Of the Occurrences preceding the rising at Pentland, of the rising itself, the executions and other consequences of it, together with Of the cruelties of Dalziel, c. The forfeitures of Gentlemen, c. The disbanding of the Army, and the bond of Peace.- Mr Mitchel's attempt on Archbishop Sharp, the proceedings of Parliament, the first Indulgence, and other things to the Of the Indulged, the proceedings against Conventicles, the actings of the Western Committee, Leighton's accommodation, the Laws and Acts of Parliament, with an account of the second indul- Of Mr Mitchel's torture; the proceedings of the Council; the circumstances of the Indulged; the prosecutions for Conventi- cles; the occasions of the Highland host, and other occurren- Of the trial and execution of Mr James Mitchel; the proceedings of the Council and Committee; the bond of Conformity; to- gether with the ravages of the Highland host during the months Of the Proceedings of the Council and their Committee after the return of the Highland host; the appointment of Garrisons; the Convention of Estates; the Cess; the progress of the Per- TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ALEXANDER, EARL OF LEVEN. MY LORD, ESTEEM it no small honour to have your Lordship's coun tenance in the design of the following performance, and permission to put the same under your patronage. I wish it had been in my power to render it more worthy of your approbation and acceptance: but as your Lordship is able to spy out the failings in this work, so I doubt not of your candour to throw a vail over them. Had I been capable to present the world with a most exact, impartial, and perfect history of the Church of Scotland, during this period, I know none who had a juster claim to have it dedicated to them than your Lordship; for the great actions and sufferings of your worthy progenitors, on account of the protestant religion and liberties of mankind, are well known. Sir Alexander Lesly, from whom your Lordship is de scended in the maternal line, gained so much honour abroad, that the great Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, promoted him first to be lieutenant-general, and then field-marshal of his armies. And when the Emperor had reduced all Germany, except Stralsund, which was then invested by Count Walstein with a formidable and victorious army, General Lesly, to whom that heroic prince gave the command of the place, obliged him to raise the siege, 1628; and, in the year 1630, drove the Imperialists out of the isle of Rugen, and thereby opened a way for Gustavus to march into Germany. Having gained such laurels abroad, he returned to his native country, and was chosen general of the Scots army, which was raised in defence of the covenanters, and the liberties of his country; and, in 1641, was created Earl of Leven. His lordship performed many signal services after this, too tedious to be related here. This nobleman's grandson dying without male-issue, and his grand-daughter marrying George Earl of Melvil, the honours and estate of Leven came, in process of time, to David Melvil, Esq; your Lordship's father. And nothing is better known, than that the family of Melvil, from which your Lordship is lineally descended, has been remarkable, ever since the dawn of the Reformation, for an uninterrupted and steady adherence to that glorious cause. Your Lordship's grandfather, the said George Lord Melvil, suffered not a little in the infamous period described in the following work, so that he was obliged to flee over to Holland for safety. But that great judge of men and things, the illustrious Prince of Orange, had such a value for him, that after the glorious Revolution, he appointed him to be his High Commissioner to the Parliament, 1690, in which the Confession of Faith was ratified, Presbyterian government established, patronages were abolished, and the Church of Scotland restored to the freedom of all her judicatories. This noble peer enjoyed many other high offices under the crown; he was not only made an Earl, but was successively sole secretary of state for Scotland, Lord privy seal, and president of the privy-council. His son, David, your noble father, did great service in the happy deliverance brought about, under God, by the great King William; for, when he was abroad, he raised a regiment of foot, and brought it over with that illustrious prince. He likewise commanded those brave people who guarded the convention of estates, which was an assembly of patriots, whose names will ever be dear to true protestants., During all the reign of King William, and a great part of Queen Anne's, his Lordship was governor of the Castle of Edinburgh; and held likewise, under that princess, the offices of General of the Ordnance for Scotland, and Commander-in-chief of all the forces in that kingdom, till, towards the end of her reign, he was, by the influence of her Tory ministry, removed from all public employments: but his Lordship persevered in a steady attachment to the interests of the present royal family, from the act of settlement 1701, to the day of his death. As your Lordship is thus descended from a race of patriots, who were always firm to the Protestant cause, so it is well known that you, my Lord, maintain the same principles, and adhere to the same interest; so that as your noble grand-father was King William's High Commissioner to that brave parliament who restored the church and kingdom of Scotland to their religious and civil privileges, so your Lordship has had the honour to represent the royal person of his Majesty King George II. in the General Assemblies of that church, ever since the year 1741, and to partake of several other marks of the royal favour; such is the confidence his Majesty places in your Lordship, and such the assurance he has of your loyalty to his royal person and government, attachment to the protestant religion, and hearty affection to the church of Scotland. That God Almighty may bless and long preserve your Lordship and excellent Lady, and make your family always patrons of religion and liberty, according to the example of your noble progenitors, is the sincere desire of, MY LORD, YOUR LORDSHIP'S most humble, most obedient, and much obliged servant, WILL, CROOKSHANK. 1 |