Grace of God King and Queen of Scots To all and sundry Our Lieges and Subjects whom it may concerne and to whose knowledge these Letters shall come Greeting Forasmuch as in this Uprore lately raised up against us by certaine Rebels and their assistants the authors thereof to blinde the eyes of the simple people have given them to understand That the quarrell they have in hand is onely Religion thinking with that cloke to cover their ungodly designes and so under that plausible argument to draw after them a large train of ignorant persons easie to be seduced Now for the preservation of our good Subjects whose case were to be pitied if they blindely should suffer themselves to be induced and trapped in so dangerous a snare it hath pleased the goodnesse of God by the utterance of their own mouthes and writings to us to discover the poyson that before lay hid in their hearts albeit to all persons of cleer judgment the same was evident enough before For what other thing is this but to dissolve the whole Policy and in a manner to invert the very order might move the principal raisers of this tumult to put themselves in Arms against us so unnaturally upon whom we had bestowed so many benefits But that the great honor we did them they being thereof unworthy made them misknow themselves and their ambition could not be satisfied with heaping riches upon riches honor upon honor unlesse they retain in their hands us and our whole Realme to be led used and disposed at their pleasure But this could not the multitude have perceived if God for disclosing their Hypocrisie had not compelled them to utter their unreasonable desire to Governe for now by Letters sent from themselves to us which make plain profession that the establishing of Religion will not content them but we must be forced to govern by Councell such as it shall please them to appoint us a thing so farre beyond all measure that we thinke the onely mention of so unreasonable a demand is sufficient to make their nearest Kinsfolks their most mortall enemies and all men to run on them without further scruple that are zealous to have their native Countrey to remain still in the state of a Kingdome For what other thing is this but to dissolve the whole policie and in a manner to invert the very order of nature to make the Prince obey and Subjects command The like was never demanded by any of our most Noble Progenitors heretofore yea not of Governours and Regents but the Prince and such as have filled their place chose their Councell of such as they thought most fit for the purpose When we our selves were of lesse age and at our first returning into this our Realme we had free choice of our Councell at our pleasure and now when we are at our full maturity shall we be brought back to the state of Pupills and be put under Tutory So long as some of them bore the whole sway with us this matter was never called in question but now when they cannot be longer permitted to do and undoe all at their pleasure they will put a Bridle into our mouthes and give us a Councell chosen after their fantasie This is the quarrell of Religion they made you beleeve they had in hand This is the quarrell for which they would have you hazzard your Lands Lives and goods in the company of a certain number of Rebels against your naturall Prince To speak in good language they would be Kings themselves or at the least leaving to us the bare Name and Title and take to themselves the credit and whole administration of the Kingdome We have thought good to make publication hereof to shew that you suffer not your selves to be deceived under pretence of Religion to follow them who prefering their particular advancement to the publike tranquilitie and having no care of you in respect of themselves would if you would hearken to their voice draw you after them to your utter destruction Assuring you that you have heretofore good experience of our clemency and under our Wings enjoyed in peace the possession of your Goods and lived at liberty of your Conscience so may you be in full assurance of the like hereafter and have us alwayes your good and loving Princes to so many as shall continue your selves in due obedience and do the office of faithfull and naturall Subjects Given under our Signet at Saint Andrews the tenth of December and of our Reignes the first and twentie three years 1565. NOw the Lords desired next the establishing of Religion That the Queens Majesty in all the Affairs of the Realme and Common-wealth should use the counsell and advice of the Nobility and ancient blood of the same whereas in the mean time the Councell of David and Francisco the Italians with Fowler the Englishman and Master Iames Balfour Parson of Flisk was preferred before all others save onely the Earle of Athole who was thought to be a man of grosse judgement but neverthelesse in all things given to please the Queen It was now finally come to this point that in stead of Law Justice and equity onely Will ruled in all things there was thorow all the Countie set out a Proclamation in the King and Queens names commanding all persons to come and meet them at Sterlin the first day of October following with twenty dayes provision under pain of life lands and goods It was uncertain whether their Majesties intended to passe from Sterlin or not and I beleeve the principall men knew not well at that time for a report was That by reason the Castles of Hamilton and Draffen were kept Fortified and Victualled at the Dukes command that they would passe to siege the said houses give them some shot of a Canon others said They would passe towards my L. of Argile who had his people alwayes armed whereof his neighbours were afraid especially the Inhabitants of Athole and Lenox but at length it was concluded that they should passe to Dumfreis as shall be declared During this time there were Propositions made continually to the King and Queen by the Lords desiring alwayes their Majesties most humbly to receive them into their hands Their Articles tended continually to these two Heads viz. To abolish the Masse root out Idolatry and Establish the true Religion And that they and the affaires of the Realm should be governed by the advice and counsell of the true Nobility of the same offering themselves and their cause to be tried by the Lawes of the Countrey Yet nothing could be accepted nor taken in good part albeit the Master of Maxwell laboured by all meanes to redresse the matter who also entertained the Lords most honourably in Dumfreis for he had the government of all that Countrey But he himself incurred the Queens wrath so that he was summoned to present himself and appear before the King and Queens Majesties after the same form
she and hers can claim for their own but she and hers must be serviceable to those who have undone them To this end she must have People about her namely Court-Chaplains to disguise businesse unto her and so make her have a bad conception of those who are her best friends to wit the true Professors of the Truth and good Patriots in these Dominions Next her eldest son after a long and great neglect of yeelding him any help for the recovery of his own is betrayed at our corrupt Court when he is put in away to do somewhat for his own restoring c. And after this by the same Court he is sollicited to take Arms here against the onely men who really and constantly have expressed unto him and his true affection but they being stopped by the Court could not effectuate much by their good will He in wisdome refuseth to fight against his friends Since he will not his two next Brothers must be employed the eldest whereof is released from prison to that effect And so they hazard their lives and spend their blood to serve the party who hath undone their Fortunes and now strives to undo their persons The King having left London after he had been in severall places retires to Yorke where he begins to raise men against the Parliament The Scots seeing this send to him thither to intreat him to lay aside all such intentions and offer their service by way of Mediation betwixt him and the Parliament to take away all known mistakes The Scots Commissioners were not suffered to proceed any further then in the businesse and were sent back beyond the expectation of men After a long Pen-skirmishing on both sides Armies are leavied many men killed and taken at divers times on each side yea a set Battell fought where numbers of men are slain The Scots not being able any longer to see their Brethren in England destroyed and the Executioners of Ireland butchering man woman and childe the help that the innocents should have had from England being almost altogether diverted by the Intestine War and neither say nor do in the businesse under safe-Conduct send to the King and Parliament Commissioners to intercede for an Agreement But they being arrived at Court were neglected with their Commission and not suffered to repair unto the Parliament At last they are dismissed not without difficulty and having done nothing return Upon this the Scots convene the States to consult concerning their own safety and the help of their friends At this nick of time when they received many fair promises from the Court with a request to be quiet a Plot of the Papists set afoot by the Court for embroyling the Countrey is discovered by the means whereof they were incited to look more narrowly to themselves and their friends Then the Parliament of England sends to the Scots for help Upon this a Covenant is made betwixt the two Nations for the defence of the true Religion and Liberty of the Countreys with the Kings just Rights and after due preparation the Scots having setled their own Countrey enter into England with a strong Army to fight the Battells of the Lord having for scope of their Expedition The glory of God and the good of his People with the Honour of the King Here we shall observe in these our Countreys in these last yeers such Riddles of State and Church as have hardly been heard of A Protestant Prince makes one Protestant Nation fight against another for the Protestant Religion which have been thought to be of one and the same Doctrine for the main One Church thunders Curses against another Then a Prince misled with the ayd of Papists and Atheists spoyling and destroying the professors of the Truth because they professe it for the good and advancement of the Protestant Religion Next in a very short time a Prince to have all his subjects declared Rebells First he is made declare the Scots Then he is constrained to declare the Irish An Army gotten together in the Kings name declares all those that did oppose them Rebells The Parliament declares all those who in the Kings name oppose them Rebells and Traytors Farther under the Kings Authority the named Rebells in England by the King maintain a War against the declared Rebells in Ireland But the late carriage of things at Court and by the Court-Instruments at home and abroad hath solved the Riddle namely The Patent for the Rebellion in Ireland The detaining of help ordained for the repressing of it The Kings offer to go into Ireland The Cessation and bringing over of the Irish and The last-discovered Plot in Scotland all other things laid aside tell us cleerly howsoever the Proclamations and Protestations going in the Kings name be soft and smooth as the voyce of Jacob yet the hands are rough as of Esau destroying and seeking to destroy the true Religion grounded in Gods Word with the professors thereof as also the lawfull Liberty of the Countrey and bring all unto slavery Let Ireland and England say if this be not true and Scotland likewise according to its genius speak truth I shall close up all with two or three Instances of eminent men amongst the Papists Clergie to shew clearly how they stand affected to the Protestants Cardinall Pool in an Oration to Charles the fifth Emperour saith You must leave off the War against the Turks and hereafter make War against the Heretikes so names he the professors of the Truth He adds the reason Because the Turks are lesse to be feared then the Heretikes Paul Rodmek in a Book expresse tells us That the Heretikes must be put to death slain cut off burnt quartered c. Stapleton the Iesuite tells us That the Heretikes are worse then the Turks in an Oration he made at Doway Campian the Iesuite in a Book of his Printed in the yeer 1583 in Trevers declares thus in the name of his holy Order Our will is That it come to the knowledge of every one so far as it concerns our Society That we all dispersed in great numbers thorow the world have made a League and holy solemn Oath That as long as there are any of us alive that all our care and industry all our deliberations and counsells shall never cease to trouble your calm and safety That is to say We shall procure and pursue for ever your ruine the whole destruction of your Religion and of your Kingdom He speaks to the English Now it is long since we have taken this resolution with the hazard of our lives so that the businesse being already well begun and advanced it is impossible that the English can do any thing to stop our Designe or surmount it Let these few Passages satisfie for this time I wish that thou maist reap some benefit of what is written here for thy good So praying for your happinesse I rest Yours in the Lord D. B. The LIFE OF IOHN KNOX IOHN KNOX was borne in Gifford neer
the Councell of the Realme he shall present his Complaint to their Majesties and generally they shall oblige them under the said pains to do the things which pertaineth to good and faithfull Subjects for the quietnesse and tranquility of the Realme and Rights of their Soveraigne Item It is Agreed That if any Bishops Abbots or other Church-men shall finde or alleadge them to have received any injuries either in their persons or goods the Complaints shall be seen and considered by the States of the said Convention and Parliament and there shall be made redresse as they shall finde according to reason and in the meane time no man shall stop them but they shall brook and enjoy their goods nor shall do any hurt injury or violence to them And if any doth contravene to this Article he shall be pursued by the Lords as a perturber of a good Common-wealc Item It is Accorded c. That the said Lords shall binde them to observe and cause to be observed all and sundry Points and Articles agreed in this Treaty And if it happen that any of them or any other should gainsay the same the remnant Lords and residue of the whole people shall be enemies to him and shall pursue him till he be chastned and punished according to his demerits Item It is Concluded c. That all the whole Realm may know that the King and Queen are not willing to keep any remembrance of the troubles and differences past and so far as concerns the Nobility and other subjects of this Realme That their Majesties desire is to use them humanely and to be favourable unto them the said Deputies have promised and accorded That the Duke of Chattellarault and all other Noble-men of Scotland shall be restaured and setled again in all their goods and benefices which they had enjoyed in France That they may brook and enjoy the same in the same manner as they did before those debates the said sixth day of March and yeere aforesaid even as the said controversies had never chanced And also that all Capitulations and Articles agreed upon in times past and especially those that were appointed in the King and Queens Contract shall be observed and kept as well for the part of their Majesties as for the part of the Nobility and people of Scotland And as concerning David son to the Duke of Chattellarault now being in Bois de Vincennes liberty shall be granted unto him to returne into Scotland and to do as he pleaseth Moreover when the said Deputies exposed that some time it might chance That the King might have need and use of his great Guns and Artillery in France the said Lords having consideration thereof accorded That no other Artillery be translated out of this Realme but those which were sent and brought in from the said day of the decease of Francis King of France of good memory to these parts And that all other Artillery aud Munition be reposed into the places whence they were taken forth and in speciall they that have the Arms of Scotland shall be put into the places whence they were taken forth of And there shall be Noble-men of Scotland appointed therefore and two for the part of the Kings Majesty are to be deputed to agnosce and view the same afore the Shipping thereof And moreover That whereas in the names of the Nobility and people of Scotland certain Articles concerning Religion and other Points have been presented which the said Deputies will not touch and considering the weight and importance of them has remitted the same to be cognosced and decided by their Majesties The said Lords and Nobility do promise That a certain number of Noble-men should be chosen in the next Convention and Parliament to be sent to their Majesties which shall expose to their Highnesses those things that shall be thought needfull for the state of their busines and for the forementioned and other Articles and Points undecided by the Deputies to the effect they may know their Majesties intention good wil concerning those things which shal be exposed from the Country the which also shall have with them a confirmation ratification by the states of the Realm of those articles which are concorded c. by the Deputies to whom also the same time or before shal be given and delivered and like Confirmation and Ratification made by their Majesties so being that the said States send their Ratification aforesaid The Proclamation of the things above-written made the 8 of Iuly in the yeere of God 1560. TO the glory of the Almighty Lord God and to the comfort of all Christians the most puissant Prince and Princesse and most Christian King and Queen Francis and Mary by the grace of God King and Queen of France and Scotland and by the most puissant Princesse Elizabeth by the same Grace Queen of England France and Ireland c. It is accorded and Reconciliation of Peace and Amitie made which is to be observed inviolably amongst them their Subjects Realms and Countries For as much as in name of the said Prince and Princesse it is commanded and straitly charged to all manner of persons under their obedience or being in their service from henceforth to desist from all hostility both by Sea and Land and to keep a good Peace the one with the other and with charge that none shall break the same under perill of c. These things transacted and the Peace Proclaimed as is said sudden provision was made for transporting of the French to France of whom the most part were put in the English Ships who also carried with them the whole spoile of Leith and that was the second benefit which they received of their late promised liberty the end whereof is not yet The English Army departed by land the 16 day of July in the yeere of God 1560. The most part of our Nobility Protestants honourably conveyed them as in very deed they had well deserved But Lord Iames would not leave the Lord Gray with the other Noble-men of England till that they entred into Barwick After whose returning the Councell began to look as well upon the affaires of the Common-wealth as upon the matters that might concern the stability of Religion As before we have heard the Parliament was concluded to begin the tenth of July and to be continued till the first of August next and therefore the Lords made the greater haste and diligence that all things should be put in convenient order But before all things the Preachers exhorted them for then in Edinburgh were the most part of the chief Ministers of the Realme to be thankfull unto God and next to provide that the Ministers should be distributed as the necessity of the Countrey required A day was appointed when that the whole Nobility and the greatest part of the Congregation assembled in S. Giles Church in Edinburgh where after the Sermon made for that purpose publike thanks were given unto God for
and States of my Realm too and therefore it shall be meet that I use their advises therein Heretofore they have seemed to be grieved that I should do any thing without them And now they would be more offended if I should proceed in this matter of my selfe without their advises I do intend quoth she to send Monsieur Dosell to the Queen your Mistresse my good sister who shall declare that unto her from me that I trust shall suffice her By whom I will give her to understand of my journey into Scotland I mean to embarke at Calice The King of France hath lent me certain Galleyes and Ships to convey me home and I intend to require of my good Sister those favours that Princes use to do in those cases And though the termes wherein we have stood heretofore have been somewhat hard yet I trust that from henceforth we shall accord together as Cosins and good Neighbours I mean quoth she to retire all the French men forth of Scotland who had given jealousie to the Queen my Sister and discontent to my Subjects so as I will leave nothing undone to satisfie all parties trusting the Queen my good Sister will do the like and that from henceforth none of my disobedient Subjects if there be any such shall finde ayd or support at her hands I answered That I was not desirous to fall into the discourse how those hard termes first began nor by what means they were nourished because therein I must charge some party with injury and perill offered to the Queen my Mistresse which was the very ground of those matters But I was well assured there could be no better occasion offered to put the former unkindnesse in forgetfulnesse then by ratifying the Treatie of Peace for that should repay all injuries past And Madame quoth I where it pleased you to suspend and delay the ratification untill you have the advices of the Nobles and States of your Realm the Queen my Mistresse doth nothing doubt of their conformitie in this matter because the Treatie was made by their consents The Queen answered yea by some of them but not by all it will appeare when I come amongst them whether they be of the same minde that you say they were then of But of this I assure you Monsieur Lambassadour quoth she I for my part am very desirous to have the perfect and the assured amity of the Queen my good sister and will use all the means I can to give her occasion to think that I mean it indeed I answered Madame the Queen my Mistresse you may be assured will use the like towards you to move you to be of the same opinion towards her Then said she I trust the Queen your Mistresse will not support nor encourage none of my Subjects to continue in their disobedience nor to take upon them things that appertain not to Subjects this we may answer here It appertaineth to Subjects to worship God as he hath commanded and to suppresse Idolatry by whom so ever it be erected or maintained You know quoth she there is much adoe in my Realme about matters of Religion And though there be a greater number of a contrary Religion unto me then I would there were yet there is no reason that Subjects should give a Law to their Soveraigne and specially in matters of Religion which I feare quoth she my Subjects shall take in hand answer for the part of Scotland and if so they had done they had escaped Gods heavie indignation which hath been felt and still hangeth over this Realm for the Idolatry and other abominations committed in the same which shall not cease till that it be suppressed I answered Madame your Realme is in none other case at this day then all other Realms through Christendome are The proofe whereof you see verified in this Realm And you see what great difficultie it is to give order in this matter though the King of France and all his Councell be very desirous thereunto Religion is of the greatest force that may be you have been long out of your own Realm so as the contrary Religion to yours had won tbe upper hand and the greatest part of your Realme Your mother was a woman of great experience of deep dissimulation and policy as they terme it now adayes and kept that Realme in quietnesse till she began to constrain mens consciences and as you think it unmeet to be constrained by your subjects so it may please you to consider The matter is as intolerable to them to be constrained by you in matters of conscience for the duty due to God cannot be given to any other without offence of his Majesty Why said she God doth command subjects to be obedient to their Princes and commandeth Princes to read his Law and governe thereby themselves and the people committed to their charges Answer Yea Madame quoth I in those things that be not against his Commandments Well quoth she I will be plain with you The Religion that I professe I take to be most acceptable to God and indeed neither do I know nor desire to know any other Constancy doth become all folks well but none better then Princes and such as have rule over Realmes and specially in matters of Religion the Turke is as constant in his Alcoran as the Pope and his Sect are in his Constitutions I have been brought up quoth she in this Religion and who might credit me in any thing if I should shew my selfe light in this case And though I be young and not well learned yet I have heard this matter oft disputed by my Uncle the Cardinall with some that thought they could say somewhat in the matter and I found therein no great reason to change my opinion neither yet did the high Priest when Christ Jesus did reason in his presence But what was the Cardinall compelled to confesse at Poysie Madame quoth I if you will judge well in that matter you must be conversant in the Scriptures which are the Touch-stone to try the right from the wrong Peradventure you are so partially affected to your Uncles arguments that you could not indifferently consider the other party Yet this I assure you Madam quoth I your Uncle the Cardinall in conference with me about these matters hath confessed That there be great errours and abuses come into the Church and great disorder in the Priests and Clergie in so much that he desired and wished that there might be a Reformation of the one and of the other I have oftentimes heard him say the like quoth she Then I said Well I trust God will inspire all you that be Princes that there may be some good order taken in this matter so as there may be one Unity in Religion thorow all Christendom God grant quoth she but for my part you may perceive I am none of those that will change my Religion every yeer And
should have beene of the Religion of the Romane Emperours What Religion should have been upon the face of the earth Daniel and his fellows were subjects to Nebuchad-nezzar and unto Darius and yet Madame they would not be of their Religion neither of the one nor of the other For the three Children said We make it knowne to thee O King That we will not worship thy Gods And Daniel did pray publikely unto his God against the expresse Commandment of the King And so Madame ye may perceive that Subjects are not bound to the Religion of their Princes albeit they are commanded to give them obedience Yea quoth she none of these men raised their Sword against their Princes Yet Madame quoth he ye cannot deny but they resisted For those that obey not the Commandments given in some sort resist But yet said she they resisted not by the Sword God said she Madame had not given them the power and the meanes Thinke you said she That Subjects having power may resist their Princes If Princes do exceed their Bounds quoth he Madame and doe against that wherefore they should be obeyed there is no doubt but they may be resisted even by Power For there is neither greater Honour nor greater Obedience to be given to Kings and Princes then God hath commadned to be given to Father and Mother But so it is That the Father may be stricken with a Phrenzie in the which he would slay his owne Children Now Madame if the children arise joyn themselves together apprehend the Father take the Sword or other Weapon from him and finally binde his hands and keepe him in Prison till that his Phrensie be over-past Thinke ye Madame that the children do any wrong Or thinke ye Madame that God will be offended with them that have stayed their Father from committing wickednesse It is even so said he Madame with Princes that would murther the children of God that are subject unto them Their blinde zeale is nothing but a very mad phrenzie and therefore to take the sword from them to binde their hands and to cast them into prison till that they be brought to a more sober minde is no disobedience against Princes but just obedience because that it agreeth with the Word of God At these words the Queene stood as it were amazed more then a quarter of an houre her countenance altered so that the Lord Iames began to entreat her and to demand What hath offended you Madame At length she said Well then I perceive that my Subjects shall not onely obey you and not me And shall do what they list and not what I command and so must I be subject unto them and not they to me God forbid answered he that ever I take upon me to command any to obey me or yet to set Subjects at liberty to do whatsoever please them but my travell is That both Princes and Subjects obey GOD. And thinke not said he Madame that wrong was done unto you when you are willed to be subject unto GOD for it is he that subjects the people under Princes and causes obedience to be given unto them yea God craves of Kings That they be as it were Foster-Fathers to the Church and commands Queens to be Nourishers unto his People And this subjection Madame unto God and to his troubled Church is the greatest dignity that flesh can get upon the face of the earth for it shall carry them to everlasting glory Yea quoth she but ye are not the Church that I will nourish I will defend the Church of Rome for I think it is the true Church of God Your will quoth he Madame is no reason neither doth your thought make that Romane Harlot to be the Immaculate Spouse of Jesus Christ. And wonder not Madame that I call Rome an Harlot for that Church is altogether polluted with all kinde of Spirituall Fornication as well in Doctrine as in Manners yea Madam I offer my selfe further to prove That the Church of the Jewes who crucified Jesus Christ when that they manifestly denied the Sonne of God was not so farre degenerated from the Ordinances and Statutes which God gave by Moses and Aaron unto his People as the Church of Rome is declined and more then five hundred yeers hath declined from the Purity of Religion which the Apostles taught and planted My conscience said she is not so Conscience Madame said he requires knowledge and I fear that of right knowledge you have but little But said she I have both heard and read So Madame said he did the Jewes that crucified Christ Jesus reade both the Law and the Prophets and heard the same interpreted after their manner Have ye heard said he any teach but such as the Pope and his Cardinalls have allowed And you may be assured That such will speak nothing to offend their owne state Ye interpret the Scriptures said she in one manner and they in another Whom shall I believe and who shall be Judge Believe said he God that plainly speaketh in his Word And further then the Word teacheth you ye shall neither believe the one nor the other The Word of God is plain in it self And if there appear any obscurity in one place the holy Ghost which is never contrarious to himself explains the same more clearly in other places So that there can remaine no doubt but unto such as obstinately will remaine ignorant And now Madame said he to take one of the chief Points which this day is in controversie betwixt the Papists and us for example The Papists alleadge and boldly have affirmed That the Masse is the Ordinance of God and the Institution of Jesus Christ and a Sacrifice for the quick and the dead We deny both the one and the other and affirme That the Masse as it is now used is nothing but the Invention of man and therefore it is an Abomination before God and no Sacrifice that ever God commanded Now Madame who shall judge betwixt us two thus contending It is not reason that either of the persons be further believed then they are able to prove by insuspect witnessing Let them lay downe the Book of God and by the plain words prove their affirmatives and we shall give unto them the play granted But so long as they are bold to affirme and yet do prove nothing we must say That albeit all the world believe them yet believe they not God but do receive the lyes of men for the Truth of God What our Master Christ Jesus did we know by his Evangelists What the Priests do at the Masse the world seeth Now doth not the Word of God plainly assure us That Christ Jesus neither said nor yet commanded Masse to be said at his last Supper seeing that no such thing as the Masse is made mention of within the whole Scriptures You are over-hard for me said the Queen but if they were here whom I have heard they would answer you
is Madame that this crime so recently committed and that in the eyes of the whole Realm now publikely assembled is so hainous for who heretofore hath heard within the bowels of Edinburgh Gates and Doors under silence of night broken Houses ripped or searched and that with hostillity seeking a woman as appeareth to oppresse her Seeing we say that this crime is so hainous that all godly men fear not onely Gods dispeasure to fall upon you and your whole Realm but also that such licentiousnesse breed contempt and in the end sedition if remedie in time be not provided which in our judgement is possible if severe punishment be not executed for the crime committed Therefore we most humbly beseech your Majestie that all affection set aside you declare your self so upright in this case that ye may give evident demonstration to all your Subjects that the fear of God joyned with the love of common tranquility hath principall seat in your Majesties Heart This further Madame in conscience we speak That as your Majesty in Gods Name doth crave of us obedience which to render in all things lawfull we are most willing so in the same name doe we the whole Professors of Christs Evangell within this your Majesties Realme crave of you and of your Councell sharp punishment of this crime And for performance thereof that without delay the most principall Actors of this haynous crime and the perswaders of this publike Villany may be called before the Chief Justice of this Realm to suffer an Assise and to be punished according to the Laws of the same and your Majesties Answer most humbly we beseech These Supplications was presented by divers Gentlemen the Flatterers of the Court at first stormed and asked who durst avow it To whom the Master after Lord Lyndesay answered A thousand Gentlemen within Edinburgh others were ashamed to oppose themselves thereto in publike but they suborned the Queen to give a gentle answer untill such time as the Convention was dissolved and so she did and then after in fair words shee alleaged That her Uncle was a Stranger and that he had a young Company with him but she should put such order unto him and unto all others that hereafter they should have no occasion to complain And so deluded she the just Petition of her Subjects And no wonder for how shall she punish in Scotland that vice which in France she did see so free without punishment and which Kings and Cardinalls commonly use as the Mask and Dancing of Orleans can witnesse wherein virgins and mens wives were made common to King Harry Charles the Cardinall and to their Courtiers and Pages as common women in Bordells are unto their Companions The manner was thus At the entry of King Henry of France in the Town of Orleans the Matrons Virgins and mens wives were commanded to present themselves in the Kings Palace to dance And they obeyed for commonly the French Nation is not very hard to be entreated to vanity After Fidling and Flinging and when the Cardinall of Loraine had espied his prey he said to the King Sire le premiere est a vous fault queje soy le second that is Sir the first choyce is yours and I must be the second And so the King got the preeminence that he had his first Election But because Cardinalls are companions to Kings the Cardinall had the next And thereafter the Torches were put out and every man commanded to provide for himself the best he might What cry there was of husbands for their wives and wives for their husbands of ancient matrons for their daughters of virgins for their friends for some honest men to defend their pudicity Orleance will remember more Kings dayes then one This horrible villany a fruit of the Cardinalls good Catholike Religion we shortly touch to let the world understand what subjects may look for of such Magistrates for such Pastime to them is Jollity It had been good for our Queene that she had been brought up in better company both for her credit and for the course of her life And it may be that her excellent naturall enduements had been better employed for her reputation and happinesse then they were to her great misfortune and to the grief of those that wished her truely well But punishment of that enormity and fearfull attempt we could get none Yea more and more they presumed to do violence and frequented nightly Masking and began to bear the matter very heavily At length the Dukes friends began to assemble in the night time on the calsay or street The Abbot of Kylwinning who then was joyned to the Church and so as we understand yet abideth was principall man at the beginning To him repaired many faithfull and amongst others came Andrew Stewart Lord Uchiltrie a man rather borne to make peace then to brag upon the calsey he demanded the quarrell And being informed of the former enormity said Nay such impiety shall not be suffered so long as God shall assist us The Victory that God hath in his owne mercy given us we will by his grace maintaine And so he commanded his son Andrew Stewart then Master and his servants to put themselves in order and to bring forth their spears and long weapons and so did others The word came to the Earle Bothwell and his son that the Hamiltons were upon the street vows was made that the Hamiltons should be driven not onely out of the Town but also out of the Countrey Lord Iohn of Coldingham married the E. Bothwels sister a sufficient woman for such a man Alliance drew Lord Robert and so they joyned with the E. Bothwell But the stoutnes of the Marq. le Beuf d'Albuff they call him is most to be commended for in his Chalmer in the Abbey he start to an Halbert and ten men were scarce able to hold him that night and the danger was betwixt the Crosse and Tron and so he was a long quarter of a mile from the shot sklenting of Bolts The M. of Maxw after L. Herreis gave declaratiō to the Earle Bothwell That if he stirred forth of his Lodging he and all that assist him should resist him in the face Whose words did somewhat beat down that blast The Earles of Murray and Huntley being in the Abbey where the Marquesse was came with their company sent from the Queen to stay that tumult as they did for Bothwell and his were commanded under pain of Treason to keep their lodgings It was whispered by many That the Earle of Murray's displeasure was as much sought as any hatred that the Hamiltons did bear against the Earle of Bothwell or yet he against them And in very deed either had the Duke very false servants or else by Huntley and the Hamiltons the Earle of Murray's death was oftener conspired then once the suspition whereof burst forth so far that upon a day the said Earle being upon horse to have come to
such Vocation as sometimes we have had Iohn Knox answered The time that hath been is even now before my eyes for I see the poor Flock in no lesse danger then it hath been at any time before except that the devill hath gotten a Vizard upon his face Before he came in with his own face discovered by open Tyranny seeking the destruction of all that refused Idolatry and then I think you will confesse the Brethren lawfully assembled themselves for defence of their lives And now the devill comes under the cloke of Justice to do that which God would not suffer him to do by strength What is this said the Queen methinks you trifle with him Who gave you Authority to make Convocation of my Lieges Is not that Treason No Madame said the Lord Rnthuen for he makes Convocation of the people to hear Prayer and Sermon almost dayly And what ever your Majestie or others thinke thereof we think it no Treason Hold your peace said the Queen let him answer for himself I began Madame said Iohn Knox to reason with the Secretary whom I take to be a better Dialectationer then your Majestie is That all Convocation is not lawfull And now my Lord Ruthuen hath given the instance which if your Majestie will deny I shall make my selfe ready for the proof I will say nothing said the Queen against your Religion nor against your convening to your Sermons But what Authority have you to Convocate my subjects when you will without any Commandment I have no pleasure said Iohn Knox to decline from my former purpose And yet Madame to satisfie your Majesties two questions I answer That at my will I never convened four persons in Scotland but at the Order that the Brethren hath appointed I have given divers Advertisements and great multitudes have assembled thereupon And if your Majestie complaineth That this was done without your Majesties Commandment I answer So hath all that God hath blessed within this Realme from the beginning of this action And therefore Madame I must be convinced by a just Law that I have done against the Duty of Gods Messenger in writing of this Letter before that I either be sorry or yet repent for the doing of it as my Lord Secretary would perswade me for what I have done I have done at the Commandment of the Generall Church of this Realme And therefore I thinke I have done no wrong You shall not escape so said the Queene Is it not Treason my Lords to accuse a Prince of cruelty I thinke there are Acts of Parliament to be found against such Whisperers This was granted to be true of many But wherein said Master Iohn Knox can I be accused Reade this part of your Letter said the Queene which began This fearfull Summons is directed against them to wit the Brethren aforesaid to make no doubt a preparation upon a few that a door may be opened to execute cruelty upon a greater multitude Lord said the Queen What say you to that While many doubted what the said Iohn should answer he said unto the Queen Is it lawfull for me Madame to answer for my self Or shall I be condemned before I be heard Say what you can said she for I thinke you have enough ado I will first then desire said he of your Majestie Madame and of this Honourable audience Whether if your Majestie knows not that the obstinate Papists are deadly enemies to all that professe the Evangel of Jesus Christ And that they most earnestly desire the extirpation of all them and of the true Doctrine that is taught within this Realme The Queen held her peace but all the Lords with common consent and voyce said God forbid that either the life of the faithfull or yet the staying of the Doctrine stood in the power of the Papists for just experience hath taught us what cruelty is in their hearts I must proceed then said Iohn Knox seeing that I perceive that all will grant That it were a barbarous cruelty to destroy such a multitude as professed the Evangell of Jesus Christ within this Realme which oftner then once or twice they attempted to do by force as things done of late dayes do testifie Whereof they being by Gods providence disappointed have invented more crafty and dangerous practices to wit To make the Prince party under colour of Law and so what they could not do by open force they shall performe by crafty deceit For who thinks my Lords That the insatiable cruelty of the Papists within this Realme I mean shall end in the murthering of those two now unjustly summoned and more unjustly to be accused I thinke no man of judgement can so esteem but rather the direct contrary that is By this few number they intend to prepare a way to their bloody enterprise against the whole And therefore Madame cast up when you list the Acts of your Parliaments I have offended nothing against them For I accuse not in my Letter your Majestie nor yet your nature of cruelty But I affirm yet again That the pestilent Papists who have enflamed your Majestie without cause against these poore men at this present are the sons of the devill and therefore must obey the desires of their father who hath beene a Murtherer from the beginning You forget your selfe said one you are not in the Pulpit I am in the place said the other where I am commanded in my conscience to speak the truth and therefore the truth I speak impugne it who so lists And hereunto I adde Madame that honest meeke and gentle natures in appearance by wicked and corrupt Councellors may be changed and altered to the direct contrary Example we have of Nero whom in the beginning of his Empire we finde having some naturall shame but after that his flatterers had encouraged him in all impiety alleadging that nothing was either unhonest or yet unlawfull in his Person who was Emperour above others When he had drunken of this Cup I say to what enormies he fell the Histories beare witnesse And now Madame to speak plain Papists have your Majesties ear patent at all times assure your Majestie they are dangerous Councellors and that your Mother found As this was said Lethington singled and spake secretly to the Queene in her eare What it was that the Table heard not But immediately she addressed her visage and speech to Iohn Knox and said Well you speak fair enough here before my Lords but the last time I spake with you secretly you caused me to weep many tears and said to me stubbornly Ye cared not for my weeping Madame said the other because now the second time your Majesty hath burthened me with that crime I must answer lest for my silence I be holden guilty If your Majestie be ripely remembred the Laird of Dun yet living to testifie the truth was present at that time whereof your Majesty complaineth Your Majesty accused me That I had irreverently spoken
Iohnston to Edinburgh where the generall Assembly of the whole Church of Scotland was held the four and twentieth day of Iuly The Earls of Argyle and Glencarne assisted the Church with a great company of Lords Barons and others It was there ordered and concluded That certain Gentlemen as Commissioners from the Church National should passe to the Queens Majesty with certain Articles to the number of six desiring her most humbly to ratifie and approve the same in Parliament And because the said Articles are of great weight and worthy of memory I thought good to insert the same word by word IMprimis That the Papisticall and Blaspemous Masse with all Papisticall Idolatry and Papall Iurisdiction be universally supprest and abolisht thorowout this Realme not onely in the Subjects but also in the Queens own Person with punishment against all persons that should be deprehended to transgresse and offend in the same And that the sincere Word of God and Christs true Religion now at this present received be published approved and ratified thorowout the whole Realm as well in the Queens owne Person as in the subjects And that the people be to resort upon the Sundayes at the least to the Prayers and Preaching of Gods Word even as they were before to the Idolatrous Masse And these Heads to be provided by Act of Parliament and ratified by the Queens Majesty Secondly That provision be made for sustentation of the Ministry as well for the time present as the time to come And that such persons as are presently admitted to the Ministery may have their Livings assigned unto them in places where they travell in their Calling or at least next adjacent thereto And that the Benefices now vacant or hath been vacant since the Moneth of March 1558. or that hereafter shall happen to be vacant be disposed to qualified and learned persons able to preach Gods Word and discharge the Vocation concerning the Ministery by Tryall and Admission of the Superintendents and Overseers And that no Benefice or Living having many Churches annexed thereunto be disposed altogether in any time to come to any man but at the least the Churches thereof be severally disposed and that to severall persons So that every man having Charge may serve at his owne Church according to his Vocation And to that effect likewise the Gleebs and the Manses be given to the Ministers that they may make residency at their Churches whereby they may discharge their consciences according to their Vocation and also that the Kirks may be repaired accordingly And that a Law be made and established hereupon by Act of Parliament as said is Thirdly That none be permitted to have charge of Souls Colledges or Universities neither privately or publikely teach instruct the youth but such as shall be tried by the Superintendents or Visitors of Churches and found sound and able in Doctrine and admitted by them to their Charges Fourthly For the sustentation of the poor That all Lands founded for Hospitality of old be restored again to the same use And that all Lands Annals Rents or any other Emoluments pertaining any wayes sometimes to the Friers of whatsoever Order they had been of As likewise the Annuities Alterages Obits and the other Duties pertaining to Priests to be applied to the sustentation of the poor and uphold of the Town-Schools in Towns and other places where they be Fifthly That such horrible crimes as now abound within this Realme without any correction To the great contempt of God and his Word such as Idolatry Blasphemie of Gods Name manifest breaking of the Sabbath day Witchcraft Sorcery Inchantment Adultery manifest Whoredome maintenance of Bordals Murther Slaughter Oppression with many other detestable Crimes may be severely punished and Iudges appointed in every Province and Diocesse for execution thereof with power to do the same and that by Act of Parliament Lastly That some order be devised and established for ease of the poor Labourers of the Ground concerning the reasonable payment of the Tythes who are oppressed by the Leasers of the Tythes set over their heads without their own con-consent and advise The persons who were appointed by the Church to carry these Articles and present them to the Queens Majestie were the Lairds of â—unningham-Head Lundie Spot and Grange of Angus and Iames Baron for the Broughs These five past from Edinburgh to Saint Iohnston where they presented the said Articles to the Queens Majestie desiring and requiring her Highnesse most humbly to advise therewith and to give them answer The next day ere they were aware the Queen departed to Dunkeld and immediately they followed And after they had gotten audience they desired the Queens Majestie most humbly to give their dispatch She answered That her Councell was not there present but she intended to be in Edinburgh within eight dayes and there they should receive their answer At the same time as the generall Assembly was holden in Edinburgh the Brethren perceiving the Papists to brag and trouble like to be they assembled themselves at Saint Leonard Cragg where they concluded they would defend themselves and for the same purpose elected eight persons of the most able two of every Quarter to see that the Brethren should be ready armed And when the five Commissioners above named had waited upon the Court four or five dayes after her Majesties coming to Edinburgh there the matter was proposed in Councell And after long and earnest reasoning upon these Articles at length it was answered to the Commissioners by the Secretary That the Queens Majesties command was That the matter should be reasoned in her presence which for the gravity of the same there could nothing be concluded at that time albeit the Queens Majestie had heard more in that matter then ever she did before But within eight dayes thereafter she understood that a great part of the Nobility should be present in Edinburgh where they should have a finall answer At length the one and twentieth of August they received the answer in Writing in her presence according to the Tenour hereof as followeth The Queens Majesties Answer to the Articles presented to Her Highnesse by certain Gentlemen in the Name of the whole Assemblie of the Church TO the first Desiring the Masse to be suppressed and abolished as well in the Head as in the Members with punishment against the Contraveners As also the Religion professed to be established by Act of Parliament it was answered first for her Majesties part That her Highnesse is no way yet perswaded in the said Religion nor yet that any impiety is in the Masse and therefore believeth That her loving subjects will not presse her to receive any Religion against her conscience which should be unto her a continuall trouble by remorse of conscience and therewith a perpetuall unquietnesse And to deale plainly with her Subjects her Majesty neither will nor may leave the Religion wherein she hath been nourished and brought up and believeth the same to be
had lately written to the Queens Majesty in Sâ—aton from the town of Edinburgh they desiring then to prorogate the day Finally when the said Advocates could by no means perswade them to come to Edinburgh they returned again to Edinburgh and declared to the Queens Majestie according as they had found In the mean time the Parliament was prorogated at the Queens Majesties command to the first of September next after following for it was thought That the least part and principall of the chiefe Nobility being absent there could no Parliament be holden at the same time the Queens Majestie perceiving that the matter was already come to a maturity and ripenesse so that the mindes and secrecy of mens hearts must needs be disclosed she wrote to a great number of Lords Barons Gentlmen and others that were nearest in Fife Angus Lowthian Mers Tevimdale Perth Lithgow Clidsdall and others to resort to her in this forme of words hereafter following The Queens Letter TRusty friend We greet you well we are grieved indeed by the evill bruite spread amongst our Lieges as that we should have molested any man in the using of his Religion and Conscience freely a thing which never entred into our minde yet since we perceive the too easie beleeving such reports hath made them carelesse and so we think it becomes us to be carefull for the safety and preservation of our state wherefore we pray you most affectionately That with all possible hast after the receipt of this our Letter you with your kindred friends and whole Force well furnished with Arms for Warre be provided for fifteen dayes after your coming addresse you to come to us to waite and attend upon us according to our expectation and trust in you as you will thereby declare the good affection you bear to the maintenance of our Authoritie and will doe us therein acceptable service Subscribed with Our Hand at Edinburgh the seventeenth day of July 1565. THere was likewise Proclamation made in Edinburgh That the Queen minded not the trouble nor alter the Religion and also Proclamations made in the Shires above mentioned for the same purpose That all Freeholders and other Gentlemen should resort in the aforesaid manner to Edinbronth where the Earle of Rosse was made Duke of Rothesay with great triumph the 23 day of Iuly The same afternoon the Queen complained grievously upon the Earle of Murray in open audience of all the Lords and Barons and the same day the Bans of the Earle of Rosse and Duke of Rothesay and the Queens Marriage were proclaimed About this time the Lord Arskin was made Earle of Marre In the mean time there were divers Messages sent from the Queens Majestie to the Lord of Murray first Master Robert Crichton to perswade him by all meanes possible to come and resort to the Queens Majestie his answer was That he would be glad to come to her self according to his bounden duty yet for as much as such persons as were most privie in her company were his capitall enemies who also had conspired his death he could no wayes come so long as they were in Court Soon after my Lord Erskin and the Master Maxwell past to him to S. Andrews rather suffered and permitted by the Queen then sent by her Highnesse after them the Laird of Dun who was sent by the means of the Earl of Mar but all this did not prevail with him and when all hope of his coming was past an Herald was sent to him charging him to come to the Queens Majesty and answer to such things as should be laid to his charge within eight and fourty hours next after the Charge under pain of Rebellion and because he appeared not the next day after the eight and forty hours he was denounced Rebell and put to the Horne The same order they used against the Earle of Argyle for the Queen said she would serve him and the rest with the same measure they had mete to others meaning the said Argyle In the mean while as the fire was well kindled and enflamed all means and wayes were sought to stir up enemies against the chief Protestants that had been lately at Sterlin for the Earle of Athole was ready bent against the Earle of Argyle the Lord Lindsay against the Earle Rothesse in Fyfe they being both Protestants for they had contended now a long time for the Heir-ship of Fyfe And that no such thing should be left undone the Lord Gordon who now had remained neer three yeers in prison in Dumbar was after some little travell of his friends received by the Queen and being thus received into favour was restored first to the Lordship of Gordon and soon after to the Earldom of Huntley and to all his Lands Honours and Dignities that he might be a bar and a party in the North to the Earle of Murray The 18 of Iuly late in the evening neer an hour after the Suns going down there was a Proclamation made at the Market-Crosse of Edinburgh containing in effect THat forasmuch as at the will and pleasure of Almighty God the Queen had taken to her husband a right excellent and illustrious Prince Harry Duke of Rothesay Earle of Rosse Lord Darley Therefore it was her Will That he should be holden and obeyed and reverenced as King Commanding all Letters and Proclamations to be made in the Names of Henry and Mary in times coming The next day following at six hours in the morning they were marryed in the Chappell Royall of Halyrud-house by the Dean of Lestarrig the Queen being all clothed in Mourning But immediately as the Queen went to Masse the King went not with her but to his Pastime During the space of three or four dayes there was nothing but Balling and Dancing and Banqueting In the mean time the Earle Rothesse the Laird of Grange the Tutor Pitcur with some Gentlemen of Fyfe were put to the Horne for none appearance And immediately the Swash Tabron and Drums were stricken or beaten for men of War to serve the King and Queens Majestie and to take their Pay This sudden alteration and hasty creation of Kings moved the hearts of a great number Now amongst the people there were divers brutes for some alleadged That the cause of this alteration was not for Religion but rather for hatred envie of sudden promotion or dignity or such worldly causes But they that considered the progresse of the matter according as is heretofore declared thought the principall cause to be onely for Religion In this mean time the Lords past to Argyle taking apparantly little care of the trouble that was to come Howbeit they sent into England M. Nicolas Elphinston for support who brought some Moneys in this Countrey to the sum of ten thousand pounds sterlin There came one forth of England to the Queen who got Presence the seventh of August in Halyrud-house He was not well c. About the fifteenth of August the Lords met at Aire to wit the
Duke Hamilton the Earles Argile Murray Glencarne Rothesse the Lord Boyd and Ochiltrie with divers Barons and Gentlemen of Fife and Kyle where they concluded to be in readinesse with their whole Forces the four and twentieth day of August But the King and Queene with great cerity prevented them for their Majesties sent thorow Lowthian Fife Angus Stratherne Tividaile and Chiddisdaile and other Shires making their Proclamations in this manner That forasmuch as certaine Rebels who under colour of Religion intended nothing but the trouble and subversion of the Common-wealth were to convene with such as they might perswade to assist them therefore they charged all manner of men under pain of Life Lands and Goods to resort and meet their Majesties at Linlithgow the 24 day of August This Proclamation was made in Lowthian the third pay of the said moneth Upon Sunday the ninteenth of August the King came to the high Kirke of Edinburgh where Iohn Knox made the Sermon his Text was taken out of the six and twentieth Chapter of Esayas his Prophesie about the thirteenth Verse where in the words of the Prophet he said O Lord our God other Lords then thou have ruled over us Whereupon he tooke occasion to speake of the government of wicked Princes who for the sinnes of the people are sent as Tyrants and scourges to plague them And amongst other things he said That God sets in that room for the offences and ingratitude of the people Boyes and women And so other words which appeared bitter in the Kings ears as That God justly punished Ahab and his Posterity because he would not take order with that Harlot Iezabel And because he had tarried an hour and more longer then the time appointed the King sitting in a Throne made for that purpose was so moved at this Sermon that he would not Dine and being troubled with great fury he past in the afternoon to the Hawking Immediately Iohn Knox was commanded to come to the Councell where in the Secretaries Chamber were convened the Earle of Athole the Lord Ruthven the Secretary the Justice Clarke with the Advocate There passed along with the Minister a great number of the most apparent men of the Towne When he was called the Secretary declared That the Kings Majestie was offended with some words spoken in the Sermon especially such as are above rehearsed desiring him to abstaine from preaching for fifteen or twenty dayes and let Master Craig supply the place He answered That he had spoken nothing but according to his Text and if the Church would command him either to speake or abstain he would obey so far as the Word of God would permit him Within four dayes after the King and Queen sent to the Councell of Edinburgh commanding them to depose Archibald Dowglas and to receive the Laird Craigmiller for their Provest which was presently obeyed The five and twentieth of August the King and Queens Majesties past from Edinburgh to Linlithgow and from thence to Sterlin and from Sterlin to Glasgow At their first arrivall their whole people were not come The next day after their arrivall to Glasgow the Lords came to Paisley where they remained that night being in company about one thousand horses On the morrow they came to Hamilton keeping the high passage from Paisley hard by Glasgow where the King and Queen easily might behold them The night following which was the penult of August they remained in Hamilton with their Company but for divers respects moving them they thought it not expedient to tarry especially because the Earle of Argyle was not come for his Diet was not afore the second of September following to have been at Hamilton Finally they took purpose to come to Edinburgh the which they did the next day And albeit Alexander Areskin Captain under the Lord his brother caused to shoot forth of the Castle two Shot of Cannon they being neer the Towne And likewise that the Laird Craigmiller Provest did his endeavour to hold the Lords forth of the Towne in causing the common Bells to be rung for the convening of the Towne to the effect aforesaid yet they entred easily at the West Port or Gate without any molestation or impediment being in number as they esteemed themselves one thousand three hundred Horses Immediately they dispatched Messengers Southward and Northward to assist them but all in vain And immediately after they were in their Lodgings they caused to strike or beat the Drum desiring all such men as would receive Wages for the defence of the Glory of God That they should resort the day following to the Church where they should receive good Pay But they profited little that way neither could they in Edinburgh get any comfort or support for none or few resorted unto them yet they got more rest and sleep when they were at Edinburgh then they had done in five or six nights before The Noble-men of this Company were The Duke The Earles Murray Glencarne and Rothesse The Lords Boyd and Uchiltrie The Lairds of Grange Cunningham-head Balcomie and Lavers The Tâ—tor of Pitcur The Lairds of Barr Carmell and Dreghorn And the Laird of Pittarow Comptroller went with them Some said merrily That they were come to keepe the Parliament for the Parliament was continued till the first day of September Upon the which day they wrote to the King and Queens Majesties a Letter containing in effect That albeit they were persecuted most unjustly which they understood proceeded not of the King and Queens Majesties own Nature but onely by evil Counsell yet notwithstanding they were willing and content to suffer according to the Lawes of the Realm providing that the true Religion of God might be established and the dependants thereupon be likewise reformed Beseeching their Majesties most humbly to grant these things But otherwise if their enemies would seek their blood they should understand It should be dear bought They had written twice almost to the same effect to the King and Queens Majesties after their passing from Edinburgh for the Laird of Preston presented a Letter to the King and Queens Majestie and was therefore imprisoned but soon after released neverthelesse they got no answer The same day that they departed out of Hamilton the King and Queens Majesties issued out of Glasgow in the morning betimes And passing towards Hamilton the Army met their Majesties neer the Bridge of Cadder As they mustered the Master of Maxwell sate downe upon his knees and made a long Oration to the Queen declaring what pleasure she had done to them and ever laid the whole burden upon the Earle Murray Soon after they marched forward in Battell aray The Earle of Lenox took the Van-guard the Earle of Mortoun the middle Battell and the King and Queen the Reere The whole number were about five thousand men whereof the greatest part were in the Van-guard As the King and Queens Majesties were within three miles of Hamilton they were advertised that the Lords
obedient subject hereafter The same day they made Musters the next day the Army was dispersed being about 18000. men the King and Queen past to Lothinaben where the Master of Maxwell gave a Banquet and then forthwith marched to Tueddall so to Peblis and then to Edinburgh The best and chief part of the Nobility of this Realme who also were the principall Instruments of the Reformation of Religion and therefore were called the Lords of the Congregation in manner above rehearsed were banished and chased into England they were courteously received and entertained by the Earle of Bedford Lieutenant upon the Borders of England Soon after the Earle of Murray took Post towards London leaving the rest of the Lords at Newcastle every man supposed that the Earle of Murray should have been graciously received of the Queen of England and that he should have gotten support according to his hearts desire but farre beyond his expectation he could get no audience of the Queen of England But by means of the French Ambassadour called Monsieur de Four his true friend he obtained audience The Queen with a fair countenance demanded How he being a Rebell to her sister of Scotland durst take the boldnesse upon him to come within her Realm These and the like words got he instead of the good and courteous entertainment expected Finally after private discourse the Ambassadour being absent she refused to give the Lords any support denying plainly that ever she had promised any such thing as to support them saying She never meant any such thing in that way albeit her greatest familiars knew the contrary In the end the Earle of Murray said to her Madame whatsoever thing your Majestie meant in your heart we are thereof ignorant but thus much we know assuredly That we had lately faithfull promises of ayd and support by your Ambassadour and familiar servants in your name And further we have your owne hand-writing confirming the said promises And afterward he took his leave and came North-ward from London towards Newcastle After the Earle of Murray his departure from the Court the Queen sent them some ayd and writ unto the Queen of Scotland in their favour Whether she had promised it in private to the Earle of Murray or whether she repented her of the harsh reception of the Earle of Murray At this time David Rizio Italian began to be higher exalted insomuch as there was no matter or thing of importance done without his advice And during this time the faithfull within this Realme were in great fear looking for nothing but great trouble and persecution to be shortly Yet Supplications and Intercessions were made thorowout all the Congregations especially for such as were afficted and banished That it would please God to give them patience comfort and constancy and this especially was done at Edinburgh where Iohn Knox used to call them that were banished The best part of the Nobility Chiefe Members of the Congregation Whereof the Courtiers being advertised they took occasion to revile and bewray his sayings alleadging He prayed for the Rebels and desired the people to pray for them likewise The Laird of Lethington chief Secretary in presence of the King and Queens Majesties and Councell confessed that he heard the Sermons and said There was nothing at that time spoken by the Minister whereat any man need to be offended And further declared plainly That by the Scripture it was lawfull to pray for all men In the end of November the Lords with their complices were summoned to appear the fourth day of February for Treason and laese Majestie But in the mean time such of the Nobility as had professed the Evangell of Christ and had communicate with the Brethren at the Lords Table were ever longer the more suspected by the Queen who began to declare her self in the Months of November and December to be maintainer of the Papists for at her pleasure the Earles of Lenox Athole and Cassels with divers others without any dissimulation known went to the Masse openly in her Chappell Yet neverthelesse the Earles of Huntley and Bothwell went not to Masse albeit they were in great favour with the Queen As for the King he past his time in Hunting and Hawking and such other pleasures as were agreeable to his appetite having in his company Gentlemen willing to satisfie his will and affections About this time in the beginning of as the Court remained at Edinburgh the banished Lords by all means possible by writings and their friends made suit and means to the King and Queens Majesties to be received into favour At this time the Abbot of Kylwinning came from Newcastle to Edinburgh and after he had gotten audience of the King and Queen with great difficulty he got Pardon for the Duke and his friends and servants upon this Condition That he should passe into France which he did soon after The five and twentieth of December convened in Edinburgh the Commissioners of the Churches within this Realme for the generall assemblie There assisted to them the Earles of Morton and Marre the Lord Lindsay and Secretary Lethington with some Barons and Gentlemen The principall things that were agreed and concluded were That forasmuch as the Masse with such Idolatry and Papisticall Ceremonies were still maintained expresly against the Act of Parliament and the Proclamations made at the Queens Arrivall And that the Queen had promised that she would hear Conference and Disputation That the Church therefore offered to prove by the Word of God That the Doctrine preached within this Realme was according to the Scriptures and that the Masse with all the Papisticall Doctrine was but the invention of men and meer Idolatry Secondly That by reason of the change of the Comptroller who had put in new Collectors forbidding them to deliver any thing to the Ministry and by these means the Ministry was like to decay and fail contrary to the Ordinance made in the yeer of God 1562. in favour and support of the Ministery During this time as the Papists flocked to Edinburgh for making Court some of them that had been Friers as black Abercrommy and Roger presented supplication to the Queens Majesty desiring in effect That they might be permitted to preach which was easily granted The noyse was further That they offered Disputation For as the Court stood they thought they had a great advantage already by reason they knew the King to be of their Religion as well as the Queen with some part of the Nobility who with the King after declared themselves openly And especially the Queen was governed by the Earls of Lenox and Athole but in matters most weighty and of greatest importance by David Rizio the Italian afore mentioned who went under the name of the French Secretary by whose means all grave matters of what weight soever must passe providing always That his hands were anoynted In the mean time he was a manifest enemy to the Evangell and therefore a
do enterprise to purge the Lords Temple and Sanctuary What God required of them it is before declared to wit That most diligently they should observe his Law Statutes and Ceremonies And how acceptable were their facts to God doth he himself witnesse For to some he gave most notable Victories without the hand of man and in their most desperate dangers did declare his especiall favour towards them by signes supernaturall To other he so established the Kingdom that their enemies were compelled to stoup under their feet And the names of all he hath registred not onely in the Book of life but also in the blessed remembrance of all posterities since their dayes which also shall continue till the coming of the Lord Jesus who shall reward with the Crown of Immortality not onely them but also such as unfainedly study to do the will and to promote the glory of his heavenly father in the midst of this corrupted Generation In consideration whereof ought you my Lords all delay set apart to provide for the Reformation of Religion in your Dominions and Bounds which now is so corrupt that no part of Christs Institution remaineth in the Originall purity and therefore of necessity it is That speedily ye provide for Reformation or else ye declare your selves not onely voyd of love towards your subjects but also to live without care of your own salvation yea without all fear and true reverence of God Two things perchance may move you to esteem these histories before briefly touched to appertain nothing to you First Because you are no Jews but Gentiles And secondly Because you are no Kings but Nobles in your Realm But be not deceived for neither of both can excuse you in Gods presence from doing his duty for it is a thing more then certain That whatsoever God required of the Civill Magistrate in Israel or Iuda concerning the observation of true Religion during the time of the Law the same doth he require of lawfull Magistrates professing Christ Jesus in the time of the Gospel as the holy Ghost hath taught us by the mouth of David Psal. 2. saying Be learned you that judge the earth kisse the Son lest that the Lord wax angry and that ye perish away This Admonition doth not extend to the Judges under the Law onely but doth also include all such as be promoted to Honours in the time of the Gospel when Christ Jesus doth raigne and fight in his Spirituall Kingdom whose enemies in that Psalme be first most sharply taxed their fury expressed and vanity mocked and then are Kings and Judges who think themselves free from all Law and Obedience commanded to repent their former blinde rage and Judges are charged to be learned and last are commanded to serve the Eternall God in feare to rejoyce before him in trembling to kisse the Son that is To give him most humble Obedience Whereof it is evident That the Rulers Magistrates and Judges now in Christs Kingdom are no lesse bound to Obedience unto God then were those under the Law And how is it possible that any should be obedient who despiseth his Religion in which standeth the chief glory that man can give to God and is a service which God especially requireth of Kings and Rulers Which thing Saint Augustine plainly did note writing to one Bonifacius a man of Warre according to the same argument and purpose which I labour to perswade your Honours For after that he hath in that his Epistle declared the difference betwixt the heresie of the Donatists and Arrians and hath somewhat spoken of their cruelty he sheweth the way how their fury should and ought to be repressed and that it is lawfull for the unjustly afflicted to seek support and defence at godly Magistrates for thus he writeth Either must the Verity be kept close or else must their cruelty be sustained But if the Verity should be concealed not onely should none be saved but also should many be lost through their deceit But if by Preaching of the Verity their fury should be provoked more to rage and by that means yet some were delivered and made strong yet should fear hinder many weaklings to follow the Verity if their rage be not stayed In these first words Augustine sheweth three reasons why the afflicted Church in those dayes called for the help of the Emperour and of godly Magistrates against the fury of the persecuters The first The Verity must be spoken or else mankinde shall perish in errour The second The Verity being plainly spoken provoketh the adversaries to rage And because that some did alleadge That rather we ought to suffer all injury then to seek support by man he addeth the third reason to wit That many weak ones be not able to suffer persecution and death for the Truths sake to whom not the lesse respect ought to be had that they may be won from their errour and so be brought to greater strength Oh that the Rulers of this age would ponder and weigh the reasons of this godly Writer and provide the remedy which he requireth in these words following Now when the Church was thus afflicted if any thinke That rather they should have sustained all calamity then that help should have been asked of Christian Emperours by the godly he doth not well to advert That of such negligence no good counts nor reason could be given For where such as would that no just Laws should be made against their impiety alleadge That the Apostles sought no such things of the Kings of the earth they do not consider That the time was other then it is now and that all things are done in their owne time What Emperour then believed in Christ that he should serve him in making Laws for godlinesse against impiety While that saying of the Prophet was compleat Why hath Nations raged and people have imagined vanity The Kings of the earth have stood up and Princes have convened together against the Lord and against his Anoynted That which is after in the same Psalme was not yet come to passe And now understand O ye Kings be learned you that judge the earth serve the Lord in fear and rejoyce to him with trembling How do Kings serve the Lord in feare but in punishing and by a godly severity forbidding those things which are done against the Commandment of the Lord For otherwise doth he serve the Lord in so farre as he is man otherwise in so farre as he is King In so farre as he is a man he serveth him by living faithfully but because he is also King he serveth establishing Laws that command the things that be just and that with a convenient rigour forbid things contrary As Ezechias served destroying the Groves the Temples of Idolls and the places which were builded against Gods Commandment So served also Josias doing the same So the King of the Ninivites compelling the whole City to mitigate the fury of the Lord.
So served Darius giving into the power of Daniel the Idol to be broken and his enemies to be cast to the Lions So served Nebuchad-nezzar by a terrible Law forbidding all that were in his Realme to blaspheme God Herein therefore do Kings serve the Lord in so farre as they are Kings when they do those things to serve him which none except Kings be able to doe He further proceedeth and concludeth That as when wicked Kings do raigne impiety cannot be bridled by Laws but rather is tyranny exercised under the title of the same So is it a thing without all reasons That Kings professing the knowledge and honour of God should not regard nor care who did defend nor who did oppugne the Church of God in their Dominions By these words of this ancient and godly Writer your Honours may perceive what I require of you to wit To represse the tyranny of your Bishops and to defend the innocents professing the Truth He did require of the Emperour and Kings in his dayes professing Christ and manifestly concludeth That they cannot serve Christ except that so they doe Let not your Bishops think that Augustine speaketh for them because he nameth the Church Let them reade and understand That Augustine writeth for that Church which professeth the Truth and doth suffer persecution for the defence of the same which your Bishops do not but rather with the Donatists and Arrians do cruelly persecute all such as boldly speak Christs Eternall Verity to manifest their impiety and abomination But thus much we have of Augustine That it appertaineth to the obedience and service which Kings owe to God as well now in the time of the Gospel as before under the Law to defend the afflicted for matters of Religion and to represse the fury of the persecuters by the rigour and severity of godly Laws For which cause no doubt Isaiah the Prophet saith That Kings should be nourishers of the Church of God that they should abase their heads and lovingly embrace the children of God And thus I say your Honours may evidently see That the same Obedience doth God require of Rulers and Princes in the time of the Gospel that he required in the time of the Law If you do think that the Reformation of Religion and defence of the afflicted doth not appertain to you because you are no Kings but Nobles and States of a Realme in two things you are deceived First In that you do not advert That David requireth as well that the Princes and Judges of the earth to be learned and that they serve and fear God as that he requireth that Kings repent If you therefore be Judges and Princes as no man can deny you to be then by the plain words of David you are charged to be learned to serve and fear God which ye cannot do if ye despise the Reformation of his Religion And this is your first errour The second is That ye neither know your duty which ye owe to God neither yet your Authority which of him ye have received if ye for pleasure or fear of any earthly man despise Gods true Religion and contemn your brethren that in his Name call for your support Your duty is to hear the voyce of the Eternall your God and unfainedly to studie to follow his Precepts who as is before said of speciall mercy hath promoted you to Honours and Dignity His chief and principall Precept is That with reverence ye receive and embrace his onely beloved Son Jesus That ye promote to the uttermost of your powers his true Religion and That ye defend your brethren and subjects whom he hath put under your charge and care Now if your King be a man ignorant of God enemy to his true Religion blinded by Superstition and a persecuter of Christs members Shall ye be execused if with silence ye passe over his iniquity Be not deceived my Lords ye are placed in Authority for another purpose then to flatter your King in his folly and blinde rage to wit That as with your bodies strength riches and wisedom ye are bound to assist and defend him in all things which by your advice he shall take in hand for Gods glory and for the preservation of his Common-wealth and subjects so by your authorities counsell and admonition ye are bound to correct and represse whatsoever ye know him to attempt expressely repugning to Gods Word Honour and glory or what ye shall espie him to do be it by ignorance or be it by malice against his subjects great or small Of which last part of your obedience if you defraud your King ye commit against him no lesse Treason then if ye did extract from him your due and promised support when by his enemies unjustly he were pursued But this part of their duty I fear do a small number of the Nobility of this age rightly consider neither yet will they understand that for that purpose hath God promoted them For now the common song of all men is We must obey our Kings be they good or bad For God hath commanded it But horrible shall the vengeance be that shall be poured forth upon such blasphemers of God his holy Name and Ordinance For it is no lesse blasphemy to say That God hath commanded Kings to be obeyed when they command impiety then to say That God by his Precept is author and maintainer of all iniquity True it is God hath commanded Kings to be obeyed but like true it is That in things which they commit against his glory or when cruelly without cause they rage against their brethren the members of Christs body he hath commanded no obedience but rather he hath approved yea and greatly rewarded such as have opposed themselves to their ungodly commandments and blinde rage as in the examples of the three Children of Daniel and Abdemelech it is evident The three Children would neither bow nor stoup before the golden Image at the commandment of the great King Nebuchadnezar Daniel did openly pray his windows being open against the established Law of Darius and of his Councell And Abdemelech feared not to enter in before the presence of Zedechias and boldly to defend the cause and innocency of Ieremy the Prophet whom the King and his Councell had condemned to death Every one of these facts should this day be judged foolish by such as will not understand what God doth require of his children when his Verity is oppugned or his glory called in doubt such men I say as prefer man to God and things present to the heavenly inheritance should have judged every one of these stubborn inobedience foolish presumption and singularity or else bold controlling of the King and his wise Councell But how acceptable in Gods presence was this resistance to the ungodly commandments and determinations of their King the end did witnesse for the three children were delivered from the Furnace of fire and Daniel
Hezekiah sometime Comptroller sometime Secretary and last of all Treasurer to the which Offices he had never been promoted under so godly a Prince if the Treason and malice which he bare against the King and against Gods true Religion had been manifestly known No quoth I Sobna was a crafty Foxe and could shew such a fair countenance to the King that neithet he nor his Councell could espie his malicious Treason But the Prophet Isaiah was commanded by God to go to his presence and to declare his traiterous heart and miserable end Was David said I and Hezekiah Princes of great and godly gifts and experience abused by crafty Councellors and dissembling Hypocrites What wonder is it then that a young and innocent King be deceived by craftie covetous wicked and ungodly Counsellors I am greatly afraid that Achitophel is Counsellor that Iudas bears the Purse and that Sobna is Scribe Comptroller and Treasurer This and somewhat more I spake that day not in a corner as many yet can witnesse but even before those whom my conscience judged worthy of accusation And this day no more do I write albeit I may justly because they have declared themselves most manifestly but yet do I affirme That under that innocent King pestilent Papists had greatest Authority Oh! who was judged to be the soule and life to the Counsell in every matter of weighty importance who but Sobna who could best dispatch businesses that the rest of the Councell might Hawk and Hunt and take their pleasure None like unto Sobna Who was most frank and ready to destroy Sommerset and set up Northumberland was it not Shebna Who was most bold to crie Bastard Bastard Incestuous Bastard Mary shall never Reigne over us And who I pray you was most busie to say Fear not to Subscribe with my Lords of the Kings Majesties most Honourable Privie Councell Agree to his Majesties last Will and perfect Testament and let never that obstinate woman come to Authority she is an arrant Papist she will subvert the true Religion and will bring in strangers to the destruction of this Common-wealth Which of the Councell I say had these and greater perswasions against Mary to whom now he coucheth and kneeleth Sobna the Treasurer And what intended such Traytorous and dissembling Hypocrites by all these and such like crafty sleights and counterfeit conveyance Doubtlesse the overthrow of Christs true Religion which then began to flourish in England the liberty whereof fretted the Guttes of such pestilent Papists who now hath gotten the dayes which they long looked for but yet to their own destruction and shame for in the spite of their hearts the plagues of God shall strike them they shall be comprehended in the snare which they prepare for others for their owne counsels shall make themselves slaves to a proud mischievous unfaithfull and vile Nation Now to the second Note of our Discourse which is this Albeit the Tyrants of this earth have learned by long experience that they are never able to prevaile against Gods Truth yet because they are bound slaves to their Master the Devill they cannot cease to persecute the members of Christ when the Devill blowes his winde in the darknesse of the night that is When the light of Christs Gospel is taken away and the Devil raigneth by Idolatry superstition and Tyrannie This most evidently may be seene from the beginning of this world to the time of Christ and from thence till this day Ismael might have perceived that he could not prevail against Isaac because God had made his promise unto him as no doubt Abraham their father teached to his whole houshold Esau likewise understood the same of Iacob Pharaoh might plainly have seen by many Miracles that Israel was Gods people whom he could not utterly destroy and also the Scribes and Pharisees and Chief Priests were utterly convinced in their Conscience that Christs whole doctrine was of God and that to the profit and commodity of man his Miracles and works were wrought by the power of God and therefore that they could never prevaile against him And yet as the Devill stirred them none of those could refrain to persecute him whom they knew most certainly to be innocent This I write that you shall not wonder albeit now ye see the poysoned Papists wicked Winchester and dreaming Duresme with the rest of the Faction who sometimes were so confounded that neither they durst nor could speak nor write in the defence of their Heresies now so to rage and triumph against the eternall Truth of God as though they had never assayed the power of God speaking by his true Messengers Wonder not hereat I say beloved Brethren that the Tyrants of this world are so obedient and ready to follow the cruell counsels of such disguised Monsters For neither can the one nor the other refraine because both sorts are as subject to obey the Devill their Prince and Father as the unstable Sea is to lift up the waves when the vehement winde bloweth upon it It is fearfull to be heard that the Divell hath such power over any man but yet the Word of God hath so instructed us And therefore albeit it be contrary to our phantasie yet we must beleeve it For the Divell is called the prince and god of this world because he raigneth and is honoured by tyranny and idolatry in it He is called the Prince of Darknesse that hath power in the Ayr It is said That he worketh in the children of unbelief because he stirreth them to trouble Gods Elect as he invaded Saul and compelled him to persecute David and likewise he entred into the heart of Iudas and moved him to betray his Master He is called Prince over the sons of Pride and father of all those that are lyers and enemies to Gods Truth Over whom he hath no lesse power this day then sometimes he had over Annas and Caiaphas whom no man denieth to have been led and moved by the devil to persecute Christ Jesus and his most true Doctrine And therefore wonder not I say that now the devil rageth in his obedient servants wily Winchester dreaming Duresme and bloody Bonner with the rest of their bloody butcherly brood for this is their hour and power granted unto them they cannot cease nor asswage their furious fumes for the devil their Sire stirreth moveth and carrieth them even at his will But in this that I declare the power of the devil working in cruell tyrants Think you that I attribute or give to him or to them power at their pleasure No not so brethren not so for as the devil hath no power to trouble the Elements but as God shall suffer so hath worldly tyrants albeit the devill hath fully possessed their hearts no power at all to trouble the Saints of God but as their bridle shall be loosed by Gods hands And herein dear brethren
all things love and reverence When further I consider the troublesome state of Christs true Religion this day oppressed by blindnesse of men and lastly The great multitude of flatterers and the rare number of them that boldly and plainly dare speak the naked verity in presence of their Princesse and principally in the cause of Christ Iesus These things I say considered whatsoever any man shall judge of my enterprise I am compelled to say That Unlesse in your Regiment and in using of Power your Majesty be found different from the multitude of Princes and head Rulers That this pre-eminence wherein ye are placed shall be your dejection to torment and pain everlasting This proposition is sore but alas it is so true That if I should conceal and hide it from your Majesty I committed no lesse treason against your Majestie then if I did see you by imprudency take a Cup which I knew to be poysoned or invenomed and yet would not admonish you to abstain from drinking of the same The Religion which this day men defend by fire and sword is a Cup invenomed of which whosoever drinketh except that by true repentance he after drink of the water of life drinketh therewith damnation and death How and by whom it hath been invenomed if it were no more tedious to your Majestie to read or hear then it is painfull to me to write or rehearse I would not spare the labour But for this present I have thought it some discharge of one part of my duty if I of very love admonish your Majesty of the danger which I do as God one day shall declare preferring your Majesties salvation and the salvation of the People now committed to your charge before any corporall benefit that can redound to my self Addition AS Satan by craft hath corrupted the most holy Ordinances of Gods precepts I mean of the first Table in the place of the spirituall honouring of God introducing mens dreams inventions and fantasies So hath he abusing the weaknesse of man corrupted the precepts of the second Table Touching the honour which is due to Parents under whom are comprehended Princes and Teachers For now the devill hath so blinded the senses of many that they cannot or at least will not learn what appertaineth to God and what to Caesar. But because the spirit of God hath said Honour the King therefore whatsoever they command be it right or wrong must be obeyed But heavy shall the judgement be which shall apprehend such blasphemers of Gods Majesty who dare be so bold as to affirm That God hath commanded any creature to be obeyed against himself Against God it is That for the commandment of any Prince be he never so potent men shall commit Idolatry embrace a Religion which God hath not approved by his Word or confirm by their silence wicked and blasphemous Laws made against the honour of his Majestie Men I say that so do give no true obedience but as they are Apostates from God so are they Traytors to their Princes whom by flattery they confirm in rebelling against God onely they which to the death resist such wicked laws and decrees are acceptable to God and faithfull to their Princes As were the three children in the presence of Nabuchadnezzar and Daniel in the dayes of Darius the Persian Emperour whose constant and free confession as it glorified God so did it notifie as well to those tyrants as to all ages following the great blasphemy which in their rage and fury they committed against God from the which by all appearance neither of both so suddenly should have been called if the three children had bowed among the rest and Daniel had not declared the confession of his faith Which was with Windows open to pray towards Ierusalem manifestly thereby declaring That he did not consent to the blasphemous law and decree which was established by the King and his Counsell Experience hath taught us what surmises and blasphemies the adversaries of Christ Jesus of his eternall verity do invent and devise against such as begin to detect their impiety They are accused to be Authors of sedition raisers of tumults violators of common orders c. I answer with the Prophet Esay That all is not reputed before God sedition and conjuration which the foolish multitude so esteemeth neither yet is every tumult and breach of publike order contrary to Gods commandment for Christ Jesus himself coming to take the spoil from the strong armed who before did keepe his house in quietnesse is not come to send Peace but a Sword and to make a man disassent from his Father c. His Prophets before him and Apostles after him feared not to break publike Orders established against God and in so doing to move as it were the one half of peoples nations and cities against the other and yet I trust that none except the hired servant of Sathan will accuse Christ of sedition nor the Apostles of the troubling of Common wealths True it is that the most wholesome Medicine most troubleth for a time the body replenished with wicked and corrupted humours but the cause hereof is known to be not in the Medicine but in the Bodie subject to Maladie even so the true Word of God when it entreth to fight where Sathan hath born dominion as he still doth in the whole Papistrie cannot but appear to be occasion of great trouble But Madame more profitable it is that the pestilent humours be expelled with pain then that they be nourished to the distruction of the body The Papisticall Religion is a mortall pestilence which shall assuredly bring to death eternall the bodies and souls from the which it is not purged in this life and therefore take heed betimes God calleth upon you beware that ye shut not up your ears Judge not the matter after the vilenesse of my body whom God hath appointed Ambassadour and Messenger unto you but with reverence and fear consider him whose Message I bear I come to you in the name of the Eternall God and of Christ Jesus his Son to whom the Father hath committed all power whom he hath established Soveraign Judge over all flesh before whose Throne you must make accompt with what reverence you hear such as he sendeth It shall not excuse you to say or think That you doubt whether I be sent of God or no I crie unto you That the Religion which the Princes and blinded Papists maintain with fire and sword is not the Religion of Christ That your proud Prelates are none of Christs Bishops I admonish you That Christs Flock is oppressed by them and therefore I require and that yet again in the name of the Lord Jesus That with indifferency I may be heard to preach to reason and to dispute in that Cause which if you deny you declare your self to bear no reverence to Christ nor love to his true Religion Letter BUt
high measure in the yeer 1595. This gave occasion then both to Prince and people to enter into Covenant for the defence of the Truth and pure Doctrine of the Church with the Reformed Discipline and of the safety of the King and Kingdom by which means the proceedings of the enemies was stopped for a while Now the time drawing neer of the Kings coming to the Crown of England the watching enemy returns to work again in another manner then he had done hitherto which was this By the mouths of some timerous and worldly men he causeth to present unto the King the consideration of great difficulties that he was likely to finde in his succeeding to the Crown of England by two parties there who were given out to be the Strength of the Kingdom to wit the profest Papists and the Prelaticall men therefore to facilitate the businesse they must be in some sort contented For the satisfaction of the Prelates the King by degrees must endeavour to bring again into Scotland Prelacy with all its dependences for no neglecter or contemner of the holy Order could be kindely received to reigne in England and so this part of the advice was followed with all possible care and diligence To content the Papists they not onely must have given unto them under-hand hopes of connivence and over seeing their practice but also there must be a Letter written to the Pope to assure his Holinesse of the Kings affection to the Catholike Cause Thus both these parties were calmed so far that the King came to the Crown of England Anno 1602 without manifest opposition albeit not without the grumbling and grudging of some As for the stricter sort of Professors of the Reformed Religion going under the nick-name of Puritans no opposition or trouble to the Succession was feared from them because the Principles upon which they go on rising from the Word of God are far other then those of worldlings which flow from interest and consequently they needed not Atonement or Propitiatory Sacrifice to befriend the King But the holy Father not finding reall performance by the King of what he looked for remembers the King in good earnest of his promise not kept by the Gun-powder Plot Anno 1605. After which by Gods mercy failing men would have thought that the Popish party should leave off all undertakings hereafter But they follow their businesse more constantly then so for no sooner one Plot fails but incontinent they put another afoot yea they have severall Plots at one and the same time in hand whereof it is likely that either one or other will take Now this great Plot of the Gun-powder being come to nothing they as it were go back for a time to come forward in due season with another and leaving for a while the open and devouring ravishing of the Wolf they have recourse again to the cunning of the Fox The next care then after the calming in some measure the spirits of men after so horrid a Treason is to look about and to studie by whom he affairs of these Dominions were managed And finding by serious inspection That all affairs received great influence from the Court after mature deliberation they resolved to make friends there which they did by subtill insinuations fair words high promises and some reall performances of good Offices yea when money was absolutely necessary it was not spared Thus by degrees having gotten friends at Court in it they make a party next for whose subsistence and increase they employ all that they can Now having power and credit at Court more and clearly perceiving it to be the fountain from whence all preferment to Honour and benefit in Church and State did flow they judged it fit for their purpose to make sure of some prime men both in Church and State according to their minde which was done as they desired Thus having gained men chief in State and Church for their use then they went to the corrupting of the Universities being the Seminaries of all Liberall Education This likewise they did effectuate first by the Over-seers connivence to loosenesse of life in young people next by the bad example of the Seniors the Iuniors were invited to do mischief Then the Teachers by their bad instruction did corrupt namely in Theologie all sound Doctrine And for this purpose the earnest studie of the Old Testrment in the Originall Hebrew was cryed downe as beseeming rather men of the Synagogue then those of the Christian Schools Likewise the Greek of the New Testament must not be read with diligence for fear of spoyling the elegancy of the Greek Language which is to be found in profane Authors So they withdrew the Students from the studie of Scriptures in the Originall and recommended to them the reading of humane Writings particularly in Theologie the Books of the Ancients which are commonly called Fathers Likewise was recommended unto young men the studie of the Sophistry of the Monks as of Thomas and Scotus namely with their Expositors True it is That if young men were well instructed in Theologie from the Scriptures and taught the true Principles of Philosophie in a setled course by some judicious and diligent Professor they might reade all these Books and others in their kinde with pleasure and benefit But alas young men not knowing the rudiments of Theologie nor the first Elements of Philosophie are let loose unto themselves and so by reading these Books having no sure ground to stick to learn onely to doubt and put Queries yea of the very Principles of all sound knowledge both Divine and Humane Thus being brought to waver and doubt they are easily led what by interest what by weaknesse to embrace a bad Opinion or at least to hold all uncertain as the ancient Scepticks not being able to resolve Yea doubting is come to that height that in the opinion of many he is the bravest fellow and wittiest that can raise most Queries answer them who will or can And so Wit is hugely cryed up which is but meer froth and poor solid Wisedom is not so much as named or thought on Then those of the richer sort having spent some time idly and loosely at the Universities go beyond Sea particularly to Italy forsooth either upon their own trust or which is little better if not worse many of those who go along with young men to advise and direct them have as much need of one for their guide as the young men themselves having neither staidnesse discretion nor probity So that if there were a just account cast up of all those who either have been bred in the Universities or gone beyond Sea these many yeers I will speak within compasse That of twenty you shall hardly finde one who is improved in vertue by this Breeding for the good of the Church and State whereof they are members and perhaps considerable too if they were wise and good At this present both Church and State findes this to be true
by wofull experience namely in the Clergie Gentry and Nobility Now these evils have not been in England alone for Scotland according to its proportion in compasse of Bounds numbers of people provision of means and in its distance from Court hath its full share of all the evil For first the Schools of breeding young people at home were become very corrupt and many in their travelling abroad have either miscarried or little benefited themselves The fruit we have found namely in our corrupt Clergie yea and in some of our infatuated Gentry and Nobility but blessed be God things are now in a better posture and constitution there then they have been formerly God grant we may have occasion to say the like of England For Religion sound knowledge and true wisedome with probity have been so neglected and contemned there to the ignominy and reproach of Christianity that in these times there we have seen the dolefull effects of want of Religion and of these other vertues But to return to the Court. The Popish party although they had both power and credit at Court yet they were not assured to go on so smoothly and speedily with the great Designe so long as there were any of eminency there of whom they could not be certain So Prince Henry was first wished to be out of the way next by untimely death was taken away to the grief of many honest men This conceived Remora being laid aside they resolve to go on more freely in their Designe But although they had gained much upon the affection of the King yet they can suffer him to expresse the Notions of Religion and wisedom both by word and writing Yea they will yeeld him to follow so far his former Principles as to match his daughter to one of his Profession so he marries the Lady Elizabeth to the Prince Elector Palatine although it was not altogether so pleasing to some chief ones at Court then These things passed in the yeer 1613. who although they would not stop the Marriage to go on yet they managed the businesse so that they hindered the Prince Elector Palatine to receive the advantages which in reason he should have had by vertue of it as help and ayd at his need c. Here we must make a little step beyond Sea and presently return back Now then we must know That as the Popish party have been very busie in these our Dominions in carrying on the Work of the great Designe of subjecting all to the Pope directly or indirectly so in other places where Idolatry and Tyranny had been cast off they have not been sleeping nor idle namely in our neighbour Countreys where when they had made things up for a combustion of War by their crafty forecasting divisions and corruptions in life and Doctrine of men of place they kindled the fire witnesse the businesse of Barnevel in the Low Countreys in the yeer 1619. And not long thereafter the troubles raised in France against the Professors of the Truth then in Germany likewise having all things ready for a War as they were thinking that the two Houses of Saxe to wit the Weymerian and the now Electorall was most fit and easie to be embroyled by reason of the emulation of the Weymerian against the other for the Electorall Dignity taken from it and given to the other But conveniently for their purpose the Elector Palatine being made King of Bohemia the great agent of the Pope the House of Austria takes occasion to make War against him leaving the House of Saxe c. Now to come home again King James by this time is turned about and his affection so much cooled and turned from the Protestant party distressed that for all help or supply to the Protestants of France he sends complements by Embassadours with fair promises And for his son-in-Law with other Protestants his adherents in Germany he did little more so senselesse is he of the sufferings of Jacob and unmindefull of his own interest by suffering those in France and Germany to perish who not onely did so much honour him but they being preserved made him the most redoubted and considerable Prince in Christendom To speak nothing of his tye by nature unto his own children Then contradicting his own published Dictates he must seek after a Popish wife for his son and to hasten the businesse the young Prince must be sent into Spain where he had two men by whom he was then advised who although they did not love one another yet they did agree among themselves To betray their old Master with their Countrey and their young Master in their company whom they theu counselled to embrace Popery and by writing engage himself unto the Pope This is upon Record At last the Prince cometh home without the wife which was never really intended for him howsoever things were given out notwithstanding all the pains of the young Prince and the earnest sollicitude of the Father with the compliance of both If it had not been for the hatred to the Palatine House and fear of its advancement to the succession of those Dominions the Prince never had seen this Island again but in a Map Howsoever King James is glad to have his son safe returned And at length seeing clearly how he had been misled and gulled bethinks himself how to amend his former mistakes and errours but alas it was too late for as he was thus consulting with himself death takes him away An. 1625. not without suspition of wrong done unto him The new King must have a Popish wife according to the former intention she cometh from France and bringeth along with her her strange gods The Prelats had a main hand in this Popish Match by actuall furtherance thereof and by opening the way how the free exercise of Popery might be had in favour of the Queen and her adherents without breach of the Law of the Land The same yeer of the death of the late King and of the Marriage of our now Sovereign there was an Expedition made against the Spaniard without any reall intention to do harm as appears by the slack performance of the War and by the shamefull Peace made thereafter The main drift of this undertaking was first To try how ready the people would be to endure Souldiers in the Countrey which they had not seen for a long time and how willing they would be to undergo a War at the command of the corrupt Court and uphold it with Supplies of men and moneys Next There must be an Expedition against France under pretext to help the then distressed Protestants there which really was intended for the hastening of their ruine and encrease of their desolation and so it proved indeed although the main and chief undertaker was prevented by death to see the effect of his intents The other end of this undertaking was To have Forces at command both Horse and Foot by Land and a well-provided Navie at Sea for the enslaving of
the people to spirituall and temporall Bondage which in all humane probability had not been difficile to effectuate then such was the sheeppish sillinesse and knavish basenesse of many men in these Dominions of all ranks conditions and professions as also the unpreparednesse of the wiser and better Patriots and Members of the Church to withstand this mischief if God in his mercy by the unexpected death of the Court-ruler and chief agent in the businesse had not put in a Remora and lett At which time if men had returned unto God amending their lives in private and had expressed their true zeal then to the good of the Church and Countrey whereof they are members according to their severall ranks and conditions the designe of the common enemy had been fully dasht But God in his wisedom hath been pleased to keep us yet a while longer under the rod of tryall to see if we will return unto him at last The Romish party although astonished and surprised at the death of their Engine and main Instrument here among us gives not over but continues the great Designe without intermission albeit not with such speed as formerly for those to whose care principally the businesse was committed and in whose hands the managing of matters had fallen by the death of the late Fac totum were not so powerfull to obtain without refusall what they pleased at the Kings hands neither were they in such opinion and reputation with inferiours to make them go on in the work so earnestly wherefore the Queen must be brought now of necessity to take upon her the main care and to obtain from the King whatsoever may conduce and further the businesse and take away all letts and stops which may hinder the proceedings Then to employ all her credit abroad for countenancing and advancing affairs And next by her authority to draw on inferiours to act their part with affection and ardour Now all things being thus cunningly and carefully by degrees in few yeers prepared and disposed for enslaving Church and State Prince and People to Rome again it was thought fit by the hottest of the party to wit the Iesuites to hasten the work openly and delay no more time the compassing of the Designe being conceived to be infallible By this means they thought to shorten the businesse and to make themselves so considerable as to share deeply in the Booty of which they looked for but little if things were still lingred and carryed on slowly But how and where to begin this new undertaking was consulted upon and after deliberation the Scots must be begun at the way is resolved on there must be a new Prayer-Book put upon these rude fellows that they may say their Prayers in modo figura a la Romaine and not so rudely and irregularly as they were wont to do in the Northern way Then they must have high-Commission Courts Canons and Etcetera's Which things if the Scots be so wise to accept as doubtlesse they will reasoned these men but he that reckons without this host reckons twice for their chief men of State are either actually at Court or provided to places in the Countrey from Court at least they can do no businesse of moment without the favour of the Court. At this time the devout and religious Prelats with the rest of their good Clergie are not onely in all earnestnesse bent for the work according to their severall places in the Church but also they over-sway all busines in State Wherefore without difficulty we will compasse our main Designe thorow all these Dominions said they And truely so they had in all likelihood as we may see by the wofull carriage of businesse and so ill managing so good a Cause in England since But God had in his mercy towards us all ordained otherwise And if the Scots say they should be so mad as to refuse the commands from the Court and think upon resistance they shall be made obey the holy Mandate with a Vengeance and say their prayers with a rod for we shall over-run their Countrey speedily and subdue them as poor silly ignorant fools destitute of all means for War to wit wisedom with resolution not having breeding and pressed down with poverty to undertake and undergo such a businesse as War and money and Arms to go on in it for the Sâ—yl being barren and the Havens bad they cannot have the advantages of a fertile Countrey furnished with good Harbours and Commanders or Leaders to manage a War their Military men being abroad who will not easily quit the honorable and beneficiall Employments they have in forreigne Countreys and come home to suffer want with losse of credit But God who laughs from above at the foolish Counsells of vain men in this particular hath made us see That he hath an â—ver-ruling power over the affairs of men making little and contemptible ones do great things and bring to nothing the undertakings of the mighty and wise of this world By this time the new Prayer-Book designed at Rome and perfected at London is sent down into Scotland After some little reluctancy it is received by the Councell there the major part whereof then were either Church-men or their addicted friends Then it is sent to the Churches to be put in use and practice But unexpected and unlooked for it is opposed by inferiour people from whence the opposition riseth to those of higher ranks whereupon Petitions are drawn up and sent to the King to supplicate His Majesty in all due respect to free the Church of Scotland from this new Prayer-Book with the High-Commission Courts Canons Etcetera's To these Demands of the Scots no answer is given but hot threatnings after which preparatives of War were made against the Scots and because the King did not shew himself propense enough to the undertaking of War nor the Queen forward enough to engage the King in this holy War the Queen-Mother who for her known faithfulnesse to her husband and for her care of her son both late Kings of France must come to her Son-in-law against his will to help him with her best advice and counsell and to better instruct her daughter how to carry her self with earnestnesse and addresse in the businesse Things being thus disposed there is an Expedition undertaken against the Scots and followed to the Borders by the King present in person but to small purpose for the Scots came to the Borders duly prepared notwithstanding their pre-conceived wants and indisposition to sell their Religion and Liberty at a dear rate which being perceived by the Court the Scots Demands formerly rejected are granted and a Peace concluded Then some of the chief men of the Scots were invited to go to Court for the time at Barwick who upon certain advice of a Plot against them were stopped by their friends to trust themselves to the faith of the Court. After things in a kinde calmed there the King not suffered by his Counsell to
go into Edinburgh to settle things fully he sends Deputies thither and returns to London At his return the Scots Commissioners are imprisoned at London against their Safe-Conduct and the Agreement with the Scots is burnt publikely by the hand of the Hang-man and a new Expedition with more cunning and strength then the former is undertaken against the Scots Whereof the Scots duely advertised judging it not to be safe to play alwayes after-games settle their Countrey make sure the strong Holds which they had delivered in simplicity of heart unto the King at the late Agreement and come into England with such an Army that they made their enemies retire Upon this point of necessity the King assembled divers of the Nobles by whom he is advised to call a Parliament which is granted although with difficulty At the overture of the Parliament having gained all the party possible the King is made to demand assistance to repell the Scots from England and chastise them but to no purpose wherefore the Parliament must pay for it and to this purpose the English Army afoot must be brought to London under some pretext This Plot failing and discovered the Scots must be tempted under great offers no lesse then the plunder of London and the propriety of the adjacent Counties to their Countrey The Scots not onely refused these great offers but also give advice of them to the Parliament Then the Scots must be hastened home and the King must go into Scotland under pretext to settle things there but really to make a party viewing by the way the Scots Army and to make sure of some men dis-affected to the Designe of the Court These things not succeeding to smooth a little the shamefull businesse Titles of Honour and Pensions are given to many While the King is in Scotland the Rebellion riseth in Ireland having its influence from the Court whether by sealed Patents or otherwise I will not enquire now more then of the Spanish Navie but certain it is it had its rise from Court Some dayes after the Rebellion begun in Ireland the King must return in all speed to London under pretext to consult with the Parliament how to represse this odious Rebellion but really to be revenged of the Parliament for not assisting against the Scots and for punishing the main agents of the Scotish party witnesse the faction the Queen had made in the City during the Kings abode in Scotland to divide the City and Parliament and the demanding of the Members of the Houses against all Law upon accusation of Treason whereof the chief and main point was To have favourized the Scots Affairs in England against expresse Acts of Oblivion of both Parliaments of Scotland and England As for the repressing of the Rebellion in Ireland it is so little taken to heart that the King seldom goes to the House and being there speaks but little of the businesse After a while with much ado the Popish Irish in Arms are declared Rebells when they had ruined many families and killed many of the innocent Protestants But of the Kings Declaration there were but few Copies Printed and of the few hardly any dispersed when the Scots before they had gathered any Head were Prelatically excommunicated and cursed thorow all the Parishes of England and declared Rebells every where by printed Papers Who as they intended no ill so blessed be God never men of War in a Countrey did lesse harm then the Scots did Yea which is more all the good intentions of both Parliament and City with the ready offers of the Scots for the speedy help of the poor Protestants against the bloody Butchers in Ireland was delayed deluded yea almost put off by the Court and the corrupt Members of both Houses who since have shewed themselves openly what they are in publike Affairs But these Designes failing of apprehending the Members and of dividing the City and Parliament as was seen by the accompanying the Members to the Houses again the King must leave London Here before we proceed any further we shall go a little back When the first undertaking was against the Scots all things within these Dominions being disposed for the best furthering of the work the holy Conclave of Rome forecasting all chances and fearing that England would not altogether be so forward to contribute much unto the destruction of Scotland wherefore the King must be assured of some good friend abroad and not far off who may help in case of need None is thought so fit as the Prince of Orange being able to help with Moneys Arms and Men for command He must be gained by offering him for his Son one of the Kings Daughters who notwithstanding his high minde would have been glad of a lower Match Now at the first the Prince of Orange did onely look to have the second Daughter in due time But to engage him further he shall have the elder not staying for her till she be nubile and that presently although she did little more then then well discerne her right hand from her left But this is not all for the Mother must carry the Daughter to the Prince of Orange to gain him more speedily and make him more affectionate and sure to the Designes of our corrupted Court So the Kings Daughter is sold and made a Sacrifice for furtherance of the Catholike Cause as his Grand-mother was sold to France to the same Designe by the corrupt Court of Scotland for the time What mischief this Marriage and the Queens Voyage into Holland hath brought into this Countrey and what stain she hath brought upon her self by it we see all And so many evils fell upon Scotland after the sending the then young Queen into France Here you shall observe the jugling knavery of our corrupt Court who cry out against the Scots for taking Arms for the just defence of their Liberty and Religion without any by-respect as their whole proceedings to this instant do testifie as guilty of the most horrid crime of Rebellion against Higher Powers as they call it yet the same corrupt Court makes the King give his Daughter unto him who is not onely a chief man but a main Instrument to make War for the Liberty and Religion of the Countrey where he liveth against the unjust oppression of their Sovereign as his renowned Brother and most vertuous Father did before him and as he intends to make his Son after him witnesse the reversion of his Place he hath obtained unto him from the States If the King of Spain by necessity hath been constrained to acknowledge the United Provinces free it is nothing for the justice of their taking Arms to defend their Religion and Liberty And if he had power they would not be long free witnesse the secret Plots to divide them and over-reach them Farther he is very shie in his Writs to call them Free as every man knows The Queen of Bohemia must not onely be neglected and seen lose all that
shall onely l. 47. r. is p. 316.35 r. might not p. 317. l 9. r. whither p. 319 l. 15. r. concurre l. 20 r. she p. 321. l 34. r. charge p. 324. l. 28. r. meats p. 326. l. 7. r. modified p. 327. l. 39. r. women p. 352. l 3. r. dearth l. 5. r. many p. 359. l. 1. r. her p. 366. l. 12. r. within l. 19. r. dayes p 369 l. 24. r. unlawfull p. 373. l. 36. r. if the p. 375. l. 32. r. all through l. 34. r. sins p. 386. l. 35. r. death p. 387. l. 1. r. which l. 45. r. what p. 392. l. 25. r. will say p. 393. l. 4. r. misknow p. 397. l. 5. r. this l. 10. r. the. The fifth Book P. 413. l. 39. r. best p. 414. l. 17. r. to p. 416. l. 5. â— celerity p. 421.36 r. as you p. 436. l. 26. r. foolish cagots p. 437. l. 7. r. to such p. 447. l. 5. dele was l. 23. r. saying Appendix P. 7. l. 43. r. ye p. 29. l. 6. r. result l. 10. world p. 60. l. 44. r. Mistresse p. 78. l. 15. r. time p. 79. l. 7. r. Iehu pag. 99. l. 1. r. whole l. 11. r. finall p. 102. l. 4â— r. punished p. 106. l. 1. r. all p. 111. l. 17. r. him p. 112. l. 24. r. perceived THE HISTORIE OF THE REFORMATION Within the Realme of SCOTLAND from the yeer 1422. Till the 20. day of August 1567. THE FIRST BOOK IN the Records of Glasgow is found mention of one whose name was Iames Resby an Englishman by Birth Scholler to Wickliff He was accused as an Heretike by one Lawrence Lindors in Scotland and burnt for having said That the Pope was not the Vicar of Christ and that a man of wicked life was not to be acknowledged for Pope This fell out Anno 1422. Farther our Chronicles make mention That in the dayes of King Iames the first about the yeer of God 1431. was deprehended in the University of Saint Andrewes one named Paul Craw a Boheme who was accused of Heresie before such as then were called Doctors of Theologie His accusation consisted principally That he followed Iohn Hâ—s and Wickliff in the opinion of the Sacrament Who denied that the substance of Bread and Wine were changed by vertue of any words Or that Confession should be made to Priests or yet Prayers to Saints departed While that God gave him grace to resist them and not to consent to their impiety He was committed to the secular Judge for our Bishops following Pilate who both did condemne and also wash his hands who condemned him to the fire in the which he was consumed in the said City of Saint Andrews about the time afore written And to declare themselves to be the generation of Satan who from the beginning hath been enemy to the Truth and he that desireth the same to be hid from the knowledge of men They put a ball of Brasse in his mouth to the end he should not give Confession of his Faith to the people neither yet that they should understand the defence which he had against their unjust accusation and condemnation Both these godly men Resby and Craw suffered Martyrdome for Christ his Truth by Henry Ward-Law Bishop of Saint Andrewes whom the Prelates place amongst their Worthies But that their wicked practise did not greatly advance their Kingdom of darknesse neither yet was it able utterly to extinguish the Trueth for albeit that in the dayes of King Iames the second and third we finde small question of Religion moved within this Realm yet in the time of King Iames the fourth in the sixth yeer of his Reign and in the twenty two yeer of his age which was in the yeer of God 1494. were summoned before the King and his great Counsell by Robert Blacater called Archbishop of Glasgow The number of thirty persons remaining some in Kyle Stâ—wart some in Kingstyle and some in Cunninghame Among whom were George Campbell of Cesnok Adam Reade of Barskyning Iohn Campbell of Newmyls Andrew Schaw of Polkemac Helene Chalmer Lady Pokellie Isabelle Chambers Lady Stairs These were called the Lollards of Kyle they were accused of the Articles following as we have received them out of the Register of Glasgow 1. First â—hat Images are not to be had in the Kyrk nor to be worshipped 2. That the Reliques of Saints are not to be worshipped 3. That Laws Ordinances of men vary from time to time and that by the Pope 4. That it is not lawfull to fight for the Faith nor to defend the Faith by the Sword if we be not driven to it by necessity which is above all Law 5. That Christ gave power to Peter as also to the other Apostles and not to the Pope his pretended Successour to binde and loose within the Kyrk 6. That Christ ordained no Priests to consecrate as they do in the Romish Church these many yeers 7. That after the Consecration in the Masse there remains Bread and that there is not the naturall Body of Christ. 8. That Tythes ought not to be given to Ecclesiasticall men as they were then called to wit wholly but a part to the poor widow or orphans other pious uses 9. That Christ at his coming hath taken away power from Kings to judge This Article we doubt not to be the venomous accusation of the enemies whose practise hath ever been to make the doctrine of Jesus Christ suspect to Kings and Rulers As if God thereby would deprive them of their Royall Seats While on the contrary nothing confirms the power of Magistrates more then doth Gods Truth But to the Articles 10. That every faithfull man and women is a Priest in that sence that they are called by the Apostle Saint Iohn Apoc. 1.6.5.10.20.6 11. That the Unction of Kings ceased at the coming of Christ and truely it was but late since Kings were anointed namely in Scotland for Edgar was the first anointed King in Scotland about the yeer 1100. 12. That the Pope is not the successour of Peter but where he said Go behinde me Satan 13. That the Pope deceives the people by his Buls and his Indulgences 14. That the Masse profiteth not the souls who in those dayes were said to be in Purgatory 15. That the Pope and the Bishops deceive the people by their Pardons 16. That Indulgences ought not to be granted to fight against the Saracens 17. That the Pope exalts himself against God and above God 18. That the Pope cannot remit the pains of Purgatory 19. That the blessings of the Bishops of dumb Dogs they should have been stiled are of no value 20. That the Excommunication of the Kyrk is not to be feared if there be no true cause for it 21. That in no case it is lawfull to swear to wit idly rashly and in vain 22. That Priests may have wives according to the constitution of the Law and
commends to the poore Cardinall of Loraine The freedomes of Scottish Merchants were restrained in Roane and they compelled to pay Tole and Taxations others then their ancient Liberties did beare To bring this head to passe to wit to the Matrimoniall Crown the Queen Regent left no point of the Compasse unsailed with the Bishops and Priests She practised on this manner Ye may clearely see that I cannot do what I would within this Realme for these Hereticks and Confederates of England are so banded together that they stop all good order But will ye be favourable unto me in this suit of the Matrimoniall Crowne to be granted to my daughters husband Then shall we see how I shall handle these Heretickes and Traitours ere it be long And in very deed in these her promises she meant no deceit in that behalfe Unto the Protestants she said I am not unmindfull how oft ye have solicited me for Reformation in Religion and gladly would I consent thereunto but ye see the power and craft of the Bishop of S. Andrews together with the power of Duke Hamilton and of Church-men ever to be bent against me in all my proceedings so that I may do nothing unlesse the full authority of this Realme be delivered to the King of France which cannot be but by donation of the Crowne Matrimoniall which thing if ye will bring to passe then devise ye what ye please in matters of Religion and they shall be granted With this Commission and Credit was Lord Iames then Prior of S. Andrews directed to the Earle of Argyle with moe other promises then we list to rehearse By such dissimulation to those that were simple and true of heart inflamed she them to be more fervent in her Petition then her selfe appeared to be And so at the Parliament holden at Edinburgh in the moneth of October in the yeere of God 1558. it was clearely voed no man reclaiming except the Duke for his interest and yet for it there was no better Law produced except that there was a solemne Masse appointed for that purpose in the Pontificall This head obtained whereat France and she principally shot what faith she kept to the Protestants in this our second Book shall be declared In the beginning whereof we may more amply rehearse some things that in this our first are summarily touched The end of the first Booke The Second Booke OF THE HISTORY OF Things done in SCOTLAND in the Reformation of Religion Beginning in the yeere of our Lord God 1558. OUr purpose was to have made the beginning of our History from the things that were done from the yeere of God 1558. till The Reformation of Religion which of Gods mercy we once possessed and yet in Doctrine and in the right use of administration of Sacraments do possesse But because divers of the godly as before is said earnestly required That such persons as God raised up in the midst of darkenesse to oppose themselves to the same should not be omitted We obeyed their Request and have made a short Rehearsall of all such matters as concerne Religion from the death of that notable Servant of God Master Patricke Hamilton unto the aforesaid yeere when that it pleased God to looke upon us more mercifully then we deserve and to give unto us greater boldnesse and better albeit not without hazard and trouble successe in all our enterprizes then we looked for as the true Narration of this second Booke shall witnesse The PREFACE whereof followeth The Preface LEst that Sathan by our silence shall take occasion to blaspheme and to slander us the Protestants of the Realme of Scotland as that our fact tended rather to Sedition and Rebellion then to Reformation of Manners and abuses in Religion We have thought expedient so truely and briefly as we can to commit to writing the causes moving us as we say and great part of the Nobility and Barons of the Realme to take the sword of just Defence against those that most unjustly seek our destruction And in this our confession we shall faithfully declare What moved us to put our hands to the Reformation of Religion How we have proceeded in the same What we have asked and what presently we require of the sacred Authority To the end that our Cause being knowne as well our enemies as our brethren in all Realmes may understand how falsly we are accused of tumult and Rebellion and how unjustly we are persecuted by France and by their Faction And also that our brethren naturall Scotish-men of whatsoever Religion they be may have occasion to examine themselves If they can with safe conscience oppose themselves to us who seek nothing but Christ Iesus his glorious Gospel to be preached his holy Sacraments to be truely ministred Superstition Tyranny and Idolatry to be suppressed in this Realme And finally This our native Countrey to remaine free from the Bondage and Tyranny of Strangers While that the Queen Regent practised with the Prelats how that Christ Jesus blessed Gospel might utterly be suppressed within Scotland God so blessed the labours of his weak servants that no small part of the Barons of this Realme began to abhorre the Tyranny of the Bishops God did so open their eyes by the light of his Word that they could cleerly discerne betwixt Idolatry and the true honouring of God Yea men almost universally began to doubt whether they could God not offended give their bodily presence to the Masse or yet offer their children to the Papisticall Baptisme The doubts when the most godly and the most learned in Europe had answered both by word and writing affirming That neither of both we might do without perill of our souls we began to be more troubled For then also began men of estimation and those that bare rule amongst us to examine themselves concerning their duties as well towards Reformation of Religion as towards the just defence of their brethren most cruelly persecuted And so began divers questions to be moved to wit If that with safe conscience such as were Iudges Lords and Rulers of the People might serve the higher Powers in maintaining of Idolatry in persecuting their Brethren and in suppressing Christs Truth Or Whether they to whom God in some case hath committed the Sword of Iustice might suffer the blood of their Brethren to be shed in their presence without any declaration that such Tyranny displeased them By the plain Scriptures it was found That a lively faith required a plaine Confâ—ssion when Christs Truth is oppugned That not onely are they guilty that do evil but also they that consent to evil And plain it is That they consent to evil who seeing iniquity openly committed by their silence seem to justifie and avow whatsoever is done These things being resolved and sufficiently proved by evident Scriptures of God we began every man to look more diligently to his Salvation For the Idolatry and Tyranny of the Clergy called
formed in manner following The Forme of the Protestation made in the Parliament holden at Edinburgh Anno 1558. IT is not unknowne to this Honourable Parliament what controversie is now lately risen betwixt those that will be called the Prelats and Rulers of the Church and a great number of us the Nobility and Communalty of the Realme for the true worshipping of God for the duty of Ministers for the right Administration of Christ Jesus holy Sacraments How that we have complained by our supplication to the Queen Regent That our consciences are burthened with unprofitable Ceremonies And that we are compelled to adhere to Idolary That such as take upon them the Office Ecclesiasticall discharge no part thereof as becometh true Ministers to do and finally That we and our brethren are most injuriously oppressed by their usurped authority And also we suppose it is a thing sufficiently known That we were of minde at this present Parliament to seek redresse of such enormities but considering that the troubles of the time do not suffer such Reformation as we by Gods plain Word do require we are enforced to delay that which most earnestly we desire And yet lest that our silence should give occasion to our adversaries to thinke that we repent of our former enterprisers we cannot cease to protest for remedy against that most unjust tyranny which we heretofore have most patiently sustained And first we protest That seeing we cannot obtain a just Reformation according to Gods Word that it be lawfull to us to use our selves in matters of Religion and conscience as we must answer unto God unto such time as our adversaries be able to prove themselves the true Ministers of Christs Church and to purge themselves of such crimes as we have already laid to their charge offering our selves to prove the same whensoever the sacred Authority please to give us audience Secondly we protest That neither we nor yet any other of the godly that list to joyn with us in the true Faith which is grounded upon the invincible Word of God shall incur any danger of life or lands or any politicall pain for not observing such Acts as heretofore have passed in favour of our adversaries neither yet for violating of such Rites as man without Gods Commandment or Word hath commanded We thirdly protest That if any tumult or uprore shall arise amongst the members of this Realme for the diversity of Religion and if it shall chance that abuses be violently reformed that the crime thereof be not imputed to us who most humbly do now seek all to be reformed by an Order But rather whatsoever inconvenience shall happen to follow for lack of Order taken that may be imputed to those that do refuse the same And last we protest That these our requests proceeding from conscience do tend to none other end but to the reformation of the abuses in Religion onely Most humbly beseeching the sacred Authority to take us faithfull and obedient subjects into protection against our adversaries and to shew unto us such indifferency in our most just Petition as it becometh Gods Lieutenants to do to those that in his Name do call for defence against cruell oppressors and blood-thirsty Tyrants This our Protestation publikely read we desired it to have been inserted in the common Register but that by the labor of enemies was denied unto us Neverthelesse the Queen Regent said Me will remember what it protested and me shall put good order after this to all things that now be in controversie And thus after she by craft had obtained her purpose we departed ed in good hope of her favour praising God inour hearts that she was so well inclined towards godlinesse The good opinion that we had of her sincerity caused us not onely to spend our goods and hazard our bodies at her pleasure but also by our publike Letters written to that excellent servant of God Iohn Calvine we did praise and commend her for her excellent knowledge in Gods Word and good will towards the advancement of his glory requiring of him That by his grave counsell and godly exhortation he would animate her Majestie constantly to follow that which godlily she had begun We did farther sharply rebuke both by word and writing all such as appeared to suspect in her any venom or hypocrisie or that were contrary to that opinion which we had conceived of her godly minde But how far we were deceived in our opinion and abused by her craft did suddenly appear For how soon that all things pertaining to the commodity of France were granted by us and that Peace was contracted betwixt King Philip and France and England and us she began to spue forth and disclose the latent venom of her double heart Then began she to frowne and to look forwardly to all such as she knew did favour the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She commanded her houshold to use all abominations at Easter and she first her self to give example to others did communicate to the Idol in open audience she controlled her houshold and would know where that every one received ther Sacrament And it appeared That after that day that malice took more violent and strong possession in her then it did before for from that day forward she appeared altogether altered insomuch that her countenance and facts did declare the venom of her heart For incontinent she caused our Preachers to be summoned for whom when we made intercession beseeching her Majesty not to molest them in their Ministry unlesse any man were able to convince them of false Doctrine she could not bridle her tongue from open blasphemy but proudly she said In despight of you and your Ministers both they shall be banished out of Scotland albeit they preached as true as ever did Saint Paul Which proud and blaspemous answer did greatly astonish us and yet ceased we not most humbly to seek her favour and by great diligence at last we obtained that the Summons at that time were delayed For to her were sent Alexander Earl of Glenclarne and Sir Hues Campbell of Lowdone Knight Sheriff of Air to reason with her and to crave some performance of her manifold promises to whom she answered It becomes not subjects to burthen their Princes with promises further then it pleased them to keep the same Both the Noble men faithfully and boldly discharged their duty and plainly forewarned her of the inconveniences that were to follow wherewith she somewhat astonied said she would advise In this mean time did the Town of Perth called Saint Iohnston embrace the Truth which did provoke her to a new fury in which she willed the Lord Ruthuein Provest of that Towne so suppresse all such Religion there To the which when he answered That he could make their bodies to come to her Majesty to prostrate themselves before her till that she was fully satiate with her blood but to cause them to
of the Lord Jesus XXIV Of the Civill Magistrate VVE confesse and acknowledge Empires Kingdomes Dominions and Titles to be distincted and Ordained by God the powers and authorities in the same be it of Emperours in their Empires of Kings in their Realms Dukes and Princes in their Dominions or of other Magistrates in free Cities to be Gods holy Ordinance ordained for manifestation of his owne glory and for the singular profit and commoditie of mankinde So that whosoever goeth about to take away or to confound the holy state of Civill Policies now long established We affirm the same men not onely to be enemies to mankinde but also wickedly to fight against Gods expresse will We further confesse and acknowledge That such persons as are placed in authority are to be loved honoured feared and holden in most reverent estimation because they are the Lieutenants of God in whose Session God himself doth sit and judge yea even the Judges and Princes themselves to whom by God is given the sword to the praise and defence of good men and to revenge and punish all open malefactours To Kings moreover Princes Rulers and Magistrates to affirme that chiefly and most principally the reformation and purgation of Religion appertaineth so that not only they are appointed for civill policie but also for maintenance of the true Religion and for suppressing of Idolatry and Superstition whatsoever as in David Iosaphat Ezekias Iosias and others highly commended for their zeal in the cause may be espied And therefore we confesse and avow that such as resist the supreme Powers doing that which appertaineth to their charge do resist Gods Ordinance and therefore cannot be guiltlesse And further we affirme that whosoever deny unto them their aide counsell and comfort while the Princes and Rulers vigilantly travell in the executing of their Office that the same men denie their help support and counsell to God who by the presence of his Lieutenant craveth it of them XXV The gifts freely given to the Church ALbeit that the word of God truly preached the Sacraments rightly ministred and discipline executed according to the Word of God be the certain and infallible signes of the true Church yet doe we not so meane that every particular person joyned with such a company be an Elect Member of Christ Jesus for we acknowledge and confesse that Darnell Cockle and Chaffe may be sowne grow in great abundance lie in the middest of the Wheate that is the Reprobate may be joyned in the societie of the Elect and may externally use with them the benefits of the Words and Sacraments But such being but temporall professors in mouth but not in heart doe fall backe and continue to the end And therefore have they no fruit of Christs death resurrection and ascension But such as with heart unfained beleeve and with mouth boldly confesse the Lord Jesus as before we have said shall most assuredly receive these gifts first in this life remission of sinnes and by faith onely in Christs blood in so much that albeit sinne remain and continually abide in these mortall bodies yet it is not imputed unto us but is remitted and covered with Christs justice Secondly in the generall judgement there shall be given to every man and woman resurrection of the flesh For the Sea shall give her dead the earth those that therein be inclosed yea the Eternall our God shall stretch out his hand upon the dust and the dead shall arise incorruptible and that in the substance of the same flesh that every man now bears to receive according to their works glory and punishment for such as now delight in vanitie crueltie filthinesse superstition or idolatry shall be adjudged to the fire inextinguible in the which they shall be tormented for ever as well in their bodie as in their soules which now give to serve the devill in all abomination But such as continue in well doing to the end boldly professing the Lord Jesus to whose glorified Body all his Elect shall be like when he shall appear againe to Judgment and shall render up the Kingdom to God his Father who then shall be and ever shall remain All in All things God blessed for ever To whom with the Son and with the holy Ghost be all Honour and Glory now and for ever Amen Arise O Lord and let thine enemies be confounded let them flie from thy presence that hate thy holy Name Give thy servants strength to speake thy Word in boldnesse and let all Nations attain to thy true knowledge These Acts and Articles were read in face of Parliament and ratified by the three States of this Realm at Edinburgh the 17 day of Iuly in the yeer of our Lord 1560. This our Confession was publikely read first in audience of the Lords of the Articles and after in the audience of the whole Parliament where were present not onely such as professed Christ Jesus but also a great number of the adversaries of our Religion such as the forenamed Bishops and some other of the Temporall State who were commanded in Gods Name to object if they could say any thing against that Doctrine Some of our Ministers were present standing upon their feet ready to have answered in case any would have defended Papistry and impugned our affirmatives But while that no objection was made there was a day appointed for concurrence in that and other Heads Our Confession was read every Article by it self over again as they were written in order and the voice of every man was required accordingly Of the Temporall State onely gave their voice on the contrary the Earl of Athol the Lords Simmerwaile and Borthwicke And yet for their disassenting they produced no better reason but We will believe as our Fathers believed The Bishops Papisticall we mean spake nothing The rest of the whole three States by their publike Votes affirmed the Doctrine and the rather Because that fain the Bishops would but durst say nothing on the contrary for this was the Vote of the Earle Marshall It is long since I have had some favour unto the Truth and since that I have had a suspicion of the Papisticall Religion But I praise my God who this day hath fully resolved me in the one and the other For seeing that the Bishops who for their learning can and for their zeal that they should bear to the Verity would as I suppose have gainsaid any thing that directly repugneth to the Verity of God Seeing I say the Bishops here present speak nothing in the contrary of the Doctrine proposed I cannot but hold it for the very Truth of God and the contrary to be deceivable Doctrine And therefore so far as in me lieth I approve the one and condemne the other And do farther ask of God That not onely I but also all my posterity may enjoy the comfort of the Doctrine that this day our ears
owne desire we know not but the Queen spake with Iohn Knox and had long reasoned with him none being present except the Lord Iames two Gentlemen stood in the one end of the room The sum of their reasoning was this The Queen accused him That he had raised a part of her subjects against her Mother and her self That he had written a Book against her just Authority she meant the Treatise against the Regiment of Women which she had and would cause the most learned in Europe to write against it That he was the cause of great sedition and great slaughter in England And that it was said to her That all that he did was by Necromancy To the which the said Iohn answered Madame it may please your Majestie patiently to hear my simple answers And first said he my simple Answers And first said he if to teach the Word of God in sincerity if to rebuke Idolatry and to will a people to worship God according to his Word be to raise Subjects against their Princes then cannot I bee excused for it hath pleased God of his mercy to make me one amongst many to disclose unto this Realme the vanitie of the Papisticall Religion and the deceit pride and tyranny of that Romane Antichrist But Madame if the true knowledge of God and his right worshipping be the chief cause which must move men to obey their just Princesse from their heart as it is most certain that they are wherein can I be reprehended I thinke and am surely perswaded that your Majestie has had and presently hath as unfained obedience of such as professe Christ Jesus within this Realm as ever your Father or Progenitours had of those that were called Bishops And touching that Booke that seemeth so highly to offend your Majestie it is most certaine that if I wrote it I am content that all the learned of the world judge of it I heare that an Englishman hath written against it but I have not read him if hee hath sufficiently confuted my reasons and established his contrary Propositions with as evident testimonies as I have done mine I shall not bee obstinate but shall confesse mine errour and ignorance But to this houre I have thought and yet thinkes my selfe alone more able to sustaine the things affirmed in that my Work than any ten in Europe shall be able to confute it You thinke said shee that I have no just Authoritie Please your Majestie said he that learned men in all ages have had their judgements free and most commonly disagreeing from the Common judgement of the world Such also have they published both with Pen and tongue notwithstanding they themselves have lined in the common Societie with others and have borne patiently with the errour and imperfections which they could not amend Plato the Philosopher wrote his Booke of the Common wealth in the which hee condemnes many things that were maintained in the world and required many things to have beene reformed And yet notwithstanding he lived under such Politicks as then were universally received without farther troubling any State Even so Madame am I content to do in uprightnesse of heart and with a testimony of good Conscience I have communicate my judgement to the world if the Realme findes no inconveniencies in the Regiment of a woman that which they approve shall I not further disallow then within my owne brest but shall be all well content and shall live under your Majestie as Paul was to live under the Roman Emperour And my hope is that so long as ye defile not your hands with the Blood of the Saints of God that neither I nor that Booke shall either hurt you or your Authoritie for in very deed Madame that Booke was written most especially against that wicked Mary of England But said shee you speake of women in generall most true it is Madame said the other and yet plainly appeareth to me that wisedome should perswade your Majestie never to raise trouble for that which this day hath not troubled your Majestie neither in person nor in anxietie For of late yeeres many things which before were holden Stable have been called in doubt yea they have been plainely impugned But yet Madame I am assured That neither Protestant nor Papist shall be able to prove That any such Question was at any time moved in publike or in private Now Madame said he if I had intended to trouble your State because you are a woman I might have chosen a time more convenient for that purpose then I can do now when your own presence is within the Realme But now Madame shortly to answer to the other two accusations I heartily praise my God through Jesus Christ that Satan the enemy of mankinde and the wicked of the World have no other crimes to lay to my charge then such as the very World it selfe knoweth to be most false and vaine For in England I was resident onely the space of five yeeres The places were Barwick where I abode two yeeres So long in New-castle And a yeere in London Now Madame if in any of these places during the time that I was there any man shall be able to prove That there was either Battell Sedition or Mutinie I shall confesse That I my selfe was the Malefactour and shedder of the blood I am not ashamed further to affirme That God so blessed my weake labours then in Barwick wherein then commonly used to be slaughter by reason of quarrells that used to arise amongst Souldiers there was also great quietnesse all the time that I remained there as there is this day in Edinburgh And where they slander me of Magick Necromancie or of any other Art forbidden of God I have witnesse besides mine owne conscience all the Congregations that ever heard me what I speak both against such acts and against those that use such impietie But seeing the wicked of the world said That my Master the Lord Jesus was possessed with Beelzebub I must patiently beare Albeit that I wretched sinner be unjustly accused of those that never delighted in the Veritie But yet said she you have taught the people to receive another Religion then their Princes can allow And how can that Doctrine be of God Seeing that God commandeth Subjects to obey their Princes Madame said he as right Religion tooke neither Originall nor Antiquity from worldly Princes but from the eternall God alone So are not Subjects bound to frame their Religion according to the appetite of their Princes For oft it is that Princes are the most ignorant of all others in Gods true Religion as we may reade in the Histories as well before the death of CHRIST JESUS as after If all the seed of Abraham should have beene of the Religion of Pharaoh to whom they had beene a long time Subjects I pray you Madame what Religion should there have been in the world Or if all men in the dayes of the Apostles
they joyned with the Assembly and came unto it but they drew themselves like as they did before apart and entred into the inner Councell-House They were the Duke the Earls of Argyle Murray Mortoune Glencarne Mershall Lord Rosse the Master of Maxwell Secretary Lethington the Justice Clerk the Clerk of the Register and the Laird of Pittarrow Comptroller After a little consultation they directed a Messenger M. George Hay the Minister of the Court requiring the Superintendents and some of the learned Ministers to confer with them The Assembly answered They convened to deliberate upon the common affairs of the Church and therefore that they could not lack their Superintendents and chiefe Ministers whose judgements were so necessary that the rest should sit as it were idle without them And therefore willed them as oft before That if they acknowledged themselves Members of the Church that they would joyn with their Brethren and propose in publike such things as they pleased and so they should have the assistance of the whole in all things that might stand with Gods Commandment But to send from themselves a portion of their company they understood That thereof hurt and slander might arise rather then any profit or comfort to the Church for they feared that all men should not stand content with the conclusion where the conference and reasonings were heard but of a few This answer was not given without cause for no small travell was made to have drawn some Ministers to the faction of the Courtiers and to have sustained their Arguments and Opinions But when it was conceived by the most politick amongst them That they could not travell by that means they prepared the matter in other termes purging themselves That they never meant to divide themselves from the Society of their Brethren but because they had certain Heads to confer with certain Ministers But the Assembly did still reply That secret Conference would they not admit in those Heads that should be concluded by generall Voice The Lords promised That no Conclusion should be taken neither yet Vote required till that both the Propositions and the Reasons should be heard and considered by the whole Body and upon that condition were directed unto them with expresse charge To conclude nothing without the knowledge and advise of the Assembly The Laird of Dun Superintendent of Angus the Superintendents of Lothain and Fyfe Master Iohn Row Master Iohn Craig William Christieson Master David Lyndsay Ministers with the Rector of Saint Androes and Master George Hay the Superintendent of Glasgow Master Iohn Willock was Moderator and Iohn Knox waited upon the Scribe And so were they appointed to sit with the Brethren And yet because the principall complaint touched Iohn Knox he was also called for Secretary Lethington began the Harangue which contained these Heads first How much we are indebted unto God by whose providence we have liberty of Religion under the Queens Majestie albeit that she is not perswaded in the same Secondly How necessary a thing it is That the Queens Majestie by all good Offices of the part of the Church so spake he and of the Ministers principally should be retained in that constant opinion that they unfainedly favoured her advancement and procured her subjects to have a good opinion of her And last How dangerous a thing it is That the Ministers should be noted one to disagree from another in form of Prayer for her Majestie And in these two last Heads said he we desire you all to be circumspect But especially we most crave of you our Brother Iohn Knox to moderate your selfe as well in form of praying for the Queens Majesty as in Doctrine that you propose touching her State and Obedience Neither shall ye take this said he as spoken to your reproach quia mens pulchra interdum in corpore pulchro But because that others by your example may imitate the like liberty albeit not with the same discretion and foresight and what opinion that may engender in the peoples heads wise men may foresee The said Iohn prepared himself for answer as follows If such as fear God have occasion to praise him because that Idolatry is maintained the servants of God despised wicked men placed again in Honour and Authority Master Henry Sinclare was of short time before made President who before durst not have sitten in Judgement And finally if we ought to praise God because that vice and impiety over-floweth the whole Realm without punishment then we have occasion to rejoyce and praise God But if these and the like use to provoke Gods vengeance against Realms and Nations then in my judgement the godly within Scotland ought to lament and mourn and so to prevent Gods Judgements lest that he finding all in a like security strike in his hot indignation beginning perchance at such as think they offend not That is one Head said Lethington whereunto you and I never agreed for how are you able to prove That God ever struck or plagued any Nation or People for the iniquity of their Prince if that they themselves lived godlily I looked said he my Lord to have audience till that I had absolved the other two parts But seeing it pleaseth your Lordship to cut me off before the midst I will answer to your question The Scripture of God teacheth me That Ierusalem and Iuda were punished for the sins of Manasses And if you alleadge That they were punished because they were wicked and offended with their King and not because their King was wicked I answer That albeit the Spirit of God makes for me saying in expresse words For the sins of Manasses yet will I not be so obstinate as to lay the whole sin and plagues that thereof ensued upon the King and utterly absolve the people but I will grant withall That the whole people offended with their King but how and in what fashion I fear that ye and I shall not agree I doubt not but the great multitude accompanied him in all the abomination that he did for Idolatry and false Religion hath ever been and will be pleasing to the most part of men But to affirm That all Iudah committed really the acts of his impiety is but to affirm that which neither hath certainty nor yet appearance of any truth for who can think it to be possible That all those of Ierusalem should so shortly turn to Idolatry considering the notable Reformation lately before had in the dayes of Hezekias But yet sayes the Text Manasses made Iuda and all the inhabitants of Ierusalem to erre True it is the one part as I have said willingly followed him in his Idolatry the other suffered him to defile Ierusalem and the Temple of God with all abominations and so were they criminall of his sin the one by act and deed the other by suffering and permission even as Scotland is this day guilty of the Queens Idolatry and ye my Lords in speciall above others Well said
to get the Crown Matrimoniall In the Tolbooth was devised and named the Heads of the Articles that were drawn against the banished Lords Upon the morrow and Saturday following there was great reasoning concerning the Attainder some alleadged That the Summons was was not well Libelled or Dressed others thought the matter of Treason was not sufficiently proved and indeed they were still seeking proof for there was no other way but the Queen would have them all attainted albeit the time was very short the twelfth day of March should have been the day which was the Tuesday following Now the matter was stayed by a marvellous Tragedy for by the Lords upon the Saturday before which was the ninth of March about Supper-time David Rizio the Italian named the French Secretary was slain in the Gallery below Stairs the King staying in the room with the Queen told her That the Designe was onely to take order with that Villain after that he had been taken violently from the Queens presence who requested most earnestly for the saving of his life which act was done by the Earle of Morton the Lord Ruthven the Lord Lindsay the Master of Ruthven with divers other Gentlemen They first purposed to have hanged him and had provided Cords for the same purpose but the great haste which they had moved them to dispatch him with Whingers or Daggers wherewith they gave him three and fifty strokes They sent away and put forth all such persons as they suspected The Earles Bothwell and Hnntley hearing the noise and clamour came suddenly to the Close intending to have made work if they had had a partie strong enough but the Earle Morton commanded them to passe to their Chamber or else they should doe worse At the which words they retyred immediately and so past forth at a back Window they two alone and with great fear came forth of the Towne to Edmistone on foot and from thence to Crichton This David Rizio was so foolish that not onely he had drawne unto him the managing of all Affaires the King set aside but also his Equipage and Train did surpasse the Kings and at the Parliament that was to be he was ordained to be Chancellour which made the Lords conspire against him They made a Bond to stand to the Religion and Liberties of the Countreys and to free themselves of the slavery of the Villain David Rizio The King and his father subscribed to the Bond for they durst not trust the Kings word without his Signet There was a French Priest called Iohn Daniot who advised David Rizio to make his fortune and be gone for the Scots would not suffer him long His answer was That the Scots would bragg but not fight then he advised him to beware of the Bastard To this he answered That the Bastard should never live in Scotland in his time he meant the Earle Murray but it happened that one George Dowlas Bastard son to the Earle of Angus gave him the first stroke The Queen when she heard he was dead left weeping and declared she would study revenge which she did Immediatly it was noised in the Town of Edinburgh that there was murther committed within the Kings Palace wherefore the Provest caused to Ring the common Bell or Sonner le toksain as the French speaks and straightway past to the Palace having about four or five hundred men in warlike manner and as they stood in the utter Court the King called to the Provest commanding him to passe home with his company saying The Queen and he were merry But the Provest desired to hear the Queen speak her self Whereunto it was answered by the King Provest know you not that I am King I command you to passe home to your houses and immediately they retired The next day which was the second Sunday of our Fast in Edinburgh there was a Proclamation made in the Kings Name subscribed with his hand That all Bishops Abbots and other Papists should avoid and depart the Town which Proclamation was indeed observed for they had a Flea in their Hose There were Letters sent forth in the Kings Name and subscribed with his hand to the Provest and Bailiffs of Edinburgh the Bailiffs of Leith and Cannogate commanding them to be ready in Armour to assist the King and his Company and likewise other private writings directed to divers Lords and Gentlemen to come with all expedition In the mean time the Queen being above measure enraged offended and troubled as the issue of the matter declared sometime railing upon the King and sometime crying out at the Windows desired her servants to set her at libertie for she was highly offended and troubled This same tenth of March the Earle of Murray with the rest of the Lords and Noblemen that were with him having received the Kings Letter for after the Bond above named was Subscribed the King Wrote unto the banished Lords to return into their Countrey being one of the Articles of the said Bond came at night to the Abbey being also convoyed by the Lord Hume and a great company of the borderers to the nâ—mber of 1000 horses And first after he had presented himself to the King the Queen was informed of his sudden coming and therefore sent unto him commanding him to come to her and he obeying went to her who with a singular gravitie received him after that he had made his purgation and declared the over-great affection which he bore continually to her Majestie The Earles of Athole Cathnes and Sutherland departed out of the Town with the Bishops upon the Munday the third day after the slaughter of David Rizio The Earles of Lenox Murray Morton and Rothes Lords Ruthven Lindsay Boyd and Ocheltrie sitting in Councell desired the Queen That forasmuch as the thing which was done could not be undone that she would for avoiding of greater inconveniences forget the same and take it as good service seeing there were so many Noblemen restored The Queen dissembling her displeasure and indignation gave good words neverthelesse she desired That all persons armed or otherwise being within the Palace at that time should remove leaving the Palace void of all saving onely her domestick servants The Lords being perswaded by the uxorious King and and the facile Earle of Murray condescended to her desire who finally the next morning two hours before day past to Seaton and then to Dumbar having in her company the simple King who was allured by her sugred words from Dumbar immediately were sent Pursuivants with Letters thorowout the Countrey and especially Letters to the Noble-men and Barons commanding them to come to Dumbar to assist the King and Queen within five dayes In the mean time the Lords being informed of the sudden departure they were astonished and knew not what were best for them to do But because it was the self-same day to wit the twelfth day of March that they were summoned unto therefore having good opportunity they past to the Tolbooth which was
Balfour seeing the Queen committed and Bothwell consequently defeated he capitulated with the Lords for the delivery of the Castle Bothwell finding himself thus in disorder sent a servant to Sir Iames Balfour to save a little silver Cabinet which the Queen had given him Sir Iames Balfour delivers the Cabinet to the messenger and under-hand giveth of it to the Lords In this Cabinet had Bothwell kept the Letters of privacy he had from the Queen Thus he kept her Letters to be an awe-bond â—pon her in case her affection should change By the taking of this Cabinet many particulars betwixt the Queen and Bothwell were cleerly discovered These Letters were after printed They were in French with some Sonnets of her own making Few dayes after the commitment of the Queen the Earle of Glencarne with his domesticks went to the Chappell of Halyrud-house where he brake down the Altars and the Images Which fact as it did content the zealous Protestants so it did highly offend the popishly affected The Nobles who had so proceeded against Bothwell and dealt so with the Queen hearing that the Hamiltons had a great number of men and had drawn the Earls of Argyle and Huntley to their side sent to Hamilton desiring those that were there to joyn with them for the redresse of the disorders of Church and State But the Hamiltons thinking now they had a fair occasion fallen unto them to have all again in their hands and to dispose of all according to their own minde did refuse audience to the Message sent by the Lords Upon this the Lords moved the generall Assembly then met in Edinburgh in the moneth of Iune to write to the Lords that either were actually declared for the Hamiltons or were neuters And so severall Letters were directed to the Earles of Argyle Huntley Cathnes Rothesse Crauford and Menteth to the Lords Boyd Drummens Grame Cathcart Yester Fleming Levinston Seaton Glamnis Uthiltrie Gray Olyphant Methven Inderneth and Somervile as also to divers other men of note Besides the Letters of the Assembly Commissioners were sent from the Assembly to the Lords above-named to wit Iohn Knox Iohn Dowglas Iohn Row and Iohn Craig who had instructions conforme to the tenour of the Letters to desire these Lords and others to come to Edinburgh and joyn with the Lords there for the setling of Gods true Worship in the Church and policy reformed according to Gods Word a maintenance for the Ministers and support for the poor But neither the Commissioners nor the Letters did prevail with these men they excused That they could not repair to Edinburgh with freedome where there was so many armed men and a Garrison so strong But for the Church-affairs they would not be any wayes wanting to do what lay in them The Lords at Edinburgh seeing this joyneth absolutely with the Assembly which had been prorogated to the 20 of Iuly upon the occasion of these Letters and Commissioners aforesaid and promiseth to make good all the Articles they thought fit to resolve upon in the Assembly But how they performed their promises God knows alwayes The Articles they agreed upon were these 1. THat the Acts of Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 24 of August 1560. touching Religion and abolishing the Popes Authority should have the force of a publicke Law and consequently this Parliament defended as a lawfull Parliament and confirmed by the first Parliament that should be kept next 2. That the Thirds of the Tythes or any more reasonable proportion of Benefices should be allowed towards the maintenance of the Ministery and that there should be a charitable course taken concerning the exacting of the Tythes of the poor Labourers 3. That none should be received in the Vniversities Colledges or Schools for instruction of the youth but after due tryall both of capacity and probitie 4. That all crimes and offences against God should be punished according to Gods Word and that there should be a Law made there-anent at the first Parliament to be holden 5. As for the horrible murther of the late King husband to the Queen which was so haynous before God and man all true professors in whatsoever rank or condition did promise to strive that all persons should be brought to condigne punishment who are found guilty of the same crime 6. They all promised to protect the young Prince against all violence lest he should be murthered as his father was And that the Prince should be committed to the care of four wise and godly men that by a good Education he might be fitted for that high Calling he was to execute one day 7. The Nobles Barons and others doth promise to beat down and abolish Popery Idolatry and Superstition with any thing that may contribute unto it As also to set up and further the true Worship of God his Government the Church and all that may concerne the purity of Religion and life And for this to convene and take Arms if need require 8. That all Princes and Kings hereafter in this Realm before their Coronation shall take Oath to maintain the true Religion now professed in the Church of Scotland and suppresse all things contrary to it and that are not agreeing with it To these Articles subscribed the Earles of Morton Glencarne and Marre the Lords Hume Ruthen Sanchar Lindsey Grame Inermeth and Uchiltrie with many other Barons besides the Commissioners of the Burroughs This being agreed upon the Assembly dissolved Thereafter the Lords Lindsey and Ruthuen were sent to Lochlevin to the Queen to present unto her two Writs the one contained a Renounciation of the Crowne and Royall Dignity in favour of the Prince her son with a Commission to invest him into the Kingdome according to the manner accustomed Which after some reluctancy with tears she subscribed by the advice of the Earle of Athole who had sent to her and of Secretary Lethington who had sent to her Robert Melvill for that purpose So there was a Procuration given to the Lords Lindsay and Ruthuen by the Queen to give up and resigne the Rule of the Realme in presence of the States The second Writ was To ordain the Earle of Murray Regent during the Princes minority if he would accept the Charge And in case he refused the Duke Chattellarault the Earles of Lenox Argyle Athole Morton Glencarne and Marre should governe conjoyntly These Writs were published the 29 of Iuly 1567. at the Market-Crosse of Edinburgh Then at Sterlin was the Prince Crowned King where Iohn Knox made the Sermon The Earl Morton and the Lord Hume took the Oath for the King That he should constantly live in the Profession of the true Religion and maintain it And that he should governe the Kingdom according to Law thereof and do Justice equally to all In the beginning of August the Earle Murray being sent for cometh home in all haste he visites the Queen at Lochlevin strives to draw the Lords that had taken part with the Hamiltons or were neuters to
joyne with those that had bound themselves to stand for the Kings Authority He was very earnest with divers by reason of their old friendship but to little purpose The twentinth of August he received the Regencie after mature and ripe deliberation at the desire of the Queen and Lords that were for the King and so was publikely proclaimed Regent and Obedience shewed unto him by all that stood for the young King The end of the History of the Church of Scotland till the yeer 1567. and Moneth of August THE APPELLATION OF IOHN KNOX From the cruell and most unjust Sentence pronounced against him by the false Bishops and Clergie of Scotland With his Supplication and Exhortation to the Nobility States and Communalty of the same Realme To the Nobility and States of SCOTLAND JOHN KNOX wisheth Grace Mercy and Peace from God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ with the Spirit of righteous Iudgement IT is not onely the love of this Temporall life Right Honourable neither yet the fear of Corporal death that moveth me at this present to expose unto you the injuries done against me and to crave of you as of lawfull Powers by God appointed redresse of the same But partly it proceedeth from that reverence which every man oweth to Gods Eeternall Truth And partly from a love which I bear to your Salvation and to the Salvation of my Brethren abused in that Realme by such as have no fear of God before their eyes It hath pleased God of his infinite mercy not onely to illuminate the eyes of my minde and so to touch my dull heart that cleerly I see and by his grace unfainedly believe That there is no other name given to men under the heaven in which Salvation consisteth save the Name of JESUS alone Who by that Sacrifice which he did once offer upon the Crosse hath sanctified for ever all those that shall inherite the Kingdom promised But also it hath pleased him of his superaboundant grace to make and appoint me most wretched of many thousands a Witnesse Minister and Preacher of the same Doctrine the sum whereof I did not spare to communicate with my Brethren being with them in the Realme of Scotland in the yeer 1556 because I know my self to be a Steward and that accounts of the Talent committed to my charge shall be required of me by him who will admit no vain excuse which fearfull men pretend I did therefore as God his minister during the time I was conversant with them God is record and witnesse truely and sincerely according to the gift granted unto me divide the Word of Salvation teaching all men to hate sin which before God was and is so odious that none other Sacrifice would satisfie his Justice except the death of his onely Son and to magnifie the mercies of our heavenly Father who did not spare the substance of his own glory but did give him to the world to suffer the ignominious and cruell death of the Crosse by that means to reconcile his chosen children to himself teaching further what is the duty of such as do believe themselves purged by such a Price from their former filthinesse to wit That they are bound to walk in the newnesse of life fighting against the lusts of the flesh and studying at all times to glorifie God by such good works as he hath prepared his people to walk in In Doctrine I did further affirm so taught by my Master Christ Jesus That whosoever denieth him yea or is ashamed of him before this wicked Generation him shall Christ Jesus deny and of him shall he be ashamed when he shall appear in his Majesty And therefore I feared not to affirm That of necessity it is that such as hope for life everlasting avoid all Superstition vain Religion and Idolatry Vain Religion and Idolatry I call whatsoever is done in Gods Service or Honour without the expresse Commandment of his own Word This Doctrine I did believe to be so conformable to Gods holy Scriptures that I thought no creature could have been so impudent as to have condemned any Point or Article of the same Yet neverthelesse me as an heretick and this Doctrine as hereticall have your false Bishops and ungodly Clergie condemned pronouncing against me a Sentence of death in testification whereof they have burned a Picture From which false and cruell Sentence and from all judgement of that wicked Generation I make it known unto your Honours That I appeal to a Lawfull and Generall Councell to such I mean as the most ancient Laws and Cannons do approve to be holden by such as whose manifest impiety is not to be reformed in the same Most humbly requiring of your Honours That as God hath appointed you Princes in that People and by reason thereof requireth of your hands the defence of Innocents troubled in your Dominion in the mean time and till the controversies that this day be in Religion be lawfully decided ye receive me and such others as most unjustly by those cruell Beasts are persecuted in your defence and Protection Your Honours are not ignorant That it is not I alone who doth sustain this Cause against the pestilent Generation of Papists but that the most part of Germany the Countrey of Helvetia the King of Denmarke the Nobility of Polonia together with many other Cities and Churches Reformed appeal from the Tyrannie of that Antichrist and most earnestly call for a Lawfull and Generall Councell wherein may all Controversies in Religion be decided by the Authority of Gods most sacred Word And unto this same as said is do I appeal yet once again requiring of your Honours to hold my simple and plain Appellation of no lesse value nor effect then if it had been made with greater circumstance solemnity and ceremony and that you receive me calling unto you as to the Powers of God ordained in your protection and defence against the rage of Tyrants not to maintain me in any iniquity errour or false opinion but to let me have such equity as God by his Word ancient Laws and Determinations of most godly Councells grant to men accused or infamed The Word of God wills That no man shall die except he be found criminall and worthy of death for offence committed of which he must be manifestly convinced by two or three witnesses Ancient Law do permit just defences to snch as be accused be their crimes never so horrible And godly Councells wills That neither Bishop nor person Ecclesiasticall whatsoever accused of any crime shall sit in Judgement Consultation or Councell where the cause of such men as do accuse them is to be tried These things require I of your Honours to be granted unto me to wit That the Doctrine which our adversaries condemn for heresie may be tried by the simple and plain Word of God That just Defences be admitted to us that sustain the Battell against this
protection and defence that by you assured I may have accesse to my native Countrey which I never offended to the end that freely and openly in the presence of the whole Realm I may give my confession of all such Points as this day be in controversie And also that you by your authority which ye have of God compell such as of long time have blinded and deceived both your selves and the people to answer to such things as shall be laid to their charge But lest that some doubt remain That I require more of you then you of conscience are bound to grant in few words I hope my Petition to be such as without Gods heavy displeasure ye cannot deny My Petition is That ye whom God hath appointed Heads in your Common-wealth with single eye do study to promote the glory of God To provide that your subjects be rightly instructed in his true Religion That they be defended from all oppression and tyranny That true Preachers may be maintained and such as blinde and deceive the people together also with all idle bellies which do rob and oppresse the Flock may be removed and punished as Gods Law prescribeth And to the performance of every one of these do your Offices and Names the Honours and Benefits which ye receive the Law of God universally given to all men and the examples of most godly Princes binde and oblige you My purpose is not to labour greatly to prove That your whole studie ought to be To promote the glory of God Neither yet will I studie to alleadge all reasons that justly may be brought to prove That ye are not exalted to raign above your brethren as men without care and solicitude for these be principles so grafted in Nature that very Ethnicks have confessed the same For seeing that God onely hath placed you in his Chayr hath appointed you to be his Lieutenants and by his own Seal hath marked you to be Magistrates and to rule above your brethren to whom Nature neverthelesse hath made you like in all points for in conception birth life and death ye differ nothing from the common sort of men but God onely as said is hath promoted you and of his speciall favour hath given you this Prerogative to be called Gods How horrible ingratitude were it then that you should be found unfaithfull to him that hath thus honoured you And further What a monster were it that you should be proved unmercifull to them above whom ye are appointed to raigne as fathers above their children Because I say that the very Ethnicks have granted That the chief and first care of Princes and of such as be appointed to rule above others ought to be To promote the glory and honour of their Gods and to maintain that Religion which they supposed to have been true And that their second care was To maintain and defend the subjects committed to their charge in all equity and justice I will not labour to shew unto you what ought to be your studie in maintaining Gods true honour left that in so doing I should seem to make you lesse carefull to Gods true Religion then were the Ethnicks over their Idolatry But because other Petitions may appear more hard and difficile to be granted I purpose briefly but yet freely to speak what God by his Word doth assure me to be true to wit first That in conscience you are bound to punish malefactors and to defend innocents imploring your help Secondly That God requireth of you to provide that your subjects be rightly instructed in his true Religion and that the same be by you reformed whensoever abuses do creep in by the malice of Satan and negligence of men And lastly That ye are bonnd to remove from Honour and to punish with death if the crime so require such as deceive the people or defraud them of that food of their souls I mean Gods lively Word The first and second are most plain by the words of S. Paul thus speaking of lawfull powers Let every soul saith he submit himself unto the higher Powers for there is no power but of God Whosoever resisteth therefore the Power resisteth the Ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation For Rulers are not to be feared of those that do well but of those that do evil Wilt thou then be without fear of the Power Do that which is good and so shalt thou be praised of the same For he is the Minister of God for thy weal But if thou do that which is evil fear for he beareth not the Sword for nought for he is the Minister of God to take vengeance on them that do evil As the Apostle in these words most straitly commandeth Obedience to be given to lawfull powers pronouncing Gods wrath and vengeance against such as shall resist the Ordinance of God so doth he assigne to the powers their Offices which be To take vengeance upon evil doers To maintain the well doers and so to minister and rule in their Office that the subjects by them may have a Benefit and be praised in well doing Now if you be powers ordained by God and that I hope all men will grant then by the plain words of the Apostle is the Sword given unto you by God for maintenance of the innocent and for punishment of malefactors But I and my brethren with me accused do offer not onely to prove our selves innocents in all things laid to our charge but also we offer most evidently to prove your Bishops to be the very pestilence who have infected all Christianity And therefore by the plain Doctrine of the Apostle you are bound to maintain us and punish the other being evidently convinced and proved criminall Moreover the former words of the Apostle do teach How far high powers are bound to their subjects to wit That because they be Gods Ministers by him ordained for the profit and utility of others most diligently ought they to attend upon the same For that cause assigneth the holy Ghost commanding subjects to obey and to pay Tribute saying For this do you pay Tribute and Toll that is Because they are Gods Ministers bearing the Sword for your utility Whereof it is plain That there is no honour without a charge annexed And this one point I wish your wisedoms deeply to consider That God hath not placed you above your Brethren to raigne as Tyrants without respect of either profit or commodity You hear the holy Ghost witnesse the contrary affirming That all powers be Gods Ministers ordained for the weal profit and salvation of their subjects and not for their destruction Could it be said I beseech you That Magistrates inclosing their subjects in a City without all victualls or giving unto them no other victualls but such as were poysoned did rule for the profit of their subjects I trust that none would be so foolish as so to affirm but that
rather every discreet person would boldly affirm That such as so did were unworthy of Regiment If we will not deny that which Christ Jesus affirmeth to be a truth infallible to wit That the soul is greater and more precious then is the body then shall we easily espie how unworthy of Authority be those that this day debar their subjects from hearing of Gods Word and by fire and sword compell them to feed upon the very poyson of their souls the damnable Doctrine of Antichrist And therefore in this point I say I cannot cease to admonish your Honors diligently to take heed over your charge which is greater then the most part of men suppose It is not enough that you abstain from violent wrong and oppression which ungodly men exercise against their subjects but ye are further bound to wit That ye rule above them for their weal which we cannot do if that ye either by negligence not providing true Pastors or yet by your maintenance of such as be ravening Wolves suffer their souls to starve and perish for lack of the true food which is Christs Evangell sincerely preached It will not excuse you in his presence who will require account of every Talent committed to your charge to say That ye supposed that the charge of the souls had been committed to your Bishops No no my Lords so ye cannot escape Gods judgement for if your Bishops be proved to be no Bishops but deceivable theeves and ravening wolves which I offer my self to prove by Gods Word by Law and Councells yea by the judgement of all the godly learned from the primitive Church to this day then shall your permission and defence be reputed before God a participation with their theft and murther For thus accused the Prophet Isaiah the Princes of Ierusalem Thy Princes saith he are apostates that is obstinate refusers of God and they are companions of theeves This grievous accusation was laid against them albeit that they ruled in that City which sometime was called Holy where then were the Temple Rites and Ordinances of God because that not onely they were wicked themselves but chiefly because they maintained wicked men their Priests and false Prophets in honours and authority If they did not escape this accusation of the holy Ghost in that age look ye neither to scape the accusation nor the judgement of wicked men to wit That the one and the other shall drink the Cup of Gods wrath and vengeance together And lest ye should deceive your selves esteeming your Bishops to be vertuous and godly this do I affirm and offer my self to prove the same That more wicked men then be the whole rabble of your Clergie were never from the beginning universally known in any age yea Sodome and Gomorra may be justified in respect of them for they permitted just Lot to dwell amongst them without any violence done to his body which that pestilent Generation of your shaven sort doth not but most cruelly persecute by fire and sword the true members of Christs Body for no other cause but for the true service and honouring of God And therefore I fear not to affirm that which God will one day justifie That by your Offices ye are bound not onely to represse their tyranny but also to punish them as theeves and murtherers as Idolaters and blasphemers of God and in their rooms ye are bound to place true Preachers of Christs Evangell for the instruction comfort and salvation of your subjects above whom else shall never the holy Ghost acknowledge That you rule in justice for their profit If ye pretend to possesse the Kingdom with Christ Jesus ye may not take example neither by the ignorant multitude of Princes neither by the ungodly and cruell Rulers of the earth of whom some passe their time in sloth insolency and riot without respect had to Gods honour or to the salvation of of their brethren and others most cruelly oppresse with proud Nimrod such as be subject to them But your pattern and example must be the practice of those whom God hath approved by the testimony of his Word as after shall be declared Of the premises it is evident That to lawfull powers is given the Sword for punishment of malefactors for maintenance of innocents and for the profit and utility of their subjects Now let us consider Whether the Reformation of Religion fallen in decay and punishment of false Teachers do appertain to the Civill Magistrate and Nobility of any Realme I am not ignorant that Satan of old time for maintenance of his darknesse hath obtained of the blinde world two chief points The former He hath perswaded to Princes Rulers and Magistrates That the feeding of Christs Flock appertaineth nothing to their charge but that it is rejected upon the Bishops and State Ecclesiasticall And secondly That the Reformation of Religion be it never so corrupt and the punishment of such as be sworn Souldiers in their kingdom are exempted from all Civill power and are reserved to themselves and to their cognizance But that no offender may justly be exempted from punishment and that the ordering and reformation of Religion with the instruction of subjects doth especially appertain to the Civill Magistrate shall Gods perfect Ordinance his plain Word and the facts and examples of those that of God are highly praised most evidently declare When God did establish his Law Statutes and Ceremonies in the midst of Israel he did not exempt the matters of Religion from the power of Moses but as he gave him charge over the Civill policie so he put in his mouth and his hand that is he first revealed to him and thereafter commanded to put in practice whatsoever was to be taught or done in matters of Religion Nothing did God reveal particularly to Aaron but altogether was he commanded to depend from the mouth of Moses Yea nothing was he permitted to do to himself or to his children either in his or their Inauguration and Sanctification to the Priesthood but all was committed to the care of Moses and therefore were these words so frequently repeated to Moses Thou shalt separate Aaron and his sons from the midst of the people of Israel that they may execute the Office of the Priesthood thou shalt make them Garments thou shalt anoynt them thou shalt wash them thou shalt fill their hands with Sacrifice And so forth of every Rite and Ceremony that was to be done unto them especiall commandment was given unto Moses That he should do it Now if Aaron and his sons were subject to Moses that they did nothing but at his commandment Who dare be so bold as to affirm That the Civill Magistrate hath nothing to do in matters of Religion For seeing that then God did so straitly require That even those who did bear the figure of Christ should receive from the Civill power as it were their Sanctification and entrance into their
Office And seeing also that Moses was so far preferred to Aaron that the one commanded and the other did obey Who dare esteem that the Civill power is now become so profane in Gods eyes that it is sequestred from all intromission with the matters of Religion The holy Ghost in divers places declareth the contrary For one of the chief Precepts commanded to the King when that he should be placed in his Throne was to write the example of the Book of the Lords Law that it should be with him that he might reade in it all the dayes of his life that he might learn to fear the Lord his God and to keep all the words of his Law and his Statutes to do them This Precept he requireth not onely that the King should himself fear God keep his Law and Statutes but that also he as the chief Ruler should provide that Gods true Religion should be kept inviolated of the people and flock which by God was committed to his charge And this did not onely David and Solomon perfectly understand but also some godly Kings in Iuda after the apostasie and idolatry that infected Israel by the means of Ieroboam did employ their understanding and execute their power in some notable Reformations For Asa and Iosaphat Kings in Iuda finding the Religion altogether corrupt did apply their hearts saith the holy Ghost to serve the Lord and to walk in his wayes And thereafter doth witnesse That Asa removed from Honours his mother some say grand-mother because she had committed and laboured to maintain Idolatry And Iosaphat did not onely refuse strange gods himself but also destroying the chief Monuments of Idolatry did send forth the Levites to instruct the people Whereof it is plain That the one and the other did understand such Reformations to appertain to their duties But the facts of Ezechias and of Iosias do more cleerly prove the power and duty of the Civill Magistrate in Reformation of Religion Before the Raign of Ezechias Religion was so corrupt that the doors of the House of the Lord were shut up the Lamps were extinguished no Sacrifice was orderly made But in the first yeer of his Raigne in the first moneth of the same did the King open the doors of the Temple bring in the Priests and Levites and assembling them together did speak unto them as followeth Hear me O ye Levites and be ye sanctified now and sanctifie also the House of the Lord God of your fathers and carry forth all filthinesse he meaneth All monuments and vessels of Idolatry for our fathers have transgressed and have committed wickednesse in the eyes of the Eternall our God they have left him and turned their faces from the Tabernacle of the Lord and therefore is the wrath of the Lord come upon Juda and Jerusalem Behold our fathers have fallen by the sword our sons daughters and wives are led into Captivity But now have I purposed in my heart to make a Covenant with the Lord God of Israel that he may turne the wrath of his fury from us And therefore my sons he sweetly exhorteth be not faint for the Lord hath chosen you to stand in his presence and to serve him Such as be not more then blinde cleerly may perceive that the King doth acknowledge That it appertained to his charge To reforme the Religion To appoint the Levites to their charges and To admonish them of their Duty and Office Which thing he most evidently declareth writing his Letters to all Israel to Ephraim and Manasses and sent the same by the hands of Messengers having this tenour You sons of Israel return to the Lord God of Abraham Isaac and Israel and he shall turn to the residue that resteth from the hands of Assur Be not as your fathers and as your brethren were who have transgressed against the Lord God of their fathers who hath made them desolate as you see Hold not your heart therefore but give your hand unto the Lord return unto his Sanctuary serve him and he shall shew mercy unto you to your sons and daughters that be in Bondage for he is pitifull and easie to be intreated Thus far did Ezechias by Letters and Messengers provoke the people declined from God to repentance not onely in Iuda where he raigned lawfull King but also in Israel subject then to another King And albeit that by some wicked men his Messengers were mocked yet as they lacked not their just punishment for within six dayes after Samaria was destroyed and Israel led captive by Salmanazar so did not the zealous King Ezechias desist to prosecute his duty in restoring the Religion to Gods perfect Ordinance removing all abominations The same is to be read of Iosias who did not onely restore the Religion but did further destroy all Monuments of Idolatry which of long time had remained For it is written of him That after that the Book of the Law was found and that he asked counsell at the Prophetesse Hulda he sent and gathered all the Elders of Iuda and Ierusalem and standing in the Temple of the Lord he made a Covenant That all the people from the great to the small should walk after the Lord should observe his Law Statutes and Testimonies with all their heart and with all their soul and that they should ratifie and confirm whatsoever was written in the Booke of God He further commanded Hilkias the high Priest and the Priests of the inferiour Order That they should carry forth of the Temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made to Baal which he burnt and did carry their powder to Bethel He did further destroy all Monuments of Idolatry yea even those that had remained from the dayes of Solomon he did burn them stamp them to Powder whereof one part he scattered in the brook Kidron and the other part upon the Sepulchres and Graves of the Idolaters whose bones he did burn upon the Altars where before they made Sacrifice not onely in Iuda but also in Bethel where Ieroboam had erected his Idolatry yea he further proceeded and did kill the Priests of the high places who were Idolaters and had deceived the people he did kill them I say and burnt their bones upon their own Altars and so returned to Ierusalem This Reformation made Iosias and for the same obtained this Testimony of the holy Ghost That neither before him nor after him was there any such King who returned to God with his whole soul and with all his strength according to all the Law of Moses Of which Histories it is evident That the Reformation of Religion in all points together with the punishment of false Teachers doth appertain to the power of the Civill Magistrate For what God required of them his justice must require of others having the like charge and Authority what he did approve in them he cannot but approve in all others who with like zeal and sincerity
from the Den of Lions To the confusion of their enemies To the better instruction of the ignorant Kings and To the perpetuall comfort of Gods afflicted children And Abdemelech in the day of the Lords Visitation when the King and his Councell did drink the bitter cup of Gods Vengeance did finde his life for a prey and did not fall by the edge of the sword when many thousands did perish And this was signified unto them by the Prophet himself at the commandment of God before that Ierusalem was destroyed This promise and cause were recited unto him in these words I will bring my words upon this City unto evil and not unto good but most assuredly I shall deliver thee because thou hast trusted in me saith the Lord. The trust and hope which Abdemelech had in God made himself bold to oppose himself being but one to the King and to his whole Councell who had condemned to death the Prophet whom his conscience did acknowledge to be innocent for thus did he speak in presence of the King sitting in the Port of Benjamin My Lord the King saith Abdemelech these men do wickedly in all things that they have done to Jeremy the Prophet Advert and take heed my Lords that the men who had condemned the Prophet were the King his Princes and Councell and yet did one man accuse them all of iniquity and did boldly speak in the defence of him of whose innocency he was perswaded And the same I say is the duty of every man in his Vocation but chiefly of the Nobility which is joyned with their kings to bridle and represse their folly and blinde rage Which thing if the Nobility do not neither yet labour to doe as they are Traitours to their Kings so do they provoke the wrath of God against themselves and against the Realme in which they abuse the Authoritie which they have received of God to maintaine Vertue and to suppresse Vice And hereof I would your Honours were most certainly perswaded That God will neither excuse Nobilitie nor people but the Nobility least of all that obey and follow their Kings in manifest iniquity but with the same vengeance will God punish the Prince People and Nobility conspiring together against him and his Holy Ordinances as in the punishment upon Pharaoh Israel Iuda and Babylon is evidently to be seene for Pharaoh was not drowned alone but his Captains Charets and great Army drank the same Cup with him The Kings of Israel and Iudah were not punished without company but with them were murthered the Counsellors their Princes imprisoned and their people led Captive And why because none was found so faithfull to God that he durst enterprise to resist nor gainstand the manifest impietie of their Princes And therefore was Gods wrath powred forth upon the one and the other But the more ample discourse of this argument I deferre to better opportunity onely at this time I thought expedient to admonish you That before God it shall not excuse you to alleadge We are no Kings and therefore neither can we reforme Religion nor yet defend such as be persecuted Consider my Lords that ye are powers ordained of God as before is declared and therefore doth the Reformation of Religion and the defence of such as unjustly are oppressed appertaine to your charge and care which thing shall the Law of God universally given to be kept of all men most evidently declare which is my last and most assured reason why I say ye ought to remove from your Honours and to punish with death such as God hath condemned by his own mouth After that Moses had declared what was true Religion to wit To honour God as he commanded adding nothing to his Word neither yet diminishing any thing from it and after also that vehemently he had exhort-the same Law to be observed he denounced the punishment against the Transgressors in these words If thy brother sonne daughter wife or neighbour whom thou lovest as thine own life solicitate thee secretly saying Let us go serve other gods whom neither thou nor thy fathers have knowne consent not to him hear him not let not thine eye spare him shew him no indulgency or favour hide him not but utterly kill him let thy hand be the first upon him that he may be slaine and after the hand of the whole people Of these words of Moses are two things appertaining to our purpose to be noted The first is that such as solicitate only to Idolatry ought to be punished to death without favour or respect of person For he that will not suffer man to spare his sonne his daughter nor his wife but straitly commandeth punishment to be taken upon the idolatours have they never so nigh conjunction with us will not wink at the Idolatry of others of what state or condition soever they be It is not unknown That the Prophets had Revelations of God which were not common to the people as Samuel had the Revelation that Eli and his posterity should be destroyed That Saul should first be King and thereafter That he should be rejected That David should raign for him Michaiah understood by Vision That Achab should be killed in the Battell against the Syrians Elias saw that dogs should eat Iezabel in the Forts of Iezreel Elisha did see hunger come upon Israel by the space of seven yeers Ieremiah did foresee the destruction of Ierusalem and the time of their Captivity And so divers other Prophets had divers Revelations of God which the people did not otherwise understand but by their affirmation and therefore in those dayes were the Prophets named Seers because that God did open unto them that which was hid from the multitude Now if any man might have claimed any priviledge from the rigour of the Law or might have justified his fact it should have been the Prophet For he might have alleadged for himself his singular Prerogative that he had above other men to have Gods Will revealed unto him by Vision or by Dream or That God had declared particularly unto him that his pleasure was To be honoured in that manner in such a place and by such means But all such excuses doth God remove commanding That the Prophet that shall so solicitate the people to serve strange Gods shall die the death notwithstanding that he alleadge for himself Dream Vision or Revelation yea although he promise miracles and although that such things as he promised should come to passe yet I say commandeth God that no credit be given to him but that he die the death because he teacheth apostasie and defection from God Hereby your Honours may easily see That none provoking the people to Idolatry ought to be exempted from the punishment of death For if neither that inseparable Conjunction which God himself hath sanctified betwixt man and wife neither that unspeakable love grafted in nature which is betwixt the father and the son neither yet that
same but also in externall gesture declaring that he lamenteth if he can do no more for such abominations Which thing was shewed to the Prophet Ezekiel when he gave him to understand why he would destroy Iuda with Israel and that he would remove his glory from the Temple and place that he had chosen and so pour forth his wrath and indignation upon the City that was full of blood and apostasie which became so impudent that it durst be bold to say The Lord hath left the earth and seeth not And this time I say the Lord revealed in vision to his Prophet who they were that should finde favour in that miserable destruction to wit That those that did mourn and lament for all the abominations done in the City in whose foreheads did God command to Print and Seal Tau to the end that the destroyer who was commanded to strike the rest without mercy should not hurt them in whom that signe was found Of these premises I suppose it be evident That the punishment of Idolatry doth not appertain to Kings onely but also to the whole people yea to every member of the same according to his possibility For that is a thing most assured That no man can mourn lament and bewail for those things which will not remove to the uttermost of his power If this be required of the whole people and of every man in his Vocation What shall be required of you my Lords whom God hath raised up to be Princes and Rulers above your Brethren whose hands he hath armed with the sword of Justice yea whom he hath appointed to be as Bridles to represse the rage and insolency of your Kings whensoever they pretend manifestly to transgresse Gods blessed Ordinance If any think that this my affirmation touching the punishment of Idolaters be contrary to the practice of the Apostles who finding the Gentiles in Idolatry did call them to repentance requiring no such punishment let the same man understand That the Gentiles before the preaching of Christ lived as the Apostle speaketh Without God in the World drowned in Idolatry according to the blindnesse and ignorance in which they were holden as a prophane Nation whom God had never openly avowed to be his people had never received in his houshold neither given unto them his Laws to be kept in Religion nor Policy and therefore did not the holy Ghost calling them to repentance require of them any corporall punishment according to the rigour of the Law unto the which they were never subjects as they that were strangers from the Common-wealth of Israel But if any think That after that the Gentiles were called from their vain conversation and by embracing Christ Jesus were received in the number of Abrahams children and so made one people with the Jews believing If any think I say That then they were not bound to the same obedience which God required of his people Israel when he confirmed his League and Covenant with them the same appeareth to make Christ inferiour to Moses and contrarious to the Law of his heavenly Father For if the contempt or transgression of Moses Law was worthy of death What should we judge the contempt of Christs Ordinance to be I mean after they be once received And if Christ be not come to dissolve but to fulfill the Law of his heavenly Father Shall the liberty of his Gospel be an occasion that the especiall glory of his Father be trodden under foot and regarded of no man God forbid The especiall glory of God is That such as professe themselves to be his people should hearken to his voice And amongst all the voices of God revealed to the world touching punishment of vices is none more evident neither more severe then is that which is pronounced against Idolatry the teachers and maintainers of the same And therefore I fear not to affirm That the Gentiles I mean every City Realm Province or Nation amongst the Gentiles embracing Christ Jesus and his true Religion be bound to the same League and Covenant that God made with his people Israel when he promised to root out the Nations before them in these words Beware that thou make not any Covenant with the Inhabitants of the Land to the which thou comest lest perchance that this come in ruine that is be destruction to thee but thou shalt destroy their Altars break their Idols and cut down their Groves Fear no strange Gods nor worship them neither yet make you sacrifice to them But the Lord who in his great power and out-stretched arm hath brought you out of the Land of Egypt shall you fear him shall you honour him shall you worship to him shall you make Sacrifice his Statutes Iudgements Laws and Commandments you shall keep and observe This is the Covenant which I have made with you saith the Eternall forget it not neither yet fear ye other gods but fear you the Lord your God and he shall deliver you from the hands of all your enemies To this same Law and Covenant are the Gentiles no lesse bound then sometime were the Jews whensoever God doth illuminate the eyes of any multitude Province people or Citie and putteth the sword in their own hand to remove such enormities from amongst them as before they knew to be abominable then I say are they no lesse bound to purge their Dominions Cities and Countries from Idolatry then were the Israelites what time they received the Possession of the Land of Canaan And moreover I say If any go about to erect and set up Idolatry or to teach defection from God after that the verity hath been received and approved that then not onely the Magistrates to whom the sword is committed but also the people are bound by that Oath which they have made to God to revenge to the utmost of their power the injury done against his Majesty In universall desections and in a generall revolt such as was in Israel after Ieroboam there is a divers consideration for then because the whole people were together conspired against God there could none be found that would execute the punishment which God had commanded till God raised up Iehu whom he appointed for that purpose And the same is to be considered in all other generall defections such as this day be in the Papistry where all are blinded and all are declined from God and that of long continuance so that no ordinary Justice can be executed but the punishment must be reserved to God and unto all such means as he shall appoint But I speak of such a number as after they have received Gods perfect Religion do boldly professe the same notwithstanding that some or the most part fall back as of late dayes was in England unto such a number I say it is lawfull to punish the Idolators with death if by any means God give them power For so did Ioshua and Israel determine to
have done against the children of Reuben Gad and Manasses for their suspected Apostasie and defection from God And the whole Tribes did in very deed execute that sharp judgement against the Tribe of Benjamin for a lesse offence then for Idolatry And the same ought to be one wheresoever Christ Jesus and his Evangell is so received in any Realm Province or Citie that the Magistrates and people have solemnly avowed and promised to defend the same as under King Edward of late dayes was done in England In such places it is not onely lawfull to punish to the death such as labour to subvert the true Religion but the Magistrates and people are bound so to unlesse they will provoke the wrath of God against themselves And therefore I fear not to affirm That it had been the duty of the Nobilitie Judges Rulers and people of England to have resisted and gain-standed Mary their Queen with all the sort of her Idolatrous Priests together with all such as should have assisted her when that she and they openly began to suppresse Christs Evangell to shed the blood of the Saints of God and to erect that most devillish Idolatry the Papisticall abominations and his usurped tyranny which once most justly by common Oath was banished from that Realm But because I cannot at this present discusse this argument as it appertaineth I am compelled to omit it to better opportunity and so returning to your Honours I say That if ye confesse your selves baptized in the Lord Jesus as of necessity ye must confesse That the care of Religion doth appertain to your charge And if ye know that in your hands God hath put the sword for the causes above expressed then can ye not deny but that the punishment of obstinate and malapert Idolaters such as all your Bishops be doth appertain to your Office if after admonition they continue obstinate I am not ignorant what be the vain defences of your proud Prelats they claim first A prerogative and priviledge That they are exempted and that by consent of Councells and Emperouts from all Jurisdiction of the Temporalty And secondly when they are convinced of manifest impiety abuses and enormities as well in their manners as in Religion neither fear nor shame they to affirm That things so long established cannot suddenly be reformed although they be corrupted but with processe of time they promise to take order But in few words I answer That no priviledge granted against the Ordinance and Statutes of God is to be observed although all Councells and men on the earth have appointed the same But against Gods Ordinance it is That Idolaters murtherers false Teachers and Blasphemers shall be exempted from punishment as before is declared and therefore in vain it is that they claim for priviledge when God saith The murtherer shalt thou drive from my Altar that he may die the death And as to the Order and Reformation which they promise that is to be looked or hoped for when Satan whose children and slaves they are can change his nature This answer I doubt not shall suffice the sober and godly reader But yet to the end that they may further see their own confusion and that your Honours may the better understand what ye ought to do in so manifest a corruption and defection from God I ask of them What assurance they have of this their immunity exemption or priviledge Who is the author of it And what fruit it hath produced And first I say That of God they have no assurance neither yet can he be proved to be author of any such priviledge But the contrary is easie to be seen for God in establishing his Orders in Israel did so subject Aaron in his Priesthood being the figure of Christ to Moses that he feared not to call him in judgement and to constrain him to give accounts of his wicked deed in consenting to Idolatry as the History doth plainly witnesse for thus it is written Then Moses took the Calfe which they had made and burned it with fire and did grinde it to powder and scattering it in the water gave it to drink to the children of Israel declaring thereby the vanity of their Idol and the abomination of the same And thereafter Moses said to Aaron What hath this people done to thee that thou shouldest bring upon it so a great sin Thus I say doth Moses call Aaron and accuse him of the destruction of the whole people and yet he perfectly understood that God had appointed him to be the high Priest That he should bear upon his shoulders and upon his brest the names of the twelve Tribes of Israel for whom he was appointed to make sacrifice prayers and supplications He knew his dignitie was so great that onely he might enter within the most holy place but neither could his Office nor dignitie exempt him from judgement when he had offended If any object Aaron at that time was not anointed and therefore was he subject to Moses I have answered That Moses being taught by the mouth of God did perfectly understand to what dignitie Aaron was appointed and yet he feared not to call him in judgement and to compell him to make answer for his wicked fact But if this answer doth not suffice yet shall the Holy Ghost witnesse further in the matter Salomon removed from honour Abiathar being the High Priest and commanded him to cease from all function and to live as a private man Now if the Unction did exempt the Priest from Jurisdiction of the Civill Magistrate Solomon did offend and injured Abiathar for he was Anointed and had carried the Arke before David But God doth not reprove the fact of Solomon neither yet doth Abiathar claime any prerogative by the reason of his Office but rather doth the Holy Ghost approve the fact of Solomon saying Solomon ejected forth Abiathar that he should not be the Priest of the Lord that the word of the Lord might be performed which he spake upon the house of Eli. And Abiathar did thinke that hee obtained great favour in that hee did escape the present death which by his Conspiracie he had deserved If any yet reason That Abiathar was no otherwise subject to the judgement of the King but as he was appointed to be the executor of that sentence which GOD before had pronounced as I will not greatly denie that reason so require I that every man consider That the same God who pronounced sentence against Eli and his house hath pronounced also That Idolaters Whore-mongers Murtherers and Blasphemers shall neither have portion in the Kingdom of God neither ought to be permitted to bear any Rule in his Church and Congregation Now if the Unction and Office saved not Abiathar because that Gods sentence must needs be performed Can any priviledge granted by man be a Buckler to malefactors that they shall not be subject to the punishments pronounced by God I think no man
rich and potent in Israel If this equality was commanded by God for maintenance of that transitory tabernacle which was but a shadow of a better to come is not the same required of us who now have the verity which is Christ Jesus who being clad with our nature is made Immanuel that is God with us Whose naturall body albeit it be received into the Heavens where he must abide till all be compleat that is forespoken by the Prophets yet hath he promised to be present with us to the end of the world And for that purpose and for the more assurance of his Promise he hath erected amongst us here in earth the Signes of his own presence with us his spirituall Tabernacle the true preaching of his Word and right administration of his Sacraments to the maintenance whereof is no lesse bound the subject then the Prince the poor then the rich For as the Price which was given for mans redemption is one so God requireth of all that shall be partakers of the benefits of the same a like duty which is a plain confession That by Christ Jesus alone we have received whatsoever was lost in Adam Of the Prince doth God require That he refuse himself and that he follow Christ Jesus of the Subject he requireth the same Of the Kings and Judges it is required That they kisse the Son that is give honour subjection and obedience to him and from such reverence doth not God exempt the Subject that shall be saved and this is That equality which is betwixt the kings and subjects the most rich or noble and betwixt the poorest and men of lowest state to wit That as the one is obliged to beleeve in heart and with mouth to confesse the Lord Jesus to be the onely Saviour of the world so also is the other Neither is there any of Gods children who hath attained to the yeers of discretion so poor but that he hath thus much to bestow upon the Ornaments and maintenance of their spirituall Tabernacle when necessity requireth neither yet is there any so rich of whose hands God requireth any more For albeit that David gathered great substance for the building of the Temple that Solomon with earnest diligence and incredible expences erected and finished the same That Hezekiah and Iosiah purged the Religion which before was corrupted yet to them was God no further debter in that respect then he was to the most simple of the faithfull posterity of faithfull Abraham for their diligence zeal and works gave rather testimony and confession before men what honour they did bear to God what love to his Word what reverence to his Religion then that any work proceeding from them did either establish or yet encrease Gods favour towards them who freely did love them in Christ his Son before the foundation of the world was laid So that these forenamed by their notable works gave testimony of their unfained faith and the same doth the poorest that unfainedly and openly professeth Christ Jesus and doth embrace his glad tydings offered That doth abhor Superstition and flie from Idolatry The poorest I say and most simple that this day on earth in the dayes of this cruell persecution firmly believeth in Christ and boldly doth confesse him before this wicked generation is no lesse acceptable before God neither is judged in his presence to have done any lesse in promoting Christ his Cause then is the King that by his sword and power which he hath received of God rooteth out Idolatry and so advanceth Christs glory But to return to our former purpose It is no lesse required I say of the subject to believe in Christ and to professe his true Religion then of the Prince and King And therefore I affirm That in Gods presence it shall not excuse you to alleadge That yee were no chief Rulers and therefore that the care and reformation of Religion did not appertain unto you Yee dear brethren as before is said are the creatures of God created to his own Image and similitude to whom it is commanded To hear the voice of your heavenly Father To embrace his Son Christ Jesus To flie from all doctrine and Religion which he hath not approved by his own Will revealed to us in his most blessed Word To which Precepts and Charges if yee be found inobedient ye shall perish in your iniquity as rebells and stubborn servants that have no pleasure to obey the good Will of their Soveraign Lord who most lovingly doth call for your obedience And therefore brethren in this behalf it is your part to be carefull and diligent For the question is not of things temporall which although they be endangered yet by diligence and processe of time may after be redressed but it is of the damnation of your bodies and souls and of the losse of life everlasting which once lost can never be recovered And therefore I say That it behoveth you to be carefull and diligent in this so weighty a matter lest that ye contemning this occasion which God now offereth finde not the like although that after with groaning and sobs ye languish for the same And that ye be not ignorant of what occasion I mean in few words I shall expresse it Not onely I but with me also divers other godly and learned men do offer unto you our labours faithfully to instruct you in the wayes of the eternall our God and in the sincerity of Christs Evangell which this day by the pestilent Generation of Antichrist I mean by the Pope and by his most ungodly Clergy are almost hid from the eyes of men We offer to jeopard our lives for the salvation of your souls and by manifest Scriptures to prove that Religion that amongst you is maintained by fire and sword to be false vain and diabolicall We require nothing of you but that patiently ye will hear our Doctrine which is not ours but the Doctrine of salvation revealed to the world by the onely Son of God And that ye will examine our reasons by the which we offer to prove the Papisticall Religion to be abominable before God And last we require That by your power the tyranny of those cruell beasts I mean of Priests and Fryers may be bridled till we have uttered our mindes in all matters this day debatable in Religion If these things in the fear of God ye grant to me and unto others that unfainedly for your salvation and for Gods glory require the same I am assured That of God ye shall be blessed whatsoever Satan shall devise against you But and if ye contemn or refuse God who thus lovingly offereth unto you salvation and life ye shall neither escape plagues Temporall which shortly shall apprehend you neither yet the torment prepared for the devill and for his angels except by your speedy repentance ye return to the Lord whom now ye refuse if that ye refuse the Messengers of his
of the flesh or the pride of life Now seeing that these are not of the Father but of the world how can it be that our souls can feed upon chastitie temperance and humility so long as that our stomacks are replenished with the corruption of these vices Now so it is that willingly flesh can never refuse these forenamed but rather still delighteth it self in every one of them yea in them all as the examples are but too evident It behoveth therefore that God himself shall violently pull his children from these venemous breasts that when they lack the liquor and poyson of the one they may visite him and learn to be nourished of him Oh if the eyes of worldly Princes should be opened that they might see with what humour and liquor their souls are fed while that their whole delight consisteth in pride ambition and lusts of the stinking flesh We understand then how God doth visite men as well by his severe judgements as by his mercifull visitation of deliverance from trouble or by bringing trouble upon his chosen for their humiliation And now it resteth to understand how man visiteth God Man doth visite God when he appeareth in his presence be it to the hearing of his Word or to the participation of his Sacraments as the people of Israel besides the observation of their Sabbaths and daily oblations were commanded thrice a yeer to present themselves before the presence of the Tabernacle and as we do and as often as we present our selves to the hearing of the Word for there is the footstool yea there is the face and throne of God himself wheresoever the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truely Preached and his Sacraments rightly ministred But men may on this sort visite God hypocritically for they may come for the fashion they may hear with deaf ears yea they may understand and yet never determine with themselves to obey that which God requireth And let such men be assured That he who searcheth the secrets of hearts will be avenged of all such For nothing can be to God more odious then to mock him in his own presence Let every man therefore examine himself with what minde and what purpose he cometh to hear the Word of God yea with what ear he heareth it and what testimony his heart giveth unto him when that God commandeth vertue and forbiddeth impiety Repinest thou when God requireth obedience Thou hearest to thine own condemnation Mockest thou at Gods threatnings Thou shalt feel the weight and truth of them albeit too late when flesh and blood cannot deliver thee from his hand But the visitation whereof our Prophet speaketh is onely proper to the sons of God who in the time when God taketh from them the pleasures of the world or sheweth his angry countenance unto them have their recourse unto him and confessing their former negligence with troubled hearts cry for his mercy This visitation is not proper to all afflicted but appertaineth onely to Gods children For the reprobates can never have accesse to Gods mercy in time of their tribulation and that because they abuse as well his long patience as the manifold benefits they receive from his hands For as the same Prophet heretofore saith Let the wicked obtain mercy yet shall he never learn wisdome but in the land of righteousnesse that is Where the very knowledge of God aboundeth he will do wickedly which is a crime above all others abominable for to what end is it that God erecteth his Throne among us but that we should fear him Why doth he reaveal his holy will unto us but that we should obey it Why doth he deliver us from trouble but that we should be witnesses unto the world that he is gracious and mercifull Now when that men hearing their duty and knowing what God requireth of them do malapertly fight against all equity and justice what I pray you do they else but make manifest warre against God yea when they have received from God such deliverance that they cannot deny but that God himself hath in his great mercy visited them and yet that they continue wicked as before what deserve they but effectually to bee given over unto a reprobate sense that headlong they may runne to ruine both of body and soul It is almost incredible that a man should be so enraged against God that neither his plagues nor yet his mercy shewed should move them to repentance but because the Scriptures beareth witnesse of the one and the other let us cease to marvell and let us firmly beleeve that such things as have beene are even presently before our eyes albeit many blinded by affection cannot see them Ahab as in the book of the Kings it is written received many notable benefits of the hand of God who did visit him in divers sorts sometimes by his plagues sometimes by his word and sometimes by his mercifull deliverance He made him king and for the Idolatry used by him and his wife he plagued whole Israel by Famine He revealed to him his Will and true Religion by the Prophet Elijah he gave unto him sundry deliverances but one most speciall when proud Benhadad came to besiege Samaria and was not content to receive Ahabs gold silver sons daughters and wives but also required that his servants should have at their pleasure whatsoever was delectable in Samaria True it is that his Elders and people willed him not to hear the proud Tyrant But who made unto him the promise of deliverance and who appointed and put his Army in order who assured him of victory The Prophet of God onely who assured him That by the servants of the Princes of the Provinces who in number were onely two hundred thirty and two hee should deface that great Army in the which there were two and thirty Kings with all their Forces and as the Prophet of God promised so it came to passe victory was obtained not once onely but twice and that by the mercifull visitation of the Lord. But how did Ahab visite God again for his great benefit received Did he remove his Idolatry did he correct his Idolatrous wife Iezabel No we finde no such thing but the one and the other wee finde to have continued and increased in former impiety But what was the end hereof The last visitation of God was That dogs licked the blood of the one and did eate the flesh of the other In few words then wee understand what difference there is betwixt the visitation of God upon the Reprobate and his visitation upon his Chosen the Reprobate are visited but never truly humbled nor yet amended the Chosen being visited they sob and they cry unto God for mercy which obtained they magnifie Gods Name and after declare the fruits of repentance Let us therefore that hear these judgements of our God call for the assistance of his holy Spirit that howsoever it pleaseth him to visit us that we may stoop under his mercifull hands and
Chron. 34 35. chap. Mat. 13.24 25 26 c. Mat. 13 20 21 Rom. 10.9 13. Rom. 7 c. 2 Cor. 5.21 John 5.28 29. Apoc 20.28 Heb 19 25 26 27. Mat 25 31. Apoc. 14.10 Rom. 26.7 8 9 10. Phil. 3 21. 1 Cor 15.28 This we confirmed 1567. in the first Parliament of Iames 6 held by the Earle Murray and all Acts in any Parliament before whatsoever against the truth abolished The Lord of the Articles are a Committee of 24. whereof in former times there was eight Lords eight Church-men who were called Lords and eight Commons So from the greater part they were named Lords and of the Articles Because all Articles and Heads that are to passe in Parliament are first brought to them who having discussed them sends them to the House of Parlâ—ament The latin Histories calls their Lords of the Articles Apolecti The Earle Marshall his pious voyce in Parliament This Act is particularly confirmed 1567. in the Parliament under Iames 6. holden by the Earl Murrâ—y This also was confirmed by one particular Act 1567. by the Parliament holden by the Earle Murray Note this diligently Quest. Answ. Note this I pray you for these dayes sake See how this agreeâ— with the worldlings now adayes What blessings hath been since in the house of Erskin they know best Note how although the Prelats being convinced of the truth did subscribe unto it yet it was with this Proâ—iso That they should enjoy their rents for their lives Note men to their owne countrey Note this for our dayes Let this teach us to seek God The death of the yong King of France husband to our Queen 15. December 1560. Note this well Note Note Lesley his answer * That is An. 1566 when this book was written Note the liberality of the Earle Murray Note this diligently Where then are Pluralities and fatnesse of Livings in our dayes Let the Church-men now adayes look to this Wâ—at can the Pâ—elats say to this Ambassadour from France and his demands See the study of France to divide the two Kingdoms newly bound for mantenance of Religion against the common enemies Note The Protestants faithfulnesse ill rewarded A foolish play used in time of darknes Hence we say any foolish thing to be like a play of Robin-Hood Some say his name is Killone Of the Queen Regents death Note Note Note diligently Let this also be considered and referred to our times Note Note Reader remark the advantages that Scotland hath from France A good Character of Bishops Let us stick to God and he will not leave us Faire words to no purpose That was a secret Lardon She meant she would seek a safe conduct * Ever till that she may shew her evill will If France would have sustained rhem they had not yet departed The second secret Lardon The Arms of England were usurped Your Papists and ours have practised and still practise division So that she might have England to the Popes Religion I think she said not amisse The feare of God in the heart of Elias 〈◊〉 disobediâ—â—â— to cursed 〈◊〉 Nâ—te 〈…〉 his 〈…〉 well to 〈…〉 as 〈◊〉 the subjects Note The third Lardon of accusing England of inconstancy in Religion Notwithstanding his own disorder Note this false lye and see how it answers to the calumnies of these dayes The Peace and Contract at Leith Many Princes little regarded that All power is not then in the Prince if the States have any as they have Note this Note Note the Scots acknowledgement Isaiah 40 31. A true acknowledgment oâ— mans weaknesse to the glory of God and as it was then so hath it been in this last Reformation As it was then so it is now by Gods mercies â—o that Nation The first Petition of the Protestants of Scotland Let this be noted for example The cause of the trouble within Scotland flowed from the Courtiers who seemed to professe the Evangell He means the Loâ—d Iames Earle Murray The corruption that entred the Queens Court. The Theologie of the Court and their reasonâ— Wicked Councellors â—athers all thâ—ir mischievâ—us plots upon misled Princes and causeth them to take all things upon them This was written when the secoâ—d rank of the Lordâ— was banished Anno 1560 after Danâ—â—s sâ—aughter The Queens Arrivaâ—l from France 156â— Tâ—â—â—le lugubre Coelum The Queens first â—â—ace in despight of Religion The Queens first Masse Lord Iames notwithstanding his sonner zeal to tâ—e Truth complying with Court favoureth Idolatry â— godly resoâ—â—â—â—on The end is not yet seen The perswâ—sâ—ons of the Courtiers The Lord Arrans stout and godly Protestatiâ—n against the Quâ—ens Masse Good resolution if followed Robert Campbell to the Lord Vchiltrie The Queens practise at the first The iudgment of Iohn Knox upon the suffering of the Masse The Courtier making Note diligently how wise and godly mâ—n are so mistaken oft as to play after games And this M. Knox doth acknowledge here The first reasoning betwixt the Queen and Iohn Knox. Note how that Princâ—s are informed against Godâ— servant Let this be noted diligently Let the Prince note this Let this wiâ—e reply be noted Note this undertaking The Queens second Objection Answer Note this comparison Blinde zeal what it is When this was written there was no appearance of Maries imprisonment The Queens Church Strong Imagination called conscience Question Note this Iohn Knox his judgement of the Queen at the first and ever since The Queens first Progresse Note the disposition of a misled soul. Boâ—fours doctrine Note this diligently Yet in the Parliament holden 1563. there is an expresse Act for punishing of Adultery by death It is the Act 74. The devil getting entry to his little finger will screw in his whole arm Note this The Queenes first fray in Hallyrud-house Division between the Lords and the Ministers The Queen fain would have had all Assemblies discharged Note this diliâ—gently Note this dilâ—gently Note this passage Iohn Knox his judgement of the thirds Let this be noted * That is five old pieces A proverb upon Pittaro Controller The right that Princes have to the Patrimony of the Church Note The marriage of the Earl of Murray Note this diligently Note this diligently The Mask of Orleance The Hamiltons against Bothwell and the Marquesse The Earle of Bothwells communication with Iohn Knox 1562. Note the complement Note diligently Reconciliation betwixt the Earle of Arrane and Earle of Bothwell Note diligently Psal. 2. The second communing of Iohn Knox with the Queen Note diligently Note Note Note diligently Note Let Princes note this Let Court-Chaplains and unthrifts of the time note this The Earle of Lennox and his Lady imprisoned in the Tower of London for traffiquing with Papists Sharp left preaching and took him to the Laws Note This causeth the Quâ—ens Râ—ligion to have many â—avourers Note Note Note dâ—ligently Note Note this for our times Note this for our times An answer to Lethington Note this diligently Iohn Gordonne and Ogilvie Bothwell
brake the ward or prison Note another wavering of the Hamiltons A new Covenant 1562. Note So was the Duke the Earls of Argyle Murray and Glencarne with all their Company after ter served The day of Correthie field Octob. 22. 1562 The Earle of Huntlies prayer Note Corriethieburne or Farabank Secretary Lethingtons Oration The Lady Forbesse her words Let others that yet live mark this Mens judgement of the Queens Marriage Note this The Preachers railed upon the Courtiers The Preachers Admonition after the Earle of Huntlies death Meaning of Huntley The end declared their words to be true The defence of the Courtiers The Queens practise The tryall of Pauls Meffanes fact Chattelet and the Queen The Queens desire concerning Chattelet The punishment of God for maintaining and erecting of the Masse death and famine Iohn Knox sent for by the Queen Reasoning between I. Knox and the Queen Note diligently The Queens judgement of the Bishop of Cathaes The Lady Argile was naturall Sister to the Queen as the Earle Murray was naturall Brother The Clergie did pretend to be free from all Jurisdiction save the Popes The judgment of some Huntley forfeited The pride of Women at that Parliament Note diligently And so was Religion and the Common-wealth both neglected Occasion painted with a bald Hind-head Variance betwixt the Earle of Murray and Iohn Knox. Iohn Knox discharge to the Earl of Murray God knowes if our times be better The Speaker was the Dean of Restaruk Iohn Knox his affirmation Let this serve for our times Let the Papists judge this day 1567. Note Women Lethingtons practice Note diligently The last commendation of Lord Iohn to the Queen M. Rob. Font stricken in the head with a weapon by Cap. Lawder Bond to a mutuall defence in the cause of Religion Note Pastors The Master of Maxwells discharge to Iohn Knox and their reasoning together Before they disdained not to come to his own house Iohn Knox his answer Note a wise Reply This was the first time the Earle Murray spake with Iohn Knox after the Parliament Iohn Knox called before the Queen and Counsell in Decemb. 156â— Note this diligently Note As the Irish Papists have done to Protestants in Ireland Let this be noted for this day Let the world judge what ensued Note Pastors Note diligently Note the craft of the Court. Note I. Knox falsly reported of his answer Remark false brethren Murther and Whoredome in the Court. Maries Regiment Great Wet and Frost in Ian. 1563. The Sea stood still neither ebbed â—or flowed for 24 houres Cucullus Note how this agrees with our time Lethingtons counteâ—â—nce at the threatnings of the preacher Let the world judge whether this hath come to passe or not what hath fallen since that time Lethington his Harangue at the Assembly Anno 1564. Iohn Knox his answer Note diligently â—nd see how the Bishops did forbid to pray for the conversion of the Queen that now is in Britain M. Maxwells words in the Assembly Iohn Knox his prayer for the Queen Note 2 Tim. 2. Note Note Let this be noâ—ed diligently Psal. 82. Note this 1 Sam. 22. Note this Discourse diligently God craves of us That we should oppose our selves to iniquity Let this be noted for our times Whether this hath come to passe or not let the world judge Note this diligently Noâ—â— â— Paral 25. When the Prince does serve God sincerely in private and publike and hath a care that the people do the same then assuredly they are faithfull to him but if he faile in these or in either of them he findes disobedience in his people beâ—ause he is not carefull to obey God and to see him obeyed Deut. 13. 2 Paral. 26. Let this be applyed to the late affairs of Scotland 2 Paral. 26. Note M. Iohn Dowglâ—s Rector his Vote Master Iohn Craig his Vote Note dilâ—gently Note deligently There be two Epigrams extant written by George Buchanan of a rich Diamond sent from Qu. Mary to Queen Elizabeth At this time an Italian named Davie entred in great familiarity with the Queen so that there was nothing done without him The Earl of Murray seeing the other Nobles consent gave his which before he refused The Dispensation being come from Rome for the Marriage Before which according to the Romish Law it was unlawful to marry being Cousin Germans brother and sisters children and so the degree of Consanguinity forbidden Note this for our time The King to make himself more popular and to take from the Lords of the Congregation the preteâ—t of Religion he went to the Kirk to hear Iohn Knox preach In answering he said more then he had preached for he added That as the King had to pleasure the Queen gone to Masse and dishonoured the Lord God so should God in his justice make her an Instrument of his ruine and so it fell out in a very short time but the Queen being incensed with these words fell out in Tears and to please her Iohn Knox must abstain from preaching for a time Note how this agrees with our times Let this be conferred with our times Note diligenly So was the Citie of London for warre against Scotland vexed for the leavie of mony Note diligently Note diligently Qâ— Elizabeth Here mark either deep dissimulation or a great inconstancy At the end of this Book you shall finde this See in what sense proud ambitious men takes the name of Bishop As is said before This inconstant yongman sometimes declared himself for the Protestant witnesse his last Band And now for the Papist And as he left God so he was left by him The Queen intending vengeance upon the poor King and being in love with the Earle Bothwell grants to the Protestants their Petitions that they may be quiet and not trouble her Plots As she had lately gratified the Protestants by granting their Petition so at this time she yeelds unto the Papists their demands also that she might be stopped by neither of them in her designe of vengeance and new love Note Note how God changeth things in a moment Heb. 10. 1 Cor. 3. Mat. 25. John 3. Rom 58. 2 Cor. 5. Rom. 6. Ephes. 4.5 Ephes. 2. Matth. 10. Vain Religion or Idolatry A Sentence pronounced Appellation from the same The request of Iohn Knox. The Petition of Protestants Deut. 17. The Pâ—tition of Iohn Knox. Note well Answer 1. To Objections Note The Appellation is just and lawfull Gods Messengers may appeal from unjust sentences and Civill powers are bound to admit them Jer. 26. Advert The Princes did absolve the Prophet whom the Priests had condemned Deut. 17. The meaning of these words I am in your hands c. Deut 17. Jerem 1. Deut 1 10. The causes of his Appellation and why he ought to have been defended Jerem. 38. Just cause of Appellation Act. 22 23 24 25. Act. 25. Why Paul would admit none of the Leuiticall order to judge in his cause Upon what reasons the Appellation of Paul was grounded
The cause is to be regarded and not the persons Jerem. â— Jerem. 1. Isai. 56. Act. 3 4. Jude 1. 2 Pet. 2. Let the cause be noted Answer to an objection or doubt The Petition of Iohn Knox. The singular honours which Magistrates receive of God ought to move them with all diligence to promote his Religion The duty of Magistrates 1. 2. 3. Rom. 13. In what Points powers are bound to their subjects Rom. 13. Let the similitude be noted It is not enough that Rulers do not oppresse their subjects The offer of Iohn Knox and his accusation intended against the Papisticall Bishops Isaiah 1. Jerem 23. 27. Ezech. 13. Hosa 4. Note If Powers provide not for instruction of their subjects they do never rule above them for their Profit What Satan hath obtained of the blinde world The matters and Reformation of Religion appertain to the care of the Civill power Exod. 21.24 25 c. Note Exod. 28. The facts of godly Kings are an interpretation of the Law and declaration of â—heir power 2 Paral. 14. 17 Note 2 Paralip 19. Adverâ— that the King taketh upon him to command the Priests 2 Paral. 30. Note 2 Paral 35. 2 Reg. 23. The King commanded the Priests 2 Par. 32. The facts of the godly Kings in Iuda do appertain to the powers amongst the Gentiles professing Christs Epist. 50. Advert Note well Augustineâ— words Advert the minde of Augustine In two sorrâ— ought Kings to serve God Note O that the world would understand Note Isai. 49. An answer to the second Objection Note Note diligently Note Note diligently Jerem 38. Jerem. 39. Note diligently Deut. 12. Deut 23. 27. Idolatry ought to be punishâ—d with out respect of person If any state might have claimed priviledge it was the Prophets 1 Sam. 3 1 Sam. 9.15 1 King 22. 1 Kings 21. 2 Kings 1. 2 Par. 15. Deut. 13. Why every man in Israel was bound to obey Gods Commandment Deut 28 30. Deuâ— 7â— Gods judgements to the carnall man appear rigorous For the Idolatry of a small number is Gods wrath kindleâ— against the multitude not punishing the offencers Ezek 9. Ezek 8. 9. Note Note An answer to an Oâ—jection Why no Law was executed against the Gentiles being Idolaters Eph. 2. The especiall honour which God requireth of his people 1 Sam. 15. Exod. 34. Note Note Note God is not author of any priviledge granted to the Papisticall Bishops that they be exempted from the power of the civill sword Exod. 32. The dignity of Aaron did not exempt him from judgment 1 King 2. 1 Sam 3. Notewell Gal. 4. 1 Tim. 3. Math. 17. 1 Pet. 2. Acts 4 and 5. Rom. 13. Chrysostome upâ—on Rom. â—3 Let Papists answer Chrysostome Let their own Histories witnesse The mouth of the beast speaking great things Distinct. 9. quest 3. Their Laws do witnesse Dist. 19. Cap. de Translatione Titl 7. Dist 40. Note the equitie of this commandment The matter is more then evident Whosoever maintaineth the priviledges of Papists shall drink the Cup of Gods vengeance with them Object Answ. Deut. 28. Levit. 26. Isai. 27. 30. Note this for our time Note Let England and Scotland both advert God calleth to repentance before he strike in his hot displeasure Papists had no force if Princes did not maintain them Acts 2. No true servant of God may communicate with the Papisticall Religion An answer to the Objection That an heretick ought not to be heard 1 Kings 13. Touching Councels and Doctors In prologo Retract Ezech. 33. Mat. 24. 26. Dan. 12. Mat 25. Note Petition Answer to an Objection Lactant. Firmian Tertullian Cyprian John 5. 7. Acts 17. 2 Pet. 1. 1 John 4. John 3. Why Papists will not dispute of the ground of their Religion Mahomet and the Pope do agree Note Reformation of Religion belongeth to all that hope for life everlasting Rom. 1. Rom. 1. The subject is no lesse bound to beleeve in Christ then is the King Gal 3. Abac. 2. Mark 16. John 3. Wherein all men are equall Rom 5. Isa 53. John 3 5. Exod. 30. Exod. 30. Exod. 19. The presence of God represented in the Tabernacle Heb. 9. Isa 8. Act. 3. Mat. 28. The spirituall Tabernacle and signes of Christâ— pre 1 Par. 29. 2 Par. 3.4 5. 2 Par. 29.30 35. 1 Par. 29. 2 Par. 3.4 5. 2 Par. 29.30 35. Note Matth. 17. Note The offer of Iohn Knox ro hiâ— native Realm What he requireth An answer to two questions Subjects may lawfully require true Preachers of theâ—r Rulers John 21. Acts 20. Things that may draw men back from the sincerity of Christs Evangell Rom. 2. Note Princes and Bishops are alike criminall How subjects offend with their Princes Gen. 7. 19. Iosephus Egesippus What subjects shall God punish with their Princes A note made upon the sending of Christs Disciples to the Sea the miraculous feeding of the people What chanced to Christs disciples after the feeding of the people in the desart The first Note John 6. Matth. 14. Christ suffereth not his sheep and Pastours to be dispersed and troubled but for cause reasonable John 6. Why Christ sent away the people from him Matth. 10. John 6. Matth. 20. John 6. Mark 6. The disciples did not rightly consider Christs work Note Note this for our time Note John 18. Act. 14. Hypocrites are made manifest in the day of trouble 1 John 2. Note To deny or conceale the gifts of God which we have received is unthankfulnesse Let the Miâ—istâ—rs nâ—te this who are put from thâ—ir charges by the enemy Ezech 3.33 Jer. 20 34. 3 Reg 18 21 22. 4 Reg 3. Amos 7. Dan 5 Matth. 23. Act 13. The Preachers â—â—â—named tâ—e Salt of the earth The Confâ—ssion of the Author Preachers ougâ—t to feed Christs Flock The lack of fervency of reproving of indifferency in seeding and diligence in executing are great sins Spirituall temptations are soon espied The prayer of the author The troubles of these daâ—es cometh to the comfort of Gods elect The second Note The great fear of the disciples Matth. 8. The disciples also before this time were troubled in the Sea Note What time the tempest did arise The Sea was calm when the disciples took their Ship What moved the Sea The tossed Ship is a figure of the Church of Christ. Exod. 1. Esth. 3. Act. 7 deinceps The malice of the devill compared to the winde 1 Simile The Sea cannot be quiet when the wind bloweth outragiously The winde that blew in the dayes of King Hen. 8. A quiet calm wa under King Edw 6. The first secret pestilent winde that blew in the time of good K. Edward 6. The Devill raged when the Masse mischief was disclosed Esa. 5. Mark well This was affirmed both before the King and also before Northumberland oftner then once Transubstantiation overthrown by Th. Granmer The tound god was taken away by Act of Parliament When all the Papisticall
as I told you in the beginning I mean to constrain none of my subjects but would wish that they were all as I am and I trust they shall have no support to constrain me I will send Monsieur Dosell quoth she to you before he go to know whether ye will any thing in England I pray you so order your self in this matter betwixt the Queen my good sister and me that there may be perfect and assured Amity betwixt us for I know quoth she Ministers may do much good and harm I told her I would faithfully and truely make declaration of all that she said unto me unto your Majestie and trusted that she would so satisfie your Majesty by Monsieur Dosell in all things as I should hereafter have no more occasion to treat with her of any thing but of the encrease of Amity of which there should be no want on her behalf This is the effect of the Queen of Scotlands answer to your Majesties demand of her said Ratification and of my Negotiation with her at this time These advertisements somewhat exasperated the Queen of England and not altogether without cause for the Armes of England were before usurped by our Soveraigne and by her husband Francis and Elizabeth Queen of England was of the Guysians reputed little better then a Bastard It was appointed that this title should be renewed But hereof had our ill counselled and misled Queen no pleasure and especially after that her husband was dead for thought she the shew of England shall allure many suiters to me The Guisians and the Papists of both Realms did not a little animate her in that pursuit The effect whereof will sooner appear then the godly of England would desire Queen Elizabeth we say offended with the former answer wrote unto the Nobility and States of Scotland in form as followeth The Queen of Englands Letter to the States of Scotland RIght Trusty and Right entirely Beloved Cousins We greet you We doubt not but as our meaning is and hath alwayes been since our Raigne in the sight of Almighty God straight and direct towards the advancement of his Honour and Truth in Religion and consequently to procure Peace and maintain Concord betwixt both these Realms of England and Scotland So also our outward acts have well declared the same to the world and especially to you being our neighbours who have tasted and proved in these our friendship and earnest good will more then we think any of your antecessors have ever received from hence yea more then a great number of your selves could well have hoped for of us all former examples being well weighed and considered And this we have to rejoyce of and so may ye be glad That where in the beginning of the troubles in that Countrey and of our succours meant for you the jealousie or rather the malice of divers both in that Realme and in other Countreys was such both to deprive both us in the yeelding and you in requiring our ayd that we were noted to have meant the surprise of that Realm by depriving of your Soveraigne the Queen of her Crown and you or the greatest part of you to have intended by our succour the like and either to prefer some other to the Crown or else to make of that Monarchie a Common-weale matters very slanderous and false But the end and determination yea the whole course and processe of the action on both our parts have manifested both to the slanderers and to all others That nothing was more meant and prosecuted then to establish your Soveraigne the Queen our Cousin and Sister in her State and Crowne the possession whereof was in the hands of strangers And although no words could then well satisfie the malicious yet our deeds do declare That no other thing was sought but the restitution of that Realme to the ancient Liberty and as it were to redeem it from Captivity Of these our purposes and deeds there remaineth among other arguments good testimony by a solemne Treaty and Accord made the last yeer at Edinburgh by Commissioners sent from us and from your Queen with full Authority in writing under both our Hands and the great Seals of both our Realms in such manner as other Princes our Progenitors have always used By which Treaty and Accord either of us have faithfully accorded with other to keep Peace and Amity betwixt our selves our Countreys and subjects And in the same also a good Accord is made not onely of certain things happened betwixt us but also of some differences betwixt the Ministers of the late French King your Soveraigns husband and you the States of that Realm for the alteration of Laws and Customs of that Countrey attempted by them Upon which Accord there made and concluded hath hitherto followed as you know surety to your Soveraignes State quietnesse to your selves and a better Peace betwixt both Realms then ever was heard of in any time past Neverthelesse how it happeneth we know not we can for she in her conceit thinketh her selfe Queen of both That your Soveraigne either not knowing in this part her owne felicity or else dangerously seduced by perverse Counsell whereof we are most sorry being of late at sundry times required by us according to her Bond with us signed with her own Hand and sealed with the great Seal of that Realme and allowed by you being the States of the same to ratifie the said Treaty in like manner as we by writing have done and are ready to deliver it to her who maketh such delatory answers thereunto as what we shall judge thereof we perceive by her answer That it is fit for us to require of you For although she hath alwayes answered since the death of her husband That in this matter she would first understand the mindes of certain of you before that she would make answer And so having now of long time suspended our expectation in the end notwithstanding that she hath had conference both by Messengers and by some of your selves being with her yet she still delayed it alleadging to our Ambassadour in France who said that this Treaty was made by your consents it was not by consent of you all and so would have us to forbear untill she shall returne into that her Countrey And now seeing this her answer depended as it should seem by her words upon your opinions we cannot but plainly let you all understand That this manner of answer without some more fruit cannot long content us We have meant well to our sister your Queen in time of offence given to us by her We did plainly without dissimulation charge her in her own doubtfull state while strangers possessed her Realme we stayed it from danger And now having promised to keep good Peace with her and with you her subjects we have observed it and shall be sorry if either she or you shall give us contrary cause In a matter so profitable to both
simple Somerset most unjustly was bereft of his life what the Devill and his Members the pestilent Papists meant by his away-taking God compelled my tongue to speak in more places then one and specially before you and in Newcastle as sir Robert Bradling did not forget a long time after God grant that he may understand all other matters spoken before him then and at other times as righly as he did that mine interpretation of the Vineyard whose Hedges Ditches Towres and Winepresse God destroyed because it would bring forth no good fruit And that he may remember that what ever was spoken by my mouth that day is now compleate and come to passe except that finall destruction and vengeance is not yet fallen upon the greatest offenders as assuredly shortly it shall unlesse that he and some other of his sort that then were enemies to Gods truth will speedily repent and that earnestly their stubborne disobedience God compelled my tongue I say openly to declare That the Devill and his Ministers intended onely the subversion of Gods true Religion by that mortall hatred among those which ought to have beene most assuredly knit together by Christian charity and by benefits received and especially that the wicked and envious Papists by that ungodly breach of charity diligently minded the overthrow of him that to his own destruction procured the death of his innocent friend Thus I say I was comâ—elled of conscience oftner then once to affirm That such as saw and invented the means how the one should be taken away saw and should finde the means also to take away the other and that all that trouble was devised by the Devill and his Instruments to stop and let Christs Disciples and their poor Boat but that was not able because she was not yet come to the midst of the Sea Transubstansiation the Bird that the Devill hatched by Pope Nicholas and since that time fostered and nourished by all his Children Priests Friers Monks and other his conjured and sworn souldiers and in these last dayes chiefly by Stephen Gardner and his black brood in England Transustantiation I say was then clearly confuted and mightily overthrown and therefore God had put wisdom in the tongues of his Ministers and Messengers to utter that vain vanitie and specially gave such strength to that Reverend Father in God Thomas Granmer to cut the knots of Devillish Sophistry linked and knit by the Devils Gardener and his blinde Buzzards to hold the verity of the everliving God under bondage that rather I think they shall condemn his works which notwithstanding shall continue and remain to their confusion then they shall enterprize to answer the same And also God gave boldnesse and knowledge to the Court of Parliament to take away the round clipped God wherein standeth all the holinesse of Papists and to command common Bread to be used at the Lords Table and also to take away the most part of superstitions kneeling at the Lords Supper excepted which before prophaned Christs true Religion Then dear Brethren was the Boat in the midst of the Sea and suddenly ariseth the horrible tempest most fearfull and dolorous Our King is taken away from us and the Devill bloweth in such Organs as alway he had found obedient to his Precepts and by them he enflameth the heart of that wretched and unhappy man whom I judge more to be lamented then hated to covet the Imperiall Crown of England to be established to his Posterity and what thereupon hath succeeded it is not now necessary to be written Of this short discourse Beloved in the Lord you may consider and perceive two speciall Notes 1. That the whole malice of the Devill hath alwayes this end To vexe and overthrow Christs afflicted Church for what else intended the Devill and his servants the pestilent Papists by all these their crafty policies during the time that Christs Gospell was preached in England then the subversion of the same Gospell and that they might recover power to persecute the Saints of God as this day in the hour of darknesse they have obtained for a time to their own destruction Let no man wonder though I say That the crafty policies of pestilent Papists wrought all the mischiefe for who could more easier and better worke greater mischief then such as bare authority and rule And who I pray you ruled the roste in the Court all this time by stout courage and proudnesse of stomack but Northumberland But who I pray you under King Edward ruled all by counsell and wit Shall I name the man I will writ no more plainly now then my tongue spake the last Sermon That it pleased God that I should make before that Innocent and most godly King Edward the sixt and before his Councell at Westminster and even to the faces of such as of whom I meant Handling this place of Scripture Qui edit mecum panem sustulit adversus me calcaneum suum that is He that eateth bread with me hath lift up his heel against me I made this affirmation That commonly it was seen that the most godly Princes had Officers and chief Councellors most ungodly conjured enemies to Gods true Religion and Traitours to their Princes not that their wickednesse and ungodlinesse was speedily perceived and espied out of the said Princes and godly men but that for time those craftie colourers could so cloke their malice against God and his truth and their hollow hearts toward their loving Masters that by worldly wisdome and policie at length they attained to high promotions And for the proofe of this mine affirmation I recited the Histories of Achitophel Shebna and Iudas of whom the two former had high Offices and promotions with great authority under the most godly Princes David and Hezekiah and Iudas was Purse Master with Christ Jesus And when I had made some discourse in that matter I moved this Question Why permitted so godly Princes so wicked men to be of their Councell and to bear Office and Authority under them To the which I answered That either they so abounded in worldly wisdom foresight and experience touching the government of a Common-wealth that their counsell appeared to be so necessary that the Common-wealth could not lack them and so by the colour to preserve the tranquilitie and quietnesse in Realms they were maintained in Authority or else they kept their malice which they bare towards their Masters and Gods true Religion so secret in their breasts that no man could espie it till by Gods permission they waited for such occasion and opportunitie that they uttered all their mischief so plainly that all the world might perceive it And that was most evident by Achithophel and Sobna for of Achithophel it is written That he was Davids most secret Councellour and that because his counsell in those dayes was like the Oracle of God and Sobna was unto good King