Family records of the Bruces and the Cumyns

MR ROBERT BRUCE. 357
The king answered — " That day, on his salvation, he loved him, in the
morning, as his brother."
In the end Mr Bruce signified that he was persuaded by the king's oaths
that he was innocent of any purpose to slay them in the morning.
He afterwards yielded to sign the resolutions according to the Act of
Parliament ; and Sir James Semple of Beltrees, his cousin, tried to get things
arranged for him to return to his parish in Edinburgh, where he was much
wished for — but in vain. From that time he was allowed neither rest nor
peace.
His last interview with the king was on the 5th of April, the day the king
went to England.
Sir James Murray of Polmaise was sent for Mr Bruce, and after breakfast he
was taken into the king's bed-chamber, whither the king came after he had
put on his boots, when Mr Bruce made him his congratulations and recom-
mendations for the care and preservation of his kingdom, &c. &c.
Mr Bruce took his leave, and had as good countenance of the king as ever
he had in his life ; and after the king had mounted his horse Mr Bruce went to
him again, and the king gave him good countenance, and said, "Now all
particulars are passed between me and you, Mr Bruce."
In the end of the year 1603 Mr Bruce came to his house of Monkland, near 1603.
Glasgow, and there the session sent to invite him to take part in the ministry
of that town.
He was inhibited by the commissioners from preaching in Edinburgh. That 1605.
same time he preached in the garden to my Lord and Lady Elphinstone, for
they had been visited by the pestilence.
In August 1605 he was banished to Inverness, where he continued four years.
He preached every Sunday and Wednesday, with readings and exhortations
every evening. Lord Enzies was his great opponent there ; Lord Lovat was
very kind to him. He spent three months at Aberdeen, but was charged to
return to Inverness.
Mr John Strachan, minister of Forres, dying, Mr Bruce supplied that town for 1613.
some months.
His son Robert being at Court, at last prevailed for him to have leave to
come home to his own house of Kinnaird. Thither he returned in August 1613.
He then built or repaired the church of Larbert, and he preached there, and in
other places, against all kinds of profaneness, and was greatly reverenced.*
He removed again to his house of Monkland. 1619.
* The chaplaincies of Dunipace and Lethbert were included in the " Eccles or Kirktown of St Ninians "
at that time, but were afterwards raised into independent churches.
2 Z