magnifie nor cry it up as they do To remedy this want and let all that desire to be truly informed of things fallen out in our times I took the pains to collect this History which I do now humbly present unto Your Sacred Majesty If the same shall be graciously accepted as I cannot but presume upon Your accustomed humanity to all I have that I desire for with me it is a small thing to be judged of others God knoweth I have followed the Truth and studied to observe the Laws of History The Collection premitted in the two first Books concerning the planting and progress of Christian Religion in this Kingdome with the worthy Instruments that God raised to propagate the true Faith both here and in the neighbouring Countries contained no great matters as of those first Ages whereof we have few or no Records remaining how should any great things be truly affirmed Yet the little I have found and brought together may let us see the exceeding goodness of God toward this Nation having so soon after the Ascension of our Saviour unto the heavens made the Gospel here to be Preached and a Church thereby gathered which to this day hath found a safe harbour under Your Majesties Royall Progenitors Fourteen hundred years and above we reckon since King Donald the first of that name his imbracing the Christian Faith All which time there hath not been wanting in the Royall Stock a most kinde Nursing Father to this Church or if a careless and dissolute King which in so long a succession of Princes is not to be wondred happened to reign the same was ever abundantly repaired by one or other of the Kings that followed neither did this bring them less happiness then honour For give me leave Sir to speak it which I hold not unworthy of your Majesties consideration the Scottish Kingdom once the least of nine Kingdoms that ruled in the Isle by the wonderfull providence of God is now so encreased first in the person of your Majesties blessed Father and now in your own as the Scepter of the whole is put into your Majesties hands which that you may long happily sway and your posterity after you to the worlds end is the hearty wish of all loyall Subjects For my part next to God his undeserved love I do ascribe this happiness to the piety and devotion of your princely Ancestors and to their zeal in maintaining the rights and liberties of this Church Your Majestie keeping the same course which blessed be God you hold you may be confident of God his protection against all dangers whatsoever for he will honour them that honour him and never turn away his face from his Anointed God Almighty I beseech to multiply his blessings upon your Majesty and your Royal Progeny to give you the desire of your heart and clothe all your Enemies with shame So he prayeth that is Your Sacred Majesties Most humble Subject and Servant S. Andrewes From the place of my Peregrination 15 Novemb. 1639. The Contents of the severall Books THe First Book containeth the planting and progress of Christian Religion in this Kingdome unto the subversion of the Picts which fell out about the year of our Lord 840 Fol. 1. The Second Book containeth succession of Bishops in the severall seas of this Kingdome especially in the sea of S. Andrews with other principall things that happened in their times fol. 25. The Third sheweth the History of the Reformation of the Church and how it was wrought fol. 117. The Fourth Book sheweth the things that fell out after Queen MARY her coming from France into this Kingdome unto her resignation of the Crown to King JAMES her Sonne fol. 176. The Fifth declareth how matters passed in the State and Church during the Government of the four Regents His Majesty being yet Minor fol. 213. The Sixth containeth the things that happened after his Majesties assuming of the Government in his own person unto his happy Succession to the Crown of England fol. 282. The Last and Seventh Book rehearseth the proceedings after his Majesties going into England unto his dying fol. 473. THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND THE FIRST BOOK The Contents The planting and progresse of Christian Religion in this Kingdome unto the subversion of the PICTS which fell out about the year of our Lord 480. HAving purposed to write the History of this Church I have thought meet to begin at the time in which this Kingdom did first receive the Christian faith for albeit we have few or no Records left us of those first times yet as much is to be found in stories as will shew what was the condition of this Church in every age And herewith we must content our selves till we come to the times that yield greater plenty of matter when I shall come to our own time I purpose to set down at length the things that have happened both in the Church and State together with the counsels and causes of those events without the which the History should be of little use For take away from story the causes whereupon the manner how and the purpose wherefore things were done that which remaineth is more like a Fable then an History delighting the Reader it may be for the present but giving little or no instruction at all I am not ignorant how unsafe it is to write of matters so recent and what offence it may give to divers persons but the desire I have to give posterity a true information of things and to have them made wise by our errours weigheth down with me all such feares wherefore without further prefacing to begin IN the year of our Lord 203. which was the fourth of Donald the first his Reign the Faith of Christ was in this Kingdom first publickly embraced King Donald with his Queen and divers of his Nobles being then solemnly baptized Yet was not that the first time wherein Christ was here made known for Tertullian who lived some yeares before speaking of the propagation of the Gospel throughout the world doth reckon among the countreys the parts of Britannie unto which the Romanes could not finde accesse and what these parts were we cannot doubt all the In-land of Britannie being then made subject to the Romanes and no part free but that little corner of the Isle which the Scots did inhabit Moreover it cannot in reason be thought that the conversion of this Kingdome was all wrought at one instant great alterations such as that must needs have been not being made but by little and little so as we may well think that numbers of people have been won to the Christian profession before the same was publickly embraced by the King and his Nobles But who they were that God used as instruments in that work is not certainly known Nicephorus writeth that Simon Zelotes after he had travelled through Egypt Cyrene Afrique Mauritania and Lybia came at last ad occidentalem Oceanum
and correcting those faults which the Civil sword doth either neglect or may not panish Blasphemy Adultery Murther Perjury and such capital crimes fall not properly under the censure of the Church because such open transgressors of Gods law should be taken away by the Civil sword But Drunkennesse Excesse whether in apparel or in meat and drink Fornication oppression of the poor by exactions deceit in buying and selling by wrong mete and measure wanton words and licentious living tending to slander do properly appertain to the censure of the Church which in the order and cases following we judge shall be observed If the offence be secret and known by few and be rather surmised then that it be manifestly proved the offender ought to be privately admonished and if he promise to amend the censure shall not proceed any further If he contemn the admonition that is given him or after promise walk al 's uncircumspectly as before the Minister ought to call and rebuke him and if he be disobedient proceed according to the rule of Christ. In faults publick and hainous such as Fornication Drunkennesse Fighting common Swearing and Execration the offender must be called before the Minister Elders and Deacons and have his sin laid out before him whereof if he shew himself penitent and require to be admitted to publick satisfaction a day should be appointed for his appearance before the whole Church to testify the repentance which before he professed which if he accept and with reverence perform he ought to be received again in the society of the Church for the Church of God must not be more rigorous then God declareth himself to be who witnesseth that Whensoever a sinner doth unfainedly repent and turn from his wickednesse that he will not remember his iniquity any more If the offender be obstinate and shew no signes of repentance he must be dismissed with an exhortation to consider his dangerous estate and assured that if he do not shew no tokens of amendment a more severe course will be taken If within a certain space he manifest his repentance to the Minister he may be presented before the Congregation and received in manner aforesaid But if he shall continue in his impiety then it must be signified to the congregation that such offences are fallen out amongst them the committer thereof rebuked and desired to repent whereof as yet no tokens are given and they requested to call unto God for touching the heart of the offender whose fault ought to be expressed but not his name with remorse that he may truly and earnestly be converted If he notwithstanding continue in his contempt his name must the next day of the publick meeting be notified to the congregation and the most discreet and nearest of his friends or acquaintance entreated to deal with him earnestly that he may be brought to the knowledge of the fault and solemn prayers made for his conversion to God The third Sunday the Minister shall require if the impenitent hath declared any signes of his repentance and it being found that he hath done the same a day shall be affixed to him for appearing before the Consistory where if he shew himself penitent as well of the crime as of his long contempt he shall be received upon publick satisfaction in manner before prescribed But if no man signifie his repentance then the Minister by consent of the Elders and Deacons and at commandment of the Church shall pronounce the offender excommunicated from God and from the society of his Church After which sentence no person may have any kind of conversation with him his wife and family only excepted in eating drinking buying selling saluting or conforming with him unlesse the same be licensed by the Ministery that he finding himself abhorred of the faithful and godly may take occasion to repent and so be saved This sentence as being the most heavy censure which can be inflicted by the Church ought not to be rashly used but for great causes and due processe of time kept but being pronounced ought with all severity to be maintained and intimation thereof made through the whole Realm lest any should pretend ignorance of the same His children begotten or born after the sentence and before his repentance may not be admitted to Baptisme till either they be of age to require it or else the mother or some of his special friends members of the Church present and offer the childe abhorring and damning the iniquity of his parent If any do think it rigorous thus to punish the childe for the fathers offence let them understand that the Sacraments appertain only to the faithful and their seed and that such as contemn the admonitions of the Church and obstinately continue in their iniquity cannot be reckoned amongst the faithful Murtherers manslayers adulterers and committers of the like horrible crimes whom the Civil sword ought to punish with death if they shall be permitted to live shall be holden excommunicate and accursed in their fact The offenders being first called and the order of the Church used against them in the same manner as the persons who for their obstinacy are publickly excommunicated so the obstinate impenitent after the sentence of excommunication and the murtherer or adulterer shall stand in one case as concerning the judgment of the Church and neither of both admitted to prayers or Sacraments howbeit they may be present at the preaching of the Word till first they offer themselves to the Minister and Elders requesting humbly their prayers and desiring them to intercede with the Church for their admission to publick repentance Upon this humble request signification shall be given to the Church of the same the first day of publick preaching and the congregation exhorted to pray unto God that he will perform the work which he appeareth to have begun in the heart of the offender by granting him unfaigned repentance of his sin with a sense and feeling of his mercy Thereafter a day shall be publickly assigned unto him him to make open confession of his crime and contempt At which time he must appear in presence of the congregation and confessing the same desire mercy of God and intreat them to accept him in their society The Minister shall try diligently if he find in him an hatred and displeasure of his impiety committed and as he findeth so to comfort him in the hope of Gods mercies but especially is to see that he be instructed in the knowledge of Iesus Christ in the article of Justification and offices of Christ for it were a mocking of God to receive him to repentance who knoweth not wherein his remedy standeth when he is grieved for sin If he shall perceive him to be reasonably instructed and humbly disposed then shall he demand of the congregation if they be willing to receive that creature of God whom Satan had before drawn in his snare into their society which they yielding unto as justly they may not deny the
howers after sun-rising and so homewards This fell out the 13 of Aprill 1596. The Queen of England having notice sent her of what was done stormed not a little one of her chief Castles surprised a prisoner taken forth of the hands of the Warden and carried away so far within England she esteemed a great affront The Lieger M. Bows in a frequent Convention kept at Edinburgh the â—2 of May did as he was charged in a long Oration aggravate the hainousness of the fact concluding that peace could not longer continue betwixt the two Realms unless Baclugh were delivered in England to be punished at the Queens pleasure Baclugh compiering and charged with the fact made answer That he went not into England with intention to assault any of the Queens houses or to do wrong to any of her Subjects but onely to relieve a subject of Scotland unlawfully taken and more unlawfully detained That in the time of a generall assurance in a day of truce he was taken prisoner against all order neither did he attempt his relief till redress was refused and that he had carried the business in such a moderate manner as no hostility was committed nor the least wrong offered to any within the Castle yet was he content according to the ancient treaties observed betwixt the two Realms when as mutuall injuries were alleadged to be tryed by the Commissioners that it should please their Majesties to appoint and submit himself to that which they should decern The Convention esteeming the answer reasonable did acquaint the Ambassadour therewith and offered to send Commissioners to the borders with all diligence to treat with such as the Queen should be pleased to appoint for her part But she not satisfied with the answer refused to appoint any Commissioners whereupon the Councell of England did renue the complaint in Iuly thereafter and the business being of new agitated it was resolved of as before and that the same should be remitted to the triall of Commissioners the King protesting That he might with great reason crave the delivery of the Lord Scroop for the injury committed by his deputy It being less favourable to take a prisoner then relieve him that is unlawfully taken yet for the continuing of peace he would forbear to do it and omit nothing on his part that could be desired either in equity or by the laws of friendship The borderers in the mean time making daily incursions one upon another filled all their parts with trouble the English being continually pâ—t to the worse neither were they made quiet till for satisfying the Queen the Laird of Baclugh was first committed in S. Andrews and afterwards entered in England where he remained not long At the same time for bringing the Isles to obedience Collonell Steward was imployed to levy 1000 men every shire furnishing 20 horsemen and 30 foot or so much money as would sustain them allowing the horsemen 24 pounds monthly and the foot 12 pound besides the supply of the free burghes These companies were appointed to meet at Dumbalton the 20 of August for aiding the King or his Lieutenant for the space of 40 days according to the customes and when the days were come were commanded to follow the Colonell as designed Lieutenant assigned by the King But upon the bruite of this expedition the principals of the Isles did all submit themselves offering obedience to appear before the King at the time his Majesty should appoint so that expedition ceased the Colonell going no further then Ila where he remained a few days and took assurance for their appearance In the March preceding the Assembly of the Church convened at Edinburgh for consulting upon the dangers threatned to religion by the invasion of the Spaniard which was then generally noised Some brethren directed to lay open the perils to his Majesty returned with this answer That albeit there was no great cause to fear any such invasion at that time yet they should do well to give their advice as if the danger were at hand which would serve when necessity did require The Assembly upon this thought meet to enter into consideration both of the dangers and remedies and first to enquire upon the causes that had provoked God to threaten the Realm with that tyrannous Nation to the end the same might be removed then to deliberate how by ordinary lawfull means the enemy should be resisted The causes they condescended to be sins of all estates and especially the sins of the Ministery which they held best should be penned and drawn to certain heads that the corruptions being laid open the remedies might be the better provided For this work some of the brethren were named set apart who after a day or two presented in writing a number of Articles touching the corruption of Ministers as well in their offices as in their lives and manners the offences in the Kings house in the Court and in the Judgment seats the defection and faults commune to all estates and the remedies which in their opinion were fit to be used The Assembly allowing their labours and acknowledging their own guiltiness in that which concerned themselves ordained a day of humiliation to be kept on Tuesday the week following by the Ministers that were there present for reconciling themselves to God and making up a new Covenant for the better discharge of their duties This is the Covenant that by some is so often objected and said to be violated by those that gave obedience to the Canons of the Church albeit in it there is not a word or syllable that sounds either to confirming of the Church government then in use or to the rejecting of that which since hath been established But when other Arguments fail them somewhat must be said to entertain the conceipts of the popular By this Covenant all did bind themselves to abide in the profession of the truth and to walk according to the same as God should enable them But for the rules of policy or ceremonies serving to good order or decency let inspection be taken of the Register which is extant and it shall plainly appear that at the time there was not so much as any mention thereof made But to proceed The advices they gave for resisting the practises of the enemy was That all who had kithed in action with the Popish Lords should enter their persons in ward till assurance was given that they should neither keep intelligence with the Rebels nor joyn with them in case they did return into the Countrey That the rents and livings of the Rebels should be uplifted for entertainment of souldiers and supporting other necessary affairs That in every Parish Captains should be chosen for the mustering and training of men in Armes and some Commanders in every Shire appointed for convening the County at needfull occasions Lastly that they who were Sureties for the good behaviour of the Rebels without the Realm
not 2 In regard the liberty of the Church and discipline presently exercised was confirmed by divers Acts of Parliament and the office-bearers thereof peaceably possessed therein particularly in the judicatory of the word preached as was clear by divers late examples he ought to be remitted for his preaching to the Ecclesiastick Senate as his competent Judge in the first instance For which and for other weighty considerations and namely for eschewing the inconveniencies that might fall to Religion and his Majesties own estate by the appearance of distraction and alienation of his Majesties mind from the Ministry and the cause of God in their hands he for himself and in name of the Commissioners of the general Assembly who had subscrived the same Declinatour did humbly beseech his Majesty not to infringe the liberty of the Church but rather manifest his care in maintaining the same When the Diet came and the summons were read being desired to answer he said That albeit he might object against the citation the same being directed super inquirendis contrary to the form prescrived by Parliament and no particular specified therein yet he would take him to the usuall remedy of law and desire to be remitted to his own Ordinary Being asked whom he meant he answered the Presbytery where the doctrine was taught The King then replying that the matter laid to his charge was Civill and that the generality of the summons was restricted to the particular letter produced by the English Ambassador he said That the speeches wherewith he was charged being uttered in pulpit must be judged by the Church In prima instantia Again being inquired whether the King might not judge matters of Treason as well as the Church did matters of Heresie he said That speeches delivered in pulpit albeit alledged to be treasonable could not be judged by the King till the Church took first cognition thereof but that he was not come thither to solve questions and so presented the Declinatour The King notwithstanding that he was greatly offended because the day appointed for the baptisme of the Princesse was approaching continued all further proceeding to the last of November Mean while had the Commissioners for the Church sent a copy of M. Blakes declinatour with a letter to all the Presbyteries requiring them for the greater corroboration of their doings to subscrive the same and to commend the cause in hand in their private and publick prayers to God using their best credit with their flocks and employing all their labours for the maintainance thereof The King being mightily incensed with this doing as tending to a direct mutiny and the stirring up of the subjects to rebellion gave forth a Proclamation wherein he said That certain persons of the Ministery abiding in the town of Edinburgh had of long time continued together devising plots prejudiciall to his Majesties authority and usurping a power over their brethren had directed letters for subscriving a Declinatour formed and already subscrived by themselves requiring them with the return of their subscriptions to send some of their number to assist their proceedings as though they were not subjects and that the King had no power nor authority over them intending as appeared by convocations and the like tumultuous forms to break the peace and make an insurrection in the Countrey whereas no care in the mean time was taken of their flocks but the same left comfortless and destitute of the preaching of the word all which they coloured with a generall Commission alledged to be given by the last generall assembly albeit there was no such Commission that which he produced containing only a power to consult and report and not to set down Acts or exercise any jurisdiction and granting that such a Commission had been given the same could not be lawfull as given without the consent and approbation of his Majesties Commissioners who were present at the time Therefore to prevent the disorders and confusion which therethrough might arise his Highness with the advice of the Councell discharged the said Commission as unlawful in it self and more unlawfully executed by the said Commissioners commanding the persons under written namely M. Andrew Melvill M. James Melvill M. Iohn Davidson M. Nicoll Dalgleish M. James Nicolson M. James Carmichaell and John Clapperton to depart home to their severall flocks within 24 hours after the charge and to attend upon the lawfull discharge of their callings and no ways to return for keeping such unlawfull convocations either within the said burgh or without under the pain of Rebellion The Commissioners upon information that such a charge was directed fell to consult what course they should take and first they resolved That since they were convened by the warrant of Christ in a most needfull and dangerous time to see unto the good of the Church Et ne quid Ecclesia detrimenti caperet they should obey God rather then man and notwithstanding of any charge that should be given continue together so long as conveniently they might and in the mean time send some of the number to the Octavians this was the title commonly given to those eight Counsellors that were trusted with all affairs to advertise them that seeing the Church at their entry to their places enjoyed a full peace and liberty and that now it was cast into great troubles and the enemies of the truth spared and overlooked they could not but think that all this proceeded from their counsells and therefore whatsoever the event should be the Church would take her self to them and they onely should bear the blame The President answering in choler said That these controversies were begun without their advice so they should end that for their good service they had reaped smal thanks and drawn upon themselves much envy and therefore would have no medling in that business betwixt the King them but leave it to him his Nobility This answer put them to a second advice and thinking they were mistaken and that these Commissioners were not in the fault but that all proceeded from the King himself they sent M. David Lindesay M. Robert Rollock M. Iames Nicolson and Iames Melvill to declare unto his Majesty the great inconveniencies that were like to arise upon this hard dealing with the Church and humbly intreat a surcease of the Process intended against M. David Blake and that all other controversies might be left off till some order was taken with the Papists and an Assembly convocated for deciding these questions to his Highness content The King answered That it was not his fault and that he was no less displeased then they were with the controversies arisen and that yet if they would pass from the declinator or declare at least that it was not a general but only a particular declinator used in the cause of M. David Blake as being a cause of slander and partaining to the judgement of the Church he should
troubles of the Church he made a particular relation of the proceedings and treacherous forms so he called them wherewith they were used by the Court laying the whole blame upon the President Controller and Advocate whom he particularly named and used with most reproachfull tearms Then turning to the Noblemen and Barons he put them in minde of the zeal which their predecessours had shewed in planting Religion and exhorted them with the like courage and constancy to maintain the same Having closed the Sermon with a Prayer as use is he requested the Noblemen and Barons to meet in the little Church for assisting the Ministery with their best advice There assembled in the place many people besides those that were desired and so great was the throng as the Ministers could hardly finde entrance Mr. Robert Bruce at last having made way unto himself went to the table where the Noblemen and Barons were placed and after a short Prayer declared in what danger the Church was brought by the return of the Popish Lords how they had regrated the case to the King and when they expected that order should have been taken therewith a new business was moved and one of their Brethren called in question for his preaching about which they had been in long conference but could come to no end and that now at last the best affected of their people were charged to leave the Town whereby they were brought to suspect some worse practises They did therefore request them humbly to intercede and intreat his Majesty that they might be permitted to serve God in their callings without molestation The desire seemed reasonable the Lords Lindesey and Forbes with the Lairds of Bargenny and Blaquhan Mr. Robert Bruce and Mr. William Watson were chosen to preferre the Petition By some occasion the King was that day come to the Session and being in the Upper House the Lords with these others were admitted where Mr. Robert Bruce taking the Speech said That they were sent by the Noblemen and Barons convened in the little Church to bemoan the dangers threatned to Religion by the dealing that was against the Ministers and true professours What dangers see you said the King Under communing said he our best affected people that tender Religion are discharged of the Town the Lady Huntley a professed Papist entertained at Court and it is suspected that her husband is not farre off The King leaving that purpose askt who they were that durst convene against his Proclamation The Lord Lindesey in passion replied That they durst doe more then so and that they would not suffer Religion to be overthrown Numbers of people were at this time thronging unmannerly into the room whereupon the King not making any answer arose and went down to the Lower House where the Judges doe sit commanding the doors to be shut They that were sent returning to the Church shew that they were not heard nor was there any hope so long as the Counsellours remained about the King that they should receive any favourable answer and were therefore to think of some other course No course said the Lord Lindesay but one let us stay together that are here and promise to take one part and advertise our friends and the favourers of Religion to come unto us for it shall be either theirs or ours Upon these speeches followed such a clamor and lifting up of hands as none could hear what another spake The sedition increasing some cried to Arme others to bring out Haman for whilest the Lords were with the King M. Michael Cranstone Minister of Cramond had been reading to the people that story others cried The sword of the Lord and of Gideon and so great was the fury of people as if one of the Deacons of Crafts-called Iohn Wat had not kept them back with a guard of Crafts men that followed him they had undoubttedly forced the doors and wrought some mischief Sir Alexander Hume Provost of the Town was then lying sick yet being told what a tumult was raised he came to the street and as he was wise and skilfull in handling the people with his fair speeches brought them after a little time to lay down their weapons and retire to their lodgings The commotion thus raised the King directed the Earl of Marre the Lord Pittenweem and Laird of Traquair to confer with the Ministers and ask the cause of the tumult They were then walking at the back of the Church for the tumult had scattered the meeting and professing a great dislike of that which had happened besought the Noble men to shew the King that they were not in fault and had done their best to appease the multitude The cause they said to their conjecture was that his Majesty refused to hear their Petition which they knew came not from himself but of others The Earl of Marre replied that any reasonable Petition would be heard and answered being preferred in a dutifull manner wherefore they should do wisely to go together and supplicate his Majesty for remedy of these things wherein they were grieved Whereupon they returned to the little Church and after a short deliberation sent the Lord Forbes the Laird of Bargenny and M. Robert Rollock with these Petitions First that all which have been done in prejudice of the Church the last four or five weeks might be rescinded Next that in the things that concerned the Church the President Controller and Advocate should have no voice as being suspected in Religion and opposite enemies to the Church Thirdly that the Citizens of Edinburgh who were charged to leave the Town might be permitted to stay at home upon surety to appear whensoever they were called The King answered very calmly That his doings had been greatly mistaken by the Ministers and that as these controversies were moved against his will so he wished nothing more then to have them quietly setled But that it could not stand with his honour to rescind so hastily the conclusions taken in Councell nor to remove Counsellors from their places upon naked suspicions except somewhat could be verified that might disable them At afternoon he should call the Councell and satisfie them in every thing which with reason they could desire For the Citizens he said that the supplications made in their behalf would come better from the Provost and Baylifs of the Town and the same upon their Petition should be granted With these answers the Lord Forbes and the rest returned and with them the Lord Ochiltry and Laird of Cesford were sent by the King to desire them to put their Petitions in reasonable terms and await on the Councell at two of the clock Matters thus quieted the King with the Lords went down the street peaceably to his palace At afternoon the Noblemen and Barons assembling with the Ministery after long reasoning did condescend upon the supplication and Articles following In most humble manner we the
of the 20 chap. of the Acts whereby he took occasion to prove out of the Scriptures and Fathers the supremacy of Bishops above Presbyters and to shew the inconveniencies of Parity in the Church with the confusion arising from the same Dr. Buckridge Bishop of Rochester took for his text the Precept of the Apostle Omnis anima c Rom. 13. 1. where falling to speak of the Kings supremacy in causes Ecclesiasticall he did handle that point both soundly and learnedly to the satisfaction of all the hearers only it grieved the Scots Ministers to hear the Pope and Presbyterie so often equalled in their opposition to soveraign Princes Dr. Andrews Bishop of Chichester followed who choosed for his text the first verses of the 10 chapter of Numbers confirming thirdly the power of Kings in Convocating Synods and Councells The fourth was Dr. King Bishop of London he took for his theam the 11 verse of the 8 chapter of Canticles and thereupon discoursing of the Office of Presbyters did prove lay Elders to have no place nor office in the Church and the late device to be without all warrant of Precept or example either in Scripture or in Antiquity This course his Majesty took as conceiving that some of the Ministers should be moved by force of reason to quit their opinions and give place to the truth but that seldome happeneth where the minde is prepossessed with prejudice either against person or matter The first audience was at Hampton the 22 of September at whichâ— besides the Bishops and Ministers from Scotland were present the Earls of Dunbarre Argile Glencarne Sir Thomas Hamilton Advocate and Sir Alexander Straiton Of the English Dr. Montague Dean of the Charpell was only admitted to stay There the King declaring the purpose for which he had called them spake a few words to this effect That having left the Church of Scotland in peace at his parting forth of it he did now hear of great disturbances in the same whereof he desired to understand the true cause and to have their advice how the same might best be removed This being said he the errand in generall for which I have called you I should be glad to hear your opinions touching that meeting at Aberdene where an handfull of Ministers in contempt of my authority and against the discharge given them did assemble and though they were neither a sufficient number nor the accustomed order kept they would take upon them to call it a generall Assembly and have since proudly maintained it by declining my Councell and such other means as they pleased to use The rather I would hear your minds because I am informed that divers Ministers doe justifie that meeting and in their publick preachings commend these brethren as persons distressed which in effect is to proclaim me a tyrant and Persecutor Mr. Iames Melvill answering first said that there was no such discharge given to those Ministers that met at Aberdene as was alledged adjuring Sir Alexander Straiton who was said to have given the charge to declare in his Majesties presence how that matter was carried As to the absence of Moderator and Clerk he said that none of these were essentiall parts of an Assembly and that the Moderator absenting himself of purpose and the Clerk refusing to serve the brethren convened might lawfully create others in their places so as the Ministers having warrant to convene from the word of God and from his Majesties laws as also coming thither by direction of their Presbyteries he could not in his conscience condemne them Well then said the King I shall desire you to answer me three things that I will ask First if it be lawfull to pray publickly for persons convicted by the lawfull Iudge as persons being in distress and aflicted 2 Whether I may not being a Christian King by my authority royall convocate and prorogue and desert for just and necessary causes known to myself any Assemblies or meetings within my Dominions 3 Whether or not may I by my authority-call and convene before me and my Councell whatsoever person or persons Civil or Ecclesiastial for whatsoever offences committed by them in whatsoever place within my Dominions and if I may not take cognition of the offence and give sontence therein And further whether or not are all my subjects being cited to answer before me and my Councell obliged to compeir and acknowledge me or them for judges in these offences Mr. Iames answering said that the questions were weighty and craved a great deliberation wherefore he would humbly entreat his Majesty to grant them a time to conferre and advise together that they might all give one direct answer This desire granted they were commanded to advise and meet together that night and be ready to answer the next day At this meeting the Earls of Salisbury and Northampton with divers of the English Clergy were present The Ministers desiring to have the meeting more private requested the Earl of Dumbarre to move the King therein and that none but Scotsmen should be present fearing as they said that some unseemly words might escape them But this was denied and they warned to speak with that respect which became subjects It was believed that the King should have begun with the questions proponed in the former meeting but his Majesty taking another course required them to declare one by one their judgements touching Aberdene Assembly The Bishops being first askt did all condemn the meeting as turbulent factious and unlawfull Mr. Andrew Melvill then being enquired made answer That he could not condemn the Assembly being a private man that he came into England upon his Majesties letter without any Commission from the Church of Scotland and though he had Commission in dicta causa and not hearing what they could say for themselves he could not give his judgement Sentence he said was given against them in a justice Court how justly he did remit that to the great Judge but for himself he would say as our Saviour did in another case Quis me constituit judicem Mr. Iames Balfoure being next asked Did pray his Majesty not to press him with any answer for that he knew nothing would be well taken that proceeded from his mouth and that Mr. Andrew had answered his minde sufficiently Mr. Iames Melvill without giving a direct answer began to tell That sinceâ— his coming to London he had received divers letters and with them a Petition that should have been presented to the late Parliament in behalf of the warded Ministers which he was desired to offer unto his Majesty and as he thought the Petition would make all their mindes known The King taking the Petition and falling to read the same willed the Advocate to goe on and receive the answer of the rest And as the Advocate was questioning Mr. William Scot and urging him with a distinct answer for he used many circumlocutions according to
have persecuted that worthy man in his life made him a long time after his death the subject of their sermons interpreting the miseries whereunto he was brought to be the judgement of God inflicted upon him for withstanding their courses of discipline If now one should take the like liberty and say That God to whom the Bishop at his dying did commend his cause had taken a revenge of him who was the chief instrument of his trouble it might be as probably spoken and with some more likelyhood then that which they blasted forth against the dead Bishop But away with such rash and bold conceits the love of God either to causes or persons is not to be measured by these externall and outward accidents But leaving this the King being very desirous to have the Church quieted and a solid and constant Order established for preventing the like offences did call a generall Assembly to meet at Linlithgow the 10 of December and for the better ordering of business directed the Earl of Dunbarre to attend the meeting At the day many convened both Ministers and others Of Ministers there were reckoned one hundred thirty six of Noblemen Barons and others thirty and three Mr. Iames Nicolson elected to preside the Earl of Dunbarre presented a letter from his Majesty to this effect That it was not unknown what pains he had taken whilest he lived amongst them as well to root out Popery as to settle a good and perfect Order in the Church and that notwithstanding of his care bestowed that way he had been continually vexed by the jealousies of some perverse Ministers who traducing his best actions gave out amongst the people that all he went about was to thrall the liberty of the Gospell Neither content thus to have wronged him they had in his absence factiously banded themselves against such of their brethren as had given their concurrence to the furtherance of his Majesties just intentions upon the knowledge whereof he did lately call the most calme and moderate as he esteemed of both sides unto his Court thinking to have pacified matters and removed the divisions arisen in the Church but matters not succeeding as he wished he had taken purpose to convene them for setting down such rules as he hoped should prevent the like troubles in after times which he had intrusted to his Commissioner the Earl of Dunbarre willing them to consider what was most fitting for the peace of the Church and to apply themselves to the obedience of his directions as they did expect his favour After the reading of the letter the overture was presented conceived in this forme That his Majesty apprehending the greatest causes of the misgovernment of Church affairs to be that the same are often and almost ordinarily committed to such as for lack of wisdome and experience are no way able to keep things in a good frame for remedying this inconvenient thinketh meet that presently there be nominated in every Presbyterie one of the most grave godly and of greatest authority and experience to have the care of the Presbyterie where he remaineth till the present jarres and fire of dissension which is among the Ministery and daily encreaseth to the hinderance of the Gospell be quenched and taken away and the Noblemen professing Papistry within the Kingdome be either reduced to the profession of the truth or then repressed by justice and a due execution of the lawes and for encouragement of the said Moderators and the enabling them to the attendance of the Church affairs his Majesty is graciously pleased to allow every of them one hundred pounds Scots or two hundred marks according to the quality of their Charge but where the Bishops are resident his Majesty will have them to moderate and preside in these meetings As likewise because it often falleth out that matters cannot be decided in Presbyteries by reason of the difficulties that arise and that the Custome is to remit the decision thereof to the Synod of the Diocie It is his Majesties advice that the moderation of these Assemblies be committed to the Bishops who shall be burthened with the delation of Papists and solicitation of justice against those that will not be brought to obedience in respect his Majesty hath bestowed on them places and means to bear out the charges and burthens of difficill and dangerous actions which other Ministers cannot so well sustain and undergoe This overture seeming to import a great alteration in the discipline was not well accepted of divers but his Majesties Commissioner having declared that it was so farre from the Kings purpose to make any change in the present Discipline as he did not long for any thing more then to have it rightly setled and all these eyelists removed which had given him so just occasion of discontent they desired a time to deliberate and that a number of the most wise and learned might be selected to conferre thereupon and report their opinions to the Assembly The brethren named in this conference having debated every point at length and considered the inconveniencies that might arise by the change especially the usurpation that was feared these constant Moderators should make upon their brethren resolved that the overture proponed was not to be refused so as certain cautions were added which were condescended to in manner following First That the Moderators of Presbyteries and Provinciall Assemblies should not presume to doe any thing of themselves without the advice and consent of their brethren 2 That they should use no further jurisdiction nor power then Moderators have been in use of by the constitutions of the Church 3 If it should happen the Moderatours to be absent at any time from these meetings it should be in the power of Synods and Presbyteries to nominate another for moderating in their absence 4 When the place of a Moderatour in any Presbyterie should be void the election of one to succeed should be made by the whole Synod with consent of his Majesties Commissioner 5 If any of the Moderatours should depart this life betwixt Assemblies it should be lawfull to the Presbyteries to nominate one of the most grave and worthy of their number for the place unto the meeting of the next Synod 6 That the Moderatours of the Presbyteries should be subject to the tryall and censure of the Synod and in case they usurped any further power over the brethren then is given them by the Assembly the same should be a cause of deprivation from their Office of Moderation and they deprived thereof by the said Synods 7 In like manner the Moderatour of the Provinciall Assembly should be tried and censured by the generall Assembly and in case he was found remiss or to have usurped any further power then the simple place of a Moderatour he should be deprived therefore by the generall Assembly 8 That the Moderatours of every Presbyterie and Synod with their Scribes should be astricted to be present
that they deferre not the Baptisme of Infants any longer then the next Lords day after the child be born unless upon a great and reasonable cause declared to the Minister and by him approved the same be continued As also they shall warn them that without great cause they procure not their children to be baptized at home in their houses but when great need shall compell them to baptize in private houses in which case the Minister shall not refuse to do it upon the knowledge of the great need and being timely required thereto then Baptisme shall be administred after the same form as it should have been in the congregation and the Minister shall the next Lords day after any such private baptisme declare in the Church that the infant was so baptized and therefore ought to be received as one of the true flock of Christs fold 4 For as much as one of the speciall means for staying the increase of Popery and setling of true Religion in the hearts of people is that a speciall care be taken of young children their education and how they are catechized which in time of the Primitive Church most carefully was attended as being most profitable to cause young children in their tender years drink in the knowledge of God and his Religion but is now altogether neglected in respect of the great abuse and errors which crept into the Popish Church by making thereof a Sacrament of Confirmation therefore that all superstitions built thereupon may be rescinded and that the matter it self being most necessary for the Education of youth may be reduced to the Primitive integrity it is thought good that the Minister in every parish should catechise all young children of eight years of age and see that they have the knowledge and be able to make rehearsall of the Lords Prayer Belief ten Commandements with answers to the Questions of the small Catechisme used in our Church that every Bishop in his visitation shall censure the Minister who shall be found remisse therein the said Bishops shall cause the said children to be presented before them bless them with prayer for the increas of their knowledge the continuance of Gods heavenly graces with every one of them 5 As we abhor the superstitious observation of Festivall days by the Papists and detest all licentious and profane abuses thereof by the common sort of profâ—ssors so we think that the inestimable benefits received from God by our Lord Iesus Christ his birth passion resurrection ascension and sending downe of the holy Ghost was commendably and godly remembred at certain particular days and times by the whole Church of the world and may also be now therefore the Assembly admitteth that every Minister shall upon these days have the commemoration of the foresaid inestimable benefits and make choice of severall and pertinent texts of Scripture and frame their doctrine and exhortation thereto and rebuke all superstitious observation and licentious profanation thereof These Articles concluded order was given to intimate the same in all the parish Churches and the Ministers enjoyned to inform their people of the lawfulness thereof and exhort them to obedience But this being neglected of the greater part was not the least cause of the distractions that ensued especially in the Church of Edinburgh where the people being still fostered in an opinion that their Ministers would not go from their former practise when they saw them give obedience withdrew themselves in great numbers and ran to seek the Communion from other Ministers they knew to be refractary His Majesty always upon advertisement that the Articles were concluded caused publish the same at the Mercat Cross of the principall burghs commanding the subjects to obey and conform themselves under the pain of his Highness displeasure At the same time the King being informed that the Earl of Argile who the summer preceding had obtained licence upon a pretext of some infirmity to go unto the Spadan Wells was revolted from the Religion and that he entertained some secret practise with old Mackrannald for disturbing the Countrey did recall his licence and ordained him to be cited upon threescore days to appear before the Councell He not appearing at the time appointed was denounced Rebell and process of forfeiture intended against him whether he was perverted by his English Lady who was Popish or that to gain the favour of Spain he did change his religion is doubtfull but thereby he lost his Majesties favour who could never endure an apostate Papist and undid his own reputation Some ten years after he made means for his peace and was permitted to return unto England In the moneth of November a Comet or blazing starre of more then ordinary bigness shined many nights together It was held to portend great calamities and was interpreted by divers to have foreshewed the troubles that shortly after arose in Germany But as every one is ready to make his own construction of such things some with us did take it to foretell the death of our noble Queen Anne who deceased some moneths after to the great regrate of all honest subjects a courteous and humane Princess and one in whom there was much goodness It was in this year that the Synod in Dordrecht in Holland was gathered for repressing the Arminians and thither did the troublers of our Church thinking to procure their approbation direct a relation of the Government of the Scotish Church But the Synod declining all questions of discipline held themselves to the points of doctrine controverted and having condemned the five articles wherein the Arminians dissented from the reformed Churches the acts of Perth Assembly being also five in number it was given out among the vulgar sort that they had condemned the Synod of Perth and for a time was the people entertained by some Ministers in those conceits The relation was confuted a little after and the falshood thereof discovered yet they ceased not by their Libells and Pamphlets to injure the most worthy men and among others the Bishop of Galloway whom they vexed so with their Papers as he taking the business more to heart then was needful fell in a sickness whereof he deceased in the beginning of the same year An excellent and ready Preacher he was and a singular good man but one that affected too much the applause of the popular The good opinion of the people is to be desired if it may be had lawfully but when it cannot be obtained as who is he that can please all men and at all times the testimony of a well informed conscience should suffice Mala opinio bene parta delectat said Seneca An ill opinion well purchased that is for sustaining a good cause or keeping a straight course should work us joy and delight not grieve us at all Upon the death of Mr. William Cowper Mr. Andrew Lambe was translated to Galloway to whom succeeded in
Brichen Mr. David Lindsay then Minister at Dundy At Edinburgh between the Magistrates and Ministers a great strife and discontent was raised because of the Peoples straying from their Churches at which the Magistrates were thought to connive Their usurpation besides in Church affairs especially the intending of a Clerk upon the Church Session did minister no small cause of offence The matter was brought before the King where in behalf of the Ministers it was said That they were unkindly used for the obedience given to the Acts of Perth Assembly the Magistrates by their Commissioner did on the other side inform That the Ministers were the cause of the peoples disobedience some of them having directly preached against the Acts of Perth and all of them affirmed that these Acts were concluded against their hearts His Majesty remitting the triall of these complaints to his Secretary and to the Archbishops of S. Andrews and Glasgow when as they had examined the same it appeared that both the one and the other were in fault and that the mistakings among them were not the least cause of the disorders in that Church whereupon they were admonished to lay aside their grudges and to keep one course for the retaining the people in the obedience of God and his Majesty The Magistrates and Councell were likewise commanded as the King had given direction to provide four other Ministers besides those that were in present service and perfect the division of the Town in Parishes which had been often promised And so shortly after this were Mr. William Forbes Minister at Aberdene Mr. Iohn Guthry Minister at Perth Mr. Iohn Maxwell Minister at Murchlack and Mr. Alexander Thomson Minister at Cambuslang translated from their severall Churches and placed Ministers at Edinburgh The next year beginning the year 1620 the wars of Bohemâ—a growing hot and the Palatinate invaded the King took in minde the defence of his daughter and grandchildren in their Patrimony and because a supply of money was required to such a business the Councell was desired to travell with the Noblemen the Members of Session and the Town of Edinburgh for a voluntary contribution knowing that others by their example would be drawn thereto The Noblemen meeting to this effect the 24 of November expressed a great forwardness to satisfie his Majesties desire yet fearing that all the contributions when they were brought together should prove unworthy advised the Councel rather to call a Parliament and impose upon the subjects by way of Tax a reasonable proportion according to the wealth and substance that every man had This being signified to the King he refused to have any supply by Tax for he considered that the collection would require a time and a burthen should that way be cast upon the Commons and poor labourers of the ground which would make an outcrying among the people therefore he desired as before that Noblemen and those others he had named in his first letter should be urged to shew their liberality A new meeting for this business being kept in Ianuary there after divers overtures were made for giving his Majesty content The Noblemen that were present made offer to give a benevolent according to their abilities and divers of their rank being minors and others abroad in their travells they saw not who would undertake for them The Town of Edinburgh being pressed with an answer excused themselves as being one Burgh only and lacking the concurrence of the rest without which any supply they could make would be of little worth The Advocates Clerks and other members of the Session gave in effect the like answer so as they were forced to turn unto the first overture for a Parliament And for that the difficulties of the contribution could not so well be expressed by letter it was thought meet that one of the Councel should be sent to inform his Majesty of the reasons and necessity they had to call a Parliament This employment being laid upon the Archbishop of S. Andrews he took journey about the end of the same moneth and obtained after a little insisting his Majesties warrant for a Parliament thus was it indicted to keep at Edinburgh the first of Iune and prorogued to the 23 of Iuly thereafter In this mean time it happened that Sir Gedeon Murray Thesaurer deputy being then at Court an information was made against him for abusing his office to the Kings prejudice The informer was Iames Stuart stiled the Lord Ochiltry who out of malice carried to the Gentleman for the strictness which he had used in calling him to an account for the duties of Orkney made offer to justifie the accusation and by the assistance of some of better credit then himself prevailed so farre that the matter was remitted to the triall of certain Counsellors at home the Gentleman being of a great spirit and taking impatiently that his fidelity whereof he had given so great proof should be called in question upon the information of a malitious enemy by the way as he returned from Court did contract such a deep melancholy as neither counsell nor comfort could reclaim him so farre was he overgone that no advice given by friends nor offer of their assistance nor the company and counsell of any whomsoever could reduce him to his wonted estate And so after he came to Edinburgh within a few days departed this life It was not doubted if he should have patiently attended the triall but he had been cleered and the accusation proved a meer calumny nor was it thought that the King did trust the information but only desired to have the honesty of his servant appear yet such was his weakness courage I cannot call it as giving scope to his passions of anger and grief he suffered himself to be therewith oppressed By his death the King did lose a good servant as ever he had in that charge and did sore forethink that he should have given ear to such delations But of that pestilent sort some will never be wanting in the Courts of Princes and happy is the King that can rid himself of lyers in that kind The Gentleman alwayes dyed happily and had his corps interred in the Church of Halyrudhouse The time of Parliament drawing neer the Marquiss of Hamilton was employed as Commissioner for keeping the same at his first coming having understood the business that some turbulent Ministers were making to impede the ratification of the Acts of Perth Assembly he caused discharge all the Ministers out of the Town the ordinary Preachers excepted and two of the number that would not be made quiet he sent prisoners to Dumbarton all that time he did carry himself and the matters committed to his trust with such wisdome and foresight as within a few days he brought them all to the end which he wished without any open contradiction The subsidie desired was granted the Acts of Perth Assembly ratified and divers
On the other part Agilbert a French-man born Bishop of the East Saxons Wilfrid and Agath Presbyters with Iacob and Romans two learned men Cedda lately consecrated a Bishop by the Scots was choosed to be part is utriusque interpres that is as I take it the Recorder of all that should be spoken by either party or enacted in that conference and meeting The King himself did incline to Colman but his son favoured the other party for that Wilfrid had been his Tutor When all were placed in their seats the King using a short speech said That it was meet they who served one God and looked to be heires of one Kingdom in the heavens should keep one rule and form and not vary in their rites and ceremonies Therefore desired seeing they were come together for composing of differences especially touching the celebration of Easter that they should calmely enquire what was the most ancient and best form to the effect all might observe and follow the same Then turning towards Colman he willed him to deliver his opinion and reasons who answered as followeth The Easter which I observe I received from my elders who did send me hither and ordained me Bishop all our forefathers men beloved of God are known to have celebrated Easter in the same manner that I do and if any think light of this the blessed Evangelist St. Iohn the disciple whom our Lord especially loved with all the Churches whereof he had the oversight observed the same which to us is a warrant sufficient Agilbert being desired next to declare his minde excused himself by the want of the English tongue entreating the King the Wilfrid might be allowed to answer for them all which granted Wilfrid began in this sort The Easter which we keep we have seen observed at Rome where the holy Apostles Peter and Paul did preach and suffered Martyrdom As we travelled through France and Italy we saw the same order every where kept and by relation we hear that the Churches of Africk Asia Egypt Greece and to be short the whole Christiâ—n world doth observe the same time onely these men and their followers the Britains and Picts with some remote Islands and not all these neither do foolishly contend in this point against the whole world Here Colman interrupting his speech said It is a marvel you should call our doing foolish seeing we follow the ensample of that great Apostle who was held worthy to lie in the Lords bosome and is known to have lived most wisely Wilfrid replying said Farre be it from me to charge Sâ— Iohn with folly he observed the rites of Moses Law according to the letter the Church as yet Iudiazing in many things and the Apostles not being able to abdicate upon the suddain the whole observations of the Law which God had ordained for this cause did Sâ— Paul circumcise Timothy offer sacrifices in the Temple and shave his head at Corinth with Aquila and Priscilla which things he did onely to eschew the offence of the Jewes In this consideration Sâ— Iames said to the Apostle St. Paul Thou seest brother that many thousands of the Jewes do believe yet are they all zealous followers of the law But the light of the Gospel now shining throughout the world it is not lawful for a Christian to be circumcised or to offer carnal sacrifices unto God Thus S. Iohn keeping the custom of the law began the celebration of Easter upon the 14. day of the first moneth at evening not caring whether it fell upon the Sabbath day or any other day of the week But Sâ— Peter preaching at Rome when he considered that the Lord did rise from the death on the first day after the Sabbath thought good to institute Easter on that day And that this is the true Easter to be observed by all Christians it is clear by the Nicene Councel which did ratify and confirm the same by their decree But you neither follow the example of St. Iohn nor St. Peter nor doth your celebration of Easter agree either with the Law oâ— Gospel for St. Iohn observing it according to the Law had no respect to the first day after the Sabbath whereas you keep not Easter but on the first of the Sabbath Saint Peter did celebrate Easter from the 15. of the Moon to the 21. which you do not for you keep Easter from the 14. to the 20. day and often you begin Easter on the 13. day at night whereof the Law maketh to mention neither did our Lord the authour of the Gospel eat the Passover on the 13. day but upon the 14. at night and at the same time he did celebrate the Sacrament of the New Testament in remembrance of his death and passion So as I have said you neither agree with Law nor Gospel with St. Iohn nor with St. Peter in the celebration of the greatest festivity To this Colman answered And did Anatholius then who in the Ecclesiastick history is so highly commended go against both the Law and the Gospel when as he said that Easter ought to be kept from the 13. day to the 20 or shall we think our most reverent father Columba and his successours who were all dear unto God did transgresse in observing Easter after that manner They were men of great piety and vertue and their miracles have declared and I making no doubt of their holinesse will endevour to follow their order and discipline Then said Wilfrid It is known that Anatholius was a godly and learned man but what have you to do with him that observe not his customes for he followed the true rule of keeping Easter and observed the circle of 19. yeares which either you know not or if you do ye set at nought although the same be observed in the universal Church of Christ he did so account the 14. day as he acknowledged the same to be the 15. at night after the manner of the Egyptians and so the 20. day he believed to be the 21. in the evening which distinction you know not as appears by this that sometimes you keep Easter on the 13. day before the full Moon As to your father Columba and his followers whose rule and precepts confirmed by miracles you confesse to follow I may answer That in the day of judgement the Lord will say to many that prophesied in his name did cast out devils and wrought other miracles I know you not But God forbid I should speak this of your fathers seeing it is better to believe good of those we know not then ill Therefore I will not deny them to have been the servants of God and be loved of him seeing they served God with good intent though in simplicity Neither do I think the order they keep in Easter did hurt them much so long as they had none among them that could shew the right observation thereof If the truth had been shewed them I doubt not they
desired in a King The priviledges and immunities granted by him to the Church do witnesse his piety for in a convention held at Forfare by an unanime consent of his Estates he ordained That all Priests should from thenceforth be exempted from paying tribute keeping watch and going in warfare That they should not be drawne before temporal Judges for any civil cause but that all matters concerning them should be decided by their Bishops the judgement of Matrimonial causes right of Tithes Testaments Legislatory actions and all things depending upon simple faith and promise should be committed to the Bishops with power to them to make Canons and constitutions Ecclesiastical to try hereticks blasphemers perjured persons and Magicians and censure such as they did finde delinquent in that kind And that all Kings succeeding should at the time of their coronation take oath for maintaining the Church in their liberties These favours had the Clergy in the following ages used with that moderation and equity which they ought we should not have seen nor felt the interruptions that have been made upon Church liberties with the incroachments which in our time have been justly complained of In this time lived that famous Scholar Ioannes Scotus called Aerigena from the place of his birth which was the town of Aire in the West parts of Scotland This man being very young went to Athens and followed his studies there some years attained to great perfection in the Greek Chaldaick and Arabick languages Returning afterward to France at the request of Carolus Calvus he translated in Laetine the work of Dionysius de coelesti Hierarchia at which Pope Nicolaus took exception and wrote to King Charles on this manner Relatum est Apostolatui nostro quòd opus Dionysii Arepagitae quod de divinis nominibus vel coelestibus ordinibus Graeco descripit eloquio quidam vir Joannes genere Scotus in Latinum transtulit quod juxta morem nobis mitti nostro debuit judicio approbari praesertim cùm idem Joannes licèt multae scientiae esse praedicetur olim non sanus in quibusdam frequenti rumore dicatur We have been informed that one called Iohn of the Scottish nation hath translated the work which Dionysius the Areopagite did write of the names of God or of the heavenly Orders into the Latine tongue which book ought according to the custome have been sent to us and approved by our judgement especially since the said Iohn albeit he be esteemed of good learning hath been of long time held to be unsound in certain points of doctrine Now the point which the Pope did chiefly quarrel was his opinion of the Sacrament for he had published a Treatise De corpore sanguine Domini wherein he maintained Bertram his doctrine of that point Scotus having knowledge of this and thinking he could not be safe in those parts because of the Popes dislike came into Britain and was welcomed by King Alfred a great favourer of learned men by whom he was employed to teach the languages at Malmsbury Abbey and by some Scholars who could not indure the severity of discipline was stabbed to death in the year 884. and buried in the same Abbey 4. Bishop Malisius dying Kellach the second the son of one Ferlegus succeeded in his place he was the first Bishop of this Kingdom that went to Rome to seek confirmation and lived to a great age for he sate Bishop 35. years In his time Constantine the third King of that name wearied with the troubles of a publick life renounced his temporal dignity and betook himself to solitude among the Culdees in St. Andrews with whom he spent his last five years and there died After this Killach these successively were Bishops 5. Malmore 6. Malisius the second 7. Alwinus who fate three years only 8. Maldwin the son of Gillander and 9. Tuthaldus In this time the coelibate of the Clergy was violently urged and married Priests thrust from their livings which raised great stirres in the Church but the particulars are not recorded nor the broyles which thereupon insued I read in the Antiquities of the Britannick Church that in the year 977. a Councel was gathered at Calne in Wiltshire for that businesse to which Beornellus a Bishop of Scotland was called by Alfrithe the widow of King Edgar who favoured the cause of married Priests This Bishop a man of great learning and eloquence is said to have defended the conjugal life of Priests by solid reasons taken out of Scripture and to have put all the opposites to silence But Dunstane the Archbishop who presided in that Councel when he saw that reason could not bear out the earand fell a threatning and said that notwithstanding all their arguments they should not carry away the victory which he had no sooner spoken then the beames of the house wherein they sate at Councel bursting asunder all were overturned and fell headlong to the ground many were bruised and some killed with the fall Dunstan himself only escaped without harm the beam whereon he stood remaining whole and entire Such as favoured the cause of Monks did interpret this accident to be a sentence given by God on their side others said that Dunstan had wrought this mischief by sorcery for many supposed him to be a Magician However it was the married Priests though repining were forced indeed to yield and submit themselves What became of Beornellus I read not nor whether he returned to his countrey The names of some other Bishops we have who were in good accompt at that time such as Blaanus Englatius Colmocus and Moveanus Confessor to King Kenneth the third a wise and valiant King and one who might have been reckoned amongst the best Princes if about his latter end he had not stained his fame with the murther of Malcolm his Nephew whom he made away by poyson but the ambitious desire he had to settle the succession in his own posterity let him to work this villany which he carried in so covert a manner as no man did once suspect him thereof the opinion of his integrity being universally great but as wicked facts can never be assured though possible they may be concealed his mind was never after that time quiet the conscience of the crime vexing him day and night with continual fears In end whether it was so in effect or if his perplexed minde did form the self such an imagination whilest he lay asleep he heard a voyce speaking to him in this sort Doest thou think that the death of Malcolm that innocent Prince treacherously murthered by thee is hidden from me or that thou shalt passe any longer unpunished No there is a plot laid for thy life which thou shalt not escape and whereas thou didst think to transmit the Crown firm and stable to thy posterity thou shalt leave the Kingdom broken distracted and full of trouble The King awaked with the voyce was
reprehensions It was also thought that the interview of the two Kings at Gloucester did further their dislike as hath been often observed to fall out in the meetings of Princes For Malcolme departed from him in displeasure Rufus by some secret practice got the Castle of Anwick whereupon arose the warre in which King Malcolme and Prince Edward his son did both perish A little before the beginning of this warre Bishop Gregorius died and in his place one called Edmundus was elected who deceased before his consecration 12. After him Turgot Prior of Duresme was chosen Bishop he wrote the history of King Malcolme and Queen Margaret who some few dayes after the death of the King her husband departed this life in the Castle of Edinburgh and was buried in the Church of Dunfermlin whither also the bodies of Malcolme and Edward his son were afterwards translated for at first they were buried in Tinmouth Abbey Never was more lamentation made for the death of two Princes then was for this Queen and her husband Malcolme To speak of his piety justice and magnanimity he outwent in all these the Princes of his time and for courage he gave a noble proofe of it in the first entry of his reign when upon a conspiracy detected against his life riding one day in the fields he called the chief conspiratour and taking him aside from the rest of the company unto a secret place he did challenge him as a Traytor willing him if he had any valour to shew the same and rather take his life in an honest manner then treacherously The man confounded with the boldnesse of the King fell upon his knees and intreated pardon which the King granted retaining him still in his service as before The magnificence of his Court whilest he lived was great and in the State to distinguish the degrees of Honour he introduced the titles of Earl Baron and Knight in the place of Thane and Abthane which were the titles before in use His Queen Margaret was in her place no lesse famous in all the vertues that became women devout towards God charitable to the poor and exceeding liberal in the advancing of publick works The Church of Carlile she built upon her own charges and was esteemed not to be the least cause of all that the King her husband bestowed that way By her the King had a fair issue six sons and two daughters the first called Edward died with his father at Anwick the second called Edmond did render himself religious Etheldred the third deceased young the other three Edgar Alexander and David reigned successively one after another continuing all of them in the same course of goodnesse The names of the two daughters were MAUD and MARY MAUD entring into the Cloister wherein Agatha her Grandmother and Christian her Aunt lived retired was with much difficulty wonne to descend into the world and to be joyned in marriage with Henry the first King of England a Lady of incomparable vertues and of so good a disposition as she was commonly termed MAUD the good Queen Having lived 17. years with her husband in great love she deceased at Westminster the first of May 1118. and was buried on the right hand of Edward the Confessor his Tombe with this Epitaph affixed Prospera non laetam fecere nec aspera tristem Aspera risus ei prospera terror erant Non decor effecit fragilem non sceptra superbam Sola potens humilis sola pudica decens Maii prima dies nostrorum nocte dierum Raptam perpetuum fecit inire diem The other sister MARY was married to Eustathe Earl of Boloign who went to the recovery of the Holy-land with that noble Prince GODFREY his brother she bare to him one only daughter named MAUD who was afterward matched to Stephen King of England and departed this life at London three years before her sister having her corps interred at Bermondsey Abbey in Southâ—ark with this inscription Nobilis hic tumulata jacet comitissa Maria Artibus hac nituit larga benigna fuit Regum sanguis erat morum probitate vigebat Compatiens inibi vivat in arce poli Thus much we owed to the memory of those good and glorious Princes and now return Turgot after he had governed the See of St. Andrewes with good commendation some 25 or 26. years died in the year of our Lord 1117. his corps according to his appointment was honourably conveyed to Duresme and there interred In his time lived Veremudus Archdeacon of St. Andrewes a Spaniard by nation and well learned according to those times he wrote the history of Scotland from the beginning of the kingdom unto the reign of Malcolme the third and is greatly commended for his diligence and fidelity in that work but by the injury of time the same is lost In Germany much about the same time lived Marlanus Paternus Ammichadus Sigebertus and Helias all of them Scotch men and well respected This last had the government of two Monasteries in Coleyn called S. Pantale and S. Martin The severity and rigour that he used toward his Monks brought him in dislike with Pilgrinus Archbishop of the City who upon some false informations determined to expulse him and all the Scottish Monks that were in the City after his return from the Emperours Court where he was for the time This being reported to Helias he is said to have uttered these words Si Christus in nobis peregrinus est nunquam viuas Coloniam veniet Piligrinus which falling out according to his prediction purchased to him the reputation of a Prophet After that he lived many years in peace and died at Coleyn in the year 1042. Sigeberius having governed the Monastery of Fulden some years was preferred to the Archibishopricks of Mentz and being urged by Gregory the seventh called Hildebrand to depose the married Priests that would not separate from their wives was in danger to be detruded by his Clergy and had much adoe to cause that Law of single life to be embraced by them Ammichadus a man nobly born and greatly affected to the solitary life lived a Recluse in the Abbey of Fulden spending his time in the meditations of morality and died in the year 1043. Paternus was a Monk in the City of Potelbrum which in the year 1058. was consumed with fire Ambiens Martyrium saith Marianus in a foolish affection of Martyrdome refusing to come forth of the Monastery was therein burnt alive Marianus he was first a Monk in the Monastery of St. Martin at Colyn founded by Ebergerus the Archbishop of that City for a Seminary of Scottish students in the year 676. and having continued there two years went to the Abbey of Fulden where he lived ten years After that he went to Mentz upon the Archbishops visitation and stayed there some 15. years All this time he imployed in the study of letters especially of Story and
upon his head said Ex tua pharetra nunquam venit ista sagitta meaning that he was set on to speak by some others of greater note So the Legate perceiving that the businesse would not work and that the opposition was like to grow greater he brake up the Assembly After which the Prelates returning home were universally welcomed but above the rest the Chanon Gilbert was in the mouthes of all men and judged worthy of a good preferment and soon after was promoved to the Bishoprâ—ck of Cathenes and made Chancellor of the Kingdome The year following one Vibianus a Cardinal titulo sancti Stephani in monte Caelio came into Scotland in shew to reform abuses and do some good to the Church but in effect to extort moneys from Churchmen For at this time it was grown to be an ordinary trick of the Popes when they stood in need of moneys to send forth their Legates unto all Countreys sometimes under a colour of reforming abuses sometimes for the recovering of the Holy land and sometimes upon other pretexts This Cardinall having stayed a while in Scotland took his journey into Ireland and in his return would needs make a new visit of this Church for which effect he convened the Clergy at Edinburgh in the moneth of August and established divers Canons which the Clergy esteeming prejudiciall to their liberties did incontinent after he was gone revoke and disannull but what these Canons were our Writers do not remember 18. It was a fatall year this to many of our Churchmen both Bishops and Abbots amongst others Richard Bishop of S. Andrews deceasing King William recommended Hugo one of his Chaplains whom he much favoured to the Convent But they taking another course made choice of the Archdeacon Iohn Scot who was an English born The King displeased therewith did swear by the Arm of S. Iamesâ—this â—this was his ordinary oath that so long as he lived Scot should never enjoy that place So he sent a Command unto the Chanons to make a new election appointing Ioceline Bishop of Glasgow their assistant and thus was Hugo his Chaplain elected The Archdeacon appealed to Rome and going thither complained of the wrong done to the Church entreating the Pope for redresse Hereupon Alexius Subdean of the Romane See was dispatched to try and examine the cause At first the King made difficulty to admit him but afterwards yeelding the two elections being tried by the Legate sentence was given for the first and Iocelin Bishop of Glasgow with the rest of the Clergy that assisted the second excommunicated This done the Legate called an Assembly of the Bishops Abbots and whole Clergy at Haliroudhouse and made Matthew Bishop of Aberdene publickly to consecrate the Archdeacon upon Trinity Sunday 1178. He not the lesse fearing the Kings displeasure left the Realm and went to Rome where he was honourably entertained by Pope Lucius the third who sent Letters to the King and admonished him not to usurp upon the Church and to remit the Bishop who was lawfully elected and consecrated to enjoy his place with quietnesse This Letter the Story saith was conceived in milde terms for the Pope feared to incense the King lest he should follow the ensample of his Cousin Henry King of England that some 8. years before had made away Thomas Becket Bishop of Canterbury for his obstinate and wilfull opposition in some matters not unlike yet the King nothing moved with the Letter to make his displeasure the better known did confiscate all the revenues pertaining to the See of S. Andrews and banished those whom he understood to favour the Bishops cause The Pope advertised hereof resolved to put the Realm under Interdiction But the Bishop prostrating himself at his feet besought him not to use any such rigour saying That he would much rather renounce his dignity then have so many Christian souls for ought that concerned him defrauded of spirituall benefits The Pope highly commending the goodnesse and patience of the Bishop held him from that time forth in more regard and at his request forbare the Interdiction Mean while it happened that VValter Bishop of Dunkeld departed this life whereupon the King taking occasion sent to recall the Bishop with offers of great kindenesse protesting that if it had not been for the oath he rashly made he would willingly have contented to his enjoying of the See of S. Andrews But seeing it did touch him in Honour and Conscience as he esteemed to be yeelding thereto he requested the Bishop to accept the Benefice of Dunkeld which was then fallen void and was in value not much inferiour to the other This the Bishop communicated to the Pope who desired to have the matter quieted advised him to return and accept the offer Thus was the Archdeacon by the Popes consent preferred to Dunkeld having the rents of the Archdeaconry reserved to him during his life in recompence of his losses Hugo this way coming to be possessed Andrews took journey to Rome that he might be reconciled to the Pope and being absolved for his intrusion in his return died some six miles from the City of Rome the 6. of August 1188. ten years and ten moneths after his election At this time newes was brought from the East of the prevailing of Sultan Saladine of Egypt against the Christians in the Holy land which moved Philip the second of France and Henry King of England to undertake the recovery of the Holy land and to employ all their credit and means as well in their own countreys as with other Christian Princes their neighbours for the furtherance of that enterprise To befray the charges of the voyage both Kings by consent of their Clergy and Nobles ordained that all their subjects both Clergy and Laity such excepted as went in the voyage should pay the tenth of all their moveables either in gold or silver King Henry having laid this imposition upon his subjects at home sent Hugh Pusar then Bishop of Duresme with other Commissioners to collect the tenths of the Clergy and Laity in this kingdom which the King and States interpreting to be an encroachment upon their liberties would not permit yet for advancing that holy action they did offer a supply of 5000. Marks sterling which King Henry refused but the enterprise upon a quarel that arose betwixt the Kings of France and England was at that time dashed and so the collection was no further urged King Henry a little after this ended his life and Richard his son who succeeded resolving to pursue the action of the holy Warre to assure the King of Scotland who he feared would take some advantage in his absence restored all the Castles which were delivered to King Henry his Father and released him and his posterity of all Covenants made and confirmed by Charter unto King Henry as extorted from him being then his prisoner reserving only such
a sorrow they shewed notwithstanding he had reigned long and died being of a great age for it was the 74. of his age and the the 49. of his reign when he departed this life The funerals ended his son Alexander the second accompanied with all the Prelates and Nobles of the kingdome went to Scone and received the Crown by the hands of the Bishop of Saint Andrews This King did no wayes degenerate from the vertues of his predecessors and was a great protector of the Church against the rapines and extortions of Rome Guallo others call him Waldo a Cardinal sent Legate into England by Pope Innocentius the third to assist King Iohn who was then become his vassal did put the kingdom of Scotland under interdiction because the King had supplied the French in his invasion of England and as he pretended robbed some Churches and religious places in his return from that war The Church-men ceasing by this occasion from their ordinary services no religious exercise was performed by any through the whole Realm but the white Monks whose priviledge did warrant them to celebrate at such times which the Legate hearing did suspend inhibiting them by one Weshbeck Archdeacon of York to do any service under pain of the highest spiritual censures till the rest of the Clergy were absolved But King Iohn dying and Henry his son Crowned by mediation of certain Prelates peace was made betwixt King Alexander and him upon the conditions following That Ioane the sister of Henry should be given in marriage to Alexander King of Scots and Magaret his sister to Hubert de Burgh Justiciar of England the man who then ruled all affaires That Berwick should be rendred to the Scots and Carlile to the English The King of Scots absolved from the Legates censures and his kingdome released from the Interdiction For performing the last Article the Bishops of York and Salisbury by whose meanes especially the peace was concluded had Commission given them by the Legate which presently they discharged But Guallo being displeased that the Interdict had passed so easily for he was a man extremely avaritious and one who made his profit of every businesse since he could not retreat what was done took him to the Clergy saying That the absolution granted did not comprehend them and thereupon did summon them to appear before him at Anwick The Diet was kept and thither went all the Bishops Abbots Priors and beneficed men in great numbers Absolution was offered but not without the payment of large summes which were at first denied but after some menacings that he should make them answer it at Rome the most out of fear did transact A few Prelates only standing out went afterwards to Rome to justifie their Cause With the inferiour Churchmen he took a course in shew beneficial and for their ease that some one or two should go with Commission and absolve them in their own Provinces at home but it turned to their great molestation for the Prior of Duresme and Westbeck the Archdeacon who were imployed in that businesse beginning at Berwick went through all the Realm and making the Priests and Canons convene at the principal City of the bounds caused them to take oath that they should confesse themselves and answer truly unto every particular enquired of them which done and their several depositions taken what by terrifying some with deprivation from their places for faults confessed by themselves what by wearying others with the protractions they made from day to day great summes were extorted from them and the poor Priests forced notwithstanding all this oppression to go barefooted to the door of the principal Church where they were convened and ask their absolution in a most base and abject form The Clergy offended herewith sent Walter Bishop of Glasgow Brice Bishop of Murray and Adam Bishop of Cathnes to complain at Rome where finding Pope Innocent dead and Honorius the third preferred in his room they exhibited in name of the Church of Scotland a grievous complaint against Guallo charging him to have been the especial cause of these miserable combustions which both the kingdomes had endured to have abused his legation unto his private commodity and to have extorted monies from Churchmen and others under colour of absolution Guallo brought to his answer because he did not clear himself sufficiently in divers points was declared not to have carried himself as became his Holinesse Legate and fined in a pecuniary mulct so as he escaped by dividing the spoil which he had made in those parts betwixt his Master and himself The Bishops who preferred the complaint were upon confession of their fault absolved one of the Cardinals who stood by scornfully commending their humility and saying Quòd piarum mentium esset crimen agnoscere ubi nec culpa reperitur That it was the part of devout men to acknowledge an offence even where no fault was committed and for some recompence of their pains a confirmation was given them of the old priviledges granted to the Church of Scotland by four Popes This priviledge is dated at Rome in the year of Christ 1218. and in the second of Pope Honorius his Pontificat Yet the next year Egidius a Spaniard by nation and by place a Cardinal was sent to gather contribution for the holy warre wherein both the Clergy and Laity shewed themselves so forward as in a short space great summes were collected all which he spent most prodigally in his return to Rome giving out for an excuse that he was robbed by certain Brigants in the way And no sooner was this Cardinal gone then another followed having the like Commission but the King considering how prejudicial these contributions might prove to the kingdome and that through the easie yieldings of the State the See of Rome was grown impudent in their exactions would not permit him to enter into the Realm till he had propounded the matter in Councel at which time one of the Bishops his name is not expressed in the story made a long speech against the rapine of these Legates where in recounting the insolent oppressions of Guallo and the riotous profusion of Egidius he disswaded by many good reasons his admission or the receiving of any other who should afterwards happen to come about the like businesse This speech seconded with the applause of all that were present an Act was made prohibiting the reception of the Legate or any others without licence from the King The Bishop of St. Andrewes being all this while in France did now return bringing with him some of the order of S. Dominick some Franciscans Iacobins and of the Monks called Vallis umbrosae These Orders not being known before in this Church by their crafty insinuations with people and the profession they made in leading an austere life did supplant the credit of the Priests drawing to themselves all the
upon them which otherwise then for eschewing the present danger he would not have done To this Iohn Knox answered That men ought so to serve the time as they neglect not their obedience unto God whose Commandement how great soever the danger be may not be transgressed For the ensample alledged he said the dissimilitude was great seeing to go into the Temple to purifie and pay vowes was sometimes commanded by God himself whereas the Masse from the first invention of it was abominable idolatry and never allowed of God Further he said that it might justly be doubted if either S. Pauls fact or the advice that S. James and the Elders of Jerusalem gave him had any good warrant seeing the event proved not such as they did promise to themselves for S. Paul was so farre from purchasing thereby the favour of the Jewes as to the contrary they rising in a tumult threw him forth of the Temple and had almost killed him so as it seemed God did not allow his doing for that it served to confirm the obstinate Jewes in their superstition By these and the like answers to the rest of the allegations propounded the hearers were so satisfied as they resolved to go no more to Masse but to make an open separation whose ensample divers others both of the Town and Countrey followed This being observed by the Priests and others of the inferiour Clergy they complained to the Bishops and shewed how the Church-service was contemned and people drawn away to private conventicles The Bishops meaning the case to the Queen Regent she was much commoved yet advised them to use their own authority and spare her for a little time lest the Articles of the marriage which was then treating betwixt her daughter and the Daulphine of France might receive some crosse at the Convention of the Estates Hereupon they took counsel to call Iohn Knox and summoned him to appear in the Church of Black friers at Edinburgh the fifteenth of May. But when the day came they took a new device and deserted the Diet pretending some informality in the Summons howbeit the true cause was that a number of Barons and Gentlemen were come to the Town to assist him After that time his preaching grew publick and was more frequented then before The Earls of Glencarn and Marshall repaired daily thereto and were so taken with his Sermons as they did counsell him to write unto the Queen Regent and intreat her to make a Reformation of the Church which he did the letter was delivered by the Earle of Glencarne but she calling it a Pasquill gave the same to the Archbishop of Glasgow and made no more accompt thereof This is that letter which was afterwards published in Print and intituled A letter to Queen Dowager Letters about the same time were brought to Iohn Knox from the English Church at Geneva declating that they had elected him to be their Preacher and requesting him to come and accept the Charge This letter he communicated with those that were his ordinary auditors and when he saw them exceedingly grieved for his departing gave his promise to return how soon they should finde it fit to recall him Soon after he took leave of them and went to his journey but was not well gone when upon a new citation directed by the Clergy because he appeared not he was condemned for an heretick and burnt in effigie at the Mercat-crosse of Edinburgh This was done in the moneth of Iuly 1556. the copy of the sentence being sent unto him he published an Apology intituling it An appellation from the Clergy to the Nobility and Commons of Scotland This year many prodigious signes were observed A Comet of that kind which the Astronomers call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the vulgars a firie Bissome shined the whole moneths of November December and Ianuary great Rivers in the middest of winter dried up and in the summer swelled so high as divers Villages were therewith drowned and numbers of cattel feeding in the valley grounds carried to the sea Whales of a huge greatnesse were cast out into sundry parts of the River of Forth hailstones of the bignesse of a Doves egge falling in many parts destroyed abundance of Cornes and which was most terrible a firie Dragon was seen to flie low upon the earth vomiting forth fire both in the day and night season which lasted a long time and put the people to a necessity of watching their houses and Corn-yards These direful signes as every man is led by his fancy to presage were taken by some to be progonosticks of great troubles that should ensue upon the Match with France others said that thereby was signified some great change in the estate of the Church And indeed after this the estimation of the Clergy daily diminished and divers of that number relinquishing their order made open profession of the truth Mr. Iohn Dowglas a Carmelite Frier forsaking his Order became a Chaplain to the Earl of Argyle who resided then at Court and spoke openly in his Sermons against Popish superstitions In Dundy Paul Methven did publickly exhort the people to renounce the doctrine of Rome and submit themselves to the doctrine of Christ. And in all the parts of the countrey some were daily breaking forth especially from the Cloisters and declaiming against the corruptions of the Church The Bishops perceiving it would be to no purpose to convene the Preachers before themselves for heresie moved the Queen Regent to call them before the Councell for raising mutinies and stirring up people to sedition hoping that way at least to restrain their publick teaching but at the day appointed for their appearance such numbers of people did accompany them as it was held safest not to call them till the multitude was disperst and for that effect a Proclamation was given out charging all persons that were come to the Town without licence of the Authority to repaire immediately to the borders and attend the Lieutenant in the service against England for the space of 15. dayes The Gentlemen of the West countrey who were but lately returned from the same service esteeming this a sort of oppression went in a tumult to the Palace and entering the Queens Privy chamber complained of the unreasonable Proclamation that was sent forth The Queen began to excuse the matter and shew the necessity of their attendance for some short time but they would not be satisfised And one Iames Chalmers of Gaitgirth a froward and furious man stepping forward said We know Madam that this is the device of the Bishops who stand by you we avow to God it shall not go so they oppresse us and our poor tenants for feeding their idle bellies they trouble our Preachers and seek to undoe them and us all we will not suffer it any longer And with those words every man made to his weapon The Queen being extremely feared gave them many
Of the Bishops of the Isles I have lesse to say onely that the Isle of Man was at first the Cathedral seat as by occasion we touched before and that by the invasions of the Norvegians and English the same was translated unto Ilcolmkill In Man Amphibalus was the first Bishop I read of one Machilla likewise that was there Bishop and confirmed the holy Brigida in her purpose of single life After the translation of the seat to Ilcolmkill I find onely one Onacus mentioned about the year 1289. who is reported to have been a good and godly man with another called Mauricius whom King Edward the first of England sent prisoner to London And thus farre of the succession of Bishops unto the time of the Reformation THE HISTORY of the CHURCH OF SCOTLAND THE THIRD BOOK The Contents The History of the Reformation of the Church and how it was wrought THE Petitions put up to Queen Regent for reformation of the Church taking no effect some Noblemen and Barons joyning in Councel did bind themselves by oâ—thes and subscriptions to assist one another and hazard their lives and substance in advancing the cause of Religion The principals were Archibald Earl of Argyle Alexander Earl of Glencarne James Earl of Morton Archibald Lord of Lorne Sir Iames Sandelands of Calder Iohn Erskin of Dun and William Maitland of Lethington younger They meeting together after deliberation what should be fittest first to do concluded That in all Parishes the Curates should be caused read the Prayers and Lessons of the Old and New Testament on Sundayes and other Festival dayes according to the form set forth in the Book of Common Prayers and if they should refuse that the most qualified in every Parish should do the same But for preaching and interpretation of Scripture the same should be used only in private houses after a quiet manner till God should move the Queen to grant further liberty This accordingly was performed in the parts where they had Commandment and by their example in divers Townes and Parishes of the countrey the like was done to the great offence of the Clergy who complaining of that boldnesse to the Queen Regent were answered that it was no fit time to enter into those matters and that she should find occasion ere it were long to put order unto them But the Clergy fearing delayes did forthwith call a Provincial Councel at Edinburgh where professing to make reformation of abuses they renewed some old Popish constitutions which they made to be imprinted and affixed upon the doors of all the Parish Churches The Bishop of S. Andrewes advertised of the Reformation begun in Argyle sent to the Earl Sir David Hamilton his Cousen with a letter wherein after he had shewed the perill in which he did cast both himself and his house by that open defection from the Church he desired him in some honest fashion to rid himself of that defamed and perjured Apostate who had seduced him This was one Mr. Iohn Douglas whom the Earl had taken to be his Minister offering to provide him of a learned and wise Preacher for whom he would lay his soul in pawn that he should teach no other but true doctrine and agreeable to the Catholick faith The Earle answered That for peril he feared none either to himself or to his house having resolved to live in obedience to his Prince and to serve God as well as he could according to his written word and for the defection alledged seeing it had pleased God to open his eyes and give him the knowledge of his truth which he took for a great argument of his favour he would not relinquish or forsake it for fear of any inconveniences As to the man he wrote of he said that he heard him teach the doctrine of Christ condemne idolatry adultery fornication and such like wickednesse and that he should make him give an accompt thereof whensoever he should be cited But to call him defamed and perjured there was no reason seeing he was not declared to be such by any sentence and if he had in former times made any unlawful oath he had done much better in violating the same then if he had observed it Further whereas he made offer to provide him of some learned man he gave him thanks considering the necessity there was of labourers in the Lords harvest but he understood what his meaning in that was and minded not to be led with any such teachers In end he wished him not to begin the battel with him whereof the event would be doubtful for as to himself he knew God was God and should be God still whatsoever mans crast could work or devise The Bishop receiving this answer did communicate the same with the chief of the Clergy who thereby conceiving that there was some businesse in hand began to think of other defences And the feast day of S. Giles or Sanctus Egidius falling out about that time to be kept at Edinburgh they entreated Queen Regent to honour the solemnity with her presence The custome was in that time of the year to carry the image of the Saint in procession through the town for they had S. Giles to their Patron with Drummes Trumpets and all sort of musical instruments neither was there any day kept more superstitiously then this The Queen agreed the rather to accompany the procession for that some cumult was feared which she thought her presence would represse But when the time of the solemnity was come the Saint was missing for some had stolne the image out of the place where it was kept This made a stay till another little image was borrowed from the Gray Friers which the vulgar in mockery called young Saint Giles Herewith they set forward the Regent accompanying the people till the procession was nigh ended then withdrawing her self to the lodging where she was to dine she was no sooner gone then some youths provided for the purpose drawing near unto the Fertor and making a shew to carry it upon their shoulders after they had walked some few paces and perceived by the motion they made the image was fixed to the Fertor they threw all to the ground and taking the image by the heels dashed the same against the stones so as head and hands were beaten off and the idol wholly defaced The people hereupon fell a crying the Priests and Churchmen betook them to flight and a great stirre was in the streets Some houres the Fray continued and being in end setled by the authority of the Magistrates the whole Clergy that were in town assembled themselves and making the best countenance they could indicted a solemn meeting in the beginning of November next To this diet Paul Methven was summoned and not appearing was decerned for his contumacie to be banished the Realme a prohibition likewise was given to all the subjects that none of them should entertain or receive
of the Church not onely Townes may be assigned for the chiefest workemen to remaine in but also Provinces that by their faithfull labours Churches may be erected and order established where none is at the present For Readers To the Church that cannot presently be furnished with Ministers men must be appointed that can distinctly read the Common-Prayers and Scriptures for the exercise both of themselves of the Church untill they grow untill a greater perfection Because he who is now a Reader may in process of time attain to a further degree and be admitted to the holy Ministery Some we know that of long time have professed Christ Iesus whose honest conversation deserveth praise of all good men and whose knowledge might greatly help the simple and ignorant people notthelesse the same persons content themselves with reading These must be animated and encouraged to take upon them the function of the Ministery But if in no measure they be qualified for preaching they must abstain from administration of the Sacraments till they attain unto further knowledge and such as take upon then the office of Preachers who shall not be found qualified therefore by the Superintendent are by him to be placed Readers The fift head concerning the provision of Ministers and distribution of the rents and Possessions justly pertaining to the Church SCripture and Reason do both teach that the labourer is worthy of his hire and that the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth forth the corne ought not to be musled Therefore of necessity it is that honest provision be made for Ministers which we require to be such that they neither have occasion of solicitude nor yet of insolency and wantonnesse And this provision must be made not only for their own sustentation during their lives but also for their wives and children after them for it is against godliness reason and equity that the widow and children of him who did faithfully serve the Church of God in his life and for that cause was not careful in providing for his family should after his death be left comfortlesse It is difficil to appoint the several stipends of every Minister because the charges of necessity of all will not be alike for some will be resident in one place some will be compelled to travel and change their dwelling especially if they have charge of divers Churches Some will be burthened with wife and children and one with moe then another some perchance will live a single life and if equal stipends should be appointed to all these who are in charge so unequal one would suffer penury and another have superfluity Therefore we judge that every Minister should have sufficient wherewith to keep an house and be sustained honestly in all things necessary forth of the rents of the Church which he serveth conform to his quality and the necessity of time wherein it is thought that every Minister shall have forty bols meal and twenty bolls malt with money to buy other provision to his house and serve his other necessities the modification whereof is to be referred to the judgement of the Church which shall be made every year at the choosing of the Elders and Deacons providing alwayes that there be advanced to every Minister provision for a quarter of a year before-hand of all things To the Superintendents who travel from place to place for establishing of the Church a further consideration must be given therefore we think that to each of them should be appointed six Chalders beer nine Chalders meal and three Chalders oats for provand to his horse with 500. Marks of money which may be augmented and diminished at the discretion of the Prince and Councel of the Realm The children of the Ministers must be freemen of the Cities next adjacent where their Fathers laboured faithfully they must also have the priviledges of Schooles and Bursaries in Colledges freely granted unto them if they be found apt for learning or failing thereof they must be put to some handicraft and virtuous industry whereby they may be profitable instruments in the commonwealth Their daughters likewise would be vertuously brought up and honestly educated when they come to maturity of years at the discretion of the Church And this we require not so much for our selves or any that pertaineth to us as for the increase of vertue and learning and for the profit of the posterity to come For it is not to be supposed that a man will dedicate his children to serve in a calling where no wordly commodity is expected and naturally men are provoked to follow vertue where they see honour and profit attending the same as by the contrary many despise vertue when they see vertuous and godly men live unrespected and we should be sorty to know any to be discouraged from following the studies of learning whereby they may be made able to profit the Church of Christ. Of the stipend of the Readers we have spoken nothing because if they can do nothing but read they cannot be esteemed true Ministers and regard must be had of their labours but so as they may be spurred forward to vertue therefore to a Reader that is lately entered we think forty Marks more or lesse as the Parishioners can agree sufficient providing that he teach the children of the Parish which he must do besides the reading of the Common Prayer and the books of Old and New Testament If from reading he proceed to exhort and explaine the Scriptures then ought his stipend to be augmented till he come to the degree of a Minister But if after two years service he be found unable to edify the Church by preaching he must be removed from that office and discharged of all stipend that another may be put in place who to the Church may be more profitable No childe nor person within the age of one and twenty years may be admitted to the office of a Reader but such must be chosen and admitted by the Superintendent as for their gravity and discretion may grace the function that they are called unto These Readers who have some gift of exhortation and have long continued in the course of godlinesse we think may have 100. Marks or more at the discretion of the Church appointed for them yet a difference must alwayes be kept betwixt them and the Ministers that labour in word and ministration of the Sacraments Rests two sorts of people who must be provided for of that which is called the Patrimony of the Church to wit the poor and the Teachers of the youth The poor must be provided for in every Parish for it is a shameful thing that they should be so universally contemned and despised Not that we are Patrons to stubborne and idle beggers who running from place to place make a craft of begging for those we think must be compelled to work or then punished by the Civil Magistrate But the poor widows the fatherlesse the impotent maimed persons the aged and every one
that may not work or such persons as are fallen by occasion into decay ought to be provided and have their necessities supplied by the Parish where they were borne or have remained for any long space Of Superintendents Because it is found expedient for the erecting and planting of Churches and appointing of Ministers that at this time there be selected ten or twelve Superintendents we have thought good to design their bounds set down their office the manner of their election and causes which may deserve deposition from their charge The Dioces of the Superintendents and places of their residence The Countrey of Orkney shall have a Superintendent and for his Dioces the Isles of Orkney with the countreys of Cathnes and Strathnaver his residence to be in the Town of Kirkwall The Superintendent of Ross his Dioces shall comprehend Ross Southerland Murray with the North Isles of Sky and Lergis and their adjacents his residence should be in the Chanonry of Ross. The Superintendent of Argyle shall have for his Dioces Argyle Cantyre Lorne the South Isles of Arrane and Boole with the Isle adjacent and the countrey of Loghquaber his residence to be in Argyle The Superintendent of Aberdene his Dioces shall comprehend all betwixt Dye and Spey that is the Sherifdom of Aberdene and Bamff his residence to be in old Aberdene The Superintendent of Brichen shall have for his Dioces the Sherifdomes of Mernis Angus and the Bray of Marre unto Dey and keep his residence at Brichen The Superintendent of Fife shall have for his Dioces the Sherifdomes of Fife Fotheringham and Perth unto Striveling his residence shall be in S. Andrews The Superintendent of Lothian his Dioces shall comprehend the Sherifdomes of Lothian Striveling Mers Lawtherdale and Stow of Twaddale his residence to be in Edinburgh The Superintendent of Iedburgh shall have for his Dioces Teviotdale Tweddale and the Forrest of Attrick his residence to be in Iedburgh The Superintendent of Glasgow his Dioces shall comprehend Clyddisdale Ranfrew Monteith Kile and Cunningham his residence to be at Glasgow The Superintendent of Dunfreis shall have for his Dioces Galloway Carrick Niddisdale and Annandale with the rest of the Dales in the West his residence to be at Dunfreis These men must not be suffered to live idle as the Bishops have done heretofore neither must they remain where gladly they would but they must be Preachers themselves and remain in one place above three or four moneths after which they must enter in visitation of their whole bounds preach thrice a week at least and not to rest till the Churches be wholly planted and provided of Ministers or at the least Readers In their visitation they must trie the life diligence and behaviour of the Ministers the order of their Churches and the manners of their people how the poor are provided and how the youth is instructed They must admonish where admonition needeth and dresse all things that by good counsel they are able to compose finally they must take note of all heinous crimes that the same may be corrected by the censures of the Church Of the election of Superintendents Such is the present necessity that the Examination and Admission of the Superintendents cannot be so strict as afterwards it must for the present therefore we think it sufficient that the Councel nominate so many as may serve the Provinces above written or then give Commission to men of best knowledge who have the fear of God to do the same The Gentlemen and Burgesses of Towns within the Dioces being alwayes made privy at this time to the election as well to bring the Church in practice of her liberty as to make the Pastor better favoured of the flock whom themselves have chosen If so many able men cannot be found at the present as necessity requireth it is better that those Provinces wait till God provide then that men unable to edifie and govern the Church be suddenly placed in the charge experience having taught what ills have bin engendred in the Church by men unable to discharge their offices If any Superintendent shall depart this life or happen to be deposed the Minister of the chief Town within that Province with the Magistrate and Councel the Elders and Deacons of the said Town shall nominate the Superintendents of two or three Provinces next adjacent within the space of twenty dayes two or three of the most godly and learned Ministers within the Realm that from among them with publick consent one may be elected to the office then vacant The twenty dayes expired and no man presented three of the next adjacent Provinces with consent of their Superintendents Ministers and Elders shall enter into the right and priviledge of the chief Town and shall present one or two if they list to be examined according to the order and it shall be lawfull for all the Churches within the Dioces within the same time to nominate such persons as they esteem worthy election After the nomination made publick edicts must be sent forth warning all men that have any objections against the persons nominated or against any one of them to appear in the chief Town at the day affixed which we think should be thirty dayes after the nomination and declare what they have to say against the election of any one of them The day appointed for the election being come the Ministers of the Province with the Superintendents next adjacent shall examin the learning manners prudence and ability to govern the Church of the whole persons nominated and cause them publickly to preach to the end he that is most worthy may be burthened with the charge And then they shall give their voices according to conscience and not out of affection It must be considered whether the objection be made of malice or out of a zeal to Gods glory and the weal of the Church Other ceremonies then this examination the approbation of Ministers and Superintendents with the publick consent of Elders and people we do not admit The Superintendent so elected must be subject to the censure and correction of the Ministers and Elders of his chief Town and whole Province over which he is appointed and if he be found negligent in any of the chief points of his office especially if he be found negligent in preaching the word or in visitation of his Churches and if he be convict of any of these crimes which in a common Minister are condemned he must be deposed without respect of his person or office If his offence be publick and the Ministers and Elders of the Province negligent in correcting him then the next one or two Superintendents with their Ministers and Elders may convene him providing the same be within his own Province or chief Town and inflict the censure that his offence deserveth No Superintendent may be translated at the pleasure or request of any one Province without the Councel of the whole Church and that for grave causes and
same then ought the Minister to crave the assistance of the Churches prayers in behalf of the penitent and prayer ended exhort them to receive him again in their favours in token whereof the Elders and one or two of the Congregation shall take him by the hand and embrace him in the name of the whole Church This done the Minister shall exhort him who is received to walk circumspectly in time coming lest Satan catch him again in his snares advertising him how that enemy will not cease to try all means possible for bringing him from the obedience that he hath given to God and his Ordinance And after the exhortation shall give again publick thanks to God for the conversion of that their brother and pray for increase and continuance of his grace to him and the whole congregation Unto this discipline the whole estates of the Realm as well the Rulers as they that are ruled and the Preachers themselves as well as the poorest within the Church must be subject the Ministers especially because they as the eye and mouth of the Church should be most irreprehensible The eighth head concerning Elders and Deacons MEn of best knowledge of purest life and most honest conversation that can be found in every Church must be nominated for these offices and their names publickly read unto the congregation that from amongst those some may be chosen to serve as Elders and Deacons If any be nominated who is noted with publick infamy he must be repelled for it is not seemly that the servant of corruption should have authority to judge in the Church of God or if any man know others that are of better qualities within the Church then those who are nominated the same shall be joyned to the others that the Church may have the choice If the Churches be few in number so as Elders and Deacons cannot conveniently be had the same Church may be joyned to the next adjacent for the plurality of Churches without Ministers and order doth rather hurt then edifie The election of Elders and Deacons ought to be made every year once which we judge most convenient to be done the first of August yearly lest men by long continuance in those Offices presume upon the liberty of the Church And yet it hurteth not if a man be retained in office more years then one so as he be appointed yearly thereto by common and free election Providing alwayes that the Deacons and Thesaurers of the Church be not compelled to receive again the same Office for the space of â— years How the suffrages shall be given and received every severall Church may take the order that seemeth best to them The Elders being elected must be admonished of their Office which is to assist the Minister in all publick affairs of the Church to wit in judging and discerning of causes in giving admonition to licentious livers and having an eye upon the manners and conversation of all men within their charge for by the gravity of the Elders the loose and dissolute manners of other men ought to be restrained and corrected The Elders ought also to take heed to the life manners diligence and study of their Ministers And if he be worthy of admonition they must admonish him if of correction they must correct him and if he be worthy of deposition they with the consent of the Church and Superintendent may depose him The Office of Deacons is to receive the rents and gather the Almes of the Church to keep and distribute the same as they shall be appointed by the Ministery and the Church yet they may also assist in judgement the Minister and Elders and be admitted to reade in publick Assemblies if they be called required and found able thereto The Elders and Deacons with their wives and families must be subject to the same censure that Ministers are subject unto for they are Judges to the manners of others and therefore they must be sober humble entertainers of concord and peace amongst neighbours and finally an ensample of godlyness to the rest of the flock whereof if the contrary appear they must be admonished by the Minister or some of their brethren if the fault be secret but if it be open and known they must be openly rebuked and the same order kept with them that is prescribed against Ministers offending We think it not necessary that any publick stipend be appointed either to the Elders or Deacons because their travell continueth but for a year as also because they are not so occupied with the affairs of the Church but that they may have leisure to attend their private business Of the Censure and Deposition of Ministers If a Minister be of a loose conversation negligent in his study and one that waiteth not on his charge and flock or one that proponeth not fruitful doctrine to his people he ought to be admonished by the Elders and if he amend not the Elder may complain to the Ministery till his repentance appear but if any Minister be deprehended of any notable crime as whoredome adultery murther man-slaughter perjurie heresie or any such as deserveth death or any inferre the note of infamy he ought to be deposed for ever By heresie we understand pernicious doctrine plainly taught and obstinately defended against the foundation and principall grounds of Christian faith Such a crime we judge to deserve perpetuall deposition from the Ministery knowing it to be a thing most dangerous to commit a flock unto a man infected with heresie Some faults deserve deposition for a time as if a Minister be deprehended drunken if he be a brawler or fighter an open slanderer a defamer of his neighbours factious and a sower of discord till he declare himselfe penitent and give some assurance of better conversation upon which the congregation shall attend the space of twenty dayes or longer as they shall think expedient before they proceed to a new election Every inferiour Church should notifie by one of their Elders and one of their Deacons to the Superintendent the life manners study and diligence of their Ministers that the discretion of some may correct the levitie of others Neither must the life and manners only of their Ministers come under censure but also of their wives children and family It must likewise be adverted that the Minister neither live riotously nor avaritiously and a respect had how he spendeth his stipend for if a reasonable stipend be appointed him he must live accordingly because avaritiousness and solicitude of money is no less to be damned in Christs servants especially those who are fed at the charge of the Church then is excess and superfluity We judge it unseemly for Ministers to live in common Alehouses or Taverns neither must a Minister be permitted to frequent the Court unless it be for a time when he is either imployed by the Church or called by the Authority to give his counsell and judgement in any matter Neither yet must he be one
of the councel in Civil affairs be he never judged so apt for the purpose but either must he cease from the Ministery which at his own pleasure he may not do or else in bearing charge in Civil affairs except it be to assist the Parliament when the same is called The ninth head concerning the Policie of the Church WE call the Policy of the Church the exercise of Religion in such things as may help to bring the ignorant to knowledge or else promove in them that are more learned a further growth of grace or otherwise such things as are appointed for keeping things in good order within the Church whereof there be two sorts the one utterly necessary as that the Word may be truly preached the Sacraments rightly administrtd common Prayers publickly made children and simple persons instructed in the chief points of Religion and offences corrected and punished These things we say are so necessary that without the same there cannot be any face of a visible Church The other sort is profitable but not meerly necessary as that Psalmes be sung and certain places of Scripture read when there is no Sermon or that the Church should convene this or that day in the week to hear Sermons Of these and the like we see not how a certain Order can be established For in some Churches the Psalmes may be conveniently sung in other perhaps they cannot some Churches may convene every day some twice or thrice in the week and some it may be but once In these and the like every particular Church may appoint their own policy themselves Yet in great towns we think expedient that every day there be either Sermon or Common Prayer with some exercise of reading the Scriptures The day of publick Sermon we do not think the Common-Prayers needfull to be used lest we should foster the people in superstition who come to the Prayers as they come to the Mass or give them occasion to think that those are no Prayers which are conceived before and after Sermon In every famous town we require that one day besides the Sunday be appointed for Sermon during the time whereof men must abstain from all exercise of trade and labour the servant as well as the master In smaller towns such order must be kept as the Churches within the same shall appoint but the Sunday in all towns must precisely be observed before and after noon Before noon the Word must be preached Sacraments administred and mariage solemnized when occasion doth offer After noon the Catechisme must be taught and the young children examimined thereupon in audience of all the people In doing whereof the Minister must have care to cause the people understand the questions propounded with the answers and doctrine that may be collected thereof What order shall be kept in teaching the Catechisme and how much thereof every Sunday shall be handled the distinctions of the Catechisme it self which is the most perfect that ever was yet used in any Church do shew Where there is neither Preaching nor Catechisme upon Sundayes at afternoon the Common-Prayers ought to be used It appertaineth to every Church to appoint the times when the Sacraments should be ministred Baptisme may be ministred whensoever the Word is preached but we think it more expedient that the same be ministred upon Sunday and when occasion is offered of great travell before noon the same may be ministred in the afternoon upon the week dayes onely after the Sermon partly to remove that gross errour which may hold that children dying without Baptisme are damned partly that the people may assist the ministration of the Sacrament with greater reverence then commonly they do Four times in the year we think sufficient for Administration of the Lords Table which we desire to be so distinguished that the superstitious observation of times may be avoyded so far as may be for it is known how superstitiously people run unto that action upon Easter as if time gave virtue to the Sacraments when as the rest of the whole year they are careless and negligent as though it belonged not unto them but at that time only Therefore we think it expedient that the first Sunday of March yearly be kept for one day to that service The first Sunday of Iune for another The first Sunday of September for the third and the first Sunday of December for the fourth Albeit we deny not but every Church for reasonable causes may change the time and minister the same oftner yet we think the Sacrament of the supper ought never to be ministred without examination preceding chiefly of those who are known or suspect to be ignorant and that none ought to be admitted to that holy mystery who cannot formally say the Lords Prayer the Articles of the Belief declare the summe of the Law and understandeth the use and vertue of that holy Sacrament We also think necessary that every Church have a Bible in English and that the people convene to hear the Scriptures read and interpreted that by frequent reading and hearing the gross ignorance of the people may be removed And we judge it most expedient that the Scriptures be read in order That is that some one Book of the New and Old Testament be begun and followed forth to the end The like we esteem of preaching if the Minister remain for the most part at one place For the divagation from one place of Scripture to another whether it be in reading or preaching we account not so profitable for the Church as the continuall following of one Text. The Masters of Families must be commanded to instruct or cause to be instructed their children and servants in the Principles of Christian Religion without the knowledge whereof they may not be admitted to the Table of the Lord wherefore we think it needfull that every year at least the Ministers take triall by publick examination of the knowledge of every person within the Church and that every master and mistress present themselves and so many of their family as are come to mature age before the Minister and Elders to give confession of their Faith rehearse the Commandements of the Law with the Lords Prayer and declare what is their understanding in those things If any shall suffer their children or servants to remain in wilfull ignorance the censures of the Church must be used against them unto excommunication and then the person referred to the Civil Magistrate For seeing the just man liveth by his own faith and that Christ Iesus justifieth by knowledge of himself it is intolerable that any should be permitted to live as Members of the Church of God and yet to continue in ignorance Moreover all persons would be exhorted to exercise themselves in the Psalmes that when the Church conveneth and the Psalmes be sung they may be the more able with common heart and voice to praise God In private houses it were expedient that the most grave and discreet person of
the family should use Common-Prayers at morning and night Of the exercise of Prophesying or Interpretation of the Scriptures It was a custome in the Church of Corinth at some times when they did assemble and meet together to read a place of Scripture whereupon one first gave his judgement for the instruction and consolation of the Auditors after whom another did either confirm what the former had said or adde that which he had omitted or correct and explain more properly the place or text Liberty was also given to a third man to speak if the whole truth had not been revealed by the former and above the number of three it seemeth none were allowed to speak as we reade in the 1 Cor. 14. 29. where we have these words Let the Prophets speak two or three and let the other judge And if any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by let the first hold his peace for ye may all prophesie one by one that all may learn and all may have comfort And the Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets This exercise we think to be most necessary for the Church this day in Scotland because thereby the Church may have triall of the knowledge gifts and utterance of every man within their own body The simple and those who have somewhat profited shall be incouraged to proceed in their studies and the whole Church shall be edified every man that list to hear and learn being permitted to declare his mind and knowledge for the comfort of the rest But lest this exercise that is so profitable might turn into debate or strife these rules must be observed 1. All curious and unprofitable questions must be avoyded 2. All interpretations that are against the Analogy of faith and against charity or that seem to contain an open contradiction to other manifest places of Scripture are to be rejected 3. The interpreter may not take to himself the liberty of a Preacher although he be appointed and received a Minister but he must keep him to his text and not break out by digression into Common places 4. He may use no invectives in the exercise unlesse it be in confuting of heresies 5. He must be short in his admonitions and exhortations and spend the time allowed him in opening the mind of the holy Ghost in that place shewing the dependence of the Text and observing such notes as may edifie the auditor 6. Neither he that interpreteth or any of the Assembly ought to move any question in open audience which he doth not presently resolve without disputing with another but every man must shew his own judgement and utter it to the edification of the Church 7. If any be noted of curiosity or bringing in of strange doctrines he must be admonished by the Ministers and Elders after the interpretation is ended 8. The whole Ministers with those that are of the assembly ought to convene and judge how the persons have interpreted the text and how they have handled and intreated the matter during which time the person should be removed till every man hath given his censure After which the persons being called in they should be gently admonished of their escapes if any they have made and then should all questions and doubts be resolved amongst them without any contention The exercise would be kept in every town where Schools and repaire of learned men are upon a certain day of the week which together with the books of Scripture that they shall think most profitable to be intreated we referre to the judgement of the Ministers and Elders of the particular Church where they convene The Ministers to Landwart and Readers so as they have gift of interpretation lying within six miles of the Town must assist and be present at the exercise that either they may learn themselves or others may learn by them Moreover whosoever are esteemed to have any gifts that may edify the Church must be charged by the Ministers and Elders to joyn themselves with that company of interpreters to the end the Church may know whether they be able to serve in the vocation of the Ministery or not And if any be found disobedient and unwilling to communicate their gifts with their brethren the censures of the Church should be used against such providing that the consent and authority of the civil Magistrate be interrponed thereto for no man should be permitted to live as it pleaseth him within the Church but constrained to bestow their labours where it is thought they may serve to the edification of others Of Marriage Marriage ought not to be contracted amongst persons that lack judgement to choose Therefore we think that children and infants cannot be lawfully married in their lesse age that is if the man be within 13. years of age and the woman within 12. at least If any have been married within those years and kept their bodies pure and unconjoyned with others we think not that such can be compelled to adhere as man and wife by reason of any former promise but if after the years of judgement they have embraced one another by virtue of the last consent having ratified the promise made by others for them in their youth the same should be held as married persons Publick inhibitions should be made that no persons under the power and obedience of Fathers Tutors and Curators either men or women contract marriage privately and without the knowledge of those to whom they live subject under the power of the Church censure for if any son or daughter be moved towards a match they are obliged to ask the counsel and assistance of their parents for performing the same And though the Father notwithstanding their desires have no other cause then the common sort of men have to wit lack of money or because they are not perhaps of such a linage and birth as they require yet must not the parties make any Covenant till the Ministery or civil Magistrate be acquainted therewith and interpone their request for the Parents consent which if they cannot obtain finding no just cause why their marriage ought not to proceed in that case they sustaining the place of the Parent may consent to the parties and admit them to marry for the work of God ought not to be hindered by the corrupt affections of worldly men We call that the work of God when two hearts without filthinesse before committed are so joyned that they are content to live together in the holy band of matrimony If any commit fornication with the woman whom he requireth in marriage then both of them do lose the foresaid benefit as well of the Church as of the Magistrate for neither of them ought to be intercessors for filthy fornicators The Father or nearest friend whose daughter being a virgin is deflowred may by the law of God compell the man who hath done the injury to marry his daughter yet if the Father by reason of the offence will not
brought thither but that since her coming she had been used so courteously as she would not remember any more that injury Now this rape as afterwards came to be known was devised to secure the murtherers of the King For it being held sufficient by a custome commonly received that in remissions granted for crimes committed the most hainous fact being particularly expressed others of less moment might be comprehended in generall words they were advised to pass a remission for violence offered to the Queen and the laying of hands upon her person then to subjoyn And for all other crimes and nefarious acts whatsoever under which clause they esteemed the murther of the King might be comprised which otherwise was neither safe for them to express nor could the Queen with her honour pardon Thus did they think both that Bothwell himself should be secured and safety to all his partakers in the Murther Whilest the Queen was detained at Dumbar a divorce was sued for Bothwell from Lady Ieane Gordon his wife in two severall Courts In the one sate by Commission from the Archbishop of St. Andrews Robert Bishop of Dunkeld William Bishop of Dumblane Mr. Archibald Crawford Parson of Egilsham Mr. Iohn Manderstor Chanon of the Colledge Church of Dumbar Mr. Alexander Chrichton and Mr. George Cooke Chanons of the Church of Dunkeld In the other Court Mr. Robert Martland Mr. Edward Henryson Mr. Alexander Sim and Mr. Clement Little Judges constitute by the Queens authority in all causes consistoriall and in both Courts was the sentence of divorce pronounced but upon divers grounds In the Archbishops Court sentence was pronounced upon the consanguinity standing betwixt Bothwell and his wife at the time of her marriage they mutually attinging others in the fourth degree and no dispensation granted by the Pope for consummating the same In the other Court the sentence was grounded upon adultery committed by him which these Judges held to be the only lawfull cause of divorce both the processes were posted and such festination made in them as in the space of ten dayes they were begun and concluded The divorce passed the Queen came to the Castle of Edinburgh and the next morning Bothwell sent to ask his banes with the Queen The Reader Iohn Cairnes whose office it was did simply refuse thereupon Mr. Thomas Hepburn was directed to the Minister Mr. Iohn Craig to desire him to publish the same The Minister likewise refusing as having no warrant from the Queen and for that the rumour went that she was ravished and kept captive by Bothwell upon wednesday thereafter the Justice Clerk came unto him with a letter signed by the Queen wherein she declared that she was neither ravished nor detained captive and therefore willed him to publish the banes his answer was that he could ask no banes especially such as these were without the knowledge and consent of the Church The matter being motioned in the Session of the Church after much reasoning kept with the Justice Clerk it was concluded that the three next preaching dayes the Queens minde should be intimated to the people The Minister protested that in obeying their desire it should be lawfull to him to declare his own mind touching the marriage and that he should not be tied by that asking of their banes to solemnize the same The first preaching day falling to be friday in the hearing of divers Noblemen and Counsellors he shewed what he was enjoyned to do That he held the marriage betwixt the Queen and Bothwell unlawfull whereof he would give the reasons to the parties themselves if he might have hearing and if this was denied he said that he would either cease from proclaiming their banes or declare the cause of his disallowance in the hearing of all the people The same day at after-noon being called before the Councell and required by Bothwell to shew what reason he had to oppose his marriage he answered First that the Church had in the last Assembly inhibited the marriage of persons divorced for adultery Next he alledged the divorce from his wife to have proceeded upon collusion betwixt them which appeared as he said by the precipitation of that sentence and the contract made so suddenly after his divorce with the Queen Thirdly he laid to his charge the rape of the Queen and the suspicion of the Kings murhter which that marriage would confirm For these reasons he most gravely admonished him to surcease and leve that course as he would eschiew the wrath and indgnation of Almighty God He desired also the Lords present to advertise the Queen of the infamy and dishonour that would fall upon her by that match and to use their best means to divert her from it The Sunday following publickly he declared what he had spoken in Councell and that it seemed to him they would proceed in the marriage what mischief soever should ensue For himself he said that he had already liberated his conscience and yet again would take heaven and earth to record that he abhorred and detested that marriage as scandalous and hatefull in the sight of the world But seeing the great ones as he perceived did approve it either by their flattery or by their silence he would beseech the faithfull to pray fervently unto God that he might be pleased to turn that which they intended against Law reason and good conscience to the comfort and benefit of the Church and Realme These speeches offended the Court extremely therefore they fummoned him to answer before the Councell for passing the bounds of his Commission For the bounds said he of my Commission are the Word of God good Lawes and naturall reason and by all three I will make good that this marriage if it proceed will be hatefull and scandalous to all that shall hear of it As he was proceeding in his discourse Bothwell commanded him silence and thus was he dimitted Nottheless of this opposition the marriage went on and was celebrated the 15. of May by Adam Bishop of Orkney in the Palace of Halirudhouse after the manner of the reformed Church Few of the Nobility were present for the greater part did retire themselves to their houses in the Countrey and such as remained were noted to carry heavy countenances Monsieur le Crock the Ambassadour being defired to the feast excused himself thinking it did not sort with the dignity of his Legation to approve the marriage by his presence which he heard was so universally hated His Master the French King as likewise the Queen of England had seriously disswaded the Queen from the same by their Letters but she led by the violence of passion and abused by the treacherous counsell of some about her who sought only their own ends would hearken to no advice given her to the contrary Yet was it no sooner finished then the ill fruits thereof began to break out for the wonted acclamations and good wishes of the people were no more heard
was whom they would kill and whom they would save they came about the dawning of the day to the town found all things so quiet as not a dog was heard to open his mouth bark whereupon having planted the souldiers in the most commodious parts of the town injoyned them to suffer no person to come unto the street they went to the Noblemens lodgings which were designed unto them and found there little or no resistance The Earl of Morton defended the lodging wherein he was some little time but fire being put to the house he rendered to the Laird of Bacleugh The Regent was taken with lesse ado his servants making no defence In like sort were the Earls of Glencarn and Eglinton made prisoners with divers others The Earl of Marre hearing the noyse issued forth of the Castle with 16. persons only and entering the back of his new lodging which was not then finished played with Muskets upon the street so as he forced them to quit the same The townesmen and others upon this taking courage gathered together and put the enemy to flight pursuing them so hotly as they were constrained to quit their prisoners and some to render themselves to those they were leading captive The Regent who was Wormestons prisoner for to him he had rendered being carried a little without the Port when they saw the rescue coming was shot by Captain Calder and with the same bullet wormeston who did what he could to save the Regent was stricken dead The death of this Gentleman was much regrated of both factions for that he was for manly courage and other vertues as well of body as mind inferiour to none of his time There fell at this time on the Regents side some 24. amongst whom the most eminent were George Ruthven brother to the Lord Ruthven and Alexander Stewart of Garleis Of the other side as many were slain and divers taken prisoners amongst whom were the two Captains Bell and Cawder who were executed as Traytors The Lord Claud with the Earl of Huntley and the rest escaped and had all been taken if there had been horses to pursue them But the Borderers that followed Bacleugh men accustomed with such practises had emptied the stables at the first entry into the town It was certainly a bold enterprise whereof we will not find many the like in story So few men leaving their strength to take so long a journey and enter upon a town full of enemies for there were in it 500. able and resolute men at least besides the inhabitants was a great audaciousnesse and then to get in their hands the chief of their adversaries whereby they were once in a possibility to have returned absolute victors yea when the course altered to have saved themselves with so little losse which held strange and made the enterprise to be counted no lesse fortunate then it was bold and venturous It was also observed and is worth the reporting that the young King who was brought from the Castle to the Parliament house at their first sitting after a short speech which they had put in his mouth espying in the table-cloth or as others have said in the top of the house a little hole cried out that there was a hole in the Parliament An ominous speech and so interpreted by some that were present which the event made the more remarkable for before the Parliament was at an end a great hole was made in it by the death of him that began the same The Regent though the wound was mortal did not light from his horse till he came to the Castle By the way when his friends did incourage him he still answered If the babe be well meaning the King all is well and being laid in bed and his wound dressed after they had told him that his bowels were cut calling the Nobility he spake unto them a few words to this effect I am now my Lords to leave you at God his good pleasure and to go into a world where is rest and peace Ye know it was not my ambition but your choice that brought me to the charge I have this while sustained which I undertook the more willingly that I was perswaded of your assistance in the defence of the infant King whose protection by nature and duty I could not refuse And now being able to do no more I must commend him to the Almighty God and to your care intreating you to continue in the defence of his cause wherein I do assure you in Gods name of the victory and make choice of some worthy person fearing God and affectionate to the King to succeed unto my place And I must likewise commend unto your favour my servants who never have received benefit at my hands and desire you to remember my love to my wife Meg so he was accustomed to call her whom I beseech God to comfort This said he took leave of them all one by one requesting them to assist him with their prayers in which he himself continued some houres and so most devoutly ended his life A man he was of noble qualities tried with both fortunes and if he had injoyed a longer and more peaceable time he had doubtlesse made the Kingdom happy by his government It is time that we return to the Church and consider what the estate thereof was amidst the civil dissensions In the countreys where the Queens faction ruled the Ministers in their prayers did always recommend the Queen as Soveraign serving the affection of those that commanded in the bounds albeit the assembly of the Church had otherwise appointed Iohn Knox as we shewed had left the town of Edinburgh and was gone to S. Andrews where he had strong opposition made him by Mr. Archibald and Mr. Iohn Hamiltons professors of Philosophy in the new Colledge who stood fast to the Queens cause and drew many of the Students after them This together with the grief he conceived of the present troubles did cast him in a sicknesse whereof he never perfectly recovered And at this time hearing that the Assembly of the Church was met at Striveling he sent unto them a letter which I thought worthy to be here insert it was as followeth Because the daily decay of natural strength doth threaten me with a certain and suddain departing from the misery of this life I exhort you brethren yea in the fear of God I charge you to take heed to your selves and the flock over which God hath placed you Ministers What your behaviour should be I am not now nor have I need as I think to expresse but to charge you to be faithful I dare not forget And unfaithful ye shall be counted before the Lord Iesus if with your consent directly or indirectly you suffer unworthy men to be thrust into the ministery of the Church under whatsoever pretext Remember the Iudge before whom we must give account and flee this as ye would eschew hell
himself strong enough with the supply he had obtained made out to search and pursue his enemies Adam Gordon lay then at Aberdene and being advertised that the Forbesses were drawing near to the City he went forth to meet them The encounter at the beginning was sharp and furious but the Forbesses were young men for the greatest part of small experience and not under command and the souldiers not being well seconded by them after they had fought a while gave over and yielded The slaughter was not great for the conflict happened in the evening which helpt many to escape Captain Chisholm with most of his company and some 15. of the name of Forbes were killed the Master of Forbes and some others were taken prisoners This good successe of the Queens party in the North gave hearts to all the faction and now they began every where to take new courage In the South the Lairds of Fernherst and Bacleugh did affail Iedburgh a little town but very constant in maintaining the Kings authority Lord Claud Hamilton belyed Paslay The Castle of Braughtie on the river of Tay was surprised by ... Seaton of Perbroath and in divers other parts troubles were raised of purpose to divide the Regents forces and to withdraw him from Leth that the town of Edinburgh which was then in some scarcity of victuals might be relieved In the moneth of Ianuary an assembly of the Church convened at Leth where after great instance made with the Regent and Councel for setling the policy of the Church it was agreed that six of the Councel and as many of the Assembly should be selected to treat reason and conclude upon that businesse For the Councel Iames Earl of Morton Chancellour William Lord Ruthven Treasurer Robert Abbot of Dunfermlin Secretary Mr. Iames Macgill Keeper of the Rolls Sir Iohn Bellenden Justice Clerk and Colin Campbel of Glenorchy were named and for the Church Iohn Ereskin of Dun Superintendent of Angus Mr. Iohn Winraine Superintendent of Fife Mr. Andrew Hay Commissioner of Claddisdale Mr. David Lindesay Commissioner of the West Mr. Robert Pont Commissioner of Orkney and Mr. Iohn Craig one of the Ministers of Edinburgh These twelve convening after divers meetings and long deliberation grew to the conclusions following 1. That the Archbishopricks and Bishopricks presently void should be disponed to the most qualified of the Ministery 2. That the spiritual jurisdiction should be exerced by the Bishops in their Dioces 3. That all Abbots Priors and other inferiour Prelates who should happen to be presented to Benefices should be tried by the Bishop or Superintendent of the bounds concerning their qualification and aptnesse to give voice for the Church in Parliament and upon their collation be admitted to the Benefice and not otherwise 4. That so the Bishopricks presently void or that should happen hereafter to fall the King and the Regent should recommend fit and qualified persons and their elections to be made by the Chapters of the Cathedral Churches And forasmuch as divers of the Chapters Churches were possessed by men provided before his Majesties Coronation who bare no office in the Church a particular nomination should be made of Ministers in every Dioces to supply their rooms untill the Benefices should fall void 5. That all Benefices of Cure under Prelacies should be disponed to actual Ministers and to no others 6. That the Ministers should receive Ordination from the Bishop of the Dioces and where no Bishop was as yet placed from the Superintendent of the bounds 7. That the Bishops and Superintendents at the Ordination of Ministers should exact of them an oath for acknowledging his Majesties authority and for obedience to their Ordinary in all things lawful according to the form then condescended Order also was taken for disposing of Provestries Colledge charges and Chaplanries and divers other particulars most profitable for the Church as in the records extant may be seen which were all ordained to stand in force untill the Kings majority or till the Estates of the Realm should otherwise appoint In August thereafter the Assembly of the Church meeting again at Perth report was made of these conclusions and exception taken by some at the titles of Archbishop Dean Archdeacon Chancellor and Chapter as being Popish and offensive to the ears of good Christians whereupon it was declared that by using these titles they meant not to allow of Popish superstition in any sort wishing the same to be changed in others not so scandalous As the name of Bishop to be hereafter used for Archbishop the Chapter to be called The Bishops assembly the Dean to be called The Moderator of the said assembly And for the titles of Archdeacon Chancellour Abbot and Prior that some should be appointed to consider how farre these functions did extend and give their opinion for the interchange thereof with others more agreeable to the Word and the policy of the best reformed Churches reporting their opinions at the next Assembly But I do not find that any such report was made like it is the wiser sort esteemed there was no cause to stumble at titles where the office was thought necessary and lawful A protestation always was made that they received these Articles for an interim till a more perfect order might be obtained at the King his Regent and the Nobilities hands According to these conclusions Mr. Iohn Douglas Provost of the New Colledge of S. Andrews was provided to the Archbishoprick of that See Mr. Iames Boyd to the Archbishoprick of Glasgow Mr. Iames Paton to the Bishoprick of Dunkeld and Mr. Andrew Ghram to the Bishoprick of Dumblane About the end of Ianuary the Regent advertised of the peril wherein the town of Iedburgh stood and of the great preparation that Fernherst and Bacleugh made to surprise it for they had besides their own forces drawn all the people of Esk Ewis and Liddesdale to joyn with them in hope of spoil and from the English Borders divers that were given to robbery to the number of 3000. and above sent the Lord Ruthven with some forces to defend them Before his coming Walter Ker of Cesford a man of good worth who had ever assisted the Kings party was joyned with them Their enemies notthelesse esteeming themselves strong enough by reason of their numbers went forwards with an assurance of victory The Lord Ruthven having notice given him by the way of their diet and the time they had appointed to invade the town did use the more speed and came in sight thereof just as the enemies appeared They fearing to be inclosed betwixt the town who shewed themselves in the fields ready to fight and the forces the Lord Ruthven brought with him did presently retire and give back Fernherst and Bacleugh went to Hawick and were followed the next day by the Lord Ruthven who came upon them so unlooked for as they were cast into a great fear The principals that had horses fled away
busied with the matter of policy which was put in form and presented to the Parliament at their sitting in Striveling The Estates having no leisure to peruse it gave a Commission to divers of their number to meet and conferre with the Commissioners of the Church and if they did agree to insert the same among the Acts of Parliament How these affairs went and what effect the Commission took because of the great businesse that afterwards was made about the same is necessary to be known wherefore I thought meet to set down the form of policy as it was presented with the notes of their agreement and disagreement as they stand in the Original which I have by me Heads and conclusions of the Church and first of the Policy thereof in general wherein it differeth from Civil FIrst the Church of God is sometimes largely taken for all them that professe the Evangel of Iesus Christ and so it is a company and fellowship not only of the godly but also hypocrites professing outwardly one true Religion 2. At other times it is taken for the elect only and the godly and sometimes for them that exercise the spiritual function amongst the congregation of them that professe the truth 3. The Church in this last sense hath a certain power granted by God according to which it useth a proper jurisdiction and government exercised to the comfort of the whole Church 4. This power Ecclesiastical is an authority granted by God the Father through the mediation of Iesus Christ unto his Church gathered and having the ground in the word of God to be put in execution by them unto whom the spiritual government of the Church by lawfull calling is committed 5. The policy of the Church flowing from this power is an order or form of spiritual government which is exerced by the members appointed thereto by the word of God and therefore is given immediately to the Office-bearer by whom it is exercised to the weal of the whole body 6. This power is diversly used for sometime it is severally exercised chiefly by the teachers sometime conjunctly by mutual consent of them that bare office and charge after the form of judgement the former is called potestas Ordinis the other potestas Iurisdictionis 7. These two kinds of power have both one ground one final cause but are different in the form and manner of execution as is evident by the speech of our Saviour in the 16th and 18th of S. Matthew 8. This power and policy is different and distinct in the own nature from that power and policy which is called the Civil power and appertains to the civil government of the Commonwealth albeit they be both of God and tend to one end if they be rightly used that is to advance the glory of God and to have godly and good subjects 9. For this power Ecclesiastical floweth from God immediately and the mediator Iesus Christ and is spiritual not having a temporal head in the earth but only Christ the onely spiritual King and Governour of the Church 10. It is a title falsely usurped by Antichrist to call himself the head of the Church and ought not to be attributed to Angel or to man of what estate soever he be saving to Christ the head and only Monarch of the Church 11. Therefore this power and policy of the Church should lean upon the Word immediately as the only ground thereof and should be taken from the pure fountains of the Scriptures hearing the voice of Christ the onely spiritual King and being ruled by his lawes 12. It is proper to Kings Princes and Magistrates to be called Lords and Dominators over their subjects whom they govern civilly but it is proper to Christ only to be called Lord and Master in the spiritual government of the Church and all others that bear office therein ought not to usurp dominion nor be called Lords but Ministers Disciples and servants for it is proper to Christs office to command and rule his Church universally and every particular Church through his Spirit and Word by the ministery of men 13. Notwithstanding as the Ministers and others of the Ecclesiastical state are subject to the Magistrate civilly so ought the person of the Magistrate be subject to the Church spiritually and in Ecclesiastical government 14. And the exercise of both these jurisdictions cannot stand in one person ordinarily 15. The Civil power is called the power of the Sword the other power the power of the Keys 16. The Civil power should command the spiritual to exercise and to do their office according to the word of God the spiritual rulers should require the Christian Magistrate to minister Justice and punish vice and to maintain the liberty of the Church and quietnesse within their bounds 17. The Magistrate commands in things external for external peace and quietnesse among the subjects the Minister handleth external things onely for conscience cause 18. The Magistrate external things only and actions done before men but the spiritual ruler judges both the affection and the external actions in respect of conscience by the word of God 19. The Civil Magistrate getteth obedience by the sword and other external means but the Minister by the spiritual sword and spiritual means 20. The Magistrate ought neither preach minister the Sacraments nor execute the censures of the Church nor yet prescribe any rule how it should be done but command the Minister to observe the rule prescrived in the Word and punish transgressors by civil means the Minister again exercies not the civil jurisdiction but teaches the Magistrate how it should be exercised according to the Word 21. The Magistrate ought to assist maintain and fortify the jurisdiction of the Church the Ministers should assist their Princes in all things agreeable to the Word providing they neglect not their charge in involving themselves in civil affaires 22. Finally as Ministers are subject to the judgement and punishment of Magistrates in external things if they offend so ought the Magistrates submit themselves to the discipline of the Church if they transgresse in matter of conscience and Religion CHAP. 2. Of the parts of policy of the Church and persons or Office-bearers to whom the administration is committed FIrst as in the policy Civil the whole Commonwealth consists in them that are Governours or Magistrates and them that are governed and subjects so in the policy of the Church some are appointed to be rulers and the rest of the members are to be ruled and obey according to Gods word and the inspiration of his Spirit alwayes under one Head and chief Governour Jesus Christ. 2. Again the whole policy of the Church consists in three things chiefly in doctrine discipline and distribution With doctrine is annexed the ministration of the Sacraments 3. And according to this division arises a sort of
Pastors to pray for the people and namely for the flock committed to their charge and to blesse them in the name of God who will not suffer the blessings of his faithful servants to be frustrate 8. He ought also to watch over the manners of his flock that he may the better apply his doctrine to them in reprehending the dissolute and exhorting the godly to continue in the fear of the Lord. 9. It appertains to the Minister after lawful proceeding of the Eldership to pronounce the sentence of binding and loosing upon any person according to the power of the keyes granted to the Church 10. It belongs to him likewise after lawful proceeding in the matter by the Eldership to solemnize marriage betwixt those that are contracted and to pronounce the blessing of the Lord upon them that enter in that bond in the fear of God And generally all publick denunciations that are made in the Church before the congregation concerning Ecclesiastical affairs belong to the Ministers office for he is the messenger and herault betwixt God and the people in all these affairs CHAP. 5. Of Doctors and their Offices and of Schools 1. ONe of the two ordinary and perpetual functions that labour in the Word is the office of Doctor who may also be called Prophet Bishop Elder and Catechiser that is the teacher of the Catechisme and rudiments of the Religion 2. His office is to open up the mind of the Spirit of God in the Scriptures simply without such application as the Minister uses to the end that the faithful may be instructed in sound doctrine the purity of the Gospel taught and not corrupted through ignorant or evil opinions 3. He is different from the Pastor not onely in name but in diversity of gifts for to the Doctor is given the gift of knowledge to open up by simple teaching the mysteries of faith to the Pastor the gift of wisdom to apply the same by exhortation to the manners of the flock as occasion craves 4. Under the name and office of Doctor we comprehend also the order in Schooles Colledges and Universities which have from time to time been carefully maintained as well amongst Jewes and Christians as among profane nations 5. The Doctor being an Elder should assist the Pastor in the government of the Church and concurre with the Elders his brethren in all Assemblies by reason the interpretation of the Word which is only judged in matters Ecclesiastical is committed to his charge 6. But to preach unto the people to minister the Sacraments and celebrate Marriages pertains not to the Doctor unlesse he be otherwise called ordinarily yet may the Pastor teach in Schooles as he who hath the gift of knowledge oftentimes which the example of Polycarpus and others testify CHAP. 6. The Elders and their Office 1. THe word Elder in the Scripture is sometime the name of Age sometime the name of Office and when it hath the name of office is sometimes taken largely comprehending as well the Pastors and Doctors as these who are called Seniors or Elders 2. In our division we call these Elders whom the Apostle calleth Presidents or Governours whose office as it is ordinary so it is perpetual and alwayes necessary in the Church of God and a special function as is the Ministery 3. Elders once lawfully called to the office and having gifts of God fit to exercise the same may not leave it again yet such a number of Elders may be chosen in certain congregations as one part may relieve another for a reasonable space as was amongst the Levites under the Law in serving the Temple 4. The number of Elders in every congregation cannot be limited but should be according to the bounds and necessity of the people 5. It is not necessary that all Elders be teachers of the word albeit chiefly they ought to be such and so worthy of double honour 6. What manner of persons they ought to be we remit it to the expresse word and the Canons set down by the Apostle S. Paul 7. Their office is as well severally as conjunctly to watch with diligence over the flock committed to their charge both publickly and privately that no corruption of Religion or manners grow amongst them 8. As the Pastors and Doctors should be diligent in teaching and sowing the seed of the Word so the Elders should be careful in seeking the fruits of the same among the people 9. It pertains to them to assist the Pastor in examining those that come to the Lords table and in visiting the sick 10. They should cause the Acts of the Assemblies as well particular as general to be put carefully in execution 11. They should be diligent in admonishing all men of their duties according to the rule of the Word 12. Things that they cannot correct by private admonitions they should bring to the Eldership 13. Their principal office is to hold Assemblies with the Pastors and Doctors who are also of their number for establishing good order and execution of discipline unto which Assemblies all persons are subject that remain within the bounds CHAP. 7. Of Elderships and Assemblies and Discipline 1. ELderships are commonly constitute of Pastors Doctors and such as we call commonly Elders that labour not in the Word and doctrine of whom and of their power we have spoken 2. Assemblies are of foure sorts for either they are of a particular congregation or of a Province or of a whole Nation or of all and divers Christian Nations 3. All Ecclesiastical Assemblies have power to convene lawfully together for treating of things concerning the Churches pertaining to their charge 4. They have power to appoint times and places to that effect and every Assembly to appoint the Diet time and place for another 5. In all Assemblies a Moderator should be chosen by common consent of the whole brethren convened who should propone matters gather voices and cause good order to be kept 6. Diligence ought to be taken chiefly by the Moderator that onely Ecclesiastical things be handled in the Assemblies and no medling be with any thing pertaining to Civil jurisdiction 7. Every Assembly hath power to send forth of their own number one or mo Visitours to see how all things are ruled in their jurisdiction 8. Visitation of Churches is not an ordinary office Ecclesiastical in the person of one man neither may the name of a Bishop be attributed to a Visitour only neither is it necessary to abide in the person of one man always but it is the power of the Eldership to send out qualified persons to visit prorenata 9. The final end of all Assemblies is first to keep the Religion and Doctrine in purity without errour and corruption next to keep comelinesse and good order in the Church 10. For this orders cause they may make rules and
constistitutions pertaining to the good behaviour of all the members in the Church in their vocation 11. They have power also to abrogate and abolish all Statutes and Ordinances concerning Ecclesiastical matters that are found noysome and unprofitable and agree not with the time or are abused by the people 12. They have power to execute discipline and punishment Ecclesiastical upon all transgressors and proud contemners of the good order and policy of the Church so as the whole discipline is in their hands 13. The first sort and kind of Assemblies although they be within particular congregations yet they exerce the power authority and jurisdiction of the Church with mutual consent and therefore bear some time the name of the Church 14. When we speak of Elders of particular congregations we mean not that every particular Parish Church can or may have their particular Elderships especially to Landwart but we think three or four mo or fewer particular Churches may have a common Eldership to them all to judge their Ecclesiastical causes 15. Albeit it is meet that some of the Elders be chosen out of every particular congregation to concurre with the rest of their brethren in the common Assemblies and to take up the delation of offences within their own Churches and bring them to the Assembly 16. This we gather of the practice of the primitive Church where Elders or Colledges of Seniors were constitute in cities and famous places 17. The power of the particular Eldership is to give diligent labour in the bounds committed to their charge that the Churches be kept in good order to inquire of naughty and unruly persons and travel to bring the way again either by admonition and threatening of Gods judgements or by correction 18. It pertains to the Eldership to take heed that the word of God be purely preached within their bounds the Sacraments rightly ministred discipline maintained and the Ecclesiastical goods uncorruptly distributed 19. It belongs to this kind of Assembly to cause the Ordinances made by the Assemblies Provincial National and General to be kept and put in execution To make constitutions which concern 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the decent order of these particular Churches which they govern providing they alter no rules made by the Provincial and general Assemblies And that they make the Provincial Assemblies foreseen of those rules they make and to abolish such constitutions as tend to the hurt of the same 20. It hath power to excommunicate the obstinate 21. The power of election of them who bear Ecclesiastical charge pertains to this Assembly within their own bounds be well constitute and erected of many Pastors and Elders of good ability 22. By the like reason thier deposition also pertains to this Assembly as of them that teach erroneous doctrine that be of a scandalous life and after admonition defist not that be given to schisme or rebellion against the Church manifest blasphemy simony and all corruption of bribes falshood perjury whoredom theft drunkenness fighting worthy of punishment by the law usury dancing and such dissoluteness as imports civil infamy And all other that deserve separation from the Church 23. These also who are altogether found unable to execute their charge ought to be deposed and other Churches advertised thereof lest they receive the persons deposed 24. But they who through age or sickness or any other accident become unmeet to do their office their honour should remain to them and others be provided to their office the Church maintaining those who are by that occasion disabled 25. Provincial Assemblies we call lawful Conventions of the Pastors Doctors and other Elders of any Province gathered for the common affairs of the Churches thereof which may also be called the conference of the Church and brethren 26. These Assemblies are institute of weighty matters to be intreated by mutual consent and assistance of the brethren within the Province if need be 27. This Assembly hath power to redresse order and handle all things committed or done amiss in the particular Assemblies 28. It hath power to depose the Office-bearers of that Province for good and just causes deserving deprivation â—nd generally these Assemblies have the whole power of the particular elderships whereof they are collected 29. National Assembly which we call general is a lawful Convention of the whole Church of the Realm or Nation where it is gathered for the common affairs of the Church and may be called the general Eldership of the whole Church within the Realm 30. None are subject to repair unto this Assembly for giving voice but Ecclesiastical persons to such a number as shall be thought good by the same Assembly not excluding other persons that will repair to it for propounding hearing and reasoning 31. This Assembly is institute that all that is either committed or done amisse in the Provincial Assemblies may be redressed and things generally serving for the good of the whole body of the Church within the Realm may be foreseen intreated and set forth to Gods glory 32. It should take care that Churches be planted in places where they are not planted and prescrive a rule for the proceeding of the other two sorts of Assemblies in all things 33. This Assembly should take heed that the spiritual jurisdiction and civil be not confounded nor abused and generally towards all weighty affairs that concern the good order of the Churches within the Realm it ought to interpone authority thereto 34. There is besides these another more general Assembly which is of all Nations and of all estates of persons within the Church representing the universal Church of Christ which may be properly called the general Assembly or general Councel of the whole Church of God 35. These Assemblies were appointed and called together specially when any great schisme or controversie in doctrine did arise in the Church and were convocated at the command of godly Emperors being for the time for avoiding of schismes within the universal Church of God which because they pertain not to the particular state of our Realm we passe by CHAP. 8. Of Deacons and their office the last ordinary function in the Church 1. THe word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is sometimes largely taken as comprehending all them that bear office in the Ministery and spiritual function in the Church but as we now speak is only taken for them to whom the collection and distribution of Almes of the faithful and Ecclesiastical goods do belong 2. The office of Deacon so taken is an ordinary and perpetual function in the Church of what properties and duties they ought to be that are called thereto we remit to the Scriptures 3. The Deacon ought to be called and elected as the rest of the spiritual officers and their office and power is to receive and distribute the whole Ecclesiastical
of the countrey and that which we crave presently to be reformed in the same we have collected them in the heads following 2. Seeing the whole countrey is divided in Provinces and these Provinces in Parishes as well to Landwart and in Townes in every Parish and reasonable congregation there would be placed one or mo Pastors and no Pastor or Minister be burthened with the charge of more Churches then are allenarly 3. And because it will be thought hard to find out Ministers to all the parish Churches of the Realm we think by the advice of such as the Prince or Church may appoint Parishes in small villages or to Landwart may be united and the principal or most commodious Church at which the Minister resides repaired sufficiently the rest that are not found necessary being suffered to decay and the Church-yards reserved for burial places As also where the congregation is too large the same would be divided 4. Doctors would be appointed in Universities Colledges and other places needful for opening the Scriptures and teaching the Rudiments of Religion who would also be sufficiently provided 5. As to Elders there would be in every congregation one or mo appointed for censuring of manners but not an Assembly of Elders except in Towns and famous places where men of judgement and ability may be had And these to have a common Eldership placed amongst them to treat of all things that concern the congregations of whom they have the oversight 6. And as there ought men to be appointed for the dividing or uniting of parishes as need and commodity requires so by the general Church with the consent of the Prince some that fear God and know the estate of the countreys would be chosen to designe the places where particular eldership should convene taking consideration of the Dioces as they were divided of old and of the estate of the countreys and Provinces 7. Likewise concerning Provincial and Synodal Assemblies consideration would be taken how many and in what places they should convene how often the same must be referred to the liberty of the general Church 8. The National Assemblies called commonly the general ought to be maintained in their liberty and have their own place with power to the Church to appoint times and places of meeting And all men as well Magistrates as subjects be subject to their judgement in causes Ecclesiastical without reclamation or appellation to any Judge Civil or Ecclesiastical 9. The liberty of electing persons to Ecclesiastical functions observed without interruption so long as the Church was not corrupted by Antichrist we desire to be restored and retained within this Realm So as none be intruded upon any congregation either by the Prince or any other inferiour person without lawful election and the assent of the people over whom the person is placed according to the practise of the Apostolick and primitive Church 10. And because this order cannot stand with Patronages and presentation of benefices used in the Popes Church we desire all those that truly fear God to consider that Patronages and Benefices have no ground in the word of God but is contrary to the same and to the liberty of election of Pastors and ought not now to have place in the light of reformation And therefore whosoever will embrace the light of Gods word and desires the Kingdome of his Son Iesus Christ to be advanced would also embrace and receive the policy which the word of God craves otherwise it is in vain that they have professed the same 11. Notwithstanding for other patronages of Benefices not having Curam animarum such as Chaplanries Prebendaries founded upon temporal lands annuals or such like they may be reserved to the ancient Patrones and be disponed by them to Scholars Bursers when they fall voyd as they are required by Act of Parliament 12. As to the Church rents in general we desire that order be maintained and admitted which may stand with the sincerity of Gods word and practise of the Church of Christ in the purest times thereof That is that the whole patrimony of the Church the small Patronages before mentioned being excepted may be divided in four portions one thereof to be assigned to the Pastor for his entertainment and keeping hospitality another to the Elders Deacons and other Officers of the Church as Clerks of Assemblies takers up of Psalmes Bedles and keepers of the Church so farre as they are necessary joyning therewith the Doctors of Schooles for help of the old foundations where need requires the third portion to be bestowed upon the poor members of Christ and the fourth upon the reparations of Churches and other extraordinary charges that are profitable to the Church and Commonwealth 13. We desire therefore the Ecclesiastical goods to be uplifted and faithfully distributed by the Deacons to whose office the collection and distribution belongeth that the poor may be answered of their portion the Ministers not distracted from their callings and the rest of the Thesaury of the Church bestowed upon the right uses 14. If these Deacons be elected with such qualities as Gods word requires there is no fear to be taken of their abuse yet because this vocation appears to be dangerous to many let them be obliged as they were of old in an yearly account to the Pastors and Eldership And if the Church and the Prince think expedient let surety be found for their fidelity and that the Church rents shall no way be dilapidated 15. And to the effect this order may take place all other intromettors with the Church rents Collectors general or special whether by the appointment of the Prince or otherwise must be discharged of further intromission and suffer the Church rents hereafter to be wholly intrometted with by the Deacons and distributed to the uses before mentioned 16. And also to the effect that the Ecclesiastical rents may suffice these uses we desire all alienations by fewis or leases of the rents of the Church as well lands as tithes in diminution of the old rentals to be reduced and annulled and the patrimony of the Church fully restored As likewise that in time coming the tithes be set to none but to the labourers of the ground as was agreed and subscrived by the Nobility or then not set at all CHAP. 13. The conclusion shewing the utility that shall flow from this reformation to all Estates 1. SEeing the end of this spiritual government and policy is that God may be glorified the Kingdom of Iesus Christ advanced and they who are of his mystical body live peaceably keeping a good conscience we do boldly affirm that and all who have true respect to these ends will even for conscience cause gladly agree conform themselves to this order advancing the same so far as lies in them that their conscience being set at rest they may be replenished with spiritual gladnes in giving full obedience to Gods
would not long bear out and fearing to lose the Kings favour altogether he imployed some friends to make offer of satisfaction to the Duke and in end things were so composed as Arran did quit the commandment of the Guard and the charge thereof was given to the Duke To return to the matters of the Church there was a general Synod this year kept at Glasgow in the moneth of April wherein the question of Bishops was again agitated and because of the scruples which some brethren had at the Act concluded in Dundy the year preceding especially where it was said that the office of a Bishop had no warrant of the word of God the Assembly declared that their meaning was to condemn the estate of Bishops as they were then in Scotland A number of the more wise and moderate sort interceded that the conclusion of that matter might be for a time deferred because of the inconveniences it would draw upon the Church but they were cried down by the multitude Amongst others one Mr. Robert Montgomery Minister at Striveling was so servent in the cause as he would have the Assembly censure those that had spoken in defence of that corrupted estate Yet before the end of that year this zealous man did suffer himself to be more pitifully corrupted the story whereof shall now be related The See of Glasgow being then voyd it was suggested to the Duke of Lennox by some flatterers that he had a fair occasion presented to make himself Lord of that City and of the lands pertaining to that See if he should only procure a gift thereof to some one that would make a disposition of the same to him and his heirs The offer was made to divers who refused all because of the condition required At last the agents in that businesse fell upon this Montgomery who was content to accept it A gift was thereupon formed and a Bond given by him That how soon he was admitted Bishop he should dispone the Lands Lordships and whatsoever belongeth to that Prelacy to the Duke and his heirs for the yearly paiment of one thousand pounds Scots with some horse-corn and poultry A vile bargain it was for which justly he ought to have been repulsed But the Church passing this point made quarrel to him for accepting the Bishoprick which the King would not acknowledge to be a reason sufficient If they could charge him with any fault in doctrine or life he was content they should keep their order but to challenge him for accepting the Bishoprick he would not permit the same having lately ratified the Acts agreed upon at Leth Anno 1571. touching the admission of Bishops and ordained the same to stand in force untill his perfect age or till a change was made thereof in Parliament This related to the Church they did appoint Montgomehy his life and doctrine to be inquired upon if possibly they could find any matter against him which done an accusation was framed and he cited to answer in the next Assembly The Articles laid to his charge were these 1. That he preaching at Striveling had proponed a question touching the circumcision of women and affirmed they were circumcised in the skin of their forehead 2. That teaching in Glasgow he should say the discipline was a thing indifferent and might stand this or that way 3. That he called the Ministers captious and men of curious braines 4. That he laboured to bring the Original languages in contempt abusing the words of the Apostle in the 1. Cor. 14. and jeastingly asked In what School were Peter and Paul graduated 5. That to prove the lawfulnesse of Bishops in the Church he had used the examples of Ambrose and Augustine 6. That in his doctrine he said it was sufficient to baptize in the name of the Father onely or in the name of the Sonne or in the name of the holy Ghost seeing they are all one God and to that effect alleadged the nineteenth of the Acts. 7. That he should have called matters of discipline and the lawful calling of the Church trifles of policy 8. That he charged the Ministery with sedition warning them not to put on or off Crownes for if they medled therewith they would be reproved 9. That he condemned the particular application of Scripture disdainfully asking In what Scripture they found a Bishop for a thousand pounds horsecorne and poultry c. 10. That he oppugned the doctrine of our Saviour speaking of the number of the wicked and them that perish 11. That he denied any mention to be made in the New Testament of a Presbytery or Eldership 12. That he accused the Ministers of Pasquils lying backbiting c. 13. That the Church being traduced with infamous libels he did not only not find fault therewith but seemed to approve the same having used in his preaching the very words of the Libel cast in the Kings chamber against the Ministers 14. That these three moneths past he had been negligent in doctrine and discipline and giving no assistance to the Eldership The Articles were sent to the King by some Ministers who were desired to shew his Majesty that the accusation was not founded upon the accepting of the Bishoprick but upon erroneous points of doctrine The King answered That whatsoever colour they gave to the process he knew that his yielding to accept the place was the true quarrel and for himself albeit he loved the Religion and agreed fully therewith he allowed not divers heads of their policy alwayes for the particular in hands he would leave the man to make his own answer This reported to the Assembly they went on with the accusation and Montgomery being called Mr. Andrew Melvil became his accuser The Articles upon his denial were admitted to probation but few of them were verified yet the conclusion of the Assembly was that he should continue in his Ministery at Striveling and meddle no more with the Bishoprick under pain of excommunication Mean while the Presbytery of Striveling for they had now erected Presbyteries in divers places of the countrey was enjoyned to try his conversation and how he did exercise discipline if possibly any thing might be found against him that way It fell out at the same time that Mr. Walter Balcanquel one of the Ministers of Edinburgh did utter some reproachful speeches in a Sermon against the Duke of Lennox saying That within these four years Popery had entered into the countrey and Court and was maintained in the Kings Hall by the tyranny of a great Champion who was called Grace But if his Grace continued in opposing himself to God and his word he should come to little Grace in the end The King advertised of this sent Iames Melvil his servant to complain to the Assembly requiring some order to be taken therein The Minister being put to his answer said That he praised God for two things First that he was not accused for any thing done against
Noblemens being at Court in such numbers which made the Earl of Arran haste thither for he held himself assured of the Earl of Gowries friendship as being of his alliance and having kept one course in the pursuit of the Earl of Morton his only fear was that he should be stayed by the way therefore having crossed the ferry he singled himself from his company and taking one only servant with himself directed his brother William Stewart to keep the high way with the rest By this mean he did escape those that lay in wait for him and came in the evening to Ruthven where when he had entered the gate he asked what the King was doing as meaning to go directly to him but was conveyed to another room and told that he must have patience and think his fortune good that he was come to that place with his life saved as he himself judged when a little after he heard that the horsemen which lay in wait of him and encountred his brother near unto Dublin after divers wounds given him had taken him prisoner A day or two after some Noblemen imployed by the Duke of Lennox who remained then in Dalkeith came to Court but were not permitted to speak with the King nor see him except in Councel Being examined what their businesse was they told that the Duke of Lennox had sent them to learn of the King in what condition he was and if he was detained against his will as the rumour went he might with the assistance of other good subjects see him made free The King presently cried out that he was captive which he desired all his subjects know and that the Duke should do what he might to procure his liberty The Lords prayed his Majesty not to say so for that he should not be denied to go whither he pleased only they would not permit the Duke of Lennox and Earl of Arran to mislead him any longer and oppresse both Church and Kingdom as they have done Wherefore he should do well to cause the Duke retire himself quietly to France otherwise they would be forced to bring him to an accompt of his doings and proceed against him with rigour of law This they willed the same Noblemen whom he had sent to signifie unto the Duke and that they were resolved to maintain what they had undertaken at the utmost hazard of their lives and estates After they were gone the Kings anger being somewhat asswaged and fearing the Dukes case more then his own he was moved to send forth a Proclamation to this effect That for pacifying the present commotions and removing some differences fallen out amongst the Nobility his Majesty had thought it expedient to interpose himself a Mediator and for the better working of an union amongst them had resolved to make his residence in Perth for a time till he saw what good effects his travels might produce And lest his stay in these parts should be interpreted to be a detention of his person because of the Noblemen and others that had lately repaired to Court his Majesty declared that it was his own free and voluntary choice to abide there and that the Noblemen and others who did presently attend had done nothing but what their duties obliged them unto and which he took for a good service performed both to himself and to the Common-wealth Therefore inhibited all the subjects to attempt any thing that might tend to the disturbance of the Realm commanding them also that had levied any forces upon pretext of his Majesties restraint to dissolve the same within six houres under the pain of death This Proclamation was dated at Perth the 28. of August some six dayes after the surprise of his person at Ruthven The Duke in the mean time was gathering forces and grown to be strong by his friends and others that repaired unto him when a letter came from the King signifying that it was his pleasure he should leave the Realm and depart forth thereof before the 20. of September The letter he communicated to his friends who did all advise him to retire unto Dumbritton where he might with more safety stay for a while and if he found not an opportunity to right himself should have good occasion of shipping for France When he was come thither the resort of Noblemen and Barons and others were so great unto him that the Nobility offending therewith directed letters charging him to live more private with his ordinary retinue and all others that were in his company to return to their houses within 12. houres after the charge and not to come nigh the part where he remained or should happen to reside during the time of his abode in the Countrey The bruit of this change being carried to England the Queen sent Sir Henry Cary and Sir Bobert Bowes unto the King to advise him in regard of the danger he was fallen into by the perverse counsels of the Duke and Earl of Arran to take in good part the Lords enterprise and restore the Earl of Angus who had lived exiled in England since the time of Mortons execution This last they obtained with no great difficulty so as the Nobleman was soon after reconciled accepted in favour but to the first point the King having a suspicion that the attempt was not made without the Queen of Englands knowledge he gave good general answers whereby it was hoped that upon the Noblemans good behaviour in a short time his offence would be mitigated The King also conceiving that a gentle usage would bring them to reconcile with the Duke of Lennox began to give them a more gracious countenance then before But he found them untractable and not without great instance did purchase their consents to a few dayes prorogation of his departing upon promise that he should be pursued as a Rebel if he went not away at the time appointed wind and weather serving yet was his going put off upon divers occasions till the middest of December at which time he was forced to depart as we shall hear The Lords in the mean while careful to strengthen themselves brought the King to Halirudhouse in the beginning of October knowing that the people of Edinburgh did affect their enterprise as appeared by the reducing of Iohn Dury their Minister immediately upon the newes of the Kings restraint and the triumph they made singing as they went up the street the 124. Psalm Now Israel may say c. They understood also that the Assembly of the Church was to convene in the same town the nineth of that moneth and doubted not to find them favourable enough To this Assembly Mr. William Areskin styled then Commendatory of Paisley was sent by the Noblemen to declare that the causes moving them to that enterprise were the evident perill they perceived the Religion was brought unto with the disorders and confusions introduced into the State whereof having discoursed a while he
came in end to desire the Assemblies approbation of their proceedings as that which would incourage them much and dishearten the common adversary This proposition made first it was voyced whether the dangers of the Church and disorders of State were such as in their hearing were related which being affirmatively answered by the whole Assembly Mr. Iames Lawson Mr. David Lindesay and Mr. Iohn Craig were appointed to signifie unto the King what the Assembly had found and to require his own judgement therein The King esteeming it most sure for himself to temporize said That he believed Religion was in hazard and indirect courses taken to overturn the same wherewith he acknowledged his own danger to be conjoyned and for abuses crept into the Commonwealth as they were too many so he expected that all good subjects and they for their own parts would help to remove the same This answer returned to the Assembly they concluded an Act in this form For as much as the Noblemen and others joyned with them in the late action of reformation out of a desire to have the Church and whole professors of the true Religion understand the grounds and occasions moving them to repair towards the Kings Majesty to seek redress of the disorders fallen out in the Commonwealth have made publick attestation to the whole Assembly that the motions and grounds of their enterprise were and are to deliver the Church of God within this Realm and the true Religion therein professed from the evident peril and danger wherein all men perceived the same to stand as likewise to guard and preserve the innocent person of the King his Majesty and Estate being in no less hazard then the other and to remove the corruptions and confusion entered into the body of the Commonwealth wherein as they are well perswaded themselves to have done good service to God and to have performed their duty to their Soveraign and countrey so they wished all that feared God should judge and esteem well of their action especially that the brethren of this Assembly should declare their good liking and approbation thereof and ordain all the Pastors and Ministers within the Realm to publish in their particular Churches the causes and grounds moving them to the said enterprise exhorting all Noblemen Barons and other faithful subjects to give their best concurrence and assistance thereto The Assembly having weighed the said desire with the whole circumstances thereof have in the fear of God after mature deliberation resolved found and voted no man gainsaying That not only the Church of God within this Realm and true Religion professed in the same but also the King his most noble person and royal estate were and stood in extreme danger and hazard besides the manifold grosse abuses that had invaded the Commonwealth before the late enterprise which his Majesty had acknowledged and professed to the Commissioners of the present Assembly And that therefore the said brethren could not but think their Honours imploying themselves hereafter for averting the like dangers to have done good and acceptable service to God their Soveraign and native countrey And the prosecution thereof all partiality aside will be acceptable to all that fear God and tender the preservation of the Kings person and prosperous estate of the Realm And to the effect the same may be made the more manfest and notorious it is thought expedient that all the Ministers within the Realm upon the first occasion shall publickly declare unto their particular flocks the peril wherein the Church of God and true Religion the King his most noble person and estate stood with the grounds that moved the said Noblemen unto the late action recommending the same to the consideration of all good subjects exhorting them as they tender the glory of God and love the preservation of the King and countrey faithfully to concurre and joyne with the said Noblemen in prosecuting the said grounds to the full deliverance of the Church and perfect reformation of the Commonwealth And if any should be found either by word maliciously or violently by way of deed to oppose to that good cause they shall be called before the particular Elderships and order put unto them by the censures of the Church and in case of their wilful and obstinate continuing therein be delated to the King and Councel to be punished for their offence civilly This Act of the date the thirteenth of October 1582. was published in all the Churches of the Realm to the offence of many good men who were grieved to see had cause thus coloured and defended But the Lords knowing that this approbation could not secure them had laboured the King to convocate the Estates for the same purpose The eighteenth of the same moneth being appointed for their meeting there came to the convention for the Church estate the Archbishop of S. Andrews the Bishops of Dunkeld and Orkney the Abbots of Dunfermlin Newbottle Paisley Driburgh Cambuskenneth Culrosse Inchaffray Coldingham and Pittinweyme of the Nobility there were present the Earls of Marche Arrol Marshal Bothwel who some few moneths before returned from beyond Sea Marre Rothes Glencarn Eglinton Gowrie and Morton the Lords Lindesay Home Ogilvy Hereis Boyd ... and Sinclare But from the Burghes there came not any Commissioners nor could they be moved to countenance this action in any sort conceiving as it fell out that how soon the King obtained his liberty he would censure and condemn the fact as treasonable To these alwayes that convened the King had a speech much to this effect That of all the vexations he had tried since his acceptation of the government in his own person the distraction of the Nobility was the greatest and at the present did grieve him most for the removing whereof he had called them together and expected their best counsel and help In other things he said that needed reformation he would be willing to follow their advice One of the Lords I find him not named made answer that the dissensions of the Nobility were caused chiefly by some that having his Majesties ear did abuse his favours ruling all things at their pleasure and disdaining the advice of other fellow counsellors Then falling into particulars he said that the Duke of Lennox and Earl of Arran had misgoverned all affaires and brought divers abuses into the State which unlesse some Noblemen had taken a course to remedy by their repairing to his Majesty both Religion and State in a short time had been subverted After this the Earl of Marre Gowry and Glencarne who had been the chief actors in that attempt rose up and having declared the cause which moved them to take that action in hand did humbly offer to submit themselves to the censure of his Majesty and the Estates and thereupon removing themselves forth of the Convention it was found and declared That in their repairing to the King upon the 22. of August last and abiding with him since
he not charged with this nor seemed he to be touched therewith in his death which to the judgement of the beholders was very peaceable and quiet He was heard to make that common regret which many great men have done in such misfortunes That if he had served God as faithfully as he had done the King he had not come to that end but otherwise died patiently with a contempt of the world and assurance of mercy at the hands of God The same day Archibald Douglas called the Constable and Mr. Iohn Forbes servant to the Earl of Marre were executed the rest who were taken in the Castle had their lives spared and were banished the countrey and David Home of Argaty and one Iohn Shaw were pardoned The King after this returned to Edinburgh where he gave order for charging the houses of the fugitive Lords and their friends and upon information made that certain of the Ministery had dealing with the Rebels summons were directed to charge Mr. Andrew Hay Parson of Ranfrew Mr. Andrew Polwart Subdean of Glasgow Mr. Patrick Galloway and Mr. Iames Carmichael Ministers to compeir before the Councel Mr. Andrew Hay compeired and nothing being qualified against him was upon suspicion confined in the North. The other three not compeiring were denounced Rebels and fled into England The Parliament declared current at the time for the more speedy dispatch of businesse convened the 22. of May In it his Majesties declaration concerning the attempt of Ruthven was ratified The King his authority over all persons in all causes confirmed The declining of his Majesties judgement and the Councels in whatsoever matter declared to be Treason The impugning of the authority of the three Estates or procuring the innovation or diminution of the power of any of them inhibited under the same pain All jurisdictions and judicatures spiritual or temporal not approved of by his Highnesse and the three Estates discharged and an Ordinance made That none of whatsoever function quality or degree should presume privately or publickly in Sermons Declamations or familiar conferences to utter any false untrue or slanderous speeches to the reproach of his Majesty his Councel and proceedings or to the dishonour hurt or prejudice of his Highnesse his parents and progenitors or to meddle with the affaires of his Highnesse and Estate under the pains contained in the Acts of Parliaments made against the makers and reporters of lies Whilest these statutes were in framing the Ministers who were informed thereof to work at least a delay sent Mr. David Lindesay to intreat the King that nothing should pass in Act concerning the Church till they were first heard Arran getting intelligence of this caused arrest him as one that kept intelligence with England so as he was not permitted to come towards the King The first night he was kept in Halirudhouse and the next morning sent prisoner to Blackness where he was detained 47. weeks Mr. Iames Lawson and Mr. Walter Balcanquell Ministers of Edinburgh hearing that he was committed forsook their charge and fled into England leaving a short writing behind them to shew the reasons of their departing Iohn Dury some weeks before was removed and confined in the Town of Montrosse so as Edinburgh was left without any Preacher Mr. Robert Pont Minister of S. Cutberts and one of the Senators of the Colledge of Justice because of the misregard of the Church as he pretended in concluding these Acts as the Heraulds were proclaiming them according to the Custome took instruments in the hands of a Notary of the Churches disassenting and that they were not obliged to give their obedience thereto which done he likewise fleeing was denounced Rebel and put from the place in Session Rumours hereupon being dispersed that the King was declined to Popery had made divers Acts to hinder the free passage of the Gospel and abolish all order and policy in the Church Command was given to form a brief declaration of his Majesties intention in those Acts that concerned the Church and to publish the same for detecting the falshood of those rumours In this declaration the occasions that enforced the King to the making of these statutes were particularly set down and the equity thereof maintained by divers reasons Amongst the occasions were reckoned the allowance of the fact of Ruthven by the assembly of the Church Mr. Andrew Melvil his declining of the King and Councel the fast kept at the feasting of the French Ambassadors general fasts indicted through the Realm without the King his knowledge the usurping of the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction by a number of Ministers and Gentlemen the alteration of the lawes at their pleasure and a number of like abuses And for satisfying good people strangers as well as subjects touching his Majesties good affection towards the maintenance of Religion certain Articles were drawn up and subjoyned to the said Declaration to make it appear that his Majesty had intended nothing but to have a setled form of policy established in the Church But these things gave not much satisfaction so great was the discontent and were replied unto in Pamphlets defamatory libels and scurril poems which daily came forth against the Court and the rulers of it To furnish the vacant places of Edinburgh till some were moved to undertake the charge the King did appoint his own Ministers Mr. Iohn Craig and Mr. Iohn Duncanson the Archbishop of Saint Andrews supplying the ordinary preaching at Court Soon after there came a letter from the Ministers directed to the Session of the Church at Edinburgh and to the Councel of the town of this tenour That seeing they were assured many calumnies would be forged against them for absenting themselves from their flock they had good to write unto them the true causes thereof which were as they said The great indignation conceived against them by the rulers of the Court for resisting the dangerous courses then in hand the Acts made in the late Parliament repugnant to the word of God and doctrine oftentimes by them preached the iniquity committed in the passing the said Acts and violence wherein they were defended the Articles penned and presented to some Ministers for submitting themselves to the tyrannical Regiment of Bishops whom they called gross libertines belly-gods and infamous the charge given to the Provost and Bayliffes of Edinburgh to take and apprehend all Ministers that should convene to the Eldership and those that in Sermon should utter any thing against the Acts and present unhappy course with the insolent words cast forth against them That if they followed the same course they were in though their heads were as haystacks they should be laid at their heels These things they said did cast them in a grievous temptation for to go from their good course they could not unlesse they should be traitors to God to continue in it and stay would be counted treason against the King and be hazardous of their
flock that was charged to apprehend them in case of condemning these Acts which they could not do and that after a long wrestling they had resolved to depart and reserve themselves to better times which they were assured was the pleasure of God and that he would make the world understand that he had his own work in it In end beseeching them to stand to these things which they had heard from them and imbraced as the truth of God they forewarned them of wolves that should intrude themselves teachers that sought themselves and not Christ Iesus which often they had foretold the contempt of the truth would work And concluded with an hope that they should sustain the present Crosse patiently and be united to them again in God his good time The King hearing of this letter sent for the same and offending greatly thereat would have the Session and Councel to answer them in this form We have received and read your letter for the which offence we have humbly craved his Majesties pardon and not only obtained the same but have likewise purchased liberty to write unto you this present wherein we use you more charitably then ye have used us remitting to learned men and your own consciences to shew you seeing you are not blinded with ignorance nor lack learning at the least some of you how farre ye have strayed from the right way in your letter lately sent to us unreverently affirming his Highnesse Acts of Parliament to be repugnant to the word of God we tell you that the same do fully content and satisfy us seeing we can find no part of Scripture that is contrary thereto And sith we see by the first Act the liberty of preaching the Word as the same is presently professed and ministration of the Sacraments ratified and allowed and that we know there are wise men and fearing God amongst the Estates who concluded these Acts we are râ—solved to follow the Apostles counsel in Rom. 13. whereunto you did seldom exhort us And now in respect you have so contemptuously slandered these good and necessary lawes established by his Majesty and the Estates and laboured so farre as you can to draw men unto dislike thereof fled out of the Realm unchallenged and unpursued and thereby have not only declared your selves guilty but also misbehaved your selves to us your late flock first in leaving us without our knowledge against your duty and the conditions made unto us next in drawing upon us his Majesties suspicion that we foreknew your departure which of new ye have confirmed by sending a letter to us you being his Majesties Rebels and fugitives In respect we say of all the foresaid causes we by these presents discharge our selves unto you esteeming our selves no longer your flock nor you any more our Pastors and thanking God the revealer of secrets that he hath made you manifest to your shame and relieved us of wolves instead of Pastors Thus hoping his Majesty will provide us of good and quieter spirited Ministers we commit you to Gods mercy who may give you to repent of your foresaid offences This letter sent to the Councel and Session of the Church to be subscribed made a great businesse the Town fearing to displease the King and to discharge with their Ministers in such a form laying upon them the reproaches of Fugitives Rebels Wolves and the rest they thought would be ill taken of all good men yet after much ado sixteen of the principals put their hands unto it and so was it dispatcht The Ministers having received and read the letter were mightily grieved especially Mr. Iames Lawson who had taken greatly to heart the troubles of the Church and the advertisements which were given him of the successe of matters at home and now perceiving by this letter that some who professed themselves very forward in the cause had turned their backs upon it he fell in a great sorrow and thereby contracted a sicknesse whereof he died at London in October following A man he was of good learning and judgment of a pious and peaceable disposition but carried too much with the idle rumours of the people After his course of studies passed in the University of S. Andrews he was imployed by the Countesse of Crawford a Noble Lady to attend her three sonnes whom she sent to France and upon their return to shew his gratitude unto the School wherein he was educated gave himself to read the Hebrew tongue to some youths in the same University from thence he was called to be Principal in the old Colledge of Aberdene and after three years profitably spent in that place was brought as we shewed before to Edinburgh where he continued Preacher the space of 12. years in great esteem and reputation untill these unhappy times which bereft his Church and countrey of him and his labours He died in the 46. year of his age and was buried in the new Church yard of London at the side of Mr. Dearing a famous Preacher in that Church His death bringeth to mind other two learned men in this Church Mr. Alexander Arbuthnet and Mr. Thomas Smeton the one Principal of Aberdene and the other of Glasgow Colledge who in the end of the last year nigh about the same time departed this life to the great losse both of the countrey and Church The first a Gentleman born of the house of Arbuthnet in Mernis being trained up in the study of letters and having the course of Philosophy in the same Colledge with Mr. Lawson went to France at the age of twenty three years there applying himself to the laws he lived five years an Auditor of that great Doctor Cuiacius and being made licenciate returned to Scotland in the year one thousand five hundred three score and six of purpose to follow that calling but God otherwise disposing in the year 1569. he was made Principal of the Colledge of Aberdene where by his diligent teaching dexterous government he not only revived the study of good letters but gained many from the superstitions whereunto they were given He was greatly loved of all men hated of none and in such account for his moderation with the chief men of these parts that without his advice they could almost do nothing which put him in a great fasherce whereof he did often complain Pleasant and jocund in conversation and in all sciences expert a good Poet Mathematician Philosopher Theologue Lawyer and in medicine skilful so as in every subject he could promptly discourse and to good purpose he died in the 45. year of his age much lamented and was buried in the Colledge Church at Aberdene the 20. of October 1583. Within some few dayes he was followed by Mr. Thomas Smeton this man born in Gaske a little Village not farre from Perth studied Philosophy in S. Salvators Colledge at S. Andrewes under Mr. William Cranston at that time Provost of the House by whose perswasion he went beyond
sick And being askt what words she used when she called the spirit she said her words was Holla Master and that he had learned her so to do She further confessed That the Earl Bothwel had moved her to enquire what should become of the King how long he should reign and what should happen after his death and that the spirit having undertaken to make away the King after he had failed in performing and was challenged by her confessed it was not in his power speaking words she understood not but as she did take them the words were I l ' est homme de dieu Richard Graham another notorious Sorcerer being apprehended at the same time made the like confession of Bothwel which was the cause of his committing in April following for such curiosities are not thought to possesse the mindes of those that wish well to their Princes and hath proved the cause of many mens ruine In the end of the year died Iohn Ereskin of Dun Superintendent of Angus and Mernis a man famous for the services performed to his Prince and Countrey and worthy to be remembred for his travels in the Church which out of zeal to the truth he undertook preaching and advancing it by all means Before the Reformation his house was to those who in that time were called Hereticks a special place of refuge afterwards such was the scarcity of Ministers that he took upon him the charge and was chosen with the first to have the oversight of the Churches in these North parts which he governed to his death most wisely and with great authority giving no way to the Novations introduced nor suffering them to take place within the bounds of his charge whilest he lived A Baron he was of good rank wise learned liberal of singular courage who for divers resemblances may well be said to have been another Ambrose he died the 12. of March in the 82. year of his Age leaving behind him a numerous posterity and of himself and his vertues a memory that shall never be forgotten Bothwel had not stayed above a moneth in Ward when seducing his keeper he made an escape and thereby increased the suspicion of his guiltinesse whereupon the King gave order to pronounce the doom of forfeiture against him according to the conviction passed in May 1589. and causing denounce him Traitor did inhibit by Proclamation all the subjects to intercommune or keep intelligence with him And lest the proceeding should have been thought too rigorous it was declared in the Proclamation that he being tender in blood to his Majesty and advanced by him to sundry honours and offices had out of his ungodly and unnatural humour after divers slaughters committed by him and overseen taken Armes against the King and practised with strangers for subversion of Religion and endangering his Majesties Crown whereof being convicted in a Justice Court holden in Edinburgh the 24. of May 1589. the doom and sentence was superseded in hope of his amendment And that notwithstanding all these favours he continued in his wicked course and heaping treason upon treason had now at last consulted with Witches and Negromancers for bereaving his Majesty of his life as was manifest by the confession of some that had already suffered and others yet alive who were shortly to be executed and for the same being committed in the Castle of Edinburgh he had broken Ward and thereby taken the crime upon him whereupon the doom which at that time was delayed being now pronounced his Majesty did will all his subjects to acknowledge him for no other but a Rebel and Traitor Bothwell taking the course of all Rebels which is to turn their malice against some about the King laid the blame of all upon the Chancellor and drew together some companies of men as intending to be revenged to him With him the Lord Hume and divers others did joyn but to little purpose for Hume upon better advice forsook him and submitted himself to the King and others following his example used their best means to obtain pardon so as Bothwell was compelled to flee into England with some few that went with him In the Assembly of the Church that convened this summer at Edinburgh fell out a great contest betwixt them and the Lords of Session upon this occasion Mr. Iohn Graham one of the Senators had intended in right of his wife an Action of removing against certain fewars of Halyeards within the Parish of Kirkliston and to bear out the plea suborned a Notary in Striveling called Robert Ramsay to give him forth an instrument that made for his purpose The defendants having offered to improve the instrument did in the mean time upon a private Warrant obtained from his Majesty apprehend the Notary who confessed that the Instrument which he subscribed was brought formed to him by William Graham brother to Mr. Iohn and that he knew nothing of the businesse and being pursued criminally was upon his confession condemned of falshood and executed to the death The pursuer as he was a man bold and impudent to maintain the truth of the instrument did intend Action against Mr. Patrick Simpson Minister at Striveling who had dealt with the Notary to bring him to a confession alledging that he had seduced the man and made him deny the instrument The Minister complaineth to the Assembly and thereupon Mr. Iohn Graham was summoned to answer for the scandal raised upon one of their members He compeiring answered That he would prove what he had alledged before the Iudge competent The Assembly replied That he must qualifie it before them otherwise they would censure him as a slanderer Hereupon was the Lord Provant President with the Lords of Culros and Barnbarrogh two of the Senators sent to desire the Assembly not to meddle in causes proper to their cognition especially in the cause depending before them at the instance of the Lord Halyeards so they styled him against Mr. Patrick Simpson The Assembly answered That what they did was no way hurtfull to the priviledges of Session nor were they minded to meddle in any Civill matter but in the purging of one of their own members they might proceed without the prejudice of the Civill judicatory therefore wished them not to take ill the Churches dealing in the triall of one of their own number The Lords dimitted with this answer Mr. Iohn Graham was called who excepted against the Judgement affirming the cause to be Civil and that the judgement thereof belonged to the Lords of Session primariò in regard the same was depending before them The Assembly repelling the declinatour found themselves Iudges in the cause therefore willed him to say what he could in his own defence otherwise they would give processe and minister Iustice. But he taking documents of their Interloquutor and protesting for remedy of law departed The Lords esteeming this an encroaching upon their priviledges and that upon such grounds all actions that
Archibald Campbell of Lochinzell his brother Iames Campbell Mackneill Baray and about 700 common-souldiers on Huntleys part besides his uncle Achindown 12 only were killed but many were hurt and wounded This fight happened on Thursday the 3 of October 1594 and is called by the Countrey people the battell of Glenlivat albeit it was fought on a hill three quarters of a mile distant The victory fell happily on Huntleys side for the Countrey people who should otherwise been miserably spoiled if Argile with his forces had prevailed The Lord Forbes with the Lairds of Bughan and Drumchat were advancing to assist Argile upon advertisement of his defeat and that he was turned back made after him thinking to perswade him return But by the way a gentleman of the name of Irwyn being killed by the shot of a Pistol in the dark of the night there entered such a distrust and jealousie amongst them none knowing who was the doer as presently they separated and went home The King had the news of Argiles defeat brought him to Dundee which made him hasten his journey to the North. The 16 of October he came to Aberdene where councell was taken for demolishing the houses of Strathbolgy Slains and Newton In this service the Earl of Marshall was imployed having some Companies of horse and foot allowed him till the same was accomplished Huntley and Arroll during that time did lurke in Sutherland thinking how soon the King returned Southto come back into their Countreys but the Duke of Lennox being left Lieutenant in those parts by the counsell and assistance of those that were appointed to attend him put them to such extremity as they made offer to depart forth of the Realm and laid surety neither to return without his Majesties license nor to practise against Religion and the State whilest they stayed abroad It was debated a while whether or not such a capitulation might stand with the Kings honour and his Majesty being thereupon consulted in regard of the many difficulties that pressed him in the time and that it made for the quietness of the kingdome to have them put away the surety offered was accepted which done the Duke of Lennox having stayed in those parts three moneths returned about the third of February to Edinburgh Bothwell now was in miserable plight being hated of the Queen of England for his combining with the Popish Lords Excommunicated by the Church and forsaken of his fellowes especially M. Iohn Colvell who had followed him in all his troubles and knew the places of his resset for he had made his peace and as the rumor went betrayed Hercules Stewart Bothwells brother who the same time was executed publickly in the street of Edinburgh These things did so increase his fears as not knowing whom to trust he stole away privately to France The King hearing that he was gone and had taken land at New haven in Normandy sent a Gentleman to the French King to demand him as one who was declared a traitor and if that was denyed to desire that he might be banished France The answer of the French King was That he should give him no Countenance but since he had taken his refuge thither he could not but suffer him enjoy the free ayre of his Countrey Some moneths he remained there till either wearied of the bad entertainment he found or as it was said for challenging a Gentleman to combate against the Kings edict he was forced to quit those partes and fly into Spain from thence he went to Naples where he lived in a poor estate unto his death which happened some years after the King his going into England How soon Bothwell was gone all his followers did sue for pardon Sr. Iames Scot of Balwery offering to exhibite the bond made at the Church of Menmore betwixt Bothwell and the Popish Lords which he had in custodie was brought before the Councell and having produced the same laid open all their plots By his deposition it appeared that Sir Iames Duglas of Spot was the principal worker of that agreement Whereupon the Ministers of Edinburgh were called and the bonds shewed unto them bearing a mutuall concurrence in all things Religion not excepted Whereupon they were desired to pronounce Spot excommunicated as one that had made defection from the truth and was otherwise suspected of haynous crimes but they excusing themselves the Commissioners of the generall Assembly were called to meet at Striveling who after some debating the sentence was pronounced against him Balwery after a few days imprisoned was set at liberty and remitted but never prospered after that time and ruined his house utterly for an ensample to all that will be medling with factious and seditious Rebells The year following an Assembly of the Church was kept at Montrose in the moneth of Iune where the Commissioners for the King did urge these Articles First Whosoever did medle or practise in any treasonable enterprise against his Majesties person and estate being found and declared culpable by law they should likewise incurre the sentence of Excommunication that so there might be an inseparable union betwixt the two swords Secondly that no Excommunication should be pronounced at the appetite of particular men but that a sufficient number of the Church should be first Assembled and the same determined by publick consent Thirdly That none should be Excommunicated for civill causes crimes of light importance or particular wrongs of Ministers lest the censure should fall into contempt and become like the Popes cursing Fourthly That no summare Excommunication should be thenceforth used but that lawfull citation of parties should go before in all causes whatsoever To the first the Assembly agreed with the clause Legitimâ cognitione Ecclesiasticâ praeeunte To the second they likewise condescended But to the third and fourth they answered that those being points of great weight and craving a mature deliberation could not on the sudden be determined and so continued the resolution thereof to the next Assembly discharging in the mean time any summary Excommunication to be used with this exception Nisi salus ecclesiae periclitetur The exception displeased the King for he thought it would serve the turbulent sort for a colour to all their proceedings But there fell out in the mean time a business which made all these things be forgotten The Queen moved by some that envied the Earl of Marre his credit laboured to have the Prince her son in her own custody and had drawn the Chancellor and divers of the Councell to promise their assistance Advertisement given of this to the King who was then at Falkland he came to the Queen at Halyrud-house and inhibiting any of the Councell to come towards him till he should call them dealt so with the Queen that he diverted her from that course and made her go and remain at Striveling How soon she was gone calling the Chancellor and such of the Councell as
Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Burgesses and Ministers this day by the mercy of God convened do beseech your Majesty to apprehend the great danger wherein the state of Religion Common-wealth and your Majesties own honour and person are brought by the means of crafty and deceitfull Counsellours who respecting onely their own preferment and standing labour to file your Majesties eyes that you should not perceive their courses for albeit it hath pleased God to endue your Majesty with knowledge wisdome and graces beyond all Princes that have ruled this kingdome at any time yet it is no strange thing to behold good Kings brought upon ill courses by the devices of such as pretend love but in very deed hate them maliciously That such courses are now in hand please your Majesty to consider what a division is made and entertained between your Majesty and the Church who was ever to this time inseparably joyned and how under colorable pretexts the liberty of preaching and faithfull applying of the word is sought to be restrained and taken away which cannot but bring many evils and inconveniencies with it as this days tumult may partly teach And now seeing blessed be God the same is setled without the harm of any person for preventing the like or worse we humbly desire the Articles following to be weighed and considered by your Majesty 1 That professed Papists processed by the Church be not suffered to reside at Court and that the Lady Huntley and Lord Sauwhar be removed and sent home 2 That Alexander Seaton President Mr. Thomas Hamilton Advocate and Mr. Iames Elphingston be not admitted to sit in Councell at least when the cause of Religion and matters of the Church are treated seeing they are enemies to the quietness thereof and have by their devices raised the troubles that presently do vex the same 3 That the Acts of Councel Proclamations Decrees and Interloquutors passed in prejudice of the Church and Ministers these last five weeks be rescinded and annulled 4 That the Commissioners of the Church be recalled by Proclamation and the Burgesses of the Town permitted to remain and attend their callings 5 That the bond advised by the foresaid enemies to be subscrived by all the Ministers under the pain of losing their Benefices and stipends be discharged seeing the same is prejudiciall to the Gospel and that Commission as use is to modifie stipends for the present year Lastly that an Act of Councell be made allowing the proceedings of the Church and the concurrencie given them by the Noblemen Barons and others in the present action It was late and the night fallen before these Articles were put in form the day being then at the shortest the persons chosen to present them were the Lairds of Bargenny Pâ—tarrow Faudonside Mr. David Lindesay and Mr. Robert Rollock Before their coming the Councell had concluded not to receive the Petitions as was promised and to commit those that did present them yet doubtfull what might be the event thereof it was thought fitter to terrifie them from presenting the same for this effect the Lord Ochiltry was appointed to meet them at the utter gate who drawing Bargenny aside advised him to go back because of the anger which the King had conceived and to meddle no more in that business for the King he said knew he was brought upon it unwillingly and would excuse his part if he went no further Bargenny forthinking his imployment and not knowing how to colour it to his associates the Lord Ochiltry drew them aside and said that he had brought the Laird of Bargenny to the Town for affairs that did neerly touch him and that he did not think to meet with such business at his coming therefore desired them to have his friend excused for that time and seeing they were a number sufficient to doe the errand they might goe to it or if they pleased to delay the same to the next morrow he should be with them They answered that they were alse little foreseen at their coming of those matters as he was and seeing they were all joyned in one Commission if he was the principall did decline it they could doe nothing by themselves and so the businese was left for that night In the morning early the King and Councell departed to Linlithgow leaving a Proclamation which was presently published at the Market Cross of Edinbough of this Tenor. That the King considering the late treasonable uproar moved by certain factious persons of the Ministery of Edinburgh who after they had uttered most seditious speeches in Pulpit did convene a number of Noblemen Barons and others in the little Church and sent some of their number to his Majesty being then in the upper house of Session using him in a most irreverent manner and with speeches ill-beseeming any subject And that a multitude of the Townsmen by perswasion of the said Ministery had treasonably put themselves in Armes intending to bereave his Majesty and his Councell of their lives did think the said Town an unfit place for the ministration of justice and had therefore ordained the Lords of Session the Sheriffs Commissioners and Justice with their severall members and Deputies to remove themselves forth of the Town of Edinburgh and be in readiness to repair unto such places as should be appointed commanding in like sort all Noblemen and Barons to dispatch unto their houses and not to presume to convene either in that or any other place without his Majesties licence under the pain of his Highness displeasure This Proclamation with the Kings suddain departing wrought a great alteration in the mindes of the people They began then to see their errour and lookt heavy one upon another the better sort being in a great perplexity what they should doe called their Councel together but could not resolve what course to take To follow the King and plead for the Town they could not think any of them would be accepted and it being the last day of the week hardly would any others undertake the imployment so as they saw no way but to be quiet till they heard what the King and Councell concluded to doe But the Ministers persisting in their first resolution laboured to have the Noblemen and Barons remain together and to send for others well-affected in Religion who as they thought would joyn in the cause A Bond to this effect was drawn up and subscrived by some few The Councell of the Town excused themselves saying Their good will was known and that they were not to leave their dwellings which made divers keep back their hands Alwaies it was thought meet that the Ministers should write to the Lord Hamilton and the Laird of Bacleugh of whose assistance they held themselves assured intreating them to repair to the Town and countenance the cause as likewise that the rest of the Ministers in the Countrey should be convened as unto a Generall Assembly and desired to bring with them the best
affected Gentlemen within their Parishes They were at the same time in a long deliberation whether or not they should excommunicate the Lord President and Advocate which divers urged The Controller was in some better opinion with them by reason of a Message sent quietly to M. Rob Bruce But in end they resolved to continue that business to the meeting of the Assembly when the Sentence might be pronounced with greater authority Mean while to keep the people in a good disposition a Fast was proclaimed through the City and Sermons of preparation ordained to be made that afternoon in all the Churches A Minister named Mr. Iohn Welch making offer to supply the place in the high Church was allowed to preach who taking for his theam the Epistle sent to the Angel of the Church of Ephesus did rail pitifully against the King saying He was possessed with a Devil and one Devil being put out seven worse were entred in place And that the subjects might lawfully rise and take the sword out of his hand which he confirmed by the example of a Father that falling in a phrensie might be taken by the Children and servants of the family and tied hand and foot from doing violence A most execrable Doctrine and directly repugnant to holy Scriptures which yet was taken by many of the hearers as a sound and free application so ready are men to flatter themselves in wickedness and even to justifie impiety it self A rumour was then also dispersed about the Town that in the day of tumult the Earl of Arroll did come to the Queens ferry with 500 horse and was gone back upon report of the stirre This upon the Sunday took up a great part of the Ministers Sermons and was brought to justifie the multitudes proceedings as though they had been directed by a secret providence to disappoint the wicked practises that were in hand A manifest forgery it was yet believed at the same time by foolish and credulous people The Messenger sent to the Lord Hamilton was at his coming well received at first the Nobleman made a shew that he would go for Edinburgh but upon better advice he turned to Linlithgow and taking the copie of the Letter that was sent unto him for he rendred the principall to the bearer he shewed the King what an invitation he had from those at Edinburgh The King at sight of the Letter grew exceeding angry for therein after a short narrative of the injuries the Church had received by the malice of some Counsellors it was said That the people animated by the word and motion of Gods Spirit had gone to Armes and that the godly Barons and other Gentlemen that were in Town had convened themselves and taken on them the patrocinie of the Church and her cause only they lacked a Head and speciall Noblemen to countenance the matter and since with one consent they had made choice of his Lordship their desire was that he should come to Edinburgh with all convenient diligence and utter his affection to the good cause accepting the honour which was offered unto him This Letter endited by Mr. Robert Bruce and subscrived by him and Mr. Walter Balcanquell was of all that yet had happened the worst nor could it receive any good construction for albeit in an apologie afterwards set forth it was said to be penned only to please the Nobleman who was of an ambitious humour yet put the case he had accepted and taken before him to be their Head as he was desired who can tell what mischief might have ensued and if it might not have turned to the wrack and ruine of many innocents But faults follow one upon another and when men have once passed bounds they run easily into errour On Munday early a Charge was directed to the Provost and Bailiffs for imprisoning the Ministers but they upon some advertisement fled and went to Newcastle in England The Town the same day sent Iohn Arnot Hugh Brown George Heriot and Iohn VVat to purge themselves of the Tumult and offer their obedience in every thing his Majesty and Councell should be pleased to enjoyn for repairing the indignity and dishonour done to his Highness providing they should not be thought guilty of the crime which from their hearts they detested But the King would receive no purgation saying That fair and humble words could not excuse such a fault and that he should come ere it were long and let them know he was their King The next day in Councell the Tumult was declared to be treason and the Devisers Executors and Partakers to be Traitors as likewise all that should thereafter partake and assist the committers thereof This put the Town in a great fear neither did they expect any other then an utter ruine All the Judicatories were removed to Leth the Session ordained to sit at Perth after the first of February their Ministers were fled the Magistrates not regarded and those of greatest power about the King their enemies what they should doe they were doubtfull after divers opinions given they are resolved that some should be sent who would be more acceptable to supplicate the King and excuse the Towns part for that perhaps would be taken better at other mens hands then any of their own To this errand none was held so sit as Mr. David Lindesey Mr. Iohn Preston and Mr. Iohn Sharpe men in favour with the King and free of all faction These coming to the King at Linlithgow after they had shewed the miserable estate of the Town and how grieved all honest men were for the displeasure he had conceived against them did beseech him not to use the extremity of rigour but to put a difference between the innocent and guilty In great Towns such as that was they said there would ever be some bad spirits and if the insolencies of a rascall multitude should be imputed to the Town it would be thought hard specially since the Magistrates had done their duties and repressed the Tumult If on their part there had been any connivence or the smallest appearance that they did favour the sedition they protested that they would not have opened their mouths in their favour but since it was known that none were more offended with the Tumult then they and that they were carefull to finde out the authors and present them to punishment they could not but humbly entreat his Majesty to relent his wrath and to be mitigated towards the Town The King after a little pause answered That he could not think the Town to be free for if some of the Principalls had not approved the Multitude in their doings the Tumult could not have been so great but howsoever the Magistrates negligence could not be excused in so farre as they did not prevent the disorder alwaies his resolution was to proceed by form of law and not to use any violent course but he had appoynted the Estates to
only 18 What are the matters belonging to the jurisdiction of the Presbytery which may not be entreated in particular Sessions 19 What form of processe in libelling and citation what terms and diets and what probations should be used before the said particular Sessions and Presbyteries respective 20 What matters should the Synodall Assemblies treat upon which may not be decided in Presbyteries 21 Should not all who have voice in Presbyteries and in the particular Sessions have voice in the Synodall Assemblies 22 Should each University or College or every Master or Regent within Colleges have voice in Presbyteries and Synods the Towns and Countreys where they are as likewise what form of voice should they have in Generall Assemblies 23 Is it lawfull to convocate the Generall Assembly without his Majesties licence he being pius Christianus Magistratus 24 Is it necessary that the Generall Assembly should be ordinarily convened for weighty causes concerning the whole Church 25 Have not all men of good Religion and learning voice in the Generall Assembly 26 Is every particular Pastor obliged to repair to the Generall Assembly or is it sufficient that only Commissioners come from every particular Session Presbytery or Synodall 27 Who should chuse the Commissioners to come from every Shire to give voice in the Generally Assembly 28 What is the number of those that give voices which is necessary to the lawfulness of a Generall Assembly and how many of the number should be Pastors and how many other men 29 May any thing be enacted in the Assembly to which his Majesty consents not 30 Is it necessary that the twe part of them who have jus suffragii should consent to any things decerned in Ecclesiastick judgments that matters passe not by one voice mo or lesse 31 Hath not every judgment inferior to the Generall Assembly a Territory limited without the which they have no power of citation or jurisdiction 32 What is the ordinary Ecclesiastick judgment for his Majesties houshold and Councell removable with his Majesty to any part of the Realm 33 Should there be libelled precepts containing the cause of the citation and certification of the Censures before all Ecclesiastick judgments or should they answer super inquirendis 34 Have the Inferiour Judgments power to summon any to compeir before the Superiour or should men be summoned only by the authority of that Judgment before which they ought to compeir 35 Is it not necessary that private admonitions with reasonable intervalls of time passe before all manner of Citations 36 What intervall of time is necessary between every private admonition and between the first Citation and the day of Compeirance and betwixt the Citation and the last admonition in every one of the said Judgments 37 How many citations should inferre contumacie 38 Is simple contumacie without probation of a crime or is any crime without contumacie a sufficient cause of Excommunication 39 Are there not divers kindes of Censures such as prohibitio privati convictus interdictio à coena not published to the people and last of all publica traditio Satanae 40 Should the Presbyteries be Judges of all things that import slander and if so be whereof are they not Judges 41 Can Excommunication be used against thieves murtherers usurers and not payers of their debts and if so it may be why are not the Highland and Border-thieves cursed as also all the forswearing merchants and usurers amongst the Burroughs 42 Is there any appellation from the Inferiour to the Superiour Judgment and is not the sentence suspended during the appellation 43 Should not all Processes and Acts be extracted to parties having interesse 44 Is summary Excommunication lawfull in any case without admonition and citation preceding 45 Have any others but Pastors voice in Excommunication 46 Hath every Ecclesiasticall Judgment a like power to excommunicate 47 Is it lawfull to excommunicate such Papists as never professed our Religion 48 A woman being excommunicated having a faithfull husband should he thereafter abstain from her company 49 Is it not reasonable that before any Letters of horning be granted by the Session upon the processe of excommunication that the partie should be cited to hear them granted 50 Hath not a Christian King power to annull a notorious unjust sentence of excommunication 51 May any Councell or University be excommunicated for what cause by whom and the manner thereof 52 When the Pastors doe not their duties or when one Jurisdiction usurpeth upon another or any other Schisme falleth out should not a Christian King amend such disorders 53 May Fasts for generall causes be proclaimed without a Christian Kings command 54 May any Ecclesiasticall judgment compell a man to swear in suam turpitudinem 55 Should there any thing be entreated in the Ecclesiasticall judgment prejudiciall to the Civil jurisdiction or private mens rights and may not the Civil Magistrates stay all such proceedings How soon these Questions were divulged and that it s seen they all touched upon the abuses crept into the discipline the Ministers that stood affected to the present order were much perplexed neither did any thing more offend them then that the government should be brought in dispute which they had given out alwaies to be a part of the Gospel This at any hand they thought was to be prevented and many private Conferences were kept to this purpose neither did the King neglect to provide himself of a party against that meeting and thinking he should gain most easily the Ministers in the North parts he employed Sir Patrick Murray Gentleman of his Chamber to deal with them giving him direction first to shew what a slander the Ministers of Edinburgh had brought upon Religion by stirring up of the late uproar and the inciting of the Lord Hamilton and others of the Nobility to open Rebellion against him how for the same they were become Fugitives and denounced his Majesties Rebells and thereupon to desire them by some publick Act or Declaration to utter their dislike of the seditious and treasonable courses He was next desired to urge their subscription to the Bond which was appointed to be subscribed by the Ministers for acknowledging his Majesties Royall power above them in all causes of sedition treason and other civill and criminall matters and in all speeches uttered by them in Pulpits Schools or otherwise which might import the said crimes or any of them 3ly To require them to accept the Earl of Huntley his offers for satisfying the Church and to absolve him from his Excommunication they finding his offers reasonable seeing the bosome of the Church ought alwaies to be open to penitents and that they should be more ready to receive then cast out wherefore as the Presbytery of S. Andrewes to the which he was not subject had pronounced him excommunicate they under whose jurisdiction he lived might and ought with better reason declare him absolved Neither should the pretext of the Generall Assemblies ratification of
the sentence be a stay unto them considering it was done many moneths after the pronouncing of the sentence and that the absolution they should give might in the like manner be ratified at the next Assembly much lesse ought the prohibition of the Presbyterie of Edinburgh whereof his Majesty was informed be any hindrance to them seeing they were neither subject nor subordinate to them but as free in all respects as themselves And if any doubt should arise upon the form of the Earls satisfaction he was to remember them that the same is expresly defined in the Act of Parliament An. 1572 made against Apostates and other adversarâ—es of the true Religion where it is said That they which have made defection from the truth should not be received to our Soveraigne Lords mercy and favour till they have given of new the confession of their faith and promised to continue in the profession thereof all time coming and to fortifie the Preachers of the same against whatsoever enemies Last of all he was appointed to deliver them a Copie of the imprinted Questions and to desire the most discreet of their number to be sent Commissioners to the Assembly appointed at Perth with promise of speciall favour to them in all their businesse his good will towards the Ministery being no way altered by the wrong he had received from those insolent Ministers of Edinburgh This was the substance of his instructions The Ministers with the reverence that was due That for the Tumult of Edinburgh they were ignorant of the Ministers behaviour therein as likewise of their flight and having no jurisdiction over them they could give forth no judgment or censure only in the generall they would say that whosoever with just triall should be found authors of that Insurrection deserved to be punished as Traytors and if they were Ministers to be doubly punished For their subscription to the Bonds They answered That at their acception of the Ministery they had taken oath for acknowledging his Majesties power and authority and would not decline the same but where the Bond did mention speeches uttered in pulpit because the same concerned application of doctrine which his Majesty had proponed as a Question to be decided in the approaching Assembly they did humbly entreat his Majesty to spare them in that point unto that time which they promised precisely to keep For the Earl of Huntley they said His repentance should be most acceptable to them that they were content to give him conference and use all means for his resolution but they did not finde him so willing to conform as they wished nor very earnest for his absolution This was the summe of their Answer which the King did accept the better because of the hopes given to his servant of all satisfaction on their parts at the meeting of Perth which they also performed for both then and afterwards in all Assemblies and conventions they did stick fast unto him But the King being made to understand that Huntley did linger and delay to make offers for satisfying the Church he sent him the Letter following written all with his own hand My Lord I Am sure ye consider and doe remember how often I have incurred skaith and hazard for your cause therefore to be short resolve you either to satisfie the Church betwixt the day that is appointed without any more delay or else if your conscience be so kittle as it cannot permit you make for another Land betwixt and that day where ye may use freely your own conscience your Wife and Barns shall in that case enjoy your living but for your self look never to be a Scotish man again Deceive not your self to think that by lingring of time your Wife and your Allies shall ever get you better conditions And think not that I will suffer any professing a contrary Religion to dwell in this Land If you obey me in this you may once again be setled in a good estate and made able to doe me service which from my heart I would wish The rest I remit to the bearer whose directions ye shall follow if you wish your own well Farewell From Dunfermlin JAMES R. Such was the Kings care for reclaiming the Nobleman to the profession of the truth whilest people suffered themselves to be abused with rumors that he himself was declining Letters in the mean time were directed to all the Presbyteries advertising them of the meeting at Perth and desiring they should send their Commissioners thither instructed with power to treat and conclude in all matters proponed When the day came the Assembly was frequent enough but divers Commissioners bearing a power only to convene hear and report and not to question any thing concluded in former Assemblies the King sent Sir Iohn Cockborne of Ormeston Sir Iohn Preston and Mr. Edward Bruce to ask those that were convened Whether they did accompt that meeting a lawfull Generall Assembly having power sufficient to treat and conclude in the Articles that should be proponed according to his Majesties missive Letters directed to the severall Presbyteries After long reasoning answer was made That they did esteem the meeting to be a lawfull Generall Assembly called extraordinarily by his Majesties Letters and that they would hear treat and conclude of things that should be moved unto them according to the Commissions wherewith they were authorized This Answer given note they presented the Articles following Seeing the quietnesse of the Church and the freeing of the same from slander which upon the contrary effects would necessarily follow is the principall scope and end at which his Majesty aimeth in this present Assembly foreshewing fashions and long disputes whereupon controversies and debates might arise his Majesty hath thought good to remit the decision of a great number of the Questions imprinted to better opportunity and will content himself with the determination of a few that he hath made choice of which with a greater could not be longer delayed As first that it be not thought unlawfull either to the Prince or any of the Pastors at any time hereafter to move doubts and crave reformation of any points in the externall policy and discipline of the Church which are not essentiall concerning salvation nor expresly defined in Scripture providing it be done decenter in right time and place animo aedificandi non tentandi 2 That seeing the civill and politick government of the Countrey belongs properly to the Kings office and his Counsellours and it is no way pertinent to the spirituall Ministery of the Word that no Minister should thereafter meddle with matters of Estate in Pulpit or with any of his Majesties laws statutes or ordinances but if any of them seem hurtfull to Religion they should complain to the King and Councell 3 That it should not be lawfull to Ministers to name any particular mens names in Pulpit or so vively to descrive them as may be equivalent to their naming except upon the
that professed penitencie for their errors gave warrant to recall him and he appearing before the Commissioners of the Church at Perth the 25 of Iune where his Majesty was present acknowledged his error professed his resolution touching the guiltiness of those unhappy brothers and promised if his Majesty should licence him to return to his place to declare the same publickly in the first Sermon he should have to the people The King doubting his performance for he had often in other matters tried his inconstancy caused the same to be set down in writing upon the back of the Letter he had sent to the Earl of Marre and after he had subscribed the same made all the Commissioners that were present eleven in number to set their hands thereto as Witnesses This done he was admitted to kisle his Majesties hand and licenced to return to his place but as the King had conjectured so it fell out for coming to Edinburgh where it was expected he should have done what he had both promised and subscribed he left the Town pretending that his Ministery should thereby be discredited and he esteemed to preach by injunction The Generall Assembly of the Church meeting in November following the King to remove this pretext after he had shewed all the particulars of his proceeding with Mr. Robert and produced the Letter sent by him to the Earl of Marre together with his subscription in the meeting of Perth desired the voices of the Assembly whether or not be ought to utter his resolution in pulpit as he had promised They all not one gainsaying declared That he was bound both in duty and conscience to fulfill his promise so much the rather that by his distrust and disobedience to the Councells charge he had confirmed ill-disposed people in their suspicions Yet this Ordinance did not content him and so delaying to give satisfaction he was by the Commissioners of the Church discharged from the Ministery of Edinburgh the year following In this Assembly Mr. Patrick Galloway being chosen to preside made a Speech to the King wherein he shewed That the Church was oppugned by two sorts of enemies to wit Papists and sacrilegious persons and therefore in the name of the whole Church entreated his Majesty that as he had with great travell and happy successe made the principalls of the Popish profession to conform themselves in outward obedience so he would use his princely authority towards the other sort and compell them if not to restore all at least to grant a competent allowance to Ministers forth of the tithes they possessed The King accepting the Petition graciously said That it should not be well with the Church so long as Ministers were drawn from their Charges to attend the yearly modification of stipends and that he held it fittest once to condescend upon a competent provision for every Church and deal with those that possessed the tithes to bestow a part thereof to the foresaid uses and seeing that business would require a longer time then they could well continue together that they should doe well to make some overtures to those that had the Commission for Stipends promising for himself that he should stand for the Church and be an advocate for the Ministers After a long deliberation these overtures were proponed First that the Ministers having stipends assigned to them forth of the tithes of the Churches where they served a perpetuall security should be made to the Takesmen and a certainer gressome condescended on for every chalder of victuall which should be paid for nineteen years lease at the expiring whereof another lease upon the like conditions should be renewed for as many years the principall Takesmen being obliged to grant the like security for his Subtakesmen 2. That the Prelacies should be disponed to actuall Ministers the Churches annexed thereto being sufficiently provided and the tenth of the superplus paid to the King or otherwise that all the great Benefices should be dissolved the Prelate enjoying the principall Church and temporall lands and the Churches annexed disponed to Ministers both they and the Prelate paying a yearly duty to the King And 3. that all inferiour Benefices should be provided to the Ministers serving the Cure The first of these overtures the King held reasonable and most advantagious to the Church but the Assembly esteeming it dangerous to make tithes heretable deferred to give their consent so as nothing at that time was concluded and the overtures remitted to a more deep consideration The Synod of Fife did after this present some grievances complaining That the Generall Assemblies were not kept at the ordinary times and both places and daies altered without the knowledge of Presbyters and Synods That Ministers were called before the Councell in prima instantia for matters of doctrine and discipline That the government of the Church continued in the hands of a few Ministers under the name of a Commission to the prejudice of the liberty of the Church That Doctors being an ordinary calling in the Church were debarred from coming to Assemblies That no triall was taken concerning the observation of Caveats That the Ministers of Edinburgh being the principall watch-tower of the Church were not permitted to attend their charge That the land was polluted with the French Ambassadors masse and excommunicates suffered to abide in the Countrey And lastly that the letters and practises of Papists were kept secret and not communicated to the watchmen These complaints being known to proceed from the private discontents of such as grieved to see the affairs of the Church carried by others then themselves were not much regarded yet to shew that they had no just cause to complain a particular answer was made to every one of them And first it was said That the Assemblies both were and should be kept according to the Act of Parliament That Ministers should not be called before the Councell but upon just grounds That Commissions given by the Assembly and rightly discharged were lawfull That Doctors authorized with a Commission from the University where they lived were not denied a voice in Assemblies and that if the Caveats were not observed they might instance the point and have the person after triall censured To the rest of the heads his Majesty by himself made this reply That the French Ambassadors masse was private and could not be refused to him considering that the Minister directed with his owne Ambassadours the yeare before was permitted to preach within the City of Paris And for the Ministers of Edinburgh they had received all the favour they desired As to him that lay back it was his own fault and no mans else But where saith he it is craved that the letters and practises of Papists should be communicate to Ministers as that were the ready way to procure the escape and no punishment of the practises so the proponers would remember that secrets must be imparted at the Kings pleasure
will answer that it is not their purpose presently and out of hand to enforce obedience but by fatherly admonitions and conferences to induce such as are disaffected But if any be of an opposite and turbulent spirit I will have them inforced to a conformity Neither tell me that the wearing of a surplice or using the Crosse in Baptism will diminish the credit of Ministers that have formerly dissallowed the same for that is just the Scotish Argument when any thing was concluded that sorted not with their humour the only reason why they would not obey was that it stood not with their credit to yield having been so long of a contrary opinion I will none of that but that a time be limited by the Bishops of every Diocese to such and they that will not yield whatsoever they are let them be removed for we must not preferre the credit of a few private men to the generall peace of the Church Throughout all this conference in every point that was moved or came to be talked of the King did shew such knowledge and readiness as bred not a small admiration in the hearers Chancellour Egerton wondering to see him so expedite and perfect in all sort of Divinity said That he had often heard and read that Rex est mixta persona cum Sacerdote but that he saw never the truth of it untill that day Let me adde that which I was afterward told by Richard Bancroft Archbishop of Canterbury for Whitgift died the next moneth after the conference one of the great glories of the English Church that when the Rolles were brought in of those that stood out and were deposed which was some years after they were found to be fourty nine in all England when as the Ministers of that Kingdome are reckoned nine thousand and above such a noise will a few disturbers cause in any society where they are tolerated In the March thereafter a Parliament was kept in England where the King after he had given thanks to the State for the generall applause they shewed in receiving him to the place which God by birthright and lineall descent had provided for him did earnestly move the union of the two Kingdomes that as they were made one in the head so among themselves they might be inseparably conjoyned and all memory of by-past divisions extinguished A motion that took well at first and seemed to be generally desired of both Nations but did not succeed as was wished The Parliament alwaies at his Majesties desire and for a demonstration of their obedience did nominate Thomas Ellesmore Lord Chancellor of England Thomas Earl of Dorset Thesaurer Charles Earl of Nottingham Lord high Admirall Henry Earl of Southampton William Earl of Pembroke Henry Earl of Northampton Richard Bishop of London Toby Bishop of Durham Anthony Bishop of St Davids Robert Lord Cecill principall Secretary to his Majesty Edward Lord Souch Lord President of Wales William Lord Monteagle Ralph Lord Eure Edmond Lord Sheffeild Lord President of the Councell of the North Lords of the higher House And Thomas Lord Clinton Robert Lord Buckhurst Sir Francis Hastings knight Sir Iohn Stanhop knight Vice-chamberlain to the Kings Majesty Sir George Carew knight Vice-chamberlain to the Queens Majesty Sir Iohn Herbert knight second Secretary to his Majesty Sir Thomas Strickland knight Sir Edward Stafford knight Sir Henry Nevill of Barkshire knight Sir Richard Buckly knight Sir Henry Billingsly knight Sir Daniell Dunne knight Dean of the Arches Sir Edward Hobby knight Sir Iohn Savile knight Sir Robert Wroth knight Sir Thomas Challoner knight Sir Robert Mansell knight Sir Thomas Ridgway knight Sir Thomas Holcraft knight Sir Thomas Hasketh knight his Majesties Attorney of the Court of Wards and Liveries Sir Francis Bacon knight Sir Lawrence Cawfield knight Serjeant at Law Sir Henry Hubbard knight Serjeant at Law Sir Iohn Bennet knight Doctor of the Lawes Sir Henry VVitherington Sir Ralph Grey and Sir Thomas Lake knights Robert Ashwith Thomas Iames and Henry Chapman Merchants Knights and Burgesses of the house of Commons Giving them or any eight or more of the said Lords of the higher house and any twenty of the said Knights and Burgesses of the said house of Commons full power liberty and Commission to assemble and meet at any time or times before the next Session of Parliament â—or treating and consulting with certain selected Commissioners to be nominated and authorized by authority of the Parliament of the realm of Scotland of and concerning such an union of the said realms of England and Scotland and of and concerning such other matters causes and things whatsoever as upon mature deliberation and consideration the greatest part of the said Lords Knights Citizens and Burgesses being assembled with the Commissioners to be nominated by the Parliament of Scotland shall in their wisdome think and deem convenient and necessary for the honour of his Majesty and the weal and commmon good of both the said realms during his Majesties life and under all his progenie and royall posterity for ever which Commissioners of both the said realms shall according to the tenor of their said Commissions reduce their doings and proceedings into writings or instruments tripartite every part to be subscribed and sealed by them to the end that one part thereof may in all humility be presented to his most excellent Majesty the second part to be offered to the consideration of the next Session of Parliament for the realm of England and the third to be offered to the consideration of the next Parliament for the realm of Scotland that thereupon such further proceeding may be had as by both the said Parliaments may be thought fit and necessary for the weal and common good of both the said realms A Parliament in Scotland for the same purpose was indicted to the tenth of Aprill and thereafter prorogated to the eleventh of Iuly at which time the Lords Spirituall and Temporall assembled by virtue of his Majesties Commission did ordain the persons following they are to say Iohn Earl of Montrosse Chancellor of Scotland Francis Earl of Arroll high Constable of Scotland Iames Earl of Glencarn Alexander Earl of Linlithgow Iohn Archbishop of Glasgow David Bishop of Rosse George Bishop of Cathnes Walter Prior of Blantire Patrick Lord Glammis Alexander Lord Elphingston Alexander Lord Fyvie President of the Session of Scotland Robert Lord Roxbrugh Iames Lord Abircorn Iames Lord Balmerinoth Principall Secretary of Scotland David Lord of Scone Sir Iames Scrimgeour of Dudop knight Sir Iohn Cockburn of Ormston knight Sir Iohn Hume of Couldenknowes knight Sir David Carnegie of Kinnard knight Sir Robert Melvill elder of Murdocarmie knight Sir Thomas Hamilton of Binnie knight Sir Iohn Lermouth of Balcony knight Sir Alexander Straton of Lawriston knight Sir Iohn Sheen of Curry-hill knight Mr. Iohn Sharp of Howston Lawyer Mr. Thomas Craig Lawyer Henry Nisbit George Bruce Alexander Rutherford and Mr. Alexander
besought his Majesty to accept graciously that which was done and made offer of their best service in perfecting that work as they should be imployed The king professing a great content did specially thank them for reserving his Prerogative in the preferment of men to offices and honours in either kingdome for inequality said he of liberties and priviledges is not the way to effect the union I desire capacity of offices ought to be equall to both people but the moderation of that equality must be left to me neither you to suspect that I will offer any manner of grievance to either of the Countreys or do any thing that may kindle emulation among them considering the desire I have to see you united in a fast and indissolveable amity This said he recommended the prosecution of that business in the severall Parliaments to their fidelity and trust wishing them to lay aside all jealousies needless fears and other worse passions in a matter that so nearly concerned the good and benefit of both kingdomes Some moneths before the King had assumed by virtue of his Prerogative the title of The King of great Britain commanding the same to be used from thenceforth in all Proclamations Missives and Treaties and the names of England and Scotland to be discontinued except in instruments of private parties and where legality of process would not admit the same this same in both kingdomes took ill but his Majesty esteeming those names whereby they had been called no better then names of hostility would needs have the antient name of Britain received and these of Scotland and England abolished In like manner he did prohibite the name of the borders to be used and ordained all places of strength in these parts the houses of Noblemen and Barons excepted to be demolished their Iron gates to be turned into Plow Irons and the inhabitants to betake themselves to labour and the exercises of peace for the same purpose he did break the Garisons at Barwick and Carlile And in memory of the union so happily begun made divers pieces of gold and silver to be coyned upon some whereof were engraven these inscriptions Quae Deus conjunxit nemo separet and Tueatur unita Deus On others Faciam eos in gentem unam and Henricus rosas Regna Iacobus During this conference the Lord Fivie President of the Session supplyed the place of the Scottish Chancellor and was shortly after preferred to the same office by the Earl of Montross his dismission who in stead thereof was made Commissioner and deputy of Scotland during life Secretary Elphingston was chosen President of the Session and all affairs trusted by his Majesty to the Chancellor and him with a speciall direction that they should be assisting to the Church and maintain those whom his Majesty had preferred in the places of Bishops in the same How they answered the trust committed to them in this particular we shall hear But leaving the matter of State let us now see how things went at that time in the Church The generall Assembly that should have kept at Aberdene in Iuly 1604 was continued because of the union to the same moneth in the year following The King being informed of a great preparation that the Ministers made for keeping that meeting and that they intended to call in question all the conclusions taken in former Assemblies for the Episcopall government directed the Commissioners of the Church to desert the Diet and make no indiction of another till he should be advertised They accordingly did intimate his Majesties pleasure to all the Presbyters and therewith as they were desired declare that his Majesty did purpose to call a number of the Bishops and disaffected Ministers to court and for preventing such disorderly meeting hear the differences that were among them debated in his own person The greater part resolved to obey nine Presbyteries onely of Fifty so many there are reckoned in the whole kingdome sent their Commissioners to keep the meeting The chief leaders of this stir was Mr. Iohn Forbes Minister of Awford and Mr. Iohn Welch Minister at Ayre These two having encouragement given them in private by some principally in the State used all means to bring the Ministers together were in expectation of a frequétassembly yet when the day appointed came there convened thirteen only and after some two or three days seven or eight more The names of the Ministers that convened were Mr. Charles Farum Minister of Fraserburgh Mr. Robert Youngson Minister at Clat Mr. Iames Mill Minister at lnnervry Mr. Alexander Straughen Minister at Creich Mr. David Robertson Minister at Feterangus Mr. Robert Rid Minister at Mr. Iames Irwyn Minister at Towch Mr. Iohn Monro Subdean at Rosse Mr. William Forbes Minister at Rinbethock Mr. William Davidson Minister at Ruthven Mr. Thomas Abernethy Minister at Hawick Mr. Iames Grey Minister at Lâ—wdon Mr. Nathaniel Ingly Minister at Cragy Mr. Iames Rosse and Mr. Archbold Blackburn Minister at Aberdene Iohn Rosse Minister at Blare Mr. Iohn Sharpe Minister at Kilmeny Mr. Andrew Duncan Minister at Cruill Mr. Robert Dury Minister at Anstruther with the said Mr. Iohn Forbes and Mr. Iohn Welch Sir Alexander Straiton of Lowreston Commissioner for his Majesty in Church affairs upon a rumour he heard of a meeting to be kept left any imputation of negligence should be laid on him prevented the same And by letters he had obtained from the secret Councell caused discharge the Assembly at the market Crosse of Aberdene they nevertheless convened the next day which being reported to the Commissioner he went to the place and in his Majesties name commanded to dissolve They replying That they were warranted by the laws of the Countrey and that they could not betray the liberties of the Church by giving way to such unlawfull prohibitions He shewed them that the libertie granted for keeping Assemblies could not annull his Majesties power nor denude him of his Prerogative in the continuing or discharging these meetings when he should finde cause For even the Parliament which is the highest Court of the kingdome said he is disposed as the King thinketh meet at his pleasure it is called prorogued dismissed and deserted as he judgeth most convenient And you will not I trust equall your Assemblies to the Parliament of the three Estates Besides you are not a number you want the ordinary Clark neither is the Moderator of the last Assembly present and can do nothing orderly After a little debating they request him to remove till they should del berate among themselves what were best for them to do but he was no sooner gone but then they choose Mr. Ihon Forbes Moderator and that done continued the Assembly to the last day of September thinking by this means to preserve their liberty Lowreston finding himself in this abused caused to execute the letters and denounced them Rebells And left they should make a
touching his complices taking all the blame upon himself and professing he had done it for Religion and Conscience sake Speaking of the King he denyed him to be his Soveraign or anointed of God in regard he was an heretick and that it was no sin to cut him off This was his behaviour at first but being conveighed to the Tower and the Rack presented he laid open the whole matter of conspiracy and confessed the truth There were in the City at that time Catesby Percy Tho Winter Francis Tresham and the younger Wright who hearing that all was disclosed made away to the Countrey appointing to meet the next morning at Dunchurch in Warwickshire Digbyes lodging Iohn Graunt with some Recusants that he had associated to himself had broke up the same night a stable of Bourch a Rider of great horses and carried away seven or eight belonging to certain Noblemen of the Countrey for he did think the conspiracy had taken effect and was preparing to surprise the Lady Elizabeth whose residence was not farre from the place But within a few hours Catesby Percy and the others that were fled from London bringing assurance that all was failed they resolved upon a publick rebellion and pretending the quarrell of Religion laboured to draw some companies together yet when they had gathered all their forces they did not exceed fourscore in all Sir Fulk Grevill Lieutenant deputy of Warwickshire hearing of the riot that Grant had committed and apprehending it to be the beginning of a Rebellion sent to advertise the Towns about and warned them to be on their gaurd The Sheriffes of the County convening the people likewise in armes pursued them from shire to shire Sir Richard Walch the Sheriffe of Worcestershire having tryed where they had taken harbour sent a Trumpet and Messenger to command them to render unto him in his Majesties name promising to intercede for their lives But they hearing their fault to be unpardonable returned answer that he had need of better assistants then the numbers that accompanied him before he could either command or compell them The Sheriffe provoked by their arrogant answer prepared to assail the house And they making defence it happened that a spark of fire falling among some powder which they were drying did kindle and blew up the same wherewith their hands faces and sides were sore scorched and burnt as they lost courage and opening the gate exposed themselves to the peoples fury Catesby Percy and Tho. Winter joyning backs and resolving rather to dye then to be taken the two first were killed with one shot the other after some wounds made prisoner the two Wrights were killed Rockwood Grant Digby and Bates were taken Tresham had stayed at London and changing his lodging thought to lurk till he he should find occasion to escape by sea but was in end found out So were Robert Winter and one Littleton and all of them committed to the Tower of London Being examined Thomas Winter ingenuously confessed all setting down the particulars under his hand and acknowledging the offence to be greater then could be forgotten Digby excused the crime by the despair they were driven unto having hopes given them at the Kings first coming to the Crown that the Catholicks should have the exercise of their Religion permitted which being denyed they had taken these wicked courses Tresham in his confession named Garnet the Jesuit as privy to the conspiracy but afterwards by his wives instigation did deny it affirming that he had wronged him and not seen him once these sixteen years Yet Garnet being apprehended some moneths after confessed that they met divers times within the last half year Tresham dyed in the prison the rest were put to the triall of a Jury and condemned Digby Grant Robert Winter and Thomas Bates were executed at the western gate of S. Pauls in the end of Ianuary Thomas VVinter Ambrose Rockwood Robert Keys and Guido Faulks who had wrought at the myne suffered in like sort in the Court near the Parliament house This was the end of that conspiracy the like whereof in no mans memory hath been heard We have heard of Kings treacherously killed of practises against Estates and Common-wealths but such a Monster of conspiracies as Thuan calls it no Country nor age did ever produce The King Queen with their posterity the Nobility Clergy Judges Barons Knights Gentry and in a manner the whole kingdome to be in one moment all destroyed was a wickedness beyond all expression but blessed be God this monster which was long in breeding in the very birth was choaked and smothered The King giving meeting of the Parliament the same day that the conspiracy was discovered made a long speech to the Estates wherein having aggravated the danger by many circumstances and greatly magnified the mercies of God in the discovery when he came to the triall and punishment was observed to keep a marvelous temper in his discourse wishing no innocent person either forain or domestick should receive blame or harm thereby For however said he the blinde superstition of their errors in religion hath been the onely motive of this desperate attempt it must not be thought that all who professe the Roman Religion are guilty of the same for as it is true I keep his Majesties own words that no other sect of Heretick not excepting Turke Iew or Pagan nay not those of Calecut that adore the Devill did ever maintain by the grounds of their religion that it was lawfull and meritorious to murther Princes or people for the quarrell of religion Yet it is as true on the other side that many honest men blinded peradventure with some opinions of Popery as if they be not sound in questions of Reall presence the number of the Sacraments and some such school questions do either not know or not believe at least all the true grounds of Popery which is indeed the Mystery of iniquity and therefore do we justly confess that many Papists especially our forefathers laying their onely trust upon Christ and his merits may be saved detesting in that point and thinking that cruelty of Puritanes worthy of fire that will admit no salvation to any Papists And so concluding that part of his discourse said As upon the one part many honest men seduced with some errors of Popery may yet remain good and faithfull subjects so upon the other part none of those that truly know and believe the whole grounds of Popery can prove either good Christians or faithfull subjects The speech is to be seen amongst his Majesties works and is worthy the reading for wise directions given in that business The news of this conspiracy were speedily advertised to the Councell of Scotland and a command given for a publick thanksgiving in all the Churches for his Majesties deliverance but the cause was left to every mans conjecture albeit the advertisement did bear expresly that the contrivers were Papists and their onely quarrell Religion This being told to the
work should more easily be effected if a beginning was made in Scotland did call a Parliament in August which was kept by Lodowick Duke of Lennox as Commissioner for his Majesty the Earl of Montrose being then deceased The Estates to satisfie the Kings desire did allow all the Articles concluded in the Treaty with a provision That the same should be in like manner ratified by the Parliament of England otherwise the conclusions taken should not have the strength of a law It was also declared that if the union should happen to take effect the Kingdome notwithstanding should remain an absolute and free Monarchy and the fundamentall laws receive no alteration But the Parliament of England either disliking the union as fearing some prejudice by it to their Estate or upon some other hidden cause did touch no more the business and so that good work tending to the advantage of both Kingdomes was left and quite deserted In the Church a new trouble was moved by the revolt that Huntley and the two Earls of Angus and Arroll made divers especially in the North parts falling away by their example This being represented to the King he gave order for calling an Assembly which convened at Linlithgow in the end of Iuly Therein the Earls of Dunbar Winton and Lothian sate Commissioners for the King The Bishop of Orkney elected to preside having shewed the occasion of the present meeting to be the growth and increase of Papists in all the quarters of the Kingdome it was thought meet to take up the names of those that made open profession of Popery and likewise of those that were suspected to favour the course that their number and forces being known the remedies might be the better advised and provided The number was found to very great chiefly in the North and the Marquis of Huntley delated by all as the only cause of the defection in those bounds he being cited to appear before the Assembly under the pain of excommunication and neither compeiring nor sending any excuse was ordained to be excommunicated and the sentence accordingly pronounced in the hearing of the whole Assembly This was appointed to be intimated in all the Churches and no absolution given upon whatsoever offers in regard of his manifold apostasies without the advice of the general Church The like course was concluded to be kept with Angus Arroll and the Lord Semple how soon the processes intended against them were brought to an end This done the Assembly began to rip up the causes of the defection more narrowly which they found to proceed from the Ministers in a part their negligence in teaching and catechising of people the too suddain admission of young men into the Ministery and the distraction of mindes among those that are admitted for remedy whereof it was ordained as followeth First that they should apply themselves to the exercise of their function with greater diligence then they were accustomed and take a speciall care of young children to see them instructed in the Belief the Lords prayer and ten Commandements whereof they should examine every childe at the age of six years and yearly enquire of their profiting and increase in knowledge 2 That some longer time should be prescrived for the admission of men to the Ministery and the exceptions contained in the Act of the age of Ministers to be admitted reserved to the cognition of the Generall Assembly 3 That they use a greater diligence in the processing of Papists and that none out of corrupt favour should grant them any oversight under the pain of deposition 4 That all who carried office in the Church should be carefull to eschew offences and endevour to keep love and peace among themselves 5 And for the present distractions in the Church seeing the same did arise partly from a diversity of opinions touching the externall government of the Church and partly from divided affections the last of these two being the most dangerous as not suffering the brethren to unite themselves against the common enemy they were all in the fear of God exhorted to lay down whatsoever grudge or rancour they had conceived and to be reconciled in heart and affection one to another Which all that were present did faithfully promise by the holding up their hands But the fault not being in the Ministers alone and seen to proceed from other causes also as from the oversight of Jesuits and Priests and their entertainment in the Countrey the preferment of men to publick offices that were suspected in Religion the favour shewed to Papists by them in places of chief authority Masie Priests admitted without his Majesties warrant and no security taken for their not returning Licences granted to Noblemens sons for going abroad and their education trusted to men of contrary profession advocation to the Councell of matters properly belonging to the Ecclesiasticall Judicatories and the lack of Preachers in many parts of the land It was concluded that certain Petitions should be formed and presented to his Majesty by some selected Commissioners for remedying these evils which were formed in this manner First that an humble supplication should be made by the whole Assembly intreating his Majesty not to permit any Papist or suspected of Popery to bear charge in Councell Session or in any Burgh or City and where his Majesty did know any such to occupie these places humbly to crave that order might be taken for their removing 2 That the laws made against Papists should receive execution and no favour be granted unto them by the Officers of State with a prohibition to the Councell to meddle in affairs Ecclesiasticall or to discharge the processes led by Ministers against Papists and others contemners of Church discipline 3 That Papists abjuring their Religion in hope of preferment to Offices of State should not be admitted thereto till they had given five years probation at least 4 That the sons of Noblemen professing Popery should be committed to the custody of such of their friends as are sound in Religion 5 That a Commission should be granted to every Bishop within his Dioces and to such well affected Noblemen Barons and Gentlemen as the Commissioners of the Assembly should nominate for apprehending of Jesuits Seminary Priests excommunicated Papists and traffiquers against Religion 6 That the Searchers of ships should seise upon all Books that are brought unto the Countrey and present them to the Ministers of the Town where the ships shall happen to arrive 7 That excommunicate Papists be put in close prison and none have accesse unto them but such as are known to be of sound Religion 8 That the Deputies of excommunicates be not suffered to enjoy any office under them and that some others be appointed by his Majesty to serve in their places 9 Finally that his Majesty should be humbly intreated to plant the unprovided Churches especially the Churches of the Chappel Royall with competent Stipends The
had borne the charge certain of the discontented sort did interpret it to be a sort of corruption giving out That this was done for obtaining the Ministers voices Howbeit the debt was known to be just and that no motion was made of that business before the foresaid conclusions were enacted In the Assembly a Supplication was presented in the names of the Marquiss of Huntly and the two Earls of Angus and Arroll for their absolution and a Commission given to that effect upon their satisfaction they subscriving the confession of faith and swearing to continue in the profession of the Religion presently established The Marquiss of Huntly was at that time confined in Styiveling and to him were the Archbishop of Glasgow the Bishops of Cathnes and Orkney directed They found him not unwilling to subscrive the confession of Faith and make satisfaction for his Apostasie but in regard of his many relapses did not judge it fitting to absolve him wheresore they gave order that he should conferre with Mr. Patrick Sympson the Minister of the Town a learned and moderate man that so he might subscrive with knowledge and resolution not to fall back In the December following having professed himself resolute in all points he was liberated from his confinement at Striveling and licensed to goe home to Strathbogy With the Earl of Arroll the difficulty was greater for when in a publick meeting of the Councell within the Castle of Edinburgh he had professed his conformity in every point of Religion and made offer to subscrive the very night after he fell in such a trouble of minde as he went near to have killed himself Early in the morning the Archbishop of Glasgow being called he confessed his disinclination with many tears and beseeching them that were present to bear witness of his remorse was hardly brought to any setling all that day The Nobleman was of a tender heart and of all that I have known that most conscientious in his prosession and thereupon to his dying was used by the Church with greater lenity then were others of that sect The Earl of Angus who lived confined at Glasgow took another course and upon license obtained from his Majesty went to France where he might enjoy the exercise of his Religion with liberty and dyed at Paris in a voluntary banishment some years after Shortly after the Assembly dissolved the Archbishop of Glasgow was called to Court and commanded to bring with him two others such as he thought fit The Archbishop taking with him the Bishops of Brichen and Galloway came to Court in the midst of September At their first audience the King declared what the business was for which he had called them speaking to this purpose That he had to his great charge recovered the Bishopricks forth of the hands of those that possessed them and bestowed the same upon such as he hoped should prove worthy of their places but since he could not make them Bishops nor could they assume that honour to themselves and that in Scotland there was not a sufficient number to enter charge by consecration he had called them to England that being consecrated themselves they might at their return give Ordination to those at home and so the adversaries mouths be stopped who said that he did take upon him to create Bishops and bestow spirituall offices which he never did nor would he presume to doe acknowledging that authority to belong to Christ alone and those he had authorized with his power The Archbishop answering in the name of the rest That they were willing to obey his Majesties desire and only feared that the Church of Scotland because of old usurpations might take this for a sort of subjection to the Church of England The King said That he had provided sufficiently against that for neither should the Archbishop of Canterbury nor York who were the only pretenders have hand in the business but Consecration should be used by the Bishops of London Ely and Bathe The Scots Bishops thanking his Majesty for the care he had of their Church and professing their willingness to obey what he would command the 21 of October was appointed to be the time and the Chappell of London house the place of Consecration A question in the mean time was moved by Dr. Andrewes Bishop of Ely touching the consecration of the Scottish Bishops who as he said must first be ordained Presbyters as having received no Ordination from a Bishop The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Bancroft who was by maintained That thereof there was no necessity seeing where Bishops could not be had the Ordination given by the Presbyters must be esteemed lawfull otherwise that it might be doubted if there were any lawfull vocation in most of the reformed Churches This applauded to by the other Bishops Ely acquiesced and at the day and in the place appointed the three Scottish Bishops were consecrated At the same time did the King institute a High Commission in Scotland for the ordering of Causes Ecclesiasticall and therewith sent to the Clergy the directions following 1 That every particular matter should not be brought at first before the high Commission nor any thing moved unto itexcept the same was appealed unto or complained by one of the Bishops as a thing that could not be rectified in their Dioces or then some enorme offence in the triall whereof the Bishops should be found too remiss 2 That every Archbishop and Bishop should make his residence at the Cathedrall Church of his Dioces and labour so farre as they could and were able to repaire the same 3 That all Archbishops and Bishops be carefull in visitation of their Dioces and every third year at least take inspection of the Ministers Readers and others serving cure within their bounds 4 That every Archbishop visit his Province every seven years at least 5 Whereas there be in sundry Dioceses some Churches belonging to other Bishops that care be taken to exchange the Churches one with another that all the Dioceses may lie contigue if possibly the same may be performed As likewise in regard some Dioceses are too large and others have a small number of Churches Scarce deserving the title of a Dioces that a course be taken for enlarging the same in a reasonable proportion by uniting the neerest Churches of the greater Dioces thereto 6 That the convention of Ministers for the exercise of Doctrine exceed not the number of ten or twelve at most over them a Moderator placed by the ordinaâ—y of the Dioces where the said Conventions are licensed with power to call before them all scandalous persons within that Precinct and censure and correct offenders according to the Canons of the Church yet are not these Moderators to proceed in any case either to excommunication or suspension without the allowance of the Ordinary And if it shall be tryed that these Ministers doe usurp any further power then
children and their exhibition as was appointed made them in after times no less troublesome to the Countrey then before In the end of the year the Earl of Dunbarre departed his life at whitehall a man of deep wit few words and in his Majesties service no less faithfull then fortunate The most difficile affaires he compassed without any noise and never returned when he was employed without the work performed that he was sent to doe His death made a great change in our Estate Sir Robert Ker a son of Farnherst who had served the King long in the quality of a Page and was then grown powerfull in Court carrying all things by his credit At first the Thesaurers Office which was in the person of Dunbar whilest he lived was trusted to certain Commissioners but after a little space the same was bestowed upon the said Sir Robert and he preferred to be Earl of Somerset The guard that Sir William Cranston a Gentleman of great worth did command and wherewith he had performed divers notable services in the Borders was taken from him and given to Sir Robert Ker of Ancram Somersets cousin Sir Gedeon Murray his Uncle by the Mother made Deputy in the Office of Thesaury and Sir Thomas Hamilton his Majesties Advocate who had married his sister placed first in the office of Register and afterwards made Secretary all which was ascribed to Somerset his credit Yet these things were not ill taken the last excepted for Sir William Cranston being content to resigne his place the King in remembrance of his good service did preferre him to be a Lord of Parliament Sir Gedeon his abilities for the services he was trusted with were known to all and for the Advocate his sufficiency was undoubted only the manner of his coming to be Register was not so well interpreted Sir Iohn Skeen had enjoyed the place a good many years and being grown in age and infirme thinking to get his son provided to his office had sent him to Court with a dimission of the place but with a charge not to use it unless he found the King willing to admit him yet he abused by some politick wits made a resignation of the Office accepting an ordinary place among the Lords of Session The office upon his resignation was presently disponed to the Advocate which grieved the Father beyond all measure And the case indeed was pitifull and much regrated by all honest men for he had been a man much employed and honoured with divers legations which he discharged with good credit and now in age to be circumvented in this sort by the simplicity or folly of his son 't was held lamentable The King being informed of the abuse by the old mans complaint was very carefull to satisfie him and to have the son reconciled to his father which after some travell was brought to passe yet so exceeding was the old mans discontent as within a few daies he deceased The office of Register was shortly after enterchanged with the Secretary Sir Alexander Hay and he made keeper of the Rolls the Lord Binning Secretary and Sir William Oliphant received to be his Majesties Advocate In the beginning of the next year there happened diverse unhappy quarrels betwixt the Scots and English at Court which was like to have produced very bad effects and nothing worse taken then the slaughter of an English Fencer by the Lord Sanqhars instigation who for an injury alledged did hire one called Carleill to kill the Fencer this fact committed in the City of London and so near to the Kings Court caused such a heart-burning among the people as it was not farre from breaking forth into a generall commotion But his Majesty preventing the danger made Sanqhar to be arrested and brought to his triall where being convicted he was hanged publickly at the Palace-gate of Westminster This act of justice gave the English a great content nor was the death of the Nobleman much regrated by his own Countrey people for he had lived all his time dissolutely and falling in familiarity with a base Curtesan at Paris had by her a son to whom he entailed his lands intending to defraud the heir But the King taking the matter into his own cognition did by compromise adjudge the succession to the just inheritour appointing a little portion to the base son who in a short time made away the same prodigally Not long before his Majesty being informed of a course kept by the Church in excommunicating persons that were fugitives for capitall crimes sent to the Bishops and Clergy a Letter of this tenor The Ecclesiasticall Censure of Excommunication which should be inflicted upon such as having committed any scandalous offence are contemners of the admonitions of the Church is as we have been enformed so farre absued against the first institution that we cannot sufficiently mervail of the proceeding said to be commonly used among you namely that persons fugitive for capitall crimes being cited before Ecclesiastical Iudicatories although it be known that they dare not compeir for fear of their life are sentenced as persons contumacious whereas the fear they stand in ought in reason to excuse their absence since they cannot be judged contemners of the Church who upon just terrors are kept back from giving their personall appearance In a late Treatise the Venetian Padre Paulo did learnedly confute the sentence pronounced by the present Pope against him for his not appearing to answer in the cause of heresie only upon the just fear be pretended and had his appeal justified by all indifferent men from the Popes sentence as abusive your proceedings for the manner is no other and by the learnedst Divines in these parts resembled to the Moscovites form who if he be offended with any person commandeth him to send his head unto him just so your citations are in the foresaid case which is to will the offenders come in and be hanged which were they never so penitent is not to be thought they will doe for they will rather fall under your censure then hazard themselves in the hands of the justice This being the ready way to bring the Censures of the Church in contempt Our pleasure is that hereafter there be no such form of proceeding used among you Notwithstanding if it shall happen such offenders to obtain our pardon and that the fear they stand in of their life be removed we mean not but that they should be called before the Church and Censures used against such of those that are impenitent Hereof perswading our selves that you will have care and not give way to the abuse in time coming We bid you farewell Upon the receipt of this Letter the Bishops convening with certain of the Clergie to advise what course was fittest to be held in these cases a long reasoning was kept some maintaining That the form practised by the Church was not to be changed they having tried the good thereof
the name of the Clergy of Scotland was a warrant sufficient Thus the Bishop consenting the absolution was given him in the Chappell of Lambeth by the Archbishop of Canterbury in this form Whereas the purpose and intendment of the whole Church of Christ is to win men unto God and frame their souls for heaven and that there is such an agreement and correspondency betwixt the Churches of Scotland and England that what the Bishops and Pastors in the one without any earthly or wordly respect shall accomplish to satisfie the Christian and charitable end and desire of the other cannot be distastfull to either I therefore finding your earnest intreaty to be loosed from the bond of excommunication wherewith you stand bound in the Church of Scotland and well considering the reason and cause of that censure as also considering your desire on this present day to communicate here with us for the better effecting of this work of participation of the holy Sacrament of Christ our Saviour his blessed body and blood do absolve you from the said excommunication in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost And beseech the Almighty God that you may be so directed by the holy Spirit that you may continue in the truth of his Gospell unto your lives end and then be made partaker of his everlasting kingdome How soon it was known that the Marquis was absolved by the Archbishop of Canterbury there were great exceptions taken by the Church and the same interpreted to be a sort of usurpation whereof the King being advertised in a long letter written to the Archbishop of S. Andrews he did justifie the doing by these reasons First that in absolving the Marquis nothing was intended to the prejudice of the Church of Scotland but what was done was out of a Christian necessity it being needfull that the Marquis should be absolved before he was admitted to the participation of the holy Sacrament Secondly he willed the Church to consider that his absolution at home was onely deferred upon the scruple he made of the Presence of our Saviour in the Sacrament and that upon his confession swearing and subscriving the other points of Religion they themselves had suspended his excommunication the lawfulâ—nesse whereof he would not dispute but remit the same to the Canonists yet the suspension standing it was not much from an absolution Thirdly that the absolution given him in England did necessarily imply an acknowledgement of the authority of the Church of Scotland whereas if the Archbishop of Canterbury had received him to the holy Communion and not first absolved him being excommunicated by the Church of Scotland the contempt and neglect had been a great deal greater Fourthly that the Marquis being come into England and make offer to perform whatsoever should be required of him it was more fit to take him in that disposition then to have delayed it unto his return into Scotland For these reasons he said and especially because all that was done was with a due acknowledgement and reservation of the power and independent authority of the Church of Scotland which the Archbishop of Canterbury had by his own hand testified it was his pleasure that upon the Marquis his return a full form of absolution should be given him or a ratification made of that which was done in England so as neither the Archbishop of Canterbury his doing should be disapproved as unlawfull nor the same so approved as it might seem that the Church of Scotland was inferiour in any sort to that of England and that the Archbishops Letter written to that effect should be put in record and kept as a perpetuall monument for ages to come This Letter directed to the Archbishop of S. Andrews I have thought here meet to be inserted Salutem in Christo. Because I understand that a Generall Assembly is shortly to be held at Aberdene I cannot but esteem it an office of brotherly love to yeild you an accompt of that great action which lately befell us here with the Marquis of Huntley So it was then that upon the coming up of the said Marquis his Majesty sharply entreating him for not giving satisfaction to the Church of Scotland and for a time restraining him from his Royall presence the Marquis resolving to give his Majesty contentment did voluntarily proffer to communicate when and wheresoever his Highness should be pleased whereupon his Majesty being pleased to make known that offer to me it was held fit to strike the iron whilest it was hot and that his great work should be accomplished before his Majesties going to progresse whereunto a good opportunity was offered by the consecration of the Bishop of Chester which was to be in my Chappell of Lambeth the seventh of this moneth at which time a solemn communion was there to be celebrated The only pause was that the Marquis being excommunicated by the Church of Scotland there was in appearance some difficulty how he might be absolved in the Church of England wherewith his Majesty being acquainted who wished that it should not be deferred we grew to this peaceable resolution which I doubt not your Lordship and the rest of our brethren there will interpret to the best for first what was to be performed might be adventured upon as we esteemed out of a brotherly correspondency and unity of affection and not only of any authority for we well know that as the Kingdome of Scotland is a free and absolute Monarchy so the Church of Scotland is entire in it self and independent upon any other Church Secondly we finde by the advice of divers Doctors of the Civil law and men best experienced in things of this nature that the course of Ecclesiasticall proceedings would fairly permit that we might receive to our communion a man excommunicated in another Church if the said person doe declare that he had a purpose hereafter for some time to reside among us which the Lord Marquis did openly professe that he intended and I know his Majesty doth desire it and for my part I rest satisfied that it can bring no prejudice but rather contentment unto you and to that Kingdom Thirdly it pleased God the night before the celebration of the sacrament to send in our brother the Bishop of Cathnes with whom I taking counsel his Lordship resolved me that it was my best way to absolve the Lord Marquis and assured me that it would be well taken by the Bishops and Pastors of the Church of Scotland I leave the report of this to my Lord Cathnes himself who was an eye-witness with what reverence the Marquis did participate of that holy sacrament For all other circumstances I doubt not but you shall be certified of them from his Majesty whose gracious and princely desire is that this bruised reed should not be broken but that so great a personage whose example may doe much good should be cherished and comforted in his coming
conceived by his death This following penned by a learned Divine in our vulgar language did affect me so as I thought good to subjoin it ALL who have eyes awake and weep For he whose waking wrought our sleep Is fallen asleep himself and never Shall wake again till wak'd for ever Deaths iron handhath clos'd those Eyes Which were at once three Kingdoms spies Both to foresee and to prevent Dangers as soon as they were meant That Head whose working brain alone VVrought all mens quiet but its own Now lies at rest O let him have The peace he lent us in his grave If that no Naboth all his Reign Was for his fruitfull vineyard slain If no Vriah lost his life Because he had too fair a wife Then let no Shimei's curses wound His honour or profane his ground Let no black-mouth'd no rank-breath'd cur Peacefull JAMES his Ashes stir Princes are Gods ô doe not then Rake in their graves to prove them men For two and twenty years long care For providing such an Heir VVho to the peace we had before May adde twice two and twenty more For his daies travels and nights watches For his craz'd sleep stoln by snatches For two fair Kingdoms joyn'd in one For all he did or meant t' have done Doe this for him write on his dust IAMES the Peacefull and the Iust. The End A brief Table directing to the Principall Matter of this HISTORY A St. Andrews made an University by the Bishop of the place procuring it Page 57 Made an Archiepiscopal See 58 Aidanus in Northumberland within seven dayes after his first arrival converteth and baptizeth 15000 14 Augustine The King of Northumberland with an army by instigation as was supposed of Augustine the Monk slayeth 1200 Monks that refused to receive the Rites of Rome 12 Alcuinus born in Scotland 22 B BIshop The ancient manner of a Bishop in Scotland 4 Anciently in Scotland all the moveable goods of any Bishop belonged to the King and were seized for his use 55 An English Army put to flight by a Bishop 99 A Bishop went on foot through the whole Kingdome preaching the Gospel wheresoever he came 108 The ancient variance between the Scots and Holland reconciled by a Bishop 105 The difference between Iames III. of Scotland and Lewis XI of France reconciled principally by the prudence of a Bishop ibid. A Bishop barbarously maimed by an Earl in the Kings absence and the Justice done upon him for it 40 110 A very pious Bishop lived to the age of 185 years 112 Iohn Dury a reformed Minister at his death giveth advice to the Assembly of the Church to restore the Episcopal government 457 Bishops restored in the Church and to their temporalities in Scotland 496 Cautions whereby the Episcopal power was moderated in Scotland 501 Scottish Bishops came to England for consecration 514 Colman a Scottish Bishop disswadeth by his great authority the Nobility of Scotland from deposing their King 19 Buchannan by his verses he incenseth the Franciscans 67 His death 525 Benefices the temporality of them annexed to the Crown 365 Bothwell in open Rebellion is encouraged by the English Ambassadors 402 The King would have it inserted into the Acts of the Church that Ministers shall make publick declaration in the Church the Sunday following after they have baptized any privately first refused 529 After passed by the Church 539 C CArdinals by the Popes Law the placeâ—s are to be ruinated where Cardinals are slain 88 Charles after King of Great Britain born 461 His Journey to Spain 544 His return 545 A Letter to him from Gregory XV. then being Suitor in the Spanish Court 544 Church A form of Church-policy presented to the Convention of Estates at Edinburgh drawn up by Knox 152 The Church and Regent cross one the others proceedings 271 A model of Church-policy presented to the Parliament at Striveling 289 The Church appointeth a Fast on the same day that the King appointeth a Feast for the entertainment of the French Ambassador with a design to cross the King 322 The Assembly of the Church protest against the Kings judging in Causes Ecclesiastical the Councel of State reject the Protestation 318 Contentions between the King and Church 319 They allow not the Councel authority to judge of Treason spoken by them in the Pulpit 330 The Ministers yield more to the desires of the basest people then to reasonable Propositions of the King 394 They provide a Chaplain of their own interest for Bothwell endevouring Rebellion 402 They refuse to submit their doctrine to the triall of the King and Councel 420 They style the Queen of England Elizabeth an Atheist in their Sermons 419 422 One of them affiâ—med in his Sermon that it is lawful for subjects to take arms against their King 430 They sollicite the Lord Hamilton and people to take arms 431 Articles proposed in the form of Question by the King concerning affairs of the Church 435 The bosome of the Church ought alwaies to be open to Penitents 437 The Assembly vote that it is lawfull for Ministers to sit in Parliament 449 Some of them refuse to give thanks in their Churches for the Kings deliverance from the attempts of Gowrie 460 Catholikes are dispensed from Rome to profess or swear against their religion so as in minde they continued firme 308 Covenant is taken by the Ministers obliging them to a better discharge of their duty 416 A Scottish prisoner rescued out of the Castle of Carlisle by a strange attempt 414 A strange event at a Councel held in Wiltsh 27 The Charity of a certain man saved his life 462 Conference at Hampton Court 478 Another Conference there between Scottish Bishops and Ministers of the Presbytery 497 D DRuids what they were 3 Are expelled by Cratilinth 3 The Diocese of Dunkeld divided into two Bishopricks 98 The Synod of Dort in Holland 540 Did not ratifie the Acts of Perth ibid. E A Controversie between six Competitors for the Crown of Scotland referred to the arbitration of Edward I of England 48 England the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland united upon the intended marriage of Edward VI. being about five years old and Mary daughter of Scotland being about one year old 72 That Contract broken by Scotland 73 The King of Scots with many of his Nobles swear subjection to Edward I. of England at Newcastle 49 The King of Scots and the Parliament of Scotland convened at Berwick do homage to the King of England ibid. The King of England refuseth to stand to the Popes judgement 50 The Earls and Barons of Scotland in a Parliament at S. Andrewes swear obedience the third time to the King of England ib. The Scottish Lords of the Congregation have aid from England 140 The Articles of Contract between England and Scotland 142 Scottish Bishops come to England to be consecrated 514 Easter The ancient manner of observing it in Scotland not the same with that of the Roman 15
But agreeth with the Iewes 13 Augustine the Monk endevoureth to perswade the Saxons in Britain to observe Easter according to the Roman account but they refuse 12 A dispute held in England in Yorkshire concerning the computation of Easter between a Scottishman a Bishop and the abettors of the Roman Church 15 A Member of the Scottish Church excommunicated is absolved by the Archbishop of Canterbury with the content of the Church of Scotland 527 The tryall of the Earl of Somerset 525 The Earl of Essex his death and the cause 463 Edinburgh Castle surrendred by the Queens party 271 The Town having maintained tumults against the King submit themselves 432 Elizabeth Queen of England is styled an Atheist by the Ministers of Scotland in their sermons 419 423 The marriage of the Lady Elizabeth with the Palsgrave 19 Excommunication of persons of capitall crimes if they are fugitives forbidden 517 A Member of the Scottish Church excommunicated is absolved by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the content of the Scottish Ministers 527 F FAst one fasteth fourty daies without any the least kinde of food another time thirty daies 69 Francis II of France husband to Mary Stewart Queen of Scots dâ—eth 69 H PRince Henry baptized 406 His death 510 The death of Iames Marquiss of Hamilton 546 I IReland Patrick a Scot converteth that Nation 8 Ignorance Some Priests so ignorant as that they thought the New Testament written by Luther 76 Iames VI. born 196 Baptized according to the rites of the Roman Church 197 His Father attempted by poyson ibid. His Father murthered by Bothwell 200 Crowned in the Church of Striveling being thirteen moneths old Some Lords rebel against him at Edinb 287 He is offended at some proceedings of the Church and does not favour them much 308 Surprised by a combination of Nobles and sequestred from the Duke of Lennox 321 Temporiseth with the Church 322 He appointeth a feast for the entertainment of the French Ambassador the Ministers to cross him on the same day appoint a fast 322 A promise made in time of restraint he judgeth not obliging 327 He giveth clear testimony of the care of the Church 347 A letter written by Walsingham to perswade the King to pass by the revenge of his Mothers death 359 An offer made by an English Ambassador and accordingly done to bring a Declaration signed by all the Judges in England to shew that the sentence against his Mother did not invalidate his right 365 Married to the King of Denmarks daughter 377 Goeth in person to Norway 377 Giveth directions for government in his absence 378 Bringeth his Queen to Scotland 380 Bothwells plot to surprise him discovered and prevented 386 He is surprised by Bothwell 394 He writeth an Epitaph on the death of his Chancellour 411 His just complaint against the petulancy of Churchmen 419 Publisheth his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 455 Gowry's conspiracy against him 457 A letter written to him from the Councel and Nobility of England 473 Crowned at Westminster 478 He would never hang Priests of the Roman profession onely for their Religion 523 He foretelleth his own death therefore not likely to be poisoned 546 He died of an Hemitritaea a disease very dangerous for the aged 546 A Witch had not power to kill him 383 K KIngs Iohn Knox his opinion concerning deposing them for ill-government 137 Reasons why they are not to be punished by their Subjects ibid. The Scots cannot resolve to arraign their Queen 214 The Assembly of the Church protest against the Kings judging in Causes Ecclesiastical the Councel of State reject their Protestation 318 A Minister of Scotland affirmeth in his Sermon that it is lawful for Subjects to take arms against their King 430 Rebellion of the Subjects if they succeed not advance the Soveraignty 432 Conspiracies against Princes not thought true unless they are slain 460 Colman a Scottish Bishop disswadeth the Nobility of Scotland from deposing their King 19 Knox his death 266 Proved that he was not the Author of the book published in his name under the title of the History of Scotland 267 A form of Church policy drawn up by him 152. L LAws Malcolm repealeth that wicked Law of Eugenius III which appointed the first night of the new married woman to belong to the Lord of the ground 29 Lollards Articles of Religion taught by them 61 The Earl of Lennox Grandfather to Iames VI and Regent slain in fight 256 The Lord Aubigny Earl and after Duke of Lennox embraceth the Protestant faith 308 He dieth in the Protestant Religion 324 M JOhn Maior Hector Boeth Gilbert Crab William Gregory learned men lived in Scotland A. D. 1539. 68 The Earl of Murray Regent of Scotland murthered 233 Earl of Marre Regent of Scotland dieth a natural death 264 The Earl of Morton then Regent his covetousness and sacrilege 271 Executed upon suspicion that he consented to the murther of the Father of Iames VI 314 Rabanus Maurus born in Scotland 22 O OAths The Catholicks are dispensed from Rome to profess or swear against their Religion so as in minde they continued firm and laboured secretly in promoting the Roman faith 308 Ordination One Bruce being to be made Minister of a Parish in Edinburgh refuseth Ordination 451 Had preached many years before without Ordination ibid. Ordination by Presbyters in case of necessity that it is lawful 514 The death of Sir Thomas Overbury 514 P PRiests called Culdees and why 4 Pope his league not suffered to enter into Scotland 43 The Clergy will acknowledge no Statute imposed upon them by the Legate 45 A Collection demanded by the Pope denied and the Legate not permitted to enter the Realm ibid. VRbane IV. ordained that every Bishop and Abbat elect of Scotland should travail to Rome for consecration 46 A Councel held at Lyons by the Pope the Acts thereof ibid. The King of Scotland refuseth to stand to the Popes judgement 50 One thousand two hundred Monks refuse to receive the rites of Rome and are all slain 12 Prayer A great question arose among the Churchmen whether the Pater noster were to be said to the Saints or God only Protestants the Queen Regent Dowager of Iames V. dieth in the faith of Protestants 146 The Queen of England contriveth a counter-league against the Holy league made in France for the extirpation of Protestants 389 The Articles of that League 349 Election of Ministers by the People discharged by authority in Scotland 545 The same Portent interpreted to contrary significations 542 Presbyters excluded from intermedling with the making of Ecclesiastical laws in Scotland 531 Ordination by them in case of necessity is lawfull 514 The marriage of the Palsgrave with the Lady Elizabeth 519 The history of the Powder-treason 491 This conspiracy carried on in secrecy a whole year 492 R ROme one thousand two hundred Monks refuse to receive the rites of the Roman Church and are all slain 12 A ploâ—to reintroduce the Roman religion 390
the Church at Edinburgh The Bishop of S. Andrews deprived for the marriage of Huntley The course taken with the imprisoned Lords Advertisement to the King of the marriage with the Queen The King intendeth a journey to Norway * 22. October He leaveth a Declaration under his hand Directions to the Councel The marriage solemnized at vpslo The Earl of Marshals proceedings ratâ—fied The Kings journey from Norway to Denmark An. 1590. Colonel Stewart sent with ships to the King Penult Martii The King and Queen return to Scotland Bothwel his satisfaction to the Church A difference among the Clergy for anointing the Queen The ceremony of Unction not Jewish The Queens Coronation at Halyrudhouse The Queens entry into Edinburgh The Ministers challenged for permitting Iames Gibson to preach The King offended with the alliance of Morton with Arrol An Assembly of the Church The King Commended to the Assembly the removing of the deadly feuds A trouble betwixt the Earl of Huntley and the Earl of Murray An. 1591. A sorceresse Agnes Samson apprehended Bothwell committed for consulting with witches The Laird of Dun his death Bothwell breaketh his Ward The doom of forfeiture pronounced against him His Majesties Declaration concerning Bothwell Bothwell layeth the blame of his rebellion upon the Chancellor A contest between the Church and Lords of Session Mr. Iohn Graham questioned by the Church The Archbishop of S Andrews his recantation A revocation made in name of the Church A Schisme in the Presbytery of S. Andrews Bothwells attempt upon Halyrudhouse The success of the attempt The Earl of Murray slain at Dunybâ—issell 7 Feb. 1692. The murther universally ill taken The Lord Ochiltrie maketh defection to Bothwell An. 1592. Petitions in behalf of the Church The first Petition granted and in what manner Bothwells attempt at Falkland Arroll and Collonell Stewart committed Bothwell and his company flyeth The King pursueth and cometh to Edinburgh Nidry taken by the Lord Hamilton and dimitted by his Lady Pardon granted to those that would forsake Bothwell The Lord Spinie delated for practising with the Lord Bothwell Iohn Weymis of Logie committed for his practises with Bothwell escaped A faction made against the Chancellor Troubles in the North betwixt Huntley and the Clanhattan The Earl of Angus imployed in a Commission to the North in November The Earl of Angus imprisoned in the Castle Mr. George Ker his Confession The Earl of Angus denieth the blanks The Kings resolution published for punishing that conspiracy A Meeting of the Mininistery The King his desire proponed to the Meeting An offer made by the Meeting Fintry beheaded An. 1593. The disposition and qualities of Mr. Iohn Graham The Earl of Angus escapeth The houses of the rebels rendered Atholl and Marshall made Lieutenants of the North. * 26. March A message from the Queen of England The Ambassador intercedeth for Bothwell An. 1592. Midst of April An Assembly of the Church at Dundiâ— Articles sent by his Majesty to the Church The Assemblies Answer A change of the Mondayes Mercat urged at Edinburgh An. 1593. Sir Robert Melvill sent into England The King surprised by Bothwell The manner of the surprise The Citie in armes Conditions granted to Bothwell by the Ambassadors mediation Articles subscribed by the witnesses The King goeth to Falkland A Convention at Striveling 7. Sept. The Estates finde the Conditions given to Bothwell dishonorable The Prior of Blantyre and sir Robert Melvill directed to Bothwell Bothwell falleth to his wonted forms Atholl coming to Striveling is charged to return home in the beginning of October Montrosse taken by the Lord Home Bothwell denounced Rebell The Popish Lords excommicated by the Synod of Fiâ—e The King dealeth with with M Robert Bruce to stay the publication of the sentence The Popish Lords meeâ—ing the King at Falaw desire a triall They are commanded to enter themselves in Perth Petitions of the Church sent to the King at Iedburgh The Conference betwixt his Majesty and the Commissioners of the Church The assembly resolved to keep the Diet appointed for the Lords trial A Proclamation inhibiting all convocations A Convocation of the Estates Certain of the Estates selected to judge of the Lords offers Conclusion taken touching the Popish Lords Troubles betwixt the Maxwells and the Iohnstons Iohnston preventeth the Lord Maxwell and killeth Captain Oliphant Maxwell invadeth Annandale The Lord Maxwell killed 6. December The Lord Here is and Barons of the Countrey appointed to remain at Drumfreis A Convention of the Estates The Popish Lords declared to have lost the benefit of Abolition An. 1594. The Queen delivered of a son at Striveling The Lord Souche Ambassadour from England Mr. Andrew Hunter Minister waiteth upon Bothwell as his Chaplain Bothwell prepareth of new to invade the King The Ambassadours dealing with Bothwell discovered The Roade of Leith The King Commanded the people to Arm. Bothwell removeth from Leith The Conflict betwixt Bothwell and Hume The Lord Colvill and Mr. Edward Bruce directed to England The Kings letter to the Queen of England The Commission given to the Ambassadours The Queen of Englands answer The Queen dischargeth Bothwell his resset in England An Assembly of the Church Petitions directed from the Church to the King A Remonstrance of the perills threatned to Religion The remedies of the dangers The Lord Hume reconciled to the Church Instructions sent from the King to the Church and Assembly A Parliament wherein the Lords are forfeited An. 1595. The bond betwixt the Popish Lords and Balwery exhibited Sir Iames Duglas of Spot excommunicated An. 1695. An assembly of the Church at Montrose Articles sent from the King to the Assembly An. 1595. The Assemblies answer The Queen seeketh to have the Prince in custody The King diverteth her from that course The Kings letter to the Earl of Marre for receiving the Prince The Chancellor contracteth sickness and dieth The Kings letter to the Chancellor The Chancellor his qualities His Epitaph written by the King Great death of Corns and great bloodshed in the Countrey David Forester Citizen of Striveling treacherously betrayed A Commission to eight of the Councel to rule the Exchequer The tenor of the Commission The King his promise to the Commissioners The Commissioners make faith Exception taken at the ampleness of the Commissioners The Commissioners possesse themselves with offices of Estate An. 1596. William Armstrong called Will of Kinmouth taken Prisoner The Laird of Baclugh complaineth of the breach of truce No satisfaction made Baclugh sets the Prisoner at liberty The Castle of Carlile surprised and the Prisoner freed The Queen of England greatly offended with the enterprise This matter debated in Councell The trouble quieted by Baclugh in England Col. Stewart design'd Lieutenant for the Isles An Assembly of the Church at Edinburgh A search of the causes of the present fear of invasion A new Covenant made by the Ministers for abiding to the profession of the truth and living according to the same Advice for resisting the enemies of
Religion The King desireth to have the Noblemen reclaimed He communicated his mind with M. Robert Bruce M. Robert Bruce his answer and advice The King reasoneth with him to the contrary of his advise Mr. Robert's saucy Reply to the King Shortly after the Lords exiled return The Earle of Arroll intercepted in the Low Countreys escapeth A Convention at Falkland The King's judgment of Huntley's supplication A Convention at Dunfermling The Commissioners for the Church upon the report of the Lords meet at Edinburgh A publick humiliation indicted Persons nominated to attend at Edinburgh for the Church The Lord Seaton President of the Session cited to appear before the Synod of Lothian A Conference betwixt certain of the Councell and some moderate men of the Ministery The King offended wâ—th the pertinacy of the Ministers Commissioners directed to his Majesty His Majesties peremptory answer to the Commissioners The grievances of the Church proponed The King his answer A new trouble by Mr. David Blake a Minister at S. Andrews Mr. Andrew Melvill labourreth to make it a common cause The Conditions proponed to Huntley The Conditions give no content A Declinatour advised to be droponed M. David Blake his Declinator M. Blakes answer to the Diet. The Declinatour sent to the Presbyteries to be subserived A Proclamation discharing the meeting of the Commissioners The Commissioners of the Church upon this discharge enter into a new consultation They sent a Commission to the Octavians Commissioners sent to his Majesty for surceasing M. Blakes proeess His Majesties offer to the Commissioners The wiser sort of the Ministers advise to accept of the offer but they are over-ruled M. Blake cited to the last of November The Baptisme of the Princess Elizabeth A Petition presented by the Commissioners to his Majesty and Councell The Petition rejected The points laid to M. Blaks charge Mr. Robert Pont protesteth for the liberties of the Church Mr. Blake declineth the Councell of new The Councell write the Declinatour The Kings care to keep peace with the Church The King conferreth with some Ministers touching Mr. Blakes businesse The Ministers desire a declaration to be made in favour of Church Assemblies His Majestie consenteth to the Declaration Mr. Blake refuseth to acknowledg his offence to the Queen The witnesses examined and Mr. Blake found guilty A new treaty for making an accord Conditions craved by his Majesty The Commissioners refuse to agree to any censure of M. Blake The Ministers indict a fast and complain of wrong done to the kingdom of Christ. His Majesties Declaration published A Bond of obedience subscrived by the Ministers Master Blake charged to go to his ward and the Commissioners to leave the Town A new motion of agreement overthrown by the practise of some of his Majesties Chamber The Ministers deluded by a counterfeit Letter M. Walter Balcanquall in his Sermon inveigheth against the Counsellors He exhorteth the Noblemen and Bâ—rons to a meeting A Petition directed to the King from the meeting Mr. R. Bruce his Speech to those that convened The King offended with the meeting The L d Lindesey his insolent words to the King Atumult raised in the Church and City A Deacon of the Crafts appeaseth the fury of the people Noble men directed from the King to inquire the cause of the tumult The Ministers purge themselves A new Petition moved to the King The Kings answer to the Petions proponed Articles condescended upon to be proponed to his Majesty The Commissioners chused to present the Articles Bargenny declineth the charge the business ceaseth The King with the Councell departeth to Linlithgow A Proclamation discharging all Judicatories to sit in Edinburgh A great alteration in the mindes of people A Bond for mutuall concurrence The excommunication of the President deferred A Fast in the City M. Welch and his Sermon A rumour dispersed that Arroll had some forces assembled The copie of the Letter sent to the Lord Hamilton shewed to the King This Letter did offend many of the better sort A charge for apprehending the Ministers The King refuseth the purgation offered by the Town The tumult declared treason by act of Counsell The Town employed others towards the King The Proposition made by those that were sent by the Town His Majesties answer The King cometh to Leth and the next day to Edinburgh Offers made by the Town for pacifying his Majesties anger The effects of the mutiny contrary to that which was intended Advice given to raze the Town The Queen of Englands letter to the King The letter pleased the King well The tumult declared Treason in the Convention of Estates The Town of Edinburgh charged to appear at Perth The Octavians quit their Commission of the Exchequer Captain Iames Stewart killed A Nationall Assembly indicted at Perth Articles published in print for the better preparation to the Assembly The Ministers greatly perplexed with these Questions Sir Patrick Murray directed to the North to deal with the Ministers The Ministers Answer His Majesties Letter to the Earl of Huntley Letters directed to the Presbyteries for keeping the Assembly The Assembly declared to be a lawfull Generall Assembly Articles presented by his Commissioners to the Assembly The advice of certain Brethren set apart to consider the Articles The Assembly required to meet with the Estates Protestation made by Mr. Tho Buchannan in name of the Church The answers of the Articles reformed Persons nominated to reason the questions Commission given for absolving the Popish Lords The conditions required of the Earl of Huntley The like condition prescrived to Angus and Arroll The King taketh the Ministers in his protection The Assembly intercedes for the Ministery of Edunburgh and others charged with the tumuls The Kings answer The death of Mr. Iohn Lesly Bishop of Rosse The Town of Edinburgh denounced Rebels An. 1597. The Town received into favour at the intercession of Noblemen Articles injoyned to be performed by the Town The Ministers of Edinburgh suffered to return but inhibited to preach An Assembly at Dundy Mr. Robert Rollock elected to preside Order given for absolution of the Popish Lords Proceedings of the Assembly The rest of the questions determined A generall commission foâ— Church affairs Sir Patrick Murray directed to the North. A Proclamation against Mr. Iames Gourdon The Laird of Lady-land having surprized the rock Elsa is drowned The Kings care for removing of deadly fewds A meeting of the Commissioners of the Assembly at Falkland The Secretary complaineth of Mr. Robert Wallace Minister at S. Andrews Mr. Wallace declineth the Commissioners Mr. Nicoll Dalgleish protesteth against the Commissioners proceedings The declination and protestation declared invalid The Witnesses examined doe verifie the complaint Mr. Wallace his obstinacy A visitation of the Church of S. Andrews Sentence given for removing Mr. Blake and Mr. Wallace from the Ministery of S. Andrews Master George Gladstaves admitted Minister of S. Andrews Abuses in the University reformed In the new Colledge all things found out of order
conference at Hampton Court His Majesties proposition at the meeting An. 1603. Doctor Reynolds speech in behalf of the Petitioners The particulars complained of The meeting continued to 18 of Ianuary The effect of the meeting and his Majesties exhortation to the Clergy The Chancellor of England his judgement of the King The number deposed for disconformity An. 1604. A Parliament in England for the union The English Commissioners The power given them by the Parliament A Parliament in Scotland to that purpose The Scottish Commissioners The power granted hâ—em Westminster appointed for the place of meetting Articles of the union Hostile lawes extinguished The name of Borders abolished Order for sentences not satisfied Participation of Commâ—dito be mutuall Inequality of priviledges to be be tried Importation to be free to both people Exportation of Goods prohibited made unlawfull to both Order for Native Commodities Order for Customes Scots may be associated in English Companies Order for transportation Punishment of such as shall transgress Caution to be given by the owners and Masters of Ships Indifferency of fraighting Poâ—â—nati declared free Exception for Offices of the Crown Reservation of his Majesties Prerogative Remanding of malefactors A scroll of the Articles presented to the King The Kings speech to the Commissioners The title of great Britain assumed Peeces of gold and silver coyned The Earl of Montrosse made Commissioner of the kingdom The Lord Fiâ—â— received Chancellor An. 1605. The generall Assembly continued A number convene notwithstanding the discharge The names of them convened The Kings Commissioner dischargeth the meeting The Ministers denounced and cited by the councell for their disobedience Some confess their fault and are pardoned Oâ—hers maintain their meeting and are Committed The proceeding of the Councell condemned by the Ministery His Majesties Declaration touching some rumours dispersed The King his resolution in making no sudden change in the Church policy The form of their Declinatour The Assembly declared unlawfull Some of the Ministers pursued criminally The Indictment Exception proponed by the Advocates The Reply to the Exception The Ministers found guilty of Treason A Proclamation that none should oppose the decision of the Justice A Convention of Estates His Majesties Letter directed to the Estates The Acts passed in the Convention The history of the Powder Treason The Jesuits approve of the enterprise The Conspirers swear secrecy A Cellar hired for the myne A deliberation for the Kings children Contribution for the enterprise Catholicks to be stopped from coming to the Parliament No forain Princes to be acquainted therewith Intention to proclaim Lady Elizabeth Queen The Conspiracy detected The Letter sent to the L d Mounteagle The secrecy of so many very strange An. 1606. Mr. Iames Melvills answer in name of the rest His Majesty proponeth three questions to them A time is desired by them and granted The second audience The Bishops judgement of the meeting at Aberdene Mr. Addrew Melvills answer touching the same Mr. Iames Balfour his answer Mr. Melvill his answer Mr. William Scot his answer interrupted by Mr. Andrew Melvill The Ministers called before the Scottish Councell They are discharged to return into Scotland The Kings pleasure touching the warded Ministers The letter to the Justice prescriving the forme of the sentence A Letter from his Majesty to the Councell The sentence pronounced by the Justice A Proclamation against Jesuits Mr. Andrew Melvill committed to the Tower The Observation of the Writer An Assembly indicted at Linlithgow His Majesties letter to the Assembly An overture sent from his Majesty to the Assembly Some brethren deputed undergoe to consider the overture The overture embraced with some cautions Cautions for the constant Moderators The cautions and overture approved A complaint of the Papists and their ininsolencie Petition from the Assembly to his Majesty His Majesties answer An. 1607. His Majesties pleasure touching the Popish Noblemen Direction to the Councell for constant Moderators The Synod of Perth discharged The Synod of Fife discharged A Provest placed in the new Colledge of S. Andrews The Ministers permitted to return from London Alexander Lord Spynie killed Trouble betwixt the Earl of Morton and Lord Maxwell Maxwell committed maketh an escape The Laird of Iohnston most treacherously killed by Maxwell An. 1608. The Earl of Argile made Lieutenant of the Isles A Parliament in Scotland for the union Provisions for the union An Assembly in Linlithgow for restraining Papists The Marquis of Huntley excommunicated The causes of the defection partly in the Church The remedies of the same The cause of the defection proceeding from others Supplication to his Majesty for redresse of these evils Petitions to his Majesty for repressing Popery The Secretaries journey to Court He is charged for writing a letter to the Pope and stealing his Majesties hand thereto The Secretary charged with the fault before the Councell His answer tothe Lords of the Councell Chancellor Egerton pronounceth sentence against him Sprot his execution The Commissioners of the Assembly have audience His Majesties answer A convention at Edinburgh An. 1609. The Chancellor admitted Counsellor of England Acts made for Religion Acts made against ravishing of women The Secretaries tryall at S. Andrews His indictment The Secretary his speech and answer to the indictment His protestation of two things The Jury sworn The doom pronounced against Balmerinoch A Parliament at Edingburgh An. 1610. An Assembly at Glasgow The moderators paid of the stipend promised A supplication in name of the Popish Lords Huntly freed of his confining The Earl of Arroll troubled for his simulation The Earl of Angus goeth to Paris The Archbishop of Glasgow called to Court The business proponed by his Majesty The Archbishop his answer The consecration questioned The High Commissioners appointed Directions for the High Commissioners and other matters Ecclesiasticall An. 1601. Directions for matters Ecclesiasticall The Clergy doth approve the directions Orders for the Councell An. 1611. A Proclamation against bearing of quarrell The troubles of Orkney The Earl of Orkney committed and his Acts of Court discharged The Clangregore to be rooted out The deuh of the Earl of Dunbarre Somerset his rising Advocate made first Clerk Register afterwards Secretary Sir Iohn Skeen dyeth of grief An. 1612 The Lord Samqhar executed in England Excommunication of persons for criminall and capitall cases if they become fugitive The Clergy agree to reform this point The death of the earl of Eglington and the disposition of his living to his Cousin A Parliament in Scotland A subsidy granted The L d Burleigh removed from Councell An. 1613. The death of Prince Henry The marriage of the Lady Elizabeth with the Palgrave The King acquireth the lands of Orkney Rebellion in Orkney The Earl of Cathnes imployed to suppresse the Rebels Persons executed for the Rebellion The death of the Bishop of Rosse The Earl of Orkney put to triall An. 1614 The Earl of Orkney his indictment The persons named for the Jury The sentence pronounced The execution of
were a misknowing of your places and withall a disclaiming of that innate power which we have by our calling from God whereby we have place to dispose of things external in the Church as we shall think them to be convenient profitable for advancing true religion among our subjects Wherefore let it be your care by all manner of wise discreet perswasions to induce them to an obedient yeelding to these things as in duty both to God and us they are bound and do not think we will be satisfied with delays mitigations and other we know not what shifts have been proponed for we will not be content with any thing but a simple and direct acceptation of these Articles in the form sent by us unto you a long time past considering both the lawfulness and undeniable convenience of them for the better furtherance of piety and Religion the establishing whereof it had rather have becomed you to beg of us then that we should have needed thus to urge the practise of them upon you These matters indeed concern you of the Ecclesiasticall charge chiefly neither would we have called Noblemen Barons and others of our good subjects to the determination of them but that we understand the offence of people that have been so much objected wherein you must bear with us to say that no Kingdome doth breed or hath at this time more loving dutifull and obedient subjects then we have in that our native kingdome of Scotland and so if any disposition hath appeared to the contrary in any of them we hold the same to have proceeded from among you albeit of all sorts of men ye are they that both of duty were bound and by particular benefits obliged to have continued your selves and confirmed others by sound doctrine and exemplary life in a reverent obedience to our commandments What and how many abuses were offered us by divers of the Ministery there before our happy coming to the Crown of England we can hardly forget and yet like not much to remember neither think we that any Prince living should have kept himself from falling in utter dislike with the profession it self considering the many provocations that were given unto us but the love of God and his truth still upheld us and will by his grace so do unto the end of our life our patience always in forgetting and forgiving of many faults of that sort and constant maintaining of true Religion against the adversaries by whose hatefull practises we live in greater perill then you all or any of you should have produced better effect among you then continuall resistance of our best purposes we wish that we be no more provoked nor the truth of God which you teach and profess any longer slandered by such as under the cloak of seeming holiness walk disorderly amongst you shaking hands as it were and joyning in this their disobedience to Magistracy with the upholders of Popery In summe our hearty desire is that at this time you make the world see by your proceedings what a dutifull respect you bear to us your Soveraign Prince and naturall King and Lord that as we in love and care are never wanting to you so ye in an humble submission to our so just demands be not found inferiour to others our subjects in any of our kingdomes and that the care and zeal of the good of Gods Church and of the advancing of piety and truth doth chiefly incite us to the following of these matters God is our witness the which that it may be before your eyes and that according to your callings you may strive in your particular places and in this generall meeting to do these things which may best serve to the promoving of the Gospell of Christ even our prayers are earnest to God for you requiring you in this and other things to credit the bearer hereof our servant and Chaplain the Dean of Winchester whom we have expresly sent thither that he may bring unto us a certain relation of the particular carriages of all matters and of the happy event of your meeting which by Gods blessing who is the God of order peace and truth we do assuredly expect unto whose gracious direction we commend you now and for ever Given at Theobalds the 10 of Iuly 1616. The Letter being read once and again as the custome is with letters of such importance the Archbishop of S. Andrews resumed shortly the heads thereof advising them as he had done in his exhortation to consider the inconveniencies they should draw upon the Church by the refusall of the Articles After which the rolls being called certain of the most wise and discreet Ministers were set apart to conferre upon the Articles How matters proceeded in the said Assembly you may learn by the Defence afterward published in answer to a lying and seditious pamphlet that came forth in print against the conclusions there taken To our story it shall suffice that after long reasoning first in the conference and then in the full Assembly the Articles were concluded in this form 1 Seeing we are commanded by God himself that when we come to worship him we fall down and kneel before the Lord our maker and considering with all that there is no part of divine worship more heavenly and spirituall then is the holy receiving of the blessed body blood of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ like as the most humble reverent gesture of our body in our meditation and the lifting up of our hearts best becometh so divine and sacred an action therefore notwithstanding that our Church hath used since the reformation of Religion to celebrate the holy communion to the people sitting by reason of the great abuse of kneeling used in the Idolatrous worship of the Sacrament by the Papists yet seeing all memory of by past superstitions is past in reverence of God and in due regard of so divine a Mystery and in remembrance of so mysticall an union as we are made partakers of the Assembly thinketh good that the blessed Sacrament be celebrated hereafter meekly and reverently upon their knees 2 If any good Christian visited with long sickness and known to the Pastor by reason of his present infirmity be unable to resort to the Church for receiving the holy communion or being sick shall declare to the Pastor upon his conscience that he thinks his sicknesse to be deadly and shall earnestly desire to receive the same in his house the Minister shall not deny him so great a comfort lawfull warning being given to him the night before and that there be three or four of good Religion and conversation free of all lawfull impediments present with the sick person to communicate with him who must also provide a convenient place in his house and all things necessary for the reverent administration thereof according to the order prescriâ—ed in the Church 3 Item The Minister shall often admonish the people