said and promised to meddle no more in that businesse Huntley upon the like promise after a few dayes obtained his liberty and went into the North. In his going thither whether of purpose or by accident it is uncertain the Earl of Crawford did meet him at Perth where at first they concluded to fortifie the town as a place most convenient for drawing forces together from all quarters but doubting how they should make good the enterprise they gave it over and getting intelligence that the Thesaurer was come to Angus and had appointed a meeting of some friends at the Church of Megle they belayed the wayes and gave him the Chase unto the house of Kiâ—khill where he was received being desired to render upon his refuse fire was cast to the house and he forced to yield himself as he did to his Cousen the Laird of Achindown who kept him some weeks prisoner in the North. The Letters written to the King of Spain and Prince of Parma whereof we made mention and some others from Mr. Bruce directed to the same Prince being about this time intercepted laid open all the practises of these Noblemen which being reported to the Queen of England she wrote to the King a sharp letter wherein complaining of his remisnesse in punishing these treacheries of the entertainment he gave to the Spaniards that had fled into Scotland after their wrack in the Irish Seas she besought him not to overslip such happy occasions as itâ— had pleased God to offer him by revealing these practises as likewise to rid the Realm of those strangers and send them away with speed Hereupon order was taken for their dispatch and ships conduced to transport them unto West-Flanders The Hollanders advertised of their coming sent forth some ships to intercept them and meeting them some two miles from the coast of Flanders took one of the vessels and put to the sword all the Spaniards that were therein the rest ran their vessels on ground where a number seeking to save themselves by swimming were pitifully drowned A Proclamation was likewise renewed against the Jesuits and their ressetters and Mr. Edmond Hay Mr. William Creichton Mr. Robert Bruce and David Graham of Fentry commanded under pain of death to depart the Realm But they contemning the charges did stir up the Earls of Huntley Crawford and Arrol to make open insurrection These three taking Arms and assembling all the forces they could gather came to Aberdene in the beginning of April where they made Proclamations in the Kings name Declaring that he was held captive forced against his mind to use his Nobles more rigorously then he desired requiring all the Lieges to concurre and assist them for setting his person at liberty Their hopes were that Bothwel with his friendship in the South should make the King such businesse as they needed not to fear any suddain pursuit but the King having caused denounce Bothwel and the chief of his followers Rebels resolved to begin with them and leave him to his return So charges being directed to warn all the subjects remaining on the South of Aberdene to accompany the King and they gathering somewhat slowly he made forward with those he had in his company toward the middle of April and having advanced as farre as Cowy a little Village some ten miles off Aberdene was there advertised that the Earls were 3000. strong and marching directly towards him The King nothing dismayed called the Noblemen that were in the Army together and spake cheerfully unto them saying That they had a great deal of advantage of their enemies the better cause and the King on their part Neither oaths nor subscriptions said he can assure these men and if benefits or good deeds could have made them loyal and obedient I have not been sparing to them all Now that I am drawn against my will by their open Rebellion to use force I do assure my self of your fidelity and that you will not forsake me I shall desire you stand no longer then ye see me stand and howbeit I do not think they dare set their faces against me yet I shall pray you to dispose all things in the best order you can This speech he delivered with such a grace as thereby the Noblemen and others that stood by were greatly incouraged every one avowing to do their uttermost for his Majesties honour But a question falling between the Lord Hamilton and the Earl of Angus for leading the Vant-guard was like to have caused some trouble Angus claiming the place by the priviledges granted to his predecessors and the Lord Hamilton alledging that none ought to contend with him in honour because of his proximity to the Royal blood but the King interposing his authority gave the leading of the Vant-guard for that time to the Lord Hamilton reserving the rights and priviledges of the house of Angus whereunto nothing was done at that time should work any prejudice All that night the King did watch himself and kept his Army on foot In the morning early he was advertised that the Rebels were dispersed and gone back for Huntley understanding that the King was resolved to put it to a day declined the fight because of the danger that might come to the Kings person Crawford for the same reason seemed not very bent but Arroll insisting to have gone forward when he saw they would not be moved parted from them at the bridge of Dee in great wrath The King came the same day to Aberdene and calling the Magistrates did threaten them sharply for receiving the Rebels into their City They excused themselves by their weaknesse and the want of power to resist the great forces which was admitted upon promise that they should look better to their town in after times Whilest the King stayed there the Noblemen and Barons of the countrey came in and made offer of their service giving surety not to reset nor intercommune with the Rebels and to concurre with his Majesties Lieutenant when they should be required This done the King returned to Edinburgh for he was then about the directing of the Earl of Marshall to Denmark for the accomplishing of his marriage and bringing home the Queen there went with him Andrew Lord Dingwell Sir Iames Scrymgeour of Dudap Mr. Iohn Sheen Advocate and Mr. George Young Archdeacon of S. Andrewes For defraying the Ambassadours charges a Subsidy of an hundred thousand pounds was granted by the Councel according to a warrant given them in the Parliament 1587. whereof the subjects made ready payment so great was their desire to have the King matched and the royal succession established in his race The enterprise of the Rebels being in this sort defeated the Thesaurer was put to liberty and at his coming to Court did solicit the King in favours of the Earl of Huntley and Crawford who forthinking the attempt they had made did offer to enter their persons in
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
that which furthered not a little the propagation of the Gospel in these parts was the persecution raised by Diocletian which at that time was hot in the South parts of Britaine This brought many Christians both Preachers and Professors into this Kingdom who were all kindly received by Cratilinth and had the Isle of Man given them for their remaining and revenues sufficient assigned for their maintenance In this Isle King Cratilinth erected a stately Church to the honour of our Saviour which he adorned with all necessary ornaments and called Sodorense fanum that is the Temple of our Saviour hence it is that the Bishops of the Isles are styled Sodorenses Episcopi For so long as that Isle remained in the possession of the Scots the Bishops of Isles made that Church their Cathedral After their dispossession the Isle Iona commonly called Hecombekil hath been the seat of the Bishops and continueth so untill this day In this Isle Amphibalus sate first Bishop a Britaine born and a man of excellent piety he lived long preaching carefully the doctrine of Christ both amongst the Scots and the Picts and after many labours taken for promoting Christian Religion died peaceably in the same Isle Our stories report that at the same time there lived in this Kingdom divers zealous and notable Preachers of which number they name these six Modocus Priseus Calanus Ferranus Ambianus and Carnocus that seem to have been men of principal note and of them all generally it is witnessed that living solitary they were in such a reputation for their holinesse of life as the Cells wherein they lived were after their deaths turned into Temples or Churches And of this it came that all the Churches afterwards erected were called Cells which word I hear is yet retained amongst the Irish Scots The Priests they termed Culdees which Hector Boeth thinks to have signified as much as Cultores Dei the worshippers of God but it is more like this title was given them for their living in these Cells whereas people assembled to hear service somewhat it maketh for this that in certain old Bulls and rescripts of Popes I finde them termed Keledei and not Culdei The same Boeth out of ancient Annals reports that these Priests were wont for their better government to elect some one of their number by common suffrage to be chief and principal among them without whose knowledge and consent nothing was done in any matter of importance and that the person so elected was called Scotorum Episcopus a Scots Bishop or a Bishop of Scotland Neither had our Bishops any other title whereby they were distinguished before the dayes of Malcolm the third who first divided the countrey into Dioceses appointing to every Bishop the limits within which they should keep and exercise their jurisdiction After that time they were styled either by the countreys whereof they had the oversight or by the City where they kept their residence But to return to Cratilinth during his Reign Christian Religion did prosper exceedingly and Fincormachus his Cousin-germane that succeeded keeping the same course gave in his time a perfect setling unto it So great a happinesse it is to have two Kings of qualities alike good succeed one to another for what the one beginneth the other doth perfect and accomplish Yet this felicity endureth not long the state both of the Kingdome and Church being within a few yeares after his death quite overturned by this occasion Maximus a man born in Spain but of Romane education being sent Lieutenant into Pritaine and presuming to bring the whole Isle under his power did practise secretly with the Picts for rooting out the Scots promising that all the lands which the Scots possessed should be given to them The Picts a perfidious people greedily embracing this offer did joyn their forces with the Romanes and both made invasion upon the Scots who doing the best they could for their own defence after divers sharp encounters in a battel fought at the water of Dun in Carrick were wholly defeated and King Eugenius with the most part of his Nobility slain This defeat was followed with a rigorous edict commanding all the Scots of what age sexe or condition soever to depart out of this Isle before a certain day which was so precisely executed as neither man nor woman young nor old were permitted to stay nay not a Church-man though all of that profession were in good esteem among the Picts themselves at the time Thus all the Scots went in exile betaking themselves some into Ireland others into the countreys of Denmark Norway Sweden or where it was in their fate to be cast onely some few Church-men after they had long wandred from place to place got privately into Iona one of the West Isles where living in a poor condition they laid the foundation of a Monastery which in succeeding ages became famous by the beneficence of our Kings and the sanctity of the Monks that there professed Never was any Church or Kingdom brought to a greater desolation but how long it continued our writers do not agree for Boeth will have the Scots to live in exile the space of 44. years and saith that they returned in the year 422. Buthannan casts their return into the year 404. and so maketh their exile to have lasted 27. years only Now whilest they lived thus exiled it happened that one Regulus a Greciâ—â— Monk arrived in these parts This man as they write living in Achala had warning given him in a vision by night to forsake his countrey and go into Albion an Isle fited in the utmost parts of the world and to carry with him the arm-bone three fingers and as many toes of S. Andrew the Apostle The man troubled at first with the strangenesse of the vision did after a little time resolve to follow the warning and take a little box in which he put those Reliques went to seâ— taking some persons in company with him The story nameth Damia nus a Priest 〈◊〉 Thebaculus and Mermacus brother to Damianus Deacons 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 a Cretain Merinus and Silvinâ—s his brother Monks by profession Some eight more are said to be in his company but their names are not expressed The ship wherein they sailed being tossed with grievous tempests was driven at last into the Port or Haven called then 〈◊〉 now St. Andrewes Hergustus King of Picts under whose dominion that part of the countrey as then was advertised of the strangers arrive and the Reliques they had brought with them came thither and pitying their losses for besides the Reliques they had nothing saved When he beheld the men and the form of their service did so like it as he took order for their entertainment shortly after he gave unto Regulus his own Palace with certain lands adjoyning and nigh thereunto erected a Church the same whereof we see a part yet remaining on
grand Uncle having remained there some years and made good profit in letters he returned into Britain and became a zealous Preacher of the Gospel His chief residence was amongst the Picts in the countrey of Galloway there he built a Church all of white stone a sort of structure not usual in those parts and called the same by the name of St. Marâ—ine not meaning to have him taken for the tutelary Saint of that place which in after-ages when superstition prevailed was the conceit of the people but to preserve the memory of his vertues and incite others to the imitation thereof This was the chief respect in those first times that Christians had in denominating their Churches by the names of Saints departed that other they utterly disclaimed Nos Martyribus nostris saith St. Augustin non templa sicut diis fabricamus sed memorias sicut hominibus mortuis quorum apud Deum vivunt spiritus We do not build Temples to our Martyrs as unto Gods but memorials as unto dead men whose spirits with God are still living Bede in his Ecclesiastick story speaking of this Ninian saith that he learned at Rome and was there taught the mysteries of truth But we cannot think that he went a novice thither being trained up under so kinde and learned an Uncle as ever that was he proved a notable instrument in the Church for he converted the Southern Picts to the faith of Christ and for his continual labours in preaching not among them alone for he travelled also among the Scots and Britains but especially for his innocency and holinesse of life he was in so great regard as to which of the three soever he came they did reverence and accept him as the messenger of Christ. Among the Bishops of Galloway he is reckoned the first and thought to have been the Founder of that Colledge for from that Church which he built all of white stone as we said the Bishops of that See have still been and to this day are styled Episcopicandide casae It was in the time of this Eugenius that Palladius came into Scotland imployed as they write by Celestine Bishop of Rome for resisting the Pelagian heresie which began to spread in this Church This man a Grecian by birth learned moderate and singularly wise as appeared in all his actions did purge the Church from those errours and wonne such love and credit as by the space of 24. years he governed all Ecclesiastick affairs in these parts without any grudge or opposition Buchannan is of opinion that before his coming there was no Bishop in this Church Nam saith he adid usque tempus Ecclesiae absque Episcopis per monachos regebantur minore quidem cum fastu externa pompa sed majore simplicitate sanctimonia that is The Church unto that time was governed by Monks without Bishops with lesse pride and outward pomp but greater simplicity and holinesse What warrant he had to write so I know not except he did build upon that which Ioannes Major saith speaking of the same Palladius Per sacerdotes monachos sine Episcopis Scoti in fide erudiebantur The Scots he sayes were instructed in the Christian faith by Priests and Monks without any Bishops But from the instruction of Scots in the faith to conclude that the Church after it was gathered had no other form of government will not stand with any reason For be it as they speak that by the Travels of some pious Monks the Scots were first converted unto Christ it cannot be said that the Church was ruled by Monks seeing long after these times it was not permitted to Monks to meddle with matters of the Church nor were they reckoned among the Clergy As to the pride and pomp which he taxeth in Bishops of later times it might be truly spoken but after Palladius coming for the space of six hundred years and more there was no such excesse to be noted in them But to return to Palladius he was a man most careful in promoting Christian Religion and the first that made Christ to be preached in the Isle of Orkney sending Servanus one of his disciples thither Another called Tervanus he employed among the Northern Picts and ordained both of them Bishops His own remaining for the most part was at Fâ—rdon in the countrey of Mernis where he built a little Church which from him is to this day by a corrupted word called Padie Church There was his corps after his death interred In the year 1494. William Sheâ—ez Archbishop of St. Andrews visiting that Church did in reverence of his memory gather his bones and bestow them in a silver shrine which as the report goeth was taken up at the demolishing of the Churches by a Gentleman of good rank who dwelt near unto that place The people of the countrey observing the decay which followed in that family not many years after ascribed the same to the violation of Palladius grave Much about this time was Ireland converted to the faith of Christ by the labours of Patâ—ick a Scotchman born upon the River of Cluid not far from Glasgow They write of him that being thirteen yeers of age only he was taken prisoner by some Irishes at an invasion they made upon the West parts of Scotland and sold to Mâ—lâ—â— one of their Kings being kept there as a slave the space of four years he was ransomed by his parents and sent to school where having made a reasonable progresse in letters he went to France and there remained 18. years in the company of German Bishop of Auxerre under whom he attained to a great perfection of knowledge especially in the holy Scriptures Thereafter travelling to Rome Pope Celestine the same that sent Palladius to Scotland hearing of his qualities and how he had lived some years in Ireland made choice of him as the fittest person to work the conversion of that people Patrick accepting the imployment addressed himself shortly afâ—er to the journey and in his way by Scotland took with him Columba who came afterwards to be in great esteem Divers upon the report of his good successe followed him thither and ere many moneths passed all the countrey almost was brought to embrace the profession of Christ. He was doubtlesse a notable person and most worthy to be remebred some idle and ignorant Monks have pitifully wronged his memory by their Legends But what a singular man he was and what pains he took to do good in his life-time the Churches he founded reckoned to 365. and the Priests he ordained numbred to be three thousand may sufficiently witnesse He lived 122. years and ended his days in the city of Downe within the Province of Ulster in the year of our Lord 491. That fabulous Purgatory the invention whereof is falsly ascribed to him was the device of a Monk of Glastenbury Abbey in England who bare the same name
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
gentleman had travelled in Germany and falling in familiarity with Martin Luther Philip Melanchthon Francis Lamberd and other learned men was by them instructed in the knowledge of true Religion in the profession whereof he was so zealous as he was resolved to come back into his countrey and communicate the light he had received unto others At his return wheresoever he came he spared not to lay open the corruptions of the Romane Church and to shew the errours crept into Christian Religion whereunto many gave eare and a great following he had both for his learning and courteous behaviour to all sorts of people The Clergy grudging at this under colour of conference enticed him to the city of S. Andrews and when he came thither appointed Frier Alexander Campbel to keep company with him and to use the best perswasions he could to divert him from his opinions Sundry conferences they had wherein the Frier acknowledging that many things in the Church did need to be reformed and applauding his judgement in most of the points his minde was rather confirmed then in any sort weakened Thus having stayed some few dayes in the city whilest he suspected no violence to be used under night he was apprehended being in bed and carried prisoner to the Castle the next day he was presented before the Bishop accused for maintaining the Articles following 1. That the corruption of sin remains in children after their Baptism 2. That no man by the power of his free will can do any good 3. That no man is without sin so long as he liveth 4. That every true Christian may know himself to be in the state of grace 5. That a man is not justified by works but by faith onely 6. That good works make not a good man but that a good man doeth good works and that an ill man doeth ill works yet the same ill works truly repented make not an ill man 7. That Faith Hope and Charity are so linked together that he who hath one of them hath all and he that lacketh one lacketh all 8. That God is the cause of sin in this sense that he withdraweth his grace from man and grace withdrawn he cannot but sin 9. That it is a devillish Doctrine to teach that by any actuall penance remission of sin is purchased 10. That auricular Confession is not necessary to salvation 11. That there is no Purgatory 12. That the holy Patriarchs were in heaven before Christs Passion 13. That the Pope is Antichrist and that every Priest hath as much power as the Pope Being desired to expresse his minde touching these Articles he said That he held the first seven to be undoubtedly true whereunto he offered to set his hand the rest he said were disputable points but such as he could not condemne unlesse he saw better reasons then yet he had heard After some conference kept with him on each Article the whole were remitted to the judgement of the Theologues There met to this effect Master Hugh Spence Provost of S. Salvators Colledge Master Iames Waddall Parson of Flisk and Rector of the University Master Iames Simson Officiall of S. Andrews Master Thomas Ramsay professour of the holy Scriptures Master Iohn Grison Theologue and Provinciall of the Black Friers Iohn Tillidaff Warden of the Gray Friers Master Martine Balfoure and Master Iohn Spence Lawyers Sir Alexander Young Batchelar of Divinity Sir Iohn Annand Chanon of of S. Andrews Frier Alexander Campbell Prior of the Black Friers and Master Robert Bannerman Regent of the Pedagogy These men within a day or two presented their Censure of the Articles judging them all Hereticall and contrary to the faith of the Church This subscribed with all their hands and delivered to the Bishop in a solemne meeting kept in the Cathedrall Church the first of March 1527. sentence was pronounced against the young Gentleman declaring him an Heretick and giving him over in the hands of the secular power to suffer punishment due to Heresie There assisted the Bishop in that meeting Gawine Archbishop of Glasgow George Bishop of Dunkeld Iohn Bishop of Brichen and William Bishop of Dumblane Patrick Prior of S. Andrews David Abbot of Aberbrothock George Abbot of Dumfermling Alexander Abbot of Cambuskenneth Henry Abbot of Lundors and Iohn Prior of Pettenweem the Dean Subdean and Thesaurer of the Church of Glasgow with the Rectors of Stobo Areskin Carstares Goven and Glasgow All which set their hands to the sentence and to give it the greater authority whosoever were of any estimation in the University were made to subscrive the same amongst whom was the Earl of Cassels a child of thirteen years old The same day for the execution was hastened lest the King who was gone at that time in Pilgrimage to S. Duthak in Rosse should impede the proceeding he was condemned by the secular Judge and in the afternoon led to the place of his suffering which was appointed to be at the gate of S. Salvators Colledge Being come to the place he put off his Gown and gave it with his Bonnet Coat and other apparell to his servant saying This stuffe will not help in the fire yet will doe thee some good I have no more to leave thee but the ensample of my death which I pray thee keep in minde For albeit the same be bitter and painfull in mans judgement yet is it the entrance to everlasting life which none can inherit that denieth Christ before this congregation Then was he tied to the stake about it a great quantity of coal wood and other combustible matter was heaped whereof he seemed to have no fear but seriously commending his soul into the hands of God held his eyes fixed towards the heavens The Executioner firing the powder that was laid to kindle the wood his lest hand and the side of his face was a little scorched therewith yet the fire did not kindle Whereupon some were sent to the Castle to bring more powder whilest this was bringing he uttered divers comfortable speeches to them that stood by The Friers all that time molesting him with their cries bidding him convert pray to our Lady and say Salve Regina amongst them none was more troublesome then Frier Alexander Campbell who as we said kept company with him at his first coming to the City often he besought him to depart and not to vex him but when he would not cease his crying he said Wicked man thou knowest I am not an heretick and that it is the truth of God for which I now suffer so much thou diddest confesse unto me in private and thereupon I appeal thee to answer before the Iudgement seat of Christ. The powder by this time was brought and the fire kindled after which with a loud voice he was heard to say How long O Lord shall darknesse oppresse this Realm how long wilt thou suffer this tyranny of men and then closed his speeches with these words
Lairds of Cleish Easter Weimes and certain others who been forfeited in the late Kings time was not answered as he expected for which growing into a choler and alledging the Cardinals promise in the businesse he said that he would not be deluded in that sort The Cardinal who had not been accustomed to such speeches and thought he was not used with that respect which became chafed mightily so as after an unseemly altercation they parted in wrath This discord publickly rumoured divers that hated the Cardinal some for the cause of Religion and some for other private respects did reparie to Normond and working upon his passion incensed him with their words wondering how he could look for any good from him that was a man hated of God and all good people And as it falleth out in such conferences whilest every man was recounting the injuries he had suffered in private and talking of his violent courses one amongst the rest said that they should do God good service and no small benefit to the countrey to make an end of that vitious and ungodly tyrant whom all good men did hate and with such words inflaming one another at last they agreed to cut him off The principal undertakers were Normond Lesley Iohn Lesley his Uncle William Kirkaldy of Grange Peter Carmicall of Fife and Iames Melvile one of the house of Carneby the Plot was to meet at S. Andres in the most private manner they could and surprise the Castle some morning before the servants were stirring And that the enterprise should not faile they gave hands to be in the City the 28. of May promising in the mean time so to carry themselves as no suspicion might be taken of their purpose Thus at the day appointed Normond accompanied with five onely came to the City and went to his accustomed lodging William Kircaldy was there a day before Iohn Lesley who did professe enmity to the Cardinal entered not till night was fallen Upon Saterday morning the 29. of May rising about three of the clock they met in the Abbey Church-yard where they condescended that William Kircaldy and six with him for they did not exceed twelve in all should attend the opening of the gate and assure it for the rest All things succeeded to their wishes Grange at his first coming found the gate open and entering with his company entertained the Keeper with some speeches asking if the Cardinal was stirring and how soon he would rise Normond came shortly after and some two with him last of all came Iohn Lesley with other two whom as soon as the Keeper saw suspecting some bad practice he made to draw the bridge but they laying hands upon him took the keys and assured the gate Then appointing four of the company to watch the chamber where the Cardinal lay that no advertisement should go unto him they went to the several chambers in which the servants lay asleep and calling them by their names for they were all known unto them they put fifty of his ordinary servants besides the workmen Masons and Wrights who were reckoned above a hundred for he was then fortifying the Castle to the gate permitting none to stay within but the Earl of Arran the Governours eldest sonne whom they thought best to detain upon all adventures This was performed with so little noise as the Cardinal did not hear till they knockt at his chamber Then he asked who was there Iohn Lesley answered My name is Lesley Which Lesley said the Cardinal is that Normond It was answered that he must open to those that were there The answer gave him notice that they were no friends therefore making the dore fast he refused to open They calling to bring fire whilest it was in fetching he began to commune with them and after some speeches upon their promise to use no violence he opened the dore but they rushing in with their swords drawne did most inhumanely kill him he not making any resistance The tumult was great in the City upon the rumour that the Castle was taken The people armed and such as favoured the Cardinal made haste intending to scale the walls but when it was told them that he was dead whom they sought to help their hearts cooled The people still crying for a sight of the Cardlnal his corps was brought to the very same place where he sate beholding Master George Wisharts execution Upon the sight whereof they dissolved many then calling to mind the Martyr his last words were thereby confirmed in the opinion they had of his piety and holinesse Such was the end of this unfortunate man who in his life was ambitious beyond measure and in punishing of those he esteemed hereticks more then inhumane a barbarous part it was in him to sit and behold the Martyring of Master George Wishart taking pleasure in that which no man could look on without pity But the hatred he bare to the truth and the care he had to maintain his own greatnesse was such and so excessive as he did both forget himselfe and the place he held in the Church and now doth remain a tragical ensample in story to admonish every man to keep within his bound and hold that moderation which is fitting The rumour of this fact being quickly dispersed through the countrey every man commended or condemned it as his passion led him They who stood in awe of his power did highly commend the enterprise and praise the doers and of that sort divers came to congratulate the fact offering to take one part with them Others who were more wise and moderate though they disliked not the fact as hoping to enjoy their profession with greater liberty did yet abhorre the form and manner judging it to be foully done especially on the part of Normond at whose hands he did not look for any harme And indeed few or none of those who had an hand in that work escaped an extraordinary judgement God thereby declaring that howsoever it pleaseth him in the execution of his judgements to use sometimes the ministery and service of men yet doth he not allow of their wicked disposition and for most part faileth not to reward them with the same or the like that they do unto others But in the Church a fearful uproare was raised upon this accident the Priests and Friers exclaiming every where against the murther as the most odious which in any memory had been committed The Bishops running upon the Governour who was no lesse troubled with the fact then themselves desired some course might be taken for the speedy punishment of the murtherers but he following the course of law directed summons for their appearing to underlye trial which they contemned and were therefore denounced Rebels The Ecclesiastick Judges to be nothing behinde for their parts did solemnly curse the actors and all that should receive or minister unto them any necessaries 41. Mean while the Governour did
Crown whereof we spake in the life of VVilliam Fraser Bishop of S. Andrews a worthy man and a great lover of his countrey for which he suffered much trouble being made prisoner and sent unto London where he was kept some years afterwards obtaining liberty he returned to his See and therein performed many good works he died the 26. of November 1316. and was buried in the Church of Glasgow betwixt the altars of S. Peter and S. Andrew 16. Iohn Lindesay succeeded a man given much to the adorning of his Church he died the ninth of April 1325. and was buried in the Cathedrall nigh to the Altar of the Blessed Virgin 17. Mr. Stephen Dundy was the same year elected Bishop and going to Rome to be confirmed died by the way not without suspicion of poison given him at a feast made by the Friers predicant of Glasgow 18. In his place was chosen Iohn Wishart who in his return from Rome was taken prisoner by the English and died some few dayes after 19. William Rae a good and zealous man was after him chosen by the consent of the whole Chapter he redeemed the possessions of the Church which his predecessors had alienated built the stone bridge at Glasgow and having done many good works died in the year 1367. 20. After his death Walter Wardlaw succeeded Pope Urban the sixth did preferre him to bee Cardinal in the year 1384. and in the third year after he died 21. Then was Mr. Matthew Glendouning provided to the place In his time the steeple which was all built of timber was burnt by lightning in place whereof he intended to build one of stone and made therefore great preparation but was prevented by death in the year 1408. 22. His successor VVilliam Lawder finished the work he was Chancellor of Scotland and without the Chapters election provided by the Pope of meer authority which was never done in that See before 23. After him Iohn Cameron was Bishop a man given to violence and oppression who committing many deeds full of cruelty and covetousnesse especially upon his own Tenants and Vassals made as the fame goeth a fearful and unhappy end for in the year 1446. the night before Christmas day as he lay asleep in his house of Lockwood some seven miles from the City of Glasgow he seemed to hear a voice summoning him to appear before the tribunal of Christ and give an accompt of his doings Thereupon he awak't and being greatly terrified did call his servants to bring lights and sit by him he himself took a book in his hand and began to read but the voice being again heard struck all the servants with amazement The same voice calling the third time farre lowder and more fearfully the Bishop after a heavy groane was found dead in the bed his tongue hanging out of his mouth This reported by Buchannan almost in the same words I thought good to remember as a notable example of Gods judgement against the crying sin of oppression 24. To Cameron succeeded Iames Bruce who was translated from Dunkeld to this See in the year 1446. and preferred to be Chancellour of the Kingdome 25. After him Mr. VVilliam Turnbull others called him David was chosen Bishop he founded the Colledge of Glasgow 26. Upon his death Andrew Moorehead was elected The hospital near the Castle was his foundation 27. To Moorehead succeeded Iohn Lang who was Chancellour of Scotland 28. He dying Mr. George Carmighal was promoved but not consecrated for he died going to Rome for Confirmation 29. Robert Blacader Bishop of Aberdene was after his death translated to this See In his time was the See of Glasgow erected into an Archbishoprick for which arose a great contention betwixt Shevez Archbishop of S. Andrewes and him which was after some treaty pacified and Galloway Argyle and Isles appointed Suffragans to Glasgow He lived untill the yeare 1500. at what time taking his journey toward Ierusalem he departed this life in the way thither 30. Mr. Iames Beaton upon his death was preferred and sate Bishop twenty two yeares thereafter he was translated to S. Andrewes of whom you may there read 31. Mr. Gawan Dumbar tutour to the King upon his translation was promoved a good and learned man he was afterwards made Chancellour of the Kingdome and administred the office with good commendation 32. Mr. Iames Beaton succeeded after his death in whose time the Reformation fell forth and of him we shall have occasion afterwards to speak The Bishops of GALLOWAY 1. Sâ— Ninnian had his chiefe abode in the countrey of Galloway and built there a Church all of white stone which was therefore called Candida casa and to this day in the countrey language Whitherne as you would say a white house he is accompted the first Bishop of this See 2. In the year 631. one Plechelmus Beda calleth him Pectelmus was here Bishop 3. Frithwoldus succeeded to him and died in the year 768. 4. After him Pethumus who deceased anno 778. 5. Then Ethelbert 6. And after him Baldulphus Further mention I find not of any Bishop in this See in those first times and it seems it hath been quite decayed before Malcolm the third restored the same In the latter times I read only of these following 7. Iohn Bishop of Galloway who resigned his charge and became a Monk in the Abbey of Halirudhouse 8. Thomas Spence translated from Galloway to Aberdene in the year 1458. 9. David who was also Dean of the Kings Chappel 10. Alexander 11. Henry 12. George 13. And Bishop ... Gordon who lived at the Reformation and embraced the truth The Bishops of ARGYLE This Bishoprick was part of the Dioces of Dunkeld untill Iohn Scot Bishop thereof obtained of Pope Clement the third a division of the Bishoprick as you may read in the Catalogue of the Bishops of Dunkeld 1. Then was Evaldus or Harold his Chaplain consecrated Bishop and the seat appointed to be at Lismore within the countrey of Argyle whence the Bishop of this See is styled Lismorensis Episcopus this erection was made in the year 1200. 2. To Harold succeeded William who perished by a tempest at Sea in the year 1240. 3. And to him another of the same name 4. Then David who was Bishop in the year 1330. 5. In the year 1425. one Finlaw Bishop of Argyle Vir ordinis Dominicani as Buchannan saith upon the apprehension of Duke Murdach joyned with the Dukes youngest sonne against King Iames the first and fled with him into Ireland The King complaining of him to Pope Martin the fifth he gave Commission to the Bishops of S. Andrewes and Dumblane to call him before them and finding him guilty to depose him from the place but he in the mean time died in Ireland 6. So by the provision George Laird of Balcomie in Fife was preferred to the See how long he lived Bishop and who succeeded since his time I have not learned The Bishops of the ISLES
Neither did â—he after this time ever see a good day but was of all sorts of people despised and misregarded The Earle of Argile and Lord Iames thinking their honours touched by the breach of the peace which they had mediated did forsake her and went to the Congregation whereupon they were charged to appear before the Councell but they answered That seeing the Queen had broken Conditions which by warrant from her selfe they had made with the Lords of the Congregation they would have no more medling in such dishonest courses and do the best to repair things The Noble men remained at that time in Saint Andrewes and because they foresaw this their answer would not be well accepted and feared some sudden attempt for the Queen with her French men lay then at Falkland they sent to the Lords of Dun and Pittarrow and others that favoured Religion in the Countries of Angus and Mernis and requested them to meet at Saint Andrewes the 4. day of Iune Mean while they themselves went to the town of Craile whither all that had warning came shewing great forwardness and resolutions and were not a little incouraged by Iohn Knox who in a Sermon made unto them at the same time put them in minde of that he foretold at Perth how there was no sincerity in Queen Regents dealing and that conditions would not be kept as they had found Therefore did he exhort them not to be any longer deluded with fair promises seeing there was no peace to be hoped for at their hands who took no regard of Contracts and Covenants solemnly sworn And because there would be no quietness till one of the parties were masters and strangers expulsed out of the Kingdome he wished them to prepare themselves either to die as men or to live victorious By this exhortation the hearers were so moved as they fell immediately to the pulling down of Altars and Images and destroyed all the Monuments which were abused to idolatry in the town The like they did the next day in Austruther and from thence came directly to Saint Andrewes The Bishop hearing what they had done in the Coast-towns and suspecting they would attempt the same reformation in the City came to it well accompanied of purpose to withstand them but after he had tried the affections of the townsmen and found them all inclining to the Congregation he went away early the next morning towards Falkland to the Queen That day being Sunday Iohn Knox preached in the Parish Church taking for his theame the History of the Gospel touching our Saviours purging of the Temple and applying the corruption which was at that time in Ierusalem to the present estate in the Church and declaring what was the duty of those to whom God had given authority and power he did so incite the Auditors as the Sermon being ended they went all and made spoil of the Churches rasing the Monasteries of the Black and Gray Friers to the ground The report of this carried to Queen Regent she was sore incensed and presently gave order for the marching of the French companies towards Saint Andrewes directing Proclamations to all the parts about for meeting her in armes the next morning at Couper The Lords taking purpose to prevent her coming went the same night thither accompanied with 100. horse onely and as many foot but such was the readiness of men in that quarrell as before 10. of the clock on the next day their number grew to 3000. The Earle of Rothes and Lord Ruthven brought with them many Gentlemen from Lothian the Lairds of Calder Ormston Halton Restarig and Coalston brought only a few for the warning they got was late yet their presence did greatly incourage the rest The towns of Dundy Saint Andrewes and Couper shewed great resolution and courage In the morning early the Noble men had drawn forth their Companies to the Moore on the West side of the town and committed the direction of all things to Mr. Iames Halleburton Provost of Dundy a man of good experience and much esteemed both for valour and counsell who made choice of a plot of ground most convenient for defence for it lay so as the Munition might play on all sides upon the enemy without receiving any annoyance from them till it should come to handy blows A little river ran also between the Armies which the enemies behoved pass before they gave the onset The Lord Ruthven with the horsemen was placed in the vantguard the other Lords with the Gentlemen of Angus Mernis Fise and Lothian made the battell The townesmen of Dundy Saint Andrewes and Couper were set in the rear and a certain space from them were the serving men and followers of the Camp appointed to stand which made shew of an auxiliary force provided against all accidents In Queen Regents Army the French were commanded by Monsieur de Offell and the Scots by the Duke of Chatterault the morning was dark and the fields covered with a foggy mist which hindered the Armies that they could not see one another About noontide when the aire began to clear the French sent some of their company to view the numbers and order kept by the Congregation who beholding them from a farre as they stood ranged in three battells and perceiving behind them the multitude of serving people which they took to be a supply of French men affirmed at their return the numbers to be greater then in truth they were Upon this a Post was directed to the Queen who was not as yet come from Falkland to enform her how matters went and to shew that the Lords were much stronger then was supposed and very forward to fight as likewise that they perceived a secret muting in their own Army some openly professing that they would not fight against their friends and Countreymen for the pleasure of strangers She hearing this was content they should treat for peace so the Lord Lindsey and Waâ—ghton were imployed by the Duke to confer with the Lords who at first were not suffered to approach nigh to the Army and had answer that they knew the Queen had sent those forces to pursue them and if they would invade they should finde them prepared to defend But they professing all their desires to be for peace and that they were sent to that effect were afterwards permitted to goe to the Lords who told them that they had been so often abused with the Queen Regents promises as they could not trust her words any more but if she would send back the French men that troubled the Countrey and give surely that no violence should be used to those that professe the true Religion they should not be found unreasonable It was ansvvered that for dimitting the French men she could say nothing till the French King was advertised and for the security craved she could give no other but her own word nor stood it with her honour to doe
is used in some of our Churches is sufficient to instruct the diligent Reader how that both these Sacraments may be rightly ministred yet for an uniformity to be kept we thought good to adde this as superabundant In Baptisme we acknowledge nothing to be used except the element of water only and that the word and declaration of the promises as we said before ought to precede therefore whosoever presumeth in Baptisme to use oyle salt wax spittle conjuration and crossing as they accuse the institution of Christ of imperfection for it was void of all these inventions so for altering Christs perfect Ordinance they ought to be severely punished The table of the Lord is then most rightly ministred when it approacheth most nigh to Christs own action But plain it is that at the Supper Christ Iesus sate with his Disciples and therefore do we judge that sitting at table is most convenient to that holy action that Bread and Wine ought to be given distribution of the same made that the Bread should be taken and eaten and likewise that all should drink of the Cup with declaration what both the one and the other is For touching the damnable errour of the Papists who defraud the people of the Cup of the Lords blood their errour is so manifest as it needeth no confutation That the Minister break the bread and distribute the same to those that be next unto him commanding the rest every one with reverence and sobriety to break with other we think it neerest to Christs action and to the perfect practice of the Apostles as we reade in Saint Paul During which action we think it necessary that some comfortable places of Scripture be read which may bring in minde the death of the Lord Iesus and the benefit of the same for seeing in that Action we ought chiefly to remember the Lords death we judge the Scriptures making mention of the same most apt to stir up our dull minds then and at all times The Ministers at their discretion may appoint the places to be read as they think good but what times we think most convenient for ministration of the one and other Sacrament shall be declared when we come to the policy of the Church The third head touching the abolishing of Idolatry AS we require Christ Iesus to be truly preached and his holy Sacraments rightly ministred so we can not cease to require Idolatry with all monuments and places of the same as Abbeys Chappels Monkeries Friers Nunneries Chantries Cathedrall Churches Chanonries Colledges other then presently are Parish Churches or Schools to be utterly suppressed in all places of this Realm Palaces Mansions and dwelling houses with their Orchards and Gardens onely excepted As also we desire that no persons of what estate or condition soever they be be permitted to use idolatrous service for that wheresoever idolatry is maintained if so it may be suppressed the wrath of God shall reigne both upon the blinde and obstinate idolaters and those that negligently suffer the same By Idolatrie we understand the Masse invocation of Saints adoration of Images and the keeping and retaining of the same finally all honouring of God not contained in his holy word The fourth head concerning Ministers and their lawfull Election IN a Church reformed or tending to reformation none ought to presume either to preach or yet minister the Sacraments untill they be called orderly to the same Ordinary vocation consisteth in Election Examination and Admission and because the election of Ministers in Papistry hath been altogether abused we think expedient to intreat of it more largely It appertaineth to the people and to every severall congregation to elect their Minister and in case they be found negligent therein the space of fourty dayes the best reformed Church to wit the Church of the Superintendent with his councell may present unto them a man that they judge apt to feed the flock of Christ Iesus who must be examined as well in life and manners as in doctrine and knowledge That this may be done with more exact diligence the persons who are to be examined must be commanded to appear before men of soundest judgement remaining in some principall town next adjacent unto them As they that be in Fife Angus Mernis or Stratherne to present themselves in St. Andrewes those that be in Lothian Mers or Tivioâ—dale in Edinburgh and likewise those that be in other countries must resort to the best reformed Cities and Towns that is to the Town of the Superintendent where first in the Schools or failing thereof in open assembly and before the congregation they must give declaration of their gifts utterance and knowledge by interpreting some place of Scripture to be appointed by the Ministery which being ended the person that is presented or that offereth himself to the service of the Church must be examined by the Ministers and Elders of the Church openly before all that list to hear in all the chief points that be now in controversie betwixt us and the Papists Anabaptists Arrians and other such enemies to the Christian Religion In which if he be sound and able to perswade by wholsome Doctrine and to convince the gain-sayers then must he be directed to the Church and Congregation where he would serve that there in open audience of the flock he may preach and deliver his knowledge in the Article of Justification the Offices of Christ Iesus the number effect and use of the Sacraments and finally the whole Religion which hereto fore hath been corrupted by Papists If his Doctrine be found wholsome and able to instruct the simple and if the Church can justly reprehend nothing in his life doctrine or utterance then we judge the Church which before was destitute unreasonable if they refuse him whom the Church doth offer and that they should be compelled by the censure of the Councell and Church to receive the person appointed and approved by the judgement of the Godly and Learned unless that the same Church hath presented a man better or as well qualified to examination before that the foresaid triall was taken of the person presented by the Councell of the whole Church As for example the Councell of the Church presents a man unto a Church to be their Minister not knowing that they are otherwise provided in the mean time the Church hath another sufficient in their judgment for that charge whom they present to the learned Ministers and next reformed Church to be examined In this case the presentation of the people to whom he should be appointed Pastor must be preâ—erred to the presentation of the Councell or greater Church unless the person presented by the inferiour Church be judged unable for the regiment by the learned For this is alwayes to be avoyded that no man be intruded or thrust in upon any congregation But this liberty with all care must be reserved for every severall Church to have their voices and suffrages in election of their Ministers
the 15. day of November yearly in the presence of the Superintendent Rector and whole Principals the same shal be opened the moneys counted and by their consents reserved or imployed upon building or repairing as the necessity of the fabrick shall require Of the Priviledge of the University Seeing innocency should rather defend us then priviledge we think that every person should answer before the Provost and Bailies of the Town where the University is upon all actions they are called for so as the Rector be assessor to the Magistrates therein If the question be betwixt members of the University the party called is not held to answer but before the Rector and his assessors in all other causes of civil pursuit the general rule of law is to be observed Actor sequatur forum rei The Rector and all inferiour members of the University must be exempted from all taxes imposts charges of warre or any other burthens that may abstract them from attending the youth such as Tutory Curatory Executory and the like As for other things that may concern the Students and Masters such as the choice of books to be read in every Classe and such other particulars they are to be left to the discretion of the Principal and Regents and their Councel The sixth head of the Rents and Patrimony of the Church TWo sorts of men that is the Preachers of the word and the poor besides the Schools must be sustained upon the rents of the Church wherefore it would be considered how and of what the same is to raised For to our grief we hear that some Gentlemen are now more rigorous in exacting the tithes and other duties paid before to the Church then ever the Papists were and so the tyranny of Priests is turned into the tyranny of Lords or Lairds for this we require that the Gentlemen Barons Lords Earls and others be content to live upon their own rents and suffer the Church to be restored to her right and liberty that by her restitution the poor that heretofore have been oppressed may now receive some comfort and relaxation It is a thing most reasonable that every man have the use of his own tithes providing that he answer the Deacons and Treasurer of the Church of that which shall be reasonably appointed unto him and that the uppermost cloth the Corpresent the Clerkmail the Pasche-offerings Tith-ale and other the like exactions be discharged for ever And because not only the Ministers but also the poor and Schools must be sustained upon the Tithes we think it more expedient that Deacons and common Treasurers of the Church be appointed to receive the whole rents appertaining thereto then the Ministers themselves And that commandment may be given that no man either receive or intromet with any thing belonging to the sustentation of the foresaid persons but such as shall be appointed thereto by the Church If any shall think this prejudicial to those that possesse the tithes by vertue of leases we would have them know that unjust possession is no possession before God and that those of whom they acquired their right were thieves and murtherers and had no power to alienate the Patrimony and common good of the Church yet do we wish recompence to be made to such as have debursed summes of money to these unjust possessors so that the same had not been given of late in prejudice of the Church or no collusion used For which purpose we think it expedient that whosoever have the titles of any Church in part or whole be warned to produce his right that cognition being taken thereof a reasonable recompence may be given them before the years that are to run the profits of years past deduced and considered so that the Church in end may receive her liberty and freedom The tithes that we think must be lifted for the use of the Church are the tithes of hay hemp lint cheese fish calf veal lamb wool and all sorts of corn But because these will not suffice to discharge the necessaries of the Church we think that all things dotate to hospitality in times past with all annual rents both to Burgh and Land pertaining to Priests Chanteries Colledges Chaplaineries and Friers of all orders to the sisters of the Seynes and all other of that sort be retained to the use of the Church or Churches within the Towns or Parishes where they were founded likewise the whole revenues of the temporalities of Bishops Deans and Archdeacons with all rents of lands pertaining to Cathedral Churches which must be applied to the entertainment of Superintendents and Universities And further we think that Merchants and Craftsmen in free Burghs who have nothing to do with manuring the ground ought to make some provision in their Cities and Towns and dwelling places for the support of the Church and necessities thereof The Ministers and failing of them the Readers must be restored to their Manses and Gleibs without which they cannot serve nor attend their flocks and where any Gleib exceedeth six acres of land that which is more shall remain with the possessor till further order be taken The Deacons or Treasurers appointed to collect these rents must be chosen yearly in every Parish by the common consent of the Church they may not distribute any part of that which is collected but by the command of the Ministers and Elders who must command any thing to be delivered but as the Church hath before determined That is the Ministers to be first paid either quarterly or from half year to half year of the summes allowed to them the Schoolmasters Readers and Hospitals if any be If any extraordinary summes must be disbursed then the Ministers Elders and Deacons are to consult whether the same stands with the profit of the Church or not and if they do agree they may do as best seemeth unto them But if there be controversie amongst themselves the whole Church must be made privie and the reasons heard their judgement with the Ministers consent shall prevail The Deacons shall make their Accompts to the Minister and Elders of that which they have received and the Elders when they are changed which must be every year shall clear their accompts before such Auditors as the Church shall appoint And both the Deacons and Elders being changed shall deliver to them that are newly elected all summes of money corns or other profits resting in their hands the tickets whereof must be delivered to the Superintendents in their visitations and by them to the great Councel of the Church that as well the indigence as abundance of every Church may be known and so a reasonable equality may be kept through the whole Realm The seventh head concerning the Censuring of offenders AS no Commonwealth can flourish or long endure without good laws and sharp execution of the same so cannot the Church of God be purged or yet retained in purity without the order of Ecclesiastical discipline This standeth in reproving
particulars it was desired That the persons nominated in Parliament for the matter of policy or juridiction of the Church should be ordained to meet at a certain day and place for concluding the same This was promised and the eighth of August appointed to that effect but the Diet did not hold and so these matters continued unresolved as before In the end of the Assembly the Bishop of Orkney who had been deposed from all function in the Church for the marriage of Bothwel with the Queen was upon his submission reponed to his place and for removing the scandal he was injoyned in his first Sermon to make publick acknowledgement of his fault and crave forgivenesse of God the Church and Estate which he had offended About the end of September the Regent and those that were joyned with him in commission took their journey into England and came to York the fifth of October the same day and almost the same hour came Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk Thomas Earl of Suffex and Sir Ralph Sadler Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster having Commission from the Queen of England to hear and determine all questions controversies debates and contentions betwixt her sister the Queen of Scots and the subjects adhering unto her on the one part and the Earl of Murray and others refusing to acknowledge her authority and adhering to the Prince her son on the other as likewise to decide all matters depending betwixt them two to confirm the peace before that time contracted or establish a new confederation betwixt them their people and subjects as they should think most convenient Some two days after Iohn Lesley Bishop of Ross William Lord Levingston Robert Lord Boyd Gawan Commendator of Kilwining and Iames Cockburn of Skirling Commissioners for the Scottish Queen came to the City where being all convened and the Commissions exhibited an oath was presented to both parties by the Commissioners of England by which they were required to swear That they should proceed sincerely in that conference and treaty and neither for affection malice or any other worldly respect propone any thing before the Commissioners which in their consciences they did not hold to be true just and godly and reasonable as also not to withdraw hide or conceal any matter fit to be opened and declared for the better knowledge of the truth in the controversies standing amongst them The Commissioners of the Queen of Scotland before they took the oath protested That although the Queen their Mistresse was pleased to have the differences betwixt her and her disobedient subjects considered and dressed by her dearest sister and cousen the Queen of England or by the Commissioners authorized by her yet she did not acknowledge her self subject to any Judge on earth she being a free Princesse and holding her imperial Crown of God alone This their protestation they desired to be put in record left the Queen or her posterity should be prejudiced in their Soveraignty by the present proceedings The Commissioners of England did contrariwise protest that they did neither admit nor allow that protestation in any sort to the hurt or prejudice of that right which the Kings of England have claimed had and enjoyed as superiours over the Realm of Scotland which Superiority they protested should belong and appertain to the Queen their Mistresse in the right of the Crown of England These protestations made both parties took the oath in manner as was required and this was the Act of the first meeting The next day the Commissioners of the Queen of Scotland presented a Declaration in writing bearing that Iames Earl of Morton Iohn Earl of Marre Alexander Earl of Glencâ—rne the Lords Homes Lindesay Ruthven Simple Cathcart Ochiltrie and other their assistants had levied an Army in the Queens name against the Queen taking her most noble peron used her in vile manner and thrust into prison in Lochlevin and forcibly broken her Mint-house taken away the printing Irons with all the silver and gold coyned and uncoyned which was in the house for the time And going to the Castle of Striveling and made a fashion to crown her sonne the Prince being then but thirteen moneths old That Iames Earl of Murray taking upon him the name of Regent had usurped the Royal authority and possessed himself with the whole forts Castles Munition Jewels and Revenues of the Kingdom And when it had pleased God to relieve her out of that prison wherein she was so straitly detained by the space of eleven moneths as none of her friends and true subjects could once be permitted to see or speak with her and that she had publickly declared by a solemn oath in the presence of divers of the Nobility at Hamilton that whatsoever was done by her in prison was extorted by force threats and fear of death she out of that natural affection which she carried to her realm and subjects did appoint the Earls of Argile Eglington Cassils and Rothes to agree and make a pacification with the said Regent and his partakers but they were so farre from admitting any peaceable Treaty as they did invade her in her passing to Dumbritton with the men of Warre whom she had hired with her own moneys killed divers of her faithful subjects led others away prisoners and banished some of good note for no other cause but for serving faithfully their lawful Princesse and so after a great many injuries had forced her to flye into England to request the help of Queen Elizabeth her dearest sister and in blood the nearest Cousen she had in the world for restoring her in her former estate and compelling her rebellious subjects to acknowledge their due obedience unto her Majesty which they in her Highnesse name did most instantly intreat The day following which was the ninth of October the Regent and rest of the Commissioners for the young King appearing before they would give any answer to the preceding writ craved first to be resolved Whether the Duke and those that were appointed with him for hearing their controversies bad power to pronounce in the cause of the Kings Mother guilty or not guilty and if according to the same they meant to give sentence without delay As likewise if it should appear by the Declaration they were to make that the Queen of Scots was guilty whether she should be delivered in their hands or detained in England and if the Queen of England would from thenceforth maintain the authority of the King and the Regency established in the person of the Earle of Murray Which points they desired to have cleared before they could enter into the accusation intended The Duke of Norfolk replied that they would proceed according to the Commission given unto them and render an account to her who had trusted them therewith Lethington upon this turning himself to the Regent said That it seemed the English haâ— no other purpose but to defame and disgrace the reputation of
Queen of England requesting her advice in the choice and an answer to the other Petitions moved by the Abbot of Dunfermlin The Queen who was put in hope that Westmerland and the other Rebells of England entertained by the Queen of Scots faction should be delivered unto her had shewed her self very favourable unto them but hearing that they were escaped she made answer as followes That she did kindly accept the good will of the Noblemen testified by their seeking her advice in the choice of a Regent being a matter of such importance and so nearly touching the estate of their King and Realm That her minde once was they should do best to continue the election for a time but now considering the disorders that were raised and possibly thereafter might arise if some person was not placed in that charge she did allow their resolution And seeing the abilities of men for that place were best known to themselves she should be satisfied with their choice whatsoever it was Howbeit out of the care she had of the young King she would not dissemble her opinion which was that the Earl of Lennox her cousin whom as she was informed they had made Lieutenant of the Realm would be more carefull of his safety then any other But in any case desired them not to think that in so doing she did prescribe them any choice but left it free to themselves to do what was fittest Further she desired them to rest assured notwithstanding of the reports dispersed by their adversaries that she had neither yielded nor would yield to the alteration of the state of their King and Government unlesse she did see a more just and clear reason then had yet appeared For howbeit she condescended to hear what the Queen of Scots would say offer as well for her own assurance as for the good of that Realm a thing w th in honor she could not refuse yet not knowing what the same would be she meant not to break the order of Law and Iustice either to the advancing or prejudging of her cause Therefore finding the Realm governed by a King and him invested by Coronation and other solemnities requisite as also generally received by the three Estates she minded not to do any act that might breed alteration in the Estate or make a confusion of governments But as she had found so to suffer the same continue and net permit any change therein so far as she might impede the same except by some eminent reason she should be induced to alter her opinion In end she desired them beware that neither by misconceiving her good meaning towards them nor by the insolent brags of their adversaries they should take any course that might hinder or weaken their cause and make her intentions for their good ineffectual This letter communicated to the Estates convened at Edinburgh the twelfth of Iuly and a long discourse made to the same effect by Mr. Thomas Randolph her Ambassadour they were exceedingly joyed So following the advice given them they made choice of Matthew Earl of Lennox declaring him Regent and Governour of the Realme unto the Kings majority or till he were able by himself to administrate the publick affaires This was done with the great applause of all that were present and published the next day at the Crosse of Edinburgh In an Assembly of the Church kept the same moneth there was some businesse moved by Mr. Iames Carmichal then Master of the Grammar School of S. Andrews against Mr. Robert Hamilton Minister of the City for some points of doctrine delivered by the said Mr. Robert in Pulpit The points are not particularly expressed but in the sixt Session of that Assembly Mr. Iames Macgill Clerk of Register Mr. Iohn Bellenden of Auchnoâ—le Justice Clerk and Mr. Archibald Douglas one of the Senators of the Colledge of Justice were directed from the Chancellor and Councel to require them to forbear all decision in that matter seeing it concerned the Kâ—ngs authority and contained some heads tending to treason so is it there said which ought to be tried by the Nobility and Councel willing them notthelesse to proceed in such things as did appertain to their own jurisdiction which was judged reasonable and agreed unto by the Church So farre were they in these times from declining the King and Councel in doctrines savouring of treason and sedition as they did esteem them competent Judges thereof In the same Assembly Commission was given to Mr. David Lindesay and Mr. Andrew Hay to travel with the Duke of Chattellerault the Earls of Argile Eglington and Cassils the Lord Boyd and other Barons and Gentlemen in the West parts for reducing them to the obedience of the King and his authority The like Commission was given to the Laird of Dun for the Earl of Crawford the Lord Ogilvy and their assisters in Angus and certification ordained to be made unto them that if they did not return to the Kings obedience the spiritual sword of excommunication should be drawn against them which I cannot think was really intended considering the quality and number of the persons The Regent immediately upon his creation and oath taken according to the custom for maintaining true Religion and observing the lawes and liberties of the Realm prepared to keep the Diet appointed at Linlithgow by the Lords of the Queens party who were said to be gathering forces for holding the Parliament they had indicted And because much depended upon the success of that business he sent to the Earl of Sussex for assistance of his forces And to the Laird of Grange with whom he kept some correspondence for some Field-pieces and other things belonging to their furniture Grange at first made fair promises but shifting those who were sent to receive the munition said This his service should not be wanting to the making of a concord but he would not be accessary to the shedding of the blood of Scotâ—ish men The Earl of Sussex deferred his answer likewise till the Queen should be advertised Notthelesse the Regent observed the Diet accompanied with 5000 Gentlemen none of the adverse party appearing Thereafter a Parliament was indicted to hold at Edinburgh the tenth of October and the Regent understanding that the Earl of Huntley had sent some 160. souldiers to Brichen and given order for providing victuals to the companies who were there to meet him made an hasty expedition thither having sent the Lords Lindesay and Ruthven with Sir Iames Haliburton Provost of Dundy a little before himself went nigh to have intercepted the Earl of Crawford the Lord Ogilvy and Sir Iames Balfour who were there attending Huntley But they escaping the souldiers fled to the Steeple of the Church Castle which they had fortified The steeple at the Regents first coming did yield so many as were therein had their lives saved the Castle held out some days till they heard the Canon was at hand
should not usurp any criminal jurisdiction 3. That they should not vote in Parliament in name of the Church unlesse they had a Commission from the general Assembly 4. That they should not take up for maintaining their ambition the rents which might maintain many Pastors Schooles and poor but content themselves with a reasonable portion for discharging their office 5. That they should not claim the title of temporal Lords nor usurp any Civil jurisdiction whereby they might be withdrawn from their charge 6. That they should not empire over Presbyteries but be subject to the same 7. That they should not usurp the power of Presbyteries nor take upon them to visit any bounds that were not committed to them by the Church Lastly it was provided that if any more corruptions should afterwards be tried the Bishops should agree to have them reformed What troubles hereupon arose both in the Church and Countrey we shall afterwards hear In Glasgow the next spring there happened a little disturbance by this occasion The Magistrates of the City by the earnest dealing of Mr. Andrew Melvil and other Ministers had condescended to demolish the Cathedral and build with the materials thereof some little Churches in other parts for the ease of the Citizens Divers reasons were given for it such as the resort of superstitious people to do their devotion in that place the huge vastnesse of the Church and that the voice of a Preacher could not be heard by the multitudes that convened to Sermon the more commodious service of the people and the removing of that idolatrous monument so they called it which was of all the Cathedrals in the Countrey only left unruined and in a possibility to be repaired To do this work a number of Quarriers Masons and other workmen was conduced and the day assigned when it should take beginning Intimation being given thereof and the workmen by sound of a Drum warned to go unto their work the Crafts of the City in a tumult took Armes swearing with many oathes that he who did cast down the first stone should be buried under it Neither could they be pacified till the workmen were discharged by the Magistrates A complaint was hereupon made and the principals cited before the Councel for insurrection where the King not as then thirteen years of age taking the protection of the Crafts did allow the opposition they had made and inhibited the Ministers for they were the complainers to meddle any more in that businesse saying That too many Churches had been already destroyed and that he would not tolerate more abuses in that kind A little before this time the Abbot of Dunfermlin being returned from England related in Councel the effects of his negotiation and was approved by all For that which he had in Commission touching the Lady Lennox he remitted the answer to the Queens own letters delivered to the King Concerning the disorders fallen out in the Borders the Queen he said did accept the excuse he made in good part saying she was assured that both the King and Councel were offended therewith and that she was content the same should be redressed by the advice of the Wardens on both sides onely desired that in time coming the King would make choice of wise and experienced men inclined to peace and justice to command in those parts As to the League he declared that the Queen had a good inclination unto it holding the same a most sure means to represse the practises of enemies both at home and abroad But in regard he had no warrant to descend into particulars he had abstained from any dealing therein and could not but testify that he saw in her a great care of the King his good Estate and that both he and his message were most kindly accepted The King in this mean time to pacify the Borders which were broken loose chiefly in the West parts gave the Lord Ruthven a Commission of Lieutenandry which he discharged with great commendation and bringing with him the Lord Maxwel who was Warden of the bounds returned to Striveling the twentieth of Ianuary A frequent Councel was there kept for the time wherein the Lord Maxwel being challenged of negligence in his office did answer That he had only the title of a Warden and that the limitations of his charge and the exceptions granted to the Gentlemen of the Countrey made the office needlesse and contemptible But if the King should be pleased to discharge the exceptions and give him a free Commission such as his predecessors had wont to have he should strive to do his best service to his Majesty and the Countrey This answer was not well taken and the Lord Hereis as one known to have greatest experience in these matters being desired to give his opinion delivered the same in a long speech to this purpose Your Majesty said he hath in deliberation a businesse of great importance whereof it were more fitting any man should give his opinion then I by reason of the suspicion I stand in with the present Warden for what I say will be interpreted to proceed of spleen and of a desire to have the charge taken from him and not of any care I take of your Majesties service or the good and benefit of the Countrey yet seeing your Majesty commands me to speak I will rather hazard on such misinterpretings then keep back any thing which I know to be useful and necessary for the errand And what I speak I desire it to be understood of the West marches onely to which my experience chiefly reacheth But because the evils would first be known I will begin at them and then propone the fittest and most easie remedies to my conception Sir a little before the death of your Majesties Noble Grandfather King James the fifth some few disloyal subjects of this Realm fleeing into England did plant themselves in a parcel of waste ground that lies opposite to the West Borders of Scotland and being maintained by the English grew unto such numbers and became so insolent as they made daily incursions upon the Countrey Your Majesties Grandfather did hereupon imploy certain forces against them intending to sack and destroy their houses and make them unable from thenceforth to annoy his subjects But these forces not being rightly governed and lacking the provision that was required for such an enterprise were put to the worse and shamefully discomfited At that time what by ransoming prisoners what by the spoyl they got they gained above one hundred thousand Merks wherewith and by the depredations they have made since that time they are become wealthy have built eight or nine strong houses upon the frontiers of your Realm that no Wardens power is able to force They have joyned in alliance with divers of our own Borders as wickedly disposed as themselves and are so feared that every man is glad of their friendship without which none is thought to have any surety
Ward and submit themselves to the punishment his Majesty should be pleased to impose The Chancellor made the like intercession for Bothwell but for Arroll none did speak After the King had thought a little of it he was content they should enter and present themselves to the Justice but would give no condition For this effect the 24. of May was assigned at the day Mr. Edward Bruce Mr. William Oliphant and Mr. Iames Wardlaw sitting Judges in the criminal Court by Commission the three Earls compiered Of Noblemen and others charged to passe upon their Assise there were present the Lord Hamilton the Earls of Angus Morton Atholl Marre and Marshall the Lords Seaton Somervill Dingwell and Cathcart the Lairds of Pittarrow Closburn Lagg and the Constable of Dundy These taking oath as the manner is the indictment was read which consisted of seven or eight points First they were charged with practising with Jesuits seminary Priests and other strangers against Religion receiving of Spanish gold and hiring souldiers therewith to disturb the quiet of the Realm 2. That they had entered in bond and confederacy with the Earls of Arroll Montrosse and others contrary to the Lawes kept Conventicles and treasonably surprised the Town of Perth of purpose to have fortified the same against his Majesty 3. That they had conspired to take the King prisoner at Halyrudhouse and kill his servants and Counsellours especially Sir Iohn Maitland of Thirlstane Chancellor 4. That they had besieged the house of Kirkhill put fire to the same and forced the Master of Glammis Thesaurer to render himself captive 5. That they had convocated the subjects by open Proclamation and given out that the King was detained prisoner against his will 6. That they came with displayed banners to the Bridge of Dee of mind to invade the King whom they knew to be upon an expedition to the North parts 7. That they had taken the Kings Herauld at Arms in the City of Aberdene spoyled him of his Coat and Letters when he was about to proclaim them The 8. and last concerned Bothwell particularly who besides the rest was charged to have hired souldiers as well strangers as men within the countrey entertaining them in Dalkeith and threatning to invade the town of Leth at his Majesties being in the North. Bothwell confessing that he had waged souldiers and entered in bonds with other Noblemen did therefore put himself in his Majesties will the rest of the points he denied remitting himself to the trial of his Peers Crawford confessed that he was in the fields at the taking of Kirkhill and with the Earl of Huntley in Aberdene but denied the other points Huntley come in will for the whole The Assise removing by themselves found Bothwell guilty of the enterprise at the quarrel holes besides that which he confessed They filed Crawford of surprising the Town of Perth and coming in Arms to the Bridge of Dee Huntley by his own confession was found guilty in all The sentence upon the Kings Warrant was suspended and they committed to divers places Bothwell in Tantallon Crawford in Blacknesse and Huntley in the Castle of Edinburgh In Iune following the Assembly of the Church convened at Edinburgh where the King giving his presence after he had spoken a little of his good affection towards the Church shewed that he was come to desire Mr. Patrick Galloway to be appointed one of his Ministers the Assembly by the mouth of their Moderator rendring his Majesty humble thanks for the beginnings he had made in suppressing the enemies of Religion did intreat him to prosecute the businesse and made offer of their humble service and assistance to the uttermost of their power As to that which he desired they acknowledged that his Majesty might command any Minister wheresoever he served to attend himself and his Court and so ordained Mr. Patrick Galloway to leave his charge at Perth and wait upon the King It was a good beginning and this gave no small content to all well disposed men But things continued not long in that case for before that meeting took an end a fresh offence was given The year preceding the King having contracted his Cousen the Duke of Lennox his sister to the Earl of Huntley had caused the Bishop of S. Andrews celebrate the marriage at which the Ministers of Edinburgh taking exception they complained of the same in a preceding Assembly and had obtained a Commission to the Presbytery for calling and censuring the Bishop according to the Acts of the Church Whether the Bishop would not ackowledge them for Judges or that he esteemed his Majesties command a Warrant sufficient for what he had done whilest as he neglected their proceedings they pronounce him deprived from all office and function in the Church and presenting the processe in this assembly the same was found formal the sentence ratified and ordained to be published in all the Churches of the Kingdome only to make the Bishop hateful and contemptible He complaineth to the King who shewed himself extremely displeased with their doings but what course he should take he was doubtful for every day he was expecting the arrival of his Queen and loved to have all things quiet and setled at her coming especially in the Church with whom it grieved him not a little to be still in question but espying no better way he resolved in end to dissemble his anger towards them and to take the imprisoned Lords in favour lest he should make himself too much businesse Thereupon he returneth to the Northâ— gives Arroll a pardon putteth Crawford to liberty and fully remits him Huntley and Bothwell he freeth from imprisonment but to hold them in awe he deferres the Declaration of his will concerning them The Lord Maxwel upon his bond not to practise against Religion under the pain of an hundred thousand pounds is likewise dimitted And in this case stood things when advertisement came that the marriage was accomplished and the Queen ready to take Sea All diligence was thereupon used to prepare for her reception and nothing left undone that was required for so great a solemnity But a second and unlookt for message cometh shortly after shewing that the Navy appointed for her conduct was driven by a tempest into Norway and that it was thought she should stay in those parts unto the spring The King taking this impatiently concludeth with himself to go thither in person and because he knew many impediments would be made if his purpose were known he giveth out that he would send the Chancellor and Justice Clerk to transport her in Scottish Vessels if the Danes would not adventure theirs in that season How soon the ships were prepared for their journey no man expecting any such matter he taketh Sea himself leaving direction to the Councel for the government of affaires during his absence with the following Declaration written all with his own hand but not seen to
letter directed to the E. of Northumberland that we may know the wisdome and piety of the King who had sent him advertisement of the Queens weaknesse and advised him to make sure his title by apprehending possession in time he said That man can neither be religious nor just that dealeth worse with his neighbour then he would be dealt withall and in a man of quality it can be no wisdome to leap hedge and ditch and adventure the breaking of his neck for gathering forbidden fruit before it be ripe when as by attending the due time he may be sure to finde all the gates of the orchard open and with free scope enter take and tast at liberty Sure it were a great weakness and unworthiness in me to come in as an Usurper with offence and scandall to the laws and present estate of government when I may in the right time claim the Crown as nearest Heir to the Prince deceased and possesse with equity should I out of untimely ambition fall to break the long continued and faithfully preserved amity that by the proof of many kinde offices hath taken root among us it were an error inexcusable And howbeit I doe acknowledge your kinde affection in the offers you make of assistance I must tell you freely that no Prince can presume of any subjects loyalty to himself that hath been unsound and unfaithfull to his own Soveraign nor would I ever look to be secure in a Kingdome so trayterously disposed In end he advised the Earl to forbear such writing and when he wrote which he wished him to doe rarely and not but upon great occasions to beware of any thing that might justly offend the Queen lest by interception or other misadventure he might be disabled to serve him another day This was the Kings resolution which God so blessed as it brought him within a short time after against the opinions and desires of many to the quiet and peaceable possession of his right and inheritance for in the Spring the Queens disease encreasing which was judged to be a melancholy incorrigible and by some conceived to proceed from a sorrow for Essex others ascribed it to the accepting of the Rebell Tyrone to peace and all apprehending it to be deadly the hearts of people did so incline to the King as a great many in that State did write unto him That all England was grown to be Scotish The Queen her self continuing constant in her affection when she was askt a little before her death by the Lord Keeper and Secretary who were directed by the Councell to understand her will touching her Successor answered None but my Cousen the King of Scots After which words she spake not much only being desired by the Archbishop of Canterbury whom she would not suffer to go from her all that time to fix her thoughts upon God she said So I doe neither doth my minde wander from him and then commending her soul to God in devout manner died most patiently and willingly A Queen imcomparable for wisdome and fidelity of government she departed this life the 24th of March in the 70 year of her age and 44 of her Reign The same day in the forenoon the King of Scots was proclaimed King first at the Palace of whitehall next at the Crosse in Cheapside within the City of London with an infinite applause of all sorts of people The end of the sixth Book THE HISTORY of the CHURCH OF SCOTLAND THE SEVENTH BOOK The Contents The proceedings after his Majesties going into England unto his death THE news of the Queens death were brought the third day after by Sir Robert Cary a son of the Lord Hunsdon after whom Sir Charles Percy brother to the Earl of Northumberland and Thomas Somerset sonne to the Earl of Worcester were directed from the Councell of England with the Letter following RIght High Right Excellent and mighty Prince and our dread Soveraign Lord as we cannot but confess unto your Majesty that the grief we have conceived by the loss of our late Soveraign Lady whose soul in your palace of Richmond passed from her earthly body to the joyes of heaven betwixt two and three of the clock this morning was nothing less then our loyalty and love to her whilest she lived being a Princesse adorned with vertues meet for Government prosperous in the success of her affairs and under whose obedience we have lived in greater tranquillity these many years then commonly happeneth to Princes so we must acknowledge that our sorrow is extingushed by the impression we have of those heroicall vertues of wisdome piety and magnanimity which we know to be in your Majesties person to whose right the lineall and lawfull succession of all our late Soveraigns dominions doth justly and onely appertain wherein we presume to profess this much as well for the honour which will thereby remain to our posterity as for your Majesties security of a peaceable possession of your kingdomes that we have never found either of those of the Nobility or of any other of the Estates of this realm any divided humour about the receiving and acknowledging your Majesty to be the onely head that must give life to the present maimed body of this kingdome which is so happy as with an universall consent to have received one sole uniform and constant impression of bright blood as next of kin to our Soveraign deceased and consequently by the Laws of this realm true and next heir to her kingdomes and dominions whereof we have made outward demonstration by publick Proclamation this very day a fore noon first in the City of Westminster at your Majesties palace gate at White-Hall and next at the Cross of Cheap-side within your Majesties City of London with an infinite applause of your people and with such solemnity as the shortness of time would permit Of all which we have thought it our duty immediately to advertise your Majesty by these two Gentlemen Sir Charles Percy brother to the Earl of Northumberland and Thomas Somerset Esq son to the Earl of Worcester of whom we have made choice to be the bearers of our Letters humbly beseeching your Highness to accept the same as the first fruits and offering of our tender and loyall affections towards you our gracious Soveraign and to rest assured that the same shall be ever hereafter seconded with all faith obedience and humble service which shall be in our power to perform for maintaining that which we have begun with the sacrifice of our lives lands and goods which we with all our other means do here humbly present at your Majesties feet craving of your Highness that seeing hereby you may perceive in what estate we remain as body without a head or rather without that spirit here amongst us which from the head might give vigor to every member to exercise the duty to it belonging thereby to keep the whole body from confusion you will be pleased to enter
at the generall Assembly and be reputed members thereof by bringing with them the Registers of the Acts and proceedings in their meetings to be seen that so their diligence and fidelity in their Charges might be known 9 That it should be lawfull to each Presbytery to send two or three Commissioners to the generall Assembly by and besides the Moderatour and Scribe if they should think it convenient 10 That the Moderatour of the generall Assembly should be chosen by the voices of the whole Assembly lites being first made and proponed as in times passed 11 That in the Synods where there is not a Bishop actually resident the like lite should be made of the Moderatours of the Presbyteries within these bounds and one of them elected to moderate the same Assembly so as his Majesties Commissioners give their advice thereunto And lastly That the Rolls of Moderatours in every Presbyterie should be examined to see if there was any other of the number fit to use the said office and that they whom this present Assembly should nominate to accept the said Moderation upon them without making any shift or excuse These cautions being read in the full Assembly were approved of all and the overture thereafter put to voices was allowed and the same enacted as a conclusion of the whole Assembly four only of the whole number disassenting other four refusing to vote because they had no commission as they pretended from their Presbyteries and two answering Non liquet This conclusion taken the rolls of Ptesbyteries were called and none found more sufficient then they who did presently moderate these meetings whereupon an Ordinance was made that they should continue in their Charges and not be altered unlesse the Synod did make another choice This business ended a great complaint was made of the insolency of Papists chiefly in the North parts and of the superstitions used at the burialls of the Lord Ogilvy and Laird of Gight who had deceased a few moneths before The Marquis of Huntley being also returned lately from Court had given out that he brought a Warrant from his Majesty to stay all Ecclesiasticall proceedings against him his Lady and family by which reports those of the Romane profession were not a little encouraged and were become open contemners of the Censures of the Church These complaints being greatly taken to heart by the whole Assembly it was concluded that a Petition should be preferred to his Majesty in all their names for confining the Marquis of Huntley the Earls of Angus and Arroll with their Ladies in some Cities and Towns where they might by the hearing of the Word and conference with learned men be reduced from their errors at least kept from doing harm and from the perverting of others To present this Petition and the Act of constant Moderators choice was made of Mr. Iames Law Bishop of Orkney and he dispatched to Court which done the Assembly brake up and dissolved with the good satisfaction of all Nor was it long before the Kings answer returned in these particulars and first concerning the Marquis of Huntley his Majesty declared That he had obtained no Warrant for impeding the Church discipline neither against himself or any of his family and that only because he affirmed that he had kept all the injunctions prescrived except that he had not communicated the Councell was desired after triall of his obedience in the rest of the particulars enjoyned to command the Presbyteries of the North to stay their proceedings against him for his not communicating concerning which point he had certified the Marquis that howsoever some space was granted to him for his better resolution if he did persist in his errors and would not be reclaimed he would make no other reckoning of him then of one that studied to make himself the head of a faction and rather root him out then nourish him in his follies by a preposterous toleration As to the confining of him and the other Noblemen in the Cities and places set down in the Assemblies Petition his Majesty did think it too rigorous unlesse they were tried to have committed some offence deserving the same Wherefore he would have them called before the Councell the Bishop of the Diocie Moderator of the Presbytery and the Minister of the Parish being present and enquired concerning their behaviour and whether they did resort or not ordinarily to Sermon wherein if they should be tried to have transgressed his pleasure was they should be confined within so many miles compasse as are distant betwixt the houses of their residence and the City wherein it was desired they should be confined to the end they may repair to their houses when the necessity of their business requireth and at other times resort to the City or Town designed for their instruction where they should be tied to stay ten daies together and during their stay hear Sermons admit conference and forbear the company of Jesuits Seminary Priests and others of that profession And if it should happen them to have any business in Councell or Session that license should be granted unto them for repairing thither during a certain a certain space providing they did resort to the Church and gave no scandall by their behaviour For the superstitious rites used at the buriall of the Lord Ogilvy and Gight his Majesties pleasure was that their sons should be called before the Councell and committed but no sentence should be given till the whole circumstances were tried and notified to him As touching the conclusion taken for the constant Moderators his Majesty did thank them for their travels but whereas they were of opinion that the Act should be universally received for so much the Assembly had written he said that he knew them too well to expect any such thing at their hands Their conscientious zeal to maintain parity and a desire to keep all things in a continuall constant volubility he said was such as they would never agree to a setled form of government Besides he knew that divers of these who were nominated to the places of Moderation would refuse to accept the same lest they should be thought to affect superiority above their brethren That therefore he would have the Councell to look to that business and direct Charges as well for those that were nominated to accept the moderation as to the Ministers of every Presbytery to acknowledge them that were nominated The event justified his Majesties opinion for all the next year there was no matter that troubled the Councell as that of the constant Moderator The Synod of Perth convening in March thereafter did in direct opposition of the Act concluded at Linlithgow inhibit all the Presbyteries within their bounds to acknowledge the conclusion taken in that meeting and discharged Mr. Alexander Lindesay Parson of Simmedose who was nominated by the Assembly Moderator of Perth to exercise the said office under pain of the Censure