and short God is witnesse That unfainedly I both love and reverence you Majestie yea I pray that your Raigne may be both prosperous and quiet and that for the quietnesse which Christs Members before persecuted have received under you But yet if I should flatter your Majesty I were no friend but a deceivable traytor and therefore in conscience I am compelled to say That neither the consent of the people the processe of time nor multitude of men can establish a Law which God shall approve but whatsoever he approveth by his Eternall Word that shall be approved and stay constantly firme and whatsoever he condemneth shall be condemned though all men on earth should travell for the justification of the same And therefore Madame the onely way to retain and keep the benefits of God abundantly of late dayes poured upon you and your Realme is unfainedly to render unto God to his mercy and undeserved grace the whole glory of this your exaltation forget your Birth and all Title which hereupon doth hang and consider deeply How for fear of your life you did decline from God and bow to Idolatry going to Masse under your sister Mary her persecution of Gods Saints Let it not appear a small offence in your eyes That you have declined from Christ Jesus in the day of your Battel Neither yet would I that you should esteem that mercy to be vulgar and common which you have received viz. That God hath covered your offence Hath preserved your Person when you were most unthankfull And in the end has exalted and raised you up not onely from the dust but also from the ports of death to rule above his people for comfort of his Kirk It appertaineth to you therefore to ground the justice of your Authority not on that Law which from yeer to yeer doth change but upon the eternall providence of him who contrary to the ordinary course of Nature and without your deserving hath exalted your head If thus in Gods presence you humble your self as in my heart I glorifie God for that rest granted to his afflicted Flock within England under you a weak Instrument so will I with tongue and pen justifie your Authority and Regiment as the holy Ghost hath justified the same in Deborah that blessed Mother in Israel But if you neglect as God forbid these things and shall begin to brag of your Birth and to build your Authority and your Regiment upon your own Law flatter you who so listeth your felicity shall be short Interpret my words in the best part as written by him who is no enemy to your Majestie By divers Letters I have required to visite your Realme not to seek my self neither yet my own ease and benefit which if you now refuse and deny me I must remit my cause to God adding this for conclusion that commonly it is seen That such as refuse the counsel of the faithfull appear it never so sharp are compelled to follow the deceit of flatterers to their own perdition The mighty Spirit of the Lord Jesus move your heart to understand what is said and give unto you the direction of his Spirit and so rule you in all your actions and enterprises that in you God may be glorified his Kirk edified and you your self as a lively Member of the same may be an example of vertue godlinesse of life to all others So be it Of Edinb 28 Iuly 1559. These Letters were directed by Alexander Whitlaw a man that oft had hazarded himself and all that he had for the Cause of God and for his friends being in danger for the same Cause Within a day or two after the departing of the said Alexander there came a Letter from Sir Henry Percie to Iohn Knox requiring him to meet him at Annick the third day of August for such affaires as he would not write nor yet communicate with any but with the said Iohn himselfe while he was preparing himselfe for the journey for Secretary Cecill had appointed to have met him at Stampford the French-men furiously came forth of Dumbar of purpose to have surprised the Lords being in Edinburgh as in the second Book before is declared which stayed the journey of the said Iohn till that God had delivered the innocents from that great danger and then was he sent having in his company M. Robert Hamilton Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ directed from the Lords with full Commission and Instructions to decline their whole case and estate wherein they stood Their passage was from Pittenweame by sea they arrived at Holy-Iland and being advertised that Sir Henry Percie was absent from the North They addressed themselves to Sir Iames Crofts then Captain of Barwick and Warden of the East Marches of England They shewed unto him their Credit and Commission He received them courteously and comforted them with his faithfull Counsell which was That they should travell no further neither yet should they be seen in publike and that for divers considerations First The Queen Regent had her spies in England Secondly The Queen and the Councell that favoured our faction would that all things should be secret so long as they might And last said he I think it not expedient that in such rarity of Preachers ye two be any long time absent from the Lords of the Congregation And therefore said he ye shall do best to commit to writing your whole minde and Credit and I shall promise to you upon my honour to have answer at you and at the Lords again before that ye your selves can be at London And where that your Letters cannot expresse all things so fully as your presence could I shall supply the same not onely by my pen but also by my own presence to such as will informe the Councell sufficiently of all things The said Iohn and M. Robert followed his Councell for it was faithfull and proceeded of love at that time they tarried with him very secretly within the Castle of Barwick two dayes In the which time returned Alexander Whitlaw aforesaid with answer to the Lords and unto Iohn Knox. The tenour of whose Letter was this Master Cecils Letter to Iohn Knox. Master Knox NOn est masculus neque fâ—minâ— omnes enim ut ait Paulus unum sumus in Christo Iesu benedictus vir qui confidit in Domino erit Dominus fiducia ejus I have received you Letters at the same time that I thought to have seen your selfe at Stamford What is now hitherto the cause of your let I know not I forbeare to descend to the bottom of things untill I may conferre with such one as ye are And therefore if your chance shall be hereafter to come hither I wish you furnished with good Credit and power to make good resolution Although my answer to the Lords of the Congregation be somewhat obscure yet upon further understanding ye shall finde the matter plaine I need to wish you no more prudencie then
now O would God that the Nobility should yet consider The first of the Nobility The constant request of the Protestants of Scotland Note the duty of Noblemen Note Probation against the Papists Against such as under colour of authority persecute their brethren Difference betwixt the person and the Authority Note Note diligently Pharaoh his fact Note The fact of King Saul The second sort of the Nobility Note Let both the one part and the other judge if God have not justified the cause of the innocents From whence this courage did proceed the issue did declare Note The Earle of Glencarne his resolution Speakers sent by the Queene to S. Iohnston Note the answer The false suggestion of the Queen Regent Let the Papists rather ambitious Romanists judge The diligence of the Earle of Glencarne and of the brethren of the wast for the relief of S. Iohnston The Petition of the Protestants for the rendering of S Iohnston The answer of the Earle of Argyle and L. Iames Prior of S. Andrews The promise of the foresaid Note 1559 The first slaughter at the entry of the French-men Idolatry erected against the appointment Against the appointment the second time Second answer of the Queen Regent The third anâ—wer The departure of the Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames from the Queen Regent The answer the Earle of Argyle The Bishops good minde towards Iohn Knox. Iohn Knox his answer to the Lords and the rest of the brethren The Reformation of S. Audrews For the old Earle of Argyle was dead Cowper-Moore M. Gawin Hamiltons Vow First answer at Cowper-moore The second answer The delivery of S. Iohnston The summoning of S. Iohnston Communing at S. Iohnston Huntly The Bishop of Murray The destruction of Scone The cause of the burning of Scone Speaking of an ancient matron when Scone was burning The taking of Stirlin Lord Shaton The coming of the Congregaon to Edinburg Let the Reader marke how this agrees with our time The third Letter to the Queen Regent The craftines of the Queen Regent may yet be espied 1559. Accusations Mark the craftie calumnies The communing at Preston The demand of the Queen Regent and answer of the Protestants The last offers of the Protestants to the Q. Regent The scoffing of the Queen Regent Note The death of Henry King of France Note how this agrees with our times Answer to the calumnie Note Nobles Leith left us the congregation The Lord Erskin and his fact In contemplation of these Articles arose this proverb Good day Sir John till Ianury Welcome Sir John till Ianuary Note The promise of the Duke and Earle of Huntly Answer to thâ— complaint of the Papists The third Bond of mutuall defence at Sterlin Note â—he first knowledge of the escaping of the Eâ—rle of Arran out of France Let this be noted The just reward of the Duâ—e for leaving God Brags â—now Note Note Note The residence of Iohn Willock in Edinburg Note The Queen Regents malice against poore men Note The practise of the Queen Regent See how this agreeth with our times The arrivall of th French Note The division of the Lords lands by the French How like to the Proclâ—mations of our times this is let the Reader judge Let the Bishop of Amians Letters and Monsieur de la Brosse Letters written to France witnesse that Confer this with our times Few dayes after declareth the truth of this Confer this with our times Let the Nobility judge hereof Let Sir Robert Richardson and others answer to this See how this agrees with our times The cause of the Frenchmens coming with wives and children Note A proverbe Note The doctrine of our Preachers concerning obedience to be given to Magistrates Let such as this day live witnesse what God hath wrought since the writing and publication hereof Note The Prophets have medled with policy and have reproved the corruptions thereof The coming of the Earle of Arran to Scotland and his joyning with the Congregation Letters to the Queen Regent The Petition of la Brosse The answer Note The tyranny of the French Note how this agrees with our times Note Let this be noted O craâ—ty flatterâ—r Note Elizabeth was come to the crown of England the yeere before by the death of Mary False lying tongue God hath confounded thee God hath purged his people of that false accusation Note The avarice of those of Loraine and Guise Note The title that the Queen hath or had to Leith The Laird of Lestarrig sup riour to Leith Note Note diligently The wickednesse of the Bishops The cause that Broughtie Craig was taken Let all men judge The Dukes answer Note Note Note The quarrell betwixt Frauce and the Congregation of Scotland The Lord Seaton unworthy of Regiment Optimâ— collatio Let the Papists judge if God hath not given judgement to the displeasure of their hearts Note The causes that moved the Nobility of this Realme to oppose the Q. Regent The sâ—me minde remaineth to this day This promise was forgot and therefore God plagued Wha spirit could have hoped for victory in so desperate dangers Note Note how calumnies prevail upon the world for a time Now the Duke seeing the Queens partie decline and the Protestant party grow strong he once more changeth the profession of his Religion and joyneth with the Protestants as strongest How true this is the whole and constant course of the family can tell Let this be noted and let all men judge of the purpose of the French and how good and wise Patriots they wâ—re who sold our Soveraign to France for their private profit and they by name were 〈◊〉 Hamiltons The order of the suspension of the Queen Regent from Authority within Scotland The discourse of Iohn Willock The causes The judgment of Iohn Knox in the deposition of the Queen Regent Let no man then for privat ends and by-wayes do any thing against their Prince â—nder preâ—ence of the publike 1559 The enormities committed by the Queen Regent Her daughter followed the same for to Davie was delivered the Great Seal Note Note Note Note All done in the Soveraignâ— Name as they do now a-dayâ— Note Treason among the counsell The Duke and his friends fearfull The ungodly Souldiers The Queenâ— Regents practises The fact of the councell The treason of Iohn 〈◊〉 Note the kindnesse of the English in need The E. Bothweâ—l false in promise and his treasonable fact Note The first departing of the Congregation The cruelty of the French Note this diligently The Earle of Argyle Lord Robert Stewart The Castle shot one Shot The Queen Regents rejoycing and unwomanly behaviour The counsel of the Master of Maxwell The last discâ—mâ—â—tuâ—e upon Munday The death of Alexander Haliburnton Captaine How and why William Maitland left Leith The Lord Erskin declared himself enemy to the Congregation The despight of the Papists of Edinburgh The worst is not yet come upon our enemies Note Note Note diligently Note Specialiâ— Applicatio Let Scotland
their servants and other that appertained to them and were exempted from common service should neverthelesse serve in time of necessity These vain promises lifted up in pride the heart of the unhappy king and so begins the Warre The Realme was Quartered and men were laid in Iedburgh and Kelso All men fools we mean bragged of victory and in very deed the beginning gave us a faire shaw For at the first Warden Reade which was made on Saint Bartholomewes day in the yeere of our Lord 1542. was the Warden Sir Robert Bowes his brother Richard Bowes Captaine of Norhame Sir William Mamebery Knight a Bastard Sonne of the Earle of Angus and Iames Dowglas of Parkhead then Rebels with a great number of Borderers Souldiers and Gentlemen taken The Reade was termed Halderig The Earle of Angus and Sir George his brother did narrowly escape Our Papists and Prelats proud of this victory encouraged the King so that there was nothing heard but All is ours They be but Heretickes if we be a thousand and they ten thousand they dare not fight France shall enter into one part and we the other and so shall England be conquest within a yeere If any man was seene to smile at such vanitie he was no more but a Traytour and an Hereticke And yet by these meanes men had greater liberty then they had before as concerning their conscience for then ceased the persecution The Warre continued till midde September And then was sent down the old Duke of Norfolke with such an Army as a hundred yeeres before had not come into Scotland They were in gathering their Forces and setting forward of their Preparations and Munitions which were exceeding great till midde October and after And then they Marched from Barwick and tended to the wast ever holding Tweid upon their own side and never camped from that River the space of a mile during the whole time they continued in Scotland which was ten or twelve dayes Forces were sent up and down to Smallame Stichell and such places neere about but many snappers they gat some Corn they burnt besides that which the great host consumed but small bootie they carried away The King assembled his Forces at Fallowe for he was advertised that they had promised to come to Edinburgh and tooke the Musters all at an houre two dayes before Hallowe even There were found with him eighteen thousand able men Upon the Borders that awaited upon the English Army were ten thousand good men with the Earle of Huntlie Lords Erskin Seton and Hume These were judged men aneuh to hazard Battell albeit the other were esteemed fourty thousand While the King lay at Fallowe abiding upon the Gunes and upon advertisement from the Army The Lords began to remember how the King had been long abused by his flatterers and principally by the Pensioners of the Prelats It was then concluded that they would make some new remembrance of Lawder brig to see if that would for a season somewhat help the state of their Country But because the Lords could not agree among themselves upon the persons that deserved punishment for every man favoured his friend the whole escaped and the purpose was opened to the King and by him to the courtiers who till they came to Edinburgh stood in no little fear but that was suddenly forgot as we shall after hear While time is thus protracted the English army for want of victuals as was bruted retired over Tweid in the night and so begin to skale sunder wherof the King advertised desired the Lords and Barons to assist him to follow them into England whose answer was with one consent That to defend his person and Realme they would hazard life and whatsoever they had But to invade England neither had they so just Title as they desired neither yet could they be able to do any thing to the hurt of England considering that they had long before beene absent from their houses their provision was spent their horses wearied and that which was greatest of all the time of the yeere did utterly reclaime This their answer seemed to satisfie the King for he in words praised their prudent foresight and wise counsell But the essay made to his Courtiers and that bold repulse of his desires given to him in his owne face so wounded his high stomacke for long had he runne as himselfe listed that he decreeth a notable revenge which no doubt he had not failed to have executed if God by his owne hand had not cut the dayes of his lyfe He returnes to Edinburgh the Nobility Barons Gentlemen and Commons to their habitations And this was the second and third dayes of November Without longer delay at the palace of Halyrud-house was a new councell assembled a councell we meane of his abusers wherein were accusations layd against the most part of the Nobilitie Some were Hereticks Some favourers of England Some friends to the Dowglas and so could there be none faithfull to the King in their opinion The Cardinall and Prelats cast fagotts in the fire with all their force and finding the King wholly addicted to their devotion delivered unto him a schroll containing the names of such as they in their inquisition had convict for Hereticks For this was the order of Justice which these holy Fathers kept in condemning of innocent men Whosoever would accuse any of Heresie he was heard no respect nor consideration had what minde the accuser bare to the person accused Whosoever was produced for witnesse were admitted how suspitious and infamous so ever they were if two or three had proved any point that by their Law was holden Heresie that was an Hereticke There rested no more but a day to be affixed to his condemnation and to the execution of their corrupt sentence What man could be innocent where such â—udges were partie the world may this day consider True it is by false Judgement and false Witnesses have innocents been oppressed from the beginning But this freedome to shed innocent blood got never the Devill but in the Kingdome of Antichrist That the innocent should die and neither know accuser nor yet the witnesse that testifieth against him But how shâ—ll the Antichrist be knowne if he shall not be contrarious to God the Father and his Sonne Christ Jesus in Law Life and Doctrine But this we omit The same schroll had the Cardinall and Prelats once presented to the king before at that time when he returned from the Navigation about the Isles in the yeere 1534. But then it was refused by the prudent and stout councell of the Laird of Grainge who opened cleerely to the King the practices of the Prelats and the danger that thereof might ensue Which considered by the King for being out of his passion he was tractable gave this answer in the palace of Halyrud-house to the Cardinall and Prelats after that they had uttered their malice and shewed what
came to the Towne upon the Saturday at night accompanied with a hundred Spears of minde to have stopped Iohn Knox from Preaching The two Lords and Gentlemen aforesaid were onely accompanied with their quiet housholds and therefore was the sudden coming of the Bishop the more fearfull for then was the Queen and her French-men departed from Saint Iohnston and were lying in Falkland within twelve miles of S. Andrews and the Town at that time had not given profession of Christ and therefore could not the Lords be assured of their friendship Consultation being had many were of minde that the Preaching should be delayed for that day and especially that Io. Knox should not preach for that did the Bishop affirme that he would not suffer considering that by his Commandment the Picture of the said Iohn was before burnt He willed therefore an honest Gentleman Robert Colwill of Cleisse to say to the Lords That in case Iohn Knox presented himselfe to the Preaching-place in his Towne and principall Church he should make him be saulted with a Dozen of Culverings whereof the most part should light upon his nose After long deliberation had the said Iohn was called that his owne judgement might be had When many perswasions were made that he should delay for that time and great terrours given in case he should enterprise such a thing as it were in contempt of the Bishop he answered God is witnesse that I never preached Christ Iesus in contempt of any man neither minde I at any time to present my selfe to that place having either respect to my owne private commodity either yet to the worldly hurt of any creature But to delay to preach to morrow unlesse the body be violently with-holden I cannot in conscience For in this Towne and Church began God first to call me to the dignity of a Preacher from the which I was reâ—t by the tyranny of France and procurement of the Bishops as ye well enough know how long I continued prisoner what torment I sustained in the Gallies and what were the sobs of my heart is now no time to recite This onely I cannot conceale which more then one have heard me say when my body was absent from Scotland That my assured hope was in open audience to preach in Saint Andrewes before I departed this life And therefore said he my Lords seeing that God above the expectation of many hath brought my bodie to the same place where first I was called to the Office of a Preacher and from the which most unjustly I was removed I beseech your Honours not to stop me from presenting my selfe unto my Brethren And as for the feare of danger that may come to me let no man be solicite for my life is in the custody of him whose glory I seek and therefore I cannot so feare their boast nor tyrannie that I will cease from doing my duty when of his mercy he offereth the occasion I desire the hand and weapon of no man to defend me onely do I crave audience which if it be denied here unto me at this time I must seek further where I may have it At these words the Lords were fully content that he should occupy the place which he did upon Sunday the tenth of June and did treat of the ejection of the buyers and the sellers forth of the Temple of Jâ—rusalem as it is written in the Evangelists Matthew and Iohn and so he applied the corruption that was then to the corruption that is in Papistry and Christs fact to the duty of those to whom God giveth power and zeale thereto that aswell the Magistâ—ates the Provest and Baylies as the communalty for the most part within the Towne did agree to remove all Monuments of Idolatry which also they did with expedition The Bishop advertised hâ—reof departed that same day to the Queen who lay with her French-men as is said in Falkland The hot fury of the Bishop did so kindle her choler and yet the love was very cold betwixt them that without farther delay conclusion was taken to invade Saint Andrewes and the two young Lords aforesaid who then were very slenderly accompanied Posts were sent from the Queen with all diligence to Cowper distant onely six miles from Saint Andrewes to prepare Lodgings and Victualls for the Queen and her French-men Lodgings were assigned and Fâ—rriers were sent before Which thing understood counsell was given to the Lords to march forward and to prevent them before they came to Cowper which they did giving advertisement to all brethren with all possible expedition to repair towards them which they also did with such diligence that in their Assemblie the wonderous Worke of God might have been espied For when at night the Lords came to Cowper they were not an hundred Horse and some few Foot-men whom the Lord Iames brought from the Coast â—ide and yet before the next day at noon which was Tuesday the thirteenth of June their number passed three thousand men which by Gods providence came unto the Lords from Lowthiane the Lairds of Ormeston Calder Hatton Lestarrig and Colston who albeit they understood at their departing from their owne houses no such trouble yet were they by their good counsell very comfortable that day The Lord Ruthuen came from Saint Iohnston with some Horse-men with him The Earle of Rothesse Sheriff of Fyfe came with an honest Company The Townes of Dundie and S. Andrews declared themselves both stout and faithfull Cowper because it stood in greatest danger was assisted with the whole Force Finally God did so multiply our number That it appeared as men had rained from the clouds The enemy understanding nothing of our Force assured themselves of Victory Who had beene in Falkland the night before might have seen embracing and kissing betwixt the Queen the Duke and the Bishop But Master Gawin Hamilton gaper for the Bishoprick of S. Andrews above all others was lovingly embraced of the Queen For he made his solemne Vow That he would fight and that he would never return till he brought those Traitours to her Majestie either quick or dead And thus before midnight did they send forward their Ordnance themselves did follow before three of the clock in the morning The Lords hereof advertised assembled their company early in the morning upon Cowper-moore where by the advice of M. Iames Haliburtoun Provest of Dundie was chosen a place of ground convenient for our defence For it was so chosen That upon all sides our Ordnance might have beaten the enemy and yet we have stood in safety if we had been pursued till we had come to hand strokes The Lord Ruthuen took the charge of the horsemen and ordered them so That the enemy was never permitted to espie our number the day was dark which helped thereto The enemy as before is said thinking to have found no resistance after that they had twice or thrice made shew unto us as that they would
Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames to Sterlin to the said convention in which divers godly men complained of the tyrannie used against their brethren And especially that more French-men were brought in to oppresse their Country After the consultation of certain dayes the principall Lords with my Lord Arran and the Earle of Argyle past to Hammilton for consultation to be taken with the Duke And in this mean time came assured word that the French-men had begun to fortifie Leith which thing as it did more evidently discover the Queens craft so did it deeply grieve the hearts of all the Nobility there who with one consent agreed to write unto the Queen in form as followeth At Hammilton the 29 day of September MAdame we are credibly informed that your Army of French-men should instantly begin to plant in Leith and to fortifie the same of minde to expell the ancient inhabitants thereof our brethren of the Congregation whereof we marvell not a little that your Majestie should so manifestly breake the Appointment made at Leith without any provocation made by us and our brethren And seeing the same is done without any manner of consent of the Nobilitie and counsell of this Realme we esteem the same not onely oppression of our poore brethren and in-dwellers of the said Towne but also very prejudiciall to the Common-wealth and plain contrary to our ancient Laws and Liberties We therefore desire your Majestie to cause the same work enterprised to be stayed and not to attempt so rashly and so manifestly against your Majesties promise against the Common-wealth â—he ancient Laws and Liberties thereof which things besides the glory of God are most dear and tender to us and onely our pretence otherwise assuring your Majestie we will complain to the whole Nobility and Commonalty of this Realme and most earnestly seek for redresse thereof And thus recommending our humble service unto your Highnesse whom we commit to the Eternall Protection of God expecting earnestly your answer At Hammilton the day and yeer aforesaid By your Majesties humble and obedient servitours This Letter was subscribed with the hands of the Duke the Earles of Arran Argyle Glencarne and Menteth by the Lords Ruthwen Uchiltrie Boyd and by divers others Barons and Gentlemen To this request she would not answer by wret but with a Letter of credit she sent Sir Robert Carnegie and Master Danid Borthwike two whom amongst many others she abused and by whom she corrupted the hearts of the simple They travelled with the Duke to bring him again to the Queens Faction Labrosse and the Bishop of Amians were shortly before arrived and as it was bruted were directed as Ambassadours but they kept close their whole Commission they onely made large promises to them that would be theirs and leave the Congregation The Queen did grievously complain That we had intelligence with England and the conclusion of their Commission was to solicite the Duke to put in all in the Queens Will and then she would be gracious enough It was answered That no honest men durst commit themselves to the mercy of such throat-cutters as she had about her whom if she would remove and joyn to her a Councell of naturall Scotish-men permitting the Religion to have free passage then should none in Scotland be more willing to serve her Majesty then should the Lords and Brethren of the Congregation be At the same time the Duke and the Lords wrote to my Lord Erskin Captain of the Castle of Edinburgh in form as followeth Letter to the Lord Erskin MY Lord and Cousin after our hearty commendations this present is to advertise you That we are credibly informed that the Army of French-men now in this Realme without any advice of the Councell or Nobility are fortifying or else shortly intendeth to fortifie the Towne of Leith and expell the ancient inhabitants thereof whereby they proclaim to all that will open their ears to hear or eyes to see what is their pretence And seeing the faithfulnesse of your antecessors and especially of your Father of honourable memory who was so recommended and dear to the Estates and Councellors of this Realme through affection they perceived in him towards the Common-wealth thereof that they doubted not to give in his keeping the key as it were of the Councell of the Iustice and Policy of this Realme the Castles of Edinburgh and Sterlin we cannot but believe ye will rather augment the honourable favour of your House by stedfast favour and loyalty to our Common wealth then through the subtill perswasions of some which care not what after shall come to you and your House at the present would abuse you to the performance of their wicked enterprises and pretences against our Common-wealth utterly destroy the same And herefore seeing we have written to the Queen to desist from the enterprise otherwise that we will complain to the Nobility and Commonalty of the Realm and seek redresse thereof We likewise beseech you as our tender friend brother and member of the same Common-wealth with us that in no wise you meddle with or assent to that ungodly enterprise against the Common-wealth And likewise that ye would save your body and the jewels of this Countrey committed to yours and your predecessors loyalty and fidelity towards your native Countrey and Common-wealth if ye thinki to be reputed hereafter one of the same And that ye would rather be brother to us then to strangers for we do gather by the effects the secrets of mens hearts otherwise unsearchable unto us Thus we write not that we are in doubt of you but rather to warne you of the danger in case ye suffer your selfe to be inchanted with fair promises and crafty Councellors For let no man flatter himself we desire all men to know That though he were our father seeing God hath opened our eyes to see his Will if he be enemy to the Common wealth which is now assailed and we with it and all true members thereof he shall be knowne and as he is indeed enemy to us to our lives our houses babes heritages and whatsoever is contained within the same For as the Ship perishing What can be safe that is within So the Common wealth being betrayed What particular member can live in quietnesse And therefore in so far as the said Castles are committed to your credite we desire you to shew your faithfulnesse and stoutnesse as ye tender us and whatsoever appertaineth to us And seeing we are assured ye will be assayled both with craft and force as now by warning we help you against the first so against the last ye shall not misse in all possible haste to have our assistance onely to shew your selfe a man Save your person by wisedome strengthen your self against force And the Almighty God assist you in both that one ayd the other and open the eyes of your understanding to see and perceive the craft of Sathan and his supposts At Hamilton
execute their tyranny upon the parts of Lowthiane that lay nigh to Edinburgh Let M. David Borthwicke witnesse what favour his wife and place of Adeston found of the French for all the service that he did to the Queen Regent In the midst of February were directed to England from the Duke and the Congregation the Lord Iames Lord Ruthuen the Mast of Maxwell the Master of Lindsay Master Henry Balnaves and the Laird of Pittarrow who with their honest companies and Commission departed by Sea all except the Master of Maxwell to Barwicke Where there met them the Duke of Norfolke Lieutenant to the Queen of England and with him a great company of the Gentlemen of the North with some also of the South having full power to contract with the Nobility of Scotland as they did upon such Conditions as are in the same Contract specified and because we have heard the malicious tongues of wicked men make false report of that our fact we have faithfully and truely inserted in this our History the said Contract as well that which was made at Leith during the siege as that which was first made at Barwicke that the memory thereof may abide to our Posterity to the end that they may judge with indifferency Whether that we have done any thing prejudiciall to our Common-wealth or yet contrarious unto the dutifull obedience which true subjects owe to their Superiours whose Authority ought to defend and maintain the Liberty and Freedom of the Realms committed to their Charge and not to oppresse and betray the same to stranger The Tenour of our Contract followeth The Contract at Barwick JAMES Duke of Chattellarault Earle of Arrane Lord Hamilton and others of the Councell Nobility and principall States of Scotland To all and sundry whose knowledge these presents shall come Greeting We have well considered and are fully perswaded in what danger desolation and misery the long enmity with the Kingdom of England hath brought our Countrey heretofore how wealthie and flourishing it shall become if those two Kingdoms as they are joyned in one Island by Creation of the World so they may be knit in a constant and assured friendship The considerations grounded upon a most infallible Trueth ought no lesse to have moved our Progenitours and for fathers then us But the present danger hanging over our heads by the unjust dealing of those of whom we have alwayes best deserved hath caused us to weigh them more earnestly then they did The misbehaviour of the French Monsieurs I had almost said Monsters here hath of late yeers been so great The oppressions and crueltie of the Souldiers the tyrannie and ambition of their Superiours and Rulers so grievous to the people the violent subversion of our liberty and conquest of the land whereat they have by most crafty and subtill means continually pressed hath been I say so intollerable to us all that at last when we could not obtain redresse by humble suits and earnest supplications presented to the Queen Dowager who both for duties sake and place she doth occupie ought to have been most carefull of our state we have been by very necessitie constrained not onely to assay our own Forces but also to implore the Queens Majestie of Englands aide and support which her Majestie hath most willingly granted upon certain conditions specified in a Treaty past at Barwick betwixt the Duke of Norfolk Lieutenant to her Majestie on the one part and certain our Commissioners on the other part whereof the Tenour followeth At Barwick the 27 day of February the yeer of our Lord God 1559 yeers It is appointed and finally Contracted betwixt the noble and mighty Thomas Duke of Norfolk Earle Marshall of England and Lieutenant to the Queens Majestie of the said Realm in the Name and behalf of her Highnesse on the one part and the Right Honourable Lord Iames Stewart Patrick Lord Ruthuen Sir Iohn Maxwell of Terregles Knight William Maitland of Lethington younger Iohn Wischarde of Pittarrow and Master Henry Balnaves of Halhill in name and behalf of the Noble and Mighty Iames Duke of Chattellarault of Scotland and the Lords of the Congregation joyned together in this Cause for maintenance and defence of the ancient Rights and Liberties of their Countrey on the other part in forme as after followeth That is to say That the Queen having sufficiently understood as well by information sent from the Nobility of Scotland as by the proceedings of the French that they intend to conquer the Realm of Scotland suppresse the liberty thereof and unite the same unto the Crown of France perpetually contrary to the Laws of the said Realm and the Pacts Oathes and Promises of France And being thereto most humbly and earnestly required by the said Nobility for and in the name of the whole Realm shall accept the said Realm of Scotland the said Nobility and subjects thereof into her Majesties protection and maintenance onely for preservation of the same in their own freedoms and liberties and from conquest during the time that the Marriage shall continue betwixt the Queen of Scots and the French King and a yeer after And for expelling out of the same Realme of such as presently and apparently goeth about to practice the said Conquest her Majesty shall with all speed send into Scotland a convenient aide of men of War both Horse and Foot to joyn with the power of Scotish men with Artillery Munition and all other Instruments of War meet for that purpose as well by Sea as by Land not onely to expell the present Power of the French within that Realme oppressing the same but also to stop as far as conveniently may be all greater Forces of French to enter therein for the like purpose and shall continue her Majesties ayd to the said Realme Nobility and subjects of the same unto the time the French being enemies to the said Realme be utterly expelled hence and shall never transact compose nor agree with the French nor conclude any League with them except the Scots and the French shall be agreed that the Realme of Scotland may be left in a due freedom by the French nor shall leave the maintenance of the said Nobility and subjects whereby they might fall as a prey into their enemies hands as long as they shall acknowledge their Soveraigne Lady the Queen and shall endeavour their selves to maintain the liberty of their Countrey and the State of the Crowne of Scotland And if in case any Forts or Strengths within the Realme be won out of the hands of the French at this present or at any time hereafter by her Majesties ayd the same shall be immediately demolished by the Scotish-men or delivered to the said Nobility aforesaid at their option and choice neither shall the power of England fortifie within the ground of Scotland being out of the bounds of England but by the advice of the Duke Nobility and States of Scotland For the which causes and in respect of her
the Cannons which the Galleyes shot the multitude being advertised happy was he or she that first must have the presence of the Queen the Protestants were not the slowest And therein they were not to be blamed Because the Palace of Halyrud-house was not thorowly put in order for her coming was more sudden then many looked for she remained in Leith till towards the evening and then repaired thither In the way betwixt Leith and the Abbey met her the Rebells the Crafts-men of whom we spake before to wit Those that had violated the Acts of the Magistrates and had besieged the Proveist But because she was sufficiently instructed that all they did was done in spight of their Religion they were easily pardoned Fiâ—es of joy were set forth at night and a Company of most honest men with Instruments of Musick and with Musiâ—ians gave their Salutations at her Chamber Window The Mâ—lody as she alleadged liked her well and she willed the same to be continued some nights after with great diligence The Lords repaired to her from all Quarters and so was nothing understood but mirth and quietnesse till the next Sunday which was the 24 of August When that preparations began to be made for that Idoll of the Masse to be said in the Chappell Which perceived the hearts of all the godly began to be emboldened and men began openly to speak Shall that Idoll be suffered again to take place within this Realme It shall not The Lord Lindsay then but Master with the Gentlemen of Fyfe and others plainly cryed in the Close or Yard The Idolatrous Priests should die the death according to Gods Law One that carried in the Candle was evill affrayed but then began flesh and blood fully to shew it self There durst no Papist neither yet any that came out of France whisper But the Lord Iames the man whom all the godly did most reverence took upon him to keep the Chappell door his best excuse was That he would stop all Scotish-men to enter in to the Masse But it was and is sufficiently known That the doore was kept that none should have entry to trouble the Priest who after the Mâ—sse was ended was committed to the protection of the Lord Iohn of Coldingham and Lord Robert of Halyrud-house who then were both Protestants and had Communicate at the Table of the Lord Betwixt them two was the Priest conveyed to his Chamber And so the godly departed with grief of heart and after noon repaired to the Abbey in great companies and gave plain signification That they could not abide that the Land which God by his power had purged from Idolatry should in their eyes be polluted again Which understood there began complaint upon complaint The old Duntebors and others that had long served in the Court and hoped to have no remission of sins but by vertue of the Masse cryed They would away to France without delay They could not live without the Masse the same affirmed the Queens Uncles And would to God that they all together with the Masse had taken goodnight at the Realme for ever for so had Scotland been rid of an unprofitable burthen of devouring strangers and of the malediction of God that hath stricken and yet will strike for Idolatry The Councell assembled disputation was had of the next remedy Politicke heads were sent unto the Gentlemen with these and the like perswasions Why alas Will you chase our Soveraigne from us She will incontinently returne to her Galleyes and what then shall all Realmes say of us May we not suffer her a little while I doubt not but she will leave it If we were not assured that she might be won we should be also as great enemies to her Masse as ye can be Her Uncles will depart and then shall we rule all at our pleasure Would not we be also sorry to hurt the Religion as any of you would be With these and the like perswasions we say was the fervency of the Brethren quenched And an Act was framed the Tenour whereof followeth Apud Edinburgh 25 Aagustii 1561. FOrasmuch as the Queens Majestie hath understood the great inconveniences through the divisiâ—n pâ—esently standing in this Realme for the difference in mattâ—rs of Religion which her Majestie is most desirous to see pacified by any good order To the Honour of God and Tranquility of her Realm and means to take the same by Advice of her States so soon as conveniently may be to their serious Consideration And lest that her Majesties godly Resolutions therein may be greatly hindered in case any Tumult and Sedition be raised amongst the Lieges if any Alteration or Innovation be Pressed or Attempted before that good Order may be Established Wherefore for the eschewing of the said Inconveniences her Majestie Ordains Letters to be Directed to Charge all and sundry her Lieges by open Proclamation at the Market-Crosse of Edinburgh and other Places needfull That they and every one of them contain themselves in all Quietnesse keep Peace and Civill Society amongst themselves in the mean time while the States of the Realm may be Assembled and then her Majestie have taken a finall Order by their Advice and publike Consent which her Majestie hopes shall be to the Contentment of all the Law bidding That none of them should take in hand privately or openly any Alteration or Innovation of the state of Religion or attempt any thing against the same which her Majestie found Publikely and Universally standing at her Majesties Arrivall in this her Realme under Pain of Death With Certification That if any Subject of the Realme shall come in the contrary Thereof â—e shall be esteemed and holden a Seditious Person and Raiser of Tumult and the same Pain shall be executed upon him with all Rigour To the Example of others And her Majestie with the Advice of the Lords of the Secret Councell Commands and Charges all her Liâ—ges That none of them take in hand to Molâ—st or Trouble any of her Majesties Domesticke Servants or Persons whatsoever come forth of France in her Company at this time in Word Deed or Countenance for any Cause whatsoever either within her Palace or without or make any assault or invasion upon any of them under whatsoever Colour or Pretence under the said Pain of Death Albeit that her Majestie be sufficiently perswaded That her Good and Loving Subjects would do the same for the Reverence they bear to her Person and Acts notwithstanding no such Commandment were published This Act and Proclamation Penned and put in Forme by such as before professed Christ Jesus for in the Councell then had Papists neither power nor voyce It was publikely Proclaimed at the Market-Crosse of Edinburgh upon Munday the day aforesaid No man reclaimed nor made repugnance to it except the Earle of Arrane onely who in open audience of the Herald protested That he disassented that any Protection or Defence should be made to the Queens
In the contrary judgement were the principall Ministers Master Iohn Row Master George Hay Master Robert Hamilton and Iohn Knox. The reasons of both parties we will omit because they will be explained after where the said Question and others Concerning the Obedience due to Princes were long reasoned in open assembly The conclusion of that first reasoning was That the Question should be formed Letters directed to Geneva for the resolution of that Church Wherein Iohn Knox offered his labour But Secretary Lethington alleadging That there stood much in the information said That he should write But that was onely to drive time as the trueth declared it selfe The Queenes partie urged That the Queen should have her Religion free in her own Chappell to do she and her houshold what they list The Ministers affirmed and Voted the contrary adding That her liberty should be their thraldome ere it be long But neither could reason nor threatning move the affections of such as were creeping in Credit and so did the Votes of the Lords prevaile against the Ministers For the punishment of Theft and Reafe which had encreased upon the border and in the South from the Queenes arrivall was the Lord Iames made Lieutenant some suspected that such honour and charge proceeded from the same heart and counsell that Saul made David Captain against the Philistines but God assisted and bowed the hearts of men both to feare and obey him yea the Lord Bothwell himselfe at that time assisted him but he had remission for Liddisdall except that execution was there made in Edinburgh for her twenty eight of one clan and other were hanged at that Justice Court bribes budds or sollicitation saved not the guilty if he might be apprehended And therefore God prospered him in that his integrity that same time the Lord Iames spake with the Lord Gray of England at Kelsoe for good rule to be kept on both the borders and agreed in all things Before his returning the Queene upon a night tooke a fright in her bed as if horsemen had been in the Close and as if the Palace had been enclosed about whether it proceeded of her own womanly fantasie or if men put her in feare for displeasure of the Earle of Arrane And for other purposes as for the electing of the Guard we know not but the feare was so great that the Towne was called to the Watch Lord Robert of Hallyrud-house and Iohn of Coldingham kept the Watch by course Skouts were set forth and Sentinels upon pain of death were commanded to keep their Stations And yet they feared where there was no fear neither yet could ever any appearance or suspition of such things be tried Shortly after the returning of the Lord Iames there came from the Queen of England Sir Peter Mewtes with Commission to require the Ratification of the Peace made at Leith Her answer was even such as we have heard before That she behoved to advise and then she should answer In presence of her Councell she kept her selfe grave for under the mourning weed and apparell she could dissemble in full perfection but how soon that ever the French people had her alone they told her That since she came to Scotland she saw nothing there but gravity which repugned altogether to her breeding for she was brought up in joviality so tearmed she her Dancing and other things thereto belonging The generall Assembly of the Church approached holden in December after the Queens arrivall in the which began the rulers of the Court to draw themselves apart from the Societie of their brethren and began to strive and grudge That any thing should be consulted upon without their advices Master Iohn Wood who before had shewed himselfe very fervent in the Cause of God and forward in giving of his councell in all doubtfull matters refused to assist the Assembly again whereof many did wonder The Courtiers drew unto them some of the Lords and would not conveane with their Brethren as before they were accustomed but kept themselves in the Abbey The principall Commissioners of the Church the Superintendents and some Ministers past unto them where they were assembled in the Abbots Lodging within Hallyrud-house both the parties began to open their griefes The Lords complained That the Ministers drew the Gentlemen into secret and held Councell without their knowledge The Ministers denied That they had done any thing in secret otherwise then the common Order commanded them And accused the Lords the flatterers of the Queen we meane that they kept not the Convention with their Brethren considering That they knew the Order and that the same was appointed by their own advice as the Book of Discipline subscribed with the most part of their own hands would witnesse some began to deny That ever they knew such a thing as the Book of Discipline And called also in doubt Whether it was expedient that such Assemblies should be or not for gladly would the Queen and her secret Councell have had all Assemblies of the godly discharged The reasoning was sharpe and quicke on either side The Queens faction alleadged That it was suspicious to Princes that Subjects should assemble themselves and keep Conventions without their knowledge It was answered That without knowledge of the Princes the Church did nothing for the Princes perfectly understood That within this Realme was a Reformed Church and that they had their Orders and appointed times of Convention And so without knowledge of the Princes they did nothing Yea said Lethington the Queen knew and knoweth well enough But the Question is Whether that the Queen alloweth such Conventions It was answered If the Libertie of the Church should stand upon the Queens allowance or disallowance we are assured not onely to lacke Assemblies but also to lacke the publike Preaching of the Evangell that affirmative was mocked and the contrary affirmed Well said the other time will try the truth But to my former words this I will adde Take from us the freedomes of assemblies and take from us the Evangell for without assemblies how shall good order and unity in Doctrine be kept It is not to be supposed That all Ministers shall be so perfect but that they shall need admonition as well concerning Manners as Doctrine As it may be that some be so stiffe-necked that they will not admit the admonition of the simple As also it may be that fault may be found with Ministers without just offence committed And if order be not taken both with the Complainer and with the persons complained upon It cannot be avoided but that many grievous offences shall arise For remedy whereof of necessity it is That generall Assemblies must be In the which the judgements and gravitie of many may occurre to correct or represse the follies or errours of a few Hereunto consented the most part as well of the Nobility as of the Barrons and willed the reasoners for the Queen to be sent to her Majestie
know wherein they offend But so it is that the most part of your Nobilitie are so addicted to your affections that neither Gods Word nor yet their Common-wealth are rightly regarded and therefore it becometh me to speake that they may know their dutie What have you to do said she with my marriage or what are you within the Common-wealth A subject borne within the same said hee Madame and albeit I be neither Earle Lord nor Barron within it yet hath God made me how abject that ever I be in your eyes a profitable and usefull Member within the same Yea Madame to me it appertaineth no lesse to forewarne of such things as may hurt it if I foresee them then it doth to any one of the Nobility for both my Vocation and Office craveth plainnesse of me and therefore Madame to your selfe I say that which I spake in publick Whensoever the Nobilitie of this Realme shall be content and consent that you be subject to an unlawfull husband they doe as much as in them lieth to renounce Christ to banish the truth to betray the freedome of this Realme and perchance shall in the end doe small comfort to your selfe At these words howling was heard and teares might have beene seene in greater abundance then the matter required Iohn Arskin of Dun a man of meeke and gentle spirit stood beside and did what he could to mittigate the anger and gave unto her many pleasant words Of her Bounty of her Excellencie and how that all the Princes in Europe would be glad to seek her favours but all that was to cast Oyl into the flaming fire The said Iohn stood still without any alteration of countenance for a long time while that the Queen gave place to her in ordinate passions and in the end he said Madame in Gods presence I speak I never delighted in the weeping of any of Gods Creatures yea I can scarcely well abide the teares of mine own Boyes when my own hands corrects them much lesse can I rejoyce in your Majesties weeping but seeing I have offered unto you no just occasion to be offended but have spoken the truth as my Vocation craves of me I must sustaine your Majesties teares rather then I dare hurt my conscience or betray the Common-wealth by silence Herewith was the Queene more offended and commanded the said Iohn to passe forth of the Cabinet and to abide further of her pleasure in the Chamber The Laird of Dun tarried and Lord Iohn of Coldinghame came into the Cabinet and so they remained with her neere the space of one houre The said Iohn stood in the Chamber as one whom men had never seene so were all afraid except that the Lord Uchiltrie bare him company And therefore began he to make discourse with the Ladies who were there sitting in all their gorgeous apparell Which when he espied he merrily said Fair Ladies How pleasant were this life of yours if it should ever abide and then in the end that we might passe to Heaven with this geare But fie upon that knave Death that will come whether we will or not and when he hath laid on the Arrest then foule wormes will be busie with this flesh be it never so faire and so tender And the silly soule I fear shall be so feeble that it can neither carry with it Gold Garnishing Targating Pearle nor precious Stones And by such and the like discourse entertained he the Ladies and past the time till that the Laird of Dun willed him to depart to his house till new advertisement The Queen would have had the sentiment of the Lords of the Articles if that such manner of speaking deserved not punishment But shee was counselled to desist And so that storme quieted in appearance but never in the heart Short after the Parliament Lethington returned from his Negotiation in England and France GOD in the February before had stricken that bloodie Tyrant the Duke of Guise which somewhat brake the heat of our Queene for a season But short after the returning of Lethington Pride and Malice began to shew themselves againe The Queene set at liberty the Bishop of Saint Andrewes and the rest of the Papists that before were put in prison for violating of the Laws Lethington at his returning shewed himselfe not a little offended that any brute should have beene raised of the Queenes Marriage with the King of Spaine for he took upon him to affirme That any such thing had never entered into her heart But how true that was we shall hereafter heare The end of his acquaintance and complaint was To discredit Iohn Knox who had affirmed That such a Marriage was both proposed and upon the part of the Queen by the Cardinall accepted Lethington in his absence had run into a very evil brute among the Nobility for too much serving the Queens affections against the Common-wealth And therefore had he as one that lacked not worldly wisedome made provision both in England and Scotland for in England he travelled for the Freedome of the Earle Bothwell and by that means obtained promise of his favour He had there also taken order for the home coming of the Earle of Lenox as we shall after hear In Scotland he joyned with the Earle of Atholl him he promoted and set forward in Court and so began the Earle of Murray to be defaced And yet to the said Earle Lethington at all times shewed a fair countenance The rest of that Summer the Queen spent in her Progresse thorow the West Countrey where in all Towns and Gentlemens places she had her Masse which coming to the ears of Iohn Knox he began that forme of prayer which ordinarily he saith after thanks-giving at his Table 1. Deliver us O Lord from the bondage of Idolatry 2. Preserve and keep us from the tyranny of strangers 3. Continue us in Peace and Concord amongst our selves if they good pleasure be O Lord for a season Whilst that divers of the familiars of the said Iohn asked of him Why he prayed for quietnesse to continue for a season and not rather absolutely that we should continue in quietnesse His answer was That he durst not pray but in faith and faith in Gods Word assured him That constant quietnesse would not continue in that Realme wherein Idolatry had been suppressed and then was permitted to be erected againe From the West Countrey the Queen past into Argyle to the Hunting and after returned to Sterlin The Earle of Murray the Lord Robert of Halyrud-house and Lord Iohn of Coldingham past to the Northlands where Justice Courts were holden Theeves and Murtherers were punished Two Witches were burnt the eldest was so blinded with the devill that she affirmed That no Judge had power over her The same time Lord Iohn of Coldingham departed this life in Innernes It was affirmed That he commanded such as were beside him to say to the Queen That unlesse she left her Idolatry God would
the Queen was first married it was so called also to serve and obey him and her as their Lawfull Soveraignes The Queen desired my Lord Murray to subscribe as many others had done before which hee refused to do Because said he it is required necessarily that the whole Nobility be present at least the principall and such as he himself was posteriour unto before that so grave a matter should be advised and concluded The Queens Majesty no wayes content with this Answer insisted still upon him saying The greatest part of the Nobilitie were there present and content with the matter wished him to be so much a Stewart as to consent to the keeping of the Crown in the Family and the sirname according to their Fathers Will and desire as was said of him a little before his death But he still refused for the causes above written Now as the Lords were assembled an Ambassadour from England named sir Nicholas Throckmorton arrived at Sterlin and in his company the Laird of Lethington the Ambassadour was at the Castle Gate or ever they were aware and as he stood there in the Entry he was desired to passe to his Lodgings The next day he had audience of the Queen and was graciously received according to the dignity of his Message The whole summe of this his Message was to shew and declare to the Queene how highly the Queene his Mistris was offended with this precipitated Marriage and wondred what had moved her to take a man of inferiour rank and condition to her selfe And therefore disswaded her therefrom And specially desiring her most earnestly to send home her Subjects the Earle of Lennox and the Lord Darley But all in vaine for the matter was well farre proceeded In her heart Queen Elizabeth was not angry at this marriage first because if Q. Mary had married a forraigne Prince it had been an accesse to her Greatnesse and consequently she had been more redoubted by the other next both Harry and Mary were alike and in equall degree of Consanguinitie unto her the father of Mary and the mother of Harry being Children to her fathers sister With many fair words the Queen let the Ambassadour depart promising to do all she could to satisfie the Queen of England and for the same purpose she would send an Ambassador to her In the meane time the Queens marriage with the Lord Darley was prepared and propounded in Councell and the chief of the Nobilitie such as the Duke the Earles of Argyle Murray Glencarne with the rest granted freely to the same providing that they might have the Religion established in Parliament by the Queene and the Idolatrous Masse and Superstition abolished shortly it was concluded That they should convene again to Saint Iohnstoun where the Queen promised to take a finall order for Religion The day was appointed to wit the last of May at Perth my Lord of Argile came too late The Queens Majestie communed with the Lords who were very plain with her saying Except the Masse were abolished there should be no quietnesse in the Countrey The twelfth day of May the Lord Darley was Belted that is Created Earle of Rosse with great solemnity a Belt or Girdle being tyed about his waste or middle and albeit all kinde of provision was made to make him Duke of Rothesay yet at that time it came not to effect albeit the Crown and Robe-Royall were prepared to him for the same For the entertainment of this Triumph there were many Knights made to the number of 14. The next day which was the 13 of May the Queen called for the Super-intendants by name Iohn Willock Iohn Winram and Iohn Spotswood whom she cherished with fair words assuring them that she desired nothing more earnestly then the glory of God and satisfying of mens consciences and the good of the Common-wealth and albeit she was not perswaded in any Religion but in that wherein she was brought up yet she promised to them that she would hear Conference and Disputation in the Scriptures And likewise she would be content to hear publike preaching but alwayes out of the mouth of such as pleased her Majestie and above all others she said she would gladly hear the Superintendant of Angus for he was a milde and sweet natur'd man with true honesty and uprightnesse Sir Ariskin of Dun. Soon after the Queen past to Saint Iohnstons after that she had directed Master Iohn Hay Prior of Monimusk to passe to England who sped at the Queen of Englands hand even as sir Nicholas Throckmorton did in Scotland Before the day which was appointed for the meeting at Saint Iohnston my Lord of Murray most carefull of the maintenance of Religion sent to all the principall Churches advertising them of the matter and desiring them to advise and send the most able men in Learning and Reputation to keep the day but their craft and dissimulation appeared for the Dean of Restalrigge who lately arrived out of France with others such as Mr. Iohn Lesley Parson of Vure afterward Bishop of Rosse caused the Queen to understand that thing whereof she was easily perswaded to wit That there ought to be given to all men libertie of conscience and for this purpose to shun or put off the first day appointed The Queen writ to the Nobility that because she was informed that there was great meetings out of every Shire and Town in great number and then the other partie so termed she the Papists were minded together to the said Convention which should apparently make trouble or sedition rather then any other thing therefore she thought it expedient and willed them to stay the said meetings and to deferre the same till such a day that she should appoint with advice of her Councell At this time there was a Parliament proclaimed to be held at Edinburgh the twentieth day of Iuly By this Letter some of the Protestants having best judgement thought themselves sufficiently warned of the Inconveniences and troubles to come Now her Councell at this time was onely the Earles of Lenox and Athole the Lord Ruthen but chiefely David Rizio the Italian ruled all yet the Earle of Rosse already in greatest credit and familiarity These Letters were sent out to the Lords about the eight and twentieth day of May and within twelve dayes thereafter she directed new Missives to the chief of the Nobility desiring or commanding them to come to Saint Iohnston the three and twentieth day of Iune following to consult upon such things as concerned Religion and other things as her Majesty should propose Which day was even the day before that the generall Assembly should have been held in Edinburgh This last Letter uttered the effect of the former so that the Protestants thought themselues sufficiently warned Always as the Earle of Murray was passing to Saint Iohnston to have kept the said day he chanced to fall sick of the Fluxes in Lochlevin where he remained till the Queen came forth of Saint
Balfour seeing the Queen committed and Bothwell consequently defeated he capitulated with the Lords for the delivery of the Castle Bothwell finding himself thus in disorder sent a servant to Sir Iames Balfour to save a little silver Cabinet which the Queen had given him Sir Iames Balfour delivers the Cabinet to the messenger and under-hand giveth of it to the Lords In this Cabinet had Bothwell kept the Letters of privacy he had from the Queen Thus he kept her Letters to be an awe-bond â—pon her in case her affection should change By the taking of this Cabinet many particulars betwixt the Queen and Bothwell were cleerly discovered These Letters were after printed They were in French with some Sonnets of her own making Few dayes after the commitment of the Queen the Earle of Glencarne with his domesticks went to the Chappell of Halyrud-house where he brake down the Altars and the Images Which fact as it did content the zealous Protestants so it did highly offend the popishly affected The Nobles who had so proceeded against Bothwell and dealt so with the Queen hearing that the Hamiltons had a great number of men and had drawn the Earls of Argyle and Huntley to their side sent to Hamilton desiring those that were there to joyn with them for the redresse of the disorders of Church and State But the Hamiltons thinking now they had a fair occasion fallen unto them to have all again in their hands and to dispose of all according to their own minde did refuse audience to the Message sent by the Lords Upon this the Lords moved the generall Assembly then met in Edinburgh in the moneth of Iune to write to the Lords that either were actually declared for the Hamiltons or were neuters And so severall Letters were directed to the Earles of Argyle Huntley Cathnes Rothesse Crauford and Menteth to the Lords Boyd Drummens Grame Cathcart Yester Fleming Levinston Seaton Glamnis Uthiltrie Gray Olyphant Methven Inderneth and Somervile as also to divers other men of note Besides the Letters of the Assembly Commissioners were sent from the Assembly to the Lords above-named to wit Iohn Knox Iohn Dowglas Iohn Row and Iohn Craig who had instructions conforme to the tenour of the Letters to desire these Lords and others to come to Edinburgh and joyn with the Lords there for the setling of Gods true Worship in the Church and policy reformed according to Gods Word a maintenance for the Ministers and support for the poor But neither the Commissioners nor the Letters did prevail with these men they excused That they could not repair to Edinburgh with freedome where there was so many armed men and a Garrison so strong But for the Church-affairs they would not be any wayes wanting to do what lay in them The Lords at Edinburgh seeing this joyneth absolutely with the Assembly which had been prorogated to the 20 of Iuly upon the occasion of these Letters and Commissioners aforesaid and promiseth to make good all the Articles they thought fit to resolve upon in the Assembly But how they performed their promises God knows alwayes The Articles they agreed upon were these 1. THat the Acts of Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 24 of August 1560. touching Religion and abolishing the Popes Authority should have the force of a publicke Law and consequently this Parliament defended as a lawfull Parliament and confirmed by the first Parliament that should be kept next 2. That the Thirds of the Tythes or any more reasonable proportion of Benefices should be allowed towards the maintenance of the Ministery and that there should be a charitable course taken concerning the exacting of the Tythes of the poor Labourers 3. That none should be received in the Vniversities Colledges or Schools for instruction of the youth but after due tryall both of capacity and probitie 4. That all crimes and offences against God should be punished according to Gods Word and that there should be a Law made there-anent at the first Parliament to be holden 5. As for the horrible murther of the late King husband to the Queen which was so haynous before God and man all true professors in whatsoever rank or condition did promise to strive that all persons should be brought to condigne punishment who are found guilty of the same crime 6. They all promised to protect the young Prince against all violence lest he should be murthered as his father was And that the Prince should be committed to the care of four wise and godly men that by a good Education he might be fitted for that high Calling he was to execute one day 7. The Nobles Barons and others doth promise to beat down and abolish Popery Idolatry and Superstition with any thing that may contribute unto it As also to set up and further the true Worship of God his Government the Church and all that may concerne the purity of Religion and life And for this to convene and take Arms if need require 8. That all Princes and Kings hereafter in this Realm before their Coronation shall take Oath to maintain the true Religion now professed in the Church of Scotland and suppresse all things contrary to it and that are not agreeing with it To these Articles subscribed the Earles of Morton Glencarne and Marre the Lords Hume Ruthen Sanchar Lindsey Grame Inermeth and Uchiltrie with many other Barons besides the Commissioners of the Burroughs This being agreed upon the Assembly dissolved Thereafter the Lords Lindsey and Ruthuen were sent to Lochlevin to the Queen to present unto her two Writs the one contained a Renounciation of the Crowne and Royall Dignity in favour of the Prince her son with a Commission to invest him into the Kingdome according to the manner accustomed Which after some reluctancy with tears she subscribed by the advice of the Earle of Athole who had sent to her and of Secretary Lethington who had sent to her Robert Melvill for that purpose So there was a Procuration given to the Lords Lindsay and Ruthuen by the Queen to give up and resigne the Rule of the Realme in presence of the States The second Writ was To ordain the Earle of Murray Regent during the Princes minority if he would accept the Charge And in case he refused the Duke Chattellarault the Earles of Lenox Argyle Athole Morton Glencarne and Marre should governe conjoyntly These Writs were published the 29 of Iuly 1567. at the Market-Crosse of Edinburgh Then at Sterlin was the Prince Crowned King where Iohn Knox made the Sermon The Earl Morton and the Lord Hume took the Oath for the King That he should constantly live in the Profession of the true Religion and maintain it And that he should governe the Kingdom according to Law thereof and do Justice equally to all In the beginning of August the Earle Murray being sent for cometh home in all haste he visites the Queen at Lochlevin strives to draw the Lords that had taken part with the Hamiltons or were neuters to
or at least a Prelats Peere a true servant to the King of Love who upon a night after Supper asked of his Gentlemen by the faith that they ought to the king of Love that they truely declare how many sundry women every one of them had and how many of them were mens wives One answered He had lien with five and two of them were married The other answered I have had seven and three of them are married It came last to my Lord Abbot himself who making it very nice for a little space gave in the end a plain confession and said I am the youngest man and yet have I had the round dozen and seven of them are mens wives Now said the Frier This god and king of Love to whom our Prelates do homage is the master devill of hell from whom such fruits and works do proceed This Frier was known by his proper tokens to have been Prior Patrike Hepburne now Bishop of Murray who to this day hath continued in the profession that he hath made to his god and king of love It was supposed notwithstanding this kinde of preaching that this Frier remained Papist in his heart For the other Friers fearing to lose the Benediction of the Bishops to wit Their Malt and their Meale and their other appointed Pensions caused the said Frier to flie to England where for defence of the people and Papistry he was cast into prison at King Henries commandment But so it pleased God to open the mouth of Balaams own Asse to cry out against the vitious lives of the Clergie of that age Shortly after this new consultation was taken there that some should be burnt for men began liberally to speak A merry Gentleman named Iohn Lindsey familiar to Bishop Iames Betonne standing by when consultation was had said My Lord If ye burne any more except ye follow my counsell ye will utterly destroy your selves if ye will burne them let them be burnt in hollow Cellars for the smoke of Master Patrike Hammilton hath infected as many as it blew upon Thus it pleased God that they should be tanted in their own face But here followeth the most merry of all One Alexander Furrour who had been imprisoned seven yeers in the Tower of London Sir Iohn Dungwaill according to the charity of Church-men entertained his wife and wasted the poor mans substance for the which cause at his returning he spake more liberally of Priests then they could bear And so was he declared to be accused for heresie and called to his answer to Saint Andrewes he leapt up merrily upon the Scaffold and casting a gambade said Where are the rest of the Players Master Andrew Olyphant offended therewith said It shall be no Play to you Sir before ye depart and so began to reade his Accusation the first Article whereof was That he despised the Masse His answer was I heare more Maffes in eight dayes than three Bishops there sitting say in a yeare Accused secondly of the contempt of the Sacraments The Priests said he were the most common contemners of Sacraments and specially of Matrimony And that he witnessed by many of the Priests there present and named the mans wife with whom they had medled and especially Sir Iohn Dungwaill who had seven yeers together abused his own wife and consumed his substance and said because I complain of such injuries I am here summoned and accused as one that is worthy to be burnt For Gods sake said he will ye take wives of your own that I and others whom ye have abused may be revenged upon you Then Bishop Gawin Dumbar named the old Bishop of Aberdein thinking to justifie himself before the people said Carle thou shalt not know my wife The said Alexander answered My Lord ye are too old but with the grace of God I shall drink with your daughter or I depart and thereat was smiling of the best and loud laughter of some for the Bishop had a daughter married with Andrew Balfour in that Town Then the Bishop bade away with the carle But he answered Nay I will not depart this hour for I have more to speak against the vices of Priests than I can expresse this whole day And so after divers purposes they commanded him to burn his Bill And he demanding the cause they said Because ye have spoken these Articles whereof ye are accused His answer was The great devill beare them away that first and last said them and so he took the Bill and chawing it he spat it in Master Andrew Olyphants face saying Now burn it or drown it whether ye wil ye hear no more of me But I must have somewhat of every one of you to begin my pack againe which a Priest and my wife a Priests whore have spent And so every Prelat and rich Priest glad to be quit of his evill gave him somewhat and so departed he for he understood nothing of Religion But so fearfull it was then to speak any thing against Priests that the least word spoken against them yea albeit it was spoken in a mans sleep was judged Heresie and that was practised upon Richard Carmichell yet living in Fyfe who being young and Singer in the Chappel Royal of Sterelin happened in his sleep to say The devill take away the Priests for they are a greedy pack He therefore accused by Sir George Clapperton Dean of the said Chappel was compelled forthwith to burne his Bill But God shortly after raised up against them stronger Champions For Alexander Seton a black Frier of good learning and estimation began to blame the corrupt doctrine of Papistry For the space of a whole Lent he taught the Commandment onely ever beating in the ears of his auditors That the Law of God had of many yeers not been truely taught for mens Tradition had obscured the purity of it These were his accustomed Propositions 1. Christ Jesus is the end and perfection of the Law 2. There is no sin where Gods Law is not violated 3. To satisfie for sins lies not in mans power but the remission thereof cometh by unfained Repentance and by faith apprehending God the Father mercifull in Jesus Christ his Son While oftentimes he puts his auditors in minde of this and the like Heads he maketh no mention of Purgatory Pardons Pilgrimage prayer to Saints nor of such trifles The dumb Doctors and the rest of that forsworne rabble began to suspect him and yet said they nothing publikely till Lent was ended And he passed to Dundie And then one in his absence hired to that purpose openly condemned the whole Doctrine that before he had taught Which coming to the ears of the said Frier Alexander then being in Dundie without delay he returned to Saint Andrewes caused immediately to toll the Bell and to give signification that he would preach as that he did indeed in the which Sermon he affirmeth and that more plainly than at any other time whatsoever in all his
the said Cardinall the Earles Argyle Huntlie Bothwell the Bishops and their bands And thereafter they passed to Strevelin and took with them both the Queenes the mother and the daughter and threatned the deposition of the said Governour as Inobedient to their holy Mother the Church so terme they that harlot of Babylon Rome The inconstant man not thorowly grounded upon God left by his owne fault destitute of all good counsell and having the wicked ever blowing in his eare What will you do you will destroy your selfe and your house both for ever The unhappy man we say beaten with these temptations rendred himselfe to the appetites of the wicked for he quietly stole away from the Lords that were with him in the Palace of Halyrud-house past to Sterlin subjected himselfe to the Cardinall and to his Councell received absolution renounced the profession of Christ Jesus his holy Gospel and violated his Oath that before he had made for the observation of the Contract and League made with England At that time was our Queene crowned and a promise made to France The certainty hereof coming to King Henry our Scottish Ships were stayed the Sailes taken from the Rigs and the Merchants and Mariners were commanded to sure custody New Commission was sent to Master Radulph Saidler who then still remained in Scotland to demand the cause of that sudden alteration and to travell by all meanes possible that the Governour might be called back to his former godly purpose and that he would not do so foolishly and dishonestly yea so cruelly and unmercifully to the Realme of Scotland that he would not onely lose the commodities offered and that were presently to be received But that also that he would put it to the hazard of fire and sword and other inconveniences that might ensue the war that was to follow upon the violation of his Faith But nothing could availe The devil kept fast the grype that he got yea all the dayes of his government For the Cardinall got his eldest son in pledge whom he kept in the Castle of S. Andrews while the day that Gods hand punished his pride King Henry perceiving that all hope of the Governours repentance was lost called back his Ambassadours and that with fearfull threatnings as Edinburgh after felt Denounced War made our Ships prises and Merchants and Mariners lawfull prisoners which to the Broughes of Scotland was no small hership But thereat did the Cardinall and Priests laugh and jestingly he said When we shall conquer England the Merchants shall be recompensed The Summer and the Harvest passed over without any notable thing For the Cardinall and Abbot of Paislay parted the prey amongst them The abused Governour bare the name onely In the beginning of Winter came the Earle of Lenox to Scotland sent from France in hatred of the Governour whom the King by the Cardinals advice promised to pronounce Bastard and so to make the said Earle Governour First because he himselfe was borne by Betoâ— his fathers lawfull wife Elizabeth Humes being yet alive Next because his Grandfather was borne by Mary Stuart to Iames Hamilton when her lawfull husband Thomas Boâ—d was yet alive So the Earle of Lenox did not onely pretend to be lawfully next to the Crowne as the late King Iames the fifth did often declare That if he died without heire male he would settle the Crowne upon him but also lawfull heire of the Earledome of Arran as being descended from Margaret Hamilton borne to Mary Stuart and Iames Hamilton after the death of Thomas Boyd her former husband now by this time the inconstant Earle of Arran had given himselfe wholly to the Cardinall The Cardinall farther put the E. of Lenox in vain hope that the Queen Dowager should marry him He brought with him some money and more he after received at the hands of Labrosse But at length perceiving himselfe frustrate of all expectation that he had either by France or yet by the promise of the Cardinall he concludeth to leave France and to seek the favour of England And so began to draw a faction against the Governour and in hatred of the others inconstancy many favoured him in the beginning For there assembled at Christmas in the Town of Ayre the Earles of Angus Glencarne Cassilles The Lord Maxwell The Laird of Dumlanrig The Sheriffe of Ayre Campbell with all the force that they and the Lords that remained constant at the opinion of England might make and after Christmas they came to light The Governour and Cardinall with their forces kept Edinburgh for they were slackly pursued Men excused the Earle of Lenox in that behalfe and laid the blame upon some that had no will of the Stewards Regiment Howsoever it was such an appointment was made that the said Earle of Lenox was disappointed of his purpose and narrowly escaped and first gat him to Glasgow and after to Dumbartane Sir George Dowglas was delivered to be kept as pledge The Earle his brother was in the Lent after taken at the siege of Glasgow It was bruted that both the brethren and others with them had lost their heads if by the providence of God the English Armie had not arrived in time After that the Cardinall had gotten the Governour wholly addict to his devotion and had obtained his intent above a part of his enemies He began to practise how that such as he feared and therefore deadly hated should be set by the eares one against another for in that thought the carnall man put his greatest securitie The Lord Ruthwen he hated by reason of his knowledge of Gods Word The Lord Gray he feared because at that time he used the company of such as professed godlinesse and bare small favour to the Cardinall Now thus reasoned the worldly wise man If I can put enmity betwixt these two I shall be rid of a great number of unfriends For the most part of the Countrey will either assist the one or the other and so will they be otherwise occupied then to watch for my displeasure He finds the means without long processe for he labours with Iohn Chartarous a man of stout courage and many friends to accept the Provostrie of S. Iohnston which he purchased to him by donation of the Governour with a charge to the said Towne to obey him as their lawfull Provost Whereat not onely the said Lord Ruthwen but also the Towne being offended gave a negative answer alleadging that such intrusion of men to office was hurtfull to their priviledge and freedom which granted unto them free election of their Provost from yeere to yeere at a certain time appointed which they could not nor would not anticipate Hereat the said Iohn offended said That he would take that office by force if they would not grant it unto him of benevolence And so departed and communed the matter with the Lord Gray with Norman Leslie and with others his friends whom he easily perswaded to assist
him in that pursuit Because he appeareth to have the Governours right and had not onely a charge to the Towne as is said but also he purchased Letters to besiege it and to take it by strong hand if any resistance were made unto him Such letters we say made many to favour his action The other made for defence and so took the Master of Ruthuen the Lord that after departed into England the maintenance of the town having in his company the Laird of Montcreif and other friends adjacent The said Iohn prepared for the pursuit and upon Saint Magdalens day in the morning anno 1543. approached with his Forces the Lord Grey tooke upon him the principall charge It was appointed that Norman Lesley with his friends should have come by Ship with Munition and Ordnance as they were in readinesse But because the Tyde served not so soon as they would the oâ—â—er thinking himself of sufficient force for all that were in the Towne entred in by the Bridge where they found no resistance till that the former part was entered a pretty space within the Fish-Gate And then the said Master of Ruthuen with his Company stoutly recountred them and so rudely repulsed the foremost that such as were behinde gave back The place of the retreat was so strait that men that durst not fight could not flie at their pleasure for the most part of my Lord Grayes friends were upon the Bridge and so the slaughter was great for there fell by the edge of the Sword threescore men The Cardinall had rather that the mishap had fallen on the other part but howsoever it was he thought that such trouble was his comfort and advantage The knowledge whereof came to the ears of the party discomfited and was unto them no small grief For as many of them entred into that action for his pleasure so thought they to have had Fortification and assistance whereof finding themselves frustrate they began to look more narrowly to themselves and did not so attend upon the Cardinals devotion as they had wont to do before and so was a new jealousie engendered among them for whosoever would not play the good servant unto him was reputed his enemy The Cardinall drew the Governour to Dundie for he understood that the Earle of Rothesse and Master Henry Balnaveis were with the Lord Gray in the Castle of Huntley The Governour sent and commanded the said Earle and Lord with the foresaid Master Henry to come unto him to Dundie and appointed the next day at ten of the clock before noon which hour they decreed to keep and for that purpose assembled their folks at Balgavie or thereby The Cardinal advertised of their number they were no more than 300 men thought it not good that they should joyn with the Towne for he feared his owne estate and so he perswaded the Governour to passe forth of Dundie before nine hours and to take the straight way to S. Iohnston which perceived by the foresaid Lords they began to fear that they were come to pursue them and so put themselves in order and array and marched forward of purpose to have bidden the uttermost But the crafty fox foreseeing that in fighting stood not his security ran to his last refuge that is To manifest Treason and so consultation was taken how that the force of the others might be broken And at the first were sent the Laird of Grange and the Provost of S. Andrews knowing nothing of the Treason to ask why they molested my Lord Governour in his journey Whereto they answered That they meant nothing lesse for they came at his Graces Commandment to have kept the houre in Dundie appointed by him which because they saw prevented and knowing the Cardinall to be their friend they could not but suspect their unprovided coming forth of the Towne and therefore they put themselves in order not to invade but to defend in case they were invaded This answer reported was sent to the Bishop of Saint Audrewes the Abbot of Paisley Master David Panter the Lairds of Balcleuch and Coldinknowes to desire certain of the other company to talk with them which they easily obtained for they suspected no treason After long communication it was demanded If that the Earle and Lord and Master Henry aforesaid would not be content to talk with the Governour proviâ—ed that the Cardinall and his company were on the place They answered That the Governour might command them in all things lawfull But they had no will to be in the Cardinals mercy Fair promises enow were made for their security Then was the Cardinall and his Band commanded to depart as that he did according to the purpose taken The Governour remained and a certain number with him To whom came without company the said Earle Lord and M. Henry After many fair words given to them all to wit That he would have them agreed with the Cardinall and that he would have Master Henry Balnaves the worker and instrument thereof he drew them forwards with them towards Saint Iohnston whereto the Cardinall was ridden They began to suspect albeit it was too late and therefore they desired to have returned to their folks for putting order unto them But it was answered They should send back from the town but they must needs go forward with my Lord Governour and so partly by flattery and partly by force they were compelled to obey and as soon as they were in the Towne they were apprehended and on the morrow sent all three to the Black Nesse where they remained as it pleased the Cardinals gracelesse Grace and that was till the Band of Manred and of service set some of them at liberty And thus the Cardinal with his craft perswaded on every side so that the Scots Proverb was true in him So long rinnes the Fox as he fute hes Whether it was at this journey or at another that that bloody butcher executed his cruelty upon the innocent persons in S. Iohnston we cannot affirme neither yet therein study we to be curious but rather we travell to expresse the verity whensoever it was done than scrupulously and exactly to appoint times which yet we omit not when the certainty occurres The verity of that cruell fact is this At S. Pauls day before the first burning of Edinburgh came to S. Iohnston the Governour and Cardinall and there upon envious delation were a great number of honest men and women called before the Cardinall and accused of heresie And albeit they could be convinced of nothing but onely of suspition that they had eaten a Goose upon Friday four men were adjudged to be hanged and a woman to be drowned which cruell and most unjust sentence was without mercy put in execution the husband was hanged and the wife having a sucking babe upon her brest was drowned O Lord the Land is not yet purged from such beastly cruelty neither hath thy just vengeance yet stricken all
and hit him so spitefully with the Popes thunder that the ignorant people dreaded lest the earth then would have swallowed him up quick Notwithstanding he stood still with great patience hearing their sayings not once moving or changing his countenance When that this fat sow had read thorowout all his lying menaces his face running down with sweat and froathing at the mouth like a boare He spate at M. Georges face saying What answers thou to these sayings Thou runagate traitour theefe which we have duely proved by sufficient witnesse against thee Master George hearing this sate downe upon his knees in the Pulpit making his prayer to God When he had ended his Prayer sweetly and Christianly he answered unto them all in this manner Master George his ORATION MAny and horrible sayings unto me a Christian man many words abominable for to heare have ye spoken here this day which not onely to teach but also to thinke I thought it ever great abomination Wherefore I pray your discretions quietly to heare me that ye may know what were my Sayings and the manner of my Doctrine This my Petition my Lords I desire to be heard for three causes The first is Because through preaching of the Word of God his glory is made manifest It is reasonable therefore for the advancing of the glory of God that ye heare me teaching truely the pure and sincere Word of God without any dissimulation The second reason is Because that your health springeth of the Word of God for he worketh all things by his Word It were therefore an unrighteous thing if ye should stop your eares from me teaching truely the Word of God The third reason is Because your Doctrine speaketh forth many pestilentious blasphemous and abominable words not coming by the inspiration of God but of the devill on no lesse perill than my life It is just therefore and reasonable for your discretions to know what my words and Doctrine are and what I have ever taught in my time in this Realme that I perish not unjustly to the great perils of your selves Wherefore both for the glory of God your owne health and safeguard of my life I beseech your discretions to heare me and in the meane time I shall recite my Doctrine without any colour First and chiefly since the time that I came into this Realme I taught nothing but the ten Commandments of God the twelve Articles of the Faith and the Prayer of the Lord in the mother Tongue Moreover in Dundie I taught the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romanes And I shall shew your discretions faithfully what fashion and-manner I used when I taught without any humane dread So that your discretions give me your eares benevolent and attentive Suddenly then with a loud voyce cryed the accuser the fat sow Thou Hereticke Runnagate Traytor and Thief It was not lawfull for thee to preach thou hast taken the power at thine owne hand without any authority of the Church We forthinke that thou hast been a Preacher so long Then said the whole Congregation of the Prelats with their complices these words If we give him license to Preach he is so crafty and in holy Scriptures so exercised that he will perswade the people to his opinion and raise them against us M. George seeing their malicious and wicked intent appealed to an indifferent and equall Judge To whom the accuser Iohn Lawder aforesaid with hoggish voyce answered Is not my Lord Cardinall the second person within this Realme Chancellor of Scotland Archbishop of Saint Andrewes Bishop of Merepose Commendator of Arbroth Legatus natus Legatus a Latere And so reciting as many Titles of his unworthy Honours as would have laden a Ship much sooner an Asse Is not he quoth Iohn Lawder an equall JUDGE apparently to thee Whom other desirest thou to be thy JUDGE To whom this humble man answered saying I refuse not my Lord Cardinall but I desire the Word of God to be my Iudge the Temporall estate with some of your Lordships mine auditors because I am here my Lord Governours prisoner Whereupon the pridefull and scornfull people that stood by mocked him saying Such man such Iudge speaking seditious and reproachfull words against the Governour and other of the Nobles meaning them also to be hereticks And incontinent without all delay they would have given sentence upon M. George and that without further Processe had not certain men there councelled my Lord Cardinall to reade againe the Articles and to heare his answers thereupon that the people might not complaine of his wrongfull condemnation And shortly for to declare These were the Articles following with his Answers as far they would give him leave to speak For when he intended to mitigate their leasings and shew the manner of his Doctrine by and by they stopped his mouth with another Article The first Article Thou false Hereticke Runnagate Traytor and Thief Deceiver of the people despisest the Church and in like case contemnes my Lord Governours Authority And this we know of surety That when thou preachedst in Dundie and was charged by my Lord Governours Authority to desist neverthelesse thou wouldest not obey but persevered in the same And therefore the Bishop of Breachen cursed thee and delivered thee into the Devils hand and gave thee then Commandment That thou shouldest preach no more yet notwithstanding thou didst continue obstinately The Answer My Lords I have read in the Acts of the Apostles That it is not lawfull for the threats and menaces of men to desist from the preaching of the Gospel Therefore it is written We shall rather obey God than men I have also read the Prophet Malachie I shall curse your blessings and blesse your cursings saith the Lord. Believing firmly That he would turn your cursings into blessings The second Article Thou false heretick didst say That a Priest standing at the Altar saying Masse was like a Fox wagging his taile in July The Answer My Lords I said not so These were my sayings The moving of the body outward without inward moving of the heart is nought else but the playing of an Ape and not the true serving of God For God is a secret searcher of mens hearts Therefore who will truely adore and honour God he must in spirit and verity honour him Then the accuser stopped his mouth with another Article The third Article Thou false hereticke Preachest against the Sacraments saying That there are not seven Sacraments The Answer My Lords It is not so by your pleasures I taught never of the number of the Sacraments whether there were seven or eleven so many as are instituted by Christ and are showne to us by the Gospel I professe openly Except it be the Word of God I dare affirme nothing The fourth Article Thou false hereticke hast openly taught That Auricular Confession is not a blessed Sacrament and thou saist That we should onely confesse us to God and to no Priest The Answer My Lords I say
Commonalty and comes to the house side crying What have ye done with my Lord Cardinall Where is my Lord Cardinall Have ye slain my Lord Cardinall They that were within answered gentlely Best it were for you to return to your own houses for the man ye call the Cardinall hath received his reward and in his own person will trouble the world no more But then more inragedly they cry We shall never depart till that we see him And so was he brought to the East block-house head and shewed dead over the wall to the faithlesse multitude which would not beleeve before they saw and so they departed without Requiem aeternam requiescat in pace sung for his soule Now because the weather was hot for it was in May as ye have heard and his funerals could not suddenly be prepared it was thought best to keep him from stinking to give him great salt enough a cope of lead and a corner in the bottom of the sea Tower a place where many of Gods children had been imprisoned before to await what exequies his brethren the Bishops would prepare for him These things we write merrily but we would that the Reader should observe Gods just judgements and how that he can deprehend the worldly wise in their own wisdom make their table to be a snare to trap their own feet and their own purposed strength to be their own destruction These are the works of our God whereby he would admonish the tyrants of this earth that in the end he will be revenged of their crueltie what strength soever they make in the contrary But such is the blindnesse of man as David saith that the posterity doth ever follow the footsteps of their wicked fathers and principally in their impiety For how little differs the cruelty of that bastard that yet is called Bishop of S. Andrews from the cruelty of the former we will after heare The death of this aforesaid Tyrant as it was pleasing to some to wit to those who had received the Reformation of Religion for they were mightily afraid of him and also to sundry Romanists whom he kept under as slaves so on the other side it was dolorous to the Priests dolorous to the Governour dolorous to the Queene Dowager for in him perished faithfulnesse to France and the comfort to all Gentle-women and especially to wanton widows His death must be revenged To the Court again repaires the Earle of Angus and his brother Sir George labour is made for the Abbacie of Arbroth and a grant was once made of the same in memory whereof George Dowglas bastard sonne to the said Earle is yet called Postulant But it was more proper think the Hamiltons for the Governours itching then for reward to the Dowglasses And yet in hope thereof the said Earle and Sir George his brother were the first that voted that the Castle of S. Andrews should be besieged Divers Gentlemen of Fyfe went into the Castle and abode there with the Leslies during the first siege and Iohn Rough was Preacher to them The Bishop to declare the zeale that he had to revenge the death of him that was his predecessour and for his riches he would not have had him living againe still blew the coles And first he made summons then he denounced accursed at last rebels not onely the first enterprisers but all such also as after did accompany them And last of all a siege was concluded which began in the end of August for the 23 day thereof departed the Souldiers from Edinburgh and continued neer to the end of January At what time because they had no other hope of winning of it but by hunger and thereof also they despaired for they within had broken through the East wall and made a plaine passage by an iron gate to the sea which greatly relieved the besieged and abased the besiegers for then they saw that they could not stop them of victuals unlesse that they should be masters of the sea and that they clearly understood they could not be for the English Ships had once been there and had brought William Kirkcaldie from London and with much difficultie because the said gate was not then prepared and some losse of men had rendered him to the Castle againe and had taken with them to the Court of England Iohn Leslie and Master Henry Balnaves for perfecting of all Contracts betwixt them and the King Henry who promised to take them into his protection upon condition onely that they should keep the Governours son my Lord of Arrane and stand friends to the Contract of Marriage whereof before we have made mention These things clearly understood we say by the Governour and his Counsell the Priests and the shaven sort they concluded to make an appointment to the end that under Truce they might either get the Castle betrayed or else some principall men of the company taken at unawares In which dressing was the Abbot of Dunfermeling principall and for that purpose had the Laird of Monquhanie who was most familiar with those of the Castle laboured with foot and hand and proceeded so in his traffique that from entring in day light at his pleasure he gat licence to come in in the night whensoever it pleased him But God had not appointed so many to be betrayed albeit that he would that they should be punished and that justly as hereafter we shall heare The Heads of the coloured appointment were 1. That they should keep the Castle of S. Andrews still while that the Governour and the authority of Scotland should get unto them a sufficient absolution from the Pope Antichrist of Rome for the slaughter of the Cardinall aforesaid 2. That they should deliver pledges for the deliverie of that house as soone as the aforesaid absolution was delivered unto them 3. That they their friends familiars and servants and others to them pertaining should never be pursued in Law by authority for the slaughter aforesaid But that they should enjoy commodities spirituall or temporall whatsoever they possessed before the said slaughter even as if it had never beene committed That they of the Castle should keep the Earle of Arran so long as their Pledges were kept And such like Articles liberall enough for they never minded to keep word of them as the issue did declare Iohn Rough left the Castle seeing he could do little good upon those that were within so addicted were they to their evil wayes he went into England to Preach Gods Word there The appointment made all the godly were glad for some hope they had that thereby Gods Word should somewhat bud as indeed so it did For Iohn Rough who soon after the Cardinals slaughter entred within the Castle and had continued in it during the whole siege having left the Castle because he could do little good upon those that were with him so addicted were they to their evil wayes began to Preach in the city of S. Andrews
your Ceremonies cannot abide the Word of God Ergo They cannot abide the fire And if they may not abide the fire then are they not gold silver nor precious stones Now if ye finde any ambiguity in this terme Fire which I interpret to be the Word finde ye me another fire by the which things builded upon Jesus Christ should be tried then God and his Word which both in the Scriptures are called fire and I shall correct mine Argument Arbugkill I stand not thereupon but I deny your Minor to wit That our Ceremonies may not abide the triall of Gods Word Iohn Knox. I prove That abides not the triall of Gods Word which Gods Word condemnes But Gods Word condemnes your Ceremonies Therefore they do not abide the triall thereof But as a thief abides the triall of the Inquest and thereby is condemned to be hanged even so may your Ceremonies abide the triall of Gods Word but not else And now in few words to make plain that wherein ye may seem to doubt to wit that Gods Word damnes your Ceremonies it is evident For the plain and strait Commandment is Not that thing that appears good in thine eyes shalt thou do to the Lord thy God but what the Lord thy God hath commanded thee that do thou adde nothing to it diminish nothing from it Now unlesse that ye be able to prove that God hath commanded your Ceremonies this his former Commandment will damne both you and them The Frier somewhat abashed what first to answer while he wanders about in the mist he falls in a foule mire For alleadging that we may not be so bound to the Word he affirmed That the Apostles had not received the Holy Ghost when they did write their Epistles but after they received him and then they ordained Ceremonies few would have thought that so learned a man would have given so foolish an answer yet it is even as true as he did bear a gray Coull Iohn Knox hearing the answer start and said If that be true I have long been in an errour and I think I shall die therein The Sub-Prior said to him Father What say ye God forbid that ye affirme that for then farewell the ground of our faith The Frier astonied made the best shift that he could to correct his fault but it would not be Iohn Knox brought him oft again to the ground of the Argument But he would never answer directly but ever fled to the authority of the Church whereto the said Iohn answered ofter then once That the Spouse of Christ had neither power nor authority against the Word of God Then said the Frier If so be ye will leave us no Church Indeed said the other in David I reade that there is a Church of the Malignants for he saith Odi Ecclesiam malignantium That Church ye may have without the Word and doing many things directly fighting against the Word of God Of that Church if ye will be I cannot hinder you But as for me I will be of none other Church except of that which hath Iesus Christ to be Pastour which hears his voice and will not heare a stranger In this Disputation many other things were merrily skoft over For the Frier after his fall could speak nothing to any purpose For Purgatorie he had no better proofe but the authority of Virgil in the sixth of his Aeneiads and the paines thereof to him was an Evil wife Iohn Knox answered that and many other things as he himself witnesseth in a Treatise that he did write in the Gallies containing the sum of his Doctrine and the confession of his Faith and sent it to his familiars in Scotland with his exhortation That they should continue in the Truth which they had professed notwithstanding any worldly adversity that might ensue thereof Thus much of that disputation have we inserted here to the intent that men may see how Satan ever travelleth to obscure the Light and how God by his power working in his weak vessels confounds the craft and discloseth the darknesse of Satan After this the Papists and Friers had no great heart of further disputation or reasoning but invented another shift which appeared to proceed from godlinesse and it was this Every learned man in the Abbey and in the Universitie should Preach in the Parish Church his Sunday about The Sub-Prior began followed the Officiall called Spittall Sermons was penned to offend no man followed all the rest in their ranks And so Iohn Knox smelled out the craft and in his Sermons which he made upon the Weeke-dayes he prayed to God that they should be as busie in Preaching when there should be more want of it then there was then Alwayes said he I praise God that Christ Jesus is Preached and nothing is said publikely against the Doctrine that ye have heard If in my absence they shall speak any thing which in my presence they do not I protest that ye suspend your judgement till that it please God ye hear me againe God so assisted his weak Souldier and so blessed his labours that not onely all these of the Castle but also a great number of the Town openly professed by participation of the Lords Table in the same purity that now it is ministred in the Churches of Scotland with that same Doctrine that he had taught unto them Amongst whom was he that now either rules or else misrules Scotland to wit Sir Iames Balfour sometimes called M. Iames the chiefe and principall Protestant that then was to be found within this Realm This we write because that we have heard that the said Master Iames alleadgeth that he was never of this our Religion but that he was brought up in Martin Luthers opinion of the Sacrament and therefore he cannot communicate with us But his own conscience and two hundred witnesses besides know that he lies and that he was one of the chief if he had not been after his cups that would have given his life if men might credit his words for defence of the doctrine that the said Iohn Knox taught But albeit that those that never were of us as none of Monquhauneys house have shewed themselves to be depart from us it is no great wonder For it is proper and naturall that the children follow the father and let the godly beware of that race and progenie by eschewing it For if in them be either fear of God or love of vertue further then the present commoditie perswades them men of judgement are deceived But to return to our History The Priests and Bishops enraged at all these proceedings that were in Saint Andrews ran now upon the Governour now upon the Queene now upon the whole Counsell and there might have been heard complaints and cryes What are we doing Shall we suffer this whole Realme to be infected with pernicious Doctrine fie upon you and fie upon us The Queen and
the Castle-hill And so began they again to pollute the land which God had lately plagued for yet their iniquity was not come to full ripenesse as that God would that they should be manifested to this whole Realme as this day they are to be Fagots prepared for everlasting fire and to be men whom neither Plagues may correct nor the light of Gods Word convert from their darknesse and impiety The Peace as is said is contracted The Queen Dowager past by sea to France with Gallies that for that purpose were prepared and took with her divers of the Nobility of Scotland The Earles Huntley Glencarne Mershell Cassiles The Lords Maxwell Fleiming Sir George Dowglas together with all the late Kings naturall sons and divers Barons and Gentlemen of Ecclesiasticall estate the Bishop of Galloway and many others with promise that they should be richly rewarded for their good service What they received we cannot tell but few were made rich at their returning The Dowager had to practise somewhat with her brethren the Duke of Gwise and the Cardinall of Loraine The weight whereof the Governour after felt for shortly after her returne was the Governour deposed of the government justly by God but most unjustly by man and she made Regent in the yeer of our Lord 1554. and a Crown put upon her head as seemly a sight if men had eyes as to put a Saddle upon the backe of an unruly Cow And so began she to practise practise upon practise How France might be advanced her friends made rich and she brought to immortall glory For that was her common talk So that I may procure the wealth and honour of my Friends and a good fame unto my selfe I regard not what God do after with me And in very deed in deep dissimulation to bring her owne purpose to effect she passed the common sort of women as we will after heare But yet God to whose Gospel she declared her selfe enemie in the end frustrated her of all her devices Thus did light and darknesse strive within the Realme of Scotland The darknesse ever before the World suppressing the light from the death of that notable servant of God Master Patricke Hamilton untill the death of Edward the sixth the most godly and most vertuous King that had been known to have reigned in England or elsewhere these many yeeres by past who departed the miseries of this life the sixth of July Anno 1553. The death of this Prince was lamented of all the godly within Europe for the graces given unto him of God as well of nature as of erudition and godlinesse passed the measure that accustomably is used to be given to other princes in their greatest perfection and yet exceeded he not 16 yeers of age What Gravity above age What Wisdom wherein he passed all understanding or expectation of man And what Dexterity in answering in all things proposed were in that excellent Prince The Ambassadours of all Countries yea some that were mortall enemies to him and to his Realme amongst whom the Queen Dowager of Scotland was not the least could and did testifie For the said Queen Dowager returning from France through England communed with him at length and gave record when she came to this Realme That she found more wisdome and solide judgement in young King Edward then she would have looked for in any three Princes that were then in Europe His liberality towards the godly and learned that were in other Realms persecuted was such as Germans French-men Italians Scots Spaniards Polonians Grecians and Hebrews born can yet give sufficient document For how honourably was Martin Bucer Peter Martyr Iohn Alasco Emanuel Gualterus and many others upon his publike stipends entertained their parents can witnesse and they themselves during their lives would never have denied After the death of this most vertuous Prince of whom the godlesse people of England for the most part were not worthy Satan intended nothing lesse then the light of Jesus Christ utterly to have been extinguished within the whole Isle of Britain For after him was raised up in Gods hot displeasure that Idolatresse and mischievous Mary of the Spaniards blood a cruell persecutrix of Gods people as the acts of her unhappy reigne can sufficiently witnesse And in Scotland that same time as we have heard reigned that crafty practiser Mary of Loraine then named Regent of Scotland who bound to the devotion of her two brethren the Duke of Guise and Cardinall of Loraine did onely abide the opportunity to cut the throat of all those in whom she suspected any knowledge of God to be within the Realme of Scotland And so thought Satan that his kingdome of darknesse was in quietnesse and rest as well in the one Realme as in the other But that provident eye of our eternall God who continually watches for preservation of his Church did so order all things that Satan shortly after found himselfe farre disappointed of his conclusion taken For in that cruell persecution used by Queen Mary of England were godly men dispersed into divers nations of whom it pleased the goodnesse of God to send some unto us for our comfort and instruction And first came a simple man William Harlaw whose erudition although it excell not yet for his whole and diligent plainnesse in Doctrine is he to this day worthy of praise and remaines a fruitfull member within the Church of Scotland After him came that notable man Iohn Willocke as one that had some Commission to the Queen Regent from the Dutchesse of Emden But his principall purpose was to essay what God would worke by him in his native countrey These two did sometimes in severall companies assemble the brethren who by their exhortations began greatly to be encouraged and did shew that they had an earnest thirst of godlinesse And last came Iohn Knox in the end of the harvest Anno 1555. who first being lodged in the house of that notable man of God Iames Sime began to exhort secretly in that same house whereunto repaired the Laird of Dun David Forresse and some certain personages of the Town amongst whom was Elizabeth Adamson then spouse to Iames Barrone Burgesse of Edinburgh who by reason that she had a troubled conscience delighted much in the company of the said Iohn because that he according to the grace given unto him opened more fully the Fountaine of Gods Mercies then did the common sort of Teachers that she had heard before for she had heard none except Friers and did with such greedinesse drinke thereof that at her death she did expresse the fruit of her hearing to the great comfort it of all those that repaired unto her For albeit she suffered most grievous torment in her body yet out of her mouth was heard nothing but praising of God except that sometimes she lamented the troubles of those that were troubled by her Being sometimes demanded by her sisters What she thought of that pain which she then
suffered in body in respect of that wherewith sometimes she was troubled in spirit She answered A thousand yeere of this torment and ten times more joyned unto it is not to be compared in the quarter of an houre that I suffered in my spirit I thanke my God through Iesus Christ that hath delivered me from that fearfull pain and welcome be this even so long as it pleaseth his godly Majestie to exercise me therewith A little before her departure she desired her sisters and some others that were beside her to sing a Psalme and amongst others she appointed the 103. Psalme beginning My soule praise thou the Lord alwayes which ended she said At the Teaching of this Psalme began my troubled soule first effectually to taste of the mercy of my God which now to me is more sweet and precious then if all the kingdomes of the earth were given to me to possesse them a thousand yeeres The Priests urged her with their Ceremonies and Superstitions To whom she answered Depart from me ye Sergeants of Satan for I have refused and in your own presence doe refuse all your abominations That which you call your Sacrament and Christs body as ye have deceived us to beleeve in times past is nothing but an Idoll and hath nothing to do with the right Institution of Iesus Christ and therefore in Gods Name I command you not to trouble me They departed alleadging That she raved and wist not what she said And she shortly after slept in the Lord Jesus to no small comfort of those that saw her blessed departing This we could not omit of this worthy woman who gave so notable a Confession before that the great light of Gods Word did universally shine thorowout this Realme At the first coming of the said Iohn Knox he perceiving divers who had a zeale to godlinesse make small scruple to go to the Masse or to communicate with the abused Sacraments in the Papisticall manner began as well in privie Conference as in Preaching to shew the impietie of the Masse and how dangerous a thing it was to communicate in any sort with Idolatrie wherewith the conscience of some being affrighted the matter began to be agitate from man to man And so was the said Iohn called to Supper by the Laird of Dun for that same purpose where were assembled David Forresse Master Robert Lockart Iohn Willocke and William Maitland of Lethington younger a man of good Learning and of sharpe wit and reasoning The Question was Proposed and it was answered by the said Iohn That in no wise it was lawfull to a Christian to present himselfe to that Idoll Nothing was omitted that might serve for the purpose and yet was every head so fully answered and especially one whereunto they thought their great defence stood To wit That Paul at the commandment of Iames and of the Elders of Ierusalem passed to the Temple and fained himselfe to pay his vow with others This we say and other things were so fully answered that William Maitland concluded saying I see very perfectly that our shifts will serve nothing before God seeing that they stand us in so small stead before men The answer of Iohn Knox to the fact of Paul and to the commandment of Iames was That Pauls fact had nothing to do with their going to Masse For to pay Vowes was sometimes Gods Commandment as was never Idolatry But their Masse from the originall was and remained odious Idolatry Therefore the fact was most unlike Secondarily said he I greatly doubt whether either Iames his commandment or Pauls obedience proceeded of the holy Ghost We know their counsell tendeth to this That Paul would shew himselfe one that observed diligently the very small points of the Law to the end he might purchase to himself the favours of the Jews who were offended at him by reason of the bruites that were spread That he taught defection from Moses Now while he obeyed their counsell he fell into the most desperate danger that ever he sustained before whereby it was evident That God approved not that mean of reconciliation but rather that he plainely declareth That evil should not be done that good might come of it Evil it was for Paul to confirme those obstinate Jewes in their Superstition by his example worse it was to him to expose himselfe and the Doctrine which before he had taught to slander and mockage And therefore concluded the said Iohn That the fact of Paul and the sequell that thereof followed appeared rather to fight against them that would go to the Masse then to give unto them any assurance to follow his example unlesse that they would that the like trouble should instantly apprehend them that apprehended him for obeying worldly-wise councell After these and like reasonings the Masse began to be abhorred of such as before used it for the fashion and avoiding of slander as then they termed it Iohn Knox at request of the Laird of Dun followed him to his place of Dun where he remained a moneth daily exercised in Preaching whereunto resorted the principall men of that countrey After this returning his residence was most in Calder whither repaired unto him the Lord Erskin the Earle of Argyle then Lord of Lorne and Lord Iames then Priour of S. Andrews and after Earle of Murrey where they heard and so approved his Doctrine that they wished it to have been publike That same Winter he taught commonly in Edinburgh and after Christmas by the conduct of the Laird of Bar and Robert Campbell of Kingieancleuch he came to Kyle and taught in the Bar in the house of the Caâ—nell in the Kingieancleuch in the Town of Air and in the houses of Uchiltrie and Gathgirth and in some of them he ministred the Lords Table Before Easter the Earl of Glencarne sent for him to his place of Fynlaston where after Sermon he also ministred the Lords Table Whereof besides himself were partakers his Lady two of his sons and certain of his friends And so returned he to Calder where divers from Edinburgh and from the Countrey about assembled as well for the Doctrine as for the right use of the Lords Table which before they had never practised From thence he departed the second time to the Laird of Dun and teaching then in greater liberty the Gentlemen required That he should minister likewise unto them the Table of the Lord Jesus where were partakers the most part of the Gentlemen of the Mernes who God be praised to this day do constantly remain in the same doctrine which then they professed To wit That they refused all society with Idolatry and bent themselves to the uttermost of their powers to maintain the true Preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as God should offer unto them Preachers and opportunitie The bruite hereof spread for the Friers from all quarters flocked to the Bishops the said Iohn Knox was summoned to appear in the Church of the blacke
deprehended For the brethren assembled themselves in such sort in companies singing Psalmes and praising God that the proudest of the enemies were astonished This Tragedie of Saint Gyles was so terrible to some Papists that Durie sometimes called for his filthinesse Abbot Stottikin and then intituled Bishop of Galloway left his Riming wherewith he was accustomed and departed this life even as he had lived For the Articles of his beleefe were I referre Decarte you Ha ha the foure Kings and all made The devil go with it It is but a varlet From France we thought to have gotten a Rubie And yet is he nothing but a Cahoobie With such Faith and such Prayers departed out of this life that enemy of God who had vowed and plainly said That in despight of God so long as they that then were Prelates lived should that Word called the Gospel never be Preached within this Realme After him followed that belly-God Master David Panter called Bishop of Rosse even with the like documents except that he departed eating and drinking which together with the rest that thereupon depended was the pastime of his life The most part of the Lords that were in France at the Queens Marriage although that they got their leave from the Court yet they forgot to return to Scotland For whether it was by an Italian Posset or French Feggs or by the Pottage of their Apothecary he was a French-man there departed from this life the Earl of Cassiles the Earl of Rothesse Lord Fleming and the Bishop of Orknay whose end was even according to his life For after that he was driven back by a contratious winde and forced to land again at Deep perceiving his sicknesse to increase he caused to make his bed betwixt his two coffers some said upon them such was his God the gold that therein was inclosed that he could not depart therefrom so long as memory would serve him The Lord Iames then Prior of S. Andrews had by all appearance licked of the same broath that dispatched the rest for thereof to his death his stomacke doth testifie But God preserved for a better purpose This same Lord Iames after Earle of Murray and the said Bishop were commonly at debate in matters of Religion and therefore the said Lord hearing of the Bishops disease came to visit him and finding him not so well at a point as he thought he should have been and as the honour of the countrey required said unto him Fie my Lord how lie you so will you not go to your Chamber and not lie heere in this utter Roome His answer was I am well where I am my Lord so long as I can tarry for I am neer unto my friends meaning his coffers and the gold therein But my Lord said he how long have you and I been in plea for Purgatorie I thinke that I shall know ere it be long whether there be such a place or not While the other did exhort him to call to minde the promises of God and the vertue of Christs death He answered Nay my Lord let me alone for you and I never agreed in our life and I thinke we shall not agree now at my death I pray you therefore let me alone The said Lord Iames departed to his Lodging and the other shortly after departed this life whither the great day of the Lord will declare When the word of the departing of so many Patrons of Papistry and of the manner of their departing came unto the Queene Regent after astonishment and musing she said What shall I say of such men They left me as beasts and as beasts they die God is not with them neither with that which they enterprise While these things were in doing in Scotland and France that perfect hypocrite Master Iohn Synclare then Deane of Lestarrige and now Lord President and Bishop of Brechin began to Preach in his Church of Lestarrige and at the beginning held himselfe so indifferent that many had opinion of him That he was not far from the Kingdom of God But his hypocrisie could not long be cloaked for when he understood that such as feared God began to have a good opinion of him and that the Friers and others of that sect began to whisper That if he took not heed in time to himself and unto his Doctrine he would be the destruction of the whole state of the Church This by him understood he appointed a Sermon in the which he promised to give his judgement upon all such heads as then were in controversie in the matters of Religion The bruit hereof made his audience great at the first But that day he so handled himself that after that no godly man did credit him for he not onely gainsaid the Doctrine of Justification and of Prayer which before he had taught but also he set up and maintained Papistry to the uttermost prick yea Holy-water Pilgrimage Purgatory and Pardons were of such vertue in his conceit That without them he looked not to be saved In this mean time the Clergy made a brag That they would dispute But M. David Panter which then lived and lay at Lestarrige disswaded them therefrom affirming That if ever they disputed but where themselves were both Judge and partie and where that fire and sword should obey their decree that then their cause was marred for ever For their victory stood neither in God nor in his Word but in their own wills and in the things concluded by their own counsells together with sword and fire whereto said he these new up-start fellows will give no place but they will call you to your Count-book and that is to the Bible and by it ye will no more be found the men that ye are called then the Devil will be approved to be God And therefore if ye love your selves enter never into disputation neither yet call ye the matter into question but defend your possession or else all is lost Caiaphas could not give any better counsell to his companions but yet God disappointed both them and him as after we shall heare At this same time some of the Nobility directed their Letters to call Iohn Knox from Geneva for their comfort and for the comfort of their brethren the Preachers and others that then couragiously fought against the enemies of Gods Trueth The Tenour of their Letter is this Grace Mercy and Peace for Salvation DEarly Beloved in the Lord the faithfull that are of your acquaintance in these parts thanks be unto God are stedfast in the beliefe wherein yee left them and have a godly thirst and desire day by day of your presence againe Now if the Spirit of God will so move you and grant time unto you we all heartily desire you in the Name of the Lord That ye would returne again into these parts where you shall finde all the faithfull that ye left behinde you not onely glad to heare your
troubles and adversities which man sustaineth for accomplishment of Gods will revealed by his word For how terrible soever they appeare to the judgement of the naturall man yet are they never able to devour nor utterly to consume the sufferers For the invisible and invincible power of God sustaineth and preserveth according to his promise all such as with simplicity do obey him The subtill craft of Pharaoh many yeers joyned with his bloody cruelty was not able to destroy the male children of Israel neither were the waters of the Red Sea much lesse the rage of Pharaoh able to confound Moses and the company which he conducted and that because the one had Gods Promise that they should multiply and the other had his Commandment to enter into such dangers I would your wisedoms should consider that our God remaineth one and is immutable and that the Church of Christ Jesus hath the same promise of protection and defence that Israel had of multiplication And farther That no lesse cause have ye to enter into your former enterprise then Moses had to go to the presence of Pharaoh for your vassalls yea your brethren are oppressed their bodies and souls holden in bondage and God speaketh to your consciences unlesse ye be dead with the blinde world that ye ought to hazard your owne lives be it against Kings or Emperours for their deliverance For onely for that cause are ye called Princes of the people And ye receive of your Brethren Honour Tribute and Homage at Gods Commandment not by reason of your Birth and Progenie as the most part of men do falsly suppose but by reason of your Office and Duty which is to vindicate and deliver your subjects and brethren from all violence and oppression to the uttermost of your power Advise diligently I beseech you with the points of that Letter which I directed to the whole Nobility and let every man apply the matter and case to himself for your conscience shall one day be compelled to acknowledge That the Reformation of Religion and of publike enormities doth appertaine to more then to the Clergie or chief Rulers called Kings The mighty Spirit of the Lord Jesus rule and guide your counsells to your eternall glory your eternall comfort and to the consolation of your brethren Amen From Deape the 27 of October 1557. These Letters received and read together with others directed to the whole Nobility and some to particular Gentlemen as to the Lairds of Dun and Petarrow new consultation was had what was best to be done and in the end it was concluded That they would follow forward their purpose once intended and would commit themselves and whatsoever God had given them into his hands rather then they would suffer Idolatry so manifestly to raigne and the Subjects of that Realme so to be defrauded as long as they had been of the onely food of their souls the true Preaching of Christs Gospel And that every one should be the more assured of other a common Bond was made and by some subscribed The tenor thereof followeth WE perceiving how Sathan in his members the Antichrists of our time cruelly do rage seeking to overthrow and destroy the Gospel of Christ and his Congregation ought according to our bounden duty to strive in our Masters Cause even unto the death being certaine of the Victory in him The which our duty being well considered We do promise before the Majestie of God and his Congregation That we by his grace shall with all diligence continually apply our whole power substance and our very lives to maintain set forward and establish the most blessed Word of God and his Congregation And shall labour according to our power to have faithfull Ministers truely and purely to minister Christs Gospel and Sacraments to his people We shall maintain them nourish them and defend them the whole Congregation of Christ and every Member thereof according to our whole powers and waging of our lives against Sathan and all wicked power that doth intend Tyranny or trouble against the foresaid Congregation Unto the which holy Word and Congregation we do joyne us and so do forsake and renounce the Congregation of Sathan with all the superstitious abomination and idolatry thereof And moreover shall declare our selves manifestly enemies thereto By this our faithfull Promise before God testified to this Congregation by our Subscription at these Presents At Edinburgh the third of December anno 1557. God called to witnesse Sic subscribitur A. Earle of Argyle Glencarne Mortoun Archibald Lord of Lorne Iohn Erskin of Dun Et caetera A little before that this Bond was subscribed by the fore-written and many other Letters were directed again to Io. Knox from the said Lords together with their Letters to M. Calvin craving of him That by his authority he would command the said Iohn once again to visite them These Letters were delivered by the hands of M. Iohn Gray in the Moneth of November anno 1558. who at that same time past to Rome for expedition of the Bowes of the Bp. of Rosse to M. Henry Sinclar Immediately after the subscription of this foresaid Bond the Lords and Barons professing Christ Jesus convened frequently in counsell in the which these Heads were concluded First It is thought expedient advised and ordained That in all Parishes of this Realm the Common-Prayer be read weekly on Sunday and other Festivall dayes publikely in the Parish Churches with the Lessons of the Old and New Testament conformed to the order of the Book of Common Prayers And if the Curats of the Parishes be qualified to cause them to read the same And if they be not or if they refuse that the most qualified in the Parish use and reade the same Secondly It is thought necessary that Doctrine Preaching and Interpretation of Scriptures be had and used privately in quiet houses without great conventions of the people thereto while afterward that God move the Prince to grant publike Preaching by faithfull and true Ministers These two heads concerning the Religion and some others concerning the policie being concluded the old Earle of Argyle took the maintenance of Iohn Dowglas caused him to Preach publikely in his house and reformed many things according to his counsell The same boldnesse tooke divers others as well within Towns as in the country which did not a little trouble the Bishops and Queen Regent As by this Letter and Credit committed to Sir David Hamilton from the Bishop of S. Andrews to the said Earle of Argyle may be clearly understood The Bishops Letter to the old Earle of Argyle MY Lord after most hearty commendations this is to advertise your Lordship that we have directed this Bearer our Cousin towards your Lordship in such businesse and affaires as concerneth your Lordships honour profit and great well-being as the said Bearer will declare to your Lordship at more length I pray your Lordship effectuously to
particularly to every Article directed from my Lord of S. Andrews to me by Sir David Hamilton which Articles are in number nine and heere repeated and answered as I trust to his Lordships contentment 1. THe first Article putteth me in remembrance of the antiquity of the blood of my house how many Earles Lords and Knights hath been thereof how many Noble-men descended of the same house how long it continued true to God and the Prince without spot in their dayes in any manner of sort Answer True it is my Lord that there is well-long continuance of my house by Gods providence and benevolence of our Princes whom we have served and shall serve truely next to God And the like obedience towards Gods and our Princes remaineth with us yet or rather better praised be the Lords Name neither know we any spot towards our Princesse and her due obedience And if there be offence towards God he is mercifull to remit our offences For he will not the death of a sinner Like as it standeth in his omnipotent power to make up houses to continue the same to alter them to make them small or great or to extinguish them according to his own inscrutable wisdom For in exalting depressing and changing of houses the laud and praise must be given to that one eternall God in whose hands the same standeth 2. The second Article beareth the great affection and love your Lordship beareth towards me and my house and of the ardent desire ye have of the perpetuall standing thereof in honour and fame with all them that are coming of it Answ. Forsooth it is your dutie to wish good unto my house and unto them that are coming of the same not onely for the faithfulnesse amity and society that hath been between our forefathers but also for the late conjunction of blood that is between our said house if it be Gods pleasure that it have successe Which should give sufficient occasion to your Lordship to wish good to my house and perpetuity with Gods glory without which nothing is perpetuall unto whom be praise and worship for ever and ever Amen 3. Thirdly Your Lordship declareth how displeasant it is to you that I should be seduced by an infamed person of the Law and by the flattery of a forsworn Apostata that under pretence of his giving forth maketh us to understand That he is a Preacher of the Gospel and therewith raiseth Schismes and Divisions in the whole Church of God And by our maintenance and defence would infect this Countrey with Heresie alleadging that to be Scripture which these many yeeres past hath been condemned as Heresie by the generall Councells and whole estate of Christian people Answ. The God that created heaven and earth and all that is therein preserve me from seducing for I dread others many under the colour of godlinesse are seduced and think that they do God a pleasure when they persecute one of them that professe his Name What that man of the Law is we know not we hear none of his flattery his perjured Oath of Apostasie is unknown unto us But if he have made any unlawfull Oath contrary to Gods commandment it were better to violate it then to observe it He Preaches nothing to us but the Gospel if he would do otherwise we would not beleeve him nor yet an Angel of heaven we heare him sowe no Schismes nor Divisions but such as may stand with Gods Word which we shall cause him to confesse in presence of your Lordship and the Clergy when ye require us thereto And as to it that hath been condemned by generall Councels we trust you know well that all the generall Councels have been at diversity among themselves and never two of them universally agreeing in all points in so much as they are of men But the Spirit of Verity that bears testimony of our Lord Jesus hath not neither can erre For heaven earth shal perish ere one jot of it perish Beyond this my Lord neither teacheth he neither will we accept of him but that which agrees with the Word of God set forth by the Patriarks Prophets Apostles and Evangelists left to our salvation in expresse words And so my Lord to condemn the Doctrine not examined is not required For when your Lordship pleaseth to hear the confession of that mans Faith the manner of his Doctrine which agreeth with the Gospel of Jesus Christ I will cause him to assist to judgement and shall be present there at Gods pleasure that he may render reckoning of his belief and our Doctrine to the superiour Powers according to the prescription of that blood of the eternall Testament sealed by the Immaculate Lambe To whom with the Father and the holy Spirit be all honour and glory for ever and ever Amen 4. The fourth Article puts me in remembrance how dangerous it is if the Authority would put me to it and my House according to comely and common Laws and our own municipiall Lawes of this Realme and how it appeareth to the decay of our House Answ. All Laws are or at least should be subject to Gods Law which Law should be first placed and planted in every mans heart it should have no impediment Men should not abrogate it for the defence and setting up of their owne advantage If it would please Authorities to put at our House for confessing of Gods Word or for maintenance of his Law God is mighty enough in his own Cause he should be rather obeyed then man I will serve my Prince with body heart goods strength and all that is in my power except that which is Gods duty which I will reserve to him alone that is To worship him in truth and verity and as neer as I can to conform to his written Word to his owne honour and obedience of my Princesse 5. The fifth Article puts me in remembrance how woe your Lordship would be to hear to see or know any displeasure that might come to me my son or any of my House and especially in my time and dayes And as to heare the great and evill brute of me that should now in my old age in a manner begin to vary in my Faith and to be altered therein when it is time that I should be most sure and firm therein Ans. Your Lordships good will is ever made manifest unto me in all your Articles that you should be sorry to hear see or know my displeasure for the which I am bound to render your Lordship thanks shall do the same assuredly But as for wavering in my Faith God forbid that I should so do For I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of heaven earth And in Jesus Christ his onely Son our Saviour My Lord I vary not in my Faith but I praise God that of his goodnesse now in my latter days hath of his infinite mercy opened his bosome of grace unto me to acknowledge him the eternall Wisedome his
Declaration of our minds which we did in this forme following To the generation of Antichrist the pestilent Prelats and their Shavelings within Scotland the Congregation of Christ Iesus within the some saith TO the end that ye shall not be abused thinking to escape just punishment after that ye in your blinde furie have caused the blood of many to be shed This we notifie and declare unto you That if ye proceed in this your malicious crueltie ye shall be dealt withall wheresoever ye shall be apprehended as murtherers and open enemies to God and unto mankinde And therefore betimes cease from this blinde rage Remove first from your selves your bands of bloodie men of war and reform your selves to a more quiet life and hereafter mitigate ye the authority which without crime committed on our part ye have inflamed against us or else be ye assured That with the same measure that ye have measured against us and yet intend to measure to others it shall be measured unto you that is As ye by tyrannie intend not onely to destroy our bodies but also by the same to hold our souls in bondage of the Devil subject to Idolatry So shall we with all force and power which God shall grant unto us execute just vengeance and punishment upon you yea we shall begin that same war which God commandeth Israel to execute against the Canaanites that is contract of peace shall never be made till that ye desist from your open Idolatry and cruell persecution of Gods children And this we signifie unto you in the name of the eternall God and of his Son Christ Jesus whose Verity we professe and Gospel we have Preached and holy Sacraments rightly ministred so long as God will assist us to gain stand your Idolatry Take this for advertisement and be not deceived Notwithstanding these our Requests and Advertisements Monsieur Dosell and his French men with the Priests and their bands marched forward against S. Iohnston and approached within ten miles of the Town then repaired the brethren from all quarters for our reliefe The Gentlemen of Fyfe Angus Mernes with the Town of Dundie were there they that first hazarded to resist the enemy and for that purpose was chosen a place of ground a mile and more distant from the Town In this mean time the Lord Ruthuen Provest of the Town of S. Iohnston and a man whom many judged godly and stout in that action as in very deed he was even unto his last breath left the Town and departed first to his own place and after to the Queen whose defection and revolt was a great discouragement to the hearts of many and yet did God so comfort them that within the space of twelve houres after the hearts of all men were set up againe For those that were then assembled did not so much hope of victory by their own strength as by the power of him whose Verity they professed and began one to comfort another till the whole multitude was erected in a reasonable hope The day after that the Lord Ruthuen departed which was the foure and twentieth of May came the Earle of Argyle Lord Iames Prior of S. Andrews and the Lord Semple directed from the Queen Regent to enquire the cause of that Convocation of Lieges there To whom when it was answered That it was onely to resist the cruell tyrannie devised against that poore Towne and the inhabitants of the same They asked if we minded not to hold that Towne against the authority and against the Regent To the which Question answered the Lairds of Dâ—n and Pitarro with the Congregation of Angus and Mernes the Master of Lindsay the Lairds of Londy Balvarde and others Barons of Fyfe That if the Queenes Majestie would suffer the Religion there begun to proceed and not trouble their brethren and sisters that had professed Christ Jesus with them That the Towne they themselves and whatsoever to them pertained should be at the Queens commandment Which answer understood the Earle of Argyle and the Prior who both were then Protestants began to muse and said plainly That they were far otherwise informed by the Queen to wit That we meant no Religion but a plaine Rebellion To the which when he had answered simply and as the trueth was to wit That we Convened for none other purpose but onely to assist our brethren who then were most unjustly persecuted and therefore we desired them faithfully to report our answer and to be intercessors to the Queen Regent That such cruelty should not be used against us considering that we had offered in our former Letters as well to the Queens Majesty as to the Nobility our matter to be tried in lawfull judgement They promised fidelity in that behalfe which also they kept The day after which was the five and twentieth of May before that the said Lords departed in the morning Iohn Knox desired to speak with the same Lords which granted unto him he was conveyed to their Lodging by the Laird of Balvarde and thus began The Oration of Iohn Knox to the Lords THe present troubles honourable Lords ought to move the hearts not onely of the true servants of God but also of all such as beare any favour unto our Countrey and naturall Countrey-men to descend within themselves and deepely to consider what shall be the end of this pretended tyrannie The rage of Satan seeketh the destruction of all those that within this Realme professe Christ Iesus and they that inflame the Queene and you the Nobles against us regard not who prevaile provided that they may abuse the world and live at their pleasure as heretofore they have done yea I feare that some seek nothing more then the effusion of Scottish blood to the end that their possessions may be more patent to others But because that this is not the principall which I have to speak omitting the same to be considered by the wisdome of those to whom the care of the Common-wealth appertaineth 1. I most humbly require of you my Lords in my name to say to the Queene Regent That we in whom she in her blinde rage doth persecute are Gods servants faithfull and obedient Subjects to the authoritie of this Realme That that Religion which she pretendeth to maintaine by fire and sword is not the true Religion of Christ Iesus but is expresse contrary to the same a superstition devised by the braine of man which I offer my selfe to prove against all that within Scotland will maintaine the contrary liberty of tongue being granted unto me and Gods written Word being admitted for judge 2. I further require your honours in my name to say unto the Queen That as oft before I have written so now I say That this her enterprise shall not prosperously succeed in the end and albeit for a time she trouble the Saints of God for she fights not against man only but against the eternall God and his invincible Verity and
therefore the end shall be her confusion unlesse betimes she repent and desist These things I require of you in the Name of the eternall God as from my mouth to say unto her Majestie adding That I have been and am a more assured friend to her Majestie then they that either flattering her as servants to her corrupt appetites or else inflame her against us who seek nothing but Gods glory to be advanced Vice to be suppressed and Veritie to be maintained in this poore Realme They all three did promise to report his words so far as they could which afterwards we understood they did yea the Lord Sempill himselfe a man sold unto sin enemie to God and all godlinesse did yet make such report That the Queen was somewhat offended that any man should use such libertie in her presence She still proceeded in her malice for immediately thereafter she sent her Lion Herald with Letters straitly charging all men to avoid the Towne under the paine of Treason Which Letters after he had declared them to the chiefe men of the Congregation he publikely proclaimed the same upon Sunday the 27 of May. In this meane time came sure knowledge to the Queen to Duke Hamilton and to Monsieur Dosell That the Earle of Glencarne the Lords Uchiltrie and Boyde the young Sheriffe of Air the Lairds of Craggy Wallace Sesnock Carnell Bar Gairgirth and the whole congregation of Kyle and Cuninghame approached for our reliefe and in very deed they came in such diligence and such a number That as the enemy had just cause to fear so have all that professe Christ Jesus just matter to praise God for their fidelity and stout courage in that need For by their presence was the tyrannie of the enemy bridled Their diligence was such that albeit the passage by Sterlin and six miles above was stopped for there lay the Queen with her bands and caused the Bridges to be cut upon the waters of Forth Gudy and Teith above Sterlin yet made they such expedition through desert and mountaine that they prevented the enemy and approached within sixe miles of our Campe which then lay without the Towne awaiting upon the enemy before that any assured knowledge came to us of their coming Their number was judged to twentie five hundred men whereof there was twelve hundred Horsemen The Queene understanding how the said Earle and Lords with their company approached caused to beset all wayes that no advertisement should come to us To the end That we despairing of support might condiscend to such appointment as she required And sent first to require that some discreet men of our number would come and speak to Duke Hamilton and Monsieur Dosell who then with their Army lay at Achtererdoch ten miles from S. Iohnston to the end that some reasonable appointment might be had She had perswaded the Earle of Argyle and all others That we meant nothing but Rebellion and therefore had he promised unto her That in case we would not stand content with a reasonable appointment he would declare himselfe open enemy unto us notwithstanding that he professed the same Religion with us From us were sent the Laird of Dun the Laird of Inuerquhartye and Thomas Scot of Abbotshall to hear what appointment the Queene would offer The Duke and Monsieur Dosell required That the Towne should be made patent and that all things should be referred to the Queenes pleasure To the which they answered That neither they had commission so to promise neither durst they in conscience so perswade their brethren But if the Queene would promise That no inhabitant of the Town should be troubled for any such crimes as might be alleadged against them for the late mutation of Religion and abolishment of Idolatrie and for down-casting the places of the same If she would suffer the Religion begun to go forward and leave the Towne at her departing free from the Garrisons of French Souldiers That they would labour at the hands of their brethren that the Queene should be obeyed in all things Monsieur Dosell perceiving the danger to be great if that a sudden appointment should be made and that they were not able to execute their tyrannie against us after that the Congregation of Kyle of whose comming we had no advertisement should be joyned with us with good words dismissed the said Lairds to perswade the brethren to quiet concord To the which we were all so well minded that with one voice they cried Cursed be they that seek effusion of blood Let us possesse Christ Iesus and the benefit of his Gospel and none within Scotland shall be more obedient Subjects then we shall be With all expedition were sent from Sterlin againe after that the coming of the Earle of Glencarne was knowne for the enemie for feare quaked the Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames aforesaid And in their company a crafty man Master Gauin Hamilton Abbot of Kilwinning who were sent by the Queen to finish the appointment aforesaid But before that they came was the Earle of Glencarne and his honourable company arrived in the Towne and then began all men to praise God for that he had so mercifully heard them in their most extreame necessitie and had sent unto them such reliefe as was able without effusion of blood to stay the rage of the enemie The Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames did earnestly perswade the agreement to the which all men were willing but some did smell the craft of the adversary to wit That they were minded to keep no point of the promise longer then they had obtained their intent With the Earle of Glencarne came our loving brother Iohn Willock Iohn Knox was in the Town before These two went to the Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames accusing them of infidelity in so far as they had defrauded their brethren of their dutifull support and comfort in their greatest necessity They answered both That their heart was constant with their brethren and that they would defend that Cause to the uttermost of their power But because they had promised to labour concord and to assist the Queen in case we refused reasonable offers in conscience and honour they could do no lesse then be faithfull in their promise made And therefore they required that the brethren might be perswaded to consent to that reasonable appointment promising in Gods presence That if the Queen did break in any jot thereof that they with their whole powers would assist and concurre with the brethren in all times to come This promise made the Preachers appeased the multitude and obtained in the end that all men did consent to the appointment foresaid which they obtained not without great labours and no wonder for many foresaw the danger to follow yea the Preachers themselves in open Sermon did affirme plainly That they were assuredly perswaded that the Queen meant no truth But to stop the mouth of the adversary who unjustly did burthen
that matter to your Majesties contentment it will please your Majestie of your goodnesse to remove the Souldiers and their Captains with others that have gotten charge of the Town That the same may be guided and ruled freely as it was before by the Ballyes and Counsell conforme to their infeoffments given to them by the ancient and most excellent Kings of this Realme to elect and chuse their officers at Michaelmas and they to endure for the space of one yeere conforme to the old Rite and Custome of this Realme which being done by your Majestie we trust the better successe shall follow thereupou to your Majesties content as the bearer will declare at more length to your Majestie Whom God preserve To Saint Iohnston with the Gentlemen before expressed did Convene the Earle of Monteith the Laird of Glaneurquhair and divers others who before had not presented themselves for defence of their brethren When the whole multitude was Convened a Trumpet was sent by the Lords commanding the Captains and their Bands To avoid the Towne and to leave it to the ancient Libertie and just Inhabitants of the same Also commanding the Laird of Kilfawnes put in Provest by the Queen with the Captains aforesaid To open the gates of the Town and make the same patent to all our Soveraigns lieges to the effect That as well true Religion now once begun therein may be maintained and Idolatry utterly suppressed as also the said Town might enjoy and brook their ancient Laws and Liberties unoppressed by men of War according to their old Priviledges granted to them by the ancient Princes of this Realme and conforme to the provision contained in the Contract of Marriage made by the Nobility and Parliament of this Realme with the King of France bearing namely That our old Laws or Liberties should not be altered Adding thereto If they foolishly resisted and therein happened to commit murther That they should be treated as murtherers To the which they answered proudly That they would keep and defend that Towne according to their promise made to the Queen Regent This answer received preparation was made for the Siege and assault For amongst all it was concluded that the Towne should be set at liberty to what danger soever their bodies should be exposed While preparation was in making came the Earle of Huntly the Lord Erskin Master Iohn Ballenden Justice Clerk requiring that the pursuit of the Town should be delayed To speake to them were appointed the Earle of Argyle Lord Iames and Lord Ruthuen who perceiving in them nothing but a drift of time without any assurance that the former wrongs should be redressed gave unto them a short and plaine answer That they would not delay their purpose an houre and therefore willed them to certifie the Captains in the Town That if by pride and foolishnesse they would keep the Town and in so doing slay any of their brethren that they should every one die as murtherers The Earle of Huntly displeased at this answer departed and was highly offended that he could not dresse such an appointment as should have contented the Queen and the Priests After their departing the Town was again summoned but the Captaines supposing that no sudden pursuit should be made and looking for reliefe to have been sent from the Queen abode in their former opinion And so upon Saterday the nine and twentieth of June at ten of the clock at night commanded the Lord Ruthuen who besieged the west Quarter to shoot the first Volley which being done the Town of Dundie did the like whose Ordnance lay on the east side of the Bridge The Captaines and Souldiers within the Town perceiving that they were unable long to resist required assurance till twelve houres upon the morrow promising That if before that houre there came unto them no relief from the Queen Regent that they would render the Town Provided that they should be suffered to depart the Town with Ensigne displayed We thirsting the blood of no man and seeking onely the liberty of our brethren condescended to their desires albeit that we might have executed against them judgement without mercy for that they had refused our former favours and had slain one of our brethren and hurt two in their resistance and yet we suffered them freely to depart without any further molestation The Town being delivered from their thraldom upon Sunday the six and twentieth of June thanks was given to God for this great benefit received and consultation was taken what was further to be done In this meane time zealous men considering how obstinate proud and despightfull the Bishop of Murray had been before how he had threatned the Town by his Souldiers and friends who lay in Scone thought good that some order should be taken with him and with that place which lay neer to the Towns end The Lords wrote unto him for he lay within two miles of S. Iohnston That unlesse he would come and assist them they neither could spare nor save his place He answered by his writing That he would come and would do as they thought expedient that he would assist them with his Force and would consent with them against the rest of the Clergie in Parliament But because this answer was slow in coming the Town of Dundie partly offended for the slaughter of their men and especially bearing no good favour to the said Bishop for that he was and is chief enemy to Christ Jesus and that by his counsell alone was Walter Mile our brother put to death they marched forward To stay them was first sent the Provest of Dundie and his brother Alexander Halyburtoun Captaine who little prevailing was sent unto them Iohn Knox but before his coming they were entred to the pulling downe of the Idols and dortoir And albeit the said Master Iames Halyburtoun Alexander his brother and the said Iohn did what in them lay to have stayed the fury of the multitude yet were they not able to put order universally and therefore they sent for the Lords Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames who coming with all diligence laboured to have saved the place and the place and the Church But because the multitude had found buried in the Church a great number of hid goods of purpose to have preserved them to a better day as the papists speak the Towns of Dundie and S. Iohnston could not be satisfied till that the whole reparation and Ornaments of the Church as they terme it were destroyed And yet did the Lords so travell that they saved the Bishops Palace with the Church and place for that night For the two Lords did not depart till they brought with them the whole number of those that most sought the Bishops displeasure The Bishop greatly offended that any thing should have been enterprised in reformation of his place asked of the Lords his Band and hand-writing which not two hours before he had sent unto them which delivered to
we could have our company which then was dispersed for new furnishing assembled again The certaintie hereof coming to our knowledge the Saturday at night being the 25 of July we did what in us lay to give advertisement to our brethren but impossible it was that the Wast Angus Mernes Straitherne or Fyfe in any number could come to us For the enemie Marched from Dumbar upon the Sunday and approached within two miles of us before Sun-rising upon Munday For they verily supposed to have found no resistance being assured that the Lords onely with certain Gentlemen remained with their private houses calling upon God for counsell in that straight we sought what was the next defence We might have left the Town and might have retired our selves without any danger but then we should have abandoned our brethren of Edinburgh and suffered the Ministery thereof to have decayed which to our hearts was so dolorous that we thought better to hazard the extremitie then so to do For then the most part of the Town appeared rather to favour us then the Queens faction and did offer unto us the uttermost of their support which for the most part they did faithfully keep The same did the Town of Leith but they kept not the like fidelity For when we were upon the field marching forward for their support for the French marched nigh to them they rendred themselves without further resistance And this they did as is supposed by the treason of some within themselves and by perswasion of the Laird of Lestarrig who before declared himselfe to be one of us and notwithstanding that same day rendred himselfe undesired to Monsieur Dosell Their unprovided and sudden defection astonished many and yet we retired quietly to the side of Cragingate which place we took for resisting the enemy In the mean time divers mediatours passed betwixt us amongst whom the Lord Ruthuen for our part was principall Alexander Erskin did much travell to stay us and our Souldiers that we should not joyne with them of Leith till that they as is said had rendred themselves to the French The said Alexander did oft promise that the French would stay provided That we would not joyne with those of Leith But after that they were rendred we heard nothing of him but threatning and discomfortable words Before it was eight of the clock in the morning God had given unto us both courage and a reasonable number to withstand their furie The Towne of Edinburgh so many as had subject themselves to discipline and divers others besides them behaved themselves both faithfully and stoutly The Gentlemen of Lowthiane especially Calder Hatton and Ormeston were very comfortable as well for their counsell as for their whole assistance Some Gentlemen of Fyfe prevented the French-men other were stopped by reason that the French had passed Leith Alwayes the enemy took such a fear That they determined not to invade us where we stood but took purpose to have passed to Edinburgh by the other side of the water of Leith and that because they had the Castle to their friend which was to us unknown for we supposed the Lord Erskin Captain of the same either to have been our friend or at least to have been indifferent But when we had determined to fight he sent word to the Earle of Argyle to Lord Iames his sisters son and to the other Noble-men That he would declare himselfe both enemy to them and to the Town and would shoot at both if they made any resistance to the French-men to enter into the Town This his treasonable defiance sent us by the Laird of Ricarton did abate the courage of many for we could not fight nor stop the enemy but under the mercy of the Castle and whole Ordnance thereof Hereupon was consultation taken and in conclusion it was found lesse damage to take an appointment albert the Conditions were not such as we desired then to hazard battell betwixt two such enemies After long talking certaine heads were drawn by us which we desired to be granted First That no member of the Congregation should be troubled in life lands goods or possessions by the Queen her Authority nor any other justice within the Realm for any thing done in the late Innovation till a Parliament which should begin the tenth of Ianuary had decreed things in controversie 2. That Idolatry should not be erected where it was at that day suppressed 3. That the Preachers and Ministers should not be troubled in their Ministery where they are already established neither yet stopped to preach wheresoever they should chance to come 4. That no Bands of men of War should be laid in Garrison within the Town of Edinburgh 5. That the French-men should be sent away at a reasonable day and that none other should be brought into the Countrey without consent of the whole Nobility and Parliament But these our Articles were altered and another forme disposed as followeth At the Linkes of Leith the 24 of July 1559. It is appointed in manner following IN the first Congregation and their company others then the inhabitants of the said Towne shall remove themselves forth of the said Town the morrow at ten hours before noon the 25 of Iuly and leave the same void and rid of them and their said company conform to the Queens Majesties pleasure and desire Item The said Congregation shall cause the Irons of the Coyning-house taken away by them be rendred and delivered to Master Robert Richeson And likewise the Queens Majesties Palace of Halyrud-house to be left and rendred again to M. John Balfour or any other having her Majesties sufficient power in the same matter as it was resolved and that betwixt the making of these Articles and the morn at ten of the clock For observing and keeping of these two Articles above written the Lord Ruthuen and the Laird of Pittarrow have entred themselves pledges Item The said Lords of the Congregation and all the members thereof shall remain obedient subjects to our Lord and Ladies Authority and to the Queen Regent in their place And shall obey all Laws and laudable Customs of this Realme as they were used before the moving of this tumult and controversie excepting the cause of Religion which shall be hereafter specified Item The Congregation nor any of them shall not trouble or molest a Church-man by way of deed nor yet shall make them any impediment in the peaceable brooking enjoying and uptaking of their Rents Profits and Duties of their Benefices but that they may freely use and dispose upon the same according to the Laws and Custome of this Realme to the tenth of Ianuary next to come Item The said Congregation nor none of them shall use in no wayes from thenceforth any force or violence in casting downe of Churches Religious places or apparell thereof but the same shall stand harmlesse of them unto the tenth day of January Item The Town of Edinburgh shall without compulsion
shall be more amply declared After we had abided certaine dayes in Sterlin the Earle of Argyle departed to Glasgow and because he was to depart to his owne Countrey with whom also passed the Lord Iames to pacifie some trouble which by the craft of the Queen was raised in his absence he required the Earle of Glencarne Lord Boyd Lord Uchiltrie and others of Kyle to meet there for some order to be taken that the brethren should not be oppressed which with one consent they did and appointed the tenth of September for the next convention at Sterlin While these things were in doing at Glasgow Letters and a servant came from the Earle of Arran to the Duke his father signifying unto him That by the providence of God he had escaped the French Kings hands who most treasonably and most cruelly had sought his life or at the least to have committed him to perpetuall prison For the same time the said French King seeing he could not have the Earle himself caused put his younger brother a childe of such age as could not offend in strait prison where he yet remained to wit in the Month of October the yeer of our Lord 1559. Which things were done by the power and craft of the Queen Dowager at the time that the Duke and his friends were most ready to set forth her cause These Letters received and the estate of her two sons knowne of whom one was escaped and the other cast in vile prison the Duke desired communing with the said Earle of Argyle who partly against the will of some that loved him rid unto the Duke from Glasgow to Hammilton where abiding a night he declared his judgement to the Duke and to his friends especially to Master Gawane Hammilton The Duke required him and the Lord Iames to write their friendly and comfortable Letters to his son which they most willingly did and thereafter addressed them to their journey But the very day of their departing came one Boutancourt from the Queen Regent with Letters as was alleadged from the King and Queen of France to the Lord Iames which he delivered with a bragging countenance and many threatning words the Tenour of his Letter was this The King his Letter to the Lord Iames. MY Cousin I have greatly marvelled when I understood the troubles that are happened in these parts And yet I more marvell That ye in whom I had whole confidence and who has the Honour to be so neer the Queen my wife and has received from the late King my Father from the Queen my wife and from me such graces and favours that ye should be so forgetfull as to make your selfe the Head and one of the principall beginners and nourishers of the tumults and seditions that are seen there The which because it is so strange to me and so farre against the profession that ye at all times have made I cannot well beleeve it But if it be so I cannot think but ye have been entised and led thereto by some persons that have seduced you and caused you commit such a fault as I am assured you repent of already which will be a great pleasure to me to the effect I may lose a part of the occasion I have to be miscontent with you as I will you to understand I am Seeing you have so far deceived the esperance I had of you and your affection toward God and the weale of our service unto the which ye know ye are as much and more obliged then any other of the Lords there For this cause desiring that the matters may be duely amended and knowing what ye can therein I thought good on this manner to write unto you and pray you to take heed to return to the good way from which ye have declined and cause me know the same by the effects That you have another intention then this which the follies by-past maketh me now to beleeve doing all that ever ye can to reduce all things to their first estate and put the same to the right and good obedience that you know to be due unto God and unto me Otherwise ye may be well assured that I will put to my hand and that in good earnest that you and all they who have done and do as ye do shall feele through your own fault that which ye have deserved and merited Even as I have given charge to this Gentle-man present bearer to make you know more largely of my part for which cause I pray you credit him even as ye would do my selfe Praying God my cousin to have you in his holy and worthy protection Written at Paris the 17 day of July 1559. The same Messenger brought also Letters from the Queen our Soveraigne more sharp and threatning then the former For her conclusion was Vous en sentires la poincture a iamais His credit was That the King would spend the Crown of France if that he were not revenged upon such seditious persons That he would never have suspected such inobedience and such defection from his own sister in him To the which the said Lord Iames answered first by word and then by writing as followeth The Lord Iames his Letter to the King Sir MY most humble duty remembred Your Majesties Letters I received from Paris the 17 of Iuly last importing in effect That your Majestie doth marvell that I being forgetfull of the graces and favours shewed me by the King of blessed memorie your Majesties father and the Queen my Soveraigne should declare my selfe head and one of the principall beginners of these alleadged Tumults and Seditions in these parts deceiving thereby your Majesties expectation in all times had of me with assurance That if I did not declare by contrary effects my repentance I with the rest that had put or yet putteth hand to this Work should receive that reward which we had deserved and merited SIR It grieves me very heavily that the crime of ingratitude should bâ— laid to my charge by your Majestie and the rather Thâ—t I perceive the same to have proceeded of sinister information of them whose part it was not to have reported so if true service past had been regarded And as touching the repentance and declaration of the same by certaine effects That your Majesty desires I shew My conscience perswades me in these proceedings to have done nothing against God not the dutifull obedience towards your Majesty and the Queen my Soveraigne Otherwise it should not have been to be repented and also amended already accordâ—ng to your Majesties expectation of me But your Majestie being truely informed and perswaded That the thing which we have done maketh for the advancement of Gods glory without any manner of derogation to your Majesties due obedience We doubt not but your Majestie shall be well contented with our proceedings which being grounded upon the commandment of the eternall God we dare not leave the same unaccomplished onely wishing and desiring
as before God I have a testimonie that I seek not for my selfe but the advancement of Christs Evangell and the comfort of such as whom I know afflicted so shall the godly understand that England in refusing me refuseth a friend how small that ever the power be The mighty Spirit of the Lord Jesus moove your heart deeply to consider your dutie unto God and the estate of that Realme in which by his appointment you now serve From Deepe the 10 of April 1559. Yours to command in godlinesse Iohn Knox. To this Letter was no answer made for shortly the said Iohn Knox made forward to Scotland by sea when he landed the third of May and had such successe as is in the second book declared The said Iohn being in S. Andrews after Cowper-Moore entred in deep discourse with the Laird of Grange the danger is very evident but the support was not easie to be seen After many words Iohn Knox burst forth as followeth If England would foresee their own commodity yea if they would consider the danger wherein themselves stand they would not suffer us to perish in this quarrell for France hath no lesse decreed the conquest of England then of Scotland After long reasoning it was concluded betwixt them two That support should be craved of England And for that purpose the said Laird of Grange first wrote to Sir Henry Percie and after rode from Edinburgh and spake with him to whom he made so plaine demonstration of the danger appearing to England that he tooke upon him to write to Secretarie Cecil who with expedition returned answer back again giving him to understand That our enterprise altogether misliked not the Councell albeit that they desired further resolution of the principall Lords Which thing understood it was concluded to write to him plainely our whole purpose The tenour of our Letter was this The first Letter to Sir William Cecill from the Lords of the Congregation THe contents of a Letter directed by you right Worshipfull to Sir Henry Percie was notified unto us by Master Kirkcaldie of Grange this Sunday the 26 of July By the which we perceive that the said Laird of Grange of zeale and faithfull heart which he beareth to the furtherance of this our great and before the world dangerous enterprise hath travelled with you as with an unfained favourer of Christs true Religion and of the libertie of our Countrey for knowledge of your mindes towards us in case that we be assaulted by any forraigne invasion or greater power then we be well able to resist Your comfortable answer to this question we have considered to our joy and comfort as also your motions and what you demand To wit What the Protestants within this Realme do purpose To what end we mean to direct our actions How we will and how we be able to accomplish the same What doubts we have of any adversary power And finally in case that support should be sent from you What manner of amity might ensue betwixt these two Realmes c. To the which in briefe we answer That our whole and onely purpose as God knoweth is to advance the glory of Christ Jesus the true Preaching of his Gospel within this Realme To remove superstition and all sort of externall Idolatry to bridle to our powers the fury of those that heretofore have cruelly shed the blood of our brethren and to our uttermost to maintaine the liberty of this our Countrey from the tyrannie and thraldome of strangers as God shall assist us How we be able to accomplish these premises is to us unknown onely our hope is good That he that hath begun this good worke in us and hath by his power to this houre confounded the faces of our adversaries will performe the same to his glory which chiefly we seek in this our enterprise Because we suppose That neither our present danger neither yet the warlike preparation which France maketh against us are hid from you nor from the counsell we omit that part As touching the assurance of a perpetuall amity to stand betwixt these two Realmes As no earthly thing of us is more desired so crave we of God to make us the instruments by which this unnaturall debate which long hath continued betwixt us may once be composed to the praise of Gods Name and to the comfort of the faithfull in both Realms And if your wisedoms can foresee and devise the means and assurances how the same may be brought to passe perswade your selves not onely of our consent and assistance but also of our constancy as men can promise unto our lives end Yea farther of charge and commandment by us to be left to our posterity That the Amity betwixt us in God contracted and begun may be by them kept inviolate for ever As for the revolting from you to France which ye seem to fear and suspect at their pleasure we utterly abhorre that infidelity for now doth the voyce of God continually sound in our ears That such as prophane the terrible and reverent Name of God shall not escape vengeance Our Confederacy Amity and League shall not be like the Pactions made by worldly men for worldly profit but as we require it for Gods Cause so will we call upon his Name for the observation of the same Moreover if we should lack any thing in Temporall commodity yet should we never have occasion to returne to them for we now perceive and feel the weight of their yoke and intend by Gods grace to cut away such instruments as by whom this Realme was before abused True it is That as yet we have made no mention of any change in Authority neither yet were we minded to do any such thing till extreme necessity compelleth us thereto But seeing it is now more then evident That France and the Queen Regent here with her Priests pretendeth nothing but the suppressing of Christs Gospel the ruine of us and the subversion of this poor Realme committing our innocency to God and unto the judgement of all godly and wise men we are determined to seek the next remedy in which we heartily require your counsell and assistance And thus farre we have enterprised to make you participant of our purpose because in the said Letters ye required the said Master Kirkcaldie some farther assurance then his owne word or writing which we doubt not but ye shall shortly receive from more then from us We dare not hastily make the Assembly neither of Nobles neither of Barons privie in this Cause for dangers that may ensue by policie and craft of the adversaries your wisdom we doubt not will communicate these onely with such as ye know favourers of such a godly Conjunction It should much help in our opinion if the Preachers both in perswasion and in publike Prayers as ours do here would commend the same unto the people And thus after our most humble commendations to the Queenes Majestie whose
Gods grace whereof God send you plentie And so I end Sic subscribitur Yours as a member of the same body in Christ M. Cecill From Oxford the 28 of Iuly 1559. Albeit the said Iohn received this Letter at Barwick yet would he answer nothing till that he had spoken with the Lords whom he found in Sterlin and unto whom he delivered the answer sent from the Councell of England for Alexander Whitlaw took sicknesse betwixt Barwick and Edinburgh and was troubled by the Lord Seaton as in the former Booke is declared the answer sent by Master Cecill was so generall that many amongst us despaired of any comfort to come from that Countrey And therefore were determined that they would request no further Iohn Knox laboured in the contrary but he could prevaile no further but that he should have licence and libertie to write as he thought best And so took he upon him to answer for all in forme as followeth Answer to Master Cecils writing TWo causes hindred me Right Worshipfull to visit you in any part in England Before this no signification of your minde and pleasure was made unto me for onely did Sir Henry Percie will me to come and speake with him which conveniently at that time I could not do by reason that the French-men which was the second cause of my stay did then most furiously pursue us while our company was dispersed and then durst I not be absent for divers inconveniences neither did I thinke my presence with you greatly necessary considering that the matter which I most desired was opened and proposed To the which I would have wished That a more plaine and especiall answer should have been made For albeit Master Whitlaw by his Credit Master Kirkcaldie by his Letter and I both by Letters and by that which I had received from Sir Iames Crofts did perswade your good mindes yet could not the councell be otherwise perswaded but that this alteration in France had altered your former purpose It is not unknown what good will we three do beare to England And therefore I wish That rather your Pen then our Credit or any thing written to any of us should assure the Lords and others of your good mindes who are now in number but five hundred Unlesse that money be furnished without delay to pay the Souldiers for their service past and to retaine another thousand foot-men with three hundred horse-men till some stay be had in this danger these Gentle-men will be compelled to leave the fields I am assured as flesh may be of flesh That some of them will take a very hard life before that ever they compose either with the Queen Regent or with France but this I dare not promise at all unlesse in they see greater forwardnesse To support us will appear excessive and to break promise with France will appear dangerous But the losse of expences in mine opinion ought not to be esteemed from the first payment neither yet the danger from the first appearance France is most fervent to conquer us and avoweth That against us they will spend the Crown so did mine own ears hear Butten Court bragge But most assuredly I know That unlesse by us they thought to make an entrie to you that they would not buy our poverty at that price They labour to corrupt some of our great men by money and some of our number are poore as before I wrote and cannot serve without support some they threatned and against others they have up one party in their owne Countrey In this mean time if ye lie by as neutralls what will be the end you may easily conjecture And therefore Sir in the bowells of Christ Jesus I require you to make plain answer What the Gentlemen here may trust to and what the Queens Majestie will do may without long delay be put in execution I rest in Christ Jesus Of Saint Iohnston the day of c. Answer with great expedition was returned to this Letter desiring some men of credit to be sent to the Lords to Barwicke for the receiving of the money for the first support with promise That if the Lords of the Congregation meant no otherwise then before they had written and if they would enter into League with honest Conditions they should neither lack men nor money to their just Causes Upon this answer was directed from the Lords to Barwicke Master Henry Balnaves a man of good credit in both the Realmes who suddenly returned with such a sum of money as served all the publike affairs till November next when Iohn Cockburne of Ormeston sent for the second support and receiving the same unhappily fell into the hands of the Earle Bothwell was wounded taken and spoyled of a great Sum upon which mischance followed all the rest of the troubles before rehearsed In the second Book preceding we have declared how Secretary Leehington was directed to England But one thing before we have passed by In that our greatest dejection this order was taken That the Duke the Earle of Glencarne Lord Boyd Lord Uchiltrie and their friends should remaine together at Glasgow for comfort of the Countrey and for giving of answers as occasion should require and that the Earle of Arrane the Lord Iames the Earle of Rothesse the Master of Lindsay and their adherents should continue together within Fyfe for the same causes that advertisements might go from the one to the other as need required In the Negotiation of the Secretary Lethington with the Queen and Councell of England in the which he travelled with no lesse wisedom and faithfulnesse then happy successe many things occurred that required the resolution of the whole Lords After that the Queen and Councell of England had concluded to send their Army to Scotland for expelling of the French the Duke of Norfolke was sent to Barwick with full instructions power and Commission to do in all things concerning the present affaires of Scotland as the Queen and Councell in their own persons had power to do Hereupon the said Duke required such a part of the Lords of Scotland as had power and Commission from the whole to meet him at such a day and place as pleased them to appoint This advertisement came first to Glasgow by the meanes of the Master of Maxwell Which read and considered by the Lords conclusion was taken that they would meet at Carleil and that was the procurement of the said Master of Maxwell for his ease Hereupon were Letters directed from the Lords being in Glasgow to Lord Iames requiring him with all possible expedition to repaire towards them for the purpose aforesaid Which Letters read and advised upon commandment was given to Iohn Knox to make the answer For so it was appointed at division of the Lords that he should answer for the part of those that were in Fyfe and M. Henry Balnaves for the part of them that abode at Glasgow The said Iohn answered as followeth To the Duke
Majesties most gentle clemency and liberall support the said Nobility as well such as be joyned as such as shall hereafter joyn with them already joyned for the defence of the liberty of that Realme shall to the uttermost of their power ayd and support her Majesties Army against the French and their partakers with Horse-men and Foot-men and with Victualls by Land and Sea with all manner of other ayd to the best of their power and so shall continue during the time that her Majesties Army shall remain in Scotland Item They shall be enemies to all such Scotish men and French as shall in any wise shew themselves enemies to the Realm of England for the ayding and supporting of the said Nobility in the delivery of the Realme of Scotland from Conquest Item They shall never assent nor permit that the Realme of Scotland shall be conquered or otherwise knit to the Crown of France then it is at this present onely by Marriage of the Queen their Soveraign to the French King and it be ruled by the Laws and Liberties of the Realme as it ought to be Item In case the French-men shall at any time hereafter invade or cause to be invaded the Realme of England they shall furnish the number of two thousand Horse-men and one thousand Foot-men at the least or such part of either of them at the charge of the Queen of England and shall conduct the same to passe from the borders of Scotland next England upon her Majesties charges to any part of the Realme of England for defence of the same And in case the invasion be on the North parts of England on the North side of the water of Tyne towards Scotland or against Barwick on the North side of the water of Tweid They shall convene and gather their whole Forces upon their owne charges and shall joyne with the English power and shall continue in good and earnest pursuite of the Quarrell of England during the space of thirty dayes or so much longer as they were accustomed to tarry in the fields for defence of Scotland At the commandment of their Soveraignes at any time by past and also the Earle of Argyle Lord Justice of Scotland being presently joyned with the rest shall imploy his force and good will where he shall be required by the Queens Majestie to reduce the North parts of Ireland to the perfect obedience of England conforme to a mutuall and reciproque contract to be made betwixt her Majesties Lieutenant or Deputie of Ireland being for the time and the said Earle wherein shall be contained what he shall do for his part and what the said Lieutenant or Deputie shall do for his support in case he shall have to do with Iames Mackconell or any others of the Isles of Scotland or Realme of Ireland For performance and sure keeping whereof they shall for their part come to the said Duke of Norfolk the pledges presently named by him before the entry of her Majesties Armie in Scottish ground to remain in England for the space of six moneths and to be there exchanged upon deliverance of new hostages of like or as good condition as the former or being the lawfull sons brethren or heires of any of the Peers or Barons of Parliament that have or hereafter shall shew themselves and persist open enemies to the French in this quarrell and so forth from six moneths to six moneths or foure moneths to foure moneths as shall best please the partie of Scotland And the time of continuance of the hostages shall be during the marriage of the Queen of Scots to the French King and a yeere after the dissolution of the said Marriage untill further order may be had betwixt both the Realmes for Peace and Concord And furthermore the said Nobility being Peers and Barons of Parliament joyned together shall subscribe and seale these Articles and agreement within the space of twenty or thirty dayes at the uttermost next following the day of the delivering of the said hostages and shall also procure and perswade all others of the Nobility that shall joyne themselves heereafter with the said Lords for the cause above-specified likewise to subscribe and seale those Articles at any time after the space of twenty dayes after their conjunction upon requisition made by them on the partie of the Queens Majestie of England And finally the said Nobility joyned together certainly perceiving that the Queens Majestie of England is thereunto moved onely upon respect of Princely honour and neighbourhood for defence of the freedom of Scotland from Conquest and not of any other sinister intent doth by these presents testifie and declare That they nor any of them mean by this agreement to withdraw any due obedience to the Soveraign Lady the Queen nor in any lawfull thing to withstand the French King her husband and head that during the marriage shall not tend to the subversion and oppression of the just and ancient Liberties of the said Kingdom of Scotland For preservation whereof both for their Soveraigns honour and for the continuance of the Kingdom in its ancient state they acknowledge themselves bound to spend their Goods Lands and Lives And for performance of this present Contract for the part of England the Queens Majestie shall confirm the same and all Clauses therein contained by her Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England to be delivered to the Nobility of Scotland upon the entrie of the Pledges aforesaid within the ground of England In Witnesse whereof the said Duke of Norfolke hath subscribed these Points and thereunto affixed his Seal the day yeer and place aforesaid Which Contract we finde honest and reasonable and that our said Commissioners therein hath considerately respected the Common-weale of this Realme of us and our posterity And therefore do ratifie allow confirme and approve the same with all Clauses and Articles therein contained by these Presents In Witnesse hereof we have subscribed the same with our Hands and sealed with our Seals of Arms in such causes accustomed are appended At the Camp before Leith the tenth day of May the year of God 1560 yeers Follow the Subscriptions The Subscriptions The Duke of Chattellarault Earle of Arrane Earle of Glencarne Earle of Rothesse Earl of Argyle Earle of Huntlie Earle of Morton Earle of Menteth Lord Ogilbye Lord Iames Steward Alexander Gordon Lord Boyd Lord Uchiltrie Gawin Hamilton of Kilwinning Abbot of Culrosse Lord Bothwike Lord of Saint Iohn Lord Iohn Abirbrâ—thok Lord Simmerwaile Lord Robert Steward Abbot of Kynlosse Iames Stewart of Saint Colmes Inche The Instructions given subscribed to the said Commissioners following 1. IN the first place if it shall be asked of you by the Duke of Norfolk and by other the Queens Majesties appointed Commissioners If your Pledges be in readinesse ye shall answer That they are and in Saint Andrews the 25 of this instant and shal be ready to be delivered in Hostage for security of our promises and part
of the contract they offering and making security for their part by the Queenes Majesties Subscription aud Great Seal and delivering the same unto you Providing That they choose and make their election of the Pledges as is commoned 2. Secondly If the said Commissioners shall demand of you What enterprise the Army of England shall take in hand at their first incoming Ye shall answer in generall The expulsion of the French Souldiers out of this Realme and first and in especiall out of the Town of Leith seeing their great Forces are there 3. Item If it shall be asked of you At what place our friends and brethren of England shall be met And at what day What number And What Noble-men in company Ye shall referre all these things to their election and choice 4. Item If it shall be asked of you How the Armies shall be furnished with Victuals and especially the Horse-men Ye shall answer That with their advice sufficient order shall be taken therein 5. Item If it be required How the Munition shall be carried and oxen furnished to that effect You shall answer as we have given in Commission to Lethington which we ratifie 6. Item If it shall be asked Who shall be Lieutenant to the Army of Scotland Ye shall answer The Duke of Chattellarault 7. Item If it shall be enquired What number our whole Army extends to Ye shall answer They will be God willing five thousand men 8. Item If it shall be asked What manner of way Leith shall be assaulted Ye shall desire all preparations to be in readinesse and the advice to be taken after the placing of the Armies and view of the strength shortly 9. Item If it shall be asked concerning the Castle of Edinburgh If they will stand friends or not Ye shall declare our diligence made and to be made shortly herein but for the present we can assure them of nothing 10. Item If it be asked In case the Castle be enemy Where the Armie shall be placed Ye shall answer For the first in Muschilbrough and Tranent and those parts till the Batterie and all preparations be in readinesse 11. Item In case it be enquired of all by-lyers and neutrals and in especiall of the Lord of Huntley and the North Ye shall answer in generall A good hope is had of the most part thereof And touching the Lord of Huntley in especiall Ye shall shew how he hath sent Writings to my Lord of Arrane with a servant of credit to assure him of his assistance And for that cause hath desired Letters of suspension of the Queen Dowagers Commission to be sent to him to be used in those parts and other Letters to arrest the Clergies Rents and Hires both in those parts With Proclamations to cause all men to be in readinesse to passe forwards for maintaining of the Religion and expulsing of strangers The Nobility hath written to him That he may come to him in proper person Whereof the answer is not returned as yet 12. Item If it shall be asked the place and manner of meeting of our folks or of us and them in case Sterlin be kept We refer the answer hereof to your discretions 13. Item If it shall be asked That their leaden money shall have passage for their necessities Ye shall reason the commodity and discommodity thereof with the Councell 14. Item If it shall be asked What Pioners shall be had Ye shall answer the number being expressed and money in readinesse to so sold or pay them They shall have sufficiencie 15. Item If they shall desire That we declare our causes unto the Princes of Almaigne and the King of Denmark or Germany desiring their assistance Ye shall answer That we think the same good and shall speedily take order therewith 16. Item If it shall be desired of you to confirme for us and in our name the things past and granted by our former Commissioner the young Laird of Lethington Ye shall in all points for us and in our name confirme the same so far as it shall make either for the weale and conjunction of the two Realms or this present Cause or yet for the security of our part for fulfilling of the same And as ye shall accept their offers tending to the same end and such security on that part as ye may purchase and especially such as we have heretofore expressed Given at Glasgow the 10. of February 1559. 17. Item We give and grant you full power to augment or diminsh the said Heads and Articles as ye think the weale of the cause shall require in all points Sic subscribitur Iohn of Menteth Andrew of Rothesse R. Boyd William Murray of Tulibarn Iohn Erskin of Dun. Iames Hamilton Alexander Gordon Alexander Argyle Glencarne Uchiltrie Iames Haliburntoun Shortly after this Contract were our pledges delivered to Master Winter Admirall of the Navie that came to Scotland a man of great honestie so farre as ever we could espie in him who were safely conveyed to Newcastle and so the English Armie by land began to assemble towards the border Whereof the French and Queen Regent assured they began to destroy what they could in the Towns and Countrey about for the whole Victuals they carried to Leith the Mills they brake the Sheep Oxen and Kine yea the Horses of poore Labourers all made they to serve their Tyrannie And finally they left nothing which the very enemies could have devised except that they demolished not Gentlemens houses and burnt not the Town of Edinburgh In which point God bridled their fury to let his afflicted understand That he took care for them Before the comming of the Land Armie the French past to Glasgow and destroyed the Countrey thereabout What tyrannie Marticks used upon a poore Scottish Souldier it is fearefull to heare and yet his fact may not be omitted Silver would they give none to the poore man and they were so slow to depart out of the Towne That albeit the Drum stroke the Ensigne could not be gotten There was a poore Crafts-man who had bought for his Victuals a brown Loaf and was eating a morsell of it and was putting the rest of it into his bosome The Tyrant came to him and with the poore wretches own dagger first stroke him in the brest and after threw it at him and so the poore man staggering and falling the mercilesse tyrant ran him thorow with his Rapier and thereafter commanded him to be hanged over the stayre Lord thou wilt look and recompence such Tyranny how contemptible soever the person was The second of April the yeer of our Lord 1560. the Army of the Land entred into Scotland the conducting whereof was committed to the Lord Gray who had in his company the Lord Scrope Sir Iames Crofts Sir Henry Percie Sir Francis Lake with many other Captains and Gentlemen having charge some of Foot-men and some of Horse-men The Army by Land was esteemed ten thousand men The Queen Regent
have heard And yet more I must Vote as it were by way of Protestation That if any person Ecclesiasticall shall after this oppose themselves to this our Confession that they that have no place nor credit considering that they having long advertisement and full knowledge of this our Confession none is now found in lawfull free and quiet Parliament to oppose themselves to that which we professe And therefore if any of this Generation pretend to do it after this I protest he be reputed rather one that loveth his own commodity and the glory of the world then the Truth of God and the salvation of mens souls After the Voting and Ratification of this our Confession by the whole Body of the Parliament there were also pronounced two Acts the one against the Masse and the abuse of the Sacraments and the other against the Supremacy of the Pope The Tenour whereof followeth An Act against the Masse and the Sayers and Hearers thereof IN the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the tenth of Iuly the yeer of God 1560. The said Parliament being continued to the first of August next thereafter following with continuation of dayes upon the twenty fourth day of the said moneth of August the three States then being present The which day forsomuch as Almighty God by his most true and blessed Word hath declared the Reverence and Honour which should be given to him and by his Son Iesus Christ hath declared the true use of the Sacraments willing the same to be used according to his Will and Word By the which it is notorious and perfectly knowne That the Sacraments of Baptisme and of the Body and Blood of Iesus Christ hath been this long time past corrupted by the Papisticall Church and by their Ministers And at this present time notwithstanding the Reformation already made according to Gods Word yet neverthelesse there is some of the same Popes Church that stubbornly persevereth in their wicked Idolatry saying Masse and Baptizing conform to the Popes Church profaning therethrough the Sacraments aforesaid in quiet secret places regarding therein neither God nor his Word Therefore it is Decreed and Ordained in this present Parliament That no manner of person or persons in any time coming administrate any of the Sacraments secretly in any manner of way but they that are admitted and having power to that effect Nor say Masse nor yet heare Masse nor be present thereat under the pain of confiscation of all their goods and punishing of their bodies at the discretion of the Magistrates within whose Iurisdiction such persons happeneth to be apprehended for the first fault banishing out of the Realme for the second fault and chastising by death for the third fault And Ordaineth all Sheriffs Stewards Baylies and their Deputies Provosts and Bayliffs of Burroughs and other Iudges within this Realm to make diligent sute and inquisition within their Bounds where any such usurped Ministry is used Masse-saying or they that be present at the doing thereof ratifying and approving the same and take and apprehend them to the effect that the pains above written may be executed upon them Extractum de Libro Parliamenti per me c. Sic Subscribitur Iacobus Magill The Act for the abolishing of the Pope and his usurped Authority in SCOTLAND IN the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the tenth of July the year of God 1560. And thereafter continued to the first day of August next thereafter following with continuation of dayes upon the 24 of the said Moneth of August the three States then being present understanding that the Iurisdiction and Authority of the Bishop of Rome called the Pope used in this Realm in times past hath been very hurtsome and prejudiciall to our Soveraigns Authority and Common-weale of this Realm Therefore hath decreed and ordained That the Bishop of Rome hath no Iurisdiction nor Authority in this Realm in times comming And that none of our said Soveraigns Subjects claim and desire in any time herafter title or right by the said Bishop of Rome or his sect to any thing within this Realm under the pains of Baratrie that is to say Proscription banishment and never to brook and enjoy honour office nor dignity within this Realm and the contraveners hereof to be called before the Iustice or his Deputies or before the Lords of the Session and punished therefore confirm to the Laws of this Realm and the furnishers of them with fynance of money and purchasers of their title of right or maintainers or defenders of them shall incur the same pains And that no Bishop nor other Prelat of this Realm use any Iurisdiction in times to come by the said Bishop of Romes Authority under the pain aforesaid Extractum de Libro Parliamenti per me Ut supra These and other things orderly done in lawfull and free Parliament we directed to France to our Soveraign Sir Iames Sandelandes Lord of Saint Iohn with the Acts of the said Parliament that by them they might be ratified according to the promises of their Majesties Commissioners made to us as by the Contract of Peace may evidently appear But how the said Lord of Saint Iohn was received and used we list not to rehearse But alwayes no ratification brought he unto us but that we little regarded or yet do regard for all that we did was rather to shew our dutifull obedience then to beg of them any strength to our Religion which from God hath full power and needed not the suffrage of man but in so far as man had need to beleeve it if that ever he shall have participation of the life everlasting But somewhat must we answer to such as since hath whispered that it was but a pretended Parliament a privie Convention and no lawfull Parliament Their reasons are The King and Queen were in France there was neither Scepter Sword nor Crown born c. And some Principall Lords were absent We answer That we rather wish the Papists to be quiet then too curiously to travell in that Point for it may be while they thinke to hurt us they give the Queene and her authority a great blow and yet amend themselves nothing For in whose default we pray you was the Queen absent from this Realm We think they will not be so shamelesse as that they will blame the Protestants thereof Her person was absent and that to no small grief of our hearts But were not the States of her Realm assembled in her name Yea had they not her full power and Commission yea the Commission and commandment of her head the King of France to convocate that Parliament and to do all things that may be done in lawfull Parliament Even as if our Soveraigns had been there in proper persons If they will limit the power of Princes to the places onely where their bodily presence is it will be thought strange for so not onely shall Kings be compelled to content them with one Realme but also with
one Citie For the bodily presence of Kings can no more be in divers cities at one instant then that they can be in divers Realms Hitherto we have understood that wheresoever the great Councellers of the King with his power and Commission are assembled to do any thing at his just commandment That there is the Kings sufficient presence and authority wheresoever his own body be living at freedome and liberty which if the Papists deny we will finde faults with them and with the Princes whom they have abused that more will annoy them then any thing that we can lose by the insufficiencie of that Parliament Which neverthelesse we are bold to affirme to have been more lawfull and more free then any Parliament that they are able to produce this hundred yeeres before it or yet any that hath ensued since it was he meanes untill 1566. when this Book was written for in it the voices of men were free and given in conscience in others they were bought or given at the devotion of the misled Prince All things in it concluded are able to abide the triall and not to be consumed at the proofe of the fire of others the godly may justly call in doubt things determined To the Sword and Scepter nor yet to the absence of some Lords we answer nothing For our adversaries know well enough that the one is rather a pompe and vaine-glorious ceremonie then a substantiall point of necessitie required to a lawfull Parliament And the absence of some prejudges not the powers of the present duely assembled Providing that due advertisement be made unto them But now we return to our History The Parliament dissolved consultation was had how the Church might be established in a good and godly policie which by the Papists was altogether defaced Commission and charge was given to Master Iohn Winram Sub-priour of S. Andrews Master Iohn Spottiswood Iohn Willock Master Iohn Dowglas Rectour of S. Andrews Master Iohn Row and Iohn Knox to draw in a Volume the Policie and Discipline of the Church as well as they had done the Doctrine which they did and presented it to the Nobility who did peruse it many dayes Some approved it and willed the same to have been set forth by a Law others perceiving their carnall liberty and worldly commodity somewhat to be impared thereby grudged in so much that the name of the Book of Discipline became odious unto them Every thing that repugned to their corrupt imaginations was termed in their mockage Devout imaginations The cause we have before declared some was licentious some had greedily griped the possessions of the Church and others thought that they would not lack their part of Christs Coat yea and that before that ever he was Crucified as by the Preachers they were oft rebuked The chief great man that had professed Christ Jesus and refused to subscribe the Book of Discipline was the Lord Erskin And no wonder for besides that he had a very evill woman to his wife if the Poore the Schooles and the Ministerie of the Church had their owne his Kitchin would lack two parts and more of that which he unjustly now possesseth Assuredly some of us hath wondered how men that professe godlinesse could of so long continuance hear the threatnings of God against theeves and against their houses and knowing themselves guilty in such things as were openly rebuked and that they never had remorse of conscience neither yet intended to restore any thing of that which long they had stollen and reft There were none within the Realme more unmercifull to the poore Ministers then were they which had greatest rents of the Churches But in that we have perceived the old Proverb to be true Nothing can suffice a wretch And again The belly hath no eares Yet the same Book of Discipline was subscribed by a great part of the Nobility To wit The Duke the Earle of Arrane the Earles Argyle Glencarn Mershell Menteth Morton Rothesse Lord Iames after Earle of Murray Lords Yeaster Boyd Uchiltrie Master of Maxwell Lord Lindsay elder and the Master after Lord Barrons Drunlaurige Lothingwar Garleisse Bargany Master Alexander Gordon Bishop of Galloway this Bishop of Galloway as he renounced Popery so did he Prelacie witnesse his subscription of the Book of Discipline as the rest of the Prelats did who did joyne to the Reformation Alexander Campbell Deane of Marray with a great number moe subscribed and approved the said Book of Discipline in the Town-Buith of Edinburgh the 27 day of January the yeere of our Lord God 1560. by their approbation In these words WE which have subscribed these presents having advised with the Articles herein specified and as is above-mentioned from the beginning of this Book thinks the same good and conforme to Gods Word in all points conforme to the Notes and Additions thereto asked and promise to set the same forward at the uttermost of our powers Providing that the Bishops Abbots Priors and other Prelates and Beneficed men which else have adjoyned themselves to us brooke the revenues of their Benefices during their life times they sustaining and upholding the Ministerie and Ministers as is heerein specified for Preaching of the Word and Ministring of the Sacraments What be the contents of the whole Book and how that this promise was illuded from time to time we shall after heare Shortly after the said Parliament were sent from the Councell Ambassadours to England the Earles Morton and Glencarne together with William Maitland of Lethington yonger The chief point of their Commission was earnestly to crave the constant assistance of the Queens Majestie of England against all forraigne invasion and common enemies That same time was the Castle of Semple hard besieged and taken Because the Lord thereof disobeyed the Lawes and Ordinances of the Councell in many things and especially in that that he would maintain the Idolatrie of the Masse and also that he beset the way to the Earle of Arrane with a great gathering as he was riding with his accustomed company The Papists were proud for they looked for a new Armie from France at the next Spring and thereof was no small appearance if God had not otherwise provided For France utterly refused the confirmation of the Peace contracted at Leith would ratifie no part of our Parliament dismissed the Lord of Saint Iohn without a resolute answer began to gather new Bands of throat-cutters and to make great preparation for Ships They further sent before them certain practisers amongst whom the Lord Seaton who had departed with the French out of Leith was one to raise up new troubles within this Realme And all this came partly of the malice of the house of Guise who had avowed to revenge the displeasure of their sister both upon England and Scotland and partly by instigation of proud Beton falsly called Bishop of Glasgow of Dury Abbot of Dunfermeling and Saulles Seaton and Master Iohn Sinclair Deane of Restalrige
appointed to begin the 20 of May next following for at that time was the returne of the said Lord Iames looked for and so was that Convention dissolved without any other thing of importance concluded The said Lord Iames prepared him for his journey for albeit he past in the publike affairs he sustained the charge of his own expences and yet there never past from this Realme in the company of one man so many and so honest thorow England to France Before he departed he was forewarned as well of the danger in France as of the Queens craft not that we then suspected her nature but that we understood the malice of her friends he was plainly premonished That if ever he condescended that she should have Masse publikely or privately within the Realme of Scotland that then betrayed he the Cause of God and exposed the Religion even to the uttermost danger that he could do That she should have Masse publikely he affirmed that he would never consent But to have it secretly in her Chamber Who could stop her The danger was shewn and so he departed The Forme and Order of the Election of the Superintendent and all other Ministers at Edinburgh March the 9. 1560. John Knox being then Preacher FIrst was made a Sermon in the which these Heads were handled First The necessity of Ministers and Superintendents or Overseers The second the crimes and vices that might unable them of the Ministry Thirdly the vertues required in them Fourthly and lastly Whether such as by publike consent of the Church were called to such Office might refuse the same The Sermon finished it was declared by the same Minister maker thereof That the Lords of the Secret Councell had given Charge and Power to the Churches of Lowthian to to chuse Master Iohn Spottiswood Superintendent or Overseer And that sufficient warning was made by publike Edict to the Churches of Edinburgh Linliethquow Sterlin Tranent Hadington and Dumbar as also to the Earles Lords Barons Gentlemen and others that have or that might claim to have Vote in Election to be present that day and that same hour And therefore enquiry was made Who were present and who were absent After was called the said Iohn who answering the Minister demanded If he knew any crime or offence to the said Master Iohn that might unable him to be called to that Office and that he demanded thrise Secondly question was moved to the whole multitude If there was any other whom they put in Election with the said Master Iohn The people were asked If they would have the said Master Iohn Superintendent or Overseer If they would honour and obey him as Christs Minister and comfort and assist him in every thing pertaining to his Charge They answered We will and do promise unto him such obedience as becometh Sheep to give unto their Pastor so long as he remaineth faithfull in his Office Tne answers of the people and their consent received the questions were propounded to him that was to be elected Question Seeing that ye hear the thirst and desire of this people Do ye not thinke your selfe bound in conscience before God to support them that so earnestly call for your comfort and for the fruit of your labours Answer If any thing were in me able to satisfie their desire I acknowledge my selfe bound to obey God calling by them Question Do ye seek to be promoted to this Office and charge for any respect of worldly commodity riches or glory Answer God knoweth the contrary Question Beleeve ye not that the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles contained in the Books of the Old and New Testaments are the onely true and most absolute foundation of the Universall Church of Christ Jesus in so much that in the same Scriptures are contained all things necessary to be beleeved for the salvation of mankinde Answer I verely beleeve the same and do abhorre and utterly refuse all Doctrine alleadged necessary to salvation that is not expressedly contained in the same Question Is not Christ Jesus man of man according to the flesh to wit The Sonne of David The seed of Abraham Conceived by the holy Ghost Born of the Virgine his mother and that he is the onely Head and Mediatour of his Church Answer He is and without him there is neither salvation to man nor life to Angel Question Is not the same Lord Jesus The onely true God The eternall Son of the eternall Father in whom all that shall be saved were elected before the foundation of the world was laid Answer I confesse and acknowledge and confesse him in the Unitie of his God-head to be God above all things blessed for ever Question Shall not they whom God in his eternall Councell hath elected be called to the knowledge of his Sonne our Lord Jesus and shall not they who of purpose are called in this life be justified and justification and free remission of sins is obtained in this life by free grace Shall not the glory of the sons of God follow in the generall Resurrection when the Son of God shall appear in his glorious Majestie Answer This I acknowledge to be the Doctrine of the Apostles and the most singular comfort of Gods children Question Will ye not then containe your self in all Doctrine within the bounds of this foundation Will ye not studie to promove the same as well by your life as by your Doctrine Will ye not according to the graces and utterance that God shall grant unto you professe instruct and maintaine the puritie of the Doctrine contained in the sacred Word of God and to the uttermost of your power Will ye not gain-stand and convince the gain-sayers and the teachers of mens inventions Answer That do I promise in the presence of God and of his Congregation heere assembled Question Know ye not that the excellencie of this Office to the which God hath called you requireth that your conversation and behaviour be such as that ye may be irreprehensible yea even in the eyes of the ungodly Answer I unfainedly acknowledge and humbly desire the Church of God to pray with me that my life be not slanderous to the glorious Gospel of Christ Iesus Question Because you are a man compassed with infirmities will you not charitably and with lowlinesse of spirit receive admonition of your brethren And if ye shall happen to slide or offend in any point will ye not be subject to the Discipline of the Church as the rest of your brethren The Answer of the Superintendent or Minister to be elected I acknowledge my self a man subjected to infirmity and one that hath need of correction and admonition and therefore I most willingly subject my selfe to the wholsome Discipline of the Church yea to the Discipline of the same Church by which I am now called to this Office and Charge and here in Gods presence and yours do promise obedience to all admonitions secretly or publikely given unto which if I
owne desire we know not but the Queen spake with Iohn Knox and had long reasoned with him none being present except the Lord Iames two Gentlemen stood in the one end of the room The sum of their reasoning was this The Queen accused him That he had raised a part of her subjects against her Mother and her self That he had written a Book against her just Authority she meant the Treatise against the Regiment of Women which she had and would cause the most learned in Europe to write against it That he was the cause of great sedition and great slaughter in England And that it was said to her That all that he did was by Necromancy To the which the said Iohn answered Madame it may please your Majestie patiently to hear my simple answers And first said he my simple Answers And first said he if to teach the Word of God in sincerity if to rebuke Idolatry and to will a people to worship God according to his Word be to raise Subjects against their Princes then cannot I bee excused for it hath pleased God of his mercy to make me one amongst many to disclose unto this Realme the vanitie of the Papisticall Religion and the deceit pride and tyranny of that Romane Antichrist But Madame if the true knowledge of God and his right worshipping be the chief cause which must move men to obey their just Princesse from their heart as it is most certain that they are wherein can I be reprehended I thinke and am surely perswaded that your Majestie has had and presently hath as unfained obedience of such as professe Christ Jesus within this Realm as ever your Father or Progenitours had of those that were called Bishops And touching that Booke that seemeth so highly to offend your Majestie it is most certaine that if I wrote it I am content that all the learned of the world judge of it I heare that an Englishman hath written against it but I have not read him if hee hath sufficiently confuted my reasons and established his contrary Propositions with as evident testimonies as I have done mine I shall not bee obstinate but shall confesse mine errour and ignorance But to this houre I have thought and yet thinkes my selfe alone more able to sustaine the things affirmed in that my Work than any ten in Europe shall be able to confute it You thinke said shee that I have no just Authoritie Please your Majestie said he that learned men in all ages have had their judgements free and most commonly disagreeing from the Common judgement of the world Such also have they published both with Pen and tongue notwithstanding they themselves have lined in the common Societie with others and have borne patiently with the errour and imperfections which they could not amend Plato the Philosopher wrote his Booke of the Common wealth in the which hee condemnes many things that were maintained in the world and required many things to have beene reformed And yet notwithstanding he lived under such Politicks as then were universally received without farther troubling any State Even so Madame am I content to do in uprightnesse of heart and with a testimony of good Conscience I have communicate my judgement to the world if the Realme findes no inconveniencies in the Regiment of a woman that which they approve shall I not further disallow then within my owne brest but shall be all well content and shall live under your Majestie as Paul was to live under the Roman Emperour And my hope is that so long as ye defile not your hands with the Blood of the Saints of God that neither I nor that Booke shall either hurt you or your Authoritie for in very deed Madame that Booke was written most especially against that wicked Mary of England But said shee you speake of women in generall most true it is Madame said the other and yet plainly appeareth to me that wisedome should perswade your Majestie never to raise trouble for that which this day hath not troubled your Majestie neither in person nor in anxietie For of late yeeres many things which before were holden Stable have been called in doubt yea they have been plainely impugned But yet Madame I am assured That neither Protestant nor Papist shall be able to prove That any such Question was at any time moved in publike or in private Now Madame said he if I had intended to trouble your State because you are a woman I might have chosen a time more convenient for that purpose then I can do now when your own presence is within the Realme But now Madame shortly to answer to the other two accusations I heartily praise my God through Jesus Christ that Satan the enemy of mankinde and the wicked of the World have no other crimes to lay to my charge then such as the very World it selfe knoweth to be most false and vaine For in England I was resident onely the space of five yeeres The places were Barwick where I abode two yeeres So long in New-castle And a yeere in London Now Madame if in any of these places during the time that I was there any man shall be able to prove That there was either Battell Sedition or Mutinie I shall confesse That I my selfe was the Malefactour and shedder of the blood I am not ashamed further to affirme That God so blessed my weake labours then in Barwick wherein then commonly used to be slaughter by reason of quarrells that used to arise amongst Souldiers there was also great quietnesse all the time that I remained there as there is this day in Edinburgh And where they slander me of Magick Necromancie or of any other Art forbidden of God I have witnesse besides mine owne conscience all the Congregations that ever heard me what I speak both against such acts and against those that use such impietie But seeing the wicked of the world said That my Master the Lord Jesus was possessed with Beelzebub I must patiently beare Albeit that I wretched sinner be unjustly accused of those that never delighted in the Veritie But yet said she you have taught the people to receive another Religion then their Princes can allow And how can that Doctrine be of God Seeing that God commandeth Subjects to obey their Princes Madame said he as right Religion tooke neither Originall nor Antiquity from worldly Princes but from the eternall God alone So are not Subjects bound to frame their Religion according to the appetite of their Princes For oft it is that Princes are the most ignorant of all others in Gods true Religion as we may reade in the Histories as well before the death of CHRIST JESUS as after If all the seed of Abraham should have beene of the Religion of Pharaoh to whom they had beene a long time Subjects I pray you Madame what Religion should there have been in the world Or if all men in the dayes of the Apostles
up to the effects aforesaid and ordained Letters to be directed charging all and sundry Beneficed men on this side of the Water to produce their Rentalls before the foure and twentieth day of Ianuary last past And the tenth of February instant were prefixed by the said Letters for the bringing in all Rentalls of the Benefices beyond the water with certification That who produced not the said Rentalls at the dayes aforesaid respectively the Queens Majesty and her Councell would provide remedy according to the which Certification her Highnesse with advice of her Councell aforesaid hath Ordained That they who have not produced their Rentalls whole and full intromission shall be had of their fruits by them whom her Majesty shall direct thereto And who have not given their just Rentalls whatsoever part omitted forth of their said Rentall shall be intromitted in like manner And further having consulted rightly and diligently advised upon the common affairs and necessities concerning the Queens Majesty and charges to be borne for the Common-weale of the Realme and sustentation and maintenance of the Preachers and Readers conform to the said Ordinance made thereupon of before hath Ordained and Declared the whole third part of all Benefices of the which Rentalls are produced to be taken up by the person or persons to be nominated by her Majesty and to begin upon this last Crop of the yeer of God 1561. the same to be employed to the effect aforesaid Together with the whole Profits of the Benefices whereof the Rentalls are not produced And also all that is omitted out of the Rentalls produced And that order be directed by the Queens Majesty to the Lords of the Session That the old Possessors may be answered of the remnant fruits of the said Benefices providing That the third part aforesaid be full and whole taken up by the persons to be deputed to the taking thereof And this Order to continue and stand while further order be taken by the Queens Majesty with the advice of the States Moreover her Highnesse with the advice of the Councell aforesaid hath Statuted and Ordained That Annuells Marles and Duties within free Burroughs or other Townes of this Realme as well pertaining to Chaplanries Prebendaries as to Friers together with the Rents of the Friers Lands where-ever they be setting and disposing thereupon be intermedled with and taken by such as her Majesty shall depute thereto for employing of the same by her Highnesse to Hospitalls Schools and other godly uses as shall seeme best to her Highnesse with advice of her Councell And knowing that nothing is more commodious for the foresaid Hospitality then the places of Friers that are yet undemolished and also to the entertainment of Schools Colledges and other uses aforesaid ordains the Provests and Bayliffs of Aberdeine Elgmen Murray Inneresk Glasgow and other Burroughs of this Realme where the same are not demolished to entertain and uphold the said Friers places standing in the said Townes upon the Common goods thereof and to use the same to the Common weale and service of the said Townes untill the Queenes Majesty be further advised and take finall order in such things notwithstanding of any Gift Title or Entryes given to whatsoever persons of the said places with their Yards and Orchards and other Pertinents by our Soveraign Lady of before The Lords of secret Councell that were present at the Voting and making of the aforesaid Acts were Iames Duke of Chattellarault George Earle of Huntley Archibald Earle of Argyle William Earle Mershall Iohn Earle Atholl William Earle of Montrosse Iames Earle Morton Alexander Earle of Glencarne Iames Commendator of Saint Andrews Iohn Lord Erskin The Treasurer The Justice Clerke The Steward and Controller For the first Acts the Earle of Huntley said jestingly Good morrow my Lords of the two parts The whole Rentals being gathered the sum of the third according to their own calculation was found to extend to c. The Ministers even in the beginning of publike Sermons opposed themselves to such corruption for they foresaw the purposes of the Devill and clearly understood the Butt whereat the Queene and her flatterers Shot And so in the chaire of Edinburgh Iohn Knox said Well if the end of this Order pretended to be taken for sustentation of the Ministers be happy my judgement failes me for I am assured That the Spirit of God is not the Authour of it for first I see two parts freely given to the Devill and the third must be divided between God and the Devill Well said he beare witnesse to me that this day I said it Ere it be long the Devill shall have three parts of the third and judge you then what Gods portion will be This was an unsavory saying in the eares of many Some were not ashamed to affirme That the Ministers being sustained the Queen will not get at the yeers end to buy her a paire of new shoes And this was Secretary Lethington There were appointed to modifie the Ministers stipends The Earle of Argyle Murray and Morton Lethington Justice Clarke and Clerke of the Register The Laird of Pittaro was appointed to pay the Ministers Stipends according to their Modification Who would have thought that when Ioseph ruled Egypt that his brethren should have travelled for Victuals and have returned with empty Sacks unto their families men would rather have thought that Pharaohs Pose Treasure and Gilnells should rather have been diminished then that the houshold of Iacob should stand in danger to starve for hunger But so busie and circumspect were the Modificators because it was a new Office the terme must also be new that the Ministers should not be over-wanton That a hundred Marks was sufficient to a single man being a common Minister Three hundred Marks was the highest that was appointed to any except the Superintendents and a few others shortly Whether it was the ingratitude of their own hearts or the care that they had to enrich the Queene we know not But the poore Ministers Readers and Exhorters cryed out to the heaven as their complaints in all assemblies do witnesse That neither were they able to live upon the Stipends appointed neither could they get payment of that small thing that was appointed so faine would the Controllers have played the good Vallet and have satisfied the Queen or else their own profit The good Laird of Pittaro was an earnest Professour of Christ but the great Devill receive the Controller for he and his Collectours are become greedy factors To put an end to this unpleasing matter When the brethren complained of their poverty it was disdainfully answered of some There are many Lairds that have not so much to spend when men did reason that the Vocation of Ministers craved of them books quietnesse study and travell to edifie the Church of Christ Jesus when many Lairds were waiting upon their worldly businesse and therefore that the stipends of Ministers who had no other industry
is Madame that this crime so recently committed and that in the eyes of the whole Realm now publikely assembled is so hainous for who heretofore hath heard within the bowels of Edinburgh Gates and Doors under silence of night broken Houses ripped or searched and that with hostillity seeking a woman as appeareth to oppresse her Seeing we say that this crime is so hainous that all godly men fear not onely Gods dispeasure to fall upon you and your whole Realm but also that such licentiousnesse breed contempt and in the end sedition if remedie in time be not provided which in our judgement is possible if severe punishment be not executed for the crime committed Therefore we most humbly beseech your Majestie that all affection set aside you declare your self so upright in this case that ye may give evident demonstration to all your Subjects that the fear of God joyned with the love of common tranquility hath principall seat in your Majesties Heart This further Madame in conscience we speak That as your Majesty in Gods Name doth crave of us obedience which to render in all things lawfull we are most willing so in the same name doe we the whole Professors of Christs Evangell within this your Majesties Realme crave of you and of your Councell sharp punishment of this crime And for performance thereof that without delay the most principall Actors of this haynous crime and the perswaders of this publike Villany may be called before the Chief Justice of this Realm to suffer an Assise and to be punished according to the Laws of the same and your Majesties Answer most humbly we beseech These Supplications was presented by divers Gentlemen the Flatterers of the Court at first stormed and asked who durst avow it To whom the Master after Lord Lyndesay answered A thousand Gentlemen within Edinburgh others were ashamed to oppose themselves thereto in publike but they suborned the Queen to give a gentle answer untill such time as the Convention was dissolved and so she did and then after in fair words shee alleaged That her Uncle was a Stranger and that he had a young Company with him but she should put such order unto him and unto all others that hereafter they should have no occasion to complain And so deluded she the just Petition of her Subjects And no wonder for how shall she punish in Scotland that vice which in France she did see so free without punishment and which Kings and Cardinalls commonly use as the Mask and Dancing of Orleans can witnesse wherein virgins and mens wives were made common to King Harry Charles the Cardinall and to their Courtiers and Pages as common women in Bordells are unto their Companions The manner was thus At the entry of King Henry of France in the Town of Orleans the Matrons Virgins and mens wives were commanded to present themselves in the Kings Palace to dance And they obeyed for commonly the French Nation is not very hard to be entreated to vanity After Fidling and Flinging and when the Cardinall of Loraine had espied his prey he said to the King Sire le premiere est a vous fault queje soy le second that is Sir the first choyce is yours and I must be the second And so the King got the preeminence that he had his first Election But because Cardinalls are companions to Kings the Cardinall had the next And thereafter the Torches were put out and every man commanded to provide for himself the best he might What cry there was of husbands for their wives and wives for their husbands of ancient matrons for their daughters of virgins for their friends for some honest men to defend their pudicity Orleance will remember more Kings dayes then one This horrible villany a fruit of the Cardinalls good Catholike Religion we shortly touch to let the world understand what subjects may look for of such Magistrates for such Pastime to them is Jollity It had been good for our Queene that she had been brought up in better company both for her credit and for the course of her life And it may be that her excellent naturall enduements had been better employed for her reputation and happinesse then they were to her great misfortune and to the grief of those that wished her truely well But punishment of that enormity and fearfull attempt we could get none Yea more and more they presumed to do violence and frequented nightly Masking and began to bear the matter very heavily At length the Dukes friends began to assemble in the night time on the calsay or street The Abbot of Kylwinning who then was joyned to the Church and so as we understand yet abideth was principall man at the beginning To him repaired many faithfull and amongst others came Andrew Stewart Lord Uchiltrie a man rather borne to make peace then to brag upon the calsey he demanded the quarrell And being informed of the former enormity said Nay such impiety shall not be suffered so long as God shall assist us The Victory that God hath in his owne mercy given us we will by his grace maintaine And so he commanded his son Andrew Stewart then Master and his servants to put themselves in order and to bring forth their spears and long weapons and so did others The word came to the Earle Bothwell and his son that the Hamiltons were upon the street vows was made that the Hamiltons should be driven not onely out of the Town but also out of the Countrey Lord Iohn of Coldingham married the E. Bothwels sister a sufficient woman for such a man Alliance drew Lord Robert and so they joyned with the E. Bothwell But the stoutnes of the Marq. le Beuf d'Albuff they call him is most to be commended for in his Chalmer in the Abbey he start to an Halbert and ten men were scarce able to hold him that night and the danger was betwixt the Crosse and Tron and so he was a long quarter of a mile from the shot sklenting of Bolts The M. of Maxw after L. Herreis gave declaratiō to the Earle Bothwell That if he stirred forth of his Lodging he and all that assist him should resist him in the face Whose words did somewhat beat down that blast The Earles of Murray and Huntley being in the Abbey where the Marquesse was came with their company sent from the Queen to stay that tumult as they did for Bothwell and his were commanded under pain of Treason to keep their lodgings It was whispered by many That the Earle of Murray's displeasure was as much sought as any hatred that the Hamiltons did bear against the Earle of Bothwell or yet he against them And in very deed either had the Duke very false servants or else by Huntley and the Hamiltons the Earle of Murray's death was oftener conspired then once the suspition whereof burst forth so far that upon a day the said Earle being upon horse to have come to
the Sermon was charged by one of the Dukes own servants to turn and abide with the Queen The fame whereof spread over all What ground it had we cannot say but shortly after the Duke and some of the Lords remained at Glasgow their conclusion was not known The Earle of Arrane came to Edinburgh where the Earle Bothwell lay The Queen and the Court were departed to Fyfe and remained sometimes in S. Androes and sometimes in Falkland The Earle Bothwell by means of Iames Barron Burgesse and then Merchant of Edinburgh desired to speak with Iohn Knox secretly which the said Iohn gladly granted and spake with him upon a night first in the said Iames his lodging and after in his own Study The sum of all their conference and communication was The said Lord lamented his inordinate life and especially That he was provoked by the enticements of the Queen Regent to do that which he sore repented as well against the Laird of Ormestoun whose blood was spilt albeit not by his faults But his chief grief was That he had misbehaved himself toward the Earle of Arrane whose favour he was most willing to redeem if possible it were that so he might For said he if I might have my Lord Arranes favour I would aye wait upon the Court with a Page and a few servants to spare my expence where now I am compelled to keep for my own safety a number of wicked and unprofitable men to the utter destruction of my state that is left To which the said Iohn answered My Lord would to God that in me were Counsell and Judgement that might comfort and relieve you for albeit that to this hour it hath not happened to me to speak with your Lordship face to face yet have I born a good minde to your house and have been sorry at my heart of the trouble that I have heard you to be involved in for my Lord my great Grandfather Grandfather and Father have served your Lordships Predecessors and some of them have died under their standers and this is a part of the Obligation of our Scotish kindenesse but this is not the chiefe But as God hath made me his publike Messenger of glad Tydings so it is my earnest desire that all men may embrace it which perfectly they cannot so long as there remaineth in them rankor malice or envie I am sorry that you have given occasion unto men to be offended with you But more sorrowfull That you have offended the Majesty of God wherefore he often punisheth the other sins of man And therefore my counsell is That you begin at God with whom if you enter into perfect reconciliation I doubt not but he shall bow the hearts of men to forget all offences And as for me if you will continue in godlinesse your Lordship shall command me as boldly as any that serves your Lordship The said Lord desired him that he would trie the Earle of Arrans minde If he would be content to accept him in his favour Which he promised to do And so earnestly he travelled in the matter and it was once brought to such an end as all the faithfull praised God for such agreement The greatest stay stood upon the satisfaction of the Laird of Ormestoune who beside his former hurt as is before declared was even at that time of the coming pursued by the said Earle Bothwell and his son Master Alexander Cockburne was taken by him and carried by him to Berwicke but courteously enough sent back again The new trouble so greatly displeased Iohn Knox that he almost gave over further travelling for amity But yet upon excuse of the said Earle and upon declaration of his minde he re-entred into labour and so brought it to passe that the Laird of Ormestoun referred his satisfaction in all things to the Judgement of the Earles of Arrane and Murray to whom the said Earle submitted himselfe in that Head And thereupon delivered his hand writing and so was conveyed by vertue of his friends to the Lodging of the Church of Field where the Earle of Arrane was with his friends and the said Iohn Knox with him to beare witnesse and testification of the end of the Agreement As the Earle of Bothwell entred the Chamber and would have done those Honours that friends had appointed Master Gabriel Hamilton Abbot of Kilwinning and the Laird of Richardton were the chief friends that communed the said Earle of Arrane gently past unto him embraced him and said If the hearts be upright few Ceremonies will serve and content me The said Iohn Knox in audience of them both and of their friends said Now my Lords God hath brought you together by the labour of simple men in respect of such as would have travelled therein I know my labours are already taken in evill part but because I have the testimony of a good conscience before God That whatsoever I have done it is in his fear for the profit of you both for the hurt of none and for the tranquility of this Realm Seeing therefore that my conscience beareth witnesse to me what I have sought and do continually seek I the more patiently bear the misreports and wrongfull judgements of men And now I leave you in Peace and desire you who are the friends to study that Amity may encrease all former hatred forget The friends on either party embraced other and the two Earles departed to a window and talked by themselves a reasonable space And thereafter the Earle of Bothwell departed for that night and upon the next day in the morning returned with some of his honest friends and came to the Sermon with the said Earle whereat many rejoyced But God had another work to work then the eyes of men could espie The Thursday next they dined together and thereafter the said Earle Bothwell and Master Gabriel Hamilton rode to the Duke who then was in Enmell what communication was betwixt them it is not certainly knowne but by the report which the said Earle of Arrane made to the Queen and unto the Earle of Murray by his writings for upon the third day after their Reconciliation the Sermon being ended the said Earle of Arrane came to the house of the said Iohn Knox and brought with him Master Richard Strange and Alexander Guthrie to whom he opened the grief of his minde before that Iohn Knox was called for he was busie as commonly he used to be after his Sermon in directing of writings Which ended the said Earle called the three together and said I am reasonably betrayed and with these words began to weep Iohn Knox demanded My Lord Who hath betrayed you One Iudas or other said he I know it is but my life that is sought I regard it not The other said My Lord I understand no such dark manner of speech if I shall give you any answer you must speak more plainly Well said he I take you three to witnesse That I open this
unto you and I write it unto the Queen An act of Treason is laid to my Charge The Earle Bothwell hath showne to me in Councell That he shall take the Queen and put her in my hands in the Castle of Dumbartane And that he shall slay the Earle of Murray Lethinton and others that now misguide her and so shall he and I rule all But I know this is devised to accuse me of Treason for I know he will informe the Queen of it But I take you to witnesse That I open it here unto you And I will passe incontinent and write to the Queens Majesty and unto my Brother the Earle of Murray Iohn Knox demanded Did you consent my Lord to any part of that Treason He answered No. Then said he in my judgement his words although they were spoken can never be Treason to you for the performance of the Fact depends upon your will whereunto ye say ye have disassented and so shall that purpose vanish and die of it selfe unlesse that you waken it For it is not to be supposed That he will accuse you of that which he himselfe hath devised and whereunto you would not consent Oh said he you understand not what craft is used against me It is Treason to conceale Treason My Lord said he Treason must import consent and determination which I hear on neither of your parts And therefore my Lord in my judgement it will be more sure and more Honourable unto you to depend upon your your Innocency and to abide the unjust accusation of any other if any follow thereof as I thinke there shall not then to accuse especially after so late reconciliation I know said he That he will offer the Combate unto me but that would not be suffered in France But I will do that which I have purposed And so he departed and took with him to his Lodging the said Master Alexander Guthrie and Master Richard Strange from whence was written and endited a Letter to the Queens Majestie according to the former purpose which Letter was directed with all diligence unto her Majesty who then was in Falkland The Earle himselfe rode after to Kinneill to his Father the Duke but how he was used we have but the common bruit But from thence he wrote a Letter with his owne hand in Cyphers to the Earle of Murry complaining of his rigorous handling and entertainment by his owne father and friends And assured further That he feared his life in case he got not sudden rescue But thereupon he remained not but broke the Chamber wherein he was put and with great pain passed to Sterling and from thence was conveyed to the Haly-yards where he was kept till that the Earle of Murray came unto him and conveyed him to the Queen then being in Falkland who then was sufficiently instructed in the whole matter and upon suspition conceived had caused to apprehend Master Gawan Hamilton and the Earle Bothwell aforesaid who knowing nothing of the former advertisements came to Falkland which augmented the former suspition But yet the Letters of Iohn Knox made all things to be used more circumspectly for he did plainly forewarne the Earle of Murray that he espyed the Earle of Arran to be stricken with phrensie and therefore willed not over great credit to be given unto his words and inventions And as he advertised so it came to passe forthwith in few dayes his sicknesse increased he talked of wondrous signes that he saw in heaven he alleaged that he was bewitched he would have been in the Queens Bed and affirmed that he was her husband and finally in all things he behaved himself so foolishly that his phrensie could not be hid And yet were the Earl Bothwell and Master Gawan Abbot of Kilming kept in the Castle of Saint Andrews and convent before the Councill with the Earl Arran who ever stood firm that the Earl of Bothwell proposed to him such things as he advertised the Queens Majestie of but stiffely denyed that his father the said Abbot or his friends knew any thing therof either yet that they intended any violence against him but alleaged that he was inchanted so to think and write Whereat the Queen highly offended committed him to prison with the other two first in the Castle of Saint Andrews and thereafter caused them to be conveyed to the Castle of Edinburgh Iames Stewart of Cardonhall called Captain Iames was evill bruited for the rigorous entertainment that he shewed to the said Earle in his sicknesse being appointed Keeper unto him To consult upon these occasions the whole Counsell was assembled at Saint Andewes the eighteenth of April 1562. years in which it was concluded that in consideration of the former suspition the Duke should render to the Queen the Castle of Dunbartan the custody thereof was granted unto him by appointment till that lawfull succession should be seene of the Queens body But Will prevailed against Reason and promise and so was the Castle delivered to Captain Anstruther as having power from the Queen and Councill to receive it Things ordered in Fyfe the Queen returned to Edinburgh and then began mirth to grow hot for her friends began to triumph in France The certainty hereof came to the ears of Iohn Knox for there were some that then told him from time to time the state of things and amongst others he was assured That the Queen had been merry excessively dancing till after midnight because that she had received Letters that pacification was begun again in France and that her Uncles were beginning to stirre their taile and to trouble the whole Realme of France upon occasion of this Text And now understand O ye Kings and be learned ye that judge the Earth he bagan to taxe the ignorance the vanity and despite of Princes against all vertue and against all those in whom hatred of vice and love of vertue appeared the report hereof made unto the Queen the said Iohn Knox was sent for Master Alexander Cokburne who before had been his Schollar and was very familiar with him was the messenger who gave him some knowledge both of the report and of the reporters The Queen was in her Bed-Chamber and with her besides the Ladies and common servants were the Lord Iames the Earle Morton Secretary Lethington and some of the Guard that had made the report he was accused as one that had irreverently spoken of the Queene and that travelled to bring her into hatred and contempt of the people and that he had exceeded the bounds of his Text and upon these three heads made the Queene a long Oration whereto the said Iohn answered as followeth Madame this is oftentimes the just recompence which God gives the stubborn of the world that because they will not hear God speaking to the comfort of the penitent and for amendment of the wicked they are oft compelled to hear the false report of others to their great displeasure I doubt not but
whelps have devoured their Lambs the Complainer may stand in danger but the offender we fear shall have leave to hunt after his prey Such Comparisons said Lethington are very unsavoury for I am assured That the Queen will not erect nor maintaine Papistry Let your assurance said the other serve your selfe but it cannot assure us for her manifest proceedings speaketh the contrary After such cautious reasoning on both sides the pluralitie concluded That the supplication as it was conceived should be presented unlesse that the Secretary would make one more fit to the present necessitie he promised to keep the substance of ours but he would use other termes and aske things in a more gentle manner The first Writer answered That he served the Churches at their commandment and was content That in his ditement men should use the libertie that best pleased them providing That he were not compelled to subscribe to the flattery of such as more regarded the persons of men then the simple truth of God And so was this former supplication given to be reformed as Lethingtons wisedome thought best And in very deed he framed it so That when it was delivered by the Superintendents of Lothain and Fyfe And when the Queen had read somewhat of it she said Here are many faire words I cannot tell what the hearts are And so for our painted Oratory we were termed by the next name Flatterers and dissemblers but for that Session the Church received no other answer Short after the Convention of the Church chanced that unhappy persuite which Iohn Gordon Laird of Finlater made upon the Lord Ogilvie who was evill hurt and was for a long time mitilate The occasion was for certain Lands and Rights which old Finlater had resigned to the Lord which he was pursuing by Law and was in appearance to obtain his purpose whereat the said Iohn and his servants were offended and therefore made the said pursuite upon a Saterday at night betwixt nine and ten The friends of the said Lord were either not with him or else not willing to fight that night for they took stroakes but gave few that left markes The said Iohn was taken and put in the Tolbuith where he ramained certain dayes and then broke the Prison Some judged at his Fathers commandment for he was making preparation for the Queens coming to the North as we will after heare The enterview and meeting of the two Queens delayed till the next yeer Our Soveraign took purpose to visite the North and departed from Sterlin in the moneth of August whether there was any paction and confederacy betwixt the Papists of the South and the Earle of Huntly and his Papists in the North or to speak more plainly betwixt the Queen her Self and Huntly We cannot certainly affirme But the suspitions were wondrous vehement that there was no good will borne to the Earle of Murray nor yet to such as depended upon him at that time The History we shall faithfully declare and so leave the judgement free to the Readers That Iohn Gordon broke the Prison we have already heard who immediately repaired to his Father George Earle of Huntly and understanding the Queens coming made great provision in Strabogie and in other parts as it were to receive the Queen At Aberdeine the Queen and Court remained certaine dayes to deliberate upon the Affaires of the Countrey where some began to smell that the Earle of Huntly was privately gathering men as hereafter shall be declared Whilest things was so working in the North the Earle of Bothwell broke his prison and came forth of the Castle of Edinburgh the eight and twentieth day of August some say he broke the Stancheours of the Window others whispered that he got easie passage by the gates one thing is certain to wit The Queen was little offended at his escaping There passed with him a servant of the Captains named Iames Porterfield The said Earle shewed himself not very much afraid for his common residence was in Louthain The Bishop of Saint Andrews and Abbot of Crosrainell kept secret convention that same time in Paislay to whom resorted divers Papists yea the said Bishop spake to the Duke unto whom also came the Lord Gordon from the Earle of Huntly requiring him to stirre his hands in the South as he should do in the North and so it should not be Knox crying and preaching that should stay that purpose The Bishop be he never so close could not altogether hide his minde but at his own Table said The Queen is gone into the North belike to seek disobedience she may perchance finde the thing she seeks It was constantly affirmed That the Earle Bothwell and the said Lord Gordon spake together but of their purpose we heard no mention That same year and in that same instant time were appointed Commissioners by the Generall Assembly to Carrick and Cunningham Master George Hay who with great profit preached the space of a moneth in all the Churches of Carrick To Kyle and to the parts of Galloway was appointed Iohn Knox who besides the doctrine of the Evangell shewne to the common people forewarned some of the Nobilitie and Barrows of the dangers that he feared and that were appearing shortly to follow and exhorted them to put themselves in such order as that they might be able to serve the authoritie and yet not to suffer the enemies of Gods truth to have the upper hand Whereupon a great part of the Barons and Gentlemen of Kyle Cunningham and Carrick professing the true doctrine of the Evangell assembled at Ayre and after the exhortation made and conference had subscribed this Bond the Tenour whereof followeth WE whose Names are under-written do promise in the presence of God and in the presence of his Son our Lord Iesus Christ that we and every one of us shall and will maintain the preaching of his holy Evangell now of his mercy offered and granted unto this Realm and also will maintaine the Ministers of the same against all persons power and authoritie that will oppose themselves to the Doctrine proposed and by us received And further with the same solemnitie we protest and promise that every one of us shall assist another yea and the whole Body of the Protestants within this Realme in all lawfull and just occasions against all persons So that whosoever shall hurt molest or trouble any of our bodies shall be reputed enemies to the whole except that the offender will be content to submit himself to the Government of the Church now established amongst us and this we do as we desire to be accepted and favoured of the Lord Iesus and accepted worthy of credit and honesty in the presence of the godly At the Burgh of Aire the fourth day of September in the year of God 1552. Subscribed by all these with their hands as followeth The Earle Glencairne Lord Boyde Lord Uchiltrie and Failfurd Mathew Cambell of Lowdoune Knight
said the other Madame that is put in Election If ye knew him said she as well as I do ye would never promote him to that Office nor yet to any other within your Kirk What he hath been said he Madame I never knew nor yet will I enquire for in time of darknesse What could we do but gâ—ope and go wrong even as darknesse carryed us but if he feare not GOD now he deceives many more then me And yet said he Madame I am assured GOD will not suffer his CHURCH to be so farre deceived As that an unworthy man shall be Elected where free Election is and the Spirit of GOD is earnestly called upon to decide betwixt the two Well said she do as ye will But that man is a dangerous man and therein was not the Queen deceived For he had corrupted the most part of the Gentlemen not onely to nominate him but also to Elect him which perceived by the said Iohn Commissioner delayed the Election and left it with the Master of Maxwell Master Robert Pont who was put in Election with the foresaid Bishop to the end that his Doctrine and Conversation might be the better tryed of these that had not known him before and so was this Bishop frustrate of his purpose for that present and yet was he at that time the man that was most familiar with the said Iohn in his house and at Table But now to the former conference When the Queen had long talked with Iohn Knox and he being oft willing to take his leave she said I have one of the greatest matters that have touched me since I came in this Realm to open unto you and I must have your help into it And she began to make a long discourse of her Sister the Lady Argile how that she was not so circumspect in all things as she wished her to be and yet said she my Lord her husband whom I love useth her not in many things so honestly and so godlily as I thinke ye your self would require Madam said he I have been troubled with that matter before and once I put an end to it and that was before your Majesties arrivall that both she and her friends seemed fully to stand content and she her self promised before her friends That she would never complain to any Creature till that I should first understand the controversie by her own mouth or else by one assured Messenger I now have heard nothing of her part and therefore I think there is nothing but concord Well said the Queen it is worse then ye beleeve but do this much for my sake as once again to put them at Unitie and if she behave not her self so as she ought to do she shall finde no favour of me but in any wise said she let my Lord know That I have requested you in this matter For I would be very sorry to offend him in that or in any other thing And now said she as touching our reasoning yesternight I promise to do as ye required I shall cause to summon all offenders and yee shall know that I shall minister Justice I am assured then said he That ye shall please God and enjoy rest and tranquilitie within your Realm which to your Majesty is more profitable then all the Popes power can be And thus they departed This Conference we have inserted to let the World see how deeply Mary Queen of Scotland can dissemble and how that she could cause men to thinke That she bare no indignation for any controversie in Religion which that yet in her heart was nothing but venome and destruction as shortly after did appeare Iohn Knox departed and prepared himself for his journey appointed to Dunfreis And from Glasgow according to the Queens Commandment he wrote this Letter to the Earle of Argyle the Tenour whereof follows My Lord THe Lord cometh and shall not tarry After commendation of my service unto your Lordship If I had known of your Lordships sudden departing the last time it chanced me to see and speak with you I had opened unto you some of my grief But supposing that your Lordship should have remained still with the Queen I delayed at that time to utter any part of that which now my conscience compelleth me to do Your behaviour towards your wife is very offensive unto many godly Her complaint is grievous That ye altogether withdraw your conversation from her If so ye have great need to look well to your own state for albeit that ye within your self felt no more repugnancie then any flesh this day on the earth yet by promise made before God are ye debtour unto her in all due benevolence But if that ye burne on the one side albeit ye do no worse and she in your default on the other ye are not onely men sworn before God but also doth what in you lieth to kindle against your self his wrath and heavie displeasure The words are sharp and God is witnesse in dolour of heart I write them But because they are true and pronounced by God himself I dare not but admonish you perceiving you as it were sleeping in sin The proud stubbornnesse whereof your Lordship oft complained will nothing excuse you before God for if ye be not able to convince her of any fault ye ought to bear with her imperfections as that ye would she should bear with you likewise In the bowells of Christ Jesus I exhort you my Lord to have respect of your own salvation and not to abuse the lenity and long-suffering of God for that is a fearfull treasure that ye heap up upon your own head while that he calleth you to repentance and ye obstinately continue in your own impiety for impiety it is that ye abstract your comfort and company from your lawfull wife I write nothing in defence of her misbehaviour towards your Lordship in any sort but I say If ye be not able to convince her of any fault committed since your last reconciliation which was in my presence that ye can never be excused before God of this rude and strange usage of your wife And if by you such impiety be committed as is bruted then before God and unto your owne conscience I say That every moment of that filthy pleasure shall turne to you in a yeers displeasure yea it shall be the occasion and cause of everlasting damnation unlesse speedily ye repent and repent ye cannot except ye desist from that impiety Call to minde my Lord That the servant knowing his masters will and doing the contrary shall be plagued with many plagues Sin my Lord is sweet in drinking but in digesting more bitter then the gall The Eternall move your heart earnestly to consider how fearfull a thing it is ever to have God to be enemy In the end I pray your Lordship not to be absent from Edinburgh the 19 of this instant for such causes as I will not write Thus much onely I warne your
of Adultery of Witchcraft and to seek the restitution of Gleibes or Manses to the Minister of the Church and of the reparation of the Churches and thereby they thought to have pleased the Godly that were highly offended at their slacknesse The Act of Oblivion passed because some of the Lords had entresse but the Acts against adulterie and for the Manses and Gleibes were so modified that no Law and such a Law might stand in eodem predicamento To speak plain no Law and such Acts were both alike The Acts are in Print let wise men read and then accuse us if without cause we complain In the progresse of this corruption and before the Parliament dissolved Iohn Knox in his Sermon before the most part of the Nobilitie began to enter in a deep discourse of Gods mercies which that Realme had felt and of that ingratitude which he espied in the whole multitude which God had marvellously delivered from the bondage and tyrannie both of body and soule And now my Lords said he I praise my God through Jesus Christ that in your own presence I may powre forth the sorrows of my heart yea your selves shall be witnesse if I make any lie in things by-past from the beginning of Gods mighty Works within this Realme I have been with you in your most desperate temptations Aske your own Consciences and let them answer you before God if that I not I but Gods Spirit by me in your greatest extremity willed you not ever to depend upon your God and in his Name promised unto you victory and preservation from your enemies so that onely ye would depend upon his protection and preferre his glory before your lives and worldly commoditie in your most extreme danger I have been with you Saint Iohnstouâ— Cowper-More and the charges of Edinburgh are yet recent in my heart yea that dark and dolorous night wherein all you my Lords with shame and feare left this Town is yet in my minde and God forbid that ever I forget it What was I say my Exhortation unto you and what is fallen in vain of all that ever God promised unto you by my mouth ye your selves live and testifie There is not one of you against whom death and destruction was threatned perished in that danger and how many of your enemies hath God plagued before your eyes shall this be the thankfulnesse that ye shall render unto your God To betray his Cause when ye have it in your own hands to establish it as you please The Queen sayes you will not agree with us aske ye of her that which by Gods Word ye may justly require and if she will not agree with you in God you are not bound to agree with them in the Devill Let her plainly understand so farre of your mindes and steal not from your former stoutnesse in God and he will prosper you in your enterprises But I can see nothing but a recalling from Christ Jesus that the man that first and most speedily fleeth from Christs Ensigne holdeth himselfe most happy yea I hear some say That we have nothing of our Religion Established neither by Law nor Parliament Albeit the malicious words of such can neither hurt the truth of God nor yet us that thereupon depend yet the speaker of this Treason committed against God and against this poore Common-wealth deserves the Gallows for our Religion being commanded and so established by God is received with this Realme in publike Parliament And if they will say That it was no Parliament we must and will say and also prove That that Parliament was also as lawfull as ever any that passed before it within this Realme I say if the King then living was King and the Queen now in this Realm be lawfull Queen that Parliament cannot be denyed And now my Lords to put end to all I hear of the Queens marriage Dukes Brethren to Emperours and Kings strive all for the best gain But this my Lords will I say note the day and beare witnesse after Whensoever the Nobilitie of Scotland who professe the Lord Jesus consents that an Infidell and all Papists are Infidels shall be Head to our Soveraigne ye do so farre as in you lyeth to banish Christ Jesus from this Realme yea to bring Gods vengeance upon the Countrey a plague upon your selves and perchance you shall do small comfort to your Soveraigne These words and this manner of speaking was judged intollerable Papists and Protestants were both offended yea his most familiars disdained him for that speaking Placeboes and Flatterers posted to the Court to give advertisement That Iohn Knox had spoken against the Queens Marriage The Provest of Glencludan Douglas by sirname of Drumlangrig was the man that gave the charge That the said Iohn should present himselfe before the Queen which he did immediately after Dinner The Lord Uchiltrie and divers of the faithfull bare him company to the Abbey but none past in to the Queen with him in the Cabinet but Iohn Arskin of Dun then super-intendent of Angus and Mernes The Queen in a vehement fume began to crie out That never Prince was used as she was I have said she born with you in all your rigorous manner of speaking both against my selfe and against my Uncles yea I have sought your favours by all possible means I offered unto you presence and audience whensoever it pleased you to admonish me and yet I cannot be quit of you I Vow to God I shall be once revenged and with these words scarce could Marnocke one of her Pages get Handkirchiefs to hold her Eyes drie for the Tears and the howling besides womanly weeping stayed her Speech The said Iohn did patiently abide all this fume and at opportunitie answered True it is Madame your Majesty and I have been at divers controversies into the which I never perceived your Majestie to be offended at me but when it shall please God to deliver you from that bondage of darknesse and errour wherein ye have been nourished for the lack of true doctrine your Majestie will finde the libertie of my tongue nothing offensive without the preaching-place Madame I thinke few have occasion to be offended at me and there Madame I am not Master of my selfe but must obey him who commands me to speak plaine and to flatter no flesh upon the face of the Earth But what have you to do said she with my marriage If it please your Majestie said he patiently to hear me I shall shew the truth in plaine words I grant your Majestie offered unto me more then ever I required but my answer was then as it is now That God hath not sent me to awaite upon the Courts of Princes or upon the Chamber of Ladies but I am sent to preach the Evangell of Jesus Christ to such as please to hear it hath two points Repentance and Faith Now Madame in preaching repentance of necessity it is that the sinnes of men be noted that they may
foreseen they shew what pains and travel they had taken to mittigate her anger but they could finde nothing but extremity unlesse that he himself would confesse his offence and put him in her Majesties will To which Heads the said Iohn answered as follows I praise my God through Jesus Christ said he I have learned not to crie Conjuration and Treason at every thing that the godlesse multitude doth condemn nether yet to fear the things that they fear I have the testimony of a good conscience that I have given no occasion to the Queens Majestie to be offended with me for I have done nothing but my duty and so whatsoever shall thereof ensue my good hope is that my God will give me patience to bear it but to confesse an offence where my Conscience witnesseth there is none far be it from me How can it be defended said Lethington have you not made a Convocation of the Queens Leiges If I have not said he a just defence for my fact let me smart for it Let us hear said they your defences for we would be glad that you might be found innocent Nay said the other I am informed by divers that even by you my Lord Secretary I am already condemned and my cause prejudged therefore I might be reputed a fool if I would make you privie to my Defences At these words they seemed both offended and so the Secretary departed but the said Earle remained still and would have entred into further discourse of the state of the Court with the said Iohn who answered My Lord I understand more then I would of the state of the Court and therefore it is not needfull that your Lordship trouble me with the recounting thereof if you stand in good case I am content and if you do not as I fear you do not already or else you shall not do it ere it be long blame not me you have the Councellors whom you have chosen my weak judgement both they and you despised I can do nothing but behold the end which I pray God it be other then my troubled heart feareth Within four dayes the said Iohn was called before the Queen and Councell betwixt 6 and seven a Clock at night the season of the year was the midst of December the report rising in the towne That I. Knox was sent for by the Queen The Brethren of the Town followed in such number that the inner Close was full and all the Staires even to the Chamber door where the Queen and Counsell sate who had been reasoning amongst themselves before but had not fully satisfied the Secretaries minde And so was the Queen retired to her Cabbinet and the Lords were talking one with another as occasion served But upon the entry of Iohn Knox they were desired to take their places as they did sitting as Councellors one against another The Duke according to his dignity began the one side upon the other side sate the Earle of Argile and consequently followed the Earle of Murray the Earle of Glencarne the Earle of Mershall the Lord Ruthven the common Officers Pittaro then Controller the Justice Clerk with Master Iohn Spence of Condie Advocate and divers others stood by removed from the Table sate old Lethington father to the Secretary Master Henry Sinclare then Bishop of Rosse and Master Iames Makgill Clerke of the Register Things thus put in Order the Queen came forth and that with no little worldly pompe was placed in a Chaire having two faithfull Supporters the Master of Maxwell upon the one Torre and Secretary Lethington upon the other Torre of the Chaire whereon hee waited diligently at the time of the Accusation sometime the one was speaking in her Eare and sometime the other Her pompe lacked nothing of an womanly gravitie for when she saw Iohn Knox standing at the other end of the Table bare-headed at the first she smiled and after gave a guaf of laughter whereunto her Placeboâ—â— gave their Plaudite assenting with like countenance This is a good beginning she said but know you whereat I laugh Yon man caused me to crie and shed never a Tear himself I will see if I can cause him to grieve At that word the Secretary whispered her in the Eare and she him again and with that gave him a Letter after the inspection whereof he directed his visage and speech to Iohn Knox in this manner The Queens Majesty is informed That you have travelled to raise a Tumult of her Subjects against her and for Certification thereof there is presented to her your owne Letter subscribed in your name Yet because her Majesty will do nothing without good advertisement she hath convened you before this part of the Nobilitie that they may witnesse betwixt you and her Let him acknowledge said she his owne hand-writing and then shall we judge of the Contents of the Letter and so was the Lettet sent from hand to hand to Iohn Knox who taking inspection of it said I acknowledge this to be my hand-writing and also I remember that I indited a Letter in the month of October giving signification to the Brethren in divers Quarters of such things as displeased me and so good opinion have I of the fidelity of the Scribes that willingly they would not adulterate my originall albeit that I left divers blanks subscribed with them And so I acknowledge both the Hand-writing and the Dictatement You have done more said Lethington then I would have done Charity said the other is not suspitious Well well said the Queen read your own Letter and then answer to such things as shall be demanded of you I shall do the best I can said the other and so with a loud voice he began to reade as before is expressed After that the Letter was read it was presented again to M. Iohn Spence her Advocate for the Queen commanded him to accuse as he did but very gently After we say that the Letter was read the Queen beholding the whole Table said Heard you ever my Lords a more dispightfull and Treasonable Letter While that no man gave answer Lethington addressed himself to Iohn Knox and said M. Knox are you not sorry from your heart and do you not repent that such a Letter hath passed your Pen and from you hath come to the knowledge of others I. Knox answered My Lord Secretary before I repent I must be taught of my offence Offence said Lethington if there were no more but the vocation of the Queenes Leiges the offence cannot be denyed Remember your selfe my Lord said the other there is a difference betwixt a lawfull Vocation and an unlawfull If I have been guilty in this I have oft offended since I came last in Scotland for what Vocation of Brethren hath ever been this day unto which my Pen hath not served and before this no man laid it to my charge as a crime Then was then and now is now said Lethington we have no need of
such Vocation as sometimes we have had Iohn Knox answered The time that hath been is even now before my eyes for I see the poor Flock in no lesse danger then it hath been at any time before except that the devill hath gotten a Vizard upon his face Before he came in with his own face discovered by open Tyranny seeking the destruction of all that refused Idolatry and then I think you will confesse the Brethren lawfully assembled themselves for defence of their lives And now the devill comes under the cloke of Justice to do that which God would not suffer him to do by strength What is this said the Queen methinks you trifle with him Who gave you Authority to make Convocation of my Lieges Is not that Treason No Madame said the Lord Rnthuen for he makes Convocation of the people to hear Prayer and Sermon almost dayly And what ever your Majestie or others thinke thereof we think it no Treason Hold your peace said the Queen let him answer for himself I began Madame said Iohn Knox to reason with the Secretary whom I take to be a better Dialectationer then your Majestie is That all Convocation is not lawfull And now my Lord Ruthuen hath given the instance which if your Majestie will deny I shall make my selfe ready for the proof I will say nothing said the Queen against your Religion nor against your convening to your Sermons But what Authority have you to Convocate my subjects when you will without any Commandment I have no pleasure said Iohn Knox to decline from my former purpose And yet Madame to satisfie your Majesties two questions I answer That at my will I never convened four persons in Scotland but at the Order that the Brethren hath appointed I have given divers Advertisements and great multitudes have assembled thereupon And if your Majestie complaineth That this was done without your Majesties Commandment I answer So hath all that God hath blessed within this Realme from the beginning of this action And therefore Madame I must be convinced by a just Law that I have done against the Duty of Gods Messenger in writing of this Letter before that I either be sorry or yet repent for the doing of it as my Lord Secretary would perswade me for what I have done I have done at the Commandment of the Generall Church of this Realme And therefore I thinke I have done no wrong You shall not escape so said the Queene Is it not Treason my Lords to accuse a Prince of cruelty I thinke there are Acts of Parliament to be found against such Whisperers This was granted to be true of many But wherein said Master Iohn Knox can I be accused Reade this part of your Letter said the Queene which began This fearfull Summons is directed against them to wit the Brethren aforesaid to make no doubt a preparation upon a few that a door may be opened to execute cruelty upon a greater multitude Lord said the Queen What say you to that While many doubted what the said Iohn should answer he said unto the Queen Is it lawfull for me Madame to answer for my self Or shall I be condemned before I be heard Say what you can said she for I thinke you have enough ado I will first then desire said he of your Majestie Madame and of this Honourable audience Whether if your Majestie knows not that the obstinate Papists are deadly enemies to all that professe the Evangel of Jesus Christ And that they most earnestly desire the extirpation of all them and of the true Doctrine that is taught within this Realme The Queen held her peace but all the Lords with common consent and voyce said God forbid that either the life of the faithfull or yet the staying of the Doctrine stood in the power of the Papists for just experience hath taught us what cruelty is in their hearts I must proceed then said Iohn Knox seeing that I perceive that all will grant That it were a barbarous cruelty to destroy such a multitude as professed the Evangell of Jesus Christ within this Realme which oftner then once or twice they attempted to do by force as things done of late dayes do testifie Whereof they being by Gods providence disappointed have invented more crafty and dangerous practices to wit To make the Prince party under colour of Law and so what they could not do by open force they shall performe by crafty deceit For who thinks my Lords That the insatiable cruelty of the Papists within this Realme I mean shall end in the murthering of those two now unjustly summoned and more unjustly to be accused I thinke no man of judgement can so esteem but rather the direct contrary that is By this few number they intend to prepare a way to their bloody enterprise against the whole And therefore Madame cast up when you list the Acts of your Parliaments I have offended nothing against them For I accuse not in my Letter your Majestie nor yet your nature of cruelty But I affirm yet again That the pestilent Papists who have enflamed your Majestie without cause against these poore men at this present are the sons of the devill and therefore must obey the desires of their father who hath beene a Murtherer from the beginning You forget your selfe said one you are not in the Pulpit I am in the place said the other where I am commanded in my conscience to speak the truth and therefore the truth I speak impugne it who so lists And hereunto I adde Madame that honest meeke and gentle natures in appearance by wicked and corrupt Councellors may be changed and altered to the direct contrary Example we have of Nero whom in the beginning of his Empire we finde having some naturall shame but after that his flatterers had encouraged him in all impiety alleadging that nothing was either unhonest or yet unlawfull in his Person who was Emperour above others When he had drunken of this Cup I say to what enormies he fell the Histories beare witnesse And now Madame to speak plain Papists have your Majesties ear patent at all times assure your Majestie they are dangerous Councellors and that your Mother found As this was said Lethington singled and spake secretly to the Queene in her eare What it was that the Table heard not But immediately she addressed her visage and speech to Iohn Knox and said Well you speak fair enough here before my Lords but the last time I spake with you secretly you caused me to weep many tears and said to me stubbornly Ye cared not for my weeping Madame said the other because now the second time your Majesty hath burthened me with that crime I must answer lest for my silence I be holden guilty If your Majestie be ripely remembred the Laird of Dun yet living to testifie the truth was present at that time whereof your Majesty complaineth Your Majesty accused me That I had irreverently spoken
of you in the Pulpit That I denied You said What had I to do to speak of your Marriage What was I that I should meddle with such matters I answered As touching Nature I was a worm of this earth and yet a subject to this Common-wealth But as touching the Office wherein it hath pleased God to place me I was a Watch-men both over the Realme and over the Church of God gathered within the same by reason whereof I was bound in conscience to blow the Trumpet publikely so oft as ever I saw any appearance of danger either of the one or of the other But so it was that a certaine brute affirmed That a Traffique of Marriage was betwixt your Majestie and the Spanish Allia Whereunto I said That if your Nobility and State did agree unlesse that both you and your husband should be straitly bound that neither of you might hurt the Common-wealth nor yet the poor Church of God within the same in that case I should pronounce That the consenters were troublers of the Common-wealth and enemies unto God and unto his Truth planted within the same At these words I grant your Majestie stormed and burst forth in an unreasonable weeping what mitigation the Laird of Dun would have made I suppose your Majesty hath not forgot But while that nothing was able to stay your weeping I was compelled to say I take God to witnesse I never took pleasure to see your Majestie make such regret But seeing I have offered to your Majestie no such occasion I must rather suffer your Majestie to take your own pleasure then I dare conceale the truth and so both betray the Church and the Common-wealth These were the most extreme words I spake that day After that the Secretary had conferred with the Queen he said Master Knox you may returne to your house for this night I thank God and the Queens Majesty said the other And Madame I pray God to purge your heart from Papistry and to preserve you from the counsell of flatterers for how pleasant that ere they appear to your ear and corrupt affections for the time experience hath taught us in what perplexity they have brought famous Princes Lethington and the Master of Maxwell were that night the two stoups of her Chayre Iohn Knox being departed the Tables of the Lords and others that were present were demanded every one their voyce If Iohn Knox had not offended the Queens Majestie The Lords voted uniformly That they could finde no offence the Queen was past to her Cabinet The flatterers of the Court and principally Lethington raged The Queen was brought again and placed in the Chayre And they commanded to vote over again Which thing highly offended the whole Nobility and began to speak in open audience What shall the Laird of Lethington have power to controll us Or shall the presence of a woman cause us to offend God and to condemne an innocent against our consciences for the pleasure of any creature And so the whole Nobility absolved Iohn Knox againe and praised God for his modestie and for his plain and sensible answers Yet before the end one thing is to be noted to wit That amongst so many Placeboes we mean the flatterers of the Court there was not one that plainly durst condemne the said poore man that was accused God ruling their tongues that sometimes ruled the tongue of Balaam when gladly he would have cursed Gods people This perceived the Queen began to upbraid Master Henry Sinclare then Bishop of Rosse and said hearing his vote to agree with the rest Trouble not the barne I pray you trouble him not for he is newly wakened out of his sleep Why should not the old fool follow them that past before him The Bishop answered coldly Your Majesty may consider That it is neither affection to the man nor love to his Profession that moved me to absolve him but the simple truth which plainly appears in his defence drawes me hereunto albeit that others would have condemned him and it This being said the Lords and whole Assistants arose and departed That night was neither dancing nor fidling in the Court for our Soveraigne was disappointed of her purpose which was To have had Iohn Knox in her will by voice of her Nobility Iohn Knox absolved by the greatest part of the Nobility from the crime intended against him even in the presence of the Queen she raged and her Placeboes stormed And so began new assaults to be made at the hands of the said Iohn Knox to confesse an offence and to put him in the Queens will and she should promise That his greatest punishment should be But to go within the Castle of Edinburgh and immediately to returne to his own house He answered God forbid that my confession should condemne these Noble-men who in their conscience and in displeasure of the Queen have absolved me And further I am assured ye will not in earnest desire me to confesse an offence unlesse that therewith you would desire me to cease from Preaching For how can I exhort others to Peace and Christian quietnesse if I confesse my self an author and mover of sedition The generall Assembly of the Church approached which began the five and twentieth of December 1563. But the just Petitions of the Ministers and Commissioners of Churches werâ— despised at the first and that with these words As Ministers will not follow our counsell so will we suffer Ministers to labour for themselves and see what speed they come But then the whole Assembly said If the Queen will not we must for both third and two parts are rigorously taken from us and from our Tenants If others said one will follow my counsell the Guard and the Papists shall complaine as long as our Ministers have done At these words the former sharpnesse was coloured and the Speaker alleadged That hee meant not of all Ministers Christopher Goodman answered My Lord Secretary if you can shew me what just Title either the Queene hath to the Third or the Papists to the two parts then I think I should resolve you whether she were Debtor to Ministers within Burgh or not But thereto he received this check for answer Ne sit Peregrinus curiosus in aliena Republica that is Let not a Stranger be curious in a strange Common-wealth The man of God answered Albeit I be a Stranger in your policy yet so am I not in the Church of God and therefore the care doth no lesse appertain to me in Scotland then if I were in the middest of England Many wondred at the silence of Iohn Knox for in all these quick reasonings he opened not his mouth the cause thereof he himself expressed in these words I have travelled Right Honourable and beloved Brethren since my last arrivall within this Realme in an upright conscience before my God seeking nothing more as he is witnesse than the advancement of his glory and the stability of his Church
within this Realme and of late dayes I have been accused as a seditious man and as one that usurpeth to my selfe power that becometh me not True it is that I have given advertisment unto the Brethren in divers Quarters of the extremity intended against divers faithfull for looking to a Priest going to Masse and for observing of those that transgresse against just Laws but that therein I have usurped further power then is given me till that by you I be condemned I utterly deny for I say that by you that is By the charge of the Generall Assembly I have all just power to advertise the Brethren from time to time of dangers appearing as I have power to preach the Word of God in the Pulpit of Edinburgh for by you was I appointed to the one and to the other and therefore in the Name of God I crave your judgements The danger that appeared to me in my Accusation was not so fearfull as the words that came to my Ears were dolorous to my heart for these words were plainly spoken and that by some Protestants What can the Pope do more then to send forth his Letters and require them to be obeyed Let me have your judgements therefore whether I have usurped any power to my self or if I have obeyed your commandment The Flatterers of the Court amongst whom the Justice Clerk then not the least began to storme and said shall we be compelled to justifie the rash judgements of men My Lord said Iohn Knox you shall speak your pleasure for the present of you I crave nothing but the if Church that is here present do not either absolve me or else condemne me never shall I in publike or in private as a publike Minister open my mouth in doctrine or reasoning After long contention the said Iohn being removed the whole Church found that a charge was given unto him To advertise the Brethren in all Quarters as oft as ever danger appeared and therefore avowed that fact not to be his onely but the fact of the whole assembly Thereat were the Queens Claw-backs more enraged then ever they were for some of them had promised the Queen to get the said Iohn convinced both by the Councell and by the Church and being frustrate of both she and they thought themselves not a little disappointed In the very time of the generall Assembly there comes to publike knowledge or naynous murther committed in the Court yea not far from the Queens Lap for a French-woman that served in the Queens Chamber had played the Whore with the Queens own Apothecary the woman conceived and bare a Childe whom with common consent the father and the mother murthered yet were the cries of a new borne Childe heard search was made the Childe and the Mother were both apprehended and so was both the man and the woman condemned to be hanged in the publike Street of Edinburgh The punishment was notable because the Crime was hainous But yet was not the Court purged of Whores and Whoredoms which was the fountaine of such enormities for it was well known that shame hasted Marriage betwixt Iohn Sempill called the Dancer and Mary Leringston sirnamed the Lusty what bruit the Maries and the rest of the Dancers of the Court had the Ballads of that age did witnesse which we for modesties sake omit but this was the common complaint of all godly and wise men That if they thought that such a Court should long continue and if they looked for no better life to come they would have wished their Sonnes and Daughters rather to have been brought up with Fidlers and Dancers and to have been exercised in flinging upon a Floore and in the rest that thereof followes then to have been exercised in the company of the godly and exercised in vertue which in that Court was hated and filthinesse not onely maintained but also rewarded witnesse the Abbacie of Abercone the Barony of Anchvermuchtie and divers others pertaining to the Patrimony of the Crowne given in heritage to Skippers and Dancers and Dalliers with Dâ—mes This was the beginning of the Regiment of Mary Queen of Scots and these were the fruits that she brought forth of France Lord loâ—k upon our miseries and deliver us from the wickednesse of this corrupt Court for thy own Names sake God from Heaven and from the face of the Earth did declare that he was offended at the iniquitie committed within this Realme for upon the twentieth day of Ianuary there fell rain in great abundance which in the falling freezed so vehemently that the earth was but a shot of Ice the Fowls both great and small freezed and might not flie many dyed and some were taken and laid beside the fire that their feathers might dissolve and that same moneth the Sea stood still as was clearly observed and never ebbed nor flowed the space of foure and twenty hours In the moneth of February the fifteenth and eighteenth dayes thereof there was seen in the Firmament battels arrayed spears and all other weapons as it had been the joyning of two Armies These things were not onely observed but also spoken of and constantly affirmed by men of judgement and credit But the Queen and our Court made merry there was banquetting upon banquetting the Queen would banquet with the Lords and that was done onely upon policy to remove her displeasure against them because they would not at her devotion condemne Iohn Knox. To remove we say that jealousie she made the Banquet to the whole Lords whereat she would have the Duke amongst the rest It behoved them to banquet her again and so did banquetting continue till Lent ever after But the poor Ministers were mocked and reputed as Monsters the Guard and the Affairs of the Kitchin were so gripping that the Minsters stipends could not be had and yet at the Assembly last past solemne promise was made in the Queens Name by the mouth of Secretary Lethington in the audience of the Nobilitie and of the whole Assembly who affirmed that he had commandment of her Highnesse to promise full content unto all the Ministers within the Realme and of such Order to be kept in all times to come that the whole body of the Protestants should have occasion to stand content The Earle of Murray affirmed the same with many other faire promises given by writing by Lethington himself as in the Register of the Acts of the generall Assembly may be seene but how that or yet any other thing promised in her name to the Church of God was observed the world can witnesse The Ministers perceiving all things to tend to ruine discharged their consciences in publike and in private but they received for their labour hatred and indignation and amongst others that worthy servant of God Master Iohn Craig speaking against the manifold corruption that then without shame or fear declared it self said Sometimes was Hypocrites known by their noted habits and we had
it in nothing for your first two witnesses speak against the Anabaptists who deny that Christians should be subject to Magistrates or yet that it is lawfull for a Christian to be a Magistrate whose opinion I no lesse abhor then ye do or any other that liveth The others speak of Christians subject to Tyrants and Infidels so dispersed that they have no other force but onely to sob unto God for deliverance that such indeed should hazard any further then these godly men wills them I cannot hastily be of counsell But my argument hath another ground for I speak of a people assembled in one Body of a Common-wealth unto whom God hath given sufficient force not onely to resist but also to suppresse all kinde of open Idolatry And such a people yet again I affirme are bound to keep their Land clean and unpolluted And that this my division shall not appear strange unto you ye shall understand that God required one thing of Abraham and of his Seed when he and they were strangers and Pilgrims in Egypt and Canaan and another thing required he of them when they were delivered from the Bondage of Egypt and the possession of the Land of Canaan granted unto them The first and during the time of their Bondage God craved no more but that Abraham should not defile himselfe with their Idolatry neither was he nor his Posterity commanded to destroy the Idolls that were in Canaan or in Egypt But when God gave unto them possession of the Land he gave unto them this strait Commandment Beware that thou make not League or Confederacie with the inhabitants of this Land give not thy sonnes unto their daughters nor yet give thy daughters unto their sonnes c. But this ye shall do unto them Cut down their Groves destroy their Images breake downe their Altars and leave thou no kinde of remembrance of these Abominations which the Inhabitants of the Land used before for thou art a holy People unto the Lord thy God defile not thy selfe therefore with their gods c. To this Commandment I say are ye my Lords and all such as have professed the Lord within this Realme bound for God hath wrought no lesse miraculously upon you both Spiritually and Corporally then he did unto the Carnall Seed of Abraham For in what state your Bodies and this poor Realme were within these seven yeers your selves cannot be ignorant you and it were both in the Bondage of a strange Nation and what Tyrants did raigne over your consciences God perchance may yet again let you feel because that ye do not rightly acknowledge and esteeme the benefits received when our poore Brethren that were before us gave up their bodies to the flames of fire for the Testimony of Gods Truth And when scarcely could be found ten in a Country that rightly knew God it had been foolishnesse to have craved either of the Nobility or of the mean Subjects the suppressing of Idolatry for that had been nothing but to have exposed the simple Sheep in a prey to the Wolves But since that God hath multiplyed knowledge yea and hath given the victory to his Truth even in the hands of his servants if yee suffer the Land again to be defiled yee and your Princes shall both drinke the cup of Gods indignation The Queen for her obstinate abiding in manifest Idolatry in this great light of the Evangell of Jesus Christ And ye for your permission and maintaining her in the same Lethington said In that point we will never agree And where finde ye I pray you that ever any of the Prophets or of the Apostles taught such Doctrine That the people should be plagued for the Idolatry of the Prince or yet That the Subjects might suppresse the Idolatry of the Rulers or them for the same What was the Commission given unto the Apostles My Lord said he we know it was to preach and plant the Evangell of Jesus Christ where darknesse before had Dominion And therefore it behoved them to let them see the light before that they should will them to put their hands to suppresse Idolatry What precepts the Apostles gave unto the faithfull in particular other then that they commanded all to fly from Idolatry I will not affirme But I finde two things which the faithfull did The one was They assisted their Preachers even against the Rulers and Magistrates The other was They suppressed Idolatry wheresoever God gave unto them force asking no leave of the Emperour nor of his Deputies Read the Ecclesiasticall Histories and ye shall finde examples sufficient And as to the Doctrine of the Prophets we know they were Interpreters of the Law of God and we know They spake as well unto the Kings as unto the People I read that neither of both would heare them and therefore came the plague of God upon both but that they flattered the Kings more then they did the people I cannot be perswaded Now Gods Law pronounces death as before I have said to Idolaters without exception of persons Now how the Prophets could rightly interpret the Law and shew the cause of Gods Judgements which ever they threatned should fall for Idolatry and for the rest of the abhominations that did accompany it for it is never alone but still corrupt Religion brings with it a filthy and corrupt life How I say the Prophets could reprove the Vice and not shew the people their duty I understand not And therefore I constantly beleeve That the Doctrine of the Prophets was so sensible That the Kings understood their own abhominations and the people understood what they ought to have done in punishing and repressing them But because that the most part of the People was no lesse Rebellious unto God then were their Princes Therefore the one and the other conjured against God and against his servants And yet my Lord The facts of some Prophets are so evident That thereby we may collect what Doctrine they taught For it were no small absurdity to affirme that their facts did repugne to their Doctrine I think said Lethington ye meane of the History of Iehu What will yee prove thereby The chief head said Iohn Knox that ye deny to wit That the Prophets never taught that it appertained to the people to punish the Idolatry of their Kings The contrary whereof I affirme and for the probation I am ready to produce the fact of a Prophet For ye know my Lord said he that Elizeus sent one of the children of the Prophets to annoint Iehu who gave him a commandment to destroy the house of his Master Achab for the Idolatry committed by him and for the innocent blood that Iezabell his wicked Wife had shed While he obeyed and put in full execution for the which God promised unto him the stability of the Kingdome unto the fourth Generation Now said he here is the fact of a Prophet that proves that Subjects were commanded to execute Gods judgements upon
the figures of Christ. And whereas you say we have no such priests this day I might answer That neither have we such Kings this day as then were annointed by Gods commandment and sate upon the seate of David and were no lesse the figure of Christ Jesus in their just administration then were the Priests in their appointed Office and such kings I am assured we have not now no more then wee have such Priests for Christ Jesus being annointed in our nature of God his Father both King Priest and Prophet hath put end to all externall unction And yet I thinke you will not say that God hath now diminished his graces from those whom he appoints Ambassadours betwixt him and his people then he doth from Kings and Princes and therefore why the servants of Jesus Christ may not also justly withstand Kings and Princes that this day no lesse offend Gods Majestie then Uzziah did I see not unlesse that ye will not say that we in the brightnesse of the Evangell are not so straitly bound to regard Gods glory nor his Commandments as were the Fathers who lived under the dark shadows of the Law Well said Lethington I will dip no farther in that Head but how resisted the Priests the King they onely spake unto him without further violence intended That they withstood him said the other the Text assures me but that they did nothing but speak I cannot understand for the plain Text affirms the contrary to wit That they caused him hastily to depart from the sanctuary yea and that he was compelled to depart which manner of speaking I am assured in the Hebrew Tongue importeth more then exhorting or commanding by word They did that said Lethington after he was espyed to be leprous They withstood him before said the other but yet their last fact confirms my proposition so evidently that such as will oppose themselves unto it must needs oppose themselves unto God for my assertion is That Kings have no priviledge more then hath the people to offend Gods Majestie and if so they do they are no more exempted from the punishment of the Law then is any other subject yea and that subjects may not onely lawfully oppose themselves to their Kings whensoever they do any thing that expresly oppugnes Gods Commandment but also that they may execute judgement upon them according to Gods Law so that if the King be a Murtherer Adulterer or an Idolater he should suffer according to Gods Law not as a King but as an offender And that the people may put Gods Law in execution this History cleerly proveth for how soon that the Leprosie appeared in his forehead he was not onely compelled to depart out of the Sanctuary but also he was removed from all publike society and administration of the Kingdom and was compelled to dwell in a house apart even as the Law commanded and gat no greater priviledge in that case then any other of the people should have done And this was executed by the people for it was no doubt but more were witnesses of his Leprosie then the Priests alone but we finde none oppose themselves to the sentence of God pronounced in his Law against the Leprosie And therefore yet again I say That the people ought to execute Gods Law even against their Princes when that their open crimes by Gods Laws deserve punishment but especially when they are such as may infect the rest of the multitude And now my Lords said he I will reason no longer for I have spoken longer then I intended And yet said Lethington I cannot tell what shall be the conclusion Albeit ye cannot said the other yet I am assured what I have proved to wit 1. That subjects have delivered an innocent from the hands of their King and therefore offended not God 2. That subjects have refused to strike innocents when a King commanded and in so doing denied no just Obedience 2. That such as strook at the commandment of the King were before God reputed mutherers 4. That God hath not onely of a subject made a King but also he armed subjects against their naturall King and commanded them to take vengeance upon them according to his Law 5. And lastly That Gods people hath executed Gods Law against their King having no further regard to him in that behalf then if he had been the most simple subject within the Realme And therefore albeit ye will not understand what should be concluded yet I am assured That not onely may Gods people but also That they are bound to do the same where the like crimes are committed and when he gives to them the like power Well said Lethington I think ye shall not have many learned men of your opinion My Lord said the other the Truth ceaseth not to be Truth howsoever it be That men must either know it or gainstand it And yet said he I praise God I lack not the consent and approbation of Gods servants in that Head And with that he presented unto the Secretary the Apologie of Magdeburgh and willed him to reade the names of the Ministers who had subscribed the defence of the Town to be a most just defence and therewith added That to resist a misled King is not to resist God nor yet his Ordinance c. Who when he had read he stouped and said Homines obscuri The other answered Dei tamen servi And Lethington arose and said My Lords ye have heard the reasons upon both parts it becomes you now to decide and to put an order unto Preachers that they be uniform in Doctrine May we think ye take the Queens Masse from her While that some began to give as it were their Votes for some were appointed as it were leaders of the rest Iohn Knox said My Lords I suppose you will not do contrary to your Lordships promise made to the whole Assembly which was That nothing should be voted in secret till that first all matters should be debated in publike and that then the Votes of the whole Assembly should put end to the controversie Now have I onely sustained the argument and have rather shewn my conscience in most simple manner then that I have insisted upon the force and vehemency of any one argument And therefore I for my part utterly disassent from all voting untill the whole Assembly have heard the Propositions and the Reasons of both parties for I unfainedly acknowledge That many in that company are more able to sustain the argument then I am Think ye it reasonable said Lethington That such a multitude as are now convened should reason and vote in such heads and matters that concerns the Queens Majesties own Person and Affairs I think said the other That whatsoever should binde the multitude the multitude should hear it unlesse they have resigned their power to Commissioners which they have not done so far as I understand for my Lord Justice Clerk heard them with one voyce say That in no wise
Duke Hamilton the Earles Argile Murray Glencarne Rothesse the Lord Boyd and Ochiltrie with divers Barons and Gentlemen of Fife and Kyle where they concluded to be in readinesse with their whole Forces the four and twentieth day of August But the King and Queene with great cerity prevented them for their Majesties sent thorow Lowthian Fife Angus Stratherne Tividaile and Chiddisdaile and other Shires making their Proclamations in this manner That forasmuch as certaine Rebels who under colour of Religion intended nothing but the trouble and subversion of the Common-wealth were to convene with such as they might perswade to assist them therefore they charged all manner of men under pain of Life Lands and Goods to resort and meet their Majesties at Linlithgow the 24 day of August This Proclamation was made in Lowthian the third pay of the said moneth Upon Sunday the ninteenth of August the King came to the high Kirke of Edinburgh where Iohn Knox made the Sermon his Text was taken out of the six and twentieth Chapter of Esayas his Prophesie about the thirteenth Verse where in the words of the Prophet he said O Lord our God other Lords then thou have ruled over us Whereupon he tooke occasion to speake of the government of wicked Princes who for the sinnes of the people are sent as Tyrants and scourges to plague them And amongst other things he said That God sets in that room for the offences and ingratitude of the people Boyes and women And so other words which appeared bitter in the Kings ears as That God justly punished Ahab and his Posterity because he would not take order with that Harlot Iezabel And because he had tarried an hour and more longer then the time appointed the King sitting in a Throne made for that purpose was so moved at this Sermon that he would not Dine and being troubled with great fury he past in the afternoon to the Hawking Immediately Iohn Knox was commanded to come to the Councell where in the Secretaries Chamber were convened the Earle of Athole the Lord Ruthven the Secretary the Justice Clarke with the Advocate There passed along with the Minister a great number of the most apparent men of the Towne When he was called the Secretary declared That the Kings Majestie was offended with some words spoken in the Sermon especially such as are above rehearsed desiring him to abstaine from preaching for fifteen or twenty dayes and let Master Craig supply the place He answered That he had spoken nothing but according to his Text and if the Church would command him either to speake or abstain he would obey so far as the Word of God would permit him Within four dayes after the King and Queen sent to the Councell of Edinburgh commanding them to depose Archibald Dowglas and to receive the Laird Craigmiller for their Provest which was presently obeyed The five and twentieth of August the King and Queens Majesties past from Edinburgh to Linlithgow and from thence to Sterlin and from Sterlin to Glasgow At their first arrivall their whole people were not come The next day after their arrivall to Glasgow the Lords came to Paisley where they remained that night being in company about one thousand horses On the morrow they came to Hamilton keeping the high passage from Paisley hard by Glasgow where the King and Queen easily might behold them The night following which was the penult of August they remained in Hamilton with their Company but for divers respects moving them they thought it not expedient to tarry especially because the Earle of Argyle was not come for his Diet was not afore the second of September following to have been at Hamilton Finally they took purpose to come to Edinburgh the which they did the next day And albeit Alexander Areskin Captain under the Lord his brother caused to shoot forth of the Castle two Shot of Cannon they being neer the Towne And likewise that the Laird Craigmiller Provest did his endeavour to hold the Lords forth of the Towne in causing the common Bells to be rung for the convening of the Towne to the effect aforesaid yet they entred easily at the West Port or Gate without any molestation or impediment being in number as they esteemed themselves one thousand three hundred Horses Immediately they dispatched Messengers Southward and Northward to assist them but all in vain And immediately after they were in their Lodgings they caused to strike or beat the Drum desiring all such men as would receive Wages for the defence of the Glory of God That they should resort the day following to the Church where they should receive good Pay But they profited little that way neither could they in Edinburgh get any comfort or support for none or few resorted unto them yet they got more rest and sleep when they were at Edinburgh then they had done in five or six nights before The Noble-men of this Company were The Duke The Earles Murray Glencarne and Rothesse The Lords Boyd and Uchiltrie The Lairds of Grange Cunningham-head Balcomie and Lavers The Tâ—tor of Pitcur The Lairds of Barr Carmell and Dreghorn And the Laird of Pittarow Comptroller went with them Some said merrily That they were come to keepe the Parliament for the Parliament was continued till the first day of September Upon the which day they wrote to the King and Queens Majesties a Letter containing in effect That albeit they were persecuted most unjustly which they understood proceeded not of the King and Queens Majesties own Nature but onely by evil Counsell yet notwithstanding they were willing and content to suffer according to the Lawes of the Realm providing that the true Religion of God might be established and the dependants thereupon be likewise reformed Beseeching their Majesties most humbly to grant these things But otherwise if their enemies would seek their blood they should understand It should be dear bought They had written twice almost to the same effect to the King and Queens Majesties after their passing from Edinburgh for the Laird of Preston presented a Letter to the King and Queens Majestie and was therefore imprisoned but soon after released neverthelesse they got no answer The same day that they departed out of Hamilton the King and Queens Majesties issued out of Glasgow in the morning betimes And passing towards Hamilton the Army met their Majesties neer the Bridge of Cadder As they mustered the Master of Maxwell sate downe upon his knees and made a long Oration to the Queen declaring what pleasure she had done to them and ever laid the whole burden upon the Earle Murray Soon after they marched forward in Battell aray The Earle of Lenox took the Van-guard the Earle of Mortoun the middle Battell and the King and Queen the Reere The whole number were about five thousand men whereof the greatest part were in the Van-guard As the King and Queens Majesties were within three miles of Hamilton they were advertised that the Lords
him who had been also in the chamber with him The people ran to behold this spectacle and wondring thereat some judged one thing some another Shortly thereafter Bothwell came from the Abbey with a company of men of War and caused the body of the King to be carryed to the next house where after a little the Chirurgions being convened at the Queens command to view and consider the manner of his death most part gave out to please the Queen That he was blown in the Ayre albeit he had no mark of fire and truely he was strangled Soon after he was carryed to the Abbey and there buryed This tragicall end had Henry Steward after he had been King eighteen moneths A Prince of great Linage both by mother and father He was of a comely stature and none was like unto him within this Island he died under the age of one and twenty yeers prompt and ready for all Games and Sports much given to Hawking and Hunting and running of horses and likewise to playing on the Lute and also to Venus Chamber he was liberall enough He could write and dictate well but he was somewhat given to wine and much feeding and likewise to inconstancy and proud beyond measure and therefore contemned all others He had learned to dissemble well enough being from his youth misled up in Popery Thus within two yeers after his arriving in this Realme he was highly by the Queen alone extolled and finally had this infortunate end by her procurement and consent To lay all other proofs aside her Marriage with Bothwell who was the main executioner of the King notwithstanding all the advices and counsells that the King of France and Queene of England did earnestly carefully give her as other friends did likewise witnesse anent their guilt Those that laid hands on the King to kill him by Bothwels direction was Sir Iames Balfour Gilbert Balfour David Chalmers black Iohn Spense Francis Sebastien Io. de Bourdean and Ioseph the brother of David Rizio These last four were the Queens domesticks and strangers The reason why the Kings death was so hastened because the affection or passion of the Earl Bothwell could not bear so long a delay as the procurement of a Bill of Divorce required although the Romish Clergie offered their service willingly to the businesse namely Bishop Hamilton and so he came great again at Court and he for the advancement of the businesse did good Offices to increase the hatred betwixt the King and Queen yea some that had been the chief instruments of the Marriage of the King and Queen offered the service for the Divorce seeing how the Queens inclination lay So unhappy are Princes that men for their own ends further them in all their inclinations and undertakings be they never so bad or destructive to themselves The Earle of Lenox in the mean time wrote to the Queen to cause to punish Bothwell with his other complices for murthering the King The Queen not daring openly to reject the Earle of Lenox his solicitation did appoint a day for the Triall of Bothwell by an Assize the members whereof was the Earle of Cathnes President the Earle of Cassels who at the first refused but thereafter being threatned to be put in prison and under the pain of Treason was present by the Queens command Iohn Hamilton Commendator of Aberbrothok Lord Rosse Lord Semple Lord Boyd Lord Hereis Lord Olyphant the Master of Forbes the Lairds of Lochinuar Langton Cambusidentham Barnbougel and Boyne They to please the Queen and for fear did pronounce Bothwell not guilty notwithstanding the manifest evidences of the cruell fact committed by Bothwell who before the Tryall did make himself strong by divers means namely by the possession of the Castle of Edinburgh so that the accusers durst not appear not being strong enough The Earle of Marre did retire to Sterlin and had committed to his charge the young Prince All this was done in February In April Bothwell called together sundry of the Lords who had come to Edinburgh to a meeting that was there and having gained some before made them all what by fear what by fair promises first of their private State and then of advancing the Papists Religion to consent by their subscriptions to the Marriage with the Queen Then the Queen goes to Sterlin to see her son Bothwell makes a shew as if he were going to the Borders to suppresse Robbers and so he raiseth some men of War which when he had done he turneth towards the way to Sterlin where he meets the Queen according to appointment betwixt them and carrieth her to Dumbar as it had been by force although every one knew it was with the Queens liking The prime Nobility convened at Sterlin and from thence sent to her to know whether or not she was taken against her will She answered That it was true she was taken against her will but since her taking she had no occasion to complain yea the courteous entertainment she had made her forget and forgive all former offences These expressions were used by way of preface to the Pardon which was granted immediately thereafter to Bothwell for by Letters Patents he was pardoned by the Queen for laying violently hands upon her Majestie and for all other crimes So by this c. the murther of the King was pardoned During the Queens abode in Dumbar there was Letters of Divorce demanded and granted unto Bothwell from his Lady who afterward was married to the Earle Sutherland she was sister to the Earle of Huntley The ground of the Divorce was The parties being within the degrees prohibited could not be lawfully joyned Next because Bothwell was an Adulterer the Marriage was voyd The Bill of Divorce was granted by the Papisticall Court of the Archbishop of Saint Androes And here mark how they juggle in sacred things for when it pleaseth them they untie the Bond of Marriage as now and as we have seen in the first Book of this History When the Queen fell in distaste of the late King her husband it was proposed unto her to have Divorce upon the same ground from the King To which first ear was given but after second thoughts a Bill of Divorce was too tedious as we have now said and could not be stayed for therefore the King must be dispatched The Queen when Bothwell had obtained by the Archbishop a Letter of Divorce from his lawfull wife sent a Letter signed with her own hand to M. Io. Craig Minister of Edinburgh commanding him to publish the Band of Matrimony betwixt her and Bothwell M. Io. Craig the next Sermon day thereafter declared in full Congregation That he had received such a Command but in conscience he could not obey it the Marriage was altogether unlawfull and of that he would declare the reasons to the parties if he had audience of them otherwise he would make known his just reasons in the hearing of the people Immediately thereafter Bothwell sends
off their Enterprize till another time and had absolutely done so but God had ordained other wayes as the event did shew if the Queen and Bothwell could have had patience to stay at Dumbar for three or four dayes without any stirre but the Queen and Bothwell having gathered together about four or five thousand men trusting in their Force the Queen being puft up by Flatterers set forth and Marched towards Leith being come forward as farre as Glaidsmure she caused publike Proclamation against the aforesaid Lords calling them a number of Conspirators and that she now discerned their inward malice against her and her husband the Duke of Orkney for so now they called Bothwell After they had endeavoured to apprehend her and her Husband at Brothwick and had made a seditious Proclamation under pretence of seeking the revenge of the King her late husband and to free her from Captivity giving out That the Duke her husband had a minde to invade the Prince her Sonne all which was false for the Duke her Husband had used all means to clear himself both by a Legall way and by the offer of a Combate to any that did accuse him as they knew well enough As touching her captivity she was in none but was in company with her Husband unto whom she was publikely married in the view of the world and many of the Nobles had given their consent unto this her marriage As for the Prince her Sonne it was but a specious pretence to the Treason and Rebellion against her their naturall Soveraign and her Posterity which they intended to overthrow wherefore she declared her self necessitated to take Arms hoping that all her faithfull Subjects would adhere unto her and that those who were already assembled with her would with good hearts and hands stand to her defence and for the recompence of their valour they should have the Lands and goods of these unnaturall Rebels After this Proclamation the Army went on and the Queen that night came to Seaton where she lay About Midnight the Lords of Edinburgh were advertised of the Queens approach presently they took Arms and at the Sun rising they were at Muselburgh where they refreshed themselves with meat and rest The Queens Camp was not yet stirring About Midday the Scouts that the Lords had sent out brought word that the Enemy was Marching towards them presently they put themselves in two Battalia's the first was conducted by the Earle Morton and the Lord Hume the second by the Earls Athole Glencarne the Lords Lindsey Ruthuen Semple and Sancharmar with the Lairds Drumlanrick Tullibardin Cesfoord and Graunge with divers others their number was almost as great as the Queens their men better being many of them expert men that I say nothing of the Cause The Queen had gained a Hill called Carbarry which the Lords by reason of the steepnesse of the ascent could not well come at wherefore they wheeled about to get a more convenient place to go to the Hill where the Enemy was and to have the Sunne behinde them in the time of the sight At the first the Queen seeing their thus going about did imagine they were fleeing away to Dalketh but when she saw them come directly towards her she found her selfe deceived The French Ambassadour seeing them ready to fight strived to take up the businesse and having spoken with the Queen went to the Lords telling them that the Queene was disposed to peace and to forgive and pardon this Insurrection wherefore it was very fit to spare blood to agree in a peaceable way The Earle of Morton in the name of all rest answered That they had taken up Armes not against the Queen but against the murtherer of the King whom if she would deliver to be punished or at least put from her company she should finde a continuation of dutifull obedience by them and all other good subjects otherwise no peace Besides we are not to ask pardon for any offence done by us The Ambassadour seeing their resolution to stand to the right of their Cause withdrew and went to Edinburgh While the French Ambassadour was thus labouring for Accommodation Bothwell came out of the Camp which was in the Trench that the Englishmen had left at their last being in these places as was we have said in the former Books well mounted with a defie to any that would fight with him Iames Murray brother to the Laird of Tullibardin who before had accepted of Bothwells challenge when he made the Rodomontade at Edinburgh immediately after the Kings death but then Iames Murray did not make knowne his name Bothwell refused to fight with Iames Murray alleadging he was not his equall Upon this the Elder Brother William Murrey Laird of Tullibardin answered That he would fight with him as being his Better in Estate and in Antiquitie of House many degrees above him yet Bothwell refused him saying That he was not a Peer of the Kingdome as he was then sundry Lords would have gone to fight with Bothwell but the Lord Lindsey namely who said to the rest of the Lords and Gentlemen That he would take it as a singular favour of them and as a recompence of his service done to the State if they would suffer him to fight with the Braggadocio Bothwell seeing that there was no more subterfuge nor excuse under-hand made the Queen to forbid him After this challenge and answers Bothwells Complices and Followers were very earnest to fight but others that had come only for the Queens sake became little cold saying That Bothwell would do well to fight himself and spare the blood of divers Gentlemen that were there Some counselled to delay the Battell till the Hamiltons came whom they did expect All this the Queen heard with anger and riding up and down burst out in tears and said They were all cowards and traytors that would not fight Immediately after thus vapouring the Queen pereceiving sundry to leave her she advised Bothwell to look unto himself for she said to him She would render her self unto the Noble-men Upon this she sent for Iames Kirkaldie of Grange with whom she kept discourse for a while till that she was assured that Bothwell was out of danger Then she went to the Lords whom she did entertain with many fair words telling them That it was neither fear nor want of hope of victory that made her come unto them but a meer desire to spare shedding of innocent blood Withall she promised to be ruled and advised by them With this she was received with all respect But shortly after declaring that she would go to the Hamiltons with promise to return they restrained her liberty and brought her along with them to Edinburgh at night She was very slow in marching looking to be rescued by the Hamiltons but in vain She lay that night in the Provest his house The next day the Lords sent the Queen to the Castle that is within an Isle of Lochlevin Sir Iames
joyne with those that had bound themselves to stand for the Kings Authority He was very earnest with divers by reason of their old friendship but to little purpose The twentinth of August he received the Regencie after mature and ripe deliberation at the desire of the Queen and Lords that were for the King and so was publikely proclaimed Regent and Obedience shewed unto him by all that stood for the young King The end of the History of the Church of Scotland till the yeer 1567. and Moneth of August THE APPELLATION OF IOHN KNOX From the cruell and most unjust Sentence pronounced against him by the false Bishops and Clergie of Scotland With his Supplication and Exhortation to the Nobility States and Communalty of the same Realme To the Nobility and States of SCOTLAND JOHN KNOX wisheth Grace Mercy and Peace from God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ with the Spirit of righteous Iudgement IT is not onely the love of this Temporall life Right Honourable neither yet the fear of Corporal death that moveth me at this present to expose unto you the injuries done against me and to crave of you as of lawfull Powers by God appointed redresse of the same But partly it proceedeth from that reverence which every man oweth to Gods Eeternall Truth And partly from a love which I bear to your Salvation and to the Salvation of my Brethren abused in that Realme by such as have no fear of God before their eyes It hath pleased God of his infinite mercy not onely to illuminate the eyes of my minde and so to touch my dull heart that cleerly I see and by his grace unfainedly believe That there is no other name given to men under the heaven in which Salvation consisteth save the Name of JESUS alone Who by that Sacrifice which he did once offer upon the Crosse hath sanctified for ever all those that shall inherite the Kingdom promised But also it hath pleased him of his superaboundant grace to make and appoint me most wretched of many thousands a Witnesse Minister and Preacher of the same Doctrine the sum whereof I did not spare to communicate with my Brethren being with them in the Realme of Scotland in the yeer 1556 because I know my self to be a Steward and that accounts of the Talent committed to my charge shall be required of me by him who will admit no vain excuse which fearfull men pretend I did therefore as God his minister during the time I was conversant with them God is record and witnesse truely and sincerely according to the gift granted unto me divide the Word of Salvation teaching all men to hate sin which before God was and is so odious that none other Sacrifice would satisfie his Justice except the death of his onely Son and to magnifie the mercies of our heavenly Father who did not spare the substance of his own glory but did give him to the world to suffer the ignominious and cruell death of the Crosse by that means to reconcile his chosen children to himself teaching further what is the duty of such as do believe themselves purged by such a Price from their former filthinesse to wit That they are bound to walk in the newnesse of life fighting against the lusts of the flesh and studying at all times to glorifie God by such good works as he hath prepared his people to walk in In Doctrine I did further affirm so taught by my Master Christ Jesus That whosoever denieth him yea or is ashamed of him before this wicked Generation him shall Christ Jesus deny and of him shall he be ashamed when he shall appear in his Majesty And therefore I feared not to affirm That of necessity it is that such as hope for life everlasting avoid all Superstition vain Religion and Idolatry Vain Religion and Idolatry I call whatsoever is done in Gods Service or Honour without the expresse Commandment of his own Word This Doctrine I did believe to be so conformable to Gods holy Scriptures that I thought no creature could have been so impudent as to have condemned any Point or Article of the same Yet neverthelesse me as an heretick and this Doctrine as hereticall have your false Bishops and ungodly Clergie condemned pronouncing against me a Sentence of death in testification whereof they have burned a Picture From which false and cruell Sentence and from all judgement of that wicked Generation I make it known unto your Honours That I appeal to a Lawfull and Generall Councell to such I mean as the most ancient Laws and Cannons do approve to be holden by such as whose manifest impiety is not to be reformed in the same Most humbly requiring of your Honours That as God hath appointed you Princes in that People and by reason thereof requireth of your hands the defence of Innocents troubled in your Dominion in the mean time and till the controversies that this day be in Religion be lawfully decided ye receive me and such others as most unjustly by those cruell Beasts are persecuted in your defence and Protection Your Honours are not ignorant That it is not I alone who doth sustain this Cause against the pestilent Generation of Papists but that the most part of Germany the Countrey of Helvetia the King of Denmarke the Nobility of Polonia together with many other Cities and Churches Reformed appeal from the Tyrannie of that Antichrist and most earnestly call for a Lawfull and Generall Councell wherein may all Controversies in Religion be decided by the Authority of Gods most sacred Word And unto this same as said is do I appeal yet once again requiring of your Honours to hold my simple and plain Appellation of no lesse value nor effect then if it had been made with greater circumstance solemnity and ceremony and that you receive me calling unto you as to the Powers of God ordained in your protection and defence against the rage of Tyrants not to maintain me in any iniquity errour or false opinion but to let me have such equity as God by his Word ancient Laws and Determinations of most godly Councells grant to men accused or infamed The Word of God wills That no man shall die except he be found criminall and worthy of death for offence committed of which he must be manifestly convinced by two or three witnesses Ancient Law do permit just defences to snch as be accused be their crimes never so horrible And godly Councells wills That neither Bishop nor person Ecclesiasticall whatsoever accused of any crime shall sit in Judgement Consultation or Councell where the cause of such men as do accuse them is to be tried These things require I of your Honours to be granted unto me to wit That the Doctrine which our adversaries condemn for heresie may be tried by the simple and plain Word of God That just Defences be admitted to us that sustain the Battell against this
of your Bishops is more then manifest their filthy lives infect the ayr the innocent blood which they shed cryeth vengeance in the ears of our God the idolatry and abomination which openly they commit and without punishment maintain doth corrupt and defile the whole Land and none amongst you do unfainedly study for any redresse of such enormities Will God in this behalf hold you as innocents Be not deceived dear brethren God hath punished not onely the proud tyrants filthy persons and cruell murtherers but also such as with them did draw the yoke of iniquity was it by flattering their offences obeying their unjust commandments or in winking at their manifest iniquity All such I say God once punished with the chief offenders Be ye assured brethren that as he is immutable of nature so will he not pardon you in that which he hath punished in others and now the lesse because he hath plainly admonished you of the dangers to come and hath offered you his mercy before he pour forth his wrath and displeasure upon the inobedient God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ who is the father of glory and God of all consolation give you the spirit of wisedom and open unto you the knowledge of himself by the means of his dear Son by the which ye may attain to the esperance and hope That after the troubles of this transitory life ye may be partakers of the glorious Inheritance which is prepared for such as refuse themselves and fight under the Banner of Christ Iesus in the day of this his Battell That in deep consideration of the same ye may learn to prefer the invisible and eternall joyes to the vain pleasures that are present God further grant you his holy Spirit righteously to consider what I in his Name have required of your Nobility and of the subjects and move all together so to answer that my Petition be not a testimony of your just condemnation when the Lord Iesus shall appear to revenge the blood of his Saints and the contempt of his most holy Word Amen Sleep not in sin for vengeance is prepared against the inobedient Fly from Babylon if ye will not be partakers of her plagues Grace be with you Your Brother to command in godlinesse JOHN KNOX Be witnesse to my Appellation The 4. of Iuly 1558. A faithfull ADMONITION made by IOHN KNOX To the true Professors of the Gospel of CHRIST within the Kingdom of England 1554. John Knox wisheth Grace Mercy and Peace from GOD the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ with the perpetuall Comfort of the Holy Ghost to be with you for ever and ever dear Brethren the afflicted Members of Christs Church in England HAving no lesse desire to comfort such as now be in trouble within the Realm of England and specially you for many causes most dear to me then hath the naturall Father to ease the griefe and pain of his dearest Childe I have considered with my selfe what argument or parcell of Gods Scriptures was most convenient and meet to be handled for your consolation in these most dark and dolorous dayes And so as for the same purpose I was turning my Book I chanced to see a Note in the Margine written thus in Latine Videas Anglia Let England beware which Note when I had considered I found that the matter written in my Booke in Latine was this Seldome it is that God worketh any notable work to the comfort of his Church but that trouble fear and labour cometh upon such as God hath used for his Servants and Workmen and also tribulation most commonly followeth that Church were Christ Iesus is most truely preached This Note was made upon a place of Scripture written in the fourteenth Chapter of Saint Matthews Gospell which place declareth That after Christ Jesus had used the Apostles as Ministers and Servants to feed as it had been by their hands five thousand men beside women and children with five Barley Loaves and two Fishes he sent them to the Sea commanding them to passe over before him to the other side Which thing as they attempted to obey and for the same purpose did travell and row forth in the Sea the night approached the wind was contrary the vehement and raging storme arose and was like to overthrow their poor Boat and them When I considered as dolour and my simplicity would suffer the circumstances of the Text I began to reckon and ask account of my self and as God knoweth not without sorrow and sobs whether at any time I had been so plain by my tongue as God had opened his holy Will and Wisdom in that matter unto me as mine own Pen and Note beare witnesse to my conscience And shortly it came to my minde that the same place of Scripture I had handled in your presences when God gave opportunity and time for you to heare Gods Messenger speak the words of eternall life Wherefore I thought nothing more expedient then shortly to call to minde againe such things as then I trust were touched albeit peradventure neither of me so plainly uttered neither of you so plainly perceived as these most dolorous dayes declare the same to us It shall not bee necessary to handle the Text word by word but of the whole summe to gather certain Notes and Observations which shall not farre disagree from the state of these dayes it shall be sufficient And first it is to be observed That after this great miracle that Christ had wrought he neither would retain with himself the multitude of people whom he had fed neither yet his disciples but the one he sent away every man to return to his place of accustomed residence and the others he sent to the danger of the Seas not as he that was ignorant what should chance unto them but knowing and foreseeing the Tempest yea and appointing the same so to trouble them It is not to be judged That the onely and true Pastour would remove and send away from him the wandering and weak sheep neither yet that the onely provident Governour and Guide would set out his rude Warriours to so great a jeopardie without sufficient and most just cause Why Christ removed and sent away from him the people the Evangelist Saint Iohn declareth saying When Iesus knew that they were come to take him that they might make him King he passed secretly or alone to the Mountain Whereof it is plain what chiefly moved Christ to send away the people from him because that by him they sought a carnall and worldly libertie regarding nothing his Heavenly Doctrine of the Kingdom of God his Father which before he had taught and declared unto them plainly shewing them That such as would follow him must suffer for his Names sake persecution must be hated of all men must deny themselves must be sent forth as sheep among Wolves But no part of this doctrine pleased them or could enter into their
Word from the whole Realme of England But be thou mindefull O Lord that it is thy Truth which we have professed and that thy enemies blasphemeth thy holy Name and our Profession without Cause Thy holy Gospel is called heresie and we are accused as traytors for professing the same Be mercifull therefore O Lord and be salvation unto us in this time of our anguish Albeit our sins accuse and condemne us yet do thou according to thine own Name We have offended against thee Our sins and iniquities are without number and yet art thou in the midst of us O Lord albeit that tyrants bear rule over our bodies yet thirsteth our souls for the comfort of thy Word Correct us therefore but not in thy hot displeasure spare thy people and permit not thine inheritance to bâ— in rebuke for ever Let such O Lord as now are most afflicted yet once againe praise thy holy Name before thy Congregation Represse the pride of those blood-thirsty Tyrants consume them in thine anger according to the reproach which they have laid against thy holy Name Pour forth thy vengeance upon them and let our eyes behold the blood of thy Saints required of their hands Delay not thy vengeance O Lord but let death devour them in haste Let the earth swallow them up and let them go downe quick to the hells For there is no hope of their amendment the feare and reverence of thy holy Name is quite banished from their hearts and therefore yet again O Lord consume them consume them in thine anger and let them never bring their wicked counsells to effect but according to the godly powers let them be taken in the snare which they have prepared for thine elect Look upon us O Lord with the eyes of thy mercy and shew pity upon us thy weak and sore oppressed Flock Gather us yet once again to the wholesome treasures of thy most holy Word that openly we may confesse thy blessed Name within the Realme of England Grant this O heavenly Father for Christ Iesus thy sons sake Amen If on this manner or otherwise as God shall put in our hearts without hypocrisie in the presence of our God respecting more his glory then our private wealth continually we poure forth our complaint confession and prayers Then so assuredly as our God liveth and as we feel these present troubles shall our God himself rise to our defence he shall confound the counsels of our enemies and trouble the wits of such as most wrongfully troubleth us He shall send Jesu to execute his just judgments against Idolators and against such as obstinately defendeth them Yea the chiefe men of our times shall not escape the vengeance and plagues that are prepared for their portion The flatterers and maintainers of her abominations shall drink the cup of Gods wrath And in despite of the Devill shall yet the glory of Christ Jesus and the brightnesse of his countenance so shine in our hearts by the presence of his grace and before our eyes by the true preaching of his Gospel that altogether we shall fall before him and say O Lord thou art our God we shall extoll thee and shall confesse thy Name for thou â—ast brought wonderous things to passe according to thy counsels which albeit appear to be farre off yet are they true and most assured Thou hast brought to ruine the palaces of tyrants and therefore shall the afflicted magnifie thee and the City of tyrannicall Nations shall fear thee Thou hast been O Lord a strong defence to the poor a sure place of refuge to the afflicted in the time of his anguish This no doubt dear Brethren shall one day be the song of Gods Elect within the Realm of England after that God hath poured forth his vengeance upon these disobedient and blood-thirsty tyrants which now triumpheth in all abominations and therefore yet again beloved in the Lord Abide patiently the Lords deliverance avoyding and flying such offences as may separate and divide you from the blessed felloâ—ship of the Lord Jesus at his second comming Watch and pray resist the â—ivell and row against this vehement tempest and shortly shall the Lord come to the comfort of your hearts which now are oppressed with anguish and care but then shall ye so rejoyce that through gladnesse you shall say Behold this our God we have waited upon him and he hath saved us This is our Lord we have long thirsted for his comming now shall we rejoyce and be glad in his salvation Amen The great Bishop of our souls Jesus our Lord so strengthen and assist your troubled hearts with the mighty comfort of his Holy Ghost that earthly tyrants nor worldly torments have no power to drive you from the hope and expectation of that Kingdom which for the Elect was prepared from the beginning by our heavenly Father to whom be all praise and honour now and ever Amen Remember me dear Brethren in your daily prayers The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen Yours with sorrowfull heart JOHN KNOX The Copie of A LETTER Delivered To Queen Mary Regent OF SCOTLAND FROM IOHN KNOX Minister of Gods Word in the yeer of our Lord 1556. and thereafter augmented and explained by the Author in the yeer of our Lord 1558. To the most Excellent Princesse MARY DOVVAGER Regent of Scotland MADAME THE cause which moved me to present this my Supplication unto your Majestie enlarged and in some places explained being in the Realm of Scotland in the Moneth of May 1556. I caused to be presented to your Majesty is the incredible rage of such as beare the Title of Bishops who against all justice and equitie have pronounced against me a most cruell sentence condemning my Bodie to Fire my Soul to Damnation and all Doctrine taught by me to be false deceivable and Hereticall If this injury did tend to me alone having the testimony of a good conscience with silence I could passe the matter being assured that such as they curse and expell their Synagogues for such causes shall God blesse and Christ Jesus receive in his eternall societie But considering that this their blasphemy is vomited forth against the eternall Truth of Christs Evangell whereof it hath pleased the great mercy of God to make me a Minister I cannot cease to notifie as well to your Majestie as to them That so little am I afraid of their Tyrannicall and surmised sentence that in place of the Picture if God impede not my purpose they shall have the Body to justice that Doctrine which they Members of Satan blasphemously do condemne Advertising your Majestie in the mean time That from them their sentence and tyrannie and from all those that lift to maintain them in the same I do appeal to a lawfull and generall Councel beseeching your Majesty to take in good part that I call you for witnesse that I have required the libertie of
Realms Nations yea certain great revelations of mutations and changes when no such things were feared nor yet was appearing a portion whereof cannot the world deny be it never so blinde to be fulfilled and the rest alas I fear shall follow with greater haste and in more full perfection then my sorrowfull heart desireth Nothwithstanding these revelations and assurances I did ever abstain to commit any thing to writing contented onely to have obeyed the charge of him who commanded me to crie If any then will ask to what purpose this onely Sermon is set forth and greater matters omitted I answer to let such as Sathan hath not altogether blinded so upon how small occasions great offence is now conceived This Sermon is it for the which from my Bed I was called before the Councell and after long reasoning I was by some forbidden to Preach in Edinburgh so long as the King and Queen were in Town This Sermon is it that so offendeth such as would please Court and will not appear to be enemies to the Truth yet they dare affirm That I exceeded the bounds of Gods Messenger I have therefore faithfully committed unto writing whatsoever I could remember might have been offensive in that Sermon to the end That as well the enemies of Gods truth as the professors of the same may either note unto me wherein I have offended or at the least cease to condemn me before they have convinced me by Gods manifest Word If any man think it easie unto me to mitigate by my pen the inconsiderate sharpnesse of my Tongue and so cannot men freely judge of that my Sermon I answer That I am neither so impudent that I will studie to abuse the world in this great light neither yet so void of the fear of my God that I will avow a lie in his own presence and no lesse do I esteem it to be a lie To deny or conceale that which in his Name I have once pronounced then to affirm That God hath spoken when his Word assures me not of the same for in the publike place I consult not with flesh and blood wha◠I shall propose to the people but as the Spirit of my God who hath sent me and unto whom I must answer moveth me so I speak and when I have once pronounced threatnings in his Name how unpleasant soever they be to the World I dare no more deny them then I dare deny that God hath made me his Messenger to forewarn the inobedient of their assured destruction At that Sermon were auditors unto me not onely professors of the truth and such as favour me but rank Papists dissembling Hypocrites and no small number of covetous Clawbacks of the new Court now I will appeal to the conscience of them all as they will answer in the presence of the Eternall God that either they bear me record now writing the truth or else note unto me the sentences offensive then by me pronounced and now omitted in writing for in Gods presence I protest That so far as memory would serve me I have written more vehemently then in the action I spake and pronounced but of purpose I have omitted perswasions and exhortations which then were made Quaedam hîc desunt A SERMON Preached By John Knox. Esay 26.13 14 15 16 c. O Lord our God other lords besides thee have had dominion over us but by thee onely will we make mention of thy Name They are dead they shall not live they are deceased they shall not rise therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them and made all their memory to perish Thou hast increased the Nation O Lord thou hast increased the Nation thou art glorified thou hast removed it farre unto the ends of the earth Lord in trouble have they visited thee they powred out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them c. AS the cunning Marriner being Master having his Ship tossed with a vehement tempest and contrary windes is compelled oft to traverse lest that either by too much resisting to the violence of the Waves his Vessell might be over whelmed or by too much libertie granted to be carried whither the fury of the tempest would his Ship should be driven upon the shore and so make shipwrack even so doth our Prophet Isaiah in this Text which now you have heard read for he foreseeing the great desolation that was decreed in the Councell of the Eternall against Hierusalem and Iudah to wit That the whole people that bare the Name of God should be dispersed that the holy Citie should be destroyed the Temple wherein was the Ark of the Covenant and where God had promised to give his own presence should be burnt with fire the King taken his sons in his own presence murthered his own eyes immediatly after to be put out the Nobilitie some cruelly murdered some shamefully led away captives and finally the whose seed of Abraham razed as it were from the face of the earth The Prophet I say fearing these horrible calamities doth as it were sometimes suffer himself and the people committed to his Charge to be carryed away with the violence of the tempest without further resistance then by pouring forth his and their dolorous complaints before the Majestie of God as in the 13 17 and 18 verse of this present Text we may reade At other times he valiantly resisteth the desperate tempest and pronounceth the fearfull destruction of all such as trouble the Church of God which he pronounceth that God will multiply even in such time as when it appeareth utterly to be exterminate But because there is no small rest to the whole Body till that the Head returne to judgement he calleth the afflicted to patience and promiseth such a Visitation as whereby the wickednesse of the wicked shall be disclosed and finally recompenced in their own bosoms These are the chiefest Points of which by the grace of God we intend more largely at this present to speak First the Prophet saith O Lord our God other lords besides thee have ruled us This no doubt is the beginning of the dolorous complaint in the which he complaineth of the unjust tyranny that the poor afflicted Israelites sustained during the time of their Captivity True it is That the Prophet was gathered to his fathers in peace before that this apprehended the people For a hundred yeers after his decease was not the people led away captive Yet he fore-seeing the assurance of the calamity did before-hand endite and dictate unto them the complaint that after they should make But at the first sight it appeareth That the complaint hath but small weight For what new thing was it that other lords then God in his own person ruled them seeing that such had been their Regiment from the beginning For who knoweth not that Moses Aaron and Ioshua the Judges Samuel David and other godly Rulers were men and not God And so other lords then God ruled them in
cause of Heresie The Proofe of Heresie Note Note Note Note Note Note this against the legality of the Bishops Note This was Friâ—â— Scot. Note Note Note 1566 1546. How the Cardiall was occupied the night before that in the morning he was slain The Cardinals demand The Cardinals confession The fact and words of Iames Melvin The Cardinals last words Advertisement to the Reader Note The Bishop of S Andrews was glad and yet made himselfe to be angry at the slaughter of the Cardinall Upon what conditions King Henry took the castle of S. Andrews into his protection The first â—iege lasted from August to January 1547. Iohn Knox goes into the Castle of S. Andrews * Sir David Lindsay King of Armes then who fore the time had good light both in Divine and Humane knowledge as his works tell us The first Vocation by name of Iohn Knox. Dean Iohn Annan The offer of Iohn Knox first and last unto the Papists The first publike â—reaching of Iohn Knox made in the Parish Church of S. Andrewâ—â— Contra Dei Spirituâ— ad Gâ—lat cap. 2 vâ—r 17. 11. Note The great wordâ— which Ant. christ speaketh Iohn Knox had been disciple in his first yeers to Iohn Maire Note Note Optima Collatio Deut. 4. Note Psal. 26.5 Frier Arbuckiâ—ls proofe of Purgatory The cause of the inserting of this Disputation The practises of Papists that their wickednesse should not be disclosed The protestation of Iohn Knox. M. Iames Balfoure once joyned with the Church and did professe all Doctrine taught by Iohn Knox. Filius sequitur patris iter The rage of the marked beasts at the Preaching of the Truth The first coming of Galleys Anno 1547. And the second Siege of the Castle The treasonable act of the Governour and Queen Dowager Note The answer given to the Governour when the Castle of S. Andrews was required to be delivered The Gunners goddesse Commonly called The old Colledge The sentence of Knoxâ—o â—o the Castle of S. Andrews bâ—â—fore it was won Note King Henry of England being dead Prior of Cappua Leon Stâ—ozi The Castle of S. Andrews refused in greatest extremity to treat with the Governor fearing the cruelty of his weak nature in revenging the death of his Cousin the Cardinall Nulla fides Rogni Socii c. Pinckey Clâ—â—ch Duke of Sommerset The security of the Scotishmen at Pinckey Clewch Fridays chase Brags The repulse of the Horse-men of England Note Note Note Note 1549. The Parliament at Hadington Note The Dukes fact and what appeareth to follow thereof Experience hath taught and further will declare The siege of Hadington Tuesdayes chase Note The slaughter of the Captain of the Castle of Edinburgh Hadington almost surprised by the French The recovery of the Castle of Home The death of the Laird of Raith The entertainment of those of the Castle of S. Andrews during their Captivity Note Note Note This book was printed 1584. at Edinburgh by Tho. Vtroâ—â—â— A merry fact Note Jerem. 10. Note Quamvis multa sunt justorum mala c. Note diligently the Prophesie Iohn Knox his answer and counsell to the captives Le jour de Roys au soir quand els erient le Roy boit The escaping of William Kirkcaldie and of his fellows forth of Mount Saint Michell Note To shew what is contained in this Admonition we have caused it to be printed at the end of this History 1550 Note Note diligently The slaughter of that villain Davie The rulers of annoâ—566 â—566 and their prediction Note The accusation of Adam Wallace and his answers The Papisticall manner of accusation Note Adam Wallace his accusations and answers Note Protestation of the Earle of Glencarne Note The death and vertues of Edward the sixth Who first after the death of King Edward began to preach in Scotland Elizabeth Adamson and her death Note Note Note Note diligently Masse abhorred Note 1555. Note You will finde this Appellation at the end of this book War against England by the meanes of the Queen Regent A calfe with two heads The fact of the Nobility of Scotland at Maxwel Hewcht The second return of Iohn Willock to Scotland Lord Seton an Apostata The abolishing of Images and trouble therefore The Preachers summoned The practice of Prelats and what thereof ensued The bold words of Iames Chalmers of Gaithgyrth O crafty flatterer The command of the Bishop The answer of Edinburgh Edinburgh appealeth from the sentence of the Bishop of S. Andrews Triumph for hearing of stock Gyle The down casting of stock Gyle and the discomfiture of Baals Priests A merry English-man Note The death of the Bishop of Galoway and his last confession Qualis vita finis ita The Vow of that marked beast Dury B. oâ— Galloway The death of M David Panter The death of the Bishop of Orknay Reid â— Orknays answer and his friends home Note The Queen Regents sentence of the death of her Papists Dean of Lestarrige hypocrite began to preach M. David Panters counsell 〈◊〉 his forsworne brethren the Bishops The second Vocation of Iohn Knox by Letters of the Lords Note Note Let the Papists themselves judge of what spirit these sentences could proceed The duty of the Nobility The letter lost by negligence and troubles God grant that our Nobility would yet understand Note The first Covenant of Scotland 1557 Those that then did oppose Popery were called the Congregation Note The Earl of Argyle the first man in this Covenant The third Vocation of Iohn Knox by the Lords and Churches of Scotland Flesh blood is preferred to God with the Bishop Note Note diligently Note Note the Earl of Argyle his Testament Note Here is one Solecisme in State expression newly invented by the Court Parasites Note To call the Crowne Matrimoniall is an absurd Solecisme newly then invented at Court Note And now in these later days it hath pleased God in his goodnesse to grant the pure and Primitive Discipline also unto the Church of Scotland The first douâ—t The second Note Scriptures answering the doubts This was called the privie Church Iohn Willocke The Laird of Calder elder The tyrannie of the Clergy Note The Petition The offer The practise of Satan Disputation with condition The offer of the Papists The grant of the Queene Regent The apprehension of Walter Mill. 1558. Note The hypocrisie of the Queene Regent Protestation Let the Papists observe Note Letters to Iohn Calvine Blasphemy Note She had gotten her lesson from the Cardinall Forefather to the now Earle of Lowdone Chancellor Queen Regents answer S. Iohnston embraced the Gospel Lord Ruthuens answer 1559 The first assembly at S. Iohnston The Laird of Dun stayed the congregation and the Preachers Note 1559 Note At this time the Professors of the Gospel were called the Congregation The taking down of the Fâ—iers in Saint Iohnston Note The Gray Friers their provision Note Note A godly vow The complaint of the Queene Regent Note Note Note O where is this fervencie
brake the ward or prison Note another wavering of the Hamiltons A new Covenant 1562. Note So was the Duke the Earls of Argyle Murray and Glencarne with all their Company after ter served The day of Correthie field Octob. 22. 1562 The Earle of Huntlies prayer Note Corriethieburne or Farabank Secretary Lethingtons Oration The Lady Forbesse her words Let others that yet live mark this Mens judgement of the Queens Marriage Note this The Preachers railed upon the Courtiers The Preachers Admonition after the Earle of Huntlies death Meaning of Huntley The end declared their words to be true The defence of the Courtiers The Queens practise The tryall of Pauls Meffanes fact Chattelet and the Queen The Queens desire concerning Chattelet The punishment of God for maintaining and erecting of the Masse death and famine Iohn Knox sent for by the Queen Reasoning between I. Knox and the Queen Note diligently The Queens judgement of the Bishop of Cathaes The Lady Argile was naturall Sister to the Queen as the Earle Murray was naturall Brother The Clergie did pretend to be free from all Jurisdiction save the Popes The judgment of some Huntley forfeited The pride of Women at that Parliament Note diligently And so was Religion and the Common-wealth both neglected Occasion painted with a bald Hind-head Variance betwixt the Earle of Murray and Iohn Knox. Iohn Knox discharge to the Earl of Murray God knowes if our times be better The Speaker was the Dean of Restaruk Iohn Knox his affirmation Let this serve for our times Let the Papists judge this day 1567. Note Women Lethingtons practice Note diligently The last commendation of Lord Iohn to the Queen M. Rob. Font stricken in the head with a weapon by Cap. Lawder Bond to a mutuall defence in the cause of Religion Note Pastors The Master of Maxwells discharge to Iohn Knox and their reasoning together Before they disdained not to come to his own house Iohn Knox his answer Note a wise Reply This was the first time the Earle Murray spake with Iohn Knox after the Parliament Iohn Knox called before the Queen and Counsell in Decemb. 156â— Note this diligently Note As the Irish Papists have done to Protestants in Ireland Let this be noted for this day Let the world judge what ensued Note Pastors Note diligently Note the craft of the Court. Note I. Knox falsly reported of his answer Remark false brethren Murther and Whoredome in the Court. Maries Regiment Great Wet and Frost in Ian. 1563. The Sea stood still neither ebbed â—or flowed for 24 houres Cucullus Note how this agrees with our time Lethingtons counteâ—â—nce at the threatnings of the preacher Let the world judge whether this hath come to passe or not what hath fallen since that time Lethington his Harangue at the Assembly Anno 1564. Iohn Knox his answer Note diligently â—nd see how the Bishops did forbid to pray for the conversion of the Queen that now is in Britain M. Maxwells words in the Assembly Iohn Knox his prayer for the Queen Note 2 Tim. 2. Note Note Let this be noâ—ed diligently Psal. 82. Note this 1 Sam. 22. Note this Discourse diligently God craves of us That we should oppose our selves to iniquity Let this be noted for our times Whether this hath come to passe or not let the world judge Note this diligently Noâ—â— â— Paral 25. When the Prince does serve God sincerely in private and publike and hath a care that the people do the same then assuredly they are faithfull to him but if he faile in these or in either of them he findes disobedience in his people beâ—ause he is not carefull to obey God and to see him obeyed Deut. 13. 2 Paral. 26. Let this be applyed to the late affairs of Scotland 2 Paral. 26. Note M. Iohn Dowglâ—s Rector his Vote Master Iohn Craig his Vote Note dilâ—gently Note deligently There be two Epigrams extant written by George Buchanan of a rich Diamond sent from Qu. Mary to Queen Elizabeth At this time an Italian named Davie entred in great familiarity with the Queen so that there was nothing done without him The Earl of Murray seeing the other Nobles consent gave his which before he refused The Dispensation being come from Rome for the Marriage Before which according to the Romish Law it was unlawful to marry being Cousin Germans brother and sisters children and so the degree of Consanguinity forbidden Note this for our time The King to make himself more popular and to take from the Lords of the Congregation the preteâ—t of Religion he went to the Kirk to hear Iohn Knox preach In answering he said more then he had preached for he added That as the King had to pleasure the Queen gone to Masse and dishonoured the Lord God so should God in his justice make her an Instrument of his ruine and so it fell out in a very short time but the Queen being incensed with these words fell out in Tears and to please her Iohn Knox must abstain from preaching for a time Note how this agrees with our times Let this be conferred with our times Note diligenly So was the Citie of London for warre against Scotland vexed for the leavie of mony Note diligently Note diligently Qâ— Elizabeth Here mark either deep dissimulation or a great inconstancy At the end of this Book you shall finde this See in what sense proud ambitious men takes the name of Bishop As is said before This inconstant yongman sometimes declared himself for the Protestant witnesse his last Band And now for the Papist And as he left God so he was left by him The Queen intending vengeance upon the poor King and being in love with the Earle Bothwell grants to the Protestants their Petitions that they may be quiet and not trouble her Plots As she had lately gratified the Protestants by granting their Petition so at this time she yeelds unto the Papists their demands also that she might be stopped by neither of them in her designe of vengeance and new love Note Note how God changeth things in a moment Heb. 10. 1 Cor. 3. Mat. 25. John 3. Rom 58. 2 Cor. 5. Rom. 6. Ephes. 4.5 Ephes. 2. Matth. 10. Vain Religion or Idolatry A Sentence pronounced Appellation from the same The request of Iohn Knox. The Petition of Protestants Deut. 17. The Pâ—tition of Iohn Knox. Note well Answer 1. To Objections Note The Appellation is just and lawfull Gods Messengers may appeal from unjust sentences and Civill powers are bound to admit them Jer. 26. Advert The Princes did absolve the Prophet whom the Priests had condemned Deut. 17. The meaning of these words I am in your hands c. Deut 17. Jerem 1. Deut 1 10. The causes of his Appellation and why he ought to have been defended Jerem. 38. Just cause of Appellation Act. 22 23 24 25. Act. 25. Why Paul would admit none of the Leuiticall order to judge in his cause Upon what reasons the Appellation of Paul was grounded
advert thereto and to have care to use your Lordships friends that alwayes hath wished the honour profit and prosperity of your Lordships house as of our own I pray you give credit to the Bearer Iesu have your Lordship in everlasting keeping Of Edinburgh the five and twentieth day of March Anno 1558. Sic subscribitur Your Lordships at all power Saint Andrews Followes the Credit MEmorandum To Sir David Hamilton to my Lord Earle of Argyle in my behalfe and let him see and heare every Article 1. Imprimis To repeat the ancient blood of his house how long it hath stood how notable it hath been and so many Noble-men hath been Earles Lords and Knights thereof How long they have reigned in their parts true and obedient both to God and the Prince without any spot in their dayes in any manner of sort And to remember how many notable men are come of his house 2. Secondly To shew him the great affection I beare towards him his blood house and friends and of the ardent desire I have of the perpetuall standing of it in honour and fame with all them that are come of it Which is my part for many and divers causes as you shall see 3. Thirdly To shew my Lord how heavy and displeasing it is to me now to heare That he who is and hath been so Noble a man should be seduced and abused by the flattery of such an infamed person of the Law and men sworne Apostate that under the pretence that he giveth himself forth as a Preacher of the Gospel and Veritie under that colour setteth forth Schismes and Divisions in the holy Church of God with Hereticall Propositions thinking that under his maintenance and defence to infect this Countrey with Heresie perswading my said Lord and others his children and friends that all that he speaketh is Scripture and conform thereunto albeit that many of his Propositions are many yeers past condemned by generall Councels and the whole state of Christian people 4. Fourthly To shew to my Lord how perillous this is to his Lordship and his house and decay thereof in case that authority should be sharp and should use rigour conform both to Civill and Canon and also your own Municipall law of this Realm 5. Fifthly to shew his Lordship how woe I would be either to heare see or know any displeasure that might come to him his son or any of his house or friends and especially in his own time and dayes And as how great displeasure I have now to hear great and evil bruites of him that should in his old age in a manner vary from his faith and to be altered therin when the time is that he should be most sure and firme therein 6. Sixthly To shew his Lordship that there is delation of that man called Dowglas or Grant of sundry Articles of Heresie which lieth to my charge and conscience to put remedie to or else all the pestilentious Doctrine he sowes and such like all that are corrupt by his Doctrine and all that he draweth from our Faith and Christian Religion will lie to my charge before God and I to be accused before God for overseeing of him if I put not remedy thereto and correct him for such things he is delated of And therefore that my Lord consider and weigh it well how highly it lieth both to my honour and conscience for if I favour him I shall be accused for all them that he infects and corrupts in Heresie 7. Seventhly Therefore I pray my Lord in most hearty maner to take this matter in the best part for his own conscience honour and weale of himselfe house friends and servants and sik like for my part and for my conscience and honour Then considering that there are divers Articles of Heresie to be laid to him that he is dilated of and that he is presently in my Lords company That my Lord would by some honest way part with this man and put him from him and from his sons company For I would be right sorry that any being in any of their companies should be called for such causes or that any of them should be bruited to hold any sik man And this I would advertise my Lord and have his Lordships Answer and Resolution before any Summons passed upon him 8. Eighthly Item If my Lord would have a man to instruct him truely in the Faith and Preach to him I would provide a learned man to him and I shall answer for his true Doctrine and shall Pand my soule that he shall teach nothing but truly according to our Catholike Faith Of Edinburgh this last of March 1558. Sic subscribiter Saint Andrews Moreover I hope your Lordship will call to good remembrance and weigh the great and heavie murmure against me both by the Queene the Church-men Spirituall and Temporall estates and well given people moaning crying and murmuring at me greatly That I do not my Office To those such infamous persons with such perversed Doctrine within my Diocesses and this Realme by reason of my Legacie and Primacie which I have the rather sustained and long suffered for the great love that I had to your Lordship and posterity and your friends and your house As beleeving surely your Lordships wisedome should not have maintained and medled with such things that might do me dishonour or displeasure considering that I have bin ready to put good order thereto alwayes but have modestly abstained for the love of your Lordship and house aforesaid that I beare truely knowing and seeing the great harm and dishonour and lack apparantly that might come there through in case your Lordship remedie not the same hastily whereby we might both be quiet of all danger which doubtlesse will come upon us both if I use not my Office or that he be called while that he is now with your Lordship and under your Lordships protection Subscribed againe Saint Andrews By these former Instructions thou mayest perceive Gentle Reader what was the care that this Pastour or rather Impostour with his Complices took to feed the flock committed to their charge as they alleadge and to gain-stand false Teachers Here is oft mention of conscience of Heresie such other terms that might fray the ignorant and deceive the simple But we hear no crime in particular laid to the charge of the accused and yet is he condemned as a forsworn Apostata This was my Lords conscience which he learned of his fathers the Pharisees old enemies to Christ Jesus who condemned him before they heard him But who ruled my Lords conscience when he took his cousins wife the Lady Gilton Consider thou the rest of his perswasions thou shalt clearly see That honour estimation love to house and friends is the best ground that my Lord Bishop hath why he should persecute Jesus Christ in his members We thought good to insert the answers of the said Earle which follow Memorandum This present Writ is to make answer
his Messenger Sir Adam Browne advertisement was given That if any farther displeasure chanced unto him he would that he should not blame them The Bishops servants that same night began to fortifie the place again and began to do violence to some that were carrying away such Baggage as they could come by The Bishops Girnall was kept the first night by the labours of Iohn Knox who by exhortation removed such as violently would make interruption The same night departed from S. Iohnston the Earl of Argyle and L. Iames as after shall be declared The morrow following some of the poor in hope of spoyl and some of Dundie to consider what was done passed up to the said Abbey of Scone whereat the Bishops servants offended began to threaten and speak proudly and as it was constantly affirmed one of the Bishops sons thrust thorow with a Rapier one of Dundie for because he was looking in at the Girnell door This brute noysed abroad the Town of Dundie was more enraged then before who putting themselves in Armour sent word to the inhabitants of S. Iohnston That unlesse they would support them to avenge that injury they should never after that day occure with them in any action The multitude easily enflamed gave the Alarm and so was that Abbey and Palace appointed to Saccage in doing whereof they took no long deliberation but committed the whole to the merciement of fire Whereat no small number of us were so offended that patiently we could not speak to any that were of Dundie or Saint Iohnston A poor aged matron seeing the flame of fire to passe up so mightily and perceiving that many were thereat offended in plain and sober manner of speaking said Now I see and understand that Gods judgements are just and that no man is able to save where he will punish since my remembrance this place hath been nothing else but a Den of Whore mongers It is incredible to believe how many wives have been adulterate and virgins deflowred by the filthy beasts which have been fostered in this den but especially by that wicked man who is called the Bishop If all men knew as much as I they would praise God and no man would be offended This woman dwelt in the Towne nigh to the Abbey At whose words were many pacified affirming with her That it was Gods just Judgement And assuredly if the labours or travell of any man could have saved that place it had not been at that time destroyed for men of greatest estimation laboured with all diligence for the safety of it While these things were done at Saint Iohnston the Queen fearing what should follow determined to send certain Bands of French Souldiers to Sterlin of purpose to stop the passage to us that then were upon the North side of Forth Which understood the Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames departed secretly in the night and with great expedition preventing the French they took the Towne before whose coming the rascall multitude put hands on the thieves I should say Friers places and utterly destroyed them whereat the Queen and her Faction not a little afrayed with all diligence departed from Edinburgh to Dumbar And so we with reasonable diligence marched forward to Edinburgh for Reformation to be made there where we arrived the 29 of June The Provest for that time the Lord Seaton a man without God without honesty and oftentimes without reason had before greatly troubled and molested the brethren for he had taken upon him the protection and defence of the Black and Gray Friers and for that purpose did not onely lie himself in one of the Colledges every night but also constrained the most honest of the Towne to watch those monsters to their great grief and trouble But hearing of our sudden coming he abandoned his charge and left the spoyl to the poor who had made havock of all such things as was moveable in those places before our coming and left nothing but bare walls yea not so much as door or window whereby we were the lesser troubled in putting order to such places After that we had deliberate certain dayes what was best to be done and what order was to be taken for suppressing all Monuments of Idolatry within that Towne and the places next adjacent determination was taken to send some Message to the Queen then Regent For she had bruted as her accustomed manner was by advice of her counsell ever to forge lies that we sought nothing but her life and a plain revoltment from the lawfull obedience due to our Soveraigne her Authority as by the Tenour of these Letters may be seen FRANCIS and MARIE By the Grace of God King and Qneen of Scots Doulphin and Doulphinesse of Viennois To Our loved Lyon King of Armes c. Our Sheriffs in that part conjunctly and severally specially constitute greeting Forasmuch as our dearest Mother Marie Queen Dowager Regent of Our Realme and Lords of our Secret Councell perceiving the seditious tumult raised by one part of our Lieges naming themselves The Congregation who under pretence of Religion have put themselves in Armes And that Our Mother for satisfying of every mans conscience and pacifying of the said troubles had offered unto them to appoint a Parliament to be holden in January next to come this was a manifest lie for this was neither offered nor by her once thought upon till we required it or sooner if they had pleased for establishing of a Universall order in matters of Religion by Our advice and States of Our Religion and in the meane time to suffer every man to live at liberty of Conscience without trouble unto the time that the said order were taken by advise of Our foresaid States And at last because it appeareth much to stand upon Our Burrough of Edinburgh offered in like manner to let the inhabitants thereof chuse what manner of Religion they would set up and use for that time so that no man might alleadge that he was forced to do against his conscience Which offer the Queen Our said dearest Mother was at all times and yet is ready to fulfill Neverthelesse the said Congregation being of minde to receive no reasonable offers hath since by open deed declared That it is no Religion nor any thing thereto pertaining that they seek but onely the subversion of Our Authority and usurpation of Our Crowne In manifest witnessing whereof they daily receive English-men with Messages unto them and sendeth such like into England And last of all have violently intermitted withtaken and yet with-holds the Irons of Our Coyning-House which is one of the chiefe Points that concerneth Our Crowne And such like have intromitted with our Pallace of Halyrud-house Our Will is therefore c. That ye passe to the Market Crosse of Our said Burrough of Edinburgh or any other place within the same and there by open Proclamation in Our Name and Authority command and charge all and sundry persons
and the other Lords at Glasgow AFter humble commendation of my service Albeit I have written more then once to Master Henry Balnaves what things have misliked me in your slow proceedings as well in supporting your brethren who many dayes have sustained extreame danger in these parts as in making provision how the enemie might have been annoyed who lay few in number nigh to your Quarters in Sterlin And in making likewise provision how the expectation of our friends who long have waited for your answer might have been satisfied Albeit I say that of these things I have before complained yet in conscience I am compelled to signifie unto your Honours That unlesse of these and other enormities I shall see some redresse I am assured That the end shall be such as godly men shall mourne that a good Cause shall perish for lacke of Wisdome and Diligence In my last Letters to Master Henry Balnaves I declared That your especiall friends in England wonder that no greater expedition is made the weight of the matter being considered If the fault be in the Duke and his friends I wrote also That the greatest losse should be his and theirs in the end And now I cannot cease both to wonder and lament That your whole Councell was so destitute of Wisdome and Discretion as to charge this poore man the Priour to come to you to Glasgow and thereafter to go to Carleil for such affaires as are to be handled Was there none amongst you who did foresee what inconveniences might ensue his absence from these parts I cease to speake of the dangers by the enemie Your friends have lyen in your Haven now fifteene dayes past what was their former travell it is not unknowne they have never received comfort of any man him onely excepted more then if they had lyen upon the coast of their mortall enemy Do ye not consider That such a company shall need comfort and provision from time to time Remove him and who abideth there who carefully will travell in that or any other weighty matter in these parts Did ye not farther consider That he that had begun to meddle with the Gentlemen who have declared themselves back-friends heretofore and also that order should have been taken for such as have been neutrall now by reason of his absence the one shall escape without admonition and the other shall be at their own liberty I am assured that the enemy shall not sleep neither in that nor in other affairs to undermine you and your whole Cause and especially to hurt this part of the Countrey to revenge their former folly If none of these former causes should have moved you to have considered that such a journey at such a time was not meet for him neither yet for them that must accompany him yet discreet men would have considered that the men that have lien in their jacks and travelled their horses continuall the space of a moneth required some longer rest first to themselves then but especially to their horses before they had been charged to such a journey as yet they have not had The Priour may for satisfaction of your unreasonable mindes enterprise the purpose but I am assured he shall not be able to have six honest men in all Fyfe to accompany him and how that either standeth with your Honors or with his safety judge ye your selves But yet wonder it is that ye did not consider To what pain and griefe shall ye put our friends of England especially the Duke of Norfolk and his Councell whom ye shall cause to travell the most wearisome and troublesome way that is in England In mine opinion whosoever gave you that counsell either lacked right judgement in things to be done or else had too much respect to his own ease and too small regard to the travell and damage of their brethren A common cause requireth a common concurrence and that every man bear his burden proportionable But prudent and indifferent men espie the contrary in this cause especially of late dayes for the weakest are most grievously charged and they to whom the matter most belongeth and to whom justly greatest burden is due are exempted in a manner both from travell and expences To speak the matter plainly wise men do wonder what the Dukes friends do mean that they are so slack and backward in this cause In other actions they have been judged stout and forward and in this which is the greatest that ever he or they had in hand they appear destitute both of grace and courage I am not ignorant that they that are most inward of his counsell are enemies to God and therefore cannot but be enemies to this Cause But wonder it is That he and his other friends should not consider That the losse of this godly enterprise shall be the rooting out of them and their posterity from this Realme Considering my Lords That by Gods providence ye are joyned with the Duke in this common Cause admonish him plainly of the danger to come will him to beware of the counsell of those that are plainly infected with Superstition with Pride and with the venome of particular profit which if he do not at your admonition he shall smart before he be aware And if ye cease to put him in minde of his duty it may be that for your silence ye shall drinke some portion of the plague with him Take my plain speaking as proceeding from him that is not your enemy being also uncertaine when I shall have occasion to write hereafter God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ assist you with the Spirit of wisedom and fortitude that to his glory and to your Lordships common comfort ye may performe that thing which godlily was once begun Amen From Saint Andrewes the 6 of February in haste 1559. Sic subscribitur Your Lordships to command in godlinesse J. K. Upon the receit of this Letter and consultation had hereupon a new conclusion was taken to wit That they would visite the said Duke of Norfolke at Barwicke where he was Thus far we have digressed from the text of our History to let the Posterity that shall follow understand by what instruments God wrought the familiarity and friendship that after we found in England Now we returne to our former History The parts of Fyfe set at freedom from the Bondage of these bloody worms solemne thanks were given in S. Andrews unto God for his mighty deliverance Shortly after the Earle of Arrane and Lord Iames apprehended the Lairds of Wemes Seafield Bawgony Durie and others that assisted the French but they were set shortly at freedom upon such conditions as they minded never to keep for such men have neither faith nor honesty Master Iames Balfour who was the greatest practiser and had drawn the Band of the Balfours escaped The English Ships daily multiplied till that they were able to keep the whole Fyrth whereat the French and Queen Regent enraged began to
with such others of the French faction who had openly spoken That they had refused all portion of Scotland unlesse that it were under the government of a French-man Recompence them O Lord as thou knowest most expedient for thine owne glory and for the perpetuall shame of all Traitours to their Common-wealth The certain knowledge of all these things came to our eares whereat many were afraid and divers suspected that England would not be so forward in times to come considering that their former expences were so great The principall comfort remained with the Preachers for they assured us in Gods Name that God would performe in all perfection that worke in our hands The beginning whereof he had so mightily maintained because it was not ours but his own And therefore exhorted us That we should constantly proceed to reform all abuses and to plant the Ministery of the Church as by Gods word we might justifie it and then commit the successe of all to our God in whose power the disposition of Kingdoms standeth And so we began to do for troubles appearing made us give eare to the admonitions of Gods servants And while that we had scarcely begun again to implore the help of our God and to shew some signes of our obedience unto his Messengers and holy Word Lo the mighty hand of God from above sent unto us a wonderfull and most joyfull deliverance For unhappy Francis husband to our Soveraigne suddenly perished of a rotten eare But because the death of that young man was not onely the cause of joy to us in Scotland but also by it were the faithfull in France delivered as it were from the present death We think expedient to speak of the same somewhat more largely These cruell and conjured enemies of God and of all godlinesse the Duke of Guise the Cardinall of Loraine and their faction who then at their owne appetite plaid the Tyrants in France had determined the destruction of all that professed the true knowledge of Jesus Christ within that Realme What tyrannie late before they had used at Amboyse the History of France doth witnesse now in Orleance in the moneth of November conveaned the King unhappy Francis the Queen our Soveraigne and the Queen mother of the King the Duke of Guise with all his faction The King of Navarre and the Prince of Condie his brother So that great was the confluence of the Nobilitie but greater was the assembly of the murtherers for there was not a Hang-man in all France which was not there The prisons were full of the true servants of God The King of Navarre and the Prince of Condie were constituted Prisoners The Sheriffe of Orleance a man fearing God was taken and so were many others of the Towne Briefly there was none that professed God or godlinesse within that Towne that looked not for the extremity for the Walles and Gates were night and day kept with the Garisons of the Guysians miserable men were daily brought in to suffer judgement but none was suffered to depart forth but at the devotion of the Tyrants And so they proceeded till the tenth or twelfth of December when that they thought time to put their bloody councell in execution and for that purpose conclusion was taken That the King should depart out of the Towne and lie at a certaine place which was done to this intent That there should no suite be made to the King for the safetie of any mans life whom they thought worthy of death And so was the Kings house in Orleance broken up his beds cofers and tapistrie sent away his owne bootes put on he sitting at the Masse immediately hereafter to have departed and so their tyrannie to have begun When all things we say were in this readinesse to shed the blood of innocents the eternall our God who ever watcheth for the preservation of his owne began to worke and suddenly did put his own work in execution for as the said King sat at Masse he was suddenly stricken with an Aposthume in that deaf ear that never would hear the Trueth of God and so was he carried to a void and empty house laid upon a palliase unto such time as a Cannaby was set up unto him where he lay till the fifteenth day of December in the yeere of God 1560. When his glory perished and the pride of his stubborne heart vanished in smoke And so was the snare broken The Tyrants disappointed of their crueltie Those that was appointed to death raised as it were out of their graves And we who by our foolishnesse had made our selves slaves to strangers were restored againe to freedome and libertie of a free Realme O that we had hearts deepely to consider what are thy wondrous works O Lord that we might praise thee in the midst of this most obstinate and wicked generation and leave the memoriall of the same to our posterities which alas we feare shall forget these thy inestimable benefits Some in France after the sudden death of Francis the 2. and calling to minde the death of Charles the 9 in blood and the slaughter of Henry the 2. did remark the Tragicall ends of these three Princes who had persecuted Gods servants so cruelly by their instruments the Guisians and by their Pens both in Prose and Verse did advise all other Princes not to authorize any Persecution or wrong done unto Gods servants left they should have the like end And indeed the following Kings of France unto this day hath found this true by their infortunate and unexpected ends The death of this King made great alteration in France England and Scotland France was erected in some esperance that the tyranny of the Guisians should no longer raigne above them because God at unawares had broken the staffe whereupon they leaned but alas they were deceived For the simplicity of some was so abused that against the Lawes of the Realm to the Queen mother was committed the Regiment which lifted up as well the Duke of Guise as the cruell Cardinall for a season The Queen of England and the Councell remitted our Ambassadours The pride of the Papists of Scotland began to be abated and some that ever had shewn themselves enemies unto us began to think and plainly to speak amongst whom the old Sheriff of Ayre was one That they perceived God to fight for us The Earle of Arrane having suffered repulse in his designe to marry the Queen of England he began to fancie unto himselfe that the Queen of Scotland bare unto him some favour And so he wrote unto her and sent for credit a Ring which the said Queen our Soveraign knew well enough The Letter and Ring were both presented to the Queen and by her received Such answer was returned to the said Earle after the which he made no further pursuit in that matter And yet neverthelesse he did bear it heavily in heart and more heavily then his friends would have wished for grief he