Scots worthies, 1560-1688

92 Scots Worthies, 1 560-1688.
day give a better account than that in Keith and Scott— from
original papers — showing him to be one of the best of men and
wisest of prelates. Some of Lauder's pieces are satirical. In one of
these he describes a presbyterian assembly, of which " Tarquinius
Superbus " is moderator, who commences business "post multas
effusas preces." There are lighter pieces, and the chantor even
indulges in a love song. In the volume are two sermons, both very
interesting — the one preached on a Good Friday, from St. Luke
xxiii. 39-43, the other " on Pasche day after the communion," text,
" If ye be risen with Christ, seeke those things which are above."
The concluding doxology of the latter is, " To God onlie wise, unitie
in trinitie, be all honour, praise, power and glory, world without
end. Amen." Lauder's theological treatises remind us somewhat of
bishop William Forbes' " Considerationes." The opinions of the
early church are considered conclusive in authority, and the realisa-
tion of what the church catholic is, is brought out fully and clearly.
But the chantor was only one of many accomplished Latinists, well
read theologians, deep thinkers, whom Scotland produced in the
seventeenth century. Knowing Patrick Forbes, he may have seen
Sage, and probably knew Hay, bishop of Moray, who died at Inver-
ness in 1707. A person is still alive in the diocese of Ross who
knew those confirmed by bishop Robert Forbes. That prelate's
father and mother were baptized in the church before 1688 — while
still established — during the life-time of Lauder. This little circum-
stance may show us that, after all, it is not so long ago since our
church in Scotland had her two archbishops, twelve bishops, and a
thousand clergy — with all the glory of "an establishment of religion."