came from France with Lewis fell sick and being moved in conscience called unto him some of the English Lords and said unto them I lament your wretched case and from my heart I do pity the desolation come upon your Country the dangerous snares which are laid for your confusion are hid from your eyes but take heed in time Prince Lewis hath sworn a great oath and sixteen of his Nobles of whom I was one that if he obtain the Crown of England he will banish them all which are now against their native King and are Traitors to his noble Person And that ye take not this for a fable I assure you upon my faith being in this condition as ye now see at the mercy of God I have great conscience hereof and I pity your estate and so give you this warning your King hath for a season kept you under but if Lewis shall prevail he will put you from all of two extream evils chuse the least and keep it secret what I have told you Shortly thereafter he departed this life When this was once noised among the Barons they were in great heaviness for they saw themselves betrapped every way on the one side was the Pope's curse and also Lewis dealing to the French all that he purchased either Territories or Castles yea and they heard him say They were all Traitors Then they agree to submit themselves unto King John they were easily pardoned And John recovered Rochester Castle and City London York Lincoln and prevailed in many hazardous adventures against Lewis and Alexander The same year John did lodge two days in the Abbey not far from Lincoln and there died Some say he was poisoned by a Cistertian Monk Matth. Parisien saith he died of an Ague through sorrow and surfeit Rog. Hoveden and 1. Fox in Act. Monim give him this testimony He was indeed a valorous Prince and unfortunate like Marius having experience of both fortunes nor loved he the Mass Then many of the Lords swear obedience unto Lewis But William Earl of Pembroke Marshal of England a grave and wise Counsellor did quietly and friendly call together sundry of the Earls and Barons and set before them Henry the eldest Son of King John being them nine years old and perswaded them to embrace him for their King and he was crowned by Wallo at Glocester with consent of them which had followed his Father and Wallow acccursed them all which did follow Lewis Nevertheless Lewis did more and more harm in the Land until the above named William went against him with an Army and then he fled into London and sent unto his Father for help an hundred Ships were prepared in France but Richard a bastard Brother of King John having onely eighteen Ships for keeping the Cinque-Ports set upon them and by providence fifteen of them escaped not unsunk or taken Then the Ambassades of Lewis writ from Rome unto him If he left not England the Pope would renew the sentence of excommunication against him likewise many of the Nobles forsook him Then he sought a treaty with the King and at last it was concluded that a 1000 l. should be given unto Lewis to depart and should never return So he was honourably convoyed unto the Sea And reconciliation was made betwixt Henry and Alexander with consent of the Legate Then Wallo began his harvest the Kings had dealt for themselves and their Armies and the Legate could wring nothing from them but he calleth the Clergy to account Hugh Bishop of Lincoln paid 1000. marks unto the Pope and as much unto the Legate c. He summoned the Scotch Bishops and Abbots to Anwick some opened their purses and were absolved and the most stubborn as he called them were sent to Rome With the inferior Church-men he took another course he sent for the Prior of Duresm and Westbeck the Arch-Deacon to go into Scotland and call before them the Priests and Canons into every principal Town of the bounds and there partly upon their confessions and partly by wearisome protractions from day to day great sums were squeezed from them They who went to Rome had purchased Letters from the Bishops and Abbots of England against Wallo and accused him before Pope Honorius of avarice and other crimes Wherefore the Pope took from him a part of the prey and the accusers were absolved and sent home with empty purses But the Pope being not yet contented sent Cardinal Aegidius to exact other sums for absolving them from their vow of going into Palestina When Aegidius returned he said he was robbed by the way therefore another Legate was sent to gather as much The King convened his Nobles and Prelates and all in one voice did send and forbid the Legate to come into the Realm G. Buchan Hist lib. 7. Also England groaned under these burthens and sent their grievances unto the Councel at Lions Regrating 1. That the Pope was not content with Peter-pence but extorted from them great sums of money without consent of the King and against all precedent examples 2. Patrons cannot present unto Benefices which are given to Romans ignorant of the language to the great prejudice of souls and spoiling of the Realm 3. Of the frequent recourse of the Pope's Legates by whom faith and fidelity the ancient Customs of the Nation the Authority of the Statutes Laws and Priviledges are abrogated But the Pope's purse had no ears to hear such complaints and anon he sent for more money wherefore a Proclamation was made in name of King Henry the III. that no man should consent to any exaction of money unto the Court of Rome The Pope in a rage directed instantly his Letters unto the Bishop of Worcester charging all England under pain of his curse to obey his Legate before such a day and that Bishop to be executioner of his curse Fear of the curse prevailed against the former Proclamation But the Pope was not yet satisfied he was not ashamed to crave first the tenth then the fifth part and lastly the third part of all Church-revenues within England besides other extraordinary occasions and the yearly revenue of the Pope in England was 60000. marks sterling Whereupon the King sent his Messengers again unto Rome and the Nobles did by writing complain of the scandals arising from the avarice of the Court and spread their complaint through the Christian world professing that they would not suffer the Country to be so rudely abused although the King would wink at it and unless these things said they unto the Pope be speedily redressed by you let your Holiness know for certainty that it may not without cause be feared that such danger is like to ensue both to the Church of Rome and unto our King that no remedy will easily be found for it At that time John a Cardinal and an English man did entreat his Holiness for God's cause to bridle with some temperance the passion of his minde which is here said he
Edward and Zealous of the Reformed religion Henry would not suffer Gardener to come into his presence in time of his sicknes but called oft for Cranmer to receive spirituall confort Jo. Foxin Acts. Great joy was among the Fathers at Trent and Rome when they heard of his death Pe. Soave But they where disapointed as followes IV. Pope Paul seeing that England had left him and fearing the like departure â— Light persecution continue in Scotland of Scotland creates David beton one which was not entred into the order of priesthood Cardinal S. Stephani de Monâ—e Coelio and sent him as his Legat to prevent defection Strict inquisition was made at his command in the year 1538. many both in Edinburgh and Sant Andrewes for fear did abjure the reformed Religion Notwithstanding his opposition the light of the Trueth spreads in the cloisters and the Friers preach against the ignorance and malice of the Bishops In February 1538. the bishops held a meeting at Edinburgh There two Friers Killore and Beverage two priests Duncan Simson and Thomas Forrest and a gentle man Tho. Forrester were condemned and burnt upon the Castle-hill Thomas Forrest had been Vicar of Dolor and was delated unto the Bishop of Dunkell for preaching every sunday to his parishoners upon the Epistles Gospels of the day the Bishop desireth him to forbear seing that diligence brought him into suspicion of heresy but said he if you can find a good Gospell or a good epistle that makes for the liberty of the holy Church teach that and leave the rest Thomas answereth I have read both the New testament and the old and I never found an ill epistle or an ill gospell in any of them The Bishop replieth I thank God I have lived well these many years and never knew the old nor new I content mee with my Portuise and Pontificall and if you leave not those fantasies you will repent when you can not mende it He answered he thought it his duty to do as he did and had layd his account with any danger that may follow The sommer following Jer. Russell a gray frier and Thomas Kennedy a young man of Aire not above 18 years of age were at Glascow accused of heresy because the Bishop Gawin Dumbar was thought cold in the business Mrs John Lawder And. Oliphant and frier Maltman were sent from Edinburgh to assist him The young man would have saved his life by denying the pointâ— layd to his charge but when he heard Russel's answers he falls upon his knees and saith Wonderfull o Lord is thy love and mercy towards mee a miserable wretch for even now I would have denied thee and thy son the Lord Jesus Christ my only Saviour and so have thrown myself into everlasting condemnation thou by thy own hand hast pulled mee back from the bottom of hell and given mee to feell most heavenly comfort which hath removed the ungodly fear that before oppressed my mind now I defy death do what yee please I praise God I am ready The Frier reasoneth a long time with his accusers and when he heard nothing from them but bitter and menacing speeches he said This is your houre and power of darknes now yee sit as Judges and we stand and wrongfully are condemned but the day comes which will shew our innocency and yee shall see your own blindness to your everlasting confusion go on and fulfill the measure of your iniquity At these words the Bishop was moved and said These rigorous executions hurt the cause of the Church more than wee think of and therefore in may opinion it were better to spare the mens lives and take some other course with them These which were sent to assist said If he will follow any other course than which had been kept at Edinburgh he could not be esteemed a friend of the Church So he consentes to their cruelty All the time the fire was a preparing Rusell comforts the young man and useth such speeches Fear not brother for he is more mighty which is in us than he who is in the world the pain which wee shall suffer is short and light but our joy consolation shall never have an end death can not destroy us for it is destroyed already by him for whose sake wee suffer let us strive to enter by the same straite way which our Saviour hath taken before us The hearers were wonderfully moved with these and such words and seeing their constancy Spotswo in the Histo Lib. 2. At that time Geo. Buchanan was imprisoned for his poësie written against the Franciscans but he escaped out of prison The Bishops intend to use the like cruelty in all parts of the realme nevertheless day by day not only the learned but even those of whom such gifts could scarcely have been expected began plainly to paint forth the hypocrisy of friers and ignorance of priests Bishop Beaton becomes sick and commits his charge to his nephew the Cardinal which did succeed him At his first entring to shew his grandure he calleth to Sant Andrews in Maje 1540. eight Earls Lords 5 Bishops In May Anno 1540. 4 Abbots with a great number of Barons Priours Deans and Doctours and sitting in a chaire somewhat above them all because he was a Cardinal he speaks of the danger of the Catholick Church by the increase of hereticks and their boldnesse even in the Kings Court where they finde too great countenance He named Sir John Borthwick commonly called Captain Borthwick and some call him Provest of Lithgow whom he had caused to be summoned for dispersing the English New Testament and books of Jo. Oecolampade Melanthon and Erasmus and for maintaining diverse heresies and the Cardinal craves their assistance in proceeding in justice against him Among other articles these were read 1. The Pope hath no greater authority over Christians then any other Bishop hath 2. Indulgences granted by the Pope are but to deceive poor souls 3. bb priests and other clerks may lawfully marry 4. the heresies commonly called the heresies of England and their new liturgy is commendable and should be embraced c. He appeares not and is condemned for these particulars as an heresiarch and is ordained to be burnt in effigie if he can not be apprehended He sled into England and King Henry imploieth him in a commission to the Protestant Princes in Germany for a confoederation in defense of their common profession Some years preceeding King Henry had sent the Bishop of S. Davids with some English books unto his nephew K. James aiming to induce him unto the like Reformation and in that year he craves a meeting at York to treat of the common good of both kingdoms The King was advised by the Nobility to prepare for that journy and he returnes answer that he will come But the Cardinal and clergy fearing the effects of that Conference set themselves against it they cast the seed of discord among the Counsellers
four dayes after his coming from Dundie that town was infected with the pest Upon this occasion he leaves Kyle with the grief of many and returnes to Dundy being confident that in that visitation they would hearken unto the comfort of the Word Because some were sick and some were clean he stood upon the east port and preached both in the hearing of the sick without and of the cleane within They hearken then unto him with such comfort that they wish to dy rather than live thinking that possibly they could not have such comfort afterwards He spareth not to visite the sick both with bodily and spirituall refreshment The Cardinal was enraged at this preaching and hireth a frier to kill him but Cod made his servant to espy the weapon under the friers goun and to gripe his hand The people would have used violence against the frier but he stayd them saying He hath done mee no wrong but rather good and shewes that I have need to take heed unto myself The frier declares who had sent him and was let go When the plague ceaseth in Dundy he returnes to Montros to visite the Church there and ministreth the Communion with both elements in Dun. From thence he was called by the gentle men of the West to meet them at Edinburgh because they intend to seek a dispute with the Bishops In the way he lodged at Innergoury in the house of James watson there it was revealed unto him that he was to glorify God shortly by martyrdom and not many shall suffer after him When he told these things unto others in that house he said also The glory of God shall triumph clearly in this realme in spite of Satan but alas if the people shall become unthankfull fearfull shall their plagues bee When he came to Edinburg these of Kyle came not he preaches sometimes there and some times in Lieth within privat houses at the entreaty of some he preached now in Brounstoun then in Ormestoun and somtimes in Hadingtoun in that town for feare of the Earle Bothuell few did hear him and he foretold the desolation that came on that town When he returned to Ormestoun he told that he was to be apprehended shortly the same night Bothuell comes with a number of armed men at the instigation of the Cardinal Wishart yeelds himself and is convoyd to Edinburgh and then to Santandrews There he was accused upon the doctrin of justifiâ—ation he defends himself by the Scriptures Neverthelesss he is condemned and burnt March 1. year 1546. When he was in the fire the Captain of the castle went near him and in few words exhorts him to be of good courage and crave pardon of his sins from God He ansvereth This fire is grievous to my body but touches not my soule yet said he pointing at the Card. he who so proudly lookes out of his window shall be shortly layd forth ignominiously Many of the Nobility were rather provoked than afrayd with such cruelty and they began to think Some thing must de attempted with hazert rather than always suffer shamefully So Normand Lesley the eldest son to the Earle of Rothes whom the Card. had much respected and other 16 persones conspire his death Buchanan Lib. 15 Histor saith a private quarrel moved them May 7. in the morning when the masons were wont to be let in to work they kil the porter at the gate and then having locked the gate they kill the Carldinal in his bedchamber A noise ariseth in the City some would climb the walls then the murderers lay the corps forth at the window whence he had beheld the burning of Mr Wishart to shew that their business was too late The report is quickly spred some said God had done justly albeit the attempt was wicked I passe over what was done by the Regent to punish the fact and how they keep the castle If we will judge of the fact by the event some of these murderers died in prison some in the galeys some escaped but all died miserably Nor did the posterity of the Cardinal enjoy long prosperity for his three daughters were Ladies of Crawford Vain and Kelly in Anguise and all these families are now ruined He gave good estates unto his three sons but none of their posterity have any heritage that he gave them but I return to the history Because the Scots were intending a match with France a fleet of ships sent from England arrive at Lieth unaworse they spoile Edinburgh and the country thereabout and sent their ships loadned with spoile again in the same year The Regent and Queen bring some aid from France but the country was a common prey to both the Nations and they were divided among themselves some adhering unto England and their first Contract and others pretending the old league with France but indeed cleaving to idolatry whereupon followed that infortunat battell at Pinky on the tenth of September An. 1547. The warrs continue some years betwixt the two Nations and the Queen was sent to France in April An. 1548. John Knox hapned to be within the castle of Saintandrews when the last siege began and was carried away to France with the others because it was made cleare that he was not at the murder nor did consent unto the other crimes he was set at liberty and went to Geneva thence he was called to the Ministry of Englishes at Frankeford In the year 1553. Mary being Queen of England peace was concluded with France England Scotland The next year the Queen Dowager went to France and procureth that the Regent was moved to dimit his office they terrify him that within a few years he may be called to account of his intromission and in present contentation the King of France gave him the Dukedom of Chatterault So he resigneth his office in Parliament unto the Ambassadour Mons d'Osell in favours of Q. Mary and her Curatours King of France and Duke of Guise The Ambassadour delivereth instantly the same office unto the Q. Dowager Then the Prelates thought that none durst open a mouth against them but the provident eie of God brought from England in time of persecution under Mary some learned men as Wi harlaw John willock c. and Jo. Knox returnes in the end of the year 1555. Before his coming the best Another step of Reformation men thought it not a sin to be present at Masse he by authority of Gods word persuades them to abhor it He abode at Dun and was exercised dayly in preaching then he went unto Calder where the Lord Erskin L. Lorn and James Priour of Sant Andrews son of James V. and sundry other Noble men were his hearers He went to Finlastoun and preaches before the Zealous Earle of Glencairn he ministreth the Lords supper wherever he preacheth When the Bishops heard of this they summon him to appear at Edinburg May 15. An. 1556. The Bishops assemble not and he preaches in the Bishop of Dunkells loding
HISTORY Of the CATHOLICK CHURCH From the Year 600 untill the Year 1600. Shewing Her DEFORMATION And REFORMATION Together with The RISE REIGN RAGE and BEGIN-FALL Of the ROMAN ANTICHRIST With many other profitable Instructions Gathered out of divers WRITERS of the several times and other HISTORIES BY ALEXANDER PETRIE Minister of the Scots Congregation at Rotterdam Psalm III. What we have heard and known and our Fathers have told us we will not hide them from their Children shewing unto the Generation to come the praise of the Lord and his strength and his wonderfull Works that he hath done Cyprian de zelo livore Evill shall be eschued the more readily if the beginning and greatness of it be known Origen contra Celsum Lib. 3. As he is deemed to have made progress in Philosophy who being acquainted with the disputes of different opinions hath chosen the best reasons among them So I am bold to say that he is the wisest among Christians who hath most diligently considered the several Sects of Jews and Christians HAGUE Printed by ADRIAN VLACK M. DC LXII HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE TO HIS HIGHNES WILLIAM THE III By the Grace of God PRINCE of ORANGE Count of Nassaw Catzenelbogen Vianden Dietz Lingen Moeurs Bueren Leerdam c. Marquess of ter Vere and Vlissingen Lord and Baron of Breda of the City of the Grave and Land of Kuyck Diest Grimbergen Herstall Kranendonck Warneston Arlay Noseroy S. Vijt Doesbourg Polanen Willemstadt Niewart Ysselstein S. Martensdijck Geertruydenberg Chasteau-regnard the High and Lower Swaluw Naeldwijck c. Vicount Hereditary of Antwerp and Besançon c. Marshal Hereditary of Holland c. I Will honour them that honour me saith the LORD But who can tell what shall be done unto them whom the Lord will honour Certainly those do honour him who serve him religiously They who are careless of Religion do pretend that they cannot serve God because there be so many Religions and they cannot know which is the right But if they were unfeignedly desirous to know they might be resolved since our Lord who is gracious mercifull and abundant in goodness and truth leaves us not in the mist or unto uncertainties but at several times and in divers waies hath spoken unto the Fathers by the Prophets and in the last daies hath spoken unto us by his Son and hath commanded all men to hear Him He is the Way the Verity and the Life none comes unto the Father but by Him On which words Chrysostom writes thus It is as if our Saviour had said I am the Way that is By me ye shall come The Verity because assuredly those things shall be which I have promised neither is any lie in me And the Life because Death cannot hinder you from me And since I am the Way ye need not another Guide Since I am Truth I speak no false thing Since I am Life although ye shall die ye shall injoy what I have promised And Cyrill Alexandr on the same words saith By three things we shall come into these Heavenly mansions by the action of true verity by right faith and the hope of eternal life of all which none is the giver none is the fountain nor is any the cause but our Lord Jesus Christ for he hath given commandments above the Law he hath shewed us the Way And he is also the Truth that is the true streightness and determination the uprightest rule and the best square of faith And he is also the Life for none but he can restore unto us that life which we hope shall be in holiness and blessedness without perishing He certainly shall raise us up though we die from that curse for sin and bring us into Heaven therefore all excellent things come and shall be unto us through him But those Worldlings say The Word of Christ is large and so many things are in it that we cannot search them Nevertheless He directs all men to search the Scriptures and the Evangelist teacheth that those are written that we might beleeve that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that beleeving we might have life through his name Yea in that written Word he hath certain rules and notes whereby the true Religion may be known Certainly that is the most true Religion which ascribes most glory unto God and most transcends the natural reason of men and most elevates the hearts and affections of men towards God and Heaven By application of those undoubted and unquestionable principles each one may understand that among all Religions the Reformed is the only true Religion for not only our Profession in the general but all the branches of our Doctrine are grounded on God's written Word and tend unto God's glory transcend our natural reason and lead men to think continually of God and to hope for blessedness in Heaven by Christ alone And amongst those who profess this Religion they are most devoted unto God and most constant in their profession who aim most at God's glory who are most acted by supernatural principles who do most think of God and whose hope of felicity in Heaven is most active And such as seek but their own or other mens interests or be led by political or human reasons mainly are the wavering Professors On the other side all other Religions though they pretend the glory of God they are not truly grounded on God's Word but are underpropped with natural reason and tend to earthly mindedness as appears by induction of the particulars wherein they differ from us some aiming at the advancement of mens abilities and others at worldly honour and gain This is clear in the Romish Religion for what else is the advancing of man's ability without or with a little help of God their Justification by works their Deifying of the Pope above all that is called God their equalling of Mens Traditions and Decrees with the Sacred Scriptures What else is their Mass their fancy of Purgatory c Here it is remarkable what is written by their Jesuit Cardinal Bellarmin de Indulg Lib. 1. Cap. 12. Sect. Rationes We see saith he that the amplest Indulgences are given for a very slight cause as when plenary Indulgence is given unto all who stand before the Door of St. Peter's Church and the Pope blesseth all the people solemnly And Sect. Observandum he saith That standing before St. Peter's Porch is a very light and slight cause if it be considered absolutely in it self and nevertheless it is a weighty and just cause because that frequency of the people at that time is a fit and usefull means of protesting their Faith concerning the Head of the Church and it serves for the honour of the Apostolical See which honour is the end of that Indulgence So he The Pope then and the People do aid one another mutually for the People confirms the Supremacy of the Pope by their presence and receiving that Indulgence and He by dispensing his
Indulgence so liberally confirms the People in their Superstition and Pharasaical opinion of Works But what is there for the glory of God or promoting Piety They are wont to object several pretences of their Religion which may be reduced into ten 1. The stateliness of their Churches in comparison of the emptiness and baseness of others 2. Their Unnion and Harmony when others fall into Shivers 3. Their Antiquity and others are but of Yesterday 4. They press us to acknowledge that the Church of Rome was once true And then they infer therefore they are the true Church as yet since the true Church cannot perish nor be changed in the Essentials 5. They call for the time place and persons when where and by whom the change came 6. Where did our Church lurk so long 7. The Authours of the Reformation had no Commission to attempt it 8. They vaunt of their succession without interruption 9. They glory of the substance of Religion which cannot be deemed to be still with them 10. They bewitch the people with ambitious ostentation of innumerable Friers who amongst them have renounced the World that they may attain Eternal Life All these pretences are clearly refuted by Io. Calvin Lib. de Scandalis and after him by Io. Cameron Lib. de Rom. Ecclesiae praejudiciis in a direct and dogmatical way but they are as it were sensibly demonstrated to be but idle words by Histories where we see them all confuted not only by such as did separate or were cast out of the Roman Church but even by such as lived and died in it without any separation except in judgement The Papists cannot deny but plainly confess that their Church was corrupt both in the pretended Head and Members in respect of Manners so that a Reformation was necessary but they deny the corruption in Faith or Doctrine And they say Though the Popes were wicked men yet they wanted not their power of Jurisdiction and of dispensing the sacred Mysteries Unto the first part the Apostle saith When some have put away a good Conscience they make shipwrack concerning the Faith On these words Chrysostom saith That is truly said for where the Life is rebukable such Doctrine must needs follow and so ye may see very many to have fallen into the Pit of Miseries and to have returned into Heathenish Rites for lest they be tormented with the fear of evils to come they indeavour every way to perswade themselves that all things are false which our Religion teaches and so they turn from the Faith Accordingly the Histories shew that some Popes have denied the Immortality of the Soul and have called the Gospel of Christ a Fable As for the Pope's Jurisdiction it was not so from the beginning as it is now neither Ecclesiastical nor Civil for other Bishops had power within their own Diocies without dependance upon the See of Rome as the Bishops of Millan of Ravenna and others in Italy and the Bishops of other Nations And Pope Gregory the I. as others before him did acknowledge the Emperour as his Lord and himself his Servant afterwards the Pope did salute the Emperour as his Son and by degrees they made the Emperours their Vassals Servants and Lacqueys So that if Peter and Paul were alive on Earth they would certainly deny the Popes to be their Successours because they differ besides many other Articles of the Faith so far in the point of subjection or rather exalting themselves above all that is called God yea certainly they would call the Pope the Antichrist according to what they have written in 2 Thess 2. and 2 Pet. 2. The Romanists say That in this point they have advantage against us because the Antients have written that Antichrist must be one Person of the Tribe of Dan sit in Jerusalem c. Truly it is no marvel that in the primitive times the most learned were mistaken I except the Apostles concerning the Antichrist since the prophecies could not be throughly understood before they were in some good measure accomplished But if we inquire the judgement of the learned and prudent men in the middle times concerning the Antichrist and generally of the corruption of the Church we may receive more sure information and certainly those are the best Witnesses of what was done in their daies A good number of their Testimonies in all ranks I have compiled for this end in this Book which is humbly presented unto Your HIGHNES first trusting that under Your Patronage others may the more willingly look upon it and be informed in the Truth and then with confidence it shall be graciously accepted because Saepè Tibi Deus hic saepe legentur Avi with the same travel of reading in Your tender years Your HIGHNES may learn both the condition of God's Church in former times and the lives of Your Glorious Ancestours Emperours and Kings of whom You have Your Illustrious Descent and so from them You may know how to serve God and how to deport Your Self in all the daies of Your Pilgrimage that You may be glorious in Heaven and the following Ages may have Your example outvying and outstripping if possible all the Williams Charlses Henries Jameses Adolphs and others in Christian Prudence Righteousness Prowess and Temperance So prayeth Your HIGHNESSES Most humble And obedient Servant ALEX. PETRIE THE FIRST TABLE Shewing some Texts of Scripture that are now controverted and how they were expounded in former times For understanding these Tables it is to be noted that because the Book is divided into two parts in respect of numbring the pages therefore in the Tables the letter S signifieth the second part and the number following directs unto the second part and where S is not the number directs unto the first part Likewise as if every page were divided into three parts the letter b pointeth at the beginning or first part of the page the letter m at the middle or second part or thereby and the letter e at the end or third part In this first Table the letter p stands between the numbers of the verse and of the page Psal LI 17. p. 100. LXII 12. p. 27. e CXX 3. p. 102. m Zach. XI 17. p. 473. e Matth. XII 46. p. 212. e XVI 18. p. 97. m 157. m 172. e 211. m 212. e 293. e 244. e 317. e 331. m 435. e 488. b. 576. m S. 291. e XVI 19. p. 213. b 543. e XXIII 37. p. 370. m XXIV 24. p. 28. e XXVI 39. p. 349. m Luk. I. 28. 35. p. 174. m XVI 31. p. 213. m XXII 19. p. 98. e 31. p. 475. b 32. p. 543. e 38. p. 347. m Joh. I. 16. p. 27. e 17. p. 213. m III. 13. p. 213. e 223. m S. 306. m VI. 35. p. 214. b 53. p. 102. m 55 56. p. 175. m 63. p. 214. m X. 1 2 3. p. 214. m 223. e 10 28. p. 175. m
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
should be used in all Churches and Chappels But many did expound that sign the contrary way and would not receive it till Charls did command all Bishops and Priests to use it thorow his Dominions he caused the Mass of Ambrose to be burned and threw many Priests into prison who refused to accept the new Mass The Church of Millain would not change Walafrid Strabo who lived about the year 900. testifieth in his book de Exordiis rer cap. 25. that in his time the Roman Mass was not universally in all Churches but almost saith he in all the Churches of the Latines and no Benedictine Monk did read it In the sixth tom of Biblioth Patr. de la Bigne are many books of several Authours explaining at that time the signification of the Ceremonies injoined in that Mass Their Dedicatory Epistles and Prefaces shew that they were put upon that work by the authority of the King and some time-serving Bishops and the great number of those books is an evident proof of great opposition against that Mass and the rites thereof although the books of the Adversaries have been kept down by the prevailing party Hereunto serveth what Antoninus de Voltelina a Dominican said in the Councel at Trent as is written hist lib. 6. It is clear by Histories that of old every Church had their own Rituals of the Mass brought in day by day rather of custom than by judgement or constitution and that the lesser Churches did follow their Metropolitan or their neighbour greater Churches but the rite of the Roman Church was received in many Provinces for gatifiing the Pope and nevertheless there be yet many Churches whose rites differ very much from the Roman Even in Italy remaineth the rite of Millain differing from the other in the principal parts thereof and that the same Roman hath suffered many changes is clear unto any who readeth the old book called Ordo Romanus Neither in ancient time only but within these few ages certainly before 300. years the rites of Rome were not the same which the Priests observe now in the City of Rome but which the Order of the Dominicans do retain Moreover said he the Vestments Vessels and other Ornaments both of the Ministers and of the Altars which are now in use are so new and transchanged as is easie to be observed by looking on the Books and Pictures that if the old things were brought into the World again none would know them Wherefore if the Fathers will bind themselves to approve the only rites of the Roman Church they cannot want reproof as by prejudice condemning antiquity and the rites of all other Churches and so expose themselves unto the sinistrous interpretations of men wherefore it were better to set upon those things which concern the essence of the Mass without any mention of the rites And in declaring the differences betwixt then-present custom of the Romans and that which was called Ordo Romanus he nameth especially that in this the Communion was given under both the species unto the people Some were offended at his freedom of speech and the Bishop of Quinquecclesiensis did openly profess that the Frier had spoken truly neither could any who loveth truth be offended with him Hence it appeareth clearly that the Church of Rome hath been subject to novations from time to time and the Missal now is not the old book of Pope Gregory the I. More of the Mass followeth in the next Century 10. In the sixth tom of the fore-named Biblioth Patr. is a remarkable piece Amularius Fortunatus of Amalarius Fortunatus Trithemius calleth him Hamularius a very learned man in the Latine and Greek languages a Monk of Luxovia In the Preface he sheweth that he had written another book of Divine Service and thereafter he went to Rome to enquire of the reasons of the rites different there from other Churches and so he did write four other books wherein he describeth what he had heard and what he thought himself on the contrary yet in a mild and moderate way whether for fear to offend or in hope to prevail with fair information it is uncertain He saith In all that I write I hang on the judgement of godly men and holy fathers and withall I say what I think What things are done in the celebration of the Mass are done in the Sacrament of the Lord's Passion as he commanded saying How oft ye do this do it in remembrance of me Therefore the Priest in offering Bread and Wine and Water in the Sacrament representeth Christ the Bread and Wine in the Sacrament do represent his Body and Blood Sacraments should have a similitude of those things whereof they are a Sacrament wherefore let the Priest be like unto Christ so the offering of the Priest upon the Altar is like unto that of Christ on the Cross that which is offered in resemblance of Christ the Priest commendeth it unto God the Father Let the judicious hearer consider for whom are the prayers that the Priest saith after the Communion and he shall find that they sound for them who are refreshed with the heavenly bread No prayer for the dead Lib. 3. in prof It is sufficient that the Bishop or Priest do only bless the Bread and Wine whereby people may be refreshed as in ancient times it was done by the Apostles Lib. 1. Cap. 14. he saith No creature do I by reverencing adore but God all substance which is not God is a creature and a creature is not God the Cross of Christ may be set before me but in my mind I hold Christ as hanging on it The very words of the prayer declare whom we adore we say We adore thy Cross O Lord and we commend and glorifie thy holy resurrection Here are no words of praying but of shewing the adorable Cross and the commendable resurrection of our Lord. And in another place we say God who by the precious blood of thy only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ hast been pleased to redeem us grant graciously that who come to adore the life-giving Cross may be freed from the bonds of their sins to whom I pray him I adore I am cast down in body before the Cross but in my soul before God I reverence the Cross by which I was redeemed but I pray unto him who hath redeemed me Then he hath a story of Oswald King of England whom he calleth faithfull and most Christian how he being in danger of his enemies caused a Cross to be set up on a Tree that came first unto his hand in the Field and said unto his Army Let us all bow our knees and all pray together unto the Almighty living and true God that he of his mercy would defend us from our proud and fierce enemy for he knoweth that we have undertaken Wars for the safety of our Nation They all did as he commanded and in the dawning they obtained Victory according to their faith Here Amular gathereth no conclusion
whereas before it was only by practice He sate 3 years 10. NICOLAUS the I surnamed the great was chosen by the Romans The Emperour will be acknowledged in the election of the Pope Before he was chosen the Emperour Lewis knowing how expedient it was for him to preserve the right of his Ancestours in the election made hast to Rome but the Romans purposely prevened him with the election Nicolaus thought to debar the Emperor from the consecration but he could not hinder that He had a mouth that spoke great things by his decree he equalleth The Pope speaks some great things Papal decrees unto the holy Scriptures he ordained that no secular Prince nor Emperour should be present in the Synods unless it were in matter of faith Gratian. dist cap. Vbinam to wit Princes should put to death them which are condemned of heresie He ordained that all publick prayers should be in Latine as Pope Vitalian had ordained before but was not obeyed that no Laick should judge a Church-man that the Pope should be judged of none because Constantine the great called the Bishop of Rome a God Grat. dist 96. cap. Salis. At this time Michael Bardas put away his wife and married her daughter for this cause Ignatius the Patriarch denied him the Communion Bardas assembleth a Synod and causeth Ignatius to be deposed and setteth up Photius Here ariseth a sedition some favouring the good cause and others swaying with authority In the end Nicolaus was intreated to take away the schism The Pope was well pleased and sent his Legates Rodoal Bishop of Portuen and Zachary Bishop of Ananien giving them a Commission to restore Ignatius if he would promise to restore the worship of Images Zonaras saith Bardas perswadeth the Legates to approve what he had done When they return Nicolaus excommunicateth them and deposeth them as transgressours of his commands Ph. Morn in Myster p. 177. At that time Nicolaus writ the Epistle which is in the 3. tome and some truths contrary to his successours of Councels and contains swelling presumption in some points contrary to ancient histories yet in other points contrary to the doctrine of his successours There he saith none of the Eastern Emperours had acknowledged the authority of the Bishops of Rome This he saith expressly but in an upbraiding manner as if the Emperours had omitted their duty Speaking of Ignatius he saith the Judges should not be suspected this he confirms by reason and by many examples and from Pope Gelasius he saith Should the same persons be enemies Judges and witnesses even earthly matters should not be committed to such judgement Doth he not then maintain the lawfull excuses of John Husse and Martine Luther who for the same causes were unwilling to be judged by the Popes their enemies Then Nicolaus alledgeth that Pope Celestin was President in the general Councel at Ephesus but the words of that Councel shew that Cyril Bishop of Alexandria was President And to prove that they should not have judged the Patriarch he brings the example of David who would not smite his Master Saul but he observes not that Saul was King and therefore neither should his successours have kicked against their Soveraign Emperours He addeth a little number hindreth not where truth abounds neither avails multitude where ungodliness reigneth nor should any man boast of a multitude c. What is more contradictory to the doctrine of the Romish Church in following ages which holds multitude to be an infallible note of the true Church After a little he commendeth the worship of Images and will have all Councels to be estimate by the approbation of the Pope Whereas the Bishops of Rome were wont to term the Emperour our Lord and Defender this is the first that calls the Emperour his son and his successours sometimes will not honour him with the title of their servant He said Before the coming of Christ some were typically both Priests and Kings but when the type is come to the true King and High-Priest in one person the Emperour should no more take to him the right of the Priesthood nor hath the High-Priest taken unto him the name of the Emperour because the one Mediator between God and Man even the Man Christ Jesus hath so discerned the offices of both powers their dignities and actions being distinguished that both Emperours have need of High-Priests in spiritual things and the High-Priests have need of the Imperial laws for temporal things and so spiritual actions may be free from carnal oppressions and therefore the souldier of God should not be intangled with worldly affairs neither should he rule divine things who is wrapped in worldly matters and so both powers may be helped Gratian hath registred these words dist 96. cap. Cùm ad verum He speaks so to exclude the Emperour from judging Ecclesiastical causes but neither he nor Gratian did foresee how the same words would condemn the succeeding Popes who have usurped both Swords and two Robes nor how Bellarmin de Ro. Pont. lib. 5. cap. 3. gathereth out of these words that the Dominion of the World belongeth not to the Pope and reasoneth thus Seeing whatsoever the Pope hath he hath it from Christ as Pope Nicolaus saith then the Pope may take all power from the Emperours and Kings or he may not take it if he may take it then he is greater then Christ if he may not take it then he hath not Princely power Again cap. 8. he saith Christ for conserving humility would distinguish these two offices and gave only the Priesthood to Peter and left the Empire to Tiberius According to this consequence it may be justly inferred the Pope now doth contrary to the tenet of the ancient Bishops and is the Antichrist exalting himself contrary to Christ's order above all that is called God This Nicolaus did ordain that no man should receive the Sacrament from any Priest who had a concubine or wife He sate 7 years 9 months his See after him was vacant 8 years 7 months Platin. Who was head of the Church on earth at that time Or was it headless 10. HADRIAN the II the son of a Bishop Talarus was chosen in a tumult of the people without consent of the Emperour wherefore his Legates were not a little offended yet were appeased by the Romans alledging that the multitude could not be ruled and they intreated the Legates that they would confirm the good man which the clergy and people had named Platin The Legates yeeld although they clearly perceive that the clergy and people would usurp all the authority of the election and perhaps saith he that the liberty of the Church-men may increase At that time Basilius slue The Pope by flattery climbeth up in higher account at Constantinople the Eastern Emperour as is said and when he came to the Sacrament Photius the Patriarch rejects him as unworthy of Communion who with his own hand had slain his Soveraign Basilius dissembling his
them which have not beleeved in him nor will ever beleeve as the Lord himself saith Matth. 20 The Son of man came ... to give his soul in redemption for many 4. That he beleeve and confess that the Almighty God saveth whom he willeth and that none at all can be saved but whom he will save and that all are saved whom he will save and therefore it is not at all his will those be saved whosoever are not saved as the Prophet saith Whatsoever the Lord willeth he doth that both in Heaven and on Earth And saith Prudent although there be some other things wherein he hath satisfied and subscribed in which being condemned in Pelagius the Church hath universally consented yet these being against him and his followers cleared from his froward expositions by the Apostolical See at the instance of the blessed Aurelius Bishop of Carthage and of Augustine with other 214 Bishops and being published unto all the World by many both Epistles and Books all the Church to day rejoiceth in confesseth preacheth holdeth and shall hold This Epistle of Prudentius is in the 2 tome of the French Councels and by it we may see not only his mind but the universal doctrine of all the Church in all the World as he affirmeth Although Histories do not express whether Aeneas did subscribe these Articles yet it may be gathered from the 99 Epistle of Lupus Ferarien where he commends this Aeneas and saith that Prudentius with the other Bishops did confirm his ordination By authority of Lotharius a Synod was held An. 855. at Valentia the Canons thereof follow hereafter For the present I add the words of Baronius concerning it generally saying The Bishops thought good to bring no other thing into the Church then what the most holy Fathers and faithfull Teachers of the Church had in all sincerity taught formerly in Affrica in the Councel at Carthage and in France in the Councel at Arausicane whereunto we should cleave in all points to wit that the godly are saved no other way but by the grace of God and the wicked are condemned for their own iniquity And that the wicked do not perish because as some say they could not be good but because they would not Then he sheweth that the Acts of this Synod were sent unto Hincmar and that he did by writing condemn these errours But Vsser taxeth Baronius that he hath written of this matter slenderly and from the writings of Hincmar and from Acts of Synods convinceth him especially he declareth from a book of the Church of Lions that there was diversity of opinions among them of Lions concerning the fifth Canon of this Synod which in the end of that book thinks the greatest difference between the Elect and the Reprobates to be that in the Reprobates remaineth the guiltiness of the first transgression which is taken from the Elect by the blood of Christ Also he sheweth that in the year 856 in the moneth of August Charls the Bald did call a Synod at Bonoile by Paris and another in September at Nielph where he gave unto Hincmar the Articles of the Synod at Valentia and what he had received from others in favour of Gotteschalk that Hincmar should answer unto them and that after three years Hincmar did return a great book of God's predestination and of man's free-will as Flodoard sheweth Hist lib. 3. cap. 13 and that the adverse party was not satisfied by that great volumn neither was the authority of the Valentian Synod lessned and therefore An. 859 Charls calleth another Synod in Audemantunno Lingonum where for the instruction of God's people the Canons of the Valentian Synod were voiced and confirmed again and proclaimed only in the fifth Canon they express not the four Articles because they perceive Hincmar was offended by so express condemning them as if they thereby had neglected the limits and law of charity and they did add the name of John Scot unto the nineteen Articles This Synod is called Lingonensis in Concil Gall. tom 3. After 14 daies was a more frequent Synod of twelve Provinces at Saponaria a Village of the City of Tullen where was King Charls and his Nephews Lotharius and Charls sons of the Emperour Lotharius there the Canons of the former Synod and the Carisiac Articles were read again and again great contention was between Remigius and Hincmar with their followers the one pleading for and the other against the Articles of Gotteschalk but as Hincmar writeth in an Epistle Dedicatory unto Charls the Bald the stir was calmed by the wisedom of the Arch-Bishop Remigius exhorting them all to bring unto the next Synod the books of the Catholick Doctours and as they shall find them agreeing unto the Apostolical and Catholick doctrine all should hold together unanimously It appeareth in the Acts of this Synod that it was so soon closed because of the murmurs in the country All this time Gotteschalk was still in Prison in the Monastery of Haultvillier whence he sent forth first a short confession and then a larger one confirmed by testimonies of Scripture and of the ancient Doctours In the end of the latter he craved that there might be a free Synod wherein truth might be made known unto all and errours altogether taken away and he lamenteth that for baseness of his person truth is despised and his adversaries follow not charity and refuse verity only that they may seem victorious Now of all that I have read concerning his Confessions and the writings of both parties I gather that at that time the greatest controversie was concerning the predestination of the wicked unto punishment howbeit there was also some difference concerning free-will and the efficient cause of conversion or of faith and good works And because Hincmar in his Epistle unto Whence was the word Prâ—destinatians Pope Nicolaus and Semipelagians make mention of Hereticks whom they call Praedestinati or Praedestinatiani here I add concerning that name that the first who mentioneth it was he who writ the continuation of Ierom's Chronicle for he about the 24 year of Arcadius and Honorius writeth saying At this time began the heresie of Praedestinati which had the beginning from Augustine So it is expressly saith Vsser in Histor Gottes cap. 2. in two old manuscripts one in the King's Bibliotheke and another in the Benedictines at Cambridge although in the Printed books it is not said from Augustine but from the books of Augustine being ill understood And certainly these words of Hincmar are frivolous since Pope Celestine did not write against such an heresie but against the Pelagians as is clear in his Epistles unto Augustine and he doth approve the doctrine of Augustine and Prosper in his Epistle unto Augustine which and the Epistles of Celestine are amongst the Epistles of Augustine writeth saying Many of the servants of Christ which are in the City Massilies think that in the writings of your Holiness against the Pelagian Hereticks whatsoever you
some words do follow Geo. Cassander in Liturgica saith At the first the Mass was said otherwise then now ..... and it is not done more holily then it was before when it was hallowed with the only words of the Lord and with the Lord's prayer And from Walafrid Strabo he saith All which is now done with a multitude of prayers lessons songs and consecrations the Apostles and those who next followed them did as is thought with prayers and remembrance of the Lord's sufferings even as He commanded In the same Chapter he saith In the next times when the Epistle and the Gospel was read the Mass was done and other things were added at diverse times by the Popes Gelasius and Gregorius 3. When the Sacrament began to be termed a Sacrifice it is uncertain but this is certain it was not called properly A Sacrament is not a Sacrifice a Sacrifice by the purest primitive Church especially in the time of Justine Martyr Lactantius Firmian and Augustine For in the daies of Justine the Pagans did revile the Christians and called them Atheists because they offered not sacrifice nor incense unto their God Justine in Apolog. 2. answereth They do offer such sacrifices as they knew were acceptable unto him to wit the sacrifices of prayer and thanksgiving as for the creatures which God hath appointed for the sustentation of man we keep them for the use and necessity of the poor but we burn them not with fire Lactantius had the same occasion in Institut lib. 6. cap. 24 25 and so Augustine de Civit. Dei lib. 10. cap. 4. but neither of the two hath any syllable of the sacrifice of the Mass or of the Lord's body on the Altar Nevertheless Augustine in Enchirid cap. 110. and elsewhere and Cyprian have called the Sacrament a Sacrifice yet not properly or but figuratively to wit because it is a memorial and remembrance of that true and only Sacrifice which was once offered by Christ Cyprian Epist 63. ordin Pammel So speaketh the Gloss on Gratian for where it is said de consecr lib. 2. cap. Quid sit out of Gregory the great Though Christ living immortally dieth not now yet in this Sacrament he dieth and his flesh suffereth for the salvation of the people the Gloss addeth that is His death and passion is represented So doth Chrysostom in Heb. hom 17 and Augustin de Verb. Dom. ser 28. speak and many others saying We offer the same sacrifice which Christ did offer or rather we offer the remembrance of that sacrifice So also teacheth Lombard lib. 4. cap. 12. B. G. Christ died once on the Cross and there he was offered but he is offered daily in the Sacrament because in the Sacrament is a remembrance of that which was once done and because it is a memorial representation and remembrance of that true sacrifice and holy oblation on the Altar of the Cross At some times also the Ancients call the Sacrament a Sacrifice because of the offerings which the people brought when they came to the Sacrament Cyprian de oper eleemos saith Thou who art rich comest into the Church without a sacrifice and takest a part of the sacrifice which the poorer hath offered Bellarmin de Eucharist lib. 1. cap. 27. hath the like words from Irenaeus lib. 1. cap. 32 acknowledging that those Fathers spoke so of the bread and wine which the people offered And Alcwin de divin offic at the words Sursum corda saith The Priest exhorts the people as if he said Now when ye are sufficiently instructed and confirmed by the Apostolical and Evangelical Precepts direct your hearts from earthly cares upward unto the Lord that I may be able to offer worthily the sacrifice which ye have offered unto me to be offered unto God So whereas the Ancients did most usually abstain from the name of Altar and Sacrifice terming those Tables and Eucharist afterwards the Church being established in the truth of doctrine the Pastours did adventure upon a greater liberty of words not doubting to be soundly understood by Catholick hearers But because the degenerating ages have wrested these words to a proper signification clean cotrary to the first intention it should not be thought amiss in them who contain themselves now within the more ancient restraints and are content with the first terms since the other have occasioned that intollerable errour of the real sacrifice in the Mass To the end this may be more evident I shall repeat the The original of the Christian Sacrifice custom of this matter from the beginning Chrysostom on 1 Cor. 11. hom 27. saith As in the three thousand who at first did beleeve they did all eat together and they did possess all things in common so also it was when the Apostle writ this yet not so certainly but that some doubting of the communion were remaining and descending unto posterity and when it came to pass that some were poor and some were rich they did not give all things in community but they made the common Tables on the appointed daies as was decent and the collection being done after the communication of the Sacrament they all came to a common feast and the dishes were carried by the honester poor ones and they who had nothing were invited by them and they sate down all together but in progress of time this custom went away for by this division it came that some did adjoin themselves in one company and some in another and they said I am his and I am his as the Apostle amending this saith in the beginning of the Epistle Justine near the end of his greater Apology saith Let the rich men if they please every one bestow as they will and let that which is brought be laid down beside the Bishop 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To wit when the first custom was left off they brought a quantity of Bread and Wine or of the first Corns or Raisins whereof so much was taken as did serve for the elements of the Sacrament and the rest was eaten by the Believers as in a feast and some was sent unto sick persons or diststributed among the poor When the Church had more liberty and became more wealthy as in the daies of Constantine the oblations were richer and a part thereof was appointed for maintenance of the Preachers according to that of Jerom They who serve at the Altar are sustained by the offerings at the Altar Then the voluntary offerings were called Sacrifices after the manner of the law of Moses and the Presbyters did consecrate them by prayer as is manifest by the Liturgies where they say O Lord we thy servants and also thy holy people being mindfull of the blessed suffering and resurrection and the glorious ascension of Christ thy Son our Lord God do offer unto thy most excellent Majesty out of thy gifts this pure sacrifice .... upon which things it may please thee to look with a favourable and gracious eye and to
necessity that he could not be otherwise but that He in his Almighty and unchangeable Majesty as he knows all things ere they be did foreknow that the wicked were to be such of their own will Nor do we beleeve that any is condemned in His prejudice but according to the merit of their own iniquity nor that the wicked do perish because they could not be good but because they would not be good and through their own fault continue in the mass of perdition or original and actual sin Ca. 3. But concerning the Predestination of God it pleaseth and faithfully doth please according to the authority of the Apostle saying Hath not the Potter power over the clay to make of the same mass one vessel unto honour and another unto dis-honour We confidently confess the predestination of the elect unto life and predestination of the wicked unto death and in the election of them who are to be saved the mercy of God precedes the good merit but in the damnation of them who perish their wicked merit precedes the just judgment of God And in that predestination God hath only appointed what he was to do either in his gracious mercy or just judgment as the Scripture saith Which hath done what things were to be But in the wicked he foreknew their wickedness because it is of them and he did not predestinate it because it is not of him but because he knows all things which he did foreknow and because he is just he did predestinate the punishment that follows their merit for with him as Augustine saith is as well a fixed decree as a certain knowledge of every thing and hither belongs that saying of the Wise Man Judgments are prepared for the Scorners Prov. 19. Of this unchangeableness of the foreknowledge and predestination of God by which the future things are already done may that well be understood Eccles 3 I know whatsoever God doth it shall be for ever nothing can be put to it and nothing taken from it and God doth it that men should fear before him But that any are by the power of God predestinated unto evil as if they could not be otherwise We not only do not beleeve it but even if there be any which will beleeve such evil with all detestation as did the Arausicane Synod we say Anathema unto them Ca. 4. Item of the redemption of the blood of Christ because of so great an errour which hath begun in this point so that some as their writings declare define that it was shed even for the wicked which from the beginning unto the coming of Christ being dead in their wickedness are punished with everlasting damnation contrary to that of the Prophet O death I will be thy death and O grave I will be thy destruction it pleaseth us to hold and teach simply and faithfully according to Evangelical and Apostolical truth that this price was given for them of whom our Lord saith So must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever beleeves in him shall not perish but .... And the Apostle saith Christ was once offered to take away the sins of many And moreover the four Articles that were defined unadvisedly in the Synod of our brethren at Carisiac for their inutility are also errour contrary unto truth and likewise other things concluded foolishly in the 19 Syllogisms of John Scot and glorious with no secular literature although it be boasted otherwise in which rather the argument of the Divel then any argument of the faith is found we discharge them altogether from the hearing of Beleevers and by the authority of the Holy Ghost we inhibit them that those and such things be altogether shunned and we do judge that introducers of new things should be corrected lest they be smitten more severely Ca. 5. We believe that it should be held firmly that all the multitude of the faithfull is regenerated by the water and the Spirit and thereby truly incorporated into the Church and according to Apostolical doctrine are baptized into the death of Christ and washed in his blood because neither could be true regeneration in them unless there were also true redemption seeing in the Sacraments of the Church nothing is in vain and nothing in mockage but altogether all things are true and relieth upon its truth and sincerity And yet of that multitude of the faithfull and redeemed some are saved by eternal salvation because through the grace of God they continue faithfully in their redemption hearing in their hearts the voice of their Lord Matth. 10. 24 Who continueth unto the end shall be saved and others because they would not continue in the salvation of faith which before they had received and did chuse rather to make the grace of redemption in vain through their wicked doctrine and life then to keep it attain no way to the fullness of salvation and possession of eternal blessedness Seeing in both we have the doctrine of the godly Doctour Whosoever are baptized into Christ are baptized into his death and All which are baptized into Christ have put on Christ and Let us draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and being washed in the body with clean water let us hold fast the profession of our hope without change And again For them which sin willingly after the received knowledge of the truth there remains no other sacrifice for sin and He that despised the Law of Moses ..... Ca. 6. Item of grace by which the Beleevers are saved and without which never any reasonable creature hath lived blessedly and of free-will which is weakned by sin in the first man but by the grace of Jesus Christ is renewed and healed in his Beleevers We beleeve constantly and with full faith the same that the most holy Fathers have left to be kept according to the authority of the Holy Scriptures what the Arausican and African Synods have professed what the blessed High-Priests of the Apostolical See have held in the Catholick faith and presuming to decline no way into another side concerning nature and grace But we reject altogether the foolish questions and almost the fable of old women and Scot's pottage which the purity of faith cannot disgest and which have miserably and lamentably arisen in these most dangerous and grievous times unto a heap of our labours and breach of charity lest Christian minds be corrupted and fall from the simplicity and purity of faith which is in Jesus Christ So far they What they say here of Scot's pottage they understand that Treatise of Iohn Scot and have borrowed the phrase from Jerom's Prologue on Ierem. lib. 1. speaking of Celestius a Disciple of Pelagius a Briton and not a Scot. And from this word Baronius ad An. 855. § 1. writes that this Synod was convened against some vagring Scots of whom Gotteschalk was the prime man and thereby hath brought not only his Binius
good works as is clear by the words following for when the Text saith That we may be holy and without blame before him he addeth Lest it come into ones mind that God hath chosen whom he willeth to be saved and thereupon one be slack and think it is not any more needfull to study unto vertue that one may attain life seeing they are already chosen according to the pleasure of God and there is no more hope unto others unto this he saith God hath chosen us that we should be holy and without blame that is that we should live in that holiness which God hath given unto us who have been washed in baptism therefore let us continue and keep a godly life Whence it is clear that he judgeth the moving cause to be the only will of God and thereupon follows that scruple which he removeth and this may be cleared from his words on v. 2. ch 2. 10. 3. Porsena marketh in the margine and Transubstantiation at the words of institution in Matth. 26 Panis qui sanctificatur in altario corpus caro Domini est non figura and the words in the line are When he saith This is my body he sheweth that the bread which is sanctified on the Altar is the same body of Christ and not an answering figure for he said not This is a figure but This is my body for by unspeakable operation it is transformed although it seem unto us to be bread because we are infirm and do abhor to eat raw flesh especially the flesh of man and therefore it appears bread and is flesh And on Mar. 14 When he had blessed that is had given thanks he broke the bread which also we do adjoining prayer This is my body this I say which ye take for the bread is not a figure only and some exemplar of the Lord's body but the body of Christ is converted into it For the Lord said The bread that I will give you is my flesh he said not it is the figure of my flesh but it is my flesh And again Unless ye eat the flesh of the son of man But you will say How is not the flesh seen O man that is because of our infirmity for because bread and wine are of such things wherewith we are accustomed we abhor them not but if we saw blood and flesh set before us we could not indure them but would abhor them therefore the mercifull God condescending unto our weakness keeps still the forms of bread and wine but transelementateth them into the vertue of flesh and blood These be his words without any fault in the translation Now behold the vanity of man's mind when it is fond on a thing Ixion as the fable is would so fain have had Iuno that he thought he had her in his imbracement when he had but the wind or cloud So the Romanists think they have here their transubstantiation when they have but words far different from what they do fancy In these testimonies they lay hold on two passages First The bread which is sanctified is the same body of Christ and not an answering figure I would they could conjoin the words on Mark It is not a figure only and some exemplar of the Lord's body Where the Authour denieth not simply or absolutely that the bread is a figure and exemplar of Christ's body but saith he It is not a figure only or it is not only a figure and some exemplar therefore according to his mind It is a figure and some exemplar but more then a bare figure and a special kind of exemplar Against whom is this said I have read it imputed unto some that the bread is a meer sign of Christ's body but I never read any who hath so affirmed except Socinians or Anabaptists So then in these words Theophylact speaks according to the mind of the Reformed Church But he saith It is the same body of Christ And so saith Christ himself This is my body and so say we Therefore the question is in what sence the bread is his body Next they say It is by transubstantiation of the bread into the body of Christ Here first mark that the former passage proveth it not 2. Where saith Theophylact so they say in these words By unspeakable operation it is transformed although it seem to be bread I answer In so great a matter the words ought to be considered attentively What is transformation it is two-fold if we speak properly external and internal External is when the outward form of a thing is changed into another but this is not in the Sacrament which keeps still the forms of bread and wine as it is said expressly in the words on Mark. Internal transformation is when not only the outward form is changed but the inward nature and essence of a thing is changed into another which was before as when Lot's wife was turned into a Pillar of salt or Moses's rod into a Serpent But Theophylact saith It appears bread and is flesh Wherefore he meaneth not a proper transformation but an improper kind and so saith the Reformed Churches The Romanists say he saith The bread is transformed into the body of Christ Where saith he so not on Matthew for his words are But the body of Christ is turned or converted into it It is one thing the bread is transformed into the body of Christ and another thing Christ's body is converted into the bread and therefore he saith God transelementeth the bread into the vertue of flesh So neither on Matthew nor Mark either first or last doth Theophylact assert a transformation or transubstantiation of the bread into the body of Christ but in the first place he speaks of a converting of Christ's body into the bread and in the other he speaks of a transelementation of the bread into the vertue of flesh and the Papists do hold neither one nor the other As yet I speak not of the truth of the matter nor of the meaning of the Authour but shew how the Papists delude themselves with his words As for his meaning in this matter unless his words be contrary one to another the first words must be expounded by the latter that is when he saith The body of Christ is converted into the bread he meaneth God keeps still the forms of the bread and wine both outward and inward but transelementates them into the vertue of Christ's flesh and blood that is from bare and earthly things he translates them into another rank for this is the proper signification of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to set in another file or rank of things even of spiritual things even of sealing and conveying unto us the vertue of Christ's body and blood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly is to remove a souldier from one file into another and then the souldier changeth not his nature but his place and use and so it is with the elements of the Sacrament And we may be the more
assured that this is the mind of Theophylact because for confirmation he adds The Lord said The bread that I will give you is my flesh and on these words in Ioh. 6. he saith Note well that the bread which is eaten by us in the Sacrament is not only some figuration of the Lord's flesh but the same flesh of the Lord for he said not The bread that I will give is a figure of my flesh but it is my flesh for by mysterious words it is transformed by mystical blessing and accession of the Holy Ghost into the Lord's flesh And at the words Vnless ye eat the flesh of the Son of man he addeth When we hear unless ye eat the flesh of the Son of man ye shall not have life we must in taking the Divine mysteries or Sacrament hold undoubted faith and not ask what way for the natural man that is who follows human and natural thoughts is not capable of spiritual things which are above nature and so he understandeth not the spiritual eating of the Lord's flesh of which they who are not partakers are not partakers of eternal life because they have not received Iesus who is eternal life for it is not the flesh of a meer man but of God and is able to Deifie us to wit being united unto the God-head That flesh is also verily food because it indureth not for a little time nor can be corrupted as corruptible food but it is a help unto eternal life In these his words we see that he speaks not absolutely as he did seem to speak on Matthew but as he spoke on Mark The bread is not only some figuration and then he saith It is transformed by mystical blessing and accession of the Holy Ghost And then he saith In taking the Divine mysteries we must hold undoubted faith then they who have not faith undoubted cannot eat that mysterious Sacrament And we must not ask what way to wit as they do now whether the substance of the bread be turned into the substance of Christ's body or whether the substance of the bread is turned to nothing and Christ's body comes into the form of the bread or c. Theophylact is far from asserting any of these waies And when he saith That flesh is verily food because it indureth not for a little time nor can be corrupted he speaks not of the visible bread which experience teacheth to be corruptible but he speaks of the Lord's flesh which we receive by faith In a word then Theophylact speaks nothing of transubstantiation but rather against it and the Papists delude themselves and abuse his words A fourth thing they object out of Theophylact that he asserts the Primacy of Peter when he saith on Joh. 21 He who durst not ask concerning the Traitour but did commit the question unto another now the government of all is concredited unto him And on the margine Porsena addeth Praefectura omnium Petro tributa and it follows as if Christ were saying unto Peter Now I bring thee forth that thou mayest govern the world and follow me and on the margine Praeest Petrus orbi But to expound these words as if Peter were the only governour of the World and the government of the World were wholly concredited unto Peter alone is far contrary unto the words and mind of Theophylact as we have heard from him on Gal. 2. where he asserteth that Paul was equal unto him and on Matth. 16 where he asserteth that all the Apostles were of equal authority Peter therefore was a governour of the world but not the only governour for all the Apostles were as much governours as he in respect of power since the power was given unto them all with one and the same words as Theophylact asserts and whatsoever power they had yet they had no civil power because as we have heard from Theophylact on Rom. 13. all souls even Apostles must be subject unto the Civil Magistrate Neither do the words of Porsena insinuate so much as they would have for Praefectura and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is but a subordinate power and a little jurisdiction yea and for the most part a conjunct power as Praefectus urbis which at Rome were two conjunct and subordinate unto the power of the former So this is all the power which they can bring unto Peter from the words of Theophylact and we may see how in many particulars he differeth from the Tenets of the Romish Church and favoureth them not in the main things wherein they pretend to have his consent 4. Radulph a Benedictine of Flaviak in this Century writ 20 books on Leviticus and 14 books on the Epistles of Paul as witnesseth Gesner In the Preface on Levit. he saith Although it should move us not a little to beleeve that the world was contrary unto the faith and now is subject unto the faith and that the faith was declared by so many miracles and testified by the blood of so many Martyrs yet the singular ground of faith is in the Scriptures when it is clearly seen to be fulfilled in our daies which we know was prefigured and foretold so many years by the Sacraments of the Fathers and Oracles of the Prophets Here by the way note that not only Radulph but many others of the more ancient Fathers do use the word Sacrament for the rites of religion yea and for mysteries and very largely or homonymously Lib. 1. cap. 1. Our Lord Jesus Christ is our Altar because we lay our oblation on him for if we do any good thing we hope that by him it shall be accepted of the Father and therefore the Apostle Peter saith Offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable unto God through Jesus Christ ..... The authority of the Holy Scripture doth furnish unto us matter of holy thoughts Ibid. Scarcely can any good work be perfected without admission of some sin it is therefore to be feared lest when the reward of perfect devotion is expected the punishment of our guiltiness be required of us Lib. 2. cap. 2. That Angel is none other but our greatest High-Priest of whom we speak to wit he was sent by the Father unto men and sent again from men unto the Father to plead the causes of men before the Father he being the Mediatour of God and men Ibid. cap. 4 Whatsoever man can do for himself were no way sufficient to obtain forgiveness unless the immaculate sacrifice of that Just one did commend the repentance of sinners Lib. 5. cap. 3 When ye do any good thing ascribe not the very affection of godliness unto you as if ye could do it of your self for it is God which worketh in us at his good pleasure both to will and to perfect ..... he who ascribeth grace unto himself must necessarily lose grace for which he was not thankfull Lib. 6. cap. 3. He dieth who discovereth his head because while he expects salvation another way then by the grace of Christ he doth
predestinate only Son On Cap. 12. Our mind is renewed by the exercises of godliness and meditation of God's word and understanding of his law and how much one makes progress from reading the Scriptures and how much his understanding doth highly ascend in so much he is a new man and daily becomes more and more new On Gal. 3. It must needs be that beleevers are saved by only faith on Christ On Phil. 3. Because ye are perfect in faith ye are perfect in conversation placing your hope in the only faith of Christ and walking in a heavenly conversation Catal. test ver lib. 11. 8. The Danes had received the Christian faith about the year 750 by the Conversion of some Nations preaching of Heridag but liberty of religion continued among them some were Christians and some were Heathens all did acknowledge that Christ is God but the Heathens said that other Gods were more ancient and of more power Alb. Crantz in Saxon. lib. 3. cap. 25. sheweth that they rebelled against the Emperour Otho the I. and in the end he and they did agree that the Danes should accept Bishops thorow all their Country and they were the more easily induced hereunto because their King Harald being the son of a Christian Tira a daughter of the King of England was baptized and at this time the Queen Gunhilda and her son Zueno with a great many of the Nobility received the faith and were baptized Otho was present at the baptism of the Prince and called him Zuenotto Harald continued faithfull unto death but Zuenotto did forsake the faith in his fathers life time yet afterward he imbraced it again When Otho had so agreed with the Danes he turned against their neighbours the Wandals At that time Wagrii Winuli Obotriti and Polabi were dwelling along the Coast of the German sea all under one name and language called Wandali His father had subdued them but when they rebelled Otho forced them unto obedience to pay tribute and to accept the Christian religion then inumerable people were baptized and Churches were built thorow Wandalia but they abode not constant untill the daies of Otho the III. and he made Magdeburgh or Virginopolis the first Bishop-seat of the Wandals Likewise Otho the I. sent Aldebert to preach the faith unto the Pruteni and other barbarous people Northwards where the holy man was Crowned with Martyrdom saith Theod. Ã Niem About the year 965 the Polonians received the Christian faith their King Miecislaus was baptized and at his command the idols were broken down and he crected two Arch-Bishopricks and nine Bishopricks Io. Pappus in histor convers gent. About the year 966. Pilgrin Bishop of Patavium and Wolfgang Bishop of Ratisbona went into Hungary to establish religion under King Diezo the father of Stephen of whom it follows to speak in the next Century About the year 988. Vladomir Duke of Russia married Anna sister of the Eastern Emperour Basilius and was baptized at Constantinople and returning home he established the Christian religion according to the discipline and rites of the Greeks thorow his Dominions Io. Pappus ibid. Fascic temp hereupon hath this observation So so while one Nation falleth another riseth that no Nation may glory before the Father of lights CHAP. IV. Of BRITAIN 1. ABout the year 901. Edward the elder King of England expelled the The power of Law-making belongs to the King and not to the Pope Danes out of Essex Mercia and Northumberland At that time the authority of investing Bishops and other Ecclesiastical Benefices as also of prescribing Laws unto Church men as well as to the Laity was in the power of the King and not of the Pope as is evident both by the Laws of Alfred King of England and Guthurn the Danish King of Northumberland and by the election of seven Bishops and the division of five Diocies into ten in one Synod by authority of this Edward as is at length in Sir Hen. Spelman Concil but the Pope would be medling in such matters by way of confirmation Nevertheless the Pope's authority did not derogate from Kings or Princes their power of ruling all matters both Ecclesiastical and Civil within their own Dominions The like is seen in the Laws of his son Ethelstan as is written loc cit and by M. Fox in Act. monime thus I Ethelstan King by advice of Vifelm my Arch-Bishop and of other Bishops command all the Prelates of my Kingdom in the name of our Lord and of all the Saints that first of all they out of my own things pay the Tithes unto God as well of the living Beasts as of the Corns of the ground and the Bishops do the like in their property and the Elder-men .... This I will that Bishops and other head-men declare the same unto such as be under their subjection and that it â—e accomplished before the term of Saint John Baptist Let us remember what Jacob said unto the Lord ..... Seeing by this Law I have bountifully bestowed on you all things belonging unto you take ye heed unto your selves and to them whom ye ought to admonish that none of you transgress against God nor me .... Every Bishop should promote all righteousness both of God and the word c. He ordained that in every Burrough all measures and weights should be confirmed by the Bishop's advice and testimony Spelman in Concil pag. 405. In pag. 411. Hoel King of Wales made a Law that no Church-man should be a Judge in Civil affairs 2. In the year 913. Constantine the III. King of Scots gave unto Malcolm A circumstance is changed in the succession of the Scottish Kings the son of Donald the V. the Lands of Cumberland and Westmerland as unto the appearing successour of the Crown hereby making a preparative that these Lands were given by the King unto him which should be next King as afterwards the successour of the Empire was installed King of the Romans prejudging the liberty of suffrages Here by the way it is to be marked that from the first King Fergusius untill Kenneth the III. the King of Scots was by election from among only them of the Blood Royal. In the daies of King Constantine Ethelstan King of England made invasion upon these lands and did so great harm unto the Scots that the King renounced the Crown and would live a Monkish life at Saint Andrews amongst the Culdees Edmund King of England being pestered by the Danes made a League with Malcolm An. 945. and restored the above-named Lands upon condition that the Heir of the Crown should acknowledge the King of England to be Supream Lord of Cumberland and Westmerland even as afterwards the King of England did unto the French King for Normandy c. This designation of a successour was occasion of great troubles for Kenneth the III. made Malcolm the son of King Duffus Governour of those Lands and afterwards he would have preferred his own son unto the Crown but the
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
and possess the City as Constantine and Justinian had done and from thence to rule all Italy and Germany and they complain that the Clergy had conspired with Sicilie against the City and they promise all maner of obedience and loyalty The sum of their sute was comprised in few verses Rex valeat quicquid cupit obtineat super hostes Imperium teneat Romae sedeat regat orbem Princeps terrarum ceu fecit Iustinianus Caesaris accipiat Caesar quae sunt sua praesul Vt Christus jussit Petro solvente tributum The whole Letter is in Otho Frissing de gest Frider. l. 1. c. 28. But Conrade was so pestered with wars in Germany that their imploration was in vain When Eugenius was come into the City he understood of plots against him and fled down the river in a ship the Citizens pursue him with weapons and darts as once they did with Gelasius saith Naucler He went to Pisae and thence to France This is the sum of the Historians now hear Bern. in l. 4. de consider he saith unto Eugenius Name but one man in all the great City who hath accepted thee for Pope without price or hope of price When he was chosen Bernard wrote unto the Roman Court the 236. Epistle saying The Lord forgive you what have ye done one which was buried ye have brought again among men one that was fleeing from cares and troubles ye have pestered with cares and troubles ye have made the last first and behold his last condition is more perilous then his first he who was crucified to the world is by you revived unto the world hath he left Pisae that he might have Rome he who could not manage the Vicounty of one Church was he seeking the Government of the whole Church But seeing it is so and many say It is of God it is your duty oh most dear that it be diligently cherished by your fervent endeavors and faithful obedience which certainly is wrought by your hands and therefore if any consolation be in you if any vertue of charity in the Lord if any miseration of piety if any bowels of compassion do ye aid and work with him in the work whereunto he is assumed of the Lord by you And in the next Epistle unto Eugenius he saith I was expecting that some of my sons would come and lighten the father's sorrow and say Joseph thy son is living and ruleth in all the Land of Egypt therefore have I now written not so much of mine own accord as of necessity being constrained by the intreaties of friends unto whom I cannot refuse the residue of my life And seeing I have begun I will speak unto my Lord for now I dare not call thee my son because the son is turned to be the father and the father is the son and he who came after me is preferred before me but I do not envy it because what was deficient in me I am confident that I have it in him who came not onely after me but even by me for if you offend not I have begot thee by the Gospel what then is our hope our joy and the hope of our glory is it not you before God In a word a wise son is the glory of his father And henceforth thou shalt no more be called son but a new name shall be given unto thee which the mouth of the Lord hath named this is the change of the right hand of the most High and many shall rejoyce in this change for as of old Abram was turned unto Abraham and Jacob unto Israel or rather to speak of thy predecessors as Simon to Cephas and Saul to Paul so my son Bernard into my father Eugenius by a very joyful and as I hope profitable change This is the finger of God raising the needy out of the dust and the poor from the dung that he may sit with the Princes and possess the throne of glory It followeth that this change being made of you that the Bride of thy Lord which is committed unto thee be also changed into the better note and that she be no more called Sarai but Sarah understand what I say and the Lord give thee understanding If thou be the friend of the Bridegroom call her no more my Princess but the Princess usurping nothing as thine in her but that if it be needful thou shouldest give thy life for her if Christ hath sent thee thou wilt think that thou camest not to be served but to serve and to minister not onely thy means but even thy life as I have said A true successor of Paul will say with Paul Not that we domineer over your faith but we are helpers of your joy An heir of Peter will hear Peter saying Neither as Lords over the people but we were examples of the flock for so now not a servant but the free-woman and the fair one of the most fair Bridegroom shall by thee come unto his long wished for arms for by whom other shall this so necessary freedom be hoped if you also which God forbid seek in God's inheritance your own things who even before had learned I will not say not to possess any thing as your own but not to be your own therefore she having such confidence in you as she seemed to have in none of your predecessors in many ages before note all the Church of the Saints every where is justly glad and glorieth in the Lord and especially she whose womb hath born thee and whose breast thou didst suck What then may I not rejoyce with them that rejoyce shall I onely not be of the number of them which are glad I confess I have joyed but with fear I have joyed but in the very moment of my exaltation fear and trembling hath come upon me for albeit I have laid aside the name of father yet have I not laid down fear nor care nor affection and bowels of a father I consider the height and fear a fall I consider the pinacle of honor and I behold the surface of the gulf below I look up to the top of dignity and I fear danger approaching as it is written Man when he was in honor did not understand which in my judgement relateth to the cause and not to the time that it is so meant as if it were said Honor swalloweth understanding c. When Eugenius fled out of Rome Bernard wrote unto the Emperor Conrade thus The Kingdom and Priest-hood could not be more sweetly more friendly yea more straitly conjoyned and complanted one in another then when they were both together in the person of our Lord which was made unto us of both the tribes according to the flesh the highest both Priest and King yet not onely so but he hath commixed and coupled them together in his body which is the Christian people and he the head thereof so that this sort of men are by the Apostolical word called a chosen royal Priest-hood and in another
things of the world that the Prince of this world may not finde any thing that is his in thee c. He did oft call the Clergy Syria Edom the calves of Bethel Idols of Egypt Priests of Baal c. In his other Epistles he saith If thou hadst once tasted the sweetness of wisdom i. e. of the holy Scripture thou wouldest loath all other things in comparison for this giveth abundantly the incomparable treasures of pleasure and the grace of all gifts And again It is necessary to read the Scriptures for that is the table of the tabernacle that is the food by which we breath and live Certainly Christ did use the onely testimony of the word against all the tentations of Satan in the wilderness if therefore an host should come against you guard your self with the buckler of a good conscience and with the sword of the Spirit Again The exhortation of man without the grace of God is but as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal he onely can give a mouth and wisdom which saith Without me you can do nothing Lord take thou away my stony heart and give a new humble contrite and a heart of flesh In the last of his Epistles he reckoneth the Books of Wisdom Ecclesiasticus Esdras III. and IV. Judeth Tobias Maccabees among the Apocrypha Catol test ver lib. 14. 10. Richard de St. Victor a Scot was held for a learned and good man about the year 1140. He wrote much On Cant. c. 2. The reading and meditation of the Scriptures do strengthen the minde and weaken the enemy so long as they keep this in minde and do it they are hereby most expert to encounter with the enemy De statu hom inter cap. 12. How justly is frâ—ewill said to be dead seeing by it self it is never moved unto any good for what good can it do of it self seeing it cannot say Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost and indeed it is often moved unto good but never accept by the holy Ghost De sacrif Abrah Mariae If the grace and protection of God be withheld man is thrown down at every suggestion of the enemy and into whatsoever evil and being once thrown down he can never rise by his own power A man can bring forth no bud of good work of himself without working grace and when he hath begun to work he can no way continue without its cooperation Par. 2. in explanat aliquot locor Apost The Law teacheth onely what we should do and addeth not how we may obey and therefore it can justifie none the Gospel teacheth what should be done how it may be done and how that which is not done may be supplied In Apocaly lib. 3. Onely that prayer is acceptable in heaven which the Son offereth unto the Father Catol test ver lib 15. He was the first which taught that the Virgin Mary was born without original sin Io. Maior in gest Scot. lib. 3. cap. 12. 11. Malcolm IV. King of Scots did command Roger Arch-Bishop of The Pope's Legate is forbidden to come into Scotland York and Roman Legate to depart out of the Realm and said It was not reason that the Land should be oppressed by ungodly men bearing glorious names He. Boet. Hist lib. 13. Again in the year 1188. Pope Clement sent another and he had not better success for all did refuse him except John Bishop of St. Andrews and therefore he was banished and he had refuge unto the Pope who by and by sent unto Henry King of England and gave unto him the right of the Crown of Scotland Io. Bale Cent. 3. § 26. in Appen 12. It is recorded that one Fulco came and said unto the English King King Richard's three daughters Richard with great boldness O King thou hast three very bad daughters take good heed unto them and provide unto them good husbands lest by inconvenient bestowing of them thou run not into damage onely but utter perdition unto thy self The King said Thou art mad foolish hypocrite I have no daughter Fulco replieth I do not lye O mighty King for you have three daughters continually in your Court and wholly possess your person and such whores are they that the like hath not been heard I mean mischievous pride greedy covetousness and filthy letchery therefore I say again beware of them and out of hand provide marriages for them The King then took his words in good part by and by calling his Nobles declared unto them them the words of Fulco whose counsel said he I intend to follow not doubting of your consents my Lords thereunto wherefore here before you all I give my eldest daughter swelling pride to wife unto the proud Templars my greedy daughter avarice unto the Cistertian Monks and filthy luxury unto the riotous Prelates of the Church so severally agreeing with all their natures that the like match is not to be found unto them This was about the year 1198. saith I. Fox in Act. 13. Here it shall not be amiss to remember the example of Simon Thurvey Simon Thurvey an English man of Cornwal for a warning to temerarious Students He was a subtil Logician and expert in all Liberal Sciences he left his own Countrey and was a Doctor in Paris many years and trusting to his Philosophy he vaunted that he knew all Christ's Law and by force of disputation he could disprove it all on a suddain he became forgetful of all learning and could not say the Lord's Prayer nor knew the a b c. Mat. Paris reporteth that when he was writing his History Nicola epi. Danelm told him this and had seen this Simon learning to read from his own bastard son as if he had been a childe of six years onely 14. King William went into England to congratulate the safe arrival of Richard from Judea in the year 1199. at that time Harald Earl of Orknay and Caitnes took the Bishop of the Countrey prisoner because he had stopped some suit he had demanded of the King and bereft him of his eyes and tongue William at his returning would revenge this inhumanity and Harald would defend himself by force but his forces were scattered and he was apprehended it was done unto him by the hangman as he had unto the Bishop and then strangled all his male-children were gelded and many of his friends as accessories were fined in money Buchan lib. 7. When this was reported unto Pope Innocentius III. he sent his Legate John Cardinal de monte Celio with a sword richly set with precious stones a purple hat in form of a diadem and a Bull of large priviledges exempting the Church of Scotland from all censures except onely of the Pope or Legate sent by the Conclave the Bull was dated in the year 1209. H. Boeth Hist lib. 13. cap. 8. THE FOURTH AGE Of the CHURCH OR The History of the Church lurking and of Anti-Christ reigning containing the space of 300. years from the year
Nicolaus teach that Christ both by word and example had taught his Apostles perfect poverty that is to renounce and forsake all goods and reserve no right either in common or personal and that such poverty is holy and meritorious Bellarm. de Ro. Pon. lib. 4 cap. 14. He abode at Reate because of factions at Rome He had been a Dominican but then preferred he no Order to another Platin. and made Cardinals of all sorts and gave them equal priviledges When he was sick he called all the Cardinals together and discharged them of all power and authority that they all should live a private life They said he was phrenetick and left him Then he sent for a certain number of Minorites and gave them all red hats in sign that they were all Cardinals and he caused them all to swear that after his death they should suffer none to be chosen Pope but one of their own Order He sat four years P. Morn in Myst Then was such competition that the Cardinals could not agree the space of two years and three moneths At last Peter an Eremite and Father of the Celestines or 18. CELESTIN the V. was preferred for conceit of his godliness It was so great a wonder that a man was preferred for conceit of godliness that 200000 persons went to Perusio to see his coronation His residence was at Aquileia Platin. In his first Consistory he began to reform the Clergy of A reformation is attempted by â— Pope Rome and he said he would make it a pattern unto other Churches Hereby he procured such hatred of his Clergy that they sought to depose him and he was willing to renounce his seat The Princes were earnest that he would not quit his Chair and Charles King of Sicilies conveyed him to Naples and exhorted him that he would abhor so great indignity seeing the people every where were so prone towards him Platin. But the Cardinals especially Benedict Caietan caused it to be broached that the Pope was a doating old man and unfit for such a place and caused some of his own chamber to tell him that he would lose his life if he did not renounce the Papacy also Benedict spake thorow a reed into his chamber as if it had been a voice from heaven telling him that he should forsake the Papacy as being too weighty a burthen for him So when he had sat six moneths by the craft of Benedict who deceived the holy man saith Platin. he was perswaded to dimit if it were lawful Then they made an Act that it was lawful for the Pope to renounce his place this Act was by his Successor inserted into the Decretals ca. Quoniam Then Benedict left nothing undone by ambition and fraud to advance himself saith Platin. and was called 19. BONIFACE the VIII and by some others NERO the II. So soon as he was Crowned he said he would preveen sedition lest a Schism be made and some take Celestin for their head who was returning into his Eremitish life so he thrust the old man into the Castle of Famo of Henrici Celestin was sensible of the fraud and said unto Boniface Thou hast entered like a fox thou wilt reign like a lion and shalt die as a dog The old man died in sorrow and was canonized under the name of Peter the Confessor by Pope Clemens the V. and his feast is kept Iunii 17. Platin. Boniface took part with the Minorites and gave them special authority without licence of Bishop or Priest to preach hear confessions of all whosoever would come unto them nihil obstante He did first of all the Popes bear two swords and The Pope hath two swords endeavored to move fear more then piety unto Emperors Kings and Nations to give or take away Kingdoms to banish men and bring them home again at his pleasure Idem He excommunicated Philip King of France because he would not obey his command in the complaint of Edward King of England and Guido Earl of Flanders Then the King would suffer no money to be carried out of France Boniface curseth him and his seed to the fourth generation The Emperor Albert sought confirmation twice or thrice but Boniface said He was unworthy of the Crown who had killed his Lord. Then having set a diadem on his own head and a sword by his side he said I am Caesar Nevertheless thereafter he did confirm Albert but on condition to take arms against France I. Naucler Of all others he was the greatest fire-brand betwixt the Gibelines which were called Albi and the Gwelphs or Nigri and destroyed all the Gibelines so far as he could He augmented unto the Decretals with another book where are these constitutions The high Priest of Rome should be reproved by none albeit he cast down innumerable souls to hell Another We declare pronounce and define that upon necessity of salvation all humane creatures should be under the Pope of Rome Extrav c. unam sanctam de Maior obed Bellar. de Ro. Pon. l. 1. c. 9. confesseth that this is contrary unto the order of the primitive Church seeing at that time all the Apostles and first Teachers had equal power And lib. 2. cap. 12. he saith The Church which is but one should at all times keep one and the same government Therefore Boniface brought into the Church a strange and grievous innovation He proclaimed the first Jubilee to be The first Iubilee at Rome kept An. 1300. and promised full remission both of sin and punishment unto all who came that year to visit the Churches of the Apostles in solemnising of which he shewed himself one day in his Pontificals and according to his promise he gave remission unto all who came that year the next day he came forth in the Imperial ornaments and caused a naked sword to be carried before and the Herauld cried Behold two swords Bellarm. de Ro. Pon. lib. 5. ca. 5. teacheth that in these words Behold two swords and in the answer of Christ It is enough is no syllable of spiritual nor temporal power but onely that Christ forewarneth his disciples that in the time of his passion they were to be in such fear as they who sell their coat to buy a sword this he writeth not of his own invention but according to the ancients Albert Crantzius commendeth the Popes every where almost but in Saxo. lib. 8. cap. 35. when he is writing of this pomp of Boniface he cannot contain himself from crying Behold Peter thy Successor and thou Savior behold thy Vicar behold whither the pride of the Servant of servants hath climbed Pol. Virgil. de inven rer lib. 8. cap. 1. saith This feast was in imitation of the Jewish Jubilee or to draw away the people from remembring the ancient heathenish secular Plays Whatsoever was the pretext it appeareth the aim was to bring gain unto Rome and glory unto the Pope In the year 1301. he sent Boniface Bishop of Apamea or of Openham
Phocas the prerogative over all the rest of the Bishops then the high Priest of Rome with his Senate of Town-Priests began to be more advanced above others and these Priests to whom these titles were given in old time and to whom the cure of Christian souls was committed began especially to be honored with that name as proper to the highest Dignity In the beginning it was altogether a burthen and at last the chiefest honor seeing they are always nearest to the Pope in the administration of the Christian Republick and unto them was more and more given and by little and little by jarring of the Emperors and the people of Rome for the election of the Pope all the right of the election came unto them So far he In this last matter Bellar. loc cit is more plain howsoever these things be so I confess saith he that the Cardinalship was a step unto a Bishoprick as it is most manifest out of the first book of the life of Gregory cap. 7. but that order is changed and Cardinals are preferred unto Bishops because when the Emperors and Clergy and people did chuse the Pope the Cardinals were not in such estimation but when onely they began to chuse the Pope and onely Cardinals were chosen the dignity of a Cardinal is not without cause more respected Secondly The dignity of a Cardinal is advanced because they were wont to be neither the onely neither the chief Consellors of the Pope for in the first eight hundred years a national Councel of Italian Bishops was gathered for consultation of the weighty affairs as is manifest by the Councels there the chief place was given to Bishops but when the affairs of the Church of Rome did increase especially the temporal Princedom in the days of Pipin and Charls the Great the Councels have been omitted and all things brought to the Colledge of Cardinals So he We saw before how great priviledges Innocentius the III. gave unto this Order and so did Innocentius the IV. If Peter Damian Cardinal of Ostia had seen them so far honored whereunto would he have compared them seeing he is bold to extol them so far in his days What thinkest thou of the Cardinal Bishops saith he who principally chuse the Pope of Rome and do transcend the power of all Bishops yea of Patriarchs and Primates to wit except the Sacrament of the universal Church these are the eyes of the one stone that is of the Roman Church of whom it is said in Zachary Behold the stone which I have set before Jehoshua upon that one stone are seven eyes they are the lamp of the one candlestick they are the candlesticks in the midst of which Jesus doth walk Apoc. 2 c. Baron Tom. 11. ad An. 1061. nu 11. at the election of Cardinals the Pope saith to them Be ye our Brethren and Princes of the world Antonin Flor. sum Theol. par 3. tit 21. cap. 1. § 2. Pope Pius the II. said to his Cardinals Ye are my eldest and best beloved children and ye are honored with most excellent dignity when ye are called into the Apostolical Colledge ye shall be our Counsellors and judges of all the earth ye shall be Senators of the City and like unto Kings and very hinges of the world upon whom the door of the militant Church must turn and be governed Vsser de Eccles statu cap. 4. ex Sacr. cerem Ro. Eccles lib. sect 8. cap. 3. Antonius after his maner proveth that the same authority belongeth unto them loc cit 4. In this Century these Friers and Cardinals spared not the blood of Persecution against the Waldenses God's servants for Pope Innocentius thought first by disputes and sophistry to bear down the Waldenses but when he could not that way prevail he caused his Friers to sting them with fire and sword An. 1205. he sent the forenamed Dominicus with Didacus Bishop of Exonia or Uxonia in Spain into the County of Tolose they disputed once at Viride Folium and again at Axamia An. 1207. in the City Montie-regalis the same two with Fulco Bishop of Tolouse and Petrus de Castro novo the Popes Legate disputed against Arnold hot Pastor Albigensium Ponticus Jordanus Arnold Aurisanus Philibert Castrensis and Benedict Thermus These were the Articles The Church of Rome is not the holy Church neither Spouse of Christ but filled with the doctrine of divels she is Babylon that John describeth in the Apocalypse the mother of fornications and abominations covered with the blood of the Saints It doth not please the Lord which pleaseth the Church of Rome neither Christ nor his Apostles did institute the Mass but it is the device of man By consent of both parties four Laicks were named Auditors to wit two noble men Bernard de Villa nova and Bernard Arrensis and two of meaner degree Raymundus Godins and Arnold Riberia When the disputation had continued three days Fulco sought the space of fifteen days and he would give the defence of his positions in writing and Arnold Hot craved eight days to give his answer in writing likewise They assembled at the day appointed and the conferences were prolonged the space of four days and at last the Bishop said These things ought to be taken from the Mass that are not of the Mass and so they were dismissed neither was any more done of these controversies Vsser ex Vignier Hist Eccles ad An. 1207. There were also other conferences among them But when the Pope and his Cardinals saw that they could not prevail with disputes Odo Bishop of Paris easily perswaded the Pope to try them with the sword An. 1208. The Pope wrote unto Philip King of France for that effect and proclaimed Indulgences unto all who would take Arms against the Waldenses and Albigenses even as large as to them who warred against the Mahumetists and the Pope and the King gave all the lands of the Waldenses and their goods unto any who would take them Raymund Earl of Tolouse was of this number and was much envied by the Clergy for his devotion and by Laity for his grandure he was Cousin-german of King Philip and Lord of Tolouse Province Aquitania Delphinate the County of S. Giles Velnaissen Ruthen Cadurcen Albio and of other large dominions on both sides of Rhodanus he had married Johanna Sister of John King of England and after her Eleonora Daughter of Peter King of Arragon Vsser in Stat. Succes Eccles ex Guil. Armor Bertrand in gest Tolos Of the same profession were the Counts de Foy de Beders de Cominees de Carmain c. To the end that Raymund may be the more odious unto the people the Preachers did slander him of Manicheism but untruly saith Bertrand In the year 1209. were levied in France 22000. men their General was Simon Earl of Monford with some of the Preachers and Nobility They first did set against Biterrae in which were 100000. men it pleased God that the persecuters
oath unto King Edward in Newcastle on Tine The Nobility were male-contented but they must dissemble It happened after some years that Macduff Earl of Fife was killed by the Earl of Abernethy and because this family was potent Macduffs Brother could not obtain justice in Scotland for the slaughter therefore he appealed unto King Edward who summoned King John to London He appeared and at first sat down with Edward thinking to answer by his Proctor but he must stand at the Bar This indignity begot in him a desire of liberty When variance fell between France and England John thinking this a fit occasion renewed the old league with France and by the Abbot of Arbroth sent into England with consent of the Estates a revocation of his dedition Wherefore Edward resolveth to take Arms against Scotland He sent for Robert Bruce Son of the Competitor being then defunct and profered him the Kingdom if he would go with him to expel King John or cause his Friends in Scotland to desert or not assist John Robert did both At that time four thousand Scots were slain in sundry fights and in the Castle of the Burgh of Montross King John did resign unto the Commissioners of King Edward all right to the Crown Sir Hugh Cressingham was made Governor of Scotland and John was carried into England yet by intercession of Pope Boniface he was let go into France his Son being kept in pledge lest he did attempt any new trouble Then Edward went against France and in his absence the Scots had mutual treaties with France they chose twelve Governors of the Country and many incursions were in the borders on both sides At that time arose the famous William Walace a Gentleman of mean estate but extraordinary in courage and strength he did many rubs unto the English and because the Governors were thought remiss he was chosen to be the only Governor and called the Vice-Roy of King John He recovered many Towns from the English and threw down many Castles and Forts lest his little Army were divided in keeping them The Earl of Warren and the Lord Percey were sent against him but because these had bad success Edward made truce with France and came against Scotland where he prevailed so that in a Parliament at St. Andrews all the Nobility and Estates did acknowledge him only Walace kept himself quiet in the high-Lands When Robert Bruce put the King in minde of his promise Edward scoffed at him saying Had he no other thing to do but fight for a Kingdom unto him Buchan Histo At that time Edward destroyed the ancient Laws of Scotland and sought how to bring the two Nations in amity and affinity He burnt the Chronicles and Books of Divine Service constraining them to follow the Missale of Sarum those who were repugnant unto these changes were severely punished He removed the most learned men into Oxford Briefly he destroyed all the Monuments of Antiquity and upon the least occasion he cut off all who in his judgement could enterprise any insurrection Boeth lib. 14. Walace lurked a while but he stirred again and prevailed both in favor and power among the people as followeth in the next Century 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 XIV CHAP. I. Of POPES 1. BENEDICT the XI was chosen Pope November 1. An. 1304. He absolved Philip King of France from the excommunication of Boniface and restored the Cardinals John and James Columnae which had written against Pope Boniface And Platina addeth Boniface had pursued them more then became a Priest for envy against them and too much respect of the faction of the Guelphs He sate nine months 2. CLEMENS the V. after contention of the Cardinals the space of ten months was elected being in the mean time at his own seat in Burdeaux When it was certified unto him he commanded all the Cardinals to come unto Lions There were present at his Coronation Philip King of France his Son Charles John Duke of Burgundy c. In the midst of the Procession a great wall fell upon them so that John and twelve other persons were killed Philip was hurt the Pope was struck from his horse and lost out of his Mitre a Carbuncle of the value of six thousand crowns Platin. When this unlucky pomp was ended he created many French Cardinals and not one Italian and removed the Court of Rome unto Avenion where it continued seventy four years as in another transportation to Babylon We read not of any which in all this time made exception that Rome was the seat of St. Peter and house of the holy Ghost and therefore the Pope should abide at Rome Clemens avouched openly to keep a Concubine the Daughter of Count de Fuxa P. Morn in Myster ex Villano He sent three Cardinals with Senatorial power to govern Rome and Italy Because Ferraria had revolted and submitted themselves unto the Venetians he excommunicated the Venetians for accepting them and gave all their goods unto spoil wheresoever they could be apprehended the like he did unto the Florentines and other Cities for their revolting Sardinia did belong unto Genua and he gave it unto the King of Sicily for winning it from the Turks How he dealt with the Emperor it followeth But here it is to be remembred how he ordained that none should use the title or exercise the power of Emperor until he were confirmed by the Pope And when the Imperial seat is vacant the Pope shall reign as Emperor until one be chosen He confirmed the Feast of Corp. Christi granting Indulgences of one hundred days unto all who shall be present at the Matins c. Lib. 3. Clement tit 16. de reliquiis ca. Si Dominum .. It seemeth that the people had not regarded the former Institution He was the Author of the seventh Book of Decretals before his death he did condemn them as containing may snares in them and caused them to be burnt saith Io. Naucler But his Successor did confirm them He excommunicated Andronicus the Emperor of the East as an Heretick because he would not suffer the Greeks to acknowledge the Pope for their head c. Because he would not reside at Rome the Romans refuse to give him the patrimony of St Peter and thereby he was brought into the greater exigence But Platina saith A great famine was the cause of his scarcity Then he lived by the money of Bishops which came unto him to be confirmed and by such other shifts and gifts yet by these means he is said to have gained 9500. marks of Silver besides his expense which he bestowed liberally in one year Platina writeth that he ordained the Annates or the first years stipend of all Annates Intrants to be paid unto the Pope out of all Countries But Pol. Virgil. de inven rer lib. 8. cap. 2. saith It
Pope gives the bishoprick unto Adolph Count of Schavenburg and writes unto the Estates of the Province to accept him and so doth the Emperour The Clergy obey readily but the Civil Estate complain that they are unjustly deprived of their godly Bishop So both had their parties but Herman chuseth to quit the Bishoprick and did renounce it Januarie 20. 1547 and with him Frederik Bishop of Munster was deprived of the Provestry of Bonna and the Count of Stolbergh was deprived of his Deanship because they did cleave unto Herman So the new Bishop restoreth the old errours at Colein Osiand Libr. Cit. Cap. 48 50. XXXVIII So bitter was the malice of the Papists against Luther A Popish lieing tale that in the year 1545. they put forth in print a tale of his death A horrible miracle say they and such as was never heard that God who for ever is to be praised in the fowle death of Martin Luther damned in body and soule shewed for the glory of Christ and confort of the godly When Martin Luther fell sicke say they he craved the body of our Lord Jesus to be communicated to him which having received he died soon after and when he saw his end approach he willed his body to be layd on the altar and to be worshipped with divine honours But God willing at last to make an end of horrible errours by a strange miracle warned the people to cease from the impiety which Luther had begun for when his body was layd in the grave on a sudden such a tumult terrour arose as if the foundation of the earth had bin shaken they which were present at the funerall grew amazed with fear and lifting their eies they saw the holy hoast hanging in the aire wherefore with great devotion they took it and layd it in the holy place when that was done the hellish noise was heard no more The next night a noise and tumult was heard about Luthers grave much lowder than the former and raised all that were in the City out of their sleep trembling and almost half dead for fear In the morning they open the sepulcher where Luther's detestable body was layd and found neither body nor bones nor cloathâ—â— but a stinck of brimstone coming out of the grave c. This merry tale being spread over Italy a copy was brought to Luther and when he read it he writes under these words I Martin Luther by this my hand-writing confesse testify that on March 21. I received this fiction concerning my death as it was full of malice and madnes and I read it with a glad mind and chearfull countenance but deteste the blasphemy whereby a stinkingly is fathered on the Majesty of God As for the rest I can not but rejoice laugh at the Devils malice wherewith he and his rout the Pope and his complices persue mee God convert them from their devilish malice But if this my prayer be for the sin unto death that it can not be heard then God grant they may fill up the measure of their sin and with such lying libels let them delight themselves to the full It 's also remarkable that when Luther heard some to be called Lutheranes and some Zwinglianes he was greatly offended and he entreated that his name be keept in silence and that none be called Lutheran but Christian What is Luther said he the doctrine is not mine nor was I crucified for any the Apostle would not have any Christians called Paulinianes nor Petrinianes whence therefore shall this happen unto mee that the children of Christ should be called by my vile name away with it ô friends away with schismaticall names Tom. 2. edit Witemb fol. 4. In Decemb. An. 1545. he was intreated by the Earls of Mansfield to be arbiter of a controversy Luthers Death between them for respect to their persons and the Province wherein he was born he would not refuse When he was fitting himselfe for this journey he said to Melanthon that he had gone too far in the controversy of the Sacrament Melanthon exhorts him to explain his mind by publishing some book he answered Thereby I may bring a suspicion upon all my doctrine but I will commend it unto God and I request thee to amend by thy watchfulness after my death what I have done amisse John Foxe in Act. Monim from the testimony of Melanthon Alex. Ales Daniel Buren Herbert de Langen c. January 17. he preached his last Sermon at Wittembergh on the 23. day he took journy he was sickly before he came to Isleben yet after some fomentations he recovereth a little and attendeth the business about which he came untill February 17. during this time he preached somtimes and administred the Lords Supper twice That day he dined and supped with his friends and among other discourses he was talking of heaven and said We shall know one another there as Adam knew Eve at the first sight After supper his pain increaseth in his breast he went aside to pray and then went to bed about midmight his pain wakened him out of sleep then perceiving his life at an end he said unto his friends attending him Pray God that he would preserve unto us the doctrine of his Gospell for the Pope and Councel at Trent have grievous things in hand When he had said so he was sleepy but the pain made him complain of a stopping in his breast and then he praied in these words Heavenly father even God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the God of all confort I give thee thanks that thou hast revealed thy Sonne unto mee in whom I have believed whom I have professed loved and preached and whom the Bishop of Rome and the rest of the wicked do persecute and reproach I beseech thee my Lord Jesu Christ receive my poor soul and heavenly Father though I be taken out of this life and shall lay down this my body yet I believe assuredly I shall abide for ever with thee and that none shall be able to pull me out of thy hands After this prayer he repeated the 16. verse of Joh. 3. and the 20. verse of Ps 68 and thrice he said Lord into thy hands I commend my Spirit with tokens of much confort untill as a man falling a sleep by little little he departed this life His body was honourably convoied to Wittembergh and by appointement of the Electour was buried in the Tower-church in the 64 year of his age The next year the Electour was taken captive and when the Emperour came into Witembergh the Spaniards would have taken his body to burn it but the Emperour said Suffer him to rest till the day of resurrection and judgement of all men XXXVIII When the Electour was captive and many of the confoederats The reconciliation of the captive Princes were reconciled unto the Emperour the Electour of Brandeburgh and Duke Maurice did solicite for the Lantgrave Charles was high
countrey c. He had gone into Embden and lived there untill the year 1557 when he sent the book with the dedication unto the States of Holland That book was written in way of a dialogue between Theophilus and Lazarus of which I add a passage or two Lazarus asketh Whereunto doth the Spirit lead the children of God Thophilus answereth Vnto the love of holiness and hatred of sin they are also said to have a delyting and resting heart upon the bountifulness of our heavenly Father in all their necessities sufferings and adversities for the power of Christian faith is of such virtue that it drives through all persecution and suffering unto the acknowledging and feeling of the good will of God toward us with which will of God a Christian believer is so well satisfied that he strives no way against it that the vile flesh of old Adam should suffer here and the wicked will should not have always the dominion Lazarus Whence comes that Christian faith Theophi The knowledge of faith comes by hearing Gods word but the lively feeling and the delight which we get by hearing reading and thinking-upon that word is the gift of God which is powred and ingrafted by the Holy Ghost into the hearts of believers Paul teaches this clearly saying I have planted Apollos watered but God hath given the increase Laza. What is that faith Theoph. Christian faith is a lively fast feeling and trust into the love and mercy of God our heavenly Father manifested unto us in his only begotten Son Jesus Christ Laza. I confesse that I should have my refuge unto the Lord God as the Apostles did but I can not believe that God is so neer us as he was with them in the ship Theoph. Albeit God is not with us visibly as he was with them nevertheless he is with us and in us by his Divine power mercy and anointing of the Holy Ghost especially God is very neer unto them that are grieved in heart the whole Scripture declares in many places that the Lord God holdes us in the hand of his counsell and keeps us under the protection of his wings as a henn keeps her chickens yea can a mother forget her child and not have pitty on the son of her wombe and albeit she should forget him yet I will not forget you Is not this a great comfort that God pittieth us as a mother doth her children Saith not God unto his chosen people He that touches you touches the apple of mine ey ....... Laza. Can we not deserve the kingdom of heaven how comes that Theoph. It is because by nature we are altogether the children of wrath in ourselves we are unclean and begotten of them that were unclean so that the Prophet said truly All our best works and righteousnesses is as a filthy cloath where of we may be ashamed to come into the presence of God and far less can we deserve any good for them If we could satisfy the wrath of God by our good works then Christ had died in vain and we were Saviours of ourselves nor had we need to give God thanks for his mercy to wards us in Christ The kingly Prophet confesses this when he saith Lord enter not into judgement with thy servant for in thy sight can none that lives be justified And that we may do any thing acceptable unto God we must be born again by the quickning water of the Holy Ghost who translates us from the kingdom of deceiving Satan into the kingdom and government of our Lord Iesus Christ So long as we are not by the Spirit of faith purged from our in-bred infidelity and grafted into Iesus Christ as our true Vine to bring forth by him the fruit of life we continue like to bad and unprofitable trees c Lavater Minister of Zurik shewes in a Narration of the Sacramentary strife that in the year 1524. John Rhodius and George Sagan two learned men coming to Zurik conferred with Zuinglius concerning the Sacrament and hearing that he was of the same judgement with them in that question did thank God that they were delivered from the contrary error and as yet they had not shewd the Letter of Honius in which the word Is in the institution of the Supper is expounded Signifieth which exposition Zuinglius did think most convenient That Letter of Honius is large but there he saith Our Lord Iesus had many a time promised remission of sin unto believers and at his last Supper he willing to confirm their hearts added a pawn unto his promise that they might be in no more doubt as a Bridegrom who would assure his Bride that she doubt no more of his love gives her a ring saying Take this there give I thee myself She receiving this ring believes that the Bridegom is her's turns away her heart from all other wooers and thinks how she may please that her spouse So is it with them who receive the Eucharist as a pawn from their Bridegrom c. At that time lived John Pistorius or Baker of Woerden he was a Priest and had been instructed by Io. Rhodius in S. Jerom's School in Utrecht because he married a wife he was accused by the Inquisitors imprisoned and burnt An. 1525. He was a learned man as appeares by his books printed lately These few particulares shew how the light of the Gospel began to breake out in the Netherlands so that even before Luther arose God had preserved from time to time â—ome few believers in the midst of the grossest darkness as also we may under stand how the truth was hated and persecuted as I touched before in the life of Charles V. and more may be seen in the book of Martyrs in the Netherlands about the year 1540. the persecution was hott and then many went from Flanders and other Provinces into England Trigland in his Church histo against Vâ—enbog par 3. King Henry accepted them and placed them in several towns not only for enuy against the Pope but because many of them were wool-weavers and by them he brought that trade into his kingdom In the year 1550. they obtained liberty under the Kings seal that the Dutch and French Churches should continue in their Church-Discipline and order as they were then begun though not conform unto the Disciplin and ceremonies of the English Church and to hold Synods by themselves and that was in every congregation to chuse their own Ministers ruling Elders and deacons but with this condition that when they had chosen a Minister they should crave and obtain the consent of the King or of his heirs or â—uccessors as also when in their Synode they shall chuse a new Superintendent John Lasco was Superintendent at that time and Minister of a Congregation in London by advice of other Ministers Gualter Delen Martin Flandrus Francis Riverius and others he drew-up a book of Discipline prescribing the form of election of Ministers Elders and deacons directions concerning prayers
began to praise God that he had so mercifully heard them in their extremity and had sent such support that without effusion of blood the rage of their enemies might be stayd The same night the Earle of Argile and L. James were sent from Sterlin and coming the next day began to advise unto agreement of which they were all willing but some were suspicious that promises would not be keeped longer then their adversaries saw their advantage John willock came with them of the West country then he and Iohn knox went to the Earle of Argile and L. Iames accusing them that they had deftauded the brethren of their dutifull assistance in such necessity They both answered Their heart was constant with their brethren and they would defend that cause to the uttermost of their power but because they had promised to endeavoure a concorde and to assist the Queen if yee shall refuse reasonable offers in conscience and honour we could do no less than be faithfull in our promise made and therefore we yet require that the brethren may be persuaded to consent unto a reasonable appointment and we promise in Gods presence that if the Queen shall break in any jote thereof we with our whole power will concurre with the brethren in all time coming So Maie 28. the appointment containing the forenamed conditions was concluded and free entry was made unto the Queen the Duke and the French men Before the departing of the Congregation A peace was made Iohn knox had a Sermon exhorting them all unto constancy and unfainedly to thank God for that it had pleased his mercy to stay the malice of the enemy without effusion of blood and that none should be weary to support such as shall hereafter be persecuted for said he I am assured that no part of this promise shall be longer keeped than the Queen and the French men have the upper hand Many of the adversaries were at the Sermon And before the Lords went away this bond was drawn-up At Perth the last day of May in the year 1559. the Congregations of the West Country with the Congregations of Fife Perth Dundy Anguise Merns and Montrose being conveened in the town of Terth in the name of Jesus Christ A new bond for setting forth his glory understanding nothing more necessary for the same than to keep constant amity unity and fellowship together according as they are commanded by God Are confederated and become bounden and obliged in the presence of God to concur and assist together in doing all things required of God in his Scripture that may be to his glory And at their whol powers to destroy and put away all things that do dishonour to his name so that God may be truly and purely worshipped And incase any trouble be intended against the said Congregation or any part or member thereof the whole congregation shall concur assist and conveen together to the defense of the same congregation or person troubled And shall not spare labours goods substance bodies and lifes in maintaining the liberty of the whole congregation and every member thereof against whatsoever person shall intend the said trouble for cause of Religion or any other cause depending thereupon or lay to their charge under pretense thereof although it happen to be coloured with any other outward cause In witnessing and testimony of the which the whole congregation fore said have ordained and appointed the Noble men and persons underwritten to subscribe these presents It was subscribed by the Earls Argile and Glencairn and by the Lords James Stuart Boyd Uchiltry and Mathew cambell of Tarmganart The hist of refor li. 2 Immediatly after their departing all the heads of the Capituâ—â—â—on were broken some citizens were exiled others were fined in great sums the Magistrats thrust out of their office new ones against the usuall manner intruded and four companies left for a garrison and these were charged to permit no other Service but of the Roman Church Some desiring matters to be carried more peaceably told her these things would be interpreted a breach of the Articles She answered The promise was to leave no French Souldiers in the town which she had done for those were al Scots men It was replied that all who took wages of the French King would be called French Souldiers She said Promises are not to be kept to hereticks and if she could make an honest excuse after the fact committed she would take upon her conscience to kill and undo all that Sect And Princes should not be so strictly urged to keep promises These speeches beeing divulged did procure to her much ill nor did she after that time see a good day but was despised and misregarded by all sorts of people The Earle of Argile and L. James thinking their honour touched by the breach of the peace did forsake her and went to the Congregation Therefore they were charged to appear before Her Counsell but they answer Seing the Queen had broken conditions which by warrant from herself they had made with the Lords of the Congregation they would medle no more in such dishonest courses and do their best to repair things Thè Noble men were gone to Santandrews and because they feared some sudden attempt for the Queen and the Frenches lay at Faulkland they sent to the Lairds of Dun Pittarrow and entreated them of Angulse Merns to meet at Santandrews Juny 4 and they went to Creil whither all that had warning came with great forewardness and were not a little encouraged by John Knox in a Sermon he told them that then they saw it true what he had said at Perth concerning the Queens sincerity and exhorted them to be no longer deluded with fair promises of them who had no regard of contracts covenants nor oaths and because there will be no quietnes till one of the parties were Masters he wished them to prepare themselves to dy as men or to live victorious By this exhortation the hearers were so moved that immediatly they pull down altars images and all the moniments of idolatry within the town and the next day they did the like in Anstruther from thence they hasten to S. Andrews The Bishop hearing what they had done and thinking they would attempt the same reformation in the City came to it well accompanied to withstand them but when he had tried the affections of the people he goeth the next morning unto the Queen That day being sunday John Knox preached in the Parish-church he compared the estate of the Church which was at Jerusalem when Christ purged the temple unto the estate of the present Church and declared what was the duty of these to whom God had given authority and power He did so incite the hearers that after Sermon they went and made spoil of the Churches and rased the monasteries of the black and gray Friers I will not scan whither the acts of such zeal was according to Gods law but to speak
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
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
stay them fleeing and Lord Robert Stewart Abbot of Halirudhouse issued forth upon the Frenches and caused them to turn and flee At that time the cruelty of the French men began to discover it self for they spared not the aged maimed women nor Papist and of the souldiers ten only were killed Then many were deiected and with great difficulty were moved to abide in the town October 31. Wiliam Maitlane of Lethington Secretary to the Regent perceiving that the Frenches sought his life for somtimes he had freely opposed their cruelty conveyed himself away and coming to Edinburgh exhorted the Lords and others unto constancy and most prudently layd before them the dangers ensuing if they shall depart from that Town They stayd untill November 5 then was another skirmish but the souldiers could scarcely be moved to go forth and they went disorderly and were repulsed with the loss of 25. or 30. of their number and then such dolour and fear overtook the hearts of the most part that they could admit of no consolation only they appoint to meet the next day at Sterlin and there to take consultation On wednesday November 7. they Encouragement and resolution meet in the Church of Sterlin John Knox had a Sermon on Psa 80. v. 5. 6. 7. In his exposition he declared wherefore God in wisdom suffers sometims his chosen people to be exposed to mockage and danger even to appearing distruction to wit that they may feel the vehemency of his indignation that they may know how little strength is in themselves they may leave unto the following generations a testimony both of the wicked's malice and of the maruellous work of God in perserving His little Flock by other means than man can espy he sheweth how fearfull a tentation it is when God heares not the prayers of his people and a difference betwixt the elect and reprobats under such a tentation and in the end he did exhort them all to amendement of life and to carnestness of praying The mindes of the hearers were wonderously erected After dinner the Lords conveen in Counsell where after invocation of Gods name it was concluded 1. that William Maitlan shall go to London and declare their condition unto the Queen and Counsell and the Noble men should have their next publick meeting at Sterlin December 16. In the mean time the French men domineer in Edinburgh the Regent gave the houses of the honestest Burgesses unto them as a part of their reward the Earle of Arran was proclamed Traitour great practises were used against the Castle but the Captain as he had refused to be for the Lords and country so would not give over unto the Regent Advertisement was dispatched to the Duke of Guise desiring him to make expedition if he would have the full conquest of Scotland He had at that time greatest power to command in France the King Francis being but 15 years of age and without delay sent another Army of horse and foot with the Marques D'Elbeuf and Count Martiques they embarked at Diep and were dispersed by tempest 18 Ensignes were cast away upon the coast of Holland and only the ship wherein were the two principalls with their Ladies was violently driven back to Diep confessing that God fought for the defense of Scotland After the meeting at Sterl in the Duke the Earle of Glencairn and other noble men went to Glascow and caused all the images and altars to be pulled down and conveening in Counsell gave forth this Proclamation Two proclamations of the Councell FRANCIS and MARIE King and Queen of Scots Daulphin and Daulphiness of Viennoys to our lovets messengers or sherifs in that part conjunctly and severally specially constitute greeting For so much as it is understood by the Lords of our Privy Councell that be reformed of the suspension of the Queen Dowrier's autority the samine is by consent of the Nobility and Barons of our realm now by Gods providence devolved unto them And their chieff and first charge and study is and should bee to advance the glory of God by maintaining and upsetting true preachers of the Word Reforming of Religion and subversion of idolatry And there are diverse of the clergy who have not as yet adioined themselves unto the Congregation nor made open testification of their faith and renunciation of idolatry Our will is heerfore and we charge you straitly and command that incontinently these Our letters seen yee pass and in our name and authority command and charge all and sundry of the clergy who have not as yet adioined themselves to the Congregation as said is by open proclamation at all places needfull That they compear before the saids Lords of Counsell in Santandrews the day of and there give open testification of their conversion with plain confession of their faith and renunciation of all manner of superstition and idolatry With certification unto them if they fail they shal be reputed and holden as enemies to God and true Religion and the fruits of their Benifices shall be taken away one part thereof to the true preachers who ministrate truly the word and the remanent to be applied to the forthsetting of the Common well of our realm The which to do we commit to you conjunctly and severally Our full power by these our letters delivering them by you duly execute and indorsed again unto the bearer Given under our signet at Glasgow the penult day of November and of our reignes the first seventienth years Nevertheless some Bishops intend a new persecution whereupon the Counsell send forth another proclamation in this manner FRANCIS and MARIE by the Grace of God King and Queen of Scots Daulphin and Daulphiness of Viennois To our lovets our shirefs in that part conjunctly and severally specially constitute greeting For so much as the Lords of our Counsell understanding the great hurt and iniquity that in times past hath proceeded to the members of Christs Church by maintaining and upholding of the Antichrists lawes and his consistory boasting and fearing the simple and ignorant people with their cursings gravatures and such like others their threatnings whereby they sate on the consciences of men of long time by gone Ordained that no consistory should be afterward holden hanted nor used Having respect that there be enough of Civil ordinary Judges to the which our Lieges may have recourse in all their actions causes And not the less the said Lords are informed that certain wicked persons within the City of Brechin malevolent members of the said Antichrist contemptuously disobey the said ordinance and cease not stil to hold consistory and execute his pestilent lawes within the said City in contempt of Vs and our authority Our will is therefore and wee charge you strairly and command that incontinent these our letters seen yee pass and in our name and authority command and charge the Commissary and Scribe of Brechin and all other members of the said Consistory and others our Lieges whatsoever
having interess That none of them take in hand to hold any consistory for administration of the said wicked lawes or assist there to in any way from thence forth Vnder the pain of death As yee will answer to us thereupon The which to do we commit to you conjunctly and severally our full power Given under our signet at Dundy the 14 day of December and of our reignes the second and 18 years These two Proclamations are not that I have seen in print but I have them by mee as yet with the Signet whole and entire which I received as I have hinted before among the papers of John erskin of Dun. The difference of the time in the Date is clear for the Queen was marryed in the beginning of Decemb. An. 1558. And I make use of them here against the impudent slaunders of An observation out of the premisses that malevolent Author who in that Latin History lately printed calleth the Reformation of the Church of Scotland a tumultuous and Vandal Reformation howbeit out of these Proclamations and all other proceedings heertofore it appeares clearly that whatsoever was done had the authority of the Publick Convention of the Estates and lesser things were done by the Counsell but the Queen being a Minor and not in the Country ftom her infancy and being under the tutory of her Vncle a stranger and an enemy of Religion who had given his power unto strangers for opposing Religion And all the antient Churches as yet standing both in burroughs and country do bear witnes that they did not at that time throw down any necessary church but only the abbeyes and monasteries and their churches IX About the 20. of December Robert Meluill of Raith who was sent with Lethintoun into England returnes and shewes that the Queen of England had granted a supply and appointed the Duke of Norfolk A treaty with England and the Frenches make trouble to their own losse to treat at Berwick with the Commissioners of the Scotish Nobility When the Regent was advertised of this conclusion she with her Counsell resolves to make an end of the warre before the English support could be in readiness and to begin at Fife Thereupon the French men take their journy by Sterlin and spoil where they come when they had passed the bridge the storm was so bitter and the snow had fallen so deep that they could not passe thorough the midle of the country but resolve to march by the coast and so unto Santandrewes and to have fortified the castle and City The Lord James stuart and others hearing that they were passed Sterlin sent some Forces with the Lord Ruthuen to withstand them and in his company was the Earle of Sutherland being directed as he professed by the Earle of Huntly to offer his assistance but his principall commission was for the Regent as afterward was made known But he was not long time in their company for in the first rancounter of the Scots and French men at Kingorn Sutherland was hurt in the arme and went back to Couper The French men being the greater number took Kingorn and the Scots return to Dysert where they continued skirmishing for three weeks that the enemies could not march further and the country was preserved from the spoil so soon as the Regent heard that Kingorn was taken she sent post to France shewing that thousands of the hereticks were slain and the rest were fled and requiring that some of her friends would come and take the glory of that Victory So Martiques was sent again with two ships A day was appointed by the Noble men to meet at Couper for sending Commissioners to treat with the Duke of Norfolk unto this meeting went the Noble men that were at Dysert and sixe were sent to Berwick both parties did quickly agree upon a league for defense of both kingdoms whosoever shall inuade either of them The contract was dated Fabruat 27. The capacity of a Treaty with England shewes what a considerable part of the kingdom the Congregation was at that time The Frenchmen at Kingorn hearing that the Noble men were gone from Dysert march a long the coast and at Kincraig they see a fleet of ships they apprehend them a supply from France but they were by and by informed that it was a fleet of Englishes and also that an Army was coming by land Wherefore they fearing to be severed from their fellowes at Lieth made the greater hast by night and day and came to Lieth on the third day losing more of their company by the way than they had killed of their adversaries as they had done more evill to their friends for of all that were professed enemies unto them only the Laird of Grange had his house blown up with powder but others of their faction were forced to furnish them or the souldiers took the readiest they could apprehend When complaints were made to the French Captaines they scornfully answered These were the Congregation-mens goods Or if they made faith that these were their own goods they were railed upon as unworthy and niggard cowards that made more account of their goods than of their friends And the professours of religion had put their goods out of the way But this spoil made that faction joyn the more willingly with the defenders of their liberty At that time the Barons of the Merns were busy in the Reformation of Aberdien The Earle of Huntly withstood but when he heard of the advancing of the Englishes he sent unto the Lords craving to be admitted among them as also he heard that Proclamations were sent through all the country charging all the subjects to meet in arms at Lithgow the last day of March and thence to passe in persuite of the French enemies At that time the English forces consisting of two thousand horse and 600 foot entred into Scotland and the Scots army joyned with them April 4. An. 1660. The same day the Regent removes her family to the castle of Edinburgh the Lord Erskin knowing that she was of intention to have the Frenches Masters of that strength would not deny her entry but he was so circumspect that both she and the castle were still in his power X. The Noble men then wrote unto her humbly again and again entreating Mediation of peace An. 1560 that she would dismiss the French souldiers and profering that they shall be safely conveyed into France and promising never to forsake dutifull obedience unto their Queen nor resist the King her husband in any thing that shall not tend to the subversion of the liberties of the Kingdom and beseeching her to weigh the equity of their petition and the inconveniences of warre The English Generall did in like manner direct two gentle men unto the French men in Lieth for the same purpose Both were answered with delayes but would not be delayed and assault the town and were repulsed twice with the losse of two men The King of France hearing
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
charge must be subiect to the censure and correction of Ministers and Elders not of his chief town only but also of the whole Province of which he is appointed overseer If his offence be known and the Ministers and Elders of the town and province be negligent then the next one or two Superintendents with their ministers and elders may conveen him and the Ministers and Elders of his chief town provided it be within his own province or chief town may accuse or correct aswell the Superintendent in these things that are worthy of correction as the ministers and elders of their negligence and ungodly toleration of his offence Whatsoever crime deserves deposition or correction of any other minister deserves the same in the Superintendent without exception of persons He hath also curtailed these rules for what cause he hath so done he who pleaseth to confer the two may guesse XII The Parliament as was appointed in the Treaty sate down in The Reformation is establisht by Parliament and the Confession of faith August at Edinburgh there were present sixe Bishops twelve Abbots and Priors nineteen Earls and Lords with many Barons and of Commissioners of Burghs none were absent Many Lords both of the one and other Estates did absent themselves contemptuously saith the author of the History of Reformation The first thing they treat was a supplication of the Barons gentlemen burgesses and other true subiects of the realm professing the Lord Jesus for a Reformation of Religion So soon as it was read the Barons and Ministers were called and command given unto them to draw into plain and severall heads the sum of the doctrine which they would maintain and desire to be established as wholesom true and only necessary to be believed This they willingly accept and on the fourth day to wit August 17. they present the Confession which afterward was registred in the first Parliament of King James 6. and is commonly seen also in the Harmony of Confessions When the Confession was read first by the Lords of the articles and then in audience of the whole Parliament all were bidden in Gods name to obiect if they could say any thing against that doctrine some Ministers standing-by ready to answer if any would defend Papistry or impugne any article No obiection was made then a day was appointed for concurrence in that and other heads that day the Confession was read again each article severally and the votes were asked accordingly The Papisticall Bishops said nothing Three Lords Athol Sommerwell and Bortwick said Wee will believe as our fathers believed The Earle Marshall said It is long since I had some favour unto the Trueth and since I had a suspicion of the papisticall Religion but I praise my God who this day hath fully resolved mee in the one and the other for seeing the Bishops who for their learning can and for their zeal that they should bear unto the verity would as I suppose have gainsaid any thing that directly repugneth unto the verity of God Seing I say the Bishops here present speake nothing against the doctrine proposed I can not but hold it for the very truth of God and the contrary to be deceivable doctrine and therefore so far as in melyeth â— approve the one and condemne the other And yet more I must vote by way of Protestation that if any person Ecclesiasticall shall after this oppose themselves to this our Confession that they have no place nor credite considering that they having long advertisment and full knowledge of this our Confession none is now found in lawfull free and open Parliament to oppose themselves to that which we profess and therefore if any of this Generation pretend to do it after this I protest that he be reputed one that loveth his own commodity and the glory of the world more than the Trueth of God and the salvation of mens souls After the voting and establishing of the Confession by the whole Body of the Parliament there were also read two particular Acts one against the exercise of the Masse and the abuse of the sacraments and the other against the supremacy of the Pope these were severally voted and concluded then and renued in the Parliament An. 1567. With these Acts Sir James Sandelanes Knight of the Rhodes who had been neutrall hetherto was sent into France for obtaining ratification and was ordered to clear the Noble men and others from the imputations of dissoyalty and to pacifie the mindes of their Soveraines But he found his ambassage and himself contemned the Guisians checking him bitterly at his first audience that he being a Knight of the holy Order had taken a Commission from rebells to sollicite ratification of execrable heresies I will not stay here upon the reasonableness of this answer nor to consider who gave it only this is added by my author that more care was given unto three persons the Bishop of Glasgow the Abbot of Dumfernlin and the Lord Seton who went away with the French Army The Countrie then was greatly troubled for this cold entertainment of their Commissioner for they were sensible of their own weakness if France would invade again and they were doubtfull of England because their last support was with so great charges and hazard and the Earls of Morton and Glencairn who after the Parliament were sent to give thanks unto the Queen Elisabet and to entreat the continuance of her love had given no advertisement In time of this doubtfulness newes was brought that young King Francis was dead then sorowfull were the hearts of the Popish faction and the Countrie were confident to have their Queen at home again as God brought it to pass in despite of all the attempts that that faction did use in the contrary After the death of the King a Convention of the Estates was called to meet in January 1561. then was Lord James Stuart appointed to go in their names unto the Queen Commission was given to severall Noblemen and Barons in severall parts to pull down the abbeys and cloisters that were yet standing and to demolish all moniments of idolatry throughout the Country Then also the book of Discipline was presented and the Ministers supplicate the Convention to establish it Alexander anderson Subprincipall of the Vniversity at Aberdeen was called to obiect against it He refuseth to dispute there in matters of faith pretending for excuse a sentence of Tertullian The Ministers reply The authority of Tertullian can not preiudge the authority of the Holy Ghost commanding to give a reason of our faith to every one that requires it and for the present it is not required of him nor of any man to dispute in any point of our faith which is fully grounded upon Gods word and all that wee believe is without controversy contained in the holy Scriptures But it is required of him as of other Papists that they will suffer their doctrin constitutions and cermonies come to a tryall and especially
annuall Magistrats were chosen at Michalmes they caused to publish the statutes ordinancies of the town and so in that year one of the statutes was No adulterer fornicator no noted drunkard no masse-monger no obstinate Papist that corrupteth the people such as priests Friers and others of that sort should be found within the town after 41. Hours under pains contained in the Statutes When this was reported unto the Queen She caused without any examination of the matter to charge the Provost and Bailiffs to ward in the castle and immediatly commandement was sent to chuse other Magistrates The electors at first did refuse but when charge was sent after charge at last they obey and a contrary proclamation was made at the queen's command that the town should be patent to all the Queen's lieges So murderers adulterers and all profain persons got protection by the Queen under colour that they were of her Religion whereas before they durst not be seen in day light upon the streets The Queen's command being thus obeied the priests took more boldness and November 1. They go to Masse with all their pompe The Ministers in Sermons declare the inconveniences that were to follow that coleration The Nobility through affection unto their Soverain move the question Whether Subjects may suppresse the idolatry of the Prince Some Noble men and Officers of State conveen with some Ministers and argue together The conclusion was because the one would not yeeld unto the other that the Question should be formed and Letters directed to Geneva for the judgement of that Church The Ministers offered to undertake the labour but the Nobles layd it upon Secretary Lethington but it was to drive time as the event declared The Queen's party do urge that Shee and her houshold should have her Religion free in her own chappell The Ministers sayd Such liberty shall be their thraldom ere it be long But neither could reason nor danger move the affections of such as were ambitious of credite The second Nationall assembly In December the Superintendents and Ministers do conveen unto the Nationall assembly as it was appointed and the Nobility will not conveen Some Ministers were sent unto them some of them made one excuse and some another and some call it into doubt Whither it be expedient to hold such assemblies For gladly would the Queen and the Secret Counsell had all the assemblies discharged The one party say It is suspicious to Princes that subiects keep conventions without their knowledge It was answered Without the knowledge of the Prince the Church does nothing for She perfitely understands that there is a Reformed Religion within the realm and that they have their order and appointed times of meeting Yea saith Lethington the Queen knowes that wel enough but the question is Whither the Queen allowes such conventions It was answered If the liberty of the Church shall stand upon the Queen's allowance or dis-allowance we are sure not only to be deprived of assemblies but of the publick preaching of the Gospell This was mocked and the contrary The lawfulnesse of assemblies affirmed Well said the other time will try the trueth but this I will adde Take from us the freedom of assemblies and take from us the Evangel for without assemblies how sbal good order and vnity of doctrin bee kept It can not be supposed that all Ministers shall be so perfect but some shall have need of admonition both for manners doctrine as some may be so stiff necked that they will not admit the admonition of the simple and some may be blamed without offence committed and if there be no order in these cases it can not be avoided but grievous offenses shall arise and for remedy it is necessary to have generall assemblies in which the judgement and gravity of many may correct represse the follie errous of a few The most part both of the Nobility and Barons consent heere unto and conclude that the Reasoners for the Queen shall shew unto her Ma. that if She was suspicious of any thing handled in the Assemblies it would please her Ma. to send whom she would appoint to hear what was propounded or reasoned The Queen sent none In time of this assembly the Earle Bothwell the Marques d'albuff the Queen's uncle and John Lord of Coldingham brake up Cutbert Ramsay a Burgess's doors in the night time and searched the house for his daughter-in-law The Nobility and Assembly were offended and sent unto the Queen this Iupplication To the Queens Majesty to her Secret Counsell Her Highness faithfull and obedient subjests The professours of Christ Jesus his holy Evangell wish the Spirit of righteous judgement The fear of God contained in his holy word the natural and unfained love we bear unto your Majesty the duty which we owe to the quietnes of our Country and the terrible threatnings which our God pronounces against every realm and city in which horrible crimes are openly committed Compell us a great part of your subjects humbly to crave of your Ma. upright and true judgement against such persons as have done what in them lyeth to kindle God's wrath against this whole realm the impiety by them committed is so hainous and horrible that as it is a fact most vile and rare to be heard in this realme and principally within the bowels of the city So should we think ourselves guilty of the same if negligently or for worldly fear wee put it over with silence and therefore your Ma. may not think that we crave any thing when wee crave that open malefactours may condignly be punished but that God hath commanded us to crave and also hath commanded your Ma. to give unto every one of your subjects for by this linke hath God knit together the Prince and people that as he commands honour fear obedience to be given to the powers established by Him so doth he in express words command declare what the Prince oweth unto the subjects to wit that as he is the Minister of God bearing the sword for vengeance to be taken on evill doers and for defence of peaceable and quiet men So ought he to draw the sword without partiality so oft as in Gods name he is required thereto Seing it is so Madam that this crime so recently committed and that in the eyes of all the Realm now publickly assembled is so hainous for who heertofore hath heard within the bowells of Edinburgh gates and doors under silence of night broken houses ripped or searched and that with hostility seeking a woman as appeares to oppresse her Seing we say this crime is so hainous that all godly men fear not only Gods displeasure to fall upon you and your whole realm but also that such licenciousness breed contempt and in the end sedition if remedy in time be not provided which in our judgement is impossible if severe punishment be not executed for the crime committed Therefore we most humbly beseech
your Ma. that all affection set aside you declare yourself so upright in this case that ye may give evident demonstration to all your subjects that the fear of God joyned with the love of common tranquillity hath the principall seat in your Majestics heart This further Madam in conscience we speak that as your Ma. in Gods name doth crave of us obedience which to render in all things lawfull we are most willing So in the same name do we the wholl professors of Christs Evangell within this your Mas. realm crave of you and of your Counsell sharp punishment of this crime And for performance thereof that without delay the principal actors of this hainous crime and the persuaders of this publick villany may be called before the Chief Justice of this realm to suffer an assise and to be punished according to the lawes of the same and your Majesties answer most humbly we beseech This supplication was presented by sundry Gentle-men Some Courtiers ask Who dare avowe this The Lord Lindsay answered A thousand Gentlemen within Edinburgh Others advise the Queen to give a gentle answer till the Convention were dissolved And so the Queen said Her uncle is a stranger and hath a young company with him but she shall put such order unto him and all others that heereafter they shall have no occasion to complain The Histor. of the Reformat libr. 4. Two assemblies An. 1562. XV. In Juny 1562. The assembly gives order to draw up a Supplication unto the Queen for abolishing the Masse and other superstitious rites of the Roman Religion for inflicting punishment against blasphemy contempt of the word profanation of the sacraments the violation of the sabbath adultery fornication and such other vices that are condemned by Gods word and the lawes of the countrey have not taken notice of And it was petitioned that the actions of divorcement should either be remitted to the judgement of the Church or trusted to men of good knowledge and conversation And that Papists be excluded from places in Counsell and Session The draught of this Supplication was judged by the Courtiers to be tarte in some expressions and they took upon them to write another containing the same things but in a more acceptable phrase It was presented by the Superintendents of Lothian and Fife and when the Queen had read some of it she said Here are many faire words I can not tell what the hearts are And so for our painted oratory we were termed flatterers and dissemblers but we received no other answer Ibid. Spotswood saith Her answer was that she would do nothing in prejudice of the Religion she professed and hoped before a year were expired to have the Masse and Catholick profession restored through the whole Kingdom And thus she parted from them in choler In this assembly was appointed an Order of Visitation for regulating the Superintendents to wit for examination of Ministers lives and doctrine then of the elders And some were appointed to visite the Churches in the Shires where were no Superintendents as George Hay to Visite Carrick and Cunningham John Knox to visite Kile and Galloway c. Alexander Gordon Bishop of Galloway did professe the Reformed Religion and in this assembly petitioneth the Superintendency of Galloway It was denied unto him At that time the Abbot of Corsrainell sought disputation with John Knox it continued three daies at Maiboll the Abbot made choise of the matter to prove the sacrifice of the Masse especially from Melchisedek's offering as he alledged bread and wine unto God The Papists looked for a revolt in Religion and they would have had some occasion to brag of their disputation According to the appointment of the preceeding assembly the next conveenes at Edinburgh December 25. John Knox made the prayer for assistance of Gods Spirit In the 2. and 3. Sessions Superintendents and then Ministers were removed and censured severally Complaints were made that Churches want Ministers Ministers had not stipends wicked men were permitted to be Schoolmasters idolatry was erected in sundry parts of the Nation For redress of this last some said A new Supplication should be presented unto the Queen Others said What answer was given to the former One in name of the Queen said It is well knowen what troubles have occurred since the last Assembly The Queen visiting the North was troubled by the Gordons and the Earle was killed at Coriechy and therefore it is no wonder though the Queen hath not answered but before the Parliament in May they doubt not but such order shall be taken as they all shall have occasion of contentement This satisfied the assembly for that time The Lord Controller required the Commissioners of Burghs to declare by word or writ what course they would take for entertaiment of their Ministers Decemb. 29. inhibition is made to all serving in the Ministry which have entred being slaunderous before in doctrine and have not satisfied the Church and which have not been presented by the people unto the Superintendent and he after tryall had not appointed them unto their charge And this Act to have strength aswell against them that are called Bishops as others pretending to any Ministry within the Church Decemb. 30. the assembly gives power to every Superintendent within his own bounds in their Synodall assembly and with consent of the greater part of Ministers and elders to transport Ministers from one Church to another and ordaines the Minister so decerned to obey And ordaines the Superintendents to hold their Synods twice in the year to wit in Aprile and October Commission is given to the Superintendents of Anguise Lothian Glascow and Fife with Da. forrest to travell with the Lords of Secret Counsell concerning the causes that should come in judgement of the Church and what order of execution shall be taken therein Ordaines the communion to be ministred four times in the year within burghes and twice yearly in the Landward Also that uniformity shall bee kept in the ministration of the Sacraments and solemnisation of marriage and burialls according to the book of Geneva By this book is meaned that book called The common order which was conform to the English Church in Geneve and was usually printed before the Psalmes in Meeter Likewise a slaunder was raised upon Paul Meffan Minister at Jedburgh commission was given to John Knox and certain Elders of Edinburgh to go into that town and try the slaunder and report the truth unto the Session of the Church of Edinburgh to whom with the assistance of the Superintendent of Lothian commission is given to decern therein His woman-servant had brought forth a child and would not tell who was the father of it but said She was forced in an eevening and knew not by whom The Matter could hardly be tryed but at last the womans brother was brought to examination and Paul seeing that though before he had alwayes denied the fact yet then fled so taking the crime upon him
marriage Immediatly he was sent for he goeth and none was suffered to enter into the Cabinet but Another conference of the Queen with I Knox. Io. Ersk in the Superintendent of Anguise The Queen in vehemency of passion and with teares said Never Prince was so used I have born with you in all your rigorous manner of speaking both against myself and against my Uncles yea I have sought your favour by all possible means I offered you presence whensoever it pleased you to admonish mee and yet I can not be quite of you I vowe to God I shall be once revenged Her passion and tears stayeth her speach When opportunity serves he answereth It is true Madam your Majesty and I have been at diverse controversies in which I never perceived your Ma. to be offended at mee but when it shall please God to deliver you from that bondage of darknes and errour wherein you have been nurished for lack of true doctrine your Ma. will find the liberty of my tongue nothing offensive without the preaching place Madam I think few have any occasion to be offended at mee and there Madam I am not master of myself but must obey him who commandes mee to speak plain and flatter no flesh upon the face of the earth But saith the Queen what have yee to do with my marriage Iohn saith If it please your Ma. to hear mee I shall shew the trueth in plain words I grant your Ma. hath offered unto mee more than I required but my answer was then as it is now that God hath not sent mee to wait upon the Courts of Princes nor upon the chambres of Ladies but I am sent to preach the Evangell of Jesus Christ to such as please to hear it hath two points repentance and faith now Madam â—â— preaching repentance of necessity it is that the sins of men be noted that they may know wherein they offend But so it is that the most part of your Nobility are so addicted to your affection that neither Gods Word nor their Common wealth are rightâ—y regarded and therefore it becomes mee to speak that they may know their duty The Queen saith What have you to do with my marriage Or what are you within the Common wealth Iohn answereth I am a subject born within the same Madam and albeit I be neither Earle Lord nor Baron yet God hath made mee how abject soever I be in your eies a profitable and usefull member within it Yea Madam to mee it appertaines to forewarn of such things as may hurt it if I foresee them noless than it doth any one of the Nobility for both may vocation and office crave plainness of mee and therfore Madam to yourselfe I say what I spake in publick Whensoever the Nobility of this realm shall be content and consent that you bee subject to an unlawfull husband they do as much as in them lieth to renounce Christ to banish the truth to betray the freedom of this realm and possibly shall in end do small comfort unto yourselfe Then was the Queen more grieved The Superintendent spoke what he could to mitigate her passion but all was but casting of oile into the fire The next day the Queen requires the judgement of the Lords of the Articles whither that Manner of speaking deserves not punishment But they advise her to desist After the Parliament the Bishop of Santandrews and the other Papists that were imprisoned were set at liberty The Queen went to see the West-country and Argile and used the Masse wheresoever she was on sunday In the mean time the Nationall assembly was held at Perth Iuny 25 there were Superintendents Ministers and commissioners of the Churches Prayer The V. Assembly An. 1563. was made by Io. willock Superintendent of the West Superintendents and Ministers were censured Io. Knox and his Colleagues gave account concerning Paul Meffan and their ptoceedings were approved The same day Da. ferguson Minister at Dunfernlin deelares that he had spoken with Paul Meffan and that he was sorowfull for his grievous offense and that he not only acknowledgeth the equity of the Sentence pronounced against him but was willing to underly whatsoever punishment the Church would lay upon him c. After long debate the Assembly condescendes that a confortable answer shall be directed unto him and in the meantime they vill solicite the Lords of the privy Counsell for him 3. It was decerned that no privat contract of marriage though carnall copulation follow shall have faith in judgement untill the contracters shall satisfy as scandalizers of the Church and untill famous unsuspect withnesses testify of the Marriage or it be confessed by both patties and if neither probation be brought nor both parties confesse they shal be censured as fornicatours 4. If any person find himself hurt by any Sentence given by Minister elders and Deacons of any Church he may within ten dayes appeal unto the Superintendent and his Synod and there the Superintendent shall cognosce whither it was well appealed And if the party yet alledges that he is wronged by the Superintendent Synod he shal within ten dayes make appellation to the National Assembly and from thence no appellation is to be made And if he justify not his appeale before the Provinciall Synode they shall impute a fine upon the appellant besides the expences of the Party and that fine shall be delivered unto the deacons of the Church for use of the poor where the first sentence was given And so in the Nationall assembly 5. Supplication is to be made unto the Queens Maj. and Secret Counsell for union of Churches two or thry if they be but two or thry myles distant and cause the in habitants resort unto one of them because of the Scarcety of Ministers and the small number of parishoners 6. The instruction of youth shal be committed to none in Universities nor in any other place but such as professe the true Religion and if any now occupy such a place they shall be removed 7. No work shall be printed nor published in write concerning the doctrin of Religion untill it be presented unto the Superintendent of the boundes and approved by him or such of the most learned that he shal appoint and if any of them doubt of any point the work shall be produced before the Nationall assembly 8. Every Superintendent shall cause warn the Shires and towns within his Jurisdiction to send their Commissioners unto the Assembly declaring unto them the day and place and that they shall conveen on the first day of every assembly 9. Commissions are given to the Bishops of Galloway Caitnes Orknay for one year to visite and plant Churches within their own bounds severally That year was a great noise of business for a Letter which John Knox wrote and directed throughout the country in this manner The superscription was Whersoever two or three are gathered in my name there am I in the mist of
from above from the Father of lights 15. The priest distributing the Sacrament of the Supper speaketh unto every one of the communicants in these words Receive thou grace from the Lord and mercy from God our Saviour 16. Unto these words he who receives the mysteries of the holy Supper answereth Son of God make me partaker to day of thy mystical Supper I shall never deny thee I shall not kiss thee as Judas did but as the thief I will confess thee remember mee Lord in thy Kingdom 17. They sing not in time of communicating but al the spectators do meditate on these holy mysteries with singular devotion 18. When the communion is finished is a thanksgiving and a prayer then the priest turning toward the people blesseth them in this manner The blessing of the Lord be upon you And all the people say Amen Demetrius told mee those things concerning the Masse which is celebrated four times a year as I have said But in their dayly meetings the same Demetrius told mee the Christians have this custom 1. The priest beginneth with a blessing as in the Masse 2. Publick prayers are made a lesson is rehearsed out of the holy Scriptures and there is a short Sermon 3. When the prayer is finished bread is distributed without wine they call not this bread the body of the Lord but it is given in token of mutuall brotherly-love that their mindes being admonished by this sign may be united who eat of the same bread 4. When they have eaten that bread they are dismissed with this blessing The blessing of the Lord be upon you So Heming XIV It may be required here why is not mention made of the tares which the ill man did sowe among the wheat in this Century I intended indeed to have marked those heresies but partly because these are collected already and partly that this Compend hath swelled bigger then I intended I leave them and only will writ a little of a late kind of Monks in the Roman Church these are the Jesuits They had their first hatching Of the Iesuites from Johannes Petrus Carafa a Venetian who became Pope Paul IIII. But because he brought not that Order to an establishment his name is forgot in their genealogy and Ignatius Loyola is called their first father This was a Spanjard and a Captain When the Frenches beseeged Pompejopolis his one leg was broken and the other was wounded with a bâ—llet when his wounds were cured so as might be he saw that he could not follow the warrs as he intended thereupon he took himself unto a reteered life and reades the Legend's of Saints as they are called and went to Jerusalem for devotion after his returning he began to studie in Compluto Salamantica and then at Paris where he became Master of Arts An. 1536. Then he intends to begin a new order and hearing what Carapha had intended he will prosecute that project for upon occasion he lived at Venice He takes with him ten fellowes of his minde and go togeher for confirmation of their Order The Cardinals opposed him because the world was complaining of the multitude of Orders and Monks and indeed there was more need to restrain the number then add new But Loyola said The Franciscans and Dominicans who were wont to be stout Champions for the Apostolical See had failed of their duty but if his Order were confirmed he and all his fellowes will oblige themseves to do what they can for confirming the Papal power Upon this motive Pope Paul III. confirms the Order with this limitation that their number should not exceed sixty but in the year 1543. the Pope understanding of their diligence takes off that restraint of the number What sort of men those are may be wel known by two litle books one under the name Aphorismi Doctrinae Jesuitarum printed An. 1608. another called Anatomia Societatis Jesu printed An. 1643. The first saith They maintain all thearticles determined by the councel at Trent and namely these 1. The Pope hath spiritual and temporal power to command forbid to excommunicat and escheat to set up and cast down Emperours Kings and Princes and who believe not this is an heretick 2. All clergy-men Monks and Nonns and all their priviledges are al together free from obedience censures and taxations of Magistrats all Princes should commit their chief castls and fortresses unto church-men rather then to laicks 3. Unto the pleasure of the Pope belongeth the authority of the Scripture the interpretation and power of changing it and the Pop's Decrees are absolutly necessary unto salvation and they are firm and obligatory 4. Albeit the Pope be a man yet seing he is the Vicar of God on earth and therefore Divin honor should be given unto him he cannot err in matter of faith albeit all other men yea and councels may erre and for this cause appeals may be from Councels unto the Pope but not contra 5. All capitulations constitutions leagues fraternities priviledges of Emperours Kings Princes and States whereby any other religion is permitted excep the Romish religion are of no validity although they had been ratified by solem oaths 6. All Papists every where should endeavour to oppress by fire sword poison powder warre and whatsoever engines all hereticks especially Lutherans and their abbetors even these Politick Catholicks who would rather observe peace then contribute to oppress hereticks 7. But if Papists do fear that enterprices shall be in vain and dammage may befall the Romish religion in this case may be a toleration and they may wait for better occasion 8. When Popish subiects have in an assembly judged an Emperour King or Prince to bea tyrant then they may cast him off and deliver themselfs from all obligation but if they can not assemble then any subject taking the advice of a Jesuit or any such Divine may yea he doth meritoriously to kill that King or Prince 9. If subjects have a Lutheran or Calvinian Prince who would compell them into heresy those subjects are free from all homage and fealty and they may expell or kill him 10. Yea Emperours Kings and Princes may be killed if Jesuites or other grave Divines judge them tyrants 11. The Pope may give unto Catholiks the Kingdoms dominions and territories of all hereticks and infidels and such donations are validâ— 12. Jesuites and other Catholick priests when examined by heretical Magistrats may use equivocations fained names and cloaths and they may deny the truth for insinuating themselves abroad or for bringing their designements to pass 13. Jesuites and other Papists may use equivocations when he who is demanded thinks that that Judge hath not lawfull power to question him or his adversary hath not just cause to plead 14. Neither is every catholick tied to answer according to his mind unto privat catholicks but he may equivocat and deceive his demanders 15. This equivocation is a profitable Art and a new prudence These Aphorisms are proved particularly by
weak instruments to make his glory so sensibly appear in the Land that I may boldly say Mercy and trueth righteousness and peace had never since Christs coming in the flesh a more glorious meeting and amiable embracing on earth even so that the Church of Scotland justly obtained a name among the chief Churches and Kingdoms of the world A people sitting in darknes hath seen a great light and unto them who sate in the region of death light did spring up As the darknes evanishes at the rising of the Sun so God made all adverse power give way unto these weake instruments by degrees as followes more clearly To what Nation under heaven since the Sunne of righteousness had shined upon the most part of Europe hath the Lord communicated the Gospell for so large a time with such purity prosperity power liberty and peace The hottest persecutions had not greater purity the most halcion times had not more prosperity and peace the best reformed churches in other places scarcely parallelled their liberty and unity And all these with such continuance that not only hath He made the trueth to stay there as He made the Sun to stay in the dayes of Josua But when the cloud of iniquities did threaten a going down in his mercy he hath brought back the glorious sunne by in any degrees Christ not hath only been one and his name made known in respect of his propheticall office for information of his priesthood for the expiation of sins and for intercession But also had displayd his banner and hath shewd himself few can say the like a Soveraigne King in the Land to govern with his own Scepter of the Word to cutt off with the Civill sword all moniments of idolatry and superfluity of vain rites and to restore all the meanes of his Worship in doctrine Sacraments and discipline to the holy simplicity and integrity of the first pattern shewed in the mount from which by that wisdom of man which ever is foolishness with God they were fearfully and shamefully swerving II. Another particulare is Some Noble men namely Lord James Steward and others were very zealous for the Reformation at the first but when they were accustomed with the aire of the Court they cooled were for toleration of the Masse and relented for their preferment as hee was made Earle of Morray and others became officers of State The Ministers admonished them and threatned them for their lukewarmness They despised admonitions and would not use the preachers so familiarly as before they were wont though none of them turned Papist excep the Earle of Bothwell and they heard the preachings When the Queen intended to marry Henry Stuard sone to the Earle of Lennox and sought not the consent of the Parliament they oppose her marriage and therefore were all exiled and fled into England Thus God made the threatnings true but in mercy to the Land he wondrously brought them back when variance fell betwixt the King and Queen the King recalleth the exiled Noble men of purpose to make himselfe the stronger by them And when the King 1567. was murthered on February 9. by the Earle of Bothwel and the Queen married that Earle these same Noble men with other stood in defence of the young Prince that he came not into the hands of him who had killed his father They went to the fields with armies on both sides and the Queen's Army was the stronger but they were strucken with such feare that without stroak of sword the Earle fled away into Denmark and the Queen went to the Lords Juny 11. and renounced the Crown in favors of her sone and did chuse the Earle of Murray to be Regent of the Q. Mary renounced the Croâ—n Kingdom enduring her Sone's minority And then the Religion was established as followes So it pleased God to change things beyond the expectation of men VI. Soon after the Queens marriage a proclamation was made wherein the Queen declares that She will confirm all that She had promised at her arrivall concerning the Reformed Religion This was to stop the peoples mouths But all in vain For the people universally were against Bothwell For some declared openly against him some were Neuters and a few of the Nobility did join unto him especially the Bishop of Santandrews and the Earle of Huntly who had been lately restored by the Queen Within few dayes after the Queen came unto the Lords she would have gone from them but they fearing what she might attempt convoy her into the Castle of Lochlevin then the Earle of Glencarn with his domesticks went to the Chappell-Royall and break down the Altars Images This fact did content the zealous Protestants but did offend the Popish party The Histor of Reformat Lib. 5. On Juny 25. The Nationall Assembly conveenes at Edinburgh George Buchanan then The XIII Assembly Principall of S. Leonards Colledge was chosen Moderator 1. The Superintendent of Anguise and Bergany were sent unto the Lords of the Secret Counsell to request their L. L. to conveen with the Assembly and give their assistance in such things as shall be thought good for establishing true Religion and supporting the Ministry 2. It is thought good by all that are conveened that this assembly shall conveen Iuly 20. next to come for setting foreward such things as shall then be propounded and for that purpose ordaines to write Missives to all and sundry Earles Lords and Barons requiring them to conveen at that day And to this effect appoints Commissioners to deliver the Missives and to require answer according to their Commissionâ— The tenor of the Commissions given to every one followes For so much as Satan this long time in his memberâ— had so raged and perturbed the good success proceedings of Christs Religion within this realm by crafty meanes subtile coâ—spiracyes that the same from time to time doth decay and in hazard to be altogether subverted unlesâ— God of his mercy find hasty remedy and that mainly through extream poverty of the Ministers who should preach the word of life unto the people and are compelled thereby some to leave that Vocation alluterly some others so abstracted that they can not insist so diligently in the exercise of the word as they would Therefore the Church presently conveened in this generall Assembly hath thought it most necessary by these presents to request admonish most brotherly all such persons as do truly professe the Lord JESUS within this realm of whatsoever estate or degree either of the Nobility Barons and Gentle men and all others true professours to conveen in Edinburgh July 21. next in their personall presence to assist with their counsell power for order to be taken alswell towardâ— the establishing of Christs religion universally throughout the realm and abolishing the contrary which is Papistry as the sustentation of the Ministers not only for the present time and instant necessity but also for a perfect order to be taken and
established in all time coming concerning the wholl liberty of the patrimony of the Church and the due restoring of it unto the just owners according to the Word of God With certification to all and sundry of what estate or degree soever they bee that compeares not due advertisement being made unto them that they shall be repute heerafter as hinderers of this most godly purpose and as dissimulate brethren unworthy to be esteemed heerafter of Christs flock Seing God of his mercy at this present hath offered some better occasion than in time by past and hath begun to tread Sathan under foot And for the due requisition admonition in name of the eternall God to the effect foresaid of all and sundry the Brethren alswell in Burgh as Land the Church presently conveened in this Generall Assembly Giveth their full power commission unto their beloveds N. N. for the bounds of In verification heerof these are subscribed by the common Clerk of the Church in the Generall Assembly and second Session thereof at Edinburgh Juny 26. An. 1567. The Histor of Reformat Shewes that the Assembly waâ— induced to write these Missives and Commissions by the Noble men who had risen in defence of the young Prince because the Hamiltons and others had declared themselves for the Queen and many were Neuters The assembly continued two days especially for their ordinary particulares 3. It is ordained that it is not lawfull that a man should marry her whom before in his wife's time he had polluted with adultery 4. A publick fast is appointed namely in Edinburgh July 13. 20. The Assembly conveens again Iuly 21. where were four Earls seven Lords many Barons and Commissioners of Burghs besids Superintendents and Ministers Many Noble men which by Missives were required to come would not but sent excuses that they could not repair to Edinburgh because there was so strong a garrison there but for the Church affaires they would not be any way deficient One of their Letters I transcribe because it coutaines not only their purpose in time coming but the sum of the other Missives Wee have received your writing dated at Edinburgh Iuny 26. shewing that albeit God of his goodnes hath sent the light of the Euangell of salvation within this realm to the great confort prosperity of all the faithfull and their posterity nevertheless Sathan with his Ministers at every light occasion hath frustrate in times bypast the Ministers of their life and sustentation the lame and impotent members of Christ also ftustrat of their livings lying in the streets both hungry and cold And the wholl flock of Christ Iesus within this realm continually threatned to be made sacrifices by the practises of the enemies as your writing containes at length for remedying the which yee desire us to be in Edinburgh the 21. of this instant at the Assembly of the Church where a perpetuall order may be taken for the liberty of the Church of God the sustentation of the Ministry and failed members thereof so that all the members of the Church might by sure union and conjunction be more able to gainstand the violence of the foresaid enemies for answer it is not unknown unto you how the Nobility of the realm are divided because the Queen's Maj. is holden where she is and that the town of Edinburgh where yee disire us to conveen is keept straitly by one part of the Nobility and men of warr of their retinue to whose opinion wee are not adjoyned as yet And therefore wee can not think ourselves sure to conveen the said day and place yee desire us to keep And also think maruell that the whole multitude of Protestants have been desired to conveen in such a place the matter standing as it doth Nevertheless wee shall be well willing for our own part to set forward at all times the light of Christs Euangell to be truly preached the Ministers thereof to be sustained and the surth setting of the policy of the Church in all sorts so far as it may stand by law even as wee have been in all times by past since it pleased God to open our eies and shew the light of his blessed word and thus we will comber you with no longer letter prayes God to have you in his eternal protection c. The Lords that were in Edinburgh hearing these answers gave upon July 23. unto the Assembly these articles where upon they had agreed 1. that the Acts of Parliament holden at Edinburgh August 14. An. 1560. concerning Religion and abolishing the Popes authority should have the force of a publick law and that Parliament be defended as a lawfull parliament and be confirmed by the first Parliament that shall conveen 2. That thirds or any more reasonable portion of Benefices shall be allowed for mantenance of the Ministry and that there shall be a charitable course taken concerning exaction of tiths from the poore Labourers moreover that nothing shall passe in Parliament till the affaires of the Church be first considered approved established 3. that none should be received in the Universities Colledges or Schools for instruction of the youth but after due tryall of capacity and hability 4. that all crimes and offenses against God should be punished according to His word and that there shall a law be made there upon at the first Parliament 5. As for the horrible murder of the late King husband to the Queen which was so hainous before God man all true Professors in whatsoeuer rank or condition do promise to striue that all persons should be brought to condigne punishment who shall be found guilty of that crime 6. They all promise to protect the young Prince against all violence lest he be murdered as his father was and that the Prince should be committed to the care of foure wise and godly men that by good education hee might be fitted for that High calling 7. They promise to beat down and abolish Popery idolatry and superstition with any thing that may contribute unto it As also to set up and further the true worship of God his governement the Church and all that may concerne the purity of Religion and life And for this end to conveen and take Armes if need require 8. And that all Princes and Kings heerafter in this realm before their Coronation shall take oath to maintain the true Religion now professed in the Church of Scotland and suppresse all things contrary unto it and that are not agreeing with it These articles were subscribed by all the Earles and Lords and many Barons and Commissioners of Burghs At the same time Commissioners were appointed to conveen and advise upon the assignation of the stipends of the Ministry lately assigned by the Queens Majesty and the payment thereof The next Assenbly is appointed to conveen Decemb. 25. at Edinburgh The renunciation of the Crown and Royall power by the Qâ—een in favor of the Prince her son with a commission to
invest him in the kingdom and procuration given to the Lords Lindsay and Ruthuen to give up and resigne the rule of the realm in presence of the States together with another Commission ordaining the Earle of Murray Regent during Prince's minority if he will accept the Charge Or if he refuse to accept it upon his single person that he with the Duke the Earles of of Lennox Argyle Athol Morton Glencairn and Marre should Govern conjunctly These writes were published July 29. at the Market-cross of Edinburgh Then the Prince was crowned at Sterlin These two months the Earle of Mortay was not in the Country and being recalled returns in the beginning of August he visites the Queen and endeavors to joyn the Lords which had taken part with the Hamiltons or Neuters join them I say with these who had bound themselves for the Kings preservation but his travell was to litle purpose August 20. he accepteth the Regency and was proclamed Regent The other Lords seeing that all things grew strong on the Regents side sent unto the Counsell and by common advice it was decreed that a Parliament be called for setling the affaires of the realm at Edinburgh Decemb. 15. This Parliament was keept with such frequency as the like The Parliament Aâ— 1567. was not remembred to have been seen Beginning was made after the approbation of the Queens renunciation and Commission of Regency at the affaires of the Church and sundry Acts were unanimously concluded one abolishing the Popes jurisdiction another repealing all statutes made in former times for mantenance of idolatry and superstition contrary to the confession of faith that was approved in the Parliament 1560. and now again ratified 3. The Masse is abolished and punishment appointed against all hearers and sayers of it 4. Those are not to be esteemed members of the Church who refuse the participation of the sacraments as they are now ministrat 5. The examination and admission of Minist s is only in power of the Church now openly professed and presentations should be directed unto the Supertendents or commissioners of the Church within sixe months or els the Church shall have power to dispone the same to a qualified person for that time 6. An oath to be given by the King at his coronation 7. None may be a Judge proctor notary nor member of a Court who professeth noâ— the true religion 8. The thirds of all Benefices shall now instantly and in all time coming be first payd to the Ministers ay and whill the Church come to the full possession of their proper patrimony which is the tyths providing that the Collectors make yearly account in the Checker so that Ministers being first answered the superplus be applied unto the Kings use 9. All teachers of the youth should be tryed by the Superintendents or Uisitors of the Church 10. Provestries prebendaries and chaplanries are appointed The XIV Assembly for entertaining Students in Colledges Jem Acts were made for punishing fornication incest and marriages within degrees forbidden by Gods word Item that the Queen should be detained in perpetuall prison within the castle of Lochleuin The Assemblie conveeneth Decemb. 25. John row Ministers at Santiohnstoun is chosen Moderator 1. Commissioners are appointed to concurre at all times with such persons of Parliament or Secret Counsell as have been named by the Regent to confer concerning the offenses that appertain to the jurisdiction of the Church as also for decision of questions that may occurre these were two Superintendents and seven other Ministers 2. Whereas the Earle of Argyle had given offense in putting away his wife and some other particulares he submits himselfe to the discipline of the Church and the Assembly ordaines the Superintendent of Argyle to try these slanders and cause satisfaction bâ— made as Gods word appoints and report his diligence to the next Assembly 3. Because Adam called Bishop of Orknay had married the Queeâ— with the Earle of Bothuell and so had transgressed an Act in marrying Both well a divorced adulterer the Assembly deprives hin from all funâ—â—ion in the Ministry 4. John craig is accused for proclaming the bans twixt the Queen and the Earle of Bothâ—ell He gives his purgation in write after this manner To the end that they who fear God may understand my proceeding in this matter I shall shortly declare what I did and what moved mee to do it leaving the judgement of all unto the Church first at the request of Mr Thomas Hepburn in the Queen's name to proclame her with the Lord Bothuel I plainly refused because he had not her hand writ and because the constant bruit was that he had rauished her and keeped her in captivity On wednesday next the Justice-Clerk brought mee a writing subscribed with her hand bearing that she was neither ravished nor detained in captivity and therefore he charged mee to proclame My answer was I durst proclame no bans and chiefly such without consent of the Church On thurseday next the Church after long reasoning with the Justice Clerk concluded that the Q s mind should be published to her subjects three next preaching dayes but because the Gen. Assembly had prohibite all such marriages wee protested that they would neither solemnize nor approve that marriage but only would declaire the Queen's mind leaving all doubts dangers to the counsellers approvers and performers of the marriage Upon fridday next I declared the wholl progress and mind of the Church here he understands the Church-Session of Edinburgh desiring every man in Gods name to discharge his conscience before the Secret Counsell and to give boldness unto others I craved of the Lords there present time leave and place to speak my judgement before the parties Protesting if I were not heard I either would desist from proclaming or declare my mind publickly before the Church Therefore being admitted after noone before my L. in the Counsell I layd to his charge the law of adultery the ordinance of the Church the law of ravishing the suspicion of collusion betwixt him and his wife the suddain divorcement and proclaming within the space of four dayes and last the suspicion of the Kings death which his marriage would confirm But he answered nothing to my satisfaction Wherefore after many exhortations I protested that I could not but declare my mind publickly to the Church So on sunday after that I had declared what they had done and how they would proceed whither wee would or not I took heaven and earth to witnes that I abhorred and detested that marriage because it is odious and slanderous to the world and seeing the greatest part of the realm do approve it either by flattery or by silence I craved the faithfull to pray earnestly that God wold turn to the confort of this realm that which they intend against reason and good conscience Because I heard some persons grudging against mee I used these reasons for my defences first I had broken no law by proclaming
these persons at their request 2. If their marriage were slanderons and hurtfull I did well to warn all men of it in time 3. as I had of duty declared unto them the Princes will so did I faithfully teach them by word exemple what God craved of them But on tuysday next I was called before the Counsell and accused that I had passed the bounds of my commission in calling the Queens marriage odious scandalous before the world I answered The bounds of my commission which is the Word of God good lawes naturall reason was able to prove whatsoever I spake yea that their own consciences could not but bear witnes that such a marriage could not but be odious and scandalous to all that shall heare of it if all the circumstances be rightly considered But when I was coming to my probation my Lord put mee to silence and sent mee away Upon wednesday I repeated all things before spoken and exhorted the Brethren not to accuse mee if that marriage proceed but rather themselves who for fear would not appose it but sharpned their tongues against mee because I admonished them of their duty and suffered not the cankred consciences of hypocrites to sliep in rest Protesting at all times to them that it was not my proclaming but rather their silence that gave any lewfulnes unto that marriage for as the proclaming Did take all excuse from them so my privat and publick impugnation did save my conscience sufficiently And so far I proceeded in this marriage as the Church of Edinburgh Earls Lords and Barons that heard will bear witnes Now seing I have been shamefully slandered both in England and Scotland by wrong information false report of them that hated my Ministrie I desire first the judgement of the Church and next the same to be published that all men may understand whither I be worthy of such imputation or not 5. A complaint is given against the Countess of Argile that she being a prosessor of the Euangell and having been admitted to the Lords Table had revolted in giving her assistance presence at the baptizing of the King in a Popish manner This Lady compeares and confesses her fault and submitts herselfe unto the discipline of the Church They ordain her to declare her repentance in the Chappell-Rojal of Sterlin upon a sunday and this to be don at such time as the Superintedent of Lothian shall appoint Providing it be before the next assembly 6. Ministers John Craig David Lindsay and Ge. Buchan or any two of them are ordained to send edicts not only throgh Fife but to the adiacent parts that Ministers and Elders might compear in Couper January 22. with their complaints against the Superintendent of Fife and to try them and to repoâ—t unto the next Assemybl 7. Alexander gordon called b. of Galloway and Commissioner is accused that he hath not visited the Churches these three years or there by that he doth altogether hant the Court and hath procured to be one of the Priuy Counsell and of the Session which can not stand with the office of a Pastor and also hath resigned the Abbey of Inchaffray in fauors of a young child and hath set lands in fue He personally confesseth his fault in al these that they had layd to his charge Upon some considerations the Assembly continueth him untill the next Assembly upon condition of his diligence in his Visitation VII In the Spring the Q. escapes out of Lochlevin and soght to repossess 1568. The XV. Assembly the Governement An Army flocketh unto her and was routed by the Regents Army at Langside May 13. Then she fled into England The Assembly conveenes at Edinb July 1. J. Willock is chosen Moderator Because heertofore all Ministers that would come were admitted to have vote and now the number is increased and Commissioners of Shyres were chosen in the Shiref-Court this Assembly makes an Act of three parts concerning the admission of members 1. That none shall have place to vote but Superintendents Commissioners for visiting Churches Min. and Commiss of Shyres and burghs chosen as followes together with Commissioners of Universities 2. Ministers and Commissioners of Shyres shall be chosen at the Synode of the boundes by the Ministers and gentle men conveening there and the Commissioners of Burghes shall be chosen by the Counsell and church-session of each town 3. None to be received without commission in write and lest this turn to a monopoly and perpetuall election of a few it is prouided that the persons be changen at every Assembly Wee will bear that this act and some other concerning the satisfaction of delinquents were afterwards changed again 2. It was delated that Thomas Bassenden Printer in Edinburgh had printed a booke entituled The fall of the Roman Church naming the King The Supream Head of the Church And he had printed at the end of the Psalm-book a bawdy song He is ordained to call-in all these books that he hath sold and sell no moe untill he change that title and delete the bawdy song And that in time coming he print not without licence of the Supream Magistrate and revising the books appertaining to religion by those that shall be appointed by the Church for that purpose and they appoint Alex. Arbuthnot to revise that book and report his judgement of it 3. It is ordained that Papists refusing to adjoin themselves unto the Church after they have received sufficient admonitions and remaining obstinat shall be declared publickly in all churches requisite to be out of the society of Christs body and excommunicated 4. Seven Articles were sent unto the Regent to wit 1. That the assignations of Ministers stipends are not answered nor are able as they be ordered to pay the half of the stipends and in some places not the fourth part 2. It is thoght unreasonable that Papists which are enemies to Gods Church and the Commonwealth and others who labor not in the Ministry do possesse two parts of the Benefices without any imposition and the Ministers do not possesse the third heerfore they propound humbly that the charges of the Commonwealth may be layd upon the two parts of the Benefices and the third remain free unto the Ministers and the superplus to be allowed for help of Schools the poore So that account thereof be made yearly unto the Counsell 3. where as many Churches are now vaking that he would present qualified persons unto them or suffer the Church to dispose of them and namely the Churches that did appertain to Nunneries 4. To give commmission for reforming the Colledge of Aberdien that corrupt teachers may be removed and qualified persons placed in their rooms 5. That order be taken for suppressing of vice and justice be execute against odious crimes 6. That such as were appointed by the Counsell may conveen with these that were appointed by the Assembly to decide the questions of the jurisdiction of the Church and that time and place
choose Mathew Earle of Lennox who was grand father of the King to be Regent He with 5000. men keept the day at Lithgow for the Parliament but none of the adverse faction came In his time the troubles ceased not sometime by the mediation of Queen Elisabeth was a treaty twixt the parties but it was neither to her contentment nor would the Kings party yeeld any of his right and so the treaty had no effect yea and all the time the country had no quietnes They who were on the Queen's side had encouragement from France and Duke d'Alva Governor of Flanders and in the year 1571. both parties conveenes a Parliament the Queens party at Edinburgh and the Kings party at Sterlin where as in time of peace they keept not a watch which the other party hearing L. Claud hamilton came in the night time and took the Regent out of his lodging in September and when they saw others coming for his rescue they killed him with â— shot George Bell the chief adviser of this enterprice and Captain Lawder the murderer were taken and punished as traitors I returne unto the affaires of the Church The Assembly conveenes at Edinburgh July 5. The XIX Assembly An. 1570. Robert Pont is chosen Moderator 1. The Sentence of excommunication is directed against Patrick called Bishop of Morray to be executed by Ro. Pont Visitor there with the assistance of the Ministers of Edinb 2. Ministers at their admission shall protest solemly that they shall not leave their Vocation under rhe pain of infamy periury c. 3. Tryall should be taken of young children how they are brought up by their parents in the true religion therefore Ministers and Elders of every parishon should examin the children when they come to nyne years of age and when they come to twelve years and the third time when they come to 14. years that it may be known how they have profited in the schoole of Christ 4. Because some Noble men have made defection from the Kings lawfull authority certain brethren were directed to the Earls Lords and all which made that defection to deale with them with earnest persuasions of reconciliation with certification if they continue in disobedience the Church will use the sword against them which God in his word hath committed unto them And the Commissioners are to report their answers unto the next Assembly 5. James Carmichell Schoolmaster of Santandrews accuseth Rob. Hamilton Minister there of some points of doctrin delivered in a Sermon The Clark register and the Justice-Clerk and another Lord of the Session shew in the L. Chancellors name that he had heard of that controversy and it containes some points tending to treason and against the Kings authority and therefore they require that the Assembly would not decide in that matter concerning the Kings authority untill the Nobility conveen which will be within few dayes but in such things as concern heresy or properly belong unto their jurisdiction they may proceed Unto this protestation the assembly agreeth and went-on in discussing the complaint in so far as is concerned doctrine and slander that may arise thereupon But I finde not the particulars 5. Conceilers of adultery should be called and examined and if they be convict to have cloaked adultery wittingly let the Rule have place Agentes consentientes pari poená puniantur 6. Quaeritur A woman bringeth forth a child and in time of her birth before the midwife depones that such a man is the father of the child and being called before a Judge is ready to swear the same And that man is ready to swear that he had never carnall dealing with that woman and there is not other proof to which of two should credite be given Ans Neutri credendum 7. The Assembly gives commission unto certain Ministers Barons and Burgesses to compear at Edinburgh the twelth of the instant with continuation of dayes or whensoever the Nobility shall conveen before the time of the next Assembly To require humbly an answer unto their articles and supplications with redresse of their complaints according to equity To assist concurr and assent to all and whatsoever shall be treated in the foresaid Convention tending to the promoving of Gods glory the maintaining the true religion the Kings authority the common well and authority of the realm As also to take cognition in all complaints supplications and requests of brethren specially remitted unto them by this Assembly And whatsoever shall be done by them in the premisses to report the same unto the next generall Assembly which is appointed to be at Edinburgh March 5. next to come Promising to hold firme and stable whatsoever these brethren or any eight or seven of them thinks good in the premisses to be done 3. All assignations and pensions granted by the Church during their will to whatsoever person or persons before this Date are discharged except only what is assigned to the Kings use X. At Edinb March 5. conveenes the Assembly Ge. Hay is chosen 1571. The XX. Assembly Moderator I. All Superintendents Commissioners to visite Churches should bring their book of visitatâ—on unto every Assembly next following To be considered by such Brethren as shall be appointed by the Assembly that the church may the better know their diligence in executing their office II. Sixe Articles concerning the iurisdiction of the Church which are to be ptopounded unto the Regent and Counsell and sought to be approved by them 1. that the Church have the judging of true and false religion doctrine heresy and such like that are annexed to the preaching of the Word and ministration of sacraments 2. election examination and admission of them which are to be admitted to the Ministry and other functions in the Church to charge of souls and ecclesiasticall Benefices together with the suspension or deprivation of such for lawfull causes 3. All things concerning the discipline of the Church which standes in correction of manners admonitions excommunication receiving to repentance 4. The judgement of Ecclesiasticall matters betwixt persons that are of the Church especially that are of the Ministry alswell in matters of Benefices as others 5. Jurisdiction to proceed with admonitions to the process of excommunication if need shall bee against them that shall rob the patrimony of the church appartaining to the Ministry or other way intromet with it unjustly whereby the Ministry is in danger of decay by occasion of the poverty of the Ministers 6. Because the conjunction of marriages pertaines to the Ministry the causes of adherence and divorcement ought also to appertain unto them as naturally annexed thereunto III. It is ordained that adulterers and such other scandalous persons shall hereafter be called by the Superintendent or Commissioner of the Province to compear before their Synodall Conuention and there receive their iniunctions as before in the generall assembly 4. All questions should be propounded or represented to the Superintendents and
at least of the most learned in the Chapter to the admission of such as shall have function in the Church and that al 's many other of the Chapter as please may be present and vote at the said admission That Ministers and Readers be planted throghout the realm and Readers especially be appointed at every church where it may be done conveniently who being found qualified by the Bishop or Superintendent and entring by the lawfull order of the true reformed Church shall Minister the sacrament of baptism and solemnize marriage after the lawfull orderly proclamation of bans That all Common churches be disposed as Benefices to qualifyed persons That no disposition be made of any Deanry Provestry collegiat church or other Benefice whereunto other churches are annexed till it be provided how the Minist of every one of these severall churches shall be sustained of the fruits of the same churches if it be possible by speciall assignation of so much yearly stipend as shall be found reasonable that who shall have the title of Abbot Prior or Commendator be learned or well qualified because he must have place in Parliam That the King's Letters commendatory under the Signet being directed to the Archbishop or Bishop of the bounds where the Abbay or Priory lyeth he shall try his ability learving and upon his testimoniall from his Ordinary shall compeat before the King or his Regent and give his oath in form as the Bishop gives And because the persons of the Convent are departed this life the Ministers serving the Churches of the Abbey or Priory shall be the Chapter or assessors to the Commendator in giving any infeftments tacks rights or dispositions of rents concerning the living That the person admitted Commendator may be promoted if he shall be found worthy to be a Senator in the Colledge of Justice or employd by the King in necessary affaires of the Common wealth That first of all it be provided how the Ministers of the Churches belonging to the Abbey or Priory shall be sustained of the fruits belonging to the same Churches Sundry other articles conclusions were agreed upon concerning the disposition of Provestries prebendaries collegiat-Churches founded upon remporall landes or annualls as also of chaplanries of the like foundation for support of the schools the chapters of Metropolitan and cathedrall churches the Kings recommendation with licence to chuse a bishop the form of the edict to conveen the Chapter for his election the testimoniall of the Dean and the Chapter to be returned unto the King or his Regent the confirmation provision regall assent upon the Chapter 's certificat the Kings command to consecrat him his oath to be taken before the King or his Regent the Kings restitution of the temporalities the form of a Letter to be directed to the Ordinary or the See waking to the Dean of the Chapter in favors of a person to be promoted unto an Abbacy or Priory the testimoniall of the Ordinary returned to the King or his Regent the gift of provision upon the Ordinarie's certificat the form of tryall of Bursares or Fellowes and their gift or provision the form of oath to be given by any person provided to any Benefice of cure at his admission and of Bursares of Arte of Theology Lawes Medicine at the time of receiving them into the Universities These Articles and forms were considered by the Counsell and approved by the Regent in the Kings name upon the first day of February following This gallimafry made with such hast could not be well maâ—e here a fair shew of restoring Benefices unto the Church but in effect it was only to put Church-men in titles to the end Noble men might get the greater security from the Titulares of the temporall landes to be fued unto them ease of the â—iths and pensions to their seruants and dependants It had been good for the well fare of the Church that such titles had never been hatched or suffered to keep any life The Bishop of this forge were called Tulchan Bishops A tulchan is a calves skinn stuffed with straw to cause a cow give milk so the title of Bishop helped to cause the Bishoprick yeeld commodity to the Lord who procured it unto him Edicts were affixed upon the churches-door and Abbey gate of Santandrews upon the Lords day February 3. By the Earle Mortons direction On fridday February 8. Patrick Adamson in his Sermon spake of three sorts of Bishops My Lord Bishop My Lords Bishop and the Lords Bishop My Lord three sorts of Bishops Bishops said he then was the Bishop in time of Popery my Lords Bishop is now when my Lord gets the Benefice and the Bishop serves for a portion to make my Lords right sure The Lords Bishop is every true Minister of the gospell Master John Douglas was chosen howbeit many opposed to the election George Scot Minister at Kirkady took instruments that he consented not John Knox preached on Februay 10. in presence of the Earle Mortoun and refused to consecrat or ordain as they called it John douglas yea there publickly he denounced auathema to the giver and to the receiver After noon the Superintendent of Fife went up to the pulpit he taught on Tit. c. 1. And after Sermon he followed the same order which was used at the admission of Superintendents But when the Bishop was demanded Whether he would be obedient unto the Church and usurpe no power over the same he answered I will claim no greater power than the Counsell and generall assembly shall prescribe It is likly that these bb and the Court aimed at a greater power than was already agreed upon and that they hoped to obtain at the generall assembly what they pleased having sped so well at the Convention in Lieth where it was agreed that Archbb. should exerce no greater jurisdiction in their spirituall function than the Superintendents but marke what followes Whill the same be agreed upon Hence appeares that farther was intended John douglas answers unto eyery demand out of writ The Bishops of Caitnes the Superintendent of Lothian and David Lindsay sate by him and rising layd their hands on him and embraced him in signe of admission When John Rutherford Provest of the old colledge had said that Master John Knox's repining had proceeded from malecontement the next Lords day John Knox said in Sermon I have refused a greater Bishoprick than ever it was and might have had it with the favor of greater men than he hath this but I did and do repine for discharge of my conscience that the church of Scotland be not subject to that order So far in that historicall Narration Hence appeares 1. What John Knox meaneth in his Letter unto the assembly by the word tyranny to wit episcopacy and by the two points of the battell that this work of setting up Bishops at that time was done without the knowledge of the assembly seing it was not proponed by the assembly nor specified
Christ and with most pithy words he exhorted them to stand fast in the faith they had received In time of his sicknes which was not long thereafter he Ioh Knox exhortions before his death was much visited by persons of all sorts and spoke unto them confortably He said unto the Earle Morton in the audience of many others My Lord God hath given you many blessing he hath givens you wisdom riches many good great friends and is now to prefer you to the government of the râ—alm In his name I charge you that you use these blessings aright and better in time coming than you have done in times past in all your actiâ—ns seek first the glory of God the furtherance of his Gospell the mantenance of his Church and Ministry and next be carefull of the King to procure his good and the well fare of the realm If you shall do this God will be with you and honour you if otherwise you do it not he will deprive you of all these benefits and your end shall be shame and ignominy John Knox two days before his death sent for Da. Lindsay and James Lowson and the Elders of the Church and said to them The time approaches for which I have long thirsted when I shall be relieved of all cares And be with my Savior Christ for ever And now God is my witness whom I have served with my spirit in the Gospell of his Son that I have preached nothing but the true and solide doctrin of the Gospell and that the end I proponed in all my preaching was to instruct the ignorant to confirm the weak to confort the consciences of these who were humbled under the sense of their sins and beat down with the threatnings of Gods judgements such as were proud rebellious I am not ignorant that many have blamed and yet do blame my too great rigor severity but God knowes that in my heart I never hated the persons of these against whom I threatned Gods iudgements I did only hate their sin and laboured with all my power to gain them unto Christ That I forbear none of whatsoever condition I did it out of the fear of my God who had placed mee in the function of the Ministry and I knew would bring mee to an account Now Brethren for yourselves I have no more to say but to warn you rhat you take heed to the flock over which God hath placed you overseers and whom he hath redeemed by the blood of his only begoten Sâ—n And you Master Lowson fight do the work of the Lord with courage and with a willing mind and God from above blesse you and the Church weereof you have the charge c. Then he dismisseth the Elders and calling the two preachers said There is one thing that grieveth mee exceedingly yee have somtime seen the courage forewardness of the Laird of Grange in Gods cause and now unhappy man he hath cast himself away I pray you two take the pains to go unto him and say from mee that unless he forsake that wicked course where in he hath entred neither shall that rock in which he confideth defend him nor the carnall wisdom of that man whom he counteth half a God this was young Lethingtoun make him help but shamefully shall he be pulled out of that nest and his carkase hang before the sun The soul of that man is dear unto mee and if it be possible I would fain have him to be saved The two went and conferred with Grainge but prevailed not which being reported to John Knox he took it heavily The last night of his life on earth he sleeped some hours together but with many sighs and groans when he awoke they asked him how he did find himselfe and what had moved him to mourn in his sleep He answered In my time I have oft been assaulted by Satan and oft hath he cast my sins in my teeth to bring mee into despair but God gave me grace to overcome all his tentations And now that subtle Sâ—rpent who never ceaseth to tempt hath taken another course he seeks to persuade mee that my labours in my Ministry and the fidelity I have shewd in in that service hath merited heaven and immortality But blessed be God who brought to my mind these Scriptures What hast thou that thou hast not received And Not I but the Grace of God in mee With which he hath gone away ashamed and shall no more return and now I am sure my battell is at an end and that without pain of body or trouble of Spirit I shall shortly change this mortall life with that happy immortall life When the prajer was made one asked Whither he had heard it He answered Would God yee had heard it with such an eare and heart as I have done Then said he Lord Jesus receive my spirit After these words he spoke no more but without any motion he ended this life Within three days the Earle Morton was chosen Regent by consent of the States The Laird of Grange was Captain of the castle and when orhers of that faction did yeeld unto the agreement he would not agree because the Estates would not yeeld unto some high demands of his own he gave a proclamation from the castle-wall commanding all the Queens subjects to depart out of the town within 24. hours after which time he thundered with cannons against the town to their great terror yet not great hurt In May following an assault was made upon the castle the beseeged rendred themselves Lethinton was sent to Lieth and died suddenly throgh grief and Grainge with his brother and two others were hanged in the market-striet of Edinburgh X. A Parliament was held in January wherein many Acts were made 1573. partly for maintaining the Kings authority and partly for maintaining the true Religion these two causes at that time were so linked that the enemies of the one were esteemed enemies of the other Therefore it was enacted that none should be reputed loyall subjects unto the King or his authority but be punished as rebells who made not profession of the true Religion And that all who made profession thereof and were not obedient to the Kings authority should be admonished by their Teachers to acknowledge their offence and return to his Majesties obedience or els should be excommunicated as putrid members The Nationall Assembly conveenes The 24 Assembly at Edinburgh March 6. here were members according to the order and John Archbishop of Santandrews David Ferguson Minister at Dumfernlin is chosen Moderator 1. Where as a complaint was made against John Row for solemnizing the marriage of the Master of Crawford with the Lord Drummond's Daughter without proclamation of bans and he did alledge that he did it by the order of the Session of the Church whereof the Lord Ruthuen was one and present at that time The Assembly ordaines that the Act made against Ministers solemnizing mariage of
other parishoners without proclamation of bans to have strength against John Row and him to underly the censure enduring the Church's will 2. No collection for the poore shall be gathered in time of Sermon nor administration of the Sacrament but only at the Churchdoor 3. If any Minister reside not at the Church where his charge is he shall be summoned before the Superintendent or Commissioner of the Province to whom the Assembly gives power to depose him and ordaines that they report their diligence unto the next Assembly 3. All Superintendents Commissioners of visitation shall proceed summarily against all Papists within their Province and charge them within eight dayes to join themselves unto the Religion presently established by learning the Word of God and then by partaking of the Sacrament and to give their oath and subscribe according to the Act of Parliament and Acts agreed-upon betwixt the Regent Counsell and Commissioners of the Church and if any shall refuse to proceed c. 4. All Bishops Superintendents and Commissioners of visitation shall be present the first day of the Assembly before noon and continue untill the end Under pain of losing half of their stipend for a year and nevertheless to continue in serving during that time 5. Concerning the desire of the Lord Regent to place some of the learned Ministers Senators in the Colledge of Justice The Assembly after long reasoning hath voted and concluded that none is able to beare these two charges and therefore inhibites all Ministers that none take upon them to be a Senator except Robert Pont only who is already entred by advice c. 6. Five articles are presented by the Superint Ministers of Lothian to wit 1. All the Actes of the G. Assembly should be copied and sent to every Exercise 2. Such matters as fall out betwixt the Synodall conventions and the Generall Assemblies shall be notified to every Exercise twenty dayes before the Generall Assembly and be reported by them 3. Such matters as are referred by the subordinat assembly unto the Generall shall be penned faithfully by the Superintendent 's Clerk and reported unto the Generall assembly by the Superintendent 4. that the Generall assemblies be frequented by the Nobility and Barons as in former times 5. Ministers who have not money to buy books may at this time have them lowsed unto them by the Collector and the prices of them to be allowed in their stipends The Assembly ratifieth all these as profitable 7. Bishops Superintendents and Commissioners shall without delay purchase Letters commanding all men to frequent preaching and prayers according to the order established in particular congregations And to charge the Inferior Magistrat to put into execution the Acts concerning the observance thereof and for execution of disciplin and punishing of vice 8. If a man passe out of the country and leaving his wife shall marry another woman and his wife shall marry another man in his absence both are adulterers unless the sentence of divorcement hath been pronounced by the Judge Whereas in these Acts mention is made of Exercise it is to be marthat at that time Prsebyteries or Classes as others call them were not erected but the Ministers of a burgh and circumjacent churches did conveen of their own accord on a certain day of the week in the burgh and did preach publickly in the Church per vices for mutuall edification and manifesting the increase of their gifts and this meeting was called The Exercise The Assembly The 25. Assembly conveenes at Edinburgh August 6. Here were many Earles Lords Barons some Bishops Superintendents c. Alexander Arbuthnot Principall of the Coledge of old Aberdien is chosen Moderator 1. The books of Bishops Superintend and Commissioners of visitation were produced and certain Ministers are appointed to examin their diligence in visitation John Douglas Bishop of Satandrews was accused for admitting a Papist Priest into the Ministry to whom the Superintend of Lothian had prescribed certain injunctions and he had not obeied them for not visiting nor preaching that half year for giving collation of a Benefice which was before bestowd on a Minister to another suspect of Popery for suffering the Exercise to decay through his default for admitting some to function in the Church who were unable and not examined namely some coming out of Mers Lothian for visiting by others and not by himself He answered unto the first he admitted not that Priest untill he had recanted Popery openly in the Church of Saâ—tandrews The Assembly enjoynes the Priest to satisfy the injunctions prescribed in Lothian which he had not obeyd and in the mean time inhibites him to exercise any function in the Church To the next he answered He had preached personally where he did visite but â—or siâ—knes did not visite since the last Assembly And for other things he pretended ignorance or weaknes c. James Patoun B. of Dunkell was accused that he had accepted the name of a Bishop but hath not used the office of a Bishop he had not proceeded against Papists within his bounds he is suspect of Simony betwixt the Earle Argile and him concerning the profits of the Bishoprick yea and of perjury in that contrary to his oath at the receiving the Biâ—hoprick he gives Acquittances and the Earle receives the silver Alex. Gordon B. of Galloway iâ— accused that he intruded himself into the office of the Ministry within Edinb he enticed the people to rebellion against our soverain Lord he refused to pray for our Soverain and approved another authority he being forbidden by the G. Assembly to have any intromission with the parishoners of Haâ—â—rudhouse yet compelled them to receive the Sacrament and caused pretended Balies and men of war to compell the poore people being sworn by solemne oath unto due obedience unto our Severain and his Regent and authority he had brokâ—n his oath by sitting in the pretended Parliament for dispossâ—ssing our Soverain of his royall Crown autâ—ority he had given thanks publickly in pulpit for the slaugâ—ter of the Regent Mathew Earle of Lennox and exhorted the people to do the like â—â—e was a perverter of the people not only before the Reformation but at sundry other times He answered He was free of all these by the Act of pacification It was replied The States had not absolved him a Bishop from the censure of the Church in talibus So he was ordained under the pain of excommunication to make publick repentance three severail Sundayes one in the Church of Edinburgh another in Halâ—rudhouse and the third in the Queen's-colledge-church Robert Pont was accused that being Commissioner to visite Murray he resideth not there nor hath visited Churches these two years excep the chief four he hath visited once He alledgeth want of leisure because he was ordained to attend the Colledge of Justice Whereupon the Superintendent of Lothian moveth the question Whither it be lawfull by the Word of God that the administration of
the Word and Sacraments and the administration of criminall and civill Justice be so confounded that one man may occupy both the charges It was answered It is neither agreable with the Word of God not practise of the primitive Church 2. In Sess 3 They who receive excommunicate persons should be censured with excommunication after due admonitions if they desist not and if they be guilty after admonition though thereafter they desist yet they shall make publick râ—pentance of that fault 3. The Secretary of the Counsell presenteth certain heads concerning the assignation of Ministers stipends 4. Licence is given to Bishops Superientendents and Commissioners of visitation to take notice of the situation of parish churches and to change them for tâ—e commodity of the people as also of the gleebs 5. They who consult with witches or enchanters should be censured 6. Great or rich men being guilty of crimes should be censured even alike as poor men and no dispensation should be granted unto them for money though ad pios usus Where mention is made here of Bishops and Superintendents it is to be observed that at that time the Bishop of Santandrews had the visitation of Fife only and John Winram had the visitation of Perth-shire and John Spotswood continued in Lothian as before Next concerning these assignations and change of Parish-churches Bishop Spotswood in Histor Libr. 5. Shewes that this Regent subtilly drew out of the power of the Church the thirds of Benefices promising more sure and ready paiment unto the Ministers and to make every stipend locall with express promise that if they shall find themselves prejudiced they should be reponed to their possession whensoever they shall require it But so soon as hee was possessed of the thirds he took course to joyn two or three or four churches to one Minister who was tied to preach in them by turns and he placed in every parish a Reader to read prayers and the word in the Ministers absence and the Reader had 20. or 30. pounds Scots and the Ministers were put to a necessity of attending the for mer assignation and then a precept for paiment or if their necessity did urge to seek augmentation a petty thing that was granted was dear bought by the losse of time and charges in seeking it The Superintendents were no better used when they complained that their portion was with-held it was sayd Theit office was no more necessary seing bishops now are in the Diocies and the ecclesiasticall jurisdiction belongs unto them So the Regent seeking to enrich himself losed the Church and when they sought to be restored to their former possession according to the Act of Parliament and his promise after many shifts and delayes he told them Seing the Superplus belongs unto the King it was fitter the Regent and Counsell should modifie the stipends of Ministers than that they have the designation of the Superplus Thirdly observe that when the proposition was made fairly to change and unite churches for the expediency of the people the Assembly gave not power unto the Commissioners to unite parishes at their pleasure but gave way unto the proposition in so far as expediency of the people required as appeares clearly by a Letter writt by John Erskin the Superintendent unto the same Assembly in these words Hearing that in my absence a complaint was given upon mee alledging that I had destroyd or caused destroy the church of Inshbrayak and to have joyned that parishon to the Church of Maritoun I have thought good to declair unto your Wi. my part in that cause I never did destroy a parish-church but would had the reparation of all As to that church of Inshbrayak I in my visitation finding it spoiled and broken down did request the parishoners there of to resort unto the church of Maritoun being neare unto them untill their own church were bigged and repaired to which they did consent not to continue ever so but for a time untill their own church were bigged the which I wish to be done shortly and what in mee lyeth to further the same shall not be omitted This is the trueth of that matter And if it be found otherwise I shall build the church on my expences If your Wisdomes think any fault here-in I am subdued and shall obey your godly judgement Under this Letter is written thus At Edinburgh August 10. 1573. The Church presently assembled findeth no fault in the premisses done by the Superintendent but all his proceedings there in worthy of praise And it is subscribed by the Clerk of the Assembly J. Gray XI The Assembly conveenes at Edinburgh March 6. 1574. where 1574. The 26. Assembly were Earls Lords Bb. Superintend c. Androw Hay Minister is chosen Moderator 1. The Bishop of Dunkell is ordained to confesse his fault publickly in the church of Dunk for not executing the Sentence of the Church against the Earle of Athole 2. George Bishop of Murray is ordained to be summoned to give his purgation of the fornication alledged to be committed by him with the Lady Ardross 3. Commission was given to certain Ministers to summon the Chapter of Murray before them to examine their proceedings and what ground they had to give unto the foresaid George douglas their testimoniall without due tryall of his conversation and literature 4. Unto the L. Regent and Lords of the Privy Counsell with others of the States now eonveened with his Grace the Church generall now assembled wisheth everlasting health in Christ That holy mystery of God is not unknown who hath ehosen unto himselfe a Church and that from the beginning which shall continue for ever And the same is the company of the faithfull professors of Christ Jesus And in his Church God hath appointed his holy mysteries to be ministred and calleth men to be Ministers of them that by the same Ministry the elect of God may be called regenerat and nurished unto everlasting life For preservation of the holy Ministry and Church in purity the Lord hath appointed Assemblies conventions not only of the persons appointed unto the Ministry but also of all the members professing Christ which the Church of God hath continually used and useth the same assemblies sanctified by the word of God and authorized by the presence of Jesus Christ It is also known unto your Gr. that since God hath blissed this Country with the light of his Euangell the wholl Church most godlily appointed and the same by Act of Parliam was authorized that two Assemblies of the wholl generall Church within this realm should be every year alswel of all members thereof in all States as of the Ministers these assemlies have been continually from the first ordinance keept in such sort that the most Noble and of the highest estate have joined themselves by their own presence in the assemblies as members of one Body concurring voicing and authorizing in all things their proceedings with their Brethren And now at this
Bishop or Beneficed person whatever because it is a distraction from his vocation Under pain of deprivation 4. Some articles were sent unto the Lord Regent namely that stipends be granted unto a Superintendent in every Province whither it bee where no Bishop is or wheâ—e is a Bishop who can not dischage his office as Santandrews Glasgow That in every Church destitute of a Minister such persons may be presented and â—tipends be granted unto them as are here present and whose names shall be delivered by the Bb. Superint or Commissioners 5. A complaint was made against the Bishop of Dunkell for ministration of the Lords Supper upon woâ—k-dayes and he is forbidden to do so again but only upon the Lords day according to the order of other Churches 6. If any Parliament shall be called or any other weighty cause require the presence of the Body of the Assembly the Superintendent of Lothian James Lowson Minister at Edinburgh and David Lindsay Minister at Lieth shall give timous premonition unto the Brethren to conveen and that Convention shall be reputed an Assembly 7. The absents from the assembly shall be charged to compear in the next to be censured for their absence Note 1. James Boyd was enduced by the Lord Boyd to accept the title of the Bishoprick of Glasgow which that Lord had purchased for his own gain of the revenues and in the former Act he is named as unable unto the office and in the same assembly he excused his negligence in the Church-affaires because he was employd in other affairs of that office 2. Within some weeks after that assembly John called Archbishop of Santandrews went into the pulpit topreach and falling down died 3. By an Act under the privy Signet of the date November 21. 1574. it appeares that John erskin so long as he had been Superintendent had not been in the Shiref-court though he was a Baron and at that time had exemption granted both for time by past and to come during his continuance in that office XII The National Assembly conveenes at Edinb March 7. as they 1575. The 28. Assembly then did reckon year 1574. where were Earles Lords bb Superindents c. James Boyd Bishop of Glasgow is chosen Moderator 1. The bb of Dunkell Brechin Murray and of Glasgow were removed and complaints made against every one of them Alexander Bishop of Galloway now submitteth himselfe Upon his submission and by solicitation of the Lord Regent he obtaines dispensation to be accepted if he will confesle his offence in the church of Halirudhouse only 2. It is ordained that none be admitted unto the office of a Bishop unless he be examined and approved by the Assembly 3. No Comoedies nor tragoedies or such playes should be made on any history of Canonicall Scriptures nor on the sabboth day If any Minister be the writer of such a play he shall be deprived of his Ministry As for playes of another subject they also should be examined before they be propounded publickly 3. Whereas Andrew Graham hath been presented unto the bishoprick of Dunblain undet the name of a Preacher albeit he be not one and it is alledged that there hath been no conclusion that all Bb. should first be Preachers and so if he be qualified to be a Preacher the presentation should be accepted therefore the assembly appointeth him to preach on wednesday upon Rom. 5. 1. and nameth certain persons to be present 4. Bishops Superintendents and every Minister are enjoined to admonish all such as were Papists within their bounds and have subscribed the Confession of faith according to the Act of Parliament that they should also participate of the Sacrament duly with their own congregation under pain that they shall be held Relapse and be censured with excommunication It may appear from these what manner of Bishops these were and that the Presenters of them aimed at their own advantadge and not at the good of the Church In the Assembly at Edinburgh August 6. were The 29. Assembly Bb. Superintendents c. Robert Pont is chosen Moderator 1 When Bb. were removed to be censured John Dury Minister at Edinburgh protesteth that the tryall of Bishops shall not prejudge the opinions and reasons which he and other Brethren have against the office of such Bishops 2. Alexander Bishop of Galloway delivereth an attestation of his satisfaction according to the ordinance he is restored to the liberty of preaching and standes still suspended from commission of visitation but is ordered to assist John Row Commissioner of Galloway pro hac vice 3. The Bishop of Dunkell is ordained to reside with his family at Dunkell before the next Assembly Under pain of deprivation Hee is also accused of dilapidation of his Benefice hee craves that he may have the liberty of an Advocate to plead for him this is refused but he should answer for himself or chuse a Minister to argue for him within three days 4. Because comely and decent apparell is requisite in all men especially in these which have function in the Church therefore all Ministers and Preachers are forbidden to have any broudering bagaries of velvet on gown on cloke or coat or have any cutting out of their cloaths stitching with silk pesments or lace all variant colours on sherts rings bracelets buttons of silver or of any metall all velvet satine tafety any licht color but that all their habite be of grave color to the end the good word of God be not slandered by them and their immoderateness And that their vifes be subject unto the same ordinance 5. Because the long continuance of Commissioners may induce some ambition other inconvenients after long reasoning it is concluded by the grearter part that the Commissioners shall be changed yearly 6. Eight Articles to be presented unto the Lord Regent 1. for planting the word throghout the realm it is petitioned that such Ministers as are not as yet placed may be received Ministers which have many churches may be relieved and Commissioners be â—ased and Bb having too great a charge may be helped And prouision of Commissioners may be payd for these two years bypast and in time coming 2. That such impediments may be removed which hinder the progresse of the doctrine such as abundance of vice un punished markets on the Lords day and the troubling of Ministers in execution of theit Ministry 3. That the order concerning the poore which before was begun may be put to full execution and to that effect a portion of the tyths which is the Churche's patrimony aâ—swell of the two parts as of the thirds may be employd for their sustentation as necessity craves 4. Because the Schools are the fountains from which Ministers must flow that provision may be made for them not only for Students remaining within the realm but for some men of good engine which by this Church shall be found fit to visite other Churches and Vniversities for their furtherance in learning and
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
asscribe or take upon them any part thereof in placing or displacing Ministers of Gods word in spirituall livings or offices without the Churches admission or in stopping the mouths of preachers or taking upon them the judgement and tryall of doctrin or of hindering or dis-annulling the censures of the Church or exeeming any offender there from 2. That the Presbyteries consisting of Pastors or Teachers and such as are commonly called Elders according to Gods word and now according to his Ma s direction appointed in diverse parts of this realm for disciplin and keeping order in ecclesiasticall affaires Be approved established by authority and paines prescribed against them that stubbornly oppose themselves 3. That the Synodall assemblies consisting of sundry Presbyteries and Nationall consisting of the wholl be approved and by vertue Act of Counsell presently and of Parliament hereafter have power to conveen so oft as occasion shall require to advise treat conclude and make ordinances in such things as concern the well of the Church and their charge in doctrin and disciplin with liberty to appoint times places for that effect 4. That Presbyteries and such as they will direct of their own number have the same power in designing manses gliebs and repairing of Churches as Bishops or Commissioners had before 5. That every Church have their severall Pastor to be sustained on the tyths of the parish where he serves and to that end the manses of churches that are annexed to great Benefices or prelacies be dissolved pensions given out of the tiths and tacks of the same set by the Collectors or possessors may be revoked c. Likewise a Supplication unto the King and Counsell was read for redress of many enormities 1. That the slanderous proclamation at Perth July 12. and published in all townes and parish-churches and to the perpetuall infamy of Gods servants is printed may be perused and diligently considered and triall be made whither any Minister be culpable of such odious crimes and if they be culpable that they be punished with all rigor of law And otherwise that the givers out of so blasphemous reports and devisers and diters of that infamous libell be punished accordingly And that by Act of Counsell and open proclamation the Ministry be declared innocent of such wicked and hainous crimes 2. That the unaccustomed violence used against Jo. Howeson drawing him out of the seat of the presbytery ...... And against David Weemes Minister be so punished that none be bold to attempt the like hereafter 3. That Colin Campbell Archbald and Wi. Heggets burgesses of Glasgow with their complices be punished according to justice for the uproar made by them against the Students and shedding their blood 4. that the proclamation lately made for the liberty of the Assemblies may be enlarged and more plainly cleared 5. That your Lp s will give his Majesty to understand how wicked instruments they are who persuaded his Gr. to allow and take upon himself all the mischiefs and ungodly proceedings whereby his Gr. and the Church Country were brought into such misery and danger 6. That all Acts of Counsell made against Presbyteries assemblies charging them to desist from proceeding in discipline and ecclesiasticall censures against scandalous persons be annulled and deleted and the Act made against J. Dury 7. That his Majesty and Lords will weigh what great inconvenients and absurdities fall out upon the Act of Counsell made concerning the absolute power and for removing them to delete that Act never to be remembred 8. That his Gr. and Lords provide carefully foresee that by wicked practise of dimission or association of authority the Church the Kings Majesty and country be not hurt and that the same be stayd in time 9. That the stipend appointed unto the Minister of Sterlin and now wickedly purchased by Ro. Mongomery to his young son be restored for sustentation of a qualified man to teach that flock which by his ungodly dealing and apostasy hath been destitute so long time 9. That it would please your Majesty and Lords to have compassion upon that Noble and godly man James Hamilton Earle of Arran somtyme a comfortable instrument in Reforming the Church of God and now visited by the hand of God and bereft under pretence of Law 10. That Commissioners be deputed in each part for visiting the Colledges The Assembly gives commission unto nyneteen Ministers with the Ministers of the Kings house to present this Supplication unto the Kâ—ng and the Estates now conveened at Halirud house or unto the Parliament when it shall be holden crave answer c. In the next Session these brethren report that the Lords crave the advice of the Church who should sit in their names to vote in Counsell and Parliament seing now they are about the taking order for a Counsell consisting of three Estates For better resolution in this particulare it was thought meet to enquire of the Lords what is their meaning in this proposition In the following session answer was returned that the meaning is Whither the Church will consent that some of the Bishops should for the Church be upon the Counsell The assembly resolves they can not agree that any shall vote in name of the Church but they who bear office in the Church and are authorized with commission thereunto Two Ministers are appointed to return this aâ—swer unto the Lords In this Convention of Estates nothing was done in the affaires of the Church they were all for securing themselves XX. On January 28. year 1583. the King withdrew himselfe from the 1583. Another change of Court Nobility that had separated the Duke and Arran from him and he went unto the Castle of Santandrews untill he sent for other Noble men to be of his Counsell and the entituled Earle of Arran was let out of Duplin and came unto the King whereupon in the end of that year followed great alteration The Generall assembly conveenes at Edinb April 24. Tho. The 45. Assembly Smeton is chosen Moderator I. Three Ministers were sent unto the King to humbly desire Commissioners for assisting the assembly in treating and concluding c. And seing his Majesty had sent Ambassadors into England that he would be pleased to endeavoure an union be made betwixt the two Kingdoms and other Christian Princes and Nations professing the true religion against the persecution of Papists and them that are confederat in that bloody League of Trent and also that her Majesty would disburden their Brethren of England from the yoke of ceremonies imposed upon them against the liberty contained in Gods word Likewise in Sess 5. others were ordained to supplicate his Majesty earnestly that the French Ambassador may be sent away because his travell is suspected to tend against religion and the Commonwell That a Jesuit Holt may be tryed and according to his offense punished That the Lord Seton's son may be accused for his Letters unto Jesuits That a brother of
Popish and Epicurean clients of Guisianes and Queen Mother to cast presbyteries into the ground to restore the tyranny of episcopacy to attribute unto the King the sole command or as they call it absolute power in Ecclesiasticall affaires and by their authority to decern the Sentences of excommunication pronounced lawfully by the Presbytery to he null Briefly they have committed all ecclesiasticall jurisdiction and power of governing the Church next unto the King unto these false Bishops who are either justly excommunicat or known to be flagitious Among these the first place is given unto P. A. the prime adviser and instrument of all these counsells and plots i. e. who enjoying that perpetuall Papall Dictature doeth without any restraint and wonderfully oppresse the Ministers and all godly men he doth present unto them these his sodered articles or rather the blots of ecclesiasticall order which he hath lately sucked from the dregs of the Popish vessels sticking as yet in our nighbour country and forceth by Royall autority the Ministers to drink and subscribe them So far he The houâ—e of Darknes This houre of darknes as it was called continued nor long behold how God dispelled it Bishop Spotswood informes this particulare in this manner Upon information that Nicol Dagleish Minister at S. Cutberts did in his publick prayers remember the exiled brethren he was called before the Counsell and accused for praying for the King's rebells and for keeping intelligence with them by Letters He confesseth his prayer for the brethren maintaining it to be lawfull but he denied the intelligence only he granted that he had seen a Letter written by Mr Balcanquall to his wife remembring him kindely The King was offended with his answers and commandeth his Advocat to pursue him criminally which was done the nextday At his appearing before the Justice when he had heard rhe indictment he said He should not be questioned for one and the same fact before two Judicatories and having answered these points before the Counsell he should not be put to it again The Advocat replieth The Counsels proceeding takes not away the criminall Judge and therefore he must answer and he was commanded to answer advisedly seing it concernes his life He saith If I must answer I think not that I have offended in praying for my brethren who are in trouble and if the conceiling the Letters which I saw be a fault I submit my selve to his Ma s will The Jury proceedes and declares him guilty of treason yet the Sentence was continued and he was sent to prison in the Tolbuth where he remained some months and in end upon his supplicatton was pardoned In the same Court David Hume of Argathy and his brother Patrick were condemned to dearh for keeping intelligence with the Commendator of Dryburgh and in the after noon were executed yer was it no matter of State but some private accounts undischarged before his going out of the country wherein they had interchanged one or two Letters This severity was universally disliked but that which ensued was much more hatefull To breed a terror in people and to cause them abstain from communicating in any sort with the exiled Lords a Proclamation was made That who shall discover any person offending in that kind shall besides his own pardon receive a speciall reward Upon this one Robert Hamilton of Eglismachan delateth Malcolm douglas of Mains and John cuningham of Drumwhasill for having conspired to intercept the King at hunting and detain him in some strong hold till the Lords might come and receive him A meer forgery it was yet gladly hearkned unto by them that desired to be rid of them they were both gentle men of good respect and mistrusted of the Court ...... They were brought vvithout resistance to Edinburgh February 9. they vvere presented to Justice ...... When Main's indictment vvas read he denied all and so cleared himself by the unliklyhood and their impossibility to compasse a business of that importance to all there present that in their hearts they did pronounce him innocent Neverthelesse they vvere declared guilty of treason and the same day hanged in the publick strier of Edinburg Hamilton the delator was afterwards killed in the park of Sterlin These cruell proceedings caused a generall fear that all familiar society was in a manner lest off none knowing to whom he might savely speak Arran in the mean time 1584. went on drawing into his hands the wholl managing of affairs for he would be sole and supreme over all ...... He was Chancellor ...... The castls of Edinburgh Sterlin he had in custody then made himself Ptovest of the Town as if all this had not been enough he was declared Generall Lieutenant over all the kingdom In a word whatsoever he pleased was done and without him nothing could be done This stirred up great emulation against him in Court The Master of Gray a great favorite at that time and professed Papist took it disdainfully that every thing was governed by him there be moe particulares there which I passe over Arran careth not what enmity he draw upon him The Earle of Athol the Lord Hume and Master of Cassils were committed to prison the first because he refused to divorce from his wife a daughter of the Earle of Gowrie and entaile his lands to him the next for that he denied him his part of the lands of Dirltoun and the third for denying him a loan of some moneys which it was thought he might spare Then he falleth out with the Lord Maxwell for excambion of his heritage with the Barony of Kinniell which Arran possessed by the forefeiture of the Hamiltons but Maxwell would not exchange with a new and uncertain purchase Fot this cause Arran intends a quarrell against him and causeth denounce him rebell and they gather forces the one against the other I shew but the sum In the mean time Sir John Forrester and Thomas Ker of Farnherst Wardens of the Midd Marches conveening for restoring some goods taken from the English a tumult hapneth wherein Sir Francis Russell son to the Earle of Bedford was killed this was layd upon Farnherst and he was said to have done it by Arrans instigation for these two were in great friendship The Queen craves that Farnherst be delivered Arran strongly opposeth The Queen had called the exiled Lords south ward and upon this accident gave them licence to return unto the Borders The king for satisfaction of the Queen confineth Arran in Santandrews and the other in Aberdien where he died but Arran was restored In July was a league offensive and defensive contracted betwixt the two kingdoms in the cause of religion for then was discovered the Holy league as they called it which the Pope had made with the Princes to extirpat the Reformed religion Q. Elisabet understanding herselfe to be principally aimed at thought nothing better than to make a counter-league with the Reformed Princes to that effect she sent
ordinary Offices warranted by the Scripture to wit Pastors Doctors Elders and deacons and the name of a Bishop should not be taken as it hath been in Papistry but is common to all Pastors or Ministers 3. It is lawfull and necessary at this time that Uisitation and the form thereof continue and other circumstances to be considered here after c. In Sess 7. some were appointed to confer with the Kings Commissioners upon the circumstances And in the same Sess the Kings Commissioners crave the resolution of the wholl Assembly Whither they will accept Bishops as they were circumscribed in the abovenamed Conference or if they will refuse Answer is delayd untill the next day that all the Conference be publickly read and immediatly it is voted and concluded that a Bishop is a speciall charge and function annexed to it by the word of God even the same that an ordinary pastor is In Sess 9. after reasoning it was concluded It is lawfull to the Gen. Assembly to admit a Pastor Bishop or Minister having a Benefice and presented by the King unto it Also that Visitation may be in the person of a Pastor and that the Gen. Assembly may send a man with such as the Presbytery shall adioyn unto him in Visitation In Sess 10. after conference had as said is the wholl Assembly declares that by the name of a Bishop they meane only such a Bishop as is described by Paul and in this sense they agree with the third Article of that Conference 4. It is agreed on the fourth article that a Bishop may be appointed by the Gen. assembly to visite certain bounds that shall be designed unto him and in Visitation he shall proceed by the advice of the Synodall assembly or such as they shall adjoyn unto him 5. In receiving of presentations and giving Collation to Benefices he shall proceed by the advice and vote of the Presbytery where the Benefice lyeth at least of the most part of the Presbytery and of the Assessors that shal be adjoined unto him Untill the time the Presbyteries be better established and the gener Church take further order And those assessors at the first time shall be named by the G. Ass 6. In Sess 11. He shall be subject in respect he is a Pastor as other Pastors are to be tryed in his life and doctrine by the Presbytery or the Synodall Assembly and because he hath commission from the G. Assembly in that respect he is to be tryed by them 7. If he admit or deprive without the consent of the most part of the Presbytery the deed shall be null and the doing thereof shall be a sufficient cause of deprivation of him 8. His power is to be ordinis causa nonjurisdictionis 9. Where they that shall be so called Bishops may not undertake the wholl bounds that of old was called a Diocy Commissioners shall be presented by his Ma. unto the Gen. assembly and admitted by them thereunto as the saids Bishops are to theirs and to be countable only unto the said assembly for their commission And the Bishop to have no power within their bounds more than they have within his boundes 10. The Commissioners being elected as said is have a like counsell and power in the execution of their office as the Bishops have 11. The Commissioners appointed to visit presbyteries or their particular Churches as the the presbyteties or Synods shall think good shall not prejudge the Presbyterie's peculiar Visitation 12. The same causes of life and doctrin shall deprive a Bishop or Commissioner that deprives a Minister The 13. article is agreed The Commissioners from his Majesty do protest that in respect the assembly hath cast down what was required in the Conference at Halirudhouse nothing done either in that Conference or in this assembly have any force or effect and namely that they have subjected the Bishops unto the tryall and censure of the Presbyteries Synods Because of this protestation the assembly immediatly directes Ja. Martine Ro. pont and Pa. Galloway to inform his Ma. concerning this matter In Sess 12. these brethren report that his Majesty will not agree that Bishops and Commissioners shall be otherways tryed than by the Generall Assembly The assembly jâ—dgeth it expedient in respect of the time that albeit it be reasonable that the tryall and censure of all Pastors should be in the Presbyteries where they remain nevertheless that the tryall and censure of such Pastors as the Generall Assembly shall give commission unto to Visite shall be in the hands of the said Assembly or such as they shall depute Untill farther order be taken by the Gen. assembly Unto this ordinance the Kings Commissioners do consent and so passe from their former protestation 14. Vhe Commissioners that before have received commission of Visitation shall continue in that charge for a year to come and thereafter as the Assembly shall judge expedient 15. In Sess 1â— The Generall assembly gives full power commission unto certain brethren of every Province to summon before them respectivè at such day and place as they shall think expedient the Bishops and commissioners if they find occasion of slander to arise by them in doctrin life or conversation at any time before the next Generall assembly and to try and take probation thereof lead and deduce process against them unto the Sentence Exclusivè Remitting the finall judgement therein unto the Gen. assembly 16. It is agreed that where Bishops Commissioners make their residence they shall be Moderators in these presbyteries except Fife where by his Mas advice Robert Wilkie is continued Moderator of the presbytery of Santandrews untill the next Synod-VI In Sess 7. The Lord Maxwell compeares and declares that at his Ma s command he now appeares before the Assembly as he had given caution before the Counsell that he should compear before them this day and in respect of his obedience he protestes that his cautioner should be free he takes instrument upon his appearance and protestation The Assembly know not the cause of his compearance nor had any information from his Majesty therefore they order him to be present the next day after noon and they aske the kings Commissioners what the cause is The kings Commissioners do protest that Maxwel's Cautioner should not be free untill they return his Majest mind unto the Assembly In Sess 8. Compeares the Earle of Morton the Lord Maxwell and some others Maxwell was accused for hearing Masse The Act of the Privy Counsell was read for information of the Assembly Maxwell answered For his transgression he had answered the kings Law and he craves conference of learned men concerning the religion Certain Sentence against P. Adamson not examined yet annulled and why brethren were appointed to inform him VII In Sess 13. Concerning an appellation made by Pa. Adamson from the process and Sentence of excommunication pronouncâ—d against him by the Synod of Fife Pa. Galloway and John Duncanson had been
of the offender was by his publick pennance satisfied now absolution shall be pronounced thogh that be not accomplished Then the party offending should in his own person hear the Sentence of absolution pronounced now Bishops archdeacons Chancelors officialls commissares and the like absolve one man for another And this is that order of ecclesiasticall disciplin which all godly wish to be restored to the end that every one may by the same be keept within the limits of his vocations and a great number may be brought to live in godly conversation Not that we mean to take away the authority of the Civil Magistrat and chief Governor to whom wee wish all blessedness and for the increase of whose godliness wee pray dayly but that Christ being restored into his Kingdom to rule in the same by the scepter of his word and severe disciplin the Prince may be the better obeied the realm flourish more in godliness and the Lord himself more sincerely and purely according to his word served than heretofore he hath been or yet at this present time is Amend therefore these horrible abuses and reform Gods Church and the Lord is on your right hand you shall not be removed for ever For he will deliver and defend you from all your enemies either at home or abroad as he did faithfull Jacob and good Jehoshaphat Let these things alone and God is a righteous Judge he will one day call you to your reckoning Is a reformation good for France and can it be evill for England Is discipline meet foâ— Scotland and is it unprofitable for this realm Surely God hath set these exampls before your eies to encourage you to go forward to a thorow and speedy reformation You may not do as heretofore you have done patch and peece nay rather go backward and never labor or contend to perfection But altogether remove whole antichrist both head body and branch and perfectly plant that purity of the word that simplicity of the sacraments and severity of disciplin which Christ hath commanded and commended to his Church And here to end wee desire all to suppose that we have not attempted this enterprise for vain glory gain preferment or any worldly respect neither yet judging ourselves so exactly to have set out the estate of a Church reformed as that nothing more could be added or a more perfect form and order drawn for that were great presumption to arrogat so much to ourselves seing that as we are but weak and simple souls so God hath raised up men of profound judgement and notable learning But hereby to declare our good wills towards the setting forth of Gods glory and the building up of his Church accounting this as it were but an entrance into further matter hoping that our God who hath in us begun this good work will not only in time hereafter make us strong and able to go foreward herein but also move others upon whom he hath bestowd greater measure of his gifts and graces to labor more throughly and fully in the same The God of all glory so open your eyes to see his truth that you may not only be enflammed with a love thereof but with a continuall care seek to promote plant place the same among us that we the English people and our posterity enjoying the sincerity of Gods gospell for ever may say always The Lord be praised To whom with Christ Jesus his son our only Savior and the H. Ghost our only Conforter be honor praise and glory for ever and ever Amen Now excepting these whose faults are here touched who can say but this was a wholsom admonition and certainly it doth concern all in power which shall read it untill the end of the would But what followed upon it the Bishops rage and persecute the Ministers which dar speak against their dominion or will not conform unto their toyes I will here remember one passage An. Archpriest Blackwell being about that time prisoner in the Clink where sundry Ministers were also prisoners said to one of them he marvelled of what religion the Bs of England were us they committ said he because we are papists and you they commit because yee will not be papists that they persecute us it is not much to be marveled because there is some seeming difference betwixt them and us though it be not much but that one Minister of the gospell should persecute another or that one protestant doth pursue another to bonds and imprisonment for religions sake is a strange thing but of the two they love us better a Papist they like well enough if they durst shew it but Puritanes they hate with their heart and that all the world may see So said he It was their custom to revile with the name of Puritanes all who did oppose their course What the Priest said tauntingly was the lamentation of many I will name the testimony but of one a learned and piousman as his works yet extant do demonstrate I mean John Udall somtimes Minister at Kingstown upon Thames who in the year 1588. ended his life in the Whyte-lion in Southwerk as prisoner for opposing episcopacy among other pieces he The testimony of I. Vdal concerning the practises of Bb. describeth The estate of the Church of Enlgland in a Conference there he shewes 1. That a Bishop and a Papist were sent by the other Bishops into Scotland to subvert their Generall Assemblies and the rest of their jurisdiction for fear that if the Ministers in Scotland had got up their disciplin the Soverainety of Bishops had fallen in England also he saith they prevailed a while in Scotland but the whole Land cried out for diciplin again and the Noble men did so stiffly stand to it and the Ministers that came home from England dealt so boldly with the King that I said the Bishop was utterly cast out without all hope ever to do any good there again 2. He telleth of a Minister declaring unto the Bishop as not knowing one another three abominations committed by the Bishops in England first rhey bear such enmity against the kingdom of Jesus Christ that they put to silence one after another and will never cease if God bridle them not untill they have rooted out of the Church all the learned godly and painfull teachers The second is that they enlarge the liberties of the common enemies the Papists The last is that they committ the feeding of the flocks of Christ unto those that prey upon them and either can not or will not labor to reclaim the wandring sheep So that the conclusion may be gathered upon their actions it must needs be the eversion and overthrow of the gospell and so consequently the bringing-in of popery and atheism 3. a gentle man askes the Bishop Why he had taken a Papist with him into Scotland seing if he be a right Papist he would labor to erect the Popes Kingdom The B. answered That man was thought fit above all
if they had sought a warrant by statute to keep their courts in the Queenes name as the Bb. in K. Edwards daies In which time Cranmer did cause Peter Martyr Bucer come over into the realm to be placed in the two Vniversities for the better instruction of the Vniversities in the word of God and B. Cranmer did humbly prefer these learned men without any challenge to himself of any superior rule in this behalf over his inferior brethren And the time hath been that no man could cary away any grant from the Crown of England by generall words but he must have speciall wordes to cary the same by Therefore how the Bb. are warranted to cary away the keeping of their courts in their own name by prescription it passeth my understanding Moreover where as your Lp. said unto mee that the Bb. have forsaken their claim of superiority over their brethren lately to be by Gods ordinance and that now they do only claim superiority from her Majesties Government if this be true then it is requisite and necessary that my Lord of Canterburry that now is do recant retract his saying in his book of the great volum against M. Cartwright where he saith in plain words by the name of D. Whitgift that the superiority of Bb. is of Gods institution Which saying doth impugne her Ma s supream Government directly and therefore it is to be retracted and truly for Chrisl plainly truly confesseth Joh. 18. 36. that his kingdom is not of this world and therefore he gave no worldly rule or preheminence to his Apostles but the heavenly rule which was to preach the gospell saying So and preach through the world whosoever shall believe and be baptized shall besaved but he that will not believe shall be condemned Mark. 16. 15. 16. But the Bb. do crie out saying Cartwright and his fellowes will have no Government c. So belike the Bb. care for no Government but for worldly and forcible Government over their brethren the which Christ never gave to his disciples nor Apostles but made them subject to the rule of Princes who ought not to be resisted saving that they might answer unto Princes they must obey God rather than men Act 5. 29 and yet in no way to resist the Prince but to take up the crosse and follow Christ So far he XXV The Nationall Assembly of Scotland conveenes by the Kings 1588. The 49. Assembly call at Edinburgh February 6. 1588. heer were the Kings Commissioners the Master of Lindsay and Lord Ochiltry Robert bruce is chosen Moderator the Kings Commissioners some Barons and Commissioners of Burghes and some Ministers are chosen to concurr with the Moderator in advising of things to be propounded concluded I. The Moderator declares the causes of this extraordinary assembly to be the dangers appearing unto the gospell in this Country and to advise what may be the readiest way to quench the present fire of Papistty kindled throughout all the Country And because the matter is of great weight it is judged expedient that Noblement and Gentle men shall conveen by themselves apart and the Commissioners of Burrowes shall conveen also by themselves and Ministers shall conveen by themselves To advise and propound unto the Moderator and his Assessors what overtures they can think upon And for furtherance Peter blackburn John Fullarton Ministers are appointed to give them information of the evidence thereof in their Province and all deputies out of every Province are appointed to delate what Jesuites Papistes are known to be within their boundes and that in write the next day unto the Assembly In Sess 3. the advice of the Noble men and of others was presented and read but it was judged expedient that some Earles Lords Barons Commissioners of Burrowes and some Ministers shall first conferr with the King upon these The advice of the Nobility was 1. that the Lawes of the Country be without delay execut against all Jesuites Seminary priests Idolaters and mantainers thereof and for that effect every man alswell gentle man as others heer assembled shall as they will answer unto God and do tender his glory and the well of his Church give up presently in catalogue unto the Moderator or Clerk the names of such as they know or esteem to be Jesuites Semmariepriests traffickers against religion receipters and maintainers of such persons the which names shall be given unto Sir Robert melvin Treasuret which hath promised within 48 hours thereafter to dispatche summons against them all 2. Seing the danger by such persons is imminent and the formall execution of lawes requires a large time his Majesty Counsell are to be earnestly solicited to provide speedily some extraordinary remedy against so extraordinary danger and execute the lawes without delay upon the chiefest of the Jesuites and their maintainers doing as if treason were intended against his Ma s person and Crown 3. If the Assembly shall think it expedient these Noble men Barons others are willing to go unto his Majesty and regrate the cause of the Church and Common wealth and the danger wherein the liberty of this realm and their lifes and consciences stand in by the craft of Jesuites and such others which have seduced and stirred up enemies both intestine and forrein to bereave them of the same and they offer themselves their lifes lands friends to be employd at the Kings pleasure for preventing so dangerous attempts and bloody devices In Sess 6. The Nobles and others report that they had conferred with the King and had received good answers as that there is more need of execution against Papists than of advice and that his Ma. is glad of the solemnity and frequency of this Assembly and before the dissolving thereof he craves that they would resort unto him and they shall heare more of his good will but because many particulares were comprehended under the few generals propounded he had appointed sixe of his Counsell to meet with as many as the Church shall appoint the next day The Assembly nameth certain persons to conveen accordingly In Sess 14. A Supplication was sent unto the K. in this tenor Sir Your Ma. remembereth the cause of the conveening this Assembly at your command consists principally in two points one for repressing the Jesuits and other Papists which are entred into this realm and practize with their complices to subvert the sincerity of religion publickly professed another to provide such meanes that in time coming such enterprises may be avoided As to the first wee humbly crave 1. That some of the chief Jesuits and others shall instantly be taken order with to give exemple unto others viz. Ja. Gordon Will Crichton which are now in this town that they may be incontinently called before your Hi. and Counsell and there it may be declared unto them that their lifes are in your Maâ—hand for contraveening your lawes and yet of your clemency you do spare them
Spotswood P. 306. where he declares that in the end of the preceeding year many Icsuits and Priests he nameth ten of them came to deal with the Popish Noble men for assisting the Spanish Armada which was then in preparing to invade England if they shall land in Scotland for their hope was to find the King favorable because of the Queens proceedings against his mother and that he would joyn his forces with the Spanish for revenge of that wrong But the King considering his own danger if strangers set foot in in the â—sle and not trusting that the Spaniards would take such paines to purchase the Crown of England for him for that also was profered refused to give eare unto such motions But the Bishop as an aduersary of Assemblies failes in sundry particulars here namely that he saith This Assembly was called by the Ministers whereas the Letter that was sent unto the King saith expressly that they were conveened at his command and his Commissioners were present in the first Session and were Assessors in the Privy Conference as also the King gave the Noble men thankes for that they had conveened so solemly Then he saith Robert Bruce was chosen Moderator though he had not as yet entred into the Ministeriall function I know not what year he was admitted into the Ministry but he was not only a member of the Assembly in the year preceeding but was chosen an Assessor unto the Moderator vvhich certainly had not been done if he had not been an eminent Minister seing he vvas not Commissioner from a Province or Burgh but he never loved Bishops nor did the Bishops love him The vanity of some other particulares appeares by vvhat is vvritten out of the books of the Assembly â— Concerning Rob. Mongomery the Presbytery of Glasgovv vvas called to an account of their admitting William Erskin unto the Bishoprick of Glasgovv seing he vvas not a Minister but only titulare Parson of Campsy They ansvvered Seing church-men vvere not permitted to enjoy the Bishoprick as is said before they esteemed it better that he have the title than any other and he had given his bond to renounce the title if the Generall Assembly did not allovv his admission This vvas not allovved and they vvere ordained to persue him to renounce according to his bond and Robert Mongomery having renounced episcopacy before the Assembly was thereafter planted at a church in Cunigham Of Pa. Adamson and Ja. Gibson more followes After this Assembly the King intended an expedition into the West Marches against the Lord Hereis of whom the Assembly had complained but he came and offered himself unto the King and upon his pâ—omise to amend and surety given that he shall resort to Sermons and suffer nothing to be done in his Wardenry in prejudice of religion he was â—ent back to his charge At the same time the Lord Maxwell who had gotten licence to go into other countries and with assurance that he shall not return without licence having seen the preparation of Spain for invading England returneth by advice of some Scots Papists and landeth at Kirkudbry in Aprile and immediatly gathereth men The L. Hereis advertiseth the King Maxwell was charged to appear before the Counsell he disobeyd Wherefore the King went with such force as he could for the time against him he fled to sea and was brought back prisoner to Edinburgh In this sommer that Spanish Navy which had been some years in preparing and was called Invincible was overthrown by weak means of men and principally by storm when they were lying at anchor in the road of Callais So it pleased God to disappoint the attempts of Papists with great losse unto them and no harm unto this Island Before the report The 50. Assembly of this overthrow came the Assembly conveenes at Edinb August 6. Thomas Buchanan is chosen Moderator I. The Assembly considering the dangers imminent to the Church generally and specially unto the realm by the intended coming of Spainards as also the decay of religion by the rarity poverty of Ministers appointes that a fast be proclamed to morrow by the ordinary Teacher in the Church to be continued all this week II. Because universally throughout this realm there is no religion nor disciplin among the poore but many live in filthy adultry or incest and their children are nor baptised nor do they resort unto the preaching of the word Therefore Ministers shall make intimation and denounce unto all the poor that either be parishoners by birth or resort unto their parishes if they have woman children that they shew testimoniall of their mariage or els shall be refused of almes by all godly persons And that they exhort their parishoners to extend their liberality rather unto these that are of the household of faith and judge discreetly in giving almes unto others who have not such evidents as is said III. A citation was directed by the Moderator of the preceeding Assembly against Pa. Adamson called Bishop of Santandrews making mention that seing by an Act of the Presbytery of Edinburg it was ordained concerning the marriage of George Earle of Huntle his bans should be proclamed upon his subscribing certain articles of religion and under promise that he shall subscribe the rest before his marriage and inhibition was made unto diverse of the Ministry and namely to the foresaid Patrick that they should not celebrate the foresaid marriage untill the foresaid Earle had subscribed the Confession of faith contained in the Acts of Parliament With certification unto every one of them if they do so they should be called for disobedience to the voice of the Church Before the G. Assembly And notwithstanding the said inhibition the said Patrick hath proceeded to solemnize the said marriage upon Iuly 21 thereby disobeying the foresaid inhibition Now the said Patrick is called and for him compeares his proctor Tho. Wilson producing a testimoniall of his sicknes subscribed by Do. Robert nicoll and two of his Bailives and craves that they would not disquiet him in time of his sicknes This testimoniall is judged not to be sufficient IV. For somuch as since the late Act of annexation his Majesty hath transferred the right of patronage of sundry Benefices from himself unto Earles Lords Barons and others and hath annexed them to their lands of whom some have gotten confirmation in Parliament others have obtained them since the Parliament and a third sort hath gotten gift of the naked patronage to the evident hurt of the Church Wherefore it is thought expedient to entreat his Majesty by earnest sute that the said dispositions may be annulled in the next Parliament and in the mean time that it may please his Majesty to deny the disposing of patronages which remain as yet undisposed and that his Majesty would provide that the Commissioners and Presbyteries unto whom the Collation of these Benefices appertaineth be not processed nor horned or outlawed for not giving admission thereupon Inhibiting in
cariage on the sabbath and to cause them give one day of the week unto their tennents in time of harvest for winning their cornes lest they be necessarily abstracted from the Service of God on the sabbath The Earle's answer was he shall use all diligence that the sabbath be not profaned and so soon as he returnes he shall in his Court establish Acts and penalties for restraining the violation of the sabbath In Sess 11. John liverance for his rash excommunicating Wiliam Earle of Anguise was ordained to confesse â—is offence unto God and against the Noble man publickly in the Church where the Sentence was pronounced and the Sentence reducing that process to be publickly intimated by another Minister in audience of the Congregation on a Sunday V. The Lord Sommer well alledgeth the priviledge of holding the market at Carnwath on the sabbath day at last he condescendes that no maâ—ket shall be held there any more on the sabbath And if he faile the Presbytery is ordained to proceed against him according to the generall Acts. VI. A generall complaint is made of manifold kindes of profaning the Lords day by mills salt pans mowing and leading of cornes carrying victualls into and from Burrowes The assembly declares all these unlawfull ordaines presbyteries to deal with their bounds to grant some week-day unto their tennants which upon necessity mowe and lead their corn upon the Lords day And all the Ministers present are ordained to give in writ the names of the persons which can best stopp the Markets within their bounds to the end his Majesty may be supplicated to interpon his authority and command them to do so VII In Sess 8. His Majesty praiseth God that he was born in such a time of the light of the Gospell and that he is a King of a Country where is such a Church even the sinceerest Church on earth the Church of Geneva not excepted seing they keep some festivall dayes as Easter and Christmes what have they for them where have they any institution for them as for our nighbours in England there Service is an ill-mumbled Masse in English they want litle of the Masse but the liftings Now I charge you my good people Barons gentle men Ministers and Elders that yee all stand to your purity and exhort the people to do the same and so long as I have life and Crown I shall maintain the same against all deadly For a quarter of an hour or thereby was nothing heard but praising of God and praying for the King by all the Assembly Then the Moderator in name of the Assembly craves from his Majesty a ratification of the liberties of the Church the purging of the Country from priests and all Papists and that every church may be provided with a Minister and mantenance The King answereth In all Parliaments the liberties of the Church are first ratified and he will have care to see the same observed for the second they knew what he had done before his going to Denmark and he will do what lawfully he can do for purging the Countrey of Papists and for the third it concerned him but in part and many mo have interest and therefore they shall do wee l to appoint some of their number to wait upon the Counsell for answer thereof and to conserr upon the means of effectuating it Then he speaks of the barbarous feuds and odious murders that thereby were committed and did seriously commend unto them as who should of all others most study to make peace the removing of such barbarities so far as in them lay wishing them in their Sermons to strick oft on that point and make people to understand how sinfull it is and how shamefull to the whole Nation as also to employ the discreetest among them for reconciling the variances that abound in the Countrey for myself sayd he I will employ all the power I have that way and if yee shall apply yourselfs to do the like my work shall be the more easy and have the better success This was greatly applauded of al. In the same Session the King nameth Robert Bruce Da. Lindsay Ro. Pont and the Moderator to attend the Counsell and to present the petitions of the Assembly to wit 1. In respect many promises have been made and no execution followed that now performance may be made thereof 2. A ratification is craved of all lawes that have been made for the good of the true Church and a new Act of Parliament specially establishing the jurisdiction of the Church their generall and Provinciall Synods and presbyteries and all Acts made contrary to the liberty and jutisdiction of the Church preceeding the date present to be annulled and untill a Parliament be called to conclude these by Act of Counsell or Convention of Estates if any shall be in the mean time 3. The purging of the Church and Countrey of all Jesuites priests and excommunicat papists and a law against the abusing of the holy sacraments 3. A law and meants whereby Ministers may be possessed in their gliebs Manses and peaceably possess them 4. An order against them who did conveen at the bridge of Dee 5. A law and ordinance against all profanation of the sabbath 6. A law against them that trouble and hurt Ministers going to the Church and executing their office 7. A law for repressing murders in the countrey 8. That all churches may be sufficiently planted with Ministers and others office-bearers and competent stipends out of the tyths and other rents that have been mortified for use of the Church and what is over to be employed upon Colledges upbreeding of youth the sustentation of the poor the fabrick of churches and other common affaires thereof VIII Seing it is certain the word of God can not be keept in sincerity unless holy disciplin be observed It is therefore by common consent of all the brethren and Commissioners present concluded that whosoever hath born office in the Ministery of the Church or presently beare or shall hereafter bear office here in shall be charged by every presbytery where their residence is to subscribe the Heads of the disciplin of the Church set down and allowed by Act of the Assembly in the book of Policy which is registred in the Register of the Church and namely the controverted heads by the enemies of the disciplin before the next Provincial assembly Under pain of excommunication to be executed against the non subscribers And the Presbyteries which shall be found negligent herein to receive publick rebuke of the Generall assembly And to the end that the disciplin may be known as it should be it is ordained that one of each presbytery shall receive from the Clerk of the assembly a copy of that book under his subscription upon the expences of the Presbytery before the first day of September next IX It is concluded that where the presbyteries are well constitut the order of Commissioners of Countries shall cease and an Act to
be advised hereupon against mooneday when every Presbytery shall have readie the names of such as they think meet for their presbytery to attend the Plat for Churches admit persons presented to Benefices and to designe Manses In Sess 15. Whereas before Commissioners of countries had the charge to enroll the Ministers their stipends at the Plat to receive presentations and to give collation to designe Manfes and gliebs henceforth the well constitute presbyteries and each one of them shall yearly ay and while the necessity thereof craves elect out of their number a brother in name of the Presbytery for enrolling expedition of their stipend at the Plat authorized instructed by them with commission subscribed by the Moderator and Clerk of the Presbytery To be shewed and produced unto the Modefiers And the same Commissioner to designe Manses gliebs within the bounds of their presbytery And in all things concerning the execution of his commission to be countable and subject to the judgement censure of the Presbytery from which he receives it And that all presentations be directed â—n time coming unto the Presbytery where the Benefice lyeth Providing in admission and deprivation of Ministers within Buchan Aberdien Garioch and Marre that Aberdien Buchan proceed with mutuall advice and so Marre Garioch likewise with mutuall advice and in case of wariance there the matter shall be referred to the Generall assembly X. It is thought meet for the common profite of all the people that an uniform order be keept in examination before the Communion and to this end that a short form of examination be penned before the next assembly whereunto four persons are named XI Because the patrimony of the Church hath been wasted by these who had the title of Benefices and thereby the provision of the Ministry failes All presbyteries are commanded to try the Beneficed within their boundes and in what condition they received their Benefice and in what condition they are presently and who have set tacks or have disponed the title of their Benefice or any part thereof without consent of the Generall assembly And to report unto the Provinciall Synod what they have found and the Synod to try if any thing hath been neglected by them and report unto the next Generall assembly XII Gâ—eat slander lyeth upon the Church through manifold murders notorious adulteries and incests and the parties being brought under process oftymes elude the Church by shifting from place to place so that the process can not be brought well to a finall Sentence therefore it is voted Whither parties falling into so odious crimes may summarily upon the notoriety of the crime be excommunicated and it is concluded affirmativè XIII Forsomuch as the dangerous inâ—urrection at the bridge of Dee being considered to have notoriously imported speciall prejudice to the true religion and the speciall authours and enterprisers thereof continuing under that slander have never intended to purge themselves thereof by confessing their offence Therefore the Assembly gives their power and commission unto the Presbytery of Edinhurgh with other nyne Ministers then named to summon before them in Edinburgh the Earls Lords Barous and free holders who were at that insurrection and to charge them to confesse their offense against the true Church of God and his religion and to make satisfaction for the slander committed by them Under the pain of excommunication And that before the first day of February next Referring to their discretion the particular dyets and order of process to be keept therein Providing that this commission be execute before the said day and requiring John Craig to remember this matter unto these commissioners as he will eschue the blame of the brethren in case of negligence Many things may be observed in this Assembly as 1. Their impartiality without respect of persons of whatsoever condition 2. B Spotswood reportes the Kings presence and many of his words in this assembly whereby he confutes what he had said before of the Kings dissimulation and indignation against the Assembly but he omittes what was done concerning the disciplin because though he and some others were present and voted unto â—hese Acts concerning the disciplin yet afterwards he and they became enemies thereof and accepted Bishopricks yea and the same year the K. hearing of the afflictions of the Antiepiscopal party in England wrote unto the Queen in their favors as also he did again in the year following as witnesseth Fuller in Church-histo li. 9. and expresseth the second Letter thus Hearing of the apprehension of Mr Vdall and Mr Cartwright and certain other Ministers of the Evangel within your realm of whose good erudition and faithfull travels in the Church we hear a very credible commendation howsoever that their diversity from the Bishops and others of your clergy in matters touching them in conscience hath been a mean by their delation to work them your disliking at this present we can not weighing the duty which we owe to such as are afflicted for their conscience in that profession but by our most effectuous and earnest Letter interpone us at your hands to stay any harder usage of them for that cause Requesting you most earnestly that for our cause and intercession it may please you to let them be relieved of their present strait and whatsoever further accusation or suit depending on that ground Respecting both their former merit in setting forth the Evangel the simplicity of their conscience in this defence which can not well be their let by communion and the great slander which can not fail to fall out upon their further streighting for any such occasion Which we assure us your zeal to religion besides the expectation we have of your good will to pleasure us will willingly accord to our request having such proofs from time to time of our like disposition to you in any matters which you recommend unto us ...... Dated Edinburgh June 12. 1591. Fuller saith One word from archb Whitgift befriended Mr Cartwright more then both the Letters from the King of Scotland But who can tell whither the archbishop was not moved with the earnestness of these Letters from such a Soliciter to speak a word for his antagonist lest he had been set at liberty whither he would or not Howsoever it was these Letters shew the Kings affection unto the cause and his esteem of their persons XXVIII The Nationall Assembly conveens at Edinburgh July 2. The 53. Assembly 1591. Nicol dalgleish is chosen Moderator I. Because the Assembly hath changed their place whereupon some may doubt of the authority thereof It is voted and coucluded that there is a reasonable and weighty cause for the change and that nothing is done in prejudice of their power seing the cause is the desire of his Ma. who for sundry reasons hath willed the Ass to site heerat this time and if any brother craves to be further satisfied the brethren of the Conference will resolve
playes of robinhood murderers which overflow the Land Item that the Ministers already planted may be provided with sufficient livings Item the Act of annexation to be dissolved the new erections and patronages may be discharged the Act of dissolution of prelacies and Benefices consisting of moe churches to be ratified established The Act of February An. 1587. the exception of Juny 8. being added may have place That small Benefices that are disponed to Ministers may be free of taxation c. XII The next Assembly is appointed to conveen at Aberdien August 17. in the year 1592. but if a Parliament shall be called the brethren being advertised by the presbytery of Edinburgh shall conveen two dayes before in the Town where the Parliament shall be called The contest between the Assembly and the Session is recorded by B. Spotswood to have begun thus John Graham of Halyairds within the parish of Kirklistoun being then L Justice and one of the Colledge of Justice had intended an Action of removing against some fuars and to bear out his plea suborned Ro. Ramsay a Notary in Sterlin to give him an instrument that made for his purpose The defendents offer to disprove the instrument and in the mean time upon a Warrant obtained from his Ma. they apprehend the Notary who confessed that the instrument which he had subscribed was brought to him by William Graham brother to the foresaid John and that he knew nothing of the business and being pursued criminally was upon his confession condemned of falshood and execute to death The pursuer as he was a man bold and impudent to maintain the truth of the instrument did intend Action against Patrick Simson who had dealt with Ro. Ramsay to confesse the truth of that instrument alledging that he Simson had seduced the man and made him deny the instrument The Minister regrates his case unto the Assembly there upon John Graham is summoned to answer for the scandall raised against the Minister He compeares and answereth thaâ— he would prove what he had alledged before the Iudge competent The Assembly replieth He must qualify it befnre them or they would censure him as a slanderer Hereupon followed the contest The issue was the Lords esteeming this an encroaching upon their priviledges and that upon such grounds all actions that touched any Minister might be drawn from their Iudicatory do resolve to send a prohibition unto the Assembly and discharge their proceeding but by the mediation of some well disposed persons that loved not to have questions of Jurisdiction moved the business was setled and both actions ordained to cease But the instrument was sustained by the Lords and judged to make faith which in end turned to the pursuers undoing So far he XXIX The King was diligent to remove the broils of the Nobles by calling them before the Counsell and causing them submit their quarells and partly by making strict lawes against the troublers of the common peace but it was long work and new troubles wereay breaking out as in the end of the year the Earle of Bothwell and some others envying the credite of the Chancelor made a conspiracy and sturre in the Kings palace and on February 7. year 1592. the Earle of Huntly killed the Earle of Murray in Dunibrissell and the Papist Lords were plotting a traiterous comspiracy 1592. with the King of Spain by means of Scots Jesuites some lying in Spain and some in Scotland interchanging letters for assistance to invade first Scotland and then England as the Letters were intercepted in the end of that year that were some written and some blank and appointed to be filled up by the Jesuits in Spain as the trustees in that business and all subscribed by Huntly Anguse and Erroll These Letters were printed and the discovery of the Confession of George Ker and David Graham of Fentry who was arraigned and be headed at Edinburg February 16. year 1593. These being Civil I would have omitted but these are the ground of other things following The Nationall assembly conveenes at Edinburgh May 22. Robert Bruce is chosen Moderator I. It was considered to The 54. Assembly propound unto the King Parliament these petitions 1. That the Acts of Parliament in the the year 1584. against the disciplin of the Church and their liberty be annulled the same disciplin whereof the Church hath been now in practise may be ratified 2. Abolition of the Act of annexation and restitution of the patrimony of the Church 3. That Abbots Priors and others pretending the title of the Church and voting in name of the Church without their power and commision be not admitted to vote in name of the Church neitherin Parliament nor other convention 4. That the Country may be purged of fearfull idolatry and blood-shed Commissioners were named for this end II. It is referred to consultation whither is be lawfull that the Ministry should succeed in the place of Prelates to vote in Parliament III. It is ordained that Ministers receiving Commissions from the Church if they be slothfull in execution shall be rebuked in the face of the Assembly for their negligence IV. The Church considering their duty to God and the necessity of the charge layd upon them and seeing the dayly decay of religion and lack of justice whereof the effects to the regrate of all true Christianes do more and more fall-out in miserable experience And that the duty of their office burdeneth them to discharge their consciences in this behalf unto their Soveraigne unto whom it chiefly appertaines to procure remedy there of Therefore they direct certain brethren to passe immediatly unto his Ma. and to lament the dayly decay of religion disorder and lack of justice within this realm and to admonish gravely that he will do for remedy of these evills as he will answer unto God and like wise to admonish in name of the Eternall to have respect in time unto the estate of true religion perishing and to the manifold murders oppressions enormities dayly multiplied through impunity And to discharge his Kingly Office in both as He would eschue the fearfull challenge of God and turn his wrath from his Ma. and the wholl Land And to the end his Ma. may be the better enformed they are ordered to declare the particulaâ—es V. Alexander dickson being summoned compeares he is asked whither he had subscribed the articles of religion presently professed established within the realm and whether he had communicat at the Lords Table He answereth he had done both when he was a Student in Santandrews Then he is asked In what heads he differeth now He answereth There be sundry heads wherein he agrees not with the Confession of faith He is bidden either now by word or too morrow by writ declare the specialls He plainly avoweth and protests he differeth from them in all the substantiall points of religion wherein the Papists controvert with them Upon this his confession the Assembly findes that
supplication when he is now at liberty But Both well falleth to his wonted formes and threatned to make the King observe the conditions Wherefore he was cited to compear before the Counsell and not compearing was denounced rebell Much trouble followes with the Popish Lords whereof is mention in the next Assembly XXXI The Assembly conveenes at Edinburgh May 7. 1594. Andrew 1594. Melvin is chosen Moderator I. James Drummond and other Burgesses of The 56. Assembly Perth being cited by the Presbytery there for receiving the excommunicated Lords into their houses do compeare They are demanded whither they had received and entertained these Lords They answer They did receive them but â—ore against their wills and in obedience unto the Kings charge and before the coming of the charge the greatest part of the town had condescended to receive them They were urged with rheir own promise not to receive them and that they had violate their promise They answer A promise of assistance was made unto them and that promise was not keept unto them They were removed and after they had consulted with some others they return and confess for themselves and in name of the town to the glory of God and fatisfaction of the Assembly that they were too rash and suddain in receiving these notorious enemies of God craving most earnestly that none take offense nor evill example by their doing protesting before God that these had entred the town against their hearts who are here present and promising in time coming to maintain and assist the Church and true religion presently professed within the realm and to resist the enemies thereof to the uttermost of their power This eonfession and promise they gave in writ and subscribed in the face of the Assembly and the Minister of Perth is ordained to declare in pulpit of that town the satisfaction accepted c. II. The Sentence of excommunication pronounced by the Synod of Fiâ—e in October against the Apostate Lords Anguse Huntly Arroll and others the Assembly in one voice ratifieth and allowes as also the process led against them and ordaines all Pastors within the realm to publish at their churches the same Sentence lest any man pretend ignorance of it Exception is made of Alexander Lord Hume who hath satisfied the Church as followes III. After particular search of diligence used by Presbyteries for extirpation of papistry and what disciplin they had used against papists and the receivers of excommunicats and priests that so the danger of true religion may be the more known and considered It was thought meet to consider his Ma s good endeavours and here they remember his Ma s good designe at Aberdien where He and the Noble men and Barons made a Bande for defence of religion took the houses of the Apostates and put men to keep them he called some Papists and sent them to Edinburgh he gave commission unto the Earle Marshall of Lieutenentry for suppressing Papists and had called sundry Barons before him for cognoscing the subscription of the blanks which had verified that these subscriptions were the hand-writs of the Apostat Lords and after his return an Act of Counsell was made that none presume to procure any favor unto them and a charge was given to his Ministers to take the oaths of his domesticks that none of them shall interceed at his hand for them which was also done And that it may be evident that the Church hath not been idle in time of these dangers it was declared that they had propounded articles unto the Parliament for forfeting the Apostates they had directed their petitions unto the King at Iedburgh and again articles unto Lithgow of all which small successe hath followed and the danger is no way diminished The tenor of the Act and Bande above named is Wee Noble men Barons and others subscribing being fully and certanly persuaded of the treasonable practises and conspiracies of sundry his Hieness unnaturall unthankfull subjects against the estate of the true religion presently professed within this realm his Ma s person Crown and liberty of this our native Countrey and finding his Ma s good disposition to prevent and resist the same and to repress the chief authors thereof his Majesty having our concurrence and assistance to the same effect Therefore and according to out bond duty and zeall wee owe unto Gods glory love of our native Countrey and affection to his Ma s person crown and estate Wee have promitted and by these presents promit faithfully bind oblige us and every one of us to concurre and take sinceer and true part with his Maj. and each one of us with another to the maintaining and defence of the liberty of the saids religion Crown Countrey from thraldom of conscience conquest and slavery by strangers and for repressing and pursuit of the chief authors of the said treasonable conspiracies specially Geoge Earle of Huntly William Earle of Anguse Francis Earle of Arroll Sir Pa. Gordon of Achindoun Sir James Chisholm of Dundaruy Mrs Ja. Gordon William Ogilvy Robert Abercromy and all other Jesuits Seminary-priests trafficking papists and others his Hieness's declared traitors rebellious and unnaturall subjects treasonable practisers against the estate of the true religion his Ma s person Crown and liberties of this our native Countrey And to that effect wee and every one of us shall put ourselves in arms rise concur and passe forward with his Majesty his Lieutenentents or others having his Ma a power and commission at all times when wee shall be required by proclamations missive or otherwise and shall never shrink nor absent ourselves for any particicular cause or quarell among ourselves Wee shall not ride with assist shew favor give counsell nor take part with the saids Earls Jesuites nor others foresaid nor with the persons denounced or that shall be denounced to the horn or fugitives from his Majesties lawes for the treasonable raising of fire and burning of the place of Dunibrissell and murder of â—mquhil James Earle of Murray nor receive supply nor entertain them nor furnish them meat drink house nor have intelligence with them privatly nor publickly by messages letters nor any other way The skaith and harm of others wee shall not conceile but disclose and impede to our power The quarell or pursute of us or any of us wee shall esteem as presently wee do esteem as equall to us all And by ourselves our wholl forces like as his Maj. with his force and authority hath promitted and promits to concur assist together each one in the defence of others to our utter powers and if any variance shall happen to fall out among any of us for whatsoever cause we shall submit as we presently submit us to the judgement deliverance of any two or three of the principals of us subscribers of this present Bande fulfill whatsover band shall be declared by them without reclamation Atover his Ma. by whose direction command
he was more afrayed for the Prâ—sbyteries officer or Sumner than for an officer of arms Upon the 16. day of December the King sent for four Ministers of Edinburgh but Robert Bruce refused to enter into any more commoning untill the Commissioners of the Church were recalled by al 's publick honest a proclamation as it was unhonest and calumnious so he called it by which they were charged to depart The Secretary after advisement promised it should be so Whill they were thus under commoning there was a purpose to charge of the most zealous Burgesses of Edinburg to depart out of the town specially these who did watch in the night for savety of their Pastors for some of the Cubiculares envying the Octavianes who had the managing of the Kings revenues whereby the Cubiculares were disappointed of their pensions had advertised the Ministers to be upon their guard night and day and also give advertisement to the chief Octavians to keep their gates shutt So oile was casten upon the flamm already kindled The chief Octavianes were President Setoun Sir James Elphinstoun Mr Thomas hamilton the Kings Advocate and Secretary Lindsay the cheif Cubiculares were Sir George hume thereafter Earle of Dumbar Sir Patrick and David Murrayes brether of Balvaird Many of both these sorts were alwise suspected of Papistry December 17. the charge was executed against one of the twenty four Walter The fray of December 17. An. 1596 Balcanquell being advertised before he went to pulpit layd forth before the people all the proceedings betwixt the King the Octavians and the Ministers and according to a warrant he had from the Church he requested Barons gentle men present and others well affected to conveen in the litle Church and consult how the imminent danger to religion might be prevented When they were conveened Robert Bruce layd forth the present dangers and exhorted them to hold up their hands and swear to the defense of religion presently professed Then they directed two Noble men Lindsay Forbes two Barons Bargainny and Blairwhan and two Bailives of the town unto the King with certain articles for redressing wrongs done unto the Church and preventing imminent dangers They entreat Robert Bruce to accompany them and to propone the matter Then hearing that the King was come to the Tolbooth they went unto him in the upper-house and the Minister said The Noblemen gentle men and others presently conveened apprehending the danger imminent to religion by hard dealing against the Ministry and zealous professors have directed some of their number unto your Majesty What appearance is there of danger said the King The burgesses best affected to religion are under commoning charged to depart out of town the Lady Huntly is entertained at Court and there is vehement suspicion that her husband is neer at hand The K. said What have yee to do with that and so goeth from them drawn as appeared by the President and others about him They who were sent return unto the rest which had sent them and report thus Wee went to his Majesty as yee desired but were not well accepted nor our grâ—evance heard and now yee have to consider what is next to be done It was thought good to reserve their grievances to a better time and for the present to knit up a covenant with God to stand to their profession and defense of the good cause to their last breath Whereunto they all agree testifying it by holding up their hands then was a great applause of the present company The Minister craves to behave themselves quietly for regard unto the cause At this time comes a cry from the street to the Church-door with these words Save yourselves there is a tumult in the striet Another cry went through the striet with these words Arme arme I heard saith my Author a Noble man a Counseller affirâ— that it was one suborned by the Cubiculares who came to the door and after went to the striet and raised the cry but who it was it is not yet known The people within the Church apprehending it was a fight among parties as was frequent in these dayes leap to the striets The greater number of Burgesses being in their houses sent forth to enquire what the matter meaned they hear that the Ministers were invaded and the cry went The Ministers are slain whereupon they run into the striets in arms The Gentle men which were in the Church accompanied R. Bruce into his house and then went to their lodgins yet purposing to return into the Church-yaird for they feared the Minister was to be invaded The other Ministers went into the striets to try what it was after a litle sapce the gentlemen return into the church-yaird they call for Robert Bruce and tell him of the great dis-order among the people by a false alarm and none could know what was the ground of the fray They all lament the case they sent for some of the Magistrates and entreat them to pacify the people running some one way and some another some to the church thinking that the Ministers were invaded or slain and some to the Tolbooth doore which was shutt thinking that the King had been slain Two or three cried at that doore for three of the Octavianes that they might take order with them Another cried The sword of the Lord and of Gideon The King sent a charge to the Provest and Bailives to stay the tumult The people at command of the Magistrates went to their houses and layd aside their weapons Whill the Magistrates were doing their best the King sent the Earle of Marre and Lord Halirudhouse to the Barons Ministers conveened in the church-yaird with many and plausible speaches but some hote words passed betwixt Lindsay Marre The Barons and Ministers went into the litle Church again sate down and directed the former commissioners at least the most part of them to shew his Majesty that they were grieved at their heart for the tumult and to beseech him to provide some remedy against the present evills The King seemed to be well pleased willed them to set down their petitions and promised a reasonable answer Soon thereafter the Lairds of Cesford Traquair and Col. Stewart weresent to them to put them in expectation that all shall go well So they disolve with publick thanks giving to God for his gracious providence disposing such an accident after such a manner that no man had received harm and the people had reteered to their houses at the voice of the Magistrates The Lord Forbes Bargainny Blairwhan and Faldounside were directed again with these articles that such Octavianes as favored the forfeited Earls and were authors of the present troubls in the Church be removed the excommunicated Earls be commanded to depart out of the Country before any of their offers be heard and the commissioners of the generall assembly be recalled by a publick proclamation When these came to the utter court of the Palace they understood
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
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
estrange from himself Christ who is life and salvation Lib. 12. cap. 1. The interposition of lots is the manifest commendation of God's grace for as when a lot discerns deliberation of men is idle and neither of the parties looks unto himself but awaits the trial of lot so in us all who are the children of wrath .... it is not considered who would come forth but whom the mercy of God would deliver ... Nor in saying so do we destroy man's free-will for man hath liberty if he be helped from heaven otherwise it is nothing if it be destitute of grace for the Lord saith Without me ye can do nothing ..... Man hath nothing that he hath not received for in all things the mercy of God preveneth us for we knew him not when he was working our salvation in the midst of the earth Lib. 17. cap. 5. The suffering of Christ is preached unto the end of the World by the Teachers of the people that salvation may be unto the Nations by remembring it and as the woman which had the flux of blood was healed by touching the hem of his garment so the Church by remembring his Passion which is let down from the corporal presence of Christ unto us obtains eternal salvation Ibid. The Holy Scripture is unto us a well furnished Table and spiritual cordial given unto us to comfort our heart-qualms against our enemies Lib. 20. cap. 1 Who is he which can do all that the Lord commandeth we have not that blessedness nor are of that worth that we can obey him in all for none on earth is free of sin nor can any living be justified in his sight Ibid. No man is worthy to ascend into heaven unless he be purged from his sins sin looketh for hell rather than for heaven and deserves death not life torments not glory the Paschal Lamb could not take away these but he could take it away of whom it is said Behold the Lamb of God which takes ... Catal. test ver lib. 11. 5. Gerard Bishop of Laureacen or Laurisheimen did accuse the Bishops A complaint against the Bishops of Bavier before Pope Leo the VII for several crimes wherewith they had not only stained their lives but undone the Churches of Christ The Pope writ unto Elilulph Juvavien Eisingrin Regmoburgen Lambert Fruxinen Visund Sabonen and other Bishops of Bavaria First he laieth to their charge their slackness as he had heard it of Gerard then he rebuketh them that they do flatter Princes and Magistrates they did wink at the faults of the wealthy they corrupt godliness defile religion they do prophane holy Philosophy and disturb Christian peace that by authority of Bishops which were dumb dogs not able to bark and blind watch-men Christians do deceive one another and the weakest were oppressed .... by magnificent buildings out of measure and luxurious feastings they did not carry themselves as becomes the Shepheards of Christ's flock The disease must be most dangerous which is spread from the head c. Here is a complaint against Bishops and a warning of them but no mention of reformation Catal. test ver lib. 11. ex Aventin 6. Otho the Great was more active for as it is written above he called A reformation necessary and intended but upon sinistrous grounds the Pope to an account and when he heard of the multitude and dissoluteness oâ— Monks he did judge it more expedient that they be few and good than many and idle or hurtfull Alb. Crantz in Saxon. lib. 3. cap. 22. saith that he had much to do with them and that this began at the Bishops being miscontent that Abbots were in so great favour with the Emperour Nevertheless this example sheweth what was the condition of those times and what should be done But after that time multitudes of new orders came up as followeth but few Otho 's for many ages he caused many to lay off their hoods and to live a secular life but the Popes were more desirous that many idle men were depending on them then that any should say unto them What doest thou and Emperours and Kings had more power at that time which their posterity did suffer to be possessed by Bishops and Popes 7. Smaragdus Abbot of the Benedictines of Saint Michael in Britany of France about the year 980. writ Commentaries on the New-Testament On Ioh. 3. How is the Son of Man said to have descended from Heaven or to be in Heaven even when he was speaking on earth the flesh of Christ came not down from Heaven nor was in Heaven before the time of his ascending but because the person of Christ is one consisting in two natures and therefore the Son of Man is rightly said both to have descended from Heaven and also before his Passion to have been in Heaven because what he could not in his human nature that he did in the Son of God by whom it was assumed But this also may be asked how is it said None ascends into Heaven but he who came from Heaven seeing all the Elect do truly confide that they shall ascend into Heaven as the Lord hath promised Where I am there shall my servant be also Clear reason untieth this knot because the Mediatour of God and Man the Man Christ Jesus is the head of all the Elect and all the Elect are the members of the same head as the Apostle saith He gave him to be the head over the whole Church .... therefore none ascends into Heaven but Christ in his body which is his Church .... Whosoever desireth to ascend into Heaven must conjoin himself by true unity of faith and love unto him which came down from Heaven and is in Heaven giving to understand that we can ascend into Heaven no other way but only by him which came down from Heaven as he saith elsewhere No man comes unto the Father but by me On Cap. 11 If faith be in us Christ is in us therefore if thy faith be on Christ Christ is in thy heart On Cap. 10 He is an hireling who hath the place of a Shepheard but seeks not the gain of souls who hunteth after earthly wealth rejoiceth in the honour of preferment and delighteth in reverence given him by men On Act. Cap. 10 He rose from the death and went up on high and he alone makes request in Heaven for us he doth with the Father what he sought of the Father because he is Mediatour and Creatour Mediatour to pray and Creatour to give On Rom. cap. 1. The same is the predestination of the Saints as it was most apparent in the Saint of Saints which none can deny if he understand the Oracles of truth for we see that the Lord of glory as he was man was predestinate ... and therefore as he only was predestinate to be our head so many are predestinate to be his members and God calleth them which are predestinate his children that he may make them members of his
hunger and necessities and quit the same to sustain the idle bellies of her strangers through the which in all parts rose such heavy lamentation and complaint of the Commonalty accusing the Counsell and Nobility of their sloth that as the same oppression wee doubt not hath entred in before the Justice Seat of God so it hath moved our hearts with pitty and compassion And for redress of the same with great offenses committed against the publik weell of this Realm wee have conveened here as said is and as often before have most humbly and with all reverence desired and required the said Queen Regent to redress these enormities and especially to remove her strangers from the necks of the poore commonalty and to desist from enterprising of fortification of Strengths within this realm against the expresse will of the Nobility and Counsell of the same yet wee beeing conveened the more strong for fear of her strangers who wee sawe presume no other thing but with Arms to pursue our lifes and possessions Besought her to remove our fear of the same and make the town patent to all our Soverain Lord and Ladies Lieges The same would she no way grant unto but when some of our companie in peaceable manner went to viewe the town there was great and small munition shot forth at them And seing that neither accesse was granted unto us by her nor yet she would joyn herself unto us to consult upon the affairs of our Commonwealth as wee be borne Counsellors to the same by the antient Lawes of the Realm but fearing that the judgements of the Counsell would reform as necessity required the foresaid enormities she refuseth all manner of assistance with us and by force and violence intends to suppresse the Liberties of our Commonweall and of us the favourers of the same Wee therefore so many of the Nobility Barons and Provests of our Boroughs as are touched with the care of the Commonweale unto the which wee acknowledge ourselves not only born but also sworn protectours and Defenders against all and whatsoever inuaders of the same and moved by the foresaid proceedings notorious and with the lamentable complaint of oppression of our Commonalty our fellow-members of the same Perceiving farther that the present necessity of our Common-weal may suffer no delay being conveened as said is presently in Edinburgh for support of our Commonweal and ripely consulted and advised taking the fear of God before our eies for the causes foresaid which are notorious with one consent and common vote every man in order his judgement being required in the name and authority of our Soverain Lord and Lady suspend the said Commission granted by our Sòverain to the said Queen Dowager discharging her of all administration or authority she hath or may have thereby untill the next Parliament to be set by our advice and consent And that because the said Queen by the foresaid faults notorious declares herself enemy to our Commonwell abusing the power of the said authority to the destruction of the same And likewise wee discharge all members of her said authority from henceforth and that no Coin be coined from henceforth without expresse consent of the sayd Counsell and Nobility conform to the Lawes of this realm which wee maintain And ordain this to be notified and proclaimed by officers of Arms in all head-Boroughs within the realm of Scotland In witnes of which our common consent and free Vote Wee have subscribed this present Act of suspension with our hands day year and place aforesaid And it was subscribed in this manner By us the Nobility and Commons of the Protestants of the Church of Scotland The next day this Act was proclaimed with sound of Trumpet and then they sent a Letter unto the Regent shewing her what they had done and they add And how beit wee have determined with the hazard of our lifes to set that Town at liberty wherein you have most uniustly planted your mercenary souldiers and strangers yet for the reverence wee bear unto you as being the mother of our Queen wee earnestly beseech you to depart thence at this time when wee constrained by publick necessity are by force of arms to recover it Wee further request you to bring forth of the Town with your self all that carry themselves as Ambassadours and are come into the Countrey either for taking up of controversies or assisting the government of publick affairs within the space of 24. hours And to cause the Captains Lieutenants and souldiers whose blood wee would gladly spare because of the old amity and friendship betwixt us and the Realm of France which the marriage of our Soverain Lady to that King ought rather to increase than diminish to remove themselves within the same space This Letter was subscribed by the Nobilâ—â—y and Barons October 23. After defiance on both sides Octob. 25. the town was summoned and all the Scots and French men of whatsoever degree were commanded to leave it within the space of twelve hours Some broils and discouragements But God would not as yet put an end to these troubles untill mens hearts were more discovered and his Hand were more seen and acknowledged The people were earnest to invade many were but too forward and for hast to make their scalads they made choise of St Giles church and would not give place to publick Prayers nor preaching which and other disorders gave occasion unto the Preachers to affirm that God would not suffer such contempt of his word and abuses of his Grace to be long unpunished Their most secret determinations were revealed and overthrown The Duke's friends did terrifie him and by his fear many others were troubled The hired souldiers made a mutiny because they wanted a part of their wages Whosoever had any silvervessell did profer to give it unto the Mint-house but John hart and others of that faction stole away the instruments They sent to Berwick to borrow money instantly 4000 Crowns was lent and delivered to Sir John Cocburn of Ormston the Regent had notice of it and sent the Earle of Bothvel to intercept it He had promised before to be for the Country but then he goeth wounded the gentle man took him prisoner and all that he had The Earle of Arran and a greaâ— party of the horsemen went forth to recover the prisoner they took the Earle's house but himself was gone In absence of the Horsemen these of Dundie and foot men went with some Ordance to shoot at Lieth The French men knew that they were but few and that the Horsemen were gone another way and with expedition came forth upon them The souldiers fled without stroke of sword and left the Ordinance to their enemies who followed unto Lieth-winde Upon the first alarm all men in Edinburgh made hast for relieff but then was a shout All the Frenches are entred This crie did amase many and they fled to the west port The Earle of Argile and his men did