and thieves none so wicked or vile who though he be charged with a manifest crime should we think to condemn before we hear him and do ye think it equal to pass sentence on a King anointed and crowned giving no leave to defend himself how unjust is this let us consider the matter it self I say ye openly affirm that Henry Duke of Lancaster whom ye are pleased to call your King hath most unjustly spoiled Richard as well his Soveraign as ours of his Kingdom While he was speaking the Lord Marshal enjoyned him silence and the other Bishops said He discovereth more Covent-devotion he had been a Monk then Court-discretion in dissenting from his Brethren Yet at that time his integrity was so respected that no punishment was imposed upon him but the next year 1400. when some discontented Lords arose against King Henry this Thomas was taken prisoner and judicially arraigned for High Treason for which he was condemned and sent to St. Albans But what shall the King do with him he could not with credit keep him nor dismiss him and to take his life was dangerous when Prelates were thought sacred The Pope did help the King by giving unto Thomas another Bishoprick in Samos a Greek Island But before his translation was compleated he died THE FIFTH AGE Of the CHURCH OR The History of the Church reverting and of Antichrist raging containing the space of 300. years from the year 1300. until the year 1600. CENTURY XV. CHAP. I. Of POPES 1. INNOCENTIUS the VII was crowned An. 1404. Before that time none spoke more against the ambition of the Antipopes and he had sworn to renounce his place if the union of the Church did so require but now he could not hear any speaking of taking away the Schism yea because some Romans bewailed the dammages of it he sent them to his Nephew Lewis whom he had made Marquess of Piceno and Prince of Firma as to a Burreo saith Platin. and he caused in his own sight eleven Romans to be thrown out of an high window and said This Schism cannot be otherwise taken away therefore he was called the bloody Tyrant Tho. Cooper For this cause the Romans called for the aid of Ladislaus King of Naples and the Pope fled unto his Nephew in Viterbio thereafter the Romans fearing that Ladislaus would usurp over the City brought back the Pope and he did accurse Ladislaus Pope Benedict sent unto Pope Innocentius for a safe conduct unto his Cardinals that they may treat of an union Innocentius slightly refused Wherefore Benedict made his vaunts in sundry missives that he was desirous of union and Innocentius had denied a treaty Then Innocentius became paralytick and his own Clergy said unto him It happened unto him justly according to his demerits He sate two years Then the French Nation did represent unto Pope Benedict the inconvenients of the Schism and they craved that he would willingly lay down his Dignity for the welfare of the Church if the Pope that shall be chosen at Rome shall do the like He promised to do so The Cardinals at Rome in consideration of the enormities waxing every where by this Schism took this order they promise each one with solemn vow to God to Mary to Peter and Paul and the blessed company of Saints that if any of them were called to that high place whensoever the other Pope will quit his place and his Cardinals will condescend unto the Cardinals at Rome upon a new election that one may be chosen by them together in that case he who shall be now chosen shall renounce his Papacy And they provided that none shall ever take absolution from this oath All did subscribe 2. GREGORY the XII being eighty years old was chosen and the same day in presence of all the Cardinals confirmed the same oath by a new subscription The union was attempted again by Letters from the one Pope unto the other they consent to meet on Michaelmass day at Savona in Liguria but Gregory objected sundry impediments and when these were removed by Bishops and Princes he coined more as may be read at large in Morna Myster pag. 497. ss Benedict still made shew of readiness when he heard that Gregory made new delays he went unto Catalonia in Spain where he was born professing his desire of union but there was no appearance of it In truth he was necessitated to go thither for the French King and University of Paris would bear no longer with him and called him a Schismatick c. Gregory thought then that the field was won He called a Councel to assemble at Aquileia and to the end he may attain his designs he created more Cardinals Benedict practised the like in Arragon both of them still pretending unity The Church of Rome had of late broached Experience sheweth that Popes are not infallible this conceit That the judgement of the Pope is infallible but now it pleased God to check that fond opinion and by lamentably sensible examples teach them their error that if reason cannot perswade them experience should convince them or if they will believe none who had written that the Pope may er yet they shall see it with their eys and then let them hold him the rule of faith at their peril So the Cardinals of both these factions began to distaste the ambition of their Popes and first some of the Spanish Cardinals withdrew themselves and came to Pisa and others of the other side assembled with them to the number of 124 Divines and 300 Jurists They with one consent call a Councel to be held there An. 1409. and by their Letters they require the Emperor the Kings of France Hungary England Poland Sicily Arragon and other States to give their concurrence Only the nearer part of Spain Scotland and the Count Armeniacus followed Benedict The Councel was assembled to the number of 1000 Divines and Lawyers as some write They summon both Popes to appear either personally or by their Proctors They both contested against the lawfulness of the Assembly as not having authority from the head The Councel replied A Councel cannot be called by one of the Competitors for a party cannot make a general but a particular Councel but neither of the two would yield to the other so the Councel goeth on and because none of the two Popes would appear after many Sessions and after long disputation of their power and after canonical process they all without exception condemn Pope Benedict and Pope Gregory and absolve all men from obedience unto them they annul all their Acts promotions ..... In the tenor of deprivation they call these two notorious Schismaticks obstinate maintainers of Schism Hereticks departed from the faith scandalizing the whole Church unworthy the Papacy and cut off from the Church And they elected unto the Papal Chair a Greek by birth Peter Philargus the Bishop of Millain who was called 3. ALEXANDER the V. Of him it is said He was a
and gray Friers but hearing of the sudden coming of the Lords he fled and the Monasteries were plundered before they came and God put such a fear into the adversaries hearts that they did all flee to Dumbar Then the Regent gave forth a Proclamation declaring that where as a seditious â—umult was raised by some of the Lieges under pretense of Religion she had made offer to call a Parliament in January next or sooner for establishing an universall Order and in the mean time to suffer every man to live at liberty of conscience But they reiecting all reasonable offers had by their actions clearly shewd that it is not Religion they seek but the vsurpation of the Crown as appeares by that they had received and sent messages from and into England and now have possessed the palace of Halirudhouse and the Mint-house Wherefore She commanded all persons to forsake them and live obedient unto authority or els they shall be reputed traitours to the Crown As also that party caused it be rumored that these Lords had conspired to deprive the Queen Regent of her authority and the Duke of his tittle of succession unto the Crown These rumors prevailed so that many began to shrink away Therefore they did clear themselves by their Letters unto the Regent and open proclamation unto the people declaring that these misreports had flowed from their enemies and were most false seing their intentions were no other but to abolish superstition which is contrary unto the Word of God and to maintain the Pâ—eachers of the truth from the violence of wicked men And if She would use her authority to that effect they shall continue al 's obedient subjects as any within the realme Then the Regent trusting to gain some what by conference did offer a safe-conduct to any they pleased to send Two A Conference were sent to petition liberty of their consciences the removing of unable Ministers licence of publick preaching without molestation untill by a general Councell lawfully convâ—â—ned or by a Parliament within the realm all controversies of Religion shall be decided and to remove the French Souldiers These propositions were not pleasing yet made She no shew of dislike but using gracious words she craved to speak with some of greater authority and namely the Earle of Argile and Lord James For said She I still suspect there is some higher purpose amongst them than religion The Lords would not consent that these two should go unto her because one of her chief attendants was said to have bragged that before Michaelmes these two Noble men shall lose their heads This not succeeding it was agreed that sixe persons on each side should meet at Preston The first day nothing was concluded for the Queen seeming to yeeld unto the free exercise of Religion would have it provided that where she hapned to come the Ministers should cease and the Masse only be used It was answered This were to leave them no Church for the Queen might change the place of her residence and so could there not be any certain exercise of Religion The next day the Lord Ruthven and Pittarrow were sent with this answer As they could not impede her to use what Religion she pleased so could they not consent that the Ministers of Christ should be silenced upon any occasion much less that the true service should give place to idolatry wherefore they humbly crave as they had oft liberty to serve God according to their conscience and to remove the French Souldiers or els there can be no solide peace The Queen said She wished peace but gave a direct answer to none of the points At this time the Commons were scattered for want of victualls and Gentle men being constrained by lack of furnishing and partly hoping for a finall agreement had returned after so many months unto their dwellings but the Noble men resolved to abide at Edinburgh till matters were fully composed Now newes came that Henry II. King of France was dead This put the Lords in better â—â—pe but made them more careless for as if there were no fear many wâ—nt home and they who remained lived secure without any watch But the Queen became more watchfull observing al occasions of advantage and hearing of the solitude in Edinburgh hasteth thither with her companies The Lords hearing thereof are doubtfull if they leave the town the Church which was then established in some measure would be cast down therefore with the small number they had they put themselves in order at Craigingat to impede the Frenches The Duke and Earle of Morton were conveying the Queen and would have composed things only that day they kept the parties from an open conflict The next day the Queen having lodged in Lieth prepared to enter the town at the West port and the Lord â—rskin who till then had been neuter and had the Castle threatned to play upon them unless they suffer the Queen to enter without trouble Hereupon after consultation it was thought safer to take an appointment albeit the conditions were not such as were wished than to hazard battell betwixt two such enemies After long talking five articles were penned which they craved 1. No member of the Congregation should The articles of appointment â—n Lieth be troubled in life lands or possessions by the Queen's authority noâ— any Judge for any thing done in the late Innovation till a Parliament which shall begin January 10. had decreed things in controversy 2. idolatry shall not be erected where it is at this day suppressed 3. Preachers shall not be troubled in their Ministry where they are already established nor stopped to preach wheresoever they shall chance to come 4. No bands of men of warr shall be layd in garrison within Edinburgh 5. French men shall be sent away at a convenient day and none other shall be brought without consent of the Nobility and Parliament These articles were granted and the Queen addeth 1. the members of the congregation excepting the indwellers of Edinburgh shall leave it the next day before ten a clock 2. they shall render the Mint-house at that time 3. the Church-men shall take up and freely dispose of the tyths and other profits of their Benefices until January the tenth The next day July 25. the Lords went to Sterlin The Duke and Earle of Huntley met with them at thâ— Querry-hols promising if any part of the appointment shall be violated they shall join New Policies all their forces for expelling the Frenches The Queen was thereafter more carefull then formerly to observe the conditions but went about many wayes to reâ—stablish the Masse and bring the favourers of Religion into contempt In Edinburgh she employeth the Duke and Huntley and Setoun to deal with the Magistrates to appoint some other Church for their preaching and let the Church of S. Giles be for the Masse They answer That were a violation of the articles The others reply The Queen will keep
what they were doing in Scotland sent unto Queen Elisabet requiring to bring back her Forces and he would render Calais which was taken in her sisters time The Queen answereth That fisher town is not to be weighed with the hazard of Britanne Then the Kings Counsellers were desirous of peace but thought it disgracefull to treat with his subjects Wherefore he entreats the Queen to mediate a peace so the English Secretary and a Doctour Wotton Dean of Canterburry were sent with the French Ambassadours into Scotland While these were upon Queen Regent dieth their journy the Queen Regent dieth through displeasure and sicknes in the castle of Edinburgh Juny 10 An. 1560. Before her death she desired to speak with the Duke the Earls of Argile Glencairn Marshall and Lord James unto them she bemoaned the troubls of the realm and entreated them to study peace and to perform these particulars that were lately written in that Letter unto her then bursting forth into tears she asked pardon of them all and disposing herself for another world she sent for John willock the Preacher of the town and conferring with him a pretty space she professed that she did trust to be saved by the death and merites of Jesus Christ only Shortly after her death truce was made for hearing the Ambassadours and peace was concluded at Edinburg among other articles the 8th was that the King nor Queen shall depute no strangers in the administration of Civil and common Justice nor bestow the publick Offices upon any but born subjects of the realm 9. that a Parliament shall be held in the month of August next for which a commission shall be sent and it shall be as lawfull in all respects as if it had been ordained by expresse command of their Majesties providing all tumults of warre be discharged and they who ought by their places to be present may come without fear So on July 16. both Frenches and Englishes did return home and a solemne thankesgiving that day was in the Church of S. Giles by the Lords and others professing true Religion XI In the midst of these broyls the Counsell did nor forget the condition of the Church and as it is said expressely in the beginning of the first The Reformation goethon book of Discipline on the 29 day of Aprile in that year 1660. they gave Order unto the Ministers to conveen and draw up in writing and in a book a common order for reformation and uniformity to be observed in the discipline and policy of the Church This they did as they could for the time before the 20 day of May but it was not allowed by the Counsell untill January 17. following After the solemn thankesgiving in July the Commissioners of Borroughs with some Nobles and Barons were appointed The first plantation of Ministers and Superintendents to see the equall distribution of Ministers as the most part shall think expedient so one was appointed unto every chief burgh and City they appointed five whom they called Superintendents What was their office appeares by the first book of Discipline wherein it is written thus Wee consider that if the Ministers whom God hath endowed with his singular graces among us should be appointed to severall places there to make their continuall residence that then the greatest part of the realm should be destitute of all doctrine which should be not only the occasion of great murmur but also be dangerous to the salvation of many and therefore wee have thought it a thing expedient at this time that from the whole number of godly and learned men now presently in this realm be selected ten or twelve for in so many Provinces we have divided the whole to whom charge and commandement should be given to plant and erect Kirks to set order and appoint Ministers as the former prescribes to the countries that shal be appointed to their care where none are now And by their means your love and common care over all inhabitants of this realm to whom you are equally debtors shall evidently appear as also the simple ignorant who perchance have never heard Iesus Christ truly preached shall come to some knowledge by the which many that are dead in superstition and ignorance shall attain to some feeling of godliness by the which they shall be provoked to seek farther knowledge of God and his true Religion and worship where by the contrary if they shall be neglected then shall they not only grudge but also seek the means where by they may continue in their blindnes or return to their accustomed idolatry and therefore we desire nothing more earnestly than that Christ Jesus be once vniversally preached throughout this realm which shall not suddenly bee unless that by you men be appointed and compelled faithfully to travell in such Provinces as to them shal be assigned Here they designe the boundes for ten Superintendents and then it is added These men must not be suffered to live as your idle Bishops have done heretofore neither must they remain where they gladly would but they must be preachers themselves and such as may not make long residence in any place till their Kirks be planted and provided of Ministers or at least of Readers Charge must be given to them that they remain in no place above twenty dayes in their visitation till they have passed through their whole bounds They must preach thrice at the least every week and when they return to their principall Town and residence they must be exercised likewise in preaching and edification of the Kirk and yet they must not be suffered to continue there so long that they may seem to neglect their other Kirks but after they have remained in their chief town three or four months at most they shal be compelled unless by sicknes they be retained to re-enter in visitation In which they shall not only preach but also examine the life deligence and behaviour of the Ministers as also the order of their kirks and manners of the people They must further consider how the poor be provided how the youth be instructed They must admonish where admonition needeth and redresse such things as by good counsell they may appease And finally they must note such crimes as be hainous that by censure of the Kirk the same may be corrected If the Superintendent be found negligent in any the chief points of his office and specially if he be negligent in preaching of the word and visitation of the kirks or if he be conuicted of such crimes as in common ministers are damned he must be deposed without respect of his person or office Though Bishop Spotswood professe to set down all the book of Discipline yet of all this that I have written he hath but foure lines but he omits not the bounds of each Superintendent Then after the manner of the election of the Superintendent it followes in the book thus the Superintendent being elected and appointed unto his
not expedient to trouble your Majesty untill wee see what order shall be taken with these grievous complaints Beseeching your Majesty most humbly for the love of God who hath placed your Gr. in this Royall throne and hitherto hath wondrously maintained and defended your authority carefully to look upon these matters as becomes the Lieutenant of God and a Christian King And with advice of them that fear God and do tender your Gr. estate quietnes of this Common well so to redress the premisses that Christ be acknowledged above all and his messingers without fear or stop be suffered to execute their office the course of the gospell advanced and by the exemple of the worthy punishment on them who so licentiously and contemptuously have wronged and injured Ministers and Professors of Gods word that others hereafter be afrayd to enterprice the like The next Assembly is appointed to be at Edinburgh October 24. next It is objected against this Assembly that they did allow the Sentence of excommunication against Ro. Mongomery whereas it was pronounced summarily by one man in a private congregation to wit by John Davidson in the church of Libbertoun and upon this ground it was declared null by the Counsell It is ansuered 1. That he who hath often objected this testifieth that before the Assembly it was allowed and intimated in all the Churches of the country 2. In the Assembly of October year 1581. was a Generall Act ordaining summary excommunication against these who through ambition or covetousness did by such violent means intrude themselves into any function of the Church or who did obtend or use any Letters of charge to impede the disciplin See before at the VIII particulare 3. When this was objected many years since the author of Vindici Philadelph Pag. 29. answered for this instance that the Assembly in October knowing the mans inconstancy did advertise the Presbytery of Glasgow that they should diligently take heed that he usurp not the power of a Bishop and if he shall do so they were ordered to â—ondem him of contemptuousness and perfidiousness and to advertise the Presbytery of Edinburgh unto whom the Assembly at that time gave power to excommunicate Robert Mongomery in this case and so the presbytery of Glasgow notwithstanding the opposition made by Minto went on and decerned against him and the presbytery of Edinb pronounced the Sentence of excommunication and it was intimated in all the pulpits So for there In the same place wee find what was the successe at Perth When the Supplication was presented James Stuart a brother of Ochiltry who had been Tutor of the Earle of Arran and thereafter was made Earle of Arran and at rhat time was Chancelor and â—omenter of all these mischiefes did menacingly ask Who dar subscribe that Supplication Andrew Melvin answered Wee all will subscribe it and so he did subscribe it and after him John Erskin of Dun Th. Smeton Ro. Pont Da. Lindsay An. Hay Pe. Blackburn Tho. Buchanan and Pa. Galloway English men which were there did admire their boldness and thought that they had some privy attendents for their guard but they were dismissed without answers Bishop Spotswood omitting this passage saith To their grievances they received Generall answers and for the brethren of Glasgow their tryall was continued to the tenth of September next before which time the surprise of the Kings person at Ruthven fell out which altered the state of all affaires some of the nobility combining A Change of the Kings Court at Ruthven An 1582. themselves for defence of Religion and the liberty of the Kingdom as they pretended sayth he upon notice of the Duke of Arrans I conceive an error in the print for the Duke and Arran's absence from the Court placed themselves about the King and detained him some dajes at the house of Ruthven The principalls were John Earle of Marre William Earle of Goury Patrick Lord Lindsay Robert Lord Boid the Mast s of Glams Oliphant the Abbots of Dumfernlin Paisley Driburgh Camsbuskenneth the Lairds of Lochlevin easter Weemes Cliesh and the Constable of Dundy At this time the Earle of Arran was taken and keep prisoner and the Duke of Lennox being advised by the Kings letters went to France and died at Paris in the beginning of the year following These particulars are at length loc cit After the departure of the Duke the town of Edinburgh brought back their Minister John Dury with great joy singing as they went up the striet the 124. Psalme Now Israel may say c and as I heard some credible persons which were there as that time say they added after the Psalme Now hath God delivered us from the Devill the Duke and all his men The King went to Edinburgh in the beginning of October and there The 43. Assembly conveenes the Assembly in afrequent number of Noble men many Barons and Ministers Commissioners David Lindsay is chosen Moderator In Sess 2. The Ministers of Edinburgh were sent unto the K. to petition that he would send his Commissioners unto the Assembly The Commissioners that were sent by the former Assembly unto the King with the grievances report the answers in write these were read and judged not to answer the Articles therefore it is appointed that they shall be further insisted on with other things that are to be craved and four are appointed to form them in write In Sess 3 James haliburton Provest of Dundy and Colonell Will. Stuart come and deliver their Commission from the King in this tenor Wee by tenor hereof with the advice of the Lords of our Secret Counsell give and grant authority full power and commission to our right trusty and welbeloved friends James haliburton ...... And Col. Wi. Stuart coniunctly and severally for us in our name To pass unto the Generall assembly of the Church of our realm and there to hear and consider the matters propounded tending to the advancement of Gods glory and his true religion the correction of manners and retaining the ecclesiasticall matters in decent comely order as the word of God allowes and to report the matters propounded and treated unto us for our allowance and ratification of the same as appertaines and generally all and sundry other things to do that to the furtherance and assistance of all godly good matters is necessarily required firm stable ........ Subscribed with our hand at Halirudhouse October 10. 1582. and of our reigne the 16. year IV. The places where the Provinciall synods shall conveen should be changed as the brethren thereof shall judge that no ambition growe by continuing in one place V. Seing great scandall ariseth by the impunity of Bishops being altogether out of rule the Church thinks expedient that the Kings Commissioners the Lord Boyd the Laird Caprinton with the Moderator and his assessors conveen and solidly advise upon some substantious order VI. The Lord of Paisley in name of some Noblemen gives the Church
and generall assemblies and necessity of the time the time and place of the assemblies are altered without the knowledge of presbyteries and synods 2. Ministers are summoned before the Secret Counsell in prima in stantia for doctrin and discipline which is a great encouragement unto the enemies 3. All application of doctrin in the Exercise is condemned under pretence of an Act of the Generall assembly which Act would be sichted and clearly interpreted 4. The government of the chief affaires of the Church continues in the hands of a few under the name of a Commission to the prejudice of the liberty of the synods and presbyteries 5. The Doctors bearing an ordinary calling in the Church are debarred from the assembly 6. The Assembly takes no notice of the Cautions that were appointed for avoiding corruptions in the commissioners Voters in the Parliament 7. The absence of the Pastors of Edinburgh and alteration of the Ministry there which was the chief Watch-tower of our churches hurts greatly the cause of religion and encourages the enemies 8. There is distraction in opinions different from that consent of hearts which hath been in the Church and litle deliberation hath been or reasons heard whence it is that conclusions are made the half of the brethren almost gainsaying 9. The Land is defiled and the Church endammaged by the French Ambassadors Masse 10. Persons excommunicated for Papistry go publickly and peaceably 11. The Noble men lately absolved from excommunication for Papistry give no token of their profession of the truth but rather the contrary 12. The directions and Letters of apprehended Papists are keept up and not communicated unto the Watchmen that they may make faithfull warning to prevent danger 13. The disciplin of the Church against incest adultery and murder is not practized with holy severity as it becomes but frequent remissions of criminall persons for avoiding civill punishment 14. The remedies provided against imminent dangers in sundry meetings of the Church are not prosecuted II. The Assembly did by the Kings proclamation conveen at Holyrudhouse The 64. Assembly November 10. year 1602. there was the king and in case of his absence at any time his Commissioners the Treasurer Collector Controller Sir Patrik Murray and Ministers Before I touch the Acts It is to be marked that in the roll of the members is not the name of one Elder as also in the two proceeding Assemblies is no mention of any Ruling Elder either Noble or Gentle man nor Burgess It it likely that by the proclamation in December year 1597. they were all terrified This desertion was a grievous mutilation and weakning of the Assemblies but I have seen in time of the Bb. some Barons keep the former custom in the Presbyteries by sitting and voicing there 2. The historicall Narration shewes that when the votes were given at the election of the Moderator James Melvin protested as followes With all reverence unto your Majesty before I speak any thing in this assembly I must protest that seing it is conveened extraordinarily and not at the time appointed at the last assembly by your Majesties authority and it is keept here within your Majesties palace a place not accustomed heretofore for holding the assemblies of the Church Whatsoever shall be done here contrary unto the word of God or the former constitutions of the Church and the established disciplin which God forbid to be null and of no effect and that it may be remedied at the next ordinary assembly of the Church of Scotland Patrik Galloway was chosen Moderator The hour of meeting of the Privy Conference was appointed to be at nyne a clock and of the assembly to be at elleven and to sit untill four in the evening I. The Commissioners that were appointed to wait upon the Noble men were called to shew their diligence in summa they had done little or nothing George gladstons afterwards Bishop of Santandrews said that when he was upon his journey to visit the churches in Caitnes he went to the Earle of Huntly who said that he was upon his journey southward at the kings command and when he returned he would shew what scruples he had in the matters of religion Alexander Lindsay afterwards Bishop of Dunkell said The Earle of Errol was an ordinary hearer of the Word he professed to have no scruples in religion he had provided the churches within his bounds sufficiently and was ready to communicat upon occasion in any church where his residence was John Spotswood afterwards Bishop of Glascow and then of Santandrews said whereas he and James law were appointed to wait on the Earle of Anguse the King had commanded him to go into France with the Duke of Lenox and James law said Because these two were coniunct he could do nothing alone but he understood by the reporr of Brethren that that Earle resorteth not to the hearing of the word and he entertaines enemies of the religion John Carmichell who was appointed to wait upon the Lord Hume said he was not in the countrey And John Hall said he was appointed to wait upon the Lord Heress when he was in Edinburgh but he was a very short space there II. For the Commissioners that were appointed to attend the Plat for provision of stipends the Lord Collector said They had done nothing because the Presbyteries had not sent their answers unto his Majesties Letters without which they could not proceed The Assembly ordaines the Presbyteries to produce their answers tomorrow III. The Commissioners that were appointed to visit the Presbyteries had neglected their part Therefore it was concluded that hereafter such as shal be appointed Commissioners shall accept their commission in face of the assembly and give their oath to perform it faithfully Some of those Visitors had done nothing some were not present and they who had done somewhat were judged to have been superficiall IV. The generall Commissioners were ordained to shew their diligence the next day in writ V. For remedy of those negligences it was appointed first that certain other Ministers should attend those Noble men as also the Lords Maxwell and Semple and the Earle of Suderland and they should follow the Instructions that were prescribed and given unto them to wit 1 Yee shall address yourselves with all diligence to enter into the company and family of to remain with them the space of three months continually during which time your care shall be by publick doctrin by reading and interpretation of the Scriptures ordinarily after meals and by conference at all convenient occasions to instruct themselves in all the grounds of the true Religion and godliness specially in the heads controverted and confirm them therein 2. Take pains to catechize their families ordinarily every day once or twice at the least to bring them unto some reasonable measure of knowledge and feeling of religion before the expiring of the appointed time and that action should begin and end with prayer 3. Endeavour to purge
Boniface in these words As for these things whereof you demand what should be received and what refused especially of Fowls as Jaws Crows and Storks Christians should never eat of these and far rather should they abstain from Hares Bevers and wild Stags Like a Manichean he speaketh against the Apostle 1 Tim. 4. In another Epistle he biddeth Boniface exact a Tribute of the Sclavi lest sometime they challenge their own land and by paying Tribute they may know that their land hath a Superiour Who gave him their land he now will incroach Nevertheless in another Epistle he saith he did swound when he read in a Letter that Boniface had sold Palls for money He sate about 10. years and died an 752. 8. STEPHEN the I. died on the third day after his coronation Some do not reckon him 9. STEPHEN the II. was offended with Aistulph who exacted Tribute from the Church-lands and because it was refused took up Arms. Stephen seeing no appearance of aid to come from the Emperour did advise with the people that some writings might be directed unto Pipin The Letters The Popes Letters unto France began thus Unto the most excellent Lords Pipin Charls and Carloman three Kings and our Roman Patriciâ— and unto all Bishops Abbots Priests and Monks and to the glorious Dukes and Counts and unto the whole Army of the Kingdom of France Stephen Pope and all the Bishops Priests and Deacons Dukes Counts People and Army of the Romans all being in anguish Observe this was not of the Pope only nor of the Clergy only but likewise of the Dukes and other people and 2. the names of the Kings is set before the Pope's name With how dolefull and bitter grief we are encompassed on every side with how great perplexity and doubtfulness we are distressed and how many tears our eyes do shed because of the continual troubles which are multiplied upon us we think that the smallest parts of all the elements do declare for who beholding our tribulations will not mourn Who hearing our calamities will not howl Therefore let us remember the words of good Susanna Affliction is on every side and we know not what to do O ye most truly Christians behold The daies of trouble the daies of mourning and bitterness are come upon us seeing it is come as we were fearing from the Lombards for we are afflicted distressed and on every side besieged by their most ungodly King Aistulph and that Nation and with the Prophet we pray the Lord saying Help us O Lord of our salvation and for the honour of thy name deliver us and again Take the sword and the shield and arise to help us For behold please to know how the Covenant of peace is violated by the foresaid wicked Aistulph and his Nation and we could obtain nothing that was capitulated and confirmed by bond of Sacrament And now because no condition is kept unto us and on the first day of January all the Army of the Lombards have made their randevouz in Tuscia and have camped at the Gates of Saint Peter and Saint Paul and the Gate Portuen and Aistulph himself with another Army have fixed their Tents at the Gate of Salaria and other Gates and hath oft said unto us Open unto me the Gate of Salaria and I will enter into your City and give me your High-Priest and I will shew clemency unto you If not beware lest when I have battered down your Walls I kill you altogether with the sword and let me see who can deliver you out of my hands Wherefore we could scarcely direct this Bearer by Sea with these Presents unto your Christianity we have written them with many tears Wherefore our Beloved I beseech you and as if I were present I adjure by the mysteries before the true and living God and before Saint Peter the Prince of the Apostles that with great speed you help us lest we perish seeing under God we have committed all our lives into your hands forsake us not Our Beloved come forward and help us who under God flie unto you that when you have brought forth good fruit may in the day of the future trial say Our Lord Peter Prince of the Apostles behold us thy clients we perfecting our course have kept the faith the Church that was commended unto thee we have defended and delivered from the hands of the oppressours and we standing without spot before thee do offer unto thee the children which thou didst commit unto us safe and sound from the hands of their enemies Then both in this World and that to come ye shall receive the joys of heavenly rewards After this the Pope sent another Epistle in the name of Saint Peter as if it Another Letter in the name of Peter had been written from Heaven it beginneth thus Peter called an Apostle Grace and Peace and Power to deliver the holy Church of God and the people of Rome committed unto me from the hands of their enemies be fully given from the Lord our God unto you most excellent men Pipin Charls and Carloman three Kings and to the most holy Bishops Abbots Presbyters and all religious Monks and also to the Dukes Counts and all the general Armies and people of France I Peter Apostle whilest I am called by Christ the Son of the living God through the pleasure of the Supream clemency and ordained by his power to be enlightner of all the World the Lord himself our God confirming it with these words Go teach all Nations and again Receive ye the Holy Ghost whose sins ye forgive Wherefore all who hear and fullfill my preaching may truly believe that in this World at the command of God their sins are loosed and being pure and without spot they shall enter into that life Therefore I Peter the Apostle of God who have you my adopted children to defend from the enemies hands this Roman City and the people committed of God unto me or to deliver the house wherein I according to the flesh do rest from the prophanation of the Gentiles provoking all your love do exhort and protesting do admonish you to deliver the Church of God which by Divine Power is commended unto me seeing they suffer very great afflictions and oppressions by the most wicked Nation of the Lombards think not otherwise but trust it for certain that I my self am standing alive in the flesh before you And our Lady the Mother of God the Virgin Mary with us doth adjure you with the greatest obligations and protesteth and admonisheth and commandeth c. Behold with what fooleries and impieties they would bewitch the World But Pipin nor his brethren did not levy an Army untill Pope Stephen came into France when he took his journey he commended himself unto Saint Mary and his sheep unto Saint Peter Lib. Pontific Pipin hearing of his coming sent his son Charls an hundred miles to meet him and when he came within three leagues of Carisiac Pipin went forth
and govern although the Romish Legates were present Besides the Bishops of France and Germany he called the Bishops of Italy Spain and England not to seek any furtherance to his authority said he but for maintenance and defence of the Truth Here was condemed the heresie of Felix Bishop of Urgelitan and Elipand of Toledo who held that Christ is the Son of God only by adoption of his human nature This was the one cause of assembling the Councel 2. Theophylact and Stephen the Pope's Legates did present the Acts of the Synod at Nice to be confirmed and subscribed The Fathers did refuse and did compare the Act of the Councel under Copronymus with the late Acts at Nice The former had condemned the worship and having of Images either privately or publickly the other had authorized the adoration of Images with cloaths incense candles bowing of knees c. They would keep a middle course that it is not altogether unlawfull to have Images in private houses nor Churches but to worship them is contrary to Christian faith and smelleth of Paganism Therefore they discern the Synod of Nice to have been wicked and deserves not the name of Universal nor seventh Councel and they writ some books against the worship of Images wherein they refute particularly all the pretended arguments of them at Nice these books went abroad in the name of Charls Afterwards the worshippers of Images did what they could that no memory should be of the proceedings of this Synod and those books except that they say Charls did somewhat concerning Images But as Chemnitius hath marked in Exam. Conc. Triden par 4. that many old Historians as Egmard Regino Adon and some later as Antoninus Blondus Aventine have written that this Synod did condemn the worship of Images and the Iconalatrous Synod of the Greeks and did Ordain that it should be called neither seventh nor Universal but a Pseudo Synod Cassander in Consult 21. saith in his time was a copy of those books of Charls in the Vatican Bibliotheke And after the Councel at Trent Tilius a French Bishop caused them to be published in Print The Papists in the Cathol apolo tract 2. sect 7. say The book is forged under the name of Charls the Great But were all these Authours Protestants who testifie of them and what can they say unto Hincmarus Rhemen whose testimony followeth in Cent. 9. It is to be marked that all the Councels in the time of Charls the Great do shew in the first words that they were assembled at the command of Charls or Charls commanding and injoining the Councel at Rome not being excepted as Cratian recordeth dist 63. cap. Adrianus saying Charls returning to Rome did appoint a Synod with Pope Adrian in the Patriarchate of Lateran in the Church of Saint Salvator c. Bellarmin de Eccles lib. 4. cap. 5. asketh What Councel ever condemned the Church of Rome or their Popes We have now seen the Pope of Rome condemned in the sixth General Councel and their Doctrine condemned in that other at Constantinople and in the famous Synod at Franckford and in the next Century we shall find another Councel at Constantinople and more in other places and ages contradicting and expressly condemning the Popes of Rome And for continuation of this matter here by anticipation I add the Councel held at Paris An At Paris 825. where the Epistle of Pope Adrian and the Act of the second Councel at Nice was read and censured as is manifest by the decretal Epistle directed unto Lewis and Lotharius of which not far from the beginning these are the words We have caused to be read before us first the Epistle of Do. Adrian Pope which he at the request of the Emperour Constantine and his mother Irene sent over sea and so far as our parvity understandeth as he justly reproveth them who did rashly presume to break down and abolish Images in these parts so is known to have written imprudently that he would have images to be superstitiously worshipped for which cause he also gave order also that a Synod should be assembled and by his authority under an Oath did judge that Images should be set up and worshipped and be called holy where as it is lawfull to set them up but it is wickedness or unlawfull to worship them Baron ad An. 825. § 5. 6. Hen. Spelman in Concil ad An. 787. hath a Synod held at Calchuth in At Calchuth England wherein some things are remarkable Gregory Bishop of Ostien and Theophylact Bishop of Tudert did write unto Pope Adrian the Acts of that Synod in their own name as their work which they had recommended unto the Synod and the Synod had accepted In the Preface they shew it was done in two Kingdomes at several times the one Bishop had gone to the one Kingdom and the other to the other Kingdom Gregory went to York and the Bishop of the place sent unto the King Oswald who then was farther North and hearing of the Legate did indict the Synod and Nota did convene with his Lords both Ecclesiastical and Secular There they say No Roman Priest was sent hither after Augustine till now Ca. 1. They admonish to keep the faith of the six General Councels 2. That Baptism should be administred at set times and no other times unless for great necessity and they who answer for the infant should be obliged to teach him at ripe years the Lord's Prayer and Creed 3. Each Bishop should hold a Synod twice every year and visit his Diocy once a year Ca. 11. Their speech was unto the King and Lords that they should not judge Priests seeing they are Angels Ca. 12. Kings should be chosen by the Priests and Elders of the people and none should be chosen who had been begotten in adultry or incest It seemeth this was the first Act of a Synod in this kind and it may be questioned whether Popish Princes will now consent unto it There they add that none should meddle with the murther of a King and if any did attempt or adhere unto such a crime if he be a Bishop or of Priestly degree let him be deposed and deprived of the Heavenly inheritance as Judas from his place and whosoever shall assent unto such a sacriledge he shall be burned with everlasting fire It may be doubted whether Bishops and Jesuits will consent unto this part of the Canon Unto these Acts did subscribe the King Bishops Dukes and Abbots And in the other Kingdom and Synod Lambert Arch-Bishop of Canterbury subscribed before King Offa and then the Bishops Abbots Dukes and Counts THE THIRD AGE Of the CHURCH OR The History of the Church Fading and of Anti-Christ Rising containing the space of 400. years from the Year of our Lord 600. untill the year 1000. CENTURY IX CHAP. I. Of EMPEROURS IT is said before that Irene did govern the Empire of The erection of the Western Empire Constantinople which was
accept them as it pleased thee to aceept the gifts of thy righteous servant Abel and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham These words did still untill the Reformation remain in the Canon of the Mass And on Paul's day the words of the Secretum were read We beseech thee O Lord sanctifie the gifts of the people by the prayers of thy blessed Apostle Paul that those things which are acceptable unto thee by thy institution may be more acceptable by the patrociny of him praying These and many other prayers of the Mass cannot otherwise be understood without blasphemy Then of the gifts of the people Cassander in Liturgic cap. 27. hath these words from Expositio Ordinis Romani All the people coming into the Church should sacrifice and ex Decretis Fabiani We ordain that on every Lord's day the oblation of the Altar be made by all the men and women both of Bread and Wine Again at first they were wont to communicate daily Cyprian de Orat. Domi. at the 4 petition saith We receive the Eucharist daily On these words Pammelius hath marked that the same custom continued at Rome and in Spain till the daies of Jerom and at Millan till Ambrose but had failed sooner in the East Church Augustine in his 118 Epistle sheweth the different custom of communicating in some places ofter and in others more seldom It may be thought that when Christians had place zeal did decrease and the people did not communicate so oft and so the offerings were the fewer Then the Fathers did complain of the rarity of Communicants and exhorted the people to communicate at least every Lord's day and did absolutely inveigh against their rarity as absurd and zeal-less and said that when they came it was not for thirst of grace or remorse of sin but for solemnity Chrysost on 1 Cor. 11. hom 28. These exhortations and reproofs prevailed not therefore an Act was made binding the people to communicate each Lord's day Gratian. de consecr dist 2. cap. Quotâ—die Neither was this order obeyed therefore was another that they should communicate thrice yearly at the Feasts of Christ's Nativity Resurrection and the Pentecost Ibid. cap. Saeculares For all this the people would not communicate so oft therefore a Law was made that all the people should communicate at Pasch And then daily communion was forgot amongst the people When the Priests saw that Laws would not move the people to communicate oft and to bring their offerings they devised another damnable means they taught the people that the Lord's Supper is not only a Sacrament and so profitable to them only but it is a Sacrifice to God and profitable to all the beholders of it and by their offerings they may find mercy and grace Yea lastly not to the offerers and beholders only but to all for whom the Priest offereth it as well absent as present whether alive or dead and at last both to the soul and all other necessities They were the more bold to teach so because the Fathers had improperly and dangerously called the Sacrament a Sacrifice And upon this doctrine was multiplied the riches and wealth of the Church by donations of prebendaries chanouries lands yearly revenues as is to be seen in their Charters I offer unto God the things contained in this clanter for the remission of my sins and of my Parents sins to maintain the service of God in Sacrifices and Masses They who have seen the Rights or Writs of Church-lands or revenues know this This doctrine took deep root for it was gainfull unto the Priests and easie unto the people for what can be thought more easie Men wallowing in sin hear a Mass and bring an offering to a Priest and get remission no searching of the heart nor mortification required this was not the streight way and who was not able to do it Nor can it be shewed that such doctrine was heard in the Church before the seventh Century to wit they give heed to lies and apparitions of deceiving spirits or deceitfull and feigned apparitions and so left the truth All that is spoken of this purpose declares that at first the action of offering was not the action of the Priest but of the people and the thing offered was not the Sacrament nor the Son of God but the gifts of the people as is manifest for in the daies of Pope Gregory the I the words a little from the beginning of the Canon are not Which we offer unto thee but Which each of them offer unto thee Afterwards the Priests turn them to their action and their action was called the sacrifice and all their prayers which before were in dedication of their offerings the Priests turn to the consecration of the Bread and Wine which the Priest and one with him do take This change is manifest by the Canon of the Mass whereof I have touched some words and namely Accept the gifts as thou didst accept the gifts of Abel Abraham and Melchisedek .... command that these things be carried by the hands of thy Angel unto the Altar above And when it was generally so called a Sacrifice Raban sheweth in what sense the best sort understand it De Institut Cleric lib. 1. cap. 31. Sacrificium dictum quasi sacrum factum .... that is a sacrifice is an holy action because by mystical prayer it is consecrated in remembrance of the Lord's passion And Thomas Aquin. part 3. qu. 83. art 1. The celebration of this Sacrament is called a Sacrifice for two causes first because as Augustin ad Simpli Images are called by the names of things whereof they are Images as looking to a Picture we say This is Cicero But the celebration of this Sacrament is a representative Image of the Passion of Christ who is the true Sacrifice Hence Ambrose on Hebr. cap. 10 By Christ was the Sacrifice once offered c. What therefore do we we do therefore every day offer in remembrance of his death Another way in respect of the effect of Christ's passion to wit because by this Sacrament we are made partakers of the fruit of the Lord's suffering and therefore in a secret Dominical Prayer it is said How oft the commemoration of this Sacrifice is celebrated the work of our redemption is exerced And therefore saith he in respect of the first way it may be said that Christ was offered even in the figures of the Old-Testament as it is said Apoc. 13. the Lamb slain from the beginning of the World but in respect of the other way it is proper unto this Sacrament because Christ is offered in celebration thereof So far he If he and many others who have written the like had beleeved that the Sacrament is properly a Sacrifice or else the same Sacrifice with Christ's suffering or an iteration of it why did they not teach so in express words Therefore we may conclude that for 1300 years they thought not the Sacrament to be a Sacrifice properly but did
soul that is both bodily and spiritually seeing with the mouth of the body we eat and drink corporally as oft as we receive the Lords body from the altar by the hands of the priest but it is eaten and drunken spiritually with the spiritual mouth of the soul when sweetly and profitably as Augustine saith it is called to memory That the onely begotten Son of God for the salvation of the world took upon him our flesh hang on the cross rose again appeared ascended and will return again to judge Of the spiritual eating the Lord said to his disciples Take eat Augustine endeavored to demonstrate the spiritual eating Tract 26. in Iohan. when he said Eat the heavenly bread spiritually bring innocence unto the altar This then is the bread which cometh down from heaven that whosoever eateth of it shall not die but which belongeth to the vertue of this Sacrament and not to the visible Sacrament who eateth inwardly not outwardly who eateth with heart and not who cheweth with teeth Here if Lanfrank by his bodily eating or eating with the mouth of the body will have both the signs and the signified thing to be taken bodily his argument against Berengarius is silly or if he meant it onely of the signs Berengarius saith the same But Guitmund Bishop of Aversa turned further aside and wrote more bitterly and less truly against Berengarius Who can hold laughter saith he when he heareth Berengarius expounding the words of our Lord concerning the Sacrament This is my body i. e. this bread is my body O most impudent foolishness why may not the teeth touch that which the hand toucheth If the body of the Lord was touched by the hands of Thomas after his resurrection and by the holy women why may it not to day be touched more easily and surely touched that is chewed by the teeth of the faithful He therefore who gave himself to be handled after the resurrection he will not flee from our teeth for uncleanness c. Nevertheless Berengarius abode constant and was in high estimation both with Nobility and People and therefore Pope Victor the II. gave direction to the Bishops of France to take order with him They assembled at Towres anno 1056. there was Hildebrand and the Priests legate Berengarius eluded the Council rather then open his minde for he professed generally That he followed the sentence of the Catholique Church that is said he as the Scriptures Fathers and Primitive Church have taught And more particularly he said that the bread and wine became the flesh and blood of Christ not as in a shadow but truly Pope Nicolaus II. hearing that Berengarius was honored of many summoned him again to a Synod at Rome anno 1059. and there as Baron ad ann 1059. saith without any disputation he condemned his own error But Vsser de succes Eccles c. 8. hath marked that Sigon de reg Ital. lib. 9. when Berengarius with many arguments defended that the Sacrament to speak properly was the figure of Christ's body and Cardinal Albericus who was nominated to dispute against him could not by voice resist him and neither of the two would yield to the other Albericus sought the space of seven days to answer in writing as also it is remembred by Leo Ostien in Chron. Cassin lib. 3. And at last when disputation could not prevail against him it was given him in option Whether he would recant or burn The old man for fear of death as Pa. Masson Annal. Franco lib. 3. speaketh made that beastly recantation a perpetual argument of his dastardly courage and of the brutish ignorance of that Council which was penned by Cardinal Humbert and is registred by Gratian. de consecr dist 2. Ego Berengarius Nevertheless the words of the recantation are as far from Romish transubstatiation as white from black These are the words so far as they concern our present purpose faithfully translated I Berengarius do consent unto the Apostolique and Roman See and with my mouth and heart confess that the bread and wine which are laid on the altar after the consecration are not onely the Sacrament but also the very body and blood of our Lord Jesus and sensibly not onely in Sacrament but in truth are handled with the hands of the priest broken and chewed with the hands and teeth of the faithful c. John Semeca the Glossator of the Decrees expresly condemneth the words of this recantation and saith If thou understand not the words of Berengarius soundly thou shalt fall into a greater heresie then he did for we break not Christ's body into pieces nisi in speciebus Lombard li. 4. Dist 12. E. 1. saith Not in the substance of his body but in a Sacrament that is in specie And Bellarmin de Concil lib. 2. c. 1. saith In signo non in se When they say understand soundly they understand clean against the Text for if by species and sign they understand not bread and wine as the ancient Fathers did certainly mean and speak they deceive the world seeing whiteness and such other qualities can never be broken without some substance neither are these qualities the sign of Christ's body wherefore the substance of bread remains after the blessing And when they condemn the confession of Berengarius and call it his words they consider not that they condemn their Pope Nicolaus and their Council of one hundred and fourteen Bishops prescribing it and ordaining Berengarius to subscribe it and which sent that confession unto the Bishops of Italy Germany and France as Catholique It is certain that Berengarius returning home returned also to his former doctrine and wrote in defence of it so that as Blondus saith he was summoned again by Pope Gregory the VII anno 1079. and then subscibed another recantation and an Act was made That thenceforth none may dispute nor teach another concerning the body and blood of our Lord except for bringing unto the faith them that are gone astray It seems that as yet Gregory was not resolved of his doubt Bercold a Priest of Constance ad ann 1083. saith Albeit Berengarius abjured that heresie in face of Synods yet he ceased not to return unto his vomit Some have written that Berengarius denied the baptism of Infants but saith Ja. Usser In so many Synods held against him We never finde any such thing laid to his charge And unto the said Usser it appears that who in those days were charged to deny the baptism of children did hold no more but this Baptism conferreth not grace ex opere operato So Berengarius died holding his first doctrine at Towres in the Isle of St. Cosina and was buried in S. Martins where his Tomb was reared and Hildebert Bishop of Caenoman and then of Towres made his Epitaph which is in Guil. Malmesbu de Gest Anglo lib. 3. And this is a part of it Quem modò miratur semper mirabitur Orbis Ille Berengarius non obiturus
election Behold what a fire the Pope had kindled if the wisdom of Lewis had not been singularly patient He would not renounce his Imperial Title but he returned to Burgravia where by procurement of the Pope he was poisoned with a drink which the Dutchess of Austria presented unto him An. 1347. and therefore he was called a Martyr Clemens had sent his Bulls unto the Princes of Germany commanding them to accept the before named Charls as their lawful Emperor And he had obtained from Charls that from thenceforth none should be accounted Emperor until he be confirmed by the Pope and to believe otherwise is a pernicious heresie The Princes and other States understanding this thought Charls unworthy of the Diadem and they said Will that Servant of Servants rage always in pride and ambition that he dare with a shameless face more then manifestly surpass the wickedness of the most cruel Tyrants that ever was read of Wherefore after the death of Lewis they assembled to a new election The Bishop of Mentz and three Secular Electors the other Bishops came not chose Edward the III. King of England and Brother in law of Lewis the V. He gave them thanks but refused because he was troubled with wars in France Then they chose Frederick Marquess of Misnia Son in law of Lewis Charls gave him a sum of money that he should not accept Thirdly An. 1350. they chose Gunther Earl of Swarzenburgh they were so resolved not to accept an Emperor from the Pope and he was presently after poisoned by his Physician Findank who also died within three days having at his Master's command tasted first of the same potion Thus were they all made away who withstood the Pope Gunther knowing that he must die and being desirous to leave Germany in peace rendered his Title unto Charls And so after long contention the honor of the Emperor is brought to a meer Title nor could the most puissant Emperors prevail because the people were perswaded that they drew their swords against Heaven if they did resist the Pope as if they had presumed like the ancient Gaints to climb into the skies and pull God from his Throne and the thundering excommunications were judged not so much menaces of death which peradventure might have been avoided or contemned but of damnation which as it is most terrible so it was thought unavoidable 4. CHARLS the IV. was a weak Prince in courage and prudence through ambition he did extreamly weaken and debase the Empire he approved that form of Coronation of the Emperors which is kept in the Vatican and containeth many servile Ceremonies As The Emperor supplieth the office of a Sub-Deacon in ministring unto the Pope and saying Mass and Divine Service being ended he must hold the stirrup while the Pope mounteth on his horse and for a certain space must lead the Pope's horse by the bridle Also he obliged himself that he should stay no longer in Italy then while he were crowned so whereas many Emperors had for some ages displayed their forces to drive the Popes from Rome now the Popes without any forces have removed the Emperors from the Tower of the Empire and made themselves absolute Lords Hence also it appeareth that now the Emperors are but the images of the ancient Emperors and the Popes give spirit unto the image Naucler writeth that Charls entered into Rome on foot in derision whereof a Senator began an Oration before the people in these words Behold thy King cometh unto thee with meekness and lowliness He was crowned by two Cardinals deputed by the Pope and the next day took his journey into Germany At that time Petrarcha wrote many things between derision and disdain in his Epistles partly unto Charls and partly unto others In his second Book De vita solitar sect 4. cap. 2. he saith Caesar hath taken the Crown and is gone into Germany contenting himself with the lurking holes of his Country and the name of Emperor he embraceth the lowest members and forsaketh the head who we thought should have recovered hath lost it ...... I confess his oath bindeth him and he excuseth himself that he hath sworn to abide in Rome but a day Oh infamous day oh shameful covenant oh Heavens behold an oath behold Religion behold godliness the Bishop of Rome hath left Rome so that he will not suffer another to dwell in it c. P. Morn in Myster pag. 472. As Charls came to the Empire by miserable ambition so he may be called the first Emperor which ruined the Revenues thereof for he did first consent that the Viscount of Millain should be the perpetual Vicar of the Empire and the Viscount having once full Authority usurped liberty And to the end he might tie the Princes Electors unto him and his Son after him he promised to give them great sums of money and for payment thereof he gave them discharges of their taxes and tributes of their Lands unto the Empire which covenant being once made they cause the Emperor when he is at first chosen to swear that he shall never revoke So the tributes of many Lands and Towns of Germany which anciently was the Emperor's patrimony is dispersed among the Princes and free Cities Then also was the order of the Electors changed it was appointed that the Bishop of Mentz should ask the votes 1. Of the Bishop of Trevers 2. Of the Bishop of Colein 3. Of the King of Bohemia 4. Of Prince Palatine of Rhine 5. Of the Duke of Saxony 6. Of the Marquess of Brandenburgh And lastly give his own vote But in procession the three Bishops should go foremost and the Bishop of Trevers in the midst and the three Princes should follow them and the Duke of Saxony in the midst then the Emperor and immediately after him the King of Bohemia Bulla Aurea in Fascic rer expetend And they have a third order in serving the Emperor at his table on the solemn days In the year 1359. Charls had a conference at Mentz with the three Electoral Bishops and Pope Innocentius sent thither the Bishop Calvacen for a Subsidty unto his Treasury and gave him power to dispense with the Clergy who had not Canonically purchased Benefices either Curata vel sine cura There was also the Dukes of Saxony and Bavier The Emperor called the Legate and heard his Commission then said Charls Lord Legate the Pope hath sent you into Germany to require a great sum of money but you reform nothing among the Clergy Cuno a Canon of Mentz was standing by with a costly hat or cap and many golden and silken fantasies about it the Emperor said to him Lend me your cap then laying aside his own the Emperor put on the Canon's cap and said unto the Princes Am I not now more like a Soldier then a Clark and so he rendered the cap unto Cuno Then he said unto the Bishop of Mentz Lord Arch-Bishop We command you that with the fidelity wherewith you
and Lordships and if any wise man gain-say the open errors of Antichrist and teach men to give their alms to poor needy men to escape the pains of Hell and to gain the bliss of Heaven he shall be imprisoned as a man of unchristian belief and traitor to God and Christian Kings and Lords And whereas King Hezekiah was busie to cleanse God's house and put away all uncleanness from the Sanctuary ..... some Christians Lords in name and Heathens in conditions defile the Sanctuary of God and bring in simoniacal Clarks full of covetousness and heresie and hypocrisie and malice to stop God's Law that it be not known and kept or freely preached and some Christian Lords keep many Prelats and Curats in their Courts and in secular offices openly against God's Law and mans and withhold them from their ghostly office and helping of Christian souls ...... let these unwise Lords know that Eli the Prophet one only had the truth of God and King Ahab with 850 Priests and Prophets of Baal had the false part and after Micheas one alone Prophet of God had the truth against 400 Prophets of Baal that counselled Achab to war to his own shame and death so now a few poor men and Idiots in comparison of School-Clarks may have the truth of holy Scripture against many thousand Prelates and religious that be given to worldly pride covetousness simony hypocrisie and other fleshly sins and the rather seeing poor men desire only the truth and freedom of the holy Gospel and Scripture and accept mans law and ordinances only in as much as they be grounded on holy Scripture or good reason and common profit of Christian people ...... But it is to be feared full sorely that Kings and Lords now have been in the former sins of Manasses God grant that they repent verily and make amends to God and man as he did in the end And near the end of that Chapter he saith Now in England it is a common protection against persecution of Prelates and some Lords if a man be accustomed to swear needless false and unadvised oaths by the bones nails and sides and other members of Christ and be proud and letcherous and speak not of God's Law and reprove not sin about him and to abstain from needless oaths and not lawful and to reprove sin by way of charity is cause enough why Prelates and some Lords slander men and call them Lollards Hereticks raisers of debate and treason against the King ...... How much blood have Lords shed in wars for pride and covetousness by counsel of false Prelates Confessors and Preachers it passeth mans wit to tell fully in this life but of shedding blood and slaying poor men by withdrawing alms and giving it to dead stocks or stones or to rich Clarks and feigned religious were to speak now if a man had the spirit of ghostly strength now men kneel and pray and offer fasts to dead Images that have neither hunger nor cold and despise beat and slay Christian men what honoring of God is this c. The Bishops and Friers could not endure such doctrine but so long as Edward the III. lived he was safe for that King loved him and as some write the above named Acts were by his information máde against the Pope and Prelates when the King became old and unable his second Son John Duke of Lancaster was Regent for the King 's eldest Son was dead and his Son Richard was yong he approved the doctrine of Christ which Wickliff did teach so did Henry Percey Lord Marshal William Rigge Chancellor of the University and many more of account Simon Langham Arch-Bishop of Canterbury summoned him to appear at Lambeth An. 1376. The Duke of Lancaster went with him and the contention was great yet nothing was done against him at that time In the beginning of the reign of Richard the II. John the Regent and the Lord Marshal gave up their Offices then the Bishops thought to have the more advantage against Wickliff Nevertheless he continued preaching 1. The holy Eucharist after consecration is not the body of Christ but figuratively or sacramentally 2. The Church of Rome is not the head of all Churches nor had Peter any more power given him by Christ then any other Apostle had 3. The Pope hath no more power of the keys then any other within the order of Priesthood hath 4. If God be temporal Princes may lawfully and justly take their temporalities from Church-men sinning habitualiter 5. The Gospel is a rule sufficient by it self to rule the life of all Christians here c. These and such other Articles were brought to Pope Gregory the XI by him and twenty three Cardinals they were condemned as heretical And the Pope sent his Bulls unto the University to Simon the Arch-Bishop and unto the Bishop of London that they should apprehend the Heretick as he spoke he wrote also unto the King to assist the Bishops A convocation was held at Lambeth where Wickliff appeared professing himself to be a true Christian he explained the Articles and he denied some to be his assertions saying they had wrested his words At that time whether the Queen-Mother had discharged the Bishops to do him violence as some write or that the Londoners took his part as others say or both he was dismissed only they charged him that he should preach no more of that doctrine The Schism of the Antipopes gave some respite unto Wickliff and Simon was slain in a dissension between the Nobility and the Commons His Successor William Courtney was more fully against him and prevailed so with the King to banish him and in the fifth year of the yong King procured an Act that Hereticks as it pleased them to speak should be imprisoned until they justified their cause This Act mentioneth great numbers of them throughout all the Kingdom convening to Sermons in Churches Church-yards Market-places and other places where are great assemblings of people Philip Repington a Batchelor of Divinity had been summoned for the same doctrine but after this Act he forsook it and became Bishop of Lincoln and a cruel persecutor of the truth which he had professed John Ashton also fell away Nicolas Herford another Batchelor made his appeal from the Bishop unto the King and his Council but William caused him to be apprehended and imprisoned he escaped and continued preaching as before John Wickliff in the time of his banishment wrote unto Pope Urban a confession of his faith wherein he affirmeth that seeing the Bishop of Rome calleth himself the Vicar of Christ of all men he is most bound to follow the Law of Christ in the Gospel since the greatness among Christ's Disciples consisteth not in worldly honors but in exact imitation of Christ in life and doctrine and he advised the Pope to leave unto the Secular Powers all temporal rule as Christ did and he prayed that he and his Cardinals might follow the Lord Jesus and faithfully teach
unto the Councel of Constance this was four moneths before the going away of Pope John which was judged a most fit time to treat of that purpose He began his Preface with the words of Bernard in Serm. 33. in Cantic A rotten malady creepeth to day through all the body of the Church and the further the more desperately ... seeing from that time the Church hath become worse and worse continually after the fearful darkness of so many schisms unless timely provision be made more fearful things may be feared to insue according to the Prophâ—sies of Abbot Joachim Then he sheweth what he thinketh needful unto Reformation 1. That General and Provincial Councels be kept especially General Councels for amending all Persons and Estates neither should remedy be looked for from the Church of Rome because many are suspicious that she dissembleth and is unwilling to have Councels that she may râ—ign the more at her own pleasure and usurp power over other Churches Because before Constantine it was not free unto the Church to hold General Councels openly then arose many Heresies therefore it is no marvel that in these last times when Councels have been contemned that she is fallen into divers schisms and other infinite evils as experience teacheth General Councels are necessary for Reformation of the body of the Church especially the Roman which must be Reformed Whereas the Gloss saith in Dist 19. c. Anastasius The Pope should ask the Councel of Bishops When matters of faith are to be inquired it is to be understood not only of the articles of faith but of all those things also that concern the universal estate of the believing Church and otherwise it is dangerous to commit our faith unto the arbitrement of one man And if ever they were necessary far more now to procure an union of the Greeks with the Latines to repress the enterprises of the Turks who having destroyed the Empire will rush into the Church and straw a way unto the Antichrist as now many most godly men fear both these dangers at hand 2. For Reformation of the Roman Court it is sufficient that there be but one Cardinal out of every Province because the Cardinals are the causes of schisms and the Pope should provide to relieve ease and to remove the grievances of the Nations he should abate the exactions his pomp and luxury he should not excommunicate but in weighty causes as was done in the primitive Church 3. Prelates should not be chosen young imprudent nor ignorant but of ripe age apt to teach exemplar in manners moderate in lives not medling with weapons or worldly business abstaining from pomp in clothes and horses and feasts hating all simony they should moderate the Lent in respect of some persons and circumstances they should bring the Divine Service to devout brevity repress the number and variety of Images in Churches put order to new Feasts and Saints that men cease from work only upon the Lord's day and the most famous Feasts that have been appointed by the Church because when people are idle sin is multiplied in Taverns dancings and other abuses 4. He cometh to the Reformation of Monks in respect of their multitude and pernicious diversity and he taxeth the Romish Court that they dispise Divines and advance only such as can bring gain so that now it is come into a Proverb The Church is not worthy if Papists will have the word meretur expounded so to be governed but by wicked men c. He complaineth also of Pagan abuses and diabolical superstitions at Rome but saith he as there were seven thousand who Note never bowed to Baal so we may be confident that there are some desirous of the Churches Reformation This Book is in Fascic rer expetend and was presented unto the Councel November 1. An. 1415. But they who should have reformed were to be reformed and so little or nothing was done 14. Thomas Rhedonensis a French Carmelite and as Antoninus saith a famous Preacher went to England France and Italy and in his Sermons said Rome is the mother of abominations the Church hath need of great Reformation Prelates should leave their pride and luxury and follow the example of Christ and his Apostles For such preaching he was burnt in Rome at the command of Pope Eugenius An. 1436. Baptista Mantuanus speaking of this mans death lib. de vita beat c. ult saith Ah mad envy what doest thou thou hast not killed him for his soul cannot die but by hurting his earthy body he is the sooner partaker of eternal life Catal. test ver lib. 19. 15. Laurentius Valla a Senator's Son of Rome and Canon of St. John of Lateran about the year 1420. wrote a Book which he calleth a Declamation against the pretended donation of Constantine In the end thereof he shews the estate of the Church saying I say and I cry for I trust in God and do not fear men In my life time hath been in the high Priesthood no faithful nor wise Steward he hath not given bread to God's family the Pope annoyeth with wars people that love peace and stirreth up Princes and Cities he maketh his advantage not only by the loss of the Republick so as Verres or Catilina durst never attempt the like but of the Church and holy Ghost so that Simon Magus would abhor it .... In no place is there any Religion no holiness no fear of God and which maketh me tremble when I speak it wicked men bring the excuse of all crimes from the Pope for in him and his Court is the example of all wickedness that against the Pope and them that are nearest unto him we may say with Isaiah and Paul The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles for you ye who should teach others teach not your selves The late high Priests abounding in wealth and pleasures seem to contend to be as ungodly and foolish as the ancient Bishops were holy and wise and by their shame to surmount the praises of the former There also he complaineth that they have corrupted the faith with old wives fables and that they are not ashamed to preach what a Christian should be ashamed to name And he saith unto the people When we discern bad money we throw it away and we will not discern a bad Lord but will keep him still All the Book is such For this Book he was forced to flee But he was received honorably by Alfonso King of Naples and was his Secretary Orthae Gra. in epist post declam 16. Thomas de Corsellis a Frier had a large Oration in the Councel of A Councel is above the ope Basil Aen. Sylvius hath inserted it in his Commentaries There he proves that the Councel is above the Pope the Pope may err and experience shews it when the Pope abuseth the keys he may be deposed if he hear not the Church he is a Publican and Heathen a general Councel representeth the Church some for vain glory
his Progenitors time out of minde have been possessed with special priviledges and custom observed from time to time that no Legate from the Apostolick See should enter into the Land or any of the King's Dominions without calling petition or desire of the King and for as much as Richard Bishop of Winchester and Cardinal of S. Eusebie hath presumed to enter as Legate not being called nor desired by the King Therefore the said Proctor in presence of the Council of England then in the house of the Duke of Glocester Lord Protector in the King's minority did protest that it standeth not with the King's minde by advice of his Council to admit or approve the coming of the said Legate in any way or to assent to the exercise of this his Legantin Authority either attempted or to be attempted in this respect contrary to the foresaid Laws and custom c. By these Acts it is manifest that the usurpation of the Popes was odious unto the Nations and that their avarice and innovations were restrained but the Kings did not exclude them especially in England the persecution that was begun in the latter days of Edward the III. continued all the time of King Richard the II. and Henry the IV. and V. though not always with a like cruelty But in Scotland their Acts had more strength for when James Kennedy Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrews who founded and perfected the most famous Colledge of Scotland now called the Old Colledge of Saint Andrew's died An. 1466 his Brother of the same Mother Patrick Graham was elected by the Canons to succeed but he could not obtain the King's consent for the Courtiers perswaded him that he should not admit such elections because by such means the greatest honors were in the power of the basest men to wit Canons gave Bishopricks and Monks made Abbots and Priors whereas said they all should depend on the King that he may reward punish and forgive according to the service done unto him Wherefore that Patrick went to Rome and easily obtained The first Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrews from Pope Sixtus the IV. not only confirmation of the election but likewise the Title of Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrew's and that all the other Bishops should be subordinate unto that See and power to be Legate for three years for preventing the dangers insuing unto the Church Notwithstanding all this his authority he durst not return into Scotland for fiye years but abode at Rome for he knew that the people were exclaiming against the contempt of the Laws In the year 1472. he would adventure to return but sent before him the Bull of his Legation They which were advanced or hoped for advancement by the King did fear that this Legation would be to their prejudice and they ceased not to shew the King that his authority was contemned by that Bull his Acts were annulled and the liberties of the Realm were turned into the hands of the Romans Then by Act of Council an Herauld was sent unto Patrick at his landing before he entred into any house to inhabit him from attempting any thing in any of these Offices untill such things as were to be laid unto his charge were examined before the King Thereafter he was reconciled unto the King but with express charge that he attempt nothing beyond the custom of his Predecessors Nor had any in that place so little authority for he was excommunicated by the Rector and then again accursed by Husman the Pope's Inquisitor and the Arch-Deacon Sevez was placed in his Chair and Patrick was hurried from place to place as to a stronger prison whether justly or unjustly it is not certain since the cause nor process is not made known except that he paid not the money for his Bull of priviledges Others were so affraid at his miseries that they attempted not to recover that priviledge of election from the power of the King and whom the King did recommend unto the Pope were all accepted Hence it came to pass that Benefices were bestowed upon unqualified men at the pleasure and suit of Courtiers so great corruptions followed Buchan lib. 12. 7. About the year 1465. a Carmelite preached at Paul's Cross that Christ on earth was poor and begged The Provincial of that Order and others held the same opinion But others did inveigh bitterly against them as teachers of pestiferous errours The fame of this controversie went over the Alps and Pope Paul the II. writ his Bull into England informing his Prelates that it is a pestiferous heresie to affirm that Christ had publickly begged and it was of old condemned by Popes and Councels therefore it should now be declared as a condemned Heresie In the year 1473. John Goose or as some write John Huss was burnt on the Tower-hill for the doctrine of the above-named Martyrs The next year an old Matron about 90. years of age Johan Boughton was burnt at Smith-field and her daughter the Lady Young was in danger An. 1498. a godly man at Babram in Norfolk was burnt and in the same year and place a Priest was burnt whom all the Clarks of Canterbury could not remove from his faith The next year another was burnt at Smithfield Io. Fox in Acts Mon. 8. About the year 1492. Robert Blaketer went to Rome for his confirmation The first Arch Bishop of Glascow a persocuter in the Bishoprick of Glascow he obtained from Pope Alexander the VI. the Title of Arch-Bishop and that three other Diocies should be subject unto him Sevez Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrews would not acknowledge him nor his Title because it was in prejudice of his former Title Upon this occasion both Clergy and Nobility went into factions at last they were reconciled so that they both should be called Arch-Bishops but Saint Andrews should precede In the year 1494. by this Robert was summoned before the King and Councel thirty persons from Kyle and Cunningham among these George Campbel of Cesnok Adam Reed of Barskyning John Campbel of Newmills Andrew Shaw of Polkennet c. The Articles laied unto their charge were 1. Images should not be worshipped 2. Nor Reliques of Saints 3. Christ gave power unto Peter and not to the Pope to bind and loose 4. The Pope is not the Successour of Peter but where it was said unto him Go behind me Satan 5. After the Consecration bread remains and the natural body of Christ is not there 6. The Pope deceives the people by his Bulls and Indulgences 7. The Mass profiteth not the souls which are said to be in Purgatory 8. The Pope exalts himself against God and above God 9. Priests may have wives 10. True Christians receive the body of Christ every day by faith 10. Faith should not be given unto miracles now 11. We should pray unto God only 12. We are not bound to beleeve all that Doctours have written 13. The Pope who is called the head of the Church is the Antichrist They were accused upon other
Ernest Archb. of Magdeburgh was a dyng An. 1511. his Chaplain Clemens Schaw and two Franciscans were by him and one of the Franciscans said Famous Prince be of good confort wee will communicate unto your Highness not only all our good works but likewise of all the Order of the Minorites and without doubt when you have these you shall stand just and blessed before the throne of God Ernest answered By no means will I trust either in mine own works or in yours but the works of Christ only are sufficient Catalog Test. ver lib. 19. ex Cl. Schaw 11. John Picus Lord of Mirandula and Earle of Concordia was about that time admired for his learning his books began to be printed An. 1504. He wrote 900 Propositions which he defended in publick disputations at Rome amongst them were these following The true body of Christ is in heaven locally and on the altar sacramentally By the power of God one body can not be in diverse places at once Consecration is not made precisely by these words Hoc est corpus meum unless the antecedent words be added The Lord Jesus in the night he was betrayed ..... Neither the cross nor any image is to be adored with the worship of latria no nor as S. Thomas expresseth it The Doctours condemned these Theses And he wrote an Apologie defending them to be Catholick especially concerning the sacrament he said The body of Christ may be present without any conversion or annihilation of the bread He said May be and not is present to eschue their bonds without doubt he had spoken more plainly if he could have done it freely In an epistle unto the Emperour Maximilian An. 1500. he saith With such faith and piety as I can I beseech thee that with all diligence thou wouldest accomplish that thy most Holy purpose to restore the Christian Republick unto the antient liberty it is wasted by outward enemies and torne by inward and the sheepfold of Jesus Christ which was consecrated by his blood hath suffered and dayly suffereth farr worse from wolves under sheepskins then under their own colours Go-on then most worthy Caesar and excite Christian Kings by what means thou canst and shew thyself a faithfull servant unto Christ the King of all Kings who will quickly deliver his sheep as wel from outward enemies as from false shepherds In time of the conflict of the two Councells of Pisa and Lateran hee handled that question Whether in the cause of faith a Pope should be preferred before a Councell or contra and said according unto the Glosse of the Decree dist 19. c. Anastasius where it is said The Pope should in matter of faith seek a Councell and therefore the Synode is more than a Pope And he adds Wherefore the archdeacon of Bononia approving the glosse said It is dangerous to make our faith subject unto the pleasure of any man and so said Bernard What greater pride one man to prefer his judgement before all the world And when he had shewed his judgement that the greater number should be preferred before the lesser caeteris paribus he addeth But if the greater part would decern any thing against the word of God or against these things that should not be violat and a smaller number opposeth them wee should cleave unto the lesser number as in the Councell of Arimino and the second at Ephesus yea we should believe a Country man or an old wife rather than a Pope or a thousand Bishops if these bee contrary unto the Scriptures and the former follow the Gospell Likewise speaking of that question Whether the Pope and Councells may erre he saith It may be easily decided because he hath already shewed they may erre from the Scripture many Councels and Popes have fallen into heresy it oft hapneth that he who is accounted President of the Church hath not dutifully discharged his presidence and somtimes he can not be President at all seing it is recorded that in former time a woman was Pope and I remember of a learned man who in our age had attained great esteem of religiousness and taught albeit not altogether publickly that hee who was chosen Pope at that time was not Pope .... and I remember of another who was received and adored as Pope whom good and worthy men thought neither to be Pope nor that he could be Pope for he believed not that there was a God! and they did testify of his most wicked deedsin buying the papacy and exercising all kind of wickednes yea and they declared his most wicked words for it was affirmed that he confessed unto his familiar friends that he believed there was no God even since hee was ruler of the Papall See I heard of another Pope who in his time sayd unto his friends he believed not the immortality of souls and when hee was dead he appeared unto the same man and said that to his great losse and by everlasting fire he had found or knew that souls are immortall Ph. Morn in Myster This John had an oration in the Councell at Lateran before Pope Leo X. wherein he spake freely of a necessity of Reformation because of their corrupt manners their adulterate Lawes and canons their decaied religion even among the chiefest of them Godliness said he is almost turned into superstition righteousness into hatred or favour and men of all Estates doe sin openly so that vertue is oft blamed in good men and vice honoured in place of vertue especially by those who would have as it were the walls and hedges of their own crimes and strange insolency and contumacy unpunished These maladies these sores thou must heal o great highpriest or if thou refuse to cure them I fear lest he whose crown thou holdest on earth cut off and destroy the infected members not with fomentations but with fire and sword I think verily that He gives certain signs of his future medicine by pestilence famine and bloody warrs at such admonitions and heavenly thunders wee should have lifted up our ears unto repentance but wee rather loose them like the Moores which become deaf at the continuall noise of Nilus nor is it any marvell for Iohn Chrysostom thinks that all evill procedes from the Church and Hierom writes that he had found no man which had deceived the people but the Priests If thou wilt reforme and correct these things willing or unwilling thou shalt be thought by the Christian world to haue lifted up a standert of a full Reformation This thou o great high priest shouldest doe and none other on earth more then thou and if thou wilt not remember I pray thee that old Priest who was punished for not punishing the sin of his son for they who are set over others should not only be innocent themselves but resist the nocent and represse their wickedness And when he had shewed more particularly that the conversation of the clergy had very great need of Reformation he proves the same of their
historically in such paroxisms and great revolutions the like practise is scarcely evitable and certainly is contrary unto the Standing law of the Land and is condemned by the adverse party and yet mantained or at least the Actors have been cleared by their own party having the Supream power whether the practise was in good or evill as appeareth by the Parliament of England in that same year justifying or absolving all them who had done the like against the lawes made under Q. Mary and Standing for the time un-repealed as I hinted before and also by the Parliament of England absolving them who had torn and burnt the English Bibles and Service-books and had killed the Ministers c. in the year 1553. which was contrary unto the Law of the Land made in time of King Edward 6. and Standing at that time unrepealed The Regent hearing of those things gave presently order unto the French Companies to march toward Sant Andrews and sent proclamation to all the parts about to meet her in armes the next morning at Couper The Lords went thither the same night accompanied with a hundred horse only and so many foot but such was the readiness of men that before ten of the clock the next day they grew to 3000. Rothes and Ruthuen brought many Gentle men with them some came from Lothian and the towns shew great resolution The next day was foggy about noon the aire began to clear then the Frenches sent some to view the fields and these returning began to â—aint of their courage wherefore a Post was sent to Falkland to shew the Regent that the Lords were stronger than was supposed as also that there was mutiny in their own army some openly professing that they would not fight against their Country-men for pleasure of strangers These newes moved her to yeeld unto a treaty of peace so Lindsay and Waughton were employed by the Duke who commanded the Scots in the Regents army to confer with the Lords they would not suffer the two to Another treaty of peace come neer their army and said They knew the Regent had sent these forces against them and if they will invade they shall find them ready to defend but they professing their purpose of peace and that they were sent for that effect were admitted the Lords say They had been so oft abused by the Regent's promises that they can not trust her words any more But if She will send away the French men and give suretie that no violence shall be used against them of the true Religion they shall not be unreasonable They reply The Frenches can not be sent away untill the French King were advertised and She can give no other security but her own word nor stands it with her honour to do otherwise Because peace could not be concluded truce was made for 8. dayes upon condition that the Frenches shall be removed into Lothian and before the expiring of that time some shall be sent to Santandrews with authorised power to make a firm peace This truce was signed in name of the Queen by the Duke and Dosell Junie 13. So the Lords of the Congregation did first remove and at Couper they had a publick thankesgiving unto God that their enemies were disappointed and the next day the Armie was dismissed and the Lords went to Santandrews waiting but in vain for the makers of the peace and in the mean time complaints were brought dayly from Perth against him whom the Regent had set in the Provosts place and did oppresse them The Earle of Argile and Lord James did advertise the Regent and craved that the town may be restored to their former liberty No answer was returned wherefore the Lords went and sumoned the Provost Captains and souldiers to render the town assuring Perth seâ— free them if they will hold out and any one of them be killed in the assault all their lifes shall pay for it The Provost answered at first they had promised to keep the town and they will defend it to the last drop of their blood So they answered the second summons being confident that the Regent would send relieff But when the besiegers began to play upon the west and east parts of the town at once they within profered to depart if relief came not within twelve hours Thus the town was yielded and restored to their liberties Junie 26 The next day they consult what to do with the Bishop of Murray who was then dwelling in Scone and having many Scone is burnt souldiers there about had despitefully threatned the town The Lords wrot unto him that unless he come and assist them they could not save his Palace But these of Dundie considering his pride and especially how violent he had been against Walter mill would march to Scone some persons were sent to hinder them but because they had found in the Church a great parcell of his goods hid to preserve them the multitude could not be stayd till the ornaments as they terme them of the Church were destroyed The Lords did so prevaile that for that night the Church and place were spared and they brought away the multitude The same night the Bishops servants began to fortify again and to do violence unto some carrying away what baggage they had gote and the next day some few persons went again to behold what they were a doing the Bishops servants were offended and began to speak proudly and as it was affirmed one of the Bishops sons with a rapier thrust thorow one of Dundy because he looked in at the Girnell-door When this was reported the towns men of Dundie were enraged and sent word to the inhabitants of Perth that unless they would support them to avenge that iniurie they would never concur with them in any action The multitude was easily enflammed and quickly set all the palace in a fire Many were offended and an antient woman hearing them take it so ill said Now I see Gods judgements are just and that no man can save where God will punish since I can remember this place hath been nothing els but a den of whoremongers it is incredible how many wifes have been abused and young women de flowred by these filthy beasts which have been fostered in this Den and especially by that wicked man who is called The Bishop if every one knew alswell as I they would praise God and no man would be offended With these words many were pacified Histo of Reforma The day preceeding news was brought that the Regent had ordered a garrison to lye in Sterlin to seclude the Congregation of the one side of Forth from the other the Lords made hast to prevent that and riding all night came early in the morning where the altars and images and abbey of Cambuskenneth were thrown down and on the fourth day marched toward Edinburgh doing the like at Lithgow The Lord Seton being Provest of Edinburgh had undertaken the protection of the black
all the conditions but craves this as a favour only or at least that they will permit the Masse there before or after noon They answer They will never yeeld that the Masse enter there again or if violence shall be used they must suffer and use the next remedy Then another device was invented the French Captains and Souldiers made their walks in time of prayer and preaching and did laugh and talk all the time that the preachers could not be heard This was patiently disgested knowing that they sought an occasion of trouble In Lieth they cut the pulpite into pieces and set up the Masse and in the Abbey-church by force they hindred the Common prayers and wheresoever they came they made disturbance and withall they dispersed a rumor both in France and in the Country that the Congregation intends an open rebellion and to set up Lord James in place of the lawfull Queen At the same time letters were brought from the King and Queen unto L. James full of exprobrations and menacings Ere the Letters were delivered the Lords had drawn up a third band at Sterlin August 1. in this manner Wee foreseeing the craft A third bâ—nd and slight of our adversaries who try all wayes to circumveen us and by privy means intend to assault every one of us particularly by fair heights and proâ—â—ses thereby to separate us one from another to our utter ruin and destruction For remedy thereof wee faithfully and truly binde us in the presence of God and as wee tender the maintaining of true Religion that none of us shall in time coming pass to the Queen Dowager to talk or commune with her for any Letter or message sent by her unto us or yet to be sent without consent of the rest or common consultation thereupon and how soon either Writing or message shall come from her unto us with all diligence wee shall notify the same one to another so that nothing shall proceed there in without common consent of us all And because they had observed that the Regent and Bishops intend nothing but deceit they resolve to seek the aid of Christian Princes if they shall be any more pâ—rsued and first they would begin with Queen Elisabet as nearest and of the same Religion and sent two Messengers into England They appoint the next meeting at Sterlin September 10. and go to their own houses for the most part Now what were the contents of the Kings Letters which for brevity I omit may appear from the answer of Lord James which is L. Iames his Letter to the King thus SIR my most humble duty remembred Your Majesties Letters I received from Parise July 17. importing in effect that your Ma. doth marvell that I being forgetfull of the graces and favours shewed mee by the King of bl memory your Ma. self and the Queen my Soverain have declared myself head and one of the principall beginners of these alledged tumults and seditions in these parts deceiving heerby your Ma. expectation in all times had of mee with assurance that if I do not declare by contrary effect my repentance I with the rest that have put or yet put hand to this Work shall receive that reward which wee have deserved Sir It grieves mee very heavily that the crime of ingratitude is laid to my charge by your Ma. and the rather that I perceive the same to have proceeded of sinister information of them whose part it was not to have reported so if true service past had been regarded and as for repentance and declaration of the same by certain effects that your Ma. desireth I shew my conscience persuades mee in these proceedings to have done nothing against God nor the dutifull obedience toward your Ma. nor the Queen my Soverain Otherwise it should not have been to be repented and also it should have been repented already according to your Majesties expectation of mee But your Ma. being truly informed and persuaded that the thing which wee have done makes for the advancement of Gods glory without any manner of derogation to your Majes due obedience Wee doubt not but your Ma. shall be well contented with our proceedings which being grounded upon the commandement of the eternall God wee dare not leave the same unaccomplished only wishing and desiring your Ma. might know the same and the trueth thereof as wee are persuaded in our consciences and all them that are truly instructed in the eternall word of our God upon whom wee cast our care from all dangers that may follow the accomplishment of his eternall will and to whom wee commend your Ma. beseeching him to illuminate your heart with the gospell of his eternall truth to know your Majes duty toward your poor subiects Gods chosen people and what you ought to crave justly of them again for then wee should have no occasion to fear your Majes wrath and indignation nor your Majes have suspicion of our obedience The same God have your Ma. in his eternall safeguard At Dumbartan August 12. 1559. This Letter was delivered unto the Regent she opened it and having read it said So proud an answer was never given to King nor Princesse and Buchanan saith but contrarily many did judge it within the bounds of modesty especialy where he was upbraided with graces and favours whereof he had not received any but such as were common unto all strangers At that time came a thousand souldiers from France to Lieth and reporte that moe were coming and the Earle of Arran eldest son to Duke hamilton came thorough England having heard in France that the Cardinall of Lorrain the Qeen Regents brother had said in the Parliament of Paris as he was inveying against the Protestants that they shall shortly see punishment executed on some who is in honour equal to Princes and calling to minde that lately he had spoken freely with the Duke of Guise in the cause of Religion came away privately and after his departure his younger brother was apprehended and imprisoned And he dealeth with his father to forget old quarrells and joyn with the Lords of the Congregation and so both came to the meeting at Sterlin Where the Lords understand that the Queen was fortifying Lieth for a Magazin and a safe haven for receiving French ships as again 2000. men were landed under the command of Mon. de la Bross and with him the Bishop of Amiens under the colour of Ambassadours When these were come the Regent was heard say Now shall I be avenged on the enemies of the Saints and of Authority And the French men began to brag as if all were their own one was called Monsieur de Argile another Monsieur Le Prior c. and the indwellers of Lieth were put forth both Protestants and Papists And nevertheless the Regent caused to make a proclamation that she intendes not to violate the Appointment in the least point but only to preserve peace and dutifull obedience if the Congregation will likewise keep
and the man made the matter so plain that all doubt was removed Then those Judges for this odious crime did deprive him of all function within the Church of Scotland and for his contumacy in not appearing before them did excommunicat him The author of the The Histor of Reformat saith this is recorded not only for a warning example unto others but likewise that the world may see what difference is betwixt the Church of God and the Romish Church seeing many of their Bishops and Priests yea and Popes are known to be guilty in such crimes and no way censured XVI The Papists at Easter An. 1563. began to say Masse more boldly than before namely John Hamilton Bishop of Santandrews the Prior 1563. Masse is practised of Whithern and many other priests monks This was offensive to many and therefore the Shirefs and others which had civill power especially in the West parts resolve that they will not complain to the Queen nor Counsell but execute former proclamations against the sayers of Masse and so some priests in the West were apprehended The Queen The QueeÌ„ conferrech a I. Knox. was offended and sent for John Knox to come to her in Lochlevin and dealt with him that he would persuad the people and especially the Gentle men of the West Country not to punish any man for using what Religion they please John answereth If her Ma. would punish malefactors according to the lawes he could promise quietness upon the part of all which professe the Lord Jesus within Scotland but if she thought to delude the lawes he feareth some will let the Papists understand that they shall not be suffered to offend Gods Majesty without punishment When â—he Queen heard these and other words to this purpose she takes another course and directes summons against Masse-mongers in the straitest form with expedition to compeare on May 19 one day before the Parliament The Bishop of Santandrews the before named Prior the Parson of Saucher and others do compear At first the Bishop refuseth to answer before Civill Judges yet in end they all come into the Queens will and She designes them to severall prisons Then said some See what the Queen hath done the like was never done within this realm we doubt not but all shall be well Others fore spake things as it came to passe that it was but deceit and so soon as the Parliament is ended the Papists will be set at liberty and therefore advised the Nobility that they be not abused Many had their private business to procure in the Parliament especially the Act of oblivion and they said They might not urge the Queen at that time for if they did so she will hold no Parliament and what then may become of them and their friends but let this Parliament passe over whensoever the Queen craves any thing as She must do before her marriage Religion shall be the first thing that shall be established Much was spoken against A Parliament that politicall delay but in vain An act of oblivion was past of all things done in the publick cause from the year 1558. till September 1. in the year 1561 Manses and gliebs were appointed for Ministers adultery to be punished with death of both persons but nothing for establishing of admonition unto the Nobility Religion In time of this Parliament John Knox said in a Sermon before maâ—y of the Nobility and other members My Lords I praise my God throgh Jesus Christ that in your presence I may powr forth the sorow of my heart yea yourselves shall be witnesses if I make any ly in things by past from the beginning of Gods mighty works within this realm I have been with you in your most desperat tentations ask your own consciences and let them answer before God if that I not I but Gods Spirit by mee in your greatest extremity willed you not ever to depend upon your God and in his name promised unto you victory preservation from your enemies if yee would depend upon his protection and prefer his glory before your lives and wordly commodities in your most extreme dangers I have been with you Santiohnston Couper-moore and the charges of Edinburgh are yet recent in my heart yea that dark and dolorous night when all you my Lords with shame fear left this town is yet in my mind and God forbid that ever I forget it What was my exhortation unto you and what is fallen in vain of all that ever God promised unto you by my mouth yee yourselves live and testify There is not one of you against whom death destruction was threatned perished in that danger and how many of your enemies hath God plagued before your eies shall this be the thankfulness that yee shall render unto your God to betray his cause when yee have it in your hands to establish it as you please Yee say The Queen will not agree with us Ask yee of her what by Gods word yee may justly require and if She will not agree with you in God you are not bound to agree with her in the devill Let her plainly understand so far of your mindes and steal not from your former stoutnes in God and he will prosper you in your enterprises But I can see nothing but a recooling from Christ Jesus that the man that first and most speedily fleeth from Christs Ensigne holdes himself most happy Yea I hear some say that we have nothing of our Religion established by law nor Parliament albeit the malicious words of such can neither hurt he trueth of God nor yet us that thereupon depend yet the speaker of this treason committed against God and against this poor common wealth deserves the gallowes for our Religion being commanded and so established by God is received within this realm in publick Parliament And if they will say It was no Parliament we must and will say and also prove that Parliament was al 's lawfull a Parliament as ever any that passed before it in this realm I say If the King then living was King and the Queen now in this realm be lawfull Queen that Parliament can not be denied And now my Lords to put an 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 witnes hereafter Whensoever the Nobility of Scotland who professe the Lord Jesus consents that an infidell and all Papists are infidels shall be Head to our Soverain ye do so far as in you lieth to banish Christ Iesus from this realm yea to bring Gods vengeance upon the Country a plague upon yourselves and possibly yee shall do small confort to your Soveraigne This manner of speaking saith the History of Reformation was judged intolerable both Papists and Protestants were offended at it and some posted to give the Queen advertisement that Knox had spoken against her
wee must for both thirds and two parts are rigorously taken from us aâ—d our tenants One said if others will follow my Counsell the Guard and the Papists shall complain al 's long as the Ministers have done Then the former sharpness was coloured and the speaker alledgeth that he meaneth not of all Ministers Christopher goodman an English answereth My Lord Secretary if you can shew what just tittle either the Queen hath to the third or the Papists to the two parts then I think I could resolve whither she be debtour to Ministers within burgh or not The Secretary replieth Ne sit peregrinus curiosus in aliena Republica Goodman answereth Albeit I be a stranger in your policy yet I am not so in the Church of God and therefore the care doth no less appertain unto mee here than if I were in the midst of England The Hist of Reformation Lib. cit This debate was because the Popish prelates were permitted to enjoy their tyths enduring their life so that a competent stipend were provided unto the Ministers and when the Queen returned home at the demand of the Counsell the Prelats condescended to quite the third part of the tyths for entertainment of the Queen's family and the provision of Ministers but the Guard received the thirds and gave nothing or little unto Ministers and they had oft complained of their want In all these quick reasonings I. Knox spoke not a word but thereafter he said I have traveled Right honourable and beloved Brethren since my last returning into this realm in an upright conscience before my God seeking nothing more as he is witnes than the advancement of his glory and the stabillty of his Church within this realm and of late dayes I have been accused as a seditious man and as one that usurpes to myself power that becomes mee not true it is I have given advertisement to the Brethren in diverse quarters of the extremity intended against the faithfull for looking to a priest going to Masse and for observing those that transgresse against just laws but that here in I have usurped further power than was given mee till that by you I be condemned I utteâ—ly deny for I say by you that is by the Generall Assembly I have all just power to advertise the brethren from time totime of dangers appearing as I have powr to preach the word of God in the pulpit of Edinburgh for by you was I appointed unto the one as unto the other and therefore in the name of God I crave your judgements the danger that appeared unto mee 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 than to send forth his letters and require them to be obeied Let mee have your judgements therefore whither I have usurped any power to myself or If I have obeied your commandement Ibid. John Knox is removed and then the Lord Lindsay the Lairds of Kilwood Abbotshall Cuninghamheed the Superintendents of Anguise Fife Lothian West and Galloway Mrs John Row W. Christeson Ro. Hamilton Chri. goodman with the most part of the assembly did declare that they remember very well that Jo. Knox would have had himselfe exonered of the foresaid charge and that the Church at that time would not suffer him to refuse it but that he should continue as before to advertise from time to time as occasion shall be given An extract of the Acts of tbe nationall assemblies 3. The Noble men and Barons present do finally consent that for their own parts the tenants or labourers of the ground shall have their own tyths upon composition 4 It was thought needfull for confirmation of the book of discipline that certain commissioners or any three or four of them shall revise it and consider diligently the contents thereof noting their judgements in write and reporte the same unto the next assembly or if any Parliament shall interveen they shall report their judgements unto the Lords of the Articles 5. All Ministers and Readers having Manses at their Churches shall make residence there 6. Concerning Thomas duncanson who was Schoolmaster and Reader in Sterlin and having committed fornication had made publick repentance it was ordained that he shall abstain from that office in the Church untill the Church of Sterlin make request for him unto the Superintendents and he shall marry the woman if she require it 7. Alexander Jardin Minister at Kilspindy having committed fornication and therefore suspended by the Superintendent of Fife and thereafter had made publick repentance and married the same woman Is again suspended from all function in the Ministery untill the next Assembly and then to receive his answere 8. Commission was given unto five Ministers to take cognition of a complaint given by the Superintendent of Fife against Ge. Lesly Minister at Stramiglo and to decide therein and to notify their Sentence unto the Superintendent of Anguise In this year by past was great death and dearth through all the Country that the prices of corne and flesh was triple above the custom The writer of The Histo of Reformotion saith God did so according to the threatning in the law punish our ingratitude that suffered them to defile the Land with that abomination that he had so potently purged by the power of his word and for the riotous feasting both in City and country but alas who lookes to the true cause of our calamity Likewise in the winter following fell great rain which in the falling freezed so vehemently that the earth was but a shot of ice the fowls both great small could not flee but freezed and died and some were layd by the fire that their feathers might dissolve This frost is said to have been in January An. 1563. to wit according to the old account which was not changed in Scotland untill the year 1600. and then was changed but continueth in England untill the year 1660. CHAP. â— Of COVNCELS I. IT hath been shewd with what difficulty the Councel was called to Trents the History of it is most exquisitly penned by Petro Soave a Venetian The opening of Councel of Trent and translated into sundry languages here I add a compend faithfully and plainly in so far as concerneth the mannaging the Articles of doctrin for the most part When Pope Paul could no longer decline the calling of this councel as is before in the beginning of the year 1545. he sent three Legats John Maria de Monte a Card. Bishop of Palestina Marcellus Cervinus a priest Cardinall de Sancta Cruce and Reginald Pool a deacon Cardinal of S. Mary in Cosmedin with a Breve of legation but no particular instruction being as yet uncertain what commission to give them and intending to dispose as occasions namely the affairs of the Emperour shall require When the Legates were gone he consults the Cardinals what faculty is
may be condescended-upon for that effect 7. That in places where no Superintendents are some may be placed Answers were returned on July 8. giving in a word a favorable answer unto them all and for the sixth article the eight day of August was named but that day was not keept and so nothing was done therein 5. None should bring unto the Gen. Assembly any question or complaint that should and may be decided in a provinciall Synod or if they shall they shall be rejected 6. Because the Bishop of Orknay hath given obedience and submission now upon his petition the Assembly restores him Providing that on a certain day he shall have the Sermon in the Church of Halyrudhouse and in the end theteof confesse his offence in marrying the Queen with the Earle of Bothuell which the Bishop promiseth to do 7. The Bishop of Galloway is ordeined to declare whither he will wait upon Court and Counsell or upon preaching the word and visiting the Churches the Superintendent of Fife Lothian and Anguise are appointed to crave and report his answer unto the next assembly and in the mean time John rowe Minister at Santjohnstoun is appointed to visite the Churches of Galloway 8. No man should possesse the patrimony of the Church and not do dutifull seruice and because it is known that some of them have gifts whereby they may be profitable in the Church admonition is given to such that they shall apply themselves according to their gifts and as the Church shall judge them able unto the Ministry And because all such persons are not present the Superintendenrs and Visitors of Churches shall cause warn them all to be present at the next generall Assembly When the 25. of December was come few did conveen because a report was that the town was infected with the pest and also were great stormes both in the south and north therefore letters of advertisement were sent to all Superintendents and Commissioners of visiting churches to keep the 25. day of February VIII The Regent returnes to Edinburgh February 2. from a Treaty 1569. with the Queen of England concerning the proceedings of this Country with Queen Mary and about the twenty day of the same month the Duke returnes with commission from the Queen Mary to be her Deputy he causeth publish Letters prohibiting the subjects to acknowledge any other Soveraigne than the Queen Wherefore the Regent by proclamation chargeth in the Kings name the subjects to meet him at Glasgow March 10. The Assembly conveenes at Edinburgh February 2â— to wit Commissioners according to the Act of the former Assembly Da. Lindsay Minister The XVI Assembly at Lieth is chosen Moderator 1. A supplication is sent unto the Regent craving to take order with such persons as have received Benefices in time of Papistry and because they had quite the thirds think themselves free of all cure in the Church 2. That no Minister of Gods word have power to set tacks of his Benefice 3. To reduce all Benefices given to any person contrary to the Acts of Parliament or Counsell granted in favor of the Church The ordinary affaires were handled untill March 7. when a Letter was brought from the Duke shewing his good affection unto the Religion and his purpose to have all the subjects to live in a peaceable and quiet manner under the obedience of the Queen our Soveraigne regrating the proclamations made by the Earle of Morray and that not for fear of them as not deserving such and confident that the people and Nobilâ—ty will not be against him finally requiring to make his affaires and minde parent unto the people Or if they find not on his part that he offereth seekes what duty requires of his Christian profession that they would come and reason with him When this letter was read it was answered unto the bearer that they would send and acquaint the Regent with it and as it shall please please Him they will either write or send some of their number unto the Duke So they sent two Superintendents and a Minister unto the Regent to know his pleasure therein Aâ—ter conference the result was that the Assembly should send unto the Duke and conferre with him and others of the Nobility that may bee with him and use all meanes to reconcile both him and them unto the obedience of the King and his Regent 3. A generall fast is appointed to be keept throughout all the realm to begin the 13. day of this instant in such places as may be timously advertised by the Superintendents and in other places so soon as they may be advertised and to continue for eicht dayes inclusivè and in the mean time to use the exercise prescribed before and to use sobriety in eating drinking praying namely that God would be pleased to quench that appearing fire of intestine troubles 4. Moe articles were sent unto the Regent to wit 1. That remedy may be provided against the oppression of the Earle Huntly and of others who have opposed the Collectors of the Church and tyrannously placed their own 2. That it may please his Gr. and the Counsell that the Church may proceed from admonitions to further censures against the said Earle all others guilty of the like oppression even to excommunication in case of his and their contempt 3. That the Church without offense may appoint Robert Pont in some other place where his labors may be more frutefull than heertofore they have been in Murray 4. That order be taken against such odious crimes as provoke Gods wrath against the wholl land and if his Gr. send us to the Justice-Clerk experience teaches sufficiently what he had done in any such matter 5. That once the Jurisdiction of the Church may be distinguished from that which is Civill 6. That the Question of adultery may be determined whither the adulterer shall be admitted to the benefite of marriage After this Assembly and the fast by means of these which were sent from the Assembly an agreement was made betwixt the Regent and the Duke in this manner that the Duke should submit himself to the Kings authority he and his friends should be restored unto their honors and possessions and that he should give surety for his their continuing in obedience unto the King The Earls Argile Huntly refuse to be comprised under this agreement but deal by themselves When the Duke heard that they would not accept the conditions though he came to Edinburgh at the day appointed he would have shifted the giving of his surety and rashly vented his mind that if he were free of that promise he would never consent unto it Therefore he and the Lord Hereis who was thought to have diverted him were imprisoned in the castle of Edinburgh Then Argyle and Huntly made their submission and agreement Then the Regent goeth into the North and setled all these parts in peace and took pledges of them for observing peace in time coming
Alex. Arbuthnot and James Lowson are appointed to consider of an order therein and to report their judgement 2. The first part is agreed unto and where are no Presbyteries the Commissioners are to continue for that effect as before 3. The Church hath named Commissioners 4. Ordaines to advise with the Clerk-Register upon an answer unto the Kings Letter 〈◊〉 5. Referreth the form to be conceived in writ by David Lindsay and Patrick Adamson betwixt eicht and nyne 6. It is agreed to be propounded The 7. is referred to the particular elderships and whensoever disputations may be had the Church thinks them good 8. The Acts of the assembly should be put into execution by the Presbyteries 9. Ordaines this article to be craved being first well qualified and so the 10. and 11. and 12. and also that the Church proceed against the violaters of the sabboth day and mantainers of them The 13. 14. are agreed 12. Because by the many divisions and deadly feades in all quarters of the realm not only is the word of God and true religion burdened with slanders but the Common wealth is enormly wounded and all good disciplin and order confounded ....... herefore the assembly enjoyneth certain persons in severall places to travell earnestly for reconciling the differing parties and to require them in the name of God to live in unity and peace as it becomes the members of one body ....... as they wold shew themselves sons of peace 13. The assembly gives commission to two Barons seven Commissioners of burghs and the Ministers of the Kings house and of Edinb with Ro Pont Da. Lindsay Pa. Adamson An. Melvin and seven others or any eight of them To present unto the Lords of the Artâ—cls of the Parliament such heads as shall be given unto them by the Church these heads and a supplication unto the King were read and allowed but are not in the Register only in Sess 22. ordaines a supplication to the King and Lords of the Articles that no Act be past in Parliament repugnant to the true word of God and namely concerning Bishops The Parliament began at Edinburgh October 24. where first was an Act ratifying all former Lawes and Acts made â—or the liberty of the true Church and religion presently professed within the realm and a particular enumeration of these Acts another Act for provision of Ministers and certain stipends for them at all parish-churches one against the dilapidation of the rents of Benefices that are provided to Ministers one that all Benefices of cure under Prelacies shall be given to Ministers only and all other gifts of them to be null one against blasphemy and oaths with penalties according to the quality of severall trausgressors one against them that passe in pilgrimage or superstitiously to wells chapells and crosses and the observers of papisticall rites one for explication of the Act against notorious adultery to wit it shall be judged notorious adultery where children one or mo are procreat betwixt adulterers or when they keep company bed together notoriously known or when they are suspect of adultery and thereby give slander and thereupon being duly admonished to abstain and satiffy the Church by repentance or purgation and contemptuously refusing are excommunicat for their obstinacy all and every one being in any of these three degrees are made lyable to suffer death Another Act was against all Papists practizing against the true religion by dispersing libels in praise of the Pope or seducing the people c. Observe 1. That in all time preceeding was no opposition or variance betwixt the King and the Church In the assemblies the Kings Commissioners consented unto their Acts and namely unto these concerning the Policy of the Church excepting that part de Diaconatu whereunto neither did all the Ministers consent and his Commissioner did consent unto the registring of the book of Discipline in the Register of the Assembly and the King appointed Commissioners to concur with the Deputies of the Assemblies in the constitution of Presbyteries before the framing and publishing of the second Confession of faith as at that time was not a Bishop in the church who was not subject unto the assemblies and presbyteries yea and they were emploied as deputies to procure and supplicate against the power of episcopacy But neither could the book of disciplin be established nor episcopacy be forbidden by Act of Parliament not for any respect of discontent against the book of disciplin or for any intention to restore episcopacy in the Church but meerly upon account of Civill interest and the main respect was the securing of possessions depending upon the title of Bishops 2. Observe that the first variance between the King and the Ministers was upon respect unto the Duke of Lennox and that was for two particulares one that when the Duke came into the country many Papists came also into the Country and Court and began to practize so that as Bishop Spotswood in The History Pag. 308. shewes the Papists assembling together in Paisley did in derision sing a Soule masse for the Ministers as if they and their religion had been utterly gone Wherefore the Ministers in their Sermons did regrate the countenance given to Papists in the Court and the dangers whereinto both the King and countrey were brought by the secret practises of the French John Dury and Walter Balcanquall were summoned to answer before the Counsell for this their liberty of speaking in their Sermons they obey and compear and alledge that the Counsell was not their Judge in such a cause The matter being notoriously known and regrated by many the Ministers were dismissed at that time In time of the Assembly as is before Walter Balcanquall had spoken again to the same purpose and when the gentle man was sent unto the Assembly but would not be the accuser and the Assembly would not proceed against the Minister without an accuser the King was not wel-pleased but knowing the difficulty to find an accuser would follow the business no more The other particulare is related in the now-named History Pag. 316. The See of Glasgow being then void it was suggested unto the Duke by some flatterers that he had a fair occasion presented to make himselfe Lord of the City and of the lands pertaining to that bishoprick if he would only procure a gift thereof to some one that wold make a disposition thereof to him and his heirs The offer was made to sundry Ministers who all refused because of the required condition at last the agents in this business fell upon Robert Mongomery Min. at Sterlin he was content to accept it Thereupon a gift was formed and a Bond given by him that how soon he shall be admitted Bishop he should dispone the lands Lordship and whatsoever belongs unto that prelacy to the Duke and his heirs for the yearly paiment of a thousand pounds Scots with some horse-corn and poultry The Assembly hearing of this bargain do charge this
by act of Parliament to be in the power of the Church now publickly professed within the realm So the deprivation of Ministers is in the power of the same Church As for the deprivation of Bishops admitted since the Kings coronation it is thought meet that the same bee likewise in the power of the Church and the same deprivation to extend alswell from his function of the Ministry as feom the Benefice that the same may be declared vaiking and conferred of new as if he were naturally dead V. Causes of deprivation are heresy papistry Causes of deprivation common blasphemy periury adultery fornication incest slaughter theft common oppression common drunkennes usury against the lawes of the realm not residence and absence from his flock and office by the space of 40. dayes together in a year without a lawfull impediment allowed by the next gen assembly plurality of Benefices provided since the Kings coronation is cause of deprivation from them all except one whereunto the possessor will adstrict himselfe dilapidation of the rents of Benefices Simony The form of process to deprivation shall be a libell The forme of Procesâ— indeprivation and precept on 40. days warning if he be within the country or 60. days if he be without To be directed by the Church and such Commissioners thereof that elect or admit the person complained-on Summoning him to compear and answer unto the complaint And incase of absence at the first summons the second to be directed in like manner With certification if he fail the libell shall be admitted to probation and he shal be held Pro confesso After the decreet pronounced if the person think him selfe wronged it shal be lawfull unto him to use appellation unâ—o the next generall assembly and intimate the same within ten dayes otherwise the decreet to have present execution 6. The summons raised unto this The troublous Processe against Ro. Montgom day by the Eldership of Sterlin against Robert Mongomery sometime Minister there upon their sentence of suspension against him from the function of the Ministry to be allowed by the Generall Assembly and further tryall to be taken concerning his life doctrin and manners and other things that the Assembly shall lay to his charge was read The same Robert being present is required to answer He alledges that the Church should not allow any thing deduced against him in that process because he was never lawfully summoned thereunto he knew nothing of that suspension from the Ministry but only by bruit nor ever was the same intimated unto him and in so far as the process beares personall intimation unto him of the suspension he takes instrument and offereth to disprove the same in that point The Assembly notwithstanding these allegeances findes the said process decreet and intimation to be orderly deduced and the sentence of suspension well proceeded given Reserving unto the said Robert in the second instance liberty to seek reduction and remedy as appertaines He being further accused of contraveening the said sentence of suspension by preaching the word and Ministration of the Sacraments confesseth it and pretends ignorance of the sentence given Then the Lord of requests delivers a writing from the King declaring that it is his will the Church shall not trouble the said Robert for any thing concerning the bishoprick or that may result thereupon or for any other cause bypast committed by him but that it may be handled before his Majesty This Letter is reverently received and read openly and the Brethren praise God that the King was pleased to send his Commissioner unto the Assembly as for the action by the assistance of God such attendance shall be given thereunto in respect of his Hieness that nothing shall be handled belonging to Civill power aâ—d nothing but uprightly sinceerly and with just judgement shal be pronounced against him as they shall answere unto God and his Majesty In Sess 7. a plain and large discourse was openly made of all the diligence of the Brethren to whom Commission was given in the last assembly concerning Ro. Mongomery and the copies of the charge given to him with the execution hereof With the which discourse and former confession of the said Robert that he had preached and ministred the Sacraments after the decreet of suspension the assembly in one voice findeth the said decreet and sentence contraveened and violated by him and delayeth to decern upon that contravention untill the next day at their first conveening The said Robert demandes the answer of the assembly whither they will accuse him upon any thing concerning the bishoprick or any thing resulting there upon and he requires a copy of the large discourse made verbally by the brother to the effect he may answer to every point thereof He is bidden remove till the assembly be advised and give their answer Within a litle space compeares John Burn Messinger and by vertue of our Soverain Lords Letters delivered by the Lords of the Secret Counsell dischargeth the brethren of the Generall Assembly the Moderator and his Assessors from directing any citations against Ro. Mongomery or using excommunication innovation slandering or troubling him in his ministery for aspiring to the Bishoprick of Glasgow or for calling or persuing his brethren for the same or for any promise made by him therein or for any other thing depending there upon in time bypast Under the pain of rebellion and putting them to the horn Certifying them if they fail he will denounce them Our Soverain Lords rebells Of the which charge he deliveres instantly a copy subscribed with his hand The said Robert is called-in again but he was gone Thomas macgy a Minister is ordained to warn the same Ro. mongomery to compeare the next day In Sess 8. Robert Mongomery is called and compeares not but by William Mongomery his proctor who produces an appellation whereof more followes Thomas Macgy is called and declares that yesternight at command of the Assembly he had warned the said Ro. mongomery to compear at this hour before this assembly personally in presence of Wa. Hay Jo. Couper and An. Ker Ministers and that he promised to compear personally The same did these Ministers testify to be true Then some enormities were produced and read where of the same Robert was said to be guilty to wit 1. negligence and corruption of doctrin also scandalous conversation for the which he was suspended 2. Contraveening of the suspension in Glasgow Sterlin and in the Kings Chappell 3. Violating of his promise made to the presbytery of Sterlin that he should continue and wait upon his cure 4. Horrible oaths in the face of the Assembly denying with protestation before God the intimation of the suspension 5. Raising and executing letters and procuring them by sinistrous information for overthrowing the disiplin of the Church 6. Usurping another mans flock and that being accompanied with armed men after the suspension 7. Charging the wholl assembly under pain of
use without favor and no part thereof be disponed to their friends or any other person for their commodity 6 Great reason their forsciture alwaye preceeding That all persons be inhibited under the pain of treason and losse of life lands and goods to receipt supply rise-with or concurr or have intelligence with the foresaid excommunicats under whatsoever pretense of vasalls or dependes 7 To be ready at my charge it is very meet But I understand not the last clause That all the subjects be charged to put themselves in arms by all good means they can remaning in full readines to pursue and defend as they shall be certified by his Majesty or otherwise finding occasions urgent 8 I shall omitt no diligence in that which can be required at my hands as I shall answer to God That the ship arrived at Montros be apprehended and the persons which were within her together with others which have had any dealing with them according as they shall be given up in writ be called and diligently examined for discovery of the practises and purposes which they have presently in hand 9, Distingue tempora conciliabis Scripturas The meaning of this the bearers will expound unto you Forsomuch as the Lord Hume hath controveened sundry points wherein he was obliged unto the Church of Edinb by his promise at the receiving of his subscription as in not satisfying the Synod of Fife in not receiving a Minister into his house in not removing out of his bounds Captain Andrew Gray and Thomas Tyry whereby as also by his scandalous life since his subscription he hath given just cause of suspicion unto the Church and all good men that as yet in his heart he is not sanctified truly or converted to the true religion Therefore that his Majesty would take earnest tryall of the premisses and thereby judge if there appear in him such sincerity of religion life as his Majesty may trust him and the Church may expect true friendship in so dangerous a time in the cause of religion and if that be not found that his Majesty would remove him from his company and discharge him of all publick office and command 10 The complaints belong not unto your offices alwayes That the guard presently taken up be tryed together with the Captaines because many complaints are given unto the Assembly against them IV. I have satisfied the bearers Subscribitur Iames R. Whereas a horrible superstition is used in Garioch and in other parts of the Countrey in not labouring a parcell of ground dedicated to the devill under the name of the good mans croft the Church for remedy hereof hath found meet that an article be propounded unto the Parliament that an Act may proceed for ordaining all persons possessors of such lands to cause tille and labour them before a certain day to be appointed thereunto or in case of disobedience the same landes to fall into the Kings handes to be disponed unto sueh persons as shall please his Majesty who will labor them V. Alexander Lord Hume compeares and is asked by the Moderator Whither he confesseth with his heart and mouth as before the Lord that he was justly casten out of the Church by the Sentence of excommuniation pronounced against him by the Synod of Fife and as he will answer upon pain of salvation The from of absolution of excommunication damnation to speak the truth simply He protestes and acknowledges that he was justly excommunicat and confesses his fault in deserving it Then he is asked Why he sought not to be relaxed from that Sentence according to the direction to the Presbytery of Edinburgh He excuseth himselve by ignorance of that part of the Act. And being accused Why he detained the stipends of some Ministers namely of Chirnside he answereth he is ready to pay whatsoever he oweth by law Why he hath no observed the conditions named in the Act of the Presbytery of Edinburg to wit that he should have a Minister in his Family and remove Tho. Tyry out of his company He remembreth not that he was required to have a Minister in his family but now he is willing to accept any whom the Church shall appoint as for Tho. Tyry he was in was in his service after that time but understood not that he was obliged to remove him untill the Church did excommunicate him and since that time he hath discharged removed him He is asked Whither he knew a priest named Cowy or any that was set on land out of that ship coming lately from Flanders He denieth both He is asked Whether the Jesuit Mackwherry was in his house lately He confesses that he was in this house within these five dayes and came without out his knowledge nor had he any missive or commission unto him and he stayd not above an halfhour Lastly the said Lord confesseth and protestes in the presence of God whom he takes to witness and the Lord Jesus who will judge the quick the dead that he professeth from his heart the religion pâ—esently professed by the Church here present whereof he hath already subscribed the Articles before the Presbytery of Edinburgh and now acknowledgeth to be the only true infallible religion which leadeth unto salvation and wherein he intends to live and dy and which he shall to his uttermost defend against all the enemies thereof and as he shall answer to the dreadfull God he forsakes the Romane religion as Antichristian and directly opposite to the truth of God and his true Service And these things he testifieth by lifting up his hand and declaring before God that he hath no dispensation nor indulgence to subscribe or sweare Certain brethren are appointed to conferre with him at his own lodging for the fuller tryall of his resolution On the second day thereafter Alex. L. Hume compeares and humbly craves to be absolved from the Sentence of excommunication protesting that in time coming he will give proof of obedience and service unto God and maintain the truth of His religion presently professed by the Church here present unto his lifes end and howbeit some time he had been of a different religion now he avoweth since he hath been better informed in the Heads wherein he differed the Confession of faith and religion presently professed by the Assembly and if hereafter he shall decline from it he submits himselfe unto the Censure of the Church hoping by Gods grace that he shall never make defection Because all these answers and professions have been passed by word only the Assembly judgeth it meet that some articles be written and then subscribed by him and thirdly to consider of his absolution The next day these Articles were propounded in write unto him 1. That Alexander L. Hume ratify approve the subscription and oath given by him unto the Confession of faith at Edinburgh December 22. last or subscribe again in face of the Assembly 2. That he
within this realm And seeing we are called before your L. L. to hear and see it found and declared that we have very contemptuously conveened and Assembled ourselves in a generall Assembly at Aberdien the first tuysday of July last and therefore that Assembly to be declared unlawfull as at more length is contained in the summons Wee in confideration of the premisses and other reasons to be given by us have just cause to decline your L. Ls judgement as no way competent in the cause above specified and by these presents simpliciter decline the same seing we are most willing to submit ourselves to the tryall of the generall assembly the only Judges competent By these presents subscribed with our hands October 24. And it was subscribed by all the fourthien They were nevertheless required to answer unto the summons and they did answer for clearing themselves but with protestation of adhering to their declinature In summa they declare that they had done nothing but according to an Act of Parliament in the year 1592. and they offred to disprove the indorsation of the charge and whereas their declinature was taken in ill part they do acknowledge themselves willing to submit unto the judgement of the Counsell in any matter wherein any other subject ought to submit neither is it a new thing to decline their judgement in some cases seing there is extant a declinature subscribed by moe then 300. Ministers and namely by some of these who now are their greatest adversaries And it it usuall unto the subjects in some Civill causes to decline the judgement of the Counsell and to take them unto the judgement of the Lords of the Session or of the Justice generall or even of a Regality They were sent to their severall prisons and Robert Youngson who that day had joyned with them confessing his trouble of conscience for his former oversight was imprisoned in Sterlin After that time they published an Apology wherein they enlarged their answers and the reasons of their declinature whereof a touch followes and in end they say Let it be supposed that it was an offence to hold the Assembly yet it should not be imputed unto them particularly but unto the presbyteries unto whom the Letters of the generall Commissioners were directed and who had ordered them to go and keep the Assembly and afterwards had approved their proceedings Notwithstanding all their allegations John Forbes John Welsh Robert Dury Andrew Duncan Iohn Sharp and Alexander Strachan were brought by the Guard from Blackness to Lithgow to be arraigned January 10. before the Counsell of treason because they had declined the Counsell It was said commonly that the extraordinary discovery of the powder plot at London would have moved the King to desist from troubling Ministers either in England for their not conformity unto the rites or in Scotland for standing to their ratified liberty when all the churches were required to give thanks unto God for that Benefit But the Earle of Dunbar was sent from Court to manage that business Ere the Ministers were brought to the Bar some Counsellers were sent unto them to move them take up their declinature After advice with some other Ministers there present they answered They would take up the declinature if the Counsel would delete the process and decreet standing against them The Lords replied The Counsell could not annull their decreet which was registred Others were sent unto them again to advise them to pass from the declinature pro loco tempore assuring them that the Counsell would pass from all process persute They would not answer without advice of their Brethren who were there about thretty and then they answerd The testimony that was given could not be recalled without prejudice of the Trueth And they craved licence to advice with their own presbyteries upon caution that they shold return into prison This was denied All that number of Ministers accompanied the imprisoned unto the Bar about one a clok There were present in the Counsell the Earles of Montrose Dunfernlin Chancellor Mar Lithgow Dunbar and Lords Glams Elphinston Abercromy Scoon Balmerino Newbotle Tullibairn Blantyre Haliroodhous and Barons Whittingam Pennicook Clerkinton Murdo-Cairny Kilsyth and Master of Elphinston to assist the Justice Deput as Assessors in the cause Sir Thomas Hamilton the Kings Advocat compeared to accuse The Dittay was read importing their treasonable declinature of the Royal authority grounded upon an act of Parliament in the year 1584. I omit the particular aggravations because they may be known by the answers The substance of their defence by their Advocat Thomas Hope afterwards the Kings Advocat and Lord Craig-hall was The declinature is not against either the title nor intention of the law which was made only against such as derogat from the K. royall authority but this declinature left his authority fully The law served only against such as were summoned super inquirendis but these were accused and committed to prison for a deed or action Their declinature was propounded by way of defence and therefore can not be accounted treason The law naming the penalty of treason is odious and therefore should not be enlarged but rather restrained That which is treason in a case expressed may not be extended unto other cases not expressed That law judgeth not such a case to be treason but only forbids such a thing under the pain of treason The act bearing only the incurring of treason the penalty can never be justly inflicted unless the fact be found treasonable by law But no law defineth the declinature of an incompetent Iudge to be treason Neither did these decline the Kings judicatory simply but the Counsels and that only in this and and such causes They were ever and yet are content to be judged by his Majesty and the Generall assembly seing according to God's Word and the lawes of the realm which have distinguished the Civil and Ecclesiasticall jurisdictions the matters of the Church should be judged and cognosced by the Church and it's assemblies which were aswel ratified confirmed by the lawes of the countrey as any other Iudicatory To judge of the lawfuldess or unlawfulness of a gen assembly belongs unto a generall assembly and hath been the practise of our Church even when his Majesty was present as the Assembly at Perth in the year 1596. was controverted notwithstanding his Majesties presence at it and then he was so far from judging the lawfulness of it by himself or his Counsell that in the next generall Assembly at Dundy he did require the question to be decided there as properly pertaining to that Judicatory It hath been lawfull and in continuall practise that his Majesty and Secret Counsell have in sundry causes been declined and the cause drawn to the ordinary and competent Judge as in matters Civill unto the Session in matters criminall unto the Justiciary matters of divorce unto the Comissaries yea the meanest Regalities have power to decline suprem