Part 51 (1/2)

[267] Such as Earls-hall, the laird of Meldrum, Livingston, b.l.o.o.d.y Douglas, major White, &c. as for lieutenant Drummond, captain Windrum, lieutenant Bruce and lieut. Turner, who went over with the rest of Dundee officers to France, they died at Tourelliers. See {illegible}stan and Perpignon hospitals, 1693 and 1694, miserable enough.

[268] Pa.s.sing scripture instances, such as a Mana.s.seh amongst the thorns, a penitent thief upon the cross,--the late earl of Argyle who was executed 1685, was a member of the b.l.o.o.d.y council many years, but this he lamented at his death, particularly his casting vote on Mr.

Cargil; and for ought we can learn, in charity we must suppose he obtained mercy: and the youngest bailie in Edinburgh, who gave the covenants out of his hand to the hangman to be burnt, was afterwards thought to be a good man, and ever lamented that action, and did much service to Christ's prisoners after. Yet the Lord would not suffer him to go unpunished in this life, for it is said he never had the use of that hand after; and for all his stately buildings, they were burnt to ashes in 1700.

[269] Buchanan mentions not his burial. Knox says, they gave him salt enough and a lead cap, and let him in the sea tower to see what the bishops would procure for him. Fox and Clark say, he lay {illegible} months unburied, and then like a carrion was thrown on a dunghill.--Sir David Lindsay of the Mount, made the following stanza on his death:

As for the Cardinal, I grant, He was the man we well could want, G.o.d will forgive it soon: But of a truth, the sooth to say, Altho' the Lown be well away, The fact was foully done.

[270] Spotswood would have us believe, there was nothing remarkable in her life or about her death more than what is incident to princes; but we must rather believe and follow Knox in this.

[271] The queen was at this time pregnant with James VI. Some historians have been inclined to think, from the intrigues this Rizio had with the queen, that James VI. Char. I. and II. and Jam. VII. had more of the nature, qualities, features and complexion of the Italian Fidler, than of the ancient race of the Stuarts, kings of Scotland.

[272] Mr. John Douglas once a great presbyterian, was the first bishop that thus entered by prelacy in Scotland; after which he became slothful and negligent in his office. But one time, coming into the pulpit at St.

Andrew's he fell down in it and died.--_Naphtali._

[273] Mr. Clark in his lives represents Mr Cooper as an eminent saint.

No doubt he had his credentials from the bishops. But we must rather follow Mr. Calderwood and the author of the Fullfilling of the Scriptures.

[274] This king's reign has by historians been represented with different features; some making him a just, religious and wise prince: but whatever his abilities were and whatever advantage the church got in his minority, yet it is sure his reign was almost one continued scene of affliction and tribulation to Christ's faithful witnesses, and laid the foundation of all the evils that followed.