THE

HISTORY

OF THE

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

IN IRELAND,

COMPRISING

THE CIVIL HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF ULSTER,

FROM THE ACCESSION OF JAMES THE FIRST:

WITH

A PRELIMINARY SKETCH OF THE PROGRESS OF THE REFORMED
RELIGION IN IRELAND DURING THE

SIXTEENTH CENTURY,

AND

AN APPENDIX CONSISTING OF ORIGINAL PAPERS.

BY

JAMES SEATON REID, D.D.

MINISTER OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CARRICKFERGUS.

Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. For inquire,
I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers :-shall
not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?

VOL. I.

BOOK OF JOB.

WAUGH AND INNES, EDINBURGH;

W. CURRY, JUN. AND CO. DUBLIN; W. M'COMB, BELFAST;
AND WHITTAKER AND CO. LONDON.

MDCCCXXXIV.

PREFACE.

I SUBMIT the following work to the public, as the first attempt towards filling up a chasm, which has long existed in the Ecclesiastical History of the empire. While the origin and progress of the churches of England and of Scotland, of the Puritans, Baptists, Quakers, and almost every other denomination, have been fully and frequently traced, it is singular that no history has yet appeared of any branch of the Protestant church in Ireland. Of this church, the Presbyterians have long formed an extensive and influential section, and have, at the same time, possessed many strong claims upon the notice of the historian. Their history is so intimately connected with all the more important changes in the civil affairs of Great Britan during the last two centuries, and the cause of constitutional freedom is so much indebted to their noble efforts at the Revolution-they have been planted in the north of Ireland for so long a period, and have passed through so many interesting vicissitudes, both as a church and people-their settlement in Ulster, where they constitute the large majority of the population, has rendered that province so remarkable a contrast, in point of wealth,

LEM

YOR

OLAN

Edinburgh: Printed by A. Balfour and Co. Niddry Street.

PREFACE.

I SUBMIT the following work to the public, as the first attempt towards filling up a chasm, which has long existed in the Ecclesiastical History of the empire. While the origin and progress of the churches of England and of Scotland, of the Puritans, Baptists, Quakers, and almost every other denomination, have been fully and frequently traced, it is singular that no history has yet appeared of any branch of the Protestant church in Ireland. Of this church, the Presbyterians have long formed an extensive and influential section, and have, at the same time, possessed many strong claims upon the notice of the historian. Their history is so intimately connected with all the more important changes in the civil affairs of Great Britan daring the last two centuries, and the cause of constitutional freedom is so much indebted to their noble efforts at the Revolution-they have been planted in the north of Ireland for so long a period, and have passed through so many interesting vicissitudes, both as a church and people-their settlement in Ulster, where they constitute the large mai that province so ren