one of the most learned divines whom Scotland has produced, was born on the second of May 1593. He was the descendant of an ancient and opulent family; his father was Patrick Forbes, bishop of Aberdeen, his mother was Lucretia the daughter of David Spence of Wormiston. His paternal ancestor was a younger son of Lord Forbes, and he was thus connected with some of the principal families in his native district.

Patrick Forbes was the eldest son of William Forbes of Corse and Oneill in the county of Aberdeen. William, the second son, bequeathed to his posterity the estates of Craigievar and Fintray. John, the third son, became minister of Alford, and, adhering with great zeal to the presbyterian discipline, was at length driven into exile on account of his having acted as moderator of the Aberdeen assembly. He settled in Holland, and successively officiated as a clergyman at Middelburg and Delft. His son Patrick Forbes quitted the presbyterians, and became bishop of Caithness in the year 1662. William's fourth son was Sir Arthur Forbes of Castle Forbes in the kingdom of Ireland, whose son was created earl of Granard; the father

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1 Spalding's History of the Troubles in Scotland, vol. i. p. 24. Edinb. 1828-9, 2 vols. 4to.—"Mr Andrew Forbes, one of the youngest sons to the bishop of Edinburgh, was professor of humanity in the town of St Jean d'Angel, near the town of La Rochelle" (Catalogues of Scottish Writers, p. 124. Edinb. 1833, 8vo.)

2 Baillie's Letters and Journals, vol. ii. p. 426.

3 Bibliothèque Choiseul, tom. v. p. 306. Bayle, Dictionnaire Historique et Critique, tom. ii. p. 1194.

4 Burnet's Life of William Bedell, D.D. Bishop of Kilmore, pref. Lond. 1685, 8vo.—A portrait of Bishop Forbes may be found in Pinkerton's Iconographia Scotiae, or Portraits of Illustrious Persons of Scotland. Lond. 1797, 4to. followed the profession of arms, and after quitting the Swedish service, had obeyed the call of fortune in Ireland, where he acquired an ample estate. The bishop of Aberdeen had other three brothers, of whom no particular notices have been preserved. He was himself educated at Stirling school, under Thomas Buchanan, an eminent classical master, and afterwards became a student in the university of Glasgow, where he was committed to the care of his distinguished kinsman Andrew Melville. When this learned man removed to St Andrews, in the year 1580, he was accompanied by Forbes, who applied himself to the study of the Hebrew language and of divinity with so much assiduity and success, and was so conspicuous for the propriety and gravity of his deportment, that a design was entertained of appointing him to a professorship in St Mary's College; but his father, who was already advanced in years, was anxious to see the heir of his estates otherwise settled, and, in compliance with this wish, the son relinquished his academic life. After his marriage, he fixed his residence near Montrose, and gained the respect of all his neighbours. Nor were his religious exercises confined to his own family; several of the churches in that vicinity were deprived of their pastors, and in one of these he regularly officiated for some time, till he was strongly urged by the bishop of the diocese, as well as by many other clergymen, to enter into holy orders. He was however unwilling to comply with this requisition, and the archbishop of St Andrews, who did not approve of lay-preaching, enjoined him to desist from the discharge of clerical functions. After a certain interval, which is not clearly defined, he consented to take orders, and was appointed parson of Keith, in the diocese of Moray. In the year 1618, he was elected bishop of Aberdeen, and he appears to have been one of the most exemplary prelates of that age. He was, says Bishop Burnet, "a gentleman of quality and estate, but much more eminent by his learning and piety, than his birth or fortune could make him. He had a most terrible calamity on him in his family, which needs not be named: I do not know whether that or a more early principle determined him to enter into orders: he undertook the labour of a private cure in the country, upon the most earnest invitations of his bishop, when he was forty-eight years old, and discharged his duty there so worthily, that within a few years he was promoted to be bishop of Aberdeen; in which see he sat about seventeen years. It was not easy for King James to persuade him to accept of that dignity, and many months passed before he could be induced to it, for he had intended to have lived and died in a more obscure corner. It soon appeared how well he deserved his promotion, and that his unwillingness to it was not feigned, but the real effect of his humility. He was in all things an apostolical man; he used to go round his diocese without noise, and but with one servant, that so he might be rightly informed of all matters. When he heard reports of the weakness of any of his clergy, his custom was to go and lodge unknown near their church on the Saturday night, and next day, when the minister was got into the pulpit, he would come to church, that so he might observe what his ordinary sermons were, and accordingly he admonished or encouraged them. He took such care of the two colleges in his diocese, that they became quickly distinguished from all the rest of Scotland: so that when the troubles in that church broke out, the doctors there were the only persons that could maintain the cause of the church; as appears by the papers that past between them and the covenanters. And though they begun first to manage that argument in print, there has nothing appeared since more perfect than what they writ. They were an honour to the church both by their lives and by their learning, and with that excellent temper it seasoned that whole diocese, both clergy and laity, that it continues to this day very much distinguished from all the rest of Scotland, both for learning, loyalty and peaceableness." Bishop Forbes is the author of several works, which deserve to be mentioned. The most considerable of them appear in a volume bearing the subsequent title: "An learned Commentarie vpon the Revelation of Saint John, wherein both the corse of the whole booke, as also the more abstruse and hard places thereof, are more clearly and evidently explained than heretofore they have beene. Newly corrected, and the defects and errors of the first edition supplied and amended. By Patrick Forbes of Coltharts. Whereunto is added an profitable Treatise of the author, in defence of the lawfull Calling of the Ministers of Reformed Churches, against the Caullations of Romanists: and an Epistle to a Recusant, clearing and maintaying some points of the said Treatise, challenged by a Roman Elymas Bar-Iesus-it." Middelburg, 1614, 4to. Of these different works a Latin translation was long afterwards published by his son Dr Forbes: "Commentarius in Apocalypsin, cum Appendice," &c. Amstelodami, 1646, 4to. Another work of the bishop is entitled "Eubulus, or a Dialogue, wherein a rugged Romish Ryme (inscribed, Catholick Questions to the Protestant) is confuted, and the Questions there-of answered. By P. A." Aberdeen, 1627, 4to.

Of this worthy father, John Forbes was the second son. After having studied at Aberdeen, he was sent to the university of Heidelberg, where he was placed under the care of David Pareus, an eminent professor of divinity. He likewise prosecuted his studies at Sedan, and in some other universities which are not specified. Having devoted much time and labour to the acquisition of the Greek and Hebrew languages, and of all the variegated knowledge requisite for a theologian, he returned to his native country in 1619, being then in the twenty-sixth year of his age, and on the 27th of April he was admitted professor of divinity in King's College, Aberdeen. In this important vocation he laboured with great diligence, and speedily acquired the character of a most able and useful teacher. He was profoundly skilled in ecclesiastical antiquity; and, not contented with delivering what is called a system of divinity, he exhibited a very elaborate deduction of the progress of Christian doctrine in various ages of the church. Of the value of his instructions in this department, a very adequate opinion may be formed from the inspection of a work which he published in the maturity of his learning and judgment. Nor did he neglect to instruct his students in practical religion: one division of his lectures related to moral theology, another to the pastoral care and to residence.

While he was engaged in these useful and honourable labours, the kingdom was agitated by religious dissensions. Episcopacy, commonly described by the more odious name of prelacy, was no favourite with the great body of the people; and the five articles of Perth, passed in 1618, and relating to kneeling at the communion, the observance of festivals, confirmation, private baptism, and private communion, had excited a violence of opposition with which it was found very difficult to contend. Dr Forbes, who was as much distinguished by his piety as by his learning, endeavoured to promote peaceable measures; and with this view, he published his earliest work, bearing the title of "Irenicum Amatoribus Veritatis et Pacis in Ecclesia Scoticana." Aberdoniae, 1629, 4to. Of this work he sent a copy to Archbishop Usher, who received it with much cordiality! The bishop of Aberdeen did not live to witness the

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See the Letters (p. 466.) subjoined to Dr Parr's Life of Usher. Lond. 1686, fol. subversion of episcopacy: he died on the 28th of March 1635, in the seventy-first year of his age. As his eldest son had died ten years before, the professor of divinity succeeded to the family-estates. This prelate being regarded as the restorer of the university, and as a great pillar of the church, his death was sincerely lamented by the adherents of his own party. Soon after his decease, a volume, consisting of 429 pages, and including a portrait, was published under the following title: "Funerals of a Right Reverend Father in God, Patrick Forbes of Corse, Bishop of Aberdeen. To iv. xiv. Reverendissimi in Christo Patris, Patrici Forbesii a Corse, Episcopi Abredoniensis, Tumulus, a multis omnium ordinum collachrymaibus variegato opere exornatus." Aberdeen, 1635, 4to. Among other contributions, this volume includes English sermons by Dr Baron, Dr Scrogie, Dr Guild, Dr Sibbald, and Dr Ross, and a funeral oration in Latin by David Leitch, sub-principal of King's College. Besides Latin verses, Dr Forbes contributed a Latin sermon, and a "Dissertatio de Visione Beata." Among the contributors of Latin verses we find Robert Gordon of Straloch, Arthur Johnston, David Wedderburn, Patrick Panter, George Wishart, and Andrew Ramsay. The Latin and English or Scottish verses are numerous; and there is a Greek tetristich by Robert Downie, the librarian of King's College.

Dr Forbes, who was naturally disposed to think that nothing is better than peace, next published "A Peaceable Warning to the Subjects in Scotland; given in the yeare of God 1638." Aberdeen, 4to. It was speedily answered in a tract ascribed to Calderwood, the most strenuous defender of the presbyterian cause. The introduction of the covenant involved the most conscientious of the episcopalians in inextricable difficulties. The professors and ministers of Aberdeen, who had recourse to argument and remonstrance, printed a paper containing "Generall Demands concerning the late Covenant." To this paper, which was subscribed by six doctors of divinity, Forbes, Scrogie, Lesley, Baron, Sibbald, and Ross, an answer was returned under the names of Alexander Henderson, David Dickson, and Andrew Cant, three individuals of no small influence among the covenanters. The doctors of Aberdeen subjoined replies to the answers; which produced further answers from Henderson and Dickson. The doctors published a rejoinder, and had the advantage of the last word; but this was the chief advantage which they obtained, for all of them were deprived of their offices in the church and university, for their refusal to subscribe the covenant. William Lesley was principal of King's College, and appears to have been a man of erudition. Robert Baron, a younger son of Baron of Kinmart in the county of Fife, was professor of divinity in Marischal College, and one of the city clergy. Being a great master of scholastic philosophy and theology, he published various works which procured him a high reputation, and he is described as "a person of incomparable worth and learning." He was elected bishop of Orkney, but he died at Berwick in 1639, before he could be consecrated. Like Dr Lesley, he had been deprived of his office, and had been obliged to fly from Aberdeen. His brother Dr John Baron, professor of divinity at St Andrews, was finally induced to subscribe the covenant. Dr Forbes was treated with some degree of tenderness; and the covenanters being solicitous to gain such a convert, the proceedings against him in the ecclesiastical courts were protracted for several years. After some preliminary steps, he was in 1640 cited to appear at Aberdeen before a delegation of the general assembly. He was declared to be free from the taint of popery and Arminianism; but as he still adhered to episcopacy, and declined to subscribe the covenant, his case, through the influence of Baillie, was remitted to the presbytery of Edinburgh. He was allowed a month to yield satisfaction to this judicatory, and as he failed to do so, sentence of deprivation was pronounced against him. In 1643 he moved the synod of Aberdeen to make application to the general assembly, that he might be permitted to retain his professorship without subscription; but it was there determined that his deprivation was valid from the beginning. He had purchased two houses adjoining to the college, and had assigned one of them to the professor of divinity, and the other to the cantor, a person on the foundation. In the deed of conveyance, he neglected to reserve to himself a life-rent in the professor's house; nor can it be mentioned without regret and indignation that he was obliged to vacate it for his successor in office.

He was anxious to continue his residence in the university, for the benefit of prosecuting his researches in the public libraries; but he found that he must either subscribe the solemn league and covenant, or abandon his native country. Preferring the latter alternative, he embarked for Holland on the 5th of April 1644, and, after a voyage of five days, landed at Campvere. He travelled through the different provinces, and frequently preached in the Scottish and English churches. He had formerly married a lady of Middelburg, named Soete Roos-boom, who died on the 19th of January 1640. She was the mother of nine children; but only one of them, a son named George, was alive at the time of the father's exile. Dr Forbes chiefly resided at Amsterdam, and occupied himself in preparing for the press a work of great research and value. It appeared under the title of "Instructions Historico-Theologicae de Doctrina Christiana, et vario Rerum Statu, ortisque Erroribus et Controversiis, jam inde a temporibus Apostolicis ad tempora usque seculi decimi-septimi priora." Amst. 1645, fol. A second edition followed after a considerable interval. Geneve, 1650, fol. And an abridgment of the work was published by Arnoldus Montanus, under the title of Forbesius contractus. Amst. 1663, 8vo. Forbes was enabled to prefix to his ample volume the favourable judgment of the theological faculties of Leyden, Utrecht, and Franeker, as well as that of Rivet, Maresius, and Vossius. This book established the reputation of the author as a theologian of a very high rank. Bishop Burnet speaks of it as "a work which, if he had finished it, and had been suffered to enjoy the privacies of his retirement and study, to give us the second volume, had been the greatest treasure of theological learning that perhaps the world has yet seen." Dr Cave has likewise mentioned it as a work of great value, and it has received similar commendation from writers of many different nations.

After having resided upwards of two years in Holland, Forbes embarked at Campvere on the 8th, and arrived at Aberdeen on the 14th of July 1646. He immediately retired to his country-seat at Corse, and was permitted to spend the remainder of his days in learned and devout seclusion. He died on the 29th of April 1648, having completed the fifty-fifth year of his age. A short time before his death, he made application to the presbytery for permission to have his bones deposited in Bishop Dunbar's aisle in the cathedral church, beside those of his father and wife; but even this last favour was denied to a learned and excellent man, whose fault was a difference of opinion on the subject, not of Christian doctrine, but of ecclesiastical polity. He then directed his body to be interred in the churchyard of Leochel, where no monument was erected to his memory. He left an only son, who is described by Dr Garden as the heir of his father's estates, but not of his virtues.

Dr Forbes was small in stature, and of a somewhat swarthy complexion. A person who had acquired such ample stores of erudition must have been an ardent and indefatigable student; and, with respect to his habits of study, we are informed that he always read and wrote in a standing posture. One of the few relaxations in which he indulged was the Scottish game of golf. With his extensive learning he united fervid and habitual piety. His conduct was upright and consistent in times of no small difficulty and distress.

An honourable monument was at length erected to his memory, in a collective edition of his Latin works. "Reverendi viri Johannis Forbesii a Corse, Presbyteri et SS. Theologici Doctoris, ejusdemque Professoris in Academia Aberdonensi, Opera omnia, inter quae plurima posthuma, reliqua ab ipso auctore interpolata, emendata atque actua," Amstelodami, 1703, 2 tom. fol. The second volume bears the date of 1702. The edition is introduced by two dedications, written by George Garden, D.D., an advertisement by Wetstein the printer, and a preface by Dr Gurtler, professor of divinity at Deventer. A copious life of the author, by Dr Garden, is next subjoined. The biographer, who appears to have been a very amiable man, was a regent in King's College, and afterwards minister of St Machar's, but was ejected from his living on the restoration of the presbyterian discipline. Under the title of "J. Forbesii Vita interior," he has added an abstract of Forbes's diary, which was written in English. One of the posthumous works is an amule treatise, entitled "Theologiae Moralis libri decem; in quibus Praecepta Decalogi exponuntur, et variae circa Dei Legem, et specialia ejusdem Praecepta, Controversiae dissolvantur, et Casus Conscientiae explicantur."