the idea of editing the interesting Liturgical relic, that seemed to have escaped the research of those who had inquired into the hiftory of the Scotch Prayer Book. You are quite at liberty to make any use you please of the articles in the British Magazine. And I will fend you the transcript I made of the MS., which may affift you in revifing the work of the printers, or perhaps fave you the trouble of getting a second copy completed." For his kind concurrence with my proposal to edit the Liturgy, I am much indebted to him; while the use of the transcript thus offered, and the articles in the Magazine, have been of the greatest service. I have also to express my great obligation to Dr. Hill Burton, who encouraged me to begin the work, for the interest he has taken in the prosecution of it, and for the great affiistance he has rendered me in many ways. To my friends, the Rev. R. W. Mackerfy, of the Caledonian Church, London, who took the copy of the MS. from which the Liturgy has been printed, and made researches for me in the Museum; and A. O. Brodie, Efq., Edinburgh, who copied for the prefs the MS. in the Advocates' Library, and gave me other affistance, I owe my warmest thanks. I am also much indebted to Dr. Grub, Aberdeen, and Mr. David Laing, Edinburgh, for the loan of books and other aid; to the officials of the British Museum, for a careful examination of the MS. in that Library; to the Librarian at Lambeth, for obliging answers to inquiries; and to Mr. Dickson of the Register House, and those in charge of the Advocates' Library. May 1871. INTRODUCTION. As an Introduction to the Liturgies for Scotland, drawn up in the reign of James the Sixth, and now printed for the first time, we purpose giving an account of the innovations and liturgical movements in the Scottish Church, from the beginning of the 17th century till the great outbreak in 1637. After the Reformation, the Prayer Book of Edward the Sixth was used for a few years in public worship by the Church of Scotland, but was soon superseded by the Book of Common Order, or Knox's Liturgy. This was read on week days, and on Sundays by the "Readers," and also partially by the clergy, for nearly a century. 1601.] In 1601, along with other changes then contemplated, it was proposed to revise and amend the prayers in this book. In the General Affembly, which met at Burntifland on the 12th May of that year, King James being present, it was moved "By fundry of the brethren, that there were sundry errors that merited to be corrected, in the vulgar tranflation of the Bible, and of the Pfalms in metre; as also that there are fundry prayers in the Pfalm Book which should be altered, in respect they are not convenient for the time. In the which heads the Affembly has concluded as follows: First, Anent the translation of the Bible: That every one of the brethren who has best knowledge in the languages employ their travells in fundry parts of the vulgar translation in the Bible that needs to be mended, and to confer the fame together at the Affembly. "Anent the translation of the Pfalms in metre: It is ordained that the fame be revised by Mr. Robert Pont, minister at St. a Cuthbert's Kirk, and his travells to be revised at the next Affembly. "It is not thought good that the prayers already contained in the Psalm Book be altered or deleted; but if any brother would have any other prayers added, which are meet for the time, ordains the fame first to be tried and allowed by the Affembly." "1 Events, however, foon occurred which interfered with the free development of the Church. 1603.] In March 1603 James fucceeded to the throne of England. The Puritans of that kingdom expected him to redress their grievances, and many in Scotland hoped that he would reduce the English Church into closer conformity with the rest of the Reformed;2 but the Hampton Court conference put an end to these expectations, and it became evident that his plan of uniformity was to fuppress Puritanism in England, and to anglicise the Northern Church. 1604.] The crowns being united, James was anxious for a civil union of the two kingdoms, and as early as 1604 took measures to effect it. Fearing oppofition from the Scottish Church, then, as ever, the stronghold of patriotism and nationality, he put off the meeting of the General Affembly, which was to have been held at Aberdeen in July of that year, till the union fhould be concluded. As the Church had hitherto enjoyed the right of holding Assemblies annually, this was regarded as an encroachment on its liberties, and the Presbytery of St. Andrews directed its representatives to appear at Aberdeen on the day appointed, and take a public protest. 1605.] Another meeting of Affembly was appointed to be held at Aberdeen in July 1605, but the King again put it off till an uncertain day. Nineteen Commissioners, however, attended, and, notwithstanding the royal prohibition, the Court was constituted, and Mr. John Forbes,3 1 Book of the Kirk, Ban. Club ed., part iii. p. 970. 2 Row's Hift., pp. 220-1; Cald. Hift. vi. p. 731. 3 This eminent man was one of an illuftrious clerical connection. He was a fon of Forbes of Corfe, and a descendant of Lord |