if that she stood in suspition of any thing that was to be handled in their assemblies that it would please her Majestie to send such as he would appoint to hear whatsoever was propounded or reasoned Hereafter was the Book of Discipline proposed and desired to have been ratified by the Queens Majestie but it was stopped and the Question demanded How many of those that subscribed to that Book would be subject unto it It was answered All the godly Will the Duke said Lethington If he will not answered the Lord Uchiltrie I would that he were scraped out not onely of that Book but also out of our number and company for what purpose shall labour be taken to put the Church in order and to what end shall men subscribe and then never mean to keep a word of that which they promise Lethington answered Many subscribe there in fide Parentum as Children are baptized One to wit Iohn Knox answered Albeit ye think that scoffe proper yet as it is most untrue so it is most improper That Book was read in publike audience and by the space of divers dayes the hearers thereof were resolved as all that here sit know well enough and you your selves cannot deny So that no man was required to subscribe that which he understood not Stand content said one that Booke will not be obtained Let God said the other require the lack and want which this poor Common-wealth shall have of the things therein contained from the hands of such as stop the same Thomas Borrows perceiving that the Book of discipline was refused presented unto the Councill certain Articles requiring Idolatry to be suppressed their Churches to be planted with true Ministers and some certain propositions to be made for them according to equitie and Conscience for unto that time the most part of the Ministers had lived upon the benevolence of men for many had into their owne hands the profits that the Bishops and others of that Sect had before abused and so some part was bestowed upon the Ministers But when the Bishops began to gripe again to that which most unjustly they called their own for the Earle of Arrane was discharged of Saint Andrews and Dumfermling wherewith before by vertue of a Factory and Commission he had intromitted and medled And so were many others Therefore the Barons required That order might be taken for the Ministers or else they would no more cause Rents to be paid unto any that formerly belonged to the Church-men nor suffer any thing to be collected for the use of any whosoever after the Queenes arrivall then that they did before for they verily supposed that the Queens Majestie would keep promise made to them which was Not to alter their Religion which could not remain without Ministers and Ministers could not live without provision And therefore they heartily desired the Councell to provide some convenient order in that behalf This somewhat moved the Queens flatterers for the Rod of impiety was not then strengthened in her and their hands And so began they to practise how they might please the Queen and yet seem somewhat to satisfie the faithfull And so devised they That the Church-men should have intromission and medling with the two parts of their Benefices and that the third part should be gathered by such men as thereto should be appointed for such uses As in these subsequent Acts are more fully expressed Apud Edinburgh vicesimo Decemb. Anno 1561. THe which day Forasmuch as the Queens Majestie by the advice of the Lords of her secret Councell foreseeing the imminent troubles which apparantly threaten to arise amongst the Lieges of this Realme for matters of Religion to stay the same and shun all incommodities that might thereupon ensue having intercommuned and spoken with a part of the Clergie or State Ecclesiasticall with whom then reasoning being had It was thought good and expedient by her Highnesse That a generall Assembly should be appointed the 15 day of December instant whereto the rest of the States might have appeared and by the advice of Lawyers one reasonable overture be made and order taken for staying of the approaching trouble and quieting of all the Countrey which Assembly being by her Majestie appointed and sundry dayes of Counsell kept and the said Ecclesiasticall State oft-times required That the said Order might be taken and overture made for staying of the trouble and quieting of the Countrey Last of all in presence of the Queens Majesty and Lords of the Councell aforesaid and others of the Nobility of this Realm compeired Iohn Arch-bishop of Saint Andrews Patrick Bishop of Murray Henry Bishop of Rosse and Robert Bishop of Dunkeld And for themselves respectively offered unto the Queens Majestie to be content with the two parts of the Rents of their Benefices and the third part to be imployed as her Majestie thought expedient And because the certaintie thereof was not knowne not yet what summes of Money would sustaine the Ministery and Ministers of Gods Word within this Realme neither yet how much was necessary to support the Queenes Majesty above her own Rents for the common affairs of the Countrey Therefore it is Ordained Concluded and Determined by the Queens Majesty and the Lords of the Councell aforesaid and others of the Nobility present That if the fourth part of the whole Benefices within this Realm may be sufficient to sustain the Ministers thorowout this whole Realme and support the Queens Majesty to maintain and set forwards the common affairs of the Countrey failing thereof the third part of the said Profits and more if it be found sufficient for the effect aforeâ—aid to be taken up yeerly in time coming that a generall order may be taken therewith and so much thereof to be employed to the Queens Majesties use for entertaining and setting forward of the common affairs of the Countrey and so much thereof to the Ministers and sustentation of the Ministry as may reasonably sustain the same at the sight and discretion of the Queens Majesty and Councell aforesaid and the excrescens and superplus to be assigned to the old Possessors And to the effect that the Rents and yeerly Profits of the whole Benefices within this Realme may be cleerly known to the Queens Majesty and Councell aforesaid It is Statuted and Ordained That the whole Rentals of the Benefices of this Realm be produced before her Majesty and Lords aforesaid at the time under-written that is to say The Rentalls of the Benefices on this side of the Water before the 24 of Ianuary next coming And those beyond the water the 10 of February next thereafter and ordains Letters to be directed to the Sheriffs in that part to passe charge and require all and sundry Archbishops Bishops Commendators Abbots Priors on this side of the Water personally to be apprehended and failing thereof at their dwelling places or at the Parish Churches where they should remain Cathedrall Churches or Abbeyes And all Archdeacons Deans
came to the Towne upon the Saturday at night accompanied with a hundred Spears of minde to have stopped Iohn Knox from Preaching The two Lords and Gentlemen aforesaid were onely accompanied with their quiet housholds and therefore was the sudden coming of the Bishop the more fearfull for then was the Queen and her French-men departed from Saint Iohnston and were lying in Falkland within twelve miles of S. Andrews and the Town at that time had not given profession of Christ and therefore could not the Lords be assured of their friendship Consultation being had many were of minde that the Preaching should be delayed for that day and especially that Io. Knox should not preach for that did the Bishop affirme that he would not suffer considering that by his Commandment the Picture of the said Iohn was before burnt He willed therefore an honest Gentleman Robert Colwill of Cleisse to say to the Lords That in case Iohn Knox presented himselfe to the Preaching-place in his Towne and principall Church he should make him be saulted with a Dozen of Culverings whereof the most part should light upon his nose After long deliberation had the said Iohn was called that his owne judgement might be had When many perswasions were made that he should delay for that time and great terrours given in case he should enterprise such a thing as it were in contempt of the Bishop he answered God is witnesse that I never preached Christ Iesus in contempt of any man neither minde I at any time to present my selfe to that place having either respect to my owne private commodity either yet to the worldly hurt of any creature But to delay to preach to morrow unlesse the body be violently with-holden I cannot in conscience For in this Towne and Church began God first to call me to the dignity of a Preacher from the which I was reâ—t by the tyranny of France and procurement of the Bishops as ye well enough know how long I continued prisoner what torment I sustained in the Gallies and what were the sobs of my heart is now no time to recite This onely I cannot conceale which more then one have heard me say when my body was absent from Scotland That my assured hope was in open audience to preach in Saint Andrewes before I departed this life And therefore said he my Lords seeing that God above the expectation of many hath brought my bodie to the same place where first I was called to the Office of a Preacher and from the which most unjustly I was removed I beseech your Honours not to stop me from presenting my selfe unto my Brethren And as for the feare of danger that may come to me let no man be solicite for my life is in the custody of him whose glory I seek and therefore I cannot so feare their boast nor tyrannie that I will cease from doing my duty when of his mercy he offereth the occasion I desire the hand and weapon of no man to defend me onely do I crave audience which if it be denied here unto me at this time I must seek further where I may have it At these words the Lords were fully content that he should occupy the place which he did upon Sunday the tenth of June and did treat of the ejection of the buyers and the sellers forth of the Temple of Jâ—rusalem as it is written in the Evangelists Matthew and Iohn and so he applied the corruption that was then to the corruption that is in Papistry and Christs fact to the duty of those to whom God giveth power and zeale thereto that aswell the Magistâ—ates the Provest and Baylies as the communalty for the most part within the Towne did agree to remove all Monuments of Idolatry which also they did with expedition The Bishop advertised hâ—reof departed that same day to the Queen who lay with her French-men as is said in Falkland The hot fury of the Bishop did so kindle her choler and yet the love was very cold betwixt them that without farther delay conclusion was taken to invade Saint Andrewes and the two young Lords aforesaid who then were very slenderly accompanied Posts were sent from the Queen with all diligence to Cowper distant onely six miles from Saint Andrewes to prepare Lodgings and Victualls for the Queen and her French-men Lodgings were assigned and Fâ—rriers were sent before Which thing understood counsell was given to the Lords to march forward and to prevent them before they came to Cowper which they did giving advertisement to all brethren with all possible expedition to repair towards them which they also did with such diligence that in their Assemblie the wonderous Worke of God might have been espied For when at night the Lords came to Cowper they were not an hundred Horse and some few Foot-men whom the Lord Iames brought from the Coast â—ide and yet before the next day at noon which was Tuesday the thirteenth of June their number passed three thousand men which by Gods providence came unto the Lords from Lowthiane the Lairds of Ormeston Calder Hatton Lestarrig and Colston who albeit they understood at their departing from their owne houses no such trouble yet were they by their good counsell very comfortable that day The Lord Ruthuen came from Saint Iohnston with some Horse-men with him The Earle of Rothesse Sheriff of Fyfe came with an honest Company The Townes of Dundie and S. Andrews declared themselves both stout and faithfull Cowper because it stood in greatest danger was assisted with the whole Force Finally God did so multiply our number That it appeared as men had rained from the clouds The enemy understanding nothing of our Force assured themselves of Victory Who had beene in Falkland the night before might have seen embracing and kissing betwixt the Queen the Duke and the Bishop But Master Gawin Hamilton gaper for the Bishoprick of S. Andrews above all others was lovingly embraced of the Queen For he made his solemne Vow That he would fight and that he would never return till he brought those Traitours to her Majestie either quick or dead And thus before midnight did they send forward their Ordnance themselves did follow before three of the clock in the morning The Lords hereof advertised assembled their company early in the morning upon Cowper-moore where by the advice of M. Iames Haliburtoun Provest of Dundie was chosen a place of ground convenient for our defence For it was so chosen That upon all sides our Ordnance might have beaten the enemy and yet we have stood in safety if we had been pursued till we had come to hand strokes The Lord Ruthuen took the charge of the horsemen and ordered them so That the enemy was never permitted to espie our number the day was dark which helped thereto The enemy as before is said thinking to have found no resistance after that they had twice or thrice made shew unto us as that they would
was troubled in his understanding The certainty of the death foresaid was signified unto us both by Sea and Land By Sea received Iohn Knox who then had great intelligence both with the Churches abroad and some of the Court of France That the King was mortally sick and could not well escape death Which Letters received that same day at afternoon he passed to the Duke to his own lodging at the Church of Field with whom he found the Lord Iames in conference alone The Earle of Arrane was in Iedburgh to whom he opened such news as he had received and willed them to be of good comfort for said he the advertiser hath never deceived me It is the same Gentleman that first gave us knowledge of the slaughter of Henry King of France and shewed unto them the Letter but would not expresse the mans name While they were reasoning in divers purposes and he comforting them For while we say they three were familiarly communing together there came a messenger from the Lord Gray forth of Barwick assuring him of the death of the K. of France Which noysed abroad a generall Convention of the Nobility was appointed to be holden at Edinburgh the fifteenth day of Ianuary following in the which the Book of discipline was perused newly over againe for some pretended ignorance by reason that they had not heard it In that assembly was Master Alexander Anderson Subprincipall and Under-Master of one of the Schools of Aberdein a man more subtill and craftie than either learned or godly called who refused to dispute anent his faith abusing a place of Tertullian to cloak his ignorance It was answered unto him That Tertullian should not prejudge the Authoritie of the Holy Ghost who by the mouth of Peter commandeth us to give reason of our faith to every one that requireth the same of us It was farther answered that we neither required him neither yet any man to dispute in any point concerning our faith which was grounded upon Gods Word and fully expressed in his holy Scriptures for all that we beleeved without controversie But we required of him as of the rest of Papists that they would suffer their Doctrine Constitutions and Ceremonies to come to triall And principally that the Masse and the opinion thereof by them taught unto the people might be laid to the square rule of Gods Word and unto the right Institution of Jesus Christ That they might understand whether that their Preachers offended or not in that that they affirmed The Action of the Masse to be expresly repugning unto the last Supper of the Lord Jesus The sayer of it to commit horrible blasphemie in usurping up-him the Office of Christ The hearers to commit damnable Idolatry and the opinion of it conceived to be a derogation and as it were a disanulling of Christs death While the said Master Alexander denied that the Priest took upon him Christs office to offer for sin as he alleaged a Masse book was produced and in the beginning of the Canon were these words read Suscipe Sancta Trinitas hanc oblationem quam ego indignus peccator offero tibi vivo Deo vero pro peccatis meis pro peccatis totius Ecclesiae vivorum mortuum Now said the reasoner if to offâ—r for the sinnes of the whole Church was not the Office of Christ Jesus yea that Office that to him onely might and may appertaine let the Scripture judge And if a vile Knave whom ye call Priest proudly taketh the same upon him let your own Books witnesse The said Mr. Alexander answered Christ offered the propitiatory and that could none do but he but we offer the remembrance Whereto it was answered We praise God that ye have denyed a sacrifice propitiatorie to be in the Masse and yet we offer to prove that in moe than a hundreth places of your Papisticall Doctors this proposition is affirmed The Masse is said to be a Sacrifice propitiatory But the second part where ye alleage that ye offer Christ in remembrance we ask first Unto whom do ye offer him and next by what authority are ye assured of well-doing In God the Father there falleth no Oblivion And if ye will shift and say that ye offer it not as God were forgetfull but as willing to apply Christs merits to his Church We demand of you What power commandment have ye so to do We know that our Master Christ Jesus commanded his Apostles to do that which he did in remembrance of him But plain it is that Christ took bread gave thanks brake bread and gave it to his disciples saying Take ye eate ye this is my body which is broken for you do this in remembrance of me c. Here we finde a commandment to take to eat to take and to drinke but to offer Christs Body either for remembrance or application we finde not And therefore we say To take upon you an Office which is not given unto you is unjust usurpation and no lawfull power The said Master Alexander being more then astonished would have shifted but then the Lords willed him to answer directly whereto he answered That he was better seen in Philosophie then in Theologie Then was commanded M. Iohn Leslie who then was Parson of Une and now Abbot of Londors and after was made Bishop of Rosse to answer to the former Argument and he with great gravity began to answer If our Master have nothing to say to it I have nothing for I know nothing but the Cannon Law And the greatest reason that ever I could finde there is Nolumus and Volumus and yet we understand that now he is the onely Patron of the Masse But it is no marvell for we understand that he is a Priests get and Bastard and therefore we should not wonder albeit that the old truan Verse be true Patrem sequitur sua proles The Nobility hearing that neither the one nor the other would answer directly said We have been miserably deceived heretofore for if the Masse may not obtaine remission of sins to the quick and to the dead Wherefore were all the Abbies so richly doted and endowed with our Temporall lands Thus much we thought good to insert here because that some Papists are not ashamed now to affirm That they with their reasons could never be heard but that all we did we did by meer force when that the whole Realme knoweth That we ever required them to speak their judgements freely not onely promising unto them protection and defence but also that we should subscribe with them if they by Gods Scriptures could confute us and by the same Word establish their assertions But who can correct the leasings of such as in all things shew them the sons of the Father of all lies Preserve us Lord from that perverse and malicious Generation Amen At this same Assembly was the Lord Iames appointed to go to France to the Queen our Soveraigne and a Parliament was
Chanters sub-Chanters Provests Parsons and Vicars and other Beneficed men whatsoever their Chamberlains and Factors personally or at their dwelling places or at the Parish Churches where they should remain To exhibite and produce before the Queens Majesty and Lords aforesaid before the said 24 day of Ianuary next coming the just and true Rentals of the values and rents of their Benefices to the effect aforesaid And to chare the Prelats and the other Beneficed men on the other side of the Water in manner aforesaid to exhibite and produce the just and true Rentals of their Benefices before the Queens Majesty and Lords aforesaid the said 10 of February to the effect aforesaid with certification to them That if any fails to appeare the Queens Majesties and Councels wills are That they should be proceeded against here as the matter requires And likewise to charge the whole Superintendents Ministers Elders and Deacons of the principall Towns and Shires of this Realm to give in before the Queens Majesty and Lords of the Councell aforesaid before the said 24 of Ianuary next coming a formall and sufficient Roll and Memoriall what may be sufficient and reasonable to sustain Ministry and whole Ministers of this Realme that her Majesty and Lords of the Councell aforesaid may rightly and diligently weigh and consider what necessary support is required to be taken yeerly of the fruits of the said Benefices by her Majesties own yearly Rent to entertain and set forward the common affairs of this Realme against the said 24 day of Ianuary next coming that it may be proceeded in the said matter all parties satisfied and the whole Countrey and Lieges thereof set in quietnesse Apud Linlithgow 24 Ianuarii c. FOrasmuch as the Queens Majesty with the advice of the Lords of her Secret Councell directed her Letters commanding all and sundry Arch-bishops Bishops Abbots c. and all other Beneficed men their Factors Farmors Takesmen to appear before her Highnesse and Lords aforesaid at Edinburgh or where it should happen them to be for the time so many as dwells upon this side of the water before the 24 day of Ianuary instant and them that dwells beyond the water the 10 of February next coming that the just value of their Benefices might be knowne so that hereafter her Highnesse may take order for the Sustentation of the Ministry of the Church and the publike businesse of the Realme And because the Queens Majesty is presently busied with other affairs and may not her self attend upon the receipt of the said Rent therefore her Highnesse hath given and granted and by these Presents gives and grants full power and Commission to Master Iames Mackgill of Rankellor nether Clerk of the Register Sir Iohn Ballenden of Archnenell Knight Justice Clerk to the Treasurer Secretary of State Advocate of the Crowne and Laird of Pittarrow to call before them within the City of Edinburgh all and sundry Prelates and Beneficed men which are charged by vertue of the said Letters now presently being in Edinburgh or shall happen hereafter to repair thereto their Factors or Farmers and there enquire of them the Rentalls of their Benefices and receive the same from them to the effect aforesaid And likewise that the said Commissioners cause warne all Seperintendents Over-seers Ministers Elders and Deacons to give unto them the names of all the Ministers of this Realme that the just Calculation being made and considered by the said Commissioners of the value of the said Benefices they may report the same unto the Queens Majesty that her Highnesse may take order herein according to the just Tenour of the first Ordinance made thereupon Apud Edinburgh 12 February 1561. FOrasmuch as by Statute and Ordinance made by the Queens Majesty and Lords of the Secret Councell and her Highnesse Letters directed thereupon all and sundry Archbishops Bishops Abbots c. and other Beneficed men were charged to produce the Rentalls of their Benefices before her Majesty and Lords aforesaid in manner following that is to say The said Beneficed men dwelling on this side of the Water before the four and twentieth of Ianuary last past And on the other side of the Water before the tenth of February instant to the effect that order might be taken therin to conform to the Ordinance With certification to them that if they fayled the Queens Majestie and Counsell aforesaid would take order therein as the same Ordinance bears Notwithstanding of the which the Queens Majestie and Counsell and others appointed for receiving of the said Rentalls have continually since the said 24 of Ianuary aforesaid waited upon the receiving of them yet a very small number of them have produced their Rentalls thereby not onely contemning her Majesties Ordinance and Proclamation aforesaid but also her selfe and her Authoritie as they were Princes and not Subjects expresse against Equitie Reason and Justice For remedy whereof the Queene Majestie ordains with advice of the Lords of her secret Councill That Factors Chamerlains or Stewards bee appointed to intromett gather uplist and receive to our Soveraign Ladies use all and sundry mailles tythes or tiends farmes rents provents emoluments fruits profits and due tyes of whatsoever benefices whereof the Rentalls are not produced conforme to the said Ordinance And if any Retalls already produced bears not the just value but is Fraudulently made to intromet and uptake as much of the profits and fruits of the said benefices as are omitted forth of the said Rentalls and the In-givers of the Rentalls and Professors of the Benefices thereof shall never have action to claime crave or receive from the Tenants and Occupiers further then is contained in the same Rentals already produced by them and the Tenants and Possessors shall be holden to pay no more than is contained in the same Rentalls already produced as aforesaid And the said Chamerlains and Factors to be appointed by the Queenes Majestie shall have sufficient power to intromitt and uptake the fruits and profits aforesaid in such fulnesse as if speciall Letters of Factory and Chamerlancie were granted to them thereupon and ordains the Lords of the Session to direct forth Letters at the said Factors and Chamerlaines instancies either of horning or poynding as shall be thought expedient for causing of them to bee answered of fruits of the said Benefices to be forth-commanded to the Queenes Majesties behalf and use while further order be taken therein Apud Edinburge 15. February 1561. FOr as much as the Queenes Majestie by the advice of the Lords of her secret Councell and others divers of the Nobility had of before the two and twentieth day of December last past ordained that if the fourth part of the fruits and Rents of all the Benefices within this Realme were not sufficient for the Supporting of her Majesties present wants and the particular Charges under-written necessary to be borne for the weale of the Countrey than the third of the said fruits more or lesse should be taken
Idolatry shall be reputed a crime little inferiour to Treason God grant that we fall not farther And now I whom God of his mercy hath made one amongst many to travell in setting forward his true Religion within this Realme seeing the same in danger of ruine cannot but in conscience crave of you my brethren of all states that have professed the truth your presence comfort and assistance at the said day in the Town of Edinburgh even as ye tender the advancement of Gods glory the safety of your brethren and your own assurance together with the preservation of the Church in these appearing dangers It may be perchance that perswasions be made to the Countrey and that ye may be informed that either your assembly is not necessary or else that it will offend the upper Powers and my good hope is that neither flattery nor fear shall make you so farre to decline from Christ Jesus as that against your publike promise and solemne Band you will leave your Brethren in so just a cause and albeit there were no great danger yet cannot our Assembly be unprofitable for many things requiring consultation which cannot be had unlesse the wisest and godliest convene And thus doubting nothing of the assistance of our God if that we uniformly seek his glory I cease farther to trouble you committing you heartily to the protection of the Eternall JOHN KNOX From Edinburgh the eighth day of October 1563. THe Brethren advertised by this Letter prepared themselves so many as was thought expedient for every Towne and Province to keep the day appointed but by the means of some false brethren the Letter came to the hands of the Queene and the manner was this It was read in the Towne of Ayre where was present Master Robert Cunningham stiled Minister of Fâ—itfurd who then was holden a professor of the Evangell by what meanes we know not gat the said Letter and sent it with his token to Master Henry Sincleare then President of the Seat and Colledge of Justice stiled Bishop of Rosse a perfect Hypocrite and a conjured Enemie to Christ Jesus whom God after stroke according to his deservings The said Master Henry being Enemy to all that unfainedly professed the Lord Jesus but chiefly to Iohn Knox for the libertie of his Tongue for he had affirmed as ever still he doth affirme That a Bishop that receives profit and feeds not the Flock even by his owne labours is both a Thiefe and a Murtherer The said Master Henry we say thinking himselfe happie that he had found so good occasion to trouble him whose life he hated posted the said Letter with his counsell to the Queen who then lay in Sterlin The lettet being read it was concluded by the Councell of the Cabinet that is by the most secret Councell That it imported Treason whereof the Queen did not a little rejoyce for she thought once to be avenged of that her great Enemy It was concluded that the Nobilitie should be written for that the condemnation should have the greater Authoritie the day was appointed about the midst of December which was kept of the whole Councell and of divers others such as the Master of Maxwell the old Laird of Lethington and the said President In the meane time the Earle of Murray returned from the North to whom Secretary Lethington opened the matter as best pleased him The Master of Maxwell after made Lord Heris gave unto the said Iohn as it were a discharge of the familiaritie which before was great betwixt them unlesse that he would satisfie the Queen at her own will The answer of Iohn Knox was that he knew no offence done by him to the Queens Majestie and therefore he knew not what satisfaction to make No offence said he Have you not written Letters desiring the brethren from all parts to convene to Andro Armstrong and Patrick Cranstons That I grant said the other but therein I acknowledge no offence done by me No offence said he to convocate the Queens Leidges Not for a just cause said the other for greater things were reputed no offence within these two yeers The time said he is now other for then our Soveraigne was absent and now she is present It is neither the absence nor the presence of the Queen said he that rules my conscience but God plainly speaking in his Word what was lawfull to me the last yeer is yet lawfull because my God is unchangeable Well said the Master I have given you my counsell doe as you list but I think you shall repent it if you bow not unto the Queen I understand not said he what you meane I never made my selfe an adverse partie unto the Queens Majestie except in the point of Religion and thereunto I think you will not desire me to bow Well said he you are wise enough but you will not finde that men will beare with you in times to come as they have done in times by past If God stand my friend said the other as I am assured he of his mercy will so long as I depend upon his promise and preferre his glory to my life and worldly profit I little regard how men behave themselves towards me neither yet know I wherinto any one man hath born with me in times by-past unlesse it be that of my mouth they have heard the Word of God which in time to come if they refuse my heart will be perfect and for a season I will lament but the incommodity will be their owne And after these words hereunto the Laird of Lochinvar was witnesse they departed but unto this day the seventeenth day of December 1571. yea never in this life met they in such familiarity as before The bruit of the accusation of Iohn Knox being devulgate Master Iohn Spence of Condie Advocate a man of gentle nature and one that professed the doctrine of the Evangell came as it were in secret to Iohn Knox to enquire the cause of that great bruite to whom the said Iohn was plain in all things and shewed unto him the double of the Letter which heard and considered he said I thank God I came unto you with a fearfull and sorrowfull heart fearing that you had done such a Crime as Lawes might have punished which would have been no small trouble to the heart of all such as have received the Word of life which you have preached but I depart greatly rejoyced as well because I see your own comfort even in the midst of the troubles as that I clearly understand that you have committed no such Crime as you are bruited with you will be accused said he but God will assist you and so he departed The Earle of Murray and the Secretary sent for the said Iohn to the Clerk of the Registers house and began to lament that he had so highly offended the Queens Majestie for the which they feared should come a great inconvenience to him if the businesse were not wisely
foreseen they shew what pains and travel they had taken to mittigate her anger but they could finde nothing but extremity unlesse that he himself would confesse his offence and put him in her Majesties will To which Heads the said Iohn answered as follows I praise my God through Jesus Christ said he I have learned not to crie Conjuration and Treason at every thing that the godlesse multitude doth condemn nether yet to fear the things that they fear I have the testimony of a good conscience that I have given no occasion to the Queens Majestie to be offended with me for I have done nothing but my duty and so whatsoever shall thereof ensue my good hope is that my God will give me patience to bear it but to confesse an offence where my Conscience witnesseth there is none far be it from me How can it be defended said Lethington have you not made a Convocation of the Queens Leiges If I have not said he a just defence for my fact let me smart for it Let us hear said they your defences for we would be glad that you might be found innocent Nay said the other I am informed by divers that even by you my Lord Secretary I am already condemned and my cause prejudged therefore I might be reputed a fool if I would make you privie to my Defences At these words they seemed both offended and so the Secretary departed but the said Earle remained still and would have entred into further discourse of the state of the Court with the said Iohn who answered My Lord I understand more then I would of the state of the Court and therefore it is not needfull that your Lordship trouble me with the recounting thereof if you stand in good case I am content and if you do not as I fear you do not already or else you shall not do it ere it be long blame not me you have the Councellors whom you have chosen my weak judgement both they and you despised I can do nothing but behold the end which I pray God it be other then my troubled heart feareth Within four dayes the said Iohn was called before the Queen and Councell betwixt 6 and seven a Clock at night the season of the year was the midst of December the report rising in the towne That I. Knox was sent for by the Queen The Brethren of the Town followed in such number that the inner Close was full and all the Staires even to the Chamber door where the Queen and Counsell sate who had been reasoning amongst themselves before but had not fully satisfied the Secretaries minde And so was the Queen retired to her Cabbinet and the Lords were talking one with another as occasion served But upon the entry of Iohn Knox they were desired to take their places as they did sitting as Councellors one against another The Duke according to his dignity began the one side upon the other side sate the Earle of Argile and consequently followed the Earle of Murray the Earle of Glencarne the Earle of Mershall the Lord Ruthven the common Officers Pittaro then Controller the Justice Clerk with Master Iohn Spence of Condie Advocate and divers others stood by removed from the Table sate old Lethington father to the Secretary Master Henry Sinclare then Bishop of Rosse and Master Iames Makgill Clerke of the Register Things thus put in Order the Queen came forth and that with no little worldly pompe was placed in a Chaire having two faithfull Supporters the Master of Maxwell upon the one Torre and Secretary Lethington upon the other Torre of the Chaire whereon hee waited diligently at the time of the Accusation sometime the one was speaking in her Eare and sometime the other Her pompe lacked nothing of an womanly gravitie for when she saw Iohn Knox standing at the other end of the Table bare-headed at the first she smiled and after gave a guaf of laughter whereunto her Placeboâ—â— gave their Plaudite assenting with like countenance This is a good beginning she said but know you whereat I laugh Yon man caused me to crie and shed never a Tear himself I will see if I can cause him to grieve At that word the Secretary whispered her in the Eare and she him again and with that gave him a Letter after the inspection whereof he directed his visage and speech to Iohn Knox in this manner The Queens Majesty is informed That you have travelled to raise a Tumult of her Subjects against her and for Certification thereof there is presented to her your owne Letter subscribed in your name Yet because her Majesty will do nothing without good advertisement she hath convened you before this part of the Nobilitie that they may witnesse betwixt you and her Let him acknowledge said she his owne hand-writing and then shall we judge of the Contents of the Letter and so was the Lettet sent from hand to hand to Iohn Knox who taking inspection of it said I acknowledge this to be my hand-writing and also I remember that I indited a Letter in the month of October giving signification to the Brethren in divers Quarters of such things as displeased me and so good opinion have I of the fidelity of the Scribes that willingly they would not adulterate my originall albeit that I left divers blanks subscribed with them And so I acknowledge both the Hand-writing and the Dictatement You have done more said Lethington then I would have done Charity said the other is not suspitious Well well said the Queen read your own Letter and then answer to such things as shall be demanded of you I shall do the best I can said the other and so with a loud voice he began to reade as before is expressed After that the Letter was read it was presented again to M. Iohn Spence her Advocate for the Queen commanded him to accuse as he did but very gently After we say that the Letter was read the Queen beholding the whole Table said Heard you ever my Lords a more dispightfull and Treasonable Letter While that no man gave answer Lethington addressed himself to Iohn Knox and said M. Knox are you not sorry from your heart and do you not repent that such a Letter hath passed your Pen and from you hath come to the knowledge of others I. Knox answered My Lord Secretary before I repent I must be taught of my offence Offence said Lethington if there were no more but the vocation of the Queenes Leiges the offence cannot be denyed Remember your selfe my Lord said the other there is a difference betwixt a lawfull Vocation and an unlawfull If I have been guilty in this I have oft offended since I came last in Scotland for what Vocation of Brethren hath ever been this day unto which my Pen hath not served and before this no man laid it to my charge as a crime Then was then and now is now said Lethington we have no need of
now O would God that the Nobility should yet consider The first of the Nobility The constant request of the Protestants of Scotland Note the duty of Noblemen Note Probation against the Papists Against such as under colour of authority persecute their brethren Difference betwixt the person and the Authority Note Note diligently Pharaoh his fact Note The fact of King Saul The second sort of the Nobility Note Let both the one part and the other judge if God have not justified the cause of the innocents From whence this courage did proceed the issue did declare Note The Earle of Glencarne his resolution Speakers sent by the Queene to S. Iohnston Note the answer The false suggestion of the Queen Regent Let the Papists rather ambitious Romanists judge The diligence of the Earle of Glencarne and of the brethren of the wast for the relief of S. Iohnston The Petition of the Protestants for the rendering of S Iohnston The answer of the Earle of Argyle and L. Iames Prior of S. Andrews The promise of the foresaid Note 1559 The first slaughter at the entry of the French-men Idolatry erected against the appointment Against the appointment the second time Second answer of the Queen Regent The third anâ—wer The departure of the Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames from the Queen Regent The answer the Earle of Argyle The Bishops good minde towards Iohn Knox. Iohn Knox his answer to the Lords and the rest of the brethren The Reformation of S. Audrews For the old Earle of Argyle was dead Cowper-Moore M. Gawin Hamiltons Vow First answer at Cowper-moore The second answer The delivery of S. Iohnston The summoning of S. Iohnston Communing at S. Iohnston Huntly The Bishop of Murray The destruction of Scone The cause of the burning of Scone Speaking of an ancient matron when Scone was burning The taking of Stirlin Lord Shaton The coming of the Congregaon to Edinburg Let the Reader marke how this agrees with our time The third Letter to the Queen Regent The craftines of the Queen Regent may yet be espied 1559. Accusations Mark the craftie calumnies The communing at Preston The demand of the Queen Regent and answer of the Protestants The last offers of the Protestants to the Q. Regent The scoffing of the Queen Regent Note The death of Henry King of France Note how this agrees with our times Answer to the calumnie Note Nobles Leith left us the congregation The Lord Erskin and his fact In contemplation of these Articles arose this proverb Good day Sir John till Ianury Welcome Sir John till Ianuary Note The promise of the Duke and Earle of Huntly Answer to thâ— complaint of the Papists The third Bond of mutuall defence at Sterlin Note â—he first knowledge of the escaping of the Eâ—rle of Arran out of France Let this be noted The just reward of the Duâ—e for leaving God Brags â—now Note Note Note The residence of Iohn Willock in Edinburg Note The Queen Regents malice against poore men Note The practise of the Queen Regent See how this agreeth with our times The arrivall of th French Note The division of the Lords lands by the French How like to the Proclâ—mations of our times this is let the Reader judge Let the Bishop of Amians Letters and Monsieur de la Brosse Letters written to France witnesse that Confer this with our times Few dayes after declareth the truth of this Confer this with our times Let the Nobility judge hereof Let Sir Robert Richardson and others answer to this See how this agrees with our times The cause of the Frenchmens coming with wives and children Note A proverbe Note The doctrine of our Preachers concerning obedience to be given to Magistrates Let such as this day live witnesse what God hath wrought since the writing and publication hereof Note The Prophets have medled with policy and have reproved the corruptions thereof The coming of the Earle of Arran to Scotland and his joyning with the Congregation Letters to the Queen Regent The Petition of la Brosse The answer Note The tyranny of the French Note how this agrees with our times Note Let this be noted O craâ—ty flatterâ—r Note Elizabeth was come to the crown of England the yeere before by the death of Mary False lying tongue God hath confounded thee God hath purged his people of that false accusation Note The avarice of those of Loraine and Guise Note The title that the Queen hath or had to Leith The Laird of Lestarrig sup riour to Leith Note Note diligently The wickednesse of the Bishops The cause that Broughtie Craig was taken Let all men judge The Dukes answer Note Note Note The quarrell betwixt Frauce and the Congregation of Scotland The Lord Seaton unworthy of Regiment Optimâ— collatio Let the Papists judge if God hath not given judgement to the displeasure of their hearts Note The causes that moved the Nobility of this Realme to oppose the Q. Regent The sâ—me minde remaineth to this day This promise was forgot and therefore God plagued Wha spirit could have hoped for victory in so desperate dangers Note Note how calumnies prevail upon the world for a time Now the Duke seeing the Queens partie decline and the Protestant party grow strong he once more changeth the profession of his Religion and joyneth with the Protestants as strongest How true this is the whole and constant course of the family can tell Let this be noted and let all men judge of the purpose of the French and how good and wise Patriots they wâ—re who sold our Soveraign to France for their private profit and they by name were 〈◊〉 Hamiltons The order of the suspension of the Queen Regent from Authority within Scotland The discourse of Iohn Willock The causes The judgment of Iohn Knox in the deposition of the Queen Regent Let no man then for privat ends and by-wayes do any thing against their Prince â—nder preâ—ence of the publike 1559 The enormities committed by the Queen Regent Her daughter followed the same for to Davie was delivered the Great Seal Note Note Note Note All done in the Soveraignâ— Name as they do now a-dayâ— Note Treason among the counsell The Duke and his friends fearfull The ungodly Souldiers The Queenâ— Regents practises The fact of the councell The treason of Iohn 〈◊〉 Note the kindnesse of the English in need The E. Bothweâ—l false in promise and his treasonable fact Note The first departing of the Congregation The cruelty of the French Note this diligently The Earle of Argyle Lord Robert Stewart The Castle shot one Shot The Queen Regents rejoycing and unwomanly behaviour The counsel of the Master of Maxwell The last discâ—mâ—â—tuâ—e upon Munday The death of Alexander Haliburnton Captaine How and why William Maitland left Leith The Lord Erskin declared himself enemy to the Congregation The despight of the Papists of Edinburgh The worst is not yet come upon our enemies Note Note Note diligently Note Specialiâ— Applicatio Let Scotland
she and hers can claim for their own but she and hers must be serviceable to those who have undone them To this end she must have People about her namely Court-Chaplains to disguise businesse unto her and so make her have a bad conception of those who are her best friends to wit the true Professors of the Truth and good Patriots in these Dominions Next her eldest son after a long and great neglect of yeelding him any help for the recovery of his own is betrayed at our corrupt Court when he is put in away to do somewhat for his own restoring c. And after this by the same Court he is sollicited to take Arms here against the onely men who really and constantly have expressed unto him and his true affection but they being stopped by the Court could not effectuate much by their good will He in wisdome refuseth to fight against his friends Since he will not his two next Brothers must be employed the eldest whereof is released from prison to that effect And so they hazard their lives and spend their blood to serve the party who hath undone their Fortunes and now strives to undo their persons The King having left London after he had been in severall places retires to Yorke where he begins to raise men against the Parliament The Scots seeing this send to him thither to intreat him to lay aside all such intentions and offer their service by way of Mediation betwixt him and the Parliament to take away all known mistakes The Scots Commissioners were not suffered to proceed any further then in the businesse and were sent back beyond the expectation of men After a long Pen-skirmishing on both sides Armies are leavied many men killed and taken at divers times on each side yea a set Battell fought where numbers of men are slain The Scots not being able any longer to see their Brethren in England destroyed and the Executioners of Ireland butchering man woman and childe the help that the innocents should have had from England being almost altogether diverted by the Intestine War and neither say nor do in the businesse under safe-Conduct send to the King and Parliament Commissioners to intercede for an Agreement But they being arrived at Court were neglected with their Commission and not suffered to repair unto the Parliament At last they are dismissed not without difficulty and having done nothing return Upon this the Scots convene the States to consult concerning their own safety and the help of their friends At this nick of time when they received many fair promises from the Court with a request to be quiet a Plot of the Papists set afoot by the Court for embroyling the Countrey is discovered by the means whereof they were incited to look more narrowly to themselves and their friends Then the Parliament of England sends to the Scots for help Upon this a Covenant is made betwixt the two Nations for the defence of the true Religion and Liberty of the Countreys with the Kings just Rights and after due preparation the Scots having setled their own Countrey enter into England with a strong Army to fight the Battells of the Lord having for scope of their Expedition The glory of God and the good of his People with the Honour of the King Here we shall observe in these our Countreys in these last yeers such Riddles of State and Church as have hardly been heard of A Protestant Prince makes one Protestant Nation fight against another for the Protestant Religion which have been thought to be of one and the same Doctrine for the main One Church thunders Curses against another Then a Prince misled with the ayd of Papists and Atheists spoyling and destroying the professors of the Truth because they professe it for the good and advancement of the Protestant Religion Next in a very short time a Prince to have all his subjects declared Rebells First he is made declare the Scots Then he is constrained to declare the Irish An Army gotten together in the Kings name declares all those that did oppose them Rebells The Parliament declares all those who in the Kings name oppose them Rebells and Traytors Farther under the Kings Authority the named Rebells in England by the King maintain a War against the declared Rebells in Ireland But the late carriage of things at Court and by the Court-Instruments at home and abroad hath solved the Riddle namely The Patent for the Rebellion in Ireland The detaining of help ordained for the repressing of it The Kings offer to go into Ireland The Cessation and bringing over of the Irish and The last-discovered Plot in Scotland all other things laid aside tell us cleerly howsoever the Proclamations and Protestations going in the Kings name be soft and smooth as the voyce of Jacob yet the hands are rough as of Esau destroying and seeking to destroy the true Religion grounded in Gods Word with the professors thereof as also the lawfull Liberty of the Countrey and bring all unto slavery Let Ireland and England say if this be not true and Scotland likewise according to its genius speak truth I shall close up all with two or three Instances of eminent men amongst the Papists Clergie to shew clearly how they stand affected to the Protestants Cardinall Pool in an Oration to Charles the fifth Emperour saith You must leave off the War against the Turks and hereafter make War against the Heretikes so names he the professors of the Truth He adds the reason Because the Turks are lesse to be feared then the Heretikes Paul Rodmek in a Book expresse tells us That the Heretikes must be put to death slain cut off burnt quartered c. Stapleton the Iesuite tells us That the Heretikes are worse then the Turks in an Oration he made at Doway Campian the Iesuite in a Book of his Printed in the yeer 1583 in Trevers declares thus in the name of his holy Order Our will is That it come to the knowledge of every one so far as it concerns our Society That we all dispersed in great numbers thorow the world have made a League and holy solemn Oath That as long as there are any of us alive that all our care and industry all our deliberations and counsells shall never cease to trouble your calm and safety That is to say We shall procure and pursue for ever your ruine the whole destruction of your Religion and of your Kingdom He speaks to the English Now it is long since we have taken this resolution with the hazard of our lives so that the businesse being already well begun and advanced it is impossible that the English can do any thing to stop our Designe or surmount it Let these few Passages satisfie for this time I wish that thou maist reap some benefit of what is written here for thy good So praying for your happinesse I rest Yours in the Lord D. B. The LIFE OF IOHN KNOX IOHN KNOX was borne in Gifford neer
him in that pursuit Because he appeareth to have the Governours right and had not onely a charge to the Towne as is said but also he purchased Letters to besiege it and to take it by strong hand if any resistance were made unto him Such letters we say made many to favour his action The other made for defence and so took the Master of Ruthuen the Lord that after departed into England the maintenance of the town having in his company the Laird of Montcreif and other friends adjacent The said Iohn prepared for the pursuit and upon Saint Magdalens day in the morning anno 1543. approached with his Forces the Lord Grey tooke upon him the principall charge It was appointed that Norman Lesley with his friends should have come by Ship with Munition and Ordnance as they were in readinesse But because the Tyde served not so soon as they would the oâ—â—er thinking himself of sufficient force for all that were in the Towne entred in by the Bridge where they found no resistance till that the former part was entered a pretty space within the Fish-Gate And then the said Master of Ruthuen with his Company stoutly recountred them and so rudely repulsed the foremost that such as were behinde gave back The place of the retreat was so strait that men that durst not fight could not flie at their pleasure for the most part of my Lord Grayes friends were upon the Bridge and so the slaughter was great for there fell by the edge of the Sword threescore men The Cardinall had rather that the mishap had fallen on the other part but howsoever it was he thought that such trouble was his comfort and advantage The knowledge whereof came to the ears of the party discomfited and was unto them no small grief For as many of them entred into that action for his pleasure so thought they to have had Fortification and assistance whereof finding themselves frustrate they began to look more narrowly to themselves and did not so attend upon the Cardinals devotion as they had wont to do before and so was a new jealousie engendered among them for whosoever would not play the good servant unto him was reputed his enemy The Cardinall drew the Governour to Dundie for he understood that the Earle of Rothesse and Master Henry Balnaveis were with the Lord Gray in the Castle of Huntley The Governour sent and commanded the said Earle and Lord with the foresaid Master Henry to come unto him to Dundie and appointed the next day at ten of the clock before noon which hour they decreed to keep and for that purpose assembled their folks at Balgavie or thereby The Cardinal advertised of their number they were no more than 300 men thought it not good that they should joyn with the Towne for he feared his owne estate and so he perswaded the Governour to passe forth of Dundie before nine hours and to take the straight way to S. Iohnston which perceived by the foresaid Lords they began to fear that they were come to pursue them and so put themselves in order and array and marched forward of purpose to have bidden the uttermost But the crafty fox foreseeing that in fighting stood not his security ran to his last refuge that is To manifest Treason and so consultation was taken how that the force of the others might be broken And at the first were sent the Laird of Grange and the Provost of S. Andrews knowing nothing of the Treason to ask why they molested my Lord Governour in his journey Whereto they answered That they meant nothing lesse for they came at his Graces Commandment to have kept the houre in Dundie appointed by him which because they saw prevented and knowing the Cardinall to be their friend they could not but suspect their unprovided coming forth of the Towne and therefore they put themselves in order not to invade but to defend in case they were invaded This answer reported was sent to the Bishop of Saint Audrewes the Abbot of Paisley Master David Panter the Lairds of Balcleuch and Coldinknowes to desire certain of the other company to talk with them which they easily obtained for they suspected no treason After long communication it was demanded If that the Earle and Lord and Master Henry aforesaid would not be content to talk with the Governour proviâ—ed that the Cardinall and his company were on the place They answered That the Governour might command them in all things lawfull But they had no will to be in the Cardinals mercy Fair promises enow were made for their security Then was the Cardinall and his Band commanded to depart as that he did according to the purpose taken The Governour remained and a certain number with him To whom came without company the said Earle Lord and M. Henry After many fair words given to them all to wit That he would have them agreed with the Cardinall and that he would have Master Henry Balnaves the worker and instrument thereof he drew them forwards with them towards Saint Iohnston whereto the Cardinall was ridden They began to suspect albeit it was too late and therefore they desired to have returned to their folks for putting order unto them But it was answered They should send back from the town but they must needs go forward with my Lord Governour and so partly by flattery and partly by force they were compelled to obey and as soon as they were in the Towne they were apprehended and on the morrow sent all three to the Black Nesse where they remained as it pleased the Cardinals gracelesse Grace and that was till the Band of Manred and of service set some of them at liberty And thus the Cardinal with his craft perswaded on every side so that the Scots Proverb was true in him So long rinnes the Fox as he fute hes Whether it was at this journey or at another that that bloody butcher executed his cruelty upon the innocent persons in S. Iohnston we cannot affirme neither yet therein study we to be curious but rather we travell to expresse the verity whensoever it was done than scrupulously and exactly to appoint times which yet we omit not when the certainty occurres The verity of that cruell fact is this At S. Pauls day before the first burning of Edinburgh came to S. Iohnston the Governour and Cardinall and there upon envious delation were a great number of honest men and women called before the Cardinall and accused of heresie And albeit they could be convinced of nothing but onely of suspition that they had eaten a Goose upon Friday four men were adjudged to be hanged and a woman to be drowned which cruell and most unjust sentence was without mercy put in execution the husband was hanged and the wife having a sucking babe upon her brest was drowned O Lord the Land is not yet purged from such beastly cruelty neither hath thy just vengeance yet stricken all
That Auricular Confession seeing that it hath no promise of the Gospel truely it cannot be a Sacrament Of the Confession to be made to God there are many testimonies in Scripture as when David saith I thought that I would acknowledge mine iniquity against my self unto the Lord and he forgave the trespasses of my sins Here confessing signifieth the secret knowledge of our sins before God When I exhorted the people on this manner I reproved no manner of Confession And farther Saint Iames saith Acknowledge your sins one to another and so let you have peace among your selves Here the Apostle meaneth nothing of Auricular Confession but that we should acknowledge and confesse our selves to be sinners before our brethren and before the world and not to esteeme our selves as the Gray Friers do thinking themselves already purged When that he had said these words the horned Bishops and their complices cryed and gyrned with their teeth saying See ye not what colours he hath in his speech that he may beguile us and seduce us to his opinion The fifth Article Thou false heretick didst say openly That it was necessary for every man to know and understand his Baptisme which is contrary to Generall Councels and the Estates of holy Church The Answer My Lords I believe there be none so unwise here that will make Merchandise with any French-men or any other unknowne stranger except he know and understand first the condition or promise made by the French-man or stranger So likewise I would that we understood what thing we promise in the name of the Infant unto God in Baptisme Then said M. Peter Chaplin That he had the devill within him and the spirit of terrour Then answered him a childe saying The devil cannot speak such words as yonder man doth speake The sixth Article Thou false Hereticke Traytor and Thiefe thou said That the Sacrament of the Altar was but a piece of bread baken upon the ashes and no other thing else and all that is there done is but a superstitious Rite against the Commandment of God The Answer Oh Lord God! so manifest lyes and blasphemies the Scripture doth not teach you As concerning the Sacrament of the Altar my Lords I never taught any thing against the Scripture the which I shall by Gods grace make manifest this day I being ready therefore to suffer death The lawfull use of the Sacrament is most acceptable unto God But the great abuse of it is very detestable unto him But what occasion they have to say such words of me I shall shortly shew your Lordships I once chanced to meet with a Iew when I was sayling upon the water of Rhene I did enquire of him What was the cause of his pertinacie that he did not believe that the true Messias was come considering that they had seen all the Prophesies which were spoken of him to be fulfilled Moreover the Prophesies taken away and the Scepter of Iuda By many other testimonies of the Scripture I witnessed to him and proved that the Messias was come the which they called Iesus of Nazareth This Iew answered again unto me When Messias cometh he shall restore all things and he shall not abrogate the Law which was given unto our Fathers as ye do for why We see the poor almost perish through hunger amongst you yet you are not moved with pity towards them But amongst us Iewes though we be poor there are no beggers found Secondarily It is forbidden by the Law to fain any kinde of Imagery of things in heaven above or in the earth beneath or in the Sea under the earth but one God onely to honour But your Sanctuaries and Churches are full of Idolls Thirdly a piece of bread baked upon the ashes ye adore and worship and say that it is your God I have rehearsed here but the sayings of a Iew which I never affirmed to be true Then the Bishops shook their heads and spitted on the ground and what he meaned in this matter further they would not hear The seventh Article Thou false hereticke didst say That extreme Unction was not a Sacrament The Answer My Lords forsooth I never taught of extreme Unction in my Doctrine whether it was a Sacrament or no. The eighth Article Thou false hereticke didst say That holy water is not so good as Wash and such like Thou contemnest conjuring and sayest That holy Churches cursing availeth not The Answer My Lords as for holy water what strength it is of I taught never in my Doctrine Conjurings and Exorcisms if they were conformable to the Word of God I would commend them but in as much as they are not conformable to the Commandment and Word of God I reprove them The ninth Article Thou false Hereticke and runagate hast said That every man is a Priest and likewise thou sayest That the Pope hath no more power then another man The Answer My Lords I taught nothing but the Word of God I remember that I have read in some places of S. Iohn and S. Peter of the which one saith He hath made us kings and priests The other saith He hath made us the kingly Priesthood Wherefore I have affirmed Any man understanding and perfit in the Word of God and the true faith of Jesus Christ to have his power given him from God and not by the power or violence of men but by the vertue of the Word of God the which word is called The power of God as witnesseth S. Paul evidently enough And againe I say Any unlearned man and not exercised in the Word of God nor yet constant in his Faith whatsoever estate or order he be of I say he hath no power to binde or to loose seeing he wanteth the instrument by the which he bindeth and looseth that is to say The Word of God After that he had said these words all the Bishops laughed and mocked him When that he beheld their laughing Laugh ye said he my Lords Though that these my sayings do seem scornfull and worthy of derision to your Lordships neverthelesse they are very weighty to me and of a great value because that they stand not onely upon my life but also upon the honour and glory of God In the meane time many godly men beholding the woodnesse and great cruelty of the Bishops and the invincible patience of the said M. George did greatly mourne and lament The tenth Article Thou false Hereticke saidst That a man had no free-will but is like to the Stoicks which say That it is not in mans will to do anything but that all desire and concupiscence cometh of God of whatsoever kinde it be of The Answer My Lords I said not so truely I say That as many as beleeve in Christ firmely unto them is given liberty conformable to the saying of S. Iohn If the Sonne make you free then shall you verily be free Of the contrary as many as beleeve not in Christ Jesus they are bond-servants of sin
something was purposed against him at that day by the Earle of Angus and his friends whom he mortally feared and whose destruction he sought but it failed and so returned he to his strength yea to his god and onely comfort as well in heaven as in earth and there he remained without all fear of death promising to himself no lesse pleasure then did the rich man of whom mention is made by our Master in the Gospel for he did not onely say Eat and be glad my soul for thou hast great riches laid up in store for many dayes but he said Tush a figge for the fooles and a button for the bragging of heretickes and their assistance in Scotland Is not my Lord Governour mine witnesse his eldest son in pledge at my table Have I not the Queen at my owne devotion he meant of the mother Mary that now 1566 raigns Is not France my friend and I am friend to France What danger should I feare And thus in vanity the carnall Cardinall delighted himself a little before his death But yet he had devised to have cut off such as he thought might trouble him For he had appointed the whole Gentlemen of Fyfe to have met him at Falkland the Munday but he was slain upon the Saturday before His treasonable purpose was not understood and it was this That Norman Lesley Sheriff of Fyfe and apparent heir to his Father the Earl of Rothes the foresaid Iohn Lesley Father brother to Norman the Lairds of Grange elder and younger Sir Iames Learmond of Darsie and Provost of Saint Andrewes and the faithfull Laird of Raith should either have been slain or else taken and after to have beene used at his pleasure This enterprise was disclosed after his slaughter partly by Letters and Memorialls found in his chamber but plainly affirmed by such as were of the counsell Many purposes were devised how that wicked man might have been taken away But all faileth till Friday the twenty eighth of May anno 1546. when the aforesaid Norman came at night to Saint Andrewes William Kirkaldie of Grange younger was in the Towne before waiting upon the purpose Last came Iohn Lesley as aforesaid who was most suspected What conclusion they took that night it was not knowne but by the issue that followed But early upon the Saturday in the morning the 29 of May were they in sundry Companies in the Abbey Church-yard not far distant from the Castle First the Gates being open and the draw-Bridge letten downe for receiving of Lime and Stones and other things necessary for building for Babilon was almost finished First we say assayed William Kirkcaldie of Grange younger and with him six persons and getting entry held purpose with the Porter If my Lord was walking who answered No and so it was indeed for he had been busie at his compts with Mistris Marion Ogilbie that night who was espied to depart from him by the privie Posterne that morning and therefore quietnesse after the rules of Physick and a morning sleep was requisite for my Lord. While the said William and the Porter talketh and his servants made them to look the work and workmen approached Norman Lesley with his company and because they were in great number they easily gat entrie They addresse to the midst of the Court and immediately came Iohn Lesley somewhat rudely and four persons with him The Porter fearing would have drawne the Bridge but the said Iohn being entred thereon stayed it and leapt in And while the Porter made him for defence his head waâ— broken the Keyes taken from him and he cast into the ditch and so the place was seized The shout ariseth the work-men to the number of more then a hundred ran off the walls and were without hurt put forth at the Wicket Gate The first thing that ever was done William Kirkaldie took the Guard of the privy Posterne fearing lest the Fox should have escaped Then go the rest of the Gentlemens Chambers and without violence done to any man they put more then fifty persons to the Gate The number that enterprised and did this was but sixteen persons The Cardinall wakened with the shouts asked from his window What meant that noyse It was answered That Norman Lesley had taken his Castle Which understood he ran to the Posterne but perceiving the passage to be kept without he returned quickly to his Chamber took his two handed sword and caused his Chamberlain to cast Chests and other impediments to the doore In this mean time came Iohn Lesley unto it and bids open The Cardinall asking Who calls he answered My name is Lesley He demanded Is that Norman The other saith Nay my name is Iohn I will have Norman saith the Cardinall for he is my friend Content your self with such as are here for other you shall have none There were with the said Iohn Iames Melvene a man familiarly acquainted with Master George Wischarde and Peter Carmichaelle a stout Gentleman In this mean time while they force at the door the Cardinall hides a box of gold under coales that were laid in a secret corner At length he asketh Will ye save my life The said Iohn answered It may be that we will Nay saith the Cardinall Swear unto me by Gods wounds and I will open you Then answered the said Iohn It that was said is unsaid and so cryed Fire fire for the doore was very strong and so was brought a chimley full of burning coales which perceived the Cardinall or his Chamberlain it is uncertain opened the doore and the Cardinall sat down in a chaire and cryed I am a Priest I am a Priest ye will not slay me The said Iohn Leslie according to his former Vows stroke him first once or twice and so did the said Peter But Iames Melvin a man of nature most gentle and most modest perceiving them both in choler withdrew them and said This work and judgement of God although it be secret ought to be done with greater gravity And presenting unto him the point of the sword said Repent thee of thy former wicked life but especially of the shedding of the blood of that notable instrument of God M. George Wischarde which albeit the flame of fire consumed before men yet cries it for vengeance upon thee and we from God are sent to revenge it For here before my God I protest That neither the hatred of thy person the love of thy riches nor the fear of any trouble thou couldst have done to me in particular moved or moveth me to strike thee But onely because thou hast been and remainest an obstinate enemy against Christ Iesus and his holy Gospel And so he stroke him twice or thrice thorow with a stog sword And so he fell never word heard out of his mouth but I am a Priest fie fie all is gone While they were thus busied with the Cardinall the fray rose in the Town the Provost assembles the
suffered in body in respect of that wherewith sometimes she was troubled in spirit She answered A thousand yeere of this torment and ten times more joyned unto it is not to be compared in the quarter of an houre that I suffered in my spirit I thanke my God through Iesus Christ that hath delivered me from that fearfull pain and welcome be this even so long as it pleaseth his godly Majestie to exercise me therewith A little before her departure she desired her sisters and some others that were beside her to sing a Psalme and amongst others she appointed the 103. Psalme beginning My soule praise thou the Lord alwayes which ended she said At the Teaching of this Psalme began my troubled soule first effectually to taste of the mercy of my God which now to me is more sweet and precious then if all the kingdomes of the earth were given to me to possesse them a thousand yeeres The Priests urged her with their Ceremonies and Superstitions To whom she answered Depart from me ye Sergeants of Satan for I have refused and in your own presence doe refuse all your abominations That which you call your Sacrament and Christs body as ye have deceived us to beleeve in times past is nothing but an Idoll and hath nothing to do with the right Institution of Iesus Christ and therefore in Gods Name I command you not to trouble me They departed alleadging That she raved and wist not what she said And she shortly after slept in the Lord Jesus to no small comfort of those that saw her blessed departing This we could not omit of this worthy woman who gave so notable a Confession before that the great light of Gods Word did universally shine thorowout this Realme At the first coming of the said Iohn Knox he perceiving divers who had a zeale to godlinesse make small scruple to go to the Masse or to communicate with the abused Sacraments in the Papisticall manner began as well in privie Conference as in Preaching to shew the impietie of the Masse and how dangerous a thing it was to communicate in any sort with Idolatrie wherewith the conscience of some being affrighted the matter began to be agitate from man to man And so was the said Iohn called to Supper by the Laird of Dun for that same purpose where were assembled David Forresse Master Robert Lockart Iohn Willocke and William Maitland of Lethington younger a man of good Learning and of sharpe wit and reasoning The Question was Proposed and it was answered by the said Iohn That in no wise it was lawfull to a Christian to present himselfe to that Idoll Nothing was omitted that might serve for the purpose and yet was every head so fully answered and especially one whereunto they thought their great defence stood To wit That Paul at the commandment of Iames and of the Elders of Ierusalem passed to the Temple and fained himselfe to pay his vow with others This we say and other things were so fully answered that William Maitland concluded saying I see very perfectly that our shifts will serve nothing before God seeing that they stand us in so small stead before men The answer of Iohn Knox to the fact of Paul and to the commandment of Iames was That Pauls fact had nothing to do with their going to Masse For to pay Vowes was sometimes Gods Commandment as was never Idolatry But their Masse from the originall was and remained odious Idolatry Therefore the fact was most unlike Secondarily said he I greatly doubt whether either Iames his commandment or Pauls obedience proceeded of the holy Ghost We know their counsell tendeth to this That Paul would shew himselfe one that observed diligently the very small points of the Law to the end he might purchase to himself the favours of the Jews who were offended at him by reason of the bruites that were spread That he taught defection from Moses Now while he obeyed their counsell he fell into the most desperate danger that ever he sustained before whereby it was evident That God approved not that mean of reconciliation but rather that he plainely declareth That evil should not be done that good might come of it Evil it was for Paul to confirme those obstinate Jewes in their Superstition by his example worse it was to him to expose himselfe and the Doctrine which before he had taught to slander and mockage And therefore concluded the said Iohn That the fact of Paul and the sequell that thereof followed appeared rather to fight against them that would go to the Masse then to give unto them any assurance to follow his example unlesse that they would that the like trouble should instantly apprehend them that apprehended him for obeying worldly-wise councell After these and like reasonings the Masse began to be abhorred of such as before used it for the fashion and avoiding of slander as then they termed it Iohn Knox at request of the Laird of Dun followed him to his place of Dun where he remained a moneth daily exercised in Preaching whereunto resorted the principall men of that countrey After this returning his residence was most in Calder whither repaired unto him the Lord Erskin the Earle of Argyle then Lord of Lorne and Lord Iames then Priour of S. Andrews and after Earle of Murrey where they heard and so approved his Doctrine that they wished it to have been publike That same Winter he taught commonly in Edinburgh and after Christmas by the conduct of the Laird of Bar and Robert Campbell of Kingieancleuch he came to Kyle and taught in the Bar in the house of the Caâ—nell in the Kingieancleuch in the Town of Air and in the houses of Uchiltrie and Gathgirth and in some of them he ministred the Lords Table Before Easter the Earl of Glencarne sent for him to his place of Fynlaston where after Sermon he also ministred the Lords Table Whereof besides himself were partakers his Lady two of his sons and certain of his friends And so returned he to Calder where divers from Edinburgh and from the Countrey about assembled as well for the Doctrine as for the right use of the Lords Table which before they had never practised From thence he departed the second time to the Laird of Dun and teaching then in greater liberty the Gentlemen required That he should minister likewise unto them the Table of the Lord Jesus where were partakers the most part of the Gentlemen of the Mernes who God be praised to this day do constantly remain in the same doctrine which then they professed To wit That they refused all society with Idolatry and bent themselves to the uttermost of their powers to maintain the true Preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as God should offer unto them Preachers and opportunitie The bruite hereof spread for the Friers from all quarters flocked to the Bishops the said Iohn Knox was summoned to appear in the Church of the blacke
Friers in Edinburgh the fifteenth day of May which day the said Iohn decreed to keep and for that purpose Iohn Erskin of Dun with divers other Gentlemen assembled to the Town of Edinburgh But that Diet held not For whether the Bishops perceived informalitie in their own proceedings or if they feared danger to ensue upon their extremity it is unknown unto us But the Saturday before the day appointed they cust their own summons and the said Iohn the same day of the summons taught in Edinburgh in a greater audience then ever before he had done in that Town The place was the Bishop of Dunkelles his great lodging where he continued in Teaching ten dayes before and after noon The Earle of Glencarne allured the Earle of Masrchell who with Henry Drummond his counseller for that time heard an exhortation but it was in the night who were so well contented with it that they both willed the said Iohn to write unto the Queen Regent somewhat that might move her to hear the Word of God He obeyed their desire and wrote that which after was published which we have caused to be Printed at the end of this Book and is called The Letter to the Queen Dowager Which was delivered unto her own hands by the said Alexander Earle of Glencarne Which Letter when she had read within a day or two she delivered it to the proud Prelate Betone Bishop of Glasgow and said in mockage Please you my Lord to read a Pasquill Which words coming to the ears of the said Iohn was the occasion that to his Letter he made his additions as yet may be seen As concerning the threatnings pronounced against her own person and the most principall of her friends let these very flatterers see what had failed of all that he had written While Iohn Knox was thus occupied in Scotland Letters came to him from the English Church that was assembled at Geneva which was separated from that superstitious and contentious company that was at Franckford commanding him in Gods Name as he that was their chosen Pastour to repaire unto them for their comfort Upon the which the said Iohn took his leave from us almost in every congregation where before he had Preached and exhorted us to Prayers to Reading of the Scriptures and mutuall conference untill such time as God should give unto us greater libertie And hereupon he sent before him to Deep his mother in Law Elizabeth Bowes and his wife Marjory with no small dolour of their hearts and of many of us He himselfe by procurement and labours of Robert Campell of Kingiâ—ancleuch remained behinde in Scotland and passed to the Earle of Argile who then was in the castle Campbell where he taught certain dayes The Laird of Glenurqahay which yet liveth being one of his auditours willed the said Earle of Argile to retaine him still but he resolved on his journey would not at that time stay for no request adding That if God blessed those small beginnings and if that they continued in godlinesse whensoever they pleased to command him they should finde him obedient He said That once he must needs visit that little flock which the wickednesse of men had compelled him to leave And so in the moneth of July he left this Realm and past to France and so to Geneva Immediately after the Bishops summoned him and for non-appearance burnt him in effigie at the Crosse of Edinburgh in the yeer of our Lord 1555. from the which unjust Sentence the said Iohn made his appellation and caused to Print the same and direct it to the Nobility and Commons of Scotland as yet may be read In the Winter that the said Iohn abode in Scotland appeared a Comet the course whereof was from the South and South-West to the North and North-east It was seen the moneths of November December and January It was called The firie bosom Soon after died Christierne King of Denmark and War arose between Scotland and England the Commissioners of both Realms were disappointed who almost the space of six moneths had been upon the conditions of Peace and were upon a neere point of conclusion The Queene Regent with her Councell of the French faction decreed War at New Battell without giving any advertisement to the Commissioners for the part of Scotland Such is the fidelitie of Princes guided by Priests whensoever they seeke their owne affections to be served In the end of that next harvest was seen upon the borders of England and Scotland a strange fire which descended from the heaven and burnt divers cornes in both the Realms but most in England There was presented to the Queen Regent by Robert Ormestone a Calfe having two heads whereat she skipped and said It was but a common thing The Warre began in the end of the harvest as is said and conclusion was taken that Warke should be assieged The Army and Ordnance past forward to Maxwell Hewcht The Queen Regent remained in the Castle of Hume and thinking that all things were in assurance Monsieur Dosell then Lieutenant for France gave charge that the Canons should be transported over the water of Tweid which was done with expedition for the French in such facts are expert but the Nobility of Scotland nothing content of such proceedings after consultation amongst themselves past to the Pavilion of Monsieur Dosell and in his own face declared That in no wayes would they invade England And therefore commanded the Ordnance to be retired And so it was without further delay This put an affray in Monsieur Dosells breeches and kindled such a fire in the Queen Regents stomacke as was not well slacked till her breath failed And thus was that enterprise frustrate But yet Warre continued during the which the Gospel of Jesus Christ began wonderously to flourish For in Edinburgh began publikely to exhort William Harlow Iohn Dowglas who had being with the Earle of Argyle Preached in Leyth and sometimes exhorted in Edinburgh Paul Meaffen began publikely to Preach in Dundie and so did divers others in Angus and the Mernes And last at Gods good pleasure arrived Iohn Willocke the second time from Emden whose returne was so joyfull to the brethren that their zeal and godly courage daily encreased And albeit he contracted a dangerous sicknesse yet he ceased not from labours but taught and exhorted from his bed some of the Nobility of whom some are fallen back amongst them the Lord Seaton is chief with many Barons and Gentlemen his auditors and by him were godly instructed and wonderously comforted They kept their conventions and held counsells with such gravity and closenesse that the enemies trembled The Images were stollen away in all parts of the Countrey And in Edinburgh was that great Idol called Saint Gyle first drowned in the North Loch after burnt which raised no small trouble in the Town for the Friers rooping like Ravens upon the Bishops the Bishops ran upon
doctrine but also ready to jeopard their lives and goods for the setting forward of the glory of God as he will permit And albeit the Magistrates in this Countrey be as yet but in the state ye left them in yet at the making hereof we have no experience of any more cruelty to be used then was before But rather we have beliefe That God will augment his Flock because we see daily the Friers enemies to Christs Gospel in lesse estimation with the Queen and the Nobility of our Realm This in few words is the minde of the faithfull being present and others absent The rest of our mindes this faithfull Bearer will shew you at length Thus fare ye well in the Lord. At Sterlin the tenth of March Anno 1556. This is the true Copy of the Letter being subscribed by the names under-written Sic subscribitur Glencarne Lorne now Argyle Erskin Iames Stewart The Letters were delivered to the foresaid Iohn in Geneva by the hands of Iames Sym who now resteth with Christ and of Iames Barrone who yet liveth In the Moneth of May immediately after these Letters were received and advised upon he took consultation as well with his owne Church as with that notable servant of God Iohn Calvine and with other godly Ministers who all with one consent said That he could not refuse that Vocation unlesse he would declare himselfe rebellious unto his God and unmercifull to his Countrey And so he returned answer with promise to visite them with reasonable expedition and so soon as he might put order to that deare Flocke that was committed to his Charge And so in the end of the next September after he departed from Geneva and came to Deape where there met him contrary Letters as by his answer thereto we may understand The Spirit of Wisedome Constancie and Strength be multiplied with you by the favour of God our Father and by the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ. ACcording to my promise my Right Honourable I came to Deape the four and twentieth day of October of full minde by the good will of God with the first Ships to have visited you But because two Letters not very pleasing unto the flesh were there presented unto me I was compelled to stay for a time The one was directed to my self from a faithfull brother which made mention that a new consultationâ— was appointed for finall conclusion of the matter before purposed and willed me therefore to abide in these parts till the determination of the same The other Letter was directed from a Gentleman to a friend with charge to advertise me That he had communed with all those that seemed most franke and fervent in the matter and that in none did he finde such boldnesse and constancy as was requisite for such an enterprise but that some did as he writeth repent that ever any such thing was moved Some were partly ashamed and others were able to deny that ever they did consent to any such purpose if any tryall or question should be taken thereof c. Which Letters when I had considered I was partly confounded and partly was pierced with anguish and sorrow Confounded I was that I had so far travelled in the matter moving the same to the most godly and most learned that this day we know to live in Europe to the effect that I might have their judgements and grave counsells for assurance as well of your consciences as of mine in all enterprises And then that nothing should succeed of so long consultation cannot but redound either to your shame or mine For either it shall appeare that I was marvellous vain being so solicited where no necessity required Or else that such as were movers thereto lacked the ripenesse of judgement in their first Vocation To some it may appeare a small and light matter that I have cast off and as it were abandoned as well my particular care as my publike Office and Charge leaving my house and poor family destitute of all head save God only and committing that small but to Christ dearly beloved flock over the which I was appointed one of the Ministers to the charge of another This I say to worldly men may appeare a small matter But to me it was and is such that more worldly substance then I will expresse could not have caused me willingly to behold the eyes of so many grave men weep at once for my cause as that I did in taking my last good night from them To whom if it please God that I returne and question be demanded What was the impediment of my purposed journey judge you what I shall answer The cause of my dolour and sorrow God is my witnesse is for nothing pertaining either to my corporall contentment or worldly displeasure but it is for the grievous plagues and punishments of God which assuredly shall apprehend not onely you but every inhabitant of that miserable Realm and Isle except that the power of God by the liberty of his Gospel deliver you from Bondage I mean not onely that perpetuall fire and torment prepared for the devil and for such as denying Christ Jesus and his knowne Verity do follow the sons of wickednesse to perdition which most is to be feared but also that thraldome and misery that shall apprehend your owne bodies your children subjects and posterity whom ye have betrayed in conscience I can except none that beare the name of Nobility and presently fight to betray them and your Realme to the slavery of strangers The War begun although I acknowledge it to be the work of God shall be your destruction unlesse that betime remedie be provided God open your eyes that ye may espie and consider your own miserable estate My words shall appear to some sharp and undiscreetly spoken But as charity ought to interpret all things to the best so ought wise men to understand That a true friend cannot be a flatterer Especially when the questions of salvation both of body and soule are moved and that not of one nor of two but as it were of a whole Realm or Nation What are the sobs and what is the affection of my troubled heart God shall one day declare But this will I adde to my former rigour and severity to wit If any perswade you for fear of dangers that may follow to faint in your former purpose be he so wise and friendly let him be judged of you both foolish and your mortall enemy Foolish for because he understood nothing of Gods approved wisedome and enemy unto you because he laboured to separate you from Gods favour provoking his vengeance and grievous plagues against you because he would That ye should prefer your worldly rest to Gods praise and glory and the friendship of the wicked to the salvation of your brethren I am not ignorant that fearfull troubles shall ensue your enterprise as in my former Letters I did signifie unto you But O joyfull and comfortable are the
troubles and adversities which man sustaineth for accomplishment of Gods will revealed by his word For how terrible soever they appeare to the judgement of the naturall man yet are they never able to devour nor utterly to consume the sufferers For the invisible and invincible power of God sustaineth and preserveth according to his promise all such as with simplicity do obey him The subtill craft of Pharaoh many yeers joyned with his bloody cruelty was not able to destroy the male children of Israel neither were the waters of the Red Sea much lesse the rage of Pharaoh able to confound Moses and the company which he conducted and that because the one had Gods Promise that they should multiply and the other had his Commandment to enter into such dangers I would your wisedoms should consider that our God remaineth one and is immutable and that the Church of Christ Jesus hath the same promise of protection and defence that Israel had of multiplication And farther That no lesse cause have ye to enter into your former enterprise then Moses had to go to the presence of Pharaoh for your vassalls yea your brethren are oppressed their bodies and souls holden in bondage and God speaketh to your consciences unlesse ye be dead with the blinde world that ye ought to hazard your owne lives be it against Kings or Emperours for their deliverance For onely for that cause are ye called Princes of the people And ye receive of your Brethren Honour Tribute and Homage at Gods Commandment not by reason of your Birth and Progenie as the most part of men do falsly suppose but by reason of your Office and Duty which is to vindicate and deliver your subjects and brethren from all violence and oppression to the uttermost of your power Advise diligently I beseech you with the points of that Letter which I directed to the whole Nobility and let every man apply the matter and case to himself for your conscience shall one day be compelled to acknowledge That the Reformation of Religion and of publike enormities doth appertaine to more then to the Clergie or chief Rulers called Kings The mighty Spirit of the Lord Jesus rule and guide your counsells to your eternall glory your eternall comfort and to the consolation of your brethren Amen From Deape the 27 of October 1557. These Letters received and read together with others directed to the whole Nobility and some to particular Gentlemen as to the Lairds of Dun and Petarrow new consultation was had what was best to be done and in the end it was concluded That they would follow forward their purpose once intended and would commit themselves and whatsoever God had given them into his hands rather then they would suffer Idolatry so manifestly to raigne and the Subjects of that Realme so to be defrauded as long as they had been of the onely food of their souls the true Preaching of Christs Gospel And that every one should be the more assured of other a common Bond was made and by some subscribed The tenor thereof followeth WE perceiving how Sathan in his members the Antichrists of our time cruelly do rage seeking to overthrow and destroy the Gospel of Christ and his Congregation ought according to our bounden duty to strive in our Masters Cause even unto the death being certaine of the Victory in him The which our duty being well considered We do promise before the Majestie of God and his Congregation That we by his grace shall with all diligence continually apply our whole power substance and our very lives to maintain set forward and establish the most blessed Word of God and his Congregation And shall labour according to our power to have faithfull Ministers truely and purely to minister Christs Gospel and Sacraments to his people We shall maintain them nourish them and defend them the whole Congregation of Christ and every Member thereof according to our whole powers and waging of our lives against Sathan and all wicked power that doth intend Tyranny or trouble against the foresaid Congregation Unto the which holy Word and Congregation we do joyne us and so do forsake and renounce the Congregation of Sathan with all the superstitious abomination and idolatry thereof And moreover shall declare our selves manifestly enemies thereto By this our faithfull Promise before God testified to this Congregation by our Subscription at these Presents At Edinburgh the third of December anno 1557. God called to witnesse Sic subscribitur A. Earle of Argyle Glencarne Mortoun Archibald Lord of Lorne Iohn Erskin of Dun Et caetera A little before that this Bond was subscribed by the fore-written and many other Letters were directed again to Io. Knox from the said Lords together with their Letters to M. Calvin craving of him That by his authority he would command the said Iohn once again to visite them These Letters were delivered by the hands of M. Iohn Gray in the Moneth of November anno 1558. who at that same time past to Rome for expedition of the Bowes of the Bp. of Rosse to M. Henry Sinclar Immediately after the subscription of this foresaid Bond the Lords and Barons professing Christ Jesus convened frequently in counsell in the which these Heads were concluded First It is thought expedient advised and ordained That in all Parishes of this Realm the Common-Prayer be read weekly on Sunday and other Festivall dayes publikely in the Parish Churches with the Lessons of the Old and New Testament conformed to the order of the Book of Common Prayers And if the Curats of the Parishes be qualified to cause them to read the same And if they be not or if they refuse that the most qualified in the Parish use and reade the same Secondly It is thought necessary that Doctrine Preaching and Interpretation of Scriptures be had and used privately in quiet houses without great conventions of the people thereto while afterward that God move the Prince to grant publike Preaching by faithfull and true Ministers These two heads concerning the Religion and some others concerning the policie being concluded the old Earle of Argyle took the maintenance of Iohn Dowglas caused him to Preach publikely in his house and reformed many things according to his counsell The same boldnesse tooke divers others as well within Towns as in the country which did not a little trouble the Bishops and Queen Regent As by this Letter and Credit committed to Sir David Hamilton from the Bishop of S. Andrews to the said Earle of Argyle may be clearly understood The Bishops Letter to the old Earle of Argyle MY Lord after most hearty commendations this is to advertise your Lordship that we have directed this Bearer our Cousin towards your Lordship in such businesse and affaires as concerneth your Lordships honour profit and great well-being as the said Bearer will declare to your Lordship at more length I pray your Lordship effectuously to
Declaration of our minds which we did in this forme following To the generation of Antichrist the pestilent Prelats and their Shavelings within Scotland the Congregation of Christ Iesus within the some saith TO the end that ye shall not be abused thinking to escape just punishment after that ye in your blinde furie have caused the blood of many to be shed This we notifie and declare unto you That if ye proceed in this your malicious crueltie ye shall be dealt withall wheresoever ye shall be apprehended as murtherers and open enemies to God and unto mankinde And therefore betimes cease from this blinde rage Remove first from your selves your bands of bloodie men of war and reform your selves to a more quiet life and hereafter mitigate ye the authority which without crime committed on our part ye have inflamed against us or else be ye assured That with the same measure that ye have measured against us and yet intend to measure to others it shall be measured unto you that is As ye by tyrannie intend not onely to destroy our bodies but also by the same to hold our souls in bondage of the Devil subject to Idolatry So shall we with all force and power which God shall grant unto us execute just vengeance and punishment upon you yea we shall begin that same war which God commandeth Israel to execute against the Canaanites that is contract of peace shall never be made till that ye desist from your open Idolatry and cruell persecution of Gods children And this we signifie unto you in the name of the eternall God and of his Son Christ Jesus whose Verity we professe and Gospel we have Preached and holy Sacraments rightly ministred so long as God will assist us to gain stand your Idolatry Take this for advertisement and be not deceived Notwithstanding these our Requests and Advertisements Monsieur Dosell and his French men with the Priests and their bands marched forward against S. Iohnston and approached within ten miles of the Town then repaired the brethren from all quarters for our reliefe The Gentlemen of Fyfe Angus Mernes with the Town of Dundie were there they that first hazarded to resist the enemy and for that purpose was chosen a place of ground a mile and more distant from the Town In this mean time the Lord Ruthuen Provest of the Town of S. Iohnston and a man whom many judged godly and stout in that action as in very deed he was even unto his last breath left the Town and departed first to his own place and after to the Queen whose defection and revolt was a great discouragement to the hearts of many and yet did God so comfort them that within the space of twelve houres after the hearts of all men were set up againe For those that were then assembled did not so much hope of victory by their own strength as by the power of him whose Verity they professed and began one to comfort another till the whole multitude was erected in a reasonable hope The day after that the Lord Ruthuen departed which was the foure and twentieth of May came the Earle of Argyle Lord Iames Prior of S. Andrews and the Lord Semple directed from the Queen Regent to enquire the cause of that Convocation of Lieges there To whom when it was answered That it was onely to resist the cruell tyrannie devised against that poore Towne and the inhabitants of the same They asked if we minded not to hold that Towne against the authority and against the Regent To the which Question answered the Lairds of Dâ—n and Pitarro with the Congregation of Angus and Mernes the Master of Lindsay the Lairds of Londy Balvarde and others Barons of Fyfe That if the Queenes Majestie would suffer the Religion there begun to proceed and not trouble their brethren and sisters that had professed Christ Jesus with them That the Towne they themselves and whatsoever to them pertained should be at the Queens commandment Which answer understood the Earle of Argyle and the Prior who both were then Protestants began to muse and said plainly That they were far otherwise informed by the Queen to wit That we meant no Religion but a plaine Rebellion To the which when he had answered simply and as the trueth was to wit That we Convened for none other purpose but onely to assist our brethren who then were most unjustly persecuted and therefore we desired them faithfully to report our answer and to be intercessors to the Queen Regent That such cruelty should not be used against us considering that we had offered in our former Letters as well to the Queens Majesty as to the Nobility our matter to be tried in lawfull judgement They promised fidelity in that behalfe which also they kept The day after which was the five and twentieth of May before that the said Lords departed in the morning Iohn Knox desired to speak with the same Lords which granted unto him he was conveyed to their Lodging by the Laird of Balvarde and thus began The Oration of Iohn Knox to the Lords THe present troubles honourable Lords ought to move the hearts not onely of the true servants of God but also of all such as beare any favour unto our Countrey and naturall Countrey-men to descend within themselves and deepely to consider what shall be the end of this pretended tyrannie The rage of Satan seeketh the destruction of all those that within this Realme professe Christ Iesus and they that inflame the Queene and you the Nobles against us regard not who prevaile provided that they may abuse the world and live at their pleasure as heretofore they have done yea I feare that some seek nothing more then the effusion of Scottish blood to the end that their possessions may be more patent to others But because that this is not the principall which I have to speak omitting the same to be considered by the wisdome of those to whom the care of the Common-wealth appertaineth 1. I most humbly require of you my Lords in my name to say to the Queene Regent That we in whom she in her blinde rage doth persecute are Gods servants faithfull and obedient Subjects to the authoritie of this Realme That that Religion which she pretendeth to maintaine by fire and sword is not the true Religion of Christ Iesus but is expresse contrary to the same a superstition devised by the braine of man which I offer my selfe to prove against all that within Scotland will maintaine the contrary liberty of tongue being granted unto me and Gods written Word being admitted for judge 2. I further require your honours in my name to say unto the Queen That as oft before I have written so now I say That this her enterprise shall not prosperously succeed in the end and albeit for a time she trouble the Saints of God for she fights not against man only but against the eternall God and his invincible Verity and
therefore the end shall be her confusion unlesse betimes she repent and desist These things I require of you in the Name of the eternall God as from my mouth to say unto her Majestie adding That I have been and am a more assured friend to her Majestie then they that either flattering her as servants to her corrupt appetites or else inflame her against us who seek nothing but Gods glory to be advanced Vice to be suppressed and Veritie to be maintained in this poore Realme They all three did promise to report his words so far as they could which afterwards we understood they did yea the Lord Sempill himselfe a man sold unto sin enemie to God and all godlinesse did yet make such report That the Queen was somewhat offended that any man should use such libertie in her presence She still proceeded in her malice for immediately thereafter she sent her Lion Herald with Letters straitly charging all men to avoid the Towne under the paine of Treason Which Letters after he had declared them to the chiefe men of the Congregation he publikely proclaimed the same upon Sunday the 27 of May. In this meane time came sure knowledge to the Queen to Duke Hamilton and to Monsieur Dosell That the Earle of Glencarne the Lords Uchiltrie and Boyde the young Sheriffe of Air the Lairds of Craggy Wallace Sesnock Carnell Bar Gairgirth and the whole congregation of Kyle and Cuninghame approached for our reliefe and in very deed they came in such diligence and such a number That as the enemy had just cause to fear so have all that professe Christ Jesus just matter to praise God for their fidelity and stout courage in that need For by their presence was the tyrannie of the enemy bridled Their diligence was such that albeit the passage by Sterlin and six miles above was stopped for there lay the Queen with her bands and caused the Bridges to be cut upon the waters of Forth Gudy and Teith above Sterlin yet made they such expedition through desert and mountaine that they prevented the enemy and approached within sixe miles of our Campe which then lay without the Towne awaiting upon the enemy before that any assured knowledge came to us of their coming Their number was judged to twentie five hundred men whereof there was twelve hundred Horsemen The Queene understanding how the said Earle and Lords with their company approached caused to beset all wayes that no advertisement should come to us To the end That we despairing of support might condiscend to such appointment as she required And sent first to require that some discreet men of our number would come and speak to Duke Hamilton and Monsieur Dosell who then with their Army lay at Achtererdoch ten miles from S. Iohnston to the end that some reasonable appointment might be had She had perswaded the Earle of Argyle and all others That we meant nothing but Rebellion and therefore had he promised unto her That in case we would not stand content with a reasonable appointment he would declare himselfe open enemy unto us notwithstanding that he professed the same Religion with us From us were sent the Laird of Dun the Laird of Inuerquhartye and Thomas Scot of Abbotshall to hear what appointment the Queene would offer The Duke and Monsieur Dosell required That the Towne should be made patent and that all things should be referred to the Queenes pleasure To the which they answered That neither they had commission so to promise neither durst they in conscience so perswade their brethren But if the Queene would promise That no inhabitant of the Town should be troubled for any such crimes as might be alleadged against them for the late mutation of Religion and abolishment of Idolatrie and for down-casting the places of the same If she would suffer the Religion begun to go forward and leave the Towne at her departing free from the Garrisons of French Souldiers That they would labour at the hands of their brethren that the Queene should be obeyed in all things Monsieur Dosell perceiving the danger to be great if that a sudden appointment should be made and that they were not able to execute their tyrannie against us after that the Congregation of Kyle of whose comming we had no advertisement should be joyned with us with good words dismissed the said Lairds to perswade the brethren to quiet concord To the which we were all so well minded that with one voice they cried Cursed be they that seek effusion of blood Let us possesse Christ Iesus and the benefit of his Gospel and none within Scotland shall be more obedient Subjects then we shall be With all expedition were sent from Sterlin againe after that the coming of the Earle of Glencarne was knowne for the enemie for feare quaked the Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames aforesaid And in their company a crafty man Master Gauin Hamilton Abbot of Kilwinning who were sent by the Queen to finish the appointment aforesaid But before that they came was the Earle of Glencarne and his honourable company arrived in the Towne and then began all men to praise God for that he had so mercifully heard them in their most extreame necessitie and had sent unto them such reliefe as was able without effusion of blood to stay the rage of the enemie The Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames did earnestly perswade the agreement to the which all men were willing but some did smell the craft of the adversary to wit That they were minded to keep no point of the promise longer then they had obtained their intent With the Earle of Glencarne came our loving brother Iohn Willock Iohn Knox was in the Town before These two went to the Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames accusing them of infidelity in so far as they had defrauded their brethren of their dutifull support and comfort in their greatest necessity They answered both That their heart was constant with their brethren and that they would defend that Cause to the uttermost of their power But because they had promised to labour concord and to assist the Queen in case we refused reasonable offers in conscience and honour they could do no lesse then be faithfull in their promise made And therefore they required that the brethren might be perswaded to consent to that reasonable appointment promising in Gods presence That if the Queen did break in any jot thereof that they with their whole powers would assist and concurre with the brethren in all times to come This promise made the Preachers appeased the multitude and obtained in the end that all men did consent to the appointment foresaid which they obtained not without great labours and no wonder for many foresaw the danger to follow yea the Preachers themselves in open Sermon did affirme plainly That they were assuredly perswaded that the Queen meant no truth But to stop the mouth of the adversary who unjustly did burthen
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
himselfe to the Congregation and had put some Reformation to his place By her consent and procurement was the Preachers Chaire broken in the Church of Leith and Idolatry was erected in the same where it was before suppressed Her French Captains with their Souldiers in great companies in time of Preaching and Prayers resorted to Saint Giles Church in Edinburgh and made their common deambulation therein with such loud talking as no perfect audience could be had And although the Minister was there-through oft times compelled to cry out on them Praying to God to rid them of such Locusts they neverthelesse continued still in their wicked purpose devised and ordained by the Queen to have drawn our brethren of Edinburgh and them in cumber so that she might have had any coloured occasion to have broken the League with them Yet by Gods grace they behaved themselves so that she could finde no fault in them albeit in all these things before-named and in every one of them she is justly accounted to have gaine-said the said appointment We passe over the oppressing of our brethren in particular which had been sufficient to have proved the appointment to have been plainly violated For the Lord Seaton without any occasion offered unto him brake a chase upon Alexander Whitlam as he came from Preston accompanied with M. William Knox towards Edinburgh and ceased not to pursue him till he came to the Towne of Ormeston And this he did supposing that the said Alexander had been Iohn Knox. In all this mean time and while that moe French-men arived they are not able to prove that we brake the appointment in any jote except that a horned Cap was taken off a proud Priests head and cut in four quarters because he said He would wear it in despight of the Congregation In this mean time the Queen then Regent knowing assuredly what force was shortly to come unto her ceased not by all meanes possible to cloke the in-coming of the French and to inflame the hearts of our Countrey-men against us And for that purpose she first wrote unto Duke Hamilton in forme as followeth The Queen Regents false flattering Letter to Duke Hamilton MY Lord and Cousin after hearty commendations We are informed that the Lords of the West-land Congregation intend to make a Convention and assembly of your kin and friends upon Gowan Moore besides Glasgow on Munday come eight dayes the 28 day of August instant for some high purpose against us which we can scantly believe considering they have no occasion on Our part so to do And albeit we know the Appointment was made against and without Our advise yet we accepted the same at your desire and have since made no cause whereby they might be moved to come in the contrary thereof Like as we are yet minded to keep firme and stable all things promised by you in Our behalfe We thinke on the other part it is your duty to require them that they violate not their part thereof in no wise And in case they mean any evil towards Us and so will break their promise We believe ye will at the uttermost of your power convene with us and compell them to do that thing which they ought if they will not praying you to have your self your kin and friends in readinesse to come to us as ye shall be advertised by Proclamation in case the Congregation assemble themselves for any purpose against Us or the Tenour of the said Appointment Assuring you without they gather and give first occasion We shall not put you to any pains in that behalf And that you advertise Us by writ what we may trust to herein by this Bearer who will shew you the fervent minde we bear to have good concord with the said Congregation what offers We have made them and how desirous we are to draw them to the obedience of Our Soveraignes Authority to whom you shall give credit and God keep you At Edinburgh the tenth of August 1559. The like Letter she wrote to every Lord Baron and Gentleman of this Tenour The Queen Regents Letter to the Barons TRusty friend after hearty commendations We doubt not but you have heard of the Appointment made beside Leith betwixt the Duke the Earle of Huntlie and Monsieur Dosell on the one part And the Lords of the Congregation on the other part Which Appointment We have approved in all points albeit it was taken without Our advise and is minded to observe and keep all the contents thereof for Our part Neverthelesse as We are informed the Lords of the Congregation intend shortly to convene all such persons as will assist them for enterprising of some high purpose against Us Our Authority and Tenour of the said Appointment which we cannot believe seeing they neither have nor shall have any occasion given thereto on Our part But in case against all reason they should mean any such thing We have thought it good to give warning to Our speciall friends of the advertisement We have gotten and amongst the rest to you whom We esteem of that number praying you to have your self your kin and folks in readinesse to come to Us and so forth as in the other Letter above sent to the Duke word by word After that by these Letters and by the decitfull surmising of her soliciters she had somewhat stirred up the hearts of the people against us then she began openly to complain That we were of minde to invade her Person That we would keep no part of the Appointment and therefore she was compelled to crave assistance of all men against our unjust pursuit And this practise she used as before is said to abuse the simplicity of the people that they should not suddenly espie for what purpose she brought in her new bands of men of War who did arrive about the midst of August to the number of 1000 men The rest were appointed to come after with Monsieur de la Brosse and with the Bishop of Ammians who arrived the nineteenth day of September following as if they had been Ambassadours But what was their Negotiation the effect did declare and they themselves could not long conceal for by both tongue and pen they uttered That they were sent for the extermination of all those that would not professe the Papist call Religion in all points The Queens practise and craft could not blinde the eyes of all men neither yet could her subtilty hide her owne shame but that many did espy her deceit and some spared not to speak their judgements liberally who foreseeing the danger gave advertisement requiring that provision might be found before that the evil should exceed our wisedome and strength to put fit remedy to it For prudent men foresaw That she pretended a plain conquest but to the end that the people should not suddenly stir she would not bring in her full force at once as before is said but by continuall traffique purposed to augment
the 29 day of September 1559. By your Brethren The Duke and Lords understanding that the Fortifications of Leith proceeded appointed their whole Forces to convene at Sterlin the 15 day of Octob. that from thence they might march forward to Edinburgh for the redresse of the greatest enormities which the French did to the whole Countrey which by them was so oppressed that the life of all honest men was bitter unto them In this mean time the Lords directed their Letters to divers parts of the Countrey making mention what danger did hang over all men if the French should be suffered to plant in this Countrey at their pleasure They made mention farther How humbly they had besought the Queen Regent That she would send away to France her French-men who were a burden unprofitable and grievous to this Common-wealth and how that she notwithstanding did daily augment their number bringing wives and children a plain declaration of a plain conquest The Queen Regent perceiving that her craft began to be espied by all means possible travelled to blinde the people And first she sent forth her pestilent Post forenamed in all parts of the Countrey to perswade all men that she offereth all things reasonable to the Congregation and that they refusing all reason pretended no Religion but a plaine revolt from Authority She tempted every man in particular as well those that were of the Congregation as those that were neutralls She assaulted every man as she thought most easily he might have been overcome To the Lord Ruthuen she sent the Justice Clerk and his wife who is daughter to the wife of the said Lord what was their Commission and credit is no further known then the said Lord hath confessed which is That large promise of profit was promised if he would leave the Congregation and be the Queens To Lord Iames Prior of Saint Andrews was sent Master Iohn Spens of Condie with a Letter and Credit as followeth The Memoriall of Master Iohn Spens of Condie the thirtieth of September 1. YE shall say That the Queens great favour towards you moveth her to this 2. That she now knoweth that the occasion of your departing from her was the favour of the Word and of the Religion with the which albeit she was offended yet knowing your heart and the hearts of the other Lords firmely fixed thereupon she will beare with you in that behalfe and at your owne sights she will set forward that Cause at her power as may stand with Gods Word the common policie of this Realme and the Princes honour note good Reader what venome lurked here for plaine it is that the policie which she pretended and the Princes honour will never suffer Christ Iesus to reigne in this Realme 3. To speak of the occasion of assembling of these men of Warre and fortifying of Leith you must know That it was given to the Queen to understand by some about her that it is not the advancement of the Word and Religion which is sought at this time but rather a pretence to overthrow or alter the authority of your Sister of the which she beleeveth still that ye are not participant and considering the tendernesse betwixt you and your Sister she trusted more in you in that behalfe then in any living But before the Earle of Arrane arrived and that the Duke departed from her faction she ceased not continually to cry That the Prior sought to make himselfe King and so not onely to deprive his Sister to make himselfe King but also to defraud the Duke and his house of their pretension But foreseeing a storme she began to seek a new winde She further willeth him to offer the sending away of the men of War if the former suspition could be removed she lamented the trouble that appeared to follow if the matter should long stand in debate she promised her faithfull labours for reconciliation and required the same of him Requiring further Faith Honour and kindnesse towards his Sister and to advertise for his part what he desired with promise That he might obtaine what he pleased to desire To this Letter and Credit the said Lord Iames answered as followeth MADAME I Received your Highnesse Writ and have heard the credit of the Bearer and finding the businesse of such importance that dangerous it were to give hastie answer And also your Demands are such That with my honour I cannot answer them privately by my selfe I have thought good to delay the same till that I may have the judgement of the whole Councell For this point I will not conceale from your Majestie That amongst us there is a solemned Oath that none of us shall traffique with your Majestie secretly neither yet that any of us shall treat or deale for himselfe particularly Which Oath for my part I purpose to keep unviolated to the end But when the rest of the Noble-men shall conveene I shall leave nothing that lyeth in my power undone that may make for the quietnesse of this poore Realme Provided That the glory of Christ Iesus be not hindered by our concord And if your Majestie shall be found so tractable as now ye offer I doubt not to obtaine of the rest of my brethren such favour towards your service as your Majestie shall have just occasion to stand content For I take God to record That in this action I have neither sought neither yet seek any other thing then to increase Gods glory and the Libertie of this poore Realme to be maintained Further I have shewed unto your Messenger what things have misliked me in your proceedings even from such a heart as I wish to God you knew fully and all men else And this with hearty commendation of service to your Majestie I heartily commit your Highnesse to the eternall protection of the omnipotent At Saint Andrews the first of October Sic subscribitur Your Majesties humble and obedient Servitour I. St. This answer received she raged as hypocrisie useth when it is pricked and perceiving that she could not work what she would at the hands of men particularly she set forth a Proclamation universally to be proclaimed in the tenour as followeth The Queens Proclamation FOr so much as it is understood by the Queen that the Duke of Chattellawralt hath lately directed his Missives into all parts of this Realm making mention that the French-men late arrived with their wives and children are begun to plant in Leith to the ruine of the Common-weale which he and his partakers will not passe over with patient beholding desiring to know what will be every mans part And that the fortification of Leith is a purpose devised in France and that therefore Monsieur de la Brosse and the Bishop of Amiens are come to this countrey A thing so vaine and untrue that the contrary thereof is knowne to all men of free judgement Therefore the Queen willing that the occasions whereby her Majesty was moved so to do be
depart out of the Towne of Lieth within the space of twelve houres and make the same patent to all and sundry our Soveraigne Ladies Leiges For seeing we have no such hatred at either the one or the other that we thirst the blood of any of the two for the one is our naturall brother born nourished and brought up within the bowels of one common Countrey and with the other our nation hath continued long amity and allie and hopeth that so shall do so long as they use us as friends and not strive to make slaves of friends which this strengthening of our Towns pretendeth And therefore most heartily desire that one and the other to desist from fortifying or maintaining of this Town in our Soveraignes and their said Councells name requiring them to make the same free within the space of twelve houres Defiance given there was skirmishing without great slaughter preparation of Scales and Ladders was made for the Assault which was concluded by common consent of the Nobility and Barons The Scales were appointed to be made in Saint Giles Church so that Preaching was neglected which did not a little grieve the Preachers and many godly with them The Preachers spared not openly to say That they feared the successe of that enterprise should not be prosperous because the beginning appeared to bring with it some contempt of God and of his Word other places said they had been more apt for such Preparations then where the people conveaned to Common-Prayers and unto Preaching In very deed the audience was wonderfully troubled all that time which with other disorder espied amongst us gave occasion to our Preachers to affirme That God could not suffer such contempt of his Word and abuses of his Grace long to be unpunished The Queen had amongst us her assured espies who did not onely signifie unto her what was our estate but also what was our counsell purposes and devices Some of our own company were vehemently suspected to be the very betrayers of all our secrets for a boy of the Officials of Lowthian Master Iames Balfour was taken carrying a Writ which did open the most secret thing that was devised in the Councell yea those very things which were thought to have been known but to very few By such domesticall enemies were not onely our purposes frustrate but also our determinations were oft times overthrowne and changed The Dukes friends gave unto him such terrours that he was greatly troubled and by his feare were troubled many others The men of Warre for the most part were men without God or honesty made a mutiny because they lacked a part of their wages They had done the same in Linlithquow before where they made a Proclamation That they would serve any man to suppresse the Congregation and set up the Masse againe They made a fray upon my Lord Argyles Hie-land men and slew one of the principall men of his Chamber who notwithstanding behaved himselfe so moderately and so studious to pacifie that tumult that many wondered as well of his prudent councell and stoutnesse as of the great obedience of his company The ungodly Souldiers in hatred of goodnesse and good men continuing in their disorder mocked the Laird of Tullibarne and other Noble-men who exhorted them to quietnesse All these troubles were practised by the Queene and put in execution by the Traitours among our selves Who albeit then lurked and yet are not manifestly noted yet we doubt not but God shall make them knowne to their confusion and to the example of others To pacifie the men of Warre a collection was devised But because some were poore and some were niggards and avaritious there could no sufficient sum be obtained It was thought expedient that a Coyne-House should be made That every Noble-man should Coyn his Silver-work and Plate to supply the present necessity And there-through David Forresse Iohn Hart and others who before had charge of the Coyning-House did promise their faithfull labours But when the matter came to the very point the said Iohn Hart and others of his faction stole away and took with them the instruments apt for that purpose Whether this was done by the falshood and feeblenesse of the said Iohn or the practising of others is yet uncertaine Rested then no hope amongst our selves that any Money could be furnished And therefore it was concluded by a few of those whom we judged most secret That Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir Iames Crofts then having charge at Barwick should be tempted If they would support us with any reasonable sum in that urgent necessitie And for that purpose was the Laird of Ormeston directed unto them in so secret manner as we could devise But yet our counsell was disclosed to the Queen who appointed the Lord Bothwell as himselfe confessed to wait upon the returning of the said Laird as that he did with all diligence and so being assuredly informed by what way he came the said Earle Bothwell foreset his way and comming upon him unaware did take him after that he was evil wounded in the head for neither could he get his ledd Horse not his steele Bonnet with him was taken the sum of foure thousand Crowns of the Sun which the forenamed Sir Ralph and Sir Iames most lovingly had sent for our support By the brute hereof coming to our eares our dolour was doubled not so much for losse of the Money as for the losse of the Gentlemen whom we suspected to have been slain or at the least that he should be delivered to the Queene hands And so upon the sudden the Earle of Arrane the Lord Iames the Master of Maxwell with the most part of the Horse-men tooke purpose to pursue the said Earle Bothwell if they might apprehend him in Crychton or Morhan whitherto as they were informed he had retired himselfe after his treasonable act We call his act treasonable because that three dayes before he had sent his especiall servant Master Michael Balfoâ—re to us to Edinburgh to purchase of the Lords of the Councell License to come and speak with us which we granted after that he had promised That in the mean time he should neither hurt us nor yet any to us appertaining till that he should write his answer again Whether that he would joyne with us or not He gave us farther to understand That he would discharge himselfe of the Queene and thereafter would assist us And yet in this meane time he cruelly and traiterously hurt and spoiled the Noble-man aforesaid Albeit that the departure and counsell of the Earle of Arrane and Lord Iames with their company aforesaid was very sudden and secret yet was the Earle Bothwell then being in Crychton advertised and so escaped with the money which he tooke with himselfe as the Captaine of his house Iohn Somerwaile which was taken without long pursuit confessed and affirmed Because that the Noble-men that sought redresse sought rather his safetie
triumph This Sermon ended in the which he did vehemently exhort all men to amendment of life to Prayers and to the Works of Charity the mindes of men began wonderously to be erected and immediately after dinner the Lords passed to counsell unto the which the said Iohn Knox was called to make invocation of the Name of God for other Preachers were none with us at that time in the end it was concluded That William Maitland aforesaid should passe to London to expose our estate and condition to the Queen and Counsell and that the Noble-men should depart to their home and quiet to the 16 day of December Which time was appointed to the next Convention in Sterlin as in this our third Booke following shall be more amply declared With this we end the second Book of the History of the progresse of Religion within Scotland Look upon us O Lord in the multitude of thy mercies for we are brought even to the deep of the dungeon The end of the second Booke THE THIRD BOOK OF The Progresse of true Religion WITHIN The Realme of SCOTLAND AFter this our dolorous departing from Edinburgh the fury and rage of the French increased for then durst neither man nor woman that professed Christ Jesus within the Town be seen The houses of the most honest men were given by the Queen to Frenchmen for a part of their reward The Earle Bothwell by sound of Trumpet Proclaimed the Earle of Arrane Traitour with other despightfull words which all was done for the pleasure and by the suggestion of the Queene Regent who then thought the battell was wonne without further resistance Great practising she made for obtaining of the Castle of Edinburgh The French made their fagots with other preparations to assault the said Castle either by force or else by Treason But God wrought so mightily with the Captain the Lord Erskin at that time that neither the Queen by flattery nor the French by treason prevailed Advertisement with all diligence past to the Duke of Guise who then was King of France as concerning power to command requiring him to make expedition if he desired the full conquest of Scotland Who delayed no time but with a new Armie sent away his brother Marquis Dalbuif and in his company Marticks promising that he himselfe should follow But the righteous God who in mercy looketh upon the affliction of those that unfainedly sob unto him fought for us by his own out-stretched arm For upon one night upon the coast of Holland were drowned of them eighteen Ensignes so that onely rested the Ship in the which were two principals aforesaid with their Ladies who violently driven back to Deepe were compelled to confesse That God fought for the defence of Scotland From England returned Robert Melvin who past in company to London with the Secretary a little before Christmas and brought unto us certain Articles to be answered as by the contract that after was made more plainely shall appeare Whereupon the Nobility assembled at Sterlin and returned answer with diligence Whereof the French advertised they marched to Linlithquow spoiled the Dukes house and wasted his lands of Kinneill and after came to Sterlin where they remained certaine dayes the Duke the Earles of Argyle and Glencarn with their friends passed to Glasgow The Earle of Arrane and Lord Iames passed to Saint Andrews For charge was given to the whole Nobility Protestants to keepe their owne bodies till that God should send them further support The French tooke purpose first to assault Fyfe for as it was their great indignation Their purpose was to have taken and fortified the Towne and Abbey with the Castle of Saint Andrews and so they came to Culrosse after to Dunfermeling and then to Brunteiland where they began to fortifie but desisted there from and marched to Kinghorn upon the occasion as followeth When certaine knowledge came to the Earl of Arrane and to Lord Iames That the French were departed from Sterlin they departed also from S. Andrews and began to assemble their Forces at Cowper and sent their men of War to Kinghorne unto whom there resorted divers of the coast side of minde to resist rather at the beginning then when they had destroyed a part of their Townes But the Lords had given an expresse commandment That they should hazard nothing till that they themselves were present And for that purpose was sent unto them the Lord Ruthuen a man of great experience and inferiour to few in stoutnesse In his company was the Earle of Sudderland sent from the Earle of Huntly as he alleadged to comfort the Lord in their affliction But others whispered That his principall Commission was unto the Queen Regent Howsoever it was he was hurt in the arme by the shot of an Haquebut for the men of War and the rascall multitude perceiving certaine Boats of French-men landing which came from Leith purposed to stop their landing and so not considering the enemies that approached from Brunteiland unadvisedly they rushed downe to the Pretticure so is that Bay by West Kinghorne called and at the sea coast began the skirmishing But they never took heed to the enemy that approached by land till that the horsemen charged them upon the backe and the whole bands came directly in their faces and so were they compelled to give back with the losse of six or seven of their men and with the taking of some amongst whom were two that professed Christ Jesus one named Paul Lambert a Dutch man and a French boy fervent in Religion and clean of life whom in despight they hanged over the Steeple of Kinghorne Thou shalt revenge O Lord in thy appointed time The cause that in so great a danger there was so small a losse next unto the mercifull providence of God was the sudden coming of my Lord Ruthuen for even as our men had given back he and his Company came to the head of the Bray and did not onely stay the French-men but also some of ours brake upon their Horse-men and so repulsed them that they did no further hurt to our Foot-men In that recounter was the Earle of Sudderland foresaid shot in the arme and was carried back to Cowper The French-men took Kinghorne where they lay and wasted the Country about as well Papists as Protestants yea even those that were confederate with them such as Seafield Weames Balmowto Balwearie and others enemies to God and traytors to their Countrey of those we say they spared not the Sheep the Oxen the Kine and Horses and some say that their wives and daughters gat favour of the French Souldiers and so did recompence the Papists in their own bosoms for besides the defiling of their houses as said is two of them received more damage then did all the Gentlemen that professed the Gospel within Fyfe the Laird of Grange onely excepted whose house of the Grange the French-men overthrew with Gun-Powder The Queen Regent proud of this Victory
burst forth into her blasphemous railing and said Where is now John Knox his God my God is now stronger then his yea even in Fyfe She posted to her friends in France newes that thousands of the hereticks were slain and the rest were fled and therefore required that some Noble-man of her friends would come and take the glory of that Victory Upon that information was Marticks with two Ships and some Captains and Horses directed to come into Scotland but little to their own advantage as we shall after hear The Lords of the Congregation offended at the foolishnesse of the rascall multitude called to themselves the men of War and remained certaine dayes at Cowper unto whom repaired Iohn Knox and in our greatest desperation Preached unto us a most comfortable Sermon his Text was The danger wherein the Disciples of Christ Iesus stood when they were in the midst of the Sea and Iesus was upon the mountain His Exhortation was That we should not faint but that we should still row against the contrarious blasts till that Jesus Christ should come for said he I am assuredly perswaded that God will deliver us from this extreme trouble as that I am assured That this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ which I preach unto you this day The fourth watch is not yet come abide a little the Boat shall be saved and Peter which hath left the Boat shal not drown I am assured That albeit I cannot assure you by reason of this present rage God grant that ye may acknowledge his hand after that your eyes have seen his deliverance In that Sermon he comforted many yet he offended the Earl of Arran for in his discourse upon the manifold assaults the Church of God sustained he brought for example the multitude of strangers that pursued Iehosaphat after he had reformed Religion He spake of the fear of the people yea and of the King himself at the first But after he affirmed that Iehosaphat was stout and to declare his courage in his God he comforted his people and his Souldiers he came forth in the midst of them he spake lovingly unto them He kept not himselfe said he enclosed in his chamber but frequented the multitude and rejoyced them with his presence and godly comfort These and the like sentences took the said Earle to be spoken in reproach of him because he kept himself more close and solitary then many men would have wished After these things determination was taken That the Earle of Arrane and Lord Iames with men of War and some Companies of Horse-men should go to Disert and there lie to wait upon the French to stop them from destroying the Sea-coast as they intended utterly to have done The said Earle and Lord Iames did as they were appointed albeit their Company was very small and yet they did so valiantly that it passed almost credit for twenty and one dayes they lay in their clothes their Boots came never off They had skirmishing almost every day yea some days from morning to night The French were four thousand Souldiers besides their favourers and faction of the Countrey The Lords were never together five hundred Horse-men with an hundred Souldiers and yet they held the French so busie that for every horse was slain to the Congregation they lost four French Souldiers William Kirkcaldie of Grainge the day after that his house was cast down sent his defiance to Monsieur Dosell and unto the rest declaring that to this hour he had used the French favourably yea he had saved their lives when that he might have suffered their throats to have been cut but seeing they had used him with that rigour let them not look for the like favours in time to come And unto Monsieur Dosell he said He knew that he should not get him in skirmishing because he knew he was a very coward but it might that he should quite him a common either in Scotland or else in France The said William Kirkcaldie and the Master of Lindsay escaped many dangers The Master had his horse slain under him and William was almost betrayed in his house at Halyards But yet they never ceased for night and day they waited upon the French They laid themselves in a secret place with some Gentlemen before the day to wait upon the French who used commonly to issue in Companies to seelâ— their prey And so came forth one Captain Batu with his hundred and began to spoyle whom the Master after Lord Lindsay and William suffered without declaration of themselves or of their Company till that they had them more then a mile from Kinghorne and then began the horse-men to break which perceived the French altogether drew to a place called Glames house and made for debate some took the house other defended the Court and Yards The hazard appeared very unlikely for our men had nothing but Spears and were compelled to light upon their feet The other were within ditches and every man had a Culverin the shot was fearfull to many and divers were hurt amongst whom was Robert Hamilton and David Kirkcaldie brother to the said Laird who both were supposed to have been slain the said Laird perceiving men to faint and begin to recule said Fie let us never live after this day that we shall recule for French scybalds and rascals And so the Master of Lindsay and he burst in at the gate and others followed The Master struck with his Spear at la Bartu and glasing upon his harnesse for fear stumbled upon his knees but recovering suddenly he fastned his Spear and bare the said Captain backward who because he would not be taken was slain and fifty of his Company with him Those that were in the house with some others were saved and sent to Dundie to be kept This mischance to the French-men made them to be more circumspect in straying and wandring abroad into the Countrey and so the poor people gat some relief To furnish the French with Victualls was appointed Capt. Culan with two ships who travelled betwixt the South shore and Kinghorne for that purpose For his wages he spoyled Kinghorne Kirkcaldie and so much of Disert as he might For remedy whereof were appointed two Ships from Dundie Andrew Sands a very stout and fervent man in the Cause of Religion was the principall This same time arrived Martickes who without delay landed himself the Coffers and the principall Gentlemen that were with him at Leith leaving the rest in the Ships till better opportunity But the said Andrew and his company striking Sayl and making as they would cast Ankor hard beside them boarded them both and carried them to Dundie in them were gotten some horses and much harnesse with some other trifles but of money we heard nought Hereat the French offended avowed the destruction of Saint Andrews and Dundie and so upon a Munday in the morning the thirteenth of Ianuary they marched from Disert and
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
Gods grace whereof God send you plentie And so I end Sic subscribitur Yours as a member of the same body in Christ M. Cecill From Oxford the 28 of Iuly 1559. Albeit the said Iohn received this Letter at Barwick yet would he answer nothing till that he had spoken with the Lords whom he found in Sterlin and unto whom he delivered the answer sent from the Councell of England for Alexander Whitlaw took sicknesse betwixt Barwick and Edinburgh and was troubled by the Lord Seaton as in the former Booke is declared the answer sent by Master Cecill was so generall that many amongst us despaired of any comfort to come from that Countrey And therefore were determined that they would request no further Iohn Knox laboured in the contrary but he could prevaile no further but that he should have licence and libertie to write as he thought best And so took he upon him to answer for all in forme as followeth Answer to Master Cecils writing TWo causes hindred me Right Worshipfull to visit you in any part in England Before this no signification of your minde and pleasure was made unto me for onely did Sir Henry Percie will me to come and speake with him which conveniently at that time I could not do by reason that the French-men which was the second cause of my stay did then most furiously pursue us while our company was dispersed and then durst I not be absent for divers inconveniences neither did I thinke my presence with you greatly necessary considering that the matter which I most desired was opened and proposed To the which I would have wished That a more plaine and especiall answer should have been made For albeit Master Whitlaw by his Credit Master Kirkcaldie by his Letter and I both by Letters and by that which I had received from Sir Iames Crofts did perswade your good mindes yet could not the councell be otherwise perswaded but that this alteration in France had altered your former purpose It is not unknown what good will we three do beare to England And therefore I wish That rather your Pen then our Credit or any thing written to any of us should assure the Lords and others of your good mindes who are now in number but five hundred Unlesse that money be furnished without delay to pay the Souldiers for their service past and to retaine another thousand foot-men with three hundred horse-men till some stay be had in this danger these Gentle-men will be compelled to leave the fields I am assured as flesh may be of flesh That some of them will take a very hard life before that ever they compose either with the Queen Regent or with France but this I dare not promise at all unlesse in they see greater forwardnesse To support us will appear excessive and to break promise with France will appear dangerous But the losse of expences in mine opinion ought not to be esteemed from the first payment neither yet the danger from the first appearance France is most fervent to conquer us and avoweth That against us they will spend the Crown so did mine own ears hear Butten Court bragge But most assuredly I know That unlesse by us they thought to make an entrie to you that they would not buy our poverty at that price They labour to corrupt some of our great men by money and some of our number are poore as before I wrote and cannot serve without support some they threatned and against others they have up one party in their owne Countrey In this mean time if ye lie by as neutralls what will be the end you may easily conjecture And therefore Sir in the bowells of Christ Jesus I require you to make plain answer What the Gentlemen here may trust to and what the Queens Majestie will do may without long delay be put in execution I rest in Christ Jesus Of Saint Iohnston the day of c. Answer with great expedition was returned to this Letter desiring some men of credit to be sent to the Lords to Barwicke for the receiving of the money for the first support with promise That if the Lords of the Congregation meant no otherwise then before they had written and if they would enter into League with honest Conditions they should neither lack men nor money to their just Causes Upon this answer was directed from the Lords to Barwicke Master Henry Balnaves a man of good credit in both the Realmes who suddenly returned with such a sum of money as served all the publike affairs till November next when Iohn Cockburne of Ormeston sent for the second support and receiving the same unhappily fell into the hands of the Earle Bothwell was wounded taken and spoyled of a great Sum upon which mischance followed all the rest of the troubles before rehearsed In the second Book preceding we have declared how Secretary Leehington was directed to England But one thing before we have passed by In that our greatest dejection this order was taken That the Duke the Earle of Glencarne Lord Boyd Lord Uchiltrie and their friends should remaine together at Glasgow for comfort of the Countrey and for giving of answers as occasion should require and that the Earle of Arrane the Lord Iames the Earle of Rothesse the Master of Lindsay and their adherents should continue together within Fyfe for the same causes that advertisements might go from the one to the other as need required In the Negotiation of the Secretary Lethington with the Queen and Councell of England in the which he travelled with no lesse wisedom and faithfulnesse then happy successe many things occurred that required the resolution of the whole Lords After that the Queen and Councell of England had concluded to send their Army to Scotland for expelling of the French the Duke of Norfolke was sent to Barwick with full instructions power and Commission to do in all things concerning the present affaires of Scotland as the Queen and Councell in their own persons had power to do Hereupon the said Duke required such a part of the Lords of Scotland as had power and Commission from the whole to meet him at such a day and place as pleased them to appoint This advertisement came first to Glasgow by the meanes of the Master of Maxwell Which read and considered by the Lords conclusion was taken that they would meet at Carleil and that was the procurement of the said Master of Maxwell for his ease Hereupon were Letters directed from the Lords being in Glasgow to Lord Iames requiring him with all possible expedition to repaire towards them for the purpose aforesaid Which Letters read and advised upon commandment was given to Iohn Knox to make the answer For so it was appointed at division of the Lords that he should answer for the part of those that were in Fyfe and M. Henry Balnaves for the part of them that abode at Glasgow The said Iohn answered as followeth To the Duke
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
Majesties most gentle clemency and liberall support the said Nobility as well such as be joyned as such as shall hereafter joyn with them already joyned for the defence of the liberty of that Realme shall to the uttermost of their power ayd and support her Majesties Army against the French and their partakers with Horse-men and Foot-men and with Victualls by Land and Sea with all manner of other ayd to the best of their power and so shall continue during the time that her Majesties Army shall remain in Scotland Item They shall be enemies to all such Scotish men and French as shall in any wise shew themselves enemies to the Realm of England for the ayding and supporting of the said Nobility in the delivery of the Realme of Scotland from Conquest Item They shall never assent nor permit that the Realme of Scotland shall be conquered or otherwise knit to the Crown of France then it is at this present onely by Marriage of the Queen their Soveraign to the French King and it be ruled by the Laws and Liberties of the Realme as it ought to be Item In case the French-men shall at any time hereafter invade or cause to be invaded the Realme of England they shall furnish the number of two thousand Horse-men and one thousand Foot-men at the least or such part of either of them at the charge of the Queen of England and shall conduct the same to passe from the borders of Scotland next England upon her Majesties charges to any part of the Realme of England for defence of the same And in case the invasion be on the North parts of England on the North side of the water of Tyne towards Scotland or against Barwick on the North side of the water of Tweid They shall convene and gather their whole Forces upon their owne charges and shall joyne with the English power and shall continue in good and earnest pursuite of the Quarrell of England during the space of thirty dayes or so much longer as they were accustomed to tarry in the fields for defence of Scotland At the commandment of their Soveraignes at any time by past and also the Earle of Argyle Lord Justice of Scotland being presently joyned with the rest shall imploy his force and good will where he shall be required by the Queens Majestie to reduce the North parts of Ireland to the perfect obedience of England conforme to a mutuall and reciproque contract to be made betwixt her Majesties Lieutenant or Deputie of Ireland being for the time and the said Earle wherein shall be contained what he shall do for his part and what the said Lieutenant or Deputie shall do for his support in case he shall have to do with Iames Mackconell or any others of the Isles of Scotland or Realme of Ireland For performance and sure keeping whereof they shall for their part come to the said Duke of Norfolk the pledges presently named by him before the entry of her Majesties Armie in Scottish ground to remain in England for the space of six moneths and to be there exchanged upon deliverance of new hostages of like or as good condition as the former or being the lawfull sons brethren or heires of any of the Peers or Barons of Parliament that have or hereafter shall shew themselves and persist open enemies to the French in this quarrell and so forth from six moneths to six moneths or foure moneths to foure moneths as shall best please the partie of Scotland And the time of continuance of the hostages shall be during the marriage of the Queen of Scots to the French King and a yeere after the dissolution of the said Marriage untill further order may be had betwixt both the Realmes for Peace and Concord And furthermore the said Nobility being Peers and Barons of Parliament joyned together shall subscribe and seale these Articles and agreement within the space of twenty or thirty dayes at the uttermost next following the day of the delivering of the said hostages and shall also procure and perswade all others of the Nobility that shall joyne themselves heereafter with the said Lords for the cause above-specified likewise to subscribe and seale those Articles at any time after the space of twenty dayes after their conjunction upon requisition made by them on the partie of the Queens Majestie of England And finally the said Nobility joyned together certainly perceiving that the Queens Majestie of England is thereunto moved onely upon respect of Princely honour and neighbourhood for defence of the freedom of Scotland from Conquest and not of any other sinister intent doth by these presents testifie and declare That they nor any of them mean by this agreement to withdraw any due obedience to the Soveraign Lady the Queen nor in any lawfull thing to withstand the French King her husband and head that during the marriage shall not tend to the subversion and oppression of the just and ancient Liberties of the said Kingdom of Scotland For preservation whereof both for their Soveraigns honour and for the continuance of the Kingdom in its ancient state they acknowledge themselves bound to spend their Goods Lands and Lives And for performance of this present Contract for the part of England the Queens Majestie shall confirm the same and all Clauses therein contained by her Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England to be delivered to the Nobility of Scotland upon the entrie of the Pledges aforesaid within the ground of England In Witnesse whereof the said Duke of Norfolke hath subscribed these Points and thereunto affixed his Seal the day yeer and place aforesaid Which Contract we finde honest and reasonable and that our said Commissioners therein hath considerately respected the Common-weale of this Realme of us and our posterity And therefore do ratifie allow confirme and approve the same with all Clauses and Articles therein contained by these Presents In Witnesse hereof we have subscribed the same with our Hands and sealed with our Seals of Arms in such causes accustomed are appended At the Camp before Leith the tenth day of May the year of God 1560 yeers Follow the Subscriptions The Subscriptions The Duke of Chattellarault Earle of Arrane Earle of Glencarne Earle of Rothesse Earl of Argyle Earle of Huntlie Earle of Morton Earle of Menteth Lord Ogilbye Lord Iames Steward Alexander Gordon Lord Boyd Lord Uchiltrie Gawin Hamilton of Kilwinning Abbot of Culrosse Lord Bothwike Lord of Saint Iohn Lord Iohn Abirbrâ—thok Lord Simmerwaile Lord Robert Steward Abbot of Kynlosse Iames Stewart of Saint Colmes Inche The Instructions given subscribed to the said Commissioners following 1. IN the first place if it shall be asked of you by the Duke of Norfolk and by other the Queens Majesties appointed Commissioners If your Pledges be in readinesse ye shall answer That they are and in Saint Andrews the 25 of this instant and shal be ready to be delivered in Hostage for security of our promises and part
have heard And yet more I must Vote as it were by way of Protestation That if any person Ecclesiasticall shall after this oppose themselves to this our Confession that they that have no place nor credit considering that they having long advertisement and full knowledge of this our Confession none is now found in lawfull free and quiet Parliament to oppose themselves to that which we professe And therefore if any of this Generation pretend to do it after this I protest he be reputed rather one that loveth his own commodity and the glory of the world then the Truth of God and the salvation of mens souls After the Voting and Ratification of this our Confession by the whole Body of the Parliament there were also pronounced two Acts the one against the Masse and the abuse of the Sacraments and the other against the Supremacy of the Pope The Tenour whereof followeth An Act against the Masse and the Sayers and Hearers thereof IN the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the tenth of Iuly the yeer of God 1560. The said Parliament being continued to the first of August next thereafter following with continuation of dayes upon the twenty fourth day of the said moneth of August the three States then being present The which day forsomuch as Almighty God by his most true and blessed Word hath declared the Reverence and Honour which should be given to him and by his Son Iesus Christ hath declared the true use of the Sacraments willing the same to be used according to his Will and Word By the which it is notorious and perfectly knowne That the Sacraments of Baptisme and of the Body and Blood of Iesus Christ hath been this long time past corrupted by the Papisticall Church and by their Ministers And at this present time notwithstanding the Reformation already made according to Gods Word yet neverthelesse there is some of the same Popes Church that stubbornly persevereth in their wicked Idolatry saying Masse and Baptizing conform to the Popes Church profaning therethrough the Sacraments aforesaid in quiet secret places regarding therein neither God nor his Word Therefore it is Decreed and Ordained in this present Parliament That no manner of person or persons in any time coming administrate any of the Sacraments secretly in any manner of way but they that are admitted and having power to that effect Nor say Masse nor yet heare Masse nor be present thereat under the pain of confiscation of all their goods and punishing of their bodies at the discretion of the Magistrates within whose Iurisdiction such persons happeneth to be apprehended for the first fault banishing out of the Realme for the second fault and chastising by death for the third fault And Ordaineth all Sheriffs Stewards Baylies and their Deputies Provosts and Bayliffs of Burroughs and other Iudges within this Realm to make diligent sute and inquisition within their Bounds where any such usurped Ministry is used Masse-saying or they that be present at the doing thereof ratifying and approving the same and take and apprehend them to the effect that the pains above written may be executed upon them Extractum de Libro Parliamenti per me c. Sic Subscribitur Iacobus Magill The Act for the abolishing of the Pope and his usurped Authority in SCOTLAND IN the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the tenth of July the year of God 1560. And thereafter continued to the first day of August next thereafter following with continuation of dayes upon the 24 of the said Moneth of August the three States then being present understanding that the Iurisdiction and Authority of the Bishop of Rome called the Pope used in this Realm in times past hath been very hurtsome and prejudiciall to our Soveraigns Authority and Common-weale of this Realm Therefore hath decreed and ordained That the Bishop of Rome hath no Iurisdiction nor Authority in this Realm in times comming And that none of our said Soveraigns Subjects claim and desire in any time herafter title or right by the said Bishop of Rome or his sect to any thing within this Realm under the pains of Baratrie that is to say Proscription banishment and never to brook and enjoy honour office nor dignity within this Realm and the contraveners hereof to be called before the Iustice or his Deputies or before the Lords of the Session and punished therefore confirm to the Laws of this Realm and the furnishers of them with fynance of money and purchasers of their title of right or maintainers or defenders of them shall incur the same pains And that no Bishop nor other Prelat of this Realm use any Iurisdiction in times to come by the said Bishop of Romes Authority under the pain aforesaid Extractum de Libro Parliamenti per me Ut supra These and other things orderly done in lawfull and free Parliament we directed to France to our Soveraign Sir Iames Sandelandes Lord of Saint Iohn with the Acts of the said Parliament that by them they might be ratified according to the promises of their Majesties Commissioners made to us as by the Contract of Peace may evidently appear But how the said Lord of Saint Iohn was received and used we list not to rehearse But alwayes no ratification brought he unto us but that we little regarded or yet do regard for all that we did was rather to shew our dutifull obedience then to beg of them any strength to our Religion which from God hath full power and needed not the suffrage of man but in so far as man had need to beleeve it if that ever he shall have participation of the life everlasting But somewhat must we answer to such as since hath whispered that it was but a pretended Parliament a privie Convention and no lawfull Parliament Their reasons are The King and Queen were in France there was neither Scepter Sword nor Crown born c. And some Principall Lords were absent We answer That we rather wish the Papists to be quiet then too curiously to travell in that Point for it may be while they thinke to hurt us they give the Queene and her authority a great blow and yet amend themselves nothing For in whose default we pray you was the Queen absent from this Realm We think they will not be so shamelesse as that they will blame the Protestants thereof Her person was absent and that to no small grief of our hearts But were not the States of her Realm assembled in her name Yea had they not her full power and Commission yea the Commission and commandment of her head the King of France to convocate that Parliament and to do all things that may be done in lawfull Parliament Even as if our Soveraigns had been there in proper persons If they will limit the power of Princes to the places onely where their bodily presence is it will be thought strange for so not onely shall Kings be compelled to content them with one Realme but also with
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
appointed to begin the 20 of May next following for at that time was the returne of the said Lord Iames looked for and so was that Convention dissolved without any other thing of importance concluded The said Lord Iames prepared him for his journey for albeit he past in the publike affairs he sustained the charge of his own expences and yet there never past from this Realme in the company of one man so many and so honest thorow England to France Before he departed he was forewarned as well of the danger in France as of the Queens craft not that we then suspected her nature but that we understood the malice of her friends he was plainly premonished That if ever he condescended that she should have Masse publikely or privately within the Realme of Scotland that then betrayed he the Cause of God and exposed the Religion even to the uttermost danger that he could do That she should have Masse publikely he affirmed that he would never consent But to have it secretly in her Chamber Who could stop her The danger was shewn and so he departed The Forme and Order of the Election of the Superintendent and all other Ministers at Edinburgh March the 9. 1560. John Knox being then Preacher FIrst was made a Sermon in the which these Heads were handled First The necessity of Ministers and Superintendents or Overseers The second the crimes and vices that might unable them of the Ministry Thirdly the vertues required in them Fourthly and lastly Whether such as by publike consent of the Church were called to such Office might refuse the same The Sermon finished it was declared by the same Minister maker thereof That the Lords of the Secret Councell had given Charge and Power to the Churches of Lowthian to to chuse Master Iohn Spottiswood Superintendent or Overseer And that sufficient warning was made by publike Edict to the Churches of Edinburgh Linliethquow Sterlin Tranent Hadington and Dumbar as also to the Earles Lords Barons Gentlemen and others that have or that might claim to have Vote in Election to be present that day and that same hour And therefore enquiry was made Who were present and who were absent After was called the said Iohn who answering the Minister demanded If he knew any crime or offence to the said Master Iohn that might unable him to be called to that Office and that he demanded thrise Secondly question was moved to the whole multitude If there was any other whom they put in Election with the said Master Iohn The people were asked If they would have the said Master Iohn Superintendent or Overseer If they would honour and obey him as Christs Minister and comfort and assist him in every thing pertaining to his Charge They answered We will and do promise unto him such obedience as becometh Sheep to give unto their Pastor so long as he remaineth faithfull in his Office Tne answers of the people and their consent received the questions were propounded to him that was to be elected Question Seeing that ye hear the thirst and desire of this people Do ye not thinke your selfe bound in conscience before God to support them that so earnestly call for your comfort and for the fruit of your labours Answer If any thing were in me able to satisfie their desire I acknowledge my selfe bound to obey God calling by them Question Do ye seek to be promoted to this Office and charge for any respect of worldly commodity riches or glory Answer God knoweth the contrary Question Beleeve ye not that the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles contained in the Books of the Old and New Testaments are the onely true and most absolute foundation of the Universall Church of Christ Jesus in so much that in the same Scriptures are contained all things necessary to be beleeved for the salvation of mankinde Answer I verely beleeve the same and do abhorre and utterly refuse all Doctrine alleadged necessary to salvation that is not expressedly contained in the same Question Is not Christ Jesus man of man according to the flesh to wit The Sonne of David The seed of Abraham Conceived by the holy Ghost Born of the Virgine his mother and that he is the onely Head and Mediatour of his Church Answer He is and without him there is neither salvation to man nor life to Angel Question Is not the same Lord Jesus The onely true God The eternall Son of the eternall Father in whom all that shall be saved were elected before the foundation of the world was laid Answer I confesse and acknowledge and confesse him in the Unitie of his God-head to be God above all things blessed for ever Question Shall not they whom God in his eternall Councell hath elected be called to the knowledge of his Sonne our Lord Jesus and shall not they who of purpose are called in this life be justified and justification and free remission of sins is obtained in this life by free grace Shall not the glory of the sons of God follow in the generall Resurrection when the Son of God shall appear in his glorious Majestie Answer This I acknowledge to be the Doctrine of the Apostles and the most singular comfort of Gods children Question Will ye not then containe your self in all Doctrine within the bounds of this foundation Will ye not studie to promove the same as well by your life as by your Doctrine Will ye not according to the graces and utterance that God shall grant unto you professe instruct and maintaine the puritie of the Doctrine contained in the sacred Word of God and to the uttermost of your power Will ye not gain-stand and convince the gain-sayers and the teachers of mens inventions Answer That do I promise in the presence of God and of his Congregation heere assembled Question Know ye not that the excellencie of this Office to the which God hath called you requireth that your conversation and behaviour be such as that ye may be irreprehensible yea even in the eyes of the ungodly Answer I unfainedly acknowledge and humbly desire the Church of God to pray with me that my life be not slanderous to the glorious Gospel of Christ Iesus Question Because you are a man compassed with infirmities will you not charitably and with lowlinesse of spirit receive admonition of your brethren And if ye shall happen to slide or offend in any point will ye not be subject to the Discipline of the Church as the rest of your brethren The Answer of the Superintendent or Minister to be elected I acknowledge my self a man subjected to infirmity and one that hath need of correction and admonition and therefore I most willingly subject my selfe to the wholsome Discipline of the Church yea to the Discipline of the same Church by which I am now called to this Office and Charge and here in Gods presence and yours do promise obedience to all admonitions secretly or publikely given unto which if I
to the Church and triall taken That he was not married with the second woman neither that he was able to prove that he was divorced by any order of the Law from the first he was committed to the hands of the Magistrates who according to the Laws commanded him to be Carted But the rascall multitude enflamed by some ungodly Crafts-men made insurrection brake the Cart boasted and threatned the Officers and took away the malefactor This was the beginning of farther evils as we shall after hear In this mean time while Lord Iames we say was in France there came an Ambassadour from France suborned no doubt with all craft that might to trouble the state of Religion His Demands were first That the League betwixt us and England should be broken Secondly That the ancient League betwixt France and Scotland should be renewed Thirdly And that the Bishops and Church-men should be restored in their former places and be suffered to intermit with their Livings The Councell delayed answer untill the Parliament appointed in May. In the mean time the Papists of Scotland practised with him The Earls of Huntlie Atholl Bothwell and others intended to have taken Edinburgh before the said Parliament The whole Bishops assembled and held Councell in Sterlin Some whispering there was that the Duke and the Bishop of Saint Andrews were too familiar and some feared that the Authority of the Queen should have been usurped by reason of her absence and that the Duke was the second Person for thereat had some of his pressed immediately after the death of the King of France The Protestants thereof advertised prevented them and came to Edinburgh The Earle of Arran stood constant with his brethren there were some that carefully and painfully travelled that nothing prejudiciall to the Queens Authority should be done in the absence of the Lord Iames to whom the Queen hath recompenced evil for good service Master Iames Magill in that point did both stoutly and truely for Iohn Knox and he were then fallen in familiarity in which they yet continue 20 Octobris 1567. by reason that the said Master Iames had embraced the Religion and professed it publikely The Papists and Bishops disappointed of their principall enterprise did yet make broyle for trouble For the rascall multitude were stirred up to make a Robin-Hood which enormity was of many yeers left off and condemned by Stature and Act of Parliament yet would they not be forbidden but would disobey and trouble the Town especially upon the night Whereat the Bayliffs offended took from them some Swords and Ensigne which was occasion that they that same night made a mutiny kept the Gates of the Towne and intended to have pursued some men within their owne houses But that upon the restitution of their Swords and Ensigne was stayed And yet they ceased not to molest as well the Inhabitants of Edinburgh as divers Countrey-men taking from them money and threatning some with farther injuries Wherewith the Magistrates of the Town highly offended took more diligent heed to such as resorted to the Town and so apprehended one of the principall of that disorder named Balon a Shoo-maker whom they put to an Assizes and being convinced he could not be absolved for he was the chief man that spoyled Iohn Mubray of ten Crowns of the Sun they thought to have executed Judgement upon him and so erected a Gibbet beneath the Crosse. Whether it came by Paction with the Provest and some other or by instigation of the Crafts-men who ever have been bent too much to maintain such vanity and riotousnesse we fully know not but suddenly there did arise a tumult the Tolbuith was broken up and not onely the said Balon who before was condemned was violently taken forth but also all other malefactors were set at freedome the Gibbet was pulled downe and despightfully broken And thereafter as the Provest and some of the Councell assembled to the Clerks Chamber for consultation The whole rascall banded together with some knowne and honest Crafts-men and intended invasion on the said Chamber which perceived the Provest and such as were in his company past to the Tolbuith suspecting nothing that they would have been so enraged to make new pursuit after that they had obtained their intent But they were suddenly deceived for from the Castle hill they came with violence and with stones Guns and such other Weapons as they had and began to assault the said Tolbuith ran at the door of it till that partly by stones cast from above and partly by a Pistoll shot by Robert Norwell which hurt one Tuedy they were repulsed from the door But yet ceased they not to cast and shoot in at the windows threatning death to all that were within And in very deed the malice of the Crafts-men who were suspected to be the occasion of that tumult bare no good will to divers of those that were with the Provest The Arguments that the Crafts-men were the causes of that uprore besides their first disorder that they had used before in taking Sandersone from the execution of punishment are two The former Archibald Deware Patricke Shaugzie with other six Deacons came to Iohn Knox and willed him to solicite the Provest and the Towne to delay the execution Who did answer That he had so oft solicited in their favours that his own conscience accused him That they used his labours for no other end but to be a Patron to their impiety for he had before made intercession for William Harlaw Iohn Frissell and others that were convinced of the former tumult They proudly said That if it was not stayed both he and the Bayliffs should repent it Who answered He would not hurt his conscience for the fear of any man And so they departed and the tumult as said is immediately thereafter did arise The second Argument is The tumult continued from two at afternoon till after eight at night The Crafts-men were required to assemble themselves together for deliverance of the Provest but they past to their four hours penie or afternoons Pinte and in their jesting said They will be Magistrates alone let them rule the multitude alone And so contrary to the Oath which they had made they denied their assistance counsell comfort to the Provest and Bayliffs which are arguments very probable that the said tumult rose by their procurement The end thereof was That the Provest and Bayliffs were compelled to give their hands writs that they should never pursue any of those that were of that tumult for any crime that was done in that behalf And this was proclaimed at the Crosse after nine of the clock at night and so was that trouble quieted But the Nobility vowed That they would not spare it nor forget it and so a great number of that faction were absent from the Towne till the arrivall of the Queen The whole multitude were holden excommunicate and were admitted to no participation of the
the Cannons which the Galleyes shot the multitude being advertised happy was he or she that first must have the presence of the Queen the Protestants were not the slowest And therein they were not to be blamed Because the Palace of Halyrud-house was not thorowly put in order for her coming was more sudden then many looked for she remained in Leith till towards the evening and then repaired thither In the way betwixt Leith and the Abbey met her the Rebells the Crafts-men of whom we spake before to wit Those that had violated the Acts of the Magistrates and had besieged the Proveist But because she was sufficiently instructed that all they did was done in spight of their Religion they were easily pardoned Fiâ—es of joy were set forth at night and a Company of most honest men with Instruments of Musick and with Musiâ—ians gave their Salutations at her Chamber Window The Mâ—lody as she alleadged liked her well and she willed the same to be continued some nights after with great diligence The Lords repaired to her from all Quarters and so was nothing understood but mirth and quietnesse till the next Sunday which was the 24 of August When that preparations began to be made for that Idoll of the Masse to be said in the Chappell Which perceived the hearts of all the godly began to be emboldened and men began openly to speak Shall that Idoll be suffered again to take place within this Realme It shall not The Lord Lindsay then but Master with the Gentlemen of Fyfe and others plainly cryed in the Close or Yard The Idolatrous Priests should die the death according to Gods Law One that carried in the Candle was evill affrayed but then began flesh and blood fully to shew it self There durst no Papist neither yet any that came out of France whisper But the Lord Iames the man whom all the godly did most reverence took upon him to keep the Chappell door his best excuse was That he would stop all Scotish-men to enter in to the Masse But it was and is sufficiently known That the doore was kept that none should have entry to trouble the Priest who after the Mâ—sse was ended was committed to the protection of the Lord Iohn of Coldingham and Lord Robert of Halyrud-house who then were both Protestants and had Communicate at the Table of the Lord Betwixt them two was the Priest conveyed to his Chamber And so the godly departed with grief of heart and after noon repaired to the Abbey in great companies and gave plain signification That they could not abide that the Land which God by his power had purged from Idolatry should in their eyes be polluted again Which understood there began complaint upon complaint The old Duntebors and others that had long served in the Court and hoped to have no remission of sins but by vertue of the Masse cryed They would away to France without delay They could not live without the Masse the same affirmed the Queens Uncles And would to God that they all together with the Masse had taken goodnight at the Realme for ever for so had Scotland been rid of an unprofitable burthen of devouring strangers and of the malediction of God that hath stricken and yet will strike for Idolatry The Councell assembled disputation was had of the next remedy Politicke heads were sent unto the Gentlemen with these and the like perswasions Why alas Will you chase our Soveraigne from us She will incontinently returne to her Galleyes and what then shall all Realmes say of us May we not suffer her a little while I doubt not but she will leave it If we were not assured that she might be won we should be also as great enemies to her Masse as ye can be Her Uncles will depart and then shall we rule all at our pleasure Would not we be also sorry to hurt the Religion as any of you would be With these and the like perswasions we say was the fervency of the Brethren quenched And an Act was framed the Tenour whereof followeth Apud Edinburgh 25 Aagustii 1561. FOrasmuch as the Queens Majestie hath understood the great inconveniences through the divisiâ—n pâ—esently standing in this Realme for the difference in mattâ—rs of Religion which her Majestie is most desirous to see pacified by any good order To the Honour of God and Tranquility of her Realm and means to take the same by Advice of her States so soon as conveniently may be to their serious Consideration And lest that her Majesties godly Resolutions therein may be greatly hindered in case any Tumult and Sedition be raised amongst the Lieges if any Alteration or Innovation be Pressed or Attempted before that good Order may be Established Wherefore for the eschewing of the said Inconveniences her Majestie Ordains Letters to be Directed to Charge all and sundry her Lieges by open Proclamation at the Market-Crosse of Edinburgh and other Places needfull That they and every one of them contain themselves in all Quietnesse keep Peace and Civill Society amongst themselves in the mean time while the States of the Realm may be Assembled and then her Majestie have taken a finall Order by their Advice and publike Consent which her Majestie hopes shall be to the Contentment of all the Law bidding That none of them should take in hand privately or openly any Alteration or Innovation of the state of Religion or attempt any thing against the same which her Majestie found Publikely and Universally standing at her Majesties Arrivall in this her Realme under Pain of Death With Certification That if any Subject of the Realme shall come in the contrary Thereof â—e shall be esteemed and holden a Seditious Person and Raiser of Tumult and the same Pain shall be executed upon him with all Rigour To the Example of others And her Majestie with the Advice of the Lords of the Secret Councell Commands and Charges all her Liâ—ges That none of them take in hand to Molâ—st or Trouble any of her Majesties Domesticke Servants or Persons whatsoever come forth of France in her Company at this time in Word Deed or Countenance for any Cause whatsoever either within her Palace or without or make any assault or invasion upon any of them under whatsoever Colour or Pretence under the said Pain of Death Albeit that her Majestie be sufficiently perswaded That her Good and Loving Subjects would do the same for the Reverence they bear to her Person and Acts notwithstanding no such Commandment were published This Act and Proclamation Penned and put in Forme by such as before professed Christ Jesus for in the Councell then had Papists neither power nor voyce It was publikely Proclaimed at the Market-Crosse of Edinburgh upon Munday the day aforesaid No man reclaimed nor made repugnance to it except the Earle of Arrane onely who in open audience of the Herald protested That he disassented that any Protection or Defence should be made to the Queens
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
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
but to live upon that which was appointed ought not to be mollified according to the living of other common men who might and did daily augment their Rents by some other industry When such reasons were laid before them they got none other answer but The Queen can spare no greater Sums Oft was it cryed out in their ears O happy servants of the Devill and miserable servants of Iesus Christ if after this life there were nor Hell nor Heaven For to the servants of the Devill these dumbe Dogs and horrid Bishops To one of those idle bellies I say ten thousand was not enough but to the servants of Christ that painfully preach his Evangell a hundreth will suffice how can that be sustained One day in reasoning of this matter the Secretary burst out in a piece of his collor and said The Ministers have thus much payed unto them by year who ever yet said to the Queen Grand mercies for it was there ever a Minister that gave thanks to God for her Majesties liberalitie towards them One singled and answered Assuredly I think that such as receive any thing gratis of the Queen are unthankfull if they acknowledge it not both in heart and minde But whether the Ministers be of that rank or not I greatly doubt gratis I am sure they receive nothing and whether they receive any at all from the Queen wise men may reason I am assured that neither third nor two parts ever appertained to any of her Predecessors within this Realm these thousand years last past neither yet hath the Queens Flatterers better title to that which she usurpes be it in-giving to others or taken it to her self then the souldiers who crucified Jesus Christ had to divide his Garments amongst them And if the truth may be spoken she hath not so good Title as they had for such spoile ought to be the reward of such men And in that point the Souldiers were more gentle than the Queenes Flatterers for they parted not the Garments of our Saviour till that he himself was hung upon the Crosse but her Flatterers do part the spoil whilest that poor Christ is yet preaching amongst you But the wisedome of our God taketh tryall of us by this meanes knowing well enough what the Court faction have purposed to do Let the Papists who have the two parts some that have their thirds free and some that have gotten Abbeys and few Lands thanke the Queen and King Placebo Domine the poore Preachers will not yet flatter for feeding of their bellies These words were judged proud and intollerable and ingendred no small displeasure to the Speaker This we put in memory that the posterity to come may know that God once made his truth to triumph but because some of our selves delighted more in darknesse than in light God hath restrained our freedom and put the whole body in bondage yea the greatest Flatterers have not escaped so free as they supposed yea the latter plagues appear yet to be worse than the first Be mercifull unto us O Lord and deal with us not according to our deservings but look thou to the equitie of the cause which thou hath put in our hands and suffer not iniquitie to oppresse thy Trueth for thy own names sake O Lord. In this mean while to wit in February 1561. was Lord Iames first made Earl of Murray and then marryed one Agnes Keith daughter to the Earl Marshall The marriage was publike in the Church of Edinburgh at the blessing of the marriage they both got one admonition to behave themselves moderately in all things For said the Preacher to him The Church of God hath received comfort by you and by your labours unto this day In the which if hereafter you shall be found fainter then you have been formerly it will be said That your Wife hath changed your nature The greatnesse of the Bankquet and the vanitie used thereat offended many Godly There began the Masking which from yeer to yeer hath continued since Master Randolph Agent for the Queen of England was then and sometime after in no small esteem with our Queen For his Mistris sake she did drink to him in a Cup of Gold which he possessed with great joy more for the favour of the giver then of the gift and value thereof and yet it was honourable The things that then were in handling betwixt the two Queens whereof Lethington Secretary Cecill and Master Randolph were Ministers were of great weight as we will after heare This Winter the Earl of Bothwell the Marquis D'albuff and Lord Iohn of Coldingham committed ryot in Edinburgh and disordered the whole Town brake Cuthbert Ramseyes Gates and Doors searched his House for his Daughter in law Alison Craige And this was done in despight of the Earl of Arrane who was suspected to have been in love with the said Alison the horrours of this fact and the veritie of it highly commoved all godly hearts The Assembly and also the Nobilitie for the most part were in the Town and so they concluded to crave justice and so they did as by this subsequent supplication doth appear To the Queens Majestie Her secret Councell Her Highnesse faithfull and obedient Subjects The professors of Christ Iesus his holy Evangell wish the Spirit of righteous judgement THe fear of God conceived of his holy Word the naturall and unfained love we bear unto your Majestie the duetie which we owe to the quietnesse of our Country and the terrible threatnings which our God pronounceth against every Realm and Citie in the which horrible Crimes are openly committed and then by the Committers obstinately defended compells us a great part of our Subjects humbly to crave of your Majesties upright and true judgement against such persons as have done what in them lye to kindle Gods wrath against this whole Realm The impiety by them committed is so haynous and so horrible That as it is a fact most vile and rare to be heard of within the Realm and principally within the Bowels of this Citie So should we thinke our selves guiltie of the same if negligently or yet for worldy fear we put it over with silence and therfore your Majestie may not think that we crave any thing while that we crave open Malefactors condignly to be punished But that God hath commanded us to crave and also hath commanded your Majestie to give to every one of your Subjects for by this Lynk hath God knit together the Prince and people that as he commands honour fear and obedience to be given to the powers established by him so doth he in expresse words command and declare what the Prince oweth unto the Subjects to wit That as he is the Minister of God bearing the sword for vengeance to be taken on evill doers and for the denfence of peaceable and quiet men so ought he to draw the sword without partialitie so oft as in Gods Name he is required thereto Seeing so it
is Madame that this crime so recently committed and that in the eyes of the whole Realm now publikely assembled is so hainous for who heretofore hath heard within the bowels of Edinburgh Gates and Doors under silence of night broken Houses ripped or searched and that with hostillity seeking a woman as appeareth to oppresse her Seeing we say that this crime is so hainous that all godly men fear not onely Gods dispeasure to fall upon you and your whole Realm but also that such licentiousnesse breed contempt and in the end sedition if remedie in time be not provided which in our judgement is possible if severe punishment be not executed for the crime committed Therefore we most humbly beseech your Majestie that all affection set aside you declare your self so upright in this case that ye may give evident demonstration to all your Subjects that the fear of God joyned with the love of common tranquility hath principall seat in your Majesties Heart This further Madame in conscience we speak That as your Majesty in Gods Name doth crave of us obedience which to render in all things lawfull we are most willing so in the same name doe we the whole Professors of Christs Evangell within this your Majesties Realme crave of you and of your Councell sharp punishment of this crime And for performance thereof that without delay the most principall Actors of this haynous crime and the perswaders of this publike Villany may be called before the Chief Justice of this Realm to suffer an Assise and to be punished according to the Laws of the same and your Majesties Answer most humbly we beseech These Supplications was presented by divers Gentlemen the Flatterers of the Court at first stormed and asked who durst avow it To whom the Master after Lord Lyndesay answered A thousand Gentlemen within Edinburgh others were ashamed to oppose themselves thereto in publike but they suborned the Queen to give a gentle answer untill such time as the Convention was dissolved and so she did and then after in fair words shee alleaged That her Uncle was a Stranger and that he had a young Company with him but she should put such order unto him and unto all others that hereafter they should have no occasion to complain And so deluded she the just Petition of her Subjects And no wonder for how shall she punish in Scotland that vice which in France she did see so free without punishment and which Kings and Cardinalls commonly use as the Mask and Dancing of Orleans can witnesse wherein virgins and mens wives were made common to King Harry Charles the Cardinall and to their Courtiers and Pages as common women in Bordells are unto their Companions The manner was thus At the entry of King Henry of France in the Town of Orleans the Matrons Virgins and mens wives were commanded to present themselves in the Kings Palace to dance And they obeyed for commonly the French Nation is not very hard to be entreated to vanity After Fidling and Flinging and when the Cardinall of Loraine had espied his prey he said to the King Sire le premiere est a vous fault queje soy le second that is Sir the first choyce is yours and I must be the second And so the King got the preeminence that he had his first Election But because Cardinalls are companions to Kings the Cardinall had the next And thereafter the Torches were put out and every man commanded to provide for himself the best he might What cry there was of husbands for their wives and wives for their husbands of ancient matrons for their daughters of virgins for their friends for some honest men to defend their pudicity Orleance will remember more Kings dayes then one This horrible villany a fruit of the Cardinalls good Catholike Religion we shortly touch to let the world understand what subjects may look for of such Magistrates for such Pastime to them is Jollity It had been good for our Queene that she had been brought up in better company both for her credit and for the course of her life And it may be that her excellent naturall enduements had been better employed for her reputation and happinesse then they were to her great misfortune and to the grief of those that wished her truely well But punishment of that enormity and fearfull attempt we could get none Yea more and more they presumed to do violence and frequented nightly Masking and began to bear the matter very heavily At length the Dukes friends began to assemble in the night time on the calsay or street The Abbot of Kylwinning who then was joyned to the Church and so as we understand yet abideth was principall man at the beginning To him repaired many faithfull and amongst others came Andrew Stewart Lord Uchiltrie a man rather borne to make peace then to brag upon the calsey he demanded the quarrell And being informed of the former enormity said Nay such impiety shall not be suffered so long as God shall assist us The Victory that God hath in his owne mercy given us we will by his grace maintaine And so he commanded his son Andrew Stewart then Master and his servants to put themselves in order and to bring forth their spears and long weapons and so did others The word came to the Earle Bothwell and his son that the Hamiltons were upon the street vows was made that the Hamiltons should be driven not onely out of the Town but also out of the Countrey Lord Iohn of Coldingham married the E. Bothwels sister a sufficient woman for such a man Alliance drew Lord Robert and so they joyned with the E. Bothwell But the stoutnes of the Marq. le Beuf d'Albuff they call him is most to be commended for in his Chalmer in the Abbey he start to an Halbert and ten men were scarce able to hold him that night and the danger was betwixt the Crosse and Tron and so he was a long quarter of a mile from the shot sklenting of Bolts The M. of Maxw after L. Herreis gave declaratiō to the Earle Bothwell That if he stirred forth of his Lodging he and all that assist him should resist him in the face Whose words did somewhat beat down that blast The Earles of Murray and Huntley being in the Abbey where the Marquesse was came with their company sent from the Queen to stay that tumult as they did for Bothwell and his were commanded under pain of Treason to keep their lodgings It was whispered by many That the Earle of Murray's displeasure was as much sought as any hatred that the Hamiltons did bear against the Earle of Bothwell or yet he against them And in very deed either had the Duke very false servants or else by Huntley and the Hamiltons the Earle of Murray's death was oftener conspired then once the suspition whereof burst forth so far that upon a day the said Earle being upon horse to have come to
whelps have devoured their Lambs the Complainer may stand in danger but the offender we fear shall have leave to hunt after his prey Such Comparisons said Lethington are very unsavoury for I am assured That the Queen will not erect nor maintaine Papistry Let your assurance said the other serve your selfe but it cannot assure us for her manifest proceedings speaketh the contrary After such cautious reasoning on both sides the pluralitie concluded That the supplication as it was conceived should be presented unlesse that the Secretary would make one more fit to the present necessitie he promised to keep the substance of ours but he would use other termes and aske things in a more gentle manner The first Writer answered That he served the Churches at their commandment and was content That in his ditement men should use the libertie that best pleased them providing That he were not compelled to subscribe to the flattery of such as more regarded the persons of men then the simple truth of God And so was this former supplication given to be reformed as Lethingtons wisedome thought best And in very deed he framed it so That when it was delivered by the Superintendents of Lothain and Fyfe And when the Queen had read somewhat of it she said Here are many faire words I cannot tell what the hearts are And so for our painted Oratory we were termed by the next name Flatterers and dissemblers but for that Session the Church received no other answer Short after the Convention of the Church chanced that unhappy persuite which Iohn Gordon Laird of Finlater made upon the Lord Ogilvie who was evill hurt and was for a long time mitilate The occasion was for certain Lands and Rights which old Finlater had resigned to the Lord which he was pursuing by Law and was in appearance to obtain his purpose whereat the said Iohn and his servants were offended and therefore made the said pursuite upon a Saterday at night betwixt nine and ten The friends of the said Lord were either not with him or else not willing to fight that night for they took stroakes but gave few that left markes The said Iohn was taken and put in the Tolbuith where he ramained certain dayes and then broke the Prison Some judged at his Fathers commandment for he was making preparation for the Queens coming to the North as we will after heare The enterview and meeting of the two Queens delayed till the next yeer Our Soveraign took purpose to visite the North and departed from Sterlin in the moneth of August whether there was any paction and confederacy betwixt the Papists of the South and the Earle of Huntly and his Papists in the North or to speak more plainly betwixt the Queen her Self and Huntly We cannot certainly affirme But the suspitions were wondrous vehement that there was no good will borne to the Earle of Murray nor yet to such as depended upon him at that time The History we shall faithfully declare and so leave the judgement free to the Readers That Iohn Gordon broke the Prison we have already heard who immediately repaired to his Father George Earle of Huntly and understanding the Queens coming made great provision in Strabogie and in other parts as it were to receive the Queen At Aberdeine the Queen and Court remained certaine dayes to deliberate upon the Affaires of the Countrey where some began to smell that the Earle of Huntly was privately gathering men as hereafter shall be declared Whilest things was so working in the North the Earle of Bothwell broke his prison and came forth of the Castle of Edinburgh the eight and twentieth day of August some say he broke the Stancheours of the Window others whispered that he got easie passage by the gates one thing is certain to wit The Queen was little offended at his escaping There passed with him a servant of the Captains named Iames Porterfield The said Earle shewed himself not very much afraid for his common residence was in Louthain The Bishop of Saint Andrews and Abbot of Crosrainell kept secret convention that same time in Paislay to whom resorted divers Papists yea the said Bishop spake to the Duke unto whom also came the Lord Gordon from the Earle of Huntly requiring him to stirre his hands in the South as he should do in the North and so it should not be Knox crying and preaching that should stay that purpose The Bishop be he never so close could not altogether hide his minde but at his own Table said The Queen is gone into the North belike to seek disobedience she may perchance finde the thing she seeks It was constantly affirmed That the Earle Bothwell and the said Lord Gordon spake together but of their purpose we heard no mention That same year and in that same instant time were appointed Commissioners by the Generall Assembly to Carrick and Cunningham Master George Hay who with great profit preached the space of a moneth in all the Churches of Carrick To Kyle and to the parts of Galloway was appointed Iohn Knox who besides the doctrine of the Evangell shewne to the common people forewarned some of the Nobilitie and Barrows of the dangers that he feared and that were appearing shortly to follow and exhorted them to put themselves in such order as that they might be able to serve the authoritie and yet not to suffer the enemies of Gods truth to have the upper hand Whereupon a great part of the Barons and Gentlemen of Kyle Cunningham and Carrick professing the true doctrine of the Evangell assembled at Ayre and after the exhortation made and conference had subscribed this Bond the Tenour whereof followeth WE whose Names are under-written do promise in the presence of God and in the presence of his Son our Lord Iesus Christ that we and every one of us shall and will maintain the preaching of his holy Evangell now of his mercy offered and granted unto this Realm and also will maintaine the Ministers of the same against all persons power and authoritie that will oppose themselves to the Doctrine proposed and by us received And further with the same solemnitie we protest and promise that every one of us shall assist another yea and the whole Body of the Protestants within this Realme in all lawfull and just occasions against all persons So that whosoever shall hurt molest or trouble any of our bodies shall be reputed enemies to the whole except that the offender will be content to submit himself to the Government of the Church now established amongst us and this we do as we desire to be accepted and favoured of the Lord Iesus and accepted worthy of credit and honesty in the presence of the godly At the Burgh of Aire the fourth day of September in the year of God 1552. Subscribed by all these with their hands as followeth The Earle Glencairne Lord Boyde Lord Uchiltrie and Failfurd Mathew Cambell of Lowdoune Knight
of Adultery of Witchcraft and to seek the restitution of Gleibes or Manses to the Minister of the Church and of the reparation of the Churches and thereby they thought to have pleased the Godly that were highly offended at their slacknesse The Act of Oblivion passed because some of the Lords had entresse but the Acts against adulterie and for the Manses and Gleibes were so modified that no Law and such a Law might stand in eodem predicamento To speak plain no Law and such Acts were both alike The Acts are in Print let wise men read and then accuse us if without cause we complain In the progresse of this corruption and before the Parliament dissolved Iohn Knox in his Sermon before the most part of the Nobilitie began to enter in a deep discourse of Gods mercies which that Realme had felt and of that ingratitude which he espied in the whole multitude which God had marvellously delivered from the bondage and tyrannie both of body and soule And now my Lords said he I praise my God through Jesus Christ that in your own presence I may powre forth the sorrows of my heart yea your selves shall be witnesse if I make any lie in things by-past from the beginning of Gods mighty Works within this Realme I have been with you in your most desperate temptations Aske your own Consciences and let them answer you before God if that I not I but Gods Spirit by me in your greatest extremity willed you not ever to depend upon your God and in his Name promised unto you victory and preservation from your enemies so that onely ye would depend upon his protection and preferre his glory before your lives and worldly commoditie in your most extreme danger I have been with you Saint Iohnstouâ— Cowper-More and the charges of Edinburgh are yet recent in my heart yea that dark and dolorous night wherein all you my Lords with shame and feare left this Town is yet in my minde and God forbid that ever I forget it What was I say my Exhortation unto you and what is fallen in vain of all that ever God promised unto you by my mouth ye your selves live and testifie There is not one of you against whom death and destruction was threatned perished in that danger and how many of your enemies hath God plagued before your eyes shall this be the thankfulnesse that ye shall render unto your God To betray his Cause when ye have it in your own hands to establish it as you please The Queen sayes you will not agree with us aske ye of her that which by Gods Word ye may justly require and if she will not agree with you in God you are not bound to agree with them in the Devill Let her plainly understand so farre of your mindes and steal not from your former stoutnesse in God and he will prosper you in your enterprises But I can see nothing but a recalling from Christ Jesus that the man that first and most speedily fleeth from Christs Ensigne holdeth himselfe most happy yea I hear some say That we have nothing of our Religion Established neither by Law nor Parliament Albeit the malicious words of such can neither hurt the truth of God nor yet us that thereupon depend yet the speaker of this Treason committed against God and against this poore Common-wealth deserves the Gallows for our Religion being commanded and so established by God is received with this Realme in publike Parliament And if they will say That it was no Parliament we must and will say and also prove That that Parliament was also as lawfull as ever any that passed before it within this Realme I say if the King then living was King and the Queen now in this Realm be lawfull Queen that Parliament cannot be denyed And now my Lords to put end to all I hear of the Queens marriage Dukes Brethren to Emperours and Kings strive all for the best gain But this my Lords will I say note the day and beare witnesse after Whensoever the Nobilitie of Scotland who professe the Lord Jesus consents that an Infidell and all Papists are Infidels shall be Head to our Soveraigne ye do so farre as in you lyeth to banish Christ Jesus from this Realme yea to bring Gods vengeance upon the Countrey a plague upon your selves and perchance you shall do small comfort to your Soveraigne These words and this manner of speaking was judged intollerable Papists and Protestants were both offended yea his most familiars disdained him for that speaking Placeboes and Flatterers posted to the Court to give advertisement That Iohn Knox had spoken against the Queens Marriage The Provest of Glencludan Douglas by sirname of Drumlangrig was the man that gave the charge That the said Iohn should present himselfe before the Queen which he did immediately after Dinner The Lord Uchiltrie and divers of the faithfull bare him company to the Abbey but none past in to the Queen with him in the Cabinet but Iohn Arskin of Dun then super-intendent of Angus and Mernes The Queen in a vehement fume began to crie out That never Prince was used as she was I have said she born with you in all your rigorous manner of speaking both against my selfe and against my Uncles yea I have sought your favours by all possible means I offered unto you presence and audience whensoever it pleased you to admonish me and yet I cannot be quit of you I Vow to God I shall be once revenged and with these words scarce could Marnocke one of her Pages get Handkirchiefs to hold her Eyes drie for the Tears and the howling besides womanly weeping stayed her Speech The said Iohn did patiently abide all this fume and at opportunitie answered True it is Madame your Majesty and I have been at divers controversies into the which I never perceived your Majestie to be offended at me but when it shall please God to deliver you from that bondage of darknesse and errour wherein ye have been nourished for the lack of true doctrine your Majestie will finde the libertie of my tongue nothing offensive without the preaching-place Madame I thinke few have occasion to be offended at me and there Madame I am not Master of my selfe but must obey him who commands me to speak plaine and to flatter no flesh upon the face of the Earth But what have you to do said she with my marriage If it please your Majestie said he patiently to hear me I shall shew the truth in plaine words I grant your Majestie offered unto me more then ever I required but my answer was then as it is now That God hath not sent me to awaite upon the Courts of Princes or upon the Chamber of Ladies but I am sent to preach the Evangell of Jesus Christ to such as please to hear it hath two points Repentance and Faith Now Madame in preaching repentance of necessity it is that the sinnes of men be noted that they may
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
such Vocation as sometimes we have had Iohn Knox answered The time that hath been is even now before my eyes for I see the poor Flock in no lesse danger then it hath been at any time before except that the devill hath gotten a Vizard upon his face Before he came in with his own face discovered by open Tyranny seeking the destruction of all that refused Idolatry and then I think you will confesse the Brethren lawfully assembled themselves for defence of their lives And now the devill comes under the cloke of Justice to do that which God would not suffer him to do by strength What is this said the Queen methinks you trifle with him Who gave you Authority to make Convocation of my Lieges Is not that Treason No Madame said the Lord Rnthuen for he makes Convocation of the people to hear Prayer and Sermon almost dayly And what ever your Majestie or others thinke thereof we think it no Treason Hold your peace said the Queen let him answer for himself I began Madame said Iohn Knox to reason with the Secretary whom I take to be a better Dialectationer then your Majestie is That all Convocation is not lawfull And now my Lord Ruthuen hath given the instance which if your Majestie will deny I shall make my selfe ready for the proof I will say nothing said the Queen against your Religion nor against your convening to your Sermons But what Authority have you to Convocate my subjects when you will without any Commandment I have no pleasure said Iohn Knox to decline from my former purpose And yet Madame to satisfie your Majesties two questions I answer That at my will I never convened four persons in Scotland but at the Order that the Brethren hath appointed I have given divers Advertisements and great multitudes have assembled thereupon And if your Majestie complaineth That this was done without your Majesties Commandment I answer So hath all that God hath blessed within this Realme from the beginning of this action And therefore Madame I must be convinced by a just Law that I have done against the Duty of Gods Messenger in writing of this Letter before that I either be sorry or yet repent for the doing of it as my Lord Secretary would perswade me for what I have done I have done at the Commandment of the Generall Church of this Realme And therefore I thinke I have done no wrong You shall not escape so said the Queene Is it not Treason my Lords to accuse a Prince of cruelty I thinke there are Acts of Parliament to be found against such Whisperers This was granted to be true of many But wherein said Master Iohn Knox can I be accused Reade this part of your Letter said the Queene which began This fearfull Summons is directed against them to wit the Brethren aforesaid to make no doubt a preparation upon a few that a door may be opened to execute cruelty upon a greater multitude Lord said the Queen What say you to that While many doubted what the said Iohn should answer he said unto the Queen Is it lawfull for me Madame to answer for my self Or shall I be condemned before I be heard Say what you can said she for I thinke you have enough ado I will first then desire said he of your Majestie Madame and of this Honourable audience Whether if your Majestie knows not that the obstinate Papists are deadly enemies to all that professe the Evangel of Jesus Christ And that they most earnestly desire the extirpation of all them and of the true Doctrine that is taught within this Realme The Queen held her peace but all the Lords with common consent and voyce said God forbid that either the life of the faithfull or yet the staying of the Doctrine stood in the power of the Papists for just experience hath taught us what cruelty is in their hearts I must proceed then said Iohn Knox seeing that I perceive that all will grant That it were a barbarous cruelty to destroy such a multitude as professed the Evangell of Jesus Christ within this Realme which oftner then once or twice they attempted to do by force as things done of late dayes do testifie Whereof they being by Gods providence disappointed have invented more crafty and dangerous practices to wit To make the Prince party under colour of Law and so what they could not do by open force they shall performe by crafty deceit For who thinks my Lords That the insatiable cruelty of the Papists within this Realme I mean shall end in the murthering of those two now unjustly summoned and more unjustly to be accused I thinke no man of judgement can so esteem but rather the direct contrary that is By this few number they intend to prepare a way to their bloody enterprise against the whole And therefore Madame cast up when you list the Acts of your Parliaments I have offended nothing against them For I accuse not in my Letter your Majestie nor yet your nature of cruelty But I affirm yet again That the pestilent Papists who have enflamed your Majestie without cause against these poore men at this present are the sons of the devill and therefore must obey the desires of their father who hath beene a Murtherer from the beginning You forget your selfe said one you are not in the Pulpit I am in the place said the other where I am commanded in my conscience to speak the truth and therefore the truth I speak impugne it who so lists And hereunto I adde Madame that honest meeke and gentle natures in appearance by wicked and corrupt Councellors may be changed and altered to the direct contrary Example we have of Nero whom in the beginning of his Empire we finde having some naturall shame but after that his flatterers had encouraged him in all impiety alleadging that nothing was either unhonest or yet unlawfull in his Person who was Emperour above others When he had drunken of this Cup I say to what enormies he fell the Histories beare witnesse And now Madame to speak plain Papists have your Majesties ear patent at all times assure your Majestie they are dangerous Councellors and that your Mother found As this was said Lethington singled and spake secretly to the Queene in her eare What it was that the Table heard not But immediately she addressed her visage and speech to Iohn Knox and said Well you speak fair enough here before my Lords but the last time I spake with you secretly you caused me to weep many tears and said to me stubbornly Ye cared not for my weeping Madame said the other because now the second time your Majesty hath burthened me with that crime I must answer lest for my silence I be holden guilty If your Majestie be ripely remembred the Laird of Dun yet living to testifie the truth was present at that time whereof your Majesty complaineth Your Majesty accused me That I had irreverently spoken
of you in the Pulpit That I denied You said What had I to do to speak of your Marriage What was I that I should meddle with such matters I answered As touching Nature I was a worm of this earth and yet a subject to this Common-wealth But as touching the Office wherein it hath pleased God to place me I was a Watch-men both over the Realme and over the Church of God gathered within the same by reason whereof I was bound in conscience to blow the Trumpet publikely so oft as ever I saw any appearance of danger either of the one or of the other But so it was that a certaine brute affirmed That a Traffique of Marriage was betwixt your Majestie and the Spanish Allia Whereunto I said That if your Nobility and State did agree unlesse that both you and your husband should be straitly bound that neither of you might hurt the Common-wealth nor yet the poor Church of God within the same in that case I should pronounce That the consenters were troublers of the Common-wealth and enemies unto God and unto his Truth planted within the same At these words I grant your Majestie stormed and burst forth in an unreasonable weeping what mitigation the Laird of Dun would have made I suppose your Majesty hath not forgot But while that nothing was able to stay your weeping I was compelled to say I take God to witnesse I never took pleasure to see your Majestie make such regret But seeing I have offered to your Majestie no such occasion I must rather suffer your Majestie to take your own pleasure then I dare conceale the truth and so both betray the Church and the Common-wealth These were the most extreme words I spake that day After that the Secretary had conferred with the Queen he said Master Knox you may returne to your house for this night I thank God and the Queens Majesty said the other And Madame I pray God to purge your heart from Papistry and to preserve you from the counsell of flatterers for how pleasant that ere they appear to your ear and corrupt affections for the time experience hath taught us in what perplexity they have brought famous Princes Lethington and the Master of Maxwell were that night the two stoups of her Chayre Iohn Knox being departed the Tables of the Lords and others that were present were demanded every one their voyce If Iohn Knox had not offended the Queens Majestie The Lords voted uniformly That they could finde no offence the Queen was past to her Cabinet The flatterers of the Court and principally Lethington raged The Queen was brought again and placed in the Chayre And they commanded to vote over again Which thing highly offended the whole Nobility and began to speak in open audience What shall the Laird of Lethington have power to controll us Or shall the presence of a woman cause us to offend God and to condemne an innocent against our consciences for the pleasure of any creature And so the whole Nobility absolved Iohn Knox againe and praised God for his modestie and for his plain and sensible answers Yet before the end one thing is to be noted to wit That amongst so many Placeboes we mean the flatterers of the Court there was not one that plainly durst condemne the said poore man that was accused God ruling their tongues that sometimes ruled the tongue of Balaam when gladly he would have cursed Gods people This perceived the Queen began to upbraid Master Henry Sinclare then Bishop of Rosse and said hearing his vote to agree with the rest Trouble not the barne I pray you trouble him not for he is newly wakened out of his sleep Why should not the old fool follow them that past before him The Bishop answered coldly Your Majesty may consider That it is neither affection to the man nor love to his Profession that moved me to absolve him but the simple truth which plainly appears in his defence drawes me hereunto albeit that others would have condemned him and it This being said the Lords and whole Assistants arose and departed That night was neither dancing nor fidling in the Court for our Soveraigne was disappointed of her purpose which was To have had Iohn Knox in her will by voice of her Nobility Iohn Knox absolved by the greatest part of the Nobility from the crime intended against him even in the presence of the Queen she raged and her Placeboes stormed And so began new assaults to be made at the hands of the said Iohn Knox to confesse an offence and to put him in the Queens will and she should promise That his greatest punishment should be But to go within the Castle of Edinburgh and immediately to returne to his own house He answered God forbid that my confession should condemne these Noble-men who in their conscience and in displeasure of the Queen have absolved me And further I am assured ye will not in earnest desire me to confesse an offence unlesse that therewith you would desire me to cease from Preaching For how can I exhort others to Peace and Christian quietnesse if I confesse my self an author and mover of sedition The generall Assembly of the Church approached which began the five and twentieth of December 1563. But the just Petitions of the Ministers and Commissioners of Churches werâ— despised at the first and that with these words As Ministers will not follow our counsell so will we suffer Ministers to labour for themselves and see what speed they come But then the whole Assembly said If the Queen will not we must for both third and two parts are rigorously taken from us and from our Tenants If others said one will follow my counsell the Guard and the Papists shall complaine as long as our Ministers have done At these words the former sharpnesse was coloured and the Speaker alleadged That hee meant not of all Ministers Christopher Goodman answered My Lord Secretary if you can shew me what just Title either the Queene hath to the Third or the Papists to the two parts then I think I should resolve you whether she were Debtor to Ministers within Burgh or not But thereto he received this check for answer Ne sit Peregrinus curiosus in aliena Republica that is Let not a Stranger be curious in a strange Common-wealth The man of God answered Albeit I be a Stranger in your policy yet so am I not in the Church of God and therefore the care doth no lesse appertain to me in Scotland then if I were in the middest of England Many wondred at the silence of Iohn Knox for in all these quick reasonings he opened not his mouth the cause thereof he himself expressed in these words I have travelled Right Honourable and beloved Brethren since my last arrivall within this Realme in an upright conscience before my God seeking nothing more as he is witnesse than the advancement of his glory and the stability of his Church
within this Realme and of late dayes I have been accused as a seditious man and as one that usurpeth to my selfe power that becometh me not True it is that I have given advertisment unto the Brethren in divers Quarters of the extremity intended against divers faithfull for looking to a Priest going to Masse and for observing of those that transgresse against just Laws but that therein I have usurped further power then is given me till that by you I be condemned I utterly deny for I say that by you that is By the charge of the Generall Assembly I have all just power to advertise the Brethren from time to time of dangers appearing as I have power to preach the Word of God in the Pulpit of Edinburgh for by you was I appointed to the one and to the other and therefore in the Name of God I crave your judgements The danger that appeared to me in my Accusation was not so fearfull as the words that came to my Ears were dolorous to my heart for these words were plainly spoken and that by some Protestants What can the Pope do more then to send forth his Letters and require them to be obeyed Let me have your judgements therefore whether I have usurped any power to my self or if I have obeyed your commandment The Flatterers of the Court amongst whom the Justice Clerk then not the least began to storme and said shall we be compelled to justifie the rash judgements of men My Lord said Iohn Knox you shall speak your pleasure for the present of you I crave nothing but the if Church that is here present do not either absolve me or else condemne me never shall I in publike or in private as a publike Minister open my mouth in doctrine or reasoning After long contention the said Iohn being removed the whole Church found that a charge was given unto him To advertise the Brethren in all Quarters as oft as ever danger appeared and therefore avowed that fact not to be his onely but the fact of the whole assembly Thereat were the Queens Claw-backs more enraged then ever they were for some of them had promised the Queen to get the said Iohn convinced both by the Councell and by the Church and being frustrate of both she and they thought themselves not a little disappointed In the very time of the generall Assembly there comes to publike knowledge or naynous murther committed in the Court yea not far from the Queens Lap for a French-woman that served in the Queens Chamber had played the Whore with the Queens own Apothecary the woman conceived and bare a Childe whom with common consent the father and the mother murthered yet were the cries of a new borne Childe heard search was made the Childe and the Mother were both apprehended and so was both the man and the woman condemned to be hanged in the publike Street of Edinburgh The punishment was notable because the Crime was hainous But yet was not the Court purged of Whores and Whoredoms which was the fountaine of such enormities for it was well known that shame hasted Marriage betwixt Iohn Sempill called the Dancer and Mary Leringston sirnamed the Lusty what bruit the Maries and the rest of the Dancers of the Court had the Ballads of that age did witnesse which we for modesties sake omit but this was the common complaint of all godly and wise men That if they thought that such a Court should long continue and if they looked for no better life to come they would have wished their Sonnes and Daughters rather to have been brought up with Fidlers and Dancers and to have been exercised in flinging upon a Floore and in the rest that thereof followes then to have been exercised in the company of the godly and exercised in vertue which in that Court was hated and filthinesse not onely maintained but also rewarded witnesse the Abbacie of Abercone the Barony of Anchvermuchtie and divers others pertaining to the Patrimony of the Crowne given in heritage to Skippers and Dancers and Dalliers with Dâ—mes This was the beginning of the Regiment of Mary Queen of Scots and these were the fruits that she brought forth of France Lord loâ—k upon our miseries and deliver us from the wickednesse of this corrupt Court for thy own Names sake God from Heaven and from the face of the Earth did declare that he was offended at the iniquitie committed within this Realme for upon the twentieth day of Ianuary there fell rain in great abundance which in the falling freezed so vehemently that the earth was but a shot of Ice the Fowls both great and small freezed and might not flie many dyed and some were taken and laid beside the fire that their feathers might dissolve and that same moneth the Sea stood still as was clearly observed and never ebbed nor flowed the space of foure and twenty hours In the moneth of February the fifteenth and eighteenth dayes thereof there was seen in the Firmament battels arrayed spears and all other weapons as it had been the joyning of two Armies These things were not onely observed but also spoken of and constantly affirmed by men of judgement and credit But the Queen and our Court made merry there was banquetting upon banquetting the Queen would banquet with the Lords and that was done onely upon policy to remove her displeasure against them because they would not at her devotion condemne Iohn Knox. To remove we say that jealousie she made the Banquet to the whole Lords whereat she would have the Duke amongst the rest It behoved them to banquet her again and so did banquetting continue till Lent ever after But the poor Ministers were mocked and reputed as Monsters the Guard and the Affairs of the Kitchin were so gripping that the Minsters stipends could not be had and yet at the Assembly last past solemne promise was made in the Queens Name by the mouth of Secretary Lethington in the audience of the Nobilitie and of the whole Assembly who affirmed that he had commandment of her Highnesse to promise full content unto all the Ministers within the Realme and of such Order to be kept in all times to come that the whole body of the Protestants should have occasion to stand content The Earle of Murray affirmed the same with many other faire promises given by writing by Lethington himself as in the Register of the Acts of the generall Assembly may be seene but how that or yet any other thing promised in her name to the Church of God was observed the world can witnesse The Ministers perceiving all things to tend to ruine discharged their consciences in publike and in private but they received for their labour hatred and indignation and amongst others that worthy servant of God Master Iohn Craig speaking against the manifold corruption that then without shame or fear declared it self said Sometimes was Hypocrites known by their noted habits and we had
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
would they consent that any thing there should be voted or concluded I cannot tell said Lethington if my Lords that be here present and that bear the burthen of such matters should be bound to their will What say ye my Lords said he will ye vote in this matter or will ye not vote After long reasoning some that were made for the purpose said Why may not the Lords vote and then shew unto the Church whatsoever is done That appears to me said Iohn Knox not onely a backward order but a tyranny usurped upon the Church But for me do as ye list said he for as I reason so I wrote yet protesting as before That I disassent from all voting till that the whole Assembly understand as well the questions as the reasons Well said Lethington that cannot be done now for too much time is spent And therefore my Lord Chancellor said he ask ye the votes and take ever one of the Ministers and one of us And so was the Rector of Saint Androes commanded first to speak his conscience Who said I refer it to the Superintendent of Fyfe for I think we are both of one judgement and yet said he if ye will that I speake first my conscience is this That if the Queen oppose her self to our Religion which is the onely true Religion that in that case the Nobility and States of this Realme professors of the true Doctrine may justly oppose themselves to her But as concerning her Masse I know it is Idolatry but I am not yet resolved Whether by violence we may take it from her or not The Superintendent of Fyfe said That same is my conscience And so affirmed some of the Nobility But others voted frankly and said That as the Masse is abominable so it is just and right that it should be suppressed And that in so doing men did no more hurt to the Queens Majesty then they that should by force take from her a poysoned cup when she were a going to drink in it Last Master Iohn Craig fellow Minister with Iohn Knox in the Church of Edinburgh was required to give his judgement and vote who said I will gladly shew unto your Honours what I understand but I greatly doubt Whether my knowledge and conscience shall satisfie you seeing you have heard so many reasons and are so little moved by them But yet I will not conceale from you my judgement adhering first to the Protestation of my Brother to wit That our voting prejudge not the Liberty of the Generall Assembly I was said he in the University of Bonnonia in the yeer of our Lord 1554. where in the place of the black-Friers of the same Town I saw in the time of their Generall Assembly this Conclusion set forth the same I heard reasoned determined and concluded to this sense Conclusion ALl Rulers be they Supreme or Inferiour may and ought to be reformed or bridled to speak moderately by them by whom they are chosen confirmed or admitted to their Office so oft as they break that promise made by Oath to their subjects Because that the Prince is no lesse bound by Oath to the subjects then are the subjects to their Princes And therefore ought it to be kept and reformed equally according to Law and Condition of the Oath that is made of either party This Conclusion my Lords I heard sustained and concluded as I have said in a most notable Auditory The sustainer was a learned man Master Thomas de Finola Rector of the University a man famous in that Countrey Master Vincentins de Placentia affirmed the Conclusion to be most true and certain agreeable both with the Law of God and man The occasion of this disputation and conclusion was a certain disorder and tyranny that was attempted by the Popes Governours who began to make Innovations in the Countrie against the Laws that were before established alleadging themselves not to be subject to such Laws by reason that they were not instituted by the People but by the Pope who was King of that Countrey And therefore they having full Commission and Authority of the Pope may alter and change Statutes and Ordinances of the Countrey without any consent of the people Against this usurped Tyranny the learned and the people opposed themselves And when that all reasons which the Popes Governours could alleadge were heard and consulted the Pope himself was fain to take up the matter and to promise not onely to keep the Liberty of the people but also that he should neither abrogate any Law nor Statute neither yet make any new Law without their owne consent And therefore my Lord said he my Vote and my Conscience is That Princes are not onely bound to keep Laws and Promises to their subjects But also That in case they fail they justly may be bridled For the Band betwixt the Prince and the People is reciprocall Then start up a claw-back of that corrupt Court and said Ye wot not what ye say for ye tell us what was done in Bononia we are a Kingdom and they are a Common-wealth My Lord said he my judgement is That every Kingdom is or at least should be a Common-wealth albeit that every Common-wealth be not a Kingdom And therefore I think that in a Kingdom no lesse diligence ought to be taken that Laws ought not to be violated then they ought to be in a Common-wealth because that the tyranny of Princes who continuing in a Kingdom is more hurtfull to the subjects then is the mis-government of those that from yeer to yeer are changed in free Common-wealths But yet my Lord to assure you and all others that Head was disputed to the uttermost and then in the end was concluded That they spake not of such things as were done in divers Kingdoms and Nations by Tyrannie and negligence of people But we conclude said they what ought to be done in all Kingdoms and Common-wealths according to the Law of God and unto the just Laws of man And if by the negligence of the people by the tyranny of Princes contrary Laws have been made yet may that same people or their posterity justly crave all things to be reformed according to the originall institution of Kings and Common-wealths and such as will not so do deserve to eat the fruit of their own foolishnesse M. Iames Markgow then Clerk of the Register perceiving the Votes to be different and hearing the bold plainnesse of the foresaid servant of God said I remember that this same question was long debated on before in my house and there by reason we were not all of one minde it was concluded That M. Knox in all our names should have written to M. Calvin for his jugement in the controversie Nay said M. Knox my Lord Secretary would not consent that I should write alleadging That the greatest weight of the answer stood in the Narrative and therefore promised that he would write and that I should see
well grounded Knowing besides the grudge of conscience that she should receive upon the change of her owne Religion That she should lose the friendship of the King of France the married Allia of this Realme and of other great Princes her Friends and Confederates who would take the same in evil part and of whom she may look for their great support in all her necessities And having no assured consideration that may countervaile the same she will be loth to put in hazard all her friends at an instant praying all her loving subjects seeing they have had experience of her goodnesse that she hath neither in times past nor yet intends hereafter to presse the conscience of any but that they may worship God in such sort as they are perswaded in their conscience to be best That they will also not presse her conscience As to the establishing of Religion in the Body of the Realme they themselves know as appears by their Articles That the same cannot be done onely by consent of her Majestie but requires necessarily the consent of the States in Parliament and therefore so soon as the Parliament holds those things which the States agree upon amongst themselves her Majestie shall consent unto the same and in the mean time shall make sure That no man be troubled for â—sing Religion according to conscience So that no man shall have cause to doubt That for Religions sake mens Lives and Heritage shall be in any hazard To the second Article it is answered That her Majestie thinks it no wayes reasonable that she should defraud her self of so great a part of the Patrimony of the Crowne as to put the Patronage of Benefices forth of her own hands for her owne necessity in bearing of her Port and common Charges will require the retention thereof and that in a good part in her owne hands Neverthelesse her Majestie is well pleased That consideration being had of her owne necessity And what may be sufficient for the reasonable sustentation of the Ministers a speciall Assignation be made to them in places most commodious and meet With which her Majesty shall not meddle but suffer the same to come to them To the third Article it is answered That her Majestie shall do therein as shall be agreed by the States in Parliament To the fourth Article Her Majesties liberality towards the poore shall alwayes be so far extended as can be reasonably required at her hands To the fifth and sixth Articles Her Majesty will refer the taking order therein unto the States assembled in Parliament As the Queens Majestie came from Saint Iohnston over Forth to the Callender she was conveyed to the Water side of Forth with two hundred Spears For at that time it was bruted That there was some lying in wait at the Path of Dron In the mean time the Earle of Murray was in Locklevin and the Earle of Argyle with him Now in the Callender the Lord Levingston had desired the Queens Majestie to be Witnesse to the Christning of a childe For his Lady was lately delivered and brought to Bed And when the Minister made the Sermon and Exhortation concerning Baptisme the Queens Majestie came in the end and said to the Lord Levingston That she would shew him that favour that she had not done to any other before that is That she would give her presence to the Protestant Sermon which was reckoned a great matter The Queen being in the Callender was informed both by word and Letters by false Brethren That a great part of the Protestants of Edinburgh had lately convened upon Saint Leonards Craigs and there made a Conspiration against her And had chosen for the same purpose certain Captains to governe the rest And without any Tryall or perfect notice taken in the Case she sent to the Provest and Bayliffs of Edinburgh commanding them to take and apprehend Alexander Guthrie Alexander Clerke Gilbert Lawder and Andrew Slater and put them in prison in the Castle This new and unaccustomed fashion of proceeding seemed to be very strange And because the said four persons were not apprehended she sent the next day a Charge to the Provest and Bayliffs and to her owne great Treasurer to passe to the houses of the said foure men and likewise to their Booths or Shops and there to take Inventory of all their Goods and Chattells And commanded the said Treasurer to take the Keyes of the said Houses and Booths together with the said Inventory which was executed in effect especially upon the said Alexander Guthrie his wife he being then common Clerke and one of the greatest in estimation within the Towne his wife and children were shut out of their house and compelled to seek some other lodging in the Town By this manner of proceeding the hearts of all men of spirit and judgement were wonderfully abashed and wounded seeing and perceiving these things so furiously handled upon sinister and wrong Information men never called to their answer nor heard nor any triall taken therein Immediatly thereafter as she came to Edinburgh she called to counsell such as pleased her Majestie and there complains of the said matter alleadging it to be a Conspiracy and manifest Treason And another matter likewise was complained upon That the Earle of Argile as the Queen was surely informed was riding with a great Army to invade the Earle of Athole and his Lands For the first matter it was concluded by the Councell That diligent inquisition should be made in the matter and to that purpose appointed the Queens Advocates M. Iohn Spence of Condie and M. Robert Crichton to examine such as they would and when the said Advocates had called before them and examined a sufficient number and their depositions subscribed and delivered to the Queen there was nothing found worthy of death nor Treason at length the said four persons were summoned to answer at Law For the matter That the Queens Majesty should send to the Earles of Argyle and Athole some of her Councell or familiar servants to take order touching it And when the Secretary the Justice Clarke and Lord of Saint Colme had past to the said Earle of Argyle they found no such thing but in Athole there was great fear come of a sudden fray for after many Proclamations the Fire-Crosse which they made use of in lieu of Beacons was raised in Athole Now as the day of the Parliament approached the Lords pretending to consult before what should be done as well in Religion as for the Commonwealth the fifteenth day of Iuly there conveened at Sterlin the Duke the Earles of Argyle and Murray Rothes and other Lords and Barons and as they were devising and consulting the Queens Majesty taking their meeting in evill part sent her Advocates Master Iohn Spence and Master Crichton to them at Sterlin requiring the cause of their meeting they answered That the speciall occasion of their meeting was for the cause of Religion and the assurance thereof according as they
for Master Craig to the Councell where M. Craig told first That by an Act of the Assembly it was forbidden to allow the Marriage of any divorced for adultery The Divorce of Bothwell from his lawfull wife was by collusion witnesse the quick dispatch thereof for it was sought and had within ten dayes and his contracting with the Queen instantly thereafter then his rapt of the Queen and the guilt of the Kings death which was confirmed by this Marriage Withall he desired the Lords to stop the Queen from that infamous Marriage The Sunday after he told publikely to the people what he had said to the Councell and he took heaven and earth to witnesse That he detested that scandalous and infamous Marriage and that he discharged his conscience unto the Lords who seemed unto him as so many slaves what by flattery what by silence to give way to that abomination Upon this he was called to the Councel again and was reproved as if he had exceeded the bounds of his Calling Whereunto he answered That the bounds of his Commission was the Word of God right reason and good Laws against which he had said nothing and by all these offered to prove this Marriage to be scandalous and infamous At this he was stopped by Bothwell and sent from the Councell Notwithstanding all this done and said by M. Craig and the opposition of many that wished well to the Queen and were jealous of her Honour the Marriage went on and they were married the 15 of May. This makes good the Latine Proverb Mala nubunt mense Maio and a Bishop must blesse the Marriage The good Prelat was Bishop of Orkney If there be a good work to be done a Bishop must do it Here mark the difference betwixt this worthy Minister Master Craig and this base Bishop The Earle of Athole immediately after the murther of the King had tetired home waiting for the occasion to revenge the Kings death But seeing this abominable Marriage he went to Sterlin where other honest Lords with him had a Meeting and made a Bond To defend the young Prince from the murtherers of his father As already they had had one Plot to cut him off which God in his mercy did prevent The Nobles that entred in this Bond were the Earles of Argyle Athole Morton Marr and Glencarne the Lords Lindsey and Boyd Argyle thereafter seduced by some fair words fell off and Boyd became a great Factionary for Bothwell in all things The Queen soon after the Marriage was advised to send abroad an Ambassadour to acquaint her forraigne friends and kindred And this must be a Bishop It is pity that any good work should be done without a Bishop Was not this a worthy employment for a Pastor in Gods Church Bothwell seeing the Bond made at Sterlin causeth the Queen to write to sundry of the Nobility Divers repaired unto her where they found a Bond tendred unto them by which they were to binde themselves to defend the Queen and Bothwell Some that were corrupt did willingly subscribe others for fear did the same And there was not one that went to Court that did refuse but the Earle of Murray who refusing absolutely to enter into a Bond with Bothwell said It was not the part of a good subject Yet since he had been made friends with him some time before he would keep his promise unto the Queen And to enter into a Bond with the Queen it was needlesse and unfit since he was to obey her in all lawfull and just things Upon this he gat leave although with great difficulty to go into France The Queen receives now Hamilton Archbishop of S. Androes into favour since these changes who was no lesse a faithfull Councellor to her then he was a good Pastor of Christs Flock that is He betrayed her and disobeyed God With this a Proclamation comes out in favour of the poor Protestants whereby the Queen declares That she will keep and confirm all that she had promised at her Arrivall into Scotland This was done to stop the peoples mouthes but all in vain for the people were universally against the abomination of the Court. Within few dayes Bothwell and the Queen were raising men under pretext to go to the Borders to represse the Robbers there but in effect to go to Sterlin to have the Prince in their custody that they might dispose of him according to their minde Then a new Proclamation came out That the Queen hereafter would rule onely by the advice of the Nobles of the Land as her best Predecessors had done The Lords at Sterlin hearing of this plot strives to prevent it and to this purpose they appointed with the Lord Humes to besiege the Castle of Borthwike where the Queen and Bothwell was But because the Earl of Athole did not come at the hour appointed they had not men enough to environ and compasse the Castle so that Bothwel having notice given him of the businesse escaped to Dumbar and the Queen after him in mans clothes The Lords failing of their designe at Borthwike Castle went to Edinburgh whereof they made themselves Masters easily having the affections of the people notwithstanding the Earle Huntley and the Archbishop of S. Androes perswasion to the contrary These two with their associates were constrained to retire to the Castle where they were received by Sir Iam. Balfour left there by Bothwel The twelfth of Iune which was the next day following the Lords at Edinburgh caused to publish a Proclamation whereby they declared That the Earl Bothwell who had been the principall author deviser and actor of the cruell murther of the late King had since laid hand upon the Queens person and had her for the present in Dumbar in his power and finding her utterly destitute of all good counsell had seduced her to a dishonest and unlawfull marriage with himself yea that now he was gathering Forces and stirring himself to get the young Prince in his hands that he might murther the Childe as he had murthered the Father This wicked man the Nobles of the Land resolved to withstand and deliver the Queen out of his bondage wherefore they did charge all Lieges within the Kingdom that could come to them to be in readinesse at 3 hours warning to assist them the Nobles for the freeing of the Queen from captivity and bringing the said Earle Bothwell to a Legall Triall and condigne punishment for the aforesaid murther and other Crimes All such that would not syde with the Lords were by this Proclamation commanded to depart from Edinburgh within four hours under the pain of being accounted enemies c. Notwithstanding this Proclamation the people did not joyn unto these Lords as was expected for sundry of the Nobles were adversaries to the businesse other stood as Neuters and withall those that were convened together were not well provided of Armes and Munition for exploits of warre so that they were even thinking to dissolve and leave
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
joyne with those that had bound themselves to stand for the Kings Authority He was very earnest with divers by reason of their old friendship but to little purpose The twentinth of August he received the Regencie after mature and ripe deliberation at the desire of the Queen and Lords that were for the King and so was publikely proclaimed Regent and Obedience shewed unto him by all that stood for the young King The end of the History of the Church of Scotland till the yeer 1567. and Moneth of August THE APPELLATION OF IOHN KNOX From the cruell and most unjust Sentence pronounced against him by the false Bishops and Clergie of Scotland With his Supplication and Exhortation to the Nobility States and Communalty of the same Realme To the Nobility and States of SCOTLAND JOHN KNOX wisheth Grace Mercy and Peace from God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ with the Spirit of righteous Iudgement IT is not onely the love of this Temporall life Right Honourable neither yet the fear of Corporal death that moveth me at this present to expose unto you the injuries done against me and to crave of you as of lawfull Powers by God appointed redresse of the same But partly it proceedeth from that reverence which every man oweth to Gods Eeternall Truth And partly from a love which I bear to your Salvation and to the Salvation of my Brethren abused in that Realme by such as have no fear of God before their eyes It hath pleased God of his infinite mercy not onely to illuminate the eyes of my minde and so to touch my dull heart that cleerly I see and by his grace unfainedly believe That there is no other name given to men under the heaven in which Salvation consisteth save the Name of JESUS alone Who by that Sacrifice which he did once offer upon the Crosse hath sanctified for ever all those that shall inherite the Kingdom promised But also it hath pleased him of his superaboundant grace to make and appoint me most wretched of many thousands a Witnesse Minister and Preacher of the same Doctrine the sum whereof I did not spare to communicate with my Brethren being with them in the Realme of Scotland in the yeer 1556 because I know my self to be a Steward and that accounts of the Talent committed to my charge shall be required of me by him who will admit no vain excuse which fearfull men pretend I did therefore as God his minister during the time I was conversant with them God is record and witnesse truely and sincerely according to the gift granted unto me divide the Word of Salvation teaching all men to hate sin which before God was and is so odious that none other Sacrifice would satisfie his Justice except the death of his onely Son and to magnifie the mercies of our heavenly Father who did not spare the substance of his own glory but did give him to the world to suffer the ignominious and cruell death of the Crosse by that means to reconcile his chosen children to himself teaching further what is the duty of such as do believe themselves purged by such a Price from their former filthinesse to wit That they are bound to walk in the newnesse of life fighting against the lusts of the flesh and studying at all times to glorifie God by such good works as he hath prepared his people to walk in In Doctrine I did further affirm so taught by my Master Christ Jesus That whosoever denieth him yea or is ashamed of him before this wicked Generation him shall Christ Jesus deny and of him shall he be ashamed when he shall appear in his Majesty And therefore I feared not to affirm That of necessity it is that such as hope for life everlasting avoid all Superstition vain Religion and Idolatry Vain Religion and Idolatry I call whatsoever is done in Gods Service or Honour without the expresse Commandment of his own Word This Doctrine I did believe to be so conformable to Gods holy Scriptures that I thought no creature could have been so impudent as to have condemned any Point or Article of the same Yet neverthelesse me as an heretick and this Doctrine as hereticall have your false Bishops and ungodly Clergie condemned pronouncing against me a Sentence of death in testification whereof they have burned a Picture From which false and cruell Sentence and from all judgement of that wicked Generation I make it known unto your Honours That I appeal to a Lawfull and Generall Councell to such I mean as the most ancient Laws and Cannons do approve to be holden by such as whose manifest impiety is not to be reformed in the same Most humbly requiring of your Honours That as God hath appointed you Princes in that People and by reason thereof requireth of your hands the defence of Innocents troubled in your Dominion in the mean time and till the controversies that this day be in Religion be lawfully decided ye receive me and such others as most unjustly by those cruell Beasts are persecuted in your defence and Protection Your Honours are not ignorant That it is not I alone who doth sustain this Cause against the pestilent Generation of Papists but that the most part of Germany the Countrey of Helvetia the King of Denmarke the Nobility of Polonia together with many other Cities and Churches Reformed appeal from the Tyrannie of that Antichrist and most earnestly call for a Lawfull and Generall Councell wherein may all Controversies in Religion be decided by the Authority of Gods most sacred Word And unto this same as said is do I appeal yet once again requiring of your Honours to hold my simple and plain Appellation of no lesse value nor effect then if it had been made with greater circumstance solemnity and ceremony and that you receive me calling unto you as to the Powers of God ordained in your protection and defence against the rage of Tyrants not to maintain me in any iniquity errour or false opinion but to let me have such equity as God by his Word ancient Laws and Determinations of most godly Councells grant to men accused or infamed The Word of God wills That no man shall die except he be found criminall and worthy of death for offence committed of which he must be manifestly convinced by two or three witnesses Ancient Law do permit just defences to snch as be accused be their crimes never so horrible And godly Councells wills That neither Bishop nor person Ecclesiasticall whatsoever accused of any crime shall sit in Judgement Consultation or Councell where the cause of such men as do accuse them is to be tried These things require I of your Honours to be granted unto me to wit That the Doctrine which our adversaries condemn for heresie may be tried by the simple and plain Word of God That just Defences be admitted to us that sustain the Battell against this
despise his admonitions The Sword of Gods wrath is already drawn which of necessity must needs strike when grace offered is obstinately refused You have been long in bondage of the devill blindenesse errour and Idolatry prevailing against the simple Truth of God in that your Realme in which God hath made you Princes and Rulers But now doth God of his great mercy call you to repentance before he pour forth the uttermost of his vengeance He cryeth to your ears That your Religion is nothing but Idolatry he accuseth you of the blood of his Saints which hath been shed by your permission assistance and powers For the tyranny of those raging Beasts should have no force if by your strength they were not maintained Of those horrible crimes doth now God accuse you not of purpose to condemne you but mercifully to absolve and pardon you as sometime he did those whom Peter accused to have killed the Son of God so that ye be not of minde nor purpose to justifie your former iniquity Iniquity I call not onely the crimes and offences which have been and yet remain in your manners and lives but that also which appeareth before men most holy with hazard of my life I offer to prove abomination before God that is your whole Religion to be so corrupt and vain that no true servant of God can communicate with it because that in so doing he should manifestly deny Christ Jesus and his Eternall Verity I know that your Bishops accompanied with the swarm of the Papisticall vermine shall cry A damned heretick ought not to be heard But remember my Lords what I protested in the beginning upon which ground I continually stand to wit That I am no hereticke nor deceivable Teacher but the servant of Christ Jesus a Preacher of his infallible Verity innocent in all that they can lay to my charge concerning my Doctrine and therefore by them being enemies to Christ I am unjustly condemned From which cruell Sentence I have appealed and do appeal as before mention is made in the mean time most humbly requiring your Honours to take me in your protection to be auditors of my just defences granting unto me the same liberty which Achab a wicked King and Israel at that time a blinded people granted to Elijah in the like case That your Bishops and the whole rabble of your Clergie may be called before you and before that people whom they have deceived That I be not condemned by multitude custome by Authority or Law devised by man but that God himself may be judge betwixt me and my adversaries Let God I say speak by his Law by his Prophets by Christ Jesus or by his Apostles and so let him pronounce what Religion he approveth and then be my enemies never so many and appear they never so strong and so learned no more do I fear victory then did Elijah being but one man against the multitude of Baals Priests And if they think to have advantage by their Councells and Doctors this I further offer To admit the one and the other as witnesses in all matters debatable three things which justly cannot be denied being granted unto me First That the most ancient Councells nighest to the Primitive Church in which the learned and godly Fathers did examine all matters by Gods Word may be holden of most Authority Secondly That no determination of Councells nor man be admitted against the plain Verity of Gods Word nor against the determination of those four chief Councells whose Authority hath been and is holden by them equall with the Authority of the four Evangelists And last That to no Doctor be given greater authority then Augustine requireth to be given to his Writings to wit If he plainly prove not his affirmation by Gods infallible Word that then his sentence be rejected and imputed to the errour of a man These things granted and admitted I shall no more refuse the testimonies of Councells and Doctors then shall my adversaries But and if they will justifie those Councells which maintain their pride and usurped Authority and will reject those which plainly have condemned all such tyranny negligence and wicked life as Bishops now do use And if further they will snatch a doubtfull sentence of a Doctor and refuse his minde when he speaketh plainly then will I say That all men are lyers That credit ought not to be given to an unconstant witnesse and that no Councells ought to prevail nor be admitted against the sentence which God hath pronounced And thus my Lords in few words to conclude I have offered unto you a tryall of my innocency I have declared unto you what God requireth of you being placed above his people as Rulers and Princes I have offered unto you and to the inhabitants of the Realme the Verity of Christ Jesus And with the hazard of my life I presently offer to prove the Religion which amongst you is maintained by fire and sword to be false damnablâ— and diabolicall Which things if ye refuse defending tyrants in their tyrannie then I dare not flatter but as it was commanded to Ezechiel boldly to proclaim so must I cry to you That you shall perish in your iniquity That the Lord Jesus shall refuse so many of you as maliciously withstand his eternall Verity and in the day of his apparition when all flesh shall appeare before him that he shall repell you from his company and shall command you to the fire which never shall be quenched and then neither shall the multitude be able to resist neither yet the counsells of man be able to prevail against that sentence which he shall pronounce God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ by the power of his holy Spirit so rule and dispose of your hearts that of simplicity ye may consider the things that be offered and that ye may take such order in the same as God in you may be glorified and Christs Flock by you may be edified and comforted to the praise and glory of our Lord Iesus Christ whose Omnipotent Spirit rule your hearts in his true feare to the end Amen The Admonition of John Knox to the Commonalty of Scotland To his beloved Brethren the Commonalty of SCOTLAND JOHN KNOX wisheth Grace Mercy and Peace With the Spirit of righteous judgement WHat I have required of the Queen Regent States and Nobility as of the chief Heads for this present of the Realm I cannot cease to require of you dearly beloved brethren which be the Communalty and Body of the same to wit That it notwithstanding that false and cruell Sentence which your disguised Bishops have pronounced against me would please you to be so favourable unto me as to be indifferent auditors of my just Purgation Which to do if God earnestly move your hearts as I nothing doubt but that your enterprise shall redound to the praise and glory of his holy Name so am I assured
Word from the whole Realme of England But be thou mindefull O Lord that it is thy Truth which we have professed and that thy enemies blasphemeth thy holy Name and our Profession without Cause Thy holy Gospel is called heresie and we are accused as traytors for professing the same Be mercifull therefore O Lord and be salvation unto us in this time of our anguish Albeit our sins accuse and condemne us yet do thou according to thine own Name We have offended against thee Our sins and iniquities are without number and yet art thou in the midst of us O Lord albeit that tyrants bear rule over our bodies yet thirsteth our souls for the comfort of thy Word Correct us therefore but not in thy hot displeasure spare thy people and permit not thine inheritance to bâ— in rebuke for ever Let such O Lord as now are most afflicted yet once againe praise thy holy Name before thy Congregation Represse the pride of those blood-thirsty Tyrants consume them in thine anger according to the reproach which they have laid against thy holy Name Pour forth thy vengeance upon them and let our eyes behold the blood of thy Saints required of their hands Delay not thy vengeance O Lord but let death devour them in haste Let the earth swallow them up and let them go downe quick to the hells For there is no hope of their amendment the feare and reverence of thy holy Name is quite banished from their hearts and therefore yet again O Lord consume them consume them in thine anger and let them never bring their wicked counsells to effect but according to the godly powers let them be taken in the snare which they have prepared for thine elect Look upon us O Lord with the eyes of thy mercy and shew pity upon us thy weak and sore oppressed Flock Gather us yet once again to the wholesome treasures of thy most holy Word that openly we may confesse thy blessed Name within the Realme of England Grant this O heavenly Father for Christ Iesus thy sons sake Amen If on this manner or otherwise as God shall put in our hearts without hypocrisie in the presence of our God respecting more his glory then our private wealth continually we poure forth our complaint confession and prayers Then so assuredly as our God liveth and as we feel these present troubles shall our God himself rise to our defence he shall confound the counsels of our enemies and trouble the wits of such as most wrongfully troubleth us He shall send Jesu to execute his just judgments against Idolators and against such as obstinately defendeth them Yea the chiefe men of our times shall not escape the vengeance and plagues that are prepared for their portion The flatterers and maintainers of her abominations shall drink the cup of Gods wrath And in despite of the Devill shall yet the glory of Christ Jesus and the brightnesse of his countenance so shine in our hearts by the presence of his grace and before our eyes by the true preaching of his Gospel that altogether we shall fall before him and say O Lord thou art our God we shall extoll thee and shall confesse thy Name for thou â—ast brought wonderous things to passe according to thy counsels which albeit appear to be farre off yet are they true and most assured Thou hast brought to ruine the palaces of tyrants and therefore shall the afflicted magnifie thee and the City of tyrannicall Nations shall fear thee Thou hast been O Lord a strong defence to the poor a sure place of refuge to the afflicted in the time of his anguish This no doubt dear Brethren shall one day be the song of Gods Elect within the Realm of England after that God hath poured forth his vengeance upon these disobedient and blood-thirsty tyrants which now triumpheth in all abominations and therefore yet again beloved in the Lord Abide patiently the Lords deliverance avoyding and flying such offences as may separate and divide you from the blessed felloâ—ship of the Lord Jesus at his second comming Watch and pray resist the â—ivell and row against this vehement tempest and shortly shall the Lord come to the comfort of your hearts which now are oppressed with anguish and care but then shall ye so rejoyce that through gladnesse you shall say Behold this our God we have waited upon him and he hath saved us This is our Lord we have long thirsted for his comming now shall we rejoyce and be glad in his salvation Amen The great Bishop of our souls Jesus our Lord so strengthen and assist your troubled hearts with the mighty comfort of his Holy Ghost that earthly tyrants nor worldly torments have no power to drive you from the hope and expectation of that Kingdom which for the Elect was prepared from the beginning by our heavenly Father to whom be all praise and honour now and ever Amen Remember me dear Brethren in your daily prayers The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen Yours with sorrowfull heart JOHN KNOX The Copie of A LETTER Delivered To Queen Mary Regent OF SCOTLAND FROM IOHN KNOX Minister of Gods Word in the yeer of our Lord 1556. and thereafter augmented and explained by the Author in the yeer of our Lord 1558. To the most Excellent Princesse MARY DOVVAGER Regent of Scotland MADAME THE cause which moved me to present this my Supplication unto your Majestie enlarged and in some places explained being in the Realm of Scotland in the Moneth of May 1556. I caused to be presented to your Majesty is the incredible rage of such as beare the Title of Bishops who against all justice and equitie have pronounced against me a most cruell sentence condemning my Bodie to Fire my Soul to Damnation and all Doctrine taught by me to be false deceivable and Hereticall If this injury did tend to me alone having the testimony of a good conscience with silence I could passe the matter being assured that such as they curse and expell their Synagogues for such causes shall God blesse and Christ Jesus receive in his eternall societie But considering that this their blasphemy is vomited forth against the eternall Truth of Christs Evangell whereof it hath pleased the great mercy of God to make me a Minister I cannot cease to notifie as well to your Majestie as to them That so little am I afraid of their Tyrannicall and surmised sentence that in place of the Picture if God impede not my purpose they shall have the Body to justice that Doctrine which they Members of Satan blasphemously do condemne Advertising your Majestie in the mean time That from them their sentence and tyrannie and from all those that lift to maintain them in the same I do appeal to a lawfull and generall Councel beseeching your Majesty to take in good part that I call you for witnesse that I have required the libertie of
Justice and Peace and Sathan called the Prince of the world so are they but two Armies that hath continued battell from the beginning and shall fight unto the end The quarrell is one which the Armie of Jesus Christ do sustain and which the reprobate do persecute to wit The eternall truth of the Eternall God and the Image of Jesus Christ printed in his Elect so that whosoever in any age persecuteth any one Member of IESUS CHRIST for his Truths sake subscribeth as it were with his hand the persecution of all that have passed before him And this ought the Tyrants of this age deeply to consider for they shall bee guilty not onely of the blood shed by themselves but of all as is said that hath been shed for the Cause of Jesus Christ from the beginning of the world Let the faithfull not bee discouraged although they bee appointed as Sheepe to the Slaughter-house for hee for whose sake they suffer shall not forget to revenge their cause I am not ignorant That flesh and blood will thinke that kinde of support too too late for wee had rather bee preserved still alive then to have our blood revenged after our death and truely if our felicitie stood in this life or if death temporall should bring unto us any damage our desire in that behalfe were not to bee disallowed or condemned But seeing that death is common to all and that this temporall life is nothing but miserie and that death doth fully joyne us with our God and giveth unto us the possession of our Inheritance why should we thinke it strange to leave this world and go to our Head and Soveraign Captain Jesus Christ Lastly we have to observe this manner of speaking where the Prophet saith that The earth shall disclose her blood In which words the Prophet would accuse the crueltie of those that dare so unmercifully and violently force from the Breasts of the Earth the dearest Children of God and cruelly cut their Throats in her bosome who is by God appointed the common mother of mankinde so that she unwillingly is compelled to open her mouth and receive their blood If such Tyrannie were used against any naturall woman as violently to pull her infant from her Breasts cut the Throat of it in her own bosome and compell her to receive the blood of her deare Childe in her owne mouth all Nations would hold the fact so abominable that the like had never been done in the course of nature no lesse wickednesse commit they that shed the Blood of Gods Children upon the face of their common mother the earth as I said before But bee of good courage O little and despised Flock of Christ Jesus for hee that seeth your griefe hath power to revenge it He will not suffer one teare of yours to fall but it shall bee kept and reserved in his Bottell till the fulnesse thereof bee poured downe from Heaven upon those that caused you to weep and mourne this your mercifull God I say will not suffer your blood for ever to be covered with the earth nay the flaming fires that have licked up the blood of any of our Brethren the earth that hath beene defiled with it I say with the blood of Gods Children for otherwise to shed the blood of the cruell blood-shedders is to purge the land from blood and as it were to sanctifie it The earth I say shall purge her selfe of it and shew it before the face of God yea the Beasts Fowls and other Creatures whatsoever shall be compelled to render that which they have received bee it Flesh Blood or Bones that appertained to thy Children O Lord which altogether thou shalt glorifie according to thy promise made to us in our Lord and Saviour IESUS CHRIST thy welbeloved Sonne to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be honour praise and glory for ever and ever Amen Let us now humble our selves in the presence of our God and from the bottome of our hearts let us desire him to assist us with the power of his Holy Spirit that albeit for our former negligences God giveth us over into the hands of other then such as rule in his fear that yet he letteth us not forget his mercy and that glorious Name that hath beene proclaimed amongst us but that wee may look thorow the dolorous storm of his present displeasure and see as well what punishment hee hath appointed for the cruell Tyrants as what reward hee hath laid in store for such as continue in his fear to the end That it would further please him to assist That albeit we see his Church so diminished that it appear to bee brought as it were to utter extermination that wee may be assured that in our God there is great power and will to increase the number of his Chosen untill they bee enlarged to rhe uttermost parts of the earth Give us O Lord hearts to visite thee in time of affliction and albeit we see no end of our dolours yet our faith and hope may conduct us to the assured hope of that joyfull resurrection in the which wee shall possesse the fruit of that for which now we labour In the mean time grant unto us O Lord to repose our selves in the sanctuary of thy promise that in thee we may finde comfort till that this thy great indignation begun amongst us may passe over and thou thy selfe appear to the comfort of thy afflicted and to the terrour of thine and our enemies Let us pray with heart and mouth Almighty God and mercifull Father c. Lord into thy Hands I commend my spirit for the terrible roaring of Gunnes and the noise of Armour do so pierce my heart that my soule thirsteth to depart The last day of August 1565. at four of the Clock in the Afternoon written indigestly but yet truly so farre as memomory would serve of those things that in publike I spake on Sunday August 19. for the which I was discharged to preach for a time Be mercifull to thy Flock O Lord and at thy good pleasure put end to my misery JOHN KNOX FINIS Scoti ex discipulis Joannis Apostoli Christianismum edocti sunt Buch. Lib. 5. Multi ex Britonibus Christiani saevitiam Domitiani metuentes in Scotiam commigrarunt è quib is complures doctrina vitae integritate clari in eâ subsisterunt Buch. Lib. 4. Eâ—angelium fuit diffusam in omnes orbis partes etiam in Britanniam usque eamque insulae partem ad quam Romanae vires nunquam penetrâ—rum Tert. lib. contra Judaeos Antoninus Pius Britannos vicit alio muro câ—spicio submotis Barbaris ducto Jul. Cap. Britanniam muro per transversam insulam ducto utrumque ad finem Oceani munivit Adrianus murum primus ducit qui Barbaros Romanósque dividit Aelius Spartianus Venit extremis legio praetenta Britannis Quae Scoto dat froena truci id est opposita Scotis quae eorum furorem a Britannis
be set a part for divine service yet we are not so tied to the place as the Iews were yea not so much as the Rominists would have us to be according to that of S. Ioh 21.22 23 for wheresoever 2 or 3 are gathered together in my Nâ—â—â—r I am in the midst of you * Witnesse the Princes and people that the Pope put to the Interdict without cause to say nothing of private persons * So that many do think it a liberty of Religion to swear and curse * Witnesse the divorce of Mary Stuart daughter to James 2. from her lawfull husband Tho. Boyde and maâ—ried to Iames Hamiltonâ— Also of Mary mother to Iames 5. who married after K. Iam. the fourths death Arâ—hibald Douglas Earle of Angus was divorced from him and married to Henry Stuart Lord Meffen Adam Reade his bold aâ—d godly answer Note 1500. 1513. 1527. Brothers son to Iames Hamilton Earle of Arran and sisters son to Iohn Stuart Duke of Althai A Dominican Frier Note how Church-men rules the good nature of the Prince Frier Campbell apostate Mâ—ior Deuâ— 6. Matth. 12. Minor 1. Joh. 4. Conclusio Matth 7. Rom. 13. Galat. 5. Maior Rom. 13. Minor Joh. 19. Conclusio Christ is the end and fulfilling of the Law to every one that believeth Rom. 10.14 Rom. 3. Rom. 7. Gospel quasi Godspel that is Gods word but ordinarily it is taken from that part which we call Evangel that is Good tidings otherwise Gospel quasi Goodspel that is Good words and so Good tidings Gen. 15. Joh. 5. Jam. 1. Rom 14. Heb 11. Heb. 11. Rom 8. Rom. 4. Rom. 4. Abac. 2. Rom. 1. Joh. 6. 1 Joh. 5. Act. 10. Rom. 10. Joh. 3. Gal. 3. Matth. 19. Joh 9. Joh. 20. Mark 16. Matth. 28. Psal. 117. 1. Tim. 6. This 〈…〉 derstood of circumstance of worldly mâ—n and not of them of God for the neerer that meâ— draw to God we are bound 〈◊〉 more to love them Galat. 3. Matth 13. Matth. 7. Note Note Note Quaere Answer Note Note Here you see verified Cinis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae M. Gawyn Logy Munks Preach Bishops devices M. Iohn Mair whose History of Scotland we have c. He wrote upon the 4 Evangelists c. Arithe his Sermon False Miracles Alexander Furrour his Examination before the Bishops Alexander Seton a black Frier Note Note Iames the fifth Note Aleâ—ander Seton his Letter There was another Frier Forrest hanged in Smithfield 1538. Note For 10 yeers the persecution ceaseth 1534. 1538. The civil troubles give some rest to Gods flock fâ—r a time Note Macdowel Alaesius John Fyfe Machabeus Note 1534. This yeere was Lawes made against the Reformation the Pope having sent to Scotland a Legat the yeere before 6 Accused for Heresie Note 2 Gentlemen Straton and Gowâ—ley burnt See how the Bishops did intrench upon the good disposition of the King and his Soveraigne 1534. Burning of the Bill was a signe of recantation 1537. Lâ—sly writes this done 1540. Iohn Berthwick fled into England from whence Henry sent him into Germany to the Protestant Princes Foure burnt 1538. 1539. Ieremie Russell Alex. Kennedie Kennedie his thanks to God His speech to the Judges Note Sir Iames Hamilton said That God had justly brought him to that because he had offended often to gain the King favour by unjust ways Note George Buchanan by the Kings câ—mmand then angry with the Friers did write this Satyre against them who thereafter having made their peace with the King would not be appeased with Gâ—orge Buchanan whom the king gave over to their importunity and so he was put in prison The Earle of Gleaverne his verse upon the Gray Friers The Church-men ingage the King to warre against his Uncle Halderig Read England called Hereticke bâ—cause it renounced the Pope Note All hallow tyde Fallow Reade Note The Lords answer to the Kings desire Note Note Note An answer worthy of a Prince By this answer you may see how good this Prince had bin if 〈◊〉 Câ—urch mâ—n and flatterâ—â—s â—ad not abused him Abused Prince by Prelats So the evil advised Prince gave himselfe over to the false Propâ—ets I meane the Prelats The Reade of Holway masse by Oliver Sinclar Whaâ—ton was then Warden in these parts Stratageme Note Note Oliver compared to Benhadad against Samaria 2 King 20. 300 men put to flight 10000 Others say at Carlaveâ—ok neer by the place where the defeat was given called Sobâ—â—y Mosse The King foretells his own death Reginae Nativitas Mark the Queens mourning for the King Others stick not to say That the King was hastned away by a Potion Levit. 12. Regis exitus Divers Charactâ—rs of the late King arise post funâ—ra virtuâ— Character of the Hamiltons Note the reasons why the Earle of Arran was thus favoured by the Countrey 1543 Note Frier Scot. The Cardinal taken 1543. An Act of Parliament for reading of the Scripture Note the hypocrisie of worldlings So long as men follow God they are blessed Nothing could be said against the lawfulnesse of Edwards birth Katharine of Spaine and Anne Bullen being dead before his mother was married to his father Note well The Queenes marriage the second time ratified He was before sometimes called Cunningham sometimes Colwan so uncertaine was it who was his father Note Note This is the Prelats language The Governour violated his faith refused God and took absulution of the devil renouncing his Religion in the gray Friers All this was then said by the Cardinall Penes authorem fides estâ— Note the device of the wicked to set men by the 〈◊〉 1543 Note * And many trod under foot died Note As they went to Dundie they said they were going to burne the readers of the new Testament and that they would stick to the old for Luther said they had made the new Note A woman and her childe put to death because she prayed not to the Virgin Mary Men put to death for eating a Goose upon Friday Iohn Roger a black Friet murthered 1544. The English Army arrived in Scotland Note Endinburgh burnt and spoiled by the English Note 1544. Lorge cometh to Scotland 1545. Note The character of Hamilton Note George Wischarde Note a falsâ— brother M. Wischard his words in Dundie The Bishops Sermon Note Note M. Wescharde his zeale to gain soules A Priest appointed by the Cardinall to stab M. George Wischarde The second attempt of the Cardinall for the killing of M. George Wischarde Note the spirit of Prophesie Prophesie spoken by Master George Whischarde of the Church of Scotland Note the resolution of a Preacher Two gray Friers Vengeance against Hadington Master Wischarde taken at Ormeston Note He means Gods people The Lord Bothwels promise M Georges words to the Earl Bothwell 1546. Note The proud Cardinall and the glorious foole Dumbar A question worthy of such two Prelats 1546. Who was a learned man and heartily favoured the pure Religion in secret Bona heresios definitio c. Note the
Chron. 34 35. chap. Mat. 13.24 25 26 c. Mat. 13 20 21 Rom. 10.9 13. Rom. 7 c. 2 Cor. 5.21 John 5.28 29. Apoc 20.28 Heb 19 25 26 27. Mat 25 31. Apoc. 14.10 Rom. 26.7 8 9 10. Phil. 3 21. 1 Cor 15.28 This we confirmed 1567. in the first Parliament of Iames 6 held by the Earle Murray and all Acts in any Parliament before whatsoever against the truth abolished The Lord of the Articles are a Committee of 24. whereof in former times there was eight Lords eight Church-men who were called Lords and eight Commons So from the greater part they were named Lords and of the Articles Because all Articles and Heads that are to passe in Parliament are first brought to them who having discussed them sends them to the House of Parlâ—ament The latin Histories calls their Lords of the Articles Apolecti The Earle Marshall his pious voyce in Parliament This Act is particularly confirmed 1567. in the Parliament under Iames 6. holden by the Earl Murrâ—y This also was confirmed by one particular Act 1567. by the Parliament holden by the Earle Murray Note this diligently Quest. Answ. Note this I pray you for these dayes sake See how this agreeâ— with the worldlings now adayes What blessings hath been since in the house of Erskin they know best Note how although the Prelats being convinced of the truth did subscribe unto it yet it was with this Proâ—iso That they should enjoy their rents for their lives Note men to their owne countrey Note this for our dayes Let this teach us to seek God The death of the yong King of France husband to our Queen 15. December 1560. Note this well Note Note Lesley his answer * That is An. 1566 when this book was written Note the liberality of the Earle Murray Note this diligently Where then are Pluralities and fatnesse of Livings in our dayes Let the Church-men now adayes look to this Wâ—at can the Pâ—elats say to this Ambassadour from France and his demands See the study of France to divide the two Kingdoms newly bound for mantenance of Religion against the common enemies Note The Protestants faithfulnesse ill rewarded A foolish play used in time of darknes Hence we say any foolish thing to be like a play of Robin-Hood Some say his name is Killone Of the Queen Regents death Note Note Note diligently Let this also be considered and referred to our times Note Note Reader remark the advantages that Scotland hath from France A good Character of Bishops Let us stick to God and he will not leave us Faire words to no purpose That was a secret Lardon She meant she would seek a safe conduct * Ever till that she may shew her evill will If France would have sustained rhem they had not yet departed The second secret Lardon The Arms of England were usurped Your Papists and ours have practised and still practise division So that she might have England to the Popes Religion I think she said not amisse The feare of God in the heart of Elias 〈◊〉 disobediâ—â—â— to cursed 〈◊〉 Nâ—te 〈…〉 his 〈…〉 well to 〈…〉 as 〈◊〉 the subjects Note The third Lardon of accusing England of inconstancy in Religion Notwithstanding his own disorder Note this false lye and see how it answers to the calumnies of these dayes The Peace and Contract at Leith Many Princes little regarded that All power is not then in the Prince if the States have any as they have Note this Note Note the Scots acknowledgement Isaiah 40 31. A true acknowledgment oâ— mans weaknesse to the glory of God and as it was then so hath it been in this last Reformation As it was then so it is now by Gods mercies â—o that Nation The first Petition of the Protestants of Scotland Let this be noted for example The cause of the trouble within Scotland flowed from the Courtiers who seemed to professe the Evangell He means the Loâ—d Iames Earle Murray The corruption that entred the Queens Court. The Theologie of the Court and their reasonâ— Wicked Councellors â—athers all thâ—ir mischievâ—us plots upon misled Princes and causeth them to take all things upon them This was written when the secoâ—d rank of the Lordâ— was banished Anno 1560 after Danâ—â—s sâ—aughter The Queens Arrivaâ—l from France 156â— Tâ—â—â—le lugubre Coelum The Queens first â—â—ace in despight of Religion The Queens first Masse Lord Iames notwithstanding his sonner zeal to tâ—e Truth complying with Court favoureth Idolatry â— godly resoâ—â—â—â—on The end is not yet seen The perswâ—sâ—ons of the Courtiers The Lord Arrans stout and godly Protestatiâ—n against the Quâ—ens Masse Good resolution if followed Robert Campbell to the Lord Vchiltrie The Queens practise at the first The iudgment of Iohn Knox upon the suffering of the Masse The Courtier making Note diligently how wise and godly mâ—n are so mistaken oft as to play after games And this M. Knox doth acknowledge here The first reasoning betwixt the Queen and Iohn Knox. Note how that Princâ—s are informed against Godâ— servant Let this be noted diligently Let the Prince note this Let this wiâ—e reply be noted Note this undertaking The Queens second Objection Answer Note this comparison Blinde zeal what it is When this was written there was no appearance of Maries imprisonment The Queens Church Strong Imagination called conscience Question Note this Iohn Knox his judgement of the Queen at the first and ever since The Queens first Progresse Note the disposition of a misled soul. Boâ—fours doctrine Note this diligently Yet in the Parliament holden 1563. there is an expresse Act for punishing of Adultery by death It is the Act 74. The devil getting entry to his little finger will screw in his whole arm Note this The Queenes first fray in Hallyrud-house Division between the Lords and the Ministers The Queen fain would have had all Assemblies discharged Note this diliâ—gently Note this dilâ—gently Note this passage Iohn Knox his judgement of the thirds Let this be noted * That is five old pieces A proverb upon Pittaro Controller The right that Princes have to the Patrimony of the Church Note The marriage of the Earl of Murray Note this diligently Note this diligently The Mask of Orleance The Hamiltons against Bothwell and the Marquesse The Earle of Bothwells communication with Iohn Knox 1562. Note the complement Note diligently Reconciliation betwixt the Earle of Arrane and Earle of Bothwell Note diligently Psal. 2. The second communing of Iohn Knox with the Queen Note diligently Note Note Note diligently Note Let Princes note this Let Court-Chaplains and unthrifts of the time note this The Earle of Lennox and his Lady imprisoned in the Tower of London for traffiquing with Papists Sharp left preaching and took him to the Laws Note This causeth the Quâ—ens Râ—ligion to have many â—avourers Note Note Note dâ—ligently Note Note this for our times Note this for our times An answer to Lethington Note this diligently Iohn Gordonne and Ogilvie Bothwell
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