the family of the Stewarts and is now in the Person of King Charles the Second His Majesties Title is Dei Gratia of Scotland England France and Ireland King defender of the Faith whom God long preserve in the Throne of his Ancestors upon the Death of a King there is no Inter-Regnum the next Heir is presently King the Coronation being only a solemn Instalment in that which was his right before before their Coronation they hold only convention of Estates but no Parliaments before they are Crowned A Convention of Estates is made up of the same Members that constitute a Parliament but can make no Laws only they can lay impositions on the Subjects They do not sit in State they have been most used before the Kings were Crowned the Lord Chancellor is president in the Convention of Estates as well as in Parliaments When a King is Crowned he swears the Oath appointed to be taken at the Coronation which before the Reformation was no other than that set down in the Roman Pontificial sworn by Kings for there is no provision made about it in our Law but at the Reformation it was enacted That all Kings at the time of their Coronation should make their faithful promise by Oath to govern according to Law and maintain the Protestant Religion c. which Oath is to be found in that Act of the first Parlia Jac. 6. C. 8. Anno 1567. Prerogatives of the Crown The Prerogatives of the Crown are great as Power of Peace and War the Power of raising and arming the Subjects the Power of the Mint the nomination of all Officers both of State and of War and of Justice except some Sheriffs that are such by Inheritance the 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 wholly and only in the Crown Church Government But to these since His Majesties Happy Restauration great additions hath been made In the Reign of King James the sixth the Power of general Assemblies was raised very high by Law which occasioned the sad disaster in the Church and laid a foundation to all the late troubles of the State notwithstanding the Supremacy in Ecclesiastical Affairs was alwaies in the Crown since the Reformation yet it was pretended as contrary to Law for the King to introduce any thing into the Church without the consent of the general Assembly It was therefore enacted in Parliament Act 1. 2. Parl. held by the Duke of Lauderdale That the external Government and polity of the Church was wholly in the King's Power and that his Order sent to the Privy Council and published by them about all Ecclesiastical Matters Meetings and Persons were to be obeyed by his Subjects any Law or practice to the contrary notwithstanding So that in all matters that relate to the Church-Government the King's Power is absolute Militia The second point is concerning the Militia By the Antient Laws of Scotland all the Kings Subjects were to assist him in Wars upon which a great Enlargement of the King's Prerogative was grafted at last by two Acts of Parliament The Kingdom of Scotland offering to the King to Raise and Arm twenty thousand Foot and two thousand Horse and to furnish them with forty daies Provision to march into any of His Majesties Dominions of Scotland England or Ireland for suppressing any Forein Invasions Intestine Trouble or Insurrection or for any other Service wherein His Majesties 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 Majesties Privy Council Trade A third point is The ordering and disposing of Trade with Forein Nations and the laying of Restraâ—nts and Impositions upon Forein Imported Commodities which is declared a Prerogative of the Crown With these Sacred Prerogatives is the Crown of Scotland invested not inferiour to any Crown in Europe for its Dignity and Power The King only and the King alone by His Royal Prerogative hath Power without Act of Parliament to declare War to make Peace make Leagues and Treaties with any Forein States give Commissions for levying Men and Arms by Sea or â—â— Land yea for pressing Men 〈…〉 The King only and the King alone disposes of all Magazines Ammunitions Castles Fortresses Ports Havens and publick Moneys The King appoints the Metal Weight purity and value of Money and by his Proclamation any Forein Coin may be lawful The King by His Royal Prerogative of His meer will and pleasure may convoke adjourn remove and dissolve Parliaments may to any Act passed in Parliament refuse to give without rendring any reason His Royal Assent without which a Bill is a meer Chimera May at His pleasure encrease the number of the Members of Parliament as daily experience testifieth by creating more Barons and bestowing priviledges upon other Towns to send Burgesses to Parliament Yea may call to Parliament by Writ whom His Majesty thinketh fit and may refuse to send His Writ to others that have sate in other Parliaments His Majesty alone hath the Choice and Nomination of all Magistrates Counsellours and Officers of State of all Bishops and other High Dignities of the Church the bestowing of all Honours both of the higher and lower Nobility of Scotland It is in the power of the King alone to chuse and name all Commanders and other Officers at Sea or Land The power of determining Rewards for Services and Punishments for Misdemeanours The King by His Letters Patent may erect new Counties Bishopricks Universities Cities Burroughs Hospitals Schools Fairs Markets Courts of Justice and Free Warants c. The King by His Prerogative hath power to enfranchise an Alien whereby he is enabled to purchase Houses or Lands and to bear some Offices Hath power to grant Letters of Mart or Reprisal No Proclamation can be made but by the King The King only can give Patents in case of Losses by Fire to receive the Charitable Benevolences of the people without which no man may ask it publickly The King by His Prerogative is Vltimus Haeres Regni and is the Receptacle of all Estates when no Heir appears For this cause all Estates for want of Heirs or by forfeiture fall to the King All Spiritual Benefices for want of Presentation by the Bishop are lapsed at last to the King all Mony Gold Silver Plate found and the owners not known belongs to the King so all Wayfs Strays Wrecks not granted by him or any former Kings all wast Ground or Land recovered from the Sea all â—ands of Aliens before Naturalization and all things whereof the property is not known all Gold and Silver Mines in whose Ground soever they are found The King's Power in the Church In the Church the Kings Prerogative is great he only hath the Patronage of all Bishopricks none can be chosen whom he
this is much to their comfort that 't is only from the ignorant and deluded multitude and rabble let none so much as think that the King wanted assistance of his Loyal Subjects in the time of that Rebellion and let not the Kingdom any more suffer an ignominy for the abominable knavery of a few who to this day are stigmatized for their roguery and their posterity render'd contemptible it is not necessary to run out in vindication of the Loyalty of the People of Scotland in this enterprize their Actions of late when the Kings service required have sufficiently given proof to the world of the same and at present the King hath at command by Act of Parliament twenty thousand foot and two thousand Horse with forty days provision to march into any of His Majesties Dominions if need require CHAP. IX Concerning the Ecclesiastical Government of the Church IN the Year 1660 after a most grievous burthen of that insupportable yoak which our sins had prepared and other mens sins had laid on us after the Kingdom had groan'd nine years under the Tyranny of these Usurpers who to compleat our miseries imprisoned Banished and miserably butcher'd the Loyal Subjects under the names of Malignants Traitours and Rebels their Estates and Lands forfeited and sold their Houses garrisoned plundered and burnt and their posterity almost reduced to poverty and misery Alass Our Plough-shares were metamorphosed into Swords after all these calamities it pleased Almighty God to remember us in mercy and after the Church had suffer'd an Eclipse for twenty four years By the miraculous Restauration of our most Sacred Sovereign to the Throne of his Ancestours for the good of this Church and Kingdom then it pleased God to restore the ancient Hierarchy of the Church His Majesty that he might settle his Kingdom summoned his first Parliament to meet at Edinburgh the first of Jan. 1661 giving a Commission under the great Seal to John Earl of Middleton to represent his Person therein in the first Session the Solemn League and Covenant was condemned as an unlawful and wicked Oath imposed on the Subjects by a prevailing Faction contrary to Authority The pretended Triennial Parliaments from 1640 to 1649 with the assembly of Glasgow 1638 c. were annulled the unjust transactions at New-Castle 1646 and 1647 condemned Duke Hamiltons engagement 1648 approved the pretended forfeitures of the Marquesses of Huntley and Montross the E. of Forth Barrons of Glengarey Haddo Dunerub Delgaty Harthill and others who suffered for their Loyalty and all Acts made in prejudice of Lawful Authority were rescinded 1662. In the second Session the Antient Ecclesiastical Government of the Church was restored to the exceeding joy and satisfaction of all his Majesties good Subjects This was done by an Almighty Power the Covenanters having so wonderfully defaced the Government of the Church and rendered the Dignity and Office of a Bishop contemptible in the eyes of the People that His Majesties Restauration being so miraculously without shedding of blood to be restored to his own Kingdoms the Government of the Church with so little or no disturbance settled these things being considered ought to be kept as memorials not written superficially but with the point of a Diamond in the hearts of all Loyal Subjects Of the Archbishop of St. Andrews At this time Dr. James Sharp Professor of Divinity at St. Andrews who had been Professor of Philosophy in St. Leonards Colledge was preferred Archbishop of St. Andrews Primate and Metropolitan of Scotland who was murthered after a most barbarous manner by some Ruffians in May 1679. Upon his Murther Alexander Archbishop of Glasgow was translated to St. Andrews who now governs the See The present Chapter of St. Andrews the old one being dissolved with the Priory in the time of the Reformation had its beginning Anno 1606. by Act of Parliament in King James's the Sixth Reign and consists of the persons following The Prior of Portmollock Dean The Archdeacon of St. Andrews The Vicar of St. Andrews Couper Crail Dysert Kircaldy Pittenweem Lewchars Kinkell Dearsie Fordun Kennoway The Vicar of Abercromby Forgund Foulis Rossie Balmerinoch Longforgund Eglisgreig and others to the number of twenty four The Cathedral which was an antient and magnificent Fabrick was demolished with the Priory since which time the Parish-Church serves instead of it The Diocess of St. Andrews contains the whole County of Fife part of Perthshire and part of Angus and Mernis The Coat of Arms belonging to the Archiepiscopal See of St. Andrews is a Saphir a Saltier Pearl being the Cross of St. Andrew the Apostle Clergy their Dignity The Spiritual Function according to the practice of all civilized Nations hath ever had the preference and precedence of the Laity and hath in all times been reputed the first of the Three Estates All Subjects may be divided into Clergy and Laâ—ty the Laity subdivided into Nobility and Commonalty Names The Clergy are so called because they are Gods 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Portion For although all Christians may be stiled God's Portion as well as God's Servants yet amongst Christians these persons whom God hath set apart and separated from common use to his service to be as it were his domestick servants are more peculiarly the Lord's Portion and therefore from the first Age of Christianity the persons so set apart have been called Clerici Clerks Degrees As in the State so in the Church the Laws and Constitutions of Scotland would not that there should be a parity and equality of all persons therefore it is that all Bishops are Peers of the Realm The Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews takes place of all Dukes next to the Blood Royal In writing and speaking to him is given the Title of Grace as it is to all Dukes and Most Reverend Father in God as likewise the same Title of Honour is due to the Arch-Bishop of Glasgow All the rest of the Bishops take place of Barons The Archbishop of Glasgow taking place next to the Lord Chancellor All Bishops have one priviledge above and beyond all â—ay Lords viz. That in whatsoever Christian Princes Dominions they come their Episcopal Dignity and Degree is acknowledged and they may Quatenus Bishops confer Orders c. whereas no Lay-Baron Marquess or Duke is in Law acknowledged such out of the Dominions of the Prince who conferred these Honours The Revenues of the Scottish Clergy at present are generally very small and insufficient Many secret and indirect means have been used to lessen their Rents through corrupt Compositions and Compacts They were most miserably robb'd and spoiled of the greatest part of their Lands until King James the Sixth who after he was come to Age took particular care in restoring to some Bishopricks what was most unjustly kept from them Yea at this day a Gentleman of 200 l. Land Rent yearly will not change his worldly estate and condition with several Bishops A Shopkeeper a common Artisan will hardly change theirs with ordinary
Oats as also Butter and Cheese There are likewise wild Ducks wild Geese c. and many sorts of Sea Foul for Raiment there is no want of very fine Wooll for the Country People are cloath'd with freezes fit to defend them in their work from the cold There is likewise plenty of Hemp and Flax as for linnen Cloath it is inferiour to none for its goodness For Building it wants not Stone Slate Alabaster Marble Morter nor Lime For firing Sea Coal or Pit Coal almost every where at reasonable rates and where this is wanting in some places Wood and in others Turfs or Peats Moreover Scotland produceth a great quantity of Tin Lead Copper Allom Salt Hops with several silver Mines it is counted to be richer under ground then above by reason of the Mines which when tryed yield much in their quantities of Ore Coyns As to the Coyns note that 13½ d. sterl makes a Mark or 13 Shil 4 d. Scotish 20 d. sterl is 20 Shil or a Scotish l. and 20 Shil sterl is 18 Scotish Marks Measures and Weights The Measures for length is the Ell and is about 4 per cent greater than the English Ell. The liquid Measures are such as are in England but of a double continent a Pint being almost two English Quarts and a Scotish Quart one English Gallon and so answerable Their dry Measures are likewise of a bigger continent than these in England Buildings The Churches are of solid Stone most of the Cathedral and Collegiate Churches demolished and by what remains of some may be judged to have been very ample and magnificent The first Reformers being more zealous than prudent in rasing from the very foundation most of the renowned Abbies and Churches Houses in Cities are built with Stone and in many places covered with Slate The Houses of the Nobility and Gentry are well furnished being all built with Stone not much valuing Tile or Brick CHAP. II. Of the Laws of Scotland The Names of Kings the Kings Power and Prerogatives how long the Crown hath been in the Family of the Stewarts what a convention of Estates is THE Law of Scotland is made up of the Municipal and Civil Laws The Municipal consists either of Acts of Parliament or of the Custom and Practices of the Colledge of Justice which are held of no less force than Acts of Parliament and when neither of these contradicts the Civil Law is of force The Lawyers being generally great Civilians for they go to Leiden Poictiers or Bourges to study the Civil Law in which some are learned to a high degree Registers The Law of Scotland is easy and regular by reason of Registers which are so full that Titles are much more easily learned where those Registers are than can be done without them by this means Men are not cheated in buying or conveying Estates which may appear from these following instances 1. No man can have a right to any Estate but by his being seised of it which is done by the delivery of Earth and Stone upon which an instrument is formed called a Sasine and this must be register'd within 60 days otherwise it is of no force by which means all secret conveyances are cut off for if no Sasine be past upon them or if these be not put in the Registers which every one may search the conveyance is of no force 2. All Bonds have a clause in them for inserting them in the publick Registers and they being Register'd without any further action by a Charge of six days the Debtor must make payment otherwaies Writs called Letters of Horning Caption and Poynding are given out by the first of which the party is under outlawery and Rebellion and forfeits to the King his Personal Estate and if he continues a year under it the liferent of his real Estate in which the Creditor is to be prefer'd for his interest the rest goes into the Exchequer By the Letters of Caption the party is seized on and put in Prison nor is his House a place of security but may be searched for him by the Letters of poynding the Debtors Goods may be distrained wherever they can be found A third instance is that any Creditor may serve a Writ on his Debtor called Letters of Inhibition by which he can make no disposition of his goods or Estate till the party be satisfied and is null and to no effect that he doth after if these Letters be returned Register'd within 21 days after they are served otherwaies they have no force thus this ancient Kingdom is govern'd by the Civil Law as in many other things might be instanced by which they securely enjoy what they have or may purchase The Kingdom of Scotland hath been govern'd by Kings in as long a Succession as any Nation in the World as by this ensuing Catalogue of the Kings may appear each of them lineally succeeding others since Fergusius the first King in the year from the Creation of the World 3641. Fergusius Feritharis Mainus Dornadilla Nothatus Rutherus Reutha Thereus Josina Finnanus Durstus Evenus 1. Gillus nothus Evenus 2. Ederus Evenus 3. Metellanus Caratacus Corbredus Dardanus Corbredus 2. Galdus Cog. Luctacus Mogaldus Conarus Ethodius 1. Satrael Donaldus 1. Ethodius 2. Athirco Nathalocus Findochus Donaldus 2. Donaldus 3. Crathlinthus Fincormachus Romachus Angusianus Fethelmachus Eugenius 1. Fergusius 2. Eugenius 2. Dongardus Constantinus 1. Congallus 1. Goranus Eugenius 3. Congallus 2. Kinnatollus Aidanus Kennethus Eugenius 4. Ferchardus 1. Donaldus 4. Ferchardus 2. Malduinus Eugenius 5. Eugenius 6. Amberkelethus Eugenius 7. Mordacus Etfinus Eugenius 8. Fergusius 3. Salvathius Aihajus Congallus Dongallas Alpinus Kennethus 2. Donaldus 5. Constantinus 2. Ethus Gregorius Donaldus 6. Constantinus 3. Milcolumbus 1. Indulfus Duffus Culenus Kennethus 3. Constantinus 4. Cog. Calvus Grimus Milcolumbus 2. Donaldus Milcolumbus 3. Donaldus Banus Duncanus Edgarus Alexander 1. Cog. Acer David 1. Milcolumbus 4. Guilielmus Alexander 2. Alexander 3. Joannes Balliolus Robertus Brussius David 2. Edw. Balliolus Robertus 2. Robertus 3. Jacobus 1. Jacobus 2. Jacobus 3. Jacobus 4. Jacobus 5. Henricus Stuartus cum Maria Stuarta JACOBUS 6. Carolus 1. Carolus 2. In all 109. The King is an absolute and unaccountable Monarch and as the Law calls him a free Prince of a Sovereign Power having as great Liberties and Prerogatives by the Laws of this Realm and priviledge of his Crown and Diadem as any other King or Potentate whatsoever so that is deliver'd as a maxim in the heads of our Law That o all jurisdiction stands and consists in the Kings Person by reason of his Royal Authority and Crown and is competent to no Subject but flows and proceeds from the King having supream jurisdiction and is given and committed by him to his Subjects as he pleases which clearly demonstrates his Royal Prerogative The Crown descends by Inheritance the Heir female not being excluded and to this day the undoubted Right to it has been above three hundred years in
sad subversion of the Ecclesiastical Government too too direfully verified The most subtle trick of the Devil is when a well-establisht Government in a Church or State cannot be shaken by other of his malicious machinations then it is that by instruments conformable to his own genius under pretext of Religâ—on or at least under a colour of reforming some abuses And so by degrees this Church was of all its watch men robb'd and Wolves in Sheeps clothing put in their places who abhorr'd the name but exercised the power of a Bishop in every one of their respective Parishes The best of Princes perceiving this ruine approaching was pleased that any thing which might be an offence in the Divine Worship might be laid aside for a time although in it self necessary and accordingly the Book of Common Prayer Book of Canons and High Commission were at that time laâ—d â—side yeâ— notwithstanding this favour could not engage us to continue in our Duty and Allegiance All the fruit of these singular condescentions of His Majesties was nothing but a breathing after a desperate and horrid Rebellion such as former Ages could no waies parallel Then it was the Son rose up against the Father Brother against Brother Parishes were divided yea the whole Kingdom was divided against it self which way soever we lookt nothing was to be seen but that desolation in the Church and afterwards in the State which would consume the eyes and grieve the hearts of all good and Loyal Christians and Subjects The Church was rent by Schism the Bishops and many of the Reverend Clergy were thrust out plundered banished Yea the house of Prayer was in a most literal sense made a Den of Thieves Nine years did the Kingdom lye under the Tyranny of Usurpers till it pleased God to free us from this bondage by restoring to us our most Gracious Soveraign Then was the Church restored to its Ancient Government by the most consonant Laws established upon sure and good Foundations The great Power of General Assemblies was better regulated in which 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 The Supreme Ecclesiastical Court declared to be a National Synod made of Bishops and Deans and two Members from every Presbytery one of whom is nominated by the Bishop of their respective Diocess and a Commissioner from every University and the calling of this Synod to be wholly in the Crown CHAP. XI The Vniversities of Scotland IN Scotland there are four Universities from which every year there is a fresh supply of Learned persons fit for publick Employments and Dignities in Church and State The four Universities are St. Andrews Aberdeen Glasgow Edinburgh Of the Vniversity of St. Andrews This University was founded by Bishop Hen. Wardlaw An. Christ 1412. it is endowed with very ample Priviledges The Archbishops of St. Andrews are perpetual Chancellors thereof The Rector is chosen yearly and by the Statutes of the Universities he ought to be one of the three Principals His Power is the same with that of the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford or Cambridge There are in this University 3 Colledges viz. St. Salvators St. Leonards New Colledge St. Salvators Colledge This Colledge was founded by James Kennedy Bishop of St. Andrews he built the Aedifice furnished it with costly Ornaments and provided sufficient Revenues for the maintenance of the Masters Professors Persons endowed at the Foundation were a Doctor a Batchelor a Licentiate of Divinity Four Professors of Philosophy who are called Regents Eight Poor Scholars called Bursars Benefactors I can give little account of the Benefactors The Earl of Cassils hath founded a Professor of Humanity to teach the Latine Tongue George Martyn ceiled the great Hall The Arms of St. Salvators Colledge are the Globe and St. Salvators Cross St. Leonard 's Colledge St. Leonards Colledge was founded by John Hepburn Prior of St. Andrews Anno 152 Persons endowed are a Principal or Warden Four Professors of Philosophy Eight poor Scholars Benefactors Of these take this account The Priory of Portmuck is annexed to this Colledge lately the Personage of Kinkell in Aberdeen-shire New Colledge New Colledge was founded by James Beaton Archbishop An. 153 The Professors and Scholars endowed are of Divinity for no Philosophy is taught in this Colledge Present Professors In St. Salvators Colledge Dr. Skeen Provost Mr. Thomson Mr. Kinnaird Mr. Martin Mr. Minzies Professors of Philosophy Mr. Moncrief Profes of Humanity In St. Leonards Colledge Dr. Weems Provost Mr. Crockat Mr. â—arnaigy Mr. Cunninghame Mr. Wood Professors of Philosophy Mr. Saunders Prof. of the Mathematicks Mr. Ker Prof of Humanity In New Colledge Dr. Moor Arch Deacon Dr. Combrie Dr. Falconer Professors of Divinity There was lately founded in the University of St. Andrews a Prof. of Mathematicks The short and bad Account of this University is for want of better Information Learned Men and Writers John Mayor Provost of St. Salvators a person according to the Learning of those times very famous His History of the Scottish Nation is not so much esteemed being very short and in the style and way of writing Scholastical and Quodlibetical he wrote also on the Master of Sentences he flourished about the year 1520. Andrew Melvil Professor of Divinity in the New Colledge a man well seen in the Hebrew Language and the Rabbinical Writings he was the first who kindled the great Confusions in the Church by introducing the Discipline of Geneva John Baron Doctor Professor of Divinity in the New Colledge was a person of great worth and Learning and of great candour he died in the time of our late Confusions Sir John Wedderburn was a Professor of Philosophy in this University but that was too narrow a place for so great a person who became since so celebrated for his great Learning and skill in Physick and though his infirmities great Age forced him to retire from publick practice and business yet his fame attracted all the Nation to him and his noble hospitality and kindness to all that were learned and virtuous made his conversation no less loved than his advice was desired Samuel Rutherfurd Professor of Divinity in the New Colledge was very famous in those times for quickness and subtilty in disputing and writing he was judged to be very devout he wrote Exercitationes de Gratia and Disputationes de Providentia he was a wonderful asserter of the Superlapsarian Hypothesis he wrote also many Books in English some Controversial as The Divine Right of Presbytery and other pieces of Devotion and Sermons he wrote also Seditious Books condemned by Law about the Power of the King and the Priviledge of the people called Lex Rex He died â—661 Alexander Colvill Doctor and Professor of Divinity in the New Colledge he was before Professor at Sedan he was Learned in the Hebrew and was a great Textuary and well seen in Divinity
THE PRESENT STATE OF SCOTLAND Scotiae Indiculum OR THE Present State OF SCOTLAND Together with divers Reflections Upon the Antient STATE thereof By A. M. Philopatris In Magnis voluisse sat est LONDON Printed for Jonathan Wilkins at the Star in Cheapside next Mercer's Chappel 1682. To the High-born and most Noble Prince Charles Duke of Lenox and Richmond his Grace Earl of Darnley and March Baron of Methwen and Seterington c. and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter My Lord THE disadvantages that Dedications have met with of late by reason of the Flatteries that have been contained in them have rendred them suspected of the same inconveniencies although not in the least intended That your Grace may not suffer in this too common a calamity this Ensuing Treatise offers it self to come into the critical Censures of the World under the Auspices of your Graces Protection having the Aid and Countenance of so great and Noble a Personage prefixt may in some manner take off the hard constructions of a great many It is not to be questioned but some will be apt to esteem it an audacious Enterprize to undertake to give an account of the Present State of Scotland a Monarchy so Antient as none in the World can exceed a Government so well Established in Church and State that it seems by serious Reflection that the Laws and Statutes of both are inviolable I say My Lord I may be called into question why so great a Conamen became the Subject of my Studies at this time when so many Learned and sagacious Scholars of that Kingdom have declined so useful an Undertaking To confess ingeniously my thoughts have been perpetually bent to serve my Country in some degree or other whereby I might manifest to the World the respect that is due to so Antient a Kingdom in which by a Lawful and Legitimate Descent of the Crown to this present King being an Independent Monarchy and an Imperial Crown none of the European Kings can hardly equal This Design of serving my Country was much prompted when none yet have published a Treatise apart concerning the constitutions of so well a Governed Kingdom If I shall be so unfortunate as to suffer any way by endeavouring to satisfie the World what my respects are for so well a constituted Government your Grace I hope will interpose for me knowing that no sinister end was proposed My Lord consider how regularly every Officer from the highest to the lowest degree move in the sphere of their Trust being ready to execute the Commands of their Master the King Consider how piously the Church is governed in all things submitting to Lawful Authority consider their Ecclesiastical Discipline that scarce any of the least Enormities in Life or Errours in Judgment can â—scape the severe Execution of the Jurisdiction of the Church These things considered with that due respect they alwaies had and have for their Kings and the Royal Family will kindle in your Grace such esteem for this Kingdom as those have had who were your Predecessors of the great Honours you now enjoy My Lord the Dukes of Lenox of whom your Grace only is the Representative have been great Lovers of their Country which they have testified so demonstrably to the world by the several great Offices they have performed that their memory to this day is in great esteem They had alwaies an immediate Access to their King whom they were pleased to inform of the condition of his Loyal Subjects and often did Patronize the Affairs and Espouse the Interest of His Majesties good Subjects which to this day cannot be forgot Your Grace needs nothing to render your Name famous in this Kingdom being you bear that Honourable Title of Lenox but an inclination to succeed them in such like performances all their Transactions have rendered them and the Successors of their Dignity Honourable in the Kingdom Nature seems to warrant a Prediction of Heroick Actions which begin to appear in your Grace in these your greener years Let then the thoughts of advancing the Interest of this Kingdom become as Dear to your Grace as it was to your Noble Ancestors of the same Dignity that when become a Cedar in the Trust of the Affairs of State you may gain the same Honour that is due to your Titles My Lord The great Trust His Majesty is pleased to commit to his great Officers of State is exceeding honourable and becoming an aspiring Genius most of the Antientest of the Nobility esteeming it a greater honour to have His Majesties Commission for such Offices than to barely enjoy the Dignity of their Honours It may justly merit your Graces consideration that the great Officers of State have been of the prime of the Nobility and have been very faithful in their Trust. It was upon this consideration that I presumed to offer this Treatise to come into the World with your Graces Name prefixt that it might be known that the Family of Lenox is not extinct which is the great prudence of our Prince that so Loyal a Family should not be buried in Oblivion And likewise my design was to give your Grâ—â—e and the World a Testimony of the Esteem I have for a Representative of that Noble Family who may in all probability acquit himself as becomes one of that Esteem and Dignity This small Treatise may afford your Grace an occasion to divert your self sometimes with the prospect of the things contained in it and thereby make you easie to understand the constitution of the Government and to declare to the World that this Kingdom is not inferiour to any in respect of its Laws and Statutes whereby the King's Prerogatives are great and the Property of the Subject is fully secured by Law the People having great Liberties and Freedoms If this â—n any way can supply your Grace with an Information of the Government of Scotland then I have obtained what I so passionately desired being in all sincerity Your Graccs most humble most obedient and most faithful Servant A. M. TO THE READER IF it were the Custom of the Heroick Spirits of this Age to disapprove every thing that is not the Soboles of their own Brains or the result of their own undertakings then might I justly be discouraged to appear with this small demonstration of my Service to my Country but being otherwaies persuaded of the generous Principles of this Age that nothing which any way tends to the advancing of Knowledge is any manner of way dislikt neither do the Criticisms of the envious hinder the Publication of Books of this nature which was the great encouragement I had to make this Treatise appear in this Juncture The earnest instigations of some friends urged it from my priâ—â—te retirements which hath â—â—en hid for some time If it do not satisfie the inquisitive and curious Reader in every point yet this he may be assured of that any thing that hath escaped my knowledge is not very