BURNET, GILBERT, bishop of Salisbury, was b. at Edinburgh, on the 18th Sept., 1643. He was educated at home, and afterwards at Marischal college, Aberdeen, where he pursued his studies so diligently, that he took his degree of M.A. before he was 14. In the course of a year he made up his mind to enter the church, and read so hard at theology, that in less than three years he had mastered the chief systems of divinity, besides having gone over the Old and New Testaments in the original, with all the com mentaries of note in his time. In 1663, he visited Cambridge, Oxford, and London, where he met with many of the leading divines of England. Next year, he passed over into Holland and perfected his knowledge of Hebrew under a learned rabbin of Amster dam. In 1665, he was presented to the parish of Saltoun, where he remained five years. In 1669, he was appointed professor of divinity in the university of Glasgow, but having mixed himself up in the politico-ecclesiastical affairs of the time, he brought upon him self the enmity of Lauderdale, and found it prudent to resign his chair in 1674. He now removed to London, and was made preacher at the Rolls'_ chapel by sir Harbottle Grimston, and afterwards lecturer at St. Clement's. In 1676, he published his Memoirs of the Dukes of Hamilton, and in 1679, the first volume of his History of the Reformation, which procured him a vote of thanks from both houses of parliament. Next year appeared Some Pasxages in the Life and Death of the Earl of Rochester, in which B. records the religious interviews which he had with that profligate nobleman during his last illness, and which led to the latter's conviction of the truth of Christianity. In 1681, he published the second volume of his llislory of the Reformation, and in 1682 his Life of Sir Matthew Hale. The efforts which had previously been made, were now repeated, to induce him to break with the liberal and moderate party, and to attach himself to the king. He was offered the bishopric of Chichester, but refused it. In 1683 he narrowly escaped being brought into trouble in regard to the Ryehouse plot. He conducted the defense, attended the execution, and vindicated the memory of his friend lord William Russell. The exhibited his unkingly spite by depriving B. of his St.
Clement's lectureship. On the accession of James II., he went to the continent, and traveled through France, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. In 104, he was introduced to the prince of Orange, with whom he became a great favorite, and by whom be was frequently consulted in reference to the great scheme for the deliverance of England. When William came over, B. accompanied him in the capacity of royal chaplain, and shortly after, was appointed bishop of Salisbury. He entered on the duties of his diocese with great ardor; but his first pastoral letter, in which be founded the right of William to the throne on conquest, gave so much offense to both houses of parliament, that they ordered it to be burned ,by the bands of the common hangman. William, however, who knew the excellent qualities of the bishop, was not greatly impressed by this solemn performance, and continued to trust B. to the end of his life. In 1698, B. was appointed preceptor to the duke of Gloucester; in 1099, he published his celebrated exposition of the 39 articles, which was condemned as heterodox by that not very competent assembly, the house of lords. In 1714. appeared the third volume of his' Hi,Ntory ql the Refinonation. In the spring of 1715, he was attacked by a pleuritic fever, and carried off on the 17th of Mar., in the 72d year of his age. B. was thrice married: his first wife was remarka ble for her beauty; the second, for her fortune; and the third, for her piety.
Soon after 11.'s death, appeared Bishop B.'s history y his Own Time, front the Ristoralion of King Charles II. to the Conclusion of the Treaty of Peace at Utrecht,in the Reign of Queen Anne. It was sarcastically but foolishly abused by the tory- writers of the day—Swift, Pope, Arbuthnot, and others. B. was a man of strict, almost of puritanic virtue; yet his charity, geniality, and moderation of sentiment might be imitated with advantage even in our own day. His style is neither elegant nor correct, and his judg ment is not always reliable, yet the honesty, earnestness, simplicity, and vigor of has writings, as well as their fullness of details, make his works very valuable to the student of history.