Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 3.djvu/221

Rh he was absent, the cause of the reformation received a great impulse from the execution of Walter Mill, an aged priest, who was dragged to the stake to expiate his attachment to the new doctrines. The people were inflamed with resentment at this outrage, and now longed for more decisive measures being taken on the subject of religion. To counteract this enthusiasm, the queen regent summoned the preachers to appear at Stirling, and undergo trial for their heretical doctrines. The protestant gentry, having resolved to protect them, met at Perth, and Erskine of Dun was employed to go to Stirling, to seek an accommodation with the queen. It is well known that he succeeded in obtaining a respite for the ministers, though not of long continuance. In the sterner measures which were afterwards taken to protect the reformed religion, he bore an equally distinguished part.

On the establishment of protestantism in 1560, Erskine of Dun resolved to assume the clerical office, for which he was fitted in a peculiar manner, by his mild and benignant character. He was accordingly appointed by the Estates of the Kingdom, to be one of the five superintendents of the church an office somewhat akin to that of bishop, though subject to the control of the principal church court. Erskine became superintendent of the counties of Angus and Mearns, which he had already been the principal means of converting to the new faith. He was installed, in 1562, by John Knox, and it would appear, that he not only superintended the proceedings of the inferior clergy, but performed himself the usual duties of a clergyman. In every thing that he did, his amiable character was discernible: far from being inspired with those fierce and uncompromising sentiments, which were perhaps necessary in some of his brethren for the hard work they had to perform, he was always the counsellor of moderate and conciliatory measures, and thus, even the opponents of the reformed doctrines could not help according him their esteem. When Knox had his celebrated interview with queen Mary respecting her intended marriage withDarnley, and brought tears into her eyes by the freedom of his speech, Erskine, who was present, endeavoured with his characteristic gentleness, to soothe those feelings which the severity of his friend had irritated. Knox stood silent and unrelenting, while the superintendent 'was engaged in this courteous office. Erskine appears to have thus made a very favourable impression upon the mind of the youthful queen. When she deemed it necessary to show some respect to the protestant doctrines, in order to facilitate her marriage, she sent for the superintendents of Fife, Glasgow, and Lothian, to whom she said that she was not yet persuaded of the truth of their religion, but she was willing to hear conference upon the subject, and would gladly listen to some of their sermons. Above all others, she said she would gladly hear the superintendent of Angus, "for he was a mild and sweet-natured man, with true honesty and uprightness."

For many years after this period, the superintendent discharged his various duties in an irreproachable manner, being elected no fewer than five times to be moderator of the general assembly. Some encroachments, made on the liberties of the church in 1571, drew from him two letters addressed to his chief, the regent Marr, which, according to Dr M'Crie, "are written in a clear, spirited, and forcible style, contain an accurate statement of the essential distinction be tween civil and ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and should be read by all who wish to know the early sentiments of the church of Scotland on this subject." Some years afterwards, he was engaged with some other distinguished ornaments of the church, in compiling what is called the Second Book of Discipline. At length, after a long and useful life, he died, March 12, 1591, leaving behind him a character which has been thus depicted by archbishop Spottiswoode: "He was a man famous for the services performed to his prince and country, and worthy to