it has been otherwise represented, eitlier through ignorance or prejudice to the then Scotland, and an enemy to protestants: I that was persecuted by puritans there, not from my birth only, but even since four months before my birth? I that in the year of God 84, erected bishops, and depressed all their popular parity. I then not being 18 years of age, [this was the year in which the earl of Gowry was executed, and Arran committed the vilest acts of injustice] "I that in my said book to my son, do speak ten times more bitterly of them than of the papists; having in my second edition thereof affixed a long apologetic preface, only in odium puritanorum." This was written in England when the king could speak his mind, and therefore we may be sure we have his real sentiments, especially as all his actions were correspondent unto them. So that I had reason to say, that James dissembled his hatred and resentment till a proper opportunity. But how worthy this was of a king is not hard to judge. For nothing is more unbecom→ ing the rank and character of such an one, than dissimulation, especially towards his own subjects. It is setting an ill example unto them, which may be of the most fatal consequences; and depriving princes of that love, trust and confidence, in which their safety, strength and reputation most of all consist. But to dissemble in the affairs of religion, is vile hypocrisy; which yet 'tis plain from the king's own speeches and writings he did. But James was a weak prince, and lord Bacon has finely observed, "that the weaker sort of politicks are the great dissemblers."—"For, adds he, if a man have that penetration of judgment, as he ear * King James's Works, p. 305. Scottish clergy, but that they had received discern what things are to be laid open, and what to be secreted, and what to be shewed at half lights, and to whom and when, (which indeed are arts of state, and arts of life, as Tacitus well calleth them) to him a habit of dissimulation is an hindrance and a poorness. But if a man cannot attain to that judgment, then it is left to him generally to be a dissembler." I will conclude this note with a passage from honest Montaigne, which I dare say every reader of like character will applaud. "As to this virtue of dissimulation, I mortally hate it; and of all vices find none that does evidence so much baseness and meanness of spirit. 'Tis a cowardly and servile humour to hide and disguise a man's self under a vizor, and not to dare to shew himself what he is. By that our followers are trained up to treachery. Being brought up to speak what is not true, they make no conscience of a lye. A generous heart ought not to belye its own thoughts, but will make itself seen within, all there is good, or at least manly. Aristotle reputes it the office of magnanimity, openly and professedly to love and hate, to judge and speak with all freedom; and not to value the approbation or dislike of others in comparison of truth. Apollonius said, it was for slaves to lye, and for free men to speak truth. "Tis the chief and fundamental part of virtue, we must love it for itself.A man must not always tell all; for that were folly; but what a man says, should be what he thinks, otherwise 'tis knavery. I do not know what advantage men pretend to by eternally counterfeiting and dissembling, if not, never to be.believed when they speak the truth. This may once or twice pass upon Lord Bacon's Essay on Simulation and Dissimulation, D provocations by the king's actions, to behave towards him as they did ". men; but to profess concealing their thoughts, and to brag, as some of our princes have done, that they would burn their shirts if they knew their intentions, and that who knows not how to dissemble, knows not. how to rule; is to give warning to all who have any thing to do with them, that all they say is nothing but lying and deceit." 13 The clergy had received provocations to behave towards him as they did.] I have given an account of the undutiful behaviour of the clergy towards James from Spotswood: but bishop Burnet tells us, "there is a great defect runs through archbishop Spotswood's history, where much of the rude opposition the king met with, particularly from the assemblies of the kirk, is set forth; but the true ground of all the jealousies they were possessed with, is suppressed by him "." These jealousies were of his being in his heart a papist, founded on facts delivered to them by the English ministry, and from his favouring and employing those of that religion. Walsingham, as I have already observed, "thought James was either inclined to turn papist, or to be of no religion. And when the English court saw that they could not depend on him, they raised all possible opposition to him in Scotland, infusing strong jealousies into those who were enough inclined to receive them." Dr. Birch says, "the king of Scots was indeed at this time [1599] much suspected of inclining to popery; and a copy of a letter, offering obedience to the pope, signed by that king, was brought a Montaigne's Essays, by Cotton, vol. II. p. 507. 8vo. Lond. 1686. Id. ib. However, I am far enough from defend from Rome by the master of Gray, and shewn to queen Elizabeth; who sent Sir William Bowes ambassador to him, to advertise him not to build on the friendship of Rome"- This was the letter for which lord Balmerino was condemned, but pardoned, in the year 1609; it being said he surreptitiously got the king's hand thereto, which he himself confessed.] And we find, in 1596, the ministers complaining to the king of "the favour granted to the popish lords; the countenance given to the lady Huntley, and her invitation to the baptism of the princess; the putting her in the hands of the lady Levingstone, an avowed and obstinate papist; and the alienation of his majesty's heart from the ministers, as appeared by all his speeches public and private."--In short, the ministers were jealous of his majesty's intentions; they suspected his behaviour, and were afraid that he only wanted an opportunity to crush them, and the religion they professed. 'Twas the belief of this, that made them break out into such indecent expressions, and undutiful behaviour; and the knowledge of their own power and influence over the people, which inspired them with courage and boldness. And, I think, all impartial persons must allow, that if ever 'tis excuseable to go beyond bounds in any thing, it is in defence of religion and liberty, in opposition to popery and tyranny. Most of these men remembered the fires which popish zeal had lighted; they had seen the blood spilt by it, and therefore it is not to be wondered at, that they were more than * Birch's Historical View of the Negotiations between the Courts of Eng→ land, France, and Brussels, p. 177. 8vo. Lond. 1749. Spotswood, p. 455. Burnet, p. 6. and note 43. Spotswood, p. 419. b James married a daughter of Denmark, (after having objected against the dignity of that royal house, merely through ignorance about it" :) and the lady being driven by a ordinarily moved at every thing which had the least tendency to bring them back into so deplorable a state. 14 + I am far enough from defending their whole behaviour.] The behaviour of the clergy was very rough, and bordering upon rudeness. They treated majesty with too much familiarity. They prostituted their pulpits to affairs of state, and rebuked after such a manner as tended more to provoke, than to reclaim. In these things they were blameworthy. But I should not do them justice, were I to omit their zeal for what they thought truth; their labour and diligence in the business of the ministry, and their speaking the truth with all boldness. These were virtues for which James's clergy were eminent; and therefore they were held in high esteem by the major part of that kingdom, as will all of that profession every where be, who imitate them herein, for they are things praiseworthy, and of good report. 15 He married a daughter of Denmark, after having objected against the dignity of that royal house, through mere ignorance about it.] James, notwithstanding all his boasted learning, was defective in history, the knowledge of which is most necessary for princes. He had so little skill in this, that he knew not the state and condition of so near a country to him as Denmark; nor was he acquainted with the rank the kings of it bare in Christendom. "He was informed, he said, |