Though his wife was a sister of Johnstone of Warriston, he himself, unlike his two brothers, was an opponent of the Covenant, for which he went into exile until the Restoration, when he was made a Judge of the Court of Session as Lord Crimond.

He had three sons by the Warriston lady.

His eldest, Sir Thomas Burnett, was physician to royalty from Charles II to Queen Anne.

The third was Gilbert, Bishop of Salisbury, of whom it is not my intention to give any detailed account.

His brilliant talents and great influence made him many friends, and even more enemies.