BISHOPS OF GALLOWAY p. 775

THE DIOCESE OF GALLOWAY.

Consisted of thirty-eight modern parishes, which comprised the Presbyteries of Kirkcudbright, Wigton, and Stranraer (excepting the two parishes in Ayrshire), and Troquire, in the Presbytery of Dumfries, of which the Bishop was patron.

BISHOPS OF GALLOWAY.

1560. ALEXANDER GORDON, second son of John, Master of Huntly, being much in company in his youth with James V., fie was much esteemed by him, and having been bred to the Church, he was designed for the Bishopric of Caithness in 1514, but the vacancy did not occur. He was elected by the Chapter to the See of Glasgow in 1547, but Beaton obtained the preferment from the Pope, and to soothe Gordon the title of Archbishop of Athens was conferred, with a promise of the next Scottish bishopric, being that of the Isles, to which fie was consecrated 26th Nov. 1553, having the abbacies of Inchaffray and Icolmkill in commendam. He was translated to this See in 1558, joined the contract to defend the liberty of the Evangell 27th April 1560, and was perhaps the only consecrated bishop in Scotland who embraced the Protestant Church. He sat in the Parliament which enacted and ratified the Confession of Faith 1st Aug. same year, was appointed Superintendent of Galloway previous to 30th June 1562, though not then recognized as such by the Assembly. Complaints were made against him to the Assemblies 25th June and 27th Dec. 1563. He was appointed an Extraordinary Lord of Session 26th Nov. 1565, and excused by the Assembly 25th Dec. following for not visiting his charge, in respect of the building of Gordon Castle. Having great interest at Court, fie was mainly instrumental in procuring for the ministry in 1566 a provision from the thirds of benefices for their behoof. He subscribed the bond acquitting the notorious Bothwell from the murder of Darnley 20th April 1567, and also another for the defence of Queen Mary, but soon after made peace with the Regent Moray, and sat in Parliament 15th Dec. same year. He was accused in the Assembly 25th of said month of neglecting his charge for three years, “that he haunted the Court too much, and had become one of the Session and Privy Council, which cannot agree with the office of a pastor or bishop." He confessed to all, but was continued, with an “admonition to be diligent in visitation." He subscribed a bond for the defence of the Queen, after her escape from Loch Leven, 8th May 1568, and was ordained by the Assembly 10th July following "to answer whether fie will await on Court and Council, or upon preaching the word and planting kirks ;" "inhibited" 7th July 1569, " to exerce any function in the kick;" discharged in Aug. 1572, and summoned to appear before next Assembly, at which time several charges were brought against him, and Aug. 1573 "decerned to make public repentance in sackcloth, one Sunday in Edinburgh, another in Halyrudhouse, and a third in the Queen's College for St. Cuthbert's, under the pain of excommunication. He appeared before the Assembly in March 1574, confessed, and regretted his offences, when he was permitted to appear next Sunday without sackcloth in the kirk of Halyrudhouse, and humbly to confess his offences in presence of the congregation. He was present in the Assemble