nor protection That the King hath not taken up wisdom of Government upon credit but carrieth still the Iethro of order in his own bosom disposing the mean causes to the Rulers over hundreds and fifties reserving the greatest to the greatness of himself And freely professes though he doth not participate with the follies of the Fly upon the wheel of fortune yet is he so far ambitious of his Masters favour as to be not so much his creature by the undeserved Honours he holds from his Majesties grace and power as in desire to be the shadow of his minde towards whose royal Person he glories more to be honest and humble than to command in any other Calling And to say that men resolved to die are Masters over others lives such power hath the least Spider by permission and if so that the days of his life were in their hands to take from him some moneths of joys so more years of sorrow but he believes not that the Mountains shake when the Moles do cast nor thinks he to purchace a span of time as for the fear of any mortal power Aut Deo aut Patriae aut Patri Patriae deesse Magistrates who converse with variety of spirits must undergo Tempests And their Glasses being done that glory which makes worthy men live for ever their Heirs shall inherit after them And therefore Suadeat loquent is vita non oratio Besides Romes powers are discovered her Towers taken and it is suspected that she will play so long with the temporal powers of Kings as their work will break down her walls so therefore it ill becomes their servants to slacken for fear of malice the Evening and the Night shall come upon them naturally one after another their faith shall ascend before them and their good fame shall follow after Et hic âaculum fixit This next Session of this Parliament the Union was revived by motion of the Kings Solicitor Sir Francis Bacon to have the Scots naturalized by Act of Parliament after many subtil Arguments on both sides pro con and to allay the heat the King convenes both Houses before him at White-hall where with an excellent method he recounts all their former controversed Arguments and concludes with Reasons undeniable for unanimous consent to admit of the Union But to avoid their tedious Disputes I shall onely abbreviate the Kings Speech in answer to all He distinguishes his desires the Union which he seeks is of Laws and Persons such a Naturalizing as may compound one Body of both Nations Unus Rex unus Grex una Lex He unravels their intricate Arguments and sweetens them with his intentions 1. That all hostile Laws should cease because the King of England cannot war with the King of Scotland That community of Commerce is necessary He being no stranger but descended of their ancient Kings It were improper for him to be their natural Sovereign and the Nations strangers to one another and being both under the same Alleageance ought to have more freedom and better respect than Frenchmen and Spaniards 2. They all agree that they are no Aliens then must they be allowed to be natural That there was a difference the Ante and Post-nati of either Kingdom and therefore his Proclamations gave notice that the Post-nati were naturalized by his accession but he confessed that Iudges may err in that opinion who told him so so may Lawyers on their side but bids them beware of abusing either lest they endeavour to disgrace King and Laws who have power when Parliaments are not to try them for Lands and Lives 3. That there were some flatterers and would prefer the Ante-nati upon a jearing pretence to have their merit preferred in his service Mel in ore fel in corde But they shall know his Prerogative can prefer at his own pleasure to any Dignity though he is willing to restrain himself for respects to the English He urged it as a special mark of Prerogative to endow Aliens with freedom and where the Law is not therein clear Rex est Iudex he being Lex loquens supplying the Law where it wants thus he speaks as skilfull in the dues of Sovereignty intends not the pressure upon their love but with conveniency to both Kingdoms The inconveniences as from Scotland are pretended to be 1. An evil affection in them to the Union 2. The Union to be incompatible 3. The gain small or none Why then is there talk of Union They allege Reasons of the first from the body of their Act To remain a free Monarchy and not alter Fundamental Laws and yet it was urged heretofore The Scots greedy of this Union to attain to the substance and end These are contradictions but for their free Monarchy he hopes they mean not that he should set Garisons over them as the Spaniards do over Sicily and Naples He need not do so who governs them by his Pen and his Council-commands and his Chancellour there can govern their Tongues too not to speak as ye do what and as long as ye list without contradiction 1. He tells them the Laws of Scotland those of Tenures Wards Liveries Signiories and Lands are in effect drawn out of the Chancery of England brought by Iames the first who lived here and differ onely in terms 2. The second are Statute-laws to which he wishes they would be no strangers 3. The Civil Law brought out of France by Iames the fifth to supply the defects of the Municipal Laws In these respects the Laws alike why not the People First it is an Objection of yours that the King in Scotland hath not a Negative Voice in Parliament he tells them that the Form of Parliaments there inclines nothing to popularity their manner is by Proclamation to bring in their Bills to the Master of the Rolls by a prefixt day then to the King to be allowed by him and then given to the Chancellour to be propounded and no other If any man offers otherwise the Chancellour corrects him and being past the King confirms them rasing out what he doth not approve and if this be a Negative Voice he hath one Secondly that which seems so incompatible is the Union of the French and Scots He assures them it was a League onely between the Kings not the People the occasion was that England and France at one time solicited a League offensive and defensive against each others Enemies The reasons went for England being our Neighbours of one Continent strong and Powerfull Nation and so more security the Amity with England than France far off beyond Seas and hazarded to Accidents of relief Then they who argued for France alleaged that England ever sought to conquer Scotland and therefore never can be Friends The remoteness of France claimes no Interest and therefore more Constant and Faithfull and so it was concluded on their part But then it was concluded meerly Personall from King to King and to be renewed by their Ambassies
abused in the Execution and he not informed but by them He advises them not to meddle with the main points of Governments his craft Tractent fabrilia fabri He being an old King six and thirty years in Scotland and seven years in England and therefore there needs not too many Phormio's to teach Hannibal he will not be taught his Office nor are they to meddle with his ancient Rights received from his Predecessors More majorum All Novelties are dangerous Lastly not to call that Grievance which is establisht by a settled Law and to which to press the King is misduty in the Subject knowing before hand he will refuse them If not convenient amend it by Parliament but term it not a Grievance To be grieved at the Law is to be grieved with the King the Patron of the Law and he allows them to distinguish between a fault of the Person and the Things For Example The High Commission is complained of Try the abuse and spare not but do not destroy the Court of Commission that were to abridg the Kings power And plainly he resolves seeing that Court is of so high a nature to restrain it onely to the two Arch-Bishops heretofore common to more Nor shall any man be to him more Puritan to complain as well out as in Parliament of defects therein onely grieve ye not at the Commission it self He desires them that their Grievances savour not of particular mens thoughts but rather rising out of the peoples mindes not of the humour of the Propounder that mans passion will easily discover him Petitions also though they be general are so to be distinguished The third general Cause concerns himself which he always leaves hindmost and had left it to his Treasurer being distrustfull naturally less eloquent in his own concernment That this Officer had already accounted to them of the Kings Havings and his Expendings which he hopes they acknowledg as a favour to be particularly acquainted with his State His Predecessor seldom afforded the like Duty he clames of them one of the branches being to supply their Sovereign but the quantity and time proceeds from their loves and therefore disputes not a Kings power but what with their good wills and wishes them as he to avoid extremes for if they fail in the one Supply or in the manner of Levy both he and the Countrey shall have cause to blame them And as the secular Nobility are hereditary Lords of Parliament and the Bishops live neuter Barons of the same and give but their own but the lower House being the Representative of the Commons give for themselves and others and so may be the more liberal yet if too much they abuse the King and hurt the People which he will never accept their true love being the greatest security to any wise or just Prince So they need not the fear of that Item by one of their Members In giving too much to endanger your Throats-cutting when ye came home He loves freedom of Gift with discretion He never laboured for their Voices to that end detesting to hunt for Emendicata suffragia But then as not to give him a Purse with a Knife So not to excuse and cloak their particular humours by alleging the Poverty of the People To such persons though he will not be less just yet not in reason to gratifie them when it may come in their way to want him He heard that it was propounded whether the Kings wants ought to be relieved or not Certainly though it may seem his particular yet being Parens Patriae and tells them his wants nay Patria ipsa by him speaks to them for if the King wants the State wants and therefore the strengthning of the King is the standing of the State and wo be to him that divides the weal of the one from the other And as a rich King is but miserable over a poor People so a potent People cannot subsist if their Kings means maintains not his State being the sinews of War and Peace and it grieves him to crave of others that was born to be begged of And if he desires more of them than ever any King did so hath he juster reason than any King had And in particular the accession of more Crowns in him so the more honour to Subjects and the more charge His fruitfull Issue which God gives him for their use of great expence and yet Queen Elizabeth notwithstanding her Orbity had more given her than ever any of her Predecessors The Creation of his Son draws near for whom he says no more the sight of himself speaks to you That he hath spent much but yet not to be spared the late Queens Funeral the solemnity of his and his Wives entry in this Kingdom the Triumph through the City and his Coronation Visus of Princes in person and the Ambassadors of most Potentates of Christendom could he in honor of the Kingdom do less than bid them welcome But if they will imbound his Supplies to the case onely of War so upon the point notwithstanding his intern Peace he is to send supply of Forces to Cleves both in respect of State and cause of Religion his Pensions the late Queens old Commanders of Berwick besides his pretty Seminary of Souldiers in the Forts of this Kingdom and also the cautionary Towns of Flushing and Brill beyond Seas his uncertain charges in Ireland the last years Rebellion brake forth there of extraordinary charge and a constant Army which he dares not diminish till this Plantation take effect the great Mote no doubt in the Rebells eys His expence in Liberality objected hath been given amongst them and so what comes from them returns amongst them 'T is true had I not been liberal to my old Servants Scotish-men you might suspect me ingrate to you my new subjects and yet assures them his bounty hath been twice more to English So then to his shame be it of your house that said Your Silver and Gold abounded at Edenburgh but I wish him no worse than to be bound to live only upon the interest thereof and but few of you that I look in the face but have been Suitors for Honour and Profit That vastness is past Christmass and open-tide is ended with him He had made Knights by hundreds and Barons by scores he does not so now will do so no more They need not now to reminde him the sight of his children as a Natural Man bids him be wary of expence As for himself he challenges any one far meaner to be less inclinable to prodigal humours of unnecessary things What he hath said may move each member to spare him so much as they would spend on a supper cast away at Dice in a Night or bestow on a horse for fancy that may break a Leg or Arm next morning Conclusion freeness in giving graceth the gift Bis dat qui citò dat his debts increase till
Grange and his Brother Kirkaldy executed by the Hangman Metallan had poisoned himself some daies before to avoid the Regents severity which he deserved He was a man adorned with all natural parts wise and prudent indefatigably busie but Fortune the Mistress of humane Counsels delighted to make him like her self inconstant Hume Petarrow and Melvin kept in prison and so was the renowned Countess of Arguile who was the Daughter of an Harlot Liddington was found there also and sent away Prisoner to Lieth who because he had been a notable Actor all his life and being a pen-man not by Law of Arms to dy by the Sword we may guess how he came to his end by poison the fate of cunning politiques who if they scape the Ax or Halter are too wife to be leât long-lived for worser effects This Success set Morton aflote which he husbands so ill as made him though he governed all submit to base lusts Pride and Covetousness to supply which he abused his Trust to the prejudice of the People in each particular His exactions were ingeniously observed by ãâã Fool Bovy that often rubb'd his Masters Shins with his Giers some importunate Beggars craved alms of the Regent the Fool bid him hang them and why so cruel said he Because of your custom and cunning to make an hundred rich men beggars when you please He coined for the King some pieces of Gold with the Kings picture and circumscribed In utramque paratus And contraversed the Royal Arms of Scotland with this inscription Parcere subjectis debellare superbos The silver pieces bore two swords with Trajans Motto Pro me si merior si non in me He was the first Coiner of the Copper in that Kingdom called Hard-heads and after abased them from 3 half pence to a penny as also the black piece and abased them also which never till then were corrupted And by their neighbour the Netherlands coined also and exchanged for good Sterling which in after times made the Dutch cunning in that trade of cosening all Kingdoms and thus having reduced the Kings Coffers to a small purse he sets upon the Clergy In the former Story of the Kirk in Queen Maries time all the Revenues being then in the Papists she settled a part of the third with which she was to relieve the Ministers as a Donative and indeed the disorderly Collection before mentioned was then complained of by those parties and therefore now by remonstrance Morton siding with them orders a Supplement to inculpable or well-affected Ministers annually and so takes into the Kings Treasury all the Thirds to which the Kirk subscribe irrevocable and thereby he commits the cure of 3. or 4. Parishes to one and so out of the Relique of the third there must needs arise much gain The Church therefore in time open their own eyes to see this fraud and complain to the Council but receiving delayes their implacable hatred to Morton increaseth with their suffering and in this nick of time Knox being dead returns Andrew Melvin a Man of the Kirks own making for being drencht in the Genevian discipline he reforms this Church according to a hairs breadth and subjects them all to his vehement spleen against the very Office of Episcopacy and thus broached it drowned withall both Laicks and Church-men out of the easie apprehension of both their advantages and the Dispute was preached by their State-meddling Sermons which begat undominable Presbyterian licentious Tumults ever after The Arch-Bishops of Saint Andrews and Glasgow oppose Melvins Discipline in most acurate Sermons and Declarations The difference grew high and dangerous unless to the Regent whose aim was to fish in troubled Waters not caring for the future gave fuel to the Zelots flame which neither command nor Counsel could ever after extinguish I may not omit to Memory the horrid Massacre throughout all France upon the persons of the reformed Religion called by the Adversaries Hugonites from one Hugo as they would have them the History is so horrid and the more uncertain in particulars because the Papists strain their pens to piece it with some Excuses But the truth was written then by One Ernest Varamund of Freezland in the time of Charls the ninth King of France 1573. In Anno 1561. an Assembly of the Estates in the Kings house at Saint Germans in Lay neer Paris in France in the time of Charls the ninth concluded terms of Pacification in Religion among other Articles It should not be prejudicial to any Man to profess the Reformed Religion in the Suburâs of Towns only Francis Duke of Guise a Stranger of the House of Lorain was not present and within few daies after in Champanie slew men women and children in Vassey 200. persons Among those of the Religion was Lewis of Bourbon of the blood Prince of Conde Gaspar de Caligni Admiral of France and Francis Andelot his Brother Captain of the Fantarie and others Noblemen and Gentlemen Katherine de Medices Pope Clements Brothers Daughter and Mother of King Charls born in Florence a City of Italy had the Government of the Realm in the Kings Minority for though by the Law of France neither Inheritance nor Government are admitted to Women yet by negligence of Anthony King of Navar She had the power The Prince of Conde in fear of the Guises garrisoned some Towns stood upon his Guard and so began their Civil Wars there and published his Reasons For Defence of the Kings Edict for Religion Several Battails and losses on both sides and the Duke slain peace was made and liberty of Religion in certain places which continued for five years The Queen to strengthen her Party cunningly brought in six thousand Switzers and pretended them for defence quiet and peace to all yet suddenly garrisoned such Towns as the Religion had willingly surrendred saving onely Rochel who stood upon their former Conditions two hundred years past Not to be forced to any Garrisons Upon some rumours and fears the Prince of Conde and the now Admiral âly thither the cause of the third Civil War The young King by perswasion of Charls Cardinal of Lorain the late Duke of Guises Brother published Edicts That no man profess other than the Romish Religion But both parties wearied out with this last Miserable Distraction the King politiquely pretends to drown all Discontents by a Reconciliation and to join both forces against their Common Enemy the Spaniard who in truth had barbarously murthered the French Plantation in Florida in the West Indies and Marquisdome of Finall And to this Contract ingaged the Prince of Orange in the low Countreys by means of his Brother Lodowick now in the Admirals Camp at the very time when the Emperour had offered to reconcile Orange to the Spaniard And by these pretences this third War was ended with Toleration of Religion as before with unanimous Congratulation by Embassyes from the three Electors of Germany Princes reformed and sworn to
Moses the Prophet and Servant of God had in all that belonged even to the outward and least parts of the Tabernacle Ark and Sanctuary witnesseth well the inward and most humble zeal born towards God himself The industry used in the framing thereof in every and the least part thereof the curious workmanship thereon bestowed the exceeding charge and expence thereof in provisions the dutifull observance in laying up and preserving the holy Vessels the solemn removing thereof the vigilant attendance thereon and the provident defence of the same which all Ages have in some degree imitated is now so forgotten and cast away by this super-fine Age by those of the Family by Anabaptists Brownists and other Sectaries as all cost and care bestowed and had of the Church wherein God is to be served and worshipped is accounted a kinde of Popery and as proceeding from an idolatrous disposition insomuch that time would soon bring to pass if it were not ââsisted that God would be turn'd out of Churches into Barns and from thence again into Fields and Mountains and under Hedges and the Officers of the Ministery robbed of all dignity and respect be as contemptible as those places all Order Discipline and Church-government left to newness of opinion and mens fancies yea and soon after as many kindes of Religions would spring up in Parish Churches within England every contentious and ignorant person pleasing his fancy with the Spirit of God and his imagination with the gift of Revelation insomuch as when the truth which is but one shall appear to the simple multitude no less variable than contrary to it self the faith of man will soon after die away by degrees and all Religion be held in scorn and contempt Which Distraction gave a great Prince of Germany cause of this Answer to them that perswaded him to become Lutheran Si me adjungo vobis tunc condemnor ab alis si me aliis adjungo a vobis condemnor Quid fugiam video sed quid sequar non habeo The time was come the first Anniversary Celebration in England with religious Rites and sacred Ceremonies of the unfortunately fortunate Nones of August noted in Red Letters in the Calendar to represent the bloud of many thousand Martyrs spilt of that day by Dioclesian in Rome but now to be distinguished with golden Letters in ours in memory of two renowned Kings in these Kingdoms the one receiving life the other escaped death on this day the Nativity of King Oswald who united the Crowns of England and Scotland which were severed afterwards for many Ages and who in the end died a Christian Martyr and sealed it with his bloud the other King Iames miraculously preserved from Gowry's Conspiracy Anno 1600. and who now again unites these Crowns and therefore we may change the old spell of the Martyrs Quintum fuge into Quintum cole if not for the Genesis of that one into life yet for this others Exodus out of the Chamber of death And as this King never failed of the day Tuesday weekly to hear a Sermon so neither of the Annual time unto his death kept holy by him and all his good Subjects and the truth of the Conspiracy sufficiently recorded heretofore and shall be hereafter confirmed Anno 1608. Though our Historian died it seems of a contrary faith in that himself being evenly conform to Gowry's loyalty Affectiones facile faciunt opiniones for he passes it over with this Odiism That Gowry assaulted him or he Gowry About this time a Commotion was stirred up by some Commoners against ingrossing their Ground when the King chanced to be invited in his hunting Journey to dine with Sir Thomas I. of Barkshire and turning short at the corner of a Common happened near to a Countrey-man sitting by the heels in the Stocks who cried Hosanna to his Majesty which invited him to ask the reason of his Restraint Sir Thomas said It was for stealing a Goose from the Common The Fellow replied I beseech your Majesty be Judge Who is the greater Thief I for stealing Geese from the Common or his Worship for robbing the Common from the Geese By my Sale Sir said the King to Sir Thomas I se not dine to day on your Dishes till you restore the Common for the poor to feed their Flocks Which was forthwith granted to them and the witty Fellow set free and care soon taken to quiet Commotions The Plague ceasing which hitherto bounded all mens expectations and persons at a distance the people now flock up to London to take view how the King would settle Laws and Constitutions afresh for the people A Parliament was expected the peoples Idol in those days which the King considered according to the power and interest of Lords and Commons therein and which thus grew up into a Body After the period of the Saxons time in England Herald one of the great men got power and put himself absolute the rest of the Satrapas call in Wiââiam Duke of Normandy an active and fortunate Prince against the French King the Duke leads over hither many the younger Sons of the best Families of Normany Picardy and Flanders and getting this Kingdom by the Sword he shared out his Purchace retaining to himself a Portion in each County and called Demenia Regnt ancient Demeans Crown-lands He assigns to others his Adventurers suitable portions to their qualities retains to himself dependency of their personal Services and were stiled Barones Regis Free-holders As the King to these so they to their followers subdivided part of their shares into Knights fees and their Tenants were called Barones Comitis The Kings gifts extended to whole Counties or Hundreds at the least the Earl being Lord of the one and a Baron of the inferiour Donations to Lords of Townships or Mannors As the Land was thus divided so was Iudicature each severally from the King to the meanest Lords had their Court-Barons yet perhaps Reddebant Iura by twelve of the Iury called Free-holders Court who with the Thame or chief Lords were Iudges The Hundred was next whence Hundredus or Aldermanus Lord of the Hundred wherewith the chief Lord of each Township judged within their Limits The County or Generale placitum was next Ubi Curiae Dominorumâprobantur defecisse pertinet ad Vice-comitem Provinciarum The last was Generale placitum apud London universalis Synodus the Parliament of England consisting of King and Barons onely who ruled affairs of State controuling all Inferiours So were there certain Officers of transcendent power for executing not bounding the Kings will those were Steward Constable Marshal heretofore fixed in Fee to Families they as Tribunes grew too bold and their power was lessened after the death of that daring Eaâl of Leicester slain at Evesham Henry 3. by hard experience of his Father lessened their power by examining their usurpations over Regality being become Tot homines tot Tyranni Then began the favour of
Bishop or Knight to cry up and down their Subjects as their coin And as their Soul and Body to God so to the King affections of the Soul and service of the Body And he justified the Bishops late Sermon of the Kings power in Abstracto to be true Divinity But then as to the general so to exhort them how to help such a good King as now they have putting a difference between Power in Divinity and the setled state of this Kingdom For the second fathers of families had Patriam potestatem vitae et Necis for Kings had their original as heirs from them planted in Colonies through the world And all laws allow Parents to dispose of children at pleasure For the last The head judgeth of the Members to cure or cut off But yet these powers are ordained ad correctionem non ad destructionem and as God destroys not but preserves nature so a father to his Children a Head to his Members But then he distinguished the state of Kings in Original and of setled Monarchs For as God in the old Testament spake by Oracles and wrought by Miracles yet after the Church was setled in Christ and a cessation of both he governed by his revealed Will his Words So Kings beginning by Conquest or Election their Wills Lawes and being setled in a civill policie set down their mindes by Statutes and at the desire of the people the King grants them and so he becomes Lex Loquens binding himself by a double Oath Tacitly as King and expresly by his Oath at Coronation a Paction with his People as God with Noah If otherwise he governs them a King turns Tyrant Either govern by Law says the widow to Alexander Aât ne Rex sis There needs no Rebellion against evil Kings for God never leaves them unpunished And concludes That to dispute what God may do is Blasphemy but Quid vult Deus is Divinity so of Kings Sedition in Subjects to dispute a Posse ad Esse He professes Reason for his Actions and Rule for his Laws He dislikes not the Common Law favourable to Kings and extendeth his Prerogative To despise it were to neglect his own Crown The Civil serves more for general learning and most necessary for commerce with Nations as Lex Gentium but though not fit for the general Government of this People yet not to be therefore extinct not to prefer Civil before Common Law but bounded to such Courts and Causes as have been in ancient use as the Courts Ecclesiastical Admiralty of Request reserving Common Law as fundamental Prerogative or Privilege King and Subject or themselves Meum Tunm No Kingdom in the World governed meerly by Civil Law their Municipal Laws always agree with their Customes God governed his People by Laws Ceremonial Moral Iudicial Iudicial onely for a certain people and a certain time Example If Hanging for Theft were turned to treble restitution as in Moses Law What will become of the middle Shires the Irishry and Highlanders If fundamentally be altered Who can discern Meum tuum It would be like the Gregorian Calendar which destroys the old and yet this new troubles all the Debts and Accounts of Traââick and Merchandise Nay the King avows by it he knows not his own age for now his birth-day removes ten days nearer him than it was before that change And yet he desires three things to be cleared in the Common Law and by advice of Parliament 1. That it were in English for since it is our Plea against Papists for their language in Gods service an unknown Tongue Moses Law being written in the Fringes of the Priests garments so our Laws that excuse of ignorance may not be for conforming themselves thereunto 2. Our Common Law is unsettled in the text grounded upon Custom or Reports and Cases called Responsa Prudentum Indeed so are all other Laws save in Denmark and Norway where the Letter resolves the circumstances making variations that therefore so many Doctors Comments so many different Opinions the Iudges themselves disclame and recede from the judgment of their Predecessors the Parliament might set down Acts of Confirmation for all times to come and so not to depend on uncertain opinions of Iudges and Reports nay there are contrary Reports and Presidents The same corruption in the Acts of Parliaments which he called Cuffing Statutes and penned in divers senses and some penal which no man can avoid disagreeing from this our time yet no tyrannous or avaritious King would endure 3. For Prohibitions he hath been thought to be an Enemy to them he wishes that each Court might have limits of Iurisdiction certain and then if encroached upon Prohibitions to issue out of the Kings Bench or Chancery and so to keep every River within his proper banks The abuse and over-flowing of Prohibitions brings in most Moulture to their own Mill. The King had taken it in task in two or three several Meetings before and after a large Hearing he told them Ab initio non fuit sic And therefore ordered each Court to contain themselves within their own bounds That the Common Law be sparing of their Prohibitions also and to grant them 1. In a lawfull form but in open Court onely 2. Upon just and mature information of the Cause for as good have no Sentence as not Execution He instanced in a poor Ministers Case thereby enforced to forbear his flock becomes non-resident obtains a Sentence and expecting the fruit is defrauded by Prohibition like CHRIST'S Parable That night shall his soul be taken from him Tortured like Tantalus gaping for the Apple it is pulled away by Prohibition And concludes with the difference of true use and abounding in abuse to be considered The second general Ground Grievances are presented in Parliament as the Representative of the People the highest Court of Iustice but concerns the lower House properly The manner opportune in Parliament or inopportune as private men but then not to be greedily sought for nor taken up in the streets thereby to shew that ye would have a shew made of more abuses than in truth of cause not to multiply them as a noise amongst the People So that at the very beginning of this Session each one multiplied and mustered them as his Spleen pleased He therefore thanks them for that these finding many such Papers stuft up in a Sack rather like Pasquils than Complaints proceeding more from murmuring spirits they made a publick Bone-fire of them all a good effect of an ill cause So to take care to prevent the like lest the lower House become the place for Pasquils and may have such Papers cast in as may contain Treason or Scandal to the King and his Posterity the ancient order was to be openly and avowably presented to the Speaker first He confesses that they are just and faithfull to their Trust to be informed of Grievances and acknowledges that his publick Directions and Commissions may be
This Redemption I crave not as to my own person but with your benesits once given nor do I assume them very deep for I have voluntarily departed from the hopes of my Pension Place Office I onely cleave to that which is so little as that it will suffer no paring or diminution And as in my former Letters so by this I humbly crave of your Majesty not to let the practices of Court work upon your Son the Prince not fearing the sufferance of my loss in that particular so much for I cannot lose it but willingly all with it as for to take off the stage that which in the attempt may prove inconvenient And consider I pray your Majesty that my hope in desiring to pass these bad times was to be restored to my fortunes others are made unhappy by me if otherwise and then I lose my end I speak of impairing of changing or supplying as of any other way all such alterations and ruine are alike without I be worthy of your gift and that I can be worthy of all that Law can permit you to give or cast upon your Majesty by a more nearer Title as it doth by this I shall account them equal evils that leave nothing or a patched and proportioned one changed or translated from one thing to another But if your Majesty have any respects to move you to suspend your good towards me let that which is mine rest in your own hands till that you finde all opposite humours conformed to your purpose I have done wrong to my self thus to entertain such a doubt of your Majesty but the unrelenting of adversaries which when you will have them will sooner alter and that all this while I have received nothing of present notice for direction or to comfort me from your Majesty hath made me to expostulate with my self thus hardly for God is my Iudg Sir I can never be worthy to be if I have these marks put upon me of a Traitor as that tumbling and disordering of that estate would declare the divorce from your presence laies too much upon me and this would upon both I will say no further neither in that which your Majesty doubted my aptness to fall into for my cause nor my confidence is not in that distress as for to use that mean of intercession nor of any thing besides but to remember your Majesty that I am the workmanship of your hands and bear your stamp deeply imprinted in all the characters of favour that I was the first Plant ingrafted by your Majesties hand in this place therefore not to be unrootod by the same hand lest it should taint all the same kinde with the touch of that fatalness and that I was even the Son of a Father whose Services are registred in the first Honours and impressions I took of your Majesties favour and laid there as a Foundation-stone of that building These and your Majesties goodness for to receive them is that I rely upon praying for your Majesties prosperity I am in all humbleness Your Majesties loyal Servant and Creature R. Somerset I should not trouble you with the Marriage of the Lady Arabella Stuart and Sir William St Maure or Seymer both of kin to the Crown she by the Earl of Lenox in Scotland as I have before said 1577. and he Grandchilde to the third Son and the Heir of the Earl of Hartford created by Henry 8. whose Sister he married 1537. and by Edward 6. made Duke of Somerset and his Protector who stiled himself Edward by the grace of God Duke of Somerset Earl of Hartford Viscount Beauchamp Lord Seymer Uncle to the Kings Highness of England Governour of the Kings Person Protector of all his Realms Dominions and Subjects Lieutenant General of his Majesties Armies both by Sea and Land Lord high Treasurer and Earl Marshal of England Governour of the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and Knight of the most honourable Order of the Garter and bears Gules two Wings conjoyned in Fess Or. Yet all these Honours rather helped him forwards to hop headless for Felony His third Son Edward was restored to the Earldom I Eliz. and this William his Heir And thus near the Crown in all Sovereignties are needfull to be narrowly lookt into for Marriage Queen Elizabeth did so at a farther distance of danger and her Father made it Treason in his time I say I should forbear more mention but that our Detractor begins at her Death in the Tower where she was imprisoned though her Husband escaped and says That it set mens tongues and fears a work that she went the same way having almost in his last words before told the story of Overbury impoysoned in the Tower by which he now enforces belief That her Death was so done for the Kings interest when in truth she died a year before in September 1615. There happened occasion at Common Pleas to dispute the Kings power in Commendams The Church being void and in his gift whether he might give a Commendam to a Bishop either before or after his Consecration during life or for years It was argued by Serjeant Chibborn against the King That the translation of Bishops was against the Common Law his Text was the Canons of the Council of Sardis That the King had no power to grant Commendams but necessitate That there would be no necessity because no need of augmentation of Livings No man being bound to be more hospitable than his means afforded And much more argument tending to overthrow the Kings Prerogative in cases of Commendams This case was to be farther argued in the Kings absence by all the Judges which he thought to protract untill they consulted with him and so commanded his Attourney General to signifie by Letters his pleasure to all the Judges The Judges notwithstanding at the day argue the Case and return answer by Letter to the King That they held those Letters to be contrary to Law and such as they could not obey by Oath and therefore had proceeded at the day appointed setting down the Case to be upon construction of two Acts of Parliament 25 Edward 3. and of 25 Henry 8. and now between Subjects for private interest and Inheritance That their Oath is That in case any Letter come to them contrary to Law they are not to obey them but to proceed to Iustice. And so they did the last Term 27. April 1616. The Judges subsign Cook Hobert Tansield Warburton Snâg Altham Bromley Crook Winch Dodderidg Nicols and Houghton The King returns them answer by Letter Reporting himself to their own knowledg his princely care for justice to be duly administred to his Subjects with all expedition and how far he was from crossing or delaying the interests of private persons But on the other side where the case concerned the high Powers and Prerogatives of his Crown he would not indure to have them wounded through the sides of a private person admonishing them of an
so honest and worthily deserving a Servant and so praiing God to bless this mie cure I bid you heartilie farewell Febr. 9. 1616. New-market James Rex Hereupon there was some appearance of his amendment which the Prince congratulates under his own hand My Lord Chancelour As I was verie sorrie having understood of your dangerous sickness so I do much rejoice of the good appearance of your recovery which Thomas Murrey hath declared unto me and of the affection and caee you have of my person and of mie Estate for which you and yours shall ever find me most willing to give testimonie to the World how much I respect those who are truly affected towards me I hope bie Gods grace to give you particular bie mie self and that God shall give you health and strength of bodie and mind that the King Queen and I with this whole Kingdom may long enjoie the fruit of your long wise and religious experience which wishing from my heart I end New-market Febr. 18. 1616. Yours Charles Pr. These being the last Letters and thus assured of the acknowledgement of his Masters favour toward his merit he takes leave of this Life the fifteenth of March following 14. of Iac. 1616. The Common-pleas or Comunia Placita is the Kings Court or Bancus Communis Anno 2. Edw. 3. cap. II. so called Quia Communia Placita inter subditos or controversies between common persons it was now held in Westminster Hall But in antient times moveable as appears by Magna Charta cap. II. And that upon grant of that Charter the Court of common-pleas was erected and settled and one place certain viz. at Westminster wheresoever the King lay and that after that time all the Writs ran Quod sit coram Iusticiariis meis apud Westmonast Whereas before the party was commanded by them to appear Coram me vel Iustitiaris meis simply without addition of place see Glanvile and Bracton the one writing in Henrie the seconds time before this Court was erected the other in Henrie the thirds time who erected this Court. All Civil causes real and personal are or were in former times in this Court according to the strickt Law of this Realm And by Fortescue cap. 50. it seemeth to have been the only Court for real causes The chief Judge thereof is called Lord Chief Iustice of the Common-pleas accompanied with three or four Assistants or Associates who are created by Letters pattents from the King and are installed as it were upon the Bench by the Lord Chancelour and Lord Chief Iustice of that Court. See Fortescue ca. 51. who sets down all the Circumstances of their admission The rest of the Officers are these the Custos Brevium three Proto-Notaries or principal Notaries called also Pregnotaries Chirographer Filazers in number fourteen Exigenters four Clerk of the Warrants Clerk of the Iuries or Iurata Writs Clerk of the Treasury Clerk of the Kings Silver Clerk of the Essoines Clerk of the Out-laws The Common Law is so antient we know not the commencement Lex Angliae peculiar onely to this Land Of long time following the Conquest ever more quarrelled for enjoyment of antient Liberties until Henrie the third allowed English men English Laws add in his ninth year granted the great Charter which himself infringed and thereupon followed fourty years Barons Warrs as Histories stile them until in his fifty two year that Charter was again reviewed and compiled and solemnly sworn unto by succeeding Sovereigns The ground of which binds the King per Legem terrae and what is this Lexterrae Leges Anglicanae fuerunt approbatae consensu utentium Sacramento Regum confirmatae Lex facit Regem attribuat igitur Rex legi quod Lex attribuit ei viz. dominationem potestatem ubi non Lex ibi non Rex So then Lex fecit Regem Not so neither Kings in England before Lawes but indeed Communis Consuetudo Regni fuit Lex terrae This being the Law without commencement as the Genius to all and Parliaments Statutes Prerogatives of Princes Customes of Counties Cities Burroughs Mannors are but the species of it For general Customs made the Law authorities Parliaments Limits Prerogatives and Customes consonant or disonant to Reason so much for Communis Lex But in practice say some the Chancery is above Law and yet duely examined that also is allowed per Legen terrae as a species of that The reason thus The Common Law grounded upon general Maxims they might be too severe or too relax and therefore necessarily requiring Equity Secundum aequum bonum sanam consâientiam And this Chancelour notwithstanding limitted by Law and erected by Law although it seems above Law For No Judge hath Jurisdiction without some grant or commission out of that Court under the Great Seal which is intrusted to the Chancelor No Judge can hold plea without an Original Writ framed in Chancerie and by his appointment returnable before the Judges and yet all these considered the King the Law the Chancery agree together The Chancerie then must needs be erected subsequent by the common Law to relieve and supply the Law in some cases where the simple subject was cosened by craft ignorance also may offend without malice Moses Law in divers cases Political and Ceremonial he could not decide uncleanness by touching the dead but referred it to God The name of this Officer is Dominus Cancelarius Angliae a a Cancelour do but then quere what he might cancel Some say it is Cancelare Iniquom legem commânnem Iudicare secundum conscientiam but this is an errour will the Law give power to deface her self that made it The Chancelour cannot stay the course of Law but onely injunct the person not to follow the Law not to cancel the Law for notwithstanding this injunction if the party will sit out contempt and proceed at common Law the Judges cannot deny him Indeed rhis Officer hath his name of canceling the Kings Letters pattents so much of honour to the Law as the other way had been dishonourable The nature of Letters pattents bind the King and his Successors and all Subjects though unfit or unjust the Judges of Law are co judge it void but cannot deface it nor the Seal but the Chancelour as a Judge of Law may but not by his absolute authority by his ordinary power and course of common Law is to judge of it and to hold plea of it and to call the party interessed by process of Law and so to repeal it by Judgement and then cancel it which no person can do but And this was done Transversa linea circumducere vel conscindere aliquod Edictum decretum contra Principem aut jus Reipublicae impetrari which cancelling is made with Lines drawn across like Latices and it is said that Judgement seats were of old compassed with Latices or Barrs cross waies to defend the Judges and Officers from the prease of people and yet not to hinder
course but it fell out more fatal to him which lasted to the end and thereby wrought its best use In the midst of sufferings the bread of sorrow tastes better than the Banquet of fools for afflictions brings such mens souls to be Saints at the Mark which otherwise would be overgrown with too much Greatnesse His memorable abilities remain but in few and his compassionate infirmities common to all To expiate which he did as became him to do to the House of Peers prostrate himself and sins which ingenuously he acknowledged promising amendment of his life and made it good to the Worlds eye Those excellent works contrived in his retirement do evidently manifest his wit and worth with much regret to many good men that such an one should be fallen off from the face of State In Bacons place comes Doctor Williams Dean of Westminster by the Title of Keeper of the Great Seal of England the same power and Jurisdiction as the Chancelour see Statute quinto Elizab which was not so besore At first but as Vice-Chancelour Matthew Paris saith Custodiam âigilli Regii accepit Cancelarii Vices Acturus Officium c. He was also then made Bishop of Lincoln together to make him more capable of the Office brought in sayes one to serve turns which no Lay-Man was bad enough to undertake Former ages held it more consonant to reason to trust the Conscience of the Clergy with the case of the Lay-man they best knowing a Case of Conscience and antiently the Civil Laws were adjudged by the Ministers of the Church and the Chancery and other Courts of Equity then in the charge of a Divine Minister And therefore a mistake in the Record that sets it down as a Wonder for an Arch-bishop of Saint Andrews to be made Chancelour of Scotland by King Charles a thing he saies not known in that Kingdom for three hundred years before for a Clergy man to bear that office But we find Iames Seaton and David Seaton both Arch-bishops of Saint Andrews and Chancelours of Scotland within one hundred years space And many other Arch-bishops and Bishops within three hundred years not only Chancelours but Judges of the Law Master of the Robes and other Offices of Judicature By which means their onely Bishopricks too poor they advanced to degrees of wealth enabling them to erect most of those sumptuous Fabricks of piety and Honour in that Nation and so in England by our Clergy by this man also in some measure So ran the Channel till Bacons father had it from a Bishop and now a Bishop has it again and had King Iames lived to have effected his Desires the Clergy had fixed firm footing in Courts of Judicature out of the rode of the Common-Law and this was the true cause of Williams initiation thither his quality thus fitted for the Kings intention He was in truth Chaplain to Buckinghams Mother and let into Court parallel in some degree with Cardinal Richlieus entrance by Queen Mother of France a Man may take view of these conformities not few if you consider proportions what is allowed to the Jesuit must rebate of the Reformed and what this man could not do in competition as the other his aim shewed his will but not the effect But at his entrance into this Trust comes two Bills signed from the King to be made Patents by the Seal the one for a Pension of two thousand pound per annum and the other for the Office of Earl Marshal of England both of them to be conferred upon the Earl of Arundel The first though with some regret in those unseasonable times to receive such large pensions which yet he sealed but took upon him to trench upon the Lord Treasurer Middlesex who willingly gave way to it for which they both had enmity ever after The later he refused upon these Queries 1. Whether in the Delivery of the Staff to the Earl his Majesty did not declare it to him for ease of the other Commissioners that executed it before with him and so to imply no inlargement of power which this Patent doth 2. Whether his Majesty means that this Patent leaping over the powers of the three last Earls Essex Shrewsbury and Somerset should refer only to Arundels own Ancesters Howards and Mowbrays Dukes of Norfolk who claimed that place by Inheritance the usual way and reference of Patents being unto the last and immediate Predecessor and not to the remote whose powers heretofore in these troublesome times were vage uncertain and impossible to be limitted 3. Whether that this Lord should bestow those Offices settled in the Crown as Sir Edward Zouches in Court Sir George Reynolds in the Kings Bench and divers others all which this Great Patent sweeps away being Places of Worth and Dignity 4. Whether my Lord Stewards place shall be for all his power of Judicature is in the Verge either altogether extinguished or at least subordinate to the Office A point considerable because of the Duke of Lenox who was Steward his greatness of Person and neerness of blood to the King And here he claws him 5. Lastly whether that the Offices of the Earl Marshall of England and the Marshall of the Kings house in former times distinct shall be now united to this great Lord A power limitted by no Law or Record but to be searched out from Heralds Chronicles Antiquaries and such absolute Monuments and thereupon this sixty years for Essex his power was cleerly limitted only as Marshall unfit to be revived by the Policy of this State And by these queries the Patent was pared which increased malice to the end of their Days Certainly there is a difference between the Earl Marshal of England and the Marshal of the Kings House See Lambert Archiron or of the High Courts of Justice in England The Marshall of England and the Constable are united in a Court which handleth only Duells out of the Realm and matters within as Combats Blazon Armory but may not meddle with any difference tryable by the Laws of the Land The Marshal of the Kings Houshold is united in a Court with the Steward which holds Plea of Trespass Contracts and Covenants made within the Verge and that by the Laws Articl super Cart. cap. 3 4 5. The honour of Lord Marshal is so antient as Thomas Lord Mowbray by Richard 2. was created Duke of Norfolk and the first Earl Marshal of England anno 1397. And so successively unto Iohn Lord Mowbray who dyed the 15. of Edward 4. anno 1475. and had issue one only Daughter married unto Richard Duke of York second son of Edward the fourth and was by his Father created Duke of Norfolk and Earl Marshall of England murthered in the Tower anno 1483 without issue Then comes Iohn Howard Son of the Daughter and coheir of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk and was by Richard the third created Duke of Norfolk but not Earl Marshall Nor was his Son Thomas
of Ambassadours privilege 74 Massacre of Protestants in France 83 Episcopacy in Scotland continued ââ Babângton's Treason â14 Queen of Scots her Trial in England 115 sentenced and ãâã of Execution 121 Secretary Walsingham's Letter concerning the Execution of the Queen of Scotsââ8 ââ8 The Spanish Nâvies Design against England in the year 1588. 141 King James 6. sends Commissioners first and goes over himself to fetch his Queen from Denmark Concernments of France with the murther of Henry 3. 155 Hacket's horrible Tenets arreigned and executed 162 Ministers mad work 194 Digression how far forrein Titles precede in England 211 Digression concerning the power of Witches and Witchcraft 214 Earl Gowry's conspiracy against King James 225 Earl of Essex his Treason against Queen Elizabeth 233 Irish affairs under Lord Blunt Deputy of Ireland 242 English Commissioners in France dispute Precedency 243 These particular Passages of the Second Part may be read by themselves apart INtroduction to the Second Part page 2 Of Knights Batchelors 271 Of the Order of the Garter and Saint George his story 273 Of Earls and their Dignities 274 Of Barons and their Dignities 275 Knights of the Bath their Creation 276 Digression concerning Imperial Rule and Interest of Christian Princes 277 Of War and Conquest of Success their Consequences 281 Sir Walter Raleighs Treason 282 Of Presbyterians Doctrines 289 Conference at Hampton Court 293 Translation of the Bible and singing Psalms 308 Catechising commended 310 Of Parliaments their beginnings 312 King James first Speech in Parliament 319 The Powder Treason 323 The Oath of Supremacy and K. James his Apology to Forein Princes 329 Of Iesuits how to suppress them 331 Libel against the Lord Treasuer Salisbury and His answer 334 King James Speech and answer to the Arguments concerning the Union 338 Sprots Conspiracy with Gowry his arraignment and Execution 342 Lord Balmerino his treacherous Design 348 King James his second Speech in Parliament 353 Duke of Gelders his Descent and Death 361 Prince of Wales their Dignity 362 Of Chelsey Colledge 365 Of Masks and Comedies 366 Suttons Hospital founded 367 Of Vorstius and Arminius their Books and Doctrines 370 Prince Henries Sickness and Death 377 Treasurer Lord Salisbury his Life and Death 381 ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã James 391 Earl of Northampton's Life and Death 393 Of Duels and Combats 394 Of Plantations in America 400 Of Barânes Knights creation 402 King James wants discussed how to be relieved 404 Earl of Somerset his Countess arreigned 414 His Letter to K. James 420 The case of Commendams 424 Difference between the Chancery and Common Pleas and their Dignities 431 King James his Speech in Star-chamber 439 Sir Thomas Lake and his wives story 446 King James journey into Scotland 450 George Villiers a favourite his story 455 Sir Ralegh's Guiana Voyage and Execution 459 A monstrous Murther in Cornwall 463 Barnevelt's Treason and Execution 466 Of Synodes and Councils Synode of Dort 467 ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã of Bohemia 478 Sir Wootton's Embassy into Germany 485 Marriages with forrein Princes unfortunate to England 487 Earl Marshalls of England their Dignities 505 Of Libells and Pasquils 526 Of Knights Templers 527 Preachers ordered their matter and manner 531 King of Spain's Letter to Oâvares and his Answer concârning the Princes Match 539 Prince Charls journey into Spain his Treatments and return 542 Spanish Ambassadour accuses the Duke of Buckingham of Treason 562 Prince Charls Marriage with France treated and affected 566 Treasurer Cranfield put out of Office 573 Of Apprentices of London they are no bond-men discussed 574 Cruelty of Amboyna 576 Famous Siege of Breda 579 The INDEX to the second Part. A. QU Ann sent for out of Scotland her Design to seize the Prince p. 272 Her Death and Character 774 Ambassadour French and Spanish quarrel 320 Weston and Conway Ambassadours into Germany 482 Lord Haies Ambassadour into France 428 Lord Rosse Ambassy into Spain 429 Spanish Ambassadour accuses the Duke of Buckingham of Treason the story 562 Assembly of the Scots Kirk in spite of the King 321 475 Aid-money 363 Arminius and Vorstius their Heresies and story 370 Adamites Heresies 375 Abbot Arch-Bishops Arguments against the Nullity of Essex and his Countess answered 391 Kills his Keeper 530 Arreignment of the Earl of Somerset and Countess for impoysoning of Overbury 414 Arreigning of Peers discussed 414 Lady Arabella marries Seymer 423 Marquess D' Ancre murthered in France 549 Abbot Arch-Bishop his Letters concerning the King of Bohemia 481 Earl Arundel Lord Marshal their Dignities 505 Of Apprentices of London no Bond-men 574 Cruelty of the Dutch at Amboyna 576 B. BArons created 271 their Dignities 275 Beaton Arch-Bishop dies in France 271 Batchelour Knights manner of Creation 276 Bible new translated 308 Balmerino Secretary of Scotland his Treason and story pardoned he and his posterity ungratefull 348 Bishops of Scotland enlarge their power 350 Baronet Knights created and discussed 402 Benevolence and means of the Kings supplies discussed 407 Sir Francis Bacon made Lord Chancellour 437 his submission in Parliament and supplication 501 his Character 503 his Encomium of King James 594 Barnevelt in Holland his Treason and execution 465 Blazing Star their effects discussed 471 King and Queen of Bohemia defeated and fly into Holland 485 Breda that famous Siege 579 and lost 589 Briante Botevile and Beauvoir their several Duels and Combats 582 Bolton's contemplation on King James 594 C. KIng and Queen crowned 275 Corânation-oath 276 Conference at Hampton-court to settle the Discipline of the Church 282 Catechizing commanded 310 Commotion of Commoners 312 Charls Prince created Duke of York 322 High Commission Court 352 356 Chelsey College founded and why 365 Contribution money 367 Car a Favourite and his Countess their story 376 arreigned for impoysoning Overbury 414 the case pleaded 416 condemned reprieved and pardoned 419 his Letter to the King 420 The case of Commendams the Kings right to them pleaded and passages thereupon 424 Lord Chancellour and Lord Cook difference the cause and case 431 the Kings Letters to the Chancellour his sickness and death 432 Common Pleas Court what 434 Chancery Court and power 435 Chancellour Sir Francis Bacon succeeds 437 Church of Scotlands proceedings 475 Cranfield Lord Treasurer 495 questioned in Parliament and put out 572 Calumnies answered 535 Combates at Breda 582 D. DIgression designs for Imperial rule in Christendoâ 27â King of Denmark his first arrival to visit the Queen his Sister 333 second arrival 413 E. Dorset Lord Treasurer dies 342 Of Duels 394 Dort Synode 467 Lord Digby Ambassadour to the Empire 495 returns accounts to the Parliament 509 sent into Spain to treat in the Match 524 ordered by Letters how to proceed 536 created Earl of Bristol 539 is to forbear the Espousals 555 takes leave of Spain 556 and is come home to the Parliament 563 Designs at the Siege of Breda 584 E. QUeen Elizabeth not willing to publish her Successour 261 Earls created 274 their Dignities 275 Excommunicatiou absurd in Scotland
UNion of both Nations intended 320 argued and the Kings answer 338 Vorstius and Arminius their Heresies and story 370 Villiers a favourite his story 455 Master of the Horse and Marquess 489 Earl and Duke 547 goes with the Prince into Spain 542 quarrels with Olivares 551 returns to the Ships 552 his Declaration to the Parliament 559 W. WAr the consequence 281 Whitgift Arch-Bishop dies 307 Waldenses vindicated 376 Sir Henry Wootton his Embassies to the Emperour and Princes in Germany 485 Dr. Williams Dean of Westminster and Bishop of Lincoln and Lord Keeper 504 his character 507 Y. SIr Henry Yelverton Prisoner and why 499 his Letters to the Duke of Buckingham 500 THE PROEME TO THE Seeond Part. WE now enter on the second part the Accession of a Crown rightly descended to King James by Succession from the Union of Marriage long since to this re-union of Kingdoms now as a period in shew of all Trepidation and Motions in him and his Posterity but the eye of all-seeing Wisdom hath with his powerful hand of Providence dissipated those designs and aims of perpetuity and hath not left any one of his in present possession of any part of his inheritance And though the prevailing Party minds no other Iustification than Success yet some men more busie than useful take upon them by deformed writings and Pasquilles to conclude this Fabrick from such Foundation as they please to contribute their Counterfeit Materials with their Prophecies Policies Directories Narratives and such like stuff the general blauch upon former Soveraigns Each one professing Truth to countenance their affectiions and Passions which alter too with the subsequence of Time and State And thereby comes to be published sundry Rapsodies Petit-Pamphlets and Papers But yet if you deny their Tenents you are forthwith to be taken for a State Heretique Non servata unitas nisi in credendo omnia ãâ¦ã For though there may be granted great Antipathy between the former and this State in Civil Policy yet no such matter from thence for our disobedience now What ever may be pretended by Others I conceive the People no meet Iudge or Arbitrator For my part I am witness to my self as that no contradiction shall supplant in me the Reverence I ow to Authority Neither shall any Adveâsaries by Calumny embase my Opinion and high Esteem of K. Iââes his just Merits and Royal Memory The Indisposition of these later times having pierced with Accusations very many Men of excellent Virtues Mala dicta ingenere concinnatis calumniis They leave all reveâend compassion tâwardâ evââs or religious indignation towards faults turn all into a Satyr search and rip up wounds with smiling impudence and strain their counterfeit zeal to the publick with untruths abominable Et magnis Mendacii Credulitas Welcome whisperings are quickly heard where potent malice is Promoter They tragitally aggravate infirmities and slips unworthily upbraiding adverse Fortunes and that their belief herein must necessarily be the more perfect which is most degrees removed from the last Actors and so becomes Postumi erroris filii Non tam in odium boni Quam amorem Mali Proclives sumus As one saith These Kingdomes in King James time grown aged in happinesseâ that as men used to say of the spiced air of the Sabaeans Summus quidem Odor sed voluptas Minor The very excess seemed to abate the pleasure Or as the hot sent of Musk to some Savors seem to stink Repetions of our Blessings then did not so much affect our Nations as dull them Peace made us wanton Plenty ãâã Mââies secure Our Benefits then became our Weapons to rebell against his fame now The whole Land being sowred by the Peoples Sins too much felicity introdââed Luxury and Correllaries of Vices Pride Ambition Contempt of things Divine and âumane This Nation in short time sick of a surfeit of Health afterwards broke with two much wealth and now it comes to amendment Ryot begins to grow thirsty made so to go plain Gluttons to fast Wantonness starved into Soberness But we may already be affraid of Relapse Bedrid Exorbitancies fowlâr for purging Need is there none to number up the Graces and Blessings by this King in competition with Her his Predecessor It may be Her virtues then are now become Torches in the dark which appear greatest afar off as His Vices made so by some writers do neer at hand I shall endeavour to recover the truth of his time least slanderous Tongues run mad with railing they presuming to be got out of distanââ of time and reach of Confutationâ So that Maiesty which dies not may yet be discouloured As in particular a Writer indeed a few years since holds forth he saies The History of Great Brittain but speaks not a word of Scotland or Ireland and so this Vindication serves the turn to answer All. But to give this Man therein his due we may find truth and falsehood finely put together if it be his own for it is my hap to meet with Post-nati both these Books born from the dead and were Aborââves but like Bear-whelps licked over by laborious Pen-men The one a Manuscript of Sir A. W. which with some regret of what he had malitiously writ intended to the fire and dyed Repentant though since stoln to the Press out of a Ladies Closet This Other designed an Epistle for honourable Patronage who disdained the owning And so comes out bare Collections of Old I knew of them and their Parent Presbyter put together by the Poet And shaped out by the Doctor and Wilsons Name set to the Sale My aym is in these times of Distraction to present to the pâblique the former fruits of Peace and Plenty planted by Providence and ripened to Maturity by Divine Influence throughout His Daies If any failings so much searched for and to be found at last are then to be attributed to his age not Him In declention of years not many Princes end in much splendor when vigour fails so does their fortune For my self having lived long time in Court and employed till my gray hairs more in Businesses than Books far unworthy I humbly confesse to have any hand to the Helm yee I cabin'd neer the Steerage and so might the more readily Run the compass of the Ships-Way And truly I traversed aboard too though not in Counsel with Masters or Mates observing also the Heights and Declinations of the Sun and Stars the better able to evidence their Actions and Influence upon our World Add herein to be read in few howers what have been reaped in many years These undeniable Truths which I have seen and heard Will. Sanderson The LIVES and DEATHS of MARIE Queen of SCOTLAND And of Her Son and Successor JAMES The Sixt of that name King of SCOTLAND And of Great BRITAIN FRANCE and IRELAND the First Introduction KINGS are Gods upon Earth God himself hath said so Intituling Them to this Dignity with power over their People But they shall die like Men
Edenburgh the 8. of October towards Dunfres mustering 18000. men and marching up and down return to Edenburgh The most of these Lords being of the Religion and called The Lords of the Congregation fled into England to the Earl of Bedford Lieutenant of Berwick from thence Murray posts to London but leaves the Lords at Newcastle He was much mistaken for the Queen with great sute ere she affords him audience demanding how he being a Rebel to her Sister dares thus boldly take protection in her Realm denies to support him or any his Confederate Companions However after Murrays departure she sent them aid and writ in their favour to the Queen Upon this Rebellion divers of the Kirk party fled also as ingaged therein and those remaining were in some fear Iohn Knox stiling them absent the best and goodlyest part of all the Nobility chief Members of the Government alwaies praying for them in publique and reviling those that appeared for the King even in the presence of all the Council In November all those Lords in Rebellion were summoned against the fourth of February for Treason and not appearing the Queen publiquely declared her Defence and Maintenance of the Catholiques and sundry Lords and others went openly to Mass. At last the banisht Lords humbled themselves for the King and Queens favour The Duke and his Friends at Newcastle in England by mediation of the Abbot of Kilcunning had pardon upon condition to depart into France which he did The 25. Decemb. the Commissioners of the Churches for the general Assembly convene in Edenburgh and conclude That notwithstanding the Acts of Parlament and Proclamations the Masse and Papistry was maintained and new Collectors being put in forbidding allowances to the Ministery in great want In these they resolved to have relief The Catholiques for themselves supplicate also for publique use of their Religion which was granted and they offered the dispute being backed by the King and his Faction all Papists together with the power of Rizio an Italian favourite under title of the French Secretary and yet these Lords now at Court were divided Morton Mar and Lethington against Huntley and Bothwell And again the General Assembly meet at Edenburgh and order a publique Fast throughout all the reformed Churches the manner devised by Knox and printed which is the first method of that kind that we read of in Scotland So thereupon followed the effects Supplication to the Queen for Regulation of the means ordained for Support of the Ministery Spotswood Row and Lindsey present their case And the Queen answered that the fault was in their own Officer and Controller Pittarrow who medled with the thirds and so the Ministers and Assembly departed to their Residencies In Ianuary arrives through England Monsieur Rambullet Embassadour from France with 40. horse his Train who brought to the King the Order of Saint Michael the Scots call it the Cockle-shell and at this Ceremony of investing the Heraulds were in some disorder to devise Arms for the Kings bearing The Arms of Scotland were not allowed seeing the Parliament denied him the Crown Matrimonial he could have no other but as Earl and Duke the Queen bidding them allow him no more than his Due Her love becomes cold for she began to set her Name before His and not long afâer to leave him out of all writings And because of some necessary use of his Signet alone It was advised out of his hand and trusted to Rizio And now at Edenburgh the Court busie about the Attainder of some of the banished Lords not submitting which by reason of dissenting parties was staied and more particular occasioned by the Murther of Rizio This Italian or Piedmontoise a Musitian by Profession but by his Wit and cunning got to be Secretary to the Queen for French as Mettallan was of State who for envy to him and love to Rizio's Enemy plotted revenge with Morton and Lord Herris to be rid of Rizio by any way but Morton refused Then he insinuates with Rizio and tells him that the Office of Chancelour being in Morton a man unlearned in Letters or Laws was only protected by the Queens favor which if by his means withdrawn his Office might be soon surrendred to Rizio and he made capable thereof by being free Denizon and naturalized Hereupon Mortons Castle of Tantallon was summoned into the Kings hand who enters as heir to his Grand-father the Earl of Angus Rizio is designed Earl and money offered for Melvin Castle with the like increase of Favour neglects his duty to the King and draws on his own Death now concluded by George Dowglas an active man the Lord Lindsey Lord Ruthen and the Earl of Lennox the Kings Father Rizio suspects and keeps Guard of 50. Halberds Then they adjoin the E. Morton hardly drawn thereto until his right to the Earldom of Augus was restored and further capitulates by Articles That Religion should be re-established as before the Queen returned out of France The banished Lords to be restored And the fact to be owned by the King who signed hereto Lenox posts into England to the Lords and brings them neerer the Borders The Confederates and Morton with strength and secrecie seizes the keys of the Palace leaves some forces in the Inner Court below to surprize such Lords as were not of the plot and staies in the presence The King with Ruthen and five more went up the back-stairs to the Queen at Supper waited on by the Countess Arguile Rizio and some Servants She was amazed to see them armed Ruthen fastens upon Rizio tells him a meaner place became him who ran to the Queen and clasping her the King gently takes the Queen in his Arms and saies He is resolved to punish the Villain for his abuse to the Countrey and so delivers him to Ruthen who carries him down to Morton Bothwell and Huntley raise the Court but are beaten back by the Guard and forced to fly Metallan who though chief in this design supped with Athole to keep him in and himself from mistrust but his Servants were in the fray which scuffling below was suspected above as a Rescue for Rizio and so they suddenly stab'd him with Daggers The Southâaiers had warned him of the Bastard which he interpreted to be Murray but it was George Dowglas who was a bastard These Murtherers at the first had proposed to hang him and had Halters for that purpose but in hast they stabb'd him with 53. wounds Bothwell and Huntley came in to the Close but soon had their arrand to begon or to taste the same sauce Rizio had ambitiously managed the most affairs with pride beyond the equipage of the King and was designed this Parliament to be Chancelour which made those Lords in envy to be his Enemies and forced the King and his Father to sign to his Death Rizio had advice of this by the French Priest Dannet but his fate was unavoidable which the Queen
some time resented with tears threatning revenge which to avoid they fly to England where Ruthen dies The Noise hereof in the Town caused the Provost to ring the Common Bell or sonner le Tocsen as the French speak assembling 500. and come up to the Court but the King told them all was well The King to strengthen himself after this Action inclined to the Religion and subscribed to a Proclamation that all Bishops Abbats and other Papists should avoid the Town which they did and commands the Provost and those of Lieth and Conogate to be in arms with advice also to other Lords to hasten to him with force And now comes Murray and other banished Lords being sent for as the Covenant against Rizio was subscribed convoyed by Hume with 1000. horse The Earls Cathness Athole Sutherland with all the Bishops being departed the Town In comes the other new faction of Lords and in Council advise the Queen to be satisfied with Rizio's death and take it as good service the Queen dissembling her passion got the remove of all the men in Arms out of the Court and so with some domestiques in the night drew the easy King to fly with her to Dunbar sending for all the Lords to attend in five daies The Religion by these factions ever-more get advantage which otherwise this Parliament now sitting might have lessned being most Papists for a dozen wooden Altars were prepared to be set up in St. Giles Church The Queen now assisted with Bothwell Huntley and others with Proclamation before them march with a thousand back to Edenburgh from whence the united Lords but divided in opinions depart and disperse and Knox we easily believe was not left behind And much troubled were he and his that the King by his Proclamation now excused himself from the Murther of Rizio who offended all men their own words the fact being done for his Honour if he had wisdome to see it and so lost his Credit and Friends by his Inconstancy and trâly it was rumoured and some writ so that Knox had a hand in it Divers Lords were put to the Horn their Lands escheated and many of them executed but Arguile and Murray received into favour and both factions somewhat pieced and reconciled The King and his Father neglected and Bothwell preferred very highly The Ministers Supplicate for their Stipends complaining very humbly not usual of the Officers and Collectors and for redress desire Mandatory Letters for Restitution and to stop it in the Queens Exchequer till farther Order In all she promised very gratious relief The 19. of Iune 1566. the Queen at Edenburgh was delivered of a Son with exceeding joy and great happiness to all the Kingdome and the several assemblies followed assisted by Murray and Arguile wherein Paul Messans formerly excommunicate about his Bastard as aforesaid and now returned out of England was to be received into the Church again Knox invited him home and presuming of his free pardon and forgiveness sent his Apostolique Letters to accompany him to the Assembly and tells them in the words of St. Paul concerning the excommunicate incestuous person It is sufficient that he was rebuked of many c. For this cause I write that I might know your obedience in all things and to whom you forgive I forgive also c. But notwithstanding this Apostolick Command his Repentance is prescribed much like a Penance Presenting himself in Sackcloth bare of Bonnet and bare of Shoon for an hour at the Entry of Saint Giles Church in Edenburgh at seven hours in the Morn till Prayers psalm and Text and then upon the Stool all Sermon and so for three several Church-daies and confesses his Repentance And in this manner also in Iedwart and Dundee which after all performed and received a Repentant He complaining of this rigour and shame without taking leave of any retires back again into England The Bishop of Galloway the Earl of Huntleys Brother being called to Council could not brook his former title of Super-Intendent as he was stiled and thereof formerly well pleased but must be called Bishop of Galloway In August one Harris that had been of the Queens Chapel but lately of the reformed Religion and got into E. Ruthens service having acted in the Murther of Rizio was thereof convict hanged and quartered The King condemned of all and neglected of the Queen wrote to the Pope and to Spain complaining of the Queens ill Government of the Catholiques which she intercepted and resented to his ruin For Bothwel to bring on his Design aimed to be Principal and to effect his Greatness thought good to procure Morton to be called home but not to Court where he might look on and not be seen free from fear and danger and though a Kins-man to the King yet his Power was lessened to nothing Most writers complain of these times and some of them like Noahs blessed Sons overspread with the Mantle of silence the nakedness of these unnatural actions of such as we ought to ow duty and piety unto pittying the Errors of Princes Their excellent endowments of Nature and Morality not to be exampled and yet Shipwrackt in mis-governing I cannot search into all the Causes which drew on these lamentable events Secret Lothings in Wedlock which who knows but the Actors dislike hatred freedom revenge seconded with false shews of Reason and Colour of Law and Justice what will it not do Her Husband had dragged Rizio from her affection and favour to death He was not crowned but made publique by Her Proclamation not acknowledged by Parliament and in law but a Private Man and her Subject and so lyable to judgment But his powerful kindred and Friends prevent that attempt Secret Justice is Justice formalities are for common Causes and the Princes power may dispence with forms in case of necessity or convenience and so he became an object of wicked mens malice And now had Knox procured though heretofore he cunningly refused as fearing prevention or false play when now not overlooked he to his purpose got the Churches of Geneva Bern and Basil with others reformed in Germany and France to send to the Kirk of Scotland the sum of their several Confessions of faith he alleging the dissonant opinions of Scotland which occasioned an Assembly of Knox and his Confidents who having a confused irregulation without any positive Articles concluded as the most cunning way to assent to all without exceptions and so returned answer as if in Spirit to jump in faith and discipline who never could agree amongst themselves in either At this time the Kirks saies so Bothwell was wounded in chace of the Theeves at Liddisdale whom the Queen visited and thereof in grief took sickness in extremity but say they by binding Cords about her shacle bones knees and great Toes a pretty cure for our Mountebanks It seems an od fit of the Mother she revived prayed in English and commends the
him enters the other conducted by Sir Henry Cheyney and both Combatants take Oath to come fasting But ready to encounter the Demandant was missing and so by default the Chief Justice resites the Writ and former passages of challenge and gives Judgement for the Tenant and leaves the Demandant and his Pledges de prosequendo in impercordia Reginae âid Dyer 30. Some preparations there were of late in King Iames time intended between two Scotch men the Lord Ree and David Ramsey in point of Treason but I know of no other policy preventing the Tryal than the doubtful effects to decide the question by this way to find out truth But because the matter hath been long laid aside the manner thereof will not be amiss to preserve to Memory The Ceremony was wont to be thus when it was in Authority and use in the Earl Marshal or High-Constables Court The Appellant exhibits his Bill in the High Court Constable or Marshal and failing of his proofs offers force of his own body upon the Defendant And the Constable as Vicar General in Arms so saies my Author under the King hath power to join issue in Battel and within fourty daies after to appoint time and place The Constable assigns them arms being a Gantlet and short Sword and Long Sword and Dagger They bring able pledges for appearance at the day and for good behaviour to each other till then The King names the Field sixty foot long and fourty foot broad firm ground and even listed about by Order of the Marshall with Rails with two Dores East and West seven foot high and kept by the Serjeant at arms At the day the King sits on a Throne mounted with two seats on each hand for the Constable and Marshall at the foot of the Ascent who demand the Pledges to render themselves to the King or the Appellant and Defendant to come in and make Oath The Appellant comes on horse-back to the East dore whom the Constable brings in and demands his name and why thus armed He answers I am A. B. Apellant and demand Entry to make proof of my intent against C. D. and to acquit my Pledges The Constable takes off his Bever and proclames him to be the Man opens the door and bids him enter with his Arms Victuals necessary Attendants and Council presents him to the King and sets him on a Seat till the Defendants comming and request being made his Pledges are discharged Then the King commands the Constable who commands the Marshal and he the Lieutenant and he the Marshal of the Heraulds of the South if it be this side Trent being the Marches of King Clarencieux or otherwise if it be Northward then the Heraulds of Norris King of Heraulds there to call the Defendant thus O yes C. D. Defendant Come to your Action acquite your pledges in the presence of the King Constable and Marshal to defend your self against A. B. before three of the Clock after Noon He enters at the West dore in like manner Their Appearance presently Registred in the Records of the Constables Court with the order time horses arms and attendants and their manner Two Knights are assigned Observant to either Adversary that they take no charm or spel or other evil arts till their Oath be taken which the King commands the Constable to receive and what other Protestations their Council shall advise If not The Register saies you A. B. Appellant do you know this to be your Bill of Complaint exhibited in Court before the Constable Swear to the Truth thereof in all points and that you intend to prove the Contents thereof upon C. D. so ayde you God and your Patron Saint and then proclaims Thou A. B. thy Bill is such in all points continue thy intent to prove it this day so God help thee and hallowing The Defendant C. D. in like manner c. Then the Appellant takes his second Oath That he comes appointed with Arms as was assigned without knife or other sharp weapon no stone or herb of virtue charm or spell of power or belief to be assisted but only by God and his own Body and merits of his Cause So God him help c. The Defendant swears the like The Constable bids them both to take each other by the right hand without violence gently and laying the left hand on the Book He saies I charge your A. B. that you use all advantages to force the Defendant to render himself into your hands or to demand a Parley or with your own hands to kill him before you part out of the lists by the light of the Sun and age of the day assigned by your Faith and so God help you The like by the Defendant Then O Yes The Herauld pronounces In the Kings name That no person approach within four foot of the List keep silence give no sign by Countenance or otherwise to advantage either upon pain of life and member and loss of Chattel The King of Arms and Heraulds are assigned to Minister unto them to eat or drink of what they brought with them asking leave of each other Within the Lists are admitted a Knight two Esquires of the Constables Train and the Lieutenant also a Knight and two Esquires of the Marshals being all in Armour with Launces unbarbed to part the Combatants at his Majesties pleasure and these lying flat on the Ground at each side of the List only the Constables Lieutenant and the Marshals standing At the instant of the Kings Direction the Constable shall say Let them go Let them go The Appellant advancing upon the Defendant the Constable stands ready at the Kings pleasure whilest they fight viz. to stop take breath or otherwise neither of them ingaged in advantage They may not whisper In case of Trâasân the convict shall be disarmed by command of the Constable one corner of the List to be broken down his body dragged at a horse-tail to the block of Execution to be beheaded or hanged on the Gallowes the Marshall to see Execution But in cases of particular interests he shall not be drag'd but shall be thrown over the lists and lose the penalty of the Lands or honor in question The vanquished forfeits his Horse and Arms and all which he brought into the Field with him unto the Constable as his Fee The Lists Rails Seats c. to the Marshal If the Combate be withdrawn by Command or perswaâion of the King and both content else not they shall be led out together by the Constable and proclamation made thereof with equal honor to them both I have read of such a duel Combate before the King of France between Robert le Blanch and Leâââ le Force in a case of Treason Blanâh the Appellant grapples le Force and casts him down sets his left foot upon the others stomack holding up his right hand with his sword by the Hilt his left hand within a foot of the point and therewith presently he meant to
protested that although their Queen was content her innocence should be shewed yet being a free Princess she did not acknowledge her self Subject unto any The English urged likewise That they did not admit that protestation in prejudice of that right which the Kings of England alwaies claimed as Superior of the Kingdom of Scotland Queen Maries Commissioners declare by writing how Morton Mar and others had levied Arms misused their Queen and extorting her Resignation in Prison that Murray had usurped the Regency and inforced her to fly for succour into England Murray and the Commissioners for the King Infant answer and relate the manner of the late Kings murther by Bothwel for which the Noble-men called him in question whom the Queen protected that she voluntarily resigned and the Parliament had confirmed it and all this was evidenced by Letters Her Commissioâers reply and deny all telling the Truth of these Stories in such particular as is before herein declared and therefore crave aid of England to assist Her The English Commissioners require better proofs than by Letters for Lethington had counterfeited her hand and was suspected might do âo by these Murray refuses other proofs than such Letters as he shewed with much modest regret forsooth To be put to it to accuse his Sister at all unless the Queen of England would undertake to protect the King and to relinquish the Queen But the English told them all though there appeared not as yet sufficient for the present to be dilated upon yet Murray is required to leave some of his Company here to answer Exceptions which their Queens Ambassadors should propose hereafter and so they departed Much pleasing to the Duke of Norfolk so to break off having alwaies favoured Q. Maries Cause and from this time had a Mind to mary her But Murray to make things more safe poââs to the Queen of England and to her produces Articles and other ãâã and ãâã Book called the Dâtection which had ãâã credit with her though âilling she was that reproach âight lâdge âpon the Queen of Scots Indeed many Engliâh Lords inclined to ãâã her ãâã at which Queen Eliââbeth swore She ãâã not ãâã so long as Norfolâ lives of whom hencâforward she was jâalous Duke Hamilton was returned out of Frââce whither he had fled and besought that Murray might relinquish the Reâââââ to him being as he ãâã his due as next heir to the Crown ãâã the Queen found his pulse beat too higâ and least he should proceed in that Claim she commanded him not to depart without her Licence The Regent and his Company having leave to depart in Feââââ the Duke Hamilton made means to follow and being Lieutenant for his Queen and got home sends forth his Proclamations and sheweâ his Authority which none obeys For Murray was comming to nip the Bird in the Head and comes to Glasgoâ with an Army to whom Haâââton ãâã and prefixes a day for Hamilton with pledges to subsâribe to his power at Edenbârgh and there likewise he ãâã it off till his Queen sends her consent Hereupon he and Herris are committed ãâã and Huntley were the next to be reduced Both of them had been buâie in the Regents absence but were now suppreââeâ and so all ãâã to Perth to hold a Convention of âtates Thither came two Packets from both Queens Elizabeth made three Propositions 1. That the Kings Mother might be restored to her ãâã and ãâã 2. That her Name might be joined with her Sons in all writs and the Government continue in the Râgâââ 3. And if none of thesâ then that ãâ¦ã with all ãâã and honâââ without preââdiââ ãâã the King This last was accepted the other rejected These Queens had several Designs in their Demands Elizabeth was wiâââng to be rid of the other rather than she should mary with Norfolk for she feared her great Friends here and beyond Seas And Mary was therefore more earnest to satisfy the Duke who meant not to adventure the Treaty upon uncertainties And Murray for these respects kept Bothwels title in being for from England he was assured by his Friends there that Norfolks plot and Queen Maries was so cunningly conveyed that no wit nor power was able to countermine Yet he remained stedfast and sent one of his Domestiques to Queen Elizabeth with Queen Maries Petition and their answer but She not satisfied with such an Ordinary Messenger the Abbat Pitcarn was sent Express from the Convention at Sterlin held only for that purpose About the same time of his last arrival at London the Duke of Norfolk was committed to the Tower October 11. and the Conspiracy discovered which was thus Murray with much cunning before his late departure out of England proposed some hopes to Norfolk of mariage with the Queen of Scots and secretly induced a belief of her present restoring and spread these Rumours to prejudice her and to increase jealousies with many other suspitious which surrounded Queen Elizabeth Of Rebellions at home and Plots abroad by the Papists And as many more Tales that Q. Elizabeth and Murray had compacted against the young King To wipe off these an Apology was printed in Queen Elizabeths defence In truth she was much perplexed with fears out of Emulation of the other Yet with some compassion for her Imprisonment and in both these distempers there wanted not Instruments to rub the wound Mary often solicited Queen Elizabeth with humble yet Princely Letters with such compassionate Eloquence that though the Queen had a Wolf by the Ears yet with tears had oft resolution to return her Home and dealt with Murray by Messengers herein but he was settled in malice and would not incline Then was rumoured the Mariage of the Duke of Norfolk with Queen Mary as advantagious to both Realms and security of the Kings person who must be brought also into England and so under Queen Elizabeths power and she so to be secured of fears And that for finishing so good a work the Dukes Daughter should be contracted to the King And these Designs many the chiefest Earls in England had contrived Murray himself at his being here intimated no less to the Duke for that She having maried her self to a Boy then to a rash young Man and last to a Mad-brain might now recover her honor to wed him a Man of discretion Nay more secretly by Melvin offered to the Queen of Scots his Service to effect it And the Secretary Throgmorton with the chiefest Lords Arundel Northumberland Westmerland Sussex Pembroke and Southampton and Leicester also his Rival were all of the Plot and he broke it very seriously to Norfolk Upon which the Duke not faint-hearted courted the Queen by Letters and all consenting Articles were propounded 1. For security of Queen Elizabeths person and issue 2. To Covenant a League between both Kingdomes 3. To establish Protestant Religion 4. To receive into favour with pardon all the Scots 5. To Revoke her assignation of the Kingdom of England
and to mary Norfolk They promise to procure Queen Elizabeths consent and the other to be restored to all which she in Prison easily yielded and who could blame her in the case she was But ere they had so done Queen Elizabeth had suspition and therefore it was more than time to break it themselves so from one to the other it was neglected till Leicester did it She asked the Duke thereof and charged him to decline it least he hop't headless and it was good warning sufficient to him to look ere he leap't and so he stole away in time of Progress back to London Caecil wisely took care of the State and learned so much of the Matter that the Duke began to fear restless in any place withdrew to Norfolk where some Commotion was purposely set on foot and he suspected To prevent the worst he returns back towards the Court but at Saint Albans was taken to guard and secured for by this time Treacherous Murray had out of Scotland discovered what he knew and upon which the Duke was sent to the Tower Bishop Ross and others committed and Pembroke examined not well remembring what he had said or should say for he could not read a word Northumberland and Westmerland take Arms but fearing greater opposition fled into the North. But ere all this was known in Scotland Secretary Metallan increased faction for Queen Mary and sided with Hume and Grange Captain of Edenburgh Castle and before it was ripe he is sent for to Sterlin accompanied with the Earl Athole to intercede if need were and need there was for he is accused as Accessary to the late Kings murther and committed close Prisoner Sir Iames Balfore in the same Condition were both of them sentenced by the Convention of States for by them Murray did all his work as in cases of Treason but with much ado Balfore had pardon and Metallan reprived to Edenburgh Castle and Murray posted up and down to reduce the Norfolk faction and the Queens who were increased and returns to the Life Tryal of Metallan at Edenburgh where finding his Party too strong being of Hamilton Huntley Arguile and others he warily adjourned the arraignment for though by this time News came of the Dukes Commitment in England yet his Faction increased very powerful and his Plot went on in Scotland The Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland in favour of the Queen of Scots and right Rebels to Religion with 6000. Foot and 2000. Horse mastered Durham burnt the Bible and Service Books heard Mass in Darnton and took Bernard Castle but being pursued by the Earl of Warwick with twelve thousand men and Sussex with another army of seven thousand they were forced to fly into Scotland in December and lurked among the Borderes and Robbers until Morton betrayed Northumberland to the Regent who sent him prisoner to Lochleven being an Enemy to all sides but the Queen of Scots This service Queen Elizabeth took well and gave audience to Pitcarn his Ambassadour to whom she promised to desist the restoring of Queen Mary and assured all friendship to the Regent when he should crave her aid The effect was soon published in Scotland to the fear and lessening of Maries party and they not able to Master his Power took the bold way of base treachery be one Iames Hamilton whose life Murray had saved and he undertakes to kill him His opportunity he takes at Lithgow in secret where he placed himself in a House as the Regent passed by shot him with an Harquebuss out at a Window the bullet passed thorow his Body and killed the Horse under George Dowglass 21. Ianuary 1569. He dyed that night Hamilton had his horse ready and scaped beyond Seas where he dyed not long after Murray was base Son to King Iames the fift and took up Religion for the gain of the Spoil of Papists He was a Man full of Ambition injurious and ungrateful to the Queen and likely not to have spared her Son when time had wrought him power to effect it He was much assisted in his Regency by Mortons perpetual concurrency and may be coupled as Parmenio and Alexander Nihil Murray absque Morton Multa Morton absque Murray It comes to be the question whether for Interest or Friendship Morton was so fixt certainly Murray aimed at all the Queen in durance and his labour so to continue her or rather to have her in his Custody and so to have ordered her and her Son for his own purpose To ballance him the Queens faction were Hamiltons Arguile Athole Huntley and almost all the petty Princes as the Scots call themselves Earls of Crawfoord Rothess Eglinton Cassiles the Lords Harris Maxwells Iohnston Seaton Boyd Grey Mettallan the Secretary and Politicquer and Grange the active Captain of the Castle of Edenburgh and most of the strong Castles and Forts the French did assist them and Spain favored them and so did all Catholiques In England the faction of Norfolk and Papists and all Male-contents or Treacheries took up Queen Maries cause to mutiny She had her Rents in France duly paid and her Jewels and much under-hand support to countenance her Amâassadours abroad and private Emissaries and a working brain for her own ends All the English banished Lords Dacres Westmerland and all the Popish at home The other party which we call the Kings but indeed they were of all sides partial to their own Iuterests Pride and Ambition and took up factions accordingly were Morton Mar Lenox Glencarn Lindsey and Glams Simple Methvain Ruthen no Castles but Sterlin and Tantallon and the Commons and from England Queen Elizabeth knew well how to feed them on all sides with a bit and a bob for in this time she had sent three several Armys against the Borderers under that colour which most horridly burnt all in their way with incredible mischief to that miserable Nation The Murther of Murray was lookt upon as more publique than to be acted by one and a Resolution of his Friends to question it by force or Justice In the mean time the Estates appoint a day and this put off was counselled by Metallan who was got out of Prison in this hurrey of affairs and suspected the Plotter of Murrays death The Lords meet and stand upon their guard but agree in nothing for the common safety the Queens Party elect three Lieutenants Arran Arguile and Huntley and appoint a Parliament in August after In this while Queen Elizabeth sends Sir William Drury with three hundred Horse and a thousand foot into Scotland to pursue her Rebells as was pretended but sided with Morton and did some mischief to the Queens Faction and so returned Home The 13. of Iâly in a Convention at Sterlin Lenox the Kings Grandfather is chosen Regent and Hamilton refused Queen Elizabeth declining her direction in that Election but well pleased since she had his wife in her hands He marches with Forces of 5000. men to Linlithgow and prevents
to the Q. of Scots to expostulate criminally with her 1. For usurping the Title and Arms of England and had not released them as was agreed in the Treaty of Edenburgh 2. For the practice of Mariage with the Duke of Norfolk 3. As also all the beforementioned Contrivements particularly urged To all she wisely answered and to the most of them Nâgative A League being concluded between England ãâã France the Ambassadour moved for favour to the Queen who was answered that she deserved none for that she had secret confederacy with the King of Spain by the Lord Seaâon which being discovered and true the French were silent The Estates of Scotland took some time to present their Desires to Queen Elizabeth how fit Morton was for the Regency which âhe took well though she knew they intended the power upon him for so she had the honour to say She made him and with whoââ in truth she alwaies kept the most narrow correspondency trusting to his Judgement and diligence to do much for the King with whom he alwaies sided The King was committed to the custody of Alexander Erskin for Erskin the then Earl of Mar was under age whose peculiar right it was to challenge that trust and Buchanan designed his Tutor a man of some fame by the Scale of learning whom Time and Ambition wrought afterwards a dangerous Incendiary to the King and State From this Parliament now sitting were the Papists utterly excluded and laws for advance of Religion enacted to the wonder of all how soon the Papists frighted into fears of loosing their Estates very forwardly subscribed to the Reformed which so heightened the Kirk into swelling Pride against Bishops also that their violence afterwards could never be brought to Moderation Though the Protector conceaved the Prelatical function to be no less necessary in State then warrantable in Reformation And so he regulated them as the Bishops of England Votes in Parliament but abridged their Authority over others And thus stood the power of Synods interposing the moderate Prelates who yielded much in Peace to the publick Ministery and belike conceiving that time and experience might mollifie them to a more convenient Constitution The faction for Papists was of the French and Queen of Scot whose countenance were the Hamiltons Arguile Huntley and Hume ancient Barons Grudging at the Vice-Roy's Government sought to undermine his Establishment and he at home by pleasing the people gained the City and Kirkmen For now was Knox become the Temple incendiary imitating the Vandalls devastatious ruinates the Monuments of Ancestors Piety Church-bells and Bed coverings scape not him nor any other such like sacrilegious ravings himself accknowledged that Mary had and did then blame him for his too great rigor and severity that in his heart he never hated the persons against whom âe thundred Gods Iudgments hating their Sins and forbore none of what ever condition doing it in Gods fear thus much he said for him selfe and being the words of a dying man I say them over for Christian Charity and Honour to his parts whose Character needs no more than the former History faithfully set down wherein it appears a Beacon he had been apted to fire the Kingdome but his blaze was this year extinguished and he died of good age 67. years whether his History of the Church were his own is suspected of some his name supposed to gain credit to the work which in many parts seems ridiculous Morton in some eminencie and lustre fell into an obloquie of an infamous Act upon the person of Thomas Percey Earl of Northumberland whose desperate case together with Westmerland forced them from home as you have heard to seek for succour in Scotland after some time Westmerland got into Flanders but Northumberland wandred in the woods of Hatles for habitation and was heretofore by his Comrades betrayed to Morton and delivered up by him to the late Regent Murray whose Authority preserved him by the Law of Nations from Queen Elizabeths fury but now Morton powerfull by preferment and plentifull in Estate whom honour had made so aud some meritt valuable yet I know not with what errour of honesty basely sould him for a piece of Money to Hunsdon Governour of Berwick and so became headless by the fatall Ax at York The fruit of this ungratious Act fell upon the Protector himself in the Ultimum of his life by the like fall of the Ax that often cures great men of these wicked maladies 1581 The Kingdome of Scotland heretofore in severall fewds now was devided into two unnaturall factions of Son and Mother the King and captivate Queen in which dissention the Nobility side into severals England and France interpose accord but with sinister respects for the French Ambassadour had his Item and meant nothing less Queen Elizabeth to countermine him sent Killegrew to join with the King and Religion yet a Treaty was perswaded In the interim Kirkaldy Lord of Grange and Governour of Edenburgh Castle being on a high Rock inaccessable fortified by a Feâ and Lake on one side and a Moss which surrounds it and to his faction being the chief Baron the French gave hope of assistance To whom he sends over his Brother Iames Kircaldy for men and money with which returning he lands at the Castle Blackness the Governour thereof Andrew Stuart though before his Confident was of late bribed to seaze him into fetters whilest he carried the news and 1000. French Crowns of Kirkaldies to the Regent In his absence on this treacherous errand Kircaldy corrupts his Keepers and they the Souldiers and so of a Prisoner he hath the Keys and custody of the Castle In two daies returned Stuart and no sooner entered but is secured into Irons which he studies to revenge and conceived that the best way might be the same and so the less suspected to catch his Adversary in the same Gyn which so lately caught him With feigned tears and a cunning tale he melts the hardned Gaolers into compassion and they the Guard with helps of some bribings some Crowns secretly sowed up in his quilted Wastcoâe And as if better than they could design it Kircaldy would needs accompany his Wife in a visit forth of the Castle when as hastily he was shut out and the late Governour set at liberty commands all again During which time the Treaty came on but ended without effect and Grange begins his fury on the City as fuel to his fire Either part implore assistance The Protector from England and soon was sent to him by Land and Sea nine Canons six demi-Canons six Sakers 9. Culverins with all necessaries and 1500. men under Command of the Marshal of Berwick Sir William Drury who joined with 500. hired Scots and so furiously assaulted the Castle that from the twenty fifth of April in thirty three dayes it was rendred to the Mercy of the Queen of England who referred it wholly to the Regent and the Lord
supervivor to eight of her children thrice imprisoned for affecting mariages with Thomas Howard son to the Duke of Norfolk then for her sons match with Queen Mary and the last was for her younger son Charles with Elizabeth Candish daughter to the Countess of Shrewsbury and mother to the Lady Arabella She was Nobly intombed at Westminster an elaborate Sepulture and then left living King Iames the sixth and this Arabella who was thus neer to the Crowns And therefore imprisoned hereafter by King Iames for intermariage with Seymor the now Earl of Hartford but she died without issue and so without ãâã of future interest to these Kingdomes See anno 1616. Amongst other of Mortons plots and processes raysing the Revenues of the Crown one was for recovery of some lands which was given by the Queen to Mary Levingston whilst she was her maid of honour and now maried to Iohn Simple who made his best defence in his sute but fearing the Regents rigour had passionately avowed That if he lost his land the other should lose his life This and other discourse that he was countenanced by Lord Iohn Hamilton and his brother Lord Claud instigating also Adam Whiteford of Milton Nephew to Simple to kill the Regent in the street with an Harquebus Simple upon Torture confessed all and more also his cowardize not affording him courage to hold out Whiteford did better his constancie was not terrified with the wrack and therefore gave suspition that the others confession was extorted by the pain of punishment yet to make out the matter Simple was arraigned condemned and brought to the Scaffold but pardoned the like had the other and both of them the favour of the people to blame the Regent for his rigour whose main intention was thereby to invalue these Lords and their estates to his griping gain One Allester Dow Macallan a notorious thief was apprehended by Earl Athol who was prohibited by the council and charges directed against him for exhibition of the man the fellow being set at liberty by Arguile falls to his old profession and robd Athol who in revenge invades Arguile and so the countrey take uprore thereat until an Herauld discharges those convocations and cites them both before the Council but were reconciled Arguile goes on and arms against Claudonald seizes the Regents Messenger tears his Letters missive and swears him and his Train not to return to tell tales This insolencie fires the Regent to revenge and for the present did no more than proclaim him Rebel But these and other tumults shewed an Ecclipse of Ministerial Government and gave means to private mens discontents to open a way of complaint against the Regent Alexander Arskin attending on the King takes advantage of Arguile and Athols reconcilement plots with them to open their Causes to the King which they must countenance and did but so craftily as that the one Athols counsel was called upon the others complaint And advise to summon the Lords mostly enemies to the Regent to meet at Sterlin Mortons avarice and lust subjects him from his strength and Power that ruled all to become weak in Authority over any His enormities of several natures numberless which brought him sodainly to sinck Besides his fins the Hamiltons were his Enemies made so by his own malice upon that Noble Family as also upon the Earls Athol Montross and Arguile whose kinsmen he proclaimed Traytors for not appearing at his Call Arguile invites these Lords and others to accompany him to the King at Sterlin with remonstrance of such grievances as the State groaned under and were seconded by fit Instruments such as evermore reside at Court He is sent for by the King and Council but delaies time to make Friends their opinions various it was yet concluded as the safest way to piece Friendship with Arguile who refused unless he would also quit the Regency To this he demurs and retires from his Enemies power And this gave good occasion to the boisterous Praecisians whose pursute was after such prey as might innovate Authority which they hated because it was Regal though Mortons interest had been ever to preserve them the Arch-bishops only being lately commanded not to obey the Synods Decretalls against which they complain in the Pulpit and having there the liberty of the tongue for that time they tell all to the people and of more than he could be guilty The Earl of Angus was his Ally in blood and the chief of the Dowglasses who with Carmichel a Commander of War advise him to Arms But Morton rather submitted to a Parliament at Sterlin Thither he sends his Friends but withdrew himself and with them his Papers and Notes expostulatory of his good Services which were not liked because not Petitionary And thus they seemed to signify and first He craves leave of publique Iustice upon his Accusers If otherwise that his Majesty thought fit to oversee their disobedience to authority then to be pleased to disburthen him of his Office and not to suffer his Royall Name and Authority to be despised in the Person of his Servant for as he had oft times made offer to demit his Regency to his Majesty so now the more willing if a Substantial course might be assured for preservation of his Highness person the ordering of his Majesties Houshold and dispensing of the Revenues of the Crown And herewith he recommended the keeping of the peace contracted with England as a security to his Majesties Right and Title to Succession And so recounting his former Services from the Kings birth to this present His assistance at the Kings Coronation His and his Friends hazard at Lanside field the siege ãâã Brichen His legations undertaken into England the recovery of the Castle of Edenburgh the Pacification of the Realm all on fire aâ his first entrance the redeeming of Iewels and Plate of the Crown and restoring of the Royall Patrimony to some reasonable condition And in regard of all he craved no more than allowance of his expence and a discharge of his Intromissions by the Estates of Parliament These not sufficient to prevail and his friends having littlâ Power and his bad Cause to plead he was voted non-Regent And accordingly into the hands of Angus Claim Ruthen and Harris he delivers the Crown Scepter and other Regalities which were presented by them in a great Convention of Lords and Angus invests them on the King with the univocal acclamation of all He having not yet attained to the years of youth yet in this turbulent time took upon him the Scepter which was celebrated at Edenburgh and the affairs of State rendered to the King now at twelve years old but with assistance of twelve Noblemen three of them by turns alwaies about him and Morton of the number as to bring him to reason not to cast him quite off to ruin whose wit and experience was useful to the State which he soon imployed to master
limitted And the Discipline erected by the Bishops and Super-intendents which had suffered some Diminution but no Synodical act for abolition should be confirmed And so with prosperous effects the Parliament ended and the King returns to his Sports at Sterlin The Presbyters now took up some colourable fears upon landing of one Amys or Amatus Stuart Lord Aubigny so called from Aubigny a Village in Aquitain a French-man born but of Scots family and kinsman to the King A notorious Guisit and Papist as they would have him The Town Aubigny was by Charles the seventh of France given to Iohn Stuart of the family of Lenox who commanded the Scots there and worsted the English which Town and Title depend ever since on the younger Sons and so on this Man He was sent over by the Guises or rather sent for over by Montross and Arguile to subvert Morton or to break the Truce twixt England and Scotland And no sooner landed but received with all honor and advanced in trust created Earl of Lenox and after created Duke a privy Counsellor of the Bed-chamber and Governour of Dunbarton Castle He was soon accused for engrossing so suddenly so much favour and since it hath been taken up for advantage who ever was like to please the King was thereupon cryed down by the Church for a Papist and so he was presented to Queen Elizabeth a dangerous Man and what mischief an evil favourite might suggest to the Kings maturity fitted to act evil impressions his Mothers Designs troublesome to both Realms more easy and proper for him to execute These in England and somewhat at home both together to wrest him from the King and Bowes is sent from Berwick to charge it home before the King and his Council The Queen of England not liking any so neer the King so much of the French Faction as he and one Monbirneau an Actor in the Massacre of France Bowes ere he entered into his errand required to have Lenox and him dismist the Board which was refused before the cause or crime were charged and bidden to produce his Commission for his peremptory demand which he could not and so was forthwith called home Yet to prevent the prejudice of his anger Alexander Hume is sent after to excuse it to the Queen so to learn the truth of her mistrust She as in such Cases to Messengers so all Princes take as Affronts to themselves and so did She and remits him to Burleigh disdaining to see him her self Burleigh Wisely assured him the Queens affections to his own person as a Protestant and his merits to his Master which she would own in any of his Ministers besides she knew him a good Counsellor for her Kinsman the King but denies you her presence who lookes not upon any Ambassadour from another where her own have been unheard and his Commission demanded without President But these are the fruits said he of your young Kings new Counsellors whose first principles are to discredit your best friends and interess their factions such as the Cosin Guises and a Frenchman or two of theirs sent over for that purpose to hazard ruin to the State if they be let to run on unless the Queens prudence and power prevent And so he parted Morton full of malice retires in discontent to Dalkieth disliking the state and manner of Court Miners for in doubt of some danger to his own person he came not neer the King but as commanded to counsel This distance gave his Enemies cause to fear and to prevent his hatred hasten their resolution to ruin him by the accusation of Iames Stuart sonne to the Lord Ucheltrie a bold-faced young man and had his arrand to charge him home which he did of murthering the late King and thus accused to his face and confined to his lodging he might expect no better than the last act of fate to take away his life and though a Pensioner to England this was done without dread of any But this ill news coming to Queen Elizabeth she Posts away Randolph now Post master of England to remove Lenox and to plead for Morton And in their great Assembly he recounts the Queens favours in freeing the Scots of the French with expence of English blood and treasure when her power could have seized all for her self the King then in his cradle his Regents successively owning these kindnesses till Aubigny and that other came in to ruine Religion and rule the King as their ward producing letters to some purpose which most men thought to be counterfeit and so effected nothing When nothing would serve his turn to turn out favorities Randolph takes upon him to set them by the ears and deals with both factions Lenox and Mortons underhand working jealousies to free themselves by force from eithers fewd which grew high and daingerous offering ayd from England to set things square which he made round These being marched to the Borders and the Scots as for the King prepared to receive them the English faction withdrew then and being discovered many were senâ to prison and Randolph thus far besides his Commission durst not indure the power of his privilege but slipt away leaving his Nephew and Angus and Mar chief incendiaries to shift after and Morton to his just reward who was forthwith arraigned convict and beheaded for the murther of the Kings father and so confest by him before he dyed with this excuse that in those times of distraction he durst not but to do so The fatall Axe called the maiden himself had Patterned from that at Hallifax in Yorkshire which he had seen and liked the fashion for falling down between two posts executed him sure and sodain His Honour and Title was conferred on Iohn Maxwell He was an able man in what he undertook so that we may say as of Cato In hoc viro tanta vis animi ingeniique fuit ut quocunque loco natus est fortunam sibi ipse facturus fuisse videretur nulla ars neque privatae neque publicae rei gerendae ei defuit urbanas rusticasque res pariter callebat He was slow of speech with a natural composed gravity his countenance Majesticall his actions Princely had not that guilt of too much gathering and griping degraded those excellencies and left him naked to deserve nothing He desired to have a thing which dyed with him the Scots lawes reduced into Methode and it was urged as useless A great question with them to have Order in any thing that had none to serve God their opinion then hath since infected us His great wealth got together was scattered by unfaithful hands and hearts Livor post fata quiescit Discite mortales mortalia temnere illa Quaerere quae miseris non rapit aura levis About this time Ruthen lately created E. Gowry the son of William Ruthen Queen Maries deadly Enemy with other conspirators under pretence of
conserving the peace of Religion to which they were urged by the factious Ministery and which to secure they endeavour to remove Lenox and Arran from the King that was their colour but in their absence they invite the King to Ruthen Castle and their seize him Prisoner with threats of death untill he consented to the imprisoning of Arran banishing of Lenox into France and the return of the fugitive Angus out of England Of this the distressed Queen of Scots Prisoner at Sheffield writes to Queen Elizabeth a long letter full of miserable sadness Exquisitely expressing all her sufferings from the first of her subjects very oft Rebellion against her from which persecution being invited by her Majesty to rest secure upon her Princely succour and defence she is now by length of time drawn on to dispair of release from that hand which lodes her with lingring of a lothed life plainly and justly demonstrates her to be active and passive consenting to all her Mishaps She calls God to witness her Impartial affection to her Person and her innocency from prejudice of her affairs and State Desires justice of God and her and implores the mitigation of her misery and some more freedome though with Imprisonment of her Person Layes all particular differences home to the Conscience of the Queen and signs to her Letter Vostre tres desolei plus proche parente affectionate Seure Mary Reg. Indeed these were sharp and peircing which so much disquieted Queen Elizabeths Conscience that she consults to release her jointly to govern with the King And eight Articles were drawn up even such as they were the world knew she would never refuse for her extremity enforced her to yield to most unreasonable but this was but to spin time till the State could find some other expedients or some exceptions which dayly happened by Examinations Confessions or Suspitions grounded upon slender yet continual attempts of private persons and publique Designes of Forein States for the poor Queens interests which failing for her good she was though innocent sure to smart But because the manner of the Kings restraint in Ruthen is diversly related and which the Kirk justified for their own ends I shall adventure upon the Truth in these particulars hereafter Some of the Lords combining mischief to the King under colour of Religion and Liberty of the Kingdom took occasion and advantage of the Duke of Arrans absence from the Court and detained the King at Ruthen These Conspirators were Iohn Earl of Mar William Earl Gowry Lords Lindsey Boyd Clames and Oliphant Some Abbots and Lairds and stopt the King going to hunting who not being answered to the reason and cause grew in passion which concluded in tears to be thus vilified But it was reproached That better bairns should weep than bearded men This news hastens the Earl of Arran to Court where he was soon secured and bid be patient with safety of his life for his brother William Stuart was wounded by the way and kept Prisoner The like course they take with some Noblemen sent by the Duke of Lenox to enquire of the King Who cried out to them that he was a Captive and desired his good subjects to release him The conspirators excused themselves that their surprize only restrained the King from Arran and from Lenox whose banishment they threatned into France And forcing the King to pacifie the people with a Proclamation That for removing some differences His Majesty interposed himself Mediator and resolved to reside at Perth being his own free and voluntary choice and commanding such as were in Arms upon pretext of his restraint to dissolve within six houres on pain of death The Duke raises Forces but was countermanded by the Kings Letter to depart the Realm within twenty daies yet he retires to Dunbarton where the Noble-men and others flock to defend his Cause These uprores were posted to Queen Elizabeth who sends Sir Henry Cary and Sir Robert Bowes to advise the King to be counselled by the Lords against the Duke and Arran and to restore the Earl of Angus exiled in England since Mortons execution This last was obtained and soon after he was accepted into favour but much ado to incline the King to part with Lenox The Lords carry the King to Edenburgh where the Ministry justifie their act joyfully singing in Procession the 124. Psalm New Israel may say c. And the Assembly then convened ratifie the attempt on the Kings person at Ruthen and published it in all the Churches of the Realm to the regret and grief of all good men to see a bad cause thus coloured over and defended by the Church which made much for their Popedom that by these means of distraction the Lords gave themselves up to be governed by the Others Judgements Many there were that sided herein the most honest refused to subscribe But Arran was detained prisoner till the Duke was gon over Seas to France who fell sick at Sea and had leave to land at Blackness and so to pass by Queen Elizabeths favour though England where his sickness contracted into a Disease of which he died in Paris next year after and confessed the faith of the Church of Scotland which he alwaies maintained though in the Kirks policy he was accounted a Court Papist Two Ambassadors come from France Menvel and la Matt through England with whom was sent Davidson from Qu. Eliz. to undermine their Message being To work the Kings Liberty to confirm him to the French and renew the purpose of Association which was That the Queen of Scots should communicate the Crown with her son and administration of Iustice so that he may be acknowledged a lawful King by all Christian Princes and thereby all domestique factions suppressed This Embassy was voted in the Kirks Assembly to be a special grievance a wicked practice declaming in their Pulpits against la Matt who being a Knight of the Order of St. Esprit wore the badge of the White-Cross upon his Shoulder which they called The badge of Antichrist and him The Ambassadour of the bloody Murtherer meaning the Duke of Guise who sent him thither The King not able to do it otherwaies desired the Magistrates of Edenburgh not to demit them without a Feast at parting which was concluded on the Monday after And all cost prepared in Order thereto When on Sunday the very day before the Kirk proclame in their Pulpits the next day to be kept fast and in malice to the Kings honour therein appointed three Preachers the one succeeding the other to weary the poor peoples attention from Morning till night Thundering Curses Anathema's and Excommunication against all Nobles Magistrates and Others that attended the Ambassadors The good King sees these insolencies but lodges them up in silence till he got power to remedy these wrongs About this time dies Buchanan whose Character is chronicled by the Arch-bishop of Saint Andrews in his History of
their Church For his excellent wit and incomparable learning Born near the Highlands After his first commitment 1539. for his versifying against the Fryers he escaped to France Returning 1560. he professed Philosophy at Saint Andrews and became the Kings Tutor He is concluded by all moderate and faithful Recordes That he penned his Scotish History with eloquence and with such Judgement as that he is justly blamed by most men for joining with all factions of the time and evermore to justifie any base and scandalous proceeding against Queen Mary and falsly and fowly he endeavoured to depress the Royal authority of Princes siding with the Treasonable tenents of rebellious Subjects which afterwards he expressed with bitter unmanerly sauciness of his Soveraign Queen then deceased This is the joint opinion of some with whom we may be convinced to incline This next Summer the King got free from his Attenders for being in Faulkland he desired to visit his Uncle the Earl of March then at Saint Andrews where he took a view of the Castle and being entered the Captain of the Guard Colonel Stuart acquainted with the Design clapt to the Gates and shut out the Company and the next morning came the Kings friends the Earls of Arguile Marshall Montross and Rothess And of his former Jaylers none but the Earl Gowry was admitted by the Collonels means who had been his Servant and upon his humble submission for his Fact at Ruthen was received to mercy and all these Lords elected his Counsellors with Inhibition that none should presume to come to Court with more attendants than fifteen with an Earl or Bishop ten with a Lord or Abbot or Priour and six with a Baron And now declares in publique That however his Majesty did with patience perforce indure his restraint at Ruthen and all those former passages of Treasonable disloyalty yet willing to be an Example of Clemency to others he in favour pardoned all admonishing the Lords to do so too amongst themselves Yet their consciences accusing left not to convene in tumult and therefore for more security to the King they were confined to several Places by Proclamation which they disobeying were denounced Rebells except Angus who submitted and now was Iohn Metallan admitted Counsellor and hereafter became Chancelor of State These affaires took up the summer and at the fall of the leaf comes secretary Walsingham from Queen Elizabeth expostulating the Kings receiving of Arran and casting of his nobles who though thus mutenous as you have heard were yet justified by her to be defenders of his Crown The King told him He was not to be taught to rule in his own affaires being as free as his Princess and that his promise against Arran was made under his restraint but now being at liberty himself he doth him but the like justice Expecting his so much friendship from his Sister the Queen not to countenance his subjects in Rebellion The Ambassadour replyed that his Mistress medlâd not but for his good and complains that one Holt an English Iesuite and plotter in Throgmortons treason should be imprisoned by the King and yet permitted to escape by means of the French and not rather sent to the Queen he was answered that Archibald Dowglas guilty of his fathers murther and in England was not rendered to him as was desired Though in truth Holt got loose without leave And so the discourse ended in peace And in November Lodawick eldest sonn to the late Duke of Lenox from France at 14 years of age the King having sent for his Brethren before Investing him with his fathers honnors and lands and the Earl Montross to be his Trustee Some years after came over his sisters Henrieta married to the Earl of Huntley Mary to the Earl of Mar the third avowed her self a Virgin to the Cloister A younger sonne remained in France untill the King came into England where he was advanced to great honors Thus did a gracious King for a distressed family The former Declaration against the mutenous Lords could not deter them from conventions pretending the time too short which was limitted for their submission unto confinement And therefore in an Assembly of the Peers the King renews his offer of pardon to such as would confesse their foule act at Ruthen and submit to conforme themselves accordingly The Earl Rothess protests his subscription to that fact was forced upon him and repents to mercy from whose example the rest followed and the faction to fall asunder They had pardon and leave to depart some into Ireland others to France Amongst whom was Gowry who yet delayed his journey whilst he fell into new practises which brought him to his death No wonder to finde the Ministery much concerned in their Sermons to justifie one or other of these Revolters and the fact of Ruthen necessary and lawful Andrew Melvil affirming to the Council That the Presbytery only had power and authority to judge and censure the Pulpit and not the King nor his Council In primâ instantià to meddle therewith though they should be treasonable Telling the King to his face That he perverted the laws of God and man Upon which he was charged to enter his person in Blackness forthwith but he turn'd back fled to Barwick that night and alwaies after the Ministery complaining That the light of of the Countrey for learning and the only man to resist the enemies of Religion was exiled and compell'd for his life to quit the Kingdome And though the King descended to satisfie the people by Proclamation therein yet it caused a murmuring and encouraged Gowry to expect Mars and Glammins returne out of Ireland to joyne in Armes for Reformation of abuses in Church and State for preservation of the King and Kingdome The wonted old pretence of all Rebells Gowry to colour his intended treason from suspition comes to Dundee and there presseth a ship for his voyage But the King quickly advised sent Collonel Stewart Captain of the Guard to seize him who with others made some resistance but the Town concurring with the Captain he was taken and conveyed to Edenburgh under costody of Arran Within two daies after Angus and Mar surprise the Castle of Sterlin but hearing of the Kings march with formidable forces they fly into England Gowries confession under his hand sets down their practises thus That himself perceaving the Kings favour declining and his estate aimed at by power of his enemies he was forced to seek his own relief by concurring with other Nobles in the like Case by the means of James Erskin who travelled therein and assured me of their Return to Sterlin where we concluded That at home it was expected that all those who subscribed the bond in the first alteration would join with us and besides them the Earls Marshal and Bothwel the Lord Lindsey and others of the West From England we expected supply and that the Queen would intercede for restitution
Princes not being so ready in these days to embrace other mens Quarrels but where they are extraordinarily interessed in their own fortunes Wherefore I doubt not but it will be seen by men of judgment not transported with passion or led away with private respects that it should be every way the onely best course for your Sovereign by a good and kinde usage of Her Majesty and by shewing that Princely moderation as well in this grievous Accident of his Mothers death as his whole proceeding with this Realm which his Highness excellent Education seems to promise to seek to win the hearty good wills of this Nation as the chief and principal assurance he can in any sort obtain For to trust and depend either upon the French King or the K. of Spain as if by their assistance he might attain to the present possession of this Crown they being indeed the only two Potentates whom he must have recourse unto if he reject the amity of England whosoever shall so counsel your Sovereign as things now stand shall in the judgment of men of the best understanding be blamed either of fidelity or want of wisdom drawing his Majesty unto so untoward and desperate a course For it is no way safe for any Prince to repose his trust and strength upon their favour and assistance to whose desires and designs his greatness may yield any impeachment or hindrance so it were clearly against common reason to expect other support and assistance from them than might stand with their own commodities and pretensions in respect whereof neither of the two foresaid Kings can simply and roundly joyn with his Sovereign to his good First his Religion being odious to them both and likely to prove most prejudicial to the Catholick Cause he growing so great as he should be made by the union of the two Crowns the consideration whereof caused his Mothers affairs to stick a long time and made now in the end to leave him quite out of the reckoning ordaining the King of Spain her Heir if her Son became not Catholick Next it is meerly repugnant to the policy of France were it but in respect of the ancient claim which England maketh to that Crown to suffer the uniting of this Island under one Prince They have been content in former times when England had footing in France to serve themselves of your Nation therewith to annoy this Realm by the means of diverting or dividing the Forces thereof and so perhaps the Politicks of France can be content to wish at this day by your Sovereigns Quarrel or any such like to be eased of the burthen and miseries of the present War wherewith they are plagued by transporting the same into this Island But as this Realm hath good means to prevent the miâchief if it were intended so were your Sovereign to look when all were done but to be made an Instrument as his Predecessors have been of the effusion of much Scotish bloud for French Quarrels and the desolation of that Realm And as things stand presently in France it is not to be thought that you shall finde the King ready to hearken unto any Enterprise of this Land He being most desirous to live in peace both with his Neighbours abroad and with his Subjects at home but that he hath been forced full sore against his will by the practice of them of the House of Guise to countenance with his authority the Civil War raised in that Realm which maketh him what ever shew he hath to shadow out the contrary to hate them in his heart Neither would it be held sound counsel to be given him by any that depends upon his fortune to further the advancement of a King of Scots so nearly allied to that Family which he hath discovered and greatly feareth to level at his own Crown with any intention to depose him which by the greatness of a King of Scots they should be so much the sooner and better able to effect The King of Spain's assistance being now in War with this Realm were more likely to be obtained but far more dangerous to be used in respect of his most insatiable ambition deep practices and power accompanied in this case with a colour of Right wherein how far he would seek to prevail any opportunity or advantage being offered it may be justly doubted by the experience that sundry States have had which upon slender grounds of Title have been extorted and wrung from the true Inheritors and annexed to his own Kingdom as Navar Portugal and all that he possesseth in Italy hath been It is believed that the King of Spain considering his years and unsettled Estate every way would willingly incline to peace if it were offered with reasonable conditions and not over readily at this present imbarque himself in any new Enterprise But otherwise it is well known as he had fancied to Himself the Empire of all this part of Europe so he had an eye to this Realm ever since he was King in Right of his Wife The Conquest was intended under colour of Religion as it was discovered by some that were of his Privy Council at that time his pretension to be Heir of the House of Lancaster and since the late Queen of Scots Death the first Catholick Prince of the Bloud Royal of England as also the Donation of this Crown made to him by the Queen of Scots in her Letters with a promise to confirm it by Testament things blazed abroad by the Spanish Ambassadour at Paris ought to breed jealousies and suspitions in your Sovereigns head and give him true cause to think how he should be used at such an Assistants hand Auxiliary Forces have ever been reputed dangerous if they either in number or policy were superior to them that called them in The Assistance therefore of Spain and France being of this nature as your Sovereign hath need of neither so he shall do well to forbear them both and so shall it be well for his ease It may be some will pretend by change of his Religion your Sovereign shall better his condition in regard of these forein Princes besides a great party within this Realm that thereby shall be drawn wholly to depend upon his fortune but the poor distressed estate of Don Antonio being a Catholick Prince spoiled by a Catholick and receiving so little succour at Catholick Princes hands shall be a sufficient bar to all that can be said in that behalf As for the Catholick party in England in his Mothers life it was never so united as they drew all in one line much less will they be brought suddenly to rely upon him if he should alter his Religion as God defend which would be his utter discredit and overthrow both with the one and the other party neither having cause to repose confidence in him the Protestants because he had renounced the Religion wherein he was with great care brought up The Papists because they could not be
and himself brought in the Lords at Sterlin and put his brother Captain Iames Stewart from Court which now he repented and would this way assist him to revenge Stewart not confident in the man discovers all to the King and Thirlston complains to the Councel which Gray denies and Sir William justifies and more accuses him of abuse in his late Ambassie into England and treacherously consenting to the death of the Kings Mother But these accusations referring to truth and a leasurely Tryal they were both committed Which came again to examination and further accusation of Gray for letters to the French King and Duke of Guise not to assist Scotland in revenge of Queen Maries death unless the King would tollerate Catholiks which Gray could not deny but begged mercy ingenuously confessing that he finding Queen Elizabeths resolution advised to put her to death rather in private than in forms of Justice and acknowledged those words mortui non mordent to be his and so meant and not as they were detorted And so craving the Kings gracious favour was condemned and banished A rule of the Kings clemency never to ruine whom he had affected The King now twenty one yeers compleat and more calls a Parliament in Iuly at Edenburgh and for preparation summons the Noblemens whom he reconciled from all controversie and feasts them all at Court And being the better whittled they went hand in hand by couples to the Market-cross A rare sight to the people if it would last He hoped to do as much with the Churchmen Ministers and Prelates But soft they are not in charity with the King himself for the committing of their brethren Gibson and Cooper which was an offence to the Godly and for the admitting Montgomery by the Kings desire who was excommunicate It must not be but by sparing some of his punishments in case the King release Cooper so nothing done for either And being now up in spiritual Arms they petition the Parliament That the Prelates might be removed from sitting among the Estates as having no authority from the Church no function nor charge at all But the Abbot of Kinlass made answer That the Ministers had disorderly shut them out of their Churches and now would turn them out of their places in Parliament And indeed do what the King could to the contrary there passed an Act for annexing the Temporality of Benefices to the Crown upon pretext of bettring the patrimony and to leav the honor of Estate without Taxe on the people but to the utter decay of the spiritual Priors and Abotts being turned temporal Lords which the King afterwards finding inconvenient advises his son in his Basilicon Doron to anull That vile and pernicious Act as he calls it The Borderers were up taking advantage of any quarrel now make incursions upon England with fire and sword beginning the revenge for their Queen Mother as they termed it Hereupon Hunsdon Governor of Barwick gets audience of the King all others before being refused urging the most of Walsinghams reasons before mentioned as a hazard to his succession to raise war with England and satisfies the King with a Declaration of the Judges and the sentence of Davison in Star-Chamber as if all had been done without Queen Elizabeths knowledge and so the Borderers were commanded to be qniet An Ambassadour Patrick Vaus of Barnborough from Denmark accompanied Peter Yong the Kings Almoner who had been sent to Treat of the Marriage in May last return now in August with the conclusion and that in the spring a Nobleman should be directed to accomplish the Ceremony in Denmark and bring home the Bride But the death of King Frederick her father in Aprill delayed the business for certain moneths after To end this yeer comes over divers Jesuits and Priests to deal with the Catholicke Lords in Scotland to assist the next yeers invasion of England in hope to find friendship if they should be forced on their Coast and outwardly made it their business of revenge for his Mothers death promising to conquer the Crown for his sake that was sure otherwise to wear it but the King hastely returns them home again and proclaims against them and their Abetters And the Church-men taking fire though all fear was quenched they Assemble Lords and Laicks and in a confused multitude beset the Kings resolutions to do of himself what they so earnestly desired And therefore in great choler sends them word That they meant to boast him with their power and force the execution of their demands and admitting some of the number they confer with the Kings Councel and so a good course was concluded against the Catholicks and the Ministers bidden to depart Nay now they are up allay them who can for ere they disband the grievances of the Church must be rectified Iames Gibson heretofore censured for his misdemeanour against the King and had liberty upon promise of his Recantation and Submission in the Pulpit but the man had a new Light and told the People that out of infirmity he had confessed a Fault but his conscience now was otherwise revealed that his actions heretofore were innocent The Chancellour hath the opinion of the Assembly whether To call the King Persecutor of the Church and threaten him to be the last of his Race were well done and this to the People out of the Pulpit Much ado in dispute to finde error in so godly a man the major Votes made it offensive and in the afternoon he was to appear for defining the Censure but in the mean time Gibson gets away and was excused being in fear of the King so great an Adversary and this endured a long debate in behalf of him ere the Kings Advocates could plead a distinction between his Majesty and their Ministery and all that could be gotten for the King was the man to be suspended during the pleasure of the Assembly which lasted but the next meeting in August where Gibson gives his Reasons of not appearing before for fear that the affairs of the Church might be hindered by disturbance if his person had then suffered in presence of the People Upon this deep Declaration without asking leave of the King he is purged of his contumacy which so incensed the King who taking upon him to be some-body the Fellow was forced to fly to the factious Brethren in England who were labouring to bring in the holy Discipline into that Church also For the infection of Schisms had spread abroad in England greater Injuries and more impudent Contempts than had been known before upon the Temporal and Ecclesiastical Magistrates by the Puritans as one calls them of those days and Queen Elizabeth Semper eadem not enduring Innovation as impugning directly or obliquely the Royal Prerogative The Zealots for the Geneve Discipline railing at the English Hierarchy with scurrilous non-sense Libells by names of Martin-Mar-Prelate The
ranged them in some Order and sailed towards Graveling but no Parma appearing the English small Ships swift and sure chaced divers of them and sunck the great Gallions of Biscay Two others of Portugall torn and tottered fell upon Flanders and were taken by the Dutch The General returned Soutward with such of his Ships best provided and arrived safe at Biscay in Spain The rest of the Fleet taking the Sea Northwards in distress for Water and hindered with wind ignorant also of those Seas and shoulds that above 40. sayl were cast away on the Coasts of Scotland the Isles Orkneys and so round again Southward between England and Ireland As the great Ship of Florence fell upon the West of Scotland fired by the High-Landers And of all the Numbers of Ships aforesaid onely fifty five came safe to Spain there were lost thirteen thousand five hundred Men and Mariners and as themselves say not a family of repute in all Spain but suffered the loss of some kinsman and in this fray but one English Ship and one hundred men in all missing So that what the Spaniard provided in four year was thus far ruined in four Weeks to the glory of God and everlasting comfort of Great Britain The King on his part first at Court and afterwards through all his Kingdom gave publique thanks to God for this good riddance of so formidable an Enemy Whether the Astrologers were in the right or wrong that foretold of Wonders to happen this year and ment the success glorious to Spain or whether the wonder was that they should be sunck in the Sea as they were certainly they writ of this and the succeeding years full of fatallity as in France it fell out more fearful But for the Western Isles we felt none at all and yet the effects were threatned by them upon all of us The Scots Catholiques were much amazed at this event who Parma comforted with Letters Intimating the loss not great which should been the next Summer by a fresh Fleet prepared before to succour these which now joining will soon make good all the defects of the former Robert Bruce brought this news to Huntley to be communicated unto the rest of that faction and some money was sent amongst them but because Huntleys share was not parted proportionable to his desire and desert he grew cold in the cause and in some discontent the King took the advantage and advised him to subscribe the Confession of Faith and so was reconciled to the Church and neglected by the other ever after But he was put upon it to satisfy the Prince of Parma and by letter That after the escape of Semple as aforesaid he was so beset by the Kings jealousies upon all his actions that either he ought to yield or to depart or to have taken up forces to secure himself which he was not then able to do all hopes failing with the evil hap of the Spaniards But what had evil effect he should endeavour to recover by some good service for advance of the Catholique Cause However God had put him in such good credit with the King as that he hath altered his Guards and added of his own friends by whom he hopes to be assured and at convenient time to be Master of the King And so when the promised support shall arrive he should be able to spoyl the Heretiques and make sure for the Catholiques Besought him to be perswaded of his unchangeable affection though in outward shew he was forced to accomodate himself with the present time January 1589. Edenburgh Another such like was sent over from the Earl of Arrol whom Hay the Iesuit had seduced That since his Conversion he was obliged to advance the Catholique faith and that Religion the greatest and most important cause in the world being now joined to another civil consideration of great affinity to the affairs at Home He was therefore the more intirely obliged to his Catholique Majesty and that in Scotland His Highness had not a more affectionate Servant than ARROL And at the very same time other letters were sent by Huntley Crawford and Morton so did Maxwell stile himself in prison to the King of Spain when after their great regret for the mischance of the Navy they assure that if it had visited them it should not have found resistance in Scotland and with their Support have assisted sufficient against England The blame of all they lodged upon the English Catholiques refugers in Spain who in enmity to others did too much magnifie their own as best able to do all And therefore prayed his Majesty not to over-countenance the one to other neglect but that the ends of all should aim at one And then remitting to the advise and Declaration of some of his own Subjects lately returned from hence for several Commodious advantages how and where to land an Army in Scotland they proposed that with six thousand Spanish and money to levy as many more they might within six hours arrival be well advanced in England to assist the forces that he should send thither They advise him not to make Armies by Sea but to assign some of his forces to Scotland others by the West of Ireland towards England and so the forces divided part at Sea others in Scotland the enemy should be amused therewith referring much more to the bearer Collonel Semples relation The Jesuits of Spain tyred out of their plots and designs against England resolved to work out their way by Sedition in Scotland undermining the affections of any discontented parties and so being put in muteny they might easily restore their decaying Romistry Industry and Secrecy would bring it about To that end were imployed Bruce the old Lieger Jesuit with Creighton and Hay his former Comrades to perswade Huntly bastard son of Iohn the Prior of Coldingham son of Iames the fifth King of Scotland with Arroll Crawford and Bothwell to force the King from the Chancellor and Treasureshands and no difficulty to induce the people to resent their actions supposing the King to be weary of such power about him as reduced him to their dispose The Faction of the English flesht with his Mothers death in time would do so by him and his Friends and no doubt these sufferings would soon justifie their rising to rescue him and the Realm from ruin and no mention being made of Religion the Country would be more calm to resist their enterprize The meeting must be between Lieth and Edenburgh and so to Edenburgh to settle themselves at Court about the King kill the two Counsellers Bothwel aboade at Crichton and kept about him some Souldiers whom he had seduced Crawford and Arrol with their Friends came to the Ferry Montross stay'd six miles off But Huntley came through and the evening of the appointed time assisted by Kinfawnes brother to Crawford and some of Arrolls servants these filling the presence find the Chancellour with the
King with some of his Friends Ormston Carmichel and others who mistrusting encompassed the Chancellor and so he got forth The suspition and danger of some design intimated to the King Huntley is sent for examined and committed to the Castle which occasioned the company with Crawford and Arroll to dissolve and their design discovered And for not appearing before the Council Arroll and Bothwell are denowned Rebells Montross and Crawford submit and Huntley left alone does so too and is permitted to go to his North Government By the way he meets with Montross and Crawford belay the way to surprize the Treasurer and gave him chase to Brikel where he was received and they fire the House and so forced to yield himself Prisoner for some Weeks But thus prepared for the cause they take arms again close and undiscovered till several Messengers bring newes to the King a Hunting That Bothwell Huntley and others were marching The King gathers such Forces as he could for the present Bothwell ever inconstant retires to places of strength and is left of his Men. Huntley goes on surprizes Glams his Enemy and Captain of the Guard But at the Kings neerer approach quits all and lurks at home amongst the Rocks at Strathbolgie but not safe from himself his rebellious heart suspects the issue and so submits to mercy which was no worse than a Prison for the present and afterwards he and his pardoned upon Petition Whilst these disorders were at home their former Letters sent to the King of Spain and to Parma and some others also from Bruce were intercepted by Q. Elizabeth which laid open all the practices of the Lords And therefore she writes to the King Complaining of his remissness in punishing these Treacheries and of his kindness to such of the Spaniards that fled into Scotland after their wreck at Sea she besought him not to delay opportunity to punish the Offenders and to rid the Realm of such Strangers Hereupon they were shipped over towards West Flanders and by the way were met a league from that Coast by some Hollanders set out to intercept them who boarded one ship putting all the Spaniards to the sword the rest ran their ships a ground and most of the Men pittifully drowned A Proclamation issued out against all Iesuits remaining and Hay Creighton Bruce and Graham expressly commanded to depart upon pain of death but they inticing Huntley Crawford and Arroll take arms together came to Aberdeen in April and declare That the King is kept Captive requiring all good Subjects to join for relief and freedom of the people They depended on Bothwell and his Forces in the South whom the King proclaimed Rebels And for the present marches against the Earls as far as Cowry neer Aberdeen where he was told that the enemy was three thousand strong and hastning to meet the King The King put to the straight cheers up his Company That they had the better cause and himself in person to suffer with them against such whose conditions could never be wrought upon by benefits or good deeds to make them loyal assist me therefore as you shall find me forward rather for you than for my self Thus resolved Hamilton and Angus differ for the honour of the Vant-guard Angus claiming the place by privilege heretofore granted to his Predecessors Hamilton argued his neerness to the Blood Royall who carried it by the Kings favour But the next Morning discovers the Enemy dispersed for fear or favor to the Kings person to which respect Crawford condescended but Arroll earnest to fight and they refusing he parted from them at d ee Bridge and the King returns to Edenburgh And there in some assurance he disposes his affairs for consumating his mariage with Denmark and to bring his Bride into Scotland The Earl Marshall had the Commission assisted in Company with the Lord Dingwell Sir Iames Seringeour Mr. Iohn Sheen Advocate and Mr. Young Arch-deacon of St. Andrews And for the more honorable defraying the expence a subsidy of a hundred thousand pounds punds I conceive was granted by the Council by a former Warrant of Parliament 1587. and sudden payment was made by the well-willing Subjects earnestly desiring a Mariage for the issue of Royal Succession in his Race Against this time of publique joy the Rebels humbly submit to Justice and were impannell'd before the Earls of Hamilton Angus Morton Athol Mar and Marshall four Lords and four Lairds 1. They were charged for practising with Jesuits and others against the Religion receiving money from Spain and therewith raising forces 2. That they had confederacy with Arroll Montross and others and treasonably surprized Perth 3. That they conspired to imprison the King to murder Maitland and Thirlstan Counsellors of State 4. For besieging the house of Kirkhill firing that house and imprisoning the Lord Treasurer Glams 5. And convocated by Proclamation the Kings liege people against his Majesty 6. They opposed the Kings forces and his Person at Dee 7. They seized the Kings Herauld and rifled his Letters 8. And the last concerned only Bothwell for entertaining Strangers and others at Dalkieth forcing the Town of Lieth They were adjudged guilty but the sentence suspended Crawford committed to Blackness Bothwel to Tantallon and Huntley to Edenburgh Castle We may wonder why the Ministers are missing in all these broyls and now the Assembly convened at Edenburgh the King desired them to afford him Patrick Galloway to attend his Court They now acknowledge his Majesties Power to command and his grace and favour to acquaint them with his pleasure A good beginning of their duty and obedience not long lasting For the King having given his Kinswoman The Duke of Lennox Sister the last year in mariage to Huntley and the Bishop of Saint Andrews celebrating the same was then censured by the Acts of their Church the Bishop not acknowledging their power against his Majesties command they pronounce and deprive him of all function in the Church and ratifie the judgement to be proclaimed in publick This troubles the King and in fear of more disquiet was fain to suffer their Sentence and to make peace with all and remits the imprisoned Lords to liberty for now he hears that the Mariage is accomplished by Proxie and the Queen at Sea when lo an unlookt-for message that the Navy of her Conduct was driven by Tempest into Norway where she should stay till the Spring But his affection over-mastering all difficulties he resolves to hasten a Scotish fleet and fetch her home himself And to shadow his purpose from any home distempers he pretends to send the Chancellour and Iustice Clark in Commission to her But the ships fitted he in private sets sail in October leaving a direction to the Council for Government of his Kingdom under his own hand-writing thus To satisfy some concerning himself and to take off suspition of blame upon others he shews them the Causes and the reason of
whom adjoyn the Clanchattons and Dunbars Huntley advertised that Murray and Athol were to confederate with those Glamis in Forres intends to dissolve that knot ere it were hard bound but before he came they fever themselves and Murray returns to Huntley's way lay by the House and some of his men braving thereabout they within discharge some Shot which killed Gordon and for which Huntley invades the other with Forces and Murray assisted by Arroll his Cosin prepare to defend These tidings came to the King whose command separates each one to his own home which served the turn for a time but brake out in disorder after Another of the same nature an antient emulation of the Kers the one of Cesfords Family the other of Farnherst for the Wardenry of the Middle Marches and the Provostry of Iedbury which the Heir of Farnherst William Ker a young Spark maintains to the death and in a Trial of Theft before the Council for English Goods stollen it was taken as done in spleen and derogate to the honour of Sir Robert Ker of Cesford the Fellow being his follower The lady Cesford of an haughty heart never ceased peuling until her Son had basely murthered the other These were men of good repute wise and of great courage and of much loss to the Borders the one dead the other undone who fled for his life until he made a large satisfaction for maintenance of the fatherless children and by Marriage with the Chancellours Niece came again to his Family and into favour We have hinted heretofore of the Northern Nations much inclining to Witchcraft and in Scotland those of great Families this Winter produced many Examinations Agnes Simson the wife of Kieth a Matron of a grave and settled behaviour she declared that her Familiar appeared in a visible form and resolved her doubts concerning the Life or Death of any she used to call him Holla Master Ho la in Spanish Who is there as he directed her and confessed that Bothwell bid her inquire of the Kings Reign Life and Death whom the Devil undertook to destroy but failing confessed to her not to be in his power speaking words in French which she understood not but could repeat them Il est homme de Dieu Another one Richard Graham confessed the like against Bothwell which was the cause of his Commitment out of which he escapes by corrupting his Keeper and so far guilty hath his Doom of Forfeiture and is denounced Traitor the Proclamation speaks That he being tender in bloud to the King and further advanced in Honors and Offices above his Birth having heretofore in an unnatural humor committed Slaughters raised Arms against his Majesty and practised with strangers against the Religion and whereof his Conviction in May 1589. was superseded in hope of amendment but since heaping Treasons he concluded with the consult of Witches against the Kings Life as by confession of sundry persons appears and for all being committed he hath broken Prison and thereby taken these Crimes upon him which concludes him a Traitor But he enters band with the Lord Hume and others and being forsaken flies into England his secret Harbours till next year The Archbishop of St. Andrews lies Bed-rid and fallen into some wants by mis-government the Presbyters like Crows about Carrion the common way of the Romish Catholicks to procure Proselytes labour him to leave some Lines under hand his opinion of matters of Discipline they form his words That he did not trouble himself then with thoughts of that nature and had never allowed of any other Bishop of the Church but St. Paul ' s Bishop to which he would sign And so Articles were drawn framed to their Design which he subscribed but whether in truth he did so or some for him or that their charity seldom upon better terms wrought upon his necessity or weakness of his spirits the Recantation came forth in publick of which injury he complained and committing his cause to Gods justice died the end of this year and accounted a man of some scale in Learning as they seldom want to account of themselves one commending another if he dies a Proselyte to them But presently that Church falls into Schism several Assemblies to compose Dissentions set up several Superintendents in one Presbytery or Popedom the Lay Parishioners siding with each Faction and coming to the question most Voyces pretended best interest but the other had gotten a new Paradox Quod suffragia essent ponder anda non numeranda and yet to end strife they part stakes and divide the Presbytery the one to sit at Cowper the other at St. Andrews I mention this for a Note That of all men none could worse endure parity and loved more to command than these which introduced it into the Church We have had to do with Secretary Walsingham of England and may not forget to take our leave of him also that lived not out this year He was industrious wise and religious a searcher in the secrets and mysteries of all States he had an art in past imitation to dive into mens dispositions and something for polite service screw simple Proselytes beyond common danger his Preferment no higher than Secretary and Chancellour of the Duchy of Lancaster and with Honour of the Garter his profuse expence for Intelligence abroad and at home kept him under compass during life and dying so poor that they buried him by dark in Paul's Quier Another of the same Sir Thomas Randolph so near in time that Death might do it with one Dart He was bred a Civilian and taken from Pembroke College in Oxford to Court from thence his Imployments were forein Embassies thrice to the Peers in Scotland and thrice to the Queen seven times to King James and thrice to Basilides Emperour of Russia once to Charls the Ninth of France and again to Henry the Third he was advanced to the Office of Chamberlain in the Exchequer and to be Master of the Ports the first formerly of great profit the later not so till these last times of ours which we make of immense gain but he was rich of children and therefore in my Lord Bacons opinion poor in Purse he had leave to retire some time before his Death to which his advice to Walsingham to leave the Tricks of a Secretary as himself would the deceis of an Ambassadour Sir Henry Wootton afterwards observed as much who could example with the most Hoc tandem didici says he animas sapientiores âieri quiescendo To accompany these of the Gown died that gallant man at Arms George Talbot created Earls by Henry the Sixth and he the sixth Earl of Shrewsbury who in Queen Maries Reign with three thousand Foot in the Scotish Wars rescued the Earl of Northumberland at Lowick he was of the appointed Guard of that Queen whilest here in Prison and succeeded the Duke of Norfolk and Marshal of England and in much honour
Castile purposely for English and Scotish Fugitives to draw their obedience from hence to him and being finished Pope Clement the Eighth must needs by his Bull confirm it which is dated the first year of his Popeship Quoniam c. multi Anglicani exules adolescentes fuerunt experti qui ex miserabili Angliâ Regno in Hispaniam transfugerunt And why because quod alias tantoperâ floriut erga fidem Catholicam devotisimam fuit nunc etiam Haereseos gravissimo infortunio affligitur atque opprimitur in Hispaniam transfugerunt c. But not all Exules adolescentes No I warrant you Ii tantum says one qui ad finem illorum consequendum aptiores esse videntur and then swear to take Orders and return home to England to adventure for a Halter that is To convert as many of my Countrey-men and Kinsfolk as I can whensoever I shall be called thereto by my Superiors whose command I will be ready to execute as believing that not He so much as God himself doth put me on that Errand And thus prepared they come in Disguises with Equivocations that by their bare habit none can understand them counterfeiing all shapes and professions and are justified they say by example of Eusebius who in the time of Constantine the Arrian Emperour did so under covert to visit the Assemblies of the Catholicks and to instruct them Rabadineira Append. Schismat Angl. cap. 23. But we must bethink what becomes of Bothwell who being fled from his friends and almost forsaken he was invited by some at Court Instruments to serve the time and Servants to the Duke of Lenox men of mean fortunes but fit enough to to add fuel to to any Enterprise with their assistance and therefore had trained into the Conspiracy Colonel William Stewart Neswich the Kings Surgeon and Iames Douglas of Spot who in truth came in by another occasion thus a few days before George Home of Spot his father in Law was killed by some of the Sirname of Home and Craw Sir George Home Nephew to Spot charged Iames Dowglas as Author and Accessary to the Murther this jealousie arising from some interest of an Estate in difference between them upon this but suspition three of his men are imprisoned and threatned with torture to confess the King some say had a strong conceit of their guilt and commanded that course of Tryal Spot laboring for their reprieve of this punishment and not prevailing he joined in the Treason being told of it in the heat of revenge The manner of the Conspiracy was thus Bothwell in disquise out of England should lurk neer the Court with his followers dispersed till the time should let them in by night through a back way into the Palace and surprize the King and Chancellour and with hope of Success all the Court after Each man had his quarter and particular charge to take the sign given and to fall on It took effect thus far they were entered and after mastered the Inner Court Dowglas too forward for his âârvants imprisoned and to free them for assistance the number and noise breaking open the doors where the Prisoners were startled the King at Supper and hearing the cry Treason Treason gat up to the Tower for his better safety Bothwell earnest to order all commands some to beset the Chancellors Lodgings whilest himself hastens to the Queens quarter which he finds baricado'd and therefore endeavours to fire it In which time Sir Iames Sandilands of his Majesties Bed-chamber with some Forces of the Town Edenburgh entring by the Church of Holy-rood-house beat him and his company from the fire and the alarm happily hastened the Conspirators fled and escaped in the dark by such several waies as brought them in But Bothwell must have blood and encountring by chance with Iohn Shaw a Gentleman of note who had the better at the Sword till Bothwell snatcht a Pistol from his Page and shot Shaw dead In the pursute nine of the Train were taken and by Club-law were hastily hanged the next morning before cold-blood could quiet the rage of the people Thus far this defeat had Success But Bothwell got Northward towards Earl Murray intending his Supply which the King suspecting sends the Lord Uchiltry to decoy Murray into the South as to work reconcilement with Huntley but a false rumour being raised this while that Murray was seen with Bothwell in the late Enterprize Huntley hasty enough to malice and revenge got Commission to bring him to a Tryal Murray not minding any mischief herein was on his way at his Mothers House the La Downes neer Forth and being too secure from sudden attempt Huntley gets aid of the County and summons a surrender Murray making much of a needy case returns bad words and Bullets too boot which shot the Sheriff to the heart and some others into a fear that altered their fighting to firing the House and forced them within through smoke and flame to come forth and yield The evening shadowed the enterprize from discovering their Prisoners for the present but whilest they peeped for Murray he not yet come out And being put to the plunge broke through them all with wondrous courage escaping their seisure yet weary and tired shrunk down within the cleft of the Rocks and by his Head-piece discovered to be him he was without mercy of a common man miserably slain For Huntley in this treacherous if true fearing he should be innocent of the Conspiracy might in honour have afforded him quarter which was desired but to be sure of his death ran him often through after he was a dead Corps and having hastened the news to the King galloped away Nortâââard leaving his cosen Captain Gourdon wounded who was brought to Edenburgh and publickly executed to pacifie the people I have seen what some have said who should be guilty of this good mans blood but I dare not suspect where I am not sure of authority to bear out the blame nor can I find any cause in the King the jealousie is raised by the sudden News that posted to Court as of good service but that was Huntleys villany by the speed to lodge it on any from suspition of his own private revenge Yet it fell foul on the Chancellor a fate or fashion of King and Favourite Princes have Pupils to bear their stripes the Dog beaten for the Lion and sometime Soveraign suffers for them when Revenge grows high they meddle with the Magistrate but being gotten into power no Majesty escapes Who ere were in fault Edenburgh was to hot for the Court to hold out Murray bemoaned of all the King removes or rather ran away with the Council to Glasgow not âafe there neither till Huntley was âound out to render his Person to Prison in Blackness but was soon demitted upon caution to answer any summons His sudden discharge set mens tongues on work and incouraged their faction to
unbury the dead saies one and raise the coffined corps of Murray and the Sheriff against Lieth Church door their friends refusing them other funeral until revenge were taken of their slaughter and who more earnest in this resentment than the Lord Uchiltry who ignorant of any ill meaning was put upon the errand to perswade Murray to come to reconcilement which by this means was turned to murther and in regret of his Dishonour the rather sought out Bothwell to bare stakes at all hazards with him And in earnest they are But the Church interrupt the story who when the State was mostly in mischief then were they busiest for themselves the Ministery Intermixing pious Articles in their petition to the Parliament but evermore interfeering with Soveraignty The first of their demands being willingly confirmed against Papists Idolatry and crimes of blood with which the Land indeed was then much poluted But for abrogating the former acts of Anno 1584. against discipline of the Church and their liberty and in place thereof a Ratification now of the practice then The Kings wisdom foresaw the inconveniences which the Ministers assume from that term of liberty But Bothwells Business interrupting the Kings quiet a time of advance to their demands the Act was warily passed and as for the Statute of Regal power Supremacy in the King which they mostly aimed to abrogate It was only declared It should be no waies derogatory to the spiritual Office-bearer in the Church concerning heads of Religion Heresie Excommunication Collation or deprivation of Ministers or any such having ground and warrant of Gods word The King removes to Faulkland where Bothwell attempts a fresh Conspiracy being assisted by the Earls of Angus and Arroll the Master of Gray Collonel Stuart and the Lairds of Iohnston and Balmery they had their several Postures the latter met him with four hundred horse Angus kept watch without and Arrol was alwaies with the King Stuart must be the Porter to let the others in Somwhat they attempted which gave suspition sufficient so that Arrol was committed to Edenburgh Castle and the Collonel to Blackness But why these at Court were so hasty without the power of Bothwell fell out upon a false Spie that gave warning ere the Forces were nigh For Bothwell with no more than six score the Rascallity pickt up upon the Borders English and Scotish marching two daies and nights with slender diet and faint watchings arrived at Faulkland at midnight where he found the Court at their Sentries by which he feared the discovery But the day soon opened the midst of Iune and he encamped on the Hill side His Followers fall upon any booty break open the Queens stables and take out the Horses and what other baggage came to hand more regarding present plunder than the hazard of their Chief who thus at loss and the County coming in He was forced to flie but how or whether in martial Order he knew not and therefore by the next Midnight he stole away The King with his company followed by the Ferry mistaking the way hastened his course by Sterlin-bridge where Bothwells men in disorder separate to all parts and were soon seized some in the Moors of Calder and Carnwath the Horses unman'd their Riders falling from their Saddles for want of sleep Others taken napping not able to stand were committed to several Holds and some knockt on the heads by poor Plow-boys and all of them so weak that a few women mastered the most of them and Bothwell got into England And the King by experience and his own clemency found it the best way to proclaim pardon to all that would forsake the grand Traytor and come in knowing that some others might be interessed in that plot and too many of note for him to meddle with For whether in affection to Bothwell or malice to the Master of Glammis the Treasurer his Enemy Alexander Lindsey Lord of Spinie in great favour works secret attempts to reconcile him to the King Collonel Stuart still Prisoner in Blackness in hope of nope of liberty discovers it to the King at Dunfres by Sir Iames Sandilands the keeper of that house who justified before the Council That Spinie had harboured Bothwel at Aberdowre The other denies all and claims the combate which Sandilands not making good Spinie recovers into favour and yet infected with treasonable intents the next year he openly takes part with Bothwell and is denounced Rebel Others also Weymis of Logie of the Kings Bed-chamber was more than suspected and committed to Guard until his Mistress the Queens Dutch Maid in the Kings name after bed time brought the Prisoner to be questioned by the King himself the Keepers waiting without he was let in to the Chamber and out at a Window by a Rope and this being a Love-trick for her to hazard the halter the Ladies liking the conceipt and upon mariage with her Paramour procured the Queens favour and pardon for them both And with these aforesaid and divers others the faction of Bothwel increased with men of all rancks Barons and Burgesses intertaining him openly in several parts of the Country and in Tweedale the most part of those people whether the King was fain to take journey as far as Iedbury to pacifie them and settle their fidelity No sooner returned but new factions at home against the Chancellor and by the greatest Lenox Arguile Morton Glammis and Lord Hume with whom Angus Arrol and but lately released prison adjoin occasioned by the Chancellours refusing the Queens claim to some Lands of his which set the wheel in going and which forced him in wisdome to withdraw from Court into the Country for this year In the North also the Clanhattons conducted by Angus Williamson in pretence of revenge of Earl Murrays death make havock of all that belongs to Huntley with fire and Sword and fell foul upon an aged Man Gordon of Barckley for no crime but his honesty and kindred to Huntley who in revenge commits cruelties upon his Enemies encountring a great party sixty of them were slain and some of his own side And not satisfied with this he summons all the High-landers and with their help devastates all that Country and kills many until a Commission to Angus Lord Lieutenant with power of the Counties forced a cessation on both sides and returning in Triumph was seized as a Traytor and committed to the Castle of Edenburgh upon some Letters intercepted and signed by him Huntley Arrol and others to the King of Spain and sent by George Ker whose confession was That upon the receipt of Letters from Creighton the Iesuit in Spain unto Gordon and Abercrombie for alteration of Religion those return answer of the Scots concurrence and for more secrecy these three Earls undertake for all and blanks signed by them to be filled in Spain and intrusted to the Bearers in October last And he avowed
also That Angus and Arroll assured him that the King of Spain would send thirty thousand men into Scotland part of this Army to force Toleration of their Romistry here and the other part to be convayed by them into England for the same design and this Army to land in Kirkud-bright in Galloway or in the mouth of Cluydo River These manifest plots of Papists drew the consideration necessary for the whole Nation and meetings of the Ministery and all men to propose their advice and aid to pursue the Rebells already risen and to raise a Guard of three hundred Horse constant with the King and the Conspirators to be called to Justice and the first example fell upon Graham of Fintre and executed in February And in this hurry Angus escapes out of Prison and flies to the North unto Huntley and Arroll But the King in great perplexity of Murthers rapine and slaughters publick and private upon their submission are received to mercy favour and preferment all means used to bring peace to these miserable people The French King in great distress and overwhelmed in his affairs craves more aid out of England and is assisted again with four thousand men more and ordinance But not to make peace with the Leaguers until the Spanish forces were driven out of France So necessary it was for England by these means to stop their career and to keep off revenge from home These Forces intrusted with General Norris land in Bretaign but find no French and so being hurried up and down Normandy Lamain and elsewhere the Spaniard increase number in Bretaign Norris returns home and the French King in distress upon some fear of his fewds and hopes of advantage turns Papist Whilest the Duke of Parma also prepared fresh forces to assault Picardy but being in readiness he fights a private combate with Death and is overcome after fourteen years Government in Flanders a man of excellent honour and virtue as Queen Elizabeth always acknowledged who to amaze and busie the Spaniard and to divert him from hence sends several Expeditions by Sea into his Territories of America with singular succession And to prevent his practices in Scotland of as great concernments to both Nations she keeps watchfull correspondence with King Iames who indeed wary of the Papists encroachments at home began to exercise his Regal power over his Nobility and other seditious Subjects having scattered the last Rebells into their Holds and Bothwel into England These Insurrections thus far happily suppressed contrary to the imagination of the English policies Queen Elizabeth to colour suspition sends the Lord Burrough to congratulate the discoveries and the succeâs offering her aid to bring the Malignants to Trial and wished him if he could not apprehend their persons to confiscate their Estates and seeing his case concerned all Princes of the Religion she desired his resolution therein for her to satisfie all others her Confederates against Spain The King gives her thanks and that he was assured Bowes her Ambassadour had certified her of all proceedings in particular as aforesaid wherein he had begun and was fully resolved to prosecute the guilty but advised with her how dangerous it might be for him to have such potent Rebells without her help to hunt such fugitives their Design being more dangerous to assist the Spaniards attempts upon England than either upon France or Holland to whom she had liberally already afforded supply with men and moneys and therefore what he desired on his particular his own Ambassadour should declare The next Audience furnished the Ambassadour with Arguments from his Mistris to advise the King to wise and well-affected Counsellours help to disarm and suppress such Rebells and withall intimating the Queens punishment upon those that harboured Bothwel in England and so by circumstances to draw out of the King what resolution he intended towards him in so troublesom time and if it were for his Majesties quiet to receive him upon submission The King seeming not to countenance Bothwel nor believing the Queens resentment of his Receivers said That if his Mistris meant honourably to her self or him she would rather deliver him to justice according to their League than to support him in her Dominion whose Crimes were unpardonable and her further favours to him would induce a necessity for the King to joyn with her Enemies for his own safety And so Burroughs returned and Bowes remained In an Assembly of the Church in April the King resolving to give them Items sends them Articles That hâ would not suffer diminution of the Privileges of his Crown nor Assemblies without his order That an Act pass to inhidit Ministers to declame in the Pulpit against the King and his Council That some of every Presbytery should inform his Majesty of the Papists practices and Bothwels receivers That some of theirs should cause the Magistrates of Burghs at Sea-ports to examine Passengers and Plotters against the Reâligion To the first they would follow former Acts. The scond they prohibit without just and necessary causes which the King esteeming no restraint was as causless to answer theirs against Papists his necessities enforcing civilities to the Papists to ballance with the rigid Reformers But the Mundays Market stuck in their stomacks against which their Act passed to alter for Tuesday their Reason was religious to prevent the Trades-men violating the Sabbaths Evening with too much care and travail against the next Morning The Shoomakers whom it most concern'd gathering tumult menaced the Ministers if they urged their consents to drive them out of Edenburgh which begat that saying Rascals and Sowters obtain from the Ministers what the King could not do in matters more reasonable The King sends Melvil to satisfie Queen Elizabeth of the affairs of Scotland and to desire aid of money for levying six hundred Souldiers for some Moneths and to renew the former complaint against Bothwels entertainment in England whilest he steals into Scotland and surprizes the King The Chancellour as you have heard retired from Court upon displeasure of Queen Ann requests the King by Letter that seeing his service was useless and his solitary life irksom he craves leave to depart out of the Kingdom untill his Majesties pleasure command his return The King being earnest with the Queen upon his resign of Muskleburgh which she clamed and his coming to Court resolved Lenox Athol and Ochiltry plot to prevent him and bring in Bothwel under disguise of attending the the Lady Athol by the Postern-gate with another his Companion armed into the very Bed-chamber The King at âight of them cried out Treason Treason Strike Traitor strike said he make an end of thy Villany I desire to die He answered with Oaths that he came for mercy And the King replied that Mercy extorted was Insolency and not the form of Suppliants and suddenly rushed in the Earl Mar with numbers of that Faction having possession of the Court
and outward Gates enforced the King to shew himself to the People who were come to his rescue as in freedom and to command them to depart And Bothwel thus emboldened got Bowes the Ambassadour to side with them and to urge these Articles from the King Pardon of all former Attempts and Treason by him or his Associates with restoration of all which they heretofore possessed and to abandon the Chancellour the Lord Hume the Master of Glammis and others To all the King signed with witnesses of all manner of men Lords and Ministers thereunto The next Day August 20. the King removes to Falkland Lenox Ochiltry and Crichton of Clany waited on him with directions from Bothwel to see that the King kept to his late Articles in which time Bothwel attained an Assise to purge him of his practicing with Witches the original of his mischief but the King in disdain to be thus misused goes to Sterling and under colour of conâorming the Highlanders proâures a Convention of other Lords necessarily frequent and effectual Hamilton Mar Morton Glencarn Montross Lindsey and Levingston two Bishops and two Priors and some Burgesses The King enters them with some business of the Borders but in earnest relates to them the Indignities he had endured by Bothwel which they knew and puts it upon their Honours whether he were bound to the late Conditions so extorted from him in terrour and fear of his life lets them see their own insecurity when himself is over-powred and forced by Villanies as a captive King to submit unto Subjects unjust demands in destruction of his loyal Councellours and eminent Officers They concluded Bothwels Fact treasonable and those Articles void freedom in the King to call his Servants and Councellours about him and resolved to publish by Act his Majesties power as a free Prince to chuse his Councellours and Servants about his Person and that the Conditions signed to Bothwel in August last to be null And being now set upon it two Commissions were sent to him to signifie thus much and of the Kings favour for him to supplicate for pardon before November next and then to depart the Realm till the Kings pleasure Bothwel seemed humble but meets with Athol Montross and a number of men at Sterling to whom the King sends to dissolve his Train and retire home for the King was coming thither with the Lord Home and some Forces were sent before to scoure the way who encountring Montross takes him Prisoner and the Court coming to Edenburgh Bothwel is cited and denounced Rebell again These Troubles were raised by the Lords of Religion but see what the Papists do The Catholick Lords had been cited to the last Parliament in Iuly but failed by some defect in the Libell and so were remitted to the King and Councel which was suspected in favour the Synode of Fife therefore excommunicate Angus Huntley Arrol Home and Chisholm and writ to Edenburgh for them to do so there The King displeased with such Proceedings requires M. Bruce there great Pastor to stay Sentence the Persons neither cited nor subject to Fife Synode and if this be your Order says he for one to excommunicate with their direction for others to do so too who can be sure to eschew trouble But Bruce boldly told the King that the Ministers had their own Reasons and were answerable onely to the General Assembly Well says the King your Discipline hath distasted all men and seeing your practices are without good President I will bethink me of some Remedy The Popish Lords complain to the King at Falaw and humbly crave a legal Trial but were commanded to enter their persons at Perth and abide there till the Trial and lest any jealousie should censure the King as conniving the Abbot of Lunders was sent to the English Ambassadour and to Edenburgh Ministery to tell them the truth and it was time so to do For now such News got wings and Commissioners of all the several Churches from all parts convene and finding the Church of God King and Kingdom in eminent peril they prepare Articles of advice That the Trial of the excommunicate Lords be not prevented but their Day prorogued onely for the conveniency of the Professors of the Religion to be their Accusers for their Treasons committed in the mean time to stand committed their Iury to be nominated by their Accusers the whole Professors of the Gospel that they being excommunicate and so cut off from the Body of the Church of God have no benefit of the Law till they be reconciled to the Church and that such onely as profess the Religion may be a Guard to the King against the Enemies of God the Countrey not brooking them and us together The King startled at their Inscription not owning he said such Convention nor them Commissioners assembling without his consent âut vouchsafed to receive them as humble Subjects but not otherwise commissioned And of his own gracious intention told them That the said Lords met him at Falaw and humbly craved a legal Trial to which the Ministers had often solicited and which in honor and justice he with his Councel had granted and considering the time and place Perth not so proper he had resolved it at Linlithgow at the meeting of the Estates and with their advice and that neither Iudges nor Iuries should be other than men indifferent and for his own Guard those whom he called thither should be welcom others should not be so They accused the Lord Home of residing at Court The King told them His Day assigned to satisfie the Ministers was not as yet and if you can accuse him in particular for the present let him answer for himself And so sent them away The Assembly unsatisfied advertise all parts to be in Arms at the Day of Trial which the King timely prohibits without his Warrant They answer that in the cause of God their Defence must not be deficient Which the King inhibits by Proclamation Declaring his course taken for their Trial in July last but hindred by Bothwels Rebellions he now convenes the Estates at Linlithgow for that and other necessities of the Kingdom the Lords themselves earnest Suitors to abide the Law and satisfie the Church and therefore commands the Subjects not to make Convocations but if any meeting were already of that nature then to dissolve and return home under pain of punishment But meet they would with such numbers as shortened the Proceedings and in summe Commissioners were chosen by the Estates to consider of the Popish Lords their Offers and Petitions to try their Accusations and Purgations and what they determine should be valid and effectual as in Parliament or Convention The Commissioners were the Chancellour Mar Montross and Rothes sundry Lords and Lairds and divers of the Ministery named to be admitted to the Conference The 12th of November they meet and conclude That the true Religion established the
first of his Majesties Reign should be onely professed in all time to come within the Realm and that none should abet or receive Jesuits Priests or other Adversaries of Religion upon the pain in former Acts of Parliament That all should conform hereto before February next or depart the Realm whither his Majesty shall appoint and not return till they turn Professors they and their Heirs always enjoying their Lands and Estates by Procurators in their behalfs The Earls of Angus Huntley and Arrol and the Lairds Achindown and Chisholm to be unaccusable of the Crimes contained in the Summons occasioned by their Letters and Blanks intercepted as before remembred concerning their trafficking with forein Princes against Religion c. discharging all Proceedings against them Provided if they offend hereafter the former Crimes to be added to their Charge That such of them as shall profess Religion are to be assigned their places of abode not to dispute publick or private in favour of Popery Huntly and Arrol to remove out of their company James Gordon and Oglevy Iesuits to finde Sureties in fourty thousand pounds to abide Subscriptions and Achindown and Chisholm in ten thousand pounds Such as leave the Realm to give caution not to practice with Jesuits abroad against this State and to declare their submission to their choice of conditions before January next or be liable to Trial by Law These were in effect concluded and signed unto by them which the King and Council confirmed and the three Earls subscribed but to small effect For the end of this Year begins fresh feuds the Iohnstons in the West-Marches made Incursions upon the Sanhares and killed eighteen persons and though great friendships had been contracted with Maxwel yet having in Commission as Warden to pursue the Offenders the Sanhares offered their assistance therein to bring all Niddesdale to depend upon him and Bonds signed unto for performance a Servant of Maxwels betrays this Bond into the hands of Iohnston who sends a Gentleman to discourse the truth out of Maxwel who first denied it but afterward said He must obey the Kings directions Iohnston to cope with such Combination associates with those of Tevedale the Eliots and Grahams and so meeting Maxwels Forces with the Commander Olephant kil'd him divers others Maxwel to repair his dishonour levies one thousand men and like a Kings Lieutenant with displayed Banner enters Annandale Iohnston not so many deals by policy sends out his Prikers the Boders cunning to provoke whom Maxwel encounters but by Ambuscade Iohnston comes in with power and puts them all to flight Maxwel was taken desiring Quarter as he had often given Iohnstons father and reaching out his hand for to confirm it had it basely cut off and afterwards butched to death he was a man much lamented of great spirit humane and more learned than Lords are yet like most of them ambitious And this to be done to the Kings Lieutenant might amaze some men to consider the Distempers of the Nation and the wisdom of a young Sovereign how to ballance these frequent Feuds and to bandy against Bothwels Treasons Papists conspiracies tumults and insurrections the Gangrene Evil of insolent Assemblies evermore eating into the Bowels of Government to devour and devastate all for this present he assigns the Lord Herris Drumlanrig Lagg and other Barons to abide at Dunfres to quiet and repress Disorders The time limited to the Popish Lords Ianuary 18. is past and they omiting the benefit of Abolition are charged to enter their persons into Ward Angus into Blackness Huntley in Dunbritton and Arrol to Edenburgh Castle and Achindon in Tantallon but neither of them obeyed The King removes to Sterling where Queen Ann was delivered of her first-born the 19th of February 1593. To which place arrives the Lord Zouch from Queen Elizabeth to congratulate her Delivery and to complain to the King his remisness against the Popish Lords for she was informed of the Articles of November and being told besides by some busie Presbyters at home the Kings favour to his Popish Lords her age made her often apt to entertain such Tales and her Jealousie summ'd up Reasons to her self soon to believe them But her Ambassadour taking time to understand what had passed could not be at leasure to suspend his judgment or confidence in the Kings prosecution to effectual punishment And therefore to hasten homewards he tampers for Bothwel the immediate end of his Errand deals with the Ministers the most especial amongst them to countenance his fresh Insurrection with numbers of loose persons and which troubled the King they commend Andrew Hunter one of their own to be Bothwels Chaplain in Ordinary And being thus emboldened they go on to raise Moneys themselves levy Souldiers to assist his Treasons Nay more see their piety to Rebellion their sacrilegious assistance even with those very Moneys benevolent Contributions collected by their Pulpit Oratory out of the poor peoples purses for supply of Geneva Brethren then in much misery and in a mad fury distributed unto Robert Melvil and George Strang two Rebell Captains for the well-affected Cause of the Traitor Bothwell His Design taking up a new motive and pretext Justice against the Popish Lords but in truth his Malice and Revenge pretended also for the slaughter of Murray And with him joyned Argile and Arrol to meet at Lieth not without hourly intelligence with the English Ambassadour Zouch who fearing that the Kings foresight had espied his juggling stole away home without biding Bothwel Farewell Whose Cause was cried up advancing from the Borders with four hundred Horse coming to Lieth very early the first of April and this he durst do the King being so near at Edenburgh but meanly guarded and put to it to speak for himself after ãâã Sermon for the Pulpit would not He passionately tels the People all the stories of Bothwels Aâtempts and his Treason now reasoning with the Multitude some suspition of his siding with Papists ãâ¦ã of the Lords ãâã them in ââinde almost forgotten that he was their ãâã King and Soveraign and brought it home to their self-consideââtion if Bothwel should prevail against him what they must expect of the Borderers upon them Much âdo they are moved to arm and to accompany theâr Commander the Lord Hâme who lead the Horse and the bold trained Bands march after the Cannon taken out of the Castle to besiege Lieth But Bothwel was removed towârds Dalkieth dividing into three Troops Humes Horse followed to obseââe what course he held whilest the King made a Halâât ât âorrowâmoâr Bothwels Scouts finding them ãâã encourage him to turn upon Hume which he did with some advantage being above the others number gave him ââace in ãâã retire which moved some to advise the King to secure himself in the Town Restaâââg No says the King ãâã never quit the Field to a Traitor And though in eminent danger stood it still whilâst
Bothwels eager pursuit stumbled his Horse and in the fall bruises him into some perââ that he took the readiest way to Dalkieth for that night and the next morrow dissolves his Troopâ Arrol has tidings and does so too the Captains at âife take ship and faâl away And this gave end to his three âquadrons and leasure to the King by his Ambassadour Lord Colvil to complain to Queen Elizabeth of her Ambassadour Zouch and her harbouring of Bothwel He writes plainly Though she had recommended his Person wise religious and honest yet his âarriage was more like an Herauld than to be a Messenger in Commission of Peaâe between two neighbour Princes and therefore meeting with his pride and wilfulness he chose his own Emissary to carry this Errand whom he prays the Queen to credit He marvelled the more having received her many Princely promises and Letters not to countenance Bothwel nor his Receivers whilest some of her own Palaces had given him harbour being assisted with English Moneys to levy Scots and English in this his another very late treacherous Attempt To challenge her Princely Honour he did not nor could be confident of her priviây therein yet considering her prudence and policies he was troubled to finde the insolency of her Subjects to hazard a breach with her nearest Kinsman and therefore leaving it to her self to resolve those doubts he put her in mind of his delivery of Orork the Irish Rebell to her and prays her not to put him in ballance with such a trayterous counterpoise least he be constrained to speak like the Poet Flectere si nequeo superos c. Thus much the letter said the Ambassadour in private assured her Majesty the particular prosecution against the Popish Lords to proscribe their persons and confiscate their Lands And to go through with the work against them and other Romists he craved a supply of monies The Queen had no excuse but to ballance her favour to Bothwell by the slow pursuit the King made against those Papists Henceforth she would cease and for effecting his purpose against them He should not want what was in her power to afford The first she really perââârmed and speedily proclamed against Bothwell and no assistance to him through her Borders which the King hartily resented And by his Ambassadors invites the Queen to the Baptism of the Prince his Son and others were sent of the same errand To the King of Denmark the Dukes of Brunswick and Megleburgh and to the general Estates Men enough to one Woman The King so far affected with the Queens Publication against Bothwell that the next Parliament the Scotish Papists are banished by plurality of voices Clergy and Commons whom the Nobles would have spared And Arguile is sent with forces against such as would not submit The Assembly of the Church coânvene at Edenburgh and direct Commissioners of their own to represent to his Majesty at Sterlin the dangers of the State and to propound the remedies in eleven Articles They lay the ground from the late design of the Spaniard in eighty eight against the whole Island and his correspondence since with the Popish Lords argues his intention the same still and their continuance in Treasonable attempts ever since doth evidence their obstinacy to prosecute the Conspiracy Then the Church layes open how their counsel from time to time was neglected and the enemy incouraged and none greater favourites in Court than Papists naming principal families infected therewith And reckoâs up the Popish Lords neglect and scorn of the Act of Oblivion their disobedience not entring their persons to Ward The arriving of the late Spanish Bark at Montross shews that their Practises continue and their open Conventions assure themselves safety besides their preparations of Arms in the North parts And conclude that the cause not being removed the dangerous effects are like to follow The Remedies they propound in eight conclusions That the Popish Lords be forfeited the next Sessions of Parliament And no Papists elected shall sit That they shall be pursued their rents and lands annexed to the Crown without favour That seizure be made of several notorious persons named That none shall relieve them with any Supply or Intelligence That the people should put themselves into arms as a posture of Defence Somwhat was said against the Lord Hume but he appearing was absolved These remedies were well accepted of the King only misliking Subjects to arm without his Warrant And well he might reminding the last years insurrections at the peoples pleasure The King granting theirs offers some conditions for himself hy his Messinger Melvil That the Assembly should inhibit their Ministers irreverent speeches in Pulpit against his Majesty and Council under pain of deprivation And to censure Iohn Ross for his insolency therein The like against Hunter another of theirsâ for his open consortship with the late Traytors he being a Minister of Religion against his King of the same faith to the great scandal of the Church The third was to admonâsh their Congregations against Bothwell his treasonable attempts or any other such insurrections against his Majesties person This last was enacted but Ross was only admonished to do so no more and Hunter was pretended to be deposed from his function but they juggled him in again The Parliament adjudged the three Earls and Achindown guilty of the Crimes of Treason their estates forfeited their Escocheons torn by the Herauld as their manner of degrading and excellent Statutes passed for the good of Country and Commons And now begins the Solemnity of Baptism for the Prince in August from England the Earl of Sussex the King of Denmark and Duke of Brunswick and Megleburgh with the free Estates of the Provinces had their Ambassadours there present from the French King came none The manner of Ceremony was thus handsom The Infant was brought into the Queens chamber of Presence laid in a Bed of State The Ambassadours came in and were presented with the Prince first from the Arms of the Countess of Mar to the Duke of Lennox who delivered him to the Earl of Sussex having the principal place of Dignity who bore him to the Chappel being followed with a Noble Train of Lords and Ladies Before them all the Lord Hume carried the Ducall Coronet the Lord Levingston bore the Towell the Lord Seaton the Fontall Bason and the Lord Simple the Laver. Over the English Ambassadour â Rich Majesterial Canopie supported by four Lairds The Childs Train bore up by the Lords Sinclare and Urquart and a Guârd or Lane on each side of the young Noblemen and Gentry of the Nation Being entred the Chappel the King already set and ariââing from his Throne receives and salutes the Ambassadours and then the Infant was delivered again to Lenox who reached him to the Nurse and the Estates take their Seats Upon the Kings Right hand a Chair was placed for the French Ambassadour who was not
insurrections for this hurried nation often to assemble so in truth little effects followed as at this time for the Ministers to colour their intentions would seem to enact against Self-Interest and begin with themselves and fast pray and preach daies of Humiliation that was all that they would do as to their reforming But then there was sure to followcomplaint of the corruption of Courtiers in the Kings Palace and justice Seats and fear of the banished Lords and left not till the faults were found such as are common even to the best Estates Then would they ravel into Counsel of the Remedies to which the King usually would afford consent but by experience finding out their aim and danger of them to be too severe and earnest which they called zeal the King wisely chekt the bit Telling them That unless there were any evident proofs that the Popish Lords since their departure beyond Seas had conspired with Strangers to the prejudice of the Realm in Religion or State their cautions cannot in honor or justice be convict nor would he change the course of charity and conditions to their wives and children And indeed in prudence the King held himself unsafe whilst such potent Lords were abroad for much mischief they might do underhand unheard and unseen And reasoning one day with Mr. Robert Bruce a leading Minister How much it concerned him to have them recalled That Queen Elizabeth grown old if deâth should seize her he might need assistance of his own Interest of State and honour would ballance these Lords even against Catholique or Spanish Titles or other Designs and by such interest may be sooner drawn to the reformed Religion than by compulsory extremity Mr. Bruce yielded to the Reasons to call home Angus and Arroll but not Huntley being so much hated The Kings opinion seemed further to oversway Because Huntley saies he hath maried my Cosin one that I esteem a man of Power to do good or evil and so to be made accordingly In the end Bruce was so bold as to tell the King in plain terms I see Sir said he your affection to Huntley whom I must oppose and you either loose him or me for both you cannot keep This insolency lost him the King This for one example of many which their own Historians record of their Ministers good behaviours and certainly this mans ambition and popularity out-vied the Kings who espying his Trayn that conducted him by the Court into Edenburgh By my Sal said the King Bruce puts me down in his Attendants The exiled Lords of themselves resolved to return but withall possible submission and to avoid the least suspition of jealousie they separate Arroll through Holland Huntley came before and out of the North sends Supplication to the King and Convention at Faulkland in August to reside where his Majesty would appoint upon caution of good behaviour The King concluded aright Either to ruin them and their race or to receive them all into favour and hope of reforming into Religion The first course saith he hath its own difficulties and trouble for me if I could effect it The other is more consonant to my humour and mine honor I desire not destruction errors of conscience are not of matters of the mind I like not to receive conditions from Huntley rather to advise of commands to them all with clemency and favour which was submitted unto And the publick joy of the Queens second Birth of a Daughter made up the common reception of these Lords to community and fellowship with the Congregations She was born in August the 16. day 1596. and to be baptized in November But now the Ministry make work their Commissioners assembling at Edenburgh send Post to all their Presbyteries the State of affairs for so is the Commission That the forfeited Earls were come home without Warrant are like to be received to mercy without submission for their offences of Treason or reconcilement to the Church and conditions confirmed unto them The Preachers Pulpit these tidings to their flocks publick and private to provoke into Tumult and to be in readiness to resist the dangers of Church and State The first Sunday of December held forth for Humiliation and then the power in the Minister to tell all to the people and to inlarge as the zeal of the Spirit shall promp them They assume power to call to account all manner of men Entertainers Receivers or communicate with them to be canvased with the censures of the Church Una citatione quia periclitatur salus Ecclesiae Reipublica And with such busteling with several Commissioners from all parts of the Nation to make Residence at Edenburgh and daily to convene to receive intelligence from all parts and return Edicts and Ordinances to prevent if possible the eminent ruin to Gods People And this daily Convention being a New Modell so must it be stiled The Council of the Church And instantly they find oâ make work the Lord Seaâon President of the Session was ãâã to account by the Synod of Lothian Not that he was guilty but that their power and pride might strike terror in the people for as they had no proof at all and so as by President of the Popes inquisition his Oath purges himself assures him to their Conclave and so gets home again This monstrous manner of muteny makes the Men of State to foresee mischief and not being powerful to remedie nor was it politick to publish their errors to the people or scorn upon the face of the Church The President Secretary Advocate and Laird of Colluthrie were commanded by the King to confer with as many of theirs To whom they move the question whether if these Lords satisfie the Church otherwise his Majesty desires not that then they might be pardoned and restored to their Estates But receive a Court Answer They came only to hear Prepositions and to remit them to their Brethren And so they did with Apostolick Conclusion Their acceptance of the Kings behaviour and respect to the Church not to resolve of any favour to them Rebells till the Church were satisfied But their censure by Gods Law condemned them to death and being also sentenced to lose their estates they cannot be legally pardoned nor restored or if the King or his Council should take upon them to do otherwise they were to answer it to God and the Country themselves make protestation to be free before God and man I shall not comment upon this Text. The Popish Sanadrin does so An Historian of theirs calls it Passionate zeal under which all impudence may be maintained should they be ignorant of the tender bosome of the Mother Church parent to Babes and to repentant sinners Mark their distinction The Church hath power to do as she pleaseth but the King must not he must do justice The King is wroth against them all common resentment private and publick And wise men advise the
colour of doctrine to stir up sedition no good man will grant If Treason and sedition be crimes punishable much more comitted in the Pulpit where the word of truth only should be taught I am not ignorant what France of late and England formerly have suffered by the violence of such spirits And I may not indure it Hereupon the Church finding the King resolved desire some Declaration to be made to the people in favour of Church Assemblies which they feared was hereby of late somewhat weakned which the King assented unto and it was accordingly published to give finall conclusion to these differences Blake was required only to acknowledg his offence to Queen Ann. And to be pardoned of all This he would not do and was therefore sentenced To have falsely sâandered and treasonably calumniated the Kings Majesty his consort the Queen his Neighbour Princesse the Queen of England the Lords of the Council and Session and that till his Majesties further pleasure he should be confined beyond the North water enter ward within six dayes and Ten daies more were taken up to decide these differences and the King condiscends to lesser submissions than before But the Commissioners refuse to agree to any censure of Master Blake as not done by the proper Iudg. And so they ordain a fast and pray and preach complaints of wrong done to the Kingdom of Christ. The King on his part made the grounds of his displeasure known to his people by Declaâation setting forth particulars of the last Transactions Ordaining all Ministers to subscribe their obedience to his Majesty and to set their hands to the bonds presented to them to that effect under pain of sequestring their rents and stipends till they submitted Blake to go to ward and the Commissioners to remove out of Town They increase Aspersions upon the King who willingly would have recalled these sentences and Publications and some Ministers were treated therein till a scandalous Letter was devised and sent by under hand advise that Huntley had private reception by the King over night and caused the charge against the Ministers Balcanqual takes his text out of the Canticles and so to present the troubles of the Church relates the late proceedings which he calls treacherous forms of the Council naming particular officers The President and Controuler and Advocate with reproachfull raylings and concludes to advise the Barons and Nobles to meet in the little Church for assisting the ministry From them came a petition to the King in behalf of his Ministers and presented to him in the uper house of session with complaints uttered by Bruce of all which had passed The King declining the petition and remonstrance asked who they were that durst convene against his proclomation The Lord Lindsey passionatly replied That they durst do more than so and would not indâre destruction of Religion Numbers of people thronging into the Room the King removed the people seduced by Lindsey and others some said arm others called out to bring forth Haman others cry'd out the sword of the Lord and Gideon And with much adoe to appease the peoples rage at they knew not what The Lords and Ministers meet propose Articles to the King and whilst they design who shall present them each one refusing The King and Councel remove out of Edenburgh into Linlithgow Ordering a Proclamation to signifie the reasons of this departure the Town being unsafe for his person and Council and unfit for the administration of justice by the late in sufferable Tumults commanding all Lords of session Commissioners c. and their Deputies to remove out of the Town of Edenburgh and be in redinesse to that place they should be after assigned And the Noblemen and Barons to withdraw to their own Houses and not to covene or Assemble under pain of the Kings displeasure The City is amazed with these proceedings not knowing what to do or whom to trust unto The Ministers night and day restlesse to get subscriptions and to covenant to call in certain Noblemen of note Hamelton Backlugh and others Fast and pray and preach what stuffe best befits their projects one amongst many others Iohn Welch takes his theam the Epistle sent to the Angel of the Church of Ephesus rayl'd against the King who he said was possessed of a Divel and one Divel the King put out seven worse are entred in That the Subjects might lawfully rise and take the sword out of his hand by example saies he Of a father faln into frenzie might be bound hand and foot by his family from doing mischief Yet this execrable doctrine was received by some nay they preach that the Earl Arrol had come to the Ferry with four hundred horse the day of Tumult but the rising of the people as a providence of God for good scattered his forces in fear of the Town so prepared And being Masters of all they undertake to send Messengers to the Earl Hamelton with letters that the people animated by motion of Gods spirit had taken Arms with the patronage of such Godly well affected Noblemen and Brethren then at Edenburgh for the cause of God Only they wanted a Head an especial Nobleman to countenance their cause And having made chioce of him they invite him to Edenburgh with all convenient speed and thereby to signifie his affection and to accept the honor which the Church of God had offered unto him It was writ and subscribed by Bruce and Balcanquall and sent to Hamelton who receives the Messenger with all shew of kindness and seems to prepare his journey for Edenburgh but by the way better advised he turns to Linlithgow and presents the King with the letter who wondered at the modesty of the man accounted more ambitious than to neglect such a rise to tempt his humour by whom had the letter taken effect it might have caused strang Rebellions when the Church had begun to act their part with so much power a bloody issue alwaies following the pretended zeal for Religion as the most part of Christendom have felt the miserable effects and great Britain most of all The insurrection and letter made work for speedy Counsel to act for the King and the Provost had order for imprisoning the Ministers who got loose and fled to New Castle in England The Town send Commissioners to purge themselves protesting their Innocencâe and offer their obedience for repairing the indignity and dishonor done to the King but served not for their purgation for the next day the Tumult was by the Counsel declared Treason and the devisers Actors and Partakers to be Traytors Edenburgh smarted for all the inhabitants in fear of desolation the law-Courts removed to Lith the Session to Perth the Ministers fled the Magistrates dispised and all men without the walls their enemies And again most humbly supplicate the King with the best excuse for themselves The King told them that he would proceed with them
to trouble the Church with thorny questions nor yet to claim to himself any tirany over the same Only to have these doubts solved to prevent debate to him or his Successors and to settle the policie of the Church that so the corruption being removed a pure Harmony might be fixed between him and the Ministers to Gods glory c. The Articles were at first drawn up to fifty five and to be supposed that those questions were never decided but effectually they were in use to the prejudice of the King and people which no man till now durst dispute being left loose for the Ministers mental reservation Many of them were much troubled to submit their discipline to dispute which they had assured the people to be part of the Gospel and therefore mightily endevoured to prevent examining but the business so far forward the King had his party to press it on A note of observation what packing there was of voices for eithers advantage the policie of some the late Generall Counsels of Christendome having taught the way and these are apt ãâã to learn And therefore the Northern Conscientious Ministers not as yet tainted with the Iesuitical tenents were delt with by a Message from the King to be distinguished from the Mutineers of Edenburgh not esteeming them guilty of reproach with such evil subjects How well the King intended to them in particular and so hopes that their behaviour would evidence their resentment of his Majesties favour and affection They are desired to subscribe to the bond in acknowledgment of the Kings royal power and to accept the E. Huntleys offers to absolve him from excommunication and reasons enow given for these And lastly they receive the Copy of the fiftie five questions and are desired to send Commissioners to the Assembly appointed at Perth They with reverence make answer That as they were ignorant of the Tumult and the Ministers flight so they were silent in their judgment and censure This though in the general The Authors of that insurrection were Traytors and if Ministers to be double punished They had sworn to his Majesties power and regallity when they were admitted Ministers and would never decline it The bond mentioning Master Blakes speeches in Pulpit concerning application of doctrine which his Majesty had pronounced as a question to be decided in the next Assembly they humbly reserved themselves til that time And for the Earl Huntley his repentance should be most acceptable and they were content to conferr with him and use all means for his resolution fearing they should not find him earnest for absolution And least the Ministers should have cause to hank upon jealousies of the Kings favour and affection to the Popish Lords especially to Huntley for whom in truth he had earnestly endeavoured reconciliation He therefore writes to him peremptorily either to make faith and satisfie the Church or be banished for ever The day come the Assembly meet But not to trouble them with all those fifty five Queries formerly printed the King remits them to the future contenting himself for the present with a dozen Articles to be determined possitive 1. That it be lawfull to the Prince or any pastor to move doubts and crave reformation of any points in external policie and discipline of the Church not concerning salvation nor defined in scripture and to be done decenter animo aedeficanti non tentandi 2. That the civil and politick goverment of the Realm belongs properly to the Kings office and his Counsellors and not pertinent to the spiritual Ministry of the word nor to meddle in matters of state nor his Majesties Laws Statutes or Ordinances in the Pulpit 3. That Ministers shall not name particular men in Pulpit except upon notorious crimes as of fugitive or excommunication 4. That in application the Minister have respect to his flock without extravagant discourses impertinent 5. That every Presbytery take diligent accompt of the doctrine of their ministry 6. That Summary excommunication be utterly discharged and the sentence to follow three Citations at eight days distance 7. That no sentence or censure proceed from any Assembled but of those within their bounds 8. That all summons containe speciall cause and crime and not super inquirendis quod est mere tiranicorum 9. That no meeting be without the Kings consent except the ordinary session Presbyteries and Synods 10. That in principal Burghs no Minister be placed without the consent of the King and the flock 11. That seven or eight discreet Ministers be authorized to reason upon the rest of his Majesties Questions till time serve 12. That the Northern Ministers absolve the Earl Huntley fromexcommunication if he satisfie the Church Their answers to each were not received satisfactory and therefore they attend the King and Counsel where his Majesty reasons with them the justness of his desires and after serious consideration they conclude to the Kings liking A commission was granted to some of them to reconcile the Popish Lords to the Church And Articles ordained for Huntley Angus And Arrol to subscribe which they did The Ministers taken into protection and grace and all Papists in general except the Lords to depart the Realm before Iune And all the former offenders and Mutineers remitted to pardon which hapily concluded the end of this year And to shut up all with the time let us take leave of Iohn Lesly Bishop of Ross who took leave of this life at Bruxells in Flanders his constant abode since the execution of his Excellent Princess Queen Mary of Scotland a man memorable with reverence for his faith and constant service to his Sovereign and his extraordinary care and trouble travelling to most Princes in Câristendom to interpose their credit with Queen Elizabeth for her relief induring all hardships for her sake examinations disputes imprisonings and at last banishment out of England as you have heard leaving his Mistriss without hope of redemption from her Captivity And therefore administers his last and best service spiritual consolations which he purposely writ to her in a Treatise printed and published full of piety and learning those no doubt composed his own mind with patience and comfort after her sad and miserable death which he bore off for some time till sorrow seized him into a languishing sickness He composed the Gests of his Native Countrey into Latine from the beginning of that Nation to his last time He was servent in his faith zealous and charitable and died as he alwaies professed a Juditious learned Romish Catholick And so let us see the affairs in England The Queen to divert the growing greatness of the Spaniard had assisted the Netherlands ten years in their rebellion as some stile it against him and now considered that whilst she established their tottering territories her self became poor and they had plenty And therefore by Bodly her Ambassadour she demands to be eased of her charge in her
Abatement of his writ Nor shall any Nobleman of any other Nation hold plea in England by his name of dignity but only by his name of baptisme and Sùrname Cook 7. part Nay though he mary in England and have issue here the Father dying his Son shall not bear titles of his Fathers Honour because the title had original by a forein Prince and not by English Peerage Nay a more strange case A Postnatus of Scotland or Ireland who is a natural Subject of this Land be he the Heir of a Nobleman yet he is none of the Nobility of England But if the King summon him by writ to Parliament and therein stiled by that foraign Title then from thenceforth he is a Peer of England 39 Edw. 3 36. But more and worthy observance A Knight of any foreign Nation shall be so named in all our Courts of Pleas for the highest and lowest dignities are universal 26 Edward 4 39 Edward 3. And so shall any foraign King be sued here by his Title otherwise the writ shall abate for observe the person of a foraign King shall be here impleaded for debt or trespass of life so an Ambassadour Pardon this digression and now we return to Scotland The King grants a Commissiân to certain persons to see conditions performed by the Popish Lords in reference of their obedience to the Church and for them also to subscribe to conditions for peace and quietness to the King and Country under caution of 20000. And in particular for Huntley to be advised by some Lords assigned to counsel him especially concerning the Kings service But to prevent the Kings publick intentions comes over from foraign parts one Iames Gourdon with designes of Treason and to deterr Huntley from subscribing against him was publisht a Proclamation and a thousand Crowns to apprehend him At which time there was discovered a practiâe of surprizeing the Isle of Elsay in the West Seas for receiving forces resolved upon by the Spaniard to be sent thither The contrivâr of this design was Barklay the Laird of Ladyland who had escaped out of Glascow prison last year and now returned from Spain and was secretly gotten to this Isle being a high rock four miles compass and thereon an invincible Tower somewhat ruinate of difficult access which he meant to victual But was sodainly surprized by one Knox who landing on the shore Barklay was walking down the Hill to take view of the Company not mistrusting to be known And finding that he was thus betrayed ran into the sea and drownded himself The news whereof comming to the Popish Lords made them the sooner conform which they did forthwith The King thus inabled to command ordains several Commissioners to reduce such families in the North that were in fewds particularly these between Huntley and Murray as you have heard Huntley and Forbes Arrol and Ladwhern Drum Frendraught men of considerable fortunes and fewds so that the North was cleared and quiet And now the King reminds the late behaviour of the Malapart Minister Blake who was couvented before Commissioners at Saint Andrews his Church concerning his Treasonable speeches in his former Sermon whereof he had been convicted before the Council and was now further accused as wondrous factious and so condemned and turn'd out of all And thus visitations being made through all Churches and Presbyteries a strange reformation followed both there and in the University and not only Inquisition of their Doctrines and behaviour therein but also concerning the Managment of Lectures Offices Revenues Rents all out of order untill this blessed way of altering all for good But more especially in the Colledges in place of divinity Readings Politick questions were raised whether the Election or succession of Kings were the better Government How farr the regall power extended whether Kings may not be censured for abusing the same and deposed by the people The King therefore prescribes the professors their Theam The first Master to read the common places to the Students with the Law and History of the Bible The second Master to read the New Testament The third the Prophets Ecâlesiastes and Canticles The fourth the Hebrew Grammer with the Psalms Proverbs and the book of Iob. A Council appointed for the Universitie and that for their better improvement and studies the Doctors Professors and Regents not being pastors should be exempted from Church-meetings Sessions Presbyteries and Assemblies these Orders and Articles assented and sworn unto in presence of the King And being Northward where pittifull ignorance possesses the common people Amongst many one Margeret Attkin apprehended upon suspition of witchcraft and threatned with Torture confessed her trade and discovering her associates to purge the Country of all if she might have but pardon she gave her reason to be assured of their guilt all of that sort having a secret mark in their eyes by which she could certainly discover them to be witches and had by deceipt the Devil also assisting gotten credit and belief and so carried through the Country for discovery of others and divers innocent women by her asseveration at Glasgow through the ignorant simplicitie of Master Iohn Cooper Minister were put to death But some wiser than the rest altered the women into other habits whom she would then acquit and so she was sent back to Fife her first aboad and then hanged But belying her self in what she had confessed she was by some supposed not guilty and the King was moved to recall the Commission which authorized proceedings against such seducers And yet the fearfull abounding of these detestable slaves to the Divel moved the King to dispatch hastily a Treatise to the press of Doemonologie in form of a Dialogue and devided into three books 1. The discription of Magi in special 2. The discription of sorceries and witchâraft in special 3. The discription of all these kind of spirits that trouble men or women and the conclusion Against the damnable opinions of two principally in that age One Scot an English man who denies in print such a thing as witchcraft and so maintains the old error of the Saduces in denying of spirits The other of Wierus a Germain Physitian in his publick Apologie for all witchcraft discovering thereby himself to have been one of them The Kings indeavour is to prove two things That there have been and are such devilish Arts and secondly what exact tryal and severe punishment they merit And reasoning upon Genus he leaves species differentia to be comprehended therein for example In the first book Chap. 6. speaking of the power of Magicians He saies that they can suddenly by their spirits cause to be brought all kinds of delicacies since as a thief he delights to steal and as a spirit subtilly transports them under which Genus all particulars may be comprehended as bringing wine out of a wall c. proved by reasons of the general In the second bookâ Chap. 5
interests in one design of envy Queen Elizabeth was ever shy of her Successor and these two families were equal in power and affection in Court enjoying Her present favour but looking to the future in the Queens declension And in several held correspondence with some of the principal in Scotland if not with the King which had she known might have cost their heads Secretary Caecil had the safer conveyance in disposing all publick addreââes of State and was in hazard to have forfeited his honesty if not his head but his ready wit served the turn The Queen taking ayre upon Greenwich-heath a post came thither to Caecil from Scotland she hastily commanded the Packet which he with much diligence to obey sâept neer her person telling her it smelt and looked il-favouredly coming out of a filthy Budget and that it were fit to be ayred She being averse from ill sents bid him do so and so he gained time to sever what he would not have her to see The Earls accident of the same Nature had more cost and difficulty in the redress He entertained a domestick Master Anthony Bacon of a quick wit by whom the Scotish intelligence was managed which dangerous secret he acted for reward And upon that score had private invitation to amend his fortune with Caecil Of which he makes use and as a mercenary man revealed it to his Master who knew well enough it behoved him to out-bid Caecil and sodainly gave him Essex house which was disingaged for 2500l besides another sum before of 1500l so in all we may guess it costly counsel About this time There was a treasonable Assassination acted upon the King by Iohn Ruthen Earl of Gowry and commonly called Gowries conspiracie The principal Actors The Earl and his brother Alexander Ruthen Andrew Henderson and Iohn Cranstone The conspirators were Robert Logain Laird of Restalrigge the Laird of Bour and Georg Sprot the last were discovered afterwards and Sprot executed eight years after And because Gowry had insinuated himself into the faction of the ministery presuming on their wonted way of countenancing all mutinous designes These men in malice to their Sovereign who kept them under with Bitt and Bridle began to quarrel at the publick declarations herein till the Conspiracie was examined and witnessed by their worships Their but infection hath impoysoned others who wilfully and maliciously have now very lately spit their venome in print as if the world had been more than these half hundred years last past abused with a false and feigned story We therefore In perpetuam rei memoriam have endeavoured the truth From such information and printed Narratives as we may with confidence satisfie the most suspicious The name Ruthen in Scotland was not notorious till Anno 1568 when the chief of that familie amongst other confederates in those divided times of trouble laboured the imprisoning the Kings Mother Queen Mary In 1582 his son William was created Earl Gowry in the Kiugs minority and two years after fel into actual Rebellion at Dundee for which he suffered at Sterlin anno 1584. His eldest son Iohn not long after was restored in blood and had leave to travel beyond seas I have a Manuscript which saies that in Padoua amongst other impressa's in a fencing school he caused a hand and sword aiming at a Crown for his device And the Earl of Arguile this mans father 1552 told the King that in a house at Orleans in France where Gowry had been lodged he found a prophecie That he should with too much love fall into melancholy have great power and rule and die by the sword And thereafter his return home he was extraordinary ambitious proud and haughty His answer shew'd no less unto Collonal Stuart a man of high esteem who humbly desiring to be reconciled for acting as a minister of justice in apprehending his father He scornfully answered Aquila non capit Muscas Himself too big in his own thoughts to be comprehended with Court observance retired to his familie accompanied with such of his Creatures that could descend to observe him only his brother Alexander was designed to play the Courtier to take off the suspition being of the Kings Bedchamber And although divers overtures were conceived between the Earl and Robert Logain of Restalrig which took not effect But at last it was resolved in this manner The Earl sends his Brother Alexander from Saint Iohnstons his house to the King at Faulkland to intice him thither with as much privacie as could be And overnight the 4. day of August 1600. commands one of his servants Andrew Henderson to ride with his brother Alexander and one Andrew Ruthen to Faulkland to the Court the next morning by 7. a clock The King putting his foot in the stirrop to hunt Alexander tels him That he had apprehended one lately come from beyond seas with much gold coyn and sundry suspicious letters to Popish Lords advising his Majesty to receive the mony and letters and to examine the person being in safety with his Brother at Saint Iohnstons but 10. miles and this to be done speedily and privately which was concluded at Noon whilst his train and attendants should be at dinner Alexander Immediately commands Henderson to speed to his Brother finding him in his Chamber where they had communication and that the King would be there by Noon and that the business took well with the King for he clipt him about the neck that he was accompanied with a slender Train the Duke of Lenox Sir Thomas Erskin and about a dozen persons Well saies the Earl get on your plate sleeves for I must take an highland robber The King staying longer in his sport of hunting than was expected the Earl at middle of dinner Andrew Ruthen came in hast and signified the King to be nerer at hand presently after came Alexander and William Bloire and withdrew themselves to consult sending Henderson for the Earls Gantlet and steel Bonnet at the instant the King comes in is received by the Earl and retires to dinner Alexander bids Henderson to fetch the keys of the Chambers from one William Rynde and presently after Cranston requires Henderson to come to the Earl who commanded him to attend his brother Alexander and to doe what ere he bid him which was to be locked up within the round Chamber and to stay in silence till his return Neer the end of dinner the King at his fruit and the Lords and wayters gone to eat Alexander beggs of his Majesty in this opportunity to withdraw and to dispatch the business And up he leads Him through four or five roomes locking each dore behind them til they came into the round Chamber where Henderson stood armed No sooner entered but Alexander pulls out Hendersons dagger held it to the Kings brest claps on his Bonnet and with stern countenance faces the King and saies Now Sir you must know I
in this seeming security Norman Macklond Natural son to old Macklond with a Regiment of Rogues raised from all the Neighbour Isles fell upon them unawares and forced them to these Conditions To procure Him and His remission of all offences and pardon To resign to him all their right to the Isle Lewis That Sir James Spence and his son in Law should be Pledges to him til these were performed by Patent from the King The case thus altered Sir Iames Armstroder with his company came home many being killed obtained them remission and security of the Isle and sent to Norman by Iames Lermouth the Pledges released and this Enterprise defeated but was again attempted three years after 1605. in this manner The first Undertakers weary of thier Design by excessive expence made over their Right to Lumsdale of Ardie and Hay who with the treachery of Mackey Mackerzy and Donold Gorum forced the Indabitants out of the Isle and having done this work sends to the South-land for Artizans and Laborers and beginning to build and plant but wanting means to pay the Work-men went away the Natives abroad associate with a number of Islanders invade the Planters with often Incursions and so wearied them out of all for a piece of money to boot to Mackerzy There being no remedy left for Robert Bruce exiled into France yet upon intercession of some friends and submission to the King he had leave to return and so appearing before the King and Commissioners of the Church acknowledged his Error concerning Gowries guilt as you have heard and further to recant it in his next Sermon which Protestation he subscribes witnessed by eleven Commissioners and so had leave to preach but did not pretending That his ministery would be discredited if he should preach by injunction and was therefore discharged his Ministery by the General Assembly who enacted That in memory of his Majesties Deliverance from Gowries Attempt Sermons Prayer and Thanksgiving should be solemnied in all the Burghs every Tuesday the fifth of August for ever as the Parliament had prescribed in all Churches of the Kingdom The Iesuits as in England so in Scotland having no hopes of Toleration but much urged in both Kingdoms and that their pitifull Pamphlets for the petence of the Infanta's title to England not prevailing with the people nor their Treaty of Marriage of the Lady Arabella with the Prince of Savoy nor with her and the Earl of Hertfords Grand-childe they went the old way to work by Murder and Francis Mowbray son to the Laird of Barruâhoâg all by the Infanta'â Court at Bruxels undertook to kill the King and in his journey home through England was discovered at London and accused by one Daniel an Italian which the other denied and were both sent secure to Scotland and there by more severe Examinations Mowbray was committed to Edenburgh castle where forcing the Grate Irons of his Window intended to let himself down by his Bed-sheets which proving too short he fell from the precipice and dasht out his brains upon the Rocks his body was ordered into quarters as the manner of Traitors though his kindred well born pretended that he was strangled in Prison and his body flung out of the Window to amuze the world with his own death and guilt Queen Elizabeths increasing towards her decreasing she was now left of all without recovery which occasioned the French King to send his Ambassadour into Scotland and another into England under pretence of impeaching the policies of Spain but rather to observe the motions and disposition of either people in reference to the Queens death accompanied with Letters to certain Lords of either Nation To Secretary Cecil with extreme affection it being high time to caress such men of interest in State when in a visit the Ambassadour to sound him fell into heart-burning for the miserable calamity that would befall the poor Nation in the death of the Queen and in particular Cecil's exchange of a gracious Mistress for a stranger King of Scotland if he should succeed a Prince no doubt subtile said he enough as yet to seem fair untill the future occasion give him power and means to revenge his Mothers death as upon others so in particulars on you for your fathers fault then and your counsels since The Secretary suspecting his drist answered That it was the usual reward of unspotted duty when Ministers of State chiefly respect the service of their Sovereign without regard to their own safety himself ready to suffer with comfort for so just a cause the credit thereof being the best security to an even conscience esteeming that Maries Martyrdom the highest honour but he supposed that matters past would not be challenged to memory if it should be so and his own case desperate he might be minded to flee into another City and take the benefit of his Majesties royal offer The Ambassadour made fair retreat and said That in case the King of Scots should carry himself with respect which was due to a King of France his Master was not purposed to impeach his interest Cecil replied The King was wise and shewed it in that resolution The Secretary sets down this passage to King Iames taking occasion thereby to assure him his faithfull service Though he does not as others had done needlesly hazard his fortune before fit time The King returns him this Answer As I do heartily thank you says he for your plain and honest offer so may you assure your self that it would do me no pleasure for you to hazard Fortune or Reputation since the loss of either would make you less valuable to me No I love not to feed on such fantastical humours though I cannot hinder busie-bodies their own idle imaginations but I hold it the Office of a King as sitting on the Throne of God to imitate the Primum Mobile and by his steady and âver constant course to govern all other changeable and uncertain motions of the inferiour Planets And I protest in Gods presence that for your constant and honest carriage in your Sovereigns service I loved your virtues long before I could be certain that you would deserve at my hands the love of your person Wherefore go on and serve her truly that reigneth as you have done for he that is false to the present will never be true to the future To give your judgment of the Kings wisdom and piety see the difference in his answer to the Earl of Northumberland who certified him of the Queens weakness and advised him to make sure of his Title by apprehending the necessity of hasty possession whilest time was offered To him he professeth That man can neither be religious nor just that deals not by his Neighbour as himself would be dealt withall and in a Person of quality it can be no wisdom to âeap Hedg and Ditch and adventure his neck for gathering forbidden fruit before it be ripe
Knecht a German word an Institution of dignity by that Noble and ancient Nation Tacitus saies the manner was not for any to take Arms before the State allowed him sufficient and then some one of the Princes or the father of the young-man termed Knecht furnished him with a Shield and a Javeline as the Romans did virili toga the first honor done to youth and afterwards members of the Common-weal This being the first and simple manner of Creation they were afterwards styled Bachelour Knights Baccalarius quia olim coronabantur lauro cum baccis Vel potius quia Bedellus ipsis aureum baculum exâibebat cum ad concilia irent Vnde primus gradus in professione scientiarum est Baccalauri secundus Licentiati ultimus doctores Indeed as he is so Baccalaureus or Batalareus dicitur is Miles qui jam semel praelio sive Bataliae interfuit collatis signis et manum cum hoste conseruit And thus for the Name Their dignity was from serving on Horse-back so the Italian call them Cavaileiri the French chivalier the Germanes Roisters all of riding the Latines equites aurati for properly being created with sword and girdle guilt spurs were added for more necessary Ornament The original dignity was given to Marshall men but since in all Nations it is bestowed on men of peace and merit the better in civile policie to level the service at home with that abroad Tullie sayes Parva sunt foris arma nisi est consilium domi And of late his dignity is called dubbed because the man kneels down and the Sovereign lightly layes a sword upon his shoulder saying sois chevalier nome de dieu and afterwards he sayes Avances chevalier It seems to be done as it were upon the sodain in the field and thereupon are called in our Law Miles a militia But the King may do it by Patent And though the first in Title by Institution yet are they the last in degree of honor which dies with them There had been anciently another degree of Knight-hood made by the General under the Kings standard in the field called Banneret but he was âeacefull and so none of them were made in his time See after Knights Baronets and Knights of the Garter Being come to London his first Reception was at the Charter-house the then Habitation of Thomas Howard lately made Lord Chamberlain for four dayes where 80. Gentlemen were Knighted from thence in private to White-Hall and then by water to the Tower of London the 11. of May 1603. During his Journey hither prisoners were set at liberty out of the Tower and amongst others Accessaries to Essex Treason was Henry Wriothsly the third Earl of Southampton made Barons by Henry the eighth and Earls by Edward the sixth And this man by King Iames made afterwards Knight of the Garter a Privy Counsellor and Captain of the Isle of Wight Thomas his son now Earl of Southampton 1654. Heer at the Tower He creates divers Barons Sir Robert Caecil Baron of Essenden Sidny of Peshnurst Lord Knowles of Grayes Lord Wotton of Morley And dubbs eleven Knights The King had knowledg of the death of Iames Beaton in France Arch-Bishop of Glascow he had been consecrate Bishop at Rome 1552. and not induring the reformation of the Church forsook Scotland and conveyed with him to France all the evidences of that See of Glascow the Ornaments and Reliques of that Church the Image of Christ in beaten gold and of the Apostles in silver not over large you may believe And being there Queen Mary setled her Lieger Ambassadour when she returned to Scotland And so continued untill the Government of the Regents who deprived him whom the King afterwards restores and imployes him in Ambassies to France being wise and faithfull to his Mother He by Will leaves all to pious uses for benefit of Scotish-men Scholars and consigned the Utensils of Glasgow into the hands of the Carthusians of Paris untill Glasgow becomes Romish Iohn Spotswood at the Kings elbow was soon preferred thither and sent with the Lords to fetch the Queen But she resolved to bring the Prince along with her self and being refused by the friends of the Earl of Mar til order from the King incensed her into a sickness and to recover her the King humoured her willfulness and sent home the Earl of Mar from England to present her with her son but continues her anger to be debarred her desire by such a subject whom mortally she hated as you have heard heretofore and though the King sought to sweeten her with his letters That he ascribed his peacable reception in England unto his wisdom and late Negotiation The Queen in fury replyed That she had rather never see England than be beholding to him Whether in Malice or other defign It was remarkable Her studious intent to seize the Prince to her self And so she set forward with him and the Princess Elizabeth who by the way was left to the Government of the Lord Harrington But Charles Duke of York an Infant and sickly came not til next year after The Earl of Rutland was sent in Commission to the King of Denmark to present him with the honor of the Garter and to Baptize his first son And Sir Henry Wootton Lieger to Venice He was called from his private travels at Venice formerly known to the King an Emissary from the Duke of Tuscane into Scotland to forwarn him of a Treason against his Person And was now sent again thither Leonardo Donato being then Duke with whom and the Pope Paul the first hapened two Contests For restraint of Lay Persons donatives unto Church-men of lands or goods without License for so becoming Ecclesiastick they were exempt from taxes The other was The imprisoning an unchast Abbot and a Canon being conceived a diminution of the Papal Power who therefore excommunicates the whole Republick They fly to King Iames by their own Ambassadour here and by Messengers and Letters disputing their priviledges with the Popes power which was thus weakened by exceeding it and so they obtained Absolution with much adoe but not untill the report was that the whole Senate would turn Protestants Wootton continued at Venice near twenty years with some Returns and Messages extraordinary this Donato being the fourscore and eleventh Duke of Venice successively from Anno 697. having been a Republick long before and governed by Tribunes In Iuly was solemnly performed the Rites of St George at Windsor where were installed these Knights of the Garter the Prince Henry Duke of Lenox Earl of Southampton Earl of Mar Earl of Pembroke This most honourable Order of the Garter was instituted by Edward the third after he had obtained many great Victories K. Iohn of France K. Iames of Scotland being then Prisoners in the Tower of London and King Henry of Castile the Bastard expulst and Don Piedro restored by the Prince of Wales called The black
in all our Scotish discourse Yet at this time they renew their former wont as in Scotland and begin to perplex the King at his Entrance To pacifie such He appoints a Conference to be held with the Episcopacie and Them at Hampton Court In the mean time to let them see what they should trust unto he sets forth a Proclamation Against such as seditiously seek Reformation in Church Matters And that the Constitution and doctrine here is agreeable to Gods word and near to the Condition of the primitive Church And forewarnes them of publick invectives gathering of Subscriptions to supplications for Reformation savouring of Tumult sedition and violence Protesting to preserve the Estate Ecclesiasticall as politick in such form as he found it Reforming abuses if they be made apparent 14 Octob. 1603. But in truth these men were too hasty and might well remember the King of such their behaviour in Scotland which to prevent he did for ever after advance the power of Episcopacie there to even that Discipline with this in England and to inlarge their Bishops into some Eminencie heretofore clowded with Envy and Malice It was now time so to do when the Presbyterian Doctrines had amplified into these Heads The Reformation of Religion belongs to the Cominaltie The punishment of such Crimes as touching the Majesty of God doth not appertain to Kings and chief Rulers only but also to the Body of the People Princes for just causes may be deposed If Princes be Tyrants their subjects are freed from their Oath of Obedience Populo jus est ut imperium cui velit deferat Penes populum est ut leges ferat sunt Reges veluti Tabulariorum Custodes The people have the same power over the King as He hath over any Person It were good that rewards were appointed by the people for such as should kill Tyrants The People may arraign their Prince The Minister may excomunicate Him He that by excomunication is cast into Hell is not worthy of Life upon Earth Objections to some of their Doctrines with their Answers Custome is against such dealing with Princes Answ. Nothing more dangerous to be followed than Custome Ob. We must obey Kings be they good or bad Ans. It is blasphemy to say so Ob. Jeremie commanded obedience to Nebuchodonozer Ans. The Example is but singular Ob. God placeth Tyrants sometimes for punishment of the People Ans. So doth he private then sometimes to kill them Ob. The Iewes dealt not so with their Kings Ans. Their Kings were not first elected by the People but Ours have nothing but from the People Ob. Shew an Example out of Scripture Ans. Sundry good laws in divers Countries though no Example in Scriptures Ob. Saint Paul commands us to pray for Princes Tim. 2. Ans. We may punish Thieves and yet we ought to pray for them Ob. Saint Paul commands us to be subject and obedient to Princes Tit. 3. Ans. Paul writ in the Infancie of the Church the Christian not ripe nor rich for such a purpose and if Paul were now alive he would leave Kings to be punished by their Subjects not to be accounted any longer King c. These and many more such not only held by Buchanan and Knox but by their whole Consistorians beyond seas as Calvin Beza Hitamor Ursinius Vindicae contra Tyrannos Eusebius Shiladephus c. And now was their former proceedings in Scotland Examined according to their doctrines for setting up their Coâsistorian Discipline The Parliament in Scotland 1560. being disolved and their Book of Discipline compiled by Knox and others which their favourites notwithstanding termed but a devoutâImagination yet they threatned the chiefest Noblemen if they should reject it some refused but at last it was forced upon all They appoint their Assemblies particular and general They exercise Jurisdiction and cart Saunders for Adultry And excommunicate the whole Multitude about a May-pole They burn divers places pretending of superstition Bishops houses Protestants also at Pasley the Bishop hardly escaping life The very calling of Bishops though Protestants became Antichristian and command them by their Authority to leave their Offices and Iurisdiction That they should have no voices in Parliament and desire that such as themselves should send might vote Commanding the King and His Council under pain of Excommunication to appoint no Bishops hereafter because the Brethren had concluded that estate unlawfull Beza their Consistorian Patriarch from Geneva had assured them of well doing and moves them Ne unqnam c. That they would never admit again that Plague Bishops although it might allure them of keeping Unity The Bishops being discharged they agreed of Superintendents but that device was laid aside and afterwards conclude that Ministers of the word should be equal and then began the Presbytery to flourish For then they usurped the whole Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction altering all lawes as they pleased They assembled the Kings Subjects injoyning Ecclesiastical pains unto them make decrees and execute them They Trayterously rail against the King in their Pulpits and being questioned utterly disclaim his Authority as an Incompetent Iudge That the Pulpit matters were exempt from the Judgment or correction of Princes They prescribe lawes to the King and State Appoint Fasts to the whole Kingdom when their faction were to act any enterprize Anno 1582. The King to prevent the dangerous consequence thereof divers of them were silenced and imprisoned but what was the Issue They surprize the King at Ruthen and declare it to be done for resisting the present dangers to Gods true Religion and for removing from the King the chief Authors The King being afterwards released that act was adjudged Crimen laesae Majestatis and some were hanged others fled into England Yet afterwards 1585. They avow the same and excommunicate such as would not subscribe to Them Another treasonable Attempt they had against the King at Sterlin Anno 1583. So that in the Parliament 1584. the Kings lawfull Authority Ecclesiastical was confirmed the Bishops restored and to be Treason for any man to procure diminution of the three Estates The Iudgments Senates and Presbyterian Iurisdiction discharged An Act made for calling in Buchanan's treasonable Book his Chronicle and his Iure Regni apud Scotos That none shall preach declame confer or utter scandalous words or slanders against the King or his Council or to meddle in State-affairs Sub poena c. And because they did advance their Modell as the most agreeable to the best and most Reformed Churches against Episcopacy it was examined the numbers that refuse their Sanedrim besides the Eastern and Western Reformers All in the Dutchy of Saxony Brunswick and Luxemburgh All those Churches in the Countreys of the Marquesites of Brandenburgh and Badu The Churches in the Earldoms of Henebergh Lemings Marisfeilt Stalburgh
four I shall answer with a truth and no marvel That some years after when the Roles were examined that were deposed they were found to be but nine and fourty in all England when in Scotland they were reckoned above nine thousand so great a stir could so few make here or else they subscribed to keep their Livings and no wonder they were ever loth to lose all and many of them knew how to turn And orderly afterwards the King put forth two Proclamations the one To satisfie his Subjects for Unifomity in Religion according to the established Laws And Doctor Abbot and others sent in Apostolical Embassie into Scotland to settle the Church and spirits of the Clergy there as he had done here that every spirit led onely with piety and not humour might be therein satisfied The other Proclamation against Iesuits expresseth That a greater contagion to our Religion was eminent by sundry persons common Enemies to them both namely numbers of Priests Seminaries Iesuits abounding here of such as were before and since our coming and with greater liberty than they durst have done upon confidence of innovation in Religion and general Pardon at our Coronation do exercise their Professions and saying Mass and endeavouring to seduce the Subjects from their duty to us and to reconcile them to Rome To prevent infection with Superstition pernicious to the soul and corrupt against Alleageance is to debar the People such Instruments of infection and they are Priests of all sorts ordained in forein parts prohibited here by the Authority of the Laws of this Land And therefore against such they shall before the 19th of March next depart out of this Realm and the Kings Dominions and not to return hereafter upon penalty of the Laws in force to be inflicted without any favour The Reasons and excuses for this seeming severity toward that sort of Subjects is enforced from the peril of his Person by late conspiracy of confusion conceived by persons of that sort onely And this may satisfie forein Princes proceeds from providence to prevent perils otherwise inevitable considering their submission to forein Iurisdiction seems to dispence at pleasure with the power of their own Sovereign or strictest bond of loyalty and love between a King and his People And though it is civilly considered personal respects to the now Bishop of Rome in state and condition of a secular Prince yet observing the course and clame of that See no Prince of our Religion and Profession can be assured of continuance unless by assent of other Christian Princes to a general Council free and lawfull to pluck up those Roots of dangers and jealousies arising about Religion as well between Prince and Prince as between them and their Subjects and also to manifest that no State or Potentate either hath or can challenge power to dispose of earthly Kingdoms or Monarchies or to dispence with Subjects obedience to their natural Sovereigns in which charitable action no Prince shall more readily concur his power not onely out of particular disposition to peace with all States but by such union an amity might be settled to resist the common Enemy Febr. 22. Jacobi I. This did something allay them but not the Presbyters who by pens and preaching saies he strook at the very root of Hierarchy so that it was a hard question which of them were the most odious Truly both of them Neither Barrel better Herring for the Papists wrought in private and these that way also besides their pittyfull preaching And at this time died that learned Arch-Bishop Whitgift a good and pious Man whom Banckroft succeeded no great friend to them but to satisfie their violence he is intrusted with their directory a Manuscript compiled as they gave out to startle the next Parliament which they deliver to the Arch-Bishop but he pretending to have loât it when it was called for and they without any Copy devised another so different from the former as being afterwards compared the Parliament concluded that every new motion would alter their Model ad infinitum so unsetled they were then and are to this day as never to be satisfied with any as to our trouble and late experience hath been evident And which this most reverend Whitgift foretold on his death-bed the miserable effects of their violence Et nunc domine said he exaltata est Anima mea quod in eo tempore succubui quando mallem Episcopatus mei deo reddere rationem quam inter homines exercere But indeed Presbyters had so bitten the King and his Kingdom and now at his coming it behoved him to quiet them for as all knew it lay in his power to be Head of the Protestant Professours so upon this new access to these Crowns it was conceived he might alter all ancient Forms upon a new score who having bit on the Bridle so long at home it would concern him now to keep the Reins free having entailed Precepts upon his posterity to that end Instructions as frontlets and chains real and lasting and bequeathed to them as Legacies to after age forewarning his Son in his Basilicon Doron not to wrest the Word of God to self-appetite So now therefore he resolved to frame his own and his peoples affections to follow that true Rule of Scripture which suffered under several Interpretations he therefore commended it to the choice grave and most learned of this Nation and commanded them as they would answer at Gods Tribunal to be carefull therein painfull and just They did so and we have that blessing amongst us as the most perfect Translation in English of all others not without Exceptions in that also from our Adversaries the Papists and Sectarists The Scripture was writ in parts the most ancient Language was Hebrew the most copious the Greek and Latine the finest but as the Hebrews in their time accounted all Languages but their own Lognasim or barbarous so then that others might come to the waters of life we must as Iacob role the stone from the Well that the Sheep may drink of the waters of life we could not reade the Book for it was sealed And indeed whilest the dew lay on Gideon's fleece all the earth was dry but near before the time of ourâblessed Reconciliation by our Saviour CHRIST Not of the Jew onely but of the Greek also then God raised up the heart of a Greek Prince by descent and Language Ptolomy Philadelph King of Egypt to procure the Translation of the Old Testament into Greek out of Hebrew which we call the Seventy Interpreters The Greek Tongue made familiar to most Inhabitants in Asia by reason of their Conquests and also understood in many places of Europe and Africa but yet not so acceptable to some no not of the Iews For not long after Christ Aquila Theodosia Symmachus and others translate it again these with the Seventy made up the Hexapla and all together were compiled by Saint
Kings to the Commons in Parliament and they to joyn with the Peers from whence it became the wisdom of Princes how to mannage this Government and to maintain this Form Lest some of this Body knit under one Head should swell and grow monstrous And Monarchy may sooner groan under the weight of Aristocracy as it often did than under Democracy which till now it never felt nor feared The Actions of which singly are inconsiderable after many Conjunctions grow at last into one great perfecting power or into Destroying Factions like smaller Brooks falling into some Main River The Parliament of England of long time and at this present was come to be a Convention of the Estates of the Kingdom assembled by the King of Bishops Peers and Peoples Commissioners They sat in two Senate-Houses or Chambers named a Higher and a Lower The Higher called also the House of Peers the Bishops and Peers viz. Dukes Marquesses Earls and Barons sit together with whom sit the Judges of the law for their advice not voice The Lower House called also the House of Commons is constituted of Knights of the Shire two Elected of every Shire and of Cities and Incorporations one or more Burgesses The day and place of Assembly is appointed by the King and adjourned removed elsewhere and dissolved at his pleasure The Lords or Peers are called by writs transmitted to them under the Kings hand The Commons by the Kings writ out of Chancery The writ to the Peers runs thus James by the Grace of God c. To the most reverend father in Christ so he stiles the Bishops Cousin if he speaks to the Peers for as much as by the advice of our Council upon some diffident and urgent affairs us and the State and defence of our Kingdom of England and the Church of England concernant We have ordained that our Parliament be held at c. there to consult and Treat with you and the rest of the Prelates Nobles and Heads of our said Kingdom of England We strictly charge and command you on your faith and love if to the Bishops by your fealty and Alleagance if to the Peers wherein you stand bound to us that considering the difficulty of the said affairs and the dangers iminent laying aside whatsoever excuse you be personally present on the said day and place with us and the rest of the Prelates Nobles and Heads to treat and give your advice touching the said affairs and this as you tender us and our Honour and the safety of our said Kingdom and Holy-Church and dispatch of the said affairs may you in no wise omit if he writes to the Bishops to warn the Dean and Chapiter of your Church and the whole Clergie of your Diocess that the same Dean and Arch-Deacons in their proper persons and the said Chapiter by one and the same Clergie by two sufficient substitutes having plenary and sufficient power from the said Chapiter and Clergy be personally present on the said day and place to consent to these things which then and there by the favor of the divine Clemencie shall happen to be ordained by the Common advice of our Kingdom Witness ourselves c. The other writ to the Sheriffs and Mayors of the Cities and Corporations is thus The King to the Sheriff Greeting For as much by the advice and consent of our Council and so goes on as above and there to confer and treat with the Prelates Peers and Heads of our Kingdom We strictly charge and command you that by proclamation made in your Shire upon the receipt of our writ you cause two Knights with swords by their sides the most sufficient and discreet of the Shire and of every City of that County two Citizens and of every Borough two Burgesses of the most discreet and sufficient to be freely and indifferently chosen by such as shall be present at the Proclamation according to the form of the Statutes on that behalf set forth and provided And the Names of the said Knights Citizens and Burgesses to be inserted in certain Indentures to be drawn between you and them that shall be present as such Elections whether the persons so chosen be present or absent And then to come at the same day and place so that the said Knights have full and sufficient power for themselves and the Communalty of the said Shire and the said Citizens and Burgesses for themselves and the Communities of the Cities Boroughs respectively from the same to do and consent to such things as then and there shall happen by Gods assistance to be ordained by the commune advice of our Kingdom concerning the affairs offered so that by your neglect therein the said affairs in any case remain not undone Notwithstanding we will not that you or any other Sheriff of our Kingdom be chosen At the day and place they meet at the Church first then at the Parliament-Houses orderly in their Robes with solemn gate such as might increase in the people the authority of their siting Then the King enters the Upper-House and either in his own person or by the mouth of his Chancellor declares the weighty causes of their Assembling in Contemplation whereof he desires their advice to communicate their Counsels in doubtfull matters most certain That himself be present at these consultations needs not but only as oft as he sees good There is no necessity after this unless in the end of the Session to add the strength and force of Laws to their results The Knights Citizens and Burgesses in the Lower-House are Man by Man called forth by their Names by some one delegated by the King and each is made to take the Oath of Alleageance heretofore was this I will keep true faith and Alleageance to James by the grace of God c. King His Heirs and successors Him and them I will defend to my utmost strength and with the hazard of my life and fortunes against all conspiracies and attempts against his Person Crown and Dignity And lest any should dream of a Consortship in Government there was superadded the Oath of Supremacy in these words I A. B. do utterly testifie and declare in my conscience that the Kings Highness is the onely Supreme Governour of this Realm and all other his Highness Dominions and Countreys as well in all Spiritual and Ecclesiastical things or causes as Temporal and that no forein Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Iurisdiction Power Superiority Preheminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within this Realm and therefore I do utterly renounce and forsake all forein Iurisdictions Powers Superiorities and Authorities and do promise that from henceforth I shall âear Faith and true Alleageance to the Kings Highness his Heirs and lawfull Successors and to my power shall assist and defend all Iurisdictions Privileges Preheminences and Authorities granted or belonging to the Kings Highness his Heirs and Successors or united and
annexed to the Imperial Crown of the Realm Thus oblig'd to their duty they chuse a Speaker whom they accompany to the King whose Election they desire him to ratifie whom the King usually is pleased with which done the Speaker in his own and the House of Commons name gives thanks and beseeches That the Lower House may use their Privileges and freedom of debating That if any therein shall happen to be more earnest in his own opinion his Majesty will vouchsafe not to take it ill nor be angry and that they may have access to the Kings Majesty or Higher House as oft as matters require which leave being granted they are dismissed Both Houses have free liberty to debate of matters propounded by the King or touching making or abrogating Laws and to determine to commit to writing what is to be transmitted to each other by Messenger whereto if upon debate had there ensue an assent by Votes the consent is noted upon the top of the Bill in this form amongst the Lords Les Seigneurs ont assentes among the Commons Les Communes ont assentes but if they differ both Houses not seldom meet or else principal persons chosen out of them to confer together in a commodious place for their meeting in the Painted Chamber there the Commons standing and uncovered with great observance receive the Lords covered and sitting and there they confer if they discord that business comes to nothing but if they agree they present it to the King which if he allows he writes Le Roy le veult and so as by a Soul infused into a Body it receives life and becomes an effectual Law forthwith to be promulgated to the People but when the King refuses to approve it he writes on the top of the Leaf Le Roy s' avisera sometimes he denies it in terminis and thereupon are reputed dasht The sacred matters the King permits not to be handled by Parliaments but Synods unless it may be for the force of Laws from Parliamentary Authority which they cannot so fully obtain from their divine verity The Deans Arch-Deacons Procuratours for the Chapters as also for every Arch-Deaconry the former being delegated by the Suffrages of the Prebendaries these of the Ministers meet in a place assigned to debate touching them where having first chosen a Prolocutor in the name of the Clergy they determine concerning Heads of Religion Ceremonies and other matters belonging to the Church as also granting of Subsidies to the King whose Results notwithstanding are not obtruded on the Seculars to be observed with the Authority of Laws untill as above-said they be allowed by assent of King and both Houses being provided That Civil hands should not intermeddle in these affairs Our Chronicles tell us That Queen Elizabeth expostulates with the Parliament for that they had appointed a Fast without her advice and were not restored to her favour but upon obtaining of Pardon Both Houses have respectively their peculiar Privileges To the higher House not onely to give counsels and to assist in making Laws but likewise to exercise the power of Iudicature and so of imposing Oaths in the more weighty causes as corruption of Iudges and Magistrates and in last Appeals which yet to bring back to examen without the Kings permission and Patent the Lawyers say is praeter-legal nor do they so unless the Judges of Law sitting by The House of Commons have Privileges of supplicating and craving Right or else the Accusers part never challenged to it self the Office of Judg save within their own Walls and on their proper Members and that extended no farther than penalty of Imprisonment or Mulct never having any right of pressing an Oath and therefore in a Statute the House of Commons say That seeing Parliamentary Iudicature belongs to the King and Lords and not to the Commons that they might not be obliged contrary to Custom to give Iudgment If any doubt touching the Election of their Members it was heretofore determined by the Lords House or by the Judg of the Kings Chancery If any of them had departed from the Houses without the Kings leave and both Houses also he was convened before the Kings Council-table or Kings Bench to undergo the penalty and was not punished at the discretion of his own House of Commons But they have Privilege first to debate and determine of levying money among the People This was the temperament of King Parliament and People in proper parts not harming each other for the Kings supreme Authority and Sword is as a sufficient power to vindicate the Laws from the Factions of the Grands and popular Tumults whilest in the mean time the Lords with that chief Authority wherewith they are vested of Iudicature and Legislation put a curb on one hand to the Kings Tyranny if he extravagate on the other to the tumultuating populace and in semblable manner the People by that their power of accusing whom they please and of granting or denying moneys are in a sufficient capacity to retrench the licentiousness of the Nobility and of the Kings Counsellours and break the Kings impetuous incroching on the publick The Laws have exceedingly provided That the freedom of voting and debating be not hindered through fear of insolent persons therefore none may come into either of their Houses with a Sword or armed The Members and their Servants not to be arrested for Debt or offences though of a mean alloy and if any so attached he may not be free but by a Writ out of the Chancery Seldom and that upon weighty cause would Kings create offence to so venerable an Assembly however it hath so faln out that excellent Princes upon too great provocations have reprehended the Senate and punisht some Offenders convening them before the Judges of the Kingdom imprisoned fined and put to death sometimes Thus by past stood the state of Parliaments when the King came in and calls one in March the King Queen and Prince some days before rode from the Tower to his Palace of White-hall in such Triumph as the several Pageants at each convenient place with excellent Oratory assured them the affections and duty of his Subjects as they did some days afterwards when the like occasion presented them in state to this Parliament And as usual with all Sovereigns his Predecessours themselves or Chancellour sweetens the Members with some Rhetorical Oration to the purpose of calling that Assembly and this the King undertakes now as best able of any Prince his Predecessours or any other Assistant for wit or wisdom to compare with him and therein he lays open his heart to both Houses in a very long Speech But because it is in print and bound with the Volume of his Works I shall adventure to abreviate here for some light to the Reader in this History which follows But then in this as in other his most eloquent and gracefull Speeches hereafter where you meet with any of his
Brethren in Scotland that they should be enforced also to conform to the utter destruction of their Sion there To qualifie this News another Proclamation comes out in September after against such calumnious surmises That the King will not alter that Form of Government proper for their constitution without Counsel there and so refers mens âxpectation to the general Assembly to meet at Dundee in Scotland in July after It was usual with the Presbyters in Scotland to have a general Assembly once a year and oftner pro re nata upon any urgent occasion The last was a little before the Kings coming hither 1602. And the next this appointed at Aberdene this year and therefore then adjourns that Meeting unto which he especially had an eye as mistrusting their ill humors to this Summer 1604. And now also prorogues it to a longer day by Proclamation in Scotland Notwithstanding thirteen of them convene at Aberdene and in spite of the Council Authority they formallized their Judicature by constituting a Moderator a Clerk and other essential Members The Privy Council there send a Messenger accompanied with a Herald of Arms to discharge and dissolve their Meeting These holy Fathers in this Sanhedrim protested They would not nor could give way to the Kings sacrilegious power usurped which properly belonged to the Church virtual the Assembly and so sat still till they pleased and after appointed a day for the next Assembly The King hears of this and commands them to be cited and punished These men undanted appear with a Protestation a Declination from the Kings Council and appeal to their own next General Assembly as the sole and competent Judg and were therefore pursued criminally before their Lord Iustice General upon the Act of Parliament 1584. for Treason Some of them acknowledged their fault the rest Zelots were convict ad terrorem and banished and after upon submission were restored to better Benefices The excellent Acts and Laws in this Session prorogâed to the fifth of November I finde our voluminous Historian passes over excepting against their number too tedious for his brevity being unwilling to mention any thing of so much honour to the King though he can waste time and paper to tell you that the blessing of his Initiation Peace and Plenty brought idle people to Luxury Roaring-boys Bravadoes Roisters and makes it a fault in the King that he breeds his People no better The Parliament began the 19. of March 1603. and continued untill the 7. of Iuly 1604. and then prorogued unto the 7. of February In this Parliament they made a Recognition of the lawfull descending of the Crown to the King his Progeny and Posterity Commissioners of England and Scotland for to treat of the Union That no Bishop should assure Lands to the King Former Statutes against Recusants to be executed Divers other Statutes concerning the City and several Towns Corporate as also other Statutes for the good of the Land And conclude with a Subsidy of Tunnage and Poundage of Wools c. The Kings second Son Charls heretofore in Scotland created Duke of Albany Marquess of Ormond Count Ross and Lord of Ardmannoth is now this year created Duke of York by the girding of the Sword Cap and Circlet of Gold put upon his Head and golden Verge into his Hand to him and his Heirs males for ever with the Fee of fourty pounds per annum out of the issue and profits of that County He is made by Patent and witnessed by all the Lords of the Privy Council and other Peers of the Realm at Westminster the 6. of Ianuary 2. Iac. 1604. K. Edw. 3. by his Charter created Edward his eldest Son the black Prince Duke of Cornwall cum feodo to him and his Heirs the first begotten Sons and Dukes of the same place so that he that is hereditable Duke of Cornwall is Dux natus non creatus and the first day of his birth is in Law presumed to be of full age and may sue out his Livery as at one and twenty years and this was the first Duke in England the reason may be because the Norman Kings themselves were Dukes of Normandy for a long time they adorned none with this Honour of Duke The Papists had very evil success in all their Designs heretofore against Queen Elizabeth and her Religion and were somewhat quieted in hopes that the Kings reception hither might prove troublesom and so proper for them to work in such waters but the Kings late Speech was desperately understood for they being denied Toleration plot his and the whole States destruction by blowing up all in the House of Parliament A story so horrid and therefore so necessary to be communicated to the memorial of our Childrens Children The Parliament having been twice prorogued already in regard of the Seasons of the year and the Terms The time drawing near their Sitting upon Saturday ten days before about seven of the clock at night a Letter sealed was delivered by an unknown Fellow unto a Foot-man of the Lord Mounteagle Son and Heir to the Lord Morley charging him to give it to his Lords own hands who opening the same found it without Date or Subscription and in Letters not easily legible and the matter to him less intelligible but as God would have it he in this doubt repairs herewith to the Earl of Salisbury principal Secretary of State who also in some doubt of the construction the King being absent in his return from Roiston they acquainted the Lord Chamberlain the Earl of Suâfolk herewith and after consultation they joyned the Lord Admiral the Earls of Worcester and Northampton but stayed all manner of proceeding untill the Kings coming Thursday night next after Salisbury shews it him The Letter was MY Lord out of the love I bear to some of your Friends I have a care of your preservation therefore I would advise you as you tender your Life to devise some Excuse to shift off your attendance this Parliament for God and Man have concurred to punish the wickedness of this Time And think not slightly of this Advertisement but retire your self into your Countrey where you may expect the event in safety for though there be no appearance of any sâir yet I say they shall receive a terrible Blow this Parliament and yet they shall not see who hurts them This counsel is not to be contemned because it may do you good and can do you no harm for the danger is past so soon as you have burnt the Letter and I hope God will give you the grace to make good use of it to whose holy protection I commend you The King conceived the Letter not to be contemned the stile quick and pithy not usual with Libells and judged the words terrible Blow this Parliament and not see who hurts them to be meant by Gun-pouder joyning thereto the other words For the danger is past so soon as you have burnt the Letter
Law Act for a New-River-water to be cut from Chadwell and Amwell springs in Hartfordshire to London And the King grants the People a General Pardon with the usual Exceptions And now also was framed a form of Oath called an Oath of Alleageance for distinction of good Subjects in General from unfaithfull Traytors but especially to make separation of the Popishly affected yet with Natural duty unto Sovereignty And the Oath was thus in effect That King James is lawfull King of this Realm That the Pope may not depose him or dispose of his Nor authorise any other Prince to invade him or to discharge any of his Subjects their Alleageance or to beare Arms against him And that notwithstanding any Act by the Pope or other authority he will bear faith and alleageance to his Majesty and will disclose all Treasons and Conspiracies against him and doth abhor as impious that any Prince deprived by the Pope may be deposed or murthered That the Pope nor any other hath power to absolve this Oath and renounces all pardon to the contrary without any equivocation or mental reservation whatsoever so help him God c. And accordingly sundry both Priests and Laiks did freely take the same when suddenly comes over a Breve from Pope Paulus quintus Inhibiting utterly all Papists from taking the same rather to endure all Torments nay death it self Rome October 1606. And the next year another Breve confirming this September 1607. And accompanied with a Letter of Cardinal Bellarmine unto George Blackwell the Arch-Priest of the English being then in some bonds whom therefore the Cardinal suspected would take the same as he did To all these the King most learnedly gives answer and in six days compiles and publishes in print an Apologie for that Oath and in a week sets out a Monitory Preface to that Apologie and solemnly presents it by Ambassy to the Emperour and to every King and State in Christendom as a peculiar concernment to all and each of them in the due temporal Obedience of their Subjects And herein the King instances Examples of several Emperours requiring Obedience from Popes Creation of Popes ordaining their Seat and Dignities and of all Bishops with Anathema against all such as disobeyed their Sentence as also deposing of Popes Hereupon the Venetians maintained that doctrine in their writings and put it in Execution The Sorbons did the like in France And those writers of their own that opposed it were so over-lashed as that they were corrected and castigated by Men of their Religion Becanus his book corrected by the Cardinals of Rome Bellarmines book burnt at Paris Suares his answer burnt also in France Certainly by this his Majesties premonition Kings and Princes had a more perfect discovery into the injury offered to them by the Pope in the points of their temporal power and it followed to be throughly disputed in Christendom by this occasion of the King This the King did for the present But there was a swarm of busie-heads that measured the mysteries of State by the rule of their own conceited wisdomes gave Arguments to suppress the Popish practises by Executing all their Priests The reasons may be gleaned out of their rash opinions That a dead Man bites not that mercies offered for a desperate Malefactor do but enlarge his adventures against King and Countrey That a hard hand suddainly remitted is seldom by the rude people interpreted to the best sence No hope of reformation where there 's no confession of the fault and to banish them may be supposed a meer shift to rid the Prisons of those whom Conscience could not condemn of Crime whilst Justice seems to sleep the time serves to raise factions for fearfull Spirits by sufferance grow insolent and cruel And to the Exceptions of their small Number it was argued that Union in a prepared conspiracie prevailes more than Number If that the Oath of Supremacie heretofore choked not their presumptuous imagination nor now can the temporal power of the King contained in the Oath of Alleageance preserve us or deter them A Popish Priest his Character is a disloyal Renegado Delinquents in lesser degrees may challenge easier punishments and so be incouraged The penalty to be executed on them they scandall by pretending the conversion from the Kings Exchequer to Our private purse That being restrained will prove like Bonner and Gardner in the time of Queen Mary seeing most men write good turns in Sand and bad in the Marble That the Jesuits divide the English into four Sects Themselves first and assume a full fourth part to their property and of that part they subdivide into two portions viz. The rigid non-Conformists and the Church-Papists The Second they allot to the Protestants who detain say they some of their Relicks The third and largest was left to the Puritans The last to the Politician senza diâ senza anima The first then being assuredly theirs the last we will afford them also and therefore the safest way to prevent Combination is to make them hop headless The Presbyter indeed would hang them all but this Counsel most unchristian To answer them it was urged That although death be the end of Temporal misery it is not the grave of memory Justice may execute the person but his opinion made publick it is not subject to the sword where poyson is diffused through the veins of good and bad blood Evacuation is better than Incision Clemencie is divine and works supernaturall effects though they merit by suffering and though Bellarmine Parsons provoke them to thrust their finger into the fire by refusing the Oath of Alleageance yet the wisest of them had rather see others act then themselves feel the smart That Garnet lamented that he should not be inrolled as a Martyr because no matter of Religion was objected yet he would gladly have survived that Glory if any such hopes had remained The English exceed the Romans in zeal of Papistry and are naturally better fortifyed to indure death If so that terror prevails not Religion and Conscience less Visne muliebre Consilium said Livia to Augustus let severity sleep and try what the pardoning of Cinna will produce That death of Priests assures more to their Sect then ever their words could perswade and though such are but counterfeit Martyrs yet will they be otherwise so reputed by those that lay their Soules in pawn unto their doctrine with whom multitude of voices cry down our contraries for the Gate of their Church is wide and many enter therein And as uncharitable are these that would imprison them perpetually and that the means to catch them was to have good Intelligence beyond Sea and at home Sir Francis Walsingham had of his so active that an English Seminary could not stir out of Rome Spain or Flanders their several Nurseries without his privity and so forewarn'd they may be catcht at our ports and removed to prisons and
if they escape there and go disguised yet they may be disclosed by many if the punishment were not death but only immuring in dead walls The penalty of Recusants in a stock would pay the charges Perdat fiscus ut capiat Christus Here we finde extremes in both Councils certainly there is a medium neither Execution nor civill destruction for perpetual Imprisonment renders a Man civily dead a better way may be if we could hint it And why not thus Let Preachers use the spirit against them not as usual to wast an houre-glass to skirmish against government and discipline How can we draw others to our Church without a foundation of our own not like undiscreet Dogs to bark at all but to distinguish A child that sucks Popery from the breast must needs speak the voice of Papists It was the Kings saying and distinction A great cause of continuance of Papistry in common people is That being fuller of Pagentry than Doctrine and the old sent of Roman perfume The common obedience of coming to Church more expected than the instruction of private families or by publick Catechising The first Elements are to be learn'd at home and were orderly contained in the Book of Common-prayer by instruction first and then Confirmation of the Bishops This excellent foundation laid by the fathers of the Church should not be despised by their children In former times Ministers haunted the Houses of worthyest men Countrey-Churches with the best of the Shire Prayer and preaching hand in hand together then Papists smelled ranck therefore for shame they resorted to our Churches and Exercises This was the Counsel then but start-ups with intemperate zeal and indiscretion fore-ran the authority of the Magistrate censuring whatever agreed not with their conceits and now a days we finde the effect The King removes to Greenwich where amongst the ranting Riders at Court one Io Lepton of York Esquire and the Kings Servant made Matches of Horsmanship with the most in Court and to approve his skill and strength for a good Wager rode five several days together between London and York and so back again the next for May 20. Munday he set out from Alders-gate at three of the clock in the morning and came to York between five and six at night the next morn sent him to London at six and seven the next morn he set out to York and came thither at eight and so within half an hour the same time performed it and the last day came also to Greenwich to the King by nine of the clock as spritely and lusty as at the first day to the wonder of all till another do the like The King of Denmark out of singular affection to his Sister Queen Anne arrives in England and anchors at Gravesend where King Iames boards him unexpected and brings him a Guest to Greenwich for a Moneth with such entertainment as Peace and Plenty could possibly afford and so curious he was to take a view of things within his Level about London that disguised sometimes he took that advantage but most unwilling to visit the Tower when he found it a Prison though from thence he rode in triumph through London presented with Pageants and costly complements to shew him the wealth and love of this People He might be shy to shut up his Person having by the Law of Nations submitted his freedom by entring the bounds of another Prince without leave The Earl of Flanders found the effects when in his return from thence to possess his Inheritance of the Kingdom of Spain and being by storm cast upon our Coast King Henry 7. disputing some unkindnesses formerly received not usual with welcome Guests the Earl suspecting the danger was fain to yield to all the Kings demands which was hard in one point being to deliver up the Countess of Warwick and other Fugitives resident in Flanders that took Sanctuary in his Countrey and so had leave to depart The other and worse success may be from Mary Queen of Scots who forfeited her freedom by entring into England and afterwards her life by pretence of Treason as you have heard before though indeed she wrote to Queen Elizabeth for admittance but hastily landed without leave The Earl of Northumberland Henry Lord Mordant and Edward Lord Sturton not coming to Parliament according to Summons by Writ were more than suspected of the Pouder Treason and were committed to the Tower the Barons were fined in Star-chamber and after some durance paid the money and were released The Earl being deeply engaged was fined there also thirty thousand pounds and imprisonment during pleasure as all such Delinquents are which severity of Fine towards him was thought more extreme than usually since the erection of that Court he continuing Prisoner till 1619. and then paid but eleven thousand pounds in all the fate of that Family evermore false to the Crown as Sir Iocelin Piercy was used to say Seldom Treason without a Piercy Camera stellata belonging to the old Palace at Westminster and the 28 Henry 8. called the Starred Chamber then as now had one great Star affixed to the Roof and one over the Door The Court seems to have beginning from the Statute of 3 Henry 7. cap. 1. It is ordained that the Lord Chancellour Treasurer Privy Seal or two of them calling to them a Bishop and a Temporal Lord of the Kings Council and the two Chief Justices of the Kings Bench and Common Pleas or other two Justices in their absence should have power to punish Routs Riots Forgeries Maintenances Embraceries Perjuries and such like not sufficiently provided for by the Common Law But Queen Elizabeth enlarged the number of the Judges And so now it was honoured with all the Kings Privy Counsellours See Powel's Att. Acad. And though Delinquents were severely censured in terrorem Populi yet there was usually a day after every Term where they met to mitigate the Fines and Punishments afterwards to a reasonable summ and Penance This I put to memory because that Court is suppressed for ever by the late long Parliament There was much ascribed to the Kings wisdom in the discovery of this Pouder Treason but the Iesuits had a note of Cecil's name in their Register not against them as a Day-labourer that carried some few stones or sticks but the Master Workman whose forein and domestick Engineers wrought in this Mine of discovery And therefore was he calumniated with many contumelious Papers and Pasquils dispersed like Iob's Messengers one at the others heels He takes time to consider whether to begin a warfare of words against those with whom disputes are endless because their end is clamor untill it was fit to express himself in clear terms lest any of these clouds which are unjustly cast upon him might darken the brightness of his Masters royal minde which hath been always watered with the mildest dew of Mercy and Moderation Amongst many he undertakes one directed to
the E. of Salisbury 1. Therein they acknowledg the late Design most inhumane and barbarous attempted by undertaking Spirits more fiery and turbulent than zealous and dispassionate to the general stain of the State of their catholick cause in the eye of corrupt judgments not able to farm away the fault of the Professor from the Profession it self which abhors the fact more than any Puritan does 2. They accuse him the Primus Motor to determine the âooting out all memory of their Religion by Banishment Massacre Imprisonment or some such insupportable pressures or else the next Parliament to decree more cruel and horrible Laws against them 3. They threaten that there are some good men for continuing their Religion and for saving of many Souls resolve to prevent it though with assured Ruine and admonish him that five have severally undertaken his Death by Vow upon the blessed Sacrament if he continues his daily plotting against them That not any of them know the other for preventing discovery the first shall attempt by shot and the rest follow and all of them glory in their own sacrifice to prevent the general calamities of Catholicks which by his transcendent Authority with the King is more than expected They tell him that for the easier digestion of the Danger two of the Attempters are so weak they cannot live three moneths the other three so distressed for being onely Catholicks that their grief dulls any apprehension of death 4. As for themselves that admonish they know no other means to prevent it he being the Match to give fire to his Majesty to whom the worst they wish is to be as great a Saint in Heaven as he is a King on Earth And conclude Where once true spiritual resolution is the weak may take sufficient revenge of the mighty A. B. C. D. c. His Answer 1. That the Panegyrical Oration of Pope Sixtus Quintus preferred the Murder of Henry 3. of France before the act of Iudith to Holofernes by which Gods people were delivered onely the Papists make ill interpretations where it fails in execution for otherwise Faelix scelus virtus vocatur and many other Authors maintain deposing Kings And wonders that those who imploy such seditious Spirits have not by definitive Sentence wherein the Pope is supposed not to err explained their assumed power over Princes for security as well of those which acknowledg his Superiority as of others which do not approve his Iurisdiction that Subjects may know their distance of fidelity to either As for the former practice by Excommunication it deprives onely from spiritual graces without so gross an usurpation as to destroy their being in nature The Writ it self De Excommunicato capiendo and others such proceed rather from the goodness of such Christian Kings to work better obedience to the Rules of the Church than from the power of Excommunication All Cenâures of the Church having left life untouched Sive Ethnicus sive Publicanus Many Heathens teaching this Rule Bonos Imperatores Voto expetere oportet quoscunque tolerare He marvels at those dark Writings published upon this Accident against such as shall attempt against Princes by private Authority but leaves it a tacit lawfulness by publick Warrant like their gross Equivocation so extolled at Rome though it sunders all humane conversation Saint Austin refuses the Priscilian Hereticks in their Equivocation Corde creditur says he ad Iustitiam ore fit confessio ad salutem c. breaking out into expostulation O fontes lacrymarum How shall we hide our selves from the displeased face of Truth 2. That these Calumniations are like Adam's Fig-leafs unable to cover their shame for as he sought a covering Non quia nudus sed quia lapsus so is it their fault not their fear to cast imputations upon Prince and State Sed pereuntibus mille figurae So Nero set Rome on fire and after laid the blame on Christians The pecedent Reigns of the two late Sisters of different Religions more bloud in five or six years of the first than in five and forty of the second Hath this King shewed any print of bloudy steps rather qualified than added severe Laws And appeals to their own consciences judg and witness whether the fury of this Treason inflaming many against Catholicks the nature of sudden peril hardly admits just distinction hath committed any one act of bloud or cruelty under colour of publick safety Nam crudelit as si a vindicta justitia est si a periculo prudentia Nay the King pronounced in open Parliament after Not to condemn the general for particulars as a Prince of peace and mercy deferring execution which Theodosius wishing Se potuisse potius mortuos a morte revocare As for the imaginary Power of the Lords of the Council and himself of the Quorum he takes it as an honour to receive not onely injury but persecution in so noble a society who know that Counsellours for Kings stand for thousands or hundreds as he pleases to place them Their greatness growing from humble endeavours their merit from gracious acceptance and though they borrow his name as the Boutefeu to make him the Mark of their malice yet such as judg the spirit of the Pasquil will hardly imagine but that this Faction follows onely the body of Authority neither head nor members but also the Church and Common-wealth which like Hippocrates Twins have long wept and laughed together His greatness being onely in the eye of envy of those which ground their faith upon weak principles if they imagine his distinction a matter he says of so small consequence can clear them free from contriving higher practices 3. To the Protestation that the five Assassinators having their feet so near the grave their ghostly Father deserves less thanks to send them thither with Hempen Halters and in bloudy Coffins not the marks of Rome Heathen nor Christian for Victories were scorned which were barbarously gotten Mixt is vene no fontibus And the Arms of the Primitive Church were Tears and Prayers But such Recusants as do discover these pernitious spirits will discern the darkness and danger of that Religion lapped up in implicite obedience the Conscience and Treason growing up as close together as the Husk and Corn in one Ear to eat their God upon bargains of bloud Those that are full of grief as is said for being Râcusants Plus tristitiae quam poenitentiae more that their Plot failed than that it was intended Counsellours are Sentinels over the life of Kings and States The Laws which punish the Branches of all Treason are derived from Parliaments of two hundred years in force and so are our Laws made not by a few much less by any one 4. As for himself with whom they condition to leave off his Plotting against Recusants The Husband-man over-curious of Windes and Clouds neither sows nor reaps in season So that Servant that becomes awfull of his Sovereigns Enemies for power or envy deserves not favour
Sovereigns choice Service And yet this Man âot long after proved the Contriver and the most malicious Prosecutor of such conspiracies as may be said to be the forerunners of that Kings miserable and final destruction I cannot learn whether he be living in this sin and so as yet spared for Gods mercy or unrepentant dead to his Judgments sure and suddain But to our business in Scotland In the next Assembly at Glascow the Bishops took upon them to inlarge their own authority in the Administration of all Church affairs And yet not willing to make any change though by the Kings command without brotherly approbation of the Ministers They assemble together and consent unto Articles of Government and power of the Bishops In which Assembly the Popish Lords supplicate for absolution and to subscribe to the confession of faith Huntley did so and returned to his own County Arroll went about it too but suddainly fell into such confused terror as offering violence upon his own person he was spared by his intercession of tears and prayers not to be forced against the reluctancy of his Conscience who in truth of all that sect shewed evermore much of tender minde to endeavour satisfaction to himself and so received more civility from the Church ever after Angus was most averse and had leave to banish himself into France where he died at Paris some years after There had been a good progress in Scotland for quieting the Clergie and renewing the repute of the prelacie And therefore the Arch-Bishop of Glascow with the Bishops of Brigen and Galloway having audience of the King in relation to the affairs of the Church of Scotland Told them with what care and charge he had repossessed the Bishopricks out of the hands of the Laity and other sacreligious pretenders and settled them upon reverend Men as he hoped worthy of their places But since he could not consecrate them Bishops nor they assume that honor to themselves and that in Scotland there was not a sufficient Number to enter charge by Consecration he had therefore called them into England that being here consecrated themselves they might give ordination at home and so the Presbyters mouths stopped For they had maliciously and falsely reported that the King took upon him to create Bishops and bestow spiritual Offices which he never did always acknowledging that Authority to belong to Christ alone and whom he had authorized with his own power One thing admitted dispute The Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and York always pretended Jurisdiction over Scotland and so now this consecration might be taken as a voluntary subjection to this Church But therefore London Ely and Bath performed it to them and they ordained others at home And carried back Directions for a High Commission Court also for ordering of causes Ecclesiastical which were approved by their Clergie and put into obedience From these good Men The King fished out the behaviours of his Council there and therefore to settle them in terms of honor and state at their Table they were to convene twice a week and None to stay in the Room but Counsellors nor any solicitations there But being come instantly to take their places sitting not standing unless they pleaded for themselves and then to rise and stand at the end of the Table for they were wont to quarrel and to cuff cross the board No Counsellor to be absent four days without leave of the rest Each single Counsellor to be Justice of Peace in all the Kingdom to preserve respect to their places they should not trample the streets on foot but in Coach or Horse-back with footcloths This brought some esteem to that Board who before were bearded by every Kirk-Iohn or Lay-Elder And after this posture of Governing Patrick Stewart Earl of the Isles Orkney and Yetland was sent for to humble himself to imprisonment A Custom also which was setled in the Council to command any Malignant to be in Ward by such a day or else to be horned Rebell This great man at home is there humbled before the Bishop of Orkney and is by him examined so soon is the Kings ordinance obeyed His Crimes grew up from his poverty made so by his own riot and prodigality which now he seeks to repair by shifts of Tyranny over the people under his Command and being by the Bishop reported so to the Council he was committed to Prison untill the pleasure of the King deals further in Mercy or Justice But to exercise that Nation by degrees of punishment he was afterwards released and returned home to better behaviour wherein he became for the future so faultie that two years after he was executed We have hinted heretofore the Kings business at home which in truth was his wisdom to wade through To suppress the trayterous designes of the Papists and to settle the fiery dispositions of the Schismaticks for the first their own violent progression in their late Pouder-plot drew upon them publick lawes of chastisement But these Other alas their Motion now not so violent yet perpetual the more warily to be dealt with And because no disputes Arguments nor Policies could reduce them therefore the spiritual High-Commission-Court took some course moderately to regulate their Insolencies Busie this Parliament had been in disputes of the Common and Civil Laws The first strained to such a necessitary power as in short event would mightily qualifie the other to nothing Besides this Session sate long and supplyed not the Kings wants wasting time as ever sithence in seeking Grievances To palliate the Lower-House some Messages had informed his necessary expences and to both Houses the new Treasurer late Earl of Salisbury opened the emptiness of his Office And at last the King speaks for himself at a Meeting at White-Hall He spake well and now prolix which yet I must present thus long Perfect Speâches open the times and truth to posterity against our Carping Adversary I need not quote his pages take his whole History passionately and partially distempered throughout The King forgets not their late loving duties and therefore recompenseth them with a rare present a Chrystall Mirror the heart of their King which though it be in Manu Domini so will he set it in oculis populi The principal things says he agitated in this Parliament were three First Your support to me Secondly My relief to you But the third How I would govern as to former constitutions or by absolute power He begins with the last That Monarchy is the supremest thing upon Earth illustrated by three similitudes First out of Gods word You are Gods Secondly out of Philosophie Parens patriae Thirdly out of Policie the Head of this Microcosm Man For the first The attributes of God Creation Destruction Reparation to judge and not be judged and to have power of Soul and Body so of Kings and can make of Subjects as at Chesse a pawn to take a
House had been Kings of England for neer 600. years untill the time of Edward the confessor The first Counts of Holland till Florus who was the last were younger Brothers of that descent Amongst whom one William was the 26. Emperour of Germany The last Kings of Scotland by alliance were of the same house of Egmont to wit the Grand-children of the Lady Mary of Egmont daughter to Arnold of Egmont Duke of Guelderland which Mary was married to Iames the second King of Scotland And the Lady Margaret his sister espowsed to Frederick the second Count Palatine from whence proceeded Frederick who married the sole daughter of this King Iames the sixth for whose restauration all Germany and many other large Countries have suffered very much in the late years then following I may add also the Lady Philippa of Egmont daughter to Adolphus of Egmont Prince of Guelderland married to Renatus Duke of Lorain from whom descended the Dukes of Lorain who assume among their titles without any Contradiction the qualities of Dukes of Guelderland Iuliers and Cleveland and that by virtue alone of the Alliance with Egmont But greatness submits to providence the remainder of this royall blood is lately Anno. 1654. wholy shut up in the veins of Prince Lewis Duke of Guelders and Iuliers Count of Egmont and Zutphen His great Estate and Revenues relinquishing in the Low Countreys 22. years before his death and sustained himself only with the means of a petty Sovereignty in Lukeland in spite of the Spaniard his mortal Enemy but ranging abroad to seek relief and support against his Tyranny he died at Paris with this Epitaph Hic jacet Egmontos Germano è stemmate Regum Cui mors plus peteret quam sua vita dedit Huic ctenim Patrios quaerebat vita ducatus At mors nobilior regia sceptra dedit As for the Netherlands It belongs not to me to judge of their duty to Spain nor their division now whether Spain hath injured them certainly they were disloyal to him He pretends Absolute Sovereignty They but conditional obedience But without dispute Holland and Zeland belonged to the Lady Iaquelin of Henault who to save her own life was forced to relinquish her Estate And Zutphen and Gelders did of right belong to the Duke Arnold who being Prisoner with the last Duke of Burgundie who died before Nancie that Duke intruded upon his possession to the prejudice of Adolph his son and lawfull Successor the immediate cause of the quarrell after But this siege of Iuliers was the last action of that fourth Henry Le grand of France for the next year succeeding he was stab'd with a Jesuits impoysoned knife as his Coach stopt upon one of the Bridges at Paris In the Junto of time when he had mustered all his forces and ransacked together much Treasure for some secret design which the Spaniard feared might fall upon him And it was suspected for that cause only that the politick Spaniards Interest sent him out of the world farr enough from prejudice of him having but lately repayed to this Crown what had been lent his necessities heretofore by Queen Elizabeth which came unto sixty thousand pounds After five Sessions in six years time the Parliament having wrastled with Sovereignty which the King moderated by often speaking to them Himself yet finding them more willing to dispute than to comply with his occasions having on his part steered with all possible judgment to terms of reconcilement between his undoubted Prerogatives and their Novell Privileges as he termed them which rather increased Arguments by their so often Meetings He resolved therefore to separate their Conjunction and to adventure on the other way to do himself right by his own just reason not to do the people any wrong in the lawes of their liberties and so dissolved the Parliament by Proclamation And now was performed what the King intended last Sessions to set forth his sonne Prince Henry then of the age of fifteen years now 16. And because he was the first Prince here since Edward the sixth we shall say somewhat of his dignity the thirteenth Prince of Wales The Kings eldest sonne heir Apparant in England was styled Prince quasi primum locum capiens post Regem Priviledg they had to wear Purple Silks and cloth of Gold and Tyssue in his apparell or upon his horse 24. Henry the eighth but King Iames had repealed all lawes and statutes concerning apparel quarto Iacobi They had purveyance as the Kings or Queens He is admitted Maintenance to give Signes Liveries Badges to his Menials as the King does but for enormities of that kind several statutes of former Kings abridged them untill 12. Edward the fourth He may have as many Chaplains as he will The King by Common Law may have aid-money of his tenants by Knights fee as of Soccage That is to make his eldest sonne Knight and for marriage of her eldest daughter He at fifteen years of age She at seven saies Fitz-Harbert the sum of money at the Kings pleasure till 25 Edward 3. who restrained it viz. of every Knights fee holden without mean rate 20. shillings of every 20. pounds Land without mean in Soccage 20. shillings and so rata pro rata of lands in Soccage and for lands of the tenure of Chivalry according to the quantity To compass his death or violate his wife is Treason 20. Henry the eighth and before the statute the ancient common law in that case He and other the Kings children Les Enfants du Roy born beyond Seas shall inherit here He had many Priviledges since 12. Edward whose device it was to draw the Welch to acknowledge the Kings Eldest sonne Edward of Carnarvan to be their Prince But 27. Henry the eighth there was a general resumption of his priviledges as to Pardon Treasons Murther Man-slaughter Felony power to make Justices of Oyre Assize and Peaâe Goal-Delivery c. so from thenceforth he had onely Name and Title but no other Jurisdiction then should be granted by his letters patents He is invested with a Garland upon his head a gold Ring on his finger and a Virge of gold into his hand to him and his Heirs the Kings of England for ever as Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester To sit at the right hand of the Cloth of Estate in Parliament He shall not find pledges for profecution of any Action Cook cals him Omni Nomine Numine Magnus by Destiny Name and Providence of God the greatest Yet he is as a Subject and shall be sued by action and in token of subjection he bears upon his Arms the three plumes arg with this old Saxon word Ich. Dien I serve Gascon chief Justice in the time of Henry the fourth did commit the Prince who would have taken a prisoner from the Barr in the Kings Bench which the King justified So much premised The King gave his sonne also the honor of Knighthood to
Du Bartas saies of the destruction of Sodom De peur qu'en Offensant des saincts l'oreille tendre Ie ne les semble plus enseigner que reprendre For fear of offending good peoples Eare I rather teach then with them forbear Then the King falls upon his Bookes especially His modest Christian answer and first in his Preface it is observed how in love he is with himself and his Nick-Name Purus putus Evangelicus a mainly pure Gospeller and indeed the ancient Hereticks called themselves Catharoi and another Sect the Anabaptists Puritans from whence all our Prâcifians in these latter times who fancying to refuse conformity with the orders of our Church borrow that Name and Gospeller is assumed by many yet more usual in Hungary and Boheâe where are infinites of Sects agreeing onely in Unity against the Pope As for this Book His Arguments are either sophistical or frivolous abusing the fathers and he extracts divers questions thereout thirteen in Number with his resolve on them Wherein the King notes the others cunning to maintain them and how he easily proves Quidlibet è quolibet as the old Hereticks Arius and Samosatenus usually did and so leaves all to Gods will and the States discretion as they will answer it before God And though Vorstius died not long after his tenents increased to a high distemper in that State But what the King desired to suppress in this Man gave example for him to punish in others under his own power and therefore in this year came to the Stake a Couple the most damnable Hereticks Edward Whithman burned at Lichfield and Bartholoâew Legat in Smithfield London somewhat applying to the Ranters of these our times 1654. Legat held these opinions That the Creeds Nicene and Athanasius do not contain the true Christain faith That Christ is begotten and made That there are no Persons in the God-head That Christ was not God from everlasting but began to be God when he took flesh of the Virgin Mary That the World was not made by Christ. That the Apostles teach Christ to be man onely That there is no generation of God but of Creatures That this Assertion God to be made Man is contrary to the rule of faith and monstrous Blasphemy That Christ was not before the fullness of Time except by promise That Christ was not God otherwise then an Annointed God That Christ was not in the form of God equall with God that is in substance of God but in righteousnes and giving salvation That Christ is not to be prayed unto Whitemans Opinions were in effect these come of Ebionites Cerinthians Valentinians Arians Macedonians Simon Magus Manes Manichee Photinus and Anabaptists and of other Heretical Execrable and unheard of opinions That there is not the Trinity of Persons in the Unity of the Deity That Christ is not the true Natural sonne of God perfect God of the same substance Eternity and Majesty with the Father in respect of his God-head That Christ is onely Man and a meer creature and not God and Man in one Person That Christ took not humane flesh of the substance of the Virgin That that promise the seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head was not fulfilled in Christ c. And that God had ordained him the said Whiteman to perform his part in thâ work of the salvation of the world These and the rest were written subscribed and by him delivered to the King 9. Martii 1611. Thus in those times Hereticks took some pains to preferre themselves to the Divel But now a days we sport our souls away Amongst many strange Ones I wonder most at this meriment of the Adamites Picardus was the first that possest silly people with the perfect State of Adam placed them in an Iland for that purpose which he called Paradise caused them to walk nâked and called them Adamites Horrible sins were committed by them under that pretence promiscous whoredoms and Incest at their Service and when their Saint-Minister pronounceth the word Crescite et Multiplicamini et replete terram the âights are suddenly extinct and without any respect to Alliance or kindred they mingle like brute beasts and their wickedness we âied the lights are tinded and they returned to their service But now with more Infamy their Innocencie will be liâhted they spâre not openly to act in the face of Heaven at Noon-day I know Our Adversaries the Romanists lodge this device upon the ancient Waldenses poor harmless souls havocked by the Armies of the Military mercyless Papists Adamites says One that went naked an affront to Nature Indeed poor men rather Nudati than Nudi forced thereto by the Popes Legate who at taking of Cariassone in France whither these people swarmed granted them Life on condition that the Males and Females should pass by his Army stark naked I may be censured by some how unusefull it might be to imprint to the publick these damnable opinions but in that I may be justified by Examples of the Fathers mentioning such Heresies and of Councils and Declarations from time to time against such Tenents The next Favorite a new-come young Man was Robert Carr a Scotish-man of no Eminencie But a Gentleman by his bearing Gules on a Cheviron Arg 3. Mullets Sable in the dexter point of the Escocheon a Lion passant gardant Or. And yet himself remembred the King in his Letters hereafter his fall of his Ancestors merit of which truly I have not read This Man had been Page of honour to the King in Scotland and so may be the first and last original Actor on the Theatre of his family The beginner as an excellent workman in bringing his Tooles and making his Materials but his own Ruine by basely degenerating from what his Master had made him in short time giving end to the structure In truth he became the first Favorite That is one whom the King fancied meerly for his fashion upon no other score and it was enough for the present his Master sufficiencies needed no other instructions onely to choose him apt for impressive Marks of honour better becomes the Sovereigns Creation than to be made so to his hand And therefore after Knighthood he was soon Baron of Brandspeeck Viscount Rochester and had the Garter to boot And we are told the King took much pains to teach him Latine as a most needfull Improvement unto a capability of his affections but this his opinion sents more of a Poet than a Courtier And so mounted by the wings of Love more than merit he says the Earl of Salisbury Treasurer casts many Mists to damp his passage and tells the old wives tale of 1000l a gift to the Viscount which was spread upon a Table in Silver and the King invited thither which Mass of money so amazed his Majesty that the half thereof was concluded too much for any Man Amongst these passages of fancie in the King he forgot not
his former preferments even to the day of his death as first Baron Essenden Viscount Cranburn and after Earl of Salisbury Knight of the Garter and Lord Treasurer of England It behooved the King to bestow on him the weight of that staff the Coffer then in some want which was not likely soon to recover but to increase debt by the charge of a treble Court of King Queen and Children and therefore many ways were devised to advance the Revenue particularly in that of honor for Knights Baronets which was not this Earls onely design as some will have it Nor of Somerset hereafter as another saies But it was began a little before this Lords death as will follow hereafter I know what some have surmized to prejudice his Memory if it were possible who with little pains may be sufficiently vindicated and his Merits amply related being of somewhat concernment to me to speak my own knowledg again to enlighten the dark shadows that always wait on shining merit But all his care and pains not able to fill the Coffers so much exhausted and the Estate in a Retrograde consumption He did before his death not usual with Courtiers present his Patent of Master of Wards at the Kings feet and so the whole benefit became the profit of the Crown By former constitutions of this Realm all the Lands of this Nation held by two Tenures by soccage or by Knights service by the Plough to free us or by the sword to defend us and who so died leaving an Heir within age unable to do this Service his Heir and Lands fell both to the protection of the Sovereign And this in antient time was promiscuously carried in the Court of Chancery untill the middle of Henry 8. when this Court of Wards was first erected Since which time the Masters thereof by favour of the Sovereign did accustome as a bounty of State to grant unto Noblemen the Kings Servants and their own followers both the marriage of the body and the Lease of the Lands for a third penny of their true value which also in several relations by frequent Orders and Declarations of that Court in print have been altered and changed till now of late the whole Court and quality thereof is absolutely dissolved as a grievance too burthensome for a free State and people anno 1648. He indured some time of sickness and died in his return from the Bath at Saint Margarets at Master Daniels house in May 1612. and was entombed at his Mannour of Hatfield a princely seat in Hertfordshire His death opened the doors for the King to dispose his Place of profit the Treasurership upon the E. of Suffolk whose office of Lord Chamberlain fell to the Favourite Viscount Rochester the Wards to Sir Walter Cope who lived not long to enjoy it being of weak constitution carefull and painfull in his duty of great experience in the affairs of Court and State bred up first under Burlegh and at his death delivered up to his son Sir Robert Ceâil with whom he continued the most exact Confident and counsellour to the end of his days And the Favorite also was made Seâretary of State belike for some suddain improvement of his Latine Tongue which his Master is said to teach him His Confident was one Thomas Overbury a man of good parts a Student of Lincolns Inn lately returned from Travell besides it was Carr's first principle and no mean one to please the English by entertaining them his Domesticks for having not many Kindred or Friends to lean upon he might be forced to stand upon his own strength and the kindness of strangers This Overbury had most strickt friendships with Carr lately created Viscount Rochester and therefore soon knighted and if we may credit his own vaunt being indeed insolent he would brag that the Viscounts advance in business of Court and Secrecies of State proceeded from him which he managed and made common And the knowledg of this coming to the King he tenderly blamed his Favourite for such freedom in his Masters affairs This advice made him less communicable in those Mysteries which Overbury took ill and with scornfull resentment told Rochester that indeed he deserved to be better imployed than to attend as his Tutor And therfore he desired to have the Honour and Preferment of an Ambassy Leiger then intended abroad as best fitting his good parts and greater pride of which he had sufficient to present the Kings person conceiting perhaps that the power which he usurped in the Viscoânts affection would work some regret upon him which Overbury knew how to master for a better advantage But when Rochester had wisely considered that there would be no great loss of so loose a Friend and that Overbury though an Osier of his own planting would not be wrought in any purpose but to his own self-pride hastily put the Design forward drew up his Instructions with some Additionals of Overburies for I copied them and this being in earnest then Overbury would not go for which high Contempt the King and Council sent him to the Tower 'T is true some Moneths before Rochester made Court to the Countess of Essex who did not that loved a Lady which Overbury misliked upon no score of Religion or Virtue but to ballance with his ambition and vanity and to obtrude any Copartnership in his friends affection especially of the House of Howards whom mortally he hated upon private malice for to some mens knowledg he would scornfully report not long before that she was won by Letters of his inditing which I have read and by that means endeavoured to bring them to Bawdery the beginning of all their future ruines as you shall hear the next year The Kings expence brings him to account with his Exchequer where his Exits increasing the In-comes he intends better husbandry to piece out his Expences and having taken into his Houshold Sir Arthur Ingram a Merchant bred who by his wit and wealth came to be his Cofferer the vast expence of the state keeping the Treasury dry his abilities discover the cunning craft of the Merchant for the Customers had cozened the King engrossing by that means the wealth of Trading which was therefore raised to an higher Farm The same use was made at Court which he taught the Green-cloath by Retrench and he is called by Sir A. W. therefore an evil Bird that defiles his Nest what is he then who defiled the Court that gave him breeding defam'd the King that gave him bread The King put this course in practice at Court somewhat differing I confess in the Line of Ascent to the Houshold preferment which rises by order succession and this man a stranger in Court stept in to discover the concealments of the Green-cloath also and when this Tide had its Ebb it returned again to his wonted channel and 't is true the King shifted the fault upon his Favourite
This Robert was at first Abbot of Holy-rood-house for divers years After the forfeiture of Hepburn Earl of Bothwell and the obtaining those Isles he exchanged the Abbacy with the Bishoprick of Orkney and so became sole Lord of the County Patrick succeeding to an elder Brother and grown a Courtier involved himself in great debts which inforced him the more tyrannous over the people to recover his wants At Glasgow was apprehended Oglevy a Jesuite lately come from Gratts by command of his Superior in that College He answered peremptory to the Commissioners questions professing not to prejudice others by any Confession Their torture to inforce him to impeach others was to debar him sleep for some time until he was forced falsely to accuse any body which he after repose would deny again The King was displeased with such forms to men of his profession and if no crime could be proved but his Calling and saying Mass they should banish him not to return on pain of Death but if his practice had been to induce the people to rebellion and maintained the Popes power transcendent over Kings and resused the Oath of Allegiance they should leave him to the Law But with all they were to urge his Answer to these Questions 1. Whether the Pope be Iudge in Spiritualibus over his Majesty and whether in Temporalibus if it be in Spiritualia 2. Whether the Pope hath power to excommunicate Kings such as are not of his Church as his Majesty 3. Whether he hath power to depose Kings after his excommunication and in particular his Majesty 4. Whether it be no Murther to kill the King so deposed 5. Whether He hath power to assoil subjects from the Oath of their native Allegiance to his Majesty He answers in writing To the first Affirmative in Spiritualibus But whether in Temporalibus he is not obliged to answer to any but a Iudge of Controversyes of Religion the Pope or one by his Authority To the second affirmative and that all persons baptized are under the Popes power To the third He will not declare but to a lawful Iudge of Religion To the rest ut supra He could not be moved by threats but rather railed at the Oath of Allegiance as damnable and treasonable against God and so came to Tryal of Life but was told over night That he was not to be tryed concerning his profession but for his former Answers to the Questions which he may recal and crave mercy but this he utterly refused And so was impannell'd grounded upon the Acts of Parliament against such as declined the Kings authority or maintained other Jurisdiction and upon his former answers He protests not to acknowledge the Iudges nor Iudgement Lawfull for if it be Treason here it should be so in all other Kingdoms which is not Your Acts of Parliament are made by partial men and of Matter not subject to their forum for which I will not give a fig. The King hath no Authority but derivative from his Predecessors who acknowledged the Popes Iurisdiction if the King will be to me as they were to minâ he shall be my King if otherwise I value him not And for the reverence I do to you bare-headed It is ad redemptionem vexationis not ad agnitionem Judicii That the Iury were either his Enemies or his Friends if Enemies they could not sit upon his Tryal if Friends they ought to assist him at the Bar That what he suffered was injurious and not Iustice he had not offended nor would crave Mercy My Commission said he was by command of my Superiour and if I were abroad I would return hether again and repent only that I have not been so busie as I should in that which you call Perverting of Subjects and I call Saving of souls I do decline the Kings authority and will do it still in matter of Religion the most of your Ministers maintain it and if they be wise will continue in that mind As for that Question Whether the King being deposed by the Pope may be lawfully killed Doctors of the Church hold the Affirmative not improbably and as it is not yet determined so if it should be concluded I will dy in the defence And now to say It were unlawful I will not to save my life His insolent speech was shortned by the Jurors quick return who found him guilty and had Sentence of Treason and to stop his rayling was after Noon the same day hanged at Glasgow He was a desperate second Ravilliack and ready in that devilish doctrine of deposing and disthroning Kings which he urged the more he said as consonant to the Kirk Ministers tenents And that nothing troubled him but to be taken away ere he had done that which all Scotland and England should not have prevented and had it been performed no torments would have been by him refused So then we see the cause of his Execution For the King professed Never to hang a Priest for his Religion The opening of the Spring gave opportunity to sundry families of England to prepare themselves for planting in America Upon no great incouragement of profit or pleasure by any former Voyages of the English into those parts but people and trade increasing here they would unburthen this State with forein adventures The Design was for New England a part of America in the Ocean Sea opposite to that part of America in the South Sea which Sir Francis Drake discovered in his voyage about the world and named it Nova Albion But he was never imployed thither as a Discoverer or Planter upon this part of America taking the coast from Cape Florida in twenty degrees North Latitude North-East-ward to Cape Brittain Between the Degrees of Latitude from 20. to 45. King Iames granted Letters Patents being about fifteen hundred miles but to follow it aboard near two thousand miles And all this Coast from Cape Florida of twenty Degrees to five and forty was first discovered by Iohn Cabot with six sail of ships who had his Patent from Henry 7. Anno 1442. about the time that Columbus discovered the middle part of America for Ferdinand and Isabel of Spain and is called the West-Indies The first Colony from England was with Sir Walter Ralegh assisted in company of Sir Ralph Lane and Thomas Heriot that learned Mathematician Anno 1584. who in honour of Queen Elizabeth named it Virginia leaving there sixteen men which were brought home by Sir Francis Drake in his return from his West-India Voyage a year after and this part is contained from Florida to the Chesiopech Bay The next Northward is a part of Land to which Sir Iohn Popham Lord Chief Justice sent for Discovery and Trade 1606. but no success returned and since it is called New England Then the Land adjoyning Northward was discovered by Captain Gosnold all that coast being studded with broken Lands and called by him Elizabeths Isles Then you come to Cape Cod
ordinary custome lately entertained boldly to dispute the high points of his prerogative in a popular and unlawful way of Argument not heretofore usual Making them senceable how weak and impertinent the pretence of their Oath was in a case of this nature as if the Founders of their Oath His Predcessors were so intent in their zeal to be uncharitable to make a weapon to wound their Successors being an ordinary course to put off Hearings and Determinings amongst private persons Termly And commands them peremptorily not to proceed further in that Plea till his return to London there to receive his further pleasure by himself Your Oath being only for avoiding importunites to the Prince of Suiters in their own particular The King come to London convenes them all to the Council Table and himself takes in sunder the parts of the Iudges Letter and their Errours in proceeding both in matter and manner In matter by way of omission as commission When the Counseller shall presume to argue his Supremacy at the Bar and they not reprove his Insolency Himself observing since his comming to this Grown the popular Sort of Lawyers most affrontingly in all Parliaments have troden upon his Preâogative though neither Law nor Lawyer can be respected if the King be not reverenced And therefore it became the Iudges to bridle their impudencies in their several Benches especially the Courts of Common-Law who had incroached upon all other Courts High Commission Councils in Wales and at York and Courts of Requests For the Commission in Matter whereas their Letter excepted against his Majesties command to be against the Law and their Oath He tells them deferring upon just and necessary cause is not denying or delaying of Instice but rather wisdom and maturity Nothing more proper than to cousult with the King where it concerns the Crown As for the Manner The Kings absence before the Argument and yet his resolved return speedily and the case though lately argued could not receive Iudgement till Easter Term after as the Iudges confessed And for them to say that the case was private interest of party and party One of the Parties is a Bishop that pleads for the Commendam onely by vertue of his Majesties Prerogative And that they could not prove any Solicitation of either Parties for expedition And for the form of the Letter it was undecent besides to proceed and to return a bare Certificate without giving reasons therefore Upon this all the Iudges fell down on their knees acknowledging their Errour and craving Pardon But for the Matter the Chief Iustice Cook entered into a Defence That the stay by his Majesty was a delay of Iustice and therefore against Law and their Oath that as they meant to handle the Pleading it should not concern the King's Prerogative To which the King told him That for them to discern the concernment of his Prerogative without consult with him was preposterous And for those of Law and Oath he had said sufficient before Therefore he required the Lord Chancellour's opinion herein whether against Law and their Oath The Chancellour excused himself as to that of Law referring it to the opinion of the King's Council whereupon the Atturney General Bacon said That to put off the Day was no Delay of Justice nor endangered their Oath for the King's Reasons were onely that it concerned his Prerogative and required therefore a stay for a small time and advised the Judges whether this refusal of their did not rather endanger their Oath which was To counsel the King when they are called but to counsel after the matter is past was a simple refusal to give him Counsel at all And all the rest of the Council concluded with him The Chief Justice Cook excepted That the King's Council should plead against the Iudges being their duties to plead before them not against them Whereunto the Attourney replied That the King's Council were by Oath and Office not onely to plead proceed and declare against the greatest Subject but also against any body of Subjects or persons nay were they Iudges or Courts or House of Commons in Parliament and concluded That the Iudges challenge was a wrong to their Places and appealed to the King who was firm for them The Chief Justice replied He would not dispute it with his Majesty The King replied Nor with my Council So then whether you do well or ill it may not be disputed The Chancellour gave his opinion with the King and his Council Hereupon the positive Question was put by all the Lords Whether in a Case depending which the King might conceive himself concerned in power or profit and requiring to consult with them they ought not to stay proceedings All the Judges submitted thereto onely the Chief Justice excepted saying When that Case should be then he would do his duty But the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas said For his part He would always trust the justice of the King's command But the Day drawing nigh the next Saturday for arguing the Commendams the King desired the Judges to express Whether they would then argue upon the Kings general power of granting Commendams yea or no. They all concluded Not to draw into doubt his power but to insist upon the point of Lapse which they conceived to be of a form different from former Commendams and concluded to correct the insolencies of bold arguing the Prerogative Judge Doderidge concluded for the King That the Church was void and in his gift and might give a Commendam to a Bishop either before or after Consecration during Life or years The Judges being gone the privy Council resolved that the Kings desire was not against the Judges Oath nor against the Common Law to require and all of them subscribed to the same This Dispute was publiquely scanned and censured in favour of the Judges and on the contrary for the King but the truth I have really extracted out of the Records of the Council Table That you may thereby see the true scope of those times The State of Spain having little to do in Martial affairs K. Philip the third now in peace thought to spend some time in Treatiâs wherin he seldom failed of advantage The late French King Henry the fourth had 3. daughters the one maried to the Duke of Savoy which the Spaniard misliking to have those Neighbours lately so great Enemies now to be linkt in love without his Interest conceived it good policy to indeer the young King Lewis of France in a cross Match to his Daughter Infanta Anna and to marry his son Philip to the Princess Elizabeth the second daughter of Henry the fourth And thus those cross Nuptials might seem to cement the affections of the three States lately so imbroyled in War which no doubt either of them had good cause to accept though it was said S. P. Q. R. Spain Pope Queen-Regent had the chief hand to undo the young King For the Father Henry the fourth had made
Man deserving to pay for all it being of his designing But the Treasurer was from thenceforth for some time trusted to Commissioners At Midsummer after the King comes to Star-Chamber then intending to settle his homea-ffairs for his resolved journey into Scotland which began the next Spring and therefore now the more to exalt the Seat of Iustice of which this Court was most eminent he discharges his duty to God and his people in a most excellent Discourse the character of his inward inclination to Iustice and Piety His MAIESTIES SPEECH at his first comming to the Star-Chamber He begins with Scripture Give thy Iudgements to the King O God and thy righteousness to the Kings Son the literal sense upon the Prophet David and his Son Solomon godly and wise the mystical sense upon God and Christ his eternal Son just and righteous from which imitation all Governments especially Monarchies have been established Kings are properly Iudges and sit in the Throne of God and thence all Iudgement is derived from the King to his Magistrates not to them Privative but Cumulative So the Council of Jethro to Moses the Iudges were deputed for easier questions the more profound left to Moses So all Christian Kings govern whereby appears the neer Conjunction God and the King upwards the King and his Iudges downward the King to settle the Law of God and his Iudges to interprete the Law of the King Thus a Jove principium he comes to his Errand I. Why he came not to speak here in fourteen years as his Predicessors have done often especially Henry 7. from whom the King is descended doubly to this Crown and so desires to follow him in his best actions 2. Why he comes now For the first Though he had been an old King when he came hither and well practised to Government from twelve years of age yet here he resolved with Pythagoras to keep silence for seven years That Apprenticeship ended the Impediment was the choice of some worthy Cause betwixt King and some Subject or Subject and Subject The one might seem partial as for himself the other oblique in favour of a party But twice seven years his whole Reign here brings him openly to speak now publickly concerning the reformation of Iudicature in Westminster-Hall which heretofore he had in part delivered in private occasions Dividing his Charge 1. To himself 2. To the Judges 3. To the Auditory First He protests that as Confirmation follows Baptism so now he renews his Oath of Coronation in Justice and Law the common Law of the Land He never pressed to alter but as in the union of his person so he eudeavoured it real to conform Scotland to England not this to that anent the prophecy of his Grandfather Henry 7. That the lesser Kingdom by marriage would follow the greater not the greater the less and therefore married his eldest Daughter Margaret to James the fourth the Kings great Grandfather And so blames that nice opinion that the Union of Great Brittain would alter our Laws which he ever declined as a Maxim in matters of State and Policy Innovation and alteration makes it worse that he was sworn to these Laws and to alter them had been perjury in him Iustice may be moderated by him with mercy but in matters of Iustice he will be blind to partiality to hasten Iustice never to delay He distinguishes the Law The Inheritance of King and Subject to be determined by the Common Law set down by our Forefathers and expounded by learned men in their Comments and called Responsa Prudentum or by Statute-Law and this is Law of Inheritance The other Law Gods Law governs all Common and Municipalls as Dependents and he complains of the neglect of Divine Laws and disrespect to the Ministers of the Church which is the most pure and neerest the primitive and Apostolical Church in doctrine and discipline of any in Christendome Next to this is the Civil Law the Law of Nations It satisfies strangers and his own subjects in matters of Pyracy Mariage Wills which Law he divides Civil and Canon and complains of the contempt upon it and concludes his own charge to maintain so to purge it from two corruptions Incertainty and Novelty to cleer it to the people by advice of Iudges and to purge it of Niceties introduced by Iudges themselves And so as the Pastor takes the Sacrament himself and then distributes so he to them least it be said Turpe est Doctori cum culpa redarguit ipsum The charge to the Iudges consists of three parts To do Iustice Generally Indifferently Fearfully Generally uprightly as to answer God and the King aud punishment from either Indifferently to all parties King and Subject Subject and Subject without delay partiallity clean and uncorrupt Fearfully Not your own conceits for you are no Law makers but Interpreters Jus dicere not Jus dare For you have no voice in Parliament but to advise And though some Laws are obscure and may be better known to you by Books and Presidents yet their interpretations must be subject to common sense and reason Ratio est anima Legis cleer Law or solid Reason But where the formality hath no place as in Denmark the State is governed by written Law no Advocate or Proctor only the parties plead and the Law is read and so sentence He complains of our curious wits Various conceipts different actions and several examples which breed questions in Law But if plain it speaks it self if otherwise as inventions abound they are to enterprete and draw a good Minor of natural Reason out of a Major of direct Law and so will follow a true Conclusion though common Law be a Mystery and your interpretation be not understood yet by the reason of Logick and common sense it will be false And as they are Iudges and divided into Benches so they must confer debate not single opinions per emendata suffragia and thus in generall to their Office And as to their Limits First Not to incroach upon Prerogatives of the Crown deal not in difficult questions ere you consult with the King and Council otherwise is to wound the King through the sides of a Private person and herein commends some of the Iudges that of late rebuked and blunted the sharp edge and vain popular honour of some Pleaders at the Bar for meddling therein The mystery of the Kings power is not lawful to be disputed which seems to wade into the weakness of Sovereigns diminishes the mystical reverence of them that sit in the Throne of God Secondly One Iudicature not to invade upon others unsit and unlawful and herein he inlarges himself That besides Common-Law there are Courts of Requests Admiralty President and Council of Wales of the North. High Commission and every Bishops Court These shall keep their limits and bounds so the common Law shall not encroach upon them nor they on that In Westminster-Hall four Courts Two Civil Common-Pleas and Exchequer Two
thereof established Civility and Iustice and to his lives end he would never leave to do his best endeavours untill he might say of Scotland as one of the Emperours said of Rome Inveni lateritiam relinquo marmoream Indeed the Countrey affords more of Stone than Tile-shard They come to vote Commissioners upon the Articles of Religion whom the King commends they refuse and evermore Officers of State are suspected partial for the King and therefore they admit but of three the Chancellour Treasurer and Clerk of the Rolls They begin with the chiefest Article That what soever should be concluded by the King and the Bishops in matters of external policy should be an Ecclesiastical Law Not that the King was against the advice and assistance of a competent number of the grave and learned Ministers but to be over-ruled said he as in your former General Assemblies I shall never agree The Bishops must rule the Ministers and the King govern both in matters indifferent and not repugnant to Gods Word and so that Ariicle was formed and passeâ Hereupon the Ministers mutiny that their Discipline should be formed to all the Ceremonies of England and Struthers in his next Sermon condemning all those Rites prayed God to save Scotland from the same sin And thus set on they frame a Protestation to the King in Parliament First against that Article and therein if remedy be not provided they shall be forced to other effects For freedom of their Church and discharge of their Consciences Their Reasons they reduce into Arguments 1. Their Reformation That the purity in Doctrine Sacraments Discipline and Order thereof hath been acknowledged rather as a Patern to be followed by all Reformed Churches of Europe than now to be put to seek it from such as never attained to it 2. That their General Assemblies formerly established to constitute and make Canons will be utterly overthrown That hitherto their Church nearest the divine and Apostolical Institution and so hath lived long without Schism and rent may now by introducing Novelties be miserably overthrown That his Majesties gracious assurance by his Letters this last Winter against all alteration of Religion and so hath been intimated in Pulpits when Rumours were dispersed of intended conformity with England These they pray may be sufficient to warn the King and Parliament not to oppress their poor Church and give grief to millions of men that otherwise would rejoice at his Majesties presence And so they resolve that rather than submit they are prepared to incur censure and to oppose This Protestation they commit to the most mad-headed man amongst them one Hewet but some of the wiser sort fearing the success desire the Arch-bishop of St Andrews to suppress it He meeting Hewet desires to peruse it and blaming the man keeps the Writing the other seizes the Paper and thus striving in the next Room the King hastily comes out and sternly fronts the Fellow who falls down of his knees and craves pardon for the Protestation professing never more to meddle therein However the King wisely suspecting some others of the same Phrensie for the present commanded that Article of the Kings Crown-prerogative not to be read till the policy of a fitter time the rest of them being read and concluded the King takes his leave and loving farewell But the Bishops had warning to summon some principal Ministers and with them to meet him at St. Andrews 10. of Iuly where the King greets them How great my care hath been for the Church saith he since I had authority and power to perform it your consciences cannot but confess I need not tell you I seek no thanks God knows my heart for true worship of him and decent order in the Church whilest I resolved of this Iourney to visit you I gave you warning to insert some Articles into your Acts of the Church those were anniversary commemorations of Christ's blessings to man as his Nativity Passion Resurrection Ascension and Descent of the Spirit another for private use of both Sacraments a third for reverend administration of the Communion and a fourth for catechising and confirming children by Bishops I was answered that they had not been moved in any of the Churches Assembly and so I was silent And lately desiring but my Prerogative to be declared in making Ecclesiastical Laws ye mutined and protested against me But I pass all amongst many other wrongs frequent from you The Errand I have now is to know your Arguments why the same ought not to be granted Reason shall ever guide me and if my Demands are so just and religious too I will not be refused nor resisted And with that browing upon them with a full eye majestical and stern They all fell down on their knees The King went on It is a power innate a princely special Prerogative which Christian Kings have to order and dispose external things in the outward policy of the Church as We with our Bishops advice shall think âit And Sirs said he for your approving or disproving deeceive not your selves Me ye shall not I will have my Reason not opposed They were all becom new men humbly besought they might confer and so return an uniform Answer which in two hours space produces a Retition for a General Assembly wherein all his Majesties Articles being proponed they might with common consent be received I says the King but what assurance have I of their consenting They protested that they saw no reason to the contrary But if it be otherwise and your reason now be none of theirs then the Articles refused my difficulty the more and when I shall hereafter put my own Authority in use I shall be pulpited a Tyrant Persecutour Ye were wont so to do All crying out That none durst be so mad Yet experience tells me says he that it hath been so therefore unless I be sure I shall not grant your Assembly They craved the Arch-bishop of St Andrews to answer for them but he refused having been formerly deceived At length they procured leave to assemble in November next at St Andrews Simson that subscribed to the Protestation writes to his Brethren those Articles which he calls Tricas Anglicanas the Letter-carrier was Catherwood who for his insolency to the Kings face was committed and after banished and Simson sent to Edenburgh Castle where he lay till December And so the King returns to England by the West parts and at Dunfres had his farewell Sermon by the Bishop of Galloway which made the hearers heavy at their hearts The King gone home the Assembly met but willingly would have delayed their Conclusion of the five Articles till they might inform their Flocks of the equity of them and so they went away which the King considers as an high contempt and breach of their promise and commands the Bishops of St Andrews and of Glascow precisely in their own persons to keep Christmass day next preaching of Texts according to
the Time and to discharge all Modification advance of stipends to any Minister for a year unless onely to such as have submitted to the Articles and in affection to the Kings service The Ministers thus curbed and the Northern men being come up to Edenburgh for their stipends complain of their Brethren their pride and insolency supplicate the Bishops to intercede and mitigate his Majesties displeasure and so they did and procured Letters from the King for allowance of their stipends And Mr. Simson was now released professing his hearty reluctancy for opposing his Majesty setting his hand to a Supplication which himself framed with all submission But his Brethren not liking any submission but to their Assemblies or Synods his being to the Council he sets out an Apologetick glossing upon each word of his Confession and concludes That whatever frailty or weakness had befallen him heretofore he hoped now to be like Peter Qui ore negavit corde confessus est and never to betray the Lords cause with Judas The Iesuits do even so fast and loose neither tongue hearts nor hands can binde them against their mental secret purposes And yet there being some hope that matters might amend for the Church and their frequent Synods preparing for their better obedience the Bishops procured the Kings consent to another General Assembly to be at Perth in August the next year This royal Progress of pleasure into Scotland and back again gave leasure to the King and advantage to all Attendants for preferment of their persons or other satisfaction for their services by the freedom of their Masters bounty both to Scots and English Especially to our new Favourite now of two years growth in the Kings affection This man George Villiers of an ancient Family in Leicestershire and bears ãâã on a cross Gu. five Escalops Or. His father Sir George Villiers begat him 1592. upon a second venter Mary Beaumont of noble extraction whom for her beauty and goodness he married By his first he had but one Son rising no higher in honour than Knight and Baronet his disposition not court-like and therefore injoying perhaps the greater greatness self-fruition yet in time he had preferment to the Government of Ulster Province in Ireland The other Sons were three and in order of Birth but not in Preferment Iohn was Viscount Purbech George Duke of Buckingham and Christopher Earl of Anglesey and one Daughter Susan Countess of Denbigh We are told that he came over by chance from his French Travels and sought his Preferment in Marriage with any body but mist of a Match for want of an hundred Marks and so pieces him for the Court like the story of Demetas Caparisons borrowing of each one by piece-meal to put him forward for the Kings Favourite But the truth is thus His Mother a Widow was afterwards married unto Sir Thomas Compton whose Brother the Lord Compton by chance falling upon a wonderfull Match for matchless wealth with the Daughter and Heir of Sir Iohn Spencer Alderman of London and her Father then lately dead this Lord was Master of all which was of more than credible and so might be enabled bountifully to set up a Kinsman without other help or Alms of the Parish It was plotted long before and Villiers sent for to the same purpose by practice of some English Lords to ballance with the Scots who by the help of the last Favourite Somerset and others of great affection with the King had the better of the poor English There had been a private Intertainment of a Supper at Baynards Castle by the family of Herbert Hertford and Bedford and some others by the way in Fleet street hung out Somersets picture at a Painters stall which one of the Lords envying bad his foot-boy fling dirt on the face which he did and gave me occasion to ask my companion upon what score that was done He told me this meeting would discover And truly I waited neer and opportune and so was acquainted with the Design to bring in Villiers who was entred before He had need to be well backed against enough that envyed his neerness and aimed by any affront to discountenance him until he made them know that his courage over mastered his sweetness For having bought the place of Cup-bearer to the King and taking the upper end of the Board at dinner before some other Waiter which not his due was told of it and so removed nor was it done with overmuch kindness for indeed the other was Somersets creature who urging a second incivility Villiers gave him a Box on the Ear. For which the custome of Court condemned him to have his hand cut off And which Somerset as then Chamberlain ought to prosecute the Execution which he did And here the Kings pardon without any satisfaction to the other party made him suspected a budding Favourite Who was indeed raised with or by Somersets ruine so drew envy from him as his competitor and from others his Friends compartners in his fall being then as one cast out of the passions of the King We shall find him come up degrees and to stand firm in favour to the death of this King and his second Master till his assassination The King minding to shew his own power to raise him from nothing and his will to advance him for nothing the others study therefore was the Kings inclination and so to leave on him whose affection was sufficient to hold up his head He waited hard and close his first years rising but having removed all the whole Line of Somersets lincks his Wives interests the Howards being boldly fixed in his Masters favor he would adventure to take leave but not too long to be absent And so by degrees inured the King from his custome of overtyring his Favourites and at last fortifies himself by raising out-works if in case of assault His own mariage with an heir the daughter of the Earl of Rutland rich and Honourable twisting himself and his issue by intermariages with the best and most noble For indeed the brouse boughs cut down or removed to plain the stem Our favorite appears like a proper Palm besides the discerning spirit of the King who first cherished him through his innate virtue that surprized all men Henceforth preserments came thick upon him for the next Saint Georges day after his initiation brought him Knight Bachelour and Gentleman of the Bed-chamber At new-years time Master of the Horse and Knight of the Garter and that Summer in August 1616. Baron of Whaddon and Viscount Villiers the beginning of next year Earl of Buckingham and privy Counsellor and this Summer in Scotland sworn there also Counsellour of that State At Christmass after that favours might be recorded Acts of time and of affection too he was created Marquess Buckingham and Admiral of England chief Justice in Eyre Master of the Kings Bench Office and Steward of Westminster places of profit and Constable of Windsor Castle
years before had adopted Ferdinand his Uncles Son his Successour but not to meddle with Sovereignty of a King whilest Matthias lived however Ferdinand thus far set forward himself makes way to the Dignity of Boheme and to prevent discovery from the incorporate Confederate Provinces who have Voices in the Election he calls a Parliament forthwith onely of the States of Boheme with express denunciation that in the Assembly nothing should be consulted but the choice of a new King The Electoral Provinces nor their Deputies nor Ambassadours not being present the Assembly was not legal The best of the States of Boheme therefore refuse to appear against whom was denounced such threats as frightened them with hazard of their Heads and so was procured a pretended Election for the present and his Coronation assented by the main party Catholicks The Crowning Kings in the life of another was of late a sure policy to unite those Kingdoms in the Austrian Family contrary to the ancient custom of free Elections which now neithâr State durst oppose To this end therefore and to suppress all future free Elections the Paladium of the Kingdom Ferdinand secretly compacts with the King of Spain without consent of the States and before his Election or pretence to any interest That the King of Spain his Posterity and Heirs for want of Issue male of his Fathers Austrian Line should succeed him in that Kingdom contrary to the established Rules of Politicians that no elected King hath power to alienate without consent of the States this succession exposed them to the loss of all and Religion also and enabled him to enfeoff strangers into each Province and into the inheritances of those Royally descended high-born illustrious Families and by which as was then suspected and since came to pass he should easily seize the Dignity of the Crown Imperial and so abolish the foundation of the Golden Bull and Form of Empire This while the aged Emperour keeps Court at Vienna King Ferdinand at Gref in Steria the Government of Boheme continues in such Counsellours as Matthias left there chosen Ministers Catholick who with the Arch-bishop of Prague endeavour to suppress the Protestants The States Protestants assemble themselves to redress these injuries backt with some Forces which they brought with them and were opposed by the Emperour's Faction whom they over-mastered and flung his chief Justice Slabala his Secretary Fabritius and others out of a Window of the Castle down into the Court and being done in choller excused by Apology to the Emperour But on they go raise force and banish the Iesuit and others of that Faction whom they load with Complaints The Emperour as forward commits the command of two Armies unto Count Buquoy and Dampiere The Protestants counter-force with two Bodies severally under the Prince of Anholt and under Count Thorn and Mansfeilt skirmishing with different effects Some Princes King Iames and others interpose Mediations and Ferdinand complains of the Bohemians obstinacy They remonstrate former undue Elections and allege That between a conditional King and his Subjects there are reciprocal obligations the one Obedientia the other Promissa That he received the Scepter of the States with thankfull remuneration and royal grace to all to satisfie the desire of every one and to deserve their love and swears not to meddle with Government whilest Matthias lives Notwithstanding he maintains the Wars of others against the Bohemians Moravians and Silecians and raised Terra Maria against the Bahemians sent for his own Army out of Steria and pronounced the Protestant States of Boheme Traitors and Rebells and declared himself Enemy to them all That he banished the old President Cesal directs all Councils corrects the Decisians and Decrees Imperial disposes the actions of Buquoy as King and Lord of all and dis-inclines all means of Peace with Ambassadours of all Provinces who met at Prague carefully consulting to recover Peace That conditional elective Kings receive their royal Authority upon Oaths their Sovereign power Ex pacto non ex jure from the Subjects by concessions upon Covenant not by succession nor descent as other Kings who are so before they swear to their Subjects and do swear because they are Kings but are not Kings because they swear the one born a Prince without his Subjects the other made and given to be a King The Oath of Elective Kings is Et si quod absit in aliquibus Iuramentum meum violavero Nullam mihi incole Regni omniumque dominiorum unius cujusque gentis obedientiam praestare delebant And the Chancellour usually tells them Quandoquidem viderunt Ordines Majestatem regiam pactis conventis stare nolle non debere ait ipsius Majestatem in malam partem interpetari si Ordines obedientiam ipsius Majestate renuncient These things thus a doing the old Emperour dies and Ferdinand now King of Hungary and Boheme and adopted Heir of the Empire meets at Franckford by Summons with the three Electors Menâz Collen and Trevours the other three Silecia Moravia and Lusatia failing in their persons sent their Representatives only and so the Council chose him King of Romans which the State of Bohemia disclaim and of his being Elector as King of Bohemia he never actually possessing the Crown Their disâentions could not lessen his Election to the Empire yet they swore never to receive him their King King Iames much troubled at these interruptions of Germany took himself to be much conceâned in the hazard of the Protestant party and the peace and danger of the Reformed Church and therefore sent Hay Viscount Doncaster Ambassadour extraordinary to mediate with the Emperour and Bohemians but to little purpose The Emperour by means avoiding to receive him knowing his errand being to paliate what was grown too high for his Reconciliation and removed his Gests when Doncaster came but neer him so whilest King Iames hunted at New Market his Ambassadour coursed the Hare in Germany but his business through the crudity and raw initiation took not the effect Ferdinand fearing the Success of Ingagements insinuates with the Germain Princes and had possessed the Duke of Bavaria and others The poor Bohemians in this strait and finding K. Iames an Inteâcessor thought it policy to bring him into the List for having published their Declarations and Reasons pronounced the Election of Ferdinand to be invalid and nul and the States of that Kingdom and other Provinces Elect by this Title The most Gracious and the most Mighty Prince Lord Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhine and King of Bohemia In the mean time King Iames consults with his Council diversly affected to this Design of taking or refusing Amongst them see what our Abbotâends âends to Secretary Nauton not being able to come to Council Good master Secretary I have never more desired to be present at any Consultation c. My humble advice is That there is no going back but a countenancing of it
against all the world with ringing of Bells and making Bonfires in London so soon as it shall be certain of the Coronation I am satisfyed in my conscience the cause is just having rejected that proud and bloody man making that Kingdom not elective and when God hath set up the Prince a Mark of honour to all Christendom to propagate the Gospell and protect the distressed I dare do not other but to follow where God leads It is a great honour to our King to have such a son to be made a K. and me thinks I do in this and that of Hungary foresee the work of God that by piece and piece the Kings of the Earth that give their power to the Beast shall now leave the whore to Desolation as St. John saies Our striking in will comfort the Bohemians honour the Palsgrave strengthen the Union bring on the Dutch stir up Denmark and move his two Uncles Prince of Orange and Duke of Buillon together with Tremvile a rich Prince in France to cast in their shares and Hungary I hope will run the same fortune and for mony and means to support the War Providebit Deus This from my Bed and when I can stand I hope to do better service Geo. Cant. Sept. 12. 1619. Some regret there was in the Palsgrave as well might be to act without the consent of the King of Great Britain and whilst his Ambassadours were treating a Peace but by perswasion of the Prince of Anholt the Earl of Holloch and Baron Done with other their intimates he was at length intreated to accept of that golden Bait a Crown which was given to him freely not without some regret though by Others such a Bit would be swallowed with damnation it self And this was hastened upon him in August 1619. and his entrance into Prague the last of October and his Coronation four daies after But instantly posts the Baron to King Iames in excuse of all either of too hasty acceptance and neglect of his fatherly advice King Iames ever averse from such undue Precipitations for affections of the people to be ingaged at their pleasures and to be a President to dispose of Soveraignty already established utterly refuses Done's Address for a time but dispatches Ambassadours to the Emperour and to the States of the League and Covenant not meddling with his Son in Law to advise or neglect him Of this errand two are sent in joint Commission to Boheme Sir Richard Weston after Lord Treasurer and Sir Edward Conway not long after Secretary of State Ferdinand upon the News of his New Rival in the Kingdom hastens this Proscription against the Palsgrave We Ferdinando c. To all Electors Princes c. But especially to the subjects of Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhene Elector c. That Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhene hath made himself head of that perfidious and rebellious crue of our Kingdome of Boheme wherefore we proclame him guilty of High Treason and Iterate Proscription and of all the penalties which by Law and Custome are depending thereon We conclude him out of Our and the Imperial peace and are firmly resolved to execute the said penalties upon him as against one pubâickly proscribed an Enemy and Adversary to us and the Empire Commanding you under pain of Life not to give him aid succour assistance mony provision munition openly or covertly And whoever is in pay his Complices or Helpers to forsake his service and that the States dependant alliances subject and his Vassals shall not yield to him Obedience nor partake to him of his crime but to forsake him and assist us to reduce him the Rebellious Frederick to obedience And we absolve ye his Vassals from his protection and from your Oath into our grace and favour and whoever disobeys this our command we declare him and them guilty of high Treason and iterate Proscription so well as himself Given at Our City Vienna c. 1626. And now each Party take the field The Duke of Saxony for the Imperial Ban with twenty five thousand Men reduced Lusatia The Prince of Anholt General and Holloch Lieutenant General for Boheme and with these evenly powred the war went on in that Kingdom And to make it famous through the Western World Spinola forms an Army in Flanders under Spains interest but for that purpose which King Iames suspected and to be assured sent to Sir Thomas Edmonds his Ambassadour at Bruxels to inquire for the truce of Spain and the Netherlands continued but Spinola's Commission was sealed up by the Spanish subtilty not to open till the March of the Army of twenty thousand foot and five thousand horse which proved fatal to the Palatinate The Spirits of the English began to bustle Sir Horace Vere being here and somewhat rusty since the peace with Spain associating his Nephew the Earl of Oxford and Essex young and daring Spirits saies one indeed so young they apprehend no danger and so ignorant they knew not how to avoid it Oxford the eighteenth Earl and Lord High Chamberlain without intermission from Awbry de Vere high Chamberlain to Henry the first Portgrave of London and Lord Chief Justice of England Discended from the Earls of Guisure the surname from Vere a Town in Zealand his Son Awbry created Earl of Oxford by Henry 2. and High Chamberlain The eighth Earl after him was by Richard 2. created Duke of Ireland during life and bore for that honour quarterly before his own cote three Crowns or a border Argent his own being quarterly Gu. and Or upon the first a Mulletary This man now was lately returned home from Travel in hope to recover his former debaucheries but how improved implicite credit was to expect the Tryal As for Essex then he onely boid up by the people upon his Fathers score which we have told before But made they were made by Our younger Brothers to fight and a Regiment onely was raised not I believe imagined for any goodly effects but to bandy with the Kings Wisdom who though not forward in this unjustifiable quarrel yet not without coânsel to act for the future How madly some men urged the Kings interest seeming so hasty as to do the work at their own charge but being connived at to try their intent the good Earl of Essex had fifty brave fellows pinn'd upon him to pay them their pensions besides his compleat number of his own company These two brave Captains with the rest raw-souldiers adventured without fear under indeed the fame and fortune of that Right valourous and truly expert man of Arms Sir Horace Vere their Colonell who must needs indure with patience the toil he had to make them good Souldiers Spinola had got the start yet the English got over ere he took leave of the Arch-Duke but they followed at a distance somewhat in danger to go too near and in August both forces were marching the English had passage over
the Rhine by conduct of Prince Henry of Nassaw with two thousand horse and four hundred Musqueteers But ere they came there our raw English droop'd with eating honey and lost not the Nick-name for some years after Ninety four with Tents Truncks and Luggage were left at Bac-rack and they and the Town lost to Spinola by former example of all other that had stood in his way and with no more pains than his sudden summons And had done so to all the English if his Design to snap them had not miscarried by the boisterous stream of the Rhine which wet his Waggons of Ammunition and some of his Field-pieces disordered and so escaped they to Franckford the 24. of September Then to Darmstat a Town of Bohemia and to Hessen where Prince Henry and the Dutch take leave of the English and return home to Holland And here they joyn with fifteen hundred horse of the Princes of the Union and march to Reinshem the nether Town of the Palatinate and the third of October joyn with the Army four thousand Horse and six thousand Foot Spinola at hand frightned them with a charge but night afforded no light to sight the next day to quarters for a Week where the new Wine in the Must grapes and fruits brought crudities upon their weak stomacks till Spinola led them a Dance for Digestion as far as Keysers-Luther and the weather cold the Nights long disposed their necessities to several Garrisons and the Forces of the Reformed Princes cooped up to their several places whilest the Enemy carved to himself of the whole Countrey the good English went thither to fight and so came home again In this mean time the two Generals encounter Anholt for Bohemia had the better and scattered Bucquoys main Body this was in the Spring But in Autumn it fell out otherwise for whiiest Spinola and the Princes were hunting each other on the Hills the Duke of Bavaria joyns with Bucquoy and Tilly. Anholt and Mansfield got between them and Prague but the Enemy breaks through and routs the other into confusion and flight Anholt and Holloch the first that âled to the King of Bohemia at Prague and the next morning the ninth of November they all fly for succour the King and Queen with both our Ambassadours Weston and Conway as far as Limburgh in their way to the Netherlands and the Ambassadours by safe conduct returned back to Bohemia where the conquering business took up more time than to spend with leasurely disputes and so they came home again The next Spring the Princes of the Union submit to the Emperour so does Anholt who is received into favour and made one of his Generals Mansfield not so capable and being put to his shifts doubles his brave Spirit with the necessity of his Fortune hurrying several Countries with Forces of fourteen thousand men for almost two years after till he constrained them to offer him peace which he accepts Whilest King Iames sends to the Emperour by Ambassy of Sir Henry Wootten a Man fitted for Negotiation by his often imployments to Several States and Princes and thus qualified he hath his Commission passes by the Duke of Lovain in transitu for I find not he had any Credentials to him onely confers the Kings Christian intents as one cumbred with the sad events of the Germane Troubles on this side and the French intents on the other and so not improper for the King to study the passages of both And out of his particular Commission to others he frames general Agruments to him of the Kings innocency in the beginning of the Bohemian business and his impartiality ever since and so rendered his Master the first Mediator therein being tyed in the conscience of a Christian King to prosecute the same and in it peace to all The Duke a cunning and subtile Prince told him that the Princes of the Union would assure him how his affections were in the cause more he could not get out of him His next was to the Arch-Duke Leopold of the Austrian family to him he had Letters and tells him That King Iames was cleer of all foreknowledge or counsells in the business of Bohemia and also of the Pdlsgraves preceding practice till it was laid upon him That his Master continued equal to both parties and was troubled that there should be so great preparations for invading the Nether Palatinate being the Patrimony of the Kings Descendants no way commixt with the affairs of Bohemia Perswades the Arch-Duke as a Personage of power to keep those that were in action from such precipitation as might preclude all mediation of accord He was answered with the Arch-Dukes protestation That he believes the Kings cleernes but of the Palsgrave he much doubts accusing him of practice with the Bohemians at the Emperours Election at Franckford and more foully said he to introduce the Turk into Hungary And conceived the Marquess Spinola might have some aim upon the Lower Palatinate assured the Emperours inclination to accord but never without restitution of the usurped Kingdom a loss not of easy concoction especially by the Palatine his subject And excused the Emperours levies for that there were likewise some English forces designed towards that place out of England which was no fair way if King Iames intended a Treaty It was replyed by Wootton That true it was the Kings people and some of the Nobility had taken Alarm upon a voice of that Invasion and voluntarily meant to sacrifice themselves in that action but without the Kings concurrence of mony or command And being ask he answered he had no particular form of Accord to propose to the Emperour for the King thought it necessary to dispose the affections on both sides and so collect some measure of agreement without spending the honour of the King in vain Treaties Then to the Community of Strasburgh and Ulme who professed themselves in Newtrality for it might be uncivil they said to offer their Counsels where such Kings imploy their Wisdomes and Authority they would only contribute their prayers The Duke of Wittenburgh made large professions towards thâ King of Bohemia as he called the Palatine of whose cleerness from practice he could vindicate for visiting him presently upon his Election he found him perplexed even to tears for to accept of the Kingdom he was lyable to suspition as to ambition and if he refused he feared the people would call in more then Christian aid to the effusion of much bloud And professed that no Prince of the Empire should exceed his affection to defend the Palatinate with all his power by bond of consederacy and reason of State lest any Stranger should neighbour him He had likewise Commission to the Duke of Bavaria whom he found in actual arms about Lintz in the Upper Austria and the Emperour at Vienna with no success in those Messages Yet still King Iames hoping that time it self and
the experience of vexation might in some degree mollifie their affections better to digest difficulties he never refused by Ambassies to both sides and to all other the intervenient Princes and States to attempt that high work of Peace first and then afterwards of Restauration of the Palatinate by other waies and means The times when these Negotiations set forward were usuall in the Kings progress or retirements from London to his Sports as was conceived but they were then chosen abroad for better leasure of business even then when Kingdoms were in dispute An art he had thus to cover his weightier Meditations for most of his Dispatches were concluded in his hunting journies Prince Charls now grown man the King had disposed to a Treaty for his Marriage with the Infanta of Spain some while since and Sir Walter Aston sent thither Lieger to fit correspondence and now conceived not improper to induce the restauration of the Palatinate by that means However it may be observed the evil success of all our former medling with that Nation in matters of marriages so malignant and disagreeing with ours Let us ravel back to the memory of the Black Prince a person of the greatest performance that Christendome can parrallel Yet in his voyage to Spain to settle Don Piedro besides their monstrous ingratitude and perfidy to him then caused also that miserable revolt in France by his absence which lost us our Inheritance there and his health ever after his body either corrupted by the air or by their Drugs impoisoned And indeed their matches with the heirs and Princes of this Crown for above six score years having been no where else except the second Marriages of Henry the eight were alwaies unhappy Prince Arthurs sudden death left his Widow to his wicked Brother with whom God was less pleased as the Match was more unlawful and therefore not a Male was left of their race only one Daughter in whose short reign of six years was more bloodshed for the true Religion than for the false in sixty years she adventuring to marry there also this discontented Nation fell into insurrections Treasons Wiats Rebellion and therefore her Husband Phâlip suspecting the future effects forsook her who lost Callis to the French in six daies that the English had enjoyed 200. years but altogether broke her heart and she dyed Now to parallel these foreign Matches with those at home to our own Subjects the first being by Edward the fourth and the last with Henry the eight from which two Gods blessing brought forth two Queens Elizabeths such instruments of his Glory Peace in the Land and Religion in the Church as never could produce greater examples of Happiness to England until this of King Iames who brought hither them both with him But for settling affairs at Home for his purpose abroad he resolves of a Parliament which he had thought saies one to lay them by for ever as incroachers upon his prerogative and diminishers of his Majesties glory making Kings less and subjects more than they are Certainly he had good intelligence from the Kings thoughts or else the Man had a Devilish revelation to prophesy the effects for such they proved to be afterwards But in truth the people were grown high fed with plenty and peace and pretending their zeal for regaining the Palatinate were wilde for a War with any body for any thing The King willing to let blood in that vein meant to make it his purpose and to get money to boot Some sheets of paper together is wasted by Our adversary to let in his Reader into that Parliament he saies That for the Spanish faction was Arundel Worcester Digby Calvert Weston and others Popishly affected with Buckingham and all his Train The Duke of Lenox Marquess Hamilton and Earl of Pembroke their Antagonists Such and so few were they not in anger against the King but against his Ministers a plea evermore borrowed by practical people against their Sovereigns Proceedings The Papists flourished by Gondamores power with the Ladies of England their Nieces and Daughters presenting him in their Balconies in Drury-Lane and the Strand long before any were quilt in those places and himself in a Litter but was only accosted by the Lady Jacob with a gaping Yawn telling his servant that came on the Errand to know the meaning that she had a Mouth to be stopt too which Gondamore closed with a present That this Lady was a Bawd to the beauties and poor fortunes of young Gentlewomen whose parents sent them up hither for preferment and saies that for respects to their posterities he will spare to name their persons It seems he was Pimp-Major to them all How does this diââecting become his grave Proeme if it be his own where he saies Histories are like Anatomies if ignorance or malice attempt to hack hew or bespatter it it will be most inhumane c. And so dissect and open their own follies c. They must not cauterize and flash with malice c Therefore he that censures others and vents them for truth digs in the bowels of another and wounds himself And yet as he saies though he fly high and may rove he is sure not to light far from the mark So he there in his proeme He goes on in his History and tells us That the Earl of Buckingham now Marquess rules all That the King bought of Worster to make the Marquess Master of the Horse But in truth that antient Earl being Chamberlain also to the Queens Houshold could not attend that service and wait abroad upon the King and it was therefore his own suit and Buckingham paid him for parting with it and so was made Master of the Horse The place of Marquess is the next in honour to a Duke the title came but of late daies the first was by Richard 2. upon Robert de Vere Marquess of Dublin and so it became a Title of honour for before that time they were called Lords Marchers and not Marquesses After the Conquest as in policy they were resident upon the Confines and Borders of the Welch and other places not subdued Men of valour of high blood of the Normans with the name and privileges of Earls of Chester And for the Nort Borders of Wales to be Count Palatines And the Barons of the Middle part of the South-Marches were adorned in a manner with a Palatine Jurisdiction having a Court of Chancery and Writs among themselves pleadable least their attendance abroad might be prejudicial at home And as for the other part of the South-Marches they seemed sufficiently defended with the River Severn and the Sea By these Ascents our Marquess Buckingham climbs to succeed at this time a good and gallant old Earl of Nottingham Admiral who being almost Bedrid made Suit to the King that he might dispose of his place as a Legacy in his life time upon Buckingham which was so done and who to my Knowledge went in person
that the world may speak well of their mutual agreeing Thus much in effect the King told them and which prepared their wild resolutions to strike at Prerogative now to undermine it only by quârrelling with the Kings best Ministers and whilest these bandy in the Lower House the King proceeds in his Publick course concerning Germany and forthwith sends the Lord Digây extraordinary to the Emperour for a posiâive answer for rendition of the Palatinate by force or friendship These businesses abroad and expence at home brings him to accompt with his Exchequer where he finds his Exits increased the Incomes and intending the best Husbandry to piece out the expence He changes his Treasurer Mountague for other preferments of honour and profit and puts in Sir Lionel Cranfield upon no other merit saies one but for marrying the Marquesses Kin such Another saies more But I find him of an antient family in Gloucester-shire and being bred a Merchant Adventurer of London and other his extraordinary qualities in that and other Commendable wayes became useful to the State also And first had the honour of Knight-hood then the custody of the Kings Wardrobes afterwards Master of the Court of Wards and Liveries and now Lord Treasurer and created Earl of Middlesex Some busie Barons had gotten together a gang of Discontents of several Titles and framed a petition and their hands to it with this General Title The humble Petition of the Nobility of ENGLAND SHEWETH THat whereas your Majesty by importunity of some natural subjects of England hath conferred upon them Honours Titles and Dignities peculiar to other your Majesties Dominions by which the Nobility of this Realm find themselvs prejudiced Our humble desire is that with your allowance we may challenge and preserve our Birth-rights withont any notice of those Titulars to our Prejudice and to be excused to deny them the respect or place as to Noble men Strangers Seeing that these being our Countrymen born and abide here have yet procured their Translation into foreign names onely to our injury But in this address we meddle not to limit or interprete the power of your Soveraignty being the root whence all Honor receives Sap under what title soever to collate what you please upon whom and how you please The Subsigners were Oxford Essex Warwick Abergaveny Dacres Darcy Sheffield Crâmwel Scroop Sturton St. Iohn Paget Dudley Spencer Say The Barons indeed came behind but few Earls had cause so to complain And it was Say I remember well the Ring-leader of all though the last in Ranck and least in prejudice But his prejudice and subtilty steered the way to the rest who having a loose Brother amongst them perhaps many more stole the Copy to the King and betrayed their intentions before it was well-moulded The King wisely sent for them a sunder and roughly told them their Petition was sawcy but ended humbly concluding themselves not to expostulate his power or pleasure which if any of them sought to question they should soon find the effects but the first Man declined it as brought in by the buy and so did the second and third the rest took pattern from their submission and here was an end of that ranting Petition for our Author would enforce belief That the King pulled up his Spirits when he told Essex He feared him not with his fourty thousand men But the Proverb alludes in scorn to the folly of the French Oh the King of France and fourty thousand men and then with more disdam on Essex Hereupon the Commons take example and Petitions are framed as from the people but indicted by the Parliament A custom which the Commons house in those times took up to make business rather than be idle And first they fall upon Patents for Inns Ale-houses Gold and Silver Thread counterfeit pretious matter to spend time being now to quarrel with the Empire The last of them Our Historian saies was of sophisticate materials engrossing all the Trade of that Ages vanity onely in Gold and Silver Lace and so poisonous were the Druggs of the Composition that rotted hands and arms with lameness upon the very work-folks loss of their Eyes and Lives by venome of the vapors that came from it ah abominable un truth The Patron of this Patent was an honourable Lord though led aside by Instruments whom he trusted Indeed a Pragmatick Lawyer whose weakness in that Profession came behind the ordinary Practisers and therefore he got a Privilege and Prerogative to be first heard at the Bar and was nick-named Prerogative Pleader until a witty Judge told him he should have the first Motion but not to be granted at all Sir Giles Mompeson the Patentee for Inns. Sir Francis Michel for Ale-houses two corrupt Justices of the Peace It were wished that they might have been the last of that race But these Patents taking up more time in the Disquisition than their serious business should permit the King rouses the Lords to their Sentence of them with this Speech MY LORDS THE last time I inform'd you the Verity of my Proceedings aâd caution in passing these Patents in question by way of Declaration and now to expresse my desire to have your sentence and execution against Mompesson who though he be fled my Proclamation pursued him and shall be as earnest to see your sentence against him executed And tells them his Reasons 1. That there being a Politique Marriage betwixt Him and his people he is in duty to God tyed to the care of good government And had these things been complained of before he would have redressed them sooner Remembring them what he hath often said That no private person should be respected before the publique good not only of the whole Common-weal but even of a particular Corporation that is but a member of it 2. That he intends not to infringe but to satisfie the House Liberties for never any King did so much for them and will doe more and assures them that the Presidents of former good government shall warrant them to him Acknowledging them the Supream Court of Iustice Himself as present by Representation And to add to their Honour he hath made the Prince a member amongst them Professes the love and respect he hath received from the Lower House in their proceedings And always the like from the Lords especially by relation of his son of them all in general and particular and the like he said by One that sits there Buckingham a proof whereof the Earl of Arundel witnessed in his report to them of the privileges of Nobility how earnest he was therein Acknowledges the free gift of this Parliament of two Subsidies and so accepted by him which he will reâribute by a General Pardon at the end of the Parliament and will do somewhat in ease of the people till then As for the Ale-Houses he refers to the Iustices of Peace For the Gold and Silver Thread he damm's
the Lawyers in the House to make a good Commentary upon it For so did the Puritan Ministers in Scotland bring all kind of Causes within compass of their jurisâiction saying that it was the Churches Office to judge of slander and there could no crime or fault be committed but there was a slander in it either against God their King or their Neighbour and by that means they looked into themselves the cognizance of all Causes or like Bellarmines Distinction of the Popes power over Kings in ordine ad spiritualia whereby he gives him all Temporall Jurisdiction over them But to give you a direct answer to the matters of War for which you are so earnest We confesse we rather expected you should have given us thanks for the so long maintaining a settled Peace in all our Dominions when as all our Neighbours about are in miserable combustion of War but dulce bellum inexpertis and we indeed find by experience that a number of our Subjects are so pampered with Peace as they are desirous of change though they know not what It is true that we have professed and in that mind with Gods grace we will both live and die that we will labour by all means possible either by Treaty or force to restore our Children to their antient dignity and Inheritance and whatsoever Christian Princes and Potentates will set themselves against it we will not spare any lawful means to bring ouâ so just and honourable purpose to a good end Neither shall the Match of our Son or any other worldly respects be preferred to this our Resolution For by our credit and intervention with the King of Spain and the Arch-Dutchess and her Husband now with God we preserved the Lower Palatinate one whole year from any further conquering in it which in any eight dayes space in that time might have easily been swallowed up by Spinola's Army without any resistance and in no better case was it now at our Ambassadour the Lord Digby's coming through Heidleburgh if we had not extraordinarily succoured it But because we conceive that ye couple this War of the Palatinate with the cause of Religion we must a little unfold your eyes herein The beginning of this miserable War which hath set all Christendome on fire was not for Religion but only caused by Our Son in law his hasty and rash Resolution following evil Counsel to take to himself the Crown of Bohemia and that this is true himself wrote Letters to Us at that time desiring Us to give assurance both to the French King and to the State of Venice that his accepting of the Crown of Bohemia had no reference to the cause of Religion but only by reason of his right of Election as he called it And we would be sorry that that aspersion should come upon our Religion as to make it a good pretext for disthroning of Kings and usurping their Crowns And we would be loath that our people here should be taught that doctrine No let Us not so far wrong the Jesuits as to rob them of their sweet Positions and practice in this point And upon the other part we assure our selves so far of your charitable thoughts of us that we would never have constantly denyed our Son in Law both the title and assistance in that point if we had been well-perswaded of the justice of his quarrel But to conclude this unjust usurpation of the Crown of Bohemia and Hungaria from the Emperour hath given the Pope and all that party too fair a ground and opened them too wide a Gate for curbing and oppressing of many thousands of our Religion in divers parts of Christendom And whereas you excuse your touching upon the King of Spain upon occasion of the incidents by you repeated in that place and yet affirm it is without any touch to his Honor. We cannot wonder enough that ye are so forgetful both of your words and writs for in your former Petition you plainly affirm that he affects the Temporal Monarchy of the whole Earth then which there can be no more malice uttered against any great King to make all other Princes and Potentates both envy and hate him But if you list it may be easily tryed whether that speech touched him in honour or not if we shall ask him the question Whether he means to assume to himself that Title or no For every King can best judge of his own Honour we omit the particular Ejaculations of some foul-mouthed Oratours in the House against the honour of his Crown and State And touching your excuse of not determining any thing concerning the Match of our dearest Son but only to tell your opinion and lay it down at our feet First we desire to know how you could have presumed to determine in that point without committing of High Treason And next you cannot deny but your talking of his Match after that manner was a direct breach of our Commandment and Declaration out of our own Mouth at the first sitting down of this Parliament where we plainly professed that we were in Treaty of his Match with Spain and wished you to have that confidence in our Religion and Wisdom that we would so mannage it as our Religion should receivt no prejudice by it And the same we now repeat unto you professing that we are so far ingaged in that Match as we cannot in honour go back except the King of Spain perform not such things as we expect at his hands and therefore we are sorry that ye should shew to have so great distrust in us or to conceive that we should be cold in our Religion otherwise we cannot imagine how our former Publick Declaration should not have stopped your Mouths in this point And as to your Request that we would now receive your former Petition We wonder what could make you presume that we would not receive it whereas in our former letter we plainly declared the contrary unto you and therefore we have justly rejected that suit of yours For what have you left un-attempted in the highest points of Sovereignty in that petition of yours except the striking of Coin for it contains the violation of Leagues the particular way how to govern a War and the Mariage of our dearest Son both Negative with Spain nay with any Popish Princess and also Affirmatively as to the matching with one of our Religion which we confess is a strain beyond any Providence or Wisdom God hath given to us as things now stand These are unfit things to be handled in Parliament except your King should require it of you For who can have wisdome to judge of things of that nature but such as are dayly acquainted with the particulars of Treaties and of the variable or fixed connexion of Affairs of State together with the knowledge of the secret ways ends and intentions of Princes in their several Negotiations otherwise a small mistaking in matters of this Nature may produce more effects than can
by the Prince to see the Spanish Train safe at home and to bring back that good News to England This complement had more of business for he carried commands under the Princes hand to Bristol not to deliver the Procuration left in his charge till further Order from England upon the extremest peril to his person It seems the Prince was not then over-earnest in the Match Bristol bounded with this Restriction by which he foresaw the fraction having by agrement ten daies limitted after the Dispensation should come and so time to consider what to do for Clark having no order to return with any answer Bristols actions were by him narrowly observed and advice thereof sent home to the Prince by whose intelligence the jealousie upon Bristol was heightned to crimes almost to his after destruction The fifth of October lands the Prince at Portsmouth and the next day posts to London with unspeakable Love in the Peoples welcome and therefore expressed in feasting and Bonefires with little refreshment he hasteth to Royston the Kings usual abode for the air in Autumn who receiving the particular and just accompt of the Devices of Spain and communicated to the Council it was concluded to acquaint a Parliament with all the proceedings which was resolved with speed February following Then Letters were sent to the Earl of Bristol intimating the true sense in the King and his Council of the Spanish Forms and delaies which the Wisdom of the Prince by his own presence and conversation discovered most abusive But to meet in the jusling and yet to bring theirs to maturity He was to suspend the Proxie till Christmass though the Dispensation should come the power mentioned in the Procuration being no longer of force the Execution after that time would prove invalid and because the honour of England shall be preserved throughout he was to review his former Instructions concerning the Restitution of the Palatinate and his Son-in-Laws Electoral Dignity and to presse them as inherent with the Marriage But all these Items he was to reserve to himself without discovery untill the Dispensation should set those Demands on foot Bristol bound up by this Express durst not break out the least limits to discover his own dislike to his Overlookers Aston and Clark but in publick set out the Preparations of England in more expensive proportion than those Provisions of Spain for accomplishing so glorious a Marriage which put the Spaniard into a firm opinion how powerfully he had captivated the English credulity That the Ambassadour for Poland then at Madrid Seeing the Corrival of his Masters Son had got assurance of his Mistress took leave of his woing and went home with the Willow Garland For now the Dispensation come Bone-fires and Bells-jangling were signals through Spain of the mutual joy of Prince and people And few daies after the Marriage was prefixt with all possible preparations of State and Solemnity both for the present dependance and future reference even to the Ordering of her voyage to England in March after When in the interim fresh commands confirming the former by several Expresses for failing Bristol opens to King Philip his Masters resolutions That having with vast expence and inâinite patience expected the effects of his just desires with hazard of the Prince his Person to consummate his part in the Treaty that nothing might lodge upon the King of Englands honour so highly preserved with all Potântates of Europe and therefore unless the Restitution of the Palaâinate and the Electoral Dignity were included the Treaty of Mariage was ãâã to take end The King troubled to be over-reached and to see it without remedy fairly answered That those Demands were not in his power to effect the one unâââ the command of the Emperour the other in possession of the Duke of Bavaria and if those could not be reduced with reason he would with Arms asist the Kings part against them or others in that behalf And not long after the Spaniard taking it in earnest and Bristol having no motion to any further address had order in honour to the King of Spain to expect no more audience nor to send conveyance of any more Letters to the Infanta and by publick command none should call her hereafter Princess of England as in honor to the Match they had usually stiled her and Bristol prepared to return home The twelfth of February the Duke of Richmond dyed that morning being found dead by his Dutchess whom she left slumbering as she thought somewhat early when she arose and therefore forbore his disquiet until the late hour seemed necessary to call him up to the Parliament but gently withdrawing the Curtains he was found dead without the least Symptomes of any warning to shew distemper in his body This sudden amazement to all caused the King instantly to adjourn the meeting till the 19. day after Various conceipts were rumoured of his hasty end which according to the peoples fancies suffered several conjectures some attributing his death to an Apoplexie to a Surfeit to Poyson which served saies one as a forerunner to the King for he will have him impoisoned also The Parliament meet at the day assigned and the King greets them In effect thus That to justify himself and willingness with frequency to advise with his people He urges it by way of Parable in Christ and his Church so he saies as Husband to them his Spouse the effects of communion with Man and Wife is often visiting each other There being two waies of Love in a King and his people ordinary and particular administration of Iustice and by communicating with his Parliament For the first that his Government hath been without errour he cannot say but does truly avouch it before God and his Angels that never King governed with more pure sincere and uncorrupt heart from intention and meaning of Error or imperfection in his Reign The other part he imparts as a secret importance to his estate and children These waies as they procure love of his People and of them he acknowledges the effect whom the Parliament represents so he desires That they would effectually present the Peoples Loves to him as a true Mirrour not as a false Glass otherwise than it should be In a word he falls upon the Matter The match of his Sonne wherein they cannot but know his time spent his cost His Reasons Advancement of his Estate and Children and peace of Christendome depending too much upon fair hopes and promises with the necessary hazard of his Son to prosecute his desires in Spain and with him Buckingham to wait his Commands who are returned not with such effect as was desired nor altogether without profit For it took forth a point of Wisdome Qui versatur in universalibus c. is easily deceived the Generals affording others ways to evade and means to avoid effects The particulars too many for him to relate he refers them to the Prince
be repaired for securing it self and the Coasts That his children abroad eat no bread but by him His customs the best part of his Revenue in effect the substance of all are farmed with conditions if war follow their bargains sease and Subsidies ask time to bring in unless he take them up upon credit and so lose of their value In these cases he would be loath to shew his Teeth and cannot bite And refers the condition of his own Estate to his Treasurer And thus freely he opens his heart for their Hearts and Help let them shew the means and he will do what they direct referring the dispose of monies to their own Deputies and Treasurers and upon the offer of their Means he makes War he will wave the Prerogative of Kings of War and Peace and be advised by them in either for weapons breed peace He desires to be in Love with Parlaments to make good Laws reform abuses and maintain good Government and so blesses their labours to the end Thus far the King Here was plainess He had cause to fear for he foresaw his own hazard to be left in the lurch So that to set him forward without despair they soeak as they should mean and not long after give him this Declaration They first render thanks to his sacred Majesty for accepting their humble advice to assist him in a Parliamentary way with their persons and abilities And whereas his Majesty was pleased to descend to particular propositions for advance of so great a Buâiness upon his Majesties Declaration for dissolution and discharge of both Treaties and for defence of the Realm the securing Ireland the assisting the Netherlands and other his Majestyes Friends and Allyes and for the Navy For these they will grant him three intire Subsidies and three fifteens to be paid within a year The money to be in hands of Committes and Commissioners by them to be expended as shall be agreed upon this present Session The King was well pleased and tells them He is willing to dissolve the Treaties their Gift being sufficient to begin a War but when it will end God knowes That he will ingage his Successor his Son for the recovery of the Palatinate and in his old age will assist in Person if need be That as he is pleased the Committes should direct the disposing of the monies so the Design must not be acted by publick councells that is whether two thousanâ or ten thousand by Sea or Land East or West by Diversion or Invasion upon the Emperour or Bavaria these be hopes must be left to the King Hereupon a Council of War is chosen of some antient Actors in the Militia of Ireland and other Nobility the Meeting at the Savor at the Lord Caries President of that Council who resolve of six thousand to be sent for the present into the Low Countreys to join with their forces against the Spanish under command of Spinola and so have a freer passage into Germany if need were hereafter The Spanish Ambassadour Marquess of Inojosâ much perplexed at the even proceedings between the King and Parliament resolved to put in practice a Jesuite trick upon Buckingham by that means to distemper the Calm proceedings of this State We are told the Manner That Inojosa sent one Padre Majestre a Spanish Iesuit a great Statesman to King James that he under confession had found the King was by Buckingham or by his procurement to be killed but whether by Poison Pistol Dagger c. he could not tell Then that the King should say to Buckingham ah Stenny Stenny a term of favour wilt thou kill me the Duke in high passion being told that Padre Majestre had been with the King who being questioned by the Duke Inojosa undertook the quarrel and told the Duke he would maintain him the Traytor c. Another saies That the Ambassadour sent one to the King to let him know That the Duke of Buckingham had some dangerous Machination on foot that tended to his Destruction and the best He could expect would be a Conâinement to a Country House in some Park during his life the Prince being now ripe for Government c. and the Author concludes That such an attempt could not be done without the Princes privity and yet the King was willing to have the Brat strangled in the Womb though there was cause to suspect that the great intimacy and deerness between the Prince and Duke like the conjunction of two dreadfull Planets could not but portend the production of some dangerous effect to the Old King What horrid infamy is here cast on them both But this was the story and the truth for not a day passed then but that I was present and acquainted with all that transaction to the end It was well known how much it concerned the Ambassadour for his Masters honour to disimprove the value of Buckingham with the King and Parliament and cunningly meant to do it home and to involve the Prince too in one and the same act And therefore aspersed abroad a suspition which really also Inojosa devised to the Kings ear That Buckingham should have plotted this Parliament to over power the King which if resisted then by that authority to conâine the King and to transfer soveraignty upon the Prince And thus Machevils rule lay the scandal high enough no matter to prove it Himself the Brocher to be free from Examination being qualified an Ambassadour A great noise there was I remember well more in the peoples resentment than any way considerable at Court. And yet the Duke was not so dull to neglect the means of satisfying Others Himself and Prince needed not nor truly did it any way interfear as it was devised to startle the King And being generally cryed down as a false scandal the power of all three could not question an Ambassadour though it was scanned at the Council Table and put to vote in the house too how to proceed with him That the Shield of his Ambassy was too weak to defend him from the Sword of Iustice for then he resolves into a private man The Duke not satisfyed had the opinion of a learned Antiquary who with much circumstance advised and directed a tedious Ceremony of State to be used therein Both Speakers to remonstrate to the Ambassadour the crime and if he reveal not the Informers then is he Author Scandali and so the Houses to petition the King to confine him and restrain his person till his Master know his offence and satisfy Iustice. If he does not then is it Transactio Criminis upon himself and draws a denounce of War But the wisdome of the King would have none of this Geer Yet the Prince and Duke complained hereof to Spain and a command returned to Inojosa to crave forgivenesse which he did and the Duke in confidence of his own Innocency suffered it to passe without much more trouble to seek satisfaction in publique for he
Hist. Gr. Brit. p. 10. Arch Bishop Whitgift dies The Translation of the Scriptures Gen. 19. Isay 29. Psalm 48. Psalms translated Catechizing commended Hist. of the World pag. 249. Gowries aniversarie day celebrated See 1600. 1608. Hist. gr Br. pa. 12. Comotion of some Commoners Parliaments beginnings Jury were Judges so Lilburn pleaded Parliament of King and Barons onely The Commons taken into Parliament Of the Parliament of England The writ to summon the Peers The writ to summon the Knights and Burgesses Oath of Alleageance Of Supremacy Ecclesiastical matters Lords Privileges Lower House Harmony of all King Queen and Prince ride in triumph First Session of Parliament The Kings speech in Parliament abreviated 2 3. Peace and Unity in Religion and Manners Union with Scotland intended Ambassadours for Peace Co and ch pa. Proclamation to conformity in Church-discipline Assembly of the Church in Scotland in spite of the King Hist. Gr. Brit. p. 27. The Kings second Son Charls created Duke of York Pouder Treason Pouder Treason the story Anno 1605. Fauks his Confâssion of the Design Th. Winter's Confession of the Plot discovery and success The story pât together in brief Second Session of Parliament Three intire subsidies and six fifteens Several Acts. The effect of the Oath of Alleageance Taken by Papists The Popes Bull against the Oath The Kings Apologie and Preface to take the oath Justified by forein Princes Jesuits divide the English into four sects Their opinion refuted See before anno pa. 1542. pa. 9 And Imprisonment as bad Best Counsel to convince them by Preaching Anno 1606. Leptons ãâã to York ãâã back King of Dââmark landâ ãâã Graves-end Princes forââââ their liberties by coming into another Kingdom without leave The Earls of Northumberland and other Lords confederates in the Pouder Treason are committed Of the Star-Chamber beginning and ending The Letter Anno 1607. The union argued The Kings Speech in answer to their Arguments Post-nati confirmed H. G. Bâ pag 41. Judg Nichols his true justice Gântry flock to London Proclamation in restraint of new buildings unless of Brick Anno 1608. Hist. Gr. Bâit p. 49. L. Treasurer Dorset dies George Spâot a Conspirator with Gowry his story and execution His Coâfessions His Trial. Restalrig's Letter to Gowry and after the Treason Other Letters to Gowry as also his ãâ¦ã Confesseth the Indictment Jurors names Verdict Sentenced as a Traitor Executed A marvellous sign of guilt Abbot Bishop of Canterbury being present History of the Church of Scotland p. 509. The Kings disbursments already 60000 l. 19000. 17428. 11000. 107428. The Scotish Secretary Balmerino's treacherous Letter to the Pope The occasion 1609. He is sent pâisoner to be tryed in Scotland His indictment His confession And sentence Anno 1609. Is reprieved and dies King James a mercifull Prince and restores his son in blood And he a traytor also to King Charles is also pardoned And proves an ungratefull wretch to his blessed Master The Bishops in Scotland inlarged their power Scots Bishops consecrated in England Who ordain others at home Council Table ordered The Earl of Orkney committed High commission-Court The Session seek for grievances Hist Gâ Bâ ubique The Kings Speech to both Houses Of his Government Common Law and Civil Prohibitiâââ 2. Grievancââ how to present them Not to meddle with his Office High Commission 3. The cause of calling the Parliament The quality how to give The quantity His expences Reasons for his liberality Conclusion 1. Religion The Common-wealth Proclâmation against âncrease of buildings about London Truce between Spain and the Netherlands Siege of Juliers Duke of Guelders and Juliers c. his descent last of the race The Netherlands sometime subjects to Spain Henry the fourth King of France stab'd 60000 l. Parliament dissolved Henry created Prince of Wales their dignities See before Knights Bachelors Anno 1603. Ayd mony H. Gr. Br. pa. 52. False suggestions to be impoysoned Court and ch of King James pa. 84. Hist Gr. Br. pa. 52. Nearer Intention for Prince Henry to match with Spain See after anno 1624. Papists persecuted by Pens Chelsey Coledge founded and why H. Gr. Br. pa. 53. The Kings favorite Mountgomery Hist. Gr. Brit. p. 54. See 1612. Masks and Comedies at Court H. G. Br. pa. 54. Discussed Our Adversary a Poet and play-maker Contribution-money 111046. l Suttons Hospitall founded Absurd Excommunication and unchristian in Scotland The three Earls revolt So was Padie Paulo Popisâly excommunicated Earl of Eglington illegally adopts an Heir to his Honors Arminius Vorstius their Heresies Vorstius his blasphemous Books The Kings message to the States Arminius The States Answer Further accusations And proceedings therein Bookes of Vorstius Heresies The King writes again against them all Vorstius is preferred Professor of Divinity Sir R. Winwoods speech concerning Vorstius His Tenenâs Pag. 210 212. 232 237. 308. 441. 271. Pa. 38. 43. Cap. 16. Pa. 999. Conclusion And Protestation States Answer The Kings Declaration against Vorstius See more in the Kings works And against his Bookes Legat and Whithman burnt for Herâsie Legats Heresies Whitemans Heresies Adamites Incests Waldânses âin ãâã Anno 1612. I may be cânsured by some Robert Carr a favorite Hist. Gr. Br. pa. 55. Queen Mary of Scotland her corps inteâred at Westminster Anno 1586. Hist Gr. Br. pa. 62. Prince Palatine a suitor to Princess Elizabeth Prince Henryes sickness and death vindicated Hist Gr. Br. pa. 72. Lunary Rainbow His Corps viewed Interred at Westminster His character False suspition of poyson Hist. G. Br. pa. 64. Prince Palatine mâried to Pâincâss Elizabeth âa 65. Sanquair a Scotish Baron hanged for murther Treasurer Salisbury dies His Fatâers descent And preferments Earl of Salisburies preferments His Merits Court and ch King James pa. 12 13. Hist. Gr. Br. pa. .76 Court of Wards how erected and established Court of Wards how erected and established His Offices disposed to others Suffolk Lord Treasurer Rochester Chamberlain Sir W. Cope Master of the Wards and the Favourite made Secretary Sir T. Overbury his story A Friend to Rochester Dâsign'd Ambassadour Refuses to go The King wants money Sir Arthur Ingram Court and Ch. pag. 87. E. of Essex and his Countess Car and Overbury their stories intermixt Lady Rich divorced Hist. Gr. Br. pag. 68. Anno 1613 Hist. Gr. Brit. p. 69. â of Suffolk petitions for his daughters divorce Delegates in commisâion The Countesses Libell against her husband Essex's answer She is to be inspâcted by Ladies who repute her a Virgin and so do seven more âadies Sentence of Nullity Signed by sufficient men Arch-bishop Abbots Arguments against the Nullity Answered The Countess marries Somersct H. Gr. Br. p. 72 Hist. Naâ ch 28. Overburie designed to be deâtroyed Earl Northampton dies His preferments to honour Against Duâlls Rebellion in Orkney The Earl convicted and executed his descent Oglevy a Jesuit his Examinations Plantations in America Hist. gr Br. p. 75. Cabot Virginia New England Elizabeths Isles Nova Francia Baronets created
had we hearts aright to conceive of Gods extraordinary love and such miraculous Mercies as never Nation enjoyed walk over the World peruse the whole face of the Earth from East to West from North to South from one side of Heaven to another you shall not find such another nlightened Goshen as this Island where besides doth the Gospel shine with such Glory Truth and Peace c. We have lived in a time of Miracles Our posterity will hardly believe the wonders done in Our daies c. Was it not a miraculous mercy to have such a King c. who hath already next under that Almighty God by whom Kings reign continued the Gospel unto us and preserved us from the destroying Sword all his blessed Reign over us and what do you think were so many years Peace worth were it to be bought with the Enjoyment of the Gospel to boot He hath enobled this Kingdome for ever by his excellent Writings in the cause of Religion against Antichrist which would have created a great deal of Honour to a private Man minding nothing else How illustrious then do they make Our King The child unborn will blesse King James For his Premonition to all Princes and free States of Christendome and that Royal Remonstrance against the rotten and pestilent Otation of the French Cardinal to the utter and Triumphant overthrow of it penned in that Stile that none can possibly reach but a learned King his Golden Pen hath given such a blow to that Beast of Rome that he will never be able to stand upon his four Legs again He hath shot out of his Royal Bow such keen Arrowes taken out of the Quâver of Gods Book which will hang in the sides of that Scarlet Whore and make her lame as long as she lives Hath he not most happily and seasonably stopt the hasty torrent of the Arminian Sect and the domineering Rage of bloody Duels c. And was not the discovery and delivery from the Powder plot that great Astonihment of Men and Angels one of the most unparallell'd and merciful Miracles that ever the Church of God tasted c. And to crown all with wonder of greatest Astonishment do not we all that are of the Kings faithfullest Subjects almost fear still left we be in a dream That King Charles the flower of Christendom c. And concludes Away then with all sowr melancholick causeless sinful discontent And praise ye the Lord sing unto the Lord a New song and his praise in the Congregation of the Saints Let Israel rejoice in him that made him Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King for the Lord taketh pleasure in his People he will beautifie the meek with salvation Let the Saints be joyful in Glory Let them sing aloud upon their Beds c. Sir Francis Bacon in honour of K. Iames. WHerefore representing your Majesty many times unto my mind and beholding you not with the eye of presumption to discover that which the Scripture tells me is inscrutable but with the observant eye of duty and admiration leaving aside the other parts of your virtue and fortune I have been touched yea and possessed with an extreame wonder at these your virtues and faculties which the Philosophers call Intellectuals The largeness of your Capacity the faithfulness of your Memory the swiftness of your apprehension the penetration of your Iudgement and the facility and order of your Elocution And I have then thought that of all the persons living that I have known your Majesty were the best instance to make a man of Plato's Opinion That all knowledge is but Remembrance and that the Mind of man by Nature knoweth all things and hath but her own Native and Original Notions which by the strangeness and darkness of the Tabernacle of the Body are sequestred again revived and restored such a Light of Nature I have observed in your Majesty and such a readiness to take flame and blaze from the least occasion presented or the least Spark of anothers knowledge delivered And as the Scripture saith of the Wisest King That his heart was as the Sand of the Sea which though it be one of thr largest Bodies yet it consisteth of the smallest and finest portions So hath God given your Majesty a composition of understanding admirable being able to compass and comprehend the greatest Matters and nevertheless to touch and apprehend the least wherein it should seem an impossibility in Nature for the same Instrument to make it self fit for great and small Works And for your gift of Speech I call to mind what Cornelius Tacitus saith of Augustus Caelar Augusto profluens uâ quae principem deceret eloquentia fuit For if we mark it well Speech that is uttered with labour and difficulty or Speech that âavoureth of the affectation of Art and Precepts Or Speech that is framed after the imitation of some pattern of Eloquence though never so excellent All this hath somewhat Servile and holding of the Subject But your Majesties manner of Speech is indeed Princelike flowing as from a Fountain and yet streaming and branching it self into Natures Order full of facility and felicity Imitating none and imitable by any And as in your Civil Estate there appeareth to be an emulation and contention of your Majesties Virtues with your Fortunes a virtuous Disposition with a Fortunate Regiment a virtuous expectation when time was of your greater fortune with a prosperous possession thereof in the due time a virtuous observation of the Laws of Marriage with most blessed and happy fruit of Mariage a virtuous and most Christian desire of Peace with a fortunate inclination in your Neighbour Princes thereunto So likewise in those Intellectual Matters there seemeth to be no less contention between the excellency of your Majesties gifts of nature and the Universality and perfection of your Learning For I am well assured of this that what I shall say is no Amplification at all but a positive and measured Truth which is That there hath not been since Christs time any King or Temporal Monarch which hath been so learned in all Literature and Erudition Divine and Humane For let a Man seriously and diligently revolve and peruse the succession of the Emperours of Rome of which Caesar the Dictatoâ who lived some years before Christ and Marcus Anâonius were the best learned And so descend to the Emperours of Graecia or of the West and then to the lines of France Spain England Scotland and the Rest and he shall find this Judgement truly made For it seemeth much in a King if by the compendious extractions of other Mens Wits and Learning he can take hold of any superficial Ornaments and shews of Learning Or if he countenance and prefer Learning and Learned Men. But to drink indeed of the true Fountain of Learning nay to have such a Fountain of Learning in himself in a King and in a King born is almost a Miracle And the more because there
is met in your Majesty a rare conjunction as well of Divine and Sacred Literature as of Prophane and Humane So as your Majesty stands invested of that Triplicity which in great Veneration was ascribed to the antient Hermes The power and fortune of a King the knowledge and illumiâation of a Priest and the Learning and Universality of a Philosopher This propriety inherent and individual Attribute in your Majesty deserveth to be expressed not only in the fame and admiration of the present time nor in the History or Tradition of the Ages succeeding but also in some solid work fixed memorial and immortal Monument bearing a Character or Signature both of the power of a King and the difference and persection of such a King So he Memoria Iusti cum laudibus Et Impiorum Nomen putrescit An EPITAPH ON King Iames the sixth THose that have Eyes awake and weep For He whose waking wrought Our sleep Is fallen asleep and never Shall awake till wak'd for Ever Death's Iron hand hath clos'd those Eyes Which were at once Three Kingdomes Spyes Both to foresee and to prevent Dangers so soon as they were meant That Head whose working Brain alone Wrought all mens quiet But His own Now lies at Rest. Oh let Him have The Peace He purchasd in His Grave If that no Naboth all His Reign Was for his fruitful Vineyard slain If no Uriah lost his Life For having had so fair a Wife Then let no Shemei's curses wound His Honour or profane His Ground Let no Black-Mouth no Rank-breath Cur Peaceful James His Ashes stir Kings are as Gods O! do not then Rake in Their Graves to prove Them Men. For His daies toyl and Night watches For His craz'd sleep stol'n by Snatches For Two fair Kingdomes join'd in One For all He did or meant t' have done Do this for Him write on His Dust King IAMES the Peaceful and the Just. Sit Gloria DEO FINIS The Conclusion HItherto having pursued the Descent following the Union of the two Roses by Marriage of Henry 7. of England and the re-union of both Kingdoms Sovereignty by succesfull inheritance of King James and then left to a son and Heir and also to the numerous issue of a Daughter and her Descendents and suddenly into the present possession of King Charls of Great Britain France and Ireland the first who though affianced forthwith in Marriage with the Princess Maria Sister to the French King Louis the 13. Blessed also afterward with a numerous Issue Sons and Daughters as a full Period in shew of all former Mutation and change through them and their posterity perpetual So indeed it appeared to a State-observer but not seemed good to the Eye of Providence whose powerfull Hand hath ordered it otherwise for He is taken away in the strength of his years and perfections and none of his in possibility of Reason to succeed to any part or portion of his Inheritance But to proceed in the continuation of this History to these Times and to branch into such particulars as to draw down to discover Truth to after-Ages may seem to some very difficult the common Excuse of such as cannot or will not undertake it and therefore preâend that by following the heels of Truth too near a man may endanger his Teeth A defect of Reason so to conceive when an even and unbiassed Narrative of Men and Matters may well become the judicious Historian For first that King Charls was lawfully possessed and crowned Monarch of his Fathers Inheritance his Peers and People obediently submitting to his Scepter That He being necessarily imbroiled into some forrein Ingagements against Spain and France was enforced to summon the assistance of several succeeding Parliaments unsuccesfull and by too hasty Regulation of Ecclesiastick Discipline upon the Scots Kirk moved them to an unnatural Insurrection which caused Expeditions against their Armies already descended into the heart of England which enforced him to assemble another long-lasting Parliament wherein he lost himself and his Life also What were the true and different Reasons Grounds and Manâagements of the late Differences between Him and Them the Proâocations on either side to the first entrance into the miserable War Their several Battels Sieges Policies and different Successes of that so long uncivil-civil Dissension His nâââssities enforcing Him to leave his own Party and to resign up himself unto his natural Countreymen unfaithfull Scots Their Sale of his Person back again to his English subjects Their several Passages Declarations Narratives Treaties Overtures and Disputes between Them both before and during his Restraint in order to a firm and lasting Agreement with his Parliament and People for Reconciling Important Affairs of Church and State with the Presbyâerian future destruction of the Hierarâhy of Ecclesiaâtick Discipline Their Policies thereupon to be rid of the Bishops Deans and Chapters The Dismission of the Lords House in Parliament and Impeachment and Execution of Ecclesiastick and Lay persons Bishops and Beers And after all they brought his Head to the Block a sacrifice for the sins of the whole Nations The different Disâositions in their eleven years long domination of a pretended Triennial Parliament necessitates another Power to purge them with several Doses and afterwards to put them down Sundry Expedients to prove them by a fresh Assembly Representatiues of the People Their time and debates wasted to no good purpose they are broken up and in fine dissipated And then the last little Assembly rise of themselves leaving all in Anarchy and desperate confusion Untill it pleased the Almighty to raise a Power which resumed the Peoples protection in monstrous danger of utter destruction The necessity of the national Affairs introducing were put under the power of single Sovereignty How that power hath managed the Government against divers desperate Designs Forrein and Domestick The prosperous effects and issue now settled into an assurance of the Nations future subsistance And all these in reference to our neighbour States War with some Amity with others All these particulars faithfully put together without captious and presâmptuous opinions of partial observers not to descant private conceits upon the necessity of State But barely to represent the Narrative and to leave the ãâã the Readers sentence And this way God willing is thus intended and in part pursued the matter and manner of this monarchical succession and final conclusion to be faithfully performed unto these Times our last Days By W. SANDERSON Nec magna desiderantur Henry 7. James 4. James 5. Of King Iames parents to his Birth Their descent H. 8. turns Lutheran And makes war with Scotland And defeats them K. of Scots dies And his Daughter Mary born His Burial And Character Q. Maries entrance into heâ Crown and Troubles By Factions of Hamilton and Lenox Earl of Arran Her Guide Her breeding in Fran. And there married the Dolphin And as heirs to England quarter the Arms. Which offended Qu. Elizabeth The French King and Dolphin die