Dagamus the Bishop who is come hither and by Columbanus the Abbot in France that the Scots differ nothing in their observations from the Britains for Bishop Dagamus being here refused not onely to eat with us but even to stay in the same Inne or Lodging I finde no answer returned to this letter some thirteen years after Honorius Bishop of Rome did move the matter of new and in his letters directed to the Church of Scotland exhorted them Ne paucitatem suam in extremis terrae finibus constitutam sapieâ—tiorem antiquis sive modernis quae per orbem terrae erant Christi Ecclesiis aestimarent neve contra Paschales compuâ—os decreta Synodalia totius orbis Pontificum aliud Pascha celebrarent That they being a few and seated in the utmost borders of the earth would not think themselves more wise then the Ancient or Modern Churches of Christ through the whole world and that they would not celebrate another Easter contrary to the Paschal compts and Synodal decrees of the Bishops of the whole world Pope Honorius dying Severinus that succeeded insisted for an answer which was sent but he also departing this life before the same came to Rome the Clergy there replyed as followes Dilectissimis sanctissimis Thomiano Columbano Chromano Dimao Bathano Episcopis Chromano Hermanno Laustrano Stellano Sergiano Presbyteris Sarano caeterÃsque Doctoribus seu Abbatibus Scotis Hilaricus Archipresbyter servans locum sedis Apostolicae Johannes diaconus in nomine Dei electus item Joannes primicerius servans locum sanctae sedis Apostolicae Joannes servus Dei Consiliarius ejusdem sedis Apostolicae Scripta quae latores ad sanctae memoriae Severinum adduxerunt eo de hac luce migrante reciproca responsa ad ea quae postulata fuerant siluerunt Quibus reseratisâ— ne diu tantae quaestionis caligo indiscussa remaneret reperimus quosdam provinciae vestrae contra orthodoxam fidem novam de veteri heresin renovare conantes Pascha nostrum in quo immolatus est Christus nebulosa caligine refutantes et quarta decima luna cum Hebraeis celebrare nitentes c. Deinde exposita ratione Paschalis observantiae de Pelagianis subdunt Et hoc quoque cognovimus quod virus Pelagianae haereseos apud vos denuo reviviscat quod omnino hortamur ut à vestris mentibus hujusmodi venenatum superstitionis facinus auferatur Nam qualiter ipsa quoque execranda haeresis damnata est latere vos non debet quia non solùm per istos ducentos annos abolita est sed quotidiano nobis anathemate sepulta damnatur hortamur ne quorum arma combusta sunt apud vos eorum cineres suscitentur That is Hilarius the Archbishop conservator of the priviledges of the Apostolick See and Iohn the Deacon in the name of God elect of the same See likewise Iohn the pronotary and conservator of the said priviledges and Iohn the servant of God Counsellor of the Apostolick See to our best beloved and most holy Bishops Thomianus Columbanus Chromanus Dimaus and Bathanus and to the Presbyters Chromanus Hermannus Laustranus Stellanus and Serganus also to Saranus and the rest of the Doctors or Abbots of Scotland The letters which were brought unto Pope Severinus of blessed memory have to this time received no answer by reason of his decease We having now unsealed them lest questions of such consequence should be too long unsatisfied do perceive some of your Province to be renuing an old heresie against the Orthodox faith and ignorantly refuse to celebrate our Easter in which Christ was offered observing the fourteench Moon after the manner of the Hebrewes Then shewing how and when Easter should be observed they subjoyn touching the Pelagians these words We further understand that the poison of Pelagian heresie is again breaking out among you wherefore we exhort you to beware and to keep your mindes free of that venemous superstition for ye should not be ignorant how that execrable heresie is condemnedâ— and by us every day anathematised notwithstanding that two hundred years since the same hath been abolished therefore we beseech you not to stirre the ashes of those who have had their Armes once burnt and consumed Beda setting down this letter saith that it was full of learning and contained evident proofes that Easter should be kept upon the Sunday which falleth betwixt the 15. and 21. of the Moon Whereas it was the custome of the Scots Church to keep it upon the Sunday falling betwixt the 14 and 20. which he calleth an heresie and taketh our Church to have been newly infected therewith neither yet the whole Church but some certain in it only But in this last he doth not agree with himself for speaking afterwards of Bishop Aidan he thus excuses his disconformity with Rome in the keeping of Easter quòd suae gentis authoritate devictus that he was overcome with the authority of his own Nation contra morem eâ—rum qui ipsum miserant facere non potuit and could not keep Easter contrary to the custome of them who had sent him So he ackowledgeth it to have been the custome of the Scots Church and not of a certain in it only And whereas he sayes that it was an error or heresie newly sprung up he greatly mistaketh for in the contention about the keeping of Easter which grew afterwards very hot we shall hear them plead the Antiquity of their custome and derive it from the very first times of the Church But that we may know how this contention grew and who they were that withstood the alteration desired we must make a litle digression The Saxons having overcome the Britains and brought the countrey of England to an Heptarchy by the partition they made of it were never quiet encroaching still one upon anothers state till at last one got all Ethelfrid King of Northumberland the mightiest of the whole after he had reigned 22. years with great avaâ—ice and cruelty was killed by Redwald King of the East Angles and Edwin whom he had expelled placed in his room this Ethelfrid left behind him seven sons Eufred or Eanfred Oswald Ossaus Oswin Offas Osmond Osik or Osrick and one daughter named Ebba who upon their fathers death fled into Scotland and were liberally entertained by King Eugenius the fourth notwithstanding the enmity betwixt him and their father whilest he lived Eighteen years they remained in Scotland exiled from their countrey and were by the care of the same Eugenius instructed in the knowledge of Christ and baptized Edwin being killed in the 17. of his Reign by Penda King of Mercia they returned all home Ebba onely excepted who remained still in Scotland The successour of Edwin named Osrick parting the Kingdom with Eufred the eldest son of Ethelfrid was made King of the Deirians and Eufred King of this Bernicians these two turning Apostates and forsaking the
his brother William succeeded in the year 1165. The first thing he undertook was the repetition of Northumberland for which Ambassadours were sent to King Henry His answer was That he should have right done him at his coming to London after he had performed his homage for the Countries he held in England King William taking journey thither with David his younger brother found the King at his Easter in VVindsore where insisting for the restitution of Northumberland he had many good words given him and promise made that at the meeting of the Parliament a course should be taken to his content In this hope he followed King Henry going then in expedition to France and staid there with him some moneths but when he perceived the King was not shortly to return unto England and that he was sed onely with fair promises he took his leave and came home Presently after his return he sent an Herald to denounce warre unlesse Northumberland were restored King Henry being then ingaged in the French warres and not willing to make himself more businesse was content to quit that part of Northumberland which King VVilliam his great Grandfather had possessed Yet suddenly forethinking what he had done he stirred up underhand those that lived in the Borders to make incursions upon the Scots This being complained and no redresse made King VVilliam raised an Army and went into England and at Anwick as he was taking the aire suspecting no Enemy to be at hand he was surprised by some English and sent Prisoner to King Henry in France who put him in the Castle of Calice in Picardie where he was some moneths detained A great dysaster this was and how grievous to the whole State may appear by the Articles condescended upon for obtaining his liberty which were 1. That for his redemption there should be paid one hundred thousand pounds sterling money the one half in hand the other half after a short time and for assurance thereof the Counties of Cumberland Huntington and Northumberland be morgaged to King Henry 2. That the Scots should move no warre against England for retention of these Counties 3. And for the more security the Castles of Roxburgh Berwick Edinburgh and Sterling should be delivered to the King of England or unto such as he should appoint to receive the same Hollinshed setteth down other Conditions besides these as That the King of Scots should acknowledge the King of England for his supreme Lord That the Prelates of Scotland and their successors should be subject to the Church of England And that the Lords and Barons of Scotland should swear fealty to the King of England and his successours which are meer forgeries it being certain that the Scots howsoever they loved their King and for his liberty would not refuse to undergoe very hard conditions yet would never have renounced their liberties maintained so long and with so much blood and yeelded themselves in any case to such a slavish subjection Always the agreement concluded in Normandy the 8. of December 1175. by Richard Bishop of S. Andrews and divers Noblemen sent thither to treat in that businesse was at August thereafter confirmed in York by both Kings all the Bishops Abbots and Nobility almost of Scotland being present In Ianuary thereafter at a meeting in Norham where King VVilliam was also in person the King of England dealt earnestly to have the Clergy of Scotland accept the Archbishop of York for their Metropolitane but they pâ—etending the absence of many of their number and the want of the inferiour Clergies consent deferred to give any answer at that time The next year the same matter was renued and followed earnestly by a Legate sent from the Pope with Commission to reform the abuses he should finde in the Churches both in England and Scotland This Legate called Hugo and styled Cardinall de sancto Angelo having sent his Apparitors with a citation to the Bishops of Scotland for their appearing before him at a certain day in Northampton they went thither with a great number of their Clergy The Assembly being met and all ranked in their places the Cardinall who had his seat somewhat higher then the rest made a long speech in commendation of humility and obedience shewing what excellent Virtues these were and how much to be desired of men of spirituall profession whereof when he talked a while he came in end to perswade the Clergy of Scotland to submit themselves to the Primate of York which he said was a thing very convenient for them and would turn greatly to their ease and commodity for having no Superiour amongst themselves nor Metropolitane to decide Controversies that possibly might happen there could none be fitter then their neighbour the Archbishop of York a Prelate of great respect and one whose credit in the Court of Rome might serve them to good use therefore besought them to lay aside all grudges and emulations and dispose themselves to live in all times after as members of one and the same Church The Bishops who feared to offend the Legate made no answer and after a long silence a young Chanon named Gilbert rose up and spake to this effect The Church of Scotland ever since the faith of Christ was embraced in that Kingdome hath been a free and independent Church subject to none but the Bishop of Rome whose authority we refuse not to acknowledge To admit any other for our Metropolitane especially the Archbishop of York we neither can nor will for notwithstanding the present peace which we wish may long continue warres may break up betwixt the two Kingdomes and if it shall fall out so neither shall he be able to discharge any duty amongst us nor can we safely and without suspicion resort to him For the controversies which you my Lord Cardinall say may arise amongst our selves we have learned and wise Prelates who can determine the same and if they should be deficient in their duties we have a good and religious King who is able to keep all things in frame and order so as we have no necessity of any stranger to be set over us And I cannot think that either his Holinesse hath forgotten or you my Lord that are his Legate can be ignorant of the late exemption granted unto Malcolm our last King since the grant whereof we have done nothing which may make us seem unworthy of that favour Wherefore in the name of all the Scotish Church we doe humbly entreat the preservation of our ancient liberberties and that we be not brought under subjection to our enemies These speeches he delivered with an extraordnary grace and in so passionate a manner that all the hearers were exceedingly moved the English themselves commending his courage and the affection he shewed to his Country But the Archbishop of York who looked not for such opposition called the young Chanon to come unto him and laying his hand
Chronology wherein he attained to such a perfection as he was accompted the only Chronologist in his dayes the Chronicle he wrote from the beginning of the world unto the year of Christ 1183. yet extant doth testifie no lesse He died at Mentz in the year 1186. and was buried in the Church of St Martin within the City and thus much for the learned men of our countrey that lived in the time of Turgot 13. Next after Turgot Godricus succeeded in the See of Saint Andrewes this Bishop did anoint King Edgar the son of Malcolme in the year 1098. after the manner of other Christian Princes which rite had not been formerly used in the Coronation of our Kings and as they write was obtained from Pope Urban the second at the request of Queen Margareâ— for the Popes of Rome having as then advanced themselves above Kings did take on them the conferring of these Ensignes of Majesty to whom and where they pleased This Edgar was a good King and greatly beloved of all his subjects The Abbey of Cauldingham which in former times had been a sanctuary of Virgins he gave to the Church of Duresme but upon the ungrate behaviour of Ranulph Bishop of that See a man noted of much corruption he recalled his gift and erected the same into a Priory Upon the death of Godricus King Alexander surnamed the Fierce sent to Radolph Archbishop of Canterbury to have his advice for the promoving of some worthy person unto the place and in his letters directed to that effect complained of the Archbishop of York his encroaching upon the Church of Scotland through the oversight of Lanfrank Archbishop of Canterbury that had given way to the consecration of some of the Bishops of Saint Andrews at York whereas in old times they were not wont to receive Consecration but either from the Bishop himself or from the Archbishop of Canterbury Therefore desired his assistance in redressing that abuse which he said he could not any longer tolerate Now this Radolph was at the same time in question with Thurstan the elect of York for his consecration to which by no means he would assent unlesse Thurstan would make profession of obedience to the See of Canterbury And about that was so much businesse made that Radolph though he was then both aged and sickly did undertake a journey to Rome to debate his right At his return which was some four years after so long did the See of Saint Andrews remain void the King sent to him Peter Prior of Dunfermlin and one of his own Gentlemen to congratulate his safe return and request that Eadmerus a Monk of Canterbury a man well reported of might be sent hither for filling the place Radolph knowing that Eadmerus had neither by himself nor by any other indirect meanes moved the businesse and so taking it to come of God howsoever it grieved him that the Church of Canterbury should lack the benefit of his service gave his consent and having obtained King Henry his licence without whose knowledge he would not have him go into a strange countrey sent him to Alexander with an ample recommendation in substance this We give unto God said he everlasting thanks for that it hath pleased him to open the eyes of your mind and make you know and seek that which you should and to your Highness self we esteem our selves greatly bound because of your friendly and familiar usage for albeit your desires tend to our hurt and are not lesse grievous to us then if you should pull out our eyes or cut off our right hand we cannot but commend your desire and so far as we may in God obey the same Therefore unwilling and yet willing we yield unto your will willing in so farre as we perceive it is Gods will which we dare not withstand nor will we in any thing willingly displease yet unwilling for that we are left alone and deprived of his fellowship who as a Father ministred unto us consolation in time of grief giving us sound advice in many perplexed cases and was to us a most helpful Brother in this our infirm and old age If any other should have required him of us we would no more have parted with him then with our own heart but there is nothing which in God we can deny you Thus we send unto you the person that you desired and so free as you may lay on him what charge you will so as it be to the honour of God and to the credit of the Mother Church of Canterbury Do therefore what you purpose wisely and remit him unto us with diligence to be consecrated because delay in that errand may breed impediments that we desire to eschew c. Eadmerus bringing with him this Commendatory letter was the third day after his coming elected Bishop by the Kings licence and with consent both of the Clergy and Laity but the next morning whilest the King conferred with him apart touching his consecration he began to magnifie the Church of Canterbury and the authority it had over all the Churches of Britain declaring that by his leave he would seek the Episcopal benediction from the Bishop and not receive it at the hands of any other which offended the King greatly for by no meanes could he endure to hear of this Churches subjection to the English Thereupon the Monks who had been trusted in the yeares preceding with the intromission of the rents were charged to uplift the same and to impede the elect his possession Yet within a few dayes the King going in an expedition against some rebels in the countrey of Ross by the intercession of Noblemen it was agreed that Eadmerus should receive the Ring out of the Kings hand and the Crosier being laid upon the Altar he should take up the same and that way be invested into the Bishoprick In this sort was he entered to his charge the Clergy and people accepting him for their Bishop Mean while Thurstan the Archbishop of York who was then beyond sea ceased not to solicit King Henry of England by his letters to impede the consecration for which effect three several messages were sent to King Alexander Eadmerus upon the distast the King had taken of him was not much respected which he perceiving and withall considering that the King being his unfriend his service could not be very profitable to the Church and Kingdome resolved to go unto Canterbury and seek the advice of his brethren and friends in those parts This signified to the King he said that the Bishop had nothing to do with Canterbury nor so long as he lived should any Bishop of Scotland professe subjection to that See Which being reported to the Bishop he replied in passion That not for the Bishoprick nay not for all Scotland would he deny himself to be a Monk of Canterbury Falling thus more and more in the dislike of the King and jarres daily
nominate his base brother for the place who was elected by the Chanons and soon after confirmed by Pope Paul the third For he fearing the defection of the Realme from the obedience of the Romane See as England had given the ensample was glad to gratifie the Governour and with the Bulls which were freely exped wrote both to the Governour and to the Bishop that they should make their zeal appear in vindicating the injury done to the Ecclesiastick estate Upon the receipt of these letters it was resolved to besiege the Castle which beginning about the end of August continued untill the moneth of Ianuary howbeit to small effect for the passage by Sea being open they were supplyed with all necessaries from England by King Henry to whom they had obliged their faith by two several messages for defending the Castle and maintaining the contract with England which the Governour fearing he was induced to capitulate with the besieged and yield unto the conditions following 1. That the Governour should procure unto them a sufficient absolution from the Pope for the slaughter of the Cardinal and till the same was returned that they should retain the Castle and not be pursued by force 2. That they their friends servants and partakers should simply be remitted by the Governour and never be called in question for the said slaughter but should enjoy all commodities spiritual and temporal which they possessed before the committing thereof 3. That the besieged should give pledges for rendering the Castle how soon the absolution was returned from Rome and for surety of the pledges that the Earl of Arran eldest sonne to the Governour should remain in their custody untill the absolution was returned and they secured to their content The conditions were to the besieged more advantagious then honourable to the Governour but neither the one nor the other intended performance for the Governour at the same time sent a messenger to France with letters from the Queen Dowager and from himself intreating a supply of Ships and Gallies to batter the house on that part which looked towards the Sea and debarre the Keepers of further provision They on the other side were resolved not to forsake King Henries protection of whose assistance they were confident The proceedings of the next summer shall clear the intentions on either side in the mean time let us hear how the affaires of Religion went the rest of this winter Divers as we touched before upon the newes of the Cardlnals death came and joyned with those that had killed him especially Master Henry Balnaves the Melvils of the house of Raith and some Gentlemen of Fife to the number of sevenscore persons who all entered into the Castle the day after the slaughter and abode there during the time of the first siege Iohn Rough he that had attended the Governour as Chaplain in the beginning of his Regiment came also thither and became their Preacher After him came Iohn Knox but not till the siege was raised and the appointment made whereof we have spoken The adversaries of Religion taking advantage of this did cast in the teeth of both the Preachers and Professours the murther committed as though they did all approve the same and Bishop Lesley in his Chronicle speaking of Iohn Knox saying that He did think to attain to the top of Evangelical profession by triumphing that way upon the slaughter of a Priest and Cardinall I deny not but this his doing was scarce allowable and that it had been a wiser part in him not to have gone towards them at all yet since he did neither accompany them at the fact nor came unto them till the conditions of peace were granted his guiltinesse was not such as they make it to be neither will I say that he was grieved at the Cardinals death but rather glad that such an enemy was taken out of the way but that he did insult upon his death or allow the manner of it cannot be truly affirmed as to that which is objected forth of the narration made of this accident in the book intituled The History of the Church of Scotland where the Authour seemeth indeed to commend the fact though that history be ascribed to Iohn Knox it is sure that he did not penne the same as I shall make clear in another place How soon the Governour was gone Iohn Rough did openly preach in the Parish Church and was much haunted by the people at which the Clergy offending a great stirre was raised Dean Iohn Anand oppugning his doctrine both by word and writing Iohn Knox did take on him to maintain the same and the matter being brought to a dispute after long reasoning upon the authority of the Romane Church Iohn Knox did offer to prove That the present Church of Rome was more degenerate from the purity which it had in the dayes of the Apostles then was the Church of the Jewes from the Ordinances given by Moses when they consented to the death of our Saviour Such as were present at the reasoning having requested Iohn Knox to make good what he had spoken he took occasion the Sunday following to preach in the Parish Church chusing for his Theam the 24 and 25. verses of the seventh Chapter of Daniel In the Sermon after he had spoken of the care that God had alwayes of his Church to forewarne her of the dangers that were to happen many years before the same fell out and illustrated that point by the predictions of Israels captivity the prophesie of the four Empires namely the Babylonian Persian Grecian and Romane and foretelling of the Beast that should afise out of the destruction of the Romane Empire he said that by that Beast the Church of Rome was to be understood in regard all the marks assigned by Daniel did pertain to that Church and to no other power which ever was in the world Then falling to speak of Antichrist he shewed that there was not any one person meant by that title but a body and multitude of people having a wicked head that should not only be sinful himself but the occasion also of sin to all that should be subject unto him And that he was called Antichrist because he was contrary to Christ in life and doctrine in lawes The contrariety of life he made clearly by deciphering the corrupt and beastly conversation both of the Popes themselves and of their Clergy The contraiety of doctrine he qualified by comparing the doctrine of the justification by faith taught in the Scriptures with the doctrine of justification by works maintained by the Church of Rome And the contrariety of lawes he proved by the observation of dayes abstaining from mears and forbidding of marriage which Christ had made free In end he came to speak of the marks of the Beast one he said was in the Text where it was said He shall speak great words against the most high but what greater
constistitutions pertaining to the good behaviour of all the members in the Church in their vocation 11. They have power also to abrogate and abolish all Statutes and Ordinances concerning Ecclesiastical matters that are found noysome and unprofitable and agree not with the time or are abused by the people 12. They have power to execute discipline and punishment Ecclesiastical upon all transgressors and proud contemners of the good order and policy of the Church so as the whole discipline is in their hands 13. The first sort and kind of Assemblies although they be within particular congregations yet they exerce the power authority and jurisdiction of the Church with mutual consent and therefore bear some time the name of the Church 14. When we speak of Elders of particular congregations we mean not that every particular Parish Church can or may have their particular Elderships especially to Landwart but we think three or four mo or fewer particular Churches may have a common Eldership to them all to judge their Ecclesiastical causes 15. Albeit it is meet that some of the Elders be chosen out of every particular congregation to concurre with the rest of their brethren in the common Assemblies and to take up the delation of offences within their own Churches and bring them to the Assembly 16. This we gather of the practice of the primitive Church where Elders or Colledges of Seniors were constitute in cities and famous places 17. The power of the particular Eldership is to give diligent labour in the bounds committed to their charge that the Churches be kept in good order to inquire of naughty and unruly persons and travel to bring the way again either by admonition and threatening of Gods judgements or by correction 18. It pertains to the Eldership to take heed that the word of God be purely preached within their bounds the Sacraments rightly ministred discipline maintained and the Ecclesiastical goods uncorruptly distributed 19. It belongs to this kind of Assembly to cause the Ordinances made by the Assemblies Provincial National and General to be kept and put in execution To make constitutions which concern 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the decent order of these particular Churches which they govern providing they alter no rules made by the Provincial and general Assemblies And that they make the Provincial Assemblies foreseen of those rules they make and to abolish such constitutions as tend to the hurt of the same 20. It hath power to excommunicate the obstinate 21. The power of election of them who bear Ecclesiastical charge pertains to this Assembly within their own bounds be well constitute and erected of many Pastors and Elders of good ability 22. By the like reason thier deposition also pertains to this Assembly as of them that teach erroneous doctrine that be of a scandalous life and after admonition defist not that be given to schisme or rebellion against the Church manifest blasphemy simony and all corruption of bribes falshood perjury whoredom theft drunkenness fighting worthy of punishment by the law usury dancing and such dissoluteness as imports civil infamy And all other that deserve separation from the Church 23. These also who are altogether found unable to execute their charge ought to be deposed and other Churches advertised thereof lest they receive the persons deposed 24. But they who through age or sickness or any other accident become unmeet to do their office their honour should remain to them and others be provided to their office the Church maintaining those who are by that occasion disabled 25. Provincial Assemblies we call lawful Conventions of the Pastors Doctors and other Elders of any Province gathered for the common affairs of the Churches thereof which may also be called the conference of the Church and brethren 26. These Assemblies are institute of weighty matters to be intreated by mutual consent and assistance of the brethren within the Province if need be 27. This Assembly hath power to redresse order and handle all things committed or done amiss in the particular Assemblies 28. It hath power to depose the Office-bearers of that Province for good and just causes deserving deprivation â—nd generally these Assemblies have the whole power of the particular elderships whereof they are collected 29. National Assembly which we call general is a lawful Convention of the whole Church of the Realm or Nation where it is gathered for the common affairs of the Church and may be called the general Eldership of the whole Church within the Realm 30. None are subject to repair unto this Assembly for giving voice but Ecclesiastical persons to such a number as shall be thought good by the same Assembly not excluding other persons that will repair to it for propounding hearing and reasoning 31. This Assembly is institute that all that is either committed or done amisse in the Provincial Assemblies may be redressed and things generally serving for the good of the whole body of the Church within the Realm may be foreseen intreated and set forth to Gods glory 32. It should take care that Churches be planted in places where they are not planted and prescrive a rule for the proceeding of the other two sorts of Assemblies in all things 33. This Assembly should take heed that the spiritual jurisdiction and civil be not confounded nor abused and generally towards all weighty affairs that concern the good order of the Churches within the Realm it ought to interpone authority thereto 34. There is besides these another more general Assembly which is of all Nations and of all estates of persons within the Church representing the universal Church of Christ which may be properly called the general Assembly or general Councel of the whole Church of God 35. These Assemblies were appointed and called together specially when any great schisme or controversie in doctrine did arise in the Church and were convocated at the command of godly Emperors being for the time for avoiding of schismes within the universal Church of God which because they pertain not to the particular state of our Realm we passe by CHAP. 8. Of Deacons and their office the last ordinary function in the Church 1. THe word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is sometimes largely taken as comprehending all them that bear office in the Ministery and spiritual function in the Church but as we now speak is only taken for them to whom the collection and distribution of Almes of the faithful and Ecclesiastical goods do belong 2. The office of Deacon so taken is an ordinary and perpetual function in the Church of what properties and duties they ought to be that are called thereto we remit to the Scriptures 3. The Deacon ought to be called and elected as the rest of the spiritual officers and their office and power is to receive and distribute the whole Ecclesiastical
in the reformed Church 5. The Churches also which are united and joyned together by annexation to Benefices ought to be separated and divided and given to qualified Ministers as Gods word requires neither ought such abusers of the Patrimony of the Church have voice in Parliament nor sit in Councel in name of the Church and Church-men to the hurt and prejudice of the liberty thereof and lawes of the Realm made in favours of the Reformed Church 6. Much lesse is it lawful that one person amongst these should have five or six ten or twenty Churches all having the cure of soules and enjoy the Patrimony thereof either by admission of the Prince or of the Church in this light of the Gospel for it is but mockery to crave reformation where the like have place 7. And albeit it was thought good for avoyding greater inconveniences that the old possessors of such benefices who imbraced the Religion should enjoy by permission the two parts of the rents which they possessed before during their life time yet it is not tolerable to continue in the like abuse to give these places and other benefices of new to men as unmeet or rather unmeeter who have no mind to serve in the Church but live an idle life as others did who enjoyed the same in time of blindnesse 8. And whereas by the order taken at Leith 1571. it appears that such may be admitted being found qualified either that pretended order is against all good order or else it must be understood not of them that are qualified for worldly affairs or to serve in Court but such as are qualified to teach Gods word and have their lawful admission of the Church 9. As to Bishops if the name be properly taken it is all one with the name of Minister as was declared for it is not the name of superiority or Lordship but of office and watching Yet because in the corruption of the Church this name hath been abused and is like to be we cannot allow this fashion of these new chosen Bishops nor of the Chaptors that are their electors to such in office 10. True Bishops should addict themselves to one particular flock which divers of them refuse neither should they usurp Lordship over their brethren and the inheritance of Christ. 11 12. Pastors in so farre as they Pastors have not the visitation of mo Churches joyned to the Pastorship unlesse it be committed to them 12. It is a corruption that Bishops should have further bounds to visit then they may conveniently overtake neither ought any man to have the visitation of Churches but he that is chosen by the Presbytery 13. The Elderships well established have power to send out Visitors with Commission to visit the bounds within their Eldership and after accompt taken be either continued or changed from time to time being subject alwayes to their Elderships 14. The criminal jurisdiction in the person of a Pastor is a corruption 15. It agrees not with the word of God that Bishops should be Pastors of Pastors or Pastors of many flocks and yet be without a certain flock and no ordinary teacher nor doth it agree with the Scripture that they should be exeemed from the correction of their brethren and the discipline of the particular elderships of the Church where they shall serve neither that they usurp the office of visitation of other Churches nor any other function besides that of other Ministers unlesse the same be committed to them by the Church 16. Heretofore we desire the Bishops that now are either to agree to that order which Gods word requires and not to passe the bounds prescrived by the general Church either in Civil or Ecclesiastical affairs or to be deposed from all function in the Church 17. We ceny not in the mean time that Ministers may and should assist their Princes when they are required in all things agreeable to the word of God whether it be in Councel or Parliament or out of Councel providing alwayes they neither neglect their own charges nor through flattery of Princes hurt the publick estate of the Church 18. But generally we say that no Pastor under whatsoever title of the Church and specially the abused titles in Popery of Prelates Chaptors and Convents ought to attempt any thing in the Churches name either in Parliament or out of Councel without the Commission of the Reformed Church within this Realm 19. It is provided by Act of Parliament that the Papistical Church and jurisdiction shall have no place within the Realm and that no Bishop nor Prelate should use any jurisdiction in time coming flowing from the Popes authority And likewise that no other Ecclesiastical jurisdiction should be acknowledged within this Realm but that which is and shall be in the Reformed Church and flowing from the same And such we esteem the Chaptors holden in Papistical manner either of Cathedral Churches Abbeys Colledges or other conventual places usurping the name and authority of the Church to hurt the Patrimony thereof or use any other Act to the prejudice â—of the same since the year 1560. by abusion and corruption contrary to the liberty of the Church and lawes of the Realm which therefore ought to be annulled reduced and in time coming utterly discharged 20. The dependences also of the Papistical jurisdiction are to be abolished of which sort is the mingled jurisdiction of the Commissars in so far as they meddle with Ecclesiastical matters have no Commission of the Church thereto but were elected in time of our Soveraigns mother when things were out of order It is an absurd thing that divers of them having no function in the Church should be Judges in deposing Ministers from their places Wherefore they would be either discharged to meddle with Ecclesiastical matters or it would be limited to them in what matters they might judge and not hurt the liberty of the Church 31. They also that before were of the Ecclesiastical estate in the Popes Church or that are admitted of new to the Papistical titles and now tolerated by the laws of the Realm to possesse the two parts of their Ecclesiastical rents ought not to have any further liberty but to intromet with the portion granted and assigned unto them for their life times and not under the abused titles which they carry to dispone the Church rents setting in fewes and leases the same at their pleasure to the great hurt of the poor labourers that dwell upon the Church lands and the prejudice of the Church contrary to good conscience and all order CHAP. 12. Special heads craved to be reformed 1. WHatsoever hath been spoken of Church offices the several power of office-bearers their conjunct powers and last of the Patrimony of the Church we understand it to be the right reformation which God requires but because something would be touched in particular concerning the estate
private way then to do it in form of Iustice and acknowledged the words Mortui non mordent to be his but not used by him to the sense they were detorted His confession did liberate his accuser who was presently set at liberty and he himself sent to the Tolbuith of Edinburgh to attend his arraignment which was made a few days after There having repeated the same things in effect he submitted himself to the Kings mercy who thereupon gave order to the Justice to banish him the Realm and in case he did return without licence to pronounce the sentence of death Mean while he was prohibited to go either into England or Ireland under the like pain A punishment too mild as many at that time judged for crimes so hateful and odious But the innated clemency of the King and his unwillingnesse to use rigour towards them whom he had once favoured did not suffer him to inflict the punishment which the offence had merited Captain Iames who since the enterprise of Striveling had lurked amongst his friends did now begin to shew himself and importune the King with delations of Thirlstan and some other Counsellors as being accessary to his mothers death and having a purpose to deliver him into England These informations he sent inclosed in a letter to the King by Henry Stewart of Craigihall The King communicating the same to the Councel direction was given to charge him to enter his person within the Palace of Linlithgow and remain there till the truth of these delations should be tried certifying him that if he failed to obey processe of forfeiture should be laid against him as a sower of discord betwixt the King and his Nobility When at the time prefixed he entered not the office of Chancellary whereof as yet he used the title was declared void and bestowed upon the Lord Thirlstane The King being now 21. years compleat a Parliament was indicted to be holden at Edinburgh the 29. of Iuly for a preparation thereto and that the King might find the better assistance the Noblemen were sent for they especially betwixt whom there were known to be any quarrels At their coming the King did presse them with a submission of all controversies and having obtained their consents made them all friends Only William Lord Yester refusing to reconcile with Traquaire was committed and sent to the Castle of Edinburgh where he was detained some moneths till that variance was also composed Such content the King conceived of their agreement that he did feast them all royally at Halirudhouse thereafter caused them walk in hands two and two in form of procession from the Palace to the Mercat Crosse of Edinburgh where they sealed their concord by drinking healths one to another to the exceeding great joy of all the beholders A general Assembly was then also called by his Majesties Proclamation to the 20. of Iune where the King did purpose to have all matters setled betwixt him and the Church but this meeting had not the like successe For the Chancellar and Justice Clerk being sent thither with certain Articles of which two specials were to desire satisfaction for the offences committed by Iames Gibson and Mr. Iohn Cowper Ministers and that Mr. Robert Montgomery might be received without any ceremonies into their fellowship answer was made That if the Petitions of the Church in the approaching Parliament should be granted they would labour to bring matters to such a middest as might best agree with the honour of the Ministery satisfy the offence of the godly and the conscience of their brethren against whom his Majesty had taken offence And for Mr. Robert Montgomery they should dispense with some ceremonies used in admitting excommunicants in case the King was willing to remit somewhat of the satisfaction craved of the other two brethren This answer did so displease the King as refusing to enter into any such capitulations he left off all further treating with them at that time But Montgomery being redacted to great necessity and not knowing what course to take for the Duke of Lennox his agents having possessed themselves in the Bishoprick he was no more acknowledged did resign his title in favour of Mr. William Areskin Parson of Campsie a friend and follower of the Earl of Marre This Gentleman being well beloved of the Ministery and otherwise of good parts obtained the consent of the Presbytery of Glasgow and was admitted thereto by them although he was a Laick and bare no charge in the Church They being called to an accompt of this their doing in the next Assembly excused themselves saying That since Churchmen were not permitted to enjoy the Bishoprick they esteemed it better he should in title of it then any other and that he had given his bonds to renounce the same in case the general Assembly did not allow of his admission The excuse for the time was accepted yet their doing was disallowed and they ordained to pursue him upon his bonds for disanulling the admission but he found means to retain the same till Bishop Iames Beaton who lived in France was restored Montgomery his resignation being then made publick he was shortly after as informally absolved as he was excommunicated and placed at a Church in Cunningham where he lived in a poor estate to his death The Parliament keeping at the time appointed Mr. David Lindesay Mr. Robert Pont and some others having Commission from the Church did present themselves in the Parliament house at the first sitting and in name of the Church desired the Prelates that were presented to be removed as having no authority from the Church and the most of them no function nor charge in it at all Mr. Edward Bruce Abbot of Kinlosse rising up and directing his speech to the King made a long discourse of the right they had to sit and give voice for the Church in these meetings complaining that the Ministers had most disorderly shut them forth of their places in the Church and now they thought to exclude them from their places in the Estate which they hoped his Majesty would not suffer and would punish as a presumptuous arrogancy on the part of the Petitioners Mr. Robert Pont replying some what bitterly the King willed them to be quiet and present their Petitions orderly to the Lords of the Articles where they should be answered according to reason When it came to the Articles this being in the front of their Petitions was simply rejected some other Petitions were passed as they had desired for ratifying all lawes made in the Kings minority in favours of the Church for trying and censuring the adversaries of true Religion and for the punishment of such as did menace or invade the Ministers of the Church It was in this Parliament that the temporality of Benefices was annexed to the Crown upon a pretext of bettering the Patrimony thereof and that the King might have means to
conceived by his death This following penned by a learned Divine in our vulgar language did affect me so as I thought good to subjoin it ALL who have eyes awake and weep For he whose waking wrought our sleep Is fallen asleep himself and never Shall wake again till wak'd for ever Deaths iron handhath clos'd those Eyes Which were at once three Kingdoms spies Both to foresee and to prevent Dangers as soon as they were meant That Head whose working brain alone VVrought all mens quiet but its own Now lies at rest O let him have The peace he lent us in his grave If that no Naboth all his Reign Was for his fruitfull vineyard slain If no Vriah lost his life Because he had too fair a wife Then let no Shimei's curses wound His honour or profane his ground Let no black-mouth'd no rank-breath'd cur Peacefull JAMES his Ashes stir Princes are Gods ô doe not then Rake in their graves to prove them men For two and twenty years long care For providing such an Heir VVho to the peace we had before May adde twice two and twenty more For his daies travels and nights watches For his craz'd sleep stoln by snatches For two fair Kingdoms joyn'd in one For all he did or meant t' have done Doe this for him write on his dust IAMES the Peacefull and the Iust. The End A brief Table directing to the Principall Matter of this HISTORY A St. Andrews made an University by the Bishop of the place procuring it Page 57 Made an Archiepiscopal See 58 Aidanus in Northumberland within seven dayes after his first arrival converteth and baptizeth 15000 14 Augustine The King of Northumberland with an army by instigation as was supposed of Augustine the Monk slayeth 1200 Monks that refused to receive the Rites of Rome 12 Alcuinus born in Scotland 22 B BIshop The ancient manner of a Bishop in Scotland 4 Anciently in Scotland all the moveable goods of any Bishop belonged to the King and were seized for his use 55 An English Army put to flight by a Bishop 99 A Bishop went on foot through the whole Kingdome preaching the Gospel wheresoever he came 108 The ancient variance between the Scots and Holland reconciled by a Bishop 105 The difference between Iames III. of Scotland and Lewis XI of France reconciled principally by the prudence of a Bishop ibid. A Bishop barbarously maimed by an Earl in the Kings absence and the Justice done upon him for it 40 110 A very pious Bishop lived to the age of 185 years 112 Iohn Dury a reformed Minister at his death giveth advice to the Assembly of the Church to restore the Episcopal government 457 Bishops restored in the Church and to their temporalities in Scotland 496 Cautions whereby the Episcopal power was moderated in Scotland 501 Scottish Bishops came to England for consecration 514 Colman a Scottish Bishop disswadeth by his great authority the Nobility of Scotland from deposing their King 19 Buchannan by his verses he incenseth the Franciscans 67 His death 525 Benefices the temporality of them annexed to the Crown 365 Bothwell in open Rebellion is encouraged by the English Ambassadors 402 The King would have it inserted into the Acts of the Church that Ministers shall make publick declaration in the Church the Sunday following after they have baptized any privately first refused 529 After passed by the Church 539 C CArdinals by the Popes Law the placeâ—s are to be ruinated where Cardinals are slain 88 Charles after King of Great Britain born 461 His Journey to Spain 544 His return 545 A Letter to him from Gregory XV. then being Suitor in the Spanish Court 544 Church A form of Church-policy presented to the Convention of Estates at Edinburgh drawn up by Knox 152 The Church and Regent cross one the others proceedings 271 A model of Church-policy presented to the Parliament at Striveling 289 The Church appointeth a Fast on the same day that the King appointeth a Feast for the entertainment of the French Ambassador with a design to cross the King 322 The Assembly of the Church protest against the Kings judging in Causes Ecclesiastical the Councel of State reject the Protestation 318 Contentions between the King and Church 319 They allow not the Councel authority to judge of Treason spoken by them in the Pulpit 330 The Ministers yield more to the desires of the basest people then to reasonable Propositions of the King 394 They provide a Chaplain of their own interest for Bothwell endevouring Rebellion 402 They refuse to submit their doctrine to the triall of the King and Councel 420 They style the Queen of England Elizabeth an Atheist in their Sermons 419 422 One of them affiâ—med in his Sermon that it is lawful for subjects to take arms against their King 430 They sollicite the Lord Hamilton and people to take arms 431 Articles proposed in the form of Question by the King concerning affairs of the Church 435 The bosome of the Church ought alwaies to be open to Penitents 437 The Assembly vote that it is lawfull for Ministers to sit in Parliament 449 Some of them refuse to give thanks in their Churches for the Kings deliverance from the attempts of Gowrie 460 Catholikes are dispensed from Rome to profess or swear against their religion so as in minde they continued firme 308 Covenant is taken by the Ministers obliging them to a better discharge of their duty 416 A Scottish prisoner rescued out of the Castle of Carlisle by a strange attempt 414 A strange event at a Councel held in Wiltsh 27 The Charity of a certain man saved his life 462 Conference at Hampton Court 478 Another Conference there between Scottish Bishops and Ministers of the Presbytery 497 D DRuids what they were 3 Are expelled by Cratilinth 3 The Diocese of Dunkeld divided into two Bishopricks 98 The Synod of Dort in Holland 540 Did not ratifie the Acts of Perth ibid. E A Controversie between six Competitors for the Crown of Scotland referred to the arbitration of Edward I of England 48 England the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland united upon the intended marriage of Edward VI. being about five years old and Mary daughter of Scotland being about one year old 72 That Contract broken by Scotland 73 The King of Scots with many of his Nobles swear subjection to Edward I. of England at Newcastle 49 The King of Scots and the Parliament of Scotland convened at Berwick do homage to the King of England ibid. The King of England refuseth to stand to the Popes judgement 50 The Earls and Barons of Scotland in a Parliament at S. Andrewes swear obedience the third time to the King of England ib. The Scottish Lords of the Congregation have aid from England 140 The Articles of Contract between England and Scotland 142 Scottish Bishops come to England to be consecrated 514 Easter The ancient manner of observing it in Scotland not the same with that of the Roman 15
Prince Gulielme his brother into France at the time of the league made with that people which to this day remaineth inviolate and by them it was that the University of Paris was first founded Scotus after he had stayed some years at Paris was imployed by the same Charles for founding an University at Pavia and was in great respect with all the Romane Church excepted who could nto away with the liberty he used in his reproofes of the errors then springing up his Treatise of the Eucharist a pious and learned work was by Pope Leo the ninth condemned in Synodo Vercellensi in the year 1030. long after his death Claudius Clemens was afterwards preferred to the Bishoprick of Auxew where he lived to his death in great esteem Alcuin commonly held to be Charles the Great his Master was made his Eleemosynar and lived in special credit with him The book that came forth under Charles his name against Images was thought to be penned by him for he was a man of great learning as the many books left by him to posterity do shew Ubique pius ubique doctus sayes Balaeus succinctus gravis ante multos alios praecipuè dignus qui in manibus hominum habeatur The English writers will have him born in their countrey not farre from the city of York To which I onely say that the English at that time being adversaries to the French and Scots speaking of them as common enemies to both people it is not probable if he had been of the English Nation that he would be so inward with Charles the Great Rabanus Maurus was his Auditor many years and under his hand grew to such perfection of learning that it is said Quòd nec Italia similem nec Germania aequalem peperit That neither did Italy breed his like nor Germany his equal Tantam viri eruditionem sayes Bruschius omnes Bibliothecae nobis commendant quantum ingenio valuerit edita ab eo valumina demonstrant Bibliothecam enim Fuldensem tanta librorum multitudine lacupletavit ut dinumerari vix queant All Bibliotheques do witnesse the rare erudition of that man and what a fertile ingenie he had the volumes published by him do shew The Library of Fulden he enriched with such multitudes of Books as can scarce be numbred And certainly who shall but read the catalogue of his works will wonder how any one man should in his life have penned so much and upon so divers subjects for besides that he did illustrate the whole Books of Scripture with his Expositions he left a number of profitable tractates in every Science to posterity After Clemens was gone from Paris he continued in the University some years and being made Abbot of Fulden upon a displeasure he conceived against the Monks he went to the Court of Ludovicus the Emperour where he had not long attended when upon the death of Otgarius Arch-bishop of Mentz he was elected to the government of that See Ten years he â—ate Bishop having no opposition made to him nor to his doctrine though he taught no other then what is with us in these times taught and professed as in his workâ— yet extant may be seen In this reckoning we must not forget our countreyman Maidulphus Scotus who was of great fame in these days for his skill in training up the youth in letters and kept a publick school at Caerbladon in Wiltshire there being as yet no University in England he also is said to have been a strong defender of the Bishop of Rome his authority and placed in that part by Eleutherius Bishop of the West Saxons for withstanding the British Doctors that opposed the Romane rites After some time bestowed that way embracing the Monastical life he erected an Abbey at Malmsbury which Aldelin his disciple and successour did much increase and from him it is thought that Malmsbury took the name being at first called Maidulphsbury or Maidulps city We are now at the 800. year or thereabout when as the warres were renewed betwixt the Scots and the Picts which brought in end the utter subversion of that people I mean the Picts Their Kingdom had continued near 1200. years under the Reign of 65. Kings and was fortunate enough till the days of King Feredeth who I know not by what ill counsel bare an heavy hand upon the Church and made spoil of her rents especially of the ornaments bestowed by his predecessour King Hungus upon the Church of St. Andrews the occasion of these troubles I shall briefly set down after I have remembred the magnificence of Prince Gulielme which ought never to be forgotten After the league contracted with France which he was sent to ratifie he followed Charles the Great in all his warres performing notable services especially in Italy where he was made Lieutenant for the King upon the end of the warres being grown in age he went to Germany resolving to bestow his means which were very great in founding religious houses which he did at Coleyn Franckford Vienna Herford Luneburg Wirtsburg Muleren and Ratisbone fifteen Abbeys and Hospitals they reckon founded by him some in Italy but the most part in Germany all which he indowed with a reasonable proportion of lands and rents but with this Proviso that none should be admitted therein but Scottish men born This for many years according to his appointment was observed and even at this time notwithstanding the manifold alterations that have happened there be some of these foundations that are no ways changed from their first institution They also may possibly decay yet the magnificence of that Noble Prince shall ever be recorded to his everlasting honour And now to the occasion of these troubles I mentioned There reigned in the time of King Achaius amongst the Picts Hungus a Prince well inclined and a great lover of Religion and Justice Athelstane King of the West Saxons having usurped upon divers of his neighbours and inlarged his Kingdome by subduing the Northumbers did likewise invade the Picts intending the conquest of that part of their Kingdom which lay next unto his Hungus hereupon did move King Achaius who had married Fergusiana his sister for some supply and he no lesse offended with Athelstans oppressions then was Hungus himself sent to his aid ten thousaud men under the leading of of Prince Alpin his son Hungus supplied with this power entered into Northumberland and having made great depredations returned home with a rich booty Athelstan following upon his heels overtook him at a little Village not farre from Hadington which put Hungus in a sore fright for a great part of his Army was dismissed and gone home yet not seeing a way to eschew the fight he gave order for the battel against the next day and in the mean time betook himself to prayer spending most part of the night in that exercise A litle before day falling into a slumber it seemed to him that the
Countreymen Richardus de sancto Victore a Channon regular of the order of S. Angustine and David a Presbyter This David lived in Germany and was chosen by the Emperour Henry the fifth to accompany him in that expedition which he made to Italy against Pope Paschal the Story whereof he wrote as likewise a Treatise de regno Scotorum both which are perished Richardus was a professor of Divinity at Paris in the Abbey of S. Victor a great Philosopher and left many books that witnesse his learning the Titles whereof you may read in Baleus He died in the same Abbey and was buried with this Epitaph Moribus ingenio doctrina clarus arte Pulvereo hîc tegeris docte Richarde situ Quem tellus genuit foelici Scotica partu Te fovet in gremio Gallica terra suo Nil tibi Parca ferox nocuit quae stamina parco Tempore tracta gravirupit acerba manu Plurima namque tui super ant monumenta laboris Qua tibi perpetuam sunt paritura decus Segnior ut lento sceler atas mors pelit aedes Sic propero nimis it sub piatecta gradu 16. Bishop Robert deceasing Walthemius Abbot of Melrosse was earnestly entreated to accept the Charge but would not forsake the Monastery saying That he had washed his feet and could not contaminate them again with the dust of earthly cares Whereupon Arnold Abbot of Kelso was elected and in presence of King Malcolm the fourth consecrated by William Bishop of Murray This Bishop had been the year preceding directed to Rome with one Nicholaus the Kings Secretary to complain of the Archbishop of York his usurpation upon the Church of Scotland and being then returned carried himself as Legate to the Pope which power he resigned to Arnold after his Consecration as he was enjoyned by Engenius the third who then held the Chair In a Convention of the Estates kept the same year Arnold did earnestly insist with the King to make choice of a wise for assuring the royall succession and to that effect made a long speech in the hearing of the Estates but the King had taken a resolution to live single and would not be diverted Edward Bishop of Aberdene was much blamed for confirming him in that course and for that cause hated of many The Cathedrall of S. Andrews a fair and stately Church whilest it stood was founded by this Arnold but before the work was raised to any height he died having sate Bishop one year ten moneths and seventeen days onely 17. Upon Arnold his death the King did recommend his Chaplain Richard to the place who was immediately elected by the Convent but not consecrated for the space of two years after because of the Archbishop of York his pretensions One Roger held at that time the See of York a man ambitious beyond all measure who from being Archdeacon of Canterbury was by the means of the Archbishop Thomas Becket preferred to that place no sooner was he advanced but he procured of Pope Anastasius the fourth a Bull whereby he was designed Metropolitane of Scotland but the King and the Clergy notwithstanding the Popes authority was in those days greatly respected refused to acknowledge him Anastasius dying by whom the Archbishop Roger was maintained the Prelates of Scotland did convene and by themselves performed the Consecration Roger incensed herewith sent to Rome and complaining of this contempt found the favour to be made Legate of Scotland by vertue whereof he caused cite all the Scottish Clergy to appear before him at Norham in England whither he came in great pomp Angelramus Archdeacon of Glasgow accompanied with Walter Prior of Kelso Solomon Dean of Glasgow and some others of the Clergy went and kept the Diet and in the name of the Church of Scotland appealing to the Pope took journey to Rome Where the business being debated before Pope Alexander the third sentence was given against Roger his pretended Legation and the Church of Scotland declared to be exempted from all spirituall Jurisdiction the Apostolique See only excepted This exemption Angelramus who in the mean time was promoted to the See of Glasgow by the death of Bishop Herbert and consecrated at Rome brought back and presented to the King The Bull is yet extant and begins thus Alexander P. servus servorum Dei Malcolmo Regi c. A few days after the Bishops return King Malcolm died at Iedbrough in the 25. year of his age and 12. of his reign a sweet and meek Prince uncourteously used by King Henry the second King of England but more rudely by his own Subjects This Henry by nature ambitious and one that could not keep himself within bounds took many ways to wrong this good King and make him despised of his own people yet for that he had sworn to King David Malcolms Grandfather that he should never molest him nor any of his posterity in the possession of the lands they held in England and could not for shame go against his oath he stirred up the Bishop of York to place a Bishop at Carlile thinking the King of Scots would not endure that wrong Iohn Bishop of Glasgow under whose charge the Countrey of Cumberland then was did exceedingly offend with this and finding that the King would not break with Henry for so little a cause nor seeing a way to repair himself abandoned his charge and went unto the Monastery of Tours in France where he abode till he was forced by the Popes authority to return King Henry finding this injury dissembled went afterwards more plainly to work for having desired Malcolm to come to London to do homage for the lands he held in England he compelled him to follow him in the Warre he made upon France thinking thereby to alienate the minde of the French King from the Scots Again when he had returned home inviting him of new to a Parliament kept at York upon a forged quarrell as if he had crossed King Henry his affairs in France he was declared to have lost all his lands in England And not content to have wronged him in this sort to stir up his own Subjects against him made the report goe that King Malcolm had voluntarily resigned all those lands Which did so irritate the Nobles as presently after his return putting themselves in Arms they did besiege the Town of Bertha where the King remained and had not failed to use violence but that by the intercession of some wise Prelates matters were composed The Nobility being grieved to see the King so abused did urge him to denounce warre but he loving rather to have matters peaceably agreed was content to accept Cumberland and Huntington and suffer Northumberland to goe to King Henry This displeased the Subjects and diminished much of the regard that was formerly carried to him which he took greatly to heart and shortly after died as was thought of displeasure The good King being thus taken away
who then ruled that See moved with their prayers sent immediately to Edward and desired him forbear any further proceeding against the Scots alledging with a strange impudence the Soveraignty of Scotland to belong unto the Church The Commissioners nothing pleased with the Popes claim did notwithstanding forbear to take notice of it lest they should make him also their enemy To the same purpose did the Pope write letters to Robert Winchelsey then Archbishop of Canterbury willing him to deal with the King for setling the Bishops of Glasgow and Isles at liberty and the submitting of all controversies between him and the Scots to the judgement of the Apostolick See Kings Edwards answer to the Popes letter was That from all antiquity the direct and superiour dominion of Scotland did appertain to the Kingdome of England even from Brutus unto his own time That it was never yet heard that the Kingdome of Scotland belonged to the Church nor did he think the Scots would confesse so much And that if he should yield to his desire he would unquiet his own Kingdome and draw upon himself the hatred of his subjects which he knew his Holiness would not wish Therefore prayed him to hold him excused and to be perswaded of his affection to the See Apostolick He moved likewise his Nobility who were then met in Parliament at Linclne to write to the Pope to the same effect Albeit somewhat more roundly they told him That the King their Lord ought not to undergoe his judgement in matters of that kinde neither send his Procurators about that business as he had been required seeing that was to call in doubt their Kings title to the prejudice of his Crown the royal dignity the liberties customes and laws of England which by their oath they were bound to observe and would defend with their lives Nor would they permit the King although he would in any way to attempt the same Wherefore they besought his Holiliness to meddle no more in that matter The Pope having his hands full otherwise at the time did upon this dimit the Scottish Commissioners who had made a long stay at Rome with great promises of favour when he should see it to be convenient The supplication directed to the Pope is by some of our Writers said to be sent after King Edwards second expedition into Scotland but I rather think it was at the first Whilest these things were a doing William VVallace a Gentleman well descened but of no great estate began to shew himselfe and gathering out of a desire to free his countrey from the subjection of England a company of such as would adventure with him effected things beyond all expectation for he slew Sir Hugh Cressingham who was left Governour of the Realme recovered most of the strengths and Castles wonne again the Town of Berwick expulsed the English Clergy that had planted themselves in the kingdome and if he had not been hindered by his own countreymen had made his victory absolute King Edward being all that time in Flanders and informed at his return to England of the distractions amongst the Scots themselves fell of new upon them and after a sore defeat given them at Falkirk called a Parlament at S. Andrewes where all the Earls and Barons did again swear obedience unto him not one of any note VVallace excepted standing out in the whole kingdome And now did the State seem to be wholly ruined for Edward intending to make sure his conquest led away captive all that had the least ability to stirre and to extinguish if it had been possible the very memory of the Nation he abolished all the ancient Lawes of Scotland traduced the Ecclesiastical râ—ites to the form of England destroyed the antique monuments erected either by the Romanes or by their own progentitors burnt all the Registers with that famous Library of Restennoth wherein besides many other volumes were reserved the books which King Fergus the second brought with him from Rome removed the Marble Chaire in which as the vulgar believed the fate of the kingdome did consist and to be short left nothing which might incite generous spirits to remember their former fortunes or encourage them in any sort to vertue and worthinesse The Bishop of S. Andrewes who then remained at Artevile in France upon the report of this pitiful vastation did contract such a melancholy as within a few dayes he died his body was interred at the Predicants Church at Paris and his heart brought into Scotland and entombed by Lamberton his successour in the wall of the Church of S. Andrewes nigh to the sepulcher of Gamelinus He was a man careful of the Church and sought by all means to better the estate thereof At his first admission to the See he purchased the Priory of May from the Abbot of Reading in England which he gave afterwards to the Prior and Chanons and had he falled in peaceable times would have performed many good works 26. William Lamberton Parson of Campsey and Chancellour of the Church of Glasgow was then preferred to the place This man after the Bishop of Glasgow was sent prisoner to London made his own peace with King Edward and sware fealty unto him which was the thing that wrought his advancement yet the Culdees who claimed a chief voice in the election of the Bishop withstood him mightily at the first Before the Abbey was founded the Culdees were the onely electors of the Bishop afterwards being excluded by a Bull of Pope Innocent the second the election was committed to the Prior and Chanons whereupon arose a great controversie amongst them which by the authority of good King David was agreed in these times that so many of the Culdees as would become Chanons and enter in the Monastery should have voice with them But to elude this appointment a Mandat was procured from the Pope to admit none in the Convent without the advice of the Prior and most part of the Chanons by which means the Culdees were kept out and deprived quite of all voice in the election William Comin their Provost supposing to get some advantage of the Prior in these troublesome times did strongly oppose Lambertons election and the matter by an appeal drawn to the Consistory of Rome they both went thither to debate their rights in end Lamberton prevailed and was consecrated by Pope Boniface in Iune 1298. This turned so to the disgrace of the Culdees as after this time we hear no more of them the name and Order being by little and little quite extinguished About the same time were the Templars otherwise called the Red-friers made away an Order instituted by Baldwinâ— King of Ierusalem some 200. years before for the defence of that city and the safe conveying of all such as travelled thither by the pious liberality of Princes and others well affected they were in a short time greatly enriched and for their wealth
of Glasgow being then at Avignion was provided thereto by Pope Benedict the thirteenth There was at this time a fearful schisme in the Church of all that we do read the most scandalous and of longest continuance two and sometimes three Popes warning one against another and condemning each anothers Ordinances which did so divide the Christian world and made such partakings as were pitiful This schisme lasting 29. years and more was at last quenched in the Councel of Constance and Martin the first chosen Pope Scotland at that time living in the obedience of Benedict the Abbot of Pontiniac was directed to intimate the election of the Councel and had audience given him in a Convocation of the Clergy at Perth thither came also one Harding a Minorite Frier sent by Benedict to solicite the Churches adherence to him against the decree of the Councel who taking for his Theam these words My sonne do nothing without advicement so shall it not repent thee after the deed held a long discourse of the proceedings of the Councel and the informality thereof affirming that none was bound to obey and acknowledge the same Master Iohn Fogo a Monk of the Abbey of Melrosse replying to his Oration began his speech with that precept of the Apostle Withdraw your selves from every brother that walketh inordinately and refuting all the Minorites reasons brought against the Councel concluded that whosoever did procure for Peter de Luna this was Benedicts name before he was elected Pope was a very disturber of the Churches peace and not to be countenanced in any sort The Clergy in end disclaiming Benedict promised obedience to Pope Martin whom the Councel had elected By occasion of this schisme the mouths of many were opened against the corrupt doctrine and manners of Rome Iohn Wickliffe in England Iohn Hus and Ierome of Prague in Bohemia did openly preach against the Tyranny of the Pope and the abuses introduced in the Church and in this countrey one called Ioannes Resby an English man de Schola Wickliffi as the Story speaketh was brought in question for some points of doctrine which he taught and condemned to the fire He was charged by Master Laurence Lendors with forty heretical opinions whereof we have two only mentioned One that the Pope was noâ— Christs Vicar The other that he was not to be esteemed Pope if he was a man of wicked life For maintaining these two points he suffered in the year 1407. Some 24. years after Paul Craw a Bohemian came into Scotland and for venting certain opinions touching the Sacrament of the Supper the adoration of Saints and auricular Confession he was also condemned and burnt at S. Andrewes in the year 1432. The death of these two Martyrs lieth heavy upon the memory of this Bishop who otherwise deserved well of the countrey and Church for in his time he laboured much to have the riotous formes crept in among all sorts of men repressed and was a man most hospitable They report of him that the Masters of his house complaining of the great numbers that resorted unto him for entertainment and desiring that for the ease of the servants he would condescend to make a bill of household that they might know who were to be served he condescended and when his Secretary was called to set down the names of the houshold being asked whom he would first name he answered Fife and Angus these are two large countreys containing millions of people his servants hearing this gave over their purpose of retrenching his family for they saw he would have no man refused that came to his house The bridge at the mouth of Eden was his work And besides he was the first that opened the publick Schooles at S. Andrewes making Divinity Lawes Logick and all other parts of Philosophy to be there taught In the founding of this University he took his example from that of Paris and obtained the Popes confirmation thereof which in the year 1412. being brought from Rome by Alexander Ogilvy Master of Arts was received with solemn processions fires of joy sounding of bells and all the tokens of gladnesse that could be expressed Master Iohn Sheves Official Master VVilliam Stephen afterwards Bishop of Dumblane and Sir Iohn Lister a Chanon of the Abbey were appointed to read Divinity Master Laurence Lindors was ordained to read the Common law and Master Richard Cornwal the Civil Master Iohn Gaw Master VVilliam Fowlis and Master William Crosier were chosen for Philosophy men worthy to be remembred for being the first instruments that were imployed in that service and the attendance they gave upon it having no allowance at all for their labours King Iames the first at his return from England 12. years after did greatly advance this work by the encouragement he gave to studies for not onely did he countenance professors with his presence at their Lectures but also took order that none should be preferred to any Benefice unlesse it was testified by them that the person recommended had made a reasonable progresse in learning and for that effect kept a roll of the most qualified persons by him for the filling of places that happened to fall void This that good King esteemed to be the most sure and easie way for banishing ignorance forth of the Church and ceased not to admonish the Churchmen that were in places to live as they professed and not to shame the bountyfulnesse of Princes by abusing their Donations unto Riot and Luxury Further to allure them by good example he brought home the Carthusian Monks who were at that time greatly respected for their precisenesse of living and erected for them a beautiful Monastery at Perth bestowing large revenues upon the same The Bishop surviving the King some seven years for the King was treacherously murthered at Perth in the year 1437. departed this life in the Castle of S. Andrews the fixt day of April 1444. having governed that See 35. years and was buried in the wall betwixt the Chore and the Chappel called Our Ladies Chappel 33. Iames Kennedy Bishop of Dunkeld and Nephew to King Iames the first by his sister the Countesse of Angus was after Wardlaw his death elected Bishop by the Prior and Chanons he himself was then at Florence with Pope Eugenius the fourth and had gone thither out of a desire to have the disorders crept in among Churchmen redressed hoping to be strengthened with greater authority from thence But finding all things troubled in these parts Eugenius keeping a Councel at Florence whilest another was held at Bâ—sile and each of them condemning another as unlawful he returned with a resolution to do the best he could at home by his own credit Upon his translation to S. Andrewes he did put all things in such order as no man then living did remember to have seen the Church in so good an estate
the Church is not to be feared 19. That in no case it is lawful to swear 20. That Priests may have wives according to the Ordinance of the old Law and that true Christians receive the body of Christ every day The maintainers of these Articles were by an opprobrious title called Lollards but whether or not they did hold all these opinions may well be doubted seeing we have them onely from the report of adversaries whose chief study was to make them and their doctrine odious and granting that they held the same we are not to wonder that in the first breaking up of the light men saw not the truth in every point considering the darknesse and grosse ignorance of preceding times For dispersing these Articles some thirty persons were cited before the Councel of whom the principals were George Campbel of Sesnock Adam Read of Barskining Iohn Campbel of Newmilus and Andrew Shaw of Polkennet The Archbishiop of Glasgow laying these things to their charge they answered all with such confidence as it was thought safest to dimit them with admonition to take heed of new doctrines and content themselves with the faith of the Church Of Shevez I find nothing said all this time onely that he departed this life at S. Andrews in the year 1496. and was buried in the Cathedral Church before the high Altar 36. Iames Stewart brother to King Iames the fourth was provided after Shevez to the See being yet very young and lived but a short space for he died at S. Andrews in the year 1503. his body was interred in the Cathedral Church amongst the Bishops his predecessors In an old Charter produced by one of the vassals I have seen him thus styled Iacobus sancti Andreae Archiepiscopus Dux Rossiae Marchio de Ormond Comes de Ardmannach Dominus de Brichen Never Commendatorius perpetuus Monasterii de Dunfermline ac Regni Scotiae Canâ—ellarius The Charter is dated in this manner Apud Ecclesiam nostram Metropolitanam sancti Andreâ— 7º die Mensis Februarii An. Dom. 1502. nostrarum administrationum quinto 37. To him succeeded Alexander Stewart base son to King Iames the fourth a youth of great hopes he died with his father in the unfortunate battle of Flowdon Anno 1513. and was much lamented by Erasmus Roterodamus under whom he had studied some yeares I finde him styled Chancellour of the Kingdome in one of the vassals Characters which is dated in the year 1512. 38. Three strong competitours fell then at strife for the place Gawane Dowglas Bishop of Dunkeld Iohn Hepburn Prior of S. Andrews and Andrew Forman Bishop of Murray Gawane Dowglas was nobly born for he was brother to the Earl of Angus and greatly esteemed for his vertue and learning He upon the Queens presentation who at that time governed all publick affairs possessed himselfe with the Castle of S. Andrews Hepburne a factious man and of great power procured the Chanons to elect him and under this colour expulsed Dowglas his servants fortifying the house with a Garison of souldiers Forman was provided by the gift of Pope Iulius the second and made Legatus à latere for by his many employments in France and at the Court of Rome he had gained to himself much credit But the Power of Hepburn was such as for a while no man could be found to publish Formans Bulls Alexander Lord Home who some write was Formans Uncle was at last moved by the dimission of Coldingham in favour of his brother David to take his part and coming to Edinburgh proclaimed the Popes gift and Formans Legation with great solemnity This Act divided the Homes and the Hepburnes who after that time were never in sound friendship Dowglas not willing to be seen more in that contention did quit his interesse leaving the quarrel to the other two who did pursue it both Hepburn posting to Rome laboured to have his election confirmed but prevailed not Forman because of his Legation was followed of the Churchmen for the most part and acknowledged by all the vassals of the See yet the jarring still continued untill the Duke of Albany his coming into the countrey who at his acceptation of the Regencyâ— brought them to a submission and pacified all these strifes distributing the Benefices in this manner To Forman he left the Archbishoprick of S. Andrews and Abbacy of Dunfermlin which was given him by the Pope in Commendam The Abbacy of Aberbrothock which Forman likewise possessed he gave to Iames Beaton Archbishop of Glasgow and Chancellour for the time The Prior Iohn Hepburn was contented with a pension of three thousand Crows which Forman was ordained to pay him during life and upon his brother Master Iames Hepburn was the Bishoprick of Murray bestowed Alexander Gordon Cousen to the Earl of Huntley was made Bishop of Aberdene Iames Ogilvy a brother of the house of Ogilvy Abbot of Drybrugh and George Dundass of the house of Dundass Commendator of the preceptory of Torphichen This partition did satisfie them all and so they were fully reconciled Some few years after Forman died at Dunfermlin where he was also buried A plain and open man but said to be profuse besides the Benefices he possessed in Scotland he was Archbishop of Burges in France by the gift of King Lewis the twelfth which did greatly increase his means 39. Upon the death of Forman Iames Beaton Archbishop of Glasgow and Chancellour of the Kingdome was translated to S. Andrews Master Gawane Dumbar to whose instruction the young King was committed was preferred to this place The troubles of the time were great because of the minority of the King and therein this Bishop had not the least part being chased from the Court and from his own dwellings glad to lurk and shift himself a long time from place to place amongst friends to eschew the violence of the Dowglasses who had setled themselves about the King and swayed all affaires at their pleasures But it was not long ere he made even with them The Queen-mother who had taken the Earl of Angus to her husband falling into dislike of him and pursuing a divorce in the Bishops Court which she easily obtained Thereupon the young King his escape from the Dowglasses and their exile in England at which time the Bishop was reponed to his office and place seventeen years he lived Bishop of this See and was herein most unfortunate that under the shadow of his authority many good men were put to death for the cause of Religion though he himself was neither violently set nor much solicitous as it was thought how matters went in the Church The first that was called in question was Master Patrick Hamilton Abbot of Ferm a man nobly descended for he was Nephew to the Earl of Arrane by his father and to the Duke of Albany by the Mother and not much past twenty three yeares of age This young
unto them with an offer to dimit them freely so as they would promise to use their best means with the Governour and others of the Nobility of Scotland for obtaining their consents to the Match The Noblemen liking the motion and esteeming it a ready means to establish a lasting Peace gave their promise to deal faithfully in it and so were sent home with many liberal promises if the marriage should take effect In their company returned the Earl of Angus and his brother Sir George who had been exiled a long time in England with letters to the Governour from the King for their restitution The matter being moved to the Governour and Councel it was liked by all the Queen-mother and the Cardinal only excepted and for this a Parliament was called at Edinburgh the 13. of March following whither came Sir Ralph Sadler as Ambassadour from King Henry to attend the successe In the beginning a great stirre was made by the Cardinal and Clergy that adhered to him so as the Estates could come to no conclusion whereupon the Cardinal was committed in the Castle of Dalkeith The day following by an uniform consent the Match was agreed and the Earl of Glancarne Sir George Dowglas brother to the Earl of Angus Sir William Hamilton of Forne and Sir Iames Learmouth of Dersay imployed by the Estates to transact with King Henry upon all particulars In this Parliament upon a petition presented to the Estates for restraining the power of the Prelates in pursuing those they called hereticks and for liberty to read the Scripture in the English language Commission was granted to some selected persons for considering the petition and prescribing what was fit to be done therein The Commissioners meeting after the Parliament was broke up declared That it should be lawful for every one that could read to use the English Translation of the Bible untill the Prelates should publish one more correct Intimation of this liberty being sent through all the Kingdome by the Governours direction the Clergy did declaim against him as a favourer of hereticks taking exception at two Preachers he entertained in his house the one called Frier William the other Iohn Rough who did openly in their Sermons inveigh against the Popes authority the adoration of Images invocation of Saints and other superstitious inventions of Rome In the end of Iuly the Ambassadours directed towards England returned with satisfaction in all particulars concerning the marriage and so the contract betwixt the two Kingdomes was signed by the Governor and those whom the States had deputed for the part of Scotland and by Sir Ralph Sadler Ambassadour for the part of England and the Seals of the Kingdome interchanged as use is The Governour and English Ambassadour for the greater assurance did solemnly swear to observe the Contract in all Articles thereof dividing the holy Sacrament amongst them as the custome then was And now all matters lookt fair no man wishing them to go better for in the Governours Court was nothing seen that the severest eye could censure or reprove In the publick Government such a moderation was kept as no man was heard to complain The Governour was reverently obeyed and held in as great respect as any Kings of preceding times To be short every man did promise himself a blessed and happy time which on suddain all was overturned and the Realm cast in greater troubles then before Iohn Hamilton Abbot of Paisley base brother to the Governour and David Panter afterwards removed to the Bishoprick of Ross who had lived a long time in France returning about this time into the countrey and being devoted to the French dealt privately with the Governour who was of an easie nature and apt to be taken by those he trusted to break the contract with England But having small hope to prevaile so long as the Preachers and Gentlemen whose counsel he followed remained with him they used all means to be rid of them Frier Guilielm fearing to be called in question for his doctrine at which the Abbot was ever excepting withdrew himself and went into England Iohn Rough upon some colour was dimitted to preach in the parts of Kile and Carrick The Laird of Grainge Master Henry Balnaves Master Thomas Ballenden and Sir David Lindsay of the Mont who had attended the Governour ever since the time of his promoving to the Regency had such discontents given them as they were made too weary of their attendance and the meaner sort such as Mr. Michael Durham Mr. David Borthwick David Forres and David Bothwel men that had served him faithfully and of a long time were openly menaced and forced to quit their services Neither was the Cardinal in this time idle for being by the Queens intercession removed from Dalkeith to the place of Seaton he went from thence without warrant to S. Andrews none calling him therefore in question for the Governours brother who was then preferred to be Theasurer and ruled all things at Court made up a secret friendship with him Shortly after in a frequent meeting of the Clergy at S. Andrews the Cardinal laying before them the dangers wherewith the Clergy was threatned by the Match with England did earnestly incite them to oppose it and contribute moneys and imploy all their friendship to the contrary seeing it concerned them no lesse then their lives or estates were worth They making no difficulty and offering to contribute all their means to that effect appointed a present collection to be made which was trusted to his disposing The Friers were directed to inveigh in their Sermons against their alliance and the Priests set on to stirre up the popular against the Ambassadour who had many indignities offered him which he patiently digested lest he should be thought to minister any occasion of breach How soon the day appointed for delivering the pledges was come for that was a condition in the contract the Ambassadour went unto the Governour and put him in mind of the pledges that by the contract he was obliged to enter complaining withall of the disgraces that he and his Master the King of England received The Governour answering first his complaint of the insolencies committed said He should take trial and punish the committers in such sort as all might see what affection he bore to the King and Countrey of England But for the pledges he said I can neither move them to enter willingly nor force them if they be unwilling For you see what a mutiny is raised in the countrey by the Cardinal and how uncertain I am of mine own estate Till this be quieted I know not in that point what to answer The Ambassadour who understood that to be truth which he spoke forbare to urge the delivery of the pledges any more saying he would advertise his Master how the case stood and attend his directions Soon after the Ambassadour was recalled the
upon them which otherwise then for eschewing the present danger he would not have done To this Iohn Knox answered That men ought so to serve the time as they neglect not their obedience unto God whose Commandement how great soever the danger be may not be transgressed For the ensample alledged he said the dissimilitude was great seeing to go into the Temple to purifie and pay vowes was sometimes commanded by God himself whereas the Masse from the first invention of it was abominable idolatry and never allowed of God Further he said that it might justly be doubted if either S. Pauls fact or the advice that S. James and the Elders of Jerusalem gave him had any good warrant seeing the event proved not such as they did promise to themselves for S. Paul was so farre from purchasing thereby the favour of the Jewes as to the contrary they rising in a tumult threw him forth of the Temple and had almost killed him so as it seemed God did not allow his doing for that it served to confirm the obstinate Jewes in their superstition By these and the like answers to the rest of the allegations propounded the hearers were so satisfied as they resolved to go no more to Masse but to make an open separation whose ensample divers others both of the Town and Countrey followed This being observed by the Priests and others of the inferiour Clergy they complained to the Bishops and shewed how the Church-service was contemned and people drawn away to private conventicles The Bishops meaning the case to the Queen Regent she was much commoved yet advised them to use their own authority and spare her for a little time lest the Articles of the marriage which was then treating betwixt her daughter and the Daulphine of France might receive some crosse at the Convention of the Estates Hereupon they took counsel to call Iohn Knox and summoned him to appear in the Church of Black friers at Edinburgh the fifteenth of May. But when the day came they took a new device and deserted the Diet pretending some informality in the Summons howbeit the true cause was that a number of Barons and Gentlemen were come to the Town to assist him After that time his preaching grew publick and was more frequented then before The Earls of Glencarn and Marshall repaired daily thereto and were so taken with his Sermons as they did counsell him to write unto the Queen Regent and intreat her to make a Reformation of the Church which he did the letter was delivered by the Earle of Glencarne but she calling it a Pasquill gave the same to the Archbishop of Glasgow and made no more accompt thereof This is that letter which was afterwards published in Print and intituled A letter to Queen Dowager Letters about the same time were brought to Iohn Knox from the English Church at Geneva declating that they had elected him to be their Preacher and requesting him to come and accept the Charge This letter he communicated with those that were his ordinary auditors and when he saw them exceedingly grieved for his departing gave his promise to return how soon they should finde it fit to recall him Soon after he took leave of them and went to his journey but was not well gone when upon a new citation directed by the Clergy because he appeared not he was condemned for an heretick and burnt in effigie at the Mercat-crosse of Edinburgh This was done in the moneth of Iuly 1556. the copy of the sentence being sent unto him he published an Apology intituling it An appellation from the Clergy to the Nobility and Commons of Scotland This year many prodigious signes were observed A Comet of that kind which the Astronomers call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the vulgars a firie Bissome shined the whole moneths of November December and Ianuary great Rivers in the middest of winter dried up and in the summer swelled so high as divers Villages were therewith drowned and numbers of cattel feeding in the valley grounds carried to the sea Whales of a huge greatnesse were cast out into sundry parts of the River of Forth hailstones of the bignesse of a Doves egge falling in many parts destroyed abundance of Cornes and which was most terrible a firie Dragon was seen to flie low upon the earth vomiting forth fire both in the day and night season which lasted a long time and put the people to a necessity of watching their houses and Corn-yards These direful signes as every man is led by his fancy to presage were taken by some to be progonosticks of great troubles that should ensue upon the Match with France others said that thereby was signified some great change in the estate of the Church And indeed after this the estimation of the Clergy daily diminished and divers of that number relinquishing their order made open profession of the truth Mr. Iohn Dowglas a Carmelite Frier forsaking his Order became a Chaplain to the Earl of Argyle who resided then at Court and spoke openly in his Sermons against Popish superstitions In Dundy Paul Methven did publickly exhort the people to renounce the doctrine of Rome and submit themselves to the doctrine of Christ. And in all the parts of the countrey some were daily breaking forth especially from the Cloisters and declaiming against the corruptions of the Church The Bishops perceiving it would be to no purpose to convene the Preachers before themselves for heresie moved the Queen Regent to call them before the Councell for raising mutinies and stirring up people to sedition hoping that way at least to restrain their publick teaching but at the day appointed for their appearance such numbers of people did accompany them as it was held safest not to call them till the multitude was disperst and for that effect a Proclamation was given out charging all persons that were come to the Town without licence of the Authority to repaire immediately to the borders and attend the Lieutenant in the service against England for the space of 15. dayes The Gentlemen of the West countrey who were but lately returned from the same service esteeming this a sort of oppression went in a tumult to the Palace and entering the Queens Privy chamber complained of the unreasonable Proclamation that was sent forth The Queen began to excuse the matter and shew the necessity of their attendance for some short time but they would not be satisfised And one Iames Chalmers of Gaitgirth a froward and furious man stepping forward said We know Madam that this is the device of the Bishops who stand by you we avow to God it shall not go so they oppresse us and our poor tenants for feeding their idle bellies they trouble our Preachers and seek to undoe them and us all we will not suffer it any longer And with those words every man made to his weapon The Queen being extremely feared gave them many
The Church of Aberdene was not so scant of men as to admit an unworthy person into the place And howsoever the King in his Kingdome might do what he pleased they were by their oathes astricted to admit none but learned men and such as were approved for integrity of life wherefore intreated the King in humble manner to suffer them as they had been accustomed to elect some wise and grave person that could discharge the place with credit which after some moneths they obtained making choice of one Alexander Kinninmouth who was consecrated in the Town of Perth the King himself being present This man answered fully the hopes conceived of hâ—m and took great pains in his calling for on the ferial dayes he taught the Civil and Canon law and the holy dayes he spent in preaching and prayer Thrice every week he fasted contenting himself in the holy Eves with bread and water He caused demolish the old Church of Aberdene which he esteemed not so beautiful as was fitting for a Cathedral Church and laid the foundation of another more magnificent But ere the work was advanced six cubits high he was employed by King Robert the second in an Ambassage to France for renewing the old league which he worthily performed shortly after his return he died having sate Bishop 24. years 20. Adam Conningham a man well descended and of great authority was after him elected This Bishop is said to have been in such accompt for the his wisdom and sincerity that in all matters of importance propounded in Councel his opinion did ever prevail His frequent imployments with the French King as well before as after his preferment to the See and the happy successe he had therein manifested his prudence and dexterity of wit yet as it falleth out often in Courts upon some envious delations the King became jealous of him as if he had practised with some Noblemen against the Royal succession and pressed to reduce the old form of election of Kings Finding that the King had taken some impression of the report albeit nothing was more false he took counsell to retire himself and attend his charge at home where he had not long staid but he fell in a new trouble with a base sonne of the Kings named Alexander a man extremely vicious and for his oppressions hated of all good men To the Bishop he bare a special grudge because of the liberty he had used in reproving his wickednesse and hearing in what dislike the Bishop was with the King he violently possessed himself in the Bishops lands thrust forth his tenants and behaved himself as Master and Lord of all The Bishop complained to the King but finding no redresse he pronounced him excommunicate wherewith the wicked man incensed associating a number as wickedly disposed as himself did swear to take the Bishops life and came to Aberdene of that intention Whereof the Bishop getting advertisement he went forth to meet him on the way and how soon he saw him discovering his head which was all white for he was a man of great age said If this be it that thou seekest I have brought it unto thee take thee head life and all The company admiring the old mans courage and moved with some compassion of his white haires perswaded Alexander not to meddle with his blood The report of this insolencie going to the King he sent for his sonne and committing him to prison caused satisfaction to be given for all the injuries the Bishop had sustained and surety for his indemnity thereafter After which he enjoyed reasenable quietnesse untill his death which happened in the year of Christ 1390. having sate Bishop ten years 21. Gilbert Grimlaw a man learned wise and of great esteem with the Nobles of the Kingdom was consecrated Bishop of Aberdene the same year he had been Chancellour to King Robert the third a long time which office he discharged with great credit and to the contentment of all the subjects after the Kings death the Earle of Fife brother to the deceased King then governing the Realm he was employed in an Ambassage to Charles the seventh of France and went thither in the company of the Earls of Buchan and Douglas who with divers other Noblemen were afterward unfortunately killed at the battel of Vernoil The Bishop at his return found all things out of frame the Governour dead his sonne Mordach placed in his room and the whole estate miserable by the riots and oppressions which were used every where without punishment This made the Bishop retire himself and live private at home where soon after he died of a consumption in the year 1424. his body was interred in the Quire of the Cathedral Church 22. After his death Henry Leighton Bishop of Murray was translated to Aberdene a man learned both in the Civil and Canon law of great experience and in that regard postulated Bishop by the Chanons he stood doubtful a while whether he should condescend to the charge or not yet was induced to consent at last and so came to Aberdene where he applied himself carefully to do the charge of a Bishop But the Estates of the Realme meeting in a solemn convention for putting some order to the present confusions he was sent with some others in Commission to England to treat for redemption of King Iames the first who was there detained captive This businesse happily performed he returned with the King to whom he gave great content by his services and forwardnesse in reforming publick abuses he advanced greatly the fabrick of the Church of Aberdene and bestowed large summes for perfecting that work he built also the Chappel called Saint Iohns Chappel within the Cathedral and was therein buried himself in the year 1441. 17. years after his translation 23. Ingram Lindesay Doctor of the Canon law was upon his death with the great applause of all good men received Bishop he was at that time very old and by the policie of one Alexander who aimed at his place moved to take journey to Rome the man imagining that he should die in the voyage whereof yet he was deceived For the Bishop sailing to Marselles in France went from thence by sea to Rome and after some moneths stay returned more healthful then before 17 yeares he continued Bishop and ruled the affaires of the Church very wisely A man constant in his promises of a spare diet but very hospitable for he entertained great numbers both of learned men and others especially the eldest sonnes of Noblemen and Barons in the North parts and notwithstanding of his age and publick employments was ever at study when he could find any free time from those cares A little before his death he fell in the Kings displeasure for denying admission to some whom the King had presented to certain Benefices for that they were either meer ignorants or for their years incapable But this did not much trouble his mind as being no way conscious to himself of any
ready to be restored to the Crown if the Queen his Mother break the Covenants agreed betwixt her and the Queen of England 10. That for his entertainment he should not only have the revenues which the Princes of Scotland in former times possessed but also the Rents and Offices belonging sometime to the Earl of Bothwel 11. And last that a convenient number of Hostages being all Noblemen and of those who have adhered to the Queen and solicited her delivery should enter in England to remain there for assurance of observing the conditions made both to the King of Scots and the subjects under his obedience and to the Queen of England for the peace and quiet of her dominions And that the said Hostages should be entered in England before the Queen of Scots shall be put to liberty These Articles delivered to them were answered the next day as followeth We have seen and considered the note of the Heads which we received from your Lordships for pacifying the controversies between the Queen our Soveraigns mother and the King her Son and his Subjects touching the Title of the Crown of Scotland if it be found that her dimission either was or may be lawfully revoked by her And therewithall having diligently perused our Commission and Instructions to know how far we might enter in Treaty upon the same Heads for satisfaction of the Queens Majesty and your Lordships to whom the hearing of the cause is committed We find our selves no ways able nor sufficiently authorised to enter into any treaty or conference touching the King our Soveraign his Crown the abdication or diminution of the same or yet the removing of his person from the place where he abideth For as we confesse our selves his Highnesse subjects and have all our power and Commission from him to treat in his name in matters tending to the maintenance of true Religion his honour and estate and for the continuance of amity betwixt the two Realms So we cannot presume to abuse our Commission in any thing that may prejudge him wherein we trust your Lordships shall allow and approve us At the same time some others were appointed to conferre with those of his Mothers party And to them it was proposed that for the security of the Queen of England and the Noblemen that followed the King of Scots the Duke of Chatteller ault with the Earls of Huntley Argile the Lord Home and any other Nobleman they pleased to name should be delivered as pledges and the Castles of Dumbar and Home be put in the hands of English men to be kept for three years The answer they gave was that she who of her own motive committed her self to the protection of the Queen of England would most willingly give her satisfaction in all things which conveniently might be done but to deliver those great men and the Fortresses required was no other thing but to spoil and deprive the distressed Queen of the succour of her most faithful friends and the strength of those places yet if in all other points they did agree they made offer that two Earls one whereof should be of the number nominated and two Lords should enter as Hostages and remain in England for the space of two years but for the Holds and Castles they could not because of the League with France put them in the hands of English men unlesse others were put also in the hands of the French The Queen of England perceiving that there were on both sides great impediments sent for the Kings Commissioners and told them how she had considered that the Articles proponed could not be resolved but in a Parliament and therefore leaving the Treaty for a time seeing she understood there was a meeting of the Estates appointed in May next she held it meetest they should return and in that meeting condescend upon an equal number of both parties that should have power to compose matters The Abstinence in the mean time being renewed in hope that all differences should be taken away and matters peaceably agreed This she would cause signify to the Agents of their Queen and doubted not but they would assent thereto yet when it was moved unto them they refused to agree to any delay till they should know what was her own mind Hereupon the Kings Commissioners were commanded to stay till her Answer should be returned In this time the Bishop of Galloway and the Lord Levingston trusting to speed better by conference with the Earl of Morton and the rest sent to desire a meeting of them which was yielded unto provided the Bishop of Ross came not in their company for him they would not admit as being the Kings Rebel Having met they talked kindly one to another But that the Queen should be restored to her authority in no condition though divers were proponed could be admitted which when she heard and that the Queen of England had taken a course to delay things she grew into a great choler and inhibited her Commissioners to treat any more This reported to the Queen of England she sent for the Earl of Morton and his Associates and told him that their Queen took in evil part the motion she had made And seeing it is so saith she I will not detain you longer ye shall go home and if afterwards she be brought to agree to this course as I hope she shall I have no doubt but you will for your parts do that which is fitting Thus were they dimitted Whilest these things were doing in England the factions at home notwithstanding of the Abstinence were not idle but taking their advantage of others Lord Claud Hamilton ejecting the Lord Semple his servant forth of the house of Paslay placed therein a number of souldiers and by them kept all these parts in in fear The Regent upon this gathering some forces besieged the house and had it rendered to him within a few days The Souldiers were conveyed to Edinburgh and hanged on the Gallows without the Town Not long after upon intelligence that the Castle of Dunbarton was negligently kept and might easily be surprised he sent three companies under the command of Captain Crawford Captain Home and Captain Ramsey to give the attempt Ladders and other necessaries for scaling being prepared they went thither in the night conducted by a fellow that had served in the house and as then had quit his service upon a private discontent A little before day carrying the ladders with the least noise they could make they placed the same in the most commodious part for ascent and notwithstanding of sundry difficulties that happened got up in the end to the top of the Rock There having a wall of stone likewise to climbe Captain Alexander Ramsey by a ladder which they drew up after them was the first that entered and for a short space defended himself against three watchmen that assailed him Crawford and Home following quickly with their companies the
himself strong enough with the supply he had obtained made out to search and pursue his enemies Adam Gordon lay then at Aberdene and being advertised that the Forbesses were drawing near to the City he went forth to meet them The encounter at the beginning was sharp and furious but the Forbesses were young men for the greatest part of small experience and not under command and the souldiers not being well seconded by them after they had fought a while gave over and yielded The slaughter was not great for the conflict happened in the evening which helpt many to escape Captain Chisholm with most of his company and some 15. of the name of Forbes were killed the Master of Forbes and some others were taken prisoners This good successe of the Queens party in the North gave hearts to all the faction and now they began every where to take new courage In the South the Lairds of Fernherst and Bacleugh did affail Iedburgh a little town but very constant in maintaining the Kings authority Lord Claud Hamilton belyed Paslay The Castle of Braughtie on the river of Tay was surprised by ... Seaton of Perbroath and in divers other parts troubles were raised of purpose to divide the Regents forces and to withdraw him from Leth that the town of Edinburgh which was then in some scarcity of victuals might be relieved In the moneth of Ianuary an assembly of the Church convened at Leth where after great instance made with the Regent and Councel for setling the policy of the Church it was agreed that six of the Councel and as many of the Assembly should be selected to treat reason and conclude upon that businesse For the Councel Iames Earl of Morton Chancellour William Lord Ruthven Treasurer Robert Abbot of Dunfermlin Secretary Mr. Iames Macgill Keeper of the Rolls Sir Iohn Bellenden Justice Clerk and Colin Campbel of Glenorchy were named and for the Church Iohn Ereskin of Dun Superintendent of Angus Mr. Iohn Winraine Superintendent of Fife Mr. Andrew Hay Commissioner of Claddisdale Mr. David Lindesay Commissioner of the West Mr. Robert Pont Commissioner of Orkney and Mr. Iohn Craig one of the Ministers of Edinburgh These twelve convening after divers meetings and long deliberation grew to the conclusions following 1. That the Archbishopricks and Bishopricks presently void should be disponed to the most qualified of the Ministery 2. That the spiritual jurisdiction should be exerced by the Bishops in their Dioces 3. That all Abbots Priors and other inferiour Prelates who should happen to be presented to Benefices should be tried by the Bishop or Superintendent of the bounds concerning their qualification and aptnesse to give voice for the Church in Parliament and upon their collation be admitted to the Benefice and not otherwise 4. That so the Bishopricks presently void or that should happen hereafter to fall the King and the Regent should recommend fit and qualified persons and their elections to be made by the Chapters of the Cathedral Churches And forasmuch as divers of the Chapters Churches were possessed by men provided before his Majesties Coronation who bare no office in the Church a particular nomination should be made of Ministers in every Dioces to supply their rooms untill the Benefices should fall void 5. That all Benefices of Cure under Prelacies should be disponed to actual Ministers and to no others 6. That the Ministers should receive Ordination from the Bishop of the Dioces and where no Bishop was as yet placed from the Superintendent of the bounds 7. That the Bishops and Superintendents at the Ordination of Ministers should exact of them an oath for acknowledging his Majesties authority and for obedience to their Ordinary in all things lawful according to the form then condescended Order also was taken for disposing of Provestries Colledge charges and Chaplanries and divers other particulars most profitable for the Church as in the records extant may be seen which were all ordained to stand in force untill the Kings majority or till the Estates of the Realm should otherwise appoint In August thereafter the Assembly of the Church meeting again at Perth report was made of these conclusions and exception taken by some at the titles of Archbishop Dean Archdeacon Chancellor and Chapter as being Popish and offensive to the ears of good Christians whereupon it was declared that by using these titles they meant not to allow of Popish superstition in any sort wishing the same to be changed in others not so scandalous As the name of Bishop to be hereafter used for Archbishop the Chapter to be called The Bishops assembly the Dean to be called The Moderator of the said assembly And for the titles of Archdeacon Chancellour Abbot and Prior that some should be appointed to consider how farre these functions did extend and give their opinion for the interchange thereof with others more agreeable to the Word and the policy of the best reformed Churches reporting their opinions at the next Assembly But I do not find that any such report was made like it is the wiser sort esteemed there was no cause to stumble at titles where the office was thought necessary and lawful A protestation always was made that they received these Articles for an interim till a more perfect order might be obtained at the King his Regent and the Nobilities hands According to these conclusions Mr. Iohn Douglas Provost of the New Colledge of S. Andrews was provided to the Archbishoprick of that See Mr. Iames Boyd to the Archbishoprick of Glasgow Mr. Iames Paton to the Bishoprick of Dunkeld and Mr. Andrew Ghram to the Bishoprick of Dumblane About the end of Ianuary the Regent advertised of the peril wherein the town of Iedburgh stood and of the great preparation that Fernherst and Bacleugh made to surprise it for they had besides their own forces drawn all the people of Esk Ewis and Liddesdale to joyn with them in hope of spoil and from the English Borders divers that were given to robbery to the number of 3000. and above sent the Lord Ruthven with some forces to defend them Before his coming Walter Ker of Cesford a man of good worth who had ever assisted the Kings party was joyned with them Their enemies notthelesse esteeming themselves strong enough by reason of their numbers went forwards with an assurance of victory The Lord Ruthven having notice given him by the way of their diet and the time they had appointed to invade the town did use the more speed and came in sight thereof just as the enemies appeared They fearing to be inclosed betwixt the town who shewed themselves in the fields ready to fight and the forces the Lord Ruthven brought with him did presently retire and give back Fernherst and Bacleugh went to Hawick and were followed the next day by the Lord Ruthven who came upon them so unlooked for as they were cast into a great fear The principals that had horses fled away
the rest betook them to a little bush of wood where being environed on all sides they yielded at discretion the prisoners were many of whom some few were retained as pledges and the rest dimitted upon promise to enter themselves at a certain day The rest of the winter and all the next spring was spent in light skirmishes with small losse on either side for they of the Queens faction did seldom come to the open fields or if they shewed themselves at any time upon the first onset they took the flight and retired to the town Whilest matters did thus proceed in the Queen of Scots quarrel at home the Bishop of Ross in England renewed the purpose of marriage with the Duke of Norfolk and practised with divers for setting the Queen at liberty This being discovered the Duke was committed to the Tower of London and being arraigned at Westminster Hall the 16. of Ianuary was convicted of Treason and condemned to die yet was the execution delayed to the Iune after The Bishop of Ross called also in question defended himself by the priviledges of his Ambassage saying That he had done nothing but what his place and duty tied him unto for procuring the liberty of his Princess and that he came unto England with sufficient authority which he had shewed and was at the time accepted When it was replied that the priviledges of Ambassadours could not protect them who did offend against the Majesty of the Princes they were sent unto and that they were not to be reputed other then enemies who practised rebellion against the State He answered that he had neither raised nor practisâ—d rebellion but perceiving the adversaries of his Princess countenanced and her out of all hope of liberty he could not abandon his Soveraign in her affliction but do his best to procure her freedom And that it would never be found that the priviledges of Ambassadours were violated via juris by course of law but only via facti by way of fact which seldom had a good success After long altercation he was sent to the Isle of Ely and from thence brought and imprisoned in the Tower where he remained nigh two years Some ten days after Norfolks execution the Queen of England directed certain of her Councel to the Queen of Scots to expostulate with her for making suit to the Pope and King of Spain and for receiving letters from the Pope together with a sentence declaratory published against her self whereunto after protestation that she was a free Queen and subject to none she answered that she had indeed by letters solicited both the Pope and King of Spain for restoring her unto her Kingdom which was no prejudice to the Q. of England that she had received godly and consolatory letters from the Pope But for the sentence given by him she never knew thereof till a printed copy was brought unto her which after she had read she did cast into the fire These answers did not satisfy the Q. of Engl. who having understood that she had entered in a secret confederacy with the Spaniard kept her from that time in a more strict custody then before Yet at the request of the French King she sent of new Sir William Drury unto Scotland to treat for peace and if that could not be wrought to procure a cessation of Arms for a certain space But he prevailed nothing the warres being then very hot and the parties mightily incensed against others No quarters were given nor interchange of prisoners made but all that were taken on either side presently executed This device was held to proceed from the Earl of Morton who thought the troubles would not hastily cease if a greater severity were not used towards them who withstood the Kings authority But whose device soever it was it proved exceeding hateful The common sort taking it to have come of Morton called the warres of that time the Douglasses warres This form of doing continued from the 16. of April to the 8. of Iune at which time both parties wearied of execution daily made were content to cease from such rigour and use fair warres as in former times In the North Adam Gordon after the Forbesses were defeated found no resistance and following his fortune reduced all beyond the river of Dee to the Queens obedience To impede his proceedings for he had entered then into the countrey of Mernis and was besieging the house of William Douglass of Glenbervy The Regent directed the Earl of Crawford and Buchan with the Lord Glamis and Master of Marshell These Noblemen meeting at Brichen and waiting there till forces should assemble Adam Gordon came upon them in the night and killing the watches that were placed at the Bridge on the North side of the town had very nigh taken them all in bed but they wakened by the noise of the Trumpets espcaped many were taken prisoners and some 39. persons slain within the City This done he besieged the town of Montross and forced them to pay a great summe of mony which put the town of Dundy in such fear as they were driven to seek aid of their Neighbours in Fife At the same time the Castle of Blacknes a Fort on the South-side of the river of Forth was sold by the Keeper to the Hamiltons and thereby the Navigation betwixt Leth and Striveling barred at Edinburgh were divers skirmishes betwixt them and the companies that lay at Leth and which was greatly lamented of both parties the Lord Methven killed by a shot of Cannon from the Castle The Duke in the mean time having proclaimed a Justice Court at Hamilton and divers persons within the Sheriffdom of Ranfrew and Lennox to answer to certain crimes whereof they were delated The Regent prepared to keep the diet and leaving the Earl of Montross and the Lord Lindesay to follow the service at Leth took journey to Glasgow and from thence to Hamilton But neither the Duke nor any in his name appearing to hold the Court he appointed the Lord Semple Lieutenant in those West parts for the King and returned to Striveling He had intended an expedition in the North but upon advertisement that two Ambassadours were arrived at Leth he turned thither The one was Monsieur de Crock imployed by the French the other Mr. Randolph by England who professed both of them to be sent for negotiating a peace amongst the parties yet was it thought the French did not much affect the peace For even then the Lord Fleming came from France with moneys to pay the souldiers that served the Lords at Edinburgh This Nobleman some ten days after walking in the street was unhappily wounded in the knee by the shot of an Harquesk whereof he died the sixth of September As to the Queen of England howbeit she desired peace to be made yet she would have it in such manner as both factions might depend on her and so she had carried her self in
should prefer none thereto but such as was sound in Religion and for other qualities apt and worthy That during his Regencie he should grant no respits nor remissions for hainous crimes That he should not transport the King forth of the Castle of Striveling without the advice of the Councel That he should grant no favour to the murtherers of the Kings Father and Regents That he should neither enter into league with forainers nor denounce warre without the consent of the Estates And that he should be careful to entertain the amity contracted with the Queen of England The Estates on the other part did promise to assist him with all their power against the Kings enemies and to joyn with him in the reformation of whatsoever abuses crept in by occasion of the late troubles without offending at the execution of justice upon their nearest and dearest friend Order was also taken for the entertainment of his house the setling of a resident Councel and the advancing of the revenues of the Crown to the best profit And these were the things done in that meeting Soon after came Sir Henry Killigrew Ambassadour from England partly to declare the content which the Queen had received in the choice of the Earl of Morton to be Regent and partly to renew the Abstinence which was then near the expiring Herein he prevailed so farre with the Duke and Huntley as they were brought not only to prorogate the Abstinence but also to name certain Noblemen who should meet for them at Perth with such as the Regent by advice of the Councel should nominate for concluding a perfect peace The Laird of Grange and those that remained with him in the Castle refusing to be comprehended in that treaty went on in victualling and fortifying the house for impeding whereof the Regent did levie some companies of souldiers to inclose the Castle and because the time of Parliament was approaching he caused erect Bulwarks in divers places of the street to secure the people at their meetings to Sermon and the Judges that convened to the ministration of Justice Grange finding himself thus pent up did by a Proclamation from the Castle wall command all the Queens subjects to depart forth of the town within the space of 24. hours The time expired he made the Cannon thunder upon the town to the great terrour of the Inhabitants yet there was no great hurt done that way which when he perceived he hired one of his souldiers to set fire in the night time to some houses under the wall which destroyed a number of tenements for a strong Western wind blowing in the time the fire did so rage as from S. Magdalens Chappel Westward all was consumed none daring to put hand to quench the fire because of the Canon that played still on the part where they saw any concurse of people This made him extremely hated and even they that otherwise wished him well were greatly offended with this doing The Parliament notthelesse kept and thre in divers Acts were mode partly for maintaining the Kings authority partly for preservation of true Religion which causes were held in those days so conjoyned as the enemies of the one were likewise esteemed enemies to the other Therefore was it then enacted That none should be reputed loyal and faithful subjects to the King or his authority but be punished as rebels who made not profession of true Religion And that all such as made profession thereof and yet withstood the Kings authority should be admonished by their teachers to acknowledge their offence and return to his Majesties obedience and if they refused that they should be excommunicated and cut of from the society of the Church as putrid and corrupted members The Parliament breaking up the Regent by advice of the Councel directed to the meeting at Perth the Earl of Argile then created Chancellour the Earl of Montrosse the Abbot of Dunfermlin Secretary the Lords Ruthven Boyd and Sir Iohn Ballenden Justice Clerk There met with them the Earl of Huntley and Lord Iohn Hamilton Commendatory of Aberbrothock authorised by the rest that maintained the Queens authority The English Ambassadour assisting them after some days conference they were brought to agree upon these Articles 1. That all persons comprehended in the present pacification should acknowledge and professe the true Religion established and professed within the Realm and maintain the Preachers and professours thereof against all opposers specially against the confederates of the Councel of Trent 2. That the Earl of Huntley and Lord Iohn Hamilton with their friends and followers should submit themselves to the King and to the government of the Earl of Morton his Regent and his successours in the same acknowledging themselves the Kings subjects by their oaths and subscriptions 3. That they should confesse all things done by them under colour of any other authority since the time of his Majesties Coronation to have been unlawful and of no force nor effect 4. That an Act of Parliament should be made with all their consents ordaining that none of the subjects should assist fortify supply or shew any favour directly nor indirectly to those who should happen to practise against the religion presently professed the Kings person his authority or Regent And if they should be tried to do any thing to the contrary the remissions granted to them with all other benefits of the pacification should be null and they pursued for their offences past as if they had never obtained pardon for the same 5. That all persons professing his Highnesse obedience who had been dispossessed during the late troubles should be reponed to their houses lands livings benefices and whatsoever goods belonging to them if so the same were extant in the hands of the intrometters horses and armour only excepted 6. That the Master of Forbes Iames Glen of Barre and all other persons should be set at liberty as likewise the bonds given by the Lord Semple and others for entry of prisoners or for paiment of any ransomes be discharged 7. That the Earl or Huntley and Lord Iohn Hamilton should dimit and cause all souldiers hired or maintained by them or any of their party to be forthwith dimitted 8. That all processes of forfeiture which had been led especially the sentences given against the Earl of Huntley Lord Iohn Hamilton and Lord Claud his brother William Bishop of Aberdene Alexander Bishop of Galloway Adam Gordon of Awchindown and the rest of their friendship for any crimes or offences done in the common cause against the King and his authority since the 15th of Iune 1567. or for any other cause contained in the summons of forfeiture raised against them should be declared null and of no force without any other special declaration And that the foresaid persons should have liberty given them to reduce the said forfeitures as they should please 9. That all persons then returning or who should return to the Kings obedience and
matter to that time where in stead of examining the process or discussing the Bishops Appellation a transaction was made in this sort That the Bishop by his hand-writing or personal appearance in the Assembly should deny that ever he publickly professed or meaned to claim any supremacy or to be Judge over other Pastors and Ministers or yet avowed the same to have a ground in Gods word and if so he had done it had been an error against his conscience and knowledge That he should also deny that in the last Synodal Assembly he did claim to be Judge of the same and if he had done it that he erred therein and in his emperious behaviour and contempt of the said Synod That thirdly he should promise to behave himself better in time coming and crave pardon for any oversight by him committed claiming no further then justly he might by Gods word and in all other things carry himself as a moderate Pastor ought labouring to be the Bishop described by S. Paul submitting his life and doctrine to the judgment and censure of the general Assembly without any reclamation provocation or appellation from the same in any time coming That the Assembly on the other part for his Majesties satisfaction and to give testimony of their willing minds to obey his Highness so far as they could and in conscience they might and for the good hope they had of his Majesties favourable concurrence in building up the house of God should hold the said process and sentence as undeduced and not pronounced and restore the Bishop in so far as concerned the said process and sentence to the estate wherein he was before the pronouncing of the same especially because the said process was led and deduced during the time of the conference whereupon his Majesty had conceived offence with this proviso Always that the Bishop should observe what he promised in the premises and carry himself dutifully in his vocation in all times thereafter What should have moved the King to hearken to a mediation so prejudicial both to his own authority and the Episcopal jurisdiction which he laboured to establish cannot well be conjectured except we will think that by yeilding to the Churches advice in this particular he hoped to winne them in end to those things which served for his peace and their own quietnesse or which I rather believe that he did only temporise not seeing another way how to come by his ends and was content to keep them in any tolerable terms till he should find himself of power sufficient to redresse these confusions Whatsoever the reason was the Bishop did set his hand to the conditions proposed by the Assembly and received that declaratour for an absolution Yet did not this satisfy the adverse party who peremptorily urged the justifying of their process with the confirmation of the sentence they had pronounced which when they could not obtain the same Hunter that pronounced the sentence protested publickly against the Assemblies proceeding and that notwithstanding the absolution granted the Bishop should still be esteemed as one justly delivered to Satan till his conversion were seen to be true and effectual unto which protestation Mr. Andrew Melvil and Mr. Thomas Buchannan did adhere A motion was made in the same Assembly for censuring the Ministers that had allowed the Acts concluded in the Parliament 1584. by their subscriptions but they were found to be so many as it was feared the urging thereof would breed aschisme and division in the Church wherefore after some altercation the matter was left and all the Ministers exhorted to judge charitably one of another notwithstanding their diversity of opinions The Articles agreed upon in the conference with certain Ministers whereof the determination was remitted to this Assembly made more adoe for they having condescended to accept Bishops and to give them a chief hand in the government of Church affairs they always being subject to the censure of the general Assembly It was strongly opposed and after a long dispute concluded That in respect the Bishop was a Pastor as other ordinary Pastors are he should for matters of life and doctrine be tried by the Presbytery and Synod and for his Commission otherwise in Church affairs be subject to the general Assembly The Secretary Justice Clerk with the Lord Privy Seal and other Commissioners for the King disassented and made protestation That seeing the Assembly had gone from the Articles agreed upon in the conference nothing either then or at the present concluded should stand in force And thus were they like to dissolve but that Mr. Robert Pont Iames Martin and Patrick Galloway being directed to inform his Majesty of the difference things were drawn to this middest That the Bishops and others having Commission to visit Churches should be only subject to the trial of the general Assembly and such as had power from them till further order was taken And that where Bishops and Commissioners were resident they should preside in the meetings of Presbyteries and Synods Fife only excepted where Mr. Robert Wilkie was appointed to moderate the Presbytery of Saint Andrews untill the next Synod In the mean time was the order of the Presbyteries set down and their power defined the King taking no notice of their doings in that kind The Secretary who then supplied the place of Chancellor perceiving the King so vexed with the affairs of the Church and the Ministers so refractary and unwilling to be ruled did advise him to leave them to their own courses saying That in a short time they would become so intolerable as the people would chase them forth of the countrey True answered the King if I were purposed to undoe the Church and Religion I should think your counsel not ill but my mind is to maintain both therefore can I not suffer them run into these disorders that will make Religion to be despised This answer did shew the Kings love to the Church and his care of the good estate thereof which in this place I thought was not to be passed In the Estate matters went not much better at this time and amongst others nothing gave more offence then the acquitting of Mr. Archibald Douglas by form of Assise This man was known to be guilty of the murther of the King his Father and had fled into England six yeares before The Earl of Morton at his death and one Binny Mr. Archibalds own servant who was executed about the same time did both declare that he was present at the doing of that wicked fact for which the King had often by his letters and Ambassages intreated the Queen of England to have him delivered yet could not obtain it At this time a remission being purchased to him for the concealing of that murther with a letter of rehabilitation whereby he might stand in judgement and plead against his forfeiture he was in a Jury held the 26. of May declared innocent and absolved of the
had borne the charge certain of the discontented sort did interpret it to be a sort of corruption giving out That this was done for obtaining the Ministers voices Howbeit the debt was known to be just and that no motion was made of that business before the foresaid conclusions were enacted In the Assembly a Supplication was presented in the names of the Marquiss of Huntly and the two Earls of Angus and Arroll for their absolution and a Commission given to that effect upon their satisfaction they subscriving the confession of faith and swearing to continue in the profession of the Religion presently established The Marquiss of Huntly was at that time confined in Styiveling and to him were the Archbishop of Glasgow the Bishops of Cathnes and Orkney directed They found him not unwilling to subscrive the confession of Faith and make satisfaction for his Apostasie but in regard of his many relapses did not judge it fitting to absolve him wheresore they gave order that he should conferre with Mr. Patrick Sympson the Minister of the Town a learned and moderate man that so he might subscrive with knowledge and resolution not to fall back In the December following having professed himself resolute in all points he was liberated from his confinement at Striveling and licensed to goe home to Strathbogy With the Earl of Arroll the difficulty was greater for when in a publick meeting of the Councell within the Castle of Edinburgh he had professed his conformity in every point of Religion and made offer to subscrive the very night after he fell in such a trouble of minde as he went near to have killed himself Early in the morning the Archbishop of Glasgow being called he confessed his disinclination with many tears and beseeching them that were present to bear witness of his remorse was hardly brought to any setling all that day The Nobleman was of a tender heart and of all that I have known that most conscientious in his prosession and thereupon to his dying was used by the Church with greater lenity then were others of that sect The Earl of Angus who lived confined at Glasgow took another course and upon license obtained from his Majesty went to France where he might enjoy the exercise of his Religion with liberty and dyed at Paris in a voluntary banishment some years after Shortly after the Assembly dissolved the Archbishop of Glasgow was called to Court and commanded to bring with him two others such as he thought fit The Archbishop taking with him the Bishops of Brichen and Galloway came to Court in the midst of September At their first audience the King declared what the business was for which he had called them speaking to this purpose That he had to his great charge recovered the Bishopricks forth of the hands of those that possessed them and bestowed the same upon such as he hoped should prove worthy of their places but since he could not make them Bishops nor could they assume that honour to themselves and that in Scotland there was not a sufficient number to enter charge by consecration he had called them to England that being consecrated themselves they might at their return give Ordination to those at home and so the adversaries mouths be stopped who said that he did take upon him to create Bishops and bestow spirituall offices which he never did nor would he presume to doe acknowledging that authority to belong to Christ alone and those he had authorized with his power The Archbishop answering in the name of the rest That they were willing to obey his Majesties desire and only feared that the Church of Scotland because of old usurpations might take this for a sort of subjection to the Church of England The King said That he had provided sufficiently against that for neither should the Archbishop of Canterbury nor York who were the only pretenders have hand in the business but Consecration should be used by the Bishops of London Ely and Bathe The Scots Bishops thanking his Majesty for the care he had of their Church and professing their willingness to obey what he would command the 21 of October was appointed to be the time and the Chappell of London house the place of Consecration A question in the mean time was moved by Dr. Andrewes Bishop of Ely touching the consecration of the Scottish Bishops who as he said must first be ordained Presbyters as having received no Ordination from a Bishop The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Bancroft who was by maintained That thereof there was no necessity seeing where Bishops could not be had the Ordination given by the Presbyters must be esteemed lawfull otherwise that it might be doubted if there were any lawfull vocation in most of the reformed Churches This applauded to by the other Bishops Ely acquiesced and at the day and in the place appointed the three Scottish Bishops were consecrated At the same time did the King institute a High Commission in Scotland for the ordering of Causes Ecclesiasticall and therewith sent to the Clergy the directions following 1 That every particular matter should not be brought at first before the high Commission nor any thing moved unto itexcept the same was appealed unto or complained by one of the Bishops as a thing that could not be rectified in their Dioces or then some enorme offence in the triall whereof the Bishops should be found too remiss 2 That every Archbishop and Bishop should make his residence at the Cathedrall Church of his Dioces and labour so farre as they could and were able to repaire the same 3 That all Archbishops and Bishops be carefull in visitation of their Dioces and every third year at least take inspection of the Ministers Readers and others serving cure within their bounds 4 That every Archbishop visit his Province every seven years at least 5 Whereas there be in sundry Dioceses some Churches belonging to other Bishops that care be taken to exchange the Churches one with another that all the Dioceses may lie contigue if possibly the same may be performed As likewise in regard some Dioceses are too large and others have a small number of Churches Scarce deserving the title of a Dioces that a course be taken for enlarging the same in a reasonable proportion by uniting the neerest Churches of the greater Dioces thereto 6 That the convention of Ministers for the exercise of Doctrine exceed not the number of ten or twelve at most over them a Moderator placed by the ordinaâ—y of the Dioces where the said Conventions are licensed with power to call before them all scandalous persons within that Precinct and censure and correct offenders according to the Canons of the Church yet are not these Moderators to proceed in any case either to excommunication or suspension without the allowance of the Ordinary And if it shall be tryed that these Ministers doe usurp any further power then
is permitted or carry themselves unquietly either in teaching or otherwise at these meetings in that case the Bishop shall discharge the meeting and censure the offenders according to the quality of their fault 7 Considering that laick Elders have neither warrant in the Word nor example of the Primitive Church and that northeless it is expedient that some be appointed to assist the Minister in repairing the fabrick of the Church providing elements to the holy Communion and collecting the contributions for the poor with other necessary services the Minister is to make choice of the most wise and discreet persons in the Parish to that effect and present their names to the Ordinary that his approbation may be had thereto 8 That the Ministers of the Parish be authorized to call before them and his associates so allowed all publick and notorious offenders and enjoyn the satisfaction according to the Canons of the Church or if they be obstinate and contumacious declare their names to the Bishop that order may be taken with them 9 That no Minister be admitted without an exact triall preceding and imposition of hands used in their Ordination by the Bishop and two or three Ministers whom he shall call to assist the action and to the end an uniform order may be kept in the admission of Ministers that a form thereof may be imprinted and precisely followed of every Bishop 10 That the election of Bishops shall in time coming be made according to the conference Anno 1571. and whilest the Bishoprick remaineth void the Deane of the Chapter be Vicarius in omnibus ad Episcopatum perÃnentibus and have the custody of the Living and Rents till the same be of new provided 11 That the Deane of every Chapter convene thereof once at least in the year and take order that nothing pass except they be Capitulariter congregati and that a Register be made of every thing done by the Archbishop or Bishop in the administration of the Rents and safely in the Chapter house 12 That when it shall be thought expedient to call a generall Assembly a supplication be put up to his Majesty for license to convene and that the said Assembly consist of Bishops Deans Archdeacons and such of the Ministery as shall be selected by the rest 13 And because there hath been a generall abuse in that Church that youths having passed their course in Philosophy before they have attained to the years of discretion or received lawful Ordination by imposition of hands do engyre themselves to preach that a strict order be taken for restraining all such persons and none permitted but those that received Orders to preach ordinarily and in publick These directions being exhibited to the Bishops and some principalls of the Clergy convened with them at Edinburgh in February next were approved of all and at the same time was the High Commission published to the great discontent of those that ruled the estate for that they took it to be a restraint of their authority in matters ecclesiasticall nor did they like to see Clergy men invested with such authority The King no less carefull to have all things ordered rightly in the Estate did prescrive the number attendants and manner of proceeding which the Councell should keep in their meetings As that the number should not exceed thirty and seaven at least be present in every meeting that at their admission they should take the Oath of allegiance and swear fidelity and secrecy in matters to be communicated unto them That they should convene twice in the week once every Tuesday for matters of State and once on the Thursday for actions That none should be permitted to stay with in the Councell house but the Lords and Clerks of the Councell nor any solicitations be made within the house but that all should take their places at their coming in and none stand on foot unless they be to answer for themselves and in that case to rise and stand at the head of the table That four dayes absence of any Counsellor in the time of sitting without license from the rest should inferre the loss of their place That if any of the number were denounced Rebell or did not at least once in the year communicate they should be likewise excluded That wheresoever they remained or happened to come if they should be informed of any trouble like to arise betwixt parties they should charge them to keep the peace and if they refused they should command them to enter in Ward the disobedience whereof should be punished as if the whole Councell were disobeyed Lastly to keep their persons and places in the greater respect they were commanded in the streets either to ride with foot clothes or in coaches but not be seen walking on foot With these directions a command was given to inhibit by Proclamation any persons to bear quarrell to another with intention of private revenge requiring those that should happen to be in any sort injured to complain to the ordinary Judge within the space of forty days after the injury committed and insist for justice wherein if they should fail and yet be perceived to carry a grudge towards him by whom they were injured they should be called before the Councell and if they refused to reconcile be punished as despisers of the royall authority and violators of the publick peace In the Isles of Orkney and Yetland at this time were great oppressions by the Earl thereof for which he was committed in the Castle of Edinburgh and the Bishop of Orkney imployed by the Councell to examine the particular complaints This Nobleman having undone his estate by riot and prodigality did seek by unlawfull shifts to repair the same making Acts in his Courts and exacting penalties for the breach thereof as if any man was tried to have concealed any thing that might inferre a pecuniary mulct and bring profit to the Earl his lands and goods were declared confiscated or if any person did sue for justice before any other Judge then his deputies his goods were escheated or if they went forth of the Isle without his license or his deputies upon whatsoever occasion they should forfeit their moveables and which of all his acts was most inhumane he had ordained that if any man was tried to supply or give relief unto ships or any vessels distressed by tempest the same should be punished in his person and fined at the Earl his pleasure These Acts produced by the Complainers and confessed by the Earl himself were by the Councell decerned unlawfull and the execution thereof in all times thereafter prohibited The Clangregore a barbarous and theevish race of people that could by no means be repressed nor reclaimed from their roberies were at the same time ordained to be rooted forth and the service committed to the Earl of Argile who made some beginning and presented certain of the principalls to justice but the neglect of their
that he would not utter any thing that might work prejudice to others nor could he be induced either by perswasion or threatning to detect the persons with whom he had resorted The Commissioners offending at his obstinacy and meaning to extort a confession from him advised to keep him some nights from sleep and this indeed wrought somewhat with him so as he began to discover certain particulars but how soon he was permitted to take any rest he denied all and was as obstinate in denying as at first His Majesty being certified that without torture nothing would be drawn from him made answer That he would not have those forms used with men of his profession and if nothing could be found but that he was a Iesuit and had said Mass they should banish him the Countrey and inhibâ—t him to return without licence under pain of death Bâ—t if it should appear that he had been a practiser for the stirring up of subjects to Rebellion or did maintain the Popes transcendent power over Kings and refusâ—d to take the Oath of Allegeance they should leave him to the course of law and justice mean while his pleasure was that the questions following should be moved unto him and his answers there to required 1 Whether the Pope be Judge and hath power in spiritualibus in over his Majesty and whether that power will reach over his Majesty in tempor alibus if it be in ordine ad spiritualia as Bellarmine affirmeth 2 Whether the Pope hath power to excommunicate Kings especially such as are not of his Church as his Majesty 3 Whether the Pope hath power to depose Kings by him excommunicated and in particular whether he hath power to depose the Kings Majesty 4 Whether it be no murther to slay his Majesty being so excommunicated and deposed by the Pope 5 Whether the Pope hath power to assoile subjects from the oath of their born and native allegeance to his Majesty These Questions were sent inclosed in a Letter to the Archbishop of Glasgow who assuming to himself the Provost of the City the Principall of the Colledge and one of the Ministers as Witnesses did in their hearing read the Questions and receive his Answer which he gave under his hand as followeth I acknowledge the Pope of Rome to be Iudge unto his Majesty and to have power over him in spiritualibus and over all Christian Kings But where it is askt whether that power will reach over him in temporalibus I am not obliged to declare my opinion therein except to him that is Iudge in Controversies of Religion to wit the Pope or one having authority from him For the second point I think that the Pope hath power to excommunicate the King and where it is said that the King is not of the Popes Church I answer that all who are baptized are under the Popes power To the third where it is askt if the Pope hath power to depose the King being excommunicate I say that I am not tied to declare my minde except to him that is Iudge in controversies of Religion To the fourth and fifth I answer ut supra Being reasoned with a long time and the danger exponed wherein he did cast himself by maintaining such treasonable opinions he answered That he would not change his minde for any danger that could befall him and speaking of the Oath of Allegeance that it was a damnable Oath and treason against God to swear it Some daies being allowed him to bethink himself better of these points When as no advice could prevail and answers were sent to his Majesty subscribed by himself and therewith a testification of such as were present at the giving thereof Hereupon the Councell was commanded to passe a Commission to the Provost and Bayliffs of Glasgow for putting him to a triall there were assisting Iames Marquis of Hamilton Robert Earl of Lothian William Lord Sanqhar Iohn Lord Fleming and Robert Lord Boyd Some daies before he was brought to the Barre it was told him That he was not to be charged with saying of Masse nor anything that concerned his profession but only with the Answers made to the Questions proponed which if he should recall there being yet place to repentance the triall should be suspended till his Majesty were of new advertised His reply was That he did so little minde to recall any thing he had spoken as when he should be brought to his answer he should put a bonnet on it And this indeed he performed for when he was placed on pannell and the Indictment read which was grounded all upon the Acts of Parliament made against those that declined his Majesties authority or maintained any other Jurisdiction within the Realm and upon answer made to the above-written demands subscribed with his hand he brake forth in these speeches Under protestation that I doe no way acknowledge this judgment nor receive you that are named in that Commission for my Judges I deny any point laid against me to be treason for if it were treason it would be such in all places and all Kingdomes which you know not to be so As to your Acts of Parliament they were made by a number of partiall men and of matters not subject to their forum or judicatory for which I will not give a rotten figge And where I am said to be an enemy to the Kings authority I know not what authority he hath but what he received from his predecessors who acknowledged the Pope of Rome his jurisdiction If the King will be to me as his predecessors were to mine I will obey and acknowledge him for my King but if he doe otherwise and play the runnagate from God as he and you all doe I will not acknowledge him more then this old hat At these words being interrupted and commanded to speak more reverently of his Majesty he said That he should take the advertisement and not offend but the judgment he would not acknowledge And for the reverence I doe you to stand uncovered I let you know it is ad redemptionem vexationis not ad agnitionem Iudicii The persons cited upon the Jury being then called and he desired to shew if he would except against them said That he had but one exception against them all which was that either they were enemies to his cause or friends if enemies they could not sit upon his triall and if friends they ought to assist him at the Bar. Only he should wish the Gentlemen to consider well what they did and that he could not be judged by them That whatsoever he suffered was by way of injury and not of judgement and that he was accused of treason but had not committed any offence nor could he beg mercy And proceeding in this strain I am said he a subject as free as the King is a King I came by commandement of my Superior into this kingdome and if I were even now forth of it