HISTORICALL COLLECTIONS OF ECCLESIASTICK AFFAIRS IN SCOTLAND And Politick related to them Including the Murder of the Cardinal of St. Andrews And the Beheading of their Queen Mary in England By Ri. Watson Sanguis sanguinem tetigit Hosea Chap. 4. ver. 2 By swearing and lying and killing and stealing and commiting adultery they break out And bloud toucheth bloud London Printed by G. D. for Iohn Garfield and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Rolling-Presse for Pictures near the Royal Exchange in Corn-hill over against Popes-head-alley 1657. TO The Right Reverend FATHER in GOD And Religious Assertour of Christs Catholick Church JOHN LORD Bishop of ROCHESTER My Lord THE certain hazard of all one hath or is in these uncertain times annexed to the nicessity of a strict account to be rendred in the porch or passage unto eternity of the managing all affairs and offices relating either to obligation or restitution in this world puts me upon a serious review of mine own concernment wherein among many instances of chief regard I find one of my great engagements unto your Lordship with the impresse or character of Holy Orders into which I receiv'd my entrance by the imposition of your sacred hands unto whom I take my self in some degree of duty to stand responsable for what I act by that Commission or write with any reflexion upon the Doctrine or Discipline of our Church The Historical Observations I here humbly present your Lordship with are inseparable from that title in respect of both the Sect of Schismaticks I describe having according to the Tradition I am guided by in a phrenetick fury from the beginning thrown the price of their estates at their false Apostles feâ—t and they with them cast souls and bodies into the fire of a raging persecution by impious cruelties when predominant by opprobâ—ious calumnies when unarmed and by civil wars when their plough shares and pruning hooks could at any time be fashioned into swords or axes for the cutting down not onely superfluous innovations in the habit but the very body and existence of that Apostolick rule and worship to which pattern we pretend I pursue them but to the period of their first domestick insolencies drencht in the bloud of that famous Queen Whom their best Poet but one of Her Majesties worst subjects once thought worth this Distich Quae sortem antevenis meritis virtutibus annos Sexum animis morum nobilitate genus What latter attempts they made when they marched over their borders to reform according to the mysterious model of their new Cove nant that whereunto their old enormous practices ought rather to have been conformed is declar'd and historiz'd by that Royal Pen which hath Registred to their eternal infamy their cutting in sunder the common Tieâ— of nature soveraignty and bounty their forgetting speciall fresh obligations wherewith their active spirits had been gratified not without some seeming diminution to or deprâ—ssion of the Doners interest and honour their inroad with an intent to confirm the Presbyterian copy they had set by making our Church to write after them though it were in bloudy characters How infatuated they were in those counsels how by providence defeated in their most desperate wicked eâ—ds the unpittied spectacle of their downfal demonstrates to all the world Yet my Lord this is not to raise a Trophee out of their miseries or to trample on their dejected persons If by pourtraiâ—ing the horrid actioâ—s of their Ancestours I can excite their guilty consciences to compare the copy with the original and repent effectuâ—lly for the transcendâ—ncie of their own rebellions I shall have great complacency in the assurance that I have outrun or outwrit my hopes Howsoever in what proportion I may expect credit to be given unto my care which was not little in the Collection and what resignation by the impartial Reader unto the naked truth of the contents I shall not doubt but hereby I may in the same confirm all pious and humble hearts in the preferring the ancient and univâ—rsal successive government of the Christian Church before the new Genevatizing bloudy discipline of some heady Scots and perswade all moderate and quiet minded men to acknowledge one supremacy over both estates by trusting the same hand with Christs Scepter here on earth which himself doth with it and the civill sword But this endeavour may seem impertinent if not impudent in the face or memory of that most Reverend heroick Prelate whose greater eminency in authority and interest in the same Country hath with much more advantage particularly and amply satisfied the world by a grearer Volume for the suppressing which so many subtilties and violences had been used beside the power of a forraign Magistrate for a surprisal of the Secretarie in his preparing it to the Presse that nothing could be a surer evidence than such self-confessing guiltinesse against that party nor ought else after the Grace and Reverence of the renowned Authour put a greater estimate and opinion upon the Book at least if publisht as he writ it May it please your Lordship therefore to believe upon my word who am invested with the second order to make it valid that this Treatise was designed long since in a preparatorie antecedence unto the other and to that purpose with more ingenious confidâ—nce than worldly prudence trusted in the same hand which was to print and reap the profit of His Grace's work from which after the dilatory pretences of some judgement to be made by a view to be taken of it or rather after the Printers turn was served in dispersing the greater Copies it was returned with this sentence delivered by a person whose name I had not of much learning honour and integrity upon perusal of it That there was too much gall in the ink wherewith it was wrote and supposed that an enemy was the Collector for that through the sides of those the design is against our own Mother is wounded My Lord if the name of that severe person with a particular of his exceptions had been sent me I should have endeavoured his satisfaction or if theirs could have been otherwise effected whom I serve in it and mine own reputation preserved who have made implicite reference to this in another Book a sharp reply to which I am yet to expect perchance I might have chosen rather to lose my pains than give such a person scandal or confront his censure professiing in the words of my learned Collegue heretofore now a most singularly devout and acute Divine in the case of like question and appeal unto your Lordship That I would rather dye than either willingly give occasion or countenance to a schism in the Church of England I mean that Church of England which conform'd her self to the Ancient Latin and Greek Church and I would suffer much evil before I would displease my dear Brethren I adde such as keep close to their due
principles in the service of Jesus and in the Ministeries of that Church Wherefore my Lord if any thing of that nature have pass'd my Pen in the vacancie of a Synod I submit to any Canon of retractation or penance shall be prescribed me by your Reverence together with that joint primitive Oracle and most worthy person whoâ— the Doctor took and I do by his wary precedent for the other Pillar of his Sanctuary the Lord Bishop of Sarum whose countenaâ—ce and favour I some years since was honoured with more I presume for the integrity of my principles than any meritorious pregnancie in my parts But my Lord if some timorous or superstitious Caâ—tâ—le in my Grave Censour would keep me so far from Rome as to thrust me into the precincts of Geneva I confesse to him and all the world that upon demonstrative reasons I am much more affraid in Christianities behalf of the Leman Lake than Tiber and look with more horrour on the rebellions sprung and reprobatory damnation denounc'd from thence than on any encroachment upon Kings or indulgencies unto the people so prodigally made by and defused from the Papal See In fine my Lord the glosses are not many I have upon points controverted between the Church of Rome and us if those few be so short as to render my sense suspected I will enlarge them when call'd upon to the full state I have made of them deliberately unto my self For the gall in my ink I shall say onely with your Lordships leave I know not where more commendably or excusably I may affect to give it a deeper black than in the relation of their proceedings whose souls were as red as scarlet and the issue of all their enterprises died in bloud I may be no lesse concerned to anticipate an after câ—nsure incident from persons of another rank I mean such of the Scotch Nobility or related to them whose faith and gallantry hath effaced such their ignoble progenitours impeachments in their coates and yet may conceive their Names and Families purposely tainted by my Pen where I make a blot in some branch of their pedigree or descent To whom I professe I searched not their Heraldry for a distinction but as I intended no man injury or disrepute so I preferred necessary truth to his or their vulgar honour in my design Which being in that respect a case of Conscience craves likewise your Lordships cognisance though as it regards the rule of prudence I must answer it at my hazard For the rest my Lord til it appear by more than an obscure single suffering that I have infringed the canon of Christian Charity or deviated from the doctrine and practice of the Ancient Church I humbly crave your Lordships favourable protection of this essay and of my name in that communion into the Ministery whereof your ordination introduced me which no new discoveries nor discourses in forreign parts have obliged my reason to desert nor doth any self-conviction discourage me in my subscription as that Churches and My Honoured Lord Caen Aug. 27. 1657. Your Lordships most humbly obedient Son and Servant Ri. Watson HISTORICALL Collections IF the sacred Oracles and Records which Christ with his Apostles Evangelists Disciples delivered unto the ears and deposited in the hands of the Primitive-Church had been at large in every particular preserved and by the same authority successively transmitted whereby that smaler volume of their writings hath been manifested to our knowledge and commended to our belief the errours and abuses in Christianity had been fewer or refomation whensoever necessary more regular such a standing rule giving sudden Evidence against the least obliquities which Schism and Heresie could transgresse in and being a Bar against the boldness of those spirits which when the letter of Scripture is not as it never but is in the sense clear and powerfull to confound them rather multiply than rectifie things amisse upon their pretended priviledge of prophesie or revelation The mystery of Gods providence in withholding this succour from his people is not so much to be repin'd at as his mercy to be magnified in administring the remainder of those helps which is compleat to the support and satisfaction of any moderate inquirer after the general of doctrine and particulars of discipline the explication of the former and enlargement of the latter being ever taken into the power of the Catholick-Church which in its orginal purity so studied a visible communion of Saints that either by expresse dispensation or indulgent connivance many national provincial yea inâ—eriour corporate or collegiate Congregations had that latitude of difference and singularity of profession or practiceâ— for which any proper 〈◊〉 pretence could be produced before a general Council or in lesse matters before their Patriarch and Bishops vested with authority to such purpose as wherein their content and complacency kept all devout well-meaning Christians from Schism and a scandalous separation Others whose pride ambition or covetousnesse carried them beyond the canon of moderation and peace were severely censur'd curs'd excommunicated cut off from Christs body which like rotten members they might otherwise have corrupted and gangrand having no re-admission or re-union to that holy sound continuity without serious and open repentance humble submission to the high authority of the Church which if they persisted obstinately to contemn or neglect the power of truth subdued their doctrines the storm of Gods wrath dispersed their conventicles the sword of his vengeance executed their persons in some exemplary temporal death if it pursued them not to eternal damnation How far the visible Church whether Romane or Greek made at any time a general defection from her self in a manifest detortion of or declention and deviation from her own canon is neither my design nor duty in reference to my present undertaking to search no more than to condemn or vindicate particular Churches in their separate condition The Sum of what I intend in this my Treatise is to shew how the Scotch-Presbyterian Kirk which when time was would have fain been accepted as the pattern of purity and clearest extraction of Christian Religion began Reformation upon no deep sense no deliberate Examen how corruption crept in nor proceeded according to any other rule than the Anomalie of a prejudicate fancy or premeditated malice which intended rather the destruction of persons than composition of minds â—o a due temper and sobriety in worship having no other commission but what was given out by the spirit of disobedience and errour nor the countenance of any precedent beside what might be cited from the unhappy successe in the attempts of Rebellion and Schism The first Sect of preparatory Reformers their History pretends to were the Lollards of Kyle who in the reign of King Iames the fourth about the year 1494. becoming numerous and troublesome both to Church and State were accused to the King not onely as Hereticks but Rebels The
passge into France But the walls of Leith were not to be blown down by this breath nor was it strong enough to fill the sails for her passage into France A stronger wind blew out of the Town which so dispelled the Congregational Brethren that glad was he who could shelter himself and many grew desperate of the cause But Iohn Knox by power of the spirit when but a spark or two of rebellion was left could ever blow it up into a flame which he began now at Sterlin in a Sermon upon the 80. Psalm v. 4 5 6 7. and encreased it in another afterwards some where else upon Iohn 6. exhorting the Congregation that they should not faint but that they should stiâ—l row against the contrarious blasts till that Iesus Christ should come so that onely the day of judgement is to put an end to the Presbiterian commotions But nothing can be done without a Covenant which An. 1560. was entred at Edenburgh That what person soever will plainly reject their godly enterprises and will not concur as a good and true member of their Common-wealth they shall fortifie the authoritie of Council to reduce them to their duty c. The issue of this as of all their Covenants was to put many quiet conscientious people to the choice of either extream without the priviledge of a detestable neutrality Do as we do Rebel or perish whereby they never faild of an Army that should guard the gospell with an unparalell'd villany and resist the Queen Regent unto her death which fell out very opportunely while they lay at the siege before Leith being if not procur'd by their means very evidently hastened by their malice denying Her Majesty the benefit of some drugs for which she sent to her Apothecary and Chyrurgeon and in her inrecoverable condition not indulging her free speech with some Lords joyntly though of their own faction and what curtesie they granted being clogged with the ungrateful presence and more unpleasing discourse of Iohn Willock Brother-rebel-preacher with Knox who was sent on purpose to set the Queens conscience on the rack and torture it to despair if he could By all these unchristian proceedings having speeded on their impatient wishes and fretted open a passage for that Royal soul to expire they become soon Lords not onely of the Congregation but Countrey and having eleven points of the law their young Queen and her Husband being absent in France upon advantage enough they capitulate with their Majesties for the twelfth In which pacification the Deputies from France would not medle with the matter of Religion but agreed that a certain number of Noblemen should be chosen in the next Convention and Parliament to be sent to their Majesties to whom they shall expose those things that shall be thought needful for the State of that business In the interim the Brethren I 'le warrant you were not idle but after publick thanksgiving at Edenburgh for their deliverance that is to say for the death of their Queen upon whom they heap though they name her not a heavy load of calumnies in their prayers A Committee sits to distribute Ministers and so Knox is made Primate of Edenburgh or in it rather of Scotland that being the fountain head from whence all future Rebellion must stream by Goodman to St. Andrews by Heriot to Aberdeen by Row to St. Iohnston c. And though they will have no Bishops they 'l have Over-seers {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Spotswood for Lothian Winram for Fife c. And now to work they go to drive the stray-doctrine and discipline of the Countrey into the Parliament pound at Edenburgh Please your Honours comes presently from the supplicant Barons Gentlemen and Burgesses A Confession of Faith with a more imperious preface or title from the Presbytery out of Matth 24. And this glad tidings of the Kingdome shall be preached through the whole world for a witness unto all Nations and then shall the end come that is the Presbyterian Scot shall pull down all Government in the world establish the Kingdome of Iesus Christ upon the earth and then the end shall come the work is done 't is fit then the wages should be paid especially since by this new engine they draw Christ into their Covenant chap. 11. rebellion into the fifth Commandement under the notion of saving the life of innocents and repressing Tyranny resisting authority if they take it to passe the bounds of the Magistrates office not suffering innocent bloud to be shed if they may gain-stand it ch. 14. Likewise they dash all moral vertues at a stroak restrain the power of Gods Grace from effecting due obedience to his Law ch. 15. Confine the Catholick Church to themselves and such as shall communicate with them denying all other Christians the undeniable benefit of their Baptism ch. 16 18. which they say notwithstanding ch. 21. was instituted of God to make a visible difference betwixt his people and those that are without his League Pretend to reconcile these contradictions making both true at a time This Church is invisibly known onely to God who alone knoweth it whom he hath chosen c. ch. 16. and yet the notes signs and assured tokens whereby the immaculate Spouse of Christ Iesus is known to whom from the horrible Harlot the Church malignant we affirm are c. Defraud Antiquity and lineal descent in an undivided continuity the reverence rendred by the Primitive Fathers of the Church to be paid by us for the first knowledge benefit of the Gospel and yet at the same time running to the Ancients for strengthening the authority of the Canon For the doctrine taught in our Churches say they is contained in the written Word of God to wit in the Books of the New and Old Testaments in those Books we mean which have been reputed by whom but Bishops and Episcopal Doctors no Preâ—byterian canonical Depriving the Church of her just priviledge in interpreting the Scriptures under a pretence of bestowing it upon the Spirit distracting Christians hereby in matter of opinion without extraordinary divine revelation as in the point of Justification wherein St. Paul and St. Iames seem to differ and in matters of practice by the example of St. Peter and St. Paul Gal. 3. All this in one ch. viz. 18. frame a plausible excuse for negligence in or after the receiving the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ch. 21. Exclude all but Preachers though Priests or Deacons from the efficatioâ—s administration of the Sacraments annexing the power and vertue of the same to divine revelation or operation of a Sermon and so defrauding many that have had legitimate imposition of hands call'd Ordination of the character exercise of that power Justifie such as resist Supream powers doing that which appertaineth not to their charge ch. 24. so taking away the glory of Christian
Potentate cannot hold For the eleventh Article about the lawfulness of eating flesh on Fryday aswell as Sunday As to the purity of dayes which bears proportion to the Passion and Resurrection or indifferency of meatâ— abstracting from all Superiours rational commands and in pious people an humble commemoration of Christs suffering by their suffering somewhat weekly at that time St. Paul may justifie him in his answer though they were other dayes he meant but yet by his favour not in reversing the Statutes or Canons composed in piety and prudence wâ—ich encounter no principles of Religion nor deny fit supplies to the necessity of nature or moderate desires of a regular appetite in due season But that which betrayed his ignorance extreamly or an insolent arrogance of singular extraordinary indowments from God for the interpretation of his Word or where that in practicals and circumstantials is silent for the intelligence of his pleasure was his answer to the 15. Article which charged him with denying to obey Provincial or General Councils whereof he owned no knowledge as if the History of Gods Church in the purest times of Christianity had not been worth his search nor the exemplary endeavours of the ancient Doctors and Fathers who confounded heathen and hereticks by their writings with joyn'd hands rais'd an edifice of Religion according to the most exact model they at so near a distance traditionally received from Christ and his Apostles deserv'd his review nor what they sealed with their bloud so much of his reverence as to consider wether so many did and himself but one could not erre especially when the very Bible to which he appealed for the authority of his doctrine had been for its own integrity and incorruption of words and points and consequently of sense whether their glosses and commentaries be admitted or no and could be commended to him by no more powerful testimony than their Canons neglected and scorned by him for the introduction of what Knox he a prety pair to be paralled with representative Christianity in the majestick Sessions of Emperours and Bishops had for seditious ends concluded in a corner Whether his singularity in these or any other exorbitant opinions proceeded from passion or perswasion I shall not determine nor can I clear his Judges in their sentence of condemnation unto death unless his sedition were so manifest dangerous which it might be that no security could be given for the publick peace but by his removal The manner of it as it lies in the vulgar story was with more pomp and curiosity than became the gravity or charity very requisite in Cardinals Bishops or inferiour Clergy Mr. Georges behaviour near the time of his execution such in many particulars as became an humble pious and couragious Christian as appears by divers prayers and discourses yet his popularity and debasing Prelacy had not quitted him the very day he was to suffer when he beseeched the brethren and sisters those Epiâ—oen Priests of his making to exhort their Prelates to the learning of the Word of God c. To tell them That if they would not convert themselves from their wickâ—d errour there should hastily come upon them the wrath of God which they should not eschew very Prophetick and positive and prevalent no question from such mechanick mouths And though he forgave the Hangman when about to do his office yet he had not so much chariâ—y for the Cardinal against whom this angry Martyr denounceth the sentence of a violent death revealed to him more likely by Iohn Lesly Melvin and Carmichel if it were not the overflowing of his own bloudy heart concurring in the design whose hands were to act it than by any Oracle from heaven where no such murders are forged his last words being these as his own Friend hath recorded them He who in such state from that high place feedeth his eyes with my torments within few dayes shal be hanged out at the same window to be seen with as much ignâ—miny as he row there leaneth in pride The credit of the new gospel had been crackt if the prediction of this great prophet had not been hastily accomplished which his principal disciples took presently into their care whose stomacks were so full of indignation against the Cardinal that their meat could not down before they had declared it at their tables That the bloud of Mr. George should be revenged or else it should cost life for life The most proper instruments for such a purpose must be men of metal whose spirits being exasperated by a sympathy with their late deceased Friend or a passive sense of some late injury apprehended from their great enemy that lived against as many of their wishes as there accrued minuts unto his time were predisposed to any desperate attempt Three or four such were pitched upon to surprise Babilon so they call'd the Castle of the Cardinal of St. Andrews upon whom they speedily executed the work 't is their own language that is they wickly murdered him in his Chamber In which act Iohn Lesly and Peter Carmichael being too hasty they were rebuked by Iames Melvin the more sedate Reformer of the three and told This work and judgement of God ought to be done with greater gravity He presents to him the point of the sword saies Repent thee of thy former wicked life that is stopping the godly brethren in their course strikes him twice or thrice through with a stog sword and so he fell All honest Christians were astonished at so horrid and execrable an act but the meek disciplinarians did not onely saith Buchanan approve it but came to gratulate these authors of their publick liberty others ventured life and fortunes with them for the future libertatis authores so it should seem the Cardinal had tied up their hands till this stog sword cut the knot and set them at liberty to do mischief uncontrouled afterward Iohn Knox is so tickled with the business that he becomes very witty and because he would not lose his jest tells his Reader expresly he writes merrily about it but by this time he knows if he chang'd not his mind that the end of that mirth is heavinesse I believe That his heart and he might not keep at distance the Easter following he goes to live with the murderers in the Castle and not long after from the cry of this bloud takes his call to the ministry which was the greatest vengeance that ever God sent to that Kingdome For this first thriving plant of the discipline being set by the sword and cherished by * license and lust the soil prepared by the Cardinals bloud grew up on a sudden to branch it over all Civill Magistrates and Laws and in short space over-topt Royal Authority it self some comfortable assurance whereof he gave to the brethren in his first Sermon upon Dan. 7.24 c. And another King shall
opposite conclusions Many Lords retracted their subscription to the Discipline and drew into question the expedience of Assemblies This put them upon offering the Discipline to the Queen which Her Majesty absolutely refused Hereupon the state of the question is altered and Burrowes a bold fellow is set in the front of a seditious party to put up articles about maintenance for the Ministry of the Reformation For quietness sake to this purpose the Bishops relinquish the third part of their revenues to settle which Commissioners are ordered and to satisfie any of the discontented faction proclamation is made that it shall be dispatched with all possible speed Some makes jests upon it as the Earl of Huntley bids Good morrow to the Lords of the two parts But Knox who gap'd at the whole said in earnest That the Spirit of God was not the author of it for he saw two parts freely given to the Devil and the third must be divided between God and the Devil The regret at this so sticks in the stomachs of him and his Assembly brethren that they are fain to have recourse to their usual remedy and disgorge it in a filthy supplicate to the Queen part of the contents were these Gods hands cannot long spare in his anger to strike the head and the tayl the inobedient Prince and sinful people They presse the Queen again to forsake the practice of her Religion and revile it as the fosterer of whores adluterers drunkards blasphemers of God c. threaten that the obstinate maintenance of it shall in the end be to her destruction of soul and body if she repâ—nted not declare They could no longer keep silence unlesse they would make themselves criminal before God of her bloud perishing in her own iniquity and they plainly admonish her of the danger to come They humbly require that Bishops may not be set up again to empire above the people of God for they fear that such usurpation of their former estate will be neither in the end pleasant to themselves nor profitable to them that would place them in that tyranny That if the Papists think to triumph where they may and to do what they list where there is not a party able to resist them that some will think that the godly must begin where they left But the equity and civility of tendring such language was discussed between Secretary Lethington and the Brethren who advised them upon any grievance to make complaint and appeal to the Law Here one mends the matter and saith If the sheep shall complain to the Wolfe the Queen That the wolfes whelps have devoured the lambs the complainer may stand in dangeâ— c. After such cautious reasoning as Knox calls it the supplication was left to the Secretary to review who moderated the language but not so as to gain a grant from the Queen nor indeed did the Brethren expect it but took advantage hereby to pursue their design to stirre up the people by certain emissaries sâ—nt from the Assembly of whom the great incendiary Knox must be one whose gospel had the usual successe in Kyle and Gallowoy the chief Professors meeting at Ayre where they covenanted to maintain the Ministers of the evangel against all persons power and authority that should oppose themselvs to the doctrine propounded So that whosover should hurt molest or trouble any of their bodies should be reputed enemies to the whole except he submit to the government of the Church then established they say not by whom At the next Assembly were great complaints made about the Churches lacking Ministers and Ministers their stipends c. For redress hereof some thought of a new Supplication others mentioned that no answer had been given to the former So that for such things which could not be done without the Queen they â—eem'd to express themselves dutifull subjects in waiting her pleasure the rest that could they did by themselves not craving her consent or approbation unless in mockery to make sport But because the law kept not pace with the Brethrens haste nor as they thought the Queen with the law they take an easie occasion for a quicker dispatch Having discovered some Priest that said Masse at Easter avow'd by the Bishop of St. Andrews contrary to the Queens Proclamation they take justice into their own hands clap him up in prison whose pardon the Queen could scarcely obtain with abundance of tearâ— punish others and give intâ—mation to the Abbot of Cosragnel the Parson of Sangohar c. that they should neither complain to the Queen nor Council but should execute the punishment that God had appointed to Idolaters in his Lâ—w by such means as they might wherever they should be apprehended This incensed the Queen yet put her not beside a temper'd discourse with Iohn Knox whose you may be sâ—re had been this bloudy advice to whom Her Majesty propounds this question Will ye allow that they shall take my sword in their hand who answered The sword of justice is Gods and they that in the fear of God execute judgement where God hath commanded offend not God althoâ—gh Kings do it not neither yet sin thâ—y that bridle Kings to strike innocent men in their rage The Queen yielded not to his reason she did to his power with her poor deceived lieg people And so strickt she was in observing her laws made against her own interest that she suffered the Bishops and dâ—vers other Priests to be summoned before the Earl of Argile accus'd and committed to prison In requital for which act of impartial justice writes Iohn Knox All this was done of a most deep craft to abuse the simplicity of the Protestants that they should not presse the Queen with any other thing concerning matters of Religion A good encouragement for Princes to grant any thing to the Presbytery when by their largest concessions they shall obtain nothing but the character of politick deceivers gain neither upon their affection nor duty Indeed the more reasonable part of the Nobility and people did somewhat reverence the Queen for her great largeness and declâ—n'd for some time being further importunate instruments of her trouble or the Clergies imperious tyranny upon her conscience which made an absolute breach between the Earl of Murray and Knox who denounced Gods judgements upon him for his coldness in his service The like he did publickly in a Sermon to the rest that should consent to the Queens Marriage with an Infidel for such are all Papists with the Presbytery though they hold the same Creed which he said was to banish Christ Iesus from the Realm These and other his exâ—travagancies were such as disliked both parties who concurred to have him question'd by the Queen which poor Lady she could not do according to his desert for the passionate cries and tears which this Tiger confesseth burst out in such abundance that