and States of my Realm too and therefore it shall be meet that I use their advises therein Heretofore they have seemed to be grieved that I should do any thing without them And now they would be more offended if I should proceed in this matter of my selfe without their advises I do intend quoth she to send Monsieur Dosell to the Queen your Mistresse my good sister who shall declare that unto her from me that I trust shall suffice her By whom I will give her to understand of my journey into Scotland I mean to embarke at Calice The King of France hath lent me certain Galleyes and Ships to convey me home and I intend to require of my good Sister those favours that Princes use to do in those cases And though the termes wherein we have stood heretofore have been somewhat hard yet I trust that from henceforth we shall accord together as Cosins and good Neighbours I mean quoth she to retire all the French men forth of Scotland who had given jealousie to the Queen my Sister and discontent to my Subjects so as I will leave nothing undone to satisfie all parties trusting the Queen my good Sister will do the like and that from henceforth none of my disobedient Subjects if there be any such shall finde ayd or support at her hands I answered That I was not desirous to fall into the discourse how those hard termes first began nor by what means they were nourished because therein I must charge some party with injury and perill offered to the Queen my Mistresse which was the very ground of those matters But I was well assured there could be no better occasion offered to put the former unkindnesse in forgetfulnesse then by ratifying the Treatie of Peace for that should repay all injuries past And Madame quoth I where it pleased you to suspend and delay the ratification untill you have the advices of the Nobles and States of your Realm the Queen my Mistresse doth nothing doubt of their conformitie in this matter because the Treatie was made by their consents The Queen answered yea by some of them but not by all it will appeare when I come amongst them whether they be of the same minde that you say they were then of But of this I assure you Monsieur Lambassadour quoth she I for my part am very desirous to have the perfect and the assured amity of the Queen my good sister and will use all the means I can to give her occasion to think that I mean it indeed I answered Madame the Queen my Mistresse you may be assured will use the like towards you to move you to be of the same opinion towards her Then said she I trust the Queen your Mistresse will not support nor encourage none of my Subjects to continue in their disobedience nor to take upon them things that appertain not to Subjects this we may answer here It appertaineth to Subjects to worship God as he hath commanded and to suppresse Idolatry by whom so ever it be erected or maintained You know quoth she there is much adoe in my Realme about matters of Religion And though there be a greater number of a contrary Religion unto me then I would there were yet there is no reason that Subjects should give a Law to their Soveraigne and specially in matters of Religion which I feare quoth she my Subjects shall take in hand answer for the part of Scotland and if so they had done they had escaped Gods heavie indignation which hath been felt and still hangeth over this Realm for the Idolatry and other abominations committed in the same which shall not cease till that it be suppressed I answered Madame your Realme is in none other case at this day then all other Realms through Christendome are The proofe whereof you see verified in this Realm And you see what great difficultie it is to give order in this matter though the King of France and all his Councell be very desirous thereunto Religion is of the greatest force that may be you have been long out of your own Realm so as the contrary Religion to yours had won tbe upper hand and the greatest part of your Realme Your mother was a woman of great experience of deep dissimulation and policy as they terme it now adayes and kept that Realme in quietnesse till she began to constrain mens consciences and as you think it unmeet to be constrained by your subjects so it may please you to consider The matter is as intolerable to them to be constrained by you in matters of conscience for the duty due to God cannot be given to any other without offence of his Majesty Why said she God doth command subjects to be obedient to their Princes and commandeth Princes to read his Law and governe thereby themselves and the people committed to their charges Answer Yea Madame quoth I in those things that be not against his Commandments Well quoth she I will be plain with you The Religion that I professe I take to be most acceptable to God and indeed neither do I know nor desire to know any other Constancy doth become all folks well but none better then Princes and such as have rule over Realmes and specially in matters of Religion the Turke is as constant in his Alcoran as the Pope and his Sect are in his Constitutions I have been brought up quoth she in this Religion and who might credit me in any thing if I should shew my selfe light in this case And though I be young and not well learned yet I have heard this matter oft disputed by my Uncle the Cardinall with some that thought they could say somewhat in the matter and I found therein no great reason to change my opinion neither yet did the high Priest when Christ Jesus did reason in his presence But what was the Cardinall compelled to confesse at Poysie Madame quoth I if you will judge well in that matter you must be conversant in the Scriptures which are the Touch-stone to try the right from the wrong Peradventure you are so partially affected to your Uncles arguments that you could not indifferently consider the other party Yet this I assure you Madam quoth I your Uncle the Cardinall in conference with me about these matters hath confessed That there be great errours and abuses come into the Church and great disorder in the Priests and Clergie in so much that he desired and wished that there might be a Reformation of the one and of the other I have oftentimes heard him say the like quoth she Then I said Well I trust God will inspire all you that be Princes that there may be some good order taken in this matter so as there may be one Unity in Religion thorow all Christendom God grant quoth she but for my part you may perceive I am none of those that will change my Religion every yeer And
she and hers can claim for their own but she and hers must be serviceable to those who have undone them To this end she must have People about her namely Court-Chaplains to disguise businesse unto her and so make her have a bad conception of those who are her best friends to wit the true Professors of the Truth and good Patriots in these Dominions Next her eldest son after a long and great neglect of yeelding him any help for the recovery of his own is betrayed at our corrupt Court when he is put in away to do somewhat for his own restoring c. And after this by the same Court he is sollicited to take Arms here against the onely men who really and constantly have expressed unto him and his true affection but they being stopped by the Court could not effectuate much by their good will He in wisdome refuseth to fight against his friends Since he will not his two next Brothers must be employed the eldest whereof is released from prison to that effect And so they hazard their lives and spend their blood to serve the party who hath undone their Fortunes and now strives to undo their persons The King having left London after he had been in severall places retires to Yorke where he begins to raise men against the Parliament The Scots seeing this send to him thither to intreat him to lay aside all such intentions and offer their service by way of Mediation betwixt him and the Parliament to take away all known mistakes The Scots Commissioners were not suffered to proceed any further then in the businesse and were sent back beyond the expectation of men After a long Pen-skirmishing on both sides Armies are leavied many men killed and taken at divers times on each side yea a set Battell fought where numbers of men are slain The Scots not being able any longer to see their Brethren in England destroyed and the Executioners of Ireland butchering man woman and childe the help that the innocents should have had from England being almost altogether diverted by the Intestine War and neither say nor do in the businesse under safe-Conduct send to the King and Parliament Commissioners to intercede for an Agreement But they being arrived at Court were neglected with their Commission and not suffered to repair unto the Parliament At last they are dismissed not without difficulty and having done nothing return Upon this the Scots convene the States to consult concerning their own safety and the help of their friends At this nick of time when they received many fair promises from the Court with a request to be quiet a Plot of the Papists set afoot by the Court for embroyling the Countrey is discovered by the means whereof they were incited to look more narrowly to themselves and their friends Then the Parliament of England sends to the Scots for help Upon this a Covenant is made betwixt the two Nations for the defence of the true Religion and Liberty of the Countreys with the Kings just Rights and after due preparation the Scots having setled their own Countrey enter into England with a strong Army to fight the Battells of the Lord having for scope of their Expedition The glory of God and the good of his People with the Honour of the King Here we shall observe in these our Countreys in these last yeers such Riddles of State and Church as have hardly been heard of A Protestant Prince makes one Protestant Nation fight against another for the Protestant Religion which have been thought to be of one and the same Doctrine for the main One Church thunders Curses against another Then a Prince misled with the ayd of Papists and Atheists spoyling and destroying the professors of the Truth because they professe it for the good and advancement of the Protestant Religion Next in a very short time a Prince to have all his subjects declared Rebells First he is made declare the Scots Then he is constrained to declare the Irish An Army gotten together in the Kings name declares all those that did oppose them Rebells The Parliament declares all those who in the Kings name oppose them Rebells and Traytors Farther under the Kings Authority the named Rebells in England by the King maintain a War against the declared Rebells in Ireland But the late carriage of things at Court and by the Court-Instruments at home and abroad hath solved the Riddle namely The Patent for the Rebellion in Ireland The detaining of help ordained for the repressing of it The Kings offer to go into Ireland The Cessation and bringing over of the Irish and The last-discovered Plot in Scotland all other things laid aside tell us cleerly howsoever the Proclamations and Protestations going in the Kings name be soft and smooth as the voyce of Jacob yet the hands are rough as of Esau destroying and seeking to destroy the true Religion grounded in Gods Word with the professors thereof as also the lawfull Liberty of the Countrey and bring all unto slavery Let Ireland and England say if this be not true and Scotland likewise according to its genius speak truth I shall close up all with two or three Instances of eminent men amongst the Papists Clergie to shew clearly how they stand affected to the Protestants Cardinall Pool in an Oration to Charles the fifth Emperour saith You must leave off the War against the Turks and hereafter make War against the Heretikes so names he the professors of the Truth He adds the reason Because the Turks are lesse to be feared then the Heretikes Paul Rodmek in a Book expresse tells us That the Heretikes must be put to death slain cut off burnt quartered c. Stapleton the Iesuite tells us That the Heretikes are worse then the Turks in an Oration he made at Doway Campian the Iesuite in a Book of his Printed in the yeer 1583 in Trevers declares thus in the name of his holy Order Our will is That it come to the knowledge of every one so far as it concerns our Society That we all dispersed in great numbers thorow the world have made a League and holy solemn Oath That as long as there are any of us alive that all our care and industry all our deliberations and counsells shall never cease to trouble your calm and safety That is to say We shall procure and pursue for ever your ruine the whole destruction of your Religion and of your Kingdom He speaks to the English Now it is long since we have taken this resolution with the hazard of our lives so that the businesse being already well begun and advanced it is impossible that the English can do any thing to stop our Designe or surmount it Let these few Passages satisfie for this time I wish that thou maist reap some benefit of what is written here for thy good So praying for your happinesse I rest Yours in the Lord D. B. The LIFE OF IOHN KNOX IOHN KNOX was borne in Gifford neer
them he was instant with the Counsell of the City to provide themselves of a worthy man to succeed in his Place Master James Lauson who at that time professed Philosophy in the Vniversity of Aberdene being commended for a good Preacher Commissioners were directed from the Body of the Church of Edinburgh and from Master John Knox in particular to desire him to accept of the Charge To the Letter that the Commissioners carried after that he had set his hand he added this Postscript Accelera mi frater alioqui sero venies Make haste Brother otherwise ye shall come too late Meaning That if he made any stay he should finde him dead and gone These last words moved M. Lauson to take journey the morrow thereafter When he was come to the Town and had preached two severall times to the good liking of the people order was taken by the Rulers of the Church for his admission and the day appointed at which day John Knox himself would not onely be present but also preach though he could scarce walk on foot to the Chayre which he did with such fervency of spirit that at no time before was he heard to speak with such great power and more content to the hearers And in the end of the Sermon calling God to witnesse That he had walked in a good conscience amongst them not seeking to please men nor serving either his own or other mens affections but in all sincerity and truth preached the Gospel of Christ With most grave and pithie words he exhorted them to stand fast in the Faith they had received And having conceived a zealous Prayer for the continuance of Gods blessing among them and the multiplying of his Spirit upon the Preacher who was then to be admitted he gave them his last fare-well The people did convey him to his lodging and could not be drawn from it so loath were they to depart from him and he the same day in the afternoon was forced to take bed During the time he lay which was not long he was much visited by all sorts of persons to whom he spake most comfortably Amongst others to the Earle of Morton who came to see him he was heard say My Lord God hath given you many blessings he hath given you Wisdom Honour high Birth Riches many good and great friends and is now to prefer you to the Government of the Realme the Earle of Marr late Regent being newly dead In his Name I charge you That ye will use these blessings better in times to come then you have done in times past In all your actions seek first the glory of God The furtherance of his Gospel The maintenance of his Church and Ministery and next Be carefull of the King to procure his good and the welfare of the Realme If you shall do this God will be with you and honour you If otherwise ye do it not he will deprive you of all these benefits and your end shall be shame and ignominy These speeches the Earle about nine yeers after at the time of his Execution called to minde saying That he had found them to be true and him therein a Prophet A day or two before his death he sent for Master David Lindsay Master James Lauson and the Elders and Deacons of the Church to whom he said The time is approaching for which I have long thirsted wherein I shall be relieved of all cares and be with my Saviour Christ for ever And now God is my witnesse whom I have served with my spirit in the Gospel of his Son That I have taught nothing but the true and solid Doctrine of the Gospel and that the end I proposed in all my Doctrine was To instruct the ignorant To confirm the weak To comfort the consciences of those that were humbled under the sense of their sins and born down with the threatnings of Gods Judgements Such as were proud and rebellious I am not ignorant that many have blamed and yet do blame my too great rigour and severity But God knoweth That in my heart I never hated the persons of those against whom I thundred Gods Judgements I did onely hate their sins and laboured according to my power to gain them to Christ That I did forbear none of whatsoever condition I did it out of the fear of my God who hath placed me in the Function of his Ministery and I know will bring me to an account Now brethren for your selves I have no more to say but to warn you That you take heed to the Flock over which God hath placed you Overseers which he hath redeemed by the Blood of his onely begotten Son And you Master Lauson fight a good fight do the Work of the Lord with courage and with a willing minde And God from above blesse you and the Church whereof you have charge Against it so long as it continueth in the Doctrine of the Truth the gates of hell shall not prevail This spoken and the Elders and the Deacons dimitted he called the two Preachers unto him and said There is one thing that grieveth me exceedingly You have sometimes seen the courage and constancy of the Laird of Grange in the cause of God and that most unhappy man hath cast himself away I will pray you two to take the pains to go unto him and say from me That unlesse he forsake that wicked course wherein he is entred neither shall the Rock in which he confideth defend him nor the carnall wisedom of that man whom he counteth half a god this was young Lethington yeeld him help but shamefully he shall be pulled out of that nest and his carkase hung before the Sun meaning the Castle he did keep against the Kings Authority And so it fell out the yeer next following for the Castle was taken and he was publikely hanged and his body hung before the Sun The soul of that man is dear unto me and if it be possible I could fain have him to be saved They went as he had desired and conferred a long space with Grange but with no perswasion could he be diverted from his course Which being reported he took most heavily Yet Grange at his death did expresse serious repentance for his sins The next day he gave order for making his Coffin wherein his body should be laid and was that day as thorow all the time of his sicknesse much in prayer crying Come Lord Jesu Sweet Jesu into thy hands I commend my Spirit Being asked by those that attended him if his pains were great he answered That he did not esteem that a pain which would be to him the end of all troubles and beginning of eternall Joyes Oftentimes after some deep meditations he burst forth in these words O serve the Lord in fear and death shall not be troublesome unto you Blessed is the death of those that have part in the death of Jesus In the evening which was the last of this wretched life having slept some hours together
new Governours of their Church who were to have a Degree and Pre-eminence above their brethren to wit the Prelat-Bishops Hitherto the Church of Scotland had been governed by Monks and Priests without any such dignity or pomp I call their new Governours Prelat-Bishops to distinguish them from their former Overseers and Superintendents of the Culdees who are sometime by Writers called Bishops as they were indeed but they had no Pre-eminence or rank of Dignity above the rest neither were they of any distinct Order from the rest of their Brethren That at this time by Palladius was brought into Scotland these new kinde of Bishops it appears by the relations of the Authors following thus Palladius is thought to be the first who made Bishops that is of this new order in Scotland for till then the Churches were without Bishops governed by Monks with lesse vanity truely and outward pomp but with greater simplicity and holinesse Before him saith Hector Boece Palladius was the first of all that did bear the holy Magistrature among the Scots being made Bishop by the great Pontif or Bishop for till then by the suffrage of the people the Bishops were made of the Monks and Culdees Iohn Mair speaks thus Before Palladius by Priests and Monks without Bishops the Scots were instructed in the faith Iohn Lesley saith this Among us Scots the Bishops were onely designed by the suffrage of Monks Iohn of Fordon in his Scots Chronicle saith Before the in-coming of Palladius the Scots had for Teachers of the Faith and Ministers of the Sacraments Presbyters onely or Monks following the Rites or Customs of the Primitive Church Mark the later words for according to this saying goes the judgment of the best Divines who write the truth without any respect Whose minde Iohn Semeca declareth thus In the first Primitive Church the Office of Bishops and Priests was common to the one and the other and both the names were common and the Office common to one and the other But in the second Primitive Church the names and the Offices began to be distinguished Baleus of the Briton writers Before Palladius the Scots had their Bishops and Ministers according to the Ministerie of the sacred Word chosen by the suffrage of the people after the custom of those of Asia But those things did not please the Romans who hated the Asiaticks Baronius in his Annalls saith this The Scots gat their first Bishop from Celestine Pontif Roman Prosper in his Chronic. The Pontif Celestine sendeth unto the Scots Palladius to be their Bishop Item Vnto the Scots then believing in Christ Palladius is ordained by Pope Celestine and sent thither the first Bishop Beda in the History of England Palladius was sent first Bishop unto the Scots by Celestine Pontif of the Roman Church By these Authorities we see That the Scots before Palladius had no Bishops at all or at least their Bishops were not of any distinct Order from other Priests and Culdees by whom they were ordained and of whom they were chosen as we have touched before and so they were not as those Bishops have been with us in these later times Next let us observe That the Scots Bishops since Palladius must acknowledge themselves clients of the Roman Antichrist seeing of him they have their beginning and dependance although in words yea in some part of Doctrine they seem to disclaim him yet in many parts they shew themselves to be of his Family namely in Government for they with him Lord over the Inheritance of Christ and forsooth take unto themselves the name of Lords Spirituall as if they were Lords of the Spirits of men contrary to Gods Word wherein we are taught That the Father and Maker of Spirits is the onely Lord over them or at least Lords of Spirituall things against the expresse words of the Apostles who acknowledge themselves to be onely Ministers of the Spirit and spirituall things reputing it the greatest honour in the world to be so And Peter who after he had stiled himself no more then co-Presbyter with the rest of the Presbyters he forbids them to Lord over the sort of Christ. Then since in the first Primitive Church the Functions of Bishop and Pastor and Presbyter were undistinguished and any one of the names indifferently denoted the Office it must be confessed That the change of Government which hath entred into the Church is not immediately from Christ and his Apostles neither by Precept nor Example but contrary to Christs Will and Intention declared in his Word and according to the inventions of men serving to the exorbitant affections of avarice ambition and lust to the satisfaction of which they have domineered over the Flock of Christ like tyrants devoured the substance thereof like ravening Wolves yea what is worse they have not onely been negligent and carelesse to distribute unto the people the Word of God but also with their might and power have hindered and stopped others to make known unto Gods people the pure light of his Gospel the ordinary means of salvation and consequently so farre as in them lieth by thus starving the people of this heavenly Food send them to hell Such were these Spirituall Lords who as they have encroached upon the Spirituall Lordship of Christ Jesus over his Flock and usurped his Authority yea and opposed it flatly under the name of Spirituall Authority and Jurisdiction so have they boldly and cunningly invaded the Prerogative of civill Magistrates by their Courts and Regalities within the Dominions of Princes where they live Yea in sundry places they usurp the full Authority of Princes and in others they flatly oppose it And all this hath been done not onely of old by those who were called Romish Bishops but also in our dayes by Bishops who in some things make a shew that they disclaim their Father the Pontif Roman whom in their heart they love and respect as their actions do witnesse Although by Palladius Prelacy was brought in the Church of Scotland and by that means the Government was changed and thereafter immediately by degrees other alterations crept into the Church yet those times after Palladius till the sixth Age I mean till Augustine the Monk may be said to be golden times and pure in regard of the following dayes wherein Church-men without any restraint abandoned themselves to ambition avarice and lust neglecting altogether their Function for in these fourth and fifth Ages they were many godly and learned men who were diligent in discharging the true Duty of a Pastor as Colombe Libthac Ethernan c. Then Knitogerne who by nick-name was called Mongo because his Master Servian speaking unto him used ordinarily this expression Mon ga which in corrupt French is as much to say as My boy Palladius having brought into the Church of Scotland Hierarchie as we have said takes to his next care to provide for the maintenance of this new Degree and Order which was obtained without great difficulty both of
obedience unto Rome and conformitie by name there was one Boniface sent from Rome to Scotland a main Agent for Rome in these affairs but he was opposed openly by severall of the Scots Culdees or Divines namely by Clemens and Samson who told him freely That he and those of his Party studied to bring men to the subjection of the Pope and slavery of Rome withdrawing them from obedience to Christ and so in plain termes they reproached to him and to his assistants That they were corrupters of Christs Doctrine establishing a Sovereignty in the Bishop of Rome as the onely successour of the Apostles excluding other Bishops That they used and commanded Clericall tonsure That they forbad Priests Marriage extolling Celibat That they caused Prayers to be made for the dead and erected Images in the Churches to be short That they had introduced in the Church many Tenets Rites and Ceremonies unknown to the ancient and pure times yea contrary to them For the which and the like the said Clemens and those that were constant to the Truth with him were excommunicated at Rome as Hereticks as you have in the third Volume of the Concels although the true reasons of their excommunication be not there set down In the eighth Age the poor people were so blindly inslaved and intoxicat with the Cup of Rome that they thought it a truely holy Martyrdome to suffer for the interest of Rome yet although most men had left God to worship the Beast in these dayes God raised up sundry great Lights in our Church as Alcuin Rabanus Maurus his Disciple Iohn Scot and Claudius Clemens In this we shall remarke the constant goodnesse of God towards his people who made his Light shine in some measure thorow the greatest and thickest darknesse by raising up these men who did bear witnesse to the Truth both by word and writing so that God did not altogether leave off his people The Bishop of Rome caused to declare Alcuin for his Book of the Eucharist many yeers after his death an Heretike So Rome persecutes the Saints of God even after their death In the ninth Age both Prince and People by dolefull experience did finde the idlenesse pride ambition avarice and ryot of Church-men occasioned by the indulgence of Prince and People wherefore at Scone under King Constantine the second there was had a convention of States for reforming the disorders in the Church In this Assembly it was ordained That Church-men should reside upon their charge have no medling with secular affairs that they should instruct the people diligently and be good examples in their conversations that they should not keep Hawks Hounds and Horses for their pleasure that they should carry no Weapons nor be pleaders of civill Causes but live contented with their own provisions in case of failing in the observance of these points For the 1 time they were to pay a pecuniary mulct or fine for the 2 they were to be deprived from Officio and Beneficio Thus you see in these most blinde and confused times That resolute Princes and People did oppose manifestly the Popes omnipotency and highest Sovereignty In the later part of the same Age King Gregory was most indulgent to Church-men he was so farre from curbing and keeping them under that he granted them many things they had not had before Then in a convention of States holden at Forsane it was ordained That all Church-men should be free of paying Taxes and Impost from keeping watch and going to warfare Item They should be exempt from all Temporall judicature Item All Matrimoniall Causes were given over to be judgement of Church-men as also Testaments Legative Actions and all things depending upon simple faith and promise Likewise the right of Tithes with liberty to make Lawes Canons and Constitutions to try without the assistance of the temporall Judge Heretikes Blasphemers Perjured Persons Magicians c. Lastly it was ordained That all Kings following at their Coronation should swear to maintain Church-men in these their Liberties and Priviledges In these dayes lived a Learned man called Iohn Scot sirnamed Aerigiena because he was born in the Town of Aire he published a Treatise De corpore sanguine Domini in Sacramento wherein he maintained the opinion and doctrine of Bertram whereby he offended highly the Sea of Rome In the tenth Age things grew worse and worse The Church-men did so blinde the King Constantine the third That they perswaded him to quit the Royall Crown and take the Clericall Tonsure of a Monk which he did at Saint Andrews There were some Priests in these dayes who did strive to have liberty to take lawfull Wives but in vain A little thereafter there were new disputes for Priests marriage one Bernet a Scots Bishop stood much for that cause in a nationall Councell In this Age although that avarice and ambition had corrupted and perverted Religion generally yet there were constantly some godly men who albeit they could not openly stop and oppose the torrent of these times given to Idolatry and Superstition did instruct and teach the people That Christ was the onely propitiation for sin and that Christs blood onely did wash us from the guilt of sin In the eleventh Age Malcome gave away a part of the Crown Lands among his Nobles for their good service against the Danes the Nobles in recompence thereof did grant unto the Crown the ward of these Lands with the benefit that was to arise by the marriage of the Heir Untill the later part of this Age the Bishops of Scotland although they had raised their Order unto a great power and riches yet they were not distinguished in Diocesses so till then indifferently wheresoever they came they did Ministrate their Function without lording over one particular place or calling themselves Lords of any place The Diocesses wherein Scotland was divided at first were these Saint Andrews Glasgo Murray Catnes Murthlac or Aberdene The Bishops of Rome taking upon them in these dayes to be above Kings and to conferre in matters of Honour upon Kings how and where they pleased and so by this means to put a farther tye of Vassalage and subjection upon Princes To this effect in the yeer 1098. ordained King Edgar to be anointed with externall Oyl by the Bishop of Saint Andrews a rite which till that day had not been in use among our Kings yet they were as much the anointed of the Lord before as they have been since and as any other Princes who before them had this externall anointing from the Sea of Rome although the Romish Writers do make a greater esteem of these Kings anointed by them then of others because they conceive them to be more their own Here note by the way That all Princes whatsoever in Scripture-Language are said to be the Anointed of the Lord and so Cyrus was named although he was never anointed with externall Oyl Next although the first Kings of Israel were anointed as Saul David and Solomon with
some of the following Kings namely where there was any opposition feared of setling them in the Royall Throne for further Confirmation were anointed Read diligently the History of the Kings and you shall not finde that each one or every one of them was anoynted externally although they were all the Anoynted of the Lord. Next you shall note That the Oyl wherewith Samuel anoynted Saul and David and so the Oyl wherewith other Kings were anoynted was not an Oyl consecrated as that wherewith the High-Priest c. was anoynted but common Oyl The reason of the Scripture-phrase whereby all Princes are said to be anoynted is this Anoynting in first and most ancient times was a signe of setting apart of a man for the Office of a King Hence by progresse of time any man that was set aside by Gods providence to execute the Office of a King whether he came thereunto by Succession or by choice or by Conquest was called the Anoynted of the Lord because they had the thing signified by Gods appointment notwithstanding they wanted the signe to wit the Oyntment Further we shall observe here That not onely those whom God hath set aside to be Kings be called the Anoynted of the Lord but also the people whom he hath set aside or apart for a peculiar end So the Prophet speaking of the People of Israel in Gods Name useth this expression Touch not mine Anoynted For their sake I have reproved Kings Moreover note That as the people set aside by God are said to be his Anoynted so they are also called A Royall Priesthood Kings and Priests Not that every one of the people is a King or a Priest these being particular Callings no more then they were anoynted but because they are set aside by God as Priests to offer daily unto him the Sacrifice of Righteousnesse c. And as Kings were anoynted with Oyl to signifie their setting aside for their peculiar Office so every one of us being anoynted in Baptisme by the holy Spirit is set aside to do justice c. as a King in our severall station Thus much have I in few words spoken of Kings anoynting and how the people are said to be anoynted or to be Priests and Kings because in the beginning of the fifteenth Age sundry were condemned as hereticks for saying That every man is a Priest in some kinde and that the anoynting of Kings is now needlesse being an invention of Rome to subject Princes unto it Some yeers after the beginning of the twelfth Age King David beside the Bishopricks formerly erected did erect the Bishoprick of Rosse Breachen Dunkel and Dumblane This debonaire Prince was so profuse towards Church-men that he gave them a good part of the ancient Patrimony of the Crown So he and his Successors were necessitated to lay Taxes and Impost upon the people more then formerly to the harm of the Common-wealth In this also he wronged the Church for the Clergie being rich and powerfull left their Function and gave themselves over to all riot and idlenesse Till riches made Church-men lazie this distinction in discharging the Duty of a Pastor or of the souls per se aut per alium was unknown While riches did not so abound in the Church Church-men kept more conscience in the discharging of their places In this twelfth Age the Scots although they had Bishops ever since Palladius who for a long time did discharge the Function indifferently in every place where they came to And although they had of later times distinguished the limits of the bounds wherein they were to execute their Calling by Diocesses yet in that Age I say they were not come to that height to have Primates Metropolitans and Arch-bishops Wherefore their neighbour the Arch-bishop of Yorke having gained the consent of the Pope bestirred himself very earnestly by the assistance of his King to have the Scotish Bishops acknowledge him for the Metropolitane whereunto the stoutest of the Scotish Clergie would not consent but they would depend immediately upon the Pope and to this effect Legats were sent from Rome to Scotland who being come hither and seeing the resolution of the Scotish Bishops not to submit to the Archbishop of Yorke and finding their own benefit thereby they did exempt and free the Scots Clergie from the trouble of the Arch-bishop of Yorke There was one Gilbert Bishop of Catnes a great strugler for this businesse About the later end of this Age sundry Priests were put from their Office because they had taken Orders upon Sunday In that time there was a Synod in Perth of Divines such as they were who decreed That Sunday should be kept holy from all work from Saturday at mid-day or twelve of the clock till Munday morning In the thirteenth Age few yeers after the beginning thereof divers kindes of Monks came into Scotland formerly unknown to the Land as Dominicans Franciscans Iacobins and sundry other of that sort of Locusts In this Age these Vermine of Monks did so multiply every where that at a Councell at Lyons it was decreed That no more new Orders of Monks should be admitted or tolerated But how the Decree hath been kept we see in our dayes Next the Monks of severall kindes gave themselves so to Begging that the people were much eaten up by them and the poor his portion was withdrawn which occasioned a great murmure among the Commons Upon this there was a Decree made then That onely the Minorites Praedicants Carmelites and Hermits of S. Augustine should have liberty to beg Whence they are called The four Mendicants Les quatre Mendiants Towards the end of this thirteenth Age fell out that great desolation of the State of Scotland occasioned by the Controversie for the Succession of the Crown betwixt Baliol and Bruce Baliol being constrained by the States of Scotland to break the promise he had made to Edward of England To subject the Crown of Scotland unto him for judging the cause on his side After much trouble and misery of War the State of Scotland receives Robert Bruce come of the second Branch for King recalling all the subjection and Allegiance that they had given to Baliol because of his unworthinesse to Reign who beside unfitnesse to bear rule over a Military People had basely condescended to enslave that Nation to whom their Liberty hath been so dear to this day that for it and the purity of true Religion which both by Gods mercy they now enjoy they have willingly and cheerfully undergone all hazard of life and means judging That if they suffered these two twins Liberty and Religion either to be infringed or taken from them they had nothing left them whereby they might be called men The remarkable History of King Iames the first of Scotland fitteth this purpose very well The Passage is this King Iames the first going into France was taken by the English and kept prisoner by them for many yeers In that time the King of England goes
profit might arise to the Crowne if he would follow their councell Packe you Iuglers get you to your charges and reforme your owne lives and be not instruments of discord betwixt my Nobilitie and me Or else I vow to God I shall reforme you not as the King of Denmarke by imprisonment doeth neither yet as the King of England doth by hanging and heading but I shall reproove you by sharpe punishments if ever I heare such motion of you againe The Prelats dashed and astonished with this answer ceased for a season to attempt any further by rigour against the Nobility But now being informed of all proceedings by their Pensioners Oliver Sincler Rosse Laird of Cragie and others who were to them faithfull in all things they conclude to hazard once again their former sute which was no sooner proponed but as soone it was accepted with no small regreate by the Kings own mouth that he had so long despised their counsell For said he now I plainely see your words to be true The Nobility neither desire my honour nor countenance for they would not ride a mile for my pleasure to follow mine enemies Will ye therefore finde me the meanes how that I may have a roade made into England without their knowledge and consent that it may be knowne to be mine owne reade and I shall binde me to your counsell for ever There were gratulations and clapping of hands there were promises of diligence closenesse and fidelity among them Finally conclusion was taken that the West borders of England which was most empty of men and Garrison should be invaded The Kings own Banner should be theirs Oliver the great Minion should be Generall-Lieutenant but no man should be privie except the counsell that was then present of the enterprise till the very day and execution thereof The Bishops gladly tooke the charge of that device Letters were sent to such as they would charge To meet the King at the day and place appointed The Cardinall with the Earle of Arran was directed to go to Hadington to make a shew against the East Border when the others were in readinesse to invade the West And thus neither lacked counsell practise closenesse nor diligence to set forward that Enterprise and so among these consulters there was no doubt of any good successe And so was the scroell thankfully received by the king himselfe and put into his owne pocket where it remained to the day of his death and then was found In it were contained more then an hundred landed men besides other of meaner degree Among whom was the Earle of Arran notwithstanding his siding with the current of the Court and his neernesse in blood to the King It was bruted that this roade was devised by the Lord Maxwell but the certaintie thereof we have not The night before the day appointed to the Enterprise the King was found at Lochmabane To him comes companies from all quarters as they were appointed no man knowing of another for no generall Proclamations past but privie Letters neither yet did the multitude know any thing of the purpose till after midnight when that the trumpet blew And commanded all men to march forward and to follow the King who was constantly supposed to have been in the host guides were appointed to conduct them towards England as both faithfully and closely they did upon the point of day they approached to the enemies ground and so passed the water without any great resistance made unto them The forward goeth foorth feare rises hership might have been seen on every side The unprovided people were altogether amazed for bright day appearing they saw an army of ten thousand men Their Beacons on every side send flames of fire unto the heaven To them it was more then a wonder that such a multitude could have been assembled and conveyed no knowledge thereof coming to any of their Wardens For support they looked not and so at the first they utterly despaired and yet began they to assemble together ten in one company twenty in another and so as the Fray proceeded their Troopes increased but to no number for Carlile fearing â—o have been assaulted suffered no man to issue out of their gates and so the greatest number that ever appeared or approached before the discomfiture past not three or four hundreth men and yet they made hot skirmishing as in their own ground in such feats as they are most expert about ten hours When fires were kindled and almost slackned on every side Oliver thought time to shew his glory and so incontinent was displayed the Kings Banner and he upholden by two Spears lift up upon mens shoulders there with sound of Trumpet was proclaimed Generall Lieutenant and all men commanded to obey him as the Kings own Person under all highest pains There was preseut the Lord Maxwell Warden to whom the regiment of things in absence of the King properly appertaineth He heard and saw all but thought more than he spake There were also present the Earls of Glencarne and Cassels with the Lord Flemyng and many other Lords Barons and Gentlemen of Lothaine Fife Angus and Mearnes In this Mountain did the skirmishing grow hotter than it was before shouters were heard on every side some Scottish-men were stricken down some not knowing the ground were mired and lost their horses Some English Horse of purpose were let loose to provoke greedie and imprudent men to presse at them as many did but found no advantage While such disorder rises more and more in the Army every man cried aloud My Lord Lievtenant What will ye do Charge was given that all men should light and go to array in order for they would fight Others cried Against whom will ye fight yonder men will fight none other wayes than ye see them do if ye will stand here while the morrow New purpose was taken That the Footmen they had there with them certain Bands of Souldiers should safely retire towards Scotland and the Horse-men should take their Horse again and so follow in order Great was the noyse and confusion that was heard while that every man calleth his own sluggards the day was neer spent and that was the cause of the greatest fear The Lord Maxwell perceiving what would be the end of such beginnings stood upon his feet with his friends who being admonished to take his horse and provide for himselfe answered Nay I will rather abide here the chance that it shall please God to send me than to go home and there be hanged and so he remained upon his foot and was taken while the multitude fled and tooke the greater shame The enemies perceiving the disorder increased in courage Before they shouted but then they stroke they shot Spears and dagged Arrows where the Companies were thickest some encounters were made but nothing availeth the Souldiers cast from them their Pikes and Culverings and other Weapons fencible the Horse-men left their Spears and
perpetuall prison And the ungodly judged That after this Christ Jesus should never triumph in Scotland On thing we cannot passe by From Scotland was sent a famous Clerke laugh not Reader M. Iohn Hammilton of Milburne with credit to the King of France and unto the Cardinall of Loraine and yet he had neither French nor Latine and some say his Scotish tongue was not very good The sum of his Negotiation was That those of the Castle should be sharply handled In the which Suit he was heard with favour and was dispatched from the Court of France with Letters and great credit which that famous Clerke forgate by the way For passing up to the Mountaine of Dumbartane before his letters were delivered he brake his neck and so God took away a proud ignorant enemy But now to our History These things against promise for Princes have no Fidelity further then for their owne advantage done at Roan the Galleys departed to Nantes in Britanie Where upon the water of Lore they lay the whole Winter In Scotland that Summer was nothing but mirth for all went with the Priests even at their own pleasure The Castle of S. Andrewes was razed to the ground the Block-house thereof cast downe and the walls round about demolished Whether this was to fulfill their law which commands that places where Cardinals are slain so to be used or else for fear that England should have taken it as after they did Brouchtie Rock we remit to the judgement of such as were of counsell This same yeer in the beginning of September entereth Scotland an Army of ten thousand men from England by Land and some Ships with Ordnance come by Sea The Governour and the Bishop hereof advertised gathered together the Forces of Scotland and assembled at Edinburgh The Protector of England with the Earle of Warwicke and their Army remained at Praeston and about Praeston Panes for they had certaine Offers to propose unto the Nobility of Scotland concerning the promise before made by them unto the which King Henry before his death gently required them to stand fast And if they would so do of him nor of his Realme they should have no trouble but the helpe and the comfort that he could make them in all things lawfull And hereupon there was a Letter directed to the Governour and Councell which coming to the hands of the Bishop of Saint Andrewes he thought it could not be for his advantage that it should be divulgate and therefore by his craft it was suppressed Upon the Friday the seventh of September the English Army marched towards Leith and the Scotish Army marched from Edinburgh to Ennernes The whole Scotish Army was not assembled and yet the skirmishing began for nothing was concluded but Victory without stroke The Protector the Earle of Warwicke the Lord Gray and all the English Captaines were playing at the Dice No men were stouter then the Priests and Channons with their shaven crowns and black Jacks The Earl of Warwick and the Lord Gray who had the chief charge of Horse-men perceiving the Host to be molested with the Scotish Preachers and knowing that the multitude were neither under order nor obedience for they were divided from the great Army sent forth certain Troops of Horse-men and some of their Borderers either to fetch them or else to put them out of their sight so that they might not annoy the Host. The Skirmish grew hot and at length the Scotish-men gave back and fled without gain turne The chase continued far both towards the East and towards the West in the which many were slain and he that now is Lord Home was taken which was the occasion that the Castle of Home was after surrendered to the English men The losse of these men neither moved the Governour nor yet the Bishop his bastard brother bragging That they would revenge the matter well enough upon the morrow for they had hands enow no word of God the English hereticks had no faces they would not abide Upon the Saturday the Armies of both sides past to Array The English Army takes the middle part of Fawside hill having their Ordnance planted before them and having their Ships and two Galleys brought as neer the Land as water would serve The Scotish Army stood first in a reasonable strength and good order having betwixt them and the English Army the water of Esk otherwise called Mussylburgh water But at length a charge was given in the Governours behalf with sound of Trumpet That all men should march forward and go over the water Some say that this was procured by the Abbot of Dunfermeling and Master Hew Rig for preservation of Carbarrie Men of judgement liked not the journey for they thought it no wisedom to leave their strength But commandment upon commandment and charge upon charge was given which urged them so that unwillingly they obeyed The Earle of Angus being in the Vant-guard had in his company the Gentlemen of Fyfe of Angus Mearnes and the Westland with many others that of love resorted unto him and especially those that were professors of the Gospel for they supposed that England would not have made great pursuit of him He passed first thorow the water and arrayed his Host direct before the enemies Followed the Earle of Huntley with his Northland men Last come the Governour having in his company the Earle of Argyle with his own friends and the Body of the Realme The English-men perceiving the danger and how that the Scotish-men intended to have taken the top of the hill made to prevent the perill The Lord Gray was commanded to give the charge with his men at Armes which he did albeit the hazard was very unlikely For the Earle of Angus Host stood even as a wall and received the first assaulters upon the points of their Spears which were longer then those of the English-men so rudely that fifty Horse and men of the first rank lay dead at once without any hurt done to the Scottish Armie except that the Spears of the former two Ranks were broken Which Discomfiture received the rest of the Horse-men fled yea some passed beyond Fawside Hill the Lord Gray himselfe was hurt in the mouth and plainly denied to chage againe for he said It was alike to run against a Wall The Galleyes and the ships and so did the ordnance planted upon Myde-hill shoot terribly But the ordnance of the Gallies shooting amongst the Scottish Army affraied them wonderously And while that every man laboured to draw from the North from whence the danger appeared they begin to faile and with that were the English foot-men marching forward Albeit that some of their horse-men were upon the flight The Earle of Angus army stood still looking that either Huntly or the Governour should have recountred the next battell But they had decreed that the favourers of England and the Hereticks as the priests called them and the Englishmen should part
it betwixt them for that day The feare riseth and at an instant they which before were victors and were not yet assaulted with any force except with ordnance as is said cast from them their spears and fled So that Gods power was so evidently seen that in one moment yea at one instant time both the armies were fleeing The shout came from the hill from those that hoped no victory upon the English part The shout rises we say They flee they flee but at the first it could not be beleeved till at the last it was clearly seene that all had given back and still began the cruell slaughter which was the greater by reason of the late displeasure of the men of arms the chase and slaughter lasted till neer Edinburgh upon the one part and toward Dalketh upon the other The number of the slain upon the Scottish side were judged nigh ten thousand men The Earle of Huntly was taken and carried to London But he relieved himselfe being surety for many reasons Honesty or unhonesty we know not but as the bruite was he used policie with England In that same time was slain the Master of Erskin dearly beloved of the Queene for whom she made great lamentation and bare his death many dayes in minde When the certaintie of the discomfiture came she was in Edinburgh abiding upon tidings But with expedition she posted that same night to Sterlin with Monsieur Dosell who was as fearfull as a Fox when his hole is smoaked And thus did God take the second revenge upon the perjured Governour with such as assisted him to defend an unjust quarrell Albeit that many innocents fell amongst the middest of the wicked The English armie came to Leyth and their taking order with their prisoners and spoile they returned with this victory which they looked not for to England That Winter following was great hearships made upon all the borders of Scotland Broughtie mountain was taken by the Englishmen and besieged by the Governor but still kept And at it was slain Gawine the best of the Hamiltons and the ordnance left Whereupon the Englishmen encouraged began to fortifie upon the hill above Broughty house which was called The fort of Broughty and was very noisome to Dundie which it burnt and laid waste and so did it the most part of Angus which was not assured and under friendship with them The Lent following was Hadington fortified by the English men The most part of Lothian from Edinburgh East was either assured or laid waste This did God plague in every quarter But men were blinde and would not nor could not consider the cause The Lairdes Ormeston and Brunstone were banished and after sore assaulted and so were all those of the Castle of S. Andrews The sure knowledge of the troubles of Scotland coming to France there was prepared a Navie and Army The Navie was such as never was seen to come from France for the support of Scotland for besides the Gallies being twenty two in number they had threescore great Ships besides Victuallers How soon so ever they took the plain seas the red Lion of Scotland was displayed and they holden as rebels unto France such policie is no falshood in Princes for good peace stood betwixt France and England And the King of France approved nothing that they did The chiefe men to whom the conducting of the Army was appointed were Monsieur Dandelott Monsieur de Termes and Peter Strozi In their journey they made some harship upon the coast of England but it was not great They arrived in Scotland in May in the yeere of our Lord 1549. The Gallies did visit the Fort of Broughtie but did no more at that time Preparations were made for the siege of Hadington but it was another thing that they meant as the issue declared The whole body of the Realm assembled the form of a Parliament was set to be holden there to wit in the Abbey of Hadington The principall head was the Marriage of the Princesse by the State before contracted to King Edward to the King of France and of her present deliverie by reason of the danger she stood in by the invasion of the old enemies of England Some were corrupted with buds some deceived by flattering promise and some for fear were compelled to consent for the French Souldiers were the officers of Arms in that Parliament The Laird of Balcleuch a bloody man with many Gods-wounds swore They that would not consent should do worse The Governour got the Title of Duke of Chattelherauld with the order of the Cockle and a Pension of 12000. lib. turn with a full discharge of all intermissions with King Iames the fift his treasure and substance whatsoever with possession of the Castle of Dumbartane till that issue should be seen of the Queenes body With these and other conditions stood he content to sell his Soveraigne out of his own hands which in the end will be his destruction God thereby punishing his former wickednesse if speedie repentance prevent not Gods judgements which we heartily wish Huntly Argyle and Angus were likewise made Knights of the Cockle and for that and other good deeds received they sold also their part Shortly none was found to resist that unjust demand And so was she sold to go to France To the end that in her youth she should drink of that liquor that should remain with her all her life time for a plague to this Realm and for her own ruine And therefore albeit that now a fire cometh out of her that consumes many let no man wonder she is Gods hand in his displeasure punishing our former ingratitude Let men patiently abide Gods appointed time and turn unto him with hearty repentance then God will surely stop the fire that now comes from her by sudden changing her heart to deal favourably with his people or else by taking her away or by stopping her to go on in her couâ—se by such meanes as he shall think meet in his wisdom for he having all in his hand disposeth of all and doth with all according to his own will unto which we must not onely yeeld but also be heartily pleased with it since it is absolutely good and both by Sacred and Prophane History we are taught to do so for in them we finde That Princes have been raised up by his hands to punish his people But when they turned unto him with hearty repentance he either turned the heart of the Prince to deal kindly with his people or else did take him away or at least did stop his violent course against his people Of this the examples are so frequent that we spare to name them heere But to returne to our Historie This conclusion That our Queene without further delay should be delivered to France The siege continued great shooting but no assaulting and yet they had fair occasion offered unto them For the English-men approaching to
the Queen who to them was favourable enough but that she thought it could not stand with her advantage to offend such a multitude as then took upon them the defence of the Gospel and the name of Protestants And yet consented she to summon the Preachers whereat the Ptotestants neither offended neither yet thereof afraid determined to keep the day of Summons as that they did Which perceived by the Prelats and Priests they procured a Proclamation to be publikely made That all men that were come to the Towne without commandment of the Authority should with all diligence repair to the Borders and there remain fifteen dayes For the Bishop of Galloway in this manner of rime said to the Queen Madame because they are come without order I read ye send them to the Border Now so had God provided That the quarter of the Westland in the which was many faithfull men was that same day returned from the Border who understanding the matter to proceed from the malice of the Priests assembled themselves together and made passage to themselves till that they came to the very privie chamber where the Queen Regent and the Bishops were The Gentlemen began to complain upon their strange intertainment considering that her Majesty had found in them so faithfull obedience in all things lawfull While the Queen began to craft a zealous and a bold man Iames Chalmers of Gaithgyrth said Madame we know that this is the malice and device of the Iewels and of that bastard meaning the Bishop of S. Andrews that standeth by you we avow to God we shall make a day of it They oppresse us and our Tenants for feeding of their idle bellies They trouble our Preachers and would murther them and us Shall we suffer this any longer No Madame it shall not be And therewith every man put on his steel Bonnets There was heard nothing of the Queens part but My joyes my hearts What ayles you Me means no evil to you nor to your Preachers The Bishops shall do you no wrong ye are all my loving Subjects I know nothing of this Proclamation the day of your Preachers shall be discharged and me will heare the controversie that is betwixt the Bishops and you they shall do you no wrong My Lords said she to the Bishops I forbid you either to trouble them or their Preachers And unto the Gentlemen who were wonderously commoved she turned again and said O my hearts should ye not love the Lord your God with all-your heart with all your minde And should ye not love your neighbours as your self With these and the like words she kept the Bishops from buffets at that time And so the day of Summons being discharged began the brethren universally farther to be encouraged But yet could the Bishops in no sort be quiet for Saint Gyles day approaching they gave charge to the Provost-Ballies and counsell of Edinburgh either to get again the old Saint Gyle or else upon their expences to make a new Image The Counsell answered That to them the charge appeareth very unjust for they understood that God in some places had commanded Idols and Images to be destroyed But where he had commanded Images to be set up they had not read and desired the Bishop to finde a warrant for his commandment Whereat the Bishop offended admonished under pain of cursing which they prevented by a former appellation appealing from him as a partiall and corrupt Judge unto the Popes Holinesse and so great things shortly following that passed in oblivion Yet would not the Priests and Friers cease to have that great solemnity and manifest abomination which they accustomedly had upon Saint Gyles day to wit They would have that Idoll borne and therefore was all preparations duely made A Marmouset Idoll was borrowed from the gray Friers a silver piece of Iames Carmichell was laid in pledge it was fast fixed with Iron nailes upon a barrow called there Fertor Their Asses bloody Priests Friers Channons and rotten Papists with Tabors and Trumpeters Banners and Bag-pipes And who was there to lead the reigne but the Queen Regent her selfe with all her shavelings for honour of that Feast Well about goeth it and cometh downe the high street and downe to the common Crosse. The Queen Regent dined that day in Alexander Carpentar his house betwixt the Bowes And so when the Idol returned back again she left it and past in to her dinner The hearts of the brethren were wonderously enflamed and seeing such abomination so manifestly maintained were decreed to be revenged They were divided in severall companies whereof not one knew of another There were some temporizers that day amongst whom David Forresse called the Generall was one who fearing the chance to be done as it fell laboured to stay the brethren but that could not be For immediately after that the Queen was entred in the lodging some of those that were of the enterprise drew nigh to the Idol as willing to help to bear him and getting the Fertor upon their shoulders began to shoulder thinking that thereby the Idol would have fallen but that was provided and prevented by the Iron nailes as we have said And so began one to cry Down with the Idoll down with it And then without delay it was pulled downe Some brag made the Priests Patrones at the first but when they saw the feeblenesse of their god for one tooke him by the heeles and dading his head to the street left Dagon without a head or hands and said Fie upon thee thou young Saint Gyle thy father would have tarried for such This considered we say the Priests and Friers fled faster then they did at Pinckey Clewch There might have beene so sudden a fray as seldome hath been amongst that sort of men within this Realme for down goeth the Crosses off goeth the Surplices round Caps Cornets with the Crowns The gray Friers gaped the black Friers blew the Priests panted and fled and happy was he that first gat the house for such a sudden fray came never amongst the generation of Antichrist within this Realme before By chance there lay upon a stayre a merry English-man and seeing the discomfiture to be without blood thought he would adde some merrinesse to the matter and so cried he over the staire and said Fie upon you whorsons why have you broken order down the street they passed in aray and with great mirth why flee the villains now without order turn and strike every man a stroke for the honour of his God fie cowards fie ye shall never be judged worthy of your wages againe But exhortations were then unprofitable For after that Bell had broken his necke there was no comfort to his confused Armie The Queene Regent laid up this amongst her other inventions till that she might have seene the time proper to have revenged it Search was made for the doers but none could be
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
retire marched forward with great expedition and approached within a mile before that ever their horsemen stayed and yet they kept betwixt us and them a water for their strength It appeared to us That either they marched for Cowper or S. Andrews and therefore our Horse-men in their Troope and a part of the Foot-men with the Ordnance marched somewhat alwayes before them for safety of the Towne The Lords with the Gentlemen of Fyfe and so many of Angus and Mearns as were present kept themselves close in a knot neere to the number of a thousand Speares The Townes of Dundie and S. Andrews were arrayed in another battell who came not to the sight of the enemy till that after twelve of the clock the mist began to vanish and then passed some of their Horse-men to a mountaine from the height whereof they might discerne our number Which perceived by them their Horse-men and Foot-men stayed incontinent Posts ran to the Duke and Monsieur Dosell to declare our number and what order we kept And then were Mediators sent to make appointment but they were not suffered to approach neere to the Lords neither yet to the view of our Camp which put them in great feare Answer was given unto them That as we had offended no man so would we seek appointment of no man but if any would seek our lives as we were informed they did they should finde us if they pleased to make diligence This answer received were sent againe the Lord Lindsay and Laird of Wâ—nchton who earnestly requested us to concord and that we would not be the occasion that innocent blood should be shed We answered That neither had we quarrell against any man neither yet sought we any mans blood onely we were convened for defence of our own lives unjustly sought by others We added further That if they could finde the meane that we and our brethren might be free from the tyrannie devised against us that they should reasonably desire nothing which should be denied for our part This answer received the Duke and Monsieur Dosell having Commission of the Queen Regent required That Assurance might be taken for eight dayes to the end that indifferent men in the mean time might commune upon some finall agreement of those things which were then in controversie Hereto did we fully consent albeit that in number and force we were far superiour and for testification hereof we sent unto them our hand writs and we likewise received theirs with promise That within two or three dayes some discreet men should be sent to us to S. Andrews with further knowledge of the Queens minde The tenour of the assurance was this The Assurance WE James Duke of Chattellerault Earle of Arrane Lord Hamilton and my Lord Dosell Lieutenant for the King in these parts for our selves our assistaries and partakers being presently with us in company By the tenor hereof promits faithfully in honour to my Lords Archibald Earle of Argyle and James Commendater of the Priory of S. Andrews to their assistants and partakers being presently with them in company That we and our company aforesaid shall retire incontinent to Falkland and shall with diligence transport the French men and our other folkes now presently with us and that no French men or other Souldiers of ours shall remaine within the bounds of Fyfe but so many as before the raising of the last Army lay in Disert Kirkcaldie and Kinghorne and the same to lie in the same places onely if we shall think good And this to have effect for the space of eight dayes following the date hereof exclusive That in the meane time certaine Noble-men by the advice of the Queen and the rest of the Councell may convene to talk of such things as may make good order and quietnesse amongst the Queens Lieges And further We nor none of our assisters being present with us shall invade trouble or disquiet the said Lords nor their assisters during the said space And this we binde and oblige us upon our loyall fidelitie and honour to observe and keepe in every point above-written without fraud or guile In witnesse whereof we have subscribed these presents with our own hands At Garlebanke the 13 day of Iune 1559. Subscribed Iames Hamilton Meneits Dosell And this received we departed first because we were thereto requested by the Duke and so we returned to Cowper lauding and praising God for his mercy shewed and thereafter every man departed to his dwelling place The Lords and a great part of the Gentlemen passed to S. Andrews who there abode certain dayes still looking for those that were promised to come from the Queen for appointment to be made But we perceiving her craft and deceit for under that assurance she meant nothing else but to convey her selfe her Ordnance and French-men over the water of Forth took consultation what should be done for delivering S. Iohnston from these ungodly Souldiers and how our brethren exiled from their own houses might be restored again It was concluded That the brethren of Fyfe Angus Mernes and Stratherne should Convene at S. Iohnston the foure and twentieth day of June for that purpose and in the mean time were these Letters written by the Earle of Argyle and Lord Iames to the Queen then Regent Letters to the Queen Regent MAdame after our hearty commendations of service this shall be to shew your Majestie That upon the 13 day of Iune we were informed by them that were Communers betwixt the Duke Monsieur Dosell and us That we should have spoken unreverently of your Majestie which we beseech your Majestie for the true service that we have made and are ready to make at all times to your Majestie That of your goodnesse you will let us know the sayers thereof and we shall do the dutie of true Subjects to defend our own innocency As we take God to witnesse of the good Zeale and Love we beare towards you to serve you with true hearts and all that we have as well lands as goods desiring no other thing for our service but the liberty of our conscience to serve our Lord God as we shall answer to him which your Majestie ought and should give us unrequired Moreover please your Majestie That the Duke and the Noble-men being in Sterlin for the time by your Majesties advice solicited us to presse the Congregation assembled at the Town of Perth to Commune of Concord where we did our exact diligence and brought it to passe as your Majestie knows And there is a point that we plainly see it not observed to us which is That no Souldier should remain in the Town after your Majesties departing And suppose it may be inferred That it was spoken of French Souldiers onely yet we took it otherwise like as we do yet That Scottish-men or any other Nation taking wages of the King of France are reputed and holden French Souldiers Therefore seeing we of good will and minde brought
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
use and chuse what Religion and manner thereof they please to the said day so that every man may have freedom to use his owne conscience to the day aforesaid Item The Queen shall not interpose her Authority to molest or trouble the Preachers of the Congregation nor their Ministry to them that please to use the same nor no other of the said Congregation in their bodies lands goods or possessions Pensions or whatsoever other kinde of goods they possesse nor yet suffer the Clergie or any other either Spirituall or Temporall Iurisdiction to trouble them in any manner of sort privately or openly for the cause of Religion or any other action depending thereupon to the said tenth day of Ianuary within written and that every man in particular live in the mean time according to his own conscience Item That no men of War French nor Scots be laid in daily Garrison within the Town of Edinburgh but to repair thereto to do thsir lawfull businesse and thereafter to retire them to their Garrisons This alteration in words and Order was made without knowledge and consent of those whose counsell we had used in all such causes before For some of them perceiving we began to faint and that we would appoint with unequall conditions said God hath wonderously assisted us in our greatest dangers He hath stricken fear in the hearts of our enemies when they supposed themselves most assured of Victory Our case is not yet so desperate that we need to grant to things unreasonable and ungodly which if we do it is to be feared That things shall not so prosperously succeed as they have done heretofore When all things were communed and agreed upon by mid persons the Duke and the Earle of Huntlie who that day were against us desired to speake with the Earles of Argyle and Glencarne the Lord Iames and others of our party who obeying their requests met with them at the Quarrell holes betwixt Leith and Edinburgh who in conclusion promised to our Lords That if the Queen brake to us any one jot of the Appointment then made that they should declare themselves plain enemies to her and friends to us As much promised the Duke that he would do in case that she would not remove her French-men at a reasonable day for the oppression which they did was manifest to all men This Appointment made and subscribed by the Duke Monsieur Dosell and the Earle of Huntlie the 25 of July we returned to the Towne of Edinburgh where we remained till the next day at noon when after Sermon dinner and Proclamation made at the Market Crosse in forme as followeth we departed Forme of the Proclamations FORASMUCH as it hath pleased God that Appointment is made betwixt the Queen Regent and us the Lords Protestants of this Realme We have thought good to signifie unto the chief Heads of the Appointment which be these First That no member of the Congregation shall be troubled in life lands goods or possessions by the Queene by her Authority nor by any other justice within this Realme for any thing done in this late Innovation till that a Parliament hath decided things that be in controversie Secondly That Idolatry shall not be erected where it is now at this day suppressed Thirdly That the Preachers and Ministers shall not be troubled in the ministration where they are already established neither yet stopped to Preach wheresoever they shall happen to travell within this Realme Fourthly That no Bands of men of War shall be laid in Garrison within the Town of Edinburgh The chief Heads of appointment concerning the liberty of Religion and conservation of our brethren we thought good to notifie unto you by this Proclamation that in case wrong or injury be done by any of the contrary faction to any member of our Body complaint may be made unto us to whom we promise as we will answer to our God our faithfull support to the uttermost of our powers At this Proclamation made with sound of Trumpet were offended all the Papists for first they alleadged It was done in contempt of Authority Secondarily That we had proclaimed more then was contained in the Appointment And last That we in our Proclamation had made no mention of any thing promised unto them To such murmures we answered That no just Anthority could think it self contemned because that the truth was by us made manifest unto all who otherwise might have pretended ignorance Secondly That we had proclaimed nothing which was not finally agreed upon in word and promise betwixt us and those with whom the Appointment was made whatsoever the Scribes had after written who in very deed had altered both in words and sentences our Articles as they were first conceived And yet if their owne writings were diligeutly examined the self-same thing shall be found in substance And last To proclaim any thing in their favours we thought it not necessary knowing that in that behalf they themselves would be diligent enough And in this we were nothing deceived for within fifteen days after there was not a Shaveling in Scotland to whom Tenths or any other Rents pertaineth but he had that Article of the Appointment by heart That the Church-men should be answered of Tenths Rents and all other duties and that no man should trouble or molest them We departing from Edinburgh the 26 of July came first to Linlithqow and after to Sterlin where after consultation the Band of defence and maintenance of Religion and for mutuall defence every one of the other was subscribed of all that were there present The tenour of the Bond was thus WE foreseeing the craft and sleight of our Adversaries who trie all manner of wayes to circumvient us and by privy means intend to assayle every one of us particularly by fair heights and promises therethrough to separate one of us from another to our utter ruine and destruction For remedy thereof we faithfully and truely binde us in the presence of God and as we tender the maintenance of true Religion That none of us shall in time coming passe to the Queen Dowager to talk or commune with her for any Letter or Message sent by her unto us or yet to be sent with consent of the rest or common consultation thereupon and how soon that either Message or Writing should come from her unto us with all diligence we shall notifie the same one to another so that nothing shall proceed therein without common consent of us all At Sterlin the first day of August 1559. This Band subscribed and we foreseeing that the Queen and Bishops meant nothing but deceit thought good to seek ayd and support of all Christian Princes against her tyranny in case we should be more sharply pursued And because that England was of the same Religion and lay next unto us it was judged expedient first to prove them which we did by one or two Messengers as hereafter in its owne place
by the counsell of France We are not ignorant that Princes think it good policy to betray their subjects by breaking of promises be they never so solemnly made We have not forgotten what counsell she and Monsieur Dosell gave to the Duke against those that slue the Cardinall and kept the Castle of S. Andrewes which was this That what promise they list to require should be made unto them but as soon as the Castle was rendred and things brought to such passe as was expedient that he should chop the heads from every one of them To the which the Duke answered That he would never consent to so treasonable an act but if he promised fidelity he would faithfully keep it Monsieur Dosell said in mockage to the Queen in French That is a good simple nature but I know no other Prince that would so do If this was his judgement in so small a matter what have we to suspect in this our Cause For the question is not of the slaughter of one Cardinall but of the just abolishing of all tyranny which that Romane Antichrist hath usurped above us of the suppressing of Idolatry and of the Reformation of the whole Religion by that vermine of shavelings utterly corrupted Now if the slaughter of a Cardinall be a sin irremissible as they themselves affirme and if faith ought not to be kept to hereticks as their owne law speaketh What promise can she that is ruled by the counsell and commandment of a Cardinall make to us that can be sure Where she accuseth us That we usurp Authority to command and charge free Boroughs to chuse Provests and Officers of our naming c. We will that the whole Boroughs of Scotland testifie in that case Whether we have used any kinde of violence but lovingly exhorted such as asked our support to chuse such in Office as had the fear of God before their eyes loved equity and justice and were not noted with avarice and bribing But wonder it is with what face she can accuse us of that whereof we are innocent and she so openly criminall that the whole Realme knoweth her iniquity In that case hath she not compelled the Towne of Edinburgh to retaine a man to be their Provest most unworthy of any Regiment in a well-ruled Common-wealth Hath she not enforced them to take Bayliffes of her appointment and some of them so meet for their Office in this troublesome time as a sowter is to sayle a Ship in a stormy day She complaineth that we will not suffer provision to be made for her house In very deed we unfainedly repent that before this we took not better order that these murtherers and oppressors whom she pretendeth to nourish for our destruction had not been disappointed of their great provision of Victualls which she and they have gathered to the great hurt of the whole Countrey But as God shall assist us in times coming we shall do diligence somewhat to frustrate their devillish purpose What both what she and we pretend we doubt not but God who cannot suffer the abuse of his owne Name long to be unpunished shall one day declare and unto him we fear not to commit our Cause Neither yet fear we in this present day that against us she maketh a malicious lye where that she saith That it is not Religion that we go about but a plain usurpation of Authority God forbid that such impiety should enter in our hearts that we should make his holy Religion a cloke and covertour of our iniquity From the beginning of this controversie it is evidently knowne what have been our requests which if the rest of the Nobility and Commonalty of Scotland will cause to be performed unto us if then in us appear any signe of Rebellion let us be reputed and punished as traitors But while strangers are brought in to suppresse us our common wealth and posterity while Idolatry is maintained and Christ Jesus his true Religion despised while idle bellies and bloody tyrants the Bishops are maintained and Christs true Messengers persecuted while finally vertue is contemned and vice extolled while that we a great part of the Nobility and Commonalty of this Realme are most unjustly persecuted What godly man can be offended that we shall seek Reformation of these enormities yea even by force of Arms seeing that otherwayes it is denyed unto us we are assured that neither God neither nature neither any just Law forbiddeth us God hath made us Councellors by birth of this Realme Nature bindeth us to love our owne Countrey and just Laws command us to support our brethren unjustly pursued yea the Oath that we have made to be true to this Common-wealth compelled us to hazard whatsoever God hath given us before that we see the miserable ruine of the same If any thinke it is not Religion which now we seek we answer That it is nothing else but the zeal of the true Religion which moveth us to this enterprise For as the enemy doth craftily foresee That Idolatry cannot universally be maintained unlesse that we be utterly suppressed So do we consider that the true Religion the purity whereof we openly require cannot universally be erected unlesse strangers be removed and this poor Realme purged of those pestilences which before have infected it And therefore in the Name of the Eternall God and of his Son Christ Jesus whose Cause we sustain we require all our brethren naturall Scotish-men prudently to consider our Requests and with judgement to discerne betwixt us and the Queen Regent with her faction and not to suffer themselves to be abused by her craft and deceit That to lift their weapons against their brethren who seek nothing but Gods glory Or yet to extract from us their just and dutifull support seeing that we hazard our lives for preservation of them and us and of us and our posterity to come Assuring such as shall declare themselves favourers of her Faction and enemies unto us That we shall repute them whensoever God shall put the Sword of Justice in our hands worthy of such punishment as is due for such as study to betray their Countreyes into the hands of strangers This our answer was formed and divulgate in some places but not universally by reason of our day appointed to meet at Sterlin as before is declared In this mean time the Queens Posts ran with all possible expedition to draw men to her devotion And in very deed she found more favourers of her iniquity then we suspected For a man that of long time had been one of our number in profession offered as himselfe did confesse his service to the Queen to travell betwixt her Majestie and the Congregation for concord she refused not his offer but knowing his simplicitie she was glad to imploy him for her advantage The man is Master Robert Lockard a man of whom many have had and still have good opinion as touching
and reconciliation then destruction and hatred They committed his house to the custodie of a Captain to wit Captain Forbesse To whom and to all Souldiers there left was given a sharpe commandment That all things found within the said house of Crychton which were put in inventory in presence of the Lords should be kept till that the Earle Bothwell should give answer Whether he would make restitution or not time of advertisment was granted unto him the whole day subsequent till going down of the sun In absence of the said Lords and horsemen we meane the same day that they departed which was the last of October the Provest and Town of Dundie together with some Souldiers passed forth of the Town of Edinburgh and carried with them some great Ordnance to shoot at Leith The Duke the Earle of Glencarne and the rest of the Noble-men were gone to the Preaching where they continued almost till noone The French being advertised by one named Clerk who after was apprehended that our horsemen were absent and that the whole company were at dinner issued and with great expedition came to the place where our Ordnance was laid The Town of Dundie with a few other resisted a while as well with the Ordnance as hakbuts but being left by our ungodly and feeble Souldiers who fled without stroke offered or given they were compelled to give back and so to leave the Ordnance to the enemies who further pursued the fugitives to wit to the midst of the Canongate and to the foot of Leith winde Their cruelty began then to discover it selfe for the maimed the aged the women and children found no greater favour in their fury then did the strong man who made resistance It was very apparant that among our selves there was some treason For when upon the first alarme all men made haste for reliefe of their brethren whom in very deed we might have saved and at least we might have saved the Ordnance and have kept the Cannongate from danger For we were once marched forward with bold courage but then we say was a shout raised amongst our selves God will disclose the traitours one day affirming That the whole French Company were entred in at Leith-winde upon our backs What clamour and disorder did then suddenly arise we list not to expresse with multiplication of words The horsmen and some of those that ought to have put order to others over-rode their poor brethren at the entry of the nether Bow The cry of discomfort arose in the Towne the wicked and malignant blasphemed The feeble amongst whom the Justice Clerk Sir Iohn Ballenden was fled without delay With great difficulty could they be kept in at the West Port. M. Gawan Hamilton cryed with a loud voice Drinke now as ye have brewed The French perceiving by the clamour of our fray followed as said is to the midst of the Cannon-gate to no great number but a twenty or thirty of their foot losse for in the mean time the rest retired themselves with our Ordinance The Earle of Argyle and his men were the first that stopped the flying of our men and compelled the Port to be opened after that it was shut But in very deed Lord Robert Stewart Abbot of Halyrud-house was the first that issued forth after him followed many upon the backs of the French At last came the Duke and then was no man more busie then was M. Gawan Hamilton aforesaid The French burnt a Back-house and took some spoile from the poor of the Cannon-gate They slue a Papist and a drunken Priest named Sir Thomas Sklaitter an aged man a woman giving suck and her childe and of our Souldiers to the number of ten Certain were taken amongst whom Captain Mowet was one M. Charles Geddes domestick to the Master of Maxwell The Capt. of the Castle that day shot a Shot at the French declaring them thereby friends to us and enemy to them but he suddenly repented of well-doing The Queen glad of Victory sate upon the Rampart to salute and welcome her victorious souldiers one brought a Kirtle another a Petticoat the third a Pot or Pan and of envy more then womanly laughter she asked Where bought ye your ware Ie pense que vous l'aues achete sans argent This was the great and motherly care which she took for the trouble of the poor subjects of this Realme The Earle Bothwell lifted up in his owne conceit by reason of this our repulse and discomfiture utterly refused any restitution and so within two dayes after was his house spoyled in which were no things of great importance his Evidences and certain Clothing excepted From that day back the carriage of money was dejected with great difficulty could men be retained in the Towne yea some of the greatest estimation determined with themselves to leave the enterprise many fled away secretly and those that did abide a very few excepted appeared destitute of counsell and manhood The Master of Maxwell a man stout and witty foreseeing the danger desired most gravely either to take such order that they might remaine to the terrour of the enemy or else that they should retire themselves with their Ordnance and Banners displayed in order But the wits of men being dashed no counsell could prevaile We continued from Wednesday the last of October till Munday the fifth of November never two or three abiding firme in one opinion the space of four and twenty houres The pestilent wits of the Queens practisers did then exercise themselves God shall recompence their malicious craft in their owne bosome we doubt not for they caused two godly and forward young men the Lairds of Farnihaste and Cesfurd who once had gladly joyned themselves with us to with-draw themselves and their friends The same they did to the Earle Morton who promised to be ours but did not plainly joyn They enticed the Captain of the Castle to deny us support in case we were pursued And finally the counsell of some was no lesse pestiferous against us then was the counsell of Achitophel against David and his discomfited souldiers Render Lord to the wicked according to their malice Upon Munday the fifth of November did the French issue out of Leith betimes in the morning for keeping of the Victualls which should have come to us we being troubled among our selves and as said is divided in opinions were neither circumspect when they did issue neither yet did we follow with such expedition as had been meet for them that would have sought our advantage Our souldiers could scarcely be driven forth of the Towne The Earle of Arran Lord Iames and certain with them made haste many honest men then followed and made such diligence that they caused the French once to retire somewhat affrayedly The rest that were in Leith perceiving the danger of their fellows issued out for their succour The Earle of Arran and Lord Iames aforesaid being more forward then
or controversie shall arise for whatsoever cause that is past present or to come betwixt any of us as God forbid in that case we shall submit our selves and our said questions to the decision of the Councell or to Arbitrators to be named by them c. Providing always That this be not prejudiciall to the ordinary Jurisdiction of Judges but that men may pursue their Actions by order of Law Civilly or Criminally as it pleaseth them This Contract and Band came not onely to the ears but also to the sight of the Queen Dowager whereat she stormed not a little and said The malediction of God I give unto them that counselled me to persecute the Preachers and to refuse the Petitions of the best part of the true subjects of this Realm It was said to me That the English Army could not continue in Scotland ten dayes but now they have lien neer a moneth and are more like to remain then they were at the first day that they came They that gave information to the Queen spake as worldly wise men and as things appeared to have been for the Countrey being almost in all the parts thereof wasted the Victuals next adjacent to Leith either brought into their Provision or else destroyed the Mills and other places as before is said being cast down it appeared that the Camp could not have been furnished except it had been by their own Ships and as that could not have been of any long continuance so should it have been little comfortable But God confounded all worldly wisedom and made his own Benediction as evidently to appear as if in a manner he had fed the Army from above For all kinde of Victuall there was more aboundant and at more easie prices in the Camp all the time that it lay after that eight dayes were past then either they have been in Edinburgh any of two yeers before or it hath been in this Towne to this day the 20 of May Anno 1566. The people of Scotland so much abhorred the tyranny of the French that they would have given the substance that they had to have been rid of that chargeable burthen which our sinnes had provoked God to lay upon us in delivering and giving into the hands of a woman whom our Nobility in their foolishnesse sold unto strangers and with her the Liberty of this Realme God for his great mercy sake preserve us yet from further Bondage in which we are like to fall if he provide not remedy for our Nobility will yet remain blinde still and will follow their affection come after what so may But to returne to our History The Camp abounding in all necessary Provision order was taken for continuation of the Siege and so the Trenches were drawn as neer the Town as possibly they might The great Camp removed from Lestarrig to the West side of the water of Leith and so were the Cannons planted for the Battery and did shoot at the Southwest wall But by reason all was earth the Breach was not made so great upon the day but that it was sufficiently repaired upon the night whereof the English-men beginning to be weary determined to give the Breach an Assault as that they did upon the seventh day of May beginning before the day light and continued till it was nigh seven a clock And albeit that the English and Scottish with great slaughter of the Souldiers of both were repulsed yet was there never a sharper assault given by so few hands for they exceeded not a thousand men that assaulted the whole two quarters of the Town and yet they damned the whole Block-house yea they once put the French clean off their Walls and were upon both the East and West Block-house but they lacked backing for their Scales lacked six quarters of the just height And so while the former were compelled to fight upon the top of the wall their fellows could not joyn to support them and so were they by multitude driven back again when it was once thought that the Town was won Sir Iames Crofts was blamed of many for not doing his duty that day for he was appointed with a sufficient number of the most able men to have assaulted the Northwest quarter upon the Sea side where at a low water as at the time of the assault it was the passage was easie But neither he nor his approached to their quarter appointed He had before at the first coming in spoken with the Queen Regent at the fair Block-house of the Castle of Edinburgh Whether she had enchanted him or not we know not but by suspition of that day in which he deceived the expectation of many and so farre as man could judge was the cause of that great repulse some ascribed the shortnesse of the Ladders to him but that omitted which might have proceeded of negligence his absence from the pursuit of his Quarter was the cause that such French as were appointed there to defend seeing no pursuer came to the relief of their fellowes and so they two joyning together with great slaughter gave the repulse to our Company The French-mens harlots of whom the most part were Scotish whores did no lesse cruelty then did the Souldiers For besides that they charged their Pieces and ministred unto them other weapons some continually cast stones some carried Chimneyes of burning fire some brought Timber and other impediments of weight which with great violence they threw over the wall upon our men but especially when they began to turn back Now albeit in all this we acknowledge to be the secret work of God who by such means would beat down as well the pride of England as of Scotland yet neither ought the feeblenesse nor falshood of man be excused neither yet the crueltie of the adversaries concealed The Queen Regent sat all the time of the assault which was both terrible and long upon the fore-Wall of the Castle of Edinburgh and when she perceived the overthrow of us and that the Ensignes of the French were again displayed upon the Walls she gave a gawfe of laughter and said Now will I go to the Masse and praise God for that which mine eyes have seen And so was Frier Black ready for that purpose whom she her selfe a little before had deprehended with his Harlot in the Chappell But Whoredom and Idolatry agree well together and that our Court can witnesse this day the 16 of May 1566. The French proud of the Victory stripped naked all the slain and laid their dead carkases before the hot Sun along the wall where they suffered them to lie more dayes then one Unto the which when the Queen Regent looked for mirth she leapt and said Yonder is the fairest tapistrie that ever I saw I would that the whole fields that is betwixt this place and you were strowed with the same stuffe This fact was seen of all and her words were heard of some and it
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
carryed about in a Boat and laid without Buriall in the Abbey of Halyrud-house till the day of his Forefaltor as after shall be declared The Duke apprehended the Lord Gordon his son in Law because that the Queen had straitly commanded him so to do if that he repaired within his bounds Before that he delivered him the Earle of Murray laboured at the Queens hands for the safety of his life which hardly was granted and so was he delivered within the Castle of Edinburgh the eight and twentieth day of November 1562. where he remained till the eighth day of February when he was put to an Assise accused and convinced of Treason but was restored againe first to the Castle aforesaid and thereafter was transported to Dumbar where he remained prisoner till the moneth of August in the yeer of God 1565. as we will after hear In the mean time the troubles were hot in France and the intelligence and outward familiarity betwixt the two Queens was great Lethington was directed with large Commission both to the Queene of England and to the Guisians The Marriage of our Queen was in all mens mouthes some would have the Infant of Spaine some the Emperours Brother some Duke Denemours and some truely guessed at the Lord Darley What Lethingtons Credit was we know not but shortly after there began much to be talked of the Earle of Lenox and of his son the Lord Darley It was said that Lethington spake to the Lady Margaret Dowglas And that Robert Melvill received a horse to the Secretaries use from the Earle of Lenox or from his wife Howsoever it was Master Fouller servant to the said Earle came with Letters to the Queene by which License was permitted to the Earle of Lenox to come to Scotland to travell in his lawfull businesse That same day the Queens License was granted the Secretary said This day I have taken upon me the deadly hatred of all the Hamiltons within Scotland and have done unto them no lesse displeasure then if I had cut their throats The Earle Bothwell who before had broken Ward fearing apprehension or taking prepared to passe to France but by storm of Weather was driven into England where he was stayed and was offered to have been rendred by the Queen of England But our Queens answer was That he was no Rebell and therefore she requested that he should have liberty to passe whither he pleased And thereto Lethington helped not a little for he travelled to have friends in every faction of the Court. And so obtained the said Earle Lincense to passe to France The Winter after the death of the Earle of Huntley the Court remained for the most part at Edinburgh The Preachers were wondrous vehement in reprehension of all manner of Vice which then began to abound and especially Avarice Oppression of the poore Excesse Ryotous Cheer Banquetting immoderate Dancing and Whoredome that thereof ensues Whereat the Courtiers began to storme and to pick quarrells against the Preachers alleadging that all their Preaching was turned to Rayling whereunto one of them gave answer as followeth It comes to our eares that we are called Raylers whereof albeit we wonder yet we are not ashamed seeing that the most worthy servants of God that before us have travelled in this Vocation have so been stiled But unto you do I say That the same God who from the beginning hath punished the Contempt of his Word and hath poured forth his Vengeance upon such proud mockers shall not spare you yea he shall not spare you before the eyes of this same wicked Generation for the pleasure whereof ye despise all wholesome Admonitions Have you not seen greater then any of you sitting where presently ye sit pick his nayles and pull down his Bonnet over his eyes when Idolatry Witchcraft Murther Oppression and such Vices were rebuked Was not this his common talke When these Knaves have rayled their fill then will they hold their peace Have ye not heard it affirmed to his owne face That God should revenge that his Blasphemie even in the eyes of such as were witnesse to his iniquity Then was the Earle of Huntley accused by you as the maintainer of Idolatry and onely hinderer of all good Orders him hath God punished even according to the threatnings that his and your ears heard and by your hands hath God executed his Judgements But what amendment can be espied in you Idolatry was never in greater quiet Vertue and vertuous men were never in more contempt Vice was never more bold nor punishment lesse feared And yet who guides the Queene and Court who but the Protestants O horrible slanderers of God and of his holy Evangell Better it were unto you plainely to renounce Christ Jesus then thus to expose his blessed Evangell to Mockage if God punisheth not you That this same age shall see and behold your punishment the spirit of righteous judgement guides me not This vehemency provoked the hatred not onely of the Courtiers but also of divers others against the Speaker which was Iohn Knox for such as be in credit never lack flatterers Their Brethren of the Court were irreverendly handled What was that but to raise the hearts of the people against them They did what they could Such speaking would cause them to do lesse And this was the fruit that the Preachers gathered of their just reprehensions The generall Assembly of the Church held on the 25 of December 1562. approached In the which great complaints were made That Churches lacked Ministers That Ministers lacked their Stipends That wicked men were permitted to be Schoole-Masters and so to infect the youth amongst them whom one Master Robert Cunning Schoole-master in Aberbrothoke was complained upon by the Laird of Dun and sentence pronounced against him It was further complained That Idolatry was erected in divers parts of the Realm For redresse hereof some thought best That a new supplication should be presented to the Queen others demanded what answer was received of the former The superintendent of Lowthian confessed the delivery of it but said he I received no answer It was answered for the part of the Queene for her supposts were ever there that it was well known to the whole Realm what troubles had occurred since the last Assembly and therefore That they should not wonder albeit that the Queen had not answered but betwixt that and the Parliament which was appointed to be in May they doubted not but such order should be taken as all men should have occasion to stand content This satisfied for that time the whole Assembly And this was the practice of the Queene and of her Councell with faire words to drive time as before we have said The Assembly notwithstanding proceeded forward in establishing of such orders as whereby vice might be punished and vertue might be maintained And because there was a great slander risen upon Paul Meffane of whom mention is made in the
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
well grounded Knowing besides the grudge of conscience that she should receive upon the change of her owne Religion That she should lose the friendship of the King of France the married Allia of this Realme and of other great Princes her Friends and Confederates who would take the same in evil part and of whom she may look for their great support in all her necessities And having no assured consideration that may countervaile the same she will be loth to put in hazard all her friends at an instant praying all her loving subjects seeing they have had experience of her goodnesse that she hath neither in times past nor yet intends hereafter to presse the conscience of any but that they may worship God in such sort as they are perswaded in their conscience to be best That they will also not presse her conscience As to the establishing of Religion in the Body of the Realme they themselves know as appears by their Articles That the same cannot be done onely by consent of her Majestie but requires necessarily the consent of the States in Parliament and therefore so soon as the Parliament holds those things which the States agree upon amongst themselves her Majestie shall consent unto the same and in the mean time shall make sure That no man be troubled for â—sing Religion according to conscience So that no man shall have cause to doubt That for Religions sake mens Lives and Heritage shall be in any hazard To the second Article it is answered That her Majestie thinks it no wayes reasonable that she should defraud her self of so great a part of the Patrimony of the Crowne as to put the Patronage of Benefices forth of her own hands for her owne necessity in bearing of her Port and common Charges will require the retention thereof and that in a good part in her owne hands Neverthelesse her Majestie is well pleased That consideration being had of her owne necessity And what may be sufficient for the reasonable sustentation of the Ministers a speciall Assignation be made to them in places most commodious and meet With which her Majesty shall not meddle but suffer the same to come to them To the third Article it is answered That her Majestie shall do therein as shall be agreed by the States in Parliament To the fourth Article Her Majesties liberality towards the poore shall alwayes be so far extended as can be reasonably required at her hands To the fifth and sixth Articles Her Majesty will refer the taking order therein unto the States assembled in Parliament As the Queens Majestie came from Saint Iohnston over Forth to the Callender she was conveyed to the Water side of Forth with two hundred Spears For at that time it was bruted That there was some lying in wait at the Path of Dron In the mean time the Earle of Murray was in Locklevin and the Earle of Argyle with him Now in the Callender the Lord Levingston had desired the Queens Majestie to be Witnesse to the Christning of a childe For his Lady was lately delivered and brought to Bed And when the Minister made the Sermon and Exhortation concerning Baptisme the Queens Majestie came in the end and said to the Lord Levingston That she would shew him that favour that she had not done to any other before that is That she would give her presence to the Protestant Sermon which was reckoned a great matter The Queen being in the Callender was informed both by word and Letters by false Brethren That a great part of the Protestants of Edinburgh had lately convened upon Saint Leonards Craigs and there made a Conspiration against her And had chosen for the same purpose certain Captains to governe the rest And without any Tryall or perfect notice taken in the Case she sent to the Provest and Bayliffs of Edinburgh commanding them to take and apprehend Alexander Guthrie Alexander Clerke Gilbert Lawder and Andrew Slater and put them in prison in the Castle This new and unaccustomed fashion of proceeding seemed to be very strange And because the said four persons were not apprehended she sent the next day a Charge to the Provest and Bayliffs and to her owne great Treasurer to passe to the houses of the said foure men and likewise to their Booths or Shops and there to take Inventory of all their Goods and Chattells And commanded the said Treasurer to take the Keyes of the said Houses and Booths together with the said Inventory which was executed in effect especially upon the said Alexander Guthrie his wife he being then common Clerke and one of the greatest in estimation within the Towne his wife and children were shut out of their house and compelled to seek some other lodging in the Town By this manner of proceeding the hearts of all men of spirit and judgement were wonderfully abashed and wounded seeing and perceiving these things so furiously handled upon sinister and wrong Information men never called to their answer nor heard nor any triall taken therein Immediatly thereafter as she came to Edinburgh she called to counsell such as pleased her Majestie and there complains of the said matter alleadging it to be a Conspiracy and manifest Treason And another matter likewise was complained upon That the Earle of Argile as the Queen was surely informed was riding with a great Army to invade the Earle of Athole and his Lands For the first matter it was concluded by the Councell That diligent inquisition should be made in the matter and to that purpose appointed the Queens Advocates M. Iohn Spence of Condie and M. Robert Crichton to examine such as they would and when the said Advocates had called before them and examined a sufficient number and their depositions subscribed and delivered to the Queen there was nothing found worthy of death nor Treason at length the said four persons were summoned to answer at Law For the matter That the Queens Majesty should send to the Earles of Argyle and Athole some of her Councell or familiar servants to take order touching it And when the Secretary the Justice Clarke and Lord of Saint Colme had past to the said Earle of Argyle they found no such thing but in Athole there was great fear come of a sudden fray for after many Proclamations the Fire-Crosse which they made use of in lieu of Beacons was raised in Athole Now as the day of the Parliament approached the Lords pretending to consult before what should be done as well in Religion as for the Commonwealth the fifteenth day of Iuly there conveened at Sterlin the Duke the Earles of Argyle and Murray Rothes and other Lords and Barons and as they were devising and consulting the Queens Majesty taking their meeting in evill part sent her Advocates Master Iohn Spence and Master Crichton to them at Sterlin requiring the cause of their meeting they answered That the speciall occasion of their meeting was for the cause of Religion and the assurance thereof according as they
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
Grace of God King and Queen of Scots To all and sundry Our Lieges and Subjects whom it may concerne and to whose knowledge these Letters shall come Greeting Forasmuch as in this Uprore lately raised up against us by certaine Rebels and their assistants the authors thereof to blinde the eyes of the simple people have given them to understand That the quarrell they have in hand is onely Religion thinking with that cloke to cover their ungodly designes and so under that plausible argument to draw after them a large train of ignorant persons easie to be seduced Now for the preservation of our good Subjects whose case were to be pitied if they blindely should suffer themselves to be induced and trapped in so dangerous a snare it hath pleased the goodnesse of God by the utterance of their own mouthes and writings to us to discover the poyson that before lay hid in their hearts albeit to all persons of cleer judgment the same was evident enough before For what other thing is this but to dissolve the whole Policy and in a manner to invert the very order might move the principal raisers of this tumult to put themselves in Arms against us so unnaturally upon whom we had bestowed so many benefits But that the great honor we did them they being thereof unworthy made them misknow themselves and their ambition could not be satisfied with heaping riches upon riches honor upon honor unlesse they retain in their hands us and our whole Realme to be led used and disposed at their pleasure But this could not the multitude have perceived if God for disclosing their Hypocrisie had not compelled them to utter their unreasonable desire to Governe for now by Letters sent from themselves to us which make plain profession that the establishing of Religion will not content them but we must be forced to govern by Councell such as it shall please them to appoint us a thing so farre beyond all measure that we thinke the onely mention of so unreasonable a demand is sufficient to make their nearest Kinsfolks their most mortall enemies and all men to run on them without further scruple that are zealous to have their native Countrey to remain still in the state of a Kingdome For what other thing is this but to dissolve the whole policie and in a manner to invert the very order of nature to make the Prince obey and Subjects command The like was never demanded by any of our most Noble Progenitors heretofore yea not of Governours and Regents but the Prince and such as have filled their place chose their Councell of such as they thought most fit for the purpose When we our selves were of lesse age and at our first returning into this our Realme we had free choice of our Councell at our pleasure and now when we are at our full maturity shall we be brought back to the state of Pupills and be put under Tutory So long as some of them bore the whole sway with us this matter was never called in question but now when they cannot be longer permitted to do and undoe all at their pleasure they will put a Bridle into our mouthes and give us a Councell chosen after their fantasie This is the quarrell of Religion they made you beleeve they had in hand This is the quarrell for which they would have you hazzard your Lands Lives and goods in the company of a certain number of Rebels against your naturall Prince To speak in good language they would be Kings themselves or at the least leaving to us the bare Name and Title and take to themselves the credit and whole administration of the Kingdome We have thought good to make publication hereof to shew that you suffer not your selves to be deceived under pretence of Religion to follow them who prefering their particular advancement to the publike tranquilitie and having no care of you in respect of themselves would if you would hearken to their voice draw you after them to your utter destruction Assuring you that you have heretofore good experience of our clemency and under our Wings enjoyed in peace the possession of your Goods and lived at liberty of your Conscience so may you be in full assurance of the like hereafter and have us alwayes your good and loving Princes to so many as shall continue your selves in due obedience and do the office of faithfull and naturall Subjects Given under our Signet at Saint Andrews the tenth of December and of our Reignes the first and twentie three years 1565. NOw the Lords desired next the establishing of Religion That the Queens Majesty in all the Affairs of the Realme and Common-wealth should use the counsell and advice of the Nobility and ancient blood of the same whereas in the mean time the Councell of David and Francisco the Italians with Fowler the Englishman and Master Iames Balfour Parson of Flisk was preferred before all others save onely the Earle of Athole who was thought to be a man of grosse judgement but neverthelesse in all things given to please the Queen It was now finally come to this point that in stead of Law Justice and equity onely Will ruled in all things there was thorow all the Countie set out a Proclamation in the King and Queens names commanding all persons to come and meet them at Sterlin the first day of October following with twenty dayes provision under pain of life lands and goods It was uncertain whether their Majesties intended to passe from Sterlin or not and I beleeve the principall men knew not well at that time for a report was That by reason the Castles of Hamilton and Draffen were kept Fortified and Victualled at the Dukes command that they would passe to siege the said houses give them some shot of a Canon others said They would passe towards my L. of Argile who had his people alwayes armed whereof his neighbours were afraid especially the Inhabitants of Athole and Lenox but at length it was concluded that they should passe to Dumfreis as shall be declared During this time there were Propositions made continually to the King and Queen by the Lords desiring alwayes their Majesties most humbly to receive them into their hands Their Articles tended continually to these two Heads viz. To abolish the Masse root out Idolatry and Establish the true Religion And that they and the affaires of the Realm should be governed by the advice and counsell of the true Nobility of the same offering themselves and their cause to be tried by the Lawes of the Countrey Yet nothing could be accepted nor taken in good part albeit the Master of Maxwell laboured by all meanes to redresse the matter who also entertained the Lords most honourably in Dumfreis for he had the government of all that Countrey But he himself incurred the Queens wrath so that he was summoned to present himself and appear before the King and Queens Majesties after the same form
being counselled and perswaded by divers notable Personages he began well in Edinburgh to proceed whereby a great number were moved with compassion of his state and likewise in Iedwart but he left his duty in Dundie and passing again into England the matter not without offence to many ceased The Ministers complaining that they could not be paid their Stipends were licensed by the Assembly to passe to other Churches to Preach but in no wise to leave the Ministery And because that the Queens Majesty had promised often before to provide remedy it was thought expedient that Supplication should be yet made as before That the Queens Majesty should cause such order to be taken that the poor Ministers might be paid their Stipends The Bishop of Galloway who was brother to the Earle of Huntley and now a great man in the Court travelled much with the Queens Majesty in that matter and got of her a good answer and fair promises A few yeers before the said Bishop of Galloway desired of the generall Assembly to be made Superintendent of Galloway but now being promoted to great Dignity as to be of the number of the Lords of the Privy Councell and likewise one of the Session he would no more be called Over-looker or Over-seer of Golloway but Bishop Alwayes truth it is That he laboured much for his Nephew the Earle of Huntley that he might be restored to his Lands and Honours for the said Earle was new Chancellor since the slaughter of David Rizio and had for his clawback the Bishop of Rosse Master Iohn Lesley one of the chief Councellors to the Qâ—een But of all men the Earle Bothwell was most in the Queens favour so far that all things past by him yea by his means the most part of all those that were partakers in the slaughter of David Rizio got remission and relief But from that day he was not present at any Sermon albeit before he professed the Evangell by outward speaking yet he never joyned to the Congregation But this time the Earle of Cassells was contracted with the Lord of Glanes sister by whose perswasion he became a Protestant and caused in the Moneth of August to reâ—orm his Churches in Carrick and promised to maintain the Doctrine of the Evangell The Queen not yet satisfied with the death of her man David caused in August to be apprehended a man called Hary who sometime had been of her Chappell Royall but afterward became an exhorter in a Reformed Church and for want of stipend or other necessaries past in service to my Lord Ruthuen and chanced that night to be present when the said David was slaine and so finally he was condemned and hanged and quartered The King being now contemned of all men because the Queen cared not for him he went sometime to the Lenox to his father and sometime to Sterlin whither the Prince was carried a little before Alwayes he was destitute of such things as were necessary for him having scarcely six horses in Trayn And being thus desolate and half desperate he sought means to go out of the Countrey And about the same time by the advice of Forlish Cagets he wrote to the Pope to the King of Spain and to the King of France complaining of the state of the Countrey which was all out of order all because that Masse and Popery were not againe erected giving the whole blame thereof to the Queen as not managing the Catholike Cause aright By some knave this poor Prince was betrayed and the Queen got a Copie of these Letters into her hands and therefore threatned him sore and there was never after that any appearance of love betwixt them The Churches of Geneva Berne and Basill with other Reformed Churches of Germany and France sent to the whole Church of Scotland the sum of the Confession of their Faith desiring to know if they agreed in Uniformity of Doctrine alleadging That the Church of Scotland was dissonant in some Articles from them Wherefore the Superintendents with a great part of the other most qualified Ministers convened in September in S. Andrews and reading the said Letters made answer and sent word again That they agreed in all points with those Churches and differed in nothing from them Albeit in the keeping of some Festivall days our Church assented not for onely the Sabbath day was kept in Scotland In the end of this Month the Earl Bothwell riding in pursuit of the theeves in Liddisdale was ill hurt and worse terrified by a thief for he believed surely to have departed forth of this life and sent word thereof to the Queens Majesty who soon after past forth of Iedwart to the Hermitage to visite him and give him comfort And within a few dayes after she took sicknesse in a most extreme manner for she lay two houres long cold dead as it were without breath or any signe of life at length she revived by reason they had bound small Cords about her shackle bones her knees and great toes and speaking very softly she desired the Lords to pray for her to God she said the Creed in English and desired my Lord of Murray if she should chance to depart that he would not be over extreme such as was of her Religion the Duke and he should have been Regents The bruit went from Iedwart in the month of October 1565. that the Queen was departed this life or at least she could not live any time wherefore there was continually prayers publikely made at the Church of Edinburgh and divers other places for her conversion towards God and amendment Many were of opinion That she should come to the Preaching and renounce Popery But all in vain for God had some other thing to doe by her The King being advertised rid Post from Sterlin to Iedburgh where he found the Queen somewhat convalesced but she would scarce speak to him and hardly give him presence or a good word wherfore he returned immediately to Sterlin where the Prince was and after to Glascow to his Father There appeared great trouble over the whole Realm and especially in the Countreys neer the borders if the Queen had departed at that time as she began to recover the Earle Bothwell was brought in a Charriot from the Hermitage to Iedburgh where he was cured of his wounds in whose presence the Queen took more pleasure then in all the rest of the world alwayes by his meanes most part of all that were out-lawed for the slaughter of David Rizio got reliefe for there was no other meanes but all things must needs passe by him wherefore every man sought to him where immediately favour was to be had as before to David Rizio Soon after the Queen passing along the borders she came within the bounds of Barwick where she viewed the Town at her pleasure a far off being within half a Mile and lesse all the Ordnance within Barwick were Discharged The Captain came forth with fourscore Horses bravely
I say thus authorized by God first did excommunicate Ieremy for that he did Preach otherwise then did the common sort of Prophets in Ierusalem And last apprehended him as you have heard pronouncing against him this sentence afore-written from the which neverthelesse the Prophet appealed that is Sought helpe and defence against the same and that most earnestly did he crave of the Princes For albeit he saith I am in your hands do with me as ye think righteous he doth not contemne or neglect his life as though he regarded not what should become of him but in those his words most vehemently did he admonish the Princes and Rulers of the people giving them to understand what God should require of them as if he should say Ye Princes of Iuda and Rulers of the people to whom appertaineth indifferently to judge betwixt party and party to justifie the just man and to condemne the malefactor you have heard a sentence of death pronounced against me by those whose lips ought not to speak deceit because they are sanctified and appointed by God himself to speak his Law and to pronounce judgement with equity but as they have left the living God and have taught the people vanity so are they become mortall enemies to all Gods true servants of whom I am one rebuking their iniquity apostasie and defection from God which is the onely cause they seek my life But a thing most contrary to all equity law and justice it is that I a man sent of God to call them his people and you again to the true service of God from the which you are all declined shall suffer the death because that my enemies do so pronounce sentence I stand in your presence whom God hath made Princes your power is above their Tyranny before you do I expose my cause I am in your hands and cannot resist to suffer what ye think just But lest that my lenity and patience should either make you negligent in the defence of me in my just cause appealing to your judgement either yet encourage my enemies in seeking my blood this one thing I dare not conceal That if you murther me which thing ye do if ye defend me not ye make not onely my enemies guilty of my blood but also your selves and this whole City By these words I say it is evident That the Prophet of God being condemned by the Priests and by the Prophets of the visible Church did seek ayd support and defence at the Princes and temporall Magistrates threatning his blood to be required at their hands if they by their Authority did not defend him from the fury of his enemies alleadging also just causes of his Appellation and why he ought to have been defended to wit That he was sent of God to rebuke their vices and defection from God That he taught no Doctrine which God before had not pronounced in his Law That he desired their conversion to God continually calling upon them to walke in the wayes which God had approved and therefore doth he boldly crave of the Princes as of Gods Lievtenants to be defended from the blinde rage and tyranny of the Priests notwithstanding that they claimed to themselves Authority to judge all matters of Religion And the same did he when he was cast in prison and thereafter was brought to the presence of King Zedechias After I say he had defended his innocency affirming That he neither had offended against the King against his servants nor against the people at last he made intercession to the King for his life saying But now my Lord the King take heed I beseech thee let my prayer fall into thy presence command me not to be carried again into the house of Jonathan the Scribe that I die not there And the Text witnesseth That the King commanded the place of his imprisonment to be changed Whereof it is evident That the Prophet did ofter then once seek help at the Civill power and that first the Princes and thereafter the King did acknowledge That it appertained to their Office to deliver him from the unjust sentence which was pronounced against him If any man think that Ieremy did not appeal because he onely declared the wrong done unto him and did but crave defence according to his innocency let the same man understand That none otherwise do I appeal from that false and cruell sentence which your Bishops pronounced against me Neither yet can there be any just cause of Appellation but innocency or suspition to be hurt whether it be by ignorance of a Judge or by malice and corruption of those who under the title of Justice do exercise Tyranny If I were a thief murtherer blasphemer open adulterer or any offender whom Gods Word commandeth to suffer for a crime committed my Appellation were vain and to be rejected But I being innocent yea the Doctrine which your Bishops have condemned in me being Gods Eternall Verity have no lesse liberty to crave your defence against that cruelty then had the Prophet Ieremy to seek ayd of the Princes and King of Iuda But this shall more plainly appear in the fact of Saint Paul who after that he was apprehended in Ierusalem did first claim the liberty of the Romane Citizens for avoyding torment when the Captain would have examined him by questions Thereafter in the Councell where no righteous judgement was to be hoped for he affirmed that he was a Pharisee and that he was accused of the Resurrection of the dead and last in the presence of Festus he appealed from all knowledge and judgement of the Priests at Ierusalem to the Emperour Of which last Point because it doth chiefly appertain to this my cause I will somewhat speak After that Paul had divers times been accused as in the Acts of the Apostles is manifest at the last the chief Priests and their faction came to Cesarea with Festus the President who presented uuto them Paul in Judgement whom they accused of horrible crimes which neverthelesse they could not prove the Apostle maintaining That he had offended neither against the Law neither against the Temple neither yet against the Emperour But Festus willing to gratifie the Iews said to Paul Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem and there be judged of these things in my presence But Paul said I stand at the Iustice Seat of the Emperour where it behoveth me to be judged I have done no wrong to the Iews as thou better knowest If I have done any thing unjustly or yet committed crime worthy of death I refuse not to die But if there be nothing of these things true whereof they accuse me no man may give me to them I appeal to Caesar. It may appear at the first sight That Paul did great injury to Festus the Judge and to the whole Order of the Priesthood who did hope greater equity in a cruell tyrant then in all that Session and learned company which thing no
of the flesh or the pride of life Now seeing that these are not of the Father but of the world how can it be that our souls can feed upon chastitie temperance and humility so long as that our stomacks are replenished with the corruption of these vices Now so it is that willingly flesh can never refuse these forenamed but rather still delighteth it self in every one of them yea in them all as the examples are but too evident It behoveth therefore that God himself shall violently pull his children from these venemous breasts that when they lack the liquor and poyson of the one they may visite him and learn to be nourished of him Oh if the eyes of worldly Princes should be opened that they might see with what humour and liquor their souls are fed while that their whole delight consisteth in pride ambition and lusts of the stinking flesh We understand then how God doth visite men as well by his severe judgements as by his mercifull visitation of deliverance from trouble or by bringing trouble upon his chosen for their humiliation And now it resteth to understand how man visiteth God Man doth visite God when he appeareth in his presence be it to the hearing of his Word or to the participation of his Sacraments as the people of Israel besides the observation of their Sabbaths and daily oblations were commanded thrice a yeer to present themselves before the presence of the Tabernacle and as we do and as often as we present our selves to the hearing of the Word for there is the footstool yea there is the face and throne of God himself wheresoever the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truely Preached and his Sacraments rightly ministred But men may on this sort visite God hypocritically for they may come for the fashion they may hear with deaf ears yea they may understand and yet never determine with themselves to obey that which God requireth And let such men be assured That he who searcheth the secrets of hearts will be avenged of all such For nothing can be to God more odious then to mock him in his own presence Let every man therefore examine himself with what minde and what purpose he cometh to hear the Word of God yea with what ear he heareth it and what testimony his heart giveth unto him when that God commandeth vertue and forbiddeth impiety Repinest thou when God requireth obedience Thou hearest to thine own condemnation Mockest thou at Gods threatnings Thou shalt feel the weight and truth of them albeit too late when flesh and blood cannot deliver thee from his hand But the visitation whereof our Prophet speaketh is onely proper to the sons of God who in the time when God taketh from them the pleasures of the world or sheweth his angry countenance unto them have their recourse unto him and confessing their former negligence with troubled hearts cry for his mercy This visitation is not proper to all afflicted but appertaineth onely to Gods children For the reprobates can never have accesse to Gods mercy in time of their tribulation and that because they abuse as well his long patience as the manifold benefits they receive from his hands For as the same Prophet heretofore saith Let the wicked obtain mercy yet shall he never learn wisdome but in the land of righteousnesse that is Where the very knowledge of God aboundeth he will do wickedly which is a crime above all others abominable for to what end is it that God erecteth his Throne among us but that we should fear him Why doth he reaveal his holy will unto us but that we should obey it Why doth he deliver us from trouble but that we should be witnesses unto the world that he is gracious and mercifull Now when that men hearing their duty and knowing what God requireth of them do malapertly fight against all equity and justice what I pray you do they else but make manifest warre against God yea when they have received from God such deliverance that they cannot deny but that God himself hath in his great mercy visited them and yet that they continue wicked as before what deserve they but effectually to bee given over unto a reprobate sense that headlong they may runne to ruine both of body and soul It is almost incredible that a man should be so enraged against God that neither his plagues nor yet his mercy shewed should move them to repentance but because the Scriptures beareth witnesse of the one and the other let us cease to marvell and let us firmly beleeve that such things as have beene are even presently before our eyes albeit many blinded by affection cannot see them Ahab as in the book of the Kings it is written received many notable benefits of the hand of God who did visit him in divers sorts sometimes by his plagues sometimes by his word and sometimes by his mercifull deliverance He made him king and for the Idolatry used by him and his wife he plagued whole Israel by Famine He revealed to him his Will and true Religion by the Prophet Elijah he gave unto him sundry deliverances but one most speciall when proud Benhadad came to besiege Samaria and was not content to receive Ahabs gold silver sons daughters and wives but also required that his servants should have at their pleasure whatsoever was delectable in Samaria True it is that his Elders and people willed him not to hear the proud Tyrant But who made unto him the promise of deliverance and who appointed and put his Army in order who assured him of victory The Prophet of God onely who assured him That by the servants of the Princes of the Provinces who in number were onely two hundred thirty and two hee should deface that great Army in the which there were two and thirty Kings with all their Forces and as the Prophet of God promised so it came to passe victory was obtained not once onely but twice and that by the mercifull visitation of the Lord. But how did Ahab visite God again for his great benefit received Did he remove his Idolatry did he correct his Idolatrous wife Iezabel No we finde no such thing but the one and the other wee finde to have continued and increased in former impiety But what was the end hereof The last visitation of God was That dogs licked the blood of the one and did eate the flesh of the other In few words then wee understand what difference there is betwixt the visitation of God upon the Reprobate and his visitation upon his Chosen the Reprobate are visited but never truly humbled nor yet amended the Chosen being visited they sob and they cry unto God for mercy which obtained they magnifie Gods Name and after declare the fruits of repentance Let us therefore that hear these judgements of our God call for the assistance of his holy Spirit that howsoever it pleaseth him to visit us that we may stoop under his mercifull hands and