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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Presbyter, -biter, n. Also: presbitir, prisbiter. [e.m.E. presbyter an elder in Episcopacy (1597), a Presbyterian elder (1615), a Presbyterian (1647), late L. presbyter, from the Gk., an elder of the Jewish council or Sanhedrin, an elder of the apostolic church, F. presbytre.] In the Presbyterian Church of Scotland: a. An elder. b. A minister or ruling elder who is a member of a presbytery (Presbytery n. 1). 1578 Second Bk. Disc. in Bk. Univ. Kirk II 491.
Thair is four ordinarie functionis or offices in the Kirk of God: the office of the pasture, minister or bischop; the office of the doctour; the presbiter or eldar; and the deacone … .Pasturis, or bischopis, or ministeris, ar sum tymes callit … presbyterj and seniouris 1583 in Melvill 149.
And in everie … reasonable precinct of boundes, thair sould be erected a presbyterie consisting in the pastors and doctors and sic uther laic persones as be election may be associat within the sam. And these presbyters sould haiff cair … of the election of pastors 1593 Misc. Maitl. C. I 62.
Sicklyk the said presbiters ordenis Robert Mure of Caldwell and the said Helein to be summoundit befoir the presbiterie 1603 St. A. Presb. in St. A. Kirk S. 937.
That the said Mr. Robert Ȝuill wes capable of the office of moderatioun, be reasoun he wes ane presbyter a1650 Row 394.
Deposition of ministers … the bishop takes to himself, calling to him, to be witnesses, three presbyters 1661 Brodie Diary 233.
He that preached said, ther wer noe laik elders, but ther wer diuersities of dignities in the preaching presbyters 1685 Dunkeld Presb. II 30.
Prisbiter 1694 Misc. Spald. C. II 163.
According to the principles of presbyterian government, there ought to be no higher degree of pastors in the church than presbyters, and all presbyters are equal in power and authoritie 1692 Presb. Eloq. (1694) 52.

c. Occas., in writings rendered from English or written from England: An (Episcopalian) minister or pastor. 1635 Canons Eccles. Ch. Scotl. 39.
If anie … confesse [an offence] … to the bishop or presbyter, they shall … minister to the person so confessing, all spirituall consolations 1671 Lauderdale in Misc. Hist. Soc. I 267.
I thinke it not fitt at all that any presbitir should be at first dash prefer'd to Edinburgh