Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies) Part 51

[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.

[275] The bishop of Winchester who wrote Spotiswood's life now prefixed to his history, represents him for moderation, patience and piety, as one of the greatest saints that ever lived. He says, He was always beloved of his master, and the only instrument for propagating Episcopacy in Scotland, to which he gave a testimony in his dying words, with much more fulsome stuff!

[276] The high fliers and English historians lay the blemishes of this reign on the covenanters, and make Charles I. the martyr.--As to his eternal state, it is not our part to determine; G.o.d has judged him: but sure, he was the prime instrument of all the broils and b.l.o.o.d.y disasters that took place in the end of his reign.

[277] Here observe, that Mr. William Violant formerly minister at Ferry Parton in Fife, was indulged to Cambusnethen 1699 (whom Mr. Wodrow calls a man of singular learning, moderation and temper,--perhaps because he wrote a pretended answer to the history of the indulgence) upon a time hearing some relate Mr. Cargil's faithfulness and diligence in preaching at all hazards, &c. Mr. Violant said, what needs all this ado? we will get heaven and they will get no more. This being again related to Mr.

Cargil, he answered, yes, we will get more, we will get G.o.d glorified on earth, which is more than heaven. However Mr. Violant out lived the revolution, and was sometime minister of the established church, being one of these nominated by the general a.s.sembly 1690, to visit the south of Tay. While on his death-bed one of his brethren came to visit him, and asking how it was with him now? his answer was, "No hope, no hope."

Whether this terminated in his final destruction {illegible} otherways, we know not: but sure we may say with the Psalmist, _Thou tookest vengeance of their inventions_.

[278] The author of Claverhouse's memoirs, says, That they were shot by James Carmichael laird of little Blackburn, and fifty whigs,--Vid. page 17.

[279] I could here relate several stories by tradition of his deceiving the devil with his shadow at a race in Muscovy, his delivering a woman from him by the burning of a candle,--his supplanting him in a hat full of money, &c. But I forbear.

[280] We have no account of Charters' death, but it is more than probable he died in that condition, as few or none of that tribe we read of were ever again recovered.

[281] Perhaps, some may think this anent proof of shot a paradox, and be ready to object here as formerly concerning bishop Sharp and Dalziel, "How can the devil have or give a power to save life? &c." Without entering upon the thing in its reality, I shall only observe; That it is neither in his power or of his nature to be a saviour of men's lives; he is called Apollyon the destroyer. 2. That even in this case, he is said to give only inchantment against one kind of mettle, and this does not save life; for the lead would not take Sharp and Claverhouse's life, yet steel and silver could do it: and for Dalziel, though he died not on the field, he did not escape the arrows of the Almighty.

[282] Concerning the death of the Duke of Drumlanerig, alias Queensbury, we have the following relation:--That a young man perfectly well acquainted with the Duke (probably one of those he had formerly banished) being now a sailor and in foreign countries, while the s.h.i.+p was upon the coast of Naples or Sicily, near one of the burning mounts, one day they espied a coach and six all in black going toward the mount with great velocity, when it came past them they were so near that they could perceive the dimensions and features of one that sat in it. The young man said to the rest, If I could believe my own eyes, or if ever I saw one like another, I would say, that is the duke. In an instant, they heard an audible voice echo from the mount, Open to the duke of Drumlanerig; upon which the coach, now near the mount, evanished. The young man took pen and paper, and marked down the month, day and hour of the apparition; and upon his return, found it exactly answereth the day and hour the Duke died. Perhaps some may take this representation of his future state for a romance; but it is as it has been oftimes related by old men of good credit and reputation.