[1] The Biſhops ſea, whiche before had bene at Abirnethy,S. Reule his Church, nowe called Saint Andrewes. hee tranſlated vnto the Churche of that holy man Saint Reule. Euer ſithe whiche time the towne hath bene called Saint An|drewes, and thoſe whiche gouerned the ſame Churche long time after, were called the greate Biſhoppes of Scotlande: for the realme was not deuided into Dioceſes till the daies of Mal|colme the thyrde, who by deuine inſpiration as is ſayde) ordeyned the ſea of Murthlake, now called Abirden: but ſuche as were reputed of vertuous behauiour and knowledge meete for the office, vſed the authoritie and rowmeth of Biſhoppes in what place ſo euer they were re|ſident. Yet ſuche was the continuaunce of thoſe which gouerned the church of Saint Andrewes, that there haue bene aboue the number of fortie Biſhoppes, reſident there ſithe the firſte inſti|tution of that ſea: many of them for the opi|nion conceyued of theyr holineſſe beyng num|bred accordyng to the maner in times paſte in the regiſter of Saints.