know wherein they offend But so it is that the most part of your Nobilitie are so addicted to your affections that neither Gods Word nor yet their Common-wealth are rightly regarded and therefore it becometh me to speake that they may know their dutie What have you to do said she with my marriage or what are you within the Common-wealth A subject borne within the same said hee Madame and albeit I be neither Earle Lord nor Barron within it yet hath God made me how abject that ever I be in your eyes a profitable and usefull Member within the same Yea Madame to me it appertaineth no lesse to forewarne of such things as may hurt it if I foresee them then it doth to any one of the Nobility for both my Vocation and Office craveth plainnesse of me and therefore Madame to your selfe I say that which I spake in publick Whensoever the Nobilitie of this Realme shall be content and consent that you be subject to an unlawfull husband they doe as much as in them lieth to renounce Christ to banish the truth to betray the freedome of this Realme and perchance shall in the end doe small comfort to your selfe At these words howling was heard and teares might have beene seene in greater abundance then the matter required Iohn Arskin of Dun a man of meeke and gentle spirit stood beside and did what he could to mittigate the anger and gave unto her many pleasant words Of her Bounty of her Excellencie and how that all the Princes in Europe would be glad to seek her favours but all that was to cast Oyl into the flaming fire The said Iohn stood still without any alteration of countenance for a long time while that the Queen gave place to her in ordinate passions and in the end he said Madame in Gods presence I speak I never delighted in the weeping of any of Gods Creatures yea I can scarcely well abide the teares of mine own Boyes when my own hands corrects them much lesse can I rejoyce in your Majesties weeping but seeing I have offered unto you no just occasion to be offended but have spoken the truth as my Vocation craves of me I must sustaine your Majesties teares rather then I dare hurt my conscience or betray the Common-wealth by silence Herewith was the Queene more offended and commanded the said Iohn to passe forth of the Cabinet and to abide further of her pleasure in the Chamber The Laird of Dun tarried and Lord Iohn of Coldinghame came into the Cabinet and so they remained with her neere the space of one houre The said Iohn stood in the Chamber as one whom men had never seene so were all afraid except that the Lord Uchiltrie bare him company And therefore began he to make discourse with the Ladies who were there sitting in all their gorgeous apparell Which when he espied he merrily said Fair Ladies How pleasant were this life of yours if it should ever abide and then in the end that we might passe to Heaven with this geare But fie upon that knave Death that will come whether we will or not and when he hath laid on the Arrest then foule wormes will be busie with this flesh be it never so faire and so tender And the silly soule I fear shall be so feeble that it can neither carry with it Gold Garnishing Targating Pearle nor precious Stones And by such and the like discourse entertained he the Ladies and past the time till that the Laird of Dun willed him to depart to his house till new advertisement The Queen would have had the sentiment of the Lords of the Articles if that such manner of speaking deserved not punishment But shee was counselled to desist And so that storme quieted in appearance but never in the heart Short after the Parliament Lethington returned from his Negotiation in England and France GOD in the February before had stricken that bloodie Tyrant the Duke of Guise which somewhat brake the heat of our Queene for a season But short after the returning of Lethington Pride and Malice began to shew themselves againe The Queene set at liberty the Bishop of Saint Andrewes and the rest of the Papists that before were put in prison for violating of the Laws Lethington at his returning shewed himselfe not a little offended that any brute should have beene raised of the Queenes Marriage with the King of Spaine for he took upon him to affirme That any such thing had never entered into her heart But how true that was we shall hereafter heare The end of his acquaintance and complaint was To discredit Iohn Knox who had affirmed That such a Marriage was both proposed and upon the part of the Queen by the Cardinall accepted Lethington in his absence had run into a very evil brute among the Nobility for too much serving the Queens affections against the Common-wealth And therefore had he as one that lacked not worldly wisedome made provision both in England and Scotland for in England he travelled for the Freedome of the Earle Bothwell and by that means obtained promise of his favour He had there also taken order for the home coming of the Earle of Lenox as we shall after hear In Scotland he joyned with the Earle of Atholl him he promoted and set forward in Court and so began the Earle of Murray to be defaced And yet to the said Earle Lethington at all times shewed a fair countenance The rest of that Summer the Queen spent in her Progresse thorow the West Countrey where in all Towns and Gentlemens places she had her Masse which coming to the ears of Iohn Knox he began that forme of prayer which ordinarily he saith after thanks-giving at his Table 1. Deliver us O Lord from the bondage of Idolatry 2. Preserve and keep us from the tyranny of strangers 3. Continue us in Peace and Concord amongst our selves if they good pleasure be O Lord for a season Whilst that divers of the familiars of the said Iohn asked of him Why he prayed for quietnesse to continue for a season and not rather absolutely that we should continue in quietnesse His answer was That he durst not pray but in faith and faith in Gods Word assured him That constant quietnesse would not continue in that Realme wherein Idolatry had been suppressed and then was permitted to be erected againe From the West Countrey the Queen past into Argyle to the Hunting and after returned to Sterlin The Earle of Murray the Lord Robert of Halyrud-house and Lord Iohn of Coldingham past to the Northlands where Justice Courts were holden Theeves and Murtherers were punished Two Witches were burnt the eldest was so blinded with the devill that she affirmed That no Judge had power over her The same time Lord Iohn of Coldingham departed this life in Innernes It was affirmed That he commanded such as were beside him to say to the Queen That unlesse she left her Idolatry God would
that matter to your Majesties contentment it will please your Majestie of your goodnesse to remove the Souldiers and their Captains with others that have gotten charge of the Town That the same may be guided and ruled freely as it was before by the Ballyes and Counsell conforme to their infeoffments given to them by the ancient and most excellent Kings of this Realme to elect and chuse their officers at Michaelmas and they to endure for the space of one yeere conforme to the old Rite and Custome of this Realme which being done by your Majestie we trust the better successe shall follow thereupou to your Majesties content as the bearer will declare at more length to your Majestie Whom God preserve To Saint Iohnston with the Gentlemen before expressed did Convene the Earle of Monteith the Laird of Glaneurquhair and divers others who before had not presented themselves for defence of their brethren When the whole multitude was Convened a Trumpet was sent by the Lords commanding the Captains and their Bands To avoid the Towne and to leave it to the ancient Libertie and just Inhabitants of the same Also commanding the Laird of Kilfawnes put in Provest by the Queen with the Captains aforesaid To open the gates of the Town and make the same patent to all our Soveraigns lieges to the effect That as well true Religion now once begun therein may be maintained and Idolatry utterly suppressed as also the said Town might enjoy and brook their ancient Laws and Liberties unoppressed by men of War according to their old Priviledges granted to them by the ancient Princes of this Realme and conforme to the provision contained in the Contract of Marriage made by the Nobility and Parliament of this Realme with the King of France bearing namely That our old Laws or Liberties should not be altered Adding thereto If they foolishly resisted and therein happened to commit murther That they should be treated as murtherers To the which they answered proudly That they would keep and defend that Towne according to their promise made to the Queen Regent This answer received preparation was made for the Siege and assault For amongst all it was concluded that the Towne should be set at liberty to what danger soever their bodies should be exposed While preparation was in making came the Earle of Huntly the Lord Erskin Master Iohn Ballenden Justice Clerk requiring that the pursuit of the Town should be delayed To speake to them were appointed the Earle of Argyle Lord Iames and Lord Ruthuen who perceiving in them nothing but a drift of time without any assurance that the former wrongs should be redressed gave unto them a short and plaine answer That they would not delay their purpose an houre and therefore willed them to certifie the Captains in the Town That if by pride and foolishnesse they would keep the Town and in so doing slay any of their brethren that they should every one die as murtherers The Earle of Huntly displeased at this answer departed and was highly offended that he could not dresse such an appointment as should have contented the Queen and the Priests After their departing the Town was again summoned but the Captaines supposing that no sudden pursuit should be made and looking for reliefe to have been sent from the Queen abode in their former opinion And so upon Saterday the nine and twentieth of June at ten of the clock at night commanded the Lord Ruthuen who besieged the west Quarter to shoot the first Volley which being done the Town of Dundie did the like whose Ordnance lay on the east side of the Bridge The Captaines and Souldiers within the Town perceiving that they were unable long to resist required assurance till twelve houres upon the morrow promising That if before that houre there came unto them no relief from the Queen Regent that they would render the Town Provided that they should be suffered to depart the Town with Ensigne displayed We thirsting the blood of no man and seeking onely the liberty of our brethren condescended to their desires albeit that we might have executed against them judgement without mercy for that they had refused our former favours and had slain one of our brethren and hurt two in their resistance and yet we suffered them freely to depart without any further molestation The Town being delivered from their thraldom upon Sunday the six and twentieth of June thanks was given to God for this great benefit received and consultation was taken what was further to be done In this meane time zealous men considering how obstinate proud and despightfull the Bishop of Murray had been before how he had threatned the Town by his Souldiers and friends who lay in Scone thought good that some order should be taken with him and with that place which lay neer to the Towns end The Lords wrote unto him for he lay within two miles of S. Iohnston That unlesse he would come and assist them they neither could spare nor save his place He answered by his writing That he would come and would do as they thought expedient that he would assist them with his Force and would consent with them against the rest of the Clergie in Parliament But because this answer was slow in coming the Town of Dundie partly offended for the slaughter of their men and especially bearing no good favour to the said Bishop for that he was and is chief enemy to Christ Jesus and that by his counsell alone was Walter Mile our brother put to death they marched forward To stay them was first sent the Provest of Dundie and his brother Alexander Halyburtoun Captaine who little prevailing was sent unto them Iohn Knox but before his coming they were entred to the pulling downe of the Idols and dortoir And albeit the said Master Iames Halyburtoun Alexander his brother and the said Iohn did what in them lay to have stayed the fury of the multitude yet were they not able to put order universally and therefore they sent for the Lords Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames who coming with all diligence laboured to have saved the place and the place and the Church But because the multitude had found buried in the Church a great number of hid goods of purpose to have preserved them to a better day as the papists speak the Towns of Dundie and S. Iohnston could not be satisfied till that the whole reparation and Ornaments of the Church as they terme it were destroyed And yet did the Lords so travell that they saved the Bishops Palace with the Church and place for that night For the two Lords did not depart till they brought with them the whole number of those that most sought the Bishops displeasure The Bishop greatly offended that any thing should have been enterprised in reformation of his place asked of the Lords his Band and hand-writing which not two hours before he had sent unto them which delivered to
her Army so that in the end we should not be able to resist But the greatest part of the Nobility and many of the people were so enchanted by her treasonable soliciters that they would not hear nor credit the truth plainly spoken The French then after the arriving of their new men began to brag then began they to divide the Lands and Lordships according to their owne fantasies for one was stiled Monsieur de Argyle another Monsieur le Prior the third Monsieur de Ruthwen yâ—a they were assured in their own opinion to possesse whatsoever they listed so that some asked for the Rentalls and Revenues of divers mens lands to the end that they might chuse the best And yet in this mean time she was not ashamed to set out a Proclamation in this form A Proclamation set forth by the Queen Regent to blinde the vulgar People FOrasmuch as We understand that certain seditious persons have of malice invented and blown abroad divers rumours and evill brutes intending thereby to stir up the hearts of the people and so to stop all manner of reconciliations betwixt us and our subjects being of the number of the Congregation and consequently to kindle and nourish a continuall strife and division within this Realme to the manifest subversion of the whole State thereof And amongst other purposes have maliciously devised for that effect and have perswaded too many That We have violated the Appointment lately taken in so far as any more French men since came in and that we do minde to draw in great Forces of men of War forth of France to suppresse the Liberty of this Realm oppresse the inhabitants thereof and make up strangers with their lands goods Which reports are all God knoweth most vain fained and untrue For it is of truth That nothing hath been done on our part since the said Appointment whereby it may be alleadged that any part thereof contravened nor yet was at that time any thing commoved or concluded to stop the sending in of French-men as may clearly appear by inspection of the said Appointment which the Bearer hereof hath present to shew Whatsoever number of men of War be arrived We have such regard to Our honor and quietnesse of this Realm that in case in the room of every French-man that is in Scotland there were an hundred at our command yet should not for that any jot that is pâ—omised be broken or any alteration made by our provocation but the said Proclamation truely and surely should be observed in every point If the said Congregation will in like manner faithfully keep their part thereof Nor yet mean we to trouble any man in the peaceable possession of their goods rooms Nor yet to enrich the Crowne and far lesse any strangers with your substance for Our dearest son and daughter the King and Queen are by Gods provision placed in the room where all men of judgement may well consider they have no need of any mans goods And for Our Self we seeking nothing but dutifull obedience unto them such as good subjects ought to give to their Soveraigne without diminution of your liberties and priviledges or alteration of your Laws Therefore We have thought good to notifie unto you Our good minde foresaid and desire you not to give ear nor credit to such vain imaginations whereof before God no part entered in our conceit nor suffer your selves be thereby led from your due obedience assuring you ye shall ever finde with Us truth in promise and a motherly love towards all you behaving your selves as Our obedient subjects But of one thing We give you warning That whereas some Preachers of the Congregation in their publike Sermons speak irreverently and slanderously as well of Princes in generall as of Our Selfe in particular and of the obedience of higher Powers inducing the people by that part of their Doctrine to defection from their duty which pertaineth nothing to Religion but rather sedition and tumult things direct quite contrary to Religion Therefore We desire you to take order in your Towns and bounds that when the Preachers repair thither they use themselves more modestly in these behalfs and in their Preaching not to meddle so much with Civill Policy and Publike Government nor yet name Us or other Princes but with reverence otherwise it will not be suffered And seeing you have presently the Declaration of Our Intention We desire likewise to know what shall be your part to Us that We may understand what to trust for at your hands whereof we desire a plain Declaration in writing with this Bearer without delay At Edinburgh the 28 of August 1559. This Proclamation she sent by her Messengers thorow all the Countrey and had her solicitors in all parts who painfully travelled to bring men to her opinion amongst whom these were the principall Sir Iohn Ballenden Justice Clerke Master Iames Balfour Officiall of Lowthian Master Thomas and Master William Scots sons to the Laird of Balwerie Sir Robert Carnegie and Master Gawâ—n Hammilton who foâ— fainting of the brethrens hearts and drawing many to the Queens faâ—tion against their native Countrey have declared themselves enemies to God and Traytors to the Common-weal But above all others Master Iames Balfour Official for the time ought to be abhorred for he of an old professor is become a new denier of Christ Jesus and manifest blasphemer of his eternal Verity against his knowledge and conscience seeking to betray his brethren and native Countrey into the hands of a cruell and unfaithfull Nation The answer to this former Proclamation was made in forme as followeth To the Nobility Burgesse and Commonty of this Realme of Scotland the Lords Barons and others Brethren of the Congregation wisheth encrease of all wisedom with advancement of the glory of God and of the Common-wealth THe love of our native Countrey craveth the defence of our honours requireth and the sincerity of our consciences compelleth us dear brethren to answer in some part to the last Writs and Proclamations set forth by the Q Regent no lesse to make us and our Cause odious then to abuse your simplicity and to work your finall destruction conspired of old and now already put to work And first where she alleadgeth That certain seditious persons have of malice invented and blown abroad divers rumors tending thereby as she alleadgeth to stir up the hearts of the people to sedition by reason that the French-men are crept in of late in our Countrey True it is dear brethren that all such as bear naturall love to their Countrey to you their brethren inhabitants thereof to our houses wives children the esperance of our posterity and to be short To our Common-wealth and to the ancient Laws and Liberties therof cannot but in heart lament and with mouth tears complain the most crafty assaults devised and practised to the utter ruine of all these things forenamed This is so manifestly gone to work
up to the effects aforesaid and ordained Letters to be directed charging all and sundry Beneficed men on this side of the Water to produce their Rentalls before the foure and twentieth day of Ianuary last past And the tenth of February instant were prefixed by the said Letters for the bringing in all Rentalls of the Benefices beyond the water with certification That who produced not the said Rentalls at the dayes aforesaid respectively the Queens Majesty and her Councell would provide remedy according to the which Certification her Highnesse with advice of her Councell aforesaid hath Ordained That they who have not produced their Rentalls whole and full intromission shall be had of their fruits by them whom her Majesty shall direct thereto And who have not given their just Rentalls whatsoever part omitted forth of their said Rentall shall be intromitted in like manner And further having consulted rightly and diligently advised upon the common affairs and necessities concerning the Queens Majesty and charges to be borne for the Common-weale of the Realme and sustentation and maintenance of the Preachers and Readers conform to the said Ordinance made thereupon of before hath Ordained and Declared the whole third part of all Benefices of the which Rentalls are produced to be taken up by the person or persons to be nominated by her Majesty and to begin upon this last Crop of the yeer of God 1561. the same to be employed to the effect aforesaid Together with the whole Profits of the Benefices whereof the Rentalls are not produced And also all that is omitted out of the Rentalls produced And that order be directed by the Queens Majesty to the Lords of the Session That the old Possessors may be answered of the remnant fruits of the said Benefices providing That the third part aforesaid be full and whole taken up by the persons to be deputed to the taking thereof And this Order to continue and stand while further order be taken by the Queens Majesty with the advice of the States Moreover her Highnesse with the advice of the Councell aforesaid hath Statuted and Ordained That Annuells Marles and Duties within free Burroughs or other Townes of this Realme as well pertaining to Chaplanries Prebendaries as to Friers together with the Rents of the Friers Lands where-ever they be setting and disposing thereupon be intermedled with and taken by such as her Majesty shall depute thereto for employing of the same by her Highnesse to Hospitalls Schools and other godly uses as shall seeme best to her Highnesse with advice of her Councell And knowing that nothing is more commodious for the foresaid Hospitality then the places of Friers that are yet undemolished and also to the entertainment of Schools Colledges and other uses aforesaid ordains the Provests and Bayliffs of Aberdeine Elgmen Murray Inneresk Glasgow and other Burroughs of this Realme where the same are not demolished to entertain and uphold the said Friers places standing in the said Townes upon the Common goods thereof and to use the same to the Common weale and service of the said Townes untill the Queenes Majesty be further advised and take finall order in such things notwithstanding of any Gift Title or Entryes given to whatsoever persons of the said places with their Yards and Orchards and other Pertinents by our Soveraign Lady of before The Lords of secret Councell that were present at the Voting and making of the aforesaid Acts were Iames Duke of Chattellarault George Earle of Huntley Archibald Earle of Argyle William Earle Mershall Iohn Earle Atholl William Earle of Montrosse Iames Earle Morton Alexander Earle of Glencarne Iames Commendator of Saint Andrews Iohn Lord Erskin The Treasurer The Justice Clerke The Steward and Controller For the first Acts the Earle of Huntley said jestingly Good morrow my Lords of the two parts The whole Rentals being gathered the sum of the third according to their own calculation was found to extend to c. The Ministers even in the beginning of publike Sermons opposed themselves to such corruption for they foresaw the purposes of the Devill and clearly understood the Butt whereat the Queene and her flatterers Shot And so in the chaire of Edinburgh Iohn Knox said Well if the end of this Order pretended to be taken for sustentation of the Ministers be happy my judgement failes me for I am assured That the Spirit of God is not the Authour of it for first I see two parts freely given to the Devill and the third must be divided between God and the Devill Well said he beare witnesse to me that this day I said it Ere it be long the Devill shall have three parts of the third and judge you then what Gods portion will be This was an unsavory saying in the eares of many Some were not ashamed to affirme That the Ministers being sustained the Queen will not get at the yeers end to buy her a paire of new shoes And this was Secretary Lethington There were appointed to modifie the Ministers stipends The Earle of Argyle Murray and Morton Lethington Justice Clarke and Clerke of the Register The Laird of Pittaro was appointed to pay the Ministers Stipends according to their Modification Who would have thought that when Ioseph ruled Egypt that his brethren should have travelled for Victuals and have returned with empty Sacks unto their families men would rather have thought that Pharaohs Pose Treasure and Gilnells should rather have been diminished then that the houshold of Iacob should stand in danger to starve for hunger But so busie and circumspect were the Modificators because it was a new Office the terme must also be new that the Ministers should not be over-wanton That a hundred Marks was sufficient to a single man being a common Minister Three hundred Marks was the highest that was appointed to any except the Superintendents and a few others shortly Whether it was the ingratitude of their own hearts or the care that they had to enrich the Queene we know not But the poore Ministers Readers and Exhorters cryed out to the heaven as their complaints in all assemblies do witnesse That neither were they able to live upon the Stipends appointed neither could they get payment of that small thing that was appointed so faine would the Controllers have played the good Vallet and have satisfied the Queen or else their own profit The good Laird of Pittaro was an earnest Professour of Christ but the great Devill receive the Controller for he and his Collectours are become greedy factors To put an end to this unpleasing matter When the brethren complained of their poverty it was disdainfully answered of some There are many Lairds that have not so much to spend when men did reason that the Vocation of Ministers craved of them books quietnesse study and travell to edifie the Church of Christ Jesus when many Lairds were waiting upon their worldly businesse and therefore that the stipends of Ministers who had no other industry
Duke Hamilton the Earles Argile Murray Glencarne Rothesse the Lord Boyd and Ochiltrie with divers Barons and Gentlemen of Fife and Kyle where they concluded to be in readinesse with their whole Forces the four and twentieth day of August But the King and Queene with great cerity prevented them for their Majesties sent thorow Lowthian Fife Angus Stratherne Tividaile and Chiddisdaile and other Shires making their Proclamations in this manner That forasmuch as certaine Rebels who under colour of Religion intended nothing but the trouble and subversion of the Common-wealth were to convene with such as they might perswade to assist them therefore they charged all manner of men under pain of Life Lands and Goods to resort and meet their Majesties at Linlithgow the 24 day of August This Proclamation was made in Lowthian the third pay of the said moneth Upon Sunday the ninteenth of August the King came to the high Kirke of Edinburgh where Iohn Knox made the Sermon his Text was taken out of the six and twentieth Chapter of Esayas his Prophesie about the thirteenth Verse where in the words of the Prophet he said O Lord our God other Lords then thou have ruled over us Whereupon he tooke occasion to speake of the government of wicked Princes who for the sinnes of the people are sent as Tyrants and scourges to plague them And amongst other things he said That God sets in that room for the offences and ingratitude of the people Boyes and women And so other words which appeared bitter in the Kings ears as That God justly punished Ahab and his Posterity because he would not take order with that Harlot Iezabel And because he had tarried an hour and more longer then the time appointed the King sitting in a Throne made for that purpose was so moved at this Sermon that he would not Dine and being troubled with great fury he past in the afternoon to the Hawking Immediately Iohn Knox was commanded to come to the Councell where in the Secretaries Chamber were convened the Earle of Athole the Lord Ruthven the Secretary the Justice Clarke with the Advocate There passed along with the Minister a great number of the most apparent men of the Towne When he was called the Secretary declared That the Kings Majestie was offended with some words spoken in the Sermon especially such as are above rehearsed desiring him to abstaine from preaching for fifteen or twenty dayes and let Master Craig supply the place He answered That he had spoken nothing but according to his Text and if the Church would command him either to speake or abstain he would obey so far as the Word of God would permit him Within four dayes after the King and Queen sent to the Councell of Edinburgh commanding them to depose Archibald Dowglas and to receive the Laird Craigmiller for their Provest which was presently obeyed The five and twentieth of August the King and Queens Majesties past from Edinburgh to Linlithgow and from thence to Sterlin and from Sterlin to Glasgow At their first arrivall their whole people were not come The next day after their arrivall to Glasgow the Lords came to Paisley where they remained that night being in company about one thousand horses On the morrow they came to Hamilton keeping the high passage from Paisley hard by Glasgow where the King and Queen easily might behold them The night following which was the penult of August they remained in Hamilton with their Company but for divers respects moving them they thought it not expedient to tarry especially because the Earle of Argyle was not come for his Diet was not afore the second of September following to have been at Hamilton Finally they took purpose to come to Edinburgh the which they did the next day And albeit Alexander Areskin Captain under the Lord his brother caused to shoot forth of the Castle two Shot of Cannon they being neer the Towne And likewise that the Laird Craigmiller Provest did his endeavour to hold the Lords forth of the Towne in causing the common Bells to be rung for the convening of the Towne to the effect aforesaid yet they entred easily at the West Port or Gate without any molestation or impediment being in number as they esteemed themselves one thousand three hundred Horses Immediately they dispatched Messengers Southward and Northward to assist them but all in vain And immediately after they were in their Lodgings they caused to strike or beat the Drum desiring all such men as would receive Wages for the defence of the Glory of God That they should resort the day following to the Church where they should receive good Pay But they profited little that way neither could they in Edinburgh get any comfort or support for none or few resorted unto them yet they got more rest and sleep when they were at Edinburgh then they had done in five or six nights before The Noble-men of this Company were The Duke The Earles Murray Glencarne and Rothesse The Lords Boyd and Uchiltrie The Lairds of Grange Cunningham-head Balcomie and Lavers The Tâ—tor of Pitcur The Lairds of Barr Carmell and Dreghorn And the Laird of Pittarow Comptroller went with them Some said merrily That they were come to keepe the Parliament for the Parliament was continued till the first day of September Upon the which day they wrote to the King and Queens Majesties a Letter containing in effect That albeit they were persecuted most unjustly which they understood proceeded not of the King and Queens Majesties own Nature but onely by evil Counsell yet notwithstanding they were willing and content to suffer according to the Lawes of the Realm providing that the true Religion of God might be established and the dependants thereupon be likewise reformed Beseeching their Majesties most humbly to grant these things But otherwise if their enemies would seek their blood they should understand It should be dear bought They had written twice almost to the same effect to the King and Queens Majesties after their passing from Edinburgh for the Laird of Preston presented a Letter to the King and Queens Majestie and was therefore imprisoned but soon after released neverthelesse they got no answer The same day that they departed out of Hamilton the King and Queens Majesties issued out of Glasgow in the morning betimes And passing towards Hamilton the Army met their Majesties neer the Bridge of Cadder As they mustered the Master of Maxwell sate downe upon his knees and made a long Oration to the Queen declaring what pleasure she had done to them and ever laid the whole burden upon the Earle Murray Soon after they marched forward in Battell aray The Earle of Lenox took the Van-guard the Earle of Mortoun the middle Battell and the King and Queen the Reere The whole number were about five thousand men whereof the greatest part were in the Van-guard As the King and Queens Majesties were within three miles of Hamilton they were advertised that the Lords
Balfour seeing the Queen committed and Bothwell consequently defeated he capitulated with the Lords for the delivery of the Castle Bothwell finding himself thus in disorder sent a servant to Sir Iames Balfour to save a little silver Cabinet which the Queen had given him Sir Iames Balfour delivers the Cabinet to the messenger and under-hand giveth of it to the Lords In this Cabinet had Bothwell kept the Letters of privacy he had from the Queen Thus he kept her Letters to be an awe-bond â—pon her in case her affection should change By the taking of this Cabinet many particulars betwixt the Queen and Bothwell were cleerly discovered These Letters were after printed They were in French with some Sonnets of her own making Few dayes after the commitment of the Queen the Earle of Glencarne with his domesticks went to the Chappell of Halyrud-house where he brake down the Altars and the Images Which fact as it did content the zealous Protestants so it did highly offend the popishly affected The Nobles who had so proceeded against Bothwell and dealt so with the Queen hearing that the Hamiltons had a great number of men and had drawn the Earls of Argyle and Huntley to their side sent to Hamilton desiring those that were there to joyn with them for the redresse of the disorders of Church and State But the Hamiltons thinking now they had a fair occasion fallen unto them to have all again in their hands and to dispose of all according to their own minde did refuse audience to the Message sent by the Lords Upon this the Lords moved the generall Assembly then met in Edinburgh in the moneth of Iune to write to the Lords that either were actually declared for the Hamiltons or were neuters And so severall Letters were directed to the Earles of Argyle Huntley Cathnes Rothesse Crauford and Menteth to the Lords Boyd Drummens Grame Cathcart Yester Fleming Levinston Seaton Glamnis Uthiltrie Gray Olyphant Methven Inderneth and Somervile as also to divers other men of note Besides the Letters of the Assembly Commissioners were sent from the Assembly to the Lords above-named to wit Iohn Knox Iohn Dowglas Iohn Row and Iohn Craig who had instructions conforme to the tenour of the Letters to desire these Lords and others to come to Edinburgh and joyn with the Lords there for the setling of Gods true Worship in the Church and policy reformed according to Gods Word a maintenance for the Ministers and support for the poor But neither the Commissioners nor the Letters did prevail with these men they excused That they could not repair to Edinburgh with freedome where there was so many armed men and a Garrison so strong But for the Church-affairs they would not be any wayes wanting to do what lay in them The Lords at Edinburgh seeing this joyneth absolutely with the Assembly which had been prorogated to the 20 of Iuly upon the occasion of these Letters and Commissioners aforesaid and promiseth to make good all the Articles they thought fit to resolve upon in the Assembly But how they performed their promises God knows alwayes The Articles they agreed upon were these 1. THat the Acts of Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 24 of August 1560. touching Religion and abolishing the Popes Authority should have the force of a publicke Law and consequently this Parliament defended as a lawfull Parliament and confirmed by the first Parliament that should be kept next 2. That the Thirds of the Tythes or any more reasonable proportion of Benefices should be allowed towards the maintenance of the Ministery and that there should be a charitable course taken concerning the exacting of the Tythes of the poor Labourers 3. That none should be received in the Vniversities Colledges or Schools for instruction of the youth but after due tryall both of capacity and probitie 4. That all crimes and offences against God should be punished according to Gods Word and that there should be a Law made there-anent at the first Parliament to be holden 5. As for the horrible murther of the late King husband to the Queen which was so haynous before God and man all true professors in whatsoever rank or condition did promise to strive that all persons should be brought to condigne punishment who are found guilty of the same crime 6. They all promised to protect the young Prince against all violence lest he should be murthered as his father was And that the Prince should be committed to the care of four wise and godly men that by a good Education he might be fitted for that high Calling he was to execute one day 7. The Nobles Barons and others doth promise to beat down and abolish Popery Idolatry and Superstition with any thing that may contribute unto it As also to set up and further the true Worship of God his Government the Church and all that may concerne the purity of Religion and life And for this to convene and take Arms if need require 8. That all Princes and Kings hereafter in this Realm before their Coronation shall take Oath to maintain the true Religion now professed in the Church of Scotland and suppresse all things contrary to it and that are not agreeing with it To these Articles subscribed the Earles of Morton Glencarne and Marre the Lords Hume Ruthen Sanchar Lindsey Grame Inermeth and Uchiltrie with many other Barons besides the Commissioners of the Burroughs This being agreed upon the Assembly dissolved Thereafter the Lords Lindsey and Ruthuen were sent to Lochlevin to the Queen to present unto her two Writs the one contained a Renounciation of the Crowne and Royall Dignity in favour of the Prince her son with a Commission to invest him into the Kingdome according to the manner accustomed Which after some reluctancy with tears she subscribed by the advice of the Earle of Athole who had sent to her and of Secretary Lethington who had sent to her Robert Melvill for that purpose So there was a Procuration given to the Lords Lindsay and Ruthuen by the Queen to give up and resigne the Rule of the Realme in presence of the States The second Writ was To ordain the Earle of Murray Regent during the Princes minority if he would accept the Charge And in case he refused the Duke Chattellarault the Earles of Lenox Argyle Athole Morton Glencarne and Marre should governe conjoyntly These Writs were published the 29 of Iuly 1567. at the Market-Crosse of Edinburgh Then at Sterlin was the Prince Crowned King where Iohn Knox made the Sermon The Earl Morton and the Lord Hume took the Oath for the King That he should constantly live in the Profession of the true Religion and maintain it And that he should governe the Kingdom according to Law thereof and do Justice equally to all In the beginning of August the Earle Murray being sent for cometh home in all haste he visites the Queen at Lochlevin strives to draw the Lords that had taken part with the Hamiltons or were neuters to
brake the ward or prison Note another wavering of the Hamiltons A new Covenant 1562. Note So was the Duke the Earls of Argyle Murray and Glencarne with all their Company after ter served The day of Correthie field Octob. 22. 1562 The Earle of Huntlies prayer Note Corriethieburne or Farabank Secretary Lethingtons Oration The Lady Forbesse her words Let others that yet live mark this Mens judgement of the Queens Marriage Note this The Preachers railed upon the Courtiers The Preachers Admonition after the Earle of Huntlies death Meaning of Huntley The end declared their words to be true The defence of the Courtiers The Queens practise The tryall of Pauls Meffanes fact Chattelet and the Queen The Queens desire concerning Chattelet The punishment of God for maintaining and erecting of the Masse death and famine Iohn Knox sent for by the Queen Reasoning between I. Knox and the Queen Note diligently The Queens judgement of the Bishop of Cathaes The Lady Argile was naturall Sister to the Queen as the Earle Murray was naturall Brother The Clergie did pretend to be free from all Jurisdiction save the Popes The judgment of some Huntley forfeited The pride of Women at that Parliament Note diligently And so was Religion and the Common-wealth both neglected Occasion painted with a bald Hind-head Variance betwixt the Earle of Murray and Iohn Knox. Iohn Knox discharge to the Earl of Murray God knowes if our times be better The Speaker was the Dean of Restaruk Iohn Knox his affirmation Let this serve for our times Let the Papists judge this day 1567. Note Women Lethingtons practice Note diligently The last commendation of Lord Iohn to the Queen M. Rob. Font stricken in the head with a weapon by Cap. Lawder Bond to a mutuall defence in the cause of Religion Note Pastors The Master of Maxwells discharge to Iohn Knox and their reasoning together Before they disdained not to come to his own house Iohn Knox his answer Note a wise Reply This was the first time the Earle Murray spake with Iohn Knox after the Parliament Iohn Knox called before the Queen and Counsell in Decemb. 156â— Note this diligently Note As the Irish Papists have done to Protestants in Ireland Let this be noted for this day Let the world judge what ensued Note Pastors Note diligently Note the craft of the Court. Note I. Knox falsly reported of his answer Remark false brethren Murther and Whoredome in the Court. Maries Regiment Great Wet and Frost in Ian. 1563. The Sea stood still neither ebbed â—or flowed for 24 houres Cucullus Note how this agrees with our time Lethingtons counteâ—â—nce at the threatnings of the preacher Let the world judge whether this hath come to passe or not what hath fallen since that time Lethington his Harangue at the Assembly Anno 1564. Iohn Knox his answer Note diligently â—nd see how the Bishops did forbid to pray for the conversion of the Queen that now is in Britain M. Maxwells words in the Assembly Iohn Knox his prayer for the Queen Note 2 Tim. 2. Note Note Let this be noâ—ed diligently Psal. 82. Note this 1 Sam. 22. Note this Discourse diligently God craves of us That we should oppose our selves to iniquity Let this be noted for our times Whether this hath come to passe or not let the world judge Note this diligently Noâ—â— â— Paral 25. When the Prince does serve God sincerely in private and publike and hath a care that the people do the same then assuredly they are faithfull to him but if he faile in these or in either of them he findes disobedience in his people beâ—ause he is not carefull to obey God and to see him obeyed Deut. 13. 2 Paral. 26. Let this be applyed to the late affairs of Scotland 2 Paral. 26. Note M. Iohn Dowglâ—s Rector his Vote Master Iohn Craig his Vote Note dilâ—gently Note deligently There be two Epigrams extant written by George Buchanan of a rich Diamond sent from Qu. Mary to Queen Elizabeth At this time an Italian named Davie entred in great familiarity with the Queen so that there was nothing done without him The Earl of Murray seeing the other Nobles consent gave his which before he refused The Dispensation being come from Rome for the Marriage Before which according to the Romish Law it was unlawful to marry being Cousin Germans brother and sisters children and so the degree of Consanguinity forbidden Note this for our time The King to make himself more popular and to take from the Lords of the Congregation the preteâ—t of Religion he went to the Kirk to hear Iohn Knox preach In answering he said more then he had preached for he added That as the King had to pleasure the Queen gone to Masse and dishonoured the Lord God so should God in his justice make her an Instrument of his ruine and so it fell out in a very short time but the Queen being incensed with these words fell out in Tears and to please her Iohn Knox must abstain from preaching for a time Note how this agrees with our times Let this be conferred with our times Note diligenly So was the Citie of London for warre against Scotland vexed for the leavie of mony Note diligently Note diligently Qâ— Elizabeth Here mark either deep dissimulation or a great inconstancy At the end of this Book you shall finde this See in what sense proud ambitious men takes the name of Bishop As is said before This inconstant yongman sometimes declared himself for the Protestant witnesse his last Band And now for the Papist And as he left God so he was left by him The Queen intending vengeance upon the poor King and being in love with the Earle Bothwell grants to the Protestants their Petitions that they may be quiet and not trouble her Plots As she had lately gratified the Protestants by granting their Petition so at this time she yeelds unto the Papists their demands also that she might be stopped by neither of them in her designe of vengeance and new love Note Note how God changeth things in a moment Heb. 10. 1 Cor. 3. Mat. 25. John 3. Rom 58. 2 Cor. 5. Rom. 6. Ephes. 4.5 Ephes. 2. Matth. 10. Vain Religion or Idolatry A Sentence pronounced Appellation from the same The request of Iohn Knox. The Petition of Protestants Deut. 17. The Pâ—tition of Iohn Knox. Note well Answer 1. To Objections Note The Appellation is just and lawfull Gods Messengers may appeal from unjust sentences and Civill powers are bound to admit them Jer. 26. Advert The Princes did absolve the Prophet whom the Priests had condemned Deut. 17. The meaning of these words I am in your hands c. Deut 17. Jerem 1. Deut 1 10. The causes of his Appellation and why he ought to have been defended Jerem. 38. Just cause of Appellation Act. 22 23 24 25. Act. 25. Why Paul would admit none of the Leuiticall order to judge in his cause Upon what reasons the Appellation of Paul was grounded
Lordship that it will not be profitable for the common quietnesse of this Realme that the Papists brag and Justice be mocked that day And thus I cease further to trouble your Lordship whom God assist In haste from Glasgow the 7 of May 1563. Your Lordships to command in godlinesse Sic subscribitur JOHN KNOX THis Letter was not well accepted of the said Earle and yet did he utter no part of his displeasure in publike but contrarily shewed himself most familiar with the said Iohn Knox He kept the Diet and sate in Judgement himself where the Bishop and the rest of the Papists were accused as after follows The Summons were directed against the Masse-mongers with expedition and in the straitest forme The day was appointed the 19 of May a day onely before the Parliament of Popes Knights appeared The Bishop of Saint Androes the Prior of Quinthorne the Parson of Sanguhair William Hamilton of Camskeneth Iohn Gordon of Barskuch with divers others The Protestants convened whole to crave for Justice The Queen asked counsell of the Bishop of Rosse and of the old Laird of Lethington for the younger was absent and so the Protestants had fewer friends who affirmed That she must see her Laws kept or else she would get no obedience and so was preparations made for their accusations The Bishop and his band of the exempted sort made nice to enter before the Earle of Argyle who sate in Judgement but at last he was compelled to enter within the Barre A merry man who now sleeps with the Lord Robert Horwell instead of the Bishops Crosse bore before him a Steel Hammer Whereat the Bishop and his Band were not a little offended because the Bishops priviledges were not then currant in Scotland which day God grant our posterity may see of longer continuance then we possessed it The Bishop and his fellows after much ado and long drift of time came in the Queens will and were committed to Ward some to one place and some to another The Lady Arskine got the Bishops for her part All this was done of a most deep craft to abuse the simplicity of the Protestants that they should not presse the Queen with any other thing concerning the matters of Religion At that Parliament which began within two dayes thereafter she obtained of the Protestants whatsoever she desired for this was the reason of many We see what the Queen hath done the like of this was never heard within this Realme we will bear with the Queen we doubt not but all shall be well Others were of contrary judgement and forespake things as after they came to passe to wit That nothing was meant but deceit and that the Queen how soon that ever the Parliament was past should set the Papists at freedome And therefore willed the Nobility not to be abused But because many had their private businesse to be handled at that Parliament the common Cause was the lesse regarded The Earle of Huntley whose Corps had been unburied till the time it was brought to the Tolbuith he was accused his Arms rent off himself the Earle of Sutherland and eleven Barons and Earles bearing the surname of Gordon were that day forfeited the Lady Huntley craftily protested and asked the support of a man of Law or Counsellor Such stinking pride of women as was seen at that Parliament was never seen before in Scotland Three sundry dayes the Queen rode to the Tolbuith The first day she made a painted Oration and there might have been heard amongst her flatteries Vox Dianae The voyce of a goddesse for it could not be Dei and not of a Woman God save that sweet face Was there ever Orator spake so properly and so sweetly c. All things misliked the Preachers They spake boldly against the superfluities of their Cloathes and against the rest of their vanitie which they affirmed should provoke Gods vengeance not onely against these foolish Women but against the whole Realme and especially against those that maintained them in that odious abusing of things that might have been better bestowed Articles were presented for orders to be taken for Apparrell and for Reformation of other Enormities but all was winked at The Earledome of Murray needed confirmation and many things were to be ratified that concerned the helpe of friends and servants and therefore they might not urge the Queene For if they so did she would hold no Parliament and what then should become of them that had medled with the slaughter of the Earle of Huntley let that Parliament passe over and when the Queene shall aske any thing of the Nobilitie as she must do before her marriage then shall Religion be the first thing that shall be established It was answered That the Poets and Painters erred not altogether that fained and painted Occasion with a bald Hind-head For the first when it is offered being lost is hard to be recovered againe The matter fell so hot betwixt the Earl of Murray and some others of the Court and Iohn Knox That familiarly after that time they spake not together more then a yeer and a half For the said Iohn by his Letter gave a discharge to the said Earle of all further intromission or care with his affaires He made unto him a discourse of their first acquaintance in what estate he was when that first they spake together in London how God had promoted him and that above mans judgement and in the end made this conclusion But seeing that I perceive my self frustrate of my expectation which was That ye should ever have preferred God to your own affection and the advancement of his Truth to your owne commoditie I commit you to your wit and to the conducting of those which can better please you I praise my God I leave you this day victor of your enemies promoted to great honour and in credite and authority with your Soveraigne If so yee long to continue none shall be more glad then I shall be But that after this ye decay as I feare ye shall then call to minde by what means God exalted you which was neither by plying with impiety neither yet by maintaining of pestilent Papists This Letter and discharge was so pleasing to the Flatterers of the said Earle that they triumphed of it and were glad to have gotten their occasion for some envyed that so great familiaritie was betwixt them and therefore from the time they got once that occasion to separate they ceased not to cast Oyle in the burning Flame which ceased not to burne till that God by water of affliction began to slacken it as we shall after heare But least that they should altogether have been seen to have forsaken God as in very deed both God and his Word was vey farre from the hearts of the most part of the Courtiers of that Age a few excepted they began a new Schift to wit To speak of the punishment
matter doe it boldly it shall never offend me But that yee shall bee found to oppose your selfe unto mee yee being perswaded in the same Trueth I say yet againe it pleaseth me not for therein may be greater inconveniency then either yee or I doe consider for the publike The said Master George answered That I will not oppose my selfe unto you as one willing to impugne or confute that Head of Doctrine which not onely yee but many others yea and my selfe have affirmed farre be it from me for so should I be found contrarious to my selfe for my Lord Secretary knows my judgement in that Head Marry said the Secretary you are in my opinion the worst of the two for I remember that your Reasoning when the Queen was in Carricke Well said Iohn Knox seeing Brother God hath made you one to fill the chaire of verity wherein I am assured we agree in all principall Heads of Doctrine Let it never be said That we agree not in disputation Iohn Knox was moved thus to speake because he understood more of the craft then the other did Well said Lethington I am somewhat better provided in this last Head then I was in the other two Master Knox said he yesterday we heard your Judgement upon the thirteenth to the Romanes we heard the minde of the Apostle well opened we heard the causes why God hath established powers upon the earth we heard of the necessitie that mankinde hath of the same and wee heard the dutie of Magistrates sufficiently declared But in two things I was offended as I thinke some other more of my Lords that were present which was Ye made difference betwixt the Ordinance of God and the persons that were placed in Authoritie And ye affirmed That men might refuse the persons and yet not offend against Gods Ordinance This is one the other yee had no time to explaine but this me thought ye meant That Subjects were not bound to obey their Princes if they command unlawfull things but that they might refuse their Princes and that they were not ever bound to suffer In very deed said the other ye have rightly both marked my words and understood my minde for of that same Judgement I have long been and yet so remaine How will ye prove your division and difference said Lethington and that the persons placed in Authoritie may be resisted and the Ordinance of God not transgressed seeing that the Apostle saith He that resisteth resisteth the Ordinance of God My Lord said he The plaine words of the Apostle makes the difference and the facts of many approved by God prove my affirmative First the Apostle affirmes That the powers are ordained of God for the preservation of quiet and peaceable men and for the punishment of malefactors whereof it is plaine That the Ordinance of God and the power given unto man is one thing and the person clad with the Authoritie is another For Gods Ordinance is the conservation of mankinde The punishment of vice and the maintenance of vertue which in it self is holy just constant stable and perpetuall but men clad with the Authoritie are commonly prophane and unjust yee they are mutable transitory and subject to corruption as God threateneth by his Prophet David saying I have said yee are gods and every one of you the sonnes of the most high but yee shall dye as man and the Princes shall fall like others Here I am assured That the persons yee soule and body are threatned with death I think that so ye will not affirm is the Authothority the Ordinance and the Power wherewith God endeued such persons for as I have said it is holy so is the permanent will of God And now my Lord that the Prince may be resisted and yet the Ordinance of God not violated It is evident that the people resisted Saul when he had sworn by the living God that Ionathan should die The people I say swore in the contrary and delivered Ionathan so that a hair of his head fell not Now Saul was the Anoynted Kiâ—g and they were his subjects and yet they resisted him that they made him no better then men sworn I doubt said Lethington That in so doing the people did well The Spirit of God said the other accuses them not of any crime but rather praises them and condemnes the King as well for his foolish vow and Law made without God as for his cruell minde that so severely would have punished an innocent man But herein will I not stand this that followeth shall confirme the former This same Saul commanded Abimelech and the Priests of the Lord to be slain because they had committed Treason as he alleadged for intercommuning with David His Guard and principall servants would not obey his unjust commandment But Doeg the flatterer put the Kings cruelty in execution I will not ask your judgement Whether that the servants of the King in not obeying his Commandment resisted the Ordinance of God or not or Whether Doeg in murthering the Priests gave obedience to a just Authority For I have the Spirit of God speaking by the mouth of David for assurance as well of the one as of the other for he in his 52. Psalme condemnes that fact as a most cruell murther and affirms That God would punish not onely the commander but also the mercilesse executer And therefore I conclude That they who gainstood his commandment resisted not the Ordinance of God And now my Lord to answer to the place of the Apostle who affirms That such as resist the Power resist the Ordinance of God I say That the power in that place is not to be understood of unjust commandment of men but of the just power wherewith God hath armed his Magistrates and Lieutenants to punish sin and maintain vertue And if any man should enterprise to take from the hands of the faithfull Judge a murtherer and adulterer or any malefactor that deserved death this same resisteth Gods Ordinance and procureth to himself vengeance and damnation because that he stayed Gods Sword from striking But so it is if men in the fear of God oppose themselves to the fury and blinde rage of Princes for so they resist not God but the devill who abuses the Sword and Authority of God I understand sufficiently said Lethington what ye mean unto the one part I will not oppose my self but I doubt of the other for if the Queen would command me to slay Iohn Knox because she is offended at him I would not obey her But if she would command others to do it or yet by colour of Justice take his life from him I cannot tell if I be bound to defend him against the Queen and her Officers With protestation said the other That the auditors think not that I speak in favour of my self I say my Lord That if ye be perswaded of my innocency and if God have given unto you such power and credit as might deliver
Master Iohn Sinclar Bishop of Rosse and Dean of Lestarrig of whom hath been oft mention President of the Colledge of Justice called the Session who also succeeded in the said Office and Dignity after the decease of his brother Master Iohn Sinclar Bishop of Rosse Dean of Glasgow who departed this life at Paris about a yeer before They were both learned in the Laws and given to maintain the Popish Religion and therefore great enemies to the Protestants A little before died Master Abrabam Crithton who had been President likewise now in their rooms The Queen placed such as she pleased and had done her service alwayes very unfit The Patrimony of the Kirk Bishopricks Abbeyes and such other Benefices were disposed by the Queen to Courtiers Dancers and Flatterers The Earle Bothwell whom the Queen preferred above all others after the decease of David Rizio had for his part Melrosse Hadington and New Bottell likewise the Castle of Dumbar was given to him with the principall Lands of the Earldome of Merche which were of the Patrimony of the Crown At the same time the Superintendents with the other Ministers of the Churches perceiving the Ministery like to decay for lack of payment of Stipends to Ministers they gave this Supplication at Edinburgh The Supplication of the Ministers to the Queene UNto your Majesty and your most honourable Councel most humbly and lamentably complains your Highnesse poor Orators the Superintendents and other Ministers of the Reformed Church of God travelling thorowout all your Highnesse Realme in teaching and instructing your Lieges in all Quarters in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus his Son That where your Majestie with the advice of the Councell and Nobility aforesaid moved by godly zeal concluded and determined That the travelling Ministery thorowout this Realme should be maintained upon the Rents of the Benefices of this Realme of Scotland and for that cause your Majesty with the advice of the Councell and Nobility aforesaid upon the 15 day of December 1562. in like manner concluded and determined That if the said part of the Rents of the whole Benefices Ecclesiasticall within this Realme would be sufficient to maintain the Ministers thorowout the whole Realm and to support your Majestie in the setting forward of your common affairs should be employed accordingly Failing thereof the third part of the said fruits or more to be taken up yeerly in time coming untill a generall Order be taken therein as the Act made thereupon at more length bears Which being afterward considered by your Majesty the whole Thirds of the fruits aforesaid were propounded to the uses aforesaid by Act of Councell And we your Majesties poor Orators put in peaceable possession of the part assigned by your Majestie to us by the space of three yeers or thereabouts which we did enjoy without interruption notwithstanding all this now of late we your Majesties poor Orators aforesaid are put wrongfully and unjustly from their aforesaid part of the above specified Thirds by your Majesties Officers and thereby brought to such extreme penury and extreme distresse as we are not able any longer to maintain our selves And albeit we have given in divers and sundry complaints to your Majestie herein and have received divers promises of redresse yet have we found no relief Therefore we most humbly beseech your Majesty to consider our most grievous complaint together with the right above specified whereon the same is grounded And if your Majestie with the advice of your Councell aforesaid findes our right sufficient to continue us in possession of our part assigned to us while and untill a generall Order be taken which possession was ratified by the yeerly allowance of your Majesties Exchequers accompt That your Majesty would grant us Letters upon the aforesaid Act and Ordinance past thereupon against all intromettors and medlers with the aforesaid Thirds to answer and obey according to the aforesaid Act and Ordinance of our possession proceeding thereupon And likewise that we may have Letters if need be to arrest and stay the aforesaid Thirds in the possessors hands while and untill sufficient caution be found to us for our part aforesaid And your answer most humbly we beseech This Supplication being presented by the Superintendent of Lowthian and M. Iohn Craig in the Castle of Edinburgh was graciously received by the Queen who promised that she would take sufficient order therein so soon as the Nobility and Councell might convene The 19 of Iune the Queen was delivered of a man-childe the Prince in the aforesaid Castle and immediately sent into France and England her Posts to advertise the neighbour Princes and to desire them to send Gossips or Wintesses of the Princes Baptisme In the mean time there was joy and triumph made in Edinburgh and such other places where it was known after thanks and praises given unto God with Supplications for the godly Education of the Prince and principally wishing that he should be Baptized according to the manner and forme observed in the Reformed Churches within this Realme About the same time to wit the 25 of Iune the generall Assembly of the whole Church convened at Edinburgh The Earles of Argyle and Murray assisted at the Assembly Paul Methvin who before as we heard was excommunicate gave in his Supplication and desired to be heard as he had done divers times for the said Paul had written oft times out of England to the Laird of Dun and to divers others most earnestly desiring to be received again into the Fellowship of the Church After reasoning of the matter it was finally granted That he should be heard And so being before the Assembly and falling upon his knees burst out with tears and said He was not worthy to appear in their presence alwayes he desired them for the love of God to receive him to the open expression of his repentance Shortly after they appointed certain of the Ministers to prescribe to him the form of his declaration of Repentance which was thus in effect first That he should present himself barefoot and bare-head arayed in Sack-cloth at the principall entry of Saint Gyles Kirk in Edinburgh at seven hours in the morning upon the next Wednesday and there to remain the space of an hour the whole people beholding him till the Prayer was made Psalmes sung and Text of Scripture was read and then to come into into the place appointed for expression of repentance and tarry the time of Sermon and to do so likewise the next Friday following and also upon the Sunday and then in the face of the whole Church to declare his repentance with his owne mouth The same form and manner he should use in Iedwart and Dundie And that being done to present himself again at the next generall Assembly following in Winter where he should be received to the Communion of the Church When the said Paul had received the said Ordinance he took it very grievously alleadging They had used over-great severity Neverthelesse
Madame said the other would to God that the learnedest Papist in Europe and he that you would best believe were present with your Majestie to sustain the argument and that ye would abide patiently to hear the matter reasoned to the end for then I doubt not Madame but that you should hear the vanity of the Papisticall Religion and what small ground it hath within the Word of God Well said she ye may perchance get that sooner then you believe Assuredly said the other if ever I get that in my self I get it sooner then I believe for the ignorant Papist cannot patiently reason and the learned and crafty Papist will never come in your audience Madame to have the ground of their Religion searched out for they know they are not able to maintain any argument except by fire and sword and their own Laws be judges So say you quoth the Queen and I believe it hath been to this day Quoth he for how oft have the Papists in this and in other Realmes been required to come to conference and yet could it never be obtained unlesse themselves were admitted for Judges and therefore I must yet say again That they dare never dispute but where themselves are both judges and party And when you shall let me see the contrary I shall grant my self to be deceived in that Point And with this the Queen was called unto dinner for it was afternoon At departing Iohn Knox said unto her I pray God Madame that you may be also blessed within the Common-wealth of Scotland if it be the pleasure of God as ever Deborah was in the Common-wealth of Israel Of this long conference whereof we onely touch a part were divers opinions The Papists grudged and feared that which they needed not the godly thinking at least That she would have heard the preaching rejoyceed but they were utterly deceived for she continued in her Massing and despised and quickly mocked all exhortation Iohn Knox his owne judgement being by some of his familiars demanded what he thought of the Queen said If there be not in her a proud mind a crafty wit and an indurate heart against God and his Truth my judgement faileth me and this I say with a grieved heart for the good I wish unto her and by her to the Church and State When the whole Nobility were convened the Lords of Privie Councell were chosen where were appointed the Duke the Earles of Huntley Argyle Atholl Mortoun Glencarne Mershell Bothwell Lords Arskeme and Lord Iames after Earle Murray and these were appointed as certain to wait upon the Court by course But that Order continued not long Duke d'Anville returned with the Galleyes to France The Queen entred in her Progresse and in the Moneth of September travelled from Edinburgh Linlithgow Sterlin S. Iohnston Dundie S. Androes all these parts she polluted with the Idolatrous Masse Fire followed the Court very commonly in that Journey the Towns propined the Queen liberally thereof were the French enriched About the beginning of October they returned to Edinburgh and at the day appointed the Q. was received in the Castle whereat preparations were made for her entry into the Town in Farces in Masking and other Prodigalities fain would our fools have counterfeited France Whatsoever might set forth her glory that she heard and gladly beheld The Keyes were delivered unto her by a pretty Boy descending as it were from a Cloud The Verses of her own Praise she heard and smiled But when the Bible was presented and the Praise thereof declared she began to frowne for shame she could not refuse it but she did no better for she gave it to the most pestilent Papist within the Realme to wit To Arthur Arskeme Edinburgh since that day have reaped as they sowed They gave her some taste of their Prodigality And because the Liquor was sweet she hath licked oft of that Bust or Box oftner then twice since All men know what we mean The Queen cannot lack and the Subjects have In Edinburgh it hath been an ancient and laudable Custome That the Provests Bayliffs and Councell after their Election which used to be at Michaelmas caused publikely proclaim the Statutes and Ordinances of the Town And therefore Archbald Dowglas Provest Ed. Hope Adam Fullartoun c. Bayliffs caused proclaim according to the former Statutes of the Town That no Adulterer nor Fornicator no noted Drunkard no Masse-monger no obstinate Papist that corrupted the people such as Priests Friers and others of that sort should be found within 41 hours thereafter under the Pains contained in the Statutes Which blowne in the Queens ears there began pride and maliciousnesse to shew it selfe for without further cogitation of the cause was the Provest and Bayliffes charged to Ward in the Castle and immediately was Commandment given That other Provests and Bayliffs should be elected Some gainstood for a while The new Election alleadged That the Provest and Bayliffs whom they had chosen and to whom they had given their Oath had committed no offence therefore that justly they might be deprived But while Charge was doubled upon Charge and no man found to oppose himself to impiety the misled Queens Letter and wicked will is obeyed as just Law And so was M. Thomas Makalan chosen Provest for the other The man no doubt was both discreet and sufficient for that Charge but the deposition of the other was against all Law God be mercifull to some of our owne for they were not all blamelesse that the Queens unreasonable will was so far obeyed A contrary Proclamation was publikely made That the Town should be patent to all the Queens Lieges And so Murtherers Adulterers Theeves Whores Drunkards Idolaters and all Malefactors got protection under the Queens wings under colour that they were of her Religion And so got the devill freedome againe where that before he durst not have been seen in day light upon the common streets Lord deliver us from this Bondage of sin The Devil finding his raines loose ran forward in his course and the Queen evil men abusing her name and authority took upon her greater boldnesse then she and Balaams bleating Priests durst have attempted before for upon All-Hallow day they bended up their Masse with all mischievous solemnitie The Ministers thereat offended in plaine and publike place declared the inconvenience that thereupon would ensue The Nobility were sufficiently admonished of their duties but affection caused men to call that in doubt wherein oft before they seemed most resolute to wit Where that the Subjects might have hand to suppresse the Idolatry of their Prince And upon this Question conveaned in the house of Master Iames Mackgill the Lord Iames Earle of Morton the Earle of Marshall Secretary Lethington the Justice Clarke and the foresaid Master Iames Clarke of the Register who all reasoned for the part of the Queen affirming That the Subjects might not take her Masse lawfully from her
In the contrary judgement were the principall Ministers Master Iohn Row Master George Hay Master Robert Hamilton and Iohn Knox. The reasons of both parties we will omit because they will be explained after where the said Question and others Concerning the Obedience due to Princes were long reasoned in open assembly The conclusion of that first reasoning was That the Question should be formed Letters directed to Geneva for the resolution of that Church Wherein Iohn Knox offered his labour But Secretary Lethington alleadging That there stood much in the information said That he should write But that was onely to drive time as the trueth declared it selfe The Queenes partie urged That the Queen should have her Religion free in her own Chappell to do she and her houshold what they list The Ministers affirmed and Voted the contrary adding That her liberty should be their thraldome ere it be long But neither could reason nor threatning move the affections of such as were creeping in Credit and so did the Votes of the Lords prevaile against the Ministers For the punishment of Theft and Reafe which had encreased upon the border and in the South from the Queenes arrivall was the Lord Iames made Lieutenant some suspected that such honour and charge proceeded from the same heart and counsell that Saul made David Captain against the Philistines but God assisted and bowed the hearts of men both to feare and obey him yea the Lord Bothwell himselfe at that time assisted him but he had remission for Liddisdall except that execution was there made in Edinburgh for her twenty eight of one clan and other were hanged at that Justice Court bribes budds or sollicitation saved not the guilty if he might be apprehended And therefore God prospered him in that his integrity that same time the Lord Iames spake with the Lord Gray of England at Kelsoe for good rule to be kept on both the borders and agreed in all things Before his returning the Queene upon a night tooke a fright in her bed as if horsemen had been in the Close and as if the Palace had been enclosed about whether it proceeded of her own womanly fantasie or if men put her in feare for displeasure of the Earle of Arrane And for other purposes as for the electing of the Guard we know not but the feare was so great that the Towne was called to the Watch Lord Robert of Hallyrud-house and Iohn of Coldingham kept the Watch by course Skouts were set forth and Sentinels upon pain of death were commanded to keep their Stations And yet they feared where there was no fear neither yet could ever any appearance or suspition of such things be tried Shortly after the returning of the Lord Iames there came from the Queen of England Sir Peter Mewtes with Commission to require the Ratification of the Peace made at Leith Her answer was even such as we have heard before That she behoved to advise and then she should answer In presence of her Councell she kept her selfe grave for under the mourning weed and apparell she could dissemble in full perfection but how soon that ever the French people had her alone they told her That since she came to Scotland she saw nothing there but gravity which repugned altogether to her breeding for she was brought up in joviality so tearmed she her Dancing and other things thereto belonging The generall Assembly of the Church approached holden in December after the Queens arrivall in the which began the rulers of the Court to draw themselves apart from the Societie of their brethren and began to strive and grudge That any thing should be consulted upon without their advices Master Iohn Wood who before had shewed himselfe very fervent in the Cause of God and forward in giving of his councell in all doubtfull matters refused to assist the Assembly again whereof many did wonder The Courtiers drew unto them some of the Lords and would not conveane with their Brethren as before they were accustomed but kept themselves in the Abbey The principall Commissioners of the Church the Superintendents and some Ministers past unto them where they were assembled in the Abbots Lodging within Hallyrud-house both the parties began to open their griefes The Lords complained That the Ministers drew the Gentlemen into secret and held Councell without their knowledge The Ministers denied That they had done any thing in secret otherwise then the common Order commanded them And accused the Lords the flatterers of the Queen we meane that they kept not the Convention with their Brethren considering That they knew the Order and that the same was appointed by their own advice as the Book of Discipline subscribed with the most part of their own hands would witnesse some began to deny That ever they knew such a thing as the Book of Discipline And called also in doubt Whether it was expedient that such Assemblies should be or not for gladly would the Queen and her secret Councell have had all Assemblies of the godly discharged The reasoning was sharpe and quicke on either side The Queens faction alleadged That it was suspicious to Princes that Subjects should assemble themselves and keep Conventions without their knowledge It was answered That without knowledge of the Princes the Church did nothing for the Princes perfectly understood That within this Realme was a Reformed Church and that they had their Orders and appointed times of Convention And so without knowledge of the Princes they did nothing Yea said Lethington the Queen knew and knoweth well enough But the Question is Whether that the Queen alloweth such Conventions It was answered If the Libertie of the Church should stand upon the Queens allowance or disallowance we are assured not onely to lacke Assemblies but also to lacke the publike Preaching of the Evangell that affirmative was mocked and the contrary affirmed Well said the other time will try the truth But to my former words this I will adde Take from us the freedomes of assemblies and take from us the Evangell for without assemblies how shall good order and unity in Doctrine be kept It is not to be supposed That all Ministers shall be so perfect but that they shall need admonition as well concerning Manners as Doctrine As it may be that some be so stiffe-necked that they will not admit the admonition of the simple As also it may be that fault may be found with Ministers without just offence committed And if order be not taken both with the Complainer and with the persons complained upon It cannot be avoided but that many grievous offences shall arise For remedy whereof of necessity it is That generall Assemblies must be In the which the judgements and gravitie of many may occurre to correct or represse the follies or errours of a few Hereunto consented the most part as well of the Nobility as of the Barrons and willed the reasoners for the Queen to be sent to her Majestie