Christian profession which they had once embraced were the summer following deprived both of their lives and Kingdomes Oswald the second son of Ethelfrid did upon their deaths succeed in both the Kingdoms a noble and vertuous Prince whose chief study was to promore Christian Religion To this effect he sent his Ambassadors unto Donald the fourth then reigning in Scotland and entreated him by the old familiarity that had been among them to help him with some worthy and learned man that could instruct his people in the faith of Christ. The King recommending the matter to the Clergy one Cormanus was elected to go thither But his labours proving unprofitable he returned about the end of the year and in a Synod of the Bishops and Clergy informed that they were a people indocile and froward that the pains taken upon them were lost they neither being desirous nor capable of instruction It grieved the Synod exceedingly to hear this and while they were consulting what to do Aidanus a learned man and reverend preacher is said to have advised them not to give over the work at any hands for that the bad successe of Cormanus labours might possibly proceed from himself that had not used the people tenderly nor according to the Apostles rule fed them at first with milk and therefore desired some other approved man might be imployed of new who would possibly do good among them This opinion allowed by all none was thought fitter for this service then he who had given the advice and so with common consent was Aidan ordained Bishop and appointed to that charge Being come thither he set himself to amend the fault which he supposed Corman had committed and so tempered his doctrine as multitudes of people daily did resort unto him to be instructed It was a great hinderance unto him at first that he was not skilled in the Saxon tongue neither did the people understand his language but this defect the King himself supplied interpreting to the auditory all that Aidanus delivered in his Sermons So by the Kings zeal and Aidanus his diligence such numbers were brought to the Christian profession as in the space of seven days â—ifteen thousand persons were by him baptized Whether this people was more happy in their King or in this Bishop it is difficil to say For the King he did so excell in piety and prudence that as Beda writes all the Nations and Provinces within Britain were â—t his devotion and not the lesse his heart was never lifted up within him but still he shewed himselfe courteous and affable and of the poor most compassionate Among examples of his liberality towards these the same Beda relateth That sitting at Table on Easter day and Aidanus by him when it was told that a number of poor men were at the gate expecting his Almes he commanded to carry the meat that was set before him unto them and the platter of silver wherein it was to be broke in pieces and distributed among them Aidanus beholding it took the King by the right hand and kissing it said Nunquam marcescat haec manus never let this hand consume or wither Which as he writeth came also to passe For being killed in battel and his arm and his hand cut off the same was inclosed in a silver shrine and remained for many years uncorrupted in the Church of St. Peter at Bamborough This and the other miracles he reporteth I leave upon the credit of the writer who is too lavish oftentimes in such fables and fictions As to Aidanus he was an ensample of abstinence sobriety chastity charity and all other Episcopal vertues for as he taught so he lived was idle at no time nor did he admit any of his retinue to be so but kept them in a continual exercise either reading Scripture or learning the Psalmes of David by heart If he was invited to any feast as rarely he went he made no stay but after a little refreshment taken got himself away In preaching he was most diligent travailing through the countrey for the greater part on foot and instructing the people wheresoever he came In a word he was deficient in no duty required of a good Pastor and having governed the Church in those parts most happily the space of 17. years died in the Isle of Lindisfarne now called Holy-Island the place he choosed for his residence where he was also buried After his death which happened in the year 651. Finnanus was ordained Bishop and sent to the Northumbers from Scotland he followed his predecessor in all and was greatly troubled by Romanus or Conanus as other name him about the observing of Easter This Conanus born in Scotland had lived some years beyond Sea and was much taken by the Romane rites for advancing whereof so zealous he was that way he left his station in Kent and coming to Northumberland did challenge the Bishop to a dispute The Bishop answering that he would not refuse to dispute but to admit an alteration in Church rites whilest he lived he would not the dispute ceased and so for the time that he sate Bishop Easter was celebrated after the ancient manner of the Scots Finnanus in the mean time applying himself to better exercise did work the conversion of the East-Saxons and Mercians For having baptized Penda the Prince of Mercia he sent with him four preachers who reformed all that part of the countrey Divina or Duina a Scottish man was one of those preachers and consecrated Bishop of Finnan in the year 656. In the catalogue of the Bishops of Lichfield I finde him first placed There succeeded to him Kellach a Scottish man also but he renouncing his charge because of the contentions that arose returned to his countrey Now Finnan having governed the Churches of Northumberland the space of ten years died in Lindisfarne and was buried in a Church which he himself had there erected so great was the affection of these Northumbers to these preceding Bishops as they would accept of none other but a Scottish man Whereupon Colman was brought and placed in that See In his time the controversie of Easter was again wakened and more hotly followed then before great dealing there was to work him to a conformity but he would not forsake the course that his predecessors had kept After divers conferences a publick dispute was in end condescended to for deciding the question The place was chosen at Whitby Beda calleth it Sternshalt a Religious house in Yorkshire whereof Hilda a learned and devout woman was Abbesse she was a professed adversary to all the rites of Rome especially Clerical tonsure which made Colman more willingly to agree unto the meeting Oswy King of Northumbers with Elfred his son were present in person and many Ecclesiastick men of all degrees The reasoners were Colman on the one part who was assisted by the Scottish Clergy and Hilda the Abbesse
sick And being askt what words she used when she called the spirit she said her words was Holla Master and that he had learned her so to do She further confessed That the Earl Bothwel had moved her to enquire what should become of the King how long he should reign and what should happen after his death and that the spirit having undertaken to make away the King after he had failed in performing and was challenged by her confessed it was not in his power speaking words she understood not but as she did take them the words were I l ' est homme de dieu Richard Graham another notorious Sorcerer being apprehended at the same time made the like confession of Bothwel which was the cause of his committing in April following for such curiosities are not thought to possesse the mindes of those that wish well to their Princes and hath proved the cause of many mens ruine In the end of the year died Iohn Ereskin of Dun Superintendent of Angus and Mernis a man famous for the services performed to his Prince and Countrey and worthy to be remembred for his travels in the Church which out of zeal to the truth he undertook preaching and advancing it by all means Before the Reformation his house was to those who in that time were called Hereticks a special place of refuge afterwards such was the scarcity of Ministers that he took upon him the charge and was chosen with the first to have the oversight of the Churches in these North parts which he governed to his death most wisely and with great authority giving no way to the Novations introduced nor suffering them to take place within the bounds of his charge whilest he lived A Baron he was of good rank wise learned liberal of singular courage who for divers resemblances may well be said to have been another Ambrose he died the 12. of March in the 82. year of his Age leaving behind him a numerous posterity and of himself and his vertues a memory that shall never be forgotten Bothwel had not stayed above a moneth in Ward when seducing his keeper he made an escape and thereby increased the suspicion of his guiltinesse whereupon the King gave order to pronounce the doom of forfeiture against him according to the conviction passed in May 1589. and causing denounce him Traitor did inhibit by Proclamation all the subjects to intercommune or keep intelligence with him And lest the proceeding should have been thought too rigorous it was declared in the Proclamation that he being tender in blood to his Majesty and advanced by him to sundry honours and offices had out of his ungodly and unnatural humour after divers slaughters committed by him and overseen taken Armes against the King and practised with strangers for subversion of Religion and endangering his Majesties Crown whereof being convicted in a Justice Court holden in Edinburgh the 24. of May 1589. the doom and sentence was superseded in hope of his amendment And that notwithstanding all these favours he continued in his wicked course and heaping treason upon treason had now at last consulted with Witches and Negromancers for bereaving his Majesty of his life as was manifest by the confession of some that had already suffered and others yet alive who were shortly to be executed and for the same being committed in the Castle of Edinburgh he had broken Ward and thereby taken the crime upon him whereupon the doom which at that time was delayed being now pronounced his Majesty did will all his subjects to acknowledge him for no other but a Rebel and Traitor Bothwell taking the course of all Rebels which is to turn their malice against some about the King laid the blame of all upon the Chancellor and drew together some companies of men as intending to be revenged to him With him the Lord Hume and divers others did joyn but to little purpose for Hume upon better advice forsook him and submitted himself to the King and others following his example used their best means to obtain pardon so as Bothwell was compelled to flee into England with some few that went with him In the Assembly of the Church that convened this summer at Edinburgh fell out a great contest betwixt them and the Lords of Session upon this occasion Mr. Iohn Graham one of the Senators had intended in right of his wife an Action of removing against certain fewars of Halyeards within the Parish of Kirkliston and to bear out the plea suborned a Notary in Striveling called Robert Ramsay to give him forth an instrument that made for his purpose The defendants having offered to improve the instrument did in the mean time upon a private Warrant obtained from his Majesty apprehend the Notary who confessed that the Instrument which he subscribed was brought formed to him by William Graham brother to Mr. Iohn and that he knew nothing of the businesse and being pursued criminally was upon his confession condemned of falshood and executed to the death The pursuer as he was a man bold and impudent to maintain the truth of the instrument did intend Action against Mr. Patrick Simpson Minister at Striveling who had dealt with the Notary to bring him to a confession alledging that he had seduced the man and made him deny the instrument The Minister complaineth to the Assembly and thereupon Mr. Iohn Graham was summoned to answer for the scandal raised upon one of their members He compeiring answered That he would prove what he had alledged before the Iudge competent The Assembly replied That he must qualifie it before them otherwise they would censure him as a slanderer Hereupon was the Lord Provant President with the Lords of Culros and Barnbarrogh two of the Senators sent to desire the Assembly not to meddle in causes proper to their cognition especially in the cause depending before them at the instance of the Lord Halyeards so they styled him against Mr. Patrick Simpson The Assembly answered That what they did was no way hurtfull to the priviledges of Session nor were they minded to meddle in any Civill matter but in the purging of one of their own members they might proceed without the prejudice of the Civill judicatory therefore wished them not to take ill the Churches dealing in the triall of one of their own number The Lords dimitted with this answer Mr. Iohn Graham was called who excepted against the Judgement affirming the cause to be Civil and that the judgement thereof belonged to the Lords of Session primariò in regard the same was depending before them The Assembly repelling the declinatour found themselves Iudges in the cause therefore willed him to say what he could in his own defence otherwise they would give processe and minister Iustice. But he taking documents of their Interloquutor and protesting for remedy of law departed The Lords esteeming this an encroaching upon their priviledges and that upon such grounds all actions that
grand Uncle having remained there some years and made good profit in letters he returned into Britain and became a zealous Preacher of the Gospel His chief residence was amongst the Picts in the countrey of Galloway there he built a Church all of white stone a sort of structure not usual in those parts and called the same by the name of St. Marâ—ine not meaning to have him taken for the tutelary Saint of that place which in after-ages when superstition prevailed was the conceit of the people but to preserve the memory of his vertues and incite others to the imitation thereof This was the chief respect in those first times that Christians had in denominating their Churches by the names of Saints departed that other they utterly disclaimed Nos Martyribus nostris saith St. Augustin non templa sicut diis fabricamus sed memorias sicut hominibus mortuis quorum apud Deum vivunt spiritus We do not build Temples to our Martyrs as unto Gods but memorials as unto dead men whose spirits with God are still living Bede in his Ecclesiastick story speaking of this Ninian saith that he learned at Rome and was there taught the mysteries of truth But we cannot think that he went a novice thither being trained up under so kinde and learned an Uncle as ever that was he proved a notable instrument in the Church for he converted the Southern Picts to the faith of Christ and for his continual labours in preaching not among them alone for he travelled also among the Scots and Britains but especially for his innocency and holinesse of life he was in so great regard as to which of the three soever he came they did reverence and accept him as the messenger of Christ. Among the Bishops of Galloway he is reckoned the first and thought to have been the Founder of that Colledge for from that Church which he built all of white stone as we said the Bishops of that See have still been and to this day are styled Episcopicandide casae It was in the time of this Eugenius that Palladius came into Scotland imployed as they write by Celestine Bishop of Rome for resisting the Pelagian heresie which began to spread in this Church This man a Grecian by birth learned moderate and singularly wise as appeared in all his actions did purge the Church from those errours and wonne such love and credit as by the space of 24. years he governed all Ecclesiastick affairs in these parts without any grudge or opposition Buchannan is of opinion that before his coming there was no Bishop in this Church Nam saith he adid usque tempus Ecclesiae absque Episcopis per monachos regebantur minore quidem cum fastu externa pompa sed majore simplicitate sanctimonia that is The Church unto that time was governed by Monks without Bishops with lesse pride and outward pomp but greater simplicity and holinesse What warrant he had to write so I know not except he did build upon that which Ioannes Major saith speaking of the same Palladius Per sacerdotes monachos sine Episcopis Scoti in fide erudiebantur The Scots he sayes were instructed in the Christian faith by Priests and Monks without any Bishops But from the instruction of Scots in the faith to conclude that the Church after it was gathered had no other form of government will not stand with any reason For be it as they speak that by the Travels of some pious Monks the Scots were first converted unto Christ it cannot be said that the Church was ruled by Monks seeing long after these times it was not permitted to Monks to meddle with matters of the Church nor were they reckoned among the Clergy As to the pride and pomp which he taxeth in Bishops of later times it might be truly spoken but after Palladius coming for the space of six hundred years and more there was no such excesse to be noted in them But to return to Palladius he was a man most careful in promoting Christian Religion and the first that made Christ to be preached in the Isle of Orkney sending Servanus one of his disciples thither Another called Tervanus he employed among the Northern Picts and ordained both of them Bishops His own remaining for the most part was at Fâ—rdon in the countrey of Mernis where he built a little Church which from him is to this day by a corrupted word called Padie Church There was his corps after his death interred In the year 1494. William Sheâ—ez Archbishop of St. Andrews visiting that Church did in reverence of his memory gather his bones and bestow them in a silver shrine which as the report goeth was taken up at the demolishing of the Churches by a Gentleman of good rank who dwelt near unto that place The people of the countrey observing the decay which followed in that family not many years after ascribed the same to the violation of Palladius grave Much about this time was Ireland converted to the faith of Christ by the labours of Patâ—ick a Scotchman born upon the River of Cluid not far from Glasgow They write of him that being thirteen yeers of age only he was taken prisoner by some Irishes at an invasion they made upon the West parts of Scotland and sold to Mâ—lâ—â— one of their Kings being kept there as a slave the space of four years he was ransomed by his parents and sent to school where having made a reasonable progresse in letters he went to France and there remained 18. years in the company of German Bishop of Auxerre under whom he attained to a great perfection of knowledge especially in the holy Scriptures Thereafter travelling to Rome Pope Celestine the same that sent Palladius to Scotland hearing of his qualities and how he had lived some years in Ireland made choice of him as the fittest person to work the conversion of that people Patrick accepting the imployment addressed himself shortly afâ—er to the journey and in his way by Scotland took with him Columba who came afterwards to be in great esteem Divers upon the report of his good successe followed him thither and ere many moneths passed all the countrey almost was brought to embrace the profession of Christ. He was doubtlesse a notable person and most worthy to be remebred some idle and ignorant Monks have pitifully wronged his memory by their Legends But what a singular man he was and what pains he took to do good in his life-time the Churches he founded reckoned to 365. and the Priests he ordained numbred to be three thousand may sufficiently witnesse He lived 122. years and ended his days in the city of Downe within the Province of Ulster in the year of our Lord 491. That fabulous Purgatory the invention whereof is falsly ascribed to him was the device of a Monk of Glastenbury Abbey in England who bare the same name
thereunto These accusations he not appearing nor any in his behalfe were taken as confessed and he denounced an heretick yea an heresiarch for so the sentence beareth his goods ordained to be confiscat himself burnt in effigie if he could not otherwise be apprehended and all manner of persons inhibited to relieve or entertain him under the pain of cursing or forfeiture This sentence was given against him the 28 of May Anno 1540. and the same day was his picture burnt in the open Market place of S. Andrews as likewise in Edinburgh some two dayes after Sir Iohn Borthwick hearing how they had proceeded against him fled into England where he was kindly received by Henry the eighth then reigning and by him imployed in a Commission to the Protestant Princes in Germany for a confederation betwixt him and them in defence of their common profession King Henry had some years before sent into Scotland the Bishop of S. Davids to present the King his Nephew with some English books containing an Exposition of the principal heads of Christian Religion thinking to induce him to make the like reformation which he had made in England And at that time came Lord William Howard to desire the King to meet his Uncle King Henry at York upon some occasions tending to the common good of both Kingdomes The King consenting a Diet was appointed and all things prepared for the journey But the Cardinal and Clergy fearing the effects of that conference laboured with the Courtiers to divert him and before the King himselfe they laid divers terrours as That he would be detained prisoner in England as King Iames the first had beenâ— That he should make himself suspected to the Emperour and to his old confederate the French King And which he was most to regard incurre the Popes displeasure by treating too familiarly with him that was lying under the highest censure of the Church Yet stood the King resolute for the journey foreseeing as also it happened that if he should break the Diet the same might breed the English Kings dislike and be an occasion of warre on which he would not hazard unlesse he knew of means to entertain the same The Clergy hereupon besides the representation of some moneys in hand made offer of an annuity of fifty thousand Crownes if warre should fall out declaring withall that by confiscating the goods of hereticks he might gain an hundred thousand more And with such vain hopes they brought him to send a fair excuse to King Henry by Sir Iames Learmouth his domestick After this the King being ruled wholly by the Cardinal followed in all things the appetite of the Clergy giving commission to Sir Iames Hamilton his Theasurer to call and convene all persons suspected of heresie and inflict the punishments which after trial they should be found to merit The King was also heard say That none of that sort should expect any favour at his hands nay not his own sonnes if they should prove guilty which put many in fear But this continued not long for Sir Iames Hamilton becoming suspected and accused of a practice against the King his life was shortly after executed and warre breaking out with England he found the Nobility averse from the incursions he intended to make which did greatly discontent him These thoughts with some fearful visions he had by night that much terrified him withdrew his mind wholly from the extremities on which the Clergy had set him for at Linlithgow on a night as he slept it seemed to him that Thomas Scot Justice Clerk came unto him with a company of devils crying Woe worth the day that ever I knew thee or thy service serving thee against God and against his servants I am adjudged to hell torments Hereupon awaking he called for lights and causing his servants to arise told what he had heard and seen The next morrow by the light of day advertisement was brought him of the Justice Clerk his death which fell out just at the time that the King found himself so troubled and in the same manner almost for he died in great unquietnesse iterating often these words Iusto Dei judicio condemnatus sum by the righteous judgement of God I am condemned The form of his death answering the dream so justly made it the more terrible Another vision he had in the same place not many nights after which did more affright him whilest he lay a sleeping he imagined that Sir Iames Hamilton whom he caused to be executed came unto him with a sword drawn in his hand and therewith cut off both his Armes threatening within a short time to return and deprive him of his life With this he awaked and as he lay musing what the dream could import news were brought him of the death of his two sonnes Iames and Arthur who died at S. Andrews and Striveling at one and the very same hour The next year which was the year of our Lord 1542. being overwhelmed with grief and passion for the losse of his Army received at Solway he departed this life at Falkland in the 32. year of his age Some few dayes before he died he had advertisement that his Queen was delivered of a daughter at Linlithgow at which time it is said he burst forth in passion saying It came with a lasse meaning the Crown and will go with a lasse fie upon it after which he was not heard to utter many words The Cardinal hearing that the King was deceased did suborn a Priest called Henry Balfour to form his last Will whereby it was declared that he had committed to the Cardinal the Earls of Huntley Argyle and Murray the government of the Realm during his daughters minority This Will he caused publish in Edinburgh on the Monday after the Kings death but the Nobles giving it no credit and esteeming it a meer forgery did choose the Earle of Arran Regent and Governour of the Realme Never was any Governour received with greater love and opinion of all sorts for besides the favour carried to himselfe every one was glad to be freed of the Cardinals Government and by his first beginnings a strong hope was conceived that all things should be reformed which were amisse both in Church and Kingdome But this hope soon vanished in the manner that ye shall hear King Henry of England hearing that his Nephew the King of Scots was dead and that he had left one only daughter of seven dayes old began to think of uniting the two Kingdomes and reducing the whole Isle under one Government by the marriage of Edward his son a Prince of five years old to the young Queen of Scots Hereupon he sent for the Earls of Cassils and Glancarne the Lords of Fleming Maxwell and Gray who were taken prisoners at Solway and detained in England to Hampton Court where he then lay and at their coming proponed the businesse
his coming for as to himself he would not consent to his death before the cause were well examined and if the Cardinal should do otherwise he would make protestation that the mans blood should be required at his hands This answer grieved the Cardinal not a little for he knew that the delay would work the prisoners escape and to commit the cause to examination he saw it was more dangerous Therefore in a great passion he replied That he wrote not unto the Governour as though he depended in any matter upon his authority but out of a desire he had that the hereticks condemnation might proceed with a shew of publick consent which since he could not obtain he would be doing himselfe that which he held most fitting Thus he made a citation to be given forth and Master George to be charged to appear the next morrow to answer for his seditious and heretical doctrine Master George receiving the summons said The Cardinal hath no need to summon me for I am in his hands and kept fast in irons so as he may compell me to answer at what time he pleaseth But to manifest saith he what men you are it is well done to keep your formes and constitutions The next day the Cardinal and Prelates being met in the Abbey Church the prisoner was presented by the Captain of the Castle and then the Sub-prior called Master Iohn Winrame a man of good learining and one who secretly favoured the truth went up into the Pulpit as he had been injoyned he took for his Theam the words of our Saviour in the thirteenth of Matthewes Gospel concerning the good seed which he interpreted to be the word of God heresie he said was the ill seed and that he defined to be a false opinion fighting directly against the word and defended with pertinacie Thereafter falling to speak of the causes of heresie he said the main cause was the ignorance and negligence of those who had the cure of soules and neither understood the word of God nor could use the same to the convincing of false teachers and the reducing of those who were gone astray In the latter part of his Sermon speaking of the way how heresies should be discerned he said That as the Goldsmith knoweth the fine gold from the counterfeit by the touchstone so is heresie discerned by the true sincere and undefiled word of God And in the end concluded that hereticks ought to be punished and might lawfully be put to death by the Magistrate Now albeit that was said made directly against themselves who were there met not to confute heresie but to bear down the truth and punish those that found fault with their pride and licentiousnesse yet as all had been spoken for them they proceeded and after their wonted form placed Mr. George in a seat erected for that purpose and over against him Master Iohn Lawder a Priest in another who having a scroll of a paper in his hand containing the Articles laid unto Mr. George his charge did use many bitter and reproachful words all which he heard very patiently not moving or changing once his countenance Being required to answer before he would utter a word he bowed his knees and made his prayer to God then standing up intreating them in most humble manner to suffer him repeat the summe of the doctrine which he had taught since his coming into Scotland which he said was nothing but what the ten Commandements of God the 12. Articles of Christian faith and the Lords prayer contained In Dundy he said that he had preached a part of the Epistle to the Romanes And as he was going on to shew what form he kept in his preaching he was interrupted by the accuser who with many opprobrious speeches calling him an heretick a runnegate a traitour and thief said that it was not lawful for him to preach and that he had usurped the power at his own hand without any lawful calling of the Church The Prelates also prohibiting all discourses willed him to answer simply yea or nay fearing if liberty was given him to speak he should draw some of the hearers to his mind Mr. George perceiving that he could not have audience appealed to an equal and indifferent Judge Whereunto Lawder replied that the Cardinal was a more then sufficient Judge for him and then he reckoned out all his styles saying that he was Archbishop of S. Andrews Bishop of Meropois Chancellour of Scotland Commendatory of Aberbrothock Legatus natus legatus à latere and the second person within the Realm Mr. George calmly answered I do not condemn my Lord Cardinal but I desire the word of God to be my Iudge and some of the Temporal estate with certain of your Lordships here present because I am my Lord Governours prisoner At which words some foolish people that stood by cried out Such man such Iudge meaning that the Governour and others of the Temporal State were hereticks like unto himself Then would the Cardinal have pronounced sentence without any further process but being advertised to let the accusation be read and hear what he would say lest people should think him wrongfully condemned he commanded the Priest to read the points distinctly and receive his answer to every one of them severally The Articles laid to his charge were eighteen in number which with the answers he made the Reader may at his leisure see in the book of Martyrs After they had spent some houres in this sort sentence was pronounced against him and he condemned to be burnt as an heretick Then was he led back to the Castle and lodged in the Captains chamber that night the greatest part whereof he spent in prayer Early in the morning the Prelates sent two Friers to advertise him that he must die and askt if he would confesse himself he answered That he had no businesse with Friers nor would he willingly conferre with them but if they were disposed to gratify him in that sort he desired to speak with the learned man that preached the day before This being permitted the Sub-prior came and talked with him a good space At last he askt Mr. George if he would receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper he answered Most willingly so I may have it ministred according to Christs institution under both kindes of bread and wine Hereupon the Sub-prior went to the Bishops and told that he had conferred with the prisoner who did solemnly affirm that he was free of all the crimes and that he did utter this not out of a desire he had of life but to manifest his innocency which was known to God before men The Cardinal offended with these speeches of the Sub-prior said It is a long time since we knew what a man thou art The Sub-prior answering nothing asked if they would permit the Sacrament to be given to the prisoner the Cardinal conferring with the rest of the Bishops a
while answered in all their names That it was not reasonable to give any spiritual benefit to an obstinate heretick condemned by the Church When Master George heard that the Sacrament was denied him being asked by the Captain of the Castle going then to breakfast if he would take a part with him he answered Very willingly and so much the rather because I perceive you to be a good Christian and a man fearing God Then turning himself to the Captain he said I beseech you in the name of God and for the love you bear to our Saviour Iesus Christ to be silent a little while till I have made a short exhortation and blessed this bread which we are to eat so that I may bid you farewell The table being covered and bread according to the custome set upon it he spake about the space of an half hour of the institution of the Supper and of our Saviours death and passion exhorting those that were present to mutual love and to the leading of an holy life such as becometh the members of Christ. Then giving thanks he brake the bread distributing to every one that was present a portion likewise having tasted the wine he delivered the cup unto them exhorting them to remember with thankfulnesse the death of our Lord Jesus in this his communion with them As to my self he said there is a more bitter potion prepared for me only because I have preached the true doctrine of Christ which bringeth salvation but pray you the Lord with me that I may take it patiently as out of his hand and so concluding with a new thanksgiving he withdrew himself to his chamber Within a little space two executioners came up unto him one of whom apparelled him in a black coat of linen the other fastened some bags of powder upon all the parts of his body and thus arrayed he was brought to an utter room where he was commanded to stay till all things were prepared A scaffold in the mean time erecting on the East part of the Castle towards the Abbey with a great tree in the middest in manner of a gibbet unto which the prisoner was to be tied and right against it was all the munition of the Castle planted if perhaps any should press by violence to take him away The fore Tower was hanged with Tapestry and rich Cushions laid for ease of the Cardinal and Prelates who were to behold that spectacle And when all things were made ready he was led forth with his hands being tied behinde his back and a number of souldiers guarding him to the place of execution As he was going forth of the Castle gate some poor creatures who were lying there did ask of him some almes for Gods sake to whom he said I have not the use of any hands wherewith I should give you almes but our merciful God who out of his abundance feedeth all men vouchsafe to give you the things which are necessary both for your bodies and for your soules Afterwards two Friers met him crying Master George pray to our Lady that she may be mediatrix for you to her sonne to whom he said Cease tempt me not my brethren Being come to the place of execution and gone up upon the scaffold he turned himself towards the people and besought them not to offend with the good word of God because of the torments they saw prepared for him desiring them withall to shew his brethren and sisters who had often heard him that the doctrine he taught was no wives fables but the true Gospel of Christ given him by the grace of God which he was sent to preach and for which he was then with a most glad heart and mind to give his life Some have falsely spoken said he that I should hold the opinion that the soules of men departed sleep after their death untill the last day but I know and believe the contrary and am assured that my soul shall this night be with my Saviour in the heavens This said he bowed his knees and having conceived a short but most pithy prayer he was tied to the stake then cried aloud O Saviour of the world have mercy upon me Father of heaven I commend my spirit into thine holy hands The executioners having kindled the fire the powder that was fastned to his body blew up The Captain of the Castle who stood near unto him perceiving that he was yet alive willed him to be of good courage and commend his soul unto God This flame said he hath scortched my body yet hath it not daunted my spirit but he who from yonder high place beholdeth us with such pride shall within few dayes lye in the same as ignominiosly as now he is seen proudly to rest himself After which words one of the tormentors drawing the cord that went about his neck stopt his breath so as he spake no more The fire increasing his body was quickly consumed unto ashes But the Cardinals malice not yet satisfied caused the same night a Proclamation to be made through the City that none should pray for the heretick under pain of the heaviest censures that could be inflicted And then the Priests triumphing did in all meetings extoll the Cardinal above the skies saying That he not regarding the Governours authority had by himself caused justice to be executed upon that heretick and kithed a most worthy Patron of the Ecclesiastical estate If the Church said they in former times had found such a Protector matters had not been reduced to the doubtfull terms wherein now they stand but long or this time by her own power and authority she had been able to maintain her self Such insolent speeches they were heard to utter in every place The Cardinal himself also seemed to be greatly pleased with that which he had done presuming it should keep all his enemies in fear yet it proved the very rock on which he and all his fortunes perished for the common sort of people exclaimed mightily against his cruelty and some of good birth and quality did openly vow that the blood of Master George Wishart should be revenged though they should give life for life of which number Iohn Lesley brother to the Earle of Rothes forbare not in all companies openly to avouch that his hand and dagger should be the Cardinals Priests Nor was he ignorant of the general hatred carried unto him and thereupon began to fortify himself with some strong alliance which he shortly after made contracting one of his base daughters to the Earle of Craford his sonne and heir The Nuptials were performed with an exceeding pomp and magnificence But he did not long enjoy the content he took in his Match for Normand Lesley sonne to the Earle of of Rothes who had followed him a long time and done him good services having moved him in the behalf of some friends that were interessed by the restitution of the
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
severe then of her own nature she was and led her into many errours of State neglecting the Natives and born Noblemen of the countrey and following the counsels of the French that attended her who making no conscience of their promises and minding nothing but the bringing of Scotland in subjection to France as they conceived things to serve unto their ends moved her to follow courses unsure and dishonourable Otherwise she was of a most milde disposition and was heard often to say That if her own counsel might take place she doubted nothing to compose all the dissensions within the Realm and settle the same upon good conditions in a perfect tranquillity The Author of the story ascrived to Iohn Knox in his whole discourse sheweth a bitter and hateful spite against her forging dishonest things which was never so much as suspected by any setting down his own conjectures as certain truths and misinterpreting all her words and actions yea the least syllable that did escape her in passion he maketh in an argument of her cruel and inhumane disposition but when he cometh to speak of her end he will have all her sickness and death though in none of the two there was any thing extraordinary to be the judgement of God inflicted upon her as if death and the ordinary visitations which bring death were not common to Princes as well as others Then for her burial because by direction of her friends and as some say at her own desire order was taken to carry her corps to the Abbey of Rhemes in Campaigne where her sister was Abbesse which of all necessity required a protraction of time he construed the delay to be the punishment of her inhumanity and the want of sepulchre in this Kingdom a prognostick of the short continuance of her race and the Guisian blood as he speaks in this Realm Pardon me good Reader for this digression To detract from the same of Princes and miscensure their words and actions favoureth of malice and no way becometh a Christian much lesse a Minister of Christ. Shortly after the death of Queen Regent truce was taken for hearing the Ambassadours sent from France and England who coming to Edinburgh entred into consultation first amongst themselves upon the best and easiest means to compose the present quarrels Then calling to them certain of the Scottish Nobility began to treat of the sending of the French souldiers forth of the Realm Wherein two difficulties occurred One was that the Commissioners of France did urge the retaining of a number of men of war in some sorts of the countrey for the King and Queen after peace was concluded The other that the companies that should be broken might depart unchallenged with all their baggage The Scottish Noblemen did oppose these desires esteeming it unreasonable that they should be suffered to depart before they gave satisfaction to those they had wronged And to place strangers in forts they thought it could not but breed trouble and occasion a new warre more dangerous then the present This contention held some dayes at last both parties wearying they were brought to agree upon the conditions following 1. That the French men of warre in the town of Leth should be sent home within the space of twenty dayes with bag and baggage and for their better transport should be furnished with ships of England they giving pledges for the safe return of the same 2. That Leth being rendered to the Lords of Scotland the walls thereof should be demolished as likewise the fortifications at Dumbar if so it should seem good to the Lords after they had viewed the same and that the King and Queen should make no new forts within the Realm nor augment these that were already made nor yet repair these that were demolished without counsel and consent of the Estates 3. That a Garison of threescore French men should be permitted to remain in the Castle of Dumbar and as many in the Isle of Inchkeeth untill the Estates should find means to maintain the said forts upon their own charges from all peril of forain invasion the said souldiers in the mean time living obedient to the lawes of the Realm and taking nothing from the subjects without paiment of ready money 4. That an Act of oblivion should be made for abolishing the memory of all injuries and wrongs attempted or committed against the lawes of the Realm since the sixth day of March 1558. untill the first of August 1560. which Act should be ratified in the next Parliament and confirmed by the Queen with consent of her husband 5. That a general peace and reconciliation should be made amongst the Lords and subjects of the Realm so as they who were called of the Congregation and they who were not of the same should bear no quarrel to others for any thing done since the sixth of March 1558. 6. That the King and Queen should not pursue revenge or suffer to be revenged any violence or injury that had been done since the said time nor should deprive or seek any colour to dispossess the subjects or any of them of the benefices houses and estates which they have enjoyed before they alwayes continuing in the due obedience of their Soveraigns And that it might be known that the King and Queen were not willing to keep any remembrance of the troubles past it was accorded the Duke of Chattellerault and all other Noblemen of Scotland should be repossessed in their livings and benefices within France after the manner that they did enjoy the same before the said sixth day of March and that all capitulations agreed upon in time past should be observed as well for the part of their Majesties as the part of the Nobility and people of Scotland 7. That where any Bishops Abbots or other Churchmen should alledge themselves to have received any injuries either in their persons or goods the same should be considered by the Estates of Parliament and redresse made according to reason and in the mean time that no man should stop them to enjoy their rents nor do any hurt or violence to their persons and if any should do contrary to this Article he should be pursued by the Lords as a perturber of the Commonwealth 8. That in time coming the King and Queen should depute no strangers in the administration of Civil and Common Justice nor bestow the offices of Chancellary Thesaurer Comptrollary and the like upon others then born subjects of the Realm as likewise that it should not be lawful to give the office of Thesaurary or Comptrollary to any Churchman or other person that is not able to administrate the same Further that the Thesaurer and Comptroller appointed by them and instructed with sufficient commission should do nothing in disposing of casualties without the consent of the Councel to the effect all things may be done for the profit of the King and Queen yet should it not be thought that this Article did either
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-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
he was purposed But when he had taken horse either that he would not seem fearfull or then hindered by the throng of horsemen that attended and thinking to ride quickly by the house that was suspected he changed his resolution but the throng there working him the like impediment the murtherer had the occasion to execute his treachery How soon the Regent perceived himself stricken he lighted from his horse and returned on foot to his lodging The Chirurgeon at the first inspection of his wound did affirm it not to be deadly yet after a few houres his pain increasing he began to think on death They who stood by saying that he had lost himself by his clemency having spared that miscreant whose life he might justly have taken he answered that they should never make him forthink any good he had done in his life Thereafter giving order for his private affairs he seriously commended the care of the young King to such of the Nobility as were present and died a little before midnight This fell out the 23. of Ianuary 1569. being Saturday The murtherer escaping by the Postern-gate of the garden came the same night to the town of Hamilton where at first he was welcomed with many gratulations and made much of yet shortly after to decline the envy of the fact which they heard was universally detested they gave him a little money and sent him away unto France Thuanus writeth in his story that not long after he came thither he was solicited to undertake the like interprise against Gasper Colignie that worthy Admirall of France and that he did answer that he had no warrant from Scotland to commit murthers in France and howbeit he had taken revenge of the wrong done to himselfe he was not either for price or prayer to undertake other mens quarrells Whether this was so or not I leave it upon the credit of the Writer The death of the Regent was by all good men greatly lamented especially by the Commons who loved him as their father whilest he lived and now mourned grievously at his death The great things he had wrought in his life haveing in the space of one yeare and a little more quieted the State which he found broken and disordered made his very enemies speake of him after his death with praise and commendation Above all his virtues which were not a few he shined in Piety towards God ordering himself and his Family in such sort as it did more resemble a Church then a Court. For therein besides the exercise of devotion which he never omitted there was no wickedness to be seen nay not an unseemly or wanton word to be heard A man truly good and worthy to be ranked amongst the best Governours that this Kingdome hath enjoyed and therefore to this day honoured with the Title of The good Regent There fell out the next day after his death a thing which I thought was not to be passed He was killed on the Saturday and died as I have said a little before midnight The word of his death coming to Edenburgh Thomas Maitland a younger brother of Lethinton this is he whom Buchannan makes his Collocutor in the Dialogue De jure Regni knowing what esteem Iohn Knox made of the Regent and loving none of the two caused a writing to be laid in the Pulpit where Iohn Knox was that day to preach to this sense and almost in the same words Take up the man whom you accounted another God and consider the end whereto his ambition hath brought him Iohn Knox finding the paper and taking it to be a memoriall for recommending some sick persons in his Prayers after he had read the same laid it by nothing as it seemed commoved therewith yet in the end of the Sermon falling to regrate the loss that the Church and Common-wealth had received by the death of the Regent and shewing how God did often for the sins of the people take away good Rulers and Governours I perceive said he albeit this be an accident we should all take to heart There be some that rejoyce in this wicked fact making it the subject of their mirth amongst whom there is one that hath caused a writing to be cast in this place insulting upon that which is all good mens sorrow This wicked man whosoever he be shall not goe unpunished and shall die where none shall be to lament him The Gentleman was himself present at Sermon and being come to the lodging asked his sister who was also there if she did not think Iohn Knox was raving to speak so of the man he knew not But she weeping said that she was sory he had not followed her counsell for she had disswaded him from that doing None of this mans denunciations said she are wont to prove idle but have their own effect Shortly after the troubles of the Countrey increasing the Gentleman betook himself to travel and passing into Italy died there having no known person to attend him This I thought not unworthy of record being informed thereof by the Gentlemans sister to whom these speeches were uttered and who was privy to the whole purpose for an advertisement to all persons not to make a light account of the threatnings of Gods servants The Gentleman was otherwise a youth of great hopes learned and courteous but miscarried with affection and not to be excused in this that he took pleasure in the fall of him whom he judged an enemy a thing inhumane and abhorred of the very heathen The word of the Regents death carried in haste to England the Queen sent Thomas Randolph Master of her Posts Ambassadour into Scotland partly to conferre with the Councel upon the surest means to keep affairs in the state they were and partly to complain of the incursion lately made in England For the very night after the Regents murther Walter Scot of Baclugh and Thomas Kâ—r of Pharnherst had invaded the countrey bordering upon them and practised greater hostility then was accustomed of purpose to embroyle the two Kingdomes in a publick warre which they of the Scottish Queens faction most earnestly desired The Ambassadour was no sooner come but he had hearing given him by the Councel to whom after he had spoken a few words concerning her Majesties good affection to the Realm in general and in her name commending to their care the preservation of Religion the safety of the young King and the punishment of the late murther he did much aggravate the insolence of the borderers and the spoil they had made in England saying That his Mistresse knew sufficiently that these things were not done by publick allowance and therefore meant not to make quarrel to the countrey but take her self to the actors whom if they by themselves could not suppress her Majesty would either joyn her power to theirs or if they thought meet send an Army into Scotland which without doing harm to any good subject should only
and severity but God knowes that in my heart I never hated the persons of those against whom I thundered Gods judgements I did only hate their sinnes and laboured at all my power to gain them to Christ. That I forbear none of whatsoever condition I did it out of the fear of my God who had placed me in the function of the Ministery and I knew would bring me to an account Now brethren for your selves I have no more to say but to warn you that you take heed to the flock over whom God hath placed you overseers and whom he hath redeemed by the blood of his only begotten sonne And you Mr. Lawson fight a good fight do the work of the Lord with courage and with a willing mind and God from above blesse you and the Church whereof you have the charge Against it so long as it continueth in the doctrine of truth the gates of hell shall not prevaile This spoken and the Elders and Deacons dimitted he called the two Preachers unto him and said There is one thing that grieveth me exceedingly you have sometime seen the courage and constancy of the Laird of Grange in Gods cause and now unhappy man he hath cast himself away I will pray you two take the pains to go unto him and say from me that unlesse he forsake that wicked course wherein he is entred neither shall that rock in which he confideth defend him nor the carnal wisdom of that man whom he counteth half a god this was young Lethington make him help but shamefully he shall be pulled out of that nest and his carcase hang before the Sun The soule of that man is dear unto me and if it be possible I would fain have him to be saved They went as he had desired and conferred a long space with Grange but with no perswasion could he be diverted from his course which being reported he took most heavily The next day he gave order for making his Coffin wherein his body should be laid and was that day as through all the time of his sicknesse much in prayer ever crying Come Lord Iesu sweet Iesus in thy hands I commend my spirit Being asked by those that attended him if his pains were great he answered that he did not esteem that a pain which would be to him the end of all trouble and beginning of eternal joyes Oftentimes after some deep meditations he burst forth in these words O serve the Lord in fear and death shall not be terrible to you Blessed is the death of those that have part in the death of Iesus The evening which was to him the last of this wretched life having slept some houres together but with great unquietness for he was heard to send forth many sighs and groanes Robert Campbell Knize cleaugh and Iohn Iohnston called of Elphinston which two gave diligent attendance upon him askt after he awaked how he did find himself and what it was that made him in his sleep mourn so heartily to whom he answered In my life I have often been assaulted by Satan and many times he hath cast in my teeth my sins to bring me into despair yet God gave me to overcome all his temptations and now that subtle Serpent who never ceaseth to tempt hath taken another course and seeks to perswade me that my labours in the Ministery and the fidclity I have shewed in that service hath merited heaven and immortality But blessed be God who brought to my mind these Scriptures What hast thou that thou hast not received and Not I but the grace of God in me With which he is gone away ashamed and shall no more return and now I am sure my battel is at an end and that without pain of body or trouble of spirit I shall shortly change this mortal and miserable life with that happy and immortal life which shall never have end The prayers which ordinarily were read in the house being ended it was inquired if he heard them he answered Would to God you had heard them with such an ear and heart as I have done adding Lord Iesu receive my spirit After which words without any motion of hands or feet as one falling asleep rather then dying he ended his life He was certainly a man indued with rare gifts and a chief instrument that God used for the work of those times Many good men have disliked some of his opinions as touching the authority of Princes and the form of government which he laboured to have established in the Church yet was he farre from those dotages wherein some that would have been thought his followers did afterwards fall for never was any man more observant of Church authority then he always urging the obedience of Ministers to their Superintendents for which he caused divers acts to be made in the Assemblies of the Church and shewed him self severe to the transgressors In these things howsoever it may be he was miscarried we must remember that the best men have their errours and never esteem of any man above that which is sitting As to the history of the Church ascribed commonly to him the same was not his work but his name supposed to gain it credit for besides the scurril discourses we find in it more fitting a Comedian on a stage then a Divine or Minister such as Mr. Knox was and the spiteful malice that Authour expresseth against the Queen Regent speaking of one of our Martyrs he remitteth the Reader to a further declaration of his sufferings to the Acts and monuments of Martyrs set sorth by Mr. Fox an English man which came not to light some ten or twelve years after Mr. Knox his death A greater injury could not be done to the fame of that worthy man then to father upon him the ridiculous toyes and malicious detractions contained in that book But this shall serve for his clearing in that particular He died the 27. of November in the 67. year of his age and had his body interred in the Churc-yard of S. Giles In the end of this moneth the Estates convening to elect a Regent made choice of the Earl of Morton as the man in that time of greatest courage and counsel The oath accustomed being ministred unto him because through the last Regents death the meeting appointed at Perth had failed First a conclusion was taken for calling a Parliament at Edinburgh the 26. of Ianuary next the custody of the King and Castle of Striveling was confirmed to Alexander Areskin the Earl of Marre being then under age and he enjoyned to receive none within the house that was known to be Popishly affected or of the Queens faction for others it was ordained that an Earl accompanied with two servants only a Baron with one and private persons them alone but all unarmed should have accesse permitted when their occasions required To the Regent himself it was injoyned That if any place or office should fall voyd he
and Mr. Robert Pont. In a short Preface set before it they protested to wish nothing more then as God had made him a notable instrument in purging the Realm of Popery and setling the same in a perfect peace that he would also honour him with the establishing of a godly and spiritual policy in the Church intreating his Grace to receive the Articles presented and if any of them did seem not agreeable to reason to vouchsafe audience to the brethren whom they had named to attend Not that they did account it a work compleat to which nothing might be added or from which nothing might be diminished for as God should reveal further unto them they should be willing to help and renew the same The Regent reading the preface though he did not like the purpose they were about gave them a better countenance then in former times and named certain of the Councel to conferre with them and make report of the heads whereupon they agreed But the conference was not well begun when it brake off by occasion of troubles that arose The discontents in the countrey were great and daily increasing by the Regents severe proceedings One against Adam whitford of Milneton did open the mouths of many men against him This Gentleman was accused as one set on by Iohn Lord Hamilton of Aberbrothock and Lord Claud his brother to have killed the Regent The suspicion did arise of some rash and boasting speeches uttered by Iohn Semple of Biltrees out of his spleen against the Regent for an action intended against him concerning some lands belonging to the Crown which had been given by the Queen to Mary Levingston his wife one of her Maids of honour His words were the more taken hold of because he was Milnetons Uncle and upon offer of the Torture was brought to confession upon which also he was arraigned and condemned to death and the Scaffold prepared for the execution but was pardoned which did manifest that which before was suspected that by under-hand promise of favour he was induced to this confession The same means were tried with Milneton to have furnished evidence against these Noblemen for their forfeiture which was the chief end of this trial But he upon his Uncles confession being put to the Torture valuing more his honour nor his safety endured it with such resolution shewed both by his words and countenance as was in all mens opinion taken for an undoubted argument of his innocency and the others testimony nothing regâ—rded But the Regent much blamed for such rigorous proceeding against him upon a false or faint-hearted mans confession extorted by fear or drawn from him by other base respects wherefore he was detested of his nearest kinsmen as the other was honoured in all mens estimation for his courage and constancy Amongst other proecsses he had intended for helping the revenues of the Crown one was for the recovery of a parcel of ground which the Queen had gifted to Mary Levingston one of her maids The Gentlewomans husband called Iohn Semple made the best defence he could and fearing the Regents rigour had burst forth in some passionate speeches avowing that if he did lose the lands he should lose his life also This reported to the Regent brought him to be suspected of some plot for a speech was given out that Lord Iohn Hamilton and his brother Lord Claud were discontented with some of the Regents proceedings and had instigated this Gentleman with his Nephew Adam Whitford of Milton to kill him as he went down the street towards the Palace with an Harquebuse Semple called in question for this and his other rash speeches upon representation of the torture confessed all for he was a fearful man and of no courage Milton being apprehended in the Isle of Bute and brought to his examination denied that any such motion had been made to him and being put to the torture indured the same patiently not confessing any thing His constancy and the resolution he shewd both in words and countenance made the others confession not to be credited every one interpreting the same to have proceeded of weaknes and want of courage The Gentlemans case was much pitied and the mouths of many opened against the Regent for using such rigour only upon the confession of a fearful and faint-hearted man but the troubles we mentioned did arise by another occasion In the Highlands one Allester dow Macallan a notorious thief who had committed many robberies was apprehended by the Earl of Athol who minding to put him to a trial was inhibited by the Councel and charges directed against him for exhibition of the man The fellow being presented after he had stayed a while in prison was upon Argiles desire set at liberty and falling to his accustomed depredations committed divers insolencies in the bounds of Atholl The Earl to repair this wrong done to his people prepared to invade Argile and he making to defend his countrey all those parts were in an uproar This reported to the Regent a messenger of Armes was sent to discharge those convocations and cite them both before the Councel but they disobeyed and by the mediation of friends were shortly after reconciled This trouble was no sooner pacified then upon an injury done by the Clandonald to the Earl of Argile he took Armes and being charged to dissolve his forces in stead of obeying he laid hands on the messenger tare his letters in pieces and made him and his witnesses swear never to return into Argile for the like businesse This insolency whereof the like had not been seen nor heard since the Regents acceptation of the government incensed him mightily but not knowing how to overtake him in that season for it was done in the beginning of Winter he resolved to use the course of law and proclaim him rebel Alexander Areskin who attended the King having his own discontents and trusting to better his condition by a change of the government dealt secretly with the two Earls Argile and Athol after he understood them to be agreed and advised them to come one after another but much about one time and mean their case to the King to whom he promised they should find accesse Argile coming first complained of the Regents extreme dealing in that he had denounced him rebel to his Majesty whose true and faithful servant he had always been and requested his Majesty to assemble the Nobility and do him right according to the lawes withall he intreated that he might be permitted to remain with his Majesty till the Nobility should meet for trial of his complaint The Earl of Athol came some two days after to whom the King did communicate Argiles complaint craving his advice in the business And he as thought he had known nothing of the matter answered that the Noblemans petition seemed reasonable and that his Majesty could not take a better course then call the Nobility and by their
to flee into England where after 19. years captivity she was put to death in the manner yon have heard Nigh unto her Sepulchre at Peterburrow was affixed at the time by some friend that bewayled her death this inscription MARIA Scotorum Regina Regis filia Regis Gallorum vidua Regina Angliae agnata haeres proxima virtutibus Regiis animo Regio ornata jure regio frustra saepius implorato barbara tyrannica â—rudelitate ornamentum nostri seculi lumen vere regium extinguitur eodémque nefario judicio MARIA Scotorum Regina morte naturali omnes superstites Reges plebeii facti morte mulctantur hîc extat Cum sacris enim vivae MARIAE cineribus omnium Regum atque Principum violatam atque prostratam Majestatem hîc jacere scito quia tacitum regale satis superque Reges sui officit monet plura non addo viator That is MARY Queen of Scotland daughter of a King Widow of the King of France kinswoman and next heir to the Queen of England adorned with royal vertues and a Princely spirit having often but in vain implored to have the right due to a Prince done unto her the ornament of our age and mirrour of Princes by a barbarous and tyrannical cruelty is cut off And by one and the same infamous judgement both MARY Queen of Scotland is punished with death and all Kings living are made liable to the same A strange and uncouth kind of grave this is wherein the living are included with the dead for with the Ashes of this blessed MARY thou shalt know that the Majesty of all Kings and Princes lies here depressed and violated But because the regal secret doth admonish all Kings of their duty Travellour I will say no more The Authour was not known nor could be found out so it was taken away But as soon as it was told the Queen that the execution was done she grieved exceedingly and put on a mourning habit laying all the fault upon Secretary Davison to whom she had said that she would take another way Mean while she sent Mr. Robert Cary one of the Lord Hunsdons sons to the King with this letter of her own hand-writing My dear brother I would you knew though not felt the extreme dolour that overwhelmeth my mind for that miserable accident which farre contrary to my meaning hath befalne I have sent this kinsman of mine whom ere now it hath pleased you to favour to instract you truly of that which is too irksome for my pen to tell you I beseech you that as God and many no know how innocent I am in this case so you will believe me that if I had done it I would have abode by it I am not so base minded that the fear of any living creature should make me afraid to do what is just or done to deny the same I am not so degenerate nor carry so vile a mind but as not to disguise fits most a King so will I never dissemble my actions but cause them shâ—w as I mean them This assure your self for me that as I know it was deserved if I had meant it I would never over anothers shoulders and to impute to my self that which I did not so much as think of I will not The circumstâ—nces you will be pleased to hear of this bearer And for my part think you have not in the world a more loving kinswoman and more dear friend nor any thaâ— will watch more carefully to preserve you and your state And if any would otherwise perswade you think they bear more good will to others then to you Thus in haste I leave to trouble you beseeching God to send you a long Reign Your most assured loving Sister and Cousen ELIZABETH R. The King denying him presence and refusing to receive his Letters he advertised the Queen who willed him if he could not find accesse to his Majesty to deliver his Message and Letters to some of the Councel if it should be the Kings pleasure to take information from them This after the delay of a few days was yeâ—ded unto and with the Letters a writing delivered to be shewed his Majesty of this Tenour WHereas the Queens Majesty my Mistris desiring to have your Majesty certified aright of the death of the Queen your mother and in what sort the same was done hath commanded me since I am denied your presence to declare my message to certain of your Councel I have thought best to put it in writing because words may be mistaken and my charge this way better performed First she commanded me to assure your Majesty that it never entered in her thought to put the Queen your moâ—her to death notwithstanding the daily pâ—â—swasions of her Councel thâ—supplications of the Nobility Knights and Gentlemen and the hourely outcries of her poor people and commonalty wherewith she was wearied and out of measure grieved to see their determination fixed that way And that upon advertisements coming every day unto her of th preparation of ships and men both in France and Spain to invade her Realm and reports â—f the breaking open of Fotheringham Castle and the Queen your mothers escape lest she should in any such extremity be unprovided she had signed a Warrant to her Councel for doing what they thought best with your mother which warrant she delivered to her Secretary Mr. Davison to be kept not intending it should be given out of his hands except some invasion from abroad or insurrection of Rebels at home were made to procure her liberty But her Secretary otherwise then she had purposed having shewed the Warrant to two or three of the Councel they called the whole number together and presently sent a mandate for her execution which was done she protests to God before she knew of it Hereupon the Secretary is committed and will not escape her high displeasure This is the effect of my message which if I could expresse so lively as I did hear her utter it with a heavy heart and sorrowful countenance I think your Majesty would rather pity the grief which she endureth then in any sort blame her for the fact whereunto she never gave consent This Declaration gave the King no content for he could not think that her Councel would have presumed without her own knowledge to take the life of his mother and for the censure of the Secretary he did esteem it but a mockery and not a repairing of the wrong he had received Neither wanted he persons about him to sharpen him to take revâ—nge Some out of a desire to have all things troubled others out of the hatred they bare to Religion and some truly resenting the injury as done to the whole nation Which when the Queen understood and that her messenger was returned without audience she laboured by her Ministers of whom she was ever well furnished to pacifie his mind and divert him from
should not so much promove the business as offend her Always they should advise and take counsell with their confederates and allies and follow the course which was most likely for his benefit This was the summe of the answer they returned The 24 of December the Queen was brought to bed of another daughter who was christened in the Chappell of Halirudhouse the 15 of Aprill by Mr. David Lindesay Minister of Leth and named Margaret The Earle of Montross created Chancellor in Ianuary preceding with the Lord Hamilton and Earl of Huntley assisted as witnesses These last two were at the same time preferred to the honour and dignity of Marquesses There died within the compass of this year divers worthy men amongst whom Mr. Iohn Lindesay of Batharres Secretary to the King shall first be named a man honourably descended of exquisite learning and a sound judgement held worthy by all men of the place he had in the Senate both for his wisedome and integrity he died of the Stone wherewith he had been pained many years Next to him Mr. David Carnegy of Colluthy a wise peaceable and sober man in good credit and estimation with the King and taken into his privy Councell for his skill and knowledge in civill affairs And in the Church Mr. Thomas Buchannan Provost of Kirkhench and Minister of Syres a man learned wise and a strong defender of the Churches rights having attained to a good age he dyed of a bruise which he received of a fall from his horse David Ferguson Minister of Dunfermlin of the age of 65 departed also this life the same year A good preacher wise and of a jocund and pleasant disposition which made him well regarded both in Court and Countrey But the death of Mr. Robert Rollock taken away in the 43 year of his age and in the time when the Church had greatest need of his service was beyond all the rest lamented This man was born not farre from Striveling and trained up in letters under Mr. Thomas Buchannan who did then keep a famous School in that time He passed his course in Philosophy at S. Andrews and no sooner received the degree of a Master in Arts then he was chosen Regent of the Colledge of S. Salvator where he had studied In the year 1583 he was removed to Edinburgh and made Principall of a Colledge which the Town had there erected where by his Lectures of divinity in the Schools and his Sermons to the people in both which he was assiduous he came to be greatly esteemed But the 17 days tumult and troubles that followed thereupon withdrawing him against his minde to the keeping of Assemblies and other Commissions of the Church he was thereby much weakned for he was of an infirm body and grievously pained with the Stone whereof at last he died In his sickness being visited by his brethren of the Ministry amongst other pious exhortations he did earnestly beseech them to carry themselves more dutifully towards the King lamenting he should be so ill used by some of their number and gave them a most comfortable farewell His torments were extreme yet was he not heard to use an impatient word but was still calling on God with these and the like sayings Hast Lord Iesus and tarry not put in thy hand and take this soul away to thy self At other times Goe out silly life that the better life of God may enter in Drawing neer his end he repeated a part of the 6 Psalm and framing a most pithy prayer out of the same as one exulting after victory he cried aloud Christ hath taken my yoake to bear and now strengthened by his grace I will follow with which words he yeelded up his spirit A rare example of holiness he was both in his life and death albeit now dead still preacheth by his learned works which it is pity should not be collected in one volume and preserved to posterity He deceased the last of February and had his corps honourably interred in the buriall place an innumerable multitude accompanying the same to the grave To return to the Estate the necessities of the King by forain Ambassages and other extraordinary employments daily encreasing he was forced to look the more narrowly to the administration of his rents for the ill managing whereof the Laird of Wedderburne was put from his place and the office of Controllerie given to Sir David Murray who was afterwards preferred to the Lordship of Scone The Prior of Blantire who was Treasurer for that he had offended the King by his partiall behaviour in an action betwixt Mr. Robert Bruce and the Ministers of Angus was committed to the Castle and forced to resigne his office which was conferred upon the Earl of Cassils by his Ladies procurement She was the widow of the Lord Thirlstan and said to be wealthy which induced him to take her to wife against the counsel of all his friends who could not away with the imparity of their age he being a young Nobleman never matched to any and she a woman past childbirth But the desire he had to keep his estate made him take that course and she loving to stay at Court and have her husband a ruler of affaires made offer to advance some moneys so as he might carry the place which was readily accepted Yet was it not long before they did both forthink the bargain being pressed with a multitude of precepts for the laying forth of money and so were glad to quit the office with the losse as was said of Fourty thousand marks which he did advance at his entry In his place was the Lord Elphingston chosen by the recommendation of his brother then Secretary Whilest these things were a doing in Court Sir William Bowes came Ambassadour from England upon some rumours that the King wes declining to Popery and had offered his obedience to the Bishop of Rome by a letter the copie whereof was brought by the Master of Gray from Rome and shewed the Queen of purpose to divide the two Princes and dissolve the amity which was amongst them The Queen though she did take the letter to be faigned and that the same was devised to breed a jealousie between her and the King thought meet to advertise what was rumoured and to advise him not to build upon the friendship of Rome The King did take the advertisement well and made the Ambassadour very welcome assuring him that they were false and faigned calumnies neither did the King think any other at that time Such a letter indeed was sent to the Pope and the Kings hand surreptitiously gotten thereto for which the Secretary Mr. Elphingston was some years after upon his own confession convicted as we shall hear Whilest this Ambassadour remained in the Countrey there fell out an accident which had almost wrought great trouble an English man called Ashfield who had brought some hunting horses to the
afterwards Earl of Kelly to follow him but Mr. Alexander turning at the door after the King was entered said that the King willed him to stay below whereupon Sir Thomas went back Thus the door was shut and Mr. Alexander guiding him to an inner room the King did perceive a man standing alone whereupon he asked if that was the man nay said Mr. Alexander there is another business in hand and with that word covering his head You remember said he how you used my father and now must you answer for it Your father answered the King I was not the cause of his death it was done in my minority by forme of Iustice. But is this your purpose and have you trained me hither to murther me Did you learn this lesson of Mr. Robert Rollock your Master or think you when you have done your will to goe unpunished Mr. Alexander stricken with the speeches and the man who was placed there to assist him trembled for fear desired the King to be quiet and make no noise for that he would go speak with his brother and pacify him this said he went down a back way as it seemed to the Court below Whether he did meet with his brother at that time or not is unknown but his stay was short and when he returned he said to the King There is no remedy you must die Then making as though he would tie the Kings hands they fell a wrestling and the King drawing him by force to a window in the corner that lookt toward the street as he espyed the Earl of Marre cryed Help Earl of Marre help The voice and words were discerned by all the Lords and Gentlemen who thereupon ran to seek the King by the way that went up but the doors being shut there was no entry that way till the same was broke by force which took up a large time Upon the first cry Sir Thomas Areskin suspecting treason did flee upon Gowrie and taking him by the gorge said Thou art the traitour but they were quickly sundered by his servants that stood by The first that came to the King was a Page called Iohn Ramsey who falling upon a back passage by which the Traitours after the deed committed had purposed to escape found the King and Mr. Alexander strugling the King calling to him and bidding him strike the Traitour he gave Mr. Alexander two or three wounds with his Dagger and so parted him from the King The man who was placed there to assist Mr. Alexander did steal away secretly and he himself perceiving that the treason was discovered made down the stairs where being encountred by Sir Thomas Areskin and askt how the King was because he gave no direct answer and only said that he took God to witness that he was not in the fault he thrust him through the body and killed him outright Sir Thomas was followed by Hugh Hereife Doctor of Medicine and a Foot-boy named Wilson who seeing the King safe were not a little joyed and placing him in a little room and shutting the door they prepared to defend the entry Gowry accompanied with three or four servants breaketh presently into the chamber and with his two swords one in each hand puts them all to their shift and had undoubtedly overthrown them but that one of the company crying You have killed the King our Master and will you also take our lives He became astonished and setting the points of his two swords to the earth as if he minded to cease from any more fight he was instantly stricken by the Page with a rapier which pierced the heart so as he fell down dead The servants seeing him fall made away only Master Thomas Cranston being sore wounded and not able to shift for himself was apprehended In this fight Sir Thomas Areskin and Doctor Hereife were both hurt but nothing dangerously By this time the doors of the other passage being made open the Lords and a number with them entred into the room who hearing what happened went all to their knees and the King himself conceiving a prayer gave thanks to God for his deliverance and that the device of those wicked brothers was turned upon their own heads The danger that ensued was not much lesse for the people of the Town taking up armes did inviron the house crying to give them out their Provost otherwise they should blow them all up with powder The rage of the multitude was great for they loved the Earl as being their Provost beyond all measure and with great difficulty were they kept back from using violence at last the Bayliffs and certain of the Citizens being admitted to enter and brought to the King when they were informed of the truth of things returned and pacified the people After which the King took horse and returned to Falkland where he was welcomed the rumour of the danger having prevented his coming with great acclamations of joy It was observed not without some wondering that after Gowrie was killed there issued no blood for a good space from his body till his girdle being loosed and taken from him the same gushed from him in abundance this was supposed to be the effect of some Characters that he did alway carry in a little bag at his girdle which being viewed were found to be certain spells of Necromancers and added much to the infamy of his death A diligent search was made the daies following for the man the King saw standing in the room and large rewards promised to those that should finde him out In this search one of the Earls servants called Henry Younger hiding himself out of an idle fear among some growing corns was killed and for some daies was supposed to have been the man till Andrew Henderson Chamberlain to Gowrie discovering himself to the Controller did offer upon promise of his life to enter and shew all that he knew in that business An other of Gowries servants surnamed Craigengelt was some 2 daies after apprehended and both he M. Tho Cranston executed at Perth though at their dying they declared that they knew nothing of the Earls purpose and had only followed him as being their Master unto that room where if they had known the King to have been they would have stood for him against their Master and all others Henderson at his examination declared That the night preceding the attempt the Earl had directed him to attend his brother Mr. Alexander and doe what he commanded That accordingly he accompanied him the next morning to Falkland and when they were returned being commanded by Mr. Alexander to dresse himself in armour and go wait til he came unto him in an upper room he obeyed But that he could not imagine any purpose against the King either in him or in the Earl nor would have believed it unlesse he had seen the same with his eyes Being demanded why he did not take the Kings part when
into consideration how soon and in what manner it shall seem best to your Majesties excellent wisdome to inspire a new life into this languishing body the circumstances whereof are wholly to be left to your Majesty holding it enough for us humbly to acknowledge our selves your true subjects ready to obey all your commandments assuing you with all that as we have hereby as many of us as have underwritten this letter declared our recognition and humble submission to your Majâ—sties soveraign power and right so we do know by all good proofs that the minde of the rest of the Nobility and all others who are absent in their severall qualities places and charges whom the time permitted not without the prejudice of your affairs to assemble so soon as we were desirous this should be performed are wholly and absolutely with us in all zeal and duety for all things that shall be imposed upon them by your royall will and pleasure Further we have thought meet and necessary to advertise your Highness that Sir Robert Cary this morning departed from hence towards your Majesty not onely without the consent of any of us who were present at Richmond at the time of our late Soveraigns decease but also contrary to such commandement as we had power to lay upon him and to all decency and good manners and respect which he ought to so many persons of our degree whereby it may be that your Majesty hearing by a bare report onely of the death of the late Queen and not of our care and diligence in establishment of your Majesties right here in such manner as is above specified may conceive doubts of other nature then God be thanked there is cause you should which we would have clearly prevented if he had born so much respect to us as to have stayed for a common relation of our proceedings and not thought it better to anticipate the same for we would have been loath that any person of quality should have gone from hence who should not with the report of her death have been able to declare the first effects of our assured loyalties And lastly it may please your Majesty to receive this advertisement that of late there was made ready by the commandement of the Queen our Mistresse a good fleet of eight or ten of her ships well manned and furnished under the charge of Sir Richard Lawson Knight to have been employed upon the coast of Spain which employment by her decease is ceased for want of Commission to exercise the saine and now is kept together in the narrow Seas to prevent any suddain attempt against the Low Countreys and that now there is nothing either of land or sea that is not yours it may please your Majesty to signifie your pleasure concerning that Fleet and whether you will have it or any part thereof resort to your coast of Scotland where it may serve you either for the safe convoy of your person to this realm if there shall because to use it in this manner or to transport any of yours whilest you come by land or any other service In which point we humbly beseech you to make known under whose charge it shall beyour pleasure the whole Fleet or any part thereof shall come unto you And this being all that for the present doth occurre to be advertised to your Majesty by us whose mindes are occupied about the conservation of this your realm in peace as farre forth as by any power for your Majesties service onely assumed the interruption thereof may be prevented saving that we have sent a Copy of the Proclamation made here to your Majesties deputy of Ireland to be published in that kingdome we will and with our humble prayers to Almighty God that we may be so happy as speedily to enjoy the comfortable presence of your Highness royall person amongst us the onely object of that glory and those felicities which in the earth we have proponed to our selves Written in your Majesties City of London the 24 of March 1603 at ten hours of the clock at night This Letter was subscribed by Robert Leigh Mayor John Canterbury Thomas Egerton Thomas Buckhurst Nottingham Northumberland Gilbert Shrewsbury William Darby Edward Worcester Geo. Cumberland R. Suffex Henry Lincoln Pembroke Clanrickard G. Hunsdon Tho. Howard Richard London Robert Hartford John Norwich Morley Henry Cobham Thomas Laware Gray Edward Cromwell R. Riche Lumley Chandois W. Compton W. Knowlles Edward Wootton John Stanhop Raleigh John Fortescue and John Popham The King having imparted this letter to the Councell it was thought meet that the Contents thereof should be published for begetting a greater kindness betwixt the people and the two Kingdomes whereupon a Proclamation was made shewing That the Queen before her death continuing in that loving affection which she professed to his Majesty all the course of her life had declared him her only true heir and successor in the imperiall Crownes of England France and Ireland and that the Lords Spirituall and Temporall assisted by the Lord Maior of London and others of the Gentry of good quality had upon the 24 of March last proclaimed him their only liege Lord and undoubted Soveraign which being the most cleer demonstration that a people could give of their affection and a sure pledge of their future obedience ought to move all true hearted subjects to account of them no otherwise then as their brethren and friends and to forget and bury all quarrels and grounds of former dissensions That therefore none should pretend ignorance nor carry themselves in any unkind sort towards the inhabitants of England his Majesty with the advice of the Lords of Councell had ordained Proclamation to be made of the premisses assuring them that should so apply themselves of his gracious favour when occasion presented and certifying such as did in the contrary that they should incurre his wrath and extreme displeasure This notwithstanding the word no sooner came of the Queens death then the loose and broken men in the borders assembling in companies made incursions upon England doing what in them lay to divide the two Kingdomes which the year following was severely punished the principals that were tried to have been partners in that business being all executed to the death The King in the mean time giving order for his journey did appoint the Queen to follow him some twenty dayes after and for his children ordained the Prince to remain at Striveling the Duke of Albany his brother to abide with the Lord Fyvie President of the Session and the Princess Elizabeth their sister with Alexander Earl of Linlithgow To the Lords of Councell an ample Commission was given for the administration of all affairs receiving resignations hearing the accounts of the Exchequer continuing daies of law adjoining assessors to the justice granting of licences to depart forth of the Realm altering the place of their residence as they should find it convenient repressing the troubles of the
children and their exhibition as was appointed made them in after times no less troublesome to the Countrey then before In the end of the year the Earl of Dunbarre departed his life at whitehall a man of deep wit few words and in his Majesties service no less faithfull then fortunate The most difficile affaires he compassed without any noise and never returned when he was employed without the work performed that he was sent to doe His death made a great change in our Estate Sir Robert Ker a son of Farnherst who had served the King long in the quality of a Page and was then grown powerfull in Court carrying all things by his credit At first the Thesaurers Office which was in the person of Dunbar whilest he lived was trusted to certain Commissioners but after a little space the same was bestowed upon the said Sir Robert and he preferred to be Earl of Somerset The guard that Sir William Cranston a Gentleman of great worth did command and wherewith he had performed divers notable services in the Borders was taken from him and given to Sir Robert Ker of Ancram Somersets cousin Sir Gedeon Murray his Uncle by the Mother made Deputy in the Office of Thesaury and Sir Thomas Hamilton his Majesties Advocate who had married his sister placed first in the office of Register and afterwards made Secretary all which was ascribed to Somerset his credit Yet these things were not ill taken the last excepted for Sir William Cranston being content to resigne his place the King in remembrance of his good service did preferre him to be a Lord of Parliament Sir Gedeon his abilities for the services he was trusted with were known to all and for the Advocate his sufficiency was undoubted only the manner of his coming to be Register was not so well interpreted Sir Iohn Skeen had enjoyed the place a good many years and being grown in age and infirme thinking to get his son provided to his office had sent him to Court with a dimission of the place but with a charge not to use it unless he found the King willing to admit him yet he abused by some politick wits made a resignation of the Office accepting an ordinary place among the Lords of Session The office upon his resignation was presently disponed to the Advocate which grieved the Father beyond all measure And the case indeed was pitifull and much regrated by all honest men for he had been a man much employed and honoured with divers legations which he discharged with good credit and now in age to be circumvented in this sort by the simplicity or folly of his son 't was held lamentable The King being informed of the abuse by the old mans complaint was very carefull to satisfie him and to have the son reconciled to his father which after some travell was brought to passe yet so exceeding was the old mans discontent as within a few daies he deceased The office of Register was shortly after enterchanged with the Secretary Sir Alexander Hay and he made keeper of the Rolls the Lord Binning Secretary and Sir William Oliphant received to be his Majesties Advocate In the beginning of the next year there happened diverse unhappy quarrels betwixt the Scots and English at Court which was like to have produced very bad effects and nothing worse taken then the slaughter of an English Fencer by the Lord Sanqhars instigation who for an injury alledged did hire one called Carleill to kill the Fencer this fact committed in the City of London and so near to the Kings Court caused such a heart-burning among the people as it was not farre from breaking forth into a generall commotion But his Majesty preventing the danger made Sanqhar to be arrested and brought to his triall where being convicted he was hanged publickly at the Palace-gate of Westminster This act of justice gave the English a great content nor was the death of the Nobleman much regrated by his own Countrey people for he had lived all his time dissolutely and falling in familiarity with a base Curtesan at Paris had by her a son to whom he entailed his lands intending to defraud the heir But the King taking the matter into his own cognition did by compromise adjudge the succession to the just inheritour appointing a little portion to the base son who in a short time made away the same prodigally Not long before his Majesty being informed of a course kept by the Church in excommunicating persons that were fugitives for capitall crimes sent to the Bishops and Clergy a Letter of this tenor The Ecclesiasticall Censure of Excommunication which should be inflicted upon such as having committed any scandalous offence are contemners of the admonitions of the Church is as we have been enformed so farre absued against the first institution that we cannot sufficiently mervail of the proceeding said to be commonly used among you namely that persons fugitive for capitall crimes being cited before Ecclesiastical Iudicatories although it be known that they dare not compeir for fear of their life are sentenced as persons contumacious whereas the fear they stand in ought in reason to excuse their absence since they cannot be judged contemners of the Church who upon just terrors are kept back from giving their personall appearance In a late Treatise the Venetian Padre Paulo did learnedly confute the sentence pronounced by the present Pope against him for his not appearing to answer in the cause of heresie only upon the just fear be pretended and had his appeal justified by all indifferent men from the Popes sentence as abusive your proceedings for the manner is no other and by the learnedst Divines in these parts resembled to the Moscovites form who if he be offended with any person commandeth him to send his head unto him just so your citations are in the foresaid case which is to will the offenders come in and be hanged which were they never so penitent is not to be thought they will doe for they will rather fall under your censure then hazard themselves in the hands of the justice This being the ready way to bring the Censures of the Church in contempt Our pleasure is that hereafter there be no such form of proceeding used among you Notwithstanding if it shall happen such offenders to obtain our pardon and that the fear they stand in of their life be removed we mean not but that they should be called before the Church and Censures used against such of those that are impenitent Hereof perswading our selves that you will have care and not give way to the abuse in time coming We bid you farewell Upon the receipt of this Letter the Bishops convening with certain of the Clergie to advise what course was fittest to be held in these cases a long reasoning was kept some maintaining That the form practised by the Church was not to be changed they having tried the good thereof