, an eminent Scotsman, was born in 1564, when the affairs of the
, an eminent Scotsman, was born
in 1564, when the affairs of the church of Scotland were
in great confusion. He was distinguished by his family,
an well as by his uncommon merit, being himself lord of
Corse, and baron of O'Neil, in the shire of Aberdeen.
He was liberally educated both at Aberdeen and St. Andrew’s; and having a plentiful estate, a noble alliance,
and great credit in his country, he contributed much towards restoring order, by encouraging pious and peaceable
ministers, and by instructing the people in set conferences
as well as occasional discourses; especially the papists, who
would hear nothing from the pulpit. In this laudable manner he acted as a layman; and his abilities became so conspicuous, that he was often solicited to enter into the
ministry by eminent persons both in church and state. He
at length submitted to their judgment, and was ordained a
presbyter at the age of 28. He was admitted minister of
Keith, where he continued with the highest applause till
1618; and then, at the earnest desire of the clergy and
laity of the diocese of Aberdeen, as well as at the express
command of the king, was promoted to the bishopric of
Aberdeen, which he had held about seventeen years. “It
was,
” says Burnet, “with great difficulty, that king James
made him accept that dignity; and for several months he
refused it, having proposed to himself to live in a less
conspicuous state. It was soon seen, how much, he deserved to be a bishop; and that his refusal was not counterfeit, but the real effect of his humility. In all his behaviour he has displayed the character of a truly apostolic
man. He visited his diocese without pomp and noise, attended only by one servant, that he might more easily be
informed of what belonged to his care, &c.
”