that which furthered not a little the propagation of the Gospel in these parts was the persecution raised by Diocletian which at that time was hot in the South parts of Britaine This brought many Christians both Preachers and Professors into this Kingdom who were all kindly received by Cratilinth and had the Isle of Man given them for their remaining and revenues sufficient assigned for their maintenance In this Isle King Cratilinth erected a stately Church to the honour of our Saviour which he adorned with all necessary ornaments and called Sodorense fanum that is the Temple of our Saviour hence it is that the Bishops of the Isles are styled Sodorenses Episcopi For so long as that Isle remained in the possession of the Scots the Bishops of Isles made that Church their Cathedral After their dispossession the Isle Iona commonly called Hecombekil hath been the seat of the Bishops and continueth so untill this day In this Isle Amphibalus sate first Bishop a Britaine born and a man of excellent piety he lived long preaching carefully the doctrine of Christ both amongst the Scots and the Picts and after many labours taken for promoting Christian Religion died peaceably in the same Isle Our stories report that at the same time there lived in this Kingdom divers zealous and notable Preachers of which number they name these six Modocus Priseus Calanus Ferranus Ambianus and Carnocus that seem to have been men of principal note and of them all generally it is witnessed that living solitary they were in such a reputation for their holinesse of life as the Cells wherein they lived were after their deaths turned into Temples or Churches And of this it came that all the Churches afterwards erected were called Cells which word I hear is yet retained amongst the Irish Scots The Priests they termed Culdees which Hector Boeth thinks to have signified as much as Cultores Dei the worshippers of God but it is more like this title was given them for their living in these Cells whereas people assembled to hear service somewhat it maketh for this that in certain old Bulls and rescripts of Popes I finde them termed Keledei and not Culdei The same Boeth out of ancient Annals reports that these Priests were wont for their better government to elect some one of their number by common suffrage to be chief and principal among them without whose knowledge and consent nothing was done in any matter of importance and that the person so elected was called Scotorum Episcopus a Scots Bishop or a Bishop of Scotland Neither had our Bishops any other title whereby they were distinguished before the dayes of Malcolm the third who first divided the countrey into Dioceses appointing to every Bishop the limits within which they should keep and exercise their jurisdiction After that time they were styled either by the countreys whereof they had the oversight or by the City where they kept their residence But to return to Cratilinth during his Reign Christian Religion did prosper exceedingly and Fincormachus his Cousin-germane that succeeded keeping the same course gave in his time a perfect setling unto it So great a happinesse it is to have two Kings of qualities alike good succeed one to another for what the one beginneth the other doth perfect and accomplish Yet this felicity endureth not long the state both of the Kingdome and Church being within a few yeares after his death quite overturned by this occasion Maximus a man born in Spain but of Romane education being sent Lieutenant into Pritaine and presuming to bring the whole Isle under his power did practise secretly with the Picts for rooting out the Scots promising that all the lands which the Scots possessed should be given to them The Picts a perfidious people greedily embracing this offer did joyn their forces with the Romanes and both made invasion upon the Scots who doing the best they could for their own defence after divers sharp encounters in a battel fought at the water of Dun in Carrick were wholly defeated and King Eugenius with the most part of his Nobility slain This defeat was followed with a rigorous edict commanding all the Scots of what age sexe or condition soever to depart out of this Isle before a certain day which was so precisely executed as neither man nor woman young nor old were permitted to stay nay not a Church-man though all of that profession were in good esteem among the Picts themselves at the time Thus all the Scots went in exile betaking themselves some into Ireland others into the countreys of Denmark Norway Sweden or where it was in their fate to be cast onely some few Church-men after they had long wandred from place to place got privately into Iona one of the West Isles where living in a poor condition they laid the foundation of a Monastery which in succeeding ages became famous by the beneficence of our Kings and the sanctity of the Monks that there professed Never was any Church or Kingdom brought to a greater desolation but how long it continued our writers do not agree for Boeth will have the Scots to live in exile the space of 44. years and saith that they returned in the year 422. Buthannan casts their return into the year 404. and so maketh their exile to have lasted 27. years only Now whilest they lived thus exiled it happened that one Regulus a Greciâ—â— Monk arrived in these parts This man as they write living in Achala had warning given him in a vision by night to forsake his countrey and go into Albion an Isle fited in the utmost parts of the world and to carry with him the arm-bone three fingers and as many toes of S. Andrew the Apostle The man troubled at first with the strangenesse of the vision did after a little time resolve to follow the warning and take a little box in which he put those Reliques went to seâ— taking some persons in company with him The story nameth Damia nus a Priest 〈◊〉 Thebaculus and Mermacus brother to Damianus Deacons 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 a Cretain Merinus and Silvinâ—s his brother Monks by profession Some eight more are said to be in his company but their names are not expressed The ship wherein they sailed being tossed with grievous tempests was driven at last into the Port or Haven called then 〈◊〉 now St. Andrewes Hergustus King of Picts under whose dominion that part of the countrey as then was advertised of the strangers arrive and the Reliques they had brought with them came thither and pitying their losses for besides the Reliques they had nothing saved When he beheld the men and the form of their service did so like it as he took order for their entertainment shortly after he gave unto Regulus his own Palace with certain lands adjoyning and nigh thereunto erected a Church the same whereof we see a part yet remaining on
Chronology wherein he attained to such a perfection as he was accompted the only Chronologist in his dayes the Chronicle he wrote from the beginning of the world unto the year of Christ 1183. yet extant doth testifie no lesse He died at Mentz in the year 1186. and was buried in the Church of St Martin within the City and thus much for the learned men of our countrey that lived in the time of Turgot 13. Next after Turgot Godricus succeeded in the See of Saint Andrewes this Bishop did anoint King Edgar the son of Malcolme in the year 1098. after the manner of other Christian Princes which rite had not been formerly used in the Coronation of our Kings and as they write was obtained from Pope Urban the second at the request of Queen Margareâ— for the Popes of Rome having as then advanced themselves above Kings did take on them the conferring of these Ensignes of Majesty to whom and where they pleased This Edgar was a good King and greatly beloved of all his subjects The Abbey of Cauldingham which in former times had been a sanctuary of Virgins he gave to the Church of Duresme but upon the ungrate behaviour of Ranulph Bishop of that See a man noted of much corruption he recalled his gift and erected the same into a Priory Upon the death of Godricus King Alexander surnamed the Fierce sent to Radolph Archbishop of Canterbury to have his advice for the promoving of some worthy person unto the place and in his letters directed to that effect complained of the Archbishop of York his encroaching upon the Church of Scotland through the oversight of Lanfrank Archbishop of Canterbury that had given way to the consecration of some of the Bishops of Saint Andrews at York whereas in old times they were not wont to receive Consecration but either from the Bishop himself or from the Archbishop of Canterbury Therefore desired his assistance in redressing that abuse which he said he could not any longer tolerate Now this Radolph was at the same time in question with Thurstan the elect of York for his consecration to which by no means he would assent unlesse Thurstan would make profession of obedience to the See of Canterbury And about that was so much businesse made that Radolph though he was then both aged and sickly did undertake a journey to Rome to debate his right At his return which was some four years after so long did the See of Saint Andrews remain void the King sent to him Peter Prior of Dunfermlin and one of his own Gentlemen to congratulate his safe return and request that Eadmerus a Monk of Canterbury a man well reported of might be sent hither for filling the place Radolph knowing that Eadmerus had neither by himself nor by any other indirect meanes moved the businesse and so taking it to come of God howsoever it grieved him that the Church of Canterbury should lack the benefit of his service gave his consent and having obtained King Henry his licence without whose knowledge he would not have him go into a strange countrey sent him to Alexander with an ample recommendation in substance this We give unto God said he everlasting thanks for that it hath pleased him to open the eyes of your mind and make you know and seek that which you should and to your Highness self we esteem our selves greatly bound because of your friendly and familiar usage for albeit your desires tend to our hurt and are not lesse grievous to us then if you should pull out our eyes or cut off our right hand we cannot but commend your desire and so far as we may in God obey the same Therefore unwilling and yet willing we yield unto your will willing in so farre as we perceive it is Gods will which we dare not withstand nor will we in any thing willingly displease yet unwilling for that we are left alone and deprived of his fellowship who as a Father ministred unto us consolation in time of grief giving us sound advice in many perplexed cases and was to us a most helpful Brother in this our infirm and old age If any other should have required him of us we would no more have parted with him then with our own heart but there is nothing which in God we can deny you Thus we send unto you the person that you desired and so free as you may lay on him what charge you will so as it be to the honour of God and to the credit of the Mother Church of Canterbury Do therefore what you purpose wisely and remit him unto us with diligence to be consecrated because delay in that errand may breed impediments that we desire to eschew c. Eadmerus bringing with him this Commendatory letter was the third day after his coming elected Bishop by the Kings licence and with consent both of the Clergy and Laity but the next morning whilest the King conferred with him apart touching his consecration he began to magnifie the Church of Canterbury and the authority it had over all the Churches of Britain declaring that by his leave he would seek the Episcopal benediction from the Bishop and not receive it at the hands of any other which offended the King greatly for by no meanes could he endure to hear of this Churches subjection to the English Thereupon the Monks who had been trusted in the yeares preceding with the intromission of the rents were charged to uplift the same and to impede the elect his possession Yet within a few dayes the King going in an expedition against some rebels in the countrey of Ross by the intercession of Noblemen it was agreed that Eadmerus should receive the Ring out of the Kings hand and the Crosier being laid upon the Altar he should take up the same and that way be invested into the Bishoprick In this sort was he entered to his charge the Clergy and people accepting him for their Bishop Mean while Thurstan the Archbishop of York who was then beyond sea ceased not to solicit King Henry of England by his letters to impede the consecration for which effect three several messages were sent to King Alexander Eadmerus upon the distast the King had taken of him was not much respected which he perceiving and withall considering that the King being his unfriend his service could not be very profitable to the Church and Kingdome resolved to go unto Canterbury and seek the advice of his brethren and friends in those parts This signified to the King he said that the Bishop had nothing to do with Canterbury nor so long as he lived should any Bishop of Scotland professe subjection to that See Which being reported to the Bishop he replied in passion That not for the Bishoprick nay not for all Scotland would he deny himself to be a Monk of Canterbury Falling thus more and more in the dislike of the King and jarres daily
sorted to no effect by the contrary courses the two Commissioners took after their coming to the Court of England The King foreseeing the same when they were first imployed had moved Mr. David Lindesay Preacher at Leth a man wise and moderate to accompany them and pacify the contentions which possibly might arise amongst them but their emulations were so great as all he could do scarce served to keep them from open discord Before I enter upon the accidents of the next year the death of Mr. George Buchannan which happened in the end of September must not be passed a man so well deserving of his countrey as none more he was of an excellent wit and learning incomparable born nigh to the Highlands within the Parish of Killern and of the house of Drunmakill his Uncle by the mother called Herriot took care to have him trained up in letters perceiving his inclination to be set that way wherein he profited so much as he went beyond all his instructors Nature it seems having formed him thereunto In the year 1539 being called in question by the Franciscan Friers upon the malice they bare him for some bitter verses written against them and their profession which he did to please King Iames the fifth whom they had in some things offended he was committed as suspected of Lutheranisme but made an escape to France where he lived a long time and became acquainted with many learned men with which that countrey did then abound His paraphrase of the Psalmes a rare work and other Poems he wrote for most part whilest he stayed abroad and for his learning and quick ingenie was admired of all men Returning into Scotland about the year 1560. after he had professed Philosophy some yeares in S. Leonards College within the University of S. Andrews he was chosen to attend the King and bring him up in letters In his age he applied himself to write the Scottish History which he penned with such judgement and eloquence as no countrey can shew a better Only in this is he justly blamed that with the factions of the time and to justify the proceedings of the Noblemen against the Queen he went too farre in depressing the Royal authority of Princes and allowing their controllment by subjects his bitternesse also in writing of the Queen and troubles of the time all wise men have disliked But otherwise no man did merit better of his nation for learning nor thereby did bring to it more glory He died in a great age at Edinburgh and was buried in the common place though worthy to have been laid in marble and have had some Statue erected for his memory But such pompous monuments in his life he was wont to scorne and despise esteeming it a greater credit as it was said of the Roman Cato to have it asked why he doth lack a Statue then to have had one though never so glorious erected The summer following the King found the occasion to free himself of his attenders For being at Falkland and pretending to visit his Uncle the Earl of March who did then reside in the Abbey of S. Andrewes after he had taken some little refreshment he went to take a view of the Castle accompanied with Colonel Stewart Captain of the Guard to whom he had communicated his purpose and having entered into the Castle commanded the gates to be shut and these that followed to be excluded The Earls of Argile Marshal Montross and Rothes came thither the next morning and were all welcomed by the King Of the Noblemen that had waited on him since his restraint at Ruthven only the Earl of Gowry was admitted into the Castle by the Colonels means for he had sometimes followed him as a servant The Earl how soon he came in presence fell on his knees and craving pardon for the fact of Ruthven did humbly submit himself to the Kings mercy who after he had checked him in some few but grave speeches for his ingratitude to the Duke of Lennox accepted him in favour upon condition of a more loyal behaviour in time coming Some few days the King abode in the Castle and in a Councel keptthere the second of Iuly made choice of the Earls of March Argile Gowry Marshal Montrosse and Rothes to remain with him as Noblemen that he held of best judgement most indifferent and freest of faction the rest he commanded to retire to their houses till he should take further order In the same meeting was Colonel Stewarts service approved and a Proclamation ordained to be made charging all the subjects to contain themselves in quietnesse and prohibiting any to come towards Court accompanied with a greater number then was appointed to wit 15. with an Earl as many with a Bishop ten with a Lord and as many with an Abbot or Prior with a Baron six and all these commanded to come in a peaceable manner under great penalties Then the King to shew himself at liberty went to Edinburgh and from thence he went to Falkland then to Perth where he remained some weeks Being there the Earl of Arran by Gowries procurement was brought again to Court after whose coming a Declaration was published by the King to this effect We with advice of the Lords of our Privy Councel having thought expedient to notify unto the world but especially to all our good and loyal subjects our true mind touching the things that fell out in the year past declare the same to be as followeth That is howsoever for preserving of publick quietnesse we did patiently endure the restraint of our person at Ruthven with the secluding of our Counsellors from us and all that ensued thereupon yet did we take it deeply to heart and did account no otherwise of it then a fact most treasonable attending till it should please God to restore us to our former estate and liberty which having now by his goodness obtained to make known our indifferent disposition towards all our good subjects and that we do not seek the harm and ruine of any one whomsoever we have resolved to forgive and forget all offences bygone especially that which was committed in August last and hath been since that time strongly maintained providing the Actors and assisters do shew themselves penitent for the same ask pardon in due time and do not provoke us by their unlawful actions hereafter to remember that attempt Willing all our subjects by the example of this our clemency whereof some already have made proof to discharge all quarrels amongst themselves and not to malice one another for whatsoever cause by gone all which we will have buried in oblivion and to this have ordained publication to be made hereof in all the principal Burghs c. The discontented Lords notwithstanding of this declaration were still convening and making the best provision they could for their own surety For at Arrans hand who had now the disposing of all things they expected no good The
but was of a much later time and lived about the year 850. For the opinion of a fiery Purgatory in which souls are tormented after their going forth of the body was not then known among Christians nor did the ancient Irish believe any such matter In our Church at the same time one Hildebert a Bishop was in great accompt for his learning and piety Celius Sedulius had his education under him a man of excellent qualities as his works yet extant both in prose and poesie do witnesse how long Hildebert lived he aboad in his company but after his death he betook himself to travel aud journeying through France and Italy sailed unto Greece there he wrote certain explanations upon the Epistles of St. Paul and returned from thence to Rome made his abode in that city In a Synod gathered by Gelasius Bishop of Rome in the year 494. one of the Canons then made touching books allowed we read these words Venerabilis viri Seâ—ulii Paschale opus quod heroicis descripsit versibus insigni lande proferimus We esteem the Paschal work that venerable Sedulius composed in heroick verses worthy of singular recommendations And even at this day in the Church of Rome certain hymnes compiled by him are sung in the Festivals of the Nativity and Epiphany which sheweth in what esteem he was held Some Irish writers contend that this Sedulius was their countrey man born as the like they affirm of all that were of any note in our Church in those first ages And albeit in divers of his works he doth intitle himself Sedulius Scotigena and that Sixtus Senensis Trithemius Baronius and divers others do all witnesse him to be of the Scottish Nation yet they will have him to be an Irish because forsooth in those elder times the name of Scoti was common to the inhabitants of the greater and lesser Scotland But this reason is naught for granting that the countreys were so distinguished of old and that Ireland was called Scotia major and the part of Britain which the Colonie deduced from thence did inhabit Scotia minor whereof there is some appearance yet that will not infer him to be an Irish more then a Scot. This I trust they will not deny that Scotland was Christian long before Ireland and that Sedulius of whom we speak was come to a good age before Patrick went about their conversion Now if he had been an Irish by Nation would not he much rather have imployed his travels to instruct his countrey men in the truth then have spent his time abroad among strangers Further I should desire these who plead so earnestly to have our men esteemed to be of their countrey to name any one another worthy of credit that since the Scots were reduced from their exile by Fergus the second did ever call Ireland Scotland the greater They will not finde any of trust the name of Scots being long before appropriated to the Colonie reduced from thence and quite extinct among the Irish. It is true that we oftfinde the Scots called Irishes like as yet we term commonly our Highland-men in regard they speak the Irish language and retain divers of their customes But that the Irish were called Scots or the countrey of Ireland called Scotland since they grew to be different nations and were known to be so I am confident will not be shewed To close this howsoever Ireland be the Mother and Scotland the daughter as a reverend Prelate hath written we deny not for our first progenitors we hold came from that countrey there is no reason why the sons which the daughter hath brought forth should be reckoned the sons of another Mother and she thereby robbed of her honor But to our story the condition of this Church in those times was most happy all the care of Preachers being to winne souls unto Christ Avarice and Ambition the two main pests of the Church had not as yet seised upon them so as they were held with all people in great veneration Beda saith that whosoever did meet them by occasion either in the streets or otherwise in journeying by the way they would not depart without their blessing And which increased greatly the felicity of the time the Kings who then reigned were all wise and religious Congallus the second deserves by the rest to be mentioned Vir ob egregias virtutes saith Buchannan omnium seculorum memoria dignus Nam praeter aequitatem in jure dicundo animum adversâ—is avaritiam invictum certabat moderatione vitae cum Monachis qui ea aetate severissima disciplina utebantur Thas is he was a man for his notable vertues worthy to be had in everlasting remembrance For besides his equity in the ministration of Justice and the uncorrupt mind he carried being free of all covetousnesse in moderation of life he was nothing inferiour to the Monks who in that age observed a most strict discipline This good King considering how easily people are brought to contemn Ministers that stand in need of their supply and that the contempt of Ministers breedeth ever contempt of Religion did carefully provide for their necessities appointing to them Mansion places at the Churches where they served with a competent portion of land thereto adjoyning and declaring the tenth of all cornes fruits herbs and flocks which did either produce or nourish to appertain properly to the Church He did further enact for the safety of their persons That if any should happen to smite a Church-man his hand should be cut off and if the Church-man was killed that the murtherer should lose all his goods and be burnt alive For the greater reverence of Church-censures it was likewise his ordinance That whosoever were by the Church excommunicated should not be admitted to stand in judgement nor credit given to their testimony The fame of this Kings pious disposition drew Columba back from Ireland where he had lived a long time There came with him some twelve in company of whom the principals were Sibthacus and Ethernanus his nephews by his brother both of them Presbyters Domitius Rutheus and Comineus men of excellent learning and good behaviour who were all well accepted of the King But of Columba he made such accompt as he did nothing in any matter of importance till he had first consulted with him By his advice the Monks that in former times lived dispersed were gathered into Cloysters or Colledges and had Rules prescribed unto them which falling afterward to be neglected in place of religious Monks there crept in a sort of idle-bellies that disordered all things and made the profession which in the begining was well devised to be misliked and hated of all King Congallus after a little time sickning sent Columba into Ireland to bring home Aidanus the right heir of the Kingdom who had fled thither after the murther of his Father Goranus that he might possesse him
bitter speeches said This is your hour and power of darknesse Now you sit as Iudges and we stand wrongfully condemned but the day cometh which will shew our innocencie and you shall see your own blindness to your everlasting confusion Go on and fulfill the measure of your iniquity At which words the Archbishop was greatly moved affirming that these rigorous executions did hurt the cause of the Church more then could well be thought of and therefore declared that in his opinion it should be best to save the lives of the men and take some other course with them but these others who were sent to assist told him expresly that if he followed any milder course then that which had been kept at Edinburgh they could not esteem him the Churches friend whereupon he was compelled to give way to their cruelty and thus these Innocents were condemned to be burnt alive All the time they were preparing the fire Hieronymus comforted mightily the young man using these speeches unto him Fear not brother for he is more mighty that is in us then he who is in the world The pain which we shall suffer is short and light but our joy and consolation shall never have an end death cannot destroy us for it is destroyed already by him for whose sake we suffer Therefore let us strive to enter in by the same straight way which our Saviour hath taken before us Many other comfortable speeches he uttered which moved the hearers wonderfully When they were brought to the place of their suffering they used not many words but commending their souls to God after they were tied to the stake endured the fire constantly without expressing any token of fear or amazement It was about the same time that Master George Buchannan who for his rare erudition was afterwards in great fame for some biting verses against the Franciscans was committed to prison but he escaping by a window of the chamber wherein he was detained prisoner whilest the Keepers were fast asleep fled into France Thus there passed few dayes wherein some one or other was not called in question for Religion But the more hot the persecution was the favourers of the truth did every day the more increase And now had the Archbishop Iames Beaton committed the charge of all Church-affairs to his Nephew the Cardinal who succeeded in his place for he was aged and sickly himself and not seen often abroad In his last dayes he began to erect the new Colledge in S. Andrews and set men awork to build the same but neither lived he to finish the work nor were the moneys he left in store to that use rightly bestowed Some contestings a few years before he and the Clergy had with the King because of the impositions laid upon the Prelates for the entertainment of the Senators of the Colledge of Justice So as the matter was drawn by an appeal to Rome and Gawine Dumbar Bishop of Aberdene appointed to prosecute the same But this ceased upon an accord made which was that the Senate should consist of fourteen Ordinaries with a President seven of the Spiritualty and as many of the Temporalty the President alwayes being of the spiritual estate and a Prelate constitute in dignity According to this appointment a ratification passed in Parliament anno 1537. and the Abbot of Cambuskennoth was elected President of the new Senate in the year 1539. The Bishop a little after he had assisted as witnesse at the Christening of the Kings first son who was born at S. Andrews departed this life having designed his successours in all the Benefices he enjoyed which were not a few for besides the Archbishoprick of S. Andrews he possessed the Abbacies of Aberbrothock Dunfermlin and Kilwining To his Nephew the Cardinal he left S. Andrews and Aberbrothock To George Dury his kinsman the Abbacie of Dunfermlin and to ... Hamilton of the house of Roplock the Abbacie of Kilwining All which the King for the esteem wherein he held this Bishop whilest he lived confirmed to them according to his Will he was buried in the Abbey Church before the high Altar In his time lived Master Iohn Maior Hector Boeth Gilbert Crab and William Gregory men of good learning and worthy to be remembred Master Iohn Maior was born at Hadington within the Province of Lothian and trained up from his youth in the study of letters A while at Cambridge he heard Philosophy taught but finding the place not so convenient he went to Paris and past his course in the Colledge of Montacute After that he gave himself to Theology commencing Doctor amongst the Sorbonists and in scholastick Divinity was not much behinde any of his time which his Decisiones sententiarum Sophisticalia Parisiensia and that other work intituled Placita Theologica do sufficiently witnesse Returning afterwards unto his countrey he professed Theologie in S. Salvators Colledge at S. Andrews whereof he was made Provost and died there being of a good age a man well inclined ingenious and according to these times not unlearned He wrote the story of his countrey howbeit in a Sorbonick and barbarous style yet very truly and with a great liberty ofspirit not sparing the usurpation of Rome and taxing in divers places the lazinesse and superfluity of the Clergy which could hardly be done in those times without danger Hector Boethius was Principal of the Colledge of Aberdene a great Philosopher and much commended by Erasmus for his eloquence and felicity of ingenie Buchannan who could well discern of learned men speaking in a certain place of him sayeth Quòd non solum artiùm liberalium cognitione suprà quà m illa ferebant tempora insignis crat sed etiam humanitate comitate singulari praeditus That he was not only notably learned in the liberal Sciences above the condition of those times but also of an exceeding courteous and humane inclination Yet is he traduced by some of the English Writers for a fabulous and partial Historian But they who like to peruse his History will perceive that this is spoken out of passion and malice and not upon any just cause Gilbert Crabbe lived in the countrey of France much esteemed for his dexterity and diligence in the education of youth he was sent to Paris by his friends being yet very young and having studied his course there was preferred to be Sub. dean of a Church near unto Burdeaux yet ceased not to advance the knowledge of letters at his uttermost and was so respected as the children of all the Noblemen in those parts were committed to his instruction He died young at Burdeaux not having attained to the fortieth year of his age much lamented of those that knew him William Gregory lived in Tholouse and was made General of the Carmelites in the Diocese of Meaulx and Tholouse which Order he is said to have greatly reformed Baleus writeth that he received
a man of noble qualities and full of courage but falling unfortunately in the slaughter of the Cardinal which he is said at his dying to have sore repented he lost himself and the expectation which was generally held of his worth The countrey notwithstanding the peace made with England was not in much better case for the Governour who was altogether ruled by the Bishop his brother going through the countrey with Iustice Courts as they call them vexed the people mightily and whereas during the warre men enjoyed the liberty of their profession a new persecution was raised which took the beginning at one Adam Wallace a simple man but very zealous in his Religion he was taken at Winton in Lothian by the Bishops direction and brought to his trial in the Church of Black Friers in Edinburgh where in presence of the Governour the Earl of Argyle great Justice of the Realme the Earles of Angus Huntley Glaincarne and divers others of the Nobility he was accused first of usurping the office of a Preacher having no lawful calling thereto next of baptizing one of his own children thirdly for denying Purgatory fourthly for maintaining that prayers made to the Saints and for the dead were meerly superstitious and fifthly for calling the Masse an idolatrous service and affirming that the bread and wine in the Sacrament of the Altar after the words of consecration remained bread and wine To the first he answered That he never judged himselfe worthy of so excellent a vocation as is the calling of a Preacher nor did he ever presume to preach onely he confessed that in some private places he did read a part of the Scripture at times and make a short exhortation thereupon to those that would hear him It being replied that he ought not to have medled with the Scriptures he said That he esteemed it the duty of every Christian to seek the knowledge of Gods word and the assurance of his own salvation which was not to be found but in the Scriptures One that stood by saying What then shall be left to the Bishops and Churchmen to do if every man should be a babler upon the Bible he answered It becomes you to speak more reverently of God and of his blessed word and if the Iudge did right he would punish you for your blasphemy But to your question I say that albeit you and I and five thousand mo would read the Bible and conferre together upon it yet we leave more to the Bishops to do then either they will do or can for we leave to them the preaching of the Gospel of Christ and the feeding of the flock which he hath redeemed by his own blood which is a burthen heavy enough neither do we them any wrong in working out our own salvation so farre as we may To the second he answered That it was as lawful for him to baptize his own childe since he could not have a true Minister as it was to Abraham to circumcise Ismael and his family To the third and fourth heads more generally he said That he never believed nor maintained any thing but that he found in the book hanging at his girdle which was the Bible in French Dutch and English And being urged to be more particular he answered That if he were disposed to speak of these matters he would require a more upright and indifferent Iudge The Earl of Huntley upon that saying he was a fool to desire another Judge then the Governour and the Bishops there present he replied That the Bishops could not be his Iudges because they were open enemies to the doctrine he professed And for the Governour he doubted if he had the knowledge to discern lies from truth and the inventions of men from the true worship of God The Iudge that he desired he said was the book of God by which if he should be convinced to have taught spoken or done in matters of Religion any thing that was repugnant to the will of God he would not refuse to die but if he tried innocent and was found not to have spoken or done any thing contrary thereto then he desired the protection of the Governour and Nobility against the Tyranny of malicious men Being enquired what he did think of the Masse he said That he had read the Bible in three languages and had never found the word Masse in them all and that the thing which was in greatest estimation with men was nothing but abomination in the sight of God Then did all the company cry out Heresie heresie let him be condemned So the poor man was sentenced to be an heretick and put in the hands of Sir Iohn Campbel of Lundie Justice deputy who having adjudged him to die sent him back to prison because the night was coming on all that night he spent in singing of Psalmes which he had learned by heart and the next day was led forth to the fire which was prepared in the Castle hill being inhibited to speak unto the people yet when he came to the place of execution he intreated the beholders Not to offend with the truth because of his sufferings saying The disciple is not above his Master and as he was proceeding the Provost of the Town who had the oversight of the execution did interrupt him saying that he would not be permitted to speak to the people whereupon having in some few words commended his soul to God he took his death most patiently The same year there arose a great contention amongst the Churchmen for saying the Pater noster upon this occasion One Richard Marshal Prior of the Black Friers at Newcastle in England had been in S. Andrews and in one of his Sermons taught that the Pater noster should be said unto God only and not unto the Saints Some Doctors of the University taking exception against his doctrine stirred up a Gray Frier called Frier Tottis to confute him and prove that the Pater noster might be said unto the Saints The Frier an audacious and ignorant fellow took the matter in hand and reading his text out of the fifth of S. Matthewes Gospel Blessed are the poor in spirit for unto them belongeth the kingdome of heaven gathered upon it that the Pater noster might be said to Saints because all the Petitions in the prayer said he appertain to the Saints for if we meet an old man in the street we will say Good morrow Father much more in our prayers may we call the Saints our Fathers and seeing we grant they are in heaven we may say to every one of them Our Father which art in heaven Then we know said he God hath made their names holy so we may say to any of the Saints Hallowed be thy name And as they are in the Kingdome of heaven so that Kingdome is theirs by possession therefore when we pray for the Kingdome of heaven we may say to any of them Thy kingdome come In
flagitious man supplying the place of the temporal Judge condemned him to the fire and because no cords could be had the ropes of the Archbishops Pavilion were taken to serve the purpose As the time of his suffering drew near his constancy and courage still encreased for being conveyed to the fire with a number of armed men when he was come to the place and the Priest Oliphant did command him to go to the stake he said No I will not go except thou put me up with thy hand for by the law of God I am forbidden to put hands in my self but wilt thou put to thy hand and take part of my death thou shalt see me go up gladly Then Oliphant putting him forward he went up with a chearful countenance saying Introibo ad altare Dei and desired he might be permitted to speak to the people Oliphant and the executioners said that he had spoken too much and that the Bishops were offended with the delay Yet some youths that stood by willed him to speak what he pleased giving the executioners and Bishops both to the devil So after he had made his prayer upon his knees he arose and standing upon the coales spake to the people a few words to this effect Dear friends the cause why I suffer this day is not for any crime laid to my charge though I acknowledge my self a miserable sinner before God but only for the defence of Iesus Christ set forth in the old and new Testaments for which as many faithful Martyrs have offered their lives most gladly being assured after their death to enjoy endlesse felicity so this day I praise God that he hath called me of his mercy amongst the rest of his servants to seal up his truth with my life which as I have received of him so willingly I offer it to his glory Therefore as you would escape eternal death be no more seduced with the lyes of the Priests Monks Friers Priors Abbots Bishops and the rest ' of the sect of Antichrist but depend onely upon Iesus Christ and his mercy that you may be delivered from condemnation The multitude that lookt on made a great lamentation for they were exceedingly moved with his words When the fire was kindled and began to flame he cried Lord have mercy on me pray good people whilest there is time and thus departed shewing a wonderful courage and resolution of spirit The Citizens took his death so grievously that lest it should be forgotten they made up a great heap of stones in the place where his body was burnt and when the Priests had caused the heap twice or thrice to be carried away denouncing such as should bring any stones thither accursed still it was renewed untill watches were appointed to see who they were that brought any stones to the place and charge given to apprehend them The Epitaph made upon him is worthy the inserting Non nostra impietas aut actae crimina vitae Armarunt hostes in mea fata truces Sola fides Christi sacris signata libellis Quae vitae causa est mihi causa necis This man was the last Martyr that died in Scoâ—land for Religion and his death the very death of Popery in this Realme for thereby the minds of men were so greatly enraged as resolving thereafter openly to professe the truth they did bind themselves by promise and subscription to oaths if any should be called in question for matters of Religion at any time after they should take up Armes and join in defence of their brethren against the tyrannous persecution of the Bishops The work of Reformation did hereupon take a beginning the story whereof before I set down after I have remembred some worthy persons that lived in those times I will adde the Catalogue of our Bishops in the rest of the Sees of this Kingdome so farre as I have been enformed or learned by diligent search Sir David Lindsay of Mont shall first be named a man honourably descended and greatly favoured by King Iames the first Besides his knowledge and deep judgement in Heraldry whereof he was the chief and in other publick affairs he was most religiously inclined but much hated by the Clergy for the liberty he used in condemning the superstition of the time and rebuking their loose and dissolute lives Notthelesse he went unchallenged and was not brought in question which shewed the good account wherein he was held Divers poesies he wrote in his mother tongue which gave evidence of his quicknesse of wit and the knowledge he had in histories In the beginning of the Governours Regencie he did attend him till the Governour misled by ill counsel made his authority subject to the Cardinal After that time he lived for the most part private and died in a good age the Queen Regent having the administration of affairs Next to him shall be remembred Mr. Patrick Cockburn a Gentleman of the house of Langton in the Merss this man having attained by his studies to great learning lived a long time in the University of Paris well esteemed What course he took afterwards I know not nor where he died but by the Treatises yet extant that he wrote it appeareth that he was a man of good learning and a favourer of the truth The third shall be Iohn Mackbrair a Gentleman of Galloway who forsaking the countrey for Religion became a Preacher in the English Church in the time of Queen Maries persecution he fled to Frankford and served the English congregation as Minister Afterwards called by some occasion to the charge of a Church in the lower Germany he continued there the rest of his dayes Some Homilies he left upon the Prophecie of Hosea and an History of the beginning and progresse of the English Church To these I shall adde our countreyman Robert Wachop though he lived and died an adversary to the truth seeing by his vertue and learning he purchased both credit and dignity in forain parts and which almost exceedeth beliefe being blind from his very birth onely by learning the lessons and conferences of learned men he grew to such knowledge as in the University of Paris none of the Doctors was held more learned nor had a more frequent auditory being afterward promoved to the Archbishoprick of Armach in Ireland he was employed in divers legations to the Emperour and King of France by Pope Paul the third which he discharged with such prudence as he came to be greatly esteemed with all the Princes to whom he was known At last in his return homewards from Rome in the year 1551. he died at Paris much lamented of all that University Coming now to set down the Catalogue of Bishops in the rest of the Sees I shall keep the order of the Provinces and begin with Dunkeld the Bishop whereof hath hitherto been reckoned in the first place The Bishops of DUNKELD In the City of Dunkeld there
have presumed to have said Masse nor have minâ—stred the Sacraments but Priests and those of the shaven sort Now men are so bold as without all vocation to minister the Sacraments in open Assemblies and some presume to do it in houses without all reverence where there is neither Minister nor Word preached Our desire is that some strict punishment be inflicted upon such abusers which albeit we will not take upon us to prescribe yet we fear not to say that both of them deserve death For if he who falsifyeth the seal and subscription of a King be adjudged worthy of death much more he that falsifieth the seal of Christ Iesus who is the Prince of all the Kings of the earth King Darius gave out an edict that he who did let the reedifying of the material Temple in Ierusalem should have some wood taken out of his house and be himself hanged thereupon And what shall we think those do merit who manifestly do hinder the building of the spiritual temple and the edifying of the souls of Gods people by the true preaching of the Word and right administration of the Sacraments The Papistical Priests have neither power nor authority to minister the Sacraments of Christ because in their mouths God hath not put the word of exhortation And it is not shaving of their crowns the crossing of their fingers the blowing of the dumb dogges called the Bishops nor the laying on of their hands that maketh them true Ministers but the Spirit of God first moving the heart to enter in the holy calling then the nomination of the people the examination taken by the learned and publick admission in manner aforesaid are the things that make men lawful Ministers of the Word and Sacraments We speak of the ordinary vocation in Churches reformed and not of the extraordinary whereby God is pleased sometimes to raise up men by himself for doing his work Therefore notwithstanding the usurpation they have made in time of ignorance inhibition would be given them in the strictest manner not to presume upon the like heâ—eafter as likewise to all others who are not lawfully called to the holy Ministery This was the policy desired to be ratified It had been framed by Iohn Knox partly in imitation of the reformed Churches of Germany partly of that which he had seen in Geneva whence he took that device of annuall Deacons for collecting and dispensing the Church rents whereof in the sixth head he speaketh I cannot say A Noble man being askt his judgement thereof answered that it was a devout imagination wherewith Iohn Knox did greatly offend yet was it no better then a dream for it could never have taken effect The Church men that went before had been provident enough in these matters and good it had been for these that succeeded to have kept fast that which they found established to their hand as the Archbishop of St. Andrewes did at the same time advise them For he imploying Iohn Brand a Munk of Halyrudhouse who served many years after Minister at the Caâ—ongate to go unto Iohn Knox willed him to say from him That albeit he had innovated many things and made reformation of the Doctrine of the Church whereof he could not deny but there was some reason yet he should do wisely to retain the old policy which had been the work of many ages or then put a better in place thereof before he did shake the other Our Highlandmen he said have a custome when they will break young Colts to fasten them by the head with strong tethers one of which they keep ever fast till the beast be throughly made The multitude that beast with many beads would just be so dealt with Master Knox I know esteemeth me an enemy but tell him from me he shall finde it true that I speak The Estates alwayes not thinking it meet to enter at that time in examination of the policy deferred the same to a more convenient season onely an Act was passed for demolishing Cloysters and Abbey Churches such as were not as yet pulled down the execution whereof was for the West parts committed to the Earles of Arrane Argile and Glencarn for the North to Lord Iames and for the in-in-countries to some Barons that were held most zealous Thereupon insued a pitifull vastation of Churches and Church buildings throughout all the parts of the Realm for every one made bold to put to their hands the meaner sort imitating the ensample of the greater and those who were in authority No difference was made but all the Churches either defaced or pulled to the ground The holy vessels and whatsoever else men could make gain of as timber lead and bells were put to sale The very Sepulchres of the dead were not spared The Registers of the Church and Bibliotheques cast into the fire In a word all was ruined and what had escaped in the time of the first tumult did now undergo the common calamity which was so much the worse that the violences committed at this time were coloured with the warrant of publick authority Some ill advised Preachers did likewise animate people in these their barbarous proceedings crying out That the places where idols had been worshipped ought by the Law of God to be destroyed and that the sparing of them was the reserving of things execrable as if the commandement given to Israel for destroying the places where the Canaanites did worship their false gods had been a warrant for them to do the like The report also went that Iohn Knox whose sayings were by many esteemed as Oracles should in one of his Sermons say That the sure way to banish the Rookes was to pull down their nests which words if any such did escape him were to be understood of the Cloysters of Monks and Friers only according to the Act passed in the Councell But popular fury once armed can keep no measure nor do any thing with advice and judgement After the convention dissolved notwithstanding of the answer given concerning the Book of Policy diverse Noblemen and Barons moved by Iohn Knox did convene and set their hands to the same The subscribers were the Duke of Chattellerault the Earl of Arrane Argile Glencarn Marshall Menteith Moreton and Rothes Lord Iames the Lord Yester Boâ—d Ochiltrie Sanquhar and Lindesay the Bishop of Galloway the Dean of Murray the Lairds of Drumlanrigge Lonchinvar Garlees Barguency and divers Burgesses with this provision adjected That the Bishops Abbots Priors and other beneficed men who had joyned themselves to the Religion should enjoy the rents of their benefices during their lives they sustaining the Ministers for their parts as was prescribed in the said book But all this turned to no effect for the Churchmen that were Popish took presently a course to make away all the Manses Gleibs Tithes and all other rents possessed by them to their friends and kinsmen and most of these that subscribed getting into their hands the possessions of
And to shew that in his election no respect was had to neerness of bloud his elder brother Alexander was then alive who would not have been passed if propinquity or kindred had carried the sway How Duke Murdack and his father before him came to govern it was well known King Robert the third waxing infirm and unable to rule by himself did substitute his brother called Robert likewise his Lieutenant in the Kingdome commending his tow sons David and Iames to his care But the kindness he shewed to them was that the elder of the two was starved to death in the Palace of Falkland and the younger forced fly for his life he being detained prisoner in England After the fathers death the uncle usurped still the place wherewith he was possessed and at his dying left the same to Murdack his son As to that he speaks of his own Regiment they said he had done more wisely not to have mentioned it considering his preferment proceeded rather of hatred born to the Cardinall who had supposed a false testament then of any favour carried to himself And that being possessed in the place he sold both it and the young Queen to the French which had bred a great deal of trouble And granting the custome had been such as he pratends will any man in reason judge it safe to commit the tuition of an innocent child to him whose family hath entertained so long enmity with that of which the King is descended and will ever be waiting and wishing the death of his Pupill none will think it This was the substance of the reply which when the Queen of England heard she directed certain of the Councell to shew the Duke that he was not to look for any help from her in that businesse and to prohibite his journey into Scotland till the Regent was parted and gone home About the same time there were letters of the Queen of Scots intercepted sent to the Noblemen of her party in Scotland wherein she complained That the Queen of England had not kept promise unto her yet desired them to be of good heart because she was assured of aid by some other means and hoped to be with them in a short time These letters sent from Scotland to the Regent he delivered to the Queen of England who from thenceforth was much estranged from the Queen of Scots as well for that she charged her with breach of promise as because it appeared she leaned to some others besides her self The Regent presently after took his journey homewards and being attended by the Sheriffes and Gentlemen of the Countrey at the Queen of Englands direction came safely to Berwick the first of February and the day following to Edinburgh within a few days he went to Striveling and in a convention of the Estates having related the proceedings in England had all ratified and approved The twentieth of the same moneth the Duke of Chattellerault returned and being made deputy by the Queen of Scots caused publish his letters prohibitting the subjects to acknowledge any other Soveraign then the Queen Hereupon the Regent gave forth Proclamations charging the lieges in the Kings name to meet him in Arms at Glasgow the tenth of March The Duke in the mean time sent to the Assembly of the Church convened at that time in Edinburgh a prolixe letter wherein he signified That being in France and hearing what troubles were moved at home the love he carried to his native countrey made him return with intent to pacify these stirres at his utmost power And howbeit in his absence he had suffered wrong yet he assured them that his own particular did not grieve him so much as the danger wherein the Kingdom was brought by the diversity that had happened betwixt the Queen their native Soveraign and a part of her subjects which he wished to be removed in some quiet and peaceable manner and that the Estates convening might after they had considered the ground and beginning of these troubles which he conceived to be the murther of the Queens late husband with one consent agree upon soem reasonable course to be followed for redresse thereof and of the evils which thence had proceeded whereunto he and all the Nobility continuing in the obedience of the Queen their Soveraign should be found pliable which he did not write as he said because of the Proclamations made by the Earl of Murray to convene people in Glasgow the tenth of March for since these troubles began he was not in the countrey and if all Scotland were gathered he would trust for his own and his predecessors good deserving to find such favour as if the Earl of Murray would invade him and his friends he should not be assisted by any of them to do him wrong Therefore desired them in Gods behalfe so the letter beareth to make his minde and intention known to the people or if they did not think his desires and offers reasonable that they would come and reason with himself whom they should finde easy to be ruled in all matters according to Gods word and equity To this letter dated at Hamilton the 27. of February 1568. the Assembly answered That they would communicate the Letter with the Regent and know his pleasure whether or not they should send any of their number to the Duke in Commission to treat with his Grace Which accordingly they did appointing the Superintendents of Lothian and Fise with Mr. Iohn Row to go unto the Regent and having obtained his licence to pass to the Duke and Noblemen that were in his company and use all means possible for reconciling them to the obedience of the King and his Regent They had also certain Petitions given them to be presented to the Regent in name of the Church as to desire That benesiced persons not bearing function in the Church and subject only in paiment of thirds should be compelled to contribute for sustentation of the poor That remedy might be provided against the chopping and changing of Benefices diminution of rentals and setting of Tithes in long leases to the defrauding of Ministers and their successors that they who possessed plurality of Benesices might be caused dimit all saving one That the jurisdiction of the Church might be separated from the Civil and that they might without his Graces offence and the Councels use their censures against the Earl of Huntley for deposing the Collectors of the Church and placing others in their roomes by his own authority Such a respect was carried in that time to Civil power as the Church could not proceed in censures against men in prime places without their knowledge the neglect whereof in after times brought with it great troubles both to the Church and State I find in the same Assembly the University of S. Andrews ordained to meet and form such orders as they should think fit for giving degrees in divinity whereby it appeareth that our first
advice take order for preventing the troubles that might arise by their dissensions The King liking the advice commanded letters to be written for all the Noblemen in the countrey to meet at Striveling the tenth day of March yet the advertisement went only the two Earls having the direction of the letters to those that were their own friends and enemies to the Regent Amongst others the Lords Maxwel and Ogilvy were invited to come of whom the first had been lately dispatched from his office of Wardanrie in the West Marches and committed in the Castle of Blackness the other had of a long time been confined in the City of S. Andrews How soon the Regent was advertised of Argile and Athols being with the King and that they had moved him to call the Nobility to a meeting upon a pretext of trying Argiles complaint he sent the Earl of Angus the Lord Glammis Chancelcellour and the Lord Ruthven Thesaurer with a letter and certain notes under his hand to be communicated to the King In the notes he made a particular relation of the contempt done by the Earl of Argile to his Majesties authority and of his practises with Athol to disturb the common peace desiring to know his Majesties pleasure concerning them that if his Highness would allow him to follow the course of law he might do his duty if otherwise his Majesty thought fit to oversee their disobedience that he would be pleased to disburthen him of his office and not suffer his own name and authority to be despised in the person of his servant for as he had at sundry times made offer to dimit the Regiment whensoever his Majesty was pleased to take it in his own hands so will he now most willingly resign the same so as a substantial course were taken for the preservation of his Highness person the ordering of his Majesties house and the dispensing of the revenues of the Crown Herewith he recommended the keeping of the peace contracted with England because of the danger that a warre might bring not only to the Realm but also to his Highness title and right of succession in that Kingdom And having recounted the services done by himself from his Majesties birth unto that present specially his assistance at the Kings Coronation the danger whereunto he exposed himself and his friends in Lanside field and at the siege of Brichen The legations which he had undertaken to England the recovery of the Castle of Edinburgh the pacification of the Realm which at his entry to the government he found in great trouble the redeeming of the jewels and moveables pertaining to the Cown and the restoring of the royal Patrimony to some reasonable estate in regard of all these services he craved no more but an allowance of what he had done in his office and a discharge of his intromissions by the Estates of Parliament These notes being shewed to the Noblemen who were about the King for numbers were come upon the rumour of a change that was in hand they did all advise him to take hold of the offer of dimission made by the Regent and accept the government in his own person after which he might deliberate upon such things as the Regent had moved Some were of opinion that the King should write to the Regent and require of him a dimission but the greater part misliking delays did reckon it more sure to do that which was meant at once and not to protract time with a communing such as that manner of proceedings would necessarily breed The King liking best the perswasions that were given him to reign a thing natural to Princes resolution was taken to discharge the Regent of his authority and publish the Kings acceptation of the government This conclusion was the same day imparted to the Regent who thereupon sent the Laird of Whittingham to desire the King before any innovation was made to reconcile those of the Nobility that were in variance with others thinking this way to hold off the publication intended at least for some days But it availed nothing for immediately were the Chancellour and Lord Hereis sent with this Commission to him in writing That his Majesty considering the dislike which many had of his government and the apparent troubles to fail upon the Realm had by the advice of the Nobility determined to accept the rule in his own person and because delay of time might breed some further grudge and inconvenience he did therefore require him to send his Declaration in writ with all speed for testifying his obedience and allowance of what was done and to abstain from all further administration or exercise of the office of Regency As concerning his desires for the surety of his Majesties person the ordering of his house and revenues of the Crown with preservation of the peace with England and the setling of the Borders and Highlands his Highnes should omit nothing that lay in his power to do for effecting the same and therein would follow the counsel which he and the rest of the Nobility should give unto him and for the discharge of his administration he should have all granted which with reason he could require the form whereof his Majesty did will him to draw up that he might deliberate with his Councel what was fit to be done therein assuring him that he should be well and graciously used With this Commission they did likewise carry a letter written by the King himself in very loving terms declaring that because he saw no other way to maintain concord amongst his subjects he had accepted the government in his own hands and that he was confident to have the defects of his age and experience supplied by his Nobility especially by himself whom he would ever love and acknowledge as his trusty Coâ—sen most tender to him in blood these be the words of the letter and one of his true and faithful Counsellours In the mean time the Kings acceptation was published at Striveling and the next day being the 12th of March proclaimed at Edinburgh where the Regent himself was assisting and took instruments of his dimission in the hands of two Notaries It grieved divers of his friends that he had so easily condescended to quit the place which they thought he might with good reason have kept till a Parliament had been called for that purpose Amongst others the Lord Boyd who was most intire with him and came to Edinburgh some few houres after his dimission did chide him bitterly speaking to this effect That he did presume too much of his own wit who in a matter of so great moment would not once ask the opinion of his friends and that in a short time he should find that he had done unwisely to forsake the place committed to him by the whole Estates of the Kingdome at the pleasure of his enemies For it is sufficiently known said he that the King is a childe and that these motions
King hereupon took purpose to confine some of the principals in several countreys and to commit others who were reckoned most turbulent The Earl of Angus was confined beyond Spey Iohn Levingston of Dunypace and Patrick Drummond of Carnock in the countrey of Galloway Lochlevin and Buchan in Innerness the Master of Glammis Abbot of Dunfermlin and Lord of Cleish were charged to enter themselves in the Castle of Dumbritton William Commendator of Paisley in Blackness and Mr. Iohn Colvil commanded to keep Ward in Edinburgh The whole Angus only excepted disobeying the charge were denounced rebels and Proclamations made commanding all the subjects to be in readinesse for resisting the practises of seditious subjects An oath also was taken of all the Kings domesticks that they should not keep intelligence with any of the rebels or others known to be in his Majesties mal-grace and at this time was Mr. Iohn Metellan who came afterwards to be Chancellour admitted Counsellour of Estate The Queen of England being advertised of this alteration in Court sent Sir Francis Walsingham her principal Secretary to the King to challenge him for breach of promise in readmitting the Earl of Arran and casting off the Noblemen who had maintained his authority and hazarded their lives and estates in defence of his Crown The King answered that he was a free Prince and in ruling his affaires might follow the course which he thought to be most convenient that the Queen would not take it well if he or any other should direct her in matters that concerned her subjects and for the promise alledged he said it was made in time of his restraint to the performance whereof he was not tied As to these subjects of whom the Queen seemed so careful he said that he had freely offered to pardon them upon the acknowledgement of their offence and promise of amendment which he would faithfully observe expecting of the Queen his sister that neighbourhood which became Princes living in amity and friendship and that she would not countenance his subjects in their rebellion The Ambassadour replying Sir the Queen my Mistris will never meddle with your affaires but to work your good and quietnesse Yet she taketh it unkindly that the promises made unto her are so lightly regarded One Holt an English Jesuit who is thought to have an hand in Throgmortons treason that was of late detected being in your prison at the request of the French Ambassadour was permitted to escape whereas the Queen my Soveraign looked daily to have been delivered in England as was promised Nay said the King it was not promised that he should be delivered but as the Queen answered my Ambassadours when I desired Mr. Archibald Douglas to be rendered who is known to be guilty of my Fathers murther I said that the man was charged with certain suspicious practises in my Kingdom which I believed first to try and if the Queen had been pleased to have delivered my subject to me whom I had more then reason to remand I would have made no delay in the rendering of Holt. But for his dimission or my connivence at his escape there is no such thing and if you know or can learn that any indirect means have been used for letting him go the trial and punishment of the doers shall clear my part This said the Ambassadour who was a most worthy and discreet Gentleman declaring that he was satisfied fell to speak of the preservation of peace betwixt the two Kingdomes and of a new league to be made with the Queen whereof the King did shew a good liking and in these termes they left for that time In October next the Church Assembly convened at Edinburgh where great regrates were made and presented in certain Articles to the King First they complained that the benefit of pacification was extended to Mr. David Chalmers a professed enemy to Religion and suspected of the murther of his Majesties Father Next that Papists were grown too familiar in Court and namely the Laird of Fintry who had made defection from the true Religion in which he was educated 3. That Holt a wicked Papist sent to the countrey to traffique against Religion and the State was suffered to escape and no trial taken of the workers thereof 4. That his Majesty seemed to favour too much the enemies of the truth both in France and at home 5. That he had received in his service men of dissolute life and who had never given any testimony of their good meaning either to Religion or the state of the countrey and put others from his service that were known to be zealous of Gods cause and faithful to his Majesties self from his very tender age 6. That since his acceptation of the government the Church had received many fair promises without any performance and that to the contrary the liberties and priviledges thereof were daily infringed 7. That the thirds were set in taks or leases in defraud of the Church 8. That Abbacies were disponed against the Acts of Parliament and no care taken for provision of the Ministers that served at the Churches annexed 9. That spiritual livings were conferred to children and erected in temporal Lordships 10. That there were no punishment for incest adultery witchcraft and the like abominations 11. That there was an universal murmur that no man could be assured of his lands and life the laws of the countrey being wholly perverted 12. That his Majesty did interpone his authority to stay the execution of the Churches Acts in matters properly Ecclesiastical Lastly they regrated the division of the Nobility one part seeking the ruine and overthrow of another for which they did intreat his Majesty to call unto himself the most wise and indifferent amongst them and by their advice to take some moderate course for uniting the hearts of all good subjects to the maintenance of Gods truth the preservation of his Highnesse person and estate and the comfort of all that were grieved at the present division The King desiring to give the Church satisfaction made answer the next day to all these particulars And first concerning Mr. David Chalmers he said that he was only forfeited for the common action for being at Landside field field for which pardon had been given to many so as it should not be thought strange to give him the like benefit especially at their request who had moved him therein and that he no ways intended to grant oversight to him or any others that should be found culpable of his fathers murther or yet professed themselves adversaries to the Religion Touching Fintry he said that he had not impeded the proceedings of the Church against him or any other Popishly affected nor had he been countenanced at Court if the Minister of Edinburgh had not testified that he was willing to conform That for Holts escape he had satisfied the English Ambassadour and that it was no uncouth thing to see
into her heart to do so if it should be he desired her to consider how much it touched him in honour that was both a King and a sonne to suffer his mother an absolute Prince to be put to an infamous death No answer being returned to this upon new advertisement that the Queen was like to be drawn by the importunity of her Estates to give way to the execution he wrote to William Keith more sharply requiring him to shew the Queen how unjust he held that proceeding against his mother and that it did neither agree with the will of God who prohibiteth to touch his anointed ones nor with the law of Nations That an absolute Prince should be sentenced and judged by subjects and if she would be the first to give that pernicious example of profaning her own and other Princes Diadems to remember her that both in respect of nature and honour it concerned him to be revenged of so great an indignity which if he should not do he should peril his credit both at home and abroad and therefore willed him for to labour for a delay untill he should send an Ambassadour with overtures that might content and satisfy her Majesty For by a letter sent from Mr. Archibald Douglas that stayed as Leiger in England he found him not well disposed in the businesse and thereupon resolved to employ a more honourable person and one of greater trust William Keith having intreated the Queen for a delay when as he could not obtain the same did shew her the direction he had received from the King at which she grew into such a passion that if Leicester and others of the Councel who stood by had not pacified her saying that the King did only request that his mother might be well used which was a thing natural and in him an honourable part and that some ill affected persons possibly had stirred him up to write so sharply she had simply refused him any more hearing But after she had calmed a little she said That she would give no answer in anger and would think of it to the next morning At which time calling him again she said That no precipitation should be used and if any did come from the King within a few days she would stay all proceeding to that time and be glad to hear such overtures as might save the Queen of Scots life and assure her own The King advertised of this and conceiving some hope that matters would draw to an agreement wrote of new to the Queen and shewed he was sorry to understand that his letter sent to William Keith had been construed as if he did threaten her and her Estates whereas his purpose was only to inform her of the rumours going in the countrey and how much his subjects were moved at these forms of proceeding with their Queen That for himself he knew well enough how hardly she was pressed by objecting unto her the perill of her own life and that he never blamed her directly for any thing that was done Therefore prayed her to accompt him her most honest and stedfast friend since he never had nor should deserve any other at her hand and that for his sake she would continue any proceeding against his mother till his overtures should be heard which the Master of Gray should bring with him who was to take journey on the Saterday following This letter was speedily carried to the Queen which gave her some content for thereby she perceived the rumours to be vain which were dispersed that he was minded to break the league and denounce warre The King in the mean time having convocated the Estates and imparted to them the case wherein his mother stood had very liberal promises given him and a present supply of money granted for dispatch of his Ambassadour And being advised by the Estates to joyn Sir Robert Melvil in Commission with the Master of Gray as one that had served his mother long and was truly affected unto her the Commission was given to them both and they put in equal trust So parting from Halirudhouse the 20th of December they came to London the penult of the moneth The next day Master Archtbald Douglas being sent to desire audience the same was refused upon information that they had been with Monsieur Bellieur the French Ambassadour who was imployed in the same errand and had parted from the Queen in wrath yet the contrary being shewed and that they refused to make any visit till they had prefence of her Majesty they had accesse granted the first of Ianuary At her first meeting she quarrelled the letter sent to William Keith asking if they were sent with the like threats They answering that his Majesties letter might receive a good construction and that he had interpreted himself by another directed since that time to her Majesties self she brake forth into these speeches I am unmeasurably sorry that there can be no means found to save the life of your Kings mother and assure mine own I have laboured to conserve the life of us both but now I see it cannot be done The Ambassadour replied that the case was nothing so desperate and that means would be found to put her Majesty in assurance yet because they perceived her to be somewhat commoved they did not think meet to enter at that time more deeply in the businesse At their second audience which was on the tenth day the Queen begun with them in this sort A thing long looked for should be good when it cometh I would now hear what are your Kings offers The Master as having the first place answered no man makes offer but for some cause If it like your Majesty we desire to know if the person be extant for whom we offer for the rumour went constantly that the execution was past As yet said the Queen I think she be but will not promise an hour Nay said the Master we come not to shift but to offer from our Soveraign whatsoever in reason can be required specially that he shall interpose his credit in behalf of his mother and give the chief of his Nobility for pledges that no plot nor practise should be contrived against your Majesty with her knowledge or privity or if that be not sufficient and that it shall please your Majesty to set her at liberty and send her into Scotland a course shall be taken for securing your Majesty from all such attempts by her occasion The Queen calling the Earl of Leicester with the Lords Admiral and Chamberlain who were nigh by repeated in their hearing these offers setting them all at nought whereupon the Master took occasion to ask What should move any man to attempt against her Majesty for the Queen of Scots Because said the Queen they think she shall succeed to me and that she is a Papist And if these means shall be taken away said the Master apparently the danger will cease This
the Warre he had intended These working privately with the Kings chief Counsellours and such of his chamber as he was known to affect dealt so as they kept off things from breaking forth unto open hostility which was every day expected Secretary Walsingham first by a long letter directed to the Lord Thirlstane who was then in most credit and had the chief administration of affairs proponed divers weighty and important considerations that should keep the King from taking any such resolution Because the letter contained the very true reasons that in end moved his Majesty to forhear violence and take a more calm course I thought meet to set it down word by word as it standeth in the Original SIr being absent from Court when the late execution of the Queen your Soveraigns mother happened I did forthwith upon my return impart to Mr. Douglas some things concerning the course was conceived here by your said Soveraigns best friends fit to be holden in this remedilesse accident for continuance of peace and amity between the two Crowns as a thing for the weal of both Nations to be desired But finding him unwilling to meddle therewith I have thought good to write to the same effect unto your self The rather for that I presently understand by some advertisements out of that countrey that the death of the Queen is likely to breed so strange an alienation of his Majesties mind towards this Realm tending as is reported wholly to violence and to revenge of that which hath been so necessarily done by the whole body of the same whereof as for mine own part I should be right sorry so it is generally hoped that his Majesty being of that singular judgement himself by the good help and advice of such as you are in credit and authority about him men of wisdom and experience whom he will hear this mischief will notwithstanding be carefully and prudently prevented considering how every way all things being rightly weighed this course will be found prejudicial as well to your said Soveraigns estate as to his reputation if he resolve to persist therein For first the enterprise will undoubtedly be condemned in the sight of all such as shall not be transported with some particular passion for that they shall see that he takes Armes for revenge of an Action besides the necessity wherein it is grounded full of so honourable and just proceedings as howsoever the effect was contrary to their liking the manner thereof by the late Queens great favourers could not but be approved and allowed And as on the one side the King your Soveraign oppugning the course of Justice of so unlawful unjust and desperate a quarrel cannot be expected any other thing then a most unhappy and miserable issue so we being assured that in the defence of Justice the assistance of his mighty arm will not fail us whose judgement this was need not to fear whatsoever man shall attempt to the contrary against this Realm But not to stand upon the justnesse of the quarrel which every man perhaps will not so much regard It would be considered what means your Soveraign shall have to go through with such an enterprise if he take it in hand For the forces of his own Realm being so farre inferiour to these in England no man is so simple but seeth it were no way safe for his Majesty trusting only thereto to make head against the power of this land neither is it thought that any man will be found so unadvised as to wish him so to do But as it may be that a great number for lack of understanding are carried away with such vain discourses as some without solid ground imagine of that might be done in this case by a King of Scotland backed and assisted as they conceive in the aire with the French and Spanish aid so it is likely enough there shall not want those that either satisfaction of their private passions or supply of their necessities or better affectionating some other their private designes would be content to serve themselves of this present publick occasion and opportunity who will propound and promise also more to his Majesty of such forain assistance then they know in their consciences can be performed if he would declare himself enemy to this Realm which that he should though to his own ruine the enemies of both Realms will do what they can to procure But men of wisdom and understanding laying before their eyes as well the accustomed delayes and after long solicitation and pursuit the simple supplies and support commonly found at these forain Potentates hands as also how doubtful and uncertain the successe of warre may prove England God be thanked being so prepared and in case to defend it self both otherwise and by the conjunction of Holland and Zelands forces by Sea in respect whereof this Realm need not fear what all the Potentates of Europe being bended against us can do for to annoy the same Due consideration I say being taken hereof you will easily judge and find how vain it were for your Soveraign upon so uncertain hopes to embark himself and estate in an unnecessary warre But much more if you shall consider what a sequell and train of dangers and hazards this warre draweth therewith the consequence whereof reacheth to whatsoever your Soveraign possesseth or hopeth for in this life For escaping to be slain in field if he should happen to be taken prisoner or be constrained to retire himself out of the Realm things that have fallen out oft in experience and then having incensed this whole Realm against him he should be disabled from any right in the succession of this Crown as authority is given to do it by the same Statute whereby they proceeded against the mother for attempting the invasion of this land what extremity should he be reduced unto And truly it could not otherwise be the ancient enmity between the two Nations now forgotten being by drawing blood one of another again likely to be in such sort revived as it would be impossible to make them like of a Prince of that Nation and specially him who had been upon so unjust a ground the authour of that unfortunate breach Besides that the greatest part of the ancient Nobility by whose judgement the late Queen was condemned and the rest of the principal Gentlemen of the Realm who confirmed the same in Parliament should have just cause to adventure any thing even to the marching over their bellies rather then to yeild to his government who carrying such a vindictive minde they might doubt would one day call their lives and honours in question And as for the remedy and relief which he might attend standing in these terms of forain Princes there are many examples of the former ages and within fresh memory As the King of Navarres Grandfather by the mothers side and Christiern King of Denmark both were allied to Francis the first and Charles the fist two of the
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
Agreed 2. Agreed 3. Agreed that the Church is sometimes taken for them that exercise the spiritual function in particular congregations 4. Continued to further reasoning and when it is said this power sheweth from God to his Church whether this should be understood of the whole Church or of the office-bearers and wheither it sheweth mediately or immediately 5. Referred to further reasoning 6. The last words of the Article are thought not necessary and therefore to be delete 7. Agreed 8. Agreed 9. Say in stead hereof For this power is spiritual not having-deleting the other words 10. Agreed 11. Agreed 12. Agreed changing these word they should not be called Lords over their flock 13. Change the last words of Ecclesiastical government and Ecclesiastical discipline according to the word of God 14. Referred to further reasoning when the order of Bishops shall be discussed 15. Referred till they come to the attribution of the power 16. Agreed as the words are conceived 17. Disserreth this to be resclved with the 15. 18. Referred 19. 20. Agreed that neither ought the Magistrate preach nor minister the Sacraments nor execute the censures of the Church which is to be understood of excommunication and referreth the second part of this Article to further reasoning 21. Referred 22. Referred 1. The name of the Church in this Article is taken for the Church in the first signification to wit for the whole Church Agreed with the rest of the Articles 2. Referred 3. Referred 4. Referred 5. Referred 6. Referred to reasoning of the head of Visiters 7. Referred 8. Referred 9. Referred 10. Referred 11. Referred 1. Agreed 2. Agreed 3. Agreed 4. Agreed 5. Agreed 6. 7. Referred 8. Agreed with the generality hereof 9. Agreed 11. Agreed 12. Agreed 13. Agreed 14. Agreed 15. Agreed 16. Agreed 1. Agreed saving the word Bishop is referred to the place of Visitation 2. Agreed 3. Agreed 4. Agreed 5. Referred 7. Agreed 8. Agreed 9. Agreed that the Minister of the Word may pronounce the sentence of excommunication after lawful proceeding 10. Agreed with the present orders concerning marriage This whole Chapter referred to further reasoning 1. Passed over 2. Agreed that name of Elders be joyned with Ministers 3. The perpepetuity of Elders referred to further deliberation 4. Agreed 5. Referred 6. Referred 7. Agreed 8. Agreed 9. Agreed 10. Agreed 11. Agreed 12. Agreed 13. Agreed 1. Agreed that Ministers and Elders may judge spiritual things within their owne bounds 2. Agreed 3. Agreed that Synods be kept twice in the year by him that hath the charge of visitation 4. General Assemblies once yearly his Majesties authority being interponed and from the General Assembly Noblemen and such as please to come shall not be excluded providing that fifteen onely with his Majesties Commissioner have voice therein 5. Agreed 6. Agreed 7. Agreed 8. Differed to the head of Bishops and their Reformation 9. Agreed 10. Agreed joyning in the end of the Article these words or spiritual things onely 11. Agreed that as they make Acts in spiritual things so they may alter the same as the necessity of time requires 12. Referred 13. Referred 14. Referred 15. Referred 16. Referred 17. Referred 18. Referred 19. Referred 20. Referred 21. Referred 22. Referred 23. Referred 24. 25. Referred 26. Referred 27. Referred 28. Referred 29. Referred 30. Passed over 31. Answered before 32. The last part of the Article referred to the heads of Bishops 33. Diffâ—rred 34. Agreed in spiritual matters 35. Referred 1. The Chapter of Deacons and 〈◊〉 of the Church are thought to be suppressed till the head of corruptions be teasoned 1. For this whole Chapter it is thought meet that an Article be presented to his Majesty and Estates craving a punishment to be appointed for those that put violent hands in Ministers and likewise to desire such immunities and priviledges to them as shall be thought convenient 3. Let his Majesty and Estates be supplicated for dissolving these Prelacies that Ministers may be provided to the several Churches at least after the death of the present possessors 4. Passed over 5. Passed over 6. Answered by the act of dissolution 7. An Act to be sought for disposing these united Churches to Ministers after decease of the present possessors 8. Referred 6. The last part of the Article differred 10. Agreed that Bishops have a particular flock 11. Let the Diocese be divided in such sort as a man may reasonably visit and for the perpetuity of Visitors it is referred to further reasoning 13. Passed over 14. Agreed 15. Passed over 16. Passed over 17. Agreed 18. Referred 19. Agreed â—hat an Act be made that none hurt or diminish the patrimony of the Church 5 Agreed 21. Answered before 2. Agreed 3. Agreed 4. Agreed 5. Differred untill joyning of Churches 6. Agreed as depending on the former 7. Passed over in the Article of Provincial Assemblies 8. Agreed as before 9. Agreed to the general 10. Referred 11. To be sought of the Parliament 12. Referred to the head of Deacons This was the course the Assembly took for admitting this form of policy The Archbishop of Glasgow urged to submit himself The Archbishops answer presented in writing The answer doth not content be Assembly The Archbishop contracts sicknesse and dieth The conditions prescribed to Bishops A tumult in Glasgow for pulling down the Cathedral The matter brouâ—ht before the Councel The Abbot of Dunfermlin returned from England The report of his Commission The Lord Ruthven made Lieutenant of the Borders An. 1579. Articles presented by the Lord Hereis The Lord Maxwel excepteth against the Articles The Earl of Athol dieth Certain Libellers executed at Striveling Commission for apprehending the Lord Hamilton and his brother Lord Claud. They escape and depart forth of the Realm Charges directed for the rendring the houses of Hamilton and Draffan A complaint presented in name of the Earl of Arran The Queen of Scots her Secretary denied accesse to the King The Gentlemen of the name of Hamilton put under surety The Earl of Argile created Chancellor A Parliament indicted An. 1580. The Lord D' Aubigny cometh from France He is created Earl of Lennox The Earl of Lennox hated because of his credit with the King The King writeth to the Assembly of the Church The proceedings of the Church displease the King Jesuits and Priests resort to the countrey The King his care for reclaiming the Earl of Lennox The Earl joyns himself to the Church but is still suspected A confession of faith formed because of the dispensations from Rome A rumour raised against the Earl of Morton A motion of electing a Chamberlain The Earl of Lennox created Chamberlain A trouble betwixt Oliphant and Ruthven The Earl of Lennox charged by the Ambassadour of England Alexander Home sent into England He is remitted to the Lord Thesaurer The Thesaurers conference with Alexander Home Alexander Homes his answer to the Thesaurer Vlt. Deâ—emb The Earl of Morton challenged for the murther of the Kings father The Earl of Morton his
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