Gods just Judgement He was most oppressed for thâ— delation and false accusation of such as professed Christs Evangel as M. Thomas Mairioribanckes and M. Heus Rig then advocates did confesse to M. Henry Balnaves who from the said Thomas Scot came to him as he and M. Thomas Ballenden were sitting in Saint Giles Church and asked him forgivenesse of the said Thomas None of these terrible forewarnings could either change or alter the heart of the infortunate and misled Prince but still he did proceed in his accustomed wayes For in the midst of these evils he caused to put hands on that notable man M. George Buchanan to whom for his singular erudition and honest behaviour was committed the charge to instruct some of his naturall children But by the mercifull providence of God he escaped albeit with great difficulty the rage of those that sought his life and remaines alive to this day in the yeere of God 1566. to the glory of God to the great honour of this nation and to the comfort of those that delight in letters and vertue That singular Worke of Davids Psalms in Latin Meeter and Poesie besides many others can witnesse the rare graces of God given to that man which that Prince by instigation of the gray-Friers and of his other flatterers would altogether have devoured if God had not provided remedy to his servant by escaping the keepers being asleep he went out at the window This cruelty and persecution notwithstanding the monsters and hypocrites the gray-Friers day by day came farther in contempt for not onely did the learned espie and detest their abominable hypocrisie but also men in whom no such graces or gifts were thought to have been began plainly to paint the same forth to the people As this Ryme which here we have inserted for the same purpose made by Alexander Earle of Glevearne to this day 1566 alive can witnesse intituled An Epistle directed from the holy Hermite of Larites to his Brethren the gray-Friers I Thomas Hermite in Larite Saint Francis brother heartily greete Beseeching you with firme intent To be watchfull and diligent For thir Lutherans rissen of new Our ordour dayly doth pursew These smacks do set their whole intent To read this Engls ' new Testament And sayth we have them cleane desceivd Therefore in haste they must be stopped Our stately hypocrisie they pryse And do blaspheme us on this wise Saying that we are heretiks And false loud lying Matin tykes Cummerers and quellers of Christs Kyrk Such lasie scemlers that will not wirk But idlely our living winnes Devouring Wolfs into Sheepe-skinnes Hurkland with huids into our neck With Judas minde to Jowcke and Bek Seeking Gods people to devore The overthrowers of Gods glore Professors of hypocrisie Doctors in Idolatrie Fishears with the feynds nette The upclosers of heaven gate Cancard corrupters of the Creede Hemlock sowers among good seed To throw in brambles that do men twist The hye way kennand them from Christ Monsters with the Beasts marke Dogs that never stintes to barke Church men that are to Christ unkend A sect that Sathans selfe has send Lurking in holes lyke trator todes Maintainers of Idolles and false godes Fantastike fooles and frenzie flatterers To turne from the trueth the very teachers For to declare their whole sentence Would much cumber your conscience To say your fayth it is so stark Your cord and loosie cote and sark Ye lippin may you bring to salvation And quyte excludes Christ his passion I dread this doctrine and it last Shall either gar us worke or fast Therefore with speede we must provide And not our profit overslide I schaip my selfe within short while To curse our Ladie in Argyle And there some craftie wyse to worke Till that we builded have one Kyrk Since miracles made by your advice The kitterells thought they had but lyce The two parts to us they will bring But orderly to dresse this thing Aghaist I purpose for to cause gang By counsayll of Frear Walter Lang Which shall make certaine demonstrations To help us in our procurations Your holy ordor to decore That practise he provd once before Betwâ—xt Kyrkcadie and Kinggorne But Lymmers made thereat such skorne And to his fame made such digression Since syn he heard not the Kings confession Though at that time he came with speede I pray you take good will as deede And some among your selves receave As one worth many of the leave What I obtaine you through his art Reason wold ye had your part Your order handles no money But for other casualtie As beefe meale butter and cheese Or what else you have that you please Send your brethren and habete As now not els but valete Be Thomas your brother at command A Culrune kethed through many a land After God had given unto that mis-informed Prince sufficient documents that his warring against his blessed Gospel should not prosperously succeed He raised up against him Warres as he did of old against divers Princes that would not hear his voice in the which he lost himself as we shall hereafter heare The occasion of the Warre was this HENRY the eighth King of England had a great desire to have spoken with our King and in that point travelled so long till that he gat a full promise made to his Ambassadour Lord William Howard The place of meeting was appointed Yorke which the King of England kept with such solemnitie and preparations as never for such a purpose was seene in England before Great brute of that journey and some preparation for the same was made in Scotland But in the end by perswasion of the Cardinall David Beton and by others of his faction that journey was stayed and the Kings promise falsified Whereupon were sharp Letters of reproach sent unto the King and also unto his counsell King Henry frustrate returneth to London and after his indignation declared began to fortifie with men his frontiers toward Scotland There was sent to the borders Sir Robert Bowes the Earle of Angus and his brother Sir George Dowglas Upon what other trifling questions as for the debetable land and such the Warre brake up we omit to write The principall occasion was the falsifying of the promises before made Our King perceiving that Warre would rise asked the Prelats and Churchmen what support they would make to the sustaining of the same for rather would he yet satisfie the desire of his Uncle then he would hazard warre where he saw not his force able to resist They promised mountains of gold as Satan their father did to Christ Jesus if he would worship him for rather would they have gone to hell then he should have met with King Henry for then thought they Farewell our Kingdom of Abbots Monks c. And farewell thought the Cardinall his credit and glory in France In the end they promised fifty thousand crowns by yeere to be well paid so long as the Warre lasted and further That
after in Seaton But at length by Bribes given to the said Lord Seaton and to the old Laird of Lethington he was restored to Saint Andrewes from whence he wrought all mischief as we shall after heare The PARLIAMENT approached which was before EASTER there began question of the abolishing of certaine Tyrannicall ACTS made before at the Devotion of the Prelates for the maintaining of their Kingdome of Darkenesse To wit That under paine of Heresie no man should reade any part of the Scriptures in the Vulgar Tongue neither yet any Tractate or Exposition of any place of Scripture Such Articles began to come in question we say And men began to enquire If it were not lawfull to men that understood no Latine to use the word of their Salvation in the Tongue they understood as it was for the Latine men to have it in Latine Grecians or Hebrews to have it in their Tongues It was answered That the Church he means the Prelats first had forbidden all Tongues but the three viz. Hebrew Greek and Latine But men demanded when that Inhibition was given and what Counsell had ordained it considering that in the dayes of Chrysostome he complained That the people used the Psalmes and other holy Books in their owne Tongues And if ye will say they were Greeks and understood the Greek Tongue We answere That Christ Jesus commanded his word to be Preached to all Nations now if it ought to be Preached to all Nations it must be Preached in the Tongue they understand Then if it be lawfull to Preach and heare it Preached in all Tongues Why should it not be lawfull to reade it and hear it read in all Tongues to the end that the people may try the spirits according to the commandment of the Apostle Beaten with these and other Reasons they denied not but it might be read in the Uulgar Tongue provided if the Translation were true It was demanded What could be reprehended in it And when much searching was made nothing could be found But that Love say they was put in the place of Charity When the Question was asked What difference was betwixt the one and the other and if they understood the nature of the Greek term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were dumb Reasoned for the party of the seculars The L. Ruthwen father to him that prudently gave counsell to take just punishment upon that knave David for that he abused the unhappy K. Henry Stuart in mo cases then one a stout and a discreet man in the cause of God and M. Henry Balneves an old professour For the part of the Clergy one Hay Dean of Lastarrik and certain old Bishops with him The conclusion was the Commissioners of Broughes and a part of the Nobility required of the Parliament that it might be Enacted That it should be lawfull to every man to use the benefit of the Translation which then they had of the Old and New Testament together with the benefit of other Treatises containing wholsome Doctrine untill such time as the Prelats and other Church-men should give and set forth unto them a Translation more correct The Clergie hereto long repugned But in the end convinced by Reasons and by multitude of voyces in their contrary they also condescended And so by Act of Parliament it was made free to all men and women to read the Scriptures in their owne Uulgar Tongue and so were all Acts made to the contrary abolished This was no small Victorie of CHRIST JESUS fighting against the conjured enemies of his Veritie No small comfort to such as before were holden in such bondage that they durst not have read The Lords Prayer The ten Commandments nor The Articles of their Faith in the Uulgar Tongue but they should have been accused of Heresie Then might have beene seene the Bible lying almost upon every Gentlemans Table The New Testament was borne about in many mens hands We grant that some alas prophaned that blessed Word for some that perchance had never read ten Sentences in it had it most common in their hand they would chop their familiars on the cheeke with it and say This hath lyne under my beds feet these ten yeers Others would glory O how oft have I been in danger for this Booke how secretly have I stollen from my wife at midnight to reade upon it And this was done we say of many to make cowrt and curry favour thereby For all men esteemed the Governour to have been one of the most fervent Protestants that was in Europe Albeit we say that many abused that libertie granted of God miraculously yet thereby did the knowledge of God wonderously increase and God gave his holy spirit to simple men in great abundance Then were set forth works in our owne Tongue besides those that came from England that did disclose the pride the craft the tyrannie and abuses of that Romane Antichrist The fame of our Governour was spread in divers countreys and many praised God for him King Henry the eight sent unto him his Ambassadour M. Radulph Saidlair who lay in Edinburgh a great part of the Summer his Commission and Negotiation was to contract a perpetuall amitie betwixt England and Scotland The occasion whereof God had so offered that to many men it appeared that from heaven he had declared his good pleasure in that behalfe For to King Henry of Iane Seymer after the death of Queene Katherine and of all others that might have made his Marriage suspect was given a sonne Edward the sixth of blessed memory elder some yeeres then our Mistresse and unto us was left a Queene as before we have heard This wonderfull providence of God caused men of greatest judgement to enter into disputation with themselves Whether that with good conscience any man might repugne to the desires of the King of England considering that thereby all occasion of Warre might be cut off and great commodity might ensue to this Realme The offers of King Henry was so large and his demands so reasonable that all that loved quietnesse were content therewith There were sent from the Parliament to King Henry in Commission Sir Iames Lermont and M. Henry Balnevis who long remaining in England so travailed that all things concerning the Marriage betwixt Edward the sixth and Mary Queen of Scots was agreed upon except the time of her deliverance to the custody of English-men Upon the finall conclusion of the which head were added to the former Commissioners William Earle of Glencarne and Sir George Dowglas to whom was given ample Commission and good Instructions In Scotland remained M. Radulph Saidlaire advertisements past so frequently betwixt yea the hands of our Lords liberally were anointed besides other commodities promised and of some received for divers Prisoners taken at Solway mosse were sent home free upon promise of their fidelity which as it was kept the issue will witnesse But in the end so well were all once content the Cardinall the
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
that were criminall of their blood But the day approacheth when that the punishment of that cruelty and of others will evidently appears The names of the men that were hanged were Iames Hunter William Lambe William Anderson Iames Ruvals Burgesse of Saint Iohnston At that same time were banished Sir Henry Eldar Iohn Eldar Walter Piper Laurence Pullar with divers others whose names come not to our knowledge That sworn enemy to Christ Jesus and unto all in whom any spark of knowledge appeared had about that time in prison divers amongst whom was Iohn Roger a black Frier godly and learned one that had fruitfully preached Christ Jesus to the comfort of many in Angus and Mearnes whom that bloody man caused to murther in the ground of the Sea Tower in S. Andrews and then caused to cast him over the wall spreading a false brute That the said Iohn seeking to flie had broken his own neck This ceased not Sathan by all means to maintaine his kingdome of Darknesse and to suppresse the light of Christs Gospel But mighty is he against whom they â—â—ght for when the wicked were in greatest security then began God to show his anger For the third day of May in the yeer of our Lord 1544 yeers without knowledge of any man in Scotland we mean of such as should have had the care of the Realme was seen a great Navy of Ships arriving towards the Fyrth The Posts came to the Governour and Cardinall who both were in Edinburgh what multitude of Ships were seen and what course they took This was on the Saturday before noon Question was had What should they mean Some said It is no doubt but they are English-men and we fear that they will land The Cardinall skipped and said It is the Island flote they are come to make a shew and to put us in fear I shall lodge all the men of Warre in mine eye that shall land in Scotland Still sitteth the Cardinall at his dinner eating as though there had been no danger appearing Men assembled to gaze upon the Ships some to the Castle hill some to the mountains and other places eminent But there was no question With what Forces shall we resist if we be invaded Soon after six of the clock at night were arrived and had cast Ankor in the Road of Leith more than two hundred Sail. Shortly after the Admirall shot a flott Boat which from Granton hills till by East Leith sounded the deep and so returned to her Ship Hereof were divers opinions men of judgement foresaw what it meant but no credit was given to any that would say They minded to land and so passed every man to his rest as if the Ships had been a guard for their defence Upon the point of day upon Sunday the fourth of May addresse they for landing and they ordered the Ships so that a Galley or two laid their snouts to the hills the small Ships called Pinnaces and light Horse-men approached as neer as they could The great Ships discharged their Souldiers into the smaller Vessels and they by Boats set upon dry Land before ten of the clock 10000 men as was judged and more The Governour and Cardinall seeing then the thing that they could not or at least they would not believe before after they had made a brag to fight fled as fast as horse could carry them so that after they approached not within twenty miles of the danger The Earle of Angus and Sir George Dowglas were that night freed of Ward they were in Blacknesse The said Sir George in merrinesse said I thanke King Henry and my gentle Masters of England The English Army betwixt one and two of the clock entered into Leith found the Tables covered the dinners prepared such abundance of wine and victualls besides the other substance that the like riches within the like bounds was not to be found neither in Scotland nor England Upon Munday the fifth of May came to them from Barwick and the borders two thousand Horse-men who being somewhat reposed the Army upon the Wednesday marched toward the Town of Edinburgh spoiled and burnt the same and so did they the Palace of Halyrud-house The Horse-men took the House of Craigmiller and gat great spoils therein for it being judged the strongest House neer the Towne after the Castle of Edinburgh and all men sought to save their moveables therein But the stoutnesse of the Laird gave it over without shot of Hacke but and for his reward was caused to march upon his feet to London He is now Captain of Dumbar and Provost of Edinburgh The English-men seeing no resistance hurled by force of men Cannons upon the street to the Butter trone and above and hazarded a shot against the fore-entry of the Castle but that was to their own pains For they lying without Trench or Gabion were exposed to the force of the whole Ordnance of the said Castle which shot and that not all in vain for the Wheel and Axletree of one of the English Cannons was broken and some of their men slain and so they left with small honour that enterprise taken rather of rashnesse than of any advised counsell When the most part of the day they had spoiled and burnt towards the night they returned to Leith and upon the morrow returned to Edinburgh and executed the rest of Gods judgements for that time And so when they had consumed both the Towns they laded the Ships with the spoiles thereof and they by Land returned to Barwick using the Countrey for the most part at their own pleasure This was a part of the punishment which God took upon the Realm for the infidelity of the Governour and for the violation of his solemne Oath But this was not the end for the Realme was divided into two factions the one favoured France the other the League lately contracted with England The one did in no things credit thorowly the other so that the Countrey was in extreme calamity for to the English-men were delivered divers Strengths such as Carelaverock Lochmaben and Langham the most part of the Borderers were confederate with England And albeit at Ancrome mure in February in the yeer of God 1544. was Sir Rafe Ewers with many other English-men slain and the yeere after were some of the said strengths recovered yet was it not without great losse and detriment of the Common-wealth For in the month of Ianuary in the yeer of God 1545. Monsieur de Lorge with Bands of men of War came from France for a destruction to Scotland For upon their brag was an Army raised forwards they go towards Warke even in the midst of harvest The Cardinalls Banner was that day displayed and all his Files were charged to be under it many had before promised but at the point it was left so bare that with shame it was shut up into the pock againe and they after a shew returned with more
execute their tyranny upon the parts of Lowthiane that lay nigh to Edinburgh Let M. David Borthwicke witnesse what favour his wife and place of Adeston found of the French for all the service that he did to the Queen Regent In the midst of February were directed to England from the Duke and the Congregation the Lord Iames Lord Ruthuen the Mast of Maxwell the Master of Lindsay Master Henry Balnaves and the Laird of Pittarrow who with their honest companies and Commission departed by Sea all except the Master of Maxwell to Barwicke Where there met them the Duke of Norfolke Lieutenant to the Queen of England and with him a great company of the Gentlemen of the North with some also of the South having full power to contract with the Nobility of Scotland as they did upon such Conditions as are in the same Contract specified and because we have heard the malicious tongues of wicked men make false report of that our fact we have faithfully and truely inserted in this our History the said Contract as well that which was made at Leith during the siege as that which was first made at Barwicke that the memory thereof may abide to our Posterity to the end that they may judge with indifferency Whether that we have done any thing prejudiciall to our Common-wealth or yet contrarious unto the dutifull obedience which true subjects owe to their Superiours whose Authority ought to defend and maintain the Liberty and Freedom of the Realms committed to their Charge and not to oppresse and betray the same to stranger The Tenour of our Contract followeth The Contract at Barwick JAMES Duke of Chattellarault Earle of Arrane Lord Hamilton and others of the Councell Nobility and principall States of Scotland To all and sundry whose knowledge these presents shall come Greeting We have well considered and are fully perswaded in what danger desolation and misery the long enmity with the Kingdom of England hath brought our Countrey heretofore how wealthie and flourishing it shall become if those two Kingdoms as they are joyned in one Island by Creation of the World so they may be knit in a constant and assured friendship The considerations grounded upon a most infallible Trueth ought no lesse to have moved our Progenitours and for fathers then us But the present danger hanging over our heads by the unjust dealing of those of whom we have alwayes best deserved hath caused us to weigh them more earnestly then they did The misbehaviour of the French Monsieurs I had almost said Monsters here hath of late yeers been so great The oppressions and crueltie of the Souldiers the tyrannie and ambition of their Superiours and Rulers so grievous to the people the violent subversion of our liberty and conquest of the land whereat they have by most crafty and subtill means continually pressed hath been I say so intollerable to us all that at last when we could not obtain redresse by humble suits and earnest supplications presented to the Queen Dowager who both for duties sake and place she doth occupie ought to have been most carefull of our state we have been by very necessitie constrained not onely to assay our own Forces but also to implore the Queens Majestie of Englands aide and support which her Majestie hath most willingly granted upon certain conditions specified in a Treaty past at Barwick betwixt the Duke of Norfolk Lieutenant to her Majestie on the one part and certain our Commissioners on the other part whereof the Tenour followeth At Barwick the 27 day of February the yeer of our Lord God 1559 yeers It is appointed and finally Contracted betwixt the noble and mighty Thomas Duke of Norfolk Earle Marshall of England and Lieutenant to the Queens Majestie of the said Realm in the Name and behalf of her Highnesse on the one part and the Right Honourable Lord Iames Stewart Patrick Lord Ruthuen Sir Iohn Maxwell of Terregles Knight William Maitland of Lethington younger Iohn Wischarde of Pittarrow and Master Henry Balnaves of Halhill in name and behalf of the Noble and Mighty Iames Duke of Chattellarault of Scotland and the Lords of the Congregation joyned together in this Cause for maintenance and defence of the ancient Rights and Liberties of their Countrey on the other part in forme as after followeth That is to say That the Queen having sufficiently understood as well by information sent from the Nobility of Scotland as by the proceedings of the French that they intend to conquer the Realm of Scotland suppresse the liberty thereof and unite the same unto the Crown of France perpetually contrary to the Laws of the said Realm and the Pacts Oathes and Promises of France And being thereto most humbly and earnestly required by the said Nobility for and in the name of the whole Realm shall accept the said Realm of Scotland the said Nobility and subjects thereof into her Majesties protection and maintenance onely for preservation of the same in their own freedoms and liberties and from conquest during the time that the Marriage shall continue betwixt the Queen of Scots and the French King and a yeer after And for expelling out of the same Realme of such as presently and apparently goeth about to practice the said Conquest her Majesty shall with all speed send into Scotland a convenient aide of men of War both Horse and Foot to joyn with the power of Scotish men with Artillery Munition and all other Instruments of War meet for that purpose as well by Sea as by Land not onely to expell the present Power of the French within that Realme oppressing the same but also to stop as far as conveniently may be all greater Forces of French to enter therein for the like purpose and shall continue her Majesties ayd to the said Realme Nobility and subjects of the same unto the time the French being enemies to the said Realme be utterly expelled hence and shall never transact compose nor agree with the French nor conclude any League with them except the Scots and the French shall be agreed that the Realme of Scotland may be left in a due freedom by the French nor shall leave the maintenance of the said Nobility and subjects whereby they might fall as a prey into their enemies hands as long as they shall acknowledge their Soveraigne Lady the Queen and shall endeavour their selves to maintain the liberty of their Countrey and the State of the Crowne of Scotland And if in case any Forts or Strengths within the Realme be won out of the hands of the French at this present or at any time hereafter by her Majesties ayd the same shall be immediately demolished by the Scotish-men or delivered to the said Nobility aforesaid at their option and choice neither shall the power of England fortifie within the ground of Scotland being out of the bounds of England but by the advice of the Duke Nobility and States of Scotland For the which causes and in respect of her
cause of Heresie The Proofe of Heresie Note Note Note Note Note Note this against the legality of the Bishops Note This was Friâ—â— Scot. Note Note Note 1566 1546. How the Cardiall was occupied the night before that in the morning he was slain The Cardinals demand The Cardinals confession The fact and words of Iames Melvin The Cardinals last words Advertisement to the Reader Note The Bishop of S Andrews was glad and yet made himselfe to be angry at the slaughter of the Cardinall Upon what conditions King Henry took the castle of S. Andrews into his protection The first â—iege lasted from August to January 1547. Iohn Knox goes into the Castle of S. Andrews * Sir David Lindsay King of Armes then who fore the time had good light both in Divine and Humane knowledge as his works tell us The first Vocation by name of Iohn Knox. Dean Iohn Annan The offer of Iohn Knox first and last unto the Papists The first publike â—reaching of Iohn Knox made in the Parish Church of S. Andrewâ—â— Contra Dei Spirituâ— ad Gâ—lat cap. 2 vâ—r 17. 11. Note The great wordâ— which Ant. christ speaketh Iohn Knox had been disciple in his first yeers to Iohn Maire Note Note Optima Collatio Deut. 4. Note Psal. 26.5 Frier Arbuckiâ—ls proofe of Purgatory The cause of the inserting of this Disputation The practises of Papists that their wickednesse should not be disclosed The protestation of Iohn Knox. M. Iames Balfoure once joyned with the Church and did professe all Doctrine taught by Iohn Knox. Filius sequitur patris iter The rage of the marked beasts at the Preaching of the Truth The first coming of Galleys Anno 1547. And the second Siege of the Castle The treasonable act of the Governour and Queen Dowager Note The answer given to the Governour when the Castle of S. Andrews was required to be delivered The Gunners goddesse Commonly called The old Colledge The sentence of Knoxâ—o â—o the Castle of S. Andrews bâ—â—fore it was won Note King Henry of England being dead Prior of Cappua Leon Stâ—ozi The Castle of S. Andrews refused in greatest extremity to treat with the Governor fearing the cruelty of his weak nature in revenging the death of his Cousin the Cardinall Nulla fides Rogni Socii c. Pinckey Clâ—â—ch Duke of Sommerset The security of the Scotishmen at Pinckey Clewch Fridays chase Brags The repulse of the Horse-men of England Note Note Note Note 1549. The Parliament at Hadington Note The Dukes fact and what appeareth to follow thereof Experience hath taught and further will declare The siege of Hadington Tuesdayes chase Note The slaughter of the Captain of the Castle of Edinburgh Hadington almost surprised by the French The recovery of the Castle of Home The death of the Laird of Raith The entertainment of those of the Castle of S. Andrews during their Captivity Note Note Note This book was printed 1584. at Edinburgh by Tho. Vtroâ—â—â— A merry fact Note Jerem. 10. Note Quamvis multa sunt justorum mala c. Note diligently the Prophesie Iohn Knox his answer and counsell to the captives Le jour de Roys au soir quand els erient le Roy boit The escaping of William Kirkcaldie and of his fellows forth of Mount Saint Michell Note To shew what is contained in this Admonition we have caused it to be printed at the end of this History 1550 Note Note diligently The slaughter of that villain Davie The rulers of annoâ—566 â—566 and their prediction Note The accusation of Adam Wallace and his answers The Papisticall manner of accusation Note Adam Wallace his accusations and answers Note Protestation of the Earle of Glencarne Note The death and vertues of Edward the sixth Who first after the death of King Edward began to preach in Scotland Elizabeth Adamson and her death Note Note Note Note diligently Masse abhorred Note 1555. Note You will finde this Appellation at the end of this book War against England by the meanes of the Queen Regent A calfe with two heads The fact of the Nobility of Scotland at Maxwel Hewcht The second return of Iohn Willock to Scotland Lord Seton an Apostata The abolishing of Images and trouble therefore The Preachers summoned The practice of Prelats and what thereof ensued The bold words of Iames Chalmers of Gaithgyrth O crafty flatterer The command of the Bishop The answer of Edinburgh Edinburgh appealeth from the sentence of the Bishop of S. Andrews Triumph for hearing of stock Gyle The down casting of stock Gyle and the discomfiture of Baals Priests A merry English-man Note The death of the Bishop of Galoway and his last confession Qualis vita finis ita The Vow of that marked beast Dury B. oâ— Galloway The death of M David Panter The death of the Bishop of Orknay Reid â— Orknays answer and his friends home Note The Queen Regents sentence of the death of her Papists Dean of Lestarrige hypocrite began to preach M. David Panters counsell 〈◊〉 his forsworne brethren the Bishops The second Vocation of Iohn Knox by Letters of the Lords Note Note Let the Papists themselves judge of what spirit these sentences could proceed The duty of the Nobility The letter lost by negligence and troubles God grant that our Nobility would yet understand Note The first Covenant of Scotland 1557 Those that then did oppose Popery were called the Congregation Note The Earl of Argyle the first man in this Covenant The third Vocation of Iohn Knox by the Lords and Churches of Scotland Flesh blood is preferred to God with the Bishop Note Note diligently Note Note the Earl of Argyle his Testament Note Here is one Solecisme in State expression newly invented by the Court Parasites Note To call the Crowne Matrimoniall is an absurd Solecisme newly then invented at Court Note And now in these later days it hath pleased God in his goodnesse to grant the pure and Primitive Discipline also unto the Church of Scotland The first douâ—t The second Note Scriptures answering the doubts This was called the privie Church Iohn Willocke The Laird of Calder elder The tyrannie of the Clergy Note The Petition The offer The practise of Satan Disputation with condition The offer of the Papists The grant of the Queene Regent The apprehension of Walter Mill. 1558. Note The hypocrisie of the Queene Regent Protestation Let the Papists observe Note Letters to Iohn Calvine Blasphemy Note She had gotten her lesson from the Cardinall Forefather to the now Earle of Lowdone Chancellor Queen Regents answer S. Iohnston embraced the Gospel Lord Ruthuens answer 1559 The first assembly at S. Iohnston The Laird of Dun stayed the congregation and the Preachers Note 1559 Note At this time the Professors of the Gospel were called the Congregation The taking down of the Fâ—iers in Saint Iohnston Note The Gray Friers their provision Note Note A godly vow The complaint of the Queene Regent Note Note Note O where is this fervencie
yet take heed Let janglers and inconstant mâ—n note Le the House of Hamilton remember this Conclusio Let the Papists and greatest enemies witnesse Proclamation against the Earl of Arranâ— Re 〈…〉 The drowning of the French Dominus pro nobis The Earle of Sudderland shot Note the French favour to their friendâ— John 6. Exhortation of Iohn Knox. Note The slaughter of a French Captain with his Band. Note The arrivall of the English Ships Note The Bridge of Tullibody Note the death of a plunderer Remark the Scots acknowledgement of the English help Iohn Knox his first Letter to Sir William Cecile Note Note Note As England had interest then not to suffer Scotland to perish so likewise Scotland hath interest now not to see Engâ—and undonâ— 1559. Note the Quaeres And Answers Let the enemies say if their hope be not frustrate Note diligently Note Note Note Sir Iames Crofts counsell Note a braggadoshie Note Note Note Note Note Note Note Let us mark our advantage from France Note Note Note Note a cruell â—act 1560 Note Note 1560. The fourth Covenant Now hereupon came the pursuit Let the Princes now adayes make use of this So now the worldlings speak unto the King concerning the Scots into England Note The Hamiltonsâ—amâ—ly â—amâ—ly Note this diligently We must go to the fiâ—st cause in all things The inhumanity of the mercâ—lâ—ss French The Quâ—en Regents cruell heart The comfortable Letter of the Duke of Norfolk Note Let the Princes now make use of these words of this dying Queen Note The death of the Queene Regent Note a Character of Popishly addicted French officers of State Note how they limit the Prince Note how the Prince is limitated and his will is not a Law Note The profit thâ—â— Leith got of their promise liberty Note a Covenant betwixt England and Scotland 1560. Some Prelats left Antichrist and did adherâ— unto Christ. William Mâ—itlands mockage of God See how this agrees with our timâ—s Deut. 14. 1 Cor. â— 8. Isai 44.4 5. 1 Tim. 1 27. 1 King 8.17 2 Chron. 8 18. Psal 139 78. Gâ—n 17 1. 1 Tim. 6.15 16 Exod 3.14 15. Matt. 28.19 1 Joh 57. Gen 1.1 Heb. 1. â—3 Act. 17.28 Prov 16.4 Gen 1.26 27 c. Col. 3.10 Ephes 4 24 Gen. 3.6 Gen. 2. â—7 Psal 51.5 Rom. 5 10. Rom. 7.5 2 Tit. 2.6 Eph. 2 23. Rom. 5.14 12. Rom. 6.23 John 3 5. Rom. 5.1 Phil. 1.29 Gen. 3.15 Gen. 3.9 Gen. 12 3. Gen. 15 5 6. 2 Sam. 7.14 Isai 7.14 Isai 9 6 Hag 2.6 John 8.38 Ezek. 6.5 6.7 8 9 c. Gen. 1 12. Gen. 13.1 Exod. 1.1 Exod. 1.20 Josh 3. 23 4 1 Sam. 10.1 1 Sam 16 13 2 Sam 7 12 2 Kingâ— 17.15 16 c. 2 King 24. 34 c. Deu. 28.36 38 c. 2 Kin. 25. â— Dan. 9 2. Ezr. 1 c. Hag. 1 14. Zach. 3.1 Gal 4 4. Luke 1.31 Matth. 1.18 Matth. 2.1 Rom. 1.3 Matth. 1.23 John 1.2.45 2 Tim. 2 5. Ephes. 1.3.4 15 6. Ephes. 1.11 Matth 25 34. Ephes. 1 21 22. Heb 27 8. Psal. 22.11 Heb 13.26 1 Pet. 2.24 5. Psal. 130.3 Psal. 143.3 1 Tim. 2.5 John 1.12 John 20.17 Rom. 5.17 18.19 Rom. 8.15 Gal. 4 36. Act. 17.26 Heb. 2.11 12. 1 Pet. 3 18. Isa. 53.8 Act. 2.4 1 John 1 2. Act. 20 28. 1 Tim 3.16 John 3.16 Heb. 10.1 12. Isa 53.5 Heb. 1 2.3 John 1.29 Matth. 26.11 Deut. 20.23 Matth. 15.1 2. Gal 3.13 Luke 23.1 2. Matth. 26.38 2 Cor 5. Heb 9 12. Heb. 10.5 Act. 2.23 Act. 3.26 Rom. 6.5 11. Act. 2.24 Rom. 4 25. Heb. 2.14 15. Matth. 28 John 20.27 21.7 Luke 24.41 42 43. Joh. 21.12 13. Luke 24.51 Act. 1.6 Matth. 28.6 Matth. 16.9 Luke 24 6. John 20.9 Matth. 28 18. 1 John 2.1 1 Tim. 2.5 Psal. 110 1. Matth. 22 44. Matth. 12 36. Luke 20.42.43 Acts 1.1 Acts 3.19 1 Thess. 1.4 5 6 7 8. Matth. 25.34 Revel 21.27 Esay 66.24 Matth 25.41 Matth 9.44 46 48 Matth. 22.13 2 Pet. 3 11. 2 Cor. 5.11 Luke 21.28 John 15.4 c. Esay 7.14 Ephes. 1.22 Col. 1.18 Heb. 1.11 15. Heb. 10.21 1 John 2.1 1 Tim. 2.5 Matth. 16.17 John 14 26. John 14.11 Acts 5.4 John 10.13 Col. 2.13 Ephes. 2. â— John 9.39 Revel 3.13 Matth. 17.17 Matth 9.19 Luke 9 41. John 6 63. Mic 7.8 1 King 8.8 Psal. 10.3 Rom. 5.10 John 3.5 Tit. 5.5 Rom. 5 8. Psal. 3.9 Psal. 1.6 2 Cor. 3.5 Ephes 1 6. Ephes. 2.10 Phil. 3.13 John 15.5 Rom. 8.9 Rom. 7.15 16 17. Gal. 5.17 Rom. 8 16. Rom. 7.24 Som. 8 22. Ephes 4.17 18 19. 2 Tim. 2.26 John 15 5. Exod. 20.3 c. Deut. 4.7 c. Luke 21.75 Mica 6.7 Ephes 6.17 Ezech. 22.104 1 Cor 6.19 20 1 The 4.4 5 6 Jer. 22.3 9 9 c. Esay 50.1 c. 1 Thess. 4 6. Rom 13.2 Ezek. 22.13 1 John 3 4. Rom. 14.23 Heb. 1 16. 1 Sam. 15.22 1 Cor. 10.31 1 John 3.4 Esay 29.19 Matth. 15.9 Mar. 7.7 Levit. 18.5 Gal. 3.12 1 Tim. 1.18 Rom. 7.12 Psal. 19.7 8 9. Deut. 5.29 Rom. 10.3 1 Kin. 8.4 6. Chron. 6.36 Eccles. 7.22 Prov. 20.9 1 â—oh 1.18 Iohn 1.18 Rom. 10.4 Gal. 3 13. Deut. 27.26 Phil. 2.15 Isai. 64.6 Luk. 17.10 Mat. 28.20 Ephes. 1.4 Col. 1.18 Ephes. 5.23 24 25 26. Apoc. 7.8 Ephes. 2.19 Iohn 5.24 Iohn 17.6 1 Tim. 2.19 Iohn 13.14 Ephes. 1.10 Col. 1.10 Heb. 12.4 Apoc. 14.13 Isai. 25 8. Apoc 7.16 17 Apoc. 21.4 Apoc. 16.10 11 Isai. 66.24 Mark 9.44 36 48. Luke 23.43 Luke â—6 24 25. Apoc. 6.9 10. Gen. 4.8 Gen. 21. â— Gen. 27.41 Mar. 23.34 Ioh. 15.18 19. Iohn 11 35. Ioh. 15.20 24. Act. 4.1 c. Act 5.17 c. Gen. 4 1. Psal. 48.1 2. Mat 5.35 Iohn 12.42 Ephes. 2.20 Act. 2.42 Iohn 10 27. Iohn 18.37 1 Cor. 1 13. 1 Cor. 11.20 23. Mat. 28 19 20 Mark 16.15 Rom 4 11. Matth 18 20. 1 Cor 1.2 2 Cor. 1.1 Gal. 1 2. Ephes. 1 1. Acts 16.9 10.18 1 Cor. 1. c. A 20 17 c. John 20.31 2 Tim 3 16 17 2 Pet. 1 20 21. John 5 29. Ephes 4 4 1 Tim. 3.16 17 Genes 27. Gal 2.11 12 13 14. 1 Tim. 4.1.23 Col. 2.18 19 20 21 22 23. Act. 15.1 c. 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 3.2 1 Cor. 14.40 Gen. 17.10 Exod. 12.32 Gen. 17.4 Num. 9.13 Mat. 28.19 Mar. 16.17 Mat. 26.26 Mar. 14.22 Luke 22.19 1 Cor. 11.24 10.16 Rom. 6.3 4 5. Gal. 3.27 Mar. 16.19 Luke 24.51 Act. 1.11 Act. 3.21 1 Cor. 10 c. Ephes. 5.30 Matth. 27.50 Mar. 15.31 Luke 23.46 John 14.30 6.51 53 54 55 56 57 58. 1 Cor. 11.28 28. Mat. 26.26 c Mar. 14.22 c Luk. 22.19 c 1 Cor. 11.24 Note 1 Cor. 11.25 26 Heb. 9.27 28 Col. 2.11 12 Rom. 4.11 Gen. 17.10 Mat. 28.19 1 Cor. 28.29 Rom. 13.1 Titus 3.1 1 Peter 13.2 Rom. 13.2 Rom. 13.7 1 Pet 2.17 Psal 82.1 1 Chron. 22.23 24 25. Chap. 26. 2 Chron. 29.30 31 chap. 2
to France to make Warre and at his arrivall there he findes an Army of Scots ready to fight for the Alliay of Scotland the French King against the English Upon this the King of England moves King Iames whom he had taken along with him to write unto the Scots and to charge them upon their Allegiance not to draw their Sword against the party where he their King was in person The Scots answered That they were sent into France to assist their Alliays against the common enemy As for him who writ unto them since he was a prisoner and not a free man they neither owed him Allegiance nor would they give him any so long as he was in prison but if he were set at liberty and were living among them they would obey him according to the Laws of the Countrey since the Crown was setled upon him by the consent of the States and so they did for these Kingdoms were governed in his name without any communication with him during the time of his imprisonment which was very long but when he went home he was received and obeyed as King From this Princes may learn that although people do submit themselves to their Government the resignation is not so full as to devest themselves of all power in such a way That the Prince may dispose of them as he thinks right or wrong he ordinarily being misled and kept captive by those that are about him who for the most part have no regard to the publike good nor to the credit and esteem of him to whom in shew they professe themselves so addicted the people have constantly reserved even unto themselves by the consent of all men yea of the greatest Court-parasites and Sycophants of Princes that the Prince cannot nor ought not to enslave or subject the people to any Forreign Power and where Princes by Pusillanimitie and ill counsell have essayed or attempted such a thing they have smarted for it witnesse Baliol who not onely was excluded himself from the Crown but also his Posterity and it was setled upon the next Branch to wit Robert Bruce with his descendents where it continues to this day by Gods providence Then since the people have reserved this power in themselves to stop the Prince to put them under any Forreign yoak or slavery is it possible That they have not reserved a power to right themselves from domestick and intestine slavery and misery slavery being ever one and the same For what is it to me by whom I suffer evil of one and the same kinde and degree whether it be by a neighbour or a stranger a forreigner or a con-citizen yea when I suffer by him who should be my friend and stand for the same Freedom with me my suffering is the greater To this purpose you have a memorable Passage of William the Norman who although he had invaded England with the Sword and by it had defeated him who did oppose him for the Crown with all his adherents and party and in consequencie of this Victory had committed many out-rages with a strong hand yet the same William could never assure himself nor his Posterity of the Allegeance of the People till he had sworn solemnly according to the Rite of the times for himself and his To govern according to the good and approved Laws of the Land as the best Kings before him had done Then the County of Kent in its own name and in the name of the whole Kingdom declared That neither Kent nor any other of the Kingdom was conquered but in a peaceable way did submit to William the Norman upon Condition and with Proviso That all their Liberties and free Customs in use and practice should be kept If this was not accomplished afterwards it was sillinesse of the People that suffered themselves to be abused and the fault of misled Princes that did not keep their promise whereunto they were tyed And sundry for the breach of this promise have had occasion to repent when it hath been too late We shall adde one example more which is of Henry the eighth who anno 1525 the seventeenth yeer of his Reign by the advice of his Councell put a Tax upon the people which the people did not onely refuse to pay but declared That the thing was unjust and unlawfull Withall wherever they met those whom the King had employed for the gathering the money they used them so kindely that they did never come twice to one place for the payment of the Tax The King seeing this he disclaims the Imposition of the Tax and so do the Nobles that convened at London by his Command for that purpose and layes all the fault upon ill counsell namely upon Wolsey This was Henry constrained to do notwithstanding his resolutenesse against all forreign enemy chiefly the Pope with his shavelings By this instance Henry acknowledged his power to be limited and no wayes arbitrary Against the doctrine of our now Cout-parasites Now if the People have this much power in them as to stand for their Temporall Liberty both against forreign and domestick slavery far more may they and ought they to defend the Spirituall Freedom which Christ having purchased with his Blood hath left them as Members of his Church But all this defence of Liberty and Religion ought to be made so that it be without by-ends sinistrous respects of hatred malice ambition c. The onely scope and main drift being To have Gods glory in the Light of his Gospel setled and maintained The People at quiet The Prince obeyed in God and for God i. e. according to the Law of God Nature Nations and the Countrey or Kingdom so far as possibly can be This being lookt to carefully there is no gap opened to Rebellion which is a fighting against Gods Ordinance and not the just and necessary opposing of the abuse and corrupting of the good Ordinance of God But here a Court-slave will say If things be so there is no absolutenesse in Monarchs and Princes To answer this we must know what is to be meant by absolute or absolutenes whereof I finde two main significations First absolute signifieth perfect and absolutenesse perfection Hence we have in Latin this expression Perfectum est omnibus numeris absolutum And in our vulgar Language we say A thing is absolutely good when it is perfectly good Next absolute signifieth free from tye or bond which in Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now say I if you take absolute for perfect that Prince or Magistrate is most absolute that is most perfect who governs most absolutely or most perfectly The absolutenesse or perfection of Government consists in its conformity to the perfect Rule which is written in the Law of God printed in the heart of man received generally of all wise People and in practice by all particular well-polished Common-wealths Next I say if you take absolute for free from tye or bond That no Prince nor Magistrate is free for every
the Castle-hill And so began they again to pollute the land which God had lately plagued for yet their iniquity was not come to full ripenesse as that God would that they should be manifested to this whole Realme as this day they are to be Fagots prepared for everlasting fire and to be men whom neither Plagues may correct nor the light of Gods Word convert from their darknesse and impiety The Peace as is said is contracted The Queen Dowager past by sea to France with Gallies that for that purpose were prepared and took with her divers of the Nobility of Scotland The Earles Huntley Glencarne Mershell Cassiles The Lords Maxwell Fleiming Sir George Dowglas together with all the late Kings naturall sons and divers Barons and Gentlemen of Ecclesiasticall estate the Bishop of Galloway and many others with promise that they should be richly rewarded for their good service What they received we cannot tell but few were made rich at their returning The Dowager had to practise somewhat with her brethren the Duke of Gwise and the Cardinall of Loraine The weight whereof the Governour after felt for shortly after her returne was the Governour deposed of the government justly by God but most unjustly by man and she made Regent in the yeer of our Lord 1554. and a Crown put upon her head as seemly a sight if men had eyes as to put a Saddle upon the backe of an unruly Cow And so began she to practise practise upon practise How France might be advanced her friends made rich and she brought to immortall glory For that was her common talk So that I may procure the wealth and honour of my Friends and a good fame unto my selfe I regard not what God do after with me And in very deed in deep dissimulation to bring her owne purpose to effect she passed the common sort of women as we will after heare But yet God to whose Gospel she declared her selfe enemie in the end frustrated her of all her devices Thus did light and darknesse strive within the Realme of Scotland The darknesse ever before the World suppressing the light from the death of that notable servant of God Master Patricke Hamilton untill the death of Edward the sixth the most godly and most vertuous King that had been known to have reigned in England or elsewhere these many yeeres by past who departed the miseries of this life the sixth of July Anno 1553. The death of this Prince was lamented of all the godly within Europe for the graces given unto him of God as well of nature as of erudition and godlinesse passed the measure that accustomably is used to be given to other princes in their greatest perfection and yet exceeded he not 16 yeers of age What Gravity above age What Wisdom wherein he passed all understanding or expectation of man And what Dexterity in answering in all things proposed were in that excellent Prince The Ambassadours of all Countries yea some that were mortall enemies to him and to his Realme amongst whom the Queen Dowager of Scotland was not the least could and did testifie For the said Queen Dowager returning from France through England communed with him at length and gave record when she came to this Realme That she found more wisdome and solide judgement in young King Edward then she would have looked for in any three Princes that were then in Europe His liberality towards the godly and learned that were in other Realms persecuted was such as Germans French-men Italians Scots Spaniards Polonians Grecians and Hebrews born can yet give sufficient document For how honourably was Martin Bucer Peter Martyr Iohn Alasco Emanuel Gualterus and many others upon his publike stipends entertained their parents can witnesse and they themselves during their lives would never have denied After the death of this most vertuous Prince of whom the godlesse people of England for the most part were not worthy Satan intended nothing lesse then the light of Jesus Christ utterly to have been extinguished within the whole Isle of Britain For after him was raised up in Gods hot displeasure that Idolatresse and mischievous Mary of the Spaniards blood a cruell persecutrix of Gods people as the acts of her unhappy reigne can sufficiently witnesse And in Scotland that same time as we have heard reigned that crafty practiser Mary of Loraine then named Regent of Scotland who bound to the devotion of her two brethren the Duke of Guise and Cardinall of Loraine did onely abide the opportunity to cut the throat of all those in whom she suspected any knowledge of God to be within the Realme of Scotland And so thought Satan that his kingdome of darknesse was in quietnesse and rest as well in the one Realme as in the other But that provident eye of our eternall God who continually watches for preservation of his Church did so order all things that Satan shortly after found himselfe farre disappointed of his conclusion taken For in that cruell persecution used by Queen Mary of England were godly men dispersed into divers nations of whom it pleased the goodnesse of God to send some unto us for our comfort and instruction And first came a simple man William Harlaw whose erudition although it excell not yet for his whole and diligent plainnesse in Doctrine is he to this day worthy of praise and remaines a fruitfull member within the Church of Scotland After him came that notable man Iohn Willocke as one that had some Commission to the Queen Regent from the Dutchesse of Emden But his principall purpose was to essay what God would worke by him in his native countrey These two did sometimes in severall companies assemble the brethren who by their exhortations began greatly to be encouraged and did shew that they had an earnest thirst of godlinesse And last came Iohn Knox in the end of the harvest Anno 1555. who first being lodged in the house of that notable man of God Iames Sime began to exhort secretly in that same house whereunto repaired the Laird of Dun David Forresse and some certain personages of the Town amongst whom was Elizabeth Adamson then spouse to Iames Barrone Burgesse of Edinburgh who by reason that she had a troubled conscience delighted much in the company of the said Iohn because that he according to the grace given unto him opened more fully the Fountaine of Gods Mercies then did the common sort of Teachers that she had heard before for she had heard none except Friers and did with such greedinesse drinke thereof that at her death she did expresse the fruit of her hearing to the great comfort it of all those that repaired unto her For albeit she suffered most grievous torment in her body yet out of her mouth was heard nothing but praising of God except that sometimes she lamented the troubles of those that were troubled by her Being sometimes demanded by her sisters What she thought of that pain which she then
as before God I have a testimonie that I seek not for my selfe but the advancement of Christs Evangell and the comfort of such as whom I know afflicted so shall the godly understand that England in refusing me refuseth a friend how small that ever the power be The mighty Spirit of the Lord Jesus moove your heart deeply to consider your dutie unto God and the estate of that Realme in which by his appointment you now serve From Deepe the 10 of April 1559. Yours to command in godlinesse Iohn Knox. To this Letter was no answer made for shortly the said Iohn Knox made forward to Scotland by sea when he landed the third of May and had such successe as is in the second book declared The said Iohn being in S. Andrews after Cowper-Moore entred in deep discourse with the Laird of Grange the danger is very evident but the support was not easie to be seen After many words Iohn Knox burst forth as followeth If England would foresee their own commodity yea if they would consider the danger wherein themselves stand they would not suffer us to perish in this quarrell for France hath no lesse decreed the conquest of England then of Scotland After long reasoning it was concluded betwixt them two That support should be craved of England And for that purpose the said Laird of Grange first wrote to Sir Henry Percie and after rode from Edinburgh and spake with him to whom he made so plaine demonstration of the danger appearing to England that he tooke upon him to write to Secretarie Cecil who with expedition returned answer back again giving him to understand That our enterprise altogether misliked not the Councell albeit that they desired further resolution of the principall Lords Which thing understood it was concluded to write to him plainely our whole purpose The tenour of our Letter was this The first Letter to Sir William Cecill from the Lords of the Congregation THe contents of a Letter directed by you right Worshipfull to Sir Henry Percie was notified unto us by Master Kirkcaldie of Grange this Sunday the 26 of July By the which we perceive that the said Laird of Grange of zeale and faithfull heart which he beareth to the furtherance of this our great and before the world dangerous enterprise hath travelled with you as with an unfained favourer of Christs true Religion and of the libertie of our Countrey for knowledge of your mindes towards us in case that we be assaulted by any forraigne invasion or greater power then we be well able to resist Your comfortable answer to this question we have considered to our joy and comfort as also your motions and what you demand To wit What the Protestants within this Realme do purpose To what end we mean to direct our actions How we will and how we be able to accomplish the same What doubts we have of any adversary power And finally in case that support should be sent from you What manner of amity might ensue betwixt these two Realmes c. To the which in briefe we answer That our whole and onely purpose as God knoweth is to advance the glory of Christ Jesus the true Preaching of his Gospel within this Realme To remove superstition and all sort of externall Idolatry to bridle to our powers the fury of those that heretofore have cruelly shed the blood of our brethren and to our uttermost to maintaine the liberty of this our Countrey from the tyrannie and thraldome of strangers as God shall assist us How we be able to accomplish these premises is to us unknown onely our hope is good That he that hath begun this good worke in us and hath by his power to this houre confounded the faces of our adversaries will performe the same to his glory which chiefly we seek in this our enterprise Because we suppose That neither our present danger neither yet the warlike preparation which France maketh against us are hid from you nor from the counsell we omit that part As touching the assurance of a perpetuall amity to stand betwixt these two Realmes As no earthly thing of us is more desired so crave we of God to make us the instruments by which this unnaturall debate which long hath continued betwixt us may once be composed to the praise of Gods Name and to the comfort of the faithfull in both Realms And if your wisedoms can foresee and devise the means and assurances how the same may be brought to passe perswade your selves not onely of our consent and assistance but also of our constancy as men can promise unto our lives end Yea farther of charge and commandment by us to be left to our posterity That the Amity betwixt us in God contracted and begun may be by them kept inviolate for ever As for the revolting from you to France which ye seem to fear and suspect at their pleasure we utterly abhorre that infidelity for now doth the voyce of God continually sound in our ears That such as prophane the terrible and reverent Name of God shall not escape vengeance Our Confederacy Amity and League shall not be like the Pactions made by worldly men for worldly profit but as we require it for Gods Cause so will we call upon his Name for the observation of the same Moreover if we should lack any thing in Temporall commodity yet should we never have occasion to returne to them for we now perceive and feel the weight of their yoke and intend by Gods grace to cut away such instruments as by whom this Realme was before abused True it is That as yet we have made no mention of any change in Authority neither yet were we minded to do any such thing till extreme necessity compelleth us thereto But seeing it is now more then evident That France and the Queen Regent here with her Priests pretendeth nothing but the suppressing of Christs Gospel the ruine of us and the subversion of this poor Realme committing our innocency to God and unto the judgement of all godly and wise men we are determined to seek the next remedy in which we heartily require your counsell and assistance And thus farre we have enterprised to make you participant of our purpose because in the said Letters ye required the said Master Kirkcaldie some farther assurance then his owne word or writing which we doubt not but ye shall shortly receive from more then from us We dare not hastily make the Assembly neither of Nobles neither of Barons privie in this Cause for dangers that may ensue by policie and craft of the adversaries your wisdom we doubt not will communicate these onely with such as ye know favourers of such a godly Conjunction It should much help in our opinion if the Preachers both in perswasion and in publike Prayers as ours do here would commend the same unto the people And thus after our most humble commendations to the Queenes Majestie whose
and short God is witnesse That unfainedly I both love and reverence you Majestie yea I pray that your Raigne may be both prosperous and quiet and that for the quietnesse which Christs Members before persecuted have received under you But yet if I should flatter your Majesty I were no friend but a deceivable traytor and therefore in conscience I am compelled to say That neither the consent of the people the processe of time nor multitude of men can establish a Law which God shall approve but whatsoever he approveth by his Eternall Word that shall be approved and stay constantly firme and whatsoever he condemneth shall be condemned though all men on earth should travell for the justification of the same And therefore Madame the onely way to retain and keep the benefits of God abundantly of late dayes poured upon you and your Realme is unfainedly to render unto God to his mercy and undeserved grace the whole glory of this your exaltation forget your Birth and all Title which hereupon doth hang and consider deeply How for fear of your life you did decline from God and bow to Idolatry going to Masse under your sister Mary her persecution of Gods Saints Let it not appear a small offence in your eyes That you have declined from Christ Jesus in the day of your Battel Neither yet would I that you should esteem that mercy to be vulgar and common which you have received viz. That God hath covered your offence Hath preserved your Person when you were most unthankfull And in the end has exalted and raised you up not onely from the dust but also from the ports of death to rule above his people for comfort of his Kirk It appertaineth to you therefore to ground the justice of your Authority not on that Law which from yeer to yeer doth change but upon the eternall providence of him who contrary to the ordinary course of Nature and without your deserving hath exalted your head If thus in Gods presence you humble your self as in my heart I glorifie God for that rest granted to his afflicted Flock within England under you a weak Instrument so will I with tongue and pen justifie your Authority and Regiment as the holy Ghost hath justified the same in Deborah that blessed Mother in Israel But if you neglect as God forbid these things and shall begin to brag of your Birth and to build your Authority and your Regiment upon your own Law flatter you who so listeth your felicity shall be short Interpret my words in the best part as written by him who is no enemy to your Majestie By divers Letters I have required to visite your Realme not to seek my self neither yet my own ease and benefit which if you now refuse and deny me I must remit my cause to God adding this for conclusion that commonly it is seen That such as refuse the counsel of the faithfull appear it never so sharp are compelled to follow the deceit of flatterers to their own perdition The mighty Spirit of the Lord Jesus move your heart to understand what is said and give unto you the direction of his Spirit and so rule you in all your actions and enterprises that in you God may be glorified his Kirk edified and you your self as a lively Member of the same may be an example of vertue godlinesse of life to all others So be it Of Edinb 28 Iuly 1559. These Letters were directed by Alexander Whitlaw a man that oft had hazarded himself and all that he had for the Cause of God and for his friends being in danger for the same Cause Within a day or two after the departing of the said Alexander there came a Letter from Sir Henry Percie to Iohn Knox requiring him to meet him at Annick the third day of August for such affaires as he would not write nor yet communicate with any but with the said Iohn himselfe while he was preparing himselfe for the journey for Secretary Cecill had appointed to have met him at Stampford the French-men furiously came forth of Dumbar of purpose to have surprised the Lords being in Edinburgh as in the second Book before is declared which stayed the journey of the said Iohn till that God had delivered the innocents from that great danger and then was he sent having in his company M. Robert Hamilton Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ directed from the Lords with full Commission and Instructions to decline their whole case and estate wherein they stood Their passage was from Pittenweame by sea they arrived at Holy-Iland and being advertised that Sir Henry Percie was absent from the North They addressed themselves to Sir Iames Crofts then Captain of Barwick and Warden of the East Marches of England They shewed unto him their Credit and Commission He received them courteously and comforted them with his faithfull Counsell which was That they should travell no further neither yet should they be seen in publike and that for divers considerations First The Queen Regent had her spies in England Secondly The Queen and the Councell that favoured our faction would that all things should be secret so long as they might And last said he I think it not expedient that in such rarity of Preachers ye two be any long time absent from the Lords of the Congregation And therefore said he ye shall do best to commit to writing your whole minde and Credit and I shall promise to you upon my honour to have answer at you and at the Lords again before that ye your selves can be at London And where that your Letters cannot expresse all things so fully as your presence could I shall supply the same not onely by my pen but also by my own presence to such as will informe the Councell sufficiently of all things The said Iohn and M. Robert followed his Councell for it was faithfull and proceeded of love at that time they tarried with him very secretly within the Castle of Barwick two dayes In the which time returned Alexander Whitlaw aforesaid with answer to the Lords and unto Iohn Knox. The tenour of whose Letter was this Master Cecils Letter to Iohn Knox. Master Knox NOn est masculus neque fâ—minâ— omnes enim ut ait Paulus unum sumus in Christo Iesu benedictus vir qui confidit in Domino erit Dominus fiducia ejus I have received you Letters at the same time that I thought to have seen your selfe at Stamford What is now hitherto the cause of your let I know not I forbeare to descend to the bottom of things untill I may conferre with such one as ye are And therefore if your chance shall be hereafter to come hither I wish you furnished with good Credit and power to make good resolution Although my answer to the Lords of the Congregation be somewhat obscure yet upon further understanding ye shall finde the matter plaine I need to wish you no more prudencie then
and the other Lords at Glasgow AFter humble commendation of my service Albeit I have written more then once to Master Henry Balnaves what things have misliked me in your slow proceedings as well in supporting your brethren who many dayes have sustained extreame danger in these parts as in making provision how the enemie might have been annoyed who lay few in number nigh to your Quarters in Sterlin And in making likewise provision how the expectation of our friends who long have waited for your answer might have been satisfied Albeit I say that of these things I have before complained yet in conscience I am compelled to signifie unto your Honours That unlesse of these and other enormities I shall see some redresse I am assured That the end shall be such as godly men shall mourne that a good Cause shall perish for lacke of Wisdome and Diligence In my last Letters to Master Henry Balnaves I declared That your especiall friends in England wonder that no greater expedition is made the weight of the matter being considered If the fault be in the Duke and his friends I wrote also That the greatest losse should be his and theirs in the end And now I cannot cease both to wonder and lament That your whole Councell was so destitute of Wisdome and Discretion as to charge this poore man the Priour to come to you to Glasgow and thereafter to go to Carleil for such affaires as are to be handled Was there none amongst you who did foresee what inconveniences might ensue his absence from these parts I cease to speake of the dangers by the enemie Your friends have lyen in your Haven now fifteene dayes past what was their former travell it is not unknowne they have never received comfort of any man him onely excepted more then if they had lyen upon the coast of their mortall enemy Do ye not consider That such a company shall need comfort and provision from time to time Remove him and who abideth there who carefully will travell in that or any other weighty matter in these parts Did ye not farther consider That he that had begun to meddle with the Gentlemen who have declared themselves back-friends heretofore and also that order should have been taken for such as have been neutrall now by reason of his absence the one shall escape without admonition and the other shall be at their own liberty I am assured that the enemy shall not sleep neither in that nor in other affairs to undermine you and your whole Cause and especially to hurt this part of the Countrey to revenge their former folly If none of these former causes should have moved you to have considered that such a journey at such a time was not meet for him neither yet for them that must accompany him yet discreet men would have considered that the men that have lien in their jacks and travelled their horses continuall the space of a moneth required some longer rest first to themselves then but especially to their horses before they had been charged to such a journey as yet they have not had The Priour may for satisfaction of your unreasonable mindes enterprise the purpose but I am assured he shall not be able to have six honest men in all Fyfe to accompany him and how that either standeth with your Honors or with his safety judge ye your selves But yet wonder it is that ye did not consider To what pain and griefe shall ye put our friends of England especially the Duke of Norfolk and his Councell whom ye shall cause to travell the most wearisome and troublesome way that is in England In mine opinion whosoever gave you that counsell either lacked right judgement in things to be done or else had too much respect to his own ease and too small regard to the travell and damage of their brethren A common cause requireth a common concurrence and that every man bear his burden proportionable But prudent and indifferent men espie the contrary in this cause especially of late dayes for the weakest are most grievously charged and they to whom the matter most belongeth and to whom justly greatest burden is due are exempted in a manner both from travell and expences To speak the matter plainly wise men do wonder what the Dukes friends do mean that they are so slack and backward in this cause In other actions they have been judged stout and forward and in this which is the greatest that ever he or they had in hand they appear destitute both of grace and courage I am not ignorant that they that are most inward of his counsell are enemies to God and therefore cannot but be enemies to this Cause But wonder it is That he and his other friends should not consider That the losse of this godly enterprise shall be the rooting out of them and their posterity from this Realme Considering my Lords That by Gods providence ye are joyned with the Duke in this common Cause admonish him plainly of the danger to come will him to beware of the counsell of those that are plainly infected with Superstition with Pride and with the venome of particular profit which if he do not at your admonition he shall smart before he be aware And if ye cease to put him in minde of his duty it may be that for your silence ye shall drinke some portion of the plague with him Take my plain speaking as proceeding from him that is not your enemy being also uncertaine when I shall have occasion to write hereafter God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ assist you with the Spirit of wisedom and fortitude that to his glory and to your Lordships common comfort ye may performe that thing which godlily was once begun Amen From Saint Andrewes the 6 of February in haste 1559. Sic subscribitur Your Lordships to command in godlinesse J. K. Upon the receit of this Letter and consultation had hereupon a new conclusion was taken to wit That they would visite the said Duke of Norfolke at Barwicke where he was Thus far we have digressed from the text of our History to let the Posterity that shall follow understand by what instruments God wrought the familiarity and friendship that after we found in England Now we returne to our former History The parts of Fyfe set at freedom from the Bondage of these bloody worms solemne thanks were given in S. Andrews unto God for his mighty deliverance Shortly after the Earle of Arrane and Lord Iames apprehended the Lairds of Wemes Seafield Bawgony Durie and others that assisted the French but they were set shortly at freedom upon such conditions as they minded never to keep for such men have neither faith nor honesty Master Iames Balfour who was the greatest practiser and had drawn the Band of the Balfours escaped The English Ships daily multiplied till that they were able to keep the whole Fyrth whereat the French and Queen Regent enraged began to
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
one Citie For the bodily presence of Kings can no more be in divers cities at one instant then that they can be in divers Realms Hitherto we have understood that wheresoever the great Councellers of the King with his power and Commission are assembled to do any thing at his just commandment That there is the Kings sufficient presence and authority wheresoever his own body be living at freedome and liberty which if the Papists deny we will finde faults with them and with the Princes whom they have abused that more will annoy them then any thing that we can lose by the insufficiencie of that Parliament Which neverthelesse we are bold to affirme to have been more lawfull and more free then any Parliament that they are able to produce this hundred yeeres before it or yet any that hath ensued since it was he meanes untill 1566. when this Book was written for in it the voices of men were free and given in conscience in others they were bought or given at the devotion of the misled Prince All things in it concluded are able to abide the triall and not to be consumed at the proofe of the fire of others the godly may justly call in doubt things determined To the Sword and Scepter nor yet to the absence of some Lords we answer nothing For our adversaries know well enough that the one is rather a pompe and vaine-glorious ceremonie then a substantiall point of necessitie required to a lawfull Parliament And the absence of some prejudges not the powers of the present duely assembled Providing that due advertisement be made unto them But now we return to our History The Parliament dissolved consultation was had how the Church might be established in a good and godly policie which by the Papists was altogether defaced Commission and charge was given to Master Iohn Winram Sub-priour of S. Andrews Master Iohn Spottiswood Iohn Willock Master Iohn Dowglas Rectour of S. Andrews Master Iohn Row and Iohn Knox to draw in a Volume the Policie and Discipline of the Church as well as they had done the Doctrine which they did and presented it to the Nobility who did peruse it many dayes Some approved it and willed the same to have been set forth by a Law others perceiving their carnall liberty and worldly commodity somewhat to be impared thereby grudged in so much that the name of the Book of Discipline became odious unto them Every thing that repugned to their corrupt imaginations was termed in their mockage Devout imaginations The cause we have before declared some was licentious some had greedily griped the possessions of the Church and others thought that they would not lack their part of Christs Coat yea and that before that ever he was Crucified as by the Preachers they were oft rebuked The chief great man that had professed Christ Jesus and refused to subscribe the Book of Discipline was the Lord Erskin And no wonder for besides that he had a very evill woman to his wife if the Poore the Schooles and the Ministerie of the Church had their owne his Kitchin would lack two parts and more of that which he unjustly now possesseth Assuredly some of us hath wondered how men that professe godlinesse could of so long continuance hear the threatnings of God against theeves and against their houses and knowing themselves guilty in such things as were openly rebuked and that they never had remorse of conscience neither yet intended to restore any thing of that which long they had stollen and reft There were none within the Realme more unmercifull to the poore Ministers then were they which had greatest rents of the Churches But in that we have perceived the old Proverb to be true Nothing can suffice a wretch And again The belly hath no eares Yet the same Book of Discipline was subscribed by a great part of the Nobility To wit The Duke the Earle of Arrane the Earles Argyle Glencarn Mershell Menteth Morton Rothesse Lord Iames after Earle of Murray Lords Yeaster Boyd Uchiltrie Master of Maxwell Lord Lindsay elder and the Master after Lord Barrons Drunlaurige Lothingwar Garleisse Bargany Master Alexander Gordon Bishop of Galloway this Bishop of Galloway as he renounced Popery so did he Prelacie witnesse his subscription of the Book of Discipline as the rest of the Prelats did who did joyne to the Reformation Alexander Campbell Deane of Marray with a great number moe subscribed and approved the said Book of Discipline in the Town-Buith of Edinburgh the 27 day of January the yeere of our Lord God 1560. by their approbation In these words WE which have subscribed these presents having advised with the Articles herein specified and as is above-mentioned from the beginning of this Book thinks the same good and conforme to Gods Word in all points conforme to the Notes and Additions thereto asked and promise to set the same forward at the uttermost of our powers Providing that the Bishops Abbots Priors and other Prelates and Beneficed men which else have adjoyned themselves to us brooke the revenues of their Benefices during their life times they sustaining and upholding the Ministerie and Ministers as is heerein specified for Preaching of the Word and Ministring of the Sacraments What be the contents of the whole Book and how that this promise was illuded from time to time we shall after heare Shortly after the said Parliament were sent from the Councell Ambassadours to England the Earles Morton and Glencarne together with William Maitland of Lethington yonger The chief point of their Commission was earnestly to crave the constant assistance of the Queens Majestie of England against all forraigne invasion and common enemies That same time was the Castle of Semple hard besieged and taken Because the Lord thereof disobeyed the Lawes and Ordinances of the Councell in many things and especially in that that he would maintain the Idolatrie of the Masse and also that he beset the way to the Earle of Arrane with a great gathering as he was riding with his accustomed company The Papists were proud for they looked for a new Armie from France at the next Spring and thereof was no small appearance if God had not otherwise provided For France utterly refused the confirmation of the Peace contracted at Leith would ratifie no part of our Parliament dismissed the Lord of Saint Iohn without a resolute answer began to gather new Bands of throat-cutters and to make great preparation for Ships They further sent before them certain practisers amongst whom the Lord Seaton who had departed with the French out of Leith was one to raise up new troubles within this Realme And all this came partly of the malice of the house of Guise who had avowed to revenge the displeasure of their sister both upon England and Scotland and partly by instigation of proud Beton falsly called Bishop of Glasgow of Dury Abbot of Dunfermeling and Saulles Seaton and Master Iohn Sinclair Deane of Restalrige