this New Edition of his Moral Tracts, fuch an Account of the Author as I find in Wood's Athena Oxonienfes, or have received from fome of his Acquaintance, or have gather'd from what he fays of himself in the following Book.

Sir George Mackenzie was born at Dundee in the County of Angus 1636. His Father was Simon Mackenzie, Brother to the Earl of Seaforth, and his Mother Elizabeth the Daughter of Dr. Andrew Bruce, Rector of the University of St. Andrew. He was fuch an early Proficient in Learning, that when he was about Ten Years old, he had read his Grammar and the beft Claffick Authors, fo that he was thought fit at that Age to be sent to the University of Aberdene. There, and afterwards at St. Andrews, he went through the Courses of Logick and Philosophy, under the Tuition of feveral Eminent Masters; and this he perform'd be

fore

före he was quite Sixteen. In the next place, he turn'd his Thoughts with great Application, to the Study of the Civil Law; for which Purpose he travell'd into France, and fettled himself in the Univerfity of Bourges a clofe Student for about Three Years. After this he return'd to his Native Country, and became an Advocate in the Courts at Edenburgh, being then fcarce Twenty Years of Age. In 1661. he was made Choice of, to be an Advocate for pleading the Caufes of the Marquefs of Argyle: His next Promotion was to the Office of a Judge in the Criminal Court, which he discharged with great Juftice and Integrity. This raifed him fo much in the Efteem and Favour of King Charles II. that he made him his Lord Advocate, and one of his Privy Council. And notwithstanding the great Trouble and Moleftation that was given him by the Fanatick Party, yet he continued in thofe Places, and ftood Steddy, A 4 Faithful

Faithful and Juft in the Opinion of all Loyal and Good Men, to the End of this Reign.

When King James the Ild, (the VIIth of that Name in Scotland) who came next to the Crown, attempted to take away the Penal Laws, requiring the Compliance of his Judges, Sir George ftill held faft his Integrity, and chofe rather to quit his Station than betray his Truft: Upon his Removal, Sir John Dalrimple was put into his Place. But it was not long before he was reftored, and continued Lord Advocate and Privy Counsellor till King William III. made a Revolution in Scotland. Upon which Change of Government, and the violent Proceedings of the Kirk Party, he left his own Country, and retired to the Famous Univerfity of Oxford, in September, 1689. and in a Congregation of Regents, June 2. 1690. he was admitted to ftudy in the Publick Library, which he much frequented all that Summer.

In

In the Spring following, we find him at Lodgings in St. James's-Street, Westminster, near the Royal Palace; which was the laft Scene of his Life in this World; for in the Beginning of May he died there, much lamented of all truly Religious, Loyal, and Learned Men. From thence his Body was carried by Land into Scotland; and after it had lain fome time in the Abbey-Church of Halyrood-House at Edenburgh, it was, on the 26th of Fune following, buried with great State and Solemnity, in the Francifcan or Grey-Fryars Church-yard, in a Vault there made by himself, with a Cupulo of Freeftone over it.

His Funeral was attended by all the Council, Nobility, Colleges of Juftice, University, Clergy, and Gentry, and fuch a Concourfe of People, as was never feen upon the like Occafion. At the fame time was faften'd to his Coffin a large Infcription in Latin; Part of which runs thus-----Patrie decus, religionis Vin

dex, Fuftitiæ propugnator, juris Regi affertor ftrenuus & indefeffus. Collegit Juridici, five Furifprudentiam fummam, five eloquentiam eximiam, five in inftruenda Furifconfultorum Bibliothecâ curam, & locupletanda munificentiam fpetes ornamentum imprimis illuftre. Comitatis exemplar, eruditorum Macenas eruditiffimus, omnibus charus, fi perduellium colluviem excipias. A quorum violentiâ patriam patriæque patrem cum ore tum calamo acerrimè vindicavit, virulentiam jure & juftitiâ temperavit, ferociam rationis viribus retudit, ac tantum non domuit. Monarchiæ Genius tutelaris, famâ, eloquio, morum integritate, factis & fcriptis clarus, Eccle fie, Regi, Reipublicæ, Literis & Amicis vixit. Maij die octavo, anno 1691. in Domino obiit defideratiffimus. i. e. "The Glory of his Countrey, "the Champion of Religion, the "Patron of Juftice, the ftrenuous and “ undaunted Assertor of the Royal "Prerogative. He was a fhining "Ornament of the College of Advo

cates,