Series 5 > Religious Controversy in Scotland 1625-1639

INTRODUCTION
17
a faithful correspondent of Colin Campbell, eighth laird of Glenorchy (c.1577-
1640).49 The laird was a cultured man, and apparently liked to be kept informed
of events. Other examples of Archibald Campbell s handwriting are to be seen
in the Breadalbane Papers, e.g., GDI 12/39/67/26. He appears to have been in
attendance upon Archibald, marquis of Argyll, and so absent from one of the
sessions he would otherwise have reported upon.The material is in agreement
with what is known of the assembly from other sources.50 The writer also adds
some colour of his own, and leaves us with some idea of what was being re¬
ported around the country.
Robert Baillie,‘A Discourse anent Episcopacy’, 1638
Source: NLS,Wodrow MSS, Quarto xxxi, no. 5.
A note in the NC copy, Baillie MSS, Baill 4/2 (fos. 103r.-116r.), fo. 103r., de¬
scribes the context of this treatise:
This speach anent episcopacie was not delyvered in the sinod, for it was not thought
expedient to disputt the grounds of this estate, hot onlie to try the being of it in our
church by the acts of our lawfull assemblies, and books of discipline, yett ye may be pleased
to heare what I was mynded to have said upon the matter itselfe, without reference to the
prior acts of our church, if I had beene requyred.
Alexander Henderson, the moderator, eschewed unnecessary theorising about
issues, focusing on more legal and factual matters, all in a successful attempt at
keeping the assembly on a rigidly defined trajectory. Baillie himself did not vote
in favour of the broad motion that episcopacy—including the superintendency—
could not consist with the Negative Confession, but he had no doubt that the
historic episcopate, as it had developed over the centuries, against the better
judgement of the Fathers, was corrupt and ungodly.51
‘The Protestation with some Grievances and Complaints ... against Mr William
Wisheart, Parson of Restalrig and Minister at Leith’, 1639
Source: NLS,Wodrow MSS, Quarto cvi, pp. 318-29.
Wishart graduated from King’s College, Aberdeen, in 1606. After appointments
in Fettercairn (presbytery ofFordoun),Minto (presbytery of Jedburgh), and again
in Fettercairn, he took up the charge of South Leith in 1630. He became a
member of the high commission in 1634. He was summoned to appear before a
church court in 1639: ‘Mr William Wisheart, minister of Leith called on,
compeared not; a foul processe proved against him, drunkennesse the space of
49 The Black Book ofTaymouth, ed. C. Innes (Bannatyne Club, 1855), 72-85;J.B. Paul (ed.), The Scots
Peerage, 9 vols. (Edinburgh, 1904-14),ii, 188-9.
50 RKS; RBLJ, i, 118-75; Robert Douglas in NLS.Wodrow MSS, Quarto Ixxii, no. 1.
51 RBLJ, i, 157-8,176-8; RKS, 168.