History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

These and other things orderly done in lawful and free Parliament, we directed to France to our Sovereign Sir James Sandelandes Lord of Saint- John, with the Acts of the said Parliament, that by them they might be ratified, according to the promises of their Majesty's Commissioners made to us, as by the Contract of Peace may evidently appear. But how the said Lord of Saint John was received and used, we list not to rehearse: But always no ratification brought he unto us, but that we little regarded, or yet do regard; for all that we did, was rather to show our dutiful obedience, then to beg of them any strength to our Religion, which from God hath full power, and needed not the suffrage of man, but in so far as man had need to believe it, if that ever he shall have participation of the life everlasting. But somewhat must we answer to such as since hath whispered, that it was but a pretended Parliament, a privy Convention and no lawful Parliament. Their reasons are, The King and Queen were in France, there was neither Scepter, Sword, nor Crown born, &c. And some Principal Lord's were absent. We answer, That we rather wish the Papists to be quiet then too curiously to travel in that Point: for it may be, while they think to hurt us, they give the Queen and her authority a great blow, and yet amend themselves nothing. For in whose default we pray you was the Queen absent from this Realm? We think they will not be so shameless as that they will blame the Protestants thereof. Her person was absent, and that to no small grief of our hearts: But were not the States of her Realm assembled in her name? Yea, had they not her full power and Commission, yea, the Commission and commandment of her head the King of France, to convocate that Parliament, and to do all things that may be done in lawful Parliament? Even as if our Sovereigns had been there in proper persons: If they will limit the power of Princes to the places only where their bodily presence is, it will be thought strange; for so not only shall Kings be compelled to content them with one Realm, but also with one City: For the bodily presence of Kings can no more be in divers cities at one instant, then that they can be in divers Realms. Hitherto we have understood, that wheresoever the great Counselors of the King with his power and Commission are assembled, to do anything at his just commandment, That there is the Kings sufficient presence and authority, wheresoever his own body be living at freedom and liberty; which if the Papists deny, we will find faults with them, and with the Princes whom they have abused, that more will annoy them, then anything that we can lose by the insufficiency of that Parliament: Which nevertheless we are bold to affirm to have been more lawful and more free, then any Parliament that they are able to produce this hundred years before it, or yet any that hath ensued since it was, (he means until 1566. when this Book was written) for in it the voices of men were free, and given in conscience, in others they were bought, or given at the devotion of the misled Prince. All things in it concluded, are able to abide the trial, and not to be consumed at the proof of the fire: of others the godly may justly call in doubt things determined. To the Sword and Scepter, nor yet to the absence of some Lord's, we answer nothing. For our adversaries know well enough that the one is rather a pomp, and vain-glorious ceremony, then a substantial point of necessity required to a lawful Parliament: And the absence of some prejudges not the powers of the present duly assembled: Providing, that due advertisement be made unto them. But now we return to our History.

The Parliament dissolved, consultation was had, how the Church might be established in a good and godly policy, which by the Papists was altogether defaced. Commission and charge was given to Master John Winram Sub-priour of S. Andrew's, Master John Spottiswood, John Willock, Master John Dowglas Rectour of S. Andrew's, Master John Row, and John Knox, to draw in a Volume the Policy and Discipline of the Church, as well as they had done the Doctrine, which they did, and presented it to the Nobility, who did peruse it many days. Some approved it, and willed the same to have been set forth by a Law, others perceiving their carnal liberty and worldly commodity somewhat to be impared thereby, grudged, in so much that the name of the Book of Discipline became odious unto them. Every thing that repugned to their corrupt imaginations was termed in their mockage, Devout imaginations. The cause we have before declared, some was licentious, some had greedily griped the possessions of the Church; and others thought that they would not lack their part of Christ's Coat, yea, and that before that ever he was Crucified, as by the Preachers they were oft rebuked. The chief great man that had professed Christ Jesus, and refused to subscribe the Book of Discipline, was the Lord Erskin. And no wonder, for besides that, he had a very evil woman to his wife, if the Poor, the Schools, and the Ministry of the Church had their own, his Kitchen would lack two parts and more, of that which he unjustly now possesseth. Assuredly some of us hath wondered how men that profess godliness could of so long continuance hear the threatenings of God against thieves and against their houses, and knowing themselves guilty, in such things as were openly rebuked, and that they never had remorse of conscience, neither yet intended to restore anything of that which long they had stolen and reft. There were none within the Realm more unmerciful to the poor Ministers then were they which had greatest rents of the Churches. But in that we have perceived the old Proverb to be true; Nothing can suffice a wretch. And again, The belly hath no ears. Yet the same Book of Discipline was subscribed by a great part of the Nobility; To wit, The Duke, the Earl of Arrane, the Earls Argyle, Glencarn, Mershell, Menteth, Morton, Rothesse, Lord James after Earl of Murray, Lord's Yeaster, Boyd, Uchiltrie, Master of Maxwell, Lord Lindsay elder, and the Master after Lord Barrons, Drunlaurige, Lothingwar, Garleisse, Bargany, Master Alexander Gordon Bishop of Galloway, (this Bishop of Galloway, as he renounced Popery, so did he Prelacie, witness his subscription of the Book of Discipline, as the rest of the Prelates did who did join to the Reformation) Alexander Campbell Dean of Marray, with a great number moe subscribed and approved the said Book of Discipline in the Town-Buith of Edinburgh, the 27 day of January, the year of our Lord God 1560. by their approbation; In these words:

What be the contents of the whole Book, and how that this promise was illuded from time to time we shall after hear.

Shortly after the said Parliament were sent from the Council Ambassadors to England, the Earls Morton and Glencarne, together with William Maitland of Lethington, younger. The chief point of their Commission was earnestly to crave the constant assistance of the Queens Majesty of England, against all foreign invasion and common enemies.

That same time was the Castle of Semple hard besieged and taken. Because the Lord thereof disobeyed the Laws and Ordinances of the Council in many things, and especially in that, that he would maintain the Idolatry of the Mass, and also, that he beset the way to the Earl of Arrane, with a great gathering, as he was riding with his accustomed company. The Papists were proud, for they looked for a new Army from France at the next Spring, and thereof was no small appearance, if God had not otherwise provided. For France utterly refused the confirmation of the Peace contracted at Leith, would ratify no part of our Parliament, dismissed the Lord of Saint John, without a resolute answer, began to gather new Bands of throat-cutters, and to make great preparation for Ships. They further sent before them certain practicers, (amongst whom the Lord Seaton who had departed with the French out of Leith was one) to raise up new troubles within this Realm. And all this came partly of the malice of the house of Guise, who had avowed to revenge the displeasure of their sister both upon England and Scotland, and partly by instigation of proud Beton, falsely called Bishop of Glasgow, of Dury Abbot of Dunfermeling, and Saulles Seaton, and Master John Sinclair Dean of Restalrige, with such others of the French faction, who had openly spoken, That they had refused all portion of Scotland, unless that it were under the government of a French-man. Recompence them (O Lord) as thou knowest most expedient for thine own glory, and for the perpetual shame of all Traitours to their Common-wealth. The certain knowledge of all these things came to our ears, whereat many were afraid, and divers suspected that England would not be so forward in times to come, considering that their former expenses were so great. The principal comfort remained with the Preachers, for they assured us in God's Name that God would perform in all perfection that work in our hands. The beginning whereof he had so mightily maintained, because it was not ours, but his own. And therefore exhorted us, That we should constantly proceed to reform all abuses, and to plant the Ministry of the Church, as by God's word we might justify it; and then commit the success of all to our God, in whose power the disposition of Kingdoms standeth. And so we began to do, for troubles appearing, made us give ear to the admonitions of God's servants. And while that we had scarcely begun again to implore the help of our God, and to show some signs of our obedience unto his Messengers, and holy Word, Lo the mighty hand of God from above sent unto us a wonderful and most joyful deliverance: For unhappy Francis, husband to our Sovereign, suddenly perished of a rotten ear. But because the death of that young man was not only the cause of joy to us in Scotland, but also by it were the faithful in France delivered as it were from the present death. We think expedient to speak of the same somewhat more largely.

These cruel and conjured enemies of God and of all godliness, the Duke of Guise, the Cardinal of Loraine, and their faction, who then at their own appetite plaid the Tyrants in France, had determined the destruction of all that professed the true knowledge of Jesus Christ within that Realm. What tyranny late before they had used at Amboyse, the History of France doth witness: now in Orleans in the month of November, conveaned the King, unhappy Francis, the Queen our Sovereign, and the Queen mother of the King, the Duke of Guise, with all his faction: The King of Navarre, and the Prince of Condie, his brother.

So that great was the confluence of the Nobility, but greater was the assembly of the murderers, for there was not a Hang-man in all France which was not there. The prisons were full of the true servants of God: The King of Navarre, and the Prince of Condie were constituted Prisoners. The Sheriff of Orleans, a man fearing God, was taken, and so were many others of the Town. Briefly, there was none that professed God or godliness within that Town, that looked not for the extremity, for the Walls and Gates were night and day kept with the Garrisons of the Guysians, miserable men were daily brought in, to suffer judgment, but none was suffered to depart forth, but at the devotion of the Tyrants.

And so they proceeded till the tenth or twelfth of December, when that they thought time to put their bloody council in execution, and for that purpose conclusion was taken, That the King should depart out of the Town, and lie at a certain place; which was done to this intent, That there should no suite be made to the King for the safety of any man's life, whom they thought worthy of death. And so was the Kings house in Orleans broken up, his beds, cofers, and tapistrie sent away, his own bootes put on, he sitting at the Mass immediately hereafter to have departed, and so their tyranny to have begun.

When all things, we say, were in this readiness to shed the blood of innocents, the eternal, our God, whoever watcheth for the preservation of his own, began to work, and suddenly did put his own work in execution, for as the said King sat at Mass, he was suddenly stricken with an Aposthume, in that deaf ear that never would hear the Truth of God, and so was he carried to a void and empty house, laid upon a palliase unto such time as a Cannaby was set up unto him, where he lay till the fifteenth day of December, in the year of God 1560. When his glory perished, and the pride of his stubborn heart vanished in smoke; And so was the snare broken; The Tyrants disappointed of their cruelty; Those that was appointed to death, raised, as it were, out of their graves; And we, who by our foolishness had made ourselves slaves to strangers, were restored again to freedom and liberty of a free Realm.

O that we had hearts deeply to consider what are thy wondrous works (O Lord) that we might praise thee in the midst of this most obstinate and wicked generation, and leave the memorial of the same to our posterities, which alas, we fear shall forget these thy inestimable benefits.

Some in France, after the sudden death of Francis the 2. and calling to mind the death of Charles the 9 in blood; and the slaughter of Henry the 2. did remark the Tragicall ends of these three Princes, who had persecuted God's servants so cruelly by their instruments the Guisians, and by their Pens both in Prose and Verse, did advise all other Princes not to authorize any Persecution or wrong done unto God's servants, left they should have the like end. And indeed the following Kings of France unto this day, hath found this true by their infortunate and unexpected ends.

The death of this King made great alteration in France, England and Scotland; France was erected in some esperance that the tyranny of the Guisians should no longer reign above them, because God at unawares had broken the staff whereupon they leaned; but alas, they were deceived: For the simplicity of some was so abused, that against the Laws of the Realm, to the Queen mother was committed the Regiment, which lifted up as well the Duke of Guise, as the cruel Cardinal, for a season. The Queen of England, and the Council, remitted our Ambassadors. The pride of the Papists of Scotland began to be abated, and some that ever had shewn themselves enemies unto us, began to think, and plainly to speak (amongst whom the old Sheriff of Air was one) That they perceived God to fight for us. The Earl of Arrane having suffered repulse in his design to marry the Queen of England, he began to fancy unto himself that the Queen of Scotland bare unto him some favor: And so he wrote unto her, and sent for credit a Ring, which the said Queen our Sovereign knew well enough. The Letter and Ring were both presented to the Queen, and by her received: Such answer was returned to the said Earl, after the which he made no further pursuit in that matter: And yet nevertheless he did bear it heavily in heart, and more heavily then his friends would have wished; for grief he was troubled in his understanding.

The certainty of the death foresaid was signified unto us both by Sea and Land. By Sea received John Knox (who then had great intelligence both with the Churches abroad, and some of the Court of France ) That the King was mortally sick, and could not well escape death. Which Letters received that same day at afternoon he passed to the Duke to his own lodging at the Church of Field, with whom he found the Lord James in conference alone: The Earl of Arrane was in Iedburgh, to whom he opened such news as he had received, and willed them to be of good comfort; for, said he, the advertiser hath never deceived me: It is the same Gentleman that first gave us knowledge of the slaughter of Henry King of France ; and shown unto them the Letter, but would not express the man's name. While they were reasoning in divers purposes, and he comforting them: For while (we say) they three were familiarly communing together, there came a messenger from the Lord Gray forth of Barwick, assuring him of the death of the K. of France. Which noised abroad, a general Convention of the Nobility was appointed to be holden at Edinburgh the fifteenth day of January following, in the which the Book of discipline was perused newly over again, for some pretended ignorance, by reason that they had not heard it. In that assembly was Master Alexander Anderson Subprincipall, and Under-Master of one of the Schools of Aberdein, a man more subtle and crafty than either learned or godly, called, who refused to dispute anent his faith, abusing a place of Tertullian, to cloak his ignorance. It was answered unto him, That Tertullian should not prejudge the Authority of the Holy Ghost, who by the mouth of Peter commandeth us to give reason of our faith to everyone that requireth the same of us; It was farther answered, that we neither required him, neither yet any man to dispute in any point concerning our faith▪ which was grounded upon God's Word, and fully expressed in his holy Scriptures, for all that we believed without controversy. But we required of him, as of the rest of Papists, that they would suffer their Doctrine, Constitutions, and Ceremonies to come to trial. And principally, that the Mass and the opinion thereof by them taught unto the people, might be laid to the square rule of God's Word, and unto the right Institution of Jesus Christ, That they might understand whether that their Preachers offended, or not, in that, that they affirmed. The Action of the Mass to be expressly repugning unto the last Supper of the Lord Jesus, The sayer of it to commit horrible blasphemy in usurping up-him the Office of Christ, The hearers to commit damnable Idolatry, and the opinion of it conceived to be a derogation, and as it were a disannulling of Christ's death. While the said Master Alexander denied, that the Priest took upon him Christ's office, to offer for sin, as he alleged, a Mass book was produced, and in the beginning of the Canon were these words read, Suscipe Sancta Trinitas hanc oblationem quam ego indignus peccator offero tibi vivo Deo & vero, pro peccatis meis, pro peccatis totius Ecclesiae vivorum & mortuum. Now said the reasoner, if to off • r for the sins of the whole Church, was not the Office of Christ Jesus, yea that Office that to him only might, and may appertain, let the Scripture judge. And if a vile Knave, whom ye call Priest, proudly taketh the same upon him, let your own Books witness. The said Mr. Alexander answered, Christ offered the propitiatory, and that could none do but he; but we offer the remembrance. Whereto it was answered, We praise God that ye have denied a sacrifice propitiatory to be in the Mass; and yet we offer to prove, that in moe than a hundredth places of your Papistical Doctors this proposition is affirmed, The Mass is said to be a Sacrifice propitiatory. But the second part, where ye allege that ye offer Christ in remembrance; we ask first, Unto whom do ye offer him? and next by what authority are ye assured of well-doing? In God the Father there falleth no Oblivion: And if ye will shift and say, that ye offer it not as God, were forgetful, but as willing to apply Christ's merits to his Church. We demand of you, What power & commandment have ye so to do? We know that our Master Christ Jesus commanded his Apostles to do that which he did in remembrance of him, But plain it is, that Christ took bread, gave thanks, brake bread, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take ye, eat ye, this is my body which is broken for you, do this in remembrance of me, &c. Here we find a commandment, to take, to eat, to take and to drink; but to offer Christ's Body either for remembrance or application, we find not: And therefore we say, To take upon you an Office which is not given unto you, is unjust usurpation, and no lawful power. The said Master Alexander being more then astonished, would have shifted; but then the Lord's willed him to answer directly, whereto he answered, That he was better seen in Philosophy, then in Theology. Then was commanded M. John Leslie (who then was Parson of Une, and now Abbot of Londors, and after was made Bishop of Ross ) to answer to the former Argument; and he with great gravity began to answer, If our Master have nothing to say to it, I have nothing; for I know nothing but the Cannon Law: And the greatest reason that ever I could find there, is, Nolumus and Volumus, and yet we understand that now he is the only Patron of the Mass. But it is no marvel, for we understand that he is a Priests get and Bastard, and therefore we should not wonder, albeit that the old truan Verse be true, Patrem sequitur sua proles. The Nobility hearing that neither the one nor the other would answer directly, said, We have been miserably deceived heretofore; for if the Mass may not obtain remission of sins to the quick and to the dead, Wherefore were all the Abbeys so richly doted and endowed with our Temporal lands.

Thus much we thought good to insert here, because that some Papists are not ashamed now to affirm, That they with their reasons could never be heard, but that all we did, we did by mere force; when that the whole Realm knoweth, That we ever required them to speak their judgments freely, not only promising unto them protection and defense, but also that we should subscribe with them, if they by God's Scriptures could confute us, and by the same Word establish their assertions. But who can correct the leasings of such as in all things show them the sons of the Father of all lies. Preserve us, Lord, from that perverse and malicious Generation. Amen.

At this same Assembly was the Lord James appointed to go to France to the Queen our Sovereign, and a Parliament was appointed to begin the 20 of May next following; for at that time was the return of the said Lord James looked for: and so was that Convention dissolved, without any other thing of importance concluded. The said Lord James prepared him for his journey (for albeit he past in the public affairs, he sustained the charge of his own expenses; and yet there never past from this Realm in the company of one man so many, and so honest thorough England to France. ) Before he departed, he was forewarned, as well of the danger in France, as of the Queens craft (not that we then suspected her nature, but that we understood the malice of her friends) he was plainly premonished, That if ever he condescended that she should have Mass publicly or privately within the Realm of Scotland, that then betrayed he the Cause of God, and exposed the Religion even to the uttermost danger that he could do. That she should have Mass publicly, he affirmed that he would never consent: But to have it secretly in her Chamber, Who could stop her? The danger was shewn, and so he departed.

As the servants of God uprightly travelled to have vice punished, and virtue planted; so did the devil ever stir up some in the contrary of both. There was a Law made against fornicators and adulterers, that the one and the other should be Carted thorough the Towns, and so banished, till that their repentance was offered and received. And albeit this was not the severity of God's Law, especially against adulterers, yet was it a great bridle to the malefactors, whereat the wicked did wonderously storm. It chanced that one Sanderson a Fletcher or Boutcher, was deprehended to have put away his lawful wife (under color that he was lawfully parted after the manner of the Papistical Religion) and had taken to him another in his house. The complaint and slander proposed to the Church, and trial taken, That he was not married with the second woman, neither that he was able to prove that he was divorced by any order of the Law from the first, he was committed to the hands of the Magistrates, who according to the Laws commanded him to be Carted. But the rascal multitude enflamed by some ungodly Crafts-men, made insurrection, brake the Cart, boasted and threatened the Officers, and took away the malefactor. This was the beginning of farther evils, as we shall after hear. In this mean time, while Lord James (we say) was in France, there came an Ambassador from France, suborned, no doubt, with all craft that might, to trouble the state of Religion. His Demands were, first, That the League betwixt us and England should be broken. Secondly, That the ancient League betwixt France and Scotland should be renewed. Thirdly, And that the Bishops and Church-men should be restored in their former places, and be suffered to intermit with their Livings. The Council delayed answer, until the Parliament appointed in May. In the mean time the Papists of Scotland practiced with him. The Earls of Huntlie, Atholl, Bothwell, and others, intended to have taken Edinburgh before the said Parliament. The whole Bishops assembled, and held Council in Sterlin. Some whispering there was, that the Duke, and the Bishop of Saint Andrew's were too familiar; and some feared that the Authority of the Queen should have been usurped, by reason of her absence, and that the Duke was the second Person, for thereat had some of his pressed immediately after the death of the King of France. The Protestants thereof advertised, prevented them, and came to Edinburgh. The Earl of Arran stood constant with his brethren; there were some that carefully and painfully travelled that nothing prejudicial to the Queens Authority should be done in the absence of the Lord James, to whom the Queen hath recompensed evil for good service. Master James Magill in that point did both stoutly and truly; for John Knox and he were then fallen in familiarity, in which they yet continue, 20 Octobris 1567. by reason that the said Master James had embraced the Religion, and professed it publicly. The Papists and Bishops disappointed of their principal enterprise, did yet make broyle for trouble: For the rascal multitude were stirred up to make a Robin-Hood, which enormity was of many years left off, and condemned by Stature and Act of Parliament; yet would they not be forbidden, but would disobey and trouble the Town, especially upon the night: Whereat the Bailiffs offended, took from them some Swords and Ensign, which was occasion that they that same night made a mutiny; kept the Gates of the Town, and intended to have pursued some men within their own houses; But that upon the restitution of their Swords and Ensign, was stayed. And yet they ceased not to molest, as well the Inhabitants of Edinburgh, as divers Country-men, taking from them money, and threatening some with farther injuries: Wherewith the Magistrates of the Town highly offended, took more diligent heed to such as resorted to the Town, and so apprehended one of the principal of that disorder, named Balon, a Shoo-maker, whom they put to an Assizes; and being convinced (he could not be absolved, for he was the chief man that spoiled John Mubray of ten Crowns of the Sun) they thought to have executed Judgment upon him, and so erected a Gibbet beneath the Cross. (Whether it came by Paction with the Provost and some other, or by instigation of the Crafts-men, whoever have been bent too much to maintain such vanity and riotousnesse, we fully know not) but suddenly there did arise a tumult, the Tolbuith was broken up, and not only the said Balon, who before was condemned, was violently taken forth, but also all other malefactors were set at freedom, the Gibbet was pulled down, and despitefully broken. And thereafter, as the Provost, and some of the Council, assembled to the Clerks Chamber for consultation. The whole rascal banded together, with some known and honest Crafts-men, and intended invasion on the said Chamber; which perceived, the Provost, and such as were in his company, past to the Tolbuith, suspecting nothing that they would have been so enraged, to make new pursuit, after that they had obtained their intent: But they were suddenly deceived; for from the Castle hill they came with violence, and with stones, Guns, and such other Weapons as they had, and began to assault the said Tolbuith, ran at the door of it, till that partly by stones cast from above, and partly by a Pistol shot by Robert Norwell, (which hurt one Tuedy ) they were repulsed from the door. But yet ceased they not to cast and shoot in at the windows, threatening death to all that were within. And in very deed the malice of the Crafts-men, who were suspected to be the occasion of that tumult, bare no good will to divers of those that were with the Provost. The Arguments that the Crafts-men were the causes of that uproar, besides their first disorder that they had used before, in taking Sandersone from the execution of punishment, are two. The former, Archibald Deware, Patrick Shaugzie, with other six Deacons, came to John Knox, and willed him to solicit the Provost and the Town to delay the execution. Who did answer, That he had so oft solicited in their favors, that his own conscience accused him, That they used his labors for no other end, but to be a Patron to their impiety; for he had before made intercession for William Harlaw, John Frissell, and others that were convinced of the former tumult: They proudly said, That if it was not stayed, both he and the Bailiffs should repent it. Who answered, He would not hurt his conscience for the fear of any man: And so they departed; and the tumult, as said is, immediately thereafter did arise. The second Argument is; The tumult continued from two at afternoon, till after eight at night. The Crafts-men were required to assemble themselves together for deliverance of the Provost; but they past to their four hours penny, or afternoons Pinte, and in their jesting, said, They will be Magistrates alone, let them rule the multitude alone. And so, contrary to the Oath which they had made, they denied their assistance, counsel, & comfort to the Provost and Bailiffs, which are arguments very probable that the said tumult rose by their procurement. The end thereof was, That the Provost and Bailiffs were compelled to give their hands writs, that they should never pursue any of those that were of that tumult, for any crime that was done in that behalf. And this was proclaimed at the Cross, after nine of the clock at night; and so was that trouble quieted: But the Nobility vowed, That they would not spare it, nor forget it; and so a great number of that faction were absent from the Town, till the arrival of the Queen. The whole multitude were holden excommunicate, and were admitted to no participation of the Sacraments, until such time as they satisfied the Magistrates, and made humble suit unto the Church. Of the death of the Queen Regent, we have heard before spoken; but of her Burial was nothing heard. And it may appear, That such matters are unworthy of remembrance: And if all things should be rightly weighed, we shall perceive God's just Judgments, how secret soever that they be. Before we heard the barbarous inhumanity that was used at Leith by the French, who exposed the naked carcasses of the slain, as it were in a spectacle despighting God. We have heard that the Queen Regent rejoiced at the sight, but her joy was suddenly turned into sorrow, as we have heard. The question was moved of her Burial: The Preachers boldly gainstood, That any Superstitious Rites should be used within that Realm, which God of his mercy began to repugn. And so conclusion was taken, That her Burial should be deferred till farther advertisement; and so was she wrapped in a Coffin of Lead, and kept in the Castle, from the ninth of June, until the 19 of October, when she by Pynours was carried to a Ship, and so carried to France: what pomp was used there, we neither heard, nor yet regard: But in it we see, That she that delighted that others lay without Burial, gat it neither so soon as she her self (if she had been of the counsel in her life) would have required it; neither yet so honorable in this Realm, as sometimes she looked for. As men do, so they receive.

The Papists, a little before the Parliament, resorted in divers Bands to the Town, and began to brag, as that they would have defaced the Protestants: Which thing perceived, the brethren assembled, and went in such Companies, and yet in peaceable manner, that the Bishops and their Bands forsook the calsay or street. The Brethren understanding what the Papists meant, convened in Council in the Tolbuith of Edinburgh the seven and twentieth of May, the year of God 1561. and after consultation, concluded, That an humble Supplication should be presented unto the Lord's of the Secret Counsel, and unto the whole Assembly that then was convened, in the which should these subsequent Heads be required, and a Law to pass thereupon.

• 1. First, That Idolatry, and all Monuments thereof should be suppressed throughout the whole Realm: That the sayers, hearers, maintainers, and hanters of the Mass, should be punished according to the Act of Parliament, as said is.
• 2. That special and certain provision be made for the maintenance of the Superintendents, Ministers, Exhorters and Readers: That Superintendents and Ministers should be planted where none were: That punishment should be appointed for such as disobeyed or contemned the Superintendents in their Function.
• 3. That punishment may be appointed for the abusers of the Sacraments, and for the contemners of the same.
• 4. That no Letters of the Session, or Warrant from the Judge, be given to answer or pay to any person of their Tenths, without especial provision that the Parishioners retain so much in their own hands, as is appointed for the maintenance of the Ministry: And that all such as are else given be called in and discharged; And likewise that no Sheriffs give Precepts to that effect.
• 5. That neither the Lord's of Session, nor any other Judges, proceed upon such Precepts or Warnings past at the instance of them that of late have obtained fewis of Vicarages and Parsons Manses, and Church-yards: And that six akers (if so much there be of the Gleebe) be always reserved to the Minister, according to the appointment of the Book of Discipline.
• 6. That no Letters of Session, nor other Warrants, take place while the stipends contained in the Book of Discipline for maintenance of the Ministers, be first consigned in the hands at the least of the Principals of the Parishioners.
• 7. That punishment be appointed against all such as purchase, bring home, or execute within this Realm the Popes Bulls.

The Tenour of the Supplication was this:

Upon the which Request and Articles, the Lord's and Counsel aforesaid, made an Act and Ordinance, answering to every head of the foresaid Articles, and commanded Letters to be answered thereupon, which divers Ministers raised and copied, as in the Books of secret Council is yet to be found.

And thus gat Satan the second fall, after that he had begun to trouble the state of Religion, once established by Law. His first assault was by the rascal multitude, opposing themselves to the punishment of vice. The second was by the Bishops and their bands, in which he thought utterly to have triumphed: And yet he in the end prospered worse then ye have heard. In this mean time returned from France the Lord James, who beside his great expenses, and the loss of a box wherein was his secret purse, escaped a desperate danger in Paris: for his returning from our Sovereign (who then was with the Cardinal of Loraine her Uncle in Reims ) understood of the Papists in Paris, they had conspired some treasonable act against him; for they intended either to have beset his house by night, or else to have assaulted him and his company as they walked in the streets: Whereof the said Lord James advertised by the Rinegrave, by reason of old familiarity which was betwixt them in Scotland ; he took purpose suddenly and in good order, to depart from Paris, as he did the second day after that he arrived there: And yet could not he depart so secretly, but that the Papists had their privy ambushes: For upon the new decayed pont of change, they had prepared a Procession, which met the said Lord and his Company even in the teeth; and knowing that they would not do the accustomed reverence to them and their Idols, they thought thereupon to have picked a Quarrell: And so as one part passed by, without moving of hat to anything that was there, they had suborned some to cry, Huguenots, and so cast stones. But God disappointed their enterprise; for the said Rinegrave, with other Gentlemen, being with the Lord James, rebuked the foolish multitude, and over-rode some of the foremost, and so the rest were dispersed, and he and his company safely escaped, and came with expedition to Edinburgh, while that yet the Lord's and assembly were together, to the great comfort of many godly hearts, and to no little astonishment of the wicked: for from the Queen our Sovereign he brought Letters to the Lord's, praying them to entertain quietness, and to suffer nothing to be attempted against the contract of Peace which was made at Leith, till her own home coming, and to suffer the Religion publicly established, to go forward, &c. Whereupon the said Lord's gave answer to the French Ambassador, a Nega • ive to everyone of his Petitions.

With these answers departed the said Ambassador, and the Lord's of secret Counsel made an Act, that all places and Monuments of Idolatry should be destroyed. And for that purpose was directed to the West, the Earl of Arrane, having joined with him the Earls of Argile and Glencarne, together with the Protestants of the West, who burnt Paslay (the Bishop of Saint Andrew's, who was Abbey thereof, narrowly escaped) cast down Failfurd, Kylwinning, and a part of Cosraguell: The Lord James was appointed to the North, where he made such Reformation, as nothing contented the Earl of Huntly, and yet seemed he to approve all things. And thus God so potently wrought with us, so long as we depended upon him, that all the World might see his potent hand to maintain us, and to fight against our enemies: yea, most to confound them, when that they promised to themselves victory without resistance. Oh that we would rightly consider the wondrous works of the Lord our God.

In the Treatie of Peace contracted at Leith, there were contained certain Heads that required the Ratification of both Queens. The Queen of England, according to her Promise, Subscription, and Seal, without any delay performed the same, and sent it to our Sovereign, by her appointed Officers. But our Sovereign (whether because her own crafty nature thereto moved her, or that her Uncles chief Counsellers so would, we know not) with many delays frustrated the expectation of the Queen of England, as by the Copy of a Letter sent from the Ambassador of England to his Sovereign we may understand.

The said Queen made answer as followeth.

These advertisements somewhat exasperated the Queen of England, and not altogether without cause; for the Arms of England were before usurped by our Sovereign, and by her husband Francis ; and Elizabeth Queen of England was of the Guysians reputed little better then a Bastard. It was appointed that this title should be renewed. But hereof had our ill counseled and misled Queen no pleasure, and especially after that her husband was dead; for, thought she, the show of England shall allure many suitors to me. The Guisians, and the Papists of both Realms, did not a little animate her in that pursuit: The effect whereof will sooner appear then the godly of England would desire. Queen Elizabeth, we say, offended with the former answer, wrote unto the Nobility and States of Scotland in form as followeth.

These Letters received and perused, albeit the States could not be convened, yet did the Council, and some others also in particular, return answers with reasonable diligence. The Tenour of our Letters was this:

There were some others that answered some of the Ministers of England somewhat more sharply, and willed them not to accuse nor threaten so sharply, till that they were able to convince such as had promised fidelity, of some evident crime, which although they were able to lay to the charge of some, yet respect would be had to such as long had declared themselves constant procurers of quietness and peace. The sudden arrival of the Queen made great alteration even in the Council, as after we will hear. In this mean time, the Papists by surmising troubled what they might, their Posts, Letters, and Complaints were from day today directed, some to the Pope, some to the Cardinal of Loraine, and some to our Queen. The principal of those Curriers were Master Steven Wilson, Master John Leslie, called Nolumus and Volumus, Master James Throgmorton, and others, such as lived, and still live by the traffic of that Roman Antichrist.

The Preachers vehemently exhorted us to establish the Book of Discipline, by an Act and public Law; affirming, That if they suffered things to hang in suspense, when God had given unto them sufficient power in their hand, they should after sob for it, but should not get it. The Books of Discipline have been of late so often published, that we shall forbear • to Print them at this time, hoping that no good men will refuse to follow the same, till God in a greater light establish a more perfect.

THE FOURTH BOOK OF The Progress and Continuance of true Religion within SCOTLAND.

I N the former Books (Gentle Reader) thou mayest clearly see how potently God hath performed in these our last and wicked days, as well as in the ages that have passed before us, the promises that are made to the servants of God, by the Prophet Isaiah, in these words, They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as Eagles, they shall run, and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. This promise, we say, such as Satan hath not utterly blinded, may see performed in us, the Professors of Christ Jesus, within this Realm of Scotland, with no less evidence, then it was in any age, that ever passed before us. For what was our force? What was our number? Yea, what wisdom or worldly policy was in us, to have brought to any good end so great an enterprise? our very enemies can bear witness. And yet in how great purity God did establish amongst us his true Religion, as well in Doctrine as in Ceremonies? To what confusion and fear were Idolaters, adulterers, and all public transgressors of God's Commandments within short time brought, the public Orders of the Church, yet, by the mercy of God preserved, and the punishment executed against malefactors, can testify unto the world. For as touching the administration of the Sacraments used in our Churches, we are bold to affirm, That there is no Realm this day upon the face of the earth, that hath them in greater purity; yea, we can speak the Truth, whomsoever we offend, there is none (no Realm I mean) that hath them in the like purity, for all others, how sincere that ever the Doctrine be that by some is taught, retain in their Churches, and in the Ministers thereof, some footsteps of Antichrist, and dregs of Papistry: But we (all praise to God alone) have nothing within our Churches that ever flowed from that man of Sin. And this we acknowledge to be the strength given to us of God, because we esteemed not ourselves wise in our own eyes; but understanding our own wisdom to be but mere foolishness before our God, laid it aside, and followed only that which we found approved by himself.

In this point could never our enemies cause us to faint; for our first Petition was, That the Reverend face of the first, Primitive and Apostolic Church should be reduced again to the eyes and knowledge of men. And in that point (we say) our God hath strengthened us, till that the Work was finished, as the world may see. And as concerning the suppressing of vice, yea, and of the abolishing of all such things as might nourish Impiety within the Realm, the Acts and Statutes of the principal Towns reformed, will yet testify: For what Adulterer, what Fornicator, what known Mass-monger or pestilent Papist durst have been seen in public, within any Reformed Town within this Realm, before that the Queen arrived? And this Victory to his Word, and terror to all filthy livers, did God work by such as yet live, and remain witnesses (whether they will or not) of the aforesaid works of God.

We say our God suffered none of these, whom he first called to the Battle to perish or to fall, the while that he made them Victors of their enemies: For even as God suffered none of those whom he called from Egypt, to perish in the Red Sea, how fearful that ever the danger appeared; so suffered he none of us to be approved, nor yet to be taken from this life, till that now the Pharaohs, then one, was drowned, and we set at freedom, without all danger of our enemies; to let both us and our Posterity understand, That such as follow the conducting of God, cannot perish, albeit they walked in the very shadow of death. But from whence (alas) cometh this miserable dispersion of God's people within this Realm this day, in May 1561? And what is the cause that now the just is compelled to keep silence, good men are banished, Murderers, and such as are known unworthy of common Society) if Justice were put in execution) bear the whole Regiment and sway within this Realm?

We answer, Because that suddenly the most part of us declined from the purity of God's Word, and began to follow the world, and so again shake hands with the devil, and with Idolatry, as in the fourth Book we will hear.

For while that Papists were so confounded, that none within the Realm durst more avow the hearing or saying of Mass, then the thieves of Tiddisdale durst avow their stouth or stealing, in the presence of any upright Judge: No ware Protestants found who are not ashamed at Tables, and other open places, to ask, Why may not these men have their Mass, and the form of their Religion? What can that hurt us, or our Religion? And from these two, Why and What, at last sprang out this Affirmative, The Queens Mass and her Priests will we maintain; This hand and this Rapier shall fight in their defense, &c.

The Inconveniences were shown both by Tongue and Pen; but the advertisers were judged to be men of unequal Spirits; Their Credit was defaced at the hands of such, as before were not ashamed to have used their Counsel in matters of greater importance, to have refused the Mass.

But then my Lord, my Master may not be thus used; he hath that Honor to be the Queens Brother; And therefore we will that all men shall understand, That he must tender her as his Sister: And whosoever will counsel him to displease her, or the least that pertains unto her, shall not find him their friend; yea, they are worthy to be hanged, that would so counsel him, &c. These and the like reasons took such deep root in flesh and blood, and was (as yet alas they are) preferred to God, and to his Messengers, rebuking vice and vanity, that from thence hath all our misery proceeded.

For as before, so even yet, although the Ministers be set to beg, the Guard and the men of War must be served; Though the blood of the Ministers must be spilled, yet it is the Queens Servants that did it. Although Mass be multiplied in all Quarters of the Realm, Who can stop the Queens Subjects to live of the Queens Religion? Although Innocent men be Imprisoned, it is the Queens pleasure. So she is offended at such men, although under pretence of Justice, Innocents be murdered: The Lord's shall weep, but the Queens mind must be satisfied. Nobles of the Realm, Barons and Counselors are banished, their Escheats disposed of, and their lives most unjustly pursued. The Queen hath lost her trusty Servant David, he was dear unto her; and therefore for her Honor sake, she must show rigor to revenge his death. And yet farther, albeit that some knew that she hath plainly purposed to wrack and undo the Religion within this Realm; That to that Roman Antichrist she hath made her promise; And that from him she hath taken money to uphold his pomp within this Realm, yet will they let the people understand, That the Queen will establish Religion, and provide all things orderly, if she were once delivered.

If such dealing, which is too common amongst Protestants, be not to prefer flesh and blood, to God, to his Truth, to Religion, and to the oppressed Liberty of the Realm, let the world judge. The plagues have been, and in some places are present, that were before threatened; the rest approaches: And yet who from the heart crieth, I have offended, Now thou Lord knows, in thee only is the trust of the oppr • ssed▪ for vain is the help of man. But now to return we to our History.

The 19 day of August, 1561. betwixt seven and eight hours before noon, arrived Mary Queen of Scotland, then widow, with two Gallies out of France: In her company (besides her Gentlewomen called the Mary's ) were her Uncles, the Duke Aumale the grand Prior; the Marquess d'Albuff. There accompanied her also, d'Anville son to the Constable of France, with other Gentlemen of inferior Condition, besides servants and Officers. The very face of the Heaven, at the time of her Arrivall, did manifestly speak what comfort was brought into this Country with her (to wit) Sorrow, Dolour, Darkness, and all Impiety; For in the memory of man, that day of the year was never seen a more dolorous face of the Heaven, then was at her Arrivall, which two days after did so continue: For besides the Surface Wet and Corruption of the Air, the Mist was so thick and dark, that scarce might any man espy another the length of two pair of Butts: the Sun was not seen to shine two days before, nor two days after. That forewarning gave God unto us; but alas the most part were blind.

At the sound of the Cannons, which the Galleyes shot, the multitude being advertised, happy was he or she that first must have the presence of the Queen; the Protestants were not the slowest: And therein they were not to be blamed. Because the Palace of Halyrud-house was not thoroughly put in order (for her coming was more sudden then many looked for) she remained in Leith, till towards the evening, and then repaired thither. In the way betwixt Leith and the Abbey, met her the Rebells the Crafts-men, of whom we spake before; to wit, Those that had violated the Acts of the Magistrates, and had besieged the Proveist. But because she was sufficiently instructed that all they did was done in spite of their Religion, they were easily pardoned.

Fi • es of joy were set forth at night, and a Company of most honest men with Instruments of Music, and with Musi • ians, gave their Salutations at her Chamber Window; The M • lody (as she alleged) liked her well; and she willed the same to be continued some nights after with great diligence. The Lord's repaired to her from all Quarters: and so was nothing understood but mirth and quietness, till the next Sunday, which was the 24 of August: When that preparations began to be made for that Idol of the Mass to be said in the Chapel: Which perceived, the hearts of all the godly began to be emboldened; and men began openly to speak, Shall that Idol be suffered again to take place within this Realm? It shall not. The Lord Lindsay (then but Master) with the Gentlemen of Fife, and others, plainly cried in the Close or Yard, The Idolatrous Priests should die the death, according to God's Law. One that carried in the Candle was evil affrayed; but then began flesh and blood fully to show itself. There durst no Papist, neither yet any that came out of France, whisper: But the Lord James, the man whom all the godly did most reverence, took upon him to keep the Chapel door: his best excuse was, That he would stop all Scottish-men to enter in to the Mass; But it was and is sufficiently known, That the door was kept that none should have entry to trouble the Priest; who after the M • sse was ended, was committed to the protection of the Lord John of Coldingham, and Lord Robert of Halyrud-house ; who then were both Protestants, and had Communicate at the Table of the Lord: Betwixt them two was the Priest conveyed to his Chamber. And so the godly departed with grief of heart, and after noon repaired to the Abbey in great companies, and gave plain signification, That they could not abide that the Land, which God by his power had purged from Idolatry, should in their eyes be polluted again: Which understood, there began complaint upon complaint. The old Duntebors, and others that had long served in the Court, and hoped to have no remission of sins, but by virtue of the Mass, cried, They would away to France without delay, They could not live without the Mass: the same affirmed the Queens Uncles. And would to God that they all, together with the Mass, had taken goodnight at the Realm forever: for so had Scotland been rid of an unprofitable burden of devouring strangers, and of the malediction of God, that hath stricken, and yet will strike for Idolatry.

The Council assembled, disputation was had of the next remedy: Politic heads were sent unto the Gentlemen, with these and the like persuasions: Why, alas, Will you chase our Sovereign from us? She will incontinently return to her Galleyes, and what then shall all Realms say of us? May we not suffer her a little while? I doubt not but she will leave it: If we were not assured that she might be won, we should be also as great enemies to her Mass, as ye can be. Her Uncles will depart, and then shall we rule all at our pleasure: Would not we be also sorry to hurt the Religion, as any of you would be? With these and the like persuasions (we say) was the fervency of the Brethren quenched. And an Act was framed, the Tenour whereof followeth.

This Act and Proclamation Penned, and put in Form by such as before professed Christ Jesus (for in the Council then had Papists neither power nor voice) It was publicly Proclaimed at the Market-Cross of Edinburgh upon Monday the day aforesaid. No man reclaimed, nor made repugnance to it, except the Earl of Arrane only; who in open audience of the Herald, protested, That he disassented that any Protection or Defense should be made to the Queens Domesticks, or to any that came from France, to offend God's Majesty, and to violate the Laws of the Realm, more then any other Subjects: For God's Law had pronounced death to the Idolater; and the Laws of the Realm had appointed punishment for sayers and hearers of the Mass; which, said he, I here protest, be Universally observed; and that none be exempted, until such time as a Law also publicly made, and also consonant to the Law of God, have disannulled the former. Hereupon he took Documents and Acts, as the Tenour of this his Protestation witnesseth.

This boldness did somewhat exasperate the Queen, and such as favored her in that point. As the Lord's (then called of the Congregation) repaired to the Town, at the first coming they show themselves wonderfully offended, That the Mass was permitted: So that every man as he came, accused them that were before him, but after they had remained a certain space, they were as quiet, as were the former▪ Which thing perceived, a zealous and godly man, Robert Campbell of Kingzieclench, said unto the Lord Uchiltrie ; (My Lord) now you are come, and almost the last of all the rest; and I perceive by your anger, that the fire edge is not off you yet: but I fear, that after that the Holy-water of the Court be sprinkled upon you, that you shall become as temperate as the rest: For I have been here now five days, and at the first I heard every man say, Let us hang the Priest: But after that they had been twice or thrice in the Abbey, all that fervency past. I think there be some enchantment, whereby men are bewitched. And in very deed so it came to pass: For the Queens fair words upon the one part, ever still crying, Conscience, Conscience, It is a sore thing to contstrain the Conscience: And the subtle persuasions of her supposts (we mean, even of those who were judged most fervent amongst us) upon the other part; blinded all men, and put them in opinion, She will be content to hear the Preaching; and so no doubt but she may be won. And this of all, it was concluded, To suffer her for a time.

The next Sunday, John Knox inveighing against Idolatry, shown what terrible plagues God had taken upon Realms and Nations for the same; and added, That one Mass (there were no more suffered at first) was more fearful unto him, then if ten thousand armed enemies were landed in any part of the Realm, of purpose to suppress the whole Religion; for (said he) in our God there is strength to resist and confound multitudes, if we unfeignedly depend upon him; whereof heretofore we have had experience: But when we join hands with Idolatry, it is no doubt but both God's amiable presence, and comfortable defense, will leave us; and what shall then become of us? Alas, I fear that experience will teach us, to the grief of many. At these words the guiders of the Court mocked, and plainly spake, That such fear was no point of their faith; it was besides his Text, and was a very untimely Admonition. But we heard the same John Knox, in the audience of these same men, recite the same words again in the midst of troubles; and in the audience of many, asked God mercy that he was not more vehement and upright in the suppressing of that Idol in the beginning: For (said he) albeit I spake that which offended some (which this day they see and feel to be true) yet did I not that which I might have done; for God hath not only given unto me knowledge and tongue to make the impiety of that Idol known unto the Realm, but he had given me credit with many who would have put in execution God's Judgments, if I would only have consented thereto: But so careful was I (said he) of that common Tranquility, and so loath was I to have offended those of whom I had conceived a good opinion, that in secret conference with dearest and zealous men, I travelled rather to mitigate, yea to slacken that fervency that God had kindled in others, then to animate or encourage them to put their hands to the Lord's Work; wherein I unfeignedly acknowledged myself to have done most wickedly, and from the bottom of my heart do ask of my God grace and pardon, for that I did not what in me lay, to have suppressed that Idol in the beginning. These and many other words did many hear him speak in public in the month of December, 1565. when such as at the Queens Arrivall only maintained the Mass, were exiled the Realm, summoned upon Treason, and decreit of forfeiture intended against them. But to return from whence we have digressed.

Whether it was by counsel of others, or of the Queens own desire, we know not, but the Queen spake with John Knox, and had long reasoned with him, none being present, except the Lord James, two Gentlemen stood in the one end of the room. The sum of their reasoning was this: The Queen accused him, That he had raised a part of her subjects against her Mother and herself; That he had written a Book against her just Authority; (she meant the Treatise against the Regiment of Women) which she had and would cause the most learned in Europe to write against it; That he was the cause of great sedition, and great slaughter in England ; And that it was said to her, That all that he did was by Necromancy. To the which the said John answered; Madame, it may please your Majesty patiently to hear my simple answers: And first (said he) my simple Answers: And first, (said he) if to teach the Word of God in sincerity, if to rebuke Idolatry, and to will a people to worship God, according to his Word, be to raise Subjects against their Princes, then cannot I be excused; for it hath pleased God of his mercy, to make me one (amongst many) to disclose unto this Realm the vanity of the Papistical Religion, and the deceit, pride, and tyranny of that Roman Antichrist: But Madame, if the true knowledge of God and his right worshipping be the chief cause which must move men to obey their just Princesse from their heart, (as it is most certain that they are) wherein can I be reprehended? I think, and am surely persuaded, that your Majesty has had, and presently hath as unfeigned obedience of such as profess Christ Jesus within this Realm, as ever your Father or Progenitours had of those that were called Bishops: And touching that Book that seemeth so highly to offend your Majesty, it is most certain, that if I wrote it, I am content that all the learned of the world judge of it: I hear that an Englishman hath written against it, but I have not read him; if he hath sufficiently confuted my reasons, and established his contrary Propositions, with as evident testimonies, as I have done mine; I shall not be obstinate but shall confess mine error and ignorance. But to this hour I have thought, and yet thinks myself alone more able to sustain the things affirmed in that my Work, than any ten in Europe shall be able to confute it.

You think (said she) that I have no just Authority: Please your Majesty, (said he) that learned men in all ages have had their judgments free, and most commonly disagreeing from the Common judgment of the world; Such also have they published, both with Pen and tongue, notwithstanding they themselves have lined in the common Society with others, and have borne patiently with the error and imperfections which they could not amend. Plato the Philosopher wrote his Book of the Common wealth, in the which he condemns many things that were maintained in the world, and required many things to have been reformed: And yet notwithstanding he lived under such Politicks, as then were universally received without farther troubling any State: Even so Madame am I content to do, in uprightness of heart, and with a testimony of good Conscience, I have communicate my judgment to the world; if the Realm finds no inconveniencies in the Regiment of a woman, that which they approve, shall I not further disallow, then within my own breast, but shall be all well content, and shall live under your Majesty, as Paul was to live under the Roman Emperor: And my hope is, that so long as ye defile not your hands with the Blood of the Saints of God, that neither I nor that Book shall either hurt you or your Authority; for in very deed Madame, that Book was written most especially against that wicked Mary of England.

But (said she) you speak of women in general; most true it is Madame, (said the other;) and yet plainly appeareth to me, that wisdom should persuade your Majesty never to raise trouble for that which this day hath not troubled your Majesty, neither in person, nor in anxiety. For of late years many things which before were holden Stable have been called in doubt; yea, they have been plainly impugned. But yet, Madame, I am assured, That neither Protestant nor Papist, shall be able to prove, That any such Question was at any time moved, in public or in private. Now, Madame, said he, if I had intended to trouble your State, because you are a woman; I might have chosen a time more convenient for that purpose then I can do now, when your own presence is within the Realm.

But now, Madame, shortly to answer to the other two accusations, I heartily praise my God, through Jesus Christ, that Satan, the enemy of mankind, and the wicked of the World, have no other crimes to lay to my charge, then such as the very World it self knoweth to be most false and vain. For in England I was resident only the space of five years. The places were Barwick, where I abode two years; So long in New-castle ; And a year in London. Now, Madame, if in any of these places, during the time that I was there, any man shall be able to prove, That there was either Battle, Sedition, or Mutinie, I shall confess, That I myself was the Malefactour, and shedder of the blood. I am not ashamed further to affirm, That God so blessed my weak labors then in Barwick (wherein then commonly used to be slaughter, by reason of quarrels that used to arise amongst Soldiers) there was also great quietness, all the time that I remained there, as there is this day in Edinburgh.

And where they slander me of Magic, Necromancie, or of any other Art forbidden of God, I have witness (besides mine own conscience) all the Congregations that ever heard me, what I speak, both against such acts, and against those that use such impiety: But seeing the wicked of the world said, That my Master the Lord Jesus was possessed with Beelzebub, I must patiently bear; Albeit that I, wretched sinner, be unjustly accused, of those that never delighted in the Veritie.

But yet (said she) you have taught the people to receive another Religion then their Princes can allow: And how can that Doctrine be of God? Seeing that God commandeth Subjects to obey their Princes. Madame (said he) as right Religion took neither Original nor Antiquity, from worldly Princes, but from the eternal God alone: So are not Subjects bound to frame their Religion according to the appetite of their Princes; For oft it is that Princes are the most ignorant of all others, in God's true Religion, as we may read in the Histories, as well before the death of CHRIST JESUS, as after: If all the seed of Abraham should have been of the Religion of Pharaoh, to whom they had been a long time Subjects, I pray you (Madame) what Religion should there have been in the world? Or if all men in the days of the Apostles, should have been of the Religion of the Roman Emperors, What Religion should have been upon the face of the earth? Daniel and his fellows were subjects to Nebuchad-nezzar, and unto Darius, and yet (Madame) they would not be of their Religion, neither of the one, nor of the other; For the three Children said, We make it known to thee, O King, That we will not worship thy God's. And Daniel did pray publicly unto his God, against the express Commandment of the King: And so, Madame, ye may perceive that Subjects are not bound to the Religion of their Princes, albeit they are commanded to give them obedience. Yea, (quoth she) none of these men raised their Sword against their Princes. Yet Madame (quoth he) ye cannot deny but they resisted: For those that obey not the Commandments given, in some sort resist. But yet (said she) they resisted not by the Sword. God (said she) Madame) had not given them the power and the means. Think you (said she) That Subjects, having power, may resist their Princes? If Princes do exceed their Bounds (quoth he) Madame, and do against that wherefore they should be obeyed, there is no doubt but they may be resisted, even by Power: For there is neither greater Honor, nor greater Obedience to be given to Kings and Princes, then God hath commadned to be given to Father and Mother: But so it is, That the Father may be stricken with a Phrenzie, in the which he would slay his own Children; Now, Madame, if the children arise, join themselves together, apprehend the Father, take the Sword or other Weapon from him, and finally, bind his hands, and keep him in Prison till that his Frensy be over-past, Think ye (Madame) that the children do any wrong? Or think ye, Madame, that God will be offended with them that have stayed their Father from committing wickedness. It is even so (said he) Madame, with Princes that would murder the children of God, that are subject unto them. Their blind zeal is nothing but a very mad frenzy; and therefore to take the sword from them, to bind their hands, and to cast them into prison, till that they be brought to a more sober mind, is no disobedience against Princes, but just obedience, because that it agreeth with the Word of God.

At these words the Queen stood, as it were amazed, more then a quarter of an hour; her countenance altered, so that the Lord James began to entreat her, and to demand, What hath offended you, Madame? At length she said, Well, then I perceive that my Subjects shall not only obey you, and not me; And shall do what they list, and not what I command, and so must I be subject unto them, and not they to me. God forbid (answered he) that ever I take upon me to command any to obey me, or yet to set Subjects at liberty, to do whatsoever please them; but my travel is, That both Princes and Subjects obey GOD. And think not (said he) Madame, that wrong was done unto you, when you are willed to be subject unto GOD, for it is he that subjects the people under Princes, and causes obedience to be given unto them; yea, God craves of Kings, That they be, as it were, Foster-Fathers to the Church, and commands Queens to be Nourishers unto his People. And this subjection (Madame) unto God, and to his troubled Church, is the greatest dignity that flesh can get upon the face of the earth, for it shall carry them to everlasting glory.

Yea (quoth she) but ye are not the Church that I will nourish; I will defend the Church of Rome, for I think it is the true Church of God.

Your will (quoth he) Madame, is no reason, neither doth your thought make that Roman Harlot to be the Immaculate Spouse of Jesus Christ. And wonder not, Madame, that I call Rome an Harlot; for that Church is altogether polluted with all kind of Spiritual Fornication, as well in Doctrine, as in Manners: yea, Madam, I offer myself further to prove, That the Church of the Jews, who crucified Jesus Christ, when that they manifestly denied the Son of God, was not so far degenerated from the Ordinances and Statutes which God gave by Moses and Aaron unto his People, as the Church of Rome is declined, and more then five hundred years hath declined from the Purity of Religion which the Apostles taught and planted. My conscience (said she) is not so. Conscience, Madame (said he) requires knowledge; and I fear that of right knowledge you have but little. But (said she) I have both heard and read. So, Madame (said he) did the Jews that crucified Christ Jesus, read both the Law and the Prophets, and heard the same interpreted, after their manner. Have ye heard (said he) any teach, but such as the Pope and his Cardinals have allowed? And you may be assured, That such will speak nothing to offend their own state. Ye interpret the Scriptures (said she) in one manner, and they in another; Whom shall I believe, and who shall be Judge? Believe (said he) God, that plainly speaketh in his Word: And further then the Word teacheth you, ye shall neither believe the one nor the other. The Word of God is plain in itself; And if there appear any obscurity in one place, the holy Ghost, which is never contrarious to himself, explains the same more clearly in other places: So that there can remain no doubt, but unto such as obstinately will remain ignorant. And now, Madame, (said he) to take one of the chief Points which this day is in controversy betwixt the Papists and us, for example. The Papists allege, and boldly have affirmed, That the Mass is the Ordinance of God, and the Institution of Jesus Christ, and a Sacrifice for the quick and the dead. We deny both the one and the other, and affirm, That the Mass, as it is now used, is nothing but the Invention of man; and therefore it is an Abomination before God, and no Sacrifice that ever God commanded. Now (Madame) who shall judge betwixt us, two thus contending? It is not reason that either of the persons be further believed, then they are able to prove by insuspect witnessing: Let them lay down the Book of God, and by the plain words prove their affirmatives, and we shall give unto them the play granted. But so long as they are bold to affirm, and yet do prove nothing, we must say, That albeit all the world believe them, yet believe they not God, but do receive the lies of men for the Truth of God. What our Master Christ Jesus did, we know by his Evangelists: What the Priests do at the Mass, the world seeth. Now doth not the Word of God plainly assure us, That Christ Jesus neither said, nor yet commanded Mass to be said at his last Supper, seeing that no such thing as the Mass is made mention of within the whole Scriptures. You are over-hard for me (said the Queen) but if they were here whom I have heard, they would answer you. Madame, (said the other) would to God that the learnedest Papist in Europe, and he that you would best believe were present with your Majesty to sustain the argument; and that ye would abide patiently to hear the matter reasoned to the end; for then I doubt not, Madame, but that you should hear the vanity of the Papistical Religion, and what small ground it hath within the Word of God. Well (said she) ye may perchance get that sooner then you believe. Assuredly (said the other) if ever I get that in myself, I get it sooner then I believe; for the ignorant Papist cannot patiently reason, and the learned and crafty Papist will never come in your audience (Madame) to have the ground of their Religion searched out; for they know they are not able to maintain any argument, except by fire and sword, and their own Laws be judges. So say you (quoth the Queen) and I believe it hath been to this day. (Quoth he) for how oft have the Papists in this and in other Realms, been required to come to conference, and yet could it never be obtained, unless themselves were admitted for Judges: and therefore I must yet say again, That they dare never dispute, but where themselves are both judges and party. And when you shall let me see the contrary, I shall grant myself to be deceived in that Point. And with this the Queen was called unto dinner; for it was afternoon. At departing, John Knox said unto her, I pray God, Madame, that you may be also blessed within the Common-wealth of Scotland (if it be the pleasure of God) as ever Deborah was in the Common-wealth of Israel. Of this long conference, whereof we only touch a part, were divers opinions: The Papists grudged, and feared that which they needed not; the godly thinking at least, That she would have heard the preaching, rejoyceed; but they were utterly deceived, for she continued in her Massing, and despised, and quickly mocked all exhortation.

John Knox his own judgment, being by some of his familiars demanded what he thought of the Queen, said, If there be not in her a proud mind, a crafty wit, and an indurate heart against God and his Truth, my judgment faileth me: and this I say with a grieved heart, for the good I wish unto her, and by her, to the Church and State.

When the whole Nobility were convened, the Lord's of Privy Council were chosen, where were appointed the Duke, the Earls of Huntley, Argyle, Atholl, Mortoun, Glencarne, Mershell, Bothwell ; Lord's Arskeme, and Lord James, after Earl Murray ; and these were appointed as certain to wait upon the Court by course: But that Order continued not long; Duke d'Anville returned with the Galleyes to France. The Queen entered in her Progress, and in the Moneth of September travelled from Edinburgh, Linlithgow, Sterlin, S. Johnston, Dundie, S. Androes ; all these parts she polluted with the Idolatrous Mass: Fire followed the Court very commonly in that Journey, the Towns propined the Queen liberally, thereof were the French enriched.

About the beginning of October they returned to Edinburgh ; and at the day appointed the Q. was received in the Castle: whereat preparations were made for her entry into the Town, in Farces, in Masking, and other Prodigalities: fain would our fools have counterfeited France: Whatsoever might set forth her glory, that she heard, and gladly beheld. The Keys were delivered unto her by a pretty Boy, descending, as it were from a Cloud: The Verses of her own Praise she heard, and smiled; But when the Bible was presented, and the Praise thereof declared, she began to frown; for shame she could not refuse it, but she did no better, for she gave it to the most pestilent Papist within the Realm, to wit, To Arthur Arskeme. Edinburgh since that day have reaped as they sowed: They gave her some taste of their Prodigality: And because the Liquor was sweet, she hath licked oft of that Bust or Box, oftener then twice since. All men know what we mean; The Queen cannot lack, and the Subjects have.

In Edinburgh it hath been an ancient and laudable Custom, That the Provests, Bailiffs, and Council, after their Election, which used to be at Michaelmas, caused publicly proclaim the Statutes and Ordinances of the Town; And therefore Archbald Dowglas Provost, Ed. Hope, Adam Fullartoun, &c. Bailiffs, caused proclaim according to the former Statutes of the Town, That no Adulterer nor Fornicator, no noted Drunkard, no Mass-monger, no obstinate Papist that corrupted the people, such as Priests, Friers, and others of that sort, should be found within 41 hours thereafter, under the Pains contained in the Statutes: Which blown in the Queens ears, there began pride and maliciousness to show it self; for without further cogitation of the cause, was the Provost and Bailiffs charged to Ward in the Castle, and immediately was Commandment given, That other Provests and Bailiffs should be elected.

Some gainstood for a while: The new Election alleged, That the Provost and Bailiffs whom they had chosen, and to whom they had given their Oath, had committed no offense; therefore that justly they might be deprived. But while Charge was doubled upon Charge, and no man found to oppose himself to impiety, the misled Queens Letter and wicked will is obeyed, as just Law. And so was M. Thomas Makalan chosen Provost for the other. The man, no doubt, was both discreet, and sufficient for that Charge; but the deposition of the other was against all Law. God be merciful to some of our own, for they were not all blameless, that the Queens unreasonable will was so far obeyed.

A contrary Proclamation was publicly made, That the Town should be patent to all the Queens Lieges: And so Murderers, Adulterers, Thieves (Whores, Drunkards, Idolaters, and all Malefactors, got protection under the Queens wings, under color that they were of her Religion: And so got the devil freedom again, where that before he durst not have been seen in day light upon the common streets. Lord deliver us from this Bondage of sin.

The Devil finding his rains loose, ran forward in his course, and the Queen (evil men abusing her name and authority) took upon her greater boldness, then she, and Balaam's bleating Priests durst have attempted before; for upon All-Hallow day they bended up their Mass with all mischievous solemnity. The Ministers thereat offended, in plain and public place, declared the inconvenience that thereupon would ensue. The Nobility were sufficiently admonished of their duties; but affection caused men to call that in doubt, wherein oft before they seemed most resolute; to wit, Where that the Subjects might have hand to suppress the Idolatry of their Prince? And upon this Question conveaned in the house of Master James Mackgill, the Lord James, Earl of Morton, the Earl of Marshall, Secretary Lethington, the Justice Clarke, and the foresaid Master James Clarke of the Register; who all reasoned for the part of the Queen, affirming, That the Subjects might not take her Mass lawfully from her: In the contrary judgment were the principal Ministers, Master John Row, Master George Hay, Master Robert Hamilton, and John Knox. The reasons of both parties we will omit, because they will be explained after, where the said Question and others, Concerning the Obedience due to Princes, were long reasoned in open assembly: The conclusion of that first reasoning was; That the Question should be formed; Letters directed to Geneva for the resolution of that Church ; Wherein John Knox offered his labor. But Secretary Lethington, alleging, That there stood much in the information, said, That he should write: But that was only to drive time, as the truth declared it self. The Queens party urged, That the Queen should have her Religion free in her own Chapel, to do, she and her household, what they list. The Ministers affirmed, and Voted the contrary; adding, That her liberty should be their thralldom, ere it be long. But neither could reason nor threatening move the affections of such as were creeping in Credit, and so did the Votes of the Lord's prevail against the Ministers.

For the punishment of Theft and Reafe, which had increased upon the border: and in the South from the Queens arrival, was the Lord James made Lieutenant, some suspected that such honor and charge proceeded from the same heart and counsel that Saul made David Captain against the Philistines; but God assisted and bowed the hearts of men, both to fear and obey him; yea, the Lord Bothwell himself at that time assisted him, but he had remission for Liddisdall, except that execution was there made in Edinburgh, for her twenty eight of one clan, and other, were hanged at that Justice Court, bribes, buds, or solicitation, saved not the guilty, if he might be apprehended. And therefore God prospered him in that his integrity that same time the Lord James spake with the Lord Gray of England at Kelsoe, for good rule to be kept on both the borders, and agreed in all things.

Before his returning, the Queen upon a night took a fright in her bed, as if horsemen had been in the Close, and as if the Palace had been enclosed about; whether it proceeded of her own womanly fantasie, or if men put her in fear, for displeasure of the Earl of Arrane: And for other purposes, as for the electing of the Guard, we know not; but the fear was so great, that the Town was called to the Watch; Lord Robert of Hallyrud-house, and John of Coldingham kept the Watch by course; Skouts were set forth, and Sentinels, upon pain of death, were commanded to keep their Stations. And yet they feared where there was no fear, neither yet could ever any appearance or suspicion of such things be tried. Shortly after the returning of the Lord James, there came from the Queen of England, Sir Peter Mewtes, with Commission to require the Ratification of the Peace made at Leith. Her answer was, even such as we have heard before; That she behooved to advise, and then she should answer. In presence of her Council she kept her self grave; for under the mourning weed and apparel she could dissemble in full perfection: but how soon that ever the French people had her alone, they told her, That since she came to Scotland, she saw nothing there but gravity, which repugned altogether to her breeding, for she was brought up in joviality, so termed she her Dancing, and other things thereto belonging.

The general Assembly of the Church approached, holden in December, after the Queens arrival, in the which began the rulers of the Court to draw themselves apart from the Society of their brethren, and began to strive and grudge, That anything should be consulted upon, without their advices, Master John Wood, who before had shown himself very fervent in the Cause of God, and forward in giving of his council in all doubtful matters, refused to assist the Assembly again, whereof many did wonder; The Courtiers drew unto them some of the Lord's, and would not conveane with their Brethren, as before they were accustomed, but kept themselves in the Abbey; The principal Commissioners of the Church, the Superintendents, and some Ministers, past unto them, where they were assembled in the Abbots Lodging within Hallyrud-house, both the parties began to open their griefs; The Lord's complained, That the Ministers drew the Gentlemen into secret, and held Council without their knowledge: The Ministers denied, That they had done anything in secret, otherwise then the common Order commanded them; And accused the Lord's (the flatterers of the Queen we mean) that they kept not the Convention with their Brethren; considering, That they knew the Order, and that the same was appointed by their own advice, as the Book of Discipline subscribed with the most part of their own hands would witness; some began to deny, That ever they knew such a thing as the Book of Discipline: And called also in doubt, Whether it was expedient, that such Assemblies should be or not: for gladly would the Queen and her secret Council have had all Assemblies of the godly discharged; The reasoning was sharp and quick on either side: The Queens faction alleged, That it was suspicious to Princes, that Subjects should assemble themselves, and keep Conventions without their knowledge. It was answered, That without knowledge of the Princes, the Church did nothing, for the Princes perfectly understood, That within this Realm was a Reformed Church; and that they had their Orders and appointed times of Convention. And so without knowledge of the Princes, they did nothing: Yea (said Lethington ) the Queen knew, and knoweth well enough; But the Question is, Whether that the Queen alloweth such Conventions: It was answered, If the Liberty of the Church should stand upon the Queens allowance or disallowance, we are assured, not only to lack Assemblies, but also to lack the public Preaching of the Evangel, that affirmative was mocked, and the contrary affirmed, Well (said the other) time will try the truth ; But to my former words, this I will add; Take from us the freedoms of assemblies, and take from us the Evangel; for without assemblies, how shall good order and unity in Doctrine be kept? It is not to be supposed, That all Ministers shall be so perfect, but that they shall need admonition, as well concerning Manners as Doctrine: As it may be, that some be so stiff-necked, that they will not admit the admonition of the simple; As also, it may be that fault may be found with Ministers without just offense committed: And if order be not taken both with the Complainer, and with the persons complained upon: It cannot be avoided but that many grievous offenses shall arise; For remedy whereof, of necessity it is, That general Assemblies must be. In the which, the judgments and gravity of many may occur, to correct or repress the follies or errors of a few. Hereunto consented the most part, as well of the Nobility as of the Barrons, and willed the reasoners for the Queen to be sent to her Majesty, if that she stood in suspicion of anything that was to be handled in their assemblies, that it would please her Majesty to send such as he would appoint, to hear whatsoever was propounded or reasoned.

Hereafter was the Book of Discipline proposed, and desired to have been ratified by the Queens Majesty, but it was stopped, and the Question demanded, How many of those that subscribed to that Book would be subject unto it? It was answered, All the godly: Will the Duke, said Lethington? If he will not, answered the Lord Uchiltrie, I would that he were scraped out, not only of that Book, but also out of our number and company; for what purpose shall labor be taken to put the Church in order, and to what end shall men subscribe, and then never mean to keep a word of that which they promise? Lethington answered, Many subscribe there in fide Parentum, as Children are baptized. One, to wit John Knox, answered, Albeit ye think that scoff proper, yet as it is most untrue, so it is most improper: That Book was read in public audience; and by the space of divers days, the hearers thereof were resolved, as all that here sit know well enough, and you yourselves cannot deny; So that no man was required to subscribe that which he understood not: Stand content, said one, that Book will not be obtained: Let God (said the other) require the lack and want which this poor Common-wealth shall have of the things therein contained, from the hands of such as stop the same.

Thomas Borrows perceiving that the Book of discipline was refused, presented unto the Council certain Articles, requiring Idolatry to be suppressed, their Churches to be planted with true Ministers, and some certain propositions to be made for them, according to equity and Conscience, for unto that time the most part of the Ministers, had lived upon the benevolence of men; for many had into their own hands the profits that the Bishops, and others of that Sect had before abused, and so some part was bestowed upon the Ministers.

But when the Bishops began to gripe again to that, which most unjustly they called their own: for the Earl of Arrane was discharged of Saint Andrew's and Dumfermling, wherewith before by virtue of a Factory and Commission, he had intromitted and meddled: And so were many others. Therefore the Barons required, That order might be taken for the Ministers, or else they would no more cause Rents to be paid unto any, that formerly belonged to the Church-men, nor suffer anything to be collected for the use of any whosoever, after the Queens arrival, then that they did before; for they verily supposed, that the Queens Majesty would keep promise made to them, which was, Not to alter their Religion, which could not remain without Ministers; and Ministers could not live without provision: And therefore they heartily desired the Council to provide some convenient order in that behalf. This somewhat moved the Queens flatterers, for the Rod of impiety was not then strengthened in her and their hands. And so began they to practice how they might please the Queen, and yet seem somewhat to satisfy the faithful; And so devised they, That the Church-men should have intromission and meddling with the two parts of their Benefices; and that the third part should be gathered by such men as thereto should be appointed for such uses; As in these subsequent Acts are more fully expressed.

The Lord's of secret Council that were present at the Voting and making of the aforesaid Acts, were James Duke of Chattellarault, George Earl of Huntley, Archibald Earl of Argyle, William Earl Mershall, John Earl Atholl, William Earl of Montrosse, James Earl Morton, Alexander Earl of Glencarne, James Commendator of Saint Andrew's, John Lord Erskin, The Treasurer, The Justice Clerke, The Steward and Controller.

For the first Acts, the Earl of Huntley said jestingly, Good morrow, my Lord's of the two parts. The whole Rentals being gathered, the sum of the third, according to their own calculation, was found to extend to, &c. The Ministers even in the beginning of public Sermons opposed themselves to such corruption, for they foresaw the purposes of the Devil, and clearly understood the Butt whereat the Queen and her flatterers Shot. And so in the chair of Edinburgh John Knox said, Well, if the end of this Order, pretended to be taken for sustentation of the Ministers, be happy, my judgment fails me; for I am assured, That the Spirit of God is not the Author of it, for first I see two parts freely given to the Devil, and the third must be divided between God and the Devil.

Well, said he, bear witness to me, that this day I said it, Ere it be long the Devil shall have three parts of the third; and judge you then, what God's portion will be. This was an unsavory saying in the ears of many; Some were not ashamed to affirm, That the Ministers being sustained, the Queen will not get at the years end, to buy her a pair of new shoes. And this was Secretary Lethington.

There were appointed to modifie the Ministers stipends, The Earl of Argyle, Murray, and Morton, Lethington, Justice Clarke, and Clerke of the Register. The Laird of Pittaro, was appointed to pay the Ministers Stipends, according to their Modification: Who would have thought that when Joseph ruled Egypt, that his brethren should have travelled for Victuals, and have returned with empty Sacks unto their families; men would rather have thought that Pharaohs Pose, Treasure, and Gilnells should rather have been diminished then that the household of Jacob should stand in danger to starve for hunger.

But so busy and circumspect were the Modificators (because it was a new Office the term must also be new) that the Ministers should not be over-wanton; That a hundred Marks was sufficient to a single man, being a common Minister: Three hundred Marks was the highest that was appointed to any, except the Superintendents, and a few others; shortly, Whether it was the ingratitude of their own hearts, or the care that they had to enrich the Queen, we know not: But the poor Ministers, Readers and Exhorters, cried out to the heaven (as their complaints in all assemblies do witness) That neither were they able to live upon the Stipends appointed, neither could they get payment of that small thing that was appointed, so fain would the Controllers have played the good Vallet, and have satisfied the Queen, or else their own profit: The good Laird of Pittaro was an earnest Professor of Christ, but the great Devil receive the Controller, for he and his Collectours are become greedy factors. To put an end to this unpleasing matter; When the brethren complained of their poverty; it was disdainfully answered of some, There are many Lairds that have not so much to spend, when men did reason, that the Vocation of Ministers craved of them, books, quietness, study, and travel to edify the Church of Christ Jesus, when many Lairds were waiting upon their worldly business; and therefore that the stipends of Ministers, who had no other industry, but to live upon that which was appointed, ought not to be mollified according to the living of other common men, who might and did daily augment their Rents by some other industry. When such reasons were laid before them, they got none other answer, but, The Queen can spare no greater Sums; Oft was it cried out in their ears, O happy servants of the Devil, and miserable servants of Jesus Christ, if after this life there were nor Hell nor Heaven: For to the servants of the Devil, these dumb Dogs, and horrid Bishops; To one of those idle bellies, I say, ten thousand was not enough, but to the servants of Christ, that painfully preach his Evangel, a hundredth will suffice; how can that be sustained?

One day in reasoning of this matter, the Secretary burst out in a piece of his collor, and said, The Ministers have thus much paid unto them by year, whoever yet said to the Queen, Grand mercies for it? was there ever a Minister that gave thanks to God for her Majesty's liberality towards them? One singled, and answered, Assuredly, I think, that such as receive anything gratis of the Queen, are unthankful if they acknowledge it not, both in heart and mind: But whether the Ministers be of that rank, or not, I greatly doubt▪ gratis I am sure they receive nothing, and whether they receive any at all from the Queen, wise men may reason; I am assured, that neither third nor two parts ever appertained to any of her Predecessors within this Realm these thousand years last past, neither yet hath the Queens Flatterers better title to that which she usurps, be it in-giving to others, or taken it to herself, then the soldiers who crucified Jesus Christ had to divide his Garments amongst them. And if the truth may be spoken, she hath not so good Title as they had, for such spoil ought to be the reward of such men. And in that point the Soldiers were more gentle than the Queens Flatterers, for they parted not the Garments of our Savior, till that he himself was hung upon the Cross; but her Flatterers do part the spoil whilst that poor Christ is yet preaching amongst you. But the wisdom of our God taketh trial of us by this means, knowing well enough what the Court faction have purposed to do: Let the Papists, who have the two parts, some that have their thirds free, and some that have gotten Abbeys, and few Lands, thank the Queen, and King, Placebo Domine, the poor Preachers will not yet flatter, for feeding of their bellies. These words were judged proud and intolerable, and engendered no small displeasure to the Speaker.

This we put in memory, that the posterity to come may know that God once made his truth to triumph, but because some of ourselves delighted more in darkness, than in light, God hath restrained our freedom, and put the whole body in bondage, yea, the greatest Flatterers have not escaped so free as they supposed, yea, the latter plagues appear yet to be worse than the first. Be merciful unto us, (O Lord) and deal with us not according to our deservings, but look thou to the equity of the cause which thou hath put in our hands, and suffer not iniquity to oppress thy Truth, for thy own names sake, O Lord.

In this mean while, to wit, in February, 1561. was Lord James, first made Earl of Murray, and then married one Agnes Keith, daughter to the Earl Marshall. The marriage was public in the Church of Edinburgh ; at the blessing of the marriage they both got one admonition to behave themselves moderately in all things: For said the Preacher to him, The Church of God hath received comfort by you, and by your labors unto this day. In the which, if hereafter you shall be found fainter then you have been formerly, it will be said, That your Wife hath changed your nature. The greatness of the Bankquet, and the vanity used thereat, offended many Godly; There began the Masking, which from year to year, hath continued since. Master Randolph, Agent for the Queen of England was then, and sometime after in no small esteem with our Queen: For his Mistress sake, she did drink to him in a Cup of Gold, which he possessed with great joy, more for the favor of the giver, then of the gift, and value thereof, and yet it was honorable. The things that then were in handling betwixt the two Queens, whereof Lethington, Secretary Cecil, and Master Randolph, were Ministers, were of great weight, as we will after hear.

This Winter the Earl of Bothwell, the Marquis D'albuff, and Lord John of Coldingham committed riot in Edinburgh, and disordered the whole Town, brake Cuthbert Ramseyes Gates and Doors, searched his House for his Daughter in law, Alison Craige. And this was done in despite of the Earl of Arrane, who was suspected to have been in love with the said Alison, the horrors of this fact, and the verity of it highly commoved all godly hearts. The Assembly, and also the Nobility, for the most part were in the Town; and so they concluded to crave justice, and so they did, as by this subsequent supplication doth appear.

These Supplications was presented by divers Gentlemen; the Flatterers of the Court at first stormed, and asked who durst avow it? To whom the Master, after Lord Lyndesay, answered, A thousand Gentlemen within Edinburgh: others were ashamed to oppose themselves thereto in public; but they suborned the Queen to give a gentle answer, until such time as the Convention was dissolved; and so she did: and then after in fair words, she alleged, That her Uncle was a Stranger, and that he had a young Company with him; but she should put such order unto him, and unto all others, that hereafter they should have no occasion to complain: And so deluded she the just Petition of her Subjects: And no wonder, for how shall she punish in Scotland that vice, which in France she did see so free without punishment, and which Kings and Cardinals commonly use, as the Mask and Dancing of Orleans can witness; wherein virgins and men's wives were made common to King Harry, Charles the Cardinal, and to their Courtiers and Pages, as common women in Bordells are unto their Companions. The manner was thus: At the entry of King Henry of France in the Town of Orleans, the Matrons, Virgins, and men's wives were commanded to present themselves in the Kings Palace to dance: And they obeyed; for commonly the French Nation is not very hard to be entreated to vanity. After Fidling and Flinging, and when the Cardinal of Loraine had espied his prey, he said to the King, Sire le premiere est a vous, & fault queje soy le second: that is, Sir, the first choice is yours, and I must be the second. And so the King got the preeminence, that he had his first Election. But because Cardinals are companions to Kings, the Cardinal had the next. And thereafter the Torches were put out, and every man commanded to provide for himself the best he might. What cry there was of husbands for their wives, and wives for their husbands, of ancient matrons for their daughters, of virgins for their friends, for some honest men to defend their pudicity, Orleans will remember more Kings days then one. This horrible villainy, a fruit of the Cardinals good Catholic Religion, we shortly touch, to let the world understand, what subjects may look for of such Magistrates; for such Pastime to them is Jollity. It had been good for our Queen, that she had been brought up in better company, both for her credit, and for the course of her life: And it may be, that her excellent natural enduements had been better employed for her reputation and happiness, then they were to her great misfortune, and to the grief of those that wished her truly well. But punishment of that enormity, and fearful attempt, we could get none. Yea, more and more they presumed to do violence, and frequented nightly Masking, and began to bear the matter very heavily. At length the Dukes friends began to assemble in the night time on the calsay or street. The Abbot of Kylwinning, who then was joined to the Church, and so, as we understand, yet abideth, was principal man at the beginning. To him repaired many faithful, and amongst others, came Andrew Stewart, Lord Uchiltrie, a man rather borne to make peace, then to brag upon the calsey, he demanded the quarrel: And being informed of the former enormity, said, Nay, such impiety shall not be suffered, so long as God shall assist us: The Victory that God hath in his own mercy given us, we will by his grace maintain. And so he commanded his son Andrew Stewart, then Master, and his servants, to put themselves in order, and to bring forth their spears and long weapons; and so did others. The word came to the Earl Bothwell and his son, that the Hamiltons were upon the street: vows was made, that the Hamiltons should be driven, not only out of the Town, but also out of the Country. Lord John of Coldingham married the E. Bothwels sister (a sufficient woman for such a man) Alliance drew Lord Robert, and so they joined with the E. Bothwell. But the stoutness of the Marq. le Beuf ( d'Albuff they call him, is most to be commended; for in his Chalmer in the Abbey, he start to an Halbert, and ten men were scarce able to hold him that night, and the danger was betwixt the Cross and Tron; and so he was a long quarter of a mile from the shot & sklenting of Bolts. The M. of Maxw. (after L. Herreis gave declaratiō to the Earl Bothwell, That if he stirred forth of his Lodging, he, and all that assist him, should resist him in the face. Whose words did somewhat beat down that blast. The Earls of Murray and Huntley being in the Abbey, where the Marquess was, came with their company sent from the Queen, to stay that tumult; as they did, for Bothwell and his were commanded under pain of Treason, to keep their lodgings.

It was whispered by many, That the Earl of Murray's displeasure was as much sought, as any hatred that the Hamiltons did bear against the Earl of Bothwell, or yet he against them. And in very deed, either had the Duke very false servants, or else by Huntley and the Hamiltons the Earl of Murray's death was oftener conspired then once; the suspicion whereof burst forth so far, that upon a day the said Earl being upon horse to have come to the Sermon, was charged by one of the Dukes own servants, to turn and abide with the Queen. The fame whereof spread over all: What ground it had, we cannot say; but shortly after, the Duke, and some of the Lord's, remained at Glasgow ; their conclusion was not known. The Earl of Arrane came to Edinburgh, where the Earl Bothwell lay. The Queen and the Court were departed to Fife, and remained sometimes in S. Androes, and sometimes in Falkland.

The Earl Bothwell, by means of James Barron Burgess, and then Merchant of Edinburgh, desired to speak with John Knox secretly; which the said John gladly granted, and spake with him upon a night, first in the said James his lodging, and after in his own Study: The sum of all their conference and communication was; The said Lord lamented his inordinate life; and especially, That he was provoked by the enticements of the Queen Regent, to do that which he sore repented, as well against the Laird of Ormestoun, whose blood was spilled, albeit not by his faults: But his chief grief was, That he had misbehaved himself toward the Earl of Arrane, whose favor he was most willing to redeem, if possible it were that so he might: For (said he) if I might have my Lord Arranes favor, I would aye wait upon the Court with a Page and a few servants, to spare my expense; where now I am compelled to keep for my own safety a number of wicked and unprofitable men, to the utter destruction of my state that is left. To which the said John answered, My Lord, would to God that in me were Counsel and Judgment, that might comfort and relieve you; for albeit that to this hour it hath not happened to me to speak with your Lordship face to face, yet have I born a good mind to your house; and have been sorry at my heart of the trouble that I have heard you to be involved in; for (my Lord) my great Grandfather, Grandfather, and Father, have served your Lordships Predecessors, and some of them have died under their standers; and this is a part of the Obligation of our Scottish kindness: but this is not the chief; But as God hath made me his public Messenger of glad Tydings, so it is my earnest desire that all men may embrace it, which perfectly they cannot, so long as there remaineth in them rankor, malice, or envy: I am sorry that you have given occasion unto men to be offended with you: But more sorrowful, That you have offended the Majesty of God; wherefore he often punisheth the other sins of man: And therefore my counsel is, That you begin at God, with whom if you enter into perfect reconciliation, I doubt not but he shall bow the hearts of men to forget all offenses. And as for me, if you will continue in godliness, your Lordship shall command me as boldly, as any that serves your Lordship. The said Lord desired him that he would try the Earl of Arrans mind, If he would be content to accept him in his favor: Which he promised to do. And so earnestly he travelled in the matter; and it was once brought to such an end, as all the faithful praised God for such agreement: The greatest stay stood upon the satisfaction of the Laird of Ormestoune, (who beside his former hurt, as is before declared, was even at that time of the coming, pursued by the said Earl Bothwell, and his son Master Alexander Cockburne was taken by him, and carried by him to Berwicke, but courteously enough sent back again. The new trouble so greatly displeased John Knox, that he almost gave over further travelling for amity: But yet upon excuse of the said Earl, and upon declaration of his mind, he re-entered into labor, and so brought it to pass, that the Laird of Ormestoun referred his satisfaction in all things to the Judgment of the Earls of Arrane and Murray, to whom the said Earl submitted himself in that Head: And thereupon delivered his hand writing; and so was conveyed by virtue of his friends, to the Lodging of the Church of Field, where the Earl of Arrane was with his friends, and the said John Knox with him, to bear witness and testification of the end of the Agreement. As the Earl of Bothwell entered the Chamber, and would have done those Honors that friends had appointed, Master Gabriel Hamilton, Abbot of Kilwinning, and the Laird of Richardton, were the chief friends that communed, the said Earl of Arrane gently past unto him, embraced him, and said, If the hearts be upright, few Ceremonies will serve, and content me. The said John Knox, in audience of them both, and of their friends, said, Now, my Lord's, God hath brought you together by the labor of simple men, in respect of such as would have travelled therein: I know my labors are already taken in evil part; but because I have the testimony of a good conscience before God, That whatsoever I have done, it is in his fear, for the profit of you both, for the hurt of none, and for the tranquility of this Realm: Seeing therefore that my conscience beareth witness to me what I have sought, and do continually seek, I the more patiently bear the misreports, and wrongful judgments of men. And now I leave you in Peace, and desire you who are the friends, to study that Amity may increase, all former hatred forget. The friends on either party embraced other; and the two Earls departed to a window, and talked by themselves a reasonable space. And thereafter the Earl of Bothwell departed for that night, and upon the next day in the morning returned with some of his honest friends, and came to the Sermon with the said Earl, whereat many rejoiced. But God had another work to work, then the eyes of men could espy. The Thursday next they dined together; and thereafter the said Earl Bothwell, and Master Gabriel Hamilton, rode to the Duke, who then was in Enmell: what communication was betwixt them, it is not certainly known; but by the report which the said Earl of Arrane made to the Queen, and unto the Earl of Murray, by his writings, for upon the third day after their Reconciliation, the Sermon being ended, the said Earl of Arrane came to the house of the said John Knox, and brought with him Master Richard Strange, and Alexander Guthrie, to whom he opened the grief of his mind before that John Knox was called; for he was busy, as commonly he used to be after his Sermon, in directing of writings: Which ended, the said Earl called the three together, and said, I am reasonably betrayed, and with these words began to weep. John Knox demanded, My Lord, Who hath betrayed you? One Judas or other (said he) I know it is but my life that is sought; I regard it not. The other said, My Lord, I understand no such dark manner of speech; if I shall give you any answer, you must speak more plainly. Well (said he) I take you three to witness, That I open this unto you, and I write it unto the Queen: An act of Treason is laid to my Charge. The Earl Bothwell hath shown to me in Council, That he shall take the Queen and put her in my hands, in the Castle of Dumbartane ; And that he shall slay the Earl of Murray, Lethinton, and others that now misguide her, and so shall he and I rule all. But I know this is devised to accuse me of Treason; for I know he will inform the Queen of it: But I take you to witness, That I open it here unto you: And I will pass incontinent, and write to the Queens Majesty, and unto my Brother the Earl of Murray. John Knox demanded, Did you consent (my Lord) to any part of that Treason? He answered, No. Then (said he) in my judgment his words, although they were spoken, can never be Treason to you; for the performance of the Fact depends upon your will, whereunto ye say ye have disassented; and so shall that purpose vanish and die of it self, unless that you waken it; For it is not to be supposed, That he will accuse you of that, which he himself hath devised, and whereunto you would not consent. Oh (said he) you understand not what craft is used against me: It is Treason to conceal Treason. My Lord (said he) Treason must import consent and determination, which I hear on neither of your parts: And therefore (my Lord) in my judgment, it will be more sure, and more Honorable unto you, to depend upon your your Innocency, and to abide the unjust accusation of any other (if any follow thereof) as I think there shall not) then to accuse, especially after so late reconciliation. I know (said he) That he will offer the Combat unto me, but that would not be suffered in France: But I will do that which I have purposed. And so he departed, and took with him to his Lodging the said Master Alexander Guthrie, and Master Richard Strange, from whence was written and endited a Letter to the Queens Majesty, according to the former purpose: which Letter was directed with all diligence unto her Majesty, who then was in Falkland. The Earl himself rode after to Kinneill to his Father the Duke; but how he was used, we have but the common brute. But from thence he wrote a Letter with his own hand in Cyphers to the Earl of Murry, complaining of his rigorous handling and entertainment by his own father and friends. And assured further, That he feared his life, in case he got not sudden rescue. But thereupon he remained not, but broke the Chamber wherein he was put, and with great pain passed to Sterling, and from thence was conveyed to the Haly-yards, where he was kept till that the Earl of Murray came unto him, and conveyed him to the Queen, then being in Falkland, who then was sufficiently instructed in the whole matter; and upon suspicion conceived, had caused to apprehend Master Gawan Hamilton and the Earl Bothwell aforesaid, who knowing nothing of the former advertisements, came to Falkland, which augmented the former suspicion. But yet the Letters of John Knox made all things to be used more circumspectly, for he did plainly forewarn the Earl of Murray, that he espied the Earl of Arran to be stricken with frenzy, and therefore willed not over great credit to be given unto his words and inventions. And as he advertised, so it came to pass forthwith in few days, his sickness increased, he talked of wondrous signs that he saw in heaven; he alleged that he was bewitched, he would have been in the Queens Bed, and affirmed that he was her husband; and finally, in all things he behaved himself so foolishly, that his frenzy could not be hid.

And yet were the Earl Bothwell and Master Gawan Abbot of Kilming kept in the Castle of Saint Andrew's, and convent before the Council with the Earl Arran, whoever stood firm, that the Earl of Bothwell proposed to him such things as he advertised the Queens Majesty of; but stiffly denied that his father, the said Abbot, or his friends knew anything thereof, either yet that they intended any violence against him; but alleged that he was enchanted, so to think and write. Whereat the Queen, highly offended, committed him to prison, with the other two, first in the Castle of Saint Andrew's ; and thereafter caused them to be conveyed to the Castle of Edinburgh; James Stewart of Cardonhall, called Captain James, was evil bruited for the rigorous entertainment that he shown to the said Earl in his sickness, being appointed Keeper unto him.

To consult upon these occasions the whole Counsel was assembled at Saint Andewes, the eighteenth of April 1562. years; in which it was concluded, that in consideration of the former suspicion, the Duke should render to the Queen the Castle of Dunbartan the custody thereof was granted unto him by appointment, till that lawful succession should be seen of the Queens body: But Will prevailed against Reason and promise, and so was the Castle delivered to Captain Anstruther, as having power from the Queen and Council to receive it.

Things ordered in Fife, the Queen returned to Edinburgh, and then began mirth to grow hot, for her friends began to triumph in France: The certainty hereof came to the ears of John Knox, for there were some that then told him from time to time the state of things, and amongst others he was assured, That the Queen had been merry, excessively dancing till after midnight, because that she had received Letters, that pacification was begun again in France, and that her Uncles were beginning to stir their tail, and to trouble the whole Realm of France, upon occasion of this Text, And now understand O ye Kings, and be learned ye that judge the Earth ; he bagan to tax the ignorance, the vanity and despite of Princes, against all virtue, and against all those in whom hatred of vice and love of virtue appeared; the report hereof made unto the Queen, the said John Knox was sent for, Master Alexander Cokburne, who before had been his Scholar, and was very familiar with him, was the messenger who gave him some knowledge, both of the report, and of the reporters. The Queen was in her Bed-Chamber, and with her (besides the Ladies and common servants) were the Lord James, the Earl Morton, Secretary Lethington, and some of the Guard that had made the report; he was accused as one that had irreverently spoken of the Queen, and that travelled to bring her into hatred and contempt of the people; and that he had exceeded the bounds of his Text; and upon these three heads made the Queen a long Oration; whereto the said John answered as followeth, Madame, this is oftentimes the just recompense which God gives the stubborn of the world; that because they will not hear God speaking to the comfort of the penitent, and for amendment of the wicked, they are oft compelled to hear the false report of others, to their great displeasure. I doubt not, but that it came to the Ears of Herod, that our Master Jesus Christ called him a Fox, but they told him not how odious a thing it was before God to murder an Innocent, as he had lately done before, causing to behead John the Baptist to reward the dancing of an Harlots daughter: Madame, if the reporters of my words had been honest men, they would have reported my words and the circumstances of the same; but because they would have credit in Court, and wanting virtue worthy thereof, they must have somewhat to please your Majesty, if it were but flatteries and lies: But such pleasure (if any your Majesty take in such persons) will return to your everlasting displeasure; for (Madame) if your own Ears had heard the whole matter that I treated, if there be in you any spark of the Spirit of God, yea, of honesty and wisdom, you would not justly have been offended with anything that I spake. And because you have heard their report, please your Majesty to hear myself rehearse the same so near as memory will serve, (it was even upon the next day after that the Sermon was made;) My Text (said he) Madame, was this, And now, O Kings, understand, be learned ye Judges of the Earth: After (Madame said he) that I had declared the dignity of Kings and Rulers, the honor wherein God hath placed them, the obedience that is due unto them, being God's Lieutenants, I demanded this question; But oh (alas) what account shall the most part of Princes make before that Supreme Judge, whose Throne and Authority so manifestly and shamefully they abuse, the complaint of Solomon is this day most true, to wit, That violence, and oppression do occupy the Throne of God here in this Earth ; for whilst that murderers, blood-thirsty men, oppressors and Malefactors dare be bold to present themselves before Kings and Princes, and that the poor Saints of God are banished and exiled, what shall we say, but that the Devil hath taken possession in the Throne of God, which ought to be fearful to all wicked doers, and a refuge to the innocent, oppressed: and how can it otherwise be, for Princes will not understand, they will not be learned, as God commands them; but God's Law they despise, his Statutes and Holy Ordinances they will not understand, for in fidling and flinging they are more exercised than in reading or hearing God's most blessed Word; and Fiddlers and Flatterers (which commonly corrupt the Youth) are more precious in their eyes then men of wisdom and gravity, who by wholesome admonitions may beat down in them some part of that vanity and pride wherein we all are born, but in Princes take deep root and strength by evil education. And of dancing (Madame) I said, That albeit in Scriptures I found no praise of it, and in profane Writers, that it is termed the gesture rather of those that are Mad, and in frenzy, then of sober men; yet do I not utterly condemn it, providing that two vices be avoided; the former, That the principal Vocation of those that use that exercise, be not neglected for the pleasure of Dancing. Secondly, That they dance not as the Philistines their Fathers, for the pleasure that they take in the displeasure of God's people; for if they do these, or either of them, they shall receive the reward of Dancers, and that will be to drink in Hell, unless they speedily repent; so shall God turn their mirth into sudden sorrow: For God will not always afflict his people, neither will he always wink at the Tyranny of Tyrants. If any (Madame, said he) will say that I spake more, let him publicly accuse me, for I think I have not only touched the sum, but the very words as I spake them. Many that stood by did bear witness with him, that he had recited the very words that publicly he spake.

The Queen looked about to some of the Reporters, and said, Your words are sharp enough as you have spoken them, but yet they were told me in another manner; I know (said she) that my Uncles and you are not of one Religion, and therefore I cannot blame you to have no good opinion of them; but if you hear anything of myself that mislikes you, come to myself and tell me, and I shall hear you. Madame (quoth he) I am assured, that your Uncles are enemies to God, and unto his Son Jesus Christ, and for maintenance of their own pomp and worldly glory, that they spare not to spill the blood of many Innocents; and therefore I am assured, that these enterprises shall have no better success than others have had, that before them have done as they do now. But as to your own person, (Madame) I would be glad to do all that I could to your Majesty's contentment, providing that I exceed not the bounds of my Vocation: I am called (Madame) to a public function within the Church of God, and appointed by God to rebuke the vices and sins of all; I am not appointed to come to every man in particular to show him his offense, for that labor were infinite; if your Majesty pleaseth to frequent the public Sermons, then I doubt not but that you shall fully understand both what I like and mislike, as well in your Majesty, as in all others: Or if your Majesty will assign unto me a certain day and hour when it will please you to hear the form and substance of Doctrine, which is proposed in public to the Churches of this Realm, I will most gladly wait upon your Majesty's pleasure, time and place; but to come to wait upon your chamber door, or elsewhere, and then to have no further liberty but to whisper my mind in your Majesty's ear, or to tell you what others think and speak of you, neither will my conscience, nor the vocation whereto God hath called me, suffer it; for albeit at your Majesty's commandment I am here now, yet I cannot tell what other men will judge of me, that at this time of the day I am absent from my book, and waiting at the Court. You will not always (said she) be at your Book, and so turned her back; And the said John departed, with a reasonable merry countenance; whereat some Papists offended, said, He is not afraid; which heard by him, he answered, Why should the pleasant face of a Lady afray me: I have looked in the faces of many angry men, and yet have not been afraid above measure; and so left he the Queen, and the Court for that time.

In this mean time the negotiation was great betwixt the Queen of England and our Sovereign, Letters, Curriours and Posts ran frequent, great brute there was of the interviewe and meeting at York, and some preparation was made therefore in both the Realms; but that failed upon the part of England, and that by occasion of the troubles moved in France, (as was alleged;) which caused the Queen of England, and the Council attend upon the South parts of England, for avoiding of Inconveniences.

This Summer there came an Ambassador from the King of Sweden, requiring marriage of our Sovereign to his Master the King; His entertainment was Honorable; but his Petitions liked not our Queen one whit, for as yet she could not resolve to be Wife to the King of Sweden, having been lately Queen of France : And yet she refused not one much inferior to a Sovereign King. The Earl of Lennox and his Wife were committed to the Tower of London, for trafficking with Papists; the young Laird of Barre was a stickler in that business, and was apprehended with some Letters, which was the cause of his and their trouble.

The Earl of Murray made a private journey to Hawicke upon the Fayre day thereof, and apprehended fifty Thieves, of which number were seventeen drowned, others were executed in I • dburgh, the principal were brought to Edinburgh, and there suffered, according to their merits upon the Burrow Mure.

The Queen was no whit content of the prosperity and good success that God gave to the Earl of Murray in all his enterprises, for she hated his upright dealing, and the Image of God that evidently did appear in him; but at that time she could not well have been served without him.

The assembly of the Church at Midsommer the four and twentieth day of June, 1562. approached, in the which were many notable heads handled concerning good Order to be kept in the Church, and for the Papists, and for the Idolatry of the Queen which troubleth the former good order; Some Ministers, such as Master John Sharpe, had left their charges, and entered into other Vocations, more profitable for the belly, against whom were Acts made, although this day they have not put them in execution. The tenor of the Supplication, read in open audience, and approved by the whole Assembly, to be presented to the Queens Majesty, was this:

These things read in public Assembly as aforesaid, were approved of all: And some wished that more sharpness had been used, because that the time so repuired. But the Minions of the Court, and Secretary Lethington above others, could not abide such hard spoken words; for whoever shall write (said he) to a Prince, That God would strike the head and the tail; That if Papists do what they list, men would begin where they left: But above all others, that was most offensive That the Queen was accused, as that she would raise up Papists and Papistry again; To put that in the people heads, was no less then Treason: yea, Oaths was made, That she never meaned such thing. To whom it was answered, That the Prophet Isaiah used such manner of speaking; And it was no doubt but that he was acquainted in the Court, for it was supposed that he was of the Kings Stock: but howsoever it was, his words make manifest that he spake to the Court, and to the Courtiers, to Judges, Ladies, Princes and Priests; and yet, saith he, The Lord shall cut away the head and the tail, &c. And so said the first writer, I find that such phrase was once used before us: And if this offend you, that we say, Men must begin where they left, in case the Papists do as they do, we would desire you to teach us, not so much how we shall speak, but rather what we shall do, when our Ministers are stricken, our Superintendents disobeyed, and a plain Rebellion decreed against all good Orders. Complain, said Lethington. To whom? said the other. To the Queen, said he. How long shall we do so? quoth the other. Till that you get remedy, said the Justice Clerke: Give me their names, and I shall give you Letters. If the Sheep, said one, shall complain to the Wolf, That the Wolfs whelps have devoured their Lambs, the Complainer may stand in danger, but the offender we fear, shall have leave to hunt after his prey. Such Comparisons (said Lethington ) are very unsavory; for I am assured, That the Queen will not erect nor maintain Papistry. Let your assurance (said the other) serve yourself, but it cannot assure us; for her manifest proceedings speaketh the contrary. After such cautious reasoning on both sides, the plurality concluded, That the supplication as it was conceived, should be presented, unless that the Secretary would make one more fit to the present necessity; he promised to keep the substance of ours, but he would use other terms, and ask things in a more gentle manner. The first Writer answered, That he served the Churches at their commandment, and was content, That in his ditement, men should use the liberty that best pleased them; providing, That he were not compelled to subscribe to the flattery of such, as more regarded the persons of men, then the simple truth of God: And so was this former supplication given to be reformed, as Lethingtons wisdom thought best. And in very deed, he framed it so, That when it was delivered by the Superintendents of Lothain and Fife. And when the Queen had read somewhat of it, she said, Here are many fair words, I cannot tell what the hearts are; And so for our painted Oratory we were termed by the next name, Flatterers and dissemblers; but for that Session, the Church received no other answer.

Short after the Convention of the Church, chanced that unhappy persuite which John Gordon, Laird of Finlater, made upon the Lord Ogilvie, who was evil hurt, and was for a long time mitilate; The occasion was for certain Lands, and Rights, which old Finlater had resigned to the Lord, which he was pursuing by Law, and was in appearance to obtain his purpose; whereat, the said John, and his servants were offended, and therefore made the said pursuit, upon a Saturday, at night, betwixt nine and ten. The friends of the said Lord, were either not with him, or else not willing to fight that night, for they took strokes, but gave few that left marks.

The said John was taken and put in the Tolbuith, where he ramained certain days, and then broke the Prison: Some judged, at his Fathers commandment; for he was making preparation for the Queens coming to the North, as we will after hear.

The enterview and meeting of the two Queens delayed till the next year. Our Sovereign took purpose to visit the North, and departed from Sterlin in the month of August ; whether there was any paction and confederacy betwixt the Papists of the South, and the Earl of Huntly and his Papists in the North (or to speak more plainly) betwixt the Queen her Self, and Huntly: We cannot certainly affirm, But the suspicions were wondrous vehement, that there was no good will borne to the Earl of Murray, nor yet to such as depended upon him, at that time. The History we shall faithfully declare, and so leave the judgment free to the Readers.

That John Gordon broke the Prison, we have already heard, who immediately repaired to his Father George, Earl of Huntly ; and understanding the Queens coming, made great provision in Strabogie, and in other parts, as it were to receive the Queen. At Aberdeine, the Queen and Court, remained certain days to deliberate upon the Affaires of the Country, where some began to smell, that the Earl of Huntly was privately gathering men, as hereafter shall be declared.

Whilest things was so working in the North, the Earl of Bothwell broke his prison, and came forth of the Castle of Edinburgh the eight and twentieth day of August ; some say he broke the Stancheours of the Window; others whispered, that he got easy passage by the gates: one thing is certain, to wit, The Queen was little offended at his escaping. There passed with him a servant of the Captains, named James Porterfield. The said Earl shown himself not very much afraid, for his common residence was in Louthain. The Bishop of Saint Andrew's and Abbot of Crosrainell kept secret convention that same time in Paislay, to whom resorted divers Papists; yea, the said Bishop spake to the Duke, unto whom also came the Lord Gordon from the Earl of Huntly, requiring him to stir his hands in the South, as he should do in the North, and so it should not be Knox crying and preaching that should stay that purpose: The Bishop, be he never so close, could not altogether hide his mind, but at his own Table said, The Queen is gone into the North, belike to seek disobedience, she may perchance find the thing she seeks. It was constantly affirmed, That the Earl Bothwell and the said Lord Gordon spake together, but of their purpose we heard no mention.

That same year, and in that same instant time, were appointed Commissioners by the General Assembly, to Carrick and Cunningham ; Master George Hay, who with great profit preached the space of a month in all the Churches of Carrick. To Kyle and to the parts of Galloway was appointed John Knox, who besides the doctrine of the Evangel, shown to the common people, forewarned some of the Nobility and Barrows, of the dangers that he feared, and that were appearing shortly to follow; and exhorted them to put themselves in such order, as that they might be able to serve the authority, and yet not to suffer the enemies of God's truth to have the upper hand: Whereupon a great part of the Barons and Gentlemen of Kyle, Cunningham and Carrick, professing the true doctrine of the Evangel, assembled at Air ; and after the exhortation made, and conference had, subscribed this Bond, the Tenour whereof followeth:

THese things done at Air, the said John passed to Nithsdaill, and Galloway, where, in conference with the Master of Maxwell, a man of great judgment and experience; he communicated with him such things as he feared, who by his motion wrote to the Earl of Bothwell to behave himself as it became a faithful Subject, and to keep good quietness in the places committed to his charge, and that his crime of breaking the Ward would be the more easily pardoned. John Knox wrote unto the Duke, and earnest-exhorted him neither to give ear to the Bishop his Bastard brother, no • yet to the persuasions of the Earl of Huntly ; for if he did, he assured him, that he and his house should come to a sudden ruin. By which means was the South parts kept in reasonable quietness during the time that the troubles were a brewing in the North; and yet the Bishop and the Abbot of Cosraynell did what in them lay to have raised some trouble; for, besides the fearful bruits that they spearced abroad, sometime that the Queen was taken, sometimes that the Earl of Murray and all his were slain, and sometimes that the Queen had given herself to the Earl of Huntly ; besides such bruits the Bishop to break the Country of Kyle, where quietness then was greatest, raised the Crawfords, against the Reides, for the payment of the Bishops Paschfynes; but that was pacified by the labor of indifferent men, who favored peace. The Abbot of Cosrainell required disputation of John Knox for maintenance of the Mass, which was granted unto him; and the dispute held in Mayboll three days: The Abbot had the advantage that he required, to wit, he took in hand to prove, That Melchizedek offered Bread and Wine unto God; which was the ground that the Mass was built upon to be a Sacrifice, &c. But in the work of three days there could no proof be produced for Melchizedecks Oblation; as in the disputation, (which was afterwards Printed) clearly may appear. The Papists looked for a revolt, and therefore they would have some brag of reasoning; the Abbot further presented himself to the Pulpit, but the voice of Master George Hay so affrayed him, that after once he was wearied o • that exercise.

After that the Queen was somewhat satisfied of hunting, and other pastimes, she came to Aberdein, where the Earl of Huntly met her, and his Ladies, with no small Train, who remained in Court, and was supposed to have the greatest credit, departed with the Queen to Buchan, met her again at Rothemay, looking that she should have passed with him to Strabogy ; but in the journey certain word came to her, that John Gordon had broken promise in not re-entering in ward; for his Father the Earl had promised, that he should enter again within the Castle of Sterlin, and there abide the Queens pleasure; but whether with his Fathers knowledge and consent, or without the same, we know not; but he refused to enter: which so offended the Queen, that she would not go to Strabogy, but passed thorough Straithla to Innernesse, where the Castle thereof was denied unto her; the Captain was commanded to keep it, and looked for relief; for so had John Gordon promised; but being thereof frustrate, the Castle was rendered, and the Captain called; Gordon was executed upon the place, the rest were condemned, and the hands of some bound, but escaped.

This was the beginning of further trouble, for the Earl of Huntly thereat offended, began to assemble his Folkes, and spared not to speak that he would be revenged; But always his Wife bare a fair countenance to the Queen; and it is verily supposed, that no other harm then the Queen herself could easily have stood content with, was meaned unto her own person. But the whole matter lay upon the Earl of Murray, Secretary Lethington and the Laird of Pittaro ; yet the Queen began to be afraid, and by Proclamation, caused to warn Sterling Shire, Fife, Anguis, Mernes, and Stratherne, charging all substantial men to be in Aberdein the fifth day of October, there to remain the space of twenty days; In her return from Innernesse she required the Castle of Finlater, which was likewise denied, and so was Anchndowne ; which more angered the Queen. The Earl of Huntly was charged to cause deliver the said house, under the pain of Treason; to show some obedience, he caused the Keys of both to be presented by his servant Master Thomas Keir ; But before had the Queen sent young Captain Stewart, son to James, (who to this day hath neither been stout, happy, nor true) with sixscore to lie about the places of Finlater. They lodged in Culan, not far distant from the said place. But upon a night John Gordon came with a company of Horsemen, took the Captain, slew certain of the Soldiers, and disarmed the rest.

This fact done (as the Queen alleged) under trust, so inflamed her, that all hope of reconciliation was past; and so the Earl of Huntly was charged under the pain of putting him to the Horn, to present himself, and the said John before the Queen and Council within six days; which charge he disobeyed, and so was denounced Rebell: Whether it was Law or not, we dispute little thereof; but it was a preparative to others, that after were served with the like measure: he was sought at his Place of Stragobie, but escaped. The evil increased, for the Earl assembled his fellows out of all parts of the North: He marched forwards towards Aberdiene, and upon the two and twentieth of October, 1562. came to the Lough of Skeine.

His Army was judged to be seven or eight hundred men. The Queens Army, both in number and man-hood, far surmounting his, and yet he took no fear; for he was assured of the most part of them which were with the Queen; as the issue did witness: Within the Town they stood in great fear, and therefore it was concluded, That they would assayle the uttermost upon the fields. The Forbesses, Hayes, and Lesleyes took the Vant-guard, and promised to fight with the said Earl, without any other help. They passed forth of the Town before ten hours in the morning; they put themselves in array, but they approached not the enemy, till that the Earl of Murray and his Company were come to the fields, and that was after two after noon; for he was appointed with his Company, only to have beholded the Battle: but all things turned otherwise then the most part of men supposed.

The Earl of Huntley was the night before determined to have retired himself and his Company: But that morning he could not be wakened, before it was ten hours; and when he was upon his feet, his spirits failed him, by reason of his corpulency, so that rightly, a long time he could do nothing: Some of his friends fearing the danger, left him. When that he looked upon both the Companies, he said, This great Company that approacheth nearest to us, will do us no harm, they are our friends: I only fear that small Company that stands on the hill side, they are our enemies: But we are enough for them, if God be with us. And when he had thus spoken, he fell upon his knees, and made his Prayer in this form:

O Lord, I have been a blood-thirsty man, and by my means hath much innocent blood been spilled: But wilt thou give me Victory this day, and I shall serve thee all the days of my life.

Note and observe, good Reader, he confesseth that he hath been a blood-thirsty man; and that he had been the cause of the shedding of much innocent blood; but yet would he have had Victory: And what was that else, but to have had power to have shedded more, and then would he have satisfied God for altogether; wherein is expressed the nature of hypocrites, which never fear nor love God further then present danger or profit persuadeth. But to our History.

The Lesleyes, Hayes, and Forbisses, espying the Earl of Murray and his to have lighted upon their feet, and made forward against the Earl of Huntley and his, who stood in Correthieburne (some call it Farabanke ) But ere they approached nigh, by the space of the shot of an Arrow, they cast from them their Spears and long Weapons, and fled directly in the face of the Earl of Murray and his Company: The danger espied, the Laird of Pittarrow (a man both stout, and of a ready wit) with the Master, after Lord Lyndsey, and Tutor of Pitcur, said, Let us cast down Spears to the foremost, and let them not come in amongst us; for there is no doubt but this flying is but Treachery: And so they did, so that they that fled of Huntley seeing the Vaunt-guard fly, said unto his Company, Our friends are honest men, they have kept promise; Let us now encounter the rest. And so he and his, as sure of Victory, marched forward. The Secretary in few words, made a vehement Oration; and they willed every man to call upon his God, to remember his duty, and not to fear the multitude: And in the end concluded thus: O Lord, thou that rulest the heaven and the earth, look upon thy servants, whose blood this day is most unjustly sought, and to man's judgment, are sold and betrayed, our refuge is now unto thee, and our hope is in thee: Judge thou, O Lord, betwixt us and the Earl of Huntlie, and the rest of our enemies: If ever we have justly sought his or their destruction and blood, let us fall on the sword. And, O Lord, if thou knowest our innocence, maintain thou and preserve us, for thy great mercies sake.

Shortly after the speaking of these and the like words, the former Rank rejoiced; for Huntlies Company made great haste: They were repulsed by the Master of Lyndsay ; and the Companies of Fife and Angus, some of them that had fled, returned, and followed the Earl of Murray, but gave no stroke, till that Huntlies Company gave back. In the Front there was slain eighteen or four and twenty men; and in the flying there fell 100. There were taken 100. and the rest were spared: The Earl himself was taken alive; his two sons, John aforesaid, and Adam Gordon, were taken with him. The Earl, immediately after his taking, departed this life, without any wound, or yet appearance of any stroke, whereof death might have ensued: And so, because it was late, he was cast overthwart or upon a pair of Creilles, and so was carried to Aberdeine, and was laid in the Tolbuith thereof, that that which his wives Witches had given, might be fulfilled; who all affirmed (as the most part say) That same night he should be in the Town of Aberdeine, without any wound upon his body. When his Lady got knowledge thereof, she blamed her principal Witch, called Iannett ; but she stoutly defended her self (as the devil can do) and affirmed, That she gave a true answer, albeit she spake not all the truth; for she knew that he should be there dead, but that could not profit my Lady. She was angry and sorry for a season: But the devil, the Mass, and Witches, have all great credit with her this day, the twelfth of June, 1566. as they had seven years ago.

The Earl of Murray sent a Message unto the Queen, of the marvelous Victory; and humbly prayed her to show that obedience to God, as publicly to convene with them, to give thanks unto God for his notable deliverance. She glomed and frowned both at the Message, and at the Request, and scarcely would give a good word, or blythe and merry countenance to any that she knew earnest favorers of the Earl of Murray, whose prosperity was, and yet is a very venom to her boldned heart: For many days she bare no better countenance; whereby it might have been easily espied, That she rejoiced not greatly of the success of that matter; And albeit she caused to execute John Gordon, and divers others, yet it was the destruction of others that she sought.

Upon the morrow after the discomfiture, the Lady Forbesse, a woman both wise, and fearing God, came, amongst many others, to visit the Corps of the said Earl; and seeing him lie upon the cold stones, having only upon him a Doublet of Canvas, a pair of Scotch gray Hose, and him covered with an Arras work. She said, What stability shall we judge to be in this world? There lieth he that yesterday in the morning was esteemed the wisest, the richest, and man of greatest power that was within Scotland. And in very deed she lied not; for in man's opinion, under a Prince, there was not such a one these three hundred years in this Realm produced: But felicity and worldly wisdom so blinded him, that in the end he perished in them, as shall all those that despite God, and trust in themselves.

John Gordon, at his death, confessed many horrible things, devised by his father, by his brother, and by himself. There were Letters found in the Earls pocket, that disclosed the Treason of the Earl of Sutherland, and of divers others. Master Thomas Keir, who before was the whole Counselor of the said Earl, disclosed whatsoever he understood might hurt the Gordons and their friends, and so Treason plainly disclosed; which was, That the Earl of Murray should have been murdered in Stragobie ; the Queen should have been taken, and kept at the devotion of the said Earl of Huntley. These things, we say, revealed, the Queen left the North, and came to Dundie, Saint Johnston, Sterlin, and then to Edinburgh: The Earl of Huntleys body was carried about in a Boat, and laid without Burial in the Abbey of Halyrud-house, till the day of his Forefaltor, as after shall be declared. The Duke apprehended the Lord Gordon his son in Law, because that the Queen had straitly commanded him so to do, if that he repaired within his bounds. Before that he delivered him, the Earl of Murray labored at the Queens hands for the safety of his life, which hardly was granted; and so was he delivered within the Castle of Edinburgh, the eight and twentieth day of November. 1562. where he remained till the eighth day of February ; when he was put to an Assise, accused and convinced of Treason; but was restored again; first, to the Castle aforesaid, and thereafter was transported to Dumbar, where he remained prisoner till the month of August, in the year of God 1565. as we will after hear.

In the mean time the troubles were hot in France, and the intelligence and outward familiarity betwixt the two Queens was great; Lethington was directed with large Commission, both to the Queen of England, and to the Guisians.

The Marriage of our Queen was in all men's mouths; some would have the Infant of Spain, some the Emperors Brother, some Duke Denemours, and some truly guessed at the Lord Darley.

What Lethingtons Credit was, we know not; but shortly after there began much to be talked of the Earl of Lenox, and of his son the Lord Darley. It was said that Lethington spake to the Lady Margaret Dowglas ; And that Robert Melvill received a horse to the Secretaries use from the Earl of Lenox, or from his wife. Howsoever it was, Master Fouller servant to the said Earl, came with Letters to the Queen, by which, License was permitted to the Earl of Lenox to come to Scotland, to travel in his lawful business. That same day the Queens License was granted, the Secretary said, This day I have taken upon me the deadly hatred of all the Hamiltons within Scotland, and have done unto them no less displeasure, then if I had cut their throats. The Earl Bothwell, who before had broken Ward, fearing apprehension or taking, prepared to pass to France ; but by storm of Weather was driven into England, where he was stayed, and was offered to have been rendered by the Queen of England: But our Queens answer was, That he was no Rebell, and therefore she requested that he should have liberty to pass whither he pleased. And thereto Lethington helped not a little, for he travelled to have friends in every faction of the Court. And so obtained the said Earl Lincense to pass to France.

The Winter after the death of the Earl of Huntley, the Court remained for the most part at Edinburgh. The Preachers were wondrous vehement in reprehension of all manner of Vice, which then began to abound; and especially Avarice, Oppression of the poor, Excess, Ryotous Cheer, Banquetting, immoderate Dancing, and Whoredom, that thereof ensues. Whereat the Courtiers began to storm and to pick quarrels against the Preachers, alleging that all their Preaching was turned to Rayling; whereunto one of them gave answer as followeth; It comes to our ears that we are called Raylers, whereof albeit we wonder, yet we are not ashamed, seeing that the most worthy servants of God that before us have travelled in this Vocation, have so been styled: But unto you do I say, That the same God, who from the beginning hath punished the Contempt of his Word, and hath poured forth his Vengeance upon such proud mockers, shall not spare you; yea, he shall not spare you before the eyes of this same wicked Generation, for the pleasure whereof ye despise all wholesome Admonitions: Have you not seen greater then any of you sitting where presently ye sit,