necessity a lie And to witnesse that this comes of all my heart I shall remain at Berwike while I get thy Majesties answer and shall without fail return having thy hand write that I may have audience place to speak No more I desire of thee whereof if I had been sure I should never have departed and that thou mayst know the truth thereof if fear of the justnesse of my Cause or dread of persecution for the same had moved me to depart I could not so pleasantly revert onely distrust was the cause of my departing Pardon me to say that which lieth to thy Majesties charge Thou art bound by the Law of God suppose they falsly lie saying it pertaineth not to thy Majestie to intermeddle with such matters to cause every man in any case accused of his life to have their just defence their accusers produced conform to their own law They blinde thy Matie eyes that knows nothing of thy law but if I prove not this out of their own law I offer me to the death Thy Matie therefore by experience may daily learn seeing they neither fear the King of Heaven as their lives testifie neither thee their Naturall Prince as their usurped power in their actions shews why thy Highnes should be no longer blinded Thou maist consider that they pretend nothing else but onely the maintenance and upholding of their barded mules augmenting of their insatiable avarice and continuall overthrowing and swallowing up thy poore subjects neither preaching nor teaching out of the Law of God as they should the rude ignorant people but contend who may be most high most rich and neerest thy Majesty to put thy Temporal Lords and Lieges out of thy counsell and favour who should be and are most tender servants to thy Majesty in all time of need to the defence of thee and thy Crown And where they desire thy Majesty to to put out thy Temporal Lords and Lieges because they despise their vitious life What else intend they but onely thy death and destruction as thou maist easily perceive suppose they colour their false intent and minde with the pursuit of heresie for when thy Barons are put downe What art thou but the king of Land and not of men and then of necessity must be guided by them and there no doubt where a blinde man is guide must be a fall in the mire Therefore let thy Majesty take boldnes and authority which thou hast of God and suffer not their cruell persecution to proceed without audience given to him that is accused and just place of defence and then no doubt thou shalt have thy subjects hearts and all that they can or may do in time of need tranquility justice and policy and finally the Kingdom of the heavens May it please you to give one Copy of this to the Clergie and keep the Original and thy Majestie shall have experience if I go against one word that I have spoken I shall daily make my hearty devotion for thy Majestie and for the prosperity and welfare of thy body and soul. I doubt not but thy gracious Highnesse will give answer to this Letter unto the Presenter of it unto thy Highnesse At Berwike by thy Highnesse servant and Orator Sic subscribitur Alexander Seton This Letter was delivered to the Kings own hands and of many read but what could greatly avail where the pride and corruption of Prelats commanded what they pleased and the flattery of Courtiers fostered the unadvised Prince in all dissolutenesse by which means they made him obsequious unto them From the death of that constant Witnesse of Jesus Christ M. Patrike Hammilton God disclosing the wickednesse of the wicked as before we have heard There was one Forrest of Linlytquow taken who after long imprisonment in the said Tower of S. Andrews was adjudged to the fire by the â—aid Bishop Iames Betonne and his Doctors for no other crime but because he had a new Testament in English Further of that History we have not except that he died constantly and with great patience at S. Andrews After whose death thâ— flame of Persecution ceased till the death of M. Norman Gurlaw the space of ten yeeres or thereabout not that the bloody beasts ceased by all means to suppresse the lyght of God and to trouble such as in any sort were suspected to abhorre their corruption but because the Realme in these times was troubled with intestine and cruell warres in the which much blood was shed first at Melrosse betwixt the Dowglas and Balclench in the yeere of God 1526. the 24. day of July Next at Lynlythcow betwixt the Hamiltons and the Earle of Lenox who was sisters son to the Earle of Arran where the said Earle with many others lost his life the thirteenth day of September in the same yeere And last betwixt the King himself and the foresaid Dowglas whom he banished the Realme and held him in exile during his whole dayes By reason of these we say and of other troubles the Bishops and their bloody bands could not finde the time so favourable unto them as they required to execute their Tyrannie In this middle time so did the wisedome of God provide that Henry the eight King of England did abolish from his Realme the name and authority of the Pope of Rome commanded the Bible to be read in English suppressed the Abbeys and other places of Idolatry with their Idols which gave great hope to divers Realmes that some godly Reformation should thereof have ensued And therefore from this our Countrey did divers learned men and others that lived in feare of Persecution repaire to that Realme where albeit they found not such purity as they wished and therefore divers of them sought other countreys yet they escaped the tyrannie of mercilesse men and were reserved to better times that they might fructifie within his Church in divers places and parts and in divers vocations Alexander Setonne remained in England and publikely with great praise and comfort of many taught the Gospel in all sincerity certain yeers And albeit the craftinesse of Gardner Bishop of Winchester and of others circumvented the said Alexander so that they caused him at Pauls Crosse to affirme certaine things that repugned to his former Doctrine yet it is no doubt but that God potently had assisted him in all his life and that also in his death which shortly after followed he found the mercy of his God whereupon he ever exhorted all men to depend Alexander Alaesius Master Iohn Fyfe and that famous man Doctor Machabeus departed unto Dutchland where by Gods providence they were distributed to severall places Makdowell for his singular prudence besides his Learning and Godlinesse was elected borrow-Master in one of their steads Alaesius was appointed to the Universitie of Lipsia and so was Master Iohn Fyfe where for their honest behaviour and great erudition they were holden in admiration with all the
making him a god when he is but a weak and infirme man servant of God This second fault is committed chiefly by the Sycophants and Parasites who have no other Church nor Chappell but the Court and make Petition to none but to the King whom to please they wholly study that they may catch somewhat to satisfie their inordinate desires And the first is committed namely by their prelaticall Clergy who withdraw from the Prince a great part of his due when they study to exempt themselves from his Obedience and take from him any inspection upon them namely concerning the discharge of their calling although by Gods Ordinance it be a main part of his Office to see God served and worshipped according to his Will revealed in his sacred Word We have a little above seen how that by the flattery of some Court-preachers the custome is brought into the Church to give unto the Prince not onely swelling but blasphemous Titles in the publike Prayer that is made by the Minister in the name of the Chruch but although this be too great an evill and requireth Reformation yet the flattery of some Preachers hath not stayed here for they according to their custome having addicted themselves to any one whom they conceive may help them to preferment stick not in the pulpit where all relation should be laid aside save that of a Minister of Gods Word to publish themselves yea in their Prayers to be varlets to this man or that man and what is worse yet in the Prayer they call their Masters and Lords Vertuous Pious and Religious when it is known to all That for the most part they have little Vertue lesse Piety and no Religion at all To have pointed at these things shall suffice for this place If any man will be contentious for these practices I answer him That the wel-Reformed Churches have no such Customs for among the other abuses whereof they have been purged by the care and diligence of the faithfull Vine-dressers under Gods blessing they have been pruned of this rotten Bud of slavish flattery as a corruption much opposite and contrary to the dignity and power of the Gospel But let us return after this long Digression In these dayes that is in the thirteenth Age lived Michael Scot renowned for his Learning in Physick Astronomy c. He is remembred by Picus Mirandula and Cornelius Agrippa very honourably Also then lived Thomas Lermouth commonly called The Rythmer whose Predictions are extant to this day But no wise man can make any thing of them more then of Merlin his Prophesies who lived long before him although sundry have pleased their fansies with idle Expositions of these two mens dreams Towards the end of this thirteenth Age the good Roman Pontif Boniface the eight making use of the havie moans and complaints that some of Scotland namely of the Bishops and other Clergie-men with their clients made against King Edward of England who then did cruelly afflict the Countrey claims a right unto the Crown of Scotland as reâ—igned unto him by the States And upon this he writes an insulting Letter and full of threatnings unto Edward that he was so malapert as to do any wrong to his vassalls and subjects where he had none truely save the Bishops and Shavelings with their clients Whether the Clergie did make this offer of subjection unto the Pope or whether he did falsly invent this lye we cannot tell but it is betwixt the Pope and his shaved creatures such master such men Let this teach us how the Popes are and have been and will be ever constantly ready watching at all occasions to draw all things to their Crosse. But this owning of the Scots by the Pope for his peculiar people did not last long for in a very short time thereafter notwithstanding the great ignorance of these dayes the Scots shewed themselves refractaries to his holy Orders and he in revenge did thunder the fire-bolts of his Excommunication against these rude fellows putting them to the Interdict all to small purpose for by these Bolts they were but very little dashed We have heard how that in former times the Church of Scotland was served by Culdees and they ruled by their Presbyteries or Elders having a Moderator or Prefect of themselves and of their own chusing This was for many yeers When Palladius brought in Prelacie a new holy Order into the Church of Scotland unknown to the preceding Ages it was with this Restraint That Bishops should be chosen by the Culdees and of them But when Bishops had once gotten certain Diocesses and Limits alotted unto them they set up a new Presbytery of their own or Councell of Canons or Regulars which they called Chapters by whom they intended to be chosen in following times The Culdees seeing this did oppose it with their main strength namely under King David who did take up the businesse thus being carried away by the Prelats That so many of the Culdees as would be Canons should have hand in the chusing of the Bishops But the Bishops to elude this Ordinance of the Prince obtained a Mandate from the Pope That no Culdee should be received in the Convent of Canons but by the consent of the Prior and most part of the Canons By these means the Culdees were kept out and deprived of their voyce in chusing of the Bishop In the time of the troubles of Baliol and Bruce one William Cumin Prefect of the Culdees thinks it fit for to bestir himself to trie what he could regain upon the Canons and so he opposeth the Election by the Canons of one William Lamberton to the Sea of S. Andrews The businesse being come to a great height by Appeal was drawn to Rome where after much debate pro forma time and moneys employed the holy Father Boniface the eight pronounces sentence in favour of his dear Clients the Canons and so Lamberton is made Bishop and consecrated by the Pope Boniface This fact turned so to the disgrace of the Culdees that after that time we reade no more of them so the Name and Order by little and little came to be quite extinguished about the beginning of the thirteenth age In the beginning of the fourteenth age the Order of the Templers was put down whether for their just demerits or for private ends and hatred we leave it to the Histories of these times Pope Clement the fift by his Bull did cashier them the Bull beginning thus Quanquam de jure non possumus tamen pro plenitudine potestatis dictum Ordinem reprobamus c. After which all Christian Princes did cause them to be apprehended in their severall Dominions and put them from their estates which was then given to Hospitallers and Knights of Saint Iohn after they had stood about two hundred yeers instituted by Baldonin King of Ierusalem for defence of that Citie and Temple and the safe conveying of all such as did travell thither They are also called Red friers
or at least a Prelats Peere a true servant to the King of Love who upon a night after Supper asked of his Gentlemen by the faith that they ought to the king of Love that they truely declare how many sundry women every one of them had and how many of them were mens wives One answered He had lien with five and two of them were married The other answered I have had seven and three of them are married It came last to my Lord Abbot himself who making it very nice for a little space gave in the end a plain confession and said I am the youngest man and yet have I had the round dozen and seven of them are mens wives Now said the Frier This god and king of Love to whom our Prelates do homage is the master devill of hell from whom such fruits and works do proceed This Frier was known by his proper tokens to have been Prior Patrike Hepburne now Bishop of Murray who to this day hath continued in the profession that he hath made to his god and king of love It was supposed notwithstanding this kinde of preaching that this Frier remained Papist in his heart For the other Friers fearing to lose the Benediction of the Bishops to wit Their Malt and their Meale and their other appointed Pensions caused the said Frier to flie to England where for defence of the people and Papistry he was cast into prison at King Henries commandment But so it pleased God to open the mouth of Balaams own Asse to cry out against the vitious lives of the Clergie of that age Shortly after this new consultation was taken there that some should be burnt for men began liberally to speak A merry Gentleman named Iohn Lindsey familiar to Bishop Iames Betonne standing by when consultation was had said My Lord If ye burne any more except ye follow my counsell ye will utterly destroy your selves if ye will burne them let them be burnt in hollow Cellars for the smoke of Master Patrike Hammilton hath infected as many as it blew upon Thus it pleased God that they should be tanted in their own face But here followeth the most merry of all One Alexander Furrour who had been imprisoned seven yeers in the Tower of London Sir Iohn Dungwaill according to the charity of Church-men entertained his wife and wasted the poor mans substance for the which cause at his returning he spake more liberally of Priests then they could bear And so was he declared to be accused for heresie and called to his answer to Saint Andrewes he leapt up merrily upon the Scaffold and casting a gambade said Where are the rest of the Players Master Andrew Olyphant offended therewith said It shall be no Play to you Sir before ye depart and so began to reade his Accusation the first Article whereof was That he despised the Masse His answer was I heare more Maffes in eight dayes than three Bishops there sitting say in a yeare Accused secondly of the contempt of the Sacraments The Priests said he were the most common contemners of Sacraments and specially of Matrimony And that he witnessed by many of the Priests there present and named the mans wife with whom they had medled and especially Sir Iohn Dungwaill who had seven yeers together abused his own wife and consumed his substance and said because I complain of such injuries I am here summoned and accused as one that is worthy to be burnt For Gods sake said he will ye take wives of your own that I and others whom ye have abused may be revenged upon you Then Bishop Gawin Dumbar named the old Bishop of Aberdein thinking to justifie himself before the people said Carle thou shalt not know my wife The said Alexander answered My Lord ye are too old but with the grace of God I shall drink with your daughter or I depart and thereat was smiling of the best and loud laughter of some for the Bishop had a daughter married with Andrew Balfour in that Town Then the Bishop bade away with the carle But he answered Nay I will not depart this hour for I have more to speak against the vices of Priests than I can expresse this whole day And so after divers purposes they commanded him to burn his Bill And he demanding the cause they said Because ye have spoken these Articles whereof ye are accused His answer was The great devill beare them away that first and last said them and so he took the Bill and chawing it he spat it in Master Andrew Olyphants face saying Now burn it or drown it whether ye wil ye hear no more of me But I must have somewhat of every one of you to begin my pack againe which a Priest and my wife a Priests whore have spent And so every Prelat and rich Priest glad to be quit of his evill gave him somewhat and so departed he for he understood nothing of Religion But so fearfull it was then to speak any thing against Priests that the least word spoken against them yea albeit it was spoken in a mans sleep was judged Heresie and that was practised upon Richard Carmichell yet living in Fyfe who being young and Singer in the Chappel Royal of Sterelin happened in his sleep to say The devill take away the Priests for they are a greedy pack He therefore accused by Sir George Clapperton Dean of the said Chappel was compelled forthwith to burne his Bill But God shortly after raised up against them stronger Champions For Alexander Seton a black Frier of good learning and estimation began to blame the corrupt doctrine of Papistry For the space of a whole Lent he taught the Commandment onely ever beating in the ears of his auditors That the Law of God had of many yeers not been truely taught for mens Tradition had obscured the purity of it These were his accustomed Propositions 1. Christ Jesus is the end and perfection of the Law 2. There is no sin where Gods Law is not violated 3. To satisfie for sins lies not in mans power but the remission thereof cometh by unfained Repentance and by faith apprehending God the Father mercifull in Jesus Christ his Son While oftentimes he puts his auditors in minde of this and the like Heads he maketh no mention of Purgatory Pardons Pilgrimage prayer to Saints nor of such trifles The dumb Doctors and the rest of that forsworne rabble began to suspect him and yet said they nothing publikely till Lent was ended And he passed to Dundie And then one in his absence hired to that purpose openly condemned the whole Doctrine that before he had taught Which coming to the ears of the said Frier Alexander then being in Dundie without delay he returned to Saint Andrewes caused immediately to toll the Bell and to give signification that he would preach as that he did indeed in the which Sermon he affirmeth and that more plainly than at any other time whatsoever in all his
perplexity have been to them more comfortable then ever it was before and that patiently they would have suffered their incredulity to have been rebuked so that they might have escaped the present death But profitable it shall be and somewhat to our comfort to consider every parcell of their danger And first ye shall understand That when the disciples passed to the Sea to obey Christs Commandment it was fair weather and no such Tempest seen But suddenly the storme arose with a contrarious flaw of winde when they were in the midst of their Journey For if the Tempest had been as great in the beginning of their entrance into the Sea as it was after when they were about the midst of their Journey neither would they have adventured such a great danger neither yet had it been in their power to have attained to the midst of the Sea And so it may be evidently gathered That the Sea was calme when they entered into their Journey Then it is to be remarked By what means and instruments was this storme moved Was the plunging of their Oars and force of their small Boat such as might stirre the waves of the great Sea No doubtlesse But the holy Ghost declareth That the Seas were moved by a vehement and contrary winde which blew against their Ship in the time of darknesse But seeing the winde is neither the commander nor mover of it self some other cause is to be enquired which hereafter we shall touch And last it is to be noted and considered What the disciples did in all this vehement Tempest Truely they turned not to be driven backe for land or shore by the vehemency of the contrary winde for so it might be thought that they could not have escaped shipwrack and death but they continually laboured in rowing against the winde abiding the ceasing of that horrible tempest Consider and mark beloved in the Lord what we reade here to have chanced to Christs disciples and to their poor Boat and you shall well perceive That the same thing hath chanced doth and shall chance to the true Church and Congregation of Christ which is nothing else in this miserable life but a poor Ship travelling in the Seas of this unstable and troublesome world toward the heavenly Port and Haven of eternall felicity which Christ Jesus hath appointed to his elect This I might prove by the posterity of Iacob in Egypt By the Israelites in their Captivity and by the Church during the time that Christ himself did Preach and sometime after his Resurrection and Ascension against whom the vehement storme did not rage immediately after they entred into the Ship of their travell and tribulation For the bloody sentence of Pharaoh was not pronounced against the seed of Iacob when he first did enter into Egypt Neither was the cruell counsell and devillish device of proud Haman invented by and by after Israel and Iudah were translated from their possessions Neither yet in the time of Christ Jesus being conversant with his Apostles in the flesh was there used any such tyranny against the Saints of God as shortly after followed in the persecution of Saint Stephen and other disciples But all these in the beginning of their travell with a contrary winde had alway some calme that is Albeit they had some trouble yet had they not extreme persecution Even so most dearly beloved is happened now to the afflicted Church of God within the Realme of England At all times the true Word of God suffered contradiction and repugnancie And so the winde blew against us even from the beginning of the late up rising of the Gospel in England but yet it could not stop our course till now of late days that the raging winde bloweth without bridle upon the unstable Seas in the midst whereof we are in this hour of darknesse To write my minde plainly unto you beloved brethren This winde that alwayes hath blown against the Church of God is the malice and hatred of the devill which rightly in this case is compared to the winde For as the winde is invisible and yet the poor disciples feel that it troubleth and letreth their Ship So is the pestilent envie of the devill working alwayes in the hearts of the reprobate so subtill and crafty that it cannot be espied by Gods Elect nor by his Messengers till first they feel the blasts thereof to blow their Ship backward And as the vehement winde causeth the waves of the Sea to rage and yet the dead water neither knoweth what it doth neither yet can it cease nor refrain so that both it is troubled by the winde and also it self doth trouble Christs disciples in their poor Ship So by the envie and malice of the devill are wicked and cruell as well subjects as Princes whose hearts are like the raging Sea compelled to persecute and trouble the true Church of Christ and yet so blinded are they and so enthralled under the bondage of the devill that neither can they see their manifest iniquity neither yet can they cease to run to their own destruction And hereof England hast thou manifest experience For in the time of King Henry the eighth how the wolf that wicked Winchester and others by the vehement winde of six bloody Articles by the devill devised intended to have overthrown the poor Ship and Christs disciples is evidently known already But then had we Christ Jesus with us sleeping in the Ship who did not despise the faithfull crying of such as then were in trouble But by his mighty power gracious goodnes and invincible force of his holy Word he compelled those wicked windes to cease and the raging of those Seas to be stilled and calm So that all the hearts of Gods Elect within the Realme of England did wonder at that sudden change while that under a lamb the fearfull edge of that devouring sword was taken from the necks of the faithfull and the tyrannie of those ravening and blood-thirsty Wolves I mean of wily Winchester and of some other his Brethren the sonnes of Belial was repressed for a time But yet ceased not the Devill to blow his winde by his wicked Instruments who found the means how against nature the one brother should assent to the death of the other but that could not hinder the course of the travelling Boat but forth she goeth in despight of the Devill who then more cruelly raged perceiving his owne honour and service that is his detestable Masse to be disclosed and opened before the people to be damnable Idolatrie and assured damnation to such as put their trust in it And therfore began he more craftily to work and finding the same Instruments apt enough whose labours he had used before he blew such mortall hatred between two which appeared to be the chief pillars under the King for that wretched alas and miserable Northumberland could not be satisfied till such time as
be set a part for divine service yet we are not so tied to the place as the Iews were yea not so much as the Rominists would have us to be according to that of S. Ioh 21.22 23 for wheresoever 2 or 3 are gathered together in my Nâ—â—â—r I am in the midst of you * Witnesse the Princes and people that the Pope put to the Interdict without cause to say nothing of private persons * So that many do think it a liberty of Religion to swear and curse * Witnesse the divorce of Mary Stuart daughter to James 2. from her lawfull husband Tho. Boyde and maâ—ried to Iames Hamiltonâ— Also of Mary mother to Iames 5. who married after K. Iam. the fourths death Arâ—hibald Douglas Earle of Angus was divorced from him and married to Henry Stuart Lord Meffen Adam Reade his bold aâ—d godly answer Note 1500. 1513. 1527. Brothers son to Iames Hamilton Earle of Arran and sisters son to Iohn Stuart Duke of Althai A Dominican Frier Note how Church-men rules the good nature of the Prince Frier Campbell apostate Mâ—ior Deuâ— 6. Matth. 12. Minor 1. Joh. 4. Conclusio Matth 7. Rom. 13. Galat. 5. Maior Rom. 13. Minor Joh. 19. Conclusio Christ is the end and fulfilling of the Law to every one that believeth Rom. 10.14 Rom. 3. Rom. 7. Gospel quasi Godspel that is Gods word but ordinarily it is taken from that part which we call Evangel that is Good tidings otherwise Gospel quasi Goodspel that is Good words and so Good tidings Gen. 15. Joh. 5. Jam. 1. Rom 14. Heb 11. Heb. 11. Rom 8. Rom. 4. Rom. 4. Abac. 2. Rom. 1. Joh. 6. 1 Joh. 5. Act. 10. Rom. 10. Joh. 3. Gal. 3. Matth. 19. Joh 9. Joh. 20. Mark 16. Matth. 28. Psal. 117. 1. Tim. 6. This 〈…〉 derstood of circumstance of worldly mâ—n and not of them of God for the neerer that meâ— draw to God we are bound 〈◊〉 more to love them Galat. 3. Matth 13. Matth. 7. Note Note Note Quaere Answer Note Note Here you see verified Cinis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae M. Gawyn Logy Munks Preach Bishops devices M. Iohn Mair whose History of Scotland we have c. He wrote upon the 4 Evangelists c. Arithe his Sermon False Miracles Alexander Furrour his Examination before the Bishops Alexander Seton a black Frier Note Note Iames the fifth Note Aleâ—ander Seton his Letter There was another Frier Forrest hanged in Smithfield 1538. Note For 10 yeers the persecution ceaseth 1534. 1538. The civil troubles give some rest to Gods flock fâ—r a time Note Macdowel Alaesius John Fyfe Machabeus Note 1534. This yeere was Lawes made against the Reformation the Pope having sent to Scotland a Legat the yeere before 6 Accused for Heresie Note 2 Gentlemen Straton and Gowâ—ley burnt See how the Bishops did intrench upon the good disposition of the King and his Soveraigne 1534. Burning of the Bill was a signe of recantation 1537. Lâ—sly writes this done 1540. Iohn Berthwick fled into England from whence Henry sent him into Germany to the Protestant Princes Foure burnt 1538. 1539. Ieremie Russell Alex. Kennedie Kennedie his thanks to God His speech to the Judges Note Sir Iames Hamilton said That God had justly brought him to that because he had offended often to gain the King favour by unjust ways Note George Buchanan by the Kings câ—mmand then angry with the Friers did write this Satyre against them who thereafter having made their peace with the King would not be appeased with Gâ—orge Buchanan whom the king gave over to their importunity and so he was put in prison The Earle of Gleaverne his verse upon the Gray Friers The Church-men ingage the King to warre against his Uncle Halderig Read England called Hereticke bâ—cause it renounced the Pope Note All hallow tyde Fallow Reade Note The Lords answer to the Kings desire Note Note Note An answer worthy of a Prince By this answer you may see how good this Prince had bin if 〈◊〉 Câ—urch mâ—n and flatterâ—â—s â—ad not abused him Abused Prince by Prelats So the evil advised Prince gave himselfe over to the false Propâ—ets I meane the Prelats The Reade of Holway masse by Oliver Sinclar Whaâ—ton was then Warden in these parts Stratageme Note Note Oliver compared to Benhadad against Samaria 2 King 20. 300 men put to flight 10000 Others say at Carlaveâ—ok neer by the place where the defeat was given called Sobâ—â—y Mosse The King foretells his own death Reginae Nativitas Mark the Queens mourning for the King Others stick not to say That the King was hastned away by a Potion Levit. 12. Regis exitus Divers Charactâ—rs of the late King arise post funâ—ra virtuâ— Character of the Hamiltons Note the reasons why the Earle of Arran was thus favoured by the Countrey 1543 Note Frier Scot. The Cardinal taken 1543. An Act of Parliament for reading of the Scripture Note the hypocrisie of worldlings So long as men follow God they are blessed Nothing could be said against the lawfulnesse of Edwards birth Katharine of Spaine and Anne Bullen being dead before his mother was married to his father Note well The Queenes marriage the second time ratified He was before sometimes called Cunningham sometimes Colwan so uncertaine was it who was his father Note Note This is the Prelats language The Governour violated his faith refused God and took absulution of the devil renouncing his Religion in the gray Friers All this was then said by the Cardinall Penes authorem fides estâ— Note the device of the wicked to set men by the 〈◊〉 1543 Note * And many trod under foot died Note As they went to Dundie they said they were going to burne the readers of the new Testament and that they would stick to the old for Luther said they had made the new Note A woman and her childe put to death because she prayed not to the Virgin Mary Men put to death for eating a Goose upon Friday Iohn Roger a black Friet murthered 1544. The English Army arrived in Scotland Note Endinburgh burnt and spoiled by the English Note 1544. Lorge cometh to Scotland 1545. Note The character of Hamilton Note George Wischarde Note a falsâ— brother M. Wischard his words in Dundie The Bishops Sermon Note Note M. Wescharde his zeale to gain soules A Priest appointed by the Cardinall to stab M. George Wischarde The second attempt of the Cardinall for the killing of M. George Wischarde Note the spirit of Prophesie Prophesie spoken by Master George Whischarde of the Church of Scotland Note the resolution of a Preacher Two gray Friers Vengeance against Hadington Master Wischarde taken at Ormeston Note He means Gods people The Lord Bothwels promise M Georges words to the Earl Bothwell 1546. Note The proud Cardinall and the glorious foole Dumbar A question worthy of such two Prelats 1546. Who was a learned man and heartily favoured the pure Religion in secret Bona heresios definitio c. Note the
abomiâ—ations were revolted then was the Boat in the midst of the Sea Two speciall Notes of this discourse The first Note Who ruled all by wit under K. Edward 6 John 13. Psalm 40. Godly Princes commonly have most uugodly Counsellors Note well 2 Reg. 17. Esa. 22. Matth. 26. John 12. Quest. Answ. The enemies of the verity many times appear to be most profitable for a Common-Wealth Mischief at the length will so utter it self that men may espie it Esa. 22.36 Esa. 22. If David and Hezekiah were deceived by traiterous Councellors how much more a young and innocent King The Author might fear this indeed Paulet is painted The Treasurers words against the authority of Mary Caiaphas prophesied Judge at the end The second Note Tyrants cannot cease to persecute Christs Members Gen. 21. Gen. 28. Exod. 5 6 7 8 c. John 5. 12. The power of Gods Word put the Papists to silence in England except it had been to brag in corners Princes are ready to persecute as malicious Papists will command Job 12. 2 Cor. 4. Ephes. 2. 1 Reg 16 18. John 13. John 8. Wily Winchester Dâ—eaming Duresme Bloody Bonner This is the cruse before omitted why the winde blew to trouble Christs disciples The prayer of the author Exhortation Isai. 48 51.54 62. The coming of Christ to his dâ—sâ—iplâ—s upon the Sâ—â—s is opâ—ned Christ is sute upon the mountain God never brought his people into trouble to the intent that they should perish therein Mark these words Christ came not to his disciples till the fourth watch The causes why Christs disciples misknew him What chanced to Christ that also in all ages chanceth to his holy Word The fear is greatest when deliverance is â—ost nâ—gh Exod. 5 6 c. 5 Reg. 7. Isai. 36 37. Note Why God suffereth tribulation to abound and continue Exod. 14. Note Exod. 10â— Iezabel Athalia and Iudas Gardâ—â—r Tunstal Bucherly Bonâ—r The praise of Winchester Durysme and oâ—â—dy Mary before these dayes 4. Reg. 11. Matth. 14. 3. Reg. 18 3. Reg. 18. A digression to the Papists of Qu. Maries chaste dealing A lively Picture of Mary the utter mischief of England What commodities the Spanish King shall bring to the Realm of England A true saying Under an English name she bâ—areth a Spanyards heart Spanyards sons of pride and superstition Why Winchester would have Spanyards to reigne over England To Winchester The Book of true obedience both in Latine and in English shall remain to thy perpetuall shame and condemnation of thy cankered Conscience The wicked must declare their selves Apocalip 13. Note Abraham Gen. 15. Isaac Gen. 16. Iacob Gen. 23 31.32.35 Moses Exod 5. Rom. 1. Psal. 119. The power and effâ—ctuall operation of Gods Word Exod. 4 Reg 9. Luke 24 Simile Math. John 〈◊〉 Note that Peter considâ—red not his own weaknesse The sherp at length know the voyce of their own Pastor The Elect. The Reprâ—bate 1 Reg 28. Saul 2 Reg. 18. Ahaz Isai. 7. God sometime sheweth mercy to an hypocrit for the cause of his Church Jerem. 37 38. Jerem. 42. Reade the Text Jer 42. Jerem. 43. Great blindnes Jer. 44. As Papists would have League with the Emperor What was said in Hammeâ—sham when uproar was for establishing of Mary in authority A Common-wealth compared to a Ship sayling on the Sea The end shall declare Enemies to the Truth receive no comfort of Gods Messengers The godly and chosen of God Gen. 12. Gen. 15. Gen. 22. Exod. 5.7.10 1 Reg. 16. 3 Reg 21. Object Answer Exod. 32. Gods Word sometimes moveth great multitudes Why Moses caused the Israelites do drink the powder of the golden calf Exod. 32. A sharp sentence against Idolaters Gen. 34. Gen. 49. Jerem. 21.38 Jerem. 21. Jerem. 38 Jerem. 38. Jon. 3. Act. 2. Jerem. 32. The cause of fear Gen. 12. Exod. 34. Isa. 36 37. Matth. 11. Apoc. 18. Note Lively faith maketh a man bold 3. Reg. 18. 3. Reg. 19. The creature can never dispute wâ—th God without sin Quest. Answ. Gods works by them self are a sufficient reason Peters vertue The vice that long rested with Peter Matth. 16. Note Matth. 26. Why Peter was suffered to sink Luke 22. What resteth with Gods Elect in their greatest danger The nature of faith Peter knew the power and good will of God Psal. 144. How nigh God is in extream perill to deliver his Elect that syithfully call upon him Exod 14. Hester 7.8 â— Daniel 6. John 3. Act 12. Psalm 18. God flattereth not his Elect. Peter was not faithlesse Matth 10. 2 Tim 2. Such as have stood long may yet fall Luke 17. Note We have lesse pretence of excuse then Peter had Note Consolation Matth. 28. Worldly Princes are conjured against God Psal. 2. The sheep of Christ cannot be rent from his hand Joh. 10. Joh. 7. The temptations of Gods elect now in England Good counsell to thee in faith Rom. 11. 1 Reg 2. Note To whom appertaineth the former counsel Matth. 28. Note Objection Answer The root of faith remaineth with Gods elect in greatest danger 3 Reg. 19. The root of faith is not idle A tryall of faith in trouble It appertaineth not to man to know not to enquire how God will deliver Note Divers wayes of deliverance Note The means offered by God to avoid Idolatry are not to be refused Repetition Isai. 78. Psal. 74. Apocal. 17. Psal 74 87. Prayer and Confession Appealing to mercy Isai. 33. Jerem. 4. Psal. 74. Psal. 59. Psal. 79. Jerem. 10 11 12. Psal. 95. Against the enemies of God Esay 25. Of Gods Elect Exhortation Esa 26. Gen. 3. Mattâ— 10. Act. 4. Matth. 5. Joh. 14 16. Esay 9. In the Crosse of Christ iâ— victory hid Esay 40.41.51 Exod. 2. 4 Reg. 25. Jerem 52. Esd. 1. Note â—phes 2. The causes why the Saints of God bâ— this day persecuted 1 Joh. 1.2 Heb. 6. 10. Ephes. 5. Matth. 23. Whosoever sheddeth the Blood of one of Christs members for his Names sake consenteth to the blood of all that have suffered since the beginning Note Gen. 4. Matth. 15. Answer to an Objection Gen. 19. Exod. 14. Iosephus The Petition of such as be persecuted Matth. 5. Matth. 10. â— Cor. 2. Matth 10. Exod. 20. Rom. 13. 1 Pet. 2. The first proportion The second proposition John 4. Apo. 14. 17. Note Take heed of unlawfull obedience Dan. 3. Dan. 6. Answ. Matth. 10. Act. 14. Note The Papisticall Religion a mortall Pestilence The Admonition Answer to an Objection Gen. 6. Psâ—l 14. Psal 2. Act. 4. Luk. 18. Hosea 4. Matth 20 Matth. 7. 2 Thess 2. Note Deu 4 and 12 Matth. 15. 1 Reg. 13 15 2 Par. 26. Levit. 10. Matt. 17 Act. 1 2 3. 1 Cor. 11. Col. 2. Deâ—â— 4. 12. Apoc. 2. The craft of Sathan The ground of â—â—â—â—â—ticall Religion Note Tertul. in Apol. The chief Preposition Nâ—cen 1. The dutie of Magistrates The Spirit of God abideth not with Idolaters 3. Reg. â— 5. 2 â—ar 17. 4 Reg 22. 2 Paâ— 34. 4 Reg 18. 2 Par. 29 30 c. 31. The second proposition Stob. ser. 12. Niceph. Calist. Histor. Ecclâ—s Lib 10. cap. 42. Note Mich. 3. Note Flatterers contagious stilence Ezek. 22. Note Idolatry is mother to all â—ice Matth 6. Rom. 8. â— Reg. 18. John 17. Ezek. 34. Note this for our time Daniel 2. 1 Reg. 2. Job 12. Psal. 107. Daniel 2. Note Note Note 1 Reg. 14. 1 Reg. 16. 2 Reg. 10. 2 Reg. 17. The offer of Iohn Knox. Advert Prosperity for a time proveth not Religion good No Realme England except so grievously plagued at Scotland Isai. 30. Isai. 14. Isai 6. Exhortation Josh. 1. 2 Par 34. 2 Par. 1. Jerem. 36. Amos 2. Zach 15 James 5. 1 Reg 17. 1 Reg. 18. 1 Reg. 19. 2 Reg 9. 1 Reg 19. Mat 10. The disposition Note Verse 23. From whencâ— all Authority floweth Psal. 82. 2. Point Rom. 13. Note Note Josh. 1. What is required of a King or Prince The Authority and Power of Kings is limited Note Usc. The duty of Gods people Ezek 20. 2 Reg. 17. Isai. Jere. 9. Eccles 3. Isa. 3. Verse 14. Verse 15. Ezel 8. Note Apoc. Vers. 15. Vers. 16. Josh 24. Rom 9. Dan. 1. Dan. 2. Dan. 3. Dan. 6. 1 Esd 2. 1 Esd 6. A Prayer Vers. 16. 1 Joh. 2. 1 Reg. 22. 2 Reg. 9. Verse 17. Verse 18. John 16. Vers. 19.20 Verse 19. Gal. 2. 1 Pet. 1. Ezek. 37 Psal. 14. 1 John 5. Eccles. histor Sozomoni lib. 5. cap. 5. A terrible but must true sentence The Castle of Edinburgh was shooting against the exiled for Christ Jesus sake
Hadington in Lothian the yeer of Christ 1505. of honest Parentage His father was a brothers son of the House of Ranferlie which is an ancient Family of Gentlemen in the West When he left the Grammar Schoole in the Countrey he was sent to the Vniversity of Saint Andrews to studie under M. John Mair who in those dayes was very famous for his Learning which particularly did consist in the ergotie or disputative part of Philosophy and in School-Divinity wherein formerly for many yeers together almost all Learning was placed In a very short time John Knox became such a Proficient that in this kinde of knowledge wherein his Master most excelled he surpassed him and being yet very young was thought worthy of Degrees in the School Moreover before the time ordinarily allowed by the Canons he entred in Church Orders Thereafter laying aside the idle Disputes and Sophistry of the School he betook himself to the reading of the Ancients namely of Augustine with whose Writings he was much taken by reason of their plainnesse and solidity Last of all he betook himself to the earnest study of the holy Scriptures wherein having found the Truth of God concerning the salvation of Mankinde fully revealed he in good earnest did embrace it and freely professed it yea made it his main work to make it known to all men and believed by them in which work he was very active and vigilant at home and abroad namely at home For the Cause of the Truth he suffered very much by Sea and by Land in minde and in body among forraigners and amongst his own Countreymen as ye may see in this History of the Church which now here we present unto you Which History namely so much of it I mean as formerly was published hath gone commonly under his name because he is the man of whom most is spoken thorowout the whole History as being a most earnest and diligent agent in the businesse of Reformation in the Church Next because he hath penned with his own hand or spoken by word of mouth the most part of the most remarkable and most usefull things for Posterity in the History Thirdly the whole History is gathered out of his Papers and Manuscripts And so ye see why it is generally received to be of John Knox. But to return to his Life He being constrained for a time to leave his Countrey by reason of the Persecution raised in Scotland by the then Bishops against the professors of the Truth he came into England where for some yeers he was busied in preaching the Evangell of Christ with a great deal of content and benefit to those that had the happinesse to hear him His chief abode was in Berwick Newcastle and London This was in the dayes of King Edward the sixth with whom he was in great favour and esteem By whom being offered a Bishopricke he not onely refused and rejected it but with a grave and severe speech declared That the proud Title of Lordship and that great State was not to be suffered to be in the Church of God as having quid commune cum Antichristo that is somewhat common with Antichrist King Edward being dead the persecution of Mary made him leave England with many other godly Ministers who went beyond Seas First John Knox went to Frankford where for a time he preached the Gospel to the English Congregation there From whence he wrote the Admonition to England But being molested there partly by open Papists and partly by false Brethren was constrained to retire And from thence he went to Geneva from whence he wrote his Letter to Mary Regent of Scotland his Appeal to the Nobility of Scotland and Admonition to the Commons of Scotland From Geneva after some yeers abode there he was called home to his own Countrey the yeer of Christ 1559. which was the 54 of his age by the Noble-men and others who had taken upon them the generall Reformation of the Church of Scotland where how soon that the reformed Church had any liberty he was setled Minister at Edinburgh where he continued exercising his Ministery to his dying day but not without interruption by reason of the Civill disorders that fell out in those dayes During this his being at Edinburgh he Preached many excellent Sermons whereof there be but few that were printed and conserved to Posterity he not being willing to busie himself with the Presse Yet some of them we have as this namely which he Preached Aug. 19 An. 1564. and for which he was forbidden to Preach for a time He to make known to the world what ground there was to deal so with him took the care to have this Sermon printed as you will finde it at the end of this History Here I cannot let slip a remarkable passage which was this Anno 1566. the Earle of Murray was slain upon the Saturday The morrow after John Knox preached in Edinburgh where as he was reading the Papers wherein was written the names of those that desired the Prayers of the Church he findes a paper with these words Take up the man whom ye accounted another god which he passed without expressing any commotion and went on with his Prayer and Sermon At the end of the Sermon he made moan for the losse that the Church and State of Scotland had by the death of that vertuous man and said That as God in his mercy giveth good and wise Rulers so taketh he them away from a people in his wrath Then he added There is one in this company that maketh the subject of his mirth this horrible murther whereat all good men have occasion to be sorry I tell him That he shall die where there shall be none to lament him He who had written the aforesaid words in the paper was Thomas Metellan a young Gentlemen of most rare parts but youthfull and bearing small affection to the Earle of Murray who when he heard this Commination of John Knox went home to his lodging and said to his sister That John Knox was raving to speak of he knew not whom His sister replyed with tears in her eyes If you had followed my advice ye had not written these words and withall told him That none of John Knox his threatnings fell to the ground without effect And so it fell out in this particular For shortly thereafter the young Gentleman went beyond Seas to travell and died in Italy having no known man to assist him much lesse to lament him Towards the latter dayes of his age his body became very infirm and his voice so weake that the people could not hear him Preaching in the ordiplace wherfore he made choice of another more commodious within the Town reading to his auditors the history of the Passion in which he said it was his desire to finish and close his Ministery Thus he continued Preaching though with much weaknesse two moneths and more after this retiring And foreseeing that he was not to remain long with
new Governours of their Church who were to have a Degree and Pre-eminence above their brethren to wit the Prelat-Bishops Hitherto the Church of Scotland had been governed by Monks and Priests without any such dignity or pomp I call their new Governours Prelat-Bishops to distinguish them from their former Overseers and Superintendents of the Culdees who are sometime by Writers called Bishops as they were indeed but they had no Pre-eminence or rank of Dignity above the rest neither were they of any distinct Order from the rest of their Brethren That at this time by Palladius was brought into Scotland these new kinde of Bishops it appears by the relations of the Authors following thus Palladius is thought to be the first who made Bishops that is of this new order in Scotland for till then the Churches were without Bishops governed by Monks with lesse vanity truely and outward pomp but with greater simplicity and holinesse Before him saith Hector Boece Palladius was the first of all that did bear the holy Magistrature among the Scots being made Bishop by the great Pontif or Bishop for till then by the suffrage of the people the Bishops were made of the Monks and Culdees Iohn Mair speaks thus Before Palladius by Priests and Monks without Bishops the Scots were instructed in the faith Iohn Lesley saith this Among us Scots the Bishops were onely designed by the suffrage of Monks Iohn of Fordon in his Scots Chronicle saith Before the in-coming of Palladius the Scots had for Teachers of the Faith and Ministers of the Sacraments Presbyters onely or Monks following the Rites or Customs of the Primitive Church Mark the later words for according to this saying goes the judgment of the best Divines who write the truth without any respect Whose minde Iohn Semeca declareth thus In the first Primitive Church the Office of Bishops and Priests was common to the one and the other and both the names were common and the Office common to one and the other But in the second Primitive Church the names and the Offices began to be distinguished Baleus of the Briton writers Before Palladius the Scots had their Bishops and Ministers according to the Ministerie of the sacred Word chosen by the suffrage of the people after the custom of those of Asia But those things did not please the Romans who hated the Asiaticks Baronius in his Annalls saith this The Scots gat their first Bishop from Celestine Pontif Roman Prosper in his Chronic. The Pontif Celestine sendeth unto the Scots Palladius to be their Bishop Item Vnto the Scots then believing in Christ Palladius is ordained by Pope Celestine and sent thither the first Bishop Beda in the History of England Palladius was sent first Bishop unto the Scots by Celestine Pontif of the Roman Church By these Authorities we see That the Scots before Palladius had no Bishops at all or at least their Bishops were not of any distinct Order from other Priests and Culdees by whom they were ordained and of whom they were chosen as we have touched before and so they were not as those Bishops have been with us in these later times Next let us observe That the Scots Bishops since Palladius must acknowledge themselves clients of the Roman Antichrist seeing of him they have their beginning and dependance although in words yea in some part of Doctrine they seem to disclaim him yet in many parts they shew themselves to be of his Family namely in Government for they with him Lord over the Inheritance of Christ and forsooth take unto themselves the name of Lords Spirituall as if they were Lords of the Spirits of men contrary to Gods Word wherein we are taught That the Father and Maker of Spirits is the onely Lord over them or at least Lords of Spirituall things against the expresse words of the Apostles who acknowledge themselves to be onely Ministers of the Spirit and spirituall things reputing it the greatest honour in the world to be so And Peter who after he had stiled himself no more then co-Presbyter with the rest of the Presbyters he forbids them to Lord over the sort of Christ. Then since in the first Primitive Church the Functions of Bishop and Pastor and Presbyter were undistinguished and any one of the names indifferently denoted the Office it must be confessed That the change of Government which hath entred into the Church is not immediately from Christ and his Apostles neither by Precept nor Example but contrary to Christs Will and Intention declared in his Word and according to the inventions of men serving to the exorbitant affections of avarice ambition and lust to the satisfaction of which they have domineered over the Flock of Christ like tyrants devoured the substance thereof like ravening Wolves yea what is worse they have not onely been negligent and carelesse to distribute unto the people the Word of God but also with their might and power have hindered and stopped others to make known unto Gods people the pure light of his Gospel the ordinary means of salvation and consequently so farre as in them lieth by thus starving the people of this heavenly Food send them to hell Such were these Spirituall Lords who as they have encroached upon the Spirituall Lordship of Christ Jesus over his Flock and usurped his Authority yea and opposed it flatly under the name of Spirituall Authority and Jurisdiction so have they boldly and cunningly invaded the Prerogative of civill Magistrates by their Courts and Regalities within the Dominions of Princes where they live Yea in sundry places they usurp the full Authority of Princes and in others they flatly oppose it And all this hath been done not onely of old by those who were called Romish Bishops but also in our dayes by Bishops who in some things make a shew that they disclaim their Father the Pontif Roman whom in their heart they love and respect as their actions do witnesse Although by Palladius Prelacy was brought in the Church of Scotland and by that means the Government was changed and thereafter immediately by degrees other alterations crept into the Church yet those times after Palladius till the sixth Age I mean till Augustine the Monk may be said to be golden times and pure in regard of the following dayes wherein Church-men without any restraint abandoned themselves to ambition avarice and lust neglecting altogether their Function for in these fourth and fifth Ages they were many godly and learned men who were diligent in discharging the true Duty of a Pastor as Colombe Libthac Ethernan c. Then Knitogerne who by nick-name was called Mongo because his Master Servian speaking unto him used ordinarily this expression Mon ga which in corrupt French is as much to say as My boy Palladius having brought into the Church of Scotland Hierarchie as we have said takes to his next care to provide for the maintenance of this new Degree and Order which was obtained without great difficulty both of
And albeit he was not the most learned yet was his doctrine without corruption and therefore well liked of the people At the Easter after Anno 1547. came to the Castle of S. Andrews Iohn Knox who wearied of removing from place to place by reason of the persecution that came upon him by the Bishop of S. Andrews was determined to have left Scotland and to have visited the Schools of Germany of England then he had no pleasure by reason that although the Popes name was suppressed yet his laws corruptions remained in full vigor But because he had the care of some Gentlemens children whom certain yeers he had nourished in godlinesse Their father 's solicited him to go to S. Andrews that himselfe might have the benefit of the Castle and their children the benefit of his Doctrine And so we say came he the time aforesaid to the said place and having in his company Francis Dowglas of Langnidrie George his brother and Alexander Cokburne eldest son then to the Laird of Ormeston began to exercise them after his accustomed manner Besides the Grammar and other books of humane Learning he read unto them a Catechisme account whereof he caused them give publikely in the Parish Church of S. Andrews He read moreover unto them the Gospel of Iohn proceeding where he left at his departure from Langnidrie where before his residence was and that Lecture he read in the Chappell within the Castle at a certain houre They of the place but specially M. Hen. Balnaves Iohn Rough Preacher perceiving the manner of his Doctrine began earnestly to travell with him that he would take the Function of Preacher upon him but he refused alleadging that he would not run where God had not called him meaning that he would do nothing without a lawfull vocation Whereupon they privily amongst themselves advising having with them in counsel Sir David Lindsay of the Mount they concluded that they would give a charge to the said Iohn and that publikely by the mouth of the Preacher And so upon a certain day a Sermon of the Eelection of Ministers what power the Congregation how small soever that it was passing the number of two or three had above any man namely in the time of need as that was in whom they supposed and espied the gifts of God to be and how dangerous it was to refuse and not to heare the voyce of such as desire to be instructed These other heads we say declared the said Iohn Rough Preacher directed by his words to the said Iohn Knox saying Brother ye shall not be offended albeit that I speak unto you that which I have in charge even from all those that are here present which is this In the Name of God and of his Son Iesus Christ and in the name of these that presently call you by my mouth I charge you that ye refuse not this holy Vocation but as ye tender the glory of God the encrease of Christs Kingdom The edification of your Brethren and the comfort of me whom ye understand well enough to be oppressed by the multitude of labours That ye take upon you the publike office and Charge of Preaching even as ye looke to avoyd Gods heavy displeasure and desire that he shall multiply his Graces upon you And in the end he said to those that were present Was not this your Charge to me And do ye not approve this Vocation They answered It is and we approve it Whereat the said M. Iohn abashed burst forth in most abundant tears and withdrew himself to his Chamber His countenance and behaviour from that day till the day that he was compelled to present himself to the publike place of Preaching did sufficiently declare the grief and trouble of his heart for no man saw any signe of mirth of him neither yet had he pleasure to accompany any man for many dayes together The necessity that caused him to enter in the publike Place besides the Vocation aforesaid was Dean Iohn Annan a rotten Papist had long troubled Iohn Rough in his Preaching The said Iohn Knox had fortified the Doctrine of the Preacher by his Pen and had beaten the said Dean Iohn from all defences that he was compelled to flie to his last refuge that is To the authority of the Church which Authority said he damned all Lutherans and Heretickes and therefore he needed no further disputation Iohn Knox answered Before we hold our selves or that ye can prove us sufficiently convinced we must define the Church by the right notes given to us in Gods Scripture of the true Church we must discerne the Immaculate Spouse of Iesus Christ from the mother of Confusion Spirituall Babilon lest that imprudently we embrace a Harlot instead of the chaste Spouse yea to speake it in plain words Lest that we submit our selves to Sathan thinking that we submit our selves to Iesus Christ For as for your Romane Church as it is now corrupted and the Authority thereof wherein stands the hope of your Victory I no more doubt but that it is the Synagogue of Sathan and the Head thereof called the Pope to be that man of Sin of whom the Apostle speaketh then that I doubt that JESUS CHRIST suffered by the procurement of the visible Church of Jerusalem Yea I offer my self by word or writing to prove the Romane Church this day farther to degenerate from the purity which was in the dayes of the Apostles then was the Church of the Iewes from the Ordinance given by Moses when they consented to the innocent death of JESUS CHRIST These words were spoken in the open audience of the Parish Church of Saint Andrewes after the said Dean Iohn had spoken what it pleased him and had refused to dispute The people hearing the offer cryed with one consent We cannot all reade your writings but we can all hear your Preaching Therefore we require you in the Name of God That ye let us heare the approbation of that which ye have affirmed For if it be true we have beene miserably deceived And so the next Sunday was appointed to the said Iohn to expresse his minde in the publike Preaching place Which day approaching the said Iohn took the Text written in Daniel the seventh Chapter beginning thus And another King shall rise after them and he shall be unlike unto the first and he shall subdue three Kings and shall speak words against the most High and shall consume the Saints of the most High and thinke that he can change Times and Lawes And they shall be given unto his hands untill a time and times and dividing of times c. In the beginning of his Sermon he shewed the great love of God towards his Church whom he pleased to forewarne of dangers to come so many yeers before they come to passe He briefly treated of the state of the Israelites who then were in bondage in Babylon for the most part and made a
perpetuall prison And the ungodly judged That after this Christ Jesus should never triumph in Scotland On thing we cannot passe by From Scotland was sent a famous Clerke laugh not Reader M. Iohn Hammilton of Milburne with credit to the King of France and unto the Cardinall of Loraine and yet he had neither French nor Latine and some say his Scotish tongue was not very good The sum of his Negotiation was That those of the Castle should be sharply handled In the which Suit he was heard with favour and was dispatched from the Court of France with Letters and great credit which that famous Clerke forgate by the way For passing up to the Mountaine of Dumbartane before his letters were delivered he brake his neck and so God took away a proud ignorant enemy But now to our History These things against promise for Princes have no Fidelity further then for their owne advantage done at Roan the Galleys departed to Nantes in Britanie Where upon the water of Lore they lay the whole Winter In Scotland that Summer was nothing but mirth for all went with the Priests even at their own pleasure The Castle of S. Andrewes was razed to the ground the Block-house thereof cast downe and the walls round about demolished Whether this was to fulfill their law which commands that places where Cardinals are slain so to be used or else for fear that England should have taken it as after they did Brouchtie Rock we remit to the judgement of such as were of counsell This same yeer in the beginning of September entereth Scotland an Army of ten thousand men from England by Land and some Ships with Ordnance come by Sea The Governour and the Bishop hereof advertised gathered together the Forces of Scotland and assembled at Edinburgh The Protector of England with the Earle of Warwicke and their Army remained at Praeston and about Praeston Panes for they had certaine Offers to propose unto the Nobility of Scotland concerning the promise before made by them unto the which King Henry before his death gently required them to stand fast And if they would so do of him nor of his Realme they should have no trouble but the helpe and the comfort that he could make them in all things lawfull And hereupon there was a Letter directed to the Governour and Councell which coming to the hands of the Bishop of Saint Andrewes he thought it could not be for his advantage that it should be divulgate and therefore by his craft it was suppressed Upon the Friday the seventh of September the English Army marched towards Leith and the Scotish Army marched from Edinburgh to Ennernes The whole Scotish Army was not assembled and yet the skirmishing began for nothing was concluded but Victory without stroke The Protector the Earle of Warwicke the Lord Gray and all the English Captaines were playing at the Dice No men were stouter then the Priests and Channons with their shaven crowns and black Jacks The Earl of Warwick and the Lord Gray who had the chief charge of Horse-men perceiving the Host to be molested with the Scotish Preachers and knowing that the multitude were neither under order nor obedience for they were divided from the great Army sent forth certain Troops of Horse-men and some of their Borderers either to fetch them or else to put them out of their sight so that they might not annoy the Host. The Skirmish grew hot and at length the Scotish-men gave back and fled without gain turne The chase continued far both towards the East and towards the West in the which many were slain and he that now is Lord Home was taken which was the occasion that the Castle of Home was after surrendered to the English men The losse of these men neither moved the Governour nor yet the Bishop his bastard brother bragging That they would revenge the matter well enough upon the morrow for they had hands enow no word of God the English hereticks had no faces they would not abide Upon the Saturday the Armies of both sides past to Array The English Army takes the middle part of Fawside hill having their Ordnance planted before them and having their Ships and two Galleys brought as neer the Land as water would serve The Scotish Army stood first in a reasonable strength and good order having betwixt them and the English Army the water of Esk otherwise called Mussylburgh water But at length a charge was given in the Governours behalf with sound of Trumpet That all men should march forward and go over the water Some say that this was procured by the Abbot of Dunfermeling and Master Hew Rig for preservation of Carbarrie Men of judgement liked not the journey for they thought it no wisedom to leave their strength But commandment upon commandment and charge upon charge was given which urged them so that unwillingly they obeyed The Earle of Angus being in the Vant-guard had in his company the Gentlemen of Fyfe of Angus Mearnes and the Westland with many others that of love resorted unto him and especially those that were professors of the Gospel for they supposed that England would not have made great pursuit of him He passed first thorow the water and arrayed his Host direct before the enemies Followed the Earle of Huntley with his Northland men Last come the Governour having in his company the Earle of Argyle with his own friends and the Body of the Realme The English-men perceiving the danger and how that the Scotish-men intended to have taken the top of the hill made to prevent the perill The Lord Gray was commanded to give the charge with his men at Armes which he did albeit the hazard was very unlikely For the Earle of Angus Host stood even as a wall and received the first assaulters upon the points of their Spears which were longer then those of the English-men so rudely that fifty Horse and men of the first rank lay dead at once without any hurt done to the Scottish Armie except that the Spears of the former two Ranks were broken Which Discomfiture received the rest of the Horse-men fled yea some passed beyond Fawside Hill the Lord Gray himselfe was hurt in the mouth and plainly denied to chage againe for he said It was alike to run against a Wall The Galleyes and the ships and so did the ordnance planted upon Myde-hill shoot terribly But the ordnance of the Gallies shooting amongst the Scottish Army affraied them wonderously And while that every man laboured to draw from the North from whence the danger appeared they begin to faile and with that were the English foot-men marching forward Albeit that some of their horse-men were upon the flight The Earle of Angus army stood still looking that either Huntly or the Governour should have recountred the next battell But they had decreed that the favourers of England and the Hereticks as the priests called them and the Englishmen should part
commends to the poore Cardinall of Loraine The freedomes of Scottish Merchants were restrained in Roane and they compelled to pay Tole and Taxations others then their ancient Liberties did beare To bring this head to passe to wit to the Matrimoniall Crown the Queen Regent left no point of the Compasse unsailed with the Bishops and Priests She practised on this manner Ye may clearely see that I cannot do what I would within this Realme for these Hereticks and Confederates of England are so banded together that they stop all good order But will ye be favourable unto me in this suit of the Matrimoniall Crowne to be granted to my daughters husband Then shall we see how I shall handle these Heretickes and Traitours ere it be long And in very deed in these her promises she meant no deceit in that behalfe Unto the Protestants she said I am not unmindfull how oft ye have solicited me for Reformation in Religion and gladly would I consent thereunto but ye see the power and craft of the Bishop of S. Andrews together with the power of Duke Hamilton and of Church-men ever to be bent against me in all my proceedings so that I may do nothing unlesse the full authority of this Realme be delivered to the King of France which cannot be but by donation of the Crowne Matrimoniall which thing if ye will bring to passe then devise ye what ye please in matters of Religion and they shall be granted With this Commission and Credit was Lord Iames then Prior of S. Andrews directed to the Earle of Argyle with moe other promises then we list to rehearse By such dissimulation to those that were simple and true of heart inflamed she them to be more fervent in her Petition then her selfe appeared to be And so at the Parliament holden at Edinburgh in the moneth of October in the yeere of God 1558. it was clearely voed no man reclaiming except the Duke for his interest and yet for it there was no better Law produced except that there was a solemne Masse appointed for that purpose in the Pontificall This head obtained whereat France and she principally shot what faith she kept to the Protestants in this our second Book shall be declared In the beginning whereof we may more amply rehearse some things that in this our first are summarily touched The end of the first Booke The Second Booke OF THE HISTORY OF Things done in SCOTLAND in the Reformation of Religion Beginning in the yeere of our Lord God 1558. OUr purpose was to have made the beginning of our History from the things that were done from the yeere of God 1558. till The Reformation of Religion which of Gods mercy we once possessed and yet in Doctrine and in the right use of administration of Sacraments do possesse But because divers of the godly as before is said earnestly required That such persons as God raised up in the midst of darkenesse to oppose themselves to the same should not be omitted We obeyed their Request and have made a short Rehearsall of all such matters as concerne Religion from the death of that notable Servant of God Master Patricke Hamilton unto the aforesaid yeere when that it pleased God to looke upon us more mercifully then we deserve and to give unto us greater boldnesse and better albeit not without hazard and trouble successe in all our enterprizes then we looked for as the true Narration of this second Booke shall witnesse The PREFACE whereof followeth The Preface LEst that Sathan by our silence shall take occasion to blaspheme and to slander us the Protestants of the Realme of Scotland as that our fact tended rather to Sedition and Rebellion then to Reformation of Manners and abuses in Religion We have thought expedient so truely and briefly as we can to commit to writing the causes moving us as we say and great part of the Nobility and Barons of the Realme to take the sword of just Defence against those that most unjustly seek our destruction And in this our confession we shall faithfully declare What moved us to put our hands to the Reformation of Religion How we have proceeded in the same What we have asked and what presently we require of the sacred Authority To the end that our Cause being knowne as well our enemies as our brethren in all Realmes may understand how falsly we are accused of tumult and Rebellion and how unjustly we are persecuted by France and by their Faction And also that our brethren naturall Scotish-men of whatsoever Religion they be may have occasion to examine themselves If they can with safe conscience oppose themselves to us who seek nothing but Christ Iesus his glorious Gospel to be preached his holy Sacraments to be truely ministred Superstition Tyranny and Idolatry to be suppressed in this Realme And finally This our native Countrey to remaine free from the Bondage and Tyranny of Strangers While that the Queen Regent practised with the Prelats how that Christ Jesus blessed Gospel might utterly be suppressed within Scotland God so blessed the labours of his weak servants that no small part of the Barons of this Realme began to abhorre the Tyranny of the Bishops God did so open their eyes by the light of his Word that they could cleerly discerne betwixt Idolatry and the true honouring of God Yea men almost universally began to doubt whether they could God not offended give their bodily presence to the Masse or yet offer their children to the Papisticall Baptisme The doubts when the most godly and the most learned in Europe had answered both by word and writing affirming That neither of both we might do without perill of our souls we began to be more troubled For then also began men of estimation and those that bare rule amongst us to examine themselves concerning their duties as well towards Reformation of Religion as towards the just defence of their brethren most cruelly persecuted And so began divers questions to be moved to wit If that with safe conscience such as were Iudges Lords and Rulers of the People might serve the higher Powers in maintaining of Idolatry in persecuting their Brethren and in suppressing Christs Truth Or Whether they to whom God in some case hath committed the Sword of Iustice might suffer the blood of their Brethren to be shed in their presence without any declaration that such Tyranny displeased them By the plain Scriptures it was found That a lively faith required a plaine Confâ—ssion when Christs Truth is oppugned That not onely are they guilty that do evil but also they that consent to evil And plain it is That they consent to evil who seeing iniquity openly committed by their silence seem to justifie and avow whatsoever is done These things being resolved and sufficiently proved by evident Scriptures of God we began every man to look more diligently to his Salvation For the Idolatry and Tyranny of the Clergy called
use and chuse what Religion and manner thereof they please to the said day so that every man may have freedom to use his owne conscience to the day aforesaid Item The Queen shall not interpose her Authority to molest or trouble the Preachers of the Congregation nor their Ministry to them that please to use the same nor no other of the said Congregation in their bodies lands goods or possessions Pensions or whatsoever other kinde of goods they possesse nor yet suffer the Clergie or any other either Spirituall or Temporall Iurisdiction to trouble them in any manner of sort privately or openly for the cause of Religion or any other action depending thereupon to the said tenth day of Ianuary within written and that every man in particular live in the mean time according to his own conscience Item That no men of War French nor Scots be laid in daily Garrison within the Town of Edinburgh but to repair thereto to do thsir lawfull businesse and thereafter to retire them to their Garrisons This alteration in words and Order was made without knowledge and consent of those whose counsell we had used in all such causes before For some of them perceiving we began to faint and that we would appoint with unequall conditions said God hath wonderously assisted us in our greatest dangers He hath stricken fear in the hearts of our enemies when they supposed themselves most assured of Victory Our case is not yet so desperate that we need to grant to things unreasonable and ungodly which if we do it is to be feared That things shall not so prosperously succeed as they have done heretofore When all things were communed and agreed upon by mid persons the Duke and the Earle of Huntlie who that day were against us desired to speake with the Earles of Argyle and Glencarne the Lord Iames and others of our party who obeying their requests met with them at the Quarrell holes betwixt Leith and Edinburgh who in conclusion promised to our Lords That if the Queen brake to us any one jot of the Appointment then made that they should declare themselves plain enemies to her and friends to us As much promised the Duke that he would do in case that she would not remove her French-men at a reasonable day for the oppression which they did was manifest to all men This Appointment made and subscribed by the Duke Monsieur Dosell and the Earle of Huntlie the 25 of July we returned to the Towne of Edinburgh where we remained till the next day at noon when after Sermon dinner and Proclamation made at the Market Crosse in forme as followeth we departed Forme of the Proclamations FORASMUCH as it hath pleased God that Appointment is made betwixt the Queen Regent and us the Lords Protestants of this Realme We have thought good to signifie unto the chief Heads of the Appointment which be these First That no member of the Congregation shall be troubled in life lands goods or possessions by the Queene by her Authority nor by any other justice within this Realme for any thing done in this late Innovation till that a Parliament hath decided things that be in controversie Secondly That Idolatry shall not be erected where it is now at this day suppressed Thirdly That the Preachers and Ministers shall not be troubled in the ministration where they are already established neither yet stopped to Preach wheresoever they shall happen to travell within this Realme Fourthly That no Bands of men of War shall be laid in Garrison within the Town of Edinburgh The chief Heads of appointment concerning the liberty of Religion and conservation of our brethren we thought good to notifie unto you by this Proclamation that in case wrong or injury be done by any of the contrary faction to any member of our Body complaint may be made unto us to whom we promise as we will answer to our God our faithfull support to the uttermost of our powers At this Proclamation made with sound of Trumpet were offended all the Papists for first they alleadged It was done in contempt of Authority Secondarily That we had proclaimed more then was contained in the Appointment And last That we in our Proclamation had made no mention of any thing promised unto them To such murmures we answered That no just Anthority could think it self contemned because that the truth was by us made manifest unto all who otherwise might have pretended ignorance Secondly That we had proclaimed nothing which was not finally agreed upon in word and promise betwixt us and those with whom the Appointment was made whatsoever the Scribes had after written who in very deed had altered both in words and sentences our Articles as they were first conceived And yet if their owne writings were diligeutly examined the self-same thing shall be found in substance And last To proclaim any thing in their favours we thought it not necessary knowing that in that behalf they themselves would be diligent enough And in this we were nothing deceived for within fifteen days after there was not a Shaveling in Scotland to whom Tenths or any other Rents pertaineth but he had that Article of the Appointment by heart That the Church-men should be answered of Tenths Rents and all other duties and that no man should trouble or molest them We departing from Edinburgh the 26 of July came first to Linlithqow and after to Sterlin where after consultation the Band of defence and maintenance of Religion and for mutuall defence every one of the other was subscribed of all that were there present The tenour of the Bond was thus WE foreseeing the craft and sleight of our Adversaries who trie all manner of wayes to circumvient us and by privy means intend to assayle every one of us particularly by fair heights and promises therethrough to separate one of us from another to our utter ruine and destruction For remedy thereof we faithfully and truely binde us in the presence of God and as we tender the maintenance of true Religion That none of us shall in time coming passe to the Queen Dowager to talk or commune with her for any Letter or Message sent by her unto us or yet to be sent with consent of the rest or common consultation thereupon and how soon that either Message or Writing should come from her unto us with all diligence we shall notifie the same one to another so that nothing shall proceed therein without common consent of us all At Sterlin the first day of August 1559. This Band subscribed and we foreseeing that the Queen and Bishops meant nothing but deceit thought good to seek ayd and support of all Christian Princes against her tyranny in case we should be more sharply pursued And because that England was of the same Religion and lay next unto us it was judged expedient first to prove them which we did by one or two Messengers as hereafter in its owne place
Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames to Sterlin to the said convention in which divers godly men complained of the tyrannie used against their brethren And especially that more French-men were brought in to oppresse their Country After the consultation of certain dayes the principall Lords with my Lord Arran and the Earle of Argyle past to Hammilton for consultation to be taken with the Duke And in this mean time came assured word that the French-men had begun to fortifie Leith which thing as it did more evidently discover the Queens craft so did it deeply grieve the hearts of all the Nobility there who with one consent agreed to write unto the Queen in form as followeth At Hammilton the 29 day of September MAdame we are credibly informed that your Army of French-men should instantly begin to plant in Leith and to fortifie the same of minde to expell the ancient inhabitants thereof our brethren of the Congregation whereof we marvell not a little that your Majestie should so manifestly breake the Appointment made at Leith without any provocation made by us and our brethren And seeing the same is done without any manner of consent of the Nobilitie and counsell of this Realme we esteem the same not onely oppression of our poore brethren and in-dwellers of the said Towne but also very prejudiciall to the Common-wealth and plain contrary to our ancient Laws and Liberties We therefore desire your Majestie to cause the same work enterprised to be stayed and not to attempt so rashly and so manifestly against your Majesties promise against the Common-wealth â—he ancient Laws and Liberties thereof which things besides the glory of God are most dear and tender to us and onely our pretence otherwise assuring your Majestie we will complain to the whole Nobility and Commonalty of this Realme and most earnestly seek for redresse thereof And thus recommending our humble service unto your Highnesse whom we commit to the Eternall Protection of God expecting earnestly your answer At Hammilton the day and yeer aforesaid By your Majesties humble and obedient servitours This Letter was subscribed with the hands of the Duke the Earles of Arran Argyle Glencarne and Menteth by the Lords Ruthwen Uchiltrie Boyd and by divers others Barons and Gentlemen To this request she would not answer by wret but with a Letter of credit she sent Sir Robert Carnegie and Master Danid Borthwike two whom amongst many others she abused and by whom she corrupted the hearts of the simple They travelled with the Duke to bring him again to the Queens Faction Labrosse and the Bishop of Amians were shortly before arrived and as it was bruted were directed as Ambassadours but they kept close their whole Commission they onely made large promises to them that would be theirs and leave the Congregation The Queen did grievously complain That we had intelligence with England and the conclusion of their Commission was to solicite the Duke to put in all in the Queens Will and then she would be gracious enough It was answered That no honest men durst commit themselves to the mercy of such throat-cutters as she had about her whom if she would remove and joyn to her a Councell of naturall Scotish-men permitting the Religion to have free passage then should none in Scotland be more willing to serve her Majesty then should the Lords and Brethren of the Congregation be At the same time the Duke and the Lords wrote to my Lord Erskin Captain of the Castle of Edinburgh in form as followeth Letter to the Lord Erskin MY Lord and Cousin after our hearty commendations this present is to advertise you That we are credibly informed that the Army of French-men now in this Realme without any advice of the Councell or Nobility are fortifying or else shortly intendeth to fortifie the Towne of Leith and expell the ancient inhabitants thereof whereby they proclaim to all that will open their ears to hear or eyes to see what is their pretence And seeing the faithfulnesse of your antecessors and especially of your Father of honourable memory who was so recommended and dear to the Estates and Councellors of this Realme through affection they perceived in him towards the Common-wealth thereof that they doubted not to give in his keeping the key as it were of the Councell of the Iustice and Policy of this Realme the Castles of Edinburgh and Sterlin we cannot but believe ye will rather augment the honourable favour of your House by stedfast favour and loyalty to our Common wealth then through the subtill perswasions of some which care not what after shall come to you and your House at the present would abuse you to the performance of their wicked enterprises and pretences against our Common-wealth utterly destroy the same And herefore seeing we have written to the Queen to desist from the enterprise otherwise that we will complain to the Nobility and Commonalty of the Realm and seek redresse thereof We likewise beseech you as our tender friend brother and member of the same Common-wealth with us that in no wise you meddle with or assent to that ungodly enterprise against the Common-wealth And likewise that ye would save your body and the jewels of this Countrey committed to yours and your predecessors loyalty and fidelity towards your native Countrey and Common-wealth if ye thinki to be reputed hereafter one of the same And that ye would rather be brother to us then to strangers for we do gather by the effects the secrets of mens hearts otherwise unsearchable unto us Thus we write not that we are in doubt of you but rather to warne you of the danger in case ye suffer your selfe to be inchanted with fair promises and crafty Councellors For let no man flatter himself we desire all men to know That though he were our father seeing God hath opened our eyes to see his Will if he be enemy to the Common wealth which is now assailed and we with it and all true members thereof he shall be knowne and as he is indeed enemy to us to our lives our houses babes heritages and whatsoever is contained within the same For as the Ship perishing What can be safe that is within So the Common wealth being betrayed What particular member can live in quietnesse And therefore in so far as the said Castles are committed to your credite we desire you to shew your faithfulnesse and stoutnesse as ye tender us and whatsoever appertaineth to us And seeing we are assured ye will be assayled both with craft and force as now by warning we help you against the first so against the last ye shall not misse in all possible haste to have our assistance onely to shew your selfe a man Save your person by wisedome strengthen your self against force And the Almighty God assist you in both that one ayd the other and open the eyes of your understanding to see and perceive the craft of Sathan and his supposts At Hamilton
was misliked of many Against the which Iohn Kâ—ox spake openly in Pulpit and boldly affirmed That God should revenge that contumelie done to his Image which not onely in the furious and godlesse Souldiers but even in such as rejoyced thereat And the very experience declared That he was not deceived For within few dayes after yea some say that same day began her belly and loathsome legs to swell and so continued till that God did in his wisdome take her away from this world as after we shall heare After the Defeat received the Queen Regent and her faction were fully perswaded that the Siege would rise and that the English Armie would depart And so began the Papists wonderously to brag and yet God did frustrate their expectation for the Armie concluded to remaine till new advertisement came from the Queen and Counsell The Duke of Norfolk who then lay at Barwick commanded the Lord Gray to continue the Siege and promised That he should not lack men so long as any were to be had betwixt Trent and Twead for so far was he Lieutenant he further promised his own presence in case he should be required and for assurance thereof he sent his own Tents such as seldome before had been seen in Scotland with his Officers and provision And with expedition were sent two thousand fresh men whereby the Camp greatly comforted began to forget the former discomfiture and to sustain the daily skirmishing as they did before In the which the French after the day of the assault did ever receive the hurt and the repulse as the slaughter of many that came to the Cole-rake did witnesse The greatest damage that either English or Scotish received after that day was the slaughter of two Gentlemen the one master of houshold to my Lord Iames Robert Colwin of Clesch a man stout modest and wise who was shot in the thigh with a Falcon or Harquebute of Croke and so departed the misery of this life within two houres after The other was Alexander Lockart brother to the Laird of Bar who rashly discovering himselfe in the Trenches was shot in the head and immediately thereafter departed this life While the Siege thus continued a sudden fire chanced in Leith which devoured many houses and much Victuall and so began God to fight for us as the Lord Erskin in plaine words said to the Queen Regent Madame quoth he I can see no more but seeing that men may not expell unjust possessours forth of this land God himselfe would do it For your fire is not kindled by man Which words offended the Queen Regent not a little whose sicknesse daily increasing great craft she used That Monsieur Dosell might have been permitted to have spoken with her belike she would have bidden him fare-well for their old familiaritie was great but that denied she Writ as it had been to her Chyrurgeon and Apothecarie shewing her sicknesse and requiring some Drogs The Letter being presented to the Lord Gray he espied the craft for few Lines being written above and so much White-Paper left he said Drogs are abundant and fresher in Edinburgh then they can be in Leith There lurketh here some other mysterie and so he began to try and by holding the Paper to the fire he perceiveth some writing appear and so began he to read but what it was no other man can tell for immediately he burnt the Bill and said to the Messenger Albeit I have been her Secretary yet tell her I shall keep her councell But say to her Such Wares will not sell till a new Market The answer received she was nothing content and then travelled she earnestly That she might speak with the Earles Argyle Glencarne Mershall and with the Lord Iames. After deliberation it was thought expedient that they should speak with her but not all together lest that some part of the Guisians practice had lurked under the colour of such friendship Her regrate was unto them all That she had behaved her selfe so foolishly as that she had compelled them to seek the support of others then of their own Soveraigne and said That she sore repented that ever it came to that extremitie but she was not the wight but the wicked counsell of her friends on the one part and the Earle of Huntley on the other for if he had not been she would have fully agreed with them at their Commoning at Preston They gave unto her both the Councell and the Comfort which they could in that extremitie and willed her to send for some godly learned man of whom she might receive instruction for these ignorant Papists that were about her understood nothing of the Mysterie of our redemption Upon their motion was Iohn Willock sent for with whom she talked a reasonable space and who did plainely shew unto her as well the vertue and strength of the death of Jesus Christ as the vanity and abomination of that Idoll the Masse She did openly confesse That there was no salvation but in and by the death of Iesus Christ but of the Masse we heard not her Confession Some say she was anointed with extreame Unction after the Papisticall manner which was a signe of small knowledge of the Trueth and of lesse Repentance of her former Superstition Yet howsoever it was Christ Jesus gate no small Victorie over such an enemie For albeit before she had Vowed That in despight of all Scotland the Preachers of Jesus Christ should either die or be banished the Realme yet was she compelled not onely to heare That Christ Jesus was Preached and all Idolatry openly rebuked and in many places suppressed but also she was constrained to heare one of the principall Ministers within the Realme and to approve the chiefe head of our Religion wherein we dissent from all Papists and Papistrie Shortly thereafter she finished her life unhappy to Scotland from the first day she entred into it unto the day that she departed this life which was the ninth day of June in yeere of God 1560. The Guisian Councells as they were wicked and cruell to the people so they proved mischievous to themselves and to them that followed them to this day Upon the sixteenth day of June after the death of the Queen Regent came to Scotland Monsieur Randam and with him the Bishop of Valance in Commission from France to negotiate a Peace From England there came Sir William Cecill chiefe Secretary and Doctor Whitton Their negotiation was longsome for both England and we fearing deceit sought by all meanes that the contract should be sure And they on the other part meaning to gratifie such as had sent them who meant nothing but meere falshood protracted time to the uttermost yea while that those of Leith were very scarce of victuals and those of the Inch had perished had not been that by policie they gat a ship with Victuals and some Munition which was upon Midsommer Even whereof they made no small
arrayed to do her honour and offer her lawfull service Then she came to Craigmiller where she remained in November till she was advertised of the coming of the Ambassadors to the Baptisme of the Prince and for that purpose there was great preparation made not without the trouble of such as were supposed to have money in store especially of Edinburgh for there was borrowed a good round summe of money for the same businesse All her care and solicitude was for that triumph At the same time arrived the Counte de Briance Embassadour of the King of France who had a great Train Soon after the Earle of Bedford went forth of England with a very gorgious company to the number of fourscore Horses and passing to Sterlin he was humanly received of the Queens Majestie and every day banquetted The excessive expences and superfluous apparell which was prepared at that time exceeded farre all the preparation that ever had been devised or set forth afore that time in this Countrey The 17 of December 1566. in the great Hall of the Castle of Sterlin was the Prince baptized by the Bishop of Saint Andrews at five a Clock at Even with great Pompe albeit with great paine could they finde men to beare the Torches wherefore they took Boyes The Queen laboured much with the Noblemen to bear the Salt Grease and Candle and such other things but all refused she found at last the Earls of Eglington Athole and the Lord Seaton who assisted at the Baptisme and brought in the said Trash The Counte de Briance being the French Ambassadour assisted likewise The Earle of Bedford brought for a Present from the Queen of England a Font of Gold valued to be worth three thousand Crownes Soon after the said Baptisme as the Earle was in communing with the Queen who entertained him most reverently he began to say merrily to her amongst other talking Madame I rejoyce very greatly at this time seeing your Majestie hath here to serve you so many Noblemen especially twelve Earles whereof two onely assist at this Baptisme to the Superstition of Popery At the which saying the Queen kept good countenance Soon after they banquetted in the said great Hall where they wanted no prodigality During the time of the Earle of Bedfords remaining at Sterlin the Lords for the most part waited upon him and conveyed him every day to the Sermon and after to Banquetting The King remained in Sterlin all that time never being present kept his Chamber his father hearing how he was used writ to him to repaire unto him who soon after went without good-night toward Glasgow to his Father he was hardly a Mile out of Sterlin when the poyson which had been given him wroght so upon him that he had very great pain and dolour in every part of his body At length being arrived at Glasgow the Blisters brake out of a blewish colour so the Physitians presently knew the Disease to come by poyson he was brought so low that nothing but death was expected yet the strength of his youth at last did surmount the poison During the time of this Triumph the Queen was most liberall in all things that were demanded of her amongst other things she subscribed a writing for the maintenance of the Ministers in a reasonable proportion which was to be taken up of the Thirds of Benefices which writing being purchased by the Bishop of Galloway was presented at the generall Assembly of the Church at Edinburgh the five and twentieth day of December 1566. where were conveened the Superintendents and other Ministers in reasonable number but very few Commssioners The first matter that was there proposed was concerning the said Writing lately obtained and the most part of the Ministers being demanded their opinions in the matter after advice and passing a little aside they answered very gravely That it was their duty to preach to the people the Word of God truly and and sincerely and to crave of the Auditors the things that were necessary for their sustentation as of duty the Pastour might justly crave of their Flock and further it became them not to have any care Neverthelesse the Assembly taking in consideration that the said Gifts granted by the Queens Majestie was not to be refused they ordained That certaine faithfull men of every Shire should meet and do their utmost diligence for gathering and receiving the said Corne and money and likewise appointed the Superintendent of Lowthian and Master Iohn Row to waite upon the Bishop of Galloway and concurre and assist him for further expedition in the Court that the said Guift miâ—t be dispatched through the Seales In the same Assembly there was presented a Remonstrance by Writ by some Gentlemen of Kyle containing in effect That in asmuch as the Tythes ought to be given onely to the Ministers and Schooles of the Word and for maintenance of the poor that therefore the Assembly would Statute and Ordain That all the Professors of the Evangell should keep the same in their own hands to the effects aforesaid and no way permit the Papists to meddle therewith This Writing took no effect at that time for there was none else but the Gentlemen of Kyle of that opinion It was Statuted in the said Assembly That such publike Fornicators and scandalous livers as would not confesse their offences nor come to declare their repentance should be declared by the Minister to be out of the Church and not of the body thereof and their names to be declared publikely upon the Sunday After this Assembly the Bishop of Galloway with the Superintendent of Lowthian and M. Iohn Row passing to Sterlin obtained their Demands in an ample manner at the Queens Majesties hand according to their desire and likewise they obtained for every Borough a Guift or Donation of the Altarages Annuals and Obites which before were given to the Papists now to be disposed for the maintenance of the Ministers and Schooles within the Boroughs and the rest to the poor or Hospitall Notwithstanding the Domestick troubles that the Church of God in Scotland suffered in the time of these hurliburlies within the Kingdom yet they were not unmindefull of the affliction of Iacob every where upon the face of the Earth namely they had before their Eyes the State and condition of the Church of God in England witnesse this Letter from the Generall Assembly to the Rulers of the Church of God in England The Superintendents with other Ministers and Commissioners of the Church of God in the Kingdome of Scotland to their Brethren the Bishops and Pastours of Gods Church in England who professe with us in Scotland the Truth of Iesus Christ. BY Word and Letters it is come to our knowledge Reverent Brethren Pastors of Gods Word in the Church of England that divers of our Brethren of whom some be of the most learned in England are deprived from all Ecclesiasticall Function namely Are forbidden to Preach and so by you are stopped to
passe over the Tyrants of old time whom God hath plagued let us come to the Tyrants which now are within the Realm of England whom God will not long spare If Steven Gardener Cuthbert Tunstal and Butcherly Bonnar false Bishops of Winchester Duresme and of London had for their false Doctrine and Traiterous acts suffered death when they justly deserved the same then would arrant Papists have alleadged as I and others have heard them do that they were men reformable That they were meet Instruments for a Common-wealth That they were not so obstinate and malicious as they were judged neither that they thirsted for the blood of any man And of Lady Mary who hath not heard That she was not sober mercifull and one that loved the Common-wealth of England Had she I say and such as now be of her pestilent Councell been dead before these dayes then should not their iniquity and cruelty so manifestly have appeared to the world for who could have thought that such cruelty could have entred into the heart of a woman and into the heart of her that is called a Virgine that she would thirst for the blood of innocents and of such as by just Laws and faithfull witnesses can never be proved to have offended by themselves I finde that Athalia through appetite to Reign murthered the Seed of the Kings of Iudah and that Herodias daughter at the desire of a whorish Mother obtained the head of Iohn the Baptist but yet that ever a woman suffered her self to be called the most blessed Virgin caused so much blood to be spilt for establishing of the usurped Authoritie of the Pope I think the like is rare to be found in Scripture or other History I finde that Iezabel that cursed Idolatresse caused the blood of the Prophets of God to be shed and Naboth to be murthered unjustly for his own Vineyard but yet I think she never erected halfe so many Gallows in all Israel as mischievous Mary hath done within London alone But you Papists will excuse your Mary the Virgine Well let her be your Virgine and a Goddesse meet to entertain such Idolaters yet shall I rightly lay to her charge that which I think no Papist within England will justifie nor defend And therefore O ye Papists here I will a little turn my Pen unto you Answer unto this Question O ye Seed of the Serpent Would any of you have confessed two years ago that Mary your mirrour had been false dissembling unconstant proud and a breaker of promises except such promises as she made to your god the Pope to the great shame and dishonour of her noble Father I am sure you would hardly have thought it of her And now doth she not manifestly shew her self to be an open Traitoresse to the Imperiall Crown of England contrary to the just Laws of the Realme to bring in a stranger and make a proud Spanyard King to the shame dishonour and destruction of the Nobilitie to the spoile of their Honours Lands Possessions chief Offices and promotions of them and theirs To the utter decay of the Treasures Commodities Navie and Fortifications of the Realm to the abasing of the Yeomandry to the slavery of the Commonalty to the overthrow of Christianity and Gods true Religion and finally to the utter subversion of the whole publike estate and Common-wealth of England Let Norfolk and Suffolke let her own Promise and Proclamation let her fathers Testament let the Citie of London let the ancient Laws and Acts of Parliaments before established in England be judges betwixt mine accusation and her most tyrannous iniquity First her Promise and Proclamation did signifie and declare That neither she would bring in neither yet Marry any stranger Northfolk Suffolk and the Citie of London do testifie and witnesse the same The ancient Laws and Acts of Parliament pronounceth it Treason to transferre the Crown of England into the hands of a forraigne Nation and the Oath made to observe the said Statutes cryeth out That all they are perjured that consent to that her traiterous fact Speak now O ye Papists and defend your monstrous Masters and deny if ye can for shame that she hath not uttered her self to be borne alas therefore to the ruine and destruction of noble England Oh who would ever have beleeved I write now in bitternesse of heart that such unnaturall crueltie should have had dominion over any reasonable creature But the saying to be true That the usurped Government of an affectionate woman is a rage without reason Who would ever have thought that the love of that Realme which hath brought forth which hath nourished and so nobly maintained that wicked woman should not have moved her heart with pitie Who seeth not now that she in all her doings declareth most manifestly that under an English name she beareth a Spaniards heart If God I say had not for our scourge suffered her and her cruell Councell to have come to Authority then could never these their abominations cruelty and treason against God against his Saints and against the Realm whose liberties they are sworn to defend so manifestly have been declared And who ever could have beleeved That proud Gardener and treacherous Tunstall whom all Papists praised for the love they bare to their Countrey could have become so manifestly Traiterous not onely against their solemne Oathes that they should never consent nor agree unto that a forraigne Stranger should reigne over England but also that they would adjudge the Imperiall Crown of the same to appertain to a Spanyard by inheritance Lineall discent O Traiterous Traitours how can you for shame shew your faces It cometh to my minde that upon Christmas day Anno 1552. preaching in New-Castle upon Tine and speaking against the obstinacie of the Papists I made this affirmation That whosoever in his heart was enemy to Christs Gospel and Doctrine which then was preached within the Realm of England was enemy also to God and secret traitours to the Crown and Common-wealth of England for as they thirsted nothing more then the Kings death which their iniquity could procure so they regarded not who should reign over them so that their Idolatry might be erected again How these my words at that time pleased men the crimes and action intended against me did declare But let my very enemies now say their conscience if those may words have not proved true What is the cause that Winchester and the rest of his pestilent sect so greedily would have a Spanyard to reign over England The cause is mafest for as that Hellish Nation surmounteth all other in pride and Whoredome so for Idolatry and vaine Papisticall and devillish Ceremonies they may rightly be called the very sons of superstition And therefore are they found and judged by the Progeny of Antichrist most apt Instruments to maintain establish and defend the Kingdom of that cruell Beast whose head and wound is lately
cured within England which alas for pitie must now be brought into bondage and thraldome that pestilent Papists may reigne without punishment But O thou Beast I speak to thee Winchester more cruell then any Tygre Shall neither shame nor fear nor benefits received bridle thy Tyrannous cruelty Art thou not ashamed thou bloody Beast to betray thy native Countrey and the liberties of the same Fearest thou not to open such a door to all iniquitie that whole England should be made a common Stewes to Spanyards Wilt thou recompence the benefits which thou hast received of that Noble Realm with that ingratitude Remembrest thou not that England hath brought thee forth that England nourished thee that England hath promoted thee to riches honour and high dignitie And wilt thou now O wretched Captive for all these manifold benefits received be the cause that England shall not be England Yea verily for so wilt thou gratifie thy Father the Devill and his Lieutenant the Pope whom with all his baggage thou labourest now with tooth and naile to make florish again in England albeit like a dissembling Hypocrite and double faced wretch thou being thereto compelled by the invincible verity of Gods Holy Word wrotest long ago thy book intituled True Obedience against that Monstrous Whore of Babylon and her falsly usurped power and authority but now to thy pepetuall shame thou returnest to thy Vomit and art become an open Arch-Papist again Furthermore why seekedst thou the blood of Thomas Cranmer of good father Hugh Latimer and of that most learned and discreet man Doctor Ridley Doest thou not consider that the lenitie sincere Doctrine pure life godly conversation and discreet counsell of these three is notably known in more Realms then England Art thou not ashamed to seek the destruction of those who laboured for the safeguard of thy life and obtained the same when thou justly deservedst death But O thou sonne of Belial well declarest thou that nothing can mollifie the cruell malice nor purge the deadly venome of him in whose heart wickednesse beareth the dominion thou are like to Cain and fellow to Iudas the Traitour and therefore canst thou do nothing but thirst for the blood of Abel and betray Christ Jesus and his eternall verity Thus dear brethren must the sons of the Devill declare their own impietie and ungodlinesse that when Gods vengeance which shall not sleep shall be poured forth upon them all Tongues shall confesse acknowledge and say That God is righteous in all his judgements And to this end are cruell Tyrants permitted and suffered for a space and time not onely to live in wealth and prosperity but also to prevaile and obtain victory as touching the flesh over the very Saints of God and over such as enterpriseth to resist their fury at Gods commandment But now to the subsequent and that which followeth The Instrument and means wherewith Christ Jesus used to remove and put away the horrible fear and anguish of his Disciples is his onely word for so it is written But by and by Iesus spake unto them saying Be of good comfort it is I be not afraid The naturall man that cannot understand the power of God would have desired some other present comfort in so great a danger as Either to have had the heavens to have opened and to have shewed unto them such light in that darknesse that Christ might have been fully known by his own face or else That the Winds and raging Waves of the Seas suddenly should have ceased or some other Miracle that had been subject to all their sences whereby they might have perfectly known that they were delivered from all danger And truely equall it had been to Christ Jesus to have done any of these or any work greater as to have said It is I be not afraid But willing to teach us the dignitie and effectuall power of his most Holy Word he useth no other Instrument to pacifie the great and horrible fear of his Disciples but the same his comfortable Word and lively Voice and this is not done onely at one time but whensoever his Church is in such straight perplexity that nothing appeareth but extreme calamity desolation and ruine then the first comfort that ever it receiveth is by the meanes of his Word and Promise As in the troubles and temptations of Abraham Isaac Iacob Moses David and Paul may appear To Abraham was given no other defence after that he had discomfited four Kings whose posterity and linage no doubt he being a stranger greatly feared but onely this promise of God made to him by his holy Word Feare not Abraham I am thy Buckler that is Thy protection and defence The same we finde of Isaac who flying from the place of his accustomed habitation compelled thereto by hunger gat no other comfort nor conduct but this promise onely I will be with thee In all the journeyes and temptations of Iacob the same is to be espied As when he fled from his fathers house for fear of his brother Esau when he returned from Laban And when he feared the inhabitants of the Region of the Canaanites and Peresites for the slaughter of the Sichemites committed by his sons he receiveth none other defence but onely Gods Word and Promise And this in Moses and in the afflicted Church under him is most evident For when Moses himself was in such despair that he was bold to chide with God saying Why hast thou sent me for since that time I have come to Pharaoh to speak in thy Name he hath oppressed this people Neither yet hast thou delivered thy people This same expostulation of Moses declareth how sore he was tempted yea and what opinion he had conceived of God that is That God was either impotent and could not deliver his people from such a tyrants hands or else That he was mutable and unjust of his promises And this same and sorer temptations assaulted the people For in anguish of heart they both refused God and Moses as we before have partly touched And what meanes used God to comfort them in that great extremity Did he straightway suddenly kill Pharaoh the great Tyrant No. Did he send them a legion of Angels to defend and deliver them No such thing But he onely reciteth and beateth into their ears his former promises to them which oftentimes they had before And yet the rehearsall of the same wrought so mightily in the heart of Moses that not onely was bitternesse and despair removed away but also he was enflamed with such boldnesse that without fear he went again to the presence of the King after he had been threatned and repulsed by him This I write beloved in the Lord that ye knowing the Word of God not onely to be that whereby were created heaven and earth but also to be the power of God to salvation to all that believe the bright lantern