John Spottiswood (reformer)

First Book of Discipline, and Confession of Faith

First Book of Discipline. In Quentin Kennedy's "Compendious Ressonyng" in support of the mass, he is referred to as profoundly "learnit in the mysteries of the New Testament" (Knox, Works, vi. 167). As the superintendent of Lothian and Tweeddale—which included Edinburgh and the most important part of southern Scotland—Spottiswood was a prominent figure in the ecclesiastical politics of the time, although rather as the mere representative of other leaders—Knox, of course, especially—than as himself a leader. The fact that on several occasions he wished to be relieved of the duties of superintendent would seem to indicate that personally he would have much preferred a quiet life at Calder. True, he gave as a reason that he had received no stipend; but it was not the stipend that he craved.^[4]

Holyrood House, although admonished by the brethren "not to do it;" but the assembly proceeded no further against him after he had admitted his fault (Calderwood, iii. 361). Although he had repeatedly asked to be relieved of the duties of superintendent, he was retained in the office until the close of his life. As, however, he had received no stipend for several years, he obtained on 16 December 1580 a pension of 45l. 9s. 6d. for three years, and the pension was renewed on 26 November 1583 for five years. He died 5 December 1585. According to his son, "in his last days, when he saw the ministers take such liberty as they did, and heard of the disorders raised in the church through that confused parity which men laboured to introduce, as likewise the irritation the king received by a sort of foolish preachers, he lamented extremely the case of the church to those who came to visit him," and "continually foretold that the ministers in their follies would bring religion in hazard" (Spottiswood, History, ii. 336–7).^[4]