PRE F A C E. T HE defign of the following sheets is to give a fuller and more diftinct view of the character of king James the first; than has ever yet been exhibited by any writer. It is readily acknowledged that this character is, in itself, a very mean and defpicable fubject; but as it was attended with very extenfive and important confequences both in his and the fucceeding reigns; fo it is humbly prefumed that an attempt to illuftrate that period of English bif tory which falls within the plan of this fubject, will meet with a favourable acceptance from the public. There are inferted in thefe papers a great number of curious and interesting facts, entirely omitted by our hiftorians, who feem to have very little confulted thofe original writers, and state papers from whence the following account is chiefly compiled. The author does not think it necessary to make any apology for the freedom of his reflections; but only to declare that they were not made for A 2 the the fake of pleafing or difpleafing any fect or party in church or state; but wholly intended to ferve the caufe of liberty and truth. He pro feffes himself inviolably attached to the civil and religious liberties of mankind; and therefore hopes the reader will indulge him in that warmth of his refentment, that honeft indignation, that is naturally raised by every inftance of perfecution, tyranny, and oppreffion; provided he has not any where expressed himself in manner unworthy of the character of a gentleman or a chriftian. For the rest it is hoped that the curious will find fome entertainment, if not information, in this account; and that they will pardon the faults and imperfections of it, for the fake of its general tendency and defign. One thing the judicious and impartial reader will, at least, not be difpleafed with, viz. that as the authorities here quoted are the most authentic in themselves, fo the manner of quoting them is the most unexceptionable and juft,that is, in the very words, letters and points of the reSpective author, by which the reader may be infallibly certain that their fenfe is rightly reprefented. THE CONTENTS. AMES's birth, the murder of Rixio, JA and abilities; bated by his pupil, and for James's favourites in Scotland; the ипрори- He regains his liberty, and returns to his old courfes. An account of the confpiracy of the Gowries, their ruin, and an enquiry into 1 Queen Elizabeth's diffimulation, the unjust pu- nishment of Secretary Davidson. Reflec- James in the power of Elizabeth, and her minifters. His negotiations at Rome, and A cenfure of their conduct. In what praise- The marriage of James with a daughter of Denmark. His ignorance in hiftory. A particular character of his queen. Cen- fure of our biftorians. An account of James's paraphrafe on the re- velations. Rafhness of the undertaking. Cenfure of bishop Mountague. 35-37. Of James's dæmonologie. He permits perfons to be executed for witchcraft. Compli- mented on his afcending the English throne with an act against witchcraft. A caution to law-makers. Witchcraft difbelieved in |