to marry whom she pleased Queen Elizabeth not liking the Perth Parliaments answer nor the young Messenger that brought it they call'd another at Sterlin and from thence sent Pelkarn with a subtile enlargement about their declining the two former of her three Propositions but because they saw so long as the exil'd Queen had the countenance of Queen Elizabeth she had oppoâ—tunity to encourage and some means to assist their enemies which now began to be somewhat potent they take a sure way to set the two Queens at variance by severall suggestions wherein what was true had been done by Murray's advice if not fiâ—st procurement the private overture of a Marriage between the Queen of Scots and the Duke of Norfolk and what was false they were sure would incense Queen Elizabeth and prevent all possibility of farther mischief from the South Of this nature was That she had passed away to the D. of Andyn her right to the Crown of England That She and the Duke of Norfolke intended to cut off the present Royall possâ—ssours of both Kingdomes which plotâ— must be discoverd by providence just at Pelcarnes coming to the English Court whereupon the Queen and Duke were presently secured After this the Regent Murray goes on with less opposition and better success in Scotland yeâ— in the midst of his victories was rewarded for his murders rebellions and falsehood being shot at Lithgow in the belly upon a private revenge and so prevented of dispatching the young Prince which may be very fairly guessed by his proceedings to be intended his Mother boasting her self to have been the Wife not the Harlot of Iames the fifth and so this her son the lawfull inheritor of the Crown The holy Brethren would fain had Murray cannoniz'd for a Saint and Martyr in the cause and his bloud reveng'd they car'd not upon whom so any of the Queens dutifull Subjests might be cut off To bring such upon tryal as stood most in their way were many popular supplicates presented and what reason was rendred for deferring the enquiry at least till the Assizes if not rather till the next Assembly in May they either take for a close compliance of their Peers with the Queens or an impolitick yielding advantage to their enemies At length some of the wisest began to put in questions by what authority they could proceed to this or any other execution of Laws the Queen being deposed the King in his non-age and no legal establishment to be made of a successor to Murray in his Regency of the Kingdome Fain would they have made use of an old by grant extorted from the Queen but that they found null by the former election of Murray and if now taken up for authentick might be thought a recalling her Majesties authority from the dead This not holding good they leave all their sawcy French Proverbs behind them and come fawning upon Queen Elizabeth in English she denies them as well advice as assistance having before made plausible promises of both to the Queen of Scots though her prisoner The Rebeâ—lâ— were sensible what ground the Quâ—ens party daily got by their Anarchy though their necessities hastened them toward a conclusion of somewhat yet not knowing what they were to seek by what means and in what method to effect it Queen Elizabeth who seem'd not fullâ— satisfied with the thing must not be disgusted by the person The Earl of Lenox the young King's Grandfather is pitcht on for several reasons looking that way and first upon some Assembly revelation he was chosen an Interrex or Interloping King which soon after by some divine counter-light was discovered to be a monster in Government suspected for Saturnes unnatural stomack that might possibly devoure the young King and Iesus Christs Scepter to boot which the Presbytery had given him to play with in his hand To avoid this danger they divest him of his intercalary Kingship and having no law upon earth to impower them they furnish him with a Regency from heaven And now in his time no question all Parliamentary as well as Assembly authority may plead to be by divine right and their proceedings are justified by this extraordinary providence of God Upon this Patent the new Regent reforms what he could by the sword according to the true sense of the Discipline The poor captive Queen in compliance with the principles of nature and likewise in discharge of her civil duty who had the trust though not possession of a Kingdome by submisse yet enough Majestick requests in England by a mediation from France and Spain agitates what she can for her liberty and this for stopping farther effusion of Christian bloud in her Countrey and preventing the progresse of oppressive tyranny over her party Queen Elizabeth sensible of these unchristian proceedings by her arbitrary power sometimes orders a truce between the Scots gives fair answers as well to her prisoner as forein Ambasdours that interceded for her adviseth with her Council Wherein some were mis lead by too facile credulity of false informations from the North others not improbably corrupted all too much adâ—cted to their own interests and an overweening solicitude about the peace and security of England This begat an overture too high and imperious for a magnanimous free-born Princesse to yield to put new thoughts and designs into the Pope Spaniard and French enlarged the breach between her English Subjects for they had been divided and some unsatisfied in the proceedings relating to the Scotch Queen reviv'd and multiplied conspiracies at home Into all these did the northwind blow the sparkles of the Disciplinarian Rebellion which more or less encreased the flame where they lighted if upon matter ready to fire with a touch Queen Elizabeth finding her self environ'd with danger and apprehending no possible security but in a perfect composure of the Scotch differences in order to it calls upon the Presbyterian division for a new account about the deposition of their Queen They exhibit a large remonstrance upon it stuffed with so much pride and barbarous insolence as left no place for religion reason or law although they were great pretenders to the last pleading Ancient priviledge of the Scotch peoples superiority to their Prince This for which their Reformed Brethren may thank them they fortified with Calvins authority and in some cases enlarged it to imprisoning and deposing Kings what or wheresoever They not onely justified their censure but magnified their own lenity to their Queen as to the paâ—doning of her life to the succession of her son who being in their power and standing onely by their pleasure no marvail if in this years Assembly and Parliament all Acts and Statutes made before by him and his Predecessors annext the freedom and liberty of the true Kirk of God aâ—e ratified by his name whenas yet he could not superscribe them with his hand Queen
ability of parts according to the learning of that age was much augmented by a constant resolution at his death which put the younger students and novices upon a combination for maintaining his Tenents and the breach they made let out some Friars to rail against the abuses of the Bishops The patronage of Mr. Gawin Logie and Mr. Iohn Maire added some reputation to these actions and a reformation was attempted by some more unworthy instruments upon their credit The light pulpit discourse of Friar Arithe with his gossips catched some slight people in a jest while other graver men by more serious arguments multiplied considerâ—ble proselytes in good earnest insomuch as the Archbishop of S. Andrews according to the rigour of his Religion began to call for more fire and faggots but was stopt a little by the witty advice of Mr. Iohn Lindsey who told him My Lord If ye will burn them let them be burnt in hollow Cellars for the smoak of Mr. Patrick Hamilton hath infected as many as it blew upon some touch of it was thought to have tainted Alexander Seton a black Friar and Confâ—ssor to King Iames the fifth who presuming upon the opportunity of his privacy endeavoured to withdraw the Kings affections from the Bishops and his conscience from some part of his Religion which by more prevalent counsell of Ecclesiastical persons about the Court made him be discharged of his office and his dread of the fire carried him out of the Realme From Berwick by letter he appeals to the King whom notwithstanding he accuseth to himself of weakness and ignorance being very invective against the Churchmen who at that time as well as the Presbyters since waved in many things their due subjection and in the name of Christ took upon themselves the authority of the King I finde no mention of any answer returned but I do of his progresse from thence to London where at S. Pauls Crosse he retracted some of the new divinity he had published After this for ten years space these violent oppositions in Religion were interrupted the civil warres making other disputes and partizans upon temporal principles among the Scots In which time began a reformation in England from King Henry the eights differences with the Pope whether the pillage of Abbies and demolishing other religious places easily invited the Scotish labourers who would alwayes be found at leisure for such work About the year 1534. began a new Inquisition in Scotland wherein was eminent the perverse demeanour of one David Straton an ignorant Gentleman though in the Catalogue of their Martyrs of whom when the Bishop of Murray Prior of S. Andrews demanded the customary Tythe of his Fish his answer was If they would have Tythe of that which his servants wan in the seâ— it were but reason that they should come and receive it where they got the stock and so as it was constantly affirmed he caused his servants to cast the tenth fish into the sea The processe of cursing laid against him by the Church being encountered with his contempt was re-enforced by a summons to answer for his heresie to maintain which having hitherto no pretense but the perversness of his will the Laird of Dun Arskin very lately illuminated in the point lends him his lamp to look out some better reason and because he could not read bids him hearken which he did with more diligence than devotion desirous to meet with what might colour the affectation of his errours to which purpose the Laird of Lawristons field-lecture conduced luckily chancing to be rather out of S. Matthew than the Prophet Malachy where the Pharisaical tything of Mint and Cummin being taxed might serve his turn to slight all Christian Decimations as publican-extortions and no weighty matters of the law Though that was not the text that brought the spirit of prayer upon him but another on which he might have made a better comment by his repentance than unwildy resolution and known that the denial of tenths is the denial of God in his institution before men and may perhaps be retaliated before the holy Angels by his Sonne Sentence of death being passed he asked grace of the King which Knox saith he willingly would have granted but the Bishop proudly answered no more proudly than the Presbyters more than once since then That the Kings hands were bound in that case and that he had no grace to give to such as by their law were condemned Notwithstanding the severity exercised upon him and many other the Reformation for precedents unto which by this time their Merchants and Mariners had traffiqued in forreign parts makes its way into the cloysters and by Friar Killors contrivance which Iohn Knox seems to approve of very well shews it self upon the stage in a Satyrick play and that on a Good-Friday morning the subject whereof was the passion of our Saviour Christ most envious paralels being made between the Iewish Priests and the Scotish Bishops This gave the occasion of a more close search into the Friars opinions which being found such as suited not with the present profession and government of the Church sent him with many other too zealous reforming complices unto the fire Not long after George Buchanan laid his cockatrice egge not onely of Iudaisme which himself hatched in a Lenten meeting at the eating of a Paschal lamb but of Schisme and Rebellion which His Majesty endeavoured to crush upon the first discovery notwithstanding the trust he had reposed in him of instituting some his natural children He was by the Kings special Order as they say committed to prison whence he made an unhappy escape to the ruine almost of that Kingdome by his writing All this while the Royal Reformers in England marched furiously so as King Iames had no minde to meet them at York nor give King Henry there the interview he desired This though imputed to his Clergy was taken as a discourtesie from himself which set the English jealousie on fire and that at last burnt out into a warre King Iames was not so absolute at home as to cement at pleasure the Scotish intestine divisions where the equality of power did so mi-party his thoughts that he knew not wch side to head nor had he alwaieâ— the liberty of his choice His distrust of both made him enter into secret counsel with his Clergy by whose advice and assistance he levied on a suddain a vâ—ry numerous Army the design whereof was scarcely thought of in England when it actualy entred upon the borders But such scruples were scatered by some disaffected persons to the Church and Crown as made most of the Souldiery dispute the justce of the quarrell when they were to handle their armes or without consulting their conscience leave them in the field The loss of this Army so troubled the King that he
think fit to prescribe and seem at that time content which those of their race since disavow That not onely the rules and precepts of the New Testament but also the writings of the Ancient Fathers and the godly and approved Laws of Iustinian the Emperour might decide the controversie betwixt them To this Petition they received a gracious answer from the Queen liberty of conscience restrained in nothing but from publick Assemblies in Edenburgh and Leith For which Her Majesty had in return the dutifull character of crafty dissimulate and false thinking woman that made her profit of both parties Hath a querulous Letter directed to her and the Parliament against her Clergy whom they reproachfully call Place-holders of the Ministers of the Church with a protestation limiting the Supream power in deputing Judges for Civil affairs and menacing That if any tumult or uproar should arise among the members of the Realm for the diversity of Religion if it shall chance as they intended it should not having certainly determined that abuses be violently reformed that the crime thereof be not imputed to them who most humbly do now seek all to be reformed by an order The Earl Glencarne c. second this in a private addresse and forewarn the Queen of the inconveniences that were to follow To prevent which and give what satisfaction could be reasonably desir'd she summons all their Preachers to Sterling and they according to their never-failing accustomed manner all the puritane Gentry c. to accompany them and this they call'd The peoples giving confession with their Preachers Iohn Knox casually arriving at the same time repairs to Dundee and craves leave which was not difficult to be obtained to accompany the Brethren and give confession of his Faith with them who instead of appearing before the Queen according to the grace of God granted to him they are his own words carries them to St. Iohnston and so exhorts them that they there fall to the pillage of the Monasteries destroying the Charter-house wherein was the Tombe of King Iames the first whereat the Queen taking just indignation and complaining to her Nobiâ—ity about it the Brethren send Her Majesty a smart Letter beginning meekly with As heretofore with jeopard of our lives and yet with willing hearts we have served the Authority of Scotland and your Majesty now Regent in this Realm but soon after tell her They shall be compelled to take the sword of just defence against all that shall pursue them for the matter of Religion and their conscience sake which ought not nor may not be subject to mortal creatures the Queen Regent was a mortal creature Ergo further than by Gods word man is able to prove that he hath power to command them that is further than they have a mind to be commanded Upon the Queens approach they send for more auxiliaries to St. Iohnston To some Noblemen that declin'd them or had a desire to be neuters they write That if in this time of their trouble they lookt through their fingers and joyn'd not themselves to them as of God they were reputed Traitors so they should be excommunicated from their societie and from all participation with them in the administration of the Sacraments Their number of the new supply prov'd not so great but that they were fain to make an appoinment with the Queen and quit the Town after Iohn Knox had exhorted them to constancie in a Sermon that is to meet again so soon as handsomly they could which they did to a second Covenant at Perth whereof one clause was That they should not spare laboâ—rs goods substance bodies and lives in maintaining the Libertie of the whole Congregation and every member thereof against whatsoever person no Queen excepted shall intend the said trouble for cause of Religion or any other cause dâ—pending thereupon or lay to their charge under pretence thereof although it happen to be coloured with any other outward cause So that they might murder steal or break any civil law of the Realm and the Congregation must defend them if prosecuâ—ed or questioned by the Magistrate that being but a colourable outward cause to trouble their Religion Whereupon several outrages being acted by them that now began to be called Keepers of Libertie as seizing upon the Irons of the Coyning-house because of the impression in the Images they stampt and a late pretence of appeal made from the Queen Regent unto their young Queen and Dolphin of France her Husband A Proclamation of restraint is sent in their names to be publisht at Edenburgh Crosse Yet notwithstanding upon some conference with the Regent she condescended to give them liberty of religion provided that wheresoever she was their Preachers should cease and Her Majesties be maintain'd But this would not passe because it put to silence Gods true Messengers that is restrained them from railing down the Queens own Religion to her face The Queen to get rid of her trouble if she could not long after at Edenburgh caus'd such an Agreement to be made as could not be denyed by them that pretended to any peace or quietness at all Accordingly Articles on both sides were drawn agreed sign'd and proclaim'd These shrewdly troubled the Brethren in black who meant nothing less than a Peace And perceiving some of their party so conscientious as to keep faith and make so great a relapse to their duty as to go to the Queen at her call they convene and subscribe a third bond at Sterling whereof this is a link As we tender the maintenance of true Religion that none of us shall in time coming pass to the Queen Dowager to talk or commune with her for any Letter or Message sent by her unto us or yet to be sent with consent of the rest or common consultation thereupon which was so religiously observed by Knox that he returns the Queens Letters upon her hands and would not give them to the Lords as was by Her Majesty required But now must a new quarrell be pickt to fetch in the Lords and rest of the Brethren that adhered to the agreement at Edenburgh And this was by the Queens fortifying the town of Leith which though but intended for a place of retreat in case she should be overborn by their strength which now made appearance in several places and many times nearer approaches than she liked was notwithstanding vogued to garison her Townes with the French and to have in design by them the conquest of the Kingdome By way of charge and Declinatour pass'd divers Letters and Proclamations on both sides From hence mounted the Brethren to admonitions from admonitions to votes about deprivation upon justification thereof by Willock and Knox the prime of the Clergy From votes to articles and the Act of Suspention together with the banishment of her person allowing Her Majesty but 24. hours to prepare for her
which was pretended deserted their party and so infirmed their strength The remnant sent a Letter to their Majesties flattering their persons but enveighing against their Council putting in some caution for Religion and menacing a hard market for their blood if sought The Princes guessing this might be to gain time remitted no whit of their Military care but made hard marches the weather being very bad At St. Andrews Proclamation was publish'd to inform the subjects about the true state of the difference demonstrating to them that nothing lesse was mean'd than Religion most pretended how hardly they were used according to Mr. Knoxs's Doctrine like Boyes and Gyrls in their pupillage the Lords appointing their Council as their Guardians The Ministers all this while were no cyphars but knowing their Majesties were somewhat necessitated for money to pay their Army which was come to a considerable number of 18000 men thought it the fittest time to supplicate for their meanes This piece of impertinency was easily swallowed among greater troubles their authority being not such at this time as to stand upon termes and expostulate at length the Holy Lords of the Congregation being confiscate and banish'd Therefore they fall to their Prayers for patience comfort and constancy to the exil'd which Iohn Knox did not without honorable mention of them as the best part of the Nobility the chief Members of the Congregation But prayers and tears were not wont to be the onely arms of this new Church and though they had no other at present yet some course must be taken to reduce them into possession of such a power This cannot be done without the exil'd Lords return into the Countrey for which their Letters and missive supplicates not prevailing enquiry was made about the principal obstruction the common current of the Queens favour and mercy diffusive enough requiring naught of the most delinquent Subject but to take the paines to stoop and taste it as he pleased This was found to be David Rizio Her Secretary who by the excellency of his parts and fidelity of his service in these many turns of treachery and falsehood had rais'd himself to an intimacy with the Queen much beyond the quality oâ— his Birth or place in Her Court The Brethren had no such free accesse to the retirements of the Royal Palace as afforded them an opportunity to commit such a rape on Majesty as this nor could there be they thought a better hand than the King to rend in sunder the Queens heart and rifle thence by prerogative priviledge the counterfeit of her dearest servant whom they were resolved to have thrown out of the world that she might never more have benefit by his Counsel nor content by his presence and attendance But such transcendent wickedness as this requires supream providence to guide it nor can any miraculous mischief be wrought but by the plenipotence of Heaven To this purpose a Fast is proclaimed by the Assembly and observed No Fast for strife and debate nor to smite with the fist of wickedness such a Fast no doubt as the Lord had chosen to undo the heavy buâ—thens to break the yoak and to let the oppressed go free The Kings head is daily possessed by convenient instruments with variety of jealousies about his Queen her privacies with David Rizio are suggested as no arguments of her matrimonial fidelity and the precedence of her name before his Her paramours invention did derogate as much from the due authority of an Husband as from the Majesty of a King Naught but David Rizio's removal can make way for the future innocency of the Queen and very just is it thought that his heart blood should blot out his hands error in the writs But bare-fac'd murder is not so beautiful as to draw a tender Conscience to embrace it Religious mask may hide somewhat of the horror and necessity of state animate an adventure to take it by the hand which the Lords of this black Council weighing with themselves propound three Atticles to the King Establishing the Religion Recalling the banish'd Lords and in the rear of these The murder of David Rizio His Royal word might vanish into ayr and be no standing evidence for the security of the actors who presse for a subscription by his hand The discourse alone upon this is enough for an after-claim to his consent and the counterfeit of his name to give his disavowing Majesty the lie Howsoever if his engagement were any the reverence of a Father that advised brought him half way upon the misse-taken borders of his duty and old Patrike Ruvens resurrection who had for many moneths been bed-rid but skipped very lively into this action might impose on his youth as an oracle from the dead Upon the Saturday before the Tuesday prefixed by the Queen for the attainder of the Lords this cripled assassin in the company of the Earl Morton Lord Ruthuen Lord Lindsay c. broke into the presence and in Her Majesties sight who was then great with child carry violently away her servant of greatest secresie and trust and within a Chamber or two by fifty three stroaks with their whingers or daggers murder him for the advancement of the Discipline which work now goes on a pace the Earl Murray and the banish'd Lords returning to the Court upon a pretended summons from the King These with the Murderers sit in Council desire the Queen to take the act for good service because hereby were so many Noblemen restored The poor Queen was fain to be silent in what she could not help and not knowing how soon her own turn was to come as an essay of their intentions desired the armed Guard might be dismissed for granting which the cruel Brethren count the King uxorious and simple the Earl Murray facile and the other Lords too inclinable to submit Her Majesty though good natur'd was neither stupid nor partial when indued with exercive power The blood of Rizio called upon her for Justice more then the memory of his good service or her own affection did incite her to revenge This opportunity she took to summon her loyal Subjects to Dunbar whither Her Majesty privately withdrew The guilty Lords did not like to have any armed assemblies appear but their own and accounted it an entrenchment on their priviledge for the Queen to act any thing but by their counsel At the same time and * place where they should have answered to their charge they convene to protest against the Q. proceedings yet wanting that which was wont more then either their authority or innocency to spirit their dispute they disperse themselves to seek each a single sanctuary in a corner The King and Queen in March were attended with a strong Guard to Edenburgh His Majesty having before by Proclamation quit himself not onely of the guilt but all fore-knowledge of the murder which is not
chusing Lords Protectors That they would set up and further the true worship of God and all that may concern the purity of Religion and life And for this to take arms if need require They should have added Where need requires another pretense they would take that for taking arms or if it please them take arms without any That all Princes and Kings hereafter in this Realm before their Coronation shall take Oath to maintain the true Religion which if they do to be sure theirs is out of protection This being done the Assembly brake up But all this while they were troubled how to râ—d their hands of the Queen who though a prisoner had yet such authority at liberty as prevented the Brethren from being absolute in their power In consultation about her some were for a conditional restitution others for a legal Tryal deposition and condemnation to perpetual imprisonment but Knox and the meek-spâ—rited Assembly-men upon some holy inspiration publish'd this mercifull censure in their Pulpits To have her divested of Royal authority and executed which took effect in the end although not in so short a time nor by the same hands they then hastily desired Queen Elizabeth of England whose Royal dignity did rather cherish her in then exempt her from an eager emulation which is very inseperable in some cases happily incident to her Sex partly by that and partly upon a conscientious care to preserve and enlarge what is call'd in the Mass the Protestant Religion the sincerity of which was ever pretended but never mean'd nor practis'd by the Presbytery in Scotland and farther upon the jealousie she had of the great reputation and growing power of her successor had from time to time recruited the strength and supported the fainting spirits of that faction yet at such opportunities and upon such politick advantages as gave all her actions the countenance of justice and her self the honour of being as bitter to theirs but when by the help of her Sword they had cut out their way and got the Royal Scepter in their reach like perfidious Rebells ungratefull and cruel Murderers as she call'd them they turn'd the point upon her self would stand no more to the courtesie of her imperious mediation denyed her Ambassador accesse to their Queen and sent him back with a French Proverb in his mouth Il perd le jeu qui la isse la partie to bid her have a care to continue a Friend to their party lest having got the fore-game for them she lose an after-game more considerable when she playes it for her self In the interim the Lords Lindsey and Ruthuen were sent to the Queen to have two Wriâ—s signed one for the renunciation of the Crown and Royal dignity the other to ordain the Earl of Murray Regent during the Princes minority They having by their hard usage brought upon Her Majesty some infirmity of body did her the courtesie to put her in mind of that as a fair pretense why she gave up her Crown and Government but to ballance that they threatned her with Death if she refused Whether Her Majesty set her Hand or no is not so certain as that it was proclaim'd she had at the Market-cross of Edenburgh and soon after the young Prince Crowned King at Sterlin where Iohn Knox sanctified his inauguration with a Sermon and Earl Morton one of them that kill'd his Father with Lord Hume that mean'd as much unto his Mother when he besieged her in Borthwike Castle took the Oath in his behalf That he should constantly live in the profession of the true Religion and maintain it c. It 's no matter whether the King knows it to be true or false he swears to The next solemnity was to proclaim the Regent who was returned out of France whither he had cunningly diverted to avoid the discovery about the murther of the King and his personal appearance in the depositâ—on of the Queen After eleven moneths Imprisonment in all which time she was not once permitted the sight of her Son which she earnestly desired Her Majesty by the help of George Douglas Brothâ—r to the Regent makes an escape out of the Castle and Island of Lochlevin and within ten dayes got an handsome Army and fought a Battail for the recovery of her right but her Friends that were stronger in their affections then arms were unfortunately dispersed and her self narrowly escaped to the borders of England Afterward having sent a Letter to Queen Elizabeth to crave protection in her Kingdom as apprehending some danger in her stay where she was prevented the Queens answer by her coming to Carliste What passed before Queen Elizabeths Commissioners at York and herself at London whither the Regent came being only a discussion of the Scotch factions on all sides and including title of the Clericall proceedings I purposely omit The Regent being returned into Scotland meets with new commotions rais'd by the opportunity of his absence and afterward was overtaken by that which pleas'd him worse three desires from Queen Elizabeth in behalf of the banished Queen 1. That she might be restored to her former Authority and place Or 2. That she might be joynt Regent with her Son aad her Name as well as his in all publick Acts and Writings yet so as Murray should bear all the sway untill the King came to seventeen years of age Or 3. That if the Queen of Scots liked of it she might enjoy her peace in a private condition and with it what honour should not be prejudiciall to the Royal dignity of the King Beside the Queen of Scots sent 〈◊〉 Letter to demand a fair judicial heaâ—ring about the businesse of her marriage with Earl Bothwell that if 〈◊〉 were found illegal she might have the benefit of a divorce and be quiâ— of that engagement These were referred to a Parliament at Perth where the last of Queen Elizabeths propositions were yeilded to upon hopes to get her within the limits of their power when she could have no pretense to raise a party being divested of all her Royalties and to be acknowledged as no other then a private person and subject to the rigor of their Laws by which within a very short time she might be reduced to her former condition in the Castle of Lochlevin To the Queen of Scots Letter they make exceptions upon her assuming the title of Queen c. and when offer was made that that should be amended and urged as a strange Paradox that they which had so much pressed the illegality and impiety of that marriage would not now yeâ—ld unto a cognizance of the businesse they made many frivilous demurs as to have 60 dayes given for the summons of Earl Bothwell who was now in Denmark c. and at last spake plainly that they would have her send to the Danish King to take his Head off and then she was at liberty
stratagem be declined at first and yet the same afterward authorized by strength The long disconsolate captivity of the Queen and despair of ever obtaining her liberty had withdrawn her thoughts from her Scepter on earth and rais'd them to an higher kingdom than the Scots whereon that they might be fixed without any diversion she resolves to divest her self of the other interest and confer freely her Royal title upon her Son The Assembly Brethren have intimation hereof do not like to have their King become absolute or Reign by any other Title than what he had before received on courtesie from them The Duke of Lenox and Earl of Arran are two good Friends to his Majesty not to be instrumentall in promoting so just an advancement to his Crown and therefore it is the Presbyters tasks to preach them out of all favour with the people and then an opportunity is fairly taken in their absence from Court for the Earls Gowry Marre Lindsey and others to invite his Majesty to the Castle of Ruthen and by the Laws of Displinarian hospitality detain him prisoner dismiss his retinue deny him the liberty to stir abroad but at his peril Nor indeed could he well be at leisure to walk for the perpetuity of business they found him within doors forcing him first by a Writ to recall Earl Angus from England whither the guilt of his late rebellion had carried him by another after the imprisonment of His Majesties dearest Friend to command the Duke of Lenox into France who being in possession of Dunbriton Castle might have disputed the freedome of that Royal command if his clear awfull spirit had not dreaded the thought of the least disloyal averseness to obey And by a slight of singulâ—r cunning tyranny in a third fram'd into a Letter to Queen Elizabeth of England to justifie their act and contract the guilt of that unnatural sin in laying violent hands upon himself By a fourth to authorize the Convention of States indicted by them All acts of such transcendent rebellion that George Buchanan their never-failing advocate before could be wrought neither to advise by his Council nor justifie with his pen nay 't is said he turn'd penitent upon it retracted with tears what he had writ before in their cause and wished he could wash out all the spots the black calumnies he had dropt upon Royal Majesty with his blood yet further he would have writ retractions if being so old he could have hoped such a conversion would not have been interpreted an act rather of dotage then devotion The Queen of Scots much affected with this treasonable surprisal of her Son complains at large to Queen Elizabeth in a Letter appeals to her conscience for Justice and summons her to her plea about the differences between them before the highest Tribunal of Heaven yet very charitably imputes the obstruction of intercourse between her and her Son for a twelvemoneth before as likewise Queen Elizabeths long silence notwithstanding some former importunate letters not unto her self but some malignant disposition in her Council Queen Elizabeths blood and thoughts had many quick motions upon this querulous writing many ebbs and flows of resolutions and fears at length Mr. Secretary Deale an austere man and no Friend at all unto the Royal Prisoner was joyn'd in Commission with the Earl of Shrewsbury to expostulate the business with the captive Queen and yet treat with her about articles of enlargement but the Disciplinarian Scots being called in about what concern'd them raised new spirits of division by interposing ungrounded jealousies of one Father Holt a Iesuit and some other Emissaries lately come over as they alledged on purpose to plot the invasion of England and therewith a violent rescue of their Queen As little truth as there was in this calumny there was Sophistrie enough to prevaile with Queen Elizabeth to lay aside the complaint of her prisoner and to imploy her two Agents in Scotland Bowes and Davison in vying Courtship with two other from the French to gaine upon the affection of the King The News of the Duke of Lenox's death at Paris though accompanied with that which confounded his enemies who thought they had undone him by traducing him for a Papist puts life into the Kings banded Jailers who take assurance by this they had him prisoner during pleasure but His Majestie escapes soon after to the Castle of Saint Andrews makes them curse the lying spirit in their Prophets and desperate enough to become executioners of themselves but the good King repriev'd them by his mercy offering pardon unto all that could find confidence to ask it but this appear'd in none but Earl Gowrie who corrupted the benefit of it unto his bane The rest not long after being banish'd went some into Ireland others into France only Angus ask'd and had a confinement unto his Earldom Queen Elizabeth sends Sir Francis Walsingham to the King not so much to gratulate his liberty as to instill some sententious Counsel how to use it He meets with a greater luster and gallantry in the Scotch Court then he expected and a young King as grave a politician as himself He was entertained better than his carriage to the captive Queen had deserved and returned with an answer no less modest than Majestick Though many acts had passed the Assemblies of late derogatory to the safety and Royal authority of the King yet none more than the justifying the late Treason requiring the Ministers in all their Churches to commend it unto the people and threatning excommunication to such as subscribed not though against their Conscience to the unjust judgement of the Assembly And in the year 1582 the Assembly at Saint Andrews proceeded violently against one Montgomery Bishop of Saint Andrews cutting off the appeal he had made unto the King rejecting both his Letter and Messenger sent on purpose to inhibite them The late treasonable justification voted by the Assembly though nipt in the bud by the Kings unexpected escape and all the leaves scattered by the breath of his displeasure into several corners of the world began now to sprout again in a second conspiracy many of the Traitors being at that time appointed by Gowry return'd again and under the colour of care and courtesie to the King attempting a second surprizal of his person But the Earl of Arran whom they had not now time or opportunity to secure seizeth upon Gowrie at Dundee and the Kings martial appearance suddenly affrights his Complices out of the Castle of Sterlin which they had taken Queen Elizabeth whose Court because the Cathedral of Religion was ever abused as a sanctuary after a Scotch rebellion had now a new address to make by mediation unto their King And her Secretary Walsingham by the no justifiable priviledg of his place issued out Writs in Her Majesties name though without her knowledg for
their admission into the Holy Island The Letters were not obeyed by Earl Hunsdon who dâ—sputed the Secretaries single separate authority nor was the Queen hearkenâ—d to otherwise then by yeilding a legal tryal which cost Gowrie hâ—s Head for all the promises he had of better success from oâ—e Maclen a Wâ—tch whom he had consulted in the case To ballance this somewhat must be done by the Disciplinarian undertakers in England who frame divers Lâ—tters in the name of the Queen of Scots and some English fugitives conveigh them into the Papists houses and then make discovery of a plot Hereupon as slight and improbable as the proofs were the Earls of Northumberland and Arundel were confined his Lady imprison'd divers examin'd and the Lord Paget scarcely by hâ—s prudent innocency protected Queen Elizabeth though facile in hearing their complaints was not so barbarous as to execute the cruelty of their Counsels but called her Judges to account for their extream serverity against the Papists granting indemnity and liberty to many Iesuits and Priests Yet Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador was sent home and Throckmorton whom he was said to have encouraged in an intricate conspiracy being neither constant in denying nor clear in confessing nor at all cunning in concealing or disguising his guilt was hang'd A new Treaty between the two Queens is now commenc'd and Sir William Wade imployed in an overture unto the Queen of Scots but the Agitators of differences between them renew their division by unseasonable jealousies and fears and Wade falls to pasting Father Creyghtone the Iesuits torn papers together neglecting a far more Christian and honourable artifice which he might haâ—e sâ—ewed by cementing the unhappy rupture in two so Royal and magnanimous Ladies hearts This new discomposure gave the Scottish partizans in England a colourable pretense to enter into an association for Queen Elizabeths security from danger which was managed by the policy of the Earl of Leicester The Queen of Scots took hence an alarum oâ— her ruine yet chose rather to submit somewhat of her spirit then in an humour sacrifice her life unto their malice She sends her Secretary Nave with Articles so near Queen Elizabeths demands as had wrought undoubted reconcilement if it had been consistent with the Discipline of the Kirk but this the Scotch Ministry declared to be otherwise in their Pulpits call out for help as if both Kingdoms had been on â—ire and Christian Religion in danger to be consumed by the flames inveâ—gh bitterly against their Queen King and his Council slight the Kings summons to answer stand upon their Ecclesiastical exemption and Presbyterian privilege of immunity from his censure The King began from hence to apprehend it better for his safety and more agreeable with his honour to restore the Miâ—er to the Church then cast away his Crown to a mungrel lay-Clerical Assembly Hereupon he recalls Bishops to their primitive jurisdiction and dignity inhibites all Presbyteries and their Synods together with the popular parity of Ministers and among other Acts pasâ—eth this in the eight Parliamentâ—olden at Edenburgh May 22. 1584. which alone cuts off all their vaine â—retences to this day For as much as some persons being â—ately called before the Kings Majeâ—ty and his secret Council to answer â—pon certain points to have been enquiâ—ed of tâ—em concerning some treasoâ—able seditious and contumelious â—â—eeches uttered by them in Pulpits â—chools and otherways to the disdain â—nd reproach of his Highness his Proâ—enitors and present Council conâ—â—mptuously declined the judgement of â—is Highness and his said Council in that behalf to the evill example of others to dâ— the like if timely remedy be not provided Therefore our Sâ—veraigne Lord and his threâ— Estates assembled in this present Parliament ratifieth and approveth and perpetually confirmeth the Royal power and authority over all Estates as well spiritual as temporal within this Realm in the person of the Kings Majesty our Soveraigne Lord his Heirs and Successors And also statuteth and ordaineth that his Hignâ—ss his Heirs and Successors by themselves and their Councils are and in time to comâ— shall be judges competent to all person His Highnesses subjects of what estate degree function or condition so 〈◊〉 they be spiritual or temporal in 〈◊〉 matters wherein they or any of theâ— shall be apprehended summoned 〈◊〉 charged to answer to such things 〈◊〉 shall be enquired of them by our 〈◊〉 Soveraigne Lord and his Council And that none of them which shalâ— happen to be apprehended called 〈◊〉 summoned to the effect aforesaid prâ—sume to take in hand to dâ—cline 〈◊〉 judgement of his Highness his Heirs and Sâ—ccessors or their Council in the Premises under the pain of Treason This Act puts many of the Assembly birds upon the wing who iâ—nâ—cent Dâ—â—es take none but a Virgin breast for their refuge Queen Elizabeth whose too industriâ—us infirmiâ—y it was to keep up her popular interest with all as well as to enjoy the honour and more clear content of an impartial conscience within her self although she gave no ear to their querulous Remonstrances in private nor permitted their publick libelling in her Churches yet cherished their persons and very unproperly imployed their endeavours to preserve Religion from innovations which made no such real impressions in Scotland as some untrue aggravating relations had in the timeâ—ous minds of her Reformed English Subjects and her self This practise of Her Majesty being observed by those who looked ouâ— of the Scotch Kings Court put the Earl of Arran upon a forward tender of his Service to meet Her Majesties desires and Her Agent the Lord Hunsdon upon the borders but before the time the Sterlin fugitives whom she had protected were prescribed and at it charged by the Earl with their treason against the King The complement he left of his real intentions at parting took place until Patrike Grey came with another Embassie and particular Articles from King Iames But the ill offices it was suspected he did at the same time to the captive Queen gain'd him no reputation with her party and put her upon some such extraordinary courses as betrayed her into a new prison under more restraint and Lâ—icester 't is said upon murderous designes who would not hear of her liberty lesse of her succession to the English Crown To cover whose private spleen and malitious attempts new fears are fetched from the Romane Catholicks and their designes magnified in a mist unto the people whereby a sharper edge is set upon the severity of the Laws This alteration encouraged some of the precise Scottish Religion to pursue the Queens commands for pressing in Parliament to have the Bishops reformed and to others as may be not improbably conjectur'd to murder the Earl of Northumberland in the Tower because a known Friend to the Queen of Scots though they left the pistol wherewith they acted it in