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BY THOMAS M'CRIE, D. D.

MINISTER OF THE GOSpel, edinburgh.

VOL. II.

EDINBURGH:

PRINTED FOR WILLIAM BLACKWOOD, EDINBURGH; AND
T. CADELL AND W. DAVIES, STRAND, LONDON.

CAW & ELDER, Printers.

34-837 35-2

CHAPTER VIII.

1592-1596.

CHANGE of professors in the New College-James

Melville becomes minister at Anstruther-and at Kilrinny-his disinterested conduct-John Jonston-learned Englishmen invited to Scotland-Melville elected rector of the university -firmness displayed by him in that office-he sits as an elder in the kirk session of St Andrews-his conduct as a member of presbytery -death of Erskine of Dun-public affairsArran's return to court frustrated by the firmness of the ministers-conspiracy of the popish lords-their excommunication and criminal process-reasons of the king's partiality to themcalumny against Melville and his nephew as favourers of Bothwell-loyal disposition of the ministers of the church-Melville's reasoning before the Lords of Articles-he accompanies the expedition against the popish lords-who leave the kingdom-Melville's poem on the birth of prince Henry-his broil with Balfour of Burley-death of chancellor Maitland-renovation of the Covenant-return of the popish lords-the court renew their designs against the liberties of the

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church-singular interview between the King and Melville-his share in Black's declinature -tumult in Edinburgh.

SINCE the year 1586, Melville had met with no molestation in the performance of his academical duties. Nor did any thing deserving of particular notice occur in the College during this interval, except the changes in the professors who taught under him.

James Melville, from the time that he finished his studies at the university, intended to devote himself to the service of the church as a parochial minister; and the only thing which had prevented him from gratifying his predilection for this employment, was a conviction that his assistance was necessary to his uncle at the commencement of his literary operations. The affairs of the theological seminary at St Andrews were brought to such a settled and promising state, that, with the consent of all parties, he, in the autumn of 1586, accepted of a call from the parish of Anstruther, to which he was soon after admitted by the presbytery*. His prede

*"1586. 22. day Oct. being Sonday, Mr James Melvill our ministair now began and ministered the sacrament of Baptisme as aftir follows in Anstruther." (Register of Births, &c. in Anstruther.) In the records of that session the name of Andrew Melville, an elder, frequently occurs; and as the witnesses at baptisms were generally the relations of the parents, it is probable, from the following minute, that he was allied to the Prin

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