governor of Dunkirk, when it was sold, was sent to 1664. Tangier, but soon after in an unhappy encounter, going out to view some grounds, was intercepted, and cut to pieces by the Moors. Upon Rutherford's recommendation, Burnet, who had lived many years 207 in England, and knew nothing of Scotland, was sent thither, first to be bishop of Aberdeen, and from thence he was raised to Glasgow. He was of himself a soft and good natured man, tolerably learned, and of a blameless life: but was a man of no genius: and though he was inclined to peaceable and moderate counsels, yet he was much in the power of others, and took any impression that was given him very easily. I was much in his favour at first, but could not hold it long: for as I had been bred up by my father to love liberty and moderation, so I spent the greatest part of the year 1664 in Holland and France, which contributed not a little to root and fix me in those principles. the state of Holland I saw much peace and quiet in Holland, notwith- A view of standing the diversity of opinions among them; affairs in which was occasioned by the gentleness of the go- and France. vernment, and the toleration that made all people easy and happy. An universal industry was spread through the whole country. There was little aspiring to preferment in the state, because little was to be got that way. [It was true, there seemed to be among them too much coldness and indifference in matters of religion. But I imputed that to their phlegmatic tempers, that were not apt to take fire, rather than to the liberty they enjoyed.] They were then apprehending a war with England, and were preparing for it. From thence, where every thing was free, I went to France, where nothing 1664. was free. The king was beginning to put things in great method, in his revenue, in his troops, in his government at home, but above all in the increasing of trade, and the building of a great fleet. His own deportment was solemn and grave, save only that he kept his mistresses very avowedly. He was diligent in his own counsels, and regular in the despatch of his affairs: so that all things about him looked like the preparing of matters for all that we have seen acted since. The king of Spain was considered as dying and the infant his son was like to die as soon as he so that it was generally believed, the French king was designing to set up a new empire in the west. He had carried the quarrel at Rome about the Corses so high with the house of Ghigi, that the protestants were beginning to flatter themselves with great hopes. When I was in France, cardinal Ghigi came, as legate, to give the king full satisfaction in that matter. Lord Hollis was then ambassador at Paris. I was so effectually recommended to him, that he used me with great freedom, which he continued to do to the end of his days. He stood upon all the points of an ambassador with the stiffness of former ages, which made him very unacceptable to a high-spirited young prince, who began even then to be flattered, as if he had been somewhat more than a mortal. This established me in my love of law and liberty, and in my hatred of absolute power. When I came back, I court, and observed the 208 stayed for some months at scene as carefully as I could, and became acquainted with all the men that were employed in Scotish affairs. I had more than ordinary opportunities of being well informed about them. This drew a jea lousy on me from the bishops, which was increased 1664. from the friendship into which Leightoun received me. I passed for one, who was no great friend to church power, nor to persecution. So it was thought that lord Lauderdale was preparing me, as one who was known to have been always episcopal, to be set up against Sharp and his set of men, who were much hated by one side, and not loved, nor trusted, by the other. aspired chancellor In the mean while the earl of Glencairn died, Sharp which set Sharp at ease, but put him on new de- to be signs. He apprehended, that the earl of Tweedale of Scotmight be advanced to that post: for in the settle-land. ment of the duchess of Buccleugh's estate, who was married to the duke of Monmouth, the best beloved of all the king's children, by which, in default of issue by her, it was to go to the duke of Monmouth, and the issue he might have by any other wife, the earl of Tweedale, though his children were the next heirs, who were by this deprived of their right, had yet given way to it in so frank a manner, that the king was enough inclined both to oblige and to trust him. But Sharp had great suspicions of him, as cold in their concerns. So he writ to Sheldon, that upon the disposal of the seals the very being of the church did so absolutely depend, that he begged he would press the king very earnestly in the matter, and that he would move that he might be called up before that post should be filled. The king bid Sheldon assure him, he should take a special care of that matter, but that there was no occasion for his coming up for the king by this time had a very ill opinion of him. Sharp was so mortified with this, that he resolved to put all to hazard; for he believed 1664. all was at stake: and he ventured to come up. The king received him coldly; and asked him, if he had not received the archbishop of Canterbury's letter. He said, he had: but he would choose rather to venture on his majesty's displeasure, than to see the church ruined through his caution or negligence: he knew the danger they were in in Scotland, where they had but few and cold friends, and many violent enemies: his majesty's protection, and the execution of the law, were the only things they could trust to: and these so much depended on the good choice of a chancellor, that he could not answer it to God and the church, if he did not bestir himself in that matter: he knew many thought of himself for that post but he was so far from that thought, that, if 209 his majesty had any such intention, he would rather choose to be sent to a plantation: he desired, that he might be a churchman in heart, but not in habit, that should be raised to that trust. These were his very words, as the king reported them. From him he went to Sheldon, and pressed him to move the king for himself, and furnished him with many reasons to support the proposition; a main one being, that the late king had raised his predecessor Spotswood to that trust. Sheldon upon that did move the king with more than ordinary earnestness in it. The king suspected Sharp had set him on, and charged him to tell him the truth. The other did it, though not without some uneasiness. Upon that the king told him what he had said to himself. And then it may be easily imagined in what a style they both spoke of him. Yet Sheldon prayed the king that, whatsoever he might think of the man, he would consider the archbishop and the church; which the king assured him he would do. Sheldon told Sharp, that he saw the motion for himself did not take; so he must think of somewhat else. Sharp proposed, that the seals might be put in the earl of Rothes's hands, till the king should pitch on a proper person. He also proposed, that the king would make him his commissioner, in order to the preparing matters for a national synod, that they might settle a book of common prayer, and a book of canons. This, he said, must be carried on slowly, and with great caution; of which the late troubles did demonstrate the necessity. 1664. the whole Scotland hands. All this was easily agreed to: for the king loved Rothes had the lord Rothes: and the earl of Lauderdale would power of not oppose his advancement: though it was a very put in his extravagant thing to see one man possess so many of the chief places of so poor a kingdom. The earl of Crawford would not abjure the covenant: so he had been made lord treasurer in his place: he continued to be still, what he was before, lord president of the council: and, upon the earl of Midletoun's disgrace, he was made captain of a troop of guards: and now he was both the king's commissioner, and upon the matter lord chancellor. Sharp reckoned this was his masterpiece. Lord Rothes, being thus advanced by his means, was in all things governed by him. His instructions were such as Sharp proposed, to prepare matters for a national synod, and in the mean while to execute the laws that related to the church with a steady firmness. So, when he parted from Whitehall, Sharp said to the king, that he had now done all that could be desired of him for the good of the church: so that, if all matters went not right in Scotland, none must bear the |