PRESBYTERY OF JEDBURGH p. 480

from 1574 to 1589. In the Assembly 1576 a complaint was made of his having baptized a child after he had discharged the parochial incumbent from doing it, from which he vindicated himself to their satisfaction. He was at the top of the Synod when they subscribed a declaration of unity of opinion regarding the government of the Church 12th Oct. 1586. He continued in 1591, and was trans. to Eckford in 1593.-[Reg. Assig., Booke of the Kirk, Cadderwood's Hist., Stirling Presb. Reg., Wodrow Miscell., Melvill's Autob.]

1593. JOHN ABIRNETHY, A.M., studied at the commencement of the Univ. of Edinburgh under Rollock, and was laureated in 1587, became Reader in 1588, was prom. and adm. 7th Aug. 1593; he was a member of the Assemblies 1601, 1602, 1608, and 1616, signed a Protest with forty-one others against the introduction of Episcopacy, 1st July 1606, was nominated by the Assembly same year as constant Moderator of the Presb., and they were charged by the Privy Council, 17th Jan. thereafter, to receive him as such within twenty-four hours after notice under pain of rebellion. Notwithstanding this, however, they refused to do so for two years. At the same time he was appointed to confer with others for removing differences of opinion in the Church. He was pres. by James VI. 20th April 1610, had liberty granted by the haill Presb. 6th April 1614 to go to the baths for the recovery of his health, solicited the appointment to the Archbishopric of Glasgow in 1615, was created D.D. previous to 6th Aug. 1616, and was a member of the court of High Commission 21st Dec. following, and prom. to the Bishopric of Caithness same year, holding it with his benefice till he demitted it before 15th Sept. 1635. He was no friend to his neighbour Calderwood the Church historian, whose determined opposition to Episcopacy is well known.-[Reg. Laur. Univ. Edin., Assig., Sec. Sigill, and Pres., Presb., Edin. Presb., and Priv. Counc. Reg., Booke of the Kirk, Calderwood, Row, and Stevenson's Hist., Keith's Catal.]

1636. JAMES BURNET, A.M., trans. from Lauder, pres. by Charles I. 15th Sept. 1635, coll. and inst. 4th Feb. following; deposed in April 1639. He only "keeped the Fast privately" which had been appointed by the covenanters, and, besides, his ministry was unacceptable to the parish. His son Dr Alexander eventually rose to the Archbishopric of St Andrews-[Reg. Sec. Sigill, and Pres., Presb., and Edin. Reg. (Bapt.), Peterkin's Records.]

1640. WILLIAM JAMESON, A.M., trans. from Langnewton and adm. 24th June; pres. by the Presb. jure devoluto 28th Oct. following. He was a member of six Assemblies before 1649, and in that of 1651. In such a wide-spread and numerous congregation he was unable, in respect of his age and weakness, to carry on the work of the Lord; a helper was therefore proposed 10th March 1658. He died before 8th July 1661, aged about 68, in 44th min., leaving a son, Mr John, min. of Eccles.-[Presb. Reg., Reg. Sec. Sigill, Acts of Ass., Baillie's Lett., Peterkin's Records.]

1661. PETER BLAIR, A.M., trans. from St. Cuthbert's 2d Charge, pres. by Charles II. 8th July, and adm. in Oct.; he conformed to Episcopacy, and continued 7th May 1673, but was dead before 9th Jan. 1691. He marr. 19th Jan. 1654 Marie Hamiltoun, and had two daugh. Jean marr. Mr John Hamilton, min. of Edinburgh-Greyfriars, and Margaret.-[Reg. Sec. Sigill, Presb., Test. (Peebles), and Edin. Reg. (Marr.), Wodrow’s Hist., Sime's W. Kirk.]

1674. WILLIAM HUME, A.M., trans. from Tinwald, pres. by Charles II. 26th June, coll.-,and