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A62145 A compleat history of the lives and reigns of, Mary Queen of Scotland, and of her son and successor, James the Sixth, King of Scotland, and (after Queen Elizabeth) King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, the First ... reconciling several opinions in testimony of her, and confuting others, in vindication of him, against two scandalous authors, 1. The court and character of King James, 2. The history of Great Britain ... / by William Sanderson, Esq. Sanderson, William, Sir, 1586?-1676. 1656 (1656) Wing S647; ESTC R5456 573,319 644

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if the Aunt had married the Nephew it had been a greater sin because the Au●t being in loco Parent is to the Nephew he by such marriage being Husband to the Aunt became by that Relation Superiour to his Parent which did aggravate the offence So then that which is to be insisted upon is the law Moral which is the constant and permanent will of God both in the Church Triumphant and Militant So that Adam could never marry any if he had lived until this time being the common Parent of Mankind in the Old World and Noah in the New And thus much concerning the Divorce and Elizabeths Title But to conclude it comes to be our Task to enter upon this work of Mother and Son and to enliven their Memories with their ●ives and Actions not singly neither but contemporary too with such Affairs of State as intermixes with others of Europe As also the State Militant of the Scots Kirk in Persecution Motion and at Peace in relation to the Arks upon the Water in the Wilderness and in the Temple The Materials of All need no Ornament but adjustment Bona fama propria possessio Defunctorum And if ever to any of old stiles and additions were allowed properly and truly they may challenge Piae Memoriae Bonae Memoriae Felices Memoriae as due to them I dare not appropriate to my self abilit● in these as to a Compile I rather wish it compleat in another endeavouring onely to set down such particular Actions Memorative as may hereafter enlighten abler pens to consummate Those Collections hereby commended to posterity for that purpose To raise a better Structure out of this imperfect Rubish Index of the first Part to the entrance of King JAMES to the Crown of England THe Introduction of K. James 5. and his Wife and of their Daughter Queen Mary their story in brief to the Birth of King James 6. from page 1. to 8. A. Acts concerning Episcopacy 110 Ambassadours privilege discussed 74 abused 97 Ambassadours about Marriage with Denmark 137 Ambassadours sent by the King to forrein Princes concerning succession to the Crown of England 219 Angus and other fugitives in England their insolence 105 dies bewitched 135 Queen Ann's design to seize the Prince 183 Army of the English and Scots slain 13 Armies of the Queen against the Lords 38 Armstrong a prisoner in England set free by force of Arms with a trick 191 difference hereupon 192 Arch-bishop of St Andrews dies and is abused by the Ministery 160 Earl of Arran's plot 27 dies his character and issue 84 Earl of Arran his power in state 105 Earl of Arundel arreigned 154 Six Articles of the Church 36 Ministers assemble at pleasure 26 Assembly petition and are answered 158 Assembly make work 194 Blake his mutiny and story 196 the Assembly assist him 199 dangerous tumult 202 Qu Elizabeth interposes her Letter to the King 204 Lord Aubigny in favour with King James 93 displeases Queen Elizabeth ib. B. BAbington's treason 114 Basilicon Do●on the occasion of it in publick 223 Beaton Cardinal murthered 11 Beza and Calvin at Geneva 16 Bishops restored 104 Bishopricks the state thereof in Scotland 224 Blake his mutiny and story 196 turn'd out of all 213 Blunt sent into Ireland 242 Borders of Scotland how bounded 44 Borderers confer and quarrel 83 Borderers in feud 137 Bothwel flies into France 35 advanced in favour of the Queen 42 visited of the Queen 44 is divorced 47 marrieth the Queen 49 desires the single combat and flies with the Queen 50 flies into Denmark 59 Bothwel accused of Witchcraft 159 is committed and escapes 160 Bothwel's treason to seize the King 164 Bothwel's attempts at Faulkland defeated 167 Bothwel steals into Scotland and surprizes the King 171 inforces Articles 172 Bothwel arms and is defeated 177 Bothwel and Popish Lords rebell 180 are defeated 181 Bothwel flies and dies at Naples 182 Burleigh's Speech to the Scots Ambassadours 94 Lord Burrough Ambassadour to the King 170 C. CAles Voyage 210 Articles at Calice 19 Calvin and Beza their Discipline at Geneva 16 that Confession 44 Catholick Lords of Scotland dismayed plot rebell 145 146 their designs 147 Cecil's Letter to Knox 22 Cecil writes to King James and his Answer 258 Chancellour of Scotland dies his character 184 Chatelet executed 39 Colvil Ambassadour to England complains of Zouch 177 Of single Combats and Duels 53 C●mmissioners treat about 〈◊〉 Scots Queen 63 and again 78 Commissioners meet to treat of Peace with France and Spain dispute about Precedency 143 Conspiratours executed 104 Coin over-valued 91 Crag a Minister his Life and Death 132 D. LOrd Darley returns out of banishment 34 marries the Queen 37 is debarred bearing of Royal Arms 40 turns Protestant 41 is discontented 43 and murthered 46 his character 47 Davison's Letter to the Ministers 251 Designs in England for Queen Mary 103 Discipline framed 25 and subscribed 26 Duke of Tuscany fore-warns King James of Poyson 231 E. EDenburgh Castle besi●●ed and won 80 Queen Elizabeth expostulates the Rebellion of Scots Lords moderates the Scots differences 76 Qu Elicabeth aids Navar 156 and the Dutch ib. raises her Custom 157 Queen Elizabeth strikes Essex 221 Queen Elizabeth dies 261 Lady Elizabeth born 194 Christned 199 English confederate with Scots reformed and how 22 English expedition to Portugal 154 English take Cales 210 Acts concerning Episcopacy 110 Essex his expedition into France 162 his Voyage to the Azores 215 Essex and Cecil's intelligence with King James 2●4 Essex his Treason 233 F. FActions and Feuds 168 The first Fast general of the Kirks 40 Forrein Titles their precedency at home disputed 21 French aid the Scots 13 quarter the Arms of England●9 ●9 King of France killed at a Tilting 20 King Francis of France dies 25 French break the League with England 25 French King relieved by Queen Elizabeth turns Papist 169 France hath aid of England against Spain 220 Fr●●●h Ambassadour and Cecil discourse about the Kings succesion 258 G. OF Geneva their Government Church and State 15 the promulgation of that Discipline 18 Geneva besieged 225 Earl Gowry created 95 surpri●es the King at Ruthen 96 his Imprisonment Arreignment and Execution 100 Gowry's conspiracy ●●● Lord Gray's design to kill 〈◊〉 he is banished H. HAcket's horrible Tenets Disciples Blasphemy Execution 162 163 Prince Henry born 176 his Baptism 179 Huntley rescues Colonel Semple 141 writes to Parma and the King of Spain 146 rebells 147 committed and adjudged guilty 149 150 Huntley and Murray quarrel 159 Huntley cause of Murray's death 165 166 I. KIng James born 42 baptized 45 King James and his Mother in faction and feud 80 is crowned 90 his appearance in Parliament his Speech 92 King James surprized 96 makes a Feast and the Kirk makes a Fast 98 frees himself 98 Proclamation against Iesuits 148 Iesuits their Seminaries confirmed by the Pope 164 Interests of Fa●●ions discussed 68 I●ish Rebells 161 209 Don Juan de Austria his design against
of Ambassadours privilege 74 Massacre of Protestants in France 83 Episcopacy in Scotland continued ●● Bab●ngton's Treason ●14 Queen of Scots her Trial in England 115 sentenced and 〈◊〉 of Execution 121 Secretary Walsingham's Letter concerning the Execution of the Queen of Scots●●8 ●●8 The Spanish N●vies Design against England in the year 1588. 141 King James 6. sends Commissioners first and goes over himself to fetch his Queen from Denmark Concernments of France with the murther of Henry 3. 155 Hacket's horrible Tenets arreigned and executed 162 Ministers mad work 194 Digression how far forrein Titles precede in England 211 Digression concerning the power of Witches and Witchcraft 214 Earl Gowry's conspiracy against King James 225 Earl of Essex his Treason against Queen Elizabeth 233 Irish affairs under Lord Blunt Deputy of Ireland 242 English Commissioners in France dispute Precedency 243 These particular Passages of the Second Part may be read by themselves apart INtroduction to the Second Part page 2 Of Knights Batchelors 271 Of the Order of the Garter and Saint George his story 273 Of Earls and their Dignities 274 Of Barons and their Dignities 275 Knights of the Bath their Creation 276 Digression concerning Imperial Rule and Interest of Christian Princes 277 Of War and Conquest of Success their Consequences 281 Sir Walter Raleighs Treason 282 Of Presbyterians Doctrines 289 Conference at Hampton Court 293 Translation of the Bible and singing Psalms 308 Catechising commended 310 Of Parliaments their beginnings 312 King James first Speech in Parliament 319 The Powder Treason 323 The Oath of Supremacy and K. James his Apology to Forein Princes 329 Of Iesuits how to suppress them 331 Libel against the Lord Treasuer Salisbury and His answer 334 King James Speech and answer to the Arguments concerning the Union 338 Sprots Conspiracy with Gowry his arraignment and Execution 342 Lord Balmerino his treacherous Design 348 King James his second Speech in Parliament 353 Duke of Gelders his Descent and Death 361 Prince of Wales their Dignity 362 Of Chelsey Colledge 365 Of Masks and Comedies 366 Suttons Hospital founded 367 Of Vorstius and Arminius their Books and Doctrines 370 Prince Henries Sickness and Death 377 Treasurer Lord Salisbury his Life and Death 381 〈…〉 〈…〉 James 391 Earl of Northampton's Life and Death 393 Of Duels and Combats 394 Of Plantations in America 400 Of Bar●nes Knights creation 402 King James wants discussed how to be relieved 404 Earl of Somerset his Countess arreigned 414 His Letter to K. James 420 The case of Commendams 424 Difference between the Chancery and Common Pleas and their Dignities 431 King James his Speech in Star-chamber 439 Sir Thomas Lake and his wives story 446 King James journey into Scotland 450 George Villiers a favourite his story 455 Sir Ralegh's Guiana Voyage and Execution 459 A monstrous Murther in Cornwall 463 Barnevelt's Treason and Execution 466 Of Synodes and Councils Synode of Dort 467 〈…〉 〈…〉 of Bohemia 478 Sir Wootton's Embassy into Germany 485 Marriages with forrein Princes unfortunate to England 487 Earl Marshalls of England their Dignities 505 Of Libells and Pasquils 526 Of Knights Templers 527 Preachers ordered their matter and manner 531 King of Spain's Letter to O●vares and his Answer conc●rning the Princes Match 539 Prince Charls journey into Spain his Treatments and return 542 Spanish Ambassadour accuses the Duke of Buckingham of Treason 562 Prince Charls Marriage with France treated and affected 566 Treasurer Cranfield put out of Office 573 Of Apprentices of London they are no bond-men discussed 574 Cruelty of Amboyna 576 Famous Siege of Breda 579 The INDEX to the second Part. A. QU Ann sent for out of Scotland her Design to seize the Prince p. 272 Her Death and Character 774 Ambassadour French and Spanish quarrel 320 Weston and Conway Ambassadours into Germany 482 Lord Haies Ambassadour into France 428 Lord Rosse Ambassy into Spain 429 Spanish Ambassadour accuses the Duke of Buckingham of Treason the story 562 Assembly of the Scots Kirk in spite of the King 321 475 Aid-money 363 Arminius and Vorstius their Heresies and story 370 Adamites Heresies 375 Abbot Arch-Bishops Arguments against the Nullity of Essex and his Countess answered 391 Kills his Keeper 530 Arreignment of the Earl of Somerset and Countess for impoysoning of Overbury 414 Arreigning of Peers discussed 414 Lady Arabella marries Seymer 423 Marquess D' Ancre murthered in France 549 Abbot Arch-Bishop his Letters concerning the King of Bohemia 481 Earl Arundel Lord Marshal their Dignities 505 Of Apprentices of London no Bond-men 574 Cruelty of the Dutch at Amboyna 576 B. BArons created 271 their Dignities 275 Beaton Arch-Bishop dies in France 271 Batchelour Knights manner of Creation 276 Bible new translated 308 Balmerino Secretary of Scotland his Treason and story pardoned he and his posterity ungratefull 348 Bishops of Scotland enlarge their power 350 Baronet Knights created and discussed 402 Benevolence and means of the Kings supplies discussed 407 Sir Francis Bacon made Lord Chancellour 437 his submission in Parliament and supplication 501 his Character 503 his Encomium of King James 594 Barnevelt in Holland his Treason and execution 465 Blazing Star their effects discussed 471 King and Queen of Bohemia defeated and fly into Holland 485 Breda that famous Siege 579 and lost 589 Briante Botevile and Beauvoir their several Duels and Combats 582 Bolton's contemplation on King James 594 C. KIng and Queen crowned 275 Cor●nation-oath 276 Conference at Hampton-court to settle the Discipline of the Church 282 Catechizing commanded 310 Commotion of Commoners 312 Charls Prince created Duke of York 322 High Commission Court 352 356 Chelsey College founded and why 365 Contribution money 367 Car a Favourite and his Countess their story 376 arreigned for impoysoning Overbury 414 the case pleaded 416 condemned reprieved and pardoned 419 his Letter to the King 420 The case of Commendams the Kings right to them pleaded and passages thereupon 424 Lord Chancellour and Lord Cook difference the cause and case 431 the Kings Letters to the Chancellour his sickness and death 432 Common Pleas Court what 434 Chancery Court and power 435 Chancellour Sir Francis Bacon succeeds 437 Church of Scotlands proceedings 475 Cranfield Lord Treasurer 495 questioned in Parliament and put out 572 Calumnies answered 535 Combates at Breda 582 D. DIgression designs for Imperial rule in Christendo● 27● King of Denmark his first arrival to visit the Queen his Sister 333 second arrival 413 E. Dorset Lord Treasurer dies 342 Of Duels 394 Dort Synode 467 Lord Digby Ambassadour to the Empire 495 returns accounts to the Parliament 509 sent into Spain to treat in the Match 524 ordered by Letters how to proceed 536 created Earl of Bristol 539 is to forbear the Espousals 555 takes leave of Spain 556 and is come home to the Parliament 563 Designs at the Siege of Breda 584 E. QUeen Elizabeth not willing to publish her Successour 261 Earls created 274 their Dignities 275 Excommunicatiou absurd in Scotland
Humbling their Souls for a blessed End Lest their Greatness here should make them careless of their Glory hereafter Death being the entrance into eternal life And so much honour is done to Them that the Old Testament affords four Books of the Kings two of which are particular Chronicles of their Persons and Actions with many other memorable passages of Kings mentioned promiscuously both in the Old and New Testament besides those Books not extant of their wonderfull works to which much is referred by Holy-writ And it hath been held sacred with most Nations not to leave their Soveraigns long buried in the Graves of Oblivion And if so of most KINGS why not of these so well deserving Mary the Mother and JAMES Her Son and Successor● They came into the World when all was on fire not peace in any part All Europe in a Militia The East had much to do for Defence against the Turk The West in Offence one with the other The North at variance with their neighbours The South had influence upon them all A Massy body of War in several Postures and each Army of sundry Brigades Onely Himself never had an Enemy I desire to bring together much of the main into little and in due place to observe out of all what particular Interest became this King The measure of whose Glory may be taken by its Profundity which onely in him held out long and even Let us be mindfull of their Descent She was sole Daughter and Heir to Iames Stuart the fift of that Name and the 108. King of SCOTLAND begotten upon Mary his Queen of that Illustrious Family of the Dukes of Lorain Maried to him at Saint Andrews Iuly 1538. About the time when Henry 8. of England became Lutheran whom the Pope Excommunicates and interdicts His Dominions and with more than malice moves the Emperour and French King to be His Enemies To palliate such potency He procures an Interview with them at Nice a Maritime Town in the Confines of Provence And being returned desires Conference with the King of Scotland at New Castle But in time of preparation the English fall fowl with the Scotch Borderers Both parties arm with equal number about 30000. Iames himself in person The Duke of Norfolk for the English meet upon the Confines The young and daring King with the advantage of his own ground and neer home puts the Old Duke to advise and retreat And the next year heightned the Scotch with an Army of 10000 to affront the English Borders who hastily raise considerable Forces and ready for the onset the Scotch Lords envious against the choice of their General Oliver Saintclair though a man not deserving Malice an excellent Commander yet they refuse to fight basely suffering themselves to be Prisoners not only to the power of the Sword but also to the wanton insolencies of Boies and Women who haltring them by hundreds drove them home into England Ill News hath wings which flew to the King at Falkland whose youthfull spirit disdaining to out-live the infamy of his People with monstrous regret on his perfidious Army He willingly forced his own neglect of the necessities of natural support Sustenance and Sleep untill the weakness of his limbs not able to bear the burthen of his body He cast himself on his Bed When tydings came of his Queen brought to bed of a Daughter and Heir His two Sons Infants dying some years before at which he sighed out these his last words It will end as it began the Crown came by a Woman and by a Daugher it will return King Henry will make it His by Arms or Mariage and turning aside from his Servants sunk down into the deluge of Death 13. December 1542. being 33. years of age and the 32. of His Reign His Daughter Christned Mary five daies after sole Heir of His Kingdome and Misfortunes which She inherited to Her death His body was solemnly and sumptuously intombed in the Abby Church of Holy-Rood-house Nor rested he after death For Henry the eighth though his Uncle continued the advantages of this Defeat and some years after razed the Church and Tomb equal with the Earth Whose Body was afterwards by the pious duty of his Grandson Iames the sixt removed to another Vault embalmed again and enshrined in a costly Monument with Ensigns and Arms the Dignities of his Crown and Kingdome This Kings Person was well made up with advantage of an Excellent mind of a middle stature with abilities equal to any The first that pursued his Enemies and the last that left the Chase discreetly liberal sparing only for spending upon necessary disbursments well affected to Letters wherein he adventured in some verses of Poesie If we examine his Umbrages as we make our prospect upon a Picture of lights and shadowes Take him in the Circle of Himself He was of worthy fame What he was forced to do in justice upon Offenders the Dowglasses by pursute and others by Execution must be wisely referred to the then consequences of State which of late to him lay under the disease of two professions of Religion Romish and Reformed the latter increasing to the distemper of Him and his Successors His Daughter now left Heir to the Crown at eight daies old Age or Sex not debarring Hereditary Right to rule over their People which occasioned Her whole Life and Reign most sad and troublesome to so excellent a Lady To shadow out unto us that Eternity is not on Earth That Kings and Princes seeming the best substance of Elements and if possible incorruptible as being the fairest Seals of Natures impression yet these yield to the triumph of Death not calmly neither but by death dis-seasoned in several conditions of their life as well in Youth as after Age and so it fell out upon this Queen For being thus young Hamilton and Lenox cheef Heads of two Factions distracted all the one depending on Henry the Eighth of England whose only Son Prince Edward was afterwards affianced to Queen Mary And Lenox supported by the French King Henry the Second an utter Enemy to this Match These began the fewds which fell by Parties into a mischievous civil War And in respect her Person was aymed at by each of them to make advantage No sooner was Edward come to the Crown of England but that Queen Mother wise and prudent sent Her at Six years old to the French King and to the Duke of Guise for their Breeding And with Her to rid him for the present out of the way went Iames Hamilton Earl of Arran whom the French gained and afterwards created Duke of Chaste'auleroy He was the Grand-child-son of Iames the Second King of Scotland by His Daughter Upon their return he was Tutor and Governour of the Kingdome and her Heir designed in her Minority Of Him much is spoken hereafter But as He was plain and well meaning vexed with other mens policies so of himself
establish Religion and abolish Mass but in that particular to be further discussed at Saint Iohnstons And forthwith was Darly created Earl of Ross and withall the Queen called for the Super-Intendents pleasing them with some Court-Holy-water but referred the business of Religion to a publique Dispute for Peace to the Kingdom This was not satisfactory to them but they advise upon six Articles for the next Assembly And then they presented them to the Queen at Saint Iohnstons by Commissioners from the Church National at Edenburgh as they now stile themselves First For abolishing all manner of Popery universally to be suppressed not onely in each Subject but also in the Qu●ens own Person Secondly Provision of Maintenance for the Ministry and dissposing of Livings Thirdly For Tryal of Sufficiency of Super-Intendents and Ministers Fourthly For all lands of Popish Foundation to be restored for maintenance of the poor and Scholars preferment Fiftly Against all horrid Crimes Ecclesiastick and Temporal be appointed two Iudges Sixthly For ease and support of poor H●●sbandmen c. The Queen receives these Articles but refers answer till she comes to Edenburgh in eight daies which displeased the Assembly who therefore have private meetings and elect eight persons to see the Brethren well armed and after a longer time of attendance get answer in Writing To the first The Queen is not perswaded to Presbytery and believes no impiety in the Mass and so not to be prest against Her Conscience nor will she forsake hers and having no assured consideration to countervail the same she may not loose thereby her Allies of France the maried Ally of this Realm and other her Confederates That seeing they plead for Freedome of Conscience she lists not to be bound up That for the Establishment thereof in the body of the Realm she refers to the consent of Parliament and in the mean time assures that for Religion on her part none shall be disturbed Secondly She thinks it unreasonable to be defrauded of so great a part of the Crowns Patrimony as to put the Patronage of Benefices out of her own hands and want Support but allows consideration of her own Necessity and the Ministers Support The rest in effect she refers to Parliament By the way from Saint Iohnst●n to shew her inclination to the Kirk being to Witness the Christening of the Lord Levinstons child She gave her presence to the Protestant Sermon which she never did before And yet had she notice of some Conspiracy of the Kirk upon which divers were committed at Edenburgh And being minded to mary she prorogues the Parliament till September and summons by Letters such Lords and Gentlemen that were neer with Arms and Forces for fifteen daies to attend her person at Edenburgh the 23. of Iuly and proclamation also for Free-holders in like manner then Ross was made Duke of Ro●hsay and the same day the Banes and Mariage was concluded Murray both privately and publickly was advised to attend but refusing an Herald is sent and after eight and forty hours he was denounced Rebell and put to the Horn and Arguile also And now begins Parties to stir Athole against Arguile Lindsey against Rothess the Lord Gourdon after three years imprisonment in Dunbar was released and restored to be a Bar in the North to ballance with Murray In the evening the Mariage was proclamed By name Henry and Mary King and Queen of Scotland and solemnized the next Morning 27. Iuly 1565. Not without Divine providence for the more certain conjunction of both Kingdomes in their right of Descension from Margarite the eldest Daughter to Henry 7. of England who had but two children Iames the fifth by Iames the fourth and Margarite Dowglas by Earl Angus her second Husband This Iames the fift had but one Child Mary sole Heir to the Crown Margarite Dowglas brought up with her Uncle Henry 8. maried Stuart Earl of Lennox who was banished into England by them came Henry Lord Darly and Charles father to Arabella So that the whole right of Q. Margarite all other issue of H. 8. failing was united in these The Earl Rothess the Laird Grange and Pilcar with others of Fife were put to the Horn for not appearing and immediately the Drums beat for men of War to take pay for the King and Queen which alteration begat several fears The Lords disperse to Arguile and send Elphinston into England for support who brought ten thousand pound Sterling And in August the Lords meet at Ayre Hamilton Arguile Murray Glencarn Rothess Boyd Uchiltry and Others conclude to be in force the 24. of August which the King prevented by hasty proclamation of their rebellion and commanding all men to appear at Lithgow the same day Upon the ninth of August being Sunday the King comes to the High Kirk at Edenburgh and hears Knox preach who speaks against Government of wicked Princes and for the sins of the people God gives them Boyes and Women Iustly punishing Ahab for not ordering the Harlot Jezabell Immediately Knox was summoned before the Council and silenced for twenty daies and Cragg to supply his place The 25. of August the King and Queen journied to Glasgow and the next day the Lords met at Paisley with a thousand Horse and march to Hamilton keeping the passes in sight of the King and Queen and so to Edenburgh entering the Town notwithstanding the Canon-shot of the Castle and immediately beat their Drum and offered pay for Defence of God as they called it but to Men or Arms came to their Support and that was strange for all the chief Lords were there the Duke Murray Arguile Glencarn Rothess Boyd Uchiltry and other Barons They write expostulatory Letters to the King and Queen without answer who martch with five thousand men Lenox had the Van Morton the Battel and the King and Queen the Rere and come immediately towards Edenburgh In the mean time the Castle makes six shot of Canon and the next day the Lords depart to Hamilton The King Queen pass to Sterlin and command all to return to Glasgow where remaining four daies the Lords being gone to Dunfres they return again to Sterlin their Army increasing both Horse and Foot and so to Fife where the Lords subscribe to defend the King and Queen against the English and Rebells and so come to Saint Andrews where the King summons the Lords by Name to appear within six daies which they refusing are put to the Horn and being come to Edenburgh they proclame The design of the Lords under pretence of Religion to suppress the present Government or to appoint Counsel of their own In October the Super-Intendent of Lothian with the whole Ministery under his Charge meet at Edenburgh present a supplication to their Majesties by their Super-Intendents Spotswood and Lindsay for payment of their Stipends which is promised to be paid The Lords removed to Carlisle the King and Queen march from
with the then congregation And afterwards in the ordering of distribution for Ministers amongst the Burgs he was elected for Aberdeen the place then of the ablest Papists the rather therefore to reclame them from their errors by practice of Piety profound preaching wherein he profited to again of many to the faith in 14 years labour and dyed 60 years of age And now was Andrew Melvil a fiery zelot labouring for the absolute Presbyterial discipline of Geneva i●sinuating with Iohn Dury minister of Edenburugh in their Assembly to question the lawfulness of the Episcopall function and the Authority of Chapiters in their election but himself cunningly pretended ignorance but since the question was so started he commended the speakers zeal seconding the purpose with a tedious discourse of the flourishing estate of Geneva Church and the opinion of wise Mr. Calvin and reverend Mr. Beza and came to affirm That None ought to be Officers in the Church whose Titles were not found in the 〈◊〉 And though that of Bishops were in Scripture yet not to be taken in the same sense that commonly was conceived Christ allowing no Superiority amongst Ministers Himself only Lord of his Church and all the Servants in one degree having like power Concluding Then the Corruptions of Bishops were so great that unless removed Religion could not be long preserved Hereupon divers are selected to confer three to three and concluded their opinions to the Assembly 1. That the Name Bishop was common to able Ministers of a flock his chief function to preach to administer Sacraments and exercise Ecclesiastical Discipline with consent of his Elders 2. That some one Minister might oversee and visit such reasonable bounds besides his own flock 3. And he to appoint Preachers with advice of the Provincial Ministers and the consent of the flock 4. And to suspend Ministers from their Office with consent of the Ministers of the bounds It is strange that the Arch-bishop of Glasgow and six other Bishops with Super-intendents and all interessed were not called to the conference though present in the Assembly Nor doth it appear that they spake at all therein so humble to hold their tongues in a case of their own or rather referring it to the Regents Wisdom whose opinion had been ever to uphold Episcopacy The next Assembly altered the question and formed it Whether Bishops as they were then in Scotland had their function warranted by the Word of God But the Major part approved of those in the last Meeting The Regent finding them so to differ sent them word to settle upon somewhat and to abide therein Of which they take advantage and with much ado present a form of Policy to the Regent Acknowledging in their Preface That they did not accompt it compleat but to add or diminish as God shall reveal vnto them But some Troubles in State prevent their further progress The Regent flesht in the fury of rapine having fleeced Commons and Clergy and settled the North and South Borders cared not for the Gentry and grieved the Peers His neerest friends the Earl of Angus and others forewarned him of his Slippery station But Morton settled in the very seat of the Scorne● careless of any complaints made good his greatness by grace of Queen Elizabeth whom he conserved with all diligent observance His aim was to ruin Hamiltons house hating them as his Hereditary Enemies scared thereto by an old Wives Rhime which bid him beware of Arrans Race Hamiltons Family whom he banished or suppressed The two last years as it seems slipt away in shew I am sure in silence of any disturbance for ought that Authors can tell to much purpose but it is like the more was in secret hatching For as the Queens Imprisonment grew to her impatient so by Q. Elizabeth it was heightned to some danger As a Wolf by the Ear. To keep her in durance was her own disquiet and to release her dangerous to the State all their study was to counsel what to do with her and with much difficulty it was agreed upon to put her to Death There was one Antonio d' Peres Secretary to Philip of Spain escaped thence out of Prison and over he comes to England as best able here to do his Master most injury He was grown intimate with the Earl of Essex which being known to Caecil Lord Burleigh he advised that Essex might deal with him to fish out somewhat from his Masters streams which was done to the purpose revealing all his designs for the imprisoned Queen and being rewarded here had his Invitation home again with some hope of reconcilement and favor also which fell out not as he desired but as he deserv'd for he was at last hangd for his labor In many of his Letters to Essex which since came to my hands I find much of the m●tter but for want of the Key the Cyphers put me to trouble with some consideration What uneven policies there were towards that poor imprisoned Queen Don Iuan of Austria Governour for the King of Spain over the Netherlands proud and ambitious being Neighbourly acquainted with the Troubles of England and Scotland for to him all these discontented Fugitives repaired was made believe that the Duke of Norfolk being gon the Queen of Scots was most fit to be offered to him and easie enough to be effected with the expulsion of Queen Elizabeth and assured hopes of both Kingdomes To which purpose he hastily makes perpetual peace with the Netherlands and labours his time and means to infest England But underhand to amuse Queen Elizabeth the more gives her the occasion to congratulate the Peace by sending the Articles for her perusal intending secretly with all speed to surprize some Pieces and Ports in England and Scotland with help of the Pope who sent to the King of Spain in his behalf and the chief Fugitives of England and Scotland being with him he in an instant had swallowed the Conceit and Mariage of a Queen with two Kingdomes to boot but his wilde ambition the sooner flatted and he fooled into neglect and disdain And now dies that Princely Lady Margaret Dowglas old Countess Dowager of Lenox 63 years of age whom Queen Elizabeth kept in England at her elbow whilst her sonne Darly was maried to the Scots Queen and her husband had power there She was descended from Henry 7. by Margaret his eldest daughter maried to James 4. who had James 5. And being a widow maried to a second husband Archibald Dowglas Earl of Angus by whom she had Margaret Dowglas of Harbotel in Northumberland who maried Mathew Earl of Lenox leaves France and comes into England to Henry 8. And here invested with honour and land in Yorkshire From these issued Henry Stuart Lord Darly who maried Queen Mary of whom came King James 6. So then her descent was royall in King Edwards time in much honnor here but after in adverse fortune she lived
conserving the peace of Religion to which they were urged by the factious Ministery and which to secure they endeavour to remove Lenox and Arran from the King that was their colour but in their absence they invite the King to Ruthen Castle and their seize him Prisoner with threats of death untill he consented to the imprisoning of Arran banishing of Lenox into France and the return of the fugitive Angus out of England Of this the distressed Queen of Scots Prisoner at Sheffield writes to Queen Elizabeth a long letter full of miserable sadness Exquisitely expressing all her sufferings from the first of her subjects very oft Rebellion against her from which persecution being invited by her Majesty to rest secure upon her Princely succour and defence she is now by length of time drawn on to dispair of release from that hand which lodes her with lingring of a lothed life plainly and justly demonstrates her to be active and passive consenting to all her Mishaps She calls God to witness her Impartial affection to her Person and her innocency from prejudice of her affairs and State Desires justice of God and her and implores the mitigation of her misery and some more freedome though with Imprisonment of her Person Layes all particular differences home to the Conscience of the Queen and signs to her Letter Vostre tres desolei plus proche parente affectionate Seure Mary Reg. Indeed these were sharp and peircing which so much disquieted Queen Elizabeths Conscience that she consults to release her jointly to govern with the King And eight Articles were drawn up even such as they were the world knew she would never refuse for her extremity enforced her to yield to most unreasonable but this was but to spin time till the State could find some other expedients or some exceptions which dayly happened by Examinations Confessions or Suspitions grounded upon slender yet continual attempts of private persons and publique Designes of Forein States for the poor Queens interests which failing for her good she was though innocent sure to smart But because the manner of the Kings restraint in Ruthen is diversly related and which the Kirk justified for their own ends I shall adventure upon the Truth in these particulars hereafter Some of the Lords combining mischief to the King under colour of Religion and Liberty of the Kingdom took occasion and advantage of the Duke of Arrans absence from the Court and detained the King at Ruthen These Conspirators were Iohn Earl of Mar William Earl Gowry Lords Lindsey Boyd Clames and Oliphant Some Abbots and Lairds and stopt the King going to hunting who not being answered to the reason and cause grew in passion which concluded in tears to be thus vilified But it was reproached That better bairns should weep than bearded men This news hastens the Earl of Arran to Court where he was soon secured and bid be patient with safety of his life for his brother William Stuart was wounded by the way and kept Prisoner The like course they take with some Noblemen sent by the Duke of Lenox to enquire of the King Who cried out to them that he was a Captive and desired his good subjects to release him The conspirators excused themselves that their surprize only restrained the King from Arran and from Lenox whose banishment they threatned into France And forcing the King to pacifie the people with a Proclamation That for removing some differences His Majesty interposed himself Mediator and resolved to reside at Perth being his own free and voluntary choice and commanding such as were in Arms upon pretext of his restraint to dissolve within six houres on pain of death The Duke raises Forces but was countermanded by the Kings Letter to depart the Realm within twenty daies yet he retires to Dunbarton where the Noble-men and others flock to defend his Cause These uprores were posted to Queen Elizabeth who sends Sir Henry Cary and Sir Robert Bowes to advise the King to be counselled by the Lords against the Duke and Arran and to restore the Earl of Angus exiled in England since Mortons execution This last was obtained and soon after he was accepted into favour but much ado to incline the King to part with Lenox The Lords carry the King to Edenburgh where the Ministry justifie their act joyfully singing in Procession the 124. Psalm New Israel may say c. And the Assembly then convened ratifie the attempt on the Kings person at Ruthen and published it in all the Churches of the Realm to the regret and grief of all good men to see a bad cause thus coloured over and defended by the Church which made much for their Popedom that by these means of distraction the Lords gave themselves up to be governed by the Others Judgements Many there were that sided herein the most honest refused to subscribe But Arran was detained prisoner till the Duke was gon over Seas to France who fell sick at Sea and had leave to land at Blackness and so to pass by Queen Elizabeths favour though England where his sickness contracted into a Disease of which he died in Paris next year after and confessed the faith of the Church of Scotland which he alwaies maintained though in the Kirks policy he was accounted a Court Papist Two Ambassadors come from France Menvel and la Matt through England with whom was sent Davidson from Qu. Eliz. to undermine their Message being To work the Kings Liberty to confirm him to the French and renew the purpose of Association which was That the Queen of Scots should communicate the Crown with her son and administration of Iustice so that he may be acknowledged a lawful King by all Christian Princes and thereby all domestique factions suppressed This Embassy was voted in the Kirks Assembly to be a special grievance a wicked practice declaming in their Pulpits against la Matt who being a Knight of the Order of St. Esprit wore the badge of the White-Cross upon his Shoulder which they called The badge of Antichrist and him The Ambassadour of the bloody Murtherer meaning the Duke of Guise who sent him thither The King not able to do it otherwaies desired the Magistrates of Edenburgh not to demit them without a Feast at parting which was concluded on the Monday after And all cost prepared in Order thereto When on Sunday the very day before the Kirk proclame in their Pulpits the next day to be kept fast and in malice to the Kings honour therein appointed three Preachers the one succeeding the other to weary the poor peoples attention from Morning till night Thundering Curses Anathema's and Excommunication against all Nobles Magistrates and Others that attended the Ambassadors The good King sees these insolencies but lodges them up in silence till he got power to remedy these wrongs About this time dies Buchanan whose Character is chronicled by the Arch-bishop of Saint Andrews in his History of
son the King in the remove of her Corps from thence to Westminster where she lies intombed amongst the Glories of her Royal Ancestors And thus she died Mary Queen of Scotland great grand-daughter to Henry the Seventh of England by the eldest Daughter Margaret six and fourty years of age and in the eighteenth year of her Captivity Anno 1586. Let us give her to the World in this brevity She was designed by Henry the Eighth to his Son Edward the Sixth and by Henry the Second King of France for Francis the Dolphin at five years of age she was conveyed in to France at fifteen married to the Dolphin who was after King of France She was sole Sovereign Queen of France one year and four moneths Her Husband being dead she returned into Scotland and married the Lord Darly by whom she had King Iames. Near to her Tomb in Peterborough Church was this Epitaph fixed in Latine but soon pulled down Maria Scotorum c. Thus Englished Mary Queen of Scots a Kings Daughter the French Kings Widow near Kinswoman to the Queen of England and next Heir to the Crown adorned with royal virtues and a kingly minde often but in vain demanding the Privilege of a Prince by barbarous and tyrannical Cruelties the Ornament of our Age and a right Princely Light is extinguished and by one and the same infamous Iudgment both Mary Queen of Scots to a natural Death and all surviving Kings being made common persons are doomed to a Civil Death a strange and uncouth Grave wherein the Living are shut up with the Dead Cum sacris enim divae Mariae cineribus omnium Regum atque Principum violatam atque prostratam Majestatem hic jacere scito quia tacitum regale satis superque Reges sui Officii monet plura non addo Viator Indeed so much was said and censured that the Queen and State began to double she in a monstrous sadness and tears denying Address of the Counsellours and her self excuseth her Death to the King of Scots by Sir Robert Cary. MY dear Brother I would to God you knew though not to feel how my minde with imcomparable grief is disquiet in regard of this lamentable Event against my meaning and intent which because my Pen trembles to utter by this my Cosin you shall understand it I am not so poor of spirit to be afraid to do what is just or to deny it I intreat you that God above and many on earth may be witnesses of my innocency therein and that you would credit had I commanded I would also now not deny it being done nor appertaineth it to a Prince to shadow the meaning with ambiguous words nor will I dissemble my Actions out of their own colour Perswade your self to the truth As I know this is deservedly come to pass so if I had meant it I would never have laid blame on others nor will I impute to my self what I never dreamed The rest he shall impart by whom you receive these as for me I would have you credit that there is none more truly affected towards you or more studious for you and your affairs if any shall otherwise suggest believe them not God keep you long in safety and prosperity And Cary on his Journey poor Davison her Secretary to make good the Errand is called to trial in the Star-chamber before Delegates assigned a man of singular modesty and mildness answered much for his innocency as being unwilling to contest with the Queen yet could he not endure his modesty should wrong the Truth and his own Integrity and so suffered himself to be be guilty and censured a thousand pounds Fine and Imprisonment which he endured a long time and never could procure the Queens favour though he was relieved by her charity in his great necessity which after followed The Qu. saith he upon the Departure of the French and Scotish Ambassadours from Her of her own accord commanded me to prepare the Commission for executing the Sentence against the Queen of Scots and when it was exhibited she willingly signed it with her own Hand and after gave order for it to be made ready under the Great Seal of England and merrily said Signifie thus much to Walsingham who is sick though I fear greatly it will make him die with grief She added also Reasons why she had deferred it so long to wit That she might not seem to be drawn unto it forcibly or maliciously though she were not ignorant all the while how necessary it was She blamed Paulet and Drury that they had not freed Her from that care and wished that Walsingham would try them therein The next Day the Great Seal was to it she sent Injunction by Killegrew that it should not be done And when I shewed to Her that it was done she reproved my haste intimating that some other couse by some wise Persons might be taken I made Answer That that was always the best way which was the justest But fearing that she might lay the fault on me as she had done the Duke of Norfolks punishment on the Lord Burghley I imparted the whole matter to Hatton protesting not to engage any further in so great an Affair He strait way did communicate to Burghley and he to the rest of the Counsellours who all consented to have it hastened and severally vowed that they would bear the blame and they sent down Beal with the Commission and Letters Three Days after perceiving her minde doubtfull by reason of a Dream which she told of the Queen of Scots Death I asked if her minde were altered No said she but some other course might have been thought upon And with all demanded if Paulet had returned any Answer Whose Letters when I shewed to her wherein he plainly refused to undertake it as being neither honorable nor just She in anger accused him and others which had tied themselves in Association of Perjury and their Vow violated who had promised great matters for their Princes safety but would perform nothing yet there were amongst them she said that would do as much in their own cause But I shewed how infamous and unjust a thing that were and withall into what Dangers she should cast Paulet and Drury for if she allowed the Fact she must draw upon her self Danger and Disgrace besides a note of Injustice but if she disallowed it she must ruine well-deserving men and their posterity Afterward the same Day that she was put to Death she gave me a Check that the Sentence was not all this while put in execution as thinking it not done Hereby appears foul play intended by another no doubt wicked way which Paulet and Drury boggled at to perform and yet we see what daubing there was on all sides to cast the blame and after-shame on any to keep the stain and blot from the eminent Actors And the cunning of Walsingham who having the greatest hand in the contrivance towards
opposed by any cunning whatsoever if understood by Her he might not so easily have come to this Crown And truly whether his virtue and goodness more remark in Him than usual in Princes guided him in that to depend onely upon the providence of God for his Birth-right or that his policy under hand wrought him any advantage certainly the Success must crown the Work to admiration For though he might not despise honest and honourable advice in such correspondence as was necessary under hand with the Counsellours of Queen Elizabeth to secure himself for the time to come yet we reade not of any that came to light or so much in her days as private suspition The Reign and Death OF KING IAMES OF Great Britain France and Ireland the First c. SO then in a seasonable conjunction of things and time he succeeded Queen Elizabeth who departted this life on Thursday the 24th of March 1602. at her Manour-house of Richmond early in the morning that day being fatal to Henry 8. and to all his Children dying on Thursdays and her Funerals sumptuously solemnized with all speed in April following The same day the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled and having proclamed her Death and the Right and Title of King Iames to succeed her being lineally expressed from Margaret eldest Daughter to Henry 7th and Elizabeth his Wife who was eldest Daughter to Edward 4th and married to James 4th King of Scotland in the year 1503. just a hundred years since who had issue James 5th Father to Mary the First and Mother to this King James the Sixth now 36. years of age and so long King of Scotland Then they poast Letters to the King by the hands of Sir Charls Percy Brother to the Earl of Northumberland and Thomas Somerset Son to the Earl of Worcester signifying the Death of their late Sovereign betwixt two and three of the clock that morning And knowing his Right of Succession they have made Proclamation thereof at Westminster White-hall and Cheapside Cross and seeing they remain a Body without a Head they humbly desire his M●jesty to hasten how soon and in what manner he pleaseth And therein complain as in publick that Sir Robert Cary poasted from hence towards your Majesty contrary to their consent and command thereby as much as in him lay to prevent and anticipate their duty and respect They acquaint the King of a fleet of ten ships royall ready furnished for the Coast of Spain under Command of Sir Richard Lawson whose Commission no● ceasing by the Queens death they desire his Majesties pleasure whether they shall guard the Narrow Seas or be c●lled to the Coast of Scotland as a Convey for the Kings use Dated in London And therefore Robert Leigh Maior Signed first But as in this letter so it goes in Common report that Cary let out by his father Hunsdon Lord Chamberlain came first to the King upon his own score But secretary Cecills secret Packquets went before him or these letters or else he had little credit in his own Commands The King communicates these letters to his Lords and returns them his acknowledgment of their dutifull affections He confirms for the present all Offices Civil Martial as at the Queens death til his farther pleasure Dated the 28. and 31. of March which the Lords heer proclaim the 5. of April after And though the King sets forth his interest of succession commanding both Nations in unity of duty to him and brotherly affection to each other yet did the Scots Borderers make Inrodes into England which was severely punished and all for Example executed to death The King orders his Journey the 5. of April the Queen to follow 20. da●es after Prince Henry Duke Charles and Princess Elizabeth at further pleasure Brings with him those of the greatest birth and most interest in the blood royall who though farr enough off to follow after his Numerous issue of a teeming fruitfull Consort yet too neer to be trusted at home And each one of them begat trouble and charge upon him ever after to reward or to raise them up beyond any desert in both he was wisely regarding Those were Lenox Hamelton Arguile Mar Kinloss and Lord Hewm and a couple of Knights Sir George Hew● and Sir Iohn Ramsey of neer affection with the King So it became his future security advantage to caress those that ushered him in and had underhand merited somewhat from former very late advise and Intelligence how to correspond with his jealous Predecessor we may conceive those then in being for most of the old Ones out-liv'd not that their policie were the Howards and Percies and Caecils The first of them of high birth and former merit the Linage of the late Duke of Norfolk who suffered under the Axe for his affection to this Kings Mother as aforesaid anno 1569. And his brother Henry Howard with the Lord Cobham were the first of Eminencie that met the King at Barwick The last of great wisdom and experience for the Kings urgent affairs to make proper use of And at York Thomas Cecil Lord Burghley President of the North receives him who comes on with his Train and needed no other Guard than the affections of the People that hurried him forward with Excessive Acclamations soon forgetting as the manner of the Multitude their late Sovereign in the hope of a likelyer change in a King with which for many years this Nation had been really unacquainted And so was He feasted by the way freely at each Residence of his Person where he lodged untill he came unto Godmanchester in the Country of Northampton where they presented him with 70. Teem of Horses fairly traced unto as many new Ploughs in honor of Tillage A Custome very antient when their Sovereigns pass that Town being his Tenants and holding their land by that Tenure The King told them He liked their ayre so well and took their gift so kindly as but for undoing such good people in their bounty to visit them often which afterwards he performed that Custome being but for the first time to the comfort of that Town and County At Broxborn his next Gest there met him the gravity of the greatest Officers Egerton Lord Chancellor Buckhurst Lord Treasurer Howard Lord Admiral with the most of the Council and Nobility At Ware the King came to Wiggen heretofore so base a Cottage as begat a saying If a Man would answer the Asker as in despair That it should be granted when as the King comes to Wiggen And at Theobalds the seat of Sir Robert Cecil Secretary of State he stayes for four dayes Entertainment where were made of his Council these Scotish Lords Lenox Mar Hew● Elphington and Kinloss And of English Henry Howard and his Nephew Thomas Howard brother and sonne to the late Duke of Norfolk and 28. Knights-Bachelors dubbed The Name Knight is from
And so it was in his Mothers time and without consent of Parliament else it would seem a League of the People And in his time when it came to be Ratifyed least it should appear In odium Tertii it was by Him left out in respect of his Title to England 3. Who is so ignorant as can not see the profit and commodity to England by this Union is there not Gain by Wales is not Scotland greater Lands Seas and Persons added to Greatness certainly Two made One makes them Greater and Stronger He desires Union for the Empire of England and for their security to condescend to reasonable Restrictions And he will never say what he will not promise nor promise what he will not swear nor swear what he will not perform And so dismisses them But although the Parliament could not be drawn to it presently yet not long after it wrought upon the Judges of this Kingdom that the chief Justice Coke confirmed the Post-Nati in Calvins Case and Title And adjudged for him also by that reverend States-man Chancelor Elsmere and all the Iudges likewise in the Exchequer Chamber whose opinions do much confound our Adversary bewailing the Cause That of such stuffe Judges are made who can modell their Presidents to any shape And yet all that this Session could be drawn to do was to repeal the Laws of Hostility between both Nations and so confirmed in Scotland from the fourth of Henry 5. of England and from 1 Iames 1. of Scotland Some excellent Acts were concluded this Session which I refer to the statutes in print But because the Judges in that time are complained of as too partiall for the Kings commands Let me aeternize the memory of Judge Nichols of the common pleas His Predecessor in his Circuite Assize for the County of Northampton had reprieved a Felon indicted before him and found guilty by the Jury and condemned but reprieved by him upon some observation of the weakness of the Evidence This Iudge dying Nichols appointed for that Circuite continues the Prisoners reprieve And the complaint came to the King who urgeth the Judg by letters for Execution which yet he refused His just excuse was That if his Predecessor who heard the Evidence thought good in Iustice to grant his reprieve It became not his Conscience now to condemn him seeing he never heard the Evidence at all And that it was part of his Oath to do right notwithstanding the Kings letters 18. Edward 3. This man therefore the King owned to be a wise learned and just Judge for though he might perhaps have given just Iudgment it could not be true Iustice. Licet aequum statuerit hand aequum fuerit Heretofore Proclamations had been by Queen Elizabeth and King Iames against the excessive repair of persons of quality out of the Country to London by neglecting their duties at home in their respective service to the Common weal the decay of Hospitable Neighborhood and relief of the poor Besides the more room made for them crowded the Mechanick and Trades-men into narrow habitations and dear rents pestering most houses with Inmates Infections and sickness the Country Towns and Burroughs unpeopled trade decayed But these commands not obeyed The wisdom of State was assured that the cause taken away the effects would follow The restraint of New-buildings might necessitate the Gentry to keep to the Country for want of lodgings at easie rates in London And such as should be were prescribed heretofore a form of Brick upright to save Timber so much wanting and to beautifie the streets incroached upon with bay windows and eaves hanging over that even joyned with the opposite Neighbour upon old or new foundations a Custome of freedom in after times of loose liberty which destroys the beauty of buildings And now necessity enforcing a farther Obedience this proclamation hath these Limitations No new buildings in London or two miles about but upon old foundations And such as have been erected within five years last past contrary to former Proclamations which were to be pulled down shall nevertheless be disposed by Officers appointed for tenements to the poor or for their benefit and hereafter offending to be pull'd down No House to be divided hereafter into several Tenements nor any Inmates received to make another family These prohibitions were referred to the Aldermen and Iustices of Peace and this was in October 1607. When the plague ceased and the fresh gang of the Countrey came huddling to keep Christmass at London Our Caluminator that swells his Book with malitious observations and false quotations refers this to 7. Iac. 1609. and belyes the restriction to be pulled down though says he not taken notice of in seven years after for this Proclamation commands the Aldermen and Iustices in their diligent view perambulation and inquiry to certifie the Kings Council every Term or their neglect to be censured punished and removed from the Peace as unworthy Whereby says he many not heeding the Proclamation laid out their whole Estates upon little Hovels and building fair houses upon new foundations must either purchase them anew or pull them down and both to their ruine Name me one that was repurchased Indeed such as offended in this last were to be fined or pulled down And truly the commands were so necessary so wholesome so beautifull and so exemplarily publick that very few offended and such as did deserved due punishment yet this is scored upon the King as a Crime in State which he foresaw would come to pass as now in these days we finde the effects to be pitied the very ruine of this City and Suburbs The Lord Treasurer Dorset died suddenly at the Council-table his Disease an Apoplexy which gave way to Cecil Earl of Salisbury to succeed him Treasurer this Dorset was Thomas Sackvile Son and Heir of Sir Richard Sackvile of Buckhurst who came from the Temple a Barrester and was created Baron Buckhurst by Queen Elizabeth and by King Iames Earl of Dorset 1605. and Knight of the Garter About this time a further discovery was made in Scotland concerning the truth of Gowry's Treason by Attainder of another of the Conspiratours The Treason was attempted the fourth of August 1600. as before remembered and though there followed sundry Suspitions and Examinations of several persons supposed Abettors and Contrivers then yet it lay undiscovered tanquam e post liminio untill this time eight years after by the circumspection principally of the Earl of Dunbar a man of as great wisdom as those times and that Nation could boast of upon the person of one George Sprot Notary publick at Aymouth in Scotland from some words of his sparingly and unawares expressed and some Papers found in his house whereof being examined with little ado he confessed and was condemned and executed at Edenburgh 12. August 1608. A Relation I conceive not common but in my hands to be produced and written by that learned Gentleman
This Redemption I crave not as to my own person but with your benesits once given nor do I assume them very deep for I have voluntarily departed from the hopes of my Pension Place Office I onely cleave to that which is so little as that it will suffer no paring or diminution And as in my former Letters so by this I humbly crave of your Majesty not to let the practices of Court work upon your Son the Prince not fearing the sufferance of my loss in that particular so much for I cannot lose it but willingly all with it as for to take off the stage that which in the attempt may prove inconvenient And consider I pray your Majesty that my hope in desiring to pass these bad times was to be restored to my fortunes others are made unhappy by me if otherwise and then I lose my end I speak of impairing of changing or supplying as of any other way all such alterations and ruine are alike without I be worthy of your gift and that I can be worthy of all that Law can permit you to give or cast upon your Majesty by a more nearer Title as it doth by this I shall account them equal evils that leave nothing or a patched and proportioned one changed or translated from one thing to another But if your Majesty have any respects to move you to suspend your good towards me let that which is mine rest in your own hands till that you finde all opposite humours conformed to your purpose I have done wrong to my self thus to entertain such a doubt of your Majesty but the unrelenting of adversaries which when you will have them will sooner alter and that all this while I have received nothing of present notice for direction or to comfort me from your Majesty hath made me to expostulate with my self thus hardly for God is my Iudg Sir I can never be worthy to be if I have these marks put upon me of a Traitor as that tumbling and disordering of that estate would declare the divorce from your presence laies too much upon me and this would upon both I will say no further neither in that which your Majesty doubted my aptness to fall into for my cause nor my confidence is not in that distress as for to use that mean of intercession nor of any thing besides but to remember your Majesty that I am the workmanship of your hands and bear your stamp deeply imprinted in all the characters of favour that I was the first Plant ingrafted by your Majesties hand in this place therefore not to be unrootod by the same hand lest it should taint all the same kinde with the touch of that fatalness and that I was even the Son of a Father whose Services are registred in the first Honours and impressions I took of your Majesties favour and laid there as a Foundation-stone of that building These and your Majesties goodness for to receive them is that I rely upon praying for your Majesties prosperity I am in all humbleness Your Majesties loyal Servant and Creature R. Somerset I should not trouble you with the Marriage of the Lady Arabella Stuart and Sir William St Maure or Seymer both of kin to the Crown she by the Earl of Lenox in Scotland as I have before said 1577. and he Grandchilde to the third Son and the Heir of the Earl of Hartford created by Henry 8. whose Sister he married 1537. and by Edward 6. made Duke of Somerset and his Protector who stiled himself Edward by the grace of God Duke of Somerset Earl of Hartford Viscount Beauchamp Lord Seymer Uncle to the Kings Highness of England Governour of the Kings Person Protector of all his Realms Dominions and Subjects Lieutenant General of his Majesties Armies both by Sea and Land Lord high Treasurer and Earl Marshal of England Governour of the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and Knight of the most honourable Order of the Garter and bears Gules two Wings conjoyned in Fess Or. Yet all these Honours rather helped him forwards to hop headless for Felony His third Son Edward was restored to the Earldom I Eliz. and this William his Heir And thus near the Crown in all Sovereignties are needfull to be narrowly lookt into for Marriage Queen Elizabeth did so at a farther distance of danger and her Father made it Treason in his time I say I should forbear more mention but that our Detractor begins at her Death in the Tower where she was imprisoned though her Husband escaped and says That it set mens tongues and fears a work that she went the same way having almost in his last words before told the story of Overbury impoysoned in the Tower by which he now enforces belief That her Death was so done for the Kings interest when in truth she died a year before in September 1615. There happened occasion at Common Pleas to dispute the Kings power in Commendams The Church being void and in his gift whether he might give a Commendam to a Bishop either before or after his Consecration during life or for years It was argued by Serjeant Chibborn against the King That the translation of Bishops was against the Common Law his Text was the Canons of the Council of Sardis That the King had no power to grant Commendams but necessitate That there would be no necessity because no need of augmentation of Livings No man being bound to be more hospitable than his means afforded And much more argument tending to overthrow the Kings Prerogative in cases of Commendams This case was to be farther argued in the Kings absence by all the Judges which he thought to protract untill they consulted with him and so commanded his Attourney General to signifie by Letters his pleasure to all the Judges The Judges notwithstanding at the day argue the Case and return answer by Letter to the King That they held those Letters to be contrary to Law and such as they could not obey by Oath and therefore had proceeded at the day appointed setting down the Case to be upon construction of two Acts of Parliament 25 Edward 3. and of 25 Henry 8. and now between Subjects for private interest and Inheritance That their Oath is That in case any Letter come to them contrary to Law they are not to obey them but to proceed to Iustice. And so they did the last Term 27. April 1616. The Judges subsign Cook Hobert Tansield Warburton Sn●g Altham Bromley Crook Winch Dodderidg Nicols and Houghton The King returns them answer by Letter Reporting himself to their own knowledg his princely care for justice to be duly administred to his Subjects with all expedition and how far he was from crossing or delaying the interests of private persons But on the other side where the case concerned the high Powers and Prerogatives of his Crown he would not indure to have them wounded through the sides of a private person admonishing them of an
the pulse of that State Sir Henry Rich Lord Kensington was sent over singly and at his own time and discretion to mannage the discovery of the French affections and then to present himself with his credence He arrived in no publique splendour at Paris on Sunday after Noon and was informed that the King intended the next morning a journey for five or six daies to Shantelie a House of Momorancies and therefore in private Kensington gave visit to the Duke of Chevereux who with his Lady were appareling for instant Actors in the Queens Mask and within an hower came the Queen Regent and Madame and in an hours view might have this chata●ter The Sweetest Creature in France her growth as her age little her Discourse discreet and quick and had the report of Wisdom beyond her years and for additions of grace she was said to dance and sing most sweetly I am fure she lookt so My Lord had reason to suspect the Queens reserve towards him she being Spanish and so not well pleased with the breach of her Sisters match But she was changed so much French as to grace him with her hand The King was told of Kensington and because of his journey next Morning purposed to receive him an Ambassadour as some had suggested to him untill Chevereux assured him the contrary his comming meerly to kiss his Majestyes hand and see the glory of his Court this Christmass and so was taken to the Masque danced by sixteen the greatest Princesses of France with whom the King and his Masquers the last Tuesday were now by lot to dance with these Ladies and all these and the Court besides so infinitely rich in Iewels golden and silver dressing being there forbidden as their apparel almost all ●mbroidered and thick with Diamonds and Pearl as usually with purl I doubt not but some counter●eit or else you might have suspected the wealth of that nation on their backs The presence of a Stranger somewhat publique presented to each persons caress made most men acquainted with State to judge the plot of his Journey was rather to set an edge upon Spain to cut off delayes than to cut the throat of that business The Kings weakness or indisposition to affairs gave leave and time to Queen Mother to mannage all who receiving an humble visit by Kensington to kiss her hands she entered discourse of the Spanish Allyance The Treaty said he had suffered many Delaies and was annulled Though the Spanish Ambassadour there had given it out to be concluded on purpose to prevent conjunction with France which he suspected and his design got credit with some persons of power seeing Kensington had no Credentials positive to speak to the purpose Yet from others and not the meanest he apprehended the affections of that State generally prepared to receive offers of Amity and Allyance when the dissolution of the other shall be declared Indeed the Savoy Embassadour there said That the intention of the King of Spain was for a Cross Match with France for himself But the late abuse upon the English in that way made the French wary and hastily to bite at that bate Yet the reasons of State were not unequal Our Design was double both Marriage and League against Spain And if the French should match with Spain and so hold us to hard conditions they have the safer ground for they may expect restitution of the Valtoline as we do demand the Palatinate these two being the open quarrels on both parts to ground And these doubts were suspected to draw on a tedious Treaty and therefore it was thought fit by the English to insist upon the Match and bring on the League necessarily to follow and to have reasonable conditions concerning Catholiques in England Indeed the necessity of the French Affairs least Spain that hath begirt them should in time swallow them up was like to make this Match easie enough for the English the alarm being fresh in Court from the Spaniards raising a fort upon the ruin to command the Town of Liege Queen Mother suspecting that Kensingtons errand was in earnest by degrees gave him incouragement to speak plain though it was his part to plead and wo too without any signal The Duke of Chevereux and Le Grand of credit and power both were the men this Design most affected Kensington bore the Princes Picture tackt to his Breast limm'd in little in a Case of set Diamonds which the Queen would offer to open as to shew the Ladies which they would as often desire to please her Majesty who me thought did love to look on it She wishing that some good occasion might make them meet and she might see him like himself But because Madam could not in modesty or honor get a glance of his shadow she in private delt with a Madamoselle that had some interest in one of the Lords Family to borrow the Picture and so in secret to gaze her fill where in much hast she opened the Picture and discovered her passions her blushes not concealing her inward affections to his person which she prized by praising his Picture in presence of him that saw her Two mouths calmed the way unto the Mother she and Le Grand advised to move the King if this business were fitted to the full But Kensington declined as not to deliver the King his Masters inclination unless he might receive the return answerable to a due respect and value of the Proposition Of which being assured he took his opportunity to withdraw the K. towards the window and told him That his journey to France was singly his own inclination to honour and serve him and therein to discover how the Prince of Wales would be free and disingaged from the Spanish Treaty not finding them to his expectation in such particulars as principally should invite a Conjunction And therefore the Duke of Buckingham had exercised his interest with the King and Prince to convert those thoughts towards his Majesty from whom it was perswaded nothing but truth and honour would be returned as an advantage to both Nations And believed that if the King would shew a disposition inclineable the effects would soon confirm the end of his comming free from other Designs than what he now expressed The King often uncovered said He had not heard that the Match with Spain was as yet broke the just cause for him to be reserved But assured him in general That any propositions from the King of Great Brittain should be heartily received This was short for his Imperfection of extream stammering by nature made him usually speak very little whose affection if one might Guess by his courtesy would have said more as most of the Ministers of that State did And that nothing to them was more equal than Amity and Allyance with England This entrance encouraged Kensington to discover himself and letters of Credence to the King and so was quallified to treat fu●ther And to increase more than
aids Nava● Spain interessed As●i●ts France with more money 101560 071165 020000 033333. 226058. Crowns And the Dutch 125000. 260000. 385000. Florins See after She raises her Custom-Farm She ballanc●●h her neighbour interests The Assembly petition the King His Answer and advice to suppress ●e●d● Huntley and Murray quarrel Another of the Kers Witches accuse Bothwel who is committed to Prison and escapes Archbish. of St. Andrews die● and abused by the Ministery Secretary Walsingham dies his Character And so does Randolph 18. times Embassadour abroad And the ● of Shrewsbury●dies An Epitaph Irish Rebells Essex expedition into France with 4000. Hackets horrible Tenents and Treasons Mad-headed Hypocrites Anno 1591. His disciples apprehended his blaspemy and execution puny Jesuits Their Seminaries Confirmed by the Pope Bot●wels Treason to seize the King and Court The manner the●eof Fire the Q● lodging● and 〈◊〉 Huntley and Murray fall into the mischief The Sheriff killed Anno 1592. Murray miserably slain The cause of Murrays death put upon others Murry lamented Huntley is at Liberty Uchiltry abused The Chu●ch interfeers the State Affairs And Articles agreed Bothwells other attempts at Faulkland is defeated and flies to England Lindsey Lord Spinie is susspected and becomes a companion of Bothwells A love trick of a Woman Faction against the Chancellour Clanhattons against Huntly Angus committed Ker his Com●mission to Spain Plots of Papists The French King relieved by Q. Eliz. Turns Papist Duke of Parma dies The Queens message by L. Burroughs The Kings Answer the Ambassadours reply Anno 1593. Church Assembly Munday Market to be altered Bothwel seises the King at Holy rood-house And enforces Articles The King complains of Bothwels insolencies The Lords r●sent it and send to him Denounced Rebell Proceedings against Popish Lords by the Ministers The King displeased with the Assembly Their farther proceedings in Tumult Commissioners to try the Popish Lords and conclude these Articles Maxwells and Johnstons fewds The Kinds sad condition Popish Lords come not in Pr. Henry born in Feb. Lord Zowch Ambassadour from England and Ministers assist Bothwels attempt and so do Arguile and Arrol Anno 1594. The King pleads to the people after Sermon for assistance Bothwel dissipated Colvil Ambassadour to England complains of Zowch The Queens ●nswer Papists banished Remonstrance of the Assembly against Papists And the Remedies The Solemnities of the Princes Baptism named Henry Fred●rick At the Chaple The King sends to England for money Bothwel and the Popish Lords join in Rebellion Arguile and Athol against Huntley and Arrol Arguile discomfited The K. comes to the Good-speed they are banished Bothwel flies into France and dies at Naples some years after Assemblie of the Church in Scotland Answer the K. Articles Anno 1595. Q. Anns Design to seize the Prince The Kings letter to Mar. The Chancelor sick and why The Kings letter to him full of grace Chancellour dies his character The King assigns Commissioners of his Treasury Papists private plots Devising sundry other Titles to both Crowns of E. of Essex Of Spains P●actice to impoyson Q. Eliz. by Loper Cullen York and Willians and other fugitive tray●ors Ant Perez infected Essex Spanish de●ignes invasion of Scotland or England Spaniards poo● successe upon England Sr. W. Raleghs Guiana voyage and other attempts in the we●● Indies Anno 1596. Armstrong taken prisoner in a treaty of the Borderers Backlugh complains to the Lo. Scroop Backlughs designe to take the Castle of Carlile And frees Armstrong Bows the Ambassador complains hereof the Q●een offended Backlugh commi●●ed ●●bellion in the Orcades Assemblies make things worse Policie to call home the Popish Lords Mr. Bruce an enemy to Huntley The Popish Lords return home upon Conditions Princess Elizabeth born August 16. 1596. Ministers make work The Coun●il of the Church and the Kings Councel confer The King is offended with them Their complaints Which the K. answers The Minister Blake his muteny and story Blakes r●monstance Blake brought to his Answer The Ministsters factious courses The King by proclamation dissolves their Assembly The Ministers Counterappose the King The Commissioners of the Church petition the K. Is rejected Articles against Blake His answer The King treats wit● them Both part●e● bandie A Dangerous tumult The King and Council retire from danger Proclaim Mad preaching Their letter to Lord Hamelton to be Their head Hamelton comes to the King proceedings against those disorders Citizens brought to submit Is rejected And humbly propose Queen Elizabeths letter to the King The King● merc● The Octavians yield up their office The Northern Ministers are Courted Their answer The King writes to Huntley Twelve Articles from the King to the Assembly Submitted unto in effect And all ends in content Bishop 〈◊〉 death and ●haracter The Netherlands called to account 400001 per annum in ten years 4000001 dept Iris●● rebells increasing Norris goes over assistant Callis taken by the Spaniard the English Navy Publick form of prayer for success of the Navy Take Cadiz Called Cales voyage Digression how farr foreign titles preceed at home In England At Rome Genoa Venice and Scots The Popish Lords submit to the Church Proclamation against Gaurdon a Jesuite Barcklayes de sign discovered he drownes himself Blake the Minister 〈◊〉 out of all Excellent reformation in the Vniversity Witches discovered Margaret Atkin 〈◊〉 Digresses concerning witches and witchcraft Maintainers Several Authors in this subject Expedition of Earl of Essex to the Isles of Azores Essex and Ralagh differ Come home and quarel at Court A Parliament at Edenburgh Ministers voice in Parliament Bruce refuseth imposition of hands but at last is so admitted The King sends Ambassadors to the German Princes Their Answer France craves aid of England against Spain and comes to a Treaty France and Spain dispute precedency and make peace Disputes of peace or war with England Queen Elizabeth strikes Essex His angry letters 〈…〉 King of 〈◊〉 dies One Squire impoysons the Queens saddle Tomas fals●accusation of K. James to Q. Elizabeth K. James his prudence to suppress false rumours Ashfield surprized Prisoner to Barwick Colvil Recants his treatise against the Kings title The Kings Basilicon doron the occasion of it in publick The new year altered from 25. of March to 18. Ianuary The state of Bishopricks at that time Irish Rebellion with Tirone Essex and Caecils Intelligence with King Iames. Caecil Essex Gowries conspiracie See anno 1608. Court and ch● of King James pa● 8 Hist Gr Br Pa 12. Vide ante 1568. et 1582. Earl Gowry retires home The manner of the conspiracie 4. of August Hendersons Examination and confession Alexander treats with the King The King takes to Henderson Alexander 〈◊〉 with the King The King cries Treason John Ramsey comes up and Sir Thomas Erskin follows Ramsey wounds Alexander Henderson slips away Earl Gowry comes up to the fray Gowry astonished is killed by Ramsey Others hurt The Lords and company come in Gowries Spels of Enchantment Two other brothers William and Patrick beyond
whose former fewds had made but suspitious and so he wearied with doing evil returns into France to settle their Solemn League He gone Henry the eight sends home the Queen and Angus and having this while composed his French Quarrels with a Defensitive Amity against all Tourney rendred to the French and Overtures of a Match between the Dolphin and Henries Sister and not a word for the poor Scots that had lost their King in the French Dispute only interceding for a Cessation of Arms with the English and so accepted for Henries conveniency of Princely Interview with Louis The while supporting Angus and his Faction their own Civil Dissentions sufficient to busie themselves and to keep matters in much disorder the policy of England and France both to weaken the Scots power for eithers prey which being suspected by Albany now in France and the violent Fewds beginning fresh at home after five years absence he gets loose of the English Ships that lay wait in his way and Lands in Scotland The Governour come he sets things strait again which by his absence were made awry forces Angus into France many suffer besides others more factious fly into England and pretend the Dukes sudden return was to ingage that Nation against Henry who in rage sends to the Governour to be gone to his French Friends or to expect blowes and was answered as peremptorily That in case of War he knew better to defend than the other to fight King Henry in fury sets fines on some Scots here and after banishes all and presently pursues with invasions upon their Nation by Sea and Land And over to England comes the Emperour instigating the King to fall out with France the like Empirick Balm the French apply to cure the wounds of the Scots Commonwealth which prevailed so far that both Armies meet but the Scots would not fight the English fire all before them and the Governour not affected with the Scots falshood returns back to France for ever Angus gets home again countenanced by Henry assumes the person of the King now thirteen years old concludes a lasting Peace with England and proposes a Marriage between the young King and the Princess Mary which Henry in heart desired untill he heard of the French King Prisoner at Pavia by the Emperour so the match was put off upon pretence for the Emperours consent her neerest Kinsman The Queen displeased with her Husbands Supremacy over her Self and Son and both agreed to dislike each others Bed for it was fatal to her as to her Brother Henry to love change in And forthwith followed Divisions of Religion in Scotland also with Disputes and Arguments for Toleration excellently urged in ●avour of the Reformed but the Catholique Clergy prevailed and the Inquisition erected to force the other with Fire and Fagot The first that suffered in suspition of those attempts were the Hameltons of Kin to the Crown which wrought factions to such height as that King Henry takes heart begins by Incursions where the English were soundly beaten And then in Revenge Howard stiled the Old Earl of Norfolk is sent with formidable Forces 40000. to 30000. if the sums are not mistaken either party so numerous as to eat up all and starve themselves But upon some distrust of success the Earl retreats The Scots pursue this advantage And the next Spring mutiny among themselves and at Salloway Moss the English gave them a mighty defeat which so astonished King Iames that with wondrous regret he forced death over hastily to seize him at the instant when his Queen was delivered of a Daughter the only issue remaining to succeed him in his Throne And with he begins our History The Life and Death of his Daughter Mary Queen of Scotland taking up the Remain of Henry the eighth who lived not long after leaving his three children succeeding Sovereigns yet thought him not worthy memory by any Monument Edward the sixth whose short raign and youth supported by a wise Council held up what was left him by Succession Untill the Soveraignty fell to his Sister with alteration of all and hazard of all she being imbarqued in body and business to a Strangers Supremacy but not lasting long time Was left to a Virgin to recover desperate dangers Ecclesiashick and Civil with various Designs Impressions and Operations upon her Neighbour States imbroyled with her jealousies to infamy of destruction in the blood of Q. Mary of Scotland her neerest kinswoman and pretended Competitor in the Crown untill at last in Gods due time the Sovereignty fell to a Foreiner King Iames with re-union of the antient Title of Britain Elizabeth indeed succeeded in the Inheritance begotten by H. 8. upon Ann Bullen after his divorce from Katharine his Brothers widow by whom he had Q. Mary and that mariage dispensed with by the Pope Hence did arise a question Whether the Divorce was legal or Elizabeth legitimate when Adam was created Eve was taken out of him and made Woman a fit Instrument for prolification and Society And both married in Paradice God the Father being the Priest and the Angels Witnesses for which cause A man shall leave Father and Mother and cleave to his Wife They begat Sons and Daughters which were Brothers and Sisters and married one the other without contradiction untill the Flood nay after the Flood untill Moses writ And these Marriages were not against the Moral Law written in their hearts which being much obliterated in the faculties of the Soul by reason of Adams transgression when Moses writ the Law of Nature or Law of Reason it was therefore twice written in Tables of Stone that by reading those Precepts which were much defaced within man might repair in some measure those Laws almost blotted out by sin And so by reading get them into his Understanding Will and Memory Mans Knowledge comming most naturally by Sense Moses did not onely write this Morall Law in Stone but gave many positive Laws for the Pedagogie of the Iews untill Christ as the Ceremonial and Iudicial The Iudicial Lawes amongst other things did forbid Marriages in cases of blood and affinity and these continued until Christs time and no longer unless there were a Moral Equity in them which Morality is onely inter Ascendentes descendentes where there is a kind of Paternity and Fi●●ation for Filius non portabit iniquitatem Patris and for that sin Iacob cursed Reuben for ascending his Fathers bed This ground being truly laid it was conceived there is no Law of God in force but that which is between Ascendents and Descendents It is true every Church hath made Laws to bind people in their Churches but it was insisted upon only in this That the Moral Law doth not forbid and the Ceremonial and Iudicial Laws are now abrogated In Sir Giles Allingtons case not long since who married his Sisters Daughter there was a sin against the Moral Law and so they were divorced But it was said in that case that
England blasted 87 K. KIng's design to meet his Bride in Norway disposes his Government 150 marries the Queen and goes into Denmark 152 his Queen arrives in Scot●and and is crowned 153 Kirk have what they desire manner of their Excommunication 45 ingratefull prescribe behaviour to the Church of England 46 stiled Precisians 84 Kirk stirs the State being troubled 166 Kirkmen in Scotland mutiny 137 138 John Knox Minister the prime Incondiary of Reformation 12 his Travels and Faction accused of Treason 15 arrives in Scotland and begins Troubles 20 insolency towards Morton and con●ers with the Queen 31 his Breves to his Brethren he is questioned 33 his insolency 34 preaches against Government 38 L. ANtient League between the Scots and French 12 Holy League 106 Holy Leaguers 155 League offensive and defensive between England and Scotland 112 Lenox and Darly return from banishment 34 Lenox elected Regent 69 is slain 77 his old Countess dies her Descent and Issve 87 Lewis Isle reduced in the North and the effect 256 Lords take Arms and are defeated fly into England and get aid and submit 39 banished and return 42 Lords conspire declare seize the King at Sterlin and treat 107 Love-trick of a Woman 168 M. MArriage proposed between England and Scotland 10 Marriage of King James with a Sister of Denmark propounded 107 Ambassadours about that Marriage 137 Earl of Mar Regent 77 dies 78 Northern Martyrs 9 Queen Mary sent into France 14 returns out of France 25 Queen Mary affects the Lord Darly 34 and proposes to marry him 36 she answers the six Articles of the Kirk and marries Darly 37 takes Arms against the Lord 38 is brought to bed of King James 42 Summary of the Lord Darley's murther and of the Queens hasty Marriage 48 Queen Mary resigns the Government to her Son King James 52 is defeated flies into England and writes to Queen Elizabeth 62 Queen Mary imprisoned her Commissioners treat in England 63 Queen Mary designed to dy 86 writes to Queen Elizabeth 95 Queen Maries story returned to 113 Queen Mary comes to her Trial 115 the manner thereof ib. her Sentence of Death 116 the sequel 117 King James perplexed sends to Queen Elizabeth Letters Ambassadours who reason with her 118 120 false Tales Scotland in disorder the Kirk refuseth to pray for Queen Mary ib. Mandate for her Execution the manner thereof 121 her Epitaph 126 Queen Elizabeths Letter to King James 126 Davison sentenced about Qu Maries Death his Apology to Walsingham 127 Walsingham's Letters to the King and the Lord Thirlstan 128 the Kings Deportment on his Mothers Death 134 is caressed by Queen Elizabeth 134 Designs of several Nations to revenge her Death 135 Massacre of Protestants 〈◊〉 France 83 Mass opposed 26 Melvil a Disciplinarian his railings 82 a fiery spirit 85 his evil manners 100 Insolency against the Mass 32 Maxwel arms against Johnstone 106 rebells and is taken Prisoner 138 Messam the Minister hath a Bastard 29 his penance 42 Ministers assemble at pleasure 26 allowed maintenance by Modificators 27 vote themselves exempt 〈◊〉 justice 28 Ministers denounced Rebells fly into England 102 Ordinance of Parliament against them and for what reasons 102 their impudent Reply sharply answered 103 Ministers and their insolence 109 cause of good Acts ib. Ministers in tumult 174 Blake a Minister his mutiny and story 196 Welch a Minister his preaching 202 Ministers refuse to give God thanks for the Kings Deliverance and are silenced ib. Earl Morton Regent 78 basely betrays the Earl of Northumberland 80 besieges Edenburgh 80 his Coin 82 Misgoverns the Lords conspire against him 88 offers to resign 89 Morton deposed plots revenge 90 imprisons the Chancellour 92 is charged with murthering the Lord Darly is executed his Character 95 Mowbray's intent to kill the King 257 Mu●●ay made Protector 59 takes Arms 60 posts to Queen Elizabeth 67 is slain 68 Murray slain 166 the cause lamented ib. Murther of the Guises and Henry 3. of France 153 N. NArration of the Spanish Navy 141 number of the Ships Men and Ammunition 142 defeated by Fire-ships 145 Queen Elizabeths message thereof 141 Rumours of the Spanish Navy in 88. 140 the Kings Speech thereupon the Chancellours opinion Bothwel on the contrary Colonel Semple's false Designs ib. is rescued by Huntley who is banished the Court 141 Netherlands called to account 209 〈◊〉 of Norfolk committed his story 68 arreigned and executed 78 Norris sent over to Ireland 209 Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland fly into Scotland 68 betrayed by Morton and executed 80 Earl of Northumberland pistols himself 114 Northumberland writes to King James and his Answer 259 O. ORmston executed about the murther of the Lord Darly 84 P. THe Kirks justice against Papists 30 Papists Plots 169 Papists banished ●●8 Papists Plots devising 〈◊〉 Titles of Pretende●● to the Crown of England 188 Parliament surprised 77 Parliament Royal 91 Parliament wherein the Kings Supremacy is con●irmed and divers Laws against 〈◊〉 enacted 104 Duke of Parma dies 170 Paulet Lord Treasurer dies his childrens children 〈◊〉 76 Antonio de Perez 86 Perez his character 189 Popish Lords return from banishment 194 Presbyters fly into England and why 104 their equivocation ib. Proceedings against Popish Lords by the Ministers 173 Propositions for Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth 67 R. RAndolph Ambassadour 91 abuses his privilege 94 dies 161 Rebells defeated 29 Rebells submit and are committed 149 Reformed rebell 20 covenant and call in Aid French and English 21 covenant to expell the French 24 Articles of their Faith France their Presbytery 24 Reformation in the University 213 Religion The Scots how Christians 8 Remonstrance of the Assembly against Papists and the remedy 178 179 Ri●t com●itt●d by the Lords 27 Rizzio th● French Secretary 39 Bishop of Rosse Ambassadour for the Scots Queen examined 73 is rel●●ed imprisonment 83 his Death and character 208 S. SIiege of Ost●nd 252 Earl of Shrewsbury dies 161 Spanish Forces land in Ireland and are defeated 254 Squire impoysons the Queens Saddle 221 T. TItles forrein their precedency at home dispu●ed 211 Treaty at Cambray 19 at ●denburgh 24 U. UNiversity reformed 213 W. WAde sent into Spain returns unheard 103 Walsingham dies his character 160 War in Scotland and France by the English 10 assist several Factions 21 Welch a Minister his preaching 202 Witches See Bothwel Witches discovered 2●3 Wotton sent Ambassad●● to Scotland 206 Wotton plots with the c●●spiring Lords and posts home 107 Z. LOrd Zouch Ambassadour from England●●ment● ●●ment● the send against the King 176 Narrative Passages of the first Part and stories to be read single by themselves 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 of Geneva 15 Queen Maries Marriage with the Lord Darly 36 〈…〉 〈…〉 and story 42 Darly the Queens Husband murthered 48 Narrative of Darly's murther c. 52 Digression of Combates and 〈◊〉 53 Queen Maries escape out of Prison in Scotland her Encounter with her Rebells she is discomfited and flies into England 60 Digression
368 Earl of Essex and his Countess and Overbury their story intermixed 385 their Divorce and manner 386 〈◊〉 Earls created for money 463 The Emperour in Arms concerning the Kingdom of Bohemia 480 Egglesham his scurrilous Pamphlet 592 F. FAvourite Car his story 376 Villiers a Favourite his story 455 G. SAint George's Feast and his story Order of the Garter 273 Gowry's day of Conspiracy solemnized the memorial 312 H. KIng Henry 8. turns Protestant makes war with Scotland defeats them Proeme Henry 4. of France murthered 362 Prince Henry created Prince of Wales their Dignities 362 his sickness and death 377 Hospital of Sutton founded 367 Honors illegally adopted in Scotland 369 Heresies of Vorstius and Arminius their story 370 Of Adamites 375 Lord Haies Ambassadour into France and character 428 Earl Huntley of Scotland his story 444 Titles of Honor to English women 458 Sir Edward Hawley a stout Templer 524 Marquess Hamilton's sudden death 590 I. KIng James 5. dies his character 3 King James 6. his parents 1 Introduction Queen Elizabeths sickness and death 265 King James 6. settles his affairs in Scotland 265 pro●aimed King of England 268 sets out from Scotland 269 his interest with other Princes 280 Letters of Reprieve for three ready to be executed 287 his Speech in Star-chamber 439 Iourney into Scotland and passages there 45● his Letters to the ●ssembly at Perth 475 his Speech to the Parliament 493 and again to the Lords 497 retires discontent to Newmarket 509 writes to the Speaker 510 his message to the Parliament 512 his Answer to their Petition 513 writes to Secretary Calvert 520 and to the Speaker 521 fights and treats 538 his Speech in Parliament 557 and again 560 answers their Petition against Papists 564 his sickness disease and dies 591 vindicated 592 his character and royal memory 594 and Epitaph 599 K. KNights Batchelors made and their Dignities 270 Knights Templers 527 Knights Baronets created and discussed 402 Knights of the Bath their manner and creation 276 Kings elective and successive their different kindes 480 Lord Kensington his birth and breeding 429 Embassage into France about the Marriage 566 quarrels with Count Soisons 569 L. LEpton's speedy post to York from London and back again six several days together 333 Sir Thomas Lake and his Lady their story 446 of Labells and Pasquils 526 answered by Treasurer Salisbury 381 M. EArl Montgomery the first Favourite 365 careless of the Kings sickness 592 Masks and Plays discussed 366 Queen Mary of Scotland her Corps re-interred at Westminster 376 Moneys the King wants and ways of supply 404 restrains his bounty 406 Money of Benevolence 407 Merch. Traders make fe●ds 313 Cross Marriages of Spain France and Sav●y 417 congratulated by Embassies 428 Murther monstrous in Cornwall 463 Murther of D'Ancre in France 449 Murther of Henry 4. of France 362 Marriages with forrein Princes unfortunate to England 487 Match with Spain the Princes journey and story 524 Marriage of the Palsgrave with the Princess Elizabeth 377 married 380 Marriage of the Prince with France treated 566 Marquess Buckingham created and the Dignity of a Marquess 489 Montague made Lord Treasurer his Descent and Issue 490 Mansel Sir Robert his Expedition and Voyage against the Pi●rats of Algier 491 Michel and Mompesson censured in the Parliament 500 Earl Marshal of England their dignity 505 Massacre at Virginia 528 Count Mansfield comes to Holland raises Forces in England for the Netherlands 587 N. EArl of Northumberland and other Lords censured as guilty of the Pouder Treason 334 Earl of Northampton dies his concernments 393 O. OAth of Allegeance 315 and Supremacy 316 the Popes Bull against it the Kings Apology to all Princes thereof 329 Earl of Orkney commited 352 his Execution 398 Sir Thomas Overbury his story 383 impoysoned 393 discovered 414 Oglevey a Iesuit his story 398 Earl of Oxford his descent 483 he and Essex carries Souldiers into Germany 483 joyn Forces with the Princes against the Emperour they are beaten and fly 485 he is committed in England and the occasion 523 Prince of Orange dies 588 Earl of Oxford's Enterprize at the Siege of Breda 588 P. A Notable Present 270 Presbyterians Reclamations against them and their Doctrines 289 Proclamations against Iesuits 306 to conformity of Religion and Discipline 321 against new buildings in London 3●1 another against buildings 360 to dissolve the Parliament 522 Prophesie of these times 311 Parliaments and their beginning 312 the Kings Speech in the first Meeting 319 second Session 323 third Speech 352 dissolved 362 Parliament called again 488 Prorogued 507 their Declaration to recove● the Palatinate 508 petition the King 511 their thanks and Petition 521 and are dissol●ed 52● another Parliament 555 petition against Papists 564 their Designs of W●r for the Palatinate 579 Pastimes harmless allowed and recreations after Sermons 458 Pouder Treason 323 Post nati confirmed 340 Papists persecuted by Pens 364 Prince Palatine a Su●tor to the Princess Elizabeth 377 married 380 elected King of Bohemia the occasions discussed story and war 478 Proscriptions against him 482 raises an Army defeated and flies into Holland 485 Pirates of Algier expedition against them 441 Lords petition against Titles of forrein Honours 496 against grievances 497 Preaching how ordered 531 Papist and Puritan discussed 5●3 Prince Charls his journey to Spain 542 arrives there 543 complements with the King 544 enters in triumph to Madrid 545 visits the Queen 546 her presents to the Prince 547 he answers the Popes Letters 548 takes leave to return 551 Presents given and received 552 his journey towards the Sea and parting with the King 553 the Pillar at parting 554 in danger to be drown'd the storm described 554 lands in England 555 Q. QUeen Mother of France flies from them 450 Queen Ann sent for out of Scotland and her designs to seize the Prince 272 she dies her character 474 R. Ralegh Sir Walter his birth breeding preferment and treason 281 released imprisonment 459 his Guiana Voyage and Execution 469 Sir Harry Rich his birth and breeding discussed 429 made Baron Kensington Ambassadour into France about the Marriage 566 quarrels with Soisons 565 Revolt of the Earls in Scotland 368 Rainbowe lunary 378 Duke of Richmond dies suddenly 557 S. SUccess and consequence of events 281 Psalms new translated 309 Star-chamber original and ending 334 the Kings Speech there 439 Earl of Salisbury his answer to a Libell 334 dies his story 381 his Offices how disposed 383 Sprot confederate in Gowry's conspiracy his Examination and Execution 342 Sanquire a Scots Baron hanged for murther of Turner 380 Earl of Somerset his story 376 his Letter to the King 420 Earl of Suffolk Treasurer sentenced in Star-chamber 437 Spalato Bishop comes into England revolts again and dies 449 Earl of Shrewsbury dies 459 Synode of Dort 468 Of Synodes Diet and Councils their initiations 468 Spinola his Forces in Flanders 483 besieges Breda 579 T. TReasurer Mountague 490 Treasurer Suffolk 437 U.
apprehensive of Death as where the Store-house of blood is less every hazard there raiseth fear paleness and trembling Angli bello intrepidi nec mortis sensu deterrentur witness the bold and cheerful sufferings of the condemned Answerable to our Bodies are our Laws suitable to the Inhabitants of this Soil Not being since William the Conquerour compelled in Criminal Tryals to confession by Torture as in the Civil Law of other Nations whose Innocency would rather yield to be guilty than to endure lingring pain Insulani plerunque fure● Death not prevailing to dete● men from common offences what constancy then shall that Man have who is martyred for matters of Religion and health of his Soul Britannis quibus nihil interest humine sublimive putrescant non valet Purpuratis Gallis Italis aut Hispanis ista minitare And therefore Pope Clement the eighth impaired his Cause by burning Mr. Marsh at Rome in Campo divi sancta ●iore whose constancy made him a Martyr and many carryed away his ashes as Reliques and that Pope resolved therefore That none of the English Nation should from that time be confirmed with fire The Enemies of true Religion have not gained to themselves by that cruelty Sanguis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae The Romans were tender in case of Religion to condemn to death Cato was not of opinion with those that would have sentenced the Bacchanals he alleging That Religion was apt to deceive men into a shew of Divinity and therefore to be wary in punishing the Professors lest the common people should suspect something was done thereby derogating from the Majesty of God Tantum Relligio potuit suadere Malorum And so the occasion of some Martyrs amongst the Scots increased numbers their Ashes being the best Compost to manure the Church And now return home out of England those Persons of Honour Prisoners to Henry 8. at the last fatal Battel with whom he deals so cunningly that by his Noble Usage and some Bribes to boot he returns them his Pensioners especially their utmost endeavour or a Match with Prince Edward and their Queen young Couples He five She but one year old And with this conceit the King might conquer Scotland by mariage to save him expence of money and men by the Sword But the French King Henry not liking this lincking began quarrels with the English embarging their Ships and Merchants goods the like with them in England So that some Forces were from hence speedily sent over which besieged Landersey but the French King in person with a mighty Army made the English to rise for to meet them In the mean time the Town was relieved and the King having done his Work returned in the dark The Scots Prisoners kept their word and prevailed so far at home that their first Parliament concluded the Match and confirmed it by an Instrument under Seals and ratified by Oaths and that their young Queen should be sent to her Husband but these Scots soon byassed by the French practices break faith and refuse This Indignity set Henry on fire for revenge who transports an Army into Scotland in 200. Vessels under command of Viscount Lisle Admiral for the Sea and the Earl of Hartford for the Souldiers and Land at the Fryth marching in three Battalia's towards Lieth And were encountred with skirmishes by six thousand Horse who soon retreated leaving Lieth to be consumed with fire And being besides this Success too powerful to be opposed marched forwards towards Edinburgh and were humbly besought by the Provost and Burgesses to spare their Cities ruin and be pleased with the Souldiers free quarter and Bag and Baggage at parting No this was not sufficient to appease the Enemies fury who being therefore somewhat opposed entered by force with fierce assault took part of the Town which they ransacked and consumed with fire Holy-rood-House and the Palace The Ships returned with large Spoils and the Army marcht on coasting the Countrey homewards ransacked above thirty Towns in their way with no more loss than fourty men Having thus punished them for perjury King Henry design'd as much or more to the French with two Armies the one under Command of the Duke of Norfolk who besieged the strong Town Maittrel but were beaten up with loss and little honour The other had better success by the Duke of Suffolk for embodying both of them encamped about Bulloign with power enough to be masters And therefore for the glory of the gallant King Himself comes over and after a Months Battery takes first the Upper and then the Base Town by Articles to depart with Bag and Baggage the whole number of Souls 4444. and King Henry Mans the Town and so comes home again And it was time so to do for the Scots always aiming at such opportunities fell into the Marches of England rifling and burning all the Towns they came to from whence the English were fled till they met with the Earl of Hartford who was sent with twelve thousand men and doing as the other had done before ruin'd all without opposition of any And thus but by turns King Henry intending to be more cruel with Revenge to that end makes peace with France but dies two years after Which Gave the Scots some time of breathing from abroad never free from quarrels at home the State increasing in Faction the old Council keep up their Inquisition after Heretiques as they termed the Reformers and for Example fell upon one Wischard whose outward zeal and affection to their Cause gave him courage to confirm it by Fire and Fagot And for whose death the Cardinal David Beaton lately come to enjoy his Kinsmans CAP was barbarously murthered in his Castle of Saint Andrews by Norman Lisle Iames Melvin and others and were justified in that barbarous act by Iohn Rough preaching it for sound doctrine who had got into their gang one Iohn Knox the most notorious Ringleader afterwards of all disorder in their Reformation which now began to quarrel with the Crown also and all Regal Government For presently surprizing the Castle He was by the Crowd vocated as they call it to be a Preaching Minister whose Pride enduring no Rival soon turned out Rough that brought him in But Knox finding no firm footing in Scotland fled into England two years after And now began the tumult within and without the Castle the Town taking parts Monsieur d' Osel sent into France for a great Army and as soon as sent for was wafted over in 24. Gallies anno 1547. beginning Siege and Battery to the Castle which was quickly rendered and the Prisoners and Spoil thereof returned back with the Army into France The English were comming to oppose the French but Henry 8. of England dying gave occasion to the French to return Victors The antient League of Scots and French was decreed in the time of Achaius the first Monarch of
to be rather for Conquest than Countenance and so was it time for the English to strike in for a share if not to prevent such Neighbour-hood upon that Rule Let the French be thy Friend but not thy Neighbour and indeed were afraid of an invasion as was threatned upon several Pretences And first the English Counsellors wisely considered not to provoke nor to give bad Examples for Princes to lend Protection to rebellious Subjects For so all Potentates esteemed the Scots against their Sovereign And on the other side it might be accounted little Piety to forsake a Protestant Party for so the Religion would have them But concluded it reasonable to be in Arms and to expect occasions It being alwaies the English fore-sight to prevent invasion at home On the sudden it was hastened to send forces to Scotland upon pretence however to assist Religion and so drive out the French from thence ere they should take firm footing there This Result might be grounded on former Examples by the English neglect lost Ambleteul and the Fortifications neer Bologn taken suddenly which necessitated the loss of Bologn it self presently after And the same carelessness rendered Calice to the French Upon which score lest Berwick and the Borders should be surprized forces are sent by Land thither and by Sea into Edenburgh Fryth with a Fleet that suddenly set upon the French Ships riding neer the Shore and their Garrisons in the Isle of Inchketh The Duke of Norfolk comes to Berwick with forces assisted with Commissioners Sir William Caecil Secretary and Doctor Wootton a Civilian And who must come to kiss their hands but the Prior of St. Andrews Iames the Bastard Son of Iames the fifth the Lord Ruthen and others Commissioned from Hamilton Duke of Castle-herault and the Confederates and there enter league with England In May 1560. For preservation of the Kingdom of Scotland against the French during their Mariage with the French King and a year after and for expelling the French provided that they preserve obedience to the Queen of Scotland The Governours of that State Who had imped their Wings with Eagles Feathers liked no game now but what was raked out of the ashes of Monarchy making head against Soveraignty And to make it the better called in to their aid the English Forces inviting their antient Enemy the English against the French and by that means turned her own Sword into her own bowells to the funeral of her own Liberty and so it was no wonder Scotland at that tiuse to pass under Foreign Servitude Evermore crying Liberty which they most avoided as they came neerer to the End and Event And hereupon an English Army of 10000. was sent under Command of the Lord Gray and were received by the Duke Arguile Ruthen and Others the Queen Regent with her faction took security in the Castle of Edenburgh The French inclosed within the Town issued out upon the Besiegers and put them to flight But rallying again forced the French into the Town and stormed it with great loss And now the Ministers make the fourth and last Covenant To expulse the French out of the Kingdome when in Iune 1560. the Queen Regent dies and forthwith came Commissioners Randan with a Bishop Deputies from the King and Queen in France Sir William Caecil and Doctor Whitton from England treat and conclude a Peace at Edenburgh in Iuly That the English and French should depart the Kingdom and 24. elect shall govern whereof the King and Queen in France shall nominate seven and the States five as one Council and six of those to be of the Quorum And Deputies of the Congregation to be sent into France by Petition to the King and Queen for granting privileges concerning the Reformed Ministers and their Religion Which Treaty Queen Elizabeth endeavored evermore hereafter to press Queen Mary to ratifie which she alwaies refused or excused And thus being rid of two devowring Armies some hopes remained to recover that poor Nation into reasonable quiet But the Strangets gone the Ministers pulpit their Design prescribing certain Diocesses to several Men. We shall use their Names hereafter Knox to Edenburgh Goodman to Saint Andrews Heriot to Aberdeen Row to Saint Iohnstons Meossen to Iedbrough Christoson to Dundee Forgeson to Dumfermling Lindsey to Lieth Afterwards they had their Super-Intendents Spotswood for Lothian Woram for Fife Willock for Glasco Canswell for Arguile and the Isles Dun for Angus and Mearors And then the next Parliament they supplicate for Liberty of Conscience with Invectives against Papistry but not Episcopacy as yet And presented 25. Articles of the Confession of their Faith ratified by the three Estates called Lords of the Articles viz. eight Lords eight Church-men eight Commons these are first to consider Articles and Heads and then to present them to the Parlament to pass and are called in the Latine Authores Apolecti And two Acts were published against the Mass the Popes Supremacy and Jurisdiction which were sent to the King and Queen in France for ratification but by them refused however Knox Winram Spotswood Willock Dowglas and Row devised a Policy of Church-Government which they called Discipline And fearing the future they send Commissioners into England to supplicate Queen Elizabeths assistance and support against fresh Forces out of France when in December 1560. Francis King of France and Scotland dies and therefore to his Queen Widow was sent the Lord Iames afterwards E. of Murray as her Counsel In this Interim the Ministers bethink of some Orderly Form in the Kirk The Manner of electing Super-Intendents was to summon the Churches about Edenburgh by publick Edict Iohn Knox presented Iohn Spotswood Super-Intendent of Lothian whom the multitude accepted and promise obedience as to their Pastor He by questions professes and answers That he accepts of this office without any respect of worldly Commodity Riches or Glory but since these daies of pluralties they leave out this Article without answering concluding to be subject and obedient to the late Discipline of their Kirk And thus he becomes a Minister of the Multitudes making which with the blessing of some one of them he is dismissed At this time comes over an Ambassadour from France to restore Bishops and Church-men He was answered Negative and so departed And presently after they fall to pulling down Abbies and Monuments of the Church And now begins Jealousies between the two Queens of England and Scotland For the Scots had sent into England for the Queens ratification of the Treaty at Edenburgh which she signed but the Queen of Scotland in France refused it with excuse until she comes home and consult with her Council which the other took ill Although she had endeavoured with reasonable Arguments to satisfie her Ambassadour Throgmorton therein But the Widow Queen arrived in Scotland out of France in August 1561. in most tempestuous weather Triste
Edenburgh the 8. of October towards Dunfres mustering 18000. men and marching up and down return to Edenburgh The most of these Lords being of the Religion and called The Lords of the Congregation fled into England to the Earl of Bedford Lieutenant of Berwick from thence Murray posts to London but leaves the Lords at Newcastle He was much mistaken for the Queen with great sute ere she affords him audience demanding how he being a Rebel to her Sister dares thus boldly take protection in her Realm denies to support him or any his Confederate Companions However after Murrays departure she sent them aid and writ in their favour to the Queen Upon this Rebellion divers of the Kirk party fled also as ingaged therein and those remaining were in some fear Iohn Knox stiling them absent the best and goodlyest part of all the Nobility chief Members of the Government alwaies praying for them in publique and reviling those that appeared for the King even in the presence of all the Council In November all those Lords in Rebellion were summoned against the fourth of February for Treason and not appearing the Queen publiquely declared her Defence and Maintenance of the Catholiques and sundry Lords and others went openly to Mass. At last the banisht Lords humbled themselves for the King and Queens favour The Duke and his Friends at Newcastle in England by mediation of the Abbot of Kilcunning had pardon upon condition to depart into France which he did The 25. Decemb. the Commissioners of the Churches for the general Assembly convene in Edenburgh and conclude That notwithstanding the Acts of Parlament and Proclamations the Masse and Papistry was maintained and new Collectors being put in forbidding allowances to the Ministery in great want In these they resolved to have relief The Catholiques for themselves supplicate also for publique use of their Religion which was granted and they offered the dispute being backed by the King and his Faction all Papists together with the power of Rizio an Italian favourite under title of the French Secretary and yet these Lords now at Court were divided Morton Mar and Lethington against Huntley and Bothwell And again the General Assembly meet at Edenburgh and order a publique Fast throughout all the reformed Churches the manner devised by Knox and printed which is the first method of that kind that we read of in Scotland So thereupon followed the effects Supplication to the Queen for Regulation of the means ordained for Support of the Ministery Spotswood Row and Lindsey present their case And the Queen answered that the fault was in their own Officer and Controller Pittarrow who medled with the thirds and so the Ministers and Assembly departed to their Residencies In Ianuary arrives through England Monsieur Rambullet Embassadour from France with 40. horse his Train who brought to the King the Order of Saint Michael the Scots call it the Cockle-shell and at this Ceremony of investing the Heraulds were in some disorder to devise Arms for the Kings bearing The Arms of Scotland were not allowed seeing the Parliament denied him the Crown Matrimonial he could have no other but as Earl and Duke the Queen bidding them allow him no more than his Due Her love becomes cold for she began to set her Name before His and not long af●er to leave him out of all writings And because of some necessary use of his Signet alone It was advised out of his hand and trusted to Rizio And now at Edenburgh the Court busie about the Attainder of some of the banished Lords not submitting which by reason of dissenting parties was staied and more particular occasioned by the Murther of Rizio This Italian or Piedmontoise a Musitian by Profession but by his Wit and cunning got to be Secretary to the Queen for French as Mettallan was of State who for envy to him and love to Rizio's Enemy plotted revenge with Morton and Lord Herris to be rid of Rizio by any way but Morton refused Then he insinuates with Rizio and tells him that the Office of Chancelour being in Morton a man unlearned in Letters or Laws was only protected by the Queens favor which if by his means withdrawn his Office might be soon surrendred to Rizio and he made capable thereof by being free Denizon and naturalized Hereupon Mortons Castle of Tantallon was summoned into the Kings hand who enters as heir to his Grand-father the Earl of Angus Rizio is designed Earl and money offered for Melvin Castle with the like increase of Favour neglects his duty to the King and draws on his own Death now concluded by George Dowglas an active man the Lord Lindsey Lord Ruthen and the Earl of Lennox the Kings Father Rizio suspects and keeps Guard of 50. Halberds Then they adjoin the E. Morton hardly drawn thereto until his right to the Earldom of Augus was restored and further capitulates by Articles That Religion should be re-established as before the Queen returned out of France The banished Lords to be restored And the fact to be owned by the King who signed hereto Lenox posts into England to the Lords and brings them neerer the Borders The Confederates and Morton with strength and secrecie seizes the keys of the Palace leaves some forces in the Inner Court below to surprize such Lords as were not of the plot and staies in the presence The King with Ruthen and five more went up the back-stairs to the Queen at Supper waited on by the Countess Arguile Rizio and some Servants She was amazed to see them armed Ruthen fastens upon Rizio tells him a meaner place became him who ran to the Queen and clasping her the King gently takes the Queen in his Arms and saies He is resolved to punish the Villain for his abuse to the Countrey and so delivers him to Ruthen who carries him down to Morton Bothwell and Huntley raise the Court but are beaten back by the Guard and forced to fly Metallan who though chief in this design supped with Athole to keep him in and himself from mistrust but his Servants were in the fray which scuffling below was suspected above as a Rescue for Rizio and so they suddenly stab'd him with Daggers The South●aiers had warned him of the Bastard which he interpreted to be Murray but it was George Dowglas who was a bastard These Murtherers at the first had proposed to hang him and had Halters for that purpose but in hast they stabb'd him with 53. wounds Bothwell and Huntley came in to the Close but soon had their arrand to begon or to taste the same sauce Rizio had ambitiously managed the most affairs with pride beyond the equipage of the King and was designed this Parliament to be Chancelour which made those Lords in envy to be his Enemies and forced the King and his Father to sign to his Death Rizio had advice of this by the French Priest Dannet but his fate was unavoidable which the Queen
some time resented with tears threatning revenge which to avoid they fly to England where Ruthen dies The Noise hereof in the Town caused the Provost to ring the Common Bell or sonner le Tocsen as the French speak assembling 500. and come up to the Court but the King told them all was well The King to strengthen himself after this Action inclined to the Religion and subscribed to a Proclamation that all Bishops Abbats and other Papists should avoid the Town which they did and commands the Provost and those of Lieth and Conogate to be in arms with advice also to other Lords to hasten to him with force And now comes Murray and other banished Lords being sent for as the Covenant against Rizio was subscribed convoyed by Hume with 1000. horse The Earls Cathness Athole Sutherland with all the Bishops being departed the Town In comes the other new faction of Lords and in Council advise the Queen to be satisfied with Rizio's death and take it as good service the Queen dissembling her passion got the remove of all the men in Arms out of the Court and so with some domestiques in the night drew the easy King to fly with her to Dunbar sending for all the Lords to attend in five daies The Religion by these factions ever-more get advantage which otherwise this Parliament now sitting might have lessned being most Papists for a dozen wooden Altars were prepared to be set up in St. Giles Church The Queen now assisted with Bothwell Huntley and others with Proclamation before them march with a thousand back to Edenburgh from whence the united Lords but divided in opinions depart and disperse and Knox we easily believe was not left behind And much troubled were he and his that the King by his Proclamation now excused himself from the Murther of Rizio who offended all men their own words the fact being done for his Honour if he had wisdome to see it and so lost his Credit and Friends by his Inconstancy and tr●ly it was rumoured and some writ so that Knox had a hand in it Divers Lords were put to the Horn their Lands escheated and many of them executed but Arguile and Murray received into favour and both factions somewhat pieced and reconciled The King and his Father neglected and Bothwell preferred very highly The Ministers Supplicate for their Stipends complaining very humbly not usual of the Officers and Collectors and for redress desire Mandatory Letters for Restitution and to stop it in the Queens Exchequer till farther Order In all she promised very gratious relief The 19. of Iune 1566. the Queen at Edenburgh was delivered of a Son with exceeding joy and great happiness to all the Kingdome and the several assemblies followed assisted by Murray and Arguile wherein Paul Messans formerly excommunicate about his Bastard as aforesaid and now returned out of England was to be received into the Church again Knox invited him home and presuming of his free pardon and forgiveness sent his Apostolique Letters to accompany him to the Assembly and tells them in the words of St. Paul concerning the excommunicate incestuous person It is sufficient that he was rebuked of many c. For this cause I write that I might know your obedience in all things and to whom you forgive I forgive also c. But notwithstanding this Apostolick Command his Repentance is prescribed much like a Penance Presenting himself in Sackcloth bare of Bonnet and bare of Shoon for an hour at the Entry of Saint Giles Church in Edenburgh at seven hours in the Morn till Prayers psalm and Text and then upon the Stool all Sermon and so for three several Church-daies and confesses his Repentance And in this manner also in Iedwart and Dundee which after all performed and received a Repentant He complaining of this rigour and shame without taking leave of any retires back again into England The Bishop of Galloway the Earl of Huntleys Brother being called to Council could not brook his former title of Super-Intendent as he was stiled and thereof formerly well pleased but must be called Bishop of Galloway In August one Harris that had been of the Queens Chapel but lately of the reformed Religion and got into E. Ruthens service having acted in the Murther of Rizio was thereof convict hanged and quartered The King condemned of all and neglected of the Queen wrote to the Pope and to Spain complaining of the Queens ill Government of the Catholiques which she intercepted and resented to his ruin For Bothwel to bring on his Design aimed to be Principal and to effect his Greatness thought good to procure Morton to be called home but not to Court where he might look on and not be seen free from fear and danger and though a Kins-man to the King yet his Power was lessened to nothing Most writers complain of these times and some of them like Noahs blessed Sons overspread with the Mantle of silence the nakedness of these unnatural actions of such as we ought to ow duty and piety unto pittying the Errors of Princes Their excellent endowments of Nature and Morality not to be exampled and yet Shipwrackt in mis-governing I cannot search into all the Causes which drew on these lamentable events Secret Lothings in Wedlock which who knows but the Actors dislike hatred freedom revenge seconded with false shews of Reason and Colour of Law and Justice what will it not do Her Husband had dragged Rizio from her affection and favour to death He was not crowned but made publique by Her Proclamation not acknowledged by Parliament and in law but a Private Man and her Subject and so lyable to judgment But his powerful kindred and Friends prevent that attempt Secret Justice is Justice formalities are for common Causes and the Princes power may dispence with forms in case of necessity or convenience and so he became an object of wicked mens malice And now had Knox procured though heretofore he cunningly refused as fearing prevention or false play when now not overlooked he to his purpose got the Churches of Geneva Bern and Basil with others reformed in Germany and France to send to the Kirk of Scotland the sum of their several Confessions of faith he alleging the dissonant opinions of Scotland which occasioned an Assembly of Knox and his Confidents who having a confused irregulation without any positive Articles concluded as the most cunning way to assent to all without exceptions and so returned answer as if in Spirit to jump in faith and discipline who never could agree amongst themselves in either At this time the Kirks saies so Bothwell was wounded in chace of the Theeves at Liddisdale whom the Queen visited and thereof in grief took sickness in extremity but say they by binding Cords about her shacle bones knees and great Toes a pretty cure for our Mountebanks It seems an od fit of the Mother she revived prayed in English and commends the
hands of the Earls of Huntley and Arguile and sent to Q. Eliz. as an undeniable Truth dated Decem. 1567. which I have seen Hereupon the Confederates to acquit Bothwell of the Murder consent to the general apprehending all such as were suspected and Bothwel in particular accused by the Earl of Lenox the late Kings Father his Case is pleaded by Morton and he cleered by Sentence of the Judges And now Bothwell fitted with honour to a capacity of Mariage the Confederates gaining many Lords to their design set their hands to an Instrument for that purpose and altogether implore the Queen to mary Bothwell which being done and their turns served Then they increase a violent suspition and vent it abroad of the Queens guilt and consent with Bothwell and so conspire her deposing and his distruction Murray most suspected for the great Villany which followed intreats for leave to travel into France as weary of these Disquiets and to colour his knavery commits his whole Estate in trust to the Queen and Bothwell No sooner gone but all the Confederates take Arms publishing That Bothwell now Duke of Orkney intended to surprize the Prince and captivate the Queen who get forces and proclame them Rebels and march to Seaton and thereabout The Armies face each other of equal strength The French Embassadour mediates for Peace but to no purpose and so retires into Edenburgh The Lords to add Justice to their Cause which seemed hor●id against their Comfortless and distressed Queen satisfie the people that were racked into fears and jealousies how to distinguish these distempers in State They caused therefore their Ensigns with this device The late King wounded and dead the Prince James kneeling by his hands heaved up towards Heaven with part of the Psalm Iudge and revenge my Cause O Lord. Then out comes Bothwel and to avoid the blood of many offers his own in combate against any Iames Murray the younger Brother accepts the Challenge but he is refused as not equal in honour The elder Brother William Laird of Tyllyburn and then Lord Lindsey desired the Combate To whom Morton sends the warlike Sword of Earl Archibald commonly called Bell the Cat and a Buckler with these he presents himself between the Armies and Bothwel there before But the Queen forbad them In fine the Lords increasing numbers being neer home Edenburgh and the Hamiltons failing the Queens forces Bothwel takes time to fly being under-hand advised by Morton his pretended back-friend which he did least if taken Prisoner he might be to unravel all these Treacheries And now absent it would increase belief of his and the Queens guilt in the late Murther of the King He gone and ●he worsted in fight and without any defence renders her self into Edenburgh Castle for thatnight and the next day she is carried Prisoner to a Castle in the Isle of Lochlevin under the strickt custody of Murrays Mother the Harlot of Iames 5. insulting over the poor imprisoned boasting her self the lawful Wife of Iames 5. and her Son to be his lawful Off-spring Both●ell under hand sends to Balfore Governor of the Castle for a Silver Cabinet of the Q. which was delivered to the Messenger but discovered to the Lords who surprized it and so the secret Letters opened all their actions In this hurray of affairs the Ministers never idle break down the Abbies and all the figures of painting and sculpture in the rich Chapel of Holy-rood At last comes the Hamiltons with forces in sight of Edenburgh to recover all assisted with Arguile the Earls of Huntley Caithness Rothess Crawford and 15. Lords besides others of Ge●try The other Lords move the general Assembly of Mini●ters now as alwaies in uprores convened in Iune to write to the Enemy And besides those Letters who more busie to accompany them and go on the Errand but the Ministery that mean● nothing less than peace Knox Dowglas Roe and Crage making such demands for themselves and more maintenance for the Ministery That the Cure would be far worser than the Disease These Peace-making Ambassadors but more military minded return with their message bad enough to be bid welcom which they also heighten for their own purpose and join altogether in 8. Articles That the former Parliament 24. of August 1560. and all the Acts for Religion should be made good and defended as lawful That the thirds of Tyths and larger proportion of Benefices for the Ministers For reception of youths into Schools and Universities by probate to be reformed Crimes against God to be punished The Murther of the King to be prosecuted The Prince protected The Covenant promoted Popery suppressed by arms if need were That all successive Kings and Princes at Coronation to be sworn to the Religion Queen Elizabeth detesting these unbridled insolencies of Subjects whom she termed Perfidious Ingrateful Cruel Rebels sends Sir Nicholas Throgmorton to expostulate with the Confederates to restore the Queen from imprisonment and preserve the Prince into England They all assemble Rebels seldom consent in unanimity but resolve Not to admit Ambassadours of England nor Le Croc. and Ville du Roy out of France to see the Queen Lethington the cunning Secretary and his faction advise for her restoring he Murther of the King to be answered the Prince provided for Bothwel divorced and Religion published Others would banish her perpetually into England or France and those Princes to undertake her Renunciation of Regency to her Son and certain Lords Others are for her Tryal Condemnation and perpetual custody and to set up her Son The last and most villains would have her deprived of Princely Authority life and all and this Kno● and other Ministe●s thundered out in Pulpits Throgmorton disputes her Cause alleging what the Word of God and all National Lawes do decree concerning the sacred power of Soveraigns and earthly duty of Subjects They reply with Buchanans damnable doctrine de Iu●e regni apud Scot●s Murray and he Contrivers of that Tractate contrary to the whole Histories of Scotland to create and depose their Princes They excuse their non-admission of the English Ambassadours address to Her with the denying of the French who seemed to be satisfied And in conclusion frame a Declaration in writing without subscription of any which they exhibite to Throgmorton in answer of all In effect To no other intent they shut her up but to sequester her from Bothwels person whom they pretend she dotes upon to their r●in and so whilst she cools towards him her anger may abate from them with which result and no more he takes leave and returns home to England They work upon her restraint and miserable Imprisonment first in fair way to resign her Regency and to incline her they loosen her to a little freedom the better to shew her the means to escape away but increasing threats if she refuse to arraign her for Incontinency Murther and Tyranny At last they compel
to the Q. of Scots to expostulate criminally with her 1. For usurping the Title and Arms of England and had not released them as was agreed in the Treaty of Edenburgh 2. For the practice of Mariage with the Duke of Norfolk 3. As also all the beforementioned Contrivements particularly urged To all she wisely answered and to the most of them N●gative A League being concluded between England 〈◊〉 France the Ambassadour moved for favour to the Queen who was answered that she deserved none for that she had secret confederacy with the King of Spain by the Lord Sea●on which being discovered and true the French were silent The Estates of Scotland took some time to present their Desires to Queen Elizabeth how fit Morton was for the Regency which ●he took well though she knew they intended the power upon him for so she had the honour to say She made him and with who●● in truth she alwaies kept the most narrow correspondency trusting to his Judgement and diligence to do much for the King with whom he alwaies sided The King was committed to the custody of Alexander Erskin for Erskin the then Earl of Mar was under age whose peculiar right it was to challenge that trust and Buchanan designed his Tutor a man of some fame by the Scale of learning whom Time and Ambition wrought afterwards a dangerous Incendiary to the King and State From this Parliament now sitting were the Papists utterly excluded and laws for advance of Religion enacted to the wonder of all how soon the Papists frighted into fears of loosing their Estates very forwardly subscribed to the Reformed which so heightened the Kirk into swelling Pride against Bishops also that their violence afterwards could never be brought to Moderation Though the Protector conceaved the Prelatical function to be no less necessary in State then warrantable in Reformation And so he regulated them as the Bishops of England Votes in Parliament but abridged their Authority over others And thus stood the power of Synods interposing the moderate Prelates who yielded much in Peace to the publick Ministery and belike conceiving that time and experience might mollifie them to a more convenient Constitution The faction for Papists was of the French and Queen of Scot whose countenance were the Hamiltons Arguile Huntley and Hume ancient Barons Grudging at the Vice-Roy's Government sought to undermine his Establishment and he at home by pleasing the people gained the City and Kirkmen For now was Knox become the Temple incendiary imitating the Vandalls devastatious ruinates the Monuments of Ancestors Piety Church-bells and Bed coverings scape not him nor any other such like sacrilegious ravings himself accknowledged that Mary had and did then blame him for his too great rigor and severity that in his heart he never hated the persons against whom ●e thundred Gods Iudgments hating their Sins and forbore none of what ever condition doing it in Gods fear thus much he said for him selfe and being the words of a dying man I say them over for Christian Charity and Honour to his parts whose Character needs no more than the former History faithfully set down wherein it appears a Beacon he had been apted to fire the Kingdome but his blaze was this year extinguished and he died of good age 67. years whether his History of the Church were his own is suspected of some his name supposed to gain credit to the work which in many parts seems ridiculous Morton in some eminencie and lustre fell into an obloquie of an infamous Act upon the person of Thomas Percey Earl of Northumberland whose desperate case together with Westmerland forced them from home as you have heard to seek for succour in Scotland after some time Westmerland got into Flanders but Northumberland wandred in the woods of Hatles for habitation and was heretofore by his Comrades betrayed to Morton and delivered up by him to the late Regent Murray whose Authority preserved him by the Law of Nations from Queen Elizabeths fury but now Morton powerfull by preferment and plentifull in Estate whom honour had made so aud some meritt valuable yet I know not with what errour of honesty basely sould him for a piece of Money to Hunsdon Governour of Berwick and so became headless by the fatall Ax at York The fruit of this ungratious Act fell upon the Protector himself in the Ultimum of his life by the like fall of the Ax that often cures great men of these wicked maladies 1581 The Kingdome of Scotland heretofore in severall fewds now was devided into two unnaturall factions of Son and Mother the King and captivate Queen in which dissention the Nobility side into severals England and France interpose accord but with sinister respects for the French Ambassadour had his Item and meant nothing less Queen Elizabeth to countermine him sent Killegrew to join with the King and Religion yet a Treaty was perswaded In the interim Kirkaldy Lord of Grange and Governour of Edenburgh Castle being on a high Rock inaccessable fortified by a Fe● and Lake on one side and a Moss which surrounds it and to his faction being the chief Baron the French gave hope of assistance To whom he sends over his Brother Iames Kircaldy for men and money with which returning he lands at the Castle Blackness the Governour thereof Andrew Stuart though before his Confident was of late bribed to seaze him into fetters whilest he carried the news and 1000. French Crowns of Kirkaldies to the Regent In his absence on this treacherous errand Kircaldy corrupts his Keepers and they the Souldiers and so of a Prisoner he hath the Keys and custody of the Castle In two daies returned Stuart and no sooner entered but is secured into Irons which he studies to revenge and conceived that the best way might be the same and so the less suspected to catch his Adversary in the same Gyn which so lately caught him With feigned tears and a cunning tale he melts the hardned Gaolers into compassion and they the Guard with helps of some bribings some Crowns secretly sowed up in his quilted Wastco●e And as if better than they could design it Kircaldy would needs accompany his Wife in a visit forth of the Castle when as hastily he was shut out and the late Governour set at liberty commands all again During which time the Treaty came on but ended without effect and Grange begins his fury on the City as fuel to his fire Either part implore assistance The Protector from England and soon was sent to him by Land and Sea nine Canons six demi-Canons six Sakers 9. Culverins with all necessaries and 1500. men under Command of the Marshal of Berwick Sir William Drury who joined with 500. hired Scots and so furiously assaulted the Castle that from the twenty fifth of April in thirty three dayes it was rendred to the Mercy of the Queen of England who referred it wholly to the Regent and the Lord
by the King sacredly to observe Which so incouraged the Orange party as to bring all their Sea prizes into Rochel and this Contract drew in Eliz. Queen of England and all these overtures committed by the King to the Admirals prosecution Notwithstanding these publique Conditions therein the Pope sent Cardinal Alexandrine from Rome with Instructions to perswade the French King to enter societ● with the League of Trent to make war upon the Heretiques and had satisfactory answer from the King and Queen-Mother and on the Contrary all possible tokens of favor to the Admiral and his Complices in restoring their losses with a sum of one ●undred thousand pound Sterling out of his Treasure not leaving the least action undon to amuse the Admiral into firm assurance of the Kings faithful intentions And to confirm belief purposed to affiance his Sister Margaret to Prince Henry Son to the Queen of Navar who had defended the Cause of the Religion in the late Wars and this to be celebrated according to the Reformed Religion The League between Charls the King and the Prince of Orange and Articles concluded The Mariage appointed in Paris and the Queen of Navar of the Religion repaired thither for the Solemnity The Admiral also sent for by the King to go before to Paris promising himself to follow and the Spire-Cross-Steeple called Gastignes Cross erected in the rage of the Civil War in Triumph and reproach of the Religion a Monument of Civil Dissention was by the Admirals request overthrown Great Assistance of Men and Ammunition sent to the Army of the Prince of Orange into Germany And order to the Treasurer to deliver moneys to the Admirall for the Publick Service without accompt In this Interim the Queen of Navar was impoisoned at Paris by a pair of perfumed Gloves by one Renat a cunning Apothecary and so the Kingdome descended to Prince Henry her Son who was to be affianced to the Kings Sister and the Mariage solemnized with respect to eithers Religion And five daies after the Admirall solicited the Council in behalf of the Religion and returning home with divers Noblemen he was shot by a Harquehuss out of a Window through both his Arms by one not certainly named but the Abetters were Guisets The King visits the Admiral in some danger of Death from whom he receives advice and Counsel in his private affairs and with great affection and thanks the King commanded a Guard for security of the Admirals person by Cossin Captain of the Kings Guard an utter Enemy to the Admirall and all his Friends advised to draw into the Admirals quarters to be neer to him Thus all things prepared for the purpose of a Massacre the Queen Mother summons all the Confederates with advice to spare the King of Navars life and the Prince of Conde and the Execution to be the next night early by Order of the Duke of Guise who summoned the Diziners and told them the Kings design to destroy all the Rebels of the late Wars at the sound of the Tocksein or Bell and the Mark of difference a while Cross in their hats and a handkercher about the arm The Duke of Guise with the Kings Guard and the Bastard Son of King Henry assisted by Cossins beset the Admirals house who nothing moved in respect of the Kings several sacred Oaths to peace the league with the Queen of England Articles of Treaty with Orange Faith to the Princes of Germany some Towns taken in the Low-Countries by the Kings Command the Mariage of the Kings Sister solemnized but six daies before Ingagement of Forein States shame and dishonor to the Law of Nations all was by him argued as security Cossin with others enters the house and slew all in his way the Admiral comanded his Servants about him to fly and shift for themselvs being ready himself to dy for the Church ●he Villains enter his Chamber Benuese a German thrust the Admiral into the Body and Attin a Picard shot him into the Heart with a Pistol and threw his body out of the Window down into the Court where the Duke de Guise and the Bastard and other staied to view it and so marching out cryed that this was the Kings pleasure for that the Conspirators had resolved to kill the King The Admirals head was sent to Rome his body dragged through the Streets and after hanged up on the City Gallowes with a rope by the feet and so all that day murthering and killing all of the Religion Men Women and Children The King of Navar and Prince of Conde in the Louvre were sent for to the Kings presence their Servants being all slain and so preserved all the Noblemen and Gentlemen their friends slain and the next day a fresh murthering ranged through all the Cities and all the Offices and Places of the dead presented to the Murtherers and by this Example Post news commanded all the other Places of Reformation to be so butchered throughout France ●s in Orleance Angiers Viaron Troys and Auxerre c. The King fearing the Dishonor of this base Treachery and perjury posted Letters to all his Governours of Provinces and speedy Messengers to England Germany and Switzerland of this great Commotion in France raised by the Duke of Guise and his Complices upon the Guard and person of the Admiral and his Friends with the Death of many and hazard therein of the Kings person his Mother and Brethren by the safety of his Castle the Louvre this dissimulation he was forced unto for the present and yet within two daies after declared in open Parliament that the Admirall and his Confederates had conspired his death with his Mothers Brethren and King of Navar which was prevented by the others death And this was published in print to this day and from thenceforth all publique meetings of the Religion were forbidden Some Reluctancies there were of several persons that conclude this horrid fact surpassing the memory of all former ages Others compare it with the monstrous murthers of King Mithridates who with one Messenger and one Letter caused an hundred and fifty thousand Romans to be slain some said it was like the murthers of Peter of Aragon upon eight thousand French in Sicily The difference was their cruelty was executed on Strangers this on the Kings own Subjects and Countreymen These Discourses put the King to consider how to blanch this monstrous act with some colour of Iustice. And therefore they framed a Body stuffed with bottles of Hay for the Admiralls dragged again about the Stre●ts his Arms and Ensigns of Honour to be broken his memory by a form of ●riting condemned his Castles and Houses razed his children infamous and his Trees and Woods to be hewn down from the height of six foot One Cavaignes and Briquemaul men of excellent merit the last being seventy years of age were imprisoned and tormented for to subscribe That they were of counsel with the Admiral to kill the King and his kindred which they
supervivor to eight of her children thrice imprisoned for affecting mariages with Thomas Howard son to the Duke of Norfolk then for her sons match with Queen Mary and the last was for her younger son Charles with Elizabeth Candish daughter to the Countess of Shrewsbury and mother to the Lady Arabella She was Nobly intombed at Westminster an elaborate Sepulture and then left living King Iames the sixth and this Arabella who was thus neer to the Crowns And therefore imprisoned hereafter by King Iames for intermariage with Seymor the now Earl of Hartford but she died without issue and so without 〈◊〉 of future interest to these Kingdomes See anno 1616. Amongst other of Mortons plots and processes raysing the Revenues of the Crown one was for recovery of some lands which was given by the Queen to Mary Levingston whilst she was her maid of honour and now maried to Iohn Simple who made his best defence in his sute but fearing the Regents rigour had passionately avowed That if he lost his land the other should lose his life This and other discourse that he was countenanced by Lord Iohn Hamilton and his brother Lord Claud instigating also Adam Whiteford of Milton Nephew to Simple to kill the Regent in the street with an Harquebus Simple upon Torture confessed all and more also his cowardize not affording him courage to hold out Whiteford did better his constancie was not terrified with the wrack and therefore gave suspition that the others confession was extorted by the pain of punishment yet to make out the matter Simple was arraigned condemned and brought to the Scaffold but pardoned the like had the other and both of them the favour of the people to blame the Regent for his rigour whose main intention was thereby to invalue these Lords and their estates to his griping gain One Allester Dow Macallan a notorious thief was apprehended by Earl Athol who was prohibited by the council and charges directed against him for exhibition of the man the fellow being set at liberty by Arguile falls to his old profession and robd Athol who in revenge invades Arguile and so the countrey take uprore thereat until an Herauld discharges those convocations and cites them both before the Council but were reconciled Arguile goes on and arms against Claudonald seizes the Regents Messenger tears his Letters missive and swears him and his Train not to return to tell tales This insolencie fires the Regent to revenge and for the present did no more than proclaim him Rebel But these and other tumults shewed an Ecclipse of Ministerial Government and gave means to private mens discontents to open a way of complaint against the Regent Alexander Arskin attending on the King takes advantage of Arguile and Athols reconcilement plots with them to open their Causes to the King which they must countenance and did but so craftily as that the one Athols counsel was called upon the others complaint And advise to summon the Lords mostly enemies to the Regent to meet at Sterlin Mortons avarice and lust subjects him from his strength and Power that ruled all to become weak in Authority over any His enormities of several natures numberless which brought him sodainly to sinck Besides his fins the Hamiltons were his Enemies made so by his own malice upon that Noble Family as also upon the Earls Athol Montross and Arguile whose kinsmen he proclaimed Traytors for not appearing at his Call Arguile invites these Lords and others to accompany him to the King at Sterlin with remonstrance of such grievances as the State groaned under and were seconded by fit Instruments such as evermore reside at Court He is sent for by the King and Council but delaies time to make Friends their opinions various it was yet concluded as the safest way to piece Friendship with Arguile who refused unless he would also quit the Regency To this he demurs and retires from his Enemies power And this gave good occasion to the boisterous Praecisians whose pursute was after such prey as might innovate Authority which they hated because it was Regal though Mortons interest had been ever to preserve them the Arch-bishops only being lately commanded not to obey the Synods Decretalls against which they complain in the Pulpit and having there the liberty of the tongue for that time they tell all to the people and of more than he could be guilty The Earl of Angus was his Ally in blood and the chief of the Dowglasses who with Carmichel a Commander of War advise him to Arms But Morton rather submitted to a Parliament at Sterlin Thither he sends his Friends but withdrew himself and with them his Papers and Notes expostulatory of his good Services which were not liked because not Petitionary And thus they seemed to signify and first He craves leave of publique Iustice upon his Accusers If otherwise that his Majesty thought fit to oversee their disobedience to authority then to be pleased to disburthen him of his Office and not to suffer his Royall Name and Authority to be despised in the Person of his Servant for as he had oft times made offer to demit his Regency to his Majesty so now the more willing if a Substantial course might be assured for preservation of his Highness person the ordering of his Majesties Houshold and dispensing of the Revenues of the Crown And herewith he recommended the keeping of the peace contracted with England as a security to his Majesties Right and Title to Succession And so recounting his former Services from the Kings birth to this present His assistance at the Kings Coronation His and his Friends hazard at Lanside field the siege 〈◊〉 Brichen His legations undertaken into England the recovery of the Castle of Edenburgh the Pacification of the Realm all on fire a● his first entrance the redeeming of Iewels and Plate of the Crown and restoring of the Royall Patrimony to some reasonable condition And in regard of all he craved no more than allowance of his expence and a discharge of his Intromissions by the Estates of Parliament These not sufficient to prevail and his friends having littl● Power and his bad Cause to plead he was voted non-Regent And accordingly into the hands of Angus Claim Ruthen and Harris he delivers the Crown Scepter and other Regalities which were presented by them in a great Convention of Lords and Angus invests them on the King with the univocal acclamation of all He having not yet attained to the years of youth yet in this turbulent time took upon him the Scepter which was celebrated at Edenburgh and the affairs of State rendered to the King now at twelve years old but with assistance of twelve Noblemen three of them by turns alwaies about him and Morton of the number as to bring him to reason not to cast him quite off to ruin whose wit and experience was useful to the State which he soon imployed to master
them all The deposing Mort on exalted the Presbyterian hopes to erect the Geneve Discipline by Pastors Deans and Super-intendents and now to bring it about they call a Synod wherein all factions to the prejudice of the King were more cherished than Divine Worship intended for they decree The Ecclesiastical Regency to the Super-Intendents and left the Bishops only to one Church and exempt from Iurisdiction to relinguish Episcopacy and to omit Dispensation of Divine duties The King withstood this decree and revokes the business to his own brest and therein the Bishop of St. Andrews was the greatest Stickler The adverse party had Andrew Melvin a Man singular with them but not with the learned His tenents were To vindicate equality in the Ministry arrogantly endeavouring to suppress the Churches ancient authority and to erect to themselves a Statue of honour from the ruins of the Bishops disgrace Sick and ill disposed was the estate of Episcopacy the Praecisians prevalent in number The Nobles for Episcopacy joined with the Kings inclination To take protection of the fainting Ecclesiastick Discipline into his Care commanding the other to infuse fidelity into the people to abstain from innovation to reverence Bishops and follow peace Mortons 〈◊〉 gave him time and means to meditate Revenge and 〈◊〉 with the youthful inclination of the young E. of Mar 〈◊〉 quarrel with his Uncle Erskin for assuming the chiefty of that family and the usurpation of the Kings Tut●lage It took fire with the Gallant who secretly with his Train possesses Sterlin Castle his Uncle Erskin and the King and puts by Arguile one of the three Assistants The noyse hereof brings the Lords into Arms and their care of the Peace of the Kingdom assign Commissioners herein who decree all Erskins former interest upon Mar. The Queen of England sends Randolph whose often Legations had made him exquisite to congratulate the King whose rare and various Ornaments of Wit and Learning eminent in such an age as no Prince could ever parallel assures the Queens great affection and perswades the Lords to peace which was patcht up for the present But Morton grows insolent abolishing the Triumvirate rule and usurps all to himself of which Arguile Athol and Montross remonstrate to the King who refers it to the next Parliament in Iuly at Edenburgh where secretly some Lords covenant whom Morton undermines by fraction and advises for the meeting at Sterlin as more wholsom for the King and Nobles but indeed fitted for his faction of men of Arms and so it was to be there in the Court of the Castle and not as usual in the Common-Hall against which the other Edenburgh Lords protested as invalid and would not meet But the Parliament sate and the King this first time adorned with Majesterial Ornaments Robes and Scepter told them That it was not material where they met so his safety were included that his Court entertained all excluded none However this place should be no Prescript for posterity that he intended no innovation against his Predecessors Institutions that the opinions of a few should not dictate to the whole and so approves the Act by Proclamation Montross a Commissioner for the Lords remaining at Edenburgh posts thither with this news they take Arms ten thousand men and yet declare for the King Angus Mar and Morton do the like at Sterlin wh●re both sides incamp but fought not at the earnest endeavour 〈◊〉 the English Ambassadour Sir Iohn Bowes and all disband And to piece this Discord the King proposes Moderators Lindsey Harris Ogleby Innerness for Arguile and Rothess Bucan Ruthen and Boyd for Morton but not prevailing Morton retires to his Palace at Dalkieth In whose absence the Delegates accord and he and Arguile and Athol meet and feast at Lieth which so pleased the King that he congratulates those whose endeavours had acted so much good and they again discuss what can be commodious for his Princely Dignity Magnificence and Profit And it began to be time so to do the Kings wants the Council supply by over value of Coyn which the Citizens withstood as over bitter for their digest Experience having taught this truth That the value of Silver alters the price of victual and all vendables the King as the great Rent Master or Land-lord bearing the greatest Loss for the future though not discernable for the present to his raw young Counsellors and this trick was put upon Morton and worse happened to his destruction The Earl Athole Lord Chancellour by the extremity of his disease yielded to nature or rather a delaying consuming poison forced him hence the suspition fell sadly upon his Corrival Morton and the revenge fell into the Power of Arguile who was chosen Chancellour in his Place This occasion no doubt the very Devil put into Mortons head to work himself mischief for in pure Conscience he intimates to the King the story of his death and so instigates his anger against the Hamiltons remembring also the slaughter of his Grandfather Lenox and of Murray late Regents and for these other crimes aforesaid 1573. and so begins their persecution with fire and Sword assisted with Mar and Angus The Hamiltons within their Castle and other places besieged were forced to yield to the Mercy of the King who executed the Actors of the Paracide and pardoned the rest Iohn and Claud the Sons of the late Duke of Castle-herauld in great distress what to do adventured to fly into England whom the Queen vouchsafed harbouring and sent Master Erington to intercede with the King The next Parliament was in October at Edenburgh where the King shewes himself to his People his years advanced with his Princely understanding to extraordinary Fame requiring his person more publike than at Sterling Solemnities and Ceremonies of Princes being the formal entertainments of reverence and respects And so he rode in all possible State the first day of sitting A great novelty to many to find Majesty in Man that had but seen the shadow for m●●y years in Queens or Counterfeits but now attracted from the peoples hearts and hands venerations and blessings He tells the Houses the benefit of peace and this blessed opportunity to confer with them for the good of the Kingdome which his non-age had denyed them administring rather occasion of Commotion than the remedy of publick grievance which now he resolves to redress alwayes reposing confidence in their wise Counsels and calls God to witness his part aimed at the Preservation of Religion Subjects safety and Kingdoms security And first he enacted The form of Confession agreed in anno 1567. To the Prescript administration of the Sacraments in Act and Will That the present Religion embraced was to be esteemed Orthodoxal in doctrine and discipline And to be imposed upon all that went beyond seas by Oath and Subscription The Bible commanded in Scotch to each family The Power of Ministers regulated and
limitted And the Discipline erected by the Bishops and Super-intendents which had suffered some Diminution but no Synodical act for abolition should be confirmed And so with prosperous effects the Parliament ended and the King returns to his Sports at Sterlin The Presbyters now took up some colourable fears upon landing of one Amys or Amatus Stuart Lord Aubigny so called from Aubigny a Village in Aquitain a French-man born but of Scots family and kinsman to the King A notorious Guisit and Papist as they would have him The Town Aubigny was by Charles the seventh of France given to Iohn Stuart of the family of Lenox who commanded the Scots there and worsted the English which Town and Title depend ever since on the younger Sons and so on this Man He was sent over by the Guises or rather sent for over by Montross and Arguile to subvert Morton or to break the Truce twixt England and Scotland And no sooner landed but received with all honor and advanced in trust created Earl of Lenox and after created Duke a privy Counsellor of the Bed-chamber and Governour of Dunbarton Castle He was soon accused for engrossing so suddenly so much favour and since it hath been taken up for advantage who ever was like to please the King was thereupon cryed down by the Church for a Papist and so he was presented to Queen Elizabeth a dangerous Man and what mischief an evil favourite might suggest to the Kings maturity fitted to act evil impressions his Mothers Designs troublesome to both Realms more easy and proper for him to execute These in England and somewhat at home both together to wrest him from the King and Bowes is sent from Berwick to charge it home before the King and his Council The Queen of England not liking any so neer the King so much of the French Faction as he and one Monbirneau an Actor in the Massacre of France Bowes ere he entered into his errand required to have Lenox and him dismist the Board which was refused before the cause or crime were charged and bidden to produce his Commission for his peremptory demand which he could not and so was forthwith called home Yet to prevent the prejudice of his anger Alexander Hume is sent after to excuse it to the Queen so to learn the truth of her mistrust She as in such Cases to Messengers so all Princes take as Affronts to themselves and so did She and remits him to Burleigh disdaining to see him her self Burleigh Wisely assured him the Queens affections to his own person as a Protestant and his merits to his Master which she would own in any of his Ministers besides she knew him a good Counsellor for her Kinsman the King but denies you her presence who lookes not upon any Ambassadour from another where her own have been unheard and his Commission demanded without President But these are the fruits said he of your young Kings new Counsellors whose first principles are to discredit your best friends and interess their factions such as the Cosin Guises and a Frenchman or two of theirs sent over for that purpose to hazard ruin to the State if they be let to run on unless the Queens prudence and power prevent And so he parted Morton full of malice retires in discontent to Dalkieth disliking the state and manner of Court Miners for in doubt of some danger to his own person he came not neer the King but as commanded to counsel This distance gave his Enemies cause to fear and to prevent his hatred hasten their resolution to ruin him by the accusation of Iames Stuart sonne to the Lord Ucheltrie a bold-faced young man and had his arrand to charge him home which he did of murthering the late King and thus accused to his face and confined to his lodging he might expect no better than the last act of fate to take away his life and though a Pensioner to England this was done without dread of any But this ill news coming to Queen Elizabeth she Posts away Randolph now Post master of England to remove Lenox and to plead for Morton And in their great Assembly he recounts the Queens favours in freeing the Scots of the French with expence of English blood and treasure when her power could have seized all for her self the King then in his cradle his Regents successively owning these kindnesses till Aubigny and that other came in to ruine Religion and rule the King as their ward producing letters to some purpose which most men thought to be counterfeit and so effected nothing When nothing would serve his turn to turn out favorities Randolph takes upon him to set them by the ears and deals with both factions Lenox and Mortons underhand working jealousies to free themselves by force from eithers fewd which grew high and daingerous offering ayd from England to set things square which he made round These being marched to the Borders and the Scots as for the King prepared to receive them the English faction withdrew then and being discovered many were sen● to prison and Randolph thus far besides his Commission durst not indure the power of his privilege but slipt away leaving his Nephew and Angus and Mar chief incendiaries to shift after and Morton to his just reward who was forthwith arraigned convict and beheaded for the murther of the Kings father and so confest by him before he dyed with this excuse that in those times of distraction he durst not but to do so The fatall Axe called the maiden himself had Patterned from that at Hallifax in Yorkshire which he had seen and liked the fashion for falling down between two posts executed him sure and sodain His Honour and Title was conferred on Iohn Maxwell He was an able man in what he undertook so that we may say as of Cato In hoc viro tanta vis animi ingeniique fuit ut quocunque loco natus est fortunam sibi ipse facturus fuisse videretur nulla ars neque privatae neque publicae rei gerendae ei defuit urbanas rusticasque res pariter callebat He was slow of speech with a natural composed gravity his countenance Majesticall his actions Princely had not that guilt of too much gathering and griping degraded those excellencies and left him naked to deserve nothing He desired to have a thing which dyed with him the Scots lawes reduced into Methode and it was urged as useless A great question with them to have Order in any thing that had none to serve God their opinion then hath since infected us His great wealth got together was scattered by unfaithful hands and hearts Livor post fata quiescit Discite mortales mortalia temnere illa Quaerere quae miseris non rapit aura levis About this time Ruthen lately created E. Gowry the son of William Ruthen Queen Maries deadly Enemy with other conspirators under pretence of
their Church For his excellent wit and incomparable learning Born near the Highlands After his first commitment 1539. for his versifying against the Fryers he escaped to France Returning 1560. he professed Philosophy at Saint Andrews and became the Kings Tutor He is concluded by all moderate and faithful Recordes That he penned his Scotish History with eloquence and with such Judgement as that he is justly blamed by most men for joining with all factions of the time and evermore to justifie any base and scandalous proceeding against Queen Mary and falsly and fowly he endeavoured to depress the Royal authority of Princes siding with the Treasonable tenents of rebellious Subjects which afterwards he expressed with bitter unmanerly sauciness of his Soveraign Queen then deceased This is the joint opinion of some with whom we may be convinced to incline This next Summer the King got free from his Attenders for being in Faulkland he desired to visit his Uncle the Earl of March then at Saint Andrews where he took a view of the Castle and being entered the Captain of the Guard Colonel Stuart acquainted with the Design clapt to the Gates and shut out the Company and the next morning came the Kings friends the Earls of Arguile Marshall Montross and Rothess And of his former Jaylers none but the Earl Gowry was admitted by the Collonels means who had been his Servant and upon his humble submission for his Fact at Ruthen was received to mercy and all these Lords elected his Counsellors with Inhibition that none should presume to come to Court with more attendants than fifteen with an Earl or Bishop ten with a Lord or Abbot or Priour and six with a Baron And now declares in publique That however his Majesty did with patience perforce indure his restraint at Ruthen and all those former passages of Treasonable disloyalty yet willing to be an Example of Clemency to others he in favour pardoned all admonishing the Lords to do so too amongst themselves Yet their consciences accusing left not to convene in tumult and therefore for more security to the King they were confined to several Places by Proclamation which they disobeying were denounced Rebells except Angus who submitted and now was Iohn Metallan admitted Counsellor and hereafter became Chancelor of State These affaires took up the summer and at the fall of the leaf comes secretary Walsingham from Queen Elizabeth expostulating the Kings receiving of Arran and casting of his nobles who though thus mutenous as you have heard were yet justified by her to be defenders of his Crown The King told him He was not to be taught to rule in his own affaires being as free as his Princess and that his promise against Arran was made under his restraint but now being at liberty himself he doth him but the like justice Expecting his so much friendship from his Sister the Queen not to countenance his subjects in Rebellion The Ambassadour replyed that his Mistress medl●d not but for his good and complains that one Holt an English Iesuite and plotter in Throgmortons treason should be imprisoned by the King and yet permitted to escape by means of the French and not rather sent to the Queen he was answered that Archibald Dowglas guilty of his fathers murther and in England was not rendered to him as was desired Though in truth Holt got loose without leave And so the discourse ended in peace And in November Lodawick eldest sonn to the late Duke of Lenox from France at 14 years of age the King having sent for his Brethren before Investing him with his fathers honnors and lands and the Earl Montross to be his Trustee Some years after came over his sisters Henrieta married to the Earl of Huntley Mary to the Earl of Mar the third avowed her self a Virgin to the Cloister A younger sonne remained in France untill the King came into England where he was advanced to great honors Thus did a gracious King for a distressed family The former Declaration against the mutenous Lords could not deter them from conventions pretending the time too short which was limitted for their submission unto confinement And therefore in an Assembly of the Peers the King renews his offer of pardon to such as would confesse their foule act at Ruthen and submit to conforme themselves accordingly The Earl Rothess protests his subscription to that fact was forced upon him and repents to mercy from whose example the rest followed and the faction to fall asunder They had pardon and leave to depart some into Ireland others to France Amongst whom was Gowry who yet delayed his journey whilst he fell into new practises which brought him to his death No wonder to finde the Ministery much concerned in their Sermons to justifie one or other of these Revolters and the fact of Ruthen necessary and lawful Andrew Melvil affirming to the Council That the Presbytery only had power and authority to judge and censure the Pulpit and not the King nor his Council In primâ instantià to meddle therewith though they should be treasonable Telling the King to his face That he perverted the laws of God and man Upon which he was charged to enter his person in Blackness forthwith but he turn'd back fled to Barwick that night and alwaies after the Ministery complaining That the light of of the Countrey for learning and the only man to resist the enemies of Religion was exiled and compell'd for his life to quit the Kingdome And though the King descended to satisfie the people by Proclamation therein yet it caused a murmuring and encouraged Gowry to expect Mars and Glammins returne out of Ireland to joyne in Armes for Reformation of abuses in Church and State for preservation of the King and Kingdome The wonted old pretence of all Rebells Gowry to colour his intended treason from suspition comes to Dundee and there presseth a ship for his voyage But the King quickly advised sent Collonel Stewart Captain of the Guard to seize him who with others made some resistance but the Town concurring with the Captain he was taken and conveyed to Edenburgh under costody of Arran Within two daies after Angus and Mar surprise the Castle of Sterlin but hearing of the Kings march with formidable forces they fly into England Gowries confession under his hand sets down their practises thus That himself perceaving the Kings favour declining and his estate aimed at by power of his enemies he was forced to seek his own relief by concurring with other Nobles in the like Case by the means of James Erskin who travelled therein and assured me of their Return to Sterlin where we concluded That at home it was expected that all those who subscribed the bond in the first alteration would join with us and besides them the Earls Marshal and Bothwel the Lord Lindsey and others of the West From England we expected supply and that the Queen would intercede for restitution
of the Hamiltons At his comming to Sterlin he writ to the King thus Please your Majesty It is neither diffidence nor despair in your Higness favour and clemency towards me nor any desire I have of life that moves me to require some short audience of your Majesty But there is a purpose of such weighty importance which is needfull to be imparted to your Highness that might have endangered the Lifes and Estates of your Mother and your Self if I had not stayed and impeded the same the relation whereof concerns you more than the lives of 500. such as my self wherein I am assured of your Majesties gratious answer The matter is not the concealing of a Treason but the revealing of a benefit April 1584. His Petition is denyed and the same brought in evidence at his Tryal being in May indicted of four points 1. That in February last David Hume Mars Man came at night to him at Perth communicating the surprizing of Perth and Sterlin and so concealing and consenting to Treason 2. The like he conferred with James Arskin a Trafficker from Mar Angus and others 3. That being in Dundee and charged by his Majesties command to render himself to the Lord Petten Weym Chancellour and Captain of the Kings Guard he did notwithstanding oppose him with Men and Arms convoking aid of the people to assist him in his Treason 4. That being obliged to maintain his Majesties Life Honour and Crown and having Intelligience that concerned the life and estate of the King and the Queen his Mother he treasonably concealed the same He excepts against Sir Iohn Gourdon who sat chief Justice for some enmity betwixt Gartland his Kinsman and him But this exception was soon refelled being only affinitas affinitatis Then that the Nobleme● that examined him promised that his confessions to them should not be urged against him But it was answered That their words could not warrant him He stood upon fourty daies time to answer for Treason He was told that the King might arrest at his own pleasure To the last point of Indictment That what he offered to reveal to the King was not of Treason But he was answered that the concealing might tend to the Kings destruction The Indictment was found the Jury were eight Earls and eight Lords and his Sentence as in Treason and so in the evening was only beheaded He had been of good Fame and Honour in Court accounted wise yet he dealt in Witch-craft for revealing the future state of things though for the general misopinion I find of the Presbyters against Judicial Astronomy we may conceive him no otherwise liable to their idle censure therein Nor was he accused thereof in his Tryal nor did repent of it at his death yet is acknowledged to take it with peace and patience in contempt of the World and assurance of Gods mercy His Death shewed the way to Archibald Dowglas and Iohn Forbess executed after him the rest of the Conspiracy had Banishment or Pardon The Ministers had been nibbling at these treasonable Baits and Polwart Galloway and Carmichel not compeering were denounced Rebells and fled into England And in this Parliament in May the Attempt of Ruthen was ratified the Kings authority over all persons confirmed the declining his Majestyes Iudgement and the Councils to be Treason the impugning of the authority of the three Estates or procuring their diminution to be Treason all Iurisdictions and Iudicatures spiritual or Temporal not approved by the three Estates to be discharged And an Ordinance made That none should presume privately 〈◊〉 publickly in Sermons Declarations or Conference to utter Speeches to the reproach of the King his Parents and Progenitors or to meddle with the Affairs of State under grievous 〈◊〉 Now was the Ministers Spirits on fire that they were not first heard and Lindsey was committed Lawson and Balcanqual flyes into England so did Poul who impudently protested against the Parliaments Ordinance and were all accounted Rebells Hereupon the King declares his Reasons to curb the Ministers First their allowance of the Fact at Ruthen Melvils Declining the King and Council The Fast kept when the Ambassadours were to be feasted and other general Fasts through the Realm without the Kings Authority usurping Ecclesiastick Iurisdictions Alterations of the Lawes at their pleasure and a number of such abuses To these they impudently replyed in Pamphlets Libells and 〈◊〉 pens against the Court. And Letters from those Fugitives to the Ministry and Session of the Church and Council of 〈◊〉 Town Excusing their Absence for resisting the wicked Ordinance and not submitting to the Tyrannical Regiment of Bishops whom they st●led Libertines Belly-Gods Infamous That after their zealous wrestling with God they had revelation to depart and hoped after destruction of the Antichristian Prelates to return home to their several flocks in Peace But by the Kings direction this insolent Letter was replyed unto by the Session wherein after the just confutation of their abuses on the King and State They discharge themselves of being their flock and of they their Pastors and thank God the Revealer of secrets that made them manifest their own shame and relieved them from such wolves in shew of Pastors and being assured that his Majesty will furnish them with more quiet●r Ministers they commit the others to Gods mercy and to repent for their former offences This letter subscribed and sent to England was copied out and divulged to their eternal condemnation and out of regret of the guilt thereof afterwards Lawson died with grief at London And at home occasioned others to follow per force many imprisoned some executed for meddling with State-matters Subscriptions and Sermons so treasonable although the Kings mercy endeavoured to reclaim them such were their insolencies that sundry of them suffered for example to others conformity These troubles in Scotland brought disadvantage to the poor distressed Queen Mary for whose relief some practises were set on foot in England by Throgmorton Lord Paget and others the Earls of Northumberland and Arundel the Howards also rather suspected out of their general profession of Papistry and affection to Queen Mary and also by Morgan and others in France and all for her As more particular by Mendoza the Spanish Ambassadour in England who being discovered stole away secretly to Paris being charged with Throgmortons Plot to bring in forein Power for which he was hanged And Mendoza as boldly recharged this State with practices against his Master for at this time England countenanced the Netherlands the Duke of A●joy and Don Antonio the Portugall and the Ambassadour of Navarr now in England and all these against Spain But to colour these to excuse this State and to complain of the Ambassadour Wade Clark of the Council posts into Spain whom that King refers to his Council without vouch●a●ing to see him and not being heard at all returnes home again And by some
papers of Creighton a Scotish Jesuite intercepted and discovering fresh plots of invasion by the Pope Spain and the Guis●s the State of England began more narrowly to look about and to begin with the Queen of Scots miserable Tragedy herein Leicester and other Lords associate by oath to persecute to the death the obstacles of Queen Elizabeths peace and safety Mary fearing the effects made the most humble and satisfactory propositions and concessions to what Queen Elizabeth could possibly urge and to which she indeed inclined but the Scots opposed especially to hear of her return home And to assist the hight of evils the Presbyters in Scotland are alwaies at hand railing at her and the King in the Pulpits and being summoned to answer their contempts absolutely refuse saying That Ecclesiastick persons were exempt the Kings authority Althought to suppresse their insolencie very lately even this year and last Assembly of States it was enacted The Kings authority over all persons Ecclesiastick and Layick and confirmed for ever Their Assemblies as well general as particular were condemned as arrogating boundlesse authority when they list to meet and to prescribe lawes even to the King and Kingdome And here the popular equality of Ministers were abrogate and the dignity of Bishops restored whose vocations the Presbyters had condemned as Antichristian The scandalous books of Buchanans Chronicles and his Dialogue De jure regni apud Scotos and other such were condemned So you see in this Parliament the King had Royally and Religiously confirmed the Articles of true Religion and had united to his Crown the supream Authority Ecclesiastick and Civil heretofore usurped by Papists and lately by Prebyters Hereupon they declare the King inclin'd to Popery and nothing to be left of ancient from but the shadow and not being suffered to vent their spleen they fly into England under pretence of persecution Yet the King delt with them by hopes and fear Appoints their appearance in November from all parts And were then pressed to subscribe obedience to their ordinary To obey and acknowledge Bish. according to the Word of God which words they construed to be a restriction or limitation for say they The Word of God commands no obedience Thus either deceived or deceiving to redeem their ease with yeilding cover it with equivocation some subscribed others refused preaching against them And evermore Praying for the banished rebellious Lords as the best Subjects who fled from ●yranny Amongst sundry of such men that suffered trial and others executed Daglith the chief Minister of St. Cuthberts upon that score and for corresponding by letters with Walter Balcanqual he was sentenced for Treason but upon his humble supplication was pardoned David Hume and his brother executed and indeed divers grand designes of Treason put the State to necessary jealousies and fears Robert Hamilton accuses Douglas of Mains and Iohn Cunningham of Drumhosel for conspiring to intercept the King at hunting and to detain him till the banished should return and receive him Upon which they were found guilty and executed at Edenburgh And indeed Angus and others lay lurking at Barwick who were removed therefore further into England to New Castle lest the Lord Hunsdon Governour of Barwick should suffer suspition in their designes against all reason of State which now in England seems to side with King Iames And at New Castle they lodge Iohn and Claud Hamilton retire and take up by the way to settle all here The Scots Ministers wanderers were all found out and called to the Juncto Lowson Carmichel Erskin And Mr. Iohn Colvil sent away to Secretary Walsingham at Court Who led them with hopes that the Queens fleet usual rigging was intentional for their interest this encouraged them and gave occasion to the Scots Ambassadour to draw up Criminations against them and so they were removed to Norwich and after to London and lodge at Long ditch beyond Tuttle street against the Park-wall to whom all their Ministers resort a petty corporation preach pray keep fasting more than private and were so bold as to expect leave to be allotted a Church of their own as French Italian Dutch and other strangers but the conformity of language with us and the deformity in discipline made their request insolent of which they complain in their preachings and therefore are all silenced which they say brake the heart of Lawson their Malapert minister or rather the letter from Edenburgh aforesaid renouncing him their Pastor who deserting his cure upon pretence of conscience not to subscribe yet takes part the Rebells against his Soveraign But the particular manner and occasion in Scotland was as followeth In civill affairs the Earl Arran comanded all keeper of the Castle of Sterlin Edenburgh and Provost there lately made Chancelor upon the death of the Ea●l Arguile The office of secretary he conferred upon Iohn Metallan Lethingtons son having banished the Abott of Dumferlin who possessed that place and made himself Lieutenant of Scotland which greatness procured private envy of others at Court ploting his ruine To conserve him self he endeavoured to gain Queen Elizabeth to be his friend and after he had privately conferred with the Lord Hunsdon Governour of Barwick several legations were sent to England by the Arch-bishop of St. Andrews to confirm the Kings constancy in Religion much suspected by the cunning informations of the banished abroad and Kirkmen at home And after him the Master of Gray came to remand the fugitive Rebells and Lewis Ballandine Justice Clark was sent to accuse them as guilty of the conspiracy of Mains and Drumhosell but indeed Ballendines interest conniving his accusations were so slenderly urged that the very ground was laid to work their restitution and Arrans destruction the Queen and her counsel under hand giving ayme to all Arran abused with hopes of the Queens friendship continues his greatness into terms of Tyranny against Athol Hume and Casils With frivolous arbitrary justice It fell more particular upon the Lord Maxwell for refusing exchange of Lands the Barrony of Kinnell fallen by attainder with the Barrony of Mernis and other Lands of Maxwell Heath And to work out the mischief the Lord Iohnston is made Provost thereby being warden of the West Marches might curb the power of Maxwell whose right it was to the Provostry and therefore rayses forces of his friends and apposed Iohnston for which and other Insolencies he is denounced Rebell and commission to Iohnston with power to pursue him Maxwell sends his two brothers to intercept Lamby and Cranston ere they should joyn head in the fray the first is killed the other made prisoner which encouraged Iohnston to incurse upon Maxwells lands by fire and sword with great spoyl booty the same were answered upon return of the like against Iohnston who is taken prisoner and the regret therof g●eived him to his grave shortly after The Quarel now engages the
States who convene and a subsedy granted of twenty thousand punds or pounds levied also to pursue him but the great plague raging at Edenburgh that expedition for the present was put off till next year In this interim Queen Elizabeths favour declines from Arran the occasion being a Tumult arising between the Governours of the middle Marches Sr. Francis Russell son to the Earl of Bedford was killed neer the Borders the deed done by instigation of Arran and Farneyhast the slayer was denied to be rendred to the Queens justice yet not much insisted upon at that time but rather to contract former friendship by Ambassy of Sr. Edward Wotton offensive and defensive with the King in cause of Rebellion for then came on the Roman holy League so stiled with the Pope Spain and Guisits in France and others in Germany to exterpate the reformed Religion in all Christendome though principally aimed against Q. Elizabeth who courts Leagues with other Princes reformed Sr. Thomas Bodly treats therein with the King of Denmark Wotton with Scotland and at a Parliament in Iuly was by Act confirmed for ever supposed sufficient to return Wotton the sooner home But he had private comands countermines for the fugitive Lords restitution lately concluded before in England by the late Ambassadors with whom now he keeps private meetings gaining time by the occasion of certain Ambassadors from Denmark who under pretence of remand to the Isles of Orknay and Shethland upon the Northern coast of Scotland alienated of old from that Crown But in truth they propounded reasons of State For a Mariage with the King and a Sister of Denmark happily effected 4 years after These Ambassadours taking leave the rumour grew high of the banished Lords Conspiracy which causes a Proclamation for a general Convention of all good Subjects to meet the King at the Castle of Crawford in October to repell the Rebels which the English Ambassadours craftily prevent whilest the Lords march apace and come to rendezvous at Linton in Tweeddale and there Covenant by Oath not to separate till they should seize the King and remove Arran and thither comes Maxwell with a thousand Horse and foot that served heretofore against Iohnston all the rest making up but so many more and to be even with the King they proclaim also the old and new Rebels rule Defence of the truth the deliverance of the King from evil Counsellors and add the Amity with England Interlacing each line with Odiums against Arran amongst other charges That he claimed descent from Duke Mordach beheaded by King Iames the first upon that title which Arran now takes up to be Heir to the Crown by the name of Iames seventh And indeed this was now enforced and a scandal which all men ●nderstood for whether he had feigned such a pretence the last year or others for him had formed it he was forced to purge himself then in Parliament by serious Protestation which truly in pride of heart he did rather to deceive the World with that folly Thus far Wootton plotted with the Revolters agents at Court and being almost discovered by Arran he departs hastily without leave towards Berwick and after him posts an Express who overtook him at Anwick expostulating Whether His Mistress directed him this mannerly departure He acknowledged to the Messenger that he could not grant that he came away Insalutato hospite seeing he performed that Office with Heart and Hand and would ever endeavour by all possible means that his suddain departure should rather help to maintain than to dissolve the amity betwixt his Soveraign and the King By the word Hand he referred to a Letter which he left for the King in which he so far complained that the cause lodged upon Arrans discredit who he said governed all By which Arran suspected somewhat ami●s and accused the Master Gray for hastening Wotton away The Lords Revolters that had intelligence of all march with speed to Sterlin and were let in by a back-way at Mid-night And whilest Arran was busie with the watch at the other end the Town was taken and rifled Arran and others escaped The King inclosed within the Castle sends out two Counsellors to tell them That humble Petitions better became the duly of Subjects Complaints and private address more fit than to force their Soveraign which violent forms they would find 〈◊〉 that should be extorted by force or fear and he never to want men and means hereafter to undo They not as yet let in were not to learn the art of dissembling excusing their actions by their miserable conditions reduced to this necessity to seek relief rather for the King than themselves His honour and safety highly endangered by evil Counsellors excepting them that were sent and labouring these with arguments to intercede for his Majesties grace and favour and to admit their address to his person The King knew their meaning and intending to say no more than willingly they should hear of For my self said the King I never liked the mans arrogancy meaning Arran but I must secure my Servants about me the quarrels betwixt Crawford and Glammis Angus and Montross and Col. Stuart as ill beloved for serving me No sooner said But they vow Not to arm for private quarrells of their own or any others not minding to mix particulars with the publique Upon which they get in fall down on their knees to the King and the Lord Hamilton being the best in blood was their spokesman who only craved mercy To whom My Lord said the King I never knew you till now and I am sorry to see your face in this fault you have been faithfull to my Mother in my Minority and I fear may suffer more than these As for you angerly browing upon Bothwell Francis what ailed thee that never could be injured But To you all that mean me no mischief I am pleased to hold out my hand and my heart carying your selves from henceforth as dutiful Subjects It was no time to do other and the next day in Council to confirm by Act their Pardon and their Assistants and so proclaimed Crawford and Montross delivered up to Hamilton and Col. Stuart permitted to depart Arran was gone before fled to Coil deprived of all honors lived from thenceforth privately And now new Lords and Laws share old offices The Guard was given to Glammis the Castle Dunbritton to Hamilton Sterlin restored to the Earl Mar and the Castle of Edenburgh delivered to Sir Iames Hume This relation the most certain though I know it is otherwise reported And no wonder to find designs in policy how to cleer these Lords of former accusations and confessions the very Examinants and Deponents must now voluntarily offer new Oaths to purge them from all Treasonable Attempts Amongst whom Duntraith now confessed to be suborned to accuse Mains out of fear to save himself Besides these powers that overmastered the Kings party the want of supply
assured in short space that he was truly turned to their faith yea all men should have reason to forsake him who had thus dissembled and forsaken his God And whereas it was given out that divers do insinuate into your Sovereign that his Honor and Reputation is so deeply interessed herein as it must necessarily turn to his perpetual ignominy and reproach if he give not some notable testimomy to the world of the affection and dutifull love he bare to his Mother your King being of that singular judgment that he is thought to have cannot be ignorant how far true honour ought to possess a Christian Prince that is not whither Passion or fury useth to carry men but whither Reason or Wisdom have laid the bounds that is within the compass of Possibility Decency and Iustice. If the late Queen had been innocent Revenge had been necessary just and honourable but being culpable contrary in all reasonable mens judgments he hath sufficiently discharged the duty of a Son in mediating for his Mother so long as she was alive and so far as he was able to prevail they which require more at his Highness hands may be presumed not to regard what beseemeth his Place and Dignity but to seek the satisfaction of their own particular passions and desires And whoever perswadeth his Majesty that the mediation used by him for his Mother contrary to the humble pursute of the whole Parliament hath already given that offence to the Nobility and People of this Land as it behoveth him of force to have recourse to forein supports doth greatly abuse both his Highness and this Realm for as they were not ignorant what Nature might and ought to move his Majesty unto so long as there were any hope of her life so they do not doubt but that reason will induce him to leave sorrowing and thinking of her in due time Thus have I troubled you with a long Discourse whereunto the desire I have of the continuance of amity between the two Crowns hath carried me unawares further than I purposed all which I refer to your consideration not doubting that you will afford most readily and willingly all good offices that shall lie in your power to the end that a happy conclusion may ensue hereof which shall tend to the common good of the whole Island And so I commit you to God From the Court at Greenwich Martii 4. 1686. Your Lordships assured Friend FR WALSINGHAM Here was good Counsel for the King but for the present in great discontent he calls home his Ambassadors out of England the States of Scotland urge him to a revenge to seek aid of forein Princes and a Navy from the King of Denmark whose daughter then was in treaty of Marriage with him The Catholicks suggested rather to joyn with the Pope Spain and France and to desert the Puritans who they said would murther him as his Mother Some willed him to be Neuter to take time to bethink and by that means whilst his distempered condition gave excuse for his Acting he might piece himself to that party where he should be sure of best support Alwaies he resolved to keep peace with England and constancy to his Protestant Religion And thus whilst his wisdom beyond his age twenty two yeers sate still the Queen feared the more not knowing what Counsel might provoke him to her prejudice and so stayed some time till the length thereof might mitigate her sorrow being indeed to big to be cured till it should lye down and rest with its own weight and weariness Therefore knowing how mightily the French wrought in their mine to provoke both Nations to publike defiance she maturely sends several Messengers and afterwards the Lord Hunsdon her Ambassador with studied arguments to take off his adhering to foreign friendships and the danger thereby to both Kingdoms where his interest in succession was most of all concerned being his just right to which his Mothers sufferings could be no prejudice But the next yeer Philip King of Spain sends to the Duke of Parma his Governor in the Low Countries in his Name to promise to King Iames mony and Amunition sufficient to attempt revenge for his mothers death Parma sends over to Scotland Robert Bruce a Scot by birth and noble family with money to quicken his purpose The Pope also Pius Quintus dispatches thither his Bishop of Dublin to promise to the King the Infanta of Spain in marriage if he would turn Romane Catholike but faithfull Metallan the Chancellor frustrates those hopes and returns him home with a flea in his ear But ere he departs he designs on William Creyton a Scot also and sometime Rector of the College of Iesuits in Leyden to stay behind and this man treats with Bruce to murther Metallan Bruce refuses that Assassination and then he is urged to hire with Parmas mony some needy noble man there at a banquet to poyson the King his invited guest and was denyed in that also Then he quarels with him to part with fifteen hundred Crowns to distribute them to three other Lords to effect it but being refused in all these he stayes the time to work out other mischiefs hereafter and Parma dying he accuseth Bruce of Treason for not willing to be a Traytor and for which he indures long imprisonment ere he got liberty The Earl of Angus to make him quiet was sent the Kings Lieutenant on the Borders this was done to rid hm out of the way of disordering the Court where he was ever factious and to his own liking also for he was contented with the condition of those people with whom he spent much of his former time of treachery and trouble But his disease there increasing he dies He was of a swart complexion tall and slender well proportioned and strait of a weak and tender constitution His death was ascribed to witchcraft frequent profession with them by one Barbery Nepair in Edenburgh wi●e to Dowglass of Castogle who was condemned but execution deferred she being with child and for the present reprieved and after neglected and so saved from the Gallows Annia Simson also a famous Witch confessed That a picture of wax was brought unto her having the letters A. D. written on it which she was told signified Archiball Davidson and which she execrated after her form but it seems it proved Archiball Dowglass or Davidson for his father was named David He dyed the nineth Earl and the last of his race If it were not natural to the Scots to be contrivers of mischief in their own Bowels yet now it was not policy for England to let them need their helping hands therein and therefore new troubles are stirred up in the Scots Court The Master of Gray conspiring with the Lord Maxwell to kill the Lord Thirlston Sir Iames Hume and Robert Dowglas reveale it to Sir William Stewart who was returned to Court and assure him that Thirlston Gray Blantine
and himself brought in the Lords at Sterlin and put his brother Captain Iames Stewart from Court which now he repented and would this way assist him to revenge Stewart not confident in the man discovers all to the King and Thirlston complains to the Councel which Gray denies and Sir William justifies and more accuses him of abuse in his late Ambassie into England and treacherously consenting to the death of the Kings Mother But these accusations referring to truth and a leasurely Tryal they were both committed Which came again to examination and further accusation of Gray for letters to the French King and Duke of Guise not to assist Scotland in revenge of Queen Maries death unless the King would tollerate Catholiks which Gray could not deny but begged mercy ingenuously confessing that he finding Queen Elizabeths resolution advised to put her to death rather in private than in forms of Justice and acknowledged those words mortui non mordent to be his and so meant and not as they were detorted And so craving the Kings gracious favour was condemned and banished A rule of the Kings clemency never to ruine whom he had affected The King now twenty one yeers compleat and more calls a Parliament in Iuly at Edenburgh and for preparation summons the Noblemens whom he reconciled from all controversie and feasts them all at Court And being the better whittled they went hand in hand by couples to the Market-cross A rare sight to the people if it would last He hoped to do as much with the Churchmen Ministers and Prelates But soft they are not in charity with the King himself for the committing of their brethren Gibson and Cooper which was an offence to the Godly and for the admitting Montgomery by the Kings desire who was excommunicate It must not be but by sparing some of his punishments in case the King release Cooper so nothing done for either And being now up in spiritual Arms they petition the Parliament That the Prelates might be removed from sitting among the Estates as having no authority from the Church no function nor charge at all But the Abbot of Kinlass made answer That the Ministers had disorderly shut them out of their Churches and now would turn them out of their places in Parliament And indeed do what the King could to the contrary there passed an Act for annexing the Temporality of Benefices to the Crown upon pretext of bettring the patrimony and to leav the honor of Estate without Taxe on the people but to the utter decay of the spiritual Priors and Abotts being turned temporal Lords which the King afterwards finding inconvenient advises his son in his Basilicon Doron to anull That vile and pernicious Act as he calls it The Borderers were up taking advantage of any quarrel now make incursions upon England with fire and sword beginning the revenge for their Queen Mother as they termed it Hereupon Hunsdon Governor of Barwick gets audience of the King all others before being refused urging the most of Walsinghams reasons before mentioned as a hazard to his succession to raise war with England and satisfies the King with a Declaration of the Judges and the sentence of Davison in Star-Chamber as if all had been done without Queen Elizabeths knowledge and so the Borderers were commanded to be qniet An Ambassadour Patrick Vaus of Barnborough from Denmark accompanied Peter Yong the Kings Almoner who had been sent to Treat of the Marriage in May last return now in August with the conclusion and that in the spring a Nobleman should be directed to accomplish the Ceremony in Denmark and bring home the Bride But the death of King Frederick her father in Aprill delayed the business for certain moneths after To end this yeer comes over divers Jesuits and Priests to deal with the Catholicke Lords in Scotland to assist the next yeers invasion of England in hope to find friendship if they should be forced on their Coast and outwardly made it their business of revenge for his Mothers death promising to conquer the Crown for his sake that was sure otherwise to wear it but the King hastely returns them home again and proclaims against them and their Abetters And the Church-men taking fire though all fear was quenched they Assemble Lords and Laicks and in a confused multitude beset the Kings resolutions to do of himself what they so earnestly desired And therefore in great choler sends them word That they meant to boast him with their power and force the execution of their demands and admitting some of the number they confer with the Kings Councel and so a good course was concluded against the Catholicks and the Ministers bidden to depart Nay now they are up allay them who can for ere they disband the grievances of the Church must be rectified Iames Gibson heretofore censured for his misdemeanour against the King and had liberty upon promise of his Recantation and Submission in the Pulpit but the man had a new Light and told the People that out of infirmity he had confessed a Fault but his conscience now was otherwise revealed that his actions heretofore were innocent The Chancellour hath the opinion of the Assembly whether To call the King Persecutor of the Church and threaten him to be the last of his Race were well done and this to the People out of the Pulpit Much ado in dispute to finde error in so godly a man the major Votes made it offensive and in the afternoon he was to appear for defining the Censure but in the mean time Gibson gets away and was excused being in fear of the King so great an Adversary and this endured a long debate in behalf of him ere the Kings Advocates could plead a distinction between his Majesty and their Ministery and all that could be gotten for the King was the man to be suspended during the pleasure of the Assembly which lasted but the next meeting in August where Gibson gives his Reasons of not appearing before for fear that the affairs of the Church might be hindered by disturbance if his person had then suffered in presence of the People Upon this deep Declaration without asking leave of the King he is purged of his contumacy which so incensed the King who taking upon him to be some-body the Fellow was forced to fly to the factious Brethren in England who were labouring to bring in the holy Discipline into that Church also For the infection of Schisms had spread abroad in England greater Injuries and more impudent Contempts than had been known before upon the Temporal and Ecclesiastical Magistrates by the Puritans as one calls them of those days and Queen Elizabeth Semper eadem not enduring Innovation as impugning directly or obliquely the Royal Prerogative The Zealots for the Geneve Discipline railing at the English Hierarchy with scurrilous non-sense Libells by names of Martin-Mar-Prelate The
Demonstration of Discipline sought mischief upon the Bishops the chief Authours were Penry Udal Ministers Iob Throgmorton Knightley and Wigstone Laicks their Favourites drawn in to defend their Railings and were soundly fined in Star-chamber yet they privately held conventicles and had their Synods Classes and Presbyteries for this cause Thomas Cartwright the Father of the Disciplinarians Snape King Proudlow and Pain were questioned whom certain conspired to rescue and so great was the petulancy of these Patriarchs and their Disciples as would require a particular Volume to unfold See Hist. Q. Eliz. by Martin fol. 782. The King to keep things fair with England resolved to visit the Borders with some Forces to the West Marches whither the Lord Herries was fled but submitting and promising to conform to Protestancy he was dismissed and sent to his charge there again Whilest the King was in this Expedition the Lord Maxwell formerly having leave to travel into Spain and perceiving there the great preparations for an Armado of Ships to invade England returns home invited by some Scotish Catholicks against his promise without the Kings leave and lands in a part of Galloway in April where it was rumour'd that the Spanish Navy should land about the West of Scotland and so by Maxwels means and assistance they would joyn with the Borderers and enter England that way the most likely to prevail where numbers of loose Libertines and out-lodgers repaired to Maxwell of which the Lord H●rries being in his Wardenship acquaints the King Maxwell is sent for to compeer but refuses and fortifies his Houses and other Holds levies Horse and Foot and expects to encounter with the King who came to Dunfres with so hasty marching that Maxwell was almost surprised in the House but gat away some hour before to Galloway whilest some resistance at the Town Port gave him that opportunity and leasure to escape And on the King goes summons Laugholme Treve and Carlavarock places of strength who surrender but the Castle of Lochmaben commanded by David Maxwell bids defiance to the Kings face and made it good against the Assault untill Ammunition and great Guns were sent for to the English Warden who forthwith committed them to a Guard of Souldiers and at the Approach and some Shot they yielded to parly with Sir William Stuart for the King and to render the Castle upon quarter of Life but the Captain refusing the Kings Summons was hanged the rest had pardon The King stays not but pursues Maxwell to Dunfres and sends Sir William Stuart to follow the chace and forced him to fly to Sea in a small Bark whom he follows in a Ship of the Town of Ayr overtakes him a fews Leagues off and forces him to yield who is brought to land and presented a Prisoner to the King this was held timely good service which so pufft up the young Knight with pride that some weeks after contesting with insolent words to the Earl Bothwell at Edenburgh he kill'd him outright The noise of the Spanish Navy gave fears of their setting forth in August and in prudence for the Scots also to arm not knowing whom to trust the King convenes his Nobles at Edenburgh for their advice For howbeit said he I have no occasion to distrust the Friendships and League with all Christian Princes and Estates yet the Case of England lodges so near upon us as in time may turn to be our own and we forced to share in their Troubles the Spanish intention is for England and seeing my Right in Succession to that Crown it were no wisdom for me to suffer another to possess it before and the Spaniard hath not usually been so kinde or consciencious to depart with any thing he lays hand upon though anothers Right they take Religion for a Pretext of their Invasion but it is the Kingdom they seek and we professing the same Faith with England are sure to fare accordingly as in their Success and the Prosecution of their Holy League will fall upon us also But I have ever thought mine own and the safety of Religion so conjoyned as they cannot separate nor do I desire to live and reign longer than I shall maintain the same I suspect what many may counsel that this occasion fits Revenge for my Mothers Death but however I am not over credulous as to be confident of Queen Elizabeths excuses concerning here ignorance therein nor will I be so unwise as to accept the assistance of one mightier than my self to fight my cause lest he become Master of us all Thus you see my minde and my Reasons give me your advice and assistance what we shall do The Chancellour seconded the Kings opinion by many historical Examples and discreet politick Arguments yet since the Queen had not desired any aid from your Majesty it would not be amiss to secure your own Territories by not suffering the Spaniard to land in your Dominions that a general Muster may be taken and some Noblemen named to whom the People might resort for Command that Watches be set upon the Sea-coasts and Beacons erected to allarm the Countrey and that the King and Council would reside at Edenburgh for Command and Authority over all Bothwell urged other Arguments of Revenge and to invade England from whom in this exigent said he we shall be sure to force good conditions and as for himself he had already raised Forces at his own charge for the publick service as an Example for others to do the same expecting that his opinion would prevail for Invasion But the King commanded him to guard the Coast according to his Office Admiral of Scotland and so he seemed to be satisfied To instance the dangerous Treacheries amongst some of the Scots against their own Nation in reference to the Spanish pretentions appears first in the Design of Colonel ●Semple who had about six years before betrayed the Town of Lire to the Spaniard and from that time remained in Flanders with the Prince of Parma arrives now at Lieth pretending a frivolous Commission from Parma to the King which seemed of so small importance as that it was apprehended rather a false colour of practice with some evil disposed persons Sir I. Carmichel Capt. of the K. Guard is therefore commanded to have an eye upon his Actions till the King returned being now journeying to Falkland Carmichel does so and having intelligence of a Pinnace newly arrived in the Frith and a Passenger already landed went hastily and surprizes Semple reading of the Dispatch seizes him and them the Colonel offers of himself to attend the Council but by the way was rescued by the Earl Huntley who undertakes himself to compeer with him The Chancellour hears of this being then at Church the general time of Humiliation and with a throng of people following him made after Huntley but the King happily returning met them before and brought them all to Edenburgh The Chanc. informs
the K. whom Huntley opposes with a weak Defence for himself whilest the Colonel escapes away and never more seen The King had a gracious inclination to Huntley having very lately married him to a gallant Lady of kin to the King but dismissed him the Court untill the Spanish Navy was dissipated and the general joy of that Defeat made all Friends at home Queen Elizabeth much pleased with the Kings fore-sight and with Maxwell's Commitment and Huntley's Banishment with other the like prudential Providences of the King sends Sir Robert Sidney in August to congratulate his wisdom herein and to conclude mutual assistance in case the Spaniard should land on either Kingdoms and discoursing of Spains ambition to seize on England Sidney said Your Majesty may be assured of the like kindness at his hand if he prevailed The King merrily answered That he expected the same which Polyphemus promised to Ulysses to devour him after his fellows and so with great curtesie dismissed him upon whose return home another Messenger was sent with News of the Navies overthrow But not to sit down with the contrary of Caesar's Motto who no sooner came but he overcame this Fleet no sooner seen but was sunk in the Sea the wonder of the worlds apprehension so invincible an Armado must needs demonstrate to these Nations Gods gratious and powerfull arm in the overthrow and though the main intent was against England whose Prayers and Pens have often given the glory to their Redeemer yet because some spoils of that wreck were cast on the Scots coasts we may not refer the Reader without the Book to others relation This Discourse I finde imprinted anno 1688. suddenly set out by the Queen to rejoyce her Subjects with each particular and published after by other Nations in French High Dutch and Hollands The Introduction invites the Reader to a religious consideration of the promise and power of God to defend his Church and People by Examples Lamech trusting to his sons inventions Iubal and Tubal-Cain boasteth unto his Wives that he would not take the least injury but he would slay a strong man in his wound and a young man in his hurt Nimrod in the second Age hunting men like wilde beasts erected a Tower to reach to Heaven in pride and contempt of God Nabuchadnezzar Nicanor and others the like It hath been frequent for the wicked to encourage themselves and discourage the good the one mighty in number the last but few and weak to that end tended the railing Rabshake the blasphemous Ambassadour of the wicked Sennacherib Make war saith he to Eliakim with my Master the King of Assyria and I will deliver to thee two thousand Horse Have any of the Gods of the Nations delivered their Land from the King of Assyria Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad those of S●pharvaim and Ivah that the Lord should deliver Ierusalem out of my hand Truly the Italian Lamech and Spanish Nimrod the Pope and Spain the one by his Priestly practices Bulls Excommunications Interdictions the other by his several politick assaults heretofore not prevailing now his Babels Towers vast and high built Bulks Gallions Galliasses appear to amaze the World and frighten Heaven it self so that it may be urged in opposition to all as by the sequel was said of Iehosaphat We had no strength to resist so great a multitude coming against us neither knew we what to do but our eys were fixed on thee our Lord. The first Squadron was of Gallions of Portugal wherein were ten Gallions and Zabres amounting unto and imbarqued in them 7737 Tuns 3330 Souldiers 1230 Mariners 350 Guns The Army of Biscay ten great Ships and four Pinnaces 6567 Tuns 2037 Souldiers 868 Mariners 260 Cannon The Army of Castile fourteen Gallions and two Pinnaces 8714 Tuns 2458 Souldiers 1759 Mariners 348 Guns The Army of Andelusia eleven Ships 8762 Tuns 2400 Souldiers 800 Mariners 260 Guns The Army of Guipeuzie fourteen Ships 6991 Tuns 2092 Souldiers 670 Mariners 250 Guns The Army of the East ten Ships 7705 Tuns 2880 Souldiers 807 Mariners 310 Guns The Army of Hulks 7450 Tuns 2804 Souldiers 640 Mariners 315 Guns The Pitaches and Zabres of Don Mendoza three twenty Hulks 10271 Tuns 3221 Souldiers 788 Mariners 410 Guns The Squadron of Zaregosse two and twenty Pataches 1131 Tuns 479 Souldiers 574 Mariners 193 Guns The Galliasses of Naples four 873 Souldiers 468 Mariners 1200 Slaves 200 Guns The four Gallies 400 Souldiers 400 Slaves 20 Guns Summa Totalis 130 Ships 20 Caravels 10 Saluces with Oars for publick Service 57868 Tuns 19295 Souldiers 8450 Mariners 2088 Slaves 2630 Guns The chief Officers were The Duke of Medina Sidonia Captain General Iuan Martines de Ricalde Admiral Diego Flores General of the Army of the Gallions of Castile Don Piedro de Valdes General of the Army of Andalusia Michael de Oquendo General of the Army of Givopesque Martin Bretandona General of the Ships of the Levantines Gomer de Mendoza Commander of the Hulks Antonio Hurtado Commander of the Pitaches and Zabres Diego de Medrano Chief of the Gallies The numbers of thousands of Quintals of Biscuit Pipes of Wine Flesh and Fish Rice Beans and Pease Oyl Vineger the Carriages of War and all manner of Provisions for Land-service would amaze the Reade● and weary the Accountant which was truly summed up and imprinted at Lisbone before the Fleet set out being the 30th of May 1588. And afterwards there followed out of Lisbon towards the end of Iune a supply of an Army of eighty Sail of Ships to joyn with the Armada Their design was to join with the Prince of Parma who was to meet them in the Narrow Seas and so to invade England together but whether he was kept in by the Hollands fleet who assisted the English or was not ready or bribed he came not forth at all The English had Pinnaces of intelligence that of long time before expected the Armado who were detained by cross winds The English Fleet anchored at Plymouth and having sight of the Enemy waited on them a loof playing upon such as scattered or lagged hinmost amongst whom was the Gallion of Don Pedro de Valdes taken in fight and sent to Plymouth Another of Don Olenquo which took fire but he was saved and sent Prisoner The Galliass of Naples sunck in the sands of Callis In which Road the Armado anchored attending for Parma but by a Stratagem of eight old Ships fitted with all manner of combustable matte● the Ordinance charged with Bullets Stones Iron and Chains and fired at a reasonable distance the wind and tide serving they were carried in a flame upon the midst of the Enemies Fleet at which time the trains taking fire it falling out to be night and so unexpected that not able to weigh Anchors they cut Cables and in monstrous confusion sayled they knew not whether without Order or Command made to Sea till the morning light
whom adjoyn the Clanchattons and Dunbars Huntley advertised that Murray and Athol were to confederate with those Glamis in Forres intends to dissolve that knot ere it were hard bound but before he came they fever themselves and Murray returns to Huntley's way lay by the House and some of his men braving thereabout they within discharge some Shot which killed Gordon and for which Huntley invades the other with Forces and Murray assisted by Arroll his Cosin prepare to defend These tidings came to the King whose command separates each one to his own home which served the turn for a time but brake out in disorder after Another of the same nature an antient emulation of the Kers the one of Cesfords Family the other of Farnherst for the Wardenry of the Middle Marches and the Provostry of Iedbury which the Heir of Farnherst William Ker a young Spark maintains to the death and in a Trial of Theft before the Council for English Goods stollen it was taken as done in spleen and derogate to the honour of Sir Robert Ker of Cesford the Fellow being his follower The lady Cesford of an haughty heart never ceased peuling until her Son had basely murthered the other These were men of good repute wise and of great courage and of much loss to the Borders the one dead the other undone who fled for his life until he made a large satisfaction for maintenance of the fatherless children and by Marriage with the Chancellours Niece came again to his Family and into favour We have hinted heretofore of the Northern Nations much inclining to Witchcraft and in Scotland those of great Families this Winter produced many Examinations Agnes Simson the wife of Kieth a Matron of a grave and settled behaviour she declared that her Familiar appeared in a visible form and resolved her doubts concerning the Life or Death of any she used to call him Holla Master Ho la in Spanish Who is there as he directed her and confessed that Bothwell bid her inquire of the Kings Reign Life and Death whom the Devil undertook to destroy but failing confessed to her not to be in his power speaking words in French which she understood not but could repeat them Il est homme de Dieu Another one Richard Graham confessed the like against Bothwell which was the cause of his Commitment out of which he escapes by corrupting his Keeper and so far guilty hath his Doom of Forfeiture and is denounced Traitor the Proclamation speaks That he being tender in bloud to the King and further advanced in Honors and Offices above his Birth having heretofore in an unnatural humor committed Slaughters raised Arms against his Majesty and practised with strangers against the Religion and whereof his Conviction in May 1589. was superseded in hope of amendment but since heaping Treasons he concluded with the consult of Witches against the Kings Life as by confession of sundry persons appears and for all being committed he hath broken Prison and thereby taken these Crimes upon him which concludes him a Traitor But he enters band with the Lord Hume and others and being forsaken flies into England his secret Harbours till next year The Archbishop of St. Andrews lies Bed-rid and fallen into some wants by mis-government the Presbyters like Crows about Carrion the common way of the Romish Catholicks to procure Proselytes labour him to leave some Lines under hand his opinion of matters of Discipline they form his words That he did not trouble himself then with thoughts of that nature and had never allowed of any other Bishop of the Church but St. Paul ' s Bishop to which he would sign And so Articles were drawn framed to their Design which he subscribed but whether in truth he did so or some for him or that their charity seldom upon better terms wrought upon his necessity or weakness of his spirits the Recantation came forth in publick of which injury he complained and committing his cause to Gods justice died the end of this year and accounted a man of some scale in Learning as they seldom want to account of themselves one commending another if he dies a Proselyte to them But presently that Church falls into Schism several Assemblies to compose Dissentions set up several Superintendents in one Presbytery or Popedom the Lay Parishioners siding with each Faction and coming to the question most Voyces pretended best interest but the other had gotten a new Paradox Quod suffragia essent ponder anda non numeranda and yet to end strife they part stakes and divide the Presbytery the one to sit at Cowper the other at St. Andrews I mention this for a Note That of all men none could worse endure parity and loved more to command than these which introduced it into the Church We have had to do with Secretary Walsingham of England and may not forget to take our leave of him also that lived not out this year He was industrious wise and religious a searcher in the secrets and mysteries of all States he had an art in past imitation to dive into mens dispositions and something for polite service screw simple Proselytes beyond common danger his Preferment no higher than Secretary and Chancellour of the Duchy of Lancaster and with Honour of the Garter his profuse expence for Intelligence abroad and at home kept him under compass during life and dying so poor that they buried him by dark in Paul's Quier Another of the same Sir Thomas Randolph so near in time that Death might do it with one Dart He was bred a Civilian and taken from Pembroke College in Oxford to Court from thence his Imployments were forein Embassies thrice to the Peers in Scotland and thrice to the Queen seven times to King James and thrice to Basilides Emperour of Russia once to Charls the Ninth of France and again to Henry the Third he was advanced to the Office of Chamberlain in the Exchequer and to be Master of the Ports the first formerly of great profit the later not so till these last times of ours which we make of immense gain but he was rich of children and therefore in my Lord Bacons opinion poor in Purse he had leave to retire some time before his Death to which his advice to Walsingham to leave the Tricks of a Secretary as himself would the deceis of an Ambassadour Sir Henry Wootton afterwards observed as much who could example with the most Hoc tandem didici says he animas sapientiores ●ieri quiescendo To accompany these of the Gown died that gallant man at Arms George Talbot created Earls by Henry the Sixth and he the sixth Earl of Shrewsbury who in Queen Maries Reign with three thousand Foot in the Scotish Wars rescued the Earl of Northumberland at Lowick he was of the appointed Guard of that Queen whilest here in Prison and succeeded the Duke of Norfolk and Marshal of England and in much honour
Castile purposely for English and Scotish Fugitives to draw their obedience from hence to him and being finished Pope Clement the Eighth must needs by his Bull confirm it which is dated the first year of his Popeship Quoniam c. multi Anglicani exules adolescentes fuerunt experti qui ex miserabili Angli● Regno in Hispaniam transfugerunt And why because quod alias tantoper● floriut erga fidem Catholicam devotisimam fuit nunc etiam Haereseos gravissimo infortunio affligitur atque opprimitur in Hispaniam transfugerunt c. But not all Exules adolescentes No I warrant you Ii tantum says one qui ad finem illorum consequendum aptiores esse videntur and then swear to take Orders and return home to England to adventure for a Halter that is To convert as many of my Countrey-men and Kinsfolk as I can whensoever I shall be called thereto by my Superiors whose command I will be ready to execute as believing that not He so much as God himself doth put me on that Errand And thus prepared they come in Disguises with Equivocations that by their bare habit none can understand them counterfeiing all shapes and professions and are justified they say by example of Eusebius who in the time of Constantine the Arrian Emperour did so under covert to visit the Assemblies of the Catholicks and to instruct them Rabadineira Append. Schismat Angl. cap. 23. But we must bethink what becomes of Bothwell who being fled from his friends and almost forsaken he was invited by some at Court Instruments to serve the time and Servants to the Duke of Lenox men of mean fortunes but fit enough to to add fuel to to any Enterprise with their assistance and therefore had trained into the Conspiracy Colonel William Stewart Neswich the Kings Surgeon and Iames Douglas of Spot who in truth came in by another occasion thus a few days before George Home of Spot his father in Law was killed by some of the Sirname of Home and Craw Sir George Home Nephew to Spot charged Iames Dowglas as Author and Accessary to the Murther this jealousie arising from some interest of an Estate in difference between them upon this but suspition three of his men are imprisoned and threatned with torture to confess the King some say had a strong conceit of their guilt and commanded that course of Tryal Spot laboring for their reprieve of this punishment and not prevailing he joined in the Treason being told of it in the heat of revenge The manner of the Conspiracy was thus Bothwell in disquise out of England should lurk neer the Court with his followers dispersed till the time should let them in by night through a back way into the Palace and surprize the King and Chancellour and with hope of Success all the Court after Each man had his quarter and particular charge to take the sign given and to fall on It took effect thus far they were entered and after mastered the Inner Court Dowglas too forward for his ●●rvants imprisoned and to free them for assistance the number and noise breaking open the doors where the Prisoners were startled the King at Supper and hearing the cry Treason Treason gat up to the Tower for his better safety Bothwell earnest to order all commands some to beset the Chancellors Lodgings whilest himself hastens to the Queens quarter which he finds baricado'd and therefore endeavours to fire it In which time Sir Iames Sandilands of his Majesties Bed-chamber with some Forces of the Town Edenburgh entring by the Church of Holy-rood-house beat him and his company from the fire and the alarm happily hastened the Conspirators fled and escaped in the dark by such several waies as brought them in But Bothwell must have blood and encountring by chance with Iohn Shaw a Gentleman of note who had the better at the Sword till Bothwell snatcht a Pistol from his Page and shot Shaw dead In the pursute nine of the Train were taken and by Club-law were hastily hanged the next morning before cold-blood could quiet the rage of the people Thus far this defeat had Success But Bothwell got Northward towards Earl Murray intending his Supply which the King suspecting sends the Lord Uchiltry to decoy Murray into the South as to work reconcilement with Huntley but a false rumour being raised this while that Murray was seen with Bothwell in the late Enterprize Huntley hasty enough to malice and revenge got Commission to bring him to a Tryal Murray not minding any mischief herein was on his way at his Mothers House the La Downes neer Forth and being too secure from sudden attempt Huntley gets aid of the County and summons a surrender Murray making much of a needy case returns bad words and Bullets too boot which shot the Sheriff to the heart and some others into a fear that altered their fighting to firing the House and forced them within through smoke and flame to come forth and yield The evening shadowed the enterprize from discovering their Prisoners for the present but whilest they peeped for Murray he not yet come out And being put to the plunge broke through them all with wondrous courage escaping their seisure yet weary and tired shrunk down within the cleft of the Rocks and by his Head-piece discovered to be him he was without mercy of a common man miserably slain For Huntley in this treacherous if true fearing he should be innocent of the Conspiracy might in honour have afforded him quarter which was desired but to be sure of his death ran him often through after he was a dead Corps and having hastened the news to the King galloped away Nort●●●ard leaving his cosen Captain Gourdon wounded who was brought to Edenburgh and publickly executed to pacifie the people I have seen what some have said who should be guilty of this good mans blood but I dare not suspect where I am not sure of authority to bear out the blame nor can I find any cause in the King the jealousie is raised by the sudden News that posted to Court as of good service but that was Huntleys villany by the speed to lodge it on any from suspition of his own private revenge Yet it fell foul on the Chancellor a fate or fashion of King and Favourite Princes have Pupils to bear their stripes the Dog beaten for the Lion and sometime Soveraign suffers for them when Revenge grows high they meddle with the Magistrate but being gotten into power no Majesty escapes Who ere were in fault Edenburgh was to hot for the Court to hold out Murray bemoaned of all the King removes or rather ran away with the Council to Glasgow not ●afe there neither till Huntley was ●ound out to render his Person to Prison in Blackness but was soon demitted upon caution to answer any summons His sudden discharge set mens tongues on work and incouraged their faction to
unbury the dead saies one and raise the coffined corps of Murray and the Sheriff against Lieth Church door their friends refusing them other funeral until revenge were taken of their slaughter and who more earnest in this resentment than the Lord Uchiltry who ignorant of any ill meaning was put upon the errand to perswade Murray to come to reconcilement which by this means was turned to murther and in regret of his Dishonour the rather sought out Bothwell to bare stakes at all hazards with him And in earnest they are But the Church interrupt the story who when the State was mostly in mischief then were they busiest for themselves the Ministery Intermixing pious Articles in their petition to the Parliament but evermore interfeering with Soveraignty The first of their demands being willingly confirmed against Papists Idolatry and crimes of blood with which the Land indeed was then much poluted But for abrogating the former acts of Anno 1584. against discipline of the Church and their liberty and in place thereof a Ratification now of the practice then The Kings wisdom foresaw the inconveniences which the Ministers assume from that term of liberty But Bothwells Business interrupting the Kings quiet a time of advance to their demands the Act was warily passed and as for the Statute of Regal power Supremacy in the King which they mostly aimed to abrogate It was only declared It should be no waies derogatory to the spiritual Office-bearer in the Church concerning heads of Religion Heresie Excommunication Collation or deprivation of Ministers or any such having ground and warrant of Gods word The King removes to Faulkland where Bothwell attempts a fresh Conspiracy being assisted by the Earls of Angus and Arroll the Master of Gray Collonel Stuart and the Lairds of Iohnston and Balmery they had their several Postures the latter met him with four hundred horse Angus kept watch without and Arrol was alwaies with the King Stuart must be the Porter to let the others in Somwhat they attempted which gave suspition sufficient so that Arrol was committed to Edenburgh Castle and the Collonel to Blackness But why these at Court were so hasty without the power of Bothwell fell out upon a false Spie that gave warning ere the Forces were nigh For Bothwell with no more than six score the Rascallity pickt up upon the Borders English and Scotish marching two daies and nights with slender diet and faint watchings arrived at Faulkland at midnight where he found the Court at their Sentries by which he feared the discovery But the day soon opened the midst of Iune and he encamped on the Hill side His Followers fall upon any booty break open the Queens stables and take out the Horses and what other baggage came to hand more regarding present plunder than the hazard of their Chief who thus at loss and the County coming in He was forced to flie but how or whether in martial Order he knew not and therefore by the next Midnight he stole away The King with his company followed by the Ferry mistaking the way hastened his course by Sterlin-bridge where Bothwells men in disorder separate to all parts and were soon seized some in the Moors of Calder and Carnwath the Horses unman'd their Riders falling from their Saddles for want of sleep Others taken napping not able to stand were committed to several Holds and some knockt on the heads by poor Plow-boys and all of them so weak that a few women mastered the most of them and Bothwell got into England And the King by experience and his own clemency found it the best way to proclaim pardon to all that would forsake the grand Traytor and come in knowing that some others might be interessed in that plot and too many of note for him to meddle with For whether in affection to Bothwell or malice to the Master of Glammis the Treasurer his Enemy Alexander Lindsey Lord of Spinie in great favour works secret attempts to reconcile him to the King Collonel Stuart still Prisoner in Blackness in hope of nope of liberty discovers it to the King at Dunfres by Sir Iames Sandilands the keeper of that house who justified before the Council That Spinie had harboured Bothwel at Aberdowre The other denies all and claims the combate which Sandilands not making good Spinie recovers into favour and yet infected with treasonable intents the next year he openly takes part with Bothwell and is denounced Rebel Others also Weymis of Logie of the Kings Bed-chamber was more than suspected and committed to Guard until his Mistress the Queens Dutch Maid in the Kings name after bed time brought the Prisoner to be questioned by the King himself the Keepers waiting without he was let in to the Chamber and out at a Window by a Rope and this being a Love-trick for her to hazard the halter the Ladies liking the conceipt and upon mariage with her Paramour procured the Queens favour and pardon for them both And with these aforesaid and divers others the faction of Bothwel increased with men of all rancks Barons and Burgesses intertaining him openly in several parts of the Country and in Tweedale the most part of those people whether the King was fain to take journey as far as Iedbury to pacifie them and settle their fidelity No sooner returned but new factions at home against the Chancellor and by the greatest Lenox Arguile Morton Glammis and Lord Hume with whom Angus Arrol and but lately released prison adjoin occasioned by the Chancellours refusing the Queens claim to some Lands of his which set the wheel in going and which forced him in wisdome to withdraw from Court into the Country for this year In the North also the Clanhattons conducted by Angus Williamson in pretence of revenge of Earl Murrays death make havock of all that belongs to Huntley with fire and Sword and fell foul upon an aged Man Gordon of Barckley for no crime but his honesty and kindred to Huntley who in revenge commits cruelties upon his Enemies encountring a great party sixty of them were slain and some of his own side And not satisfied with this he summons all the High-landers and with their help devastates all that Country and kills many until a Commission to Angus Lord Lieutenant with power of the Counties forced a cessation on both sides and returning in Triumph was seized as a Traytor and committed to the Castle of Edenburgh upon some Letters intercepted and signed by him Huntley Arrol and others to the King of Spain and sent by George Ker whose confession was That upon the receipt of Letters from Creighton the Iesuit in Spain unto Gordon and Abercrombie for alteration of Religion those return answer of the Scots concurrence and for more secrecy these three Earls undertake for all and blanks signed by them to be filled in Spain and intrusted to the Bearers in October last And he avowed
first of his Majesties Reign should be onely professed in all time to come within the Realm and that none should abet or receive Jesuits Priests or other Adversaries of Religion upon the pain in former Acts of Parliament That all should conform hereto before February next or depart the Realm whither his Majesty shall appoint and not return till they turn Professors they and their Heirs always enjoying their Lands and Estates by Procurators in their behalfs The Earls of Angus Huntley and Arrol and the Lairds Achindown and Chisholm to be unaccusable of the Crimes contained in the Summons occasioned by their Letters and Blanks intercepted as before remembred concerning their trafficking with forein Princes against Religion c. discharging all Proceedings against them Provided if they offend hereafter the former Crimes to be added to their Charge That such of them as shall profess Religion are to be assigned their places of abode not to dispute publick or private in favour of Popery Huntly and Arrol to remove out of their company James Gordon and Oglevy Iesuits to finde Sureties in fourty thousand pounds to abide Subscriptions and Achindown and Chisholm in ten thousand pounds Such as leave the Realm to give caution not to practice with Jesuits abroad against this State and to declare their submission to their choice of conditions before January next or be liable to Trial by Law These were in effect concluded and signed unto by them which the King and Council confirmed and the three Earls subscribed but to small effect For the end of this Year begins fresh feuds the Iohnstons in the West-Marches made Incursions upon the Sanhares and killed eighteen persons and though great friendships had been contracted with Maxwel yet having in Commission as Warden to pursue the Offenders the Sanhares offered their assistance therein to bring all Niddesdale to depend upon him and Bonds signed unto for performance a Servant of Maxwels betrays this Bond into the hands of Iohnston who sends a Gentleman to discourse the truth out of Maxwel who first denied it but afterward said He must obey the Kings directions Iohnston to cope with such Combination associates with those of Tevedale the Eliots and Grahams and so meeting Maxwels Forces with the Commander Olephant kil'd him divers others Maxwel to repair his dishonour levies one thousand men and like a Kings Lieutenant with displayed Banner enters Annandale Iohnston not so many deals by policy sends out his Prikers the Boders cunning to provoke whom Maxwel encounters but by Ambuscade Iohnston comes in with power and puts them all to flight Maxwel was taken desiring Quarter as he had often given Iohnstons father and reaching out his hand for to confirm it had it basely cut off and afterwards butched to death he was a man much lamented of great spirit humane and more learned than Lords are yet like most of them ambitious And this to be done to the Kings Lieutenant might amaze some men to consider the Distempers of the Nation and the wisdom of a young Sovereign how to ballance these frequent Feuds and to bandy against Bothwels Treasons Papists conspiracies tumults and insurrections the Gangrene Evil of insolent Assemblies evermore eating into the Bowels of Government to devour and devastate all for this present he assigns the Lord Herris Drumlanrig Lagg and other Barons to abide at Dunfres to quiet and repress Disorders The time limited to the Popish Lords Ianuary 18. is past and they omiting the benefit of Abolition are charged to enter their persons into Ward Angus into Blackness Huntley in Dunbritton and Arrol to Edenburgh Castle and Achindon in Tantallon but neither of them obeyed The King removes to Sterling where Queen Ann was delivered of her first-born the 19th of February 1593. To which place arrives the Lord Zouch from Queen Elizabeth to congratulate her Delivery and to complain to the King his remisness against the Popish Lords for she was informed of the Articles of November and being told besides by some busie Presbyters at home the Kings favour to his Popish Lords her age made her often apt to entertain such Tales and her Jealousie summ'd up Reasons to her self soon to believe them But her Ambassadour taking time to understand what had passed could not be at leasure to suspend his judgment or confidence in the Kings prosecution to effectual punishment And therefore to hasten homewards he tampers for Bothwel the immediate end of his Errand deals with the Ministers the most especial amongst them to countenance his fresh Insurrection with numbers of loose persons and which troubled the King they commend Andrew Hunter one of their own to be Bothwels Chaplain in Ordinary And being thus emboldened they go on to raise Moneys themselves levy Souldiers to assist his Treasons Nay more see their piety to Rebellion their sacrilegious assistance even with those very Moneys benevolent Contributions collected by their Pulpit Oratory out of the poor peoples purses for supply of Geneva Brethren then in much misery and in a mad fury distributed unto Robert Melvil and George Strang two Rebell Captains for the well-affected Cause of the Traitor Bothwell His Design taking up a new motive and pretext Justice against the Popish Lords but in truth his Malice and Revenge pretended also for the slaughter of Murray And with him joyned Argile and Arrol to meet at Lieth not without hourly intelligence with the English Ambassadour Zouch who fearing that the Kings foresight had espied his juggling stole away home without biding Bothwel Farewell Whose Cause was cried up advancing from the Borders with four hundred Horse coming to Lieth very early the first of April and this he durst do the King being so near at Edenburgh but meanly guarded and put to it to speak for himself after 〈◊〉 Sermon for the Pulpit would not He passionately tels the People all the stories of Bothwels A●tempts and his Treason now reasoning with the Multitude some suspition of his siding with Papists 〈…〉 of the Lords 〈◊〉 them in ●●inde almost forgotten that he was their 〈◊〉 King and Soveraign and brought it home to their self-conside●●tion if Bothwel should prevail against him what they must expect of the Borderers upon them Much ●do they are moved to arm and to accompany the●r Commander the Lord H●me who lead the Horse and the bold trained Bands march after the Cannon taken out of the Castle to besiege Lieth But Bothwel was removed tow●rds Dalkieth dividing into three Troops Humes Horse followed to obse●●e what course he held whilest the King made a Hal●●t ●t ●orrow●mo●r Bothwels Scouts finding them 〈◊〉 encourage him to turn upon Hume which he did with some advantage being above the others number gave him ●●ace in 〈◊〉 retire which moved some to advise the King to secure himself in the Town Resta●●●g No says the King 〈◊〉 never quit the Field to a Traitor And though in eminent danger stood it still whil●st
Bothwels eager pursuit stumbled his Horse and in the fall bruises him into some per●● that he took the readiest way to Dalkieth for that night and the next morrow dissolves his Troop● Arrol has tidings and does so too the Captains at ●ife take ship and fa●l away And this gave end to his three ●quadrons and leasure to the King by his Ambassadour Lord Colvil to complain to Queen Elizabeth of her Ambassadour Zouch and her harbouring of Bothwel He writes plainly Though she had recommended his Person wise religious and honest yet his ●arriage was more like an Herauld than to be a Messenger in Commission of Pea●e between two neighbour Princes and therefore meeting with his pride and wilfulness he chose his own Emissary to carry this Errand whom he prays the Queen to credit He marvelled the more having received her many Princely promises and Letters not to countenance Bothwel nor his Receivers whilest some of her own Palaces had given him harbour being assisted with English Moneys to levy Scots and English in this his another very late treacherous Attempt To challenge her Princely Honour he did not nor could be confident of her privi●y therein yet considering her prudence and policies he was troubled to finde the insolency of her Subjects to hazard a breach with her nearest Kinsman and therefore leaving it to her self to resolve those doubts he put her in mind of his delivery of Orork the Irish Rebell to her and prays her not to put him in ballance with such a trayterous counterpoise least he be constrained to speak like the Poet Flectere si nequeo superos c. Thus much the letter said the Ambassadour in private assured her Majesty the particular prosecution against the Popish Lords to proscribe their persons and confiscate their Lands And to go through with the work against them and other Romists he craved a supply of monies The Queen had no excuse but to ballance her favour to Bothwell by the slow pursuit the King made against those Papists Henceforth she would cease and for effecting his purpose against them He should not want what was in her power to afford The first she really per●●●rmed and speedily proclamed against Bothwell and no assistance to him through her Borders which the King hartily resented And by his Ambassadors invites the Queen to the Baptism of the Prince his Son and others were sent of the same errand To the King of Denmark the Dukes of Brunswick and Megleburgh and to the general Estates Men enough to one Woman The King so far affected with the Queens Publication against Bothwell that the next Parliament the Scotish Papists are banished by plurality of voices Clergy and Commons whom the Nobles would have spared And Arguile is sent with forces against such as would not submit The Assembly of the Church co●nvene at Edenburgh and direct Commissioners of their own to represent to his Majesty at Sterlin the dangers of the State and to propound the remedies in eleven Articles They lay the ground from the late design of the Spaniard in eighty eight against the whole Island and his correspondence since with the Popish Lords argues his intention the same still and their continuance in Treasonable attempts ever since doth evidence their obstinacy to prosecute the Conspiracy Then the Church layes open how their counsel from time to time was neglected and the enemy incouraged and none greater favourites in Court than Papists naming principal families infected therewith And recko●s up the Popish Lords neglect and scorn of the Act of Oblivion their disobedience not entring their persons to Ward The arriving of the late Spanish Bark at Montross shews that their Practises continue and their open Conventions assure themselves safety besides their preparations of Arms in the North parts And conclude that the cause not being removed the dangerous effects are like to follow The Remedies they propound in eight conclusions That the Popish Lords be forfeited the next Sessions of Parliament And no Papists elected shall sit That they shall be pursued their rents and lands annexed to the Crown without favour That seizure be made of several notorious persons named That none shall relieve them with any Supply or Intelligence That the people should put themselves into arms as a posture of Defence Somwhat was said against the Lord Hume but he appearing was absolved These remedies were well accepted of the King only misliking Subjects to arm without his Warrant And well he might reminding the last years insurrections at the peoples pleasure The King granting theirs offers some conditions for himself hy his Messinger Melvil That the Assembly should inhibit their Ministers irreverent speeches in Pulpit against his Majesty and Council under pain of deprivation And to censure Iohn Ross for his insolency therein The like against Hunter another of theirs● for his open consortship with the late Traytors he being a Minister of Religion against his King of the same faith to the great scandal of the Church The third was to admon●sh their Congregations against Bothwell his treasonable attempts or any other such insurrections against his Majesties person This last was enacted but Ross was only admonished to do so no more and Hunter was pretended to be deposed from his function but they juggled him in again The Parliament adjudged the three Earls and Achindown guilty of the Crimes of Treason their estates forfeited their Escocheons torn by the Herauld as their manner of degrading and excellent Statutes passed for the good of Country and Commons And now begins the Solemnity of Baptism for the Prince in August from England the Earl of Sussex the King of Denmark and Duke of Brunswick and Megleburgh with the free Estates of the Provinces had their Ambassadours there present from the French King came none The manner of Ceremony was thus handsom The Infant was brought into the Queens chamber of Presence laid in a Bed of State The Ambassadours came in and were presented with the Prince first from the Arms of the Countess of Mar to the Duke of Lennox who delivered him to the Earl of Sussex having the principal place of Dignity who bore him to the Chappel being followed with a Noble Train of Lords and Ladies Before them all the Lord Hume carried the Ducall Coronet the Lord Levingston bore the Towell the Lord Seaton the Fontall Bason and the Lord Simple the Laver. Over the English Ambassadour ● Rich Majesterial Canopie supported by four Lairds The Childs Train bore up by the Lords Sinclare and Urquart and a Gu●rd or Lane on each side of the young Noblemen and Gentry of the Nation Being entred the Chappel the King already set and ari●●ing from his Throne receives and salutes the Ambassadours and then the Infant was delivered again to Lenox who reached him to the Nurse and the Estates take their Seats Upon the Kings Right hand a Chair was placed for the French Ambassadour who was not
do and act such and so many particulars in terms and words with such exact particular powers over the rent Gatherers profits and duties of Caves Customs Fishings take them as they are in this order Cole-houses Parks Steadings Fole Coults Orchards of Apples other Fruits Conies Capons Geese Good God what not Then to enterlace these you have the other particulars Money Plate Jewels Mines of Gold Silver Lead Tin Certainly the West-Indie Fleets comes short of such wealth But so the Scots use to accompt of their own And to countenance their pains and care He promiseth verbo Principis not to adjoyn any more and if any did the survivours to give their consent for admition They had authority to revoke disclaim to direct letters of Horning or Outlary Pounding or Caption suertyes and many such like c. These Lords make faith c. to respect his Majesties weal and advance of Revenew without affection or fraud Provided not to be liable to Action for the King seeing they did all without fee. And proclamed at the Market Crosseat Edenburgh Iannuary 1595. The Courtiers were blanck for such must be their reward But they complain as an injury to the Kings honour having little to himself and lesse for the meritt of any Man And to give them more Cause of Complaint They begin to dispose of Places ere they fall ●o the ground David Magill Advocate he is too old and dotes and must admit of one of them till of grief he dies The Master of Glammis somewhat in Arears of his accompts and his deputy Sir Robert Melvil the same must resign their Treasury to the Prior of Blantiere ere they obtain their quieti sunt Richard Cockhorn secretary exchanges it to Lindsey for Privy Seal The collectary Linchclowden given to Elphinston And their President they would Create Chancelor Soft Sirs The King would not These and many more made them Clamored by the Countrey Somewhat they deserved amisse But the fate of favomites and men of Trust they bore the blame of all The Jesuite much troubled to see the State likely to settle into security by the severe proceedings against Papists Whole families Grahams Fentres and others the Lords banished the fewds dissipated and the Ministry in some measure of mildnesse They counsell how to involve both Nations into some design together And to set up A strang medley of Pretenders by protext of several Claims besides the Kings right to the Crown of England For they found by the sad affects to them the birth of the ●rince and likely hood of a numerous issue if Queen Elizabeth failed and the King also it were the same to their successors They devised double wayes Title and Poyson the first was by Title forsooth of the Earl of Essex in England Though no Catholick yet his Ambitious and vain popularity they conceived might quallifie his temper towards Religion being of himself doubtfull in opinion and so his Clemencie would incline to Tolleration if not profession of Catholick They drew his descent from Thomas of Woodstock sonne to Edwarw the 3 And so to be promoted to the people they dedicate a Book to him stiled Dolmans a preist some say written by the Jesuite Persons Cardinall All●● and Iuglefield discourse of legallity and pollicie inchanging hereditary succession 〈◊〉 England by a new devised way of Election only of ● Ro●●●● C●●tholick Ravelling into the History of most English Kings 〈◊〉 be either not Legitimate or rightly uncapable The other Title was of the in●ant of Spain And therein they use their catholick doctrine to make up with monstrous Lies and many 1. From Constance daughter to the Conquerour married to ●●●gat 〈◊〉 of Britag●e though all our Chronicles agree that she died without issue 2. From Eli●or daughter to Henry the 2 married to Alphonsus of Castile 3. And descends from Blanch his daughter 4. From Beatrice daughter of Henry 3 of England 5. From the Portugall family of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Thus much Persons did then And after the Queens death he excuseth it to the King as taking no effect These were devised in case the King should have no issue then in being Whilst the Jesuite Spaniard practiseth by poyson to hasten the Queens death and no lesse than three in the plot Roderick Lopez of the Jewish sectary Physition to her household and of honest repute till infected by Andrada a Portugall and don de Moro a Counceler of Spain with a rich Jewell in hand and fifty thousand Crowns more to impoyson her and this was certified unto Fue●tes and Ibarra secretaries to that King in Flanders by Stephen Ferreira who writ Lopez his letters to them they returned Emanuell Lowise unto Lopez to hasten the plot These circumstances they confessed and were hanged The reason so many Portugalls in a knot shews the time of freedome here for them under some pretence of don Antonio their pretended Prince banisht thence and protected here There followed them to the Gallows Cullen and Irish fencer and York and Williams hired also by Ibarra to kill the Queen Of which she complains to Earnest Arch Duke of Austria Governour in Flanders under the Spaniard that Ibarra●is ●is servant hatcht these treacheries to the Kings dishonour if not by him punished and to have the English and chief complotters Owen Throgmorton Holcot a Iesuite Gefferd and Worthington divines delivered up to her We had of his here in England a fugitive his late secretary Don Antonio perez for some mischief he set on foot in Aragon got away to save his head And to the French King first he revealed all his Masters secrets who finding him of a pregnant wit● and malitious sends him to his Lieger in England to work into some faction or design against Spain And here he was without pention or protection of the Queen for she nor Burgly the Treasurer would not vouchsafe to see him nor did any other give him countenance unlesse the Earl of Essex he did to his cost and used him as an Oracle of Spanish politie sildome from his sight but when it was supplyed with interchange of letters in latine which Essex understood and delighted in his phraze and yet was not glutted with threescore of them whilst he resided here They are extant eztituled Antonii Per●●ii Epis●ol● ad Com. Essexiam Magnatem Angliae They discipher him a buysie intermedler fit fuell for the Earls spirit The French King turned papist as we said thereby winning the affections of his people weakned the faction of the Leagues who also came in to the King and so never left till the Spaniard had took leave of them all Onely those in Bretaign called thither by the Duke of Mercoeur strenghten the Sea Coasts and resolve to stay till by the valour of Norris by land and Martin Forbisher by Sea who though wounded with a shot there returnd victor and died at Plimouth And Norris called home to look after Rebellion
in Ireland There was publick Reports of the Spaniards mighty preparations by sea more then in 88 pretended against Britaign in France which the King of Scotland feared might fall upon him or England or both And therefore musters all his people and secures the Borders from pryvate quarrells of each other or to infringe the peace and Covenant of both Nations so firmly united by Alliance and Religion Language and manners that of late they seemed one But to divert Spains purposes Queen Elizabeth joyns with France who denounces warr against him and is hotly pursued in Luxemburgh and Picardy Where he hath the better Castelet Dorleans and Cambray taken and the French crave more ayd from England or to be forst to make peace with Spain whic● indeed she suspected He being already received conditionally into the blessing of the Pope and conclave These successes hightned the Spaniards to adventure over into England from Bretaign in four Gallyes under Command of Dudrack Brocher and landed betimes in the morning burnt● poor fisher Towns in Cornwall and without losse of any one Englishman stole home again These being the first and last Spaniards that ever in Enmity durst set foot on English ground And this their poor attempt incensed the English to seek him at home that they might feel the different effects of English designs Sir Walter Ralegh Captain of the Queens Guard made an Expedition upon his Territories in America commonly called the Guiana voyage within 8 degrees south of the Aequater He burns some Towns and Cottages and so returns Sir Amias Preston and Sir Georg Summers also sack and burn the Towns of the Isle of Puerto sant● neer Maedera and Coche neer Margereta Coro and the City Iago de Lion but took money to spare Cumena Hawkins Drake Baskervile with 6 of the Queens ships and 20 other Men of warr fire some Towns in the Isle Dominica in the West Indies and others upon the continent But the event of that voyage Hawkins and Drake died of sicknesse and home came the Company poor enough for any Pillage so we return to our Scots story This new year some time sets variance between both Realms The Lord Scroop for the West Marches of England and the Laird of Backlugh for the charge of Liddesdale design a Day of Truce to treat of disorders and the meeting even at the Brook that divides both nations Mr. Salcallk was Deputy for Scroop and Robert Scot for Backlugh and having met friendly and composed some differences they parted At their meeting was Armstrong nick-named Will of Kinmouth a notorious Thief for the Scots he returning home was set upon by some English and after four miles chase brought him Prisoner to Salcallk and so to the Castle of Carlile The Truce was broken being accounted evermore from the hour of Treaty till next day Sun-rise and the Prisoner is demanded But Scroop refused unless by order from the Queen and Council The man being a notorious Malefactor and Backlugh was modest not to make many words ere he procured Bowes the English Resident to write to Scroop for his inlargement which not taking effect the King writes to the Queen nor that neither Backlugh engaged in honour to the King and his own right of Trust Plots the Prisoners Release this Way The Castle of Carlisle was surprizable and in particular at the Postern-Gate the measure of the height he had and there he meant to scale or break through the weakness of the Wall by Engines and so to force the Gates Thus resolved he drew up two hundred horse to Mortons Tower ten miles from Carlisle neer Sun-set he forded the River Es● and two hours before day he passed Eden beneath Carlile●bridge ●bridge and so came to Sarcery a plain under the Castle And making halt under Cadage Bourn he dismounted fourscore of his company but his Ladders too short his men fell to mining and himself retiring to the rest to secure those which might enter against any eruption from the Town In fine the Breach opened entrance to single men who brake through the Postern-Gate for the rest The watch awaked and made some resistance but were soon seized into Guard and afterwards the Prisoner freed The sign being forthwith given by sound of a Trumpet a signal to the Souldiers without that the enterprize was effected within My Lord Scroop and Salcalk were in the Castle to whom the Scots gave the good night and so parted This Surprize was handsomely mannaged having order from Backlugh to break open no door but the Prisoners Ward nor did they do any more prejudice though the Governour and Castle became under their power Being got out their Prisoners were returned The Town took the allarm and all in posture of war but Ba●klugh came back as he went to his own quarters two hours before Sun-set the thirteenth of April 1596. a quick and resolute design performed with civillity and honour which troubled the English to be out-done nobly in any Attempts For a Prisoner to be forced out of a strong Castle of Defence so far within England and so handsomely troubled the whole State of England And Bowes the Ambassadour had post order to aggravate the fact as a breach of peace unless Backlugh were delivered to the Queens pleasure Backlugh having done this gallant work maintained his defence as discretly That he marched not with design against any the Queens holds or in wrong to any of her Subjects but to relieve a Prisoner unlawfully surprized and illegally detained being seized in the day of Truce nor did he a●tempt his Relief until redress was refused And the sober 〈◊〉 civil prosecution he was confident would be justified according to the antient Treaties of both Realms when mutual injuries were referred to Commissioners as both their Majesties should appoint to whom most humbly he doth submit This not satisfactory the Queens displeasure took some time to consider until a moneth after it was remitted to Commissioners The King stood upon Justice and the rather against the Lord Scroop for the injury committed by his Deputy And in truth and reason it was less courtesie to take a Prisoner than to relieve him unlawfully taken Yet all would not serve the Borderers make inroades upon each other the English worsted in all till King Iames out of complement to his Kinswoman grown old and peev●sh 〈◊〉 content to moderate her passion by yielding unto the imprisonment of Backlugh to Saint Andrews and then conveyed to England more for form than guilt of punishment and so sent home again The Isles were up a petty Rebellion naked cold and hunger soon suppressed themselves yet in fear of Spanish Invasion or a Receptacle ●or Revolters a thousand men were levyed under Col. Stuart for fourty daies the custome to assist the King upon which the chiefs submit and give caution to compeer before the King And as there was too frequent cause by these
Ministers in prudence to make address to his Majesty and to understand his displeasure and also to offer on their parts terms of satisfaction and so modestly and mannerly to lay open the Grievances and to offer means of redress Somewhat they did not as they were advised or ought to have done The King tells them There could be no agreement till bounds of Marches are designed ●or reconcilement till Iurisdictions are distinguished Their preachings censured Councils of State They convocate General Assemblies without him or his Warrant and conclude as they please without his consent They meddle with all matters in their Synods Presbyteries and Sessions and under colour of scandals usurp that Notion to offend in all Besides he could sum up several sorts of their disorders which would take up time their own guilt should study means to amend otherwise things may become remediless neither to agree nor to last long without But to come to their points what could it be to kindle such fires and fears The Kings favour to the Popish Lords at Falkland and confirmed at Dunferlin His countenance to the Countess of Huntley what● that She is invited to the Princess baptism The Education of the Princess to the Lady Levingston a Papist And to smooth all they condescended to say They were sorry for his Majesties displeasure The last he took up first That their abusive Sermons had given him in particular just cause To the Popish Lords what he granted was by General Convention and consent of Estates as needful for peace to the Realm The Lady Huntley was discreet and deserved more and that she is a Papist they are too blame that never taught her the Truth The Princess is intrusted to the Wisdome and Government of the Lord Levingston not to his Lady he to command she to conform Good God! their History of the Kirk stories many and many such Medlings which I forbear to mention By these and the like may be measured out their malice pride vanity and their cunning to colour all with conscience and zeal of Truth But it becomes dangerous Mr. David Blake Minister of St. Andrews rails in his Sermon against the King Council and Session of Estates and called the Queen of England by name an Atheist of no Religion Bowes the Ambassadour complains and Blake is cited before the Council Melvil meets him and makes it the common cause as a preparative against all to bring down the doctrine of Christ under the censure of the King and Councel And so far was it plotted with the Council of the Church that they desert the day of his Diet or appearing That it would be ill taken to question Ministers upon trifling delations When as the Enemies of Iesus Christ were spared and protected Telling the King who was descended to shew them Huntleys condition That both he and the rest should either satisfy the Church in every point or be pursued with Extremity and so no cause to complain of their oversight of Papists And though the Articles were framed and Printed satisfactory to all Yet they Publish That Papists were favoured the Ministers rebuked for siding against sin And that the Scepter of Christ was sought to be overthrown And if Master Blake should submit his doctrine to the triall of the Council the liberties of Church and spirrituall Government of Gods House be quite subverted And by all means a Declinator is designed to protest against such proceedings And in this fire of zeal in opposition to better Councell They answered that the cause of God concern'd them to withstand all future hazards It was trusted to Blake himself to present in presence of the King I know not whether prudentiall in me to suppresse it for fear of evil President But that it is a record Take it in the Breef That howbeit his innocent conscience maintained him sufficient against the Calumnies of whomsoever and that he was able and ready to defend his doctrine uttered in opening the words or application i● matter Yet seeing he was convened before the King and his Council to be judged for his doctrine and that his answering might be suspected a submission and so imputed a prejudice to the Churches liberties and to be taken as an acknowledgment of the Kings jurisdiction in matters spirituall He was constrained to decline that judicature First because the Lord Jesus Christ of whom we had the grace of his calling had given him his word for a rule to his Preaching And that he could not fall in reference of any Civill Law but so farr as he should be tryed to pass his instructions Which tryal belonged only to the Prophets and Pastors the spirits of the Prophets being subject to them alone c. Secondly in regard the liberties of the Church and discipline were confirmed by sundry Acts of Parliament and the Preachers office bearers thereof peaceably possessed therein perticularly in the indicature of the word He ought to be remitted to the Ecclesiastick Senate as the only compitent Iudges For which and other weighty consideracons inconveniences to Religion the State and Nation and to the King himself by the appearance of destraction and Alienation of his mind from the Ministery and the cause of God in their hands He for himself and in Name of the Commissioners of the generall Assembly who had s●bscribed this Declinator Besought that the Church of God might receive no diminution but rather manifest care to maintain the same The diet came and he required to make answer Said That albeit he might object against the Citation it being directed Super Inquirendis contrary to form yet he would take himself to the remedy of Law and to be remitted to his own Ordenary Being asked whom he meant He answered the Presbytery where the doctrine was taught The King told him the matters charged were civill and that the Summons had reference to the particular letter of the English Ambassadour He replyed that speeches in the Pulpit must be judged by the Church in prima instantia Being asked whether the King might not judg of facts of Treason as well as the Church did matters of Heresie That whether speeches in the Pulpit though but pretended Treasonable could not be judged by the King till the Church had remitted thereof But he answered That he was not come thither to resolve questions and so offered his Declinator The King not able to amend what was amiss meant to work it otherwise by remitting of further proceedings to Nov. 30. Mean while the Commissioners send copies of all transactions to the several Presbyteries requiring them for Corroboration to confirm the same by their subscriptions To commend their doing as the cause of God in publick fasts and Humilliation for the sins of the Nation by prayer and preaching The meaning thereby was to tell the stories to the people for maintenance of this their ill manners And which the King interpreted a direction to dangerous Mutenie and future
colour of doctrine to stir up sedition no good man will grant If Treason and sedition be crimes punishable much more comitted in the Pulpit where the word of truth only should be taught I am not ignorant what France of late and England formerly have suffered by the violence of such spirits And I may not indure it Hereupon the Church finding the King resolved desire some Declaration to be made to the people in favour of Church Assemblies which they feared was hereby of late somewhat weakned which the King assented unto and it was accordingly published to give finall conclusion to these differences Blake was required only to acknowledg his offence to Queen Ann. And to be pardoned of all This he would not do and was therefore sentenced To have falsely s●andered and treasonably calumniated the Kings Majesty his consort the Queen his Neighbour Princesse the Queen of England the Lords of the Council and Session and that till his Majesties further pleasure he should be confined beyond the North water enter ward within six dayes and Ten daies more were taken up to decide these differences and the King condiscends to lesser submissions than before But the Commissioners refuse to agree to any censure of Master Blake as not done by the proper Iudg. And so they ordain a fast and pray and preach complaints of wrong done to the Kingdom of Christ. The King on his part made the grounds of his displeasure known to his people by Decla●ation setting forth particulars of the last Transactions Ordaining all Ministers to subscribe their obedience to his Majesty and to set their hands to the bonds presented to them to that effect under pain of sequestring their rents and stipends till they submitted Blake to go to ward and the Commissioners to remove out of Town They increase Aspersions upon the King who willingly would have recalled these sentences and Publications and some Ministers were treated therein till a scandalous Letter was devised and sent by under hand advise that Huntley had private reception by the King over night and caused the charge against the Ministers Balcanqual takes his text out of the Canticles and so to present the troubles of the Church relates the late proceedings which he calls treacherous forms of the Council naming particular officers The President and Controuler and Advocate with reproachfull raylings and concludes to advise the Barons and Nobles to meet in the little Church for assisting the ministry From them came a petition to the King in behalf of his Ministers and presented to him in the uper house of session with complaints uttered by Bruce of all which had passed The King declining the petition and remonstrance asked who they were that durst convene against his proclomation The Lord Lindsey passionatly replied That they durst do more than so and would not ind●re destruction of Religion Numbers of people thronging into the Room the King removed the people seduced by Lindsey and others some said arm others called out to bring forth Haman others cry'd out the sword of the Lord and Gideon And with much adoe to appease the peoples rage at they knew not what The Lords and Ministers meet propose Articles to the King and whilst they design who shall present them each one refusing The King and Councel remove out of Edenburgh into Linlithgow Ordering a Proclamation to signifie the reasons of this departure the Town being unsafe for his person and Council and unfit for the administration of justice by the late in sufferable Tumults commanding all Lords of session Commissioners c. and their Deputies to remove out of the Town of Edenburgh and be in redinesse to that place they should be after assigned And the Noblemen and Barons to withdraw to their own Houses and not to covene or Assemble under pain of the Kings displeasure The City is amazed with these proceedings not knowing what to do or whom to trust unto The Ministers night and day restlesse to get subscriptions and to covenant to call in certain Noblemen of note Hamelton Backlugh and others Fast and pray and preach what stuffe best befits their projects one amongst many others Iohn Welch takes his theam the Epistle sent to the Angel of the Church of Ephesus rayl'd against the King who he said was possessed of a Divel and one Divel the King put out seven worse are entred in That the Subjects might lawfully rise and take the sword out of his hand by example saies he Of a father faln into frenzie might be bound hand and foot by his family from doing mischief Yet this execrable doctrine was received by some nay they preach that the Earl Arrol had come to the Ferry with four hundred horse the day of Tumult but the rising of the people as a providence of God for good scattered his forces in fear of the Town so prepared And being Masters of all they undertake to send Messengers to the Earl Hamelton with letters that the people animated by motion of Gods spirit had taken Arms with the patronage of such Godly well affected Noblemen and Brethren then at Edenburgh for the cause of God Only they wanted a Head an especial Nobleman to countenance their cause And having made chioce of him they invite him to Edenburgh with all convenient speed and thereby to signifie his affection and to accept the honor which the Church of God had offered unto him It was writ and subscribed by Bruce and Balcanquall and sent to Hamelton who receives the Messenger with all shew of kindness and seems to prepare his journey for Edenburgh but by the way better advised he turns to Linlithgow and presents the King with the letter who wondered at the modesty of the man accounted more ambitious than to neglect such a rise to tempt his humour by whom had the letter taken effect it might have caused strang Rebellions when the Church had begun to act their part with so much power a bloody issue alwaies following the pretended zeal for Religion as the most part of Christendom have felt the miserable effects and great Britain most of all The insurrection and letter made work for speedy Counsel to act for the King and the Provost had order for imprisoning the Ministers who got loose and fled to New Castle in England The Town send Commissioners to purge themselves protesting their Innocenc●e and offer their obedience for repairing the indignity and dishonor done to the King but served not for their purgation for the next day the Tumult was by the Counsel declared Treason and the devisers Actors and Partakers to be Traytors Edenburgh smarted for all the inhabitants in fear of desolation the law-Courts removed to Lith the Session to Perth the Ministers fled the Magistrates dispised and all men without the walls their enemies And again most humbly supplicate the King with the best excuse for themselves The King told them that he would proceed with them
contrary to what they did to him by form of law not by violence and that the estates should meet in the same place where the dishonor was done to him for their tryal and punishment The day before the convention The keys of the Town submitted to the Kings officer a guard of the Kings forces ranged the streets and the Citizens disarmed are commanded to keep within doors the charge of the Town given to the Earl Marre Lord Seaton and Uchiltry Thus prepared the King enters with a train of Nobles alights at the Talbooth where the Estates did meet The Provost Sir Alexander Hume with the Baliffs and numbers of the City fall down on their knees and to pacifie the King most humbly propose To purge themselves of the Tumult by oath before the Council having made diligent search for the Authors a●d would proceed to inquire or to a●sist any other officers therein They promise never to admit of those Ministers pronounced Rebells without his Majesties command nor ever to receive any hereafter but at the Kings pleasure and not to elect annual Majestrates without the Kings approbation and to accept others whom the King would present And in all or any other manner to submit as his Majesty shall ordain under protest that they take not upon them the crime of the Tumult See the effects of Rebellion in general if they succeed not advance the Soveraign so did this The insurrection proceeding from the Ministers their Ecclesiastick Jurisdiction submits alwaies after to the Kings authority In these stories of Bruce before and Blake now the grand Incendiaries of their Riot it appears how patiently the King proceeded if possibly to have confirmed them and to have secured his Prerogative with their priviledges which he could never procure from them without this oversight of their own Besides how submiss are the Lay subjects now and how high grows the King and his Counsellors Advice is offered to raze the Town and erect a Pillar of repentance a Monument of their misery caused by their insolencie and this their punishment Others were lesse mild but all for condign marks of revenge to teach others their duties for the time to come Nay Bowes the English Ambassadour was out and in and in and out with his policies he liked well to imbroile the State but not to allow advantage to the King for by the faction of the Brethren all the designs of England were managed and reciprocall assistance from them to ballance their quarrels at home and therefore Queen Elizabeth writes to the King her advice fearing belike too much pressing upon the Ministry according to their merrit My Dear Brother If a rare accident and ill welcomed News had not broken my long silence I had not used Pen-speech as being carefull of your quiet and mindfull of your safety To omit the expressing of both by letting you know how untimely I take this new begun phrenzie that may urge you to take such a course as may bring into opinion the veryfying of such a scandal as you avowed to me to be farr from your thoughts In this sort I mean it some members of the Church with their Companies have over-audatiously imboldned themselves to redress some injurious acts that they feared might overthrow their profession which I grant no King for the manner ought to bear with yet at the instant when the new banisht Lords returned and they seem to be wincked at without restraint and the spring time going on when promised succor is neer hand together with many letters from Rome elswhere which tel the names of men authorised by you they say though I hope falsely to assure your conformity as time may serve you to establish the dangerous party and fail your own I wail in unfeigned sort that any just cause should be given you to call in doubt so disguised acts and hope that you will so try this cause as that it harm you not though it ruine them Of this you may be sure that if you make your strength of so sanday a foundation as to call to your aid such as be not of your flock when as the one side be foolish rash head-strong and brain-sick yet such as may defend you having no sure anchorage for themselves if you fail them and the others who have other props to sustain them though they lack you yea such as though your private love to their persons may invegle your eyes not to pierce the depth of their treason yet it is well known that their many petitions for foraign a●d might have tended to your perril and Countries wrack for seldome comes a stranger to a weaker soil that thralleth not the possessor or indangereth him at least I trust you think no less or else they must justifie themselves to condemn you for without your displeasure not feared for such a fact no answer can shield them from blame Now to aver my folly in seeming buysie in anothers affairs I suppose you will not mislike since the source of all is the care of your good to desire that nought be done that may imbolden the Enemie decrease your love and indanger your securety This is in summe the line whereto I tend and God I beseech to direct your heart in such sort as you please not your worst Subjects but make all know in a measure what is fit for them and make difference between error and malice So God bless you with a true thought of her that means you best Your most affectionate SISTER Elizabeth Reg. The Queen suspected that the King would have given extream punishment according to the fact and so highten their adverse enemy the Papists whose cause she urgeth as more guilty to ballance them both with mercy not malice This moderate Council it appears by the Kings former proceedings he intended rather a mind to paliate than to urge the occasion of greater diferences And accordingly no farther prosecution was made only to pursue the Town criminally and to appear at Perth February next And the Octavians not agreeing amongst themselves gave over their Commission of Exchequer into his Majesties hand fearing belike in this time of examination and purging defection they might come to a troublesome accompt though generally they gained repute of faithfull Stewards of the Kings treasure The King finding the Church affairs fall into his own hands rectifies the abuses crep in sates one amongst their articles of discipline I cannot say so they were so framed and formed from the first every day proceeding absurdities not disputed how resonable or religious but as they made for their advantage so were they ordained and obeyed And therefore a National Assembly is appointed at Perth must regulate all to treat and determine the bounds and excercise of the spiritual Jurisdiction Articles being drawn up and printed for to enter upon consideration with this Preface of the King He takes God the searcher of all hearts to record That his intentions are not
Auxilliaries and to be paid some part of their dept to her lendings These promise to ease the Queen of her fourty thousand pound per annum that shortly they would pay her twenty thousand pounds part of their dept and not enter into league with any without her consent and after a peace with Spain they would pay her a hundred thousand pounds yearly for four years the full dept humbly imploring four thousand men and to be raced out of her accounts for all by past To which she consented least by her neglect they should be inforced to disjoynt their Confederacie with her and rejoice their common Enemy Against whom she was rigging a Navy and would have thirty of their ships to adjoyn and so they pieced again Her Rebells in Ireland increased to 1000 horse 6280 foot in ●lster 2300 in Connaugh all at Tirones beck wherefore she sends over Narris to assist her Deputy in equal power A marvail to many a too headed Government being monstrous in policie as well as in Nature so that crafty Tyrone treats with Norris and gets Truce for a time who suttly took leasure to hatch and plot greater mischief The spring time begets a Treaty with the Queens Commissioners sent over to Ireland to receive the Rebells complaints They desire free ●se of their romish Religion and enjoyment of their lands Ecclesiastical and others upon reasonable annual payments all which the Commissioners counterpoyze with conditions more strickt for them to submit which they refuse bu● between them both they continue Truce tell April after Which time the Queen took to consider and Tyrone secretly to deal with the Spaniard for a compleat Army to their succour The Duke of Parmadead Albert Arch-Duke of Austria and Cardinal succeeds him Governour for the Spaniard in Flanders and to credit his new-come Authority usually with Commanders he prepares fresh forces on the sudden beseiges Calis and takes it from the French The Queen startled at the report of the Cannon which she heard into the Chappel at Green-wich ere she knew from whence But then afraid to perrish in her Neighbours fires raises an Army and a Navy of 140 ships 18 of her own 22 of the Dutch the rest for necessary service and 6360 souldiers Volunteers 1000 Mariners 6722. The Lord Admiral Howard Commander in cheif at Sea The Earl of Essex by land their design was against the Enemies ships or provision of amunition rumored to be sent against England Scotland and Ireland of greater power then in 88 and to land upon some of the Coasts and Towns She thought in piety to pray for success and that God might not be mocked with several bablings as the fancie should affect and now newly in fashion to form it ex tempore she prescribed them therefore the manner that the world also should be witness of the true ground of her publick Actions Most omnipotent God that searchest and fadomest the secret conceits of the heart and in them the true Originalls of our actions intended Thou knowest that no malice of revenge nor quittance of injuries no desire of blood nor lucre of gain hath bred in us a resolution now to set out our Armie but a h●edful care and wary watch that no neglect of the Enemie nor security of our selves might breed danger in us or glory to them these being our grounds we humbly beseech the to prosper the work and with the best fair winds guide our Navy and if it be thy will speed us with victory and the end to thy glory thou the same and we peace to the people and on all sides spare the blood of thine for they are pretious To these petitions grant thy blessings for the merrits of Christ Amen In those daies they prayed so and people understood it It was a wonder whether they went for themselves knew not till at the hight of cape Saint Vincent they opened the Commission which commanded them for Cadiz the sowth of Spain and mouth of the Straits They take the City burn and sack the Iland and ships The loss to the Enemy valued twenty millions of ducats of eight shillings sterlin money And Essex having Knighted sixty Gallants with honor and every man inriched with spoile they return this success set up Essex into a ranting vain not to be moderated with any Counsel His extravagant designes by the way homewards not to return so soon till he had done somewhat more famous An observation of pride and ambition then set that mark on him that lasted to his last breath To repair these losses Spain riggs a great Navy at Lisbone designed for the West of England and Ireland which by storm were seperated and many shipwrackt the rest return And now it was time for England and France to fortyfie their former League and for Queen Elizabeth to send thither 2000 foot into Picardie These were times of Action and Honor and because no place circumscribes valour An English Noble man Thomas Arundel of Wardour for his service in Hungary against the Turk is created by the Emperour Earl of the holy Empire and to his Successors male or female and have place and voice at the Emperial Diets and free Denizens From whence arises a question of their use and precedency at home The defence may be from Presidents Henry the third of England allowed it to Mohume created Earl of Somerset by the Pope Henry the eight did so by Curson whom the Emperour made Earl of the holy Empire In Scotland Earl Dowglas had the title of Duke of Tours from the French King and so had John Stuart the Earldom of D'Everux The Exceptions are more ancient No man being a Citizen of Rome could accept freedom elsewhere Pompeyus Atticus refused therefore to be of Athens In Venice and Genoa No man may receive dignity either Spiritual or Temporal from any forraign Prince for which he is suspected and suspended all office at home And indeed the Earls of the Empire are too common to have precedencie or value abroad And for the Scots their Kings coat of Arms engralles them with their fl●wr'd Lis and so under tuition Valerian the Emperour said let that only be Honor which we create Queen Elizabeths censure was this That as a wife should dedepend on the man so a subject to receive no love tokens but ftom his Sovereign she knowes not her own sheep by anothers brand nor willing they should obey a strangers whistle Indeed Nobilitas is derived of Nosco to know Vir Nobilis idem est quod nolus per Omnia But our Law doth prohibit any Subject of this Nation to receive Titles of Honor or dignity of the gift or donation of a forraign Prince it being belonging to the State of this Nation est ius Majestatis inter insignia summae potestatis vide Cook 7 part And if such a man bring an Action and the writ be so stiled the defendant may plead
Abatement of his writ Nor shall any Nobleman of any other Nation hold plea in England by his name of dignity but only by his name of baptisme and Sùrname Cook 7. part Nay though he mary in England and have issue here the Father dying his Son shall not bear titles of his Fathers Honour because the title had original by a forein Prince and not by English Peerage Nay a more strange case A Postnatus of Scotland or Ireland who is a natural Subject of this Land be he the Heir of a Nobleman yet he is none of the Nobility of England But if the King summon him by writ to Parliament and therein stiled by that foraign Title then from thenceforth he is a Peer of England 39 Edw. 3 36. But more and worthy observance A Knight of any foreign Nation shall be so named in all our Courts of Pleas for the highest and lowest dignities are universal 26 Edward 4 39 Edward 3. And so shall any foraign King be sued here by his Title otherwise the writ shall abate for observe the person of a foraign King shall be here impleaded for debt or trespass of life so an Ambassadour Pardon this digression and now we return to Scotland The King grants a Commissi●n to certain persons to see conditions performed by the Popish Lords in reference of their obedience to the Church and for them also to subscribe to conditions for peace and quietness to the King and Country under caution of 20000. And in particular for Huntley to be advised by some Lords assigned to counsel him especially concerning the Kings service But to prevent the Kings publick intentions comes over from foraign parts one Iames Gourdon with designes of Treason and to deterr Huntley from subscribing against him was publisht a Proclamation and a thousand Crowns to apprehend him At which time there was discovered a practi●e of surprizeing the Isle of Elsay in the West Seas for receiving forces resolved upon by the Spaniard to be sent thither The contriv●r of this design was Barklay the Laird of Ladyland who had escaped out of Glascow prison last year and now returned from Spain and was secretly gotten to this Isle being a high rock four miles compass and thereon an invincible Tower somewhat ruinate of difficult access which he meant to victual But was sodainly surprized by one Knox who landing on the shore Barklay was walking down the Hill to take view of the Company not mistrusting to be known And finding that he was thus betrayed ran into the sea and drownded himself The news whereof comming to the Popish Lords made them the sooner conform which they did forthwith The King thus inabled to command ordains several Commissioners to reduce such families in the North that were in fewds particularly these between Huntley and Murray as you have heard Huntley and Forbes Arrol and Ladwhern Drum Frendraught men of considerable fortunes and fewds so that the North was cleared and quiet And now the King reminds the late behaviour of the Malapart Minister Blake who was couvented before Commissioners at Saint Andrews his Church concerning his Treasonable speeches in his former Sermon whereof he had been convicted before the Council and was now further accused as wondrous factious and so condemned and turn'd out of all And thus visitations being made through all Churches and Presbyteries a strange reformation followed both there and in the University and not only Inquisition of their Doctrines and behaviour therein but also concerning the Managment of Lectures Offices Revenues Rents all out of order untill this blessed way of altering all for good But more especially in the Colledges in place of divinity Readings Politick questions were raised whether the Election or succession of Kings were the better Government How farr the regall power extended whether Kings may not be censured for abusing the same and deposed by the people The King therefore prescribes the professors their Theam The first Master to read the common places to the Students with the Law and History of the Bible The second Master to read the New Testament The third the Prophets Ec●lesiastes and Canticles The fourth the Hebrew Grammer with the Psalms Proverbs and the book of Iob. A Council appointed for the Universitie and that for their better improvement and studies the Doctors Professors and Regents not being pastors should be exempted from Church-meetings Sessions Presbyteries and Assemblies these Orders and Articles assented and sworn unto in presence of the King And being Northward where pittifull ignorance possesses the common people Amongst many one Margeret Attkin apprehended upon suspition of witchcraft and threatned with Torture confessed her trade and discovering her associates to purge the Country of all if she might have but pardon she gave her reason to be assured of their guilt all of that sort having a secret mark in their eyes by which she could certainly discover them to be witches and had by deceipt the Devil also assisting gotten credit and belief and so carried through the Country for discovery of others and divers innocent women by her asseveration at Glasgow through the ignorant simplicitie of Master Iohn Cooper Minister were put to death But some wiser than the rest altered the women into other habits whom she would then acquit and so she was sent back to Fife her first aboad and then hanged But belying her self in what she had confessed she was by some supposed not guilty and the King was moved to recall the Commission which authorized proceedings against such seducers And yet the fearfull abounding of these detestable slaves to the Divel moved the King to dispatch hastily a Treatise to the press of Doemonologie in form of a Dialogue and devided into three books 1. The discription of Magi in special 2. The discription of sorceries and witch●raft in special 3. The discription of all these kind of spirits that trouble men or women and the conclusion Against the damnable opinions of two principally in that age One Scot an English man who denies in print such a thing as witchcraft and so maintains the old error of the Saduces in denying of spirits The other of Wierus a Germain Physitian in his publick Apologie for all witchcraft discovering thereby himself to have been one of them The Kings indeavour is to prove two things That there have been and are such devilish Arts and secondly what exact tryal and severe punishment they merit And reasoning upon Genus he leaves species differentia to be comprehended therein for example In the first book Chap. 6. speaking of the power of Magicians He saies that they can suddenly by their spirits cause to be brought all kinds of delicacies since as a thief he delights to steal and as a spirit subtilly transports them under which Genus all particulars may be comprehended as bringing wine out of a wall c. proved by reasons of the general In the second book● Chap. 5
had a father whose blood calls for revenge you shall die minting to the K. heart with the dagger The King amazed deals gently with his fury excuses himself from the guilt of his death by his then Infancie advising him not to lay violent hands on the sacred person of his Annoynted Soveraign especially in a cause of his innocencie pleading the lawes of God and Man and his merits by restoring your brother in blood and honors by breeding your Sister the neerest in the Queens affection and by his reception of his Bedchamber withall promising pardon of all that is past And which wrought so much upon Alexander for the present that he leaves the King in custody of Henderson until he returns from his brother having taken oath of the King not to stir nor cry out and so locks them in Alexander gone Henderson trembles with reverence of his Soveraign and craves pardon the King works upon his passion and asks him what he was who answered a servant of the Earls and wilt thou kill me he replyed with an oath himself would sooner die Presently Alexander enters with a Garter in his hand and saies Sir there is no remedy by God you must dye and strives to bind him Nay saies the King I was born free and will not be bound and struggling together Alexander got the Kings head under his arm and his hand upon his mouth which the King bit by the thumb and dragging him to the window bade Henderson open it The King cried out into a back Court where the Duke the Earl of Mar and others were in pursute of him who was rumoured to be gone out the back way into the Park At the cry of Treason and known to be the King they hastened to the Chamber where he dined but no entrance was found The while Iohn Ramsey formerly the Kings Page and now Groom of the Bed-chamber with Sir Thomas Erskin also sought counter to get up by the Turn-Pike back-stairs directed thither by a Boy of the House who saw Alexander ascend that way and forcing one Door findes them panting Ramsey casts off his Hawk from his fist draws out his Fauchion and wounds him deadly in the belly being bid to strike low for the King found him armed with a Male. And the instant comes in Sir Thomas Erskin Doctor Herres and one Wilson and by them was the body dispatcht whilest Henderson slipt away When they soon suspected by the noise of unlocking Doors that Gowry himself might assail them advising the King to withdraw into the Lobby they cast the Kings Coat upon the dead body The Earl enters by his double Keys with seven servants the fore-way and his Case of Rapiers his usual Weapon ready drawn to whom Erskin earnestly said to divert him from his purpose What do you mean my Lord The King is killed and points to his brothers covered body bleeding on the ground At which Gowry stops sinking the points of his weapons when suddenly Herres assails him with his rusty sword Ramsey steps in and strikes him to the heart not so soon but that the Earl thrust him into the thigh assisted by Cranston who hurt Erskin and Herres in the hand and they him through his body who lived onely long enough to be hanged and quartered And forthwith came up all the Lords the Court and Townsmen After thanks to God for this mercy they surveyed Gowries body which did not bleed untill a Parchment was taken out of his bosom with Characters and these Letters which put together made TETRAGRAMMATON having been told His Bloud should not spill whilest he had that Spell Being thus deceived by the Devil he thought he should not die untill he had power and rule which he had of the King and so suffered by the Sword There remained in Scotland one younger son two other brothers being fled of that House then a childe and was from that time imprisoned by Act of Parliament and so continued afterwards in the Tower of London untill this Kings death and the grace of the late King Charls restored him to liberty with a small Pension which kept him like a Gentleman to these times but now failing he walks the streets poor but well experienced in Chymical Physick and in other parts of Learning which he got whilest he lost his liberty Not long after Herres well rewarded dies Ramsey hath the honour of Knighthood with additional bearing of his Coat of Arms A Hand holding forth a Dagger mounted proper peircing a bloudy Heart the point crowned Emperial with this Motto Haec dextra vindex Principis Patriae Not without increase of Wealth and Honour to his Death Sir Thomas Erskin afterwards created Earl of Kelly and by degrees Knight of the Gart●r Captain of the Kings Guard and Groom of the Stool Henderson had a large Pension confirmed by Act of Parliament and died not long since The Commemoration hereof was advisedly se●tled by Act of Parliament the Anniversary Feast-day of the fifth of August solemnized to Gods glory during this Kings life and Narratives in print in Scotland and England of all these circumstances which I have to produce as also several Examinations taken at Fawkland this year viz. Iames Weyms of Bogye William Rynde and Andrew Henderson the very man assigned to murder the King whose Examination onely I thought good to insert Fawkland 20th August 1600. In presence of the Lord Chancellour Lord Treasurer Advocate Controuler Sir George Hewme and Sir Iames Methold viz. That the Earl Gowry at St. Iohnstons appointed this Deponent Henderson over night to ride with his Brothers Alexander and Andrew Ruthen to Falkland the next morn who came all together thither at seven of the clock Alexander presently spake with the King in private as he gat on hors-back and instantly commanded this Deponent to ride with all possible speed to the Earl whom he found at St. Iohnstons in his chamber at ten of the clock and told him that the King would be there by noon The Earl presently with-draws into his Cabinet demands How his Majesty took with his Brother This Deponent said Very well for the King clipt him about the shoulder The Earl asked if there were many with the King and what special persons He answered The usual number and the Duke of Lenox And that within an hour after the Earl commanded this Deponent to put on his secret plate-sleeves saying He had an High-land man to take That about one a clock the Earl being at Dinner Andrew Ruthen came from Alexander and whispered to the Earl and presently after came Alexander and William Bloir and took the Earl from his Dinner and sent for his Gantlet and Steel-Bonnet and then the King came in That Alexander bids this Deponent fetch the Keys of the chambers from William Reynd and so both went up the stairs but afterwards Thomas Cranston required this Deponent to come to the
consult for peace with Spain being invited by the Arch-Duke Albert lately returned to Bruxell with his Bride the Infanta And inclusive he knew the better how to condition with the Dutch to save charges of his warre there convey home safe his Indies Fleets so at last grow infinite rich By which the English would neglect their navylodg in peace lazy and wealthy discontinue warre the easier hereafter to be soon invaded The Queen old and weary of warre very willing to make peace within her self and outward with all the world leaves the motion to the Fr●nch Kings managing for time and place of meeting He appoints May the time and Boulen the place For the Queen came Henry Nevil her Lieger there her new Secretary Herbert Beal Secretary in the North and Edmonds her French Secretary For Spain came Don Balthasar domine de Zuniga Fonseca the prolixity of whose Name strecht out like a Cable sayes little Nevil is longer than I am his Lieger in the low Countries Ferdinando Corel a Counciller of Castile And for Albert came Ricardot and Verskenie And must not these men quarrel for Precedencie as before Anno 1598. at Vervin ● They did so now and did nothing else but quarrel the peace By which means they were the better known for the arrand of the English which was first to stand upon punctilios of place but not altogether before profit or else by ca●ting lotts Then not to be cousened into any kindness for the Low-Countries traffick Nor in the trade to the Indies but to be free as in 1591. general freedom to all places of Charles the fifth But then if Spain hath the place let him lose the advantage and propound first He inviting the Treaty Copies of their Delegation being given to each other they now differ about Title Most Illustrious she gave to the Arch-Duke but he clames to be Most Puissant as descended from sacred Emperours and he son in Law and Brother to the King of Spain The English Answer Kings have no more difference from an Arch-Duke And Arch-Duke Philip father to Charles the fifth had no more from Henry the eighth But then say they those times afforded no more unto Henry himself The English found fault with them The very Form of the Delegat●on to be wanting and ob●curely Intermixing other Commissar●es an● made up only with a Privy Signet when theirs was with the Broad Seal of England Nor does their King ratifie what ere shall be concluded They Answer to all Par trattar y hazar trattar in Spanish comprehends all formall subdelegation That in Spain no such distinction of seals Private and Broad This being yo el Rey the Kings own hand in presence of his Secretary with the publick seal And by Estar y passar y ●stare y passare all warrants fil'd Then they meet as yet but by papers the English demand priority as if Le premier demandeur estoit le vancuer A Challenge say they never presumed upon before nor equality yielded Little Edmonds was angry who had prepared Richardot with the Queens Priority That the presence of an Ambassador Nevil was to be preferred before a Delegate Title They reply for England to be but equall submits Spain as inferiour to France England alwaies yielding to France And such a doe it came unto that Edmonds comes over and ●ath Item not to stand upon Place so he should get the Profit in particular demands hard enough to be allowed In the mean time the Spaniard complains that succour and subsidy was sent to the States and ships ready for the Indies They were answered it was in ballance with their assistance to the Rebells in Ireland And so far they were from Submission to Priority or to admit equality as to break off the Treaty And so at leasure let us discuss Priority for England Among the Temporal powers The first place was to France the second to England the last to Castile and the Book of Ceremonies at Rome saies so as a Canon at three general Councils Pisa Constance and Basil it was in Example The title Castil● which the Spaniard most boasts of is but a late Monarchy to England having neither Earls nor Kings before the year 1017. and those Kings not Anointed That England is the third Intituled Most illustrious and Spain the fourth Pope Iulius the second gave it to Henry the seventh before Ferdinand of Castile The Queens ancient years and Reign an argument they urged at Bazil against Henry the sixth and all this original exceeds mans memory Whilst these treat for peace The Dutch soring high imped with English feathers bethink how to fall upon the Spaniard It was when their Enemy Arch-Duke Albert was weak in forces and those in Mutiny Hasty intelligence did this good service to Prince Maurice who finding them in this disorder resolved to fall upon him in Flanders And because the English had the brunt of the Battel and Sir Francis Vere the honour of that day we may take boldness to add it in memory with matters of our own Historie Our fate with those people evermore to be left out of the fame though we fought for their freedom and is called the Battel of Newport The Princes Army lands at Philipine upon the River Scheld 12000. foot and 3000. horse in 3. Tercias Commanded by Count Ernest of Nassaw Count Solms and Sir Francis Vere taking their daily turns by change of Avant-guard Battel and Rere The Van of Horse consisted of ten Cornets and led by Count Lewis Brother to Ernest being Lieutenant-General And to them were adjoyned Prince Maurices guard and the Regiments of Sir Francis Vere and Sir Horace Vere accounted 1600. English As also the Frizons being seventeen Companies In all of the Avant fourty foot Companies which Sir Francis Vere commanded The Battel was Numbred seven Cornets of Horse To whom were joyned nine foot Companies of Walloons and four Swisse for the first division With two other divisions of French the first of three Companies the second of twelve In the midst was Prince Maurice himself with his Brother Prince Henry and divers Noblemen strangers and voluntiers so that the Battel had seven Troops and 25. Comapnies The Rere consisted of three Cornets and thirteen colours in the first division And in the second eight Companies And in the third three Troops and twenty six Comapnies The Arch-Dukes army had 25. hundred horse and 15000. foot divided also as the other into three Brigades Before the Armies should meet the Dutch conclude the siege of Newport the States taking leave and go to Ostend and got to the Downs by the Sea-side so to Newport where in three daies they had taken Fort Albert encamped and quartered raising a stone bridge over the Haven for the Carriages to pass The Arch-Duke hastens his Marches came neer the Fort Albert with some horse and foot which the Prince supposes but a Bravado and meant to retire Sir Francis
in this seeming security Norman Macklond Natural son to old Macklond with a Regiment of Rogues raised from all the Neighbour Isles fell upon them unawares and forced them to these Conditions To procure Him and His remission of all offences and pardon To resign to him all their right to the Isle Lewis That Sir James Spence and his son in Law should be Pledges to him til these were performed by Patent from the King The case thus altered Sir Iames Armstroder with his company came home many being killed obtained them remission and security of the Isle and sent to Norman by Iames Lermouth the Pledges released and this Enterprise defeated but was again attempted three years after 1605. in this manner The first Undertakers weary of thier Design by excessive expence made over their Right to Lumsdale of Ardie and Hay who with the treachery of Mackey Mackerzy and Donold Gorum forced the Indabitants out of the Isle and having done this work sends to the South-land for Artizans and Laborers and beginning to build and plant but wanting means to pay the Work-men went away the Natives abroad associate with a number of Islanders invade the Planters with often Incursions and so wearied them out of all for a piece of money to boot to Mackerzy There being no remedy left for Robert Bruce exiled into France yet upon intercession of some friends and submission to the King he had leave to return and so appearing before the King and Commissioners of the Church acknowledged his Error concerning Gowries guilt as you have heard and further to recant it in his next Sermon which Protestation he subscribes witnessed by eleven Commissioners and so had leave to preach but did not pretending That his ministery would be discredited if he should preach by injunction and was therefore discharged his Ministery by the General Assembly who enacted That in memory of his Majesties Deliverance from Gowries Attempt Sermons Prayer and Thanksgiving should be solemnied in all the Burghs every Tuesday the fifth of August for ever as the Parliament had prescribed in all Churches of the Kingdom The Iesuits as in England so in Scotland having no hopes of Toleration but much urged in both Kingdoms and that their pitifull Pamphlets for the petence of the Infanta's title to England not prevailing with the people nor their Treaty of Marriage of the Lady Arabella with the Prince of Savoy nor with her and the Earl of Hertfords Grand-childe they went the old way to work by Murder and Francis Mowbray son to the Laird of Barru●ho●g all by the Infanta'● Court at Bruxels undertook to kill the King and in his journey home through England was discovered at London and accused by one Daniel an Italian which the other denied and were both sent secure to Scotland and there by more severe Examinations Mowbray was committed to Edenburgh castle where forcing the Grate Irons of his Window intended to let himself down by his Bed-sheets which proving too short he fell from the precipice and dasht out his brains upon the Rocks his body was ordered into quarters as the manner of Traitors though his kindred well born pretended that he was strangled in Prison and his body flung out of the Window to amuze the world with his own death and guilt Queen Elizabeths increasing towards her decreasing she was now left of all without recovery which occasioned the French King to send his Ambassadour into Scotland and another into England under pretence of impeaching the policies of Spain but rather to observe the motions and disposition of either people in reference to the Queens death accompanied with Letters to certain Lords of either Nation To Secretary Cecil with extreme affection it being high time to caress such men of interest in State when in a visit the Ambassadour to sound him fell into heart-burning for the miserable calamity that would befall the poor Nation in the death of the Queen and in particular Cecil's exchange of a gracious Mistress for a stranger King of Scotland if he should succeed a Prince no doubt subtile said he enough as yet to seem fair untill the future occasion give him power and means to revenge his Mothers death as upon others so in particulars on you for your fathers fault then and your counsels since The Secretary suspecting his drist answered That it was the usual reward of unspotted duty when Ministers of State chiefly respect the service of their Sovereign without regard to their own safety himself ready to suffer with comfort for so just a cause the credit thereof being the best security to an even conscience esteeming that Maries Martyrdom the highest honour but he supposed that matters past would not be challenged to memory if it should be so and his own case desperate he might be minded to flee into another City and take the benefit of his Majesties royal offer The Ambassadour made fair retreat and said That in case the King of Scots should carry himself with respect which was due to a King of France his Master was not purposed to impeach his interest Cecil replied The King was wise and shewed it in that resolution The Secretary sets down this passage to King Iames taking occasion thereby to assure him his faithfull service Though he does not as others had done needlesly hazard his fortune before fit time The King returns him this Answer As I do heartily thank you says he for your plain and honest offer so may you assure your self that it would do me no pleasure for you to hazard Fortune or Reputation since the loss of either would make you less valuable to me No I love not to feed on such fantastical humours though I cannot hinder busie-bodies their own idle imaginations but I hold it the Office of a King as sitting on the Throne of God to imitate the Primum Mobile and by his steady and ●ver constant course to govern all other changeable and uncertain motions of the inferiour Planets And I protest in Gods presence that for your constant and honest carriage in your Sovereigns service I loved your virtues long before I could be certain that you would deserve at my hands the love of your person Wherefore go on and serve her truly that reigneth as you have done for he that is false to the present will never be true to the future To give your judgment of the Kings wisdom and piety see the difference in his answer to the Earl of Northumberland who certified him of the Queens weakness and advised him to make sure of his Title by apprehending the necessity of hasty possession whilest time was offered To him he professeth That man can neither be religious nor just that deals not by his Neighbour as himself would be dealt withall and in a Person of quality it can be no wisdom to ●eap Hedg and Ditch and adventure his neck for gathering forbidden fruit before it be ripe
Knecht a German word an Institution of dignity by that Noble and ancient Nation Tacitus saies the manner was not for any to take Arms before the State allowed him sufficient and then some one of the Princes or the father of the young-man termed Knecht furnished him with a Shield and a Javeline as the Romans did virili toga the first honor done to youth and afterwards members of the Common-weal This being the first and simple manner of Creation they were afterwards styled Bachelour Knights Baccalarius quia olim coronabantur lauro cum baccis Vel potius quia Bedellus ipsis aureum baculum ex●ibebat cum ad concilia irent Vnde primus gradus in professione scientiarum est Baccalauri secundus Licentiati ultimus doctores Indeed as he is so Baccalaureus or Batalareus dicitur is Miles qui jam semel praelio sive Bataliae interfuit collatis signis et manum cum hoste conseruit And thus for the Name Their dignity was from serving on Horse-back so the Italian call them Cavaileiri the French chivalier the Germanes Roisters all of riding the Latines equites aurati for properly being created with sword and girdle guilt spurs were added for more necessary Ornament The original dignity was given to Marshall men but since in all Nations it is bestowed on men of peace and merit the better in civile policie to level the service at home with that abroad Tullie sayes Parva sunt foris arma nisi est consilium domi And of late his dignity is called dubbed because the man kneels down and the Sovereign lightly layes a sword upon his shoulder saying sois chevalier nome de dieu and afterwards he sayes Avances chevalier It seems to be done as it were upon the sodain in the field and thereupon are called in our Law Miles a militia But the King may do it by Patent And though the first in Title by Institution yet are they the last in degree of honor which dies with them There had been anciently another degree of Knight-hood made by the General under the Kings standard in the field called Banneret but he was ●eacefull and so none of them were made in his time See after Knights Baronets and Knights of the Garter Being come to London his first Reception was at the Charter-house the then Habitation of Thomas Howard lately made Lord Chamberlain for four dayes where 80. Gentlemen were Knighted from thence in private to White-Hall and then by water to the Tower of London the 11. of May 1603. During his Journey hither prisoners were set at liberty out of the Tower and amongst others Accessaries to Essex Treason was Henry Wriothsly the third Earl of Southampton made Barons by Henry the eighth and Earls by Edward the sixth And this man by King Iames made afterwards Knight of the Garter a Privy Counsellor and Captain of the Isle of Wight Thomas his son now Earl of Southampton 1654. Heer at the Tower He creates divers Barons Sir Robert Caecil Baron of Essenden Sidny of Peshnurst Lord Knowles of Grayes Lord Wotton of Morley And dubbs eleven Knights The King had knowledg of the death of Iames Beaton in France Arch-Bishop of Glascow he had been consecrate Bishop at Rome 1552. and not induring the reformation of the Church forsook Scotland and conveyed with him to France all the evidences of that See of Glascow the Ornaments and Reliques of that Church the Image of Christ in beaten gold and of the Apostles in silver not over large you may believe And being there Queen Mary setled her Lieger Ambassadour when she returned to Scotland And so continued untill the Government of the Regents who deprived him whom the King afterwards restores and imployes him in Ambassies to France being wise and faithfull to his Mother He by Will leaves all to pious uses for benefit of Scotish-men Scholars and consigned the Utensils of Glasgow into the hands of the Carthusians of Paris untill Glasgow becomes Romish Iohn Spotswood at the Kings elbow was soon preferred thither and sent with the Lords to fetch the Queen But she resolved to bring the Prince along with her self and being refused by the friends of the Earl of Mar til order from the King incensed her into a sickness and to recover her the King humoured her willfulness and sent home the Earl of Mar from England to present her with her son but continues her anger to be debarred her desire by such a subject whom mortally she hated as you have heard heretofore and though the King sought to sweeten her with his letters That he ascribed his peacable reception in England unto his wisdom and late Negotiation The Queen in fury replyed That she had rather never see England than be beholding to him Whether in Malice or other defign It was remarkable Her studious intent to seize the Prince to her self And so she set forward with him and the Princess Elizabeth who by the way was left to the Government of the Lord Harrington But Charles Duke of York an Infant and sickly came not til next year after The Earl of Rutland was sent in Commission to the King of Denmark to present him with the honor of the Garter and to Baptize his first son And Sir Henry Wootton Lieger to Venice He was called from his private travels at Venice formerly known to the King an Emissary from the Duke of Tuscane into Scotland to forwarn him of a Treason against his Person And was now sent again thither Leonardo Donato being then Duke with whom and the Pope Paul the first hapened two Contests For restraint of Lay Persons donatives unto Church-men of lands or goods without License for so becoming Ecclesiastick they were exempt from taxes The other was The imprisoning an unchast Abbot and a Canon being conceived a diminution of the Papal Power who therefore excommunicates the whole Republick They fly to King Iames by their own Ambassadour here and by Messengers and Letters disputing their priviledges with the Popes power which was thus weakened by exceeding it and so they obtained Absolution with much adoe but not untill the report was that the whole Senate would turn Protestants Wootton continued at Venice near twenty years with some Returns and Messages extraordinary this Donato being the fourscore and eleventh Duke of Venice successively from Anno 697. having been a Republick long before and governed by Tribunes In Iuly was solemnly performed the Rites of St George at Windsor where were installed these Knights of the Garter the Prince Henry Duke of Lenox Earl of Southampton Earl of Mar Earl of Pembroke This most honourable Order of the Garter was instituted by Edward the third after he had obtained many great Victories K. Iohn of France K. Iames of Scotland being then Prisoners in the Tower of London and King Henry of Castile the Bastard expulst and Don Piedro restored by the Prince of Wales called The black
the cause why he did write it next Analyzed that Chapter shewing the precedents and consequents thereof lastly exactly and divinely unfolded the sum of that place arguing and demonstrating that whatsoever Ben Sirach had said there of Elias Elias had in his own person while he lived performed and accomplished So that the Susurrus at the first mention was not so great as the astonishment was now at the Kings sodain sound and admirable interpretation concluding that the opposers did ill to impose upon a Man that was dead a contrary sence and smyling told the Lords what trow yee makes these men so angry with Ecclesiasticus without doubt they take him for a Bishop 2. The next objection was that old Crambe ●is posita Jesus said to his Disciples when by the Original he spake to the Pharises but bearing a double sence Disciples was to be left out or in a different letter 3. The third Objection against Subscription were Interrogatories in Baptism propounded to Infants that out of Austin Baptizare was credere The King said Ego non intelligo Bishop Winton aiming at his meaning shewed the use thereof out of Saint Austin and the reason Qui peccavit in altero credat in altero It was seconded by the King That the Question should be propounded to the party whom it principally concerned as saith he by example of my self to whom Interrogatories were propounded when he was crowned in his infancy in Scotland Then Mr. Knewstubs fell out with the Cross in Baptism first as the offence of weak Brethren Rom. 14. 1 Cor. 8. the consciences of the weak not to be offended It was answered Distingue tempora concordabunt Scripturae then a Church not settled ours long flourishing asking them How long they meant to be weak Whether five and forty years were not sufficient Then who they were For it is not now required Subscription of Laicks and Idiots but Preachers and Ministers that it was rather doubted some of them were not to be fed with milk being strong enough if not head-strong and thought themselves able to teach all the Bishops Their Objections were whether the Church had power to institute an external significant sign Answered It was used in Baptism onely as a Ceremony and as by their own example who make Imposition of hands in their Ordination of Pastors to be a sign significant all our actions in Prayer are ceremonies significant the Iews to their Moses Pasover have added signs and words Take and eat these in remembrance c. Drink this in remembrance c. Upon which addition and tradition our Saviour at his last Supper celebration used the same as approving that fact of theirs and generally that a Church may insti●ute a sign significant Doctor Reynolds confessed the use of the Cross ever since the Apostles but whether in Baptism Quaere It was used in Baptism in the time of Constantine who was no Papist Mr. Knewstubs said Though the Church had power to add significant signs yet not to add where Christ had ordained but one as not to add a private Seal to the great Seal of England It was answered that no sign or thing was added to the Sacrament which was fully and perfectly finished before any mention of the Cross is made Then it was opposed how far such an Ordinance of the Church was binding without impeaching Christian liberty The King told him He would not dispute that point but argue as Kings speak in Parliament Le Roy s' avisera adding that it smelt rank of Anabaptism saying A beardless Boy John Black in a conference I had with the Ministers in Scotland vouchsafed to say He would conform to my Ordinances for Doctrine but for Ceremonies they were left in Christian libertie to every man as he was more or less illuminated of Gods Spirit even till they grow mad with their own light but I will have one Doctrine one Discipline one Religion in substance and ceremony They urged the stamping the Brazen Serpent to pouder by Ezekias because the people abused it to idolatry and so it was abused in time of Popery Therefore said the King It shall continue because you say it was abused in Popery to superstition it implies it was well used before Popery and so now Here the King remembered that he had lived long with such men as these but never of them they do so peremptorily disallow of all things which had been any way used in Popery The Papists object us with Novelties which truly I cannot better answer than to tell them their abuses are new but the good things which they abused we retain and forsake the novel corruption for by the same Argument we may renounce the Trinity and all that is holy because abused in Popery What resemblance is there between the Brazen Serpent a visible thing and the sign of a Cross made in the air The Papists never ascribed any power or spiritual grace to the Cross in Baptism the material Crosses are by us demolished as you desire which the Papists used to idolatry The third general Head Church-garment Then they objected the Surplice to be a Garment used by the Priests of Isis. The King smiled Is it now borrowed from the Heathen which till now ye accounted a Rag of Popery We are not in danger of Paganism though of Papism Antiquity always used different habits in divine Service principally white Linnen and he always desired not further to separate from the Church of Rome in Doctrine or Ceremony than she had departed from her self and her Head Christ Jesus The fourth general Head Common Prayer Doctor Reynolds would not have these words With my body I thee worship They told me it was divine worship The King said It was an usual English word of Reverence not to idolatry But Doctor if you have a good Wife do her to worship and more too That nothing was more meant thereby than as Saint Paul 1 Cor. 7. 4. that to worship the Wife is for the Man to appropriate his body to her alone and as 1 Pet. 3. 7. To give honour to the Wife as to the weaker vessel So to please them was added honour to the word worship The Ring they did not except As for Churching of Women called Purification the King would not alter that decent manner in matter or words saying Women of themselves are loth enough to come to Church therefore all good ways to invite them Fourth general Head Doctor Reynolds excepted against committing Ecclesiastical Censures to Lay Chancellours seeing their Authority in Hen. 8. time was abrogated in Queen Mary's and not revived and abridged by Bishops themselves Anno 1571. ordering that Lay-Chancellours should not excommunicate in matters of correction and Anno 1584 1589. not in matters of instance The King told them He had conferred therein and would consider D. Reynolds desired to have Provincial Constitutions as the Clergy to meet
Moses the Prophet and Servant of God had in all that belonged even to the outward and least parts of the Tabernacle Ark and Sanctuary witnesseth well the inward and most humble zeal born towards God himself The industry used in the framing thereof in every and the least part thereof the curious workmanship thereon bestowed the exceeding charge and expence thereof in provisions the dutifull observance in laying up and preserving the holy Vessels the solemn removing thereof the vigilant attendance thereon and the provident defence of the same which all Ages have in some degree imitated is now so forgotten and cast away by this super-fine Age by those of the Family by Anabaptists Brownists and other Sectaries as all cost and care bestowed and had of the Church wherein God is to be served and worshipped is accounted a kinde of Popery and as proceeding from an idolatrous disposition insomuch that time would soon bring to pass if it were not ●●sisted that God would be turn'd out of Churches into Barns and from thence again into Fields and Mountains and under Hedges and the Officers of the Ministery robbed of all dignity and respect be as contemptible as those places all Order Discipline and Church-government left to newness of opinion and mens fancies yea and soon after as many kindes of Religions would spring up in Parish Churches within England every contentious and ignorant person pleasing his fancy with the Spirit of God and his imagination with the gift of Revelation insomuch as when the truth which is but one shall appear to the simple multitude no less variable than contrary to it self the faith of man will soon after die away by degrees and all Religion be held in scorn and contempt Which Distraction gave a great Prince of Germany cause of this Answer to them that perswaded him to become Lutheran Si me adjungo vobis tunc condemnor ab alis si me aliis adjungo a vobis condemnor Quid fugiam video sed quid sequar non habeo The time was come the first Anniversary Celebration in England with religious Rites and sacred Ceremonies of the unfortunately fortunate Nones of August noted in Red Letters in the Calendar to represent the bloud of many thousand Martyrs spilt of that day by Dioclesian in Rome but now to be distinguished with golden Letters in ours in memory of two renowned Kings in these Kingdoms the one receiving life the other escaped death on this day the Nativity of King Oswald who united the Crowns of England and Scotland which were severed afterwards for many Ages and who in the end died a Christian Martyr and sealed it with his bloud the other King Iames miraculously preserved from Gowry's Conspiracy Anno 1600. and who now again unites these Crowns and therefore we may change the old spell of the Martyrs Quintum fuge into Quintum cole if not for the Genesis of that one into life yet for this others Exodus out of the Chamber of death And as this King never failed of the day Tuesday weekly to hear a Sermon so neither of the Annual time unto his death kept holy by him and all his good Subjects and the truth of the Conspiracy sufficiently recorded heretofore and shall be hereafter confirmed Anno 1608. Though our Historian died it seems of a contrary faith in that himself being evenly conform to Gowry's loyalty Affectiones facile faciunt opiniones for he passes it over with this Odiism That Gowry assaulted him or he Gowry About this time a Commotion was stirred up by some Commoners against ingrossing their Ground when the King chanced to be invited in his hunting Journey to dine with Sir Thomas I. of Barkshire and turning short at the corner of a Common happened near to a Countrey-man sitting by the heels in the Stocks who cried Hosanna to his Majesty which invited him to ask the reason of his Restraint Sir Thomas said It was for stealing a Goose from the Common The Fellow replied I beseech your Majesty be Judge Who is the greater Thief I for stealing Geese from the Common or his Worship for robbing the Common from the Geese By my Sale Sir said the King to Sir Thomas I se not dine to day on your Dishes till you restore the Common for the poor to feed their Flocks Which was forthwith granted to them and the witty Fellow set free and care soon taken to quiet Commotions The Plague ceasing which hitherto bounded all mens expectations and persons at a distance the people now flock up to London to take view how the King would settle Laws and Constitutions afresh for the people A Parliament was expected the peoples Idol in those days which the King considered according to the power and interest of Lords and Commons therein and which thus grew up into a Body After the period of the Saxons time in England Herald one of the great men got power and put himself absolute the rest of the Satrapas call in Wi●●iam Duke of Normandy an active and fortunate Prince against the French King the Duke leads over hither many the younger Sons of the best Families of Normany Picardy and Flanders and getting this Kingdom by the Sword he shared out his Purchace retaining to himself a Portion in each County and called Demenia Regnt ancient Demeans Crown-lands He assigns to others his Adventurers suitable portions to their qualities retains to himself dependency of their personal Services and were stiled Barones Regis Free-holders As the King to these so they to their followers subdivided part of their shares into Knights fees and their Tenants were called Barones Comitis The Kings gifts extended to whole Counties or Hundreds at the least the Earl being Lord of the one and a Baron of the inferiour Donations to Lords of Townships or Mannors As the Land was thus divided so was Iudicature each severally from the King to the meanest Lords had their Court-Barons yet perhaps Reddebant Iura by twelve of the Iury called Free-holders Court who with the Thame or chief Lords were Iudges The Hundred was next whence Hundredus or Aldermanus Lord of the Hundred wherewith the chief Lord of each Township judged within their Limits The County or Generale placitum was next Ubi Curiae Dominorum●probantur defecisse pertinet ad Vice-comitem Provinciarum The last was Generale placitum apud London universalis Synodus the Parliament of England consisting of King and Barons onely who ruled affairs of State controuling all Inferiours So were there certain Officers of transcendent power for executing not bounding the Kings will those were Steward Constable Marshal heretofore fixed in Fee to Families they as Tribunes grew too bold and their power was lessened after the death of that daring Ea●l of Leicester slain at Evesham Henry 3. by hard experience of his Father lessened their power by examining their usurpations over Regality being become Tot homines tot Tyranni Then began the favour of
Kings to the Commons in Parliament and they to joyn with the Peers from whence it became the wisdom of Princes how to mannage this Government and to maintain this Form Lest some of this Body knit under one Head should swell and grow monstrous And Monarchy may sooner groan under the weight of Aristocracy as it often did than under Democracy which till now it never felt nor feared The Actions of which singly are inconsiderable after many Conjunctions grow at last into one great perfecting power or into Destroying Factions like smaller Brooks falling into some Main River The Parliament of England of long time and at this present was come to be a Convention of the Estates of the Kingdom assembled by the King of Bishops Peers and Peoples Commissioners They sat in two Senate-Houses or Chambers named a Higher and a Lower The Higher called also the House of Peers the Bishops and Peers viz. Dukes Marquesses Earls and Barons sit together with whom sit the Judges of the law for their advice not voice The Lower House called also the House of Commons is constituted of Knights of the Shire two Elected of every Shire and of Cities and Incorporations one or more Burgesses The day and place of Assembly is appointed by the King and adjourned removed elsewhere and dissolved at his pleasure The Lords or Peers are called by writs transmitted to them under the Kings hand The Commons by the Kings writ out of Chancery The writ to the Peers runs thus James by the Grace of God c. To the most reverend father in Christ so he stiles the Bishops Cousin if he speaks to the Peers for as much as by the advice of our Council upon some diffident and urgent affairs us and the State and defence of our Kingdom of England and the Church of England concernant We have ordained that our Parliament be held at c. there to consult and Treat with you and the rest of the Prelates Nobles and Heads of our said Kingdom of England We strictly charge and command you on your faith and love if to the Bishops by your fealty and Alleagance if to the Peers wherein you stand bound to us that considering the difficulty of the said affairs and the dangers iminent laying aside whatsoever excuse you be personally present on the said day and place with us and the rest of the Prelates Nobles and Heads to treat and give your advice touching the said affairs and this as you tender us and our Honour and the safety of our said Kingdom and Holy-Church and dispatch of the said affairs may you in no wise omit if he writes to the Bishops to warn the Dean and Chapiter of your Church and the whole Clergie of your Diocess that the same Dean and Arch-Deacons in their proper persons and the said Chapiter by one and the same Clergie by two sufficient substitutes having plenary and sufficient power from the said Chapiter and Clergy be personally present on the said day and place to consent to these things which then and there by the favor of the divine Clemencie shall happen to be ordained by the Common advice of our Kingdom Witness ourselves c. The other writ to the Sheriffs and Mayors of the Cities and Corporations is thus The King to the Sheriff Greeting For as much by the advice and consent of our Council and so goes on as above and there to confer and treat with the Prelates Peers and Heads of our Kingdom We strictly charge and command you that by proclamation made in your Shire upon the receipt of our writ you cause two Knights with swords by their sides the most sufficient and discreet of the Shire and of every City of that County two Citizens and of every Borough two Burgesses of the most discreet and sufficient to be freely and indifferently chosen by such as shall be present at the Proclamation according to the form of the Statutes on that behalf set forth and provided And the Names of the said Knights Citizens and Burgesses to be inserted in certain Indentures to be drawn between you and them that shall be present as such Elections whether the persons so chosen be present or absent And then to come at the same day and place so that the said Knights have full and sufficient power for themselves and the Communalty of the said Shire and the said Citizens and Burgesses for themselves and the Communities of the Cities Boroughs respectively from the same to do and consent to such things as then and there shall happen by Gods assistance to be ordained by the commune advice of our Kingdom concerning the affairs offered so that by your neglect therein the said affairs in any case remain not undone Notwithstanding we will not that you or any other Sheriff of our Kingdom be chosen At the day and place they meet at the Church first then at the Parliament-Houses orderly in their Robes with solemn gate such as might increase in the people the authority of their siting Then the King enters the Upper-House and either in his own person or by the mouth of his Chancellor declares the weighty causes of their Assembling in Contemplation whereof he desires their advice to communicate their Counsels in doubtfull matters most certain That himself be present at these consultations needs not but only as oft as he sees good There is no necessity after this unless in the end of the Session to add the strength and force of Laws to their results The Knights Citizens and Burgesses in the Lower-House are Man by Man called forth by their Names by some one delegated by the King and each is made to take the Oath of Alleageance heretofore was this I will keep true faith and Alleageance to James by the grace of God c. King His Heirs and successors Him and them I will defend to my utmost strength and with the hazard of my life and fortunes against all conspiracies and attempts against his Person Crown and Dignity And lest any should dream of a Consortship in Government there was superadded the Oath of Supremacy in these words I A. B. do utterly testifie and declare in my conscience that the Kings Highness is the onely Supreme Governour of this Realm and all other his Highness Dominions and Countreys as well in all Spiritual and Ecclesiastical things or causes as Temporal and that no forein Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Iurisdiction Power Superiority Preheminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within this Realm and therefore I do utterly renounce and forsake all forein Iurisdictions Powers Superiorities and Authorities and do promise that from henceforth I shall ●ear Faith and true Alleageance to the Kings Highness his Heirs and lawfull Successors and to my power shall assist and defend all Iurisdictions Privileges Preheminences and Authorities granted or belonging to the Kings Highness his Heirs and Successors or united and
to turn Martial his Apostrophe upon me Tu male jam recitas incipit esse tuus And first he discovers his real constitution and thankfulness in three Forms and Reasons of his Convention of them In the first he renders to them the Representatives of his People his Princely thanks for their affection in receiving him in his Right to the Crown The other two he describes by the effect of his Actions and shews them the blessing of his Person in their outward Peace with his Neighbours with whom he found this State imbroiled Secondly Peace within issuing not onely by his lineal descent from Henry 7. in the union of the two Houses of Lancaster and York but also the union of these two Kingdoms illustrated in the conformities of Religion Language and Manners in their security of salvation encompassed with a Wall of Water and therefore Quae Deus conjunxit nemo separet And he being the Husband Head and Shepherd advises them to a joyfull Union by comparison of this blessing in the Union of the petty Principalities heretofore of this Nation into one Kingdom as also the composure of divers Duchies in the entire Monarchy of France those being happy though conjoyned by the Spear of Bellona but we the greater blessing being bound up by the Wedding-Ring of Astrea having an appearance of perpetuity in the blessing of h●s hopefull Issue and his profession of true Religion which he distinguishes from the Catholick Papist and also from another Sect rather than a Religion which he calls a Puritan Novellist differing from Truth in a confused Form of policy and parity insufferable He acknowledgeth the Roman-Church to be our Mother-Church defiled with some Infirmities as the Iews Church before Christ Crucified But as not wishing a sick man dead but his body to be purged Excusable in the Laicks either as well minded subjects inured thereto by birth and custom of Age or young by evil Education and therefore not to punish their Bodies for the Errors of their Mindes As for their Clericks their doctrine and practice insufferable The Arrogancie of the Popes Supremacie in the One and Murthering Kings in the other Otherwise he doth reverence Antiquity in the points of Ecclesiasticall Policie and so cleers himself from Heresie in Faith or Schism in Government But with this Caution to all as he is a friend to their Persons so an Enemy to their Errors Advising the Bishops by their Exemplary Life to convince the others doctrine The third Reason of calling this Parliament in the action of his thankfullness is first in making Some Laws by preserving the weal of the Kingdom and in discretion of not making too many because In corruptissima Republica plurimae Leges Secondly in execution of them by the Iudges and Magistrates whom he advises not to utter their affections in that Office of Hate to a Foe or Love to a Friend fear to offend the Great or pitty to the misery of the meaner but to be blind in distinction of Persons Handless for bribes and therefore describes them three principall qualities Knowledge to discern Courage and Sincerity to execute And thus having told them the three causes tending only to his thankfullness but in divers forms The first by Word the Other by Actions he concludes himself to be Inutilis servus His felicity consist●ng in their prosperity and gives them his Apologie for three things expected from him by so many advancement of Honor preferment of credit and reward in Land In all he hath been reasonable and honorable for refreshing some persons that were Members of a Multitude and if his infirmity hath exceeded He blames the Importunity of Suters which experience time and labour shall recover to teach his Subjects not to crave nor he to grant The Parliament unused to Princely Eloquence and Learning withall contracted their dutyfull affections to his Eminent virtues and willingly understood the Kings ayme to unite also the two Kingdomes which was soon put forward by proclamation of his Title of Great Britain our coins all Ensignes of honor quartering this Conjunction of crosses Red cross for England and Saint Andrews white for Scotland And the Parliament by act Commissionate eight Lords and twenty Commons to treat with other Commissioners Scotchmen for the honour and profit of both Nations The King thus far setled with his Parliament and people not without wonder of all our Neighbour Nations having lain at watch for conveniencie and honor to piece with so potent a Prince the advantages alike to either They came almost together The Constable of Castile from Spain and another from the Arch-Duke Rory Duke of Solia from France to treat of Peace Barnevelt from the Netherlands Solia was a gallant Man an excellent Courtier as they are all His business needed no other policy of State but to congratulate the Kings peacable and happy Possession for they had a Leiger in Scotland that came in with the King But the other two were Enemies and were to treat for establishing a firm Peace which was granted and do doubt they might make up of their Masters bounty to be so soon dispatcht for France mightily opposed and with little cunning of our Counsel the Spaniards dealt their golden Pistols to hit the mark And as they lay equally ready so their desires for Convoy hither came together and had order accordingly Sir Robert Mansell Vice-Admiral for the Narrow-Seas attended at Graveling for the Spaniard And his Vice-Admiral of the Fleet Sir Ierom Turner at Calais for the French who coming first disputed the choice and desired the Admirals ship but being told that he was commanded by Commission for the Other Monsieur in much disdain put himself in the French Passage-boat and in a brave bore his flag on the Top. Mansel commands Turner to shoot a warning and after to hit who took in his flag but complained at Court where his faction was powerfull yet the Justice and honor of that old Custom and Authority maintains his Act against them all being in himself besides a gallant brave Commander The Puritan was much troubled to be ranked with the Papist in the Kings Parliament Speech and to be termed so and somewhat they said too saucy and therfore were to expect more cause to chaw the cud for the King proclames all Conformity to the form of Gods Service established in Doctrine and Discipline to Gods Word and the Primitive Church that the Conference of late at Hampton Court concluded no cause of alteration notwithstanding the fiery pretended Zelots renewed the Question in Parliament and had been satisfied by the Kings Speeches and otherwise that particular and personal abuses are remediable other ways than by general alteration That all shall conform and have warning till the last of November next o● otherwise to dispose of themselves or Families to other meet persons in their places July 1604. These men were now stark mad and intelligence hereof they send to their dear
Brethren in Scotland that they should be enforced also to conform to the utter destruction of their Sion there To qualifie this News another Proclamation comes out in September after against such calumnious surmises That the King will not alter that Form of Government proper for their constitution without Counsel there and so refers mens ●xpectation to the general Assembly to meet at Dundee in Scotland in July after It was usual with the Presbyters in Scotland to have a general Assembly once a year and oftner pro re nata upon any urgent occasion The last was a little before the Kings coming hither 1602. And the next this appointed at Aberdene this year and therefore then adjourns that Meeting unto which he especially had an eye as mistrusting their ill humors to this Summer 1604. And now also prorogues it to a longer day by Proclamation in Scotland Notwithstanding thirteen of them convene at Aberdene and in spite of the Council Authority they formallized their Judicature by constituting a Moderator a Clerk and other essential Members The Privy Council there send a Messenger accompanied with a Herald of Arms to discharge and dissolve their Meeting These holy Fathers in this Sanhedrim protested They would not nor could give way to the Kings sacrilegious power usurped which properly belonged to the Church virtual the Assembly and so sat still till they pleased and after appointed a day for the next Assembly The King hears of this and commands them to be cited and punished These men undanted appear with a Protestation a Declination from the Kings Council and appeal to their own next General Assembly as the sole and competent Judg and were therefore pursued criminally before their Lord Iustice General upon the Act of Parliament 1584. for Treason Some of them acknowledged their fault the rest Zelots were convict ad terrorem and banished and after upon submission were restored to better Benefices The excellent Acts and Laws in this Session prorog●ed to the fifth of November I finde our voluminous Historian passes over excepting against their number too tedious for his brevity being unwilling to mention any thing of so much honour to the King though he can waste time and paper to tell you that the blessing of his Initiation Peace and Plenty brought idle people to Luxury Roaring-boys Bravadoes Roisters and makes it a fault in the King that he breeds his People no better The Parliament began the 19. of March 1603. and continued untill the 7. of Iuly 1604. and then prorogued unto the 7. of February In this Parliament they made a Recognition of the lawfull descending of the Crown to the King his Progeny and Posterity Commissioners of England and Scotland for to treat of the Union That no Bishop should assure Lands to the King Former Statutes against Recusants to be executed Divers other Statutes concerning the City and several Towns Corporate as also other Statutes for the good of the Land And conclude with a Subsidy of Tunnage and Poundage of Wools c. The Kings second Son Charls heretofore in Scotland created Duke of Albany Marquess of Ormond Count Ross and Lord of Ardmannoth is now this year created Duke of York by the girding of the Sword Cap and Circlet of Gold put upon his Head and golden Verge into his Hand to him and his Heirs males for ever with the Fee of fourty pounds per annum out of the issue and profits of that County He is made by Patent and witnessed by all the Lords of the Privy Council and other Peers of the Realm at Westminster the 6. of Ianuary 2. Iac. 1604. K. Edw. 3. by his Charter created Edward his eldest Son the black Prince Duke of Cornwall cum feodo to him and his Heirs the first begotten Sons and Dukes of the same place so that he that is hereditable Duke of Cornwall is Dux natus non creatus and the first day of his birth is in Law presumed to be of full age and may sue out his Livery as at one and twenty years and this was the first Duke in England the reason may be because the Norman Kings themselves were Dukes of Normandy for a long time they adorned none with this Honour of Duke The Papists had very evil success in all their Designs heretofore against Queen Elizabeth and her Religion and were somewhat quieted in hopes that the Kings reception hither might prove troublesom and so proper for them to work in such waters but the Kings late Speech was desperately understood for they being denied Toleration plot his and the whole States destruction by blowing up all in the House of Parliament A story so horrid and therefore so necessary to be communicated to the memorial of our Childrens Children The Parliament having been twice prorogued already in regard of the Seasons of the year and the Terms The time drawing near their Sitting upon Saturday ten days before about seven of the clock at night a Letter sealed was delivered by an unknown Fellow unto a Foot-man of the Lord Mounteagle Son and Heir to the Lord Morley charging him to give it to his Lords own hands who opening the same found it without Date or Subscription and in Letters not easily legible and the matter to him less intelligible but as God would have it he in this doubt repairs herewith to the Earl of Salisbury principal Secretary of State who also in some doubt of the construction the King being absent in his return from Roiston they acquainted the Lord Chamberlain the Earl of Su●folk herewith and after consultation they joyned the Lord Admiral the Earls of Worcester and Northampton but stayed all manner of proceeding untill the Kings coming Thursday night next after Salisbury shews it him The Letter was MY Lord out of the love I bear to some of your Friends I have a care of your preservation therefore I would advise you as you tender your Life to devise some Excuse to shift off your attendance this Parliament for God and Man have concurred to punish the wickedness of this Time And think not slightly of this Advertisement but retire your self into your Countrey where you may expect the event in safety for though there be no appearance of any s●ir yet I say they shall receive a terrible Blow this Parliament and yet they shall not see who hurts them This counsel is not to be contemned because it may do you good and can do you no harm for the danger is past so soon as you have burnt the Letter and I hope God will give you the grace to make good use of it to whose holy protection I commend you The King conceived the Letter not to be contemned the stile quick and pithy not usual with Libells and judged the words terrible Blow this Parliament and not see who hurts them to be meant by Gun-pouder joyning thereto the other words For the danger is past so soon as you have burnt the Letter
to the Souldiers in Ireland the late Queens funeral charges seventeen thousand four hundred twenty and eight pounds His and his Queens Journy hither 11000l Besides the King of Denmarks reception entertainments of Ambassadors hither and sending others abroad These were reasons just and Noble to work into the hearts of obedient and obliged people but wrought not with them The Secretary of State for Scotland Sir Iames Lethington Lord B●●merino being now sent hither with letters from that Council was sodainly surprized with some Questions from the King Cardinal Bellarmine had not long before published an answer to the Kings Apologie Charging him with inconstancie and objecting a Letter that he had sent to Pope Clement the eighth from Scotland wherein he recommended to his Holyness the Bishop of Vaison for obtaining the dignity of a Cardinal that so he might be better able to advance his affairs in the Court of Rome The King meeting with this passage in Bellarmines-Book presently apprehended his Secretary somewhat Popish to shuffle such a Letter to the Pope and the King signing it amongst others which he usually sent to the Dukes of Savoy and Florence The Secretary now come and soda●nly demanded if ever he had written any Letter to the Pope he answered he had by his Majesties Command At which the King bending the brow of Anger the Secretary fell down and craved Mercy Professing that his meaning was by that Letter to purchase the Popes favour in advance of his Majesties title to England Then the King remembred the challenge made by Queen Elizabeth 1599. unto the Secretary of such a letter which said he you then denied and procured Sir Edward Drummond who was accused for carrying that Letter to come into Scotland and abjure the same The Secretary in great perplexity made his excuse with his good meaning and craved pardon of God and the King for his and Drummonds perjury He was instantly Committed to his Chamber and so to the Council-Table who urged his Crime as the ground of all conspiracies since the Kings coming into England that of the powder Treason and puritans Combinations The Secretary in great humility answered Curae leves loquuntur Ingentes Stupent My Lords I can not find words to express my sorrow for my offence against my gracious Sovereign when I call to mind his Majesties favours raising me from the dust to a fortune by my Honorable preferment and thus to fail of my duty and fall into such a degree of falsity Ah! peccavi in Coelum terram My offence is insupportable and impardonable Only his Majesties rare Piety singular wisdom and sincerity is sufficient to throw all possible guilt on me without any doubt of the Kings Innocency if nothing but my life and all I am can expiate so great a Crime fiat voluntas Dei Regis I humbly submit and take my death patiently The Chancellor Egerton declared That it was the Kings pleasure to remit his Tryal to the Judges in Scotland and to be conveyed thither a Prisoner The Sheriffs attending him from Shire to Shire In the mean time he did Pronounce him deprived of all places Honors Dignities and every thing else that he possessed in England And thus conveyed to Scotland he is committed to Faulk-land Castle and so to his indictment That in 1598. by instigation of his Cousen Sir Edward Drummond a Papist he had stollen and surreptitiously purchased the Kings hand to a Letter written and sent by Sir Edward and directed to Pope ●lement the eighth in favour of the Bishop of Vaison for his preferment to be a Cardinal shuffling in this letter amongst others that were to be signed filling it up with Stiles and Titles to the Pope and sealed it with his Majesties signet which was intrusted to him as Secretary to the indangering his Majesties Honor Life Crown and Estate and the subversion of true Religion and the whole Professors thereof He acknowledged that his offence admits no defence for however he conceived that the keeping of Intelligence with the Pope might advance his Majesties Succession to the crown of England yet knowing his Majesties resolution never to use any crooked course but to rest upon Gods providence and his own right therefore he intreated all that were present to bear witness of his confession and true remorse for his offence● Only he craved liberty to protest That he never intended an alteration of Religion nor Toleration of the contrary but conceiving some good might have been wrought thereby at that time and to promote his Majesties right Concluding that not to make more trouble to the Judges he had confessed the truth and wished as God should be mercifull to his own soul that the King was most falsely and wrongfully charged with the said Letter c. The Jury were Noblemen his Pares five Earls four Lords and six Knights who gave Verdict of his guilt of Treason and of art and part of the whole treasonable Crimes contained in the Indictment And ready for Execution he was reprieved by intercession of the Queen in England and returned to Faulkland Prison and afterwards licensed to his own house in Balmerinoch where his sickness increased of grief and there he dyed He was accounted a Person of abilities sufficient for his places in Session and Council whose conscience stretched out to his gain and possessing much of the Churches lands was a constant Enemy under hand to the Kings desire of restoring Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction to the Bishops And such end befalls false servants However this Man died repentant of his fact and evermore acknowledging the Kings grace and mercy which not only was thus far expressed in favour to him that once had been trusted by the King and who in truth seldom lessened his royal disposition to any of his Creatures without great cause to the contrary so not long after his son was restored in blood and honor with the like grace as formerly to his father And he also afterwards a like ungrateful wretch to his Soveraign King Charles and for an infamous Libel which he framed and dispersed against his Majesty was by his Peers in Scotland condemned to dye as a Traytor To whom this mercifull Prince the inheritor of his fathers glories afforded his Sovereign balm of mercies this Balmerino also not only reprieved but pardoned under the great seal of that Kingdom which he received upon his knees at that Council-Table with the highest magnifying the Kings mercy the humblest acknowledging his and his fathers infinite obligations by which they both stood for ever ingaged to the service of the Crown In so much the Records say the whole Council recommended him as a Person so highly resenting this grace of the King that by his own protestation inducing their Confidence He was become a Mark of the Kings mercy and as new-molded and made fit for the future No doubt an humble Subject for his
Sovereigns choice Service And yet this Man ●ot long after proved the Contriver and the most malicious Prosecutor of such conspiracies as may be said to be the forerunners of that Kings miserable and final destruction I cannot learn whether he be living in this sin and so as yet spared for Gods mercy or unrepentant dead to his Judgments sure and suddain But to our business in Scotland In the next Assembly at Glascow the Bishops took upon them to inlarge their own authority in the Administration of all Church affairs And yet not willing to make any change though by the Kings command without brotherly approbation of the Ministers They assemble together and consent unto Articles of Government and power of the Bishops In which Assembly the Popish Lords supplicate for absolution and to subscribe to the confession of faith Huntley did so and returned to his own County Arroll went about it too but suddainly fell into such confused terror as offering violence upon his own person he was spared by his intercession of tears and prayers not to be forced against the reluctancy of his Conscience who in truth of all that sect shewed evermore much of tender minde to endeavour satisfaction to himself and so received more civility from the Church ever after Angus was most averse and had leave to banish himself into France where he died at Paris some years after There had been a good progress in Scotland for quieting the Clergie and renewing the repute of the prelacie And therefore the Arch-Bishop of Glascow with the Bishops of Brigen and Galloway having audience of the King in relation to the affairs of the Church of Scotland Told them with what care and charge he had repossessed the Bishopricks out of the hands of the Laity and other sacreligious pretenders and settled them upon reverend Men as he hoped worthy of their places But since he could not consecrate them Bishops nor they assume that honor to themselves and that in Scotland there was not a sufficient Number to enter charge by Consecration he had therefore called them into England that being here consecrated themselves they might give ordination at home and so the Presbyters mouths stopped For they had maliciously and falsely reported that the King took upon him to create Bishops and bestow spiritual Offices which he never did always acknowledging that Authority to belong to Christ alone and whom he had authorized with his own power One thing admitted dispute The Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and York always pretended Jurisdiction over Scotland and so now this consecration might be taken as a voluntary subjection to this Church But therefore London Ely and Bath performed it to them and they ordained others at home And carried back Directions for a High Commission Court also for ordering of causes Ecclesiastical which were approved by their Clergie and put into obedience From these good Men The King fished out the behaviours of his Council there and therefore to settle them in terms of honor and state at their Table they were to convene twice a week and None to stay in the Room but Counsellors nor any solicitations there But being come instantly to take their places sitting not standing unless they pleaded for themselves and then to rise and stand at the end of the Table for they were wont to quarrel and to cuff cross the board No Counsellor to be absent four days without leave of the rest Each single Counsellor to be Justice of Peace in all the Kingdom to preserve respect to their places they should not trample the streets on foot but in Coach or Horse-back with footcloths This brought some esteem to that Board who before were bearded by every Kirk-Iohn or Lay-Elder And after this posture of Governing Patrick Stewart Earl of the Isles Orkney and Yetland was sent for to humble himself to imprisonment A Custom also which was setled in the Council to command any Malignant to be in Ward by such a day or else to be horned Rebell This great man at home is there humbled before the Bishop of Orkney and is by him examined so soon is the Kings ordinance obeyed His Crimes grew up from his poverty made so by his own riot and prodigality which now he seeks to repair by shifts of Tyranny over the people under his Command and being by the Bishop reported so to the Council he was committed to Prison untill the pleasure of the King deals further in Mercy or Justice But to exercise that Nation by degrees of punishment he was afterwards released and returned home to better behaviour wherein he became for the future so faultie that two years after he was executed We have hinted heretofore the Kings business at home which in truth was his wisdom to wade through To suppress the trayterous designes of the Papists and to settle the fiery dispositions of the Schismaticks for the first their own violent progression in their late Pouder-plot drew upon them publick lawes of chastisement But these Other alas their Motion now not so violent yet perpetual the more warily to be dealt with And because no disputes Arguments nor Policies could reduce them therefore the spiritual High-Commission-Court took some course moderately to regulate their Insolencies Busie this Parliament had been in disputes of the Common and Civil Laws The first strained to such a necessitary power as in short event would mightily qualifie the other to nothing Besides this Session sate long and supplyed not the Kings wants wasting time as ever sithence in seeking Grievances To palliate the Lower-House some Messages had informed his necessary expences and to both Houses the new Treasurer late Earl of Salisbury opened the emptiness of his Office And at last the King speaks for himself at a Meeting at White-Hall He spake well and now prolix which yet I must present thus long Perfect Spe●ches open the times and truth to posterity against our Carping Adversary I need not quote his pages take his whole History passionately and partially distempered throughout The King forgets not their late loving duties and therefore recompenseth them with a rare present a Chrystall Mirror the heart of their King which though it be in Manu Domini so will he set it in oculis populi The principal things says he agitated in this Parliament were three First Your support to me Secondly My relief to you But the third How I would govern as to former constitutions or by absolute power He begins with the last That Monarchy is the supremest thing upon Earth illustrated by three similitudes First out of Gods word You are Gods Secondly out of Philosophie Parens patriae Thirdly out of Policie the Head of this Microcosm Man For the first The attributes of God Creation Destruction Reparation to judge and not be judged and to have power of Soul and Body so of Kings and can make of Subjects as at Chesse a pawn to take a
House had been Kings of England for neer 600. years untill the time of Edward the confessor The first Counts of Holland till Florus who was the last were younger Brothers of that descent Amongst whom one William was the 26. Emperour of Germany The last Kings of Scotland by alliance were of the same house of Egmont to wit the Grand-children of the Lady Mary of Egmont daughter to Arnold of Egmont Duke of Guelderland which Mary was married to Iames the second King of Scotland And the Lady Margaret his sister espowsed to Frederick the second Count Palatine from whence proceeded Frederick who married the sole daughter of this King Iames the sixth for whose restauration all Germany and many other large Countries have suffered very much in the late years then following I may add also the Lady Philippa of Egmont daughter to Adolphus of Egmont Prince of Guelderland married to Renatus Duke of Lorain from whom descended the Dukes of Lorain who assume among their titles without any Contradiction the qualities of Dukes of Guelderland Iuliers and Cleveland and that by virtue alone of the Alliance with Egmont But greatness submits to providence the remainder of this royall blood is lately Anno. 1654. wholy shut up in the veins of Prince Lewis Duke of Guelders and Iuliers Count of Egmont and Zutphen His great Estate and Revenues relinquishing in the Low Countreys 22. years before his death and sustained himself only with the means of a petty Sovereignty in Lukeland in spite of the Spaniard his mortal Enemy but ranging abroad to seek relief and support against his Tyranny he died at Paris with this Epitaph Hic jacet Egmontos Germano è stemmate Regum Cui mors plus peteret quam sua vita dedit Huic ctenim Patrios quaerebat vita ducatus At mors nobilior regia sceptra dedit As for the Netherlands It belongs not to me to judge of their duty to Spain nor their division now whether Spain hath injured them certainly they were disloyal to him He pretends Absolute Sovereignty They but conditional obedience But without dispute Holland and Zeland belonged to the Lady Iaquelin of Henault who to save her own life was forced to relinquish her Estate And Zutphen and Gelders did of right belong to the Duke Arnold who being Prisoner with the last Duke of Burgundie who died before Nancie that Duke intruded upon his possession to the prejudice of Adolph his son and lawfull Successor the immediate cause of the quarrell after But this siege of Iuliers was the last action of that fourth Henry Le grand of France for the next year succeeding he was stab'd with a Jesuits impoysoned knife as his Coach stopt upon one of the Bridges at Paris In the Junto of time when he had mustered all his forces and ransacked together much Treasure for some secret design which the Spaniard feared might fall upon him And it was suspected for that cause only that the politick Spaniards Interest sent him out of the world farr enough from prejudice of him having but lately repayed to this Crown what had been lent his necessities heretofore by Queen Elizabeth which came unto sixty thousand pounds After five Sessions in six years time the Parliament having wrastled with Sovereignty which the King moderated by often speaking to them Himself yet finding them more willing to dispute than to comply with his occasions having on his part steered with all possible judgment to terms of reconcilement between his undoubted Prerogatives and their Novell Privileges as he termed them which rather increased Arguments by their so often Meetings He resolved therefore to separate their Conjunction and to adventure on the other way to do himself right by his own just reason not to do the people any wrong in the lawes of their liberties and so dissolved the Parliament by Proclamation And now was performed what the King intended last Sessions to set forth his sonne Prince Henry then of the age of fifteen years now 16. And because he was the first Prince here since Edward the sixth we shall say somewhat of his dignity the thirteenth Prince of Wales The Kings eldest sonne heir Apparant in England was styled Prince quasi primum locum capiens post Regem Priviledg they had to wear Purple Silks and cloth of Gold and Tyssue in his apparell or upon his horse 24. Henry the eighth but King Iames had repealed all lawes and statutes concerning apparel quarto Iacobi They had purveyance as the Kings or Queens He is admitted Maintenance to give Signes Liveries Badges to his Menials as the King does but for enormities of that kind several statutes of former Kings abridged them untill 12. Edward the fourth He may have as many Chaplains as he will The King by Common Law may have aid-money of his tenants by Knights fee as of Soccage That is to make his eldest sonne Knight and for marriage of her eldest daughter He at fifteen years of age She at seven saies Fitz-Harbert the sum of money at the Kings pleasure till 25 Edward 3. who restrained it viz. of every Knights fee holden without mean rate 20. shillings of every 20. pounds Land without mean in Soccage 20. shillings and so rata pro rata of lands in Soccage and for lands of the tenure of Chivalry according to the quantity To compass his death or violate his wife is Treason 20. Henry the eighth and before the statute the ancient common law in that case He and other the Kings children Les Enfants du Roy born beyond Seas shall inherit here He had many Priviledges since 12. Edward whose device it was to draw the Welch to acknowledge the Kings Eldest sonne Edward of Carnarvan to be their Prince But 27. Henry the eighth there was a general resumption of his priviledges as to Pardon Treasons Murther Man-slaughter Felony power to make Justices of Oyre Assize and Pea●e Goal-Delivery c. so from thenceforth he had onely Name and Title but no other Jurisdiction then should be granted by his letters patents He is invested with a Garland upon his head a gold Ring on his finger and a Virge of gold into his hand to him and his Heirs the Kings of England for ever as Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester To sit at the right hand of the Cloth of Estate in Parliament He shall not find pledges for profecution of any Action Cook cals him Omni Nomine Numine Magnus by Destiny Name and Providence of God the greatest Yet he is as a Subject and shall be sued by action and in token of subjection he bears upon his Arms the three plumes arg with this old Saxon word Ich. Dien I serve Gascon chief Justice in the time of Henry the fourth did commit the Prince who would have taken a prisoner from the Barr in the Kings Bench which the King justified So much premised The King gave his sonne also the honor of Knighthood to
multitude of our own people from all parts of our three Kingdoms gave a wonderfull glory to the Court at this time the only Theatre of Majesty Not any way inferiour to the most Magnificent in Christendom Prince and people increasing in honor and wealth And it was prudentiall in state to set it forth with all moderate additions of Feasts Masks Comedies Balls and such like which our squeazie stomacht Historian it seems could never example in any part of his reading and therefore sets his Gloss of reproach upon the King and them but very favourably forsooth as not thereby to provoke himself to stain his innocent paper I shall not trouble the dispute how farr they were politickly used in the Romane Common-wealth and Monarchy how farr tollerable in Christian Kingdoms and States They are necessary Mirrors wherin mens Actions are reflected to their own view Indeed some men privy to the uglyness of their own guilt have been violent not onely to crack but to break in pieces all those Looking-glasses least their own deformities recoyle and become eye-sores to themselves We were wont to call them Theatres representing in little the Entrance Acts and Exits of Man where we may behold Language Manners and Behaviour the best the matter good for Imitation bad to shun to teach virtue reprove vice and amend manners tempering the mind for good impression or defect in most of our youth thrust into devotion without polite manners forceably taught on the Stage where virtue is somewhat more seen to a mortall eye with admiration not to inforce men spight of Humanity to serve God with austerity not Jubilation This Christall fullied by time and malitious reports not without some shadowes of piety and counterfeit dress to amuze the world for a truth hath been cleared up to the view by several Pens though by King Iames at that time little valued for his own content unless as Splendidae Nugae for the dress of Court-like recreations but evermore with so much wit as might well become the exercise of an Academy And thus much of playes But stay It is come to my knowledge that our squeamish Informer was bred up a Poet frequently a Rymer and Composer of playes not without exceeding delight in himself to be so styled though a mean one but indeed since the reformation of them the trade fell to decay and he turned trot any way to get money Such another was A. M. who whilst he kept within the compass of that Dialect did well and commendably but turn'd another professor and ended his daies miserably He went to Bed as I am credibly informed well in health but disguised with drink his usual custome and was found in the morning his head hung over the Bed-side his hand leaning on the boards it seems groveling for breath being choaked with loathsome blood and flegm foaming at his mouth his tongue bleeting out not able to call for succour of such as lodged in the next room so was he drencht in drink and death In this year 1611. was collected a Contribution of well affected Subjects called Loan-money being lent upon Privy Seals an ordinary use and custome of all former Sovereigns in time of necessity of their Prince or state affairs and no New device which now amounted unto One hundred eleven thousand fourty and six pounds which was repayed back to divers especially to such as craved satisfaction by money Defalcation or Composition for other considerations Satisfactory There are sundry ways and means to make men rich and commonly not so concealed but it happens within the Ken of some acquaintance But here we had one Thomas Sutton meanly born and bred but some subsistence by marrying a widdow at Barwick farr short of wealth It is rumoured onelybecause of some probability for other we have none that he bought a Fraight that came thither out of a Dutch Pirate who it seems could not stay to make better market And therein was found concealed Treasure in some Cask his first advance which he so increased by Interest and purchases as having no heir he designed a pious foundation at Hallingbury Bowcher in Essex but afterwards purchased the Charter-house near Smithfield London of the Earl of Suffolk enriched it with divers dependances of lands and Tenements for which he paid in hand 13000 l and procured Letters Patents to erect The Hospital of King James founded in the Charter-house in the County of Middlesex at the proper cost of Thomas Sutton Esquire for maintenance of eighty decayed Gentlemen Souldiers a chamber and dyet and 8. l a piece pe●sion annually and a cloth-Gown in two years with a free School for Scholars Chamber Diet and Apparell to be governed for the present by the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Lord Chancellor Lord Treasurer Bishops of London and Ely chief Iustice and Iustice Foster the Attorney general Dean of Pauls and Worcester a Master of the Chancery and four more Gentlemen his familiar friends and Thomas Brown the first elect Master of the Hospital and this for ever and as any Governours die the Major party to Elect another Besides he gave in Legacie so many thousands as it did astonish all men in those daies how he came by so much wealth Since the Kings absence the Papists were for these last three years much increased in the North parts of Scotland and complaints made of the funeral Obsequies of the Lord Oglevy and Gight after the Popish rites And though as before remembred some care had been for reducing the Earls Huntley Angus and Arroll Yet of late Huntley returning from England pretends some commands from the King to mitigate Ecclesiastical proceeding on his behalf which encouraged the others and the rest of their Profession openly contemning the Church Censures The Assembly therefore had sent petitions to the King for further authority to suppress these Inconveniences The Kings answer was That Huntley had no such warrant from him but pretending that he had kept all injunctions prescribed him except that of communicating with the Sacrament of the Lords Supper which the King thought fit for the present to referr to the Council for time of conforming but if he did persist his Majesty would accompt of him as intending the head of a faction and therefore rather to root him out than to nourish his follies by a preposterous Toleration They were therefore confined unto several Cities ten dayes together there to hear Sermons and admit of conference and to forbear Papist-priests companies that the sons of Oglevy and Gight should be committed This prescription too strickt the three Earls revolt and therefore an Assembly was called by the Kings Comand for so of late they were regulated not to convene of themselves and the Names of Papists inrolled were found Numerous and Huntleys faction in the North were of the most He being cited appears not nor sends any excuse and therefore by the Assembly is excommunicated and the sentence pronounced publick and no
his former preferments even to the day of his death as first Baron Essenden Viscount Cranburn and after Earl of Salisbury Knight of the Garter and Lord Treasurer of England It behooved the King to bestow on him the weight of that staff the Coffer then in some want which was not likely soon to recover but to increase debt by the charge of a treble Court of King Queen and Children and therefore many ways were devised to advance the Revenue particularly in that of honor for Knights Baronets which was not this Earls onely design as some will have it Nor of Somerset hereafter as another saies But it was began a little before this Lords death as will follow hereafter I know what some have surmized to prejudice his Memory if it were possible who with little pains may be sufficiently vindicated and his Merits amply related being of somewhat concernment to me to speak my own knowledg again to enlighten the dark shadows that always wait on shining merit But all his care and pains not able to fill the Coffers so much exhausted and the Estate in a Retrograde consumption He did before his death not usual with Courtiers present his Patent of Master of Wards at the Kings feet and so the whole benefit became the profit of the Crown By former constitutions of this Realm all the Lands of this Nation held by two Tenures by soccage or by Knights service by the Plough to free us or by the sword to defend us and who so died leaving an Heir within age unable to do this Service his Heir and Lands fell both to the protection of the Sovereign And this in antient time was promiscuously carried in the Court of Chancery untill the middle of Henry 8. when this Court of Wards was first erected Since which time the Masters thereof by favour of the Sovereign did accustome as a bounty of State to grant unto Noblemen the Kings Servants and their own followers both the marriage of the body and the Lease of the Lands for a third penny of their true value which also in several relations by frequent Orders and Declarations of that Court in print have been altered and changed till now of late the whole Court and quality thereof is absolutely dissolved as a grievance too burthensome for a free State and people anno 1648. He indured some time of sickness and died in his return from the Bath at Saint Margarets at Master Daniels house in May 1612. and was entombed at his Mannour of Hatfield a princely seat in Hertfordshire His death opened the doors for the King to dispose his Place of profit the Treasurership upon the E. of Suffolk whose office of Lord Chamberlain fell to the Favourite Viscount Rochester the Wards to Sir Walter Cope who lived not long to enjoy it being of weak constitution carefull and painfull in his duty of great experience in the affairs of Court and State bred up first under Burlegh and at his death delivered up to his son Sir Robert Ce●il with whom he continued the most exact Confident and counsellour to the end of his days And the Favorite also was made Se●retary of State belike for some suddain improvement of his Latine Tongue which his Master is said to teach him His Confident was one Thomas Overbury a man of good parts a Student of Lincolns Inn lately returned from Travell besides it was Carr's first principle and no mean one to please the English by entertaining them his Domesticks for having not many Kindred or Friends to lean upon he might be forced to stand upon his own strength and the kindness of strangers This Overbury had most strickt friendships with Carr lately created Viscount Rochester and therefore soon knighted and if we may credit his own vaunt being indeed insolent he would brag that the Viscounts advance in business of Court and Secrecies of State proceeded from him which he managed and made common And the knowledg of this coming to the King he tenderly blamed his Favourite for such freedom in his Masters affairs This advice made him less communicable in those Mysteries which Overbury took ill and with scornfull resentment told Rochester that indeed he deserved to be better imployed than to attend as his Tutor And therfore he desired to have the Honour and Preferment of an Ambassy Leiger then intended abroad as best fitting his good parts and greater pride of which he had sufficient to present the Kings person conceiting perhaps that the power which he usurped in the Visco●nts affection would work some regret upon him which Overbury knew how to master for a better advantage But when Rochester had wisely considered that there would be no great loss of so loose a Friend and that Overbury though an Osier of his own planting would not be wrought in any purpose but to his own self-pride hastily put the Design forward drew up his Instructions with some Additionals of Overburies for I copied them and this being in earnest then Overbury would not go for which high Contempt the King and Council sent him to the Tower 'T is true some Moneths before Rochester made Court to the Countess of Essex who did not that loved a Lady which Overbury misliked upon no score of Religion or Virtue but to ballance with his ambition and vanity and to obtrude any Copartnership in his friends affection especially of the House of Howards whom mortally he hated upon private malice for to some mens knowledg he would scornfully report not long before that she was won by Letters of his inditing which I have read and by that means endeavoured to bring them to Bawdery the beginning of all their future ruines as you shall hear the next year The Kings expence brings him to account with his Exchequer where his Exits increasing the In-comes he intends better husbandry to piece out his Expences and having taken into his Houshold Sir Arthur Ingram a Merchant bred who by his wit and wealth came to be his Cofferer the vast expence of the state keeping the Treasury dry his abilities discover the cunning craft of the Merchant for the Customers had cozened the King engrossing by that means the wealth of Trading which was therefore raised to an higher Farm The same use was made at Court which he taught the Green-cloath by Retrench and he is called by Sir A. W. therefore an evil Bird that defiles his Nest what is he then who defiled the Court that gave him breeding defam'd the King that gave him bread The King put this course in practice at Court somewhat differing I confess in the Line of Ascent to the Houshold preferment which rises by order succession and this man a stranger in Court stept in to discover the concealments of the Green-cloath also and when this Tide had its Ebb it returned again to his wonted channel and 't is true the King shifted the fault upon his Favourite
of my life Such stuff as this makes up the matter as they would make us believe but in truth he threatened Somerset with some discovery which was construed to be secrets of Love or State or both Not without monstrous defaming her honour by Message and writing filthy base woman they were best look to stand fast which begat fury in her and subtilty in Somerset least Overburies Malice should break forth to both their sufferings and so trouble their whole fortunes To prevent mischief to the One and continual defame to the other combining with the rest It was resolved by her to destroy him which she first intended by assassination and dealt with one Sir David Wood an ill-looked red-bearded Scot whom Overbury had prevented of a suit valued 2000l But his cowardice not conscience fearing to ingage she and they plotted the impoisoining of him in prison as the story intends to discover in particular This Spring seizes Northampton for death He was brother unto the late Duke of Norfolk who suffered for his Attempts of Marriage with the Queen of Scots as before remembred then a Prisoner here in England which might be some motive for the King to consider the advance of this Man and that Family which he did by preferring the Dukes second Son to be Earl of Suffolk 1603. and by restoring the Dukes Gra●dchild Thomas Earl of Arundel 1604. as aforesaid and by particular preferments of this Henry who was more wedded to his book than to the Bed for he dyed a Bachelour He was accompted wise and learned a cunning States-man and for all these abilities out of the Kings great affection to Letters especially being concentured in a Noble person at his first accession hether he the rather advanced him in succeeding Creations as Baron of Marnhill Earl of Northampton then Privy Councellour Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports Lord Privy Seal and Knight of the Garter and elected Chancelour of the University of Cambridge He had plentiful for his single Life and to spare for his friends In his expence not over frugal maintaining his Port the most remarkable like the antient Nobility in his family and dependents of any Lord then or since his time He assisted his Nephew the Earl of Suffolk by his designning and large contribution to that excellent Fabrick Awdleend He built that Noble Structure at Charing-Cross Northamp House presented it a New years gift to his Cosin German the ● Walden Suffolks eldest Son And yet left his other Cosin the E. of Arundel the rest of his estate so to appear to the World his equal distribution to such even kindred He was pious and gave good testimony thereof in his life built that handsome Covent at Greenwich and indued it with Revenue for ever for maintenance of decayed Gentlemen Bachelours a competent number and for Widdows also considerable He died in April Anno 1614. full of years and honour and suspected more Catholick than some will think reasonable though in the form of a Church Papist as some lately do publish and to be a Setter in the monstrous Murther of Sir Thomas Overbury though the Lieutenant of the Tower Yelvis in his Examinations and Confessions cleered him which suspition is since grounded upon the interpretation of his Familiar Epistles to the Earl of Somerset and indeed but bruited since his death And where no proofs precede we may be sparing to not him so Noble a Person with that or any other Infamy About these times the humours of young Gallants not brooking the peaceable conditions of our Kingdomes and neighbour Nations took upon themselves to quarrel with each other and to fight it out in Duels upon slight occasions and very frequent which induced his Majesty to publish a severe Edict against private Combates and Combatants their Seconds Accomplices and Adherents for prevention of those heavy events whereto worthy familics become obnoxious by the odious and enormous impieties inevitably subsequent thereupon Intending by that time that the most proper Remedies have qualified the distemper of il-disposed minds and that audacious spirits have smarted for incompetent desires the false colours and pretences of erring Custome have both been counterpleaded and corrected by reforming severity By that time I say that Passion hath been put into the right course of submitting to discretion and caution hath wrought it self at leasure into as constant a form and habit of conforming to obedience as self-will took in former times to plant false principles the greater part will easily discern That there is greater reason to reprove those that offer Challenges of madness than to tax those of Cowardice that abstain out of duty And therefore those that should conceive themselves to be behind in the least respect of point of honour should repair to the Marshalls Court who were instructed and prepared as well for the cleansing of all green wounds as the healing of old Ulcers that shall appear to them Hereupon occassion was soon given and taken in a Duel of Priest and Wright for writing and carrying the challenge and an information against them in Star Chamber by a charge of Sir Francis Bacon Atturney General and though the persons were but mean yet they served for example to the great the Dog to be beaten before the Lion the one a Barber Surgeon the other a Butcher This eloquent Oratour divided his charge into four branches 1. The nature and greatness of the Mischief 2. The Causes and Remedies 3. The Iustice of the Law of England which saies he some think defective herein 4. The capacity of this Court where the Remedy is best to be found 1. For the first when Revenge is extorted out of the Magistrates hands into private men presuming to give Laws to themselves It may grow from quarrels to banding so to trooping then to tumult and commotion from private persons to families and alliances and so to national quarrel and subject the State to inflamations and convulsions and herein Offences of presumption are the greatest and this to be done by the aurorae filii sons of the morning young men full of hope and towardness 2. The Causes no doubt a false imagination of honour and credit bewitching Duels Species falsa against Religion Law and virtue That men now adaies had lost the true Notion of fortitude and valor the one Fortitude distinguishing the grounds of quarrels whether they be just and worthy a mans life being to be sacrificed to honourable services good causes and Noble Adventures Expence of blood is as the expence of money not to be profuse in either upon vain occasion For the Remedies Four things may be effectual for repressing the depraved custome of Combates First The State to abolish it for then every particular person thinks himself thereby acquitted his reputation when he sees it an insult against Sovereign power Like unto the Edict of Charls the ninth of France against Duels That the King himself took upon him the honour of all
This Robert was at first Abbot of Holy-rood-house for divers years After the forfeiture of Hepburn Earl of Bothwell and the obtaining those Isles he exchanged the Abbacy with the Bishoprick of Orkney and so became sole Lord of the County Patrick succeeding to an elder Brother and grown a Courtier involved himself in great debts which inforced him the more tyrannous over the people to recover his wants At Glasgow was apprehended Oglevy a Jesuite lately come from Gratts by command of his Superior in that College He answered peremptory to the Commissioners questions professing not to prejudice others by any Confession Their torture to inforce him to impeach others was to debar him sleep for some time until he was forced falsely to accuse any body which he after repose would deny again The King was displeased with such forms to men of his profession and if no crime could be proved but his Calling and saying Mass they should banish him not to return on pain of Death but if his practice had been to induce the people to rebellion and maintained the Popes power transcendent over Kings and resused the Oath of Allegiance they should leave him to the Law But with all they were to urge his Answer to these Questions 1. Whether the Pope be Iudge in Spiritualibus over his Majesty and whether in Temporalibus if it be in Spiritualia 2. Whether the Pope hath power to excommunicate Kings such as are not of his Church as his Majesty 3. Whether he hath power to depose Kings after his excommunication and in particular his Majesty 4. Whether it be no Murther to kill the King so deposed 5. Whether He hath power to assoil subjects from the Oath of their native Allegiance to his Majesty He answers in writing To the first Affirmative in Spiritualibus But whether in Temporalibus he is not obliged to answer to any but a Iudge of Controversyes of Religion the Pope or one by his Authority To the second affirmative and that all persons baptized are under the Popes power To the third He will not declare but to a lawful Iudge of Religion To the rest ut supra He could not be moved by threats but rather railed at the Oath of Allegiance as damnable and treasonable against God and so came to Tryal of Life but was told over night That he was not to be tryed concerning his profession but for his former Answers to the Questions which he may recal and crave mercy but this he utterly refused And so was impannell'd grounded upon the Acts of Parliament against such as declined the Kings authority or maintained other Jurisdiction and upon his former answers He protests not to acknowledge the Iudges nor Iudgement Lawfull for if it be Treason here it should be so in all other Kingdoms which is not Your Acts of Parliament are made by partial men and of Matter not subject to their forum for which I will not give a fig. The King hath no Authority but derivative from his Predecessors who acknowledged the Popes Iurisdiction if the King will be to me as they were to min● he shall be my King if otherwise I value him not And for the reverence I do to you bare-headed It is ad redemptionem vexationis not ad agnitionem Judicii That the Iury were either his Enemies or his Friends if Enemies they could not sit upon his Tryal if Friends they ought to assist him at the Bar That what he suffered was injurious and not Iustice he had not offended nor would crave Mercy My Commission said he was by command of my Superiour and if I were abroad I would return hether again and repent only that I have not been so busie as I should in that which you call Perverting of Subjects and I call Saving of souls I do decline the Kings authority and will do it still in matter of Religion the most of your Ministers maintain it and if they be wise will continue in that mind As for that Question Whether the King being deposed by the Pope may be lawfully killed Doctors of the Church hold the Affirmative not improbably and as it is not yet determined so if it should be concluded I will dy in the defence And now to say It were unlawful I will not to save my life His insolent speech was shortned by the Jurors quick return who found him guilty and had Sentence of Treason and to stop his rayling was after Noon the same day hanged at Glasgow He was a desperate second Ravilliack and ready in that devilish doctrine of deposing and disthroning Kings which he urged the more he said as consonant to the Kirk Ministers tenents And that nothing troubled him but to be taken away ere he had done that which all Scotland and England should not have prevented and had it been performed no torments would have been by him refused So then we see the cause of his Execution For the King professed Never to hang a Priest for his Religion The opening of the Spring gave opportunity to sundry families of England to prepare themselves for planting in America Upon no great incouragement of profit or pleasure by any former Voyages of the English into those parts but people and trade increasing here they would unburthen this State with forein adventures The Design was for New England a part of America in the Ocean Sea opposite to that part of America in the South Sea which Sir Francis Drake discovered in his voyage about the world and named it Nova Albion But he was never imployed thither as a Discoverer or Planter upon this part of America taking the coast from Cape Florida in twenty degrees North Latitude North-East-ward to Cape Brittain Between the Degrees of Latitude from 20. to 45. King Iames granted Letters Patents being about fifteen hundred miles but to follow it aboard near two thousand miles And all this Coast from Cape Florida of twenty Degrees to five and forty was first discovered by Iohn Cabot with six sail of ships who had his Patent from Henry 7. Anno 1442. about the time that Columbus discovered the middle part of America for Ferdinand and Isabel of Spain and is called the West-Indies The first Colony from England was with Sir Walter Ralegh assisted in company of Sir Ralph Lane and Thomas Heriot that learned Mathematician Anno 1584. who in honour of Queen Elizabeth named it Virginia leaving there sixteen men which were brought home by Sir Francis Drake in his return from his West-India Voyage a year after and this part is contained from Florida to the Chesiopech Bay The next Northward is a part of Land to which Sir Iohn Popham Lord Chief Justice sent for Discovery and Trade 1606. but no success returned and since it is called New England Then the Land adjoyning Northward was discovered by Captain Gosnold all that coast being studded with broken Lands and called by him Elizabeths Isles Then you come to Cape Cod
contribute and did the Lords and others by which he might have experience how they could serve him that served themselves so well the building up of their own fortunes and factions had been their diligent studies and his service but the exercise of their leisures And this Benevolence came but to fifty two thousand nine hundred and nine pounds out of their purses Which yet madded the ill-minded men Pillars to the Kingdomes Liberties alwaies plotters to the Kingdomes Miseries Who being ashamed to be out-done in honesty and honour they justly drew upon themselves a Mark of Malignancy and so needed not otherwise to be noted by giving in their names as is pretended And yet they would be medling devising poor Arguments to pretend it against Subjects Liberties though accustomed evermore by examples of all former Sovereigns But to tell our Historian how antient the custome of Benevolence hath been ever since the Statute of 20 Henry 8. that united Wales and England together and to send their Members to sit in Our Parliament where a motion being made in the House of Commons for a Benevolence to be freely given to that King an honest Knight for a Welch County made answer Mr. Speaker This word Benevolence is a pretty Word but I understand it not Yet sure it is something His Highness should have If it be so in Gods Name let him have it the sooner the better and so may deserve thanks else it will not Thus it was then but now it is held to be Against Law Reason and Religion and Injustice and Impiety to be accepted And because his whole Reign was necessitous and the want of money for him to be liberal was his disease I think fit to say somewhat here in excuse to all the future ayms and ends which he took to get money which answers the third way of Improvement There was much ado in Council to advance the Crown by several waies of Improvement By grants in Parliament wherein the King made some Tryal so be it examined from former examples whether or no their bounties exceeded his Merits Some advised him to fall upon Acts of Resumption of Lands Offices and Annuities unadvisedly or profusely bestowed by his Predecessors or himself upon undeserving persons which have been usually done by former Presidents of Princes Ubi necessitas Regis cogit But this his Noble heart disdained Indeed it was wicked Counsel to work upon his Necessity thereby to make him odious to his meritorious Servants and good Friends Did he ever do as others Henry 3. to his Subjects of whom one saies Quicquid habuerunt in Esculentis et poculentis Rusticorum er●im Equos Bigas vina victualia ad libitum cepit He made tryal of Voluntary Lones or Benevolence by Privy Scal which was neither burdensome nor dishonourable being so petit in the Purses of the ablest Subjects But Compulsion I know of none unless you call the Star-Chamber to the accompt the Mulct and Fines of great Offenders and perhaps adjudged by that Court to some value as the Crime deserved which might be suspected in favour for Support of the Kings occasions Yet you will find when such happened it was in the excess of unparallel'd crimes not in other Courts of Iustice lyable to examination or punishment which as it was in Terrorem populi so now in these our later daies being suppressed in favour and liberty of the Nation the wickedness of sinfull man takes freedome to offend in such horrid waies that nought but some such extraordinary course of Justice can possibly reform Pawning of Iewels and Plate had been frequent by all former Princes and that not in ordinary waies Aurum Iocalia faenetri sancti Edwardi Confessoris Vasa aur●a diversa Iocalia Nay Magnam Coronam Angliae Yes and Queen Elizabeth did it and no more need than He but he did not To assign Customes and pawn the next Subsidies to be granted hath been a device to draw on supplies the sooner Which he refused The Privy Seal indeed he made use of but very moderately in comparison of former Presidents if you examine the Records and Rolls of willing Subjects bountiful assistance Compulsory Waies have been Presidents to necessitated Princes exacted from Merchants-Strangers or to be committed to Prison and the English Subject little better favoured What will you say of Henry 8. ten per centum of all Goods Iewells Utensils and Land extremely rated per Sacramentum Suorum In that rank may be remembred a Custome called Liberalitas populi Curialitas ex voluntate nec de jure potest But in the gathering by Commissioners such threats were used as was little better than the violent and was customarily reduced down to Queen Mary indeed Queen Elizabeth had a little better cunning way to cozen them the more returning their bounty back again until they doubled the summ There is a Statute To compell Subjects to attend the Kings Service which was repealed by Queen Mary and that again repealed by Parliament of this King of which truly he made no other advantage than to send half a dozen refractory Puritans that troubled the State of his errand into Ireland and yet paid them good salary for their pains which had been usuall heretofore in the like case at their own cost Trading themselves I could shew Presidents for this also of other Princes engrossing trade of Commodities as one did with all the Wools at a long day and a narrow price and sold them over Seas with great gain The like of Tyn Corn nay bind all men to trade their staple to one certain place and yet themselves to places of more advantage And this was the glory of Queen Elizabeth stoop'd unto and took occasion to trade in when the gain was advantage though but in Strong-Beer Licensing Others also It was so ordinary heretofore to raise monies by licensing Trade non obstante Statutes and customs as that those grew to high Complaints yet necessitated Kings continued these non obstantes non obstante And this King found them in Grants for certain years in being and made no further example of them unless transporting of a quantity of undrest White Cloths to the Earl of Cumberland and some others and that upon good reason of State too Raising rates of Merchandize There will never want will in the Merchant to abuse each other and gain to themselves and therefore as all Princes have occasion and the increase of commodities requiring do raise the Rates and this was done cum consensu Mercatorum but of late the just Prerogative imposed it where the Merchants gain might give way if you could conceive it convenient to their conscience ever to acknowledge any gain sufficient Causa honesta sit ut necessaria ratio facili tempus idoneum Letting Customes to farm He did so some murmured grieving the Subject to pay Custome to the Subject but do they serve the
Wars upon the Duke of Savoy to recover the Marquisate of Saluses and this King of Spain under colour to aid the Duke his Brother in Law sent him Horse and foot of Spaniards But the peace concluded by exchange of Saluses with the Countries of Bresse and Gex the Spanish Auxilliaries being muzled in warm quarters at Carboniers Montemellion Savillau and Pignorell the best places of Savoy and Piedmont would not budge no! though the Duke begg'd of them to be gone but were absolutely commanded the contrary by Count Fuentes Viceroy of Millain and so staid until that valiant Duke in this danger very desperate cut all their throats Spain in policy to revenge pieces with France to disjoyn Savoy upon whom he had afterward many Treacherous Designs as that Plot upon his Castle of Nice the Key of his Counties when his Spanish Gallies lay at Villa Franca to have seized all Savoys Issue And as it was usual with Princes in Peace and Amitie to congratulate Nuptialls The Lord Hay was looked upon as the most proper for this Errand into France In some measure he had the Kings favour his affection not at all For Wise Kings know how to do the One and yet hide the Other so mysticall things are Courts this makes many men misjudge That the Kings friendships made every one a Favourite and by often changing their Persons was therefore held inconstant in his passions This Lord born a Gentleman in Scotland by his bearing of Cote Arms Argent three Escocheons Gules Supported two countrie Swains armed Plough Trails The crest a Dove volant proper His story was that his Ancestors at Plough with those Instruments their Geer slew Malton an High-land Rebel and discomfited his Train for which service had so much Land barren Rocks as a Pigeon cast off the fist flew over till she rested And all this great purchase could not keep him from seeking livelyhood in France where he was bred no other than a Gens d' Arms unto Henrie the fourth but quitted that service in hopes of better preferment of his own Sovereign And over he comes to meet the King at his entrance into England upon recommendation of the French Lieger in Scotland who continued so here and presented Haies upon former knowledge in France This and his other good parts being well accomplished hastened him higher in esteem than others of his Countrey whose neerer attendance had merited more But to boot he sought out a good Heir Gup my Ladie Dorothy sole Daughter to the Lord Dennie and to fit him forward after Knighthood he had honour and was made a Lord for reasonable riches his wife brought with her In grateful acknowledge of his first preferment he feasted the former Embassadour being lately returned extraordinary to this King wherein he exceeded the limits of an Entertainment which for that time was excused as a grateful Ceremony of a large Dinner The Scots were never very eminent with neighbour Nations what credit they had came by the French to keep ballance with Them and England the increase might heretofore be hoped for when the union of these Crowns should afford the means to set them forth And it wat prudential in the King to pick out one of his Own to splendour that Nation in our way of Peace and Courtship especially when all was done at the Masters cost For Haies was ever reasonable poor unless by repute of his first Match which was not much while her Father lived and by his last he had less the great spirit of Peircie Earl of Northumberland though a Prisoner then in the Tower disdaining the Mariage denied her a Groat to a beggerlie Scot as he called him This first Embassie was for no other end than to congratulate for certainly he had no Commission nor Credential to make scrutiny for matching our Prince with the other Sister she being then too young and overtures were then thought on with Spain and so it was advertised from Sir Dudley Charlton Ambassadour at the Hague that there was a fame spread of such as desire to weaken the Kings correspondence with that State That his Majestie was on neer terms of matching our Prince with Spain and by an Adviso out of Spain That this match had been there debated in the Inquisition and judged necessarie And in truth the Lord Ross was sent Ambassadour thither partly for that purpose at this time also upon the like errand to give joy to that King for the counter-match of his Son and had his Instructions to feel the pulse of that Court concerning the same for I waited on him neerer in his affairs than any of his Train and both these Ambassadours sent away at the same time It was remarkable how each of them strove for the prize to out-vy in the vanity of these Voyages the Baron to his utter undoing having no other helps but his own when the other had it from the Kings purse and in truth for this purpose to put down the English as in that great Feast at Essex-House and many his Masqueradoes afterwards at Court for he medled not with the Tilt as being no Swordman but in the other and such like he never scaped to act his part Amongst many others that accompanyed Haies Expedition was Sir Henrie Rich Knight of the Bath and Baron of Kensington afterwards Earl of Holland natural son to the then Earl of Warwick He took his initiation of expence from this journey and continued the practice afterwards to the weakning of his long time unsettled fortunes being forced through custom of the Court to follow the other in all his fashions and which infection by after-custome became his disease also and almost not over-mastering yet over-shadowing his natural eminent parts with which his inside was habited and perspicuous to such as afterwards knew him Thus much I had occasion to say heretofore to which hath been exception as if I undertook him besides the Text in a wanton pleasure of my own pen to blazon his memory with the foyl of his friend Truly it was not so by any unequal disparity to pride out the other For let me here take the freedom to speak more of him who from henceforth being received into publick and comming in by his own endeavours to the place of Cap. of the Band of Yeomen of the Guard to the Kings person a place of honour and profit and increasing with years and experience into some favour now and afterwards in high grace and esteem with the succeeding Sovereign was yet I must confess in the fate of State and Court circumvested now and then with some prejudice And it may be uneasy for a stranger not for me to research with due distinction into the Actions of his whole life succeeding not to enliven him by a line whom envy heretofore and now malice after his decease have endeavoured to blemish more than his own former felicity did or could any way corrupt If we deduce him from his
their view Chancells were so divided from the body of the Church and thereupon so called And the Lord Chancelour and Lord Keeper have one power by Stat. anno 5. Eliz. So then you see how and for what he hath his name And though his Authority be highest yet it is given to him by the Law and proceedeth in course of Law not according to conscience but Law That all Justice runs from the Supreme power so by the Chancelour to all Jurisdiction A man complains of wrong or sues for right in Chancery from which Bill of complaint issues a precept commanding the Defendent to appear at a Day So then a man may not be sued before he have a Writ or Breve from the Chancelour a singular regard to the meanest The very Writs of Chancerie are prescribed by Law and a form registred in Chancery and if not accordingly issued out the Judges will reject them called in Law Abating of the Writ His Authority to judge is of two sorts by common Law or Positive Law Potentia Ordinata Processe pleading judgement Potentia Absoluta by Processe according to the Law of Nature viz. to send for the party to answer upon Oath to examine if he will not answer yet the Chancelour cannot condemn him in the cause for obstinacy Potentia Ordinata mispleading on either part may mar the matter and the judgement must be according to Law however the Equity of the case fall out But if the pleading be by Absolute Power though the party misplead if the matter be good the Iudgement must be by equity and not as the pleading be either formal good or bad or as the law will in the case The Question followes whether that conscience whereby the Chancelour be simpliciter and to be simplex conscientia or Regulata Viz. To be ordered by course of Court former Presidents and if no Presidents whether Reason in codem respectu may take cognisance of the cause viz. A rich Father to suffer an honest son to beg or a rich son contrario the Chancelour cannot Hereupon we may conclude that his Authority judicial both Ordinata and Absoluta Potestas are limitted by the Law of the Land For in the Ordinary he is tyed to the strict rule of Law and by the Absolute he is ruled though not by the course of law yet he is to deal per regulatam conscientiam but in any case not to contradict what Law hath allowed But to conclude his Absoluta Potestas by what means he should find out truth Truly it is without limitation only to be referred to his own Gifts and the grace of God that gives Wisdom Sir Francis Bacon succeeded Elsemere Lord Chancelour though a wonder to some so mean a Man to so much preferment he was then Atturney General and as others by that placc and in the usual way of preferment time beyond memory come to high Office of Indicature either there or to other Benches and so did he But his Mis-deeds afterwards turned him out of all and he dyed poor and private See Anno 1621. And as his Genesis of preferment came to the chair of State so the Exodus of the Treasurer Suffolk in his Office brought him to the Star-Chamber and the Glory of the new Chancelour Chair-man there to sit in censure upon him and so to set out himself in his Matchless Eloquence which he did then by Sentence as the Mouth of the Court as all others had done Their abilities affording them several waies and manners in that Court more particular as their Qualities concern them to distinguish So here also the Chief Iustice Cook newly revived from the sad condition of former disgrace for his too narrow inquisition upon the faults and fall of Somerset He now finding the Fate of Court-policy final in this Lord and his malice at Liberty to speak what he list Parrallels this Lords Crimes with other such corrupt Treasurers raking Presidents of all former Predecessors Even from Randolphus de Britton who was sentenced to lose all lands and goods but was restored to him and fined 3000. 1. for misusing K. H. 3. Treasure Such another was Treasurer of Ireland Petrus de Rivallis and of great command also high Chamberlain of England to Edw. 1. his Offences were Bribes of all men poor and rich Religiosis quam de Laicis fined and ransomed So did the Abbot and Moncks at Westminster took out of that Kings Treasury there ad inestimabile Damnum Regis Regni For which these privileged pretenders could not be exempt from Tryal and the Temporalities of the Abby seized for satisfaction till which time of payment they suffered Imprisonment Nay Walter de Langton Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield scapes not Edw. 2. This Treasurer took bribes then though small but a hundred pound of the Earl of Monteallo ut amicus in agendis negotiis versus dominum Regem lets him escape Prison to do his bu●inesse and given of free Will and ex curialitate sua yet in those dayes it amounted to Extortion But he had Additionalls having indicted Iohn de Eugam of Tresgass for the Mannor of Fisby to which the King had title and imprisoned him and when another Mannor was conveyed to the Bishop for Courtesies done diversas curialitates Eugam was set at liberty but it seems the Bishops plea would not serve his turn That the King would rather punish by Imprisonment than fine And those good times accounted it Bribery Again the Bayliff of Oxford was committed for arrears of one hundred pound in his accompt and the Mannor of Calcat conveyed to the Bishop for satisfaction yet because he was of pure Devotion discharged by the Bishop these cases all three were condemned of Extortion and Bribery and the Bishop soundly paid for it by his purse and imprisonment In Edw. 3. He imprisoned William Lord Latimer with punishment and fine being in Commission to pay off the Kings debts he compounded for eighty per centum and 30. for 40. by which saies the Record he turned it upon the King to be a Bankrupt Compounder So did the Baron Nevil bought the Kings debts of the Army and though he pleaded that they forgave him the Remainder freely yet was he fined Such like as these were brought Examples to raise the Offence of this Lord Treasurer of himself as of high birth so most Noble and without doubt disdaining to commit base crimes but whether the guilt of Sir Iohn Dingly one of the Tellers in Exchequer an intimate Servant to the Secrecies of Suffolks Countess or some necessity to make bold to borrow such sums as his Fabrick Awdle-End had need of Or the vain and monstrous expence heretofore of that family All that could be besides the necessity of Court-Fate cast in his dish was the imbezeling the monies lately paid by the States of the Netherlands for redemption of the cautionary Towns Flushing and Bril and he fined thirty thousand pounds and Dingly two thousand pounds the
Man deserving to pay for all it being of his designing But the Treasurer was from thenceforth for some time trusted to Commissioners At Midsummer after the King comes to Star-Chamber then intending to settle his homea-ffairs for his resolved journey into Scotland which began the next Spring and therefore now the more to exalt the Seat of Iustice of which this Court was most eminent he discharges his duty to God and his people in a most excellent Discourse the character of his inward inclination to Iustice and Piety His MAIESTIES SPEECH at his first comming to the Star-Chamber He begins with Scripture Give thy Iudgements to the King O God and thy righteousness to the Kings Son the literal sense upon the Prophet David and his Son Solomon godly and wise the mystical sense upon God and Christ his eternal Son just and righteous from which imitation all Governments especially Monarchies have been established Kings are properly Iudges and sit in the Throne of God and thence all Iudgement is derived from the King to his Magistrates not to them Privative but Cumulative So the Council of Jethro to Moses the Iudges were deputed for easier questions the more profound left to Moses So all Christian Kings govern whereby appears the neer Conjunction God and the King upwards the King and his Iudges downward the King to settle the Law of God and his Iudges to interprete the Law of the King Thus a Jove principium he comes to his Errand I. Why he came not to speak here in fourteen years as his Predicessors have done often especially Henry 7. from whom the King is descended doubly to this Crown and so desires to follow him in his best actions 2. Why he comes now For the first Though he had been an old King when he came hither and well practised to Government from twelve years of age yet here he resolved with Pythagoras to keep silence for seven years That Apprenticeship ended the Impediment was the choice of some worthy Cause betwixt King and some Subject or Subject and Subject The one might seem partial as for himself the other oblique in favour of a party But twice seven years his whole Reign here brings him openly to speak now publickly concerning the reformation of Iudicature in Westminster-Hall which heretofore he had in part delivered in private occasions Dividing his Charge 1. To himself 2. To the Judges 3. To the Auditory First He protests that as Confirmation follows Baptism so now he renews his Oath of Coronation in Justice and Law the common Law of the Land He never pressed to alter but as in the union of his person so he eudeavoured it real to conform Scotland to England not this to that anent the prophecy of his Grandfather Henry 7. That the lesser Kingdom by marriage would follow the greater not the greater the less and therefore married his eldest Daughter Margaret to James the fourth the Kings great Grandfather And so blames that nice opinion that the Union of Great Brittain would alter our Laws which he ever declined as a Maxim in matters of State and Policy Innovation and alteration makes it worse that he was sworn to these Laws and to alter them had been perjury in him Iustice may be moderated by him with mercy but in matters of Iustice he will be blind to partiality to hasten Iustice never to delay He distinguishes the Law The Inheritance of King and Subject to be determined by the Common Law set down by our Forefathers and expounded by learned men in their Comments and called Responsa Prudentum or by Statute-Law and this is Law of Inheritance The other Law Gods Law governs all Common and Municipalls as Dependents and he complains of the neglect of Divine Laws and disrespect to the Ministers of the Church which is the most pure and neerest the primitive and Apostolical Church in doctrine and discipline of any in Christendome Next to this is the Civil Law the Law of Nations It satisfies strangers and his own subjects in matters of Pyracy Mariage Wills which Law he divides Civil and Canon and complains of the contempt upon it and concludes his own charge to maintain so to purge it from two corruptions Incertainty and Novelty to cleer it to the people by advice of Iudges and to purge it of Niceties introduced by Iudges themselves And so as the Pastor takes the Sacrament himself and then distributes so he to them least it be said Turpe est Doctori cum culpa redarguit ipsum The charge to the Iudges consists of three parts To do Iustice Generally Indifferently Fearfully Generally uprightly as to answer God and the King aud punishment from either Indifferently to all parties King and Subject Subject and Subject without delay partiallity clean and uncorrupt Fearfully Not your own conceits for you are no Law makers but Interpreters Jus dicere not Jus dare For you have no voice in Parliament but to advise And though some Laws are obscure and may be better known to you by Books and Presidents yet their interpretations must be subject to common sense and reason Ratio est anima Legis cleer Law or solid Reason But where the formality hath no place as in Denmark the State is governed by written Law no Advocate or Proctor only the parties plead and the Law is read and so sentence He complains of our curious wits Various conceipts different actions and several examples which breed questions in Law But if plain it speaks it self if otherwise as inventions abound they are to enterprete and draw a good Minor of natural Reason out of a Major of direct Law and so will follow a true Conclusion though common Law be a Mystery and your interpretation be not understood yet by the reason of Logick and common sense it will be false And as they are Iudges and divided into Benches so they must confer debate not single opinions per emendata suffragia and thus in generall to their Office And as to their Limits First Not to incroach upon Prerogatives of the Crown deal not in difficult questions ere you consult with the King and Council otherwise is to wound the King through the sides of a Private person and herein commends some of the Iudges that of late rebuked and blunted the sharp edge and vain popular honour of some Pleaders at the Bar for meddling therein The mystery of the Kings power is not lawful to be disputed which seems to wade into the weakness of Sovereigns diminishes the mystical reverence of them that sit in the Throne of God Secondly One Iudicature not to invade upon others unsit and unlawful and herein he inlarges himself That besides Common-Law there are Courts of Requests Admiralty President and Council of Wales of the North. High Commission and every Bishops Court These shall keep their limits and bounds so the common Law shall not encroach upon them nor they on that In Westminster-Hall four Courts Two Civil Common-Pleas and Exchequer Two
direct honesty to purchace large possessions And now the place of Secretary was joyned in two Principals Sir Ralph Winwood and him and so he continued with honourable esteem untill malice and revenge two violent passions over-ruling the weaker sex concerning his Wife and Daughter involved him into their quarrel the chief and onely cause of his ruine He had by his Wife Sons and Daughters his eldest married unto Baron Rosse in right of a Grand-mother the Son of Thomas Earl of Exeter by a former venter this Baron therefore and upon Lake's credit was sent Ambassadour Extraordinary into Spain Anno 1611. in a very gallant equipage with hopes of his own to continue Lieger to save charges of transmitting any other In his absence here fell out a a deadly feud 't is no matter for what between the Lady Lake and her Daughters Step-mother the Countess of Exeter which was particularly described in a Letter and sent from England to me at Madrid in Spain and because of my near relations in that Ambassie I shewed the same to my Lord Ambassadour A youthfull Widow this Countess had been and virtuous the relict of Sir Thomas Smith Clerk of the Council and Register of the Parliament and so she became Bed-fellow to this aged gouty diseased but noble Earl and that preferment had made her subject to envy and malice Home comes the Lord Rosse from his Ambassie when he fell into some neglect of his Wife and her kindred upon refusing to increase allowance to her senttlement of Jointure which was promised to be compleated at his Return Not long he stays in England but away he gets into Italy turn'd a professed Roman Catholick being cozened into that Religion here by his publick confident Gondamore In this his last absence never to return the Mother and Daughter accuse the Countess of former incontinency with the Lord Rosse whilest he was here and that therefore upon his Wifes discovery he was fled from hence and from her Marriage-bed with other devised Calumnies by several Designs and Contrivement to have impoysoned the Mother and Daughter This quarrel blazened at Court to the Kings ear who as privately as could be singly examines each party The Countess with tears and imprecations professes her innocency which to oppose the Mother and Daughter counterfeit her hand to a whole sheet of paper wherein they make her with much contrition to acknowledg her self guilty craves pardon for attempting to impoyson them and desires friendship for ever with them all The King gets fight of this as in favour to them and demands the time place and occasion when this should be writ They tell him that all the parties met in a Visit at Wimbleton the Earl of Exeter's house where in dispute of their differences she confessed her guilt desirous of absolution and friendship consents to set down all under her own hand which presently she writ at the Window in the upper end of the great Chamber at Wimbleton in presence of the Mother and Daughter the Lord Rosse and one Diego a Spaniard his con●iding Servant But now they being gone and at Rome the King forthwith sends Master Dendy one of his Serjeants at Arms sometime a Domestick of the Earl of Exeter an honest and worthy Gentleman post to Rome who speedily returns with Rosse and Diego's hands and other Testimonials That all the said accusation confession suspitions and Papers concerning the Countess were notorious false and scandalous and confirm it by receiving their Eucharist in assurance of her honour and his innocency Besides several Letters of her hand compared with this writing concluded it counterfeit Then the King tells the Mother and Daughter that this writing being denied by her their testimonies as parties would not prevail without additional witness They then adjoyn one Sarah Wharton their Chamberess who they affirm stood behinde the Hangings at the entrance of the Room and heard the Countess reade over what she had writ And to this she swears before the King But after a Hunting at New Park the King entertained at Wimbleton and in that Room he observes the great distance from the Window to the lower end and placing himself behinde the Hanging and so other Lords in turn they could not hear a loud voice from the Window besides the Hangings wanted two foot of the ground and might discover the Woman if hidden behinde The King saying Oaths cannot deceive my sight And the Hangings had not been removed that Room in thirty years before Nay more than all these the Mother and Daughter counterfeit a Confession in writing of one Luke Hotton that for fourty pounds the Countess should hire him to poyson them which man with wonderfull providence was found out and privately denies it to the King And thus prepared the King sends for Lake whom in truth he valued tells him the danger to imbarque himself in this quarrel advising him to leave them to the Law being ready for a Star-chamber business He humbly thanked his Majesty but could not refuse to be a Father and a Husband and so puts his Name with theirs in a Cross●Bill which at the Hearing took up five several Days the King sitting in Iudgm●nt But the former Testimonies and some private confessions of the Lady Rosse and Sarah Wharton which the King kept in secret made the Cause for some Days of Triall appear doubtfull to the Court untill the Kings discovery which co●cluded the Sentence pronounced upon several Censures Lake and his Lady fined ten thousand pounds to the King five thousand pounds to the Countess fifty pounds to Hutton Sarah Wharton to be whipt at a Carts-tail about the streets and to do Penance at St. Martin's Church The Lady Rosse for confessing the truth and Plot in the midst of the Trial was pardoned by the most voices from penal Sentence The King I remember compar'd their Crimes to the first Plot of the first sin in Paradise the Lady to the Serpent her Daughter to Eve and Sir Thomas to poor Adam whole love to his Wife the old sin of our Father had beguiled him I am sure he paid for all which as he told me cost him thirty thousand pounds the loss of his Master's favour and Offices of honour and gain but truly with much pity and compassion at Court he being held an honest man Discontent among the Roman Prelates put the Ach-bishop of Spalato Mark Antonio de Dominis to seek his peace against that Sea by sundry overtures unto several Princes in Italy and otherwhere Spanish and French at last he becomes tainted with some opinions heretical to them which either he believed or took up such Tenents for the present time to prepare him a fitter Pros●lyte hereafter and finding no safe footing from the fury of the Pope and Conclave he steals over into England and to please the King pretends Conversion by his Majesties Works of Controversie and quarrels with Bellarmine however it was though fit to bid him welcome and to
the Time and to discharge all Modification advance of stipends to any Minister for a year unless onely to such as have submitted to the Articles and in affection to the Kings service The Ministers thus curbed and the Northern men being come up to Edenburgh for their stipends complain of their Brethren their pride and insolency supplicate the Bishops to intercede and mitigate his Majesties displeasure and so they did and procured Letters from the King for allowance of their stipends And Mr. Simson was now released professing his hearty reluctancy for opposing his Majesty setting his hand to a Supplication which himself framed with all submission But his Brethren not liking any submission but to their Assemblies or Synods his being to the Council he sets out an Apologetick glossing upon each word of his Confession and concludes That whatever frailty or weakness had befallen him heretofore he hoped now to be like Peter Qui ore negavit corde confessus est and never to betray the Lords cause with Judas The Iesuits do even so fast and loose neither tongue hearts nor hands can binde them against their mental secret purposes And yet there being some hope that matters might amend for the Church and their frequent Synods preparing for their better obedience the Bishops procured the Kings consent to another General Assembly to be at Perth in August the next year This royal Progress of pleasure into Scotland and back again gave leasure to the King and advantage to all Attendants for preferment of their persons or other satisfaction for their services by the freedom of their Masters bounty both to Scots and English Especially to our new Favourite now of two years growth in the Kings affection This man George Villiers of an ancient Family in Leicestershire and bears 〈◊〉 on a cross Gu. five Escalops Or. His father Sir George Villiers begat him 1592. upon a second venter Mary Beaumont of noble extraction whom for her beauty and goodness he married By his first he had but one Son rising no higher in honour than Knight and Baronet his disposition not court-like and therefore injoying perhaps the greater greatness self-fruition yet in time he had preferment to the Government of Ulster Province in Ireland The other Sons were three and in order of Birth but not in Preferment Iohn was Viscount Purbech George Duke of Buckingham and Christopher Earl of Anglesey and one Daughter Susan Countess of Denbigh We are told that he came over by chance from his French Travels and sought his Preferment in Marriage with any body but mist of a Match for want of an hundred Marks and so pieces him for the Court like the story of Demetas Caparisons borrowing of each one by piece-meal to put him forward for the Kings Favourite But the truth is thus His Mother a Widow was afterwards married unto Sir Thomas Compton whose Brother the Lord Compton by chance falling upon a wonderfull Match for matchless wealth with the Daughter and Heir of Sir Iohn Spencer Alderman of London and her Father then lately dead this Lord was Master of all which was of more than credible and so might be enabled bountifully to set up a Kinsman without other help or Alms of the Parish It was plotted long before and Villiers sent for to the same purpose by practice of some English Lords to ballance with the Scots who by the help of the last Favourite Somerset and others of great affection with the King had the better of the poor English There had been a private Intertainment of a Supper at Baynards Castle by the family of Herbert Hertford and Bedford and some others by the way in Fleet street hung out Somersets picture at a Painters stall which one of the Lords envying bad his foot-boy fling dirt on the face which he did and gave me occasion to ask my companion upon what score that was done He told me this meeting would discover And truly I waited neer and opportune and so was acquainted with the Design to bring in Villiers who was entred before He had need to be well backed against enough that envyed his neerness and aimed by any affront to discountenance him until he made them know that his courage over mastered his sweetness For having bought the place of Cup-bearer to the King and taking the upper end of the Board at dinner before some other Waiter which not his due was told of it and so removed nor was it done with overmuch kindness for indeed the other was Somersets creature who urging a second incivility Villiers gave him a Box on the Ear. For which the custome of Court condemned him to have his hand cut off And which Somerset as then Chamberlain ought to prosecute the Execution which he did And here the Kings pardon without any satisfaction to the other party made him suspected a budding Favourite Who was indeed raised with or by Somersets ruine so drew envy from him as his competitor and from others his Friends compartners in his fall being then as one cast out of the passions of the King We shall find him come up degrees and to stand firm in favour to the death of this King and his second Master till his assassination The King minding to shew his own power to raise him from nothing and his will to advance him for nothing the others study therefore was the Kings inclination and so to leave on him whose affection was sufficient to hold up his head He waited hard and close his first years rising but having removed all the whole Line of Somersets lincks his Wives interests the Howards being boldly fixed in his Masters favor he would adventure to take leave but not too long to be absent And so by degrees inured the King from his custome of overtyring his Favourites and at last fortifies himself by raising out-works if in case of assault His own mariage with an heir the daughter of the Earl of Rutland rich and Honourable twisting himself and his issue by intermariages with the best and most noble For indeed the brouse boughs cut down or removed to plain the stem Our favorite appears like a proper Palm besides the discerning spirit of the King who first cherished him through his innate virtue that surprized all men Henceforth preserments came thick upon him for the next Saint Georges day after his initiation brought him Knight Bachelour and Gentleman of the Bed-chamber At new-years time Master of the Horse and Knight of the Garter and that Summer in August 1616. Baron of Whaddon and Viscount Villiers the beginning of next year Earl of Buckingham and privy Counsellor and this Summer in Scotland sworn there also Counsellour of that State At Christmass after that favours might be recorded Acts of time and of affection too he was created Marquess Buckingham and Admiral of England chief Justice in Eyre Master of the Kings Bench Office and Steward of Westminster places of profit and Constable of Windsor Castle
The largest was Duke of Buckingham sent unto him by Patent into Spain and last of all Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports And so have we sommoned him at once with all these Titles which came to him in time heretofore and after These accumilations might no doubt astonish the Kitchen stuff conceipt of Sir A. W. Benefits imbroydered without the least vacancy or emptiness to any others workmanship The hearts of Princes once dilated with affection cannot be satiable in the exercise of any narrow bounty or little affection choice and love begets the Gift which act becomes fomented even to be in Love with their own giving and so to excesse And thus have we put together this great Man who was pieced up by degrees and time He had many kindred for his Family was ancient Heraldry might blaze as large fields of his Pedigree as need concern any subject to prove were a Man preferred to pensil his life which I take boldness but to touch with shadows These were dispersed by time into several Matches with the Gentry and what strange or new device was it in him to raise them that were neer in blood by Noble and worthy waies as he did He made his two Brothers Peers his Mother Sister Countesses the one by Patent the other by Mariage the rest of the kindred by his countenance got means to live like their Births being a race handsom and beautiful Ime●n the females descending of Villiers or Beaumont either matched with Peers or with the Sons and heirs of Earls or with Knights of plentiful condition for he did not much strengthen his subsistence in Court but stood there on his own feet the most of his Allies rather leaned on him than he sholdered up by any of them And thus much as a Preface to the History of him hereafter during this Kings raign wherein his actions are successively remembred But concerning his Mother made a Countess There are in England three sorts of honourable women by Creation Descent or Mariage 1. H. 8. created Ann Bullen Marchiones of Pembroke before he maried her So was Susan Widow the Sole Daughter of the Baron of Abergaveny created Baroness de le Spencer Cambden 63. 6. So also was the Lady Compton wife of Sir Thomas Compton brother to the Lord Compton made Countess of Buckingham with the see of twenty pound per annum 18. Iac. And also the Lady Finch a Widow created Viscountess of Maidstone 21. Iacobi 2. Noble women by descent or to whom dignities descend as heirs are said to be honourable by Tenure or those Heirs whose Ancestors were seized of an estate descendable to them in their titles of Dukedome Earldome or Baronies or Heirs to Ancestours summoned to the Parliament 3. And lastly Noble Women are these married to a Lord or Peer of the Realm though themselves but in the State of Gentry Knights Wives are not of the Nobility They are stiled Ladies by the courtesie of England but not in Courts of Judicature So much for Noble Women In the Kings return out of Scotland the people took occasion to complain in common and to petition in particular That the freedom of Servants and Laborers was extremely enslaved by their Masters pretended zeal and sanction against Idolizing as was pretended of such days as ancient custome from General Councils and the Church of England reformed even to that time had appointed to be kept Holy Whereby after the ●olemnizing of Divine service the Servants and Workmen were not usual to discompany from their accustomed moderate Pastimes such as the most rigid heretofore could not justly but admit The King not so over-affected to his own sports that the sense of the peoples sufferings might take advantage by his Example and so of Liberty in the like for much of his most serious affairs were shadowed from the vulgar nay from the observing Politicque by his own publick Pastimes But in truth it came to be a business of consequence to consider how the intemperate zeal of our then rigid Reformers to countenance their own design of deforming strook at higher powers through the peoples sides in many matters so in this also For at first these pure conceited Men quarrelled at the name of the Holy seventh day called then as of old Sunday which they would have named Sabbath and thereafter would have it observed levitically so strickt as not to gather sticks This being discussed in some Counties the people forbore their Recreations Then the Reformers took the like exceptions against the peoples lawful pleasures on Saints and Holy-daies and at last against all sports and publick Pastimes exercises innocent and harmless such were Leaping Dancing Running or any Mastery for the Gaol or Prize May-pole or Church-ale as debauched Idols In some of these Pastimes several Counties excelled and to entertain community with their Mirth the Court Progresses took delight to judge of their wagers in their journey to Scotland which the people observing took occasion to themselves to petition the King in his return for freedome and leave to be merry And thus by this means this Mans Monstrum Horrendum the Church-mans Maskarado was begotten and brought to allowance by command in print to justifie the people in their lawful pleasures though upon the Sunday after service This year died Edw. Talbot the 8. Earl of Shrewsbury without issue and therfore it descended upon George Talbot son of Iohn Talbot of Grafton Esq by Katherine his wife Daughter of Sir William Peters heir male of Sir Gilbert Talbot of Grafton second Son of Iohn Lord Talbot second Earls of Shrewsbury after the death of Gilbert and Edward Earls of Shrewsbury without issue male who was this next year 1618. admitted by King Iames the ninth Earl But this man dying also without issue the inheritance descended upon the children of Iohn Talbot brother to this George which Iohn dyed and left issue Iohn now the eleventh Earl 1652. He bears Gules a Lion rampant and a border engraled Or. Sir Walter Raleigh wearied with long imprisonment and having there spent his time well in the History of the World made his petition more passable to the King whose love to learning granted him now at last his Liberty and not long after gave him leave to wander after a design to the Western world where he had been in several Climates before The common World wondering at this mans wit who had a way to break Jests though to hazard his head again for in a jear he said That his whole History had not the like President Of a Kings chief Prisoner to purchase freedom and his bosome Favourite to have the Halter but in Scripture Mordecai and Haman meaning Himself and Somerset To which he was told that the King replyed He might dy in this deceipt which he did and Somerset saved But in truth he had a reaching and roving mind from his first rise and thereafter but a mean fortune which he meant now
the experience of vexation might in some degree mollifie their affections better to digest difficulties he never refused by Ambassies to both sides and to all other the intervenient Princes and States to attempt that high work of Peace first and then afterwards of Restauration of the Palatinate by other waies and means The times when these Negotiations set forward were usuall in the Kings progress or retirements from London to his Sports as was conceived but they were then chosen abroad for better leasure of business even then when Kingdoms were in dispute An art he had thus to cover his weightier Meditations for most of his Dispatches were concluded in his hunting journies Prince Charls now grown man the King had disposed to a Treaty for his Marriage with the Infanta of Spain some while since and Sir Walter Aston sent thither Lieger to fit correspondence and now conceived not improper to induce the restauration of the Palatinate by that means However it may be observed the evil success of all our former medling with that Nation in matters of marriages so malignant and disagreeing with ours Let us ravel back to the memory of the Black Prince a person of the greatest performance that Christendome can parrallel Yet in his voyage to Spain to settle Don Piedro besides their monstrous ingratitude and perfidy to him then caused also that miserable revolt in France by his absence which lost us our Inheritance there and his health ever after his body either corrupted by the air or by their Drugs impoisoned And indeed their matches with the heirs and Princes of this Crown for above six score years having been no where else except the second Marriages of Henry the eight were alwaies unhappy Prince Arthurs sudden death left his Widow to his wicked Brother with whom God was less pleased as the Match was more unlawful and therefore not a Male was left of their race only one Daughter in whose short reign of six years was more bloodshed for the true Religion than for the false in sixty years she adventuring to marry there also this discontented Nation fell into insurrections Treasons Wiats Rebellion and therefore her Husband Ph●lip suspecting the future effects forsook her who lost Callis to the French in six daies that the English had enjoyed 200. years but altogether broke her heart and she dyed Now to parallel these foreign Matches with those at home to our own Subjects the first being by Edward the fourth and the last with Henry the eight from which two Gods blessing brought forth two Queens Elizabeths such instruments of his Glory Peace in the Land and Religion in the Church as never could produce greater examples of Happiness to England until this of King Iames who brought hither them both with him But for settling affairs at Home for his purpose abroad he resolves of a Parliament which he had thought saies one to lay them by for ever as incroachers upon his prerogative and diminishers of his Majesties glory making Kings less and subjects more than they are Certainly he had good intelligence from the Kings thoughts or else the Man had a Devilish revelation to prophesy the effects for such they proved to be afterwards But in truth the people were grown high fed with plenty and peace and pretending their zeal for regaining the Palatinate were wilde for a War with any body for any thing The King willing to let blood in that vein meant to make it his purpose and to get money to boot Some sheets of paper together is wasted by Our adversary to let in his Reader into that Parliament he saies That for the Spanish faction was Arundel Worcester Digby Calvert Weston and others Popishly affected with Buckingham and all his Train The Duke of Lenox Marquess Hamilton and Earl of Pembroke their Antagonists Such and so few were they not in anger against the King but against his Ministers a plea evermore borrowed by practical people against their Sovereigns Proceedings The Papists flourished by Gondamores power with the Ladies of England their Nieces and Daughters presenting him in their Balconies in Drury-Lane and the Strand long before any were quilt in those places and himself in a Litter but was only accosted by the Lady Jacob with a gaping Yawn telling his servant that came on the Errand to know the meaning that she had a Mouth to be stopt too which Gondamore closed with a present That this Lady was a Bawd to the beauties and poor fortunes of young Gentlewomen whose parents sent them up hither for preferment and saies that for respects to their posterities he will spare to name their persons It seems he was Pimp-Major to them all How does this di●●ecting become his grave Proeme if it be his own where he saies Histories are like Anatomies if ignorance or malice attempt to hack hew or bespatter it it will be most inhumane c. And so dissect and open their own follies c. They must not cauterize and flash with malice c Therefore he that censures others and vents them for truth digs in the bowels of another and wounds himself And yet as he saies though he fly high and may rove he is sure not to light far from the mark So he there in his proeme He goes on in his History and tells us That the Earl of Buckingham now Marquess rules all That the King bought of Worster to make the Marquess Master of the Horse But in truth that antient Earl being Chamberlain also to the Queens Houshold could not attend that service and wait abroad upon the King and it was therefore his own suit and Buckingham paid him for parting with it and so was made Master of the Horse The place of Marquess is the next in honour to a Duke the title came but of late daies the first was by Richard 2. upon Robert de Vere Marquess of Dublin and so it became a Title of honour for before that time they were called Lords Marchers and not Marquesses After the Conquest as in policy they were resident upon the Confines and Borders of the Welch and other places not subdued Men of valour of high blood of the Normans with the name and privileges of Earls of Chester And for the Nort Borders of Wales to be Count Palatines And the Barons of the Middle part of the South-Marches were adorned in a manner with a Palatine Jurisdiction having a Court of Chancery and Writs among themselves pleadable least their attendance abroad might be prejudicial at home And as for the other part of the South-Marches they seemed sufficiently defended with the River Severn and the Sea By these Ascents our Marquess Buckingham climbs to succeed at this time a good and gallant old Earl of Nottingham Admiral who being almost Bedrid made Suit to the King that he might dispose of his place as a Legacy in his life time upon Buckingham which was so done and who to my Knowledge went in person
to him and acknowledged the kindness and his young Lady was presented with a Noble and valuable Reward 30001. besides a pension of one thousand pound per annum during his life and this was done with so much love and liking that I have often observed Buckinghams great Civility ever after at meetings to call him Father and bend his knee without the least regret of that Lord that gained more by the bargain And because Sir Robert Mansel a dependant of Nottingham had the place of Vice-Admiral at pleasure only Buckingham for his Lords sake continued him so by Patent during his life for which courtesy the good old man came himself to give thanks as I remember the last Complyment his age gave him leave to present And thus was this office of honour and safety to the Kingdom ordered from the command of a decrepit old man to a proper young and active Lord strengthened with the abilities o● an experienced Assistant without deserving qu●r●el of our carping Pamphleter A●ter Suffolk the weight and charge of the Treasurers Staff was conferred upon the Lord Chief Justice Sir Henry Mountague Viscount Mandevile Son of Sir Edward Mountague of Bolton in the County of Northampton Son of another Sir Edward likewise Chief Justice who had three Sons Edward the eldest Knight of the Bath bred up in the Wars a faithful Noble stout Commander Iames that reverend eloquent and learned Bishop of Winchester a man so highly in favour and esteem with this King his Master that he had the honour of the Bed-chamber which no Prelate ever enjoyed from any King This Henry was created Baron of Kimbolton Viscount Mandevile and Lord Treasurer in 1620 Afterwards Pre●ident of the Council and the first year of King Charles Earl of Manchester and Lord Privy Seal and dyed after the entrance of the long Parliament 1643. A man of singular learning in the Laws his Wisdome and experience deserving those high places of Trust and honour He married three wives Katherine the Daughter of Sir William Spencer in Oxon by whom he had five sons and four daughters Edward the eldest Viscount Mandevile Knight of the Bath Walter Iames Charls and Henry His second Wife Ann Wincol of Suffolk Widow to Alderman Holyday Lord Major of London by whom he had issue His third Wife was Daughter of Iohn Crowch of Cornbury in the County of Hartford Widow of Iohn Hare of the Court of Wards by whom he had issue George and Sydney men of eminent vertues now living 1655. Our Historian tells us of the swarming of Jesuits That our Counsellors of State and Secretaries were Counselors to the Pope and of a Divelish Sermon before the King which he the Lyar saw and heard if the King did not for Bishop Neal would always ingrosse the Kings ears with baudy Tales This his Discourse smells too rank he saies and craves excuse having had hammerings and conflicts within himself to leave it out and yet goes on with his baseness and tells us that this Bishops hand closed up the Countess of Essex's virginity and that such like practices as these gave an after period to that Hierarchy Then follows a Tale of the female Iesuitrices in England an Order he says first framed in Flanders by two women Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Twily clothed in Ignatian habit supported by three Fathers Gerard Flack and Moor to preach their Gospel to their Sect in England and two hundred English Damosels of great Birth and quality sent of the Errand and for the truth of all produces a Proselyte Turn-coat of any Religion and every Trade that tells this story in the Spanish Pilgrime which our Adversary recites to grace his History The Iesuits indeed are bad enough but to cope them with our Counsellours of State and other Tales with no better Authority we may herein minde our Authour Not to bely the Devil Sir Francis Cottington Resident in Spain had the conveniency three years before to discover the affairs of those parts and gave intelligence hither of the increase of Pirates in the Mediterranean Sea their whole Fleet then consisting of fourty tall Ships of two hundred and four hundred Tuns in two Squadrons the one remaining before Malago the other about the Cape St Maria between Lisbone and Sevile That within the Streights they entered the Road of Mostil a Town by Malago beat down the Castle and had taken the Town but for succour of Souldiers that came from Granado yet they took divers Ships and four of the West of England two other of ours that ran on shore they burnt also and absol●tely perverting our Trade into Spain These at Cape St. Maria met with seven Sail of London five they took and two e●caped They are usually manned with Turks and Spanish Moriscoes and attend the coming of the West India Fleet then commanded by Don Iohn Faxardo Upon this occasion the State of Spain moved King Iames to joyn some Sea-forces for their suppression as the common Enemy of Christendom And indeed those courses of the Pirates do but exercise the Forces of Spain by Sea without any great hurt the most dammage falls upon the Trade of Merchants thither of which the English will be the greatest number and so of Sufferers The last year the Hollander having leave of Spain for certain of their Ships armed against the Pirates to have safe recourse thither but instead of offending them sold to Algier as much Powder and Ammunition as ever since hath furnished the Pirates Fleets By which means now grown formidable few Merchant-men escaping them th● strong Town of Algier upon the Coast of Barbary countenancing their Thievery and depending on the Turks Protection yet so cunningly contrived as not to be seen to protect them that all Christian Ambassadours concerned herein and complaining at Constantinople could have no redress And therefore it was now concluded to conjoyn Forces of Christendom to free that Sea In so much that they in some fear eighteen of the chie●est Pirates in the Levant authorized the Viscount L' Orme and one De la Pomeray Frenchmen to search for their pardon and to come in with all their Shipping offering to the English mostly concerned therein for retribution of this grace fourty and five thousand pound sterling but this was negotiated onely by their Emissary La Forest at Bruxels unto our Agent there Sir William Trom●all on purpose to tempt us and the French unto whom the like was offered from joyning with others to ruine them but was therefore attempted by all And for the English was sent Sir Robert Mans●● Vice-Admiral of the Narrow Seas with a Fleet this year And arriving in May with expectation of other Assistants they all failing to any purpose his noble heart disdaining to return without Attempts He first furnished two Prizes which he took by the way three Brigandines and a Boat with Fire-locks and combustible materials for bu●ning the Pirates Ships in the Harb●r who were all come home
course but it fell out more fatal to him which lasted to the end and thereby wrought its best use In the midst of sufferings the bread of sorrow tastes better than the Banquet of fools for afflictions brings such mens souls to be Saints at the Mark which otherwise would be overgrown with too much Greatnesse His memorable abilities remain but in few and his compassionate infirmities common to all To expiate which he did as became him to do to the House of Peers prostrate himself and sins which ingenuously he acknowledged promising amendment of his life and made it good to the Worlds eye Those excellent works contrived in his retirement do evidently manifest his wit and worth with much regret to many good men that such an one should be fallen off from the face of State In Bacons place comes Doctor Williams Dean of Westminster by the Title of Keeper of the Great Seal of England the same power and Jurisdiction as the Chancelour see Statute quinto Elizab which was not so besore At first but as Vice-Chancelour Matthew Paris saith Custodiam ●igilli Regii accepit Cancelarii Vices Acturus Officium c. He was also then made Bishop of Lincoln together to make him more capable of the Office brought in sayes one to serve turns which no Lay-Man was bad enough to undertake Former ages held it more consonant to reason to trust the Conscience of the Clergy with the case of the Lay-man they best knowing a Case of Conscience and antiently the Civil Laws were adjudged by the Ministers of the Church and the Chancery and other Courts of Equity then in the charge of a Divine Minister And therefore a mistake in the Record that sets it down as a Wonder for an Arch-bishop of Saint Andrews to be made Chancelour of Scotland by King Charles a thing he saies not known in that Kingdom for three hundred years before for a Clergy man to bear that office But we find Iames Seaton and David Seaton both Arch-bishops of Saint Andrews and Chancelours of Scotland within one hundred years space And many other Arch-bishops and Bishops within three hundred years not only Chancelours but Judges of the Law Master of the Robes and other Offices of Judicature By which means their onely Bishopricks too poor they advanced to degrees of wealth enabling them to erect most of those sumptuous Fabricks of piety and Honour in that Nation and so in England by our Clergy by this man also in some measure So ran the Channel till Bacons father had it from a Bishop and now a Bishop has it again and had King Iames lived to have effected his Desires the Clergy had fixed firm footing in Courts of Judicature out of the rode of the Common-Law and this was the true cause of Williams initiation thither his quality thus fitted for the Kings intention He was in truth Chaplain to Buckinghams Mother and let into Court parallel in some degree with Cardinal Richlieus entrance by Queen Mother of France a Man may take view of these conformities not few if you consider proportions what is allowed to the Jesuit must rebate of the Reformed and what this man could not do in competition as the other his aim shewed his will but not the effect But at his entrance into this Trust comes two Bills signed from the King to be made Patents by the Seal the one for a Pension of two thousand pound per annum and the other for the Office of Earl Marshal of England both of them to be conferred upon the Earl of Arundel The first though with some regret in those unseasonable times to receive such large pensions which yet he sealed but took upon him to trench upon the Lord Treasurer Middlesex who willingly gave way to it for which they both had enmity ever after The later he refused upon these Queries 1. Whether in the Delivery of the Staff to the Earl his Majesty did not declare it to him for ease of the other Commissioners that executed it before with him and so to imply no inlargement of power which this Patent doth 2. Whether his Majesty means that this Patent leaping over the powers of the three last Earls Essex Shrewsbury and Somerset should refer only to Arundels own Ancesters Howards and Mowbrays Dukes of Norfolk who claimed that place by Inheritance the usual way and reference of Patents being unto the last and immediate Predecessor and not to the remote whose powers heretofore in these troublesome times were vage uncertain and impossible to be limitted 3. Whether that this Lord should bestow those Offices settled in the Crown as Sir Edward Zouches in Court Sir George Reynolds in the Kings Bench and divers others all which this Great Patent sweeps away being Places of Worth and Dignity 4. Whether my Lord Stewards place shall be for all his power of Judicature is in the Verge either altogether extinguished or at least subordinate to the Office A point considerable because of the Duke of Lenox who was Steward his greatness of Person and neerness of blood to the King And here he claws him 5. Lastly whether that the Offices of the Earl Marshall of England and the Marshall of the Kings house in former times distinct shall be now united to this great Lord A power limitted by no Law or Record but to be searched out from Heralds Chronicles Antiquaries and such absolute Monuments and thereupon this sixty years for Essex his power was cleerly limitted only as Marshall unfit to be revived by the Policy of this State And by these queries the Patent was pared which increased malice to the end of their Days Certainly there is a difference between the Earl Marshal of England and the Marshal of the Kings House See Lambert Archiron or of the High Courts of Justice in England The Marshall of England and the Constable are united in a Court which handleth only Duells out of the Realm and matters within as Combats Blazon Armory but may not meddle with any difference tryable by the Laws of the Land The Marshal of the Kings Houshold is united in a Court with the Steward which holds Plea of Trespass Contracts and Covenants made within the Verge and that by the Laws Articl super Cart. cap. 3 4 5. The honour of Lord Marshal is so antient as Thomas Lord Mowbray by Richard 2. was created Duke of Norfolk and the first Earl Marshal of England anno 1397. And so successively unto Iohn Lord Mowbray who dyed the 15. of Edward 4. anno 1475. and had issue one only Daughter married unto Richard Duke of York second son of Edward the fourth and was by his Father created Duke of Norfolk and Earl Marshall of England murthered in the Tower anno 1483 without issue Then comes Iohn Howard Son of the Daughter and coheir of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk and was by Richard the third created Duke of Norfolk but not Earl Marshall Nor was his Son Thomas
shall chance to be lodged But because the Reader may have better satisfaction of those times and Ecclesiastical policy then towards the Lay-Recusants for such only was it needful to favour the King was so Popishly addicted as our Calumniator would inforce that to the incredible exhaustment of his Treasure he most zealously intreated for refreshment and favour unto all the Protestants in Europe His Crown and Dominions and Denmark excepted The Swedes having lately provoked the Pole had no other hope of Peace those of France for the exercise of their Religion those of the Palatinate and all the neighbouring Protestants the least conveniency to say their prayers but by the Kings Mediation And being advised by the late Assembly of Parliament into this Milky way of Intercession and treaty abroad what a preposterous Argument would it have been to desire those Mighty Princes crowned and victorious to grant clemency to them and for himself to execute poenal Laws against the Papists The English Iesuit in France did design to frustrate this pious indeavour of the King by writing a most malicious Book to the French King inciting him and his three Estates to execute their Statutes upon the Hugonotes as the like they said were here enacted against Catholiques I would therefore advise with the most subtil States-monger to chalk out a way for his Majesty to have mediated for grace to the Protestants by executing at this time the severity of lawes upon the Papist But hat this favour should amount to a Tolleration is a most dull and yet a most divilest construction A Toleration looks forward to the future this favour backward only to offences past and the Lord Keepers letter to the Judges is so to be understood whereby if any Papist by them should be set at liberty and should offend and laws again the Justices may nay must recommit him and leave favour only to the King to whom only belongeth Mercy Nay more let these two writs directed to the Judges be perused by any rash censurors as they were resolved by grave and learned men to whom the King committed the penning and it will appear the Papists were no more out of Prison then with shackles about their heels sufficient Sureties and Recognizances to present themselves at the next Assizes So they being grasped in the custody of law or rather imprisoned still than with any liberty And in truth they were by this tender favour to be reduced into a better behaviour or otherwise upon tryal the King was to recall his writ and leave them to extremity But if a Critique will conclude an Argument from the Devils Topicques a converto ad abstractum from a favour to some well-minded English Catholique reasonably to be distinguished from others what therefore is the King turned Roman Papist whose wise discourses learned Writings pious Exercises Acts of Parliament late Directions for catechising Preaching and all other professions hath manifestly declared himself to all the World an Orthodox resolved Protestant But the Spirits of wisemen are now satisfied that those airy Representations of ungrounded fancies set aside this Island of all the Countreys of Europe was then the sole Nest of Peace and true Religion and the inhabitants most unhappy now that they looked not up to Heaven to give thanks for those mercies then Thus much the King had to do to keep these Men in obedience at home being intent also upon his honour abroad And having yet in this time of Treaty assisted Holland in an open way of Men and Money to ballance them with Spain and Recruits dayly sent over so plentiful that sale was made of our men more than they used The Spanish Lieger took exceptions and that justly that in time of Confederacy Treaty and Union of a Match such partiality was afforded to the Enemies of Spain and no more interest of Confederacy with our King than we with his Master To balance both the King grants freedome alike to his Subjects to be called by Drum to either service when it was evident that only one Regiment went away with the Lord Vaux to re-inforce the Army in Flanders and seaven thousand were carried to Holland Besides it was intended more policy to the one then equality to both to be rid of the Papists which he sayes infected the Kingdome And whilst the Commissioners on both sides argue the Articles the Pope no doubt meddled with Spain in the Matters of Religion proposeable on that part It was prudence in the King to permit an active Man Mr. Gage his own subject though Romish Catholique for in businesses they are not such Bug-bears to be at Rome to pry into the Popes actions and did recommend the affair unto the Cardinals Ba●dino and Lodeviso as the passages might correspend with disputes and differences in points of opinion Moral and Divine But in his letter to the King of Spain disclaims any Treaty with the Pope or to observe his rules in reference to his Son Was it not an oversight tro you that some better affected Puritan was not put in for an Intelligencer What mad Work such an one made once at the Popes Altar But not to spend Paper to answer such a Cutter of Cummin-seed Digby had express commands Not to wast time with the Spanish Delaies either for dispensation of the Match from Rome or cessation of Arms in the Palatinate H●idleburgh being then besieged and the English Garrisons blocked up Of all which the English Ambassadour Sir Richard Weston at Bruxels disputing with the In●anta had no redress as the Copyes of the Dispatches intend for he was commanded to represent the merits of his Master for sincere proceedings with the Emperour and Spain upon protestation of their Extraordinary respect However the Palatine had deserved That the way is now pr●pared that the English may have the honour to hold those places which are not in dispute untill the general accomodation without more amuze or further treaty of Cessation and before the whole Cou●trey be seized or our Treaty ended Refers him to the Dispatches to be furnished with Arguments of unkindnesses there notwithdrawing the Spanish forces but leaving the business to discuss with the Emperour and Bavaria That the Infanta's Answers with Recrimination altogether Minister jealousie of the Emperour and Spaniard if he consent not for if those things be not forthwith remedied the King of England will recal his Ambassadour from Bruxells as an unkindness deserving from the Emperour Not to be interpreted as to reflect upon the intire affection between those two Crowns of Us and Austria being mntually promised That as the King expects his Son in Laws dependance on his advise or to be forsaken so in the same measure it is just for Spain to decline the Emperour And concludes with this honourable Item To carry things fair without cause of distrust if reality be perceived on their part in the Match wherein the King excepts against their dull diligence depending only upon
Jealousies in the young Count Soissons who had some hopes of pretensions towards Madame but now discouraged and the more upon discourse of the Cardinal Rochfalcaut with his Mother to take off all expectation That in this Conjunction of Affairs the King would no doubt prefer his Sister into England with advantage of his Dignity and her Honour and though he loved the Count he would counsel his Master to the contrary with him Soissons encountring Kensington had his salute due to his rank a great Peer of the Blood who disdainfully turned aside and so a second time in presence of Grandmont he told it to the Marquess de la valesse a Confident of the Counts who conveys it to Soissons and was answered That he affords no better Countenance to Kensington whom he hates not but his errand which he resented so ill as were it not the behalf of so great a Prince he had a heart to cut Kensingtons throat And so retires out of Town This boldness of him to aver Corrival with our Prince and abuse of his Minister made Kensington begin the quarrel with a Challenge which the Count accepts but the former passages were so narrowly observed with the publick interest and honour of that State so neerly concerned that the Count was secured and Kensington seized into several Courtships as made it not possible to try the Combate but were both made Friends by the King The Treaty on foot and the Match mannaged most by the Constable Monsieur de Vieuxville who after some disgusts upon the peoples interest was for that secured from their rage by a seeming imprisonment and after rewarded by publique preferment being the Queen Mothers Instrument also to enter her neerer Favourite Cardinal Richlieu her Confessor and great Confident and now introduced him also into the Cabinet Council composed of the Queen Mother the Cardinals Rochfalcour and Richliew the Constable and the Guard de Seaux To assist Kensington comes over Carlile with joint Commission to ballance the French Council The first difficulty likely to be insisted upon was Religion wherein they were told the course that King Iames might be driven unto to banish Iesuits and Priests and quicken the Laws against other Catholicks in necessity of reducing them within the bounds of obedience correspondent to the expectation of Parliament now sitting for without them this work of weight could not proceed which with much altercation was at last resented as reason upon hope of Moderation herafter which was all they pretended unto And that the Grace theeof might the rather flow from the mediation of that State so much stood upon by Spain to save their honours therein who otherwise would be held H●reticks And their good inclination forthwith appeared in the publick Treatment of the Ambassadours for some time at the Kings charge which so heightned them thereafter that their Expence so Magnificently profuse was never matched by any Many subtilties lengthened the Treaty the French following the former way of the Spanish delay from their several Overtures to cross ours and ministred an excuse Of unseasonable concluding in this conjuncture of time when such great changes are apt to beget jealousies from neighbour States And this was cunningly fomented by the Spanish Ambassadour who vaunted That there is not a greater change in La Vieuxville his preferment who governed all as there is in the General affections which follow the stream of his greatness and credit Casting in the Kings mind the Seeds of doubt whereto Olivares in Spain did contribute his Rodimentado to Bristol not yet come home That if the Pope should grant a Dispensation for France his Master would march to Rome and sack it However Kensington who was more interessed to press the Princes affection than his Collegue Carlisle had leave to make Address unto Madame at some distance yet neerer than before with such commands as the Prince had intrusted to him which Queen Mother would know No saies the Baron that were in example to the like prejudice which the Spaniard put upon the Prince She replyed The Case is different there he was in person here but by Deputy But yet such a Deputy saies Kensington that represents his Person Mais pour tout celas dit elle qu' est ce que vous diret Rien dit ille qui ne soit digne des orcilles d' une si virtueuse Princesse Mais qu' est ce said she Why if your Majesty will needs know it will be much to this effect and so in a way of freedom exprest it thus That your Majesty hath afforded me liberty of free Discourse presenting his Highness service not by complement but by passions of affections which both her outward and inward Beauties the virtues of her Mind hath so inlightened his resolve as to contribute his utmost to her allyance as the greatest happiness here upon Earth if the Success might minister occasion to manifest his Devotion in adoring her And going on Aller aller said she il ny a point de danger en tout cela je me fie en vous se me fie But I dare say he said more to Madame who drank down the joy and with a low courtesie acknowledged it to the Prince addi●g her extream obligement to his Highnesse in the happiness of meriting such eminent place in his good graces Then turns he to the old Ones that guard her Ladies saies he Since the Queen grants me these freedomes It would not ill become your Ladyships to speak and do suitable Letting them know that the Prince had Madames Picture in the Cubinet of his heart as well as in his hand and so fed his Eyes and Soul with sight and contemplation until he should be blessed with her person This serving as a second Courtship to Her self who no doubt took up each syllable as it fell from him and such success followed that Carlile had the Garter of Saint George sent him snd the Baron converted to an Earl and called Holland The Princess appearing more in publique Her Court and Train inlarged and though our Embassadours had to do with harsh and subtile Clergy and the rest resolute Statists yet so reasonable were the conditions on both sides as that the Articles were received by King James not long before his death but not sworn unto as some do say that he did and worse would make us believe That Carliles comming was to delay the Treaty in hope of renewing that with Spain A scandal ●evised to make the King odious and the Prince inconstant for the copied Articles of several Transactions and the original Dispatches are to be produced in answer to all And thus was the business mannaged abroad until she came over to be Queen of England These were times of Tryal at home Inquisition upon all Mens actions the King being willing to expose his greatest Ministers who escaped not the censure The Lord Treasurer Cranfield is questioned for mismannaging the Exchequer
had we hearts aright to conceive of Gods extraordinary love and such miraculous Mercies as never Nation enjoyed walk over the World peruse the whole face of the Earth from East to West from North to South from one side of Heaven to another you shall not find such another nlightened Goshen as this Island where besides doth the Gospel shine with such Glory Truth and Peace c. We have lived in a time of Miracles Our posterity will hardly believe the wonders done in Our daies c. Was it not a miraculous mercy to have such a King c. who hath already next under that Almighty God by whom Kings reign continued the Gospel unto us and preserved us from the destroying Sword all his blessed Reign over us and what do you think were so many years Peace worth were it to be bought with the Enjoyment of the Gospel to boot He hath enobled this Kingdome for ever by his excellent Writings in the cause of Religion against Antichrist which would have created a great deal of Honour to a private Man minding nothing else How illustrious then do they make Our King The child unborn will blesse King James For his Premonition to all Princes and free States of Christendome and that Royal Remonstrance against the rotten and pestilent Otation of the French Cardinal to the utter and Triumphant overthrow of it penned in that Stile that none can possibly reach but a learned King his Golden Pen hath given such a blow to that Beast of Rome that he will never be able to stand upon his four Legs again He hath shot out of his Royal Bow such keen Arrowes taken out of the Qu●ver of Gods Book which will hang in the sides of that Scarlet Whore and make her lame as long as she lives Hath he not most happily and seasonably stopt the hasty torrent of the Arminian Sect and the domineering Rage of bloody Duels c. And was not the discovery and delivery from the Powder plot that great Astonihment of Men and Angels one of the most unparallell'd and merciful Miracles that ever the Church of God tasted c. And to crown all with wonder of greatest Astonishment do not we all that are of the Kings faithfullest Subjects almost fear still left we be in a dream That King Charles the flower of Christendom c. And concludes Away then with all sowr melancholick causeless sinful discontent And praise ye the Lord sing unto the Lord a New song and his praise in the Congregation of the Saints Let Israel rejoice in him that made him Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King for the Lord taketh pleasure in his People he will beautifie the meek with salvation Let the Saints be joyful in Glory Let them sing aloud upon their Beds c. Sir Francis Bacon in honour of K. Iames. WHerefore representing your Majesty many times unto my mind and beholding you not with the eye of presumption to discover that which the Scripture tells me is inscrutable but with the observant eye of duty and admiration leaving aside the other parts of your virtue and fortune I have been touched yea and possessed with an extreame wonder at these your virtues and faculties which the Philosophers call Intellectuals The largeness of your Capacity the faithfulness of your Memory the swiftness of your apprehension the penetration of your Iudgement and the facility and order of your Elocution And I have then thought that of all the persons living that I have known your Majesty were the best instance to make a man of Plato's Opinion That all knowledge is but Remembrance and that the Mind of man by Nature knoweth all things and hath but her own Native and Original Notions which by the strangeness and darkness of the Tabernacle of the Body are sequestred again revived and restored such a Light of Nature I have observed in your Majesty and such a readiness to take flame and blaze from the least occasion presented or the least Spark of anothers knowledge delivered And as the Scripture saith of the Wisest King That his heart was as the Sand of the Sea which though it be one of thr largest Bodies yet it consisteth of the smallest and finest portions So hath God given your Majesty a composition of understanding admirable being able to compass and comprehend the greatest Matters and nevertheless to touch and apprehend the least wherein it should seem an impossibility in Nature for the same Instrument to make it self fit for great and small Works And for your gift of Speech I call to mind what Cornelius Tacitus saith of Augustus Caelar Augusto profluens u● quae principem deceret eloquentia fuit For if we mark it well Speech that is uttered with labour and difficulty or Speech that ●avoureth of the affectation of Art and Precepts Or Speech that is framed after the imitation of some pattern of Eloquence though never so excellent All this hath somewhat Servile and holding of the Subject But your Majesties manner of Speech is indeed Princelike flowing as from a Fountain and yet streaming and branching it self into Natures Order full of facility and felicity Imitating none and imitable by any And as in your Civil Estate there appeareth to be an emulation and contention of your Majesties Virtues with your Fortunes a virtuous Disposition with a Fortunate Regiment a virtuous expectation when time was of your greater fortune with a prosperous possession thereof in the due time a virtuous observation of the Laws of Marriage with most blessed and happy fruit of Mariage a virtuous and most Christian desire of Peace with a fortunate inclination in your Neighbour Princes thereunto So likewise in those Intellectual Matters there seemeth to be no less contention between the excellency of your Majesties gifts of nature and the Universality and perfection of your Learning For I am well assured of this that what I shall say is no Amplification at all but a positive and measured Truth which is That there hath not been since Christs time any King or Temporal Monarch which hath been so learned in all Literature and Erudition Divine and Humane For let a Man seriously and diligently revolve and peruse the succession of the Emperours of Rome of which Caesar the Dictato● who lived some years before Christ and Marcus An●onius were the best learned And so descend to the Emperours of Graecia or of the West and then to the lines of France Spain England Scotland and the Rest and he shall find this Judgement truly made For it seemeth much in a King if by the compendious extractions of other Mens Wits and Learning he can take hold of any superficial Ornaments and shews of Learning Or if he countenance and prefer Learning and Learned Men. But to drink indeed of the true Fountain of Learning nay to have such a Fountain of Learning in himself in a King and in a King born is almost a Miracle And the more because there
is met in your Majesty a rare conjunction as well of Divine and Sacred Literature as of Prophane and Humane So as your Majesty stands invested of that Triplicity which in great Veneration was ascribed to the antient Hermes The power and fortune of a King the knowledge and illumi●ation of a Priest and the Learning and Universality of a Philosopher This propriety inherent and individual Attribute in your Majesty deserveth to be expressed not only in the fame and admiration of the present time nor in the History or Tradition of the Ages succeeding but also in some solid work fixed memorial and immortal Monument bearing a Character or Signature both of the power of a King and the difference and persection of such a King So he Memoria Iusti cum laudibus Et Impiorum Nomen putrescit An EPITAPH ON King Iames the sixth THose that have Eyes awake and weep For He whose waking wrought Our sleep Is fallen asleep and never Shall awake till wak'd for Ever Death's Iron hand hath clos'd those Eyes Which were at once Three Kingdomes Spyes Both to foresee and to prevent Dangers so soon as they were meant That Head whose working Brain alone Wrought all mens quiet But His own Now lies at Rest. Oh let Him have The Peace He purchasd in His Grave If that no Naboth all His Reign Was for his fruitful Vineyard slain If no Uriah lost his Life For having had so fair a Wife Then let no Shemei's curses wound His Honour or profane His Ground Let no Black-Mouth no Rank-breath Cur Peaceful James His Ashes stir Kings are as Gods O! do not then Rake in Their Graves to prove Them Men. For His daies toyl and Night watches For His craz'd sleep stol'n by Snatches For Two fair Kingdomes join'd in One For all He did or meant t' have done Do this for Him write on His Dust King IAMES the Peaceful and the Just. Sit Gloria DEO FINIS The Conclusion HItherto having pursued the Descent following the Union of the two Roses by Marriage of Henry 7. of England and the re-union of both Kingdoms Sovereignty by succesfull inheritance of King James and then left to a son and Heir and also to the numerous issue of a Daughter and her Descendents and suddenly into the present possession of King Charls of Great Britain France and Ireland the first who though affianced forthwith in Marriage with the Princess Maria Sister to the French King Louis the 13. Blessed also afterward with a numerous Issue Sons and Daughters as a full Period in shew of all former Mutation and change through them and their posterity perpetual So indeed it appeared to a State-observer but not seemed good to the Eye of Providence whose powerfull Hand hath ordered it otherwise for He is taken away in the strength of his years and perfections and none of his in possibility of Reason to succeed to any part or portion of his Inheritance But to proceed in the continuation of this History to these Times and to branch into such particulars as to draw down to discover Truth to after-Ages may seem to some very difficult the common Excuse of such as cannot or will not undertake it and therefore pre●end that by following the heels of Truth too near a man may endanger his Teeth A defect of Reason so to conceive when an even and unbiassed Narrative of Men and Matters may well become the judicious Historian For first that King Charls was lawfully possessed and crowned Monarch of his Fathers Inheritance his Peers and People obediently submitting to his Scepter That He being necessarily imbroiled into some forrein Ingagements against Spain and France was enforced to summon the assistance of several succeeding Parliaments unsuccesfull and by too hasty Regulation of Ecclesiastick Discipline upon the Scots Kirk moved them to an unnatural Insurrection which caused Expeditions against their Armies already descended into the heart of England which enforced him to assemble another long-lasting Parliament wherein he lost himself and his Life also What were the true and different Reasons Grounds and Man●agements of the late Differences between Him and Them the Pro●ocations on either side to the first entrance into the miserable War Their several Battels Sieges Policies and different Successes of that so long uncivil-civil Dissension His n●●●ssities enforcing Him to leave his own Party and to resign up himself unto his natural Countreymen unfaithfull Scots Their Sale of his Person back again to his English subjects Their several Passages Declarations Narratives Treaties Overtures and Disputes between Them both before and during his Restraint in order to a firm and lasting Agreement with his Parliament and People for Reconciling Important Affairs of Church and State with the Presby●erian future destruction of the Hierar●hy of Ecclesia●tick Discipline Their Policies thereupon to be rid of the Bishops Deans and Chapters The Dismission of the Lords House in Parliament and Impeachment and Execution of Ecclesiastick and Lay persons Bishops and Beers And after all they brought his Head to the Block a sacrifice for the sins of the whole Nations The different Dis●ositions in their eleven years long domination of a pretended Triennial Parliament necessitates another Power to purge them with several Doses and afterwards to put them down Sundry Expedients to prove them by a fresh Assembly Representatiues of the People Their time and debates wasted to no good purpose they are broken up and in fine dissipated And then the last little Assembly rise of themselves leaving all in Anarchy and desperate confusion Untill it pleased the Almighty to raise a Power which resumed the Peoples protection in monstrous danger of utter destruction The necessity of the national Affairs introducing were put under the power of single Sovereignty How that power hath managed the Government against divers desperate Designs Forrein and Domestick The prosperous effects and issue now settled into an assurance of the Nations future subsistance And all these in reference to our neighbour States War with some Amity with others All these particulars faithfully put together without captious and pres●mptuous opinions of partial observers not to descant private conceits upon the necessity of State But barely to represent the Narrative and to leave the 〈◊〉 the Readers sentence And this way God willing is thus intended and in part pursued the matter and manner of this monarchical succession and final conclusion to be faithfully performed unto these Times our last Days By W. SANDERSON Nec magna desiderantur Henry 7. James 4. James 5. Of King Iames parents to his Birth Their descent H. 8. turns Lutheran And makes war with Scotland And defeats them K. of Scots dies And his Daughter Mary born His Burial And Character Q. Maries entrance into he● Crown and Troubles By Factions of Hamilton and Lenox Earl of Arran Her Guide Her breeding in Fran. And there married the Dolphin And as heirs to England quarter the Arms. Which offended Qu. Elizabeth The French King and Dolphin die
The Queen returns to Scotland Requests a Peace with England Which o●●ends Queen Elizabeth Q. Maries designs to marry And Qu. E. propos●● Husbands Emperours Son And in England Earl of Leicester And in France Dudley preferred Leicester a Suter to the Q. of Scots Q. Mar● in love with Lord Darly Darly's descent And Character His Preferments And mariage with the Queen Scotland in disquiet K. Iames born 1566. Digression The Scots Religion State affairs intermixed Anno 1542. Q. 〈◊〉 comes to the ●●own Romish and Reformed Religions Scots how Christians From Palladius Schism at Rome creats Excep●ions to P●pacy By Wickliff Iohn Hus Ier. of Prag and some Scots First Bishops in Scotland Arch-bishops and Cardinals Popes presents Scotis● Martyrs Of Northern Martyrs Anno 1543. Scots Prisoners promise a Mariage the French interpose 1544. Incense the English to Arms. And land with Fire Sword and return and the like in France Take Bulloign The Scots enter Engl. Scots imbroiled in troubles a home Cardinal Beato● murthered Anno 1546. Io. Knox the Reformers Ringleader First Minister Tumult 1547. H●n 8. dies Antient League with France English Army to ballance differences Sent by K. Edward The Letter of Summons pres●nted to the Scotish Army Anno 1547. Which they neglect The Armies meet The Scots are discom●ited slain 14000. l. 1548. 10000. French come to their aid The Queen at six years of age sent into France Hadington siege French Command English Forces recruit Anno 1548. Io. Knox his travellings and course of Life at Franckford accused of Treason and flies back to France and so to Scotl. 1555. and back again to Geneva and then again to France 1557. and by Letters to his Faction in Scotland they come into Covenant 1558. Presbytery first set up at Dundee Digression Of Geneva and their first Presbytery Church Francis●us Bonivard Simler●● de Rep. Helv. Anno 1558. Farellus thei● Founder Bod. de Rep. p. 353. Calv. to Sa dol p. 172. Bod. de Rep. p. 353. Calv. comes to Geneva and fabricks a Discipline Bez. in vita Calvin Calv. de nec ref eco p. 64. They advise of a Church Discipline Bez. in vita Calvin Capit. to Farel Ep. Cal. 6. Cap. to Fareli Epist. Calv. 6. Beza de vita Calv. Cal. ●● Bullenger Cal. 〈◊〉 Bullenger Ep. 207. Bod. de Rep. ● 2. Calv. 6. Cal. 〈◊〉 Vire●●● Epist. 586. The promu●gation thereof Beza to G●irdal Ep. 8. Anno 1559. Treaty at Cambray Articles of Calice The French King aims at England Quarter the Arms of England K. of France killed at a Tilting Q. Elizabeth of●ended Knox arrives in Scotland Marches in tumult to Sterling called the Congregation and Rebel Ro●● and demolish the Fry●ries Destroy Scone take Sterlin and Edenburgh and are proclai●ed Tray●ors Covenant anew and call in aid of England and the other bring in the French Lords of the Congregation Traytors who publish Decl●rations to depose the Qu. Regent● French Forces Shipwrack● The Kirk ●led Pro●estan●● Support from England Knox his pestilent Pa●phlet Caecils Letter to Knox. Caecils considera●●ion Scots dissemble Gain assistance from Englan Contract amity with the Religion Anno 1560. English Army 10000. under Lord Gray Presbyters 4. Covenant Q Regent dys Peace on all Parts Treaty at Edenburgh 24. to Govern Ministers make work Super-Intendents Crave Liberty of Conscience 25. Articles of faith Frame a Discipline King Francis dies Orders in the Ministery Ambassadour from France to break the League with England Jealousi● between England and Scotland Queen Mary comes home Anno 1561. Mass opposed Q. Eliz. sends to ratifie the peace at Edenburgh Ministers assemble at pleasure and therefore questioned Their Discipline Orders subscribed Maintenance allowed them very small A Scotch Mark is 13. d. ob Sterling 22. ● in gold Modificators Lords comit Riot 〈◊〉 take ●●ms Ar●●● Plot. Anno 1562. Ministers assemble Vote themselves exempt from Justice The Queen opposed Rebels defeated Mess●ns a Super-intendent hath a Bastard Anno 1563. Chatteler executed The Ki●ks justice upon Papists Papists committed Knox insolency to Murray Parliament not piyant to the Kirk Knox. The Queen talks with Knox His answer Insolency at the Altar Mass. Knox his Breves to his Brethren questioned by the Council General Assembly Goodman Anno 1564. Knox his Insolent answer Lenox and Darly from England The Q. affection to Da●ly His de●cent Q● Eliz not displeased with the Match The Ki●k enemy to Mass. Punish a Mass Priest Bothwell called to account flies into France Anno 1565. The Q●een propo●es her Mariage with Darly who is created E. 〈◊〉 Six Articles of the Church National Her answer The Mariage hastened Ross made D. of Rothsay The Mariage in July 1565. The K. and Q. take Arms so do the Lords Knox sermon against the Government Both Armies match in sight The Lords proclamed Rebells Fly into England and get aid but submit General Assembly Rizio the French Secretary The first Publique fast in Scotland Rambullet Ambassadour of France How the King should quarter his Coat arms The K. turns Protestant Banish● Lords sent for K. negl●cted Bothwel advanced The Queen brought to bed of a Son Me●●ans penance Anno 1566. The K. discontented letters intercep●ed Knox procures Geneve Confession Bothwel visited by the Q. Sheprogresses to the Borders at Berwick Borders how bounded Prince baptized James The Kirk have all they desire Manner of excommunicating Ingrateful Prescribe good behaviour in England The King murdered H's Character The 〈◊〉 report of the Kings death Bothwel divorced and maried to the Queen Anno 1567. Summary of the la●e Murders and their Acc●ssaries Buchanan Books Udall Sir Roger A●●o●s repo●t of the Kings Murder A brief Narration of the late Murders and the Queens hasty Mariages and the cause The Q●●aries Bothwel The Lords take Arms. Bothwel is denied the Combate flie● and the Q taken Treat a peace Q. Eliz expostulates these proceedings by Amba●●y See Mar●ins History Buchanans Books Q Mary compelled to resign to her Son Digres●ion of Combates single Duel● The Q. scapes out of prison All parties arm Murray 4000. the Qu. 6000. both encounter The Queen disco●●ited T●● Q● flies 〈◊〉 ●●nger She lands in England and writes to Qu. Elizabeth Commissioners treat about the Scotish Q●een Anno 1568. Regent po●ts to Q● E●iz Reg●●nt 〈◊〉 The Duke of Norfolk committed and his story which Murray plotted Anno 1569. The Earls of Northumb. Westmerland fly to Scod Murray the Regent slain Lenox chosen Regent be●t●●s himself Anno 1570. Bishop Ross Ambassadour examined Pawlet Lord Treasurer his childrens children 103. Parliament surprized Lenox 〈◊〉 R●gent slain S●pt 6 1571. Ma● elected Reg●n Sep● Anno 1572. Duke of N●rfolk arraig●●d Commissioners expostul●te criminally with the Q. of Scot● Morton basely ●ells the E. of Northum unto execution Scotland in faction of the King and Qu. Edenburgh besi●ged Anno 1573. Regent relieved out of England and wins the Castl● His Coyn. Cofins the Kirk Melvin a Geneve Discipl●narian his Rantings Bishop Ross
released out of the Tower and banished The Borderers con●er and quarrel Mor●ons wi●e submission Anno 1574. The Ministers stiled Praecisians Duke Castle-herauld dies His Character and Issue O●mston executed for the Kings murder Heriots death Character● Anno 1575. Inovation in Church by Melvil agai●st Episcopal ●unction The Regent misgoverns Q. of Sco●s designed to dy An●o● d'Peres in Englan Anno 1576. Don John● design bl●sted in th● bud Ma●gari●e old Countess Lenox dies Her Royal descent and Issue Anno 1577. Con●p●rators against the Regent Arguile and Athol at variance Forerunner of the Regents fall Complaint● ag●inst Morton which the Mini●●ry increase Regent offers to resign Is deposed The King 12. years old is Crowned A sactio● Geneve Synod Melvin Morton plots re●enge by the E●rl of Mar. Anno 1578. Randolph Ambassadour Parliament Royal disagree and are made Friends Coyn overvalued The Chancellor impoisoned by Morton Parliament the Kings royal appearance His Speech Act●●or Religion Aubigny Stuart in great favour But disliked there and in England Qu. Eliz. Messenge● neglected Anno 1580. Burleighs speech to the Scots Ambassadour Morton disconten tretires Charged with the late Kings Murther Randolph rides post from Q Eliz. abuses his privilege of an Ambassadour Anno 1581. Mor●on beheaded with his own Ax. His character Ruthen created ●arl of Gowry Q. Mary writes to Q. Eliz. Anno 1582. Which troubles her conscience Surprize of the King at Ruthen Removed to Edenburgh and are confirmed by the Clergy Ambassadours ill used The King Orders to feast them but the Kirk command a fast Buchanans dea●h and Character The King freeth himself Anno 1583. Ambassadour from England plea●s for the Rebels The late D of Lenox children prefe●'d factious Lords submit The Ministers meddle Melvils ill manners Gowry imprisoned His confession Anno 1584. Petition Arraignment His excep●●ons Cond●m●ed and executed His Character Some Ministers for medling fled to England Declarations and Acts of State They reply with Letters to Edenburgh A●d are sharply 〈◊〉 Design● in England for Queen Mary Wade an Envoy to Spain Anno 1585. Mary propose● condition● The Kirk disquiet A Parliament The Kings s●premacy and other Lawes confirmed Ministers fly into England Presbyters equivocation Divers executed for Conspiracies Angu● and other Fugi●ives in Engl. Insol●nt Arran made Chancellour his great p●●r in State Maxwel misused takes arms against the L. Johnston Arran declines in Q●een El●zabeths favo● Holy League Wootton sent Ambass●dour to Scotland Propositions of a Mariage with Denmark The Lords conspire and declare Wotton plo●s with them and posts home The Lords seize the King at S●erlin treat 1567. Parl. cap. 2 1572. Acts 46. 48. 54. 1573. Acts 55. 1578. Acts 63. 1579. Acts 69. Acts 71. 1584. Acts 130. 132. 133. 1587. Acts 23. Anno 1586. 1597. Acts 231. 1606. Act. 2. 6. 1617. Act. 1. Buchanan See his de ju●egni Pag. 50 usque 57. Davison The 〈◊〉 trul● stated Genevians Whittingham Goodman Gilby Whitehead Coverdale Orthodox men Scory Barlow Cox Beacon Bale Parkho●st Grindal Sands Nowel Wisdom Jewel Udal Penry Martin Gilby and others See after anno 1591. Learned Hooker Cartwrights and others League offensive and defensive England and Scotland Against the holy League of Papists Return to Qu●●●aries story Remo●●●● in●o custody ●o Pawlet ●rdundel 〈◊〉 Northumberland pistols himself Babingtons Treason Pooley Be●●ayed by Gifford a Priest Gifford a false Priest Traytors all execu●ed Gifford sent ●nto France and there impoisoned Q● of S●ots c●mes to her Tryal The manner L. Chancello●rs Speech Her Answer Chancellou●s Reply Gawdy Queen Queen Que●n Treasurer Queen Queen Queen Sentence against the Qu. of Scots Opinions of her Sentence A d●legate Parliam●nt require Execution Q. Elizabeth● cunning reply Sentence proclamed King Jame● perplexed ●ends Keith to Q● Eliz With several directions The Queens Answer O●her L●tters more c●lm and Ambass●do●●s Ambassado●rs reason with the Queen The King write● to Gray ●nd Leicester to the King So does Walsingham to the Lord Thirlstan False Tale● Scotland in disorder The Ministers refuse to pray for their Qu. Cooper a saucy Minister Is committed More letters from the K. A Mandate for execution Davison Be●le The manner of her Execution Her featur●● Her apparelled Comes forth of her chamber Commissioners receive her who speaks with Melvin her ma● And to the Commissioners Who denie he● some requests At which she weep● And they yield and she come● to the Scaffold Sits down Beale● speech Dr. Fle●cher Dean of Peterboroughs exhortation She interrupts him He prayed for her Her demeanor in Prayers Executioners and servants disrobe her Her servants sorrowful She kneels at the Block And is executed 46. yeers old 18. yeers prisoner Observable her Dogs d●meaner Her Corps buried in the Cathedral of Peterborough Magnificently removed by K. James to Westminster 1612. Her Epitaphs Q. Elizabeths Letter to the K. of Scots Davison sentenced in Star-chamber His apology unto Walsing Foul play on all hands Walsinghams Letter to pacifie the K. Walsinghams Letter to the L. Thirlstan The King● deportment upon his Mothers death Whom Queen Elizabeth caressed Anno 1587. Designs upon the King to revenge Designs in Scotlaand Earl A●gus dies bewitcht His Character Civil broyl● in Scotland to kill the Lord Thirslton by Gray accused of Treason also He was banished A Parliament the King reconciles the Lords And endeavours to do so by ●he Kirkmen who refuse mediation Borderers in ●●wd Hunsdon Ambassador to Scotla●● Ambassadours about the mariage with Denmark Jesuit● arrive in Scotland Kirk-men insolent Anno 1588. and in mutiny for Gibson Gibsons ab●se of the King He flies into England to the Schismaticks Puritans of England Martin f. 780. Maxwell in Rebellion is pursued by the King Maxwell fli●● Ca●tles rendered Taken Prisoner Rumou● of the Spanish Navy The Kings Speech The Chancellors opinion Bothwell perswades to invade England Col. Semples false designs is rescued by Huntley who is dismissed the Court. Q. Elizabeths message The narration of the Spanish Navy The number of particulars Officers Their Design with Parma The first approach Anno 1589. Defeated by a S●ratagem of fire ships Several Shipwracks Great Losses prophecies Scots Catholiques dis●ayed Huntly writes to Parma So doth Arrol And so do Huntley Crawford and Maxwell Catholique Lords Rebell Design how to meet Queen Elizabeth writes to the King Proclamations against Jesuits who join with the Rebels The King incourages his forces Commission ers sent to ●etch the K. Bride from Denmark Rebells submit and are committed Ministers make work The King● design to meet his Queen in Norway The cause and maner therof with further direction● What Lords shall govern and how He maries the Queen And goes forward to Denmark Anno 1590. And returns to Scotland The Queens Coronation by a Minister E. of Arundel arraigned in England Popes Bull. Condemned pardoned English expedition to Portugal land at the Groyne Col●mella Pl●ni● Navars title to France Holy Leagu●rs Gui●es ●●r●hred Henry 3. mur●hered Justified by the Pope Q. Elizabeth
seas 1652. The Kings grace and preferment to all those Rescuers The Tha●ksgiving day settled by Parliament Hendersons confession of the whole matter Testimouy of the Arch-biof St. Andrews The Minist●rs refuse to give God thanks for the Kings delivery They are silenced The King forewarned out of Italy of Poyson Prince Charls born The Life and Death of John Cragg Minister Es●ex his Treason His descent He●r to his Father His entrance into Court by the Earl of Leicester His great ●●ferments His contemporaries Sir Ch. Blunt and Gener●l Norris Essex goes into Ireland and lands at Dublin His M●ssengers Tr●ason● with Tyrone Warrens confession Woods confession Resolves how to return into England And lands with a 100. Gentlemen September The Queen offended He is committed And censured Consults of Treason with Cuff his Secretary Blunt and Davis confession Blunts confession Their plot For the Tower For the Court And for the City Nevils confessions The day of Preparation February ● He is sent for to the Council Earl Rutlands confesion The day of rebellion Council sent to Essex house Essex pretences And Southhamptons The multitude clamour Secures the Counsel and goes into the City Earl Rutlands confe ssion Proclamed Traytor Earl Rutlands Confession Forces oppose ●ssex Encounter at the west end of Pauls some slain He returns home by water and is besieged by land and by water Submits the same day Essex executed Southampton reprieved Blunt sent Deputy of Ireland Tyrone had friends in the English Court The Pop●s pardon to the R●bells Anno 1601. George Carews service Spanish designes Treat with English commissioners at Bulloine Dispute precedencie and titles Priority disputed And defended for England Battel of Newport in Flanders Prince Ma●rice his forces Anno 1601. The Arch-Dukes forces Battel Anno 1600. 1601. The Danes deny the English to fi●h Anno 1601. The King congratulates the defeat of Essex's Treason The Queens Answer Pope Clement his Bulls against Scotland An Assembly Davidson's Letter to them He desires a new Translation of the Bible 1601. The Duke of Lenox Ambassadour into France From thence comes into England and returns home The siege of Ostend Marshal Byron sent to the Queen executed after Iris● money abased 160000. per annum Spanish land in Ireland are defeated 24. December and depart home Ecclesiastick Papists at difference Seculars set out the Jesuites in their Colours Anno. 1602 Both are banished England Geneve besieged the peoples contribution of ●ony The Isle Lewis reduced to the Kings Commands The undertakers Macklond flyes to Sea and takes Balcolmy Mordock Executed The new Planters beaten out of all and again attempted but to no purpose Bruce the Minister his 〈◊〉 Mowbrays intent to kill the King He breaks his own neck Anno 1601. The French Ambasladours in England Delivers Letters to Cecil and discourses with him Cecils answer Anno 1602. The Kings answer to the Earl of Northumberland Spaniards drove out of Ireland Ter Oen submits to mercy Charges of the Irish War in the four last years and a half 1198717. l. 9. s. 1. d. The Queens ominous remove to Richmond in January past hope of recovery The Court custome Counsellours come to her Q. Elizabeth dies on a Thursday so did her Father and all his children Basilicon Doron See Boltons Lectures p. 13 14 x 5. Answer to the Libell of England p. 176 185. W●stonus in peroratione ad Academicos Dilemma in King James What to do in reference to his Inheritance in England The King settles affairs in Scotland in Religion Bacilic on doron And ordering his Nobility He preferred faithfull servants near his person Bazilicon Doron and disposing himself for his Succession Q. Elizabeth not willing to publish her Successor Q. Elizabeth dies King James proclamed and Letters sent to him Anno 1603. The King returns them thanks Borderers executed The King sets out for England With his Lords Howards Caecil At York met by the President of the North. A Notable P. esent The grand Officers meet the King Wiggen Theobalds Counsellors sworn And Knights made De moribus Germanorum The dignity of a Knight The King comes to Charter-house in London and creates Honors Barons created Beaton Arch-Bishop of Glascow dies in France Queen Ann sent for Her desire to seize the Prince See 1595. pa. 183. The Garter sent to the King of Denmark Sir Henry Wootton sent to Venice The Pope and Senate at Variance St George's Feast ar Windsor Order of the Garter Of St George's story Earls created at Windsor Hist. Gr. Brit. p. 7. Of Earls their dignity Barons their dignity The King Q●een cr●wned at W●stminster in that 〈…〉 Hist. Gr. Brit. p. 6. Coronation Oath Knights of the Bath their manner of creation Digression concerning Imperial Rule Emperour Spain France England Charl●s cunning Is made Emperour But to little effect He tacks about with England Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth French interest and condition Empire Dane Swede Switz●rs Italy Muscovite Spain the most Monarchall King James Interest Of the consequences of War and Conquests Peace and the ●ff●cts Of success in evil and the consequence of good Preface to the History of the World Sir Walter Ralegh's Treason Court and Character of King James p. 31. Hist. Gr. Brit. p. 4. His birth and breeding His Imployments Occasion of his preferment Envied in Cour● His Preferments by the Queen His Conspiracy and manner of Treason Laurencie His Arreignment at Winchester His Inditement June 1603. Two parts Brooks his confession Cobham's confession Cecils speech Cobham's confessions Laurencie's confession Ralegh desires his Accusers to be present Ralegh at first discovers Laurencie Cobham singularis testis Cobham's last Letter condemned Ralegh Ralegh desires his Answers to be read Tryalls of the ●●st 1 Sam. 9. The Kings Letter of Reprieve for three of them Court and Charact. p. 35. Hist. Great Brit. p. 4. Observations of the Tryall Presbyterians perplez the King Proclamation against them Knox to the Cominaltie fol. 49. Knox. apeal fol. 30. Knox. Hist. pag. 372. fol. 78. Buch. de jure Regni p● 13. pa. 25. 38. 40. 62. 70. Buch d● jure Regni pa. 49. Knox. apeal fo 26. Buch. de jure regni pa. 53. pag. 57. ibid. 57. ibid. 57. ibid. 57. ibid. 50. 57. Knox. Hist. pa. 504. Declar. B. 1. 2. Knox hist. p. 523. 527. Knox Instit 534. Declar. B. 2. Epistol 79. Declar. B. 3. B. Act Parliament Cap. 4. Declar. B. 3. Declar. 1582. Parl. 1584. Ca. 7. Declar. 1585. Cap. 2. 3. 4. 8. Conference at Hampton-Court See Confer at Hampton-Court The Kings private Demands Confirmation Absolution Opponents Doctrine Answer 1. Elizabeth Falling from grace Licensed Ministers Confirmation Opponent Answer Opponent Catechism Answer Opponent Translation of the Bible Opponent Answe● Opponent Answered Subscription Opponent Answer Opponent Answer Surplice Opponent Answer Of M●t●imony Opponent Discipline Opponent Answer 1 Cor. 14. Acts 11. Answer High Commission Ex officio Opponent Answerr Opponent Answer Proclamation for Uniformity Against Jesuits Presbyters displeased
Hist. Gr. Brit. p. 10. Arch Bishop Whitgift dies The Translation of the Scriptures Gen. 19. Isay 29. Psalm 48. Psalms translated Catechizing commended Hist. of the World pag. 249. Gowries aniversarie day celebrated See 1600. 1608. Hist. gr Br. pa. 12. Comotion of some Commoners Parliaments beginnings Jury were Judges so Lilburn pleaded Parliament of King and Barons onely The Commons taken into Parliament Of the Parliament of England The writ to summon the Peers The writ to summon the Knights and Burgesses Oath of Alleageance Of Supremacy Ecclesiastical matters Lords Privileges Lower House Harmony of all King Queen and Prince ride in triumph First Session of Parliament The Kings speech in Parliament abreviated 2 3. Peace and Unity in Religion and Manners Union with Scotland intended Ambassadours for Peace Co and ch pa. Proclamation to conformity in Church-discipline Assembly of the Church in Scotland in spite of the King Hist. Gr. Brit. p. 27. The Kings second Son Charls created Duke of York Pouder Treason Pouder Treason the story Anno 1605. Fauks his Conf●ssion of the Design Th. Winter's Confession of the Plot discovery and success The story p●t together in brief Second Session of Parliament Three intire subsidies and six fifteens Several Acts. The effect of the Oath of Alleageance Taken by Papists The Popes Bull against the Oath The Kings Apologie and Preface to take the oath Justified by forein Princes Jesuits divide the English into four sects Their opinion refuted See before anno pa. 1542. pa. 9 And Imprisonment as bad Best Counsel to convince them by Preaching Anno 1606. Leptons 〈◊〉 to York 〈◊〉 back King of D●●mark land● 〈◊〉 Graves-end Princes for●●●● their liberties by coming into another Kingdom without leave The Earls of Northumberland and other Lords confederates in the Pouder Treason are committed Of the Star-Chamber beginning and ending The Letter Anno 1607. The union argued The Kings Speech in answer to their Arguments Post-nati confirmed H. G. B● pag 41. Judg Nichols his true justice G●ntry flock to London Proclamation in restraint of new buildings unless of Brick Anno 1608. Hist. Gr. B●it p. 49. L. Treasurer Dorset dies George Sp●ot a Conspirator with Gowry his story and execution His Co●fessions His Trial. Restalrig's Letter to Gowry and after the Treason Other Letters to Gowry as also his 〈…〉 Confesseth the Indictment Jurors names Verdict Sentenced as a Traitor Executed A marvellous sign of guilt Abbot Bishop of Canterbury being present History of the Church of Scotland p. 509. The Kings disbursments already 60000 l. 19000. 17428. 11000. 107428. The Scotish Secretary Balmerino's treacherous Letter to the Pope The occasion 1609. He is sent p●isoner to be tryed in Scotland His indictment His confession And sentence Anno 1609. Is reprieved and dies King James a mercifull Prince and restores his son in blood And he a traytor also to King Charles is also pardoned And proves an ungratefull wretch to his blessed Master The Bishops in Scotland inlarged their power Scots Bishops consecrated in England Who ordain others at home Council Table ordered The Earl of Orkney committed High commission-Court The Session seek for grievances Hist G● B● ubique The Kings Speech to both Houses Of his Government Common Law and Civil Prohibiti●●● 2. Grievanc●● how to present them Not to meddle with his Office High Commission 3. The cause of calling the Parliament The quality how to give The quantity His expences Reasons for his liberality Conclusion 1. Religion The Common-wealth Procl●mation against ●ncrease of buildings about London Truce between Spain and the Netherlands Siege of Juliers Duke of Guelders and Juliers c. his descent last of the race The Netherlands sometime subjects to Spain Henry the fourth King of France stab'd 60000 l. Parliament dissolved Henry created Prince of Wales their dignities See before Knights Bachelors Anno 1603. Ayd mony H. Gr. Br. pa. 52. False suggestions to be impoysoned Court and ch of King James pa. 84. Hist Gr. Br. pa. 52. Nearer Intention for Prince Henry to match with Spain See after anno 1624. Papists persecuted by Pens Chelsey Coledge founded and why H. Gr. Br. pa. 53. The Kings favorite Mountgomery Hist. Gr. Brit. p. 54. See 1612. Masks and Comedies at Court H. G. Br. pa. 54. Discussed Our Adversary a Poet and play-maker Contribution-money 111046. l Suttons Hospitall founded Absurd Excommunication and unchristian in Scotland The three Earls revolt So was Padie Paulo Popis●ly excommunicated Earl of Eglington illegally adopts an Heir to his Honors Arminius Vorstius their Heresies Vorstius his blasphemous Books The Kings message to the States Arminius The States Answer Further accusations And proceedings therein Bookes of Vorstius Heresies The King writes again against them all Vorstius is preferred Professor of Divinity Sir R. Winwoods speech concerning Vorstius His Tenen●s Pag. 210 212. 232 237. 308. 441. 271. Pa. 38. 43. Cap. 16. Pa. 999. Conclusion And Protestation States Answer The Kings Declaration against Vorstius See more in the Kings works And against his Bookes Legat and Whithman burnt for Her●sie Legats Heresies Whitemans Heresies Adamites Incests Wald●nses ●in 〈◊〉 Anno 1612. I may be c●nsured by some Robert Carr a favorite Hist. Gr. Br. pa. 55. Queen Mary of Scotland her corps inte●red at Westminster Anno 1586. Hist Gr. Br. pa. 62. Prince Palatine a suitor to Princess Elizabeth Prince Henryes sickness and death vindicated Hist Gr. Br. pa. 72. Lunary Rainbow His Corps viewed Interred at Westminster His character False suspition of poyson Hist. G. Br. pa. 64. Prince Palatine m●ried to P●inc●ss Elizabeth ●a 65. Sanquair a Scotish Baron hanged for murther Treasurer Salisbury dies His Fat●ers descent And preferments Earl of Salisburies preferments His Merits Court and ch King James pa. 12 13. Hist. Gr. Br. pa. .76 Court of Wards how erected and established Court of Wards how erected and established His Offices disposed to others Suffolk Lord Treasurer Rochester Chamberlain Sir W. Cope Master of the Wards and the Favourite made Secretary Sir T. Overbury his story A Friend to Rochester D●sign'd Ambassadour Refuses to go The King wants money Sir Arthur Ingram Court and Ch. pag. 87. E. of Essex and his Countess Car and Overbury their stories intermixt Lady Rich divorced Hist. Gr. Br. pag. 68. Anno 1613 Hist. Gr. Brit. p. 69. ● of Suffolk petitions for his daughters divorce Delegates in commis●ion The Countesses Libell against her husband Essex's answer She is to be insp●cted by Ladies who repute her a Virgin and so do seven more ●adies Sentence of Nullity Signed by sufficient men Arch-bishop Abbots Arguments against the Nullity Answered The Countess marries Somersct H. Gr. Br. p. 72 Hist. Na● ch 28. Overburie designed to be de●troyed Earl Northampton dies His preferments to honour Against Du●lls Rebellion in Orkney The Earl convicted and executed his descent Oglevy a Jesuit his Examinations Plantations in America Hist. gr Br. p. 75. Cabot Virginia New England Elizabeths Isles Nova Francia Baronets created
Hist. gr Br. p. 76. Court Ch. King James pag. 12. The Kings want of moneys and the reason Expence of the Princess Elizabeths marriage L. Hay Master of the Wardrobe L. Harington 93294. l. Propositions of Retrenchments of Honoraries Houshold The King restrains his former bounties A Benevolence Hist. gr Br. p. 78. Hist. gr Br. p. 78. S●ar-chamber Pawn of Jewels and customs Privy S●als Mulct upon commodities To wait on the Kings service Ingross Trade and license By raising rates Customs to Farm Sale of Offices and Honors Earls Baronets By Coin and Bullion Exchange Coinage Farthings By Parliaments Merchants made friends King of Denmarks second Arrival Overburies death discovered Somersets arreignment The manner of arreigning Peers of this Realm Anno 1616. The Case pleaded The Countess arreigned and both of them condemned reprieved and after pardoned See the Preface Court and Charact. King James Hist. Gr. Brit. p. 83. Somerset's Letter to the King Cabala p. 1. Sir W. Elvish Sir Lewis Tresham Lady Arabella's marriage with Seymer Hist. Gr. Br. p. 90. The Case of the Kings right to Commendams Sir Fr Bacon The ' King Judges meet and examine their Letter Spain and France cross Mariage with Savoy K. James congratulates their Nuptials by Lord Hay Lord Hay his Birth and breding Ambassadour into France Hist. Gr. Brie p. 92. L. Ross sent into Spain Sir H. Rich Baron of Ken sington his birth and breding Court Ch p. 125. Lex terrae what Cancelaria what Authority in Judging Sir F. Bacon succeeds chancelour Co. ch pa. 126. Sir Th Lake hisstory Anno 1617. Bishop of Spalato com●s into Englan● flies back again and 〈◊〉 miserable Marquess D' Ancre murdered in France Q. Mother flies out of France The King's journey into Scotland Hist. Gr. Br. p. 104. The Kings Speech in the Parliament of Scotland First Article for the Kings Prerogative Five Articl●s proposed by the King Produces a Petition The King returns Simson released G Villiers ● Favourite Duke of Buckingham his story De●cent Court Ch. K. James Villiers sudden great pre●erments Court and Character of King James pa. 3 sorts of Noble women Occasion of the allhwance of harmless pastimes The death of Talbot E. of Shrewsbury Sir Walter Raleigh rsleased ou● of the Tower His voyage to Guiana French Ambassadour his Friend His Commission and Expedition Hist. gr Br. pa. 115. T●ey return and he in custody of Stukely committed to the Tower and questioned at the K. Bench-Bar and ●xecuted Hist. gr Br. p● 216. Discourse co●c●rning his Design Hist. gr Br. pa. 116. Anno 1618. Hist. Gr. Br. p. 117. 4 Earls created for mony A monstrou● murther in Cornwal Barnevelt his design fitted for Rebellion By faction of Arminianism The Prince of Orange his Opposite Dort Synod resolves against Arm●nianism Of Synods and Councils their initiation Luthers story Zwinglius Exploded by the diet at Worms And at the Diet at Noremburgh Council at Trent resolvved upon Council of Trent began 1545. The effects of War from the Blazing-star Heresies increase Opinions prophetical Opposers of them Q. Ann dies Her character Hist. Gr. Br. p. 54. 129. Kirk of Scotland The K. lette●s to them Five Articles of Perth 1. Kneeling at the Sacrament 2. Private communion 3. Private Baptism 4. Confirmation of children 5. Festival daies Of Excommunication Of Bohemia and the occasion of the Palsgrave accepting that Crown Ferdinands undue practices to be Ki●g Protestant Princes ●ee● redress Emperour in arms also Their grievances Kings Election and Succ●ssion distinguished Mathias dies Ferdinand succeeds Emperour Anno 1619. King Jame● how concerned Palsgrave elected King of Bohemia Arch-bishop Abbats Letter to Nauton and Crowned Embassadours sent from England to the Emperor Palsgrave proscribed War on both sides Spinola raises Forces in Flanders So does Oxford and ●ss●x in England Hist. gr B● pa. 135. Their march and action in the expedition Convoid by Hen. of Nassaw Joyn with the Princes of the Union Anno 1620 The Emperours General Bucquoy Anholt for Bohemia Is defeated and flyes with the K. and Q The Prin●es submit to the Emperour Sir Henry Wootton Ambassador e●traordinary into G●rm●ny Duke of Lovain 〈…〉 Community of Strasburgh and Ulme Duke of Wittenburgh And to the Duke of Bavaria Without success from any of them Resolves ●pon a Parliament and Match with Spain A Parliament called Hist. gr Br. pa. 150. Hist. Gr. Br. p 144. Buckingham made M●rqu●sse and Master of the Horse The Dignity of a Marquess Montague Viscount Mandevile L. Treasur●r Hist. Gr. Br. p. 152. his falsities Design against Pirates in the Mediterranean Sea Some of them offer submission Sir Robert Mans●l sent to surprize them K. Speech to the Par●ia● It seems so by ours lately not long lasting Hist. Gr. Br. will have it 60000. l. Anno 1621. Digby Extraordinary Ambassadour to the Emperor Sir Lionel Cranfield I Treasurer Co. and ch p. 87. Anno 1620. Petition against the multitude of titles of Honour Hist. Gr. Br. p 189. Petitions against Gri●vances Hist. gr Br. pa. 135. The Kings Speech to the Lords Anno 1621. Co. Ch. p. 156. Hist. gr Br. pa. 158. Yelvertons L●tte● to Buckingham Michel censured and Mompesson His character Co. Ch. p. 126. Hist. G● B● p. 159. Dr. Williams succeeds to be Lord keeper Co. ch pa. 139. Reign of K. Charl●s page 128. Dignity of the Earl Marshal of England L. Keeper his Character The King retires to New Ma●ket in discont●nt Hist. gr B● pa. 172. K. letter to the Speaker The Parliaments petition to the King The Kings Mess●ge by Secretary Calvert The K. Letter to Secretary Calvert The Kings Letter to the Speaker The Parliam return thanks and petition The Parliaments Protestation Dissolved by Proclamation Oxford and Southampton committed Hist. Gr. Br. p. 190 191 192. A design for their Release Oxford supplicates Bu●kingham Busie bodies severally humoured Hist. ●r Br. p 190 191 192. Of Libels The Kinghts Templers Massacre of the English in Virginia Digby sent to Spain to treat in the Match Hist. Gr. Br. p. 193. Arch-bishop Abbot kills his Keeper Ministers ordered in preaching Anno 1622. By 6 Artic●es The misbehaviours of the Pulpit Catechising again commanded Hist. Gr. Br. p. 201. Papist and Puritan coupled Regians and Republicans page 202. A modest defence Calumnies against the K. Spanish match goes on Hist. Gr. Br. p. 203. Digby ordered by Letters how to proce●d Digby is faulty Second Letters peremptory Reign of K. Charls p 3 4. Digby made Earl of Bristol Hist. Gr. Br. p. 212. An Order of Religion bare ●ooted Princes jo●●ney to Spain General Pardon proclamed His entry in Triumph The Queen is visited The Complement Rich Presents to the Prince Triumphant Fire-Works Takes the Ring in presence of his Mistress Buckingham created Duke Hist. Gr. Br. p. 230. The Pope writes to the Prince His Answer Hist. Gr. Br. p. 234 Dispensation is come and Articles ●igned there Hist. Gr. Br. p. 236. and here Hist. Gr. Br. p. 238 239. 240. Anno 1623. Those Articles returned and signe●● The Prince resolves his return The two Favorites quarrel Olivares character Buckingham comes away The Princes parting Presents Escurial Hunt a Stag by the way Their parting Complements The pillar of Parting Danger to be drowned The Strorm Mr. Clark returns to Madrid Bristol is to forbear the Espousals Prince lands October 5. A Parliament designed in February following Bristol hath Audience Duke of Richmond dies suddenly Hist. Gr. Br. p. 258. The K. speech in Parliament The L. Keepers short complement Hist. Gr. Br. p. 262. Buckinghams D●claration to both Houses Hist. Gr. Br. p. 264. Parliaments advice The Kings Speech His Necessities Anno 1624. Council of War Spanish Ambassadour accuses the Duke of Treason Co. C● K. James p 150. Hist. Gr. Br. p. 278. The Truth of the Story See before pa. 74. Sea before anno 1571. Bristol●return Hist. Gr. Br. p. 272. Co. Ch. p. 163. Petition of both Houses against Papists The Kings Answer Hist. Gr. Br. P. 275. The Princes Mariage with France treated by the L. Kensington Madames Character France how affected His Resentment Count Soissons a Pretender to Madame Encounte●s a quarrel with Kensington Cabinet ●unto The Earl of Carsile comes over Commissioner and treat Hist. Gr. Br. p. 178. L. Treasurer Cranfield questioned in Parliament Co. ●ch p. 166. Hist. Gr. Br. p. 278. Mr. Prin c. Hist. Gr. Br. p. 279. The late Treasurers more useful than others better born Digression Apprentiship is no bondage Cruelty of the Dutch in Amboyna Parliament design for war and raise four Regiments Land in Holland and join with the P. of Orange against Spinola Who besieges Breda Maurice encamps at Mede Breda sometime the D. of Brabant Pleasant scituation Arch-duchess Governess of Flanders The condition strength of Breda Justin Nassaw Governor The siege begins 26. Aug. Provisions from several places Sally out of the Town ill success Prince of Poland comes to Spinola Spinola takes in Ousterholt Combating between each Camp Bryante against Count John of Nassaw Anno 1625. Bryante killed Steenhius hurt All retire Bouteville against Beauvoix Anno 1624. Design to surprize the Castle of Antwerp Mis●eport of it at the Camp A second Design Enterprize by Boats to relieve Breda Spinola's prevention Design to draw neer Spinola Anno 1625. Anno 1624. With six Regiments and two Troops Hist. Gr. Br. p. 283. Spinola procures fresh Forces and makes double larger Trenches Anno 1625. Mans●●'d desires passage to the Palatinate Breda's holy day P. Maurice dies Apr. 1625 P. Henry Generalissimo ● of Oxfords Enterprize upon Terhelda Marquess Hameltons sudden death Hist. Gr. Br. p. 285. K. James dies March 27. 1655. His sickness and disease Co. Ch. p. 174. Hist. Gr. Br. p. 287. Egglesham his scurrilous ●●●●phlet Anno 1624. Hist. ●r Br. p. 287. See before of the Kings sickness and death Anno 1625. Boltons Lectures pa. 15 16 c. Advancement of Learning page 2.
A COMPLEAT HISTORY OF The LIVES and REIGNS OF MARY Queen of SCOTLAND And of Her Son and Successor JAMES The Sixth KING of SCOTLAND And After Queen Elizabeth King of GREAT BRITAIN FRANCE and IRELAND The First Of ever Blessed Memory Reconciling several Opinions In Testimony of Her and Confuting others in Vindication of Him against two scandalous Authors 1. The Court and Character of King James 2. The History of Great Britain Herein is expressed The particular Affairs of Church and State The Reformation of the One The Policies and Passages of the Other The frequent Disturbances of Both By Wars Conspiracies Tumults and Treasons with the contemporary actions of Neighbor Nations in reference to this whole Island Faithfully performed By WILLIAM SANDERSON Esq London Printed for Humphrey Moseley Richard Tomlins and George Sawbridge and are to be sold in Pauls Church-yard at Py-Corner and on Lud-Gate-Hill MDCLVI THE PROEME TO THE First Part. TO be in print without a Preface is not the Mode now and though it intends to let in the Reader as the Porch to a Palace yet it seems to be built up after the Book For u●ually it discovers the weakness of the Work by an ingenuous Confession of more faults than some other man may find out and so craves favour I prefix this really before I write more of the matter And therefore to pretend excuse for what shall follow amiss might seem a presumptuous sin as if I meant to offend Not but that Offences will come and may be found out hereafter more properly then to be summ'd up in the end of all and added to the Escapes of the Presse and so to plead the Generall Pardon Our Design is History commonly divided into 3. Kinds 1. Memorials A naked Narrative without contexrure of Things and Actions 2. Antiquity The Shipwrack of History somewhat saved from the Deluge of Distruction and so subject to question as that excellent History of the World done by Sir Walter Raleigh with exact diligence which yet indures the examination of his Errours by One who in truth took much pains to worst it the more that Master-peice by the Epitomy which besides the injury to the Work it self becomes unprofitable to the Readers expectation With these two kinds we mean not to meddle 3. But with Perfect History being in truth that which comprehends a Chronocled Time representing the life of a Prince with the Narrative of actions relative therefore with little favour of different opinions may be accounted the most compleat for Estimation Profit and Use in the magnitude of Affairs Men and Matter And of this nature Our Histories of England are said to be defective in the Main And for that of Scotland too too partial as done by different affections and interest in matters Ecclesiastical and Civil Therefore it hath been accounted worthy the labour to mold them both into one Body joined to these times from their first conjunction in Union of the Roses to the uniting of the Kingdomes The latter hath been in some sort set out single to our hand by a Compendium of the 5. King Iames's immediately succeeding each other and lately done by William Drummond After whom we intend to take up the Remain Beginning where he leaves with the birth of Mary instantly succeeding the Death of her Father Iames the fifth with the contemporary actions of neighbour Princes And so to her Son and Successor Iames the sixth and after the death of Queen Elizabeth of Great Brittain France and Ireland the first and last King compleat in right of issue descended from Margaret eldest Daughter unto Henry the seventh of England and Iames the fourth of Scotland with Re-union in that antient Title of Brittain But in brief The first Union of Marriage begat a present Peace between Henry the seventh of England and Iames the fourth of Scotland And at that instant Scotland brought forth a Prodigious Monster of Man under the waste like other men the Members both for use and comliness were two and standing it was indifferent to which of the two Bulks the Legs belonged This Bifrons had different passions and divers wills chiding each other and quarreling until by over-wrangling they unwillingly agreed and was cherished by the King taught languages and lived eighteen years A Monstrous Omen to the Union This Iames was young and active for twenty five years of his Reign having occasion to cope with two Henries the Seventh and Eighth of England Father and Son successively The first took his Entry here by Arms and Establishment by marriage Yet the times proved to him like strong Tides full of Swellings but well mannaged by the wisdome of an able Pylot through all storms being of himself the most sufficient Sovereign of any his Predecessours Between Him and Iames the fourth there had been distempers ever espousing the French Quarrels And therefore their times produced sundry great mutations treacherous false and deceiving the events belying the Beginnings Princes mostly inconsiderate before they imbarque whether their Wars be just or necessary and may serve Examples of great mens frailty After the death of Henry the seventh succeeded his Son Henry the eight young and wealthy whose actions had more of Gallantry than Honour though he meddled with the mixed Affairs for ballancing the Western Monarchy amongst the Pretenders Germany Spain and France with the change of Religion to reformed And so soon as ingaged against Louis of France Iames interposed as to divert him Enters upon Ireland invades the English Borders and after comes to handy blowes in Northumberland The English six and twenty thousann the Scots many more and at Flowden Field 1513. a wondrous slaughter on both sides and Iames in the Fight was lost as in a Fog for ever though he acted so well his affected Popularity that his loss became more disconsolate to his People than any his Predecessors His Son succeeds a cradle King seventeen Moneths old under Tutelage of his Mother who implores Henry her Brother for compassion upon a Widow-Sister and an Orphan-Nephew not to wage War but to defend them He answers like himself With the mild he was meek and with the froward he could fight But she too weak for her wild Subjects marries with the Earl of Angus and being disdained for matching so meanly the Duke of Albany of Scots race begotten in Exile is sent for out of France to govern them at home The success may soon be imagined for the Scots heretofore had killed Iames the first covenanted with Iames the second overthrown Iames the third and some say mislaied Iames the fourth and now hardly submit to a Stranger The Queen and Angus fly to England and here she is brought to Bed of Margaret Grand-Mother to King Iames the sixth Conspiracies increase in Scotland fomented from Henry the eighth till horrid Rapines wearied each party into a Peace at home and England also And thus freed from War for a time the Governour Duke executes Justice upon such
began his Rants applying all his Wit and Cunning of either he had sufficient to his own private discontent and ambition and under the goodly pretence of Religion had raked together such a rabble of the mad-headed Ministery countenanced also by the Duke Castle-herault that the whole Kingdom feared the disquiet The Queen of England might well as she did take compassion hereat two young couples her kindred and Successors having much to do to qualifie the twenty years custome of a turbulent people not to have a King till now and willing indeed to have none at all For Hamilton and Murray presuming of favour from England take arms but were so hotly persued by the King that they fled into England and were there covertly protected but might have been more openly by the same rule that some English fugitives had been received in Scotland as Taxley Standen and Welch besides Oneal out of Ireland All this was disputed by Ambassie from England of one Tanworth a Courtier to whom the Queen of Scots did not vouchsafe her presence her refusing to call her Husband King Thus stood the State of the Affairs in Scotland whilst the Queen conceived with Child and as if blessed in the peace of this Issue what she could never enjoy in her life she afterwards brought forth her only Son Iames the sixth a Peace-maker to all Our World in Iune 1566. But because the Religion as they call it is much concerned in all the troubles of that Kingdom as a defensive faction taken up at all times to mannage other Designs and Interests Give me leave to tell you their Story intermixing the affairs of State and other concernments of their contemporaries Wherein you shall find their pretended sanction from a Rule of Conscience to be an Instrumental of State from a pretence of Knowledge to be a very practice of Ambition Nor will it I hope repent the Reader the tedious Story for though Truth appears in Ordine Doctrinae yet never more fully than when we search the Original Veins thereof by the Increase Depravations and Decaies in Ordine Temporum And so we proceed to the History of their Church and State and the Contemporary Actions intervening with England and France and other Neighbour Nations The Life and Death of MARY Queen of SCOTLAND KIng Iames the fifth dying of discontent more than disease the 13. of December 1542. in the 33. year of his age and 32. of his reign left his Crown to an only Daughter Mary at six daies old as she did afterwards to her Son born a King Fatal sufferings to a people to be Subjects to young Soveraigns And this Succession was put into a Will patcht up by the Cardinal David Beaton and clapt into the Kings hand to sign The Government of the Kingdom for the present was intrusted unto the Queen Mother a wise and virtuous Princess of the House of Lorain And though she might as yet be ignorant of the Actions of State in this short time of her experience in Scotland but 4. years yet the Nobles dissenting factions agreed the rather herein to accept of her Each party presuming to work their ends the better out of her Ignorance The people were religiously divided in Opinions Romish and Reformed which had put the late King upon extremity of Iustice against the Separatists as they then were stil'd indeed Dissenting among themselves but afterwards Congregating and Covenanting gave them other Names But in their several Professions sundry persons suffered Imprisonment Life or loss of all The Scots derive their Christanity from the disciples of S. Iohn their Patronage of St. Andrew and the propagation thereof not from Rome I dare say no● indeed they will have it from their own Plantations in Germany where increasing Christianity the persecution of Domitian drove them home again into Scotland And so they utterly refuse to have any thing to do with Rome by means of Victor that held that See as others will have it But they confess That Celestine Bishop of Rome sent learned Palladius to convince the Heresie of Pelagius a welchman born and bred up in the Monastery of Banghor then overspreading that Nation And after his good success therein brought in say they Prelate Bishops having had by their favour Priests and Moncks long before and thereafter all kind of Romish Orders Nay Boniface the eighth making use of the complaint of the Sco●ish Clergy against King Edward of England cruelly afflicting them and also of the resignation of the people to the See of Rome The Pope thereby claims right to that Crown writes to Edward and malapertly Bids him not meddle with his Vassalls and Subjects But after too much lording of the Romish Cl●rgy and the great Schism at Rome Pope against Pope three at one time Some men began openly to discover them to the world As Wickliff in England Iohn Hus and Ierome in Bohemia the Scots will have of theirs too Iames Resby and Paul Craw who indeed were but their Pupils that quarrell'd with their Arch-bishop of Saint Andrews and so began their fray So that the Scots reckon themselves happy without Bishops till Palladius from him to Malcolm from him to Patrick Graham their first Arch-Bishop who came in with that title to the dislike of all the Bishops The inferiour Clergy could not brook the strict authority of him and so by them and the Cour●iers too boot Graham lost that Title And one Blacater traces his Steps and procures himself Archbishop also then followed Beaton and he brought in the Cardinals Cap and all these in opposition each of other which gave occasion to sundry men to publish these discontents together with some Corruptions of the Church not unlikely to make a rent And therefore the Pope sent unto Iames the fourth a Sword and Title Protector of the Faith and not long after his gifts were cheap unto Henry the eighth of England a Sword and Title Defender of the Faith I find the Scots had some Martyrs who begun their Reformation with private opinions Resby suffered anno 1422. Paul Craw 1431. In 1494. about 30. persons men and women called Lollards from one Lollard a Schismatick indeed not as the Fryer discanteth Quasi Lolium in area Domini And these put their Articles 34 in writing The first Protestation that we read of amongst them being in the year 1527. then suffered Patrick Hamilton of the Antient Family and so forwards many more The Northern Martyrs had repute of constancy in sufferings beyond others Which gives occasion to discuss the reason for it was observed That the people of this Isle exceed in zeal of profession and are called in Italian Pichia Pelli or Knock-breasts Hypocrites So are they naturally better qualified with courage in extremities of sufferings and therefore accounted most valiant in respect of the Climate the Heart furnished with plenty of Blood to sustain sodain defects is not so soon
Scotland Offensive and Defensive with Charls le Grand of France viz. Let this League indure for ever Let the Enemies of the One be so to the Other If the Saxon or English invade France the Scots shall send aid as the Numbers shall be desired and at the French Charge If the English invade the Scots the French are to send competent assistance and at the French Charge So that we may now say Never was League more faithfully observed or longer continued even till the Union of King Iames the sixth with England which begat that saying He that will Either win with the Other must begin But forthwith to ballance these Broils comes an Army from England of ten thousand Foot and five hundred Horse by Land and Shipping which King Edward of England lately come to the Crown and at ten years of age sent under the Conduct of his Uncle the Duke of Somerset his Protector Not without some resolve in these civil dissentions to vie Mastery for the pursute or pretence of Mariage And the third of September entring into the cold quarter brought them to the Scots Borders but with so much Civility as to send Summons to the Duke of Castle-herault who bore the best sway as the honestest Man amongst them He puts the Scots in mind That the blood of Neighbors Kindred and Christians are too pretious to be vainly spilt That he comes to prevent it and if he be put to it to use his force It refers onely to a firm Peace not for the present but perpetual if the Union of sacred bands of Marriage may confirm it which we desire now as ye have promised heretofore the advantages so equal that the even gain pleads alike for both Princes of fitting years of Compositions Mind and Body alike in Powers matchless by any One Island Speech and Manners To ballance these with hopes or likelyhood from Forein it were more safe to examine by Examples of Others than to make tryal by themselves For his part presuming to meet with many of his Mind amongst them he would endeavour to moderate such Articles formerly prescribed as might render the young Queen more content viz. To remain for some years of her Infancy at home to be bred up with her own people and with her own choice and Council of her Peers to consent to a Husband In the mean time not to be tempted with a Forein Match of the French or any other nor to be bred beyond Seas And with this Conclusion he will depart home with recompence for any hurt done already The Scots were a mighty Army for Men and ne●r hand for all Ammunition They say themselves above thirty thousand after their Mutiny wherein thy lost eight hundred and thus priding up upon this offer of the English neglected to read these Letters in Council Lest indeed the equitable conditions should raise a Mutiny in the Multitude who were most for this Match until the French faction pretended that the English came to force their Queen away Upon this the Scots advance along the Shore and from an English Galley one Cannon shot took away at one blow five and twenty Scots which routed the Next Archers And Somerset set forward his Horse Troops that his Foot might gain the Hill who were soon forced back but as to recover their Courage their Harquebuse horse fall on with help of their Artillery and showres of Arrows that the Scots gave ground to be out of the reach of the Cannon whilst the English cry out they fly they fly which fear and not force increased to a total flight and their rancks quite disordered gave the Battail to the English with loss of Fourteen thousand Scots the Lords Lohemore and Fleming with almost all their Chiefs fell by the Sword Taken Prisoners fifteen hundred and amongst them Earl Huntley Lord Chancelour with the Lords Hester Hobs and Hamilton and many others at Musleburgh Septem 10. 1547. The English Master five miles about fortifie Keth and Amor two adjacent Islands take the Castles of Fas and Humes raised some Fortifications at Londere and Resburgh and so return The Scots thus worsted send to implore aid from France who send over ten thousand amongst whom say the German Authors came over three thousand Almans High-Dutch under Command of the Count Reingrave but in general under Government of Monsieur de Osse a man of some successful Renown and after landing join with eight thousand Scots neer Hadington and beleaguer it being lately fortified by the English where assembling Council in May they advise to send over the young Queen into France the immediate cause of those troubles And to fortifie themselves against furture assaults or pretences of the English they consult it best to betroth her to the Dolphine of France And for the present the English being overburdened with the Expence and continual war never to have hopes of an end make fair offers of a Truce for ten years in likelyhood therefore that one of the Princes might dy which would expiate for the former promises and conditions of Contract But this advise over-ruled by the French Faction and Romish Clergy with the offer of four thousand French Crowns yearly Revenue to the Duke Castle-herault it was resolved to fight it out and send away the Queen who was transported over round about Scotland by the West Sea and arrives upon Bretaign in France and so to Paris escaping the English Fleet that watched for her about Calice She being now but six years of age accompanyed with Iames her base Brother Io. Arskin and Will. Leviston The Siege of Hadington continues and as bravely defended when comes to their succour thirteen hundred Horse armed Cap-a-pe to assist to the Besieged under command of Sir Robert Bowes and Sir Thomas Palmer but in the way were all cut of by Ambuscade But the Earl of Shrews●ury following with an Army of sixteen thousand amongst whom were four thousand Germans equal friends for like pay raised the siege most French who retreated very honourably and left the Town for the Earl to enter who relieves it and returns to Berwick Monsieur de Osse marches to Humes and Fas Castle Places taken by the English the year before surprizes the Centinels and takes the Castles But Humes was taken by this Device Order had been given by the Governour for the County to come in with provision by such a day whereof de Osse makes use loads his own Souldiers like Countreymen who were let in by a Portal cast down their provision and secretly armed fall upon the Guard let in more company and so surprize the Castle In August after comes the Earl of Rutland with three thousand Germans and other Forces of the Marches knowing the great difficulty for Hadington to hold out the County so extremly forraged of all Provisions for contribution without a standing Army to protect them Dismantling the Places of
of Gods Church N●nc saith he extremus actus agitur nisi istinct afferatur remedium And unless the Devil be now unsaddled by them habenas ei laxatum iri he would get the Bit in his Teeth and run riot at pleasure And for his own part he meant not to stay by it but run away too Nec morositate nostra ●iet ut loco potius cedamus quam sententia And for what can a Man imagine all these good words why truly he tells Mr. Bullinger Brevis summa est that your Noble Senate would say that his Discipline is Consentanea verbo Dei By no means they would not but they were content to say it did accedere ad praescriptum verbi Dei and withall returned back with their Letters a Form of their Government but not to prescribe any of it to them for that their own at Geneva might be more convenient Hereupon 1537. Calvin foreknowing the effect of their Letters hastens the City to resolve who with much ado assemble and put their own discipline to the Vote which came to this upshot as Calvin saies himself In illa promisc●a calluvie Suffragiis fuimus superiores for when stomach strives with wit the match is unequal And let these his own Words be recorded in perpetuam rei memoriam by how many reverend Fathers and famous Persons with what Wisdome and Deliberation this Form of pretended holy Discipline was revived and entertained if a disordered multitude by most voices laid this plat-form for all posterity to imitate Major voice helpt him well upon which advantage he would practice And therefore crouds in fifty French his Countreymen at a clap free Denizons who had Ius Iubendae legis and his Inter est was no doubt more to force in Ministers For when the Magistrates would have but preferred a Genevian born to be one Calvin storms at him Trollietus saies he quidnam quod natione sit Genevensis no other cause nisi quod Simiae amant suos Catulos And indeed the Emperour Charls V. intending wars upon France gave good leasure and leave to the Reformers to increase the Pope to be displeased which occasioned Calvin to compile his Book De necesitate reformandae Ecclesiae And so have we from whence It came whither It would who devised It when and how and where planted in Geneva Anno 1554. and Calvin continued there to his death 1561. aged 52. years And yet to spread it abroad for all Calvins wit he was glad it seems to get it into favour with the assistance of Reverend Beza being alike bred up with the profession of several Reformers who together gave value to the progress of this beginning and truly of a good Man grew much in admiration of Calvins wit which induced him thereto and became at length very bold in his Prescriptions to some in England to intermeddle here and in Scotland for the like Reformation witness his Epistles to Lawson and Knox His discourse of three kind of Bishops of God of Man and of the Devil to the exceeding censure of him In France it had no repute being termed Thalmud Sabaudiacum To England it came upon occasion of some Male-contents in reference to Geneva for in Queen Maries Martyring time those being fled to Franckford they were afresh assaulted with the Orders of Geneve and Knox and Whittington collect the particulars of Edward the sixth's Common-Prayer Book and send it to Calvin who very censoriously is pleased to say Multas video fuisse tolerabiles ineptias However Franckford inclined to the English and chuse Dr. Horn their Superintendent at which Calvin storms and by great entertainments of other English as Whittington Gilby Goodman and others invited their Persons to Geneve and so stole their hearts to his humonr also And they thereafter spread it in England the second year of Queen Elizabeth About which time Knox came also and carried it into Scotland And this is the true story of the Geneve discipline briefly and impartially put together This year a Treaty was held at Cambray by Delegates of England France and Spain for settling the various differences of State but especially between England and France for restoring Calice which had been lost to them by Queen Mary but by no means would be rendered back Yet at last a Truce was concluded upon these Articles Neither Prince shall invade each Other nor assist Eithers Enemies The Ships of either Nation shall give Caution at their se●ting out to Sea not to molest each Other Free Commerce and Trading to be increased The French Fortification at Armoth in Scotland to be demolished Eight years the French shall enjoy Calice with the Appurtenances and sixteen Pieces of Ordinance and presently after shall restore it to Queen Elizabeth Eight sufficient Merchants not French Subjects shall be bound in 500000 Crowns for performance hereof and the Right of the Town to remain in the Queen And if any Attempt or Innovation be by any English during that time against the French or the Queen of Scots then the other shall be free And on the contrary If any prejudice shall be attempted or done by the French King the Queen of Scots or the Dolphine against England then Calice shall be instantly from thenceforth rendred to Q. Elizabeth A Peace at the same time and place was concluded between the Queen of England and Francis and Mary King and Queen of Scotland and certain A●RTICLES of Agreements were referred to Commissioners to regulate abuses of each Borderers And accordingly this Peace was proclamed in England and Frauce but soon broken for the French King aiming at England for his Son and the Queen of Scots would not withdraw his French Garrisons out of Scotland as was agreed but privily sent over fresh Supplies and openly challenges Interest in England for his Son and Daughter-in-law and in all writings used this Title Francis and Mary King and Queen of Scotland England and Ireland Bearing and quartering the Arms of England and upon their Heralds Coats Of which Throgmorton the English Ambassadour Lieger complained without redress Levied forces openly and sent them to Scotland to border all places of England And being an utter Enemie to the Protestaints was under hand abetted by the Pope the Emperour and Spain holding Her an Heretique and Illegitimate But those his Designs were soon cut off by an untimely accident upon him for tilting at the Nuptials of his Daughter with Spain and his Sister with Savoy and being run in at the eye with a Lance the Bur sticking in his brains he died immediately Some hopes Queen Elizabeth had now of lessening her fears and therefore to strike in with his Son and Successor She kept his Fathers Obsequies with magnificent solemnity in Pauls Church And sent Howard the Lord Effinghams Son to Condole the Kings Death and to Congratulate the new Successor with desire to continue Friendship and League as with his Father But the
Guisians Party that now were like to govern all counselled the young K. to increase the quarrel and not to leave off the Arms of England Throgmorton was told That they might as well bear those of England as Queen Elizabeth did theirs of France It was so questioned at Cambray but Doctor Wootton answered That twelve Kings of England on a Row had born them with so much authority that no Treaty ever disputed But at last France finding the Queens jealousie to kindle into flame they forbore with this bravado That indeed it was undone upon better consideration no addition of Terms or Titles could give Honour but rather Diminution to the Most Christian King of Fr●nce and that former Kings challenging and prosecuting their undoubted rights to Naples and Millan in Italy yet used them not additional to France We return again to our Scots Knox came to his Party being arrived out of France May 1559. hastens to Saint Iohnstons preaching them into practice And first they chuse an Orator the Laird of Caldor with Petitions and Supplications to the Queen Regent of their Demands for having before got leave to read the Bible now they desire to convene in Prayer to interprete the Scripture to baptize their own to receive in both kinds and ever at the end of all to have the Priests Reformed To all these She gave a reasonable answer but not so satisfactory as they required They protest in Parliament to stand to their Tenents and If Distraction or Destruction follow the blood they bring home to the score of bad Government For which they were summoned to appear at Serlin and they to strengthen themselves against any force congregate all their parties from Dundee Montross Saint Iohnston Angus and Mernes and so came forward towards the Queen at Sterlin whom she caused in prudence with fair promises to be staied and now they call themselves the Congregation and keeping still in a body the necessity of State inforced her to put them to the Horn Inhibiting all upon pain of Rebellion not to side with them Whereupon they fall to action Robbing and Plundering the Gray and Black-Fryers a building of wonderous cost and greatness which in three daies they wholy destroyed But the French Forces and other power of the Kingdom soon made them to yield the Town upon Treaty which was secured by the French until several Congregations had inveigled some of the Discontented Nobles and siding with them send a Trumpet to redemand the Town which being denied by force take it And with Knox their chief destroyed Scone took Sterlin and so marched to Edenburgh from whence the Queen was fled ro Dunbar and there in the Name of Francis and Mary King and Queen of Scotland Dolphin and Dolphiness of Viennois now in France and lately maried commands them to separate and depart home upon pain of Treason This begat a consent to treat at Preston to little purpose there but was somewhat pieced afterwards at Edenburgh Then they make a New Covenant at Sterlin resolve to call assistance of the Neighbour Princes and send into England to Q. Elizabeth newly come to the Crown The Queen Regent a most modest and virtuous Matron was as busie and accordingly came over 1000. French in August the rest in September and so each party prepare for Warr. The Congregators had got to their side these Noblemen the Duke of Castle-herault the Earls of Arran Arguile Glencarn and Montieth the Lords Ruthen Uchiltry Boyd and divers other Lords and Lairds The Queen proclaims them Traytors They reply with a Declaration against it She thereupon by Lion her Herald denounceth Treason against them all Upon which they convene draw up Articles against her Government and to depose her from Regency and for Her and the French to depart Edenburgh in 24. hours and the next day storm it but with loss and fled The Earl of Bothwell having much interest in the State sends for more forces to the Duke of Guise in France who governed all there and sent them some which suffered Shipwrack upon the Coast of Holland Robert Mel●in in behalf of the Congregators returns from Q. Elizabeth with Articles to be answered which afterwards came to a Contract And having got England in a different Policy to friend their Cause they wisely decline their Title of Congregators and call themselves Protestants as in England from whom now they have great Support rather to ballance with the French than bowlster their proceedings but it was long first being often ●olicited by hu●ble Letters from the Protestant Lords and particularly to apologize for a pestilent Pamphlet written by Knox against the Government of Women which he also excused in several long-winded Letters to Queen Eliz. her self and to Sir W. Caecil Secretary of State To whom Caecil replies in brief Mr. Knox Mr. Knox Non est Masculus neque faemina Omnes enim ut ait Paulus unum sumus in Christo Iesu Benedictus vir qui confidit in domino et erit Dominus fiducia ejus I need to wish you no more prudence than Gods grace whereof God send you plenty Oxford July 28. 1559. W. CAECIL But their Messenger was Secretary William Maitland of Lidington and others who in a doleful tone complains that since Queen Maries mariage in France the Scots Government was quite altered with favour to the French who flock thither for preferment and trust of Offices of Honour and Places of Strength their Coin corrupted and so in time to Master all and make them French Caecil Lord Burghley a wise and subtle States-man deals with Sir Henry Peircey afterward Earl of Northumberland so far their Neighbour to pick out of the Congregators what they aimed at for they were then budding into a profession which the wisest of the World knew not what to make of And that if they succeed by this assistance upon what conditions they would piece with England and so to find their temper being supposed State Revolters They with eyes heaved up to Heaven answer For no other Aim or Intention but the glory of Iesus Christ and the sincere word of God truly preached against all Abominations and Superstitions to restrain the Fury of Persecution and conserve their Liberty The mutual Love of both Kingdomes was the Sum of all their desires to which end they vow their Lives and Faith It was but slowly considered upon these grounds That the Scots were poor bare of Money and Munition unfaithful to themselves and not to be trusted abroad but warily to go to work with them They were advised to stand upon their Guard and not enter rashly into Arms. But when the English found the French so forward as to be on foot with Warlike forces under command of Marquess ● Albeuf Uncle to the Queen of Scots levied by the Reingrave in Germany with Ammunition and Ordinance ready to be ●hipped It appeared
cause of the Catholiques to Murray and Bothwell whom she assigned Regents The King posts from Sterling to the Queen at Iedburgh where he found Her somewhat convalesced saies the Church-men but scarce would speak to him who immediately returns to Sterlin where the Prince was and so to his Father at Glasgow She being recovered took pleasure to visit Bothwell who was brought in a Litter to her and cured and afterwards she progressed to the Borders neer Barwick which she viewed within half a Mile the Governor discharging the Ordnance for her honor and offered her his lawful Service visiting her in excellent Equipage The Borderers are the Inhabitants of both Nations Men of War Subtile Nimble Experienced Adventurous in arms comprehended by the East Middle and West but bounded and limitted as the Success of War gives distance neer or farther off Continual fewd between either for three hundred years Aut Bellum inter eos populos aut belli praeparatio aut Infida pax fuit A Custome there is amongst all never to believe a complaint against any unless one of his own Countrey-men will witness it also according to that of Cambden Nulla nisi Scotus in Scotum Nullus nisi Anglus in Anglum testis admittitur which seldom happens and so they sight it out And these were Receivers of Fugitives of both Nations as their Crimes or Ne●essities required protection or pardon Indifferent Subjects to either Nation or rather acknowledging no Soveraign Over these people either Kingdome had their three several Governours to rule them by force The Baptism of the Prince was solemni●'d at Sterlin by the B. of S. Andrews at five a clock after-noon Decem. 17. 1566. after the manner of the Protestant Churches and christned Iames the Witnesses were the Earl of Bedford then Governor of Berwick for the Queen of England the Count de Briance for Charles the French King and an Ambassadour for Philbert Duke of Savoy The Queen of Englands Present a Font of pure Gold valued three thousand Crowns though she grieved in heart to hear her Rival prevent her in the honour of a Mother The King belike knowing the English Ambassadours Charge not to salute him King was not present at these Solemnities nor required but kept his Chamber His Father sends to him to repair to Glasgow which he did without adiew to any and not a Mile on his way but he felt pa●gs in his Stomach and at Glasgow blistered blewish which the Physicians suspecting with their Antidotes and his Fresh Youth he recovered The Earl of Bedford had in Commission to compound the differences Domestique of the Court between King and Queen and for them to forbear the bearing the Arms of England quartered with Scotland and to ratifie the old Treaty at Edenburgh The last she refused as in some particulars derogate from the right of her Issue to the Crown of England The Queen in this Christening Triumph congratulates all Suters the Kirk put in and had what they desired Subscription to their Maintenance out of the thirds of Benefices and presented by the Bishop of Galloway to the Assembly when having got their ends their Stomachs were yet squemish for the Collections which granted but of Grace themselves to gather pretending That it was their part to preach to the People and to expect from them maintenance necessary as of duty the Pastor to pray might crave of his flock to pay and farther for them to have no care and also seeing the Tythes were onely for the Ministery they required the Protestants should keep them in their own hands and be so accountable unto them and not to permit the Papists to meddle therein So at one blow they meant to acquit the Papists of their Portion It was observed how soon those Men stand upon terms and by creeping into the people begin now to give Law to their Benefactors And now also they thunder Excommunications for trivial Offences deny the Communion to whom they or the Godly party are displeased withall And though an Offender repentant and done his Penance yet he must stay from the Sacrament till the Minister saies that he is penitent enough that is when he thinks fit as he likes the party If not they are all Father Mother and Daughter called into Disciplinarian Consistory a place of Criminal Infamy And although the Lay had place therein to judge yet the Kirk did all and more than ever any Bishops Spiritual Jurisdiction and the Magistrates Power and Office was only to effect the Forms of the others censure and be their Executioners And of all they had procured the Queens consent at Sterlin Nay more they obtained for every Borough a douation of Altarage Annalls and Obites which alwaies heretofore were due to the Papists but now to be disposed for maintenance of the Ministery without stickling at these Abominations And how ingratefully they acknowledged the Queens bounty they divulging that she intending revenge against the King stroke in with the Kirk lest they might disquiet her designs and affection to Bothwell who also for the favours and countenance that he received in England was much their friend And thus heightned they take upon them to write to the Bishops and Pastors of England who profess with us say they the truth of Jesus Christ. Taking knowledge that divers Brethren the most learned no doubt in England are deprived Ec●lesiastical function for not using S●perstitious and Idolatrous Vestments urging the Apostolick Argument To do as to be done unto insisting much upon the tenderness of scrupulous Consciences and that the Brethren that use not those Raggs neglect not you that do and so conclude not to rend Christs Garments for trifles But they have sithence learned other language and practice worser usage blood and death who follow not therein all things of their discipline The Bishops reformed were as busie on their parts not to be presbytered in their own Jurisdictions and procure to be obeyed in all such cases as before in the time of Popery were used in the Consistory and therefore to discharge the Commissioners for it was now conceived the best policy in the Queen not to deny either of them especially where they might cross and quarrel themselves The King reasonable well recovered of his drench was visited by the Queen at Glasgow and brought him and his Father to Edenburgh lodging him neer the Court in a conveniency from noise and proper for his health where she often visited him and lay in bed with him but returning to her Palace the 9th of February in the 21th year of his age 1566. the King was say some strangled in his Bed at Midnight and one Servant that watched with him the House blown up with Gun-powder his body was found the next morning in a Garden without the Town Wall and without any mark of fire Bothwell with some others by warrant caused the body to be viewed by the Chirurgions at the Q. command and
buried in the Abby This end had Henry Stuart 18. Moneths a King He was a Prince of high extract by Father and Mother His Character sans-parel comely tall ingenious and liberal fitted for all Excellencies of mind and body if time had lent him experience He had a quick wit and writ well and because he was a King Covert-barn and meddled the less he had the more leisure to hunt and hawk and ride great Horses and therein the Mastery His vices were thereafter Greatness and Ease made him feed high and those brought him to Incontinency though the Queen was beautiful and young enough for a Princess Such neglects of his by the Designs of others hastened his ruine who took boldness thereby to work their own ends without the least Guilt of the Queen This is the report of some yet others give as a Story For the Ministers in hate to the Queen who truly it appears did much for them in the case of Policy and their immerits tells us that by Bothwels direction Sir Iames and Gilbert Balfores Chalmers Spency Sebastian Iohn de Bourdeaux and Ioseph brother to Rizio Domestiques of the Queen and Strangers of all Nations were the men that were Actors in the Murther Bothwell being in hope to succeed him in case the Divorce from his Wife should come timely from the Pope which his hast could not stay for and easie enough it was to infuse this into honest Lenox who supplicates the Queen for tryal of Bothwell by Assize before the Earl of Caithness President the Earl Cassiles and other Peers fourteen in all who cleered Bothwel and this was dispatched for satisfaction of the Commissioners of the Christned Prince and their Soveraigns But Bothwell follows the Queen in her visit of the Prince at Sterlin from whence he carries her to Dunbar and for which violence he gets a general pardon and so includes that of the King if it should farther burst out There was no let to the Queens affection but Bothwels Wife from whom he was soon divorced and both content for She made the first hasty second mariage with the Earl of Sunderland and he after the banes publiquely asked by Crage the Minister was married to the Q. May 15. 1567. Mala nubunt Mense Maio by the Bishop of Orkenay And truly compare all those which have writ of this Queen several Authors and in several Languages for all are partial we may yet pick out truth concerning her Husbands and her hasty mariages in their proper stories That Morton and Murray and many others besides plotted the Murther of the late King upon Malice Ambition and Revenge Each of them by several Interests But Bothwell got the best Bone and they their Bones Indeed they also herein murthered the honour of their Mistress for she seemed a Property whirled about with every wind which they sailed by Buchanan speaks much of this matter in a worser way and payes the Queen to the Purpose in his History as also in his Pamphlet The Detection Both which were condemned in Parliament and of them both he repented Wishing that his blood might expiate those his Falsities and Impieties Udal hath more of it in her excuse and if not partial take him who afterwards writ to K. Iames. Or if you please take our relation who write the neerest of truth than can be gathered and thus it was Sir Roger Aston an English-man and preferred in Court by the Earl of Dunbar lodging in the Kings Chamber that night of his Murther Both of them smelt the fire of a Match which caused them hastily to leap out of their Beds and out at a window into the Garden the King had his Sword in his hand and suspecting Treason as also hazard of the young Prince hastily commanded Aston to speed thither and prevent his danger whilst himself single was seized upon by divers and wounded to death and so left in the Garden and to colour it the House was blown up with Gun-powder but the Kings body not scorched by any fire was viewed and found to be slain by such as so ordered the secrecy as not in those daies to be divulged And this Tale was told by Aston himself since he came into England with K. Iames. But that I may unfold the Mistery of these late Murthers and how the Queen was involved into future suspition by her hasty Mariages I shall open Murrays subtilty to be the chief Author and Actor in all The slaughter of Rizio not long ago gave security in that time of distraction at Court for Murray boldly to appear before the Commissioners upon his Indictment of Rebellion the very next day after the Tumult and so no Accusation came against him the Murther being hastned for that purpose The Queen therefore through the Kings intercession receives him her self in such Distraction conceived it the safest way to depend on his Brotherly base Counsel The King very sensible of his own Accessary in Rizio's death and deluded by the Cunning contrivance of Morton and Murray His youth and easiness of belief giving way Now repents of that rashness implores the Queens clemency and ingenuously reveals to her the Villany of them all with resolution to be revenged And seeing the Bastards power and interest in Affairs of State equal if not before His advises with others to remove him farther off Murray hath intelligence of all and under shadow of outward duty thought of nothing more than to ruin him Of which he acquaints Morton by Message into England who was conveyed thither upon Rizio's murder Some difference between the King and Queen gave the advantage for by their former villany they animate him to strain upon the Rights of Soveraignty to his face which covertly they opposed to the Queen and alwaies after he had done a miss to leave him in the lurch And finding the good nature of the King likely to comply into affection with the Queen and to be reconciled together To prevent them Murray draws in Bothwel to the Confederacy with these murtherers who though fled acted in all Councils And so Bothwel must be reconciled to Murray and brought into grace with the Queen Contracting under hands and seals and bound with Oaths That the King being laid aside he advanced the Queen distrusted by the Peers and so the rule of Regency in Murray Upon this Conspiracy the Bastard conveys himself slyly out of the way but twelve hours before the King was murthered and in hurray of affairs returns to Court and altogether they advise nay compel or threaten the Poor Queen to mary Bothwell who they present as nobly born bold and faithful to the State against all assaults of the English to prevent the Tumults of the time and hazard to all If not they would purchase their own security by any otherwaies how prejudicial soever to her safety which at last she was forced to consent unto And this Relation was confirmed under the
her to set her hand unto three Instruments To resign her Crown and Royal Dignitie to her Son scarce 13. moneths old Murray to be called home to be Vice-gerent and if he refuse then To these Rectors Iames Duke of Castle-herault Gilespich Earl of Arguile Matthew Earl of Lennox Iohn Earl of Athole Iames Earl Morton Alexander Earl of Glencarn and Iohn Earl of Mar. And this she did as extorted in Prison which were publisht and proclamed the 19. of Iuly 1567. and 5 daies after the Prince crowned at Sterlin at thirteen Moneths and eight daies old The Royal ●ow much soever infant being due to him at his Birth is furrogated into the Throne of his deceased Ancestors and Morton and Hume take Oath for the King Solemnities and Paction by stipulation and Coronation do but shew him to the people not make the Soveraign and so by these pledges of their faith knit affections together for the Ceremonies of his Coronation due from his birth though prorogued for a while did not derogate from his Right and Regal Authority And Knox knockt out the Sermon Murray is sent for and returns out of France and August 20. accepts the Regency And because very lately we mentioned Bothwells challenge for combate In this void time and place we shall say something concerning Combates It was usual in all parts of Christendo●e where differences could no otherwise be decided the party was allowed his purgation By Oath or otherwise per dquam can●entem ferrum ign●um or duellum vulgare The Northern Saxons and Normans brought it amongst us and so continued whilst we were barbarous but afterwards condemned often by the See of Rome Richard 1. gave leave for Turnaments for it had been done by licence extrajudicial and so we had of them between Counties and Towns It a quod pax terr●● nostr a non infringetur As also Vir is militaribus Com. Lincoln And afterwards Redman and his three Friends Hastiludere cum Halberton tribus sociis suis Civit. Carliol And it followed to be very Ordinary and too much frequent till the Pope forbad it through all Christendom Detestabiles nundinas vel ferias quas vulgo Torniamenta vocant c. unde mortes hominum et pericula animarum s●pe conveniunt The single Combat was also by legal process in Cases Criminal in appeals of Treason out of the Court Marshal as between Essex and Montford in Henry 2. time Audley and Chatterton Rich. 2. For Murther or Robbery it is out of the Kings Bench as you may read it Modus faciendi Duellum It hath been granted in Cases Civil out of the Marshalls Court about different bearing of Arms as between Scroop and Citsil or otherwise for Title of Land as in Paramo●rs Case But the more justifiable hath been used by sundry offers singly for saving blood-shed of many Three of Our Kings severally challenged that tryal against the French King And by Charles of Arragon and Peter de Terracone for the Isle of Sicile and that was allowed of by Pope Martin and his College of Cardinals But it was grown too Common and so afterwards forbidden by Canon between the Duke of Burgandy and Duke of Gloucester Being detestabile genus pugnae omni divin● et ●●mano jure damnatum et fidelibus interdictum c. Et qu●modo existimare quisquam potest rectum Iudicium ex Duello In quo Inimicus veritatis Diabolus dominatur The Regal Prerogative have sometime restrained that liberty in Martial Exercises or private quarrels and punished non-Conformists Edward I. Publice fecit proclamari inhiberi ne quis under loss of Lands and Goods either torneare bordeare aut Iustas facere aventur as facere c. sine licentia Regali speciali Nay none to wear weapons but the Kings Officers and some few excepted But more often to forbid single Combate or to determine it or take it up Mawbray and Hereford both banished And when Aneste and Chatterton were ready to fight Eandem querelam in Manum suam Rex recepit That of Fitzthomas being challenged by Sir William de Vessy to have defamed the King by Words mentioned in a Schedule Willielmus audita tenore Schedulae dementitus est predicto Iohannem dicendo Mentitus est tanquam falsus pr●ditor denegavit omnia sibi imposita tradidit vadium in Manum Iusticiarii quo illud admisit Et predict Iohannes advocavit omnia de●entitus est simul dicto Willielmum This was done in Ireland before the Kings Deputy there but was adjorned into England before the King and there adjudged void Quia non sit citatus in Regno isto placitare in Curia Regis c. Duellum co●ce●ere in pla●is de quibus cognitio ad curiam Regis non pertinet contra legem consuetudinem Regni Igitur concordatum est quod processus totalitur adnulletur Sundry punishments in several Cases without licence The Earl of Surrey fined a thousand Marks pro quadam transgresione in insultu facto in Alanam de la Zouch Inquisitio facta est de omnibus tenementis catallis Ro. Garvois quia Insultum fecit percussit Edwardum filium Willielmi or Williamson Cromwell was challenged by Seagrave to fight in France Subjecting thereby ●aith the Record this Kingdome to that was stopt in the way and tryed at the Kings bench Et super hoc dominus Rex valens habere avisamentum Comitum Baronum Magnatum aliorum de Concilio c. Qui omnes enim dicunt quod hujusmodi factum meretur poenam amission is vitae He was committed to the Tower and long time unpardoned His Second was fined two hundred Marks Droomlenrig and Hempsfield antient Noblemen of Scotland upon Suspition of Treason had leave to Combate at Holy-rood-house armed like antient Palladines fought it out till the King in presence parted them Iames 5. We read of one in the time of Queen Elizabeth 1571. between Simon Low and Iohn Ryme Plaintiffs against Thoma● Paramour Defendant It was by Writ of Right for some Lands in the Isle of Tenet in Com. Canc. and in issue at the Common-pleas Paramour had his Champion one George Thorn who came to the Bar flung his Gantlet into the Court to approve the right of Paramour by single Combate against any One Henry Nayler a Fencer takes it up to answer for the other Defendents And in Tuttle Fields by Westminster the place appointed A Tent for the Lord Chief Iustice Dyer of the Common-pleas and other the Barons of that Court. The Tilt 60. foot square railed in with Scaffolds round about for Spectators Two Pavillions East and West from one issues out Thorn apparell'd in red Sandals upon his black Armour bare legged bare head and bare arms to the Elbo brought by the hand of Sir Ierome Bowes who bore a red Baston of an ell long tipt with horn his Yeoman with an Ox-hide Target and the Gantlet bore before them upon a Swords point To oppose
him enters the other conducted by Sir Henry Cheyney and both Combatants take Oath to come fasting But ready to encounter the Demandant was missing and so by default the Chief Justice resites the Writ and former passages of challenge and gives Judgement for the Tenant and leaves the Demandant and his Pledges de prosequendo in impercordia Reginae ●id Dyer 30. Some preparations there were of late in King Iames time intended between two Scotch men the Lord Ree and David Ramsey in point of Treason but I know of no other policy preventing the Tryal than the doubtful effects to decide the question by this way to find out truth But because the matter hath been long laid aside the manner thereof will not be amiss to preserve to Memory The Ceremony was wont to be thus when it was in Authority and use in the Earl Marshal or High-Constables Court The Appellant exhibits his Bill in the High Court Constable or Marshal and failing of his proofs offers force of his own body upon the Defendant And the Constable as Vicar General in Arms so saies my Author under the King hath power to join issue in Battel and within fourty daies after to appoint time and place The Constable assigns them arms being a Gantlet and short Sword and Long Sword and Dagger They bring able pledges for appearance at the day and for good behaviour to each other till then The King names the Field sixty foot long and fourty foot broad firm ground and even listed about by Order of the Marshall with Rails with two Dores East and West seven foot high and kept by the Serjeant at arms At the day the King sits on a Throne mounted with two seats on each hand for the Constable and Marshall at the foot of the Ascent who demand the Pledges to render themselves to the King or the Appellant and Defendant to come in and make Oath The Appellant comes on horse-back to the East dore whom the Constable brings in and demands his name and why thus armed He answers I am A. B. Apellant and demand Entry to make proof of my intent against C. D. and to acquit my Pledges The Constable takes off his Bever and proclames him to be the Man opens the door and bids him enter with his Arms Victuals necessary Attendants and Council presents him to the King and sets him on a Seat till the Defendants comming and request being made his Pledges are discharged Then the King commands the Constable who commands the Marshal and he the Lieutenant and he the Marshal of the Heraulds of the South if it be this side Trent being the Marches of King Clarencieux or otherwise if it be Northward then the Heraulds of Norris King of Heraulds there to call the Defendant thus O yes C. D. Defendant Come to your Action acquite your pledges in the presence of the King Constable and Marshal to defend your self against A. B. before three of the Clock after Noon He enters at the West dore in like manner Their Appearance presently Registred in the Records of the Constables Court with the order time horses arms and attendants and their manner Two Knights are assigned Observant to either Adversary that they take no charm or spel or other evil arts till their Oath be taken which the King commands the Constable to receive and what other Protestations their Council shall advise If not The Register saies you A. B. Appellant do you know this to be your Bill of Complaint exhibited in Court before the Constable Swear to the Truth thereof in all points and that you intend to prove the Contents thereof upon C. D. so ayde you God and your Patron Saint and then proclaims Thou A. B. thy Bill is such in all points continue thy intent to prove it this day so God help thee and hallowing The Defendant C. D. in like manner c. Then the Appellant takes his second Oath That he comes appointed with Arms as was assigned without knife or other sharp weapon no stone or herb of virtue charm or spell of power or belief to be assisted but only by God and his own Body and merits of his Cause So God him help c. The Defendant swears the like The Constable bids them both to take each other by the right hand without violence gently and laying the left hand on the Book He saies I charge your A. B. that you use all advantages to force the Defendant to render himself into your hands or to demand a Parley or with your own hands to kill him before you part out of the lists by the light of the Sun and age of the day assigned by your Faith and so God help you The like by the Defendant Then O Yes The Herauld pronounces In the Kings name That no person approach within four foot of the List keep silence give no sign by Countenance or otherwise to advantage either upon pain of life and member and loss of Chattel The King of Arms and Heraulds are assigned to Minister unto them to eat or drink of what they brought with them asking leave of each other Within the Lists are admitted a Knight two Esquires of the Constables Train and the Lieutenant also a Knight and two Esquires of the Marshals being all in Armour with Launces unbarbed to part the Combatants at his Majesties pleasure and these lying flat on the Ground at each side of the List only the Constables Lieutenant and the Marshals standing At the instant of the Kings Direction the Constable shall say Let them go Let them go The Appellant advancing upon the Defendant the Constable stands ready at the Kings pleasure whilest they fight viz. to stop take breath or otherwise neither of them ingaged in advantage They may not whisper In case of Tr●as●n the convict shall be disarmed by command of the Constable one corner of the List to be broken down his body dragged at a horse-tail to the block of Execution to be beheaded or hanged on the Gallowes the Marshall to see Execution But in cases of particular interests he shall not be drag'd but shall be thrown over the lists and lose the penalty of the Lands or honor in question The vanquished forfeits his Horse and Arms and all which he brought into the Field with him unto the Constable as his Fee The Lists Rails Seats c. to the Marshal If the Combate be withdrawn by Command or perswa●ion of the King and both content else not they shall be led out together by the Constable and proclamation made thereof with equal honor to them both I have read of such a duel Combate before the King of France between Robert le Blanch and Le●●● le Force in a case of Treason Blan●h the Appellant grapples le Force and casts him down sets his left foot upon the others stomack holding up his right hand with his sword by the Hilt his left hand within a foot of the point and therewith presently he meant to
●tab him but to add more strength his right foot was somewhat raised from the ground when instantly the King cryed Hold hold casting his Truncheon to part them Wherea● le Force nimbly leapt up without hurt The King being willing to preserve le Forces life ●ot with any good affection for he supposed him guilty but for the future examination of Con●●deracy Yet he adjudged him ●anquished which the Defendant ●tterly denied and craved Iudgement of the Con●table and Marshal who had a pre●●y way to save the Kings honour and yet to do Justice Their sentence therefore was that le Force should be prostrate to the fatal stroke as before and the Apellant with all his former advantage and form of postures and so they did When le Fo●●e with nimble strength li●ted up Blanch his right foot which 〈◊〉 him down skipt up 〈◊〉 and stab'd the other to the Heart And forthwith k●eeled to the King told him That 〈◊〉 the Assistance of his Patron Saint the merit of 〈…〉 event of th● legal Tr●al which he in Hono●r would not ref●se Yet for more satisfaction to his Majesty he produced six sufficient witnesses attending in the Field whom he preserved upon all events and who cleered him However the King quarrelled with the Constab●e and Mar●●all for declining his Sentence being Supream which they humbly denyed The King being a Party in case of Treason or Felony cannot be judge in Lands and Honour he may This di●tinction in those times of Treason was taken for Reason But though these Combatings are rarely now in Example yet have we taken up Private Duells the more frequent sometimes for Right but in●o●●erably too often for Honour as we term it Certainly to use the Sword in a private 〈…〉 party must be a tempting of God and an 〈◊〉 Tryal though we read two of them in Scripture The challenge of Goliah which David undertook The inveterate quarrel of Ioab and Abner in the Interests of their several Masters David and ●●hbosheth perfor●ed by twelve on either p●●t singly the Challengers had the worst It was commonly imitated by some Gallant in the Head of an Army in France and Holland or by Parties but the wise William of Nassa● at the siege and loss of Breda after Briote was so slain forbid it any more to be done during his life In how ill condition is that righteous cause which must be concluded by the Sharp Force and Fencing for Saint Bernard saies That he that conquers Mortaliter pec●at he that is slain aeternaliter perit The difference of the evil is the Challenger hath in it more provocation It hath been held lawful for a man slandered by an unjust Accuser to vindicate himself by his own Sword But It destroyes Iustice and Robs God of his Revenge Ordinary and Common Challenges upon what ground soever being willingly refused and yet by the Adversary therefore proclaimed base and cowardise may diminish the offence of acceptation but concludes him deeply guilty by Gods Laws The Plea of Conscience ought to suppress the Fancy of any Fighter The result is thus To answer the Challenge let a Man provide to be daily armed and if he be set upon God and his Cause willdefend his Life and Honour To make a bargain of bloodshed is damnable and the intention though both escape is murther The Council of Trent excommunicated all persons whatsoever none exempt with loss of Lands and Christian burial But Bothwell who causeth this Digression being rid of the Combat flies and was pursued to ship-board but got to sea turned Pyrate about Orknay Morton at his own charge set out several Ships to take him Grange was Admiral and almost surprized him yet he escaped in a light Pinace over a crag of the Sea which grazed on the Sands but the pursuers stuck fast and were saved by their Cock-boat and Bothwell got into Denmark was there suspected examined and imprisoned Earl Murray having with much seeming unwillingness in August accepted the Protector-ship which he long thirsted after Summons a Parliament in December In which the Resignation Coronation Regency and the Queens Imprisonment were confirmed And forthwith accompanied with the Conspirators repairs to the Imprisoned Queen at Loch-leven Mortons Castle She besought him with tears to protect the young King to govern with a good conscience and to spare her Life and Reputation Then to colour his Villany he executes divers for being present at the Late Kings murther But they protested at the Gallowes that Murray himself and Morton were the Authors cleered the Queen and so did Bothwel Prisoner then in Denmark and so to his dying day That she was not privy nor consenting And fourteen years after when Morton was executed therefore he confest That he moved that the Queen might be made a Party therein but Bothwel refused And thus the Government not so secure but factions increased envy to the Regent hatred to Religion and duty to the Queen now Bothwell was gone Metallan and Tylliburn the Hamiltons Arguile and Huntley join together And Beaton Arch-bishop of Glosgow now Lieger for the Queen in France with much secrecy gave them hopes of Men and Money Her cruel Imprisonment forces her escape by means of George Dowglass brother to the Governour of the Castle being oft times trusted with the Keys to let in and out the Queens women And in the disguise of one of them she got out and he and Tylliburn rowed her over the Lake and with a dozen horse men convayed her that night to Hiddery the next day increasing to five hundred horse with the Lord Seaton and Hamiltons they came to Hamilton Castle and because this Design was her last which she acted in Scotland we have searched out the truth from several Relators as followeth The Regent Protector now at Glasgow and pleasing the people with seeming Justice to settle them was now himself to seek for Protection Some advised him to Sterlin where the King was but Dowglas opposed protesting to do as Boyd had done who was gone to the Queen with intention as he perswaded them to act Husha's part for he returned a message to Murray To do them better service with Her Morton and Simple advised the same to stay at Glasgow for safety consisted in sceleri●y the Queens liberty would soon gain the People and the more remote the more affectionate to her Their own strength was the Towns-men and as Enemies to Hamilton the Surer their faith to them Cunningham and Simples potent Neighbours Lennox and the Kings party many and the Earl of Mars forces not far off to whom Messengers are posted round about The Lord Hume came with six hundred Horse and so conceived themselves four thousand strong sufficient to dare the Enemy The Queen was gotten head of six thousand and con●iding in this advantage of number she purposed to withdraw her person for safety into Dunbarton Castle and so to mannage the war with expedition or lingring at pleasure M●rray guessing at
protested that although their Queen was content her innocence should be shewed yet being a free Princess she did not acknowledge her self Subject unto any The English urged likewise That they did not admit that protestation in prejudice of that right which the Kings of England alwaies claimed as Superior of the Kingdom of Scotland Queen Maries Commissioners declare by writing how Morton Mar and others had levied Arms misused their Queen and extorting her Resignation in Prison that Murray had usurped the Regency and inforced her to fly for succour into England Murray and the Commissioners for the King Infant answer and relate the manner of the late Kings murther by Bothwel for which the Noble-men called him in question whom the Queen protected that she voluntarily resigned and the Parliament had confirmed it and all this was evidenced by Letters Her Commissio●ers reply and deny all telling the Truth of these Stories in such particular as is before herein declared and therefore crave aid of England to assist Her The English Commissioners require better proofs than by Letters for Lethington had counterfeited her hand and was suspected might do ●o by these Murray refuses other proofs than such Letters as he shewed with much modest regret forsooth To be put to it to accuse his Sister at all unless the Queen of England would undertake to protect the King and to relinquish the Queen But the English told them all though there appeared not as yet sufficient for the present to be dilated upon yet Murray is required to leave some of his Company here to answer Exceptions which their Queens Ambassadors should propose hereafter and so they departed Much pleasing to the Duke of Norfolk so to break off having alwaies favoured Q. Maries Cause and from this time had a Mind to mary her But Murray to make things more safe po●●s to the Queen of England and to her produces Articles and other 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Book called the D●tection which had 〈◊〉 credit with her though ●illing she was that reproach ●ight l●dge ●pon the Queen of Scots Indeed many Engli●h Lords inclined to 〈◊〉 her 〈◊〉 at which Queen Eli●●beth swore She 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 so long as Norfol● lives of whom henc●forward she was j●alous Duke Hamilton was returned out of Fr●●ce whither he had fled and besought that Murray might relinquish the Re●●●●● to him being as he 〈◊〉 his due as next heir to the Crown 〈◊〉 the Queen found his pulse beat too hig● and least he should proceed in that Claim she commanded him not to depart without her Licence The Regent and his Company having leave to depart in Fe●●●● the Duke Hamilton made means to follow and being Lieutenant for his Queen and got home sends forth his Proclamations and shewe● his Authority which none obeys For Murray was comming to nip the Bird in the Head and comes to Glasgo● with an Army to whom Ha●●●ton 〈◊〉 and prefixes a day for Hamilton with pledges to subs●ribe to his power at Edenb●rgh and there likewise he 〈◊〉 it off till his Queen sends her consent Hereupon he and Herris are committed 〈◊〉 and Huntley were the next to be reduced Both of them had been bu●ie in the Regents absence but were now suppre●●e● and so all 〈◊〉 to Perth to hold a Convention of ●tates Thither came two Packets from both Queens Elizabeth made three Propositions 1. That the Kings Mother might be restored to her 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 2. That her Name might be joined with her Sons in all writs and the Government continue in the R●g●●● 3. And if none of thes● then that 〈…〉 with all 〈◊〉 and hon●●● without pre●●di●● 〈◊〉 the King This last was accepted the other rejected These Queens had several Designs in their Demands Elizabeth was wi●●●ng to be rid of the other rather than she should mary with Norfolk for she feared her great Friends here and beyond Seas And Mary was therefore more earnest to satisfy the Duke who meant not to adventure the Treaty upon uncertainties And Murray for these respects kept Bothwels title in being for from England he was assured by his Friends there that Norfolks plot and Queen Maries was so cunningly conveyed that no wit nor power was able to countermine Yet he remained stedfast and sent one of his Domestiques to Queen Elizabeth with Queen Maries Petition and their answer but She not satisfied with such an Ordinary Messenger the Abbat Pitcarn was sent Express from the Convention at Sterlin held only for that purpose About the same time of his last arrival at London the Duke of Norfolk was committed to the Tower October 11. and the Conspiracy discovered which was thus Murray with much cunning before his late departure out of England proposed some hopes to Norfolk of mariage with the Queen of Scots and secretly induced a belief of her present restoring and spread these Rumours to prejudice her and to increase jealousies with many other suspitious which surrounded Queen Elizabeth Of Rebellions at home and Plots abroad by the Papists And as many more Tales that Q. Elizabeth and Murray had compacted against the young King To wipe off these an Apology was printed in Queen Elizabeths defence In truth she was much perplexed with fears out of Emulation of the other Yet with some compassion for her Imprisonment and in both these distempers there wanted not Instruments to rub the wound Mary often solicited Queen Elizabeth with humble yet Princely Letters with such compassionate Eloquence that though the Queen had a Wolf by the Ears yet with tears had oft resolution to return her Home and dealt with Murray by Messengers herein but he was settled in malice and would not incline Then was rumoured the Mariage of the Duke of Norfolk with Queen Mary as advantagious to both Realms and security of the Kings person who must be brought also into England and so under Queen Elizabeths power and she so to be secured of fears And that for finishing so good a work the Dukes Daughter should be contracted to the King And these Designs many the chiefest Earls in England had contrived Murray himself at his being here intimated no less to the Duke for that She having maried her self to a Boy then to a rash young Man and last to a Mad-brain might now recover her honor to wed him a Man of discretion Nay more secretly by Melvin offered to the Queen of Scots his Service to effect it And the Secretary Throgmorton with the chiefest Lords Arundel Northumberland Westmerland Sussex Pembroke and Southampton and Leicester also his Rival were all of the Plot and he broke it very seriously to Norfolk Upon which the Duke not faint-hearted courted the Queen by Letters and all consenting Articles were propounded 1. For security of Queen Elizabeths person and issue 2. To Covenant a League between both Kingdomes 3. To establish Protestant Religion 4. To receive into favour with pardon all the Scots 5. To Revoke her assignation of the Kingdom of England
and some to the Gallies but were only all banished The King of Spain sends the whole Process to Venice and by His Ambassadour Lieger there one Mendoza declares publickly to all the World That in case his Minis●ers should so offend He remits them to punishment where they resi●e And another Mendoza for abusing our Ministers of Sta●e here was first restrained and after banished 1586. See Another hereafter in this Kings Reign the Marquess Inojosa for scand●lizing the Prince and Duke of Buckingham 1624. And our Bookmen say that a Forein King though admitted here by safe Conduct for without Licence he cannot come may be impleaded for Debt or Trespass and condemned for Treason for i● is a general Law of Nations That in what place an offence is committed according to the Law of that place they shall be judged without regard of any Privilege For a King out of his proper Kingdom hath 〈◊〉 merum Imperium but only retains Honoris Titulos Dignitatis and per omnia distringitur etiam quoad personam And the same assuredly is of their Ambassadours N● occasio daretur delinquendi He hath protection of His p●rson Like as a Sanctuary will save a Mans life from Manslaughter but not when Manslaughter is committed within the Sanctuary for then he does willfully wave the benefit Indeed their Persons as their Masters are sacred from violation of private men but not from punishment of offences against the publike State See Cook 7. part c. Here are Presidents but it hath been more nicely disputed let others conclude This year gave end of daies to that antient Noble Lord William Pawlet Marquess of Winchester and Lord Treasurer of England twenty years having lived 97. years whilst he saw the Children of his Childrens Children to the number of one hundred and three persons 〈…〉 bishop in spite of Adamson a Minister preaching against that Order which he divided in three sorts 1. The Lords Bishop to wit Christ and such was every Pastor 2. My Lord Bishop such who sit and vote in Parliament exercising Iurisdiction over his Brethren 3. The third sort was my Lords Bishop one whom some Lord in Co●●●substitutes hi● Receiver without means or Power Episcopal whom he called a Tulchan Bishop because the Tulchan which is a Calves skin stuffed with straw is set up to make the Cow give down her Milk Mr. Knox he preached more and pronounced Anathema dant● anathema accipienti Whilest the Estates were busie at Parliament far off from Edenburgh and thereby secure an attempt was made upon them There was one George Bell in Edenburgh Ensign to a Foot Company born in Sterlin well acquainted with each Corner there and each Lords Lodgings possibly to be surprized in their careless watch He marches from Edenburgh with two hundred Horse and three hundred foot Earl Huntley and others their Leaders thither and undiscovered till they had planted the Market place and set Guards in the Lanes entered the Lords Lodgings and surprize them Prisoners the Regent Glencarn and others Morton only defends himself with his Servants and the Enemy in hast set the House on fire some of his Men slain he yielded to Balclough who had married his Neece Margaret Dowglas The Souldiers careless fall to plunder the Houses whilst Mar and his men in the Castle force the Market place but in vain Then he sends sixteen pieces of Brass called Founds to his own new House a building and so not reguarded for plundering got up to the upper Rooms and shot out at the Windows into the very street when the Enemy was thickest who thus amazed fled without order and Mar pursues them with such other that crept out of their Hidings and make a sufficient number to be again Masters of their own both Prisoners and Spoil Morton and Glencarn seizing their Keepers the Regent was taken by David Spency who to save him at 〈◊〉 from the Souldier lost his own life and His also So both sides were vanguished and both victorious in a few hours Of such advantage is diligence and expedition and mischievous is negligenc● and security Multum in utramque partem fortuna potest as Caesar saies The Kings Grandfather Lenox thus dead and presently buried there were three listed for Election Arguile Mar and Morton the first but lately reconciled to the Kings part the last was best beloved but Mar had the charge of the Kings person and so caried the vote to be Regent Sept. 1571. Much he could not do in his small time of Government he convend the Country and sate down against Edenburgh but wanting Artillery returns to Li●th parts the Kingdom ●●to quarters and sends for their Divisions by turns Those in Edenburgh issue o●t and set fire on Dalkieth with Spoil and Pillage return but were so close beset that wanting victual they p●ocure the Ambassadors from France and England to mediate the reconcileme●t And for a Prea●ble to future peace the Ambass●●ours obtain a Truce in Iuly beginning the first of August 1572. until Ianuary following The Conditions were that Edenburgh should be free for all the Kings Subjects which was to say that the Enemy could keep it no longer And before the end of this Truce Mar takes leave of this life in a desperate Feavour at Sterlin October 1572. and without dispute Morton was elected to succeed him And now let us to return to England where in November 1572. appeared a blazing star alwaies portending ill fate to great persons It was placed Northwards in the Constellation of Cassiopeia making a Geometrical figure with three chief fixed Stars lozing-wise called Rombus It appeared bigger than Iupiter and less than Venus It never changed place but carried about by motion of the Heavens as other fixed Stars and so continued six moneths The Sphere far above the Moon where no other Comet was ever seen or indeed Natural can appear so strange to Astronomers as since the Creation was never the like and had onely reference to Caelestial or rather super-C●lestial consideration And therefore forthwith followed in Ianuary that Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk was arraigned in Westminster Hall before Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury High Steward and 25. Earls and Barons His Commission being read Garter King of Arms delivers to him the White Rod which he receives and delivers to a Serjeant at Arms standing by and holds it up all the time The Duke was brought in between two Knights and the Ax held besides him by the Executioner with the edge from the Duke but after sentence it was immediately turned to him His Tryal lasted till night and all the matters before remembred were urged against him together with his own Letters as also those of the Queen of Scots and Bishop Rosses besides evidence by Witnesses whereof he was condemned as in Case of High Treason and after 4 moneths delay he was executed upon the Tower-Hill where he acknowledged and confessed all Abo●t ten daies after Commissioners were sent
others But then let me tell them who were the other worser learned men as he will have them that fled Queen Maries persecution to Franckford Zurick and Basill declining Geneva those were Scory Barlow Cox Beacon Bale Parkhurst Grindall Sands Nowell Wisdom and Iewell and very many more that maintained the Reformation of King Edwards time and therefore Knox said That the English at Geneva were separated from that superstitious company at Franckford Notwithstanding these quarrellers heretofore at the first yet in the beginning of Queen Elizabeths dayes they pretended to agree in Harmonical Confessions though in several disciplines till Cartwright and Travers in his Disciplina Ecclesiastica makes their own tenents so positive as that If every hair of their heads were a life they would lose them all to defend their Discipline Then came in to their Gang Udall and Penry and call that discipline onely pure perfect righteous full of goodness peace and honor ordained for the joy and happiness of all Nations Therein followed them Martin and his two sons and Gilbie and so like very apt scholars in evil they out-went their masters to the Devil for joyning with Copinger Hackett and others they fell into a desperare designe of Treason for which Hacket was hanged At last increasing in very bold wayes and desperate tenents dispersed in Pamphlets Rithmes and Ballads It was thought fit to open their eyes and understandings by some grave and learned declaration for setling their mad brains which was effected by that most reverend and learned Divine Hooker in his Ecclesiast Policie which for a long time during the time of times silenced all their Railings and so satisfied the wiser sort that the Church of God got quiet from such disturbers till of late daies But to return to our History In Iune was compleated the League with England hammered out for defence of both Nations against the Holy League as the Papists would have it the Commissioners meeting at Barwick concluded these Aritcles upon the former reasons 1. To joyn and unite in a more strict League than ever had been before 2. To draw other Princes Reformed into their society 3. To be offensive and defensive against any Contractors with their enemies 4. Not to assist any Invader of either Kingdom 5. That the Scots to assist England against any Invasion with two thousand horse and five thousand foot at the Queens charge from the borders The Queen the like to Scotland but with three thousand horse and six thousand foot 6. If the North of England there the Scots to assist with all their force for thirty dayes the usual time of attending their own King 7. The King not to suffer Scots to be transported into Ireland but by leave of the Queen 8. Not to countenance either Rebels or Revolters 9. That all the controversies of the Borderers be civilly reconciled 10. Neither Princes to enter League with any other without the consent of both 11. All by-gone Treaties of either with other Princes shall stand in full force the cause of Religion excepted 12. These Articles to be confirmed by Oath and Hands and Seals 13. Lastly That the King at twenty five yeers old shall confirm these by the States of Scotland as the Queen will then do by her Parliament of England This was the begining of Q. Eliz. design which she presumed would in time be considerable with other reformed States confederate though in earnest the whole intention of the Papists had reference to the Church of England the absolute orthodox Conserver of the true ancient Apostolick faith though by observation of succeeding times in some relations it appears of late wonderfully indangered But besides that of Religion and strengthening her affairs in policie with other Princes upon that score she had a further a●m to confirm amity with the King whom she was assured forthwith mightily to offend and to endanger her safety and honour with all the Christian world For now with leave of the Reader having been led somewhat too long in the Church affairs let us remind the poor Captive Queen Mary upon whom all the former suspitions reflected and so h●stened to her ruin for Queen Elizabeth casting about to make things safer than fast resolved upon the way most desperate which if it took not well was yet the onely way by taking Mary out of the way and so give end to Elizabeths jealousies to secure her Person from Treasons to joynt her power now divided and to settle her people from imbroiles and divi●●ons But soft and fair the wily wits of Walsingham and Burleigh must be busied about it For now she is removed from her fifteen yeers custody under the good Earl of Shrewsbury unto Sir Amias Pawlet and Sir Drew Drury on purpose to put her upon extremity of redress against their extream imprisoning And so she endeavors and deals with the Pope and Spain by Englefeild to hasten their designs however which designs indeed is so peeced and patcht together by those that writ of them as if each mans fancy in reference to the publick must needs take effect of Rebellious interpretation And what ere was whispered in that sence was sure to be put upon the poor Queens account by which she smarted for in this Parliament of England the former Association of the Lords was confirmed by both Houses and strict Acts against Catholicks and abetters in Treason which occasioned Philip Howard Earl of Arundel eldest son of the late Duke of Norfolk three yeers since restored in blood to complain of his enemies pursuing him to the death as others had done to his Great Grandfather condemned and never came to tryal his Grandfather beheaded for trifles and his father likewise for concernments of lesser moment Himself thus afflicted endeavoring to retire out of the Kingdom but was taken and sent to the Tower where he found Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland as accessory to Thorgmortons design who Pistolled himself some dayes after but Arundel was onely fined in Star-Chamber The Catholicks desparate to do something were animated thereto by Ballard a Priest who from hence goes into France and there layes his designs with the Old Plotters Pope Guises the Spaniard and Parma to invade England and free Queen Mary and returning home confederates with Babington and six more principal gentlemen to kill Queen Elizabeth All which their plottings were daily discovered to Secretary Walsingham by one Pooley their companion and so confident were they of success that Babington had his own picture and those about him all to the life with this verse circumscribed Hi mihi sunt comites quos ipsa pericula ducunt But this verse too plain they inserted in the place Quorsum haec aliò properantibus The Queen being shewed these faces knew ●one but Barnwell Babington to hasten this design resolves to go over himself And by Pooley's means insinuates with Walsingham and ingages to discover
unless she interposed her Se●●●nd Son would be excluded from inheritance to this Crown for that the King of Spain clamed a Right and would give place to none except to her self It was insisted upon the Letters of Nave and Curl She answered Curl was an honest man but no sufficient Witness and Nave was sometime Secretary to the Cardinal of Lorain and commended to her by the King of France and might be drawn by hope fear and reward to bear false witness and had a hand over Curl either of them might insert into Letters more than she dictated oft times she not examining them before she signed that all Princes may this way fall into mischief if their Servants and Secretaries may falsly accuse them I desire their presence face to face to reply to my Exceptions The Treasurer objected that she purposed to send her Son into Spain and to transfer her Right and Title to England upon that King She answered that she had no Kingdom to bestow however what was her own she might dispose as she pleased and not render accompt to any It was urged her Assistance and Pension to Morgan who sent Parry into England to assassinate the Queen She said Morgan for her sake had lost his Estate and therefore she was obliged in honour to relieve him nor was she bound to revenge an injury done to the Queen by a Friend that had deserved well of her yet that she did always deterr him from any bloudy Enterprizes However Pensions were allowed out of England to Sir Patrick Grey and other Scots my adversaries and to my Son also The heads of her several Letters to Paget Inglefield and Mendoza were read She said they made nothing to the Queens destruction but if any forein Prince would endeavour her enlargment it ought not be a crime in them or her having often intimated her self to the Queen that she would endeavour her own freedom She complained of her Servants and Secretaries perjury and treachery and very unfaithfull unto her that being a distressed Prisoner and grown in years there could be no hope to perfect those things which were expected from her and therefore she was advised to confirm the Succession of England to the King of Spain or to some English Catholick Nobleman And said that a Book was tendered to her for that purpose which because she not admitting incurred the displeasure of some eminent persons for being no hope from England she was to entertain forein help She desired to be heard in a full Parliament or before the Queen and her Council And now rising out of her Chair in great Majesty and confidence she exchanged some words with Burghley Hatton Walsingham and Warwick apart And so the meeting again was prorogued till the 25. day of October next at the 〈◊〉 chamber at Westminster before all the Commissioners where Nave and Curl constantly affirmed viva voce all those particulars which concerned them to aver and which she had denied So then Sentence was pronounced against her and ratified under their hands and seals in these words recorded By their unanimous consent at the Day and Place abovesaid they do pronounce and declare this judicial Verdict and say That after the end of the said Parliament specified in the Commission viz. after the first of June in the seven and twentieth Year of the Queen divers matters were compassed and imagined in England by Anthony Babington and others with the privity of Mary Queen of Scots pretending Title to the Crown of England tending to the hurt death and destruction of the Royal Person of our said Sovereign Lady the Queen And furthermore that after the said Day and Year and before the Date of our Commission the said Mary hath compassed and imagined in this Kingdom of England divers matters tending to the hurt death and destruction of the Royal Person of our said Sovereign against the form of the Statute specified in the said Commission All the Commissioners declaring that this Sentence did no way derogate to Iames King of Scots in right or honour but that he continued in the same right and honour as if that Sentence had never been passed This Sentence you see depended upon Nave and Curl and not face to face according to the first Statute 13. Elizabeth divers opinions passed whether credulous or incompetent Nave's Apology to King Iames afterwards 1605. purges him with deep Protestations neither Author nor Abetter nor remiss in his duty by negligence or otherwise but opposed the heads of her Accusation to the death But this appears not by Records his guilt shewed somewhat that needed an apology Not many days after a Parliament is called the which was begun by authority from the Queen derived to the Archbishop of Canterbury the Lord Treasurer and the Earl of Derby and the same it seems not without former Presidents A kinde of modesty perhaps that if a Virgin Queen must look upon her horrid act it must be seen through her fingers and Maries Sentence accompanied with the Proscriptions of the Lord Paget Inglefield Throgmorton Babington Salisbury Iones Tichburn Tilves and others confirmed and their Goods and Estates confiscate And the House of Peers by the Chancellor petitioned the Queen that the Sentence might be promulgated and besought her Majesty for safety of her Person and Kingdoms to execute justice on the Queen of Scots The Queen was not to be ●aught her Answer She acknowledged Gods protection and their love and circumspection for preservation of Her and her People against the many and mighty Plots of Hers and their Enemies How sorry she was that the Scots Queen notwithstanding her forewarnings should be thus entangled and guilty whom she protests as a Princess as her Kinswoman and Sister she had reluctancy to spare and to forgive were not the security of her People involved for their Peace she values before her own life Concludes her thanks for their care and advice But in a cause of so great consequence she will not be rash but consider Twelve days after she desires the Parliament to consult some other way of safety and to spare the Queen of Scots but they answer with no other satisfaction To which the Queen in an excellent method requests them to be answered without an Answer For if I should say said she I will not do what you desire I shall then say what I do not think and if I shall say I will do it I may precipitate my self to danger whom I know you wish to be conserved Then was Queen Maries Sentence proclamed throughout London and all the Kingdom which she apprehends chearfully and resolute and writes to the Queen for her Body to be allowed Christian ●urial in France where her Mother 's rested since violence was offered to the Ashes of her forefathers by the Puritans in Scotland nor could she hope for burial with the Kings of England that she might take her Death not in secret
but where her Servants and Friends could give good testimony thereof K. Iames her Son in sad perplexity for his Mother sends William Keith of his Bed-chamber with Letters to Q. Elizabeth though it seemed strange to him that the Nobility and Counsellours of England should take upon them to sentence a Queen of Scotland and one descended of the Royal Bloud of England yet he would think it monstrous justice for her Virgin Majesty to stain her hands with the Bloud and Death of his dear Mother a Lady of in comparable excellency in the worlds opinion and of the same Royal condition and Sex with her Self So if it should be resolved desires her to consider how his Honour stood engaged that was her Son and a King to suffer his Mother an absolute Princess to be put to an infamous Death Keith after some time of delay urges for an Answer but finding no hope he receives other Letters commanding him to shew the Queen how unjust the Proceedings had been against his Mother the Laws of God and Nations for an absolute Prince to be sentenced by Subjects and she the first Example of profaning Sovereign Diadems Himself concern'd in Nature and Honour to revenge such indignity and wills him to labour the delay of her Execution till he could send Ambassadours of his own into England for by Letters from Archibald Dowglas his Lieger in England he found him evil disposed to the business and therefore resolved to send one more honorable and of greater trust in his place But Keith doing his duty shewed the Queen his Masters direction enforcing her into some passion till Leicester and others calmed her and then she told him She would give no Answer in anger but consider till morning when she told him that no haste should be used if any other should come from the King in reasonable time ●roceedings should be staid and be glad to receive overtures to save the Queens life and assure her own The King certified of her passion posts other Letters more calm since his other were construed as threats to her Estates and therefore he courts her into kindness protesting that the Rumours spread amongst his Subjects moved them into disquiets and mutiny at the forms of Proceedings again their Queen That for his part he could well distinguish any pressure by the peril of her own life and so not blaming her directly prays her to put a kindness upon Him Her real Friend desires time till his Overtures be heard hastily coming by the Master of Gray and Sir Robert Melvil who were to set out on Saturday after and came to London in eight days Queen Elizabeth was better satisfied with these being frightned before into fear of breach of the late League and War with her Neighbours and so gave them speedy Audience She told them how sorry she was no means could be found to save their Kings Mother and secure her own life They answer Their Sovereign to save her life will interpose his credit his Nobility as ●ledges that no Plot or practice should be contrived by her against your Majesty or otherwise to set her a● liberty and send her into Scotland and so the better to secure the Queen Asking the reason What should move any man to attempt against her Majesty for Queen Maries sake Because said she they think Her to succeed me and she a Papist Then say they these means being taken away the Danger apparently ceases for if her Right in Succession to England shall be made over in our Sovereigns Person Papists will have no more hope and this we are sure his Mother will resign to him But replied the Queen she hath no Right being declared incapable of Succession If so that she hath no Right said they the Papists pretences cease and so no fear of them to enterprize for her But said she the Papists allow not our Declaration Then let it sink said they in our Sovereign by her Resignation Leicester being by objected that She being a Prisoner could not 〈◊〉 They answered It being made to her Son with advice of all her Friends in Europe in case Queen Elizabeth should miscarry none would partake with the Mother against her Son all the Princes her Friends standing engaged for her Resignation that it should be valid and essential for her Son The Queen mis-understanding was told the Ambassadours meaning that the King should be in his Mother place Is it so says she Gods Death that were to cut mine own throat He shall never come to that place and be party with me She was told that coming in his Mothers place through her Death he would be more party Well says the Queen tell your King what I have done for him to keep the Crown on his Head since he was born and for my part I shall keep the League betwixt us which if he break shall be a double fault and in passion got away Melvil made after requesting respite of execution for eight days Not an hour said she The King by this Conference expects extremity and therefore writes to Gray Think not to reserve your self any longer nothing doing good if her life be lost adie● dealing with that State As you affect my favour spare no pains nor plainness Reade what I writ to Keith and accordingly conform and in this your industry let me reap the fruit of your great Credit there and Duty here either now or never Farewell Leicester took some pains in a tedious Letter to satisfie the Kings importunity by telling him the common jealousie of all Princes for their own security especially by such persons as being within a Kingdom and claiming Title to that Crown should conspi●e with Traitors to kill the Queen comforting the King as well as he could how more dangerous Queen Elizabeths Death would be than his Mothers liberty would advantage concluding with grave advice not to quarrel the breach of amity and their last League of firm friendship And to boot Walsingham writes to the Secretary of Scotland the Lord Thirlstan with whom he kept private intelligence as a wonder the Kings earnest desire to save his Mother seeing all the Papists in Europe affecting the change of Religion in both Realms built their hopes altogether upon Her who in passion to Papistry had transferr'd her Right to both Crowns unto the King of Spain in case the King her Son should persist in his Profession And true it was that such tricks were rumored to divert the King from constancy in Religion but never so done by her if you will credit her Declaration at her Death though I know for I have seen it a Popish Abbot in the life of Cardinal Laurence at that time Protector of the Scots Nation affirmeth the said Translation of these Realms to be in his hands and delivered to him by Court Olivarez the Spanish Ambassadour at Rome but such forged Tales and Titles might have served the turn if the
Enterprize of Eighty Eight had taken effect against England Thus the King leaving no means possible unattempted for a prudent and pious King but to to none effect the State of Scotland then in a miserable distraction made so partly in policy from England and the most powerfull Faction solliciting Queen Elizabeth for their Queens Execution insomuch that it was objected as Pilate said shall I kill your Queen And therefore now the King commanded the Ministers and Kirk in Scotland to commend her cause to God in their publick Prayers which by no means their charity could afford but absolutely refused then he appoints a solemn Day of Fasting and Prayer with Supplications to God for Her commanding the Bishop of Saint Andrews to pray and preach against whom the Ministers opposed and in presence of the King put up in the Pulpit a young Fellow Iohn Cooper not entered into the Function to whom the King cried out Master Iohn that place was designed for another yet since you are there Do your Duty and obey the Charge to pray for my Mother He replied To do no otherwise than as the Spirit should direct him Whereupon the Captain of the Kings Guard pulled him down and the Bishop performed the Office most grave and learned For this insolency Cooper was called to accompt accompanied with Balcanquall and Watson who were discharged their Ministery and Cooper committed prisoner to Blackness Then he concludes his last Messenger with letters Advising the Queen to conserve her fame and renown by her clemency as yet unspotted from any stain of cruelty not to be now defied and polluted with the blood of his Mother the wound reflecting to his smart which he should never leave unconsidered to the tyranny of them that thirsted his destruction long since as they do his Mothers now Beseeches the Queens mercy and compassion to them both In a word It was a business that till that time had no President and Queen Elizabeth to say truth as much perplexed what to conclude brought her minde the more into confusion At length she signed a Warrant for a Mandate fitted for the great Seal and her Execution and trusted it with Davison one of her Secretaries to be in readiness in case of danger But he too hastily had it made up under the Seal which some say she would afterwards have recalled but was prevented by the earnest prosecution of Beale Clerk of the Councel Queen Maries enemie Him the Councel sends to the Earls of Shrewsbury Kent Derby and Cumberland for her Execution unknowing to Queen Elizabeth for it is said at that instant She told Davison that she was resolved of another way than by death Indeed she was in distraction what to do but whilst she doubted the Councel did it for her And so had her head taken off by the Axe at Fothringham Castle in Northampton-shire But because her high birth and Exellencies deserve particular Memorial I may not forget her behaviour in the last Act of Life and Death The Earls comming thither Pawlet and Drewry being there before were added Commissioners to see her Execution And gave her warning on Monday the sixth of February 1586. to prepare agai●st Wednesday next the eighth day following At which she smiled it being very sudain short and unexpected But said that her death was welcome seeing her Majesty meaning Queen Elizabeth was so resolved And that that soul was unworthy of Glory and the joyes of Heaven whose body can not indure one blow from the Hangman A good while she was silent then weeping bitterly retyred into her Chamber where she spent her time in devotion and setling her Will The eighth day brought her forth to a sad execution She was of Stature tall and Corpulent thick shouldered fat-fac'd and broad double chinn'd hazell eyes Her borrowed hair somewhat appearing was Aburnd and her attire thus On her head a dress of Laun edged with Bone-lace a chain of Pomander and an Agnus Dei about her neck a pair of Beads at her Girdle with a golden Cross at the end of them a Veil of Laun fastned to her Call bowed out with Wyar and edged with Bone-lace Her Gown of Black Sattin printed with a train and long sleeves to the ground set with Acorn-buttons of Gett trimed with pearl her short sleeves Black Sattin cut which opened upon purple Velvet sleeves under them Her Kirtle whole of figured Black Sattin her Petticote and upper bodies of Crimson Sattin unlaced in the back and the skirts of Crimson Velvet her shoos Spanish leather the inside outward a pair of green Silk Garters watchet Silk Stockings clock't and edged on the top with Silver and under them a pair of white Jersey-hose Thus set out and not hastened she willingly leaves her Chamber and paces towards the Scaffold gently supported with two Gentlemen Pawlets servants Thomas Andrews high Sheriff of North going before The Commissioners●●tended ●●tended her coming into the Anti-Chamber with divers Knights and Gentlemen of that Country And amongst them her servant Melvin designed by her to go to Scotland Ah Madam said he what unhappy wretch am I the Messenger of my gracious Queen and Mistress and of her death The Queen not till then weeping My good servant said she mourn no more thou shalt see Mary Stewarts troubles ended in an instant The world is all but vain Say thus much from me That I dye true to My Religion faithful to the Interest of Scotland and France God forgive them that thus long have sought nay thirsted for my blood as the Hart does for Water-brooks O God Thou the Author of Truth the searcher of the secret Chamber of my heart knowst that I was ever willing to the Union of Scotland and England But well Gods will be done Commend Me to my Son Tell him that I have done nothing prejudicial to the State and Kingdome of Scotland nor to mine own Honor. And so resolving her self into Tears bids Melvin farewell and kissing his cheek said Once again Good and faithful servant farewell pray for thy Queen and Mistress And turning to the Commissioners she made some requests to them That certain monies in Pawlets hands might be paid to one Curl her servant which was promised Next That her servants might enjoy what she had given them by Will and to have conveyance into their several Countries and this my good Lord of Shrewsbury I conjure upon you Then That her poor servants might be witnesses to the world of her patient suffering and that she died a constant Romane Catholick To this she was refused and Kent humbly told her It might interrupt her quiet in their passions and behaviour as is usual said he in dipping their linnin and skarfs in blood My Lord said she smiling I will give my word though but in death they shall not deserve blame Ah las poor souls they desire to bid me adiew I hope your
her Death craftily got out of the way at the Deed doing and therefore Davison appeals to him telling the truth in his politick absence of a counterfeit cold And Walsingham is put upon it to work his wits how to pacifie King Iames with a tedious Letter to the Lord Thirlstan who had the chiefest interest in the Scotish affairs of State propounding to him important Reasons to keep the King from enmity with England which though very effectual might meet with the like resolution in Him to forbear violence and to take up a more calm consideration But though the Letter be long we may not hinder it the worlds approbation SIR BEing absent from Court when the late Execution of the Queen your Sovereigns Mother happened I did forthwith upon my Return impart to Master Dowglas some things concerning the course was conceived here by your said Sovereigns best Friends fit to be holden in this remediless Accident for continuance of Peace and Amity between the two Crowns as the best for both Nations The rather for that by advertisement out of Scotland I understand that the Queens Death is like to breed a strange Alienation of his Majesties minde towards this Realm tending as is reported wholly to violence and revenge of that which hath been done so necessarily by the whole Body of the same whereof as for my own part I should be sorry so it is generally hoped that his Majesty being of that singular judgment himself by the good help and advice of such as you are in credit and authority about him men of wisdom and experience whom he will hear this mischief will notwithstanding be carefully and prudently prevented considering how every way all things being rightly weighed this course will be found prejudicial as well to your Sovereigns Estate as to his Reputation if he resolve to persist therein For first the Enterprise will undoubtedly be condemned in the sight of all such as shall not be transported with some particular passion for that they shall see that he takes Arms for revenge of an Action besides the necessity wherein it is grounded full of so honourable and just Proceedings as however the effect was contrary to their liking the manner thereof by the late Queens great Favourers could not but be approved and allowed And as on the one side the King your Sovereign oppugning the course of Justice of so unlawfull unjust and desperate a Quarrel cannot be expected any other thing than an unhappy and miserable issue so we being assured that in the defence of Justice the assistance of God his mighty Arm will not fail us whose Judgment this was need not to fear what ever man shall attempt to the contrary against this Realm But not to stand upon the justness of the Quarrels which every man perhaps will not so much regard It would be considered what means your Sovereign shall have to go through with such Enterprise if he take it in hand For the Forces of his own Realm being so far inferiour to these in England no man is so simple but seeth it were no way safe for his Majesty trusting onely thereto to make Head against the power of this Land neither is it thought that any man will be found so unadvised as to wish him so to do But as it may be that a great Number for lack of understanding are carried away with such Discourses as some without solid ground imagine of that might be done in this case by a King of Scotland backed and assisted as they conceive in the air with the French and Spanish aid so it is likely enough there shall not want those that either in satisfaction of their private passions or supply of their necessities or better affectionating of some other their private design would be content to serve themselves of this present publick occasion and oportunity who will propound and promise more to his Majesty of such forein assistance than they know in their consciences can be performed if he would declare himself Enemy to this Realm which that he should though to his own ruine the Enemies of both Nations will do what they can to procure But men of wisdom and understanding laying before their eys as well the accustomed delays and after long ●ollicitation and pursute the simple supplies and support commonly found at these forein Potentates hands as also how doubfull and uncertain the success of War may appear England God be thanked being so prepared and in case to defend it self both otherwi●e and also by the conjunction of Holland and Zealands Forces by Sea in respect whereof this Realm need not fear what all the Potentates of Europe being bended against us can do to afford the same Due consideration I say being taken hereof you will easily judg and finde how vain it were for your Sovereign upon so uncertain hopes to embarque himself and Estate in an unnecessary War but much more if you shall consider what a sequel and train of Dangers this War draweth therewith the consequence whereof reacheth to whatsoever your Sovereign possesseth or hopeth for in this life For escaping to be slain in the field if he should happen to be taken Prisoner or be constrained to retire himself out of the Realm things that have often fallen out in experience and then having incensed this whole Realm against him he should be disabled from any Right in the Succession of this Crown as authority is given to do it by the same Statute whereby they proceeded against his Mother for attempting the Invasion of this Land what extremity should he be reduced unto And truly it could not otherwise be the antient enmity between the two Nations now forgotten being by drawing bloud one of another again likely to be in such sort revived that it would be impossible to make them to receive a Prince of that Nation and especially Him who had upon so unjust ground been the Author of so unhappy a Breach Besides that the greatest part of the Nobility by whose judgment the late Queen was condemned and the rest of the principal Gentlemen of the Realm who confirmed the same in Parliament should have just cause to adventure any thing even to the marching over their bellies rather than to yield to his Government who carrying such a vindictive minde they might doubt would not day call their Lives and Honours in question And as for the remedy and relief which he might attend standing on those terms of forein Princes there are many Examples of former Ages and within fresh memory as the King of Navar 's Grandfather by the Mothers side and Christian King of Denmark both being allied to Francis the First and Charls the Fifth two of the mightiest Potentates that reigned of long time and that this present Don Antonio may su●fice for Examples to teach all Princes if they can avoid it to beware how they fall into that state whereby they shall be enforced to seek their own by other Potentates means
King with some of his Friends Ormston Carmichel and others who mistrusting encompassed the Chancellor and so he got forth The suspition and danger of some design intimated to the King Huntley is sent for examined and committed to the Castle which occasioned the company with Crawford and Arroll to dissolve and their design discovered And for not appearing before the Council Arroll and Bothwell are denowned Rebells Montross and Crawford submit and Huntley left alone does so too and is permitted to go to his North Government By the way he meets with Montross and Crawford belay the way to surprize the Treasurer and gave him chase to Brikel where he was received and they fire the House and so forced to yield himself Prisoner for some Weeks But thus prepared for the cause they take arms again close and undiscovered till several Messengers bring newes to the King a Hunting That Bothwell Huntley and others were marching The King gathers such Forces as he could for the present Bothwell ever inconstant retires to places of strength and is left of his Men. Huntley goes on surprizes Glams his Enemy and Captain of the Guard But at the Kings neerer approach quits all and lurks at home amongst the Rocks at Strathbolgie but not safe from himself his rebellious heart suspects the issue and so submits to mercy which was no worse than a Prison for the present and afterwards he and his pardoned upon Petition Whilst these disorders were at home their former Letters sent to the King of Spain and to Parma and some others also from Bruce were intercepted by Q. Elizabeth which laid open all the practices of the Lords And therefore she writes to the King Complaining of his remissness in punishing these Treacheries and of his kindness to such of the Spaniards that fled into Scotland after their wreck at Sea she besought him not to delay opportunity to punish the Offenders and to rid the Realm of such Strangers Hereupon they were shipped over towards West Flanders and by the way were met a league from that Coast by some Hollanders set out to intercept them who boarded one ship putting all the Spaniards to the sword the rest ran their ships a ground and most of the Men pittifully drowned A Proclamation issued out against all Iesuits remaining and Hay Creighton Bruce and Graham expressly commanded to depart upon pain of death but they inticing Huntley Crawford and Arroll take arms together came to Aberdeen in April and declare That the King is kept Captive requiring all good Subjects to join for relief and freedom of the people They depended on Bothwell and his Forces in the South whom the King proclaimed Rebels And for the present marches against the Earls as far as Cowry neer Aberdeen where he was told that the enemy was three thousand strong and hastning to meet the King The King put to the straight cheers up his Company That they had the better cause and himself in person to suffer with them against such whose conditions could never be wrought upon by benefits or good deeds to make them loyal assist me therefore as you shall find me forward rather for you than for my self Thus resolved Hamilton and Angus differ for the honour of the Vant-guard Angus claiming the place by privilege heretofore granted to his Predecessors Hamilton argued his neerness to the Blood Royall who carried it by the Kings favour But the next Morning discovers the Enemy dispersed for fear or favor to the Kings person to which respect Crawford condescended but Arroll earnest to fight and they refusing he parted from them at d ee Bridge and the King returns to Edenburgh And there in some assurance he disposes his affairs for consumating his mariage with Denmark and to bring his Bride into Scotland The Earl Marshall had the Commission assisted in Company with the Lord Dingwell Sir Iames Seringeour Mr. Iohn Sheen Advocate and Mr. Young Arch-deacon of St. Andrews And for the more honorable defraying the expence a subsidy of a hundred thousand pounds punds I conceive was granted by the Council by a former Warrant of Parliament 1587. and sudden payment was made by the well-willing Subjects earnestly desiring a Mariage for the issue of Royal Succession in his Race Against this time of publique joy the Rebels humbly submit to Justice and were impannell'd before the Earls of Hamilton Angus Morton Athol Mar and Marshall four Lords and four Lairds 1. They were charged for practising with Jesuits and others against the Religion receiving money from Spain and therewith raising forces 2. That they had confederacy with Arroll Montross and others and treasonably surprized Perth 3. That they conspired to imprison the King to murder Maitland and Thirlstan Counsellors of State 4. For besieging the house of Kirkhill firing that house and imprisoning the Lord Treasurer Glams 5. And convocated by Proclamation the Kings liege people against his Majesty 6. They opposed the Kings forces and his Person at Dee 7. They seized the Kings Herauld and rifled his Letters 8. And the last concerned only Bothwell for entertaining Strangers and others at Dalkieth forcing the Town of Lieth They were adjudged guilty but the sentence suspended Crawford committed to Blackness Bothwel to Tantallon and Huntley to Edenburgh Castle We may wonder why the Ministers are missing in all these broyls and now the Assembly convened at Edenburgh the King desired them to afford him Patrick Galloway to attend his Court They now acknowledge his Majesties Power to command and his grace and favour to acquaint them with his pleasure A good beginning of their duty and obedience not long lasting For the King having given his Kinswoman The Duke of Lennox Sister the last year in mariage to Huntley and the Bishop of Saint Andrews celebrating the same was then censured by the Acts of their Church the Bishop not acknowledging their power against his Majesties command they pronounce and deprive him of all function in the Church and ratifie the judgement to be proclaimed in publick This troubles the King and in fear of more disquiet was fain to suffer their Sentence and to make peace with all and remits the imprisoned Lords to liberty for now he hears that the Mariage is accomplished by Proxie and the Queen at Sea when lo an unlookt-for message that the Navy of her Conduct was driven by Tempest into Norway where she should stay till the Spring But his affection over-mastering all difficulties he resolves to hasten a Scotish fleet and fetch her home himself And to shadow his purpose from any home distempers he pretends to send the Chancellour and Iustice Clark in Commission to her But the ships fitted he in private sets sail in October leaving a direction to the Council for Government of his Kingdom under his own hand-writing thus To satisfy some concerning himself and to take off suspition of blame upon others he shews them the Causes and the reason of
continuas sese certissimum hoc periculum adiisse in vitâ Quinti pag. 180. But Marian a Spanish Jesuit says Clement had often premeditated with himself and imparted it to ●ome Divines who concluded it lawfull for any man to kill a King that is a Tyrant Mar. Lib. de rege et Regis Institutione cap. 6. pag. 53. though the Council of Constance possitively forbids it The Leaguers banish Navar from the Crown and Kingdom and differ about election of a King for though divers were in dispute they with some Justice in Rebellion elect Cardinal Bourbon a degree neerer to the Crown than Navar and released him out of Pri●on to the Throne And the Duke de Maine a pretender is pleased to be Lieutenant General of France who instantly intends to surprize Navar proclaimed likewise King of France at Diep or drive him out of all Navar implores Q. Elizabeth profers league with her offensive and defensive ●he in reverence to Religion and pitty of his distre●s sends him twenty thousand pounds in Gold by which he kept his Stipend●aries Germans and Swisse from revolt some ammunition and four thousand men conducted by the Lord Willoughby with four Collonels Wilford Burroughs Drury and Baskervile The ●ame of the Queen interessed and these mens valour discomfited the Enemy the day before their landing who fled with bag and baggage to Paris and are pursued by the English and French who take divers pieces in Normandy and return home The King of Spain this while lay gaping after these distempers fomented by Mendoza his Ambassadour and Cardinall Cajetan the Popes N●ncio not without their insolent proposition to nominate Spain Protector of the French Catholiques with such Prerogatives to boot as he enjoyes over Naples and Sicily of bestowing all Offices Ecclestiastical and Civil By which the French themselves foresaw his ambition to promote their Religion with loss of their Reason Thus stood the State of France distracted Navar unsettled war increasing which hindred the Queens design to promote a Match between the King of Scotland and Katherine Navars Sister as defensive interests in Religion to counter with the Catholiques and therefore she had advised the King to mary himself to his ●●king for Katherines years was with the most and her means with the least which she understood was settled a year since on Ann the Daughter of Frederick the second King of Denmark But Navar she protects with great sums of money she had len● him not three years ●ince a hundred and one thousand five hundred and sixty French Crowns wherewith he levyed his German Souldiers And the last year seventy and one thousand one hundred sixty five more It cost her twenty thousand Willoughbyes expedition And now this year she lends him thirty three thousand 〈◊〉 hundred thirty three more to muster an Army in Germany and as much more she spent for sudden service Thus much for France Every two moneths she paid to the Garrisons of Flushing and Brill one hundred and five and twenty thousand ●●orins And two hundred and threescore thousand more to 3000 horse and foot in service with the Low Countre●● Besides other Sums of mass expence at home and her own expeditions by Sea and in Ireland by Land Whether these moneys are mistaken by Historians figures the addition of a Cipher multiplying the same otherwise they are incredible but indeed this was the way to dy poor for she was much in debt But she was not nice in Husbanding her expence to good purpose or in providing for the main by extraordinary waies for she was sometime put to shifts then as well as her Successor since and by the Customer Carmardines intimation of the value of Commodities she raised her Farmer Sir Thomas Smith from the rent of her Customs of fourteen thousand pounds sterling annually to two and forty thousand and after to fifty thousand This gain was not put up to his own purse no doubt for the Lord Treasurer and Leicester and Walsingham opposed Carmardine whether of intercepting their Bribes therin or disparagement of their judgment and care not to finde it out themselves By her bounty to France she kept off the Spaniard from hence her own judgment that the end of France its ruine would be the Evening to England contrary to others opinion that now the cantoning of France by the Spaniard Leaguers and particular Pretenders she might put in for her share Picardy Normandy or Brittain but she kept them off from others For the Duke of Parma for his Catholick Majesty had run through Picardy called in by the Leaguers to relief of the Rebellion at Paris and Io de Aquila of Spain invited into Brittain to settle of pretension of the Duke Mercoeur to that Dutchy Queen Elizabeth looks upon this dangerous Neighbourhood and speedily she resolves of three thousand men into Picardy and Brittain and it was time to prevent the growing power of Spain admitted now into Paris who vouchsa●ed their lawfull Sovereign no other Title but King of Bern but the Spaniard as their Lord and King the Pope also lent some Switz to the aid of the Leaguers against whom the Queen proclames it Treason to assist them by any Traffick This Assembly of the Church now in Iune petitioned the King 1. For establishing the Churches Iurisdiction and abolishing all Acts to the contrary 2. For purging the Realm of Iesuits and Papistry 3. For providing Maintenance of Ministers out of the Tyths and the Remain to the Support of Schools and the Poor and Repair of Churches For the first the entrance into the Acts of Parliament always provide for the Church For the second he had already done it in part and would willingly perfect that Work And the last was committed to Commissioners of their own and others But to conclude the King advised them their duty as Peace-makers on earth by Preaching and Practice to remove the barbarous differences which the feuds of the Nation dayly foment and which by their former encouragements for private ends had been taken up so customarily as became national that their godly care for reconciling such variances might amend that Crime grown to that height as was abominable to all strangers I shall do my part said he and if you apply your pains my work will be the more easie and the success effectual And truly thence-forward such a course was taken that in future all those damnable feuds were quite abolished by this King Though for the present it prevailed not between the Earls Huntley and Murray in the North Iohn Gordon married to Widow Grant one of his Servants in private quarrel was killed by another of hers whom Gordon pursues and for not appearing is pronounced Rebell and Commission to Huntley to apprehend him in a house of the Grants he takes it by force but findes not the Fellow This was ill taken by that Family who fly to the protection of the Earl Murray with
for fifteen yeas together to his Death at Burdeaux his Predecessour in the time of Henry the Sixth hath on his Tomb this large Title Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Washford Waterford and Valence Lord Talbot of Goodrich and Orchinfield Lord Strange of Blackmore Lord Verdon of Acton Lord Cromwell of Wingfield Lord Lovetoft of Warsop Lord Franifall of Sheffield Lord Falconbridg Knight of the Noble Order of the St. George St. Michael and the Golden Fleece great Marshal to King Henry the Sixth of France and died in the Battail of Burdeaux 1453. These he had and deserved more by the French Chronicle Orock Roe of noble birth in Ireland and by the Sir-name Mack-Mahon being purchased by might or right seem'd to privilege him in any tyranny over the People for which he was hanged his next Neighbour Brian Orock in Brenny for fear of the like turned Traitor and being pursued by Bingham President of Connaught flies into Scotland but was delivered to Queen Elizabeths command and executed for the ease of the King esteeming her Enemies his and caused Mack-Conel to give caution not to nourish Sedition by correspondence of the Hebrides and Orcades The Spaniard nourished Rebellions in Ireland the Queen protected the French against him who by the Duke of Parma was got into Picardy and his other Forces in Brittany wherefore she sends over four thousand covenanted at her cost but for two moneths under conduct of the Earl of Essex and land at Diepe expecting to joyn with the Kings Forces who came not in any reasonable time when they did it was too late to do much service yet they besiege Roan to no effect the English wasted the Queen displeased she sends for Essex but leaves the remain of his men to the command of Sir Roger Williams The Reformed Churches of Christendom increased number and repute by pious Doctrine and Discipline much to the prejudice of the Romish Catholicks that mightily opposed the publick peace of the Church and certainly had Satans help to boot to undermine the mindes of some more fiery zealous Professours that took the poor peoples affections with their seeming devout carriage and this way the Devil in●inuates to heighten their pride and self-conceited holiness with some pricks in the flesh and buffetings of Satan every day producing Examples of divers kindes in several places At this time more remarkable in the person of one Hacket in London illiterate and insolent seldom separate and poor who becomes suddenly seemingly holy and by degrees into that cheating way to be inspired with the evil spirit of Revelations He used says an Author a strange and monstrous form and manner of praying falling upon his face sometimes as if in an exta●ie otherwhile expostulating with God himself another kinde of prayer he used ordinary and familiar for as other mens devotions and ejaculations aim at the obtaining the sweet comfort of Gods heavenly presence he would in his hottest zeal intreat and as it were force upon God to depart from him and not assist such sinfull creatures which manner of prayer most of his own Disciples construed the effect of his rare and excessive humility and so as a rare Example might finde charitable censure yet it was to be adjudged in him as in truth it falls out frequent with some in these our last times the voice not of man but Satan dictated onely to him from that evil spirit that possest him for so his end discovered it in him He confederates the Devil goes by Legions with Wiginton a Genevan Minister Copinger a Gentleman and Arthington like the Fool in the Comedy a Lay admirer to be called by God to prophesie to the people and alter the English to the Genevan Discipline printing in Prose and Dog-rythm what was fit to seduce others and Hacket as the most proper person must be Arch Prophet But see how Satan brings it on Copinger and Arthington Knave and Fool tell Wiginton of Christ's appearing to them spiritually by Dreams and by Visions that Hacket was that Angel with his Fan and Hook to separate Sheep from the Goats overcome Satan and Antichrist and then follows the Day of Iudgment These prostrate themselves before Hacket in earnest prayer and he skips out of his Bed joyns his devotion with acknowledgment of his own divine nature and so seems in a Trance whilest Arthington bids Copinger in the name of Christ to annoint Hacket with the Holy Ghost and make him King kissing the Ground with bended knee and other reverence but he with careless gesture refuses being as he said already anointed by the Holy Ghost Go forth says he preach of me that Iesus Christ is come with his Fan to judg the World if they believe not let them come and kill me At the instant the Devil driving they all in fury fly abroad and cry out Christ is come repent repent that Hacket had a body truly glorified to constitute a new Discipline and Common-wealth that they were his Prophets of mercy and others of judgment for perfecting his work And this they declared by Vows Protestations of salvation to be all true that he was sole Monarch of Europe and all Kings his Vassals and the Queen to be deposed and so with a preass of people they return home to Hacket who were apprehended and are insolent before the Privy Council Hackets Crimes were condemned as Treason for the Devil prompt him to confess so much with such horrid Blasphemies as I tremble to relate He seems not as distracted but with settled gravity and temper and in the way to Execution he cries out fearfully Iehova Messias Iehova Messias behold the Heavens open Thou Son of God come down and deliver me And at the Gallows he roars out Thou God I●hova Iehova Alpha and Omega c. Thou knowest that I am the true c. whom thou hast sent c. Shew some Miracle from the Clouds to deliver me from these accursed if thou wilt not then will I c. horrid Fire the Heavens and with these hands pull c. from thy Throne nay worse than can be imagined then turns to the Hangman who hastned the Halter Thou Bastard says he wilt thou hang the King of Kings and facing Heaven cried out Is this my reward for my Kingdom bestowed c. Behold I come and will revenge c. the rest Throttled with the Rope he was immediately cut down fresh alive and quartered Copinger stervs himself to death in Prison the others repent and are pardoned On the other side the Iesuits were lurking in every corner Emissaries from several Seminaries Rome France and especially from Spain against them therefore Proclamations forbid any man to be entertained as a Lodger unless his Hoast examine his condition his abode before and whether he will go to Church and Delegates in every Shire to receive the Accounts accordingly The Spaniard having very lately erected a Seminary at Valledolid in
also That Angus and Arroll assured him that the King of Spain would send thirty thousand men into Scotland part of this Army to force Toleration of their Romistry here and the other part to be convayed by them into England for the same design and this Army to land in Kirkud-bright in Galloway or in the mouth of Cluydo River These manifest plots of Papists drew the consideration necessary for the whole Nation and meetings of the Ministery and all men to propose their advice and aid to pursue the Rebells already risen and to raise a Guard of three hundred Horse constant with the King and the Conspirators to be called to Justice and the first example fell upon Graham of Fintre and executed in February And in this hurry Angus escapes out of Prison and flies to the North unto Huntley and Arroll But the King in great perplexity of Murthers rapine and slaughters publick and private upon their submission are received to mercy favour and preferment all means used to bring peace to these miserable people The French King in great distress and overwhelmed in his affairs craves more aid out of England and is assisted again with four thousand men more and ordinance But not to make peace with the Leaguers until the Spanish forces were driven out of France So necessary it was for England by these means to stop their career and to keep off revenge from home These Forces intrusted with General Norris land in Bretaign but find no French and so being hurried up and down Normandy Lamain and elsewhere the Spaniard increase number in Bretaign Norris returns home and the French King in distress upon some fear of his fewds and hopes of advantage turns Papist Whilest the Duke of Parma also prepared fresh forces to assault Picardy but being in readiness he fights a private combate with Death and is overcome after fourteen years Government in Flanders a man of excellent honour and virtue as Queen Elizabeth always acknowledged who to amaze and busie the Spaniard and to divert him from hence sends several Expeditions by Sea into his Territories of America with singular succession And to prevent his practices in Scotland of as great concernments to both Nations she keeps watchfull correspondence with King Iames who indeed wary of the Papists encroachments at home began to exercise his Regal power over his Nobility and other seditious Subjects having scattered the last Rebells into their Holds and Bothwel into England These Insurrections thus far happily suppressed contrary to the imagination of the English policies Queen Elizabeth to colour suspition sends the Lord Burrough to congratulate the discoveries and the succe●s offering her aid to bring the Malignants to Trial and wished him if he could not apprehend their persons to confiscate their Estates and seeing his case concerned all Princes of the Religion she desired his resolution therein for her to satisfie all others her Confederates against Spain The King gives her thanks and that he was assured Bowes her Ambassadour had certified her of all proceedings in particular as aforesaid wherein he had begun and was fully resolved to prosecute the guilty but advised with her how dangerous it might be for him to have such potent Rebells without her help to hunt such fugitives their Design being more dangerous to assist the Spaniards attempts upon England than either upon France or Holland to whom she had liberally already afforded supply with men and moneys and therefore what he desired on his particular his own Ambassadour should declare The next Audience furnished the Ambassadour with Arguments from his Mistris to advise the King to wise and well-affected Counsellours help to disarm and suppress such Rebells and withall intimating the Queens punishment upon those that harboured Bothwel in England and so by circumstances to draw out of the King what resolution he intended towards him in so troublesom time and if it were for his Majesties quiet to receive him upon submission The King seeming not to countenance Bothwel nor believing the Queens resentment of his Receivers said That if his Mistris meant honourably to her self or him she would rather deliver him to justice according to their League than to support him in her Dominion whose Crimes were unpardonable and her further favours to him would induce a necessity for the King to joyn with her Enemies for his own safety And so Burroughs returned and Bowes remained In an Assembly of the Church in April the King resolving to give them Items sends them Articles That h● would not suffer diminution of the Privileges of his Crown nor Assemblies without his order That an Act pass to inhidit Ministers to declame in the Pulpit against the King and his Council That some of every Presbytery should inform his Majesty of the Papists practices and Bothwels receivers That some of theirs should cause the Magistrates of Burghs at Sea-ports to examine Passengers and Plotters against the Re●ligion To the first they would follow former Acts. The scond they prohibit without just and necessary causes which the King esteeming no restraint was as causless to answer theirs against Papists his necessities enforcing civilities to the Papists to ballance with the rigid Reformers But the Mundays Market stuck in their stomacks against which their Act passed to alter for Tuesday their Reason was religious to prevent the Trades-men violating the Sabbaths Evening with too much care and travail against the next Morning The Shoomakers whom it most concern'd gathering tumult menaced the Ministers if they urged their consents to drive them out of Edenburgh which begat that saying Rascals and Sowters obtain from the Ministers what the King could not do in matters more reasonable The King sends Melvil to satisfie Queen Elizabeth of the affairs of Scotland and to desire aid of money for levying six hundred Souldiers for some Moneths and to renew the former complaint against Bothwels entertainment in England whilest he steals into Scotland and surprizes the King The Chancellour as you have heard retired from Court upon displeasure of Queen Ann requests the King by Letter that seeing his service was useless and his solitary life irksom he craves leave to depart out of the Kingdom untill his Majesties pleasure command his return The King being earnest with the Queen upon his resign of Muskleburgh which she clamed and his coming to Court resolved Lenox Athol and Ochiltry plot to prevent him and bring in Bothwel under disguise of attending the the Lady Athol by the Postern-gate with another his Companion armed into the very Bed-chamber The King at ●ight of them cried out Treason Treason Strike Traitor strike said he make an end of thy Villany I desire to die He answered with Oaths that he came for mercy And the King replied that Mercy extorted was Insolency and not the form of Suppliants and suddenly rushed in the Earl Mar with numbers of that Faction having possession of the Court
and outward Gates enforced the King to shew himself to the People who were come to his rescue as in freedom and to command them to depart And Bothwel thus emboldened got Bowes the Ambassadour to side with them and to urge these Articles from the King Pardon of all former Attempts and Treason by him or his Associates with restoration of all which they heretofore possessed and to abandon the Chancellour the Lord Hume the Master of Glammis and others To all the King signed with witnesses of all manner of men Lords and Ministers thereunto The next Day August 20. the King removes to Falkland Lenox Ochiltry and Crichton of Clany waited on him with directions from Bothwel to see that the King kept to his late Articles in which time Bothwel attained an Assise to purge him of his practicing with Witches the original of his mischief but the King in disdain to be thus misused goes to Sterling and under colour of con●orming the Highlanders pro●ures a Convention of other Lords necessarily frequent and effectual Hamilton Mar Morton Glencarn Montross Lindsey and Levingston two Bishops and two Priors and some Burgesses The King enters them with some business of the Borders but in earnest relates to them the Indignities he had endured by Bothwel which they knew and puts it upon their Honours whether he were bound to the late Conditions so extorted from him in terrour and fear of his life lets them see their own insecurity when himself is over-powred and forced by Villanies as a captive King to submit unto Subjects unjust demands in destruction of his loyal Councellours and eminent Officers They concluded Bothwels Fact treasonable and those Articles void freedom in the King to call his Servants and Councellours about him and resolved to publish by Act his Majesties power as a free Prince to chuse his Councellours and Servants about his Person and that the Conditions signed to Bothwel in August last to be null And being now set upon it two Commissions were sent to him to signifie thus much and of the Kings favour for him to supplicate for pardon before November next and then to depart the Realm till the Kings pleasure Bothwel seemed humble but meets with Athol Montross and a number of men at Sterling to whom the King sends to dissolve his Train and retire home for the King was coming thither with the Lord Home and some Forces were sent before to scoure the way who encountring Montross takes him Prisoner and the Court coming to Edenburgh Bothwel is cited and denounced Rebell again These Troubles were raised by the Lords of Religion but see what the Papists do The Catholick Lords had been cited to the last Parliament in Iuly but failed by some defect in the Libell and so were remitted to the King and Councel which was suspected in favour the Synode of Fife therefore excommunicate Angus Huntley Arrol Home and Chisholm and writ to Edenburgh for them to do so there The King displeased with such Proceedings requires M. Bruce there great Pastor to stay Sentence the Persons neither cited nor subject to Fife Synode and if this be your Order says he for one to excommunicate with their direction for others to do so too who can be sure to eschew trouble But Bruce boldly told the King that the Ministers had their own Reasons and were answerable onely to the General Assembly Well says the King your Discipline hath distasted all men and seeing your practices are without good President I will bethink me of some Remedy The Popish Lords complain to the King at Falaw and humbly crave a legal Trial but were commanded to enter their persons at Perth and abide there till the Trial and lest any jealousie should censure the King as conniving the Abbot of Lunders was sent to the English Ambassadour and to Edenburgh Ministery to tell them the truth and it was time so to do For now such News got wings and Commissioners of all the several Churches from all parts convene and finding the Church of God King and Kingdom in eminent peril they prepare Articles of advice That the Trial of the excommunicate Lords be not prevented but their Day prorogued onely for the conveniency of the Professors of the Religion to be their Accusers for their Treasons committed in the mean time to stand committed their Iury to be nominated by their Accusers the whole Professors of the Gospel that they being excommunicate and so cut off from the Body of the Church of God have no benefit of the Law till they be reconciled to the Church and that such onely as profess the Religion may be a Guard to the King against the Enemies of God the Countrey not brooking them and us together The King startled at their Inscription not owning he said such Convention nor them Commissioners assembling without his consent ●ut vouchsafed to receive them as humble Subjects but not otherwise commissioned And of his own gracious intention told them That the said Lords met him at Falaw and humbly craved a legal Trial to which the Ministers had often solicited and which in honor and justice he with his Councel had granted and considering the time and place Perth not so proper he had resolved it at Linlithgow at the meeting of the Estates and with their advice and that neither Iudges nor Iuries should be other than men indifferent and for his own Guard those whom he called thither should be welcom others should not be so They accused the Lord Home of residing at Court The King told them His Day assigned to satisfie the Ministers was not as yet and if you can accuse him in particular for the present let him answer for himself And so sent them away The Assembly unsatisfied advertise all parts to be in Arms at the Day of Trial which the King timely prohibits without his Warrant They answer that in the cause of God their Defence must not be deficient Which the King inhibits by Proclamation Declaring his course taken for their Trial in July last but hindred by Bothwels Rebellions he now convenes the Estates at Linlithgow for that and other necessities of the Kingdom the Lords themselves earnest Suitors to abide the Law and satisfie the Church and therefore commands the Subjects not to make Convocations but if any meeting were already of that nature then to dissolve and return home under pain of punishment But meet they would with such numbers as shortened the Proceedings and in summe Commissioners were chosen by the Estates to consider of the Popish Lords their Offers and Petitions to try their Accusations and Purgations and what they determine should be valid and effectual as in Parliament or Convention The Commissioners were the Chancellour Mar Montross and Rothes sundry Lords and Lairds and divers of the Ministery named to be admitted to the Conference The 12th of November they meet and conclude That the true Religion established the
come The next to him the Ambassador of Denmark on the left Hand the English Extraordinary and Lieger sat together and then the Ambassadours of Brunswick Megleburgh and the States before each Seat a small T●ble covered with Velvet and officers only about the English to wait his pleasure The Service ending Sussex presented the Prince to David Cunningham Bishop of Aberaeen the action of Baptism administred by David Lindsey Minister of Lieth and in French because of Strangers and naming him Henry Frederick And so returning in former Order And the Prince being laid upon a Bed of Honour Lion Herauld proclaims his Titles Henry Frederick Knight and Baron of Kenfrew Lord of the Isles Earl of Karrick Duke of Rothsay Prince and Stewa●d of Scotland Meddals of Gold and Silver cast to the people sundry Knights made with feastings and comedies for a whole moneth The King amidst these Ceremonies of joy minds his serious affairs For the Popish Lords in Rebellion an Ambassadour is sent to Queen Elizabeth to remember her promise to support his levies after many shifts and delayes some small sums were advanced as a loan which in truth were due otherwise upon account and that very unwillingly too for one Lock was now resident at Court the only agent for Bothwells business and Mr. Calvil the Minister his Copes-mate there also And again Bothwell is got up and keeping intelligence with the Popish Lords in the North against whom the King intends an Expedition resolves so to incumber his affairs in the South as to prevent his journey and having received some Gold from his Foreign friends corrupts the Keeper of the Castle Blackness to seize the King into hold till the Conspirators should come and force conditions To this they all are obliged by bond assigned by Huntley Arroll Angus Bothwell and Achindown and in custody of Sir Iames Scot. By which and others papers discovered from Allan Orm Bothwells Man the whole plot came to light and was published to undeceive the Comm●nalty upon what score of Religion Bothwells Treasons were confirmed And the Jayler and Orm were both executed to assure the visible truth to the people And without more circumstance Commission was given to Arguile Ath●l and others who besiege the Castle of Ruthen but was beaten back and meets with a Supply of more strength nowadvanced to a thousand horse and foot Huntley hastens to fight ere Arguile get more men And being less in number but made desperate by necessity Arroll leads the Van with three hundred a●d Huntley hath the Battel No sooner in sight but Arguile in some misdoubt yet commands Ma●k●an who led his Van to advance Himself lodges in the fast grounds full of Moss and boggs with the main of his men Huntley had some Field pieces which plaid upon Macklans Highlanders and they as their manner was then though since they have appeared stout fellowes and to stand to it fell down on their bellies not willing to look up so long as the Guns did thunder which incouraged Arroll to give the charge but being forced to wheel aside the Fellowes got up on their feet and by that time they incounter showring such a storm of arrows upon Arroll that the first flight a quarter of an hower darkned the day into night and at the fall of their Arrows came in with their darts that killed Achindown and dangerously wounded Arroll many hurt and the most fled Huntley sees this and hastily spurs his Horse into the succour and now encountring for the day continued a cruel fight for two hours which routed Arg●ile not able to rally them again yet Macklan stood it out with courage and skil till he retired in order and honour with loss of many men of note be●ides seven hundred Soldiers and but a dozen on Huntleys part though divers desperately wounded And it s called the Battell of Clenlivat a mile off And so the Lords for the Kings side separate and go home But ere the Conquerors could relish their wellfare the King was got into the North and demolishes Strathbolgy Slains and Newton principal holds of Huntleys and though themselves withdrew to his Aunt the Countess of Sutherland they were so beset by the Duke of Lenox Lieutenant of the North that they capitulate with Sureties to depart the Realm without prejudice abroad to the State at Home nor to return ●ill the Kings pleasure Huntley into France and the rest into several So●ls This condiscention to such notorious Rebells lodged sometime upon the Kings account as in favour to the Romists but if we examine the charge of the War uncertainty of his Nobles faction of other fewds and a ticklish jealousie in the Ministery not to suffer Bothwell to sinck whose pretences till now they alwaies incouraged these exigents may excuse the King Indeed in this publick Rebellion with Papists Colwell his Chaplain refused his devotion forsook his company and came home again yet to make himself welcome betrayed Bothwells Brother Hercules Stewart to publick execution at Edenburgh This frighted the grand Traytor into fears and forsaken or all but his guilty self flies into France and lands at New-haven where in disquise he lodges but tidings of him came to the King who sends a Gentleman to France to demand so reprobate a Rebell The French King professed not to afford him countenance but being come for refuge he could not in honour debar him the free air of France And so wearied with the insupportable weigh of his sinful soul and quarrelling with any man to kill him against the Edict of France He was thereupon banished from thence wanders into Spain and so to Naples in Italy where he lived and died woundrous poor and unpittied of all men about the year 1624. And thus the Hydra's Heads of this Conspiracy removed out of the way the Members came in discovering one another to procure pardon and the very Bond was brought in which did assotiate these Confederates by which the Ministers eyes were opened and by this new light they could see Bothwells guilt which heretofore they could hardly believe And so ended this Rebellion with the last of the year The next Assembly of the Church occasioneth the King then at Montross to send Commissioners to them to urge these Articles That any subj●●t found guilty of Treason should also be excommunicate that so the Swords of Iustice Spiritual and Temporal should make inseparable Union one with another That no Excommunication should be valid by private men without major votes in publick Assemblyes of the Members of other Churches That no Excommunication should fall upon any for slight causes and suspected crimes in Civil cases lest the censure should come into contem●● like the Popes Cursings and when they do to give lawful citation A man would judge of these Articles without difficult Answer Yet they shake their heads at all At the f●rst with this clause Legitima cognitione Ecclesiastica preaeunte To
the third and fourth they demur And discharging any summary Excomm●nication with this Exception Nisi salus Ecclesiae periclitetur Thus evermore they bare a starting hole which the K. might easily see would serve turn for their turbulent intention to colour their proceedings hereafter What the conceipt should be that possessed Queen Ann she had an earnest design envy to the Earl of Mar his Guardian her only Warrant to get the Prince out of his care into her custody and delt so with some Counsellors in the Kings absence that had not the King timely prevented and suddenly surprized the Queen by posting to her from Faulkland to Edenburgh it had been too late to recall the danger and carries her in his company away to Sterlin leaving her alone to ponder out the plot such a design as for her honorable memory I dare not mention having no ground but a Jesuits conceipt but boldly put in print an authority enough for impudence only The King pondering with her the wily design writes in secret to the Earl My Lord of Mar Because in the security of my Son mine is conserved and my concredit of his charge to you upon trust of your honour and honesty This I command as singly and solely of my self being in company with those I like not that upon any charge or necessity that possibly can come from me you shall not deliver him And in case that God call me at any time see you that neither for the Queen nor for the Estates pleasure you deliver him out of your hands fill he be eighteen years of age and that then he command you himself Sterlin Iuly 24. 1595. Iames Rex In this case that the King was cooped appears his great trust to the fidelity of this Lord. Some fire carries smoak which even choaked the good old Chancellour whether regret of the wrong jealousie of the King or guilt of the Counselour he contracts the melancholy into a sickness and being withdrawn to his Country-house Lawder sends his Cosin the Secretary to the King then at Hamilton Excuses any evil design in him by his former continual fidelity to the Kings affairs Commends his wife and children and some friends to the Kings favour Takes leave like a man not long of this Life The King ever compassionate took it for no time to dispute with discontent It was enough his good services had been eminent and frequent this last accompt he commits to God and like a Prince wi●e and charitable instead of correction sends him comfort under his own hand and Seal Chancellour How sorry I am saies he for this ill News be your self my judge I could never dissemble my affection God may spare you for my sake if you love me so well as to resist the assaults of your sickness that his goodness may reserve you yet a little to me as Hezekiah was to his people for the necessity between Prince and people is reciproque Nor can any sickness of it self seize the vital if God cut not the thread of life As to your suits when God calls you I shall need no Remembrancer for since I made you a mark of my constant favour as your self hath oft times said I am much more bou●d in Princely care to conserve it to your Wife and children that bear your Image a lively representation for me of my thankful memory of you examples are begun in others what have I not done for the Duke of Lenox and Lady Huntley for their Fathers sake Suffer your thoughts in this assurance of the like to yours The Secretary is mine already And if the distance of place could dispence with my time I should desire to see you and to have said thus much my self God keep you to me and to your native Country Iames Rex He lanquished two Moneths and died in October 1595. He was a man of rare parts a deep wit and learned also of good courage against mighty Assailants Mar was the man he most hat●d the other the like to him Both good men accounting them Courtiers private emulation I fear more of Policy than virtue yet with great reservation of his Majesties affection to either and in general to the publique service till I know not how he failed in this last act The King in some passion for his death having little more to do it seems then bestowed his Poetry into an Epitaph for him of a dozen verses which because I find them much bettered in comparison of his Ma●esties after●ver●●●ying his holy Meditations in turning Davids Psalms into excellent Meeter I shall silence these and refer you to the other hereafter This year was held ominously evil in Scotland dearth and scarcity of all victual abundance of winds in harvest the natural cause blood-shed and slaughters in all parts accounted unnatural the curse of God haunting that Nation where such Wars we call them civil cry down vengeance on the Inhabitants Iohnstons and Maxwells had another bout in the South Parts Those from the Western the Maxwells had much the worse With the Isles and High-landers likewise great dissentions The In-countrey no less behind Murthers slaughters The killing of one though a private man as to himself engages his Kinsman Master or Chief to procure the revenge David Forester but a Citizen of Sterlin murthered in his journey to Edenburgh so I censure them that lay in wait by the way we know not by whom but see the Lairds of Arth and Dunny pearce in malice to the man because to his Master the Earl of Mar endeavour to shadow the inquiry of the Inquest The Earl in this affront for his beloved Servant convaies the corps with a Train of Mourners from Linlithgow to Sterlin carrying therewith the body bare-faced and the sheet gory in blood with the dead wounds and all to move compassion for revenge The body buried Mar prosecutes some suspected the Lords Levingston and Elphingston boulster out the men No Law nor Justice to be suffered for quiet and civil Tryal No! these feuds will fight it out and did to future example of Gods Justice in the fall of these two families much addicted to murthers and quarrels of blood This one and some few such like I mention for Presidents and Examples not glutting the Reader with too many which in every place fill up the Scots Chronicles and which sundry of them boast of for magnimity of Spirit and honour to their Gentry We lately observed the small effects the King found from the promises of England to aid him which brought him to take care how to advance his own other helps he had not He commissioneth eight persons to govern his Exchequer all of them Senators of the College of Justice only Peter Young his honest Almoner The Commission was ample in words and power to them or any five To call to accompt all manner of Officers Accomptants To Order and Rate the Rents To alter and change any of the Officers To
insurrections for this hurried nation often to assemble so in truth little effects followed as at this time for the Ministers to colour their intentions would seem to enact against Self-Interest and begin with themselves and fast pray and preach daies of Humiliation that was all that they would do as to their reforming But then there was sure to followcomplaint of the corruption of Courtiers in the Kings Palace and justice Seats and fear of the banished Lords and left not till the faults were found such as are common even to the best Estates Then would they ravel into Counsel of the Remedies to which the King usually would afford consent but by experience finding out their aim and danger of them to be too severe and earnest which they called zeal the King wisely chekt the bit Telling them That unless there were any evident proofs that the Popish Lords since their departure beyond Seas had conspired with Strangers to the prejudice of the Realm in Religion or State their cautions cannot in honor or justice be convict nor would he change the course of charity and conditions to their wives and children And indeed in prudence the King held himself unsafe whilst such potent Lords were abroad for much mischief they might do underhand unheard and unseen And reasoning one day with Mr. Robert Bruce a leading Minister How much it concerned him to have them recalled That Queen Elizabeth grown old if de●th should seize her he might need assistance of his own Interest of State and honour would ballance these Lords even against Catholique or Spanish Titles or other Designs and by such interest may be sooner drawn to the reformed Religion than by compulsory extremity Mr. Bruce yielded to the Reasons to call home Angus and Arroll but not Huntley being so much hated The Kings opinion seemed further to oversway Because Huntley saies he hath maried my Cosin one that I esteem a man of Power to do good or evil and so to be made accordingly In the end Bruce was so bold as to tell the King in plain terms I see Sir said he your affection to Huntley whom I must oppose and you either loose him or me for both you cannot keep This insolency lost him the King This for one example of many which their own Historians record of their Ministers good behaviours and certainly this mans ambition and popularity out-vied the Kings who espying his Trayn that conducted him by the Court into Edenburgh By my Sal said the King Bruce puts me down in his Attendants The exiled Lords of themselves resolved to return but withall possible submission and to avoid the least suspition of jealousie they separate Arroll through Holland Huntley came before and out of the North sends Supplication to the King and Convention at Faulkland in August to reside where his Majesty would appoint upon caution of good behaviour The King concluded aright Either to ruin them and their race or to receive them all into favour and hope of reforming into Religion The first course saith he hath its own difficulties and trouble for me if I could effect it The other is more consonant to my humour and mine honor I desire not destruction errors of conscience are not of matters of the mind I like not to receive conditions from Huntley rather to advise of commands to them all with clemency and favour which was submitted unto And the publick joy of the Queens second Birth of a Daughter made up the common reception of these Lords to community and fellowship with the Congregations She was born in August the 16. day 1596. and to be baptized in November But now the Ministry make work their Commissioners assembling at Edenburgh send Post to all their Presbyteries the State of affairs for so is the Commission That the forfeited Earls were come home without Warrant are like to be received to mercy without submission for their offences of Treason or reconcilement to the Church and conditions confirmed unto them The Preachers Pulpit these tidings to their flocks publick and private to provoke into Tumult and to be in readiness to resist the dangers of Church and State The first Sunday of December held forth for Humiliation and then the power in the Minister to tell all to the people and to inlarge as the zeal of the Spirit shall promp them They assume power to call to account all manner of men Entertainers Receivers or communicate with them to be canvased with the censures of the Church Una citatione quia periclitatur salus Ecclesiae Reipublica And with such busteling with several Commissioners from all parts of the Nation to make Residence at Edenburgh and daily to convene to receive intelligence from all parts and return Edicts and Ordinances to prevent if possible the eminent ruin to Gods People And this daily Convention being a New Modell so must it be stiled The Council of the Church And instantly they find o● make work the Lord Sea●on President of the Session was 〈◊〉 to account by the Synod of Lothian Not that he was guilty but that their power and pride might strike terror in the people for as they had no proof at all and so as by President of the Popes inquisition his Oath purges himself assures him to their Conclave and so gets home again This monstrous manner of muteny makes the Men of State to foresee mischief and not being powerful to remedie nor was it politick to publish their errors to the people or scorn upon the face of the Church The President Secretary Advocate and Laird of Colluthrie were commanded by the King to confer with as many of theirs To whom they move the question whether if these Lords satisfie the Church otherwise his Majesty desires not that then they might be pardoned and restored to their Estates But receive a Court Answer They came only to hear Prepositions and to remit them to their Brethren And so they did with Apostolick Conclusion Their acceptance of the Kings behaviour and respect to the Church not to resolve of any favour to them Rebells till the Church were satisfied But their censure by Gods Law condemned them to death and being also sentenced to lose their estates they cannot be legally pardoned nor restored or if the King or his Council should take upon them to do otherwise they were to answer it to God and the Country themselves make protestation to be free before God and man I shall not comment upon this Text. The Popish Sanadrin does so An Historian of theirs calls it Passionate zeal under which all impudence may be maintained should they be ignorant of the tender bosome of the Mother Church parent to Babes and to repentant sinners Mark their distinction The Church hath power to do as she pleaseth but the King must not he must do justice The King is wroth against them all common resentment private and publick And wise men advise the
Rebellion And therefore Proclaims all their particular proceedings with remonstance of their Misdemeanors and to prevent disorder now and confusion to follow by advise of his Councill discharges the commissioners and dissolves their convention illegal in it self and worse unlawfully executed by them Whom he commands by Name to depart home in 24 hours to attend their flocks and duties in their Ministery And no wayes to return to convene either within or without the Burroughs of Edenburgh under the pain of Rebellion But we tire the reader and yet hereby we may discover what they did in such like many more for to the death they will proceed Hereupon they consult that seing they had been convened by the warrant of Christ to take care of hazard to the Church Et ne quid ecclesia detrimenti caperet They should obey God rather than man And notwithstanding any charge to the contrary to continue together and to send to the Octavians those 8 Councellors of State formerly mentioned that seing at the entrance to their places the Church was in quiet and peace and now to be imbroyled the Enemies to truth overpowring and all by their councels and connivance The event of evil must fall upon them the Contrivers or Connivers The President hastily made answer As they began so let them end the Councills advice neither was desired nor given on either part and therefore would not meddle between the King and them but leave it to his Majesty and Nobles This answer taught them fresh advice to remonstrate to the King himself by Messengers of their own and fearing the effects the Kings anger humbly interceed for surcease of Processe against Master Blake Until his Majesty should be pleased to convoke an Assembly for deciding all controversies to the Kings content To which he consented provided they would passe by the Declinator or at least to declare that it was not a Generall but a particular Declinator used in Blakes case only as being a cause of slander and so appertaining to the judgment of the Church This by the wiser was held fit to be received as an end of contention No! Rather to stand to their tacklings Gods cause Against worldly powers Ravelling into former examples of prevailing against Princes Others argued to try Mastery with Majesty may faile of effects as yet the Court stand in some fear of the Church and to keep up their concept let us take the best conditions we can least our weaknesse appear if we have the worst and so the terror of the Church despised or neglected Much will portends little wit and as it is often seen who gripes at all grasp nought but wind and to levy all their wills is to lose all their wits of which God send them more plenty than appears by their proceedings But not prevailing the King proceeds to proclaim their departure and Blakes appearance as afore ordered The next day sunday solemnized the christning of the Princesse Bows Ambassadour gave Her name from his Queen Elizabeth and the Town of Edenburgh by their Majestrates assisted as other witnesses Yet all that day in the Churches were bitter invectives The Commissioners of the Church presented a Petition to the King and Council That seing the decision of intricate questions could work no good and was subtilly urged to ingender discention between his Majesty and the Church he would be pleased to remit the discision to a lawfull Assembly and not to incroch upon the limitts of Christs Kingdom upon any pretence but to bend his actions against the common Enemie of the Church and state the Papists Then they exhort the Noblemen to give his Majesty faithfull Counsel and not to be subject to the guilt of sin by the craft of such as seek the thraldom of the Gospel who intend to exite their honours to be the Executors of their malitious devises With order to those that presented this Petition that if the same was refused to enjoyn them to protest against the preceeding of the Councel The King rejects it as not worthy of Answer commanding to call Blake to his summons First That he affirmed in Pulpit that the Popish Lords were returned with his Majesties knowledg and further assurance wherein he had detected the treachery of his heart Secondly that he called all Kings the Divells barns and that the Divel was in the court and in the Guiders thereof Thirdly That in his prayers for Queen Ann he had used these words we must pray for her in fashion but we have no cause she will never do us good That he called the Queen of England an Atheist That he had discussed a suspention granted by the Lords of Session in Pulpit and called them Miscreants and Bribers That the Nobillity were degenerate godlesse dissemblers and enimies to the Church That the Council were Holliglasses Cormorants and men of no Religion And that he had convocated divers Noblemen and others within Saint Andrews in June 1594. caused them to take arms in troops of Horse and Foot and thereby usurped the power of King and Council After reading of the summons Robert Pont their Minister protested that the processe in hand should not prejudice the Church To which the King answered that he meant not to meddle with matters of doctrine but to censure the treasonable speeches of a Minister which he and his Councel would judg except that by scripture it could be held forth that Ministers were not subject in these cases to judicatures Blake makes answer that the accusations were false calumnies producing testimonies of two which he alleged should be preferred to a●y report whatsoever Next he said That to the first six points the Council were not lawfull Iudges of speeches in Pulpit but the Presbytery where the sermon was uttered And so presents a second Declinator But being put to voyces it was sentenced That the crimes and accusations mentioned in the summons were seditious and treasonable and that the King and Council were competent Judges in all matters criminall or civill as well to Ministers as other subjects The Council dissolved the King willing to conserve peace and amity to the Ministers offered terms of reconciliation and to return Blake to his charge and Pastorage Bruce answered That if it concern'd only Master Blake the offer might be accepted but the liberty of Christs Kingdom being wounded by the Proclamation and by usurping spiritual Iurisdiction of greater consequence then Master Blakes life and twenty more and that if those things were not retreated they would oppose during the last aspiration of breath The King the next morning treated with some of theirs Shewing how far he was from impairing spiritual Jurisdiction that he would amplifie and inlarge the same but said he to discourse of State in Pulpits is intollerable I clame to judg in matters of sedition and civil and criminal causes and of speeches that may import such crimes and if the Pulpit should be a place of privilege under
to trouble the Church with thorny questions nor yet to claim to himself any tirany over the same Only to have these doubts solved to prevent debate to him or his Successors and to settle the policie of the Church that so the corruption being removed a pure Harmony might be fixed between him and the Ministers to Gods glory c. The Articles were at first drawn up to fifty five and to be supposed that those questions were never decided but effectually they were in use to the prejudice of the King and people which no man till now durst dispute being left loose for the Ministers mental reservation Many of them were much troubled to submit their discipline to dispute which they had assured the people to be part of the Gospel and therefore mightily endevoured to prevent examining but the business so far forward the King had his party to press it on A note of observation what packing there was of voices for eithers advantage the policie of some the late Generall Counsels of Christendome having taught the way and these are apt 〈◊〉 to learn And therefore the Northern Conscientious Ministers not as yet tainted with the Iesuitical tenents were delt with by a Message from the King to be distinguished from the Mutineers of Edenburgh not esteeming them guilty of reproach with such evil subjects How well the King intended to them in particular and so hopes that their behaviour would evidence their resentment of his Majesties favour and affection They are desired to subscribe to the bond in acknowledgment of the Kings royal power and to accept the E. Huntleys offers to absolve him from excommunication and reasons enow given for these And lastly they receive the Copy of the fiftie five questions and are desired to send Commissioners to the Assembly appointed at Perth They with reverence make answer That as they were ignorant of the Tumult and the Ministers flight so they were silent in their judgment and censure This though in the general The Authors of that insurrection were Traytors and if Ministers to be double punished They had sworn to his Majesties power and regallity when they were admitted Ministers and would never decline it The bond mentioning Master Blakes speeches in Pulpit concerning application of doctrine which his Majesty had pronounced as a question to be decided in the next Assembly they humbly reserved themselves til that time And for the Earl Huntley his repentance should be most acceptable and they were content to conferr with him and use all means for his resolution fearing they should not find him earnest for absolution And least the Ministers should have cause to hank upon jealousies of the Kings favour and affection to the Popish Lords especially to Huntley for whom in truth he had earnestly endeavoured reconciliation He therefore writes to him peremptorily either to make faith and satisfie the Church or be banished for ever The day come the Assembly meet But not to trouble them with all those fifty five Queries formerly printed the King remits them to the future contenting himself for the present with a dozen Articles to be determined possitive 1. That it be lawfull to the Prince or any pastor to move doubts and crave reformation of any points in external policie and discipline of the Church not concerning salvation nor defined in scripture and to be done decenter animo aedeficanti non tentandi 2. That the civil and politick goverment of the Realm belongs properly to the Kings office and his Counsellors and not pertinent to the spiritual Ministry of the word nor to meddle in matters of state nor his Majesties Laws Statutes or Ordinances in the Pulpit 3. That Ministers shall not name particular men in Pulpit except upon notorious crimes as of fugitive or excommunication 4. That in application the Minister have respect to his flock without extravagant discourses impertinent 5. That every Presbytery take diligent accompt of the doctrine of their ministry 6. That Summary excommunication be utterly discharged and the sentence to follow three Citations at eight days distance 7. That no sentence or censure proceed from any Assembled but of those within their bounds 8. That all summons containe speciall cause and crime and not super inquirendis quod est mere tiranicorum 9. That no meeting be without the Kings consent except the ordinary session Presbyteries and Synods 10. That in principal Burghs no Minister be placed without the consent of the King and the flock 11. That seven or eight discreet Ministers be authorized to reason upon the rest of his Majesties Questions till time serve 12. That the Northern Ministers absolve the Earl Huntley fromexcommunication if he satisfie the Church Their answers to each were not received satisfactory and therefore they attend the King and Counsel where his Majesty reasons with them the justness of his desires and after serious consideration they conclude to the Kings liking A commission was granted to some of them to reconcile the Popish Lords to the Church And Articles ordained for Huntley Angus And Arrol to subscribe which they did The Ministers taken into protection and grace and all Papists in general except the Lords to depart the Realm before Iune And all the former offenders and Mutineers remitted to pardon which hapily concluded the end of this year And to shut up all with the time let us take leave of Iohn Lesly Bishop of Ross who took leave of this life at Bruxells in Flanders his constant abode since the execution of his Excellent Princess Queen Mary of Scotland a man memorable with reverence for his faith and constant service to his Sovereign and his extraordinary care and trouble travelling to most Princes in C●ristendom to interpose their credit with Queen Elizabeth for her relief induring all hardships for her sake examinations disputes imprisonings and at last banishment out of England as you have heard leaving his Mistriss without hope of redemption from her Captivity And therefore administers his last and best service spiritual consolations which he purposely writ to her in a Treatise printed and published full of piety and learning those no doubt composed his own mind with patience and comfort after her sad and miserable death which he bore off for some time till sorrow seized him into a languishing sickness He composed the Gests of his Native Countrey into Latine from the beginning of that Nation to his last time He was servent in his faith zealous and charitable and died as he alwaies professed a Juditious learned Romish Catholick And so let us see the affairs in England The Queen to divert the growing greatness of the Spaniard had assisted the Netherlands ten years in their rebellion as some stile it against him and now considered that whilst she established their tottering territories her self became poor and they had plenty And therefore by Bodly her Ambassadour she demands to be eased of her charge in her
That witches can cure or cast on diseases the same reason that proves their power by the Divel of diseases in general their power in special is also proved as weakning the nature of some men towards women In others to abound above nature and so of particular sicknesses But in all he observes the different ends of God in the first cause and the Divel as his instrument in the second cause as Gods Hangman For where the divels intention is to perish in the patient soul or Body or both God by the contrary draws evermore out of that evil glory to himself either by destruction of the wicked or tryal of the patient and amendment of the faithfull being awakened by that rod of correction But who likes to be too curious of all their Practises read but Bodinus Daemonomancie collected with greater diligence than Judgment And further if you would be acquaiuted with the opinions of the Ancients concerning their power It is well described by Hyperius and Hemmingius two Germain Authors Besides many other Neoterick Theologues largely setting down that subject And if curious and inquisitive of the rites of this unnecessary Perilous black-art the Divel may too soon direct any unto Cornelius Agrippa and Wierus afore mentioned I know how it hath been of late urged that King Iames was not of the same mind alwaies and very tender of his Judges ●roceedings ignorantly condemning some innocent Melancholly simple old women whose miserable poverties made them weary of life and easily to confess themselves guilty of they knew not what though in sad condition otherwise liable to Satans suggestions and deceipt And so busied himself with curious perspicuity into tryal examination and discovery of sundry counterfeits pretenders to be possessed by evill spirits But yet to my knowledg he was ever constant to his former opinion of witches and witchcraft in particulars I can evidence The King thus busied to quiet the North Countries some Incursions were made on the Marches of each Nation the out-lodgers of Tindale Riddesdale for the English made in rodes upon the Scots County of Liddesdale The Laird Backlugh commander of those parts does the like into England and apprehending the chief mischief-makers 36 puts them all to the sword and returns with great spoil Against him is Sir William Bowes sent from the Queen to complain and with much adoe reconciled And for the future peace of the Borders the time was assigned for Hostages to be delivered on each side to either But Backlugh fayling to perform his part was feign to satisfie the Queens displeasure by entering himself into England as Hostage where he continued some Mo●●ths Queen Elizabeth evermore upon actions of diversion never upon conquest to assist her neighbours French and Netherlands prepares another Navy against Spain of 120 sail under command of Essex and Lord Thomas Howard and Sir Walter Ralegh in three sqadrons they set out of Plymouth but are weather beaten back and put forth again but become distressed ere they get cleer of land and so return And after fresh supply of men and victual they resolve for the Islands of Azores In the voyage by the way cross winds seperate Ralegh who being missed when the others came there Essex overhastily sent intelligence by a Bark into England that Ralegh had on purpose seperated himself from the fleet But he hastily coming in unto them that rash act of complaint was excused by Essex which Ralegh resented ever after And he landing on the Isle of Fiall before Essex came thither takes the Town which being misunderstood as in dispite of Authority they are peiced again They land upon Gratiosa and Flores take the spoil and depa●● unto other Ilands to seek the Spanish India fleet which was then to come home And no sooner departed but within two houres after the whole fleet of 40 sail full of treasure arrives there and meets with some of the English ships But ere Essex came in they were shrowded under the safety and shot of their own Castles Yet Essex lands farther off and takes Villa Franka burns a great Carocque ship But not much done in answer to Essex his ranting intentions they return in some distress by the way home And being come to Court the Repetition of their several incounters moved contention between Essex and Ralegh casting all misfortunes on each other Besides Essex now blown up with ambition was offended that Sir Robert Cacil in his absence was made Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Dutchie of Lancaster emulous of his wisdom and besides he was then Raleghs great friend But more malitious That the Lord Howard Admiral of England was created Earl of Nottingham with some Testimonialls mentioned in his Patent That he had secured England from the Spanish invasion of 88 and that joyntly ●ith Essex he had valiantly taken the Iland and City of Cadiz and that he had there wholly destroyed the Spanish fleet designed for their assault of the Kingdom of England but Essex would have it fancied he did all himself For he that usually ascribed all the glory to himself could indure no Rivalls especially that Nottingham now Earl took place of him and all others of the same degree as being Admiral according to the Statute of Henry the 8. That the high Chamberlain high Constable Marshal Admiral high Steward and Chamberlain should have prehemin●nce of all others of the same degree of Honor. But to please Essex He is therefore made Marshal of England and so his pride took place of the Admiral This I note in particular to shew by what steps and degrees of distast He took occasion to turn Traytor not long after See Anno 1600 and so we return to Scotland The winter quarter brought the Estates to Edenburgh and the King timely holds a Parliament in some respects for restoring the Popish Lords now called Proselytes to their honors and lands And the Commissioners for the Ministery are suiters for sundry Articles Amongst them this was one That the Ministers representing the Church and third estate of the Kingdom might be admitted voice in Parliament according to several acts here to fo●● in favour of the Church and the libertie and freedom The King was earnest therein to please them and had it past But then obtained the manner as for himself thus That such Pastors and Ministers as his Majesty should please to provide to the Place and Dignity of a Bishop Abbot or other Prelate at any time shall have voice in Parliament as freely as any other Ecclesiastical Prelate had at any time by-past And that all Bishopricks then in his Majesties hands and undisponed to any person or which should happen to fall void hereafter should be only disponed to actua Preachers and Ministers in the Church or to such other persons as should be found apt and qualified to use and exercise the Office of a Preacher or Minister and who in their provisions to the said
treacheries worrying the Iesuits with no success scattered some tales that King Iames favoured Papists and despised the Queen who had sight of some Letters in truth indited by the villany of his Secretary Elphingston and the Kings hand counterfeit and Seal to the same and seeming to confirm it they had hired a notorious Villain in England one Tomas condemned for Theft and to unburthen his conscience pretends to reveal a secret and accuse the King in some generals but never revealed any yet was the wretch reprieved and though her wisdom knew well the malice and cunning contrivance of these Plots to clear her belief she sends Bows Ambassadour to the King and by Queries she examples her affection to him before any other and expects no retribution but by him the glory of God and not be wanting to himself The King knew no better means to suppress the credit of false rumours than by his own pious practice in Religion by outward frequency in the exercises of Prayer and Preaching duly performing and executing his Justice and Mercy with such wisdom and piety as made his virtues thereby more transparent to the common view and sense of all men He wisely gave way to divers Books publishing his right of Succession to the Crown of England with Arguments and Reasons of the benefit and advantage to the people of both Nations that in pious policie his intentions would be hereafter to force Ireland to Religion and to continue War with Spain He numbers his then princely issue as the defence of State his power and strength to oppose Enemies the good affections to him of Christian Princes and proposes miserable Examples of Usurpers Whilest Bows was about his business at Court he findes an Englishman Ashfield bold enough to bid himself welcom besides his merit for his brave Present some hunting Horses for the Kings Saddle but in his journey it seems over-saucy with the English Warden or rather suspected as a Spy to carry Tales to the King however Bows had direction to teach him the Ambassadours craft and enticing him by his servants to Lieth was in his drink coached away to Barwick The King takes this indignity offered to himself secures the Ambassadors lodgings and se nds to Barwick for release of the Prisoner The Governour excuses that demand not to demit him without the Queens pleasure And so disputes grew high with the Ambassadour as injurious to the honor of both Crownes which he denied and turn'd the fact upon his men without his knowledge but this was Mentiendi facultate and the King not vouchsafing him any more Audience he departed much discontent Sundry disputes were sawcily maintained concerning the Kings Title to the Crown of England Besides the discourses oppugning Amongst many Iohn Colvil Minister published his Recantation in print and stiled the Palionode of John Colvil c. wherein having confuted the contrary reasons he professed That Malitiously in time of exile as you have heard he had penned the Treatise which now out of conscience he recants Some say that he was not Author of that book which he appugned only to get favour of the King he professed the work that had come forth without a name and was then accounted a Pithy and perswasive cunning discourse of that subject At this time was published the K. Basilicon Doron directed to the Prince upon this occasion Sir Iames Semple servant to the K. and Amanuensis therein lent the copie to Andrew Melvil Minister who misliking so much ruth which touched the Ministers copie-hold in their discipline tdispersed several transcriptions amongst the Brethren and thereupon a Libell was framed and cast in before the Synod of Saint Andrews with such exceptions as they pleased to set down It was asked what censure should be inflicted upon him that had given such instructions to the Prince and whether he could be well affected to Religion that had delivered such precepts of Government The Kings Commissioners in the Synod apprehending the Libell to concern his Majesty whom they knew to be the Author of the book inquired for the Presenters And all pretending ignorance the Commissioners shut the doors and purged each one by oath yet was it prooved the next day to be Iohn Dikes Minister who in fear of the Citation before the Council fled and was denounced Rebell And Hereupon rumors were hatched how prejudicial these directions were to the Church But to satisfie the truth the Book came abroad and was carried into England with admiration of all men to read the Kings piety and wisdom Heretofore somewhat doubted by the deceipt of certain discourses which now were sure to be replied unto and evermore somewhat of Consequence for the Kings just title to the Crown of England By which and his continual disputes and reasoning with learned men of all knowledg He in truth soon became royally famed through Christendom and more effectual with her whom he was to succeed Her self grown very studious and retired and because she excelled in languages she translates out of French and Latine Salust and Horace which she writ with her own hand and extant And in this general Assembly of the Church a politick Ordinance was published To have the next year begin at the Calends of Ianuary and from thenceforth for ever For before that time the year was reckoned as in some other Churches from the 25. of March And now disposing votes for the Ministry in Parliament I shall close up the yeer with the pitifull discovery of the State of Bishopricks and how farr this godly Kirk had incroched upon them So that there rested no more but to Nominate perons to the Bishopricks that were voyd Aberdeen and Arguile had their own Incumbents at the time both actuall Preachers Saint Andrews and Glascow were in the hands of the Duke of Lenox Murray was possessed by the Lord Spinie Orkney by the Earl of Orkney Dunkeld Birchen and Dumblane had their own titulars but were not ordinary Preachers Galloway and the Isles so dilapidated as scarce to be remembred that ever they had been Ross and Cathnes some provision were left And so we return to England The Queen much perplexed the Irish Rebellion mightily increasing and that Nation in lamentable condition by Ter-oen or Tyrone and others though but lately broken out and how to quench that fire was her and her whole Councils continual care And therefore they consider of present forces to be sent over extraordinary under command of a Generalis s●mo for that expedition And after some debate the Earl of Essex was markt out by the Queen to that purpose though Secretary Caecil hated him to the death His wit made him equal to mate the others greatness and never left untill he brought him to the Block with the weight also of his own wicked desert Give me leave to let in the Reader with some reasons why and how Essex and Caecil whom Authors make Antagonists had several
interests in one design of envy Queen Elizabeth was ever shy of her Successor and these two families were equal in power and affection in Court enjoying Her present favour but looking to the future in the Queens declension And in several held correspondence with some of the principal in Scotland if not with the King which had she known might have cost their heads Secretary Caecil had the safer conveyance in disposing all publick addre●●es of State and was in hazard to have forfeited his honesty if not his head but his ready wit served the turn The Queen taking ayre upon Greenwich-heath a post came thither to Caecil from Scotland she hastily commanded the Packet which he with much diligence to obey s●ept neer her person telling her it smelt and looked il-favouredly coming out of a filthy Budget and that it were fit to be ayred She being averse from ill sents bid him do so and so he gained time to sever what he would not have her to see The Earls accident of the same Nature had more cost and difficulty in the redress He entertained a domestick Master Anthony Bacon of a quick wit by whom the Scotish intelligence was managed which dangerous secret he acted for reward And upon that score had private invitation to amend his fortune with Caecil Of which he makes use and as a mercenary man revealed it to his Master who knew well enough it behoved him to out-bid Caecil and sodainly gave him Essex house which was disingaged for 2500l besides another sum before of 1500l so in all we may guess it costly counsel About this time There was a treasonable Assassination acted upon the King by Iohn Ruthen Earl of Gowry and commonly called Gowries conspiracie The principal Actors The Earl and his brother Alexander Ruthen Andrew Henderson and Iohn Cranstone The conspirators were Robert Logain Laird of Restalrigge the Laird of Bour and Georg Sprot the last were discovered afterwards and Sprot executed eight years after And because Gowry had insinuated himself into the faction of the ministery presuming on their wonted way of countenancing all mutinous designes These men in malice to their Sovereign who kept them under with Bitt and Bridle began to quarrel at the publick declarations herein till the Conspiracie was examined and witnessed by their worships Their but infection hath impoysoned others who wilfully and maliciously have now very lately spit their venome in print as if the world had been more than these half hundred years last past abused with a false and feigned story We therefore In perpetuam rei memoriam have endeavoured the truth From such information and printed Narratives as we may with confidence satisfie the most suspicious The name Ruthen in Scotland was not notorious till Anno 1568 when the chief of that familie amongst other confederates in those divided times of trouble laboured the imprisoning the Kings Mother Queen Mary In 1582 his son William was created Earl Gowry in the Kiugs minority and two years after fel into actual Rebellion at Dundee for which he suffered at Sterlin anno 1584. His eldest son Iohn not long after was restored in blood and had leave to travel beyond seas I have a Manuscript which saies that in Padoua amongst other impressa's in a fencing school he caused a hand and sword aiming at a Crown for his device And the Earl of Arguile this mans father 1552 told the King that in a house at Orleans in France where Gowry had been lodged he found a prophecie That he should with too much love fall into melancholy have great power and rule and die by the sword And thereafter his return home he was extraordinary ambitious proud and haughty His answer shew'd no less unto Collonal Stuart a man of high esteem who humbly desiring to be reconciled for acting as a minister of justice in apprehending his father He scornfully answered Aquila non capit Muscas Himself too big in his own thoughts to be comprehended with Court observance retired to his familie accompanied with such of his Creatures that could descend to observe him only his brother Alexander was designed to play the Courtier to take off the suspition being of the Kings Bedchamber And although divers overtures were conceived between the Earl and Robert Logain of Restalrig which took not effect But at last it was resolved in this manner The Earl sends his Brother Alexander from Saint Iohnstons his house to the King at Faulkland to intice him thither with as much privacie as could be And overnight the 4. day of August 1600. commands one of his servants Andrew Henderson to ride with his brother Alexander and one Andrew Ruthen to Faulkland to the Court the next morning by 7. a clock The King putting his foot in the stirrop to hunt Alexander tels him That he had apprehended one lately come from beyond seas with much gold coyn and sundry suspicious letters to Popish Lords advising his Majesty to receive the mony and letters and to examine the person being in safety with his Brother at Saint Iohnstons but 10. miles and this to be done speedily and privately which was concluded at Noon whilst his train and attendants should be at dinner Alexander Immediately commands Henderson to speed to his Brother finding him in his Chamber where they had communication and that the King would be there by Noon and that the business took well with the King for he clipt him about the neck that he was accompanied with a slender Train the Duke of Lenox Sir Thomas Erskin and about a dozen persons Well saies the Earl get on your plate sleeves for I must take an highland robber The King staying longer in his sport of hunting than was expected the Earl at middle of dinner Andrew Ruthen came in hast and signified the King to be nerer at hand presently after came Alexander and William Bloire and withdrew themselves to consult sending Henderson for the Earls Gantlet and steel Bonnet at the instant the King comes in is received by the Earl and retires to dinner Alexander bids Henderson to fetch the keys of the Chambers from one William Rynde and presently after Cranston requires Henderson to come to the Earl who commanded him to attend his brother Alexander and to doe what ere he bid him which was to be locked up within the round Chamber and to stay in silence till his return Neer the end of dinner the King at his fruit and the Lords and wayters gone to eat Alexander beggs of his Majesty in this opportunity to withdraw and to dispatch the business And up he leads Him through four or five roomes locking each dore behind them til they came into the round Chamber where Henderson stood armed No sooner entered but Alexander pulls out Hendersons dagger held it to the Kings brest claps on his Bonnet and with stern countenance faces the King and saies Now Sir you must know I
Earl who commanded him to go up to Alexander and immediately the Earl followed bidding this Deponent do what ere Alexander bade him who forthwith lockt him within the Round in the Chamber telling him he must stay there till he returned who shortly after came with the King and opening the Door both of them entred and instantly Alexander clapping on his Hat pulled out this Deponents Dagger and held it to the Kings breast saying Remember ye of my Fathers murther You shall now die for it And minting to his Higness heart with the Dagger this Deponent tript the same out of his hand and believes that if Alexander had retained the Dagger so long as one might go six steps he had killed the King therewith But wanting the Dagger the King gave him gentle language excusing himself of Gowries death Alexander says Well if you keep quiet nothing shall a●l you if you will do as my Brother will have of you The King asked What would you have He answered I will bring my Brother And having taken Oath of the King not to cry out nor ope the Window till his return he lockt them both together The King asked the Deponent what he was who answered A Servant of my Lords The King said Will your Lord kill me The Deponent said with an Oath He shall die first Alexander enters and says Sir there is no remedy by God you must die And having a loose Garter strove to binde the Kings hands who said Nay sall you not I se die a free man And this Deponent pulled the Garter from him Then Alexander clapt his hand upon the Kings mouth to stop his crying and held his head under his arm But this Deponent pulled his hand from the Kings mouth and opened the Window and the King cried out thereat Whereupon the Kings Servant came running in at the Gate and the Deponent ran and opened the Turn-Pike head whereat Iohn Ramsey entred and this Deponent saw him give Alexander the blow and then this Deponent gat away It is remembred by the Archbishop of St. Andrews in his History pag. 460. that he three days after meeting Mr. William Cooper who had been Tutor to Alexander told him that not many days before that Action visiting the Earl at his own house he found him reading a Book intituled de conjurationibus adversus Principes shewing him That it was a Collection of the Conspiracies made against Princes which he said were foolishly contrived by all of them and faulty either in one point or other for he that goeth about such a business said he should not put any man on his counsel But the Ministers refuse to give God thanks for the Kings delivery excusing themselves as not being acquainted with the particulars nor how those things had fallen out It was answered That the Kings escape was evident They replied that nothing ought to be delivered in the Pulpit but that whereof the truth was known and that all spoken there should be in faith And so it was done onely by a narrative Relation of Bishop Ross at the Market Cross to the singular joy of the people And afterwards the King and Councel with all the Nobili●y solemnized the Deliverance with Thanksgiving and Prayer with great satisfaction to the multitude Who as Domitian said seldom give credit to the Conspiracy unless the Prince be slain Those Ministers that refused wer● silenced from Preaching under pain of Death and well they deserved it untill afterwards that they declared They were resolved of the truth of Gowries Conspiracy and submit for their former fault And so were ordered to publish the same in sundry Churches One of them had his reservation He would reverence the Report but was not perswaded of the truth And therefore was banished into France The Bodies of the two Brothers were sentenced by the Parliament hanged on a Gibbet dismembred and their Heads set upon the Prison-house and then ordained the fifth day of August in all Ages to come should be solemnly kept for Publick Prayers The assasination of Princes the more common the more close and as they were mightily performed on the persons of his Pred●cessors in Scotland so not seldom practised on Queen Elizabeth in England whilest she was increasing in years but being declined through age near her end the le●uit Catholick considered it to be lost labour upon her then her death gave being to another Ph●nix as the onely Defender of the Faith Upon him therefore they intend the like which being known unto Ferdinando Grand Duke of Tus●any out of the singular fame of the Kings princely virtues he sent to him an Express an English Gentleman Sir Henry Wotton a Traveller in Italy with a Dispatch ●nd Packet of Letters intercepted by the Duke in them a Design of certain men sent secretly to Scotland to impoyson the King Wotton was well rewarded and returned with many princely expressions of the Dukes timely intimation and the Kings infinite obligation and bad him say to the Duke as from the King That to him it was less considerable to die than to fear And whilest he was here 26. of February 1600. was born the Kings third son the second son Robert died young and Christened Charls at Dunferling a sickly weak Infant but recovered beyond expectation and proved all his life exceeding healthy and by his constitution might have lived a great age had not untimely accidents bereaved us of him To give end to this year we recommend to memory the Life and Death of Mr. Iohn Cragg he had been Minister to the King they will not stile themselves Chaplains of good fame and scale of learning without faction which I note as a rarity in them and therefore his reputation His Parent kill'd at Flouden-field his means no more than poverty affords put him into extremities to work out a livelihood To England first an ordinary Pedagogue to a private family then he returns and necessity enforcing he becomes a Dominican and i●●prisoned for four Tenents of Heresie got out and went back to England Then to France and thence to Rome where Cardinal Pool prefers him to instruct Novices of the Cloister in Bononia and imployed their Envoy in affairs through Italy and in Commission to the Isle Chios in the Ionick sea to redress disorders there Afterwards returning he became Rector and so access to the Library of the Inquisition where he happened on Calvins Institutions and by them and the Instructions his own Tale of an old man in the Monastery he was confirm'd a Proselyte to his Discipline and not able to keep counsel was carried to Rome and by the Inquisition condemned to be burnt an Heretick That night Pope Paul the fourth dies the people hating his person in huge tumult tumbled down his Statue of Marble dragging it about the streets for three days and then drowned it in Tiber and increasing villany and power discharged the Prisons and amongst the rest Cragg gat loose
no third person admitted and a guard of Horse kept all men off from hearing Considering the former Message by Knowd what construction can this secrecie produce but great surmize of the height of Treason and yet though Essex was not arraigned for his Irish actions his latter in London sufficient let me relate what is testified in pursuance of this in the designes of Essex On Tyrones part it fell out That the very day that Essex returned to the Queen Tyrone told Sir William Warren at Armagh That within two or three Moneths he should see the greatest and strangest alteration that could be imagined and that himself hoped to have a large share in England And unto Bremingham he said That he had promised ere long to shew his face in England little to the publick good thereof Thomas Wood Confesses That the Lord Fitz●orris in Munster about the same time told him That Tyrone had written to the Earl of Desmond so called that the contract was That Essex should be King of England Tyrone Viceroy of Ireland and should assist him in England with 8000 Souldiers With which agrees the answer of Tyrone to Mac Roories letter That Essex had agreed to side with Tyrone and so be ayded by them all towards the Conquest of England The general opinion and discourse of the Rebells That Essex was theirs and they his and that he would never relinquish the sword of Ireland till he was Master of that in England Tyrone after the parley grew proud and secure into strange progresses visitations homages of his confederates as of a new spirit and courage Essex presently thereupon having retired thoughts became melancholly as of doubtfull ambition and secretly imparts himself only to the Earl of Southampton and Sir Christopher Blunt Resolving to go into England with 2. or 3000. choice of the Army to make good his landing at Milford Haven so gather power march to London and make his own conditions They diswade him from the hazard and odiousness of the design but rather to draw out 200. of the most resolute to make sure of the Court and so to follow the effect And accordingly over he comes his Company in a muze of his intents he publisht his pretext to them by the efficacie of his presence to draw the Queen to confirm his Articles with Tyrone But in great choler as to dispute or Revenge and without leave from England He leaves his command to a Lieutenant and lands with 100. Gentlemen his best confidents hastens to Court ere it was known to any but to his dear Uncle Sir William Knowles Controuler of the Queens Houshold to whom he writes Dear Uncle Receiving your last at my entring on shipboard I return you this accompt at my landing being resolved with all speed and our silence to appear in the face of my Enemies not trusting a farr off to my own Innocencie or to the Queens favour with whom they have got so much power At sight of him with amaze the Queen swore Gods death my Lord what do you here your presence hatefull without Tyrones head But he falling more to a dispute than any excuse she in disdain to be taught but what she pleased to do bid him he gone his boots stunck So was he commanded to his Chamber at Court for some daies thence to the Lord Keeper til neer Easter after then to his own house under custody of Sir Richard Barckley til the end of Trinity Term so by degrees of restraint to win him to repentance the Queen said that he was young enough to amend and make amends for all Yet to repress seditious libels dispersed in his Justification and to observe a form of justice ere she gave him libertie There were associates unto her privy Council some chosen persons of the Nobility and judges of the Law to examine his breaking of his instructions in Ireland his treating with Tyrone and leaving his Government coming over without leave nay expresly contrary to his command under her hand signet With limitation not to be charged with disloyalty nor to be questioned publickly in Starr Chamber which upon his most penitent letter he desired to be spared and to be heard at the Lord Keepers house The sentence was then no more than suspension from some of his Places for he called God to witness He made an utter divorce with the world and desired favour only for a preparative for his Nunc Dimittis the tears of his heart having quenched in him all humors of ambition Upon which in few daies his Keeper Barckly was taken from him with this admonition That he was not altogether discharged though left to the guard of his own discretion He had taken into his service as chief Secretary in Ireland and long before one Henry Cuff base by birth a great Scholar of a turbulent and mutinous spirit This fellow a Moneth after his Lords liberty practised with Sir Henry Nevil lately Lieger Ambassadour with the French King and now newly come from Bullen Insinuating as a secret That the breach of the treaty of Bullen was like to light upon him By Cuff it was first concluded that ancient principle of Conspiracie To prepare many and trust but to few and after the manner of Mines to make ready the powder place it firm and then give fire in the instant The first of Nobility was Wriothsly Earl of Southampton and some others of quality and with Profane policie to serve their turns with both factions Papist and Puritan Essex his outside to these professing Hypocriticall zeal and frequent Sermons To the other as to Blunt and Davis his inmost secrecies for Tolleration of Religion And thus he spent Michael●as Term. Towards Christmass there passed a watch-word amongst his associates That he intended to stand upon his guard a double sence as of circumspection or force But in truth not to be cooped up with restraint The time of execution was Hilary Term when by invitation or business the Town would fill with his friends But in Candlemass Term they fell to consult at Drury House where Sir Charls Davers lodged a man obliged unto him for his pardon about the Murther of one Long. Sir Ferdinando Gorges Governour of Plymouth sent for by his letter not to fail before the second of February Sir Iohn Davis Surveyor of the Ordinance his former servant And Iohn Littleton a man of wit and valour Their consultation rest upon three parts The perusal of a List of confederates How to act Distribution of each mans action The List was 106. Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen of Essex own hand writing The action was in two Articles Possessing the Tower Surprizing the Q. Court In which was deliberated what course to hold with the City towards effecting the surprize or after The Tower would give reputation and security to the Action by means of Davis but most of the rest were jealous that whilst they built
fell dead upon him and his hurts affording him no help of assistance being alone there he lay till by good hap Sir Robert Drewry and Sir Iohn Ogle drew him from under his Horse and being set up behinde one he escaped the Enemy at his heels his hurts bleeding much at four holes he was forced to fall off for that present His Brother Sir Horace he found at the two Canons having gathered some three hundred retreat Foot and there staid the Enemy who came up to the very handing the Ordnance which fired on them with a Train also of some Barrels hid in the sand and made wondrous Execution And not till now comes Succour two Cornets of English from the Prince which encourages Sir Horace and bold necessity to boot beat the Spaniard back again by the way some others fell on also and followed them to Execution The Arch Dukes Phalanges and Battalions startle and rowse up rather for defence than revenge and now Orange findes his Friends have fresh courage by the tottering effects of fight caused his whole Battell to advance both meet and joyn pell mell Horse to Horse Foot to Foot till the fate of fight forced the Arch Duke to turn faces and fly and were followed to Execution as far as the Morish Dam. The English having the Chace took Don Iasper Sampen Don de Villars Maestro del Campo and the Arch Duke escaped hardly for his Horse-bit was held by a Souldier and he spurred on and got off losing in this Battell the most of his chief Officers the Prisoners were Don Francisco de Mendoza Lieutenant General 〈◊〉 Count of Solms on his side Don Lewis de Aville Don Piedro de Mendoza Doctor Anarea the Arch Dukes Physician Don Iaspar Marogan and five and thirty Horse and Foot Captains three hundred and ten more men of note eight Pieces of Cannon most of the Ammunition Baggage and Furniture the Arch Dukes own Tent Cabinet Plate Seals of Arms one hundred and six Colours five thousand slain on the place besides hundreds of others out-lying in fight the loss fell most upon the Spaniards and Italians who fought bravely and bore all their brunt taking too much heart upon their morning success On the Orange part were slain two thousand and five hundred most English who were put to it against the Spaniards and Italians in several brave Charges and so lost six English Captains Yorkley Hu●●iwood Tyrrill Duxborow Priton Woodward and most of the Officers slain or hurt The Spaniards complained of their own Horse which j●ded and should have succoured their Foot that fought bravely and commended the Dutch's order in marshalling their men into severall light Divisions when as the Adversaries great P●alanges and Stand of Pikes were unwieldy heavy to charge The Danes dispute the English Fishing upon their Coasts Norway and Island and seize the English and Goods there who indeed made no claim of Right but onely Leave and Custom from Norways Kings before their conjunction with Denmak and confess that by the League with King Iohn heretofore they were to ask it from seven to seven years which had been neglected with King Christian for in 1585. they had Liberty without further Licence and concluded which I wonder at Mare liberum This occasion acquainted the English Delegates that were sent thither to treat with the mystery and benefit of Trading and for the Londoners to be instituted into an Eaest-India Company with great Privileges King Iames nearly concerned to congratulate the happy prevention of Essex his Rebellion sends to England the Earl Mar Ambassadour with the Abbot of Kinloss to congratulate the Queens happy success against such treasonable Attempts which she takes well coming so seasonably to satisfie ill Rumours That Essex was made away for affection to the King of Scots Title and that the Ambassadours Commission had been to plead for his part And withall to expostulate her remisness for not due punishing Valentine Tomas a base Calumniator of their King and that Ewer and Ashfield should be shadowed here two Fugitives from Scotland But Ashfield might be ●eleased And in conclusion their chiefest Errand for Assignment of some Lands in England as a Rent-charge for defraying the affairs in Scotland then too burdensom for the King She thanked the King and wished that all Rebellions against him might the Eve of that Day finde the same End and like Success of all Traitors to Him as Essex was to Her That Tomas was spared in prudence to their Masters honour lest by rubbing old sores with often Trials and Executions too frequent Examples might rather increase slanderous Tongues whose impudence in accusing even without any possibility of truth or shew of proof yet through too common rumour thereof may beget and that in time belief Ewer indeed was an ill man for denying peremptory things of evident truths which yet his protestations wrought upon easie spirits with credulity As for Ashfield he had cousened the President of the English Borders of Scotland with a Trick to go thither and play'd the Knave to get home again She always found with long experience that to countenance evil manners in her neighbour subjects was to teach her own to do worse to her self and made a distinction of that with national protection which in some cases must be maintained And that for Lands she would add to the former Advance two thousand pounds a year for maintaining inviolable unity and agreement with her with caution to him not to intrust such as seek their own private gain with the publick loss Thus much in publick besides their private contrivance with the principal Nobility and Councel to work them the Kings Friends who assured him peaceable reception into England after Queen Elizabeth The Pope Clement the Eighth had that fear and therefore by his Breves prohibits all such Professors of the Roman faith not to admit any how near soever in bloud unless upon Oath he promote the Catholick Doctrine and the like is brought over to Scotland by Hamilton and Hayes two Iesuits men of fiery spirits and working brains chief Instruments of Sedition at the holy League in Paris these men are proclamed Traitors but lurk in the North for a long time A general Assembly is there resolved at Brunt-Island for repressing Papists and very conscientious begin to rectifie themselves careless Ministery hasty admission of mean men pleasing the people and ruineth the Church and therefore they ordain Days of Humiliation and Prayer But Mr. Iohn Davidson was of opinion they did ill not to blanch the King and Court and therefore writes to them HOw long shall we fear or favour flesh and follow the counsel and command thereof Shall our Meetings be in the name of Man The King called them c. Is it time for us now our Brethren thrust out without just order Papists Jesuits Atheists countenanced and advanced to the best Room in the Realm bringing Idolalatry and Babylonish
Captivity Shall we be inveigled with pretences petty Preferment to Parliament Votes and Titles of Prelacy c. Then scoffing at the King But Boniton says he that Thief is executed What 's that to Religion Is there none offends but Boniton But the King is sound if so the danger the less but there is nothing sound in Kirk or King Melius obtabilius est bell●m pace impia a Deo distrahente Do what the King could such Libells were licensed for which he was committed Their Church thus settled the King urges for a new Translation of the Bible being miserably lamely done disputing with them the Errors therein as also their Prose and Singing Psalms wherein he shewed the faults of Meeter and Matter with admiration to all that heard him so ready to reason with them their discrepance from the Text by proofs of other Languages which though he could not obtain from them therein yet he had it accomplished where he found obedience to his commands afterwards in England Anno 1603. The King caresses all his Friends and sends Lodowick Duke of Lenox Ambassadour into France with some persons of Honour and two Counsellours of State to caress the King he arrives at Diep and enters Paris with a train of Scots that met him from all parts a custom they ever had to set out themselves the best side outwards especially from home where they are least known but by their own declarations And not long after Audience at St. Iermans the Queen in childe-bed and then took leisure to visit his Mother Madam d' Aubigney whilest the King poasted to Callis upon false intelligence that Queen Elizabeth was desperate ill or that the affairs of Flanders invited him Ostend then besieged No doubt his mouth watered to have found such another faction as might foist in another Bastard of Normandy in gallantry he would say so Upon his return the Duke takes leave and lands in England We may guess what he had done assured the Kings affection to the French and as of ancient amity so craves continuance and support towards his new Inheritance in case of necessity when his time should come to the Crown of England And here he findes the Queen ill disposed and the Parliament set suspected of all to have made his Masters clame to the Right of Succession and many one ready to offer assistance but he declared to them the Kings dislike to breed jealousies by such unkindness his Commission being no other than to salute her with the Kings filial affection to her Majesty and because he found the Irish malady oppressed her most he proffered his Masters aid to serve her there which she took well and he took leave The Mighty States ou● of sunken Netherlands will have no delay but to subdue Flanders and to amuze the Arch Duke Maurice Prince of Orange is sent into Gelderland to besiege Reinbergh and had assistance fron England of four thousand men but the Arch Duke was more forward and fell upon Ostend to whose Relief are sent twenty Companies and Sir Francis Vere their General both without and within Ostend from a poor Fisher-town had repulsed the Duke of Parma Maltee and now this Arch Duke with all his seventeen Forts erected round about it For Sir Francis Vere in the fifth moneth of the Siege treats about the Surrender delaying the Delegates till Auxiliaries were raised and then sent them away with a fig for them The Arch Duke was angry batters Ostend with eighteen Cannon drives on two thousand Foot to set upon the old Town the Horse put them on and take two Fortresses and the English Trenches nine Ordnance out of the West Gate with Chain-shot miserably rent the Assailants with mighty loss in other places Sir Francis Vere quits his six moneths Government as it was ordained to Frederick Dork a Dutch-man who with others succeeding him defended it three years and four mouths against Spains fury and the raging sea the more troublesom Enemy and in that time were intomb'd in honour many brave English and others the most warlike Souldiers of all Nations in Christendom contending for a barren piece of sand The French King fearing such an evil Neighbour provides for his own Coast and comes to Callis whom Queen Elizabeth congratulates by her Secretary Edmonds and he returns the Visit to her by Marshal Byron Monsieur Arvern and Sir Aumons and besides they had in charge to wish her happiness in the timely suppression of the late Rising and sudden Execution of Essex and his Complices She said His faults deserved that punishment of which she gave him timely warning foreseeing his ambition edg'd on by others to commit Treason for which yet had he begg'd it she might have given him pardon Byron not long after felt the like destiny for his Plots against the French King though his merits to his Master were far exceeding any pretences of Essex yet all of them and his thirty wounds in the Kings service could not prevail though he begg'd it with too much desire of longer life And indeed they were both equally matches in most things parallel either in vice or virtue Money was scarce in England being transported yearly into Ireland one hundred and sixty thousand pounds sterling and under that colour the Merchants had a common way to convey elsewhere much more and once got to the Rebells it was good barter for all commodities with any forein Nation and by stealth with English the Coin for Ireland was therefore abased with some Brass which would bring over the sterling money back again into England The Arguments against this could not prevail with Treasurer Burkhurst besides the Law of that time Necessity 'T is true the Souldier lost in his pay which they felt but understood not and the Queen was not so nice of her publick repute but to veil to the benefit which lasted not long and the money-masters not then so well experienced to manage the advantage the Spanish policy therein grown cunning might have taught us what they practice for gain With fresh pay the Deputy goes on removes Ter Oen from Black-water Derry Castle Donegal Monastery The tittular Earl of Desmond and Mac Carty are surprized arreigned and condemned of Treason and sent into England by whom and others is discovered the intention of landing Forces from Spain at Cork which was therefore fortified and fresh mann'd with help of two thousand new Souldiers out of England The Spaniards lands in September at the mouth of Kingsale Haven and the Governour there Percie retires 〈◊〉 and the other let in with thirty five Ensignes 〈◊〉 welcomed by the Inhabitants The President Carew bestirrs him drives the County about lodges some forces in places of advantage ready with his Army to expect don Iohn D' Aquila with his title of Master General and Captain of the Catholick King in defending the war of God and maintenance of Religion in Ireland and to deliver
them from the jaws of the Devil Carew forthwith drives them out of the Castle by the Haven when 150. more got in and the Haven blockt up by Levison the English vice-Admiral This news brings Ter-Oen with all the chief Rebells to joyn with some Spanish got out of the Town and all together make up an Army of 6000. foot and 500. horse assured of victory And the English wearied with winter sieges spent with poverty and hunger yet ply the siege not suffering the Enemy without to recruit the Town or Spaniards to re-enter but they adventure and are repulsed and retreat but are hotly pursued by the Deputy whilst Carew keeps the Spaniards from breaking out of the Town and forced to make a stand and fight with great loss and then to fly Don Alphonso O'campo taken pr●soner with three of his Captains and fix Alpherez Ensignes Nine Colours whereof six Spaniards and 1200. slain with very little loss to the English And within six daies after Don Iohn designes a parly And to yield up to the Deputy what they possest and to depart with life and goods but brave Don to be the last Man left behind Their departure so sodain troubled the Irish who are worsted every where many of the chief Surprized and taken And now the old English Adage When knaves fall out truth comes to light The Ecclesiastick Papists in England go by the Ears The Jesuite against Secular Priests No blowes but Bookes and pens for Pot-guns the general thus One Blackwel sometime fellow of Trinity in Oxon was made Arch-priest for the Seculars and he too much a friend to Garnet their Jesuites general they decline him with scorn Hereupon they are degraded and appeal to Rome and therefore are Booked for Schismaticks and Hereticks but they got the censure of the University at Paris to approve the same and meaning to prevail in the Queens favour They shew that in her first eleven years reign not one suffered for his Conscience Nor for ten years after that Pius Quintus Bull against the Queen there were executed but twelve Priests most of them convicted Traytors And that then about the year 1580. crept in the Iesuite whose mischievous practices against the State had disturbed all and accasioned the severe Lawes against Catholicks And yet they say in ten years following but fifty Priests were executed the Queens mercy b●●ishing fifty five more justly deserving death From that time say they Parsons in Spain an English Iesui●e entertains all Vagabond English into their seminaries there and from thence came hither turbulent Priests That he incites the Spaniard now to invade Ireland again and consirms the Infanta's Title to this Crown which all the seminary Students maintained by oath That Holt the Iesuite suborned Hesket to rebellion Cullin York and Williams to kill the Queen Walpole and Squire to impoyson her They set out Parsons for a Bastard a seditious Sicophant and condemn the Iesuite libels to be full of falsities and trayterous to God and Her And conclude with advise to the English not to hazard their Children into their seminaries where with the Elements of Learning they infuse Tenents poysonous Treasons The Jesuites thus set out they retort on the other and it was best wisdom for the State to banish them both and but time for Winter and Tesmond a Jesuite were sent for into Spain to consult the destruction of the Queen and by other plots to exclude King Iames Inheritor The like Conspiracie in the Low-Countrey against the Arch-Duke and in France against the King and so against most Princes The Planets then in Conjunction Malevolent to great men and foretold by most Astrologers In which he escaped hapily Byrones Treason who was beheaded and accuses Bouillon confederate who fled into Germany and was complained of to Queen Elizabeth whose Counsel he craves in these his difficulties dangerous to his safety and the hazard of the Monarchy somewhat drooping which in police she endeavoured to support and did with Counsel and Arms in much affection also to him and reformed Religion which faith she defended alwaies in every place And now the Town and signiory of Geneve is assaulted by the Duke of Savoy much pittyed by their Pupils here in Scotland and England having their Nourishment from that seminary then of seditious reformers who by their preaching to the people procured great sums of money to be gathered by the bevolence of most Churches in this Island The Common-people well minded were often cacht in that time and oportunity of Devotion liberally to contribute especially if it please the Preacher to set it forth with Rhetorical San●tion as the Presbyters use to do for the dear Brethren of Geneve Germany and Scotland c. One for another as they for us when in truth these other were the most of them rank Revolters and it was then a great suspition that much of monies drapt short of their receiving we return to Scotland The King minding to take leave of his Native-Countrey in peace and so to settle the continuance after his remove to his second inheritance now at length very near He resolved to reduce the High-land Inhabitants of the Northern Isles into the Main to civilize them and to plant Low-land men in their habitations Some forward Gentlemen were undertakers Guided by the affection and Prayers of the Abbot of Lenders who went with them The Gallants were Colonel William Stuart Captain William Murray Lermouth of Balcolmy Iames Spence of Wormston Sir Iames Amstrader and Iames Forret of Fingasker These well furnished fell first upon the Isle Lewis and within four daies voyage landed there It was Commanded for Government these had none by Mordoch Macklond base son to old Macklond tirannously lording over the poor people Being surprized he made bad resistance his base usage of the Natives made him more fearfull of their revenge than of an Enemies Conquest and therefore hnmbling himself to Conditions even in the Treaty his heart distrusting quarter who never gave any he stole away and fled to Sea leaving the Inhabitants soon to Obedience The Laird of Balcolmy returning back with this good news to the King and not many Leagues lanched from Land but Macklond with a Number of Birlings little vessels boarded Balcolmy killed all his men and kept him alive for advance of a Ransome which was procured out of the Kings Cofers and he conveyed into Orkney where he died The other Conquerors interessed in this injurie conjure Neill Macklond brother to Mordoch to betray him for a piece of money and hopes of preferment He did so by Ambuscado surprizes him and twelve Men more Murthers these in could blood but to keep his word delivers Mordoch to the undertakers who sent him to Saint Andrews where he was executed The New Planters began to settle and share out Lands to themselves and tenure it out to the poor Natives drudges and sworn Subjects whilst
when as by waiting the seasonable time he may be sure to finde the Gates of the Orchard open and with freedom to enter take and tast at liberty Sure it were a weakness and unworthiness in me to come in as an Usurper with offence and scandal to the Laws and present Estate of Government when I may in the right time clame the Crown as nearest Heir to the Prince deceased and possess it with equity Should I out of untimely ambition break the long continued and faithfully preserved Amity that by the proof of many mutual kinde offices hath taken root amongst us were an error inexcusable And though I do acknowledg your kind● 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 unfaithfull and unsound to his own Sovereign nor could I ever look to be secure in a Kingdom so traiterously disposed And adviseth the Earl To forbear such Letters and when he did write which he wished but rarely and not but in great occasion to beware of any thing justly to offend the Queen lest by interception or other misadventure he might be disabled to serve him hereafter The Spaniards driven out of Ireland Ter Oen retires to his Fastness in Ulster the Deputy pursues him with a great Army burn kill and take all that come in their way of enmity divers of the chief Rebells submit whom the Deputy receives to favour and preferment somewhat the common sense before others of that Nation always loyal It was his wisdom so to do to quiet the Kingdom and quench the issue of Bloud by forgeting rather injuries past than for the present to reward the merits of others much deserving And it took effect also in the person of Ter Oen who tired with treachery his best defence and weared with a world of miseries in this time of Rebellion having leisure whilest he lurked to meditate and bring all together to the sadness of his soul he humbly offers his submission to the Queen and prays for pardon which she in distemper of health authorized the Deputy to promise and to receive his subjection which was done at Dublin in that State of Vicegerency the Deputy sitting in his Throne incircled with the most of his Militia Ter Oen whose wicked life had brought him to misery despicable to himself humbled him at the very threshold of the chamber prostrates his knees for pardon of his many offences of God and his Sovereign to whose princely clemency he flies as to Anchor-hold submits his life and fortune having heretofore found her goodness as he hath felt her power now seeks for mercy as an Example to everlasting memory of her present clemency assuring his years not so many nor his body so weak in power nor courage so cold but that by valiant and loyal service he may live to expiate his Rebellion Upon this score he was taken to favour and pleasure of the Queen now eight years after his first Rebellion brought to an happy issue under the Lord Mountjoy the Deputy the long destraction whereof added to the Queens age often distempers of the minde which settled into a sickness of her climaterick seventieth year and with a fatal longing to remove from London to Richmond in a foul day to talk of death and divorce between Her and her Kingdoms to whom she wedded her self she said When first she put on a remarkable Ring on her finger and never removed till now it was cut off And thus sadness increasing no wonder at what cause for she had many most men the multitude will have one to be forsooth the want of Essex such also were his admirers and none other of honesty or discretion Indeed the French King to curry favour had sent her Letters of suspition That the Nobility neglected her too much affecting the King of Scots that the dawning of her day should S●n-set when too timely they endeavoured to adore the morning-rise And this was true her Ladies weary of waiting wish for a change and all together long for a Successor whom they advise to be sent for The Queen not so sick but to see this and complain'd That being yoaked she could trust to none and her Estate turned top-side turvey She was told also the frequent poasting to Scotland at which she did not repine having settled her affection on the Kings succession though not necessary for her heretofore to declare In March she hastens with some symptoms of deaths approach very froward and pettish evermore declining Physick and now onely took Medicines for the souls health communicated to her by the Arch-bishop of Canterbury in Discourse and Prayer The Lord Admiral Lord Keeper and Secretary Cecil came from the Council to know her pleasure for her Successour She said My Throne is for a King none other shall succeed me Ce●il asked her What King She said What other King than my Kinsman the King of Scots She was frequent in Prayer till her tongue was weakned into silence hands weary with heaving up or eys able to look out then after some time not stirring she leisurely turned her head with ratling in the throat and gave up the ghost to God Almighty on that day of her Birth from whom she had ●t seventy years since on a Thursday night this four and twentieth of March the last day of the year 1602. and in the five and fortieth of her Reign an Age and Reign not to be numbered by any one King of England before Her Successour said as much in his Preface to his son The like had not been seen or heard of since the days of Augustus And one speaking of her days We have lived says he in a tim● of miracles Was it not a miraculous mercy that Queen Elizabeth that m●t●hl●ss Princess and Pearl of the World should in in these 〈◊〉 times be preserved in safety as a sweet harmless Lamb amidst so many merciless Romish Wolves who implacably thirsted for her pretious life Was it not a wonder that the sacred hand of that self-same crowned blessed Lady next under Gods Almighty one should in despite of all the P●●ers of Darkness and popish rage raise our tr●e Religion as it were by mirac●e from the dead a thing which the World hoped little to see that ●ven they which beheld it done scarcely believed their own senses that after the silver line of her most hououred life should be hid in the endless maze of Gods bottomless mercies from the fiery assaults of so many popish Bulls such a prodigious variety of murderous complotments against her sacred person and all these desperate Assassines of Rome who all her life long hunted full greedily after her virgin bloud And was not our Deliverance in Eighty Eight a miracle when the Sea fought for us There was a Day which as many of us remember the Papists called The long look● for Day the
Day should pay for all they meant the Day when she should die that it would be a bloudy Day by the uncertainty of the next Heir our Countrey is in the most dreadfull and desperate case in the greatest misery and most dangerous times that ever it was since or before the Conquest and far worse than any Countrey in Christendom by the certainty of the most bloudy civil and forein Wars all our wealth and felicity whatsoever depending upon a few uncertain days of Queen Elizabeths life Clouds of bloud says another hang in the Air which at the death of Queen Elizabeth will dissolve and rain down upon England which then is expected as a Prey to Neighbour Nations These false Prophets spake this sense for the Sun set and no night followed Mira cano Sol occubuit Nox nulla secuta The same mercifull hand at the same time crowned Queen Elizabeth with immortal glory and set the Earthly Crown of this Kingdom upon King Iames his head without shedding so much as one drop of bloud Sic transit gloria mundi Queen Elizabeth was a Princess excellent in all Tongues she translated the Prayers of Queen Katharine into Latine French and Italian she wrote a Century of Sentences and dedicated them to her Father and translated Salustius she made several Orations in Latine in both the Universities and entertained Ambassadours always in their own Languages many of her excellent Speeches in Parliament are in print Queen Mary of Scotland wrote a Book of Verses in French of the Institution of a Prince all with her own hand wrought the Cover with her Needle which the King Kept as a Relick of her Memory as I have seen The End of the first Part. REX FIDEI DEFENSOR POTENTISS IACOBUS D. G. MAGNAE BRITANNIAE GALLIAE ET HIBERNIAE FIDEI DEFENSOR Behold Greate Britaines France and Irelands Kinge About whose Browes Clusters of Crownes doe springe Whose faith him Champion of the FAITH en-stiles Vpon whose head fortune and Honnor smiles The Rod of vice and Vertues Recompence Longe liue Kinge IAMES in all Magnificence Printed and sould by P. Stout THE REIGN AND DEATH OF King JAMES OF Great BRITTAIN FRANCE and IRELAND the First c. The Second Part. LONDON Printed by Henry Hills 1655. Introduction WE reade in Stories how perplexed several Princes have been in some dependent policies at their first acquisition to their Governments especially such Sovereigns as come to their Crowns by accidents mixt with Succession I finde not any amongst many more difficult to decide than that which befell King Iames and followed the death of Queen Elizabeth The horrid remembrance of the late execution of his Mother Queen Mary famed by all forein Nations for a Lady that had born the Illustrious Diadems of two glorious Scepters the one by lawfull Succession of former Kings even from her Cradle the the other by powerfull Conquest of a mighty Prince with her incomparable merit beauty of her body and more of her minde living long time to see her Son a King renowned for wisdom and thereby apt to apprehend and powerfull of himself and so fitted for Revenge The splendour of Imperial Crowns are eclipsed by suffering such ignominy the sacred character of Church and State defaced the magnificence of the most secured Thrones destroyed and Sovereignty would cease to be the image of God But for him to ascend that Throne steeming with his Mothers innocent bloud wrought amazement to himself no doubt and wonder to the world what he would do in this Dilemma Best of beauties may be discoloured and so the complexion alters Christian policies are good rules for Sovereignty we may examine his Resolution by the happy effects of his Actions Besides he was bound to acknowledge Truths Her Adoption of Him to his inheritance sweetned Him into the peoples candid Acceptation And though by that solemn Action on Her death-bed she gave Him but his Own Yet she might have rendered Her self and former Cruelty less disputable by objecting against Him his Mothers Religion averse to the reformed in England strangers they were both and He Her son whom in Iustice she had destroyed For though her fathers will setled the succession Her power with the people might have allowed it she might have Married or Created another and so made a favorite Or indeed the sure of all she might have setled this Nation in the people to succeed Her as heirs to all The times and Relations then more likely than ●ver since as now it is Thus she might have done see what she did Seing She could not repair Her cruel Error Yet by those means She manifested Her resentment of what She had done amiss by recompensing that Evil with this Good And ill humour of Malice is not easily purged It reacheth to the Person hated and to all near Relations Children and Friends And no doubt some secret Maxime or Policie of St●te might be taken up sufficient to have accused Queen Mary of Crime and so to have put a fixed Resolution to that Action which otherwise in it self seems Savage Her Adoption of Him was of equal Ballance with His Birth-right and usually as Venerably received as Inheritance from Parents T' is true They give the Birth but leave us to Succession Free Election as the Gift is most admirable for its merits so ought it to be the more Acceptable for the Miracle The One Natural even to Brutes in their Ordinary Inclinations But Adoption operates with affection and choice not from Sense but from Reason and examines the Object ere it settles the possession And so thus considered she merits Pardon He Excuses Another Relation falls upon Her Counsellors then the most honourable birth admirable in wisdom and Eminent in Power for the King to confide in These or They in Him Those that found an Executioner for Her might in time bring forth a Regicide for Him See how his wisdom Expiates all Those hands that hurt Her healed Him who sealed to Her death signed to His Reception Nor could any private malice of theirs be directed towards Her Person but Her Power Necessity of State made Them submit to sentence Her which otherwise they perhaps would have spared in Reverence to Her and Honor to Him And as their Persons were Eminent so was it hazardous for Him to question a Crime that He had not power to punish Acts they are so different in Them as make up the wonder in Him How to revenge the One and not reward the Other Acts of Oblivion alwaies more Noble than Revenge Caesars erection of Pompeys Statue secured his own Acts of Honor to others memory reflect in effect upon the person present And therefore He rather chose to Court Her Counsellors with the favour of Clemencie than to correct Them with the Rod of Iustice. Rigour hath much of Majesty but Mercy hath more of Glory The One may be more safe the other more secure And though Machivael makes Fear and Love
Prince did upon some weightier occasion no doubt than a Ladies Garter erect this Order Anno 1350. The Emblems are a Blue Garter to be worn daily buckled on the left Leg set with Gold or Pearl in these words Honi soit qui mal y pense Shame take him that evil thinketh This Order is inferiour to none in the World consisting of six and twenty Martial and Heroical Nobles the King of England the chief the rest are either Nobles of this Nation or Princes of other Countreys Friends and Confederates Emperours and Kings have desired and received that Honour The●e are depending this Order six and twenty poor Knights with sufficient maintenance The Officers were the Prelate of the Garter which is inherent to the Bishop of Winchester for the time being the Chancellour the Register always the Dean of Windsor the principal King at Arms called Garter and the Usher called the Black Rod The site of this College is the Castle of Windsor with the Chapel of St George erected by Edward the third and the Chapter-house there also The Protector-Saint olim tam nobilis is St George whose Picture on horse-back killing the Dragon doth always hang at a Blue Silk Ribband about each Knights neck And the outward Vestment or Cloak hath a Star embroidered in Silver encompassing a Shield bearing the Red Cross of England with the Garter about it This I mention lest it be forgotten to after ages Amongst sundry men of valour in antient days was George born at Coventry in England his Mother with childe of him dreamed that she conceived with a Dragon which should be the cause of her death but the Wizards Witches assured her to die in childe-bed of a Son whose life and fortune shall be a mirrour to posterity and therefore he was brought up with a Person of Honour with great observance which made him capable of mighty deeds in Arms and being famous for several Adventures travelled to a place infested with wilde beasts chiefly a ravenous Dragon whom the Sorcerers pretended so far to inchant as to be for ever satisfied with a virgin Salve fastened to a Rock and fitted for Sacrifice In whose defence George fights on horse-back with his Lance and Sword and by his skill and force kills him this service done he missed not the Merit of his Reward Mariage with the Maid instructed her in Christianity with whom he lived honourably and died sainted for his virtues and valiant acts and by the Kings of England assumed for many Ages in warlike Atchivements of Honour to be their Patron This story not difficult for the Moral which served those times to instruct the ignorant with such Tales to be told to posterity that the Christian Souldier in the warfare of the World meets with Satans temptations which by the grace of God sanctifying are overcome and in particular ●escues his own soul bound under the chains of sin to be devoured of the Devil and which being redeemed by the merits of Christ is maried to Him in faith and becomes an eternal Saint in Heaven Whether this Saint and his story with others were invented to cousen men these Tales wrought much with valiant men at Arms Valour swels when set out by Examples of Extremes and oft times goes beyond her self in her atchivements conceit sometimes does things above conceit especially when the imagination apprehends them founded in Religion It is said by Matthew Paris in Gulielmo secundo pag. 57. that St George appeared in the air with an Army of white Horses fighting for the English at Antioch against the Turk But to say there was no such Saint and to change all literal sense into an Allegory of Christ and his Church yet it may seem more improbable that our English Nation amongst so many Saints that were would chuse one to be their Patron that was not at all especially seeing the World in that Age had rather a glut than a famine of Saints The intent of those times was pious to gain credit and to convert to Christianity but then so to prosecute it as the Papists still continue to do must be condemned thinking to grace the Gospel by such absurdities for Heaven has a Pillory to punish fraus pia her self and indeed better to leave Religion to her native plainness than to deck her with counterfeit dress And there were created at Windsor these Earls Thomas Howard Earl of Suffolk Montjoy Earl of Devonshire and of Barons Egerton Baron Elsmore Russel Baron Thornhall Danvers Lord Danvers Grey Baron Grooby Peters Baron Writtle Harington Baron Eaton which so troubles an Historian as a wonderfull weakness in a King and concludes against his own Argument Nothing more destruction says he to Monarchy than lessening the Nobility But he means increase of number lessens their value and hath not enlarged his reading by knowledg of their condition in other Monarchies Spain France and yet poor enough in those places where Anarchy as yet is not come in Originally within this Kingdom Earldoms of Countreys in the antient English-Saxon Government were Dignities of Honour and Offices of Justice they had Officers under them as Vice-comes or Sheriffs The Earls therefore received Sallary the third penny of the profits of the County of long time after the Conquest and were inserted in their Patents of Creation which afterwards were turned into Pensions Of the single Earls not Palatine there were two kindes subdivided into several Branches either take name of a place or without place those of a place are of two kindes either of a County as the Earl of Devonshire Cornwall Kent c. or else of some place not being a County as of a Town Castle Honour c. of which later sort as antient as the Conquest those of Richmond in Yorkshire Clarence in Suffolk Arundel in Sussex Earldoms without any place are likewise of two kindes either in respect of Office as Earl Marshal of England or by Birth and so are all the Kings Sons and therefore it is a mistake to say They are born but Gentlemen Earls are adorned with a Cap of Honour and a Coronet and the Body with a Robe in resemblance of Counsellours and are girt with a Sword to defend their King and Countrey Cook 17. Part. And are called by the King his Cosins and his Title is afterwards become parcel of his Name and so they sign T. Suffolk Not to speak of Barons by Prescription or Tenure These Barons were made by Patent as others are by Writ to Parliament and these by Writ were devised not before 49. Henry 3. for want of Peers the most of them slain in the Barons Wars Those Barons by Patent began by Richard 2. John Beauchamp being the first and is now limited in descent according to the Habendum for Life or for term of others as Estates in Tail They being thus entered into Nobility have large Privileges as Peers of the Realm Note that there be Lords in Reputation onely by
might be the best Counsel but the most difficult He therefore to avoid difference with any made Peace with all And as a wise King lead them the way to do so each with other being the surest Maxime to himself and to the foundation of greatness upon popular love to his Subjects to afford them ease and justice This Peace ever after attended his Age and Hearse to which he always intended to fashion his Son and Successour but in future fate followed the change not without our over-hasty exception to the Fathers settlement mistaking it to be the consequence of evil event in the Sons succession But we ought to know that Events are always seated in the inaccessible Light of Gods high Providence and cannot be concluded but by supernatural Arguments which must decide the miscarriages of pious Designs careat successibus opto Quisquis ab eventu facta not●nda putet We may learn his will by the effect of his works but not in the consequence of his proceedings we may discern the hand-writing of his Decree to be his Character but not thereby his Sense yet this we presume to run and reade The Providence of God is often most violent to Reason when yet in truth it runs in its proper chanel of equity to all His way is in the Sea not to be always traced by steps What confused conceits carry us on when a prevailing party succeeds in opposition to truth and justice But he that looks thus asquint hath an imperfect sight not the eye of faith The Scales of Gods Providence are never at rest always moving now up now down to humble and to exalt to which we must submit because we cannot comprehend And it is a Rule derivative from hence That where Religion is loo●est men sacrifise their best Reason to visible Success and private fortune becomes their publick Profession not remembring what Isay says In the path of Gods judgment we should patiently expect We do not so by our daily censure David was in this storm driven to the strongest Anchor of Hope in the contemplation of the wicked he was much trouble to see them prosper and the godly persecuted untill he entered into the Sanctuary of Gods universal providence the chain whereof meets in the centre of all Reade but the story of some Centuries of our Christian world abreviated in the Preface of Sir Ralegh's History How long was it that wickedness had leave to lord it With what strength of policy the Tyrants of each time sold themselves to settle the work of sin And though in the period of that portion of time compared with everlasting and of our neighbour-affairs with the succeeds of the vast Universe In these I say he religiously observes perchance in some the most notorious impieties punished and revenged yet he could not live to finde the effects of Gods justice in so perfect an Audit summ'd up but that he and we and others hereafter shall still remain perplext And here in order and time we come to consider the tempers of the Court Statists those in favour with their former Sovereign had a new game to play with this King and such as were kept under heretofore began now to raise their hopes and endeavours for fresh preferment Amongst many of sundry conditions we fall upon the Conspiracy of a few Discontents and it is generally named Sir Ralegh's Treason so shadowed out to posterity by some late Relators and huddled up in obscurity as not many men in these days believe it for truth to undeceive them I shall give the world that story Sir Walter Ralegh was a Gentleman of good Alliance in the West of England and very well descended he began his Improvements by the University and Inns of Court the later was always the place of esteem with Queen Elizabeth which she would say fitted youth for the future But he staid not there and as his fate would have him of the Sword first so destiny drew him on to have a mixt Reputation with the Gown for he was often called to counsel in her time but never sworn He was twice in Expeditions of Land-service in Ireland under General Norris and Grey as also in the Low Countreys and a Voyage at Sea ere he was known at Court And such ways as these were his introductions the best hopes of his Risings Some natural parts he had a good wit and judgment but his best Weapon was his Tongue which gave him repute to be learned then but after he improved to more value in his future troubles the best School to a wise man His quarrel with Grey in Ireland was there complain'd to a Council of War but by Reference came over to England to the Council-Table Grey had the better cause but Ralegh the advantage in pleading which so took them especially Leicester that the Queen was told the Tale and more of him which begot esteem from her and envy from others however he held up being accounted a cunning Courtier in that ticklish Trade whereof he that once breaks seldom sets up again but he got by those losses and thriv'd best after such compounding Indeed being still under-wood cut and yet growing he became Silva caedua quae succisa renascitur and so flourished oft times after without absolute impute to his Princes pleasure His Enemies of greater Rank kept him in and out which made him then to decline himself out of the Court-rode in Voyages to the West Indies Guiana New Plantations Virginia or else in some Expeditions against the Spaniard which confirm'd him a grand Opposer of the general Peace which King Iames brought in and that brought Ralegh to his ruine He rose no higher than Governour of Iersey Lord Warden of the Stanneries of the West and Captain of the Queens Guard which last Place brought him to esteem at Court but not in the State at all and therefore most men of parts that want of their pride of Preferment are tired with lingring expectation of change from the settled way of Sovereignty which in every shift of Princes gives fair hopes to many neither so mean nor modest but to please themselves with Objects of Advance So this man ambitious of his conceited merits put himself forward a little too soon Busie he had been heretofore to speak his minde of the general affairs and therein he pleased his late Mistress for then his inclination went with the humour of those times of War but now his counsel came out of season For at the entrance of the King he was presented by Ralegh with a Manuscript of his own making against the Peace with Spain it was his Table-talk to beget more esteem which took accordingly and the way to unbend him was the work of the Spanish Faction either to buy him out of that humour or to abuse him into worse condition which was effected by this way To mould him into Treason there was a medley of
in all our Scotish discourse Yet at this time they renew their former wont as in Scotland and begin to perplex the King at his Entrance To pacifie such He appoints a Conference to be held with the Episcopacie and Them at Hampton Court In the mean time to let them see what they should trust unto he sets forth a Proclamation Against such as seditiously seek Reformation in Church Matters And that the Constitution and doctrine here is agreeable to Gods word and near to the Condition of the primitive Church And forewarnes them of publick invectives gathering of Subscriptions to supplications for Reformation savouring of Tumult sedition and violence Protesting to preserve the Estate Ecclesiasticall as politick in such form as he found it Reforming abuses if they be made apparent 14 Octob. 1603. But in truth these men were too hasty and might well remember the King of such their behaviour in Scotland which to prevent he did for ever after advance the power of Episcopacie there to even that Discipline with this in England and to inlarge their Bishops into some Eminencie heretofore clowded with Envy and Malice It was now time so to do when the Presbyterian Doctrines had amplified into these Heads The Reformation of Religion belongs to the Cominaltie The punishment of such Crimes as touching the Majesty of God doth not appertain to Kings and chief Rulers only but also to the Body of the People Princes for just causes may be deposed If Princes be Tyrants their subjects are freed from their Oath of Obedience Populo jus est ut imperium cui velit deferat Penes populum est ut leges ferat sunt Reges veluti Tabulariorum Custodes The people have the same power over the King as He hath over any Person It were good that rewards were appointed by the people for such as should kill Tyrants The People may arraign their Prince The Minister may excomunicate Him He that by excomunication is cast into Hell is not worthy of Life upon Earth Objections to some of their Doctrines with their Answers Custome is against such dealing with Princes Answ. Nothing more dangerous to be followed than Custome Ob. We must obey Kings be they good or bad Ans. It is blasphemy to say so Ob. Jeremie commanded obedience to Nebuchodonozer Ans. The Example is but singular Ob. God placeth Tyrants sometimes for punishment of the People Ans. So doth he private then sometimes to kill them Ob. The Iewes dealt not so with their Kings Ans. Their Kings were not first elected by the People but Ours have nothing but from the People Ob. Shew an Example out of Scripture Ans. Sundry good laws in divers Countries though no Example in Scriptures Ob. Saint Paul commands us to pray for Princes Tim. 2. Ans. We may punish Thieves and yet we ought to pray for them Ob. Saint Paul commands us to be subject and obedient to Princes Tit. 3. Ans. Paul writ in the Infancie of the Church the Christian not ripe nor rich for such a purpose and if Paul were now alive he would leave Kings to be punished by their Subjects not to be accounted any longer King c. These and many more such not only held by Buchanan and Knox but by their whole Consistorians beyond seas as Calvin Beza Hitamor Ursinius Vindicae contra Tyrannos Eusebius Shiladephus c. And now was their former proceedings in Scotland Examined according to their doctrines for setting up their Co●sistorian Discipline The Parliament in Scotland 1560. being disolved and their Book of Discipline compiled by Knox and others which their favourites notwithstanding termed but a devout●Imagination yet they threatned the chiefest Noblemen if they should reject it some refused but at last it was forced upon all They appoint their Assemblies particular and general They exercise Jurisdiction and cart Saunders for Adultry And excommunicate the whole Multitude about a May-pole They burn divers places pretending of superstition Bishops houses Protestants also at Pasley the Bishop hardly escaping life The very calling of Bishops though Protestants became Antichristian and command them by their Authority to leave their Offices and Iurisdiction That they should have no voices in Parliament and desire that such as themselves should send might vote Commanding the King and His Council under pain of Excommunication to appoint no Bishops hereafter because the Brethren had concluded that estate unlawfull Beza their Consistorian Patriarch from Geneva had assured them of well doing and moves them Ne unqnam c. That they would never admit again that Plague Bishops although it might allure them of keeping Unity The Bishops being discharged they agreed of Superintendents but that device was laid aside and afterwards conclude that Ministers of the word should be equal and then began the Presbytery to flourish For then they usurped the whole Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction altering all lawes as they pleased They assembled the Kings Subjects injoyning Ecclesiastical pains unto them make decrees and execute them They Trayterously rail against the King in their Pulpits and being questioned utterly disclaim his Authority as an Incompetent Iudge That the Pulpit matters were exempt from the Judgment or correction of Princes They prescribe lawes to the King and State Appoint Fasts to the whole Kingdom when their faction were to act any enterprize Anno 1582. The King to prevent the dangerous consequence thereof divers of them were silenced and imprisoned but what was the Issue They surprize the King at Ruthen and declare it to be done for resisting the present dangers to Gods true Religion and for removing from the King the chief Authors The King being afterwards released that act was adjudged Crimen laesae Majestatis and some were hanged others fled into England Yet afterwards 1585. They avow the same and excommunicate such as would not subscribe to Them Another treasonable Attempt they had against the King at Sterlin Anno 1583. So that in the Parliament 1584. the Kings lawfull Authority Ecclesiastical was confirmed the Bishops restored and to be Treason for any man to procure diminution of the three Estates The Iudgments Senates and Presbyterian Iurisdiction discharged An Act made for calling in Buchanan's treasonable Book his Chronicle and his Iure Regni apud Scotos That none shall preach declame confer or utter scandalous words or slanders against the King or his Council or to meddle in State-affairs Sub poena c. And because they did advance their Modell as the most agreeable to the best and most Reformed Churches against Episcopacy it was examined the numbers that refuse their Sanedrim besides the Eastern and Western Reformers All in the Dutchy of Saxony Brunswick and Luxemburgh All those Churches in the Countreys of the Marquesites of Brandenburgh and Badu The Churches in the Earldoms of Henebergh Lemings Marisfeilt Stalburgh
Child should not be saved He answered No. But if you be called though in private to baptize him and refuse I think you shall be damned But he concluded Necessity of Baptism to be necessary by lawfull Ministers and none other and yet utterly disliked Rebaptization though after either Women or Laicks Here the Bishop of Winton affirmed that to deny baptizing by private persons in case of necessity crossed all Antiquity that the Minister is not of the essence of the Sacrament yet is he of the essence of the right and lawfull Ministry thereof the commission of Christ Matth. 28. 20. Go preach and baptize Excommunication The King asked Whether the Name might not be changed and yet the censure retained or whether another coercion equivalent He was answered that it had been heretofore often considered but Queen Elizabeth resolved to be Semper eadem and not to alter what she had settled The King professing That though he lived some time as a Ward under Puritans yet since he was of his Sons age the Prince sitting by he ever disliked their opinions though he lived among them he was not of them Opus primae diei The perfect Conference The Bishops Deans and Doctors and a Scotish Minister Patrick Galloway was admitted and Reynolds Sparks Knewstubs and Chaderton The King told them all the intent of the Conference meet for every King at his entrance to the Crown Not to innovate the established Government which by long experience he found was accompanied with singular blessings five and forty years as that no Church upon the face of the earth flourished more than this of England But first to settle an uniform Order therein Secondly to plant unity for suppressing Papists and other Enemies to Religion Thirdly to amend abuses being natural to bodies Politick and to corrupt man as the shadow to the body which once being entered have motion like a wheel set going and because complaints had been made he thought best to summon the gravest and most learned to hear what could be said and so wished the Oponents to object They four kneeled down and Doctor Reynolds the fore-man after a short Preamble gratulatory signified his Majesties summons by virtue whereof these appeared reducing all matters disliked to these four Heads 1. That the Doctrine of the Church might be preserved pure according to Gods Word 2. That good Pastors might be planted to preach 3. That the Church-government might be sincerely ministred according to Gods Word 4. That the Book of Common Prayer might be fitted to more increase of piety In the first that the Book of Articles of Religion concluded 1562. might be explain'd where obscure and enlarged where defective viz. Acts 16. the words are these After we have received the Holy Ghost we may depart from grace which seem to be contrary to the Doctrine of Gods Predestination and Election in Article 17. both these words might be explained with this addition yet neither totally nor finally and that the nine Assertions upon a conference heretofore at Lambeth might be inserted into that Book Secondly where it is said in Article 23. that none should preach or administer Sacraments in the Congregation without lawfull calling he said implied a lawfulness for any man out of the Congregation to preach c. though he had no lawfull calling Thirdly in Article 25. touching Confirmation grown partly of the corrupt following the Apostles being opposite to those in the Collect of Confirmation in the Communion Book Upon whom after the example of the Apostles argue saith he a contrariety each to other the first confessing Confirmation to be a depraved imitation of the Apostles the second grounding it on their example Acts 8. 19. as if the Bishop in confirming children did by imposing his hands as the Apostles do in those places give the visible graces of the Holy Ghost c. therefore he desired that both the contradictions might be considered and this ground of contradiction examined The Bishop of London first desired his Majesty That the antient Canon might be remembred Schismatici contra Episcopos non sunt audiendi Secondly that if any of these parties were in the Number of the 1000. Ministers who had once subscribed and yet petitioned against it they might be removed according to a very decree of an antient Counsel That no man should be admitted to speak against what he had subscribed and contrary to a statute to speak against the Liturgie and discipline established alleging what Master Cartwright had confirmed that we ought rather to conform to Orders and Ceremonies to the fashion of the Turks than to the Papists Concerning falling from Grace the said Bishop said that very many Men neglecting holiness of Life presumed of persisting in Grace laying all their Religion on Predistination if I shall be saved I shall be saved a desperate doctrine wherein we should rather reason ascendendo than descendendo Thus I live in Obedience to God In love with my Neighbour I follow my vocation c. I trust God hath elected me and predestinated me to salvation But contrariwise they use this argument God hath perdestinated and chosen me to life and though I sin never so grievously I shall not be damned for whom he once loveth he loveth eternally Whereupon he shewed what was the doctrine of the Church of England briefly That we must receive Gods promises as they are set forth generally in Scripture and do that will of God which is expresly declared in Scripture The King wished that the doctrine of Predestination be tenderly handled lest on the one side Gods Omnipotencie might be questioned by impeaching the doctrine of Predestination or on the other a desperate presumption might be averred by inferring the necessary certainty of standing and persisting in grace To the second it was answered none but a Licensed Minister might preach nor administer the Eucharist or the Lords supper and for private Baptism the King said he had ordered already The third point was observed to be of Curiosity or Malice because the Article there read These five commonly called Sacraments Confirmation Penance Orders c. are not to be accounted Sacraments of the Gospel being such as have grown partly of the corrupt following the Apostles c. Insinuateth that the making of Confirmation to be a sacrament is a corrupt imitation But the Communion-Book makes it to be according to the Apostles example which being read the King concluded it to be but a Libel Now for the ground thereof it was not so much founded on the places in the Acts but upon Heb. 6. 2. where it is made a part of the Apostles Catechism which was the opinion of the fathers and of Calvin and Fulk the one upon Hebrew 6. 1. the other upon Acts 8. 27. where with Saint Austin he saith We do not mislike that antient Ceremony of imposing of hands for strengthning and confirming such as had been Baptised being nothing else but a
once in three Weeks first in rural Deanaries and therein to have Prophecying Secondly and if not there resolved then to be referred to an Arch Deacons Visitation and so thirdly to Episcopal Synod where the Bishop with his Prebytery might determine The King started at the word saying They aimed at the Scotish Presbytery which said he agrees with Monarchy as God and the Devil then Jack and Tom and Dick shall meet and censure me and my Council and all our Proceedings Stay if once that Government be up we shall have work enough Sir said the King to Reynolds you have spoken for my Supremacy and you did well know you of any that like of the present Ecclesiastical Government dislike my Supremacy He answered No. I will tell you a Tale After Queen Mary had overthrown Edward 6. his settlement of Religion whereupon Mas. Knox in England writes to the Queen Regent my Grand-mother a virtuous and moderate Princess telling her She was Supreme Head of the Church charging her in Gods Name to take care of Christ's Evangil and suppress the Prelates But how long trow ye held this Even till he and his Adherents were shuffled in and understood matters of Reformation declined her Authority assuming all Ecclesiastick into their own hands and according to more light wherewith they pretended illumination made further Reformation How they dealt with my good Mother not allowing to her breeding a poor Chapel but her Supremacy was not sufficient Authority and how with me in my minority these times remember My Lords Bishops I thank you that these men plead for my Supremacy now they think you too hard for them but by appealing unto it as if you were not well affected but I say No Bishop no King I speak not at Random for I have observed some of their Gang to pray for my Person as King of England c. but for Supremacy over all persons they pass that over If this be all you can say I le make you subscribe or hurry you out of England Finis secundi Diei The next day of Conference appeared all the before-named and also were admitted the Doctors of the Civil Law Sir Daniel Dunn Sir Thomas Crompton Sir Richard Swale Sir Iohn Bennet and Doctor Drury The Arch-Bishop presented the King with a note of those points referred to consideration the alteration or rather explanation of them in our Liturgy 1. Absolution or Remission of sins in the Rubrick of Absolution 2. In private Baptism the lawfull Minister present 3. Examination with Confirmation of Children 4. Jesus said to them in the Dominical Gospel in stead of Jesus said to his Discipes The King reading the Common-Prayer-Book of Private Baptism They baptize not Children it shall be altered They cause not Children to be baptized and where it is said Then they minister it it shall be The Curate and lawfull Minister present Concluding that he aimed at three things 1. Words fit and convenient 2. How things might be best done without appearance of alteration 3. To be practised that each man may do his duty in his place The King said 1. The parties named in the High Commission were too many and too mean 2. The matters too base 3. That the branches granted out to the Bishops were too frequent and large The Arch-Bishop answered 1. That albeit the Privy Council were in all the Bishops Judges of Law and others but their imployment hindred their sitting unless supplied by meaner men Deans and Doctors 2. The fault may be mean that the Ordinary may censure but often times the Delinquent might be so great and so wilfull that the ordinary brand of the High Commission is needfull And for the third It was to be referred to consultation The King was shewed the three Articles which are to be subscribed unto viz. To the Kings Supremacy the Articles of Religion and Common Prayer-Book His Majesty said Subscription was necessary to prevent Tumults in the Church 2ly Because the Minister must answer for every Minister for turpius ejicitur quam non admittitur Hospes 3ly As a good means to discern the parties affection and to avoid confusion and he that would be refractory deserved to be hanged praestat ut pereat unus quam unitas Touching the Oath ex Officio the King prevented that old Allegation Nemo cogitur detegere suam turpitudinem said that civil proceedings only punished facts but Ecclesiastical Courts looked unto Fame and Scandal that there was necessary the Oath Compurgator and ex officio with moderation in gravioribus criminibus 2ly In such of publick Fame and to be distinguished as in Scotland where lying with a wench though but suspected was made publick to all the states and people at the stool of repentance And here the King described the Oath ex officio the grounds thereof the wisdom of the Law therein the manner of proceeding thereby and the necessary use thereof In so compendious and absolute order as the Auditors were amazed the Arch-Bishop said he spake by Gods spirit Then was committed to consultation 1. For excommunication the Name or censure to be altered 2. For the high Commission the quality of the Persons to be named and the nature of the causes 3. For Recusant Communicants the weak to be informed the wilfull punished The 4th thing consulted was for sending Preachers into Ireland He being as he said there but half a King over their Bodies but their soules seduced by Popery no Religion no Obedience to send men of sincerity Knowledge and Courage The last was for maintenance for the Clergie Then Master Chadderton requested that the surpliss and Cross in Baptism might not be urged upon godly Ministers in Lancashire lest they revolt to Popery instancing the Vicar of Ratesdale a Man that doled the Communion bread at the Sacrament out of a Basket every man putting in his hand for himself That letters should be writ to the Bishop there but if they were turbulent spirits they should be inforced to conformity and a time limitted Master Knewstubs desired the same favour for the Godly Ministers in Suffolk not to be forced against their Credits to the surpliss and Cross. Sir said the King have we taken pains and concluded of an unity and conformity and you forsooth must preferr the credits of a few private men before the publick peace of the Church The Scots Argument because they had been long of a contrary opinion Somewhat was said against their Ambuling Communions and Master Chaterton's sitting Communion in Emmanuel College But finally they all promised conformity and obedience and so parted that Meeting Chancellour Egerton a wise and learned Counsellour wondering at the Kings ready Disputes expert and perfect in Divinity said That he had read that Rex est mixta persona cum Sacerdote and now he sees the truth thereof in him A marvel to some in these our last times why no more able men to be found for them but
four I shall answer with a truth and no marvel That some years after when the Roles were examined that were deposed they were found to be but nine and fourty in all England when in Scotland they were reckoned above nine thousand so great a stir could so few make here or else they subscribed to keep their Livings and no wonder they were ever loth to lose all and many of them knew how to turn And orderly afterwards the King put forth two Proclamations the one To satisfie his Subjects for Unifomity in Religion according to the established Laws And Doctor Abbot and others sent in Apostolical Embassie into Scotland to settle the Church and spirits of the Clergy there as he had done here that every spirit led onely with piety and not humour might be therein satisfied The other Proclamation against Iesuits expresseth That a greater contagion to our Religion was eminent by sundry persons common Enemies to them both namely numbers of Priests Seminaries Iesuits abounding here of such as were before and since our coming and with greater liberty than they durst have done upon confidence of innovation in Religion and general Pardon at our Coronation do exercise their Professions and saying Mass and endeavouring to seduce the Subjects from their duty to us and to reconcile them to Rome To prevent infection with Superstition pernicious to the soul and corrupt against Alleageance is to debar the People such Instruments of infection and they are Priests of all sorts ordained in forein parts prohibited here by the Authority of the Laws of this Land And therefore against such they shall before the 19th of March next depart out of this Realm and the Kings Dominions and not to return hereafter upon penalty of the Laws in force to be inflicted without any favour The Reasons and excuses for this seeming severity toward that sort of Subjects is enforced from the peril of his Person by late conspiracy of confusion conceived by persons of that sort onely And this may satisfie forein Princes proceeds from providence to prevent perils otherwise inevitable considering their submission to forein Iurisdiction seems to dispence at pleasure with the power of their own Sovereign or strictest bond of loyalty and love between a King and his People And though it is civilly considered personal respects to the now Bishop of Rome in state and condition of a secular Prince yet observing the course and clame of that See no Prince of our Religion and Profession can be assured of continuance unless by assent of other Christian Princes to a general Council free and lawfull to pluck up those Roots of dangers and jealousies arising about Religion as well between Prince and Prince as between them and their Subjects and also to manifest that no State or Potentate either hath or can challenge power to dispose of earthly Kingdoms or Monarchies or to dispence with Subjects obedience to their natural Sovereigns in which charitable action no Prince shall more readily concur his power not onely out of particular disposition to peace with all States but by such union an amity might be settled to resist the common Enemy Febr. 22. Jacobi I. This did something allay them but not the Presbyters who by pens and preaching saies he strook at the very root of Hierarchy so that it was a hard question which of them were the most odious Truly both of them Neither Barrel better Herring for the Papists wrought in private and these that way also besides their pittyfull preaching And at this time died that learned Arch-Bishop Whitgift a good and pious Man whom Banckroft succeeded no great friend to them but to satisfie their violence he is intrusted with their directory a Manuscript compiled as they gave out to startle the next Parliament which they deliver to the Arch-Bishop but he pretending to have lo●t it when it was called for and they without any Copy devised another so different from the former as being afterwards compared the Parliament concluded that every new motion would alter their Model ad infinitum so unsetled they were then and are to this day as never to be satisfied with any as to our trouble and late experience hath been evident And which this most reverend Whitgift foretold on his death-bed the miserable effects of their violence Et nunc domine said he exaltata est Anima mea quod in eo tempore succubui quando mallem Episcopatus mei deo reddere rationem quam inter homines exercere But indeed Presbyters had so bitten the King and his Kingdom and now at his coming it behoved him to quiet them for as all knew it lay in his power to be Head of the Protestant Professours so upon this new access to these Crowns it was conceived he might alter all ancient Forms upon a new score who having bit on the Bridle so long at home it would concern him now to keep the Reins free having entailed Precepts upon his posterity to that end Instructions as frontlets and chains real and lasting and bequeathed to them as Legacies to after age forewarning his Son in his Basilicon Doron not to wrest the Word of God to self-appetite So now therefore he resolved to frame his own and his peoples affections to follow that true Rule of Scripture which suffered under several Interpretations he therefore commended it to the choice grave and most learned of this Nation and commanded them as they would answer at Gods Tribunal to be carefull therein painfull and just They did so and we have that blessing amongst us as the most perfect Translation in English of all others not without Exceptions in that also from our Adversaries the Papists and Sectarists The Scripture was writ in parts the most ancient Language was Hebrew the most copious the Greek and Latine the finest but as the Hebrews in their time accounted all Languages but their own Lognasim or barbarous so then that others might come to the waters of life we must as Iacob role the stone from the Well that the Sheep may drink of the waters of life we could not reade the Book for it was sealed And indeed whilest the dew lay on Gideon's fleece all the earth was dry but near before the time of our●blessed Reconciliation by our Saviour CHRIST Not of the Jew onely but of the Greek also then God raised up the heart of a Greek Prince by descent and Language Ptolomy Philadelph King of Egypt to procure the Translation of the Old Testament into Greek out of Hebrew which we call the Seventy Interpreters The Greek Tongue made familiar to most Inhabitants in Asia by reason of their Conquests and also understood in many places of Europe and Africa but yet not so acceptable to some no not of the Iews For not long after Christ Aquila Theodosia Symmachus and others translate it again these with the Seventy made up the Hexapla and all together were compiled by Saint
annexed to the Imperial Crown of the Realm Thus oblig'd to their duty they chuse a Speaker whom they accompany to the King whose Election they desire him to ratifie whom the King usually is pleased with which done the Speaker in his own and the House of Commons name gives thanks and beseeches That the Lower House may use their Privileges and freedom of debating That if any therein shall happen to be more earnest in his own opinion his Majesty will vouchsafe not to take it ill nor be angry and that they may have access to the Kings Majesty or Higher House as oft as matters require which leave being granted they are dismissed Both Houses have free liberty to debate of matters propounded by the King or touching making or abrogating Laws and to determine to commit to writing what is to be transmitted to each other by Messenger whereto if upon debate had there ensue an assent by Votes the consent is noted upon the top of the Bill in this form amongst the Lords Les Seigneurs ont assentes among the Commons Les Communes ont assentes but if they differ both Houses not seldom meet or else principal persons chosen out of them to confer together in a commodious place for their meeting in the Painted Chamber there the Commons standing and uncovered with great observance receive the Lords covered and sitting and there they confer if they discord that business comes to nothing but if they agree they present it to the King which if he allows he writes Le Roy le veult and so as by a Soul infused into a Body it receives life and becomes an effectual Law forthwith to be promulgated to the People but when the King refuses to approve it he writes on the top of the Leaf Le Roy s' avisera sometimes he denies it in terminis and thereupon are reputed dasht The sacred matters the King permits not to be handled by Parliaments but Synods unless it may be for the force of Laws from Parliamentary Authority which they cannot so fully obtain from their divine verity The Deans Arch-Deacons Procuratours for the Chapters as also for every Arch-Deaconry the former being delegated by the Suffrages of the Prebendaries these of the Ministers meet in a place assigned to debate touching them where having first chosen a Prolocutor in the name of the Clergy they determine concerning Heads of Religion Ceremonies and other matters belonging to the Church as also granting of Subsidies to the King whose Results notwithstanding are not obtruded on the Seculars to be observed with the Authority of Laws untill as above-said they be allowed by assent of King and both Houses being provided That Civil hands should not intermeddle in these affairs Our Chronicles tell us That Queen Elizabeth expostulates with the Parliament for that they had appointed a Fast without her advice and were not restored to her favour but upon obtaining of Pardon Both Houses have respectively their peculiar Privileges To the higher House not onely to give counsels and to assist in making Laws but likewise to exercise the power of Iudicature and so of imposing Oaths in the more weighty causes as corruption of Iudges and Magistrates and in last Appeals which yet to bring back to examen without the Kings permission and Patent the Lawyers say is praeter-legal nor do they so unless the Judges of Law sitting by The House of Commons have Privileges of supplicating and craving Right or else the Accusers part never challenged to it self the Office of Judg save within their own Walls and on their proper Members and that extended no farther than penalty of Imprisonment or Mulct never having any right of pressing an Oath and therefore in a Statute the House of Commons say That seeing Parliamentary Iudicature belongs to the King and Lords and not to the Commons that they might not be obliged contrary to Custom to give Iudgment If any doubt touching the Election of their Members it was heretofore determined by the Lords House or by the Judg of the Kings Chancery If any of them had departed from the Houses without the Kings leave and both Houses also he was convened before the Kings Council-table or Kings Bench to undergo the penalty and was not punished at the discretion of his own House of Commons But they have Privilege first to debate and determine of levying money among the People This was the temperament of King Parliament and People in proper parts not harming each other for the Kings supreme Authority and Sword is as a sufficient power to vindicate the Laws from the Factions of the Grands and popular Tumults whilest in the mean time the Lords with that chief Authority wherewith they are vested of Iudicature and Legislation put a curb on one hand to the Kings Tyranny if he extravagate on the other to the tumultuating populace and in semblable manner the People by that their power of accusing whom they please and of granting or denying moneys are in a sufficient capacity to retrench the licentiousness of the Nobility and of the Kings Counsellours and break the Kings impetuous incroching on the publick The Laws have exceedingly provided That the freedom of voting and debating be not hindered through fear of insolent persons therefore none may come into either of their Houses with a Sword or armed The Members and their Servants not to be arrested for Debt or offences though of a mean alloy and if any so attached he may not be free but by a Writ out of the Chancery Seldom and that upon weighty cause would Kings create offence to so venerable an Assembly however it hath so faln out that excellent Princes upon too great provocations have reprehended the Senate and punisht some Offenders convening them before the Judges of the Kingdom imprisoned fined and put to death sometimes Thus by past stood the state of Parliaments when the King came in and calls one in March the King Queen and Prince some days before rode from the Tower to his Palace of White-hall in such Triumph as the several Pageants at each convenient place with excellent Oratory assured them the affections and duty of his Subjects as they did some days afterwards when the like occasion presented them in state to this Parliament And as usual with all Sovereigns his Predecessours themselves or Chancellour sweetens the Members with some Rhetorical Oration to the purpose of calling that Assembly and this the King undertakes now as best able of any Prince his Predecessours or any other Assistant for wit or wisdom to compare with him and therein he lays open his heart to both Houses in a very long Speech But because it is in print and bound with the Volume of his Works I shall adventure to abreviate here for some light to the Reader in this History which follows But then in this as in other his most eloquent and gracefull Speeches hereafter where you meet with any of his
if they escape there and go disguised yet they may be disclosed by many if the punishment were not death but only immuring in dead walls The penalty of Recusants in a stock would pay the charges Perdat fiscus ut capiat Christus Here we finde extremes in both Councils certainly there is a medium neither Execution nor civill destruction for perpetual Imprisonment renders a Man civily dead a better way may be if we could hint it And why not thus Let Preachers use the spirit against them not as usual to wast an houre-glass to skirmish against government and discipline How can we draw others to our Church without a foundation of our own not like undiscreet Dogs to bark at all but to distinguish A child that sucks Popery from the breast must needs speak the voice of Papists It was the Kings saying and distinction A great cause of continuance of Papistry in common people is That being fuller of Pagentry than Doctrine and the old sent of Roman perfume The common obedience of coming to Church more expected than the instruction of private families or by publick Catechising The first Elements are to be learn'd at home and were orderly contained in the Book of Common-prayer by instruction first and then Confirmation of the Bishops This excellent foundation laid by the fathers of the Church should not be despised by their children In former times Ministers haunted the Houses of worthyest men Countrey-Churches with the best of the Shire Prayer and preaching hand in hand together then Papists smelled ranck therefore for shame they resorted to our Churches and Exercises This was the Counsel then but start-ups with intemperate zeal and indiscretion fore-ran the authority of the Magistrate censuring whatever agreed not with their conceits and now a days we finde the effect The King removes to Greenwich where amongst the ranting Riders at Court one Io Lepton of York Esquire and the Kings Servant made Matches of Horsmanship with the most in Court and to approve his skill and strength for a good Wager rode five several days together between London and York and so back again the next for May 20. Munday he set out from Alders-gate at three of the clock in the morning and came to York between five and six at night the next morn sent him to London at six and seven the next morn he set out to York and came thither at eight and so within half an hour the same time performed it and the last day came also to Greenwich to the King by nine of the clock as spritely and lusty as at the first day to the wonder of all till another do the like The King of Denmark out of singular affection to his Sister Queen Anne arrives in England and anchors at Gravesend where King Iames boards him unexpected and brings him a Guest to Greenwich for a Moneth with such entertainment as Peace and Plenty could possibly afford and so curious he was to take a view of things within his Level about London that disguised sometimes he took that advantage but most unwilling to visit the Tower when he found it a Prison though from thence he rode in triumph through London presented with Pageants and costly complements to shew him the wealth and love of this People He might be shy to shut up his Person having by the Law of Nations submitted his freedom by entring the bounds of another Prince without leave The Earl of Flanders found the effects when in his return from thence to possess his Inheritance of the Kingdom of Spain and being by storm cast upon our Coast King Henry 7. disputing some unkindnesses formerly received not usual with welcome Guests the Earl suspecting the danger was fain to yield to all the Kings demands which was hard in one point being to deliver up the Countess of Warwick and other Fugitives resident in Flanders that took Sanctuary in his Countrey and so had leave to depart The other and worse success may be from Mary Queen of Scots who forfeited her freedom by entring into England and afterwards her life by pretence of Treason as you have heard before though indeed she wrote to Queen Elizabeth for admittance but hastily landed without leave The Earl of Northumberland Henry Lord Mordant and Edward Lord Sturton not coming to Parliament according to Summons by Writ were more than suspected of the Pouder Treason and were committed to the Tower the Barons were fined in Star-chamber and after some durance paid the money and were released The Earl being deeply engaged was fined there also thirty thousand pounds and imprisonment during pleasure as all such Delinquents are which severity of Fine towards him was thought more extreme than usually since the erection of that Court he continuing Prisoner till 1619. and then paid but eleven thousand pounds in all the fate of that Family evermore false to the Crown as Sir Iocelin Piercy was used to say Seldom Treason without a Piercy Camera stellata belonging to the old Palace at Westminster and the 28 Henry 8. called the Starred Chamber then as now had one great Star affixed to the Roof and one over the Door The Court seems to have beginning from the Statute of 3 Henry 7. cap. 1. It is ordained that the Lord Chancellour Treasurer Privy Seal or two of them calling to them a Bishop and a Temporal Lord of the Kings Council and the two Chief Justices of the Kings Bench and Common Pleas or other two Justices in their absence should have power to punish Routs Riots Forgeries Maintenances Embraceries Perjuries and such like not sufficiently provided for by the Common Law But Queen Elizabeth enlarged the number of the Judges And so now it was honoured with all the Kings Privy Counsellours See Powel's Att. Acad. And though Delinquents were severely censured in terrorem Populi yet there was usually a day after every Term where they met to mitigate the Fines and Punishments afterwards to a reasonable summ and Penance This I put to memory because that Court is suppressed for ever by the late long Parliament There was much ascribed to the Kings wisdom in the discovery of this Pouder Treason but the Iesuits had a note of Cecil's name in their Register not against them as a Day-labourer that carried some few stones or sticks but the Master Workman whose forein and domestick Engineers wrought in this Mine of discovery And therefore was he calumniated with many contumelious Papers and Pasquils dispersed like Iob's Messengers one at the others heels He takes time to consider whether to begin a warfare of words against those with whom disputes are endless because their end is clamor untill it was fit to express himself in clear terms lest any of these clouds which are unjustly cast upon him might darken the brightness of his Masters royal minde which hath been always watered with the mildest dew of Mercy and Moderation Amongst many he undertakes one directed to
the E. of Salisbury 1. Therein they acknowledg the late Design most inhumane and barbarous attempted by undertaking Spirits more fiery and turbulent than zealous and dispassionate to the general stain of the State of their catholick cause in the eye of corrupt judgments not able to farm away the fault of the Professor from the Profession it self which abhors the fact more than any Puritan does 2. They accuse him the Primus Motor to determine the ●ooting out all memory of their Religion by Banishment Massacre Imprisonment or some such insupportable pressures or else the next Parliament to decree more cruel and horrible Laws against them 3. They threaten that there are some good men for continuing their Religion and for saving of many Souls resolve to prevent it though with assured Ruine and admonish him that five have severally undertaken his Death by Vow upon the blessed Sacrament if he continues his daily plotting against them That not any of them know the other for preventing discovery the first shall attempt by shot and the rest follow and all of them glory in their own sacrifice to prevent the general calamities of Catholicks which by his transcendent Authority with the King is more than expected They tell him that for the easier digestion of the Danger two of the Attempters are so weak they cannot live three moneths the other three so distressed for being onely Catholicks that their grief dulls any apprehension of death 4. As for themselves that admonish they know no other means to prevent it he being the Match to give fire to his Majesty to whom the worst they wish is to be as great a Saint in Heaven as he is a King on Earth And conclude Where once true spiritual resolution is the weak may take sufficient revenge of the mighty A. B. C. D. c. His Answer 1. That the Panegyrical Oration of Pope Sixtus Quintus preferred the Murder of Henry 3. of France before the act of Iudith to Holofernes by which Gods people were delivered onely the Papists make ill interpretations where it fails in execution for otherwise Faelix scelus virtus vocatur and many other Authors maintain deposing Kings And wonders that those who imploy such seditious Spirits have not by definitive Sentence wherein the Pope is supposed not to err explained their assumed power over Princes for security as well of those which acknowledg his Superiority as of others which do not approve his Iurisdiction that Subjects may know their distance of fidelity to either As for the former practice by Excommunication it deprives onely from spiritual graces without so gross an usurpation as to destroy their being in nature The Writ it self De Excommunicato capiendo and others such proceed rather from the goodness of such Christian Kings to work better obedience to the Rules of the Church than from the power of Excommunication All Cen●ures of the Church having left life untouched Sive Ethnicus sive Publicanus Many Heathens teaching this Rule Bonos Imperatores Voto expetere oportet quoscunque tolerare He marvels at those dark Writings published upon this Accident against such as shall attempt against Princes by private Authority but leaves it a tacit lawfulness by publick Warrant like their gross Equivocation so extolled at Rome though it sunders all humane conversation Saint Austin refuses the Priscilian Hereticks in their Equivocation Corde creditur says he ad Iustitiam ore fit confessio ad salutem c. breaking out into expostulation O fontes lacrymarum How shall we hide our selves from the displeased face of Truth 2. That these Calumniations are like Adam's Fig-leafs unable to cover their shame for as he sought a covering Non quia nudus sed quia lapsus so is it their fault not their fear to cast imputations upon Prince and State Sed pereuntibus mille figurae So Nero set Rome on fire and after laid the blame on Christians The pecedent Reigns of the two late Sisters of different Religions more bloud in five or six years of the first than in five and forty of the second Hath this King shewed any print of bloudy steps rather qualified than added severe Laws And appeals to their own consciences judg and witness whether the fury of this Treason inflaming many against Catholicks the nature of sudden peril hardly admits just distinction hath committed any one act of bloud or cruelty under colour of publick safety Nam crudelit as si a vindicta justitia est si a periculo prudentia Nay the King pronounced in open Parliament after Not to condemn the general for particulars as a Prince of peace and mercy deferring execution which Theodosius wishing Se potuisse potius mortuos a morte revocare As for the imaginary Power of the Lords of the Council and himself of the Quorum he takes it as an honour to receive not onely injury but persecution in so noble a society who know that Counsellours for Kings stand for thousands or hundreds as he pleases to place them Their greatness growing from humble endeavours their merit from gracious acceptance and though they borrow his name as the Boutefeu to make him the Mark of their malice yet such as judg the spirit of the Pasquil will hardly imagine but that this Faction follows onely the body of Authority neither head nor members but also the Church and Common-wealth which like Hippocrates Twins have long wept and laughed together His greatness being onely in the eye of envy of those which ground their faith upon weak principles if they imagine his distinction a matter he says of so small consequence can clear them free from contriving higher practices 3. To the Protestation that the five Assassinators having their feet so near the grave their ghostly Father deserves less thanks to send them thither with Hempen Halters and in bloudy Coffins not the marks of Rome Heathen nor Christian for Victories were scorned which were barbarously gotten Mixt is vene no fontibus And the Arms of the Primitive Church were Tears and Prayers But such Recusants as do discover these pernitious spirits will discern the darkness and danger of that Religion lapped up in implicite obedience the Conscience and Treason growing up as close together as the Husk and Corn in one Ear to eat their God upon bargains of bloud Those that are full of grief as is said for being R●cusants Plus tristitiae quam poenitentiae more that their Plot failed than that it was intended Counsellours are Sentinels over the life of Kings and States The Laws which punish the Branches of all Treason are derived from Parliaments of two hundred years in force and so are our Laws made not by a few much less by any one 4. As for himself with whom they condition to leave off his Plotting against Recusants The Husband-man over-curious of Windes and Clouds neither sows nor reaps in season So that Servant that becomes awfull of his Sovereigns Enemies for power or envy deserves not favour
nor protection That the King hath not taken up wisdom of Government upon credit but carrieth still the Iethro of order in his own bosom disposing the mean causes to the Rulers over hundreds and fifties reserving the greatest to the greatness of himself And freely professes though he doth not participate with the follies of the Fly upon the wheel of fortune yet is he so far ambitious of his Masters favour as to be not so much his creature by the undeserved Honours he holds from his Majesties grace and power as in desire to be the shadow of his minde towards whose royal Person he glories more to be honest and humble than to command in any other Calling And to say that men resolved to die are Masters over others lives such power hath the least Spider by permission and if so that the days of his life were in their hands to take from him some moneths of joys so more years of sorrow but he believes not that the Mountains shake when the Moles do cast nor thinks he to purchace a span of time as for the fear of any mortal power Aut Deo aut Patriae aut Patri Patriae deesse Magistrates who converse with variety of spirits must undergo Tempests And their Glasses being done that glory which makes worthy men live for ever their Heirs shall inherit after them And therefore Suadeat loquent is vita non oratio Besides Romes powers are discovered her Towers taken and it is suspected that she will play so long with the temporal powers of Kings as their work will break down her walls so therefore it ill becomes their servants to slacken for fear of malice the Evening and the Night shall come upon them naturally one after another their faith shall ascend before them and their good fame shall follow after Et hic ●aculum fixit This next Session of this Parliament the Union was revived by motion of the Kings Solicitor Sir Francis Bacon to have the Scots naturalized by Act of Parliament after many subtil Arguments on both sides pro con and to allay the heat the King convenes both Houses before him at White-hall where with an excellent method he recounts all their former controversed Arguments and concludes with Reasons undeniable for unanimous consent to admit of the Union But to avoid their tedious Disputes I shall onely abbreviate the Kings Speech in answer to all He distinguishes his desires the Union which he seeks is of Laws and Persons such a Naturalizing as may compound one Body of both Nations Unus Rex unus Grex una Lex He unravels their intricate Arguments and sweetens them with his intentions 1. That all hostile Laws should cease because the King of England cannot war with the King of Scotland That community of Commerce is necessary He being no stranger but descended of their ancient Kings It were improper for him to be their natural Sovereign and the Nations strangers to one another and being both under the same Alleageance ought to have more freedom and better respect than Frenchmen and Spaniards 2. They all agree that they are no Aliens then must they be allowed to be natural That there was a difference the Ante and Post-nati of either Kingdom and therefore his Proclamations gave notice that the Post-nati were naturalized by his accession but he confessed that Iudges may err in that opinion who told him so so may Lawyers on their side but bids them beware of abusing either lest they endeavour to disgrace King and Laws who have power when Parliaments are not to try them for Lands and Lives 3. That there were some flatterers and would prefer the Ante-nati upon a jearing pretence to have their merit preferred in his service Mel in ore fel in corde But they shall know his Prerogative can prefer at his own pleasure to any Dignity though he is willing to restrain himself for respects to the English He urged it as a special mark of Prerogative to endow Aliens with freedom and where the Law is not therein clear Rex est Iudex he being Lex loquens supplying the Law where it wants thus he speaks as skilfull in the dues of Sovereignty intends not the pressure upon their love but with conveniency to both Kingdoms The inconveniences as from Scotland are pretended to be 1. An evil affection in them to the Union 2. The Union to be incompatible 3. The gain small or none Why then is there talk of Union They allege Reasons of the first from the body of their Act To remain a free Monarchy and not alter Fundamental Laws and yet it was urged heretofore The Scots greedy of this Union to attain to the substance and end These are contradictions but for their free Monarchy he hopes they mean not that he should set Garisons over them as the Spaniards do over Sicily and Naples He need not do so who governs them by his Pen and his Council-commands and his Chancellour there can govern their Tongues too not to speak as ye do what and as long as ye list without contradiction 1. He tells them the Laws of Scotland those of Tenures Wards Liveries Signiories and Lands are in effect drawn out of the Chancery of England brought by Iames the first who lived here and differ onely in terms 2. The second are Statute-laws to which he wishes they would be no strangers 3. The Civil Law brought out of France by Iames the fifth to supply the defects of the Municipal Laws In these respects the Laws alike why not the People First it is an Objection of yours that the King in Scotland hath not a Negative Voice in Parliament he tells them that the Form of Parliaments there inclines nothing to popularity their manner is by Proclamation to bring in their Bills to the Master of the Rolls by a prefixt day then to the King to be allowed by him and then given to the Chancellour to be propounded and no other If any man offers otherwise the Chancellour corrects him and being past the King confirms them rasing out what he doth not approve and if this be a Negative Voice he hath one Secondly that which seems so incompatible is the Union of the French and Scots He assures them it was a League onely between the Kings not the People the occasion was that England and France at one time solicited a League offensive and defensive against each others Enemies The reasons went for England being our Neighbours of one Continent strong and Powerfull Nation and so more security the Amity with England than France far off beyond Seas and hazarded to Accidents of relief Then they who argued for France alleaged that England ever sought to conquer Scotland and therefore never can be Friends The remoteness of France claimes no Interest and therefore more Constant and Faithfull and so it was concluded on their part But then it was concluded meerly Personall from King to King and to be renewed by their Ambassies
Sir William Hart then Lord chief Iustice in Scotland and principal in all the Acts of Judicature herein And first Sprot confesseth that Robert Logane late of R●stalrig was privy and foreknowing of Iohn late Earl of Gowry's treasonable conspiracy That divers Letters were interchanged betwixt them therein Iuly 1600. which Letter Iames Bour called Laird Bour Servitour to Restalrig imployed by them and privy to all had in keeping and shewed them to Sprot in Fast-castle That Sprot was present when Bour after five days absence returned with answers by Letters from Gowry and staid all night with Restalrig at Gunnesgreen and rode the next morn to Lothian where he staid six days then to Fast-castle where he abode a short space That Sprot saw and heard Restalrig reade those Letters to Bour and all their conference there annent who said Though he should lose all in the world yet he would pass through with Gowry for that would as well content him as the Kingdom That Sprot himself entered into conference with Bo●r therein who feared that it would be dear to him and prayed Sprot for Gods sake not to intermeddle for he feared within few days the Laird would be landless and liveless That he had these Letters of Restalrig and Gowry which Bour had in keeping and were copied out by Sprot and that the original Letters were in his Chest when he was taken into Custody These and other depositions written by Iames Primrose Clerk of the Kings Council and subscribed George Sprot Present Earl Dunbar Earl Lothian Bishop of Ro●s Lord Schone Lord Hallyrood-house Lord Blantire Sir William Hart Lord chief Justice Iohn Hall Patrick Gallow ay Peter Hewet Minister of Edenburgh and subscribed with all their hands Several other Examinations are attested under his hand with this Protestation That being resolved to die and hopes to be participant of Heaven upon Salvation or Damnation of his Soul that all that he had deposed were true in every point and circumstance and no untruth in them August 12. Sprot was presented in Iudgment upon Pannel in the Talboth of Edenburgh before Sir William Hart Lord chief Justice assisted with these persons Alexander Earl of Dunferling Lord Chancellour George Earl of Dunbar Lord Treasurer Iohn Arch-Bishop of Glasco David Bishop of Rosse Bishop of Galloway Bishop of Brechin Earl of Crawford Earl of Lotharine Lord Abernethe Lord Balmerinoth Lord Blantire Lord Burly Sir Richard Cowburn Iohn Preston Colonel General Sir Iohn Skew Register He was pursued by Sir Thomas Hamilton Knight Advocate to the King for Enteries of the Crimes contained in his Indictments as followeth George Sprot Notary in Aymouth You are indicted and accused for as much as Iohn sometime Earl of Gowry having most treasonably conspired in the moneth of Iuly 1600. to murder our gracious Sovereign the Kings most Excellent Majesty and having imparted that devilish purpose to Robert Logame of Restalrig who allowed of the same and most willingly to be partaker thereof the same coming to your knowledg at the times and in the manner particularly after mentioned you most maliciously and treasonably concealed the same and was art and part thereof And first in the moneth of Iuly 1600. after you had perceived and known that divers Letters and Messages had past betwixt the said Iohn Earl Gowry and the said Robert Logame of Restalrig you being in the house of Fast-castle you saw and read a Letter written by the said Restalrig with his own hand to the said Earl Gowry MY Lord c. At the receit of your Letter I am so confuted that I can neither utter my joy nor finde my self able to requite your Lordship with due thanks and be your Lordship assured that in that matter I shall be as forward for your Honour as if it were my own cause and I think there is no Christian that would not revenge that Machiavilian Massacring of our dear Friends though with hazard of Life and Lands and all My heart can binde me to take part in that matter as your Lordship shall finde proof But one thing your Lordship must be circumspect and earnest with your Brother that he be not rash in any Speeches touching the purpose of Padua And a certain space after the execution of the said Treason the said Logame having desired the Laird of Bour to deliver to him the said Letter or else to burn it and Bour having delivered to you all Tickets and Letters which he then had either concerning Restalrig or others to sue them because he could not reade you abstracted them and retain'd the said Writings in your own hands and divers times read them containing further viz. MY Lord you may easily understand that such a purpose cannot be done as your Lordship intendeth rashly but with deliberation And for my self it were meet to have the men your Lordship spake of ready in a Boat or Bark and address them as if they were taking pleasure on the Sea in such fair Summer time And for your Lordship either to come to my house Fast-castle by Sea or to send your Brother I shall have the House very quiet and well provided after your Lordships advertisement and none shall have access to haunt the place during your abode here And if your Lordship doubt of safe landing I shall provide all such necessaries as may serve for your arrival within a flight-shoot of the House and perswade your self to be as quiet here while we have settled our Plot as if in your Chamber for I trust and am assured we shall have word from them your Lordship knows of within few days for I have a care to see what Ships come by Your Lordship knows I have kept up Lord Bothwell in my house quietly in his greatest extremities in spite of King and Council I hope if all things come to pass as I trust they shall to have both your Lordships at a good Dinner ere I die Haec jocose To animate your Lordship I doubt not all will be well for I am resolved thereof doubt nothing on my part Peril of Life Lands Honour and Goods yea the hazard of Hell shall not affray me from that yea though the Scaffold were already set up The sooner the matter were done the better for the Kings Buck-hunting will be shortly and I hope it will prepare some dainty chear for us to live the next year I remember well that merry sport which your Lordships Brother told me of a Noble-man at Padua for I think that a Parasceue to this purpose My Lord think nothing that I comm●t that secret hereof to this Bearer for I dare not onely venture my Life Lands Honour and all upon his credit but I durst hazard my Soul in his keeping I am so perswaded of his fidelity And I trow ask him if it be not true he will go to Hell gates for me and he is not beg●iled on my part to him and therefore I am perswaded this will give him
abused in the Execution and he not informed but by them He advises them not to meddle with the main points of Governments his craft Tractent fabrilia fabri He being an old King six and thirty years in Scotland and seven years in England and therefore there needs not too many Phormio's to teach Hannibal he will not be taught his Office nor are they to meddle with his ancient Rights received from his Predecessors More majorum All Novelties are dangerous Lastly not to call that Grievance which is establisht by a settled Law and to which to press the King is misduty in the Subject knowing before hand he will refuse them If not convenient amend it by Parliament but term it not a Grievance To be grieved at the Law is to be grieved with the King the Patron of the Law and he allows them to distinguish between a fault of the Person and the Things For Example The High Commission is complained of Try the abuse and spare not but do not destroy the Court of Commission that were to abridg the Kings power And plainly he resolves seeing that Court is of so high a nature to restrain it onely to the two Arch-Bishops heretofore common to more Nor shall any man be to him more Puritan to complain as well out as in Parliament of defects therein onely grieve ye not at the Commission it self He desires them that their Grievances savour not of particular mens thoughts but rather rising out of the peoples mindes not of the humour of the Propounder that mans passion will easily discover him Petitions also though they be general are so to be distinguished The third general Cause concerns himself which he always leaves hindmost and had left it to his Treasurer being distrustfull naturally less eloquent in his own concernment That this Officer had already accounted to them of the Kings Havings and his Expendings which he hopes they acknowledg as a favour to be particularly acquainted with his State His Predecessor seldom afforded the like Duty he clames of them one of the branches being to supply their Sovereign but the quantity and time proceeds from their loves and therefore disputes not a Kings power but what with their good wills and wishes them as he to avoid extremes for if they fail in the one Supply or in the manner of Levy both he and the Countrey shall have cause to blame them And as the secular Nobility are hereditary Lords of Parliament and the Bishops live neuter Barons of the same and give but their own but the lower House being the Representative of the Commons give for themselves and others and so may be the more liberal yet if too much they abuse the King and hurt the People which he will never accept their true love being the greatest security to any wise or just Prince So they need not the fear of that Item by one of their Members In giving too much to endanger your Throats-cutting when ye came home He loves freedom of Gift with discretion He never laboured for their Voices to that end detesting to hunt for Emendicata suffragia But then as not to give him a Purse with a Knife So not to excuse and cloak their particular humours by alleging the Poverty of the People To such persons though he will not be less just yet not in reason to gratifie them when it may come in their way to want him He heard that it was propounded whether the Kings wants ought to be relieved or not Certainly though it may seem his particular yet being Parens Patriae and tells them his wants nay Patria ipsa by him speaks to them for if the King wants the State wants and therefore the strengthning of the King is the standing of the State and wo be to him that divides the weal of the one from the other And as a rich King is but miserable over a poor People so a potent People cannot subsist if their Kings means maintains not his State being the sinews of War and Peace and it grieves him to crave of others that was born to be begged of And if he desires more of them than ever any King did so hath he juster reason than any King had And in particular the accession of more Crowns in him so the more honour to Subjects and the more charge His fruitfull Issue which God gives him for their use of great expence and yet Queen Elizabeth notwithstanding her Orbity had more given her than ever any of her Predecessors The Creation of his Son draws near for whom he says no more the sight of himself speaks to you That he hath spent much but yet not to be spared the late Queens Funeral the solemnity of his and his Wives entry in this Kingdom the Triumph through the City and his Coronation Visus of Princes in person and the Ambassadors of most Potentates of Christendom could he in honor of the Kingdom do less than bid them welcome But if they will imbound his Supplies to the case onely of War so upon the point notwithstanding his intern Peace he is to send supply of Forces to Cleves both in respect of State and cause of Religion his Pensions the late Queens old Commanders of Berwick besides his pretty Seminary of Souldiers in the Forts of this Kingdom and also the cautionary Towns of Flushing and Brill beyond Seas his uncertain charges in Ireland the last years Rebellion brake forth there of extraordinary charge and a constant Army which he dares not diminish till this Plantation take effect the great Mote no doubt in the Rebells eys His expence in Liberality objected hath been given amongst them and so what comes from them returns amongst them 'T is true had I not been liberal to my old Servants Scotish-men you might suspect me ingrate to you my new subjects and yet assures them his bounty hath been twice more to English So then to his shame be it of your house that said Your Silver and Gold abounded at Edenburgh but I wish him no worse than to be bound to live only upon the interest thereof and but few of you that I look in the face but have been Suitors for Honour and Profit That vastness is past Christmass and open-tide is ended with him He had made Knights by hundreds and Barons by scores he does not so now will do so no more They need not now to reminde him the sight of his children as a Natural Man bids him be wary of expence As for himself he challenges any one far meaner to be less inclinable to prodigal humours of unnecessary things What he hath said may move each member to spare him so much as they would spend on a supper cast away at Dice in a Night or bestow on a horse for fancy that may break a Leg or Arm next morning Conclusion freeness in giving graceth the gift Bis dat qui citò dat his debts increase till
absolution to be given by any offers of his whatsoever and the like against Angus Arrol and Semple This was too rigorous and unchristian the Church being open to all Penitents And truly the inconveniences being examined from that time by the Churches too frequent Excommunicating of many persons fugitives for Capital Crimes The Kings Christian consideration herein was signified to them by his Commands That their Sentences of that kinde were far abused from the first pious policie of institution for such persons as have been cited before Ecclesiastical judicatures for capital cases and dare not compeir for fear of Life are yet excommunicated as Persons contumacious when onely their fear may excuse their absence and really cannot be judged Contemners of the Church And in truth the Venetian Padre Paulo in his Treatise did learnedly confute the Popes sentence against him for not appearing in a Cause of Heresie onely upon his just fear he pretended and had his Appeal justified by all good Christians and indifferent men Wee may resemble the Scots Courses therein to the Muscovites manner who if he be offended with any man commands him to send his head in a Charger even so they will the offender to come into Court and be hang'd which no Penitent would do rather to suffer sentence than to hazard themselves into Presbyters handling a second Inquisition and so in truth their Church suffers under scandall and contempt And accordingly their Assemblies were afterwards reduced to conform to Reformation herein The Clergies Arguments somewhat Canonicall if as the Pope they cannot erre That the Churches form may not be changed which terrifies the common Man from their Crimes But then let them be answered from the principall end of such Censures especially Excommunication which was reclaiming not confounding of offenders The principal use having no place that other Secondary Ends ought not to be respected The case of fugitives How could the Censure avail to their reclaiming they being absent from admonition Men in such a Case truly sorrowfull for their sinnee sentenced are in truth bound up by the Church whom God hath loosed But that Church evermore expressed their hot zeal of excommunication by their fire-brand Execution the pretended Sanction of their Sion The lustrous ray and beam of Sovereignty was intrenched upon by the Heir of the Earl of Eglington in Scotland being adopted so from him that had no Successor of birth or kindred This man was Sir Alexander Seaton a Cousin Germain and with this Proviso by will That he and his children should take the Name and use of the Arms of the House of Mountgomery This bold bearing came to the disquisition I remember in our Heralds office of which Garter principall King of Arms informs the King as an ill President for though Noblemen may dispose of their lands they cannot alienate their honors from the Sovereign fountain of all honours in his Kingdomes And so Sir Alexander was unlorded till the Kings grace gave him Creation some years after the honors of Eglington onely The King was had in high esteem to be not onely Rex pacificus in temporal affairs but Nutricius Ecclesiae in spiritual relations to the Church yet very tender to meddle in politicks of Neighbour Princes unless by Envoyes and Ambassies of Brotherly advice But for the state of the Church Reformed he was pleased to take upon him Defensor fidei with tongue pen and sword if need were And there●n he gave his reasons for every Christian King to have an Interest though in Aliena Republica And in his hunting progress having met with two Bookes of Conradus Vorstius who had the degree of Doctor of Divinity at Leyden in Holland the one Tractatus Theologicus D●o dedicated to the Landt-grave of Hessen dated 1610. the other his Exegesis Apologetica dedicated to the States 1611. Upon this latter book He dispatches commands to Sir Ralph Winwood his Ambassador Lieger and Counsellor in the Counsel of State in those Countries in his Name to declare to the States General Not onely his Majesties high resentment of the Monstrous Blasphemies and horrid Atheism therein worthy to be burnt and the Author punished but also his infinite displeasure to have him succeed Arminius such another Monster lately dead Divinity Reader in that University And though he hath recanted his former Atheisticall opinions it was too slender Satisfaction for so foul an Enemie to the Essence of the Deity The States General in answer do most humbly acknowledg his Majesties Princely assistance untill this time for preservation of their bodies rights and liberties against their powerfull Enemie introducing the Inquisition and constraint of their consciences in matters of Religion That the Curators of the University of Leyden by custome of that foundation have the charge to settle that Lecture and did elect and send for Vorstius in Anno 1610. from Steinford a Town of the County of Tecklenburgh the first that cast off the yoke of Papacy in Germany and so continue where he was Professor fifteen years and for Learning much admired by Prince Maurice Landt-grave of Hessen as worthy of preferment in any University in his Countrey And their Message was seconded from his Excellency Prince Maurice and the State of Holland in his behalf who notwithstanding had opposition by some against whom and all others accusers he challenged the dispute but they never appeared The next Moneth six Ministers accused him of false and unsound doctrine and disputed it with him before the Curators and six other Ministers in full Assembly of the States of Holland who all of them adjudged the Election lawfull and the man full of merit The next Moneth after that Certain Articles came over thither and dispersed in printed Pamphlets to which publick declarations were made by the States that Vorstius should be ready to answer the intention of the States being to permit no Profess●rs but according to the Religion reformed and grounded on Gods word and that if his Majestie were well informed he would in his high wisdom prudence and benignity conceave favourably of their proceedings they being confident that this business is managed with all due reverence to his Majesties serious admonition as becometh them 1 Octob. 1611. In the time of these Transactions Vorstius gives ayme for his Bookes to be brought hither accompanied with an other De Apostasia sanctorum and a Letter of the Author Vorstius to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury avowing the doctrine therein to agree with the Church of England and so that Book intended to fire the next Neighbours with this fuell Non solum paries proximus jam ardebat was by order publickly burnt at Pauls-Cross and both Universities The King continuing the Hunt to Unkenell this Fox writes himself to the States That notwithstanding his Ambassàdors propositions They proceed to provide a place for that Corrupted Person and with Protection and License to print his Apologie dedicated to
Savile Derb. William Kneveton Esq Norf. Philip Woodhouse Oxon. William Pope Rutl. Iames Harington Staff Richard Fleetwood Esq Oxon. Thomas Spencer Esq Lanc. Io Tufton Camb. Samuel Peyton Norf. Ch Morrison Kanc. Henry Baker Essex Roger Apl●ton Esq Kanc. William Sedley Kanc. William Twisden Kanc. Edward Hales Kanc. William Moynes Essex Thomas Mildmay Esq Essex William Maynard Buck. Henry Lea Esq Wilt. Edward Gorges Essex Harbottle Grimston War Thomas Holt. Som. Io Por●man Linc. Io Wray Berk. William Essex Ebor. Marmaduke Wivill Wilt. Fr Englefield Staff Io Pessel Esq Essex William Aloff Wor. Edward Devereux Dev. Thomas Ridgeway Cornw. Renald Mohune Essex Paul Baning 68 Knights 22 Esquires 90 These afterwards Doneld Thomas Blaxton Esq Chester Rowland Egerton Esq Norf. Roger Townsend Esq It is well known that Queen Elizabeth left her Coffers empty and her Revenue not ample for in Treasurer Burghley's times the profit of the Kingdom besides Wards and Dutchy of Lancaster was one hundred eighty eight thousand one hundred ninety and seven pounds per annum and the Payments one hundred ten thousand six hundred and twelve pounds per annum In which Payments these were constant per annum The Houshold forty thousand pounds Ordinary and now increased necessarily almost treble The Privy Parse two thousand pounds The Admiralty thirty thousand pounds 1. For support this King was to proportion his issues with his Revenues both certain and casual 2. By abating or reforming the excess of his Houshold 3. By raising moneys and improving the Crown Revenues For the first he could not well tell how to begin that Lesson for coming in hither with an increment of expence Himself Wife and Children and a large Train of old Servants to be new rewarded the Marriage of his Daughter very lately which expence in that amounted unto near an hundred thousand pounds and her Atd-money came but to twenty thousand and five hundred pounds And that we may see the Charge and Expence of this Marriage in particular I shall set it down   lib. For the Palsgraves Diet at his standing house 6000 For his Diet at his Instalment of the Garter 4000 For Diet at his Marriage 2000 For Lodgings for his Servants 830 To the Wardrobe for Apparel for the Princess Eliz. 6252 For furnishing her Chamber 3023 Apparel and Necessaries for her to my L. Harington 1829 Jewels and Apparel for her Servants 3914 To divers Merchants for Silks c. 995 The Lords Mask at her Marriage 400 For the Naval Fight of Fire-works on the Thames at her Marriage 4800 More Fire-works on the Thames at her Marriage 2880 To Sir Edward Cecil as Treasurer for her Journey from hence to Heidelbergh and for her Purse 2000 For setling her Iointure and charges to some of the Gentry to go thither and to take the Assurance 800 For her Transport to Flushing 5555 Totale 53294 Paid over to the Palsgraves Agent for her Portion 40000 The Total is ninety three thousand two hundred ninety and four pounds These Expences put the King to consider of the best means of Recovery so that several ways were proposed to make his Disbursments answerable to his In-comes and the way was the first work of Ordinary good Husbandry and might well be expected from a Paterfamilias yet it would not for the present Rebus sic stantibus become this King whose fame and honour as all other Sovereignties so his in particular stood more upon Reputation than profit and therefore he according to the magnificence of Royalty left that consideration and he had done reasonable well if not too much for satisfying his Train His second way was to consider of his great expence of Houshold now enlarged into several Courts King Queen Prince and Nursery and these being lookt into he was forced contrary to the royal and largest heart of any his Progenitors to come to Retrenchment and truly in this he was advised to use the means of mean people and others subordinate Ingram and others And first he removed by Proclamation a number of useless persons of his own Nation that unnecessarily depended upon the bounty of his Court and returned them home again Then he proportioned to each Court their expence particularly rated for personal Diet and Dependance Livery and Wages Charge and Salary And this was done without publick complaint of any pressure upon the people as hath been usual heretofore to Parliaments and by them redressed but prudently considered and so referred to the Council-table In ancient time the Houshold was regulated by Book-order and continued so to Henry 8. when Cardinal Wolsey for more honour to that Christmass King of immoderate expence settled it and so remained a ground-work to this present time being now so corrupt as that new ways were proposed in effect to put down Tables and to allow Attendance-money as France does or else by setting up the Hall again to the best first and most magnificent Order that so being spent in publick to the Kings honour the secret waste of Chamber-diet and purloining prevented for out at the Court back-doors most of the meaner houses at Westminster were maintained with food and firing the stealth of under-chamberers We all know what excess was usual in our ancient Retinue and Servants with blue coats and badges especially respecting the Garter of St George who were now ordered to lessen their number and afterwards to fifty Gentlemen and no more to each Knight of that Order heretofore an excessive number to vie it out who should bring most And to reform himself from the excess of his royal heart in gifts and rewards he published Orders and Articles in print in what manner his pleasure restrained his bounty and what natures he was willing to grant Having been liberal to the Scots whom he brought with him men of the greatest eminency at home thereby to binde them here with Free-hold Lands as also with English Tithes for what held the great Gascoign Iean de Foix firm to the Crown of England but his Earldom of Kendall here A neglect in Queen Elizabeth to draw the chief Nobles 〈◊〉 into England by exchange or gift of Lands to have 〈◊〉 them Free-holders here she might then have spared two 〈◊〉 her Wars 〈◊〉 indeed the Kings gifts in Land to the Scots unthankfully 〈◊〉 ●●●ttingly they sold conveying that Treasure into Scotland 〈◊〉 his great Design of uniting them here became frustrate 〈◊〉 we finde how many of them not so engaged have turned 〈◊〉 ersaries to his Posterity And I remember well not a penny given then freely to the Scots but gave alarm to every part of Englands Discourse Notes Copies of all privy Seals for money given and so shewed then in Parliaments Yet no noise of what the English had though ten times more But his free hand having stretcht his purse-strings there was a free Benevolence considered of from such good Subjects as in hearty affection to their Sovereign were willing to
themselves to search for mischiefs and being found to scandallize the State with them How these were nourished and afterwards fomented the revolution of time hath made obvious to all men and saves me the labour to set down the particulars It was no novelty then to applaud the former times and to vilifie the present for indeed her fame carried it current in a long continuance to have lived and dyed Royally and Victoriously without the disquiet of the peoples affections and being but a Sojourner in the World in respect of her Maiden-hood might be and was a blessing to her own times the impression of her good Goverment besides her happy memory is not without some effect which doth survive her But this K blessed already with Royal issue and whose fruitful Bed promised increase It was more proper and agreeable with him to be studious not onely in the Transitory part of good Government but in those Acts which are in their nature permanent and perpetual to his posterity rather to increase than diminish the Advantages of Soveraignty which he aimed at and for his part and time did perform but t is a tender subject to discuss I have done Yet I may add a truth That all the force and power of his Progenitours and all their merits and policies to boot for more then an age before her could never borrow so much credit upon their Privy Seals as she did during her time and left them all for this King to discharge great and vast sums Which shews that Necessities put her upon that piece of State when neither her Exchequer could afford relief nor the urgency of her affairs indure the delaies of Parliaments assistance For in truth she had strained likewise from her people in that way of Subsidies more then ever any Prince I will not say many that were before her She had the way to do it by complaisance of a Princess and he a King not affecting that Course failed of such effects For he was by nature more reserved than popular and had his virtues fitter for estimation then Love and did like a King his soul being planted higher overshot such matter as lay level to anothers eye And so as I have said some of these ways to get mony was set a foot this year 1614. and upon several occasions in his reign after proposed but not effected In those times of Trade the Merchant-Adventurer usually transported Our English Cloths white undress'd and undy'd and the Dutch had gotten the Art by the end fitted and stretcht them by their Knavery and so returned them to us at high rates of this the Cloth-worker of London complains which was soon remedied by Proclamation forbidding the transport and to countenance that Corporation the King was feasted in their Hall and made free of their Company the rather because their Cote Arms the Thistle is the Scots Embleme And over went our Cloaths accordingly dyed and drest which the Hollanders forbid to be bought by them and therefore dealt with our Fell-mongers and got over Our Woolls and the Mystery of making Cloth Hereupon we proclame and forbid the transport of our wools The Quarrel between those two Corporations and their respective gain is by the Merchant Adventurers complained of and for mittigation of their Mischief several warrants for some thousands of Cloths were sparingly licensed by wisdome of State to be sent over and so evenly moderating the mystery of Merchants that cozen each other and at their great Feast likewise the Prince was made free The King of Denmark makes a second visit to his Sister the Queen for fourteen daies upon no business of State onely his affections to her and jollity to himself with a Train of no more than half a hundred persons of honour and Noblesse of his own breeding to the Dutch Diet and Drink to which he was too much inclined and oft-times had his load for we were not wanting of our boon-Companions that waited on him for that purpose The Earl of Suffolk succeeding Salisbury in the Treasurership yielded his Office of Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold to his Son in Law Somerset as aforesaid and he the Place of Secretary unto Sir Ralph Winwood lately returned from the Netherlands where he had been Ambassadour Lieger of a long time The Summers Progress returns the King to London where had been some muttering of Overbury's death in the Tower discovered beyond the Seas by the Apothecary's Boy that impoysoned the Glyster and having his Reward was sent out of the way to Flushing where he told the Tale to Trimball the Kings Agent there by whom it came to Winwood's knowledg and so to the King and by degrees to particular Examinations Confessions and Executions of all these Weston an Apothecary Mistris Turner a Doctor of Physick's widow Sir Iervis Yelvis Lieutenant of the Tower and Franklin all accessaries But Weston being the principal actor it was therefore his turn first to come to the Bar at the Hinstons Court in Guild-hall where beyond Judg Cook 's expectation the man stood mute notwithstanding all allurements and threats that could be used and so was returned to Prison Cook informs the King that unless the principal be convict the accessaries could not be tried but by continual cunning and some fair promises of pardon Weston put himself upon his Countrey and was cast condemned and hanged Cook not content with that gets knowledg under-hand that Serjeant Yelverton an obliged Servant to the House of Howards had advised this Counsel for Weston not to betray any parties And this Tale was told by Sir Robert Cook from his fathers confession After all comes Somerset and his Countess and both condemned some that were then at their Trial and not partial conceived in conscience he might have been spared that Sentence and as himself says to the King That he fell rather for want of well defending than by force of proofs for I so far says he for sook my self and my cause as that I might be more condemned for that than for the matter And because it was a story of evil fame near and far off I shall put it to the test in a brief Narratory being pleaded before the Lord Elsmore Chancellour and High Steward for the Day and most of the Peers at Westminster Hall May 1616. in this manner A Peer of the Land hath this Privilege upon Treason or Felony indicted to be tried by his Peers the King by Letters Patents assigns some sage Lord of the Parliament to be High Steward of England for that Day of his Arreignment who before that time makes Precept to his Serjeant at Arms to warn to appear before him a certain number of Lords of the Parliament twelve at the least upon that Day at Westminster At which time the High Steward shall sit under the Cloath of State and causeth his Commission to be read the same Serjeant returns his Precept and calls the Lords who appearing by
name and set the Lieutenant of the Tower is called and brings his Prisoner into the Court to the Bar the High Steward then declares to the People the cause why the King hath assembled those Lords and the Prisoner and perswades him to answer without fear freely and commands the Clerk of the Crown to reade the Indictment unto him and to ask him if he be guilty or not to which he usually answers Not guilty and to be tried by God and his Peers Then the Kings Attorney and Serjeants at Law give Evidence against him whereto when he hath given answer the Lieutenant of the Tower is commanded to return with the Prisoner from the Bar whilest the Lords do secretly confer in the Court together and then the Lords rise out of their places and consult among themselves and what they affirm shall be done upon their Honour without Oath And being so agreed or the greatest number they return and take their places again in Court and the High Steward demands of the youngest Lord first if he that is arreigned be guilty or not and so the next in order and the rest each one answering I or No. Then the Prisoner is sent for to the Bar to whom the High Steward recites the Verdict of the Peers and doth give Iudgment accordingly Stanford Pleas del Coronae lib. 3. Poult 188. The antiquity of this kinde of Trial by their opinion is grounded from Magna Charta but others take it to be more ancient though there inserted Henry 3. but was brought in by the Conquerour being answerable to the Norman and French Laws and agreeable with the Customes Feudal where almost all controversies arising between the Sovereign and his Vassals are tried per judicium parvum suorum And if a Peer upon his Arreignment of Treason do stand mute Iudgment shall be given upon his Indictment and yet shall not be pressed to death but saves the forfeiture of his Lands Statut. Westm. Edw. 4. Dier 205. But if upon Indictment of Felony he may be mute The reason of Magna Charta aforesaid is there expressed where he is indicted at the Kings Suit of Treason or Felony the words being Nec super eum ibimus we will not pass or sit in judgment upon him but by his Peers but if an Appeal of Murther or other Felony be sued by any common person against a Peer he shall be tried by common persons and not by Peers Stan. Pleas lib. 3. Brook Trial 142. But yet this Privilege hath some restraint For an Arch-bishop or Bishop though Lords of Parliament in such cases shall be tried by a Iury of Knights and other substantial persons upon their Oaths because Ecclesiasticks cannot pass in like cases upon Trial of other Peers for they are forbidden by the Common and Ecclesiastick Laws to be Iudges of Life and Death You see the great regard the Law hath to the word of a Peer heretofore upon his honour and yet how many ordinarily break their Oaths in common And thus premised we come to the case of Somerset and his Countess First therefore Sir Thomas Overbury for a time was known to have great interest and strait friendship with the Earl of Somerset both in his meaner fortunes and after in so much that he was in a kinde of oracle of direction unto him and if you will believe his own vaunt being indeed of an insolent and Thrasonical disposition he took upon him that the fortunes reputation and understanding of this Gentleman who is well known to have an able Teacher proceeded from his company and counsel and this friendship rested not onely in conversation and business at Court but likewise in communication of business of State for my Lord of Somerset exercising at that time by his Majesties special favour and trust the Office of Secretary did not forbear to acquaint Overbury with the Kings Packets and Dispatches from all parts of Spain France and the Low-countreys and this not by glympses or now and then rounding in the ear for a favour but in a settled manner Packets were sent sometimes opened by my Lord sometimes unbrokened unto Overbury who perused them copied them registred them made Table-talk of them as he thought good so the time was when Overbury knew more of the secrets of State than the Council-table did nay they were grown to such inwardness as they made a play of all the world besides themselves so as they had cyphers and Iurgons for the King and Queen and great men of the Realm things seldom used but either by Princes or their confederates or at the Court or at the least by such as practice and work against or at least upon Princes But as it is a Principle in Nature that the best things are in their corruption the worst and the sweetest Wine makes the sowrest Vineger so it fell out with them that this excess as I may say of friendship ended in mortal hatred on my Lord of Somerset's part It hath been said that Frost and Fraud ends foul and I may add a third and that is the frien●ship of ill men which is truly said to be conspiracy and not friendship for it happened that the Earl of Somerset fell into an unlawfull love towards that unfortunate Lady the Countess of Essex and to proceed to a Marriage with her this Marriage and purpose did Overbury mainly impugn under pretence to do the true part of a Friend for that he accounted her an unworthy woman but the truth is Overbury who to speak plainly had little that was solid for Religion or moral virtue but was wholly possest with ambition and vain-glory was loath to have any partners in the favour of my Lord of Somerset and especially not any of the House of Howards against whom he had professed hatred and opposition And that this is no sinister construction will appear when you shall hear that Overbury made his brags that he had won him the love of the Lady by his Letters and industry so far was he from cases of conscience in this point And certainly howsoever the tragical misery of that poor Gentleman Overbury might somewhat obliterate his faults yet because we are not upon point of civility but to discover the face of Truth for that it is material to the true understanding of the state of this cause Overbury was naught and corrupt in his commendation the Ballads must be mended for that point which paint him out other and partiality must be blamed which now a days favour him in malice to the memory of the ministers of these Times But to proceed when Overbury saw that he was like to be dispossessed of my Lords grace which he had possessed so long and by whose greatness he had promised himself to do wonders and being a man of an unbounded and impudent spirit he began not onely to disswade but to deter him from the love of that Lady and finding him fixed thought to finde a strong Remedy and supposing that
ordinary custome lately entertained boldly to dispute the high points of his prerogative in a popular and unlawful way of Argument not heretofore usual Making them senceable how weak and impertinent the pretence of their Oath was in a case of this nature as if the Founders of their Oath His Predcessors were so intent in their zeal to be uncharitable to make a weapon to wound their Successors being an ordinary course to put off Hearings and Determinings amongst private persons Termly And commands them peremptorily not to proceed further in that Plea till his return to London there to receive his further pleasure by himself Your Oath being only for avoiding importunites to the Prince of Suiters in their own particular The King come to London convenes them all to the Council Table and himself takes in sunder the parts of the Iudges Letter and their Errours in proceeding both in matter and manner In matter by way of omission as commission When the Counseller shall presume to argue his Supremacy at the Bar and they not reprove his Insolency Himself observing since his comming to this Grown the popular Sort of Lawyers most affrontingly in all Parliaments have troden upon his Pre●ogative though neither Law nor Lawyer can be respected if the King be not reverenced And therefore it became the Iudges to bridle their impudencies in their several Benches especially the Courts of Common-Law who had incroached upon all other Courts High Commission Councils in Wales and at York and Courts of Requests For the Commission in Matter whereas their Letter excepted against his Majesties command to be against the Law and their Oath He tells them deferring upon just and necessary cause is not denying or delaying of Instice but rather wisdom and maturity Nothing more proper than to cousult with the King where it concerns the Crown As for the Manner The Kings absence before the Argument and yet his resolved return speedily and the case though lately argued could not receive Iudgement till Easter Term after as the Iudges confessed And for them to say that the case was private interest of party and party One of the Parties is a Bishop that pleads for the Commendam onely by vertue of his Majesties Prerogative And that they could not prove any Solicitation of either Parties for expedition And for the form of the Letter it was undecent besides to proceed and to return a bare Certificate without giving reasons therefore Upon this all the Iudges fell down on their knees acknowledging their Errour and craving Pardon But for the Matter the Chief Iustice Cook entered into a Defence That the stay by his Majesty was a delay of Iustice and therefore against Law and their Oath that as they meant to handle the Pleading it should not concern the King's Prerogative To which the King told him That for them to discern the concernment of his Prerogative without consult with him was preposterous And for those of Law and Oath he had said sufficient before Therefore he required the Lord Chancellour's opinion herein whether against Law and their Oath The Chancellour excused himself as to that of Law referring it to the opinion of the King's Council whereupon the Atturney General Bacon said That to put off the Day was no Delay of Justice nor endangered their Oath for the King's Reasons were onely that it concerned his Prerogative and required therefore a stay for a small time and advised the Judges whether this refusal of their did not rather endanger their Oath which was To counsel the King when they are called but to counsel after the matter is past was a simple refusal to give him Counsel at all And all the rest of the Council concluded with him The Chief Justice Cook excepted That the King's Council should plead against the Iudges being their duties to plead before them not against them Whereunto the Attourney replied That the King's Council were by Oath and Office not onely to plead proceed and declare against the greatest Subject but also against any body of Subjects or persons nay were they Iudges or Courts or House of Commons in Parliament and concluded That the Iudges challenge was a wrong to their Places and appealed to the King who was firm for them The Chief Justice replied He would not dispute it with his Majesty The King replied Nor with my Council So then whether you do well or ill it may not be disputed The Chancellour gave his opinion with the King and his Council Hereupon the positive Question was put by all the Lords Whether in a Case depending which the King might conceive himself concerned in power or profit and requiring to consult with them they ought not to stay proceedings All the Judges submitted thereto onely the Chief Justice excepted saying When that Case should be then he would do his duty But the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas said For his part He would always trust the justice of the King's command But the Day drawing nigh the next Saturday for arguing the Commendams the King desired the Judges to express Whether they would then argue upon the Kings general power of granting Commendams yea or no. They all concluded Not to draw into doubt his power but to insist upon the point of Lapse which they conceived to be of a form different from former Commendams and concluded to correct the insolencies of bold arguing the Prerogative Judge Doderidge concluded for the King That the Church was void and in his gift and might give a Commendam to a Bishop either before or after Consecration during Life or years The Judges being gone the privy Council resolved that the Kings desire was not against the Judges Oath nor against the Common Law to require and all of them subscribed to the same This Dispute was publiquely scanned and censured in favour of the Judges and on the contrary for the King but the truth I have really extracted out of the Records of the Council Table That you may thereby see the true scope of those times The State of Spain having little to do in Martial affairs K. Philip the third now in peace thought to spend some time in Treati●s wherin he seldom failed of advantage The late French King Henry the fourth had 3. daughters the one maried to the Duke of Savoy which the Spaniard misliking to have those Neighbours lately so great Enemies now to be linkt in love without his Interest conceived it good policy to indeer the young King Lewis of France in a cross Match to his Daughter Infanta Anna and to marry his son Philip to the Princess Elizabeth the second daughter of Henry the fourth And thus those cross Nuptials might seem to cement the affections of the three States lately so imbroyled in War which no doubt either of them had good cause to accept though it was said S. P. Q. R. Spain Pope Queen-Regent had the chief hand to undo the young King For the Father Henry the fourth had made
Cradle we shall find him as it were begotten to an inheritance of true Nobleness and Courtlike grace in more real splendour than others that seemed to appear compatible with him they being onely made so by hand His life indeed was intricate sometime struggling with the by-paths-of Sovereign-favour and afterwards of State-affairs Which at last and at worst infected him with the disease of the times more malignant in his Counsellors and other his Confidents then in his own conscience or inclination and so drew him on by various disguises of subtilty with the composition of his good nature till the remain of his life was involved into Ingagements unstable the effects whereof smothered him in the uncouth deluge of destruction I have no adverse aim or end on either side of these two Lords to embase the freedom of my Opinion or Judgement being tryed into some purity of truth by my own knowledge of the former and of this other by more exact account than by most men or by any other pen may be expected But I am not delighted to urge out this story of the Lord Haies as not willing to speak evilly of any person of his Honour unlike Our Adversaries that spare none For we should know that virtue and vice are inherent in Man And as it becomes us to tell truth when we speak of their virtues so with modesty and compassion to discover their vices Either of them being examples for the future that to imitate this to shun And I cannot but with compunction remind that the monstrous excess of the Belly and the Back by his first President became then the mode of those Times for great Persons the most part to follow and for ordinary people to put in practice even to this day and may be feared for ever hereafter The Sword being sheathed up in the Scabberd Peace and Plenty brought the Law into esteem the onely over-ruling power to set men even by the ears and make them the more quiet ever after But then Cases increased so common that Conscience was troubled to reconcile them and made a Quarrel of Justice it self between Sir Edward Cook Chief Justice of Law and the Lord Elsmore Keeper of the Conscience who had the better of the Cause to the others ruine The Case was thus Sundry Citizens got Judgment in the Court of Common-Pleas by a juggling Trick that staved off an opposite Witness the Plaintiff nevertheless exhibits his Bill in Chancery against the Defendants who sit out Process of Contempt and refusing to answer are committed to the Fleet. And for their Relief exhibit their Bill in Star-chamber against the Lord Chancellour Elsemore grounded upon the Statute of 4 Henry 4 ca. 23. That the Iudgment given in the Kings Court ●hall not be examined in Chancery Parliament or elsewhere untill it be undone by Attaint or Errour c. and so thereby he had incurred Praemunire and the Chief Justice Cook interposed and encouraged the Complainants The Chancellour acquaints the King who sends to Bacon Attourney General Sir Henry Montague and Sir Randal Crue Serjeants at Law and Sir Henry Yelverton Solicitor these men report back That there hath been a strong current of practice and proceeding in Chancery after Iudgment at Common Law and many times after Execution continued since Henry the Seventh's time to this day in Cases where there is no other Remedy at Common Law unto which the Iudges are peremptorily sworn And with this Sentence on Elsmore's side the aged Statesman leaves the Seat of deciding and sits down himself to his devotions leaving the Seal to be born by Bacon But the manner of the dispose is mis-told by the Pamphlet who makes it the Chancellour's heart-break to be rid of the charge when in ttuth the Term come and Elsmore sick the King sent for the Seal by Secretary Winwood with a gracious Message That himself would be his Deputy and not dispose it whilest Elsmore lived to bear the Title of Chancellour nor did any one receive it out of the King's sight till he was dead nor long after And because we may be assured of the Kings gratious favour to that grave Chancelour see what he saies to him in two Letters following writ every word with the Kings own hand My Lord These shall first congratulate and thank God with you for your recoverie and growing to health again for which I protest to God I praied everie Morn and Eve since you was at the worst as oft as I praied for mie self And next you shall be herebie informed how senseable I am of that disgrace offered to that Court of mine wherein you sit especially at a time so unseasonable It cannot but be a comfort to you to know how every Man censured the pertiallity and barbarity of that action and for my part you maie assure your self it shall onelie be in your default of not informing me if I do not upon this occasion free my self from fascherie of any such inconvenients hereafter I mean of such jarring betwixt my Courts of Iustice for I will whollie upon your information and advice what course to take in the handling of this business assuring my self that your conscience and care for my honour and service will set me in a course for making such an example in this case as may settle good Government in like Cases hereafter and so I bid you heartilie farewell Febr. 25. 1615. New-market James Rex Thus the King writes then and continued unto this grave Statesman such gracious Favours and esteem to the last of his daies for a twelvemonth after this letter and not long before his death he writes again To the Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Our Chancelour of England My Lord The Letter I wrote the last year from this same Town unto you proved so good a Cordial for your health as I am thereby incouraged to do the like at this time and as I both hope and praie for with the like success I cannot but be eztremelie sorrie for your want of health but I confess I am more sorry for the evil conceit you have of your own strength which makes me the more to presume upon the good Operation of this Physick of mine since I am sure it can work more upon your mind than anie other worldlie thing The Greatness of your place and the abilitie which God hath given you to discharge it to the honour of God and the great benefit of the Common-wealth is a cause sufficient to stir you up to be careful of your own health and even to fight against disease as far as you can but when you shall remember how evil I maie want you and what miss your Master shall have of you I hope that reason will be predominant to make you not strive but conquer your disease not for your own sake but for his of whom you maie promise your self as much love and heartie affection as might be expected from so thankful and kind a Master to
so honest and worthily deserving a Servant and so praiing God to bless this mie cure I bid you heartilie farewell Febr. 9. 1616. New-market James Rex Hereupon there was some appearance of his amendment which the Prince congratulates under his own hand My Lord Chancelour As I was verie sorrie having understood of your dangerous sickness so I do much rejoice of the good appearance of your recovery which Thomas Murrey hath declared unto me and of the affection and caee you have of my person and of mie Estate for which you and yours shall ever find me most willing to give testimonie to the World how much I respect those who are truly affected towards me I hope bie Gods grace to give you particular bie mie self and that God shall give you health and strength of bodie and mind that the King Queen and I with this whole Kingdom may long enjoie the fruit of your long wise and religious experience which wishing from my heart I end New-market Febr. 18. 1616. Yours Charles Pr. These being the last Letters and thus assured of the acknowledgement of his Masters favour toward his merit he takes leave of this Life the fifteenth of March following 14. of Iac. 1616. The Common-pleas or Comunia Placita is the Kings Court or Bancus Communis Anno 2. Edw. 3. cap. II. so called Quia Communia Placita inter subditos or controversies between common persons it was now held in Westminster Hall But in antient times moveable as appears by Magna Charta cap. II. And that upon grant of that Charter the Court of common-pleas was erected and settled and one place certain viz. at Westminster wheresoever the King lay and that after that time all the Writs ran Quod sit coram Iusticiariis meis apud Westmonast Whereas before the party was commanded by them to appear Coram me vel Iustitiaris meis simply without addition of place see Glanvile and Bracton the one writing in Henrie the seconds time before this Court was erected the other in Henrie the thirds time who erected this Court. All Civil causes real and personal are or were in former times in this Court according to the strickt Law of this Realm And by Fortescue cap. 50. it seemeth to have been the only Court for real causes The chief Judge thereof is called Lord Chief Iustice of the Common-pleas accompanied with three or four Assistants or Associates who are created by Letters pattents from the King and are installed as it were upon the Bench by the Lord Chancelour and Lord Chief Iustice of that Court. See Fortescue ca. 51. who sets down all the Circumstances of their admission The rest of the Officers are these the Custos Brevium three Proto-Notaries or principal Notaries called also Pregnotaries Chirographer Filazers in number fourteen Exigenters four Clerk of the Warrants Clerk of the Iuries or Iurata Writs Clerk of the Treasury Clerk of the Kings Silver Clerk of the Essoines Clerk of the Out-laws The Common Law is so antient we know not the commencement Lex Angliae peculiar onely to this Land Of long time following the Conquest ever more quarrelled for enjoyment of antient Liberties until Henrie the third allowed English men English Laws add in his ninth year granted the great Charter which himself infringed and thereupon followed fourty years Barons Warrs as Histories stile them until in his fifty two year that Charter was again reviewed and compiled and solemnly sworn unto by succeeding Sovereigns The ground of which binds the King per Legem terrae and what is this Lexterrae Leges Anglicanae fuerunt approbatae consensu utentium Sacramento Regum confirmatae Lex facit Regem attribuat igitur Rex legi quod Lex attribuit ei viz. dominationem potestatem ubi non Lex ibi non Rex So then Lex fecit Regem Not so neither Kings in England before Lawes but indeed Communis Consuetudo Regni fuit Lex terrae This being the Law without commencement as the Genius to all and Parliaments Statutes Prerogatives of Princes Customes of Counties Cities Burroughs Mannors are but the species of it For general Customs made the Law authorities Parliaments Limits Prerogatives and Customes consonant or disonant to Reason so much for Communis Lex But in practice say some the Chancery is above Law and yet duely examined that also is allowed per Legen terrae as a species of that The reason thus The Common Law grounded upon general Maxims they might be too severe or too relax and therefore necessarily requiring Equity Secundum aequum bonum sanam cons●ientiam And this Chancelour notwithstanding limitted by Law and erected by Law although it seems above Law For No Judge hath Jurisdiction without some grant or commission out of that Court under the Great Seal which is intrusted to the Chancelor No Judge can hold plea without an Original Writ framed in Chancerie and by his appointment returnable before the Judges and yet all these considered the King the Law the Chancery agree together The Chancerie then must needs be erected subsequent by the common Law to relieve and supply the Law in some cases where the simple subject was cosened by craft ignorance also may offend without malice Moses Law in divers cases Political and Ceremonial he could not decide uncleanness by touching the dead but referred it to God The name of this Officer is Dominus Cancelarius Angliae a a Cancelour do but then quere what he might cancel Some say it is Cancelare Iniquom legem comm●nnem Iudicare secundum conscientiam but this is an errour will the Law give power to deface her self that made it The Chancelour cannot stay the course of Law but onely injunct the person not to follow the Law not to cancel the Law for notwithstanding this injunction if the party will sit out contempt and proceed at common Law the Judges cannot deny him Indeed rhis Officer hath his name of canceling the Kings Letters pattents so much of honour to the Law as the other way had been dishonourable The nature of Letters pattents bind the King and his Successors and all Subjects though unfit or unjust the Judges of Law are co judge it void but cannot deface it nor the Seal but the Chancelour as a Judge of Law may but not by his absolute authority by his ordinary power and course of common Law is to judge of it and to hold plea of it and to call the party interessed by process of Law and so to repeal it by Judgement and then cancel it which no person can do but And this was done Transversa linea circumducere vel conscindere aliquod Edictum decretum contra Principem aut jus Reipublicae impetrari which cancelling is made with Lines drawn across like Latices and it is said that Judgement seats were of old compassed with Latices or Barrs cross waies to defend the Judges and Officers from the prease of people and yet not to hinder
such as will not be themselves but their wives and families shall be and they shall appear at Church sometimes inforced by Law or for fashion these are formal to the Law and false to God The second sort are Recusants whose consciences are misled and therefore refuse the Church otherwise peaceable subjects The third are practising Recusants they will force all persons under their power and infect others to be as they are Recusants these are men of Pride and Presumption His opinion can bear with the person of a Papist so born and bred but an apostate Papist h● hates such deserve severe punishment He is loth to hang a Priest for Religion and saying Mass but if he refuse the Oath of Allegiance which is meerly Civil he leaves them to the Law against whom it is no persecution but Iustice and the like against those Priests that return from banishment such also as break Prison they can be no Martyrs that refuse to suffer for their conscience Saint Paul would not go forth when the doors were open and Saint Peter came not out till led by the Angell of God Then he concludes with the Ordinary charge against the numbers of Al●-houses too frequent buildings in and about London and also the extreme resort of the Gentry to the City bids them countenance the religious Clergy against all Papists and Puritans and God and the King will reward their service Let us remind Scotland It was eight years since the Marquess of Hun●l●y had been excommunicate upon hopes from time to time of his conformity and reconcilement but increasing insolencies was lately committed and as soon inlarged by the Chancelour underhand favouring too much the Papists The Church complain hereof to the King the Marquess posts to England to palliate his displeasure but a Messenger meets him at Huntington with command to return him home to Justice Yet here he staies until he receives new authority to appear at Court where he humbly submits and offers to communicate But being contrary to the Canons before absolution a great debate followed how to hazard him to the Church of Scotland lest by the way he should recant and indeed the King evermore endeavouring to rectifie his conscience and to recover him to be a Proselyte The adventure was thus pieced the Bishop of Catnes now at Court must consent in the name of the Scots Kirk for the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to absolve him and the Form new devised so to do in respect of the correspondency of that Church with England The Scotish Church hears of this and interprets that Act as an usurpation upon their Rites which the King is fain to excuse in a long Letter to satisfie that curiosity and lest he should seem to take upon him to palliate so great a presumption of himself onely The Arch-bishop also gave his Reasons in writing without intrenching upon the independencies of so free absolute and intire Authority of Sc●tland And withall Huntley come home must supplicate that Assembly now convened at Aberdene for their confirmation and his submission which was solemnly performed And because it was about the end of the General Assembly we shall shut it up with inserting such Articles as may enlighten the Reader to the knowledg of the Kings elaborate care and wisdom in reducing perverse Jurisdiction to this moderate issue in conformity to the Discipline of the Church of England by which we may conclude the evident signs and hopes of a full recovery in time from their peevish Hierarchy which had been prosecuted in some measure from the very time that this King took Government to himself and brought it before his death to a semblable conformity with England and might so have prospered to perfection had not their and our sins since set a period to us both 1. That for more reverence of the holy Communion the same should be celebrated Kneeling which always had been standing 2. Not to be denied the Patient desperate sick in his Bed with three or four of religious conversation to communicate with him 3. The Sacrament of Baptism not to be longer deferred than the next Sunday after the Birth and in necessity in a private house by the Minister and publication thereof the next Sunday in the Church 4. That the inestimable benefits received from God by our Lord Jesus Christ his Birth Passion Resurrection Ascension and Sending down the Holy Ghost having been commendably remembred at certain days and times by the whole Church of the world every Minister upon these days should therefore commemorate the said benefits upon those set days and to make choice of several pertinent Texts of Scripture to frame his Doctrine and Exhortations thereto And because Confirmation after Baptism stuck in their stomachs and indeed the King was unsatisfied therein terming it a meer Hotch-potch and not clear to his apprehension But yet thus much was concluded That seeing the Act of Confirmation of Children is for their good Education most necessary being reduced to the primitive integrity the Minister shall catechize them after eight years old to rehearse the Lords Prayer the Belief and ten Commandments with Answers to Questions in the small Catechism used in the Church And that the Bishop in their Visitations shall bless them with Prayer for their increase of Grace and continuance of Gods heavenly gifts with them So much was done indeed and presented humbly to his Majesty with some Reasons why the same being novel to them were not as yet inserted with the Canons which the King did not then otherwise press as resolving to effect his desire at his coming personally into that Kingdom when his presence should satisfie with Reasons all scrupulous aversion About this time happened that difference in the Family of Sir Thomas Lake one of the Secretaries of State between his Wife and Daughter and the Countess of Exeter which involved him and his into ruine This Lake was a learned Gentleman brought up under Sir Fr Walsingham that subtil Secretary of State as Amanuensis to him And after good experience of his deserts was recommended to Queen Elizabeth and read to her French and Latine in which Tongues she would say that he surpassed her Secretaries and was so imployed all her time for he was reading as to quiet her spirits when the Countess of Warwick told him that the Queen was departed But not long before she received him Clerk of her Signet And he was chosen by this State in that Place to attend King Iames from Berwick And so sufficient he was that the King made use of his present service in some French dispatches by the way that he came hither which indeed Secretary Cecil had reason to resent as too much trenching on his Office And therefore craveed leave of the King that he might not attend beyond his Moneth to prejudice the other Clerks which was excused and he kept still at Court These sufficiencies of his enabled him in these times of gaining with much repute and
prefer him to a Deanary of Windsor and for better support with the Mastership of the Savoy This vext Count Gondomore the Spanish Lieger who intending to tempt him as the Devil does his creatures with a bosom sin that which they love had intelligence of his innate disposition to avarice with this he tampers afar off and with leave of his Master invites him to turn again from this so mean allowance and take preferment in the Conclave to be Spain's Pensioner there as almost all are with this assurance of the Cardinal's Cap he was cozened into the Court of Inquisition and so to the Gaol where he ended his days with grief and died a Protestant Professor in malice to the Papist or rather of no Religion The late sudden Murther aforesaid of Henry 4. of France left the Sovereignty to Lewis his Son and his minority to be supported by his Mothers Regency and she in miscarriage through too much affection to her Favourite the Marques D' Ancre a mechanical Florentine her Countreyman occasioned the Princes of the Bloud to seek their freedom by force which lasted not long after their several imprisonments for the quarrel rising high and D' Ancre busied abroad they plotted their business by a bold Captain of the Gens d' Arms De Vitry and effected upon Ancre's person with a single Pistol at the instant when he returned to the Pallace the Loure in Paris and his Corps had no other Balm for their Burial than his own bloud being dragg'd about the City by the Peoples rage till the dis-jointed limbs were left for Ravens King Lewis was young and engaged before in his Mothers quarrel but this accident taking fire as the Princes would have it soon won their weak Sovereign on their party and in policy perforce he owned the Action as the most convenient Iustice for quieting the Differences and so the Government taking hold on this occasion turn'd to the other side and had the better of the Queens Faction she being afterwards led up and down the King's Army under oversight as a Prisoner but shew'd to the People as if reconciled to her Son the chief Mover having paid the account upon the execution of his person This for the present which lasted by fits for some years as her Faction took breath untill that excellent Engeneer of State-policy Cardinal Richelieu had put her into a jealousie of her own safety at home and so opened a Gap whereby as in stealth she might get loose out of the Kingdom but Sovereigns leaving their Subjects are seldom sent for again and after much turmoil and tampering with several States and Italian tricks she ended her days very poor in Germany in the City of Collen And Richelieu succesfull in all his policies settled that Nation to his death in their due submission to Sovereignty which broke out afterwards Anno 1652. into like examples of former miseries The blessings of Peace and Plenty enthroning this King resolved him for a leasurely Expedition into Scotland in the opening of the last Spring which was not performed this Summer season partly to make good his promise when he took leave of his native Countrey to give them a Visit after some time of settlement in his new Inheritance And in some policy it was hastened now to be out of the way of address from the Emissaries of the French that unstable State now in the height of diffension whilest King Iames and his Court were thus refreshed from affairs and business here in as much prudence and splendour as the consideration of this Journey was necessary to the Design which our Historian with his Pasquil observations spends in ridiculous Riot But it was indeed by his presence to warm those cold Countreys with the beams of Majesty and with his precepts to warn that rebellious Nation of their feuds by example of their old French friends fresh miseries to settle the spirits of the factious Presbytery in obedience to Episcopal Hierarchy to pass some Bills and Acts of Parliament to regulate the exacting powers of some Officers in trust to give grace to the humble and content to all And forthwith a Proclamation was advised in Scotland and there published of the Kings Solomon like instinct to visit that Kingdom and therein gave them assurance not to alter the Civil and Ecclesiastical Estate but by reforming abuses in Church and Common-wealth and advised them to all accommodations to bid him and his welcome These directions were accompanied with others of State and amongst them for repairing and orderly adorning his Chapel and Officers sent out of England with necessaries and some Portraits and Pictures of the Apostles carved for the Pews and Stalls but the People exclame at such sights That Images were to be set up The Organs were come before and after comes Mass. The King was angry at their ignorance and sent them word to distinguish betwixt Pictures intended for Ornament and Decoration and Images erected for Worship and Adoration Resembling such men to the Constable of Castile who being to swear the Peace concluded with Spain and to be performed in the Kings Chapel where some Anthems were to be sung desired that Gods Name might not be used therein otherwise he would be content with any thing else So the Scots Kirk can endure Dogs Bears and Bulls nay Devils dressings to be figured in Churches but not the Patriarchs nor Apostles He come to Berwick in May and there it was advised to prorogue the Parliament to Iune 13. which gave the King time to progress through the Countrey making his entry in the special Burghs and Towns after the most magnificent manner and welcomed with all the expressions of cost and glory that ever that poor Nation had been put unto that some effects might seem to make good the Scots Rants of their gude Countrey And because it hath been since surmized that nothing was acted there in order to the service of that Nation we shall trouble the Reader with some particulars The King enters their Parliament with Rules for establishing Religion and Iustice and a regard to the Ministers of both for notwithstanding the many years Profession of Reformation numbers of Churches remained unplanted and those that were wanted maintenance advising that Commissioners might regulate a local stipend to each Minister He remembred them of his continual care and pains heretofore and since for placing Iustices and Constables to preserve the Peace and execute Laws which he said had been neglected by some by the small regard shewed unto them from others of higher rank But as he would have them know such Officers to be of honourable esteem so none could deserve better at his hands than those that countenanced them and those others Enemies to the Crown and quiet of the Kingdom That he had long endeavoured to civilize men from their barbarous customs having made some progress by remove of the persons or by extinct of their Feuds and in place
thereof established Civility and Iustice and to his lives end he would never leave to do his best endeavours untill he might say of Scotland as one of the Emperours said of Rome Inveni lateritiam relinquo marmoream Indeed the Countrey affords more of Stone than Tile-shard They come to vote Commissioners upon the Articles of Religion whom the King commends they refuse and evermore Officers of State are suspected partial for the King and therefore they admit but of three the Chancellour Treasurer and Clerk of the Rolls They begin with the chiefest Article That what soever should be concluded by the King and the Bishops in matters of external policy should be an Ecclesiastical Law Not that the King was against the advice and assistance of a competent number of the grave and learned Ministers but to be over-ruled said he as in your former General Assemblies I shall never agree The Bishops must rule the Ministers and the King govern both in matters indifferent and not repugnant to Gods Word and so that Ariicle was formed and passe● Hereupon the Ministers mutiny that their Discipline should be formed to all the Ceremonies of England and Struthers in his next Sermon condemning all those Rites prayed God to save Scotland from the same sin And thus set on they frame a Protestation to the King in Parliament First against that Article and therein if remedy be not provided they shall be forced to other effects For freedom of their Church and discharge of their Consciences Their Reasons they reduce into Arguments 1. Their Reformation That the purity in Doctrine Sacraments Discipline and Order thereof hath been acknowledged rather as a Patern to be followed by all Reformed Churches of Europe than now to be put to seek it from such as never attained to it 2. That their General Assemblies formerly established to constitute and make Canons will be utterly overthrown That hitherto their Church nearest the divine and Apostolical Institution and so hath lived long without Schism and rent may now by introducing Novelties be miserably overthrown That his Majesties gracious assurance by his Letters this last Winter against all alteration of Religion and so hath been intimated in Pulpits when Rumours were dispersed of intended conformity with England These they pray may be sufficient to warn the King and Parliament not to oppress their poor Church and give grief to millions of men that otherwise would rejoice at his Majesties presence And so they resolve that rather than submit they are prepared to incur censure and to oppose This Protestation they commit to the most mad-headed man amongst them one Hewet but some of the wiser sort fearing the success desire the Arch-bishop of St Andrews to suppress it He meeting Hewet desires to peruse it and blaming the man keeps the Writing the other seizes the Paper and thus striving in the next Room the King hastily comes out and sternly fronts the Fellow who falls down of his knees and craves pardon for the Protestation professing never more to meddle therein However the King wisely suspecting some others of the same Phrensie for the present commanded that Article of the Kings Crown-prerogative not to be read till the policy of a fitter time the rest of them being read and concluded the King takes his leave and loving farewell But the Bishops had warning to summon some principal Ministers and with them to meet him at St. Andrews 10. of Iuly where the King greets them How great my care hath been for the Church saith he since I had authority and power to perform it your consciences cannot but confess I need not tell you I seek no thanks God knows my heart for true worship of him and decent order in the Church whilest I resolved of this Iourney to visit you I gave you warning to insert some Articles into your Acts of the Church those were anniversary commemorations of Christ's blessings to man as his Nativity Passion Resurrection Ascension and Descent of the Spirit another for private use of both Sacraments a third for reverend administration of the Communion and a fourth for catechising and confirming children by Bishops I was answered that they had not been moved in any of the Churches Assembly and so I was silent And lately desiring but my Prerogative to be declared in making Ecclesiastical Laws ye mutined and protested against me But I pass all amongst many other wrongs frequent from you The Errand I have now is to know your Arguments why the same ought not to be granted Reason shall ever guide me and if my Demands are so just and religious too I will not be refused nor resisted And with that browing upon them with a full eye majestical and stern They all fell down on their knees The King went on It is a power innate a princely special Prerogative which Christian Kings have to order and dispose external things in the outward policy of the Church as We with our Bishops advice shall think ●it And Sirs said he for your approving or disproving deeceive not your selves Me ye shall not I will have my Reason not opposed They were all becom new men humbly besought they might confer and so return an uniform Answer which in two hours space produces a Retition for a General Assembly wherein all his Majesties Articles being proponed they might with common consent be received I says the King but what assurance have I of their consenting They protested that they saw no reason to the contrary But if it be otherwise and your reason now be none of theirs then the Articles refused my difficulty the more and when I shall hereafter put my own Authority in use I shall be pulpited a Tyrant Persecutour Ye were wont so to do All crying out That none durst be so mad Yet experience tells me says he that it hath been so therefore unless I be sure I shall not grant your Assembly They craved the Arch-bishop of St Andrews to answer for them but he refused having been formerly deceived At length they procured leave to assemble in November next at St Andrews Simson that subscribed to the Protestation writes to his Brethren those Articles which he calls Tricas Anglicanas the Letter-carrier was Catherwood who for his insolency to the Kings face was committed and after banished and Simson sent to Edenburgh Castle where he lay till December And so the King returns to England by the West parts and at Dunfres had his farewell Sermon by the Bishop of Galloway which made the hearers heavy at their hearts The King gone home the Assembly met but willingly would have delayed their Conclusion of the five Articles till they might inform their Flocks of the equity of them and so they went away which the King considers as an high contempt and breach of their promise and commands the Bishops of St Andrews and of Glascow precisely in their own persons to keep Christmass day next preaching of Texts according to
to make up out of Adventurers purses for Gold-Mettal from a Mine in Guiana one of the Countreys of America upon no other ground to win belief but a pound of the Ore which he had from thence by the hands of Capt. Kemish his ancient Servant The King wondering at this man why to hazard his future fortune upon the nice dispute with the King of Spain whose Territory he must invade at his own perill of success but yet gave him leave with his liberty so be that he broke not the Kings bands of Amity which he had strickt rules and order to observe The French Lieger had been very earnest for his inlargement with much affection to his deserts and some design of Policy against Spain wherein they two waded so far as that the discovery came to the Kings ears not without intrenching by the by upon his Majesties honour and several commissions from France presented to him to fit him to that purpose wherein he was warily watcht till it should ripen for further tryal and at the worst back-friends were to be put aboard to bring him back again And having got Commission and thereupon a company of his own Countrymen they imbarque with him in a Voyage thither with a compleat Fleet of twelve sail and landed at St. Tomazo a Town of the Spaniards killed five hundred men sacked and burnt it of five of their Fleet it may be said as of the old saying They went up the River and so came down again for rhe Design being the River Oremque in Guiana to discover the Mine at the foot of a Mountain up in the Countrey they were opposed by the Inhabitants Spaniards and Natives and so returned to their company This expedition was grounded at the first only upon Kemish information the Miscarriages that might happen was alwaies cunningly resolved to light upon him for satisfaction of the Adventurers To answer it to the King his intent was never to return but by his own mannagement and the obedience of his Company over whom he had commission of Life and Death he dreamed of nothing less then of a prosperous journey And now to frighten Kemish Raleigh threatens him with the Kings displeasure which to avoid sayes the Storian The poor man pistols himself and so no tales could be truly told He dead the most minded forced their own and his return home which he intended any where else and so some of their scattered ships with him more like a Prisoner than Commander came safe to Kingsale in Ireland from thence to Plymouth where no sooner on shore but he is taken into custody of Sir Lewis Stukely Vice-Admiral of Devon and conveyed to London and so to the Tower with whom he deals for a sum of money presently delivered to him to escape with him into France Stukely yields to all accompanies him by Water where by the way to Gravesend the Design of Stukelyes treachery in that and so it prospered with him being hanged afterwards for clipping Gold they were seized and he brought into the Tower and not many daies after commanded to the Kings-Bench-bar at Westminster before the Lord Chief Iustice Mountague where he was questioned upon the Records of his former Arraignment at the City of Winchester and in answer to that he was asked what he had to say to his Sentence to dy like a Traytor His short defence was Of being lately intrusted by the Kings commission over the Lives of some of his Liege people was soon replyed unto as insufficient and he had judgement to dy the next day by the favour of the Ax which he said smilingly touching it Was a sharp Medicine but a sound Cure of all diseases as it proved to him then in his Ague sit in the Palace yard at Westminster Octob. 1618. It was indeed common discourse then that Raleigh knew of no Mine nor was Kemish assured that the pretended Mine was of Gold but that the piece of Ore which he presented Raleigh in the Tower was falsifyed by dissolving some Gold therin and he a better Chymist than Kemish for that purpose That both of them designed it so to be thereby cozening the world to get credit and afterwards to deceive the King to purchase his liberty But when Kemish came safe from the supposed Mountain without any Mine whom Raleigh expected should miscarry in the way and none but he could discover the deceit then was he destroyed by death but by whose hand it may be suspected not by himself And truly these reports were more then a false visard to out-face the truth of his merit in that action and thereby to weigh down Raleighs miscarriage At his death he endeavoured to cleer some points which he knew lay on the Deck against him His disloyal words of the K. undutiful language from Subjects of Sovereigns take deeper root than the memory of evil Deeds so did the Marshal Byron which cost him his head Essex once told Queen Elizabeth That her conditions were as crooked as her carcase Manebat alta mento repostum He said his Accuser was a base runagate Frenchman and perfidious being sworn to secrecy yet he betrayed Secondly To have had often plots with France He confessed That he had been often solicited from thence and that he endeavoured to escape thither at twice and the last time being got as far as Woolwich Thirdly That the French Agent came often to him with Commissions from his Master but it was not accepted Much he said of these as to the publick and of more things as to private which he did not deny but traversed So then there were other businesses of a second charge and confederacy which made him lyable to a new Tryal for Treason is so comprehensible as to take in even circumstances and out of them to make such conclusions as the jealousie of State shall interprete either for safety or Revenge But the prudence of the King would not hazard more having sufficient upon the old score and because he could not in Law be judicially called to accompt for his last actions his former Attainder being the highest and the last work of the Law whereby he was Civiliter Mortuus The King was inforced except Attainders should become Privileges for all subsequent offences to execute him upon the former And concerning Sir Walters recovery of Queen Anns infirmity for which he should beg a Boon viz. the re-examination of the Lord Cobham by four Earls and three Counsellors It being urged by an Author in the innocency of his cause and ingratitude of the King I shall answer as to my knowledge by the relation of some Ladies of her Bed-chamber and of her Surgeons and Physicians now living That she was never cured of her disease but by death that ends all Maladies We are told That Sir Walter set out his design to the King who discovered it to the Spanish Lieger Gondamore the Countrey Town Men Ships
Ordinance and all and he posted it to Spain thence to the Indies before that Raleigh could get out of our River and yet for all these tidings supplies were not come to defend the Town Tomaze We will confess that all these exceptions may be had under Sir Walters hand purposely so writ by him to excuse the weakness or wickedness of the event For the truth is the design though hatcht in a corner was published on the house top to purpose Contributers otherwise he must conclude them Mad-men or Fools Nay I can produce under his hand and seal with a blank for he left a hundred for other Adventurers to follow him for which each one gave fifty pounds to his Lady and therein was set down as much as our Historian fathers upon the King to Gondamore And that his own Conscience was satisfied that he deserved death before he was brought up Prisoner from Plymouth and so to indeavour his escape from Tryal see but the close of his own Letter to Buckingham It was saith he that last severe Letter from the Lords for my speedy bringing up and the impatience of dishonour that put me in fear of my Life or perpetual imprisonment which animated me in my late and too late lamented resolution to escape if his Majesties mercy does not pitty my age and scorn the advantage of my guilt if his Majesty does not make difference in offences proceeding from a life-saving natural-impulsion without ill intent and those of an evil heart And if that your Lordship do not vouchsafe to become my Intercessour whereby your Lordship shall bind an hundred Gentlemen my kindred to honour your memory and bind me for all the time of my life which you shall beg for me to pray for your prosperity and to remain Your Lordships most humble Servant W. Raleigh As to the value of that worthy Gentleman from whose descent of blood I am no Stranger certainly we may yield to him as much or more then is described by his Character But then those excellencies natural wit better Iudgement and applausable tongue c. might in his long time of recess by imprisonment through disuse of men and business become uncertain grounds to Fabrick such Designs as the natural man not supplyed with inward grace usually aims at and therein is mostly deceived such was he his fate and fall This year the King creates by Patent four Earls Sidney Earl of Liecester Compton Earl of Northampton Cavendish Earl of Devonshire and Rich Earl of Warwick Having paid the price a good sum for their honours so earnest some are and so ambitious of preferment as what they cannot get by merit they covet to purchase with money an infection newly crept into the distribution of honors not usual here with former Sovereigns The miserable condition of sinful man in sundry Examples of these present and of former times should mind us hourely to beg of God preventing grace least we fall into Temptations of sin and Satan Such have been the calamities of ages past at present are and will be to come Stories of Theft Rapin● Murthers and such like One of wondrous note happened at Perin in Cornwall in September a bloody and unexampled Murther by a Father and Mother upon their onely Son and then upon themselves He had been blessed with ample possessions and fruitful issue unhappy only in a younger son who taking liberty from his Fathers bounty and with a crew of like condition that wearied on Land they went roving to Sea and in a small Vessel Southward took boot from all whom they could Master and so increasing force and wealth ventured on a Turks Man in the Streights but by mischance their own Powder fired themselves and our Gallant trusting to his skilful swimming got shore upon Rhodes with the best of his Iewels about him where offering some to sale to a Iew who knew them to be the Governours of Algier he was apprehended and as a Pyrate sentenced to the Gallies among other Christians whose miserable slavery made them all studious of freedom and with wit and valour took opportunity and means to murther some Officers got aboard of an English Ship and came safe to London where his Misery and some skill made him Servant to a Surgeon and sudden preferment to the East-Indies There by this means he got money with which returning back he designed himself for his Native County Cornwall And in a small Ship from London sayling to the West was cast away upon that coast But his excellent skill in swimming and former fate too boot brought him safe to shore where since his fifteen years absence His Fathers former fortunes much decayed now retired him not far off to a Countrey habitation in Debt and Danger His Sister he finds married to a Mercer a meaner Match than her Birth promised To her at first he appears a poor Stranger but in private reveals himself and with all what Iewells and Gold he had concealed in a Bow-case about him And concluded that the next day he intended to appear to his Parents and to keep his disguise till she and her Husband should meet and make their common joy compleat Being come to his Parents his humble behaviour suitable to his Suit of Cloths melted the old couple to so much compassion as to give him covering from the cold season under their outward Roof and by degrees his travelling Tales told witn passion to the aged people made him their Guest so long by the Kitchen fire that the Husband took leave and went to bed And soon after his true Stories working compassion in the Weaker Vessel she wept and so did he But compassionate of her tears he comforted her with a piece of Gold which gave assurance that he deserved a Lodging to which she brought him and being in Bed shewed her his Girdled wealth which he said was sufficient to relieve her husbands wants and to spare for himself and being very weary fell fast asleep The wise tempted with the Golden Bait of what she had and eager of enjoying all awaked her hu●band with this News and her contrivance what to do and though with horrid apprehension he oft refused yet her pewling fondness Eves Inchantments moved him to consent and rise to be Master of all and both of them to murder the man which instantly they did covering the corps under the Cloths till opportunity ●o convey it out of the way The early Morning hastens the Sister to her Fathers house where she with signs of Ioy enquires for a Saylor that should lodge there the last night the Parents slightly denyed to have seen any such untill she told them that he was her Brother her lost Brother by that assured scar upon his Arm cut with a Sword in his youth she knew him and were all resolved this morning to meet there and be merry The Father hastily runs up finds the Mark and with horrid regret of this monstrous Murther of his own
truly intended by God to be given unto them in such sort as his Word and Promises do outwardly sound 4. It is consequent upon the former that the work of Redemption in respect of Christ his Oblation and intention therein is common to all mankind although many by reason of their impediments do not actually receive them Now this resolution of Our Divines accordeth with the Articles and Doctrine of the Church of England but none of the Foreign Divines of that Synod were of the same opinion for they restrain this Redemption of Christ both in application and Gods intentional offer meerly and only to the Elect. The Belgicke Confession is wholly confirmed by the Synod of Dort as appeareth in the Book of the Synod pag. 329. But the 30 31 and 32. Articles of this Confession teach That the Presbyterian Discipline is of Divine institution and that all Ministers have equal Authority and Iurisdiction and consequently condemn Episcopal Government and the Ecclesiastical Policy of Our and all other Churches which imbrace not Calvins Plate-form of Lay-Elders The antient custome of convocating Synods or meeting of Divines for comp●sing Differences in Religion and Reformation of corrupted Discipline was from the very four Apostles meeting at Ierusalem concerning the Gentiles observing Moses Law and from that example in a Province or City the Primitive Bishops assembled at several times for 200 years then following The peace and unity of the Church in CONSTANTINE gave ease for many Churches to communicate over the whole Empire and was called in his time The Holy Synod and not long after The General and Oecumenical Council though the Empire was divided Eastern and Western and afterwards amongst the Graecians from the Assembly of the five Patriarchs And in those Kingdomes from the Unity of States obedient to the Pope in Ecclesiastical causes which till the fifteenth Century of years so continued quiet unless in that of Iohn Husse and Ierome of Prague from the Doctrines of Iohn Wickliff in England In the time of Richard the second King of England who maried Ann the Daughter to Wincelaus King of Boheme And though he had no issue by her yet the conversion of Boheme from Popery may not unfitly be stiled the issue of her Mariage for they that brought her hither carried over Wickliffs Works anno 1382. to John aud Jerome So then England was Grandfather of Reformation Boheme the Father and Germany the Son Their Doctrines were against the Popes Supremacy as Antichrist they condemned Transubstanatition He translated the Bible into English and was burned in Leicestershire the first man that suffered the fire of English Martyrdome at fourty five years of age About the year 1500. appeared the first occasion amongst the Waldenses neer the Alps In some Cantons of Boheme called Picards but both of them then rather despised than feared their disciples were called Sub utraque receiving the Sacraments with the Cup and with the Bread against the Papists But their opinion of long time rather amongst themselves than communicable In 1517. began Martyr Luther an Hermite Fryer in Saxony that Covent being usually imployed to publish the Popes indulgencies he spoke against the excessive abuse of the pardons in ninety five Conclusions at Wittenburgh which Iohn Thesel a Dominican opposed in others at Frankford of Bran●enburgh by Ecchius also and Prierius And so controversie increasing matter of greater importance they were faln to strengthen their weak Arguments with the Popes authority as being the chiefest in the Church and not able to err Martin proves him inferiour to a General Council which he craves as most needful Whereupon he was cited to Rome the next year but in favour remitted to Examination of the Popes Legat Cardinal Cajetan at Ausburgh in Germany who could not convince him and in such policy backed by some Princes he appealed from the Popes Bull to a General Council The same occasion of indulgence collected at Zurick provoked Zwinglius a Canon to oppose Samson a Franciscan who preached for the pardons These Reformers and their writings were examined and condemned by the Universities 〈◊〉 Lovain and Cullen and the more opposing the more increasing The Pope remitted the dispute unto some Cardinals Prelates Divines and Canonists and their books were condemned and burnt And the Popes Bull resolving it the effect followed first at Lovain and Collen Luther and his Scholars did the like by the Popes Bull and Decretalls at Wittenburgh and justified it by a long Manifest to all the World And this caused a Diet at Worms which examined him and his answer moved the Elector and Others to favour his Doctrine but was condemned as notorious Heretical by Imperial Edict And by example so did the University of Paris Henry the eight King of England born a second Brother and therefore bred a Scholar designed for the Arch-bishops See of Canterbury writ a Book against Luther and had his reward and Title of Defensor fidei though upon consideration of Lust and Policy turned Reformer also The like Dispute and Measure had the Doctrines of Zwinglius and the rest and so these differences increasing did necessitate another Diet at Norembergh where disputes against the Reformers increased complaints against the Courtiers of Rome and were reduced into Centum Gravaniana and at the Diet at Spire as many more The horrid plots between the Princes and the Popes and general distraction of Germany and other parts of Christendome and by the seeds of the Reformed Religion at last to amend all or make it worse the Pope was forced to consent to call a General Council at Trent The Elector of Saxony and five Princes more opposing the Emperours Decrees and fourteen principal Cities adhearing they protesting against it by Manifest were now first called Protestants as from the Reformed Doctrine of Luther and the rest At the Diet of Ausburgh the Protestant Princes fifteen and thirty Cities prefer their confession of faith of Luther called from the place Augustine The Cities also of Zwinglius doctrine presented their Creed differing onely in the Eucharist and at home were opposed by their Neighbour Roman Cities and quarrelled it by War wherein Zwinglius in the head of a Company sacrificed his life for whom Oecolampadius a Minister of Basil of the same Opinion dies for Grief and from these of the Cantons came the name of Gospellers The horrid troubles discords and disputes amongst Christian Princes from the seeds of Reformed Churches controverted by several quarrels and Armies and referred to several Diets Colloquies and Meetings in Germany It was then at last resolved of the holy Ecumenical Council of Trent as the Roman Catholiques call it Opening at Trent in Decemb. 1545. In the time of Pope Paul the third Charles the fift then Emperour Henry the eight King of England and Francis the first of France and ended Anno 1563. Eight Bishops of Rome lived and dyed during that treaty eighteen years Our Countrey-man Campian
years before had adopted Ferdinand his Uncles Son his Successour but not to meddle with Sovereignty of a King whilest Matthias lived however Ferdinand thus far set forward himself makes way to the Dignity of Boheme and to prevent discovery from the incorporate Confederate Provinces who have Voices in the Election he calls a Parliament forthwith onely of the States of Boheme with express denunciation that in the Assembly nothing should be consulted but the choice of a new King The Electoral Provinces nor their Deputies nor Ambassadours not being present the Assembly was not legal The best of the States of Boheme therefore refuse to appear against whom was denounced such threats as frightened them with hazard of their Heads and so was procured a pretended Election for the present and his Coronation assented by the main party Catholicks The Crowning Kings in the life of another was of late a sure policy to unite those Kingdoms in the Austrian Family contrary to the ancient custom of free Elections which now neith●r State durst oppose To this end therefore and to suppress all future free Elections the Paladium of the Kingdom Ferdinand secretly compacts with the King of Spain without consent of the States and before his Election or pretence to any interest That the King of Spain his Posterity and Heirs for want of Issue male of his Fathers Austrian Line should succeed him in that Kingdom contrary to the established Rules of Politicians that no elected King hath power to alienate without consent of the States this succession exposed them to the loss of all and Religion also and enabled him to enfeoff strangers into each Province and into the inheritances of those Royally descended high-born illustrious Families and by which as was then suspected and since came to pass he should easily seize the Dignity of the Crown Imperial and so abolish the foundation of the Golden Bull and Form of Empire This while the aged Emperour keeps Court at Vienna King Ferdinand at Gref in Steria the Government of Boheme continues in such Counsellours as Matthias left there chosen Ministers Catholick who with the Arch-bishop of Prague endeavour to suppress the Protestants The States Protestants assemble themselves to redress these injuries backt with some Forces which they brought with them and were opposed by the Emperour's Faction whom they over-mastered and flung his chief Justice Slabala his Secretary Fabritius and others out of a Window of the Castle down into the Court and being done in choller excused by Apology to the Emperour But on they go raise force and banish the Iesuit and others of that Faction whom they load with Complaints The Emperour as forward commits the command of two Armies unto Count Buquoy and Dampiere The Protestants counter-force with two Bodies severally under the Prince of Anholt and under Count Thorn and Mansfeilt skirmishing with different effects Some Princes King Iames and others interpose Mediations and Ferdinand complains of the Bohemians obstinacy They remonstrate former undue Elections and allege That between a conditional King and his Subjects there are reciprocal obligations the one Obedientia the other Promissa That he received the Scepter of the States with thankfull remuneration and royal grace to all to satisfie the desire of every one and to deserve their love and swears not to meddle with Government whilest Matthias lives Notwithstanding he maintains the Wars of others against the Bohemians Moravians and Silecians and raised Terra Maria against the Bahemians sent for his own Army out of Steria and pronounced the Protestant States of Boheme Traitors and Rebells and declared himself Enemy to them all That he banished the old President Cesal directs all Councils corrects the Decisians and Decrees Imperial disposes the actions of Buquoy as King and Lord of all and dis-inclines all means of Peace with Ambassadours of all Provinces who met at Prague carefully consulting to recover Peace That conditional elective Kings receive their royal Authority upon Oaths their Sovereign power Ex pacto non ex jure from the Subjects by concessions upon Covenant not by succession nor descent as other Kings who are so before they swear to their Subjects and do swear because they are Kings but are not Kings because they swear the one born a Prince without his Subjects the other made and given to be a King The Oath of Elective Kings is Et si quod absit in aliquibus Iuramentum meum violavero Nullam mihi incole Regni omniumque dominiorum unius cujusque gentis obedientiam praestare delebant And the Chancellour usually tells them Quandoquidem viderunt Ordines Majestatem regiam pactis conventis stare nolle non debere ait ipsius Majestatem in malam partem interpetari si Ordines obedientiam ipsius Majestate renuncient These things thus a doing the old Emperour dies and Ferdinand now King of Hungary and Boheme and adopted Heir of the Empire meets at Franckford by Summons with the three Electors Men●z Collen and Trevours the other three Silecia Moravia and Lusatia failing in their persons sent their Representatives only and so the Council chose him King of Romans which the State of Bohemia disclaim and of his being Elector as King of Bohemia he never actually possessing the Crown Their dis●entions could not lessen his Election to the Empire yet they swore never to receive him their King King Iames much troubled at these interruptions of Germany took himself to be much conce●ned in the hazard of the Protestant party and the peace and danger of the Reformed Church and therefore sent Hay Viscount Doncaster Ambassadour extraordinary to mediate with the Emperour and Bohemians but to little purpose The Emperour by means avoiding to receive him knowing his errand being to paliate what was grown too high for his Reconciliation and removed his Gests when Doncaster came but neer him so whilest King Iames hunted at New Market his Ambassadour coursed the Hare in Germany but his business through the crudity and raw initiation took not the effect Ferdinand fearing the Success of Ingagements insinuates with the Germain Princes and had possessed the Duke of Bavaria and others The poor Bohemians in this strait and finding K. Iames an Inte●cessor thought it policy to bring him into the List for having published their Declarations and Reasons pronounced the Election of Ferdinand to be invalid and nul and the States of that Kingdom and other Provinces Elect by this Title The most Gracious and the most Mighty Prince Lord Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhine and King of Bohemia In the mean time King Iames consults with his Council diversly affected to this Design of taking or refusing Amongst them see what our Abbot●ends ●ends to Secretary Nauton not being able to come to Council Good master Secretary I have never more desired to be present at any Consultation c. My humble advice is That there is no going back but a countenancing of it
the Rhine by conduct of Prince Henry of Nassaw with two thousand horse and four hundred Musqueteers But ere they came there our raw English droop'd with eating honey and lost not the Nick-name for some years after Ninety four with Tents Truncks and Luggage were left at Bac-rack and they and the Town lost to Spinola by former example of all other that had stood in his way and with no more pains than his sudden summons And had done so to all the English if his Design to snap them had not miscarried by the boisterous stream of the Rhine which wet his Waggons of Ammunition and some of his Field-pieces disordered and so escaped they to Franckford the 24. of September Then to Darmstat a Town of Bohemia and to Hessen where Prince Henry and the Dutch take leave of the English and return home to Holland And here they joyn with fifteen hundred horse of the Princes of the Union and march to Reinshem the nether Town of the Palatinate and the third of October joyn with the Army four thousand Horse and six thousand Foot Spinola at hand frightned them with a charge but night afforded no light to sight the next day to quarters for a Week where the new Wine in the Must grapes and fruits brought crudities upon their weak stomacks till Spinola led them a Dance for Digestion as far as Keysers-Luther and the weather cold the Nights long disposed their necessities to several Garrisons and the Forces of the Reformed Princes cooped up to their several places whilest the Enemy carved to himself of the whole Countrey the good English went thither to fight and so came home again In this mean time the two Generals encounter Anholt for Bohemia had the better and scattered Bucquoys main Body this was in the Spring But in Autumn it fell out otherwise for whiiest Spinola and the Princes were hunting each other on the Hills the Duke of Bavaria joyns with Bucquoy and Tilly. Anholt and Mansfield got between them and Prague but the Enemy breaks through and routs the other into confusion and flight Anholt and Holloch the first that ●led to the King of Bohemia at Prague and the next morning the ninth of November they all fly for succour the King and Queen with both our Ambassadours Weston and Conway as far as Limburgh in their way to the Netherlands and the Ambassadours by safe conduct returned back to Bohemia where the conquering business took up more time than to spend with leasurely disputes and so they came home again The next Spring the Princes of the Union submit to the Emperour so does Anholt who is received into favour and made one of his Generals Mansfield not so capable and being put to his shifts doubles his brave Spirit with the necessity of his Fortune hurrying several Countries with Forces of fourteen thousand men for almost two years after till he constrained them to offer him peace which he accepts Whilest King Iames sends to the Emperour by Ambassy of Sir Henry Wootten a Man fitted for Negotiation by his often imployments to Several States and Princes and thus qualified he hath his Commission passes by the Duke of Lovain in transitu for I find not he had any Credentials to him onely confers the Kings Christian intents as one cumbred with the sad events of the Germane Troubles on this side and the French intents on the other and so not improper for the King to study the passages of both And out of his particular Commission to others he frames general Agruments to him of the Kings innocency in the beginning of the Bohemian business and his impartiality ever since and so rendered his Master the first Mediator therein being tyed in the conscience of a Christian King to prosecute the same and in it peace to all The Duke a cunning and subtile Prince told him that the Princes of the Union would assure him how his affections were in the cause more he could not get out of him His next was to the Arch-Duke Leopold of the Austrian family to him he had Letters and tells him That King Iames was cleer of all foreknowledge or counsells in the business of Bohemia and also of the Pdlsgraves preceding practice till it was laid upon him That his Master continued equal to both parties and was troubled that there should be so great preparations for invading the Nether Palatinate being the Patrimony of the Kings Descendants no way commixt with the affairs of Bohemia Perswades the Arch-Duke as a Personage of power to keep those that were in action from such precipitation as might preclude all mediation of accord He was answered with the Arch-Dukes protestation That he believes the Kings cleernes but of the Palsgrave he much doubts accusing him of practice with the Bohemians at the Emperours Election at Franckford and more foully said he to introduce the Turk into Hungary And conceived the Marquess Spinola might have some aim upon the Lower Palatinate assured the Emperours inclination to accord but never without restitution of the usurped Kingdom a loss not of easy concoction especially by the Palatine his subject And excused the Emperours levies for that there were likewise some English forces designed towards that place out of England which was no fair way if King Iames intended a Treaty It was replyed by Wootton That true it was the Kings people and some of the Nobility had taken Alarm upon a voice of that Invasion and voluntarily meant to sacrifice themselves in that action but without the Kings concurrence of mony or command And being ask he answered he had no particular form of Accord to propose to the Emperour for the King thought it necessary to dispose the affections on both sides and so collect some measure of agreement without spending the honour of the King in vain Treaties Then to the Community of Strasburgh and Ulme who professed themselves in Newtrality for it might be uncivil they said to offer their Counsels where such Kings imploy their Wisdomes and Authority they would only contribute their prayers The Duke of Wittenburgh made large professions towards th● King of Bohemia as he called the Palatine of whose cleerness from practice he could vindicate for visiting him presently upon his Election he found him perplexed even to tears for to accept of the Kingdom he was lyable to suspition as to ambition and if he refused he feared the people would call in more then Christian aid to the effusion of much bloud And professed that no Prince of the Empire should exceed his affection to defend the Palatinate with all his power by bond of consederacy and reason of State lest any Stranger should neighbour him He had likewise Commission to the Duke of Bavaria whom he found in actual arms about Lintz in the Upper Austria and the Emperour at Vienna with no success in those Messages Yet still King Iames hoping that time it self and
from Sea and got in for safety within the Mole Mansel having trained his men in the execution of their several Du●●es and likewise appointed a Squadron of Boats with small Shot to rescue the Vessels of Execution both in the Advancement and Retreat The 21. of May the Vessels of Execution were all advanced but by reason of contrary windes were presently commanded to retire The next two nights being likewise in readiness they were becalmed and could execute nothing The fourth night with a fair Gale being advanced again and the Fire-ships almost recovered the Mouth of the Mole the winde turned to the opposite point of the Compass The Boats performed their Direction in towing the Ships but considering that by continuance of this course they should expose our principal men to hazard by the Ordnance and small Shot that played upon them they debate therefore amongst themselves what to do Captain Hughes that commanded one of the Brigandines replied Go on and give attempt by the Boats which they did crying out King Iames and fearless of danger even in the mouth of the Cannon and small Shot which showred like Hail upon them the English fired the Enemies Ships in sundry places and maintained the fight to the delight of their fellow-shipping that were lookers on so long as powder remained striving in the end who should have the honour to come off last which was left to the Captain Hugh●s and so retired only with the loss only of 20 men and leaving the fire flaming up in 7 several places The cowardly Turks who before dur●● not shew themselves to these weak forces but from the Walls and tops of houses so soon as the English were retyred opened their ports and sallied out a thousand and so by help of Multitudes and a sudden shore of rain and a calm the fire was extinguished making some of their Ships unserviceable In which time of Service only one Frygat came out of the Moal which was forced back upon the Shore sunck one of their best men of War being manned with one hundred thirty Turks and twelve Christians whereof twelve onely escaped And took also a Fly-boat which the Pyrates had formerly taken from the Christians which was sold to Leghorn her merchandize to be exchanged for Pyrats goods and some money above two thousand pound Sterling The Turks manned out 3. Gallies to rescue her but were beaten by the help of the 3. Brigandines sent out to her succour Ten daies together the English attended opportunity to send in the Ships with the fire-Works to finish the former service done by the Boats but not a breath of Wind happened fitting for the Work So that in this time the Pyrates had boomed up the Moles with Masts and Raffs and set a double Guard upon all their Ships● planted more Ordnance manned out twenty Boats to guar●●●he Booms and sent out Gallies and Boats for Intelligence hereof East and West-ward to all Ships abroad not to come in during the English abode which made Mansel retire with all his Ships and Merchants assisting him into the Road of Alegant where he received Order from hence over land to return home and to intrust four of the Kings ships into the hands of Captain Rogers and not long after the Plague and infection possessing his Fleet he was forced to return home without any other assistance The time come and Parliament sit in Ianuary The King enters them thus My Lords and you the Commons CUi multiloquio non de est peccatum In my last Parliament I made long Speeches to the lower House I have piped to you and you have not danced I have mourned and ye have not lamented And wills them to apply it to themselves not to spend long Speches That a Parliament is composed of a Head and a Body the Monarch and Estates first a Monarch then after a Parliament No Parliaments but in Monarchies for in Venice and Netherlands there 's none and Parliaments duties is to treat of Difficulties and to Counsel their King To make Laws for the Common-wealth and the Lower House to petition the King with knowledge of their grievances but not to meddle with the Kings Prerogative They are to supply his necessities and he in recompence distributes his Justice and mercy It is the Kings Office to make good Laws whose fundamental is the peoples ill manners and so at this time new abuses and incroaching Crafts The Religious Laws are enough consisting only of Perswasion and Compulsion and Gods blessing Priests Puritans and Sectaries errours of the right and left hand are forward enough their way Let Bishops be as bold by good examples and preaching but compulsion binds the conscience There is talk of the Match with Spain However he will never proceed but to Gods glory and Subjects content And for their supply of his Necessities tells them of their eighteen years peace and plenty and yet he hath received far less assistance than any King since the Conquest Queen Elizabeth had communibus annis above one hundred thousand pounds a year in subsidies and he had in all his time but four subsidies and six fifteens and it is ten years since he had any that he hath been sparing to trouble them or to spend himself abated in his Houshold in his Navies and Munition changed an old Admiral for a young Man whose honesty and care hath lessned that charge Tells them he is not the Cause of Dissentions in Christendom but rather sent Doncaster to appease them at the charge of three thousand five hundred pounds His Son-in-Law sent indeed for his advice and accepts the Crown three daies after which the King never approved of for three reasons 1. Religion not as the Jesuits to dispose and overthrow Kingdoms but with our Saviour to uphold 2. He was no judge and ignorant of those laws Quis te judicem fecit 3. That he treated a Peace and will not be party yet he left not to preserve his Childrens patrimony and accounts to them his Receipts for that purpose and how disposed He borrowed of his Brother of Denmark 7500.l And of his own added 2500 And sent this to his Son   And to the Princes to hearten them 30000 Total 40000l That had the Princes done their parts his handful of men had not failed and now he must be fain to perswade unless a strong hand assist and purposes to provide a strong Army next Summer and desires them to consider his necessities qui cito bis dat And shews his equity to them in course of Law never obstructing Ju●gement by message or Sentence W●shes them to consider advance of Trade and why his Mint hath stood still the●e nine years confesses his Royal heart liberal in Gran●s but being informed he will amend any grievance but yet he tells them that who ever hastens after grievances and neglects all other business of greater moment hath the Spirit of Sa●an for himself will reform any errour and desires
that the world may speak well of their mutual agreeing Thus much in effect the King told them and which prepared their wild resolutions to strike at Prerogative now to undermine it only by qu●rrelling with the Kings best Ministers and whilest these bandy in the Lower House the King proceeds in his Publick course concerning Germany and forthwith sends the Lord Dig●y extraordinary to the Emperour for a posi●ive answer for rendition of the Palatinate by force or friendship These businesses abroad and expence at home brings him to accompt with his Exchequer where he finds his Exits increased the Incomes and intending the best Husbandry to piece out the expence He changes his Treasurer Mountague for other preferments of honour and profit and puts in Sir Lionel Cranfield upon no other merit saies one but for marrying the Marquesses Kin such Another saies more But I find him of an antient family in Gloucester-shire and being bred a Merchant Adventurer of London and other his extraordinary qualities in that and other Commendable wayes became useful to the State also And first had the honour of Knight-hood then the custody of the Kings Wardrobes afterwards Master of the Court of Wards and Liveries and now Lord Treasurer and created Earl of Middlesex Some busie Barons had gotten together a gang of Discontents of several Titles and framed a petition and their hands to it with this General Title The humble Petition of the Nobility of ENGLAND SHEWETH THat whereas your Majesty by importunity of some natural subjects of England hath conferred upon them Honours Titles and Dignities peculiar to other your Majesties Dominions by which the Nobility of this Realm find themselvs prejudiced Our humble desire is that with your allowance we may challenge and preserve our Birth-rights withont any notice of those Titulars to our Prejudice and to be excused to deny them the respect or place as to Noble men Strangers Seeing that these being our Countrymen born and abide here have yet procured their Translation into foreign names onely to our injury But in this address we meddle not to limit or interprete the power of your Soveraignty being the root whence all Honor receives Sap under what title soever to collate what you please upon whom and how you please The Subsigners were Oxford Essex Warwick Abergaveny Dacres Darcy Sheffield Cr●mwel Scroop Sturton St. Iohn Paget Dudley Spencer Say The Barons indeed came behind but few Earls had cause so to complain And it was Say I remember well the Ring-leader of all though the last in Ranck and least in prejudice But his prejudice and subtilty steered the way to the rest who having a loose Brother amongst them perhaps many more stole the Copy to the King and betrayed their intentions before it was well-moulded The King wisely sent for them a sunder and roughly told them their Petition was sawcy but ended humbly concluding themselves not to expostulate his power or pleasure which if any of them sought to question they should soon find the effects but the first Man declined it as brought in by the buy and so did the second and third the rest took pattern from their submission and here was an end of that ranting Petition for our Author would enforce belief That the King pulled up his Spirits when he told Essex He feared him not with his fourty thousand men But the Proverb alludes in scorn to the folly of the French Oh the King of France and fourty thousand men and then with more disdam on Essex Hereupon the Commons take example and Petitions are framed as from the people but indicted by the Parliament A custom which the Commons house in those times took up to make business rather than be idle And first they fall upon Patents for Inns Ale-houses Gold and Silver Thread counterfeit pretious matter to spend time being now to quarrel with the Empire The last of them Our Historian saies was of sophisticate materials engrossing all the Trade of that Ages vanity onely in Gold and Silver Lace and so poisonous were the Druggs of the Composition that rotted hands and arms with lameness upon the very work-folks loss of their Eyes and Lives by venome of the vapors that came from it ah abominable un truth The Patron of this Patent was an honourable Lord though led aside by Instruments whom he trusted Indeed a Pragmatick Lawyer whose weakness in that Profession came behind the ordinary Practisers and therefore he got a Privilege and Prerogative to be first heard at the Bar and was nick-named Prerogative Pleader until a witty Judge told him he should have the first Motion but not to be granted at all Sir Giles Mompeson the Patentee for Inns. Sir Francis Michel for Ale-houses two corrupt Justices of the Peace It were wished that they might have been the last of that race But these Patents taking up more time in the Disquisition than their serious business should permit the King rouses the Lords to their Sentence of them with this Speech MY LORDS THE last time I inform'd you the Verity of my Proceedings a●d caution in passing these Patents in question by way of Declaration and now to expresse my desire to have your sentence and execution against Mompesson who though he be fled my Proclamation pursued him and shall be as earnest to see your sentence against him executed And tells them his Reasons 1. That there being a Politique Marriage betwixt Him and his people he is in duty to God tyed to the care of good government And had these things been complained of before he would have redressed them sooner Remembring them what he hath often said That no private person should be respected before the publique good not only of the whole Common-weal but even of a particular Corporation that is but a member of it 2. That he intends not to infringe but to satisfie the House Liberties for never any King did so much for them and will doe more and assures them that the Presidents of former good government shall warrant them to him Acknowledging them the Supream Court of Iustice Himself as present by Representation And to add to their Honour he hath made the Prince a member amongst them Professes the love and respect he hath received from the Lower House in their proceedings And always the like from the Lords especially by relation of his son of them all in general and particular and the like he said by One that sits there Buckingham a proof whereof the Earl of Arundel witnessed in his report to them of the privileges of Nobility how earnest he was therein Acknowledges the free gift of this Parliament of two Subsidies and so accepted by him which he will re●ribute by a General Pardon at the end of the Parliament and will do somewhat in ease of the people till then As for the Ale-Houses he refers to the Iustices of Peace For the Gold and Silver Thread he damm's
common not mistrusting discovery from any of their own Yet it pleased God in mercy to put it into the Mind of an Indian servant to one Pace to discover it to him overnight who first securing his own Habitation with all possible speed gave waruing to each Plantation by several intelligence and saved the rest but in the fury three hundred fourty seven were slain And since that time the English are more wary to guard their houses And as the best Maxim in policy to separate the conjunct affections of their Indian Kings to make themselves the more secure It was the Spanish policy that got them the two rich Kingdomes of Peru and Mexico in America for the two heirs Brothers Attapalippa and Gasco quarrelling for the Kingdom each striving to gain the Spaniard to friend Francis Pizacro managing their differences for his own ends stripped them both of Peru. So did F●rdinando Cortes vanquish Matezumo and got Mexico by the Neighbour Friendship of the Province of Tascala deadly Enemies for which service that Province is freed from Tax for ever So did the Romans advantage overcome Great Brittain as Tacitus sayes Ita dum singuli pugnant universi vincuntur And Iustin hath the same with the Grecian Cities And hereupon King Iames furnished these Plantations with ammunition and arms out of his own store-house at the Tower at his charge There were likewise shipped unto Summer Islands so named from the first sinder and Planter Sir George Summers alias Burmudoes above a thousand persons and nine Ships to transport them and to trade who have since so increased that they are forced to fly to the Main for elbow-room see before anno 1614. Page 400. The King and Parliament asunder it was resolved with his Councellours to speed Digby into Spain Extraordinary to proceed in the Treaty of the Match Sir Francis Cottington Lieger there form whom Digby had knowledge of that Kings Progresse towards the North of Spain to Lerma a Town in Biscay whether the Duke thereof a sublime Favourite had invited the King to his Princely New Pallace which might save Digby the trouble and discommodity of riding many leagues to Madrid to meet there though it is to be understood by those that know that the Court and Council and State of Spain are said to be alwaies residing in Madrid in New Castile for receiving Ambassadours and making dispatches yet the amity of Digby with that Council hoped now to alter that Custome in favour of this urgent affair and him And therefore lands as the time and weather would afford the neerest Port Saint Andrews in Biscay there he stayes sends his Secretary to Madrid to signify to Cottington his arrival and reason for resting there as yet intimating that if he could surprize the King at Burgos or Lerma so far neerer his return home might there also hasten his dispatch upon that so reasonable consideration The King in complement told Cottington That he hoped the Ambassadours business was of more weight than to be taken up in the road where it became not his Majesty to return him back to his Master without entertainment of the Court of Spain But Digby understood this as State formality and pressing his own conveniency was at last ordered to have audience at Lerma whereupon Digby might say without merit of a scoff That it was the first President of honour to an English Ambassador and to his person a particular favour And so he sest forward to Burgos where Cottington meets him whom he returns back twenty miles to Lerma upon serious affair to prepare some of the Council with such interests as were intrusted besides his sealed Commission resolving himself to follow at the heels with surprize rather than Ceremony Yet the Kings Coaches came to wait on him neer Lerma unto Villa Mansa where he reposed till the Conde de Salazera Maior-Domo one of the Kings Stewards the Conde de Villa Madena Correjo Major or Chief Post-Master and the Viscount Toriza accompanied with several attendants conducted the Ambassadour to Court Thus far and in truth was the passages of Digbyes Reception which our Author abuses with base absurdities Abbot Arch-bishop of Canterbury aiming with a Cross-bow at a Deer in Bramzel park killed his Gamekeeper with the Arrow for which act having his hand in blood he is by Common-Law to forfeit all his estate and by the Cannon-Law irregular ipso facto and to be suspended from all Ecclesiastical function until he be restored This troubled the King what to do Not to add to his affliction and to leave virum Sanguinum Primate and Patriarch of all his Churches ●ounds harsh to the old Councells and Cannons upon either the Papists would descant and therefore it was referred to the Lord Keeper Williams five Bishops the two Chief Iustices and two Civil Lawyers who certifie so much and so he not being received into the full use of the Ministery himself forebore the Council Table as he told me in these words Since they will have it so that I am incapable of the one I shall spare my self the trouble of the other But he enjoyed the benefit of that See whilest he lived Much displeased he was I well remember with the Court and Clergy for Doctor Lawd refused consecration of St. David by his hand being tainted with blood but the Other was quit with him for underhand he caused it to be burited abroad That Lawd was by Puritans reputed a Papist in Oxford And to justifie that his function was not weakned by that Mischance he procured Commission to inquire Whether casual homicide was not excepted in the Cannon In which he was satisfied that it was not and so retired from his Magnificent Structure his Almes-house at Guilford to his Palace at Lambeth where the air of the Court breathing so neer and yet at this little distance he not admitted there he fell upon down right Puritan Tenents which gave occasion to many discontents of our Church and State to visit him then so frequent that they called themselves Nicodemites and his Disciples And I observed very often perhaps therefore that the Arch-bishop constantly with candle-light in his Chamber and Study made it midnight at Noon-day And here he began to be the first Man of Eminency in Our Church a Ring-leader of that Faction for I can name those then his private Disciples which lately appear desperate Proselytes The Tenents of Arminianism which the King feared had infected the Pulpit with so much heat that it inflamed each opponent so that to Suppress the danger of the one and to regulate the disorder of the other both offensive to the State the Arch-bishop of Canterbury had letters to settle their sick brains to this effect The Kings Letter to the Arch-bishop Most Reverend Father in God right trusty and intirely beloved Counsellour we greet you well That the extravagancies of Preachers in the Pulpit have been reformed in the Realm by some Act or Council of
the Dispensation and in returns of Queries and Objections But as the King will not be wearied with patience so Digby is warned to be wary and watchful in the Overtures of the Pope as a Postil unto the Articles of Spain which Gage got and gave warning of here And to admit of no more respite then two Moneths and no more at all That so their resolution will be before Christmass Wansted 9. of September 1622. Thus much to Digby But whether Digby pressed these particulars the Palatinate was at the brinck or last cast in Frankendale now blocked up The Popes captious capitulations in reference to the Dispensation obtruding and intruding Novelties never as yet disputed Yet he plainly tells the Spanish Council the old King lately dead If these offers of his Master be not ballanced with the like from theirs without loss of more time he is commanded to take leave and return home But ill news hath wings the loss of the English Men and the Palatines Country came faster to the King then could be supposed by Digby who it seems was loth to leave the imployment in suspence for any other to negotiate or by discovering the Spanish deceipt to give end to any absolute breach for here at home he was somewhat suspected not to deal fairly abroad which as yet the King was loath to see And therefore quickens him again with the particular relations of the losses of the Towns in the Palatinate Heidleburgh forced the Garrison put to the Sword Manheime besieged and the Infanta not commanding Cessation wherein she had absolute authority and that these effects give the King reasons to recal all his Ambassadours Weston now Chancelour of the Exchequer and the Lord Chichester from Bruxels having trusted to Treaties which probably might have secured the remainder of the Palatinate the English Garrisons being rather maintained in honour to keep footing until the General Accomodation more in assurance of Friendship by Treaty then of force by fighting And therefore to put the Spaniard to it he was to demand under hand and seal either the Rendition of the Town and Castle of Heidleburgh seventy daies after audience in condition as when the Palatine had it and the like for Manheim and Franckendale if either be taken whilest this Treaty as also cessation there for the future upon the Articles of Sir Richard Weston The Treaty which the Emperour propounded by Articles in November last to which the King of Spain then condescended if not in all these Then that the King of Spain join with the English for recovery thereof thus lost upon this Trust and to permit English forces to pass the spanish Territories into Germany and in every particular herein Digby is peremptorily enjoined to be assured under hand and Seal within ten daies after Audience or else immediately after to take leave and return October 3. 1622. Thus the King fights and treats not as in love with a match absolute upon any uneven Terms then as our mad World would make us believe them now from whose pens and Pasquils the Kings mind is pretended to be unmaskt as mean and fearful for he being heightned with hopes of powerful assistance from his Parliament and people the King to satisfie in some measure the suspition of the world and well-mindedmen that he withdrew not his affection from his children for fear of any Enemy to cosin himself with a Spanish Cheat never meant him in a Match these proceedings will unmask And why to be charactered Studious of Peace somewhat overmuch truly not so for a Christian King and therefore not to be imputed to Pusillanimity admitting His Son-in-laws extirpation from his Patrimony which himself was justly the cause not the King Nor is it handsome to say to his dishonour confessed That the Austrian Family cojol'd him in delusory chat with specious falasies whilest the Author is pleased to abreviate that tedious Treaty and loss of three Towns and afterwards the whole Palatinate into three lines with this Observation That the moity of the Money spent in Ambassyes would have modelled an to have mastered the Imperious Eagle And so the short Relation with unskilful Surgery to cauterize not truly to characterize the Wisdome of this King in such difficult designs as were intent more against him than against many other Princes his Predecessors But these proceedings I say will unmask all for from outward force he was left in the lurch even by his own people that put him forward and yet having more desperate conditions to work out at home then was urged abroad He in this Dilemma bringing all his possibilities to this exigent and ending sends suddenly after his Pacquet this Item to Digby In Case of Rupture which the King was to mannage with most advantage not instantly to return but privately to advertize hether to the King himself and publickly to give o●t the contrary that accordingly he might deal with his Parliament who stood at gaze to entertain the bad effects not to welcome good fruits of this tedious Treaty What ere the King commanded then daies expired and no satisfaction yet Digby created Baron 1618. and now by Patent Earl of Bristol spins on the Treaty willing to accept of any trifles to animate the King whom he fed with certain hopes of real intention in Spain till all was lost indeed And yet the Articles of marriage handed to and fro with such copies as each fancy led him to falsi●ie of which one inserts them in print besides sundry others his excellent Authors The fabulous French Mercury and Mr. Prinns Hear-say though his ears were cropt and saies That this onely came from the Neast kept at this time with scarce a Feather amiss and so humbles them to the Readers acceptance onely to tell us what pains was taken to little purpose where no Intention meant performance And this he intends to prove out of the yong King of Spains Letter to the Count Olivares The King of Spains advice to Olivares That the King his F●ther at his death declared his intent never to marry the Infanta with the Prince of Wales which Don Balthasar Uncle to Olivares understood and so treated with intention to delay it Yet being now so far adv●nced he wishes him to direct the Treaty but in all things to procure the satisfaction of the King of Great Brittain Novem. 5. 1622. It is true that the King writ this Letter to Olivares and likely enough that in the first Motions the State of Spain might heretofore unsettle But now that the Treaty had brought their Negotiations to some concernments therefore Olivares within three daies after so suddenly returns Answer to that King wherein posterity might apprehend the several true Interests of all and more cannot be surmized than that which Olivares himself does herein confess which it seems escaped out of Mr. Prinns hidden works of Darkness and thus it follows Olivares Answer to the King of Spains Letter SIR Concerning the
Estate which we find in the Treaty of Mariage between Spain and England and being well assured how the ministers understand it who treated in the time of Philip the third that is that their meaning then was never to effect it but only by enlarging the Treaties and points of Mariage thereby to make use of the Friendship of the King of Great Brittain as well in matters of Germany as those in Flanders And suspecting that your Majesty is of the same opinion although the Demonstrations do not confirm it and that the Infanta Donna Maria is resolved to put her self into the Descalcas when she shall be pressed thereto I have therefore thought fit to present to your Majesty what my zeal hath afforded me the time most necessary for your Majesty with your Ministers to resolve what is fit The King of Great Brittain finds himself equally ingaged in two businesses to this Marriage moved thereto by conveniencies of your Majesties Friendship in making an Agreement with such Catholiques that he thinks are secretly in his Kingdom and so to be assured of them as likewise the honour in Mariage with one of the House of Austria and the best born Lady in the World The other is the Restitution of the Palatinate in which he is yet more engaged for besides that his Reputation is at stake there is added the love and interests of his Grand-children Sons of his only Daughter which in nature and reason of State are to be preferred what soever conveniencies might follow by dissembling what they suffer I dispute not That that Kings concernments herein are to be Governed with Art and Friendship He hath used both but as precisely not necessary I omit it But as a Maxim I hold these two Engagements to him are inseparable And for us though we make the Marriage we must fail in the other most necessary the restitution of the Palatinate Thus much supposed Having made the Marriage in the form as it is treated your Majesty and England will be ingaged in a War against the Emperour and the Catholick League and so to declare with your Arms. Or declaring for the Emperour and the League as certainly you will you will be forced to a War against England and yet your Sister married to his Son with the which all conveniencies whatsoever that were formerly thought upon will cease If your Majesty shall shew your self Newtral the first will appear very scandalous and with just Reason since in matters of less opposition than of Catholiques against Heretiques the Arms of this Crown hath taken part with the Godly against the convenient party And though at this time the French have taken the part of the Hollanders against us your pitty is such to send your Arms agains● the Rebels of that Crown of France leaving all the great considerations of State only because these men are enemies to the faith of the Church It will oblige your Majesty to give good occasion to those of the League to make use of France and other Catholick Princes ill-affected to this Crown as necessary for them so to do and these men against their own Religion will sement and assist the Heretiques for hatred to us and follow the contrary party only to leave your Majesty with that blemish that never hath befaln any of your Predecessours Besides the King of England will remain offended and disobliged seeing neither interests nor helpers do follow the allyance of this Crown is likewise the pretext of particular resentment for having suffered his Daughter and Grandchildren to be ruined in respect hereof For the Emperour though he be well affected and obliged to us in making the Translation at this time as business now stands the Duke of Bavaria being possesed of all the Dominions and though he would dispose all to our conveniencyes it will not be in his power to do it as your Majesty may see by the Memorial the Emperours Ambassadour gave you yesterday who make it certain Since in that List of the Souldiers that every one of the League is to pay Bavaria alone will pay more all than the rest joined together Which shews his power and intention not to accommodate matters but to keep to himself the superiority of all in this broken time the Emperour is now in the Dyet and the Translation is to be made in it I propose then for this Estate to conserve the means for a Conference with your Majesties Ministers for the Difficulty will be to find a Way to make the present Distracted Affairs straight again which with Lingring both the Power and the Time will be lost The Emperour as your Majesty knows by his Ambassadours desires to marry his Daughter with the King of Englands Son and I doubt not but he will be likewise glad to marry his second daughter with the Palatines Son Then I propound that these two Matches be made and set on foot presently giving the King of England full satisfaction in all his propositions for the more strict Union and Correspondence that he may agree to it And so all the conveniencies of allyance with us will be as full in this for it accommodates the matter of the Palatinate and the Succession of his Grand-children with his honour without blood or treasure together with the interest of the Emperour the conveniencies of England and the Palatinate and to reduce the Prince Elector that was an enemy to the obedience of the Church by breeding his Sonnes in the Emperours Court in the Catholique doctrine To conclude the business is great the difficulties greater than perchance have been in any other Case I am obliged thus to represent it to your Majesty and shall further shew what I think fit foe disposing of the things to the great Ministers of State if your Majesty please being helped with the good zeal of Count Gondamore and God his blessing therein so much for his Honour and your Majesties service Madrid Novem. 8. 1622. Olivares A wonder to some why this Bird was not hatcht in our Historians nest for it was fledged with the rest and writ you see but three daies after for Answer and might have been nestled in Mr. Prinns ●abal if either of them had been so honest as to preserve a truth Some reasons besides which animated King Iames to proceed having wasted much time of Tryal by his Ambassadours in Spain and with theirs here Gondamore a Man of subtile wit yet prevailed more with us by the advantage of time and our own distempers than by the virtue of any worth in him who having done here as you have heard was called home the last year and Don Iuan de Mendoza Marquess Inojosa with Don Carlos de Colonna sent hither Extraordinary with whom here passed more narrow overtures in the Match besides what was acted beyond Seas with such effects as are before remembred And being a mixed business of Love and State and yet in them the common good and quiet of Christendom involved standing upon
of Bristol between two of the eldest Counsellours of State and a Gentleman of the Bed-chamber Sir Walter Aston following them in like manner accompanied The rest of the Council of State and Bed-chamber next after Then that goodly Guard de los Archeros bravely clad in gallant manner then numbers of gallant youth followed being of the glory of that Court and Kingdome The windows decked you may believe with the painted beauties of t●e most famous Donna's the Houses outwardly furnished with hangings of Arras and Pictures the Streets scaffolded and here and there in more eminency were raised Temporary buildings whereon the several bodies of the Councills sate to see and do reverence and by the way several Pageants Representations of the rare Comedians and Dancers and all to give content to that Royal Pair as th●y passed by untill they came to the Court-Gate The Queen and Infanta were Spectators but soon retired to the Pallace to receive the visit the King and Prince embracing passed up to the Queens Quarter whom She received at her Chamber Door and conducted him to and under the Cloath of State they sat on three equal Chairs the Queen in the midst the Prince on the Right hand the King on the Left The Room richly furnished but more by those excellent beauties the living Tapistry of Ladies Noble Mens Children called Menines Madam said the Prince the Honour of this Dayes Solemnity is due to your Majesty which conveys Me hither to kiss your Princely hand And so stooped to her Knee Sir said she It is to your Highness and in such manner as to the Royalty of Spain due and done to your excellent merit And so passing half an hours complement in French which is natural to her she brought them back to Her Chamber-Door The King conducting the Prince to his Lodgings a quarter of the Court prepared for him with all magnificence At the entrance stood the Infantes his two Brothers and so all three conducted the Prince into His Bed chamber And then the K. t●ok the right hand Because said he your Highness is now at home and so left him to his pecul●ar attendants and other Officers of honour especially Grandees mixt amongst them to wait the Princes pleasure And within an hour comes the Conde de Benavente as Maior Dorro to the Queen with a present A Fair Bason of Massy Gold born by two Men A Cu●●ous imbroidered Night Gown laid double in it Two great Tr●nks bound with bands of pure Gold studded very thick with nails of Gold and Locks and Keys of the same The Coverings and Linings were of Amber Leather filled with several Delicacies curious Linnen rich Perfumes A rich fair Desk full of rarities in each Drawer And Buckingham was remembred by a Present from the Countess Olivares Fire works were made and Torch Triumphs in all Houses and Windows for three Nights together by Proclamation with wonderfull acclamations night and day crying Vive el Principe de Galles Vive el Principe c. And thus settled at his home attended with all the like Officers as the King and of the same ranck and quality with the one half of his Guard with golden Keyes of the Court to dispose to such English as the Prince was pleased to intrust Great Triumphs in preparation and the principal Nobility in Aragon sent for to honour the Court and for the glory and lustre of the same the Edict for restraint of all excess in point of apparel was suspended Some daies after invited to run at the Ring in presence of his Mistress he took it at the first course with acclamations of joy and honour The glory of which challenged fate to finish his desires with good success in the Infanta's favour And although some daies had passed with utmost extremities of ga●lantry yet saw he not his Mistress but at those distance●● which was excused by Olivares That the custome of the Nati●● in Princely Overtures with Infanta's was not to take view of neerer affections till the Dispensation from Rome should come to admit them Lovers Yet as a Prince he had access often in presence of the King for privacy is not admitted between Brother and Sister of Royal descent yet the Prince at these interviews spake to her by Bristol his Interpreter By this time the Court of Spain was changed into English Lords and Buckingham created Duke by Patent carried over by Viscount Doncaster lately made Earl of Carlile and every day brought thither the affluence of fresh Gallants of English Nobility the Earl of Denbigh Viscount Rochford the Lord Kensington Caecils Herberts Howards not a Noble Family that failed to tell posterity what he had seen in Spain There is one who will have the Prince soundly beset for fair hopes to turn Papist a scandal not worthy the confutation for I have heard it discoursed oftimes afterward when the Duke Kensington after Earl of Holland and Denbigh with others avow to the world thar there were never any proposals or designs to alter the Princes Religion for indeed it was so unlikely that in it self it might be sufficient reason to hazard his succession Though I may be easily drawn to believe and do know some particulars that the Arts and Engines at Rome were set on work and vainly whetted for that advantage and that the outward acts of State in that Negotiation might mix secret workings with circumstance and respects to the Romish Religion and might thereafter through that Expedition amongst free Wits and French Gazets under divers censures since not proper for me in these our last daies so to dive into as to convince the malice of Libellers These our Authors Mr. Prinn and the French Mercury and other such stuff T is true too that the Dispensation moulded at Rome induced the Pope Gregory to write to the Prince not improper so to do and as handsome for his Highness to afford an Answer both are in Print and common such as they are and of custome may be somwhat corrupted in the truth of what was writ and by the answer we may understand the other The Princes Answer to the Popes Letter Most Holy Father I Received the Dispatch with content and as the respect and care wherewith Your Holiness writes doth require Being unspeakable the Delight I had to read the generous Exploits of my Noble Predicessors to whose memory Posterity have not sufficiently given due Elogies of Honour I believe your Holiness sets their Examples before me for my imitation and the courage which they had to exalt the Cross hath not been more than the care which I have that the peace of the Church might be bounded in true Concord and as the glory of God requires our endeavours to unite I do not esteem it greater honour to be descended from such Princes than to imitate them in true zeal of Piety in which it assures me much to have known the Mind and Will of Our Thrice
Honoured Lord and Father to give concurrence to so laudable a design for it doth not a little grieve him to see that great Evil grows from Division of Princes Christian which if this Marriage between the Infanta of Spain and my Self may procure I shall the rather conclude my happiness therein For as I have been far from incouraging Novelties or to be a Partisan in any Factions against the Catholique Religion so shall I seek occasion to take away suspitions that I desire but One Religion and One Faith seeing We all believe in One Iesus Christ Having resolved in my self to spare nothing that I have in the World my Estate and Life for a thing so pleasing unto God whom I implore to give your Holiness health and happiness Charles Stuart A fatal Letter saies one whether this profession of the Prince did not rest upon him at his death was it such a sin in the Prince to wish and endeavour unity of faith and profession in Christ Iesus But thus he carps at every clause and descants on each syllable adding the words Apostolick Roman for Catholique Religion as shews he took time and leasure to leave his Book large and which inforces my Replies to this bigness of a Bulk And now arrives the Dispensation from Rome and thereupon the Articles signed by that King and Our Prince were sent over to England for our King and Council to consider When Abbot Arch-bishop of Canterbury in suspension of his function as you have heard and not comming to the Council Table somewhat factious to foment errours of State Our Author saies had the badge of a puritan clapt upon him and undertakes to join with the jealousie of fools That hereupon a Toleration must needs follow and so as a chief Stickler having no Office nor much esteem to hazard undertakes a long Letter to the King which perhaps was penned to please his Disciples with copies to publish in print after his decease we never heard tidings of it till now our last daies for Abbot Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Primate of all England was the first Man that signed to the Post-script which attested those Articles of the mariage and so did all the Privy Council If not he than none at all O! but the good old man is excused Being much against his mind and swore with as little zeal to observe it such power saies he have Kings over Mens consciences And I can tell him that there were two other Bishops Iohn Bishop of Lincoln and Lancelot Bishop of Winchester Men of far greater merit and high esteem and evener Conscience that subsigned with him These Articles were concluded with a sumptuous Feast at White-Hall and the Spanish Ambassadours invited that day to Dinner but what to do That after Dinner they might take a private Oath of the King For what Marry in favour of Papists for free exercise of their Religion in all his Dominions and that the Parliament should confirm that Oath T is strange That the Oath never came to light but is it lost Nay for the Author had the Articles in keeping but not the Oath Hereupon he saies followed disputes of Religion frequent Doctor White and Featly against Fisher and Sweet and sets down thirteen points of Popery which they are not able to prove And that presently thereupon a Chamber-floor at Black-Fryers fell down flat with the weight of the Auditory three hundred at a Popish Sermon and a hundred killed out-right besides many maimed as the immediate hand of God a great Iudgement or an unfortunate Mishap through their wilful stupidity Abating his numerous Hearers also there was indeed fifty found dead and dying It was in truth a miserable Spectacle for doctrine and use to all Not as the fall of the Tower of Shilo was apprehended of such as mistook the Justice of God as peculiar only to those that suffered but ought to be example to all to amend their lives also yet see our Hypocrites charity to himself and censure of othe●s In this while the Articles signed are sent to Spain and some outward preparations here anent the Infanta's entertainment if she should come A Chappel new built adjoining to Saint Iames the place for her Court In Spain she was wantonly stiled Princess of England and more frequent Meetings afforded Her Suiter In an in●tant Pope Gregory dyes so that the dispensation not made use of as yet was invalid and a new License must now refer to Urban that succeeds to the Chair Winter quarter was come the weather foul unfit to travail and might indanger the Princes Return by rough Seas and therefore was invited to stay till after Christmass and so to take his Consort with him The Prince and his Council doubting more delaies sent word to England for the Kings consent to return speedily and had accordingly warrant by the next Expresse to take leave of Spain This news so sudden startled that State to have the Sister of so great a Monarch and the best born in Europe to be left by her Lover with much regret that they had gone thus far forward which Olivares took upon him to quarrel and in heat of discourse hereabout with the Duke urged their sudden resolve of parting to be hastened by him without the Princes intention And Sennor Duca saies he you have not done well with us to represent our affairs to your Master in evil sense Buckingham told him His information came far but wished the Intelligencer there present It cannot be denyed saies Olivares It is false said the Duke The other starts back in mighty passion seeks for the Prince and tells him all And had this Answer He might not believe it without just cause given or otherwise much mistaken The Condies choler not abated he finds out an English Gallant Sir George Goring and in Language of a Challenge complains That did not his own sense of suffering come in competition with his Masters honour the Duke should know the danger of the Ly. But he was told the others temper Whom no threats could ever make afraid and since your Grace seeks me out for the honour I shall do your ●rrand and bring the Dukes Answer Which was That he had the like regret by being a Guest but had rather to suffer under the power of the others Sword than to injure truth withconsent to a contrary sense But the King made them Friends This great Favourite was named Gasper de Gusman a third Brother born in Rome and upon the fall of his Predecessour-Favourite and his Family the Duke of Lerma under Philip the third This Man crept into esteem with the Prince at that Kings death he mannaged all and was in hasty time created Conde-Duke de Olivares an excellent Minister of State with much zeal and passion to agrandize his Master and His Dominions So that the excess became his vice to his loss of the affections of the Princes Nobility and People
by the Prince to see the Spanish Train safe at home and to bring back that good News to England This complement had more of business for he carried commands under the Princes hand to Bristol not to deliver the Procuration left in his charge till further Order from England upon the extremest peril to his person It seems the Prince was not then over-earnest in the Match Bristol bounded with this Restriction by which he foresaw the fraction having by agrement ten daies limitted after the Dispensation should come and so time to consider what to do for Clark having no order to return with any answer Bristols actions were by him narrowly observed and advice thereof sent home to the Prince by whose intelligence the jealousie upon Bristol was heightned to crimes almost to his after destruction The fifth of October lands the Prince at Portsmouth and the next day posts to London with unspeakable Love in the Peoples welcome and therefore expressed in feasting and Bonefires with little refreshment he hasteth to Royston the Kings usual abode for the air in Autumn who receiving the particular and just accompt of the Devices of Spain and communicated to the Council it was concluded to acquaint a Parliament with all the proceedings which was resolved with speed February following Then Letters were sent to the Earl of Bristol intimating the true sense in the King and his Council of the Spanish Forms and delaies which the Wisdom of the Prince by his own presence and conversation discovered most abusive But to meet in the jusling and yet to bring theirs to maturity He was to suspend the Proxie till Christmass though the Dispensation should come the power mentioned in the Procuration being no longer of force the Execution after that time would prove invalid and because the honour of England shall be preserved throughout he was to review his former Instructions concerning the Restitution of the Palatinate and his Son-in-Laws Electoral Dignity and to presse them as inherent with the Marriage But all these Items he was to reserve to himself without discovery untill the Dispensation should set those Demands on foot Bristol bound up by this Express durst not break out the least limits to discover his own dislike to his Overlookers Aston and Clark but in publick set out the Preparations of England in more expensive proportion than those Provisions of Spain for accomplishing so glorious a Marriage which put the Spaniard into a firm opinion how powerfully he had captivated the English credulity That the Ambassadour for Poland then at Madrid Seeing the Corrival of his Masters Son had got assurance of his Mistress took leave of his woing and went home with the Willow Garland For now the Dispensation come Bone-fires and Bells-jangling were signals through Spain of the mutual joy of Prince and people And few daies after the Marriage was prefixt with all possible preparations of State and Solemnity both for the present dependance and future reference even to the Ordering of her voyage to England in March after When in the interim fresh commands confirming the former by several Expresses for failing Bristol opens to King Philip his Masters resolutions That having with vast expence and in●inite patience expected the effects of his just desires with hazard of the Prince his Person to consummate his part in the Treaty that nothing might lodge upon the King of Englands honour so highly preserved with all Pot●ntates of Europe and therefore unless the Restitution of the Pala●inate and the Electoral Dignity were included the Treaty of Mariage was 〈◊〉 to take end The King troubled to be over-reached and to see it without remedy fairly answered That those Demands were not in his power to effect the one un●●● the command of the Emperour the other in possession of the Duke of Bavaria and if those could not be reduced with reason he would with Arms asist the Kings part against them or others in that behalf And not long after the Spaniard taking it in earnest and Bristol having no motion to any further address had order in honour to the King of Spain to expect no more audience nor to send conveyance of any more Letters to the Infanta and by publick command none should call her hereafter Princess of England as in honor to the Match they had usually stiled her and Bristol prepared to return home The twelfth of February the Duke of Richmond dyed that morning being found dead by his Dutchess whom she left slumbering as she thought somewhat early when she arose and therefore forbore his disquiet until the late hour seemed necessary to call him up to the Parliament but gently withdrawing the Curtains he was found dead without the least Symptomes of any warning to shew distemper in his body This sudden amazement to all caused the King instantly to adjourn the meeting till the 19. day after Various conceipts were rumoured of his hasty end which according to the peoples fancies suffered several conjectures some attributing his death to an Apoplexie to a Surfeit to Poyson which served saies one as a forerunner to the King for he will have him impoisoned also The Parliament meet at the day assigned and the King greets them In effect thus That to justify himself and willingness with frequency to advise with his people He urges it by way of Parable in Christ and his Church so he saies as Husband to them his Spouse the effects of communion with Man and Wife is often visiting each other There being two waies of Love in a King and his people ordinary and particular administration of Iustice and by communicating with his Parliament For the first that his Government hath been without errour he cannot say but does truly avouch it before God and his Angels that never King governed with more pure sincere and uncorrupt heart from intention and meaning of Error or imperfection in his Reign The other part he imparts as a secret importance to his estate and children These waies as they procure love of his People and of them he acknowledges the effect whom the Parliament represents so he desires That they would effectually present the Peoples Loves to him as a true Mirrour not as a false Glass otherwise than it should be In a word he falls upon the Matter The match of his Sonne wherein they cannot but know his time spent his cost His Reasons Advancement of his Estate and Children and peace of Christendome depending too much upon fair hopes and promises with the necessary hazard of his Son to prosecute his desires in Spain and with him Buckingham to wait his Commands who are returned not with such effect as was desired nor altogether without profit For it took forth a point of Wisdome Qui versatur in universalibus c. is easily deceived the Generals affording others ways to evade and means to avoid effects The particulars too many for him to relate he refers them to the Prince
to Buckingham and the Secretaries that so Super totam Materiam he may receive their Assistance and advice for the good of the Commonwealth Religion His Son and His children of the Palatine And for his Estate it is considerable as consisting with theirs And as Res Integra is presented to them so he professes himself free to follow their best advice By Metaphor of good Gardiners that plant good and pluck up bad weeds choak their Labours but jealousies are to be rooted out for they are of a strange depth And cleers himself in the presence of God of either Remissness in Religion or maintenance of Toleration what suspition might be was when he connived at some things which hindred weighty affairs but never to overthrow or disagree with Our Laws For a good Horse-man spares the spur and sometimes suffers the Reigns so a Wise King as his age and experience informs to quicken and execute Laws and upon just occasion to be remiss And closes with that which he would have take best impression as most averse from their faith their Privileges He never restrained Lawful Liberties antiently warrantable therefore he forewarns them as Saint Paul did Timothy to avoid Genealogies and curious Questions quirks of Law idle Innovations And his prayers to God for them and a happy Conclusion of this Parliament Concluding with serious and Christian Protestations before God That never way-faring Man in the burning Desarts more desired water to quench his drought than he thirsted and longed for happy success of this Parliame●t that the good issue of this may expiate and acquit the fruitless of the former AMEN This the effect His occasions were alwaies to speak much and his excellent abilities to speak well worthy of print as they are other where virbatim which the bulk of this History craves leave to breviate The Lord Keeper as Speaker to the Peers whose place there usually adds to the Kings mind and meaning and excuses himself After his Eloquence to be silent not to enamel a Gold Ring with studs of Iron And as One saies of Nerva that having adopted Trajan he was immediately taken away Ne post divinum immortale factum aliquid Mortale faceret So he durst not after his Majesty Divinum Immortale dictum Mortale aliquid addere Of this one complains as the temper of those times onely Men make themselves Beasts by making Kings Gods and advances highly the Spanish and French not idolizing their Kings with Sacred Sovereign Immortal Oraculous Expressions but in their Title Sir tells the business and demands Iustice. When both houses had well digested the Kings excuses and given some hopes of their good satisfaction and so cleerly to go on to business of the time It was thought fit for the King to per●orm his promise in reference to further Relation of the Mysteries in the Match And therefore after five daies breathing the Duke of Buckingham with the Prince gave particular remonstrance to both Houses of such Transactions or so many as is necessary as before remembred especially those which were mannaged by Sir Richard Weston with the Arch-dutchess at Bruxels in reference to the K. of Spain and both their jugglings viz. That thereupon the King sent Porter to Spain and was abused with hopes to credit Bristol till Olivares told him plainly That they meant neither the Match nor the Restitution of the Palatinate Bristol in private discovers this freedome to Olivares who incensed with Porter refuses to speak with him any more And so Bristol orders his return with a dispatch and assurance of both Demands but being of slow performance the Prince undertakes it himself in Person where the Spanish deceipts and Bristols connivance being with some intricacy discovered by the Prince He is now returned through all these hazards to deserve thanks from us all The Duke having satisfyed the curiosity of a searching Parliament was highly esteemed as the Preserver of the Nation contrary to that natural custome of incompatibillity of affections between the vulgar and the Sovereigns favour and so he kept it to the Kings last breath eighteen Moneths after a long course calm and smooth prosperity without any visible ecclipse or variation Though an Author seeks to scandal his Memory And brings Bristol his Accuser hereafter I know not when That the Duke caried the Prince Purposely into Spain to be better instructed in Popery and gave hopes of the Princes conversion and professed himself a Papist heard Masse adored their Sacraments and received a Bull from the Pope to incourage him to pervert both the King and the Prince These imputations so feigned and false need no confutation but neglect and scorn though some Articles since seem to say so much The Parliament had other opinions then and thereupon advised the King to break the Treaty and proclaim open Warre against Spain but in such General terms as gave his Wisdome cause to suspect and therefore thinks fit to propound such cautions to them as should advisedly draw to Resolutions and not leave him in the lurch My Lords and Gentlemen Have cause to thank God that my last Speech takes this effect that with unanime consent you have so speedily given advice in this Businesse to break off the Treaties of the Match and Palatinate And now give me leave as an old King to propaund my doubts and hereafter give me your answer It is true I have been all my life a Peaceable King my Titles and Impress Rex Pacificus give me that Honour and should I now imbroyl my self in War against my Nature and mine honour to spill more blood of which too m●ch had been shed unless it be by Necessity Malum Necessarium Besides He tells them Some hopes of better conditions hath been offered since this sitting But to take off their Iealousies that while they advise he rejects It is therefore left to their consideration as a matter of weight that the course may agree with his conscience In the case of his Children he being old would be glad as Moses saw the promised Land afar off if not to see the Restitution yet to be but assured it shall be and so to sing Nunc Dimittis Domine He hath heretofore said as now not to desire a furrow of Land in all his Dominions without Restitution of the Palatinate but then take the Difficulties of the Case It is unchristian to advise a King to War by blood which may be had by Peace And to consider the Requisites anent his Nccessityes for he tells them plain Parliaments have afforded him least helps of any King His disabilities increased by his Sons journey to Spain Ambassadours maintenance of His Children assisting the Palatinate his debt to Denmark for the Low Countries who if not assisted by him cannot subsist of themselves The Princes of Germany that should help are poor weok disheartned and expect from hence Ireland as a back-door must be secured The Navy though well must
be repaired for securing it self and the Coasts That his children abroad eat no bread but by him His customs the best part of his Revenue in effect the substance of all are farmed with conditions if war follow their bargains sease and Subsidies ask time to bring in unless he take them up upon credit and so lose of their value In these cases he would be loath to shew his Teeth and cannot bite And refers the condition of his own Estate to his Treasurer And thus freely he opens his heart for their Hearts and Help let them shew the means and he will do what they direct referring the dispose of monies to their own Deputies and Treasurers and upon the offer of their Means he makes War he will wave the Prerogative of Kings of War and Peace and be advised by them in either for weapons breed peace He desires to be in Love with Parlaments to make good Laws reform abuses and maintain good Government and so blesses their labours to the end Thus far the King Here was plainess He had cause to fear for he foresaw his own hazard to be left in the lurch So that to set him forward without despair they soeak as they should mean and not long after give him this Declaration They first render thanks to his sacred Majesty for accepting their humble advice to assist him in a Parliamentary way with their persons and abilities And whereas his Majesty was pleased to descend to particular propositions for advance of so great a Bu●iness upon his Majesties Declaration for dissolution and discharge of both Treaties and for defence of the Realm the securing Ireland the assisting the Netherlands and other his Majestyes Friends and Allyes and for the Navy For these they will grant him three intire Subsidies and three fifteens to be paid within a year The money to be in hands of Committes and Commissioners by them to be expended as shall be agreed upon this present Session The King was well pleased and tells them He is willing to dissolve the Treaties their Gift being sufficient to begin a War but when it will end God knowes That he will ingage his Successor his Son for the recovery of the Palatinate and in his old age will assist in Person if need be That as he is pleased the Committes should direct the disposing of the monies so the Design must not be acted by publick councells that is whether two thousan● or ten thousand by Sea or Land East or West by Diversion or Invasion upon the Emperour or Bavaria these be hopes must be left to the King Hereupon a Council of War is chosen of some antient Actors in the Militia of Ireland and other Nobility the Meeting at the Savor at the Lord Caries President of that Council who resolve of six thousand to be sent for the present into the Low Countreys to join with their forces against the Spanish under command of Spinola and so have a freer passage into Germany if need were hereafter The Spanish Ambassadour Marquess of Inojos● much perplexed at the even proceedings between the King and Parliament resolved to put in practice a Jesuite trick upon Buckingham by that means to distemper the Calm proceedings of this State We are told the Manner That Inojosa sent one Padre Majestre a Spanish Iesuit a great Statesman to King James that he under confession had found the King was by Buckingham or by his procurement to be killed but whether by Poison Pistol Dagger c. he could not tell Then that the King should say to Buckingham ah Stenny Stenny a term of favour wilt thou kill me the Duke in high passion being told that Padre Majestre had been with the King who being questioned by the Duke Inojosa undertook the quarrel and told the Duke he would maintain him the Traytor c. Another saies That the Ambassadour sent one to the King to let him know That the Duke of Buckingham had some dangerous Machination on foot that tended to his Destruction and the best He could expect would be a Con●inement to a Country House in some Park during his life the Prince being now ripe for Government c. and the Author concludes That such an attempt could not be done without the Princes privity and yet the King was willing to have the Brat strangled in the Womb though there was cause to suspect that the great intimacy and deerness between the Prince and Duke like the conjunction of two dreadfull Planets could not but portend the production of some dangerous effect to the Old King What horrid infamy is here cast on them both But this was the story and the truth for not a day passed then but that I was present and acquainted with all that transaction to the end It was well known how much it concerned the Ambassadour for his Masters honour to disimprove the value of Buckingham with the King and Parliament and cunningly meant to do it home and to involve the Prince too in one and the same act And therefore aspersed abroad a suspition which really also Inojosa devised to the Kings ear That Buckingham should have plotted this Parliament to over power the King which if resisted then by that authority to con●ine the King and to transfer soveraignty upon the Prince And thus Machevils rule lay the scandal high enough no matter to prove it Himself the Brocher to be free from Examination being qualified an Ambassadour A great noise there was I remember well more in the peoples resentment than any way considerable at Court. And yet the Duke was not so dull to neglect the means of satisfying Others Himself and Prince needed not nor truly did it any way interfear as it was devised to startle the King And being generally cryed down as a false scandal the power of all three could not question an Ambassadour though it was scanned at the Council Table and put to vote in the house too how to proceed with him That the Shield of his Ambassy was too weak to defend him from the Sword of Iustice for then he resolves into a private man The Duke not satisfyed had the opinion of a learned Antiquary who with much circumstance advised and directed a tedious Ceremony of State to be used therein Both Speakers to remonstrate to the Ambassadour the crime and if he reveal not the Informers then is he Author Scandali and so the Houses to petition the King to confine him and restrain his person till his Master know his offence and satisfy Iustice. If he does not then is it Transactio Criminis upon himself and draws a denounce of War But the wisdome of the King would have none of this Geer Yet the Prince and Duke complained hereof to Spain and a command returned to Inojosa to crave forgivenesse which he did and the Duke in confidence of his own Innocency suffered it to passe without much more trouble to seek satisfaction in publique for he
would always say Lyes are not long liv'd And indeed more he could not have Examples vary some Ambassadours in like cases have been secured and punished others freed by privilege for in the times of the Scots Affairs with Us and France frequent Presidents have been used by Throgmorton Randolph Tanworth and Bishop Ross according to the power of the Princes where they have been committed as hath been before mentioned The Earl of Bristol this while in Spain received command to take leave of that King and to return and had intelligence from hence in what hazard he should appear after such Complaints in Parliament against him And indeed he delayed it so long that it was suspected he would stay there being so advised by the King of Spain who gave him assurance of all Civility and kindness in his Court for security rather than adventure his head at home But these branglings here feigned there to be high Distraction gave him courage to return where no sooner appeared but was clapt up in the Tower sa●es one and the next day set at Liberty nor durst any bring him to farther Tryal He was committed by the Lords in Parliament and might have lain there longer a Prisoner but the Duke made means for his release least it should move jealousies that it was his design thereby to delay his Tryal and this to my knowledge for I acted in his release He being earnestly pursued by the Duke and had the Parliament lasted it might have proved his destruction who afterwards humbled himself and gained favour to retire into the Countrey to Shirbone that fatal seat for suceeding Offendors But the Spanish Ambassadours practice failing some Lords set on work a Petition to the King against Papists as intending it necessary to go on with the complyance of the Publick Affair now happ●ly proceeding or to hazard all and nothing would serve to satisfy these Men but several Conferences of both Houses untill they had with consent framed their Propositions and presented them to the King in two Petitions alike We your Majesties most Humble and Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons do in all humility offer unto your Majesty These two Petitions THat for the more safety of your Realms and better keeping your subjects in obedience and other important reasons of State your Majesty would be pleased by some such course as you shall think fit to give present Order that all the Laws be put in due execution against Iesuits Seminary Priests and others having taken Orders of the See of Rome and generally against all Popish Recusants and as for disarming that it may be done according to the Laws Acts and Directions of State in that Case And least the Iesuits and Priests here may pretend to be surprissed that a day certain may prefix their departure and neither they nor other to return or come hither upon peril of severest Penalties of the Lawes now in force And that no Subjects receive entertain or conceal them upon penalties c. Seeing we are thus happily delivered from those Treaties and the use which your ill affected subjects made thereof and yet we fore see the like hereafter We therefore are humble Suiters to your Majesty To secure the hearts of your good Subjects by your Royal word That upon no occasion of Marriage or Treaty or such other Request from foreign Prince or State what soever you will slacken the execution of the said Laws against Iesuits Priests and Popish Recusants And humbly pray a gratious Answer The King doubting this double Petition intended as a check to the main business resolved yet to satisfie them That he commends both Houses for their Petition but wonders at their suspition to spur him on to his conscience and duty That his Religion Profession and behaviour his own Books declare nor will swarve from them for he that dissembles with God will be distrasted by Men. That his heart bleeds at the increase of Popery as thorns in his eyes and pricks in his sides He hath alwaies desired to hinder the growth as a Martyr As in the sense of Isaac persecuted by Ismael by mocking words as no King ever suffered more of ill tongues Yet he hath been far from per seeuting believing that rule Sanguis Martyrum est semen Ecclesiae As for the Petition he grants in substance what they ask and adds of his own Their Treaties being annulled their desire is granted and will declare by Proclamation to banish Iesuits and Priests by a day but a Proclamation here extends onely to this Kingdome He will do more command his Iudges in circuit to put the Laws in Execution against Recusants as before the Treaties the Laws being in force and never dispensed with by him but as he told them heretofore as a good Horseman to use sometimes the Reigns not alwaies the spur He promis●th by Declaration to disarm them which indeed is done by the Laws Nay will disorder the Papists frequenting to Ambassadours Masses for though he cannot break their privilege yet the Lord Maior and Officers may seize them as they come out And resolves to order the Education of Recusants children as he hath advised therein with his Bishops and Council The second part of the Petition is the best advice in the World being against the Rule of Wisdome that Subjects should transgresse a Law by Intercession of a Foreign Prince and forst in such conditions in such a Treaty which he will avoid in any whatever This his answer so satisfactory as pleased the Parliament Sa●es Calumny He promised much and performed little See what he did by the sequel Order was forthwith to inroll the chiefest Recusants you see he spares none nor were the Parliament so nice as to leave the best of them out The Earl of Rutland Sir Thomas Compton the Dukes two Fathers in Law the Countess his Mother Earl Castlehaven the Lords Herbert Rivers Peter Morly Windsor Eure Wootton Teinham Scroop and of Knights Courtney Brewdnel Somerset Ireland Stonners Brown Howard Powel Lacon Lewkner Awbery Gage Shelly Carvel Wiseman Gerrard Filpot Russel Bedingfield Wrey Conwey Iones Conyers Lamplow Savage Mosly Beston Riddal Wyral Townsend Norris Knevet Tasborough Selby Tichburn Hall Perkins Penruddock Sands and divers Esquires and Gentlemen either by themselves or their Wives These men were all at Mercy and who ever else the Parliament would pick out with lime and baited Hooks to catch them for the King not minded to interrupt them having done his part withdrew to New Market cold air for his Northern conditions the most healthy The Prince increasing in years and in affection of the People it was most convenient also to speed him a marriage The Treaties with Spain being thus far annulled Some Overtures were hinted from France of their willingness for a Match with Madam the Princess Henri●tta Maria the French Kings youngest Sister the two others being preferred to Spain and Savoy And because it was necessary to feel
the Romans but they differ Servus with them was of Servando saving not of Serviendo of serving Our Apprentice comes of Apprenti the French Word a Raw Souldier or to learn or of the Latine apprehendo So then sir Tho. Smiths Repub. Angl. does them injury terming them Bondslaves Bondmens bodies were vested in the Lord interminable but only by Manumission and that by the Will of the Lord without any condition in behalf of the slave Servus with the Romans Nullum caput habuit and were reputed civiliter mortui servi pro nullis habiti There was a voluntary bondage de jure gentium as by the Romans a Man might sell himself ad participandum pretium And also de jure divino positivo So the Hebrews Bondmen Yet they had not jus in corpus they could not violate her chastity By our Law only two sorts of Bondmen villains in gross and vilains reguardant to Mannor A Master in London hath not despoticum imperium over his Apprentice but only quasi curaturam a Teacher ut Pater non Tyrannus immoderate Correction looses his Apprentice who is by Statute to be free from him 5. Eliz. But of late our City discipline had more need to be reduced to antient severity than to be abduced from it The final Cause of every Ordination quallifies the course and determines the Means and action tending to it though abstracting from that consideration the work wrought in the proper nature be servile as for a Souldier to dig or carry earth to a Rampire a Student to be bare or a Novice to do servile Offices and so an Apprentice to do does not extinguish Gentry and what ever he does as not sui juris yet he does nothing Servile but propter finem nobilem to God Country and Calling But Apprentices are so far from being bondmen that then they begin habere caput to be aliqui and by degrees to be free then of the Livery and by after degrees become Wardens Masters Common Council Aldermens Deputies Aldermen Sheriffs Lord Maiors And by further merit Counsellours to the King and Lord Treasurers of England and so if it be rashness to cast a scorn upon a renowned Corporation unjustly let it be iniquity to lay it upon London which in the Empire of Great Brittain amongst their other Cities Velut inter ignes Luna Minores And though the Schools and Camp are most proper for Honour and Arms yet the antient wisdome and bounty of Sovereigns left the Gates of honour open to City Arts and honest gain as fundamentals to common-wealths by example of rising Rome under her first Dictators and Consuls By which they avoided Tyrannical appropriation of Gentry to some certain old families as in Germany and the Confusion of allowing hereditary Nobleness or Gentry to none at all as in Turky c. And with us Cotes of Arms and Title of Gentlemen being the most familiar part of Honour Our Adversaries would overturn and tax our policies in that point which being once gotten and given by Merit or Favour cannot be lost or extinguished No man in England looseth his right to bearing Arms or Title of Gentleman unless attainted in Law Jura Sanguinum nullo jure civili devinci possunt Not to be aliened to another no more than to pass away any habit or quality of the Mind Virtue or Learning Queen Elizabeth was descended lineally from Sir Godfrey Bullen Lord Maior of London by Queen Anne Bullen her Mother Sir Martin Calthrope her Kinsman also and Lord Maior of London Citizens of London have been called Barons Hen. 3. Londinenses Quos propter Civitatis Dignitatem civium antiquitatem Barones consueuimus appelare London sends Kinghts and Citizens to the Parliament not Burgesses And sundry of our Sovereigns have daigned to be of their Freedome But the opinion of bondage and extinguishing birth-right of Gentry hath filled England with more Vices and sacrificed more bodies to odious ends and more souls to sinful life than perhaps any other uncivil opinion whatsoever Holding it better to rob than to labour though they dayly see that out of Our Apprenticeships rise such Ministers of Iustice as sit upon Malefactors when they a shame and sorrow to their Kindred undergo a fortune too unworthy the basest of Bondmen May not his Sons fall into the same fate by the Fathers prejudicate opinion So much in honour of truth not interest The Hollanders in these times rich and proud at home increased so mighty in power also in the East Indies that by insenseable Incroachments at first they went on to quarrel particular rights and interests in several places there for sole trading from the English And complaint being sent hither by the Governours of our Factories there A Treaty was demanded by the King and accordingly Commissioners appointed to dispute their differences in London 1613. The next Treaty was at the Hague 1615. The last was at London 1619. And by Amnesty then a Solemn Composition of all differences and Orders were concluded for the future between us and them And in regard of their bloodshed and vast expence in reducing the Trade of the Islands Molucca Banda and Amboyna from the Spaniards and Portugals and their buildings and Forts therefore the Hollanders should enjoy two thirds and the English the other third and the charge of the Forts to be levyed by Taxes and Impositions upon the Merchandize and so were settled in those places The Island of Amboyna lies neer Seran about fourty Leagues in compass and hath relation to other Factories the chief Town called also as the Island Amboyna the Rendevouz for the gatheing and buying of Cloves the chief Commodity the smaller Factories are H●●●o Larica Loho and Cambello The Hollanders Forts there are four strong and well manned with two hundred Dutch Souldiers and a Company of free Burgers four hundred Mardikers or free Natives so called And here the English lived in the Town and under protection of the Castle in an House of their own During two years the Dutch very cunningly wasted too much upon their Fortifications and Garrisons and yet drew their Account so chargeable to the English that instead of the third part they contributed two thirds and their complaints were examined by the Counsel of Defence of both Nations residing in Jaccatra in the Island Java Major and they disagreeing the differences were to be sent home to be decided herein by both Companies or by the King and their States according to an Article 1619. But disputes breed delay here and increased jealousies there and in February One thousand six hundred and twenty two A Japoner Souldier discoursing with a Dutch Centinel of the Strength of the Castle was suspected and tortured and confessed sundry of his Countrey-men contrivers with him of surprizing the Castle who were also tortured and one Price an Englishman and Prisoner with them who also accused others of the Factories Captain Towerson Tomson Beomont Collins Webber Ramsey Johnson Farde and Brown and these
being sent for from the other factories with horrid Tortures either in truth or for pain of Torment some of them confessed That two Japoners should have gone to each point of the Castle and two to the Governours chamber door and when the Mutiny or Alarum should cause the Governour to come out the two Japoners to kill him for the reward of 1000 Royals a piece Towerson was tortured and confessed That he swore all the English at Amboyna to be secret to his plot with the Japoners to surprize the Castle and to kill the Dutch to this effect divers were accused condemned and suffered Death viz. 10. English 9. Japoners and 1 Portugal The manner of the tortue was thus First they hoised the Examinant up by the hands with a Cord on a large door fastning him upon two Staples of Iron on the Top as wide as the arms could stretch his feet hung to the ground stretched out at length and wideness fastned beneath the Door Then they wrapt a cloath about his Neck and face so close that no water could go by That done powring the water leasurely upon his head and filling the Cloth up to his Mouth and Nostrils that he could not draw breath but must withall suck in the Water and so continued till it forced his inward parts to come out of his Nose Eyes and Ears stifling and choaking him into a Swound or fainting but being taken down they make him vomit out the Water and so somewhat recovered they torture him again four or five times his body Swoln three times bigger his cheeks like Bladders his eyes staring out beyond his browes yet still Colson denyed their accusation then they burn him under his Paps arm-holes elbowes hands and feet till the fat dropt out their Torches lodged him in a Dungeon his flesh putrified Maggots ingendred to an horrid and loathsom condition till at the eight daies end they were executed in March 1623. At which instant a sudden Darkness and tempest two of their Dutch Ships were forced from Anchor in their safe harbour and almost perished One Dunckin their Accuser stumbled at their Grave all buried in a Pit fell stark Mad and dyed so within three Dayes after A sickness followed at Amboyna of 1000 Dutch where 30 dyed not usual in that space And in time the Relation is sent into England by the next return of the Ships which appeared so horrid that a Defence thereof was imprinted and sent hither out of Holland And Sir Dudly Digs undertakes for our East Indie Company to publish the truth and answer that Pamphlet and the Governour of Amboyna leaving his Command was forced by fowl weather upon our Coast his Ships seized on and his person brought to give an accompt hereof before our Admiralty Some Assistants Delegates appointed Iudges but then the Examinations and Confessions under their hands comming hither before any returned on the part of the English viva voce to confute them And though suspected yet for the present set aside till further confirmation In the mean time the Description of the English in their several tortures was lively put in draft and painting so horrid as that the King and Council thought fit to burn it least the monstrous appearance should incense the English to a National Quarrel So great force and resemblance hath that Art with Nature that the effects thereof fell upon Towersons Widow who at sight of the Picture fell down in a Swound with hazard then in that Trance to follow her Husband which the often Relation before did not so much astonish The disparity of a Po●tical pen with the powerful art of painting may thereby be distinguished But to return to the Design of the Parliament which went on in their manner for the Recovery of the Palatinate by War and as the King feared to imbroyl him in the busines●e with pittiful effects which themselves meant to mannage And now they provide four brave Regiments under commands of the Earls of Oxford Southamption Essex and the Lord Willougby elected by the Parliament who afforded forsooth favour to the King to present them their Officers most Scots But indeed for number of Men fifteen hundred in a Regiment and well armed they were compleat the King hastening these away and with them wished no doubt more of their mind that sent them for these were discontents and transported into Hollvnd to join with the States Army intentionally to divert Spinola who was in arms for the King of Spain The English no sooner landed and quartered into Garrisons hardly drilled to obedience were suddenly called out to Service for Spinola was in the Field fitted for Enterprize lay hovering in Brabant sends Count Iohn Nassaw of the House of Orange but alwaies faithful to his Sovereign with a flying Army towards Cleve and after him Marches the Prince of Orange up the Moze first to Ginnegen to the Rendevouse where his Army mustered twenty five thousand thence to Mastrick in deadly fear of a Siege and so to the Town of Cleve lately taken in by the Count which was now soon rendred to Maurice and he was watch all this way by the other In this time Spinola with freedome to choose his Design began with Spade and Pick ax and fell to digging about Breda the twenty sixth of August 1624. and had earthed suddenly so large and deep as Maurice the craftier Fox that way yet knew not how to unlodge him but returns down the River to Guitrudenburgh and incamped at Mede some houres journey from Breda and there besieges the Besiegers The wonder of which was so famous then as deserves particular Remembrance now This Barony and Town of Breda with eighteen Villages belonged to the Dukes of Brabant and sell to the Family of Nassaw by a Wives Dowry 1404. and so remained for one hundred sixty three years till by revolt of William of Nassaw the Duke d' Alva possest it for the King of Spain 1567. from whom Count Holloch took it for Nassaw 1577. and from them surprized 1581. and then again regained by Stratagem in a Turfbote where lay hid seventy Souldiers like the Graecians in the Trojan horse and wan it for Nassaw 1590. who held it to this Siege It is scituated in the uttermost part of Brabant adjoining Holland pleasant strong and wealthy most convenient for either Nation The territory about by Sea-tides or inundation of waters may be made unaccessable And therefore the Prince about two years before had with some additions and fortifications made it invinceable against all but hunger and with much delight called it his Tempe The Arch Duchesse Isabella Infanta of Spain and dowager of Prince Albert now Governesse in Flanders under the King of Spain gives Commission to Spinola Lieutenant General of the Spanish Forces who in Iuly 1624. departs from Bruxels with an Army of eighteen thousand divided into three parts the more to distract the Dutch who in some doubt re-inforces Breda
UNion of both Nations intended 320 argued and the Kings answer 338 Vorstius and Arminius their Heresies and story 370 Villiers a favourite his story 455 Master of the Horse and Marquess 489 Earl and Duke 547 goes with the Prince into Spain 542 quarrels with Olivares 551 returns to the Ships 552 his Declaration to the Parliament 559 W. WAr the consequence 281 Whitgift Arch-Bishop dies 307 Waldenses vindicated 376 Sir Henry Wootton his Embassies to the Emperour and Princes in Germany 485 Dr. Williams Dean of Westminster and Bishop of Lincoln and Lord Keeper 504 his character 507 Y. SIr Henry Yelverton Prisoner and why 499 his Letters to the Duke of Buckingham 500 THE PROEME TO THE Seeond Part. WE now enter on the second part the Accession of a Crown rightly descended to King James by Succession from the Union of Marriage long since to this re-union of Kingdoms now as a period in shew of all Trepidation and Motions in him and his Posterity but the eye of all-seeing Wisdom hath with his powerful hand of Providence dissipated those designs and aims of perpetuity and hath not left any one of his in present possession of any part of his inheritance And though the prevailing Party minds no other Iustification than Success yet some men more busie than useful take upon them by deformed writings and Pasquilles to conclude this Fabrick from such Foundation as they please to contribute their Counterfeit Materials with their Prophecies Policies Directories Narratives and such like stuff the general blauch upon former Soveraigns Each one professing Truth to countenance their affectiions and Passions which alter too with the subsequence of Time and State And thereby comes to be published sundry Rapsodies Petit-Pamphlets and Papers But yet if you deny their Tenents you are forthwith to be taken for a State Heretique Non servata unitas nisi in credendo omnia 〈…〉 For though there may be granted great Antipathy between the former and this State in Civil Policy yet no such matter from thence for our disobedience now What ever may be pretended by Others I conceive the People no meet Iudge or Arbitrator For my part I am witness to my self as that no contradiction shall supplant in me the Reverence I ow to Authority Neither shall any Adve●saries by Calumny embase my Opinion and high Esteem of K. I●●es his just Merits and Royal Memory The Indisposition of these later times having pierced with Accusations very many Men of excellent Virtues Mala dicta ingenere concinnatis calumniis They leave all reve●end compassion t●ward● ev●●s or religious indignation towards faults turn all into a Satyr search and rip up wounds with smiling impudence and strain their counterfeit zeal to the publick with untruths abominable Et magnis Mendacii Credulitas Welcome whisperings are quickly heard where potent malice is Promoter They tragitally aggravate infirmities and slips unworthily upbraiding adverse Fortunes and that their belief herein must necessarily be the more perfect which is most degrees removed from the last Actors and so becomes Postumi erroris filii Non tam in odium boni Quam amorem Mali Proclives sumus As one saith These Kingdomes in King James time grown aged in happinesse● that as men used to say of the spiced air of the Sabaeans Summus quidem Odor sed voluptas Minor The very excess seemed to abate the pleasure Or as the hot sent of Musk to some Savors seem to stink Repetions of our Blessings then did not so much affect our Nations as dull them Peace made us wanton Plenty 〈◊〉 M●●ies secure Our Benefits then became our Weapons to rebell against his fame now The whole Land being sowred by the Peoples Sins too much felicity introd●●ed Luxury and Correllaries of Vices Pride Ambition Contempt of things Divine and ●umane This Nation in short time sick of a surfeit of Health afterwards broke with two much wealth and now it comes to amendment Ryot begins to grow thirsty made so to go plain Gluttons to fast Wantonness starved into Soberness But we may already be affraid of Relapse Bedrid Exorbitancies fowl●r for purging Need is there none to number up the Graces and Blessings by this King in competition with Her his Predecessor It may be Her virtues then are now become Torches in the dark which appear greatest afar off as His Vices made so by some writers do neer at hand I shall endeavour to recover the truth of his time least slanderous Tongues run mad with railing they presuming to be got out of distan●● of time and reach of Confutation● So that Maiesty which dies not may yet be discouloured As in particular a Writer indeed a few years since holds forth he saies The History of Great Brittain but speaks not a word of Scotland or Ireland and so this Vindication serves the turn to answer All. But to give this Man therein his due we may find truth and falsehood finely put together if it be his own for it is my hap to meet with Post-nati both these Books born from the dead and were Abor●●ves but like Bear-whelps licked over by laborious Pen-men The one a Manuscript of Sir A. W. which with some regret of what he had malitiously writ intended to the fire and dyed Repentant though since stoln to the Press out of a Ladies Closet This Other designed an Epistle for honourable Patronage who disdained the owning And so comes out bare Collections of Old I knew of them and their Parent Presbyter put together by the Poet And shaped out by the Doctor and Wilsons Name set to the Sale My aym is in these times of Distraction to present to the p●blique the former fruits of Peace and Plenty planted by Providence and ripened to Maturity by Divine Influence throughout His Daies If any failings so much searched for and to be found at last are then to be attributed to his age not Him In declention of years not many Princes end in much splendor when vigour fails so does their fortune For my self having lived long time in Court and employed till my gray hairs more in Businesses than Books far unworthy I humbly confesse to have any hand to the Helm yee I cabin'd neer the Steerage and so might the more readily Run the compass of the Ships-Way And truly I traversed aboard too though not in Counsel with Masters or Mates observing also the Heights and Declinations of the Sun and Stars the better able to evidence their Actions and Influence upon our World Add herein to be read in few howers what have been reaped in many years These undeniable Truths which I have seen and heard Will. Sanderson The LIVES and DEATHS of MARIE Queen of SCOTLAND And of Her Son and Successor JAMES The Sixt of that name King of SCOTLAND And of Great BRITAIN FRANCE and IRELAND the First Introduction KINGS are Gods upon Earth God himself hath said so Intituling Them to this Dignity with power over their People But they shall die like Men
and to mary Norfolk They promise to procure Queen Elizabeths consent and the other to be restored to all which she in Prison easily yielded and who could blame her in the case she was But ere they had so done Queen Elizabeth had suspition and therefore it was more than time to break it themselves so from one to the other it was neglected till Leicester did it She asked the Duke thereof and charged him to decline it least he hop't headless and it was good warning sufficient to him to look ere he leap't and so he stole away in time of Progress back to London Caecil wisely took care of the State and learned so much of the Matter that the Duke began to fear restless in any place withdrew to Norfolk where some Commotion was purposely set on foot and he suspected To prevent the worst he returns back towards the Court but at Saint Albans was taken to guard and secured for by this time Treacherous Murray had out of Scotland discovered what he knew and upon which the Duke was sent to the Tower Bishop Ross and others committed and Pembroke examined not well remembring what he had said or should say for he could not read a word Northumberland and Westmerland take Arms but fearing greater opposition fled into the North. But ere all this was known in Scotland Secretary Metallan increased faction for Queen Mary and sided with Hume and Grange Captain of Edenburgh Castle and before it was ripe he is sent for to Sterlin accompanied with the Earl Athole to intercede if need were and need there was for he is accused as Accessary to the late Kings murther and committed close Prisoner Sir Iames Balfore in the same Condition were both of them sentenced by the Convention of States for by them Murray did all his work as in cases of Treason but with much ado Balfore had pardon and Metallan reprived to Edenburgh Castle and Murray posted up and down to reduce the Norfolk faction and the Queens who were increased and returns to the Life Tryal of Metallan at Edenburgh where finding his Party too strong being of Hamilton Huntley Arguile and others he warily adjourned the arraignment for though by this time News came of the Dukes Commitment in England yet his Faction increased very powerful and his Plot went on in Scotland The Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland in favour of the Queen of Scots and right Rebels to Religion with 6000. Foot and 2000. Horse mastered Durham burnt the Bible and Service Books heard Mass in Darnton and took Bernard Castle but being pursued by the Earl of Warwick with twelve thousand men and Sussex with another army of seven thousand they were forced to fly into Scotland in December and lurked among the Borderes and Robbers until Morton betrayed Northumberland to the Regent who sent him prisoner to Lochleven being an Enemy to all sides but the Queen of Scots This service Queen Elizabeth took well and gave audience to Pitcarn his Ambassadour to whom she promised to desist the restoring of Queen Mary and assured all friendship to the Regent when he should crave her aid The effect was soon published in Scotland to the fear and lessening of Maries party and they not able to Master his Power took the bold way of base treachery be one Iames Hamilton whose life Murray had saved and he undertakes to kill him His opportunity he takes at Lithgow in secret where he placed himself in a House as the Regent passed by shot him with an Harquebuss out at a Window the bullet passed thorow his Body and killed the Horse under George Dowglass 21. Ianuary 1569. He dyed that night Hamilton had his horse ready and scaped beyond Seas where he dyed not long after Murray was base Son to King Iames the fift and took up Religion for the gain of the Spoil of Papists He was a Man full of Ambition injurious and ungrateful to the Queen and likely not to have spared her Son when time had wrought him power to effect it He was much assisted in his Regency by Mortons perpetual concurrency and may be coupled as Parmenio and Alexander Nihil Murray absque Morton Multa Morton absque Murray It comes to be the question whether for Interest or Friendship Morton was so fixt certainly Murray aimed at all the Queen in durance and his labour so to continue her or rather to have her in his Custody and so to have ordered her and her Son for his own purpose To ballance him the Queens faction were Hamiltons Arguile Athole Huntley and almost all the petty Princes as the Scots call themselves Earls of Crawfoord Rothess Eglinton Cassiles the Lords Harris Maxwells Iohnston Seaton Boyd Grey Mettallan the Secretary and Politicquer and Grange the active Captain of the Castle of Edenburgh and most of the strong Castles and Forts the French did assist them and Spain favored them and so did all Catholiques In England the faction of Norfolk and Papists and all Male-contents or Treacheries took up Queen Maries cause to mutiny She had her Rents in France duly paid and her Jewels and much under-hand support to countenance her Am●assadours abroad and private Emissaries and a working brain for her own ends All the English banished Lords Dacres Westmerland and all the Popish at home The other party which we call the Kings but indeed they were of all sides partial to their own Iuterests Pride and Ambition and took up factions accordingly were Morton Mar Lenox Glencarn Lindsey and Glams Simple Methvain Ruthen no Castles but Sterlin and Tantallon and the Commons and from England Queen Elizabeth knew well how to feed them on all sides with a bit and a bob for in this time she had sent three several Armys against the Borderers under that colour which most horridly burnt all in their way with incredible mischief to that miserable Nation The Murther of Murray was lookt upon as more publique than to be acted by one and a Resolution of his Friends to question it by force or Justice In the mean time the Estates appoint a day and this put off was counselled by Metallan who was got out of Prison in this hurrey of affairs and suspected the Plotter of Murrays death The Lords meet and stand upon their guard but agree in nothing for the common safety the Queens Party elect three Lieutenants Arran Arguile and Huntley and appoint a Parliament in August after In this while Queen Elizabeth sends Sir William Drury with three hundred Horse and a thousand foot into Scotland to pursue her Rebells as was pretended but sided with Morton and did some mischief to the Queens Faction and so returned Home The 13. of I●ly in a Convention at Sterlin Lenox the Kings Grandfather is chosen Regent and Hamilton refused Queen Elizabeth declining her direction in that Election but well pleased since she had his wife in her hands He marches with Forces of 5000. men to Linlithgow and prevents
the Lords Meeting of their Parliament in Augnst after and so with increase of men makes up eight thousand Ranges the Country and spoils his Adversaries with Marshal law hangs them up by Scores and returns to Sterlin The King of Spain not with much affection to the Cause but for his own interest and malice to Queen Elizabeth secretly sends money and ammunition to Huntley in the North. The Duke of Castle-herault and Arguile send Seaton to Duke D' Alva in Flanders for aid and to restore the Captive Queen He promised fair but did nothing having much to do for his Master against Holland Nay the Pope fell to work with his Bulls excommunicates Queen Elizabeth and absolves her Subjects and some fears of a Rebellion in Norfolk to deliver the Duke exceedingly beloved and pit●yed And therefore upon his humble petition and penitency abjuring the Mariage was released the Tower and restrained only to his own House but with a Keeper Sir Henry Nevel whether in favour or to beget in him more Guilt for Henry the Eight's Statute of Treason to mary the Blood Royall without leave was repealed by Queen Elizabeth and his Misdemeanours were not yet come up to Felony But she in much trouble and fear of Forein Forces and Domestique Insurrections dayly put in practice in Darby-shire Sent Caecil and Mildmay with 16. Articles to Queen Mary at Chatsworth in Darby-shire not unreasonable unless those concerning the Scots interest with France of antient League and Security which therefore she wittily argued as not in her power without their consent For her Dowry was from thence the Scots Guard of Gens D' arms in France of one hundred Horse and 124. Archers the interest of some Clergy in pension and immunities from their Scots Merchants and Students in France All which except the English would recompence she could not remove their Amity and some Castles also required in Scotland which she could not render and so these Overtures were quite declined The Scots Incendiaries at home fearing that Queen Elizabeths good Inclination or other Forein assistance should release their imprisoned Queen and so revenge would follow Morton with others from Scotland are sent to prevent it and present a tedious insolent memorial the gall of the pen came from Knox and his Kirkmen with authorities of ipse dixit Calvin too hateful for president to others in justification of themselves and against Royalty which the Queen read and disdained as a Libel Yet she ordered Commissioners to treat with Queen Maries Commissioners and them concerning her Release but they excused themselves by a frivolous restraint of their Authority therein But certainly They that came impowred to deprive had powers to restore And indeed what needed Authoritie from others at home when wicked facts had made all equals Facinus quos inquinat aequat and so all return home Herein nothing to the poor captivated Queens Release her Friends in Scotland worsted in all their actions of Arms or Treaties strong places surprized and many executed for being but suspected of her Party Arch-Bishop Hamilton Brother to the Duke Castle-herault hanged as privy to the late Kings Murther without any Arraignment or Tryal and she here deprived of all her Friends and Domestiques but ten persons She then bethinks her self of the last remedy sends secretly to the Duke of Norfolk renues her affection and conjures his Assistance with other Letters to the Pope and King of Spain by Higford the Dukes Secretary a fiery Fellow even such another Creature as might be a President afterwards unto Cuff Secretary to his unfortunate Master the Earl of Essex who besides his Errand insinuates to the Duke fair hopes of Confederacy and assistance from all the Catholique Princes and the Pope also And with this Plot of impossibilities not without suspition of Treachery to his Master for before these letters were burnt he secretly stole the Minutes of all their private missions and lodged them purposely where they soon came to light The poor Duke easy enough to be cosened but not into the villany of Treason detested and disliked his Motions And yet afterwards but for meddling with money in behalf of that Queen to be sent to her Friends which was misconstrued perhaps in the worst sence for Support of Enemies against Queen Elizabeth he fell into this mischief and Treason which Higford confessed and discovered all the former Matters to boot The Duke not dreaming what was acknowledged denyed all at his Examination and so was again committed to the Tower and presently after him the Earls Arundel and Southampton the Lords Lumley and Cobham with others his Friends but these scaped with life and in hope of pardon told all they knew and more than truth And thus was he betrayed not knowing whom to trust where he lodged till he lost his head the next year after Bishop Ross Queen Maries Lieger Ambassadour of long time ago and so now here A witty and well-experienced Man he was in his Craft and up to the ears in all Designs and Plots for her Relief and Advantage through his Letters intercepted and all their confessions produced was sent for and examined the most guilty Crimes of them all either the Contriver or deeply Acce●●ary some he confessed those which concerned others he constantly concealed and cunningly answered unto all There being sufficient evidence to make him guilty he stood upon his Privilege which he wittily defended and yet were qualified from any punishment The Tribunes of the People in Rome were free from question in their Annual Office Particular Mischief submits to the conveniency of the Publique Leges de Jure Gentium inductum est ut eorum Corpora salva sint propter necessitatem Legationis ac●ne confundant jura comercii inter Principes Let us come to latter Customes of our own kind Henry 2. Restrained the Popes Legat until he swore not to act in prejudicium Regis vel Regni Henry the third did so likewise to another of the Popes Legates Another fled of himself timens pelli sui Edw. 1. Complained to the Pope and had satisfaction ere his Legate was released Henry 8. Restrained the Ambassadour of Charls 5. one Lewis de Prat for but falsely traducing Cardinal Wolsey to his Master Charles the ninth of France did so to Sir Nicholas Throgmorton for Counselling the Prince of Conde against the King In Spain was Doctor Man Ambassadour from England imprisoned for using his own Religion and yet Gusman de Sylva at that instant here in England had Mass with freedom But then the Inquisition mastered that State 1567. We restrained Don Guerman de Aspes in London for Libelling this State to the Duke D'Alva 1568. The French Ambassadour Alpin and Maluset were so used also The Venetian Ambassadour at Madrid protected an Offendor that came into his House the usual Sanctuary who by force was taken out from thence and that State justified that Action condemning the Ambassadors Servants that opposed Some to death
Fugitives if he might be trusted with the Queens License which was promised to him but delayed whilst all was discovered to Walsingham by one Gifford a Priest whom he recommended unto Amias Pawlet to suffer his servants to be corrupted by him and so to intrap the Queen his Prisoner but though Pawlet refused to conspire with his servants yet he permitted one that depended on the necessary service of his Family a Baker to be bribed and at a hole in the wall to give out and take in letters between the Queen and all the confederates which were as sure to be opened and read by Walsingham who got the Keys of the Ciphers and had answe●s counterfeited to involve whom he pleased to suspect in the Plot. At last the time being ripe for Execution they were proclaimed Traytors and at several places seized examined and confessing to every particular they were executed as Traytors seven of them most cruelly the other seven with more mercy The Queen of Scots was so narrowly watched that she knew nothing of the discovery no not when Mr. Gorge was sent to her to expostulate these plots She being then on horseback a hunting was not suffered to return but in shew of honour was led to several Gentlemens houses in the mean time that her servants and her Secretaries are severed from Communication her Cabinet and Desks and Copies of Letters with sixty several Ciphers discovering all were seized and sent to the Councel Now is Gifford sent by Walsingham into France and given out as banished who leaves a Paper indented with the French Ambassadour In charge not to deliver any letters from the Queen of Scots or from the fugitives that came to his hands and to be sent into France but to such onely that brought the counterpain of the Indented Paper which he secretly sent to Walsingham And so dep●●ted into France where soon he died for having done the main work ere he went over was for his reward discovered to be a counter●eit even by slight of hand and Walsinghams contrivement and so had ●auce to his knavish face that pined him away by inches In this condition was the poor imprisoned Queen at Fotherringhan Castle in Northampton-shire when the Councel were as busie what to do with her At last they concluded to proceed upon the Act of 27. Eliz. made the last yeer against Plotters or contrivers of the Queens death as before said To which purpose a Commission under the great seal issued out impowring twenty four Noblemen and others therein who came to the Castle the 11 of October to try and censure her Against which she excepted As being her self a free Princess and not liable to tryall for life Her ignorance of the Laws of England and without Council Her papers and writings seized and so utterly refuses to be tryed Yet being over-born and convinced with many strong arguments of Law and Reason she submits The manner of her Tryal was thus A chair of Estate was set as for the Q. of England under a canopy at the upper end of the Presence Chamber B●neath against it was placed a Chair for the Queen of Scots close to the Walls on both sides of the Cloth of Estate Seats were made for the Lords Chancellour Treasurer the Earls of Oxford Kent Derby Worcester Rutland Cumberland Warwick Pembroke Lincoln and Viscount Mountacute On the other side the Lords Abergavenny Zouch Morley Stafford Grey Lumley Sturton Sands Wentworth Mordant Saint John Compton Chenos Next to these the Knights Privy Counsellours Sir James Croft Sir Christopher Hatton Sir Francis Walsingham Sir Ralph Sadler Sir Walter Mildmay and Sir Amias Paulet Forward before the Earls sate the two Chief Iustices the Chief Baron of the Exchequer And on the other side the other two Iustices Delt and Ford Doctors of the Civil Law At a Table in the midst Popham Attourney General Egerton Solicitor Gawdy Serjeant at Law the Clerk of the Crown and two Notaries The Prisoner being set Bromley Lord Chancellour turning to her said The most illustrious Queen of England being certified to her great grief that you plotted hers and the Kingdom of Englands ruine and the overthrow of Religion established Out of duty to God her Self and People and no malice or ill meaning hath authorized these Commissioners to hear what can be laid to your charge and your Answer to defend your own innocency She rising up said She came into England to implore aid and was promised it but ever since kept Prisoner That she is not the Queens subject but a free and absolut●●rincess and cannot be compelled to appear before Delegates or any other Iudg for any cause whatsoever but before God alone the supreme Iudge of all which otherwise were der●gatory to her own Princely Majesty to her Son the King of Scots her Successors and all other absolute Princes Nevertheless she did present her self to refute all Crimes that could be charged upon her The Chancellour replied that her Protestation was vain for whosoever offends the ●aws of England in England must be subject to the same examined and judged and therefore not to be admitted Yet the Delegates commanded her Protestation and his Answer to be registred The Patent and late newest Statute made a Law was read and opened to which she answered that it was purposely made to entrap her Gawdy averred that she had transgressed every part and parcel of that Law with a Narration of Babingtons Treason to which she was accused as conspiring abetting assenting to effect it She denies all never to have received Letters from him nor written to him she knew him not and requires Proofs of her Hand by any Subscriptions or Letters nay she never heard tell of any such Treason Ballard she knew not onely she understood that the Catholicks were grievously used and therefore she writ to the Queen for some pity upon them She confessed those Letters produced from many whom she knew not that profered their endeavours for her enlargement but she excited none to any wicked Design and being a Prisoner she could not hinder their Attempts Then was Babingtons Letters read his Confessions and Correspondencies with her wherein the whole Conspiracy was expressed She answered that Babington might write them but prove any receipt of them if Babington or any other affirm so much I say plainly They lie A Packet of Letters detained a whole year came to my hand but I know not who sent ●t But Babingtons confession accused her therein She blamed Sir Trancis Walsingham for his cunning plottings to entrap her with counterfeiting Letters and Cyphers which he lamely excused and put all upon policy of State This held out the Fore-noon After Dinner was produced Charls Pagets Letter and Curls one of her Servants confession that she received it touching conference with Ballard and Mendoza for invading England and setting her free She acknowledged that a Priest told her that
Feaver And was Interred at Westminster 1612. His Motto's Pax mentis Honestae gloria Iuvat Ire per altum Hee was comely tall five foot eight Inches high strong and well made broad shouldred a small wast amiable with Majesty Aborn Hair long faced broad forehead a peircing grave Eye a gracious smile but with a frown daunting Courteous and affable naturally shamefast and modest patient and slow to anger mercifull and judicious secret of any trust even from his youth His courage Princelike fearless noble and undaunted Saying that nothing should be impossible to him which had been done by another Religious and Christian He was never heard to swear an Oath and it was remembred at his funeral Sermon by the Arch-bishop that he being commended by one for not replying with passion in play or swearing to the truth he should answer that he knew no game or value to be wonne or lost could be worth an Oath To say no more such and so many were his virtues that they covered the semblance of sin But think what we will one that sucks venome says he was anatomized to amuse the world and to clear the impoyson as a Court trick to dawb it over We are like to have much truth from such a prejudicate Pen-Man The Prince Palatine and Maurice Prince of Orange by a Deputy were installed Knights of the Garter this Christmass And in February following the Marriage with the Princess Elizabeth was solemnized with all pomp and glory together with the peoples hearty affections expressed in their Ayd-mony Contribution he calls it for her Marriage which is a due debt or ancient Custome and no absolute thing whether or no that the obedience of the subject had been ripe or rotten thereto and it came to twenty thousand and five hundred pounds And in Aprill after he returnes with his Bride through the Netherlands to his own principall City Heidelbergh in the Palatinate from whence his finite miserable banishment took begining in Anno 1613. A Scotish Baron one Sanquair having wasted his own pieced up his Patrimony by mariage with another an heir in England and having worn out hers also with the death of his Lady He seekes to save the poor remain by sparing it abroad a Custome of Gallants taken up to salve their credit which they say Parsimony disparages unless from home in forein soil and ere he went over His fate was to try mastery with Turner a Master of defence in his own Art wherein Sanquair had much of knowledg but more of opinion Turner was the most of skill in that Profession whom the Baron challenges at three hits and inforced upon him the first of three with over-much conceipt and clamour of his Scots companions to over-Master the best in England and him in his own Schoole too in the face of some Schollars an affront to all The man sensible of his credit more than conscience in Malice to do mischief opened his Body to the advantage of his Adversary who too neer pressing it home Turner takes it on his Brest being sure thereby to pop Sanquire in the eye so deadly that he dasht it out The Baron guessed at this evil hap by his own Intention to have done worse himself But by Turners regret of this mischance they parted patience perforce At Paris the King pittyed his loss a great defect to a handsome gallant and asked him why the man dyed not that did it This Item the Divell so drove into his fancie that hastily brings him home again where he hired two of his own kindred Grey and Carliel to kill him which they did basely by a brace of Bullets in his own House White-Fryers And all three got time to fly The one taken in Scotland the other on Ship-board and the Barons head praysed at a thousand pounds he fearing thereby to be forced into Justice thought it safer to throw himself into the hands of Mercy by presenting it and so represented by the Bishop of Canterbury he might appear an obiect of pitty But the wound was universall and the blood-shed not to be wiped off but by his death ignoble as his Act the Halter equall guilt had even punnishment all the three Gallows Some difficulty there was how to proceed with the Baron who first came in for Carlile and Grey being Principals and not as yet convict the Law could not proceed to the Tryall of Sanquair being but Accessary But then the other two flying they were out-lawed and so attainted of felony and then the Accessary was tryed for there are but three kinds of Attainder by Outlary Verdict or Confession See after in the case of Weston for impoysoning of Overbury who stood Mute sometime that while the Accessaries could not be convict Anno 1615. The next Moneth brings to the Grave that excellent States-Man Treasurer Cecil Earl of Salisbury He was descended from the Sits●lts in Hartfordshire Vorstegan sa●es from Cecilii the Romanes they suffered some persecutions in the time of Henry the eight and Queen Mary His father William came into favour by Edward the sixth who gave him Knighthood and took him to his Counsell and in the Office of Secretary of State but in some obscurity afterwards under his Sister Mary was restored again by Queen Elizabeth in the same trust so soon as she was setled in her Crown and by degrees increases him to honour First Baron of Burleigh Then Lord Treasurer and Knight of the Garter he died Chancelor of the University of Cambridge Anno 1598. and was intombed at Stanford Leaving two sonnes The Elder Thomas then Lord President of the North and by King Iames created Earl of Excester and privy Counsellor of State He died some years after discreet and honourable whom the world could never tax with any taint This other sonne Robert was a true inheritor of his fathers wisdome and by him trained up to the future perfections of a judicious States-man After his Knighthood by Queen Elizabeth the first imployment from Court for he was not at all bred out of it sent him Assistant with the Earl of Derby Ambassadour to the French King At his return she took him second Secretary with Sir Francis Walsingham after whose disease he continued principal and so kept it to his death Not rel●nquishing any preferment for the addition of a greater A remarkable note which few men of the Gown could boast off His father liv'd to see him thus far setled in these preferments and afterwards Master of the Wards and Liveries These he held to the Queens death being in all her time used amongst the men of weight as having great sufficiencies from his father who begat them also Those offices here in publick with perpetual Correspondence by Emissaries of his own made him capable of reception with King Iames who was advised by him how to be received of his people His merits certainly appeared to his Master that added to
an ordinary fate which often accompanies them to bear the burden of their masters mistakes which yet was but an experiment proper enough for the L. Chamberlain Rochester to put in practice whose creature he was But we may not forget our good Lord of Essex our digression most necessary to his story which was thus There was amongst other persons of Honour and quality in Court a young Lady of great birth and beauty Frances the Daughter of Thomas Howard Earl of Suffolk married in under-age unto the Earl of Essex now become a forward stripling she two and twenty and he three and twenty years of him common fame had an opinion grounded upon his own suspition of his insufficiency to content a Wife And the effects of this Narration with the sequel of his life and conversation with his second Wife is so notorious as might spare me and the Reader our several labours for any other convincing arguments But with the first when both were of years to expect the blessing of the Marriage-bed he was always observed to avoid the company of Ladies and so much to neglect his own that to wish a Maid into a mischief was to commend her to grumbling Essex as they stiled him and increased the jealousie of such men whose interests were to observe him that he preferred the occasion himself for a Separation and which indeed from publick fame begat private disputation amongst Civilians of the legality thereof wherein those Lawyers are boundless This Case followed the heels of a former Divorce fresh in memory between the Lord Rich and his fair Lady by mutual consent but because Mountjoy Earl of Devonshire married her whilest her Lord lived the King was so much displeased as it broke the Earl's heart for his Majesty told him that he had purchased a fair Wife with a foul Soul But this of Essex was a different Example when you seek to parallel them together And therefore we may with more charity to truth not admit such hasty credit as to believe that now the Kings delight was onely for the love of the Viscount who is supposed to be in love with the Countess of Essex and upon no other score to command the Bishops to sue out a Divorce from her Husband which in truth was done with ample Reasons and legal Geremontes And because the Nullity gave freedom to either and so the means of her after-marriage with Rochester the sad occasions of all the sequel mishaps I have with some diligence laboured out the truth precisely and punctually as it was acted and proceeded by Commission Delegative not easily now otherwise to be brought to light which the Historian passes over briefly as unwilling to spend time to set down truths when it makes not for his turn for this Author had been Essex his Man and turn'd away by his Lady Upon Petition of the Earl of Suffolk and his Daughter Frances to the King That whereas his Daughter Frances Countess of Essex had been married many years unto Robert Earl of Essex in hope of comfortable effects to them both that contrariwise by reason of certain latent and secret imperfections and impediments of the said Earl disabling him in the rights of Marriage and most unwillingly discovered to him by his Daughter which longer by him to conceal without remedy of Law and the practice of all Christian policy in like cases might prove very prejudicial And therefore prays To commit the cause of Nullity of Matrimony which she is forced to prosecute against the said Earl to some grave and worthy persons by Commission under the great Seal of England as is us●ally c. Which accordingly was granted unto four Bishops two Privy Counsell ours learned in the Law and unto four other Civil Lawyers with clause to proceed cum omni qua poterint celeritate expeditione summarie ac de plano sine strepitu ac figur a judicii sola rei facti veritate inspecta mera aequitate attenta And with this clause also Quorum vos praefati Rev. Patrem Cant. Archiepiscopum Reverend Patrem Lond. Episcopum Iul. Caesar. Mil. aut duos vestrum in ferenda sententia in●eresse volumus But for some Exceptions concerning the Quorum by the Commissioners in the words Sententia esse not interesse A second Commission was granted and adjoyned two Bishops more with this Quorum Quorum ex vobis praefat Reverend Patrem George Cant. Archiepisc. Ioh. Lond. Episc. Tho. Wint. Episc. Lancelot Eliens Episc. Richard Covent Lich. Episc. Ioh. Ross. Episcop Iul. Caesar. Mil. Tho. Parry Mil. in ferenda Sententia nos esse volumus Upon this the Countess procures Process against the Earl to answer her in a Cause of Nullity of Matrimony The Earl appears before the Commissioners by his Proctor and she gives in her Libell viz. That the Earl and the Lady six years since in January Anno Domini 1606. were married her age then thirteen and he fourteen and now she is two and twenty and he three and twenty years old That for three years since the Marriage and he then eighteen years old they both did co-habit as married folk in one bed naked and alone endeavouring to have carnal knowledg each of others body Notwithstanding the Earl neither did nor could ever know her carnally he being before and since possessed with perpetual incurable impediment and impotency at least in respect of her That the Lady was and is apt and fit without any defect and is yet a Virgin and carnally unknown by any man That the Earl hath confessed oftentimes to persons of great credit and his nearest Friends that he was never able carnally to know her though he had often attempted and ●sed his utmost endeavours And therefore prayeth the Commissioners upon due proof hereof to proneunce for the invalidity and nullity of the Marriage The Earl by his Proctor denies the said Contents Contestatio lit is negative His Answer is required by Oath by second Process where in open Court his Oath was administred with so great care and effectual words to minde him of all circumstance as the like hath been seldom observed The Earl viva voce confesseth the Marriage and circumstance as in the Libell and were not absent above three Moneths the one from the other in any of the said three years That for one whole year of the three he did attempt divers times carnally to know her but the other two years he lay in bed with her nightly but found no motion to copulation with her That in the first year she shewed willingness and readiness therito That he did never carnally know but did not finde any impediment in her self but was not able to penetrate or enjoy her And believeth that before and after the Marriage he found in himself ability to other women and hath sometime felt motion that way But being asked whether he found in himself a perpetual and incurable impediment
that were grieved or interessed for not having performed the combate when he shall see the rule of State dis-interest him of a vain and unnecessary hazard Secondly This evil must not be cockered The compounding of quarrels is grown so punctual by private Noblemen and Gentlemen who is before hand and wholly behind hand It countenances Duels as if therein somewhat of right The most prudent and best Remedy may be learned out of the Kings Proclamation The false conceated humour must be punished in the same kind In eo quis rectissime plectitur in quo pe●cat such men to be banished the Kings presence and excluded the Court for certain years to be cast into that darkness not to behold his Sovereigns face Lastly We see the Root of this offence is stubborn for it despiseth death the utmost of punishments and therefore these men to be executed by Law without all remission The severity of France had been more where by a kind of Marshal Law established by the King the party surviving was instantly hanged their wounds though bleeding least a natural death should prevent the example of Justice Or if not so to do but with greater lenity yet of no less efficacy which is to punish by fines in Star Chamber the middle acts and proceedings which tend to the Duel 3. Now for the Law of England It is excepted against in two points Not to difference between an infidious and foul murther and killing upon fair terms as they term it The other Not providing sufficient punishment for contumely of words as thely and the like These novelties are thus answered The Law of God makes no difference but between Homicide voluntary and involuntary which we term Misadventure and for which there were Cities of Refuge Our Law hath a more subtil distinction The Will inflamed and the Will advised Man-slaughter in heat and Murther upon Malice or cold blood The Romans had restrained this privilege of passion but onely where the Husband took the Adulterer in the manner Yet Cain inticed his Brother into the Field and slew him treacherously but Lamech vaunted of his Murther To kill a young man and if it were but in his hurt So as the difference is between Insidious and Presumpt●o●s Murther these of Cain and Lamech Greece and Rome had not this practice of Duells It is said fas est ab hoste doceri There was a Duel between two eminent persons of the Turks and one slain the Council of Bashaes reprehended the Other How durst you undertake to fight one with the other are there not Christians enow to kill Did you not know that whether of you were slain the loss would be the great Seigniours T is true we find Combates before an Army amongst the Romans which they called Pugna per provocationem between Generals themselves or by their license to others So David asked leave when he fought with Goliah And Ioab when the Armies met gave leave Let the young Men play before us And of this kind was that famous example in the Warres of Naples between the Spaniards and Italians where Italians prevailed The second combate is a Iudicial Tryal of Right introduced by the Gothes and the Northern Nations and more antient in Spain But yet a wise Writer saies Taliter pugnantes videntur tentare Deum quia hoc volunt ut Deus ostendat faciat Miraculum ut justam causam habens Victor efficiatur quod saepe ●ontra accidit Nay the French folly in this kind had it in Toleration never authorized by Law but of late punished with severe rigour As for the supposed defect in our Law for Lies and fillips words of denyal and flea bites to murther a man Solon's Answer satisfies That he had not ordained Punishments for it not imaging the world so phantastical to take it so highly The Civillians say that an action of injury does not ly for it Indeed Francis the first of France gave the ly to the Emperour and in a Solemn Assembly said That he was no honest man that would bear the ly The Laws of England had onely these degrees of injury Slander Battery Maime and Death But as for a fillip Consalvo said A Gentlemans honour should be De tela crassiore of a strong warp Now for the power of this Court to censure Presidents have been in the Minor Whartons case P lt where Acklam Defendant servant to Elleckars was fined for carrying his Masters challenge but by Word of Mouth And it was concluded to prosecute in these cases against such As shall appoint the field though the sight be not acted Send challenge in writing or message Shall deliver either of them To accept or return them To be a second To depart beyond Seas to combat To revive a quarrel by s●andalous bruits or Pasquils Counsellers of Quarrellers And that a Man may in those cases be as well fur de se as felo de se if he steal out of the Realm to fight he doth Machinari contro Corona● But let us remember Scotland We have forewarned the Earl of Orkneys mis-behaviour in Scotland which of late so increased as he was again sent for and committed Having rioted most of his Estate the remainder was mortgaged to Sir Iohn Arnots of whom the King purchases his Interest by which means he might the better give relief to the distressed Tenants from oppression The Earl now in Dunbarton Castle with a Noble a Day pension for his Maintenance had information how his Estate with his Castles Kirkwall Birsay and other his Houses and Lands in the Isles were rendered to the Kings Sheriffs He endeavouring first to escape but not effecting sends his base Son to get forces and to expulse the Possessors He does so with some loose people assaults Birsay and takes it wherein he puts a Garrison of thirty men and hastens to Kirkwall seizes that also This Insurrection comes to the Kings knowledge and hastens Commission to the Earl of Caithness Lieutenant of those bounds who with his Canon recovers the Castles in 6 weeks and those within made Prisoners Robert Steward the Earls base son and four more principal Actors were arraigned at Edenburgh conv●ct and hanged The Earl as Accessary came to Tryal being indicted for causing his base son to surprize Kirkwall and Birsay inciting the people to Rebellion and detaining the Castles treasonably against the Kings forces He was allowed Prolocutours Lawyers of the best esteem who deny the Libel as they call it but the confession of his base Son and Others with his missive Letters written to one Iohn Sharp for detaining those Castles and a charter of certain Lands assigned by him to one Patrick Haloro for assisting the Rebels the Assize of Iury being his Peers Earls and Lords found him guilty of Treason and he presently executed at Edenburgh The end of Patrick Earl of Orkney Son to Robert Stewart one of the base Sons of King Iames the fifth for he had others