On the accession of James I to the English throne (1603), Gordon published in French and English a strongly Protestant panegyric of congratulation and, in the same year, a piece in Latin elegiacs addressed to Prince Henry. James called him to England and nominated him in October to the deanery of Salisbury, whereupon he was ordained in his 59th year. He was present at the Hampton Court conference in January 1604 as "deane of Sarum",' though he was not confirmed until 24 February. In the second day's conference, James singled him out "with a speciall encomion, that he was a man well trauailled in the auncients." He approved of the ring in marriage, but doubted the cross in baptism.