244 



severity than my venerable ancestor ; still he is entitled to historical 

 justice. 



If it be asked, how it came to pass, that James differed so much 

 from other kings, as to be an object of calumny instead of flattery, 

 I think it arose from this : the Scotch detested him for his lenity to 

 the Papists, and his persecution of the Reformers ; and the English 

 could not brook subjection to the king of their ancient and invete- 

 rate enemy. The Roman Catholics were disappointed of their 

 expected toleration ; the Puritans hated him for his arbitrary prin- 

 ciples, his attachment to hierarchies, and his persecution of their 

 sect ; and the Episcopal clergy, though they flattered him at Hamp- 

 ton Court for his preference of their order, secretly despised him as 

 a pedantic Presbyterian. His contemporaries contrasted him with 

 Elizabeth, and posterity felt no partiality for the father of an ar- 

 bitrary, superstitious, and unfortunate line of princes. The Pro- 

 testant states beheld him with indignation and scorn for his pusilla- 

 nimous desertion of their cause, in the person of his son-in-law ; and 

 the whole of our contentious race agree in reprobating a pacific 

 king. From this combination of parties we may suspect, that 

 James has not had fair play ; and this may plead my excuse for 

 questioning the impartiality of so many eminent writers, and stating 

 his good deeds in opposition to his defects. 



. The reign of James in Scotland was, perhaps, the most tumul- 

 tuary, and is still to the historian among the most perplexing, in 

 the annals of mankind. His birth was preceded by the assassina- 

 tion of Rizzio, and followed by the murder of his father; which 

 was succeeded by the deposition, banishment, imprisonment, and 

 execution of his mother. In his twelfth year he was obliged to 

 assume the title and office of king ; and he grew up amid 

 the storm?; of Ihe Scotch reformation, the feuds of families and 



.YX .JOV 



