the presbytery alledging that they had not power to take away any action from them which was in process and not decided They made also a Visitation of the Colledges and made new canones concerning the election of the Rector and his continuance to be but for a year and the exemption Anotheâ— step was the vote in Perliament of all the Masters from the Church Session Concerning the next stepp unto Prelacy which was the vote in Parliament The Historicall Narration saith At the Parliament in December 1597. the workmen for Episcopacy the commissioners of the Assembly presented a petition in name of the church that Ministers may have vote in Parliament They had not commission to petition it either for the Church in generall or for Ministers in particulare It is true it was an old complaint of the Generall assemblies that others who had the Benefices of the Prelacies did vote in Parliament in name of the Church and therefore they petitioned that none do vote in name of the Church but they who shall have commission from the Church if there were any necessity that some must vote in name of the Church but that Ministers in particulaâ—e should vote in Parliament was not petitioned The Assembly in October 1581. being required by the King to give some Overture how he shall not be prejudged seing they have damned the office of Bishops whereunto is annexed a temporall jurisdiction by whom the Prince was served by voting in Parliament assisting in Counsell contributing in taxations and the like Thretty Barons and Commissioners from Burrous and Ministers were appointed to consult apart upon it After consultation they returned to the Assembly with this Overture that for voting in Parliament and assisting in Counsell commissioners from the Generall assembly shall supply the place of Prelates as for exercing criminall and Civill jurisdiction the head Bailives may exerce it The Assembly allowed the Overture but did not determin to send commissioners for that effect When the same question was propounded by the Convention of Estates in Octob. 1582. answer was returned from the assembly that they would not consent any should vote but they who bear office in the Church and were authorized with commission from the Church but they did not determin whither Min. or Barons or Burgesses who were Elders The Assembly in May 1592. enjoined every brother to consider whither Minister may vote in Parliament in place of the old Prelates but no conclusion was resolved-upon So the Assemblies were never earnest for vote in Parliament but complained that the Lords which had the abbacies priories and Bishopricks voted in name of the Church by whom the Church was damnified in sufficient maintenance for the Service of God or answered to the King complaining for the want of the third Estate But the ground is not right that of necessity the Church must be an Estate of Parliament for by the Church is meaned either the Ministry only according to the Popish sense taking the Clergy only for the Church Ot the Ministry together with the commonality of Professors which is the right acceptation of the word Ministers may not lawfully sit as members in Parliament because the Parliament is a Civile Court or great Counsell conveened for making Lawes concerning rights of inheritances weights and measures forfeitures losse of limbs or life and the like whereof Ministers should not make lawes seing they are set apart to preach the gospell c And howbeit Church-affaires or matters of religion be somtime treated in Parliament yet it is a Civile assembly and their proceeding or sanction of such lawes is Civile If yee will comprehend all the pâ—ofessors or members of the Church under the name of the Church then all the subjects within the kingdom shall make but the third Estate or the wholl Country is but a part of the Parliament Moreover the subjects being considered materially they are the same persons both in the Church and Commonwealth but considered with diverse respects they are distinguished formally as citizens of the Kingdom their body is represented in Parliament as members of the Church they should medle only with things spirituall in their Judicatories and Councells The truth is None voteth in Parliament in name of the Church or as ecclesiasticall persons but only as Barons or in respect of the Baronies annexed to the Bishoprick abbacy or priory So that if prelates were not Barons the Church would have no vote I grant Ministers may be present at Parliaments but with the book of God in their hands if they be required in any doubt nor should the Estates make any Act eoncerning religion without the advice and consent of her representative Body but Ministers should not be members of that Court nor none other in name of the Church The Noble men who possessed the great How it was carried Benefices and so many others as they could move to assist them opposed this vote but by the Kings earnest dealing with sundries it was granted that so many as his Majesty shall provide to the office place title dignity of Bishop abbot or other prelate shall at all times have vote in parliament It was thought no honest man in the Ministry would accept these titles dignities and the Estates were the more liberall in their grant The consideration of the office was remitted to the consultation agreement of the King generall assembly but expressely without prejudice of the Jurisdiction disciplin of the Church in Generall or Provinciall assemblies presbyteries Sessions But what office of Bishop abbot or prior should be and not prejudiciall to the disciplin of the Church is hard to determin The Commissioners as if they had procured a great benefite to the Church sent their Missives to the presbyteries to inform them with what difficulty they had obtained this and what danger was in delay and therefore had anticipate the time of the Assembly and with the Kings consent had appointed it to be holden the seventh of March. Under fair pretenses the diets appointed by ordinary assemblies were altered and either anticipated to surprize men or prorogated till they had prepared persons or dressed purposes till at last the whole liberty of appointing any diet at all was reft out of their hands In the Missives they inform lykewise what order was taken for the Plat and provision of stipends to make the other point the more acceptable XXXVI Nevertheless the judicious and sinceerer sort of the Ministry 1598. discover the Mystery of iniquity lurking in this pretended benefite of Ministers-vote in Parliament at the Synode especially of Lothian and Fife about the end of February In the Synod of Fife David Ferguson the antientest Minister of Scotland had a discourse of the travell and paines taken by the Ministry to purge this Church from the corrupt estate of Bishops But now sayd he I perceive a purpose to erect it again I can compare the manner of bringing it in to
and Adoptive where they were not and on the contrary he produceth their testimonies where they do expressely deny that Christ is the Son of God by adoption and in this respect distinguish Christ's son-ship and the son-ship of the Elect. As for the testimonies of the Spanish Missal he toucheth them not as if that Missal were nothing Nevertheless hence we see that the Spanish Church at that time had a proper Missal and were not subject unto the Roman Church It is also worth the marking that whereas Elipant had alledged a testimony of the son of Sirach Alcwin lib. 1. saith When the testimonies of God's Prophets have failed unto thy perversness thou feignest a new Prophet speaking according to thy errour In Jesus the son of Sirach is that sentence which book blessed Jerom and Isidore do witness that without doubt it is reckoned amongst the Apocrypha that is dubious witness and it was not in the time of the Prophets but of the Priests when Ptolemeus Evergetes was King In lib. 2. neer the end he saith Holy Father raze raze quickly this opinion out of the Closet of thy heart lest the Lord who hath appointed thee to give Wheat unto his family find that written in the Table of thy heart and say unto thee I acknowledge not these Letters these words were not taught thee by the men to whom I said Go teach all Nations If we join these two testimonies we see that Alcwin did not acknowledge any book for Scripture nor any doctrine for truth which had not a warrant from the Prophets and Apostles In lib. 4. The original of these evils which begets the occasion of all impieties is this While the wisedom of the heavenly Teachers is weighed through the fault of miss-thinking men in their temerarious pride not according to the propriety of their meaning but is turned into other meanings after the will and pleasure of the reader and otherwise then the respect of truth carrieth and it is easie unto any who understandeth the Scripture rightly to find this by the Comments of all Hereticks that they are not afraid in their ungodly temerity and froward blindness to draw the most holy words of the Divine books into the similitude of their errour which kind of impiety and misery if thou Father Elipant hadst considered with a prudent mind and humble searching thou hadst never fallen from the unity of the Catholick peace into the pit of this errour In his book De virtut vitis which he writ at the intreaty of Wido a Count he exhorteth him to read the Scriptures diligently Ca. 5. saying The reading of the Holy Scriptures is the knowledge of divine blessedness for in them as in a glass a man may know himself what he is and whither he goeth Continual reading purifieth the soul breedeth fear of Hell and stirreth up the heart of the reader unto Heavenly joies He who desireth to be with God for ever should frequently read and pray for when we pray we speak with God and when we read God speaks with us The reading of the Holy Scriptures bringeth a twofold benefit because it instructeth the understanding and brinketh a man from the vanities of the World to the love of God Honest is the labour of reading and conduceth much to the purifying of the soul for as the body is nourished by fleshly meat so the inward man is nourished and fed by God's word as the Psalmist saith How sweet unto my tast are thy words O Lord even more then the honey and the honey-comb unto my mouth But he is blessed who reading the Holy Scriptures turneth the words into works Certainly all the Holy Scripture is written for our salvation to the end we may by them grow in the knowledge of the truth A blind man stumbleth oftner then he who seeth so he who knoweth not the Law of God sinneth through ignorance oftner then he who knoweth it Certainly this man would not have consented unto that Canon of the Councel of Trent which forbiddeth people to read the Scriptures But to the end that all should not be thought to be his which goeth under his name it is to be marked that in Par. II. is an Homily in festo omnium Sanctor which Quercitanus hath marked to be amongst the Sermons of Augustine but he had found it in a manuscript under the name of Albin but it can not be either Augustin's nor Albin's seeing that feast was afterwards appointed by Pope Gregory the IV. These books de Trinitate are written so clearly that Sixtus Senens in praefat Biblioth saith They were written by John Calvin and published in the name of Alcvine But Doctor James in The Corruption of the Fathers par 4. pag. 50. testifieth that antient copies thereof were in the Prince's Library at Saint James and they were Printed at Lions An. 1525. when Calvin had not begun to write Rich. Hoveden in The Continuation of Beda writeth That Charls the Great sent over into England the Acts of a Synod sent him from Constantinople for the adoration of images the which the Church of God utterly detesteth Against this adoration saith he Albinus writ an Epistle marvellously grounded on divine Scriptures and carried it with some Synodical Acts in name of the English Bishops and Princes unto the King of France 6. Ecbert King of the West-Saxons vanquished Merceland Kent Essex and Northumberland and then he commanded that land to be called Anglia and the inhabitants Angles or English men Tho. Cooper ad An. 796. CHAP. V. Of COUNCELS 1. FEw Councels were assembled in the beginning of this Century In France Carloman assembleth one which beginneth thus In the A Synod in France Name of our Lord Jesus Christ I Carloman Duke and Prince of France with the advice of the Servants of God and my Nobles in the fear of Christ have assembled An. 742. Febr. 19. the Bishops which are in my Kingdom with the Priests into a Councel and Synod these are Boniface Arch-Bishop of Mentz Burchard Bishop of Wirtzburg Reginfrid Guntharius and the rest of the Bishops with their Priests That they should give me counsel how the Law of God and religion of the Church many be restored Nota which in the daies of former Princes hath been shattered and fallen and how Christian people may attain the salvation of their souls and not perish being deceived by false Priests And by the advice of my Priests and Nobles We have ordained Bishops thorow Cities and set over them the Arch-Bishop Boniface who is the Legate of Saint Peter And we have ordained that Synods should be called every year that in Our presence the Decrees of Canons Rites and Laws of the Church may be restored and We restore unto the Churches the monies which hath been taken from them We have also discharged all the Servants of God from hunting and wandring in woods with Dogs and that they have no Hawks nor Falcons We have also Decrced according to the holy
Counsell Nobility and Commons to be the only Heire and was crowned January 15 with many glad hearts all the Bishops except Owen Bishop of Carlile refuse to perform the solemnities of the Coronation because of her Religion At her coronation she did secure the kingdom by oath that she shall not marry a stranger nor would she make open declaration what doctrine she would follow only she set free all the prisoners for Religion many hundreds and promiseth that when she shall be established in her governement to establish religion by advice of Parliament and of learned godly men and causeth it be proclaimed that in the mean time none shall alter any ceremonies unless it be according to the rites of her own chappel and these were as it was ordered in her fathers time Speed Cambden She sendeth to make account unto the Pope of her assumption He answereth That kingdom was held in fee of the Apostolick See and it was her presumption to vsurp the name of Queen without his knowledge therefore she deserveth not to be heard unless she renounce her pretensions and submit herself unto his free disposition This soundeth harsh both to her and to the counsel therefore she will treat no more with him PeSoave in conc Tride Then knowing the difference of opinions in religion among her â—ubiects and willing to satisfie both parties according to reason she calleth a Parliament and by common aduice appointeth a Conference of eight persons on either side that after debating of reasons they might come to an happy agreement The persons were named the day appointed the questions were for the first concerning the vulgare tongue in Divine Service and the communion under both kindes order was prescribed that for avoiding heat of contention they shall not dispute by word but both parties shall write their reasons and give them in the first day and answers shall be prepared against the next day and all to be in English that every one may receive information Both parties were content But when the day was come the Papists alledge they understood not the ordinance concerning the disputation in write and they will dispute by voice only The second day they were pressed more instantly but as despising authority nor regarding their own credite or rather being convinced in their consciences they still refuse The third day both parties were required â—o produce their books and opinions All the Popish party excep the Bishop of Westminster plainly deny to let their books be read some spake unreverently even of excommunicating the Queen Sir Nicolas Bacon Lord Keeper and Nicolas archb of York were named by the Parliament to be Iudges of the Conference they take this carriage as a contempt both of Nobility and Commons as also of her Roiall Majesty Then the Bishops were required to give their oath of allegiance and Supremacy as in King Henry VIII time They refuse this also Wherefore the Bishop of Winchester who had shewed more folly than others was committed to the Tower afterwards he was set at liberty Boner Bishop of London who was the chief butcher in Mary's time was committed to the Marshall-sea some fled out of the Country and others were charged to answer before the Counsell some were confined not one more imprisoned and all the exiled bb and others in Q. Mary's time were recalled Franc. Mason Lib. 3. c. 1. A Parliament was held at Westminster where was much debate in matter of Religion and hote study on both sides In the goodness of God the Gospell had the upper hand the hope of the Popish falleth their rage is abated the supremacy of the Pope is denied the bloody Statutes of Q. Mary are repealed popish bb were deposed and good men put in their rooms the Masse is abolished altars are appointed to be removed and tables set for them the zeal of many pulling down the altars before that Act was approved Jo. Foxe in Acts. In a brief view behold the hand of God toward her afterwards 1. The king of France pretending right by his Queen Mary intended to inuade England but he was taken away II. Philip king of Spain sought her in marriage she abhorred that because he had married her Sister Therefore he sought to match her with Charles son of the Emperour Ferdinand but to the end he might bring the Nation to the house of Austria and because She refused he became her utter enemy yet to her greater glory 3. An. 1562. Arthur Pool of the house of York intended to bring an Army from France into Wales but he and his confederates were discovered before the execution of the plot and were condemned 4. As before the French king so again Philip sought â—ft that the Popes would accurse her that so he might have pretext to inuade her kingdom God hindered Paul 4. and Pius 4. from decerning it and more followes VI. In Aprile An. 1558. Walter mill priest of Lunan in Anguise was VValter mâ—ll martyr accused by the Bishop of Santan drews for leaving the Masse and that therefore he and John petrie priest at Innerkilor were condemned by the late Cardinal to be burnt wherever they should be apprehended Walter answered I served the Cure there before the Cardinals time 20. years with the approbation of all the parishoners but when the furious Cardinal persecuted mee and many more for the preaching of Godsword I was constrained to keep myself quiet and I went about reproving vices and instructing people in the grounds of Religion for which cause now I am taken When he was brought to triall in the Church before the Bishops of Santandrews Murray Briechin Caitnes the Abbots of Dumfermlin Lundors Balmerino and Couper and many Doctors of the University he looked so feeble partly by age and partly by hard usage that it was feared none could hear what he would answer yet he delivered his mind with such courage that his enemies were amased At first he kneeled to pray Andrew oliphant a priest said Sir Walter mill get up and answer for you keep my Lord here too long He continued yet praying and when he arose he said I should obey God more than man I serve a mighter Lord then your Lord is and whereas you call mee Sir Walter they call mee Walter and not Sir Walter I have been too long one of the Popes Knights now say what you have to say Oliphant asked What thinkest thou of priests marriage He answered I think it a blessed bond ordained by God approved by Christ and free to all sorts of men but yee abhor it and in the mean while yee take other mens wives and daughters yee vowe chastity and keep it not Oliphant sayd Thou sayst that there are not seven sacraments He answered Give us baptisme and the Lords Supper take yee the rest and part them among you Oliphant Thou saist the Masse is idolatry He answeres A Lord sends and calleth many to a dinner and when it is ready he tolleth the bell
and the man made the matter so plain that all doubt was removed Then those Judges for this odious crime did deprive him of all function within the Church of Scotland and for his contumacy in not appearing before them did excommunicat him The author of the The Histor of Reformat saith this is recorded not only for a warning example unto others but likewise that the world may see what difference is betwixt the Church of God and the Romish Church seeing many of their Bishops and Priests yea and Popes are known to be guilty in such crimes and no way censured XVI The Papists at Easter An. 1563. began to say Masse more boldly than before namely John Hamilton Bishop of Santandrews the Prior 1563. Masse is practised of Whithern and many other priests monks This was offensive to many and therefore the Shirefs and others which had civill power especially in the West parts resolve that they will not complain to the Queen nor Counsell but execute former proclamations against the sayers of Masse and so some priests in the West were apprehended The Queen The QueeÌ„ conferrech a I. Knox. was offended and sent for John Knox to come to her in Lochlevin and dealt with him that he would persuad the people and especially the Gentle men of the West Country not to punish any man for using what Religion they please John answereth If her Ma. would punish malefactors according to the lawes he could promise quietness upon the part of all which professe the Lord Jesus within Scotland but if she thought to delude the lawes he feareth some will let the Papists understand that they shall not be suffered to offend Gods Majesty without punishment When â—he Queen heard these and other words to this purpose she takes another course and directes summons against Masse-mongers in the straitest form with expedition to compeare on May 19 one day before the Parliament The Bishop of Santandrews the before named Prior the Parson of Saucher and others do compear At first the Bishop refuseth to answer before Civill Judges yet in end they all come into the Queens will and She designes them to severall prisons Then said some See what the Queen hath done the like was never done within this realm we doubt not but all shall be well Others fore spake things as it came to passe that it was but deceit and so soon as the Parliament is ended the Papists will be set at liberty and therefore advised the Nobility that they be not abused Many had their private business to procure in the Parliament especially the Act of oblivion and they said They might not urge the Queen at that time for if they did so she will hold no Parliament and what then may become of them and their friends but let this Parliament passe over whensoever the Queen craves any thing as She must do before her marriage Religion shall be the first thing that shall be established Much was spoken against A Parliament that politicall delay but in vain An act of oblivion was past of all things done in the publick cause from the year 1558. till September 1. in the year 1561 Manses and gliebs were appointed for Ministers adultery to be punished with death of both persons but nothing for establishing of admonition unto the Nobility Religion In time of this Parliament John Knox said in a Sermon before maâ—y of the Nobility and other members My Lords I praise my God throgh Jesus Christ that in your presence I may powr forth the sorow of my heart yea yourselves shall be witnesses if I make any ly in things by past from the beginning of Gods mighty works within this realm I have been with you in your most desperat tentations ask your own consciences and let them answer before God if that I not I but Gods Spirit by mee in your greatest extremity willed you not ever to depend upon your God and in his name promised unto you victory preservation from your enemies if yee would depend upon his protection and prefer his glory before your lives and wordly commodities in your most extreme dangers I have been with you Santiohnston Couper-moore and the charges of Edinburgh are yet recent in my heart yea that dark and dolorous night when all you my Lords with shame fear left this town is yet in my mind and God forbid that ever I forget it What was my exhortation unto you and what is fallen in vain of all that ever God promised unto you by my mouth yee yourselves live and testify There is not one of you against whom death destruction was threatned perished in that danger and how many of your enemies hath God plagued before your eies shall this be the thankfulness that yee shall render unto your God to betray his cause when yee have it in your hands to establish it as you please Yee say The Queen will not agree with us Ask yee of her what by Gods word yee may justly require and if She will not agree with you in God you are not bound to agree with her in the devill Let her plainly understand so far of your mindes and steal not from your former stoutnes in God and he will prosper you in your enterprises But I can see nothing but a recooling from Christ Jesus that the man that first and most speedily fleeth from Christs Ensigne holdes himself most happy Yea I hear some say that we have nothing of our Religion established by law nor Parliament albeit the malicious words of such can neither hurt he trueth of God nor yet us that thereupon depend yet the speaker of this treason committed against God and against this poor common wealth deserves the gallowes for our Religion being commanded and so established by God is received within this realm in publick Parliament And if they will say It was no Parliament we must and will say and also prove that Parliament was al 's lawfull a Parliament as ever any that passed before it in this realm I say If the King then living was King and the Queen now in this realm be lawfull Queen that Parliament can not be denied And now my Lords to put an end to all I hear of the Queens marriage Dukes Brethren to Emperours and Kings strive all for the best gain But this my Lords will I say note the day and beare witnes hereafter Whensoever the Nobility of Scotland who professe the Lord Jesus consents that an infidell and all Papists are infidels shall be Head to our Soverain ye do so far as in you lieth to banish Christ Iesus from this realm yea to bring Gods vengeance upon the Country a plague upon yourselves and possibly yee shall do small confort to your Soveraigne This manner of speaking saith the History of Reformation was judged intolerable both Papists and Protestants were offended at it and some posted to give the Queen advertisement that Knox had spoken against her
undique et ano Etpene erupit qui tibi Carle cruor Non tuus iste cruor sanctorum at caede cruorem Quem ferus hausisti concoquere haud poteras III. So soon as Henry king of Poland heard of his Brothers death he Troubles of Henry â— returned privily and quickly and was crowned King of France He renewed the warres against the Reformed Church he took Mons Monmorancy and quartered him for Religion Nevertheless they increased in number for the Duke Alanchon the Kings Brother and the Duke of Condee joyned with them so that a peace was granted and proclamed with liberty of Religion in the year 1576 but that peace endured not long Then Henry king of Navar joyned with the Reformed again yet they were all in great danger in the year 1586. The Pope Sixtus 5. excommunicated the King of Navar and the Prince of Condee and declared them uncapable of the crown of France and ordered King Henry 3. to persue them with arms The King of Navar sent unto Frederik king of Denmark and unto the Princes of Germany for aid They sent their Ambassadors unto the King of France to interceed for the Protestants He returned answer that they should medle with his subiects no more then he did with theirs Wherefore those Princes assembled at Luneburgh where were also the Ambassadors of Navar England Scotland of the Duke of Pomer c. They concluded that the King of Navar should not be forsaken Chytrae Lib. 28. So they sent 5000. horse-men and 20000. foot but unhappily for the Guises and other confoederats in Liga aurea gave them the foil in Lorrain An. 1587. The next year Henry III. understood of the presumption and intention of the Guises and he called a Parliament professing that he would give the chief Commande of his Army against the Hugonots unto Henry Duke of Guise The man doubted of the Kings favor and yet upon those fair words he went unto the Parliament he was killed in his bedchamber and his body was first burnt then his asshes were thrown into Ligeris His brother Lewes a Cardinal was hang'd and his son with some Bishops were imprisoned Within twelve dayes the Queen-mother died through sorow for the death of the Guises Ibid. Behold how God then brought peace unto his Church They who before favoured the Guises secretly do then profess open rebellion against the King the Parisians create Charles Duke of Mayen and Brother of the Duke of Guise to be Governor of Paris and of the Isle of Francia the Sorbonists deny the kings authority and absolve all men from the oath of allegiance Many cities joyn themselves unto Duke Charles to wit Lions Roan Orleance Ambian c. The King assembleth the Nobility he proclames unto all his subiects pardon of all former trespasses if now they shall return into obedience and he threatneth loss of Goods and life if they return not Henry king of Navar craves pardon obtaines it and is made General of the Army against the traitors the Dukes of Mayen and Aumale in Aprile An. 1589. And the same sommer he granted by edict at Nantes Liberty of the Religion liberty unto the Reformed to assemble not only for exercise of their Religion in their churches but also for holding their Synods yearly and so to be free from the jurisdiction of Bishops Which liberty no king of France hath impeded untill this present time and unto all who were under the former Edicts of exile he restored their honors and goods upon their submission Then the followers of Duke Charles called the king an enemy of the Apostolical Roman Church and August 1. new style a Jacobin Monk having purchased leave to deliver a Letter unto the king stabbed him as he was reading the Letter in the belly with a poisoned knife the villan said he was commanded by an Angel to kill the tyrant and his death would bring peace into France The king feared not death at the first and immediatly dispatched Posts to all the chief parts of the realm giving them notice of what was done and exhorting them to constancy and loyalty as is due unto their Soverain Before midnight he apprehendes death and the next day he caused proclaim Henry king of Navar to be his heir After the Henry 4 King of France kings death the Peers of the realm then in the lieger require an oath of the king of Navar to defend the Roman Religion and he swore to maintain even to hazert of his life the Catholick Apostolical and Roman Religion within the kingdom of France and that he will make no change in the exercise thereof and for his own person he will obey the decrees of a godly and lawfull general or National Councel and promiseth to procure it with all diligence and he swear to permit no other Religion but what is already allowed untill peace being restored it shall be otherwise provided and he confirmed all the Officers of State On the other side these and the Ptinces of the blood the other Peers and many others acknowledge Henry 4. king of France and Navar and swear lojalty and fidelity unto him Then both he and they swear that they shall revenge the villanous murder of the late king and the disturbance of the realm against all the rebels Then the Duke Mayen being at that time called Duke of Guise and the king of Spain dealt with the Pope that the king of Navar should not be absolved from the former Sentence and that faction declares Charles Duke de Mayen king of France but the Senat of Paris not admitting that any should be king who were not of the blood royal he was not proclamed there In the year 1593. Henry 4. took his oath to defend the Roman Religion he wrot an abiuration of the doctrine of the Reformed Church and sent it unto the Pope then he received a pardon and the Popes blessing and was absolved in the Church of S. Denis by the arch Bishop of Bourges upon condition to embrace the Acts of the Councel of Trent and to cause them to be observed within his realms to hear Masse to choose Mary for his advocate before God to breed the young Prince of Condee in the Romish religion c. But though for earthly peace he professed Popery yet in the Parliament at Roan An. 1597. he gave liberty of Religion within his dominions One day he said unto a Noble man I saw you tooday at the Masse Yes said the other I will follow your Majesty The King replied But you shall not have the Crown of France for it IV. Some variances arose amongst them of the Augustan Confession The causes of variance amongst the Lutherans 1. Whereas in the year 1547. theâ— were pressed by the book called Interim to accept that article Good works are necessary unto salvation the Divines of â—itteberg for peace sake did yeeld unto it but those of Iena as being more wary thought good to wave that phrase
established in all time coming concerning the wholl liberty of the patrimony of the Church and the due restoring of it unto the just owners according to the Word of God With certification to all and sundry of what estate or degree soever they bee that compeares not due advertisement being made unto them that they shall be repute heerafter as hinderers of this most godly purpose and as dissimulate brethren unworthy to be esteemed heerafter of Christs flock Seing God of his mercy at this present hath offered some better occasion than in time by past and hath begun to tread Sathan under foot And for the due requisition admonition in name of the eternall God to the effect foresaid of all and sundry the Brethren alswell in Burgh as Land the Church presently conveened in this Generall Assembly Giveth their full power commission unto their beloveds N. N. for the bounds of In verification heerof these are subscribed by the common Clerk of the Church in the Generall Assembly and second Session thereof at Edinburgh Juny 26. An. 1567. The Histor of Reformat Shewes that the Assembly waâ— induced to write these Missives and Commissions by the Noble men who had risen in defence of the young Prince because the Hamiltons and others had declared themselves for the Queen and many were Neuters The assembly continued two days especially for their ordinary particulares 3. It is ordained that it is not lawfull that a man should marry her whom before in his wife's time he had polluted with adultery 4. A publick fast is appointed namely in Edinburgh July 13. 20. The Assembly conveens again Iuly 21. where were four Earls seven Lords many Barons and Commissioners of Burghs besids Superintendents and Ministers Many Noble men which by Missives were required to come would not but sent excuses that they could not repair to Edinburgh because there was so strong a garrison there but for the Church affaires they would not be any way deficient One of their Letters I transcribe because it coutaines not only their purpose in time coming but the sum of the other Missives Wee have received your writing dated at Edinburgh Iuny 26. shewing that albeit God of his goodnes hath sent the light of the Euangell of salvation within this realm to the great confort prosperity of all the faithfull and their posterity nevertheless Sathan with his Ministers at every light occasion hath frustrate in times bypast the Ministers of their life and sustentation the lame and impotent members of Christ also ftustrat of their livings lying in the streets both hungry and cold And the wholl flock of Christ Iesus within this realm continually threatned to be made sacrifices by the practises of the enemies as your writing containes at length for remedying the which yee desire us to be in Edinburgh the 21. of this instant at the Assembly of the Church where a perpetuall order may be taken for the liberty of the Church of God the sustentation of the Ministry and failed members thereof so that all the members of the Church might by sure union and conjunction be more able to gainstand the violence of the foresaid enemies for answer it is not unknown unto you how the Nobility of the realm are divided because the Queen's Maj. is holden where she is and that the town of Edinburgh where yee disire us to conveen is keept straitly by one part of the Nobility and men of warr of their retinue to whose opinion wee are not adjoyned as yet And therefore wee can not think ourselves sure to conveen the said day and place yee desire us to keep And also think maruell that the whole multitude of Protestants have been desired to conveen in such a place the matter standing as it doth Nevertheless wee shall be well willing for our own part to set forward at all times the light of Christs Euangell to be truly preached the Ministers thereof to be sustained and the surth setting of the policy of the Church in all sorts so far as it may stand by law even as wee have been in all times by past since it pleased God to open our eies and shew the light of his blessed word and thus we will comber you with no longer letter prayes God to have you in his eternal protection c. The Lords that were in Edinburgh hearing these answers gave upon July 23. unto the Assembly these articles where upon they had agreed 1. that the Acts of Parliament holden at Edinburgh August 14. An. 1560. concerning Religion and abolishing the Popes authority should have the force of a publick law and that Parliament be defended as a lawfull parliament and be confirmed by the first Parliament that shall conveen 2. That thirds or any more reasonable portion of Benefices shall be allowed for mantenance of the Ministry and that there shall be a charitable course taken concerning exaction of tiths from the poore Labourers moreover that nothing shall passe in Parliament till the affaires of the Church be first considered approved established 3. that none should be received in the Universities Colledges or Schools for instruction of the youth but after due tryall of capacity and hability 4. that all crimes and offenses against God should be punished according to His word and that there shall a law be made there upon at the first Parliament 5. As for the horrible murder of the late King husband to the Queen which was so hainous before God man all true Professors in whatsoeuer rank or condition do promise to striue that all persons should be brought to condigne punishment who shall be found guilty of that crime 6. They all promise to protect the young Prince against all violence lest he be murdered as his father was and that the Prince should be committed to the care of foure wise and godly men that by good education hee might be fitted for that High calling 7. They 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 governement the Church and all that may concerne the purity of Religion and life And for this end to conveen and take Armes if need require 8. And that all Princes and Kings heerafter 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 unto it and that are not agreeing with it These articles were subscribed by all the Earles and Lords and many Barons and Commissioners of Burghs At the same time Commissioners were appointed to conveen and advise upon the assignation of the stipends of the Ministry lately assigned by the Queens Majesty and the payment thereof The next Assenbly is appointed to conveen Decemb. 25. at Edinburgh The renunciation of the Crown and Royall power by the Qâ—een in favor of the Prince her son with a commission to
At that time John Erskin Superintendent went to Aberdien according to his commission granted by the Counsell and Assembly in July by-past to visite the Colledge and he with others Ministers and Commissioners did summon the Principall Subprincipall and the Regents to compear and give Confession of their faith The Regent and Privy Counsell join with the Commissioners The parties compeare and refuse to subscribe the Confession of faith After two dayes conference they continue obstinat Wherefore by conjunct sentence of the Regent the Counsell and the Commissioners of the Assembly they all were declared dangerous persons and unmeet to have charge in any School or Colledge within the realm and are charged instantly to remove out of the Colledge The tenor of the sentence is I Jhon Erskine Superintendent of Anguise Merns having commission of the Church to visite the Sherifdoms of Aberdeen Bamf by the advice counsell and consent of the Ministers Elders and Commissioners of the Church present decern conclude and for finall Sentence pronounce that Mr Alex. Anderson sometime principall M. Andrew Galloway sometime Subprincipall Masters And. Anderson Tho. Austin Dunkan nory somtime Regents in the Colledge of old Aberdien are not to be reckoned Members of Christs Church and therefore secludes them and every one of them to teach privatly or publickly in time coming in that Colledge or in any other part within this realm and decerne them to remove forth of the said Colledge with all diligence that other godly persons may be placed there for upbringing the youth in the fear of God and good letters This our Sentence pronounced wee ordain to be published and intimated to the said persons and to the congregations of new and old Aberdien publickly the next Sunday the third of July instant In that year was great business both in England Scotl. for an intended marriage of Q. Mary and a rebellion in the North of Engl. But through Gods mercy all was discovered unto Q. Elisabeth and she preveened the danger by imprisoning the chief authors The Nationall Assembly conveens at Edinb July 5. Will. The VII Assembly crysteson Min. at Dundy is chosen Moderator When the Superintendents and Visitors of Churches had given account of their diligence it is ordained 1. That Alexander gordon somtime Commissioner of Galloway be charged to repair unto the next assembly to answer ......... And in the mean time the Assembly inhibites him to use any function within the church conform to the Act made against him July 8. 1568. 2. Adam bishop of Orknay was accused for not fulfilling the injunction apppointed unto him by the assembly in the place and month fore said 3. The Superintedent of the Isles was rebuked for accepting the bishoprik of the Isles without the knowledge of the assembly and for riding at and assisting the Parliament holden by the Queen's faction after the murder of the King 4. Whereas some persons guilty of capitall ctimes have been summonedby Superintendents and established Churches to compear before this assembly and these not compearing It is concluded that the Superintendents and Ministers shall proceed against them to excommunication inclusivè and to notify unto the Supreme Magistrat such as are already excommunicate for their offences 5. Certain articles were sent unto the Regent 1. That order may be taken for sustentation of the poor and a portion of the tith be appointed for that end And that the poor laborers of the ground may have liberty to lead their own tiths upon reasonable composition 2. that those who have plurality of Benefices may be compelled to dimitt all but one 3. That remedy may be provided against changing of benefices and selling them diminishing the rentalls setting lang tacks in defraud of successors and that all tacks set since the assumption of the thirds may be annulled with expresse inhibition of the like in time coming 4. That the iurisdiction of the Church may be distinguished from the Civill Concerning this last article an Act of the Secret Counsell is instantly delivered under the Secretary's hand that the persons named in the Act of Parliament shall conveen at the time of the next Exchecker and define or limite the jurisdiction according to Gods word and the said Act of Parliament 6. Seing it hath pleased God to move the hearts of the Superior powers and Estates to grant the thirds of Benefices unto the Ministers the Assembly give unto Superintendents and Commissioners of visitation power commission that every one of them within their severall bounds by advice and consent of their Synodall Conventions give to every Minister exhorter reader particular assignations ad vitam as they shall think the same most expedient And the provision and assignation to the Superintendents and Commissioners to be made by the Generall Assembly And that this Act may have full effect the Assembly ordaines a petition to be presented unto the Regent Counsell to interpone their authority that when the particular assignations are presented unto them letters may be directed at every mans instance in form of provision ad vitam c. 7. On July 9. this Letter was brought from the Regent unto the assembly as followes Seing wee can not be present at this assembly as our intention was wee thought it convenient briefly to give you in write signification of our meaning Of the which wee pray you take good consideration and accordingly give your advertisement Yee are not ignorant as wee suppose what hath been the estate of the Church of God within this realm both before wee accepted the burden of Regiment and since how first the thirds of Benefices were granted and the Ministry partly thereby relieved and sustained in such sort that nothing was laking which our travells could procure The first order indeed was sundry ways interrupted and broken but chiefly in that year when wee were exiled in England and all the Ministers that year were frustrat of their livings the estate of governement altering shortly at Gods pleasure and the King our Soveraigne Lord being inaugurat with the Crown of this Kingdom the first thing whereof we were carefull was that the true Religion might be established and the Ministers made sure of their sustentations in time coming Yee know at the Parliament wee were most willing that the Church should have been put in full possession of the proper patrimony and concerning the thirds wee did expede in our travells and there enlaked only a consent to the dissolution of the Prelacies Whereunto althogh wee were earnestly bent yet the States delayd and would not agree thereunto And since that time unto this hour wee trust yee will affirm that wee have pretermitted nothing that could advance the Religion put the Professors thereof in surety wherein all and the only defect was by the Civill troubles wherewith God hath suffered the Country to be plagâ—ed Now the matter being after so great rage brought to some stay quietnes it was convenient that wee return
command from the King and his Counsellors to entertain Mongomery and untill he were countermanded by his Majesty he will not remove him The Church having considered his answer ordaines the brethren of the Ministry who shall go in commission to Perth as they see occasion there and the grief not remedied concerning his entertaining the said Robert To proceed and appoint speciall men that shall proceed further against him with the censures of the Church according to the Acts of the Gen. assembly To whom the Church gives their full power to that effect As also the Assembly gives their commission to John Erskin of Dun the Ministers of the Kings house Ro. Pont Ja. Lowson Tho. Smeton An. Hay Da. Lindsay An. Polvart Peter Blackburn Pa. Galloway Wi. Crysteson Da. Ferguson Ia. Meluin Th. Buchanan Io. Brand Pa. Gilespy Io. Porterfield Ministers and And. Melvin To repair toward the King and Counsell to be conveened at Perth July 6. and there with all reverence due obedience and submission to present unto his Majesty and Nobility the speciall grievances of the Church conceived and given to them in write and in their names to lament and regrate the same Craving in the name and fear of the Eternall God them and every one of them to be repaired and redressed To the glory of God and welfare of his Majesty and confort of his Church And if need be with humility to conferre thereupon inform and reason And what herein shall be done to report unto the next assembly Promising to hold firm and stable what soever their brethren in the premisses shall judge righteously to be done In Sess 7. A Supplication unto the K. against his absolute power is the tenor of the grievances thus Unto your Majesty humbly mean and shew your Gr s faitfull obedient subiects the Ministers of Gods word within your Ma s realm conveened in the Generall assembly at Edinburgh Juny 17. that where as upon diverse great evident dangers appearing to the wholl Church of God and professors of his true religion in this countrey finding the authority of the Church abrogate her censures contemned and violence used against some of our brethren without punishment thereof the like hath never been seen in this realm nor in any place where the truth hath been taught and received And fearing lest your Majesty for want of information neglect in time to provide remedy for the inconvenients likely to ensue thereupon We have conveened ourselves in the fear of God and your Ma s obedience and after diligent consideration of this present estate of the Church and enormities falling forth in the same With common consent thought necessary by our Commissioners to present and open unto your Gr. certain our chief weighty griefs without hasty redress whereof the Church of God and true religion can no way stand continue in this your country 1. That your Majesty by advice of some counselers is caused to take upon your Gr. the spirituall power and authority which properly belongs unto Christ as the only King and Head of his Church the Ministery and execution thereof unto such as bear office in the ecclesiasticall Government So that in your Gr s person some men prease to erect a new Popedom as if your Majesty could not be full King and Head of this common wealth unless the Spirituall alswell as the temporall power should be put in your hand unless Christ be bereâ—t of his authority and the two jurisdictions confounded which God hath divided which tendeth directly to the wreck of all true religion as by the speciall heads following is manifest for 1. Benefices are given by absolute power to unworthy persons intruded into the Office of the Ministry without the Church's admission directly against the lawes of God and Acts of Parliament whereby church-livings come into profane mens hands and others that sell their souls and make shipwreck of conscience for pleasure of men and obtaining some worldly commodity 2. Elderships Synods and Generall assemblies are discharged by Letters of horning to proceed against manifest offenders and to use the disciplin of the Church censures according to Gods word 3. Jo. Dury by act of Counsell is suspended from preaching and banished from his flock 4. Excommunicat personsin contempt of God and his Church are entertained in chief Lords houses namely R. Mong is authorized and caused to preach and brought to your Ma s presence which is a sore wound to the consciences of them that love your Majesty and know your upbringing and an heavy scandall to all Nations professing the true religion 5. An Act or deliverance of the Counsell is made against the proceedings of the Ministry with a slanderous narrative suspending simpliciter and disannulling the excommunication justly and orderly pronounced against Robert Mongomery a rebellious and obstinate offender and troubler of the Church of God and open proclamations made according thereunto 6. Contempt of Ministers and beating John Howeson out of the judgement-seat where he was placed Moderator of the Presbytery the cruell and outragious handling of him carrying him to prison like a thief by the Provest and Bailives of Glasgow and their complices and after complaint made no order is taken therein but they are entertained as if that had been good service 7. Displacing the M. of Glasg out of his roome which without reproach he hath occupied these many years and convocation of the gentle men of the country that to effect 8. Violence used by one of your own guard to pull him out of the pulpit the day of the Communion in presence of the wholl congregation and in time of Sermon nor fault found therewith 9. The officer of the Church was cast into prison in your Gr s presence and there was keept a long time for execution of Letters against a particular scandalons man 10. Ministers Masters of Colledges and Scholares of Glasgow in time of publick fast were by letters of horning compelled to leave their flocks Schools destitute and afterwards from time to time and place to place have been delayd and continued thereby to consume them by exorbitant expences and to wreck the churches Schools where they should bear rule and charge 11. The scholars of Glasgow were invaded and their bloud cruelly shed by the Bailive and community gathered by sound of the common Bell and stroak of drum and by certain seditious men enflammed to have slain them all and to have burnt the Colledge and yet nothing done nor said to the authors of that sedition 12. Hands shaken with the bloody murderers and persecuters of the people of God by gifts received and given 13. The Duk 's Gr. often promised to reform his house and nothing is done there 4. The lawes made for maintaining true religion and punishing the enemies thereof are not put to execution So that all things go loose and worse like to ensue Many other things there be that crave present reformation where with wee think
as may fall amongst the Souldiers in their march that none of them durst take an Apple without the licence of the owner upon pain of death The people being bewitched with such fair inducements did submit unto him as their Prince Doctour and Law-giver He deceived some by words and compelled others with the sword unto subjection The Persians as is touched were easily brought to his obedience When they prevailed over Christians they dealt with them without mercy in Jerusalem they shewed more then beastly cruelty in a Church of Caesarea they massacred above 7000. Christians they made Cyprus once without one Christian about the year 700. they slue in Isuaria 150000. and kept 7000. captives At that time Homar their Prince excused all this cruelty with pretext that he did only pursue the worshippers of images for about that time images were frequent in Christian Churches and the Sarazens could not look on an image for religion We may say then Homar was the rod of God correcting the idolatry and will worship of Christians and the same images did give great advantage to this common enemy by dissention of Christians as followeth in the next Century About the same time arose two several Kingdoms of the Sarazens the first in Asia whereof the chief City was builded by the ruines of Babylon and was called Baldac or Baldacut an 630. after two years Mahumet was poisoned by Albunar one of his Disciples to the end he might have experience of his Prophecies for Mahumet had said that within three daies after his death he would rise again But when Albunar had waited 12. daies he found his body torn by dogs and gathered his bones or what was remaining and buried them in a Pitcher at Macha in Persia He delivered other Prophecies but his followers have not as yet found the truth of them Not many years after the erection of this Kingdom the Aegyptians were wearied of the Roman Empire and sent for the Sarazens unto their aid but it was to their greater woe For the Sarazens made a prey of them and erected another Kingdom in Affrick whose Seat was Alcair or Babylon in Aegypt In both Kingdomes the Supream Governour both in Policy and Religion was called Calipha and they ruled the Provinces by Presidents whom they called Sultans or Soldans who were also High-Priests CHAP. IV. Of BRITAIN 1. THe Papishes do brag that the Roman Church is the Mother of all The Roman Church is the Mother of all other Churches Churches and that all Countries who ever believed in Christ were first converted to her faith by such as were precisely sent or at least had their authority from the Pope who lived in the time in which they were converted This say they is so openly set down in the History of the first conversion of every Country as no Protestant were he never so impudent can without blushing deny it So speaketh Thomas Hill a Doctour of Doway in his 4. reason Of his Catholick Religion If the like lies were not frequent amongst them it may seem a wonder how men can be so impudent if they but read the Acts of the Apostles where we have a conversion of Nations without the mention of a Church at Rome And the like may be said if they had read the Recognitions of Clemens whom some call the first Bishop of Rome and some call him the second and some the third all these Books are concerning the conversion of Nations and yet in them is little or nothing of a Church in Rome till he came to the last book and neither is there one word of sending Teachers from Rome into other Nations so that many Nations were converted before any Christian Church was at Rome Other Nations can shew by whom the light of the Gospel came unto them But for Especially not of the old Britans nor Scots Britan say they it is clear That Gregory the I. sent Augustine who is called The Apostle of the English And was not the Christian faith in Britan before that time Read the second Apology of Athanasius and in the first page you shall find that in Constantius time some from Britan were at the great Councel in Sardeis and in the former chapter Sect. 8. we have heard the testimony of Jerom That from Jerusalem and from Britan the Gate of Heaven is equally patent and in other places he mentioneth them and 200. years before him Tertullian against the Jews sheweth That the places of Britan which were unaccessible unto the Romans were subject unto Christ And what places these were Baronius in Annal. ad an 186. Sect. 6. teacheth That it is certain that the Romans did possess the South part of Britan and Adrian caused a Wall to be made betwixt Cart-den and Dumbarton to be a partition between them and the Scots But saith Baronius the Britans who did possess what was on the North-side of the Wall did often pass over and provoke the Romans unto Battel In the time of Eleutherius Bishop of Rome Lucius King of South Britan was a Christian and Baronius cannot deny but long before that the Gospel of Christ had been brought into Britan as saith he Testatur Gilda sapiens And at the same time Donald King of Scotland was a Christian and in the daies of Dioclesian when the persecution was hot in the South part many Christians took their refuge into the North part where the King Crathilint received them and for safety sent many of them into the Isle of Man and there builded a Church unto them that they might serve God freely It is true the South part did change their Inhabitants for division falling amongst them the one party sent for the Saxons for their aid and these were Heathens and subdued all the country except that which is now called South and North Wales and that for their prophaneness and contempt of Religion as Gildas testifieth in a little book de excidio Britannico which is in Bibliotheca Patr. de la Bigne tom 5. About the year 600. Ethelbert had married Bertha Gregory the I. lib. 9. Epist 59. calleth her Aldiberga a Christian who brought with her Lethard a Preacher Beda hist lib. 1. cap. 25. calleth him a Bishop he preached in a Church at Canterbury called Saint Martin's that had been long time before When Augustine was sent by Gregory and came thither he stayed in the Isle of Tenet untill he knew the King's will Beda ibid. By means of Bertha licence was granted and he preached before the King After his conversion Augustine had intelligence of the Britans and sent unto them and craved a meeting with them three of them came unto him he did speak at first fairly and desired them to join with him in conversion of the Heathens They answered We have our own Bishops without their knowledge we may do nothing Then by authority and procurement of the King he inviteth them to a Synod at a place which from him was called Austin-oke or
of his Commission against the deposing of married Priests for that their heresie the people cried with shouting The Pope hath no Authority over Millan neither will we lose our liberty which our Fathers have maintained nor will we go under the yoke of any forain Church With this the Bells rang the Trumpets sounded and all the People were in an uproar so that at this time nothing could be altered nor in all the days of Landulf After his death his Brother Erlembald coming into his room stirred the former coal he went to Pope Alexander II. unto Luca ann 1065. and easily obtained a Decree against the Clergy The Arch-Bishop would have it examined on Easter-day but Erlembald and Ariald commoved the People so that Wido durst not go out at his gate In the next year Wido and his followers prepared themselves against their enemies and Ariald fled for fear when he was drawn back by force he was accused as the Author of the tumult and shamefully put to death then Erlembald held his peace But the next year he obtained another Decree That none should be accounted a lawful Bishop without the consent of the Pope notwithstanding the election and approbation of the People and Clergy In the absence of Wido he compelled the People and Clergy to subscribe this Decree The Bishop was astonished when he heard it and being now old and desirous of rest renounced his Bishoprick and sent the badges of his Office to the Emperor Henry IV. who sent Godifrid Castillionaeus into that See ann 1068. Pope Alexander threatned him with his curse that he should not be so rash and Erlembald by force thrust him out of the City And when Wido died the Pope sent Atho a Priest of Millan into that See at the request of Erlembald who also caused him to be received with great murmuration of the People that such dignity should depend on the Pope The Emperor did pursue his right and therefore a new broil began twixt him and the Pope The Pope accused the Emperor of Simony and Heresie By this means the Church of Millan was brought under the yoke of the See of Rome Ph. Mornay in Myst pag. 237. About that time the Saracens had divided Spain into several Dominions and those Lords were called Kings they could not agree among themselves and the Bishops took usually arms for their several Kings especially the Bishops of Ausa Gerumda and Barcinon went under the colours of King Zeluma against Almahad and were all three killed in battel Baron Annal. ad ann 1011. This division among the Saracens gave some advantage unto Alfonso V. and Ferdinand yet for some ages they could not subdue nor expel those Kings of Castile Infidels 9. Before this time Priests were forbidden to marry but could not be Contention for marriage of the Clergy restrained from their liberty and many had their own wife In the year 1074. Hildebrand in a Synod at Rome condemned all married Priests as Nicolaitans He directed his Bulls as they called them to Bishops Dukes and other Powers declaring them all to be no Priests which had a Wife forbidding People to salute them or pay them Tithes or to acknowledge them in any way This was a new example and as many said inconsiderate judgement saith Matth. Parisi in Williel Conquest and against the sentence of the Fathers especially it was against Canon Apostolor 6. saying Let not a Bishop or Presbyter put away his Wife under pretext of Religion or if he put her away let him be excommunicate It was against their own decrees Dist 28. c. Siquis If any shall teach That a Priest should for Religion forsake his Wife let him be anathema And Dist 31. c. Siquis If any do blame Marriage or shall detest a faithful Woman for lying with her own Husband or think the Man culpable as if for that cause he cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven let him be anathema It was contrary to Pope Leo IX who in epist ad Nicet Abba saith We always confess It is not lawful unto a Bishop or Priest nor Deacon to forsake his own Wife for Religion but that he should give her food and raiment and not lie with her bodily as we read the holy Apostles did even as the blessed Apostle saith Have we not power to lead about a Wife a Sister Pol. Vergil de inven rer li. 5. c. 4. is large in this purpose and concludes thus This I may say That that forced chastity was so far from being better then married chastity that no crime did bring imprint or burn-mark more shame upon the Order more evil upon Religion or more sorrow unto good men then the blot of Priests lusts therefore it may be thought useful both unto the Christian Re-publique and to the Order that at last the liberty of marriage might be restored unto Priests which they may keep holily without infamy rather then to defile themselves most filthily with that vice The Index expurgatorius of the year 1571. hath ordained all these words and many more of that Chapter to be blotted out And what obedience was given unto this Decree of Hildebrand is clear in Naucle vol. 2. gener 36. where he hath this Epistle unto Constance Gregory Bishop the servant of God's servants unto the Clerks and Laicks both greater and lesser in the Diocy of Constance salutation and blessing We have sent unto our brother your Bishop Otho exhortatory letters by which according to the necessity of our Office by Apostolical Authority we have commanded him to exclude Simoniacal heresie altogether out of his Church and that he shall earnestly preach the chastity of Priests But your Bishop neither reverencing the command of blessed Peter nor taking heed unto his own duty as it is reported unto us hath not done what we did fatherly advise and not onely disobediently but rebelliously hath he as we have understood publikely permitted unto his Clerks altogether contrary unto our command or rather of blessed Peter that they which have wives may keep them and they which have none may have them by unlawful temerity which so soon as we heard taking it ill we wrote again unto him shewing how he had provoked our indignation and also we have summoned him unto our Synod at Rome to give the reasons and in the audience of the whole Convent declare the causes of his disobedience if they be reasonable These things most dear children we make known unto you that we may provide for your salvation for if your Bishop will with open hand fight against us and be contumacious it is not fit he should rule c. Wherefore as we have said by Apostolical Authority we command all those which are obedient unto God and blessed Peter if he shall continue hardened that ye give him no reverence of obedience nor think that to be any hurt unto your soul for if he will be contrary unto the Apostolical precepts we by the Authority of blessed Peter do absolve
Ecclesiastical obedience according to former custom or else he would discharge all the Bishops of the Kingdom that they shall not consecrate him nor acknowledge him if he shall be consecrated by foreiners Thomas would not acknowledge him in that maner and sought consecration from Rome Then Anselm wrote an Epistle unto Paschalis praying that Thomas be not consecrated until he profess due obedience unto him and that the Pope would not give him a Palle not saith he that I do envy him a Palle but if he get one he thinketh he may deny profession of obedience unto Canterbury and so the Church of England shall be divided and the rigor of Apostolical discipline shall be weakened and he shall not abide in England Shortly thereafter Anselm died ann 1110. 11. Moreover I have noted three Epistles of this Anselm one unto Alexander A counsel to a King King of Scots wherein after congratulation of his Succession he saith I know that your Highness loveth me and desireth counsel therefore first I pray God that he would so direct you by the grace of his holy Spirit and give you counsel in all your actions that after this life he may bring you into the heavenly kingdom And my counsel is that you indeavor to hold fast the fear of God by his help from whom you have received it and those good maners which you began to have in your infancy and youth-hood for Kings do reign well when they live according to the will of God and serve him in fear and when they rule themselves nor are subject unto vices but overcome the importunity or tentations by constant fortitude for constancy of vertue and royal fortitude are not inconsistent in a King for some Kings as David have lived holily and ruled the people committed unto them with rigor of justice and meekness of holiness according to the exigence of things do you so carry your self that evil men may fear you and the good may love you and that your conversation may please God always and you at all times remember the punishment of the wicked and reward of the godly after this life The Almighty God commit you and all your actions unto none other but his own dispensation This is a rare counsel given by a Bishop especially in these days unto a King In another Epistle unto Muriardach King of Ireland he exhorteth him to amend with Of the Church of Ireland all earnestness whatsoever he knoweth that in his Kingdom hath need to be amended according to the Christian Religion seeing God hath exalted him unto that Royal power for the end that with the rod of righteousness he should govern his Subjects and strike with that rod and remove whatsoever is contrary unto righteousness especially he lamenteth that in that Countrey men did put away their wives and change one with another each as they do exchange their horses or any other thing at your pleasure Another that their Bishops had not Diocies or appointed bounds and were ordained one by one even as any Presbyter which saith he is contrary unto the holy Canons which ordain certain bounds of superinspection and that a Bishop should not be ordained by fewer then three Bishops Out of this Epistle it appeareth that first The Magistrate is not excluded from Government of the Church as the Popes did afterwards exclude them Secondly That all abuses could not be rooted out with the first plantation of Religion and what is tolerated at a time should be amended Thirdly That the Church of Ireland had not Diocesan Bishops as they were wont to be called from their first Reformation nor was subject unto Rome at that time but had such discipline as was then in Scotland For confirmation of these points add here by the by from Bernard in Vita Malachiae in c. 6. he saith At that time the Irish paid not Tithes nor first-fruits they had not lawful marriages they made not confessions nor did any seek or enjoyn pennance there were very few Ministers of the Altar And in c. 7. he saith A Bishoprick was not content with one Bishop but every Church almost had its own Bishop until as it followeth there Malchus an Elder of Lesmore and Gislebert the first Legate of the Apostolical See in Ireland perswaded the Bishops and Princes there to change their ancient custom It is true Bernard speaketh there of Ireland as barbarous at that time but excepting that of the marriage in all the other particulars though they were not conformable unto the Church of Rome yet they have many Reformed Churches conformable unto them at this time even though the corrupt Romanists call them barbarous But I return unto Anselm in another Epistle unto Waleran Bishop of Nuemburgh Of Ceremonies who had written admiring what way so great diversity of Ceremonies had entered seeing there is but one faith one baptism and one spouse of Christ especially he admireth of the Rites in the Sacrament diverse not onely from the perpetual custom in Germany but likewise different from the ancient Roman order c. Anselm answereth in Thesi concerning indifferent ceremonies well saying Your reverence complaineth of the Sacraments of the Church because they are not administred in all places after one maner Truly it were good and laudable if they were performed through all the Church after one maner and with one minde but because there is great diversity nor differing in the substance of the Sacrament nor in the vertue thereof nor in the faith nor can they all be brought to one custom I think they should be tolerated in peace and love rather then be condemned with jars and scandal for we have learned from the holy Father if the unity of love be kept in the Catholique faith diversity of custom hindereth not But where you ask Whence hath that variety of custom come I know no other but the diversity of mens opinions which albeit they differ not in the substance of things and in unity yet agree not in the expediency and decency of administration because one judgeth this fitter another thinketh it not so fit nor think I that difference in such things is any straying from the truth 12. William the Conqueror wrote unto Pope Gregory VII thus Hubert your Legate Religious Father coming unto me hath admonished me as from you that I should do fealty unto you and your Successors and that I should bethink my self of the money which my predecessors were wont to send unto the Church of Rome I have accepted of the one and not the other I would not acknowledge fealty nor will I do it because neither have I promised it nor do I finde that my predecessors performed it unto yours The Pope returned answer unto his Legate which is in Gregorii VII Regist li. 7. epi. 5. tom 5. concil edit Binii Where after signification how little he doth value money without due honor he saith of the King There be many things the holy Roman Church may lay
bodily pains in this world which after their own sayings are far less and the Pope may go down to hell as another man and whereas he taketh upon him to absolve any man without inward repentance he extolleth himself above God This complaint is at length in the Act. Monim written by Io. Fox and these are the chief heads of it 11. In the twenty fifth year of King Edward the III. which was 1364. Laws against the power of the Pope Statutes were made If any procured from Rome a provision to any Abbey Priory or Benefice in England which is said to be in destruction of the Realm and holy Religion or if any man sued out of the Court of Rome any process or procured any personal citation upon causes whose cognifance and final discussion pertaineth to the King's Court these shall be out of the King's protection and their lands goods and cattels shall be forfeited unto the King The narrative of the Act sheweth the cause of it and the King and Commons of the Realm had oft complained that his Realms were impoverished by the Pope giving Benefices to strangers which never dwelt in England the King and Nobility were robbed of their right of patronage the cure was not served and the will of the first founders was not followed The King had oft complained but in vain therefore he resolved to make his Kingdom free from this bondage Morn in Myster pag. 480. sheweth that when Pope Gregory the XI heard of it he cried This enterprise is a renting of the Church a destroying of Religion and usurpation of his right and priviledge Wherefore he sent immediately unto Edward requiring him to annul these Acts. But when the Schism arose no Pope did insist in it until Pope Martin the V. sent more sharp Letters unto King Henry the VI. And he answered An Act of Parliament cannot be annulled but by another Parliament and he would assemble a Parliament within a short space for the same cause but he did it not saith Pol. Virg. Hist lib. 19. In the thirteeth year of Richard the II. this Act was revived in these words If any person within or without the Realm shall seek from the Court of Rome preferment to any Benefice of Cure or without Cure the preferment shall be null and the person shall be banished and his goods shall appertain unto the King and the same punishment shall strike against them which receive or entertain any such person As also it was ordained If any person shall bring or send any summons sentence or excommunication or if any shall make execution of any such summons sentence or excommunication against any person whatsoever shall forfeit all his lands and goods for ever and himself shall be imprisoned and incur the pain of death yea although such a person had obtained the King's licence for petitioning at the Court of Rome he shall sorfeit a years rent It is also observed that before the year 1367. the high offices in England Offices of State as the Lord Chancellor the Lord Treasurer the Lord Privy Seal c. were wont to be for the most part in the hands of the Clergy as also in Scotland until the Reformation but about that time the English Nobility procured that all these offices should be given unto temporal Lords 12. At that time God raised up John Wickliff a couragious witness of Iohn Wickliff truth he was Fellow of Merton Colledge and Master of Baliol Colledge in Oxford and Reader of Divinity there about the year 1370. He began first to oppose in questions of Logick and Metaphysick but such as strawed the way to other things which he intended When he set upon controversies of Divinity he protested publickly in the Schools that his aim was to bring the Church from Idolatry to some amendment In his book entituled The path-way to perfect knowledge near the end he sheweth what travel he had in translating the Bible into English he gathered many old Latine Bibles for saith he the late books are very corrupt and he conferred the translations with the ancient Doctors and common Glosses and especially he was helped by the late translation of Lyra in the old Testament and the fourth time he employed many cunning men at the correcting of his fourth translation Then he wrote that book which I have now named wherein he giveth the sum of every book of the old Testament with some general and useful observations He reckoneth the books according to the Hebrew and sheweth also some use of the Apocrypha for examples of piety patience constancy c. and denieth that they are for proof of faith In chap. 2. he saith The truth of the Gospel sufficeth to salvation without keeping the ceremonies made of God in the old Law and much more without keeping the ceremonies of sinful and unknowing men that have been made in time of Antichrist and unbinding of Satan as it is Apocal. 20. and he calleth it heresie to say otherwise In chap. 1. he saith Christian men and women old and yong should study fast in the new Testament for it is of full authority and open to the understanding of simple men as to the points that be most needful to salvation and the same sentence in the darkest places of holy writ is both open and dark which sentence is in the open places and each place of holy writ both open and dark teacheth humility and charity and therefore he that keepeth humility and charity hath the true understanding and perfection of all holy writ as Augustine proveth in his Sermon of praising charity therefore no simple man of wit should be feared unmeasurably to study the text of holy writ for they are the words of everlasting life as Peter said to Christ Iohn 6. and the holy Ghost stirred holy men to speak and write the words of holy writ for the comfort and salvation of meek Christian men as Peter in his Epistles and Paul Rom. 15. witness And no Clark should be proud of the very understanding of holy writ for that very understanding without charity which keepeth God's hests maketh a man deeper damned as Christ Jesus and James witness and the pride and covetousness of Clarks is the cause of their blindeness and heresie In chap. 10. Though Kings and Lords knew no more of holy writ then three stories of 2 Chron. that is of Jehoshaphat Hezekiah and Josiah they might learn sufficiently to live well and govern their people well by God's Law and eschew all pride and idolatry and other sins But alas alas alas whereas King Jehoshaphat sent his Princes Deacons and Priests to each City of his Realm with the Book of God's Law to teach openly God's Law unto the people ..... some Christian Lords send general Letters unto all their Ministers and Liege-men that the pardons of the Bishop of Rome which are open lies for they grant many hundred years of pardons after doomsday be preached generally in their Realms
40000. horse and not so many foot went against Bohemia The Cardinal went along with them Where they came they spared neither age nor sex and no man considering their number and apparent power doubted of their victory But when the Bohemians came near them a voice went among the Imperialists that they should stay no longer none knew whence the voice was a suddain fear caused them to flie Julian ran unto the Dukes and Commanders exhorting them to fight not for possessions or worldly glory but for Religion Christ's honor and the salvation of souls Aen. Sylv. ibid. but fear was more perswasive that they left their colours weapons and all that they had An. 1431. At that time the Emperor was at Noremberg and determined to deal no more with them by Arms but would provide against them in the Councel at Basil and the Legate Julian went thither Many other broils were in the Churches of Germany at that time as Crantz in Saxo. lib. 11. cap. 25. sheweth For the Bishop of Magdeburg and his Clergy were exiled the Church of Trevers was divided between two Competitors fighting and both accursed and both in contempt of the keys did their office the Church of Mentz had controversie with the Citizens casting out their former Senate and chusing another so that the Clergy were forced to leave the City the Church of Bamberg was in the same condition the Church of Utrecht after Sweder's death had contention for a new Bishop nor could Pope Eugenius and his Cardinals go safely from Rome to Basil but were all plundered by the way even to the skin ibid. The next year Sigismund went to Rome to be crowned but not with such equipage nor so looked upon as others were before The Bohemians sent Procopius the elder and some others to Basil but the Nobles would not be content to be ruled by the two Procopii for they were suspicious of them as hearkning too much unto the Councel nor was their opinion vain saith Aen. Sylv. cap. 51. Mainard was the Author of this mutiny They assembled in Parliament and chose Alscio a Nobleman of small estate to be their Governor but all was done as Mainard would Sigismund after his coronation came to Basil where he heard some controversies decided then he came to Ulme where he understood that a battel had been fought in Bohemia and the old Commanders were slain and the faction of the Nobility were prevailing then Sigismund sent unto Bohemia requiring them in a quiet manner to accept him their King according to his right Mainard had privy correspondence with Sigismund he called all the Soldiers into hovels or barns whereof many are there pretending that he was to march against the Lands of the Emperor and he would give them in these barns wages for the expedition but he shut the doors upon them and burnt them all and then he brought the rest of the Countrey under the Emperor's command Aen. Sylv. cap. 51. The Emperor entered into Bohemia An. 1436. with great solemnity then Images were restored Altars were repaired and Monks returned into their Cloisters some Hussites fled out of the Countrey a time of recantation was granted unto others and the most bold among them were punished But Sigismund could not prevail as he would for they preached against the Monks and doctrine of Rome and followed their former order in their Churches and were rising in Arms against Sigismund ibid. cap. 52. But he died the next year leaving only one Daughter which was married to Albert Marquess of Moravia and now by marriage Successor of the Kingdom of Hungary Sigismund had dealt with John Paleologus Emperor of the Greeks to make an union with the Latines in matters of Religion and thereby he might have aid against the Turks and likewise through weakness of German Princes he might be chosen Emperor such motives were prevalent but when he was upon his way he heard that the Emperor was dead and he began even then to repent of his voyage When the Princes Electors did conveen Pope Eugenius and the Councel of Basil sent their Legates craving to delay the election until the affairs of the Church were setled The Electors said The condition of the Empire cannot permit a delay Therefore the Orators of both parties did threaten the Electors with their curse The Electors did appeal from them and their curse unto the general Councel that should be next and lawfully called so they went on 3. ALBERT the II. Marquess of Moravia was chosen unanimously and was gracious unto all Germany for he was learned wise and stout The Bohemians which before had fought for Religion sent unto Casimire Brother of the King of Poland and he was willing to accept the Kingdom but was hindered by Albert nevertheless the Bohemians and Silesians continued in a warlike posture Aen. Sylv. cap. 55. Albert punished the Jews for pertinacy in their Rites He heard that Amurathes the II. was entered into Servia and was intending to invade Hungary therefore when he had dealt with the two Anti-Councels for unity he went against the Turks Amurathes hearing of his preparation returned into Macedonia and Thessalie subduing all where he came Albert dismissed his Army and died in Hungary An. 1439. John Emperor of the Greeks conceived hopes of aid in Italy and arriving at Venice made choise to seek the aid of the Pope rather then of the Councel at Basil but at last his experience taught him that the Pope was seeking but to inlarge his own power and so having almost begged his bread in Italy the space of two years he returned with no satisfaction and having heard the scoffings of some by the way he had no grace among his people and was forced to quit his Crown in favor of his Brother Constantine 4. FREDERICK the III. Duke of Austria was chosen Ianuary 1. An. 1440. in the 25. year of his age and reigned 53. years Albert had two Daughters and left his Wife big with childe The Hungarians sent unto Vladislaus King of Poland to accept their Crown but when their Queen brought forth a Son Ladislaus they crowned him in the fourth moneth of his age His Mother sent him unto his Uncle the Emperor to be brought up by him The Hungarians thought it not expedient to want a King in time of such danger therefore they followed their first purpose and brought in Vladislaus He once put Amurathes to flight that Amurathes sought peace and the King mistrusting his own strength consented unto peace for ten years They both confirmed the peace and conditions by solemn oath after their several maner but as it is said of Eugenius the oath was violated and the King was killed in the fourth year by the Turks Then the Bohemians would chuse another King The Queen did advertise them of the birth and title of her Son and some did accord But in open Parliament by consent of the most Albert Duke of Bavier was chosen King Albert refused saying He would not
Priests are worse than hypocrites since they are so far from hiding their wickedness before men that they openly avow it and they are permitted by their Prelates because they pay yearly some money unto their Officials And that the condition of the Church is more dangerous now than ever it was for in time of persecution were good men but now the Church hath liberty and decaies for want of zeal and knowledge c. Catol test ver lib. 19. 4. Felinus Accursius Petrus de bella pertica Bartolus Johannes Igneus and many other Lawyers are recorded to have testified against Emperours and Princes for their weakness in suffering Bishops to usurp the Temporal Sword and Dominion of Lands and Cities and against the imprudence of them who had given so many priviledges unto the Clergy by which the Popes and Bishops do inlarge their power and oppress the Laity At that time Volquin in a Sermon called the Monks Monsters a Monster said he is a head with two bodies or a body with two heads and such are Monks they are Monks and Lawyers or Monks and Courtiers c. And so are Priests and Canons who have many Benefices Prebendaries c. ibid. 5. Vincentius a Venetian was then famous in Italy for opinion of holiness He left some Prophecies against the Clergy which in the end of that Century were Printed at Paris with the Prophecies of some others In one he saith Antichrist is in the World in another he saith Antichrist shall be a Pope but to allay the word he adds a Pope not lawfully chosen We may now add Many Popes have not been chosen lawfully In another he saith If we speak of those who are called Religious there is not one in all the World that keeps his Religion as he should they are all become corrupt and scandalous yea they are the instruments of perdition who should be instruments of the salvation of souls Ibid. 6. When the Antipopes would not remove the Schism a Parliament was in Paris An. 1406. Septemb. 11. where Charls the VI. ordained That The Acts of France against the Popes none should pay Tithes to Pope nor Cardinals and if they attempted to exact them no former provisions should be acknowledged In the Narration of this Act it is said That the Deputy of the University did apply unto Pope Benedict these sayings Withdraw you from every Brother that walks inordinately And I know that after my deaarture Wolves shall come in amongst you not sparing the Flock And Because my Flock was spoiled and my Sheep were deavoured by all the Beasts of the Field having no Shepheard neither do my Shepheards seek my Sheep but the Shepheards seek themselves and feed not my Sheep therefore thus saith the Lord I will cause them to cease from feeding my Sheep and I will deliver my Sheep from their mouths and therefore all paiment yea and all obedience should be denied unto the Pope And so they promised for their own part Fascic rer expeten fol. 195. In February following was another Edict discharging the paiment of Annates and other things that were called Minuta servitia In January 1408. in presence of the King and Peers and people of the Realm and of the Embassadours of England Scotland Sicilia and Galicia John Cartehusius a Norman in the name of the University had a Sermon on Ps 7. His sorrow shall turn upon his own head c. There he deduceth six conclusions 1. Peter de Luna or Pope Benedict is an obdured Schismatick an Heretick and disturber of the peace and union of the Church 2. He should not be called Pope nor Cardinal nor named with any Title of Honour and who obey him are worthy of the punishment pronounced against the abettors of Hereticks ..... Wherefore the University with one consent do wish that neither the King nor any of the Realm would accept any Bulls from Peter de Luna that the University be commanded to publish the truth throughout the Kingdom that a Bull of Excommunication which was lately brought from him unto the King should be torn as injurious to his Majesty that the Bishop of St. Flora and M. Peter de Corsellis and Sancienus de Leu Dean of St. German in Altisiodore be apprehended and punished because they consulted with Peter de Luna and the University promised to shew weightier things concerning the faith and prove them before competent persons These petitions were all granted to the University Benedict hearing these things fled with four Cardinals into Spain In August all Prelates and Church-men were commanded to publish the Neutrality of the Popes in their several jurisdictions P. Morn in Myster pag. 516 518. And then he sheweth how France stood for the like Neutrality in the time of Pope Alexander the V. 7. At the same time Francis Zabarella a famous Lawyer of Padua wrote de Schismate where he spareth not to aver The followers of the Pope have corrupted the Canon Law with their Glosses nothing is so unlawful but they think it lawful unto them they have exalted the Pope above God himself whence hath flowed a deluge of evils the Pope draweth unto himself all the authority of other Churches and despiseth inferior Prelates unless God provide for the estate of the Catholick Church it is in danger but in a Councel remedy must be provided and the Papal power must be curbed since he is subject unto the Church for that power resideth not in the Pope but in the Church or in a general Councel representing her the Church neither can now nor at any time could transfer that power unto one man but the same remaineth wholly unto her the Church may depose a Pope it is a fond thing that they say commonly The Pope cannot be judged by men since he who is judged by the Church is not judged by men but by God The power of calling Councels belongeth unto the Emperor as is clear by the examples of Constantine Justinian Charls the Great c. The Emperor should be present in the Councel as was in Nice and others when matters of faith are treated in them Laicks if they be worthy and prudent may be present in Councels The Pope cannot hinder the calling of them since through want of them the Church hath fallen into so great mischief and Bishops usurp government as secular Princes Seeing the Emperor is the principal Advocate and defender of the Church he may and should ask account of the Pope's faith so oft as the Pope is suspected and he may proceed against him by Law Peter never had the fulness of power but unto him in the name of the Church the keys were given We are not obliged to obey the Pope but when he requireth just things we should not give unto him such honor as to equalize him unto God nor should adoration be given unto him which Peter refused Acts 10. Whereas it is said The Church cannot er it is not to be understood of the Pope nor of the
those which fled was Peter Pain who had been a hearer of Wickliff and then went into Bohemia and was sent unto the Councel of Basil where he argued for partaking of both elements and against the Civil Power of the Clergy William White being examined before William Bishop of Norwich An. 1428. did hold as he had also written that by Law Marriage was granted unto all persons of the militant Church but the Pope who is the Antichrist and his Counsellors which are the Clarks of Lucifer have abolished this Law to the undoing of the Priesthood after the loosing of Satan that is after the 1000. years from the incarnation Anno 3. of Henry the V. the Act was renewed against presentations unto Benefices to be purchased from the Pope but under colour of prejudice to the Incumbents in going so far for them but by this Act all presentations from the Pope were annulled An. 1439. under King Henry the VI. Richard Wiche was burnt the next year Eleanora Cobham Dutchess of Glocester was condemned to perpetual imprisonment in the Isle of Man and Robert only a Priest was condemned to death Philip Morice was excommunicated by Pope Eugenius and he appealed unto the General Councel 4. Richard King of England had made Truce with France for 30. years Troubles between France and England these being expired Henry the V. sent unto Charls the VII King of France An. 1415. claiming the Crown of France So Wars began Henry conquered a great part of France In the year 1419. Charls did dis-inherit his son Lewis and then the Kingdom was divided some cleaving unto Lewis who at that time was called King of Vierron because he lived there in Berry Charls agreed with Henry that Henry should take to wife the daughter of Charls and be proclaimed Regent of France and both should keep what they have and after the death of Charls the Crown of France shall remain with Henry and his heirs and that Henry with the Duke of Burgundy should pursue Lewis the Dolphin as an enemy of the Common-Wealth These two Kings died in one year Charls died first and Henry because his son was but eight moneths old ordained his brother Humphrey Duke of Glocester to be Protector of England and the Dukes of Bedford and Burgundy Protectors of France These two had continual Wars with Lewis Henry the VI. was Crowned King of England in the eighth year of his age and at Paris he was Crowned King of France in the tenth year of his age An. 1431. Five years thereafter the Duke of Bedford died and the Duke of Burgundy became an enemy to England then all things in France went backward from England but no cessation of wars untill the year 1475. when King Edward the IV. invaded France and then Truce was made for seven years at that time Lewis gave unto Edward 75000. crowns and 50000. crowns yearly during the Truce Henry the VII renewed the old claim An. 1487. Peace was made An. 1492. on condition that Charls should pay presently a great sum of money and then yearly 25000. crowns in the name of Tribute Tho. Cooper 5. At Saint Andrews Paul Craw was accused An. 1431. for following John Wickliff and Huss namely for denying that the substance of the Bread and Wine is changed or that confession is necessary to be made unto Priests or praiers unto Saints departed When he was condemned they did put a Bull of Brass in his mouth to the end he should not speak unto the people or they should not know for what he was burnt King James the I. then did set himself to reform the abuses that had crept into the Realm under the Reign of Robert the III. and his own captivity in England he made Laws against the disturbers of the common peace and against them who ride with more men then their yearly Revenues may sustain he punished Robbers and Rebels He considered the Clergy and saw that Benefices were not bestowed on learned men but as rewards done unto the Pope or a Bishop And he saw Monks abounding in wealth and more mindfull of their bellies than of books and the Churches served by some begging Friers which were hired by the Titulars to preach now and then and the Beneficed men did never see their Parishes unless it were to crave their Tithes When the King did publickly rebuke such enormities the Bishops answered and the Friers preached Church-men should be left unto the Pope and to God neither are they obliged to answer unto any prophane Magistrate When he could A glimpsâ— of Reformation not amend the present possessours he would provide for the time to come At Saint Andrews he founded some Schools to be Seminaries of all Estates and to the end the Schools should be had in the greater estimation he honoured the Masters with competent maintenance and their meetings and disputes with his Royal presence He gave strict command that the Masters should recommend unto him the most diligent and worthiest Disciples on whom he might bestow the vaking Benefices and he had alwaies by him a role of the recommended Students Likewise he turbed the Monasteries and said King David who erected so many Monasteries was a good Saint to the Church but an ill Saint to the Crown Buchan lib. 10. With consent of all the Estates he made an Act that all the Subjects should be ruled by the King's Laws only In Parliam 3. and if any did fly or appeal from the King's judgment he should be accounted a Rebel and punished accordingly In Parliam 8. James Kennedy Bishop of Saint Andrews was then exemplary he caused all Parsons and Vicars to dwell at their Parish Churches for preaching the Word of God unto their people and to visit them especially in time of sickness He indeavoured to visit all the Parishes within his Diocy four times in the year and inquired in every Parish if they were duly instructed by their Parson or Vicar and if the Sacraments were duly administred if the poor were helped and the young ones instructed in the grounds of Religion Where he found not this order observed he punished the Delinquents severely to the end God's glory might shine throughout his Diocy Ex M. S. histor in Biblioth Edimb 6. James the III. King of Scotland ordained by Act of Parliament An. 1466. that no Commenda old or new should have place within the Realm and that none shall purchase nor accept any Commenda under pain of rebellion otherwise then for the space of six moneths And that no Pension new or old of any Benefice Secular or Religious be sought nor accepted from any person without or within the Realm under the same pain James the III. Parlia 1. Hence we may guess at the abuses of Commendaes and Pensions out of Benefices as certainly complaints have been made at that time against them Here by the way the Reader may inquire what a Of Commenda Commenda is and how it began This we may
craving in the name of their Masters that a Book written by a Frier John Falkenbergh containing notorious errours and heresies may be examined by the Councel or Commissioners of the Nations or else they protest de injuria and they appeal unto the next General Councel Pope Martin answered saying I will inviolably observe and no way violate whatsoever hath been done Conciliariter in this Councel and these I do ratifie and approve and no otherwise Then Cardinal Antonius proclaimed liberty of departing unto every one and in the name of the Almighty God and of his Apostles Peter and Paul and of Pope Martin the V. he gave unto every one there present a full remission of all their sins once in their lives if that every one within two moneths after the knowledge hereof shall seek the Indulgence in forma c. Here the Cardinal of Ostia said Placet and Augustine de Lance in the name of the Pope said Placet and so it is written but no mention of Sigismund's Placet because the Councel was dismissed against his will 5. According to the Decree at Constance Pope Martin sent his Legates to Papia An. 1424. to open the Councel few Bishops came thither and the Pest beginning the Councel with common consent was removed to Sena more Prelates came there Alfonso King of Arragon intending to purchase the Kingdom of Sicily sought by all means chiefly by giving gold saith Platina to procure the adjournying of the Councel and to restore Pope Benedict the XIII But Pope Martin disappointed him by dissolving the Councel and nothing was done but only the next Councel was appointed to be at Basil An. 1431. 6. The Councel at Basil was began December 14. An. 1431. by the Legate Julian Cardinal of Sancti Angeli by Commission granted first by Pope The Councel at Basil Martin and confirmed by the lately elected Pope Eugenius the IV. as it is written in Sess 1. The Emperour Sigismund was Protector thereof whilest he lived sometimes by his Deputy William Duke of Bavier as appeareth in Sess 7. and sometimes personally as in Sess 14. In Sess 1. they propounded their main purposes 1. The extirpation of Heresie namely of the Bohemians 2. The quenching of the Wars in Christendom 3. Because the Vineyard of Christ is overspread and as it were laid wast with huge numbers of Thistles and Weeds of Vices that these may now be pulled up and the Church Mark this ye who say that the Roman Church hath never erred may flourish again and bring forth the fruit of honesty But the particulars that were treated in it may be reduced to four chief heads to wit concerning the Bohemians the Greeks the authority of General Councels above the Pope and the Reformation of the Church So omitting the order of time and Sessions for the clearer and more compendious method I will shew what was done in those 1. In Sess 4. the Bohemians were summoned to appear and a Safe-conduct was sent unto them Three hundred of them some Civilians and some Ministers came and disputed upon these four Articles 1. All who would be saved should receive the Communion under both kinds 2. All civil government is by the Law of God forbidden unto the Clergy 3. The Preaching of the Word is free unto all men having once received Ordination and free in any place Aen. Sylvius hath not this parenthesis and the Epistle of the Bohemians directed unto all the faithfull in the year 1431. saith Per eos quorum interest 4. Open crimes and scandals should not be suffered no not for avoiding greater evil The Deputies were ordered by their Commission to debate these Articles and no other and they would admit no argument grounded upon any Authority except of the Scripture alone Therefore the Fathers of the Councel charged Cardinal Cusanus to fight them in their own field and he was not ashamed to say The Scriptures belong to the well of the Church and not to the essence or necessity thereof either in the beginning or continuance And The Gospel is known by the Church but not the Church by the Gospel The Bohemians replied Such was not the mind nor voice of the Primitive Church which did administrate the Eucharist and expound the Scriptures otherwise then they do now Cusan answered Let not this move you that at divers times the Rites of the Sacraments be divers or that the Scriptures are applied unto the times or understood diversly so that at one time they are expounded according to the universally current Rite and when the Rite is changed the sence is also changed .... because when the sentence of the Church is changed divine judgement is changed The dispute continued fifty daies in the end the Councel approved the last three Articles in some sence And in Sess 13. they granted that the first was according to Christ's institution but say they the Church hath otherwise ordained and practised for weighty causes Nevertheless they would grant this unto the Bohemians and Moravians not as the bill of divorcement was granted unto the Jews but as lawfull by the authority of Christ Jesus and of his true Spouse the Church and as healthfull and profitable unto them who receive worthily Io. Cochlaeus and Garranza have omitted this dispute and conclusion but they are written by Aen. Sylvius and his Epitomizer Orth. Gratius in Fascic rer expetend fol. 96. Then Anno 1438. the Bohemians did supplicate that by allowance of the Councel they might have the Divine Service namely the Gospel and the Epistles and the Creed read unto the people in the vulgar language as it had been in that Kingdom by long custom and permission of the Church And that the Fathers there present would be carefull of the Reformation of the Church both in head and members as it is most necessary for Christian Religion and hath been of a long time wished by all godly souls and as they themselves had propounded from the beginning Orth. Gratius saith Many things were advised and conceived but had many obstructions the enemy of mankind procuring so Nevertheless the Bohemians failed not in their hopes neither would they fail in their indeavours 2. The second head was concerning the Greeks in hearing their Embassadours whose golden Bull was dated in the year of the World 6944. indict 14. An. Ch. D. N. 1435. November 26. and sending Legates unto Constantinople they gave a Safe-conduct and for the place of their meeting the Greeks propounded that if the Latines would go unto Constantinople the Clergy of the East would assemble upon their own charges but if the Latines will have the Greeks coming into the West their coming should be upon the expences of the Latines and the place of their assembly should be Basil or Avenion or Sabaudia at the option of the Greeks When they had agreed on these particulars in Sess 24. and 25. with consent of Pope Eugenius afterwards he drew the Greeks from the Councel as follows 3. The
in this question Carolstade Zuinglius and Calvin were in some partdifferent and all were against consubstantiation both Luther Osiander and these others of that sort will not observe any difference among them in their doctrine But this difference among them gave occasion unto the Papists to insulte against them as also the marriage of Luther with one Catharin à Bora which had been a Nonne Indeed many both the friends and enemies of Luther were offended his friends not simply as if they had condemned marriage but in respect of the time when all Germany almost was red with the blood shed in the wars with the bowrs and especially Saxony was lamenting with many others for the death of the good Duke and Electour Frederik And his enemies wrote bitterly yea and impudently against him alleadging among other things that within few dayes after his marriage Catharin brought forth a son which was not true But afterwards Luther was much grieved when he heard that this friends were offended and especially that his enemies took occasion to raile against his doctrine for respect to his marriage in so much that as Melanchton writes to Camerarius he had need to be conforted Light dawneth in France An. 1523. XX. The Gospel began to be openly preached in France at Gratianople in the Dolphinate by Peter Sebeuilla in the year 1523. Zuinglius wrote as in epist Oecolamp Zuin. lib. 4. exhorting him to lift up his voice lyke a trumpet and sound forth the Gospell in France invitis omnibus puppis papis Who shall not make him ready for the battel saith he the prophet saith Where the Lion roareth who will not feare When Christ thundereth by his servants which of his enemies will not be afraid yea certainly fear hath overtaken them in all their tents they are so amazed and perplexed that they know not what course to take for if they begin ro kill the flock of Christ by their deluded Princes they fear that in so doing a door be opened to fall that way upon themselves But if they attempt to resist by Scripture their consciences tell them how they are guilty in wresting it and therefore they are cold and faint Why then fall we not on these cowards when we have the only and safe enough buckler of Gods worde He will beat down Antichrist with the breath of his mouth Christ is on our side who shall be against us albeit we are but lyke the vessell of Samos yet none can break us so long as God is with us and He will be with us according to the certain promise of his word where he hath promised to be with us untill the world's end and hath commanded us to fear nothing when we shall be brought before Kings or Princes for his sake for he will give wisdom and utterance which all the adversaries shall not be able to resist Why then do we linger Victory is at hand why will we not reap it ..... thou must wrestle not only with Antichrist but whith all the world if thou will advance into heaven these only can come thither who are careless of earthly things Therefore first of all thou must deny thyself and dy dayly but thou canst not do so by thyself therefore flye to the only mercy of God and begg of him that he would direct thy waies c. At the same time in Melda about ten myls from Paris was Bishop William Brissonnet he was a lover of truth and light he passeth by the Monks and sought learned men to teach the people so from Paris he calleth Jac. Faber William Fatell Arnold Gerard red they did teach the people with chearefull liveliness But the Bishops courage was soon abaited by terrible menaces of the Sorbonists Nevertheless religion was planted in the hearts of many and by the wondrous Counsell of God from the persecution of that one Church many Churches through France were planted for both the Teachers and hearers were spread abroad On May 20. An. 1525. Pope Clement wrote unto the Parlament of Paris the King was in Spaine shewing that he understood by Letters from Aloisia the Queen mother how the seeds of wicked heresies were beginning to spread through France and they had providently and prudently chosen some men to suppresse the fighters against the old religion and he by his authority approves them that were chosen for that effect for now all men should be diligent to preserve the common salvation when the malice of Satan and the rage of his souldiers have stirred such a broile seing this madness intendeth not only to confound religion but all principality nobility lawes and order ..... It was very acceptable unto him what they had done and he exhorts them to continue with the like courage c. The King was advertised by his Sister Margarit that they had driven Ja. Faber out of Erance he wrote unto the Parliament giving him a large approbation for learning and godliness as knowing that the man was admired even by the Spaniards and Italians therefore he willeth that they surcease from all action against him untill new advertisement XXI The wars of the Bowres in Germany was a sore hinderance for Insurrection of the Bowres a time unto the Gospell for the Papists in Germany said Those are the frutes of the new doctrin and of Luthers Gospell And Aloisia in France said In Germany is nothing but confusion and no acknowledgement of a Prince And this was the colour of the Popes bitterness in that his Letter A wicked follow had teached the people as Sleidan in Commente shewes more fully that the doctrine of the Pope and of Luther is alike wicked the Pope tieth mens consciences with hard lawes and bonds and Luther hath untied the bonds but hath declined to the other extremity in giving loose reyns nor teaches by the Spirit they may well contemne the Papall Decrees because they conduce not unto salvation and to attain salvation we must eschue all manifest sin as murther adultery blasphemy we must chastize the body with fasting and simple cloaths our countenance must be sad speak little and not have dressed haire This is to beare the cross and to mortify the flesh said he And when his hearers were thus prepared They must forsake the crowd of men and being separated think often of God who he is whether he hath any care of us and would have us to continue in this religion And if he will not give us a signe nevertheless we must continue and be instant in prayer yea and sharpely chide with him as not dealing with us sufficiently for seing the Scripture promiseth that he will give what we aske he doth not righly in not giving a signe unto them which would know him He said This expostulation and wrath is very acceptable unto God because thereby he seeth the inclination fervour of our mind and without doubt when he is entreated this way he will declare himself by some sensible signe and
diverse men some of them are seditious and some are good and honest Men zealous and loyal unto God and their King and would in nothing offend the one nor the other in living and dying they shew their desire to enioy salvation and to find the way thereunto and when they have that way they fear not losse of life nor goods nor any manner of punishment As yet we see it plainly enough that the punishments which have been devised against them have done no good but rather their patience in the midst of firy flames hath stirred up many to love their cause whence it hath been that many who never knew of their doctrine were desirous to know it for which those had suffered and did embrace the same doctrine with no less affection and zeal Therefore look upon the examples of the Bishops in the first general Councels who never used any other weapons but the word of God against the Arrians and other heretiks And the Christian and good Emperours did use no severer punishment against the authours of these sects but bannishment As for those privy meetings they were alwaies forbidden and the king hath sufficiently provided against them by Edicts yet so that according to equity consideration may be of the time manner purpose and number of them who do meet lest the innocent be afflicted Then Charles Marillac Bishop of Vienna was bidden to speak and his advice was to this purpose There be two as it were main pillars of a kingdom exercise of Religion and the good will of the people The controversies of Religion in antient times were determined in general Councels but now there is no hope of a general Councel for two causes first it is not in our power that the Pope the Emperour and Kings will agree on the time place and manner of a Councell seeing there be so many questions for those circumstances And next as when a man is grieved by some dangerous sicknes he can not tarry for remote Physicians because of the uncertainty of their comeing So the present malady is grievous unto every part of the kingdom and there is small hope of forreign cure therefore we must have a Councel of our own Nation as it was before concluded and the King did promise the necessity of the miserable Church requires it as also the Kings credite and the decrees yet extant shew that our ancestours were wont to assemble every fifth year in a general Councel and the histories of this Nation shew that Councels were called in every kings time some from the whole Realm and some from the half or a Province one or more and it was seldome seen but from these some good ensued to the Reformation of doctrine or manners Let us not stick in this matter nor fear to be accused We have many sorrowfull examples to set before us which are forewarnings of sad desolations ensuing as the miserable condition of the Jewes Greeks Egyptians and Africans where the Church hath flourished but now scarcely have the name of a Church For those causes I think that we can delay no longer to call a Councell notwithstanding these things which the Pope objecteth as letts thereof And while this Councel or Parliament of the Church is in preparation I think three or four remedies may be provided 1. that Prelates abide in their Diocies and here he inveighes against the Italians who reap the gain or thrids of Benefices and have no care of the office 2. that nothing be done in the Church through Simony or bribes 3. to confesse out own faults unto God and make this manifest by publick fasts which was alwayes the custom of the Church in time of publick calamities and what greater danger can there be then that which slayeth mens souls 4. to stay seditious persons that they hinder not the common tranquillity and let it not be permitted upon any occasion whatsoever to rise in arms without the kings leave seing hereby have been many enormities on the one part we have seen the tumult of Amboife and on the other certain preachers have stirr'd up the people violently to destroy and bannish the Protestants Under pretence of godly Zeal so grievous offences followed on both sides ..... The other main point is to keep the people in due obedience and reverent estimation of their Soverain whereof I judge this to be the way If the complaints of the people be hearkned unto and convenient remedies be applied There is a great difference between privat and general grievances publick complaints should be heard in a publick assembly of the Estates and at this time the people complain of many things and when common complaints are not heard the hearts of people are commoved c. Thuan. hist lib. 25. The judgements of others were heard namely the Cardinals said Nothing can be done concerning a Councel without the Popes advice The Bishop of Valence said If the Parisians have need of water may they not bring it from Sene more easily then from Tiber. It was concluded Seing the present maladies require present remedies there should be a National Councel and on Aprile 11. it shall be called to assemble September 10 and an Oratour was sent with all possible speed to declare unto the Pope their necessity of a Councel and to entreat that he would take in good part what they had concluded But his travell was in vain-Soave in Conc. Triden lib. 5. At that time it was decreed also that the Estates should conveen at Orleance or where the King will please to appoint to advise of things to be propounded in the Councel and to the same end particular meetings should be in every Province and the Bishops should prepare themselves and in the mean while none should be troubled for religion unless they be found to take up arms seditiously and the punishment of such men to be reserved unto the King French Commentar lib. 2. Afterwards the Guises suggest unto the king that Antony king of Navar and his Brother the Prince of Condee had plotted a new couspiracy The king sent for them both and resolved to satisfy the Guises with their blood These two being guilty of nothing obey The Prince of Condee was imprisoned and a guard was set to attend the king of Navar. The Pope promiseth to call a general Councel therefore the National Councel was left off king Francis died Decemb. 15. in the 17. year of his age An. 1560. and so the Guises were disappointed In this kings time Emanuel Duke of VValdenses are persecuted in Savoy Savoy commanded the Waldenses of Lucern Angronia Perossa and Sanmartius to receive the Masse c. or he would punish them as rebels They sent a supplication and Confession of their faith professing that they believe all things contained in the old and new Testament and the faith in the Creed of the Apostles and of Nice and of Athahasius and the doctrine of the antient fathers so far as they agree with the Scriptures
Caspar Contaren Reynold Poole Peter Bembus and Frederik Fregosius who all were sensible that the Church needed some Reformation Then Martyr was restored to his liberty of preaching but could not enjoy it long time for he became dangerously sick and by the advice of Physicians the Superiors of his order seeing that the air of that City did not agree with him made him General Visitor of the Order In that Office he so demeaned himself that good men much commended his integrity constancy and gravity and others feared him yet durst not discover their malice Not long after in a publick Convention of that Order he was made Prior of a Monastery in Luca some consented unto this promotion out of love others thinking it would be his ruine because of an enmity between Florence and Luca. But he engaged the hearts of the people there that he was no less beloved then if he had been born among them In that Colledge were many learned men and hopefull youths and he took care that the younger sort were instructed in the three languages for which end he had Paul Lacisius of Verona to read Latine Celsus Martinengus to read Greek and Immanuel Tremellius the Hebrew and for Divinity he himself daily expounded the Epistles of Paul and every night before supper he expounded a part of the Psalms Very many of the City of the Senators and Nobility resorted unto his Lecturs and he preached publickly every Lords day The enemies of the trueth could not endure him and laid snares for him nor could conceil their malice When he was admonished by his friends he chused to leave them and went to Strawsburgh What fruit his teaching brought forth may be known by this that in one years space after his departure eighteen Fellowes of that Colledge left it and went into the Reformed places among whom was Celsus Martinengus afterwards Minister of the Italian Church in Geneva Hieron Zanchius Im. Tremellius c. Many Citizens also went into exile voluntarily that they might enjoy the trueth in safety Ex Vita â—e Martyris Another instance was in Bonnonia in the year 1554. the Popes Governours attempted to make innovations there which the people would not receive contrary to their former Lawes The Innovators said They were not tied to former Lawes but had authority from the Pope who is King of the Countrey and may change statutes and ordinances without consent of the people Against this tyranny both the learned men and the people opposed themselves and in the Monastry of the black Friers was a generall Convention where Thomas de Finola Rector of the University set forth this Position All Rulers whether Supreme or Inferiour may and should be reformed or bridled to speak moderatly by them by whom they are chosen confirmed or admitted to their Office so oft as they break that promise made by oath unto their subjects Because the Prince is no less bound by oath unto their subjects then are the subjects unto their Prince and it should be kept and reformed equally according to Law and condition of the oath that is made by either party Vicenâ—ius de Placentia sustained this Position And when all reasons that the Popes Governors could alledge were heard the Pope was fain to take up the matter and did promise not only to keep the liberty of the people but that he should neither abrogate any antient Statute nor make any new one without their consent The Histor of the Reformation of Scotland Pag 399 edit Edinburgh 1644. which was writen by Jo. Knox albeit somesentences have been added by another after him At that time John Craig a Scotish man who afterwards was Minister of Edinburgh of whom mention is made hereafter was a Monk and considering the common doctrin of justification by works did not approve it and shewed unto an old Monk his arguments in the contrary The old man said It is true as you say but be silent lest you fall into danger for the dayes are evill But such was the mans zeal unto trueth that he could not contain himself and for this and other things that he taught he was carried to Rome and cast into prison with many hundreds more in the time of Paul 3 but they all escaped that night of the Popes death when the Citizens broke up the prisons XLIX John a Lasco a Noble man of Poland intending to see other Nations went to Zurik there he was easily perswaded by Zuinglius to betake himself Reformation in Poland to the studie of Divinity and where as he might have been advanced unto honour in his native Countrey yet such was his love to Christ and hatred to Popery that he choosed to embrace that Religion which hath it's soundation upon the Word of God In the year 1542. he was called to be Pastor at Embden the next year Anna the widow Countess of Oldenburgh invites him to reforme the Churches there which he endeavoured with great diligence Afterwards Edward King of England sent by information of Cranmer for him to be Preacher unto a Dutch Church at London In the first year of Queen Mary he obtained leave to return beyond sea a great part of his Congregation went with him and Martin Micron another Preacher to Copenhagen but the King would not suffer them to stay within his kingdoms unless they would embrace the doctrine of Luther concerning the local presence of Christs body and use the ceremonies ordained by him For the same cause they were refused by the Hans-towns and Churches of Saxony At last that vexed congregation was received at Embden Then he would visite his own Countrey after twenty years absence there he found many affecting a Reformation but few Preachers The Popish clergy sought by all means to destroy him or to have him bannished and they accused him unto the King for an heretick The King said Though they called him an heretick yet the States had not decerned so and he was ready to cleare himself from such imputations In the year 1557. a Parliament was assembled at Warsaw there was great contention for Religion The Princes whom they call Vaivodes crave that the Augustan Confession should be established The Bishops strove against it so that the Princes could not obtain any liberty Nevertheless after the Parliament they caused the Gospel to be preached in their own Provinces without the Kings permission John á Lasâ—o impugned the doctrine of the local presence and caused the trueth which the adversaries called Calvinisme to be received by many and unto this day that Church is miserably rent the King and most part are Popish many are Anabaptists few are Ubiquitaries yet a great many hold constantly the sounder Trueth L. When the Kings of Spain had subdued the Sarracens who had continued The Reformation in the Netherlands there some hundred years and expelled them out of the realm many of them not willing to leave the countrey fained themselves to be Christians and afterwards they were convinced to despise
frier John forrest was brought to Santandrews for saying Pa. Hamilton died a Martyr because they had not clear proof against him another frier Walter Laign was sent to confesse him he askes him in way of confession What is his judgement concerning Pa Hamilton Forrest answereth I think he was a good man and the articles might be well defended for which he was condemned This is sufficient evidence to condemn him unto the fire When they lead him out to be degraded he cried among the people Fie on falshood fie on false friers revealers of confession let never a man trust them after mee they are despisers of God and deceivers of men While they consult upon the manner and place of his execution John lindsay a gentle man waiting upon the Bishop said If yee will burn any more do it in a hollow cellar for the smoke of Mr Pa. hamilton hath infected all these on whom it blew Nevertheless he was burnt at the north side of the abbey that the hereticks of Anguise might see the fire The persecution goeth-on James Hamilton of Livinston brother of the Martyr and his sister Caâ—herin were summoned to compear at Halirudhouse before the Bishop of Ross The King adviseth the gentleman not to appear he was condemned for not obeying Catherin was asked whither she believes to be justified by works She answered I believe no person can be justified by their own works John spence a Lawyer had a long discourse of the diversity of works of congruitie and of condignity c. The young woman saith Worke here work there what kinde of work is all this I know perfitly that no work can save mee but the works of Christ my Saviour The King laugheth at the answer and taking her aside persuades her to recant her opinion and by her example sundry others at the same time were moved to abiure their profession as Wi. kirk a priest Adam daes c. So soon as these were dismissed Normand gourley and David straton were brought to tryall Norman was charged for denying Mo are persecuted purgatory and that the Pope had any jurisdiction in Scotland David had been turbulent and was by conference with John Erskin of Dun becom another man and God had kindled in his heart such love to the knowledge of trueth that he oft prayd for spirituall courage if he shall be brought to suffer for Christ He was charged for maintaining that tyths were not due to Church-men He denied that he had said so but said he I send a fish-boat to the sea and they are so rigorous in craving the tenth fish that they can not be contented and I said If they will not believe how many fishes are taken go and see where they are taken yea and I gave order to my servants to cast the tenth fish into the sea And â—e was further accused of the same points wich Norman He was condemned with him and was offered to be spared if he would burne his bill which was then vsed as the signe of recanting but he would not So they were burnt together August XXVII year 1534 At the same time were summoned Alex Alesse Jo. Fife John macbee and one Macdowall they fled into England and thereafter into Germany the first two were Professours of Divinity in Lipsia the thrid was called Maccabeus and was Chaplain to Christian King of Denmark As the history of the Reformation shewes there were civil broils in the countrey and the persecution was interrupted untill the year 1538. and in the mean while the knowledge of the truth increaseth partly by conference of men about what had been done and partly by reading the New testament in English and partly by report of merchants and â—eamen telling what was a doing in other countries in the cause of religion The bb and their officialls accurse many for triffles and pecuniall causes the people contemn their excommunications therefore the bb would strengthen their sentences by civill autority and procure an act of Parliament against such who lay 40 daies under excommunication James 5. Parl. 4. Act. 8. III. The heat of persecution in England seemed but to begin in year 1527. The beginning of Reformation in England those who before were called Lollards were then called Lutherans great numbers were burnt whereby the King thought to promerite the Popes favour Behold how God brings light out of darknes When King Henry had been 20 years married he falles into the scruple whither his marriage was lawfull but who can tell whither he was so touched indeed or King Henry intends to divorce but a pretext in respect he had not a son or that he loved another woman Yet so it was he abstaines from her company and speakes of divorcement The Queen sendeth unto the Pope and complaines the King also sendeth and craves that the Pope would justify by the sacred word the former dispensation to marry or dissolve the marriage How this was carried in the Popes court none can declare better than an Italian and so Pe. Soave in Histor Conc. Triden hath it thus Pope Clemens in time of his distress had It is pleaded at Rome good hope if the Kings of France England shall continue in his grace and make disturbance unto Cesar in the Kingdom of Naples therefore he dispatches Card. Campegius into England and commits the cause unto him and the Card. of York The King was certified by letters from Rome that the cause shall be discerned speedily in his favours this was in the year 1528. But when Clemens considereth that the Emperours favour was more usefull unto him in recovering the City Florence in the year 159. he sent Francis Campana unto Campegius ordering him to burne his former Bull and proceed warily in that cause Campegius deviseth pretexts of delay and pretends difficulties The King observes his jugling and askes the advice of the Universities in Italy Germany France Some were against his mind and some for him especially the Parisians and many thought that they were moved by his gifts more than by weight of reason But the Pope whether willing to gratifie Caesar or fearing that by means of the Card. of York some what might happen contrary to his mind drawes back the cause unto himself The King being He marryeth without the Popes indulgence impatient and smelling the fraud forsakes Catharin and marrieth Anna Bolen in the year 1533. Nevertheless the plea is continued but slowly that if the Pope can he may both satisfie the Emperour and decline the offense of the King And then he touches not the point but some accessory articles especially he decerneth against the King that it was not lawfull for him by his own authority and without the Sentence of the Church to forsake the company of his wife When the king understood this in the beginning of the year 1534 he denieth obedience unto the Pope and chargeth all his subjects that they send no mony unto Rome nor pay
Peter-pence unto any of the Collectors This vexeth the Romane Court and all their thoughts were upon remedies Many would proceed with censures against the king and interdict all Nations to have commerce with England but they took a more moderate course to serve the time and by intercession of France to compose the business And Francis undertooke it and sent the Bishop of Parise unto Rome with tolerable propositions and in the mean while they went on slowly at Rome that they would decern nothing unless Cesar would either first ot at the same time revenge by the sword his cousin's wrong The plea was branched into 23 articles as 1. whether Prince Arthur had carnall copulation with Catherin The half of Lent was spent on this question then March 19 Newes were brought to Rome that a famous libell was published in England against the Pope and all his Court and that before the king was a comâ—dy to the great reproach of the Pope and the Cardinals Then all were in a rage and March 24 they pronounce sentence that the marriage betwixt Henry Catharin was lawfull and unless he hold her for hiâ— wife he shall he reputed as excommunicated This praecipitation pleaseth not the Pope for within sixe dayes Letters come from France shewing that Henry is content to submitt unto their judgement and obey the Pope if such Cardinals were secluded of whom he was jealous and such as were free of suspicion were sent to Camerac and there determine the plea and Francis sent Oratours for tâ—is effect Thâ—n Clemens adviseth on pretenses to suspend the Sentence and recover a lost cause But Henry said Their Sentence was nothing unto him he is the only Lord of his own kingdom as the Pope is the only Bishop of Rome and he will do as the Easterne Church did of old He renunceth the Pope and takes his power unto himself in England to wit he will keep the Christian faith and cast-off the Popes authority nor will he suffer that the Lutheran or any other heresy have place in his â—ealm And so he did for he publisheth an Edict whereby he declares himself The head of the Church of England and chargeth upon pain of death that no man assâ—ribe any power unto the Pope within Englâ—nd and commandeth all the Collectors of Peter-pence to be gone All those were confirmed by ordinance of the Estates which they call the Parliament And it was also Acted that the archb of Canterburry shall invest all the bb of England and that the Churchmen shall pay yearly unto the King 150000 pounds for defence of the kingdom against whatever enemy Various were the judgements of men concerning this action of the King some said it was done prudently that he had cast of the Romane See without any alteration of religion without any sedition among his subjects and without appeal of his cause unto a Councel for if he had permitted it unto the judgement of a Councel he saw that he could not carry it without difficulty and the issue might have been dangerous for a Councel consisting of Church-men would without doubt have maintained the Papal power seing albeit they be in some respect obnoxious unto Emper. and Princes yet they do prefer the eminency of the Pope nor among the Churchmen is any but the Pope that carrieth sway having no Superour in degree of honour But the Roman Court argueth it could not be affirmed that he had made no change in religion â—hen the chief and first article of their faith concerning the Primacy of the Pope was changed for which alone they should have kindled the fire of sedition as if all had been changed and the event did confirm this seing the King was driven by necessity of maintaining this edict to punish severely his formerly dearest minions Nor can it be easily told how great offense and sadness not only at Rome but every where this departure of so great a Prince from the obedience of the Pope wrought in the â—earts of Churchmen Certainly â—t was a cleare document of humane frailty whereby it often hapneth that what things were most advantagious turn at last to the greatest A wicked policy of the bb loss and harm For the Romish PP by dispensations of marriages and sentences of divorces either granted or denied were wont to make great advantages under the name of Christs Vicar as under a shadow covering those Princes which thought it expedient either by some incestuous marriage or by violating one and contracting another to make new purchase of other Landes or to cut away the rights and titles of diverse competitours and that made sure friendship among them The Pope and the Princes when his authority did serve to maintain their power without which the actions of Princes being unlawfull had been clearly condemned hindered nor only unto these Princes but unto all their children which might have been called to prove the lawfulness of their birth So far Pe. Soave in hist Conâ— Trid. Lib. 1. Others shew what was done in England Card. Wolsey archb of York had advised the King unto that divorcement but when he understood of his affection toward Anna Bolen he changeth his mind because she was infected so he spoke with Lutheranisme and he wrote unto the Pope that for this cause he would not consent unto the divorce Thus we see that in all these variations both at Rome and in England the Pope and his Cardinals look not to any Rule either of Gods word or of reason but are moved by the Spring of their own interest When the King understood of these Letters by his Agent lying at Rome he was highly displeased and displaceth Wolsey of his office of Chanceller in France and of two bishopricks for he had three York Duresme Winchester and at last â—e sent the Captain of his Gaird to bring him to London but he died by the way of a flixe When the king was married with Queen Anna he entangleth all the Clergy by the law Praemunire for assisting the Popes Legate They submitt themselves namely the Prelates profer for discharge of that law to give unto the king 100000 pounds out of Canterburry and 18840 pounds out of York and in their submission they call the King the head of the Church In the Parliament An. 24. of his reigne in January following he annulleth some former Acts that were made against hereticks and ordaineth that none shall be in danger for speaking against the Popes pretented authority or his Decrees or lawes which are not grounded on the holy Scriptures Item An. 25 ch 39 he appointed 32 judges out of the higher lower houses whereof 16 should be of the clergy and 16 of the temporality and all at his own nomination to examine the Synodal Canons and to determine of them either to stand in strength or to abrogat them at their discretions Item the Clergy should promise on the word of a priest never to assemble without the Kings
baptisme pennance and sacrament of the altar little or nothing differing from the Church of Rome 3. he declareth that the cause of our justification is the only mercy of the Father promised freely unto us for his son Christs sake and for the merit of his passion yet good works are necessary with inward contrition charity and other spirituall graces and good motions that is when wee have received remission of our sins or are justified we must give obedience unto God in observing his Law 4. he commandeth pastors to teach their people that images should not be worshipped and are but representers of vertue and good example and therefore no incence knieling nor offering should be done unto them 5. Saints are to be praised or Christ is to be praised in them for their graces and good example that they have left unto us but wee obtain all grace by the only Mediation of Jesus Christ and of none other 6. concerning ceremonies as holy vestures holy water bearing candles on Candlemes-day and some such others he admits them to be good so far as they put men in remembrance of spirituall things but so that they contain in them no power to remit or take a way sin c. There he addeth other iniunctions specially he causethto translate the Bible and commandeth all priests to have a Latine and English Bible lying open in their parish-churches that whosoever pleaseth may read them Then diverse images were demolished An. 1538 especially the most notable stocks of idolatry at Walsingham Worchester ... which had devices to role their â—ies and to stirre other parts of their body and many other false juglings wherewith simple people had been deceived all which was then made known and destroyed Jo. Foxe in Acts. In the same year followeth the ruine of all religious as they had been called houses by advice of the same L-Cromwell Lord of the privy seale So that all friers Nuns and sects of religion were rooted out of England to the number of 645. Abbeys priories and Nuneries and by Act of Parliament their lands did return to the heirs of the first Donours All that time Steeven Gardener Bishop of Winchester so dealt with the king by representing unto him the grudge of his subjects for rejecting the pope and for his dealing toward his wifes he had then married Anna Sister to the Duke of Cleve An. 1539. and for these his late doings that he persuadeth him for taking away suspicion of heresy to consent unto the burning of John Lambert yea Gardener prevaileth so that the king hearkned no more unto L. Cromwell but contrariwise he beheaded him and Walter L. Hungerford July 28 An. 1540. Tho. Cooper He made an Act discharging the Translation of the Bible made by W. Tindall and restraining the authorized Translation with many limitations An. 34. Henr. VIII It came then to passe that the estate of Religion seemed more and more to decay and popish injunctions were authorized establishing Transubstantiation vowes of chastity private Masses and auricular confession and forbidding communion in both kinds and marriage of priests wherefore some said Henry had forsaken the Pope but not popery and he annulled not those former Statutes Such was the craft of the venemous serpent But God raiseth up some good instruments for Thomas Cranmer archb of Canterburry resists Gardener and the Counsel of England was divided some were for the old Religion and some for the Reformed and Statutes of both sorts were in force So in one day at Smith field An. 1541. Gardener with his faction for refusing his articles caused burn three godly men Do. Robert Barnes Tho. Garret Will Jerom priests and Tho Cranmer with his side caused hang drawe and quarter other three Ed. Powell Ric. Fetherston Tho. Abell for denying the kings Supremacy and maintaining the Bishop of Rome's authority Jo. Foxe in Acts. A stranger beholding these said Good God how can men live here on the one side Papists are hanged and on the other anti-papists are burnt The people were brought marvelously into doubt of Religion All the number of them which suffered in England for maintaining Papacy which was called Treason wer 24 persons but of the other sort many were burnt and so many were imprisoned the same year that room could not be found in the prisons of London and many were kept in other houses by intercession of the L. Chanceller Audley many of them were given to the custody of Noble men where they were used favourably In that year Henry was divorced from his fourth wife by Sentence of his Clergy which did hate her for Lutheranisme as they spoke yet with her own consent and within a month he married Catherin Howard a brothers daughter of the house of Norfolk the next year she was accused of adultery with Tho. Culpeper and beheaded in the Tower with Jane Lady Rocheford as accessory unto her deeds After that Henry began to misse his good Counseller L. Cromwell and to perceive the scope of Gardener he wrote unto Archbisbop Cranmer to reforme pilgrimages and idolatry and he permits to eat flesh in Lent pretending a civill respect and the benâ—fite of the people But bloodie Gardener â—easeth not from persecution and burnt in one fire Ro. Testwood Ja. Filmer Jo. Marbeck and Antonie pierson at Winchester An. 1543 and great numbers at Calice amongst whom was the abovenamed Alex. Seton The Commissioners of this bloody Inquisition were restrained by the Lords of parliament An. 1545 that no inditements should be received against any person but by the oaths of 12. men at least of honesty credite and free of malice Item that no person should be put in ward before his enditement were heard judged except at the Kings speciall command Item An. 35. Henr. VIII c. 16. it was enacted that the king should have full authority to appoint 16. of the clergy and 16 of the Temporalty to peruse and examine the canons constitutions and ordinances Provincial and Synodal and according to their discretions with his Royall consent to setle and establish an order of Ecclesiasticall lawes to be observed in time coming in all spirituall courts As these Acts did in some measure shew the mind of the King so Gardener ceaseth not yea he spareth not the godly Lady the Kings sixth wife and sent to apprehend her but by her wisedom and submission unto the King she was saved out of the butchers handes In a word Henry was much led by his Counsellers he died in January 1547. When he saw death approaching he nameth his son Edward to be his heire and failing him he appointeth the Crown unto Mary and failing her unto Elisabeth he appointeth 16. Counsellours as Governours of his son amongst whom were Th. Cranmer and Gardener but afterward he caused to blott out Gardeners name because said he he would trouble all the rest he is of so turbulent a spirit The chieff of these Counsellers was Edward Seymer Earle of Herford uncle to king
and propound unto the King the inconstancy of promises from an hostile king he needs not go into England for any benefite seing he hath enough at home they promise to give him yearly 30000 crowns from the Church and of them which are rebellious against the holy Father the Pope and his lawes he may make unto the Crown yearly above 100000 Crouns if he will authorize such a Judge as they would name to proceed against them Nor can there be any danger in arraigning them seing it is known that they do use the Bible in English they talk commonly of the Popes power they despise the Service of the Church they deny obedience unto sacred persons and are not worthy to live under a king By these persuasions the king gives-over his journey to York Wherefore king Henry was offended and prepares an Army against Scotland and James prepares another to inuade England In time of these levies the Cardinal gives unto the king a catalogue of above 300 persons whom in his inquisition he had appointed unto death but this bloody designe was stayd by that preparation and taken away by the death of the king For the sum of the warrs is when the Scots were past Solvay a gentle man Oliver Sinclare shewes his Commission to be Commander in chieff the Noble men refuse to fight under his command and were taken captives the water flowing they could not return and King James hearing of their overthrow died in sorow within 3. dayes on December 13. year 1542 leaving a Daughter Mary five dayes old to be his heire Then were various discourses what might be the issue of those warrs Every one talkes as he wisheth or feareth Henry calleth for the captives unto White-hall and shewes them how God had offered them a most fit occasion of firme concord if their Queen were contracted with his son They do promise to use their diligence so far as they could without prejudice of the kingdom and their own infamy and so were dismissed in January Buchan Histor Libr. 14. 15. Then the Cardinall had more than hope to be Regent he causeth a Priest Hen. Balfour to write as the Kings last will that he and some others should be Governours and the Queen Dowager favoureth him But these who loved not his Inquisition and others calling to mind the former difficulties of the kingdom in the like case chuseth and declareth February 10. James hamilton Earle of Arran who was one of these whom the Cardinal had appointed unto death and next heire of the â—rown to be Regent during the minority of the infant Queen He had two preachers Thomas Guilliam and John rough sound in religion according to these times The Card. was not content with the Regent nor his preachers he endeavoureth to molest him and to stay the preaching of the Word In March a Parliament was assembled thither Ralph Sadler Ambassadour from England comes for common peace and by the way to put in mind the former captives of their promises The Contract of promise was once concluded but the Qu. Dowager the Card. and the Prelates do so wilfully oppose it that with common voice of the most part the Cardinal was removed and shut up strait in a chamber untill the votes were asked then the marriage was concluded other conditions of peace were penned and pledges were ordained to be sent into England The Cardinal was convoied to Palkeith and there kept as in firme warde by intercession of the Queen he obtaines liberty to go unto Seton and afterwards was set at full liberty In the same The first Pâ—blick step of Reformation Parliament the rigour of Acts against them who have English Bibles was taken off The Prelates did obiect that the Church had forbidden all languages in religion but three Hebrew Greek and Latine The Lords demande When was that inhibition made seing Chrysostom complaines that men will not use the sacred books in their own language The Bishops answer These were Greeks The Lords reply Christ commandeth that his Word be preached unto all Nations and therefore it should be preached in every language which the Nation understands best and if it should he preached in all tongues why should it not be read in all tongues In the end the best part prevailes and liberty was granted to read the Bible and to say prayers in the vulgar language This was not a small victory of the trueth and thereby many simple ones receive information Sundry treatises went abroad against the tyranny and abuses of the Church of Rome and many in forrein Nations praise God for the Regent At that time the New Testament was so unknowen unto the multitude of priests that they were not ashamed to say in their preachings That book was written by Luther Not long after the Abbot of Pasley comes out of France and prevailes so with his brother the Regent that Frier Guilliam and hindred again was put from preaching and went into England and John rogh went to Kyle and all godly men were terrified from Court Likewise the Card. hindereth the sending of the pledges into England and by his meanes and of his complices the Regent was persuaded to alliance with France Yea the craftly insinuations of the Card. and Abbot move the Regent to ren ounce the profession of the Gospell and submit himself unto the Pope Then every thing was done at the nod of the Cardinal many were persecuted of whom some fled and some were burnt as An. 1546. in February Ja. huncer Will. lambe Witanderson and Ja. rannelt burgesses of Sant Iohn stoun because they had eaten a goose on a fryday and a woman because in her travelling she would not call upon Mary John rogers a black â—rier who had faithfully preached the gospell unto many in Anguise and Merns was murdered in the sea-tower of Santandrews and then was thrown over the wall and a report was spred that he had broken his own George VVishart neck In the year 1544. came home that blessed servant of Christ George wishart one of great learning Zeal and modesty as I being young have heard of very antient men he had been Schoolemaster of Montros and there did teach his disciples the new testament in Greek for this fault he was delated unto the Bishop of Brechen in time of the persecution An. 1538. when he was summoned to appear he fled and after sixe years returnes with more knowledge of the trueth and with more Zeall He preached first in Montros within a private house next unto the church except one then in Dundie where by authority of the Card. he was prohibited to preach because the town was so ready to forsake the Word of God for boast of a man he foretold that a scourge was coming shortly upon them From thence he went to Aire and preached in the open fields at the church of Gastoun for he was hindered by the Bishop of Glasgow to preach in a Church There he is informed that within
and gray Friers but hearing of the sudden coming of the Lords he fled and the Monasteries were plundered before they came and God put such a fear into the adversaries hearts that they did all flee to Dumbar Then the Regent gave forth a Proclamation declaring that where as a seditious â—umult was raised by some of the Lieges under pretense of Religion she had made offer to call a Parliament in January next or sooner for establishing an universall Order and in the mean time to suffer every man to live at liberty of conscience But they reiecting all reasonable offers had by their actions clearly shewd that it is not Religion they seek but the vsurpation of the Crown as appeares by that they had received and sent messages from and into England and now have possessed the palace of Halirudhouse and the Mint-house Wherefore She commanded all persons to forsake them and live obedient unto authority or els they shall be reputed traitours to the Crown As also that party caused it be rumored that these Lords had conspired to deprive the Queen Regent of her authority and the Duke of his tittle of succession unto the Crown These rumors prevailed so that many began to shrink away Therefore they did clear themselves by their Letters unto the Regent and open proclamation unto the people declaring that these misreports had flowed from their enemies and were most false seing their intentions were no other but to abolish superstition which is contrary unto the Word of God and to maintain the Pâ—eachers of the truth from the violence of wicked men And if She would use her authority to that effect they shall continue al 's obedient subjects as any within the realme Then the Regent trusting to gain some what by conference did offer a safe-conduct to any they pleased to send Two A Conference were sent to petition liberty of their consciences the removing of unable Ministers licence of publick preaching without molestation untill by a general Councell lawfully convâ—â—ned or by a Parliament within the realm all controversies of Religion shall be decided and to remove the French Souldiers These propositions were not pleasing yet made She no shew of dislike but using gracious words she craved to speak with some of greater authority and namely the Earle of Argile and Lord James For said She I still suspect there is some higher purpose amongst them than religion The Lords would not consent that these two should go unto her because one of her chief attendants was said to have bragged that before Michaelmes these two Noble men shall lose their heads This not succeeding it was agreed that sixe persons on each side should meet at Preston The first day nothing was concluded for the Queen seeming to yeeld unto the free exercise of Religion would have it provided that where she hapned to come the Ministers should cease and the Masse only be used It was answered This were to leave them no Church for the Queen might change the place of her residence and so could there not be any certain exercise of Religion The next day the Lord Ruthven and Pittarrow were sent with this answer As they could not impede her to use what Religion she pleased so could they not consent that the Ministers of Christ should be silenced upon any occasion much less that the true service should give place to idolatry wherefore they humbly crave as they had oft liberty to serve God according to their conscience and to remove the French Souldiers or els there can be no solide peace The Queen said She wished peace but gave a direct answer to none of the points At this time the Commons were scattered for want of victualls and Gentle men being constrained by lack of furnishing and partly hoping for a finall agreement had returned after so many months unto their dwellings but the Noble men resolved to abide at Edinburgh till matters were fully composed Now newes came that Henry II. King of France was dead This put the Lords in better â—â—pe but made them more careless for as if there were no fear many wâ—nt home and they who remained lived secure without any watch But the Queen became more watchfull observing al occasions of advantage and hearing of the solitude in Edinburgh hasteth thither with her companies The Lords hearing thereof are doubtfull if they leave the town the Church which was then established in some measure would be cast down therefore with the small number they had they put themselves in order at Craigingat to impede the Frenches The Duke and Earle of Morton were conveying the Queen and would have composed things only that day they kept the parties from an open conflict The next day the Queen having lodged in Lieth prepared to enter the town at the West port and the Lord â—rskin who till then had been neuter and had the Castle threatned to play upon them unless they suffer the Queen to enter without trouble Hereupon after consultation it was thought safer to take an appointment albeit the conditions were not such as were wished than to hazard battell betwixt two such enemies After long talking five articles were penned which they craved 1. No member of the Congregation should The articles of appointment â—n Lieth be troubled in life lands or possessions by the Queen's authority noâ— any Judge for any thing done in the late Innovation till a Parliament which shall begin January 10. had decreed things in controversy 2. idolatry shall not be erected where it is at this day suppressed 3. Preachers shall not be troubled in their Ministry where they are already established nor stopped to preach wheresoever they shall chance to come 4. No bands of men of warr shall be layd in garrison within Edinburgh 5. French men shall be sent away at a convenient day and none other shall be brought without consent of the Nobility and Parliament These articles were granted and the Queen addeth 1. the members of the congregation excepting the indwellers of Edinburgh shall leave it the next day before ten a clock 2. they shall render the Mint-house at that time 3. the Church-men shall take up and freely dispose of the tyths and other profits of their Benefices until January the tenth The next day July 25. the Lords went to Sterlin The Duke and Earle of Huntley met with them at thâ— Querry-hols promising if any part of the appointment shall be violated they shall join New Policies all their forces for expelling the Frenches The Queen was thereafter more carefull then formerly to observe the conditions but went about many wayes to reâ—stablish the Masse and bring the favourers of Religion into contempt In Edinburgh she employeth the Duke and Huntley and Setoun to deal with the Magistrates to appoint some other Church for their preaching and let the Church of S. Giles be for the Masse They answer That were a violation of the articles The others reply The Queen will keep
that the Masse and the opinions which they teach the people concerning it be laid to the square of the first institution that the world may know whither their teachers had offended or not in that which they have affirmed whither the action of the Masse be not expressely repugnant unto the last Supper of the Lord Jesus whither the sayer of it commit not horrible blasphemy in vsurping The sayer of Masse is a blasphemer upon the offices of Christ Al. Anderson denied that the Priest takes upon him Christs office A masse-book was brought and it wat read out of the beginning of the Canon Suscipe Sancta Trinitas hanc oblationem quam ego indignus peccator offero tibi vivo Deo et vero pro peccatis toâ—ius Ecclesiae vivorum et mortuorum Then said the Minister If to offer for the sins of the whole Church be not the proper office of Christ only let the Scripture judge and if a vile man whom ye call priest proudly takes the same upon him let your own books witnes Al. Anderson said Christ offered the propitiatory and none can do that but we offer the remembrance It was answered We praise God that yee deny a sacrifice propitiatory in the Masse and we offer to prove that in moe than an hundred places of your Papisticall Doctors it is affirmed that the Masse is a sacrifice propitiatory But whereas ye alledge that yee offer Christ in remembrance we aske first Unto whom do yee offer him and next By what authority are ye assured of well-doing In God the Father falleth no oblivion and if ye will shift and say that ye offer not as if God were forgetfull but as willing to apply Christs merits to his Church we demand of you What power and commandement have ye to do so We know that our Master commanded his Apostles to do what He did in remembrance of him and plain it is that Christ took bread gave thanks brak the bread and gave it to his disciples saying Take eat ..... here is a command to take and eat to take and to drink but to offer Christs body either for remembrance or application we find not and therefore we say To take upon you an office which is not given unto you is uniust vsurpation and not lawfull power Then Alexander vseth some words of shifting but the Lords require him to answer directly Then said he I am better acquainted with philosophy than with Theology Then John Lesley then Parson of Vne and immediatly was sent by the Bishops and their faction to be agent in their business with the Queen and thereafter was called Bishop of Rosse was demanded to answer unto that argument After some litle pause he said If our Master hath nothing to say unto it I have nothing for I know nothing but the Canon-law and the greatest reason that ever I could find there is Volumus and Nolumus The Nobility seeing that neither the one nor the other would answer directly say Wee have been miserably deceived for if the Masse may not obtain remission of sin to the quick and to the dead wherefore were all the Abbeys so richly doted and endowed with our lands Hereby it is clear as also by what is written of the Parliament that the Papists had liberty to plead for their Religion and were required to say what they could not only with safety and assurance of protection but they did appeare and shew their weakness At that time the book of Discipline was not allowed nor reiected but delayd and thereafter it was approved by the Counsell for their own part but not authorised and some additions were noted and this provision expressely added That the Bishops Abbots Priors and other Beneficed men who had already adioined them unto the Religion shall enioy their benefices during their lives they upholding and sustaining the Ministery and Ministers for their part The issue of this provision was many Church-men gave away and sold their Manses gleebs tyths and other things to the prejudice of the Church so that the entertainment of Ministers was very small in many places nothing at all and the gleebs could hardly be recovered XIII At Edinburgh December 20. An. 1560. was the first Nationall assembly where conveened the Ministers and Commissionares from Shires The first assembly of the Church and Burghs about the number of 44. persons 1. They designe Ministers and Readers unto severall parishes throughout the Countrie 2. It was appointed that in time coming the election of Minister Elders and deacons shall be in the publick church and premonition to be on the sunday preceeding 3. It is found by the law of God marriages may be solemnized betwixt parties of the second or third degrees of consanguinity and others that are not prohibited by the word of God and therefore to desire the Lords and Estates to interpose their authority and make lawes thereupon 4. It is appointed that for punishment of fornication the law of God be observed and these shall make publick repentance which vse carnall copulation betwixt the promise and solemnization of their marriage 5. that earnest supplication be made unto the Estates of the realm and to the Lords of Secret counsell that all Judges ordinary and Judiciall Officers as Lords of the Session Shireffs Stewarts Balives and other ordinary Judges be professours of the trueth according to the word of God and all Ministers of the word to be removed from such Offices according to the Civill law 6. To supplicate the Parliament and Secret Counsell that for eschuing the wrath of the Eternall and removing the plagues threatned in His law Sharp punishment be ordained against idolaters and mantainers thereof in contempt of Gods true Religion and Acts of Parliament namely which say Masse or cause it to be said or are present thereat And a catalogue of their names is writen They appoint Comissioners to attend the Parliament if any shall be called with these supplications It is to be observed from the fift Act that Ministers of the word were forbbidden to be Judges in Civil causes which is against the former practise when Bishops and other prelats were Lords of Parliament and sat in Civill Courts No Parliament was called as was expected but a Convention of Estates was appointed to be in May before which time Papists resort to Edinburgh in great numbers and began to brag of their power The Commissioners which were appointed In a Convention of the Estates An. 1561. Papistry is again forbidden by the Assembly of the Church conveen May 17. An 1561. and draw up these articles to be presented unto the Convention that idolatry and all monuments thereof should be suppressed throughout the realm that the sayers maintainers and heareâ—s of the Masse should be punished according to the Act of Parliament 2. That câ—rtain provision be made for maintenance of the Superintendents Ministers and Readers that Superintendents be planted where none are That punishment be appointed for
of tumults and her Majesty commandes with advice of her Secret Counsell that none of the Lieges take in hand to molest or trouble any of her domestik servants or persons whatsoever come out of France in her Company at this time in word deed or countenance for any cause whatsoever either within her palace or without under the said pain of death This Act was proclaimed the same day and immediatly the Earle A publick Protestation of Arran makes publick protestation thus In so far as by this Proclamation it is made known unto the Church of God and members thereof that the Queen is minded that the true Religion and worship of God already established proceed forward that it may dayly increase Untill the Parliament that order may be taken then for extirpation of all idolatry out of this realm We render most hearty thinks to the Lord our God for her Majesties good mind earnestly praying that it may be increased in her Majesty to the honour glory of his Name and good of his Church within this realm And as touching the molestation of her Highness servants we suppose that none dare be so bold as once to move their finger at them in doeing their lawfull business and we have learned at our Master Christ's School to keep peace with all men And therefore for our part we will promise that obedience unto her Majesty as is our duty that none of her servants shall be troubled molested or once touched by the Church or any member thereof in doing their lawfull busines But seeing God hath said The idolater shall die the death Wee protest solemnly in the presence of God and in the eares of all people that heare this Proclamation and especially in the presence of you Lion herauld and the rest of your Colleagues maker of the proclamation that if any of her servants shall commit idolatry shall say Masse participate therewith or take the defence thereof which we are loath should be in her Highness company in that case that this proclamation is not extended to them in that behalf nor be a savegard nor girth to them in that behalf no more than if they commit slaughter or murder seing the one is much more abominable odious in the sight of God than is the other but that it may be lawfull to inflict upon them the pains contained in Gods Word against idolaters wherever they may be apprehended without favour And this our protestation we desire you to notify unto her and give Her the copy hereof lest her Higness may suspect an uproar if wee all shall come and present the same At Edinburgh day year foresaid This Protestation did some what exasperate the Queen and others following her in that point When the Lords of the Congregation as they were called came to the Town at Court cooleth zeal the first they were much offended that the Masse was permitted and each did accuse these that were before him but when they tarried a short space they were as quiet as others Wherupon Robert campbell of Kings-cleugh said unto the Lord Ochiltry My Lord you are come now and almost the last of all the rest and I perceive by your anger that the fire-edge is not off you yet but I fear that when the holy water of the Court shall be sprinkled upon you you shall become as temperate as others for I have been here now five dayes and at the first I heard every man say Let us hang the priest But after that they had been twice or thrice in the Abby all that fervency was past I thinke there is some inchantment where with men are bewitched And it was so for on the one part the Queen 's fair words still crying Conscience it is a sore thing to constrain Conscience and on the other part the persuasions of others blinded them all and put them in opinion that the Queen will be content to hear the Preaching and so she may be won and so all were content to suffer her for a time The next sunday John Knox in Sermon shewes what terrible plagues God had sent upon Nations for idolatry and one Masse is more fearfull unto him than if ten thousand enemies were landed in any part of the realm for in our God is strength to resist and confound multitudes if we unfainedly depend upon Him as we have experience heretofore but when we join hands with idolatry it 's no doubt but both Gods amiable presence and comfortable defence will leave us and what shall then become of us c. Some said Such fear was no point of their faith it was besides his text and a very untimely admonition The Writer of The history of Reformation addeth by way of anticipation that in December An. 1565. when they which at the Queens arrivall maintained the toleration of the Masse were summoned upon treason exiled and a decriet of forfeture was intended against them the same Knoxe recited these words in the audience of many and besought Gods mercy that he was not more vehement and upright in suppressing that idol for said he albeit I spake what was offensive unto some which this day they feel to be true yet I did not what I might have done for God hath not only given mee knowledge and tongue to make the impietie of that idol knowen but he had given mee credite with many who would have put in execution Gods judgements if I would have only consented thereunto But so carefull was I of common tranquillity and so loath to offend those of whom I had conceived a good opinion that in private conference with dearest and Zealous men I travelled rather to mitigate yea to slacken that fervency that God had kindled in them than to encourage them to put their hands unto the Lords work wherein I confesse unfainedly that I have done most wickedly and from the bottom of my heart do ask of my God grace pardon for I did not what in mee lay to have suppressed that idoll at the beginning After that Sermon the Queen sent for I. Knox and none being present except the Lord James and two gentle men in the end of the room said unto him That he had raised The Queen acused Io. Knox and his answers a part of her subiects against her mother herself that he had written a book against her just authority she meaneth 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 sedition and great slaughter in England and that is was said to her All that he did was by necromancy John answereth Madam it may please your Majesty to heare my simple answers and first if to teach the word of God in sincerity or to rebuke idolatry and to presse a people to worship God according to his word be to raise subjects against their Princes then I can not be excused for it hath pleased
they would say Masse at Easter The Earle of Murray lamented this unto the Queen and shew what inconveniences shall follow if this be permitted After sharp reasoning it was promised that the like shall not be done again and for the same purpose order was sent to such places as were delated especially to the b. b. of Sant Andrews and Aberdeen that they should not say any Masse At that time the Queen was upon a purpose of mariage as in two years space she was twice married and thogh she never changed her mind to love religion yet upon many changes of her passions in that space of time she gave more way unto the petitions of the Church thereby to gain the affections of the subjects And though there were frequent alterations in the countrie somtrmes one partie prevailing in Court and somtimes another so that it came to lifting armes nevertheless the Church-men did still keep their assemblies Juny 25. An. 1565. conveen the Superintendents The IX Assembly Ministers and Commissioners of Shyres burghs John willock is chosen Moderator 1. The Assembly humbly requires the Nobility here present to solicite the Queen for execution of the lawes Acts lately made against the violators of the sabboth adulterers and fornicators And ordeines every Superintendent to supplicat for Cemmissions unto the Judges within their severall bounds giving them charge and power to execute punishment against the committers of these crimes 2. Others were sent unto the Queen to humbly supplicate as in former assemblies for abolishing the Masse for establishing the true religion ...... and to complain that some vaking Benefices have lately been bestowed by her Maj. on Noble men and Barons as a Benefice in Carrick was given to the Laird of Skeldrom And to supplicate that none be permitted to have office in schools Colledges nor Universities nor privatly or publickly to teach the youths but such as shall be tryed by the Superintendents and Visitors of Churches to be sound in the faith and able to teach Also for sustentation of the poore that all lands which in former times were doted unto hospitalls be restored to the same use and that all lands annuall rents and other emoluments pertaining any way to the friers of whatsoever order and annualrents altarages obites belonging then to priests be applied to the sustentation of the poor and of schools in the towns or other places where these things are to be payd And that such horrible crimes now abounding in the realm without any correction as idolatry blasphemy manifest breaking of the sabboth-day witchcraft and inchantments adultery incest maintaining of bordels murder reiff and other detestable crimes may be severely punished and Judges be appointed in every Province for execution there of and that by Act of Pa liament Lastly that some order be devised and established for ease of the poore laborers of the ground concerning their tyths which are oppressed by the Leasers of the tyths 3. Some gentle men in Kile crave that Ministers be sent unto them and they will provide them sufficiently as the Assembly shall ordain them 4. It is ordained that children shall not contract marriage without consent of their parents or in case of the parents unreasonably denying consent they shall make suite unto the Church to concurre with them in their lawfull proceedings 5. Whereas some Beneficed men in time of Papistry were permitted to keep their Benefice and now being converted take upon them the ministry in another congregation it is concluded generally that none should have two benefices or livings 6. It is ordained that Io. Knox shall receive the answers from the Commissioners which are now sent unto the Queen and he shall send these answers unto the Superintendents as also he shall advertise the faithfull of things necessaâ—y that shall happen before the next assembly which now is appointed to conveen Septemb. 25. at Edinburgh The four Gentle men and one Burgher that were appointed by the Assembly to present thir petitions unto the Queen went to Sainiohnstoun and delivered them The next day the Queen went to Dunkell and they follow when they had audience they humbly crave her answer She said Her Counsell was not there but she intends to be in Edinburgh within eight days and then they shall have an answer When these Commissioners had waited five dayes after the Queen came to Edinburgh the matter was proposed in Councell and at last it was answered by the Secretary The Queen's Majesties command is that the matter shall be reasoned in her presence which for the gravity there of can not be now concluded albeit her Majesties hath now heard more here of than ever before but with in eight dayes a great part of the Nobility is to be here and then they shall have a finall answer August 21. they receive this answer in writ To the first desiring the Masse to be abolished in the head members with punishment against the controveeners and the professed Religion to be established by Act of Parliament It is answered for her Majestes part That her Highness is no way yet persvaded in that religion nor yet that any impiety is in the Masse and therefore believes that her loving subjects wiâ—l not presse her to receive any religion against her conscience which shall be unto her a continuall trouble by remorse of conscience and there with a perpetuall unquietnes And to deale plainly with her subjects her Ma. neither will nor may leave the religion wherein she hath been brought up and believes the same to be well grounded Knowing that besids the grudge of conscience that she shall receive upon the change of religion that she shall lose the friendship of the K. of France the married Allya of this realm and of other great Princes her friends and confederats who take it ill and of whom she may look for their great support in all her necessities and having no assured consideration that may countervail the same she will beloath to put in hazard all her friends at one instant prayinig all her loving subjects seing they have had experience of her goodnes that she hath not in timepast nor intends hereafter to presse the conscience of any but that they may worship God in such sort as they are persuaded in their conscience to be best that they also will not presse her conscience As for establishing religion in the Body of the realm they themselves know as appeares by their Articles that the same can not be done by consent of her Majesty only but requires necessarily the consent of the States in Parliament and therefore so soon as the Parliament holds these things which the States agree upon among themselves her Majesty shall consent unto and in the mean time shall make sure that none be troubled for using Religion according to conscience So that none shall have cause to doubt that for religions sake mens lifes and heritages shall be in any hazard To the second article it is
and therefore wee are the more bold to exhort you to walk more circumspectly than for such vanities to trouble the godly For all things that may seem lawâ—ull edifie not If the commandement of Authority urge the conscience of you and our brethren more than they can beare wee unfainedly crave of you that yee remember yee are called The light of the world and the salt of the earth All civill authority hath not the light of God shining always before their eies in their statuts and commandements but their affections favour too much of the earth and of worldly wisdom and therefore wee think yee should boldly oppose yourselves not only unto all that power that will or dar extoll the selfe against God but also against all such as dar burden the consciences of the faithfull further than God hath burdened them by his own word But here in wee hope yee will excuse our freedom in that wee have entred further in reasoning than wee intended and promised in the beginning therefore wee briefly return to our former supplication which is that our brethren who among you refuse the Romish rags may find of you the Prelates such favor as our Head Master commandeth every one of his members to shew one to another this wee expect to receive of your courtesie not only because yee fear to offend Gods Majesty in troubling your brethren for such triffles but also because yee will not refuse the humble request of us your brethren and follow-preachers in whom albeit appear no worldly pomp yet wee suppose that yee will not so far despise us but that yee will esteem us to be of the number of them that fight against the Romane Antichrist and travell that the Kingdom of Christ Jesus may be universally advanced The dayes are evill iniquity aboundes Christian charity alas waxeth cold therefore wee should the more diligently watch the hour is uncertain when the Lord Jesus shall appeare before whom yee must give account of your administration In conclusion once again wee crave favors to our brethren which being granted yee in the Lord may command us things of double more importance The Lord Jesus rule your hearts in true feare unto the end and give unto you and us victory over that conjured enemy of all true relgion ouer that Roman Antichrist whose wounded head Sathan by all means strives to cure again but to destruction shall hee and all his members go by the power of our Lord Jesus to whose mighty protection wee commit you From Edinburg out of the generall assembly and third Session thereof Decemb. 17. 1566. by your loving brethren and fellow preachers in Christ Jesus 3. The same day this Supplication was A supplication ac gainst Episcop all jurisdiction ordained to be penned and then sent unto the Lords of the Secret Counsell The Generall assembly of the Church .... Unto the Nobility of this realm which professe the Lord Jesus with them and have renounced the Roman Antichrist wish constancy in the Spirit of righteous judgement Seeing Sathan by all our negligences Right Honorable hath so far prevailed within this realm of late dayes that wee stand in extream danger not only to lose our temporall possessions but to be also deprived of the glorious Evangell of Jesus Christ and so our posterity to be left in damnable darknes wee can not longer contain ourselves nor keep silence lest in so doing wee might be accused as guilty of the blood of such who shall perish for lack of admonition as the prophet threatneth Wee therefore in the fear of our God and with grieff and anguish of heart complain unto your Honors yea wee must complain unto God and all his obedient creatures that that coniured enemy of Jesus Christ and cruell murderer of our dear brethren most falsly styled Archbishop of Santandrews is reponed and restored to his former tyranny for not only are his former iurisdictions as they are termed of the wholl bishoprick of Santandrews granted unto him but also the execution of judgement confirmation of testaments and donation of his Benefices as more amply in his Signature is exprest If this be not to â—ure the head of that venemous Beast which once within this realm by the potent hand of God was so banished and broken down that by tyranny it could not hurt the faithfull judge yee His antient â—urisdiction was that he with certain his colleagues collaterall might have damned of heresy upon probation as pleased him and then to take all that were suspect of heresy what they have judged heresy heretofore yee can not be ignorant and whither they remain in their former malice their facts travells declare openly The danger may be feared say yee but what remedy It is easy and at hand richt Honorable if yee will not betray the cause of God and leave your brethren which never will be more subject to that usurped tyranny than they will unto the devill himselfe Our Queen by lyke is not well informed She ought not nor iustly may break the lawes of this realm and consequently she may not set up against us without our consents that Roman Antichrist again for in a lawfull and most free Parliament that ever was in this realm was that odious beast deprived of all jurisdiction office and authority within this realm Her Majesty at her first arrivall and by diverse her proclamations afterwards hath expressly forbidden all other form and face of religion than that which she found published at her arrivall therefore she may not bring us the greatest part of the subjects of this realm back again to bondage till that al 's real a Parliament as justly damned that Antichrist and his usurped tyranny have given decision betwixt us and him If heer of and of other things which no less concern yourselves than us yee will plainly admonish our Soveraigne and without tumult crave justice only the tyrants dar not more be seen in lawfull judgement than the Owles in the day light Weigh this matter as it is and ye shall finde it more weighty than to many it appeares Further at this present wee complain not but humbly crave of your Honors a reasonable answer what yee will do if such tyrants devouring wolves begin to invade the flock of Jesus Christ within this realm under whatsoever title that bee for wee boldly professe that wee will never acknowledge other Pastors to our souls nor Judges to our causes And if for denyall thereof wee either suffer in body or goods wee doubt not but we have one Judge to punish them that uniustly trouble us but also an Advocate and strong champion in heaven to recompence them who for his names sake suffer persecution whose holy Spirit rule your hearts unto the end your L. L. answer yet again wee crave c. 4. Questions were proponed I a marryed man went to the wars in Denmark four years thereafter his wife joyneth herself in whoordom to another man and now these
weak instruments to make his glory so sensibly appear in the Land that I may boldly say Mercy and trueth righteousness and peace had never since Christs coming in the flesh a more glorious meeting and amiable embracing on earth even so that the Church of Scotland justly obtained a name among the chief Churches and Kingdoms of the world A people sitting in darknes hath seen a great light and unto them who sate in the region of death light did spring up As the darknes evanishes at the rising of the Sun so God made all adverse power give way unto these weake instruments by degrees as followes more clearly To what Nation under heaven since the Sunne of righteousness had shined upon the most part of Europe hath the Lord communicated the Gospell for so large a time with such purity prosperity power liberty and peace The hottest persecutions had not greater purity the most halcion times had not more prosperity and peace the best reformed churches in other places scarcely parallelled their liberty and unity And all these with such continuance that not only hath He made the trueth to stay there as He made the Sun to stay in the dayes of Josua But when the cloud of iniquities did threaten a going down in his mercy he hath brought back the glorious sunne by in any degrees Christ not hath only been one and his name made known in respect of his propheticall office for information of his priesthood for the expiation of sins and for intercession But also had displayd his banner and hath shewd himself few can say the like a Soveraigne King in the Land to govern with his own Scepter of the Word to cutt off with the Civill sword all moniments of idolatry and superfluity of vain rites and to restore all the meanes of his Worship in doctrine Sacraments and discipline to the holy simplicity and integrity of the first pattern shewed in the mount from which by that wisdom of man which ever is foolishness with God they were fearfully and shamefully swerving II. Another particulare is Some Noble men namely Lord James Steward and others were very zealous for the Reformation at the first but when they were accustomed with the aire of the Court they cooled were for toleration of the Masse and relented for their preferment as hee was made Earle of Morray and others became officers of State The Ministers admonished them and threatned them for their lukewarmness They despised admonitions and would not use the preachers so familiarly as before they were wont though none of them turned Papist excep the Earle of Bothwell and they heard the preachings When the Queen intended to marry Henry Stuard sone to the Earle of Lennox and sought not the consent of the Parliament they oppose her marriage and therefore were all exiled and fled into England Thus God made the threatnings true but in mercy to the Land he wondrously brought them back when variance fell betwixt the King and Queen the King recalleth the exiled Noble men of purpose to make himselfe the stronger by them And when the King 1567. was murthered on February 9. by the Earle of Bothwel and the Queen married that Earle these same Noble men with other stood in defence of the young Prince that he came not into the hands of him who had killed his father They went to the fields with armies on both sides and the Queen's Army was the stronger but they were strucken with such feare that without stroak of sword the Earle fled away into Denmark and the Queen went to the Lords Juny 11. and renounced the Crown in favors of her sone and did chuse the Earle of Murray to be Regent of the Q. Mary renounced the Croâ—n Kingdom enduring her Sone's minority And then the Religion was established as followes So it pleased God to change things beyond the expectation of men VI. Soon after the Queens marriage a proclamation was made wherein the Queen declares that She will confirm all that She had promised at her arrivall concerning the Reformed Religion This was to stop the peoples mouths But all in vain For the people universally were against Bothwell For some declared openly against him some were Neuters and a few of the Nobility did join unto him especially the Bishop of Santandrews and the Earle of Huntly who had been lately restored by the Queen Within few dayes after the Queen came unto the Lords she would have gone from them but they fearing what she might attempt convoy her into the Castle of Lochlevin then the Earle of Glencarn with his domesticks went to the Chappell-Royall and break down the Altars Images This fact did content the zealous Protestants but did offend the Popish party The Histor of Reformat Lib. 5. On Juny 25. The Nationall Assembly conveenes at Edinburgh George Buchanan then The XIII Assembly Principall of S. Leonards Colledge was chosen Moderator 1. The Superintendent of Anguise and Bergany were sent unto the Lords of the Secret Counsell to request their L. L. to conveen with the Assembly and give their assistance in such things as shall be thought good for establishing true Religion and supporting the Ministry 2. It is thought good by all that are conveened that this assembly shall conveen Iuly 20. next to come for setting foreward such things as shall then be propounded and for that purpose ordaines to write Missives to all and sundry Earles Lords and Barons requiring them to conveen at that day And to this effect appoints Commissioners to deliver the Missives and to require answer according to their Commissionâ— The tenor of the Commissions given to every one followes For so much as Satan this long time in his memberâ— had so raged and perturbed the good success proceedings of Christs Religion within this realm by crafty meanes subtile coâ—spiracyes that the same from time to time doth decay and in hazard to be altogether subverted unlesâ— God of his mercy find hasty remedy and that mainly through extream poverty of the Ministers who should preach the word of life unto the people and are compelled thereby some to leave that Vocation alluterly some others so abstracted that they can not insist so diligently in the exercise of the word as they would Therefore the Church presently conveened in this generall Assembly hath thought it most necessary by these presents to request admonish most brotherly all such persons as do truly professe the Lord JESUS within this realm of whatsoever estate or degree either of the Nobility Barons and Gentle men and all others true professours to conveen in Edinburgh July 21. next in their personall presence to assist with their counsell power for order to be taken alswell towardâ— the establishing of Christs religion universally throughout the realm and abolishing the contrary which is Papistry as the sustentation of the Ministers not only for the present time and instant necessity but also for a perfect order to be taken and
other parishoners without proclamation of bans to have strength against John Row and him to underly the censure enduring the Church's will 2. No collection for the poore shall be gathered in time of Sermon nor administration of the Sacrament but only at the Churchdoor 3. If any Minister reside not at the Church where his charge is he shall be summoned before the Superintendent or Commissioner of the Province to whom the Assembly gives power to depose him and ordaines that they report their diligence unto the next Assembly 3. All Superintendents Commissioners of visitation shall proceed summarily against all Papists within their Province and charge them within eight dayes to join themselves unto the Religion presently established by learning the Word of God and then by partaking of the Sacrament and to give their oath and subscribe according to the Act of Parliament and Acts agreed-upon betwixt the Regent Counsell and Commissioners of the Church and if any shall refuse to proceed c. 4. All Bishops Superintendents and Commissioners of visitation shall be present the first day of the Assembly before noon and continue untill the end Under pain of losing half of their stipend for a year and nevertheless to continue in serving during that time 5. Concerning the desire of the Lord Regent to place some of the learned Ministers Senators in the Colledge of Justice The Assembly after long reasoning hath voted and concluded that none is able to beare these two charges and therefore inhibites all Ministers that none take upon them to be a Senator except Robert Pont only who is already entred by advice c. 6. Five articles are presented by the Superint Ministers of Lothian to wit 1. All the Actes of the G. Assembly should be copied and sent to every Exercise 2. Such matters as fall out betwixt the Synodall conventions and the Generall Assemblies shall be notified to every Exercise twenty dayes before the Generall Assembly and be reported by them 3. Such matters as are referred by the subordinat assembly unto the Generall shall be penned faithfully by the Superintendent 's Clerk and reported unto the Generall assembly by the Superintendent 4. that the Generall assemblies be frequented by the Nobility and Barons as in former times 5. Ministers who have not money to buy books may at this time have them lowsed unto them by the Collector and the prices of them to be allowed in their stipends The Assembly ratifieth all these as profitable 7. Bishops Superintendents and Commissioners shall without delay purchase Letters commanding all men to frequent preaching and prayers according to the order established in particular congregations And to charge the Inferior Magistrat to put into execution the Acts concerning the observance thereof and for execution of disciplin and punishing of vice 8. If a man passe out of the country and leaving his wife shall marry another woman and his wife shall marry another man in his absence both are adulterers unless the sentence of divorcement hath been pronounced by the Judge Whereas in these Acts mention is made of Exercise it is to be marthat at that time Prsebyteries or Classes as others call them were not erected but the Ministers of a burgh and circumjacent churches did conveen of their own accord on a certain day of the week in the burgh and did preach publickly in the Church per vices for mutuall edification and manifesting the increase of their gifts and this meeting was called The Exercise The Assembly The 25. Assembly conveenes at Edinburgh August 6. Here were many Earles Lords Barons some Bishops Superintendents c. Alexander Arbuthnot Principall of the Coledge of old Aberdien is chosen Moderator 1. The books of Bishops Superintend and Commissioners of visitation were produced and certain Ministers are appointed to examin their diligence in visitation John Douglas Bishop of Satandrews was accused for admitting a Papist Priest into the Ministry to whom the Superintend of Lothian had prescribed certain injunctions and he had not obeied them for not visiting nor preaching that half year for giving collation of a Benefice which was before bestowd on a Minister to another suspect of Popery for suffering the Exercise to decay through his default for admitting some to function in the Church who were unable and not examined namely some coming out of Mers Lothian for visiting by others and not by himself He answered unto the first he admitted not that Priest untill he had recanted Popery openly in the Church of Saâ—tandrews The Assembly enjoynes the Priest to satisfy the injunctions prescribed in Lothian which he had not obeyd and in the mean time inhibites him to exercise any function in the Church To the next he answered He had preached personally where he did visite but â—or siâ—knes did not visite since the last Assembly And for other things he pretended ignorance or weaknes c. James Patoun B. of Dunkell was accused that he had accepted the name of a Bishop but hath not used the office of a Bishop he had not proceeded against Papists within his bounds he is suspect of Simony betwixt the Earle Argile and him concerning the profits of the Bishoprick yea and of perjury in that contrary to his oath at the receiving the Biâ—hoprick he gives Acquittances and the Earle receives the silver Alex. Gordon B. of Galloway iâ— accused that he intruded himself into the office of the Ministry within Edinb he enticed the people to rebellion against our soverain Lord he refused to pray for our Soverain and approved another authority he being forbidden by the G. Assembly to have any intromission with the parishoners of Haâ—â—rudhouse yet compelled them to receive the Sacrament and caused pretended Balies and men of war to compell the poore people being sworn by solemne oath unto due obedience unto our Severain and his Regent and authority he had brokâ—n his oath by sitting in the pretended Parliament for dispossâ—ssing our Soverain of his royall Crown autâ—ority he had given thanks publickly in pulpit for the slaugâ—ter of the Regent Mathew Earle of Lennox and exhorted the people to do the like â—â—e was a perverter of the people not only before the Reformation but at sundry other times He answered He was free of all these by the Act of pacification It was replied The States had not absolved him a Bishop from the censure of the Church in talibus So he was ordained under the pain of excommunication to make publick repentance three severail Sundayes one in the Church of Edinburgh another in Halâ—rudhouse and the third in the Queen's-colledge-church Robert Pont was accused that being Commissioner to visite Murray he resideth not there nor hath visited Churches these two years excep the chief four he hath visited once He alledgeth want of leisure because he was ordained to attend the Colledge of Justice Whereupon the Superintendent of Lothian moveth the question Whither it be lawfull by the Word of God that the administration of
asscribe or take upon them any part thereof in placing or displacing Ministers of Gods word in spirituall livings or offices without the Churches admission or in stopping the mouths of preachers or taking upon them the judgement and tryall of doctrin or of hindering or dis-annulling the censures of the Church or exeeming any offender there from 2. That the Presbyteries consisting of Pastors or Teachers and such as are commonly called Elders according to Gods word and now according to his Ma s direction appointed in diverse parts of this realm for disciplin and keeping order in ecclesiasticall affaires Be approved established by authority and paines prescribed against them that stubbornly oppose themselves 3. That the Synodall assemblies consisting of sundry Presbyteries and Nationall consisting of the wholl be approved and by vertue Act of Counsell presently and of Parliament hereafter have power to conveen so oft as occasion shall require to advise treat conclude and make ordinances in such things as concern the well of the Church and their charge in doctrin and disciplin with liberty to appoint times places for that effect 4. That Presbyteries and such as they will direct of their own number have the same power in designing manses gliebs and repairing of Churches as Bishops or Commissioners had before 5. That every Church have their severall Pastor to be sustained on the tyths of the parish where he serves and to that end the manses of churches that are annexed to great Benefices or prelacies be dissolved pensions given out of the tiths and tacks of the same set by the Collectors or possessors may be revoked c. Likewise a Supplication unto the King and Counsell was read for redress of many enormities 1. That the slanderous proclamation at Perth July 12. and published in all townes and parish-churches and to the perpetuall infamy of Gods servants is printed may be perused and diligently considered and triall be made whither any Minister be culpable of such odious crimes and if they be culpable that they be punished with all rigor of law And otherwise that the givers out of so blasphemous reports and devisers and diters of that infamous libell be punished accordingly And that by Act of Counsell and open proclamation the Ministry be declared innocent of such wicked and hainous crimes 2. That the unaccustomed violence used against Jo. Howeson drawing him out of the seat of the presbytery ...... And against David Weemes Minister be so punished that none be bold to attempt the like hereafter 3. That Colin Campbell Archbald and Wi. Heggets burgesses of Glasgow with their complices be punished according to justice for the uproar made by them against the Students and shedding their blood 4. that the proclamation lately made for the liberty of the Assemblies may be enlarged and more plainly cleared 5. That your Lp s will give his Majesty to understand how wicked instruments they are who persuaded his Gr. to allow and take upon himself all the mischiefs and ungodly proceedings whereby his Gr. and the Church Country were brought into such misery and danger 6. That all Acts of Counsell made against Presbyteries assemblies charging them to desist from proceeding in discipline and ecclesiasticall censures against scandalous persons be annulled and deleted and the Act made against J. Dury 7. That his Majesty and Lords will weigh what great inconvenients and absurdities fall out upon the Act of Counsell made concerning the absolute power and for removing them to delete that Act never to be remembred 8. That his Gr. and Lords provide carefully foresee that by wicked practise of dimission or association of authority the Church the Kings Majesty and country be not hurt and that the same be stayd in time 9. That the stipend appointed unto the Minister of Sterlin and now wickedly purchased by Ro. Mongomery to his young son be restored for sustentation of a qualified man to teach that flock which by his ungodly dealing and apostasy hath been destitute so long time 9. That it would please your Majesty and Lords to have compassion upon that Noble and godly man James Hamilton Earle of Arran somtyme a comfortable instrument in Reforming the Church of God and now visited by the hand of God and bereft under pretence of Law 10. That Commissioners be deputed in each part for visiting the Colledges The Assembly gives commission unto nyneteen Ministers with the Ministers of the Kings house to present this Supplication unto the Kâ—ng and the Estates now conveened at Halirud house or unto the Parliament when it shall be holden crave answer c. In the next Session these brethren report that the Lords crave the advice of the Church who should sit in their names to vote in Counsell and Parliament seing now they are about the taking order for a Counsell consisting of three Estates For better resolution in this particulare it was thought meet to enquire of the Lords what is their meaning in this proposition In the following session answer was returned that the meaning is Whither the Church will consent that some of the Bishops should for the Church be upon the Counsell The assembly resolves they can not agree that any shall vote in name of the Church but they who bear office in the Church and are authorized with commission thereunto Two Ministers are appointed to return this aâ—swer unto the Lords In this Convention of Estates nothing was done in the affaires of the Church they were all for securing themselves XX. On January 28. year 1583. the King withdrew himselfe from the 1583. Another change of Court Nobility that had separated the Duke and Arran from him and he went unto the Castle of Santandrews untill he sent for other Noble men to be of his Counsell and the entituled Earle of Arran was let out of Duplin and came unto the King whereupon in the end of that year followed great alteration The Generall assembly conveenes at Edinb April 24. Tho. The 45. Assembly Smeton is chosen Moderator I. Three Ministers were sent unto the King to humbly desire Commissioners for assisting the assembly in treating and concluding c. And seing his Majesty had sent Ambassadors into England that he would be pleased to endeavoure an union be made betwixt the two Kingdoms and other Christian Princes and Nations professing the true religion against the persecution of Papists and them that are confederat in that bloody League of Trent and also that her Majesty would disburden their Brethren of England from the yoke of ceremonies imposed upon them against the liberty contained in Gods word Likewise in Sess 5. others were ordained to supplicate his Majesty earnestly that the French Ambassador may be sent away because his travell is suspected to tend against religion and the Commonwell That a Jesuit Holt may be tryed and according to his offense punished That the Lord Seton's son may be accused for his Letters unto Jesuits That a brother of
Popish and Epicurean clients of Guisianes and Queen Mother to cast presbyteries into the ground to restore the tyranny of episcopacy to attribute unto the King the sole command or as they call it absolute power in Ecclesiasticall affaires and by their authority to decern the Sentences of excommunication pronounced lawfully by the Presbytery to he null Briefly they have committed all ecclesiasticall jurisdiction and power of governing the Church next unto the King unto these false Bishops who are either justly excommunicat or known to be flagitious Among these the first place is given unto P. A. the prime adviser and instrument of all these counsells and plots i. e. who enjoying that perpetuall Papall Dictature doeth without any restraint and wonderfully oppresse the Ministers and all godly men he doth present unto them these his sodered articles or rather the blots of ecclesiasticall order which he hath lately sucked from the dregs of the Popish vessels sticking as yet in our nighbour country and forceth by Royall autority the Ministers to drink and subscribe them So far he The houâ—e of Darknes This houre of darknes as it was called continued nor long behold how God dispelled it Bishop Spotswood informes this particulare in this manner Upon information that Nicol Dagleish Minister at S. Cutberts did in his publick prayers remember the exiled brethren he was called before the Counsell and accused for praying for the King's rebells and for keeping intelligence with them by Letters He confesseth his prayer for the brethren maintaining it to be lawfull but he denied the intelligence only he granted that he had seen a Letter written by Mr Balcanquall to his wife remembring him kindely The King was offended with his answers and commandeth his Advocat to pursue him criminally which was done the nextday At his appearing before the Justice when he had heard rhe indictment he said He should not be questioned for one and the same fact before two Judicatories and having answered these points before the Counsell he should not be put to it again The Advocat replieth The Counsels proceeding takes not away the criminall Judge and therefore he must answer and he was commanded to answer advisedly seing it concernes his life He saith If I must answer I think not that I have offended in praying for my brethren who are in trouble and if the conceiling the Letters which I saw be a fault I submit my selve to his Ma s will The Jury proceedes and declares him guilty of treason yet the Sentence was continued and he was sent to prison in the Tolbuth where he remained some months and in end upon his supplicatton was pardoned In the same Court David Hume of Argathy and his brother Patrick were condemned to dearh for keeping intelligence with the Commendator of Dryburgh and in the after noon were executed yer was it no matter of State but some private accounts undischarged before his going out of the country wherein they had interchanged one or two Letters This severity was universally disliked but that which ensued was much more hatefull To breed a terror in people and to cause them abstain from communicating in any sort with the exiled Lords a Proclamation was made That who shall discover any person offending in that kind shall besides his own pardon receive a speciall reward Upon this one Robert Hamilton of Eglismachan delateth Malcolm douglas of Mains and John cuningham of Drumwhasill for having conspired to intercept the King at hunting and detain him in some strong hold till the Lords might come and receive him A meer forgery it was yet gladly hearkned unto by them that desired to be rid of them they were both gentle men of good respect and mistrusted of the Court ...... They were brought vvithout resistance to Edinburgh February 9. they vvere presented to Justice ...... When Main's indictment vvas read he denied all and so cleared himself by the unliklyhood and their impossibility to compasse a business of that importance to all there present that in their hearts they did pronounce him innocent Neverthelesse they vvere declared guilty of treason and the same day hanged in the publick strier of Edinburg Hamilton the delator was afterwards killed in the park of Sterlin These cruell proceedings caused a generall fear that all familiar society was in a manner lest off none knowing to whom he might savely speak Arran in the mean time 1584. went on drawing into his hands the wholl managing of affairs for he would be sole and supreme over all ...... He was Chancellor ...... The castls of Edinburgh Sterlin he had in custody then made himself Ptovest of the Town as if all this had not been enough he was declared Generall Lieutenant over all the kingdom In a word whatsoever he pleased was done and without him nothing could be done This stirred up great emulation against him in Court The Master of Gray a great favorite at that time and professed Papist took it disdainfully that every thing was governed by him there be moe particulares there which I passe over Arran careth not what enmity he draw upon him The Earle of Athol the Lord Hume and Master of Cassils were committed to prison the first because he refused to divorce from his wife a daughter of the Earle of Gowrie and entaile his lands to him the next for that he denied him his part of the lands of Dirltoun and the third for denying him a loan of some moneys which it was thought he might spare Then he falleth out with the Lord Maxwell for excambion of his heritage with the Barony of Kinniell which Arran possessed by the forefeiture of the Hamiltons but Maxwell would not exchange with a new and uncertain purchase Fot this cause Arran intends a quarrell against him and causeth denounce him rebell and they gather forces the one against the other I shew but the sum In the mean time Sir John Forrester and Thomas Ker of Farnherst Wardens of the Midd Marches conveening for restoring some goods taken from the English a tumult hapneth wherein Sir Francis Russell son to the Earle of Bedford was killed this was layd upon Farnherst and he was said to have done it by Arrans instigation for these two were in great friendship The Queen craves that Farnherst be delivered Arran strongly opposeth The Queen had called the exiled Lords south ward and upon this accident gave them licence to return unto the Borders The king for satisfaction of the Queen confineth Arran in Santandrews and the other in Aberdien where he died but Arran was restored In July was a league offensive and defensive contracted betwixt the two kingdoms in the cause of religion for then was discovered the Holy league as they called it which the Pope had made with the Princes to extirpat the Reformed religion Q. Elisabet understanding herselfe to be principally aimed at thought nothing better than to make a counter-league with the Reformed Princes to that effect she sent
justly be thought it had been for the Câ—own and Kingdom 's good if they had continued so but as Bishop Spotswood Pag. 365. saith the temporalities formerly disponed which were not a few being all in the same Parliament confitmed and those that were remaining were in a short time begged from him no thing was left I will not say as he saith to reward a well deserving servant but to the Crown itself He sayth also in the preceeding page for example The Duke of Lennox his Agents possessed themselves in the Bishopriek of Glasgow as his Father had obtained before and Robeâ—t Mongomery being no more acknowledged did resigne his title in favor of William Erskin Parson of Campsie as followes See also what hath been in other Nations Irland was a free Kingdom by itself some thousands of years but when they received Diocesan Bishops immediatly their Kingdom was changed When Numidia received such Bishops they became slaves to the Mahumetanes Who â—xcluded the Roman Emperor from Rome and Italy the Bishop of Rome the Politicall rising of the one was the ruin of the other And since the other sort of Emperors have acknowledge their power to stand upon the power of the Roman B. they have but the shadow of an Emp. Hovv fond a thing is it to conceive that a K. or kingdom can not stand without Lordly Bs certainly it is a strange and new principle of State Objection 1. May not Bishops be good men Answer yea and some good men have been Bishops But 1. compare the number of good Bishops with the number of proâ—d and ............ Bishops and compare the good they have done unto Kings and Kingdoms with what ill others have done unto Kings Kingdoms 2. In the example of Bishop Grindall see what hath been the practise of a good Bishop and what hath been his entertainment by others 3. Consider how a Lordship changeth manners as when Queen Elisabet gave unto a Minister a Patent unto a Bishoprick she said Tooday I have marred a good Minister 4. Consider not so much what may be but what usually comes to pass or rather what should bee according to the pattern prescribed by Him who is wisest 5. It may be answered unto this question by another Can he be a good man to whom the will of any man is the law of his conscience Ja. Nicolson Min. at Miegle received from Kings Iames in the year 1608. a Patent unto the Bishoprick of Dunkell and after that he was diseased in body for a long time and also grieved in time of his sicknes David Lindsay then Minister at Dundy and his brother-in-law went to visit him and Iames said unto him I give you may advice and see that you never forget it Bee never a Bishop if you be a Bishop you must resolve to take the will of your Soveraigne as the law of your couscience He said so with grief and from his own experience as I heard from two faihfull witnesses to wit his brother who was also a minister and his son Whether others have the like experiment I leave it unto consideration 6. Can be be a good man who undertakes â—o offices then he is able to discharge If he say that he will discharge them by his under Officers will he make his accouns unto God by his under Officers and by them go into heaven or hell but vvhere hath a Preacher a vvarrand to do so In the dayes of John Chrysostom that Human Episopacy was more Spirituall and far less Secular for it was not a Secular Lordship and nevertheless behold what he saith in Homil. 1. On the epistle unto Titus I can not admire sufficiently of them who are desirous of such burdens O the most unhappy and the mosâ— wretched of men considerest thou not what thou desuest c. I wish that all who are ambitious of episcopacy would read seriously what he hath written in that place and in the Morale part of the homily immediatly following Object 2. Seing Authority will have Bishops may not good men take Bishopriks rather then suffer other men to take them Ans 1. This is as if one would say If Authority will have men to make shipwrack of their consciences may not good men make shipwrack of their consciences rather then others 2. William Couper Minister at Perth was continually preaching against episcopacy K. James hearing of him thought the readiest way to shut up his mouth was to try him with a Bishoprick when the Patent was tendered unto Couper as a testimony of the Kings favor he sought the advice of John Hall then Minister at Edinburgh who smelling the others inconstancy said Take it take it another knave will take it 3. A Courtier said once unto K. James Sir you give Bishopriks unto men of whom some are unable to preach some are not prudent and some are scandalous The King answered as I have heard it oft reported by credible men What shall I doe no honest men will take one This answer holds firmly if they know what hath been said in the second fifth and sixth answers unto the preceeding objection XXIV In England after the Reformation good and many men did oppose A Sâ—pplication to the Parliament of England against Episcopacy episcopacy I will not commend all that did oppose but posterity may know what hath been done About the year 1570. was great opposition against Bishops and their government and their superstitious rites as witnesseth an Admonition to the Parliament which came into my hand by the reprinting of it in the year 1642 and is worthy the reading the words are Seing nothing in this mortall life is more diligently to be sought for and carefully to be looked unto than the restitution of true religion and reformation of Gods Church it shall be your parts dearly beloved in this present Parliament assembled as much as in you lieth diligently to promote the same and to employ your wholl labor and study not only in abandoning all popish remnants both in ceremonies and regiment but also in bringing-in and placing in Gods Church those things only which God himselfe in his word commandeth because it is not enough to take paines in taking away evill but also to be occupied in placing good in stead thereof Now because many men see not all things and the world in this respect is marvelously blinded it hath been thought good to proferr unto your godly considerations a true platform of a Church reformed to the end that it being layd before your eies to behold the great unlikeness betwixt it and this our English Church you may learn either with perfect hatred to detest the one and with singular love to embrace and carefully endeavoure to plant the other or els to be without excuse before the Maâ—esty of our God who for the discharge of our conscience and manifestation of his truth hath by us revealed unto you at this present the sincerity and simplicity of his Gospell Not that you should
others to go with him and if he had not had a Papist with him he could never have looked to prevail because our dignities and Government comes wholly and every part thereof from the Pope and is ruled and defended by the same canons whereby his Popedom is supported So that if I had wanted their helps I had had no authority either from God or man no help either by reason or learning whereby I could have been furthered And whereas you say that he would labor to erect the Popes Kingdom no question but he did so and that made for us said the Bishop for albeit we would if we might of the two keep rather the Protestant Religion with our dignities then the other yet had we rather change our Religion than forgo our priviledges ...... and vvee have retained them of purpose for vve can bear vvith their Religion so that they bear up our authority c. Testimonies against Episcopacy of B. Iewel I wil not think that all the Bishops vvere of this mind but too many of them vvere such as is cleare by their silencing and deposing so many learned men I and their banishing such as that learned Thomas Cartvvright c. In this discourse vvee see also vvhat grounds they had for Episcopacy and for clearing this point I vvill subjoyn but tvvo or three testimonies one of that learned Bishop Jewell in many places he speakes of the equality of a Bishop and a priest I name but The defense ef the Apology against Harding edit An. 1570. pag. 243. saying What meaneth M. Hardinge to come in with the difference between priests and Bishops ... Is it so horrible an heresy as he makes it to say that by the Scriptures of God a Bishop and a priest are all one or knowes he how far and unto whom he reaches the name of an hereticque Verily Chrysostom saith on 1. Tim. homil 1â— Inter Episcopum Presbyterum interest fermè nihil between a Bishop and Priest in a manner is no difference S. Jerom ad Evagr. saith somwhat in rougher sort Audio quendam in tantam erupisse vecordiam ut diaconos presbyteris id est episcopis anteferret Cùm Apostolus perspicuè doceat eosdem esse presbyteros quâ—s episcopos I hear say there is one become so peevish that he setteth deacons before priests that is Bishops whereas the Apostle plainly teaches us that priests and Bishops be all one S. Augustin in quest Vet. Nov Tost qu. 101. saith Quid est Episcopus nisi primus Presbyter hoc est summus sacordos what is a Bishop but the first priest that is the highest priest So saith S. Ambrose de dignit sacerdot Episcopi Presbyteri una ordinatio est uterque enim sacerdos sed episcopus primus est There is but one consecration of a priest and a Bishop for both of them are priests but the Bishop is the first All these and other mo holy Fathers together with S. Paul the Apostle for thus saiyng by M. Hardinges advice must be holden for heretiques So Ivell Another testimony is Doctor Reynolds 2. Of D. Reynolds Letter to Sir Francis Knollis concerning Do. Bancrofts Sermon at Pauls cross Febr. 9. 1588. in the Parliament time Because I have not seen this Letter among the Doctors works and I think it is not common but I have found it printed with some oâ—her pieces of that kind I set it down here word by word Albeit right honorable I take greater confort in labouring to discover overthrow the errors of Jesuits Papists enemies of religion then of the Ministers of Christ yet seing it hath pleased your Ho to require mee to shew my opinion of these things which certain of these men maintain and stand in I thought it my duty by the example of Levi Deut. 33. who said of his father mother I regarde them not nor acknowledged he his brethren to declare the truth without respect of persons Of the two points therefore in Do. Bancrofts Sermon which your Ho. mentioneth one is concerning that he seemes to avouch The superiority which Bishops have among us over the Clergy to be Gods own ordinance though not by expresse words yet by necessary consequence in that he affirmes their opinion who oppugne that Superiority to be heresy Wherein I must confesse he hath committed an oversight in my judgement and himself I think if he be advertised will acknowledge it For having said first that Aërius affirmeth that there was no difference by the word of God betwixt a Priest and a Bishop and afterward that Martine and his companions do maintain this opinion of Aërius he addeth that Aërius persisting therein was condemned for an heretick by the generall consent of the whol Church and likewise that Martin and all his companions opinion hath herein been condemned for heresy Touching Martin if any man behave himself otherwise then in discretion charity he ought let the blame be laid where the fault is I defend him not but if by the way he utter a trueth mingled with whatsoever els it is not reason that that which is of God should be condemned for that which is of man no more than the doctrine of the resurrection should be reproved because it was maintained held by the Pharises Wherefore removing the odious name of Martin from that which in sincerity love is to be dealt with it appeares by the aforesaid words of D. Bancroft that he avouches the Superiority which B. have over the Clergy to be Gods own ordinance for he improves the impugners of it as holding with Aërius that there is no difference by the word of God betwixt a Priest and a Bishop which he could not do with reason unless he himselfe approved the Bs superiority as established by Gods word and he addeth that their opinion who gaine-sayd is heresy whereof it insueth he thinkes it contrary to Gods word sith heresy is an error repugnant to the truth of the word of God as according to the Scriptures our own Church doth teach us Now the arguments which he bringeth to prove it an heresy are partly over vveak partly untrue over weake that he beginneth vvith one of Epiphanius untrue that he adioyneth the universall consent of the Church For thogh Epiphanius do say that Aërius assertion is full of foly yet he disproves not the reason vvhich Aërius stood on out of the Scripture nay he deales so in seeking to disprove it that Bellarm in the Jesuit To. 1. contr 5. l. 1. c. 15. desirous to make the best of Epiphanius whose opinion here in he maintaineth against the Protestauts yet is forced to confesse that Epiphanius his answer is none of the wisest nor any way can fit the text As for the generall consent of the whole Church which D. Bancroft saith condemned that opinion of Aërius for an heresy and himseâ—f for an heretik because he persisted in it that is a large speach but what proof has he that
Spotswood P. 306. where he declares that in the end of the preceeding year many Icsuits and Priests he nameth ten of them came to deal with the Popish Noble men for assisting the Spanish Armada which was then in preparing to invade England if they shall land in Scotland for their hope was to find the King favorable because of the Queens proceedings against his mother and that he would joyn his forces with the Spanish for revenge of that wrong But the King considering his own danger if strangers set foot in in the â—sle and not trusting that the Spaniards would take such paines to purchase the Crown of England for him for that also was profered refused to give eare unto such motions But the Bishop as an aduersary of Assemblies failes in sundry particulars here namely that he saith This Assembly was called by the Ministers whereas the Letter that was sent unto the King saith expressly that they were conveened at his command and his Commissioners were present in the first Session and were Assessors in the Privy Conference as also the King gave the Noble men thankes for that they had conveened so solemly Then he saith Robert Bruce was chosen Moderator though he had not as yet entred into the Ministeriall function I know not what year he was admitted into the Ministry but he was not only a member of the Assembly in the year preceeding but was chosen an Assessor unto the Moderator vvhich certainly had not been done if he had not been an eminent Minister seing he vvas not Commissioner from a Province or Burgh but he never loved Bishops nor did the Bishops love him The vanity of some other particulares appeares by vvhat is vvritten out of the books of the Assembly â— Concerning Rob. Mongomery the Presbytery of Glasgovv vvas called to an account of their admitting William Erskin unto the Bishoprick of Glasgovv seing he vvas not a Minister but only titulare Parson of Campsy They ansvvered Seing church-men vvere not permitted to enjoy the Bishoprick as is said before they esteemed it better that he have the title than any other and he had given his bond to renounce the title if the Generall Assembly did not allovv his admission This vvas not allovved and they vvere ordained to persue him to renounce according to his bond and Robert Mongomery having renounced episcopacy before the Assembly was thereafter planted at a church in Cunigham Of Pa. Adamson and Ja. Gibson more followes After this Assembly the King intended an expedition into the West Marches against the Lord Hereis of whom the Assembly had complained but he came and offered himself unto the King and upon his pâ—omise to amend and surety given that he shall resort to Sermons and suffer nothing to be done in his Wardenry in prejudice of religion he was â—ent back to his charge At the same time the Lord Maxwell who had gotten licence to go into other countries and with assurance that he shall not return without licence having seen the preparation of Spain for invading England returneth by advice of some Scots Papists and landeth at Kirkudbry in Aprile and immediatly gathereth men The L. Hereis advertiseth the King Maxwell was charged to appear before the Counsell he disobeyd Wherefore the King went with such force as he could for the time against him he fled to sea and was brought back prisoner to Edinburgh In this sommer that Spanish Navy which had been some years in preparing and was called Invincible was overthrown by weak means of men and principally by storm when they were lying at anchor in the road of Callais So it pleased God to disappoint the attempts of Papists with great losse unto them and no harm unto this Island Before the report The 50. Assembly of this overthrow came the Assembly conveenes at Edinb August 6. Thomas Buchanan is chosen Moderator I. The Assembly considering the dangers imminent to the Church generally and specially unto the realm by the intended coming of Spainards as also the decay of religion by the rarity poverty of Ministers appointes that a fast be proclamed to morrow by the ordinary Teacher in the Church to be continued all this week II. Because universally throughout this realm there is no religion nor disciplin among the poore but many live in filthy adultry or incest and their children are nor baptised nor do they resort unto the preaching of the word Therefore Ministers shall make intimation and denounce unto all the poor that either be parishoners by birth or resort unto their parishes if they have woman children that they shew testimoniall of their mariage or els shall be refused of almes by all godly persons And that they exhort their parishoners to extend their liberality rather unto these that are of the household of faith and judge discreetly in giving almes unto others who have not such evidents as is said III. A citation was directed by the Moderator of the preceeding Assembly against Pa. Adamson called Bishop of Santandrews making mention that seing by an Act of the Presbytery of Edinburg it was ordained concerning the marriage of George Earle of Huntle his bans should be proclamed upon his subscribing certain articles of religion and under promise that he shall subscribe the rest before his marriage and inhibition was made unto diverse of the Ministry and namely to the foresaid Patrick that they should not celebrate the foresaid marriage untill the foresaid Earle had subscribed the Confession of faith contained in the Acts of Parliament With certification unto every one of them if they do so they should be called for disobedience to the voice of the Church Before the G. Assembly And notwithstanding the said inhibition the said Patrick hath proceeded to solemnize the said marriage upon Iuly 21 thereby disobeying the foresaid inhibition Now the said Patrick is called and for him compeares his proctor Tho. Wilson producing a testimoniall of his sicknes subscribed by Do. Robert nicoll and two of his Bailives and craves that they would not disquiet him in time of his sicknes This testimoniall is judged not to be sufficient IV. For somuch as since the late Act of annexation his Majesty hath transferred the right of patronage of sundry Benefices from himself unto Earles Lords Barons and others and hath annexed them to their lands of whom some have gotten confirmation in Parliament others have obtained them since the Parliament and a third sort hath gotten gift of the naked patronage to the evident hurt of the Church Wherefore it is thought expedient to entreat his Majesty by earnest sute that the said dispositions may be annulled in the next Parliament and in the mean time that it may please his Majesty to deny the disposing of patronages which remain as yet undisposed and that his Majesty would provide that the Commissioners and Presbyteries unto whom the Collation of these Benefices appertaineth be not processed nor horned or outlawed for not giving admission thereupon Inhibiting in
he hath committed apostasy and therefore to have incurred the censure of an apostate The next day he sendeth a supplication offering to subscribe the Confession of faith or within 40. dayes to passe out of the realm and to this effect craving to be freed from captivity The Assembly desireth a Bailive of Edinburgh present to take order with him according to the Act of Parliament and to set him free upon caution VI. Concerning the hainous murder of the Earle of Murry committed by the Earle of Huntly and his complices the Assembly gives order and strait command unto the brethren of the presbytery of Brechin who have already entered in process with him to proceed with concurrence of two brethren of each presbytery of Anguse and Merns against him for that cruell fact according to the acts of the Assembly VII Whereas an act was made in the last Parliament concerning deposed Ministers it is thought meet at the next Parliament or Convention of Estates To crave that because it hat been enacted that notwithstanding a Pastor be deposed yet the tacks and titles set by him shall stand It be now provided and added unto that Act that if the tack or title be set after the committing of the fact for which the person is deposed that such tacks factories or titles whatsoever shall be null or of none availl In the Parliament begun Juny 5. The four petitions of the Assembly were taken into consideration whereof the second and third were denied but for the first all former Acts of Parliaments for liberty of the true Church were ratified as also the Parliament ratifieth and approves the Generall assemblies appointed Act of Parliament concerning the disciplin of the Church by the Church and declares that it shal be lawfull to the Church and Ministers every year at the least and ofter pro re nata as occasion and necessity shall require to hold and keep generall assemblies Providing that the Kings Majesty or his Commissioners with them to be appointed by his Hieness be present at each generall Assem before the dissolving thereof nominate appoint time and place when or where the next generall assembly shall be holden and if neither his Ma. nor his said Commissioners be present for the time in that Town where the Assembly shal be holden in that case it be lawfull to the said Gen. assembly by themselves to nominate appoint time place where the next Gen. assembly shall be keept as they have been in use to do in time by past And also ratifieth and approves the Synodall or Provinciall assemblies to be held by the said Church and Ministers twice every year as they have been and presently are in use to do within every Province of this realm And ratifieth approves the presbyteries and particular Sessions appointed by the said Church with the wholl jurisdiction disciplin of the said Church agreed upon by his Majesty in Conference had by his Hieness with certain of the Ministers conveened for that effect of which articles the tenor followes Matters to he treated in the Provinciall assemblies These assemblies are constltute for weighty matters necessary to be treated by mutuall consent and assistance of brethren within the Province as need requires This Assembly hath power to handle order redresse all things omitted or done amisse in the particular assemblies It hath power to depose the office-bearers of that Province fot good just cause deserving deprivation and generally these Assemblies have the whol power of the particular Elderships whereof they are collected Matters to be treated in the Presbyteries The power of the Presbyteries is to give diligent labors in the bounds committed to their charge that the Churches be keept in good order to enquire diligently of naughty ungodly persons and to travell to bring them into the way again by admonition or threatning of Gods judgements or by correction It appertaines unto the Eldership to take head that the word of God be purely preached within their boundes the Sacraments rightly administred the disciplin entertained and ecclesiasticall goodes uncorruptly distributed It belongs unto this kind of assembly to cause the ordinances made by the Assemblies Provinciall Nationall or Generall to be keept and put in execution to make constitutions which concern TÃ’ PREPON in the Church for decent order in the particular Church where they govern Providing that they alter no rules made by the Provinciall or Generall Assemblies and that they make the Provinciall privy of the rules that they shall make And to abolish constitutions tending to the hurt of the same It hath power to excommunicat the obstinat formall process being led and due intervall of times observed Of particular Churches if they be lawfully ruled by sufficient Ministry Session they have power jurisdiction in their own congtegation in matters eccelesiasticall And decernes and declares the said Assemblies presbyteries and Sessions jurisdiction disciplin thereof foresaid to be in all time coming most just good and godly in the self Notwithstanding whatsoever Statutes Acts Canon Civill or Municipall lawes made in the contrair To the which and every one of them these presents shall make expresse derogation And so followes an abrogation of many Acts made in time of Papistry in favors of the Papisticall Church Also the 129. Act of the Parliament An. 1584. was annulled that it should in no way be prejudiciall nor any way derogatory to the priviledge that God hath given to the spirituall Office-bearers in the Church concerning heads of Religion matters of heresy excommunication collation or deprivation of Ministers or any the like essentiall censures specially grounded and having warrand of God's word Item then was annulled the act of that same Parliament granting commission to Bishops and other Judges constitute in Ecclesiasticall causes to receive his Hieness presentations unto Benefices to give collation thereupon and to put order in all causes ecclesiasticall which his Majesty and Estates foresaids declare to be expired in itself and to be null in time coming and of none availe force nor effect And therefore ordaines all presentations to Benefices to be directed unto the particulare Presbyteries in all time coming with full power to give collation thereupon and to put order to all matters ecclesiasticall within their boundes according to the disciplin of the Church Providing the foresaid Presbyteries be astricted bound to receive and admit whatsoever qualified Minister presented by his Majesty or laick patrones Lykwise an act that unqualified persons being deprived the Benefice vakes and the Patron not presenting the right of presentation pertaines to the Presbytery without prejudice of the tacks set before the deprivation Lykewise an Act concerning Manses and glebes at cathedrall and Abbey-churches Item an act ratifying approving all acts of Parliament Secret Counsell and all Proclamations made before against Jesuits Seminary-priests and receipters of any of them also decerning that in all time coming the saying of Masse receipting of
or in name of any of the Brethren 3. Because Mr Craig is old he craves that shey would give in liete five or sixe Ministers out of which he may chuse two to serve his house 4. Seing the standing of religion and the welfare of his Ma s person are so inseparably joyned that whosoever are enemies to the one are common enemies to both therefore let some be appointed in every Presbytery to advertise inform him diligenly for the more speedy remedy not only of whatsoever practises they can hear of Papists and the Spanish faction but of their receipters and of the practises of Bothwell whose wholl courses as they are directly against his person so they tend wholly to the subversion of religion With directjon also unto them to inform all the Barons and honest men tenderers of his Ma s wee fair to atrend and give inteligence of these practises as they can learn from time to time 5. That where is any port or landing place some brethren be specially appoinred to deal so with the Burghs that they take sufficient tryall according to the law made of all who shall come into or passe forth of this eountrey from whence they came whither they intend what is their purpose and so after good and sufficient tryall if there be any thing of weight importance that they fail not to acquaint his Majesty there with to the end he may the more readily discover all forrein or intestiue practises which are or shall be plotted against the estate of the present religion And this he craves to be done so faithfully as he hath good opinion of their earnest affection no less to the preserving of his person as to the defence of the common cause As also he promiseth to aid and assist you in all your good resolutions that may tend to the furtherance of peace and quietness with the advancement of true religion presently professed within this realm The humble answers of the assembly 1. Unto the first it is agreed according to the Act of Parliament which was delivered with the Articles 2. It is ordained by the wholl Church that no Minister utter from pulpit any rash or unreverent speaches against his Majesty or Counsell or their proceedings but that all their publick admonitions proceed upon just necessary causes sufficient warrant in all fear love and reverence Under the pain of deposing those that do in the contrary from the function of the Ministry 3. The Commissioners that are directed unto his Majesty shall nominate the Brethren and whom he shall chuse shall be admitted by the presbytery where his Majesty makes residence for the time The 4 5. are condescended unto and order taken as the Commissioners will give particular information V. No Colledge shali make disposition of their rents or livings by tack or any other title without the advice consent of the Generall assembly Vnder the pain of deposition of the persons disponing VI. For furtherance of the residence of Ministers it is appointed that all parishes shall build manses where are none or where they be ruinous upon their own expences or if they refuse after they are duly required not only shall they be judged the only cause of the Ministers not residence but it shall be lawfull unto the Minister his aires exequitors or assignayes departing to retain the possession of the Manse built by him if he build or repair the same upon his own expences ay and whill the Intrant Minister refound unto him or his foresaids the wholl expences at least so much as the Parish can not be moved to refound And that the presbytery at the Intrants admission take order for performing this providing that the expences exceed not 400. marks And the presbytery after the repairing or bigging of the Manse shall take exact tryall and account of the expences and give him their allowance to be registred in their books And likewise the Minister succeeding shall have â—he like title to crave of the Intrant after him the like expences ay untill the Parish shall outquite the Manse VII Commissioners are appointed to attend the Parliament with the petitions of the Assembly VIII As the books of Presbyteries are tryed in rhe Provinciall assemblies so the books of the Synods should be brought unto every Generall assembly for the better understanding of their proceedings Under the pain of the censure of the Church IX For remedying controversies among Ministers it is concluded that where any plea thogh in a civill matter ariseth betwixt two brethren if they be both of one presbytery they shall chuse what number they please thereof and the elected shall chuse an overman and they shall summarly decide and give Sentence which shall be irrevocable or without appellation And if they be of sundry presbyterics they shall chuse equall number out of them both and the elected shall elect an Overman and these shall give Sentence as said is without appellation And if any shall refuse this form submission he shall be held by the Church to be contumatioâ—s X. The Generall assembly by the authority given by God unto them dischargeth all and every Christian within the Church of Scotland from reparing to any of the King of Spain his dominions where the tyranny of Inquisition is used for merchandice negotiation or exercing of sea-faring occupation Untill the Kings Majesty by advice of Counsell have fought and obtained speciall liberty from that King for all his subje s to negotiat there without danger for the cause of religion Under the pain of incurring the censures of the Church untill the last Sentenee of excommunication The reader may judge of the fyve articles and the answers B. Spotswood saith the first two articles were savouring of discontent but he gives not a reason and he saith the King esteeming the second answer to be no restraint but rather to Minister an excuse to the unruly sort when they transgressed rejected it as not satisfying his demand whereupon the petitions of the Church against the Papists at the same time and against the erections of tyths into temporalities were not regarded And the merchants saith he offending at the Act made concerning them did petition his Majesty and Counsell for mantaining their liberty which was granted and nevertheless the Church proceeded in their censures till the merchants promised to surcease their trade with Spain how soon their accounts were made and they be payd of their debitors in these parts As for Bothwell he had fled into England when his treasonous attemps were discovered and when the English Ambassador did interceed for him the King said His offenses were unpardonable and to be abhorred of all Christian Princes In Juny he returned privily into Scotland and found rhe means to surprise the King within Halirud house and caused him subscribe articles which the King afterward did revoke in a Convention of the Estares as dis-honorable and made offer to grant the same upon a new
failed having no just warrant And being minded to satisfy his Majesty in all respects so far as possibly can be done with a good conscience after earnest calling upon the name of God for assistance of his Spirit and after long advicement hath found it good that the admonition of the Provinciall of Perth be reverenced of the said Generall Assembly and that the Assembly at this time give further admonition to John Ross to speak at all time reverently and with such wisdom of his Majesty that he alwayes may have so clear warrant of his speaches as may fully satisfy his own conscience before God and have the approbation allowance of all his godly brethren And this admonition be extended to all young men of the Ministry yea and to all the Assembly This judgement of the brethren being read and considered is voted by the Assembly to be followed in all points The said John Roâ—s is called-in and protests before God that whatsoever he spoke at that time he spoke it not of any respect to the traitors being then in the fields but in love to his Ma s weell and standing and so forth as is written above The Moderator in name and at command of the Assembly admonishes him and all the Assembly in the name and fear of God that in all time coming he and they all speak so reverently of his Majesty that they may have so clear warrant of their speaches that may fully sasisfy their own consciences before God and have approbation of all the godly and that his Majesty have no just cause of complaint or mislyking in time coming This admonition this said John acceptes with humble reverence VII In Sess 17. Androw hunter is delated to have deserted his flock and bruited to have joyned himselfe with the rebells of the King wherefore the Assembly presently deposeth him from the function of the Ministry ay and untill he shall satisfy the King and Church for that offence VIII In Sess 15. the assembly ordaines a fast to be keept within the presbytery of Edinburgh and other parts where advertisement can be made upon sunday next immediatly preceeding the Parliament and that his Majesty be entreated that Exhortation may bee according to the former laudable custom in the first day of Parliament and a thanksgiving at the conclusion thereof by some Minister and also that the said fast be made known unto his Majesty and entreated that he and his house would keep it It is also ordained that a generall fast be universally observed through the realm the two last sundayes of July coming because c. IX In Sess 18. Sir Rober Melvin of Murdo-Cairny and Alexander Hume of North-Berwick in name of the King present to the Assembly these their instructions 1. To protest that his Ma s royall priviledge set forth by act of Parliament be not prejudged in appointing the next assembly and to that effect that before their dissolving at this time they direct some of their number unto his Majesty to be resolved by him of the time place of the next meeting According to his Ma s proposition and their promise in the last Assembly at Dundy 2. That they will ratify and approve by Act of this present assembly their promise made to his Ma. in their foresaid Ass in any thing that any of the Ministry had to crave or â—omplain to his Majesty in any thing that they should do it by particular conference and not utter publickly in pulpit any unreverent speaches against his Ma s person Counsell or estate Under the pain of deprivation And for this cause that they will presently try and censure one of their number who hath contraveened the said Act and specially they will examine so many of their number as were present at the last Synod at Perth and charge them upon their great oath to declare what treasonable and unreverent speaches they heard John Ross utter in all their audiences and next whither they censured him for them thereafter or not and to desire them in his Mas name that according to the Synodall censure of him they will judge him as he demerits on the one part and his Ma s modest behaviour ever since that hath deserved 3. That they will excommunicat Andrew Hunter for bringing a scandall upon their profession as the first open traitor of the function against a Christian King of theyrown religion their naturall Soverain 4. That by Act of their assembly they will ordain every particular Minister within their charge to dissuade alswell by publick as private exhortation their flock committed to their cure from concurring with the treasonable attempts of Bothwell or any other traitors that raiseth ot shall raise up themselves against the lawfull authority placed by God in his Ma s person And specially that they shall narrowly take heed and not suffer any of their flock be seduced under color of religion or whatsoever false pretext to receive wages and becom souldiers for service of any persons excep they see his Ms warrant thereunto and namely of Both well who presently in sundry parts of this realm hath attempted the same 5. That in respect the time of Parliament is at hand and the occasion will suddanly serve for declaring his Ma s godly and honest intention in persecuting the Papists excommunicate Lords both by law and other ways therefore they will select one or two Commissioners of the discreetest wisest of every principall Presbytery and give them Commission to attend upon his Ma. at this time alsweell that his Ma. may have their good advice assistance in this good business no less concerning the estate of religion than the estate of his Ma s Crown and Countrey and lykewise that his Ma. may by their means direct and inform what he would wish to be don by all the rest of the Ministry as occasion shall from time to time present The humble answers of the Assembly unto these articles 1. The time and place of the next Gen. assembly is appointed by the advice of his Ma s Commmissioners according to the Act of Parl. to be at Montros the last tuysday of Juny come a year 2. The act made by the Gen. assembly at Dundy is ratified de novo and the particulare of Jo. Ross is resolved as his Ma. shall be informed more by the Commissioners of the Church 3. The Ass hath pronounced the sentence of deposition against An. Hunter untill he satisfy his Majesty and the Church 4. Every Minister is straitly commanded to dissuade their own flocks alswell by privat as publick exhortations from concurring in the treasonable attempts of Both well or other traitors to his Maj. c. As in the demand 5. A certain number is appointed to wait on his Maj. for satisfying the last article Against the Sentence of excommunication pronounced by the Synod of Fife against the Papist Lords B. Spotword P. 396. objecteth it was unlawfully done by them having no power And
their grievances And to give their advice unto his Majesty for avoiding any danger which may likely fall out in prejudice of the Church as also if his Majesty find him grieved or crave redress of any enormity done by any Mini. that they or any nyne of them shall sit and cognosce upon the matter with the advice of some of the discreetest of the presbtery where the offender dwelleth as they shall tkink expedient Finally with power to propound unto his Majesty at there conventions all the petitions both of the Assembly in Generall and of every member as shal be meaned unto them Concerning this part of their power to censure Ministers the King declares that howbeit it be generall yet he intends nor to trouble the Commissioners with any such causes unless first it be notoriously known that the Presbytery where the offender shall dwell hath both known the fact and hath altogether neglected the tryall of it or satisfyeth not his Majesty with the punishment of the offender XII In Sess 11. Forsomuch as the Commissioners of the last assembly had upon an earnest zeal which they did always bear to the good of the Church given-in certain articles unto the late Parliament in December concerning the liberty of the Church and specially had craved that the Ministry as representing the true Church of God within this realm and so being the third Estate of the realm might have vote in Parliament according to the laudable Acts constitutions made before in Parliament in favors of the freedom of the holy Church Which their travells endeavours proceeding upon a godly intention they now submitt unto the censure of the Assembly desiring the brethren to allow or disallow the same as they shall think most expedient to the glory of God and establishing true religion within this realm Whereupon the brethren being advised allowed the honest and godly intention of the Commissioners as conform agreeing with sundry acts of other assemblies in which it hath been found expedient that the Church should vote in Parliament Then the King willing to declare his good intention that he hath always to the establishing of the true Church of God declared that for the better performance thereof he had assisted the Commissioners in craving vote in Parliament which their suit albeit in some part and in a certain manner granted by the Parliament yet the aceptation thereof the form and all the circumstances of the persons were reserved to the Generall assembly to be accepted or refused as the Church shall think expedient And seing he had anticipated the appointed time of the Assembly and desired the brethren to conveen at this present time especially for the cause foresaid therefore he desireth that the brethren would enter into a particular consideration of all the points of the said Act and first to reason in publick audience Whither it be lawfull expedient that the Ministry as representing the Church within this realm should have vote in Parliament or not This question being debated in utramque partemâ— and thereafter voted the Assembly concludes that it is necessary expedient for the well of the Church that the Ministry as the third Estate of this realm in name of the Church have vote in Parliament In Sess 12. Concerning the number of Ministers who shall have vote in Parliament it is likeways concluded that alâ— many of them should be choâ—en as were wont to be in time of the Papisticall Church to wit Bishops abbots priors 51. or thereby 3. After reasoning it was voted concluded that the election of these who shall have vote should be of a mixed quality and appertain partly unto the King and partly unto the Church 4 And because for shortness of time the brethren can not be presently resolved concerning the office of him that shall have vote in Parliament to wit de modo eligendi of his rent of the continuance of his office whither ad poenam or not of his name of the cautions for preservation of him from corruption and such other circumstances therefore the Assembly ordaines every Presbytery to be ripely advised in the particulare heads and then to convocat their Synods throgh all the Countrey upon one day which shall bee the first tuysday of Juny next and there after new reasoning upon these heads that every Synod chuse three of the wisest of their number who shall be ready upon his Majesties advertisement which shall be upon a months warning at the least to conveen with his Majesty together with the Doctors of the Vniversities viz. An. Melvin John Johnston Ro. Rolock Pa. Sharp Ro. Howy Ro. Wilky Ja. Martin at day place as his Majesty shall think expedient With power to them to treat reason and confer upon these heads and others appertaining thereunto and in case of agreement and uniformity of opinions to vote conclude all the questions concerning vote in Parliament but in case of variance to refer the conclusion unto the next Generall assembly XIII It is ordained that every presytery shall assemble themselves once every week in their full number at least so many of them as have their residence within eight myles to the place of their ordinary meeting 2. That every member of the presbytery study the text whereupon the Exercise is to be made 3. That a common head of Religion be treated every month in every presbytery both by way of discourse and disputation 4. That every pastor have a weekly exercise of instruction examination of a part of his congregation in the Catechism All these heads are ordained to be observed under the pain of incurring the censures of the Church XIV Concerning the protestation given by John Davidson for himself and in name of other brethren as he alledgeth protesting that this present Assembly is not free which his protestation he craved to be insert in the booke of the Assemblies It being enquired by the Moderator If any would adhere unto that protestation none was found that would adhere unto it nor was of his opinion there-in and therefore the brethren discharge the clerk to insert it XV. Because the question of summary excommunication for lack of time can not now be commodiously treated It is delayd unto the next Assembly and in the mean time all summary excommunication is suspended XVI Because a certain The number of members number of Commissioners from each Presbytery unto the Generall Assembly hath not been prescribed it is ordained that three of the wisest and gravest of the brethren at the most shall be directed from every presbytery and that none presume to come without commission except they have a speciall complaint And that the Clerk take heed to receive no mo in commission but three And that one be directed from eyery Presbytery in name of Barons and one out of every burgh excep Edinburgh which shall have power to direct two Commissioners VII Because it is reported that nothwithstanding the Acts made against
that those may be reponed into their own places when it shall please his Majesty and the Assembly The King and Assembly consent V. It is ordained that in every Assembly hereafter those that shall be appointed Commissioners by the Assembly shall give account of their commission in the beginning of the subsequent assembly before other things be heard and their proceedings to be allowed or dis-allowed as the assembly shall judge of them VI. Commission is given to twenty four Ministers together with the Ministers of the kings House or any nyne of them to plant churches in burghes with power to transplant any Minister within the realm into the said burghes now vaking namely Edinburgh wherein they shall take the advice of the Presbytry there With power to judge of any offenses if it shall happen that his Majesty be offended by any of the Ministry and to take order there-in And also power to present the grievances and petitions of this assembly unto his Majesty and Counsell or Generall Convention of Estates or Parliament if any shall happen to bee c. VII Certain Visitors were designed to visit all the Shirifdoms particularly named unto them with power to try the Ministers in their qualification doctrin and conversation and whether they have wrong'd their Benefices To depose such as deserve deposition To plant Ministers where none as yet have been planted and to this effect to deal with the Tacks-men of every parishon for provision unto a Minister for the church And to report their diligence c. The next Assembly is appointed to be at Santandrews the last tuysday of July 1602. The Historicall Narration addeth Iames Melvin Minister at Kilrinny being detained by sicknes sent unto this assembly a Missive advising them to insist with his Ma. to yeeld unto the agreement of the Brethren at Bruntelan in March for repossessing the Ministers of Edinburgh and charging them as they will answer unto God to endeavour a redress of that wrong done unto the Church of Christ by Act of the Secret Counsell whereby the Ministers of Edinburgh were discharged to preach at any time in any part of the realm he adviseth to consider whether the proceedings of the Commissioners have been conform unto the conclnsions of the preceeding assembly or els it is not possible to hold out corruption And to lament the restraint of the freedom of Assemblies which now are made to depend upon licences Letters and proclamations whereas the Barons and the Burghs enioy thir severall meetings freely In end he layth down his part of the Commission at their feet as the Pioner doth his burden For it grieved him continually and now brought him into the danger of death Albeit he was not acquainted with their secrets yet it grieved him to sit somtimes among them even albeit â—e consented not unto their Sentences The King took this Letter out of the Moderator's hand and suffered it not to be read John Davidson sent another Letter to this purpose Should James John seek to sit the one at the right hand and the other at the left when Christ is going to Jerusalem to suffer death Is it time for Baruch to seek great things for himself whent the Lord is about to destroy what he hath planted and threatens his people with fearfull captivity is it time for us now when so many of our worthy Brethren are shamefully thrust out of their callings without all order of just proceeding against them boni malis demutantur and Papists Jesuits and atheists dayly flocking home are suffered countenanced and advanced to great roumâ— in the realm is it time for us of the Ministry to be inveigled and blindfolded with pretence of preferment of some small number of our brethren and that not to stand so much in the election of the Church as at the pleasure of the Court to have vote in Parliament to ride in foot mantles and to have the titls of Prelacies and so to make preparative in ourselves unto that Hierarchy as they call it which the Papists hope to enjoy with speed what is it but honorari intra palatium ad servitutem shall we brethren sliep still with Samson on Dalilah's lap till they cry The Philistins be upon thee he wrot more in this purpose and in the end he wished that they would not determin any thing de presenti concerning the new planting of Edinburgh in prejudice of their brethren not as yet displaced by any order for any promise de futuro as punishment of Papists seing those two can not stand together If reason find no place he exhorts them to remember that Melins optabilius est egregium bellum pace impia à Deo distrahente Bishop Spotswood addeth that he scoffing at the Kings doings said But Boniton is executed an infamous thief in the highest degree What is that to the cause of Religion whereof no question was moved is there no Papists nor favourer of Papists in Scotland but Boniton But the King is sound in religion what can the Papists do Being sound the danger were the less but there is nothing either in Church or king according to our Calling c. The king said There was treason in this Letter and for it the writer was committed to the castle of Edinburgh in the same month and afterward was confined to his parishon enduring his life In the Narration it is said also The Assembly began with little contentment to either party but the King to won the people because of the jealousy many had conceived for the fact at Perth in August protested with the tear in his ey that he would be serious for the Church and the liberty of the Gospell And for more satisfaction it was approved by Court and many of the Ministry which before was not only neglected but mocked at to wit to ripe up the causes of defection in all Estates from the purity and zeal in the practise of the true Religion and to advise upon the remedies So in this they had a tast of the wonted assemblies But there was small security in the chief directores and others of that side for neither were the chief causes layd open nor a right course taken for remedy The distraction among Ministers the cause and remedies thereof was not touched The King was so serious against the three Ministers of Edinburgh that for his satisfaction it was concluded they should be transported The generall Commission was renewed and almost all the same persons were authorized so that the plotters were not changed nor censured but others were put off and put in as they thought expedient About the end of the Assembly the King holding up his hand vowed to execute justice faithfully and to discredit all who shall attempt any thing against religion In the provinciall synod of Fife conveened at Kingorn in September they agreed upon some grievances to be presented unto the next Nationall Assembly to wit 1. That notwithstanding the Acts of Parliament
Justitiaries Moreover that Act of Parliament was repealed by another Act An. 1592. which derogates from the former in so far as it was prejudicial to the office-bearers of the Church in matters of religion heresy excommunication collation of Benefices deprivation of Ministers ecclesiastical censures c. As for the alledged contempt sedition that against the provision of the act of Parliament they had conveened and proceeded contrary to his Majesties express command intimated unto them by the Commissioners of the Church in their Letter and the Counsels Missive and by Laureston and against a publick charge of horning proceeding from the Secret Counsell and execut against them the day preceeding It was answered The act is no instituting law of assemblies but a simple approbation of them as they were appointed by the Church and in that approbation it is declared that it shall be lawfull to the Church to hold generall assemblies once every year and oftner as occasion shall require And the provision in the Act imports not a nullity of the foresaid liberty approbation but rather the contrary because it no way concerns the actions of conveening or holding but only the nomination of time and place and that not simply but upon condition of his Majesties or his Commissioners presence where the Assembly is holden nor is that simply or absolutly but coniunct with the Assembly and the same provision in the last part of it saith expressely It shall be lawfull unto the Church in case of absence of his Majesty and Commissioners by themselves to appoint time place of the next Assembly as they have been in use to do and consequently to assemble proceed without the presence or express consent of his Majesty or Commissioner And unto the Assumption these had his Majesties consent in the assembly at Halyroodhous An. 1602. where he consented that the next assembly should be at Aberdien the last tuysday of July in year 1604. and that diet was prorogued at his Majesties desire by a Letter sent to the Presbyteries and subscribed by his Commissioner Laureston and the late Moderator untill the first tuysday of July An. 1605. which day was keept by them at the direction of their presbyteries As for the Letters sent by the Commissioners of the generall assembly unto the presbyteries 1. It beares no command but advice 2. The imprisoned had a more authentik and evident signification of his Majesties will declared in the assembly and that diet was prorogued by his Majesties direction which was more authentik then an alledged discharge sent in an article unto the Commissioners 3. At that same assembly all power of prorogating oâ— altering time place of the assembly was taken from the Commissioners with his Majesties own consent for remedy of the grievances given-in to that assembly for the delayes and alterations made by them without advice of presbyteries synods where also it was ordained that the diets of the assemblies be keept precisely according to the Act of Parliament An. 1592. which is of greater force then the Letter of the Commissioners who had no power to discharge the ordinance of the assembly and the Act of Parliament and the continuall practise of the Church requiring a certain day and place but their Letter appointed neither time nor place which imports a plain deserting rather then continuation consequently it was a loss of that liberty confirmed by Parliament and therefore could not with save conscience be obeyed 5. Their advice was not to keep the fifth day but that assembly was begun and ended on the second day Their intention possibly was to discharge it simpliciter but neither did the Letter speak so not was it the duty of Ministers to quite their liberty As for the Counsels Missive they did conveen with Laureston's advice and their convention was sanctified by invocating the name of God before the Missive was presented unto them he met with them and presented the Missive unto them as lawfully conveened and required an answer of it it was read and considered and obeyed in all points excep the indiction of another day which for preservation of the liberty of the Church could not be omitted without perfidy What contempt is it to deny the request of the Counsell when the request imports so great a loss and is contrary unto the law As for his Majesties Commissioner's dis-assenting 1. He made no opposition to their sitting down but consented 2. He delivered the Counsel's Letter and willed them to read it to consider it and to answer it and removed himself for that effect 3. He acquiesced and was satisfied with their obedience unto the first part of the Letter and for the designing a new day he said he had no commission for that and therefore refused either by himself or with them to appoint a new day neither did they appoint any till after arguing he was forced to confess that they had reason to stick unto their point howbeit he could not consent for want of commission and till that he plainly said unto them It is thought yee shall never have a gen Assembly again As for the charge of horning alledged to be executed against them no intimation thereof was made unto them either by the Commissioner nor by the puresefant nor any other nor knew they any such as they are ready all to depone upon their oath 2. Laureston gave them not occasion to conceive such a thing by his speech for he said Albeit he might have used a charge yet he would rather use the Counsels Letter of request 3. The pretended execution and indorsation bewrayeth the forgery bearing that it was an open proclamation warranted by two witnesses who are Laurestons domestick servants whereas sundry honest men at the alledged time were in and about the market-place and yet none other can be found who heard such a thing 4. Why caused Laureston charge them upon the second day personally when they were dissolving without any mention of a charge the day preceeding 5. Though the execution were true yet it can not import the punishment contained in the libell seing it was not according to the Act of Parliament of Iames. 6. Parl. 11. year 1587. which beares that no Letters importing the tinsell of life or movable goods should be of force unless they be executed between eicht a clok in the morning and twelve noon at before famous witnesses but the indorsation of the pretended execution beares that these were executed between seven eicht in the evening 6. When they were charged personally upon the second day they obey'd presently as the Instruments taken in the hands of two Notaries testify The truth is this charge could neither bring them into the guilt of contempt or call their proceedings in question because they had done all that they did at that time therefore that other charge was forged as given at the cross of Aberdien the day preceeding and as it was given unto the Counsell by Laureston
S. 32. at Lateran 33. at Trent S. 243. seqq a dispute at Rome concerning the confirmation of the Decrees of Trent 276. and how they were questioned by the Nations 278. sixty and five National Synods in Scotland after the Reformation which are set down according to the order of years Councels did consist of Bishops and Presbyters 542. m. One Councel hath been corrected by another 542. A Councel condemneth another although confirmed by a Pope 128. e 578. e. the Councel at Pisa depriveth two Popes and chuseth a third 564. the Councel at Constance depriveth three Popes and chuserh a fourth A Councel is not the universal Church and may err 497. b A Councel is above a Pope 509. m. 513. e. 542. b. e. 544. b. 548. m. 556. e. 573. b. 575. b. 579. m. S. 17 b. the Church of Rome loveth not Councels for fear of Reformation 540. The Culdei in Scotland 186. how born down 281 282. The order of Crucigeri 416. Custom contrary unto truth should be abolished 29 b. 366. e. 470. m. D The Danes become Christians 224. they were reformed S. 69. e Why God suffereth his Church to come into extremity of danger S. 214. m The three Daughters of Richard King of England pride covetousness and letchery how bestowed 383. David Black a Minister's process before the Privy Council of Scotland S. 520 524. David Straton a Martyr's trial S. 172. m The name of Deacon remaineth in England but not the Office S 404. The Decretals were ordained to be burnt by one Pope but confirmed again 454. The causes of Defection of Piety in a Nation S. 556. The Devotion of antient times 61 62. Dictatus Papae Gregorii VII 249. The use of Church-Discipline S. 464 465. The Presbyterian Discipline was opposed by what sort in Geneva S. 129. the Discipline Presbyterian is better then Episcopacy S. 492. â—â—pecially it is more effectual against Heresie and Schism 493. The second Book of Discipline in Scotland was oâ—t debated S. 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 399 406. again approved and ordained to be subscribed 483. m. 485. e. the Act of Parliament ratifying it S. 489 490. The Popes Dispensations in degrees of Marriage was scandalous 74 e Dominicus the first Author of Dominicans 412. their priviledges 413. e. their first Rules were soon forsâ—ken 414. m. e. they first brought Aristotle into Christian Schools 416. e. they have little or no truth 439. m. the Dominicans Franciscans and other Friers were brought into Scotland 446. m. The Donation of Constantine unto Pope Silvester is forged 93. e. 208 b. 473. m. 475. m. 541. m. 543. b. A publick Disputation in cause of Religion An. 1521. at Basile S. 74. another An. 1528. at Bern. 94 95. another at Fountainbleau S. 134. another betwixt a Papist and a Turk S. 151. Dunstan Bishop of Canterbury his wickedness and cruelty 227 228. Durand's overtures of Reformation 470. E Easter 17. m. 58. m. Eberhard Bishop of Salzburgh his Oration against the Pope 431. Edmond King of England martyred by the Danes 184. e Edmond Bishop of Canterbury sheweth the corruption of the Church 381. e Edward the I. King of England restraineth the wealth of Bishops and Monks 450. The form of Christian Religion in Egypt about the year 1560 S. 322. The Elect cannot be deceived nor perish 28. e. 175. m. 176 e. 274. m. 546 e. they are chosen to believe and not because they believe 98. b. 174 b The manner of Electing the Bishop of Rome was often changed 13 m. 17 m. 19 e. 21. m. e. 80 e. 117 e. 118. b e. 122 b. 129 b. 200 e. by a whore 205. e. 206. b. e. 242. m. 243. m. e. 245 e. restrained to the election of Cardinals 246 m. 318. b 456. b. 459. m. 461. m. 508. b. 566. m. 569. e. S. 281. m. Elfrik's Sermon concerning the presence of Christ's Body in the Supper 228. Elipant Bishop of Toledo's Errors 102 103 107. Elizabeth Queen of England was imprisoned by her Sister strangely preserved from death and crowned S. 188. The Roman Empire decayeth 5. e. 6. e. 8. b. 68. m. 70 m. 71 710. It is transferred into France 109 111. and then into Germany 196. the Election of the Emperor 202 209. the Emperor is constrained to submit unto the Pâ—pe 236. even to hold his stirrop and lead his horse 310. b. the greatest hurt of the Empire 467. England was converted to Christianity 55. when it was first so named 104. m. was conquered by the Danes 273. and then by the No mans 274. began the Reformation S. 185. the title of England unto France 495 558. e The English Service Book was not written to be pressed on men S. 333. m. The Epistles of the old Bishops of Rome are forged 93. e Equivocation is maintained by the Jesuits S. 325. The sum of Erasmus his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. 27 29. The wicked Book of the Friers the Eternal Gospel 434 435. Excommunicated persons should be punished civily 194. e. An example of absolution from Excommunication S. 503 505. The use of Exercise unto Ministers S. 335. F Faith is the gift of God 214. b. 216. b. m. it is a certain knowledge and not a conjecture 341. b. it is not grounded on natural reason 361. b. neither Pope nor Councel can make an Article of Faith but at most may press obedience unto God's word 546 m. the relation between Faith and good Works 214. b. true Believers cannot perish 214. m Christ appointed not a Feast-day 547. The abuses of Feast daies 359. b. 541. b. The beginning of Feasts to wit of the Rood or holy Cross 6. All-hallow day 16 118. m. the Purification of Mary 205. b. All Souls 242. of John Baptist and S. Laurence 243. of Thomas Becket 337. m. Octava festivitatis Mariae 390. of the Cross of Corp. Christâ— 392 m. 454. of Christ's transfiguration 513. b. of the Conception of Mary 516. b. of the Visitation of Mary 578. m. All Festivals or Feast daies forbidden in Scotland S. 386. b The first Duke of Florence S. 3. b How the Kingdom of France came into the hands of King Pipin 86 87. In France was a beginning of Reformation S. 89 90. A Letter of Catharine Queen Regent of France unto the Pope concerning Religion S. 143 144. Liberty of Religion was granted in France S. 140. e. 141. e. 304 b. troubles in France for Religion under King Charls 9. S. 299. and under Henry the III. S. 303 m Francis Assisias the Father of Franciscans 413. Francis Ximenius the publisher of Biblia Complutensia S. 26. m The Fray in Edinburgh December 17. in the year 1596. S. 526. Flanders became Christian 51. Friseland became Christian 61. m East Friseland began Reformation S. 70. m The Doctrine of the preaching Friers 491. m Ferchard the II. King of Scotland was brought to repentance 60. m G The Popish Gades began 271. The first Glass in Britain
the year 1541. S. 101 102. and again An. 1545. S. 116 m. 117 e Christ's Redemption is of the Elect 97. m The reasonableness of Redemption by Christ 294 295 348. b. 361 362. A Reformation of the Church was intended 223. b. 345. b. 359. m. 471. m. 501. m. 550. b. 553. m. 565. m. it was propounded 454. e. 470. m. 547. e. and it was pretended to be one of the causes in assembling the Councel at Constance 565. m. and at Basile 571. m. and at Trent S. 243. m. 245 b. many thousands were desirous of a Reformation 541 574. it was attempted in Scotland but stopped by all the Bishops except one 559. m. it was foretold 426. m. 474. m. 477. m. 479. m. 480. e. 530. b. 552. b. e. 553. m. S. 7. e. 8. m. 17. b. e. it was promised by Pope Adrian S. 37. e. by Pope Paul the III. S. 43. b. God made preparations unto the Reformation 527. m. S. 26. m. 31. b. 35. e. Reformation should be made according to the word of God 470. m The talking of Reformation was odious at Rome 541. m. S. 7. b 277. m. heads of Reformation propounded at Rome S. 44. m. the occasion of the Reformation S. 55. m. the progress of Reformation S. 64. m. 69. e. 70. b. m. 72. m. 77. e. 78. 81 e 89. e. 92. m. 94. m. 114. m. c. The cause of the difference in Reformation between England and Scotland S. 328 329. False calumnies raised against the Reformed S. 134. Religion seldom ariseth from Princes S. 228 330. b The distinction between Regulars and Seculars 227. e. 290. e. a contention between them and how it was ended 227 228. Reliques are superstitious 18 42 45 69. e Reprobation 260. m. 370. b Richard Armacanus opposeth the Friers 496. The Righteousness of man is imperfect 276 337 e The multitude of Rites was opposed 381. e Men should not be tied to follow any Church in Rites 25. e. S. 92. e Responsorium of the Mass 143. e Robert Bruce King of Scotland 493. his three advises before his death 495. m Troubles in Riga for the new Calender S. 311. A Letter of the Emperor Rodolph the II. shewing the condition of many Nations in Europe at that time S. 320. The Roman Church receiveth Paganism by degrees 15. e. 39. e. 42. b. 43 b. 46. m. e. 73. b. 75. b. 79. e. 81. e. 141. m. 142. m. 146. b. 347. m. her corruption is lamented 24. 25. b. 156. b. 231. b. 485. m. S. 20 21 29. e. 287. b. the Roman Church receiveth temporal Lands 22. b. 70 71. b. e the Roman Church is not the Mother of all Churches 55 84 85. nor head of other Churches 503 she hath departed from the primitive Church 212. m. 231. b. 367. e. 470. e. she becometh worse and worse 529. e. 485. m. 547. e. the Roman Church is called Babylon 330. e. 355. m. 358. e. 423. e. 426. m. 548. m. S. 2. e. 30. e The Bishop of Rome should not be called the Prince of Priests nor universal Bishop 363. m. 367. e. The Roman Church hath her Authority from Councels 437. e. 476 e. in Rome truth is the greatest crime 477. b. her estate is described in a Vision 481. e. and again 482. m. 544. e The Romans aim at their Civil Liberty 318. b. 319. m. 328. e. The first Holy Rose 459. b Russia becomes Christian 224. S How the solemn keeping of the Sabbath was revived in England S. 529. Many do speak but of two Sacraments 133. m. 331. e. 335. b How the Papists prove the number of seven Sacraments S. 256. m The Councel of Trent was afraid to define a Sacrament S. 256. m Many Sacraments were not of God 495. e. 547. e A Sacrament is not a Sacrifice 136. e. yet were so called for certain reasons 137 b. 272. e. the beginning and progress of the opinion of a Sacrifice in the Mass 137 139. None can offer Christ in a Sacrifice but he himself 217. m Our Sacrifice is but one and was once offered 217. e. 294. m. 349. e. the Papists profess to offer a Sacrifice but with some difference S. 221. The Saints hear not Prayers 344. b Salvation is of God only 215. b. 223. b The Saracens spoil Italy 11. b. 115. b. m. 116. m. 117. m. 119 m. 197. m. 202. m. Scanderbeg King of Epirus 524. The black Saturday S. 543. The Schism between the Greeks and the Latines 11. m. 129. b 259. The School-men their first age 416. e. their second age 417. b. the opposition among them 419 420. their third age 488. they despised the Scriptures and cried up Aristotle 488. Scotland became Christian 55. the Scots conquer the Pichts 185. the change of a circumstance in the Succession of their Kings was the occasion of much bloodshed 226 227 274. an Oration for the liberty of the Church of Scotland 378. the Scots despise a summons sent unto them by the Pope's Legate 449. m. after the death of King Alexander the III. was much trouble for the right of the Crown 450 452. the King forbiddeth to seek a Benefice from the Pope 560 561. how the Reformation began in Scotland S. 169 173 179. the first publick step of Reformation 182. another step 184. a third step of it 192. a protestation made in the Parliament in the year 1558. 194. a Supplication of the Nobility unto the Queen Regent 196. their Letter unto their Adversaries and Neutrals 198. another unto the Prelates 201. a parley between the parties 201. the conditions were broken by the Popish party 204. a Sentence of deposition denounced against the Queen Regent but not executed 210. she dieth repenting of her violence 217. the Religion is established by Parliament 219. the first Assembly of the Church 222. Queen Mary returning ratifieth the Religion by Act of Councel 224. two remarkable points concernin the providence of God in the Reformation of Scotland S. 352 353. the Office of a Superintendent in Scotland S. 218. m the power of Provincial Synods in Scotland S. 454. m. Presbyteries or Classical meetings ordained there S. 400 m. and more fully designed 407 e. 410. m. 413. m. Rules for ordering them 424. e. 448. e. the power of Presbyteries 454 e. the Order and Model of Synods S. 566 Rules for Visitation of Ministers S. 562. and of Congregations S. 562. and of Presbyteries S. 563. The Holy Scriptures The Scripture is God's Letter to be read of all men and the Book of Life 26. e. 104. b. 222 e. 253. m. 332. b. 487. b. 501. e. it is perfect containing all things necessary 27. e. 88. m. 95. e. 132. b. e 173. b. 335 e 435. e. it answereth unto every mans doubts 28. b. it should be read publickly for edification of the people 64. b. these Books were written from God 96. b. 214. b. 332. m. 333. e. 501. e. S. 22. m. the Writers of them could not err in