Ambassador composed the publick difference at present after which a better expedient was supposed to be found to prevent by poyson all further martial attempts of Athol while Earl Morton betook himself more unto his privacy than innocency at home The first salley of Regal government under the pretended personall conduct of the King put the Assembly brethren in mind to strengthen their incroachment upon the Church to which purpose follows a discharging of Chapters with their election of Bishops the titular Bishops are warned to quit their anti-christian corruptions in particular was instanc'd their receiving Ecclesiastick emoluments so that notwithstanding all former Acts and agreements for life their known assignation of benefice must be as well extinct as their Jurisdiction and office yet to please the young King who beyond his years had a discretive Judgement and held Episcopacy in a reverend esteem that they might seem to leave them somewhat to do they make them Itinerant Visiters of their Hospitals themselves being the Sacrilegious Collectors of the Rents Beside this they heave hard to obtain an establishment of the policy in the Second Book of their Discipline but as that yet could not be got to be incorporated with other Parliament Acts At this time two French Noblemen raise fears and jealousies in abundance the Duke of Alanson in England by endeavouring a Marriage with Queen Elizabeth with whom he held private conference but was suspected to aime at restoring the Queen of Scots Lord Aubignie in Scotland who was become the only favorite of the King The consequences of the Marriage were debated by the Lords in Council and their opposite possibilities or conjectures represented to the Queen The new humours of Esme Stuart Lord d' Aubignie whom the King had â—arely câ—eated Duke of Lenox was a business undoubted to be of Ecclesiastical cognizance and therefore taken into consideration by the Assembly the Christian result of whose counsels was this To set up against him an emulous rival Iames Stuart of the Ochiltrie Family call'd Earl of Arran which title he attained by cession from one of the Hamiltons not well in his wits to whom he had been Guardian but these two were soon reconciled by the King and the Assembly Brethren defeated in their plot They can soon find means to be revenged and make the King hear of his misdemeanour A large complaint is sent up to Queen Elizabeth which being sweetned with the discovery of a feigned designe to conveigh the captive Queen out of rison laid to the charge of the Duke of Lenox rellisheth well in the Court and Council of England from whence come endeavours and Embassies to degrade him from favour if not his honour and demâ—nds to have him baniâ—â—ed out of Scotland The young King had now quit himself of his pupillage and with that of his custome to return suppliant answers by his Regent according to the instructions that ever accompanied the demands Sir Robert Bowes the Agent was admitted to deliver his Message but not with his condition to have Lenox removed from the Council and therefore went grumbling home without audience Humes was sent with a complement after him and had the like reception in England where he was turn'd over to Lord Treasurer Burleigh and could have no admission to the Queen Lord Burleigh at large expostulated with him about the miscarriage of some in the Scotch Kings Council The Queen of Englands succesfull endeavours were magnified and her tender care in preventing many eminent mischiefs from the French Some sharp language was used which was hoped would cut off the Kings affection to the Duke of Lenox and make way for Mortons restitution to favour but the issue was otherwise Morton was question'd for many great enormities especially the murder of the Kings Father Randolph is sent to intercede somewhat magisterially and hinder the proceeding against him for his life The King adhears to his Laws by which he answers he is bound to submit Delinquents to Justice Randolph by the help of the Assembly Brethren makes a strong faction of Lenox's enemies and Mortons Friends draws Argile Angus and many other of the Nobility to the party but their different interests caus'd division in their counsels made them quit the engagement and leave Morton after proof and his own confession of the murder to pay his Head â—o the Justice of the Law In this time passed many arrogant Acts in their general Assemblies one among the rest did confine the holy Kirk of Iesus Christ in that Realm to the Ministers of the blessed Evangel and such as were in communion with them excluding all the Episcopal party and deâ—ivâ—ring them up to Satan as being Members of a Kirk divided from the Society of Christs body They professed That there was no other face of Kirk no other face of Religion then was presently at that time established which therefore is â—ver stiled Gods true Religion Christs true Religion the true and Christian Religion admiâ—ting it seems no other Religion to be so much as Christiâ—n but that Beside thâ—s other Acts there were entâ—encâ—ing upon the civill authority whereupon the King by Letter required the Assembly to abstain from making any innovations in the Policy of the Church and from prejudging the decisions of the State by their conclusions to suffer all things to continue in the condition they were during the time of his minority They regard not his letter send a Committee to Striveling to contest with His Majesty and sit down again about the ordering their Discipline Set Iohn Craig a Presbyter about framing a most rigid * Negative confession of Faith Never let His Majesty have quiet untill himself and his Family subscribe it Wrest a charge from him to all Commissioners and Ministers to require the like subscriptions from all and upon this authority taken by violence play the tyrants over the Consciences of the people They censure the Presbytery of Striveling for admitting Montgomery to the temporallity of the Bishoprick of Glascow and him for aspiring thereto contrary to the word of God and Acts of the Kirk While they are thus fencing with the spirituall Sword in Scotland their pure Brethren in England execute their Commission by the pen where the marriage between Qu. Elizabeth and Alanson new Duke of Anjâ—u being in a manner concluded they set out a virulent book with this Title The Gulf wherein England will be swallowed by the French Marriage but the Author Iohn Stubbs of Lincolns-Inne a zealous professor as he must needs be who was Brother-in-Law to Cartwright and one William Page who dispersed the Copies soon after had their hands cut off on a Scaffold at Westminster and play'd their parts no more at that weapon But the civil Sword must have its turn and what no menacing bulls of the Assembly nor any pointed calumnies of mercenary pens can keep off must by a
stratagem be declined at first and yet the same afterward authorized by strength The long disconsolate captivity of the Queen and despair of ever obtaining her liberty had withdrawn her thoughts from her Scepter on earth and rais'd them to an higher kingdom than the Scots whereon that they might be fixed without any diversion she resolves to divest her self of the other interest and confer freely her Royal title upon her Son The Assembly Brethren have intimation hereof do not like to have their King become absolute or Reign by any other Title than what he had before received on courtesie from them The Duke of Lenox and Earl of Arran are two good Friends to his Majesty not to be instrumentall in promoting so just an advancement to his Crown and therefore it is the Presbyters tasks to preach them out of all favour with the people and then an opportunity is fairly taken in their absence from Court for the Earls Gowry Marre Lindsey and others to invite his Majesty to the Castle of Ruthen and by the Laws of Displinarian hospitality detain him prisoner dismiss his retinue deny him the liberty to stir abroad but at his peril Nor indeed could he well be at leisure to walk for the perpetuity of business they found him within doors forcing him first by a Writ to recall Earl Angus from England whither the guilt of his late rebellion had carried him by another after the imprisonment of His Majesties dearest Friend to command the Duke of Lenox into France who being in possession of Dunbriton Castle might have disputed the freedome of that Royal command if his clear awfull spirit had not dreaded the thought of the least disloyal averseness to obey And by a slight of singulâ—r cunning tyranny in a third fram'd into a Letter to Queen Elizabeth of England to justifie their act and contract the guilt of that unnatural sin in laying violent hands upon himself By a fourth to authorize the Convention of States indicted by them All acts of such transcendent rebellion that George Buchanan their never-failing advocate before could be wrought neither to advise by his Council nor justifie with his pen nay 't is said he turn'd penitent upon it retracted with tears what he had writ before in their cause and wished he could wash out all the spots the black calumnies he had dropt upon Royal Majesty with his blood yet further he would have writ retractions if being so old he could have hoped such a conversion would not have been interpreted an act rather of dotage then devotion The Queen of Scots much affected with this treasonable surprisal of her Son complains at large to Queen Elizabeth in a Letter appeals to her conscience for Justice and summons her to her plea about the differences between them before the highest Tribunal of Heaven yet very charitably imputes the obstruction of intercourse between her and her Son for a twelvemoneth before as likewise Queen Elizabeths long silence notwithstanding some former importunate letters not unto her self but some malignant disposition in her Council Queen Elizabeths blood and thoughts had many quick motions upon this querulous writing many ebbs and flows of resolutions and fears at length Mr. Secretary Deale an austere man and no Friend at all unto the Royal Prisoner was joyn'd in Commission with the Earl of Shrewsbury to expostulate the business with the captive Queen and yet treat with her about articles of enlargement but the Disciplinarian Scots being called in about what concern'd them raised new spirits of division by interposing ungrounded jealousies of one Father Holt a Iesuit and some other Emissaries lately come over as they alledged on purpose to plot the invasion of England and therewith a violent rescue of their Queen As little truth as there was in this calumny there was Sophistrie enough to prevaile with Queen Elizabeth to lay aside the complaint of her prisoner and to imploy her two Agents in Scotland Bowes and Davison in vying Courtship with two other from the French to gaine upon the affection of the King The News of the Duke of Lenox's death at Paris though accompanied with that which confounded his enemies who thought they had undone him by traducing him for a Papist puts life into the Kings banded Jailers who take assurance by this they had him prisoner during pleasure but His Majestie escapes soon after to the Castle of Saint Andrews makes them curse the lying spirit in their Prophets and desperate enough to become executioners of themselves but the good King repriev'd them by his mercy offering pardon unto all that could find confidence to ask it but this appear'd in none but Earl Gowrie who corrupted the benefit of it unto his bane The rest not long after being banish'd went some into Ireland others into France only Angus ask'd and had a confinement unto his Earldom Queen Elizabeth sends Sir Francis Walsingham to the King not so much to gratulate his liberty as to instill some sententious Counsel how to use it He meets with a greater luster and gallantry in the Scotch Court then he expected and a young King as grave a politician as himself He was entertained better than his carriage to the captive Queen had deserved and returned with an answer no less modest than Majestick Though many acts had passed the Assemblies of late derogatory to the safety and Royal authority of the King yet none more than the justifying the late Treason requiring the Ministers in all their Churches to commend it unto the people and threatning excommunication to such as subscribed not though against their Conscience to the unjust judgement of the Assembly And in the year 1582 the Assembly at Saint Andrews proceeded violently against one Montgomery Bishop of Saint Andrews cutting off the appeal he had made unto the King rejecting both his Letter and Messenger sent on purpose to inhibite them The late treasonable justification voted by the Assembly though nipt in the bud by the Kings unexpected escape and all the leaves scattered by the breath of his displeasure into several corners of the world began now to sprout again in a second conspiracy many of the Traitors being at that time appointed by Gowry return'd again and under the colour of care and courtesie to the King attempting a second surprizal of his person But the Earl of Arran whom they had not now time or opportunity to secure seizeth upon Gowrie at Dundee and the Kings martial appearance suddenly affrights his Complices out of the Castle of Sterlin which they had taken Queen Elizabeth whose Court because the Cathedral of Religion was ever abused as a sanctuary after a Scotch rebellion had now a new address to make by mediation unto their King And her Secretary Walsingham by the no justifiable priviledg of his place issued out Writs in Her Majesties name though without her knowledg for
Potentate cannot hold For the eleventh Article about the lawfulness of eating flesh on Fryday aswell as Sunday As to the purity of dayes which bears proportion to the Passion and Resurrection or indifferency of meatâ— abstracting from all Superiours rational commands and in pious people an humble commemoration of Christs suffering by their suffering somewhat weekly at that time St. Paul may justifie him in his answer though they were other dayes he meant but yet by his favour not in reversing the Statutes or Canons composed in piety and prudence wâ—ich encounter no principles of Religion nor deny fit supplies to the necessity of nature or moderate desires of a regular appetite in due season But that which betrayed his ignorance extreamly or an insolent arrogance of singular extraordinary indowments from God for the interpretation of his Word or where that in practicals and circumstantials is silent for the intelligence of his pleasure was his answer to the 15. Article which charged him with denying to obey Provincial or General Councils whereof he owned no knowledge as if the History of Gods Church in the purest times of Christianity had not been worth his search nor the exemplary endeavours of the ancient Doctors and Fathers who confounded heathen and hereticks by their writings with joyn'd hands rais'd an edifice of Religion according to the most exact model they at so near a distance traditionally received from Christ and his Apostles deserv'd his review nor what they sealed with their bloud so much of his reverence as to consider wether so many did and himself but one could not erre especially when the very Bible to which he appealed for the authority of his doctrine had been for its own integrity and incorruption of words and points and consequently of sense whether their glosses and commentaries be admitted or no and could be commended to him by no more powerful testimony than their Canons neglected and scorned by him for the introduction of what Knox he a prety pair to be paralled with representative Christianity in the majestick Sessions of Emperours and Bishops had for seditious ends concluded in a corner Whether his singularity in these or any other exorbitant opinions proceeded from passion or perswasion I shall not determine nor can I clear his Judges in their sentence of condemnation unto death unless his sedition were so manifest dangerous which it might be that no security could be given for the publick peace but by his removal The manner of it as it lies in the vulgar story was with more pomp and curiosity than became the gravity or charity very requisite in Cardinals Bishops or inferiour Clergy Mr. Georges behaviour near the time of his execution such in many particulars as became an humble pious and couragious Christian as appears by divers prayers and discourses yet his popularity and debasing Prelacy had not quitted him the very day he was to suffer when he beseeched the brethren and sisters those Epiâ—oen Priests of his making to exhort their Prelates to the learning of the Word of God c. To tell them That if they would not convert themselves from their wickâ—d errour there should hastily come upon them the wrath of God which they should not eschew very Prophetick and positive and prevalent no question from such mechanick mouths And though he forgave the Hangman when about to do his office yet he had not so much chariâ—y for the Cardinal against whom this angry Martyr denounceth the sentence of a violent death revealed to him more likely by Iohn Lesly Melvin and Carmichel if it were not the overflowing of his own bloudy heart concurring in the design whose hands were to act it than by any Oracle from heaven where no such murders are forged his last words being these as his own Friend hath recorded them He who in such state from that high place feedeth his eyes with my torments within few dayes shal be hanged out at the same window to be seen with as much ignâ—miny as he row there leaneth in pride The credit of the new gospel had been crackt if the prediction of this great prophet had not been hastily accomplished which his principal disciples took presently into their care whose stomacks were so full of indignation against the Cardinal that their meat could not down before they had declared it at their tables That the bloud of Mr. George should be revenged or else it should cost life for life The most proper instruments for such a purpose must be men of metal whose spirits being exasperated by a sympathy with their late deceased Friend or a passive sense of some late injury apprehended from their great enemy that lived against as many of their wishes as there accrued minuts unto his time were predisposed to any desperate attempt Three or four such were pitched upon to surprise Babilon so they call'd the Castle of the Cardinal of St. Andrews upon whom they speedily executed the work 't is their own language that is they wickly murdered him in his Chamber In which act Iohn Lesly and Peter Carmichael being too hasty they were rebuked by Iames Melvin the more sedate Reformer of the three and told This work and judgement of God ought to be done with greater gravity He presents to him the point of the sword saies Repent thee of thy former wicked life that is stopping the godly brethren in their course strikes him twice or thrice through with a stog sword and so he fell All honest Christians were astonished at so horrid and execrable an act but the meek disciplinarians did not onely saith Buchanan approve it but came to gratulate these authors of their publick liberty others ventured life and fortunes with them for the future libertatis authores so it should seem the Cardinal had tied up their hands till this stog sword cut the knot and set them at liberty to do mischief uncontrouled afterward Iohn Knox is so tickled with the business that he becomes very witty and because he would not lose his jest tells his Reader expresly he writes merrily about it but by this time he knows if he chang'd not his mind that the end of that mirth is heavinesse I believe That his heart and he might not keep at distance the Easter following he goes to live with the murderers in the Castle and not long after from the cry of this bloud takes his call to the ministry which was the greatest vengeance that ever God sent to that Kingdome For this first thriving plant of the discipline being set by the sword and cherished by * license and lust the soil prepared by the Cardinals bloud grew up on a sudden to branch it over all Civill Magistrates and Laws and in short space over-topt Royal Authority it self some comfortable assurance whereof he gave to the brethren in his first Sermon upon Dan. 7.24 c. And another King shall
their admission into the Holy Island The Letters were not obeyed by Earl Hunsdon who dâ—sputed the Secretaries single separate authority nor was the Queen hearkenâ—d to otherwise then by yeilding a legal tryal which cost Gowrie hâ—s Head for all the promises he had of better success from oâ—e Maclen a Wâ—tch whom he had consulted in the case To ballance this somewhat must be done by the Disciplinarian undertakers in England who frame divers Lâ—tters in the name of the Queen of Scots and some English fugitives conveigh them into the Papists houses and then make discovery of a plot Hereupon as slight and improbable as the proofs were the Earls of Northumberland and Arundel were confined his Lady imprison'd divers examin'd and the Lord Paget scarcely by hâ—s prudent innocency protected Queen Elizabeth though facile in hearing their complaints was not so barbarous as to execute the cruelty of their Counsels but called her Judges to account for their extream serverity against the Papists granting indemnity and liberty to many Iesuits and Priests Yet Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador was sent home and Throckmorton whom he was said to have encouraged in an intricate conspiracy being neither constant in denying nor clear in confessing nor at all cunning in concealing or disguising his guilt was hang'd A new Treaty between the two Queens is now commenc'd and Sir William Wade imployed in an overture unto the Queen of Scots but the Agitators of differences between them renew their division by unseasonable jealousies and fears and Wade falls to pasting Father Creyghtone the Iesuits torn papers together neglecting a far more Christian and honourable artifice which he might haâ—e sâ—ewed by cementing the unhappy rupture in two so Royal and magnanimous Ladies hearts This new discomposure gave the Scottish partizans in England a colourable pretense to enter into an association for Queen Elizabeths security from danger which was managed by the policy of the Earl of Leicester The Queen of Scots took hence an alarum oâ— her ruine yet chose rather to submit somewhat of her spirit then in an humour sacrifice her life unto their malice She sends her Secretary Nave with Articles so near Queen Elizabeths demands as had wrought undoubted reconcilement if it had been consistent with the Discipline of the Kirk but this the Scotch Ministry declared to be otherwise in their Pulpits call out for help as if both Kingdoms had been on â—ire and Christian Religion in danger to be consumed by the flames inveâ—gh bitterly against their Queen King and his Council slight the Kings summons to answer stand upon their Ecclesiastical exemption and Presbyterian privilege of immunity from his censure The King began from hence to apprehend it better for his safety and more agreeable with his honour to restore the Miâ—er to the Church then cast away his Crown to a mungrel lay-Clerical Assembly Hereupon he recalls Bishops to their primitive jurisdiction and dignity inhibites all Presbyteries and their Synods together with the popular parity of Ministers and among other Acts pasâ—eth this in the eight Parliamentâ—olden at Edenburgh May 22. 1584. which alone cuts off all their vaine â—retences to this day For as much as some persons being â—ately called before the Kings Majeâ—ty and his secret Council to answer â—pon certain points to have been enquiâ—ed of tâ—em concerning some treasoâ—able seditious and contumelious â—â—eeches uttered by them in Pulpits â—chools and otherways to the disdain â—nd reproach of his Highness his Proâ—enitors and present Council conâ—â—mptuously declined the judgement of â—is Highness and his said Council in that behalf to the evill example of others to dâ— the like if timely remedy be not provided Therefore our Sâ—veraigne Lord and his threâ— Estates assembled in this present Parliament ratifieth and approveth and perpetually confirmeth the Royal power and authority over all Estates as well spiritual as temporal within this Realm in the person of the Kings Majesty our Soveraigne Lord his Heirs and Successors And also statuteth and ordaineth that his Hignâ—ss his Heirs and Successors by themselves and their Councils are and in time to comâ— shall be judges competent to all person His Highnesses subjects of what estate degree function or condition so 〈◊〉 they be spiritual or temporal in 〈◊〉 matters wherein they or any of theâ— shall be apprehended summoned 〈◊〉 charged to answer to such things 〈◊〉 shall be enquired of them by our 〈◊〉 Soveraigne Lord and his Council And that none of them which shalâ— happen to be apprehended called 〈◊〉 summoned to the effect aforesaid prâ—sume to take in hand to dâ—cline 〈◊〉 judgement of his Highness his Heirs and Sâ—ccessors or their Council in the Premises under the pain of Treason This Act puts many of the Assembly birds upon the wing who iâ—nâ—cent Dâ—â—es take none but a Virgin breast for their refuge Queen Elizabeth whose too industriâ—us infirmiâ—y it was to keep up her popular interest with all as well as to enjoy the honour and more clear content of an impartial conscience within her self although she gave no ear to their querulous Remonstrances in private nor permitted their publick libelling in her Churches yet cherished their persons and very unproperly imployed their endeavours to preserve Religion from innovations which made no such real impressions in Scotland as some untrue aggravating relations had in the timeâ—ous minds of her Reformed English Subjects and her self This practise of Her Majesty being observed by those who looked ouâ— of the Scotch Kings Court put the Earl of Arran upon a forward tender of his Service to meet Her Majesties desires and Her Agent the Lord Hunsdon upon the borders but before the time the Sterlin fugitives whom she had protected were prescribed and at it charged by the Earl with their treason against the King The complement he left of his real intentions at parting took place until Patrike Grey came with another Embassie and particular Articles from King Iames But the ill offices it was suspected he did at the same time to the captive Queen gain'd him no reputation with her party and put her upon some such extraordinary courses as betrayed her into a new prison under more restraint and Lâ—icester 't is said upon murderous designes who would not hear of her liberty lesse of her succession to the English Crown To cover whose private spleen and malitious attempts new fears are fetched from the Romane Catholicks and their designes magnified in a mist unto the people whereby a sharper edge is set upon the severity of the Laws This alteration encouraged some of the precise Scottish Religion to pursue the Queens commands for pressing in Parliament to have the Bishops reformed and to others as may be not improbably conjectur'd to murder the Earl of Northumberland in the Tower because a known Friend to the Queen of Scots though they left the pistol wherewith they acted it in