ony benefices of cure w^out foirknowledge and con-
sent of the kirk to be Rei ambitus, of the qlk fault he is to he
tryit befoir his judge ordinarie." (Record of . Presbytery
of Haddington, Oct. 5. 1597.) The parishioners of Aberlady
requested the presbytery, '' that ane lite my'^ be maid of qual-
ifeit men and sent to teache in their paroche kirk upon several
NOTES. 491
sabboth dayes per vices. To the end y^ ye Brethrene of the
presb} terie w'^ their consent niy'^ out of that number chuse ane
fittest for the rownie." Mr Andrew Blackball younger being
put on the leet was suspected to be reus ambitus, and ordained
to make his purgation. He satisfied the presbytery, after a
strict examination, that he did not know of the presentation,
'* till it was past the seallis, and as yet had not acceptit of the
same, nather yet was myndit to accept of the same w'^out ye
gpeal advj^se of the presbyterie." (lb. from January 21, to
M-drchl7il602,passi)n.J The presbytery "finds the said
Mr Andro not to be Reus ambitus ;" but still they came to
the following resolution.
" At Hadingtoun ye 24- Martij 1602.
The qlk day ye brethrene being to nolate and elect ane of
the thrie yt was vpon ye Lite for aberladie to be placit as pas-
tour thare before y^ ye said mater suldbe put in voting tho^ meit
y' Mr Andro Blakhal suld subscryve ye submissioun following.
I Mr Andro blakhal younger am content to put and pntlie
puts ye gift and pntat°un of ye vicarage of aberladie obtainit
in my name in ye hands of ye presby terie of hadingtoun to vse
it as thay think gude.
Sic Subscribitur
M. A. Blakhall."
A curious instance of procedure in the case of an unpopular
presentee occurred in the same presbytery long after the intro-
duction of episcopacy. In 1621, Michael Gilbert having ob-
tained from the king a presentation to the parish of Northber-
wick, the presbytery appointed him to preach in that church,
and the people to send commissioners to testify what is " ther
lyking or approbation" of him. Commissioners, accordingly,
attended next meeting of the presbytery, and reported " in
name of the whole people yat thei ware not content w"^ Mich-
ael Gibbert, and yat universallie ye people had no lyking of
Jiim and thawcht him not meit for yat place." The presby-
tery having taken him on trials " commends and allows his
gift and holie aifectioun, juges him able to enter in the minis-
trie q"^ it sail please God to call him wt consent of the congre-
492 ^'OTEs.
gatioun, but in respect of the place of Northbenviek q'vnto
the generall assemblie haklin at Aberdein hes thawcht meit an
man of singular gifts of authoritie and experience Also in re-
spect of ye commissionars of the said parochin of Northber-
wick dissenting y'^fra we thinke him not meit for y^ place of
Northbervick." It was ordained accordingly that a letter should
be written to " My lord of St androis bearing the presby tries
judgement anent the said Michael Gilberts not qualification fop
northberwick." On the 5th of September, tlie presbytery re-
ceived the folloAving ansAver from the arckbishop.
" Loving brithren I haue receaved yor Itre tutching michael
Gilbert q^'by I perceaue y"^ he is not be zow fond meit to be
receavit in yat kirk, but I must pray zow in yo^ answair to for-
beir the consideration of ye kirk at Icist the mention of it in
your v.ritt because as I formarlie wrote if he be fund meit to be
an minister I cannot shift but giue collatioun as I am re-
quyrit he is presentit to that kirk y'^for directed to be tryit by
zow. if he be not fund meit it exoners both zou & me To say
€0 in generall yat Michael Gilbert being presented be his Ma.
for such a kirk and directed by me to be tryed by zou ze find
him not qualifeit And no more then this being I sail desyr
zov/ speediiie to acquent me whom ze wold chuse with consent
of the parochin and I sail doe the best I can to haue zou sa-
tisfeit for I shall be loith to admitt any whom ze by yo'' judge-
ment finds not qualifeit to anie of yo'' kirks and certainlie wold
we in planting haue yis regard to consider ye qualities of men
yer prudence as weill as yr teiching whom Chrysestome in
some place requyris as necessarie in a pastor o'' kirk wold be
in an better estate & o^ calling not so exposed to contempt as
it is. but yis I leaue and for the present commit zow to God.
rests yor assured brother
St Andrews."
The presbytery took the bishop's hint, and made an act de-
claring simply the presentee's " non sufficiencie," but after
some delay, they received instructions from the bishop
(Feb. 5. 1622.) to proceed with Gilbert's settlement ; on
â– n hich they came to this conclusion, *' yat in regard of the op-
NOTES, 493
position made already by the peopill and in regard of the slan-
der and contempt yat may be given in publick to the ministrie
vrging the people to yield vnto y^ qlk no waycs they will do,
that the mater be delayed to such opportunities as the arch B.
may bespek." (lb. from June 27, 1621, to February 5, 1622.
passim. J The presentee, however, ultimately prevailed ; for
on the roll of members of Presbytery for the year 1624' is
*' Michael Gilbert min"^ of Northbervick."
The consent of the people was signified in different ways.
\^^^en it was proposed that John Davidson should be settled
as minister of Saltpreston and the Pannis, " ane gritt multitude
of the honest men of bayth the tonnes foirsaids come and shew
thair gude lyking of Mr Jhone and his doctrine to us of the
presbyterie, (met at Tranent) desyring us maist earnestly wt
ane voyce," &c — " Thanks returned to my lord of Newbottle,"
whose concurrence in the settlement had been requested by
the presbytery. (lb. Oct. 29.-— Dec. 24. 1595.) Oftener the
consent of the congregation was reported to the presbytery by
commissioners. The reader may be pleased to see the follow-
ing copy of a formal written call, which is the earliest docu-
ment of the kind that I have met with.
" Vnto zo'^ godlie W. of the presbyterie of hadingtoun huralie
menis and schawls we zo"^ bretherne the pro"^^ [^parishioners^ of
GuHane w'^ the speciall consent of our pastor Mr thoma*
makghe that q''as it hes pleisit God in the age infirmitie and
often diseisis of our said pastor to offer occasion of support to
him and to vs both be Mr Andrew Makghe his sone off quhome
we having had pruiff and tryall the twa zeiris bygane dois
testifie his doctrine to be sound sensible & edifying his lyff
and conversatioun to be honest and unrebukeable In respect
q^'of haueing guid expectatioun y'^ he salbe ane profitable in-
strument amangis vs for advancement of goddis glorie and our
awin salvatioun Hes w^ ane voyce thoucht expedient maist
ernistlie to requeist zo'^ wisdomes to proceid w^ that diligence
zo"" w. sail think maist expedient to the admission and ordina-
tioun of the said Mr Andro to the office of ministerie within
our congregatioun That being warrandit be y^ outward caliiiig
494 NOTES.
and authoritie of the kirk he may be ansvverabill to our said
expectatioun in the synceir preaching of goddis word minis-