eral persons being then alive, who were well acquainted with their
lives and proceedings, whereby they might have been confirmed by many
uncontestible evidences that cannot now possibly be brought in; yea, and
more so, seeing there is a chasm in our history during the time of the
Usurper, not to mention how many of our national records were about that
time altogether lost.[2]

_2dly_, There are several others, both in the reforming and suffering
periods, of whom somewhat now is recorded, and yet not sufficient to
form a narrative of, so that, excepting by short relations or marginal
notes, they cannot otherwise be supplied.--For it is with regret that
the publishers have it to declare, that, upon application unto several
places for farther information concerning some of these worthy men, they
could find little or nothing in the most part of their registers
(excepting a few things by way of oral tradition) being through course
of time either designedly, or through negligence lost.

_3dly_, Some few of these lives already in print being somewhat prolix,
it seemed proper to abridge them; which is done in a manner as
comprehensive as possible, so that nothing material is omitted, which it
is hoped will be thought to be no way injurious to the memory of these
worthy men.

_Secondly_, As to the utility of this subject, biography in general, (as
a historian has observed[3]), must be one of the most entertaining parts
of history; and how much more the lives and transactions of our _noble_
SCOTS WORTHIES, wherein is contained not only a short compend of the
testimony and wrestlings of the church of Scotland for near the space of
200 years, yea from the earliest period of Christianity in Scotland (the
introduction included) but also a great variety of other things, both
instructing and entertaining, which at once must both edify and refresh
the serious and understanding reader.--For,

_1st_, In these lives we have a short view of the actions,
atchievements, and some of the failings of our ancestors set forth
before us, as examples for our caution and imitation; wherein by the
experience, and at the expence of former ages, by a train of prudent
reflections, we may learn important lessons for our conduct in life,
both in faith and manners, for the furnishing ourselves with the like
Christian armour of zeal, faithfulness, holiness, stedfastness,
meekness, patience, humility, and other graces.

_2dly_, In them we behold what the