PRESBYTERY OF ERSILTON, or EARLSTON, Now LAUDER. p. 519

Having been disjoined from that of Melrose, with the addition of Gordon and Smalholm from Kelso, was erected by George, Archbishop of St. Andrews in 1613; the Presb. of Melrose sent two of their number 29th Aug. 1615 to wait on the succeeding Bishop, "that thei may suit for the returning of their brether of Ersilton to our Presb. againe," but without effect. The seat of Presbytery was transferred to Lauder by the General Assembly 31st May 1768. The Register begins 5th March 1691, and is contained in seven volumes.

LAUDER,

Previous to the Reformation the church belonged to the Abbey of Dryburgh. The site was changed by Parliament 28th June 1617.

1567. NINIAN BORTHWICK, Chynkilkirk was also under his care, with xl li. of stipend, and the third of his Prebendrye extending to xj li ij s. ij d.; trans. to Bassendean prior to 1574.[Reg. Min.]

1574. WILLIAM FRANK, trans. from Soutra, with a stipend of lxvj li xiij s. iiij d.-[Reg. Assig., Wodrow Miscell.]

1576. JOHN KNOX, A.M., eldest son of William K., min. of Cockpen, and grand nephew of the Reformer, took his degree at the Univ. of St. Andrews in 1575. He was a member of the Assemblies Oct. 1581 and Oct. 1582 ; trans. to Melrose about the latter year.-[Knox's Works vi., Reg. Assig., Dalkeith Presb., and Test. Reg., Knox's MS. Geneal., Booke of the Kirk, Johnston's Sermons, Smith's Icon. Scot.]

1584. ALEXANDER LAUDER, A.M., had his degree at the Univ. of St. Andrews in 1581. He subscribed obedience to his Ordinary 16th Nov. 1584. Was Ares. to the Vicarage of Schingilkirk by James VI. l5th April 1586, and continued 20th July 1613. He had a son Andrew, and a daugh. Elizabeth.-[Act.. Rect. Univ. St. And., Reg. Assig., and Pres., Presb., and Test. Reg., Calderwood's Hist.]

1615. JAMES BURNET, A.M., of the family of Barns, was laureated at the Univ. of Edinburgh 27th July 1609, adm. 17th Sept. 1615; he signed the Protestation for the Liberties of the Kirk 27th June 1617; was a member of the court of High Commission 21st Oct. 1634, and was trans. to Jedburgh in 1636.-[Reg. Laur. Univ. Edin., Assig., and Old Dec. i. iii., Maitland Miscell. ii., Melrose Presb. Reg., Keith's Catal. Orig. Lett. ii., Calderwood's Hist. &c.]

1642. JAMES GUTHRIE, A.M., prom. from being Regent in St. Leonard's College, St. Andrews, he was one of those whom the Assembly 16th Dec. 1638 found ready to supply vacancies, ord. in 1642. He had xv li given for his attendance as a commissioner to the Gen. Assembly by the kirk-session of Stow 15th May 1644, and was also a member of those 1645-1649. In 1646 he was selected with three others to wait upon His Majesty at Newcastle with a letter from the Assembly. He preached before Parliament 10th Jan. 1649, and received their thanks, was named by them six days after, one of the commissioners for visiting the Univ. of St. Andrews, and also that of Edinburgh 31st July following, was on the leet for Edinburgh 7th Feb. same